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MINNIS: I’LL STEP ASIDE AS LEADER
Former PM tells FNM chiefs he’ll give way to members’ new choice By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told Free National Movement executive board members yesterday evening that he will not vie for leader at the party’s next convention but wants to lead the FNM into the House of Assembly until a new leader is chosen, according to three sources with intimate knowledge of the meeting. Dr Minnis also reportedly told executive board members that he will hold
on to his Killarney seat and has no intention of resigning from Parliament. The Tribune understands that yesterday’s gathering at the party’s headquarters came a day after a majority of the FNM’s incoming parliamentary caucus voted for Dr Minnis to enter Parliament as leader of the official opposition. For at least some of the caucus members, their vote came with the expectation that he will not remain leader of the official opposition indefinitely. SEE PAGE THREE
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
GOVT URGED TO SUPPORT POACHING MEASURES By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Davis administration was yesterday urged to “endorse and rubber stamp” the international initiative to stamp out fisheries poaching in Bahamian waters, as one fisherman warned: “We must take action now.” Paul Maillis, the National Fisheries Association (NFA) director, told Tribune Business it was important that the new government realise the progress and objectives of the Marine Action Partnership (MAP) so that such initiatives were not “terminated through lack of understanding”.
JUST DISMAL - BRAVE’S VERDICT AFTER PMH TOUR By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE next 100 days in office for the Davisled administration will see an aggressive push to fight the COVID-19 virus beginning with keen interest in the “dismal” Princess Margaret Hospital alongside an in-depth look at the country’s
ALICIA WALLACE: WOMEN MPS IN PARLIAMENT HAVE A REAL JOB TO DO
finances. According to Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday, the public healthcare system is a high priority for the government after it was ravaged by three waves of COVID-19 and in recent times the Delta variant, which led to increased cases and deaths.
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaking to chief hospital administrator Mary Walker during a tour of Princess Margaret Hospital yesterday. Photo: Racardo Thomas/ Tribune Staff
SEE PAGE FIVE
PLP DEBT LED TO ZNS AD BLOCK By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
THE Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas has denied allegations it had an unfair policy of refusing advertisements from the Progressive Liberal Party before the general election. The concerns were raised in a report released on the weekend by the
ZNS employees walked out yesterday in protest over medical contributions being deducted from salaries without permission. See PAGE TWO. Commonwealth Observer Group regarding their
observations of the recent election. In its report, the COG highlighted the concern that the national broadcaster ZNS “did not provide equitable access and/or balanced coverage of the activities of the contending political parties and candidates.” “This resulted in citizens being deprived of their right to receive balanced SEE PAGE TWO
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
‘INVESTMENT MUST REACH THE PUBLIC’
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Government must ensure that every new foreign and domestic investment project is “felt by the man on the street” otherwise “it’s only a number”, a well-known accountant has warned. Craig A “Tony” Gomez, the Baker Tilly Gomez managing partner, told Tribune Business that the $897m in foreign direct investment for 2020 - muchhyped by the former Minnis administration - was relatively meaningless if it was not felt by working class Bahamians via increased jobs, incomes and economic activity. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
PAGE 2, Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Deduction row leads to ZNS walkout By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net STAFF at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas walked off the job yesterday to protest a breach of their industrial agreement with medical benefit contributions being taken out of their salaries without permission. In March, staff withdrew services because executive management decided it could no longer bear the brunt of paying the workers’ entire medical insurance, which is itemized for the corporation to pay in its industrial agreement with the union. So half of the contribution has been deducted from salaries since March. The Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union, the bargaining unit that represents the BCB staff, has since filed a court action against the BCB on the matter. On Monday, the staff received a memo from BCB’s human resources department informing them that the medical insurance coverage would increase by some $2.50 per pay period resulting in the coverage costing $51.94 per pay period. BCB staff are paid twice a month. At approximately noon yesterday, staff walked off the job demanding money deducted from their salaries since March be returned to them immediately. Sherry Bastian, BCPOU president, was on hand
with her team during the walk out. She said the staff members should enjoy the free medical insurance according to the industrial agreement. After hours of sitting outside the BCB’s secured gate, staff returned to work on general manager Kayleaser Deveaux-Isaacs’ promise that the money deducted since March will be returned to them. “In communication with the general manager, she has advised us that they are going to try to pay all of the monies owing to the staff from the deductions by Sept 30 and if they are not able to pay the monies in full by then, they are committed to pay everyone in full by October 15,” Ms Benjamin said. “Staff has agreed to those terms so they have since reported back to work. The staff was enjoying free medical insurance at no expense to themselves, the corporation unilaterally decided that they were going to impose a $50 per pay period taxation on them. They were taking it out without their permission to contribute towards the insurance. “When you have an industrial agreement that is in effect, if you want to make any changes to that agreement then you need to do that in a negotiation between management and the union and they failed to do that.” The Tribune contacted BCB’s board chairman, Fred Gottlieb, who said he was not equipped with all the information on the end
THE TRIBUNE
DOZENS of ZNS employees walked off their job yesterday accompanied by BCPOU president Sherry Benjamin and BCPMU president Ricardo Thompson. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff results at the time to make a comment on the matter. Ms Benjamin, who has taken up the mantle from former president Dino Rolle, said she will not be disrespected or brushed 2017 general election. advertisements. aside during her term as from page one “In order to ensure its “The reduced debt still president. She said she is continued financial sus- amounted to over $100,000. on the job to negotiate on behalf of her members and information about the elec- tainability, the corporation The PLP then again offered not to be simply advised by tion and candidates,” the had implemented, amongst to pay $75,000 with the COG noted. other measures, a vigorous balance to be repaid over management. The report mentioned the and concerted effort to col- time which, again, the corMs Benjamin warned executive management that then main opposition politi- lect substantial outstanding poration was unable, in there will be repeated walk cal party, the PLP, claimed receivables,” the release the interest of fairness, to accept. It should be pointed outs from the BCB staff if the government broad- said. It was explained that a out that, notwithstanding the industrial agreement is caster refused to take its adverts due to “an alleged decision was made by the that the FNM had indicated breached. “The general manager disputed debt from the last board several months ago, its desire to take most, if not said they ‘advised’ the election, even though it before the election was all, of the advertising slots former president,” Ms Ben- offered to pay upfront and called, that “no new adver- during the election period, tisements — whether paid the corporation ensured jamin continued. “Well, as I clear the debt”. The COG added: “We in advance or not — would that at least one-third of said to her no one is going to advise me when it comes were not able to deter- be aired for any political the slots were reserved for to my industrial agreement. mine the veracity of this party until they first settled the PLP on the basis that it would settle its indebtedWe are going to discuss. allegation, but we found it their outstanding debts.” The release explained this ness. The corporation made We are going to come to a troubling.” In a rebuttal, the “out- was communicated to the an offer to the PLP that it mutual agreement, but you are not going to advise me going” BCB board said it political parties. While both would accept the sum of when it comes to my indus- “categorically denies and major parties expressed $75,000 with the balance trial agreement because we refutes the allegation that their displeasure, prior to — approximately $37,000 will have repeats of what it deliberately and unfairly the election being called the — being divided by the adopted a policy of refusing then governing party paid number of slots it wished occurred today.” to accept advertisements off its debt while the PLP to take, and the resultfrom the Progressive Lib- made only one small pay- ing amount to be paid at eral Party (PLP).” ment towards reducing its the same time as payment The BCB argued: “At debt of well over $100,000, for each advertisement, so no time was the corpora- the BCB said. that, on payment of the last tion politically motivated “On the election being slot, the entire debt would in dealing with the repay- called, the PLP offered to end up being repaid. The ment of debts owed to it make a payment of $75,000 corporation was subseby the political parties. towards repayment of its quently informed that the The decisions made by the outstanding debt which PLP would not be advercorporation were based would have left almost the tising with ZNS during the entirely on financial consid- same amount owing and remaining election period.” erations and pursued on the which it offered to pay BCB also stated that the basis of fairness. over time,” BCB noted. corporation has throughout “The corporation finds it “The PLP was informed the recent election period to be disturbing and unac- that, in view of the fact that “pursued a policy of fairceptable that the observers the FNM had paid off its ness and balance.” should have, without first debt as a precondition to In response to the BCB, reaching out to the corpora- new advertisements being PLP chairman Fred Mitchtion, utter such disparaging accepted, the corpora- ell said: “The persons at and damaging allegations, tion could not, in fairness, ZNS responsible for the and then, astonishingly, to accept the offer being unauthorised response to state ‘that it was not pos- made. In order to try to the scathing critique delivsible to determine the assist and accommodate ered by the international veracity of such allegations’ the PLP, it was agreed that observer group on the Sep- this cannot be regarded as a portion of the debt, which tember 16, 2021 general being balanced or fair.” it disputed, would be put elections must cease and The release claimed aside to be dealt with at a desist any representation both the Free National future date thereby reduc- on behalf of the Bahamas Movement and PLP owed ing the amount of debt to Broadcasting Corporation “substantial sums of be paid off as a precon- (BCB) as they have no money” dating back to the dition to accepting new standing to do so.”
PLP DEBT LED TO ZNS AD BLOCK
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, September 22, 2021, PAGE 3
Minnis: I’ll step aside as leader from page one Dr Minnis agreed to ensure that his appointments to the Senate come after consultation with the MPs-elect, sources said. During last night’s meeting, Marco City MP-elect Michael Pintard, the current frontrunner to succeed Dr Minnis as leader of the FNM, reportedly pushed back against Dr Minnis’ offer to remain FNM leader until the convention. Sources said he believes Dr Minnis should resign prior to that event. Although a pitch was subsequently made for FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest to serve as interim leader of the party until the convention, the executive board, in a secret ballot vote, voted 17-12 for Dr Minnis to remain leader of the party until the convention, according to this newspaper’s sources. The executive board did not recommend a definitive timeline for the next FNM convention, though it is anticipated the party will hold the event within two to three months.
The executive board vote likely reflects a divide in the party about the short-term future of the FNM. On one hand, some want to ensure that Dr Minnis is treated with dignity and respect and is allowed to enter Parliament and the convention as leader while playing an instrumental role in the transition of the party. On the other hand, there is fear among some that Dr Minnis might just be biding his time and will turn around and contest the leadership position at the convention despite his current stance. Ultimately, the FNM’s council will decide during a meeting at Holy Trinity Anglican Church today whether it will approve the executive board’s recommendation or not. The meeting is expected to feature as many as 300 council members. Insiders believe the meeting could be a heated one. Yesterday’s executive meeting was not contentious, however, though frank views were said to be expressed about what led to the party’s worst electoral defeat in 44 years. The FNM won seven seats in the
House of Assembly versus the Progressive Liberal Party’s 32 seats. After the meeting, Dr Minnis did not discuss what happened during the election. “It’s all being discussed at the party level,” he said, adding that meetings are ongoing. In addition to Mr Pintard, the favourites to succeed Dr Minnis as leader are East Grand Bahama MP-elect Kwasi Thompson and St Barnabas MP-elect Shandendon Cartwright. Former Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands is also considered a possible contender and there are some in the party who hope he is appointed to the Senate. In recent days, the jockeying for support has reportedly been intense in the FNM. Sources said some supporters of Dr Minnis have called council members requesting their support for him to remain leader while opponents of Dr Minnis have called around requesting support to oust him as leader. Sources said it is unclear which side has the majority support.
DR Hubert Minnis speaking to the press after voting.
Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
FORMER SENATOR BLAMES APATHY AND FATIGUE FOR DEFEAT By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
ACTIVIST and former Senator John Bostwick II blames voter apathy and general political fatigue for the Free National Movement’s defeat at the polls last Thursday. In that election, the Progressive Liberal Party won 32 of 39 seats in the House of Assembly, with the FNM winning the remainder. With voter turnout around 65 percent, Mr Bostwick believes the PLP’s win is not a “true mandate” with voters not feeling inclined to show up at the polls.
Mr Bostwick, the son of FNM trailblazers J Henry and Dame Janet Bostwick, said a true mandate comes with re-election. “The FNM suffered extreme voter apathy and a general fatigue in the Bahamian population in regard to politics,” the former FNM senator said. “I don’t think anybody really feels that what the PLP presently enjoys is a true mandate, although it’s amongst the majority. “I think the low voter turnout is something to take note of, but we also have to note COVID. “Feeling safe or not, 20 to 30 percent of those who would normally vote, just stay home is in itself a protest vote.
It’s an example of persons not feeling forced to vote for any of the alternatives, including the third parties that were on offer. “With that said, I don’t know if any party has had a true mandate for some time. A true mandate really comes with re-election and as you said there has been a ‘voting out’ of the FNM. Albeit they’ve had a lot of things to deal with. There’s been an expression of a lack of satisfaction with the now outgoing FNM administration.” Mr Bostwick noted that the PLP’s rebuilding after its defeat in the 2017 election as an example for the FNM to follow.
DORIAN SWAYED ABACO VOTE By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net LOW voter turnout and the “poor” handling of Hurricane Dorian were chief among the reasons why the Free National Movement was rejected at the polls by Abaco residents, who are now calling for the Davis-led administration to live up to its promises where the previous administration had failed. In a crushing defeat of the FNM last week, the Progressive Liberal Party secured an impressive 32 out of 39 seats in the House of Assembly, including both seats on Abaco which were previously held by FNM candidates. It was also the first time in years that the FNM had not won any seats on the island. Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham represented the people of North Abaco for more than 30 years before his resignation in 2012. For most of those years, he represented the constituency under the FNM. However, the seat was later returned to the PLP after then candidate Renardo Curry won the byelection in 2012. As for the Central and South Abaco constituency, former parliamentarian Edison Key was elected to the seat under the FNM in the 2007 and 2012 general elections, but later broke ranks with the party before his retirement in 2017. But, despite securing two Abaco seats in the 2017 general election, the FNM will now have no representation on the island after its candidates Darren Henfield and Vandea Stuart were unable to secure victory at last week’s polls. The loss of both Abaco constituencies was attributed yesterday to residents’ frustration and increasing dissatisfaction with the former government’s response to Hurricane Dorian among other things. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Roscoe Thompson, head of the Marsh Harbour/Spring City Township in Abaco, said
these factors played a major role in the party’s downfall. He said the Abaco people had simply become fed up with the Minnis administration for their blatant disregard of their concerns. “In Abaco, we were fed up with (Dr) Minnis. End of story. Anyone who ran under the FNM was going to take the brunt with Minnis,” he said.” “It was him not showing up to the (Hurricane Dorian) memorial. The lack of respect shown to Bahamians here, not just in Central and South, but here in North Abaco. “The (Disaster Reconstruction Authority) DRA had big failures over here in Abaco not reaching the people who most needed supplies. There were rumours of supplies being held in Freeport that were earmarked for Abaco so it’s not a shock that they lost.” Another resident, Crystal Williams, also lamented the former government’s failure to live up to their promises as one of the many reasons that led to their defeat at the polls. However, she noted low voter turnout and voter disenfranchisement also did not work in the party’s favour. Overall voter turnout in the country was around 65 percent. In 2017 it was 88 percent. In previous election cycles, voter turnout was around 90 percent. Also displaced storm residents who temporarily moved to other islands were not allowed to vote in their original constituencies, which some think contributed to the low turnout. “Well, to be honest with you a lot of people didn’t turn up to vote,” she told The Tribune yesterday. “They were on other islands so they were basically disenfranchised from being able to vote and unable to transfer their votes so that played a major part of it and then the fact that in the immediate Marsh Harbour area, which would’ve been their stronghold, those people were neglected. People were unable to get building materials that were donated as well as not being able to qualify for the DRA’s relief
efforts. I mean if you lose your entire home, why are you not qualified?” As for what residents would like to see under this new administration, Mr Thompson said he hopes Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis can turn the nation’s ailing economy around and also help Abaco residents get back on their feet. He said a continuation of Dorian tax breaks on building materials and additional housing assistance initiatives are needed to further assist recovery efforts on the island. “I hope ‘Brave’ Davis will realise that they need to remove duty off of buildings, vehicles, heavy equipment, people that are trying to just get started,” Mr Thompson told this newspaper. “I would love to see that dropped. I would like to see what Minnis promised us that the PLP would continue to do and maybe even improve by dropping some of the restrictions they put on us with school supplies and art supplies and all the stuff that went back up and put duty on. “I know some things are still duty free but go back to what you promised and said you will do for the Bahamian people here. Let us build back and get going and then you can start raising the duties and taxes, but right now people are still suffering and you still have people living in damn tents. “I would also like to see more communication between the local government minister and local government over here on what we can do to assist whoever needs help,” the community leader also said. Ms Williams echoed similar sentiments, agreeing that more needs to be done to help hurting residents on the storm impacted island. She also called for officials to tackle the island’s longstanding immigration problem. “I think the immigration needs to be on the ground and let’s get our Abaco back up. There’s too many (migrants) and they over number us. I want to say fifteen to one right now,” she said.
“They have to do what the PLP did to some extent, after suffering a similar defeat in 2017,” he said. “Did the PLP reinvent itself? Not really. Will the FNM redefine itself? I think it is more under pressure to do that than the PLP. In redefining itself, does it move forward or does it move in some ways backwards? “The FNM has to very quickly have a leadership team. If it’s going to have a battle over that leadership then it needs to have it and then move on. One would say that it needs to infuse itself with new, young, visionary energetic leadership. “I think that there are
such persons available in The Bahamas. I really do think that The Bahamas has a lot of people whose talents need to be called upon. Are there such persons in the FNM? Yes there are. This is a time for national brilliance. Every political organisation should be looking for that in its leadership.” Before the general election, some FNM members faced allegations over contracts, which they refuted and chalked up to PLP “mudslinging”. Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis came out and defended one of the members of Parliament, who has denied the claims, but for the most part, the
FNM remained quiet on the allegations. Touching lightly on the subject, Mr Bostwick said he hopes the allegations are untrue, as they would be a poor reflection not just on a political party, but on The Bahamas as a nation. “I would hope that the said allegations are not true,” he said. “I wouldn’t want allegations of corruption to be true about anybody who has held high office in The Bahamas, because ultimately it reflects poorly on all of us.” The FNM had an executive meeting yesterday with a council meeting set for today in an effort to decide the way forward for the party.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Memorial Services For
Minister Blythe Bailey, 64 of Bellot Road and formerly of Matthew Town, Inagua who died on Saturday, August 21, 2021 will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021, 11:00 am at Mt. Tabor Church, Willow Tree Avenue, Pinewood Gardens. Officiating will be Bishop Neil C. Ellis assisted by other ministers. Interment will follow in Southern Cemetery, Cowpen and Spikenard Roads. Left to cherish her memories are her husband: Elder Philip Benjamin Bailey; mother: Annie ‘Betsy’ Ferguson-Bowe; son: Manduwel Charlton; daughters: Alycia Bailey & Lori-Ann Bailey-Knowles; son-in-law: Dale Anthony Knowles; daughters-in-law: Nickicsia Charlton & Lateia Bailey; Grand Children Vallant Jr., Joshua & Mannisha Charlton, Nathan & Michael Bailey, Destiny & D’Shea Knowles; great grandchild: Corean Ijuma Sweeting; brothers: Carly & Kevin Ferguson, Cedric Bain, Tyrone Bain, Dawson Bain & Dexter Bain; sisters: Annette Davis, Janice McKinney, Wendy Bain, Barbara Pinder, Aldrea Bain, Lavanda Bain & Camille Bennett; sisters-inlaw: Eula Ferguson, Marcia Ferguson Princess Green, Lavern Ching-Bailey, Etheyln Wallace, Gloria Rolle, Edith Coakley, Beatrice Marshall, Bloneva Aranha, Marilyn Pinder, Keisha Aranha, Andrea Thompson; brothers-inlaw: Timothy Bailey, Joseph Aranha, Kenneth Aranha, Vernal Aranha, Anthony Aranha; uncles: Wesley Simmons, Arnold Jr., Basil & Cleveland Ferguson, Sam Basden, Keith Aranha & family; aunt: Shelia Albury; nephews: Deangelo, Edon Jr. & Coyotito Green, Carlton Ferguson Jr., Selvin & Michael Basden Kereem & Keirone Ferguson, Xavier and Trazen Ferguson, Shavar Bowe, Justin Rolle Jr., Richard Walters Jr., Tre’vian and Trevon Robinson, Andril Aranha, Julian Aranha, Christoph Ching, Duran Ching, Ryan Williams; Fredrick & Aidan Rolle; Nieces Sharnell CoxRobinson, Latisha Smith, Alexis Mortimer, Dellianna & Denise Burrows, Ajayne Ferguson, Rhea and Keely Ferguson, Sharise Winder, Lanair Marshall, Nadia, Fredricka, Alicia, Houstina & Taneisha Rolle, Albertina Cox, Ashley Delancey; cousins including but not limited to: Kevin Simmons, Kim Smith and family, Judy Simmons, Yvette Goodman, Cherise Archer, Janiece Henfield, Dirk Simmons, Todd Simmons, Corey Simmons, Wade Simmons, Morris Simmons, Alice Simmons-Davis, Janice Simmons, Irvin & Anne Simmons, Sue Simmons, Carla Bartlette, Toni Simmons, Constance & Alicia Simons, Debbie Simmons-Burrows, Jappy & Winston Albury Jr., Wesly, Craig, Ian & Kenneth Albury, Christopher Rigby, Dreka and Regina Mckenzie, Benson Rigby, Anthony Rigby, Wenty Rigby, Carolyn Albury, Denise Albury, Lisa & Marissa Albury, Winnifred Rolle, Rhonda Nixon, Bishop Tony Hanna & family, Oswald Poiter, Dwight & Jaqueline Beneby, Alphonzo Beneby, Raymond Sears Jr. Sherene, Sonia, Sharron, Shantel, Brientae Ferguson, Arnold Jr., Brandy, Trishton, Annell, Anitisha, Kanndria, Bianka, Lanthia, Jantal, Sharilez & John Ferguson, Lisa, Annika, Larana, & Sean Ferguson, Michael R. Symmonette, Rose-Mary Bailey-Thompson, Hayden Adderley, Carmen Adderley Bostwick, Rhoda Adderley, John E. A. Adderley and Susane Adderley; numerous friends & extended family: Bishop Neil C. Ellis & Lady Patrice Ellis, Dr. Cindy Trimm, Apostles Ed & Lee Watson, Apostle Gail McKinney-Johnson, Pastor Stephanie Chisolm, Pastor John Darville, Pastor Dorothy Walker, Apostle Phalmon & Elder Ferguson, Bishop E. Randy Fraser, Elder Jaqueline Fraser, Pastor Leroy Major & Family; Minister Hyacinth Fletcher, Minister Melonie Huyler, Minister Sabrina Woodside, Minister Chryslee Rolle, Ministers Johnny & Flojoe Pierre; Kermit & Elvina Bastian, Dr. Marcella Elliot-Ferguson, Karen Curtis, Ted & Gloria Thompson, Patrick Ward, Kevin Hudson, Sanchez Brooks, Tina Malcom, Linda Basden, Antonia Moss, Caron Moss, Silvia Rolle, Carmetta Burns, Dale Knowles Sr. & Family, Mildred Maurice, Deanne Huyler, Mary Johnson (Mademoiselle), Ms. Rolle (Dress-maker), Bethel Family, Mount Tabor Church, United Faith Ministries International, Trinity City of Praise, Antioch Native Baptist Church, Pilgrim Baptist Temple, Nassau Underwriters Insurance Agency (NUA); numerous members of The Clergy. Viewing will be held at Mt. Tabor Church, Willow Tree Avenue, Pinewood Gardens on (TODAY) Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and again in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street, Nassau, Bahamas.
Police Sgt.815 Nathaniel Alexander Thomas Bailey, 37 of Marshall Road who died Sunday, August 22, 2021 will be held on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 11:00 am at Mt. Tabor Church, Willow Tree Avenue, Pinewood Gardens. Officiating will be Bishop Neil C. Ellis assisted by other ministers. Interment will follow in Southern Cemetery, Cowpen and Spikenard Roads. Left to cherish his memories are his wife: Lateia Bailey; children: Nathan and Michael Bailey; father: Philip Benjamin Bailey; siblings: Alycia Bailey, Lori Ann Bailey-Knowles (Dale Knowles), Vallant Charlton (Nickisia Bethell-Charlton); grandmother: Annie ‘Betsy’ Ferguson-Bowe; nieces and nephews: D’Shae & Destiny Knowles; Mannisha, Joshua, Vallant Chartlon Jr., Lauren and Lenae Bullard; grand nephew: Corean Sweeting; mother-in-law: Margetta Bullard; brother-inlaw: Lavardo Bullard (Sherrell Bullard); aunts and uncles: Janice McKinney, Barbara Pinder, Camille Bennett, Edith Coakley, Lavern Ching-Bailey, Arnette Bowe, Princess Greene, Ethleyn Wallace, Gloria Rolle, Beatrice Marshall, Arnette Davis, Andrea Thompson, Barbara & Marilyn Pinder, Cedric, Tyrone, Dawson, Wendy, Lavanda, Aldrea & Dexter Bain, Carly, Eula, Marcia & Kevin Ferguson, Bloneva, Joseph, Kenneth, Vernal Keisha & Anthony Aranha; Yvone, Caroline, Nathalie, George & Timothy Bailey; grand aunts and uncles: Wesley Simmons, Arnold Jr. Cleveland and Basil Ferugson, Sam Basden, Keith Aranha and Sheila Albury; godchildren: Yari Deveaux, Javyn Higgs and Joshua Armbrister; cousins including but not limited to: Deangelo, Edon Jr. & Coyotito Green, Carlton Ferguson Jr., Selvin & Michael Basden Kereem & Keirone Ferguson, Xavier and Trazen Ferguson, Shavar Bowe, Justin Rolle Jr., Richard Walters Jr., Tre’vian and Trevon Robinson, Andril Aranha, Julian Aranha, Christopher Ching, Duran Ching, Ryan Williams, Fredrick & Aidan Rolle, Sharnell Cox-Robinson, Latisha Smith, Alexis Mortimer, Dellianna & Denise Burrows, Ajayne Ferguson, Rhea and Keely Ferguson, Sharise Winder, Lanair Marshall, Nadia, Fredricka, Alicia, Houstina & Taneisha Rolle, Albertina Cox, Ashley Delancey, Loran Bailey and Family and Tamecia Bailey; numerous other family members and friends including but not limited to: Frederick and Cora McPhee & Family, Rayvan Mason and Family, Rhon Adderly and Family, Lynden Sands and Family, Petey Brice and Family, Dale “Andrew” Knowles and Chanda Swan, James Percentie, Durand Johnson, Jason Higgs & Family, Mark Clarke, Lavardo Neely, Pastor Leroy Major and Family, Jay Sargent and Family, Bahamas Youth Orchestra Family, Roots Junkanoo Group, Royal Bahamas Police Force Band Division, New Bethlehem Baptist Church family, Pilgrim Baptist Church Family, Soulful Groovers and The Sky Juice Band. Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on (TODAY) Wednesday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
THE TRIBUNE
WILSON HOPING FOR BETTER COMMUNICATION WITH NEW MINISTER By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said her union hopes for better communication, clearer COVID-19 safety guidelines and a conclusion to negotiations over an industrial agreement with the new administration. She spoke to The Tribune the day after new Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin was sworn in. Mrs Wilson said the two women communicated briefly this week and the union president is now awaiting a meeting with her to discuss the way forward. “High on the BUT’s agenda is how communication is going to be improved and the BUT? What is the plan for education reform (in) 2021 and beyond? How will the challenges faced by thousands of students because of the inadequate and inoperable virtual platform be corrected to ensure our students get access to quality education,” she said. “What is the health and safety plan for the 171 schools from Grand Bahama to Iguana in this COVID environment? When will the remainder of the new teachers be hired for this school year 2021? The breaches and the violations of the industrial agreement by the Ministry of Education officials must
THE BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president, Belinda Wilson, pictured previously. be addressed. Resolutions the imagination is this list for the outstanding human exhausted, but we commit resource matters such as as an important stakeconfirmation and promo- holder to partner with the tions must be found. When Ministry of Education. But will we resume and com- be assured, we are a union plete negotiations for a and we will represent and new industrial agreement defend the rights of our for our 3,000 plus members members.” throughout the CommonMrs Wilson congratuwealth of Bahamas? lated Ms Hanna Martin on “Although I stated these her appointment and said matters that are high on the the union looks forward to Bahamas Union of Teach- “a new day” in education ers’ agenda by no stretch of and working with her.
DAVIS: MORE WOMEN WILL BE APPOINTED By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis confirmed that more women ministerial appointments will come once his Cabinet is fully constituted today.
The remaining ministers are expected to be sworn in during a ceremony at 10am. So far, Englerston MPelect Glenys Hanna Martin has been the only woman to receive a Cabinet portfolio. She was sworn in as Minister of Education, Technical and Vocational Training
on Monday. “In respect to my Cabinet, hopefully we’ll have them all finished tomorrow,” Mr Davis said yesterday following a tour of the conditions at Princess Margaret Hospital. Asked if this meant more women at the Cabinet table, Mr Davis said: “Certainly.”
COVID CASES CONTINUE TO DROP By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE country continued its downward trend in infections on Monday after only 39 new COVID cases were recorded, bringing the nation’s overall tally to 20,288 since the start of the pandemic. According to data released by the Ministry of Health yesterday, 28 of those cases were in New Providence, 10 in Grand Bahama and one in Exuma. Active COVID cases now stand at 1,623. The day before saw only 34 new infections confirmed. The latest figures represent some of the lowest numbers reported since June. Health officials were unable to speak on the nation’s declining COVID numbers when contacted for comment yesterday. However, in a statement last week, the Ministry of Health acknowledged there has been a notable decrease in infections over the last several weeks, which they expect to be followed by a decline in the hospitalisation rate.
At the time, the ministry highlighted a graph that shows COVID-19 cases began to plateau during the first two weeks of August. “It is noteworthy to mention that for the next four weeks or four reporting cycles, there was a decrease in the number of cases,” the ministry said. “This result has been the effect of the aggressive vaccination campaign implemented by the government. It was previously predicted that once a reasonable percentage of citizens and residents become vaccinated, such a result would be experienced. “Even though there is a decrease in COVID19 cases, hospitalisations continue to increase. It is expected that as the COVID-19 cases continue to decrease, there will be a decline in the hospitalisations reported. The Bahamas experienced a peak of 40 deaths during the week of August 22. As the cases continue to decrease, it is also expected that the number of deaths will decrease,” the Ministry of Health said. In terms of virus-related deaths, health officials said
512 people have now died from the virus. This comes after two New Providence women, aged 70 and 73, were added to the nation’s death toll for Monday’s data. The Ministry of Health said the 73-year-old died on September 9, while the 70-year-old died on September 20. Meanwhile, there are 165 hospitalised cases, 21 of whom are in the intensive care unit. Despite the declining numbers, health officials have warned that cases could increase in the days ahead as a result of recent election activities. Bahamians are therefore urged to remain on guard. To contain the spread of COVID-19, residents are reminded of the following: if you have symptoms, contact your health provider; while home remedies may work for a period it is important to get tested and receive the proper care before symptoms become too difficult to manage; if you have been asked by the Surveillance Unit to get tested for COVID-19, please follow the advice and take the gold standard RT-PCR test.
GEORGE SMITH IN HOSPITAL AFTER FALLING ILL WHILE CAMPAIGNING FORMER Exuma MP George Smith is in hospital after falling ill while campaigning for the Progressive Liberal Party last week. Mr Smith released a statement yesterday in response to concerns about his well-being. The former Pindling-era Cabinet minister said he was in Exuma early last week campaigning for Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who represents the area, when he became ill. “After visiting friends and voters on Monday and
Tuesday, I became quite ill,” Mr Smith said. “I had planned to visit the Exuma Cays on Wednesday and spend the night at Black Point. My friend, Daniel Strachan, became concerned for the safety of my health and took me to the hospital in Georgetown where I was attended by the attending physician Dr Lakeisha Pinder. Dr Pinder considered it best that I should be airlifted to Nassau for treatment at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
“The caring doctors, nurses and support staff at the Princess Margaret Hospital provided excellent, attentive and very kind treatment. May God continue to bless and care for them as they care for all our people. “I am also most grateful for the concern and affection I received from family and friends. May God richly bless them all.” Mr Smith said he is “on the mend” and looking forward to a trip to Exuma to celebrate the PLP’s victory.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, September 22, 2021, PAGE 5
Just dismal - Brave’s verdict after PMH tour from page one While there were only 39 cases reported in the country as of Monday, there have been 20,288 COVID19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Five hundred and twelve deaths have been recorded, with two new fatalities recorded on September 9 and September 20. The victims were ages 73 and 70. PMH continues to bear the brunt of the stressinduced by COVID-19, including at the morgue where over 320 bodies are being stored. Mr Davis said there were some glaring issues highlighted during his first tour of PM as prime minister and after discussions with doctors and nurses who’ve been fighting on the front lines. “First of all we are in a health crisis and, of course, no doubt an economic crisis and until such time as we get the health crisis under control and have the right path towards a proper and effective fight against the virus we will not be able to get our economic situation under control,” Mr Davis said yesterday after touring PMH. Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville as well as Public Hospitals Authority and PMH officials took part in the tour. “So, today I’ve come here because I realise and appreciate what needs to be done from the outside,” Mr Davis said. “I am now on the inside
and ensuring that I have a full picture of what is happening. What I can say is that having spoken with Dr Dahl-Regis, (Vaccine Consultative Committee chairperson) on Friday right after my swearing-in because as I indicated that was the first challenge. “There is some urgency of getting this virus under control so I met with Dr Dahl-Regis on Friday. I met with the doctors and nurses today along with the Minister of Health (Michael Darville) and we’ve gotten a picture from their perspective of what is happening in this fight against the virus. It’s bleak.” Asked his impression of PMH, he said: “The healthcare system is a high priority for us. At the moment the system is such that it has been overwhelmed by COVID cases and that has to be addressed first to determine exactly what we do. “I have to sit down now with my minister of health and we’ll craft a way forward and in the immediate term, we’ll have some shortterm solutions to what we see here. “It is accepted by all that the state of the hospital is dismal and we need to address that.” While he could not say what would be done in the immediate term, insisting there was a need to gather more information, Mr Davis said the next 100 days in office for his government would have two main focuses.
“First thing you are going to see is an aggressive fight against the virus and that’s what we’re doing now and the first step is what we’re doing today. “(The) second step we will then address the economic issues that face our people and we’re now going to be aggressively looking at the state of our finances to determine what we can do with what we find and we will let the Bahamian public know what we have found.” Mr Davis’ tour also took a look at ongoing construction at PMH. He said from what contractors have said, the completion timeline is unacceptable. “From what I am hearing from the contractor because of the number of cases of COVID virus that’s impacted even the care of the ordinary ill patient. It has disrupted the manner in which they could proceed with their work and so they’re working at night and intermittently so as to accommodate the hospital providing services to people who need it and that has impacted the timeline for their finishing. “They did indicate that if it continues this way the work could continue well into the 2023 and we were just saying that’s not an acceptable time, but I understand the factors that has interrupted the work and has caused the work to be extended and I think we will sit down to see how they can work around all those issues,” Mr Davis said.
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis tours Princess Margaret Hospital led by chief hospital administrator Mary Walker. Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
BEACH CLEAN-UP HELD IN GB By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net ALTHOUGH students did not participate in this year’s 36th International Coastal Cleanup on Grand Bahama, volunteers from civic organisations turned out in full force to clean beaches around the island. The initiative is the largest single-day cleanup effort to remove trash and debris from oceans, beaches, lakes, and rivers. This year’s theme was “Harnessing the Power of People to Fight Ocean Trash.” Eight locations were identified for cleanup on Saturday, September 18, from 8am to 10am. Organisations that participated were the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama, The Lion Clubs, Waterkeepers Bahamas, Kiwanis Clubs, West End Community Action Network (WECAN), Pilot Club of Freeport and Lucaya, Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Psi Phi, Sigma Gamma Rho, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Phi Beta, Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Harmony Lodge and Pride of Grand Bahama #7. Trash and debris were collected and documented from Gold Rock Beach, Barbary Beach, Fortune Beach, Taino Beach, Williams Town Beach, Xanadu Beach, Lover’s Beach, and Bootle Bay Beach. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was no participation from schools in Grand Bahama this year. A Ministry of Tourism and Aviation official in Freeport said the initiative promotes a cleaner island. “We want to make Grand Bahama a cleaner island and a healthier place, and that can only happen if we take part in programmes that offer public recognition
and financial incentives in exchange for implementing environmentally beneficial actions and improving the quality of life,” said Steven Johnson, general manager of MOTA Grand Bahama. Grand Bahama’s volunteers collected nearly 3,000 pounds of trash in 2018. ICC is observed on the third Saturday of September each year when hundreds of thousands of volunteers from around the world go out for a few hours to remove trash and debris from beaches, lakes, and rivers, and keep track of every piece of trash they find. Ocean Conservancy uses the information to produce an annual snapshot of the marine debris problem. According to reports, over the past 34 years, more than 8.5 million volunteers
have removed 200 million pounds of trash from nearly 300,000 miles of coastline and waterways in 152 countries and locations. With so many volunteers worldwide, ICC has become a beacon of hope, leading and inspiring action to support the world’s oceans. And since its inception, over 16 million volunteers have collected more than 340 million pounds of trash, which threatens ocean wildlife and ecosystems and undermines tourism and its economic activities. Over the last 36 years, Ocean Conservancy beach cleanup volunteers have collected enough cups, plates, forks, knives, and spoons to host a picnic for 2.5 million people. The millions of pounds of trash collected would cover about 170 football fields.
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis visits a COVID patient area at Princess Margaret Hospital.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, September 22, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
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The public rejected Dr Minnis and it’s time to go FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has reached the end of the road as FNM leader – the only question now is when he will leave the post. No matter how you look at the election results, they represented an overwhelming rejection of Dr Minnis and his platform. It doesn’t matter if it was because people stayed home, it doesn’t matter if it was because people switched their vote – the simple fact is that they did not choose Dr Minnis, who lost an election he didn’t have to call so early by a landslide. Whatever internal polling he put his faith in was sorely misguided. The simple matter is that Dr Minnis asked the people to return him to office, and the people said no. Had he won, he had already said the new term would have been his last as leader, as he intended to push legislation to limit a Prime Minister to two terms. So he was expecting to step down at the end of this new term – it just turns out we already have a term limit for Prime Ministers called the public vote. With his platform rejected, it’s time to step aside and pass the FNM’s torch to a new leader. Dr Minnis would like to continue leading the FNM in the House of Assembly until a new leader is chosen. Other voices, including reportedly potential successor Michael Pintard, want him to go before that. Both sides have a point. The best thing Dr Minnis can do as a final action is ensure a smooth transition. The worst thing he can do is serve as a lame duck leader with no authority to call the new government to account. The first 100 days in office are often a flurry of new initiatives, laying out the agenda of the new government and beginning the process of legislating those changes. The Leader of the Opposition should be in place to argue against such changes when they would be for the worse, and to help serve as a check against decisions that are unwise or which do not serve the people’s interest. That person should ideally be someone looking to the future, not in the process of making a transition from the past.
There is always the possibility of course that Dr Minnis might run for leader again at convention, reinforced by serving as party leader in the House in the meanwhile. That would be a mistake. The public has spoken, and loudly. Dr Minnis should accept that. So far, there is no timeline for a convention for the FNM. That should be done quickly. The party needs clarity so that it knows its direction, and so it can provide strong opposition in Parliament. The time has come for a change. What the FNM needs to do now is get on with it.
Hospital tour
What new Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis had to say after his tour of Princess Margaret Hospital yesterday should not come as a surprise. He described the hospital as “dismal”, and described the construction timeline at the hospital as unacceptable. Getting to know the reasons for the hospital’s problems is an important part of settling into the new job, but we all know one of the problems facing our healthcare system – COVID-19. Construction has been delayed because of the number of COVID cases disrupting the contractor’s work. Meanwhile, the staff at the hospital are overwhelmed by the number of cases they are dealing with, while the morgue has more than 320 bodies stored there at present. In this column, we have talked about how the hospital has been overwhelmed – and how we need to do all we can to drive down the number of cases to help our healthcare staff. Mr Davis said that after talking to staff “we’ve gotten a picture from their perspective of what is happening in this fight against the virus. It’s bleak.” We look forward to seeing what Mr Davis intends to do to remedy the situation, what resources he intends to make available to our healthcare system, and how he intends to press home the messages on vaccination and how to prevent the spread of the virus. The situation is indeed bleak already. We cannot afford to let it get any worse.
What next after vote? EDITOR, The Tribune. POST election analysis for the FNM has tone soul searching, but essentially unbiased as faults there were there which did not start now, but were long established almost to the beginning of the administration in 2017… like Christie seen two years out. Arrogance… if any aspiring politician elected now or thinking about it you better learn Bahamian don’t go for arrogant politicians… look back at the ends of past PM’s careers… all ended up with a political spanking kicked right out of office. Reason their arrogance. Remain humble… never promise when you know it is impossible to deliver, you will forever regret that… constantly test what your constituents needs are and try your best for them… watch over the elderly and sick… utmost importance treat everyone as you would like to be treated.
The spin doctors… remember when hurricane comes it hits your house, mine and everyone else, it doesn’t make any difference who you support. We have enormous fiscal issues simply bad housekeeping for 20 years and now almost an unserviceable debt… by 2023 I believe we have to find $1.23b. Whatever employment you are in, excel, give excellent service be proud and make sure your clients/customers are happy and satisfied that they are receiving value, although we are not low end. Let’s finally stop thinking all we do is world famous and internationally renowned before we even launch the idea…we must earn the reward and recognition…controversial is Junkanoo really something the tourists really want? I honestly believe if we want it to be it has to be merchandised and marketed – look at the current route? Route has too must allow for at least
3-4,000 more spectators. How many Caucasian faces do you see on Bay Street for the parades - if you are honest very very few. Souvenirs… a massive emphasis has to be put on import substitution… handicraft has to be taught in schools and encouraged then co-operatives set-up. Let’s forget the cruise visitor we need to up our stay over to an average of four – five even six-day stay… remember we sat at 1.2m stay overs for 15 years was only with opening of Baha Mar that changed. COVID has shown how fragile cruise business is. Look at how few come off the ships – the majority of ships port in Nassau the last port or last but one - pockets empty! Let’s be one… election over till the next one and that’s five years away… together we can, but apart we will seriously fall. MARCIA SCOTT Nassau, September 18, 2021.
The coming national crisis EDITOR, The Tribune.
THERE is a monumental crisis looming in The Bahamas. On November 19, 2019, the Government announced plans to digitize all its departments. This entails scanning all documents and putting them into a digital format so that they may be accessed online. While this is commendable, the Government has chosen to remove existing paper documents from the public sector following the digitisation process. Once this occurs we will be completely digital, relying on electricity to operate every Government Department. The problem with this should be self evident. In the event of a cyber attack on BPL which shuts down the electric grid in the Bahamas, not only BPL is affected but every Government department will be rendered useless until such an attacker’s demands are met. It matters not at all that there are back-up systems to protect the digitized information if that back-up is also dependent on electricity. Once electricity is lost, Bahamians will not be able to run their own country. It is paramount that we avoid such an event at all costs. The second problem concerns the integrity of any such system. While the Government must have made provision to secure the digital information by some back-up process, any fraudulent tampering with documents is left solely to public service personnel to
sounds astonishingly similar to an American programme called PROMIS that allowed the US Governletters@tribunemedia.net ment as early as the 1980s discover. The general public to follow all its prosecution loses in the new system cases no matter the operatthe ability to question the ing system being used. This integrity of what is claimed system, however, is known to be recorded. In the cur- to have been hijacked by a rent system, the fact that certain other country who the Government must make put a back door into it and the originals available to the began to sell it to governpublic for inspection pro- ments around the world. This allows that country tects against internal fraud. Any change, alteration or to enter the system, modify deletion to a paper docu- the information at will and ment is easily detected, but leave without being detected. where the only document Imagine what happens to the public has is digital and it your land registry system can be modified by high tech if it can be modified by a programmes, the opportu- foreign power without the nity for fraud is increased knowledge of the host country? Imagine the damage it exponentially. This seems such an aston- would do to our court system ishingly bad decision that if it were allowed to be the we have to ask what might system which we used. Why motivate an honest govern- compound that problem, ment to choose to shred whatever it is, by removing original public documents any ability on the part of so as to make public fraud your own people to remedy more difficult to detect? the situation by shredding Surely the Government the paper back-up? Making matters worse, is must know that once prospective land purchasers the fact that the company lose confidence in the integ- installing this programme rity of the system, the land is foreign. There is no way prices in the Bahamas must to fully vet these people or plummet and with it will fall control the national security information they have the quality of life for many. On 14th January, 2021, once they have completed the Ministry of Finance their work and left the counpublished on its Facebook try. Whatever Government page that it would be dig- takes control of the country itising the courts. The on the September 17th, they Government boasted that must revisit this decision and the new Integrated Case make the necessary changes Management System would to protect our nation. allow inter-alias court officCONCERNED IN ers to manage all aspects in THE BAHAMAS the life cycle of a case via Nassau, an electronic scheduling September 18, 2021. feature. This programme
LETTERS
Please help, Mr Davis EDITOR, The Tribune. For the attention of: Hon Phillip E Davis, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and Hon Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness Dear Mr Prime Minister, It is with great distress that I write the letter, I congratulate the Hon Prime Minister and his team on their win at the polls, as I watch Mr Davis give his speech, I was impressed with his humility, compassion, and empathy for others, especially, the most vulnerable. I have never meet Mr Davis, but I have often heard people speak of him, and they always say he is a nice man, he helps people, he is a compassionate man. I hope then that you can assist me and those affected and move and rectify our plight swiftly. I am a cancer patient, I have been attending the PMH Oncology Clinic for a
while now, I have stage four cancer. There isn’t much the doctors can do as there is no cure for my situation, but I am thankful that they are doing the best they can to extend the time I have left for as long as they can. My problem is that I am unemployed, I must get my chemo regularly, it is the only thing except for God that is keeping me alive. There is a lady at the oncology business office that is very hard and uncompassionate when dealing with persons such as myself. The other day I went to get some much-needed medication, she gave me a bill of how much it cost, I did not have all the funds, but I gave her everything I had on me, and she still refused to allow me to get my meds, she said I would have to come back when I had sufficient funds. My God, what are persons like me to do. I have seen others, leave crying because they did not have the funds to get their chemo, even though the nurses tried to
intervene and pleaded with her. I do not know her name, but I feel she is on the wrong job and in the wrong ministry. I don’t have a problem paying my bill, God knows I wish my circumstances were different because it is rather embarrassing when you go to get treatment and it is refused because you do not have the funds to pay. I have seen many patients stop coming because of this and even though they know that cancer will only continue to spread without treatment, but they are left without a choice. What can you do when you do not have the funds to pay? Mr Prime Minister, I am writing you to have you investigate this situation and rectify it as soon as possible. You said that you are here to look out for the poor and middle class. Well, this is one area we need you now. Please come to our rescue. SICK AND STRESSED Nassau, September 21, 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, September 22, 2021, PAGE 7
MAN WHO TOOK FOOD AND CASH ‘WHEN HUNGRY’ SENT TO JAIL By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
AN Andros man who admitted breaking into several businesses on the island to steal cash and food because he said he was hungry and thirsty was yesterday sentenced to two years in prison. While on his shop breaking spree, the accused also stole liquor and cigarettes. Police arrested Ringle Gaitor after he broke into a South Andros service station and stole $100 in cash and an assortment of goods, sometime between June 11 and 12. The prosecution said the owner of the gas station told police that someone had stolen cash from his register and over $1,000 worth of food items, including juice and meat after entering the service station’s rear door and pulling on the burglar bars. Police said Gaitor also broke into a South Andros liquor store to steal $37 in coins and $239 worth of inventory between May 28 and June 2. Inspector Timothy Bain said the complainant, James Smith, told police that the accused kicked into the side door of his liquor store to steal several alcoholic beverages. During his hearing before Magistrate Samuel
McKinney, Gaitor pleaded guilty. He also admitted breaking into Tia’s Delight and stealing $270 and unlawfully entering another bar and stealing $300 cash and $20 worth of cigarettes in late June. The court was told that Gaitor also kicked in the side door of that restaurant before going in and stealing the cash and a half loaf of Guava duff. The prosecution said when the liquor store owner inspected his establishment, he also found the windows had been pried open and several liquor bottles and cigarettes had been taken from his bar. Gaitor’s shopbreaking and stealing spree ended on September 11 when he was cautioned and arrested by officers near the island’s airport. When he was questioned in custody, the accused owned up to all of the offences and said he broke into the various establishments because he was hungry and thirsty. When given an opportunity to speak yesterday, Gaitor declined to comment. As a result, Magistrate McKinney accepted his guilty pleas and sentenced him to two years in prison for the shop breaking offences and nine months on remand for stealing. He said all of the sentences would run concurrently.
CASHIER ‘TOLD POLICE OF HER PART IN $500K SCAM’ By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net ONE of four cashiers accused of collectively stealing nearly $500,000 from their employer over a two-year period admitted being a part of the scam when her home was searched by police, a court was told. In 2018, Anthonique Bowleg, Alice Murphy, Bradlisha Bullard and Shalesia Bannister were charged with several fraud related offences concerning $495,325.57 they were accused of stealing from Battery and Tyre Specialists from as far back as 2016. Prosecutors alleged that Bannister and Bowleg purchased numerous items, such as Michael Kors watches, multiple flat screen televisions as well as jewellery from the David Yurman collection with the money they allegedly obtained illegally. They said Bowleg stole $111,498.55 by reason of her employment between April 2017 and March 2018 and laundered this money between those dates. Bowleg is also alleged to have used money that represented the proceeds of her criminal activities to purchase Michael Kors watches, a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses, a Gucci backpack, a Gucci luggage bag and a 42-inch flat screen television, intending to conceal or disguise those items. When the women appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain three years ago, they denied the allegations. As a result, the matter was adjourned and transferred to Magistrate Samuel McKinney for trial. Yesterday when
Corporal 3854 Verance gave evidence, she said she went to Battery and Tyre around 4.30pm on the day in question to take the women into custody. She said when she arrived, she searched all of the accused’s vehicles and found $1,315 in Bannister’s car. Cpl Verance said the next day she obtained a warrant and searched the defendants’ homes. The court heard nothing was found in Murphy’s home; however, officers found a Michael Kors handbag, luggage, an assortment of jewellery pieces and a large television at Bowleg’s residence. The officer also said they found $1,338, two 64-inch televisions and a number of luxury jewellery pieces in Bannister’s home. “After finding these items, Bannister stated she did not want to waste the police’s time and she did in fact steal funds from her employer Battery and Tyre Specialists,” PC Verance said. “Bullard was also present during the search of her home. It was discovered she was the owner of a Hyundai truck she claimed ‘a friend helped her purchase.’ Battery & Tyre manager Darren McCartney was the second witness to take the stand. During his testimony, he said another manager brought some discrepancies to his attention at the time of the incident. He said the two of them then “pulled data” from their points of sales system and “ran some surveillance footage” based on their findings. Mr McCartney said the footage concerned all of the accused as well as items listed as returned in their system that weren’t present in their inventory. The case continues today.
ASSAULT ACCUSED GRANTED BAIL By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN who denied assaulting another man was yesterday granted bail before his trial. Anthony Rolle was arrested after he was accused of assaulting Deangelo Stuart on September 11. During his arraignment before Magistrate Algernon
Allen, Jr, he denied the allegation and the case was adjourned to October 15 for trial. Rolle was granted $1,000 bail until that time. As part of the conditions of his release, he is not allowed to have any contact with any witnesses in the matter. If he does, he can risk being remanded to prison until his case has been completed.
THE BMCC 2020-2021 graduating class.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN THANKED FOR SPONSORSHIP THE national coordinator of a programme that has turned out more than 2,000 participants today thanked Royal Caribbean Group for its new sponsorship which adds a hands-ondeck aspect that he described as a potential “game-changer that will make a difference in hundreds of Bahamian lives”. Clayton Curtis, national coordinator of the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC), the youth training arm of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, praised the cruise company for its support which includes scholarships for deserving cadets and making real-time experience on a ship possible for qualified graduates and some trainees. “Since 2004, more than 2,000 students in The Bahamas have participated in the programme that exposes them to different aspects of the maritime industry and even during the
pandemic, we had 110 who graduated,” said Mr Curtis. Of that number, about one in five will go on to a career at sea, seeking academic maritime scholarships and onboard experience. The programme was established to build awareness of opportunities in the maritime industry and prepare high school students for careers in the growing sector. Prior to the pandemic, classes were held after school twice a week on the campus of CR Walker High School in Nassau with cohorts in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Inagua and Eleuthera. “We have faced a dual challenge, having lost one of our primary providers of sea service and dealing with restrictions imposed because of the pandemic. It is difficult to teach the hands-on skills like how to tie knots virtually,” explained MrCurtis, “but with Royal Caribbean’s engagement, we feel like we are
writing a new chapter in the history of maritime career excitement and readiness.” The programme is highly structured. Tenth graders are taught the basics in ship types, seamanship and vessel husbandry while 11th graders add firefighting, navigation, rules of the road and practical exposure to life at sea during school breaks. In the third year, 12th graders who qualify experience life at sea and can earn international certification through an additional course conducted by Bahamas Maritime Training Institute and held at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) base. While its major support comes from the Bahamas Maritime Authority and instructors are provided by the RBDF, the popular training programme lacked onboard experience after the main provider of that experience, Campbell Shipping, was sold.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, September 22, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Still not enough but the women in Parliament have a real job to do THE general election came last week and brought many challenges with it, some of them noted by the election observers. There was not, in any of the reports thus far, enough attention on the disenfranchisement of voters. Many young people did not register to vote before the election date was announced as they were under the impression the election would be held in May 2022. People displaced from Abaco and Grand Bahama who intend to return home were unable to vote in their current islands of residence. People were locked out of this important process — one many incorrectly believe is the only opportunity for Bahamians to have a say and participate in governance. Many people did not vote because they could not be sure it would safe to do so in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially after it was announced quarantined people would be allowed to vote in person. This should not be glossed over, especially when we had the lowest voter turnout in our modern history. Voter turnout is usually around 90 percent, but this time around, it tanked to 68 percent. Contrary to what some may posit, this was not simply disinterest in choosing the lesser of two evils, but inability to vote and concerns about COVID-19. Many decided that things would go on in much the same way as before, so why risk it? As low as voter turnout was, we now have a new administration. Seven of the 39 parliamentarians are women. This is directly connected to the the Progressive Liberal Party and the Free National Movement each choosing to have seven women on their slates. Much like 2017, if the winning party had more women as candidates, we would have had a higher proportion of women in Parliament. It simply has not been made a priority, and that is to our detriment. This number, seven (out of 39), is being celebrated by some as a great feat. In 2017, 13 percent of the parliamentarians were women, so the current 18 percent is an increase over the last time. In 2002, however, parliament was 20 percent women. In 1997, it was 15 percent women. We have gone up and down, and we have yet to reach gender parity in parliament. In fact, we are still a long way off from the 30 percent target set by various regional and international mechanisms.
GINGER MOXEY MP
LISA RAHMING MP
JOBETH COLEBY-DAVIS MP
PATRICIA DEVEAUX MP
LESLIA BRICE-MILLER MP
ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin being sworn in as Minister of Education, Technical and Vocational Training on Monday. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
By Alicia Wallace In addition to the failure to reach the numbers — a result of the failure of both political parties to commit to gender equality — we had to contend with horrendous representation by two people in particular who made outrageous statements condoning violence against women. We need more women in parliament; more than that, we need proper representation by women who understand gender, care about women and are committed to the work to promote, protect and expand women’s rights. Now that we have seven women in parliament, we need to know their position on human rights issues. We
do not need women who think marital rape is a private issue. We do not need women telling anecdotes in attempts to excuse violence against women under any circumstances. We do not need women impeding progress by refusing to do their jobs and/or preventing other people from doing theirs. We do not need women who are unwilling to acknowledge all women as women and all women’s experiences as relevant and core to the work they have been elected, and in some cases appointed, to do. We need women who are going to push for the necessary amendments to the Sexual Offences Act. We need women who are
prepared to work to end violence, in all of it forms, against women. We need women who are prepared to learn about the international mechanisms that support women’s rights and which The Bahamas has ratified. We need women who will facilitate the development of a comprehensive plan for the next referendum for constitutional equality. We need women who will ensure comprehensive sexuality education is in the curriculum and taught in all schools. We need women who will push for equitable, paid parental leave. We need women who will ensure gender is mainstreamed, understood as a cross-cutting element, so that it is attended to in health, education, environment and every other sector with an accompanying budget. The seven women elected to parliament need to know their experiences are not the only experiences. They need to be prepared to
listen, learn from and act on behalf of women with disabilities, migrant women, women who are experiencing poverty, LBTQ+ women, women who are unhoused, women who have been institutionalized and women of many other backgrounds and experiences. Being one in the number is not enough. Being there and having a seat is just one step. We have not yet seen all of the appointments to Cabinet. On Monday, nine people were appointed, and there was only one woman among them. If the seven women in parliament are more than optics to the party and the new Prime Minister, several of them should be appointed to Cabinet. The case there is the same. We need all Cabinet Ministers to seek the information they do not have, listen to the advice of experts and act with the people in situations of vulnerability in mind. How will this affect women? How will this affect children? What does this decision mean for people who are unemployed? How does this help the people who need it most? We certainly must acknowledge there is a significant burden on women in leadership. They are judged harshly. When they are not deemed to be too “emotional” or “soft” they are accused of trying to be (like) men. They must not blend
PIA GLOVER-ROLLE MP in with the men nor ruffle too many feathers. When they are not expected to be invisible and silent, they are often expected to take on particular tasks and to present certain points of view. While we demand these seven women put in the work and raise the issues important to us, we must also call on the men to publicly support women in leadership. We need them to learn about the ways gender has shaped their own experiences and impacted their leadership and performance. Gender sensitivity training, human rights training, workshops on ratified conventions, need to be arranged for all of our representatives, and these sessions would certainly benefit them as they set about the people’s work. We need a government that is for the people. We need the women and men who serve as our representatives to put us first. We have, over the years, learned to have low expectations. In fact, we tend to expect the worst. We need to watch this administration, like any other, and measure it not only against its own plan, but against the overall needs of the country. Demand that it is accountable to us. Encourage the Members of Parliament and Cabinet Ministers to be communicative with the public and be effective in their work.
RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The Great British Bake Off. In this show, amateur bakers compete, week after week, in a display of impressive baking skills and instinct. Each week has a theme — like bread, pie or biscuits — and there are three challenges. First, there is the signature challenge for the bakers to use a recipe they have had the chance to practice and taste-test. Next, the technical challenge tests their ability to follow a recipe with sparse instructions and fill in the gaps with their knowledge and experience as bakers. The Showstopper challenge is the last one, and bakers must both impress the judges with fantastic presentation and deliver on the flavour. At the end of each episode, a Star Baker is selected and someone else must go home. This show is great for easy, low-investment watching. You’ll have your favourites and be sorry to see them go, but the entire show is delightful, the
judging is honest without being cruel, and while the pressure can get high, the competition does not overshadow the contestants’ love for baking. 2. Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson. Mary has gone from “baby jail” to a group home for girls who have been similar kinds of trouble. She is a black teenager still paying the price for killing a white baby, allegedly. What would be the point of fighting the system when everyone believes she did it? Mary is just trying to get by, and she is not only challenged by her circumstances, but consistently discouraged by the adults around her when she pursues her goals. She has been all but abandoned by her mother, mistreated by the people running the group home and terrorised by the other girls living in the house. Luckily, she meets two women who are determined to support her as she tries to get her life back on track.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, September 22, 2021, PAGE 9
TECHNOLOGY WILL BE EVERYWHERE IN THE CLIPPERS’ NEW HOME
TECHTALK MICHIGAN PLANS FIRST U.S. ROAD TO CHARGE ELECTRIC VEHICLES WHILE THEY’RE DRIVING
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — The design meetings have been going on for years. Technology has evolved throughout the process. Painstaking decisions were made time and time again, right down to what an inch or two difference in leg room between rows would mean or where cupholders should be affixed to the seats. Finally, Steve Ballmer and the Los Angeles Clippers are ready to build their new home. The Clippers’ long-awaited, $1.8 billion, privately funded arena officially got a name Friday — Intuit Dome, it’ll be called when it opens in 2024, the team making that announcement hours before the formal groundbreaking ceremony. The practice facility, team offices for both business and basketball operations, retail space and more will all be on the site. Ballmer, the team’s owner, simply believes it’ll be like no other building in the NBA. “Basketball mecca! Basketball palazzo!” Ballmer, in his usual excitable way, said in an interview with The Associated Press. He might be right. Every detail — from the huge two-sided halo video screen that will hover over the court, to the triple-wide escalators, to how the bathrooms will be designed to get fans back in their seats as quickly as possible — has a purpose. The halo will include 44,000 square feet of 4K LED lighting, slightly more than one full acre and roughly six times the average size of other “big” screens in NBA buildings. The roof of the dome was designed to accommodate the halo, not the other way around. Things the Clippers have seen in play at German soccer stadiums, other NBA buildings, NFL stadiums, even the Amazon Go checkout-free convenience stores all sparked various ideas that will be put into play at
LOS Angeles Clippers chairman Steve Ballmer speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony of the Intuit Dome, Friday, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu) Intuit Dome. “They’ve all led us here, to this vacant lot that we’re about to transform to the singular best place for fans and players throughout the world,” Ballmer said. The Clippers currently play at Staples Center, also the home of the Los Angeles Lakers and the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. Ballmer — who originally didn’t want to build an arena when he bought the team — wound up beginning to plot a Clippersonly home years ago and formally unveiled the project in 2019, saying then that the Clippers would break ground in 2021 and open in 2024. So far, even with a pandemic and following some legal challenges, he’s right on schedule. The Clippers often felt like tenants at Staples Center, sometimes playing 12:30 p.m. games — which they loathed — because the Lakers or Kings would be playing later that day in the same building. “We don’t want to play in anybody’s shadow,” Ballmer said. Soon, they’ll have a home of their own, built to what Ballmer says are ideal specifications for basketball and music. “Today, a construction site but tomorrow, a global destination for basketball fans, music lovers and
anyone who’s ever been moved to stand with 18,000 voices that echo as one,” Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker said. Technology will be everywhere, such as some that would allow fans to leave their seat, walk to a concession stand in the concourse, grab a beverage or snack and then — if they do as Ballmer hopes — get right back to their seat. There would be no cashier, nobody to take the order, and the customer’s account would be charged automatically. Other than the paying-for-it part, it would be akin to opening the refrigerator at home, getting a drink and going back to the couch. Even the best suites won’t have big televisions. The reason is simple: Ballmer wants fans watching the game from their seat and being part of a home-court advantage. “It’s about the game of basketball ... and we’re trying to get you back in your seat as quickly as we can,” Ballmer said. He wants them comfortable in those seats, too. The leg room — which will be a constant throughout the arena, from the lowest rows all the way to the very top — is going to far exceed the standard in most buildings.
“We treated like the upper bowl like the lower bowl,” Ballmer said. “Nobody gets a bad seat, no matter where you sit in the building.” His favourite feature: It’ll be known as The Wall. Beyond the end of the court where Clippers’ opponents will have their bench will be 51 uninterrupted rows of seats, room for about 4,700 fans, with a standing-room-only section in the middle of it all. There’s no upper or lower deck there, just row after row after row of what Ballmer hopes is a bunch of fans that, well, act like he does during games. Again, it was designed with a purpose. Acoustics experts were brought in to ensure that The Wall generates as much sound as possible. “I mean, if we’ve got to do it right, we’ve got to get the fans there activated,” Ballmer said. Put simply, one of the league’s best-known fans, and one of the world’s wealthiest men — the former Microsoft CEO is generally believed to be worth around $100 billion — may be building the coolest possible basketball hangout for himself and 18,000 of his closest friends. “That’s a very well-put statement,” Ballmer said.
BRITISH COMPUTING INVENTOR CLIVE SINCLAIR DIES AT 81 By PAN PYLAS Associated Press LONDON (AP) — Clive Sinclair, the British inventor and entrepreneur who arguably did more than anyone else to inspire a whole generation of children into a life-long passion for computers and gaming, has died. He was 81. Sinclair, who rose to prominence in the early 1980s with a series of affordable home computers that offered millions their first glimpse into the world of coding as well as the adrenaline rush of playing games on screens, died on Thursday morning after a long battle with cancer. Though ailing, his daughter Belinda Sinclair said, he was still working on inventions up until last week. “He was inventive and imaginative and for him it was exciting and an adventure, it was his passion,” she told the BBC. Born in 1940 in the plush southwest London suburb of Richmond, Sinclair left school at the age of 17 and became a technical journalist before deciding he — and the world — would be better
IN this 1977 photo, Clive Sinclair, founder of Sinclair Radionics, a New York-based firm, displays the Microvision television in New York. (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff, File) off if he used his brainpower to come up with inventions himself. Aged 22, he formed Sinclair Radionics, his first company, making mail-order radio kits, including the smallest transistor radio in the world. He really came to prominence in 1973 with the world’s first pocket calculator, before turning his sights and passions into transitioning the world of computers to the confines of the home. He became a muchbeloved figure in Britain and around the world, for
his successes — as well as occasional failures. Tributes poured in from modern-day equivalents such as Elon Musk as well as countless “normal” people who first got hooked on computers and gaming via one of Sinclair’s inventions. Sinclair launched his first affordable consumer computer in 1980, which cost less than 100 pounds ($135). The ZX80, which could subsequently be upgraded to the ZX81 with a bit more memory, may not have been sophisticated in today’s
terms, but it broke new ground, opening up a world of new opportunities. “The ZX81 was my introduction to computing and I loved it!,” the science broadcaster Prof. Brian Cox said in a tweet. In 1982 came the iconic ZX Spectrum, which was certainly a step-change from its predecessors and which would not look too out of place today. Through the 1980s, it took its place in an increasingly crowded marketplace against the likes of the Commodore 64, the first Apple computers as well as those from Atari. The Spectrum went on to become Britain’s best-selling computer. Not only did it help Sinclair become a multimillionaire, it made him a household name at a time the British economy was undergoing a radical transformation under then prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1983. “RIP, Sir Sinclair. I loved that computer,” Tesla CEO Musk said in a tweet. The benefits of the Spectrum — and its peers — were felt far and wide,
leading to a boom in companies that produced software and hardware. Not to mention the shops that were selling these home computers and all their add-ons. British business mogul Alan Sugar, who was one of the main protagonists in this new era of home technology with his company Amstrad, paid tribute to his “good friend and competitor.” “What a guy he kicked started consumer electronics in the U.K. with his amplifier kits then calculators, watches mini TV and of course the Sinclair ZX. Not to forget his quirky electric car. R.I.P Friend,” he said on Twitter. For many people, Sinclair will be best remembered for that “quirky” Sinclair C5, an ill-fated electric tricycle heralded as the future of eco-friendly transport but which turned out to be an expensive flop. “It was the ideas, the challenge, that he found exciting,” Sinclair’s daughter said. “He’d come up with an idea and say, ‘There’s no point in asking if someone wants it, because they can’t imagine it.’”
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) — Plans are underway for Michigan to construct a first in the nation segment of road that will charge electric vehicles while they’re driving, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday at the Motor Bella auto show in Pontiac. Michigan’s Department of Transportation and the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification are partnering to make a one-mile stretch of state roadway in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb counties to allow public transportation and private vehicles to charge while travelling as a part of the Inductive Vehicle Charging Pilot, according to a news release. “Michigan was home to the first mile of paved road, and now we’re paving the way for the roads of tomorrow with innovative infrastructure that will support the economy and the environment, helping us achieve our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050,” Whitmer said in the release. As electric vehicles advance, charging infrastructure has become a priority for Michigan cities that want to draw residents. The city of Saginaw got its first charging stations in September in the hope that those travelling in the east side of the state toward tourist areas in northern Michigan will stop since there is little electric vehicle infrastructure available at most destinations. The state plans to release a request for proposal on Sept. 28 to evaluate and implement the stretch of road, the release said.
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PAGE 10, Wednesday, September 22, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
US Customs and Border Protection mounted officers attempt to contain migrants as they cross the Rio Grande from Mexico, into Del Rio, Texas, on Sunday.
Photo: Felix Marquez/AP
HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF ‘HORRIFIED’ BY BORDER IMAGES WASHINGTON Associated Press
PHOTOS and video of a Border Patrol agent on horseback using his long leather reins to lash at Haitian migrants along the US-Mexico border prompted expressions of outrage Tuesday from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who sought to explain away the action a day earlier during a visit
to South Texas. Mayorkas said he was “horrified” by the images that have spread widely on social media and drawn outrage from members of Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Some of the mounted agents use their horses to forcibly move and block the migrants, seeming to herd them like animals, and taunt them in at least one instance. “Any mistreatment or
TRUDEAU WIN - BUT WITHOUT OUTRIGHT MAJORITY
Biden bets on rapid tests but they can be hard to find
TORONTO Associated Press
PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau secured victory in parliamentary elections but failed to get the majority he wanted, an outcome that threatened his Conservative rival with loss of his job after moving his party to the center and alienating its base. Trudeau bet Canadians didn’t want a Conservative government during a pandemic and voiced the concerns of Canadians who are increasingly upset with those who refuse to get vaccinated. That argument helped propel Trudeau to victory in the election Monday, and while the gamble to win a majority of seats in Parliament didn’t pay off, Trudeau leads a strong minority government that won’t be toppled by the opposition any time soon. The results nearly mirrored those of two years ago. The Liberal Party secured or was leading in158 seats — one more than it won in 2019, and 12 short of the 170 needed for a majority in the House of Commons. The Conservatives were leading or elected in 119 seats, two less than in 2019. The leftist New Democrats were leading or elected in 25, while the Bloc Québécois were poised to win 34 and the Greens were down to two. Hours after the results came in, Trudeau greeted commuters and posed for photos Tuesday morning at a subway stop in his district in Montreal — a post-election tradition for the prime minister. “I hear you when you say you just want to get back to the things you love and not worry about this pandemic or an election,” Trudeau said in his post-victory speech hours earlier.
abuse of a migrant is unacceptable,” Mayorkas said in an interview with CNN. “The pictures that I’ve observed troubled me profoundly.” Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating the incident, DHS said in a statement issued late Monday. The announcement came hours after the secretary appeared alongside Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz to
discuss U.S. efforts to clear an encampment of thousands of Haitian migrants in and around the small city of Del Rio that has emerged suddenly in recent days. Vice President Kamala Harris told reporters Tuesday that she would be discussing the situation with the DHS secretary. “What I saw depicted about those individuals on horseback treating human beings the way they were was horrible,” she said. “And I fully
support what is happening right now, which is a thorough investigation into exactly what is going on there. But human beings should never be treated that way. And I’m deeply troubled about it.” The controversy added an additional complication to an already difficult situation for the Biden administration, which is facing criticism from many allies for quickly sending Haitians back to
their troubled homeland under a public health order without giving them an opportunity to seek asylum in the United States. The disturbing videos and photos were taken in recent days in and around Del Rio and show Border Patrol agents confronting Haitians along the Rio Grande near a border bridge where thousands of migrants have gathered in recent days in hopes of entering the country.
WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Joe Biden is betting on millions more rapid, athome tests to help curb the latest deadly wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is overloading hospitals and threatening to shutter classrooms around the country. But the tests have already disappeared from pharmacy shelves in many parts of the US, and manufacturers warn it will take them weeks to ramp up production, after scaling it back amid plummeting demand over the summer. The latest shortage is another painful reminder that the US has yet to successfully manage its COVID-19 testing arsenal, let alone deploy it in the type of systematic way needed to quickly crush outbreaks in schools, workplaces and communities. Experts say encouraging signs last spring led to false confidence about the shrinking role for tests: falling case numbers, rising vaccination rates and guidance from health officials that vaccinated people could largely skip testing. Officials recently reversed that advice as cases and deaths driven by the delta variant surged anew. “For all of us, there was a combination of optimism and hubris in the June timeframe that led us believe this was over,” said Mara Aspinall, a health industry researcher at Arizona State University who has become a leading authority on COVID-19 testing supplies. Colorado’s Mesa County is among the local governments that have stopped offering rapid tests as part of their free testing programs for the general public. “We were seeing shortages in the tests across the county, so we are really prioritizing supplies for our school districts to have quick turnaround for testing, to help them if needed,” said Stefany Busch, a county spokeswoman. She noted that tests that are processed in laboratories — which take longer to give results — remain plentiful. Indeed, parts of the US testing system are faring better than during prior surges. The large commercial labs that process the majority
ANN Enderle RN attends to a COVID-19 patient in the Medical Intensive care unit at St. Luke’s Boise Medical Center in Boise, Idaho, in August. COVID-19 deaths in the US have climbed to an average of more than 1,900 a day for the first time since early March, with experts saying the virus is preying largely on a select group: 71 million unvaccinated Americans. Photo: Kyle Green/AP technology the “gold standard” of tests performed at hospitals and HHS has announced few details testing sites still report plenty of for accuracy because it can detect of the $2 billion-plan to purchase capacity. Labcorp, one of the big- even minute levels of virus in the rapid tests. For now, retail chains gest laboratory chains, said last nose. like CVS and Walgreens have But in his speech this month placed limits on how many at-home week it was delivering results for 150,000 tests daily, with the ability announcing sweeping new vaccine tests customers can buy. mandates, Biden highlighted rapid to double that number. Abbott Laboratories — the counStill, rapid tests have a clear tests, saying the government would try’s largest rapid test maker — said advantage in that they can be done purchase 280 million of them, as it is currently producing “tens of anywhere and have a 20-minute he also called on all schools to set millions” of its BinaxNOW tests turnaround time, but most school up regular testing programs. Biden per month and working to increase testing programs still rely on tests said the federal government will capacity in coming weeks. processed in labs, which return use the Defense Production Act to The New York Times recently ensure manufacturers have the raw reported that over the summer results in a day or two. In general, the US has been far materials they need to make tests. Abbott shut down one of its If those plans sound familiar, it’s factories, laid off employees more cautious about embracing rapid, at-home testing technology because they were part of Biden’s and destroyed some testing compared to countries like Britain original strategy for dealing with components. that have rolled it out widely. The COVID-19 released in January. Abbott said those decisions came A spokeswoman for the Depart- after vaccinations climbed and Food and Drug Administration has authorized only about a half- ment of Health and Human demand for testing plunged. The dozen such tests, compared with Services said the latest actions destroyed supplies had limited shelf more than 400 laboratory tests. “build on earlier initiatives” as the life and were not viable for sale in Many experts, including FDA reg- delta variant-driven surge boosts the US or for donation overseas, ulators, still consider laboratory testing demand. according to Abbott.