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Volume: 118 No.233, October 29, 2021
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Committee looking at ways to stop govt liability for brutality By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A CABINET sub-committee will recommend how the government can stop incurring liabilities from court cases involving brutality from uniformed officers, with taxpayers presently on the hook for millions in damages and costs. Latrae Rahming, director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the Minnis administration’s pre-election fiscal report did not
account for $13m in liabilities from court judgments. He said the Davis administration is “very concerned” about the mounting legal expenses. The Office of the Attorney General,” he said yesterday, “has undertaken an exercise to identify categories where we are seeing material, and in instances, recurring damages against the government and to propose a way forward and a strategy aimed at minimising these instances”. SEE PAGE FIVE
Notable appointments include North Eleuthera MP Sylvanus Petty, who was named chairman of Water and Sewerage Corporation; Mount Moriah MP McKell Bonaby as executive chairman of Public Beaches and Parks Authority; Senator James Turner-Rolle, chairman of the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas and Senator Quinton Lightbourne as chairman of the Bahamas Development Bank. SEE PAGE THREE
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
$1BN DIFFERENCE IN FISCAL STATE? IT IS WHAT IT IS
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday responded to assertions made by his predecessor regarding his administration’s findings on the government’s fiscal position, insisting that a $1bn discrepancy in government liabilities that was uncovered is exactly “what it is”. Mr Davis spoke to reporters a day after he revealed in the House of Assembly that his administration had discovered a $1bn difference in the former Free National Movement government’s pre-election report and the country’s actual liabilities. SEE PAGE THREE
FIRST ROUND OF BOARD APPOINTMENTS REVEALED By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Davis administration has appointed 19 Bahamians to various public board positions and is expected to meet today to finalise the remaining government appointments. Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Clint Watson announced the first list of board appointments during a press briefing yesterday.
NAUGHTY: POLITICAL VIEW FROM THE NEXT GENERATION
FROM DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TO DEPUTY GOVERNOR GENERAL FOR ‘MOTHER’ PRATT FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt was sworn in as deputy to Governor General CA Smith yesterday while he is out of the country for a few days. See PAGE TWO for the full story. Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS
VAT INCREASE ON BREADBASKET ‘BEST PRACTICE’
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ECONOMIC Affairs Michael Halkitis defended the anticipated increase of value added tax on breadbasket items, saying it follows expert advice and best practices around the world. SEE PAGE THREE
‘COVID BUBBLE’ PLAN SUGGESTED FOR EVENTS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville suggested officials are considering creating vaccination bubbles for some events, though plans for this have not been finalised as yet. “We are now in Cabinet finalising the two pieces of regulations under the current Health Management Act which will guide us on how we put new rules in
MINISTER of Health and Wellness Michael Darville. place because we’ve made it very clear that on the 13th of November the emergency orders will fall away and we would have to have
legislation in place,” he said during an Office of the Prime Minister’s briefing yesterday. “Now, this has been brought up because there’s some events that are coming to the country, sporting events, and we know from other parts of the world they can create a bubble and so our team is looking at ways how we can create a similar environment for these types of events. SEE PAGE FOUR
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
DIANE PHILLIPS: FROM HERE TO GLASGOW IN CLIMATE FIGHT
- SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Friday, October 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Request for independent review of prison issues
FROM DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TO DEPUTY GOVERNOR GENERAL FOR ‘MOTHER’ PRATT FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt was sworn-in as deputy to the governor general by Chief Justice Sir Brian Moree yesterday. Mrs Pratt is also a former minister of national security. The ceremony took place at the Paul Farquharson Centre, Royal Bahamas Police Force headquarters.
She will serve as deputy while Governor General Sir Cornelius A Smith is out of the country for a few days. Sir Cornelius accepted a speaking engagement at the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and will be out of the country until October 31. Photos: Letisha Henderson/BIS
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said a request will be made to the Office of the Prime Minister for an independent review commission to be appointed to look at matters relating to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He also said the acting correctional services commissioner has been dispatched to the prison and will report to the legal officer at the Ministry of National Security. “I met with him where he raised more issues that had to be addressed more so than the review,” Mr Munroe said. “I also met with the Correctional Services Board who were responsible for the oversight of the prison. “They gave me information about why they were not able to comply with their statutory obligation to put in a report because I haven’t seen a report from them. All of that will now be collated and amalgamated and a request will be made to the Office of the Prime Minister because the prime minister is responsible for appointing the commissions.” Asked about the nature of the request, he said: “For an independent review commission to be appointed for the matters to be looked at independently
MINISTER of National Security Wayne Munroe. and fairness to everyone involved. “There is a review of where we were, of the COVID mitigation policies and the result of that doesn’t have to await an independent review. That has just resulted in the need for the budgeting of an additional $19,000 to 20,000 a month to deal with mitigating COVID in the prison for simple things –. like disinfectant, PPEs for the correctional officers. So that is acted upon, you cannot wait around for someone to tell you you have to take COVID mitigation strategies. “The other aspects of looking at the operation of the correctional institution, that is what will be subject to review.” It was previously announced in a press statement that Corrections
Commissioner Charles Murphy has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into matters at the prison, including the handling of a prisoner who caught COVID-19 during lock-up. Asked if this independent investigation will determine if Mr Murphy will stay on, the minister said “it will advise the prime minister, who ultimately has responsibility over that particular part of it”. Mr Munroe was also asked about the need for independent bodies to look into police brutality investigations. He said: “There’s no such thing as an independent body because somebody will appoint it. Somebody will staff it. My inclination is to think that we need not reinvent the wheel. Our neighbours into the south, Jamaica, who has a similar colonial history to ours, a similar constitution, has a body. . .who is appointed to review police misconduct. We certainly will be looking at forms like (that) because there is no need to invent the wheel. “Jamaica has the same constitutional construct as we do and so we will be able to benefit by looking at what they have done. Any missteps that have happened along the way and more importantly how the courts, we sharing a final court of appeal in the Privy Council, have reacted to what has happened in Jamaica.”
RBDF PROMOTIONS APPROVED ‘SOON’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King said promotions for
the organisation should be approved soon. “We anticipate having that exercise approved and authorised in the very near future,” he told reporters yesterday. Asked if he hoped promotions would take place by the end of the year, he answered: “Most certainly.” “Our promotions, it will be one exercise this year ideally. We’re hoping to be able to do two exercises per year, but a lot smaller. April and November that is what we are hoping to achieve but given one exercise the numbers would probably be a bit larger, but we’re looking to compensate the men and women of this organisation who’ve worked tirelessly and worked hard.” He did not wish to give any numbers at this time regarding how many officers will be promoted. “It’s going to be commensurate based on the person’s commitment and dedication,” he said, adding the exercise will be “large”. This news came after State Minister for Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle
revealed earlier this week that a “large” number of letters of promotions were expected to be issued in the coming week for Bahamas Department of Correctional Services workers as well as Department of Immigration officers. Service-wide promotions that were “held back” since 2017 will be issued shortly, she said. “We are very happy to have finished that process.... the large percentage of immigration’s (promotions) is about 80 percent complete,” the state minister said when asked about the status of corrections and immigration officers’ promotions. “So, those letters are being released within this week and, of course, the other armed forces that we’ve spoken about. “We have some others that are going to be released this week, but we are just waiting on the process to be complete, the letters to be taken care of and then we will get those letters to their respective ministries and the ministries will make the necessary announcement.”
PEDESTRIAN DIES IN HIT AND RUN
A PEDESTRIAN died after being struck during a hit-and-run on Wednesday. Police said an initial investigation has revealed that shortly before midnight, a man was walking on Robinson Road when he was hit by a vehicle that left the scene. Traffic investigators responded to a call about
the incident and found a man lying in the street unresponsive. Emergency Medical Services visited the scene and pronounced the man dead. Police said they are awaiting an identification by a next of kin to determine the victim’s identity. An investigation is ongoing.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 29, 2021, PAGE 3
$1BN DIFFERENCE IN FISCAL STATE? IT IS WHAT IT IS
from page one
The $1bn discrepancy in government liabilities — meaning money owed — was unearthed by a renowned accounting firm, the prime minister told parliamentarians on Wednesday. However, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has rejected the claims,
calling Mr Davis’ statements “very reckless and dangerous”. The opposition has also suggested that the prime minister’s comments were misleading and lacked proper context. Responding yesterday, Mr Davis said: “Well, wait for the report from the independent accounting firm and then that will answer him. That’s what we found
out and that’s what it is.” Yesterday, Mr Davis also defended his administration’s decision to eliminate the value added tax zero-rating on breadbasket items, a move the opposition believe will hurt the most vulnerable in Bahamian society. The government also intends to reduce vat to ten percent across the board. An International
Monetary Fund September 2021 study has said narrowing the base of VAT through zero-rating and exemptions reduces efficiency, lowers revenue and increases administrative compliance costs. Referring to this study while responding to critics, the prime minister said: “I invite them to go and look at the modeling that was done by independent
advisors who are more familiar with tax matters and it’s up at our website and they’ll see how we arrived at it.” Mr Davis spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Rubis gas station on Gladstone Road. The prime minister’s comments to the press comes as he prepares to head to
Glasgow, Scotland for the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference. Asked about his administration’s policy to combat climate change, he said: “Well, we have signed on to the Kyoto (Protocol.) We have signed on to the Paris Agreement and we intend to adopt those principals as our policy and pursue them. In fact, you would’ve seen most of them in our blueprint.”
VAT increase ‘best practice’ from page one Breadbasket items are currently zero-rated for VAT. “This is a sensitive topic,” he said during the Office of the Prime Minister’s press conference yesterday. “We grappled with this when we first implemented VAT and we grapple with it now. All the studies will tell you, any studies that are done, (say) have one rate, preferably a low rate, minimum exemptions; it’s easier to administer, it reduces the possibility of leakage, you collect your revenue, revenue administration is much better, you get more revenue to enable you to do other things. It is not something that is taken lightly. We believe it’s the right decision.” In 2017, before the Minnis administration zero-rated some items, the International Monetary Fund said The Bahamas had the most productive VAT regime in the Caribbean. The IMF consistently said the country should resist efforts to enact exemptions. Mr Halkitis said: “Overall, you are reducing the rate from 12 to ten so everything else, every other thing you spend money on, instead of paying 12 percent VAT, you’re now paying ten, so that’s a reduction. The Department of Statistics do a study called the household expenditure survey and they say the people at the lowest income level spend about 25 percent of their income or their spending is spent on food so 75 percent goes on something else, so the 75 percent that goes on something else that’s VAT-able, they’re going down from 12 to 10, from the items that were on the breadbasket items and are now zero-rated, there will be a ten percent VAT. “We understand it is an emotional issue, we know that it gets to be a very hot political issue but our job is to do what’s in the best interest of the country and we believe this decision is and we will be seeking to explain it more as we go along and ask the Bahamian public to give us an opportunity to explain it more as we go along and ask the Bahamian public to give us an opportunity to let this work and they will see the benefit of it.” Earlier this year, the PLP said it would reduce VAT to ten percent for just one year, then reevaluate the country’s fiscal situation. Mr Halkitis, however, said yesterday that VAT will remain at ten percent. “We don’t expect that we have to go back to 12 percent next year,” he said. “I think we have taken it out of our plan and in our plan it says ten and we are prepared to go with ten. We’ve done an economic model, I think the prime minister has undertaken to table it in the House of MINISTER of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis yesterday. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
NOTICE
HOUSE COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP NAMED HOUSE Speaker Patricia Deveaux has announced the House of Assembly’s sessional committees. The Public Accounts Committee, the most powerful House of Assembly body, is made up of Marco City MP Michael Pintard, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, Long Island MP Adrian Gibson, and Bain and Grants Town MP Wayde Watson. The Committee of Privilege’s members are Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin, Carmichael
MP Keith Bell, Southern Shores MP Leroy Major, Central Grand Bahama, MP Iram Lewis and St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright. Regarding the Library Committee, Mrs Deveaux said this will be made up of North Andros and Berry Islands MP Leonardo Lightbourne, Yamacraw MP Zane Lightbourne, North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish, Mr Lewis and Mr Cartwright. The members of the Statutory Instruments Committee are Free Town MP
Wayne Munroe, Elizabeth MP Jobeth Coleby-Davis, Mount Moriah MP McKell Bonaby, Mr Gibson and St Anne’s MP Adrian White. The Broadcasting Committee consists of Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, Pinewood MP Myles Laroda, Pineridge MP Ginger Moxey, Mr Pintard and Mr Cartwright. The House Rules and Business Committee is made up of West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP Obie Wilchcombe, Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears,
FIRST ROUND OF BOARD APPOINTMENTS REVEALED from page one Other appointees include Barbara Cartwright, chairman of the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation; Pedro Rolle, chairman of Bahamas Power and Light; Anthony Kikivarakis, chairman of Bahamasair, Wendy Craig, chairperson of Bahamasair Navigation Services; Devard Francis, chairman of Civil Aviation Authority and Daniel Johnson, chairman of the Gaming Board. Roderick Colebrooke has been appointed chairman of the Hotel Licensing Board; Senator Ronald Duncombe as chairman of Nassau Flight Services; Phillip McKenzie as chairman of the National Insurance Board; Tavares
Laroda, chairman of the Port Authority; Andrew Edwards, chairman of Public Hospitals Authority; and Southern Shores MP Leroy Major, executive chairman of Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation. The Airport Authority is being chaired by Paul Bevans, while Lucayan Holdings Ltd is being chaired by Julian Russel. Terrel Young is the chairman for BAMSI. As for the remaining appointments, Mr Watson said the government hopes to wrap up the matter today, adding that those chosen for board positions will be well-rounded and skilled from various backgrounds. “Cabinet is still working on that,” he said. “Cabinet
is expected to meet again tomorrow (Friday) afternoon to deal with board appointments and they’re expected to wrap up the board so you could imagine it’s a very, very detailed process – 140 boards and so they’re hoping to wrap up. “If you noticed, Cabinet has been meeting a lot and that’s because they’re trying to wrap up boards. What they’re trying to do is get the critical boards that need to have the chairman or chairpersons in office. They’ve been trying to do that quickly and we can make some of those announcements for you. Again, it reflects the deepening of what the Davis administration is about, a well-rounded list of people of all ages, sectors, capabilities and skills.”
Assembly, where we’ve asked some experts to do some scenario analysis, what will happen if this happens, xyz happens and they gave us a report.” Mr Halkitis said the ten percent VAT rate will apply to most items that are now zero-rated. “I know…people will be concerned about will these things go up, particularly when you deal with insurance and it’s time to claim it’s better to have no exemptions and anybody who needs the direct assistance you give it to them, so we’re getting rid of all the zero ratings and exemptions except for some selected ones and electricity,” he said. Yesterday Mr Halkitis also said the government expects to bring in $90m in revenue than was forecasted by the previous administration. “Recurrent expenditure is expected to decrease by $53m, which is comprised of an increase in $21m in social assistance,” he said. “Most notably reflects the three month extension of the unemployment programme until December 2021 and $19m for public service pension and gratuities which reflect the planned increases that were mentioned by the prime minister. . .and as well bringing the budget in line with what is actually owed to public servants. “Capital expenditure is expected to be down by $54m which reflects what we expect to actually be able to spend during the budget period. As you know when you’re undergoing capital works there is a period of planning and then execution which can then go on to multiple budget periods and so we made some adjustments to what we actually expect to be able to spend in this budget period. “For the remainder of the budget year we are forecasting an increase in revenue of $92m over what was estimated in the pre-election budget. This is based on strong indications that we’re getting from the tourism industry, in particularly healthy bookings from the hotel sector from the winter season, increase in direct airlift from the United States, Canada and the UK for the upcoming winter season and as we see benefits continue to accrue with the loosening up of COVID restrictions as businesses are able to operate for longer hours, open on Sunday, etc. In terms of the forecasted deficit, the preelection budget forecasted a deficit of $951.8m. We are revising that forecast to $856m and so the key is we are forecasting a decrease in the deficit and therefore we do not expect to have to increase borrowing over and above what was approved in the budget this year.” Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has said the anticipated VAT reduction to ten percent should be in place by January 1, 2022.
THE BAHAMAS HUMANE SOCIETY AGM WILL BE HELD ON 22ND NOVEMBER @5:30 PM. VENUE TO BE ANNOUNCED
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THE TRIBUNE
‘COVID BUBBLE’ PLAN SUGGESTED FOR EVENTS from page one
MINISTER of Health Michael Darville.
“It’s not completed and we want to ensure that we do not hinder our tourism sector and our economic growth but we want to ensure that the safety of every Bahamian is paramount in the legislation that we’ll bring forth.” Bubbles would allow only people who are fully vaccinated to assemble at certain events. Though The Bahamas government does not currently support mandatory vaccination, some
businesses have begun to require staff to be vaccinated. “We made it very clear that vaccination is a voluntary process in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas at this time and so there are many private sector groups who want to get ahead of the government,” Dr Darville said. “I say to them that they must fall within the parametres of the law. We’ve seen this with many private sector groups and because they want to ensure that their environment is safe, someone who is unvaccinated or
untested can compromise your environment and so it’s a very difficult thing to do because we must protect the right of the vaccinated person and we must protect the right of the unvaccinated person.” This comes as the Ministry of Health reported an additional 23 cases on October 26 and 22 cases on October 27. The country now has 22,351 confirmed cases of the virus. Only 441 of those cases are active. Hospital cases have dropped to 67 with five people in the intensive care unit.
‘One Day’ for Kiwanis Clubs to celebrate
Graveside Service For
Drucilla Thersa Ferguson, 61 a resident of Dumping Ground Corner, Bain Town will be held on Saturday, 30th October, 2021 12:00 noon at Southern Cemetery, Cowpen & Spikenard Roads. Rev. Pastor Carlos Wallace - Senior Pastor at Apostle of the End Time Church, West & Ferguson Street, Bain Town. Precious memories will linger on in the hearts of her sisters: Staff Nurse Rev’d Arnette Swain (from England), Rosemae Francis, Catherine Nottage and Portia Francis; adopted sisters: Donna Meadows (Ernest) and Madge Morrison (Edrick); brother: Yorick Brice, Kendall ‘Boy’ McKenzie and Dodi Jones; adopted brothers: Wilfred Swain, Wesley Rolle (Dorothy), Raymond Rolle and Troy Swain; aunts: Mary ‘Gene’ Blyden, Beryl Kemp of Black Point, Exuma, Winifred Rolle of Black Point, Exuma, Inekah Ferguson and Sylvia Wallace-White; uncles: Wendell Albury, Spurgeon Brown, John Brown, Willis Ferguson, Alfred Ferguson, Van Ferguson, Rowley Ferguson and Lemuel Ferguson; nephews: RBDF Donald Ferguson, Frankeno Dorsett, RBPF 4217 Shaquille Francis, Frankco Dorsett, Frank Dorsett and Frankcisco Dorsett; adopted nephews: Erald Thompson (Joyann), RBPF Sgt. 2006 Omar Nottage, Leon Scavella, Stephan Rolle, Hulon Riley, Raymond Rolle Jr., Leonardo Rolle, Ramon Rolle, Bernard Rolle, Elvin Morrison, Eljin Morrison, Kiko Forbes, Jason Swain, and Theodore Swain and Arnold; nieces: Ange’lique Williams (from England), RBPF 3621 Franchescia Dorsett, Fantasia Dorsett, TCN Shakera Ferguson, Shakara Ferguson, Shakeitra Ferguson, Cathnique Johnson, and Shatara Ferguson; adopted nieces: RBPF Sgt. 3346 Sasha Gibson (RBPF Sgt. 2967 David), Bridgette Swain, Evia Hill (Patrick) of Little Rock Arkansas, Monique Hinsey (Deangelo), Diane Swain, Cheryl Turnquest, Christina Marshall, Carmella Rolle (Mario), Torrianna Rolle (David), Lakeisha Rolle, Monalisa Rolle, Oprah Rolle, and Shanrica Rolle, Shaneka Mackey, Christella Burrows (Sammie); grand nephews: James Cartwright, Donald Ferguson Jr., Warren Brown, Ricarzio Matthews, Clintawn Lockhart, and Dijon Ferguson; adopted grand nephews: Erald Thompson III, Ethan Hill, Edward Morrison, David George, Hakeem Rolle, Nashad Smith, Kevin Sears, Leroy & Joshua Porter, Wilfred Walkes Jr., Stephan Walkes Jr. Kenrawn, Stephon Walkes, Clarence & Trevor Grant, Ervin Moxey, Ricardo McCartney Jr., Tavarian Pratt Jr., Deangelo Hinsey Jr., Joel Saunders, Mandingo Cartwright, Armando Seymour, Leon Scavella Jr., Levantae Scavella, Robert McCoy, Alexander Whylly, Alton Whylly, Deandro Thompson, Samuel & Stephen Burrows, Kiko & Keegan Forbes; grand nieces: Abigail Gibson, Athena Delva, Lashawna Ferguson, Dajae’ Ferguson, Jamaya Cartwright, Arinae Wallace, Kianna Strachen, Denaj Ferguson, Kiara Dorsett; adopted grand nieces: Eraisa, Tristan Thompson, Elle Hill, Keyendae Rolle, Michaela Green, Nakita & Clarice Grant, Moniece Campbell, Alvinique Morley, Anastacia McCartney, Dashanique, Daesha and Melia Scavella, D’Andranique & D’Andrea Hinsey, Azariah Stuart, Humia Rolle, Daianna George, Latisha & Omanique Nottage, Sancia, Alexus, Shakayla, Stevenae Walkes, Devonya Pratt, Serenity Burrows, Mickel, Crystal & Destiny McDonald, Danisha Lightbourne, Jaya Percentie, Tavius Rolle, Athena Delva; numerous Great-Grand Nieces and Great- Grand Nephews; cousins: Anthony Forbes. The Albury’s- Jannel Cherrington of Orlando Florida, Staff Nurse Dawn Albury of Tampa Bay Florida, Tammy Pratt of Freeport, Londell Albury of Freeport, Wendy Butler and Darlene Deveaux. The Brown’s- Nellie Mae, Tony, Gregory, Olliemae Tynes of Freeport, Yvette, Terry. Allison Levarity, Terentia Braynen, Gregory, Raymond Brown, and Anthony Brown. Angie, Lorn Rolle, Genie, Wellie, Shonell. Karen Ferguson- daughter of Alfred Ferguson. Adrian Berry, Michelle Berry, Shandika Cunningham, Warren Berry, Evalina Pennerman, Adam Pennerman, Natasha Pennerman and Carlyle Pennerman. The Blyden’s- Marilyn Rahming, Judy Wood, Alma Tinker (TCN), Jennifer Dawson, Godwin
Blyden, Charles Isaac, Tony Coakley, Andrew Coakley, Shawn Blyden, Randon Rolle, Nicole Lightbourne, Megan, Morgan, Kendra Wood, Keisha Wood, Stanley Wood, Chris Wood, Nicky Ellis, Anton Tinker, James Clarke, Vanessa, Natasha, C J Isaac, Nashelta, Chenway, Shanna and Sherry Isaac, Katin & Katelin Coakley, Davon Coakley. Petrie Francis and Philippa Francis of Florida; and a host of Other family and friends: Mrs Sylvia Wallace-White & Family, Nelson Wallace & Family, Dorothy Munnings, Paula Riley, Wescola Whylly, Samantha Mackey, Crystal Strachen, Dominique, Carmetta Ingraham, Alexandria Rolle, Juliet Wilson, The entire McCullough Corner East Families, Sandy Lane Families, The Saxons Superstars, Mason’s addition Families, Mrs Forbes & Family, The Symonette Family & crew, Mrs Francina & Family, The Russell Family, The Nairn Family, The Porter & Tucker family, The Ellis family. The South Beach Community Clinic, Mr Jomo Campbell MP Centreville, The St Ambrose Funeral Home. The close neighbors of Bowe ‘Bolo’ Alley namely, Mr Harold Gordon, Mr & Mrs Cecil Mackey & Family, Mr Anthony Mackey, Mr Basil McIntosh & Family, Mrs Yvette, Mrs Charlene Able & Family, Mrs Margaret, Mrs Paula Greenslade & Family, Mr & Mrs Nardo Griffin & Family, Mrs Ivis, Mrs Marjorie Armbrister & Family, Mr & Mrs Chrissy Price & Family, Mr & Mrs Christopher Pratt and Family and Mrs Betty, Mrs Shavonne, Mr Lavardo, Mr Anton, Mrs Nette, The Dumping Ground Corner Families, Finlayson Street Families and The entire Bain Town Community. Apologies for the absence of the many other names too numerous to mention Family and Friends can pay their last respects at St. Ambrose Funeral Hom, Arundel Street on Thursday, 28th October, 2021 - Friday, 29th October, 2021 from 10:00 a.m.. - 6:00 p.m.and on Saturday, 30th October, 2021 from 11:00 a.m until service time at Southern Cemetery, Spikenard and Cowpen Roads.
EVERY year, Kiwanis club members around the world gather on the fourth Saturday in October for “Kiwanis One Day”. This is a day that is set aside for clubs to work together to better their communities and invite friends and family to join them. On Saturday, October 23, 2021, the Kiwanis Clubs of the Bahamas Division 22 came together in large numbers as they celebrated “Kiwanis One Day” with a community clean-up at Bone Fish Park on Cowpen Road. This initiative was in conjunction with the Bahamas National Trust that have been keeping our natural resources flourishing for many years. There were over 200 Kiwanians and members of their Service Leadership Programmes (K-Kids, Builders Club and Key Club) present. They had the opportunity to plant trees, walk a nature trail and explore mangrove propagules. With the current COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, it was imperative for Division 22’s
Lieutenant Governor, Irene Rolle, to keep the Kiwanians and students safe. She, along with her team, organized a very successful four hour project that was filled with education, fun and service. “It is my duty to serve the children of the world while bettering my community. I am extremely proud and grateful for the support of my fellow Kiwanians, SLP members, SLP advisors, parents and sponsors who always show up for service in a big way!” said Irene Rolle, Lieutenant Governor of Division 22. “The energy and camaraderie surrounding this single day of worldwide hands-on service is heartwarming for our members as they make an instant, measurable impression on our local community.” One of their SLP students, Kayden said, “Today was a great day for everyone to come together. I enjoyed learning about the mangroves and what I can do to keep our natural resources healthy. I really enjoyed the mangroves and
the information Ms. Rolle gave us.” Evisha from the Aquinas Key Club said that she and the other members of the Aquinas Key Club had a very informative mangrove chat with Division 22’s Assistant Secretary, Dominique Rolle. “It’s always great to hear from SLP students because they are the heart of what Kiwanis is all about. As The Kiwanis Clubs of the Bahamas continue to do great work within their communities, it is their mission to do so with unity, fun, laughter and most of all ‘Passion for Service’.” Kiwanis One Day was designated by Kiwanis International to unite youth and adult members from different parts of the Kiwanis family in service together. To keep up with the latest updates and events of the Kiwanis Clubs of the Bahamas they should follow their Facebook page “Kiwanis Clubs of the Bahamas”, and “ask them how to join so that you can be the next Kiwanian making a difference!”
Thank You Family is more than blood relatives. A special THANK YOU to
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THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 29, 2021, PAGE 5
Sweeting’s Cay residents ‘are still sleeping in tents’ By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MYLES Laroda, State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, was concerned that some Sweeting’s Cay residents were sleeping in tents, two years following Hurricane Dorian. He also expressed strong concerns regarding the children who are still without a school on Sweeting’s Cay. Mr Laroda and a delegation took a ferry to the small cay from Grand Bahama yesterday morning to see first-hand the progress and assess all government facilities there. Mr Laroda also visited the homes built by Rotary. While there have been some improvements, he said a lot of work is still needed to return the island to some normalcy. He said people are still living in tents, and all the homes are not fully completed. “The clinic, I am hearing, is ready, but there is no electricity there. The school is down, and the government dock needs to be expanded. “Overall, I’ve seen worse, but the island is clean, and the debris is moved – normalcy has not returned two years later,” he said. “I spoke personally to residents there to ask them their position and life since Dorian. I witnessed
MINISTER of State Myles Laroda visits McLean’s Town School following his tour at Sweeting’s Cay. first-hand the devastation to a normal life and having provided some assistance, to government buildings homes with electrical and that the contributions and private homes. I wit- power. were capped at $10,000. nessed that there are still He said that the 17 homes “I visited one where the tents people are still staying that were built by Rotary outside is completed, but in,” Mr Laroda said. are in different stages of there is lots of finished work The residents and gov- completion. He was also to do inside. I am hearing ernment employees, he informed that the Disaster around 70 to 80 percent, said, are eager to get back Relief Authority (DRA) but I have not entered into
a home that was completely done,” he said. “I am here to visit and see first-hand whatever assistance this present government I am fortunate to be a part of could play in returning normalcy to the lives of individuals at
Sweeting’s Cay.” When asked about the complaint of a rat infestation, Mr Laroda said, “It was not mentioned to me, but now that you raised it, I can have a word with the Minister of the Environment and see how quickly that could be resolved.” The Sweeting’s Cay All Age School sustained severe roof and interior damage due to the storm. “I am most concerned about the kids in the school who will have to be transported and placed elsewhere,” he said following this tour. “I don’t know yet what the plans are, and I heard different positions and would reserve judgment until I know officially what is going to be done for those children from Sweeting’s Cay. He was not supportive of the students being ferried to mainland Grand Bahama. “I had a conversation about the possibility of kids...having to catch a ferry and then a catch a bus to go to school and the difficulty that put on them with this adversity. No decision is made yet, but I hope that we will take into consideration the quality of life our young kids would have to make two trips a day by ferry and by bus to get to and from schools, and how this may affect their learning.”
ON THE HOOK FOR OFFICER ATTACKS from page one
“One example of this is litigation involving brutality by uniformed officers. This is a grouping where we see material liability for the government in legal judgements and awards. Cabinet, recognising this issue, has appointed a joint committee of ministers to review the issue and in instances engage with the staff associations of these branches of law enforcement to reach a mutual solution and recommendation on the issue. We will do this with other indemnified groupings where we see judgments and awards against the government. “At this point, we cannot
quantify a liability amount attributable to cases under the former administration, only to say the liability is significant.” Mr Rahming said the cabinet sub-committee will include Attorney General Ryan Pinder, Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe and Minister of Immigration Keith Bell. Mr Munroe has spoken about needing to reduce the state’s exposure to liability from court judgements involving law enforcement officers. Just last week the Supreme Court awarded $82,856 in damages and costs to Pedro Morley after an officer punched him in his mouth in 2019, damaging eight of his teeth. Earlier this year the Supreme Court awarded
another man, Latario Rolle, more than $163,000 in damages after an officer punched out his teeth when he questioned him about his arrest in 2015. A number of judgements have been made against the government because of matters involving immigration officers as well. In August, the Court of Appeal said Kenyan national Douglas Ngumi must receive $750,000. Mr Ngumi was unlawfully detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre for nearly seven years. He received damages for false imprisonment, assault and battery; aggravated damages; exemplary damages; constitutional damages and special damages.
‘I SMOKED MARIJUANA TO COPE WITH COVID LOSSES’ By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 25-YEAR-OLD man who claimed he smoked marijuana to cope with the number of relatives he lost to COVID19 was yesterday placed on six months’ probation. Police arrested Shaquille Douglas after they found three grams of Indian hemp in his car on October 25. The prosecution said officers, acting on
information, stopped Douglas near a service station and informed him that he would be searched. While carrying out their investigation, officers found one foil wrap, a clear baggy and a homemade cigarette in the passenger door of the vehicle. The court was told that all of the items contained a quantity of marijuana. Douglas was subsequently cautioned and arrested. He admitted the offence in an interview with police.
When he appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday, Douglas pleaded guilty to one count of simple possession. He also told the magistrate he started smoking after he “had a lot of death losses due to the pandemic.” He was subsequently given probation for six months. If he fails to stay out of trouble during that time, he could risk being fined $400 or spending three months in custody.
Death Notice For
Karen Eleanor St. Cyr, 63
of Eastwood died at her residence on Monday, October 25th, 2021 She is survived by her husband: Leon St Cyr; children: Rinaldo St Cyr, Dario St Cyr, Leonette Neely, Kayliesha Thompson, Royann Kemp, Keva Brown; sons and daughter-in-law: Renauld Neely, Miguel Thompson, Evelyn St. Cyr; 9 grandchildren and other relatives and friends. Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.
Funeral Service For Godfrey Collie, 68
of #41B Quitine Alley will be held on Wednesday, November 3rd, 2021 at 11:00am at Zion Baptist Church, East and Shirley Street. Officiating will be Rev. T. G. Morrison assisted by Rev. Ulric Smith II, Rev. Anthony Sampson and other Associate Ministers/Deacons/ Evangelists. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive and Gladstone. Godfrey was predeceased by his mother: Lean P. Brice; father: Henry Collie; brothers: Hurie Balfour Bodye and Eric Collie.
Left to cherish his memories are his CHILDREN (SPOUSES): Tania, Quincy, Desmond Collie, Terrell (Gary) Cooper, Sirena Hepburn, and Shawn (Kimnovia) Moxey; GRANDCHILDREN: Tarique Williamson, Charlize Hart, Jasmine Collie, Desmond Collie Jr. (DJ), Shaunice, Shaniqua, Shawnovia, Tyshawn, and Shawnkarter Moxey; SIBLINGS & IN-LAWS: Minister Althea Rolle, Bishop Rudolph (Veronica) Bowe, Rose Richardson, Averlee, Bishop Gregory A. (Minister Stephanie) Collie, Counsel & Attorney-at-Law, Minister, Gwendolyn Brice (Minister Donald “Andy”) Adderley, Kevin “Senator” (Katherine), Sharon, Coralyn “Coco”, Donna, Terrance “Gummie” (Lisa) and Ruby Collie; UNCLE: Gladstone Gay; NIECES AND NEPHEWS: Donnie Mae Munroe, Carlietha Fox, Vanessa Laroda, Patricia Ann Cleare, Marlene Johnson, Kirk, Ramon, & Wayne Rolle, Hurie Bodye Jr., Demetri & Delmar, Bowe, Deon Dunbar, Danae Wallace, Dekira Rutherford, Kendall Richardson, Shantell, Tiffany, Gregory II, Jaime, Ryan, Pheron, Eric Jr., Erica, Erin Chantel), Equiana, Kevin John Ross, Kevin Renaldo, Keva Vanessa, Kevin Wayne II., Regine, and Rashawn Collie, Andreo Brice; AND NUMEROUS GRAND NIECES & NEPHEWS including: Thomas “Lum” Forbes Jr., Salem & Zara Collie, Rashad & Piaget Cleare, Aysia Cartwright, Dwaynele & Davard Fox, Tamara Francis, Micha Richardson, Althemese, Charlese, Sherwinique, Chamesia, Petra, Danielle Munroe and Frederick “Freddie” Sawyer Jr.; A HOST OF OTHER RELATIVES AND FRIENDS including: The families of the late Henry Collie including Leanna Collie & Family, the descendants of the late Enid Brice Ferguson, including Edison Brice, the descendants of the late Nathalee Brice Clarke, the descendants of the late Louise Brice Gay, including Bishop Anthony “Buff” Roker & Family & Delone Bowe, the descendants of the late Vendlyn Brice Armbrister, and the descendants of the late Rev., Dr., R. E. Cooper, including, Rev., Dr., Ruben E, Cooper Jr., Rev. Dr., Ruby Ann Darling & Attorney Nathaniel Cooper; The Rolle, Bowe, & Smith Families including Justice Renae McKay & Cyril Taylor; Thelma Balfour & family, Tyrone Miller, Frederick Sawyer Sr., Vandyke Ramsey and the entire staff of Photo Magic; the backyard crew of Quintine Alley, under the big tree, including Trevor Farrington, Charles “Pompei Bay” Henfield, Kevin “Piggy” Miller, Martin and Brad Albury; the Roots Junkanoo Group, including, Kevin “Dribbs” Rahming, Wendell “Cubby” Collie, Leslie “Les” Johnson, Gary Rolle, Wendell “Gutts” Francis, Quintin “Barabbas” Woodside, Chanda, & Zhivago Hanna and to the entire Junkanoo community and many others too numerous to name. Viewing will be held in the “Serenity Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Road on Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
PAGE 6, Friday, October 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
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It’s not about costs, it’s about rights THE lead story in today’s Tribune shows the government is halfway towards thinking about a solution to a problem that has long vexed the nation. This isn’t a problem that’s unique to The Bahamas – in fact it is one that has led to protests around the world over incidents in other nations, especially right next door to us in the United States. It is a problem that can be summed up by two simple questions – what happens when a uniformed officer oversteps the mark, and how does the system respond when they do? A Cabinet sub-committee is being formed to look at how the government can stop racking up costs from court cases from brutality from uniformed officers. Presently, the government is paying out millions in damages and costs – and that means all of us footing the bill as taxpayers. Just last week, a man was awarded more than $80,000 in damages and costs after an officer punched him in the mouth in 2019, damaging eight of his teeth, while earlier this year another man was awarded more than $163,000 in damages after an officer punched out his teeth in 2015. We don’t have to look far in our records for cases of brutality – and we have lost count of the number of court cases where a defendant claims to the judge that they were beaten by officers. Latrae Rahming, communications director in the Office of the Prime Minister, said yesterday that the “Office of the Attorney General has undertaken an exercise to identify categories where we are seeing material, and in instances, recurring damages against the government and to propose a way forward and a strategy aimed at minimizing these instances. One example of this is litigation involving brutality by uniformed officers.” Now, you can see the problem here, right? This is an upside-down way of looking at the problem. Brutality is ending up costing the taxpayer too much – how do we stop it from costing so much? You see the flaw there? What we need to do is stop the brutality. Why did an officer feel it was appropriate to punch someone’s teeth out? Or how about the incident in 2019 when attorney Christina Galanos reported that a client had been beaten by seven police officers, leaving him having to limp to an ambulance from the police station?
Or how about the three people who say they were tortured by police in Eleuthera in 2018, handcuffed, beaten and fishbagged before being released without charge? They brought their complaint to police in a timely fashion only to be told they were out of time for the matter to be heard by a police tribunal. That matter is now before the courts. These aren’t isolated incidents – we have all seen video of beatings over the years. The problem isn’t the costs, it’s that officers feel empowered to do it in the first place. That’s before we even get to immigration matters, such as Douglas Ngumi, who was locked up illegally for nearly seven years and only walked away with $750,000 in damages. How much is seven years of your life worth? If you want to cut costs, stop the problem from happening in the first place. Make uniformed officers keenly aware that if they break the law they will not be protected. Break up the culture that sees groups of officers act in such a way knowing they won’t face repercussions. Make sure that the good officers have the back-up and support if they report wrongdoing, including readily available video footage of all interactions with suspects in jail cells and making bodycam footage of officers involved in incidents publicly available. Let there be no place to hide for bad officers, and no expectation they will be allowed to continue in the job if they beat, torture or brutalise citizens. And the good officers who don’t do that? Hold them up as the example. Promote them, support them, encourage them. Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe has talked this week about the need to get rid of bad apples – and he’s right. So where’s the Cabinet sub-committee on human rights? On eliminating criminal behaviour among uniformed officers? On reforming the immigration department to root out the officers named in complaints of beatings at the Detention Centre or who illegally locked people up for years without charge? The focus must not be on how much this behaviour is costing the public purse. The focus must be on preserving people’s rights in the first place, and stopping the brutality before it even begins. When that is the conversation, we’ll know the government is serious in tackling the real issue.
Rising Sea EDITOR, The Tribune. Thanks for publishing the following poem THE RISING SEA listen to the singing of the wetland birds; listen to the music of the rising sea. Salt-water mangrovesbirds squawking, nesting, and singing. A tiny piece of naturea desert-dry wetland bound to the east by a dusty, white quarry road and to the west by the Sound. This wetland was our friend. And it was like it belonged to usand it does..... A small, white, blinding lake took centre stage every year on time and it was there that bent-back men, women,
and after-school children raked salt into buckets to last until the next harvest; just like our ancestors did But now the Sound has overflowed its banks, and flooded the wetland, creeping invisibly slow up the seawall, that was built to protect the now asphalt-clad road and us from nor’westers, and ever increasing stronger hurricanes. Bonefish now school and feed in the wetland where we walked, and played, and the little glistening lake with its sparkling diamonds has not been seen in decades. The birds are still around, but one day, they too will be gone having flown to higher
habitats or having drowned due to climate change. Listen to the silence of the wetland birds; listen to the music of the rising sea. Nature’s eternal alarm clock ticks non-stop blaring alarms and signaling to her multitudinous tenants to pay up; to put her house in order – no more the burning of of fossil fuels, etc –- and to love, protect, and respect her. We are the children of this Earth. Let’s keep the children coming. Listen to the music of the rising sea. JEROME CARTWRIGHT Nassau, October 27, 2021.
Landed in The Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune. PLEASE, a little space, in your powerful media, in a concise way. The Bahamas, has a day in honour of Christopher Columbus – October 12th, who landed in The Bahamas during that time. Christopher Columbus, was born in Italy, the former Roman Empire, ruled by the Caesars, whom they accepted as their gods. Jesus was put on the cross, also St Peter. St Paul was beheaded and a christian. Christians were persecuted for 300 years, by the Roman Empire. The son of a christian mother and a non-christian father, saw a cross in the sky, and led by him, the christians defeated the powerful Roman Empire, and Rome became a christian nation, over 1700 years ago. This is the christian
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net nation that Columbus came from. His support came from the Spanish Queen. He sailed and landed in The Bahamas, hence, the first christian prayer was said. Columbus’ trip was not in vain, it became a New World, with millions and millions of christians saying prayers and replacing the false gods. Two important statues, were given to the New World – the Statue of Liberty in the United States of America, given by the people of France and a Columbus statue, given by the black people of Portugal. In the world present or past, there always will be good and bad. Jesus the Son of God will separate.
During World War II, from the New World they went to Europe to help. Many, many ships were lost. With Columbus it was only one, a president, from his wheel chair, waiting for the outcome and for freedom of the world, soldiers, had to die. The inventions from the New World, Columbus, did not enjoy. A man landed on the moon, telephones, cars, trains, medical technology, cruising from Miami to Nassau, or a jet plane, taking him to the Spanish Queen. From outer space, it is said that The Bahamas is a beautiful place, and in 1492 Christopher Columbus landed in This Place. Thanking you, Editor, for your valuable space. PATRICK BETHELL, Nassau, October 28, 2021.
Stop mining toxic coal EDITOR, The Tribune. IT’S DISHEARTENING that President Mnanagagwa has allowed Chinese citizens to mine coal in Hwange Zimbabwe. About more than 90 elephants due to chemical poisoning and 200 Zebras killed by the Chinese people.
Chinese citizens are destroying a natural resort which also boosts the Zimbabwean economy. Air pollution is harming people and noise pollution is affecting people who live in Hwange. We thought that the present ZANU PF government came to change the country and have a vision to see that
Chinese people are there to loot, not to change Zimbabwe. The world should make President Mnangagwa and his government resign because he has failed the country. TAPIWA MUSKWE London, United Kingdom October 27, 2021.
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THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 29, 2021, PAGE 7
Child abudctor admits threat to kill woman By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN who is on probation for abducting four boys was yesterday placed on probation for yet another offence after she admitted threatening to kill another woman while they were both in police custody
earlier this year. In July, a Supreme Court judge sentenced De’Edra Gibson to three years probation for abducting four boys and attempting to kidnap a fifth boy back in 2019. She received the sentence as part of a plea deal when she pleaded guilty to four counts of child stealing and
a single count of attempted child stealing during her trial before Senior Justice Bernard Turner. Yesterday, Gibson found herself back in Magistrate’s Court, this time for making death threats towards another woman while both of them were in custody on April 3. She owned up to the
offence during her arraignment before Magistrate Samuel McKinney. The court was told that both Gibson and the complainant were at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services at the time of the incident. The prosecution said that around 12.50pm on the day in question, the woman had
an argument with Gibson and Gibson threatened to kill her during the disagreement, which made her fear for her life. Yesterday, Gibson’s attorney told the magistrate the incident stemmed from a “number of other matters”. He also asked the court to note that his client “did not have the requisite
intent at that particular time”. After listening to his plea in mitigation, Magistrate McKinney accepted Gibson’s guilty plea and placed her on 18 months’ probation. He told her if she was convicted of another offence within that time, she would be remanded for six months.
MAN AND TEEN 37 HAITIANS HELD ARRESTED IN VIRAL VIDEO CASE By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN and a teenager were yesterday charged with assaulting members of the police force in connection with an incident that was partly captured on a viral video showing what appears to be a plainclothes officer choking a woman outside a nightspot. Charlton Deal, 24, and Treasure Terrelli, 19, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans after they were accused of assaulting officers on Delancy Street on October 23. A five-second clip capturing a part of the incident shows a male police officer holding by her throat a woman whose back is pressed against a car, before demanding that someone bring him the phone of the person recording the encounter. The video made the rounds on social media this
week and Police Commissioner Paul Rolle confirmed that a complaint was formally made on Tuesday. Yesterday, prosecutors alleged that Deal, who appeared in court with an arm sling, assaulted and caused harm to Police Constable 3726 Rolle and PC 3856 Dorceval on the day in question. They further alleged that Deal resisted the arrest of PC 4032 Rolle and caused damage to PC 3726 Rolle’s G-shock watch, as well as PC 3856 Dorceval’s multicoloured shirt. Meanwhile, Terrelli was charged with assaulting PC 4032 Rolle and obstructing PC 3726 Rolle, PC 3855 Dorcevall, PC 4032 Rolle and PC 4413 Williams from carrying out their duties. Yesterday, the pair denied all of the allegations that were brought against them and their case was adjourned to February 2022 for trial. They are represented by attorneys Maria Daxon,
Ian Cargill and Benjamin McKinney. During the arraignment, Mrs Daxon asked the magistrate to note that her clients were allegedly “beaten, dragged on the ground, punched, slapped, choked and stamped (on).” She also said Terrelli, who appeared in court with a knee band, was still experiencing leg and jaw pain after she was assaulted and “slapped so hard”. The prosecution also asked the magistrate to note that the police officers were allegedly assaulted during the incident. He also said the Crown would be requesting the “whole video” of the ordeal and not a short clip. After pleading not guilty, Deal was granted $5,000 bail, while Terrelli was released on $1,500 bail. Both accused are required to sign into their nearest police station monthly, leading up to their trial.
MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER OF TEN-YEAR-OLD BOY By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 23-YEAR-OLD MAN was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with murder and attempted murder in connection with the fatal shooting of a tenyear-old boy earlier this year. Leon Evans appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with the death of Kenron Dean on March 11. Yesterday, he was also
accused of trying to kill Dean’s twin brother, his uncle, Marvin Ferguson, and another eight-year-old relative. According to initial police reports, shortly after 9pm that day, officers were called to the scene of a shooting at Finlayson Street and Bola Avenue in Bain Town, where four people — an adult male and three children whose ages range from seven to ten years old — were injured. Emergency Medical Services were
summoned and following their examination one of the juveniles, a ten-yearold boy was pronounced dead. Due to the nature of the offences, he was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to January 27, 2022 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. In the meantime, Evans was denied bail and remanded into custody. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
MAN SAYS HE FOUND COCAINE ON THE BEACH By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN who was caught with cocaine told police officers that he found the drugs on a Family Island beach, a court was told. Gregory McPhee was charged with dangerous drug possession with intent to supply after it was claimed that he was caught driving in Acklins with a package of cocaine on September 14. He pleaded not guilty when he first appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney and his case was adjourned for trial. When PC 3822 Jarad
Butterfield gave evidence yesterday, he said that around 10.35am on the day in question, he and his partner went to True Blue settlement in south Crooked Island. He said while they were in that area, they saw a grey Nissan Note travelling north. PC Butterfield said the driver appeared to look in the direction of their marked police car before acting suspiciously. As a result, they used fog horns and sirens to beckon for the car to stop. He said when the car complied, they noticed three male occupants inside who they ordered to get out of the vehicle. Once they did
so, all of the men were informed that they would be searched, the court was told. “During the search of Gregory McPhee, I found a blue bag inside his pants in his waist area,” PC Butterfield said. “Upon examining it, I discovered a square clear wrapped package with suspected cocaine. McPhee was then cautioned and arrested.” The officer said when McPhee was interviewed in police custody, he claimed he found the drugs on the beach in Acklins. The other two suspects denied having care, custody or control of the drugs. The case continues.
Death Notice For
Pamela Gloria Kerr, 86 a resident of Moonstar Lane, Sunshine Park, died at her residence on Tuesday, October 12, 2021. She is survived by 1 daughter: Donna Wilson; 1 adopted daughter: Zhane Braynen; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
THIRTY-SEVEN Haitian migrants were taken to Nassau after they were apprehended during a joint operation by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Police Force late Wednesday night. After receiving information of a possible human smuggling operation in the western part of the capital, HMBS Madeira under the command of Sub Lieutenant Timothy Thompson was dispatched to investigate. After arriving in the area of Goulding Cay shortly after 8pm, they discovered a 35ft white pleasure craft named “Blue Water”, pictured. While fleeing the scene, the vessel also attempted to ram the RBDF craft but was subsequently subdued. Onboard the vessel were suspected migrants (21 males, 11 females and five children), who were subsequently apprehended and taken onboard the RBDF ship. An ongoing search is also being conducted for another individual who reportedly jumped overboard. The migrants arrived in the capital early yesterday morning
along with the suspected vessel, which was brought in by a RBDF safeboat. All the occupants were handed over to immigration officials for further processing. This arrest follows the apprehension of three individuals suspected to be involved in a possible human smuggling operation earlier Wednesday afternoon. Members of the RBDF attached to the Bimini detachment, assisted by local fishermen, apprehended the suspected men and vessel in the Bimini area, after they were alerted by members of the United States Coast Guard. These individuals were turned over to the relevant authorities for further investigation. Yesterday, RBDF Commodore Raymond King spoke about the human smuggling trends officials have seen lately.
“We haven’t been able to honestly pinpoint the involvement of Bahamians, particularly when it comes to Haitian nationals. That’s something we’re still working on. “In the northern Bahamas. . .a number of Bahamians they’ve been arrested for trying to smuggle mixed nationalities from New Providence to Bimini in Grand Bahama and across the United States of America. We would’ve had an incident yesterday where a smuggling activity occurred and we were able to track that vessel in Bimini and bring them to justice — hand them over to the relevant authorities. “Just last night (Wednesday) we interrupted a potential migrant activity whereby persons were situated at Jaws Beach and so the vessels would’ve left out of New Providence harbour on one of our channels and to pick up these persons from Jaws Beach and with assistance of the Royal Bahamas Police Force we were able to intercept that migrant activity.” He said the vessel intercepted at Jaws Beach was likely headed to the United States.
PAGE 8, Friday, October 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
A political view inspired by the next generation
PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis.
THIS week, thanks to our “new normal” and online learning, I was tasked with explaining to my ten-yearold how fun “limericks” can be. After a (very long) lesson, I finally got him rhyming. Surprisingly, the kid’s a good learner. He’s almost a pro at condensing complex thoughts into little bites. What I didn’t expect was a challenge from him to do the same with my own thoughts. (He knows I need many uninterrupted hours to write this column every week). But, hey, I’m “super dad.” Dare accepted! So, inspired by a challenge from my kid, here’s this week’s political review after a session in the House of Assembly, limericky: Brave says Doc dem had lied And one billion dollars did hide But come to find out, That big number, no doubt, Was designed just to shame Doc dem side He did not produce the receipts, To confirm these alleged deceits, So now we all wait, Til an unforeseen date, While rumours run wild in the streets But the biggest problem I see, (And this is according to me) Brave’s plan to cause rage, Was said on the world stage, So did he speak recklessly? There’s also the question of VAT, Brave promises to (someday) trim that, As for bread and corned beef,
A Comic’s View
By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA
You’ll get no more relief, Cause those prices are going up stat! Still, one good thing he did do, (And most will agree this is true) There’s a Christmas increase, For those who have least, Now what says he about Junkanoo? Chester made statements, though brief But with money he’s surely a chief, If the Chinese must come, He will not act dumb, And to some that’s a big relief. Then Darville stood up in the House,
And meekly, just like a church mouse, Mumbled : ‘New laws and trackers, I ga drop on you slackers, Cause y’all making me look like a louse!’ Vaccines are the key, he decreed Though before he had seen no need, To counter the lies, That called vaxxers ‘bad guys,’ But now it’s a ‘new day’ indeed. See, he’d run out of people to blame, After Wells, then Doc, and Duane, So it is the dead, He condemns now
instead, Though they’re gone from this earth all the same Madam Glenys then took to the floor, And, to be honest, she’s one I adore Her charge is education, So there’s no doubt this nation, Will produce many youngsters who’ll soar. Outside of the parliament game, PLP’s are lamenting one name: ‘Don’t put Shane on a board!’ Cried out the hoard, ‘That we cannot defend,’ they exclaim! Until next week, remember; Most people haven’t a clue, If this ‘billion dollar’ tale is true, But if you happen to find it, Brave will not mind it, Cause he’s got some explaining to do.
FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.
STAR LINE-UP FOR YOUTH AWARDS THE National Youth Awards 2021 will be held tonight - with a host of star guests. The event, held under the theme “Resilient Youth: Innovative, Creative and Transformative”, will be at 8.30pm, and will feature on ILTV, ZNS, OurTV and the Division of Youth Facebook page. The event will be hosted by comedian Chigozie Ijeoma with appearances and performances by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Dynamite Daisy, Bishop Lawrence Rolle, Rodney Moncur, Dyson & Wendi Knight, Rev Diana Francis, double Elevation Award winner Shine Bahamas, Terrel Tinker, the Higher Level Band and more. The NYA Nominee Special took place last night, hosted by the Head of the Division of Youth, Sandena Neely and 2020 Youth Award Winner, Brunay Clarke. The ministry partnered with marketing and public relations firm Fincastle Media Group, BahFari Films and The Audio Doctors to produce the virtual experience. The ceremony is promised to be an exciting experience of lights, visuals and behind the scene exclusives with participants. “It is an honor to partner with Fincastle Media Group, their professionalism, industry knowledge and wealth of talent makes for an amazing collaboration. “The work ethic, dedication to their craft and overall commitment to excellence are qualities that we look for when establishing long term connections as we work towards the common goal of highlighting, celebrating and empowering our youth through initiatives like the National Youth Awards” said Mrs Neely. She also commended Fincastle Media Group for their efforts in producing a stellar show that viewers can be proud of. The National Youth awards recognises extraordinary talent, commitment and service, demonstrated by a group of outstanding Bahamian Youth between the ages of 16-29 in categories including everything from education, sports, leadership, arts & culture and more.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 29, 2021, PAGE 9
From here to Glasgow I
T is 4,581 miles from Lynden Pindling International Airport to Glasgow International Airport in Scotland, a country known for its castles, golf, bagpipes and its own mischievous Chickcharney, the Loch Ness Monster. But when leaders from countries around the world, including Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis, gather there starting two days from now, none of those traditional Scottish rites and rituals will be on
their mind. They’ve got a different kind of right on the agenda, righting the wrongs of the industrialized countries who abused the planet and tried to fool Mother Nature for hundreds of years and are now
facing their Waterloo – climate change. For nearly two weeks from October 31 to November 12, at the climate change conference called COP26, country heads will consider, negotiate, plead
Remembering Mario, now eight children without a mother or father
for help and eventually settle on some compromise that will involve dilution of fossil fuels as a driver of any economy and increase benefits encouraging renewables. On the table for the first time with a serious scientific presentation will be the concept of carbon credits, in simplest terms, a means of tracking, accounting for and exchanging good air for bad. When it comes to blue carbon and creating carbon credits, The Bahamas has the potential to lead the world. There is, perhaps, nothing we have ever achieved before that has such wide potential to benefit the Bahamian people while improving the planet. Unlike other less prideful epochs in Bahamian history –- piracy, smuggling, rum-running and drug-running – that led to wild temporary wealth, the harvesting of carbon for the sake of quality of life makes the biogeography of The Bahamas a star on the stage of the world’s most significant challenge. You cannot turn back the clock on climate change. Storms are getting more intense. Words like never before heard bomb cyclone are becoming part of our weekly lingo. The Weather Channel, a gamble when it started, is one of the most
watched channels on TV, and few of us plan anything without checking at least one site for the day’s or the weekend’s weather. It is little wonder that so many eyes are on Scotland and so much rests on COP26 in Glasgow as the UK hosts what may be the most life-
“When it comes to blue carbon and creating carbon credits, The Bahamas has the potential to lead the world. There is, perhaps, nothing we have ever achieved before that has such wide potential to benefit the Bahamian people while improving the planet.” fixing conference in this century to date. Much of what comes out of COP26 will depend on the give and take of the US and China. No one is fool enough to think it will be easy but there have been several indications recently that China is bending, likely a result of the degradation of their own making, dense
region populations suffering from unhealthy levels of air and water pollution following decades of rapid intensification of manufacturing without concern for environmental impact. COP26 President Alok Sharma has said one of his goals for the meeting is to “consign coal to history,” though remember that not long ago then President Donald Trump wanted to reinvigorate an industry that caused death and disease among coal workers. As leader of the world, he put up a wall that he never had to pay for. Everyone else did – a wall against progress on climate change. He refused to acknowledge the critical Paris Agreement that, among other edicts, concluded the planet had to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius just to stave off the most dreadful impacts of a changing climate. Our future rests in part on decisions and commitments made in Glasgow. We cannot overstate the importance of the event and can only wish our own prime minister and the president of COP26 every success. May Sharma’s wish to consign coal to history go the way of the former president who wanted to bring it back.
AIRPORT AUTHORITY POSITION VACANT
Payroll Officer – Finance Department The Airport Authority wishes to advise that a vacancy currently exists in the Finance Department for the position of Payroll Officer. POSITION SUMMARY: This position is primarily responsible for preparing and processing all payroll transactions, calculating employee benefits and deductions, along with other related payroll functions. In addition, this position is expected to provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers, while functioning in accordance with established procedures, policies, and governing regulations.
A PICTURE of Mario pinned to trees at the side of East Bay Street.
E
very major street corner in Nassau has one – a vendor selling a story with an outstretched hand. On Shirley Street at Village Road, there are two on opposite sides of the road and a third around the corner. On Mackey at Shirley Street, it’s the rail thin woman holding a sign. On Mackey Street, it’s the man who exposed himself at the Shirley Street post office and has been in and out of facilities so many times he lost his prime real estate and had to move farther afield. Most of the characters who claim corners for their ‘livelihood’ are men and women who have fallen through the cracks or become victim to their own habits. But there was one who was very different. For years, before COVID-19 forced him off the street, Mario was the smiling face at the light at Montagu. He held a tin resembling a church painted with the words Ambassador Chorale. Mario was not a panhandler, the coins he raised day after day, week after week and year after year went to feed others. Ambassador Chorale has had its fans and its critics, but there is no doubt that the organization kept many from starvation long before the Bahamas Feeding Network came along and eased the burden for thousands. There is no doubt that Ambassador Chorale came to the rescue of some who
did not even have the energy to stand on a street corner. And a chorale they were. The voices of the leaders, directors and those who were rescued and became directors created a choir that performed at weddings and events. Mario’s voice was the lead in Ambassador Chorale. To hear him sing and see him raise his eyes to the sky gave you goosebumps. Maybe he wasn’t pitch perfect, but he had a way of compelling you to be grateful for everything you had. Mario was the unofficial goodwill ambassador for Ambassador Chorale. His full name was Mario McPhee. By day, he worked construction or painted houses. By mid- to late afternoon, he would be at Montagu with a smile and a wave for passerby. It sounds crazy but you could almost feel his spirit from your car. Everyone knew Mario. If you saw him in a store or in another public place, he would be surrounded by people asking about his wife and children. In August, Mario’s wife passed away. He was devastated, a heartbroken man with eight children to raise on his own. In late September, less than two months after he lost his wife, Mario suffered a massive heart attack and died. Now there are eight children without a mother or father and the corner at Montagu will always be without the gentle warmth and the kind smile of Mario.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Calculate employee salary hours • Prepare payroll reports noting all payouts and deductions • Address salary-related concerns and provide accurate payroll information • Identify, investigate, and resolve all timesheet and payroll discrepancies • Ensure that supporting documentation are accurately filed and accessible for audits • Preparing & submitting monthly C-10 NIB forms SKILLS /COMPETENCY EXPECTATIONS: • Good time management, planning and organizing skills • Ability to work productively with minimal supervision • Make sound, independent judgements within policy guidelines • Exercise tact and diplomacy when dealing with complex, confidential, and sensitive issues • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work • Computer literacy, including familiarity with common word processing, spreadsheet, database, and basic software (Microsoft Excel and Word) • Ability to multi-task efficiently • Adaptability and willingness to meet evolving department demands and skillset requirements • Maintain files and records so they remain updated and easily accessible REQUIREMENTS: • Associate degree in Accounting or related field from an accredited education institution • Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in Payroll and/or general accounting procedures • Knowledge of relevant accounting software eg: Sage,ISL Interested persons can visit the Human Resources Department to submit their resume and cover letter for application by Monday, November 1, 2021.
email: humanresources@airportsbahamas.com
PAGE 10, Friday, October 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
‘Only urgent action can avert disasters’ GN-2625
GN-2624
BERLIN Associated Press THE UN’s top human rights official and US President Joe Biden’s climate envoy called yesterday for countries to step up the fight against global warming, describing it as an issue of sheer survival for humankind. In a statement ahead of the UN climate summit in Glasgow, the global body’s High Commissioner for Human Rights said “only urgent, priority action can mitigate or avert disasters that will have huge — and in some cases lethal — impacts on all of us, especially our children and grandchildren”. Michelle Bachelet urged governments taking part in the October 31-November 13 climate meeting to make good on pledges of financial aid to help poor countries that are most at risk to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and cope with the impacts of global warming. “This is a human rights obligation and a matter of survival,” she said. “Without a healthy planet to live on, there will be no human rights — and if we continue on our current path — there may be no humans.” Her words were echoed by US climate envoy John Kerry, who warned of the dramatic impacts that exceeding the 2015 Paris accord’s goal on global warming will have on nature and people. “Devastating consequences follow if we exceed the 1.5 degrees (Celsius),” he said in a speech yesterday at the London School of Economics. “And we are now already just about at 1.2 C.” “No one is exaggerating when they call this an existential threat. Just ask the people in the Marshall Islands, Fiji or in the vulnerable nations of the world,” said Kerry. Still, the diplomat tried to strike an upbeat note ahead of the summit, which brings together tens of thousands of officials, scientists and climate activists. “I head to Glasgow as an optimist,” he said, noting that governments have put forward more ambitious climate plans than ever before. Kerry cited recent commitments by the Biden administration for the United States to aim for “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century, similar moves by other nations and business, and a growing awareness of the urgency of tackling
climate change. Citing a recent UN report highlighting the gap between countries’ pledges and what scientists say is needed to cap warming at 1.5 C by the end of the century, Kerry said particular responsibility lies with the top 20 economies of the world. Many of those countries will be gathering for a G-20 meeting in Rome this weekend, where climate is expected to be a major topic. Kerry noted that China, the world’s top polluter, is alone emitting about 80 percent of the greenhouse gas the entire world can afford to pump into the atmosphere if it wants to meet the Paris goal. Beijing has said it plans to peak emissions before 2030 and hit net zero by 2060 — a decade later than the United States and the European Union, which have historically contributed the most to global warming. Kerry said Glasgow “is not the end of the road” and countries must keep raising their targets over the coming years. A report released yesterday by climate think tanks says changes in sectors from power generation to industry and agriculture need to speed up. It looked at 40 indicators and “the bad news is right now that none of them are on track,” said report co-author Kelly Levin, the chief of Science, Data and Systems Change at the Bezos Earth Fund. “The bright spots are few and far between, to be honest,” Levin said. “And for the large majority of the indicators, even when we’re seeing change headed in the right direction, one would need to accelerate that pace of change, and by a factor, often times, of more than double.” Separately, the Red Cross federation said climate and weather-related disasters have caused more than 30 million people to flee their homes in 2020 — three times more than the number of people displaced by war. These included countries such as Iraq, Yemen and Mozambique, but also rich nations such as Germany, which this year saw devastating floods in the west. “While climate change affects everyone, it has a disproportionate impact on the world’s poorest people, those who are contributing the least to climate change,” Red Cross Secretary-General Jagan Chapagain said in the report.
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SPORTS PAGE 11
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021
NFL, page 13
Ayton ties career high 21 rebounds By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
B
uddy Hield’s Sacramento Kings got the better of Deandre Ayton’s Phoenix Suns in the first head-to-head matchup between the two this season. Both players had season high performances in the Kings’ 110107 win at Footprints Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday night. Hield scored 26 points in just 27 minutes. He shot 7-11 from three-point range and grabbed five rebounds with two blocked shots. Ayton had his first double double of the year with a season high 21 points and tied a career high with 21 rebounds. He also shot an efficient 9-12 from the field. He joined Charles Barkley and Amare Stoudemire as the only Suns players with multiple 20-20 games in the last 30 years. Kings forward Harrison Barnes made the game-winning three pointer just before time expired to lift the Kings to 2-2. The defending Western Conference champion Suns continued a slow start to the season at 1-3. The Kings had a 13-point lead with 5:42 left in the fourth quarter before the Suns rallied to tie it late with 34.7 seconds left to play. “Its good that we got the win but we can’t put ourselves in those positions. We got to get stops, even if we put the ball in the hole we have to get stops we can’t let a team get in rhythm. We can’t relax and let them do what they want to do we have to keep the pressure on,” Hield said. “Yeah, the referees can keep a trigger happy whistle but we can’t let that affect our aggression on defence, give them easy points and put them in a bad situation.” Hield said although he had several opportunities to make plays off the dribble, he has placed a greater emphasis on staying within his role. “I’ve been banged up this whole time in training camp and stuff like that. I’m just trying to get my confidence back in my legs you know, but that’s not what my team wants me to do,” Hield said. “Me dribbling the ball is not going to help us to be honest with you, but me just passing, chasing making great plays, great decisions helps my team. Being a shooter
PHOENIX Suns centre Deandre Ayton (22) shoots over Sacramento Kings centre Richaun Holmes during the second half in Phoenix. Sacramento won 110-107. RIGHT - Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton drives on Deandre Ayton (22) during the first half on Wednesday night. (AP Photos/Rick Scuteri)
‘Buddy’ Hield scores 26 points in 27 minutes you just got to pass and chase, try to make the right play for the team.” The Suns have struggled to generate consistent offensive opportunities for Ayton through the first few games of the season. Ayton has attempted 31 first-half shots and seven second-half shots for the season. His average field goal attempts per quarter include five in the first, 2.8 in the second, 1.3 in the third and 0.5 in the fourth. Ayton had 16 points at the half Wednesday night against Phoenix. “It’s a conundrum, for sure,” Suns head coach Monty Williams said about the team not generating shots for its fourth-year centre. “In the first quarter he was setting screens and diving, and like I said, we just haven’t been consistent.” Ayton and Hield are expected to face each other three more times as Pacific Division rivals in the Western Conference. The Kings will
KINGS guard Buddy Hield shoots over Suns guard Landry Shamet. host the second matchup, November 8, as the venue shifts to the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Sacramento will also
host game three on Sunday, March 20 and the Suns host the final regular-season meeting between the teams on April 10.
I-ELITE BAHAMAS WHITEWASH ARUBA 10-0 IN FIVE INNINGS By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE I-Elite Bahamas 18-and-under team, with some help from the United States, Venezuela and Mexico, wasted no time in getting their feet wet at the fifth annual World Comes to the Palm Beaches International Baseball Tournament. I-Elite, coached by Albert Cartwright and Geron Sands, whitewashed Aruba 10-0 in five innings as the tournament got underway yesterday at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, which is considered the best baseball facility on planet earth. There are three other divisions in the tournament - 12-and-under, 15-andunder and open - but the Bahamas is only being represented by I-Elite Bahamas in the 18-andunder division. Martin ‘Pork’ Burrows, one of the top international certified umpires in the country, is officiating at the tournament that will run through Sunday, October 31. In their opener. I-Elite Bahamas used American pitcher Tyler Taylor, who held his own behind the solid defence from the team, which turned a triple play as third baseman Sebastian Walcott scooped up a ground ball, touched the bag, made the double play to Cheriff Neymour at short, who flipped it over to Chad Delancy at first to complete the defensive play to end the game in the fifth inning. Also in the fifth inning, Toby Simmons ripped an in-the-park home run to add to his double in the game, while Neymour, Andru Arthur and Janero Miller (double) were all 1-for-3 to lead the offensive attack. In addition to the seven Bahamian players and American Taylor, three players from Venezuela and Mexico each make up I-Elite Bahamas in the international tournament,
SEE PAGE 13
Lanece Clarke inducted into Hall of Fame By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WHILE it was inevitable that she would follow in the footsteps of her mother, Bahamian sensation Maryann Higgs-Clarke, Lanece Clarke was quite content with inking her own legacy. The CR Walker star went on to McKendree University where she produced sufficient statistics as a member of the Bearcats women’s track and field team that she earned a spot in the 2020 Hall of Fame Class. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, a virtual ceremony was held last year where Clarke got to view the university’s “Virtual Homecoming” live event at home with her parents, including her father, Patrick Clarke. On Saturday, October 3, 2020, Clarke, a 2010 graduate of McKendree, was honoured along with Adam ‘AJ’ Johnson (’15 graduating bowler), Scott Roberts
(a ’09 graduate and ice hockey player) and Evelyn Bean (the Bearcats women’s volleyball and softball coach from 1997 to 2015). But on Saturday, October 23, Clarke was invited back to Lebanon, Illinois where she was joined by her mother and sister, Shant’e Clarke. Unfortunately, her father passed away in November, 2020 and so Clarke dedicated the award she received in his honour. “I was really elated when I found out I was being inducted,” said Clarke of the environment that took place on the eve of her father’s birthday and so she honoured him with the award. “It was bitter-sweet for me because last year we experienced it virtually and we were planning to go to the actual ceremony, but it wasn’t here. So it was very emotional.” On her return to Illinois, Clarke said she and her family were well received by the McKendree family as they celebrated together.
LANECE CLARKE, far right, her sister Shant’e and mother Maryann Higgs-Clarke with her Hall of Fame awards from McKendree University. It was even more special my scholarship requirebecause at the age of 33, ments, not knowing that she was one of the young- I would have gone on to est inductees, a female and compete for the Bahamas a person of colour. “It was at various international good being back on my competitions.” home grounds at my alma After graduating from mater where everything CR Walker in 2005, Clarke started,” Clarke reflected. enrolled at McKendree “It was the foundation for where she emerged as me because going to col- one of the top female lege, I was just thinking sprinters both indoors about getting my education. and outdoors for the “Track and field was Bearcats. She became a a way for me to meet 15-time National Athletic
Intercollegiate Association (NAIA) All-American, spreading the accolades over the final three years she spent at McKendree. In one of her highlight reels, Clarke captured the 2007 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships’ 100 metre title by nipping her opponent by just four one-hundredths of a second. From there, her career flourished at McKendree as Clarke went on to secure 11 of her All-American honours. During the 2008 and 2009 NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she posted six All-American awards to her résumé as a top three finisher in the finals of five of the races she competed in. During her tenure at McKendree, Clarke made her imprint on the Bearcats’ track team as she racked up three straight top three-finishes in the outdoor 100m and three consecutive thirdplace performances at the 60m indoors.
“Thinking back, I wished I could have done more, but while we had a track, but not one indoors we had a gym, but not for athletes training for high level performances,” she pointed out. “So I wished I could have done more and performed better. “But I’m pleased with what I did in the short time I was there and with what we had to work with. I’m pleased with the performances. My former coach, John Davis, was very pleased. He was like a father-figure. He took me and accepted me like one of his children.” Clarke, who went on to compete for the Bahamas at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2011 and 2013, the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the World Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2017, said the pinnacle event for her was making the team for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.
SEE PAGE 12
PAGE 12, Friday, October 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
MATCHDAY: Struggling champ Lille at leader PSG A LOOK at what’s happening in European soccer today: FRANCE Defending champion Lille hopes to get back in the race for European spots when it visits league leader Paris Saint-Germain. Stuck in the middle of the table, Lille can rediscover its form against a weakened PSG side that will miss the suspended Achraf Hakimi and Marco Verratti, the
injured Sergio Ramos and Leandro Paredes and an infected Kylian Mbappe. PSG playmaker Lionel Messi is also doubtful with a small muscle problem. GERMANY Hertha Berlin coach Pál Dárdai can lead his team to its third Bundesliga win in succession with a victory at Hoffenheim. Ante Covic, who took over after Dárdai’s first stint in charge, was the last Hertha coach to manage
LILLE’s Burak Yilmaz kicks the ball ahead of Lille during the group G Champions League soccer match between Lille and Sevilla at the Stade Pierre Mauroy - Villeneuve d’Ascq stadium in Lille, France, on Wednesday.
that feat in 2019, though it didn’t prevent him losing his job shortly afterward. Hertha went through three coaches after Covic before Dárdai returned last April for his second stint. However, Hoffenheim forward Andrej Kramaric has scored more goals against Hertha than any other Bundesliga team — eight in 10 games — and will hope to add to his one-goal tally so far in the Bundesliga this season.
(AP Photo/ Michel Spingler)
REAL SOCIEDAD REGAINS LEAD IN SPAIN, ATLÉTICO HELD AGAIN By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — While Real Sociedad keeps impressing, defending champion Atlético Madrid continues to disappoint in the Spanish league. Sociedad broke the fourway tie at the top of the league with a 2-0 win at Celta Vigo yesterday, while Atlético fell further behind after drawing 2-2 at secondto-last-place Levante. Alexander Isak and Aritz Elustondo scored secondhalf goals to put the Basque Country club back in sole possession of the lead after 11 matches. It is three points ahead of Real Madrid, Sevilla and Real Betis.
Madrid and Sevilla, which drew their matches on Wednesday, have a game in hand. Betis, coming off a win against Valencia, has the same 11 points as Sociedad. Madrid was held by Osasuna at home and Sevilla drew at Mallorca. “We are not thinking too much about being in the lead,” Sociedad coach Imanol Alguacil said. “We have to start thinking about our next match, regardless of our position in the standings,” Alguacil said. The win extended Sociedad’s unbeaten run to 10 straight league matches, with seven wins and three draws, including 2-2 at Atlético last Sunday.
Sociedad hasn’t lost in 13 consecutive matches in all competitions, with its only defeat coming in the league opener against Barcelona at the Camp Nou Stadium. Celta Vigo, which has lost five of its six matches at home this season, stayed in 14th place with 10 points from 11 matches. Isak opened the scoring for the visitors from close range in the 54th minute after video review intervened to reverse an offside call. Elustondo added to the lead after a corner in the 79th. Sociedad’s Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan made several key saves to keep Celta from getting on the board.
ATLÉTICO HELD AGAIN Atlético had a chance to join the group of teams tied for second with a win at Levante but it twice relinquished the lead in Valencia. It struggled in attack despite starting with Luis Suárez, Antoine Griezmann and João Félix up front. Griezmann and substitute Matheus Cunha put Atlético ahead but two penalty kicks converted by Enis Bardhi levelled the match for the hosts. The first penalty came after a foul by Suárez, while the second came after video review saw a handball by defender Renan Lodi after a cross into the area.
“It was a tough match for us,” said Cunha, who scored his first goal since joining Atlético this season. “We are not happy with the draw but we have to keep working.” Atlético was coming off a 2-2 draw at home against Sociedad. It dropped to sixth place with 19 points from 10 matches, five points off the lead with a game in hand. Levante, which had lost four of its last five matches, remained one of the two teams yet to win this season, along with Getafe. It has six points from six draws in 11 matches. Atlético coach Diego Simeone was sent off with two yellow cards for complaining to the referee.
Levante defender Rober Pier was sent off after the final whistle, also with a second yellow for complaining. GETAFE STILL WINLESS Last-place Getafe had its winless streak extended after it conceded an equaliser seven minutes into second-half stoppage time at Granada. Former Getafe striker Jorge Molina scored the late goal for the hosts with a header following a corner. Enes Unal had put Getafe ahead in the 36th. Granada forward Luis Suárez missed a penalty kick in the 78th. Granada, which has won only once this season, stayed just outside the relegation zone, five points ahead of Getafe.
Lanece Clarke inducted into Hall of Fame FROM PAGE 11 “Following in the footsteps of my mom, hearing everybody say she was Maryann Higgs and she did this and she did that, so I had some very big shoes to fill. “So I was very surprised with what I accomplished during my time running for the Bahamas, the World Championships wasn’t something that I thought I was going to do. Going to college wasn’t even on my list. But God gave me these talents and I just used them.” In 2010, she began training with coach George Cleare for the journey to the 2016 Olympics. It wasn’t something that she envisioned, but as she progressed year by year, she realised that the dream
was a reality. “I surprised myself. I didn’t believe that I would have made it that far and accomplished the things that I did, following in my mom’s footsteps,” she stated. “There was some pressure for me to compete, knowing that everybody knew her. So I tried to block that out and make a name for myself and not just be known as Maryann Higgs’ daughter. There were some people who told me that I would never be as good as her, so I used that negativity and put it into positive stuff to become Lanece Clarke and not just Maryann’s daughter.” Clarke recalled how disturbing it was for her one day when they were out together and someone who knew of her mother’s
LANECE Clarke displaying her Hall of Fame awards from McKendree University.
exploits asked her if she had any daughters and she pointed Clarke out and he said she won’t ever be as good as she was. But after Higgs-Clarke corrected him and informed him that she made the Olympic team, he politely apologised. At times, Clarke also noted that some people thought she was “Golden Girl” Eldece Clarke’s daughter because of their first and last names. She admitted that she quietly went along with the programme until they found out otherwise and acknowledged who her real mother was. Now that she’s back home and working alongside her sister, with the support from their mother, in running their father’s construction
business, PJ Tile Layers and Construction, Clarke said she’s still contemplating her future in track and field. “Up to 2020, I was still training for the Olympics (in Tokyo this year), then I had the tragic loss, so I put it on the backburner,” she said. “My dad was pushing me. I wanted to stop last year, but he was telling me that I should go for one more Olympics. “So after he died, I kind of slowed down my training. I’m contemplating what to do. I have one foot in and one foot out. I’m just not sure which way I want to go. But for right now, I’m just focusing on myself and my mental frame of mind. I want to spend more time with my family because I lost so much time away from them.”
Halep overcomes back injury to reach quarters in Romania CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania (AP) — Top-seeded Simona Halep overcame a back injury to defeat Varvara Gracheva of Russia 6-4, 6-2 yesterday and reach the quarterfinals of the Transylvania Open. Second-seeded Anett Kontaveit and US Open champion Emma Raducanu also had straight-set wins to advance to the last eight of the Romanian indoor event. Halep, who missed Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics due to a calf injury, was visibly hampered in her movement but capitalised on her strong serve and a number of unforced errors by Gracheva. “The back got blocked and the pain is really big. You cannot really bend much and you cannot move,” Halep said. “I had
SIMONA HALEP this before many times and I just wanted to continue and finish the match.” Halep next plays fellow Romanian Jacqueline Cristian.
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THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 29, 2021, PAGE 13
TRICK OR TREAT: BIG BEN AND THE STEELERS VISIT BROWNS ON HALLOWEEN
Packers beat Cardinals 24-21 after Murray throws late INT By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw two touchdown passes to Randall Cobb and the Green Bay Packers knocked off the previously unbeaten Arizona Cardinals 24-21 after Kyler Murray’s stunning late interception last night. The Cardinals looked like they were going to rally to win their eighth straight game but Murray threw an interception on second-and-goal with 12 seconds left. A.J. Green didn’t expect the pass to come his way, never turned around and Green Bay’s Rasul Douglas was there to snatch the ball in the corner of the end zone. It was a big night for some lesser-known Packers players. Douglas was
added to the active roster just three weeks ago when the team needed help in the secondary. He was on the Cardinals practice squad earlier in the season. Cobb’s clutch night was much needed since Green Bay was playing without their two top receivers. Davante Adams and Allen Lazard were put on the reserve/COVID19 list earlier in the week, but the 31-year-old Cobb responded with two touchdowns that were both tough catches in traffic. His 6-yard touchdown catch on the first play of the fourth quarter put the Packers up 24-14. Cobb was once one of the NFL’s top receivers — making the Pro Bowl in 2014 with 1,287 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns — but has settled into more a secondary role late in his career. He only caught three
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer PACKERS quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws under pressure from Cardinals middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) and defensive tackle Jordan Phillips during the first half last night. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) passes on Thursday, but seven straight games receiver DeAndre Hopkins they were important ones. after dropping the season made a 55-yard catch in the The Cardinals trailed opener. Arizona (7-1) was first quarter but tweaked for most of the night but trying to set a franchise his sore hamstring on the rallied to pull within 24-21 record for longest winning play and didn’t play for a on James Conner’s second streak to start a season but big chunk of the game. touchdown run of the night instead tied the mark set Early in the third quarwith 10:45 left in the fourth. in 1974. It was a matchup ter, Murray threw a pass Arizona then had a cru- between two of the league’s that was deflected by cial goalline stand late in top quarterbacks but both Moore into the hands of the fourth — capped by were hampered in the early Green Bay’s Henry Black Devon Kennard swatting going by a lack of healthy at the Arizona 14. down Rodgers’ fourth- receivers. The offensive Five plays later, Rodgdown pass — giving them pace picked up in the ers found Cobb in the the ball back at the 1-yard second half. corner of the end zone line and an opportunity to Green Bay’s offence for a touchdown and 17-7 go 99 yards for the win. was a little more con- lead. Murray finished with They almost made it. servative without Adams 274 yards passing and two Green Bay (7-1) has won and Lazard. Arizona’s top interceptions.
Walker, Knicks deal Bulls first loss of season 104-103 CHICAGO (AP) — Kemba Walker scored 21 points, RJ Barrett added 20 and the New York Knicks hung on to hand the Chicago Bulls their first loss of the season 104-103 last night. Julius Randle had 13 points and 16 rebounds. Derrick Rose came off New York’s bench to score 12 points against his former team as the Knicks won their second straight and improved to 4-1. Chicago star Zack LaVine scored 25 points, despite playing with a torn ligament in his left thumb. The Bulls went on a 12-0 run in the final minutes to nearly tie the score in a game the Knicks seemingly had wrapped up. LaVine’s dunk with 9.5 seconds left trimmed New York’s lead to one point after the Knicks held a 104-91 advantage with 2:59 left. LaVine’s thumb was taped up after he was injured Monday in Toronto. Randle missed a pair of free throws with 4.7 seconds left to give Chicago the final possession, but DeMar DeRozan missed a 15-foot, pull-up shot as time ran out. Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and DeRozan added 20 points for Chicago, which fell to 4-1 The Bulls’ 4-0 start was their best since 1996-97.
76ERS 110, PISTONS 102 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid shook off lingering pain in his right knee and had 30 points and 18 rebounds to lead Philadelphia over Detroit. Embiid remains hampered by a right knee that hasn’t been right since he suffered a torn meniscus during last season’s playoffs. The 76ers watched a 14-point edge evaporate in a loss to Brooklyn in the home opener. It almost happened again after former Villanova standout Saddiq Bey buried a 3 that pulled the Pistons to 101-94 and another that made it 103-97. Embiid countered with four free throws and buried a 3-pointer from the top of the arc down the stretch that saved the Sixers. Bey led the Pistons with 19 points. The Pistons missed 10 of their first 12 shots and their first seven 3s and fell to 0-4. Tobias Harris scored 17 points and Maxey had 16 for the Sixers. WIZARDS 122, HAWKS 111 WASHINGTON (AP) — Bradley Beal scored 27 points and Montrezl Harrell added 25 with 13 rebounds to lift Washington over Atlanta. The Wizards (4-1) continued their impressive
NEW York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley, right, drives against Chicago Bulls forward Troy Brown Jr, during the first half last night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y Huh) start under new coach Wes Unseld Jr, winning this time without new point guard Spencer Dinwiddie. Washington rested Dinwiddie, who missed almost all of last season because of a knee injury, on the second night of a back-to-back. The Wizards were also without Daniel Gafford because of a thigh issue. The Hawks cut a 20-point second-half deficit to five in the fourth quarter, but Harrell dunked off a pass from Beal, and then a dunk by Beal made it 115-106.
John Collins led Atlanta with 28 points on 14-of-16 shooting, and Trae Young added 15 points and 13 assists. JAZZ 122, ROCKETS 91 HOUSTON (AP) — Bojan Bogdanovic scored 19 points and seven Utah players reached double figures in a win over Houston. Utah is off to its first 4-0 start since the 2006-07 season. Joining Bogdanovic, Rudy Gobert (16), Jordan Clarkson (16), Donovan
PROUD members of the I-Elite Bahamas 18-and-under team at the fifth annual World Comes to the Palm Beaches International Baseball Tournament. I-Elite, coached by Albert Cartwright and Geron Sands, whitewashed Aruba 10-0 in five innings as the tournament got underway yesterday at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, which is considered the best baseball facility on planet earth.
I-ELITE
FROM PAGE 11 which features at least nine countries. “I think
we played very well today, but I think we will do even better tomorrow,” Sands said. “We started off a little rough, but we got a lot of timely hits and played great defence.
“The infielders did their job, the outfielders did their job, we communicated very well and we pitched well. All in all, we did very well and I expect us to go very far into this tournament.
Hopefully our pitching holds up, so we can go far into this tournament.” Today, I-Elite Bahamasplus team will take on the Dominican Republic at 10am.
Mitchell (15), and Joe Ingles (14), Eric Paschall (13) and Hassan Whiteside (10) also scored in double figures for the Jazz. Christian Wood led Houston with 16 points and Jalen Green had 13 points on 3 of 16 shooting. He missed all eight of his 3-point attempts. Rockets rookie Alperen Sengun had 14 points. Houston’s shooting struggled, particularly from behind the 3-point line. The Rockets made just 9 of 44 from beyond the arc, just 20.5 percent.
CLEVELAND (AP) — The last time Ben Roethlisberger played the Browns, his night began with a frantic chase after the ball was snapped over his head into the end zone. He ended it sitting on the bench contemplating his future. On Sunday, the Steelers quarterback returns to the rivalry he tilted decidedly for nearly two decades. “It will be fun,” Big Ben said. “And, it’s Halloween.” That’s a little scary. There’s already plenty of bad blood. The Steelers (3-3) swear they won’t have vengeance in mind as much as keeping their season rolling in the right direction when they face the Browns (4-3), who put an exclamation point on their turnaround in January by winning at Pittsburgh in the playoffs. Cleveland’s wild, 48-37 wild-card victory — a game quarantined Browns coach Kevin Stefanski watched from his home basement after a positive COVID-19 test — was the Browns’ first in the postseason since 1994 and seemed to signal that one of pro football’s fiercest football feuds was evening out some. And although he’s 24-2-1 against the Browns since 2004, Roethlisberger, who grew up in Ohio and is nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career, feels his personal record doesn’t reflect the permanent competitiveness in the Cleveland-Pittsburgh series. “I don’t know this rivalry ever went away,” he said. “Rivalries are great.” And just to add some spice to this matchup, Roethlisberger took a playful swipe at the Browns by extolling his dominance over them while pointing out Cleveland’s many struggles in recent years. Roethlisberger hasn’t said if this will be his last season. Whether it is or not, he won’t be making many more trips to Cleveland, where he has gone 11-2-1 and in some ways symbolised the Browns’ lack of success as a player they passed on in the draft. How different things could have been. The roles were reversed in last season’s playoff meeting as Roethlisberger couldn’t recover the early errant snap, which the Browns recovered for a TD just 14 seconds in and built an almost unimaginable 28-0 lead.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 29, 2021, PAGE 15
DPM PRAISES ‘EXCEPTIONAL’ SANDALS 95% OCCUPANCY
FROM PAGE 22
I am happy to report that in a recent meeting with Sandals, the Emerald Bay resort is preparing itself for renovation. It’s been a robust contributor to the island. “It’s returned to its busy levels, and I was advised that they’re running - even during the slow period occupancies as high as 90-95 percent. This exceptional performance is a record for tourism anywhere in the country.” With Sandals Emerald Bay having rebounded strongly from the COVID19 pandemic, Mr Cooper said the chain was already looking to the property’s future. “We expect that by 2023 Sandals will begin in earnest expansion of its resort,” he added. “Ownership is deciding timeline to introduce its Beaches brand to Exuma, which will be a first for The Bahamas.” Unlike Sandals, which is primarily targeted at adult couples, the Beaches brand is focused more on families. Speculation that the resort chain was focusing on Exuma for a new Beaches location has surfaced before, but never ultimately materialised into any actual hotel development, which Mr Cooper alluded to yesterday. “I’ve indicated to them I’ve heard that [before], and I’ve told them to ensure that Mrs Cooper can cut the ribbon to the resort before 2026,” he joked, referring to the Davis administration’s expected last year in office. The deputy prime minister, meanwhile, reassured his Exuma constituents that the long-awaited resort project for Children’s Bay Cay and Williams Cay was “not pie in the sky” and that its developers have the financing to complete what has increased from a $200m to $300m investment. “The principals are still keenly interested in this development,” Mr Cooper said. “I know it’s taken a while, and the people of Barratarre are getting
bored of it, but the good news is that $200m has increased significantly by $100m. “The even better news is that it is going to happen; it is not pie in the sky. And the even better better news is they’ve got their own money. We have this thing of show me the money, and they’ve shown the money. It’s just a matter of completing the launch and the design. One of my priorities is to shepherd this project out of the pipeline.” Many Exuma residents, though, are likely to be sceptical given the seeming lack of progress by the Children’s Bay principals since the project’s Heads of Agreement was signed with the last Christie administration more than five years ago in 2016. The development’s principal is Swiss businesswoman Dona Bertarelli, whose billionaire family was said to be heavily involved with philanthropic activities in areas such as marine conservation, life sciences and children’s education. At the time of the Heads of Agreement signing, she was managing her family’s business interests, including the five-star Grand Hotel Park in Gstaad that was rated as 2013 Best Hotel in Switzerland and ranked in the 2012 Robb Report’s World Best Resorts list. Mr Cooper, also Exuma’s MP, also served notice of his ambitions to make Exuma an air and transportation “hub” not just for the south and central Bahamas but for the northern Caribbean region. “I have a very clear road map as to how we can make Exuma boom,” he added. “I envision it as a hub for the central and southern Bahamas and our immediate northern Caribbean neighbours. That will position us as a force, not just in The Bahamas, but throughout the region.” The deputy prime minister said the return of Air Canada Vacations via weekly 136-seater flights from Toronto, during the
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that ANTONIO GUSTAVE of Savannah Sound , Eleuthera, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22st day of October, 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that DINLLIN SMITH of Robinson Road, Nassau, The Bahamas, P.O Box N-9426 is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22st day of October, 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE
His Valley Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, His Valley Ltd. is in dissolution as of October 12.2021 Rut STEINSEN, situated at 129 Georgiou A, 4048 Limassol, Cyprus is the Liquidator.
LIQUIDATOR ______________________
period December 19 to April 17, 2022, provided a glimpse of how such a “hub” could function. He added that it was now Exuma’s responsibility to deliver the experience to drive guest demand and encourage more frequent airline services. Turning to aviation, Mr Cooper revealed that the Government was looking to make either Black Point or Staniel Cay an international point of entry to further open-up access to the Exuma Cays for wealthy investors and tourists, thereby creating more job and entrepreneurial opportunities for Exuma residents. “We’re looking at a private-public partnership (PPP) for the redevelopment of Black Point airport by lengthening the runway and creation of a new terminal,” he added. The deputy prime minister said he had also asked Woslee Construction Company to expedite the $65m redevelopment of Exuma International Airport, after being informed that the new terminal building is due for completion by March 2023. Indicating that he is hoping for a December 2022 finish, Mr Cooper said: “We’ve waited too long. You have my assurances this process will not linger. You have my assurances that development of Exuma’s airport will not slow, it will not stop.” With healthcare another pressing concern for Exuma’s residents, the deputy prime minister conceded that staffing and equipping the island’s mini-hospital has “lingered too long”. However, he revealed that the Government has received “proposals from two universities and two entities that are interested in driving medical tourism through this facility”. “We’re going to expand services whether we bring in management to do it or we have it fully outsourced,” Mr Cooper pledged. “We’re going to make this facility work for
us, our residents and tourists, and not allow the status quo to remain.” And he also called on the private sector to enter housing PPPs to solve another “vexing problem” for Exuma, namely the shortage of single and multi-family units amid the rush of many owners and landlords to convert their
properties to more lucrative Airbnb-style vacation rentals. “I got a call in the middle of the campaign from a young lady who told me show had nowhere to stay,” Mr Cooper recalled, “not because she had not paid her rent, but because everybody was going to Airbnbs and she had been
evicted three times in a year-and-a-half. “She told me that if I did not fix the problem, she would move into my office. I told her my office would be put on Airbnb very soon,” he joked. “It’s a vexing problem but an opportunity. I’m asking you business persons to participate in the opportunity. This Airbnb wave has resulted in a housing shortfall that we must fix if we are to grow Exuma.”
PAGE 16, Friday, October 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
DPM: YACHTING FEES ‘UNCONSCIONABLY’ LOW FROM PAGE 22
“I want to tell you that it’s the intent of the Davis/ Cooper administration to look more closely at vacation rentals, and more closely monitor and regulate vacation rentals on the island of Exuma and throughout the country for that matter,” Mr Cooper told the Outlook conference. “We plan to have registration and inspections of vacation rental properties for the safety of our guests, and protection of the product and destination.” He added that the Ministry of Tourism had tasked the Hotel Licensing Department to “build out regulations for this and the framework” to facilitate it as rapidly as possible.
Acknowledging that taxation-related matters require a Cabinet decision, Mr Cooper said: “I will recommend that VAT be required on vacation rentals. As it stands, hotels pay taxes on rooms; vacation rentals don’t.” Implying that this was unfair, especially since many vacation rentals were owned by foreign second homeowners, who “we welcome and love”, but are only resident for a small portion of the year, he added: “Many of them are competing with hotels, sometimes with the benefit of government marketing and infrastructure spend, and sometimes with concessions, but not paying much VAT to the Treasury.” However, the situation described by Mr Cooper was supposed to have been addressed by the Minnis
administration in the original 2021-2022 Budget passed by the previous Parliament in June. It sought to extract an extra $31m annually from the vacation rental market by “levelling the playing field” as it related to taxation. The VAT Act was changed to make clear to Airbnb and its competitors that taxes must be levied “on the full value of the rental”, rather than just the commission paid to their platforms. “We are amending the law to clarify that all vacation home marketplaces, such as Airbnb and VRBO, are required to pay VAT on rentals and commissions,” ex-prime minister, Dr Hubert Minnis, said. Meanwhile, Mr Cooper also pledged to clean up car and boat rentals as part of
CHESTER COOPER his drive to ensure all taxpayers “render unto Caesar what is due to Caesar”. He added: “We also plan to regulate activities like car rentals and boat rentals”, noting that such sectors are supposed to be reserved for Bahamian ownership only and “subject to strict licensing”. “We must ensure that Exuma entrepreneurs do not face unfair, unlicensed competition,” the deputy prime minister said. “We hear this a lot, and are going to do something about it. We welcome our friends from different countries, but fair is fair. “Render unto Caesar what is due to Caesar. We need our share to help build the roads, docks, bridges and airports that we all complain about.” Then, turning to the boating and yachting sector, Mr Cooper added: “In the same vein, we will also look to see how we can
benefit more from the charters in the cruise business who use our natural environments for big profits, and we welcome them. “But it’s just unconscionable that cruising permits are $300 and the charter fee is 4 percent of whatever the charter is going for. I rent... Pedro rents his super yacht for $25,000 a day, and we only get a minimum 4 percent and $300 cruising permit fee. “He happens to have come through our waters on his mega yacht to enjoy the Exuma Cays, use our resources and infrastructure. We welcome that, but there has to be equity in my view. I’m speaking not just as minister of tourism, as we recognise the economic impact of their activities, but we must balance the approach we take as a country to ensure maximum economic benefits.” Mr Cooper’s comments will likely be warmly welcomed by Bahamian tour and excursion providers who have long advocated a taxation level playing field with foreign yacht charters. Collection of the permits and charter fee has also been a long-standing problem, although the recent introduction of online payment portals is expected to impact that. The former Minnis administration also looked at this area, and Tribune Business archives indicate it believed it could generate
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, ANITE HAESHA CLERISIER of Nassau, The Bahamas, P.O Box CB 11262 intend to change my name to ANITE HAESHA MCKENZIE. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
between $20m-$50m in extra revenue from fully collecting all due cruising permit and yacht charter fees. Mr Cooper yesterday indicated the Ministry of Tourism had collected $43m in charter fees for calendar 2021 to-date “based on submissions”, together with $1.7m in cruising permit fees. With the global yachting/boating industry’s value set to climb from $22bn in 2017 to $35bn by 2026, he added that it was a market his ministry will pursue. “There is great potential in the cruise and charter market,” the deputy prime minister said. “We are going to grow that business..... We’re going to expand this because it’s good business and been recession-proof. Even during the pandemic we were still able to attract many yachts and boats to The Bahamas. “This is a good target market for us. It’s a high-end market and I’d like to buildout Exuma as the yachting capital of the hemisphere. I hope we will tap this market more deeply, and get more benefits from this industry. I only think we’re touching the tip of the iceberg.” Mr Cooper, meanwhile, added that the Fisheries Department’s new vessel was “not just lip service” as he had actually seen it, while that for the Port Department was also on its way. “I have often complained that the Exuma cays was the Wild, Wild West,” he added. “And I’ve always advocated that we need a joint enforcement unit of Immigration, the police, Port Department and Fisheries to make sure we are balancing economic growth with the protection of our resources and protection of our environment. I’ve complained about it for ten years.”
AIRPORT AUTHORITY POSITION VACANT
Payables Officer – Finance Department The Airport Authority wishes to advise that a vacancy currently exists in the Finance Department for the position of Payables Officer. POSITION SUMMARY: This position is primarily responsible for the ongoing maintenance and processing of all matters relating to payable transactions of the Finance Dept. Additionally, this position is expected to provide excellent customer service to both internal and external customers, while functioning in accordance with established procedures, policies, and governing regulations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Prepare, review, and verify invoices and payment requests • Process electronic payment transfers and other payments • Reconcile accounts payable transactions • Ensure that supporting documentation are accurately filed and accessible for audits • Maintain Accounts Payables aging schedules SKILLS /COMPETENCY EXPECTATIONS: • Good time management, planning and organizing skills • Ability to work productively with minimal supervision • Make sound, independent judgements within policy guidelines • Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with complex, confidential, and sensitive issues • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work • Computer literacy, including familiarity with common word processing, spreadsheet, database, and basic software • Excellent written and verbal communications skills • Ability to multi-task efficiently • Adaptability and willingness to meet evolving department demands and skillset requirements • Maintain files and records so they remain updated and easily accessible REQUIREMENTS: • Associate degree in Accounting or related field from an accredited education institution • Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in Accounts Payables and/or general accounting procedures • Knowledge of common accounting software eg: Sage, ISL Interested persons can visit the Human Resources Department to submit their resume and cover letter for application by Monday, November 1, 2021.
email: humanresources@airportsbahamas.com
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 29, 2021, PAGE 17
‘LEAVE NASSAU AND BOOST EXUMA SKILLS’ FROM PAGE 22
she added: “I was on-island at Easter, and did some inspections of heritage sites that we’re putting out and promoting, and I was disappointed quite frankly to see a lot of overgrown weeds, sites not tended to, planks
of wood missing and a rusty Pompey. We really have to work on this restoration of heritage areas.” However, Dean Spychalla, Grand Isle Resort & Residences general manager, said the golden statue of Pompey - meant to represent one of the leading
figures in the fight against slavery in The Bahamas had been attended to since Ms Johnson’s visit. “The Pompey statue has been repaired and replaced,” he added. “Somebody has done some work there. It looks a lot better than it
did some months ago.” And conference attendees said residents have recently created the Exuma Sustainable Tourism Committee, chaired by Desmond Williams. However, Ms Johnson said of the required improvements: “It’s
education and trying to instill a sense of pride in Bahamians. I’ve talked to many, many Exumians. I don’t want a situation where we’re doing the work and they’re standing by and watching. They have to be involved as part of
‘MISSING THE POINT’ ON VAT DEBT-CUT PURPOSE
FROM PAGE 22
“We point out that the legislation recommended by the experts at that time to ensure that the VAT funds were used to their original intent - to pay down the debt - is still not fully in place,” he wrote in a note to Tribune Business. “These include the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Public Financial and Public Debt Management Acts, and Freedom of Information Act. This needs to be a priority to allow for the VAT programme to fully achieve its goals.” Expanding on this theme in a subsequent interview with Tribune Business, Mr Aubry said: “The legislative structure is still not fully in place. To address the numbers but not the legislation, it again leaves open the possibility of the VAT not achieving its goals. The goal was not to drive future government expenditure, but to pay down and contribute to a reduction in the national debt. “The legislation established how the monies were applied, and how it would contribute to the reduction of the national debt, which was the original point for why we took on the VAT. Don’t lose sight of that. As we look at making changes, it’s important these aspects are considered and dealt with as a priority. “As we change the VAT rate, we need to make sure we have a long-standing legislative structure in place that carries on through administrations and crises.” Pointing out that this structure was recommended amid the advice The Bahamas received
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from New Zealand consultants and others prior to VAT’s 2015 introduction, Mr Aubry added: “We need to make sure now that we’ve done this move [rate cut to 10 percent], it is not done so in a way that can be subverted for other purposes when the goal was to reduce the national debt.” Pointing to “immeasurable” benefits that would accrue to The Bahamas from digging itself out of its current fiscal crisis, and reducing the national debt to more manageable levels, he added that such advantages would include an improved credit rating, lower borrowing and debt servicing costs, and the freeing up of taxpayer dollars for greater investments in public services. “Once the debt is reduced to a more manageable state, the opportunities that come along with that are immeasurable,” Mr Aubry said. “The Bahamas would have greater control over its debt, greater capacity to invest in different areas, and less of each dollar going to service debt. “As we address the immediate issues, we have
to focus attention on the long-term and how to improve this. We need a long-term strategic plan that sets out a long-term path to put us in a more sustainable state.” Many in the private sector sought to obtain a commitment from the last Christie administration, which introduced VAT in 2015, that the extra revenue raised would be used to pay down the national debt and eventually eliminate annual fiscal deficits. However, no such commitment was forthcoming, and VAT monies were used by that administration to increase spending and expand government’s size. Its Minnis administration then hiked the VAT rate from 7.5 percent to 12 percent on the basis that it needed extra financing to pay off some $360m in unpaid bills for which no Budget funding had been allocated. Around $300m of that sum had been paid off by the time the Minnis administration was voted out of office on September 16 this year. The Davis administration’s supplemental Budget
is projecting that the deficit for 2021-2022 will drop from the original $951.8m to $858.6m almost entirely due to first quarter revenues exceeding target by some $92.336m. Of that latter sum, $80.58m came from VAT. The Davis administration is holding total spending constant against its predecessor’s Budget, with a $53.291m rise in recurrent spending offset by a more than $54m cut in capital expenditure. While calling for the Government to provide consumers with clarity on which items will now
become VAT-able, and no longer zero-rated or exempt, Mr Aubry said the rate reduction from 12 percent to 10 percent would achieve better buy-in, and the model potentially much improved, if the Government consulted with the private sector like it did in 2015 ahead of implementation by January 1. “The Government referenced the original model of VAT implemented in 2015 that was informed from the New Zealand model. This model was adopted in great part through the efforts, funding and advocacy from the private and civil
the process, understand what we’re doing with the destination. “To have litter all over the place, weeds growing all over the place, it’s all about the Benjamins. That cannot be.” Ms Johnson added that she was seeking to create ‘Friends of Heritage Sites’ so that volunteers would become responsible for their maintenance and preservation. society-driven Coalition for Responsible Taxation,” he added. “It is positive that the Government has have worked with University of the Bahamas, but they would do well to engage the past leaders and modelling of the Coalition, and foster private sector and civil society input. “There can be further education and consultation with the public as to the implications of the VAT changes. This kind of broad-based consultation can support sustainable policy development.” Mr Aubry also urged that all modelling and analysis supporting the 10 percent VAT rate be publicly released, something the Government has pledged to do.
Career Opportunity Scotia Wealth Management is seeking the services of a Manager, Anti-Money Laundering / Quality Control Short Term Contract Position Summary: Contributes to the overall success of the Private Banking in The Bahamas, Cayman and Jamaica ensuring specific individual goals, plans, initiatives are executed / delivered in support of the team’s business strategies and objectives. Ensures all activities conducted are in compliance with governing regulations, internal policies and procedures.
Key Accountabilities for this role: w Champions a customer focused culture to deepen client relationships and leverage broader Bank relationships, systems and knowledge. w Works closely with IPB Senior Management, to support the AML program for IPB for the English Caribbean countries, including design and improvement of onboarding and maintenance processes, offboarding of clients, and overall adherence with policy. w Responsible for supporting the oversight of the Private Banking Onboarding Program to ensure compliance with enterprise-wide policy and regulatory standards and improvement of the customer experience w Ensures implementation and sustainment of KYC documentation (PASA/ NON PASA) and suggests enhancements to the AML-related processes. w Responsible for providing guidance as needed to Product Groups, business units and support units with respect to documentation and AML-related processes. w Supports design, development and implementation of appropriate risk-based training programs. w Drives collaboration with other supporting functions such as BSC, EDDU, AML to comply with Enterprise and local regulations w Supports in issue management and tracking based on first, second, and third line testing for the Region w Assist with tracking of AML related initiatives w Understand how the Bank’s risk appetite and risk culture should be considered in day-to-day activities and decisions. w Actively pursues effective and efficient operations of his/her respective areas, while ensuring the adequacy, adherence to and effectiveness of day-to-day business controls to meet obligations with respect to operational risk, regulatory compliance risk, AML/ATF risk and conduct risk, including but not limited to responsibilities under the Operational Risk Management Framework, Regulatory Compliance Risk Management Framework, AML/ATF Global Handbook and the Scotiabank Code of Conduct. w Champions a high-performance environment and implements a people strategy that attracts, retains, develops and motivates their team by fostering an inclusive work environment, communicating vison/ values/business strategy and managing succession and development planning for the team.
Educational/Competency Requirements: w Fluency in English is required. w Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, or equivalent work experience. w A minimum of 5 years’ experience working in financial institution with strong AML/ATF framework preferably in a regulatory, compliance or quality assurance capacity w Experience driving AML/ATF and compliance related projects is considered an asset. w Efficient and well organized, with sound judgement and strong communication skills w Experience in prevention of potential penalties, losses and damage to reputation due to failures in the AML/ATF program. w Working knowledge of issue management closure and escalation processes. w Results focused and ability to deliver under pressure. w Efficient and well organized, with sound judgement and strong negotiation skills. w Working knowledge of Excel, including data analysis.
Qualified candidates should submit C.V. via email to: hrbahamas@scotiawealth.com on or before November 1st, 2021. Please note that only those individuals short-listed for an interview will be contacted.
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PAGE 18, Friday, October 29, 2021
RESORT AIMS TO BRIDGE 36% T&C RATES GAP FROM PAGE 22 Disclosing that Grand Isle is hoping to establish its own visitor reception area at Exuma’s international airport once it is upgraded, Mr Spychalla said threemonth ADR comparisons with Turks & Caicos were more favourable. Grand Isle’s $674 ADR for that period was 64 percent of the $1,646 charged by Turks & Caicos rivals. “Our ADR has gone up, and the Turks & Caicos has gone down,” he added. “We’re at 64 percent of their ADR, but at some point we want to exceed their ADR, and the only way to do that and take it to the next level is with five-star rock star” elevation of the guest
experience at both Grand Isle and off-property. “Exuma is not necessarily about people staying in a hotel,” Mr Spychalla added. “They want to explore. We’re a place for people to come and hang their hat, but Exuma is really the resort. I’m not sure a lot of hoteliers in the past have really understood that. This is all about exploring Exuma.” Noting that some $100m was invested to develop Grand Isle, which is located at Emerald Bay close to the Sandals resort, he explained that the condo hotel’s product mix - with units averaging 2,000 square feet, and ranging from 1,200 square feet to a 5,000 square foot penthouse - gave it a
variety that can compete with Turks & Caicos. “We’re looking to be serious competitors for Turks & Caicos, and I think we probably have a way to get there,” Mr Spychalla added. “What we want to do is pave the way for upscale opportunities in Exuma. We want to do luxury branding so we compete with other islands. One of those islands is Turks & Caicos. “The real estate in Exuma will take-off when the airport is finished. Turks & Caicos was a back water until the airport was finished and they built the road. We’ll see that happen.” To bridge the gap with resorts in The Bahamas’ southern neighbour, he disclosed that Grand Isle
has embarked on a unit improvement initiative to overhaul design, furniture and furnishings for all villas “by the end of 2023” given that it has been 15 years since the property was constructed. Dining and restaurant options are also being upgraded, with 23 degrees North set to become a “grill house” and open imminently following its COVID-enforced closure. A full opening will be held in mid-December, and its return will “boost staffing levels by 10-15 persons, so we will be approaching 100 staff members not too long before we go into the winter season”. Mr Spychalla said an Ambridge Hospitality
THE TRIBUNE affiliate had been hired to “establish the DNA” for that restaurant and its Palapa pool-side eatery, while another consultant had been engaged to train restaurant staff. Describing Grand Isle as Exuma’s second largest employer behind Sandals Emerald Bay, he added that it had made it policy never to be in arrears with suppliers. “We pay our vendors every Friday. We do not owe money to anybody in The Bahamas,” Mr Spychalla added, although he hinted this was not the case after the resort went into COVID “survival mode”. “It took a year to dig out of a very serious hole,” he revealed. “We’re being laser-focused on where we have to go, having dug ourselves out of a hole. We’ve positioned ourselves to move forward.”
With Grand Isle’s unit owners allowed to be in residence for up to three months, or one-quarter of the year, Mr Spychalla explained that occupancies will never rise above 75 percent, hence the focus on ADR rates. “ADR is what it’s all about. The only way to put revenue to the bottom line is to grow ADR.” Describing the COVID19 pandemic as “scary”, but Grand Isle had managed to get through it, he added that the resort had provided space for Access Medical to conduct virus testing on its staff, departing guests and Exumians. Mr Spychalla said Access was offering 24-hour results turnaround at prices 34-40 percent below rivals, having agreed to offer PCR tests for $98. That could drop as low as $85 if an agreement can be reached with Air Canada.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2021
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Resort aims to bridge 36% T&C rates gap By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net AN Exuma-based resort yesterday said it is striving for “five-star rock star” performance to match high-end Turks & Caicos rivals and bridge a 36 percent room rate gap. Dean Spychalla, Grand Isle Resort & Residences general manager, told the Exuma Business Outlook that the 78-unit condo hotel was uniquely placed to rival five star resorts in The Bahamas’ southern competitor due to its product mix and emphasis on training. Voicing optimism that “we probably have a way to get there”, he described average daily room rates (ADR) as “what it’s all about” for Grand Isle even though existing data shows it lags some way behind five-star Turks & Caicos properties, such as Amanyara and Ambergis Cay, on such yields Grand Isle’s one-month ADR of $633 was just 55 percent of the $1,146 Turks & Caicos average or, put another way, the latter is some 81 percent ahead of the Exuma-based resort. However, Mr Spychalla said the three-month ADR comparison was more promising for Grand Isle. “We’re only 55 percent of what those resorts in Turks & Caicos are charging,” he told the Outlook conference. “We’re not quite there as an international destination, and need to do whatever it takes to get there. That starts with the visitor experience from the moment they get in at the airport.”
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‘Missing the point’ on VAT debt-cut purpose By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net GOVERNANCE reformers yesterday voiced fears The Bahamas is losing sight of VAT’s central debt-reduction purpose amid the fevered political debate over the 10 percent rate cut. Matt Aubry, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director, told Tribune Business the original reason for introducing VAT back in 2015 is being further buried amid the back-and-forth between the political parties on how lower income families will be impacted
• Bahamas losing sight of original rationale • Fears tax’s purpose could be ‘subverted’ • Reformer urges proper legal structure by making so-called “breadbasket” food items taxable once again. Reiterating that VAT’s main goal was to eliminate the Government’s chronic annual fiscal deficits, then start paying down a national debt that has now reached $10.356bn, he warned that The Bahamas’ main revenue source “can be subverted for other purposes” such as continually expanding the size of government.
Given that supporting legislation such as the Freedom of Information Act is still “not fully in place”, Mr Aubry warned that The Bahamas lacks the necessary “structure” to ensure VAT revenues remain focused on reducing the debt rather than supporting increased public spending year after year.
MATT AUBRY
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DPM: Yachting fees ‘unconscionably’ low • But wants to make Exuma ‘hemipshere’s boating capital’ • Pledges regulatory crackdown on vacation and car rentals • Optimistic ‘Wild, Wild West’ in Exuma Cays nearing end
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE deputy prime minister yesterday unveiled ambitions to make Exuma “the yachting capital of the hemisphere” despite branding taxes yielded by the sector as “unconscionably” low. Chester Cooper, also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, told the Exuma Business Outlook conference that The Bahamas was only “scratching the tip of the iceberg” when it came to the highend boating/yachting industry’s
economic impact and it needed to “tap this more deeply”. Yet, speaking just ahead of his attendance at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, one of the sector’s main annual trade shows, he also suggested that the $300 cruising permit and 4 percent yacht charter fee levied by the Government were too low and that there needed to be greater “equity” in terms of its tax contribution to the Public Treasury. Mr Cooper voiced similar sentiments about vacation rentals, which he asserted must be “more closely monitored and regulated”, while also pledging to crack down
on “unfair” competition provided by unlicensed car and boat rental businesses that he indicated were operated by foreigners. And he expressed hope that new vessels provided to the Port and Fisheries departments, respectively, will enable the authorities to finally gain control of what he described as a “Wild, Wild West” in the Exuma Cays when it came to environmental and natural resources protection - something he has been complaining about for ten years prior to becoming Exuma’s MP.
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‘Leave Nassau and boost Exuma skills’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A SENIOR tourism official yesterday urged Nassau residents to move to Exuma and improve service levels that are “lacking” in a market increasingly catering to high-end tourists. Janet Johnson, the Tourism Development Corporation’s executive director, told the Exuma Business Outlook that tourism service levels as well as upkeep/maintenance of key historical sites and attractions were deficiencies that must be corrected. “One of the things I was made aware of recently is the skills levels in Exuma are lacking with the
services to visitors,” she said. “They’re not coming for cheap vacations; they’re coming for fulfilling vacations. We need more people with skills in the hospitality industry to move out of Nassau and move to Exuma to fulfill that demand.” Ms Johnson said of ‘Big D’, proprietor of Big D’s Conch Spot: “Big D’s has to turn people away because he cannot give people the premier service his brand demands. I’m sure that happens in a lot of places on Exuma. We need the help to service those clients and give them a good experience.” As for Exuma’s attractions and heritage sites,
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DPM praises ‘exceptional’ Sandals 95% occupancy By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ATHE deputy prime minister yesterday hailed Sandals Emerald Bay’s “exceptional” 90-95 percent slow season occupancy levels with the resort chain eyeing further Bahamas expansion. Chester Cooper, also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, told the Exuma Business Outlook conference that Sandals was expected to start “expansion in earnest” at its Emerald Bay property by 2023. And he also disclosed that Sandals’ ownership
was presently “deciding timelines” for bringing its Beaches brand to Exuma a move it has considered in the past but never followed through on. Describing the Emerald Bay resort’s performance during the traditional September/October lull for tourism as “a record for anywhere in The Bahamas”, Mr Cooper told attendees: “Sandals Emerald Bay is without question the flagship property in Exuma. “The economic contribution of Sandals to Exuma I do not need to herald today, but it is undeniable...
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