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VOLUME:114 No.233, OCTOBER 26TH, 2017

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Brave’s new world Chaotic day sees Davis secure PLP leadership Mitchell and Cooper win election fight Glenys vows to battle on to change party

By KHRISNA RUSSELL and RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporters

PHILIP “Brave” Davis last night emerged as the Progressive Liberal Party’s elected leader following a chaotic final national convention day, which suffered an embarrassing voting delay and disorganisation brought on by the underestimation of delegate turn out and electricity failures.

As the ordeal played out last night at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel, many supporters who sat in the lobby surrounding the ball room shrouded in darkness, questioned the security of the ballot boxes and whether there would be tampering. Others raised concerns that the power failures could be an act of foul play that would result in the final count being contested.

Nonetheless, when the final ballots were counted, the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP was declared the PLP’s new leader, defeating Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin by a wide margin, winning 1,004 votes

to her 300. There were 12 spoiled ballots. Activist Troy Garvey received three votes.

Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper emerged as the party’s new deputy leader, while Senator and former Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell won the party’s chairman race. Mr Mitchell received 627 votes, former MP Obie Wilchcombe got 419 and former election candidate Glendon Rolle received 261.

Former Senator Robyn Lynes was elected deputy chairman.

Addressing a crowd of elated supporters gathered in the ballroom who erupted into celebration and applause, Mr Davis thanked former Prime Minister Perry Christie, who quit as PLP leader in May, and asked those in attendance to give admiration to Mrs Hanna Martin.

He commended her work within the party.

Mr Davis then referenced accusations of corruption which have dogged the PLP. He said the party must have zero tolerance in this party for corruption. However,

DAVIS TAKES ON THE IRS IN $50M TAX BATTLE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE newly elected leader of the PLP is battling on behalf of a once-jailed gaming kingpin’s family trust to uphold Bahamian law’s supremacy against a $50m US tax claim.

Court documents obtained by Tribune Business reveal that a Supreme Court order obtained by Philip Davis QC, and his law firm, is now central to efforts by the Kaplan Family Trust to overturn Internal Revenue Service (IRS) levies against its multi-million dollar assets.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS SECTION

THE NEWLY elected leader of the PLP, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, at the party’s convention last night after his victory was confirmed.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff “The current government wanted you to believe that everything was broken under the PLP. That was a major disservice to all those who were working hard against long odds for change.

C O N V E N T IO N “It’s easy to tear things down, but so much harder to build real change.

“They haven’t done are surely much, but the things they he also attacked the cur- corruption rent administration for not another kind of sin. They have done have hurt too increase cynicism about many Bahamians already, having done much thus far.

He said: “Private gain public life just when we need while they send Bahamians at the expense of public to encourage participation. home and terminate conprogress is a terrible kind So those who scorch reputa- tracts, while they cancel of sin. Corruption tears tions and families to score programmes that better at the fabric of our social cheap and temporary politi- your lives, they have come compact. Where it exists, it cal points, you are hurting to Parliament to make it our country and neither easier to invite non-Bahamust be punished.

“But let me say this, your neighbours nor history mians to take your jobs.” too: false accusations of will look upon you kindly.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

OCTOBER 2017

TWERKING STUDENTS SPARK OUTRAGE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A VIRAL video of junior high school girls gyrating on a platform as fellow students watched and cheered at a public school function drew outrage yesterday.

Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson said the video features students of H O Nash Junior High School during an event at the school’s “fun day” on Tuesday.

SEE PAGE 11

ACTIVISTS TRIUMPH IN NYGARD DREDGING CASE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A SUPREME Court judge has ordered the Department of Physical Planning be restrained from issuing any further dredging permits to billionaire Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard pending the resolution of three other judicial reviews against the controversial development of his Lyford Cay home.

PETER NYGARD Justice Rhonda Bain, in a written ruling, ordered

NOW UP TO

that the director of public planning be restrained from issuing “any further dredging or landfill permits” to Mr Nygard pending the closure of three court actions launched by the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay, now Save the Bays, against the dredging at Simms Point/ Nygard Cay. Justice Bain also granted an order of certoria, quashing the decision of the director of public planning (DPP) to issue a dredging

permit to Mr Nygard on October 9, 2014 – despite the existence of two injunctions barring the issuance of any building permit, as well as the DPP’s decision to vary the conditions of the dredging permit in question.

Justice Bain further ruled the DPP’s decision to issue a dredging permit to Mr Nygard and amend it was “irrational,” and in SEE PAGE TEN

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PAGE 2, Thursday, October 26, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, October 26, 2017, PAGE 3

‘I asked him why he shoot the people’ says witness

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tibunemedia.net DEVAUGHN Hall was the instigator behind the armed robbery and the shooting deaths of Barry and Sheena Johnson at their residence in Deadman’s Reef, a key prosecution witness who was there on the night of the murders told the Supreme Court yesterday.

Allan Alcime, one of five men arrested and charged with the couple’s murder in September 2015, testified that he, along with Hall, Paul Bellizar and Virgil Hall, had hid in the bushes for an hour waiting until the Johnsons arrived home.

Alcime said he was shocked when Hall shot the couple because he said they had only gone there to rob them of money, not to kill anyone.

“I asked him (Devaughn Hall) why he shoot the people,” he told the court.

Alcime and Virgil Hall pleaded guilty to the armed robbery and were convicted. The murder charge was dropped against them as part of a plea deal to testify as witnesses for the prosecution.

Paul Bellizar, Devaughn

Hall and Kevin Dames are on trial for murder and armed robbery.

Alcime said he had known Devaughn Hall for about 12 years. He said they had attended primary school together in Pinedale, Eight Mile Rock. He said they would hang out three times a week.

A week before the murders, Alcime claims Hall came to his workplace and told him about knowing where some $2 million and drugs were.

He said Hall asked him if he wanted to go, and if he could bring somebody with him. After Hall had left he told Virgil Hall, who also worked with him, what Devaughn had told him and asked if he wanted to come with them.

According to Alcime, sometime around 5pm on September 12, 2015 he received a call from Devaughn Hall. Hall, he said, asked him if he was ready.

“I told him that I did not have a ride, and he said don’t worry about it,” Alcime recalled.

He called Virgil and they both walked to Devaughn’s house in Pinedale. When they arrived there sometime around 6pm, he saw a grey Maxima parked

outside. He said that “PJ,” and “Beneby” were also there.

Alcime identified the three defendants in court.

He said that PJ was known to him as Paul Bellizar and ‘Beneby’ was known to him as Kevin Dames.

He said he had known PJ for nine years, but that he did not know Beneby. “I did not know know him like that, I would see him in his car riding around in the “Rocks” (Eight Mile Rock),” he said.

He said Hall came out of the house with a black bag.

They went into the Maxima.

He sat in the front passenger seat, while Devaughn, ‘PJ’ and Virgil sat in the backseat.

Beneby drove them to the Holmes Rock area.

He said Devaughn gave Beneby directions to where they were going. Alcime said Devaughn told Beneby to stop near some bushes.

They got out and Beneby pulled off.

Alcime said Devaughn opened the black bag and gave ‘PJ’ “a machine gun,” and handed Alcime a silver and brown shotgun. He said Devaughn took out a silver handgun from his waist.

They put gloves and masks on and went through the bushes until they reached a

house. They stayed down in the bushes for an hour, he said.

“A car pulled up and Devaughn said, ‘no, not her’; we waited in the bushes and 15 to 20 minutes and a truck pulled up,” said Alcime. It was a fella and Devaughn went out after him and we went behind him.”

Alcime claimed Devaughn hit the man in the head. “We asked him where the money was and he said he did not have any money,” said Alcime.

He claimed Devaughn took the man’s bunch of keys from the front door and gave it to him. He went to search the truck and Virgil went inside the house.

Alcime said he could not get the truck opened and went back to the porch to ask the man which one was the key to the truck.

He said he searched the truck, but found no money.

“As I was coming out the truck I heard a shot go off.

Devaughn shot the man and Virgil ran out the house,” claimed Alcime.

Alcime said Devaughn then shot the woman, who was at the front door. He said they jumped into the truck and drove off.

“I started arguing with Devaughn and asked him,

20-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF KILLING TEEN BOY

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A 20-YEAR-OLD man was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of murdering a 15-year-old boy off Prison Lane earlier this month.

Mark Rolle, of Malcolm Road, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with one count of murder in connection with the October 17 incident.

It is alleged Rolle killed Anthony Smith on the day in question.

According to initial police reports, shortly after 8pm

on October 17, a juvenile was standing in front of a home on Greenwich Street off Prison Lane, when a male in a dark coloured Honda Accord pulled up and shot him before speeding off.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Rolle was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to December 5 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) in the interim.

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MARK ROLLE, 20, who is accused of the murder of a 15-year-old boy.

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‘Why you shoot the people?

We did not come here for this; we come here for the money’,” he told the court.

Alcime drove on the back road heading up town towards Freeport, and when they reached the container port roundabout, they turned through a road and drove some distance before pulling on the side.

They got out of the truck and threw the keys on the ground. “I started arguing with Devaughn trying to figure out why he killed them innocent people,” he said.

Alcime said Devaughn told them to split up. “He

said, “y’all go your way’.”

The witness was shown video surveillance footage of the armed robbery and the shooting of the couple.

He said they were all wearing masks and long sleeve clothing. He identified himself, Devaughn, Virgil and PJ on the footage.

When asked he if knew how tall they were, Alcime said he was six foot, two inches; PJ was six foot, three or four inches; Virgil was six foot, two inches; and Devaughn Hall was five feet.

The trial resumes on Friday when Alcime will continue his testimony.

PAGE 4, Thursday, October 26, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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What is the update on Baha Mar’s casino licence?

IN THIS column last year, we wrote that it seemed The Bahamas’ “sovereignty”, which the Christie government claimed it was protecting in the Baha Mar transaction, is more threatened today than if it had been settled by Chapter 11 of Delaware’s bankruptcy court and left in the hands of a private investor who had become a part of the Bahamas. Our position has not changed.

The Tribune was not the only public voice expressing concern. On the floor of the House of Assembly, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, whose government had inherited the PLP’s short-sighted decision to side with the Chinese government in the transaction, was asked his opinion should the Baha Mar project in the hands of the state-owned Beijing bank fail.

“It’s an untenable position,” he told the House on November 18, 2010, “to permit any foreign state to own land in The Bahamas.” Note the emphasis is on state, not private investor. He said, if the project should fail and he were still prime minister he “would not agree to foreclose on these properties (previously Crown land) to any foreign state or any entity which is owned by a foreign state.”

Last year, facing the same dilemma, Australia’s federal treasurer blocked the sale of its largest energy grid to State Grid Corporation of China and a separate bid for the same grid from a Hong Kong-based billionaire. The reason?

Australia believed that such a sale would be against its “national interests.”

And what would be our national interest in the case of The Bahamas?

For the Americans it should be the large footprint China is busily establishing by encircling the US in her own moat of security — the Caribbean Basin, both from the Atlantic and the Panama Canal on the Pacific side.

As for The Bahamas, the main concern is the casino licence, and China’s new policy of curbing overseas investments in such sectors as gaming, real estate, hotels and entertainment. Their object is to build up China by keeping the millions invested in foreign countries at home. According to a report China’s Greenland group “and all mainland consortium of investors are posed to walkaway from a $2 billion megaproject purchased last year on the west coast of the US – without having put a shovel in the ground.” And, according to Bloomberg, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made it clear in a recent speech that Chinese financing has left many developing countries saddled with debt. This is the cry that we often hear from Freeport — “government sold too much Freeport land to the Chinese!” — areas once active now shut down with the resultant unemployment.

However, as of now it is not known if the Cheng group has completed the

purchase of Baha Mar. The purchase was meant to take place on the “substantial completion” of the project on October 15, 2017. However, CCA, the Chinese contractor who has earned a reputation of creating problems by missing deadlines, has again missed the October 15 deadline. Has the purchase gone through? And, although the purchasing company is Hong Kong based, how much of China’s restrictions on investment in hotels and casinos overseas has, or could affect the completion of this project?

We know that Hong Kong is not mainland China. However, we also know that the severe hand of China rests heavily on a Hong Kong that was used to having more control over its own destiny. We also know that Henry Cheng Kar-shun, who succeeded his father Cheng Yu-tung on his death late last year, is now the chairman of the New World development group, and the proposed purchaser of Baha Mar. However, although from Hong Kong, Mr Cheng is also a Standing Committee member of the Eleventh Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. How will China’s recent edict about ownership of hotels and resort development’s affect his purchase of Baha Mar – especially if the agreements have not as yet been signed?

And, as for the casinos – many of which have the reputation of being on the wrong side of the law with their triad gangs – they are already looking for new havens to carry on their nefarious business. What better place than the Bahamas, noted for being a potentially safe haven? This month, The Tribune published a Financial Times report by Edward White in Taipei, which probes “Chinese efforts to disrupt society by allegedly funding criminal gangs.”

Has the FNM government done a thorough check on the depth of the PLP’s Gaming Board’s investigation of the group to which the PLP granted a casino licence on April 5 this year – just one month before the May 10 general election? The PLP were removed from power, but the FNM has inherited the potential fall out from its bad decisions.

Bahamians understood that the Baha Mar contract would be thoroughly investigated and Bahamians would be fully informed of what company would take over Baha Mar, the concessions that have been agreed, and whether the persistent report that the proposed holder of Baha Mar’s casino licence cannot get a licence in the US is true of false.

The Bahamas Christian Council should certainly be concerned about this gaming licence and its unknown operators. It is now time for the Minnis government to unlock Pandora’s box and let the Bahamian people be informed.

Bar to disabled EDITOR, The Tribune.

ON Wednesday, 26th October, I drove to Clico Bahamas in Talbot Street to pick up a cheque as part of the settlement with Clico on an annuity which I have with them.

When I arrived, I was denied entry to the car park adjacent to the building even though I have a disabled sticker on my car and I am

permanently in a wheelchair.

I was directed by the two ladies outside the building (who were seated at a table blocking the disabled section of the car park) to park across the street and make my way through the traffic in my wheelchair, which I refused to do. I was not allowed to drive inside the car park so I parked outside the front gates. I ultimately received my cheque from

staff inside the building, who were extremely helpful and courteous, but would appreciate an explanation as to why Clico has a cast iron policy of denying entry to vehicles with disabled stickers and persons who obviously have problems with their mobility.

No more taxes for the nation EDITOR, The Tribune.

PLEASE allow me to express these concerning matters, of great importance to me and our nation.

I will begin with this - our people cannot take anymore heavy taxes. When I voted in the Referendum I voted NO to the gaming houses and YES for the lotto.

I voted “yes” because our athletes, sports and culture were not being supported.

Sports teams begging with five gallon bottles to travel for our country!

The lotto is a billion dollar industry, every

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net country in the word has one. As you may know, I already have a name “Bahamas Lotto”. We could share the monies in four parts:(1) $250,000 - Youth, Sports & Culture.

(2) $250,000 -N.H.I. (3) $250,000 -Pay down the debit.

(4) $250.000 -In the consolidated funds.

While we are at it - give every Bahamian over the age of 18 years, an acre of

land with title deeds. Fix the generation properties so that the people will be able to invest in their islands. I will assure you that you will be the best Prime Minister that The Bahamas will ever have.

Doc, I am drafting some papers, as I write this letter to The Editor. Never mind the Christian Council, do what is best for The Bahamas and our people. No more taxes, we cannot afford anymore.

JEROME JOHNSON Nassau, October 24, 2017.

J.J.

Our Lucaya EDITOR, The Tribune.

NO one understands the economics and social implications of the indecision concerning this resort.

However Ministers are talking double-talk.

If there were numerous enquiries and negotiations, why on the earth would Government even consider purchasing this property?

I am not making this up, a MInister this week on the News made the comment, in fact he was surprised that there is so much interest.

Doesn’t the Minister of Finance for starters,

understand that Hutchinson-Whampoa with all their connections, have been unable to find a suitable suitor, so after we purchase this property a knight on a white stallion, will ride along the beach and take it off us? Come off it Hon. Peter Turnquest, this is risky, seriously risky business. $80-90m worth of risky business without refurbishing.

There is a reality in regards to Grand Bahama – it has never been able to succeed in tourism for whatever reason. Only in the hey day of the original

opening of El Casino - the junkets operated by Laker was Grand Bahama able to attract a reasonable level of visitors.

Cruise ships have never been attracted, or even liked Grand Bahama.

Back 10-months ago you had a potential suitor and seemingly someone screwed up…inexperience in negotiating or not communicating.

I say absolutely NO to this purchase - madness of the extreme.

Cable & Wireless, did not bid for BTC. How did C&W end up owning BTC? Was the valuation at the time of the sale correct?

Why did the Ingraham Government include the strategic sovereign asset of the fibre-cable that runs through the islands in the deal?

If the good Minister means what he says, and I honestly believe him then you have no alternative but to investigate the sale of BTC to a party that did not bid for the entity?

We cannot discriminate.

W. THOMPSON Nassau, October 21, 2017.

The BTC sale Dominica critics DAVID KANEEN Nassau, October 25, 2017.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: Tearful PM defies Dominica critics.

The Tribune, September 28, 2017.

WHAT an astonishing phenomenon this is - someone who seems to care less

about political expedience than his concern for fellow human beings.

A defiant, principled action the likes of which we are not used to seeing from our leaders. No doubt some knuckle-dragging, xenophobic critics will ensure he’ll have to justify

it for the rest of his political life.

PS: He may not be brave in name, but he certainly is in this particular deed.

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, September 30, 2017.

THE good Minister of Works talks about impropriety in past RFP’s, but interestingly he has not sought to Investigate the acquisition by Cable & Wireless of BTC. Fact: The Director of C&W spoke candidly on ZNS and admitted we,

P MORRIS Nassau, September 30, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, October 26, 2017, PAGE 5

Christie ‘the weakest’ leader of The Bahamas

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net WHEN the history of Bahamian political leaders is written, former Prime Minister Perry Christie will be considered “the weakest” to have held office, according to former Progressive Liberal Party MP Philip Galanis.

During a presentation at the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau at East Villa restaurant yesterday, the former Englerston MP insisted Mr Christie’s “intoxication with power and delusional sense of self-importance,” paired with his inability to address charges of corruption and conflicts of interest within his Cabinet, caused the PLP irreparable harm.

“I firmly believe that political historians will say Sir Lynden (Pindling) was of both substance and form; Mr (Hubert) Ingraham will be characterised as one who preferred substance over form, but Mr Christie however will be memorialised as one who opted for form over substance,” he said, referring to the country’s former prime ministers.

Mr Galanis went on to list a total of 15 reasons he believed the PLP was resoundingly rejected at the polls in May; all of which he tied directly to the failures of Mr Christie.

He also pointed to Mr Christie’s refusal to step down as leader mid-term and continued opposition to mandated conventions as further evidence of overt mismanagement by the former prime minister.

“Mr Christie did not demonstrate democratic principles because he refused to hold a party convention for eight years between 2009 and 2017.

FORMER prime minister Perry Christie at the last day of the PLP convention yesterday.

“He tried to stack the decks by appointing over 2,000 stalwart councillors over his 20-year leadership of the PLP, most recently to ensure his grasp of power at the convention of January 2017,” he claimed.

“And, he marginalised and ostracised all who opposed him or who he perceived to be a threat to his leadership including (then) Deputy Prime Minister (Philip Davis) and others,” Mr Galanis stated, prompting gasps from some in the room.

Mr Galanis, who would later say his comments had more to do with a need for major reform within the PLP, contended that Mr Christie would be remembered as the “prime minister with big ideas, but

as one who could not close the deal.”

He said until and unless the party admits to its shortcomings and asks the public’s forgiveness, its many mistakes and missteps will continue to stand as its biggest impediments.

He added the pandering political minions, hangerson and sycophants paid to Mr Christie along with the blind faith that they placed in him, greatly contributed to the party’s performance.

“There is no question about it; very many Bahamians were incensed and infuriated by the former Christie administration,” Mr Galanis said.

He added: “The 2017 election results were instructive. Of the 181,543 registered voters, 160,409

or 88.3 per cent went to the polls. Therefore, 11.7 per cent of registered voters did not vote.

“The FNM won 57 per cent of the popular vote, garnering 91,137 votes, compared to 37 per cent or 59,164 votes that were cast for the PLP. The difference between the two major parties was 31,973 votes - of the 175 candidates who contested the 2017 elections, 97 lost their deposits.”

Ultimately, Mr Galanis urged the PLP to make public the report it commissioned following its 2017 election loss. He suggested that those findings will, if accepted and acted

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff upon, place the PLP in the best position to return to the people.

Moreover, he recommended the PLP’s new leadership team return the party to its core values and revise its constitution to guard against many of the loopholes, he said, Mr Christie took advantage of.

“The road to reform must be decisive, considered and introspective,” he said.

“The road to reform must be travelled with an attitude of humility and a complete appreciation that, for the past five years, there was a failure of leadership.

“It is indisputable that the electorate felt that those

in who they reposed their trust absolutely and completely failed to live up to that trust and to carry out the wishes of the people,” Mr Galanis, head of chartered accounting firm HLB Galanis, concluded.

Mr Galanis endorsed Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP Philip “Brave” Davis for party leader and Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper for deputy leader.

However, he refused to back anyone for party chairman, saying that the candidates challenging for the post were rejected by the general voting public in the 2017 general election.

PAGE 6, Thursday, October 26, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Chaos at the convention as vote delayed

By RICARDO WELLS and AVA TURNQUEST

THE voting process for party officers during the Progressive Liberal Party’s 53rd national convention was fraught with chaos and disorganisation, with the vote delayed by nearly three hours due to protests raised over the official registry, The Tribune was told yesterday.

The election was expected to run from 8am to 1pm, however, it did not start until nearly 11am and was extended to 3.30pm, 5pm, then 6pm but did not end until shortly after 8pm when the final night session was set to be broadcast.

This prompted party officials to scrap the live broadcast of the event, which was set to be aired on JCN. The bungled process also forced the cancellation of the scheduled programme of speakers, with convention chairman Michael Halkitis telling The Tribune after 8pm that once votes were counted, there would only be an announcement of the winners and a speech delivered by the new leader.

The convention site at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel was plagued by several power cuts last night.

At 7:53pm, the electricity went off in the room where voting was taking place and the ballots were held. Many people in the room went to the polling area to shine

CELEBRATIONS in the convention hall at Melia yesterday after the announcement of the results. their cell phone flashlights in the voting area.

Police also guarded the ballot boxes until the electricity came back on at 7:259, only for the power to go off again. The power came back on about five minutes later.

Earlier in the day, elderly and disabled delegates and stalwart councillors crowded hallways, visibly distressed by the extensive delays while Family Island delegates expressed concerns over their ability to make their return flights.

Frustrated voters underscored similarities between

yesterday’s challenges and the problems experienced with voting during the advance poll for the 2017 general election.

However, most resolved not to let the stalled process discourage them from casting their ballot.

Protest While officials gave a myriad of reasons for the delays, including a computer glitch, and inexperienced organisers, as The Tribune canvassed the convention floor yesterday, the central issue behind the hours-long wait was said to

THE RESULTS of the vote saw Philip ‘Brave’ Davis named as PLP leader, with Chester Cooper as his deputy, Fred Mitchell as party chairman and Robin Lynes as deputy chairman.

be an early morning protest of the register.

Chairman candidate Obie Wilchcombe confirmed that he was among those who raised issues with the convention’s commissioner and the party’s Rules and Credentials Committee shortly after dawn.

Issues included instances of voters being given the ability to vote twice; persons registered but not provided with voting credentials and persons left off the official register being allowed to still vote, he said.

Mr Wilchcombe told reporters gathered at the Melia, the party had to “clean up” its register before it could proceed with a vote.

However, due to the lengthy process and long list of issues, the decision was made to proceed with a vote, leaving the process open to any challenges that may arise at the ballot.

“The resolution was a general election approach where if you are not on the list, you are eliminated from the list and if there is a protest, the protest would take place in the hall,” Mr Wilchcombe told members of the press.

He added: “They got to a point where they had it pretty much organised, but

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff they left open that if there is any issue, they can raise it during the voting.”

Asked to clarify some of the concerns raised by him and other candidates on the ballot, the former West End and Bimini MP stated: “Yes, you had (persons with the ability to vote twice), just like it happened in the Parliamentary Registration (Department).

“You may have a name there twice, or you may have a situation where somebody was on the voter registration and did not receive any identification, or someone who was left off the list, but had registered.

“So we wanted to make sure that everything and matters that were brought to the attention of those that were running, the matter had to be discussed with the commissioner and with the Rules and Credentials Committee, and they heard it through. The meeting started at six o’clock this morning and ran through several hours, they reviewed the matter and then they got the voting started.”

‘Inexperience’ The queries raised and the time given to resolve them led to hundreds of eager party supporters cramped in long lines for more than four hours in some cases yesterday.

One of the names challenged by several candidates was former party chairman Raynard Rigby, who showed up at Melia prepared to cast his ballot.

When asked by The Tribune the crux of the issue surrounding the protest involving him, Mr Rigby insisted he was in his right

to vote and was not going to be turned away.

“As I understand, the issue is two of the candidates – Obie Wilchcombe and Glenys Hanna Martin – challenged some of the delegates on the register, including myself as a former party officer, which is absolutely amazing,” he said.

“The constitution speaks directly to all of the issues that they raised here today, but instead of accepting the facts, they opted to stress the process to the detriment of what you see here today.”

According to Mr Rigby, the PLP’s constitution permits anyone who has served as an elected national party officer the “lifetime right to vote” in any party election.

He claimed he, like any other former parliamentarian, senior officer and Cabinet minister associated with the party, automatically qualifies as a voting delegate once they leave office.

“They know that. I know that. But, in the name of frustrating the process, we are here,” he said.

However, former Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller pointed to the inexperience of organisers as one of the central reasons behind the delays.

“I am disappointed in what I have seen,” Mr Miller, a former PLP Cabinet minister, said.

“This has never happened before. They had sufficient time, but from what I understand, they have a lot of rookies running the show instead of the regular people. They have a lot of young people doing it and this is their first time and that is probably why you have most of these issues.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, October 26, 2017, PAGE 7

Brave’s new world from page one

“So let’s come together, fellow Bahamians, and let them know that in the end, they will be judged not by the entertainment value of their latest conspiracy theories, but by what they do for people,” he said.

Calling supporters to work, Mr Davis outlined his plans for the party, adding that Wednesday’s voting process was proof the party needed reforms.

“I have a lot of ideas about how to do this, but this isn’t about one man’s reform crusade, it’s about all of us. We will do this work together, with detailed input from PLPs around the country, formalising a process that is already in motion.

“We have work to do, PLPs. We know time waits for no man, so we must

work with urgency, but, more importantly, we must get it right. We need and deserve a 21st century party, one that reflects our values and inspires our fellow citizens.

“I believe in hard work – and I believe that our party’s leader must earn genuine and enthusiastic support from within this party before asking the Bahamian people for their trust to lead the nation.

“So we’re talking about real reforms – an overhaul – not superficial changes.

“Today’s voting process is one example of why we need common sense reform. The experience we had cannot be repeated in conventions to come. There is no reason it had to be such a complicated day. We are going to modernise the process. On this front and many others, change will come.”

Mr Davis said the party under his leadership will also seek to create a new candidates fund to support new leaders and to encourage those who are considering entering frontline politics.

Well before the vote results were announced, the convention floor erupted in celebration as anticipation built for Mr Davis’ victory.

“Oh Cat Island“ blared from speakers as the crowd, many wearing “Brave” Davis shirts, cheered and danced.

“Obie gone,” one man with a mic shouted on stage, referring to Mr Wilchcombe, who is known to insiders to have a tense relationship with Mr Davis and may now struggle to find a place in the party.

“This is the first time Brave has ever gotten a whole crowd to cheer for him like this,” one PLP

NEW PLP leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis with his deputy, Chester Cooper, at last night’s party convention.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

CONVENTION PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS AFTER TURBULENT DAY

By KHRISNA RUSSELL and RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporters

THE victory speech by Philip ‘Brave’ Davis last night and the announcement of the results followed a period of chaos. A restless crowd – including disgruntled PLPs who hadn’t voted hours after polls were expected to close – were stunned when electricity turned off at 7.53pm.

Numerous people hopped from their seats in the pitch black ballroom and shined their cell phone lights over the voting area, which had been barricaded off. Electricity returned a minute before 8pm but went off again five minutes later, spurring another rush from the crowd to protect the integrity of the ballots and the voting process.

Through it all, some

DELEGATES in the dark after a power failure at Melia. officials were concerned too many people were hovering over the ballot boxes. Convention Chairman Michael Halkitis announced not long after that the formal closing ceremony would be scrapped, no live broadcast would

take place and only a select group of people would speak once voting results were announced.

The void prompted by the darkness was filled by those who sought to steal the limelight.

“If Brave and Chester

lose the race, Pindling and BJ will come back from the grave to take over their body,” one man shouted repeatedly.

Another group of people who tried to spark a “Be Brave” chant saw their efforts largely met with silence from the crowd of more than 100 people.

Regarding the challenges faced last night Mr Halkitis said the process was not “irregular” as he sought to explain the issues.

He said: “As you can see we have electrical issues here at the hotel. I think we got a report that there was a fire so we are trying to address that to get the electricity back on. Soon as that is done we expect to move to counting and so we expect in a few hours to be able to announce the results.

“We are in darkness so if

the light comes on in two or three hours we should be done.

“What we anticipate we will do tonight is again we are in darkness (so) we will move to count and then we will move to have the results announced and have the winner of the leader race, the deputy and chairman address those delegates who remain here.”

Asked whether there were any security concerns or that there could have been foul play, Mr Halkitis told The Tribune: “No security concerns. The trustees are there, the ballots are secured, there are security in there, police are in there.

So the boxes are secured.

It’s just a matter of having these issues with the electricity sorted out so we can commence the count.”

He also said: “I don’t

know (if there was foul play) I wouldn’t want to comment on that. I don’t think so.

“I don’t want to put down foul play. I mean it’s unfortunate. I wouldn’t want to attribute foul play to anybody.

“We had 1,700 people so this was even bigger than (the last) convention.

“We had posts that were very keenly contested and people were very vigilant and concerned and they had some issues that they raised this morning that needed to be satisfied.

Those caused the delay.

They were satisfied and so we started late and then it was just a tremendous amount of people. Bear in mind we have two rooms and so trying to get 1,700 people in two rooms was difficult and so that caused some of the delay.”

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PAGE 8, Thursday, October 26, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

GLENYS Hanna Martin pictured during yesterday’s final day of the PLP convention.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

Glenys promises to push for change

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin said she will continue to “agitate for change within” the Progressive Liberal Party despite her loss in the leadership race to Philip “Brave” Davis at the party’s convention last night.

Mrs Hanna Martin received 300 votes, according to party sources, while Mr Davis received 1,004.

In a short press statement released Wednesday night, she thanked her campaign team and Englerston voters who have elected her in four consecutive general elections.

“I commit tonight to dedicating all of my energies to your interest,” she told her supporters. “I thank you for your patience during this campaign period which took me away from you.

I am grateful that I had this opportunity to travel through the country; to

CROWDS during the last day of the PLP convention.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff “Throughout this pro- wipe every tear from every hear the concerns of Bahamians everywhere. I am cess I have been able to eye. That is our continuing grateful that this has deep- refine my philosophical mandate, to empower the ened my understanding of commitments. I am more Bahamian people. It is necmy country and enhanced convinced than ever that essary and long overdue. my love and appreciation of the vision of 1967 has yet to Our people, our country be realised. We have yet to deserves nothing else. This The Bahamas.

has been my mission during my life in public service.

And so I will not settle for the status quo. I will therefore continue my efforts to agitate for change within the party. I congratulate the new leader of the PLP, Mr Philip Davis as he takes the helm.”

Insiders always viewed Mrs Hanna Martin as the underdog in her run for leader. Her effort was marked by concerns about the process, including that about the influence of money in the race.

Well before the convention was hosted, she sent a letter to outgoing PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts with concerns about the influence of money. Mr Davis responded with a letter of his own, although the contents of both letters have never been publicly disclosed.

This week, Mrs Hanna Martin found common cause with former leadership contender Alfred Sears, as she complained

about the process just as he had done ten months ago.

“Alfred Sears who ran for the leadership the last time has put together a number of amendments,” she told reporters earlier this week.

“The two I am most concerned of is the use of money in our internal election campaign. Because there are certain practices that are currently in play that would not be allowed, I don’t think, in a general election.

“Unfortunately, our constitution does not deal with those issues. And so, we want to see amendments to our constitution because we want to be sure that when people go to the polls they are not influenced by anything other than who is the best candidate pound for pound in the best interest of our party.”

Mrs Hanna Martin also expressed anger about not being allowed to speak at the convention before delegates voted.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, October 26, 2017, PAGE 9

GUN SEIZURE CHARGES

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

RASHAD LARODA, 27, outside court yesterday.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Gang suspect accused of murder conspiracy

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A MAN was arraigned on several charges ranging from conspiracy to commit murder to being a member of an unlawful gang yesterday.

Rashad Laroda, 27, of Walnut Street, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt faced with two firearms charges, one count of being a member of an unlawful gang and conspiracy to commit murder.

Regarding the firearms charges, it is alleged that on October 20, he was found in possession of one black Austria Glock .45 pistol, as well as 12 live rounds of .45 ammunition.

It is also alleged that between November 12, 2015 and October 25 of this year, he was a member of an unlawful gang.

It is also alleged that on October 20, being concerned with others, Laroda conspired to murder Philano Williams of Carmichael Road.

Laroda was not required to enter a plea to the charges and the matter was

adjourned to December 5 for service of a VBI. Before being dismissed, his attorney, Nathan Smith, told the chief magistrate that his client allegedly endured police brutality upon his arrest and that the shirt he was wearing had

blood stains.

Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt took note of Mr Smith’s submissions and allowed Laroda to have a change of clothing.

He was then remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

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A 28-YEAR-OLD man was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday facing a dozen firearm charges in connection with a large gun seizure in the Wulff Road and Firetrail Road areas last week.

Eugene Campbell Jr, of Fire Trail Road east, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with 15 firearm charges in connection with the October 20 incident.

The charges included introducing a firearm into the country, introducing ammunition into the Bahamas, possession of an unlicensed firearm and

possession of ammunition.

The possession of unlicensed firearm charges referred to the “component parts” of various firearms he allegedly possessed, for example, a magazine clip.

Campbell originally faced 21 charges, however counts 16-21 were withdrawn by the prosecution.

It is alleged that on October 20, Campbell brought one black Austria 19 pistol, one grey Colt pistol, one black .380 Browning pistol; one black Zig .45 pistol; one black Millennium Pro .45 pistol into the country.

It is also alleged that on the day in question he similarly introduced 50 live rounds of .380 ammunition, 12 rounds of .45 ammunition, and four

EUGENE CAMPBELL JR, 28, yesterday.

rounds of 9mm ammunition into the country. It is also alleged that Campbell was found in possession of one .40 magazine clip, one black .45 magazine clip; one silver and black .40 magazine clip; and one silver and black 9mm magazine clip.

It is also alleged that he was found in possession of eight rounds of .40 ammunition; seven rounds of .45 ammunition; and two rounds of 9mm ammunition.

Campbell pleaded guilty to all of the charges as they were read yesterday.

The case was adjourned to 2pm today for Campbell and the chief magistrate to hear the summary of the Crown’s case. Campbell remains in police custody.

PAGE 10, Thursday, October 26, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Activists triumph in Nygard dredging case from page one

contravention of the injunction granted on July 17, 2014 and/or the injunction granted on August 25, 2014.

She also said the issuance of the permit to Mr Nygard was ultra vires and/or irrational because the dredging was prohibited by a court order dated June 13, 2013.

The judge further declared that the decisions made by the DPP were “fundamentally

flawed and/or procedurally improper” because they were made without any proper and/or meaningful consultation and/ or without complying with the requirements of the Conservation and Protection of the Physical Landscape of the Bahamas Act (CPPLBA).

Justice Bain noted that the DPP “failed to give notice of the fact that he was about to consider whether any excavation or landfill operation should

be carried out,” and failed to notify the coalition of the existence of the application and to supply the coalition with a copy of the application and relevant supporting documents, despite knowing “that the coalition was an interested party that was entitled to be consulted.”

However, Justice Bain noted in her ruling that she was unable to issue an order of mandamus directing the DPP to require Mr Nygard to remove the sand

deposited on the beach at Simms Point as a result of the dredging. This, she said, was because while evidence exists that dredging took place, “the amount of material excavated is not known.”

According to Save the Bays, as a result of the ruling, the government will have to foot the bill for the group’s legal costs.

Justice Bain’s ruling came subsequent to four judicial reviews launched by the coalition with respect to the dredging at Simms Point/ Nygard Cay. Battle The multiple judicial reviews and consequent injunctions stem from a long running court battle between Save The Bays and Mr Nygard over the construction/development activities at his Lyford Cay home, which stem from allegations that the activities have led to substantial growth of the property.

The group claims the Lyford Cay resident has almost doubled the size of his property, from 3.25 acres to 6.1 acres, since he acquired it in 1984, by reclaiming Crown land from the sea. The advocacy group has accused Mr Nygard of achieving this without the necessary permits and approvals, claims that have been denied by the fashion designer.

According to the ruling, the coalition previously alleged that the DPP “entertained” an application for a dredging permit that he received on

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October 2, 2014 to dredge the seabed in an area comprising 134,947 square feet southeast of Simms Point/ Nygard Cay and north of Clifton Bay. The coalition further alleged that between October 9 and December 5, 2014, the DPP entertained an applicant to waive and/or vary a condition attached to the permit in question, thus allowing the excavated material to be placed on the beach at Simms Point/Nygard Cay rather than requiring it to be removed to Jaws Beach as the original permit had required.

The coalition further alleged that the DPP acceded to the application but “imposed as a condition that the sand be stockpiled on Simms Point.”

Dredging was thus carried out by Mr Nygard “in reliance on the dredging permit” between December 11 and 20, 2014. Additionally, Mr Nygard allegedly used the dredged material for “unauthorised landfill” and “land reclamation,” which the coalition claimed was in “direct contravention” of a stockpiling condition and was in further breach of “other conditions attached to the dredging permit (such as the requirement for monitoring and for turbidity curtains to be in place).”

The ruling said the DPP was informed of the breaches on December 18, 2014 but took no action to suspend or revoke the permit.

Thus, the coalition submitted that the decisions by the DPP were

“illegal, procedurally unfair, vultra vires and/or irrational” because they were in breach of the July and August, 2014 injunctions, and that the decisions and request for a waiver of the condition were “each considered and determined by the DPP without notifying or consulting with the Coalition” as required by the CPPLBA Act. In response, counsel for the DPP submitted that the coalition should not be granted any legal relief.

However, Justice Bain ultimately ruled that in view of the coalition’s claims and the events that invoked them, the DPP “had an obligation to act in respect of the breach of the conditions of the dredging permit.”

“These breaches were brought to the attention of the DPP by counsel for the coalition,” she said. “Additionally, by the terms of the conditions attached to the dredging permit DPP had an obligation to monitor the excavation.”

She added: “The dredging permit was issued by the DPP even though there were two injunctions against the issuing of any building permit, or even considering the issuance of a building permit with respect to property located at Simms Point, Nygard Cay. “The dredging permit was issued in breach of the injunction. The DPP has been found in contempt of court. It is imperative that the orders of the court be complied with until set aside.”

THE TRIBUNE

TWERKING STUDENTS SPARK OUTRAGE

from page one

The video shows three girls, believed to be ninth and eight graders, gyrating to dancehall music during a dance competition on an elevated platform in the school’s assembly area as other students watch.

At one point, a boy jumps on the platform and runs directly behind one of the girls, staring at her bottom as she gyrated while bent over. A second girl then jumps on stage and begins twerking before she dropped into a split, prompting cheers from other students. A third girl then comes on stage and starts to gyrate suggestively.

A disc jockey is overheard encouraging the students’ behaviour.

At one point during the video, an adult male is seen walking through the throng of students, but it is unclear if he is a school official.

Mrs Wilson said what happened is “unfortunate”.

“Someone should have been there to monitor them,” she said.

When The Tribune spoke to her yesterday, she had not yet spoken to the school’s principal.

“I would have to get the information from the principal as to if there were persons assigned to monitor the dance,” she said. “When you have a fun day, you would have different areas of responsibility for each teacher or department. It begs the question as to who would’ve been assigned to the dance.”

Ms Wilson stopped short of saying someone should be disciplined for not monitoring the children.

Education Minister Jeff Lloyd spoke to local broadcaster Our News

about the issue yesterday, placing the blame on the way some parents raise their children.

“It is disturbing, there is no question about it, but that’s not the fault of our schools. These children come from a home . . . somebody namely parents, guardians, whomever, are responsible for their conditioning,” Mr Lloyd told the news station.

“Where is this behaviour learnt? Not at the school.”

Mr Lloyd said he would await the full report on the incident before determining what punishment, if any, would be given out. However he said he was in full support of the school and its principal.

The Ministry of Education also released a brief statement on the controversy yesterday, saying the matter was being looked into.

“The Ministry of Education is aware of a video circulating on social media in which it appears that students are dancing inappropriately on a public school campus,” said the statement from Acting Director of Education Marcellus Taylor. “We await

the findings of an internal investigation to determine what future course of action will be taken.”

Across social media, people reacted angrily as the video drew thousands of viewers.

“Minister of Education, please as a mother, we crying out to find out what went wrong here in this video - and now should fun day be removed out of the schools?” wrote one person on Facebook.

Another said: “If this is a school sponsored event, the head master/mistress should be removed from office. This is a disgrace.

The school yard is not the place for this type of performance. The young girls are inviting boys to treat them with disrespect and possibly encouraging rape.

Thank God these are not my girls –– as a parent I would be ashamed.”

Not everyone thought outrage was warranted, however.

One user said: “This ain’t nothing new…y’all went to private school aye? This been happening for years, the only difference is smart phones…good thing they wasn’t around.”

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Thursday, October 26, 2017, PAGE 11

BUILDINGS AND CARS DAMAGED IN BLAZE

FIREFIGHTERS are pictured on the scene of a large fire at Lincoln Blvd where several vehicles and buildings caught on fire as a result.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

PAGE 12, Thursday, October 26, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

MCCARTNEY ‘HUMBLED’ AS HE STEPS DOWN AS DNA LEADER

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

Cabinet minister said the move occurred so he could take a back seat, clearing the path for other bright minds within the party to have an opportunity to shine. This, he said, would allow the DNA to move forward with new and fresh ideas.

His statements came as he gave a farewell speech on Tuesday night when a special meeting was held electing Chris Mortimer and Arinthia Komolafe as interim leader and deputy leader respectively.

FORMER Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney said nothing has been more humbling than to be rejected by the Bahamian electorate twice, as he rebuffed speculation his decision to step down from the DNA’s top post was an abandonment of the party he founded.

Instead, the former Free National Movement

A brief press statement from the party explaining the process read: “Pursuant to Article 42 of the Democratic National Alliance’s constitution, a special meeting was held on October 24, 2017 in which Christopher Mortimer became the DNA’s interim leader following the resignation of Branville McCartney. After a nomination and election process, Arinthia S Komolafe was elected to fill the deputy leader vacancy.”

Mr McCartney told those gathered: “Perhaps the most important lesson this journey has taught me, however, has been humility. While some people may have a hard time believing that, I can safely say that nothing is more humbling than being told no…not once, but twice.

“Some have suggested that I am abandoning the party, that I am throwing a tantrum, but nothing could be further from the truth.

To be clear, I am taking a back seat. I remain willing and ready to help the party wherever and whenever I can. My stepping aside as leader is not about giving up or throwing in the towel, instead, it is about clearing a path for others so that other bright minds within our ranks have an opportunity to shine and so that our organisation can move forward with new and fresh ideas.

“The late Dr Myles Munroe spoke often about knowing when to pass the baton. In one of his most popular sermons he said and I quote: ‘Your assignment has a shelf life, you should know when to transfer.’ For me that moment is now.

“As I step down from the leadership role, I do so with the knowledge that the DNA is in good hands.

I do so, knowing that none of the successes we have achieved as a party would have even been possible without the hard work and dedication of hundreds of people like all of you. Your support, your criticisms, your encouragement kept me motivated and kept me

CHRIS MORTIMER, the Democratic National Alliance’s new interim leader.

ARINTHIA KOMOLAFE, the Democratic National Alliance’s new deputy leader.

focused. You helped make me a better leader, and a better man and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Earlier in his address to supporters, Mr McCartney acknowledged the party has made mistakes.

“We have come a long way. The road has not been easy and we didn’t always get it right. There were some missteps, some bigger than others, but as I step down from the role of leader, I can say without question that the lessons, which I have learned as part of this process, will serve me well into the future.

“The DNA has taught me that change, real change, can only happen when regular people like you, and me, get involved, roll up our sleeves and put our shoulders to the wheel. I have learned that together, despite our differences we can work to build the kind of Bahamas we want to leave for our children.”

The DNA won fewer votes in the May 10 general election than it did in

2012, a fact that weighed on Mr McCartney. He told this newspaper recently he believed the election results were as much an outright rejection of the DNA under his leadership as it was a simple reflection of the powerful two-party dynamics in the country that gives little space to third parties.

In 2010, Mr McCartney resigned as state minister of immigration in the Ingraham administration, saying that the “current political system (was) headed in the wrong direction.”

In March 2011, he resigned from the FNM and took steps to form the DNA. The DNA received more than 13,000 votes in the 2012 election and some pundits have said the third party siphoned votes away from the Free National Movement, causing the party to lose that election. This year, the party received about 8,000 votes. The party has never won a seat in the House of Assembly.

SMITH APPOINTED AS LIBRARY DIRECTOR REV Dr C B Moss, president of the Bain Grants Town Advancement Association, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nelson Smith as the director of the Bain Grants Town Library and Museum. Mr Smith is a graduate of the University of the Bahamas, having studied at Cambridge College of Canada, and Faith Temple Christian Academy.

He has A-level certificates in mathematics, English literature and accounting, as well as a bachelors degree in biology with chemistry. He spent the last five years at the Lillian Coakley Public Library and also was host of The Eye Opener on Guardian Talk Radio. “This is a new challenge which I’m looking forward to with great excitement,” said Mr Smith.

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Functional Competencies: • Thorough knowledge of the commercial banking marketplace and a general knowledge of the assigned market; • Thorough understanding of the Commercial Banking segment, strategies, structure, as well as its lending and deposit products and services; • Proven leadership skills; • Excellent written and oral communication skills, negotiation and analytical skills; • Good technical knowledge of Commercial Systems and platforms; • Strong Relationship Management Skills; • Strong networking and interpersonal skills; • Strong strategic thinking ability

Educational Requirements: • Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance or Accounting; • Five years of progressive related experience within the financial services industry, in a Relationship Management capacity; • Other training requirements as determined by the Bank from time to time with particular emphasis on Corporate & Commercial Banking.

Computer Technician II responsible for providing support to the Office of Information Technology in the maintenance and configuring of University computer systems, desktops and peripherals. Specific duties and responsibilities include installing, diagnosing, repairing, maintaining and upgrading all hardware and equipment while ensuring optimal workstation performance; assisting with relocating hardware and accessories; performing computer, printer, copier, scanner and other peripheral maintenance, troubleshooting and upgrades at the University’s main and satellite locations; ensuring that users are able to log-on and open applications on the desktop, and connect to approved network resources and liaising with external vendors. Applicants must have at least an Associate Degree in Computer Studies or equivalent qualifications (in IT or Network Communication Engineering related field or comparable training/experience directly related to telephone repair or equivalent combination of education and experience) AND five (5) years of relevant work experience, as well as a Current A+ Certification.

Payroll Assistant in the Office of the Vice President Finance responsible for the timely and accurate input of all payroll transactions. Specific duties and responsibilities include maintaining payroll information by collecting, reviewing and entering data accurately; updating payroll records by entering changes in exemptions, insurance coverage, savings deductions, and job title and department/division transfers; preparing monthly NIB (National Insurance Board) C-10 Forms and requisitions for payment of employee and employer contributions; resolving payroll discrepancies by collecting and analyzing information; providing payroll information by answering questions and requests and assisting with the enhancement of policies and procedures as needed.

For full details of each position announcement visit http://www. ub.edu.bs/about-us/career-opportunities/staff/ Applicants should submit the following information to the attention of the Vice President, Human Resources by Wednesday, 8th November 2017 by emailing: hrapply@ub.edu.bs: • A cover letter of interest highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position; • A completed University of The Bahamas Employment Application Form accessible via www.ub.edu.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Application-for-Employ- ment-Staff.pdf • Current curriculum vitae or resume;

Qualified candidates should submit curriculum vitae via email to: hrbahamas@scotiabank.com on or before November 3rd, 2017.

Note: Only persons short-listed for an interview will be contacted.

• Copies of qualifications and certificates; • Copy of the relevant pages of a valid passport showing passport number, photo identification and expiration date); • Copy of a current N.I.B Card;

Trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence (where applicable).

®

• At least three (3) written professional references

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, October 26, 2017, PAGE 13

New US flight screening DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Associated Press

ALL incoming flights to the United States will be subject to new security screening procedures before takeoff, including both American citizens and foreigners possibly facing security interviews from airline employees, the US government said Wednesday.

Both American air carriers and global airlines must comply, affecting all the 2,100 flights from around the world entering the US on any given day. The directive is far broader than an earlier Trump administration ban on laptops inside the cabins of some airliners, which only targeted ten Mideast cities and their airlines.

Confusion greeted the new rules.

While five global long-haul carriers said they would begin the new security interviews on Thursday, each offered different descriptions of how the procedure would take place, ranging from a form travelers would be required to fill out to being verbally quizzed by an airline employee. Other carriers insisted their operations remained the same.

AN EMIRATES plane taxis to a gate at Dubai International Airport at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

“The security measures affect all individuals, international passengers and US citizens, traveling to the United States from a last point of departure international location,” said Lisa Farbstein, a spokeswoman for the US Transportation Security Administration. “These new measures will impact all flights from airports that serve as last points of departure locations to the United States.”

The new rules come at the end

AIN’T THAT A SHAME - SINGER FATS DOMINO DIES, AGED 89 NEW ORLEANS Associated Press

FATS Domino, the amiable rock ‘n’ roll pioneer whose steady, pounding piano and easy baritone helped change popular music while honoring the traditions of the Crescent City, has died. He was 89.

Mark Bone, chief investigator with the Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, coroner’s office, said Domino died of natural causes early Tuesday.

In appearance, he was no matinee idol. He stood 5-feet-5 and weighed more than 200 pounds, with a wide, boyish smile and a haircut as flat as an album cover. But Domino sold more than 110 million records, with hits including “Blueberry Hill,” ‘’Ain’t That a Shame” — originally titled “Ain’t It A Shame”— and other standards of rock ‘n’ roll.

He was one of the first 10 honorees named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Rolling Stone Record Guide likened him to Benjamin Franklin, the beloved old man of a revolutionary movement.

“We’ve lowered the flag and we’re playing his music all day,” said Greg Harris, CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

FATS DOMINO, pictured in 2007.

“Fats is the godfather of rock and roll,” Harris said.

“On behalf of the people of New Orleans, I am eternally grateful for his life and legacy,” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said in a news release Wednesday morning. “Fats Domino added to New Orleans’ standing in the world, and what people know and appreciate about New Orleans.”

“I can’t wrap my arms around him being gone,” said Quint Davis, producer of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and a decades-long friend of Domino. He said only two people from New Orleans have changed the music of the world: jazz legend Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino.

of a 120-day window for new US safety regulations to be implemented following the lifting of the laptop ban imposed on some Mideast airlines.

They include “heightened screening of personal electronic devices” and stricter security procedures around planes and in airport terminals, Farbstein said. She did not elaborate.

Details of the new rules first became apparent in a statement

by Dubai-based Emirates, which

operates the world’s busiest airport for international travel.

In the statement, Emirates said it would begin carrying out “pre-screening interviews” at its check-in counters for passengers flying out of Dubai and at boarding gates for transit and transfer fliers. It urged those flying through Dubai International Airport to allow extra time for flight check-in and boarding.

“These measures will work in complement with the current additional screening measures conducted at the boarding gate,” it said.

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd said on its website that it had suspended self-drop baggage services and that passengers heading to the US “will be subject to a short security interview” when checking their luggage. Those without bags would have a similar interview at their gates.

Air France said it would begin the new security interviews on Thursday at Paris Orly Airport and a week later, on Nov 2, at Charles de Gaulle Airport. It said the extra screening would take the form of a questionnaire handed to all passengers.

US AMBASSADOR EVACUATED FROM SUDAN CAMP JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, was evacuated from a UN camp for displaced people in South Sudan on Wednesday because of a demonstration against President Salva Kiir, witnesses said.

Shortly after Haley left the camp, UN security guards fired tear gas to disperse the crowd of more than 100 residents who looted and destroyed the office of a charity operating there, an aid worker at the camp said. The aid worker spoke on condition of anonymity out of safety fears.

Haley, in the middle of a three-country African visit, met earlier Wednesday with Kiir over the country’s long civil war.

Speaking later to UN station Radio Miraya, Haley said she warned Kiir that the US no longer trusted South Sudan’s government and was no longer prepared to wait for change. She did not give details.

PAGE 14, Thursday, October 26, 2017

VOLUNTEERS helping with the clean-up effort.

THE TRIBUNE

CLEANING UP MONTAGU MEMBERS of the St Anne’s Constituency Volunteer Community Service Team were joined by volunteer residents of St Anne’s, the Rotary Club of East Nassau, the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise, and members of the Royal Nassau Sailing Club on Saturday morning. Volunteers

banded together to clean up, create a friendly area for residents to enjoy and improve the Montagu foreshore area between The Sailing Club and Dick’s Point.

Brent Symonette, MP for St Anne’s and minister of financial services, trade, industry and immigration,

said: “Creating a cleaner, environmentally friendly and safer St Anne’s is important to all in our constituency. Joining forces with residents, other service organisations and volunteers to improve this area that is enjoyed by many is a start. We plan to continue our efforts throughout the constituency and we encourage others to join us.”

Paradise Car

rental

$298 per week NO DEPOSIT! Coming Soon Rent to own 698-0131 | 698-0399 812-3328

www.paradisecarrental.com TACKLING a fallen tree with a chainsaw.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, October 26, 2017, PAGE 15

PAGE 16, Thursday, October 26, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Mother Pratt presents her new book to former PM FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham receives a copy of Mother Pratt’s new book telling her life story from the veteran politician and community activist as publisher Albert Cox looks on. The book will be published by Scholar Books.

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HIS Excellency Armando Varricchio, AmbassadorDesignate of Italy to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, presented his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor

®™ / Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence. ‡ All other trademark(s) are the property of their respective owner(s).

General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, in a brief ceremony at Government House on Tuesday, October 17, 2017.

Photo: Letisha Henderson/ BIS

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