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VOLUME:115 No.229, OCTOBER 23RD, 2018

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I’m tired. They know who I am, they just playing games

• Jean Rony’s first interview - Page 3

Photo: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

ACTIVISTS LAY BARE OUR G. LUCAYAN - 150 TO GO IN WOMEN’S RIGHTS FAILURE $3M REDUNDANCY SCHEME

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE country’s failed gender equality referenda was put in the spotlight as activists delivered their shadow report on the country’s efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.

The oral submissions were delivered by NGO advocates Erin Greene, Alicia Wallace, and Noelle Nicolls at the 71st Session of the committee on

the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Bahamas government will have its state review before the CEDAW committee on Thursday.

“Many citizens have never heard of CEDAW or, when they did, it was framed as an international agenda and attack on sovereignty,” Ms Wallace, of Equality Bahamas, said.

“This narrative is dangerous, as is successive

administrations’ decisions to take particular actions in international spaces, failing to communicate them to citizens.”

Ms Wallace recalled the government’s response to the UN special rapporteur on violence against women’s visit to The Bahamas in 2017, and former Minister of Social Services and Community Development Lanisha Rolle’s depiction of marital rape as a private issue.

SEE PAGE TWO

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Lucayan’s chairman yesterday estimated it will cost the government between $2-$3m to finance the voluntary departures of 150 workers seeking to leave the resort.

Michael Scott confirmed that the resort is on track to to reduce its workforce by one-third after 60 management staff, and 90 line employees and casual workers volunteered to

accept severance packages.

He added that this would cut the workforce from more than 450 to around 303, describing the latter number as “more closely aligning” with the demands of the 196-room Lighthouse Pointe property - the only one of the three Grand Lucayan hotels that is currently open.

The separations will start towards the end of this month or the beginning of November.

Promising that the Grand Lucayan will “follow the

law” on both the sums paid out and structure of the voluntary separation packages (VSEPs), Mr Scott added that “misconceived claims” will not be entertained given that “public money” - meaning the Public Treasury and Bahamian taxpayers - will finance the payouts.

“We expected there would be some realignment and readjustment, and that’s OK with us as we want to run it as efficiently and cost effectively as we can,” said Mr Scott.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

DRUG MULE TOLD: BACK OUT AND YOU DIE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A SURINAMESE man yesterday claimed the reason he swallowed over 100 packages of cocaine and attempted to smuggle the drugs into The Bahamas last week was because he was in too deep and would have been killed if he tried to back out of the plan.

Robert Linger, 35, of Paramaribo City, Suriname,

ROBERT LINGER told Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain he planned to bail out of the plan to smuggle the 105 packages of drugs, but

when he told his “employers” of his decision, they informed him death would be his only way out.

Linger said he even thought about showing up for his designated flight and hiding somewhere in the airport, but said his “employers” told him they had all of the airport’s security personnel on the take, and that he would be immediately discovered and killed.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE NINE

FACE-TO-FACE

THE PREACHER THEY SAID WOULD NEVER LAST

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, October 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

US trio had fake Ocean Club cards

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THREE American men admitted yesterday to being caught at an eastern New Providence residence last week with fake Ocean Club resort credit cards with plans to commit fraud.

Nicholas Congleton, Johnathan Bergren, and Christopher Boettier each admitted to being caught with three different Ocean Club cards bearing the same number on October 16, which were never issued by the luxury resort. The resort also did not authorise the trio to reproduce the cards.

Congleton, a computer analyst, further admitted to being caught with one gram of cocaine on the date in question, and was ordered to pay a $500 fine or face two months in prison.

When arraigned before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux, the three men admitted to being caught with three cards bearing the number 555535, with one bearing Congleton’s name, one bearing Boettier’s name, and the other bearing the name of another person, Alexys Vanderford.

According to the facts read by police prosecutor Sergeant Lincoln McKenzie, on October 16, officers armed with a search warrant, went to 35 Casa El Mara located on Yamacraw Hill Road. The residence in question was occupied by

CHRISTOPHER BOETTIER, (left) and Johnathan Bergren, both of Florida were charged with fellow American Nicholas Congleton, (not pictured) yesterday for being in possession of fake credit cards.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff the three men, all natives of Florida. Upon the officers’ arrival, Congleton, the key holder, read the warrant and allowed the officers to search the home.

When the search was conducted, a number of credit cards in different

names, blank cards, and card printers were found in the residence. Particularly, in an Epson printer there were three Ocean Club cards, bearing the number 555535 and their names on the cards. A quantity of cocaine was also found at

the time. Numerous inquiries were made by the police at Atlantis resort and that of Ocean Club, the latter of which said it did not issue card 555535 to any of the men and neither did it give the trio any authority to reproduce any cards in the

name of the property.

Dervard Francis, the attorney for the three men, asked Magistrate TurnquestDeveaux to temper justice with mercy, as the men were first-time offenders and didn’t waste the court’s time as they pleaded guilty.

He further noted that although his clients were caught with the fake cards, nothing was charged to the cards, and that nothing was stolen from the luxury resort. The matter was subsequently adjourned to November 5.

ACTIVISTS LAY BARE OUR WOMEN’S RIGHTS FAILURE from page one

“The state must give particular attention to the most vulnerable women,” Ms Wallace continued. “There are women experiencing poverty, who are differently-abled, who are members of the LBTQ+ community, and who are migrant workers. They are at the highest risk of discrimination and violence and have the least access to social and legal protection.

“It is unacceptable to put rights of minorities to a majority vote,” Ms Wallace added.

For her part, Ms Greene highlighted discriminatory aspects of the 2016 gender equality referendum. She noted the government only consulted with “the church,” and after doing so added a provision to a constitutional amendment bill defining sex as male or female only, “with the intent of reinforcing harmful patriarchal stereotypes around gender roles and norms.”

“In the 2016 gender equality referendum, an exercise to entrench the principle of non-discrimination on the basis of sex in

the constitution, the state tabled a bill that would have invisibilised and erased both politically and legally, LGBT people, intersex people, transgender people and gender non-conforming people.

“Essentially discriminating against the groups most vulnerable to sex based discrimination, in an exercise to ensure that no-one is discriminated against on the basis of sex.

“Defining sex as male or female only, excludes anyone that does not adhere to strict gender norms from constitutional and legal protections. It creates a hostile political and social environment for intersex people, trans people and gender non-conforming people.”

Ms Greene alleged the move was an intentional effort to create a barrier to the recognition and advancement of the rights of sexual minorities, intersex people, trans people and gender nonconforming people. She also said the attempt was supported and assisted by the vast majority of women’s rights and LGBTI rights advocates engaged in the exercise.

Ms Greene added that women and girls in other

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THE UNITED Nations Building in Geneva. vulnerable communities also as enacting hate speech and hate faced institutional marginalisa- crime legislation.

Ms Nicolls, who delivered her tion, as minorities in already oral statement on behalf of the vulnerable communities.

“For example,” Ms Green Bahamas Crisis Centre, highsaid, “the needs and concerns of lighted the two failed gender elderly women, sexual minori- equality referenda and urged ties, religious minorities and the government to create “a differently abled women and girls, transformative and inclusive biwithin migrant communities, are partisan solution”. She said the not addressed at the state level.” political process has become a Ms Greene called for the barrier to the advancement of establishment of a National women, and pointed to strucHuman Rights Institute, as well tural and capacity caps that have

reportedly crippled national machinery. Ms Nicolls said there was no justification for the government’s delay in implementing the UN’s Strategic Plan, as it related to gender-based violence.

“There has been instability in leadership and a lack of continuity in the work,” Ms Nicolls stated. “This prevents substantive progress from advancing on too many issues. Countless reports, plans, policies and programmes have limped along feebly, including the National Gender Policy, the Strategic Plan to Address Gender Based Violence, and the innovative RISE programme.

“The committee may have already noted: The state was unable to report substantive progress on these urgent matters. We cannot be satisfied with cosmetic or superficial actions, no matter how well intentioned.

“Without an honest assessment by the state of its weaknesses, including the need for institutional strengthening, research and data collection, and gender mainstreaming within the national machinery itself, women will continue to be shortchanged in areas of critical importance.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 23, 2018, PAGE 3

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS-born Jean Rony Jean-Charles pledged yesterday to fight for his right to remain in the country as he pushed back against speculation over his ability to prove his identity.

The 35-year-old at the centre of a legal battle that has far-reaching implications for the country’s immigration and citizenship laws, told The Tribune he lives in constant fear of being sent back to Haiti.

“I’m tired of everything,” he said. “I just want to get it over with so I can know what to do, to stop stressing out, to stop thinking.

“I dream about it all the time, all the time, it come back again when I went to (the Court of Appeal), so now I start dreaming about it.

“I don’t like those type dreams (of Haiti). Just having to stay in one spot with nothing to do, the heat, I really don’t want to go back, the smoke.

“I done ain’ know nobody like that,” he added. “It feel like I’m some lil’ dog, like lil’ children have to stay in one spot. To just get water you have to go way over there, to have to climb that mountain again.”

Mr Jean-Charles was picked up during a routine immigration patrol in the Fire Trail Road area on September 18, 2017, and deported to Haiti some two months later on November 24, 2017.

Last week, the Court of Appeal set aside the Supreme Court ruling that ordered his return to the country, and mandated constitutional relief from the government.

In their written ruling, Sir Michael Barnett, with fellow Court of Appeal justices Jon Isaacs, and Hartman Longley, stated there could be no finding of a constitutional breach as it related to Mr Jean-Charles’ detention and deportation, due to lack of certainty over his identity.

“I feel bad about that,” Mr Jean-Charles said, “it makes me feel like they don’t believe me, like I didn’t born here, but I did.

It’s my fault still, I was supposed to apply for my papers. But I got plenty people who know me from small growing up, being in school, I got proof I can prove. I’ll fight to stay here.

“I could see if I was born over there (in Haiti),” Mr Jean-Charles continued, “it would have been different. I wouldn’t even worry about this right now. But I ain’ even born there to be going through all this trouble now. It ain’ like they can’t go in the system and pull up my files. I’m sure they can find them, they can go to the hospital and all.

“They know who I is,” he said.

“They just playing stuck up, they know just who I is. I gone to prison before and I got released. They have plenty things they can check, they just playing a game.”

During the Supreme Court trial, the Department of Immigration stated that an adult Haitian national who gave his name as “Jean Charles” and stated his date of birth as December 1, 1985, was arrested and detained by immigration officers during a routine status check on Fire Trail Road.

The man also reportedly confirmed his identity as “Jean Charles,” date of birth December 1, 1985 during a roll call of passengers before boarding the plane.

The department added there was no record or conclusive evidence, based on information provided at the time, that Jean Charles and Jean Rony Jean-Charles are the same person.

During a previous interview with The Tribune in Haiti, Mr Jean-Charles

Portrait of Jean Rony Jean-Charles by Tribune photographer Shawn Hanna

I is Jean Rony, it’s me. I is a good person, I don’t be in trouble. I’m a hard worker. I get the job done, I’m no lazy person. insisted he told officials repeatedly during his detention that his birth date is December 5, 1982.

Yesterday, he admitted he provided an incorrect date when he was first processed.

“That day I guess I was nervous, that wasn’t my real date of birth,” Mr JeanCharles said yesterday.

“I was nervous, when I looked at it I realised it was wrong but I couldn’t scotch it (cross it out). After I gave them that the first time, they put me in the dorm, and so much people been around to me after that.

“I give them the right date and I wrote the name too after that. I always telling them the right date of birth, I don’t know if they ever checked. Every time they came, I gave them the right date. Even when the Haitian consulate been over there - I told them.”

Back in February, the Haitian Embassy in Nassau told The Tribune it had no record of Mr Jean-Charles deportation.

The embassy confirmed, at the time, it delegates two consular agents to notify individuals at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre of their impending deportation.

Mr Jean-Charles said: “I was telling them check my name, check please I’m sure you will see my name in the system. They (immigration) don’t care though, they shipping ya. They don’t care in the back there.

“If they had listened to me this wouldn’t have happened,” he said.

“Before they arrest me, I told them I’m a Bahamian, I’m going to work. I told them before you handcuff me let me walk on the bus then. I gone. (Men) around there who know me was like, ‘oh you gone catch a ride eh?’ That day I was sick, and my birthday was

coming too, I had to do my birthday in Haiti.

“This got me still thinking, I don’t want to be walking on the street and they pick me up start asking me all types of questions carry me again. Some people tell me they see on the news where they say if they see me on the road anywhere they gonna catch me. I don’t know. “Fred Smith (his attorney) call me and tell me don’t worry about that. It’s like I’m a target. It have me parry (paranoid), it have me thinking.”

Attorney General Carl Bethel has previously said the case of Mr Jean-Charles placed the government in a position uncovered by law or the Constitution, and also exposes a significant and far-reaching legal

challenge over the verification of birth certificates.

Mr Bethel told The Tribune last week Mr JeanCharles would be “accorded a fair opportunity to prove that he is the person who is in the birth certificate” submitted in court documents.

In an interview with The Tribune earlier this month, Immigration Minister Brent Symonette explained the department relied on numerous elements to verify the identity of people seeking citizenship. He spoke generally to The Tribune on the current overhaul of immigration laws currently underway, and the challenges presented by widespread fraud.

“A lot of times you have to verify yourself in another way,” Mr Symonette said.

“First of all in the case of

(older) persons (using an affidavit) that was the only way to do it. Now we can test, you traveled, certificate of identity, you’ve been to schools, you’ve been christened, or baptized. So there are a lot more ways of checking who you are now.”

For his part, Mr JeanCharles believes he will be able to successfully prove his claim to his own birth certificate.

He reportedly went to Albury Sayles Primary, T G Glover Primary, S C McPherson Junior High, and C V Bethel Senior School. He did not graduate from C V Bethel, he said.

At 16, Mr Jean-Charles said he was arrested for possession of a marijuana joint.

He was fined and sentenced to one month in prison.

He was also reportedly in

hospital several years ago for blood poisoning, which left him with recurring episodes of numbness in his legs.

“I is Jean Rony, it’s me,” he said. “I is a good person, I don’t be in trouble. I stay out of trouble, stay out of people way. I’m a hard worker I get the job done, I’m no lazy person.

No I didn’t graduate (high school). I thought about it now. I would, if they let me.

“I can’t answer right now,” he said when asked what he wanted to do with his life, and whether winning his case will give him a new chance at life.

“I’m definitely thinking about it, like starting a family, to slow down,” Mr Jean-Charles said.

“It’s a chance, it’s a 50/50 chance but I can’t answer right now.”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, October 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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There isn’t a rug large enough to hide our record on human rights abuses WHAT happened to Jean Rony JeanCharles should never have happened to anyone, but it did. A man born in The Bahamas, picked up in an immigration raid, deported to Haiti, feared missing or the victim of an accident or worse, located weeks later (by a reporter for this newspaper) living in the bush in the country where he knew no one, had no papers, could not work and was more terrified than ever, his story is disconcerting to a point of alarming.

The day-by-day play, the almost daily appearances in court, marching in awaiting others to determine his fate, winning a round or a motion, losing the next, then winning and losing again, in and out of handcuffs, sounds like rich copy material for a made-for-Hollywood documentary. Jean Rony’s story reveals the human side of a man’s struggle who, despite top pro bono legal advice working feverishly to protect him, faces a system seemingly rigged against him.

He is marginalised and disenfranchised.

He is, like 10 million people around the world, stateless until proven otherwise.

What we can say at this juncture is limited. Following last week’s decision by the appeal court that found a lower court erred, overstepping its jurisdiction by ordering immigration officials to provide Mr Jean-Charles with documents so that he may live and work in the land of his birth. The subject’s attorney, Fred Smith, QC, has vowed to take the matter to the Privy Council.

Without commenting directly on the case, we feel the underlying matters that gave rise to this predicament where a man born in The Bahamas may or may not be entitled to live and work here must be addressed. If the case of JeanCharles, born to a Haitian mother, has made an undereducated humble man a poster face for equality, the country will be the better for it.

Despite celebrating a win on Thursday when the appeal court ruled in favour of the government, Attorney General Carl Bethel gave the pubic a tongue-lashing saying that if voters had not been so vengeful about another matter - referring to the decision to legalise gaming despite a referendum vote against it the referendum that would have granted equality would likely have passed. It was almost like scolding a naughty child – see what you got for what you did.

The Bahamas is one of two countries in the region and about 25 in the world of more than 200 which does not grant equal rights to women. A child born abroad to a Bahamian woman who is married to a non-Bahamian is not guaranteed citizenship and the application process can be very difficult. Ironically, an unmarried woman has greater privileges to pass the right of citizenship on to offspring. Only The Bahamas and Barbados have failed to abide the recommendations of the United Nations

Human Rights Commission. There is not a rug large enough to sweep The Bahamas’ human rights violations under.

From the intolerable conditions caused by overcrowding of a prison that is supposed to be a corrections centre, to the random raids by immigration authorities that leave people born abroad in a constant state of fear, the lack of respect for human decency speaks loudly and poorly for who we are as a nation.

Moreover, we have to wonder why the Minnis-led government, with all the problems it is facing, is so engaged in the case of a single individual born in The Bahamas?

Immigration is a hot button issue because for so many years the department has been riddled with corruption.

We understand that and support every step taken to put in place measures that will standardise applications instead of providing opportunities for a civil servant to “find and move” a file. Dealing with one poor individual is like trying to save a rain forest by plucking a dead leaf off a tree.

Creating numbers of stateless people living in limbo without the ability to bank, to qualify for a mortgage, to own a home, or to participate in many of the activities of a normal working individual will not solve the corruption issue or the larger immigration policy-related matters. All it will do is agitate an already nervous pubic.

Marginalising individuals will not serve to teach a lesson. We do not choose where we are born.

But we can choose what kind of country we want to be and how we want the world to see us. If we want to teach someone a lesson, let’s do it in the classroom. That is where our attention should be. That is where our focus should rest and where our energy should be directed. We must also grasp the importance of efficiency in government.

One of Mr Jean-Charles’ problems stemmed from confusion about his birth certificate. The inexactitude of a system that still relies on hand-written entries causes untold problems. Even today, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of young Bahamians who are not enrolled in school because their mother or guardian did not register their birth or there is an issue with the certificate.

One man has become a yo-yo in a battle now headed all the way to the Privy Council and need never have been. Playing with yo-yos is kid stuff.

Time to eliminate the pettiness and act on important policy like better education, efficiency in government, a national development plan, freedom of information. The government was elected on a series of promises. Creating stateless individuals unnecessarily was not one of them.

We must uphold contract law EDITOR, The Tribune CONTRACT Law and the Lighthouse Point proposal.

Seems everyone from the Prime Minister down and the majority of the journalists somehow accepted that the One Eleuthera Foundation had some form of legal position to even make a proposal for this private property which was under contract?

With a Cabinet filled to overflowing with Attorneys seems someone with exceptional authority overruled the law and allowed One Eleuthera Foundation to make their presentations and submissions for clarity

a counter commercial proposal to Disney…

This is not an issue that can simply be forgiven we need the assurance of the Government and the Attorney General that at all times Contract Law and its provisions will be upheld.

How One Eleuthera Foundation were permitted to make a presentation of their development proposal is totally incredible and frightening as if this precedence was allowed everyone’s Constitutional Rights of Private Treaty, sale, would have gone out the window.

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, October 21, 2018.

Don’t be alarmist over climate EDITOR, The Tribune RE: October 15 editorial “Climate Clock” Another alarmist cry, shameless fear-mongering.

I am a PhD geoscientist with 45 years worldwide experience. About 95% of geoscientists (non governmental) are convinced that man-made global warming theory is a hoax. The IPCC has lost its credibility.

There is no proof that CO2 affects climate in any significant way. It constitutes only 0.04% of our atmosphere!

ALLAN SPECTOR PhD Nassau October 15, 2018.

Don’t lose our pride EDITOR, The Tribune I AM a 16-year-old female born and raised in Eleuthera. Since I was born I have always had a high level of respect and appreciation for the environment.

Growing up and having to see the drastic changes before my eyes was heartbreaking. Beaches that were once pristine are over-crowded and polluted.

Coral reefs close to shore so healthy, vibrant and populated, are now dead, bleached and abandoned.

Everything that makes Eleuthera this beautiful and tropical island is being stripped away and creating a hole in what once was a sustainable community.

Me being passionate about the ocean and wanting to protect it had fuelled me to apply for the Bahamas Environmental Steward Scholars (BESS) programme, a scholarship from The Island School and BREEF, that has allowed me to enhance my skills, achieve my goals and grant me new experiences and opportunities along with sharing my knowledge with the youth.

With the economy changing and everything increasing in price, along with an incredibly competitive job market I can understand a Bahamian’s point of view when Disney is widely broadcasting that there will be more jobs for Bahamians. Most people fail to understand that when it comes to working for a cruise line, the jobs offered are seasonal part time jobs at minimum wage.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Why vote for something that is only proposing to give part time jobs for part of the year versus an alternative plan that is proposing more full time jobs all year round well above minimum wage.

As a child of the 21st century I grew up on Disney’s movies and going to Disney World. My connection to the ocean was developed due to me being born the same year the Disney movie Finding Nemo had been released and personally I love what Disney does for kids, inspiring their imaginations and giving them hope but in this situation I am going to have to go against Disney.

After much research I have concluded that what Disney proposes is not going to be 100% fulfilled.

In an article on Disney Cruise Line Blog, they claimed and I quote: “In addition to the land set aside for public access, Disney will NOT develop the area around the lighthouse and southern tip.

This area will also be off limits to cruise passengers, but will be open to Bahamians.”

I feel as if this statement is completely untrue due to the fact that you cannot advertise and bring a tourist to a place named “Lighthouse Point” and prohibit them from visiting the site where it got its name.

In the same statement,

they claim to allow Bahamians access to this site, but they failed to specify when the access will be granted.

Is it all hours of the day, seven days a week? Or will it be 52 days out of the year? Once this deal goes through and Disney owns the land there is no telling what they will do and how it will affect Bahamians.

The island generates a lot of tourism just to visit the world famous Lighthouse Point. What do you think will happen to this perfect beach once the area is dredged and a port is built to accommodate cruise ships every few days? The impact would be devastating. All the marine animals that tourists visit Lighthouse Beach to see would not be able to survive with the constant change in their habitat by these large ships.

No doubt this would negatively impact the fisheries in this area, this means the areas where fisherman can normally catch fish would no longer be habitable as cruise ships are known for the notorious amount of waste they produce.

We do not need to sell ourselves to foreign buyers just because they present dollar signs. We need to think and act as a community to protect what resources we have. Our kids should be able to experience the same childhood we had, not to have to listen to stories about what once was!

KATELYN CAMBRIDGE October 18, 2018

Time for transparency EDITOR, The Tribune LIGHTHOUSE Pointe approval for Disney…We hear again - National Economic Council…where in law is this constituted?

A figment of successive governments. Look only Cabinet sitting with a quorum may make such decisions…NEC does not exist so stop!

Big task ahead for the Heads of Agreement…An application to BIA/Bahamas Investment Authority requires the applicant to list what incentives-tax breaks is asking for so I suggest government will be well advised to publish what Disney has already asked for? Don’t you, Mr Prime Minister, believe in transparency? So publish what they want.

Lighthouse Pointe differs - this is mainland Eleuthera so I see just how locals can

be involved if government has the guts and sense to insist.

Well one or two visits a week when the Disney boat berths there will be 1-2000 souls to be fed and provided with beverages…this alone could establish a bakery and a drink business and a catering Co-op (yes get as many Eleutherans involved as possible)… teach locals the real history and refresh, buildings, everything of any sort of history and have Disney put their touch and be included.

Scope is as simple at this…will government do this? May do now!

W THOMPSON Nassau October 20, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 23, 2018, PAGE 5

Ferguson: Anywhere is better for post office staff

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Public Service Union president Kimsley Ferguson has backed the Minnis administration’s decision to relocate the General Post Office to the Town Centre Mall, despite some outcry over the conflict of interest the move presents.

In an interview with reporters at his Wulff Road office yesterday, Mr Ferguson said that he would have supported a move to any location in the capital, inclusive of his home, if it gave workers a safe and healthy working environment.

Town Centre Mall is partly-owned by Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette. The Progressive Liberal Party has called the government’s decision to rent portions of the mall for five years to house the General Post Office as a “shameful, naked conflict of interest that no parliamentary or constitutional device or slight of hand will disguise”.

However, Mr Ferguson said that as long as a building is safe for workers, the union does not have a concern about where it is, or who owns it.

He added that now is a perfect time to relocate workers who have endured

TOWN Centre Mall. dismal conditions for far too long.

“The union is in support of any move, to some extent, to get the staff of the post office out of that building. The concern, back then and now, is that the environment is hazardous, not only to the respiratory concerns that may have emanated from the post office environment, but also there are concrete slabs that are falling from the roof; so hence, we are concerned,” Mr Ferguson told reporters.

“As long as the building is healthy and safe, the union doesn’t have a concern

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff about where the location is, or, for that matter, who may be the owner of the building. In some way or another, any building that you may attempt to use for accommodations is going to belong to some Bahamian.

And so, we are in support of the move to, firstly, get the persons out of the existing building into a more safe and healthy environment.”

The House of Assembly will debate a resolution to rent portions of Town Centre Mall this week.

Last week, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis defended leasing the mall,

insisting the process will be transparent.

According to the resolution, the government intends to rent portions of the mall at $12 per sq ft.

Town Centre Mall, at 203,000 sq ft, was once listed for sale at a cost of $16m.

Mr Ferguson yesterday said his union has been in communication with Transport Minister Renward Wells, the minister with responsibility for the General Post Office, and both sides have tentatively agreed to the union touring the Town Centre Mall

property on Thursday.

According to Mr Ferguson, the tour will allow the BPSU an opportunity to cross-check the facility with plans it was presented with - a plan first introduced by the former Christie administration. The former government had considered moving the post office to Town Centre Mall during its last term, but ultimately decided on another nearby location.

Mr Ferguson said the union has been assured that it can communicate any issues it may have with the renovations or any necessary specifications it may want to include, to the office of the minister, following that tour.

“On Thursday, we are hopeful that all the details that we need to be aware of, will be forthcoming,” he said.

Mr Ferguson said members of his union have made calls for several features, chief among them, a cafeteria.

He said once he and his team have toured the location and have spoken to the group responsible for the renovations, he would be in a better position to give insight on the positives or negatives of the Town Centre Mall site.

He said he would reserve further comment until then.

Mr Ferguson also said yesterday that in their communications in recent weeks, he and Mr Wells have discussed plans for a permanent location for the General Post Office.

Mr Ferguson said the BPSU remains “hopeful” that those discussions would be continued “sooner, rather than later.”

Additionally, Mr Ferguson also indicated that his team is still pursuing compensation for those post office employees who have had adverse health conditions as a result of their time in at the General Post Office.

Mr Ferguson said the issue is something that his team would have addressed in its quarterly meeting with Minister of the Public Service Brensil Rolle.

Mr Ferguson said BPSU officials have presented Mr Rolle with a “grocery list” of items that they would have expected an update on, and high on that list would have been a demand for proper compensation for the affected employees.

“We are hopeful that it would be treated as an industrial accident because it arose out of the course of those persons’ employment and the employer has the responsibility to ensure that the environment is safe and healthy,” he told reporters.

UNION READY TO SEEK WAGE RISES AFTER VAT INCREASE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Public Service Union is gearing up to pursue wage increases for its members in the wake of the government’s decision to increase the value added tax rate from 7.5 to 12 percent, according to union president Kimsley Ferguson.

In confirming that his

union’s industrial agreement with the government had recently expired, Mr Ferguson yesterday said senior BPSU officials are working on a framework for a new agreement - one that would allow members to “rest assured” that they would be able to “live affordably”.

“Our agreement has expired,” Mr Ferguson said during a press conference.

“We are putting together the numbers in that regard

and shortly that would be forwarded to the Ministry of Public Service, so that we can come to the table and have a discussion in that regard.”

Mr Ferguson said his union hopes the government would give consideration to pay increases due to the rise in the general cost of living.

“We have done our due diligence and we would have looked at the various

GOVT ‘WILL RESPOND’ OVER WILSON LAWSUIT

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE government intends to fully respond to Simon Wilson’s allegations that he was defamed and unfairly treated, Attorney General Carl Bethel said yesterday.

However, the Minnis administration’s legal response will not be done in the public domain, Mr Bethel said. While he said no response was filed yet, he told The Tribune the government’s attorneys were working on a defence.

Mr Wilson is seeking to be reinstated as financial secretary at the Ministry of Finance after claiming in court documents that he was accused by Cabinet’s secretary of gross misconduct while he was active in the post.

He makes a strong case in documents filed in the Supreme Court earlier this month, which was reported

by The Nassau Guardian yesterday.

It is reported that Mr Wilson met with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis around August 24, 2017, at which time the prime minister asked him to give up the post by the end of the month.

Mr Wilson was told that he was to take his 54 weeks vacation and retire from the public service.

It was then that he explained to Dr Minnis that he didn’t have sufficient years in the public service to qualify for the minimum years of retirement.

His lawsuit claims that the prime minister then invited Mr Wilson to suggest a place for his transfer, to which he responded that he wanted to be appointed

to the Central Bank of The Bahamas as an economic adviser.

Following this meeting, Mr Wilson said he was told

by Dr Minnis during a telephone conversation that the Central Bank governor had no objection to the appointment.

Mr Wilson then vacated his post relying on what had transpired during their conversation.

Marlon Johnson was then appointed to the post and Mr Wilson was stripped of access to the benefits of the office, including the honoraria for various boards, invitations to public and official events and access to his email.

The document also notes developments regarding the XUA contract, which has been thrust into the spotlight in recent days after an independent audit revealed alleged political pressure under the former Christie administration for the $1.46m agreement to be handed to Pete Deveaux, Island Game webshop chain CEO. The Progressive Liberal Party, particularly former State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis, has asserted that the report was only tabled now to “muddy the water” as Mr Wilson had planned to file suit against the government.

On Sunday, he questioned the motive behind the recent tabling of a report in Parliament highlighting alleged political pressure for a web shop boss to be awarded a lucrative contract for computer supplies, adding that the proper procedure was “short circuited” when the report was made public.

The former MP believes

the report tabled last Wednesday, compiled by FTI Consulting – a Bahamas-based auditing and advisory firm, was not a complete report.

Normally, Mr Halkitis told The Tribune, reports of this nature are completed and then the auditor general conducts his own inquiries to determine the veracity of the findings and a further report would be completed and tabled.

He explained it is common practice for businessmen and private citizens to approach Cabinet ministers or elected officials looking for work or contracts.

Mr Halkitis said in this instance, it is the job of the elected official to listen to these people and refer them to public servants with the caveat that protocol be followed.

FTI’s report is also riddled with speculative language and “conjecture”, he said.

Mr Halkitis was minister of state at the time the contract was given to the web shop boss.

The report says a $1.46m computer supply contract had been awarded to the web shop boss who earned a 30 percent profit margin on the deal.

It was also claimed that “there was no evidence that the company at the time had any prior experience or competence in management of rental facilities, The company Atillio Holdings was held, at the time by nominee shareholder so no beneficial owners were established on record at the time of the transaction. The company had not obtained a certificate of good standing as required.”

cost of living increases over the past 15 years and the fact that salaries remain at the various positions that they were at without any increases,” he said.

“And so, with that view in mind, we are going to present what we are going to present to the government with the hope that we are able to cause our members to have some additional funding in the salaries where they can actually live

affordably,” Mr Ferguson added.

The Christie administration signed an industrial agreement with the BPSU in July of 2014 that, among other things, increased minimum wage for nearly 2,000 members by $800 a year.

For BPSU members who received an annual wage of $10,700, salaries were increased to $11,500.

In the lead up to that agreement, the union

sought a 100-133 percent increase in the country’s minimum wage.

At the time, then BPSU president John Pinder called for a public sector minimum wage increase that at least matched the 7.5 percent VAT rate.

He argued that the sector was effectively “keeping the country afloat” with more than 70 percent of civil service salaries going to loan deductions.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, October 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

THE VIEW at Lighthouse Point.

Photo: Barefoot Marketing

Disney’s Lighthouse Point plan impact study to take months

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net DISNEY Cruise Line’s environmental impact assessment for its proposed development of Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera will take several months to complete, company Vice President of Public Affairs Kim Prunty has told The Tribune.

On Friday, the National

Economic Council approved Disney’s proposal to develop a cruise port at the 200-acre peninsula located at the southern tip of Eleuthera.

The government’s decision came despite calls from Disney’s competitor, Lighthouse Point Partners (LPP), to delay the decision for 60-days to give LPP an equal opportunity to present its

proposal for the property to the public.

Last week it was revealed that neither group had carried out a full EIA for their proposed projects, despite regulations that mandate that any such development must include an EIA, according to the Planning and Subdivisions Act, 2010.

According to the law, an EIA is required to be submitted to the Department

of Physical Planning as part of any proposed type of development which is either likely to give rise to significant affects on the environment, of national importance, proposed for sensitive lands, significant in terms of size or complexity, of a nature that may have potentially adverse environmental effects or is considered a development of regional impact.

The purpose of the EIA is to identify potential impacts, positive or negative, of a proposed development.

When asked when the EIA would be completed, Ms Prunty said in response to questions emailed by The Tribune: “We will work with government on this – it will take several months.”

Ms Prunty added that Disney will “absolutely”

maintain its commitments, which include low density development and sustainable design, public access, and hiring 150 Bahamians.

The road to Disney’s acquisition of the site has been marred with much controversy, particularly by environmentalists.

Regarding the opposition, Ms Prunty said: “We are focused on working with government and the people of The Bahamas to create new economic opportunities while preserving the natural beauty of Lighthouse Point.”

In a statement released on Friday, Disney Cruise Lines president Jeff Vahle said: “We are excited to reach this important milestone and look forward to working with government and the people of the Bahamas to create new economic

opportunities while preserving the natural beauty of Lighthouse Point.

“We are grateful for the warm welcome and support we have received from so many in Eleuthera and look forward to further developing relationships that will endure for many years to come.

“In the short-term, we are focused on reaching an agreement that is mutually beneficial for The Bahamas and our company, as well as moving forward with an environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan.

Our team also looks forward to working with local artists, historians and others as we ensure that the stories and culture of The Bahamas shine through when Disney guests and Bahamians alike visit this special place.”

READERS RESPOND TO DISNEY PLAN WINNING APPROVAL AFTER Disney Cruise Line Island Development Ltd’s proposal for Lighthouse Point, South Eleuthera was approved by the National Economic Council, readers gave their reaction on tribune242. com.

John posted this response: “Well the decision could have been anticipated. You cannot go to Grand Bahama and purchase hotel property in attempts to revive that island’s economy and then shut out a project in South Eleuthera that has significant economic benefits, including employment that can reach as far north as the island extends. One Eleuthera must now show that they were not opposing Disney just to oppose and they must now demonstrate they are capable of carrying out some of the plans they put forward, at least on other parts of the island.

And government must now hold Disney strictly to the terms of the agreement, in terms of investment, protection, and preservation of the environment, employment of Bahamians and the free access of Bahamians to the historic and sacred parts of the island. And signs should be posted informing Bahamians and the general public that they have unrestricted access to those parts of the island/cay.”

ThisIsOurs said: “Some have asked ‘why everyone so upset over this one thing?’ Well, a big multinational just came into our community, and probably spent less than 20,000

dollars to launch a campaign that allowed them to walk away with billions of dollars in the most pristine land in the country. This was not a situation where there wasn’t an alternative.

They say, well you know it’s private land and they can sell to whoever they want.

Does anyone remember a time when we valued our land so much that it was illegal to sell it to a foreigner?”

That prompted this from BahamaPundit: “The land was never ours. I think this is the misconception. The land is loaned to us until someone decides to build on it. You guys had years to raise funds and buy this property. If you really believe, start buying other properties in Eleuthera and make them public parks for the Bahamian people.”

Robert Myers, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s principal, said Bahamians must “start raising hell” over recent revelations of government waste, fraud and questionable contracts.

DD had this to say: “While in complete agreement with Mr Myers’ comments, as would be any sane thinking person, I believe most of us have come to the sad conclusion that neither the FNM nor the PLP politicians give a good damn about what

happens to The Bahamas or how far it can still fall.

As for The People, many of them are complicit in the rampant corruption and exceedingly poor service in our Government institutions.”

And John posted: “This FNM government came to office slapping handcuffs on politicians and dismissing or firing civil servants and threatening to take others to court over fraud, corruption, mismanagement, and abuse of office. For the first time in a long time, Bahamians had thought that Minnis and his FNM government had come to ‘drain the swamp’, in the words of President Donald Trump, and clean up politicians and the political arena, and the civil services as well as persons who sell goods and services to the government and do not deliver value for money, or, in some cases, no value at all. But, for some reason, Minnis may seem to have fallen on his face in these efforts. At least no substantial progress has been made. Maybe the culture of corruption, kickbacks, mismanagement, nepotism, cronyism is so entrenched in the government and in public service, it is mind-blowing and untouchable. And so those who pander to this government will seek to get ‘dey tings’, until the government changes and another bunch of money grabbers come clawing at the public’s purse.”

• Don’t miss your chance to join the conversation on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 23, 2018, PAGE 7

SHOOTING VICTIM HAD JUST BEEN ACQUITTED IN COURT CASE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A 34-YEAR-OLD man acquitted of murder in June has been identified as the man shot and killed off West Street on Sunday night.

Another man is in

hospital after being injured i the shooting.

According to reports, shortly before 10pm the two men had just arrived at a house on Dorsett Alley when an armed man shot them before running off.

Emergency medical services personnel were called to the scene to

assist the victims. One of the men died at the scene, while the second man was taken to hospital and was initially listed in serious condition.

While police have not identified either man, The Tribune understands the deceased is Jamaal McSweeney aka “Choppa”,

of Dorsett Alley.

McSweeney, along with another man, was acquitted of the December 8, 2017, shooting death of Javan Forbes.

Forbes’ lifeless body was discovered in a white Honda vehicle riddled with bullets.

A Supreme Court jury

unanimously acquitted both men on June 5.

As for the second man shot on Sunday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander confirmed he is known to police, but stopped short of confirming his identity.

However, ACP Fernander said the victim

remains in hospital under police guard.

He added that the victim’s condition has been upgraded to stable.

Police are asking anyone with any information relating to the incident to please contact 911, 919, or the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991.

Man accused of robbing at gunpoint to snatch $6,000 A 20-YEAR-OLD man was charged yesterday with robbing four persons, including an officer, at gunpoint of more than $6,000 worth of cash and merchandise over a two-day period, then attempting to kill someone else just five days later.

William Wong, of Regency Park, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged in connection with one attempted murder and five separate armed robberies that took place between September 30 and October 6.

He is alleged to have committed the armed robberies with a .22 Mossburg rifle, for which he was also charged with possession of a firearm while committing an indictable offence.

Meanwhile, another man, 24-year-old Jovaughn Joubert Pierre, was arraigned on allegations he robbed six people at gunpoint of $10,931 worth of cash and merchandise between September 28 and October 14.

Concerning Wong, it is alleged he attempted to murder Roobens Elusme on October 6.

Days prior, on September 30, Wong, while armed with a rifle, is accused of robbing Brittney Bethel of one black, 2008 Toyota Passo worth $4,500; a white ZTE

WILLIAM WONG, 20, appeared in court yesterday on an attempted murder and several armed robbery charges.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff silver and black Samsung cellphone worth $120; a Alcatel wireless receiver Thunderdog battery power Edge cellphone worth $500 worth $85 and $800 in cash. pack worth $75; a Baha- and one brown wallet worth He is also alleged to mian passport worth $50 $100 that contained $130 in have robbed Vanrea Rolle cash. and $200 cash. at gunpoint of a Samsung He also allegedly robbed J2 cellphone worth $150; He is also accused of receiving a ZTE cellphone Amanda Walkine of a pink an NIB card worth $10; and a Thunder dog bat- and white iPhone 6 worth a Bahamian passport in tery power pack, knowing $500.

Rolle’s name worth $50; Concerning Pierre, it is and $6 in cash on that date. the same to have been obtained by the commission alleged that on SeptemOn October 15, it is of an offence, on October 1. ber 28, he, while being alleged that Pierre disAlso on October1, concerned with another, honestly received one Wong is accused of using his robbed Rheavincia Rolle at Commonwealth Bank card rifle to rob Police Constable gunpoint of a black Huawei worth $10; and a black, 3629 Mills of $80 cash and a phone worth $200; a Com- Alcatel wireless receiver Bank card worth $85. set of keys. That same day, monwealth he also robbed Earthlyn worth $10; an Amazon Fire On October 6, Pierre Pratt at gunpoint of one tablet worth $200; a black allegedly robbed Paulette

Smith of one beige handbag worth $20; a Bahamian passport worth $100; a Bahamian driver’s licence worth $50; an NIB card worth $10; a Commonwealth Bank card worth $25; two Bank of the Bahamas (BOB) cards worth $50; and one silver Samsung J3 Prime phone worth $230.

He is also alleged to have dishonestly received one Bahamian driver’s licence worth $50; a Commonwealth Bank card worth $25; and two BOB cards worth $50 sometime between 8pm and 10pm on the same date.

On October 14, Pierre allegedly robbed Tonya Hall at gunpoint of one silver 2007 Nissan worth $7,000; two Commonwealth Bank cards worth $20; two Bahamian driver’s licences in Hall’s name worth $20; a Fidelity Bank card worth $10; a Royal Bank of Canada card worth $10; a $30 flash-drive; a black, Coach handbag worth $250 and a black, Coach pouch worth $150; and a rose-gold iPhone 6S worth $400.

A day later, Pierre is accused of stealing two Commonwealth Bank cards, a Fidelity Bank card, a RBC card, a flash drive, two Bahamian driver’s licences and a silver Nissan note.

Also on October 14, Pierre allegedly robbed Stephen Curran of one white Huawei Y3 cellphone worth $90; a Bahamian driver’s licence worth $50; one CIBC FirstCaribbean card worth $25; a Scotiabank Visa debit card and a Scotiabank Advantage credit card worth $25 apiece; and one Cost Rite card and one Cost Rite app card worth $15 apiece.

He also allegedly robbed Junia Clovis at gunpoint of a black iPhone worth $800. Also on that same date, Pierre is alleged to have dishonestly received a Bahamian driver’s licence worth $50; a CIBC FCIB card worth $25; a Scotiabank Visa debit card and a Scotiabank Advantage credit card worth $25 apiece; and a Cost Rite card worth $15 and a Cost Rite app card worth $15.

Neither Wong nor Pierre were required to enter a plea to any of the charges and the matters were adjourned to November 12 and December 6 respectively for service of their voluntary bills of indictment. Bail was denied and the two were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) in the interim.

They have a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, October 23, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

From pupil to the preacher they said would never last M

Y high school friend Valentino Williams has always been the kind of person to do things on a big scale.

I always saw great ambition in my schoolmate. He would come up with great ideas and get people to join in. He could be a fierce competitor in schoolwork as well as in basketball, track and field.

But Valentino was also a bit mischievous – getting into typical boyhood antics one after the other, and always having a laugh about it all afterwards. So when he told his schoolmates he was “saved”, many of them laughed at him. It seemed hard to perceive “Valley” of all people could be saved and sanctified and have a complete about-face, especially because he was popular, fun-loving and had a lot going for him.

He didn’t need another identity. He didn’t need to fight for a place in the spotlight and he didn’t need to define himself – intelligent and athletic just about did it.

Even though there were many laughs and scoffs as he went around telling everyone of his newfound spiritual epiphany, somehow I knew he was serious.

We were close in grade nine and if it was one thing I knew about my schoolmate, it’s that he wasn’t one to make any kind of big declaration and not mean it. It baffled us all.

But somehow, he was announcing back then what would become the path of his life.

So, it was no surprise to me that Valley, now Pastor Williams, one who always loved to do things big, would be the one to write a book entitled: “Go Big or Go Home.”

“My most memorable moment of school (St Augustine’s College) was when I gave my life to the Lord in the tenth grade, which was in April of 1993,” Valentino recalls.

“It was a shock to my classmates and friends that I made such a drastic change. No one saw it coming. Many of them didn’t really believe I was sincere in my newfound relationship with the Lord and basically gave me weeks (I can clearly remember who said it) to remain in the faith. Twentyfive years later, I am still going strong!”

He was 15 years old back then. Maybe somehow his primary school, Nassau Christian Academy,

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

had a subconscious influence on him, coupled with the religious routines that made up the daily life at St Augustine’s. He graduated high school in 1995 and preached his first sermon by the age of 17. He spent a year at Success Training College before going off to Murray State University, where he held numerous leadership positions in Chi Alpha Campus Ministry, a nationally acclaimed campus ministry in the US. By the time Valentino was 20, he was a licenced and ordained minister and served in just about every capacity in the church.

He also attended many workshops locally and internationally to augment his spiritual walk.

Eventually, Valentino had another epiphany; this time, to start a church: “On Oct 15, 2001, at 6:40am, the Lord spoke to me and told me to start a church. He was very specific in the type of

community between Horseshoe Drive and Boyd Road. He wasn’t affiliated with any other religious organisation, so he didn’t have much outside help.

However, with the little resources and abundance of faith he has in this new calling, he opened Life Changers Ministries International under the theme: “Up Out of the Ground.”

“Beginning my own church was a faith journey,” he said.

“I had never done this before and very few offered help to show me what to do. I had to rely totally on God! I did endeavour to listen to Him each step of the way. I read books on how to start a church, attended conferences both locally and internationally and reached out to a few mentors for help, all in an attempt to arm myself for this new task ahead of me.

The process had its challenges, but there were some real good days and there was some days I wanted to throw in the towel.

But God kept me!

“The first few years of ministry were very challenging.

People were not committed.

They would join one year and the next year they would be gone. There were VALENTINO Wilmany days when liams’ biological I became discourmother, Sharel aged because the Maura, and stepprogress was seemmother, Linda Wil- ingly slow, but I liams, at his book kept focused on signing event. the vision God had placed in my heart.” people that He called Five years into the Minme to minister to and the istry, Valentino had a burst method of operation I was of new energy when he was to employ. I was taken able to acquire just under aback by this new-found an a half-acre property for assignment (never my the church. In May of 2008, desire to be a pastor) and the church relocated from spent the next two years Pitt Road to its current praying and seeking His Bacardi Road home. His direction on how and when members worshipped with this church was to start.” him under a tent in Bacardi On April 20, 2003, Val- Road. entino got that start. He Then another challenge rented out a storefront on arose: “The ministry again Pitt Road – a narrow, wind- was in transition because ing road in a tightly-knit while we were excited

LIFE Changers Ministries continues to grow in its new facility, with a robust membership of 1,200.

PASTOR Williams with his wife Cleopatra and children Jaleel, Justin and J’Lynn.

“I also learned the importance of hard work through my father’s work ethic. He lived to work. He got excited when a big project came around. Never one day in my entire life did I ever hear my father complain about work. My Father is my earthly hero!

He moulded me into who I am today by his exemplary work ethic, positive outlook on life and kindness toward mankind. He taught me how to work MINISTERING at Bacardi Road park, where the parents of this and the importance of having a ‘make it happen’ child in a wheelchair brought him up to be prayed for. about the move and what membership of around mentality.”

Valentino has packed would be our permanent 1,200 which is consistently all his life lessons into his location, many people still growing. didn’t buy into the vision.

Young couples, profes- book which he launched The tent ministry was not a sionals and people in the last week at Ocean Club ministry that many wanted community of all ages con- Paradise Island. He shows to be a part of.” nect with Valentino and his how The Bible is filled with In June of 2009, Life messages seem to resonate scriptures that could lead Changers moved into a with them, and his down- the reader towards massive 3,000sq ft prefab building to-earth and insightful self-improvement in areas such as attaining goals and that was designed to be a reputation precedes him. holding facility. Despite Valentino says he owes reaching the success that so many challenges including his level of perseverance many people desire.

“You cannot look at the the weather, break-ins, and and dedication to a goal inconsistency of member- from his father, Kirk Wil- size of what you have in ship, Valentino and those liams. He grew up with his your hands and allow it to dictate the size of your devoted to his vision condream or vision,” he writes, tinued to press on. For and “In order to move forseven years, they remained ward and begin to change in the prefab facility and your thinking, you must began to see the fruits undergo a massive of their labour. mind renovation and “During this, the reconstruction proministry began to cess,” he said. find its identity,” As he believes Valentino said. “thoughts are the “People began foundation of everyto believe in us. thing we do in life”, We experienced Valentino guides you exponential growth on how to conduring this time, and trol your mind, the ministry began to how to overmature. Everything was PASTOR Williams’ fa- come barriers moving in an upward directher and stepmother, to thinking big, tion. During these seven Kirk and Linda Wil- how to safeguard years we held major comliams at the dedicamunity outreach initiatives father and his tion ceremony for the your dream, and much more. This and launched our television stepmother, new worship facility. book, he says, is ministry. We had to run Linda Wila 25-year jourthree services to accommo- liams, and ney of his walk date the growth.” spent weekof faith – “how In 2014, Life Changers ends with broke ground for a new his mother, Sharel Maura. I think, operandi… my place of worship and in By the time he was 15, his life story”, birthed in his 2016, the church moved father put the keys to the deeply-rooted desire to into its newly-constructed, family business, Carpet “see people live their full 21,000sq ft, three-storey World, in his hands. He potential and unlock the facility and had a robust was responsible for open- seeds of greatness within ing and closing the shop them”.

He advises: “Every every weekend and school break, including summers, human, no matter your mid-term, Easter and ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic background has Christmas.

“My dad firmly believed the potential to do great that hard work was a pre- exploits that the world has requisite for success in never seen before! The potential to be great and life,” he said.

“When I went off to col- do great exploits begins in lege and came back on your mind.”

“Go Big or Go Home” summer breaks, I was at work. For special projects can be found at Logos or contracts, I was made a Bookstore in the Harbour foreman and often worked Bay Shopping Plaza and ten to 12-hour days almost the Bible and Gift Shop in every day. My dad drilled the Palmdale Plaza. It is into my head for years... ‘an also available as an audio eight-hour work day is only CD..

Life Changers Minissufficient to pay your bills’.

Anything extra outside of tries meets on Sundays at the eight-hour work day 9.30am. Email lifechangwill allow you to have dis- ersministries_intl@yahoo. com for more information. posable income.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 23, 2018, PAGE 9

from page one

“employers” his passport.

And when he told them he wanted out, they told him it was his decision to make, but that they would kill him if he did not follow through.

Linger said he then came up with a plan to show up to the airport, get checked into the flight, and then hide somewhere in the airport and miss his flight and hopefully go off his “employers” radar, but said they told him they knew all the security in the airport and that they would find out.

He claimed going to the police was also not an option, because the police and security forces were basically one and the same, and that once they found out, he would be executed on the spot.

Nonetheless, the assistant chief magistrate sentenced Linger to two years and six months on each count of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, and importation of dangerous drugs, to run concurrently.

Amiemba was sentenced to two years each on those same charges, to run concurrently. The drugs were ordered to be destroyed and the $400 they each had were ordered confiscated and forfeited to the Crown.

Meanwhile, Ronrick Rao’ul Simms, of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, was ordered to pay an $8000 fine or face three years in prison after pleading guilty to being caught with marijuana with the intent to supply the same to another on October 19. His coaccused, David Antonio Sturrup, of Hanna Road West, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Drug mule told: back out and you die Despite the reasons he gave in his bid to explain why he should not be given the maximum penalty under the law, Assistant Chief Magistrate Swain sentenced the man to two years and six months in prison for his actions.

A similar sentence of two years was handed down on his fellow countryman, 27-year-old Lerby Amiemba, for swallowing 65 packages of cocaine in a bid to smuggle them into the country.

According to the facts read out by police prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Clifford Daxon, both men came in on the same Caribbean Air flight from Suriname on October 16.

Concerning Linger, around 2.15am on the date in question, police officers at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) observed various passengers disembarking a Caribbean Air flight.

Two of those were Linger and Amiemba, who police approached and identified themselves.

The officers subsequently searched the men and their baggage, which yielded negative results.

But in speaking with the men, officers noticed they were acting in a nervous, suspicious manner. As a result, they were taken into custody.

The pair were taken to hospital and given an X-ray, which revealed abnormal items in their stomachs.

The men were subsequently given medication, which caused Linger and

LERBY AMIEMBA, of Suriname, appeared in court yesterday accused of smuggling drugs into The Bahamas.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Both men were also enough to make ends he had the opportunity to Amiemba to excrete 105 and 65 packages of cocaine, found with $400 apiece, for meet. make $10,000 US dollars if which they couldn’t give a Linger said he eventually he worked for them. respectively. met two tourists who told The drugs Linger car- satisfactory explanation.

Linger said once the When asked by the him they had connections concept was presented to ried weight weighed two pounds, four ounces, while assistant chief magistrate in the trucking industry, and him, he spoke with various those Amiemba held why he shouldn’t get the that they would use those people in his social circle maximum penalty for his connections to provide about it, but after hearweighed 1.8 pounds.

Both were later taken to actions, Linger, with the him with more consistent ing about how risky being However, a drug mule was, given the a police station and inter- assistance of an interpreter, opportunities. viewed with the assistance said he was in a “crisis” in Linger said after he became severity of the crime under of an interpreter. While that his mother has severe better acquainted with Bahamian laws, he agreed it being interrogated, Linger breast cancer and desper- those two individuals, they was indeed too big of a risk told him they actually did and decided to turn down admitted to being in posses- ately needs a surgery.

He said he works as a not have any connections in the plan. sion of the cocaine, having swallowed the drugs and truck driver in his home- the trucking industry, but in The problem with that brought the packages into land, but said the work and fact sold drugs. was, according to Linger, the pay, isn’t consistent Linger said they told him he had already given his the country.

BAHAMAS ‘IN SOLIDARITY’ WITH TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

MINISTRY of Foreign Affairs Director General Sharon Brennen-Haylock yesterday said the Bahamas is “standing in solidarity” with Trinidad and Tobago in the wake of a series of heavy rain, flooding, landslides and earthquakes all of which have affected the country over recent days.

While Ms BrennenHaylock could not confirm whether Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis or Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield had been in contact with their Trinidadian counterparts, she noted any aid the Bahamas can provide would be made under the umbrella of regional groups such as Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

Over the weekend, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley declared the country to be in a state of national disaster.

“Our sympathies and prayers and thoughts are with the Trinidadians,” Ms Brennen-Haylock told The Tribune. “We’re trying to find out exactly what has happened…We have not yet put out a statement, but we are certainly very much standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Trinidad & Tobago.

“The Bahamian government is aware of what is going on,” she continued. “We have been hearing through our various networks what has been

SHARON Brennen-Haylock. happening in Trinidad, through CARICOM and others…We’re still talking and trying to get as a complete a picture as possible.

“I am not aware of any contact having been made between the prime minister and the prime minister of Trinidad or the foreign minister (and) the foreign minister of Trinidad,” she added.

When asked if the Bahamas will be sending any aid, the director general said these efforts will be coordinated through intergovernmental organisations.

“What normally happens in this type of situation where aid is concerned, is CARICOM does an assessment along with CDEMA and other humanitarian actors and we rally behind that, whatever assessment they make and the support that is needed, we rally behind that.”

On Sunday, three Bahamian students at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine medical campus told The Tribune they were safe, but expressed concern at the

amount of rain that is continuing to fall.

Regarding student safety, Ms Brennen-Haylock said the ministry has contacted the honorary consul of the Bahamas in Trinidad, Monica Davis. “(Ms Davis) has told us that she made contact with the president of the Bahamian Student Association (at UWI STA).

“I presume the majority of the students are at (UWI). I think there might be some other institutes in Trinidad where they might be studying, but I think for the most part it is…the medical school at (UWI).”

Ms Brennen-Haylock said Ms Davis reported the students are “all okay” and as far as the government is aware there have been no reports of any injuries.

The president of the campus’ Bahamian Students Association, who did not want to be named, also sent a statement to The Tribune on Sunday.

“As it stands now, no Bahamian students have been affected by the inclement weather,” she said. “The areas of flooding are happening around us but we are safe, thank God. There is a lot of flooding in the southern area so a lot of roads have been closed.

We’ve urged everyone to try to gather water and nonperishables in the event of future closures.

“We’re just monitoring for now and praying that everyone stays safe. A lot of our Trinidadian classmates have been affected by the flooding so we’re praying that they receive the assistance they need as well.”

COURT CASE CORRECTION ON Thursday, October 18, under an article titled ‘Man Found Guilty of Freeport Shooting,’ it was incorrectly reported

that Carlson Shurland & Co represented Alexander Sweeting who was found guilty of murder in the Supreme Court

last week.

However, Sweeting was represented by Brian Hanna. The Tribune apologises for this error.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, October 23, 2018

TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY ALARM AT MOVE WASHINGTON Associated Press

LGBT leaders across the US reacted with fury yesterday to a report that the Trump administration is considering adoption of a new definition of gender that would effectively deny federal recognition and civil rights protections to transgender Americans.

“I feel very threatened, but I am absolutely resolute,” Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Rights, said at a news conference convened by more than a dozen activist leaders. “We will stand up and be resilient, and we will be here long after this administration is in the trash heap.”

The activist leaders, speaking amid posters reading “#Won’tBeErased”, later addressed a protest rally outside the White House.

On Sunday, The New York Times reported that the Department of Health and Human Services was circulating a memo proposing that gender be defined as an immutable biological condition determined by a person’s sex organs at birth. The proposal would define sex as either male or female, and any dispute about one’s sex would have to be clarified through genetic testing, according to the Times’ account of the memo.

For LGBT-rights leaders, it’s the administration’s latest attack on transgender Americans.

They also cite an attempt to ban them from military service; a memo from Attorney General Jeff Sessions concluding that civil rights laws don’t protect transgender people from discrimination on the job; and the scrapping of Obama-era guidance encouraging school officials to let transgender students use school bathrooms that matched their gender identities.

THE TRIBUNE

Leaked video shows Khashoggi ‘body double’ after consulate death ISTANBUL Associated Press JUST hours after writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, a man strolled out of the diplomatic post apparently wearing the columnist’s clothes as part of a macabre deception to sow confusion over his fate, according to surveillance video leaked on Monday.

The new video broadcast by CNN, as well as a pro-government Turkish newspaper’s report that a member of Saudi Crown

Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s entourage made four calls to the royal’s office from the consulate around the same time, put ever-increasing pressure on the kingdom. Meanwhile, Turkish crime-scene investigators swarmed a garage Monday night in Istanbul where a Saudi consular vehicle had been parked.

All this came on the eve of Prince Mohammed’s high-profile investment summit in Riyadh, which has seen a raft of the world’s top business leaders decline

to attend over the slaying of the writer for the Washington Post.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who said he would not attend the conference, met with the crown prince on Monday night. The Saudi foreign ministry tweeted out a photo of the two men meeting, and US Treasury spokesman Tony Sayegh said in a separate tweet that Mnuchin raised the Kashoggi investigation in his discussions with the crown prince.

Turkish President Recep

Tayyip Erdogan has promised that details of Khashoggi’s killing “will be revealed in all its nakedness” in an address he’ll make before parliament today.

“We are faced with a situation in which it was a brutally planned (killing) and efforts were made to cover it up,” said Omer Celik, a spokesman for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party. “God willing, the results will be brought into the open, those responsible will be punished and no one will

dare think of carrying out such a thing again.”

The kingdom’s announcement Saturday that Khashoggi died in a “fistfight” was met with international skepticism and allegations of a cover-up to absolve the 33-year-old crown prince of direct responsibility.

US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House on Monday that he was “not satisfied with what I’ve heard,” regarding Khashoggi’s death. He added: “We will know very soon.”

THOUSANDS FLEE HUNGER AND DEATH - AND HEAD FOR US BORDER TAPACHULA, Mexico Associated Press

THOUSANDS of Central American migrants resumed an arduous trek toward the US border Monday, with many bristling at suggestions there could be terrorists among them and saying the caravan is being used for political ends by US President Donald Trump.

The caravan’s numbers have continued to grow as they walk and hitch rides through hot and humid weather, and the United Nations estimated that it currently comprises some 7,200 people, “many of whom intend to continue the march north”.

However, they were still at least 1,140 miles (1,830 kilometers) from the nearest border crossing — McAllen, Texas — and the length of their journey could more than double if they go to Tijuana-San Diego, the destination of another caravan earlier this year. That one shrank significantly as it moved through Mexico, and only a tiny fraction — about 200 of the 1,200 in the group — reached the California border.

HONDURAN migrants hoping to reach the US sleep in the southern Mexico city of Tapachula yesterday in a public plaza featuring a statue of Mexican national hero Miguel Hidalgo, a priest who launched Mexico’s War of Independence in 1810.

Photo: Moises Castillo/AP The same could well the November 6 midterm Some have questioned happen this time around elections in the US, and the timing so close to the as some turn back, splinter an immigrant rights activ- vote and whether some off on their own or decide ist traveling with the group political force was behind to take their chances on accused Trump of using it to it, though by all appearasylum in Mexico. stir up his Republican base. ances it began as a group While such caravans “It is a shame that a pres- of about 160 who decided have occurred semi-reg- ident so powerful uses this to band together in Honularly over the years, this caravan for political ends,” duras for protection and one has become a particu- said Irineo Mujica of the snowballed as they moved larly hot topic ahead of group Pueblo Sin Fron- north. teras — People Without “No one is capable Borders — which works to of organising this many provide humanitarian aid to people,” Mujica said, migrants. adding that there are only

two forces driving them: “hunger and death.”

Earlier in the day Trump renewed threats against Central American governments and blasted Democrats via Twitter for what he called “pathetic” immigration laws.

In another tweet, he blamed Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador for not stopping people from leaving their countries. “We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them,” he wrote.

A team of AP journalists traveling with the caravan for more than a week has spoken with Hondurans, Guatemalans and Salvadorans, but has not met any Middle Easterners, who Trump suggested were “mixed in” with the Central American migrants.

It was clear, though, that more migrants were continuing to join the caravan.

Ana Luisa Espana, a laundry worker from Chiquimula, Guatemala, joined the caravan as she saw it pass through her country.

Even though the goal is to reach the US border, she said: “We only want to work and if a job turns up in Mexico, I would do it. We would do anything, except bad things.”

Funeral Service For ELIZABETH L. BURROWS, 59 of Tayoo End, Marshall Road, will be held on Thursday, 25th October, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Boyd Road. Officiating will be Monsignor Alfred Culmer, assisted by other ministers of the Clergy. Interment will follow in Catholic Cemetery, Tyler Street.

Left to Cherish and her memories are her son: Tavares Styles; 3 Granchildren: Tavares Jr., Travis and Tavaria Styles; Caregiver: Karen (Judith) Pitterson; Twelve Sisters: Sharon Thomas, Brenda (Clyde) Daxon, Tonya Rolle, Portia Burrows, Marina Burrows, Monique (Dennis) Brown, Kniki(Clint) Gardiner, Tanya (Larry) Hall, Linda (Ronnie) Cooper, Tia Burrows, Alyssa Burrows, Nicola Fynes; Ten Brothers: James Burrows Jr., Sup. Doyle (Linda) Burrows Sr., George (Silistina) Burrows, Marcel Flowers, Mark Davis, Knikita Davis, Larry (Withlean), Gerd, Brandon(Sheoka) Burrows and Mervin Fynes; 4 Aunts: Ruby Clarke, Sabrina (Leslie) Ingraham, Davina (Gorsset) Brown and Freda Burrows; 3 Uncles: A. Doyle (Judy) Burrows, Theodore (Lee)Rahming, Desmond(Sarah) and Steve(Trevor) McKinney.

Nieces: Cashera, Chalecia, Sarah, Shavincia, Rhainne, Nycolle, Destiny, Paris, Paige, Elizabeth, Michelle, Felecia, Danae, Sharon, Veronica, Doylanda, Arden, Jasmine, Octavia, Omaria, Markeisha, Markell, Ashley, Adia, Riley, Dionne Pedican, Alera Ingraham; Nephews: Romeiko, Rosito, Rolando, Roberto, Vincent, Sharron, Demetrius, Deven, Douglas, Doyle (Josh), Clement, Paul, Zhivargo, Ahmad, Ervano, Khari, Mario Jr., Tyler, Kevin Jr., Dennis Jr., Jordan, Jalen, Nicketo Jr., Doyle Jr., Deyanza, Deandre, George Jr., Sheldon, Jorell, Octavio, Ronnie Jr., Cameron, Marcel Jr., Mark Jr., Matthew, Ryan, Reagan, Logan, Gerard. Numerous Grandnieces, Grandnephews and cousins too many to mention. Godmother: Ruth Brown; God Children: Deandra, Giovanni and Kiora, Girly; Other Relatives and Friends including: Karen Jones and family, Hannah, Julie, Bloneva Brown and family, Sherry Lewis and family, Gervaise Stuart and family, Mrs. Roll, Mrs. Store and the Center of the Deaf family, Bahamas National Council for Disability, Monsignor Culmer and St. Joseph Church family, The Fox Hill community, Chippingham community especialy Quarry Mission Road, Cardy Newton, Kirk Smith and family, Donna Sweeting and family, Brookley Saunders and family, Dorece Henfield and family, Eloise Anderson Rolle and family, Evelyn Cox and family, The Styles family. LW Young Alumni. Special Thanks to: Dr. Nicole Adderley, Dr. Deanna Bain, Dr. Carter the Doctors and Nurses of Princess Margaret Hospital.

Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians #44 Nassau Street on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 23, 2018, PAGE 11

Outrunning hunger in The Bahamas HANDS for Hunger will host its first ever community fun run and walk on November 3 to help raise awareness of food insecurity.

The OutRun Hunger 5k/10k community run/walk is also part of the charity’s special celebrations to mark its tenth year of service.

“This event is all about creating awareness around the very real issue of hunger in The Bahamas and coming together as a community to do something about it,” said Zeleka Knowles, executive director of Hands for Hunger.

“It’s estimated that around one in six people in The Bahamas are chronically hungry. Many more people than you might realise quietly suffer with the issue of hunger, and this event is another way that we can each help our

neighbours who are in need.”

Hands for Hunger was founded on the basis of responding to neighbours in need, a press release from the group said. In 2008 a group of students saw that New Providence had an abundance of excess food even while a large number of residents struggled to feed themselves and their families, and decided to do something about it.

From day one, the organisation’s focus has been on feeding New Providence’s hungry residents and reducing food waste.

Hands for Hunger started out with one truck and a small group of volunteers. Today, ten years later, it operates with a full-time team, two refrigerated trucks that collect and distribute food six days a week, and has expanded its programming

to broaden its reach into the community, including schools, disaster relief and non-perishable food drives.

“We’ve come a long way but we still have a lot more work ahead of us,” said Ms Knowles. “We are so grateful to our food donors, agency partners, volunteers, corporate donors and individual supporters who have made it possible for us to help so many in need over the last ten years.”

OutRun Hunger starts Saturday, November 3, 6.30am at Arawak Cay and is open to all ages and fitness levels. The run/ walk will be certified by the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO).

Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for children, plus five items of non-perishable food, to be brought to the event on race

day. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards helping Hands for Hunger fulfill its mission to eliminate unnecessary huger and food waste in The Bahamas. The food donations will help restock Hands for Hunger’s pantry in time for the holidays.

Post-race activities include a raffle, massage tent, yoga on the beach, Zumba, free coffee and donuts and more. Prizes will be awarded to overall adult male, female and children’s winners. A food truck will also be on site.

Register online at handsforhunger.org at the Hands for Hunger office, NPCC, Blake Road or Bahamas Vision Centre in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.

Or call 327-1660 or email info@ handsforhunger.org for more information.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, October 23, 2018

SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC HELPS FOR FREE THE Mount Moriah constituency held a spay and neuter clinic in partnership with animal advocacy group BAARK! on the weekend.

The free community service, aimed at curbing the number of stray animals on the streets of New Providence, was held at Government High School on Saturday and Sunday.

The Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness, or BAARK!, actively

promotes spay/neuter and education projects to create cleaner, safer and more responsible communities.

Since forming in 2009, Baark! has worked to reduce the number of homeless animals on the streets of The Bahamas through sterilisation programmes such as TNR (Trap-Neuter- Return) and providing subsidies for lowincome families with owned pets.

THE TRIBUNE

STACEY DAMES, wife of Mount Moriah MP Marvin Dames and a BAARK volunteer look on as an animal is being prepared for surgery at a free Mount Moriah spay and neuter clinic.

ANIMALS being prepped for surgeries the Mount Moriah constituency’s free spay and neuter clinic on the weekend.