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VOLUME:117 No.203, SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2020
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CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & MORE CARS Emergency orders to run beyond tourism reopening until
END OF OCTOBER
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis pleaded with Bahamians to comply with COVID-19 protocols for at least three more weeks as he gave notice that the country’s state of emergency will extend until October 31. He spoke in the House of Assembly yesterday morning during what House Speaker Halson Moultrie called an “extraordinary sitting” after a Parliament staff member tested positive for COVID-19 last week. Parliamentarians are not entering quarantine despite the potential exposure, citing advice from health officials. However, Speaker Moultrie said both he and parliamentary clerk David Forbes have tested negative for COVID-19. Yesterday’s short sitting
was adjourned until September 23. According to Mr Moultrie, 15 members attended the sitting, including himself and the deputy speaker of the House. Progressive Liberal Party members were not in attendance, citing concerns about the virus. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis criticised the absence of Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis. “Under no circumstances would the government nor myself place any Bahamian or even a legislator in any form of danger,” he said. “I’ve been in constant communication with the medical professionals and have been assured of the protocols and as you’ve stated we carry on with the protocols as the medical professionals would have advised us to. SEE PAGE THREE
‘I HEARD THE SHOTS THAT KILLED MY GRANDSON’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A DAY after her grandson’s murder, 67-year-old Sylvia Outten told The Tribune she heard five shots ring out before finding out her loved one had been fatally wounded. According to police, a man was shot around 8pm Tuesday on First Street. SEE PAGE SEVEN
HEADKNOWLES PARTNERS FACE NEW COURT BATTLE By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE dispute between the founders of the HeadKnowles organisation has taken a new twist with Lia Head-Rigby countersuing her former friend Gina Knowles. In February, Mrs Knowles sued her former partner Mrs Head-Rigby and her husband, accusing them of using GoFundMe funds for personal use while violating a mandate to send all the donations to The Bahamas. The lawsuit, filed in Florida, claims Mrs Head-Rigby went from being on the brink of poverty to living like the “rich and famous”
at the expense of the Hurricane Dorian victims she vowed to help. At dispute is more than $400,000. Mrs Head-Rigby had strongly denied the claims at the time and had promised to counter sue – and yesterday details of her court filings emerged. Mrs Head-Rigby is suing Ms Knowles for fraud, injunctive relief, unjust enrichment, and accounting in excess of $30,000 excluding interest, costs, and attorney’s fees. Mrs Head-Rigby has also asked an Orange County Circuit Court to rule that the HeadKnowles Foundation transfer $1,007,086 held by Ms Knowles and the SEE PAGE FOUR
ANOTHER MILLER TAKES THE CROWN SHAUNAE Miller-Uibo is the queen of the track - and now her sister Shauntae has her own title, as queen of the beauty pageant. Shauntae Ashleigh Miller has been named Miss Bahamas Universe 2020 - and will go on to represent the country in the global Miss Universe contest. Shauntae won through in unusual circumstances this year - with candidates having to impress judges in virtual workshops because of COVID-19. Shauntae said she was “forever thankful” to family and friends for helping to “make my dream a reality”.
LOBBYISTS’ SHOCK AT NEW REGS
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
ACTIVISTS yesterday voiced “shock” that newly-tabled regulations to safeguard the environment contain “loopholes” that will allow “inappropriate development projects to slip through”. Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s president, said the new regulations were “a shock and a slap in the face” with many recommendations not included. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
ISLAND’S SHOCK AT CLUB MED CLOSURE STATESIDE By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
EMPLOYEES at San Salvador’s Club Med yesterday described the resort’s decision to push back its re-opening date to December 2021 as a major “shock” and “big blow” to the island. They say the move has left many workers uncertain about their future with the company.
CLUB Med in San Salvador. Workers say they are also unsure as to how they will make ends meet. “It is a big blow to the (island’s economy) and
the majority of the people on this island work in Club Med,” said Rochelle Forbes, a resident in the community. Ms Forbes, who is also a longtime employee at the hotel, said while workers had known the resort would not resume operations right away, they did not expect the reopening date to be postponed all the way to the end of next year.
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WHAT PUT TRUMP IN THE OVAL OFFICE?
SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Thursday, September 17, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Island’s shock at Club Med closure from page one “When they announced it, the majority of us had already known,” she said. “We just wanted confirmation to know if it was true. We had already known about the closing of the hotel, not opening until 2021. “They were (first) saying December of this year but when I listened again, they said 2021 and my mind was like, everybody was in shock. We could not believe that for a whole year, almost two years and we will not be working. “But like I said, a lot of us had already known but we just didn’t know it was gone be that long (sic).” The resort was shut down in March after the government banned international flights from France, it’s main tourist source market, because of COVID-19. In a letter to Prime
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Minister Dr Huber Minnis, Clement Maynard, an attorney representing Club Med, noted that concerns about San Salvador’s ability to handle a health crisis had factored into its decision to postpone re-opening. “As a precaution to ensure the safety of the Bahamian residents of the island of San Salvador and the health and safety of Club Med’s staff, guests and providers, the difficult decision has been made by Club Med to postpone the re-opening of the Columbus Isle Resort until a later phase in December 2021,” he wrote. However, some workers say they do not even feel confident that the resort will ever reopen its doors again, a situation that has left them uncertain about their employment status with the company. “Really and truly, we don’t feel like we’ll ever reopen,” said Regina Kelly, another resort employee. “They had a Zoom meeting with us two days ago. They are not even discussing the fact that we are redundant. When we brought it up in the meeting or whatever, they were like ‘y’all smart, y’all been thinking that far.’” “This affects everybody – the guys who does the international flights. Everybody is going to feel the pinch of Club Med’s (protracted closure). It’s not just the employees.” San Salvador remains one of the few islands in the country that is essentially COVID-19 free. Because of this, residents say they are reluctant to leave the island in search of other job opportunities due to an increase of cases across the country. “It isn’t the same like when we was closed last time,” Ms Kelly added. “People could relocate to Bimini and Nassau. You can’t do that now because islands have corona so for you to pack up and leave your sure for unsure, that
don’t make no sense.” For her part, Ms Forbes said the situation is also worrying because staff members are still waiting to receive their vacation packages to help assist with financial obligations. “Usually this is our time for closing because of the hurricane season,” she said. “But by this time, we should have already gotten our vacation pay so a lot of people were looking forward to their vacation pay so like I said, only the good Lord gone help us. “We don’t know what Club Med is going to do and we don’t know when we gone get our package or whatnot.” Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union’s (BHCAWU) president, Darrin Woods, when contacted by The Tribune yesterday, said the union has already reached out to government officials on the matter as San Salvador residents cannot manage more than a year without work. “We telephoned and we sent a letter requesting a meeting and we (are) just waiting for their response and we said to them that this is something you can’t just sit down (and wait), this is now,” he said. “…Because Club Med is the major employer on that island and on that island, each household has a minimum of at least two persons working at the club.” “And what Club Med said was because of them being on an remote island with limited resources, infrastructure, reduced airlift, (they) could not guarantee the safety of the resident, the employees, the guest and their partners.” “I believe that we now need to secure as best as we can some sort of relief by way of looking at whether (there are) makeshift health care services down there and you could always talk to the airlines to talk about increased airlift even though their people travel direct.”
MAN KILLED AND THREE HURT IN ROAD ACCIDENT By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A TRAFFIC accident on Tuesday night has claimed a man’s life and left three people critically injured in hospital. According to police reports, shortly before 10pm, a traffic collision occurred on East Bay Street in the vicinity of Montagu Beach involving a white Nissan Note and a burgundy Honda Accord. A police press release stated: “On arrival at the scene, officers observed that both vehicles received extensive damage. A closer inspection revealed a male in the driver’s seat of the Nissan Note was
unresponsive and the occupants of both vehicles had visible injuries. “Emergency Medical Services were summoned, on their arrival after examining the occupants, the unresponsive male was pronounced lifeless and the other occupants, a male and two females, were transported to hospital for medical attention.” The identity of the deceased was not known up to press time. The coroner was apprised of the facts of the accident, police said. The Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Traffic Department will continue the investigation into the incident.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 17, 2020, PAGE 3
Emergency orders to run beyond tourism reopening until end of October
from page one “It’s unfortunate that the leader of the opposition is not here. We all know that the leader of the opposition has COVID and the leader of the opposition has antibodies. For all intents and purposes the leader of the opposition is immune. He is the most safest in this country at this time. He is immune and that immunity will last three to six months. We don’t know the duration but we do know that he is the safest in this country at this time so it’s unfortunate that he is not here.” According to Dr Minnis’ Emergency Powers Orders, however, a person is required to quarantine for 14 days after returning from travel abroad. Mr Davis returned to the country last Friday from the United States where he was being treated for COVID-19. Dr Minnis also foreshadowed the approaching reopening of the country as he pleaded with people to follow COVID-19 protocols. “The medical team, health professionals have been doing an excellent job in conjunction with the minister of health and we would note that numbers are coming down,” he said. “I must congratulate those in the construction industry who have become more disciplined and compliant in terms of wearing the facial masks and that may have possibly helped why we are seeing a decrease; I can’t say at this particular time. “But I’m still somewhat disappointed by the amount of illegal social gatherings and parties that are still occurring. I ask the Bahamian people if they can at least remain compliant just at least until the end of this particular month by wearing facial masks and trying to resist from such social gatherings it would do a lot for their country in that it would accelerate the process of the decline and decrease in COVID cases that we are seeing and
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in the House of Assembly. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff would help us to reopen a lot sooner and would help them in returning back to their jobs and would help the country. So I’m only asking that the Bahamian populace just make a three weeks of sacrifice by utilising the masks and yes I know it’s uncomfortable and discomfiting for some, but what is three weeks of discomfort for a lifetime of success both in the economic and for the future of this country? “I send out a plea for the Bahamian people to be compliant for us over the next three weeks as we continue to open our country. And they would not be surprised to hear very soon that the Family Islands now are being declared COVID-free because that’s the message we want to send out to the world so the world would come and visit our country and help to boost our tourism and economy. But the Family Islands are doing well. Harbour Island for example has no cases and I’m happy to say Harbour Island is free for all intents and purposes and can engage in activities but still follow the mitigation protocols. “I would be happy to stand very soon and declare that the entire Bahamas is in such a state but we
would need their compliance just for three weeks. Three weeks of sacrifice by our young people and our Bahamians and three weeks of enforcement by what we call the Bahamian security force because we’re all a part of this together. We can’t leave this just to the police. The police are stressed. They have an entire nation to manage.” Yesterday, PLP chairman Fred Mitchell responded to Dr Minnis’ “attacks” on Mr Davis, calling his remarks “divisive” and “contradictory”. “The prime minister told the House that it was ‘unfortunate’ that the leader of the opposition was not present in the House,” Mr Mitchell said in a statement. “What a joke. The COVID-19 orders signed by the competent authority, the prime minister, require returning residents to quarantine for a period of 14 days upon arrival. “Mr Davis is complying with that protocol despite the fact that the attorney general claimed in the Senate that the rules do not apply to members of Parliament and senators. The leader of the opposition therefore claims no special privileges. He sticks to the rules,” Mr Mitchell added.
55 NEW CASES REPORTED AND ONE DEATH IS INVESTIGATED FIFTY-FIVE additional COVID-19 cases were confirmed yesterday, health officials said, adding there is one more death under investigation. This pushed the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 3,087. According to the latest data, there are 2,107 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Providence, 601 in
PAHO: VACCINE NOT AROUND THE CORNER By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
THE Pan American Health Organisation has raised alarm about countries in the region returning to “near normal” social and public life, despite the fact a COVID-19 vaccine “is not around the corner”. One PAHO official said the recent spike in cases in The Bahamas and other countries in the region can be tied to the reopening of economies, which is a cause for concern. Dr Ciro Ugarte, director of health emergencies at PAHO, spoke at the weekly Zoom webinar organized by PAHO where he assessed The Bahamas’ COVID-19 trends from March until now. “The number of cases that we are seeing in The Bahamas and other Caribbean countries has increased because of the opening of the economy and is a source of concern,” Dr Ugarte said. “The large number of cases in New Providence and ongoing detection is one source of optimism, however, in terms of the capacity of the health system to rapidly detect the cases. “I would say that the public health measures must be strictly followed in the county to reduce the transmission and at the same time considering the relevance of new cases that are a source of concern. We need to know that these measures must be implemented and at the
same time we have to put in balance the opening of the economy and access to other essential health services.” . PAHO earlier commended The Bahamas on the actions of its COVID19 contact tracing task force which, it said, was vital in the fight against the spread of the disease. Dr Urgarte said The Bahamas has proven that public health strategies can work to reduce transmission and bring a balance to opening the economy. “In the first part of this pandemic, from March until June, The Bahamas did very well,” he continued. “Since July, some of the cases were identified on Family Islands and most of the cases in the last few weeks have been recorded in Grand Bahama and New Providence. The number of cases have remained, kind of the same in Grand Bahama, but the process is slower in New Providence where 75 percent of the population resides. “So the health authorities are still faced with a challenge there, in particular the high rate of infection with the healthcare workers and the capacity of the laboratory. So we are following this very closely and we are in coordination with the Ministry of Health and health authorities there.” Speaking on a regional level, Dr Carissa Etienne, director of PAHO and World Health Organization (WHO) regional director for the Americas, said the uptick in COVID cases shows the region remains
vulnerable. “Within the Caribbean, many large islands like Jamaica, The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic are witnessing drastic spikes in cases,” she noted. “Death rates are also climbing. This is a stark reminder that countless people in our region remain vulnerable to infection, especially large populations that have not yet been exposed. “Although the entire world is racing to develop new tools to prevent and cure COVID-19, a safe and effective vaccine that can be manufactured and delivered is not around the corner. And yet, our region has started to resume near normal social and public
life at a time when COVID19 still requires major control interventions. The reasons for doing so are understandable – children need to learn, families need money to eat and live and global commerce cannot be restricted forever.” She said it must be clear that opening up too early gives this virus more room to spread and puts populations at greater risk. In August, Dr Sylvain Aldighieri, PAHO’s deputy director, attributed the alarming numbers of COVID-19 cases here to the opening of borders to non-essential travels and Bahamians travelling to destinations where the virus rates were skyrocketing.
Grand Bahama, 104 in Abaco, 54 in Bimini, 25 in Exuma, 18 in Inagua, 15 in the Berry Islands, 15 in Eleuthera, 11 in Long Island, eight in Cat Island, seven in Acklins, five in Crooked Island and three each in Andros and Mayaguana. There are also 111 confirmed cases with locations pending. The breakdown of the
new cases by island is as follows: New Providence 51; Abaco 3 and one new case is in the category of location pending. The Ministry of Health also confirmed that one additional death is under investigation. This increased the number of deaths under investigation to 12. The COVID-19 death toll remains at 69.
PAGE 4, Thursday, September 17, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
No Back to School bonanza for retailers amid pandemic By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net ONE retailer has estimated back-to-school sales have fallen by 75 percent compared with last year, however several people in the sector are hopeful business will pick up in the coming weeks. James Wallace, owner/ operator of Janaees Uniform Centre, told The Tribune that his business has seen an uptick of sales lately, but overall sales are down. “Over the past week, we’ve seen a slight uptick in sales compared with what it was when there was no announcement on what the
school programme would be,” he said. “When we analyse and look at the sale for back to school, the actual sale is down 75 percent. We’re kind of disappointed but we’re not surprised because a lot of people aren’t working. We’ve been in a pandemic and people have been out of jobs for six months so there are some challenges. So as the business, we’re facing the very same challenges. We had laid off some staff members, but we’ve brought it all back since the announcement of back to school and we’re doing our best to cope because they too need to be supported.” Mr Wallace
acknowledged that the demand for school uniforms is not as great as it once was. Therefore, to help attract more consumers, the business owner said the company has implemented a back-to-school special. “We have a special going on. If you buy four shirts, you get one free. We’ve removed the restrictions because pre-COVID, the restrictions you would have to buy four of the same size shirts and get one free. “We’ve relaxed the restrictions because you can now buy four of any size to allow family members to come in and help each other.” Pazia Bowe, Nassau Stationers general manager,
told The Tribune that while sales for this year will never compare with earlier numbers, officials are grateful for the increased business activity they’ve seen in recent weeks. “It’s not how it was in previous years or even last year but it’s good because children, especially the little ones are going into class,” she said. “They’re not (all) doing virtual and they still need their books and stuff and September has been a good month not as good as previous Septembers, but it’s good and we’re still seeing the customers coming in and we’re hoping for October to even be better.” In May, the government
announced a VAT back-toschool holiday for the 2020 semester, an initiative meant to provide relief to Bahamian parents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Yesterday, Mr Wallace said his store has seen many parents have been taking advantage of the initiative. “We’ve seen people making sure that they are not paying VAT. They’re making sure of that because they’re reading their invoices,’ he said. Public schools do not reopen across the country until October 5. Some schools will use virtual learning initially, while schools on several islands have been given the greenlight to resume in person
classes, with some health measures in place. Many private schools reopened last week, using virtual learning methods. The delay in opening has led to sluggish sales for those selling school supplies and related products. Asked to describe this year’s back to school season compared with last year’s, Mr Wallace said: “Like night and day. It’s a complete setback for the business. We look for back to school to carry the business throughout the year but it’s not there. We need to find ways to reinvent ourselves in terms of what we can do differently to get back to school (in) 2021 if that’s where we are.”
LIA HEAD-RIGBY, left, and Gina Knowles prior to their court battles.
HEADKNOWLES PARTNERS FACE NEW COURT BATTLE from page one amount in the court registry, to the Head Foundation to be properly and immediately used for the benefit of the Bahamian people. She is also asking for further relief, including but not limited to attorney’s fees and costs. Mrs Head-Rigby further lobbied for the right to have her name removed from the non-profit organisation which the two founded for Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. In newly filed documents, Mrs Head-Rigby
who now resides in Florida and has founded her own non-profit, called the Head Foundation, claims the HeadKnowles Hurricane Dorian fundraiser via GoFundMe last year raised well over $1m. However, requests on how this money were utilised were ignored, she said. “Pursuant to the GoFundMe attestation, the beneficiary of the Hurricane Dorian fundraiser funds was to be ‘a volunteer run group founded by [Head-Rigby] and Gina Knowles’,” the document read. “On or about September
13, 2020, Head-Rigby executed documents with the IRS to allow the Hurricane Dorian Fundraiser funds to be transferred to Head Foundation and then to (the) counterdefendant (HeadKnowles Foundation). The IRS’ and Florida’s reporting requirements require charitable organisations to file certain forms and provide information to detail how the organisation’s contributions were used. “Head-Rigby must comply with these reporting requirements due to the funds sent to (the) counter-defendant. The
Dorian fundraiser raised well over $1m. Over $1m (was) transferred from a US bank account, HeadRigby and Head Foundation’s bank account, to a Bahamian bank account at the direction of Knowles. The interactions between the parties are complex due to the transfer of funds internationally and the need to comply with IRS and Florida reporting requirements. “On multiple occasions, Head-Rigby has requested documents evidencing how the counter-defendant has utilised and/or maintained the funds. To date, (the)
counter-defendant and Knowles have failed and refused to provide HeadRigby with the requested accounting of how the funds were used/maintained and claim that Head-Rigby was not a member of the counter defendant.” The lawsuit continued: “A remedy at law is inadequate wherefore defendant/ counter-plaintiff, Italya Head-Rigby, respectfully requests that the court enter judgment in favour of Head-Rigby and against plaintiff/counter-defendant, HeadKnowles Foundation, thereby ordering counter-defendant to provide Head-Rigby with an accounting, order counterdefendant to produce all original documentation showing how the Hurricane Dorian funds were utilised, and/or maintained and for such further relief as this court deems just and proper.” On claims of fraudulent misrepresentation, Mrs Head-Rigby accused Mrs Knowles of misrepresenting her at all relevant times in those previously filed documents, adding the act was detrimental. “To induce Head-Rigby to sign the GoFundMe attestation and to ensure that Head-Rigby would transfer all raised funds collected by HeadRigby during the Dorian fundraiser to counterdefendant, Knowles knowingly misrepresented to Head-Rigby at all relevant times that she was forming counter-defendant for their joint fundraising efforts and that Head-Rigby was a co-founder of counter-defendant. “At all relevant times,
Knowles was a friend of Head-Rigby whom HeadRigby trusted. As such, Head-Rigby had reason to believe and believed Knowles’ representations to her when made. These statements and continuous reference to the forming of the counter-defendant and the opening of ‘their’ bank accounts for the benefit of the Bahamian people was at all times materially false when made by Knowles. “Knowles filed counterdefendant’s incorporation documents in The Bahamas on the same day that Head-Rigby executed the GoFundMe attestation under penalty of perjury. Knowles knew, or should have known, that (the) counter-defendant was not an organisation that was co-founded by Head-Rigby and Knowles, as Knowles affirmatively chose not to include and did not include HeadRigby in the counterdefendant entity. Further, Knowles personally signed the incorporating documents to effectuate this fraud to the detriment of Head-Rigby.” Because this case is in the early stages of litigation, both parties have said it is difficult to determine the potential costs of the legal action. At this time, Mrs Knowles estimates that she will incur attorney’s fees and costs of in a range of $200,000 to $300,000 to pursue this matter through trial. However, Mrs HeadRigby’s party estimates that they will each incur attorney’s fees and costs in a range of $85,000 - $100,000 to pursue this matter through trial.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 17, 2020, PAGE 5
AN AERIAL view of some of the buildings in the Abaco shanty town that have reportedly been newly built without permission.
Smith: ‘Regrettable’ people are evicted in a pandemic By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net HUMAN rights attorney Fred Smith, QC, has castigated the government over its decision to evict residents of newly built structures in an Abaco shanty town, adding this is a situation that should not be politicised. Speaking on behalf of human rights group Rights Bahamas, Mr Smith said it was regrettable that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government is seeking to add to the hardship of people by having them removed from their homes and the structures torn down. The Tribune reported on Tuesday that the government is preparing to evict residents living in newly built illegal structures on Abaco.
The announcement was made by government officials during a meeting held on the island last Friday, who noted that eviction letters would be given specifically to those found in contravention of the latest Supreme Court order. Mr Smith said the situation is regrettable. “It is regrettable that during this pandemic the government can’t think of anything more constructive and productive to do in Abaco than to make people homeless,” Mr Smith told The Tribune. “As we know most of the former residents of The Mud and Pigeon Peas and other smaller shanty towns in Abaco are either citizens or permanent residents or citizens-in-waiting for their certificates of citizenship. So, we are talking about making hundreds of Bahamians homeless during this
pandemic. Surely this will be a huge international embarrassment.” He added: “Of course if people who own property wish to take appropriate action to evict people who are newly squatting on their private property then they are obviously entitled to take appropriate action, but for the government to wholesale evict people from homes that they have been in for years and or that they are repairing or seeking shelter is inhumane and I urge the government not to do so. Where are these people going to go? “The government already prematurely bulldozed all of the homes that could have been repaired in The Mud and Pigeon Peas shockingly in breach of the injunction by the Supreme Court in the shanty town case and I would be surprised that the government would take
the next step of demolishing more homes when the matter is before the Supreme Court. Government itself applied to change the injunction and since we are a country that is governed by the rule of law the government should continue with its judicial process. “Might does make right and just because the government has the power doesn’t mean they should do this.” The 2019 order, which blocks the government from clearing out existing shanty towns in the country, also prevents residents from altering or expanding those communities. Still, there have been concerns in Abaco about shanty town dwellers erecting illegal structures on government land, specifically the Farm community, despite the order. One official estimates unregulated structures in one community
have grown from 200 to about 400 since July. In a bid to rectify the issue, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield told Abaconions last Friday that: “The Cabinet of the Bahamas is attempting, according to the law, that we will move a notice to place upon homes that were built illegally and take a period of two weeks for those homes to be removed or they will be removed by the proper authority. “This is an order of government approach to how we deal with irregular communities in the Bahamas specifically those that were built since the new building order was issued. So, we anticipate these notices will be placed by the Ministry of Works along with the Ministry of National Security sometime this week.” Mr Smith questioned these remarks.
“Why is Cabinet involving itself here? Government has to stop politicising this issue in an effort to garner votes,” the attorney said. Before Hurricane Dorian decimated them last year, shanty towns across Abaco had more than 1,000 homes and an estimated population size of 3,500, according to government reports. One of the few shanty towns left in Abaco post Dorian was the Farm, located in Treasure Cay. According to North and Central Abaco administrator Terrece Bootle-Laing Bootle-Laing, the community was estimated to house nearly 1,000 people before the Category Five storm hit the island in early September. Attempts to reach Attorney General Carl Bethel for comment yesterday were unsuccessful up to press time.
$50,000 DONATION FROM LYFORD CAY TO OSMOSIS PLANT THE seawater reverse osmosis plant (SWRO) in Treasure Cay, Abaco, received three months of additional funding through a $50,000 donation by the Lyford Cay Club Charitable Trust. The international humanitarian partner Pure H20 and Bahamas Rotary Clubs set up the SWRO unit in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. However, the additional funding means the unit will be kept in operation until the end of December, serving Treasure Cay and neighbouring communities with fresh drinking water. “Our partners on the ground emphasised how important this SWRO unit was to the community, given the demand for fresh drinking water. Some residents drive 30-45 minutes to Treasure Cay to collect water for their families. They often supply themselves for the week. International non-profit partner Water Mission also continues to truck 10,000 to 13,000 gallons multiple times a week to many locations throughout Abaco and to the cays,” said Katherine Elza of Lyford Cay Club Charitable Trust. “A portion of our donation was also allocated to
food distribution in Abaco, where 13,000 people are currently receiving food assistance on a weekly basis. We continue to identify critical needs that can be addressed by our ongoing commitment to provide support. Last month we had a successful funding raising drive for food assistance in Nassau, and soon we will roll-out a new initiative for communities in need in Grand Bahama,” said Ms Elza. Last month, the Lyford Cay Club Charitable Trust and Lend a Hand Bahamas reached the target number of contributions to raise $100,000 for COVID-19 food assistance programmes in Nassau. The funds allowed Lend a Hand to provide approximately 1,428 food care packages to families struggling from the economic fall-out of the pandemic. Each care package can feed a family of four for approximately a week. “We presented a cheque to Lend a Hand Bahamas that matched the contributions made by 35 other donors, dollar for dollar. This allowed Lend a Hand to raise $100,000, which provided resources to feed approximately 50,000 individuals a week in Nassau. We are thankful
to the 35 donors who joined us in contributing,” said Bruno Roberts of the Lyford Cay Club Charitable Trust. “We reached our target more than two weeks
earlier than expected, which is a sign that our community understands the urgency of the need. With the gradual reopening of the domestic economy, we hope more
Bahamians will be able to restore their livelihoods, but until then, we embrace the opportunity to partner with organisations working on the ground to get food and other essentials into
the hands of the most vulnerable. We will continue to mobilise our community to support the tremendous efforts being made by civil society organisations,” said Mr Roberts.
PAGE 6, Thursday, September 17, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
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Was this consultation just for show? WHEN is a consultation not a consultation? That’s the thought on the minds of a number of environmental activists after the government yesterday tabled new regulations for environmental impact assessments. The problem? After being asked to give their input, it turns out very little of what was recommended was included. There are few who have been so outspoken in defence of the environment than Sam Duncombe, and yesterday she described the tabling of the new regulations as “a shock and a slap in the face”. Aside from the differences between the recommendations and the outcome, there are concerns about the process itself. The government initially gave organisations just five days to come up with their responses before agreeing to extend it. Five days to assess proposals, consult within the organisation and come up with recommendations? Are they serious? “We all worked on those regulations for the last couple of weeks so we could submit some robust comments on what was happening, but it looks like our comments were not considered and didn’t make the final resolution,” said Mrs Duncombe. Fellow campaigner Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, of BREEF, added: “They’re supposed to be a strong proponent of public consultation… it just seems like these regulations were rushed through, and it’s going to cause problems down the road.” It all leaves a feeling as if the proposals were a fait accompli, something the government wanted to push through and on which they consulted for the bare minimum amount of time for show. The trouble with that is not just that they won’t receive expert feedback on the proposal on hand – but that it affects the whole reputation of government. Why bother giving feedback if it’s just going to be ignored? Now, of course, not every piece of feedback will be approved – everything has to be weighed and considered, but campaigners, it would seem, have been left feeling out in the cold, ignored. These are the very people who are closest to some of the issues being consulted upon and they feel their advice has been discarded. Was it all for show? Was a consultation nothing more than a tick box for somebody to mark to say it had been done without actually listening to what was said? We would love to hear Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira’s side of the argument – but despite our phone calls and messages to him there was no response before we went to press.
Oh, and who are the beneficiaries of the changes that have been made? The Tribune’s business team took a look at the initial draft compared to the final draft. Did the environment benefit from the changes made? No. Instead, it was the developers, who find they will foot a smaller bill than in the initial proposals for any environmental damage they cause.
Is it safe or not?
There is a conundrum at the heart of the government’s extension of the emergency powers until October 31. After all, isn’t the country planning to reopen to tourism before then? Much fanfare was made of the October 15 reopening, with the Tourism Minister talking about the country resuming full operations and use of the beaches. He talked of rebranding quarantine as “vacation in place”, a sleight of hand with words that isn’t likely to fool any visitor. Spending 14 days in quarantine is much the same whatever you might want to call it. But in theory, it was all systems go for that October 15 relaunch. Now? Well, the emergency powers will continue, bringing with them an extension of the curfews, lockdowns, rules applying to businesses and all. We don’t mean to be like the boy who pointed at the emperor as he paraded around in his new clothes to say that he was naked – but is there any substance in the claims that we will be safe to reopen on October 15 if we need emergency powers that continue until the month’s end? Frustration is mounting up at the endless restrictions – some of which seem to make no sense. Take the beach restrictions, which stop people going on the beaches after noon. At five minutes to noon, it is safe to be on the beach but at five minutes after, it isn’t? Did someone tell the virus to stay away from the beaches on mornings? Even long-term FNM supporters have had their fill of restrictions that seem to make no sense, and there has been plenty of griping on social media. The contradictory moves by government – opening up more then saying it’s still too dangerous to lift emergency powers – leave people wondering is it safe to proceed with opening or is it not? People just want to know if decisions are being guided by safety. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis says he is asking the Bahamian people for just three weeks of sacrifice. Fair enough, Prime Minister, but the Bahamian people are asking for straight answers. We’ll do our part, it’s only fair you do yours.
To bury or not to bury EDITOR, The Tribune. IN SPITE of the many challengers, financially and otherwise facing our government, it should not become unaware or calloused to the need of dignity for the dead, be they having departed this life from COVID or any other catastrophic natural disaster. Thus, I venture to propose the following for the proper care of those dearly departed souls, now accumulating in inordinate numbers at our health care facilities. Fundamentally, remember that these human beings are, even though physically departed, are still very much and powerfully aware of what treatment is afforded them via their earthly remains. It is clearly, logically understandable that most of their families are in desperation themselves, financially combined with extraordinary fear of handling the remains of
loved ones, especially those who have succumbed to the virus. As far as I am aware, the Hospital Authority has Chapel facilities at the hospital. Why, then cannot our compassionate government make expeditious and timely arrangements for a small and private family ceremony, regularly for sending forth their loved ones in appropriate and dignified form. Then, too, arrangements can be made for cremation of the remains by the government, and the precious aches handed to the family for safe and reverent keeping. This can be handled with all due COVID-19 protocols. Families can even be given the right to request their own minister of the Gospel to conduct an abbreviated ceremony. There should be no need for the despicable, longterm storage of so many human remains in the
morgue or in refrigerated trailers. We should recall with heart-wrenching aches the inhumane conditions afforded the many human remains in Abaco post Dorian. We have to have learned a lesson from that totally unacceptable state of affairs. As with post Dorian, this natural disaster now with COVID, in the midst of family economic desperation and depression, naturally, logically, responsibly and Christly, our Government must assume responsibility in this critical and national matter. This burden should not become the ultimate and sole responsibility of families in mourning and travail. Remember It’s The People’s Time….Dead Or Alive! JOSEPH DARVILLE Vice-President, Rights Bahamas Freeport, Grand Bahama, September 16, 2020.
Divide and rule EDITOR, The Tribune. THE strategy of divide and conquer was first develop by Sun Tzu’s, a Chinese General 2500 years ago. In the west, the divide your enemy so you can rule approach is attributed to Julius Cesar — he successfully applied it to conquer Gaul twenty-two centuries ago. Elements of this technique involve: creating or encouraging divisions among the subjects to prevent alliances that could challenge the sovereign aiding and promoting those who are willing to cooperate with the sovereign fostering distrust and enmity between local rulers encouraging meaningless expenditures that reduce the capability for political and military spending. The Caribbean have inherited the tendency to divide and rule from the British. It is inherent in the Westminster System as the ruling party and the opposition. It is meant to keep people divided and benefiting from one party and disliking the other. The creation and perpetuation of Hindu-Muslim antagonism was the most significant accomplishment of British imperial policy: the colonial project of “divide et impera” (divide and rule) fomented religious antagonisms to facilitate continued imperial rule and reached its tragic culmination in 1947. The British divided up the Middle East after World War I, and they did it again in India. The Caribbean and the Bahamas continued the British system of divide and rule.
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Loyalty is more important than competence for executive position in government and related private sector. The question I ask is will we mindless continue a system that has created crime and poverty for the many with a few elites that acts as managers so the developed world can plunder the country’s resources. From June 13, 1789 to July 1, 1789 in the assembly in France, people to the left of the president of the assembly were against the monarch and stood for movement or progress while the people on the right were for the monarch and for order. This division of left wing and right wing continues today. But what has happened recently is that the right has moved more left thereby keep order and having social programme for the marginalised. In the US Donald Trump a Republican, a right wing party sends US $1200 cheque to Americans for doing nothing – free money like a left wing politician. In the Bahamas both parties (PLP and FNM) were moderate pro-Western parties committed to democracy and free enterprise. The division in the Bahamas is between the have and have nots. The department of social services programmes and the R.I.S.E programme to Tackle Poverty are attempts to alleviate poverty. These programmes put a band aid on a gunshot wound. The evidence is the high homicide rate in the Bahamas
and the exponential growth of youth involvement in criminal gangs. They have create a vacuum where the people will find alternatives to deliver what they want and need. Sometimes, it is drug selling, scamming, prostitution or robbery because many are Machiavellian – by any means necessary. Election does not bring fundamental changes because politics is the art of deception. The Bahamas will continue to be colonized once the people are divided. We have external colonizers and their internal collaborators. The people have power but they naively bestow it to their political leaders instead of exercising it for their own benefits. I agree with Malcolm X when he said, “what, what do you call second-class citizenship? Why, that’s colonization. Second-class citizenship is nothing but 20th slavery.” There is still a lot of work to be done, especially with the impact of COVID-19 health and economic crisis. To look at the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Bahamas and the world. Just like the US Patriot Act crippled privacy for financial transactions after the twin towers were destroyed on September 11, 2001, the response to this pandemic will cripple freedom of movement and health privacy. Biosecurity will trump civil liberties. Whether that is a wise move is for the people to decide. Let’s get ready to rumble. BRIAN ELLIS PLUMMER Nassau, September 15, 2020.
The great unwashed EDITOR, The Tribune. Re: Welcome return for Mr Davis – The Tribune, Letters, September 14, 2020. The phrase “unwashed masses” is used five times in this well written letter. This suggests there is a significant number of unsanitary people roaming around in our midst. It
is quite disturbing to envision so many irresponsible, unwashed masses ignoring one of the main tenets of the battle against COVID19. (It may be a frightening thought, but some may even think that Trumpery and denial are beginning to take hold in our country). Personal hygiene and frequent hand washing is said to be essential, as are masks, preferably covering the
nose as well as the mouth, and social distancing, etc. Perhaps it would be beneficial for officials to promote the use of hand sanitizer, and soap and water more energetically, especially to these unwashed masses, as has been done effectively for the use of masks. KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, September 15, 2020.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 17, 2020, PAGE 7
‘I HEARD THE SHOTS THAT KILLED MY GRANDSON’
SEARCH ENDS FOR MISSING BOATERS THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force has called off the search for boaters who went missing during an incident last weekend. Commander William Sturrup, the RBDF’s search and rescue coordinator, said: “After some four days of canvassing an expansive area of waters around Chub Cay, and the Berry Islands, and based on wind and tide models, we have suspended search and rescue operations for the five persons reported missing at sea last weekend.” He said “there were no signs of life or wreckage found during the helo overflights or vessel
patrols in that area.” He added that the RBDF is grateful to its interagency partners and the United States Coast Guard for its support in this search.
The missing boaters were passengers aboard a 27ft vessel that capsized on September 12 in waters south of Chub Cay. Twelve migrants, said to be a mix of Jamaicans
and Haitians, were subsequently rescued and search efforts were conducted to find the remaining persons without success, the RBDF said.
Car thieves told to pay back owners for damage By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net TWO men who stole two cars in the span of a day were placed on two years’ probation and ordered to compensate the car owners for the damage rendered to their vehicles. Troy Rolle, 25, and Markintino Cayard, 18, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney after they were accused of stealing and damaging a $5,000 Nissan Bluebird Sylphy which belonged to Nathaniel Perpall on September 10. The prosecution also said the pair stole and caused
$325 worth of damage to Estra Cash’s 2008 Nissan March which was valued at $2,500 that same day. As it relates to the first incident, the court was told Mr Perpall had his vehicle locked and secured in the front yard of his residence. The prosecution said when he returned a short time later, he discovered his car was missing. After realising it had been stolen, Mr Perpall then filed an official complaint with police. That same day, officers, acting on information, arrested both suspects in relation to two motor vehicle thefts. The court heard Rolle and Cayard then led the
officers to where the cars were located before they were transported to the Central Police Station for questioning. During the hearing, Rolle was represented by attorney Bernardo Ferguson. He told the magistrate his client was a young entrepreneur who had made a mistake. Noting Rolle did not waste the court’s time, he insisted the defendant was remorseful and repentant for his actions. When given an opportunity to speak, Rolle also told the magistrate he ran a coconut business and had returned to his old ways because he
had fallen on hard times. After listening to his explanation, Magistrate McKinney accepted Rolle and Cayard’s guilty pleas and placed each of them on probation for two years. He further ordered Cayard to pay Mrs Cash $125. Rolle on the other hand, was ordered to compensate Mrs Cash $200 and make an arrangement with Mr Perpall to have any damage caused by his actions repaired. He told the defendants if they failed to do so, Cayard could spend a year behind bars while Rolle could risk spending 18 months in prison.
JUDGE: GET YOUR PAPERS TO SELL COCONUTS By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A JUDGE discharged three men who were arrested for selling coconuts without a business licence, on the agreement they would apply for the documents they need to work legally by the start of November. Lickerson Donfred, 29, Dion Bethel, 20, and Sean Miller, 19, appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux yesterday, charged with operating a business without a licence after they were caught selling coconut water and jelly on the side of Tonique Williams Darling Highway without a permit on September 15. The court heard officers were on mobile patrol in the area, when they observed the three defendants standing on the side of the street next to a pile of coconuts and an assortment of plastic bottles filled with coconut water. When the officers approached and questioned the men, they
told them they were selling coconuts. The prosecution said when the defendants were asked to show their business licences and vendor permits, they could not produce the documents. As a result, they were arrested and taken to a nearby station. In an interview with police there, Bethel admitted to the offence while Donfred and Miller denied the allegation. During the hearing yesterday, all of the defendants pleaded guilty. When given an opportunity to speak, Bethel said he was selling coconuts because he was trying to make an honest living. Miller also said they were “trying to survive on their own and make a couple dollars” and added they were selling the coconuts in an attempt to make money so they could apply for the business licences. Donfred also told the magistrate they would “try their best” to get the permit and licence if they were given a chance. As a result, Magistrate
MAN ARRESTED FOR HOUSE ROBBERY By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama police arrested a man who allegedly robbed a woman at her home this week. According to reports, the incident occurred shortly before 8am on Tuesday, when a woman resident in the eastern area of the island reported that she was held up and robbed of jewelry and a cell phone while at her residence. Superintendent Terecita Pinder reported that a short time later, officers of the Criminal Investigation Department arrested a male suspect, and recovered the cell phone and jewelry. The male suspect is expected to be arraigned this week. In other matters, officers arrested 12 people at a local
bar for violating curfew. Supt Pinder reported that shortly after midnight on Wednesday, officers acting on information, went to a bar and lounge located on Peach Street where they met a number of people gathered. Officers arrested 12 individuals for breach of curfew. All are expected to be arraigned this week. Meanwhile Bimini police discovered several marijuana plants this week in the Porgy Bay area. Shortly after 11am Tuesday, officers of the Bimini district, acting on information, went to a bushy area on Kings Highway, Porgy Bay, where they found eight marijuana plants ranging from two to seven inches in height. All the plants were retrieved. No arrest was made. Investigations are continuing.
Turnquest-Deveaux granted each of the defendants a conditional discharge and told them she would give them until November 9 to apply for a business licence and
vendor’s permit. She warned them if they failed to do so by that time, they would risk spending three months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
from page one A police report said the man was parked in front of his residence on First Street when he was approached by a man on a motorcycle. “The male then produced a firearm and discharged it in his direction hitting him several times about the body,” police said. “The victim was transported to the hospital via private vehicle, he was attended to by the doctors and later succumbed to his injuries.” Ms Outten said the victim is her grandson, 26-year-old Shermalle Ferguson. She told The Tribune he lived on First Street but he wasn’t killed at their residence; he was on the street about to head somewhere else with his cousin. “Both of them have a jet ski and they were going to carry the jet ski someplace around 7.30 ... quarter to eight and when they were crossing the Palm Tree Avenue heading north one of the tyres on the trailer went down. So they had (a) problem they couldn’t pull it. So he came out to see what really happened,” his grandmother said. “And at the same time they say that one fella pull up on a bicycle, masked and shot him. “I was in the house and I (heard) two shots and by the time I came out there was another three and then somebody run down here and tell me ‘Grammy that’s….on the ground,’” she said, while getting emotional. “So my daughter, somebody
help her put him in the car and she drove him to the hospital.” She remembers hearing five shots, but her daughter noted it appeared he was hit by four. The 26-year-old was planning to get married in a couple of months. Since Mr Ferguson was eight days old, he had been raised by his grandmother. She explained he didn’t have a relationship with his biological parents but did try to develop a bond with them. Her son, Mr Ferguson’s father, and her grandson were just beginning to bond when his father was shot and killed eight years ago. He was starting to bond with his mother before his death. But to the 67-year old, the relationship she had with her grandson was good. She contemplated if he knew he was going to die. “It’s only lately that I don’t know, like I sit down and I think about maybe he saw his death coming or something and he would get snappy at me,” she said. Mr Ferguson was described as a caring person yet, his grandmother noted he had some friends who really weren’t “good friends”. She suggested those friends led her grandson to spend time in prison twice for firearm possession. According to The Tribune’s records, the recent homicide pushes the country’s murder rate to 46 for the year. Anyone with information on Tuesday’s homicide or any other crime is asked to call police at 502-9991 or 328-TIPS.
PAGE 8, Thursday, September 17, 2020 THE recent Speech from Her relationship with the Throne in Barbados former Prime Minister is a bold, transformative Owen Arthur, who recently and progressive vision for passed away, was often the future of our Caricom fraught and difficult, though neighbour. It is a crystalli- Arthur was also a mentor sation of the direction and who made her Minister of long-held dreams for her Education, Youth Affairs country from Prime Minis- and Culture in 1994 at the ter Mia Mottley, who is on age of 29. fire to seize the future: to She was one of the build a new Barbados and youngest Barbadians given a more dynamic and 21st a ministerial portfolio. Century Caribbean. During her tenure she coGiven the economic situ- authored the White Paper ation here at home and the on Education entitled longstanding and urgent ‘Each Child Matters’, which need for widespread struc- draws the link between tural and social reform better education and job there are lessons in the fulfilment. speech for The Bahamas generally and specifically for Prime Minister Dr Tested by the slings, Hubert Minnis, who has daggers and a similar opportunity to arrows, launch a new transforma- betrayals of Barbados tive era, inclusive of the politics, she has overcome recommendations of the all manner of personal National Economic Recov- assaults and political setbacks to reach the height ery Committee. Following a landslide of political and governelectoral mandate in May, mental power, which she 2018, in which her Barba- is determined to use to dos Labour Party swept rebuild Barbados. After the Great Recesall 30 seats in the lower house, Ms. Mottley inher- sion of 2008, Barbados ited a country on its knees found itself in significant economically, made worse ways in a worse economic this year by the COVID-19 situation than The Bahapandemic and further eco- mas, which enjoys a number nomic fallout, especially in of strategic and economic advantages. But, like Bartourism. Mottley, an intellectual bados, we also have a host and political powerhouse, of social, economic and was forced to make the environmental challenges painful but unavoidable which require dramatic and decision to go to the Inter- significant change. Moreover, we are not national Monetary Fund (IMF) to restore the coun- taking anywhere near the try’s public finances and advantage we can of the economic and strategic economic future. A collapsing sewer- advantages we enjoy. Also, age system on the island it is uncertain if The Bahanation was an olfactory mas, at multiple levels, and national metaphor for possesses the hunger for the state of affairs in the deep structural reform and country once considered a transformation that is now regional and Caricom gold forced upon Barbados. Nations, like individuals, standard. The depth and degree of often do not act until the the complex of challenges, crisis or crises that are upon including environmental, them are so dire that action was referenced in the recent must be taken for the sake Speech from the Throne of survival. To our credit, we have delivered by Governor not gone to General Dame the IMF for Sandra Mason: ‘The time has structural “My Gov- come to fully adjustment. ernment was well on its way leave our colonial But the burning question to fulfilling the past behind. commitments Barbadians want isthe whether political made in its directorate manifesto, of a Barbadian will have the reversing the Head of State.’ tenacity and downgrades of boldness of the economy; rebuilding our foreign spirit to pursue a transexchange; reducing the formative agenda, including crippling debt to GDP resilience in the face of cliratio – the third highest in mate change. Though The Bahamas the world at 176 percent at the beginning of 2018, to was recovering economi117 percent by the begin- cally pre-COVID-19, major ning of 2020 – halting the structural reforms were still social malaise, the decline needed to spur broader and of social goods and ser- more impressive economic vices and tackling some growth, job-creation and of the more intractable social equality. Such economic reform problems which affect the wellbeing and quality of life includes the desperate need for a new national of Barbadians.” The 54-year-old Mottley investment policy that has been on the Barbados can dramatically reduce political scene for decades, the bureaucratic logjams entering politics in 1991. and labyrinth of various She served as Leader of approvals, which somethe Opposition on two times take a seeming eternity. occasions.
DETERMINED
THE TRIBUNE
Mottley’s shown us the way - it’s time to be brave, be bold and go ‘all-in’
Why do certain basic projects still require cabinet approval? Too many of us are still living in yesteryear. A new investment policy may result in considerably more international investment in myriad industries. Concomitantly, much of the civil service culture in The Bahamas is a nightmare, often burdened with incompetence, indiscipline and slackness, with public officers often not communicating well across their silos and fiefdoms. In an age that has been digital for decades, why are members of the public repeatedly and often asked to resubmit the very same documents and information over and over and, yes, over again.
BUREAUCRATIC
This same paperbased bureaucratic mindset and lethargy has hobbled certain public health officials during the COVID-19 pandemic. Why are certain officials still drowning in reams of paper when computers are ubiquitous? Meanwhile, there are still too many civil service mandarins who endlessly sit on matters, incapable of moving them from ‘in’ to ‘out’ boxes in a timely and efficient manner. Mottley is pursuing widespread change in the public sector and is presenting a new image and face of Barbados to Barbadians and to the world. The Speech from the
BRITAIN’s Queen Elizabeth pictured in July at Windsor Castle in England. Throne noted: “Barbados’ first Prime Minister, The Rt Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, cautioned against loitering on colonial premises. That warning is as relevant today as it was in 1966. Having attained Independence over half a century ago, our country can be in no doubt about its capacity for self-governance. “The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State. This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving. Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence.” The Queen now remains as Head of State of nine Caricom countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The speech also calls for the decriminalization of personal possession of small amounts of marijuana and other equality and progressive measures. Forward thinking ideas and discussions should drive our own national dialogue.
Sadly, some, including senior journalists, continue to mindlessly, insipidly and without critical analysis, regurgitate in their social media posts, unthinking gobbledygook about items such as: is there a constitutional crisis on the horizon. Such blather by journalists or politicians is equally disappointing and laughable. Parallels The parallels between politics and poker are legendary. Poker games are often long affairs. One may sit calculating and pondering for hours with the hope that at the end of the night one might come out ahead. Often there is one hand that makes the night. Several players are in the pot. Significant money is in the pot. Players are committed to the hand to the end because they see a potential win. These are the moments when the wise player calculates his odds most carefully. Throughout the night he will have keenly observed each player and kept a mental record of the run of the cards. Now, if there is a heightened chance of hitting his hand, and the potential payout is great because of the money at stake, the best player steels his nerves and shoves all his chips to the middle. He goes all-in. Fear and timidity must be
set aside. The point of the night is this hand. Going all-in requires courage. It also requires recognition of the moment. Moments for historic gains come fleetingly. When they do come the wise use them to maximize the change or benefit they seek. In the Barbados Speech from the Throne, the Governor General voiced the Government’s determination: “No one is coming to rescue us. The solutions to the present circumstances are ours to find, ours to craft and ours to implement. “Every Barbadian, no matter who they are, where they live, or what they do for a living, must understand that responsibility for the rescue and recovery of Barbados rests with each one of us. Indeed, the current difficulties require us to go back to the Bajan basics of caring, sharing and a sense of community.” Mia Mottley understands the moment. So too does Andrew Holness, who continued the process for structural reform in Jamaica and who went to an early election and won a landslide victory, promising bold change for Jamaica. Both leaders offer lessons for leaders throughout the region, including here at home. The time to act is now!
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, September 17, 2020, PAGE 9
IS THIS THE ANSWER TO WHAT PUT TRUMP IN THE OVAL OFFICE AND MAY KEEP HIM THERE?
W
e all know someone who’s really smart. Maybe we know these smart people from school or work, or maybe they’re someone from our own family. Sometimes, they are celebrities. We see them on TV or read what they write in the newspaper, online or in a book. Tom Friedman is someone like that. He’s really smart. Unlike our neighbour or friend or relative, though, he is often recognized for his ability to see and write about stuff we only recognize after reading what he writes. Friedman has been writing a column for the New York Times for 25 years. He has been honoured with three Pulitzer Prizes for his work. He has the resources that enable him to travel the world and produce for the newspaper a smart column or two each week, some bestselling books every so often, and appear as a sage observer of the world on television. He is 67-years-old and is married to an heiress. He lives in an 11,000 square foot home near Washington. Life is good for Friedman, despite the fact he is still criticized for views like his support for George W Bush’s invasion of Iraq in 2003. Friedman is generally free to write about anything that interests him, and what interests him often intrigues us regular folks, too.
Puzzling One of the things that has been puzzling Friedman in recent months and years, he has said, is the enduring loyalty to and support for US President Donald Trump by his “base”. This has flummoxed plenty of other Americans, too. They cannot figure out why Trump’s supporters continue to support him. He lies to them regularly, strains their credulity by spouting nonsense and expecting them to accept it, and cannot bring himself to honour or respect anyone but himself. Vain, self-absorbed and insecure, the President is not someone you’d expect to command such loyalty and devotion from his fans. But he does. Just look at the past week. Trump gets caught out by maybe America’s most trusted journalist since Walter Cronkite as he boasts to Bob Woodward that he knew how dangerous COVID-19 was in January and yet lied to the American people for months about a virus whose death toll now approaches 200,000. Then, as parts of the American West as big as small states are unprecedentedly ravaged by forest fires at least partly attributable to global warming, Trump sits with California’s governor, smiles patronizingly and tries to reassure his audience that “it’ll all go away soon”. Who believes or trusts or supports such a
buffoon? And why in the world would they continue to do so? Tom Friedman set out to figure this all out. He enlisted his friend, Harvard professor Michael Sandel, to assist him. Sandel is also one of America’s smartest people. He is also 67 and like Friedman, grew up in the Minneapolis area and attended Brandeis University near Boston. Sandel has been teaching at Harvard University for 40 years and has the
candidates like him whose policies would actually benefit them. Clinton and Obama were talking about the people who became the base of Trump’s continuing political support. Clinton and Obama know they are smart, and maybe they want you to know it, too. Maybe it seems to many Americans that people like Clinton and Obama might look down on them because they aren’t smart enough. Friedman and Sandel think it was Trump’s abil-
“People will absorb hardship, hunger and pain. They will be grateful for jobs, cars and benefits. But if you make people feel humiliated, they will respond with a ferocity unlike any other emotion, or just refuse to lift a finger for you.”
with health care, lavish tax breaks on wealthy plutocrats and abet those who would poison America’s air and water. How, Friedman and Sandel ask, could his supporters stick with Trump in the face of all this venal incompetence and corruption?
Attitude
Thomas Friedman distinction of once having enrolled 1,115 students in one of his classes. That was the most students ever for a single Harvard class. Sandel has used his university teaching experience to hone his public speaking skills so well that he has become a highly sought speaker on matters like ethics and justice. Witty and engaging, he will engage with his audience by gently picking out one of its members to whom he presents ethical dilemmas and then laugh with them and the rest of the audience when they are baffled at how to deal with the problem he has presented. He uses this as a teaching technique and audiences leave in awe of a man so bright and yet so easy to like. Sandel asks his audiences questions like “Is torture ever justified? Would you steal a drug that your child needs to survive? Is it sometimes wrong to tell the truth? How much is one human life worth?” This is some heavy stuff, but this professor makes it seem light and intellectually accessible. Life is pretty good for Sandel, too, but like Friedman, he is puzzled by the enduring appeal of Trump. So the two of them tried to figure it out. What they came up with is as good an explanation as any for a phenomenon that remains inexplicable to many observers. Maybe the best way to approach Friedman and Sandel’s thesis is to recall a remark made during the 2016 presidential election campaign by Hillary Clinton, who didn’t know she was being recorded. Clinton referred to Trump’s supporters as “the Deplorables”. She was talking about basically the same people who were described several years previously by Barack Obama as “sad, bible-toting, gun-carrying folks” who, Obama implied, couldn’t think clearly enough to support
PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks during a news conference at the White House. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
ity to attract and retain the allegiance of these “poor, sad Deplorables” that propelled him to a shocking victory four years ago and may return him to the Oval Office in another seven weeks. Still, the evidence against the President continues to accumulate, on a nearly daily basis. Trump and his corrupt cronies are still openly trying to mess
It’s still because of Trump’s attitude, they say. His supporters can really relate to Trump’s attitude. Friedman and Sandel have concluded that many Trump supporters are not attracted to his policies. After all, it’s hard to identify policies when you’re thinking about Trump. What is his foreign policy, for example? Cuddle up with dictators like Putin and Kim Jong-un who want to bring America down? Disrespect longtime allies? Poke a stick in China’s eye? What’s Trump’s economic policy? Support a dying coal industry and deny obvious climate change as you promote polluters. Tax policy? Benefit your wealthy supporters and punish states that didn’t vote for you.
No, Friedman and Sandel conclude. His supporters are attracted to Trump’s attitude — “his willingness and evident delight in skewering the people that his base hates and who they feel look down on them.” “People will absorb hardship, hunger and pain,” Friedman writes. “They will be grateful for jobs, cars and benefits. But if you make people feel humiliated, they will respond with a ferocity unlike any other emotion, or just refuse to lift a finger for you. “As Nelson Mandela once observed, ‘There is nobody more dangerous than one who has been humiliated’.” Sandel writes that “one of the deepest political divides in American politics today is between those with and those without a college degree. In the 2016 election, Trump won two-thirds of white voters without a college degree.” Friedman and Sandel, according to the New York Times, believe these “undereducated,” often traditional, blue collar Democratic voters felt liberal elites were looking down at them, that new
immigrants were superseding them and that foreigners were laughing at them. And Trump vocalized and acted out their resentment.
Disdain Trump, in other words, has used the presidential pulpit to return to the American liberal elites the disdain long felt by the nation’s ‘Deplorables’. Right back at ya! “Joe Biden is right that Trump botched the pandemic, violated constitutional norms and inflamed racial tensions — all good grounds for throwing him out of office,” Sandel writes. “But Biden could win this argument and still lose the election. He must find a way to show that he understands those who feel disrespected and are drawn to Trump for that reason — even though most of his policies don’t help them.” The first presidential debate between Biden and Trump is scheduled to take place in less than two weeks. That would be a good time for Biden to follow Sandel’s advice.
PAGE 10, Thursday, September 17, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
How the Civil War drove medical innovation – and the pandemic could, too By JEFFREY CLEMENS Associate Professor of Economics, University of California San Diego THE current COVID19 pandemic, the largest public health crisis in a century, threatens the health of people across the globe. The US has had the most diagnosed cases – surpassing six million – and more than 180,000 deaths. But six months into the pandemic, the US still faces shortages of personal protective equipment for both frontline medical workers and the general public. There is also great need for widely available inexpensive, rapid tests; the infrastructure to administer them; and most importantly, safe, effective vaccines. Moving forward, medical innovation can play a substantial role in controlling and preventing infection – and treating those who have contracted the virus. But what’s the best way to catalyze and accelerate public health developments? Research and history show that the federal government can play a major role in spurring private-sector innovation.
LESSONS FROM THE CIVIL WAR
Governments play farreaching roles in health care. The US Food and Drug Administration approves new treatments.
Public and private insurance administrators determine what treatments to cover. The Medicare programme sets prices that have effects across the heath care system. By determining if and when competitors can enter the market, the US patent system shapes pharmaceutical prices, which impacts companies’ financial returns. The National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation allocate funding for both basic and applied medical research. Taken together, the government has substantial influence on medical innovation. That’s because private industry requires well-defined quality standards and clear financial incentives to speed forward – performance depends critically on the government agencies that often make the rules and set the payments. In my research as an economist, I investigate the effects of government insurance programs on patient care, pricing and innovation across the health system. My colleague Parker Rogers and I recently analyzed innovations in the design and manufacture of artificial limbs during the US Civil War. The example resonates because wars, like pandemics, create dramatic, unanticipated needs for medical innovations. With advances in weaponry, destructive Minié
bullets and a lack of surgical experience among doctors, many Civil War soldiers with leg or arm wounds required amputation. Roughly 70,000 veterans who survived the bloody, four-year conflict lost limbs. As disabled veterans returned home, the government launched the “Great Civil War Benefaction” to provide prostheses. Officials examined and certified inventors’ prototypes, and wounded veterans then chose from approved products, which the government then acquired at preset prices: $75 per leg and $50 per arm. The programme’s costconscious approach shaped inventors’ efforts, leading them to emphasize simplicity in design and low-cost production. While prosthetic arms and legs remained quite primitive
by modern standards, inventors emphasized improvements in comfort and modest gains in functionality. In total, 87 patents for prostheses were granted from 1863 through 1867, compared with 15 new patents between 1858 and 1862. Production responded dramatically to the unprecedented needs. Just prior to the war, in 1860, five manufacturers sold an estimated 350 prostheses in the US. By 1865, production had increased tenfold. That year, the Union Army furnished some 2,020 artificial legs and 1,441 artificial arms to its soldiers. By 1870, there were 24 manufacturers in the industry.
THE ECONOMICS OF MEDICAL INNOVATION
Most research into the economics of medical innovation has focused on pharmaceuticals. This research has showcased the power of incentives. For example, with the introduction of guidelines, mandates or other government policies that increased projected profits, vaccine development accelerated. Clinical trial activity increased during the years immediately following these changes. Additional evidence has shown that the introduction of Medicare’s drug benefit (passed in 2003 and enacted in 2005) sped pharmaceutical research for diseases that impact the elderly. Diseases that offer robust
or expanding drug markets receive particular attention. Economists have also found that drug development responds to incentives created by the patent system. Finally, when insurers begin to exclude drugs for a particular disease, R&D for that disease tends to slow.
FAILURES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC During the COVID-19 pandemic the US government has, unfortunately, not provided the sort of certainty required for medical innovation to flourish as well as it could. By creating uncertainty, the federal government discouraged both states and private companies from acting on their own initiative, which has delayed our national response. Early on, for example, the federal government equivocated over contractual commitments to companies that came forward to produce ventilators. State officials who prudently expanded stocks of personal protective equipment were unsure whether supplies would be commandeered by the federal government. Federal actions also impacted testing. The FDA thwarted efforts to implement new testing infrastructure supported by the Gates Foundation. The error was compounded by the botched early rollout of testing kits and rejection of tests manufactured in
other countries. The result: Months into the pandemic, tests can still be difficult to obtain, and results are often backlogged to the point of uselessness. A recipe for progress So what is the best way forward for spurring private industry to fight the pandemic? To me it’s clear the government has a straightforward role to play in setting the stage. As a narrow example, governments can increase demand for masks by issuing clear guidance and informing the public. The resulting demand creates strong financial incentives for companies to innovate and expand production. Further, the federal government can propel the development and distribution of tests and vaccines through “advance purchase commitments” that guarantee a market for newly approved products. The US government has taken a major step in this direction by committing to purchase large quantities of COVID-19 vaccines upon approval. While the science of medical innovation is difficult, policy is relatively simple: Set clear standards, establish clear incentives and let the scientists and entrepreneurs do their work. Vaccine development, rapid testing and widely available protective gear all have important roles to play in saving lives and getting the economy back on its feet. • Originally published on theconversation.com
THE TRIBUNE
Parents turn to pods as a school solution By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
WHEN the COVID-19 crisis shuttered schools in March, John Cox worried about his child’s attentiveness to virtual classroom lessons. “He has some challenges focusing in school,” he told The Tribune, “and last term with him being alone, going through the Zoom sessions was very difficult.” Anxious about the Fall semester, Mr Cox and his wife have banded with friends to create a learning pod. Increasingly popular in North America, learning pods assemble small groups of students together to facilitate learning and to maintain social interaction among them under the supervision of an adult. “Those children with learning challenges and ADHD and those without those challenges, we think having them be together, sitting in a room and having that structure would alone make a world of difference,” Mr Cox said. “We have eight parents in this group, six fall into the essential worker category and two are the owners of their own firms which also puts them into that category and that doesn’t afford any of us a chance to spend 40 hours at home looking at a screen. We might want to do that but there’s an economic part of this thing so it’s not practical to do so.”
Edward Bethel said he’s seen an improvement in his son’s attitude since the pod started on September 4. “One of the biggest challenges is he’s the only son,” Mr Bethel said. “When we were first locked in the house for six weeks, it started to impact him. The lack of social contact with his friends started to play on how attentive he was with the classes. He’s generally a pretty self-directed student in face-to-face settings but we could see that was changing and there was a disconnect just interacting with his teacher in classes. When John suggested the idea (for the learning pod) I thought it was really innovative and exciting and we threw our full support behind it. We didn’t even want to tell our son initially because we know how disappointed it would be in case it didn’t come through. When we told him, he was supper excited and the children have been fantastic.” The Emergency Powers Orders allows people to operate home school programmes with no more than five students. Mr Cox’s group secured permission from the Ministry of Education to include an additional student in what they have named the “Blackbeard’s Pod”. The children, all pupils of St Andrews, range from eight to 13 and are supervised daily by a teaching assistant. Their routine simulates a regular 9am to 3pm
school day even as the children focus on their separate curricular. “The teacher assistant basically manages all of the six kids,” said Melinda Bacchus-Maynard, one of the parents. “We’ve given her a copy of their schedule so she knows the different classes they have, their break-times, their lunchtimes, so she is basically their at home teacher.” The parents hashed out plans for the pod over ten hours of Zoom calls and it took Mr Cox about two days to create an environment that could facilitate learning and adhere to social distancing rules. “We try to make it as close to a school environment as possible,” Mrs Bacchus-Maynard said. “Everyone has work stations with partitions so each child can concentrate and the house can support six users at a time online.” Gordon McKenzie, the principal of St Andrews, visited the Blackbeard’s Pod and said he was impressed by the focus of the students. “In a way I think they have the best of both worlds,” he said. “I couldn’t even talk to them because they were all so focused on their learning. That was great to see and they have one another, they could come together to eat, they’re probably a good influence on one another because they’re good students and that focus and
Thursday, September 17, 2020, PAGE 11
CHILDREN working together in the pod schooling arrangement. hard work is influencing “Everyone’s situation is them. To work remotely different, whether financial but still have other stu- or quality of internet, so it’s dents around you setting not an approach that will a great example, that puts work for everybody but it’s the impetus on you to get in something I’ll be trying to line and do the same thing.” encourage more families to Mr McKenzie said one at least consider,” he said. reason he visited the pod No one knows how long is to inform other parents the COVID-19 crisis will about its benefits. last, but Mr Cox, a strong
advocate of St Andrews, said with Blackbeard’s Pod they have created something that can endure through the unusual era. “If school needs to stay like this indefinitely the answer is we’ve built this strong enough for this to go on until the end of the school year,” he said.
PAGE 12, Thursday, September 17, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
‘NOTHING LEFT IN THE BUCKET’: WILDFIRE RESOURCES RUN THIN By JAMES ANDERSON and MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press JUSTIN Silvera came off the fire lines in Northern California after a grueling 36 straight days battling wildfires and evacuating residents ahead of the flames. Before that, he and his crew had worked for 20 days, followed by a three-day break. Silvera, a 43-year-old battalion chief with Cal Fire, California’s state firefighting agency, said he’s lost track of the blazes he’s fought this year. He and his crew have sometimes been on duty for 64 hours at a stretch, their only rest coming in 20-minute catnaps. “I’ve been at this 23 years, and by far this is the worst I’ve seen,” Silvera said before bunking down at a motel for 24 hours. After working in Santa Cruz County, his next assignment was to head north to attack wildfires near the Oregon border. His exhaustion reflects the situation on the West Coast fire lines: This year’s blazes have taxed the human, mechanical and financial resources of the nation’s wildfire-fighting forces to an extraordinary degree. And half of the fire season is yet to come. Heat, drought and a strategic decision to attack the flames early combined with the coronavirus to put a historically heavy burden on fire teams. “There’s never enough resources,” said Silvera, one of nearly 17,000 firefighters battling the California blazes. “Typically with Cal Fire, we’re able to attack — air tankers, choppers, dozers. We’re good at doing that. But these conditions in the field, the drought, the wind, this stuff is just taking off. We can’t contain one before another erupts.”
Washington State Forester George Geissler says there are hundreds of unfulfilled requests for help throughout the West. Agencies are constantly seeking firefighters, aircraft, engines and support personnel. Fire crews have been summoned from at least nine states and other countries, including Canada and Israel. Hundreds of agreements for agencies to offer mutual assistance have been maxed out at the federal, state and local levels, he said. “We know that there’s really nothing left in the bucket,” Geissler said. “Our sister agencies to the south in California and Oregon are really struggling.” Demand for firefighting resources has been high since mid-August, when fire officials bumped the national preparedness level to critical, meaning at least 80% of crews were already committed to fighting fires, and there were few personnel and little equipment to spare. Because of the extreme fire behaviour, “you can’t say for sure having more resources would make a difference,” said Carrie Bilbao, a spokesperson for the National Interagency Fire Center. Officials at the U.S. government operation in Boise, Idaho help decide which fires get priority when equipment and firefighters run scarce nationwide. Government spending on fighting wildfires has more than tripled since the 1990s, to an average of $1.8 billion annually. That’s failed to reduce the problem as climate change, drought and millions of trees killed by pests led to more fires in the Western U.S. over the same period, particularly dangerous “megafires” that burn 100,000 acres (404 square kilometres) or more.
SCORCHED vehicles rest at an auto shop destroyed by the Almeda Fire in Talent, Ore., on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
FLOODWATERS move on the street, Wednesday, in Pensacola, Fla. Hurricane Sally made landfall Wednesday near Gulf Shores, Alabama, as a Category 2 storm, pushing a surge of ocean water onto the coast and dumping torrential rain that forecasters said would cause dangerous flooding from the Florida Panhandle to Mississippi and well inland in the days ahead. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
HURRICANE SALLY UNLEASHES FLOODING, HUNDREDS RESCUED By JAY REEVES, ANGIE WANG and JEFF MARTIN Associated Press
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Sally lumbered ashore near the Florida-Alabama line Wednesday with 105 mph (165 kph) winds and rain measured in feet, not inches, swamping homes and forcing the rescue of hundreds of people as it pushed inland for what could be a slow and disastrous drenching across the Deep South. Moving at just three mph (five kph), or about as fast as a person can walk, the storm made landfall at 4:45 a.m. close to Gulf Shores, Alabama, about 30 miles (50 kilometres) from Pensacola, Florida. It accelerated to a light jog as it battered the Pensacola and Mobile, Alabama, metropolitan areas encompassing nearly 1 million people. It cast boats onto land or sank them at the dock, flattened palm trees, peeled away roofs, blew down signs and knocked out power to more than a 540,000 homes and businesses. A replica of Christopher Columbus’ ship the Nina that had been docked at the Pensacola waterfront was missing, police said. Sally tore loose a bargemounted construction crane, which then smashed into the new Three Mile Bridge over Pensacola Bay, causing a section of the year-old span to collapse, authorities said. The storm also ripped away a large section of a fishing pier at Alabama’s Gulf State Park on the very day a ribboncutting had been scheduled following a $2.4 million renovation. By the afternoon, authorities in Escambia County, which includes Pensacola, said at least 377 people had been rescued from flooded areas. More than 40 people trapped by high water were brought to safety within a single hour, including a family of four found in a tree, Sheriff David Morgan said. Authorities in Pensacola said 200 National Guard members would arrive
Thursday to help. Curfews were announced in Escambia County and in some coastal Alabama towns. Sally turned some Pensacola streets into white-capped rivers early Wednesday. Sodden debris and flooded cars were left behind as the water receded. By early afternoon, Sally had weakened into a tropical storm, with winds down to 70 mph (110 kph). Showers still fell in parts of the stricken
TROPIC Isles condominiums are seen after Hurricane Sally moved through the area, Wednesday, in Orange Beach, Ala. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) area Wednesday evening, and the storm was expected to generate heavy rain farther inland as it moved over Alabama and into Georgia. At least eight waterways in south Alabama and the Florida Panhandle were expected to hit their major flood levels by Thursday. Some of the crests could break records, submerge bridges and flood some homes, the National Weather Service warned. Morgan, the Escambia County sheriff, estimated thousands would need to flee rising waters in the coming days. Escambia officials urged residents to rely on text messages for contacting family and friends to keep cellphone service open for 911 calls.
“There are entire communities that we’re going to have to evacuate,” the sheriff said. “It’s going to be a tremendous operation over the next several days.” West of Pensacola, in Perdido Key, Florida, Joe Mirable arrived at his real estate business to find the two-story building shattered. Digging through the ruins, Mirable pointed out a binder labeled “Hurricane Action Plan.” “I think the professionals got this one wrong,” he said before the wind blew away his hat. More than two feet (61 centimetre) of rain was recorded near Naval Air Station Pensacola, and nearly three feet (1 metre) of water covered streets in downtown Pensacola, the National Weather Service reported. “It’s not common that you start measuring rainfall in feet,” said forecaster David Eversole. Sally was the second hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast in less than three weeks and the latest blow in one of the busiest hurricane seasons ever. Forecasters have nearly run through the alphabet of storm names with two 1/2 months still to go. At the start of the week, Sally was one of a record-tying five storms churning simultaneously in the Atlantic basin. Like the wildfires raging on the West Coast, the onslaught of hurricanes has focused attention on climate change, which scientists say is causing slower, rainier, more powerful and more destructive storms. An emergency crew rescued two people on Dauphin Island, Alabama, after the hurricane ripped the roof off their home and the rest of the house began to crumble. Mayor Jeff Collier said no one was injured. In Orange Beach, Alabama, the wind blew out the walls in one corner of a condominium building, exposing at least five floors. At least 50 people were rescued from flooded homes and taken to shelters, Mayor Tony Kennon said.
“We got a few people that we just haven’t been able to get to because the water is so high,” Kennon said. “But they are safe in their homes. As soon as the water recedes, we will rescue them.” Sally’s crawl made it hard to predict where it would strike. Just two days before landfall, the storm was forecast to hit New Orleans — 140 miles (225 kilometres) west of where it came ashore. So Robert Lambrisky and his husband were caught somewhat off guard when the hurricane shook their door before daybreak and forced rainwater inside their home in Sanders Beach near Pensacola. “We had some warning, but this was just such a strange storm,” Lambrisky said. “So all of this preparing that you do, when you know the storm is coming, was something we only half did because we were convinced the storm wasn’t going to hit us.” Sally’s effects were felt all along the northern Gulf Coast, affecting low-lying properties in Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana. Hurricane Laura pummeled southwestern Louisiana on Aug. 27. Thousands of people were still without power from that storm, and some were still in shelters. Meanwhile, far out in the Atlantic, Teddy became a hurricane Wednesday with winds of 100 mph (160 kph). Forecasters said it could reach Category Four strength before closing in on Bermuda, which took a direct hit from Hurricane Paulette only days ago. ___ Wang reported from Mobile, Alabama, and Martin, from Marietta, Georgia. Associated Press contributors include Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia; Sudhin Thanawala and Haleluya Hadero in Atlanta; Bobby Caina Calvan and Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee, Florida; Rebecca Santana in New Orleans; and Julie Walker in New York.