10292018 NEWS

MONDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 84ºF LOW 74ºF

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:115 No.233, OCTOBER 29TH, 2018

HO US E & 16 THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

SPORTS: MEACHER MAJOR TRIUMPHS IN FINAL FIGHT PAGES

Nurses threaten week of unrest

‘We’ll quit if shift system forced on us’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net NURSES are planning to demonstrate this morning at the Princess Margaret Hospital to protest an impending shift change, with some nurses saying they would rather “quit” than work the new hours.

The Tribune understands the nurses are planning a week of disruption to voice their frustrations, however the exact course of action they will take was unclear up to press time.

The planned protest

comes after nurses met during a hastily arranged meeting on Friday night to respond to the Public Hospital Authority’s announcement that a new shift system for them will go into effect on December 10.

On Friday, Bahamas Nurses Union president Amancha Williams said she expected the nurses would agitate for a sit-out, adding some of them have called for a strike despite lacking a strike certificate. When contacted yesterday, she said that every department of PMH was represented during the meeting.

SEE PAGE FIVE

GOVT DENIES MOVE ON ABORTION LAW

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THERE are no plans to make abortion legal in The Bahamas, Attorney General Carl Bethel said yesterday in response to questions over claims made by a senior health official at the 71st Session of the Committee on the Elimination of all forms

of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in Geneva last week.

Mr Bethel, when contacted yesterday, denied the position put forth

by Sherry Armbrister, senior nursing officer in the Ministry of Health, was in line with the working agenda of the Minnis administration.

SEE PAGE SIX

HOME

COPS PROBE BODY FOUND IN BUSHES

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a man’s partially decomposed body found in bushes in the Cowpen Road area yesterday.

The discovery was made by a group of children playing in a field just off Martin’s Close, reportedly two days after residents reported hearing “several pops” which they dismissed as firecrackers.

Speaking to The Tribune at the scene yesterday, police press liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta Knowles said the discovery was made shortly after noon.

SEE PAGE THREE

‘TRAGEDY’ IF PUBLIC SHUNS NEW HEALTH PLAN

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIANS have been warned that the drive towards affordable, quality healthcare for all will “stagnate” if they do not back the government’s revised National Health Insurance model.

Dr Duane Sands, minister of health, told Tribune Business it would be “a tragedy” if the Bahamian public did not support the restructured initiative and its proposed two percent payroll levy funding mechanism.

Dr Sands said if its latest proposal was rejected, the government would have to either close down the National Health Insurance scheme and the authority, or “continue as is” with the present limited service.

LOOKING GOOD, ADLINE

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

ZION Yamacraw Baptist Church held a celebratory service yesterday for Adline Rolle, who has reached her 100th birthday. See page two for more.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

TRAVEL DELAY MAY HAVE HURT TARANIQUE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

SICK teen Taranique Thurston is expected to go through another two weeks of testing before doctors in Florida determine when and how they will treat her brain cyst and the resulting fluid that has collected around her brain.

Her mom, Ginette Caty,

TARANIQUE THURSTON told The Tribune she was relieved to learn Taranique

had not yet suffered any irreparable damage to her brain due to her protracted healthcare journey.

The 16-year-old experiences shaking in her hands, and is unable to stand up straight unassisted - symptoms her doctors believe have been exacerbated by the time she spent unable to travel to the United States.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE THREE

INSIGHT FRED SMITH: HOW MINNIS AND CO CAN GET BACK ON TRACK

SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Monday, October 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Adline celebrates being 100 ZION Yamacraw Baptist Church held a celebratory service yesterday for 100 year old Adline Rolle yesterday Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Saunders Beach Sunday – Thursday 7:00AM-11:00PM Friday – Saturday 7:00AM-12:00AM

WWW.BURGERKING.BS

/BURGERKINGNASSAU

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, October 29, 2018, PAGE 3

Travel delay may have hurt Taranique from page one “We have an eye test on November 13, and after that test another MRI, and then a heart test. They said after those results they will make a decision,” Ms Caty said. “(Taranique) has a problem with her limbs, her hands shake, and with her feet, she’s unbalanced. She’s unable to stand up straight.

The doctor said maybe it was putting pressure to the head causing dizziness and headaches. (The doctor), she told her to close her eyes and stand up, and she couldn’t, she was leaning on two sides.

“The surgeon said for now we don’t need to be stressed or scared, because if (Taranique) gets stressed out or worried it could be worse. She has to keep

eating healthy.”

Bahamian-born Taranique is being treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital after gaining entry to the country on an emergency visa on her governmentissued certificate of identity.

Taranique was born before her mother became a naturalised citizen, and she was issued a certificate of identity by the Bahamas government in early August, which listed her as a Haitian national.

While officials have maintained that Ms Caty’s naturalisation process would have allowed Taranique to forgo waiting until she was 18 to apply for citizenship, and that the pair did not pursue every available recourse; Ms Caty claims she was repeatedly turned away by officials in her attempts to regularise her child and seek

medical assistance from the government.

“We met with the surgical team,” Ms Caty said, giving an update on her daughter’s journey. “Looked at the scans of the inside of the brain, saw the fluid - it’s only on one side. It messed up her hands, limbs, one of her eyes is really bad and she has hard breathing on her chest.

“The doctor said she feels like it could have been avoided if we didn’t take so long to bring her over, but the damage can still be corrected.

“She said they kept us there too long. The last time we went to the doctor in Nassau, he asked (Taranique) to hold her hand out and it was shaking from then, and when he saw that that was when he did up the referral because he was like this is what it does.

“If we had gotten here (in the US) from April, maybe it wouldn’t have messed up the limbs, but you know funds played a big part in

TARANIQUE Thurston with US Congresswomen Frederica Wilson in Florida earlier this month.

THREE INJURED IN WEEKEND SHOOTINGS

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

TWO men and a teen are in hospital following three separate shootings over the weekend.

According to police, the first incident took place around 8pm on Friday in the area of Hospital Lane, where a juvenile riding a scooter was shot and seriously wounded.

Reports are that the unidentified teen was riding with a man when another man armed with a firearm

opened fire in their direction, hitting the youth multiple times about the body before fleeing the scene on foot.

The juvenile was taken to hospital where he was initially listed in serious condition.

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander confirmed that officers were still in the preliminary phase of their investigation and were still looking for information that could lead to an arrest in the case.

ACP Fernander said the victim’s condition had been upgraded to stable.

Two more shootings occurred early Sunday.

In the first of the two incidents, according to reports, shortly after 2am on Sunday, a man had just left a nightclub and was walking on Minnie Street when he was approached by an armed assailant, who shot him before running away.

The victim was taken to hospital and is now detained in critical condition.

Just two hours later and

a few blocks over, a second man was standing in front of a residence on Miami Street when he was approached by a man armed with a firearm who shot him before fleeing on foot.

That victim was also taken to hospital where he was last listed in stable condition.

Investigations into all three incidents are ongoing.

Police are asking anyone with any information on these or any other crimes to please contact 911, 919, or the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991.

COPS PROBE BODY FOUND IN BUSHES from page one

She said injuries to the deceased’s head and neck suggest foul play, and as such, the matter was being investigated as a homicide.

Police suspect the man’s injuries were the result of gun shots, but an autopsy will be done to confirm cause of death.

“We are appealing to anyone that would have seen or heard something here or about what happened here,” she said.

“We want to, as quickly as we can, identify who this person is and who is responsible for causing his death.

“The body is presently

in a state that we can work with, decomposition has not started to set in and we are hopeful that we can bring this matter to a close quickly by identifying who this victim was and what happened to him here at this location.”

The incident has pushed the country’s death toll to 73 for the year, according to Supt Knowles.

She also said the RBPF remains dedicated to its mission to address violent crimes.

Speaking to current policing schemes, she revealed that the RBPF has scaled back on the number of officers on administrative duties, redeploying many

of them to active patrol in the lead up to the holiday season.

“We intend to beef up patrols moving forward,” she told The Tribune.

“That does not mean we have decreased our

administrative workload, it simply means we are putting more hands on deck as we pick up our operational efforts. We want our presence to be clear and that is something that you will see in the weeks to come,” she added.

TARANIQUE THURSTON this. The eye test is about $400 or $500.”

Taranique’s family has set up a gofundme.com campaign to raise funds to cover the costs of her medical tests, and inevitable surgery to remove the brain cyst.

The campaign was created by J J Jordan, and can be found at https:// www.gofundme.com/ hbqr5y-brain-surgury.

Ms Caty continued: “But we’re still here, we have a lot of follow-ups. She has

pain in her shoulders. You need your hands to work, to write, you need your feet, you can’t be walking and falling all over the place.

This isn’t something overnight. It was very hurtful to Taranique to hear that. My daughter needs her hands to write, her feet to stand up. She don’t need to be jittery and unbalanced.

“But (the surgical team) made us feel very comfortable,” Ms Caty added.

“Things could go wrong but we’re here, we’re here.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, October 29, 2018, PAGE 5

Nurses threaten week of unrest

from page one

“Everyone said they are not working the new shift,” she said. “Some said they’d rather quit. If that shift comes out December 10, they will sign out December 10.”

The drama follows PHA’s announcement last week that the four days on/four days off shift will change to a five days on/ five days off shift in over a month.

The two sides dispute what affect the change will have on the well-being of nurses.

BNU insists it will leave them overworked but the PHA says it will reduce chances for accidents and errors. Nurses should be less overworked since more of them will be on duty during a single shift, the PHA says.

The two sides also dispute the legality of the shift change. The PHA says the change was agreed in a 2014 agreement between BNU and the PHA. Ms Williams, however, insists that agreement is void because it was not adopted in the 2015 industrial agreement.

That industrial agreement mandates that both parties agree to any changes, failing which the terms must remain the same until 2022 when the current agreement expires.

Under the new shift, nursers working between 6pm and 6am will receive a $1.75 per hour premium in

PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL addition to their standard hourly pay. Ms Williams said this is too low. Nurses in the United States and Canada receive premiums of $5 or more, she pointed out.

She predicted that changing the shift will encourage economic migration for nurses.

“If the shift change comes in I bet you they will lose another 200, 300 workers and more people would be calling in sick than do so

now,” she said.

Ms Williams said nurses were blindsided by last week’s announcement.

Nurses have reacted angrily, she said. “They are tired of PHA treating them the way they treat them. Their response is ‘let’s go without a strike certificate. Let’s show them we mean business and they can’t treat us the way we are being treated.’”

Most nurses participated in a strike poll this summer,

overwhelmingly supporting the move. However, government officials said the poll didn’t count because not all nurses were given the opportunity to vote. The nurses have dismissed this as a poorly rationalised effort to withhold a strike certificate from them, noting that the nurses who didn’t have an opportunity to vote live in remote islands and were so few in number their votes would not have affected the

final result.

“From they denied the strike certificate the nurses lost hope in the government system and the law of the land,” Ms Williams said.

“That’s why you don’t play games like that. They made a press statement this week but never gave us a letter to tell us about the shift change first. That’s nasty business.”

As for Friday night’s meeting, she said: “I think what they wanted to do is

sit out until the government decides to sit there and talk to them. The prime minister promised that. When we left his office he said he was going to arrange so that if it takes all day we’ll sit down and come to an agreement.

We don’t have to come to the table. We have an agreement that’s not up until 2022 but we decided to come to them to find the best avenue and they have disrespected us.”

US WOMAN ACCUSED OF HARBOURING BROTHER IN BAHAMAS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AN American woman accused of harbouring her brother illegally in The Bahamas was charged in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday for breach of the Immigration Act. Minerva Eduarda Taveras, a US citizen, and her brother, Osiris Toribio Rivas were arraigned before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson.

Taveras, who legally entered the country, was charged with harbouring, and Rivas was charged with overstaying his time in the country. Because the pair could not speak English, an interpreter was brought in to assist the court and the accused during their arraignment.

It is alleged that on October 24, Tavares, while at Motel 8 in Eight Mile Rock, knowingly harboured Rivas with the intent to evade apprehension by immigration officers.

They both pleaded guilty to the offences.

Immigration officer Jamaal McIntosh prosecuted the matter. He reported that on October 24 at about 10.30am, immigration officers proceeded to Motel 8 where they went to room 811. A female occupant with a Spanish accent opened the door and the officers inquired about her legal status in the country.

She presented the officers with her American passport, which showed that she had been admitted in the country on October 13 and was granted a one-month stay. The officers asked the woman if they could search the room, but she told them not without papers.

While awaiting a search warrant, the officers asked Taveres if there was anyone else in the room and she told them that no one else was there.

After obtaining a search warrant, officers searched inside the room and discovered Rivas hiding in the bathroom.

On producing his passport, officer found that Rivas had entered the country legally on September

28 and was granted a oneweek stay. He later applied on October 3 to the Immigration Department for a short-term work permit as an entertainer, but the permit had expired on October 23.

Immigration officials said Rivas had overstayed his time in the country by 20 days. Both were arrested and taken to the Department of Immigration, where they were processed

and charged with breach of the Immigration Act. Paul Wallace-Whitfield represented the sister and brother. He told the court that Rivas had entered the country legally and was remorseful for breaking the country’s immigration law.

“We think the punishment should be a fine - a reasonable one, and we are asking nothing higher than $1,500,” said Mr WallaceWhitfield. He also noted

that with regards to the overstaying charge, it must have been an oversight on his client’s part, explaining that Rivas cannot speak English and did not understand the immigration officers while in custody and must have been intimidated at the time of his arrest.

However the prosecution said Spanish speaking persons were available at the Department of Immigration

to assist the accused.

Magistrate Ferguson convicted Rivas. He was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine or 18 months imprisonment.

She gave him until October 29 to the pay fine. She also ordered that Rivas is to be deported out the country immediately on payment of the fine or serving the custodial sentence.

Taveras was fined $3,000 or six months imprisonment.

PAGE 6, Monday, October 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Govt denies move on abortion law from page one “I have no knowledge of any plans to address the legal nature of abortions in The Bahamas; no plans as far as I am aware,” he said.

Addressing the international forum in Geneva, Switzerland last Thursday, Ms Armbrister revealed the government was working on a patients’ bill of rights that would address the right of women in The Bahamas to have abortions if they so wished.

Ms Armbrister implied that a substantial bill of rights was being fine-tuned and could head to Parliament, with a view to pave the way for, among other things, a youth emancipation framework and the right for women to have abortions.

“Currently we are working on a patient’s bill of rights, which has to go to Parliament, and once that is passed or when it is passed, it will pave the way for us to deal with the emancipated youth as well as the right for a woman to have [an] abortion,” Ms Armbrister told the UN committee.

The UN committee had asked the Bahamian delegation, which was led

by Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell, to clarify the measures being taken to broaden the condition under which abortions can legally be made available in the country - mainly in instances of rape, incest, severe foetal impairments

and risk to the health of a pregnant woman.

The request led Mr Campbell to suggest: “If there is any jeopardy to the health of the mother, the abortion is allowed and, yes, the question of abortion as it relates to rape cases is allowed.”

His response led to one CEDAW official to point out that there is still “a grey area” in the government’s approach to the controversial issue.

A point Mr Campbell then agreed with.

Reflecting on the exchange yesterday, Mr Bethel said while abortions and the ordeals which lead to them are matters that need to be addressed at the national level, the Minnis administration has not taken any steps to make abortions legal.

“Let me say this clearly, I am entirely unaware of any such plans. Abortions remain a criminal offence and any talk to the contrary is not only counter-productive, but a misrepresentation of this government’s position,” he added.

In a separate interview, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday indicated that the Minnis administration has, since coming to office last year, only worked to examine the patient’s bill of rights explored by the former Christie administration.

A draft of this circulated in 2016.

To date, according to Dr Sands, health officials have

only held preliminary talks on portions of that draft bill and ways to improve it.

Dr Sands told The Tribune that while those talks did focus on frameworks to expand the rights of patients, no talks addressed abortion.

Of the issue, Dr Sands said it was something that he would have to raise with officials once he would have had a chance to review the claims made to CEDAW. The government’s delegation to the UN included: Frank Davis, chargé d’affaires/deputy permanent representative, Permanent Mission of The Bahamas in Geneva; Dr Jacinta Higgs, director, and Melvelyn Symonette, first assistant secretary, of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs; Jewel Major, chief counsel, and Alicia Gibson, assistant counsel, of the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs; Sherry Armbrister, senior nursing officer, Ministry of Health; Sharmaine Sinclair, assistant director, Ministry of Education; Sasha Dixon, second secretary, Permanent Mission of The Bahamas in Geneva and Celsus Williams assistant secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kathryn Campbell, senior information officer, Bahamas Information Services; Ms Virginia Hall-Campbell and Dwina Higgs, project manager, were also present.

CARL BETHEL QC, Attorney General.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

A few words of advice to help a government off course

By FREDERICK R M SMITH, QC

O

VER the past several months, a theme has emerged in public commentary suggesting that despite near universal high hopes following the landslide victory of May 10, 2017, the Minnis Administration has strayed badly off course and is haemorrhaging support on a daily basis.

This perception has been fuelled by certain high profile miscalculations, such as the government’s flirtation with ill-conceived and reckless projects like the Oban deal; its shocking decision to pass an anti-democratic and intrusive ‘Spy Bill’ despite denouncing it in opposition; the illegal and inhumane immigration crackdown and the prime minister’s most unfortunate comments following the recent earthquake in Haiti.

The FNM seems to have forgotten it did not campaign on any of these issues. The Bahamian public was not looking to elect an administration of wheeling-and-dealing Crown Land salesmen, nor a gang of authoritarian xenophobes hell-bent on undertaking ethnic crusades.

What Minnis and his colleagues actually promised - and what voters resoundingly supported - was a commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, individual rights and the rule law. A pledge to end corruption and cronyism, level the economic playing field and give each and every individual a say in how their country is developed.

Yet to this day, there there is no sign of a functioning Freedom of Information Act, no Fiscal Responsibility Act, no campaign finance reform. There is no transparent bidding process for public contract while consultation on large-scale projects is utterly pathetic – amounting to little more than a cynical and meaningless rubber stamp.

If this government wants to get back on course, it must refocus attention on these and other core promises it made 17 months ago.

Beyond this, it must take meaningful steps toward fulfilling the larger vision it sold the Bahamian people of a humane, fair and prosperous society. Broadly speaking, the necessary initiatives fall into two categories: upgrading our economic system for the 21st century, and strengthening the rights and protections of the individual under the law. This article deals with the first.

A good start When it comes to revolutionising our stagnant, suffocating economy, the progressive spirit behind the Commercial Enterprises Act (CEA) is exactly what the doctor ordered. In a nutshell, the Act should make it easier to start and grow businesses, thereby attracting more economic activity to the country and creating jobs, new wealth and – crucially – new cutting-edge skill-sets for countless Bahamians. If applied fairly and transparently, it will put The Bahamas on the map as a global hub for several exciting new industries.

This game-changing Bill, passed early on in the FNM’s political term, signalled the arrival of a government with the potential to truly transform this country for the better. Sadly, for whatever reason this progressive energy stalled and in the intervening months the administration’s reputation took blow after blow as its decisions began to reflect the old, tired politics of the status quo.

A good way to recapture this early enterprising spirit would be to organise public seminars and workshops for local businessmen, led by top international experts, on how best take advantage of progressive legislation such as the Commercial Enterprises Act.

THE GOVERNMENT should prioritise eco-tourism projects over the far more environmentally destructive – and from the perspective of employees, much lower paying – mega-resort and exclusive gated community models.

harmful developments that undermine the local cultural heritage are foisted upon these communities without their permission and often against their will.

The Act should be amended to create a system in which each island is free from undue outside meddling and able to create its own future, with district councils empowered to collect taxes, pass by-laws and enforce them, and control issues such as town planning and Crown Land use.

Land use

Exchange control reform Unfortunately, no amount of advantage drawn from the CEA can surmount the severe economic handicap created by our repressive exchange control regulations. This is a small country and there is only so much revenue that can be generated domestically. If we want to see real success for our home-grown businesses, they have to be able to go international. In this day and age, it is absolutely unconscionable that the government would continue to hold our hard earned money hostage, preventing us from exporting all but a pittance for use outside of the country, thereby preventing any growth in our prospects beyond these shores.

Meanwhile, virtually all the key players in the tourism industry are internationally traded companies, yet citizens and residents are prevented from investing in any of these enterprises. Bahamians can aspire to no more than employment in what is essentially, a foreign-owned industry in their own country. A review should be conducted with a view to systematically liberalising and eventually abolishing exchange control, thereby empowering Bahamians to both have a stake in their own economy and conduct business overseas.

A new tourism policy The days of the neo-plantation must come to an end.

Government should prioritise eco-tourism projects over the far more environmentally destructive – and from the perspective of employees, much lower paying – mega-resort and exclusive gated community models.

There could be no better time for such a move. High net worth travellers are paying top dollar for “light footprint” vacations that exist in harmony with nature and have a low impact on social, cultural, land and marine environments. Eco-resorts attract a greater per visitor spend, thereby preserving environments while attracting wealthy guests and creating more opportunities for Bahamians.

Because this model is more

modest in scale than megaresorts, imagine how it would open up the tourism economy to Bahamians. Instead of being dominated by a single foreignowned mammoth resort, our coastlines could be dotted with small, high end, high paying ecoresorts, owned fully or in part by Bahamians through joint ventures with foreigners.

The Magic City Freeport is the key to sustainable national development.

Long neglected for irrational, politically-motivated reasons, the “Magic City” represents a unique opportunity to centralise virtually all of the economic and environmental risk associated with large-scale development, whether industrial or touristic, in a single location.

Designed in 1955 as the industrial and innovation hub of The Bahamas, Freeport’s infrastructure is ideal for developments of all kinds. It also abounds in natural beauty – forests, beaches, coral reefs, stretches of canals, abundant mangroves, fisheries and bird populations.

With a little vision, it could become the headquarters for numerous high-tech companies and at the same time home to the most daring and audacious tourism spectacles imaginable, the playground for the ever-growing Florida economy and an attraction to visitors from around the world.

The Bahamas could become a country of two national hubs, one political the other industrial; two centres of employment and opportunity, two paths to success and empowerment for each and every Bahamian to choose from.

Best of all, the rest of the country, from Abaco to Inagua would be unshackled from reliance on environmentally and economically risky development, free to concentrate on developing new, unique, organic, socially and culturally sensitive and exciting tourism models that respect the environment and bring a whole new high-end demographic traveler to our shores.

Immigration reform When it comes to immigration policy, we continue to live in the dark ages. The government remains in the grip of a blinkered, anxiety-driven mania of keeping the “invaders” out at all costs, when instead it should be focused on attracting cutting-edge industries and experts to our shores in the greatest number possible.

Innovative minds in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, nano-technology, renewable energy, biomedical industries, bioinformatics and analytics are looking for a new home. Silicon Valley in California and other traditional cradles of these industries have been so massively successful and are now so ultra-exclusive that young bright minds are priced out of entry.

Once again, Freeport could be their saviour and ours. Were we to invite these bright minds to take part in our audacious economic experiment in the north, The Bahamas would benefit tremendously from both the technology itself and the cutting-edge skills transfer to Bahamians. In particular, a skills boost to industries such as renewable energy and public sector technology could help address some of the key development issues facing The Bahamas today. If the government must give incentives and concessions to foreign entities to attract their attention, the beneficiaries should be the innovative and groundbreaking individuals and companies of the future, not the stagnant old barons of a mega-resort model.

Local government Despite the existence of a Local Government Act, decision-making power on each island remains in the firm, suffocating grip of central government in Nassau, which also retains control over local budgets and collects all tax revenues for payment into the public treasury. Local communities are prevented from deciding their own future and deprived of the ability to invest the fruits of their labour in their own neighbourhoods and industries. Worst of all, large and environmentally

The creation of a Land Use Plan (LUP) for New Providence was mandated in the 2011 Planning and Subdivision Act. True to form, the PLP administration of the day simply ignored it. LUPs aim to make development more rational, efficient and ethical. They aim to bring an end to the current unhealthy development model which leads to environmental destruction, disregard for traditional customs and culture, social upheaval and economic uncertainty. The FNM should make LUPs should be made mandatory for all islands in The Bahamas.

Crown Land Over the years, secret ‘Heads of Agreement’ deals with developers have resulted is the giveaway of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of land which is supposed to be the property of the Bahamian people. A Crown Land Act must be passed which clearly outlines the circumstances under which leases and grants can be issued.

Dialogue with the local population should be a key and binding cornerstone of this law.Applications

by Bahamians should be prioritized over proposals from foreign developers. There must also be provisions for clearing the backlog of 30,000 applications by Bahamians and providing for transparency in all matters relating to the granting and lease of Crown Land.

Environmental issues The FNM administration has already taken an important step in this regard with the announcement of an impending Environmental Protection Act. This Act must be the allencompassing final authority on environmental matters in The Bahamas and must deal decisively with urgent issues such as unregulated development, abuse of Crown Land, and the wanton destruction of natural resources.

It must also provide for the training of Environmental Officers on each island, answerable to the Local Government authorities and empowered to investigate any and all alleged environmental infractions. It must establish an Independent Environmental Czar, who is mandated work closely with the Office of Ombudsman to investigate matters of concern fairly and without prejudice.

• Part 2 of this column will address initiatives aimed at strengthening the rights and privileges enjoyed by individuals and communities in The Bahamas.

INSIGHT

PAGE 8 MONDAY, 0CTOBER 29, 2018

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

P

RIME Minister Minnis’ tenure has not been short of blunders and contradictions - as any cursory search through his soundbites would reveal. A host of his campaign postures have since been walked back in some way or another.

Dr Minnis, shortly after being sworn in as prime minister, made a bold proclamation to his ministers that reverberated throughout the nation. He cautioned his ministers against corruption, conflicts of interest and any unethical behaviour.

During his first official address as the nation’s third prime minister, Dr Minnis said: “My government will ensure that the Public Treasury is utilised for the public good rather than directed toward private interest.

“I will ever remind my ministers to avoid conflicts of interest in the exercise of their public duties.”

That declaration has become laughable with the government’s most recent decision to relocate the post office to the Town Centre Mall. Naturally, this was done despite the anger of many Bahamian people who see this as an overt conflict of interest. Although Immigration and Financial Services Minister Brent Symonette – who, along with his brother, owns the mall – would have recused himself from voting, such a formality does not justify why a sitting Cabinet minister will further be enriched by securing a contract worth nearly a million dollars annually.

It is absolutely insane that the prime minister, who hypocritically presents himself as the guardian of good governance, attempted to justify this to the Bahamian people. However, it should not serve as a surprise, as he too, has benefited from a government contract while he was the minister of health.

Certainly, it is quite easy to make light of Symonette cashing in from the public purse when the prime minister previously rented his building to a ministry whose portfolio he held.

How does one get more brazen than that?

Unfortunately, this has further damaged the government’s reputation, and the prime minister will be the one the Bahamian people will hold to account when the time comes.

What is a politician’s word worth?

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

The populace, the media and opposing parties will all have a field day analysing the government’s record – comparing what was said on the campaign trail with what was done in office.

We also recall the prime minister taking the previous government to task when an income tax was proposed as a means to fund the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme. While there may be no getting around some form of increased taxation if NHI is to become a reality, Prime Minister Minnis may require the jaws of life to dislodge his foot from his mouth.

At a time when the poverty rate was less than it is currently, the prime minister – then leader of the Opposition – said: “Already you have a 12.8 percent poverty

Roberts Furniture

y r a c s avings s

SAVE 50% *

BERYL WINONA BARNETT, 85

NEWDAILY

ARRIVALS

FROM

*WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

*

UP TO

ON SELECT APPLIANCES *WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

Roberts Furniture

5th Terrace & East Avenue CENTREVILLE Phone: 322-8862 Join us on Facebook

12,000 btu

DUCTLESS

AIR CONDITIONERS

$399

*

INCL. VAT

LINEN DEPARTMENT

SAVE 30% OR MORE

*VISIT STORE FOR DETAILS

rate. So when you tax them even further you are going to cause an even greater increase in poverty and possibly decrease the quality of living and healthcare in the country.”

It’s hard to imagine the man who said that was also the same one who, upon coming into office, led the charge on supposed belt-tightening and austerity measures which resulted in the firing of thousands in the public service, other cutbacks and the decried increase of value added tax.

Yet with all the penny-pinching, it would not be long before the government was purchasing hotels and issuing contracts to one of its own Cabinet ministers.

The truth is that Prime Minister Minnis, who previously denied being like other politicians, is exactly like the type of politician Bahamian people have grown to despise. No amount of justifications can

sway the opinions of disappointed Bahamians – many of whom were previously FNM supporters.

Tuning into any medium that covers national politics, you can hear the tenor of the Bahamian people is one of extreme disappointment in this government. Many citizens are chomping at the bit for the next election in 2022, and understandably so.

Life in The Bahamas has gotten harder.

Crime is still a problem. Hardly a soul feels that it’s their time to do anything but continue to trudge along hopelessly.

The state the average Bahamian exists within is still one of desperation for an elusive future where equity abounds – a time that is truly possessed by the people.

Instead, the Minnis administration continues to perpetrate an elaborate hoax.

As the Progressive Liberal Party continues to try to rebrand its image and reorganise in hopes of a successful campaign in 2022, their work is being made easy by the sitting government. While it is a sad reality, it would seem as though we’re becoming an electorate that votes the lesser of two evils.

Certainly, the PLP was blighted by the perception of rampant corruption, as propagated by the FNM during its campaign.

However, with the lack of convictions and doubling-down on contracts with purported “whistleblowers”, the Minnis administration simply looks like another leopard that can’t change its spots.

The Bahamian people voted for a party selling us on change, but if all they are presented with is the same kind of politician they wanted to be rid of, then the FNM can be sure that election 2022 will be payback for insulting our intelligence.

As the saying goes: “Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you.”

Funeral Service For

ON CLOSEOUTS

SAVE 40%

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

*

of Conchrest, West Bay Street, will be held on Thursday 1st November, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, West Hill Street.

Officiating will be Fr. Glen Nixon, assisted by other ministers of the Clergy. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to Cherish and her memories are Her Loving Children: Ann and Collin Cover, Michael and Camille Barnett, Basil and Margot Barnett, Arthur Jr. and Aniska Barnett, Carolyn and Gregory Neil, Catherine Bellot, Russell Barnett, Beryl Saunders and Charles Barnett; Grandchildren: Lesley Cover, Heather and Slawomir Kus, Michela Ellis, Fiona and Geno Daniels, Viola Barnett, Charles Bellot, Apryl Barnett, Thomas Barnett, Morgan Barnett, Clare Bellot, Christine and Ryan Cartwright, Robyn-Ryann Barnett, Basil Jr and Sabina Barnett, Samantha Barnett, Arthur Barnett III, Cathryn Neil, Courtney Neil, Michael Saunders, Matthew Saunders, Christopher Neil and Aari Barnett; Great Grandchildren: Raegan Daniels, Kamelia Ellis, Sebastian Kus, Cole Daniels, Lance Daniels, Alexander Kus, Basil Barnett III, Grant Barnett; Cousins: Kendal Hanna, Leslie Hanna and family, Janice Hanna and family, Carol and Lewis Williamson, Joan Pratt and family, Bill Cooper and family, Fletcher and Briniza Cooper and family, Zelma Worrell and family, Verdell Mills and family, Clarice Cooper and family, Darryl Bartlette and family, Dulcene and Calsy Johnson and family, D’Andre Moss and family, Marsha Bartlette and family; Nieces and Nephews: Jacqueline Bethel and Family, Valarie Barnett and Family, Paul and Elizabeth Barnett and Family, Judith Adderley and Family, Woodrow and Stephanie Barnett and Family, Michelle Austin and Family, Robert and Mitzie Barnett and Family, Thelma and Valentine Grimes and Family, Roy and Wendy Barnett and Family, Roy-Ann and Gene Albury and Family; R. Andrew Barnett and Family, Jacqueline and David Croom and Family, Linda and Michael Ford and Family; The Saturday Breakfast Crew: Iris Tynes, Michael “Sarge” Hanna, Charmaine Miller, Anastascia Hanna, Stanley John and Family, Abdulai and Radia Conteh; Other Relatives and Friends: Esther Hanna Culmer; Anthony and Elva Rolle, Rosemarie Hanna; Paulette Rahming, Elma Campbell, Dr. Duane Sands, Joylyn White, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Nunes, Ms. Rori Coombs, the larger Hanna Heastie Tynes Family, The Cover and Stewart Familes, the Liverpool Family, the Bellot Family, the Rolle family, The Neil Family, the Seymour Family, the St Francis Xavier Cathedral Family, Ms. Cleomie Woods, Ms. Cynthia Wells, Ms. Angela Rolle, Ms. Eula Pratt, Ms. Naomi Claridge, Mr. Rory Major, The Yellowbird Volunteer Auxiliary, Ryan Bellot-Hazarian; Her Caregivers: Dr. Indira Grimes; Quality Nursing Care Service especially: Jennifer, Mary, Deandrea, Nancy, Haysalah, Terianna, Michaela, Nyoka, Brickel, Kim, Norma, Raquel, Terrell Major and Enrique of Major Changes Rehab; And others too numerous to mention.

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.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

I

N the introduction to his quite remarkable new book on the long-running Guatemalan claim to Belize, the author, Assad Shoman, makes the riveting comment that “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts”.

He is right to make this statement because protagonists in territorial claims, particularly the ones with the least facts to support their case, propagate much propaganda to suit themselves. Guatemala’s claim to Belize and Venezuela’s claim to two-thirds of Guyana are telling examples of reliance more on opinion and territorial ambition and less on facts.

But, there can be little doubt about the facts setout in Shoman’s latest book, Guatemala’s Claim to Belize. The Definitive History. He has meticulously provided impeccable sources and references for each of his statements, especially the more controversial ones.

Shoman holds a law degree from the University of Hull and a PhD in history from the University of London. While those certificates qualify him as a scholar, it is his practical experience as a diplomat, minister of foreign affairs and seasoned negotiator for Belize over decades of its relationship with Guatemala that most validates his knowledge and his credibility.

No one can argue the book is written by a Belizean patriot, for Assad Shoman is certainly that.

But he is no jingoistic nationalist and few could contend, with any basis, that his book is not replete with facts substantiated by primary sources, gathered over decades at the coal-face of Belizean struggle in the international community to establish its sovereignty and in its negotiations with Guatemala to assert its territorial integrity.

The book tells the tale of a small country’s quest to resist annexation by a larger neighbouring state which possesses greater military capacity that it has not been reluctant to deploy.

In 1945, the Guatemalans produced a new constitution, declaring Belize to be part of Guatemala. As the Venezuelans have taught their schoolchildren that the Essequibo region of Guyana belongs to them, so do the Guatemalans train their children that “Belize is ours”.

Incursions into Belize by the Guatemalan military, particularly control of the Sarstoon river restricting movement of Belizeans, continue to remind the international community that Belizeans have lived for 73 years since 1945 with the threat of Guatemalan seizure of their country.

Shoman recounts

INSIGHT

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018 PAGE 9

Overcoming fear: key to Belize’s future World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS attempts by the British and US governments to force Belize into territorial concessions. He says: “The USA saw Guatemala as its greatest ally in the region against the threat of “Castro-Communism,” and was keen to placate it by pressing Belize to surrender territory or sovereignty to Guatemala, while Britain was so anxious to get out of the picture and to please the USA that it too did all in its power to persuade Belize to comply with those demands”. His documentation of British betrayal and US concern only with its own interests are powerfully established in the book.

For diplomats of small states, journalists and academics concerned with small countries and their survival in the global community, Shoman’s welldocumented account of why Belize – a tiny player on a giant stage - was able to overcome external pressures and achieve independence with territorial integrity, is revealing and encouraging. He sumsup the struggle with the observation: “The story of Belize’s struggle for independence is the story of a tiny state that out-manoeuvred two major powers and a regional power by opting for the strategy of internationalisation, using skilled negotiation, diplomacy and coalition building and taking advantage of a fortunate opportune moment in the international environment”.

The elements in the Belizean struggle of skilled negotiation, diplomacy and building coalitions remain the best tools available to all small states. Small countries ignore them to their peril. Belize itself, at this juncture of the continued claim by Guatemala that chokes its capacity for investment, economic growth and social development, needs to re-employ these tools with greater intensity.

Immediately before Belize is the opportunity

Terminal Manager wanted at Tropical Shipping to manage our processes and procedures related to vessel, terminal, equipment control operations and equipment maintenance.

Great opportunity to manage freight handling equipment and coordinate facility maintenance including stevedoring, port interchange and yard activities, as well as warehouse and freight distribution, all while keeping safety #1. If you’re interested in joining the Tropical Team and highlighting your leadership skills, please contact: rfox@tropical.com 5+ years’ experience in port operations management preferred.

for a final settlement of the spurious Guatemalan claim by referring the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Shoman documents the decades of unproductive negotiations with the Guatemalans, who like the Venezuelans with Guyana, believe their superior military strength is the fear factor that can be used to push Belize into ceding territory. Therefore, the façade of negotiations suits Guatemala.

Nonetheless, the Guatemala and Belize

governments agreed to hold a referendum in each of their countries on the question of referring their matter to the ICJ. In April 2018, Guatemala voted to do so, and the Belize referendum is set for April 2019.

The ICJ option, which many countries have taken to secure justice, is Belize’s best course. But, within Belize, naysayers are encouraging a ‘no’ vote.

If the naysayers succeed, Belize will be left only with the option of bargaining with Guatemala. It would be a one-sided disucssion.

For having rejected the legal option, Belize would have no leverage with a determined Guatemala that has demonstrated its willingness to enforce its

will through its military. In its own interest, Belizeans should vote to place their just cause before the ICJ. Shoman is conscious of the divided opinion in Belize and he documents the arguments carefully.

Having done so, he adds a vital chapter to his book in which he sets out “the facts and the law” that the ICJ will have to consider. This chapter should be extracted and widely circulated within Belize. It is a magisterial presentation of the strengths of the Belize case and the reality that Guatemala has no case – and knows it.

At this juncture, Guatemala’s greatest ally is Belizean fear of referring their just cause to the ICJ.

With scrupulous fairness and substantiated argument, Assad Shoman has written a definitive story of tiny Belize’s gigantic fight to achieve independence and of its struggle to exist peacefully within secure borders recognised by all.

Guatemala’s Claim to Belize. The Definitive History is published by Image Factory Art Foundation, Belize City, Belize, and is available on Kindle.

The author is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The views expressed are his own.

Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com

PAGE 10 MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2018

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

How BTVI’s teaching gave Valentino the chance to climb the ladder of success BEFORE Valentino Burrows enrolled at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), he admits to “floating through life.” He began his postsecondary pursuits at a local institution of higher learning, but it was not a good fit for him. It was not until he began classes at BTVI that he began soaring.

“I enjoy working with my hands and actually seeing the transformation before my own eyes.

What I appreciate about my technical education is that it prepared me to go directly into the workforce with the skills that I needed to succeed,” said the 2015 Electrical Installation graduate.

“I spent two years in a traditional college experience because I thought I was supposed to go to college. It was disheartening to me when I didn’t thrive there.

I wish I could have jumped right into BTVI and gotten my education completed even sooner,” said Valentino.

Today, Valentino works as an apprentice residential electrician for Genesis Electrical Service Inc. in North Carolina.

Valentino said every day he uses the knowledge gained at BTVI. “Although there was a learning curve with this job because of a different electrical code, the foundation I formed at BTVI was crucial for my ability to adapt quickly and become a dependable employee. I appreciate the hands-on approach and solid focus on application that I got during my time at BTVI,” said the young man, who is married to an American.

In a 2017 Washington Post opinion piece, President and Chief Executive of Zenith Education Group, Peter J Taylor, noted that careers based on vocational training do lead to viable jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.

“So many American success stories have demonstrated, there isn’t just one path to prosperity.

That’s why it is important to stop pretending four-year institutions are a one-size-fits-all solution to finding rewarding careers.

It’s also time to recognize that various forms of education will

E3SPORTS

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 30, 2016, PAGE 3

2015 BTVI graduate, Valentino Burrows, is shown here using his Electrical Installation skills. He is employed with Genesis Electrical Service Inc. in North Carolina.

provide young men and women with the skills needed to find long-term, meaningful work,” said Mr Taylor.

Meanwhile, Valentino said he continues to use the knowledge gained at BTVI daily, adding that BTVI instructors taught him the fundamentals of Electrical Installation that became a bedrock for his career. “Encountering the National Electrical Code (NEC) and wiring my own 200 amp panel made me appreciate what

GAIN AN EDGE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

made me greatly appreciate what I learned at BTVI. Despite the differences, I was able to apply what I had learned, and the rest A NATIONAL ON HIGHER EDUCATION I was DIALOGUE able to figure out,” he said proudly.

While at BTVI, Valentino was afforded an Emerging Leaders in Americas Program (ELAP) scholarship, through which he was able to attend Holland College for two semesters back in 2014. Valentino was enrolled in the Energy Systems Engineering program where he learned to

GAIN AN EDGE

I learned at BTVI. Again, the USA uses a different electrical code than The Bahamas, so it was definitely a challenge at first.

However, I really did gain a solid foundation at BTVI and knowing the general principles of electricity (working with wire colors, their sizes, what they are used for both theoretically and practically)

build solar air collectors. He also learned about program variable frequency drives to control threephase motors and how to write a business plan, while studying improvisational acting and even getting to play some football.

“I know for a fact that I would not have been able to spend four months studying in Canada had it not been for BTVI giving me that opportunity. It was an incredibly formative experience. I met people from all walks of life while learning about solar thermal technology and even went skiing. It opened my mind to take a chance working in the USA and know that I could succeed doing so,” said Valentino.

Additionally, while in the US, the determined BTVI graduate refuses to sit on his laurels.

“My first goal is to get my limited electrical license over here in the States. That way I could pull my own permits and work on my own. My ultimate goal is to get my unlimited electrical license.

This would really open up a world of opportunity for me,” he stated.

Valentino went on to encourage high school students to consider technical vocational education and training.

“BTVI is one of the best environments I’ve been in for learning. It isn’t just about the technical knowledge, but your character and work ethic as well.

You can have all the knowledge in the world, but without character you won’t go far in your career.

BTVI helped me discover some of my inner talent that I didn’t know I had. My instructors and the staff really pushed me to discover my full potential and not settle for anything less. Had I not moved to the United States, I would be back at BTVI furthering my education and continuing to learn my trade,” he concluded.

Gain An Edge is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

Working together to keep our schools safe EVERYONE has to take an active role in providing safety and security for our children while at school and in the community.

Creating a safe place where children can learn and grow depends on a partnership among students, parents, teachers and members of our communities. To prevent school violence each partner has to take action.

Below are some suggestions for students, parents, school staff and others in the community.

Parents • Sharpen your parenting skills. Emphasise and build on your children’s strengths.

• Teach your children how to reduce their risks of becoming crime victims.

• Know where your kids are, what they are doing, and who they are with, at all times.

• Set clear rules about acceptable activities, in advance.

• Ask your children about what goes on during the school day. Listen to what they say and take their concerns and worries seriously.

• Help your children learn non-violent ways to handle frustration, anger and conflict.

• Do not allow your child to carry guns, knives or other weapons.

• Become involved in your child’s school activities.

• Work with other parents in your neighbourhood.

School staff • Evaluate your school’s safety objectively. Set targets for improvement. Be honest about crime problems and work toward improving the situation.

• Train school personnel in conflict resolution, problem solving, drug

prevention, crisis intervention cultural sensitivity, classroom management and counselling skills.

• Develop consistent disciplinary policies, good security procedures and incident response plans.

• Make sure staff can recognize trouble signs and identify potentially violent students.

• Encourage students to talk about concerns about activities in their school, home and neighbourhood.

Carefully listen to what they say.

• If a student makes a threat of violence, take him or her seriously. Address the problem immediately and act to prevent a potential conflict.

• When something violent and frightening happens at school or in the neighbourhood, take time to talk about it. Discuss the consequences and get students to think about what other choices, besides violence, might have been available. Get help from trained counsellors, if necessary.

• Work with students, parents, law enforcement and community-based groups to develop community-wide crime prevention efforts.

Students • Settle arguments with words, not fists or weapons.

• Don’t carry guns, knives, or other weapons to school.

• Report crimes or suspicious activities to the police, school authorities or parents.

• Tell a school official immediately if you see another student with a gun, knife or other weapons • Tell a teacher, parent or trusted adult if you are worried about a bully, threats or violence by another student.

• Learn safe routes for travelling to and from school and stick to them.

• Do not use alcohol or other drugs, and stay away from places and people associated with them.

• Get involved in school activities.

Community partners • Community-based groups, church organizations, and other service groups can provide counselling, extended learning programmes, before and after school activities and other community crime prevention programmes.

• Local businesses can provide apprenticeship programmes, participate in adopt-a-school programmes or serve as mentors to area students.

When crime drugs and violence spill over from the streets into the schools, providing a safe learning environment becomes increasingly difficult.

Many students must travel through gang turf or groups of drug dealers.

More students are carrying weapons for protection; gunfights replace fistfights.

Violence has become an acceptable way to settle conflicts. This kind of an environment makes it difficult for teachers to teach and children to learn.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, October 29, 2018, PAGE 11

FREEPORT MAN CHARGED WITH ARMED ROBBERY

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TWO men appeared in a Grand Bahama court on Friday, one charged with armed robbery and the other with receiving.

Gariel Frith, 23, and Ryan

Darius, both of Freeport, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson.

Frith was charged with armed robbery and causing harm. It is alleged that on October 22, the accused robbed Kevin Archer of $1,600 in cash while armed with a gun.

He was not required to enter

a plea to the charge, which is an indictable offence. The case was adjourned to January 24, 2019 when a preliminary inquiry will be held to determine if there is sufficient evidence for the accused to stand trial in the Supreme Court.

Frith was also charged with causing harm. It is alleged that on

October 7, he intentionally caused harm to John Sawyer. He elected summary trial in the Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was denied bail and the matter was adjourned to January 29.

Darius was charged with receiving.

It is alleged that on October 22, the

accused dishonestly received $750 knowing it was obtained or appropriated by an offence.

Darius pleaded guilty to charge of receiving. Magistrate Ferguson granted Darius a conditional discharge for five years and in default he is to pay a $3,000 fine or serve 18 months in prison.

Financial issues force PLP to delay convention

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Progressive Liberal Party has postponed its national convention to next May. The official reason for this is to improve the party’s platform and get its branches ready. However, privately some acknowledge that financial constraints are the major impetus for the postponement.

The convention had previously been scheduled for November 14, 15 and 16. No clear challenger had emerged in recent weeks to Philip “Brave” Davis’ leadership, so a campaign to reform the party’s constitution was expected to highlight the event.

Asked about the delay, Mr Davis said the party is “still updating its branches, still doing a number of things to ready ourselves.”

He said officials felt it would be redundant to have a convention this year, having had two general conventions in 2017 – one months before the May general election and the other in October – and a constitutional convention earlier this year.

$3.85M DRUGS BUST OFF SOUTH ANDROS THREE men are in custody after a multi-agency task force intercepted a go fast boat in waters off South Andros and recovered nearly four thousand pounds of suspected marijuana.

The $3.85m seizure was made on Thursday shortly after 3pm by the Drug Enforcement Unit, assisted by the marine support officers, US Drug Enforcement agents and the US Coast Guard.

A search of the vessel recovered 84 crocus bags, with a weight of 3,850lbs and an estimated street value of $3,850,000.

Police also took two illegal firearms off the streets of New Providence on Saturday.

Shortly after 8pm, DEU officers were on routine patrol on Flint Street when they observed a group of men standing in front of an abandoned building. As the officers approached, the men ran from the area.

Officers conducted a search of the area and recovered two .40 pistols with 21 rounds of ammunition.

BRADLEY ROBERTS Another high-ranking source in the party who was not authorised to disclose internal deliberations told The Tribune the event has been postponed because of financial issues. The party amassed significant debt during the 2017 general election campaign.

Opposition parties often struggle to raise money the first several years after an election defeat.

A convention of the kind hosted by the PLP typically costs at least hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Tribune was told that lack of resources isn’t expected to be an indefinite problem––the party expects to have what it needs to host

a typically grand event by May. The party’s constitution mandates that it hold a convention every year. The Free National Movement’s constitution likewise mandates that it holds a convention every two years. Neither party has a history of consistently complying with these provisions. Mr Davis said a change in the required frequency of national conventions is among the proposed constitutional reforms the party will consider at the next convention.

Former PLP Cabinet minister George Smith welcomed the convention’s postponement last week, saying it gives the PLP time to strengthen its platform. He did not attend the party’s National General Council meeting on Thursday night and could not say definitively what prompted the change.

“I think we needed time to get rolling so we could identify candidates and complete the process of finalizing the constitution for adoption,” Mr Smith said. “We want to have a few more things accomplished. It’s a question of timing and testing the state of the organs of the party.”

PHILIP DAVIS, MP for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador.

The PLP is also mourning the loss of Bradley Roberts, the party’s chairman emeritus, who died at the age of 74 at home on Thursday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 12, Monday, October 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

‘Electricity cost oppression of residents cannot continue’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net COALITION of Concerned Citizens, a Grand Bahama activist group, has said “the economic oppression” of residents there cannot continue as it relates to the high cost of electricity.

Pastor Eddie Victor, president of the coalition, said both businesses and residents have experienced “sharp” increases in their electricity rates during the summer.

“Many customers have seen increases in their bills, as much as three times or more over the rest of the year,” he said.

He said CCC has held several town meetings in Grand Bahama since January to inform residents of a proposed new solar power plant by a Bahamian owned utility company.

Northern Bahamas Utilities (NBU) has made an application to the government to build two solar power plants outside Freeport that the company says will result in lower electricity costs for consumers in those areas.

Mr Victor said that CCC supports NBU’s proposed project.

“It is consistent with our mission to advocate for the lower of cost of electricity in the island, and the CCC fully endorses this proposed initiative. We also fully support our government’s efforts to lower the cost of

PASTOR EDDIE VICTOR, who says residents in Grand Bahama are being economically oppressed by the cost of electricity.

He said that the main lowered it will improve the electricity across The Baha- However, the 1993 West End and East End agree- reason why NBU’s pro- quality of life for people on mas,” he said.

CCC has been advocating ments between the GBPC posal should be approved this island.

“We should be proud for lower electricity rates and the government which is because it is from a Bahaon Grand Bahama for some allowed the power company mian owned company that that we have reached time, and has held protests, to supply and sell electricity will make electricity afford- this stage in our nation’s history where we have demonstrations, boycotts, in those areas expire this able for Bahamians.

“This will allow busi- qualified Bahamians who and petitions against the year. to experience have the ability, capabilMr Victor is appealing nesses Grand Bahama Power to the government not to economic relief, and resi- ity, and finances to be able Company.

GBPC is the sole energy renew those agreements dents across the island to build power plants in when the cost of power is their own country. This is provider on the island. with GBPC.

a tremendous achievement once we see government gives its approval,” he said.

NBU is a 100 percent Bahamian-owned company.

Its principals, directors and management are said to be qualified Bahamian engineers who were also former employees and executives of the GBPC for many years.

CONCERN AS GAS PRICES BREAK THROUGH $5 BARRIER

By RIEL MAJOR

MANY motorists are upset over higher gas prices now the price of fuel at the

pump has risen over the $5 mark at the nation’s three service stations.

The cost of gas is now $5.05 at both Rubis and Esso, and Shell, having the cheapest fuel on the island, is now $5.03 per gallon.

Prior to this, gas was $4.89 a gallon at Rubis and $4.93 at Shell. Esso’s price did not change.

One motorist, who only wanted to be identified as Mr Rolle, told The Tribune: “Gas too expensive in this country man, they need to reduce the price. The poor man can’t survive. They need to get it right.”

Another motorist, who gave her name only as Ms Ferguson said: “(The rise) is ridiculous but what can we do about it? It’s either (pay) or park and catch the buses which is not reliable.”

Sterling Cooper said the price at the pump takes a toll on those struggling to make ends meet.

“The increase in gas for the poor people, I think it’s a little strenuous right now because, I don’t think that our gas price should

be fluctuating up and down because you know as tough as it is right now,” Mr Cooper said.

“There are a lot of people that don’t have jobs. If we can use the bus system or we could get that organised in a proper way, we can use the bus system and we can probably car pool and alleviate the traffic on the streets. The gas price is a bit too high.”

Nicholas Johnson said: “(Gas) is getting ridiculously high. It’s getting harder because with the prices of everything else going up and the gas price gone up it’s getting harder and harder to try deal with that. Dealing with everything being high.

“I (go) to the gas station everyday putting in fuel, like $10-$15 a day. At the end of the week I spend (over) $100 just on fuel just to run around this little island and when you compare that to the amount of money you making everyday, that’s a big cut.”

Lindsay Darville said:

“The only thing we can do is deal with it…it is unfortunate but what could we do?

We need gas to get around what else can we do? If that’s the price, that’s the price, but you’ll think twice about taking a Sunday drive or casually going somewhere. You have to think about your runs and stuff.

That’s the only thing we can do.”

Despite the complaints from many, one male motorist was unbothered about the price of fuel.

Chester Johnson said: “I actually didn’t know it went up so I don’t be watching (the price). Probably in the long run I would really pay attention to it but right now I’m not really paying attention to it.”

Last week, The Nassau Guardian reported the government gave the go ahead for gasoline prices to breach the $5 mark in July, according to the price schedules of the Price Control (Gasoline & Diesel Oil) Amendment Regulations published that month.

‘WE SHOULD REMEMBER THOSE WHO SERVED’

By RIEL MAJOR

THE Rotary Club of East Nassau hosted a representative from the British Legion-Bahamas Branch on Friday, who encouraged Bahamians to preserve the memory of those who “made the ultimate sacrifice for world peace” as The Bahamas celebrates Remembrance Day. Royal Bahamas Defence Force woman reservist and representative of the British Legion-Bahamas Branch Adina MunroeCharlow thanked the honorary consul for Canada in The Bahamas, Harvey Skolnick and, the honorary consul for Great Britain in the Bahamas, Rosamund Roberts for allowing her to “reflect on a topic so dear to her heart” – the soldiers who fought in the First World War. “In a few weeks, during

the month of November,” she said, “we too will pause, like the rest of the world to reflect on the 11th day at the 11th hour in the 11th month in 1918, the Armistice Treaty that was signed between Germany and Great Britain to officially end the Great War.” She said about 17 million people lost their lives and millions were left traumatised from the effects of that war. During 1915-1917, The Bahamas sent about 700 men to participate in the war under the banner of the newly established British West Indies regiment. Unfortunately, six Bahamians lost their lives in battle, three died from injuries, and 28 others from unknown causes.

Ms Munroe-Charlow said: “This year, the British Legion-Bahamas Branch salutes our 700 men for their bravery 100 years ago.

“The British LegionBahamas Branch reflects

on the military accomplishments of its honorary past president and founding father, the late Sir Etienne Dupuch for his internationally recognised World War I hero status.

“The Bahamas has such great history until we are forgetting that there were Bahamians who made a world of difference and placed The Bahamas on the military map 100 years ago.

“We must remember them, we have to remember them,” she said.

Remembrance Day is observed annually in the UK and Commonwealth nations to honour British armed forces members who have died or suffered in war.

Poppies are worn around this time to pay respects those who died in war.

At 3pm on Sunday, November 4, there will be wreath laying ceremony in Rawson Square.

Remembrance Day is November 11.

THE TRIBUNE

Wine and art get together TRIBUNE photograhper Shawn Hanna captures the fun at The Bahamas National Trust annual wine and art festival held at The Retreat yesterday.

Monday, October 29, 2018, PAGE 13

PAGE 14, Monday, October 29, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Police: Synagogue gunman said ‘I just want to kill Jews’ PITTSBURGH Associated Press TRIBUTES rolled in yesterday for the victims of the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre as authorities worked to piece together the background and movements of the suspected gunman, who authorities said expressed hatred of Jews as he opened fire with an AR-15 rifle and other weapons and later told police, “All these Jews need to die.”

Robert Gregory Bowers killed eight men and three women inside the Tree of Life Synagogue on Saturday during worship services before a tactical police team tracked him down and shot him, authorities said in state and federal affidavits made public on Sunday.

Six people were injured in the attack, including four officers.

Officials released the names of all 11 of the dead, all of them middle-aged or elderly. The victims included intellectually disabled brothers and a husband and wife. The youngest was 54 and the oldest was 97.

“The loss is incalculable,” said Stephen Cohen, co-president of New Light

PEOPLE attend a community gathering in Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in the aftermath of the deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh.

Two of the people who died were Melvin Wax, top right, and Cecil Rosenthal.

Congregation, which rents space at Tree of Life.

Mayor Bill Peduto called it the “darkest day of Pittsburgh’s history.”

Bowers shot his victims with an AR-15 — the weapon used in many of the nation’s mass shootings — and three handguns, all of which he owned legally and had a licence to carry, according to a law enforcement official who wasn’t authorised to discuss the

ongoing investigation, and spoke on condition of anonymity. Little else was known about Bowers, who had no apparent criminal record but who is believed to have expressed virulently anti-Semitic views on social media. It appears he acted alone, authorities said.

His neighbor, Chris Hall, said he never heard or saw anything to indicate that Bowers harbored antiSemitic views or posed

a threat. Bowers kept to himself, he said. “The most terrifying thing is just how normal he seemed,” Hall said. “I wish I knew what was going on inside his head. Maybe something could have been done. I don’t know.”

The victims included Melvin Wax, a retired accountant in his late 80s who was always one of the first to arrive at synagogue and among the last to leave.

“He and I used to, at the end of services, try to tell a joke or two to each other,” said Myron Snider, a fellow member of New Light Congregation, which rented space in the basement of Tree of Life. “Most of the time they were clean jokes.

Most of the time. I won’t say all the time. But most of the time.”

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center tweeted it mourned the loss of Dr Jerry Rabinowitz, 66, “one of the kindest physicians and human beings in our community”.

Two other victims, Cecil Rosenthal, 59, and his younger brother David Rosenthal, 54, were intellectually disabled and lived together in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, near the synagogue where they were killed. “Cecil’s laugh was infectious. David was so kind and had such

a gentle spirit. Together, they looked out for one another. They were inseparable,” said Chris Schopf, vice president of residential supports for ACHIEVA, which helped the brothers live independently. “Most of all, they were kind, good people with a strong faith and respect for everyone around.”

Bowers apparently posted an anti-Semitic message on a social media account linked to him just a few minutes before he opened fire during Sabbath services on Saturday morning. After the attack, he told an officer, “I just want to kill Jews,” according to a federal affidavit .

Retired Tree of Life Rabbi Alvin Berkun, who knew nearly all of the victims, said Bowers penetrated all three areas of the synagogue where the worshippers were gathered.

RIGHT-WING CAPTAIN THE NEW BRAZIL PRESIDENT SAO PAULO Assocciated Press

FAR-RIGHT congressman Jair Bolsonaro won the presidency of Latin America’s largest nation yesterday as voters looked past warnings that the brash former army captain would erode democracy and embraced a chance for radical change after years of turmoil.

With 97 percent of ballots counted, Brazil’s top electoral court said Bolsonaro had won with 55.4 percent of the votes. His opponent, leftist Fernando Haddad of the Workers’ Party, had 44.4 percent.

In Rio de Janeiro, Bolsonaro’s supporters set off fireworks on Copacabana Beach. In Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, cars horns could be heard honking and crowds celebrated as the results came in. There were also reports of clashes between his backers and opponents on Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo.

“I first want to thank God,” Bolsonaro told supporters in a video transmitted from his home in Rio, recounting how he was stabbed while campaigning last month and almost died.

Bolsonaro, who ran on

JAIR BOLSONARO promises to clean up Brazil and bring back “traditional values,” said he would respect the constitution and personal liberty. He said that wasn’t just the words of a man but a promise to God. Bolsonaro went into Sunday the clear front-runner after getting 46 percent of the vote to Haddad’s 29 percent in the first round of the election October 7, which had 13 contenders. After opinion polls in recent weeks had Bolsonaro leading by as much as 18 percentage points, the race had tightened the last few days after several Brazilian heavyweights came out against Bolsonaro, arguing that he was a direct risk to the world’s fourth largest democracy.

- CONVENIENCE, PERFORMANCE & STYLE OVENS | RANGES | COOKTOPS DOUBLE OVEN

Make this holiday season a culinary masterpiece, with GE Ovens, Ranges & Cooktops available at Geoffrey Jones. Cook two things at once in a timesaving double oven, make the most out of your space with edge-to-edge burners and allow your appliances to communicate for optimum performance with chef connect using Bluetooth® technology. With so many helpful features and remarkable style the holidays will be all the more satisfying.

EDGE-TO-EDGE BURNERS

Sales & Full Service Department Rosetta & Montgomery Streets

T: 322-2188/9

E: geoffjones@comcast.net www.geoffreyjonesandco.com PROFESSIONAL RANGES

CHEF CONNECT FEATURE

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, October 29, 2018, PAGE 15

WELCOME HOME FOR RBDF SAILORS AFTER completing her refit at the Maaskant Shipyard in Stellendam, in The Netherlands, Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship Bahamas arrived the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Coral Harbour Base on Saturday.

The 24-day journey took the ship’s company from The Netherlands through the English Channel, and west of the coasts of France, Spain and Portugal to the former Portuguese colonies of Madeira, near Morocco, and Cape Verde, near Mauratania; both small archipelagos off the west coast of North Africa.

After making port of calls in Funchal, Madeira, and Mindelo, Cay Verde, the 200-foot HMBS Bahamas made the transAtlantic voyage covering over 6,000 nautical miles.

The first transAtlantic

voyage by RBDF patrol craft was made 40 years ago when the 103-foot HMBS Marlin and Flamingo were purchased from Vosper Thornycroft in England in 1978.

Since that time all four of the 140-foot Legend Class vessels built by the Dutch shipbuilding company, Damen Shipyards, have made the ocean crossing between 2014 and 2016.

The RBDF flagship is under the command of Commander Gregory Brown. It has a maximum crew capacity of 60 officers and marines; however, a skeleton crew of 31 crewmembers, along with three Dutch advisors made the trip. Upon arrival at Coral Harbour Base, the ship will undergo final assessment prior to being officially handed over to the RBDF and returned to service.