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PUNCH FOUNDER DIES AFTER HEART ATTACK Tabloid journalist often drew anger from politicians By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
IVAN Johnson, the founder of The Punch tabloid, died in hospital yesterday at the age of 68 after suffering a heart attack. Mr Johnson was rushed to Doctors Hospital after the heart attack yesterday morning, where he was put on life support but died yesterday evening. In a Facebook post last night, The Punch said: “Rest In Peace Ivan Nicholas Johnson.” Mr Johnson was a force
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
in Bahamian media for decades and The Bahamas Press Club honoured him for his contributions in 2018 with the Pioneer Award for his newspaper publication. His publication frequently drew the ire of politicians for stories and allegations published about them. According to The Bahamas Press Club, he was educated at Queen’s College and at the Seaford Court Preparatory School at Malvern Link, Worcestershire.
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said there was “no harm” and “no foul” regarding the Baha Mar contract controversy that surrounded former Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald in 2017. Asked about Mr Fitzgerald’s recent appointment as policy advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Davis told reporters he has confidence in the former Marathon MP’s ability to advise him. SEE PAGE THREE
SEE PAGE THREE
THE decision to send Corrections Commissioner Charles Murphy on administrative leave “is foul and inappropriate” and proves “something is amiss”, according to Mr Murphy’s lawyer Romona Farquharson Seymour, who yesterday urged Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis to intervene or publicly address the matter. Mrs Farquharson
Seymour defended Commissioner Murphy’s handling of Prescott Smith, the matter that sparked his removal, and highlighted National Security Minister Wayne Munroe’s role in a 2019 lawsuit that sought to quash Mr Murphy’s appointment as commissioner. She said that matter is evidence of Mr Munroe’s bias and questioned whether Mr Davis was aware of Mr Munroe’s role in the case. SEE PAGE TEN
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
PM: NO HARM, NO FOUL OVER FITZGERALD
...AND IT’S NO REGRETS FOR FOX SUPPORT
PRISON COMMISSIONER MOVE ‘FOUL AND INAPPROPRIATE’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FACE TO FACE: A ONE-STOP PLACE FOR LEARNERS
IVAN JOHNSON, founder of The Punch tabloid, who has died aged 68. He is pictured in 2018 receiving his Pioneer Award from the Bahamas Press Club. Photo: Press Club
MORE JABS IS GOOD - BUT SUPPLIES RUNNING LOW By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE chairperson of the National Vaccine Consultative Committee says The Bahamas faces rapidly dwindling COVID-19 vaccine supplies due to increased demand, however hesitancy remains among a portion of the population about receiving the jab despite more than 100,000 people reaching full inoculation.
DR MERCELINE DAHL-REGIS On Sunday, health officials announced that the country reached a new vaccination milestone, with 104,380 people now fully vaccinated.
However, in an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis said while this was exciting news, it did not mean that vaccine hesitancy was a thing of the past. She said there was rapid consumption of doses, but currently no confirmed date for when new supplies from the US government or the COVAX facility will arrive. “I’m excited,” she said of the new vaccination milestone. SEE PAGE FOUR
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he has “no regrets” advocating for a United States court to terminate criminal proceedings against Island Luck co-founder Adrian Fox. Mr Davis spoke to reporters after this newspaper revealed he wrote an August 10 letter to Judge Denise Cote, which was filed in the southern SEE PAGE THREE
PETER YOUNG: BE TOUGH ON MIGRATION - BUT OBEY THE LAW
- SEE PAGE NINE
THE TRIBUNE
DAVIS AWAITS REPORT ON DORIAN HANDLING PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis says he is awaiting a report on the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian to determine if an inquiry is needed into the former government’s handling of the disaster. Mr Davis made the comment when reminded that he had called for an inquiry into Hurricane Dorian deaths while in opposition. “I called for an inquiry and as I speak, I have a former permanent secretary of the government giving me an assessment of what he sees in relation to the consequences of Hurricane Dorian and where we are... I’m waiting for that report and once I get that I’ll know whether I do have to have an inquiry or not,” Mr Davis told reporters. Yesterday, Mr Davis also said after a briefing with finance officials, he was of the opinion that
the country’s finances are “dismal”. “Yes and it’s dismal, and we are trying to get some answers to some of the questions we have,” Mr Davis said. He would not elaborate on the matter. It has been previously reported that the country’s national debt had breached the $10bn mark due to the borrowing blow-out inflicted by the combination of COVID-19 and Hurricane Dorian. The Ministry of Finance, in its 2020-2021 full-year and fourth quarter “fiscal snapshot”, revealed Central Bank of The Bahamas data showing that the combination of the government’s $9.909bn direct debt — together with loans it has guaranteed on behalf of various state-owned enterprises (SOEs) — had taken the national debt to $10.356bn at end-June 2021.
PM: NO HARM, NO FOUL OVER FITZGERALD from page one
“Because I am looking for the best and brightest amongst us to help me carry through the big changes I have for this country. He is one person I have some confidence in to be able to help me to deliver that,” Mr Davis said. Asked about Mr Fitzgerald’s scandal before the 2017 general election, Mr Davis played coy. “What past scandals? What past scandals? Identify what the scandal is and I’ll respond to it,” he said. When the Baha Mar contract scandal was mentioned specifically, Mr Davis said: “It was nothing to do with him. There was no harm, no foul in relation to that.” In a since deleted tweet, the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit said last week that Mr Fitzgerald has been appointed the senior advisor and head of the PMDU. When contacted after the tweet, OPM sources initially said the appointment had not yet been finalised. However, OPM confirmed in a press release on Friday that Mr Fitzgerald has been brought in as a member of the team, although his exact role was
not specified. Shortly before the 2017 general election, The Tribune exclusively published emails showing that Mr Fitzgerald made recommendations on behalf of Bahamas Cargo & Logistics, a company he said was formed by his father years ago. Mr Fitzgerald confirmed that he sought contracts from Baha Mar for his family’s business after The Tribune revealed that he requested brokerage, trucking and limousine contracts worth millions. Critics claim that he breached the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure, which states that a minister must not “solicit or accept any benefits advantage or promise of future advantage whether for himself, his immediate family or any business concern or trust with which he is associated from persons who are in, or seek to be in, any contractual or special relationship with the government.” Mr Fitzgerald ultimately lost his 2017 re-election bid and the Progressive Liberal Party was swept from office in a landslide defeat by the Free National Movement, which had characterised the PLP as a “corrupt party.”
...AND NO REGRETS FOR FOX SUPPORT from page one
New York district court on Friday, in support of Mr Fox’s character. It was one of many character references urging the judge to impose a light, non-custodial sentence upon Mr Fox over the role he played in a human smuggling operation more than a decade ago. While on the sidelines of an event yesterday, Mr Davis said if he had to do it again – he would. “Mr Fox was a client of mine,” he explained. “I’m very familiar with the matter that’s before (the court) because I had discussions myself on his behalf with the United States government prior to 2012 and he has so reordered his life and his philanthropy and what he’s been doing in helping his community, I thought it only fitting for me to say to the courts what I thought of him. Those are my views. If I have to do it again, I’ll do it.” Asked if he had any regrets sending the letter now that he is prime minister, he replied: “No regrets.” In the letter, written about a month before the QC became prime minister, Mr Davis made it clear he was writing as a friend and his views could not be attributed to the office he then-held, leader of the opposition, or the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). “In view of the foregoing, and given this circumstance that has been his constant
shadow of uncertainty and anxiety for an inordinate period of years, I strongly advocate termination of proceedings against Mr Adrian Fox,” Mr Davis wrote. “Adrian is my friend - an exemplary citizen. Friends have obligations one to another to ensure the welfare of each other. “He personally walks the beat to say to young men that they should remain on the ‘straight and narrow’ path. Today, he is the poster boy for reform.” References for Mr Fox were also supplied by other Cabinet ministers, such as Jomo Campbell, minister of state for legal affairs, and Alfred Sears, minister of works. Former ministers Shane Gibson and Leslie Miller also vouched for him. Leslia Miller-Brice, Seabreeze MP-elect, and her husband Leander Brice who operates the Asure Win web shop chain and is the Island Luck co-founder’s nephew, also submitted character references. Mr Fox has agreed to a plea deal with US authorities, which omits all mention of the human smuggling offences he was initially charged with and has resulted in him agreeing to plead guilty to one count of helping to operate a vessel in US waters “in a grossly negligent manner.” He is due to be sentenced on October 15 and wants the judge to impose just a fine, probation and 100 hours of community service to be performed in The Bahamas.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021, PAGE 3
Punch founder dies after heart attack
from page one
Mr Johnson was a former professional, all-rounder, English first-class cricketer. During the English country cricket off-season winter months, he was employed as a trainee reporter at The Tribune. Last night, The Bahamas Press Club issued a statement, with president Anthony Capron calling him a “pioneer”. Mr Capron said: “It is with deep regret the Bahamas Press Club 2014 notes the passing of veteran Bahamian journalist, Ivan Johnson. “A pioneer in every sense of the word, Johnson’s journalistic career took him to newspapers in London’s Fleet Street, and Down Under to work in Australia. He was the publisher and editor of The Punch, which he founded in 1990. “The name of Ivan Johnson will be long remembered in journalism after many others have been forgotten.” When he won the Pioneer
IVAN Johnson in his days as a cricketer. Award in 2018, the club wrote: “In October 1975, Johnson became a trainee journalist with Thomson Newspapers, owned by Lord Thomson of Fleet. He worked at the Hemel Hempstead Evening PostEcho and studied at the Harlow College of Journalism in Essex. This training was followed by one year’s cadetship at Reuters.
“Johnson returned to Nassau in 1976. At The Tribune, two chief reporters had quit without warning. Johnson agreed to act as the newspaper’s chief reporter up to the 1977 general election. “In October 1976, Johnson clashed with the Progressive Liberal Party leader, Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, during the ZNS-TV radio programme, Contact. Contact was a monthly, live broadcast where Sir Lynden was questioned by journalists. Sir Lynden became angry when answering Johnson’s questions. In November 1976, Sir Lynden refused to appear with Johnson. Johnson continued to goad Sir Lynden in The Tribune. After the 1977 election, Johnson returned to England and in 1979, he gained employment at The London Sun newspaper as a staff sub-editor. “In 1985, Johnson was seconded to Australia and worked as a sub-editor at The Daily Mirror (Australia), The Townsville Bulletin and The Sunday
Times (Western Australia). In 1987, Johnson again returned to London. He worked as a freelance subeditor for the London Sun, News of the World and The Sunday Times before gaining employment as a staff sub-editor at the Daily Star.” In August 1989, he returned to The Bahamas and in February 1990 launched The Punch. “In 1992, on the morning of election day, The Punch ran a headline predicting the Free National Movement win over Progressive Liberal Party by 32 seats to 17. The tabloid was hence called The Prophet Punch,” the Press Club said. “To his credit, Johnson is the first and only Bahamian to have played professional cricket at the first-class and junior test cricket level.” Mr Johnson was the son of the late Basil Johnson, CNE, a Second World War flight sergeant - the only black Bahamian to fly in the British Royal Air Force during World War 11. His mother was from England.
FNM DISSENT OVER SENATE PICKS By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net SOME members of the Free National Movement are troubled by the party leader’s selection to serve in the Senate. Darren Henfield, Reuben Rahming, Maxine Seymour and Viana Gardiner were named as the FNM representatives to serve in the Senate. However, some FNMs are having a hard time with that. A former FNM senator said apart from one of the names presented, the short list submitted is made up unsuccessful politicians and civil servants. “Most of us are not happy with this,” the former senator said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. “These people have just lost their seats in an election. The chairman is saying daily that the party is going to regroup and present itself differently. These are the people who failed at the polls. We feel young, vibrant people could have been chosen. “Darren Henfield was rejected by Abaco. Reuben Rahming was rejected by Pinewood. Maxine Seymour was rejected by Seabreeze. Viana Gardiner is a privileged civil servant who has worked under both governments in key positions so we really don’t know for sure if her loyalty is with the FNM. “Maxine Seymour, although rejected by Seabreeze, I feel might be the best out of the four of them. She is not tainted by politics and is fresh on the scene so she might be able to represent us well in the Senate. As usual more input should have been sought from serious members of the
party and more options looked at. We cannot continue on with the same man calling all the shots. If that’s the case nothing has or will change.” An FNM council member also spoke to The Tribune and presented names that some FNMs thought would get Senate seats. The council member expressed surprise at whose names emerged from the official list. “We are surprised at who made the list,” the council member, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said. “Obviously these were not our picks nor were we consulted about anything. Some might have been asked secretly, but their opinion was not carried. “There are far more deserving FNMs than these. For example Tanya McCartney who ran for the FNM sometime back… bright minded, young, well-rounded individual in politics, law, the church, you name it. Then there is Khalil Parker. He has been in the trenches for some time. There is also Sir Michael’s daughter. The Torchbearers are right there. Why not get some young blood in there and create a balance? Instead we settle for people who lost their seats and someone from the OPM. We are not serious. I await November. We are supposed to be having a convention. This leader says he is leaving. Let’s see what’s going to happen. We have to do better in this party for the electorate to take us seriously. We need to think differently.” The Tribune contacted former FNM member of Parliament JM Pinder, who endorsed Mr Henfield and Mr Rahming. Mr Pinder also gave his thoughts on the outcome of the recent
general election. “I know two of them,” Mr Pinder said. “I know that Mr Henfield is a very reliable person. I certainly would endorse him. I never got to know Mr Rahming well, but I’ve seen him in Parliament and he speaks with authority. I thought he was relatively impressive. The other two, I don’t know. “I endorse the first two. I wish to say that I am very disappointed with the outcome of the election for the FNM. I served as a member of Parliament for ten years under the FNM. While in an election one can expect anything, but I sure did not expect that. I really thought the FNM would win, but it’s history now. They did us almost as bad as we did them in the previous election. “Regarding the loss, I have thought about a number of things, none of which seem to justify it. I don’t know if we were not active enough. It was a very difficult run. We had a serious hurricane and then a pandemic. I think it’s difficult pleasing people. Some people still don’t have homes. The government spent a lot of money trying to help those people, but they were not happy. The public expects too much from the government.” Mr Pinder said he felt a lot of people did not support the government because they were disappointed. With the FNM preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary later this month, Mr Pinder was asked what he thinks of the party 50 years later. He said, “I think when a proper analysis is done, we would have to say we did well, but we could have done a little better.”
PAGE 4, Tuesday, October 5, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Another suspected COVID case at prison By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe, QC, said yesterday that officials are investigating another suspected COVID19 case at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Mr Munroe said the suspected case is a prisoner who was quarantined in a cell with Prescott Smith, an inmate who reportedly also tested positive for COVID-19. Two other prisoners were also reportedly confined in the cell with Mr Smith despite his positive status, prompting the decision to send the Corrections Commissioner Charles Murphy on administrative leave last week. Yesterday, Mr Munroe said: “I am told that there was one case. We are now waiting (on) the PCR test of one of the inmates who was confined with Prescott Smith who appeared symptomatic when we toured. We’re awaiting that test.” Mr Munroe spoke to
reporters after touring facilities at the Royal Bahamas Police Force headquarters, including the RBPF’s real crime time centre, forensic lab and Paul Farquharson Conference Centre. He also visited the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Coral Harbour Base to tour facilities there. Yesterday, Mr Munroe pledged to advocate for additional crime resources, technological improvements and other critical upgrades needed to assist both agencies in their policing efforts. He also committed to full implementation of the MARCO Alert and a sexual offenders registry once all issues of concern have been addressed. “I don’t intend to come here to tell people how to do their jobs,” Mr Munroe said. “My job is to listen to the professionals and listen to what they say and their resource needs and then my job as an advocate, and I have a lot of training in that over the last 31 years, I’m to advocate for what the forces need to do their job properly.
“We have a very simple mantra that I have sought to bring to the ministry. We recruit the best, we end up with the best and we have to give the best their resources that they need.” Last week, the newly appointed minister toured certain sections of the correctional facility where he said he observed several health and safety issues of concern. “I went to certain parts of the prison and speaking with some of the officers in charge of the intake, medium, maximum and the female prison, it didn’t always line up with what my briefing was. I saw health and safety issues that I’ve directed the two deputy commissioners to address,” Mr Munroe added. “All of our institutions must be safe for the public servants, public officers who must use them and for the other stakeholders like the inmates who come into contact with them. “I received a quick briefing yesterday (Sunday) by Acting Commissioner (Doan) Cleare and it’s a very simple thing that he
was directed to do and what he is doing which is to comply with what Dr Johnson, the medical officer in the prison, says should be happening so I’m happy to say that we will have disinfecting of the prison every day as opposed to when somebody supposedly is infected which was a free standing recommendation by Dr Johnson.” He said officials are also discussing how to implement rapid antigen testing for new prisoners to mitigate further virus spread. COVID-19 vaccinations are also set to begin at BDCS on Thursday. “We’ll have to see how we can get rapid antigen testing of new persons coming into the prison to have some sort of risk analysis, something that was not instituted even though rapid antigen test kits aren’t very expensive,” he also said. “What they prevent is something that can be catastrophic and so I got a quick brief from Acting Commissioner Cleare and I’m happy to see that we’re now moving in the direction as this government is
committed to follow the science and to listen to what the medical people say.” Earlier this year, former National Security Minister Marvin Dames told reporters he and his team wanted to construct a new modern medium security prison able to accommodate up to 500 inmates in an effort to bring about reform to the prison system. Asked yesterday if it was a plan he would consider following up on, Mr Munroe said: “I’ve been briefed on some work about the construction; I think it’s a new medium security facility. I’ve been quite open to say that I was a member of the parole and re-entry committee that reported in 2017 – whose report was put on a shelf (and) not worked on. “The report spoke to one of the main objectives being to reduce the volume of imprisonment that The Bahamas undertakes. We imprison people at I think ten times the rate of all of our neighbours and that would affect the need for prison facilities so to my
view it should be a dual approach: one addressing who you send to prison, why you send them to prison and the length of time you send them to prison and improving the facilities that are there and the rehabilitative services that are there and the correction services that are there because they will come out.” Since Mr Munroe’s appointment to office, several top-ranking officials, who had been sidelined by the previous administration, have since returned to their respective posts before reassignment. Among those officers are Clayton Fernander, Ken Strachan and Leamond Deleveaux. Asked to respond to speculation about a shakeup in command structure in view of the appointments, Mr Munroe replied: “Well, you can ask the commissioner of police about that. He runs the police force. He produces a policing plan. He has certain protections in the law and I don’t intend, as I said after my swearing in (ceremony), to interfere.”
MORE JABS IS GOOD - BUT SUPPLIES RUNNING LOW
from page one
“We started March 15 and so to attain that level within this period of time is significant given that we’ve had to manage the supply issue of vaccines and I think that tranche of Pfizer — 128,000 doses — really made a difference and the uptake and the demand is there, and I think it’s been there for a while. “What I think is really impacting the demand is the travel. The proposed travel requirements for international travel particularly the US. We have been seeing a steady stream at the vaccination sites. The Family Islands have done
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell and US Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts sending vaccines to the Family Islands last month. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff extremely well, and I am vaccine hesitancy was no really pleased although the longer an issue, Dr Dahlnumbers aren’t high, the Regis said there was still participation is great.” increasing amounts of misAsked if this meant that information influencing
Graveside Funeral Service For Sterling Ricardo Moss Sr., 57
a resident of Alexander Blvd, Nassau Village, will be held at 1pm on Thursday, October 7th, 2021 at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road. Officiating will be Rev. Stephen E. Thompson assisted by other clergymen.
Left with precious memories are his mother: Rosemary Jones; wife: Francita Patrice Rahming Moss; sons: Lashard Carey, Sterling Jr., Rashad Moss; daughters: Rhondika Moss, Krystal Ferguson, Sterlanda, Steseka, Destine Moss; adopted daughter: Agia Smith; sonin-law: Travis Moss; sisters: Sandra, Kendralynn, Telsine, Daphne, Johnette Moss; brothers: Keith, John Jr. ,Steven, Prince, Gary, Travis Moss; grandchildren: Jensenique, Jaydin, Jensen, Jayda, Isaiah, James, Rayvon, Lashard Jr., Kylin; aunts: Ruthmae, Betty, Deanna, Dorothy, Sharlene; uncles: Reginald, Ted Sr., Carlton; brothers-in-law: Charles & Eugene; sisters-in-law: Melinda, Elizabeth, Jackie, Nikkie, Veese, Val, Helen; god children: Davette, Dashanique, Raven, Ranique; numerous nieces & nephews including: Kevon, Kera, Keisha, Terrance, Kia, Keith Jr., Lakeitra, Ketron, Keianna, Kevinique, Shelneka, Brandi, Rudella Clarke, Regina & Rukelle Smith, Alfred Storr, Cardinal Fernander, Shirique, Annique, Alphanique, Stephanie, Nicola, Phillipa, Carlie, Steven Moss Jr., Luke Moss, Stephen Moss, Petra, Nardo and too many others to mention, cousins: Elma Storr, Mosel Jr., Annamae, James, Tony, Angel Peters, Cleveland, Lana Smith, Calvin, Sherelle Deleveaux, Carlton Jr., Carolyn, Patrice, Adrianna, Ashley, Lynden, Tiffany, Denver, Quentin, Renwick, Ted Jr., Tonya, Thea, Kitchnell, McKell, Erica, Eddie, Alexander, Marvin, Arlington, Ramon, Mario, Dino, Keno, Lakeisha, Navardo Sr., Nadia Deal, Nikieto Neeley, Terrance, Teran, Trevor, Sharlisa, Sharliseer, Toya, Lashanda, Laurie,Rudeena, Joey, Nadia, Mark Jr., Atura, Kendra, Kendell & Marcus; and a host of other relatives and friends including: Papa Handle, Perry, Adam, Rasta, HannaMan, Kay, Panna, Sheldon Allen, Roach, Earl, Evette, Andy, Stephen, Randy, Joker, Rae, Omar, JB, Joel, Javis, Kenny, Mardo, Steven, Justin, Jamecko,The Brat Family, Jumbo & Family, Allison & Family, Craig & Family, CJ & Family, Mr. Bethel & Family, Sandra & Family, Nassau Village Community, Bain Town Community, Commando Security Family, Goldies Jewelry & Family, Bahamas Hotel Union, PMH Dialysis Ward & Male Surgical III Ward, Kenneth Poitier & Family, Roots Junkanoo group, Paula & Family, Mena & Family, Tiny & Family, Natasha & Family, Rochelle & Family, Pastor Steven Thompson and Tranfiguration Family, Cedar crest family. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd, Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads on Wednesday, from 12noon to 5pm.
decisions against receiving the vaccines. “I think we still have a population who are not willing to take the vaccine. We have not overcome it. We may have made a dent in it, but we still have those persons who really are still, for the same reasons when we started, are continuing and the misinformation has not decreased, it has increased.” She also said: “When I mention supplies, we are consuming the doses that we have right now in our infantry at quite a rate and we are anticipating that second tranche of Pfizer both from COVAX as well as from the US, but we don’t have dates of arrival for those yet.” Despite this, Dr DahlRegis said she did not believe the supply would be completely depleted or hinder the government’s ability to give the vaccines altogether. “I do not anticipate that at all,” she said. “We have a supply of Johnson & Johnson vaccines and we
manage our supplies in such a manner that we guarantee the second doses. If you had your first dose you will get the second dose.” Meanwhile, she said the number of teens getting the Pfizer vaccine has been encouraging with many more people inquiring about vaccines for children aged five to 11-years-old. Currently, only people who are 12 and older are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine. The US Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved the vaccine for children five to 11-yearsold, however it is reviewing data from Pfizer-BioNTech to make a decision. “Many are now anxiously awaiting the 5 to 11 grouping, if vaccines become available but we recognise that it’s going to be a little while still because this is a paediatric population, they’re very young,” Dr Dahl-Regis said. Concerning the committee’s position on booster shots, Dr DahlRegis said with supply an
issue, boosters cannot be considered. “We first have to get the first and second doses and we have a supply issue and what we’re concerned about is that if we have adequate supplies for the first and second doses. “One can’t even consider boosters at this time for the Pfizer that is. It’s not recommended yet for the AstraZeneca,” Dr DahlRegis said. According to the US Centers for Disease Control, COVID-19 vaccine booster shots are available for people who have received the PfizerBioNTech vaccine who completed their initial series at least six months ago and are 65 years and older, 18 and older who live in long-term care settings and 18 and older who have underlying medical conditions Also, those 18 and older who work in highrisk settings and who live in high-risk settings are permitted to receive a booster.
‘PINEWOOD FLOODING A PRIORITY’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net PINEWOOD MP-elect Myles Laroda has said addressing long-standing flooding issues in the constituency is a priority for the Davis administration. Mr Laroda, minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister, made the comments during a recent interview with reporters. “On the campaign, it was one of my key issues,” Mr Laroda said. “I would’ve spoken to the leader and I would’ve said on the campaign stump that the flooding situation in Pinewood is a priority for the next government which is now this government. I’ve gotten that assurance. “There is a report that I received from the Ministry of Work that was pretty
much detailed and I know several studies have been prepared with regards to Pinewood and not just Pinewood because Nassau Village is affected, parts of Seabreeze, parts of South Beach. So we would look at that with a view of bringing relief and putting that flooding situation behind us.” In June, then Minister of Works Desmond Bannister said that the Minnis administration was committed to addressing the problems in Pinewood. “This current budget has some $2m in it to... deal with this drainage challenge that was left to you in Pinewood, that you have been working so assiduously to try to do something about. We are seriously committed to Pinewood and to helping you deal with the challenges that have been there for
decades that you are now dealing with,” Mr Bannister said in Parliament at the time, referring to the area’s former MP. Pinewood has been prone to heavy flooding for years. In 2013, then area MP Khaalis Rolle said a new drainage system for the area could cost the government as much as $13m. He started plans for the new drainage system, however, the initiative was never carried out under the last Christie administration. In August 2019, former area MP Reuben Rahming said more drains would be installed in the area, but warned drains are not a “panacea” for the issue. At the time, he estimated $10m was needed to address the flooding issue in Pinewood — money which he said could not be allocated at the time.
MAN KILLED AS TRUCK OVERTURNS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A MAN was killed in a traffic accident on Grand Bahama on the weekend when the truck he was driving overturned in bushes near Bahama Rock. The victim suffered fatal injuries after being ejected, a senior police official reported on Monday.
The accident occurred shortly before midnight on Sunday at Warren J Levarity Highway, involving a 2011 GMC Sierra truck. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle reported that the truck was travelling at a high rate of speed near Bahama Rock when the driver lost control and overturned into bushes some distance on the northern side of the highway.
“The driver was ejected some distance away from the vehicle and received serious injuries,” ASP Rolle said. EMS were called to the scene and examined the victim, but found no signs of life. The victim was taken to Rand Memorial Hospital, where he was examined by a doctor and pronounced dead. An investigation is continuing.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, October 5, 2021, PAGE 5
Minister Bowleg seeks partnerships to help wake sleeping GB economy By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MARIO Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, is convinced that public-private partnerships through his ministry to attract major sporting and cultural events can make Grand Bahama’s “sleeping” economy vibrant again. The minister flew to Grand Bahama on Monday with a delegation. He visited a proposed office space for staff at the ministry and then toured the Grand Bahama Sports Complex on Coral Road. He was accompanied by Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey. “I wanted to meet with
the Minister for Grand Bahama Moxey to ensure we partnership together and get some PPPs going and make Grand Bahama vibrant again and its economy through sports, youth, and culture. “So that’s the reason I am here in Grand Bahama. It is a sleeping giant, and we need to wake Grand Bahama’s economy back up and I believe my ministry along with tourism can do that, and the Ministry of Grand Bahama.” Mr Bowleg is confident that his ministry can make a significant impact on the development of the country. “I come to meet with the staff at MYSC as it relates to how we can make this ministry the number one
ministry in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” he told reporters following his official tour in Grand Bahama. “When we say the youths are our future, we talk about the impact that sports brings to a country. I believe more focus needs to be on this ministry as it relates to the impact we got on this country.” Mr Bowleg was disappointed with the conditions that staff are working under in Grand Bahama. “Looking at staff and them not even having a place to be since Hurricane Dorian is ridiculous. And so, the first thing I want to do is to see how best we can put them in some housing. I think the MYSC in Grand
Bahama should have their own building.” The minister has indicated that he has viewed some potential facilities to rent for the relocation of his ministry. “We are going to look at three spots we are going to rent and to try to renovate so they can feel better. You don’t want to spend nine hours of the day in a facility that you are uncomfortable with. And I think that it is one of the first things I will make sure happens in order for them to be productive. We will find a facility they can be placed in and feel comfortable and do the work for the ministry,” he explained. At the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, Mr Bowleg said the sporting
facility is in good standing, but some improvements are needed to attract major sporting events. “When I look presently at these facilities here, I would not say they have been neglected, (it is) in really good standard, but we want to try to improve standards of these facilities because Grand Bahama should be a hub where we want to have major high-class facilities to bring tourist attractions for the sporting world here in Grand Bahama. “There are lots of persons out there talking about what should be done in sport and culture and as the new minister, I do believe that none of us know it all. And so you should bring the bright minds and innovative minds…
together and bring ideas so we can move sports forward.” Mr Bowleg says he believes an advisory council in sports and culture would allow the ministry “to bring the right people around the table to make decisions that can benefit all, and not just a privileged few.” He stressed that it is vital that the council comprises business-minded individuals. “That’s why when we talk about the orange economy and the creatives, what we want to do under this ministry is to...have persons with the know-how in sports, but also business-minded people. I assure you the next four years you will see a great change and impact that sports will bring to this country,” Mr Bowleg said.
MORE THAN 400 HAITIAN MIGRANTS STILL HELD IN INAGUA By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King said yesterday that about 429 Haitian migrants are still being detained in Inagua following repatriation exercises held over the weekend. He said those individuals are expected to be returned to their home country soon. “While I wish not to preempt my colleague, the director of immigration nor the minister of immigration, I’ve been advised that those persons are still being cared for and I think it’s some 429 persons as we speak,” the RBDF commander told reporters at the RBDF’s Coral Harbour Base yesterday. “They’re still being detained and cared for and they had anticipated the magistrate being flown in to Inagua this morning and repatriation to begin as early as today (Friday), but I haven’t’ been updated since this morning.” His comments come after more than 400 migrants were repatriated to Haiti on Friday. It was previously announced that repatriation exercises on the island would continue throughout the weekend. However, when asked for an update on the matter, Commodore King said he was informed that the remaining migrants were still being detained on the island. This was also confirmed by Immigration and Labour Minister Keith Bell, who told reporters that those migrants were expected to be charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
RBDF Commodore Raymond King yesterday. “You would recall that the HMBS Lawrence Major was in Inagua with 430 migrants onboard which was comprised of 294 male adults on board, 73 females, 40 boys, 21 girls, one infant boy and one infant girl,” Mr Bell said. “The chief magistrate and her team are down there and as I’m made to understand, they’ve started the court trials. Once those trials have been completed, we will send a note to Haiti and to their embassy to ensure that repatriation is swift as well.” More than 1,000 Haitians have been taken into custody by local authorities since September 22. Their illegal travel to The Bahamas comes as civil unrest and political turmoil continues to mount in Haiti following a devastating earthquake and
the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July. Neighbouring countries such as the US have also seen mass migration from Haiti in recent weeks. Local government officials have also warned that more Haitian migrants could arrive in the country in the days ahead. Yesterday, Commodore King maintained that officials are keeping a close eye on the situation and have also beefed-up border patrols to crack down on any illegal migration efforts. “We maintain our presence as we speak,” he noted. “We have an aircraft that will be deployed to work along with the OPBAT and the United States Coast Guard and we have use of our regional relationships in terms of
intelligence that we receive from the Cuban Border control from the Turks and Caicos as well as the United States and OBPAT operations. “We have our intelligence sources. We are monitoring the movement and we have our vessels strategically positioned. We maintained a layered, strategic approach in addition to the blockade that is off the southern Bahamas. We also maintain a blockade here in the central Bahamas. In the event the southern border is breached, it will be extremely difficult for any vessel to reach New Providence,” Mr King also said. Last week, several United Nations agencies issued an appeal for countries to refrain from deporting Haitian migrants without properly assessing their needs. However, responding to their calls yesterday, Mr Bell said it was “virtually impossible” for the government to do so, arguing that keeping migrants in those conditions was simply not sustainable. He said: “Our position is, we have to look at the number of migrants that came in there. It’s virtually impossible for us to halt repatriation precisely because the longer we kept those persons in those conditions because you know there were two places that we had — two auditoriums — and so we need to once they are processed, we need to get them out of those facilities because then, of course, the longer we keep them there it lent the potential for abuse, etc, so we had to get them back out.”
MINISTER of National Security Wayne Munroe touring the RBDF base yesterday. Photos: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
PAGE 6, Tuesday, October 5, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
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It might not be a New Day after all for the PLP THREE different stories on our front page today might cause readers to raise an eyebrow at our new government. Let us start with a familiar face, that of Jerome Fitzgerald, who was Education Minister under the previous PLP government and who was the centre of controversy as that administration’s time wore on. Having started out shaking hands with Peter Nygard along with other PLP ministers at a gathering at Mr Nygard’s home, Mr Fitzgerald attracted criticism for several other incidents during his time in office, including his handling of an oil spill in the Marathon area, and claiming he found emails belonging to an activist group in his political garbage can and tabling them in Parliament – which led to him being immortalised in song by musician KB. The series of emails revealed by The Tribune in which Mr Fitzgerald lobbied Baha Mar owner Sarkis Izmirlian for brokerage, trucking and limousine contracts and asking Mr Izmirlian for his “personal intervention” also caught the headlines. Asked yesterday about Mr Fitzgerald’s newly confirmed role as a policy advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis shrugged off any worries, saying there was “no harm, no foul” in relation to Baha Mar. The harm, critics suggest, is that he breached the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure, which states that a minister “must not solicit or accept any benefits, advantage or promise of future advantage whether for himself, his immediate family or any business concern or trust with which he is associated from persons who are in, or seek to be in, any contractual or special relationship with the government.” But according to Mr Davis, no harm, no foul. He might wish to address whether he thinks it is fine for his new ministers to act in the same way, or whether he would consider that a breach of procedures – but he chose not to do so on this occasion.
Next up, Mr Davis is vouching for the good character of Adrian Fox, who has agreed to plead guilty in a US court to operating a vessel in US waters “in a grossly negligent manner”. Mr Fox’s plea deal has seen the US authorities omit all mention of the human smuggling offences with which he was initially charged. Asked about his letter of support, sent in August before the election, Mr Davis says he has “no regrets”. He calls Mr Fox “an exemplary citizen” in the letter. And lastly there is the continuing story of the Corrections Commissioner, Charles Murphy, being put on leave, with his lawyer calling the move “foul and inappropriate” and questioning the role of National Security Minister Wayne Munroe over his role in a 2019 lawsuit that sought to quash Mr Murphy’s appointment as commissioner. Mr Munroe says he is not biased, but Mr Murphy’s lawyer says he should have recused himself from decision-making in this matter. The PLP arrived in office after a campaign that promised “A New Day”. Does this really seem like a new PLP or does it seem very familiar to the one voted soundly out of office under Perry Christie’s leadership?
Ivan Johnson
Love The Punch or hate it, Ivan Johnson was a force in The Bahamas. He founded the tabloid newspaper – but long before that he was a reporter at The Tribune, serving as the chief reporter up to the 1977 General Election. The list of politicians he clashed with is long, including Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling. Beyond that, he was also the first and only Bahamian to play professional cricket at the first-class level. He was a notable figure in the political landscape of The Bahamas – and now he has died, having suffered a heart attack yesterday. His absence will be felt, and we hope that he rests in peace.
Don’t stop at Mr Murphy EDITOR, The Tribune, WHILE I will not directly address the matter of Prison Commissioner Charles Murphy (which is best left to be played out by the authorities and any legal proceedings that may follow), the public would be well advised to regard claims of PLP “victimisation” over the coming months with healthy scepticism. And the PLP would do well not to be distracted by such allegations as it gets to the bottom of the many questionable actions of its predecessor. “Victimisation” is a word that the Bahamian media seems to miraculously recall whenever the PLP is in power, but it is a word without a political affiliation. Following an administration that so blatantly and consistently abused its powers (on its very first day in office, a defeated PLP candidate was arrested and handcuffed for removing what turned out to be his own property from a government corporation) the Davis administration has not
only a right, but an obligation to hold to account those public servants who were complicit in alleged FNM abuses. What happened to Shane Gibson and Frank Smith was one of the clearest cases of victimisation in living Bahamian memory. It appalled the Chief Magistrate and it so shocked defending attorney KD Knight (a seasoned Jamaican elder statesman) that he no doubt went home with a diminished view of The Bahamas. Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle clearly has to answer not to the PLP, but to the Bahamian people, for what took place under his watch. He is a public servant, charged with serving the interests of the public, not politicians – be they FNM or PLP. If state power was indeed abused, it is simply not good enough to invoke the Nuremburg defence. Former Deputy Commissioner Keith Mason once reportedly told a senior PLP minister “No Minister, I will not do it”, creating a
precedent that should be observed by all of his successors when faced with improper political orders. The Director of Public Prosecutions, another public servant, apparently permitted prosecutorial tactics that the Chief Magistrate called “egregious.” Is he beyond accountability to the public for that? The Bahamian public have for too long been treated as mere spectators to matters that involve both their money and their fundamental rights. This is unacceptable. Messrs. Murphy, Rolle and Gaskins owe whatever power they temporarily wield to the citizenry of The Bahamas, and not to either political party. They should therefore conduct themselves in the knowledge that they are ultimately accountable to a permanent fixture called the Bahamian public, even as different parties and politicians come and go. ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, October 3, 2021
Common sense over COVID EDITOR, The Tribune. THIS Covid-19 pandemic, which seems intent on cleansing an over populated planet, has presented many problems for humanity. As far as the scientists know at present the best way to protect oneself from the deadly virus is to get vaccinated, wear a mask so as not to inhale infected air, and wash your hands after touching objects that might be contaminated. Sounds simple. But it is not. It has presented a major problem for society as there are theorists out there preaching from a different text — vaccinations are not the answer, they claim. However, they are not scientists, nor am I. However, as far as I am concerned what the scientists are recommending seems the only reasonable way out of /or around this pandemic at the moment. Let me use myself as an example. I am an ordinary working man with no science degree. There is a pandemic that seems intent on cleansing the planet. I am told by scientists whose training and life is dedicated to finding the scientific solution to the present pandemic that the best protection now at my disposal is to get a shot, wear a mask, wash my hands and avoid large clusters of people. So far so good. However, there are others who think that this is too much of a strain on the way of life to
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net which they are entitled. They have no concern that in exercising their “entitlements”, they are not only infringing on the rights of others, but putting those persons — as well as themselves– in life threatening danger. They question the only scientific knowledge available at present, and argue that their constitutional rights cannot be denied – to hell with the other man’s right to life, they seem to say. A court case just heard in the United States required that employees were to either receive a COVID -19 vaccine or submit to a request for medical exemptions or an exemption for a sincerely held religious belief. Employees who did not comply with this policy would be subject to termination. Of course, the objecting employees took the matter to court claiming that the employers’ vaccination policy infringed on their constitutional rights and failed to provide religious and medical accommodations required under the American with Disabilities Act and Title V11 of the Civil Rights Act. Taking into consideration the substantial harm to others and the public interest, the court held that the plaintiffs were not entitled to injunctive relief. Since this pandemic, eating out, and mixing with
others has been curtailed. Hotels and restaurants are trying to maintain all of their patrons by assuring them that their restaurants and bars are safe because their staff have either been vaccinated, or been tested for the virus. In other words I can continue to support my favourite eatery because I know it is as safe as any place can be. I know that the chef, the waiter and bartender are as safe as they can be from contaminating me. However, if it is known that the establishment cannot guarantee this security, then the choice is mine. I shall no longer support that establishment. Get too many patrons doing this, the restaurant will have to close, staff, who are presently objecting to the free vaccinations, or cost of testing will be without jobs – and no jobs, no salary! It is now time for Bahamians to use their commonsense. They have to decide whether they get vaccinated, or choose to pay for testing or find they no longer have a job. It’s as simple as that. Don’t forget it is the establishment’s patrons that secure your jobs! Without our patronage, your place of employment might have to close and you will have no job. So use your commonsense – go and get vaccinated! I WOULD STILL LIKE TO EAT OUT! Nassau, October 1, 2021
Property Tax giveaway EDITOR, The Tribune. ONE of the giveaways that we became so accustomed with from the outgoing Government was concerning the substantial arrears of unpaid Real Property Tax — some $600m on personal properties. An amnesty - incentive to pay your obligation - a straight up “giveaway” call it all you want fiscal irresponsible knowing the state
of our national finances. So the concession ends today..... who cares about those who pay annually who in some cases scrape to gather their obligation now the outgoing Government saw it fit to give a gratuitous reward for not paying taxes. Before September 16, Finance said proudly they collected $27m clearly and obviously monies which the tax payers who were in arrears all had but the outgoing Government saw it
fit... ethical and meritorious to reward not paying obligated taxes. Can the new Treasury people - Simon Wilson, not acting but substantive Financial Secretary - confirm how much was collected and how much was given away in discounts? This taxpayer wants to know. AMBROSE SMITH Nassau, September 30, 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, October 5, 2021, PAGE 7
THREE YEARS IN JAIL FOR MAN FOUND WITH $3M OF MARIJUANA By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 54-YEAR-OLD man who was last week found with over $3m worth of marijuana after he led police on a high-speed chase was yesterday sentenced to three years behind bars. Police arrested Theodore Ferguson after they recovered 3,053 pounds of Indian hemp from a bus he was driving on September 30. The court was told that around 3.30 that morning, police acting on information went to Bacardi Road where they saw a bus driving with no headlights. The prosecution said when they beckoned for the driver of the vehicle to stop by using fog horns and sirens, the man, who was later identified as Ferguson, took off at a high rate of speed. A chase followed and the bus eventually came to a stop near Boatswain Hill. Officers discovered a large quantity of drugs when they searched the vehicle. Ferguson was arrested. During his interview with police, he admitted being the person who was driving the bus who attempted to elude police. According to the prosecution, the marijuana has a street value of $3,053,000. After Ferguson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with the intent to supply, he was sentenced to three years behind bars and fined $10,000. Magistrate Rolle Davis said if he failed to pay the fine, he could risk spending an additional six months in prison. In a separate case, a fisherman who was found with over four pounds of
marijuana was yesterday fined $8,000. Leroy Bethel, 28, of Gregory Town, Eleuthera, was arrested after he was found with $4,500 worth of Indian hemp on September 29. When he appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis yesterday, he pleaded guilty. He was arraigned with a woman. However, the charges brought against her were dropped after Bethel pleaded guilty to possessing the marijuana with the intent to supply. The prosecution said on the day in question, officers on mobile patrol in Gregory Town observed a black Nissan vehicle parked in a way that obstructed traffic. The court was told when they attempted to approach the vehicle, Bethel, who was driving, drove off prompting the officers to pursue him. When the vehicle came to a stop after crashing, Bethel got out of the car with a bag in his hand. When officers examined the bag, they found a quantity of marijuana in it. Bethel was then taken to the Governor’s Harbour Police Station, where he denied the offence. Yesterday, Bethel was represented by attorney Ian Cargill. He told the magistrate his client pleaded guilty at his earliest opportunity because he did not want to waste the court’s time. He also noted that the amount of drugs the accused was found with was relatively small. After listening to his plea in mitigation, Magistrate Rolle Davis accepted Bethel’s guilty plea and fined him $8,000 or two years in prison.
MAN ADMITS PUNCHING BOYFRIEND OF HIS EX By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN who admitted punching his former girlfriend’s boyfriend during an argument was yesterday placed on six months’ probation. Mark Hanna was arrested after he punched his ex-girlfriend’s current partner in the face in May. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis. The court was told that the complainant had told police that he was in the Finlayson Street area when Hanna approached him and assaulted him by punching him in his face. After he requested police action, officers who investigated his complaint arrested the
accused. When he was questioned in police custody, he admitted being in a physical fight with the complainant. Yesterday, Hanna told the magistrate the man who reported him to police also has a child with his ex-girlfriend, with whom he also has a child. He claimed he started the fight because the complainant kept calling his phone and threatening him. “He would say stuff like ‘When I see you, you better be ready for me’ and other negative things,” Hanna said. After listening to his explanation Magistrate Rolle Davis placed Hanna on probation for six months. He warned him if he failed to be of good behaviour during that time frame, he could risk spending a month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A HAITIAN man has been charged in the Magistrate’s Court with murder. Doobensky Antoine, 25, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt Evans charged with the death of Maurice Fox, Jr, on September 26.
Due to the nature of the charges, he was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to January 19 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. Antoine was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
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An end to the Bank Lane Shuffle?
THEODORE Ferguson outside court yesterday. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A ROYAL Bahamas Police Force spokesman has advised that suspects will no longer be “paraded in public view” before arraignments as a part of the police force’s new “safety” protocol. The announcement was made in a statement issued to the media yesterday. Speaking about the new protocol yesterday, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said he was of the view that it is not ethical to expose suspects for public viewing before arraignments, suggesting everyone is innocent until proven guilty. The practice is colloquially known as the “Bank Lane shuffle”. “Well, the Magistrate’s Court building was designed with a cell block that you drove the prisoners into. There are corridors behind the courts so that prisoners are not exposed to views,” he told reporters when asked about the new guidelines. “It (has) always been my view that it is not right and proper to display people, and a little story I give people is that helps me when I was defence counsel, defending against an identification because I was able to say, of course, they can pick him out. He was on TV when he went to court. He was in the newspaper when he went to court. “I trust there will be no
more shackling of persons. The law, as I understand it, is that you use just as much as restraint as is necessary in the circumstance if you have a white-collar criminal who isn’t likely to escape, there’s no need to shackle or sometimes even handcuff them.” He also said: “Again, the little story or I hope she doesn’t take offence to the joke I tell is, (a client) who I did a Court of Appeal matter for, there was absolutely no danger that she could run away from police and if she did, clearly she couldn’t get very far before they could retake her, but she was handcuffed and that may have been necessary. If that is stopped, I’m very happy to see the police anticipate what would be some of my concerns.” In May, Eyewitness News reported that Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said he wanted to make recommendations to put an end to the practice of parading suspects in public, which, he said, was a longstanding debate in the police force. “In other jurisdictions, you’d know that the jail is in the court and everybody is brought from within. You don’t have this scenario where you have to talk about the ‘Bank Lane shuffle,’” Commissioner Rolle said while appearing as a guest on Beyond the Headlines with former host Clint Watson. “These were things that we’ve been doing for many years and I think it’s a good time to look at changing it.”
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PAGE 8, Tuesday, October 5, 2021
A one stop place for learners online N
EVER before in the history of mankind have billions of human beings used the internet as a tool for traditional learning at the same time. The delivery of education drastically changed once the Covid-19 virus began to spread all around the world. Adults and children alike were thrust into a new way of learning that will likely become the standard for education going forward. In the Bahamas, spiking Covid-19 cases meant that the online learning mandate had to continue for most schools when they opened in the Fall. While children continue communicating with teachers through laptops and tablets, a growing number of adults are also turning to online learning to improve their knowledge and skills. Yet, there is no website where trainers and learners in the Bahamas could connect, according to one retired teacher. Lisa R McCartney says almost daily on Facebook, she would come across parents looking for tutors for their children, or adults looking for training and skills development. It made her realise the need for people to have one website to go to in order to gain access to numerous trainers certified to instruct in a variety of disciplines. With what she considers no less than inspiration from God, Lisa came up with the idea to create The Online Training Authority (TOTA). She is bringing together some of the best trainers in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. “What makes us unique is that there is no platform in the Bahamas that hosts trainers – no one stop place that learners can go to,” she said. “For too long, a lot of our tutors, trainers, coaches, and counselors have had to spend exorbitant amounts of money doing their own marketing or building their own websites in order to reach clients. A lot of them don’t have the funds yet to be able to do that. They’re just starting out, getting their client base and so forth. We bring them together, and we push the marketing for them. This is a space where trainers can prosper; they can make income for themselves and their families. We also want to see learners prosper and get the training they need.” On October 15, Lisa will officially launch www. theonlinetrainingauthority. com. In the meantime, she is building up a reputable cadre of trainers. In addition to their certifications, trainers will provide a police character reference and two referral letters before the final vetting process, in order to be included on the site. Now is the time for interested trainers to reach out and sign up in time for the launch. They must be ready to deliver top quality service to their students. Once the site is launched and courses begin, students will have the ability to rate the trainers, to ensure that learners are satisfied. Live training sessions will also be available. Lisa set core values for her platform – growth, productivity, change and development. As a veteran educator, she ultimately desires to see people really improve themselves in order to improve their quality of life. She spent the early years of her career as a science and family life high school teacher. She taught at CH Reeves High School, and did her teaching practice at St. Augustine’s College (SAC). Lisa is a 1989 SAC graduate and there, she met her best friend who became
the love of her life, C Kino McCartney. Together, they built a beautiful life and family, including daughter, Krysten and son, Daniel. “My husband has been my source of encouragement from day one; always praying for me, supporting me and encouraging me,” Lisa says of her husband of 26 years. Once the McCartneys had children, they decided that Lisa would stay home and homeschool the children. She did that for 16 years. Krysten is now a business major at Gordon College in Massachusetts. Daniel is now in the 11th grade attending Northstar Academy School online school. He wants to study computer science in college and he aspires to become a computer animator. Lisa envisions that her website will actually become a legacy that she and Kino can leave for their children, both of whom will be able to utilise their skills and talents on the platform after college. Kino not only offers moral support and encouragement, but he also became Lisa’s initial investor for her business. It was he who pushed her to reinvent herself and discover her passion as her homeschooling days came to an end. Lisa is also thankful for the support of her mother, Sandra Alleyne, who has been covering her in prayer throughout her life and has shown much support as she embarks on this new path. Her brother Julian Alleyne has also been instrumental in the launch of TOTA. Owner of Red Theory Design, Julian is responsible for the logo and most of her graphic designs for the business. The Online Training Authority received its biggest endorsement to date from the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Programme,, when Lisa won a $5,000 grant to help jumpstart her business. The 16-week programme brings together scores of women who want to launch or improve their business. The programme is designed to give them all the tools to create an effective business plan that will translate into successful enterprises. The programme is sponsored by the United States Embassy, the Small Business Development Centre, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and the Bahamas Development Bank. Lisa was the fortunate winner of one of seven grants that were awarded at the end of the programme. The seven winners were chosen out of 132 candidates who participated in the programme. A pitch competition was held to determine the winners. The AWE Programme’s graduation exercise took place last month. During one of the government-mandated lockdowns at the onset of the pandemic, Lisa was listening online to coach Ricardo Miller of “Effective Living”. He was talking about creating other sources of income when she started to think about what path she would take to entrepreneurship. “I knew that whatever I did had to be passive income – something that would make money while I’m sleeping, she said. “I also knew it had to be generational income. As I thought about what that could be, the Lord inspired me. I took out a book and began to write every single thing that was coming to me. The first person I shared my idea with was my husband, and then my brother. Since then, God has been opening doors for us.” As a result of her experience as an educator, trainer, author and veteran homeschooler, Lisa said people consistently sought
TOP RIGHT: Lisa R McCartney ABOVE: Lisa at the launch of her book, ‘Three Young Pigs’. RIGHT: C Kino McCartney with his wife Lisa R McCartney and children, Krysten and Daniel. her advice with regards to homeschool curricula, online education and training. She has now turned that need into a service she hopes will be successful. Lisa serves as the founder and president of this start up company. Prior to the creation of TOTA, Lisa qualified herself as a personality trainer, in association with Personality Insights, Atlanta, Georgia. She also authored a children’s book, “Three Young Pigs”. More recently, she was appointed as the treasurer of the Bahamas Homeschool Association. Her passion for learning and educating only stands to continue to grow as she develops what she
ABOVE: Krysten McCartney, centre, at her homeschool graduation ceremony, with her McCartney and Alleyne families’ support. RIGHT: Lisa R McCartney with her brothers, Julian, left, and Stephen, right. hopes will be a sought-after learning platform for the region. The Online Training Authority broadcasts live every Tuesday at 6pm from its Facebook page. Last week’s speaker was Tansey Louis of the Student Shed. This week, Lisa will host the show and speak on: “The Vision for Online Trainers in the Bahamas and the Caribbean”. To find out more about becoming a trainer, email info@theonlinetrainingauthority.com or WhatsApp 801-8153.
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THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, October 5, 2021, PAGE 9
We need to be tough on illegal immigration but obey the law
A GROUP of migrants being held at a church in Inagua. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff THE most recent comment by Senator Ted Cruz about the ongoing crisis on the US border with Mexico says it all. He has been a long-term critic of the Biden administration whom he accuses of failing to enforce US immigration laws there. But the Texan lawmaker has now gone further. He is quoted as saying the latest development involving more than 10,000 Haitians camping under the Del Rio International Bridge, after illegally entering the US, is “the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen”. This situation is now reported to have eased as some of these migrants have apparently been moved elsewhere in the US while others have been sent back to Haiti. But what has puzzled many people is why Haitians in their thousands have turned up at the US/ Mexican border, travelling through Colombia and Central American countries rather than trying to reach the US through the neighbouring Bahamas. The answer doubtless lies in their calculation that under the Biden presidency the US is now more welcoming to migrants so that the overland route is easier for direct entry. As the focus has suddenly switched to our archipelago – with some 900 Haitian migrants heading for Bahamian shores having been intercepted at sea and then held in detention in Inagua – much has already been written in the press about this. But it is such an important issue that I hope further comment might be justified. It is well known that mass migration from Haiti to The Bahamas has been a threat to the country for many years. While Haiti, with its population of more than 10 million, continues to suffer from political and economic instability and has become an impoverished country, it is inevitable that its deprived citizens will seek
The Peter Young column a better life elsewhere. The nearby Bahamas is an attractive destination. But, as conditions in Haiti have worsened – with the recent assassination of its President and another earthquake following the deadly one in 2010 – and migration has increased, the issue has become a ticking time bomb that surely needs to be addressed urgently. It is self-evident that with a population of some 400,000 spread out over a large number of islands, many of which are underpopulated, the country could be swamped by uncontrolled, disorderly and illegal mass migration. A large influx could quickly precipitate an overwhelming humanitarian crisis. It would put impossible pressure on civil society, affecting public services, housing, education and health – and even food supplies – to the unacceptable detriment of Bahamian citizens. Furthermore, injecting large numbers of foreigners into communities could lead to criminality and violence and it could even threaten the nation’s very existence. All this is, of course, well known but is perhaps worth repeating as a timely reminder that the first duty of governments is to
protect their own people and ensure their security – and one element of that is controlling illegal immigration. Many believe that such considerations should be the starting point of any discussion about migration from Haiti, not least by those who tend to be sympathetic to the plight of migrants who, they contend, are after all only trying to escape danger in their own country in an effort to seek a better life elsewhere. Certainly, the importance of treating everybody humanely and with dignity and respect in accordance with the law should never be underestimated, particularly in the case of those who are suffering from circumstances beyond their control. Thus, all countries need to have in place up-to-date immigration legislation so that all concerned are aware of what they can and cannot do and to ensure those concerned are treated fairly. Controlled flows of people across international borders are often seen as an important element of globalisation in so far as – in the case of larger receiving countries, in particular – migration can be a source of increased prosperity and beneficial to their societies. But for The Bahamas, which is classified by the UN as a Small Island Developing State, conditions peculiar to its particular status come in to play, and it is reasonable to expect others to recognise this. Nonetheless, while putting the interests of their own citizens first, it is essential for the government to find a balance between protecting its own people and respecting the human rights of migrants. Even with the assistance of the US Coast Guard, finding and intercepting vessels carrying migrants surely remains a difficult task, partly because of non-functioning drones and radar systems but also,
reportedly, due to the lack of an RBDF base nearer to Haiti – for example on Ragged Island. It is likely that some migrant boats are slipping through the net. But, for those who are caught, it is clear that the existing procedure of deportation, including those who have not had a chance to be heard in a court of law, has until now kept a lid on the problem and has wide public support. With so many migrants being held last week in Inagua, the island was said to be on the brink of an humanitarian crisis. According to the press, Human Rights Bahamas has welcomed the opportunity for all detainees to appear before a magistrate sent there for that purpose – and reports yesterday that more than 500 illegal immigrants were deported over the weekend will be welcomed by many. That said, there is the obvious danger of legitimate refugees and asylum seekers being swallowed up in mass court hearings and the criminalisation of people who are denied a chance to put their cases individually. So, in the midst of uncertainty and potential lack of due process for individuals – and while the country is under particular scrutiny about mass illegal immigration – the essential first step seems to be for the government to expedite the enactment of new legislation. It is said the law needs to be updated and clarified. A draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill has been around for a while, and The Tribune was writing editorially about the need to bring it forward for debate as long ago as the beginning of 2019. While deportation of illegal migrants, with or without an appearance in court, has worked so far, it is surely essential to ensure that the Bahamas government consistently acts in accordance with the nation’s own laws as well as its international obligations.
RIGHTS OF MAJORITY MUST BE PROTECTED During the last few week in the UK, climate change protesters have been blocking some of the nation’s main highways. This has caused havoc and massive disruption of traffic. The group concerned calls itself “Insulate Britain”. It claims its purpose is to publicise its demand that the government should pay for all homes in the country to be insulated by 2030, and that physically blocking highways is the only way to bring itself to public attention. Motorists in huge tailbacks of traffic have been in angry clashes with protesters. But, to many people’s bewilderment, the police have adopted a softly, softly approach in removing the protesters who seem to have been emboldened to spread
their activities. In explaining their supine reaction, the police have complained they lack sufficient powers to stop these eco-protesters. But that appears to be a hollow claim given that obstructing a public highway is already an offence. Some people regard these events as an example of democracy in practice when the right to protest must be respected, even in such extreme circumstances. The vast majority, however, consider that only in a tolerant country like Britain could unacceptable action of this sort by a minority be allowed to happen, and they have been demanding stronger action by the responsible authorities. It must have come as no surprise, therefore, that on the eve of the
current annual Conservative Party conference, the Prime Minister took the bull by the horns by pledging his support for the “law-abiding majority” going about their daily business; and he announced new measures – including fines and imprisonment – to stop what he called the “reckless and selfish” behaviour of this minority. That will surely go down well with those attending the conference. But many question why immediate action was not taken. Maybe it is a lesson to us all that, while our rights in a democracy – including the right to protest – are sacrosanct, a country’s leaders should always be guided by a sense of proportion in balancing those rights against the public’s broader obligations in a free society.
INSTITUTIONS TOO OFTEN PROTECT THEIR OWN IN BRITAIN last week, huge publicity about the outcome of the trial of a serving Metropolitan Police officer, who was convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering a 33-year-old woman walking home alone in south London in March this year, has reflected the outrage of a shocked nation. Under the guise of a false arrest for breaking COVID rules, the police officer in plain clothes handcuffed her, forced her into his car, and later burnt and dumped her body in woods near his home in Kent. The judge termed the case a “devastating, tragic, brutal and grotesque crime” and sentenced him to a whole-life term of imprisonment which is reserved for the most heinous crimes. It means there is no provision for parole and he will die in jail. Unsurprisingly, this horrific case has rocked people’s trust and confidence in the police though many contend that one rogue cop should not result in condemnation of the whole Metropolitan Police force that protects law and order in London. But what is worrying many people is that it has now been revealed that he had been described earlier as a sick and dangerous individual who should never have been near a police uniform. He had an unsatisfactory record in his police job and was a known drug user who had an unconcealed taste for “extreme pornography”. Yet, despite his unacceptable behaviour, he still managed to stay in the police force. Another well-known case affecting the Met that caused much concern was its flawed investigation following the murder of a black male teenager, Stephen Lawrence, in London in 1993. His killers were not brought to justice for some 20 years – and an official inquiry culminated in the Macpherson Report of 1999 which found that the
investigation had been marred by professional incompetence and failure of leadership as well as institutional racism. Yet another example in Britain, many years ago, of the deficiencies of large organisations was the case of the defection of two establishment figures – the infamous duo of Burgess and Maclean – who had been spying for the Soviet Union and had fled to Moscow together in the 1950s. They were aided and abetted by the notorious fellow spy Kim Philby, who had earlier warned both that the British security net was closing in on them, and who became known as the “Third Man”. In his book entitled “The Climate of Treason”, first published in 1979, the author Andrew Boyle expertly chronicles their story and how, for many years, they survived official scrutiny of their nefarious activities. Boyle maintains that Britain’s ruling class at that time was dominated by a tight web of loyalties, friendships and school and club relationships and was reluctant to investigate one of its own. So the failure of British authorities to unmask the activities of such people, despite compelling evidence that something was amiss, sprang from a mix of complacency, poor leadership, inertia and misplaced loyalties. I mention these cases in order to emphasise the importance of checks and balances in any system of democracy. They show how members of the public should be on their guard about potential inadequacies, weaknesses, mistakes – and sometimes the abuse of power – of large organisations that can develop into unaccountable behemoths; and these can include police forces and governments themselves. In all democracies they should be placed under constant public scrutiny in order to protect the people’s freedoms.
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A MASSIVE global outage plunged Facebook, its Instagram and WhatsApp platforms and many people who rely heavily on these services — including Facebook’s own workforce — into chaos yesterday. The company did not say what might be causing the outage, which began around 11.40am ET and was still unfixed more than six hours later, although scattered users have reported partial restoration of one service or another. Websites and apps often suffer outages of varying size and duration, but hours-long global disruptions are rare. “This is epic,” said Doug Madory, director of internet analysis for Kentik Inc, a network monitoring and intelligence company. The last major internet outage, which knocked many of the world’s top websites offline in June, lasted less than an hour. The stricken contentdelivery company in that case, Fastly, blamed it on a software bug triggered by a customer who changed a setting. For hours, Facebook’s only public comment was a tweet in which it acknowledged that “some people are having trouble accessing (the) Facebook app” and that it was working on restoring access. Regarding the internal failures, Instagram head Adam Mosseri tweeted that it feels like a “snow day”. Mike Schroepfer, Facebook’s
Global blackout of social media
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outgoing chief technology officer, later tweeted “sincere apologies” to everyone impacted by the outage. He blamed “networking issues” and said teams are “working as fast as possible to debug and restore as fast as possible”. There was no evidence as of Monday afternoon that malicious activity was involved. Matthew Prince, CEO of the internet infrastructure provider Cloudflare, tweeted that “nothing we’re seeing related to the Facebook services outage suggests it was an attack”. Prince said the most likely explanation was that Facebook mistakenly knocked itself off the internet during maintenance. Facebook did not respond to messages for comment about the attack or the possibility of malicious activity. While much of Facebook’s workforce is still working remotely, there were reports that employees at work on the company’s Menlo Park, California, campus had trouble entering buildings because the outage had rendered their security badges useless. But the impact was far worse for multitudes of Facebook’s nearly three billion users, showing just how much the world has come to rely on it and its properties — to run businesses, connect with online communities, log on to multiple other websites and even order food.
It also showed that despite the presence of Twitter, Telegram, Signal, TikTok, Snapchat and a bevy of other platforms, nothing can easily replace the social network that over the past 17 years has effectively evolved into critical infrastructure. The outage came the same day Facebook asked a federal judge that that a revised antitrust complaint against it by the Federal Trade Commission be dismissed because it faces vigorous competition from other services. There are certainly online services for posting selfies, connecting with fans or reaching out to elected officials, But those who rely on Facebook to run their business or communicate with friends and family in far-flung places saw this as little consolation. Kendall Ross, owner of a knitwear brand called Knit That in Oklahoma City, said he has 32,000 followers on his Instagram business page @id.knit. that. Almost all of his website traffic comes directly from Instagram. He posted a product photo about an hour before Instagram went out. He said he tends to sell about two hand-knit pieces after posting a product photo for about $300 to $400. “The outage today is frustrating financially,” he said. “It’s also a huge awakening that social media controls so much of my success in business.” The cause of the outage
remains unclear. Madory said it appears Facebook appears to have deleted basic data that tells the rest of the internet how to communicate with its properties. Such data is part of the internet’s Domain Name System, a central component that directs its traffic. Without Facebook broadcasting its location on the public internet, apps and web addresses simple could not locate it. So many people are reliant on Facebook, WhatsApp or Instagram as primary modes of communication that losing access for so long can make them vulnerable to criminals taking advantage of the outage, said Rachel Tobac, a hacker and CEO of SocialProof Security. “They don’t know how to contact the people in their lives without it,” she said. “They’re more susceptible to social engineering because they’re so desperate to communicate.” Tobac said during previous outages, some people have received emails promising to restore their social media account by clicking on a malicious link that can expose their personal data. Jake Williams, chief technical officer of the cybersecurity firm BreachQuest, said that while foul play cannot be completely ruled out, chances were good that the outage is “an operational issue” caused by human error. “What it boils down to: running a LARGE, even by Internet
standards, distributed system is very hard, even for the very best,” tweeted Columbia University computer scientist Steven Bellovin. Facebook was already in the throes of a separate major crisis after whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager, provided The Wall Street Journal with internal documents that exposed the company’s awareness of harms caused by its products and decisions. Haugen went public on CBS’s “60 Minutes” program Sunday and is scheduled to testify before a Senate subcommittee Tuesday. Haugen had also anonymously filed complaints with federal law enforcement alleging Facebook’s own research shows how it magnifies hate and misinformation and leads to increased polarisation. It also showed that the company was aware Instagram can harm teenage girls’ mental health. The Journal’s stories painted a picture of a company focused on growth and its own interests over the public good. Facebook has tried to play down the research. Nick Clegg, the company’s vice president of policy and public affairs, wrote to Facebook employees in a memo Friday that “social media has had a big impact on society in recent years, and Facebook is often a place where much of this debate plays out.”
NEW ZEALAND ADMITS IT CAN’T ERADICATE VIRUS WELLINGTON, New Zealand Associated Press
NEW Zealand’s government acknowledged yesterday what most other countries did long ago: It can no longer completely get rid of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a cautious plan to ease lockdown restrictions in Auckland, despite an outbreak there that continues to simmer. Since early in the pandemic, New Zealand had pursued an unusual zerotolerance approach to the virus through strict lockdowns and aggressive contact tracing. Until recently, that elimination strategy had worked remarkably well for the country of five million, which has reported just 27 virus deaths. While other nations faced rising death tolls and disrupted lives, New Zealanders went back to workplaces, school yards and sports stadiums safe from any community spread. But that all changed when the more contagious delta variant somehow escaped from a quarantine facility in August after it was brought into the country from a traveler returning from Australia. Despite New Zealand going into the strictest form of lockdown after
just a single local case was detected, it ultimately wasn’t enough to crush the outbreak entirely. One factor may have been that the disease spread among some groups that are typically more wary of authorities, including gang members and homeless people living in transitional housing. The outbreak has grown to more than 1,300 cases, with 29 more detected on Monday. A few cases have been found outside of Auckland. Ardern said that seven weeks of lockdown restrictions in Auckland had helped keep the outbreak under control. “For this outbreak, it’s clear that long periods of heavy restrictions has not got us to zero cases,” Ardern said. “But that is OK. Elimination was important because we didn’t have vaccines. Now we do, so we can begin to change the way we do things.” New Zealand began its vaccination campaign slowly compared to most other developed nations. Rates rocketed in August after the outbreak began but have dropped off significantly again since then. About 65 percent of New Zealanders have had at least one dose and 40 percent are fully vaccinated. Among people age 12 and older, about 79 percent have had at least a single jab.
Under Ardern’s plan that starts Tuesday, Aucklanders will be able to meet outdoors with loved ones from one other household, early childhood centers will reopen and people will be able to go to the beach. The dates for a phased reopening of retail stores and later bars and restaurants have yet to be decided. Ardern said the elimination strategy had served the country incredibly well but the government always intended to eventually transition to the protection of vaccines, a change hastened by the delta variant “game changer”. The government’s elimination approach had been broadly supported by New Zealanders but was facing increasing criticism. Over the weekend, hundreds of people turned out to rallies protesting the lockdown. Opposition lawmaker Chris Bishop said the government had no clear strategy to deal with the outbreak other than total surrender. But Ardern said that most measures would remain in place to keep the outbreak under control, including exhaustive contact tracing and isolating those who got infected. “There’s good cause for us to feel optimistic about the future,” Ardern said. “But we cannot rush.”
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