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The Tribune

Volume:115 No.209, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2018

Established 1903

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1 art books theatre film fashion

Weekend

SHAUNAE: AFTER ATHLETICS? CHOCOLATE AND FIVE KIDS

Friday, September 21, 2018

entertainment gardening puzzles

LET’S GO PLOGGING Page7

Simply Shaunae

Up close and personal (with

the champion)

pages 4 & 5

GRAND PLAN • Wynn wanted $159m – that’s why we walked • Wynn – Yes, I asked for a lot, I had to • PM stepped in to stop asset strip

by Hutchison

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE Minnis administration stepped away from the Wynn Group’s proposal for the Grand Lucayan in Grand Bahama because its CEO Paul Wynn wanted extraordinary concessions, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, who revealed that deal would have cost the government $159.65m.

Those concessions featured discounted electricity rates and permission to employ hundreds of foreign workers, including some without work permits, among other things, he told Parliament yesterday.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaks in the House of Assembly yesterday.

PHOTO: Terrel W Carey/ Tribune staff

Dr Minnis noted the cost of this would have been “substantially” more than the $65m his administration will now pay to temporarily own the hotel. However, opposition parliamentarians noted in their speeches that the $65m far from captures all the costs associated with acquiring and operating the resort, with Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper “conservatively” putting the overall cost at $100m.

Dr Minnis said Mr Wynn’s requests earlier this year made it clear the only option was for the government to purchase the resort in Grand Bahama.

He said of the Wynn Group’s requests: “I don’t want to say where I SEE PAGE FIVE AND BUSINESS

ELEUTHERA FAMILIES: WE WANT DISNEY

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

Lighthouse Point, a privately owned 700-acre peninsula comprising the southJOB creation will be ern tip of Eleuthera, the determining factor in has remained in the the fight over the develpublic spotlight for opment of Lighthouse much of the past three Point, according to one months, with conservaresident in Central and LIGHTHOUSE Point. (Photo/Barefoot Marketing) tion groups launching South Eleuthera. a massive preservation In a series of interviews with The Trib- campaign for the property. une this week, various residents from the Disney Cruise Lines has proposed to community have argued that the “ulti- develop a destination at the site. mate voice of the people” must be heard, Organisations such as the Bahamas and once that occurs, “respected and National Trust and the One Eleuthera SEE PAGE NINE encouraged.”

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

A COMIC’S VIEW:

NONE FOR THE ROAD

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, September 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

MALCOLM PARK BASKETBALL COURT GETS A FACELIFT

By RIEL MAJOR

THE Malcolm Park basketball court got a facelift due to the collective efforts of the Bahamas Striping Group of Companies, KW Pavers, and the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beach.

Malcolm Park was in a poor state and needed to be renovated, according to Dr Allen Albury, of The Bahamas Striping Group, who said it is one of the most used parks in New Providence.

It now has a new acrylic surface, backboards, rims and paint job.

Surface Dr Albury continued: “We replaced the last surface with the seal master cushioning surface which is a sports court surfacing material. It is cushion like in substance and therefore it allows players the benefit of having less injuries during play time in terms of using the court.”

“The material has a durability factor and will last for a number of years.

As you can see we put it down in the 242 colours so we are really proud of this particular court.”

Shanendon Cartwright, Executive Chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority, said the project is a reflection of what a public/private partnership can do.

Mr Cartwright, St. Barnabas MP, said the park will be reopened sometime next week following the completion of a “few more technical things”.

“We’re looking forward to as we get into the early part of next week everybody will be able to enjoy the park,” he said.

“We still have some more work to be done and that’s going to be done over the next couple of weeks, but what we didn’t want to do is have the park completely closed down so when the court is opened up for youth.

“We will continue to do minor details around the park.”

Mr Cartwright said: “For me this is very personal for me I’ve had the opportunity to play on a number of parks over the last 42 years.

“I was fortunate enough to attend university on a basketball scholarship and parks in general are where dreams and aspirations are nurtured not only by young men of all communities but families from all walks of life.”

“The park is a very diverse place for Bahamians to enjoy because you know your families can come out here, they exercise, and they bring their kids out here. This is like a refuge and so we are very excited not only with what this does for this area in particular but what it does for the nurturing and the development for our young people.”

Mr Cartwright expressed his desire to one day have enough funding to revamp all the parks in New Providence.

SHANENDON CARTWRIGHT, St. Barnabas MP and Executive Chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority, pictured on the renewed Malcolm Park basketball court along with staff from the Bahamas Striping Group of Companies.

PHOTOS: Terrel W Carey Sr/ Tribune staff

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 21, 2018, PAGE 3 PRACTITIONERS protesting outside the Princess Margaret Hospital for the second consecutive day over benefits and what they described as “ill-treatment”.

PHOTO: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune staff

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PMH DOCTORS WALK-OFF THE JOB FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE DAY

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FOR a second consecutive day doctors at the Princess Margaret Hospital walked-off the job yesterday in protest over benefits and what they described as “ill-treatment”.

Dr Locksley Munroe, president of the Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CSPA), told The Tribune his bargaining institution instructed its members to temporarily vacate their posts to stand in solidarity with Wednesday’s demonstration by the Bahamas Doctors Union (BDU) and Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU).

Dr Munroe, who was unable to take part in yesterday’s demonstration due to emergency surgery, said he thought it “vitally important” for all three unions to stand united in their push to openly demand better.

Challenged He said the day-today issues faced by medical practitioners have gone unchecked and challenged for so long, successive governments have been left to believe that all is right.

“We need these issues to be addressed,” said Dr Munroe. “We came together because we see the need to speak with one united voice and get our concerns heard.

“We are supporting the concerns raised by the BDU. “We are supporting the concerns raised by the nurses.

“We have concerns of our own that need to be addressed and we have pushed for sometime for resolution. The time is now.”

Earlier this month Dr Munroe revealed his union was seeking a strike certificate after failing to finalise an industrial agreement with the Public Hospitals Authority

despite more than two years of negotiations.

He said CSPA filed a trade dispute with the Department of Labour.

Addressing the move yesterday, he said the organisation, to date, has received no update on the status of its certificate and has heard nothing from the Department of Labour.

He said the reaction has only emphasised the need for medical practitioners to step up and demand better.

“That is why I say we have to act now. We had agreements in place, and to the government’s credit, we’ve had some slight improvements. However, there has been no interest on the part of the government to see the financial aspects of our agreements through.”

“We are at an impasse with the finances,” he said.

In early September, Dr Munroe raised concerns over the government’s refusal to address the lack of health insurance and pension plans for members of the CSPA. “We have no health insurance,” Dr Munroe said, “no pension plan, I have not gotten an increment, and when I say I, I mean any physician who has been working there for more than ten years, have not gotten an increment in that period.”

The CPSA represents about 120 doctors.

They are not only specialists in various fields but they

also manage junior doctors.

A slow down or withdrawal of their services could have dramatic effects for the healthcare system in the country. The PHA is also facing strike threats from its nurses.

In a statement released last night, the Public Hospitals Authority said it has pursued amicable discussions with members of the CPSA. “As recently as July 6th, the PHA engaged with the CPSA to discuss the framework for progress towards a new industrial agreement,” the statement said. “Prior to that meeting consensus was reached on non-financial issues. At the conclusion of the July 6th meeting, both parties agreed to engage in further discussion on the financial matters earmarked by the CPSA. “Within the last two months, the PHA commenced, in earnest, a review of the financial items as presented by the Consultants in an attempt to move forward as far as the financial constraints of the PHA allow,” the statement added.

“Regarding key infrastructural issues raised by members of the CPSA, The PHA has engaged in a comprehensive review of the PMH’s air conditioning systems and the phased renovation of our Radiology area.

As a result, the air conditioning in the hospital’s operating theatres and ICU is functioning normally following a temporary repair with a more permanent solution to be implemented in the coming months.

The Radiology Department is undergoing a major renovation which will include the installation of two state-of–the-art digital X-ray machines for the first time, and a 64 slice CT Scanner.”

The PHA said it hoped the authority and the CPSA will continue to work together to deliver quality healthcare to the people of the Bahamas.

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PAGE 4, Friday, September 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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Trump heads to UN as US retreats from world WASHINGTON (AP) — America first? Try America first, second and third.

As President Donald Trump prepares for his second U.N. General Assembly, the Olympics of international diplomacy, his administration has turned unabashedly and profoundly inward, pursuing ever more unilateral policies in what critics argue is a great retreat from global engagement that had been a bipartisan hallmark of previous U.S. leaders.

Trump aides who used to qualify his well-worn campaign slogan by insisting that “America first does not mean America alone” are gone. In their place are advocates of inviolable state sovereignty who share a belief that many of the institutions established after World War II to secure and maintain international order are either obsolete or in need of serious revision.

Ahead of the General Assembly, some expect the meeting to have a different tone from last year when wary world leaders weren’t prepared for Trump’s brand or style of diplomacy or for his determination to push an “America first” agenda. This time around they know what to expect.

“A lot of leaders have gamed out how to deal with the president,” said Jon Alterman, senior vice president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

“They will be nice to him in person, but will work to create broad coalitions to block or undermine a lot of the president’s initiatives because they think they are misguided. They’ll try to use this meeting to advance strategies that promote their vision and not the president’s, but not rub the president’s face in it.”

Stewart Patrick, a former State Department official in President George W. Bush’s administration who is now a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said Trump is “abdicating global leadership and retreating into narrow-minded nationalism” and that his approach “provides few incentives for other countries to align themselves with American purposes.”

“The administration’s unilateralism is wearing thin, as (U.N.) member states tire of America’s browbeating and unwillingness to compromise,” he wrote on Wednesday.

“Next week, the president will encounter a more sceptical global audience, woke to the reality that his administration’s diplomacy is all take and no give. “ Getting the Trump administration to change course, however, may be difficult, considering its foreign policy trajectory.

When former Secretary of State John Kerry left the State Department for the last time on January 19, 2017, he told diplomats that the United States was

“more engaged in more places in this world with greater positive impact than at any time in American history.”

His assertion was arguable at the time. But if it was true then, it is no longer.

The seeds of the retreat were planted even before Trump fired his first secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, in March, and the departures the next month of his chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn, and national security adviser, H.R. McMaster.

In his first several months, Trump withdrew from a trans-Pacific trade deal, the Paris climate accord and pulled the U.S. out of the U.N.’s science, educational and cultural organisation.

He repeatedly questioned the relevance of NATO, the utility of other multilateral groups and organisations, insulted the leaders of U.S. allies and pared back the Obama administration’s rapprochement with Cuba. In December, against the advice of his national security team, he recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

But since Tillerson, Cohn and McMaster left and were replaced with Mike Pompeo, Larry Kudlow and John Bolton, the pace of the retreat has intensified and heading into the General Assembly appears set to increase.

In the last six months alone, Trump has pulled the U.S. out of the U.N. Human Rights Council, yanked funding for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, halted virtually all assistance to the Palestinians themselves and re-ignited the Jerusalem dispute by moving the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv.

In the same time frame, the administration has also imposed sanctions on NATO ally Turkey, slashed its contributions to Syria stabilisation efforts, withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal, sharply reduced refugee admissions, threatened to prosecute International Criminal Court employees if the tribunal even opens an investigation into alleged war crimes by U.S. troops, started a trade war with China and suggested the U.S. might quit the World Trade Organisation.

Two areas where the administration has tried outreach — with North Korea and Russia — have been criticised or viewed with extreme scepticism by many foreign policy veterans, Republicans and Democrats alike.

Trump has met the leaders of both nations at summits that produced questionable results.

And, while he has claimed progress on the North Korea front that may yet pan out, the engagement has yet to achieve any concrete sign of success on the desired result of denuclearisation.

(This article is by MATTHEW LEE of the Associated Press)

Why pave now?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE seen the notice from the government that Bernard Road is to be paved. I’m thankful it is being paved.

It needs it.

My concern is that the government decided to pave Bernard Road just weeks after schools opened.

Traffic is still a nightmare.

There are many schools along Bernard Road, and it is a pathway to many more outside the area.

While the government seeks to pave between 9:30am and 2pm, Monday to Friday for three weeks, the dug-up street and alteration will slow traffic during peak times when the paving is suspended.

Nassau is no longer a sleepy fishing village. We have to be strategic in our approach to road work.

Why not pave busy roads in the summers when schools are closed?

Or at Christmas time or Easter when schools are closed, for those smaller areas that could be done faster?

Navigating these streets to get to work and to collect children is a nightmare.

The government is doing the right thing trying to upgrade the bad Nassau roads, but it is not thinking deeply enough about timing.

The other issue the government needs to address with the roads is the potholes. Clearly we do not

have the proper system in place to fix this simple but vexing problem.

Why can’t we quickly patch potholes on an island that is 21 miles by seven?

There are several potholes on Sassoon Drive in the east that have been there for months.

I guess we will have to wait on the Holy Spirit to come down with asphalt to help us.

As a country we should be able to deal with potholes.

I cannot believe that addressing so simple a problem is beyond my people.

MARTHA S GREENE Nassau, September 18, 2018.

A brave new world EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE has been some idle talk in recent times that there is or might be a coup being plotted against the leadership of the Hon Philip ‘Brave’ Davis MP, QC (PLP-Cat Island; Rum Cay and San Salvador) by individuals and cabals within the Progressive Liberal Party. As a life long member and supporter of this iconic political juggernaut, I wish to disabuse right thinking Bahamians of this fake observation.

In our party we believe in the concept of one leader at a time. To become leader one has to earn it the old fashion way....outmanoeuvring and defeating challengers in convention. Our erstwhile leader broadly defeated all of his challengers at our last convention, inclusive of the Hon Member for Englerston. If his margin of victory was slim one could understand a degree of uncomfortable reactions but it was so huge that to challenge it would have been a waste of time.

Yes, it is to be conceded that there are people in our party who never wanted Brave to emerge as leader. I am not and never have been one of them. In fact, two years ago, I advised Brave to publicly challenge Brother Christie for the position as it was abundantly clear to all that the former PM was badly out of touch and was incapable of seeing the city for the smoke, literally.

The then PLP led by Christie and his inner circle (Brave, despite being Deputy Prime Minister) was never embraced by either Ingraham or Christie. It is my view that they both saw him as a master organiser and prodigious fundraiser for the party. In addition, he is a known workaholic. He is determined; focused and has a clear plan and vision for the advancement of our wonderful nation.

Some suggest that based on collective responsibility, Brave does share in

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net

the omissions and alleged bad governance wrought by the Christie administration but one has to be realistic when dissecting the application of constitutional conventions here in our wonderful nation.

We pay lip service to them but, in most cases would not recognise a single one of them if we were to see them. Under the system obtaining in the UK a minister or senior civil servant “falls on his sword” if something goes wrong.....not here in The Bahamas. We fiddle and play half crazy while hoping that the relevant issue would simply go away.

Since the advent of the Minnis administration we have seen and witnessed several issues which should have triggered ministerial resignations or replacement. I will, of course, not refer to any of those issues as many of them are sub judice and are still being played out in the arena of public opinion. I will refer to the new stadium that was under construction during the latter months of the Christie administration.

The FNM came to office and immediately stopped that project, while allegedly reviewing the same.

One year later, the project is resumed with the same original contractor after tens of thousands of dollars worth of expenses would have been incurred.

Minister Michael Pintard, former Minister of Sports; Youth & Culture has been reassigned to another ministry where he might be able to display his considerable talents as a ‘back yard farmer’.

Brave is the undisputed leader of my party.

Yes, there will always be challengers to any one in leadership position but this is not the time to seek to change the leader in mid-stream. The party is

still in a rebuilding mode and we can ill afford for any real PLP to launch a misguided and possibly disruptive leadership challenge, at this time. The focus of the party must be to relaunch and reinforce the branches within each constituency. Where there are officers currently serving but who are ineffective in carrying the message of our party to the residents therein, must be removed or asked to step aside.

At this, juncture, however, we, as a party that must be returned to high office if we are to successfully rescue our wonderful nation from the political clutches of this clueless and by the seat of one’s pants government. The Christie era, like that of Ingraham, is over and done with.

Christie did the best that he could have done, considering his psychological makeup, politically speaking, and his extended time in front line politics.

He stayed around, in my view, too long and should have left office in 2014 and allowed the party to elect Brave or some other viable leader to take us into the 2017 generals.

Alas that was not to be and we lost big time.

Now some say that there is a Christie-led cabal seeking to get rid of Brave and replace him and Cooper with known, but useless and visionless acolytes of Brother Christie.

It is accepted that at least one of the daily newspapers and certainly, it is alleged, the tabloids are anti Brave.

They heap praise on Minnis no matter his blunders and gross acts of maladministration. Well, that is all right because the New Deal PLP is on a mission and we are focused and prepared for the necessary heavy lifting. We are brave and will not falter. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr Nassau, September 19, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

GRAND PLAN

FROM PAGE ONE told them to go and how deep, but the government made it clear, Mr Speaker, that the requested concessions could not be agreed.”

In his speech, Dr Minnis said in July Mr Wynn asked to be given a 20 percent electricity discount rate, permission to employ 420 non-Bahamians for work on the project and an ability to have 15 percent pre-approval on non Bahamian employment without the need to apply for work permits.

He also explained Mr Wynn wanted to be exempt from paying any increase in taxes along with an annual marketing subsidy of $750,000, no casino taxes and a commitment from the government to either buying or building a new airport within two years.

Further, Dr Minnis said the government would have also had to agree to pay Mr Wynn for any losses he may have incurred with a guaranteed profit of seven percent.

The prime minister made these revelations in parliament among several others yesterday as the government by way of a resolution seeks to borrow $35m to complete the purchase of the resort.

Price Prior to the May 2017 general election, Dr Minnis said Mr Wynn, a Canadian developer, entered into a letter of intent with Hutchinson Whampoa – the Lucayan’s outgoing owners – with the intent to purchase the properties for more than the price the government will now pay.

At the time, Mr Wynn asked the government to pay them $2m 60 days after closing; $8m per year for the first three years for property subsidy; another annual subsidy of $7.2m for the following two years; and a $1.5m casino subsidy for five years.

Another $7m was also requested for three years for an airlift subsidy, along with an agreement for Most Favoured Nation status.

“While the Progressive Liberal Party announced a letter of intent during the 2017 general election campaign they were not able to move past this letter of intent prior to the election,” Dr Minnis told parliamentarians yesterday.

“They were also unable to secure confirmation on the operators of the hotels.

“Days after coming to office my government was confronted with the reality that if the sale of the hotel was not completed, Hutchinson would close the resort”.

Dr Minnis said his government immediately began to communicate with Paul Wynn

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in the House of Assembly. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune staff and his representatives, pointing to communications from as early as May 22, 2017.

After several months of negotiations with Mr Wynn and Sunwing, he said it was proposed in August 2017 the government should agree to pay millions in subsidies in order for the Wynn Development to complete the deal with Sunwing as operator.

Those concessions included Wynn Group landlord support in the sum of $8.5m, $9m for Sunwing Group’s 744-room subsidy and Canadian Airlift, $1.43m in AM/Wynn Group Subsidy and $4m for a USA Airlift programme operated by Sunwing.

“This amounted to $22,930,000.00 per year for the first five years and $9m for the next five years. If the government agreed we would be paying a total of $159,650,000,” Dr Minnis said, “and all this without the government having any ownership in the hotel.

“This was not acceptable to the government.”

Dr Minnis said the government began discussions with Hutchinson directly to purchase the hotel in late 2017, and following this, he informed the country the government had made an offer to purchase. By this time, he said the government has been successful in bringing the purchase price down significantly.

“However,” he continued, “before the government signed a letter of intent with Hutchinson, Paul Wynn reemerged and requested that the government partner with him in the purchase at a reduced price, with equity interest being granted to the government and a reduced amount of government subsidy payments.

“After further negotiations, aided by the government, Paul Wynn executed another letter of intent with Hutchinson dated in

January 2018 this time with a purchase price of $65m.

Dr Minnis said: “My government immediately continued discussions with Mr Wynn on a heads of agreement, which would include the purchase, development and renovation, and tourism plan for Grand Bahama. Over the next few months, the government continued detailed and complex negotiations on airlift, the government’s equity interest, development plans, renovation costs, work permits and other items.”

Terms He said in June 2018 the government and Sunwing drafted a tourism support agreement, but the government would not agree to these terms.

In July 2018, negotiations with Paul Wynn and another operator continued.

At this point, Dr Minnis said there was a heads of agreement, but after Mr Wynn was given an absolute deadline to complete the deal he then presented a changed document.

The concessions there in were rejected by government.

“When the total financial value of the concessions being requested for the initial 10 year period exceeded the acquisition price plus the estimated cost to renovate the property, the government’s decision on how to proceed on the Grand Lucayan became clearer,” Dr Minnis said.

Seemingly addressing criticism that this process was not transparent, the prime minister said: “Let me offer a general note here.

“Transparency is essential for good governance.

Still notwithstanding the cries for information to be made public during negotiations there is a need for confidentiality.

“This is the case, whether

‘NOT OBAN, THOUGH IT’S AN EQUALLY BAD DEAL’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE government’s acquisition of the Grand Lucayan was likened to Oban Energies’ proposed $5.5bn oil refinery for Grand Bahama as the Official Opposition continued its assault on the hotel purchase.

“This is not Oban, though it is equally a bad deal,” Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis told Parliament yesterday as he called on the government to provide a business plan to support its decision.

In his communication to the government’s resolution seeking $35m to complete

“Parliament needs to know and the Bahamian people need to know the likely impact of the purchase and operation of these hotels on the national debt and ratings of international agencies.”

Philip ‘Brave’ Davis the Grand Lucayan sale, Mr Davis rejected Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ assertion the former Christie administration did not have a plan for the Grand Bahama property.

But although he sought to prove the government’s plan for the resort is insane, Mr Davis did not say whether he supported the resolution – as is customary during House debates of this kind.

“I also ask the government to provide a business plan to support this massive financial undertaking,” Mr Davis said.

“Parliament needs to know and the Bahamian people need to know the likely impact of the purchase and operation of these hotels on the national debt and ratings of international agencies.”

Regarding the PLP’s plan for Grand Bahama, Mr Davis said the outgoing Christie administration left a comprehensive report outlining measures needed to ensure both the short and long term sustainability of the Grand Bahama economy, particularly Freeport.

LEADER of the Opposition Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks yesterday.

PHOTO: Terrel W. Carey Sr/Tribune staff “We also left in place a memorandum of understanding between the government, the Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd, and certain Hutchinson Whampoa owned companies with vital interests in hotels, properties, harbour, shipping and airport, etc,” Mr Davis said.

“Sadly, after some sixteen months in office, we see very little, if anything which the FNM administration is doing to implement these comprehensive measures, which are essential to Grand Bahama’s economic revival, survival and to offer relief from the hardships being endured by far too many Grand Bahamians.

Among those measures, was a $200m Carnival Cruise Port Development for East Grand Bahama, and strategies for the reorganisation and recapitalisation of The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) to effect an extension of duty-free concessions for start-up and existing businesses throughout the island.

For his part, Exuma & Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper attacked the Minnis administration’s transparency about the costs associated with acquiring and operating the resort. In his calculation, it will cost the government about $100m to do so.

He also expressed concern the government will attempt to sneak SEE PAGE EIGHT

one is discussing matters of foreign policy with foreign governments or negotiating with prospective investors, whether domestic or foreign.”

When it is all said and done, Dr Minnis said the purchase of the hotel was about saving and repositioning Grand Bahama.

He said: “Today is about more than saving 400 jobs.

Our greater mission is to create 1,200 direct jobs and hundreds of indirect jobs.

Today is about creating opportunities for entrepreneurs, taxi drivers, restaurant owners, and straw vendors.

A new beginning for Grand Lucayan will be the catalyst for tourism and economic growth for Grand Bahama.

“Indeed, the Ministry of Tourism has developed a comprehensive plan for Grand Bahama to be a new destination unique from other islands.”

“The umbrella effect of our destination’s robust marketing thrust will prove to be far reaching in its impact.

Over a relatively short period of time our efforts will be felt in all islands of our archipelago, especially Grand Bahama,” Dr Minnis added.

Last night, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest also emphasized what he said are the catastrophic consequences of allowing the Grand Lucayan to close down.

The resolution was passed shortly after 9pm last night.

Friday, September 21, 2018, PAGE 5

MCALPINE: BUSINESS PEOPLE IN HERE WOULDN’T SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY ON GRAND LUCAYAN

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PINERIDGE MP Frederick McAlpine yesterday said businessmen in the Minnis administration would never spend their personal finances to buy the Grand Lucayan resort in the manner they are doing with taxpayer’s money.

His statement was prompted by Free National Movement MPs in the House of Assembly, who appeared to mock him as he asked a series of questions related to due diligence efforts surrounding the deal.

“Every time I try to do this you try to make me feel I’m anti-something but, no, this is common sense,” he said.

“You do this if you trying to buy a house. And you know, I have this other thing brewing inside of me. We have a lot of business people in here and you wouldn’t spend your own money to do this. If it ain good enough for my own money it shouldn’t be good enough for the people’s money and we must think like that. Don’t get it mixed up and when I take my seat talk about ‘oh you don’t support Grand Bahama.’ If you tell a donkey that in this Bahamas, they won’t believe you. You lose credibility when saying such a thing to me or about me because people know better.”

Mr McAlpine argued that though Grand Bahama needs a shot in the arm, buying the resort won’t accomplish this.

Debate Of the Free National Movement’s five Grand Bahama parliamentarians, he was the only one to criticize the purchase of the resort during debate on a resolution to borrow $65m in the House of Assembly.

However, he said he believes the government’s intentions are good.

“Government should not be in the hotel business,” he said. “It’s politically messy and makes for bad economic business. Nevertheless, I understood Uncle Bulla when he said circumstances alter situations. We have a situation here, that has led to the predicament the government now finds itself in. I believe the government means well and we’re trying to do a good thing. Now whether or not this good thing is the right thing is yet to be determined. I’ve always said the purchase of the hotel should be the last option; whether it’s now the first or last doesn’t seem to matter. The reality is, we’re here.”

SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 6, Friday, September 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

‘ATTACKER LOOKED LIKE A PSYCHO’ BEFORE ALLEGED ASSAULT ON PARADISE ISLAND

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE woman allegedly assaulted near a Paradise Island parking lot earlier this month yesterday said her attacker looked like a “psycho” before he ultimately threw her to the ground over an apparent

Court hears testimony about incident on September 1

parking dispute.

However, in response to suggestions from defence attorney Bjorn Ferguson, Karissa Evans admitted both she and

Romeo Cartwright were acting like psychos during the incident near Paradise Island’s Shopping Mall Plaza on September 1.

Cartwright, 44, pleaded

PLP SET TO TRAIN ASPIRANT CANDIDATES IN GRAND BAHAMA

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE Progressive Liberal Party will be training aspirant candidates in Grand Bahama at the end of the month, PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell announced this week.

The training module will be staged for people interested in running in the next general election, for local government, or who wish to serve on statutory boards or as diplomats.

This module - a new party initiative - will take place September 28-30 at the party’s headquarters in Freeport, and follows a similar initiative held in New Providence earlier this year.

Those from other islands in the northern Bahamas such as Abaco and Bimini are also encouraged to attend.

Mr Mitchell said the module aims to educate supporters on what it means to serve in public life and the pressures that come with being a public figure.

Courses focus on topics ranging from the history of the country and party to parliamentary procedures.

Concerned With a registration fee of $120, Mr Mitchell said, “this is a very serious thing” and “people have to put their money where their mouth is”. He added party members were “very concerned” by the actions of former PLP members of parliament, who use the party to “get into public office” and “turned around and attacked the party that gave them life”.

Mr Mitchell said the party is looking for candidates from a wide range of demographics, including women and young people.

He added that any interested person who is not presently serving as a member of parliament must participate in this course and be certified, noting this applies to former MPs, including himself and former Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe. “(PLP Deputy Leader) Chester Cooper was quoted in the newspaper this morning about the search for candidates for the PLP and what our expectations for candidates are in the next general election,” Mr Mitchell said.

“As you know, we’ve begun

PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell. that process. We’ve already started in New Providence earlier this year. We held a module for candidates in the next general election and those people who want to serve on statutory boards or run in local government or who want to serve as diplomats.”

“And the hope and the expectation is that having run through this, that people will have a better appreciation of what it is to actually serve in public life.

“And in fact, what it is to be a public figure.

“People seem to think that you can just become a public figure by rolling out of bed in the morning and saying, ‘I want to run for the House of Assembly’, and often go into this job not prepared for the pressures which actually come with serving in public office.”

The scheduled speakers include Professors Chris Curry and Michael Stevenson on the political history of the Bahamas, Obie Wilchcombe, Senator Michael Darville, and Edison Key. PLP Leader “Brave” Davis, Mr Cooper and Mr Mitchell will speak at the event.

A public meeting also will be held at the PLP Headquarters at 7pm on September 29.

“The important point that (Mr Cooper) made this morning is we want the Progressive Liberal Party and the candidates who run in the next election to represent the country at large— all demographics, all ages, races, creeds,” Mr Mitchell said.

He added one of the “gaps” in the New Providence module was that it “did not pay sufficient attention” to women’s causes.

Therefore, in Grand Bahama, women’s causes will be “addressed properly” and former Social Services

Minister Melanie Griffin will speak on the issue.

The party’s youth affiliate organization, the Progressive Young Liberals, also will be in attendance to address young people.

When asked if the party has been gaining support through this initiative, Mr Mitchell said people have been coming to the party to serve, as a result of both opportunity and “rising disgruntlement” with the Free National Movement.

Admitting that he is unaware of the status of applications the FNM has received, Mr Mitchell said: “If you look at it, if you want to be a member of parliament, they’ve got 35 incumbents. So, they’ve got a problem, because anybody who wants to run, there’s no entry point.

“But we’ve got…35 vacancies.

“So, people who want to serve are actually coming to the PLP to serve. And at this point what is happening is, with the disgruntlement with the FNM, people are coming forward even more.

To this end, Mr Mitchell said 90 people signed up for New Providence module—raising approximately $10,000.

Rush “The rush which took place last year has worn off, and there’s a rising level of disgruntlement, which is proven not only anecdotally, but also in the stats which show up in the polling… We want this to be a process which is structured and not just willy-nilly.”

He added this initiative is the first of its kind and said it’s a “direct response” to the actions of former PLP members of parliament.

“It’s a direct response — you know party members were very concerned with the Andre Rollins, Greg Moss…and Renward Wells (group) who just seemed to use the PLP to get into public office, and then turned around and attacked the very party that gave them life.

“Well, two of them are thankfully out of public life.

One of them remains, we have to get him out. So, we’re trying to find a good candidate to put in Bamboo Town to make sure that he doesn’t return to office either.”

Anyone interested can register on the Progressive Liberal Party’s Facebook page.

not guilty to a single charge of assault earlier this month for allegedly attacking Ms Evans during an argument near the Paradise Island parking lot.

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

One 24-second clip features Ms Evans lying on the wet ground, with what appeared to be a stream of blood flowing from her head.

The camera then panned to a man dressed in black, whom the person recording the video alleged to be the woman’s attacker.

Dispute According to the evidence lead during trial before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, the entire dispute started from both sides believing the other to have impeded them from manoeuvering through the area.

Ms Evans said she was attempting to leave the area, while Cartwright claimed Ms Evans’ blue Suzuki vehicle “hastily” impeded his progress as he turned into Shopping Mall Drive.

A standoff ensued between the two and neither would give any ground.

After a while, as a result of the standoff, Ms Evans threw a beverage on to Cartwright’s truck, specifically in the area of his

windshield.

Ms Evans claimed she never left her vehicle when she threw the beverage, but Cartwright said she exited her vehicle, threw the beverage on his truck, cursed him out, then got back in her “small, blue car”.

Afterwards, Ms Evans said she proceeded to leave, but only after noticing how Cartwright “looked like a psycho” as he “jumped out of his vehicle in anger” and made his way over to her car.

“After I threw the coffee at his truck, I saw his eyes,” she said. “He came out the truck like he was a super clean-freak and like it was a major deal.”

When Mr Ferguson suggested to her she was the “psycho” that day, Ms Evans responded: “Well I guess there’s two psychos”.

Cartwright, in his statement, claimed he became “enraged” after she threw the coffee at his windshield, causing him to get out of his truck and slap the back of her vehicle with his hand as she attempted to drive off.

He said then jumped on the back of his truck, picked up a tennis shoe and threw it in the direction of her car, which Ms Evans said ended up hitting her in the abdomen.

Afterwards, Ms Evans said she stopped the vehicle, got out of the car with “the intention of trying to approach him to talk to him to find out what’s going on”.

Ms Evans said she didn’t

remember how close she was to him, and further claimed she “had no intention to injure a man”.

However, Cartwright claimed in his statement that after Ms Evans got out of her vehicle, words were exchanged between them, and she hit him in his mouth with her hand.

As a result, Cartwright said he became “enraged” and “threw her to the ground with force”.

Afterwards, Cartwright’s statement said people started gathering, at which point he saw a security officer.

He told the security to call the police, and when they arrived a short time later, he told them what had happened.

All the while, Cartwright said Ms Evans was lying on the ground.

Ms Evans, meanwhile, claimed she did not remember being pushed

by Cartwright, but said he likely did “quite a number of work”, claiming that as a result of the ordeal her neck was inflamed and she couldn’t get out of bed.

However, she later agreed that she had to have fallen to the ground somehow because she suffered a concussion from the ordeal.

Ms Evans said the only thing she remembered was waking up in the ambulance en route to the hospital.

The matter was adjourned to October 2.

Cartwright remains on $5,000 bail.

THE TRIBUNE THE TRIBUNE

PUBLIC-PRIVATE-PARTNERSHIP Memo CONSIDERED FOR PRINCE reveals GEORGE WHARF MANAGEMENT

Monday, September Friday, September 21, 2018, PAGE17, 7

new deals for Festival Place traders

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

minister explained the government was looking to place the entire cruise port in a “silo” focused primarily on the overall upgrade and upkeep of the site.

“So (we) would like to take it out of the hands of the day to day running of the port from the government and put it in the hands of or put it in a silo that has focused and purpose to upgrade the port,” he said.

that they have.”

“That is what we are attempting to do,” he said, “obliviously we are looking TOURISM Minister Dionto enter into a public-privateisio D’Aguilar yesterday said partnership, the structure of the government considering which we are not one huna public-private-partnership dred percent, we haven’t for the day-to-day managemade that decision yet.” ment of the Prince George Mr D’Aguilar said Wharf as it eyes the overall once that is done, improvement of the country’s the Minnis administratop cruise port. tion will formally issue a SOMEbooths of the along traderthe booths the wharf at Festival Place.

Responding to questions formal request for proposal.

SOME of the trader wharfalong at Festival Place. over reported privatisation of “Festival is a part of the surrounding Downtown area Festival Place, Mr D’Aguilar port, that is why I don’t would focus on development suggested a Tribune artiunderstand why someone cle which detailed a leaked is compartmentalising that consistent with this country’s heritage. vendor memo discussing the Mr D’Aguilar said: “And little section of it.

His comments came in move, was only part of the “We are talking about the from page one as sanitary as it should be. the port, given that there response to reports that wider discussion of the priva- are 91 cruise ships port, the cruise For under those persons who useport itself and tisation of the entire port. not encouraged just the building Festival the government plan to construction now, straw, given we the were put Prince George Wharf’s The memo indicated the tofact Place.” for the Further that, new of to thatallmany thecreate ports solutions privatization of agreements Festival that were This of comes as a Bahamian management out to bid will be based damaged by lack ofthe availability straw, Place is expected toaround be cominvestor group group continues through a public tenderhurricane are upgrading a new lease schedand their to negotiate pleted by next month. make its “re-imag- ing process might result in it behooves discounts us as the at its push ule, which ports, is reportedly places towhere Among the litanystill of topics ination” from.” of Nassau’s cruise any request for proposal number one by cruise port in being formulated artisans buy supplies being addressed and final- the country to invest “Management andmendowntown a (RFP) seeking to copy Culin it, to port has management. ture Village (Bahamas) ideas ised in the document are reality. upgrade it and to ensure that According to the memo tioned a seminar with the the final approvals- for lease wasprotect In in a OctoTribune Business by mandating that all offers the and interest the tenants which written Portof for have a similar “Bahamianisaagreements, the appointment report last week, operators and information circulated Bahamian by Yvette ber. More will Gerald Stra- tion” flavour. of a director for thePrice, terminal president vendorsofdown president thethere be and giventoas chan, soon as founder, this is There has been no and efforts to improve chief executive of Culcause and bring available,” about an it and of Golden Gates I, died Festivalthe Place Tenant furthered. firm indication by the govoverall look of the property. ture Village (Bahamas), in improvement and increase peacefully at his home Association - longstanding The memo continued: However, in Tourism address- officer in the Monique number of passengers a statement said his group’s ernment publicly on whether on Monday, September “We went through the three ing the document’s claims coming through that port and proposal for reviving both it has selected a management Hepburn will serve as the page memo that was sent to 17, 2018. yesterday, the Tourism to improve the experience Prince George Wharf and the company to date. new director of Festival Tenants recently so some of Place this will be a repeat.”

He is survived by his chilThe communication did “IDs must be visible at all dren: Margot Roniet and not name the new manage- times.

Pedro, Glen and Cornell ment firm responsible for “ID classes will now be Knowles; nine grand Festival Place.

The robber a nearby res- ammunition. held escaped every into Wednesday,

By MORGAN ADDERLEY children; two greatHowever, it did note the idential community. instead of once a month.

Tribune Staff Reporter No arrest was made in this incident grand children; special In other “All crimepersons news, police also recovnew firm has no “intenholding an madderley@tribunemedia.net and investigations are ongoing. and tions” to hurt or harmered anyan illegal friend: Doreen Turnquest; siblings: Edwin ID is firearm going to beammunition required Police also arrested ten people for POLICE are investigating the armed According to the police, Flying Squad various illegal activities in road checks of the vendors. to take ID class again, Knowles, Gloria Dean and Natalie Knowles robbery of a Wulff Road convenience Officers effective and Royalimmediately, Bahamas Defence It added: “They are lookfor and a host of other relatives and friends. over a 24-hour period. store on Wednesday.

Force Officers search ing forward to us working 2019 ID’sconducted because ofa addiAdditionally, 135 drivers were ticketed A man entered the store off Market of a property at Lewis Street together in the best interest tional information... everyoff Funeral arrangements will be announced at a Street shortly afterof10am, held Street shortly morning before 3pmat on for various traffic violations – of which all of us.” up an Market Wednesday 75 were found driving over the speed later date. employee and robbedVendors the store of Wednesday where they recovered a arecash, presently 8am. according to Supt Shanta Knowles. .9 millimetre pistol with one round of limit. operating on the outside of “Vetting will take two the facility while it under- weeks before IDs are goes renovation. approved.

According to the com“Business licences must munication, there were be displayed at all times. “unforeseen circum“(The new management stances” involving a unit is) working on direcworker installing the facil- tional signage and signs ity’s new air condition unit. with operational hours.”

The setback was blamed In its address of the terfor the delay in tenants minals operational hours, returning to the inside of the memo further indithe facility. cated that the time would On the topic, the memo be up for discussion, with their severance package or FROM PAGE FIVE indicated the Ministry of determination having to be their employment Mr McAlpine Tourism said theis providing liabil- made in the continue early weeks of with the new owners of the government should sell ity insurance in the interim, September.

Is the governthe three hotels separately but will cease to do so once “If 8am is property? not a suitable ment rather than to onetenants “personare allowed back opening time, we paying have tothe severance package, if so, why are we or business,” believing “this inside. come up with a suitable doing so and not the former wold lead to the recupera“We told them that (the time that will be displayed owners?” tion of funds beinginsurance) spent for was included in on these signs.

Our deadMr McAlpine our rent before, and that line to inform them the purchase.” of what also became another person to question payment included it, we want our “It also lessens our the strain operational success of in future businessand onwe theasked them to do hours to bethe advertised is the Grand Port Authority the same strip being monopolized by again,” the memo this coming Bahama Friday, 7 Sepunder its present leaders, one individual or explained. corporate tember, 2018.” saying following the Another factor addressed entity,” he said.

This comes as a that Bahadeaths of group Edward St George, the communication was mian investor Mr McAlpine inasked a PINERIDGE MP Hayward and Sir work being done to continues it Sir pushJack to make series of questionstherelating Frederick McAlpine. up” booths.

Albert Miller––“visionaries its “re-imagination” of to the deal. “Is “spruce the SPV “It was in their manNassau’s port time”––the and conflict of that interest?

If so, cruise required to be licensed by suggested perhaps, canthe getgovernment one downtown of the authority reality. have a agement the Grand Bahama Port wewill person to paint so that we no longer In a Tribune Businessfeatures the to pay the Grand Bahama Authority in order for the could the negotiate a group any report last same week,“vigor, Gerald enthusiasm or Port Authority license SPV to own and operate price… reduced the Strachan, presicommitment.” fees? rate,” Continuing with my founder, hotel property, considering read. let me dent “It executive is my belief that the take and this chief that the property communication is located concerns, According to the memo, of Culture (Bahagovernment must now step opportunity to applaud the Village within the Port Area?” he vendors be mandated a statement said his and produce up to the plate in itsmas), questinto asked. “Is Central Gov-willgovernment to ensure allpreserve existing prodgroup’s proposal for for reviva vision Grand Bahama approximately ernment in an untenable not on400 old contracts both Prince and notGeorge wholly and solely Bahamian ing employsituation of beingucts subject and all newees. products are Wharf and rely the on surroundthe Grand Bahama Nonetheless, was each to the terms of the Hawksrequested in employee writing. ing Downtown would to do so,” he Authority afforded the Portarea bill Creek Agreement, Furthermore, the prodfocus on development conand would this represent a opportunity to either receive said. ucts must be approved sistent with this country’s before being posted. heritage.

The memo continued: His comments came in “As far as new products, response to reports that (vendors must) ensure that the government plan to they are Bahamian made.” put Prince George Wharf’s “(Management) would management out to bid like to visit your factories or through a public tendering ask that you provide photos process might result in any of the items being made in request for proposal (RFP) your factory. seeking to copy Culture Vil“We were also encour- lage (Bahamas) ideas by aged to use the Bahamian mandating that all offers flag colours as much as have a similar “Bahamianipossible.” sation” flavour.

With respect to food There has been no firm being sold at the terminal, indication by the governthe memo implored ten- ment publicly on whether it ants to use as much local has selected a management fruits and Bahamian food company to date. as possible.

Tourism Minister DioniDilly, soursop, mango sio D’Aguilar could not be and coconut were listed as reached for comment up to options. press time.

As for sanitation, the The Tribune also reached memo added: “Manage- out to Ms Price but she ment said that the food did not return calls for and beverage area is not comment.

Hurricane

Death Notice For Wellington George Knowles, 80

CONVENIENCE STORE ROBBED ON WULFF ROAD

MCALPINE: BUSINESS PEOPLE IN HERE WOULDN’T SPEND THEIR OWN MONEY ON GRAND LUCAYAN

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

PAGE 8, Friday, September 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

GOVT GETS INTO GEAR WITH TRAFFIC ACT AMENDMENTS TABLED amendments to the Road Traffic Act, hopefully will make it a safer commute for Bahamian motorists.

The new amendments will make it illegal to drive or operate a vehicle while using a cellphone, or with an open alcoholic beverage.

Say what?

Wait there’s more!

Failure to produce one’s driver’s licence on the spot, and relative valid insurance documents, when asked to by RBPF officers will also become illegal and punishable.

It will be the Minnis administration that will long be remembered for VAT, OBAN, The SPY BILL, and now add, eliminating the two-day grace period for drivers to produce such documents in order to escape penalties, to their legacy.

(Yes it makes sense, but you know Bahamians love slackness in any form.

They also miss said slackness when it ceases).

TRANSLATED INTO BAHAMANESE ‘Da wibe really sour nah, the bubbler gats to be legit, no more ridin’ dutty on dis road still.’

BOTH HANDS ON TEN AND TWO: The Bill tabled yesterday makes it illegal to drive or operate a vehicle while using an electronic communication device, by holding in one hand, both hands or with any other part of the body or otherwise.

BROKEN DOWN: Ladies, no longer can you drive with one knee, while applying your make up with one hand, texting on your cell phone on the other, while rowing your

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rude kids.

Finally, once and for all, it’s NOT ‘multi-tasking.’

But it is now considered ILLEGAL! I can’t wait to see a booking, for the aforementioned infractions take place, it has all the potential comedy and drama, that makes for great ‘reality tv.’

LOOPHOLE: Unless the device is attached to the motor vehicle or is a part of a fixture in the vehicle.

Enabling the driver or operator to use or operate the electronic communication device without holding it.

Now unless you have a smart car, to match your smart phone, or you are a tour bus or cab operator, put it down you are now breaking the law.

And the penalty for breaking these provisions, for those of you who love to ‘carry on bad’ and circumvent the ‘rules’ - a fine not exceeding $1000.

NONE FOR THE ROAD: If the Bill becomes law, it will also become illegal

to have an open alcoholic beverage while driving.

No more driving and ‘bibbing’ with your favourite libation on display, you won’t get cool points for that anymore, now you get a ticket instead.

Speaking of tickets ........

NO MORE DUCKING: The amendment, tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday, also prohibits people from obtaining a

licence if they have outstanding tickets, fines or have not paid the requisite fees. Obviously buying lunch is no longer applicable for obtaining a license.

(This going to be a monkey wrench in the plans of many Bahamians).

The penalty for not producing an insurance certificate will remain the same––a fine of $200.00 or imprisonment for three months or both.

The fine for not producing a valid driver’s license, will also remain the same at $40.

Let me get right to the point, if you have traffic tickets from the old millennium, now might be a good time to get them taken care of.

One way or another this administration will get every dollar it can out of the Bahamian people.

Until next week I’m off to hire a chauffeur!

‘NOT OBAN, THOUGH IT’S AN EQUALLY BAD DEAL’ FROM PAGE FIVE in supplementary appropriation bills in the future to cover other expenses that arise from the deal. However, during his speech last night, East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest acknowledged that the government may have to return to the House of Assembly for permission to borrow money to facilitate the operation of the hotels.

“They didn’t provide the details so I did back of the envelope calculations,” he said.

“There’s the $65m that we know about, the $10m and the $20m that have been paid and the $35m for the mortgage, that’s $65m, let’s start there.

“Is there stamp tax on this sale? I would suggest that there wasn’t and that’s $6.5m overall. Then there’s the interest on the bond, that’s perhaps another $2.5m, $2.8m and I’m being very conservative here in my round numbers.

Obligations Mr Cooper said: “The Bahamian people want to know, is this a $65m deal or is this a $100m deal as I contend?

Employee obligations of the government, as it magnanimously agreed to shoulder the responsibility of, I calculate and estimate that that’s perhaps in the region of $8m.

“For backpay and union obligations and severance and pensions, perhaps it’s a little more than $8m. The government would pay another $2m being conservative to subsidise Hutchinson’s loss until the sale closes.

“This deal is closed for all intents and purposes.

“Let’s not forget this resort is losing millions of dollars every month. I will tell you I believe the closing will take longer than six months as they project and since we’ve established the losses at $1.5m per month let’s multiply that by the 6 months the government actually believes it will take to find a buyer for the property, that’s another $12m.

“That’s all assuming the government doesn’t feel gracious with the new buyers the way they felt with Hutchinson and cover all the taxes and all the costs all over again. And then there are legal fees.

Mr Cooper pointed to additional fees for lawyers facilitating the transaction, and exchange fees.

“Hutchinson also told the government they can’t have the napkins or the plates or the Joy or the cleaning supplies or the toilet paper in the resort,” Mr Cooper said.

“They wanted those because those are part of the inventory according to the SPA so you’re going to give them $65m and they will take all the inventory in the hotel so you’ll need to replenish that and let’s be conservative again and say that’s another half-a-million dollars,” he said.

During her contribution to the debate, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin eviscerated the administration, saying the debate is about the administration’s failure to “negotiate a palatable arrangement for the reopening of this hotel”.

“You have been in negotiations for more than one year and have been unable to secure an agreement,” she said.

“But relief could have come to Grand Bahama during this period in other ways.

When you took office in May 2017 you met a deal on the table for a new Carnival Cruise Port in East Grand Bahama with guaranteed entrepreneurial opportunities for Bahamians, including water sports, shops, art and craft with extensive linkages into the economy of Grand Bahama, including the possibility of home porting which would have had implications for overnight tourist arrivals by air.

“We have yet to obtain, however, an explanation from this government for the apparent abandonment of this project.”

During closing remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said the cruise port deal had not abandoned, but it had been put on hold at the request of Carnival.

THE TRIBUNE

DEPT OF LABOUR TO HOST EIGHTH ‘LABOUR ON THE BLOCKS’ JOB FAIR THE Bahamas Department of Labour will host its eigth ‘Labour on the Blocks’ job fair with 22 local businesses tomorrow.

The event will be held at CV Bethel High School (East Street South) and will include the constituencies of Bamboo Town, Pinewood, South Beach, Garden Hills and Nassau Village.

The Labour Department, in a statement yesterday, highlighted partnerships with cruise ship recruiters, training companies and a special booth for individuals between ages 16 – 29 interested in paid internships with on-the-job and classroom training.

“Partners will meet, interview, sign you up and where possible, hire on the spot,” the statement read.

The event will last from 11:00am to 3:00pm at CV Bethel.

As usual, the Minister of Labour along with Senior Executives from the Ministry and Department of Labour will be in attendance to meet and assist jobseekers.

Patrenda Brice, Deputy Director of Labour, encouraged local businesses to partner with the Public Employment Services Unit (P.E.S) of the Department of Labour through the ‘Labour on the Blocks’ initiative.

“This is an event where we are successfully answering the needs of jobseekers as well as employers by effectively connecting eligible candidates with the right jobs,” she said.

The Department of Labour strongly encourages all jobseekers in The Bahamas or abroad, and employers with vacancies, to register in the Department’s recruitment database: www.jobseekers.bahamas.gov.bs Participants are asked to bring their NIB Smart Card, and a valid Government-issued ID such as a passport or voters card and copies of their resumes.

Friday, September 21, 2018, PAGE 9

ELEUTHERA FAMILIES: WE WANT DISNEY

FROM PAGE ONE

asked, the answers were funny; they didn’t tell us much, so it left more questions than answers.”

“We waited for Disney to hear both sides, we wanted to be fair.

Having met with the president of Disney last week, I am comfortable that they are serious about their intentions,” she said.

“They talked about the low density development and conservation, sustainable design and business

Foundation, along with many other environmentalists and activist groups, are instead calling for sustainable development at the site.

“We want what we can see, not what they say they can get other people to do for us,” said Roscoe Thompson, 57, of Wemyss Bight, when contacted for comment.

Insisting the public comments made by groups opposing the Disney development have been unbalanced and void of true public support, Mr Thompson said sustainable job creation and community development are what residents are after.

“We are long-suffering here in Eleuthera,” he told The Tribune.

“They are complaining about Disney’s plans, but we are looking for a way to feed our families and keep our kids here.”

“This is my view, it doesn’t have to be right, but it’s mine.

“There are very little jobs here and we need all we can get. One Eleuthera has been around for years and did very little to develop anything around here.

Jobs “Now, we have a company stepping up to add jobs and now they want to speak up,” he added. “It just seems shady to me.”

Mr Thompson said he, like many other residents, view One Eleuthera and its coalition of environmental groups as nothing more than a “last minute bid” by special interest groups looking to “protect their playground.”

Mr Thompson claimed residents have sat back for years, hoping “donors would smile on Eleuthera.”

“Nothing happened, Now, One Eleuthera is marching all around talking about how they have these backers, these donors who are interested in doing for Eleuthera.”

“Where have they been? That is my point, They popped up when the talk about Disney did.

“Then everywhere was ‘Save Lighthouse Point.’”

He continued: “I have no personal

“We are long-suffering here in Eleuthera. They are complaining about Disney’s plans, but we are looking for a way to feed our families and keep our kids here. This is my view, it doesn’t have to be right, but it’s mine.”

Roscoe Thompson of Wemyss Bight THE VIEW at Lighthouse Point. problem with One Eleuthera, the way I see it, if Disney wants to come in here, One Eleuthera should have welcomed them.”

“They didn’t wait to hear Disney pitch before bad-mouthing them. If One Eleuthera has this money, they could invest it in another part of the island; the more the merrier.

“Both can coexist and many other investors. I don’t see why we should be cross firing,” Mr Thompson said.

Another resident, Bernadette Sweeting, 50, of Green Castle, said despite the perceived silence, “the true Eleuthera” is totally on board with the Disney development.

“You hear them on the radio, you see them in the papers non-stop; that is how they work,” she said, referring to the groups opposing the Disney development.

“But that isn’t coming from the people who really live here. The mothers and the fathers that have to sit back and watch their babies grow

Photo: Barefoot Marketing up and move away.

“That’s not the story from the young people who can’t find work and leave school to nothing.

“When you speak to the true Eleutheran, you will get the picture that Disney coming here is what we have wanted,” she said.

Mrs Sweeting said in the lead up to her decision to publicly back the Disney development, she “considered” the proposals presented by “all sides.”

“I didn’t rule out anything, One Eleuthera made my decision for me,” she said. “It was the things they didn’t answer and the things they wouldn’t touch.”

According to Mrs Sweeting, One Eleuthera in its presentation to residents sidestepped questions raised over their finances.

“Anyone with sense knows that when you are speaking to investments and major development, money has to be there. When we

practices, public access, job and economic vitality and celebrating our culture.

“That was all built around improving life for us in Central and South Eleuthera,” she added.

The Tribune understands that residents and groups that support Disney’s proposal for Lighthouse Point are expected to launch a campaign of their own, with a view to inspire like-minded Bahamians to publicly back the development.

Earlier this month, One Eleuthera’s President and CEO Shaun Ingraham warned that any exclusive development at Lighthouse Point would cut circulation of ground traffic into South Eleuthera.

In those comments he asserted the move could cause further economic harm to a community already “suffering enough right now”.

He said his organisation’s plan for the area would make use of zones to stimulate the local economy while also protecting the area.

PAGE 10, Friday, September 21, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

KINGDOM GOVERNMENT MOVEMENT EYES 2022 GENERAL ELECTION

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A NEW political organization called the Kingdom Government Movement has set its sights on the 2022 General Election.

Led by Kevin King, a natural medicine doctor, the party’s four areas of focus are: replacing the Westminster system of government, transforming the country’s educational system and the economy, and the

health of the nation.

Despite the organization’s name, Dr King said the party is not necessarily a “Christian movement”, adding that candidates do not have to be Christian to run.

When asked where the party will fall on the political spectrum, Dr King described it as “neutral”, with no political colours, and a goal to bring together all Bahamians.

The party is also in favour of fixed election dates and twoterm limits for prime ministers.

During yesterday’s press conference, the Kindom Government Movement (KGM) unveiled its positioni on issues ranging from the country’s ascension to the World Trade Organization (WTO), the state of Grand Bahama, and the legalisation of medical marijuana.

Dr King yesterday described the Westminster government as being a vestige of colonialism that “creates a stratified society and does not allow true democracy to occur in

Parliament”.

Instead, the party will implement a new system of government, and the country will be divided into “districts” that allow for more participation.

“The Westminster model as part of a larger ‘independence pact’ was designed to maintain the status quo in the Englishspeaking Caribbean and is responsible for the major challenges facing the Bahamas today,” Dr King said.

“We therefore, of The Kingdom Government Movement, advocate for a broader conceptualization of sovereignty and calls for the invention of a new democracy.”

During her remarks, party Executive Secretary Portia Duncanson said the Westminster system would be replaced with a parliamentary republic government.

Change “It will be a parliamentary republic— we’ll take the best of both,” Dr King added.

“The best of both systems and implement it into the (Bahamas). It’s not very difficult to do. It’s whether or not the Bahamian people have the will and the desire for real change.”

“The government as we know it today will not exist in theory, how it is now,” Dr King said. “It will be (a) totally different type of government. But it will not be a government where the Bahamian people will be shut (out). We’re not going to make such a drastic change that the whole country becomes in anarchy…But there has to be changes.”

Dr King is also against the Bahamas ascending to the WTO, describing his belief that the organization is “not good” for the country.

“I would not like to see it happen…We will never benefit from what this country has to offer under a WTO system,” he said.

KINGDOM Government Movement leader Kevin King.

At yesterday’s launch, Dr King underscored the party’s intent is to respect “all Bahamians”, regardless of political or religious persuasion.

“It’s not a matter of being Christian, it’s a matter of being like-minded citizens— you’re interested in your country.

It’s not so much a Christian movement. It’s a Bahamian movement,” he said.

“And it doesn’t matter what your political affiliation is, we’re only concerned about Bahamians.

“You’d find that we have no colours. We’re not interested in dividing the country.

You can come as you are. So whether you want to wear gold, purple, red…that’s up to you.

“This particular organization, we’re not colour coded, we’re not colour-minded. We are Bahamian-oriented.

“And if those persons feel that they have something to contribute to the (Bahamas), and they decide this is an organisation that they want to be a part of, then we welcome them.

When asked about the state of Grand Bahama, party member Jeffrey Symonette, a 32-year employee of BORCO, described the government purchase of the Grand Lucayan as a “desperate move” by the current Administration to create jobs in an area where tourism has always been secondary.

“Grand Bahama is in a desperate (state). It needs and can be redirected back to its original purpose…and that is to continue to move on in the industrial field,” he said. “It can be recovered from a tourism point of view, but it’s going to take more than the involvement of government.”

Regarding the Oban Energies deal, Mr Symonette said it is a move that at this time, will “probably turn out to be more disastrous than beneficial”.

“We cannot afford to be giving vital property of our country away to industries that (are) not going to give us a viable return for future generations,” he added.

In this vein, a “pressing” KGM mandate is to “promote the development and transformation of an incipient economy”, Ms Duncanson said, thereby eliminating the wealth gap.

Regarding the legalisation of medical marijuana, Dr King said “everything God created is good, if you use it correctly…Same thing with stem cell. These are all natural medicines.”

Dr King also said the drug was initially “demonized” by pharmaceutical companies, noting he expects the government will ultimately pass “any bill” pertaining to the use of medical marijuana because the drug will be a “major revenue generator in the Western economy”.

As for his personal position, Dr King said: “For me as a doctor of natural medicine…I told them the other day: I will wait and see. And I will follow the breadcrumbs.”

When asked how the party will overcome the issue of being a “third party” in a country with a “two-party” history, Dr King said the last five years have been a “preparation for change”.

“Change doesn’t come overnight. But you can see the nation’s dissatisfaction with both parties at this time.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 21, 2018, PAGE 11

CROWN SEEKING THE DEATH PENALTY OVER MURDER OF COUPLE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Crown is seeking the maximum penalty of death for murder convict Devaughn ‘Short Man’ Hall for the “brutal slaying” of an unarmed couple shot to death at their residence in Grand Bahama in 2015.

At Hall’s sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday, Prosecutor Erica Kemp submitted that the manner and impact of the deaths of Barry and Sheena Johnson on the community and their loved ones fall in the category of the “worst of the worst’’.

“The lives of a married couple were extinguished; an entire family was wiped out by the convict,” Mrs Kemp said.

On the armed robbery charge, the prosecution is seeking 25 years imprisonment.

The crown prosecutor also emphasised that Hall’s continual denial of guilt and his lack of remorse for the killings of two persons make him as a “grave danger to society.”

“We submit there is no such likelihood of reform,” Mrs Kemp said.

Barry and Sheena Johnson were unarmed and posed no threat to the convict and three others who robbed them at gunpoint at their residence on the evening of September 12, 2015. Autopsies conducted indicated the husband died of a single gunshot to the head and that the wife died of multiple injuries, including a gunshot to a head.

The prosecutor said that Hall - who was the

MURDER victims Barry and Sheena Johnson.

MURDER convict Devaughn ‘Short Man’ Hall outside court.

mastermind behind the plan - was motivated by greed as one of the co-accused had testified at the trial that Hall told them they were going to get cash and cocaine.

“The convict went to the home of Barry and Sheena Johnson in Deadman’s Reef because they believed drugs and money were to be found, said Mrs Kemp. Mrs Johnson was at home, and the men waited in the bushes until Mr Johnson arrived home around 9.40pm,” she said.

The prosecutor pointed out that Mr Johnson was subjected to “prolonged trauma.” She said that he was “tortured and tormented” by the convict and the co-accused who were seen in the video footage hitting Mr Johnson in the head, kicking him, and the convict pointing a gun in his face.

“The victim was mentally and physically tortured because he did not know at what point death would come; he must have been tormented.

“He was humiliated as he was on his knees. Sheena Johnson was praying,” she

predicament and that he deserves whatever he gets for his involvement in the offence. She also noted that Psychiatrist Dr John Dillet, who conducted a mental status evaluation, found that Hall does not have any psychiatric disorder and there is no evidence of a cognitive defect or psychiatric illness.

“We say we are seeking the maximum penalty of death. If the court is satisfied that death is not warranted, he should get a sentence of imprisonment for life,” Mrs Kemp submitted.

“The brutal slaying of two people, the manner of killing in both, are reasons that indicate that the convict deliberately and cold-bloodedly intended to end those lives,” she said.

Mrs Kemp said that the present case falls under Penal Code Chapter 84, (that may be cited as the Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2011) Section 290 Subsection 2(c) that any murder committed in the course of armed robbery, and paragraph (d) the murder of more than one person, attracts the death

said.

While outlining mitigating and aggravating factors, she indicated these far outweigh the mitigating factors.

Although Hall is aged 25 with no prior convictions and he was gainfully employed at the time of the offence, Ms Kemp said that two unarmed persons were murdered and shot in the head.

Education She said that both individuals were contributing members of society. Mrs Johnson was a school teacher in her community who helped with the education of young people, and Mr Johnson was a supervisor at the container port, took care of his mother, and was a mentor and father figure to his nieces and nephews.

She also referred to the findings in the probation report and psychiatric reports. She noted that Hall’s father, Arthur Henfield, stated that he was not shocked at his son’s

penalty.

“We have satisfied the law,” she said.

Jethlyn Burrows, who represents Hall, told the court that the defence was not satisfied that the Crown had provided sufficient reasoning for imposing the extreme penalty of death.

“We submitted that the two murders are not among the worst of the worse,” Ms Burrows said.

“To impose death is harsh and would very likely be overturned on appeal given the clear pattern in recent years of appeal cases in the Court of Appeal,” she noted, citing a few of the cases.

Employed In her mitigation, Burrows also noted in addition to Hall’s age and no prior convictions, and being gainfully employed, he was also the father of two young children.

Hall’s lawyer also submitted that the Crown had failed to provide a single Bahamian authority where the death penalty was

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn recently imposed after an appeal.

She noted anyone convicted of murders by shooting their victims to death, in all instances the defendants appealed in the Court of Appeal or Privy Council.

“In the last 15 years in the Court of Appeal a clear pattern has emerged where defendants had their death penalty substituted for life imprisonment,” she said.

Mrs Burrows further submitted there is no reason to assume her client is incapable of rehabilitation.

“Not being remorseful is not an indication of not being able to be rehabilitated,” she added.

She submitted that a sentence of 30-40 years on each of the two murder counts to run concurrently.

“We note that two lives were taken, but it is as one action,” Mrs Burrows said.

On the armed robbery count, she suggested a sentence of 15 years was a sufficient penalty.

Justice Estelle Gray Evans will pass her sentence at 2.30pm on Monday.