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‘left in limbo over my boys’ deaths
Mom believes another car involved in crash that killed her sons
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
MORE than a year after three Christie brothers were killed in a crash on Sir Milo Butler Highway, their mother says she has been left in the dark as police have yet to explain why critical evidence is missing from the investigation that was supposed to determine how her sons died.
Lovan Miller-Christie, the mother of Philip McCarron Christie, 24, Philip D’Caprio Christie, 23, and D’Angelo Christie, 20, told The Tribune she believes her sons’ vehicle was clipped by another car and forced off the road. Police have never substantiated this claim.
“This was not a normal accident. It is alleged that
Andros pl A ne Cr A sh report ‘doesn’t bring any closure’
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
THE daughter of an 87-year-old man killed in last year’s Andros plane crash says the final investigation report has brought no closure, only renewed grief and questions about
accountability. On the one-year anniversary of the September 12, 2024, crash, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) released its findings, concluding fuel exhaustion was the probable cause of the Piper
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
A VIOLENT storm tore across eastern New Providence on Friday night, toppling food trailers, ripping roofs, and plunging
Pintard:
Path
destruction
wake of severe weather
whole communities into darkness.
The storm struck shortly after 8.30pm, intensifying within minutes with pounding rain, thunder and lightning. By 9pm skies had cleared, leaving behind overturned vehicles,
shattered glass and stunned families. Power outages were reported across Joe Farrington Road, Fox Hill, Blair Estates, Eastern Road, Nassau East, Seabreeze and other areas,
Grand Lucayan staff confused over delayed payment of their salaries
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard yesterday accused the Davis administration of leaving Grand Lucayan Resort workers and their families in limbo after employees reportedly went unpaid last week without explanation.
Speaking outside the resort alongside East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, Mr Pintard said staff had been left confused after receiving emails about delayed wages but no “credible” explanation from officials.
“We can’t say precisely how many have not been paid and why, but we have
Michael Pintard.
hOMe with a portion of roof damaged after what officials are calling a ‘microburst’ affected areas in the east of New Providence along Fox Hill Road. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
PM: Government must be guided by faith and rooted in divine purpose
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told Progressive Liberal Party supporters at the party’s anniversary church service yesterday that the government’s mission must be guided by faith and rooted in divine purpose.
He framed the PLP’s four years in office as a period shaped by the belief that progress comes through both divine providence and human responsibility. He emphasised that while scripture teaches God provides miracles, leaders and citizens alike must act with determination to bring about national change.
The prime minister positioned his administration’s record as part of this shared responsibility. He pointed to the expansion
of the national school breakfast programme, the creation of the National Youth Guard, and major investments in health care, including the renovation of clinics, new hospitals, and improvements to diagnostics and emergency services in the Family Islands. He highlighted efforts to strengthen education, culture, and the economy through apprenticeships, labour agreements, protections for artists, and the launch of a performing arts school. Initiatives in energy reform, agriculture, tourism, and food security were also described as building blocks for long-term transformation.
Mr Davis, speaking at Life Changers Ministries International,
acknowledged setbacks and frustrations but argued that progress is visible in areas such as new homes, expanded infrastructure, record levels of investment, and enhanced opportunities for young Bahamians. He also stressed that the work of government is not simply administrative but moral, aimed at removing barriers, correcting injustices, and extending opportunities to those most in need.
He said Bahamians should see each achievement, whether small or large, as part of a broader national effort to improve lives and secure dignity for all. The work of transformation, he said, is collective, requiring faith, resilience, and a shared commitment to building a stronger nation.
Prime Minister Philip Davis speaks at the PLP’s Anniversay church service at Life Changers Ministries International on Saturday.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
‘Proper planning could have prevented tragedy’
CLOSURE from page one
Aztec accident that killed Allen Russell and 43-yearold Emma Williams, and injured four others.
Investigators said inadequate flight planning, poor weather, and the pilot’s decision-making may also have contributed. The pilot, Karaganda “Cardi” Newton, was not certified to operate below the minimum standards for visual flying, according to the report.
Mr Newton was identified as the pilot in FAA registry records, but not named in the report.
Kelda Russell, the daughter of Allen Russell, said the findings left her devastated.
“It doesn’t bring any closure,” she told The Tribune “It doesn’t bring any relief. Because the way things happen, it should not have happened, and I expect that the government would do more to protect us.”
She said Andros residents are vulnerable because of the limited air service to the island. Western Air offers only three morning flights weekly, while Bahamasair provides none. Many residents rely on small charters for medical appointments, banking, and groceries, yet she believes oversight of those operators remains lax.
“It is almost as if my father’s death was in vain,” she said. “I can’t say this was changed because daddy dead.”
The AAIA report said the US-registered six-seater Piper Aztec PA-23-250 departed Lynden Pindling International
Airport shortly before 2pm bound for San Andros.
Records showed 30 gallons of fuel were purchased in the six days before the crash, but investigators could not determine how much fuel was on board at take-off.
Ms Russell said it was unbearable to accept that the plane simply ran out of fuel, insisting proper planning could have prevented the tragedy. She accused the pilot of negligence and said charges should be brought against him, adding that despite being a friend of her father’s, he has never offered condolences.
Prophet Godfrey Rolle, a survivor, also condemned the findings, arguing fuel exhaustion was not the real cause. He lamented the fact that the government did not compensate victims and survivors, while recalling how he battled a serious foot injury and mounting medical bills.
He further alleged the rescue response was too slow, saying passengers spent nearly 40 minutes stranded after the crash landing west of New Providence.
“We was out there for about 35 to 40 minutes right before we was rescued, and that is the reason why those people die,” he said.
Mr Rolle claimed Allen Russell was still alive when transferred to a lifeboat but was denied urgent aid.
“I asked the young man, the person, ‘Can you do CPR?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I said, ‘Well, the old man is living. Could y’all do the CPR?’ None of them never done no CPR on him. You know, it’s ridiculous.”
Deputy Commissioner defends police operation at Sand Trap after video goes viral
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
DEPUTY Commissioner
of Police Anthony Rolle defended a police operation at the Sand Trap on West Bay Street, saying officers acted within their rights while investigating an alleged illegal prostitution operation.
The comments followed a viral video showing members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) conducting a search at the location at night.
The video, posted on Facebook, showed at least three officers amid a chaotic scene. The person filming identified himself as the owner of the building, Cyril Minnis. As he approached, he saw the officers standing outside the door. One resident is heard telling an officer that she did not have any money. He replied, “I ga find out.” Many Facebook users questioned why police were conducting a search for illegal migrants instead of the Immigration Department. Others suggested the officers were soliciting bribes or intimidating residents.
As Mr Minnis got closer, the woman said the officer she spoke to requested $250. The male officer quickly dismissed the claim when the camera turned on him.
The officer said residents must prove their citizenship to remain in the country. Those who cannot may be arrested, charged in the Magistrate Court, and fined for deportation.
When Mr Minnis asked, “Excuse me, who is the senior officer here?” The officer replied: “Why you asking for the senior officer?” He told Mr Minnis the officers were acting on information about illegal prostitution and that Inspector Brown and Constable Rolle were
conducting the operation. Regarding a search warrant, the officer said one was not needed if an inspector is present. “Once an Inspector and above is here, we don’t need a paper search warrant. She is the search warrant,” he said. At one point, a female officer asked Mr Minnis if he had brought in the women living in the building. He said he did not and only rented out the property.
Unresolved logistical issues delay shanty town demolition
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
THE planned demolition of the Montgomery shanty town, previously set for tomorrow, has been delayed as officials cited unresolved logistical issues.
Building controller Craig Delancey confirmed yesterday that while the clearance remains on the agenda, a firm date has not been set.
“Logistics are being sorted out,” Mr Delancey said, noting that contractors, funding, and security arrangements must still be finalised. He stressed the process is routine and follows the model used for other recent demolitions.
The exercise forms part of the government’s ongoing campaign to dismantle unregulated communities nationwide. Earlier this month, eviction notices were issued for 80 homes in Heastie Farms, Andros, where officials said 20 residents fled as notices were posted and three undocumented migrants were arrested.
Since November 2023, authorities have reported nearly 500 structures demolished across several islands. Successive administrations have defended the policy on health and safety grounds, citing building code violations and unregulated land use. Critics argue the approach fails to confront the country’s deepening shortage of affordable housing.
Montgomery residents previously told The Tribune they fear eviction will leave them homeless, with some unable to secure affordable rentals and others worried about the effect on their children. Officials from the Department of Social Services have pledged assistance for those who qualify, with others to be referred to alternative support.
An officer called the control room to check residents’ names, but no arrests were made after the report came back negative.
Deputy Commissioner Anthony Rolle said he was unaware of the incident and did not know exactly when it occurred. He explained that officers can act on information received through a police portal.
On the issue of search warrants, he said the Police Force Act allows officers of inspector rank and above to enter and search premises without a warrant if they believe a crime is
A woman, apparently a resident, was seen in tears as officers surrounded her. Mr Minnis was heard trying to calm her in Spanish. Officers then asked Mr Minnis and the residents for identification, with one officer shouting for compliance.
being committed.
“They didn’t really do anything wrong,” he said. “From what I saw, they said what they had to say. The only thing I saw that they did was a few name checks, and they left.”
Deputy Commissioner Rolle added that the RBPF has conducted several operations in the area before, and being recorded ensures officers perform their duties appropriately. Since the incident, he said he has received no complaints but urged anyone who believes officers breached their duties to report it to the Complaints and Corruption Branch.
Authorities are expected to conduct final checks with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to ensure residents have vacated the site before work begins. In August, about 200 Montgomery residents were served with 28-day eviction notices. At the time, Superintendent Stephen Carey, chairman of the Unregulated Community in Action Task Force, said officials reported roughly 60 structures had been processed, though no final tally was given.
Mr Carey said a timeline for the demolition will be clarified later this week.
Allen Russell and his daughter Kelda Russell.
Screen capture from a video of a police operation that happened at the Sand Trap on West Bay Street.
Pintard: 121 days later, Grand Bahamians still in the dark over Grand Lucayan deal
been advised that all of them got the same email and have not yet been paid,” he said. “And there has been no credible explanation provided to the workers.”
Mr Pintard said the situation was unacceptable given government assurances that hotel expenses would not burden taxpayers. He claimed neither the developers nor the government appear to be covering salaries.
“You have mothers, fathers, families in general who are requiring answers,” he told reporters. “This is unacceptable, and it does not represent the revitalisation of Grand Bahama that the government has promised.”
The opposition leader also questioned why demolition at the resort has not begun, why the property is still taking bookings, and why vendors, including the security company, have not been paid.
“It has been 121 days since we first raised alarm about the Grand Lucayan deal, and Bahamians are still in the dark,” he said.
“The Davis administration promised a turnover in August 2025. That deadline has come and gone, but yet no update. Just empty promises and a ball of confusion.”
In May, the government signed a heads of agreement with US-based Concord Wilshire for the $827m redevelopment of the Grand Lucayan, with demolition expected to start immediately. However, no work has begun.
Mr Pintard accused the administration of misleading
Bahamians about the sale and demanded clarity on the $120m officials previously said had been secured for the property.
“Why are staff members today still waiting for their salaries?” he asked. He stressed that parliamentarians and Cabinet ministers had all been paid, while struggling hotel workers remained without wages.
Beyond the resort, Mr Pintard blasted the government for stalling on other projects, including the promised redevelopment of Grand
Bahama International Airport. He noted pledges of a new domestic terminal and US pre-clearance facilities by August, but said no groundbreaking has taken place.
“Every day they delay, they hurt the Grand Bahamian economy,” he said, warning that uncertainty was driving away investors and families.
He further highlighted concerns about unpaid subcontractors under the small home repair programme, unprocessed deductions for public servants, and delays
in other projects such as the Moorings development in Exuma.
Mr Pintard urged Prime Minister Philip Davis or Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper to directly address workers and the public on the nation’s finances.
“They said, you know, they’re working, that a big surplus is coming. So, surely, if you are in that position, $120m in the bank and you are outperforming your economic and financial projections, then certainly you must be able
to pay struggling families in Grand Bahama. Were you telling a lie to the rest of the country that you are busy revitalising this economy while people are hurting?” he asked. He also said straw vendors in Port Lucaya were struggling and urged property owners to support them during the downturn.
Mr Pintard concluded by demanding that the government tell workers when their pay will be deposited.
In response, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) dismissed Mr Pintard’s
criticism as a political stunt, saying Grand Lucayan employees are expected to be paid today.
The party accused the FNM leader of hypocrisy, noting he was in Cabinet when the previous administration purchased the resort without a viable plan.
“Since the last FNM administration, when Michael Pintard sat in Cabinet and purchased the resort with no plan, the PLP has worked continuously to keep as many Bahamians as possible employed at that property,” the party said in a statement.
The PLP added that its government remains committed to redeveloping both the resort and Grand Bahama International Airport, pointing to signs of economic improvement on the island.
“Because of the sustained work of this PLP government, the Grand Bahama economy has taken a turn for the better. More and more residents are returning home, and employment numbers continue to rise,” the statement read.
The party accused Mr Pintard of trying to distract from his own political woes, branding him “an embattled leader” presiding over a fractured opposition.
“Michael Pintard is in political trouble, hoping that his media theatrics and ‘politricks’ will save him. The FNM once held all five seats on Grand Bahama yet failed to work for the people. Bahamians are not fools,” the statement said.
The PLP said it recognises that more work must be done but pledged not to relent in efforts to improve the lives of Grand Bahama residents and Bahamians nationwide.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority provides nutritious power packs for Holmes Rock Primary School
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter
ALPHA Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter, presented nutritious power packs to about 50 students at Holmes Rock Primary School in Grand Bahama on Wednesday, September 10. The presentation was part of AKA’s Childhood Hunger Initiative Power
Pack (CHIPP) programme to address childhood hunger by providing weekend meals to children in local communities.
Rashema Ingraham, first vice president, said the local chapter has been distributing CHIPP packs at the school since 2023 with the support of community partners and sponsors. She said 51 students at Holmes Rock Primary are currently enrolled in the programme. “These
children have met the requirements for the government of The Bahamas’ National School Feeding Programme, which provides meals Mondays through Fridays. CHIPP fills in the gap on weekends,” she said.
In addition to CHIPP, the chapter launched a Back-to-School Drive and Giveaway, presenting a dozen teachers at the school with much-needed classroom supplies for the
new academic year.
Ms Ingraham thanked the corporate sponsors who supported both initiatives, including Green Acres (Delano Mortimer), Flawless Construction (Justin Gape), Johnson Auto (Jason Johnson), and Telecom Trading. She also acknowledged sponsors who assisted with the programme’s initial launch in 2023: Seaport Commercial and Industrial Contractors (Franco Miller), Island
Luck (Sebas Bastian), and Neighbourhood Apartment Rental (Jason Martin).
Principal Alana Lindsay said: “I am just elated to have you come in and not only donate to our students, but also to our teachers with muchneeded supplies to start the school year. Words cannot express my gratitude and the excitement we are experiencing today. We are overjoyed to have
AKA here, and we look forward to more partnerships in the future.” Ms Lindsay added that the CHIPP programme has been warmly received at the school. “About 50 of our kids benefit from the power packs, and the sorority has been doing this for the past two to three years. Parents have already been asking me about it this year, so it is well recognised and well received,” she said.
FNM leader Michael Pintard, accompanied by East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, speaks to the press over concerns of unpaid workers and lack of details at Grand Lucayan Resort.
AlphA Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter, presented nutritious power packs to students and teaching supplies to teachers at the Holmes Rock Primary School on September 10.
‘There has to be justice for the Christie brothers’
another vehicle was there and racing with them, clipped them and forced them off the road,” she said. “Those people were not even detained. Nothing that should have happened has happened. It was like they concluded what they wanted to conclude within less than 48 hours.”
The brothers died shortly after 2am on September 2, 2024, when their metallic grey Honda Passport slammed into a tree while travelling north on Sir Milo
Butler Highway. The driver and his front-seat passenger were trapped and pronounced dead at the scene. Their younger brother, rushed to hospital with serious injuries, later died.
The deaths shocked the nation, prompting tributes from political leaders and colleagues at Bahamas Power and Light, the Bahamas Telecommunications Company and the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute, where the young men studied and worked. Hundreds attended their funeral in Andros, mourning what
officials described as a devastating blow to the community.
The inquest, which opened in late August, was suspended after only three days. Evidence Marshall Angelo Whitfield told Coroner Kara Turnquest Deveaux that the police traffic file was incomplete. He said investigators suspected another vehicle might have been involved and that two occupants of that car, along with about 30 witnesses, had been interviewed — but none of their statements were included in the evidence submitted. Mr Whitfield also
noted that the Honda Passo was never taken to a police compound for forensic examination and was instead impounded at a private lot. The coroner ruled the proceedings could not continue until investigators resubmitted the file with the necessary material.
Mrs Miller-Christie said she has never been briefed by police about the case. “No one from the police has ever contacted me or spoken to me, other than when I arrived in Nassau the day of the accident,” she said. “Everything I heard is based from the news
and what I saw in the paper.”
She alleged that people known to her sons were present at the scene and should have been questioned, adding that they and their families never expressed condolences. These claims have not been corroborated by investigators.
“Not a one of them, or not a member from their family, reached out to me,” she said. “My entire bloodline was lost that morning. I want justice for my sons. Justice must prevail.”
“There has to be justice for the Christie brothers,” she said. “The police must do their job and they must be held accountable.”
The case file remains with the Commissioner of Police for further review. It will be resubmitted to the Coroner’s Court once investigators provide the missing statements and forensic evidence.
Earlier this year, she said she visited the traffic division to collect her son’s belongings but left in tears after a senior officer accused her of making allegations against police. She now says her family is considering retaining legal counsel.
Police investigate traffic death in Exuma
POLICE are investigating a traffic fatality in the settlement of Ramsey, Exuma after a man was found unresponsive near a utility pole yesterday morning.
Shortly after 7.30am, officers arrived at the scene and discovered the man lying on the ground with a motorcycle nearby. Emergency medical personnel examined him but found no
signs of life.
Authorities have not released the victim’s identity and said investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are continuing.
Photos of the Christie brothers - Philip McCarron Christie, 24, Philip D’Caprio Christie, 23, and D’Angelo Christie, 20.
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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Lowering standards hurts all - especially kids
ARE our political leaders sticking their heads in the ground when it comes to the failings of our education system?
Last week, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said a review has been launched into entry requirements for the Royal Bahamas Police Force, which requires that applicants must have at least four BGCSEs at grade C or above, or pass the Police Academy’s Entrance Examination in English, mathematics, and general knowledge with a grade C or above.
Mr Munroe has previously questioned the qualifications needed for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force – citing one very specific example in which an applicant fell short with four BJCs but also had a certificate in small engine repair. He suggested that could have been a valuable alternative qualification but he was barred from application.
None of this deals with the core problem – that there are not enough recruits with the required number of BGCSE results.
This is not just an issue for the police and defence force – far from it. Every employer in the land faces the same challenge – finding enough qualified applicants to ensure the success of their businesses.
The answer to our education system not producing enough qualified workers is not to reduce the standard of acceptance for applications.
Employers do not need someone with the right bit of paper – the bit of paper is proof that the applicant has skills to a certain standard. Employers need those skills.
There may be occasional exceptions where someone has – such as with the young man who could repair engines – an alternative skill that fits the employer’s needs instead, but that does not give a reason to reduce standards across the board.
Again, our national examination results this year were pegged at an average of a D grade. Officials have said that does not paint the full picture of achievement – but when students show up looking for work, it shows the picture they are able to present to would-be
employers, be they in uniform service or private business.
Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin has previously urged people to stop referring to “D-average” – but for most people, we would imagine the desire is for that to stop being a reality rather than turn a blind eye to it.
Fundamentally, the issue is the education process. Mr Munroe has said we cannot ignore the lingering aftereffects of the interruption to education brought by COVID-19 when schools were closed and we had to resort to remote learning – but that sounds more like an excuse with every passing year.
That also ignores issues such as the shortfall in teachers we still experience – no mathematics teacher in North Long Island last week despite term being well under way, no English, art or music teachers in Inagua, and other shortages elsewhere.
When the basics are not being dealt with, it is hard to take claims of the lingering influence of COVID seriously – there are shortages in education right now to deal with, not all the way back in 2019-20.
In an election year, it also prompts some cynicism – is this talk of reducing entry requirements going to allow recruitment in time for the next vote?
Will that make the job figures look better – even if the outcome is potentially a lower quality workforce?
Is this even a tacit admission that we have run out of ideas to fix our education system? If we cannot get students to clear the bar, the answer is not to lower it. Here is a core truth, however – fixing our education system will not be cheap. It will be expensive. It is also the biggest investment we can make in the future of our country, and we should not shrink away from doing so.
Successful educational outcomes are not just about meeting employer requirements – they are about opening the door for all our children, to give them the capacity to succeed at whatever they tackle. Lowering entry requirements does nothing for giving those children the skills they need to broaden their horizons.
Committed to helping animal welfare
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I WAS deeply moved by a recent letter suggesting that veterinarians extend their skills to assist stray animals in The Bahamas. The idea of trained professionals offering their expertise to creatures who have no one else to advocate for them is both compassionate and profoundly meaningful. In a world where so many pressing issues compete for attention, it is heartening to see the welfare of stray animals brought into focus. As a veterinarian and member of BAARK, I am acutely aware of both the great need and the immeasurable reward that comes from helping vulnerable and forgotten animals. The efforts highlighted in that letter are not only commendable, but they also serve as an inspiration to others in our profession, myself included. Here in Atlanta, I partner with an organisation that supports victims of domestic violence
who hesitate to leave abusive situations for fear of abandoning their beloved pets. Our mission ensures that both people and animals reach safety together. As a Bahamian veterinarian who has recently obtained my license to practice at home, my first response to this call to action is to lead by example. I commit to volunteering my time and resources to support the care of stray animals in my beloved country. Animal welfare has always been close to my heart. Following Hurricane Dorian, I organised a drive to collect food and supplies for both human and animal survivors, supported by my chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, animal rescue groups, veterinary hospitals, and many compassionate individuals. These supplies were delivered to the Bahamas Embassy in Atlanta and shipped to
Picture of the day
No pride among our leaders
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I AM sick to the stomach the way we have not kept pace with conditions, and expect to see better when the job is to commit to fix, to improve our surroundings, environments were not ventured to do, yet complain about what we see, why? And I have no problem with people whose job it was not, to make an appeal of the powers that be, the people power, begging them to at least direct some of those millions of tax dollars, VAT money to help improve the state of communities in the country, without heed, why?
Nassau. I will always be grateful to Diane Philips, who assisted with the logistics of sending urgently needed medication, and to the many Bahamians who stepped forward, both known and unknown.
It is a privilege to belong to a profession with the power to heal and protect. I believe we each have a responsibility to use that power for good. Today, one of the best and most meaningful ways to do so is by helping neglected and suffering animals — and the time to act is now.
I also commend my colleagues, local partners, and organisations that will join me in this mission. Compassion paired with action has the power to create lasting change — for animals, for our communities, and for our beautiful Bahamas.
TEJA BAIN-GILL, DVM Atlanta, Georgia September 9, 2025.
The last time that real progress was taking place was under former Prime Minister Hubert A Ingraham 1992 and 1997, the same man that did the tiles for Bay Street, he cleaned up Potters Cay Dock, paved Charlotte, Frederick, Shirley Streets. Mr Ingraham was a hands-on man, he traveled the islands and knew exactly what was taking place, and stepped in to ameliorate the problem monotonously over the hill, but he had ideas for Woodes Rodgers Walk, etcetera. This kind of leadership is noticeably missing. The man had a heart for the common man (he said what he meant, and he meant what he said) he could be taken at his word, he didn’t play semantics with words, legalese, he spoke clear, if he didn’t know the answers to something, he told you so, but he didn’t stop until he got the information and he release his findings on the floor of the Bahamian parliament, he made it his duty to give additions to the poor, every Christmas, law enforcement officers-at-lower-ranks- got
$1,200 cheques to help with defraying the family expenses at the Yuletide (indeed the National Insurance sums were what they are because of the at least four increases that former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham caused to be).
But we don’t see that kind of love being shown nowadays, all we the citizenry are getting from our leaders were smiles (left wondering what is there to smile about), when Bahamians cannot pay their rent, afford nutritious foods, and all of the very bad foods were cheaply penned (the corned beefs, can foods, tunas, mackerel and I know personally each time that I eat them, the aftertaste of the bitterness, the can taste), and in huge supply, killing off of our people, where is the love Mr Prime Minister?
Don’t you know, haven’t you been told that Father God doesn’t sleep, or slumber, and is a defender of the poor, He also will pay every man, according as his work shall be.
This God has a problem with politicians, to the extent that He has said never mind what politicians tell you, but watch their actions, said God Most High has spoken it. Lord, for behold your words are forever settled in the Heavens, hallelujah to the Lamb of God, amen.
In conclusion, there appears to be no pride among the leaders of the country, just look at all of the engine grease in Rawson Square, the filth along Bay Street (and in all of that filth, they
hosted Bahamas Goombay festival), no feeling of sin whatsoever. And the Parliament building what a travesty. Father God expects us to clean our surroundings, filth is a sign of complacencies, tolerances, ease with the sin nature, and therefore, perhaps we are being unreasonable to expect that if they cannot clean matters under their noses, how will they undertake to clean over the hill public?
Many Bahamians were of the view that Bahamian politicians are keeping an entire country back, from experiencing the their best life, and Dr Myles Munroe has shared many powerful nuggets fourth country to feast their minds on, why don’t we introduce the principles of Dr Myles’ work to the entire student body of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas?
Finally, I close on God’s principle: naked into the world we came, and naked we shall go out, we brought nothing into the world and it is certain that we can take nothing out. So, why do we fight, why do we hoard stuff, why do we deny others of what was rightfully theirs? Why do we treat the Bahamian people with the level of disdain that is taking place? These were the same people who gave you the designation “politicians” by voting into office, but what have they gotten from entrustment to protect the state (we see an influx of Haitian national making use of Bahamian jobs and on a scale not seen from the foundation of the Bahamas), why? And the welfare of its citizens (appears not to matter, but God, hallelujah)!
FRANK GILBERT Nassau, September 10, 2025.
Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net
A wAter and ice machine found itself pushed off its platform in severe weather that impacted residents in eastern NEw Providence Saturday night.
Photo: timothy roberts
World’s largest floating book fair returns to Grand Bahama this week
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
The MV Logos hope, the world’s largest floating book fair, will return to Freeport harbour from September 19 to 30, marking its third visit to Grand Bahama.
The ship carries 300 volunteers from more than 65 countries. While docked, crews will take part in community projects, including beach clean-ups, painting schools, assisting at the Grand Bahama Children’s home, and offering free eye tests and glasses.
“Our vision is to share knowledge through good
quality literature at affordable prices, offer practical help through projects in the community, and encourage people with hope,” said Nassau project coordinator Dominik Germann.
Books will be discounted by up to 80 percent, with events for children, youth, and professionals. Admission is $2. Children under 12 and seniors 65 and older enter free. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
The ship will be accessible via the north gate of Freeport harbour. Visitors are advised to wear closed-toe shoes due to the gravel surface.
Man accused of rape claims court absences due to him being homeless
By E ARYEl BOwlEg Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
The bail application of a man accused of rape was adjourned on Friday after concerns were raised about procedure and legal representation.
Akeem Brooks appeared before Justice Dale Fitzpatrick charged with having sex with a 19-year-old woman without her consent on February 28, 2020. Prosecutors argued that Mr Brooks, who appeared without a lawyer, had previously failed to comply with bail conditions.
Justice Fitzpatrick said the application was supported only by a signed form, rather than an affidavit, as is standard practice. he questioned how the court could rely on such a document in the absence of sworn evidence.
he also expressed concern about the case’s timeline, noting pre-trial hearings are set for May, with trial expected the following month. he said if Mr Brooks waits for counsel until the end of May, that lawyer may not be prepared for trial.
Mr Brooks denied the prosecution had valid grounds to oppose bail. he told the court family problems had caused him to miss earlier appearances. “I got kick out. I had nowhere to go. I started sleeping in abandoned buildings. I started sleeping by the beach. I started sleeping by the hospital,” he said.
he added he had attended court regularly for three years and continued to do so until October 2024, when personal issues triggered an emotional breakdown.
Mr Brooks told the
court he has no reason to abscond, stressing he has only one hand. he also said he has never worn an ankle monitor and has a 16-year-old son to support.
“I need to be out there trying to help them,” he said. “Me being in here waiting on a court date, it’s too far to wait on that for next year. I still can be doing something in my life. I have a family I can take care of
Justice Fitzpatrick acknowledged the difficulties Mr Brooks faced but highlighted his repeated absences from court, noting it took sureties and an off-duty policeman months to locate him. he said personal circumstances did not excuse failing to appear.
The judge ordered a lawyer be appointed to represent Mr Brooks and adjourned the bail application to October 9.
t hree car collision on prince charles drive
Seven Haitians convicted of overstaying fined $250 and ordered to be deported
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
SeVeN haitian nationals convicted of overstaying in The Bahamas were each fined $250 and ordered deported by a Grand Bahama magistrate last week.
The men – Ordiles Dorgle, emerson Francois, Michelin Terveus, Wislet
Delicate, Rosman Souffrance, Larouse Flerime, and ezanord Duverseau – were apprehended by Bahamian authorities and appeared before Magistrate LaQuay Laing in Grand Bahama’s Magistrate’s Court on Thursday where they pleaded guilty to overstaying their time in the country. On September 9, immigration officers, acting on a tip, executed search warrants and conducted a series of operations in Freeport and eight Mile Rock. The exercise led to the arrest of the seven men, who were found living in The Bahamas without a valid immigration status. They were taken into custody and transported to the Department of Immigration in Freeport for processing.
Judge sets date for trial of man accused of raping 30-year-old woman
By E ARYEl BOwlEg Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
T he Supreme Court has fixed trial dates in the case of a man accused of rape.
Rodney Felix appeared before Justice Dale Fitzpatrick on Friday, accused of having sexual intercourse with a 30-year-old woman without her consent on January 11, 2025.
Mr Felix, who has lived in The Bahamas for six years, does not speak e nglish and communicated with the court through a Creole interpreter.
h e told the judge he could not afford legal representation. h e said both his parents are deceased and that his girlfriend, who attended court, lacked the means to assist him financially. Mr Felix claimed he was
falsely accused by someone who was “jealous of him” and maintained he “don’t know anything about this situation”. Justice Fitzpatrick ordered that legal counsel be provided for the defendant and that a Creole interpreter be assigned. The substantive trial to begin on May 10, 2026, and a backup date was also scheduled for the week of June 15, 2026.
Logos Hope Project Coordinators Dominik Germann(left), and Marius Castravet.
speaker of the House of Assembly Patricia Deveaux hosted a dinner for the delegates participating in the 47th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s Regional Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and the Atlantic Region at Sapodilla Estate on September 10, 2025. The Speaker recognized several of the individuals who helped to organize the conference including Clerk of Parliament, David Forbes.
Photos: patrick Hanna/BIS
Photo: kevin salabie/TribuneDigitaLabs
the stories behind the news
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2025
US Ambassador for Bahamas long overdue
By MalcolM Strachan
TO SAY the prospect of a new US ambassador has been long awaited in The Bahamas is an understatement of almost as epic proportions as the wait itself.
So to have the opportunity last week to see the confirmation hearing for Herschel Walker as he faced the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee was encouraging – not least of all to see the man himself.
The would-be successor to Nicole Avant, the last ambassador in post who left in 2011, has been no stranger to media attention.
In another world, he might have been in the Senate – he ran for a Senate seat in Georgia and lost out to Democrat Raphael Warnock. He is also a more familiar face to many perhaps from his days as a running back in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants.
His Senate campaign was marked by some unusual comments – which I’ll come to in a while –but in the hyperfocused political climate in the US, even the slightest misstep is often seized on as a gaffe or a sign that someone is unworthy. Still, some of Mr Walker’s were remarkable.
On Thursday last week, though, in front of the US Senate committee, Mr Walker showed every sign of being well prepared in his answers – although he gave a nod to some of the criticism he has received over the years.
He said in his opening statement: “Throughout my life, many people have underestimated me, in academics, in athletics, in business – and I have always proven them wrong. I have done it through discipline, determination and by outworking everyone in every task, whether large or small. No one has ever questioned my work ethic. If confirmed, I will bring that same work ethic to my role as ambassador.”
“The US is The Bahamas’ largest trading partner. If confirmed, I will advise American businesses’ community of trade and investment opportunity that exists in The Bahamas.”
That said and done, we got to the meat of the hearing – and the two main focus points of dealing with China’s influence in the region and cracking down on drug crime.
Of China, he said: “China is trying to increase its influence in the region. It has built nearly a $3bn deep water port in The Bahamas and has made other moves that may threaten our national security.”
That would refer to a port project in Freeport –while Senator Ted Cruz, during the hearing, also highlighted the impact of Huawei in our telecommunications sector as a concern.
Mr Walker said that “keeping that influence from being too close to the United States would be a measure of success for me”.
Certainly, relations between the US and China in The Bahamas have caught their fair share of headlines in recent times, along with some pointed words.
For many Bahamians,
both in office and regular citizens and businesspeople, the presence of China has provided an alternative, sometimes one looked to when investment from the US has not been available.
So Mr Walker’s words on seeking to encourage US investment in The Bahamas will be welcome.
He said: “The US is The Bahamas’ largest trading partner. If confirmed, I will advise American businesses’ community of trade and investment opportunity that exists in The Bahamas. I will also make sure the Bahamian government is a welcoming environment for the US to invest so we can advance America’s prosperity.”
If we as a nation can be the beneficiaries of an increased focus from the US, all the better for us. Opportunity is a good thing.
Mr Walker cited his ability to relate to people from all walks of life, and his previous history as an “informal ambassador” to youth. He also highlighted his athletics history and
connections.
There are high hopes for Mr Walker when it comes to his sporting connections – with many hoping he can build upon those to forge links with athletes and sporting bodies here in The Bahamas.
We might well see increasing numbers of visits from major teams or stars, events that connect Bahamians to sporting institutions, and let’s keep our fingers crossed for greater numbers of sponsorships available to carry some of our brightest stars to the US to help achieve their goals.
As mentioned, Mr Walker has had some odd comments in his history –such as when he talked on the campaign trail about watching a movie and saying: “A werewolf can kill a vampire, did you know that? I didn’t know that. So I don’t want to be a vampire anymore, I wanted to be a werewolf.”
At the time, President Barack Obama responded saying he too had considered such a matter “when I was seven”.
Mr Walker also made odd comments about President Donald Trump’s plan for a wall to stop immigration, saying “when you got a wall around your house, people don’t… yeah, but they can get in”, and blaming his wife’s “awful genes” for his son being an “ugly” baby. He claimed he spent time at the FBI training school and was “an agent”, which was not correct.
Contrast that however with what seemed to be a well-drilled appearance before the Senate. Candidates have to talk a lot on the campaign trail, and often with a microphone in front of them. We all say stupid things sometimes, just not usually on a hot mic.
The other aspect that Mr Walker focused on during his hearing was tackling drug smuggling in the region, saying: “The threat to American lives cannot be overstated, having an ambassador in place is more important than ever.”
To be clear, we all know the threat there has been from drugs coming through
The Bahamas – a danger for both ourselves and the US.
Mr Walker’s words do not necessarily signal any increased recognition of that – possibly more restating what we already know – but it is clear that is going to be one of the top items regularly on his agenda while in office here if confirmed. That is a good thing for us all. The more drugs can be taken off our streets, the more we can tackle the engine of crime that fuels its distribution, and the murders and robberies that go with it. We have been down the path before of having a prospective new ambassador – so certainly there are no guarantees until the confirmation is complete.
Having one in office would certainly help us to build on relationships. Mr Walker says as much himself, saying that his “secret sauce is relationship building. That is my strength and my passion”. Will he get a chance to do so? Certainly the chance for someone to do so is well overdue.
US Ambassador nominee for The Bahamas, Herschel Walker.
Photo: AP
Sometimes our body will whisper before it screams
A few months ago, my patient (hereafter referred to as) Paul, despite having lost his father in his teens, never really thought about death. He was a healthy 21-year-old and like most people his age, believed that illness was far-removed from the young. If nothing else, the COVID-19 pandemic should have taught him otherwise but awareness often demands determined contemplation.
Paul works during the day at an import company and takes evening classes in engineering. for many, that would be a full load but Paul is the rare type who works exceptionally hard to better himself and create a greater chance of success, happiness and wellbeing. So, although he was often tired from a full-time job and evening classes, he began a routine of exercise and maintained a strong social life to ensure that friendships did not fade.
As the years progressed, the busier he became. Tired, day by day and distracted by the world, he pressed forward blissfully unaware of the soon to be firestorm churning within his abdomen. Silently, Paul’s appendix had become a
pressure cooker set to high heat and left unattended. By the time that pressure cooker exceeded its boiling point, Paul inched as closely to death as he’d ever been. without a dial, release valve or the awareness to appreciate what was happening, it became a race between rupture and rescue and time was running out. Paul was born in 2004, a full year after the launch of Myspace, the social network giant that defined his generation. He is allergic to shellfish, has no medical issues, is not on any medications and, until this incident, he’d never undergone surgery. Initially, his symptoms were almost imperceptible; a faint wisp of steam slipping through the smallest crack and quickly ignored without hesitation. It was early August of this year when Paul lifted a box at work and immediately felt a moderate amount of pain in his
stomach. This happened a few times in the past so he went to the bathroom to urinate. Initially, his pain improved. Since he’d performed some abdominal exercises earlier that week Paul assumed that the pain was a delayed response –maybe he strained a muscle or impinged a nerve, he thought. But about 30 minutes later, the pain intensified and then worsened with each step. He sat for a while but could barely stand to get back up. Over the course of the day, his pain escalated from a dull ache around his belly button to a sharp, unrelenting pain. Out of caution, he went home early, ate a sandwich then took a nap. By the time he awoke, moving his right leg elicited a thunderbolt of shocking pain that sent shockwaves through his abdomen so intense that his stomach vibrated as he balled his fists and clenched his jaw.
By Dr Kenneth D Kemp
The pain made him nauseous and he began to sweat. Paul, who was rarely ever sick, instinctively knew that he should seek medical attention as soon as possible. within the hour, his mom drove him to see their family physician. Based on his doctor’s examination, she felt that his appendix was inflamed but needed a scan to be sure. She gave him the option of going to the hospital or a clinic for the scan. They opted to go to the nearest clinic. Unfortunately, by the time they arrived at the clinic, the radiology section was closed so they went the hospital and waited to be seen. At the hospital, it would be close to ten hours before Paul was evaluated and sent for a scan. Results indicated that his appendix was so grossly inflamed that it was close to rupturing and needed to be surgically removed. Paul was admitted and scheduled for surgery that same day but his surgery was rescheduled several times because of a succession of more emergent cases.
The evening that Paul was admitted something strange happened. His surgeon called his mother to say that Paul’s appendix had ruptured just as they got into the operating theatre but his appendix was removed successfully and he was resting comfortably. Relieved, Paul’s mother waited a few hours and called to check on her son only to realize that he never had surgery and the surgeon had alerted the wrong parent.
Paul’s appendectomy wasn’t actually performed until three days later and for those three days, he wasn’t allowed to consume any food because medical staff wanted him to be prepared in case an opening in the operating room schedule occurred. So, gas
pain coupled with pain from his surgery was almost too much to bear. when he got back to the surgical ward, instead of the suggested broth and liquids, his nurse brought him a meal of baked lamb, cooked vegetables, mashed potato and cake.
By the following morning, Paul struggled to breathe. His chest and abdomen were so tight, it felt as though the skin in his lower torso was being torn and spun around him, then slowly pulled and tied into a knot. No amount of reassurance could immunise his fear that he was dying. with repeated frantic calls for assistance from members of his family, his doctors sprang into action. fortunately, after a slew of tests it seemed that his breathing challenges emanated from considerable pain and not from an embolism or pneumothorax. His diet was adjusted, he was given a breathing apparatus to strengthen his lungs and with a stronger course of narcotics, his breathing normalised. He was discharged home a few days later but it took three weeks postsurgery before Paul began to feel like his old self. To date he still has marginal pain if he stretches, but that improves day by day.
The appendix is a small, finger-shaped, sac attached to the lower end of the large intestine and located on the lower right side of the abdomen. Although rare, it is not unheard of for the appendix to be found on the left. The purpose of the appendix is to store healthy gut bacteria. Some experts also believe that it may play a role in food digestion. Some people, especially men between ages 10-30, can develop a blockage in the lining of the appendix and that can lead to appendicitis. Symptoms include pain that worsens with walking or coughing, starting around the belly button but eventually shifting to the lower right side. Nausea, vomiting, fever, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal bloating are concomitant symptoms. Although widely considered to be an unnecessary
organ, it can unravel a life in hours when ignored since a burst appendix disseminates infection and eventually causes death. So, while we fail to give the appendix the kind of attention that we shower on the heart, lungs or kidneys, the reality is that the lack of awareness and disregarding pain only until it becomes unbearable can prove fatal. Like healthy gut bacteria, the understated role of the appendix deserves greater recognition both by the medical community and the public.
Paul uses the analogy of a pressure cooker left on high to describe his appendix rupture. His boiling point was exceeded and a once dull ache transformed into a sudden, explosive burst that disseminated pain through every corner of his abdomen. Pressure ignored will always demand release and Paul’s take home message is that when pain exceeds your normal, seek immediate treatment from a licensed medical professional.
In the end, Paul’s ordeal is a sharp reminder that the slightest ache can sometimes mask burgeoning danger. This story is not just about illness, but about listening to the body when it whispers before it screams. It reminds us all that sometimes pain signals urgency and it illustrates the fragile strength we carry within. And although Paul’s scar will remain, it no longer marks his fear. It is a testament that with prompt and proper care, survival is often possible, healing can succeed crisis and in the best of circumstances, life offers another chance forward.
This is The KDK Report.
• Nicknamed ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr Kenneth D Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the deputy chairman for the Health Council for five years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-vice-chairman.
All OAS member states declare - time for decisive action is now
On September 10, all 32 active member states of the Organization of American States (OAS) signed a joint statement on Haiti. As often happens in diplomacy, not every member state participated in the discussions and negotiations that produced the text. Antigua and Barbuda did. I led our delegation. We argued line by line because, in diplomacy, words decide budgets, mandates, and lives—they must be carefully weighed.
My delegation had four concerns.
First, the Un Security Council resolution proposed by the United States and Panama -to which the joint statement refershas not yet been adopted. Discussions have been constant in new York, but the text is still not agreed. In plain terms, the United States and Panama are asking the Un Security Council to replace the small, under-resourced Kenya-led mission in Haiti with a larger, Unbacked force - about 5,550 personnel- with the legal authority to detain gang members, secure critical infrastructure (airports, ports, hospitals, schools), and run intelligence-led operations against armed groups for 12 months. The plan also stands up a Un Support Office to handle logistics and reimburse equipment costs, while voluntary contributions to a Un Trust Fund cover personnel reimbursements and other mission needs, keeping costs transparent and shared. This is understandable. The Kenyan-led mission has struggled to deliver sufficient results relative to the costs borne by funders. It cannot continue in this fashion.
Second, replacing the Multinational Security Support mission with any “Gang Suppression Force” risks narrowing the lens to the use of force - what my Deputy Head of Mission, Joy-Dee Davis-Lake, aptly called “urban warfare”while missing the wider context of Haiti’s economic and social conditions that helped create the gangs. As I said publicly in response to a Miami Herald question, any new Un action cannot be only about suppression. Gangs recruit boys who have nothing to eat and no opportunities to grow into self-sufficient adults; violence grows where institutions are hollow, wages are nonexistent, and there is no reason to trust the system in which people live. Yes, security is essential, but it must not be regarded as sufficient.
Third, Haitian ownership must not be a slogan; it is the basis of legitimacy for any transformation in the country. Antigua and Barbuda wanted the Haitian authorities to take clear ownership of the joint statement, and to accept accountability for actions in Haiti, including how funds are used. Without that, international support will remain hesitant and unsure.
Fourth, we wanted to ensure that nothing in the joint statement opened a door for the OAS, as an institution, to participate in the use of force. The OAS Charter provides no such authority. More importantly, the OAS’ value - its credibility as a peacebuilder and honest broker - would be undermined if it drifts into kinetic (use-of-force) operations. The OAS role is institution-building, rights, and political accompaniment. It is in the interest of each member state, and of the Organization’s relevance, that it keeps to its role.
Those were our guardrails. Within them, we supported the Joint Statement for the following
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
reasons.
The statement reaffirms that Haiti must lead and places the United nations at the centre of security operations, including a support office (UnSOH) and the transition to a stronger force aimed at restoring a safe, stable environment and dismantling gangs. That is the right hierarchy: the Un leads on protection; Haiti leads on sovereignty and responsibility.
The OAS is given a clear role - strengthening institutional and operational capacities through a civil, humanitarian, and human-rights approach. That keeps the Organization where it is most effective: helping the Haitian national Police with non-force enablement and helping the state rebuild the basics of governance.
The text encourages voluntary contributions to the Un Trust Fund for the new force and welcomes complementary support through OAS mechanisms such as SECURE-Haiti for police enablement, consistent with the Un framework. That pairing keeps money flows honest, channels visible, and burdens shared according to capability.
By calling for coordination among the Un, OAS, CARICOM, and Haiti, the statement tries to stop the waste the world has seen when work overlaps with no coordination.
The statement explicitly joins security operations with attention to root causes: weak institutions, corruption, poverty, stark inequalities, and the collapse of education and basic services. That is the difference between beating off gangs for a few months and building lasting peace for the future.
Thankfully, even as final negotiations were concluding on the joint statement, the Un undertook to move $9m in emergency funds to Haiti, in part to maintain the La Paix Hospital which is the only public hospital still functioning in Port-auPrince. As Tom Fletcher, the Un’s under-secretarygeneral for humanitarian affairs, put it: the security track only works alongside a humanitarian track that helps people go home, rebuild livelihoods, and recover dignity. That is precisely the balance we fought to preserve in the OAS text.
So where does this leave us?
It leaves the Un with the responsibility to deliver protection from gang predation and lawlessness—lawfully, accountably, and with the consent of Haiti’s authorities. It leaves the OAS to backstop that effort where its Charter and competence are strongest: institution-building, rights compliance, political accompaniment, and non-force support to the Haitian national Police. It leaves donors with a clear request: fund the Trust Fund so the new force can function, and fund humanitarian operations so society can live a normal life. And it leaves the Un Security Council, especially the five permanent members, with a simple message: the states closest to Haiti - its neighbours in the OAS - have spoken with unusual unity after serious and attentive discussions by several lead
countries. We support a Haitian-led path, a Un-led protection mandate, and a comprehensive strategy that treats both the symptoms and the cause of the Haitian crisis. As we conclude in the statement: “Haiti cannot wait. The time for decisive, coordinated action is now.”
• The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Dean of the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com.
A mAn walks through a street filled with debris caused by gang violence in the Nazon neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti on September 4, 2025.
Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP
Missing enforcementopportunities denied
It has been 11 years since legislation was passed to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities – but little has changed and there remains a long road ahead to achieve the goals of improving the lives of those with challenges, says businessman Mario Carey.
In 2014, the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities) Act was passed – but the law means nothing if it is not enforced, says Mr Carey, who said he sees little improvement in funding for persons with special needs. Without full support from government, the law is simply a series of promises on paper.
“We worked hand-inhand with experts and government to draft the Act, believing that it would open the door to opportunities believing it would change lives, but since its passage, there is little evidence that much has changed except for an initial burst of energy ordering everyone to install wheelchair ramps,” said Mr Carey.
He offered his comments, he said, not merely to criticise but to build awareness, reawaken interest and inspire action. Addressing special needs is one of several pillars embraced by the thought leader who says he may have earned his living in real estate but earns his reward in helping in nation-building by lending time, insight and support for a range of issues.
According to Mr Carey, the Disabilities Act remains a pipe dream. too many two-storey buildings remain inaccessible, there is little or no government funding for therapy for those with special needs whether on the autism
spectrum or diagnosed as having ADHD, parents or caregivers of children with special needs do not receive financial aid or emotional assistance, a facility that was supposed to have been created has not even broken ground. the lack of assessment and therapy, he said, is especially troubling. “Early detection, assessment and intervention are the keys to a more independent and fulfilling life for those who are high functioning. With therapy and attention, they can become valuable contributors to society. But that is not happening on a broad enough scale, so you have to ask, ‘What is being done today that is different from before the Act was passed that was
supposed to lead to rights and dignity for those with disabilities?’”
the 2014 law covers issues ranging from employment protection and accessibility to education needs and issues related to discrimination. It includes penalties ranging from fines of thousands of dollars to up to three months imprisonment for those who violate the law.
Despite that, Mr Carey said he witnesses violations on a daily basis from something as basic as lack of wheelchair ramps in public buildings to harder to tackle issues, including homelessness among those with severe disabilities.
Mr Carey was president of Resources and Education for Autism Related
Challenges (R.E.A.C.H.) for many years, and his son, Cole, has been diagnosed with Asperger’s on the autism spectrum.
For him, it is an issue that is both personal and of national importance.
He said: “Eleven years on, still nothing has been done. I see the same people on the same street corners today that I saw a decade ago. the only difference is their wheelchairs are in worse condition and they look older, weaker, sadder. It breaks your heart.”
How a nation treats those with challenges or special needs defines its image to a wider world, he said, urging Bahamians to ask tough questions about what kind of culture we really want to be and how we think others see us.
“Something like this can continue to define us as a third world nation. As a Christian community, how do we pay attention to this sector? We see people lying in the street daily, and people dismiss them. No one knows if they are affected by a disability or by autism. We disregard them and then they die and the only thing we notice, if we notice at all, is that the street corner is empty for the moment – until the next homeless Bahamian in a wheelchair begging for help claims that spot.”
Government has a responsibility, he said, to provide more specially trained teachers and suitable classrooms and play areas, and to ensure that clinical assessment, counselling, therapy and a proper education is available for every Bahamian to maximise his or her potential.
Such provisions take funding, he said, and he believes that a tax or fee can be absorbed by every new resort development without detracting from investment appeal.
“In most developed countries, developers must provide funding for something that adds value to the quality of life in order for their development to be approved,” said Mr Carey. “that can range from dedicating large green spaces to building a school, library or even, in some cases, a hospital. I suggest that we seek funding for special needs as it is the single sector of the population that stands out starkly as growing in numbers so dramatically without any significant government support, leaving parents and caregivers to do what they can and leaving too many who suffer out in the cold.”
He also suggests a mechanism allowing American visitors and residents to use a 501C3 vehicle for tax credit purposes, especially important for larger donations.
“If we could appeal to all the Americans living in the Bahamas that would be a tremendous start,” he said. And he believes donation boxes in public spaces frequented by visitors will net surprisingly strong results given the dramatic increase in numbers of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum or with various degrees of Attention Deficit Disorder.
When he first got involved in campaigning for awareness, Mr Carey said, the number of boys affected was one in 110. In 2022, the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) estimated one in 31 children in the US had autism, with boys affected at a higher rate of approximately one in 20.
Along with greater awareness, attention and funding, far greater attention needs to be paid to enforcing violations, ticketing those who do not have a handicapped decal parking in spaces reserved for handicapped, citing owners or tenants of buildings that are noncompliant, giving them a specified time period to correct violation or pay a daily fine and enforcing other provisions, including evidence of discrimination.
the legislation was passed under the administration of then Prime Minister Perry Christie, also the parent of a son with special needs who understood the challenges and not only lent emotional and official support but arranged a donation of 50 acres of Crown Land for a specialty purpose built facility off Gladstone Road.
Mr Carey said: “this would include facilities for education, assistance, everything in one facility. We travelled extensively through the United States visiting various facilities that under Federal law must provide services to persons with special needs. We then sat with a local architect and designed the facility. But then the government changed and nothing happened since.”
Mr Carey called on the public to call for action individually, holding politicians and their member of Parliament accountable as election season heats up.
He said: “the only way this Act will work is if the government enforces it and finds a way to fund it.
“Voters should ask their
politicians, ‘What are you doing about the Disabilities Act that affects many people’s lives in this country?’”
He credits the current Minister of Labour Pia Glover-Rolle for announcing a division in the Department of Labour for those with special needs and the Minister of Education’s public announcement about providing facilities for students with special needs but is waiting to see action from both.
Providing better care early, he said, leads to greater opportunities for all later.
“there are huge opportunities for major employment in this category, and those opportunities lead to increased self-sufficiency,” said Mr Carey. “Persons with disabilities often make the best employees. I remember a few years ago when a young woman was voted best public service employee out of the thousands who work for government. She was totally blind, but as a receptionist in the Office of the Prime Minister she recognised every caller and every visitor by the sound of their voice.
People loved her.”
Only a limited number of schools offer dedicated support for students with disabilities, namely Seahorse Institute, Blairwood Academy and the Hopedale Centre in New Providence, Salvation Army Erin H Gilmour School for the Blind, Centre for the Deaf and Anatol Rodgers High School on Faith Avenue. Limited others including Windsor Academy, make provisions for such students and welcome them.
Kim Kooskalis, a director of Blairwood Academy, notes the school on Village Road does all it can to prepare students to reach their independence potential.
“Our seniors go through vocational training. they all have to present their own business plan,” she explained. the school has a one to six ratio of staff to children and uses a multi-sensory approach with time for repetition to help children learn. She said the children “all learn differently”, requiring schools to adapt. If they don’t, “students are left out in the cold.” She said there has been greater awareness of disability in recent years but added: “We need to stop with the denial, and we need to get early intervention if a kid is struggling in any way.”
Mr Carey said he hopes public pressure will lead to enforcement of the laws in the books and reiterates that he just wants to reawaken and rekindle the interest once shown, now carried out by the few with solutions available and needed by the many. He said: “there are some very important legal requirements. It is hugely important that we follow through and enforce the Act. What was the point of passing the Act if after more than 24 years since it was first discussed and more than a decade since it was passed, we are not going to live up to it?
What is going to happen in 20 more years when the numbers of those affected increase and we are where we are today, ignoring our own law and denying what is right in front of our eyes?
“How is it possible that our nation continues to let these persons with disabilities down?”
Businesseman Mario Carey
Geordinell Thurston brings precision, passion and purpose to healthcare
For Geordinell Thurston, healthcare has never been just about doctors and diagnoses, it’s about the systems behind the scenes that keep care moving efficiently and equitably. As a recipient of The Bahamas resilience and Excellence Technical Award from Lyford Cay Foundations, Geordinell is charting a path to improve the administrative backbone of Bahamian healthcare.
A 2025 graduate of Holland College in Prince Edward Island, Canada, Geordinell completed her diploma in Medical Support Services. Her studies have focused on the vital operational side of healthcare, including billing, coding, documentation, and administrative support. It’s a field she was drawn to after recognising that improving healthcare in The Bahamas starts not only with skilled medical professionals, but with strong systems that support them.
“Many people focus solely on doctors and nurses,” she shares, “but I saw the importance of those who ensure that healthcare systems run efficiently. My passion is rooted in improving the healthcare experience in The Bahamas through
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A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
strong, streamlined support systems.”
With her sights set on transforming healthcare administration back home, Geordinell is already thinking strategically about the impact she wants to make. She is especially interested in how efficient administrative practices can reduce delays, improve patient outcomes, and ultimately create a system that better serves both patients and providers. “I want to tackle inefficiencies in our current system and contribute to a more accessible and effective healthcare environment,” she says. “That includes optimising workflows, making billing and
coding more accurate, and empowering patients to better understand their rights and care options.”
In the long term, Geordinell plans to work in hospitals, clinics or public health agencies in The Bahamas, contributing to a stronger healthcare infrastructure. But she’s not stopping there. She also hopes to launch community outreach initiatives that educate the public on preventive care, patient rights, and health literacy, bridging the gap between healthcare administration and community empowerment.
“My goal is to help create a healthier, more informed population. I believe in the
power of education and advocacy to shift mindsets and improve lives.”
Her academic journey at Holland College has given her a solid foundation, but it’s her sense of purpose that fuels her ambition. “Purpose fuels perseverance,” she says, a mantra she leans on to stay focused during challenging times. “No matter how tough things get, I stay motivated by remembering why I started: to help build a better healthcare system in The Bahamas that is not just functional, but transformative.”
Lyford Cay Foundations is proud to support driven scholars like Geordinell, who are not only investing in their education, but in a brighter, healthier future for all Bahamians. Geordinell stands ready to return home and put her skills to work, strengthening the systems that help our communities thrive.
• Gain An Edge is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.
Geordinell Thurston celebrates her graduation from Holland College with a diploma in Medical Support Services, ready to return home and strengthen The Bahamas’ healthcare system.
Former Senate Pre S ident Wil S
FNM Carmichael candidate, Arinthia Komolafe, and FNM Leader Michael Pintard led a group of FNM Members of Parliament, candidates, executive members and supporters through the Carmichael area on September 8, 2025 for their latest walkabout.
ForMer SeNate PreSideNt, Sharon Wilson, KC, was honoured for her outstanding contribution to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Senate during the Senate President’s Dinner, September 9, 2025, on the occasion of the 47th Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region. Pictured from left: Franon Wilson, Shelly Wilson, Frank Smith, Sharlyn Smith (nee Wilson), Sir Franklyn Wilson, Ann Marie Davis, Lady Wilson, Senator the Hon. LaShell Adderley, Rosel Moxey (nee Wilson), Beverton Moxey, Patrice Ellis, Bishop Neil Ellis.
Photos: anthon thompson/BIS
Weekend storm downs several utility poles and damages homes
with downed poles and fallen trees blocking major routes.
Many residents believed the storm was a tornado at first, but the Department of Meteorology later confirmed the event was a microburst—a sudden downward rush of wind from a thunderstorm that can cause tornado-like damage but produces straight-line winds rather than rotation.
Anthony Bethel, who operates Gold Touch bar, said his food trailer was flipped like a toy while his wife narrowly escaped injury. “I started screaming for my wife because I said no one could make it,” he said. She had been sheltering in a van that overturned before managing to reach the building for safety.
His wife, Sheena, said she prayed as the trailer rolled several times, shattering glass and tearing up trees around her. Though the trailer and its contents were destroyed, she said she was grateful to be alive. “Material things can always be replaced. My life cannot,” she said.
Retired businesswoman
Beryl Pugh, who owns the property, said the blow was devastating after years of struggling to maintain it.
Her nearby home was also damaged. “I cannot even afford to hire someone to move the trash,” she said, describing the burden of property taxes and medical bills even before Friday’s disaster.
Resident Errol Ferguson said his roof partially collapsed while his wife grabbed their baby and rushed to the bathroom. “Watching the plywood and everything fly off, watching the sheetrock drop down and cave in on me and my family, I honestly thought it was not going to end,” he said. He credited neighbours and police colleagues for helping to cover the roof afterwards.
Betty “Sheba” Dames, a shop owner in the area for more than 20 years, said the winds ripped shingles and plywood from her roof and sent water gushing into her store. A sheet of plywood smashed her car windshield.
“Thank God nobody got hurt,” she said.
Bahamas Power and Light and the Bahamas Grid Company deployed crews overnight to clear debris and restore service.
Meteorologists said radar showed no rotational signature consistent with a tornado. Instead, conditions pointed to a microburst, which can produce winds up to 100 miles per hour, comparable to an EF-1 tornado.
Elizabeth MP JoBeth Coleby-Davis called the destruction across her constituency “really major”, drawing comparisons to the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. She pledged to help residents access
building materials and said the government’s energy committee would meet to review the storm’s impact.
Seabreeze MP Leslia Miller-Brice also toured her constituency on Saturday, promising support for
families hit hardest.
Residents said the storm lasted less than half an hour but caused devastation unlike anything they had seen before.
“We all have to get ourselves together,” Mr Bethel
said. “We could have been gone, but God had a way. We have to move forward.”
At the time of going to press, BPL was still in the process of restoring power to some areas in the eastern part of New Providence.
Severe weather leaves a pathe of destruction as meteorologists confirm the event was a microburst - with winds comparable to an EF1 tornado damaged utility poles, trees and roofs on south Fox Hill Road on Saturday night.
Photos: Timothy roberts
NumerouS homes received significant roof damage, and many trees were downed, and appeared to be thrown quite some distance.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr