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Carnival cost nearly $10m L! ADS SEL PHOTO 351 002 / 502-2

EQUIPMENT FOR PMH REPAIRS TO ARRIVE BY END OF WEEK

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By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday that compressors needed to fix a malfunctioning air-conditioning unit in the $100m Critical Care Block at the Princess Margaret Hospital should be in the country by the end of the week.

Mr Christie said the airconditioning unit failed SEE PAGE SIX

• $578,342 revenue • Rise in visitors • $3m saving on 2015

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FOUR months after Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, officials from the Bahamas National Festival Commission have finally released key financial details surrounding the event, revealing the total cost was $9.8m with a government subsidy of $8.1m.

In April, BNFC Chairman Paul Major said the government would spend about $7m to host the festival.

The event attracted $1.2m in sponsorship while ticket sales and ‘other revenue’ accounted for $578,342.

Last year, the government spent $11.3m on the

inaugural festival, going over its initial budget of $9m, with the total cost of the first carnival $12.9m, with the rest covered by sponsors.

The BNFC will hold a press conference today to discuss the economic impact of Junkanoo Carnival.

However, in a statement in newspapers today, BNFC highlights reductions in total expenses and the government’s subsidy, while hailing increases in air arrivals, attendees, employment and involvement by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) throughout the country.

Referring to its impact on the tourism economy SEE PAGE SIX

MARINES ARRESTED AFTER ROW WITH POLICE OFFICER

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  TWO Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines were taken into custody over the weekend after they allegedly got into a physical argument with a Royal Bahamas Police Force officer.

The incident took place around 3am on Saturday off Village Road.

Details of the incident are still sketchy but The Tribune understands the marines were in the vicinity of Kingsway Academy

when they saw a man and a woman involved an argument. The marines attempted to intervene and take the male into custody. An argument followed between the marines and the man, who later identified himself as a police officer.

A mobile patrol unit in the area arrived at the scene and the marines were taken into custody for alleged unlawful arrest, grievous harm and assault with a deadly weapon, The Tribune understands.

SEE PAGE FIVE

PRIME Minister Perry Christie pictured during yesterday’s tour of the Baha Mar property.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

BAHA MAR BUYER ‘HAS MET’ GOVT REQUIREMENTS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

WHILE he remained tightlipped over key details concerning the shuttered Baha Mar resort – among them the identity of the shortlisted potential buyer — Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday revealed that the “huge enterprise� has met the government’s

requirements for a worldclass developer.

Mr Christie said the principals of the would-be purchaser met with the government and shared plans to expand on the existing project, but are still in negotiations with project financier Export-Import Bank of China (CEXIM). It is also still to be announced, according to Mr Christie, whether the future devel-

oper will operate the entire resort or whether it will be managed by separate brands as was the original plan with Hyatt, SLS and Rosewood.

When asked by ZNS yesterday when contractors would begin construction on the property, Mr Christie said: “Now.�

Remarking on the tireless efforts of himself, and his team, in the face of

naysayers and critics, he said: “For me, all of the correspondence, all of the efforts, all of the difficulties, all of the obstacles, are now behind us and we are looking forward now to this coming to life and Bahamians driving past and watching will see it come to life in a very meaningful way.�

SEE PAGES TWO & THREE

PM: I CAN’T FORGIVE SONGWRITER ROAD TRAFFIC DEPT DENIES PLAN FOR HIS INSULTS TO MY FAMILY TO RAISE VEHICLE LICENSING FEES

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie said yesterday that he does not think he can forgive the man who wrote an expletive-filled song about his family, which went viral on social media in August, although the singer tearful-

ly expressed contrition.

Speaking in Grand Bahama at a ceremony to award nearly $4m in contracts for upgrades to the Rand Memorial Hospital, Mr Christie urged Bahamians not to engage in “ugly politics� for “political gain� as the country nears election season.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  THE Department of Road Traffic dispelled speculation that it is planning to increase vehicle licensing fees as part of its automation project while refuting social media reports of a purported new

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

license plate design.

This comes after rumours began circulating on social media over the weekend that a new licensing system will be introduced beginning October 3, claiming drivers would have to switch over to the new plates.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2,Tuesday, September 27, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

PRIME Minister Perry Christie during his tour of Baha Mar yesterday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

JIMMY Mosko with Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 27, 2016, PAGE 3

Baha Mar buyer ‘has met’ govt requirements from page one He added: “Today for me is an extraordinary day because I must say that my team worked very, very hard, that many, many nights over many, many weeks I was battling on this when people least expected us to be able to succeed.

And so for me it’s been a tremendous rewarding experience for me.

“I really want to thank Sir Baltron Bethel and Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson who were running up and down between Beijing and here when many people thought that it was just a waste of time and their efforts were proven to be the right efforts and successful outcomes.”

Following a tour staged to mark the remobilisation of the project, he expressed optimism that the buyer’s name will be announced “shortly” and that every effort was being made to meet the government’s expectations for a phased opening before the end of the winter tourism season.

However, he acknowledged that the timeline for opening was under the remit of the future owners.

The winter season ends in March 2017.

“The Bahamas government has always expressed the view that we want it opened and we would like for every effort to be made to open before the winter season, at least one part of it, and we always said the casino hotel, the casino and the golf course at the very least,” the prime minister said.

“But that’s a matter for the owners and discussions with the owners,” he said.

“We’ve had preliminary discussions with them, we feel optimistic that they understand the interest of the Bahamas and we’re looking forward really to informed discussions with them. They are a huge enterprise world-

wide and they are going to bring plenty to the table.”

Prime Minister Perry Christie announced late last month that a deal had been reached between the government and CEXIM to remobilise the stalled resort during a nationally televised press conference.

However the Supreme Court documents relating to this agreement have been sealed, which Mr Christie has said was done at the request of CEXIM. Since his statement, no definitive timeline on construction had been given,

detailed information will be made once the Supreme Court order is unsealed.

He noted that China Construction America was in the process of resolving outstanding amounts owing its suppliers and contractors. Jimmy Mosko, who represents the resort’s largest subcontractor, attended the tour and expressed his satisfaction with the prime minister’s efforts.

Speaking on his tour, Mr Christie said: “One of the fascinating developments is that notwithstanding what they have to pay for the re-

sort, that you will find that they themselves have a vision that really includes expanding what exists here. So I am very, very happy to know that not only will we look forward to it being opened but that it will be opened in a way that will stand an excellent chance of being a landmark resort for the country.”

Mr Christie said: “What I saw in there really underscores the confidence that I had in this and I’m looking forward really to when the operators are identified and they come in to begin the process of bringing life to the

casino, to the casino hotel, and to other parts of this.”

Meanwhile, former employees with last names beginning with the letters A through F will collect outstanding payments today, those with last names beginning with the letters G through O will collect their cheques on Wednesday, and last names beginning with the letters P through Z will collect their cheques on Thursday from the Crystal Palace Training Hotel, Casino Entrance. Payment collection will take place between 7am and 7pm.

COCAINE WORTH OVER $600,000 FOUND ON FUEL TANKER OFF GRAND BAHAMA

PRISON OFFICER FACES COUR ON MARIJUANA CHARGES

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A CORRECTIONS officer will stand trial in December concerning a packet of marijuana found in his car notwithstanding that his brother assumed responsibility for the illegal drugs during an arraignment in Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Ashton Bullard, 30, was escorted into the Nassau and South Streets court complex to stand before Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing simple possession of dangerous drugs related to the September 23 discovery.

He and his 29-year-old brother Rico Bullard are alleged to have knowledge and custody of the 1.25 ounces of marijuana that was allegedly in the elder brother’s possession.

According to police reports, shortly after 10pm, officers from the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services conducted a routine search of the officer and allegedly found a quantity of marijuana in his vehicle. The police were notified and the officer was handed over to officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit, who took him

or any clarity on a possible buyer or sale price.

The Official Opposition and numerous political figures have railed against the secrecy surrounding the deal, citing mounting public distrust in the Christie-led government amid speculation over the concessions given by the government.

Yesterday Mr Christie reiterated that he could not disclose further details for legal reasons, stating only that regular updates will be provided on the progress of implementing the agreement, and that more

ASHTON Bullard arrives at court yesterday. into custody.

A day later, his younger sibling turned himself into police and claimed ownership of the drugs.

The elder brother pleaded not guilty to the charge while the younger of the Bullards pleaded guilty and was convicted accordingly.

Chief Magistrate Forbes levied a $500 fine against the younger Bullard. Failure to pay the fine will result in three months in jail.

The elder Bullard, meanwhile, was told that the prosecution will proceed with trial on December 13.

He was granted $1,500 bail with a suretor and was instructed to return on the adjourned date for trial.

He has retained Wayne Munroe, QC, to represent him against the charge.

Devard Francis appeared for the younger Bullard.

MORE than $600,000 worth of cocaine was discovered on a fuel tanker anchored off Grand Bahama on Sunday, which

resulted in the arrest of two Colombian nationals, police said.

The discovery was made

by Bahamian authorities around 4pm.

According to reports, Bahamian and US law enforcement officials, in-

clusive of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Defence Force, Bahamas Customs Department, and US counterparts, acted on information and conducted a search of the vessel anchored off Pinder’s Point.

During a search, a large

quantity of suspected cocaine worth $625,000 was found on board. Two Colombian men were taken into custody and are expected to be formally charged in connection with the matter.

Investigations are continuing.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 27, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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George Smith owes PAC an apology - PLP should lift the roadblocks FORMER Cabinet Minister George Smith was quick earlier this year to condemn the Public Accounts Committee for dereliction of its duties, branding it as the worst committee he had ever seen.

Not only had it “failed miserably”, he said, but it was “impotent”.

Mr Smith knows better. He was once again up to his party’s well honed tricks of under-the-table politics. He knows that the Public Accounts Committee — no matter how powerful — can only function if it has the cooperation of the various government agencies that should willingly submit their accounts for scrutiny. Failure to do so only invites raised eyebrows — not the raised brows of George Smith, but the raised eyebrows of solid citizens, who want to be satisfied that their money has been honestly spent.

Bahamians have had alarming reports of monies missing from various government departments, yet no one in the PLP government seems to understand that this can only happen when government refuses to allow the Public Accounts Committee to function.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is the only parliamentary committee that is controlled by the Opposition.

Its function is to be the official watchdog of the Public Purse. The committee is appointed at the beginning of each session of parliament. “The main function of this Committee,” says Erskine May’s Parliamentary Practice, “is to make sure that the parliamentary grants for each financial year, including supplementary grants, have been applied to the object which Parliament prescribed, and to consider the matters brought to the notice of Parliament in the reports made by the Comptroller and Auditor General as a result of his audit.” This committee was appointed for the first time in England in 1861.

The committee can also send for papers and subpoena whomever it wants to assist in its investigations.

Obviously, Mays, in his drafting did not anticipate a government such as the PLP that would throw every road block possible in the path of this committee to prevent its functioning. And then to have politicians — who have been around long enough to know the truth – deliberately distort that truth for their own political ends.

In an interview with a Tribune reporter in April this year, George Smith said that if the public is to judge the FNM by the PAC’s track record over the last four years, they would see the FNM as a “failure” and incapable of governing this country. Not so. If the public knew the truth behind this committee’s inability — not unwillingness — to function, it would demand an immediate election, vote this government out and have a proper inquest into this country’s finances.

In February this year, PAC chairman Hubert Chipman asked government to

provide information into the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI). Mr Chipman said that at that point his committee had not had “one iota” of information. He asked House Speaker Dr Kendal Major to assist his committee. He complained that he had written various government ministers – among them Deputy Prime Minister “Brave” Davis, and Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray – but up to the time of his complaint not one of them had even acknowledged the committee’s request.

If government refuses to cooperate, complained Mr Chipman, the PAC is left “to search for a needle in a haystack.”

And George Smith feigns surprise? What hypocrisy - hypocrisy because he knows the truth.

Mr Smith then goes on to boast to our reporter: “I am surprised that the present Public Accounts Committee has appeared to be impotent in discharging the responsibilities of the nation and there ought to be no excuses for that.

“The Public Accounts Committee during my tenure in the House of Assembly and many of those committees over the years did the work and did so assiduously and the public was generally satisfied with their performance.

“If the goal is to investigate these things and if the end result is if they can have an impact on the performance of the government and the public concludes that those are reasons to withdraw support from the government of the day, the PAC can take credit for it.

“Their role is to investigate and to make recommendations. Then the consequence of that may be on the continuity of a particular party in government, but their objective must not be seen to be purely intended to overthrow the government. That would mean that they are then concentrating on an objective that is not supported by what their mandate really is.”

The only reason that the PAC committee, under the PLP could function efficiently was because an FNM government, under Hubert Ingraham, respected the role of the committee and cooperated with its requests. The Ingraham government didn’t stop to investigate the motives of the committee - whether it was sincerely doing its job to project the people’s finances, or whether it was looking for a lever to oust his government. In other words, unlike Mr Chipman’s PAC under the Christie government, as long as the Ingraham government was in power the PLP-headed PAC was never left to “look for a needle in a haystack.” It was allowed to function.

Mr Smith knows the truth. Not only does he owe Mr Chipman and his committee an apology for his untruths, but this government should be soundly condemned for all the road blocks that it has put in this committee’s path to prevent its functioning.

Reform for whose profit?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

LETTERS

WITH the Labour Department’s shocking release of proposed changes to the labour laws of The Bahamas, it is really tough to see where the unions end and the Labour Department begins: they seem to be one and the same! The unions dictate the show and the Labour Department asks: “How high do you want us to jump?”

Many are asking: are these so-called law “reforms” really to stop an ‘evil business community’ from taking advantage of poor workers? Union people in so-called “service to workers” say so. Well, in fact, when I read the proposal, it was surprising to see who is positioned to reap the benefits. Here are some facts many people don’t know.

(1) In the new draft laws union bosses are seeking to extend their time in office.

If the laws pass through, no longer will they only spend three years in office. They are proposing to hang on for five years once elected.

Also, union executives will be able to “double-dip” by serving on the boards of more than one union at the same time, which is currently prohibited by law. Looks like mo’ money and not for the workers!

(2) If the new “reforms” pass, the unionised workers will no longer be able to ask the Minister to hold a secret ballot so they can vote

letters@tribunemedia.net on how much money is deducted from their salaries by unions and how this is to be done. The current law states that 25% of workers can apply to the Minister to hold the secret ballot, but the new draft wipes this process out of the law.

(3) Did you know that if the new “reforms” pass, it will be much harder for workers to challenge the Minister’s recognition of a union? Let’s say workers really wanted a different union than the one the Minister has approved. Instead of needing just 25% of the workers to challenge the Minister’s approval of the union, the changes call for 51% of workers to apply to the Minister to approve a union of their choice.

(4) Did you know that the new proposed laws take away the worker’s right to agree to terms in the industrial agreement which have to do with monies taken from their salaries for the union? As it stands now, the law is that unions need 60% of the workers to agree on these important terms in the industrial agreement.

But if the new draft laws are passed, Unions will no longer need that 60% approval of the workers. It’s wiped out of the statute.

Taking the workers’ rights out of the statute and

enue which took forever to deal with your particular issue. The Department of Inland Revenue appears to be grossly understaffed, very unorganised and completely unaccountable for how they treat the business owners and citizens of this country. They appear to have thoroughly failed to anticipate how our country would be affected by their shortcomings.

The entire process, from applying for a business license, and getting the required documents seemed to be by the seat-of-thepants, and was brought to a snail’s pace by the onerous burden placed on you by the Department of Inland Revenue and their entire lack of public information they provided in leading up

to these vast changes.

Why can’t we fine the Department of Inland Revenue for their theft of our time and money, and the poor way in which they are treating Bahamians?

Some say we are being held hostage by this unelected body. I say, call it what it is. We are now slaves. Slaves owned by people who are unaccountable to us. We pay their salaries and provide them with good jobs, but they have absolutely no concern for you, your time, your property, or your ability to do business and earn a living.

If there is a country in the world deserving of swift and complete regime change, it is The Bahamas.

What seems abundantly clear is that there is not the

sticking them into some other document which does not have the force of the law makes it a little easier for unions to avoid scrutiny when those workers’ rights are trampled upon.

Also, where are the prison sentences and ridiculously high fines for union leaders and officers who step out of line and/or on workers’ rights? You can’t find that anywhere but I’ll bet if these punishments were threatened, union bosses would make smarter decisions and be properly accountable for mischief.

The cold reality is that union bosses are in business, too, but without having to comply with any redundancy and termination provisions like other business owners.

At $10 per worker per week multiplied by 52 weeks, a pretty penny can be earned in the union business.

Also, there are spin off benefits when union bosses can steer union-related business to their private firms. Suddenly, the picture comes into sharp focus so that these people are no longer the long suffering champions and martyrs they are idealized to be!

And to sweeten the deal, it seems the Labour Department is prepared to serve up whatever they want - including the virtual ‘heads’ of business owners.

JUST SAYING IT Nassau, September, 2016.

Dept of Inland Revenue EDITOR, The Tribune.

Dear Bahamian Businessperson, You are now owned by an un-elected organisation called the Department of Inland Revenue.

You have become unwitting employees of this organisation under mandate of law.

You are now required to work as tax collectors, with no pay, hire expensive lawyers and accountants, doing the work for government.

You are required to spend your time and money gathering documents that have no bearing on your running a business.

You will be asked to submit a Letter of Good Standing from NIB, which may take months for you to

receive. Even though, with the stroke of a keyboard, this information could be had immediately by any government agency.

You will be asked for a Police Letter. Get real.

Your life is subject to the whims of the Department of Inland Revenue, be it gathering more and more documents, or spending more of your time doing things which seem, and are, pointless.

The Department of Inland Revenue collects hundreds of millions of dollars annually; all money which your initiatives and hard work helped this country produce. The Department of Inland Revenue has, without any doubt, made it increasingly more difficult to do business in this coun-

try. Needlessly made it more difficult it should be added.

We are not more efficient. If you have questions, or need assistance from the Department of Inland Revenue, be very patient.

Only rarely, or by mistake, does the Department of Inland Revenue answer their phone. If you are lucky enough to get through, you will be put on hold, and passed around until the phone disconnects. If you email, you may or may not get a response. Maybe they say you will, but let your experience be the judge.

If your business license is not current and posted your business can be shut down. You can be fined heavily and pay late fees, even though it was the Department of Inland Rev-

least bit of concern by the government of The Bahamas for it’s citizens wishes, the people’s ability to earn a living, or the basic ideas of civic freedom. The government of The Bahamas has shown time and again that it has no appreciation for democracy. Therefore, they are an illegitimate body using coercion and force to control the citizens of this country.

Since 1973, can anyone see the true progress for the citizens of The Bahamas? The only difference is we have darker hued masters who are utterly egotistical and think they , should decide the fate of the Bahamian people.

Am I wrong?

IN A SORRY STATE Nassau, September 26, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 27, 2016, PAGE 5

Minnis is silent on Rollins candidacy

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis remained tightlipped yesterday on whether the FNM was considering giving Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins a nomination to run under the party’s banner in the upcoming general election.

In an interview with The Tribune, Dr Minnis said he “could not discuss it” because the FNM “is presently just now reviewing its candidates”.

Two weeks ago, after saying he would not offer himself for re-election on the FNM’s ticket, Dr Andre Rollins suggested that he would consider and potentially accept a constituency nomination if offered one

by Dr Minnis.

Dr Rollins has also said he may run as an independent candidate in Long Island against incumbent FNM MP Loretta ButlerTurner, if voters there want

him to do so.

When asked about that possibility, Dr Minnis said “anyone can run as an independent”.

“Anybody has a right to run independent. An independent can run in Killarney, they can run in South Beach, Mount Moriah, that’s democracy. An independent can run anywhere,” Dr Minnis said.

In June in a series of press statements, Dr Rollins openly criticised Dr Minnis and his supporters, stating that the leader had no substance or vision for the country. That same month he pledged not to seek re-election on the FNM’s ticket if Dr Minnis was reelected leader at the party’s convention, explaining that he could not expect to campaign alongside him given his critique of Dr Minnis and his role in the push for an early convention.

Six of the Opposition’s 10 MPs – Mrs Butler-Turner, Hubert Chipman, Neko Grant, Richard Lightbourn, Theo Neilly and

Dr Rollins – threatened to petition Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling to remove Dr Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition unless the initial November convention date was brought forward.

In making their case against their leader, the MPs also highlighted a myriad of inefficiencies in a letter to the party’s Central Council, including Dr Minnis’ failure to take command of the party “at almost every turn” despite their repeated efforts to support him.

Last month, Dr Rollins said he “stands by” his decision to join some of his parliamentary colleagues in calling for an early convention and he took full responsibility for his actions.

However he accused Mrs Butler-Turner of penning the controversial letter to the Central Council, which had his name as well as the other five MPs on it, and claimed he was not made aware of the document until it was leaked to the media.

DR ANDRE ROLLINS

BISHOP OPTIMISTIC OVER ‘LIGHT AT THE END’ OF CLICO SAGA

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A PROMINENT CLICO (Bahamas) policyholder yesterday said he is “very optimistic” over a potential resolution to the eight year debacle, saying that the “light at the end of the tunnel” could come within the next two weeks.

Bishop Simeon Hall, pastor emeritus of New Covenant Baptist Church, said he has been informed that CLICO (Bahamas) is due to make an “announcement” about a potential resolution to the debacle “in another week or two.”

Bishop Hall said based on his information, CLICO (Bahamas) officials are currently under a “court gag order,” which he surmised has prevented them from making any public pronouncements about the matter.

Bishop Hall said the same was communicated to CLICO (Bahamas) policyholders during a “mass meeting” held at New Covenant church on Sunday

afternoon. He said while some policyholders present at that meeting wanted the group to do “some more dramatic things,” he, along with four other pastors managed to convince the group to “wait to see what the government is about to do in a week or two.”

Bishop Hall’s statements came a little over two weeks after he cautioned the management of the insolvent insurer and the Christie administration to resolve the eight-year long debacle no later than this month. Bishop Hall had threatened to hold an “urgent mass meeting” with policyholders if a resolution is not reached.

At the time, Bishop Hall said policyholders were “languishing in uncertainty” as neither CLICO (Bahamas) nor government officials have indicated a possible end to the controversy.

This comes after a previous promise by officials that “financial bonds” would be distributed within a “few months” after March, when a collective $16m payout was issued to victims.

“I’m very optimistic that

MARINES ARRESTED AFTER ROW WITH POLICE OFFICER from page one

Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean confirmed to The Tribune that an incident occurred, but said the marines were released on Sunday.

It is unclear if any charges will be filed.

Police also said they arrested three men in Andros on Sunday after they were found with a quantity of marijuana.

According to reports, shortly before noon, a team of officers from the Andros District, acting

on intelligence executed a search warrant at the home of the three men located at Red Bays, Andros, where they found just over seven pounds of marijuana.

The three suspects were subsequently taken into custody and are expected to appear in court later this week to be formally charged.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

TEN CUBANS DETAINED BY RBDF TEN Cuban migrants have been detained after they were apprehended in the southern Bahamas by a Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) patrol craft on Friday evening.

The RBDF reported that while on routine patrol, HMBS L L Smith, under the command of Acting Lieutenant Commander

Stephen Rolle, intercepted a sloop two nautical miles off Anguilla Cay at 6.50pm.

A search of the vessel revealed the Cubans - seven males and three females, who were taken aboard the Defence Force craft.

The Cuban nationals will be handed over to Bahamas Immigration authorities for further processing.

something should be said within the next couple of days,” Bishop Hall told The Tribune yesterday. “Based on the information I have, I believe CLICO (Bahamas) is about to make an announcement relative to bringing some resolution to this saga.

“I’m speaking from my optimism. CLICO is under a court gag order, that’s why they have not been able to come to meetings like this and divulge information.

But I was able to ascertain quite a bit of information, that’s the basis for my information.”

“I expect in another week or two to have some resolution to this matter,” he added. “So on the one hand we are protesting, we are agitating, and on the other hand we are commending, because there is a light at the end of the tunnel be-

cause of what happened in March.”

Regarding the threat of some form of action should there be no resolution to the controversy, Bishop Hall said policyholders will wait to see whether or not an announcement will be made at the end of the next two weeks. “…Persons at the meeting, some persons wanted us to do some more dramatic things, but I led them in concluding that we should wait to see what the government is about to do in a week or two,” he said.

“We must, as strong as our cause is, as strongly as we are fighting, we want to commend the government for beginning the process to bring a resolution to this matter.”

In March, Prime Minister Perry Christie promised that a collective $16m cash

payout would be issued to victims of the CLICO situation before the end of that month.

In announcing the payout plan during the mid-year budget debate, Mr Christie said the insolvent insurer’s executive flexible premium annuity (EPPA) holders, and surrendered pension policies, would receive a cash payment capped at $10,000.

Anything owed above that sum would be paid off by the issuance to former clients of seven-year promissory notes (government bonds), which will provide them with quarterly insurance payments at the prime rate (4.75 per cent).

In April, Vaughn Culmer, CLICO (Bahamas) operations manager, told The Tribune that the issuance of government bonds would “hopefully” take

place “within the next few months.”

The payout process began in March as promised, with some policyholders recovering at least some of their life savings and long-term investments, all of which were lost when the life and health insurer collapsed into insolvency in 2009.

Prior to Sunday, however, policyholders have reportedly not heard anything pertaining to the issuance of the government bonds since the March payout.

Additionally, some policyholders still have not recovered any lost funds, The Tribune understands.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 27, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Carnival cost nearly $10m from page one

as a “substantive improvement,” officials estimated a 56 per cent increase in tourism related economic activity such as hotel room revenue, stopover and cruise passenger expenditures.

Further, the BNFC said despite a down month for international arrivals in Grand Bahama, arrivals for the festival’s kickoff weekend on the island were up by roughly 65 per cent.

Tourist arrivals in Nassau for the event were also said to be up by 11.5 per cent, an increase in the monthly year-over-year average for May. Additionally, officials claimed tourist related expenditures increased in 2016 due to a 79 per cent increase in tourist attendance, the direct employment of more than 1,200 workers, and the indirect employment of another 1,600 Bahamians.

Officials also projected a $70m impact on the national gross domestic product (GDP) from carnival - $10m less than 2015 estimates.

According to the BNFC, the festival in its second year, continued to succeed against its mandate of stimulating economic opportunities for SMEs in the creative sector and positively impacting the national GDP. Officials estimated that some 278 small and medium businesses and 696 individuals benefited directly from the expenditures related to the annual festival, 85 per cent of which was spent locally with suppliers across a myriad of sectors.

The committee indicated

CARNIVAL BY THE NUMBERS Tickets sales and other revenue: $578,342 Total sponsorship: $1.2 million (cash and kind) Total expenses: $9.8 million Government subsidy: $8.1 million 85% of expenditure consumed locally Grand Bahama Carnival kickoff expense: $1.3 million Total SMEs and individuals engaged: 974 65% increase in air arrivals to Grand Bahama for April Junkanoo Carnival weekend 11% increase in air arrivals for Nassau for May Junkanoo Carnival week Grand Bahama attendees: 21,000 Nassau atttendees: 39,700 Direct employment: 1,236 Indirect employment: 1,661 Source: BNFC that it was able to “realise significant cost savings” in year two of the festival by bringing a more strategic focus to the event and implementing several key recommendations made after the inaugural festival.

These moves are said to have reduced government subsidies by an estimated $5m - about 38 per cent less than 2015.

BNFC said professional musicians, caterers, dancers, media houses, production companies, printing companies, security services, sanitation services and other service providers all benefited from the activity spurred by the annual festival.

Officials said that 675 Bahamian solo artists, bands, entertainers and Junkanooers were employed through the festival.

In Grand Bahama, 126 local musicians were en-

gaged while 247 were in Nassau. A total of 99 international musicians were employed between Nassau and Grand Bahama.

The BNFC said the event was attended by 39,700 people in New Providence and 21,000 in Grand Bahama.

INVESTMENTS “Of the total budget spent on Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, the majority was invested in the music brand pillar for the event, which included the Music Masters Song Competition and the various nightly concerts,” the BNFC said.

“The culture brand pillar received the second largest investment, which included the Cultural Village, and related cultural demonstrations, exhibits and performances. The vibes brand pillar, which speaks to the

Road Fever parade, accounted for the smallest investment of the three brand pillars.

It continued: “The Music Masters Song Competition was expanded in several positive ways, including the introduction of an artist development workshop with Sony Music Entertainment. Each contestant was also able to produce a music video this year during the artist development boot camp. The totally indigenous ‘Junkamania’ event more than doubled in the number of bands that participated, particularly among school bands, which is very encouraging because it preserves the culture for future generations.”

Moreover, the Road Fever event was also credited as a major stimulant for business along its route.

“The Road Fever event, which grew by leaps and

bounds, was particularly a boon for casual vendors, who engaged in commerce along the route. One vendor sold ice from the back of a truck on the highway to passing groups in need of refills for their bars. Another vendor had a (moving) conch salad truck that travelled along the route with a major group to provide sustenance to revellers.

“Businesses such as Bamboo Shack and KFC along the route sold out of stock due to the high demand. Even gas stations saw a boost in confectionery and soft drink trade. The route change, which incorporated more of the inner city, gave residents easier access to spectating as the event literally went past their door steps.”

Ahead of the 2016 cycle of events, the Road Fever parade was privatised, reducing the commission’s financial obligation to the event to a minimal level prize money.

The statement also noted the return of the festival’s title sponsor, BTC, for a second consecutive year with an investment of $650,000 in cash sponsorship and $350,000 in kind.

Other sponsors identified included Commonwealth Brewery, another founding sponsor, and Atlantis, Super Clubs Breezes, Bank of the Bahamas and Cash and Go, however sponsorship amounts by these companies were not given.

STUDY Apart from the financial specifics provided by the BNFC, the commission adopted and presented aspects of a study conducted

by the College of the Bahamas.

Guided by Dr Nicolette Bethel and a team of students, the study identified that the average likelihood to recommend the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival to others grew positively in 2016 from 6.99 to 7.91, on a scale of one to ten.

The study also indicated that 56 per cent of those attending in Nassau rated the event “very good” or “excellent”.

Additionally, 57 per cent of those attending thought the event provided a great deal of value or a lot of value for its cost, with 87 per cent of respondents feeling safe within confines of the event.

Further, the study concluded that an overall average expenditure per person for the event was around $111.02.

According to those surveyed, the majority attending in Nassau, 77 per cent, spent over $50 at the event; 34 per cent spent between $50 and $99; 31 per cent spent between $100 and $249; and one per cent spent over $500.

The government budgeted $9m for the inaugural Junkanoo Carnival, but due to cost overruns and other failures on the part of the commission, that spending ballooned to $11.3m. Last year, the government reaped $8.3m in combined direct and tax revenues, with the latter providing $6.7 million of that sum.

As a result, government officials and those attached to the festival made it a point to keep this year’s carnival on budget.

EQUIPMENT FOR PMH REPAIRS TO ARRIVE BY END OF WEEK from page one

when four of six compressors were hit by surges after a power outage, and questioned why the necessary equipment to counteract this was not installed by the Ingraham administration and former Minister of Health Dr Hubert Minnis.

Mr Christie spoke about the problems facing New Providence’s public hospital while in Grand Bahama for the signing of contracts worth about $4m on Monday for major improvements at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Grand Bahama.

On Sunday, Dr Minnis, FNM leader, said the malfunctioning units have stalled surgeries at the hospital for the past two weeks, something he called “unacceptable”.

Mr Christie appeared upset about newspaper reports about the issue yesterday.

“When I saw headlines in the newspaper which said ‘PMH on its Knees,’ I realised as prime minister I have an obligation to respond regardless to the effort or lack of effort by the health minister or ministers,” Mr Christie told a crowd gathered for the con-

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“And I also recognised in the circumstances of health, one has to be careful with respect to politics.”

Speaking about the equipment, he said: “Prime ministers don’t ordinarily get to hear about these things, but once he hears or reads he must find out.

And there is nothing bad about the truth. This is a new facility; why would this $100m enterprise all of a sudden fail?

“I was advised that there were power outages in New Providence and when the power is reconnected the powerful surges knocked out the compressors. That’s what the prime minister has been advised. Yes, there were weather implications and we were helpless to going out there to see what you could do. But fundamentally, we own the power station.

Therefore, ultimately we have to bear the responsibility for that,” Mr Christie said.

He assured the public that the new compressors were ordered and should arrive in the country by the end of the week.

The prime minister noted that health officials have ordered a surplus number of compressors and have also

put in surge protectors.

Mr Christie questioned why surge protectors weren’t initially installed under the FNM, and said Dr Minnis should be “very careful with respect to matters like that.”

“He speaks about the authorities committing to improve the Maternity Ward where women without means have their children,” Mr Christie said. “Really, I can’t say what he said, I don’t want to mouth what he said, but it is a political attack.

“He said the PHA won’t listen to the doctors who said don’t fix it now, fix it later because people are having babies now and after the Christmas they might not have. That is how I interpret what he said.”

He was referring to comments Dr Minnis made to The Nassau Guardian on Sunday when he called on the government to delay planned renovations to the Princess Margaret Hospital’s Maternity Ward until a “suitable time,” due to the number of babies born at this time of year and concerns that the work could cause issues.

Mr Christie said: “I just want to make this point; we are here today because we are intelligent Bahamians.

We have responsibility to govern; we are not going to jeopardise people’s health by rushing through construction and compromising the quality of care, we are not going to do that.”

Mr Christie recalled that when the PLP won office, and when Dr Minnis demitted office as minister of health, he left the maternity ward “in a state not fit for women to go and have babies”.

He also noted that one of the operating theatres was “so bad” it was only used in an emergency.

“His government (under Hubert Ingraham) made a major commitment in the Critical Care Block Intensive Care surgery facility and committed it, we came in and we finished it. We knew we had to modernise the hospital plant,” Mr Christie explained.

The government, he said, commissioned the BECK Group, an international planning firm now headed by a Bahamian, for an overall vision and plan for Critical Care Block at PMH. He said the group is also now working in Grand Bahama, and has been commissioned to prepare a plan for the entire hospital plant in New Providence.

“Once you spent $100m

on the Critical Care Block it means you can’t go to no new site to build a new hospital, it means you are stuck with the PMH being where it is and renovations have to take place there,” he explained.

Mr Christie said that healthcare has improved immeasurably in The Bahamas, and the government has created a two-tier plan to improve conditions of all health care facilities in the country.

“We have to improve the conditions under which people are hospitalised for NHI. I said that I am not going to charge people rates for NHI until they can appreciate what they are paying for. Therefore, government will continue to pay for improvements at PMH, RMH and clinics all over the Bahamas. We are going to put our resources behind that to bring them up to quality and standards we would wish.”

The government will execute a major contract with respect to the renovation of PMH’s Maternity Ward, Male Surgical Wards and Legacy Entrance on Wednesday.

Yesterday, Mr Christie said the planned upgrades for the Rand Memorial Hospital show his government is committed to the continuing modernisation of existing

health care facilities, and starting the first phase of the new state of the art hospital in Grand Bahama.

“We are fixing up what exists; we are fixing up the Rand,” said Mr Christie.

“In addition, in November, we committed ourselves to the first phase of a new hospital in Grand Bahama.”

The improvements at the Rand will be carried out

by Landstar Construction, which has been awarded a $2.3m contract for major upgrading of the kitchen and cafeteria, and Pinnacle Investment received a $1.6m contract for construction of a new corridor area.

According to Mr Christie, the first phase of the new medical facility to be built in Grand Bahama will provide services that also includes oncology.

He indicated that it is necessary for the old hospital to be fixed concurrently while having to build new facilities in Freeport and New Providence.

Mr Christie said: “So when we fix the Maternity Ward, we know that plans are being drawn for a new centre to be a Critical Care Block for women and children - that is going to happen.”

CHAIRMAN of the Public Hospitals Authority Frank Smith yesterday criticised FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ “attack”

on the Princess Margaret Hospital, saying the Killarney MP is using his office to “gain cheap political mileage” out of “unfortunate” circumstances.

His comments came a day after Dr Minnis condemned the “deplorable” situation at PMH’s Critical Care Block on Sunday, saying malfunctioning air-conditioning units had delayed surgeries for two weeks.

Yesterday, Mr Smith said three of the four malfunctioning air-conditioning units at the Critical Care Block were restored as of 1pm yesterday, while the remaining unit should be working by the end of this week.

In a statement released Monday evening, Mr Smith said that the compressors needed for the units had to be ordered from overseas because no local vender could fill the order. Prime Minister Perry Christie has said the units were affected by power surges after electricity outages.

“The replacement compressors are now due to arrive in the Bahamas within

the next few days and will be installed with secondary UPS to mitigate against any future power surges,” Mr Smith said.

“What becomes unconscionably clear in these developments though, is to see how the present leader of the opposition, Dr Hubert Minnis, in his attack on the Health Systems Strengthening Programme at the Princess Margaret Hospital, has begun to use his office in a desperate attempt to gain cheap political mileage from these unfortunate circumstances.

“Dr Minnis should recall the state he left many vulnerable areas of healthcare under the Ingraham administration. Under his watch he left the maternity section of the hospital, a department in which he practised for many years, in the worst state ever and under deplorable conditions which has been the hallmark of his legacy as minister.

“What Dr Minnis has failed to show is that he is yet to accept the winds of change under the present government. Dr Minnis has

aligned himself with those who seek not to have universal healthcare advanced for the ordinary Bahamian.

He will once again be found on the wrong side of history.

“Today major reforms under Health Systems Strengthening are underway at the Princess Margaret Hospital and its sister institution the Rand Memorial Hospital and clinics in Grand Bahama where only today (Monday) two contracts were executed in our ongoing journey to make our health system better for the Bahamian people.”

On Sunday, Dr Minnis, the former minister of health, also urged the government to delay planned upgrades to PMH’s Maternity Ward, due to fears that patients will be negatively affected.

He claimed hospital officials were not listening to doctors’ concerns about the matter.

However, Mr Smith said the PHA will not do anything without proper consultation. “The interim renovations for PMH are part of the PHA and the govern-

ment’s master plan for the total phased in upgrade of this nation’s most iconic healthcare institution,” Mr Brown added. “The government of the Bahamas and the PHA cannot and will not allow Bahamians who must use that facility to be exposed to such an unacceptable standard while we await the overall master plan to be completed. In this regard, we wish to assure the Bahamian people that the temporary relocation will only be done after extensive discussions with nurses, doctors and other care givers; and the Bahamian people can hold us to that pledge.

“Already, the authority has discovered that the interim relocation would further prove beneficial to the Maternity Ward and its patients as the department would be in closer proximity to the primary ambulance entry to the hospital.

Patients requiring speciality services such as C-sections would also be closer in proximity to the Critical Care Block and the operating theatres,” Mr Smith said.

PUBLIC HOSPITALS AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN CRITICISES MINNIS FOR ‘ATTACK’

9/9/16 6:27 PM

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 27, 2016, PAGE 7

from page one

Seven days to file papers against murder acquittal

ROAD TRAFFIC DEPT DENIES PLAN TO RAISE VEHICLE LICENSING FEES Also, FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis raised alarm yesterday, saying he had been informed that the government planned to raise the price of vehicle registration by as much as “400 per cent” when Bahamians are “still struggling to pay bills and survive”.

However, these rumours were denied by the department and Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys HannaMartin yesterday.

Mrs Hanna-Martin stressed that the government was not introducing increased vehicle licensing fees and accused Dr Minnis of being irresponsible.

“The Road Traffic Department today advised the public that the image of the license plate circulated on the various social media platforms this past weekend is not the design of the new license plate to be introduced as a part of the department’s new modernisation plan,” the department said in a press release.

“The controller of road traffic expressed his extreme disappointment that the department’s efforts to transform the department, and to introduce new methods and systems of operation, are being adversely impacted by those who are determined to undermine the process, by issuing false information on the automation efforts.

“In this regard, the controller informed that there will be no increase in fees as a result of the automation project, and nor is there any need for drivers to purchase new license plates, if they have already licensed their vehicles. The normal licensing fees remain in effect.

“The controller (Ross Smith) advised further that the automation is progressing well, and details will be disseminated shortly on the project status, and the planned roll out of the new electronic workflow system to be utilised.”

Mr Smith warned members of the public to be “wary of false information conveyed on social media” and encouraged persons to pay attention to notices issued from the Department of Road Traffic by way of traditional media sources.

Before the department clarified the matter, Dr Minnis called on the government to disclose what was happening with the automation project.

He alleged that under the new system, licensing fees would increase.

“So a two-door Honda which was $195 (to license and register) will now be $590,” Dr Minnis claimed. “At a time when people are unemployed, struggling to meet bills, to meet commitments, pay light bills, buy food, this is another increase - an increase on top of taxation, on top of VAT that was introduced.

“It is our understanding that a new computer system that was introduced will not be able to transmit information from the old plate to the new (license) plates. The government does not care about the Bahamian population, a caring government would have advised about the changes.”

“The FNM is concerned and would like the government to explain this to the Bahamian populace. When will it be implemented and what would be the cost? This is not a government that is concerned about the Bahamian people especially at a time when unemployment is high, when people are losing their jobs, when people cannot meet the commitment they have now, cannot purchase the necessary food items because of VAT and now you want to introduce a new tax. “We have made a great mistake voting the Christie led tax government to guide the Bahamas from 2012 towards the road of destruction.”

In May, Mr Smith told the press that the Road Traffic Department will begin the roll out of a new automation process at the beginning of October.

His comments came after a damning auditor general’s report identified a number of weaknesses and revenue leakages in the department. To correct the inefficiencies Mr Smith said officials will implement a new automated system.

The new system cost taxpayers $8.3m.

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE OFFICE of the Attorney General was given seven days by the Court of Appeal to file an application for substituted service against a man whose directed murder acquittal it is contesting.

Crown prosecutor Vernal Collie appeared before Justices Dame Anita Allen, Jon Isaacs and Stella Crane-Scott for the scheduled substantive hearing concerning a judge’s directed acquittal of Michelet Auguste for the shooting death of Charles Pandy at his home in Winders Terrace.

In March 2015, Justice Vera Watkins directed a 12-member jury to acquit Auguste of the February 2014 killing after determining that the prosecution’s recognition evidence was “vague and inherently weak”.

When it became clear that Auguste was not present for the appeal hearing, appellate President Dame Anita asked Mr Collie if Auguste was in the jurisdiction.

Mr Collie said police had made further attempts to track down Auguste and could only speculate at this point to where he had fled.

“I believe we will not be able to personally serve him,” Mr Collie said before asking for a final adjournment to consider the Crown’s next step.

However, the request did not sit well with the appellate justices.

“What about substituted service?” the appellate president asked.

“No application has been made. You (the Crown) have kept adjourning to undertake to find him since February and after four adjournments, we’re here,” Justice Isaacs said.

“This case is clogging up the court’s schedule. Either make an application for substituted service or withdraw the appeal so we can get on with other matters,” Justice Isaacs added.

“Are you finally seized with the matter? I ask because from the transcripts there were various respondents working on this very matter. It’s been through Mr (Garvin) Gaskin himself, Mr (Ambrose) Armbrister and Mrs (Olivia) Pratt-Nixon appeared last before you today,” Justice Crane-Scott said.

Dame Anita suggested that appellants be given a week to put in an application for substituted service with supporting affidavits detailing inquiries and efforts to serve him with the documents.

“So you are pursuing this appeal to get a decision from this court to overturn the decision made below so that a warrant can be issued if he fails to appear?”

Justice Crane-Scott asked.

Mr Collie said “yes” and was given until October 3 to make the application.

On the evening of February 12, 2014, Pandy was sitting in his yard when he was approached by a man who pulled out a handgun and shot him several times

in the chest. Pandy attempted to run into his neighbour’s yard for help but collapsed. The gunman ran away on foot.

The 36-year-old was taken to hospital by his family and friends in a private vehicle but was pronounced dead at 8.30pm.

At trial, the jury heard the testimonies of two relatives of Pandy and Alpha, whose identity was not revealed for their protection.

The mother of the deceased was taking a bath around 8pm when she heard gunshots. She went to the front of their home and saw neighbours gathered across the street. She went to the neighbour’s yard and saw her son, Charles, on the ground, gasping for breath and bleeding.

She and two others took him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A nephew of Pandy was also at home and heard gunshots. When he went to the front door, he saw someone running after his uncle and firing shots. He ran across to the neighbour’s yard and saw his uncle lying on the floor with blood on him.

The third key witness, Alpha, for whom an anonymity order was put in place, testified to hearing loud gunshots. Seconds later Alpha heard footsteps running and heading south and ran to a window at the front of their building to see what was happening.

Alpha saw a man, dressed in a dark grey sweater and jeans, running. The witness claimed to

have seen the face of the man for three to five seconds and recognised the person known to them as “American”, having seen the person nearly everyday by a food store in Pinewood Gardens across from the church of a popular bishop.

The person she recognised as “American” was described as having big lips, dark skin, “twine up” hair and a “slang talk.”

The key witness identified “American” during an ID parade two weeks after the shooting incident and at trial, identified Auguste as the man in question.

At the conclusion of legal discussions held in the jury’s absence, the trial judge produced a written judgment explaining her reason to direct the jury to acquit Auguste.

Justice Watkins noted that in this case, “the quality of the recognition evidence is not satisfactory. It is of a tenuous nature in that it is vague and inherently weak. Even if it is viewed by the jury as being honest, it has a base that is so slender that it is unreliable.”

Justice Watkins further noted: “The prosecution’s evidence, taken at its highest, is such that the jury upon being properly directed, could not convict on it. Since there is no other evidence to support the correctness of the identification evidence of witness Alpha, the case will be withdrawn from the jury and the jury will be directed to return a verdict of not guilty on the one count of murder in the indictment.”

PERUVIAN MAN ACCUSED OF NIGHTCLUB KILLING

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A PERUVIAN man was remanded to prison without bail yesterday after he was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court concerning the killing of a disc jockey who was shot at a downtown nightclub.

Jesus Ramos, 28, of Stapleton Gardens was escorted into the Nassau and South Streets court complex to face murder and attempted murder charges stemming from a shooting incident on Woods Rodgers Wharf on Sunday, September 4.

Ramos, with the aide of an interpreter, was told beforehand that he would not be allowed enter a plea to either charges until he is formally arraigned before a judge in the Supreme Court.

It is alleged that on the date in question, he intentionally caused the death of Jorge Herrera. It is also alleged that he tried to kill Hanna Palomino in the process.

According to initial police reports, shortly after midnight, three men, believed to be Hispanics, were put out of a nightclub after creating a disturbance.

Shortly after 3am on September 4, one of the men returned to the club armed with a handgun. He then got into an argument with Herrera - the disc jockey - who attempted to disarm him, police alleged. This led to the disc jockey, the armed man and Palomino being shot.

The armed suspect then fled the scene in a Nissan vehicle.

Police later recovered a .40 handgun in the area, believed to be the weapon used in the shooting. Herrera and Palomino were taken to hospital.

The disc jockey died of his injuries six days later on September 10.

Ramos, who was unrepresented in yesterday’s arraignment, returns to Magistrate’s Court on November 4 for the case to be fasttracked to Supreme Court for trial.

He was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services in the interim.

NEW TRIAL DATE EXPECTED IN TEACHER MURDER TRIAL

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

JESUS RAMOS, 28, was charged with murder and attempted murder in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. (Photo:Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff)

A NEW trial date is expected to be set for two men and a teenager to stand trial in Supreme Court concerning the murder of a private school teacher.

Armando Sargeant, 22, Johnny Mackey, 26, and an 18-year-old who cannot be named because he was charged as a minor, appeared before Justice Bernard Turner yesterday for their scheduled start of trial concerning the November 11, 2015 attempted armed robbery and murder of Joyelle McIntosh.

However, the teen had yet to be appointed legal representation since last Thursday after his former counsel Terrel Butler, at a pre-trial hearing, withdrew her representation of him.

The teen had asked the judge to appoint a lawyer at the public’s expense.

The matter has been further adjourned to October 4 for fixture hearing when a new date for trial will be set.

It is alleged that the teen, along with Sargeant and Mackey, attempted to rob the Queen’s College teacher, at gunpoint, of her 2009 silver Toyota Corolla worth $6,000.

It is further alleged that during the failed carjacking, the victim was shot multiple times in her head and body.

She later crashed into a wall at the intersection of Parkgate and Village Roads and died of her injuries at the scene.

All three accused have denied the allegations.

Sargeant is defended by Ian Cargill and Mackey by Elsworth Johnson.

PM: I CAN’T FORGIVE SONGWRITER FOR HIS INSULTS TO MY FAMILY from page one

“We don’t have to be violent with our words for political gain,” said Mr Christie, who appeared to still be hurt about the song.

While his wife Bernadette Christie and their son, Adam, who is autistic, met the young man in question and have forgiven him, the prime minister said yesterday he does not think he can do the same.

“We are now entering a stage that the Americans have entered - a silly stage where you call people anything you want to call them,” he said.

“I’ve had the incredible pain,” he paused, “of listening to someone describe my wife and daughter and my special child in the most disparaging way.

I am hoping that we can avoid that because for a woman who has been married to a man for 42 years to be called a ‘whore,’ and to a daughter who is looking forward to life, to be so called. And the only fault, if it is a fault that they have, is that my wife is married to me and my daughter is my child.”

Mr Christie, who paused several times during his remarks, continued: “But I can never forgive someone

for attacking Adam. God created people like Adam and they are innocent, truly innocent.”

Despite their pain, the prime minister said that his wife met the songwriter and introduced Adam to him.

He said his wife said she wanted no harm to come to the young man and to protect his identity.

“I heard her tell the people do not do anything to him,” Mr Christie said.

“I heard her say to him, ‘I wanted to see you because I felt anyone who could do that to a mother did not have a mother. But you have a mother who appears to be a prayer warrior herself.’

“I am sitting there and the police officer is there, and she said, ‘I could take care of myself and my daughter could, but I want you to know I don’t know how to forgive you for Adam.’”

Mr Christie said his wife had Adam come in the room so the young man could see him. He said as Adam was brought in, his son walked up to the young man and embraced him.

The prime minister said the young man was sobbing and asked his wife and Adam to forgive him.

“My wife embraced him, and embraced the mother, and I watched this happen.

And my wife said to the po-

lice ‘make sure that nobody knows who this fella is because I don’t want him to suffer. I want this to be a defining moment in his life so that he could understand.’”

Mr Christie added: “We in our country don’t have to engage in ugly politics.

We don’t have to be violent with our words for political gain. And the tragedy is that right thinking people sit and say nothing.”

He also reflected on how he wrestled with God about his son, Adam, and his situation.

“I could not understand.

But one day, I said to myself, but God made you prime minister and maybe

what He is asking is for you to do something for those same children,” he said.

He said that as human beings, we must be compassionate towards others.

“To those of us who are strong, we must recognise that there…are people who are not as strong or who are not strong at all, and we should find a way to help.

That is what the whole thing about human existence is all about. I thought I will share that experience with you so that maybe there is someone who would be motivated by it and not do what they would ordinarily do, but do something positive.”

PAGE 8, Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Why the right to free speech is timeless

THE TRIBUNE

Disclaimer: I am not a supporter of the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), nor am I a supporter of Rodney Moncur and his talk show, nor am I a supporter of Wayne Munroe.

I

T was reported that, on September 15, URCA made a request for recordings of Rodney Moncur’s show ‘Freedom March’, which airs on ZSR 103.5FM. The recordings requested covered shows that aired between September 5 and September 9. URCA required these recordings to be submitted to the Authority by September 21. It is also reported that the show recordings were submitted as requested.

Munroe, Moncur’s attorney (is he everybody’s attorney?), confirmed that the recordings were submitted, but not without going into a deflecting speech in lawyerly fashion, turning the focus on why URCA doesn’t have the recordings when it’s their job to be monitoring and regulating radio. As opposed to speaking about his concerns about what URCA is actually looking for, which part of the Code of Practice for Content Regulation is believed by URCA to have been violated, and whether or not the concern is a legitimate one, Moncur’s attorney chooses to hit URCA below the belt and point to the possibility that the regulator is not doing its job properly, if at all.

It is also reported that on September 16, URCA issued a general announcement, signalling a ‘crackdown’ on the content providers they regulate. The question is now whether Moncur has been unfairly singled out for whatever

WAYNE Munroe QC and Justice of the Peace Rodney Moncur at a press conference to discuss URCA on Wednesday last week. he is crazed. comments have been URBut even the perceived CA’s cause for concern, crazy people have a right to with URCA spokesperson speak, as much as anyone Mavis Johnson-Collie sugmight wish them to shut up. gesting Moncur was not It reminds me of the crazy targeted, and the request by girl I used to work with URCA is not the witch hunt

By NICOLE BURROWS who stole my last pay stub Munroe has hinted at. to see how much money I’ve heard news clips At the same time, I don’t it. They complained about I made compared to her, of Munroe talking smack about URCA’s abilities, buy Johnson-Collie’s state- what was being discussed, who was allowed to call in and I am curious as to ment; I would be willing per usual, when people feel to my short-lived show and whether Moncur, or anyone to bet that the ‘crackdown’ offended or see themselves allowed to speak freely there, where she asked how else for that matter, actually is based on specific com- in the dialogue.

After three episodes, I I could be talking about rebelieves URCA has the re- plaints about specific peocancelled the show. Yes - lationships including marsources of manpower, time ple hosting specific shows.

Three years ago, when that’s a little known fact. I ried relationships when I’m and money, let alone technical capability, to record I started a radio show on cancelled the show, not the not married.

Were it not for URCA, every show on every station, Guardian Radio, a lot of station, not the station manevery day, of every year that people didn’t like it, and a ager, not the station owner. my very Bahamian relot more people didn’t get I cancelled the show be- sponse to her would have it airs. cause I refused to 1) turn it been when your (as in ‘ya’, into another talking heads as in the Bahamian verseries, and 2) be restricted nacular, any person’s, not to on what I could or couldn’t be confused with her own) discuss about the problems husband is trying to get up of (sex in) relationships, in my front, I am more than because certain knowledgeable people didn’t on the topic of want it dis- “Even the husbands, with cussed on live perceived crazy probably more radio. knowledge people have a The fact of about your (as the matter was right to speak, as in ‘ya’) hus- and still is - much as anyone band’s predithat the show might wish them lections than was meant to you as the wife, be a real-life to shut up.” especially when relationship inall you do is terplay between a woman talk and whine and comand a man, following and plain. demonstrating how each But I couldn’t say that, one managed their issues because, you know, URCA, and how they managed the and station fines and licence issues together. But the sta- suspensions and revocation didn’t get it and wasn’t tions and such. With that ready to get it. as the obvious exception, I Then, not long after, submit to nothing that realong came another female moves my authenticity. I host who was fine with that suggest (though I imagine restriction, at least in prin- he won’t anyway) that Rodciple, and operating under ney Moncur not submit to the guise of getting ‘experts’ anything that removes his on the show every once in a authenticity … even though while to legitimise the con- he appears to be crazy at tent, with a jungle queen times. Whoever thinks he’s flavour to keep it exciting crazy now will still think and, basic, I guess. he’s crazy if he flinches, so why flinch? Stand your eedless to say, ground, Moncur, if indeed the next time I you do have ground to stand do a radio show, on. If you don’t, well, even it won’t be on FM radio or superstar attorney Munroe within URCA’s jurisdic- can’t help you. tion. I am not okay with beOn a similar note, that is, ing muzzled. Actually, I ve- not so much free speech as hemently oppose anyone’s true speech, Sunday night attempts to edit or mute my was the local premiere of words (except, of course, one of my favourite televimy Tribune editor). And I sion shows, ‘Poldark’. It’s will always challenge those a remake of an old novel, who make such attempts. a British period drama. I As for this recent URCA enjoy period dramas, espefiasco, what did ‘crazy Rod- cially British ones, because, ney’ say between September given our colonial past, I 5 and 9 that pissed someone or many people off so royally that they might be trying to muzzle him? That should be his attorney’s focus, not why URCA doesn’t have its own recordings.

Whatever the answer to that question, I suspect Rodney Moncur will fight to keep his show, in spite of any perceived or actual violations - and that is his right.

I think, and it’s my personal opinion, seeing as that’s what I write about here … my opinion of the news, which some people still seem challenged to understand … Moncur is a wee bit wacky to say the least. AIDAN TURNER, the star of Some folks are convinced the Poldark TV show.

N

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff like to see what has led to the world we inherited … this world we live in today.

And, as a writer, I especially enjoy analysing dialogue from this period.

In the two-hour season premiere, which has already aired (three weeks ago) in England on BBC One, the lead character, Poldark, is facing a possible death sentence for a crime that he didn’t actually commit because it wasn’t actually a crime. Poldark so desperately wants to tell the truth because, as far as he’s concerned, it will, quite literally, set him free … from the hangman’s noose. His lawyer tells him he is mistaken and should not go that route.

The lawyer says: “A common misconception is that truth is the same as innocence - it is not. My job is to position the truth, so that you don’t pay for it with your life.”

Poldark replies: “So now we’re politicians … positioning the facts to suit our own ends.”

And at this point, I feel like he could be on Bay Street in Nassau in 2016 saying the same thing, while pointing to the House of Assembly with his chin.

A short while later, as tension grows, the lawyer reminds Poldark that he must ingratiate himself to the judge and jurors, if he hopes to escape a death sentence. “That is why you must grovel. Do so now or you will not live to see the sun rise tomorrow.” And my thoughts wander immediately to the number of people who actually think this way in today’s world.

I am an authentic, freespeaking, non-groveller, so I would have probably said and done the same things Poldark said and did. He spoke in his own defence, and, in the end, of course - spoiler alert - because he can’t die without the series ending, he does what he thinks is right, speaks his mind, his reality, in the process appealing to the “better angels” of a jury of his peers, all average people whose daily struggle in life he represents every day as a bankrupt and now poor mine owner ... and they find him not guilty.

As the broadcast ended, I wondered how many of us free speakers, or truth speakers, would avoid the gallows with the rabble screaming for us to be severely punished because we don’t perform to their liking, or even for their warped amusement.

It’s clear that nothing’s changed over 200 to 300 years, just the clothing and the names.

PS: Today marks two years of writing this column in The Tribune; I thank you for reading.

E-mail: nburrows@ tribunemedia.net. Facebook and Twitter: @SoPolitiCole

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 27, 2016, PAGE 9

Feeding Network offers help to single mothers

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net SIXTY single mothers in Grand Bahama received much needed assistance this week thanks to the Bahamas Feeding Network (BFN) with the support of AML Foods Ltd. The women were each presented on Thursday with $100 food vouchers to shop at Solomon’s Freeport, which is owned and operated by AML. Philip Smith, executive director of BFN, said: “We know things are tough and we wanted to come here and ensure that people eat.

Our mission in the BFN is to eradicated hunger.”

The recipients were selected by their churches and community leaders, who submitted their names to the BFN. Mr Smith said BFN started two and a half years ago and has donated almost $400,000 in food vouchers with the support of corporate partners. “It is our belief that we could do a whole lot more,” he said.

He thanked Mrs Renee Bastian, AML’s vice-president of marketing. “She has gotten her company to agree to give donate $100,000 over three years to the BFN, and so this initiative is a part of that donation,” he said.

“When we launched the Bahamas Feeding Network

PHILIP SMITH, Executive Director of Bahamas Feeding Network; Renee Bastian, vice president of marketing, AML Foods Ltd; Pastor Paul Mullings, of Mt Caravel Baptist Church; a single mother who was a recipient of a $100 food voucher; and the manager of Solomon’s Wholesale, Freeport, at Thursday’s presentation.

Photo: Derek Carroll/Barefoot Marketing nearly three years ago, we proud to admit they are hun- share the burden.” knew that hunger affected gry, those who have fallen Mrs Bastian said AML one in every eight people through the spaces of a safe- Foods feels very strongly in The Bahamas who live ty net - there was no group about hunger prevention below the poverty level, but that needed help more than and that, to date in Nassau it was not until we reached single mothers. So on this and Freeport, they have out on a daily basis partner- day, we want to recognise contributed over $30,000 in ing with churches, helping their struggle and make life food coupons through the in soup kitchens, plating a little bit easier for them BFN. food in feeding centres, that by distributing these $100 “Within the past ten we fully understood the des- food coupons to 60 women, years, I was also a single each of whom has multiple mother and I thank God I peration,” Mr Smith said.

“And of all the people we children and must find a way was in the position to have help feed - the indigent, the to support and feed them a job and take care of my elderly who are often too without a spouse who could daughter, and I understand

CHILDREN’S HOME GIVEN DONATION

BY AML FOODS RESIDENTS of the Grand Bahama Children’s Home along with hundreds of local primary school students on the island recently received a generous giveaway from AML Foods Ltd. The parent company of Solomon’s Lucaya, Solomon’s Queen’s Highway and Costright Freeport presented more than 1,000 composition books to the home’S administrator and the principals at Walter Parker Primary and Bartlett Hill Primary schools.

Managers at the three retail outlets spearheaded the initiative as a way to touch the lives of their customers and directly impact the greater community.

Each manager identified an organisation in need of the supplies and reached out directly to the group to arrange for delivery just in time for the fall semester.

Renea Bastian, VP of marketing & communications at AML Foods Ltd, applauded the team in Grand Bahama for connecting the company to the community in a tangible way.

“At AML, we value our youth and consider this recent donation an investment in their future,” she said. “Our store managers understand our corporate commitment to staying connected to the communities that we serve. They interact with parents, teachers and students on a daily basis so it was not a hard choice when it came time to select entities to benefit from the donations.”

When presented with the gifts, both school principals expressed their gratitude, stating that supplies were always needed especially for students whose parents face financial challenges. Grand Bahama Children’s Home administrators also thanked AML for the books and indicated that they will also be able to use the composition books throughout the course of the school year.

what it is when it’s just you,” she said. “I am so happy that we as a company are able to come here today and help those single mothers.

There are fathers too who are also out there doing it on their own, and I also seeing this programme going to where we also help single parents as opposed to just single mothers.

“We envision a day when nobody has to wonder where they are going to get their next meal from. That’s why we think it so important, and why we continue to partner with the Bahamas Feeding Network and why we pledge $100,000 over the next three years to BFN.” Mrs Basitian noted that AML is committed to helping the needy in the communities. “These are tough economic times when most organisations have had to cut back on assisting in order to survive. We consider it our responsibility to step in and help the less fortunate in the communities we operate in.”

Mr Smith thanked Pastor Paul Mullings, of Mt Caravel Baptist Church, who was in charge of securing names and compiling a list. He said that BFN has 120 member partners that include soup kitchens, churches and feeding organisations that help them identify those in need.

“I embrace every opportunity to help those in need

regardless of who they are, and I am grateful that Philip Smith of BFN opened the door way that I can be of greater help,” Pastor Mullings said. “We have a feeding programme at our church, and by inviting us to come on board has really filled a void,” he said.

Mr Mullings said that while they can’t meet everyone’s needs this time, they will create a database with names, addresses and telephone number of recipients.

The recipients were very grateful to BFN and AML for assisting them. A grandmother who is caring for her grandson said: “There are a lot of people hurting financially, it’s hard, and I am not working and I need help. I have a grandbaby home and having to provide lunch for her every week is not easy, so I really appreciate this gift. God is really good.”

A single widowed mother, with three children, said things have been extremely rough since losing her husband in an accident. “I want to say thank you guys, I really needed the help. I lost my husband in a car accident and he left three kids behind. I am working, but it is hard to keep the light, water, cable on, and food for the three kids. I thank God because it was blessing, just two days ago I was praying and rest my hands on the cupboard, and I know this is blessing from God.”

GR SWEETING CUSTOMERS HELP RANFURLY HOMES

GR SWEETINGS representatives Lakeisha Greene, Jasmine Woodside, Charlene Ritchie and Lacherra Coakley at the cheque presentation to Princess Burrows (supervisor and assistant to the administrator), Latoya Polacek (secretary on the board of directors) and Alexander Roberts (administrator).

GENEROUS customers of G R Sweeting have helped raise over $13,000 during the summer to help The Ranfurly Homes For Children cover the costs of the new school year for its students.

During July and August, shoppers at the various The Shoe Village and Clarks stores were asked if they would make a donation to the home - which offers a safe haven to 25 children, ranging in age from 12 to 17 - at the time of purchase.

By this month, G R Sweeting had collected over $6,000 from the public. The company then matched the public’s contribu-

tion, in total donating $13,072 to the worthy cause.

Established in 1956, the Ranfurly provides everything for the children residing there, including food, shelter, a private education and clothing. The home also provides professional counselling for all children. It depends on the public (private and corporate) for 80 per cent of its income.

Lotoya Polacek, Board Member and Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee at the Ranfurly, said that partnering with G R Sweeting has meant a lot to the organisa-

tion. “We are very grateful to G R Sweeting & Son Co Ltd. Through this partnership, that started in July, 2014, Ranfurly is able to continue to provide a stable, safe and loving home for abused, abandoned, and neglected children.”

Gwen Burrows, G R Sweeting’s Retail Operations Manager, praised the generosity of their customers. “Without our customers this initiative could not have been successful. We are very thankful,” she said.

The company says it looks forward to partnering with the Ranfurly Homes again in the future.

PARADISE PLATES TO CELEBRATE ONE MILLION MEALS FOR HUNGRY THIS weekend’s Paradise Plates event is being billed as a grand celebration of one million meals delivered by Hands For Hunger since its inception, eight years ago.

The event will showcase a lavish array of gourmet food prepared by premier chefs from new and established restaurants in Nassau, the Family Islands and Miami, along with vintners, brewers and beverage purveyors who will create signature cocktails for event guests. Paradise Plates also includes a raffle, with prizes including JetBlue tickets and private sushi classes, as well as live entertainment and spectacular surprises.

This year’s fundraiser - scheduled for Saturday, October 1, from 7pm-11pm in the Atlantis Imperial

Ballroom - will feature 35 restaurants and beverage purveyors, including some of the newest and hottest restaurants in Nassau.

Guests will have the opportunity to sample signature dishes from Louis & Steen’s, Cassava Grille, The Galley, Pop Stop and Summer Palace, in addition to experiencing the culinary creations of chefs outside of Nassau - 1648, Eleuthera; Xuma’s, Highbourne Cay; and Flavour Mama, Miami.

Hands For Hunger has also brought back some of the most popular participants from previous years, including Nobu, Mahagony House, John Watling’s, Young’s Fine Wine, and Le Petit Gourmet. Restaurants presenting at Paradise Plates for the first time include Sapodilla, Drifters

and One & Only Ocean Club.

“Paradise Plates’ splendour is the result of an outstanding network of sponsors; food and beverage suppliers; auction donors; entertainers; and volunteers that join together to make the event a success. Every contribution helps put meals on the table for individuals that would have otherwise gone without,” said Zeleka Knowles, executive director, Hands For Hunger.

All proceeds from the event benefit Hands For Hunger, the non-profit humanitarian organisation committed to the elimination of unnecessary hunger and the reduction of food waste throughout New Providence. Since the organisation’s inception in 2008, Hands For Hunger

has provided one million meals to members of the community facing hunger and food insecurity through its food rescue programme that currently serves 14 recipient outreach agencies.

The Island Luck Cares Foundation continues their commitment to Hands For Hunger as a presenting sponsor for the second year.

They are joined by JetBlue and NewCo2015, both of which are also presenting sponsors.

Diana Sands, public relations manager of NewCo2015, said: “NewCo2015 Limited has partnered with Hands for Hunger in the fight to eliminate hunger in the Bahamas. We are committed to making a difference in the community in which we operate and believe that no one should

ever go hungry.”

JetBlue has forged a strong partnership with Hands For Hunger through not only sponsorship, but also through the regular and enthusiastic volunteering of its staff and by donating the grand prize for the raffle - four tickets to anywhere in the world that JetBlue flies. General Manager Alan Sweeting served as the Hands For Hunger ambassador for February.

Other sponsoring partners include: Atlantis; Creative Relations; Wildflowers Events and Occasions; and Zamar, each of which offer in-kind donations that help create the spectacular evening.

Hands For Hunger is a registered not-for-profit Bahamian charity led by a volunteer board of directors,

a small staff and fuelled by the efforts of over 600 dedicated volunteers annually.

The organisation depends on the success of its signature fundraiser, Paradise Plates, through the dedication of corporate partners, community/civic groups and the generosity of the Bahamian community.

Hands For Hunger seeks to achieve its mission until no one goes hungry.

Tickets for Paradise Plates can be purchased online at www.handsforhunger.org or in person at the Hands For Hunger office in The New Providence Community Centre, and Bahamas Vision Centre in The Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.

For more information call 327-1660 or send an email to tickets@handsforhunger.org.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, September 27, 2016

THE CLASSIC Band performing at the grand opening of BTC’s Creole store on Carmichael Road.

BTC CREOLE FRANCHISE OPENS DOORS THE first Creole Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTC) store opened last night with the franchisee, Robert Dieudonne, hailing it as a solidifying of the partnership between the Haitian community and the firm which has existed for decades.

The store, on Carmichael Road, will offer customer service in Creole and English and will be staffed by four bi-lingual team members.”We believe that this is just another ges-

ture that demonstrates our commitment to customer service and to the Haitian community,” Leon Williams, CEO of BTC, said.

BTC, which has 28 franchise stores across the country, says it intends to extend special services to other diaspora markets in the Bahamas. Its support of the Haitian community has seen it sponsor Haitian Flag Day since 2002, the recent Haiti v Jamaica clubs football match and the weekend’s Caribana Festival.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ROBERT DIEUDONNE, owner of the BTC Creole store.

CUSTOMERS queue to get into the BTC Creole store.

BTC CEO Leon Williams at the Creole store opening.

PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN DEBATE HEMPSTEAD, New York Associated Press

IN a combative opening debate, Hillary Clinton emphatically denounced Donald Trump Monday night for keeping his personal tax returns and business dealings secret from voters and peddling a “racist lie” about President Barack Obama.

Businessman Trump repeatedly cast Clinton as a “typical politician” as he sought to capitalise on Americans’ frustration with Washington.

Locked in an exceedingly close White House race, the presidential rivals tangled for 90-minutes over their vastly different visions for the nation’s future. Clinton called for lowering taxes for the middle class, while Trump focused more on renegotiating trade deals that he said have caused companies to move jobs out of the US. The Republican backed the controversial “stopand-frisk policing” tactic as a way to bring down crime, while the Democrat said the policy was unconstitutional and ineffective.

The debate was confrontational from the start, with Trump frequently trying to interrupt Clinton and speaking over her answers.

Clinton was more measured and restrained, but also needled the sometimesthin-skinned Trump over his business record and wealth.

“There’s something he’s hiding,” she declared, scoffing at his repeated contentions that he won’t release his tax returns because he is being audited. Tax experts have said an audit is no barrier to making his records public.

Clinton said one reason Trump has refused is that he may well have paid nothing in federal taxes. He interrupted to say, “That makes me smart.”

Trump aggressively tried to turn the transpar-

REPUBLICAN presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton at last night’s debate. be crucial to the outcome dent.

She called for increasof the November elec“She’s got experience,” ing the federal minimum tion. he said, “but it’s bad experi- wage, spending more on “This is a man who has ence.” infrastructure projects and called women pigs, slobs Both candidates por- guaranteeing equal pay for and dogs,” she said. trayed themselves as best- women.

The televised face-off prepared to lead a nation Trump panned poliwas the most anticipated where many are still strug- cies that he said have led moment in an election cam- gling to benefit from a slow to American jobs being paign that has been both economic recovery and moved overseas, in part behistoric and unpredictable. are increasingly fearful cause of international trade Both sides expected a re- of terror threats at home agreements that Clinton cord-setting audience for and abroad. When Trump has supported. He pushed the showdown at Hofstra jabbed Clinton for taking her aggressively on her past University in suburban New time off the campaign trail support for the Trans-PaYork, reflecting the intense to study for the debate, cific Partnership trade pact national interest in the race she said, “I prepared to be while she was serving in to become America’s 45th president, and that’s a good the Obama administration. president. thing.”

She’s since said she opposes The centerpiece of The candidates sparred the sweeping deal in its final Trump’s case against Clin- over trade, taxes and how form. ton was that the former to bring good-paying jobs “You called it the gold senator and secretary of back to the United States. standard of trade deals,” state is little more than a Clinton said her Repub- Trump said. “If you did win, career politician who has lican rival was promoting you would approve that.” squandered opportunities a “Trumped-up” version Disputing his version to address the domestic of trickle-down econom- of events, Clinton said, “I and international she’s now ics — a philosophy focused know you live in your own pledging to tackle as presi- on tax cuts for the wealthy. reality.”

ency questions around on Clinton, saying he would release his tax information when she produces more than 30,000 emails that were deleted from the personal internet server she used as secretary of state.

Trump’s criticism of Clinton turned personal in the debate’s closing moments.

He said, “She doesn’t have the look, she doesn’t have the stamina” to be president. He’s made similar comments in previous events, sparking outrage from Clinton backers who accused him of leveling a sexist attack on the first woman nominated for president by a major US political party.

Clinton leapt at the opportunity to remind voters of Trump’s numerous controversial comments about women, who will

Trump struggled to answer repeated questions about why he only recently acknowledged that Obama was born in the United States. For years, Trump has been the chief promoter of questions falsely suggesting the president was born outside of America.

“He has really started his political activity on this racist lie,” Clinton charged.

Trump also repeatedly insisted that he opposed the Iraq War before the 2003 US invasion, despite evidence to the contrary.

Trump was asked in September 2002 whether he supported a potential Iraq invasion in an interview with Howard Stern. He responded: “Yeah, I guess so.”

Presented with the comment during the debate, Trump responded: “I said very lightly, I don’t know, maybe, who knows.”

The Republican also appeared to contradict himself on how he might use nuclear weapons if he’s elected president. He first said he “would not do first strike” but then said he couldn’t “take anything off the table.”

Clinton said Trump was too easily provoked to serve as commander in chief and could be quickly drawn into a war involving nuclear weapons.

“A man who can be provoked by a tweet should not have his fingers anywhere near the nuclear codes,” she said.

Trump replied: “That line’s getting a little bit old.”

Some frequently hot-button issues were barely mentioned during the intense debate. Illegal immigration and Trump’s promises of a border wall were not part of the conversation. And while Clinton took some questions on her private email server, she was not grilled about her family’s foundation, Bill Clinton’s past infidelities or her struggle with trustworthiness.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 27, 2016, PAGE 11

Rawson Square looking off-colour

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIANS and tourists in downtown Nassau have been noticing that something is a little off-colour in Rawson Square these days.

According to regulations, all buildings within the historic square are required to be painted in the same shade of pink.

However, general wear and tear is being blamed for rendering the three landmark buildings - the Senate, the House of Assembly and the court connected to the Supreme Court - in different hues.

Particularly pronounced is the court building on the east side of the square, which has turned more peach than pink, while the House of Assembly is a lighter shade of pink than the Senate.

The top of the Senate building also appears a different shade to the bottom.

Ministry of Works and Urban Develop-

ment officials yesterday confirmed that plans are underway to correct the colour scheme. Colin Higgs, the Permanent Secretary, said his office is addressing the matter, with plans already being discussed to paint the complex in the “correct colour code”. The ministry did not offer any timing as to when the changes are to be made.

WATCHMAKERS LAUNCH CAREERS AFTER GRADUATING FROM INSTITUTE THE first watchmaking technicians to graduate from the new Rolex Technical Institute in Nassau are embarking on their careers.

Rolex, the leading Swiss watchmaking brand, and John Bull, its official distributor in the Caribbean, announced the graduation of the technicians, who are taking up essential posts in after-sales watch servicing at John Bull in The Bahamas and at Harry Edwards Jewellers in St Lucia.

The programme, which was launched in 2015, is a product of the partnership between the Nassaubased Rolex affiliate for the Caribbean and Central America and Official Rolex Retailers in the region including John Bull. Their

THE FIRST two watchmaking technicians to graduate from the new Rolex Technical Institute in Nassau. mutual goal is to contribute to training men and women who can ensure the same quality of service that has built the reputation of Rolex around the world.

Building on this suc-

cessful first year, two new candidates, from The Bahamas and Barbados, are starting professional training at the Rolex Technical Institute this month. Tuition at the centre, which is

fully equipped by Rolex in Geneva to exacting technical standards, is provided by dedicated, long-standing professionals from the company. Official Rolex Retailers in the Caribbean and Central America have registered strong interest in the training opportunities, making the Instititute in the Bahamas a hub for the region.

“Rolex is very proud of the focus on providing essential know-how to local candidates,” said Alexandre Tabary-Devisme, General Manager of Rolex Caribbean. “We warmly congratulate the two first graduates from the Rolex Technical Institute in Nassau who are filling skilled and much-needed techni-

cal posts in the Caribbean.

We are looking forward to building on this success in the Bahamas in partnership with Rolex retailers in the Caribbean and Central America, thereby expanding the opportunity to learn watchmaking professions according to the brand’s demanding quality criteria.”

Candidates for watchmaker training are selected in conjunction with local official retailers and their intensive year-long course is financed by Rolex. It includes an internship of several weeks in the John Bull after-sales service centre.

This intensive one-year course is offered to highly motivated candidates who demonstrate the appropriate dexterity and the

aptitude to learn the necessary skills. On completion of the course, Rolex technicians must be able to service a Rolex watch in conformity with the strict standards of precision and quality that the brand uniformly requires of its certified personnel throughout the world.

Once trained, they will join the official retailer that sponsored them in one of the 20 Rolex after-sales service locations in the Caribbean or Central America.

The training programme is due to be extended to candidates from other Caribbean and Central American countries who will be selected by official retailers and Rolex according to the same criteria.