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The Tribune

Volume:115 No.204, SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2018

Established 1903

Weekend

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THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

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Weekend

• Minnis riles at aide’s killing - he must be caught •School insists pupils safe - but be careful outside

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

“they may be on the right track sometimes”.

Saudi Arabia, according to the website Death PenPRIME Minister alty Worldwide, has carried Dr Hubert Minnis has out an estimated 66 execuinstructed Royal Bahamas tions as of September 5.

Police Force Commis- The site goes on to report sioner Anthony Ferguson beheading as probably the to use all resources availmost common able, including form of execumarines to track tion in Saudi Inspector Arabia. Stoning Carlis Blatch’s is also a method killer, even to used to punish the “bounds of people who are hell”, to ensure convicted of justice is done. committing acts Declaring like adultery. he “hates” While criminals and Dr Minnis that his views acknowledged on how they he was bound should be by the confines INSPECTOR Carlis Blatch treated are of Bahamian “extreme”, law, which Dr Minnis alluded to how does not allow this kind of nations like Saudi Arabia punishment, he said should enforce draconian prac- he be allowed to work outtices to deal with crime side of the law, the country and murderers, telling would see a changed man. reporters while he does SEE PAGES TWO & THREE not support their methods,

Page 9

Body and Mind

Building muscles, soothing the

‘Pursue him to bounds of hell’

WHERE’S WALLY?

soul pages 4 & 5

LUCAYAN’S $1M STAFF DEBT SAFE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE government will assume all liabilities including about $1m in back pay owed to workers at the Grand Lucayan resort in Grand Bahama.

Severance packages are also to be the responsibility of the government once the $65m sale of the hotel in Grand Bahama is complete, The Tribune understands told from two well-placed sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly on the hotel situation.

“Disbursements will come from the government because they are taking all the liability,” one Freeportbased source said.

“What is owed to workers is a considerable sum, about a million or more.

“Asset managers in conjunction with management are in now going through employee rolls,” a second source told The Tribune, “so because this is underway the absolute figure is not yet known.

“But the government is acquiring the liability.

Employees were addressed this week along with line staff and management staff SEE PAGE FIVE

‘BEATEN TO DEATH WITH A CONCH SHELL’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net A ROW between two men ended with one battering the other to death using a conch shell as a weapon, Supreme Court jurors heard yesterday.

Ashley Hield pursued a bloodied and badly beaten John Frazier through the streets moments after striking him multiple times to the head during the early morning altercation.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

STUDENTS join hands at HO Nash Jr High School, where a special assembly was held yesterday after the armed robbery on Wednesday that led to the fatal shooting of Insp Carlis Blatch outside the school.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

BROKER - THE CONNOISSEUR OF SCAMS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEYS for Guy Gentile, head of Bay Street-based SwissAmerica Securities, yesterday slammed smears

that brand him “a connoisseur of scams” as “false and defamatory”.

Lawyers said Gentile’s accusers had already backed down from many claims in a lawsuit filed in New York last month.

Avalon Holdings

Corporation had originally claimed Mr Gentile and Swiss-America had led a conspiracy to seize control of the company’s stock for “a pump and dump scheme”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

A COMIC’S VIEW: WOW - OBAN, SUDDENLY THE DETAILS MATTER

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, September 14, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

STUDENTS UNITE IN TRIBUTE - AS PRINCIPAL REASSURES OVER SAFETY

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE principal of HO Nash Junior High School has insisted the campus does not have a security problem, one day after the fatal shooting of a police officer in the proximity of the school.

However, during an assembly held yesterday morning, Principal Cheryl Samuels advised students to be “careful” outside of school grounds.

She also told them not to run toward incidents of violence.

In interviews with The Tribune, Bahamas Union of Teachers President Belinda

STUDENTS, faculty and staff of HO hold hands in a special assembly after the shooting of Inspector Carlis Blatch.

Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

Wilson and multiple parents underscored Ms Samuels’ remarks. They expressed concern about the incident, but overall maintained the tragedy was not a schoolspecific issue, but a product of the country’s socio-economic issues.

Inspector Carlis Blatch, a respected aide-de-camp to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, was shot on Wednesday afternoon in front of his 13-year-old daughter while picking up his son from the junior high school.

At the time of the incident, the area was crowded with parents picking up their children, police said on Wednesday.

“We don’t have a security

• • • •

problem. We don’t have a security problem,” Ms Samuels repeated to The Tribune yesterday. “It was after hours, so most of the children had already (moved) out of the area.

“Parents, they have an area where they normally settle to pick up their children so that we can’t be so crowded, congested, and stuff like that. And the parent was out there.

“It’s not a school issue,” she reiterated.

While Ms Samuels declined to speak on the specifics of the incident, she told The Tribune the school had “lost a member of (its) family”.

She described Insp Blatch as a good father and “very

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supportive parent” who was seen daily on campus.

During yesterday’s morning assembly, Ms Samuels extended condolences to Insp Blatch’s son and promised that he would have the school’s support.

To the wider student body, she said: “I want you children to know that the police are your protectors and that you need to respect them and care about them.

“I also want you to be careful when you are on the outside. Please. Yesterday many of us ran toward (the) incident.”

Ms Samuels also implored those in attendance not to take photos of tragic moments.

“Some of you had phones and were taking pictures. If that were a relative of yours on the ground, would you like to see (that)? Do you want it to go all over? We need to be more sensitive.

“Some of us adults are not setting good examples,” she added.

Meanwhile Mrs Wilson described the shooting as “heart wrenching” and said she knew Insp Blatch personally. She added she was visiting the school to offer support and encouragement to teachers.

Asked about the issue of school safety, Mrs Wilson pointed to the overall scourge of crime in the country and called for the government to resume capital punishment.

“This here is not directly a school matter. It’s in the community. I mean, he (Blatch) was waiting for a child. It just happens to be that he was in front of a school,” Mrs Wilson said.

“But I’m really calling on our government to get serious about crime,” she continued. “And if we’re going to have hanging… if it’s on the books, then let’s go ahead, after everyone has gone through the process and they’re found guilty, then let’s carry out what the law says.”

The Tribune also spoke to a number of school parents and guardians yesterday morning. Most of them regretted the incident while reaffirming their position that the campus is safe.

One woman, who wished only to be identified as Ms

BUT president Belinda Wilson yesterday.

Abraham, noted the shootMark, the father of an ing could have taken place eighth-grade student, noted at any school. She added that school violence isn’t her niece, a ninth-grader, specific to HO Nash. saw the inspector’s body.

“I moved him (his child) “I just think that, based from one school for violence on how we have developed and come and meet up the as a country, it could’ve hap- violence. But you know it pened anywhere, not just ain’t violence in school, it’s HO Nash,” Ms Abraham violence out of school…But said. “It could’ve happened it’s very (concerning) to see at Eva Hilton or CC Sweet- how people could just run in ing or AF Adderley…it and do things.” could have happened at any Pastor Devon Rolle, one of the schools.” of Kingdom Discipleship Referring to the fact that Centre, was also present at Insp Blatch’s young daugh- HO Nash yesterday mornter was a witness to the ing. He encouraged parents incident, Ms Abraham said to be “vigilant”, but be “no child should have to go careful not to “pass fear through that”. onto the children.”

“The school year just “Because we need (the started. I’m sure that will be children) to, as quickly as a traumatic experience for possible, come back to some that child. And that family level of normalcy and focus as a whole, and by exten- on their work,” he said. sion the kids who saw the Wednesday’s incident was body. My niece, she actually not the first time a shooting saw the body on the floor. incident took place on or “So, that’s something that near school grounds. we have to have a collective In November 2017, a change of thought in how parent of St Francis Joseph we conduct ourselves as a Catholic Primary School nation, as a country.” was shot in the school’s The Tribune met Darnell parking lot on Boyd Road Claridge with her son near shortly before 3pm. the entrance to the school.

When officers arrived, “I’m telling my son now, they found the victim sitthat soon as school ends and ting in a red car with a the bell rings, that he must gunshot wound in his hand.

ASAP find his way home,” The victim’s car had bullet she said. “No hold up, no holes in the driver’s side nothing, don’t let nobody window and one of the rear hold him up. Because safety windows. is at hand for these kids.

He was taken to hospital “That what happened where he was subsequently yesterday (Wednesday) listed in stable condition. is bold and cold. In a cold In June, a security guard manner in front of kids, on duty at A F Adderley people, and putting every- Junior High School, was body’s safety at risk.” accosted and then attacked Another parent, who by two armed assailants. identified himself as a The incident occurred police officer, who also shortly after 4.30am. Police believes that the school is said at some point during safe, said he doubts any this interaction, the security outsiders would come on officer was shot in his body school grounds. and died at the scene.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 14, 2018, PAGE 3

Minnis: We will not allow killer to have offspring from page one The prime minister was asked yesterday to comment on the murder of Insp Blatch, aide-de-camp to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, who was shot in the head on Wednesday afternoon while his daughter was in the same car. Insp Blatch was waiting outside of H O Nash Jr High School for his son at the time. He died of his injuries at Princess Margaret Hospital a short time later. Police suspect the incident was an attempted armed robbery.

The killer, up to press time, was said to still be at large. In the meantime, Dr Minnis said the killer will not be allowed to “rest” in this country, adding “we will not allow him to have offspring, which may possibly be like him”.

Whenever he is arrested, the Killarney MP said he hopes the court deals with this matter quickly and denies bail.

“The whole country is saddened with what has happened,” Dr Minnis told reporters as he extended condolences to the family, adding he planned to speak to relatives personally during a visit to their home.

“You know he worked closely with the governor general and he is a gentleman whom not only I worked with, but every morning at 5 o’clock he’s on the (Cable Beach) strip, so we would pass each other (and) hail each other every morning.

“But what is even more

hateful and distressing is that he was murdered in the presence of his 13-yearold child. What that shows is that murderer has no respect for life, has no respect for this society.

“I have spoken with the commissioner of police this morning and I told him that he must allow no obstacle (in pursuing) this killer and whatever is necessary he must use – his force, the assistance of the defence force and whatever is available to track him, even if he goes to the bounds of hell, he must be tracked and brought to justice.

“We must not allow him to continue in this society as is because obviously he has no respect for life, he has no respect for society when he can do something like that in the front of a child.”

He continued: “When it comes to things like murder, I am at the extreme end. When it comes to criminality, I am at the extreme end. What I would want to say I would want to do with murderers and criminals I can’t say, but what I can say is that countries like Saudi Arabia and those sometimes they may be on the right track, sometimes. I am not saying I support it. They may be on the right track sometimes, but this individual must be pursued and must be brought to justice and I would hope that the courts deal with it quickly so that there is no bail to give him the opportunity to do this thing again. So he will be pursued and he will be dealt with.”

Asked if Bahamians

should be concerned with their safety, he said: “Nobody within The Bahamas should feel unsafe, regardless (of) the big, small, financial background, nobody. Everybody should feel safe.

“I am an individual, I drive around the place by myself on many occasions.

I visit the inner cities and whatever because I feel safe. I feel comfortable and events like this may make others think twice and we don’t want to live in a society where individuals do not feel safe.

“This individual must be brought to justice and therefore the entire police force, defence force and whatever is necessary, I hope he is listening to me, whatever is necessary will bring him to justice. He will not rest in this Bahamas and we will not allow him to have offspring, which may possibly be like him.”

Asked about being a proponent of the death penalty, he said: “I am at the extreme right. Just leave it like that. I am the extreme right. I hate criminals, full stop. I do not tolerate (them).

“I must work within the frame work of the law, but if you allow me to work outside of the law and that is legal, believe me you’ll see a changed man,” he said in response to a question about what the country was doing to enforcing the death penalty.

Capital punishment by hanging is allowed under Bahamian law, however it has not been carried out since 2000.

AN OFFICER holds hands at HO Nash during the special assembly yesterday. The school also offered a special prayer for the family of Inspector Carlis Blatch.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

INSPECTOR CARLIS BLATCH, who was killed on Wednesday.

OFFICERS ‘CLOSING IN’ ON MURDER SUSPECT

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander said yesterday evening that officers are closing in on the person they believe killed Inspector Carlis Blatch, the aide-de-camp to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

“I will have some good news for the Bahamian people shortly,” he said.

ACP Fernander said two people are in custody assisting police with their investigation, though they are not suspects in the shooting. The conditions of their detainment are unclear. ACP Fernander couldn’t say if they were cooperating with police.

Insp Blatch was said to be sitting in his vehicle on Wednesday, with his 13-year-old daughter, waiting for his son who attends HO Nash Junior High when a gunman approached him and pointed a gun in his direction.

The gunman ordered him to get out of the car, then shot him. The gunman pulled him out of the car, got into the vehicle and drove off. He eventually abandoned the vehicle at a corner off Farrington Road.

Before that happened, Insp

A SKETCH of the suspect being sought by police.

Blatch’s daughter got out of the car and ran for help, police said.

Insp Blatch was immediately remembered for his professionalism. He worked at Government House for 14 years.

Yesterday, Our News spoke to Insp Blatch’s brother, Marcus Blatch, who revealed that he spoke to his older brother about half-an-hour before the shooting.

“I called him yesterday (Wednesday) and soon as I called him he said ‘I just was about to call you,’” he said. “He said he is there consumed with work, trying to knock it out and I said bye and we’ll talk later. Half-anhour later I got a call that he was shot. I tried calling his phone, just got voicemail.”

The younger Mr Blatch said his brother had four children. “They are trying their best,” he said. “Their parents are trying their best to let them understand what it is that’s going on.”

He said his brother “was a family man”.

PAGE 4, Friday, September 14, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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Let this shocking crime serve as a wake-up call THE truly shocking news of the murder of the Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General Inspector Carlis Blatch has truly rocked the nation.

Any violent sudden death ought to be of deep concern to other human beings.

However, the shooting of Inspector Blatch is egregious beyond measure, not only on account of the terrible circumstances of what appears to have been an opportunistic armed robbery in his own car and in the presence of his young daughter, but also because he was clearly a decent and worthy man of great distinction in his profession who was widely admired, respected and loved.

This wicked act of random evil is a tragedy for Insp Blatch’s family and loved-ones and for his colleagues. It also besmirches us as a country which has been suffering for far too long from levels of violent crime that have become unacceptably high.

There have been assurances in recent months from the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police about the declining incidence of serious crime and the increasing effectiveness of work by the police in dealing with the relatively small numbers of offenders allegedly responsible for most of it. But perhaps this new outrage will finally be a wake-up call for sterner action against the so-called criminal class, though a balance always has to be struck between keeping the public safe in the most effective way and use of excessive and unlawful force.

The police themselves face danger daily from wrong doers intent on

flagrant law-breaking and apparently oblivious of the possible consequences of their blatant criminal acts - and the public is indebted to police officers for protecting society to the extent they are able to do so. Inevitably, they will react with anger to this latest atrocity against one of their own, but, as professionals, they will surely exercise restraint within the confines of the law since police brutality and vengeance are the mark of Third World dictatorships and have no place in The Bahamas where the rule of law is a cornerstone of our democracy.

Nonetheless, it remains a mystery to the general public why on the small island of New Providence, in particular, where criminals with few places to hide should be readily identifiable, the police are unable to get a better handle on the perpetrators and take them off the streets. The police tend to blame the courts for failing to impose harsher sentences so perhaps this should be a wake-up call for our justice system as well.

While the tributes to Insp Blatch pour in for his service as a consummate professional at Government House – not least from the Governors General whom he served so ably and who are in a better position than anyone else to appreciate his sterling qualities – we should like to pay our own respects to him.

We offer The Tribune’s deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. We grieve with you in your loss, in the harshest of circumstances, of an exceptional man.

Oban deal EDITOR, The Tribune.

OBAN Energy Heads of Agreement…if signatories do not comply with the terms of an agreement then what happens to that agreement?

Even with the incredible circumstances of how the agreement was signed - the signatory signing another person’s signature that agreement was Tabled in the House Of Assembly it stands and is supported but…

Oban Energy has not complied with key articles of that HOA so in law there is a breach and the HOA is null and void — just a bunch of waste paper.

Prime Minister, as head of your government you are duty bound to officially write to Oban Energy and advise them they have not complied with the HOA and their agreement has therefore been cancelled… no more pussy footing around on this…today write.

The special Cabinet Committee headed by Senator Hon Dion Foulkes - recall now it was Minister

Jeffrey Lloyd who shouted from the hill top that the Oban HOA was illegal remember that? Illegal!

Then we heard that PM Minnis appointed this Committee to investigate the process - Process not new Heads of Agreement.

Why are the journalists not challenging the Minister or do they just lap up the milk and honey the Ministers speak? Oban Heads of Agreement is void and officially it has to be cancelled - non compliance plus, as Minister Lloyd, said “illegal”.

Almost every day since May, 2017 we have struggled to understand the direction of this FNM Government - indecision - putting their proverbial foot if not feet in their mouths - not following Procedures look at the BP&L mess - PM promises investigation now a month or two has passed on the BP&L Board issues embraced the good lady who was chair and nothing and they intend signing an MOU whose process is totally flawed but oh we go on as if nothing was astray,

we complied 100% with the procedures.

One year on Ragged Island, oh, yes, we will build the world’s first green community, great words Prime Minister but did you mean it or understand what you were saying and, of course, when?

We have money to buy Our Lucaya but unable to assist our People in Ragged Island and other hurricane torn islands still hurting!

Nassau Cruise Port again true to form the process for a future RFP-Tender has been comprised - isn’t there someone in OPM that know the process?

Oban Energy Heads of Agreement is void - noncompliance…we must hear and see that Agreement cancelled.

By the way, Prime Minister, we don’t want a refinery anyway so just forget that wet-dream - that location is virgin beautiful Bahamian beach not to be spoilt by exploiters!

W THOMPSON Nassau, September 12, 2018.

Lighthouse Point EDITOR, The Tribune.

RE: Alternative Sustainable Development Plan for Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera Letter of Support Our message remains the same since the first conversations regarding development at Lighthouse Point. We fully support our NGO partners in developing a sustainable vision that

respects the long range cultural, environmental and economic value of Lighthouse Point.

We will continue to focus on outreach and education in collaboration with The Bahamas National Trust, The One Eleuthera Foundation, The Leon Levy Plant Preserve and BREEF. We will also leverage our brand of educational

Jamaal Rolle will return in Monday’s Tribune

It’s down to education EDITOR, The Tribune.

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tourism and research supporting a shared vision that maximises a more sustainable future for our neighbours and the spectacular natural beauty of Lighthouse Point.

CHRIS MAXEY Founder and Headmaster Cape Eleuthera Island School September 12, 2018.

I SAT down this morning intending to write a letter about the astounding figure of $600m. This is the number put forth by Minister D’Aguilar, who says that Bahamians spend $600m per year in the web shops.

Even now, after a few days of letting this number sink into my head, I still have a hard time processing the wider implications of this overwhelming, potentially game changing amount of cash, simply pissed away every year in this country.

My letter writing was halted when I opened the papers this morning to see the recent reports on our educational achievements here in The Bahamas.

It occurred to me that these two issues are part and parcel of the same problem. In fact, most every problem we have in this country can be directly attributable to our failures in education.

Education is more than technical training. More than becoming an architect, a doctor, an accountant, a lawyer. For instance, our PM Minnis is reputed to be a fine doctor. Yet, he proves so clueless, unguided and uneducated on so many issues for which our country cries out.

I don’t want to make this political, for I see this “education” failure everywhere I look. Even in the article about education in The Tribune, Mr Myers says, “GDP can only be improved by higher productivity and a more productive workforce, increased foreign direct investment (FDI) or mechanisation, automation and

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net technology. A more productive workforce comes from a more educated workforce.”

So, according to Mr Myers, it has been established that increasing GDP is a good thing, and so is growth. Most truly educated people I know have already reached the conclusion that infinite growth on a finite planet is akin to suicide. As well, way too many negative impacts on society are counted towards increasing GDP. Such as all the money spent on security guards and security systems due to theft. Or, the increased revenues for funeral parlours because of the murder rate. And, on and on, as if GDP says anything about the true nature of how a country is doing.

But, focused as we are on metrics rather than real substance, we continue to flounder.

To me it seems, we no longer value a well-educated person. We want a good technical person.

A good doctor, a good mechanic, a good accountant, but educated, we don’t really care. Here, as in many places, the winners are the ones who have figured out how to make the most money. Often at the expense of the rest of society.

While perhaps not clinically diagnosed as such, it appears that those at the top of our economic ladder certainly display many of the characteristics of sociopathy. I could be wrong, but it is not an idle supposition.

Education must be valued for the benefits it

confers on society. Not in personal income and advantage. Not in material wealth. To me, the real proof of a society that has a good educational system is how everyone is doing in that society. Have we really helped our community, or merely helped ourselves, family and friends? That this country has a literal handful of people who are pocketing the vast majority of the 600 million dollars bled from the addicted, downtrodden and lowest caste of society is clear evidence of an under-educated leadership, as well as, an under-educated populace.

A well educated person realises the social costs in screwing others over, performing poor workmanship, or having a poor work ethic. They would feel guilty and seek to do better. But, not us. We, as a society, cannot even bring ourselves to jail those who have egregiously broken the laws while in positions of public trust.

Many of us hope that truly investing in education would somehow overthrow these blatant injustices.

Injustices that, despite the rampant religious fervor in this country, we have so far failed to address.

When we see such wholesale failure, as is occurring in this small nation, is it not right to ask what systemic issues could cause such widespread social decay?

Is the goal in improving education really the panacea, or is there something much deeper that is causing our anti-social and seemingly self destructive behaviour?

PORCUPINE Nassau, September 9, 2018.

Dionisio right EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Hon Dinisio D’Aguilar (FNM- Free Town), Minister of Tourism & Aviation, is the hardest working member of the Minnis cabinet.

Prior to entering politics he was a business executive with the family owned business, Super Wash, and a director/shareholder in numerous private entities.

A Chartered Accountant by profession, he knows how to crunch numbers and he has a firm knowledge of his cabinet responsibilities and the expectations of the people of The Bahamas.

He is not a career politician and he may not always be politically correct. These are a few of the reasons why he is sometimes a lightening rod based on his public statements. The other day he opined as to why the numbers were so low for individuals who would have been eligible for the proposed residential lots in the Sun Set Close Subdivision.

He suggested that most relationships were transitory and did not enjoy the benefits of joint incomes.

It is trite knowledge and simply common senses for a person to understand that two incomes are better than one when it comes down to owning an affordable home.

What is so difficult to understand about this proposition? He also suggested that too much income may be being diverted into the huge coffers of the operators of the web industry at the expense of rental and mortgage payments; school fees; medical bills and only God knows what else.

Again, he was dead right.

In The Bahamas, we tend to understand the

‘message’ but we are prone to ‘shooting’ the messenger, big time, especially if we do not ‘like’ the narrative. Most of you are able to recall remarks attributed to Attorney Richard Lightbourne, former member of parliament for Montagu.

All he did was to suggest that some of our people were having “too many” children out of wedlock and that birth control methods had to be considered on a serious basis. The fire storm that erupted is still burning, even if the thrust of his message resonates with the unwashed masses. He was accused, God forbid, of being a racist and worse.

Now newspaper columnist and political talking heads are accusing the Minister of Tourism & Aviation of “double” standards? Yes, it is true, that Dinisio inherited the bulk of his fortune from his late father and family businesses. So what?

Is something criminal or unethical about this? The last time I checked, being born with a silver or golden spoon, as I would have been, is quite legit and many would literally die to be fortunate to have wealthy parents and/or relatives.

This bogus narrative being put out by some in the web industry that when you play we all win is so far from reality as East is from West. The only guaranteed winners are the handful of individuals who currently dominate the industry. It has been said that “the house never loses”. We have become a nation of gamblers in the vain hope that we will, eventually, hit a three or four ball. We are chasing behind fool’s gold and the christian community is dead quiet. It

is remarkable that so few churches have a subdivision or land available for discounted prices to its members. Why is this?

The Minister of Tourism & Aviation is not always politically correct, but for people to suggest that he is “out of touch” is a bold and sinister lie from the very pits of hell. The graduated taxes being proposed may be just what the doctor ordered.

Any administration has the inherent constitutional and legislative right to impose taxation. This right cannot be outsourced or delegated to others. Consultation is one thing but no one, much less private or corporate citizens is able to dictate taxation policies of any government.

I have said it before and I say it again....there are too many web shop outlets and many of them are too close to churches and schools. Why this seemingly mushrooming in web locations? How is this relentless expansion being allowed

by The Gaming Board, et al? Where is the President of The Bahamas Christian Council? Where are the voices of the Anglican and Catholic Churches?

Minister D’Aguilar is a breath of fresh air in front line politics. It is a political pity that he is not a member of the New Deal Progressive Liberal Party. I am, of course, not an FNM and most of my other habits are good ones, if I may say so.

I call a spade a spade, however. He is performing well and he has a bright future going forward.

Jr

ORTLAND H BODIE Nassau, September 12, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 14, 2018, PAGE 5

THE GRAND Lucayan Resort.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Lucayan’s $1m staff debt safe from page one

at Grand Lucayan and were assured everyone will be dealt with. Anyone who wants packages will be dealt with according to law,” the official said.

When he spoke to reporters yesterday after a tree-planting event at Gambier Primary School in conjunction with Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis pledged to fully disclose the details

surrounding the Grand Lucayan’s purchase by the government.

He said: “You will receive all of that on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, you will get a communication. You will be informed as to why we had purchased the hotel. It’s our job to keep the Bahamian economy going. That hotel plays a pivotal role in Grand Bahama’s economy and of course it was being negotiated by the private sector.

“The only thing I will say at this particular time is no

investor will put a gun to my head. None.”

Asked to comment on the money owed to workers, Dr Minnis replied: “I know what I say with respect to that will be a headline. I will allow what was asked earlier to be the headline.” He was referring to comments he made in response to the murder on Wednesday of Inspector Carlis Blatch, aidde-camp to the governor general.

Sources have said this back pay may date back to 2008.

This week the hand over process for the Grand Lucayan entered a new stage. In meetings with employees, government officials assured staff their employment will be protected.

“Further information will be provided and a full statement will be given by the prime minister in Parliament next week,” said Michael Scott, chairman of the Hotel Corporation and the special purpose vehicle established to facilitate the purchase and eventual

sale of the Grand Lucayan resort.

That SPV, Lucayan Renewal Holdings LTD, took over the resort from owner Hutchinson Whampoa earlier this week, with the sale expected to be finalised on September 21.

Tribune Business reported on Tuesday a “substantial number” of Grand Lucayan’s middle management staff want to take severance packages and leave the resort.

Obie Ferguson, Trades Union Congress (TUC)

president, told Tribune Business that feedback received to-date indicated that “a sizeable number” of Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association (BHMA) members would exit if the terms were right after the government formally took control of the Grand Lucayan’s operations.

Mr Ferguson said confirmation of how many want to leave will be known soon, dependent on the completion of a questionnaire to obtain this information from BHMA members.

BAHAMIANS URGED TO FOLLOW ORDERS OVER HURRICANE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked international Bahamian students in Hurricane Florence’s path to comply with all orders for mandatory evacuations.

Some students have already evacuated affected states, heeding warnings from local officials and concerns from relatives back home.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the ministry said it has been “closely monitoring” the projected path of Hurricane Florence, which up to press time yesterday had weakened to a Category 2 storm.

However, CNN has reported the cyclone is predicted to unload 10 trillion gallons of rainfall in North Carolina alone.

“I don’t care if this goes down to a Category 1.

We’re still going to have a Category 4 storm surge,” CNN meteorologist Chad Myers said.

Ian Mayers is a Bahamian student in his senior year at Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, North Carolina.

Mr Mayers told The

Tribune yesterday he was among the evacuees and was en route to Florida during the interview.

“I mean, I wasn’t too worried, but my mother and (relatives) at home were worried for me,” he said. “Because the news was saying how it could’ve gotten to the point where there would be no power and extreme rainfall and thunderstorms and winds.

“So (my mother) wouldn’t have been able to know if I was good or not for those few days.

“And from the reports they did say our area would receive some serious damage,” he added.

Mr Mayers said Belmont Abbey College did recommend that students leave the area. Those who did not have the opportunity to do so “were taken care of and safe”, he added.

Belmont Abbey College closed yesterday and today because of the potential threat from the storm, according to its website.

In its statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it has been in contact with the Bahamas Consul General in Atlanta, Georgia,

regarding student safety.

“Our students have been advised to follow all instructions and advisories

issued by federal, state and local officials,” the statement noted.

“Further, we have asked

students to comply with orders for mandatory evacuation (where applicable). The ministry remains

vigilant with regard to this natural activity and will endeavour to support our students.”

PAGE 6, Friday, September 14, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

800 screened for prostate cancer in Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A RECORD 800 men on Grand Bahama were screened for prostate cancer during an annual event hosted by Us TOO Grand Bahama, in partnership with the Cancer Society of The Bahamas.

This year’s turn-out surpassed all others that have been held since 2011, according to the organisation which conducted the free screening on September 7 and 8 at the

Pearce Plaza Government Clinic on Coral Road in Freeport.

Last year 700 men participated and a target of 800 was set for this year.

During the late afternoon on Saturday, September 8, Cornell Stuart walked into the clinic and presented himself for screening and became the 800th participant.

He was greeted with “resounding applause,” according to a Us TOO representative as organisation reached its goal.

“Us TOO Grand

Bahama is proud because our awareness programme was successful,” the organisation said in a press statement.

Prostate cancer is a highranking killer of Bahamian men even though it is 100 percent treatable once it is diagnosed early.

Free screening started in 2011 when some 89 men participated in the first screening. The organisation depends on donations from corporate Grand Bahama to provide free screening.

Us TOO’s aim is to

significantly reduce the incidents and deaths from prostate cancer in Grand Bahama.

The organisation embarked on a cancer research project and began testing for the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene mutation.

According to preliminary results, the occurrence of the BRCA gene mutation is high on Grand Bahama.

Research is continuing on the island.

The group’s next goal is to secure a home building with space adequate enough to conduct screening,

consultations, education and counseling activities.

Due to the high turnout of men every year and after meeting its goal this year, it is believed that the current location would not be able to accommodate more than 900 men.

September has been designated Prostate Cancer Month, and a number of events and activities were held and will continue.

The group will culminate Prostate Cancer Month on Sunday, September 30, with an 11am church service at the Hawksbill Church

of God of Prophecy in Hawksbill.

Following the service at 2pm, the annual luncheon will be held at the Flamingo Restaurant at Castaways Resort.

US Too thanked all participants, corporate sponsors, the Public Hospitals Authority, medical and clinical volunteers, the Grand Bahama Medical and Dental Association, the Us Too Committee and members of the Grand Bahama community who continue to support their efforts.

‘WAIT FOR EVIDENCE’ ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands vowed not to throw around the weight of his personal views in the medical marijuana debate as he brought opening remarks at the country’s first medical marijuana symposium on Wednesday evening.

The event, hosted by the Medical Association of the Bahamas, was held at the British Colonial Hilton.

Dr Sands struck a cautionary tone, noting that advancements in medicine don’t always progress in a linear fashion but often take place amid twists and turns.

His ministry, he said, has heard anecdotes for and against medical marijuana uses. Now it’s time to consider the evidence, he said.

He distanced the symposium from discussions about recreational marijuana use, saying: “We are here to discuss the topic of medical marijuana. Not

MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands. recreational marijuana, not era, there were competent cocaine or other drugs. Is blood-letters. During the this the wonder drug denied Greek Empire, we refined a dance at the prom or will our understanding of the we be opening Pandora’s working of the human body – which was believed box?

“The history of medi- to depend on the intercine does not read like a play of diet and activity on romance novel. It is more the four humours of black like a thriller mixed in bile, yellow bile, blood with a comedy and a trag- and phlegm. There were edy. There is suspense and experts in each of these conflict. Medical advance- disciplines who could fix ment has sometimes put problems by manipulating clinicians at odds with the these humours.

“Human dissection and prevailing views of the general society. Advances the acquisition of knowlin medicine often shook edge of anatomy has had a society from its positions checkered past. Religious of comfort. Sometimes it and social views on dishas been the venerable section initially prevented respected clinician whose human dissection, then life’s work was discredited. gave way to a brisk busiThere was a time that we ness of body-snatching just ‘knew’ that bloodlet- or grave-robbing to proting cured disease. In that vide cadavers for teaching.

YOUR

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Here again – the advance- to simultaneously tolerment of knowledge created ate contempt of that same conflict. In 1846, William public because you insisted Morton introduced ether on securing the role of an anaesthesia and the era African American scienof surgery commenced. tist Vivien Thomas in that When Lister published his procedure if you lived in treatise on asepsis, many Baltimore in 1944?” diseases previously deemed He added: “Tonight, we lethal became eminently are here to topple the statreatable. tus-quo again... There are “Theodore Billroth, a conflicting positions that notable professor of sur- coexist defining marijuana gery, said: “The surgeon as a gift from the gods or who would attempt to the work of the devil. My suture a wound of the ministry is pleased to supheart should lose the port tonight’s forum and respect of his colleagues.’ any similar forum that aims Thankfully, iconoclasts to educate and inform. We like Blalock and Thomas, have heard the anecdotes Lillehei Cooley, and others for and against. Now let risked such infamy. Can us see the evidence. I have you imagine, on the one no idea where this field is hand, creating an opera- headed. Could we be wittion to save the lives of nessing a game-changing countless blue babies but breakthrough?”

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 14, 2018, PAGE 7

PM: I still want probe of BPL after board collapse

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday he is still committed to his promised investigation of Bahamas Power and Light and the collapse of its board of directors three weeks ago.

He said the terms of reference for the probe had to be completed, presented to the new board and then “we will do the proper investigation”.

Recent fires at BPL’s Clifton Pier Power Plant have brought on a fresh round of criticism and questioning over the state of the power provider.

The prime minister said: “Investigations are ongoing so I would not want to preempt anything. I am, and the rest of The Bahamas is, watching. Electricity is just too expensive in this country. Individuals are paying two mortgages. The electricity rate is just as high as mortgages, that is not fair.

“That has to be resolved.

Both must come down. The mortgages, the electricity, both must come down and that’s our mandate. And we will bring them down.”

Earlier this month, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said a team had not yet

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. been appointed to carry out the BPL probe.

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

investigators). He’s committed to doing that and he will but there’s no timeline on that.”

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

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

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff public spat.

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

He said at the time: “I have met this morning with the past BPL board

members, had a very great meeting with them and I have informed them that in light of what has been transpiring, that the government will initiate a proper investigation into the BPL saga and when we complete that investigation that will be made readily available.”

Since Dr Minnis’

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

‘BEATEN TO DEATH WITH A CONCH SHELL’ from page one In testimony before acting Justice Andrew Forbes, the Crown’s key witness, Ronald Scott said he saw Hield from a distance of about 25-feet exchange words with Frazier, bash him with a conch shell and then pursue him up a street shortly after two bystanders stepped in to separate them.

Mr Scott, who said he travelled to Strachan’s Corner on August 24, 2105 to pick up a tool from his brother who lived in the area, said their conversation was cut short by a loud argument between two men standing a few feet up the street.

The witness said as the argument between the two men intensified, the two men moved closer and closer to the area in which he and his brother were standing.

He said once the men got to a distance of about five feet away from his brother’s property, Hield violently struck Frazier with an item which he later identified as a conch shell.

Mr Scott testified he was so taken aback by what he saw, he was unable to process it right away. He added he was so shocked by the incident, he had to ask his

brother, who at this point was standing almost next to him, if he saw what had just transpired.

“It shocked me. The magnitude what he hit him with,” he told the court.

Mr Scott said by the time he was fully aware of what transpired, two other bystanders had rushed over to Frazier’s defence.

According to Mr Scott, the intervention by the two men gave a visibly dazed and confused Frazier an opportunity to gather himself, stand up and attempt an escape.

Mr Scott, referring to Frazier as the older man and Hield as the younger, told the court by time the two bystanders intervened, the younger man was basically atop the older man who was “on the ground on his back”.

He said he saw Hield strike Frazier multiple times. “I was too shocked to count,” he added.

Mr Scott said once the men were separated and Frazier was on his feet, he immediately attempted to flee.

However, according to Mr Scott, Hield pursued him.

“All four of them walked toward Thompson Lane,” he added, referring to Hield, Frazier and the two men who intervened.

When asked to describe Frazier’s condition at the time, Mr Scott told the court his face was so covered in blood, he could barely make out his complexion.

Prosecutors asked Mr Scott if he at any point offered assistance, to which he said that shortly after the matter, he drove his truck around the block to see what became of the altercation.

However, Mr Scott said he didn’t see any of the parties involved. He said he was informed a few days later that Frazier, 64, had died of his injuries.

He said once he was made aware of Frazier’s death, he asked his brother to accompany him to the police to give notice of what they saw.

Mr Scott said his brother declined, so he went alone.

Hield, 24, is accused of the beating death of Frazier between August 24 and 25, 2015.

Initial reports indicated that Frazier was in the process of changing a tyre near Collins Avenue and Gibbs Corner when he was attacked.

Hield has pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Darnell Dorsette is prosecuting the case.

David Cash represents Hield.

24 ARRESTS IN POLICE SWOOP POLICE arrested 24 people on Wednesday night in connection with a number of serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, possession of illegal firearms and dangerous drugs during Operation “Strong Finish” in New Providence.

The operation targeted persons involved in criminal

activities, prolific offenders, and those wanted for outstanding court warrants.

Twelve people were arrested in connection with homicide investigations; two were arrested after they were found in possession of a quantity of suspected cocaine; one person for possession of an illegal firearm and nine

were arrested in connection with armed robbery investigations.

This operation was led by ACP Clayton Fernander, ACP Ashton Greenslade and ACP Theophilus Cunningham. The team was assisted by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Investigations are ongoing.

DAMARGIO Whymms outside court.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

MURDER SUSPECT FACES COURT

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A NEW Providence man was charged with murder in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Damargio Whymms, 24, of Flamingo Gardens, appeared in Court Two before Magistrate Charlton Smith, accused of

murdering Henry Johnson, aka “Little Henry”. He was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

It alleged he killed Johnson on August 4 in Freeport. It is also alleged that the accused conspired to commit murder.

According to police reports, Johnson had left a business on Logwood Road and was about to get into his vehicle

when two armed men shot him in his body. He was taken to hospital where he died of his injuries the next day.

Whymms was not required to enter a plea to the charges which are indictable offences. He was denied bail and the matter was adjourned to December 17. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

PAGE 8, Friday, September 14, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

TAKE ONE: The first ‘signing’ of the Oban deal, which later the government said was a ceremony and not the actual signing.

Oh so now you care about attention to detail over Oban THE Minnis administration apparently is still in “good faith” talks with Oban Energies, over a proposed oil refinery in Grand Bahama.

And it seems like “dis ga be long” as, allegedly, discussions will continue until the HOA can be amended to the liking of the Minnis administration.

How ironic, now, Dr Minnis and Co want to pay attention to the details, dotting all i’s and crossing all the t’s.

Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, who also co-chairs the Cabinet subcommittee and this technical advisory group, informed reporters outside

of Cabinet Oban officials remained committed to the $5.5bn project.

However Foulkes also added: “We are still awaiting the technical report from the Oban technical advisory committee.”

“It’s taking a little longer than I had anticipated. I have received a draft.

“It’s a fairly comprehensive document but I’ve

still not received the final document.”

Minister Foulkes, can you please be a little more vague?

Seriously?

A draft?

All of this time, and all we have is a draft, still no “official” document?

More irony, had the FNM been sticklers in the first place, exercising the

due diligence that they are now, in this regard, the Oban project would have either been well underway or tossed to the trash pile a long time ago.

When questioned, if there maybe something problematic looming, in the draft that may be an issue, Foulkes replied : “I prefer to have an opportunity to present it to Cabinet for my colleagues to take a look at first and get Cabinet directions as to how to proceed.”

Thanks for that informative revaluation, Dion.

Which means we continue to play the waiting game, yet again.

Foulkes also chimed in

on potential funding concerns connected to the project.

“I prefer not to get into that at this point.

Our main focus and my mandate as chairman of the Oban committee is to revise the Heads of Agreement to improve the environmental protection and to improve the economic benefits to The Bahamas.”

Maybe if you really got into “something” with Oban, Mr Foulkes, you might have more to show than just a draft!

And the Bahamian people might know “what’s really gern on”.

One must really now

question, if the government is trying to gingerly distance itself from the controversial project after all?

One thing I must applaud is the consistency of the Minnis administration, in relation to the whole Oban affair.

Yes, consistency, especially when it comes to, meaningless, pontificating and posturing, with minimal results.

Until next week, I will leave you with a quote from legendary comedian Groucho Marx: “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.”

READERS RESPOND TO ISSUES IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK READERS on tribune242.com have been posting their views on the stories making the news this week.

AFTER non-emergency operations at Princess Margaret Hospital were cancelled again to allow repairs to air-conditioning

units in operating theatres, Alfalfa asked: “How long does it take to repair or replace a non-functioning air conditioning

Funeral Service For Ratanyon Anthony Leary, 18

system at an institution as important as the hospital?

Management apologising for any inconvenience caused is laughable. We are talking about people’s health and well being here, and brushing it off as if you were at a movie theatre and the projector broke. A sorry state of affairs for a brand new building. This speaks volumes to the competency of ministry and PHA officials, from the minister on down.”

DDK had this to say: “The main hospital

cannot function and we are throwing money at a hurricane ravaged hotel, burning down a main electric plant, allowing a decent Police Officer to be gunned down in broad daylight, taxing The People into despair, allowing gambling houses and shanty towns to thrive,

a resident of Cooper’s Town, Abaco, who died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Friday, September 7th, 2018 will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, September 15th, 2018 at New Life Ministries International Cooper’s Town, Abaco. Bishop Cedric Bullard assisted by other ministers of the gospel will officiate. Interment will follow in the Public Cemetery, Cooper’s Town, Abaco.

Fond memories will forever be remembered by his loving family his Mother: Coretta; Father: Rebourne Leary Sr; Adopted parents: Bishop Cedric and Gertrude Bullard; Sisters: Godydra Gardiner, Reanne Leary, Trunise (Deniro) McIntosh, Tericka (Prince) Bodie, Tamara (Leroy Jr.) Thompson; Brothers: Rashad Edgecombe, Tanario Lowe, Rebourne Leary Jr., Troy (Latravia) and Timothy (La’Shawna) Bullard; Grandparents: Sam and Shirley Lowe, Anthony Sr. and Marjorie Judy Leary; Three Nieces: Kaleah, Toimya and Rashae; Nephew: Kamal; Great Grandmother: Catherine Davis; Aunts: Tara Morley, Dancia Rolle, Chrystelle Leary, Marilyn Symonette, Krishna Knowles, Mickelle Leary, Cheryl, Minnette, Sandy, Anastacia Sands and Danielle Maynard, Pamela (Noel), Carmel (Gibson), Patrice Jones; Uncles: Junior and Reonardo Leary, Frankie Leary, Elvis, Wayde Sands, Tracy Morley, Lavaughn Rolle, Juan Symonette and Timothy Knowles Matthew (Emily), Densil (Cassie), and Darren Lowe, Mario Jones; Grandaunts: Candimae Murphy, Ettamae (Glen) Albury and Theresa (Gordon) Murray, Dorothy Butler, Berthamae Maynard and Lorraine Davis; Granduncles: Floyd and Othnel Lowe, Livingston, Daswell Rolle, Patrick Maynard Dwayne Hall, Reginald Davis and Basil Sands; Cousins: Devano, Derecka, Deunca, Randie, Mario Jr,. Sacoran, Matdesha, Sacovan, Makale, Talisha, Precious, Hanna, Lydia, Joel, DJ. Selena, Casidie, Tyler, Tyre, Tra, Shonate, Charma, Tcoya, Dmargo, Tamara, Melissa, Corey, Jentry, Mizaph, Azuba, Kaywan, Gerrad Kevaughn, Dakota, Trevor, Trashontae, Charma, Tecoya and Darranteo, Glenda Albury, Brad, Nicholas, Jerry and Elroy Albury, Rafsheda Moree, Brittany and Ava Moree; Godparents: Administrator Terrece Bootle-Laing, Rueben and Junie McIntosh, Stacy Sands-Hepburn; Special friends: J’Quianne Lowe, Dahlia McIntosh, Antonia Nixon, Nathan Dames, Garthea Roberts; and a host of other relatives and friends including: the communities of Cooper’s Town, Fire Road and Little Abaco, The University of The Bahamas Family; The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Doctors and nurses of the ICU and Male Medical wards for all their help during the time Ratanyon was there. Sleep on Ratanyon Anthony, we all love you here on earth but Jesus loved you best and saw it was time for you to be in a better place.

Relatives and friends may pay their last respects at THE CHAPEL OF MEMORIES THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME INDEPENDENCE DRIVE on Friday from 10:00 a.m. -12:00 (noon) and at the church in Cooper’s Town Friday from 5:00 p.m. to service time on Saturday.

Death Notice For Pastor Dorothy Louise “Taxi 270” Stubbs-Moss, 76 a resident of Pride Estates & formerly of Eleuthera Close, died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday, September 9, 2018.

She is survived by her husband: Clayton Moss; 3 daughters: Deborah Evans, Sandra Rolle & Marneasia Stubbs; 3 sons: Dorman Stubbs, Gregory Stubbs & Lahuthan Stubbs; 14 grand, 4 great grand & 1 great great grand; 2 brothers: Joseph Moss & Isaac Moss; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

entertaining the likes of OBAN into GB, more Disney monster ships into our pristine waters and sending great delegations to Switzerland to throw ourselves into the jaws of WTO. Will a dedicated party please step forward to save us from this Government, and, no, not the former one.”

Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar says he is targeting “high single digit” growth in stopover visitors for 2019, and argued that the ten to 15 percent full-year increase he forecast for 2018 “can’t be maintained”.

John responded: “This ain’t the same Dionisio D’Aguilar who was doubling up and tripling the tax on the web shops aye . . . claiming they was making too much money . . . well muddoes, what hypocrite!

And the fact is tourism hasn’t but barely reached its half way mark yet, much less its peak. What substantial investment has the government made in the tourism plant in the last decade? What new avenues has D’Augilar and his ministry explored to grow the tourist product? If fact your government shut down the only single, major international event instead of trying to see how to better organise it and make it less costly, if not profitable. Did Atlantis cancel its summer basketball?

No, because they know the value of it and the value of having an annual event and drawing repeat visitors. There are presently 192 new cruise ships being built. The world ain’t getting no larger so some will eventually come here . . .

Are you ready?”

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 14, 2018, PAGE 9

GAMING GROUP ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS THE Bahamas Gaming Operators Association has announced its Adopt-ASchool Programme’s 2018 scholarship recipients.

“Today, these amazing students, will continue to obtain power through knowledge, become even more liberated in their thinking and help to progress our society but more importantly their respective families, as a result of their love of learning and

curiosity for discovery. We recognise that many of the students in the public school system are talented and gifted minds but may not always have access or can find the financial assistance to help effectively advance their educational pursuits,” a BGOA official said.

“Therefore, I am pleased that the board of directors of the BGOA, as part of our broader community

building initiatives and our corporate and social responsibility mandate, have approved Uriah McPhee and A F Adderley, back in March of this year, as the first two schools, in which we have adopted here in Nassau. “...Too often, well deserving and talented students within our public school system who prove that their discipline, focus and hard-work, should be

rewarded and celebrated in a tangible way, often go unrecognised and unrewarded. Today we both recognise and reward their results.

“Our 2018 scholarship recipients were successful in achieving the highest cumulative GPA in their grade levels, which had to be above 3.0 and also shown exemplary disposition in leadership, in other extracurricular school activities.

As a result, these students were recognised by their schools as the top male and female students in the 6th and 9th grades, respectively, and have been awarded a three year scholarship with annual tuition fees of up to $4,000 per year, to attend the private school of their choice.”

This year’s 2018 scholarship recipients are, from Uriah McPhee, Darnell Mitchell, now attending

St Augustine College and Johnavun Wilson, now attending Kingsway Academy and from A F Adderley, Lance Porter, now attending Jordan Prince William High School.

The Bahamas Gaming Operators Association (BGOA) is a non-profit organisation that represents the majority of the licensees of the domestic gaming industry.

STANDING from left, Kiwanis Club of Over-the-Hill distinguished president John Clarke; BTVI associate vice president of fund development Alicia Thompson and Kiwanis Club of Over-the-Hill president designate Victor Grant. Sitting from left, Kiwanis Club of Over-the-Hill president Bradley Thompson and BTVI president Robert Robertson.

Photo: Shantique Longley/BTVI

Kiwanis Club of Over-the-Hill THE Kiwanis Club of Over-the-Hill recently made a scholarship donation of $2,000 for a Family Island student to attend the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute.

In the past, the club focused on Old Bight High School graduates and active Key Club members on Cat Island. The members have decided to broaden their reach and make the scholarship available to all Family Islanders.

The funds to support this donation were derived from the club’s annual cook out.

BTVI President Dr Robert Robertson said he is grateful to organisations that continue to invest in the future of today’s youth, thus investing in the coun-

Rotary Club of New Providence try’s future.

Rotary Club of New Providence.

Rotary

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 502-2373 or 826-2242.

International President Barry Rassin, the first Bahamian to hold the prestigious position, has been making his mark all over the world for the past several weeks. He was back on familiar ground on September 4 and chose to visit the Rotary Club of New Providence during his two-day stop-over in Nassau.

He spoke to our club and fellow Rotarians from several other clubs based here in New Providence, using his Presidential theme “Be The Inspiration” to lay the foundation for the evening, all the while invoking a spirit of togetherness that served to elevate Rotary initiatives on a global level as well as right here in The Bahamas.

Rotary International president Barry Rassin not only delivered a dynamic message to the RCNP Family, but he also assisted in the induction of three of the clubs newest members, facilitated by our district assistant governor Bryan Knowles, marking an historic occasion for both our club and our country.

The Rotary Club of New Providence meets every Tuesday evening at 7pm at the Poop Deck West Restaurant.

Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas. - On Saturday, August 25, Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas hosted its first Interclub Assembly under the theme “Be The Inspiration”, which is the 2018-2019 presidential theme for Rotary

FROM left, Rotary Club of New Providence inductee William Bastian, inductee Ericka Wilson, Rotary International President Barry Rassin and inductee Dr Lakeisha Chisholm.

DEPUTY Permanent Secretary and Director of Youth K Darron Turnquest.

International President Barry Rassin.

Highlights of the assembly included a panel of past Rotary presidents who led the audience in a discussion on the topic, “Challenges Faced by Clubs” and a panel discussion led by Rotaractors on the topic “Ensuring the Transition from Rotaract to Rotary”.

“Rotary Interclub Assemblies provide the perfect opportunity for us to come together as a Rotary family in an atmosphere of fellowship and collaboration to exchange ideas, foster partnerships with other clubs and to elevate the discussion in regards to Rotary’s role in our community”, said Mario Smith, assistant governor for Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas (East) and event chairman.

Bryan Knowles, assistant

ASSISTANT Governor Bryna Knowles with Shaun Ingraham (CEO One Eleuthera Foundation and Rotary Club of Eleuthera).

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governor for Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas (West) added: “The event demonstrated that future Interclub Assemblies will provide the space in which Rotary Bahamas will unite to strengthen our organisation and to strengthen our service to our communities and the world.”

The event also featured presentations by acting country representative for the Inter-American Development Bank Michael Nelson, deputy permanent secretary and Director of Youth K Darron Turnquest and past district governor Felix Stubbs.

Rotarians also participated in discussions on “Building Effective Community Partnerships” and “How to Engage the Media”.

Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas is a part of Rotary District 7020 and includes: The Rotary Club of East Nassau, The Rotary Club of Abaco, The Rotary Club of Old Fort, The Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise, The Rotary Club of Nassau, The Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau, The Rotary Club of Eleuthera, The Rotary Club of New Providence and the Rotary Club of West Nassau. For more information on Rotary in The Bahamas please visit www.rotarybahamas.com.

PAST assistant governor Karen Pinder chairs the past president panel.

INTER-American Development Bank acting country representative Micael Nelson with assistant governor Mario Smith.

PAST President Tanya Woodside, district Rotaract representative Leah Lowe and Rotaractors.

PAGE 10, Friday, September 14, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

BEZOS GIVES $2BN TO AID PRE-SCHOOLS, HOMELESS SEATTLE Associated Press

AMAZON founder and CEO Jeff Bezos said yesterday that he is giving $2bn to start a fund that will open preschools in low-income neighborhoods and give money to nonprofits that helps homeless families.

Bezos, whose stake in Amazon is worth about $160bn, says that he’ll call it the Bezos Day One Fund. An Amazon.com Inc spokeswoman confirmed that the money will all come from Bezos, though there are few details about how the fund will operate.

In a post to his Twitter account, Bezos said one part of the fund will give money to organisations and groups that provide shelter and food to young homeless families. The other part will launch and operate free preschools in low-income communities, where “the child will be the customer”.

GUNMAN KILLS EX-WIFE, FOUR OTHERS LOS ANGELES Associated Press A GUNMAN in Southern California fatally shot his ex-wife and a man at a trucking company before chasing after another man, killing him, and then driving to a home where he shot dead a father and daughter in a nearly 40-minute rampage.

Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood identified the killer as 54-year-old Javier Casarez at a news conference about the shootings that claimed five victims in Bakersfield, about 90 miles north of Los Angeles.

Casarez fatally shot himself as a deputy closed in on him shortly after the shooting.

Court records show Casarez filed for a divorce from his wife, Petra Maribel Bolanos de Casarez, in December and that it was finalized on April 12.

Bolanos recently filed for a change involving child support and custody over the couple’s two teenage children, and the pair had a hearing set for October 11, court records show.

IN this image take from video provided by WCVB in Boston, flames rise from a house in Lawrence, Mass, a suburb of Boston, yesterday.

Gas blasts ‘looked like Armageddon’ LAWRENCE, Massachussets Associated Press A SERIES of gas explosions an official described as “Armageddon” killed a teenager, injured at least ten other people and ignited fires in at least 39 homes in three communities north of Boston yesterday, forcing entire neighborhoods to evacuate as crews scrambled to fight the flames and shut off the gas.

Authorities said Leonel Rondon, 18, of Lawrence, died after a chimney toppled by an exploding house crashed into his car. He was rushed to a Boston hospital but pronounced dead there in the evening.

Massachusetts State Police urged all residents with homes serviced by

Columbia Gas in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover to evacuate, snarling traffic and causing widespread confusion as residents and local officials struggled to understand what was happening.

“It looked like Armageddon, it really did,” Andover Fire Chief Michael Mansfield told reporters. “There were billows of smoke coming from Lawrence behind me. I could see pillars of smoke in front of me from the town of Andover.”

Gov Charlie Baker said state and local authorities are investigating.

“This is still very much an active scene,” he said.

“There will be plenty of time later tonight, tomorrow morning and into the next day to do some of the work around determining

exactly what happened and why.”

Hours after the explosions, the utility’s parent company issued a brief statement saying its crews were still performing safety checks in the area.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by today’s incident,” Indianabased NiSource said in a statement. “The first priority for our crews at the scene is to ensure the safety of our customers and the community.”

Baker previously said authorities hadn’t heard directly from Columbia Gas, but later called the company’s response “adequate”.

By late Thursday, all of the fires had been doused but many areas remained silent and dark after

made it out of the house but the basement was on fire.

Lawrence General Hospital said it was treating ten victims, including at least one in critical condition.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency blamed the fires on gas lines that had become over-pressurised but said investigators were still examining what happened.

Columbia had announced earlier that it would be upgrading gas lines in neighborhoods across the state, including the area where the explosions happened.

Some local officials described scenes of panic as residents rushed to evacuate, many wondering if their homes would be next to erupt in flames.

TRUMP MAKES FALSE CLAIM OVER PUERTO RICO DEATH TOTAL WASHINGTON Associated Press

MEETING OVER MYSTERIOUS CUBA ATTACKS WASHINGTON Associated Press AS AMERICAN authorities search for answers into mysterious “health attacks” that began two years ago in Havana, US and Cuban officials met yesterday to renew efforts to determine the method and motive behind incidents that have left some diplomats with brain injuries.

The talks at the State Department came as national security agencies and members of Congress express frustration about the lack of answers about what the USsays were deliberate attacks on some two dozen staffers at the US Embassy in the Cuban capital.

Recent reports have suggested investigators have narrowed their suspicions about the cause and culprit, although State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert denied that any conclusions had been drawn about either.

“We still don’t know the cause, we still don’t know what or who is responsible for health attacks that took place that affected our personnel in Cuba,” she told reporters.

Earlier, Cuba’s foreign ministry said nine members of the scientific team it assembled to look into the incidents met with US lawmakers and the National Academy of Sciences before the talks.

residents fled and after power companies cut electricity to prevent further fires. Schools in all three communities were canceled for Friday, and some schools were being used as shelters for residents.

In Lawrence, a man whose neighborhood was among dozens that erupted in fire says he ran into his basement to find that the room was glowing. Resident Ra Nam says he was in his yard when the smoke detector in his basement went off around 4.30pm.

When he ran downstairs and saw the boiler on fire, he quickly grabbed a fire extinguisher and put it out.

Minutes later, Nam said he heard a loud boom from his neighbour’s house and the ground shook. Nam said a woman and two kids had

WAVES slam the Oceana Pier and Pier House Restaurant in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, yesterday as Hurricane Florence approaches the area. Photo: Travis Long/The News & Observer via AP

FLOODING FEARED AS EDGE OF HURRICANE STRIKES WILMINGTON, North Carolina Associated Press

THE big slosh has begun, and the consequences could be disastrous.

Hurricane Florence’s leading edge battered the Carolina coast yesterday, bending trees and shooting frothy sea water over streets on the Outer Banks, as the hulking storm closed in with 90mph winds for a drenching siege that could last all weekend. Tens of thousands were without power.

Winds and rain were arriving later in South Carolina, and a few people were still walking on the sand at Myrtle Beach while North Carolina was getting pounded. Heavy rainfall began after dark.

Forecasters said

conditions will only get more lethal as the storm smashes ashore early Friday near the North Carolina-South Carolina line and crawls slowly inland.

Its surge could cover all but a sliver of the Carolina coast under as much as 11ft of ocean water, and days of downpours could unload more than 3ft of rain, touching off severe flooding.

Florence’s winds weakened as it drew closer to land, dropping from a peak of 140mph earlier in the week, and the hurricane was downgraded from a terrifying Category 4 to a 1.

But North Carolina Gov Roy Cooper warned: “Don’t relax, don’t get complacent. Stay on guard. This is a powerful storm that can kill. Today the threat becomes a reality.”

More than 80,000 people

were already without power as the storm approached, and more than 12,000 were in shelters. Another 400 people were in shelters in Virginia, where forecasts were less dire.

Forecasters said that given the storm’s size and sluggish track, it could cause epic damage akin to what the Houston area saw during Hurricane Harvey just over a year ago, with floodwaters swamping homes and businesses and washing over industrial waste sites and hog-manure ponds.

“It truly is really about the whole size of this storm,” National Hurricane Center director Ken Graham said. “The larger and the slower the storm is, the greater the threat and the impact — and we have that.”

AS Hurricane Florence bore down on the US yesterday, President Donald Trump angrily churned up the devastating storm of a year earlier, disputing the official death count from Hurricane Maria and falsely accusing Democrats of inflating the Puerto Rican toll to make him “look as bad as possible”.

Public health experts have estimated that nearly 3,000 perished because of the effects of Maria. But Trump, whose efforts to help the island territory recover have been persistently criticised, was having none of that. He said just six to 18 people had been reported dead when he visited two weeks after the storm and suggested that many had been added later “if a person died for any reason, like old age”.

Trump’s jarring comments, coming as the East Coast braced for a massive storm, offered fresh evidence of his resistance to criticism and his insistence on viewing large and small events through the prism of his own success or failure.

Offering up a fresh conspiracy theory, he said of the Puerto Rico count, “This was done by the Democrats in order to make me look as bad as possible when I was successfully raising Billions of Dollars to help rebuild Puerto Rico.”

Even some Republicans suggested the president had gone too far.

“Casualties don’t make a person look bad,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said, breaking with the president.

“So I have no reason to dispute those numbers.”

Sen Lindsey Graham of

South Carolina, who talks to Trump often, said, “I don’t think it’s bad to say we could have done better in Puerto Rico.” He also said he thought Trump “sees every attack on him as sort of undercutting his legitimacy”.

Especially upset were GOP politicians in Florida, a state with a substantial Puerto Rican population.

Gov Rick Scott, who is running for the US Senate, tweeted: “I’ve been to Puerto Rico seven times & saw devastation first hand.

The loss of any life is tragic.”

A spokesman for former US Rep Ron DeSantis, who won the Florida GOP primary for governor with Trump’s support, said the congressman did not agree with Trump’s tweets.

Throughout his presidency, Trump has struggled to publicly express empathy at times of national crises, sparking outrage during his post-Maria visit when he feuded with the San Juan mayor and tossed out paper towels to victims like he was shooting baskets. In recent days, Trump publicly lauded his own administration’s response to Maria — and privately groused over storm-related news coverage that he saw as overly focused on Puerto Rico, according to two Republican advisers.

Puerto Rico’s governor last month raised Maria’s official death toll from 64 to 2,975 after an independent study found that the number of people who succumbed in the sweltering aftermath had been severely undercounted.

Trump dismissed the findings yesterday, tweeting: “If a person died for any reason, like old age, just add them onto the list.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 14, 2018, PAGE 11

HEARING TODAY IN JOHN BULL CASE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

ATTENDEES at the Future Health luncheon at Lucianos and, below, Dr Desiree Cox.

Looking to the future of Bahamas health care DR Desirée Cox MD, PhD, founder and CEO of the HEALinc Future Health Innovation Summit and Dr Charles Diggiss, president of Doctors Hospital, hosted a luncheon for a select group of Future Health stakeholders on Wednesday at Lucianos of Chicago.

Presentations were made by Dr Cox and Dr Diggiss - and Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands spoke on the future of health. Dr Sands congratulated Dr Cox on creating and spearheading the summit - due to take place on October 7-9 at the Melia Hotel.

The meeting included invited guests representing various disciplines and interests - which included doctors, administrators, government agencies including the chief medical officer, insurance companies, the chamber of commerce and creative personnel.

Among issues discussed were innovations making it possible for The Bahamas to offer stem cell, cellular therapy research and treatment

centres aimed at ultimately obtaining Federal Drug Agency and European Medicines Agency approval to set up business while also meeting not only The Bahamas’ legal, ethical and regulatory requirements.

The Bahamas has laws already enacted and a National Stem Cell Ethics Committee without whose approval no stem cell research or activity can take place.

Presenters and the Minister of Health stressed the future of patient care must be innovative, making use of rapidly evolving new technology and treatments such as gene therapy and stem cell therapy, epigenetics.

Both Dr Cox and the Minister of Health stressed the need for a radical and innovative shift in thinking.

Registration for the summit is available online at www.HEALincfuturehealthsummit.com.

Special one-day passes and student registration rates are available. For more information, call (855) 826-1165.

ONE of two men accused of the daylight robbery of a John Bull store in Grand Bahama back in July will finally have his bail application heard in the Supreme Court later today.

Corradon Cockburn, 30, of Mangrove Avenue was charged with Diego Carey, 23, of Soldier Road with conspiracy to commit robbery. It is alleged that on July 23, the pair, with others who are unknown, conspired and stole 35 men’s and women’s Rolex watches and two Breitling watches valued at $427,000, the property of John Bull Limited. They pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Cockburn appeared before Justice Bernard Turner yesterday, on his third attempt in as many days to have his bail application heard. His initial attempt was adjourned to yesterday after his case did not appear on the court’s original list of matters.

An amended list of cases was presented to representatives for the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) later that afternoon, however those representatives were unable to proceed, claiming they were not in possession of the accused’s bail application.

Bjorn Ferguson, Cockburn’s attorney, reportedly filed the application in Grand Bahama on August 7.

DPP representatives said once they were made aware of Cockburn’s intent to have his application heard in New Providence, they contacted their Grand Bahama office to have all the related documents transferred. Those documents were in possession of the New Providence office on Wednesday.

However, DPP representatives were unable to review the documents and submit in writing their objection to bail in time yesterday.

Justice Turner, upon being made aware of the circumstances, asked the attorney for the accused if he had an issue with the matter being adjourned a second time.

In his comments to Justice Turner, Mr Ferguson raised an issue with the DPP’s execution of what he referred to as a “simple process”.

Mr Ferguson said that the department has had more than a month to prepare its position in the case, insisting that his August 7 filing served as notice that his client intended to seek bail and to do so in New Providence.

He added that the various delays should be viewed as “prejudicial” and “an abuse”.

Cockburn’s application will be heard today at 1pm.

PI ASSAULT SUSPECT GIVEN BAIL

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A 44-YEAR-OLD man awaiting trial for the alleged assault of a woman near a Paradise Island parking lot earlier this month has been granted bail in the Supreme Court.

Romeo Cartwright, who was employed at the Atlantis resort at the time of the incident, appeared before Justice Bernard Turner on Wednesday and was given a bond of $5,000 with two sureties. Prosecutors have alleged Cartwright attacked a woman during an argument near the Paradise

Island parking lot.

Multiple videos and photos of the incident went viral on social media shortly after the incident.

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

The camera then pans to a man dressed in black.

The person recording the video alleges this man is the woman’s attacker.

Cartwright was arraigned on a single charge of assault earlier this month, entering a plea of not guilty. He returns to court for trial on September 18.