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The Tribune
Volume:116 No.215, NOVEMBER 1ST, 2019
Established 1903
Weekend
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WEEKEND: HEADING TO HOLLYWOOD TO FULFIL DREAMS
SHOW HER MERCY Family begs judge to help mother who killed her girl By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE brother-in-law of a schizophrenic woman who killed her two-year-old daughter by dousing her with gasoline and setting her on fire yesterday begged a judge not to send her to prison, but to allow her to get “the help she needs”. John Carey pleaded with Justice Bernard Turner to exercise “mercy” in sentencing Philippa Marshall, pictured above, claiming that the woman’s mental health warrants “rehabilitation and treatment” instead of “strictly retribution and punishment”. Mr Carey, who is married to Marshall’s sister, said the woman “did not choose” to kill Philicia Marshall,
SEE PAGE EIGHT
DORIAN BILL ALREADY AT $1 BILLION
and is “just as much a victim as her daughter” in the circumstances. And by extension, he said, his entire family have suffered, as not only have they lost Philicia, they stand the risk of losing Marshall to jail. “We know that there’s a process involved, and justice has to follow its course, but I am asking for the mercy of the court that Philippa is allowed to get the help she needs,” Mr Carey said. “I don’t feel that she could get that in Fox Hill Prison.” Mr Carey’s submissions came during the sentencing phase of Marshall’s court matter for murdering Philicia by setting the child alight at their Faith Gardens home in December 2017. The Crown is seeking a sentence between 30 to 60 years for the crime. SEE PAGE THREE
STUDENTS who took the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examinations failed to do any better this year in Maths, English and Science than test takers for the past five years. Not only did fewer students sit the 2019 BGCSEs, but also fewer of them scored at least a C grade in these core subjects. According to newly released results of this year’s
national exams, a total of 484 candidates fell into this category. This represented a decrease of 1.22 percent when compared with 2018. That year, 490 students scored at least a C. The scores have become progressively worse and were released much later than is customary. The results are usually made public in late August or early September. It is likely that Hurricane Dorian’s destruction in Abaco and Grand Bahama factored into the late release. SEE PAGE FIVE
A COMIC’S VIEW LOOKING AT THE FUNNY SIDE OF HALLOWEEN
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
HURRICANE Dorian has to-date inflicted “over $1bn in insured losses” on Bahamian insurers, it was revealed yesterday, with some forecasts suggesting this may rise as high as $1.5bn. Warren Rolle, the Bahamas Insurance Association’s chairman, told Tribune Business that property and casualty losses stemming from the storm were already double the sector’s initial “conservative” $500m estimate. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
DEPORTATION FOR RENEW’S EX-BOSS COX
EXAM RESULTS TABLE - DEPRESSING AGAIN By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
DON’T FORGET THE CLOCKS GO BACK THIS WEEKEND
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
CLOWN IN TOWN
YOUNGSTERS enjoy the annual Jamz 100 trick or treat event at Radio House yesterday. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
FORMER Renew Bahamas CEO Michael Cox and his uncle Maurice were collectively fined $6,000 yesterday for working at a local scrapyard without valid work permits late last year. Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans fined both United Kingdom natives $3,000 after convicting them for illegally engaging in gainful employment in October 2018. SEE PAGE SEVEN
HATS OFF TO ALL OUR HEROES By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
YOUNGSTERS celebrated yesterday after their efforts to improve the environment resulted in them winning awards. Adelaide Primary School and St Cecilia Catholic School were the overall winners of the Be A Hero Campaign. The schoolbased campaign aimed to change the mindset of
BE A Hero celebrations young Bahamians about the environment and to instill in them pride for their
surroundings. Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira said both schools demonstrated that they are true environmental heroes. “We launched the Be A Hero campaign last November searching for environmental heroes. Using an approach that was fun and lighthearted to deliver a serious message – that the environment is everyone’s personal
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE THREE
DIANE PHILLIPS WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CORAL HARBOUR DREAM?
SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Friday, November 1, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Dorian ripped out huge pieces of coral PATCHES of coral reef the size of a car were ripped out by Hurricane Dorian when it tore through the northern Bahamas, according to an assessment by experts. The Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) reported the results of its survey, conducted from October 8 to 22, on Wednesday. They said the storm ripped out large chunks of coral reef, leaving them scattered like bowling pins. The storm also dragged mud from the shoreline and dumped it onto reefs, burying them in silt more than two feet deep. Casuarinas were also thrown into the sea by ferocious winds, damaging corals and crushing other underwater sea life. A statement from PIMS warned that some reefs will take decades to recover, if at all.
There was good news as well, however. The statement said: “These (damaged) places, however, are in the minority - good news for thousands of Bahamians who make their living from this critical economic driver, the turquoise waters of the ocean surrounding The Bahamas. Most coral reef sites throughout Grand Bahama and Abaco are in pretty good shape.” The survey was conducted by PIMS along with partners from The Nature Conservancy, Middlebury College, the Angari Foundation and others. “Some reefs look totally different now than they did before. Still, it’s really a mixed bag. Some places I thought were going to be totally destroyed came out looking fine and other places that were
really not hit that bad by wind and storm surge have reefs covered with silt and the corals are being smothered,” said Dr Craig Dahlgren, a marine ecologist and PIMS executive director who studies a wide range of topics related to tropical marine ecosystems. “It’s going to take a while for us to fully understand why things happened the way they did. I think we’re going to have to go back and do more in depth studies on some of these areas to see how they might naturally recover and what we can do to help them recover. In some cases, the reefs have been fundamentally changed from what they were before.” Underwater, debris from the land ranging from trees to metal roofs to construction materials and household contents
littered the ocean floor. Observers also noted broken corals, reef structure collapse, reduced fish populations and some coral bleaching off North Abaco. It was unclear if the bleaching was as a result of the storm or due to elevated temperatures. “There have been a lot of other studies on coral reefs hit by hurricanes but nothing with such a good, timely data set going into the storm over such a large area. Then, to get back so quickly after the storm hit and to be able to assess so many of these places which were impacted by the storm differently, we are really able to see what the storm did and have a really good before and after picture for this one,” said Dr Dahlgren who from June 2018 to July 2019 led a team of
researchers conducting extensive assessments of the health of reefs in Abaco and Grand Bahama. Dr Krista Sherman, senior scientist at PIMs, said there was a silver lining. “On a positive note, all the coral nurseries survived, and out planted corals appear to be doing well,” she said. Additional, reef sites surveyed within several marine protected areas, including Peterson Cay National Park, Lucayan National Park, Pelican Cays National Park, Fowl Cays National Park and Walker’s Cay National Park sustained minor storm damage. The expedition was funded by the Devereux Ocean Foundation, Disney Conservation Fund, Atlantis Blue Project Foundation, the Angari Foundation and the R/V Angari.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 1, 2019, PAGE 3
Family begs for mercy to help mother who killed her girl from page one
PHILIPPA MARSHALL, pictured at an earlier court hearing from page one responsibility and that responsibility begins when you are young,” he said. “If we are going to truly protect and preserve our environment, if we are serious about saving this beautiful country called The Bahamas in the face of the increasing pace of climate change, we have to start with sensitising the generation that will inherit the land. Today I am thrilled to say that the results we saw during the months of the campaign and the interest and enthusiasm we witnessed as we went from school to school was incredibly reassuring and heart-warming.” Mr Ferreira added: “It renewed my faith that the environment of The Bahamas has champions and many of the best are still in primary school. We were blown away by Adelaide where every single student participated in the programme, delivered grade by grade poetry readings and performance. St Cecilia was equally impressive.” Two students from St Cecilia Catholic School and one student from Abaco was awarded with individual hero honours. EN-GB Elrine Bongon, a former Abaco student, said he felt proud and excited to win a Be A Hero award. “I want to make sure every kid old and young remember they can
Prosecutors had asserted that the 41-year-old doused her child with gasoline and set her on fire at their home after “hearing voices”. Two-year-old Philicia suffered second and third degree burns on 43 percent of her body as a result. The child died in February 2018 at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). She didn’t die from the burn injuries, but from an “overwhelming” bacterial infection - klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis that when tested, was extremely resistant to multiple antibiotics. That infection, according to forensic pathologist Dr Kiko Bridgewater, likely set in during her hospitalisation at PMH. The lack of an epidermis, or the protective outer layer of skin, made it easier for the toddler to get infected in such an open environment. As to what actually took place on the night in question, Sergeant Tamika Gibson, who was formerly attached to the Carmichael Road Police Station, said Marshall’s husband Isaac Marshall told her that he fell asleep with Philicia and his two sons by his side, only to wake up the next morning to discover that his wife had spirited the child away to another room and set her on fire at the behest of “demons”. Sgt Gibson said when she arrived at the residence and gained entry that morning, she observed the entire family in the front room. Mr Marshall and the two boys were on the couch.
A WELL-KNOWN Grand Bahama businessman is dead following a traffic accident in the Lucaya area early yesterday morning. Although police have not released the victim’s name, the deceased – believed to be Palal Cooper – was riding a motorcycle when the accident happened shortly after midnight.. Mr Cooper is the son of Paxton Cooper, whose family owns several fast food franchises, including Burger King, Pollo Tropical, and KFC. The death comes as a shock to many in Freeport, where Cooper managed his father’s businesses, Pollo Tropical and Burger King, at Ranfurly Circle. According to reports,
for their family at the Marshall’s residence. At that time, he said Philicia had started crawling towards a flat-screen television he had installed and mounted on a wall for Marshall’s family. A few wires were hanging from the television, which apparently sparked the child’s curiosity. As such, the baby reached out to grab them. However, he said Marshall rushed to the baby and stopped her from doing so, and was “very much concerned”. Mr Carey further stated that Marshall turned to him and ask him if he could fix the wires in such a way that they wouldn’t be within the child’s reach “because she didn’t want her daughter to get hurt”. “And I saw genuine, very, very genuine concern for that little girl,” Mr Carey said. Mr Carey also said Marshall and her husband both took “excellent” care of their two sons, who are at the “top of their class” in school. Additionally, Mr Carey said his own three children “love their auntie”. Thus, Mr Carey said his personal opinion was that if Marshall’s situation is handled correctly, in that she is given the appropriate help, not only would the woman’s life be salvaged, but “Philicia’s life may not have to be in vain”. “Because this that happened, Philippa did not choose to do this,” he said. “I know that for a fact. She is just as much a victim as her daughter. And my entire family, we are all victims as well. We have lost Philicia. And right now we’ve also lost Philippa.”
HATS OFF TO ALL OUR HEROES
MINISTER of Environment Romauld Ferreira awarded students and sponsors yesterday at the Be A Hero ceremony Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff do anything they want if they pursue their dreams and goals. We wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t any environment at all. If we take care of the environment then we can live in an amazing world,” he said. “I started by using plywood from the dump, then I painted them and replenished them. I wrote please do not litter on our beaches. I also donated a bunch of books to a library in Marsh Harbour.”
Olivia Cambridge and her younger brother, DeMarco Cambridge, led a school-wide effort to clean up the streets around the school grounds. She told The Tribune: “I feel great and I feel like I can make a very big difference to other people who think that they’re too young. I can make a difference by helping clean the Earth and I like to be an idol for other children. I’m
MOTORCYCLIST’S DEATH By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
Marshall was seated on the floor, attempting to put a pink sweater on Philicia, who was lying on a tan blanket next to her. According to Sgt Gibson, Marshall was getting the toddler dressed to go to the hospital. At that point, Sgt Gibson said she noticed that Philicia had no skin on her arms, hands and legs. However, she said the child was not crying. The officer said she also saw a burnt diaper as well as a burnt, yellow onesie near the young child. Sgt Gibson said Mr Marshall told her - in his wife’s presence - that at around 10.30pm on December 27, 2017, he fell asleep on the floor with his two sons, ages seven and three, with Philicia next to him. He said he awoke around 2.50 the following morning, and when he did, realised his daughter was no longer next to him. Mr Marshall got up and started searching for his daughter. His search led him to one of his son’s rooms, where he not only found his wife, but also his daughter, who was lying on his son’s bed with her skin “falling off”. Yesterday, Mr Carey suggested that such actions could only be attributed to Marshall’s mental condition, as in the 25 years he has known the 41-year-old, she has never exhibited any “violent tendencies”. And as it relates to her daughter, Mr Carey said Marshall constantly displayed “outright” and “genuine” concern for the child’s safety and well-being. He referred to a situation that occurred in the days leading up to the incident in question, which took place at a Christmas dinner
police received information shortly after midnight on Thursday of a traffic accident on Seahorse Road, near Windsor Park, Lucaya, involving a Yamaha motorcycle, and a Honda vehicle. Assistant Superintendent of Police Walter Henderson said that emergency medical personnel took the motorcyclist to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
an outdoor person and if there is a bunch of garbage, I can’t have fun. I think if I clean it can be good for people and animals.” Sebastian Major told The Tribune he was proud to win the Be a Hero award. “I feel like it’s a really good accomplishment. I’m very proud of it and it’s a big honour to be known as somebody who cleaned up some of the beach. The main goal for me cleaning
up was not to be rewarded but for everybody because cleaning up the environment keeps us alive,” he explained. Sponsors were also awarded for their contribution to the Be a Hero Campaign. The sponsors included Atlantis, AML Foods, Bahamas Hot Mix, Bahamas Waste Limited, Bahamas Wholesale Agency, Commonwealth Brewery, Kelly’s Home
Centre, McDonalds, Subway, Seaside Media Limited, The Sign Man, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Education. A special tribute was made to Eileen Carron, the publisher and editor of The Tribune. Mrs Carron was praised for “the tens of thousands of dollars of advertising support” which was free of charge. She was awarded with a large Be a Hero award.
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PAGE 4, Friday, November 1, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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Why so quiet, Mr Lloyd? AS the country chews over the latest examination results showing no progress for students in maths, English and science, here are some strong words to consider. “The people deserve a government that realises the significance of improving our educational system with the will to pursue and enact long-overdue reforms... Bahamian students, young adults and learners of all ages have waited for these reforms for far too long under a government that fails to unlock their boundless potential. “It is time for a government that not only makes educational reforms a priority but also possesses the wherewithal to make these improvements a reality.” Strong words, indeed - it certainly is time, past time in fact, for reform that will lift the level of achievement by our nation’s students. Those words sound like the kind of thing we need to hear as we consider a continued lack of progress by students under Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd’s tenure. There’s only one problem. Those words were said by Mr Lloyd as the FNM campaigned for office. This is what we’re going to do, the party said. Reform. Unlocking potential. Improvement. Well, where is it? In fact, where is Mr Lloyd? When The Tribune tried to ask him for comment yesterday on the results, he was apparently out of the country and unable to comment. For the record, they do have phones in other countries too. It’s not as if he hasn’t had time to prepare a comment either - these results
customarily come out in late August or early September, so there has been plenty of time to digest the unpalatable results and offer an explanation. There is of course variation in the results - a few more A to C grades here, a drop in A grades there - but there is little sign of the revolutionary reform the FNM promised in order to encourage people to give them their votes. In 2017, Mr Lloyd said something else regarding results: “We started out with a D, we are still at a D - something is wrong.” Well, something is still wrong. Mr Lloyd had signalled a need to start the reform with pre-schoolers, and that has been a focus of his ministry - but does that mean we need to wait a generation for any improvement? Are we writing off those in regular schools in the meantime? The minister’s absence when the results come out tells its own story. If this was a story of success, we imagine he might not be so reluctant to talk about it. Instead, he’s nowhere to be seen at a time when he should be front and centre. The people deserve a government that realises the significance improving our educational system. Your own words, Mr Lloyd, to stand by when the results aren’t so good as well as when they are. As Minister of Education, you are the foremost representative of government in this regard. Those within that educational system deserve your full attention.
Counting down the days WITH Halloween out of the way, the stores will be quickly filled up with Christmas items, so here’s a suggestion. Go and pick up an advent calendar early, and start opening the doors on November 15. Why then? Well, when you get to the last door, that will be the day when – if BPL’s promises come true – the nation’s power problems will be resolved. Mid-December marks the time when the Wartsila engines are due to bring an extra 132MW of generation capacity on line. The company yesterday said it is
seeking to recruit 31 workers to operate the new engines – which seems a tight amount of time to find the right staff and train them – but surely we can trust in BPL’s word, can’t we? Well… we shall see. We do fret a little to see Minister Desmond Bannister saying it will sort out “most” of the challenges. Not all? Oh dear. And we find it a little ironic that electrical workers were only told of Wartsila’s offer to hire 31 staff, 27 of them Bahamian, yesterday. It appears that BPL has left its staff – as it has so much of the country this year – in the dark.
For what it’s worth EDITOR, The Tribune WHILE the debate on the Evacuation Bill continues in Parliament, some have questioned what could happen if a resident ordered to leave an unsafe area refuses to do so. The consequences of refusing to obey a proper and legal evacuation order was considered by the Privy Council in Commissioner of Police vs. Cavanaugh (Montserrat) 2005 UKPC 28. This was a case in which a person refused to be evacuated and was arrested, charged, and fined in Montserrat in the light of a volcanic eruption. After a trial in the Magistrate’s Court, and then an appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, the matter was referred to the Privy Council in London. The Board found as follows: “In the present case- At the end of September and the beginning of October 2002 the volcano was in a highly active phase. As a result, on 7 October 2002 the Governor met the residents of the area affected by this activity, which included Old Towne, and
directed them to evacuate the area, beginning on 8 October. Over the two days, 8 and 9 October, nearly all the residents of the area were moved out and were accommodated in shelters in a safe area. However, the respondent, Brian Cavanaugh, refused to leave. On 9 October the Governor went on ZJB Radio Montserrat to announce that he had signed an order, which was to take effect from 6 pm the same day. The order in question was the Emergency Powers (Unsafe Areas) Order 2002 (SRO 49 of 2002) (“the 2002 Order”) which the Governor purported to make by virtue of his power, under regulation 5(1) of the Principal Regulations, to declare an area to be an unsafe area. Regulation 2 of the 2002 Order defined what were henceforth to be the unsafe areas. It is unnecessary to describe those areas in detail since it is now common ground that Old Towne lies inside one of those areas. On 23 and 24 December the police again approached him and asked him to leave, but he refused to do so.
On 24 December he was accordingly arrested. The charge against him was that on 24 December 2002 at Old Towne in the Colony of Montserrat without proper authorisation he was found in an unsafe area, to wit, Old Towne, contrary to regulation 5(2) (b) of the Principal Regulations as amended. In the present case Old Towne was within one of the areas declared to be unsafe areas in the order which the Governor made on 9 October 2002. Therefore on 24 December 2002 the respondent was found in an unsafe area contrary to regulation 5(2) (b) of the Principal Regulations. It follows that he committed an offence and that the Senior Magistrate was right to convict him of a contravention of that regulation.” As a result of this ruling, his conviction and his fine of $1,000.00, or in default, his sentence of 30 days in prison were confirmed. For what it’s worth. ANTHONY THOMPSON Nassau October 31, 2019
It is our money they are wasting EDITOR, The Tribune THERE has been a lot of brouhaha lately about the Bahamas Defence Force’s decision to let its Commodore take his vacation leave rather than allowing him to stay on the job and continue to accumulate extra pay for postponed vacations. By staying on the job, he has already collected and is owed three months vacation leave. This means that he will have been paid for the time that he stayed on the job, rather than taking his vacation, in addition to his accumulated vacation pay. With this system an officer could accumulate a year’s vacation, because he has worked for a full year and chalked up the vacations that he should have taken as either extra pay, or a year off from the Force. It is understood that the Minnis administration’s policy is not to pay individuals for extended periods of vacation time in such instances. A sound business decision – long overdue! It was claimed that to enforce such a decision came at a bad time because of the hurricane. The public was assured that it did no such thing. When the Commodore left for his extended vacation, AFTER Tribune Business reported that technology “glitches” and a surge in applications were blamed for the driver’s licence “backlog” readers responded on tribune242.com. Islandboy242242 said: “Pretty pathetic. How do you run out of cards? Seems like a pretty simple thing to track, like the ink for your printer, you have a working quantity and a reserve quantity, we aren’t talking about a small business though we are talking about a whole country, and affecting people travelling to the USA to rent a car, sad sad sad.” Clamshell had this to say: “Only in the Bahamas . . . we can assume that the person who forgot to order the cards never forgets to order his/her lunch, or cash their government paycheck. Only in the Bahamas.” There was this from Well_mudda_take_sic: “Sadly this failed Minnisled FNM government has
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the second in command took charge and, we understand, has everything under control. This extra vacation business was a scheme that should never have been allowed to start. I do not know the rules for the Force, but I am a business man and I do know that no business could stay open if it employed such a scatterbrained system. When one is employed a contract is agreed with pay and leave spelt out. There is no way that an employee could arbitrarily increase their pay by deciding to work during their vacation leave and either accumulate enough leave that they either go on an extended vacation with the accumulated vacation pay or they take it in cash and continue working! It would be like having two persons doing one man’s job – no business could afford such foolishness. In private enterprise, a contract is agreed, which includes time allowed off for a vacation. When vacation time comes, the next in line steps into the breach
also caused our public health system to occasionally run out of vital medicines and our public education system to often run out of necessary school supplies. Meanwhile Minnis hob-nobs with foreign investors, the political elite and his business cronies.” DEDDIE posted this: “Yes, I am presently one of the persons caught up in this fiasco. I told them I could order a box of cards from Australia and I have it in hand in about two and a half days. Why, please tell me why, after a month you’ll have the same excuse?” Marlon Johnson, acting financial secretary at the Ministry of Finance, said Hurricane Dorian had reinforced “why fiscal discipline is so important”
and carries on. And so it goes down the line as each staff member takes a vacation at a scheduled time. No wonder government ministries are drowning in debt. It would be of easy solution if such practices were immediately stopped, and if bills were sent out and collected on time, and government employees were efficient in the work that they do. With this type of nonsense being manipulated no wonder so many Bahamians want a government job. They should remember that it is our hard-earned money that they are wasting — and seeing the inefficiency in so many government departments, no wonder so many Bahamians resent their behaviour. Anything to stop the waste and improve efficiency in government departments would get three cheers from the working community. Remember folks, it’s our money that some of you are playing foot-loose and fancy-free with. It’s time to shape up! Hats off to the Minnis government for its sensible decision. A BAHAMIAN BUSINESSMAN Nassau October 30, 2019. even though it is set to drive the national debt to almost $9bn, prompting this comment from Proudloudandfnm: “Debt is now 8.2 billion and he’s saying it’ll get to near 9 billion after Dorian???? Huh? He thinks we’ll only need 800 million? Something isn’t right here . . .” Socrates said: “Make no mistake, the glory days are long gone. Hope for the best but realistically, given our size, it’s almost a forgone conclusion that we are getting closer to the point of no return.” And in The Tribune’s online poll, we’re asking readers if they support a sugary drinks ban at government healthcare facilities and public schools. At the time of going to press, the majority of those voting (89%) were in favour of the ban. The poll is still open, so don’t miss your chance to vote and join the debate on tribune242.com.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 1, 2019, PAGE 5
WISH FRED SMITH DEAD? MITCHELL DECLINES TO COMMENT FRED Mitchell declined to comment yesterday after a website he previously said “aligns itself with his thinking” wished death on attorney Fred Smith. Editorial writers on the Bahamas Uncensored website hoped for a more harmful outcome for Mr Smith, who is recovering in hospital in Italy after a paragliding accident that left him with serious injuries. The website, formerly called fredmitchelluncensored, contains no bylines to identify the writers. Mr Mitchell, who has historically distanced himself from its posts, declined to comment yesterday on the comment about Mr Smith
when contacted by The Tribune. The editorial said: “Fred Smith sadly did not die in the accident in Italy and was back of the front pages of the newspapers of The Bahamas clowning around in wheel chair in Italy as if he were some conquering lion. That he has survived the accident and promises to return to The Bahamas to create much more mischief in the Bahamas, was not as a result of the prayers of the faithful. His front organisation called Rights Bahamas was in the press denouncing The Bahamas again because our usually timid government stood up to these international bullies who want to tell us
FREDS Mitchell & Smith how to run our immigration policy. Once again, he put Fred Mitchell’s name in it. Mr Mitchell has nothing to do with the policies of immigration but Fred Smith just has a thing with
Fred Mitchell. Poor fella. The problem is that the Rights Bahamas fronting for Fred Smith have again defamed the immigration officials of the Bahamas and will no doubt continue to do so. For the record, the immigration policies of The Bahamas are not illegal and they are not inhumane. We support the position that if you are not here lawfully you must return to your home country. Simple as that.” While paragliding in the Dolomite mountains of the Italian Alps, Mr Smith dislocated and shattered his left ankle, broke his left tibia, dislocated and sliced his right ankle and broke two vertebrae. He had
surgery and is recovering in an Italian hospital. In November 2016, Mr Mitchell recorded a voice note in which he encouraged supporters to read Bahamas Uncensored, as well as the Fred Mitchell minute-by-minute Facebook page, because it “aligns with much of my thinking on political issues”. At the time, the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association called for the then Minister of Foreign Affairs to be excluded from further discussions with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights because of the voice note, saying Bahamas Uncensored was
“well known to be closely connected to the governing PLP party and has been responsible for much of the intimidating and aggressive rhetoric which has targeted the beneficiaries of Precautionary Measure MC 706-16 (a ruling by the commission), including an image of a victim with a gun in his mouth with the caption ‘Save The Bays needs to be destroyed’.” Mr Smith was one of five people to benefit from the October 2016 ruling which required the Bahamas government to adopt the necessary measures to protect their lives and those of their families.
the national exam results remain at a D average. He said: “For the last 10 years or more, the BGCSE results have shown not (any) improvement; we started out with a D, we are still at a D - something is wrong,” He continued: “There is no way to camouflage it; there is no way to excuse it; something is wrong and we must fix it.” He went on to stress the only way the issue could be corrected was to go back to the beginning and start with preschoolers. This has been a focus of the ministry.
Last November, it launched the second phase of its universal pre-school programme with a contract signing for its private pre-school partnership. A total of 44 private preschools have been identified for the plan allowing parents to get vouchers of up to $2,000 per child to enrol in one of the approved institutions. Nearly a year later in August 2019, contracts were signed with over 80 private pre-school providers.
Another set of depressing exam results from page one In 2017, 521 students scored at least a C grade and then in 2016 there were 574. The year 2015 had 570 candidates. Additionally the number of candidates receiving a minimum or five subjects or more with a D grade or higher decreased. This year 1,213 candidates attained a minimum of D in at least five subjects, representing a 9.34 percent decrease from the results of 2018. Last year 1,338 candidates were able to score or more D’s or higher and in 2017 there were 1,493. It was a similar story when it came tor those who scored C or better in at least five subjects, with 760 candidates falling in this category compared with the 806 in 2018. This means this category saw a 5.71 percent decrease, according to the results.
There were 880 in 2017; 903 in 2016 and 961 candidates in 2015. Still the Ministry of Education noted these results were better than anticipated. “It is interesting to note that again this year more than 80 percent of the grades awarded continue to range from A to E, which is better than anticipated. The percentage is comparable to previous years,” the ministry said. “Although the percentage at A decreased, the cumulative percentage of grades awarded at A to C increased slightly when compared to last year. The highest percentage of grades awarded continues to be at grade C.” A total of 6,453 candidates from 109 centres were registered to sit the examination. “The number of candidates represents a decrease of 3.89 when compared with 2018, which has a total of 6714 candidates
from 111 centres,” the ministry also said. Female candidates continued to out perform male test takers. Bahamas Junior Certificate scores were not better with an 18.36 percent decrease in the number of students who scored at least a C grade in maths, English language and science. In 2018, 1,552 candidates scored at least a C and 1,326 were in 2017. Those who achieved a D grade in five or more subjects were also lower. This year, 2,176 candidates achieved a minimum of D, a 6.17 percent decrease when compared with 2018’s 2,319. There were 2,269 in 2017, 2,240 in 2016 and 2,179 in 2015. A positive for the BJC results, the ministry said, was there were percentage increases at A and D along with decreases in F and G grades.
MOTORISTS COMPLAIN ABOUT LICENCE DELAYS
By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
IRATE drivers yesterday expressed frustration with Road Traffic Department over the continued delay with the issuing of new drivers’ licences. “They run out of plastic (drivers licence) cards some time ago and this is my third week here and they told me to come back again next week Friday. It’s frustrating because they keep telling me to come back, but it’s never ready when I come back,” one driver angrily told The Tribune. Speaking with Tribune Business on Wednesday, Antoinette Thompson, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Local Government, said that the issuance of new licences and renewals was “back on track” from Tuesday after issues with the printing system were remedied. However, when The Tribune canvassed the traffic department yesterday, many motorists expressed otherwise, saying they have still not received their new licenses after applying for it weeks ago. In fact, one frustrated driver - who wanted to be identified as Mrs Knowles – said she has been waiting for more than two weeks to receive her driver’s licence card. “It’s a big inconvenience for me because I was here on Tuesday and then I came back again this morning and then I was told to come back. Some people say they have been getting the runaround for four weeks,” she said.
“It’s just frustrating because then you have to tote these lines in the hot sun and then your whole day gone. It’s terrible and I could understand if they had a place in air condition and seats to sit down but you have to be towing the line.” Another driver expressed similar comments to The Tribune. “You giving us these papers and telling us to come back and when we come back, (the licence) still ain’t ready. You know it’s the end of the month and so they should’ve had this thing sorted out man,” said one frustrated driver, who did not want to be named. Technological glitches and a surge in applications, according to Mrs Thompson, are to blame for the delay in new driver’s license cards. She said: “Admittedly, there has been a challenge with driver’s licenses being issued….. There was an increase in the number of applications over the summer for drivers’ licences… Further compounding the increase of applicants there was a glitch with the printing of driver’s licences.” But, some drivers are calling for officials to be more transparent in giving the real reasons why the new licence cards are taking so long to be distributed. “It’s like nobody cares and are pushing these issues when it comes to the public sector. But we need to know the reasons why our licences are not ready. No one really cares. They need to tell us what the real problem is,” another irate driver said.
Earlier this week, former minister for transport Glenys Hanna-Martin called for the government to show greater accountability over the driver’s licence woes. “The minister needs to explain why the people can’t get a national identification card, particularly in light of the fact of the importance of the document. He himself moved legislation to criminalise this not having a driver licence in your vehicle not that long ago,” she argued. “He should have known that it would have put people in an uncomfortable position, and he should move to ensure that this would not occur. He should have known he was putting people in jeopardy by criminalising this. Now, for the Road Traffic Department to be out of cards at this time is just unacceptable.”
EDUCATION Minister Jeff Lloyd Negatively, there were percentage decreases at B and C along with increases in E and U. In 2017, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said something is wrong with the country’s educational system, but it seems officials are failing to spark notable improvements with the national tests. During the Ministry of Education’s annual Teachers’ Enrichment Day in Grand Bahama that year, Mr Lloyd said officials could not continue to rest on their laurels while
Editorial View - Page 4
PAGE 6, Friday, November 1, 2019 By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net DISPLACED residents who lost their homes in Hurricane Dorian are frustrated that building materials have not yet been distributed by NEMA to help them start reconstruction in East Grand Bahama. Some residents are staying in accommodations provided by the Department of Social Services, which has given them three months to find more permanent accommodations. Florence Neely, a resident of Lady Lakes, pleaded with Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest this week at a town meeting about the “terrible” situation they are facing. “Some of us are in a terrible position and we need relief now,” she told the MP for East Grand Bahama. Many people at the meeting applauded in agreement with her. Ms Neely is one of many displaced residents who has been assisted with accommodations by Social Services. She told Mr Turnquest that they have been
THE TRIBUNE
Where are our new building materials? given three months to find someplace to stay. “Social Services only give us three months to be out of the house – three months to find someplace to stay, and three months is around the corner. Building supplies need to be released (distributed) as soon as possible, like this month,” she insisted. “I live in Lady Lakes… and every house was touched (there), including mine – all the windows and doors are out, and the roof is compromised,” she said. Homes in that residential subdivision were under siege from 20ft storm surge as Dorian sat over the island for two days. As she waits for relief
Funeral Service For
every day. They are backing up 97 containers that are sitting in Florida trying to get on a boat to come to GB, including some with building supplies. “While people have goodwill and are donating, and that is wonderful, it is also in some regards clogging up the system,” he explained. DPM Turnquest said the government is committed to helping. He noted that homes with minor to medium damage will get help before those whose homes were totally levelled. Also, he stressed that “living in a hurricane zone means that we must be responsible and protect ourselves as best as you can.” “It is unreasonable to expect that your neighbour is going to bear the cost of you not insuring your homes,” he said. “If you don’t insure your home, you want to turn to the state for help. Well, the
state has resources and it limits what the government can do.” Mr Turnquest urged residents to insure their structure in the event of such future disasters. He indicated that the government is committed to helping certain classes of individuals. “The government understands there are those who could not insure their homes and cannot get insurance because there are areas in GB that are in flood areas. Some people are indigent who may have paid off their home years ago and who are not able to insure their homes and living on pension – we understand they may need some assistance. The government is committed to helping those classes,” he said. For those with insurance, Mr Turnquest said the government expects them to claim on their insurance.
supplies, Ms Neely said: “The plywood is beginning to rot and water is settling on the tiles, which means I will have to replace tiles as well. We need some quick action. “I don’t know when the building materials are going to start to come in and to be distributed, but some of us are really in a terrible position and we need relief now.” “There are some people who have just lost tiles, but some of us have lost just about our whole house, and there are no building supplies yet. When is it going to be released?” “I had hoped the Minister of State Iram Lewis would be here tonight to give us some idea of when supplies would be distributed. I wanted to ask him that question.” Following the devastation in Abaco and Grand Bahama, Mr Lewis was appointed Minister of State of Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Reconstruction.
Ms Neely hopes that building materials are distributed soon. “We hoping to get it soon as possible, Christmas is right around the corner and you have to be mindful of that,” she said. “Building supplies need to be released as soon as possible like this month. I am trying to be straight up – those supplies, I don’t know how you going to do it, but those who lost their whole house should be dealt with right way – first and foremost.” In response to Ms Neely’s concerns, Mr Turnquest said that he is not sure when building materials will arrive on the island for distribution. He noted that the logistics of getting materials to the island is a challenge. “Right now, there are 100 containers on the island stuffed with food that we need to clear out. And those containers are coming
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
MARCO CITY TEAM DISTRIBUTES RELIEF TO 200 RESIDENTS IN GRAND BAHAMA
Mr. Valerio Mauro Sergio Zanchi, 66
of Blair Estates, Nassau, The Bahamas, died peacefully at his residence, on Tuesday, 29th October, 2019, will be held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Shirley Street, Nassau, on Monday, 4th November, 2019 at 11:00am. Father Anselm Russell will officiate and cremation will follow. He is survived by his wife Sandrine Demoulin; his children, Guido, Francesco, Simone, Michele and Loic and many other relatives and close friends. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Bahamas Humane Society, P.O. Box N. 242, Nassau in memory of Mr. Valerio Mauro Sergio Zanchi. Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.
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THE Marco City Constituency Team distributed relief items to more than 200 local residents this week on Grand Bahama. The event was held at the Zenobia Cooper Park in Coral Reef Subdivision One on Wednesday afternoon. Toshyia François, office administrator/co-ordinator of the team, said food care packages were distributed, as well as baby items, gently worn clothing, tissue, hand towels, water, and garbage bags. “We want to thank our sponsors, Zania and Jonathon Bowleg, from South
Florida, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Nesbitt Rentals, the Salvation Army, and many other sponsors,” Ms François said. “We catered to 200 plus persons today from Marco City and the wider GB community between 1.30 and 2.30pm.” Mrs Francois said distribution will continue in Marco City. “Persons were very grateful and happy to receive the relief items, and we will be going to every park in Marco City,” she added.
She said Marco City MP Michael Pintard, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, is currently out of the country on official government business but continues to keep in touch with the office to provide guidance. According to Mrs François, Mr Pintard and the team work closely with sponsors in bringing in donations for the people of GB. In addition to the distribution hurricane relief items, the team also helps to provide lunch and dinner
Monday through Sunday to constituents. She said they deliver hot cooked lunch and dinner, provided courtesy of World Central Kitchen, throughout Marco City, and also at their constituency office. Sunday is reserved for delivery only. Ms Françcois extended special thanks to the Marco City team members for their hard work and volunteering to assist, even though they too were adversely affected.
CLEAN-UP OF DEBRIS IN ABACO HAS BEGUN, SAYS FERREIRA By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
NEARLY two months after Hurricane Dorian ravaged the northwestern Bahamas, the clean-up of debris in Abaco has begun, according to Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira. Mr Ferreira told The Tribune yesterday that the removal of debris is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Works. “Once that debris is removed, collected and removed. It’s being sorted on site. In other words, the place where the debris is being cleared from, it’s being sorted there and it’s going to lay down sites,” he said. “When it comes down to the lay down site, that’s when the Ministry of Environment and Housing takes over, sort of with the final solution for it which will be a combination of mulching, some will go into the landfill, some will be exported and some will hopefully be recycled and be reused.” Earlier this week, Iram
Lewis, the new Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, said all major and arterial roads on the island of Abaco have been cleared. Speaking to reporters at a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) press conference, Mr Lewis said the Ministry of Public Works’ hurricane emergency plan was activated and the clearing of the roads on Abaco officially started on September 2. He said: “The debris collected shall be sorted in the following categories and taken to the lay down site. White waste (such as) freezers, stoves, washing machines; electronic waste (such as) televisions, computers and printers; household waste (such as) couches, mattresses, and dressers; construction waste (such as) concrete plumbing fixtures, wiring and fibre glass. Wood - organic waste and lumber.” In September, it was reported that 1.5bn pounds of debris were strewn across Marsh Harbour following Dorian.
.• MONITORING wells will be installed to determine whether or not the ground water was impacted as a result of the oil spill at the Equinor South Riding Point facility in East Grand Bahama, Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira said yesterday. Speaking to The Tribune, Mr Ferreira said to date there are 300 people on the site assisting with recovery operations. “The (wells) will be monitored by members of staff from the Ministry of Environment, particularly the Department of Environmental House Services and the best commission officers.” “Of course, they’re moving into the phase as well where in addition to recovering product that maybe in pools or contaminated soil. They are looking at resuscitation of the pine forest itself and, of course, that would involve removing trees that had been impacted to the point that they will die or are dead and pruning those that can recover.”
The minister said more animals have been affected by the oil spill. Mr Ferreira said: “A total of nine animals were impacted so we are up from the four that I initially mentioned. Some (animals) have been released back into the environment.” Last week, the international energy company released a statement that stated additional surveys were conducted by Equinor and two external companies. The surveys revealed the updated estimated volume of the oil spill at the South Riding Point terminal after the impact of Hurricane Dorian was 55,000 barrels (2.3 million gallons) – less than half the initial volume estimate of 119,000 barrels (five million barrels), Equinor said. “The updated estimate is made by Equinor and surveyor companies AmSpec and Oil Inspections following a transfer of oil from the damaged tanks to secure tanks at the terminal last week,” Equinor added.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 1, 2019, PAGE 7
STOP DISNEY GROUP RESUMES CAMPAIGN
By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
LIGHTHOUSE Point
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have relaunched their campaign against the development of the Disney Cruise Lines port at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera after suspending their protests to focus on the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and the “climate change crisis”. In a statement on Wednesday, organisers of “Stop Disney - Last Chance for Lighthouse Point” campaign said they have resumed their efforts, which was temporarily put on hold as a result of Hurricane Dorian. “When Hurricane Dorian struck on September 1, the groups paused the campaign and refocused on relief and recovery efforts… (But) people in The Bahamas and around the world are seeing storms becoming more
powerful and frequent and are understanding their connection to a warming ocean,” the statement read. “(And) young people around the world are demanding that action be taken now to deal with the changing climate and human impact on the environment, particularly in environmentallysensitive areas.” In July, the Government and Disney Island Development Ltd signed a Heads of Agreement for the construction of a cruise port and entertainment facility at Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera. In response to the port development, five Bahamian leading environmental groups and an international organisation banded together and launched a campaign against the project, citing it as a major environmental threat to the area’s natural resources. “The foot traffic alone, from
more than one million visitors a year, will certainly cause irreversible damage to coral reefs and marine life, not to mention the inevitable harm to the area’s natural resources from the construction and operation of the massive pier and port,” the group said in the statement. And in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, environmentalists noted that protecting Lighthouse Point has become more important than ever. “This must include protecting — not destroying — Marine Protected Areas that are essential to the resiliency of the oceans already under incredible pressures. After Dorian, business as usual is no longer acceptable,” Reearth Executive Director, Sam Duncombe said. Phoebe Shaw, campaign director of Last Chance for Lighthouse Point, added: “Lighthouse Point should be a beacon of hope for
The Bahamas, our oceans, and our future… (So) we challenge Disney to re-evaluate Lighthouse Point in light of Hurricane Dorian and the need to deal with the reality of climate change.” According to the pro-environmental group, the campaign has gathered over 100,000 supporters so far, all of whom have signed petitions in opposition to Disney’s development. “The renewed ‘Last Chance’ campaign will work with this growing community of supporters to ensure that the campaign’s even more urgent message reaches out to millions more,” the statement continued. Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation (BREEF), EARTHCARE, ReEarth, Save the Bays, and Waterkeepers Bahamas are all local organisations actively involved in the campaign.
Ex-Renew Bahamas chief Cox fined and deported from page one The Tribune understands their fines were paid in full yesterday. They faced a year in prison if they defaulted. The Newcastle natives were further ordered by the senior magistrate to be turned over to the Department of Immigration for deportation upon paying their respective fines. One of the pair’s attorneys, Alex Morley, indicated that Michael Cox has two children with his wife, who is a professor at the University of The Bahamas. However, the senior magistrate said that fact should have put both men “in a posture of greater care to abide by The Bahamas’ immigration laws”. “No one is above the law,” she added. “Not this court, and certainly not any person visiting these here Commonwealth of The Bahamas.” The sentences came despite the pair’s insistence that they were not working as previously claimed when immigration officers arrested them on October 5, 2018. Immigration Officer Corey Bonaby testified that on the date in question he received instructions from one of his superiors, Peter Joseph, to investigate a matter in the area of Summerset Estates. He said he had received a complaint that two Caucasian males, thought to be foreigners, were working at a heavy equipment site. Officer Bonaby said he was instructed to lead a small team of officers to the area, Sanasha’s Development and Heavy Equipment. When the bus he and the other officers were in pulled up to the rear, he observed Michael Cox sitting on a forklift. He said the officers got out of the bus and splintered into different groups, with himself and three other officers approaching the man on the forklift. By the time they got to the man, he was already off the forklift. According to Officer Bonaby, Michael Cox was wearing “highly worn-down” steel-toe boots, rugged jeans and a buttoned-down shirt. Officer Bonaby said he questioned the man about his immigration status, to
which he answered by identifying himself as Michael Cox and stating that he was a visitor, and that he had a work permit, but it had expired. Officer Bonaby said when he asked the man to provide proof that he was a visitor, he could not. Officer Bonaby said Michael Cox told him that he wasn’t working, and was only at the location in question to visit a friend, Ronald Miller, who owned the property. However, he said Mr Miller wasn’t in the area at the time. Officer Bonaby said that, based on what Michael Cox was wearing at the time, he was cautioned and told that he was suspected of engaging in gainful employment and placed under arrest. After that, two other officers took Michael Cox to the front of the yard while he searched for other people in the area. After finding no one, Officer Bonaby said he then made his way to the front of the area, where he observed Maurice Cox, donned in dirty blue overalls and rugged boots, who was already under arrest. Officer Bonaby said he subsequently questioned Maurice Cox on what he was doing, to which the 51-year-old responded by saying he was working and teaching other persons in the area how to load scrap metals onto containers for export, and that he was assisting his nephew in loading them. Fellow immigration officer Kyle Edwards subsequently testified that while Officer Bonaby was dealing with Michael Cox, he went to the front of a building on the Summerset Estates site, where he saw Maurice Cox standing behind a metal container wiping his hands. Officer Edwards said Maurice Cox was dressed as if he were involved in “industrial” activity of some sort, clad in dirty jeans, boots, gloves and a construction jacket. Officer Edwards said he approached Maurice Cox and asked him if he had any legal status to be in the country. The officer said the man said he did have legal status, and went to his jeep to retrieve a foreign driver’s licence which he showed the officer. Officer Edwards said he then asked Maurice Cox if that was all the proof
MICHAELCOX he had, to which the man replied by saying he had no other proof of status. After that, he said he turned Maurice Cox over to Officer Bonaby. Officer Bonaby said before the pair was put on the bus, he took pictures of them with his cellphone, which he later had printed for possible evidence. He said the pair was ultimately transported to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre where they were further questioned and processed. Checks were made of the Department of Immigration’s Permit Issuance System, which revealed that Michael Cox’s work permit to function as CEO of Renew Bahamas was granted in July 2016 and expired in July 2017. The system showed that he applied for a renewal but a decision had not yet been made by the DOI’s board. Maurice Cox, meanwhile, entered the country as a visitor for 90 days, and had no application pending. However, Officer Bonaby admitted during cross-examination that he couldn’t say whether or not the forklift in question was actually in operation when he first spotted Michael Cox, much less if it was actually on, and could only say that it wasn’t running by the time he approached him. Additionally, notwithstanding the allegations that both men were engaged in gainful occupation without leave of an immigration officer, Officer Bonaby admitted that he did not arrest the man allegedly responsible for hiring them, Sanasha’s owner Ronald Miller, despite his evidence placing Mr Miller in and/or near the worksite the day both Michael and Maurice Cox were arrested. Both the accused took the witness stand in their defence, and both denied
US NOMINEE WITHDRAWS
THE nominee for United States ambassador to The Bahamas, Doug Manchester, has announced his withdrawal from consideration - blaming partisan politics in his country. Mr Manchester made the announcement on Wednesday on the OAN TV news channel, saying there was “a tremendous amount of hatred” from Democrats in the Senate in the US against President Donald Trump, adding: “They’ve done everything they possibly can to block my confirmation and others. It’s really a
travesty that we’re not putting America first in having an ambassador there as opposed to trying to block a political opponent.” There has not been a US ambassador to The Bahamas since 2011, when Nicole Avant, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, filled the role. Her successor was due to be Cassandra Butts, who was nominated in 2014 but the Senate, after an initial committee hearing, took no further action with her appointment being opposed by Republican senators and
she died in 2016, still awaiting a Senate vote. As he announced his withdrawal, he said it was important to continue to build links with The Bahamas, saying: “The American people need to come together both private and government to do everything we possibly can to continue to be aligned and joined at the hip politically, strategically with the Bahamian government.” Mr Manchester concluded by urging his fellow Americans to “show your love for the Bahamian people”.
doing any work for which they would be paid. Michael Cox said he was not working on the premises, and was only there to speak to Mr Miller, whom he knew for years as they had both previously worked at Renew Bahamas. During cross-examination by Immigration Officer Avia Beckford, Michael Cox said he went to the scrapyard to pick up his uncle Maurice. Meanwhile, Maurice Cox, a construction operations manager by profession, said Mr Miller was not paying him because he was just helping the other man out due to their mutual interest in heavy machinery. Lead defence attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, submitted in closing that the Crown had to prove that
his clients worked for Mr Miller and that they profited and/or gained for doing so. However, Ms Beckford submitted that the Crown didn’t need to show monetary profits, and asserted that based on the circumstances it could be assumed that the two men profited either directly or indirectly. However, Magistrate Vogt-Evans said “when one looks at what they were doing”, subject to certain portions of the Immigration Act, their “participation in the trade directly or indirectly for reward, profit or gain can be inferred”. “In this case the defendants were on a heavy equipment site where there was loading of steel on a container for export,” she
concluded. “They were both dressed in clothing worn on such sites. (Maurice Cox) stated he was instructing; (Michael Cox) was on a tractor when spotted. It is therefore reasonable to infer a negative conclusion.” In sentencing the pair, Magistrate Vogt-Evans said: “The court notes that there is a continuous challenge with immigration issues in our country. The court must send a clear message to all, no matter who they are, that the Bahamas has rules, regulations and laws like every other country, and they must be respected by those who we invite in.” Myles Laroda, Christina Galanos and Valencia Hunter also represented the two men.
PAGE 8, Friday, November 1, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Time to enjoy the funny side of Halloween WITH PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell, wishing the demise of QC and human rights activist Fred Smith, coupled with Speaker of the House, Halston Moultrie still ‘freaking’ himself out in the HOA, politics in the 242 has taken a dark turn, this Halloween weekend. Rather than continue down that dark path, which I quite easily could, seeing how there is material there, ripe for the picking. Instead I will share a few funny Halloween tales, courtesy of me and my comedian ‘compadres’ at the Jokers Wild.
DEAD OR ALIVE ? This Halloween road story has been retold over and over from various comics over my 22 years at the Jokers Wild Comedy Club.
Apparently one of my best friends in the business, globe trotting headliner Matt Davis, was preforming in Germany. Bad Segeberg, Hamburg to be exact. While travelling from Berlin to Bad Segeberg,
Davis and his co-headliner, mutual good friend and one of the Jokers Wild’s favourite comedians, Paul Hooper. Both legendary party animals, Johnny Knoxville and the entire cast from MTV’s ‘Jackass’ had nothing on these two. So as the story goes, passengers on the train heading to Bad Sedeberg, thought that a hungover, still reeking of booze Halloween reveller, who was dressed up as a zombie, was actually a murder victim. They were alarmed because his hands and face were smeared with what looked like blood. Because they suspected foul play, fellow passengers on the train called the police and also alerted the ambulance service. When paramedics arrived they soon realised that the (at the time, he’s old now) 24-year old man was in a drunken slumber rather than dead. A little later the police boarded the train, questioned Davis and Hooper, and asked them to remove their frightening make-up. Davis and Hooper were
then allowed to continue on their journey to Bad Sedeberg. An official police spokeswoman from Bad Sedeberg said: ‘Bad Segeberg is in a rural area and Halloween isn’t very well known there; so people weren’t expecting anyone to be dressed up on the train.’ Can somebody say ‘boondocks.’ An un-attributed acquaintance said to the local police (It was Hooper) “I was on that train, and my friend looked just the same as normal. I don’t understand why they called the authorities”. Stand up comedy brings many characters to the stage, ex-fire fighter turned stand up comedian Travis Howze is a prime example. And he has some of the funniest stories ever. Without fail, when asked if he had a funny Halloween story, he delivered this nugget. ABOVE BEYOND
AND
At 8.00pm on Halloween,
October 31st, two fire-fighters could see a fire raging in the back yard. The homeowner was clearly in breach of the rule on burning leaves after dark. One of the firemen knocked on the door, and they both waited each holding their helmet in their hand. A little old woman opened the door and promptly dropped a bar of candy into each helmet. She then told them, “Aren’t you boys are a little old for trick and treat, and closed the door”. The fire-fighters left open mouthed. Howze having a huge sweet tooth returned to the residence, until all the candy was gone and the back yard fire had burnt itself out. Howze calls it dedication, and going above and beyond the call of duty. Other comedians, well, we share a different opinion that can’t be repeated or shared here. (It involves cattle and manure). Until next week, enjoy your Halloween weekend, hopefully it’s full of treats with zero tricks!
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 1, 2019, PAGE 9
LEFT: the largest of the planned hotels, with 600 rooms; Above: the world’s first floating hotel; Right: Another 213-bedroomed hotel was also part of the project
Whatever happened to Coral Harbour dream? O
UT on a remote strip of road where the airfields of New Providence dwindle away and the land forms a T-junction with an extra arm, like a partially amputated roundabout, lies a subdivision called Coral Harbour. Two thick stone towers mark its entrance. Darkened by age, the towers guard what was once billed as the grandest dream of the Caribbean, a resort complex far ahead of its time with three hotels, including one with floating rooms. It would be surrounded by estates and lure those who yearned for a lifestyle with private yachts at their back door and a hotel ballroom for dancing just steps away. But something happened to the Coral Harbour dream and no one can quite put their finger on what. Ownership changed and changed and changed again. Money to complete construction of the hotels came and went as one bankruptcy followed another. Headlines filled with new promises of fresh starts leapt off front pages. And the promises of hotels and luxury and a lifestyle so ahead of its day in the 1950s and ‘60s never did materialise. Yet, the Coral Harbour dream, though faded, has evolved into one of the most fascinating, if lesser known, stories of places in modern Bahamian history. And those who live in Coral Harbour wouldn’t trade it for the world. It was not the founders’ dream, but it is their dream. Their vessel may not be a luxury yacht and it may not even have a working engine, but it’s there alongside their dock. Next door may be a shiny new home, a twostorey mini-manse with manicured cashmere grass and designer landscaping and next to that, a yard strewn with rusting heavy equipment and parts, a jumble of metal and boats that will never set sail or see the sea again.
Homeowners are so proud to be part of the Coral Harbour legacy that in 2010 they turned out en masse at a town hall meeting to preserve their faded pink walls and those towers dating back to the 50s and to rally against new commercial development. Part of what makes Coral Harbour such a captivating place is just that – its unpredictability, randomness, an enclave where casual reigns when everywhere else the very word enclave implies perfection. Look to your right and there is a brand new street with a still gleaming street sign. Andrews Boulevard it reads. It is blocked off by chain link fence, a pristine road that looks like it has never seen the bottom of a tyre goes nowhere. Sorry-looking political signs remain. There is the feeling that once something is planted in Coral Harbour, not much is going to move it. Coral Harbour’s dream most likely began with a man named Joseph Garfunkel, an Armenian Jew from New York married to a Roman Catholic named Cecilia. Their love affair with The Bahamas impacted sports and education in a fashion few immigrants to the country have ever equaled. A lover of sports, Garfunkel built the first baseball field, kept it meticulously maintained, in an area that is now known as Palmdale. The old John S. George would have been its infield. Boxing matches were held in the auditorium on Madeira Street named after him, now undergoing renovation after years of neglect. According to one of the most trusted sources in Bahamian history, Paul Aranha (also a Tribune columnist), Garfunkel gained permission to build the
Coral Harbour Road. For a short while, it seemed there was going to be a contest between the growing Lyford Cay, in its infancy and with a golf course built on the swamp and Coral Harbour with its vast canal system and access to the sea. Two prominent members of the Lyford Cay Club, Louis Bacardi and Peter Thompson, moved to Coral Harbour and Thompson remains to this day, more than 50 years later. With infrastructure of roads and canals in place, by September, 1956, the first hotel was far enough along to announce a completion date of January 1957. Over the next six to seven years, the project had as many take-offs and hard landings as a small airport. Quick starts and short endings. The names rattle on – Hemisphere Hotels with Robert M Souers as executive vice president announced a $32.2 million three-year build that would include more than 1,000 rooms. The dream was so widespread that a lone sailor with a dream of his own built a boat in the USSR with ingenuous parts for rigging, a sack of tomatoes, a tin of coffee and a small stash of homemade vodka sailed across the Atlantic to find his dream, a place called Coral Harbour that he read about in the 1963 Yachtsman’s Guide that inspired his adventure. Years later that article inspired him to make his way across the ocean and at Coral Harbour canal longtime residents who were first to see his strange boat appear called me. I called Immigration, Customs, who took the sailor to his first Western-style grocery store and saw his eyes light up. His courageous voyage made history
SOMETHING IN THE WAY IT READS
DRIVING along Love Beach recently I spotted what appeared to be large, oldfashioned lettering on a wall. I pulled over for a closer look and was fascinated by the beauty of the script and chuckled at its meaning which from years of boating I recognised instantly – the nautical letters for She Loves Me. (Sierra Hotel Echo: She, etc.) And then I remembered that the Beatles hung out in these parts for more than two weeks while they were filming the movie Help and later. The Beatles version
was She Loves You, not She Loves Me, but somehow, I couldn’t help linking the Beatles, the lyrics, timing and mysterious wall together. So, like a few weeks ago when I asked if anyone knows anything about how a road between a cemetery and a seminary got the name Lovers Lane, let me know. And sure enough they did. So if anyone out there has any idea about this beautiful wall that deserves preservation, please share. You can email me at diane@ dpa-media.com or whatsapp at 376-2177.
even as history was being made. He had sneaked out of a port on the south coast of the bitterly cold USSR in the dark of night headed across the seas to a magical place called Coral Harbour. By the time he arrived, the USSR was no more. Had he been home, he would have been in Ukraine. The Coral Harbour Beach Hotel did eventually open but its history would be short-lived. Its doors closed in 1971 and five years later, the government announced that following an intense search for a base for its newly-formed Royal Bahamas Defence Force – a search that included Bayshore Marina on East Bay Street – the base would be
HOW the Coral Habour yard looks today located in the abandoned Coral Harbour Hotel. The government purchased the property the following year and its occupancy has been guaranteed ever since, an unintended consequence of the Coral Harbour dream.
All that ever came of what would have been the first floating hotel in the Caribbean were two houseboats, neither of which was particularly well-maintained. Aquatel remained a dream.
PAGE 10, Friday, November 1, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
74 DEAD AS FIRE BLAZES ON TRAIN MULTAN, Pakistan Associated Press
BRITAIN’S BREXIT ELECTION PRO Brexit demonstrators wear medieval knights costumes as they gather outside Parliament in London yesterday. Britain’s upcoming election is a once-in-ageneration chance to transform the country, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said as he kicked off his party’s six-week election campaign.
Divided House approves Dems’ impeachment rules WASHINGTON Associated Press DEMOCRATS swept a rules package for their impeachment probe of President Donald Trump through a divided House yesterday, as the chamber’s first vote on the investigation highlighted the partisan breach the issue has only deepened. By 232-196, lawmakers approved the procedures they’ll follow as weeks of closed-door interviews with witnesses evolve into public committee hearings and — almost certainly — votes on whether the House should recommend Trump’s removal. All voting
Republicans opposed the package. Every voting Democrat but two supported it. Underscoring the pressure Trump has heaped on his party’s lawmakers, he tweeted, “Now is the time for Republicans to stand together and defend the leader of their party against these smears.” Yet the roll call also accentuated how Democrats have rallied behind the impeachment inquiry after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spent months urging caution until evidence and public support had grown. She and other Democratic leaders had feared a premature vote would wound
the reelection prospects of dozens of their members, including freshmen and lawmakers from Trump-won districts or seats held previously by Republicans. But recent polls have shown voters’ growing receptivity to the investigation and, to a lesser degree, ousting Trump. That and evidence that House investigators have amassed have helped unify Democrats, including those from GOP areas. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, said she was supporting a pathway to giving “the American people the facts they deserve,” while Rep. Andy Kim, D-N.J., said voters warrant “the uninhibited truth.”
SPEAKER of the House Nancy Yet Republicans were also buoyed by polling, which has shown that GOP voters stand unflinchingly behind Trump. “The impeachmentobsessed Democrats just flushed their majority down the toilet,” said Michael McAdams, a spokesman for House Republicans’ campaign arm. Elsewhere at the Capitol on Thursday, three House panels led by the Intelligence Committee
questioned their latest witness into the allegations that led to the impeachment inquiry: that Trump pressured Ukraine to produce dirt on his Democratic political rivals by withholding military aid and an Oval Office meeting craved by the country’s new president. Tim Morrison, who stepped down from the National Security Council the day before his appearance, testified — still behind closed doors — that he saw nothing illegal in Trump’s phone call with the Ukrainian president that is at the center of the Democrat-led investigation. Yet, Morrison also largely confirmed much of what William Taylor, the highest-ranking US official in Ukraine, said in earlier, highly critical testimony about the call, which Taylor said he and Morrison discussed several times.
A RAGING fire swept through a train in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab Province yesterday killing 74 people and survivors said afterward it took nearly 20 minutes for the train to stop amid contradictory reports about the condition of the train’s brakes. Three carriages were consumed by flames from a fire caused by a cooking gas stove and dozens of people jumped in panic from the speeding train. Conductor Sadiue Ahmed Khan said the train’s emergency breaking system was in perfect working order and the train stopped within three minutes after the first signs of fire. “This is the worst tragedy in my life as a driver,” he said. Investigators said they will be looking at the train’s braking system to determine its condition at the time of the fire. Survivors recounted pulling at emergency cords that weave through the train to notify the conductor, but they said the train continued to speed down the tracks. Ghulam Abbas, a passenger who boarded the train in the town of Nawabshah, echoed other passengers who said it took nearly 20 minutes for the train to stop.
MAJOR $48M COCAINE HAUL
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Associated Press
FEDERAL authorities say they have seized an estimated $48 million worth of cocaine off Puerto Rico’s south coast. US Customs and Border Protection said officials interdicted a boat yesterday that was carrying more than 4,000 pounds of the drug. It is the biggest such seizure in the region for this fiscal year. The agency said two men from the Dominican Republic have been detained.
MADRID SET TO HOST UN CLIMATE SUMMIT
MADRID Associated Press
SPAIN’S interim leader has offered to have Madrid host an international UN climate conference next month that was originally scheduled to be held in riotstruck Chile. Chilean President Sebastián Piñera cancelled plans to host the Dec. 2-13 climate gathering, as well as a summit of AsiaPacific leaders, to focus
on restoring security in his country, where at least a dozen people have died. A statement yesterday from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s office said he offered the space because he understands why the Chilean government needs to prioritize its “national social agenda” and how pressed organisers of the COP25 meeting are, given the last-minute switch. Sánchez, a Socialist, is
trying to stay in power as Spain holds a general election on Nov. 10. Spain said UN officials will consider Spain’s proposal next week at their meeting in Bonn, Germany. It wasn’t immediately clear on what scale the conference would be held if Madrid is chosen as an alternative. Last year’s climate conference in Katowice, Poland, was attended by more than 20,000 people.