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The Tribune
Volume:117 No.243, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2020
Established 1903
Weekend
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
A COMIC’S VIEW - THE HAVES THROW IT IN OUR FACES
IN-CLASS LESSONS BACK BY YEAR END?
Lloyd signals pupils may soon be allowed to head back into the classroom By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net FACE-to-face learning could resume in all schools across the country before year’s end, according to Education Minister Jeff Lloyd. Speaking to reporters yesterday, the minister said health officials have indicated it is possible schools could safely reopen with in-person instructions amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The development came as Mr Lloyd raised concerns over the fact that 30 percent of registered
students are not regularly participating in virtual classes. “The children want to be in school and we’re working now with the Ministry of Health in trying to find the way that we can safely – because safety is first – bring our children back to school as quickly as possible, observing all of the protocols whether it’s physical distancing, wearing masks and so on. We believe that that is something that is imminent,” Mr Lloyd told reporters at the Ministry of Education yesterday. SEE PAGE FIVE
A ROW erupted in the Senate yesterday when Attorney General Carl Bethel chided Opposition Senator Fred Mitchell about breaking COVID-19 regulations. However, Senator Mitchell hit back, reminding Mr Bethel of the “infamous wedding” in which his son Carlyle Bethel was involved, resulting in many people being cited for violating COVID-19 regulations. Carlyle Bethel made
headlines this week as he stood as a groomsman in the wedding of Xavier Knowles, a Ministry of Health communications officer. The wedding was attended by more people than is allowed in the Emergency Powers Orders. Further, the group was photographed and recorded without masks. Bethel, leader of the FNM’s youth arm, Torchbearers, along with the others, were cited by the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit. SEE PAGE THREE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net AN economist last night warned that investors will likely seek greater tax breaks and concessions as a result of The Bahamas’ latest sovereign credit downgrade. Rupert Pinder, who lectures at the University of The Bahamas, told Tribune Business that foreign direct investment projects and their sponsors would seek greater compensation for this nation’s higher “country risk” as a result of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgrading its sovereign credit to ‘BB-’ from ‘BB’. The move, which pushes The Bahamas deeper into socalled “junk” territory, was based on the country’s limited “fiscal flexibility” due to reforms being too slow prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
NIGHTCLUB AND GUESTS FINED FOR BREACHES
TEMPERS FLARE OVER WHO BROKE THE RULES By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
S&P DELIVER NEW BLOW WITH FRESH DOWNGRADE
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
I’M DEBT FREE - NOW IT’S YOUR TURN NAKITA Cash has gone from clearing her own debt to launching a YouTube show to offer advice to others. See today’s Weekend section for the full story.
POLICE cited the owner and patrons of a nightclub on Anthol Street, Montel Heights, on Wednesday night after they were found in breach of emergency orders. According to police, sometime after 7pm officers from the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit were alerted to a social gathering at the nightclub. “On the officers’ inspection of the premises, it was discovered that the patrons and proprietor were in violation of the COVID-19 Emergency order,” police said in a statement. SEE PAGE THREE
FIRST CRUISE BACK HIT BY VIRUS ONE of the first cruise ships to ply through Caribbean waters since the pandemic began ended its trip early after at least five passengers tested positive for COVID-19, officials said yesterday. The SeaDream I is carrying 66 crew and more than 50 passengers, with the majority of passengers hailing from the US according to Sue Bryant, who is aboard the ship and is a cruise editor for The Times
SEADREAM I and The Sunday Times in Britain. She told The Associated Press that one passenger became sick on Wednesday
and forced the ship to turn back to Barbados, where it had departed from on Saturday. However, the ship had yet to dock in Barbados as local authorities tested those on board. The captain announced that at least five passengers have tested positive, Bryant said. The incident marked the first time SeaDream had resumed its West Indies voyages since the pandemic,
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE FOUR
FRIDAY THE 13TH? NOT SOMETHING
WE SHOULD FEAR
SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Friday, November 13, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
TABLETS being donated by Island Luck yesterday to help students take part in virtual learning in a ceremony attented by Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian and Minister of Education Jeff Lloyd. Photos: Donovan McIntosh
Island Luck donates tablets for students LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Island Luck Cares Foundation donated 500 tablets to the Ministry of Education yesterday in support of its virtual learning platform. The donation is part of an effort to equip every child in The Bahamas with a virtual learning device. Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian said it was important for the organisation to do their part in ensuring every student has access to the tools they need to continue their education in a COVID-19 environment. “I know firsthand how it is and the challenges that many families would have without having these devices,” he said during a press conference yesterday. “I feel it as an obligation that we do our part and continue to do our part in ensuring that each and every child has a device to continue their education. This is 2020. It shouldn’t take a pandemic for us to make sure that every child has a device. That should’ve
been a necessity five years ago. “But be it as it may, this pandemic – though it may have had their fair share of challenges – it brought great awareness to what we need to be doing as a people, as a society. It’s not the government’s problem. It’s all of our problem and Island Luck and Island Luck Cares foundation will continue to do its part in closing that gap on this great need.” Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd, who was on hand to receive the donations, thanked Mr Bastian for his generous contribution to Bahamian society. He said: “We have thousands of students who do not have a device or do not have an internet or both and so for them, there may be an irrecoverable deprivation that they now suffer from and we hope to now remedy that and this is why we are so grateful to you for assisting us in meeting this most desperate need.” Priority recipients for the tablet devices, according to Mr Lloyd, will be primary school students.
He said: “These are going more specifically to the younger children. If you look at the size of them, you’ll see that they are more suited for the younger children and by that, I mean pre-schoolers all the way up to grades one to three and we have approximately 10,000 of them in that category of persons.” Asked yesterday how many students are still in need of the learning devices, the minister replied: “I would say quite a lot and I would say about 40 percent and that’s why we are working with ALIV to secure more and we’re working also with a number of stakeholders and partners such as LENO and Rotary clubs of the Bahamas to assist us in raising funds and securing donations.” “As the Permanent Secretary would have said, there have been some $183,000 donated but we received many thousands of devices that have been donated and as soon as we get them, we will distribute them to our schools and our children.”
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 13, 2020, PAGE 3
from page one
Tempers flare over who broke the rules In a Senate session yesterday Mr Mitchell told Mr Bethel that he hoped he was in a position to answer questions about Criminal Records due to COVID19 Emergency Order violations. “The laws don’t solve problems,” Senator Mitchell said during his contribution. “You can pass any laws you wish and often what happens with passing laws is the society ends of ignoring it. Politicians pat themselves on the back for having done a great job passing the law. Politicians ignore it and the courts, if they don’t agree with it, find themselves finding a way to get around it. “I will also say, Mr Attorney (General) that I hope that you are in a position to respond to the point made by Senator JoBeth ColebyDavis about this question of Criminal Records. The question is being asked whether or not it is the intention of the law for someone to carry a criminal record for a violation of these curfew restrictions.” Senator Mitchell added that the Free National Movement was elected to deliver justice, fairness, equity, economic development “not to take us in reverse and we who are in opposition, have to make sure that while your hands are on the throne that that is what your mission is always, everywhere and at
all times.” Following Senator Mitchell’s remarks, the debate took a heated turn with the Attorney General castigating Mr Mitchell for having broken COVID-19 regulations in the past. “Senator Mitchell is the last person to stand in this place to raise any question about anything to do with enforcement of COVID regulations and orders,” Mr Bethel said. “He himself, big old grey man, came into The Bahamas from the US, went to Freeport and broke the quarantine orders. He did not stay in quarantine. “The restaurant he was photographed in was not a hotel restaurant. That was on the Our Lucaya strip. He broke it (quarantine) and was sitting there with his mask under his chin talking to some man who don’t live with him, which is also a
breach of the COVID regulations. You are nobody to raise an issue about who broke what regulations in this place. You, yourself, violated it, wilfully, intentionally and knowingly.” Senator Mitchell then rose to his feet as both men shouted across the Senate table “I would like the Attorney to withdraw those allegations,” Senator Mitchell said. “They are of personal imputations and they are false. On every occasion that I have come into this country I have landed in this country lawfully and conducted myself lawfully. I broke no law. And, this is a red herring. “What I ask the Minister is, will he explain the conduct of this infamous wedding which has taken place. This has nothing to do with me ‘bout breaking
the law. He should withdraw those remarks.” The back-and-forth continued with Senator Bethel responding, “I won’t withdraw them and as to the infamous wedding, I have never made any comment to anybody in authority on this matter, period. Madam President, I move that the question....” He was cut off by an angry Senator Mitchell who replied: “No, Madam President. He made a personal assertion on me. He must withdraw.” Attorney General Bethel continued repeating that he was not going to withdraw his remarks and the shouting continued. “I do not withdraw it because your own conduct is brought into question whether you comply with the law,” said an irate Mr Bethel.
Senator Mitchell, still on his feet insisted the Attorney General withdraw the remark and accused him of being conflicted because of the “infamous wedding”. “What has happened is that the person who has violated the law happens to be his relative and that is why he is making all this noise, trying to spread a red herring,” Senator Mitchell explained. “That’s what this is about. So, I am asking him to withdraw the personal imputation. You are in a conflicted position, trying to protect your relative here today by bringing up this foolishness. “You have a responsibility as a Minister of the Government to explain what happened at this infamous wedding. That’s what you have to do! This has nothing to do with me.” Attorney General Bethel
produced a phone and showed Senator Mitchell his photo in the restaurant setting to which he had earlier referred, but Senator Mitchell insisted he broke no law. The heated quarrel continued until Senate President Dr Mildred HallWatson intervened. “I think he (the AG) should probably withdraw the section that called you ‘an old grey man’ or something,” she suggested. Are you arguing with the Attorney General based on the fact that you are stating that his comments are incorrect? Yes, or no, Senator Mitchell? “Were the statements the AG made incorrect relative to your coming in and not going into quarantine?” Senator Mitchell continued to insist that the Attorney General address the wedding. “Ma’am, I am not under cross-examination! He made an allegation about unlawful conduct,” he said. “I am saying I had no unlawful conduct and that is irrelevant to his role as a minister of the government to explain the conduct of a relative of his at this infamous wedding.” Attorney General Bethel, who was visibly shaken, with documents fluttering in his shaking hands, eventually withdrew the “imputations” and continued with the proceedings of the Senate. The Senate then adjourned to November 16 at 10 am.
By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net SENATORS JoBeth Coleby-Davis and Lisa Bostwick-Dean both expressed concern yesterday regarding Bahamians having permanent stains on their criminal records for curfew infractions. Their concerns were raised when the Leader of Government business in the Senate, Attorney General Carl Bethel presented a number of Bills to the House, including an amendment to the Bail Act and Juries Act. Chief component of the Amendment to the Bail Act is to give the Magistrate’s Court authorisation to grant bail and also for those who sign in at police stations, while on bail, to use
an iris and finger print recognition kiosk to register instead of signing a book. The Juries Act Amendment will give judges authority to replace jurors. “I support this amendment to the Bail Act, because as an attorney, while I do not frequent the courts, there has been a mountain of complaints publicly by persons charged with misdemeanours who were remanded because of them missing out on the opportunity to appear before the Supreme Court in time for a bail hearing,” Senator Coleby-Davis said. “These are the sort of experiences we wish to avoid. The law is not in place to create and make criminals out of our young men or women, matter of fact, it is not there to unintentionally make anyone a criminal. Justice should be
swift and justice should be fair. And part of our duties in this place is to ensure we stand in support when there are laws that were so erroneous in their efforts that they have done more harm to members of our society than any good.” Senator Coleby-Davis said she did not think the intent of the government was to create criminals out of Bahamians during a pandemic and the associated lockdowns and curfews, sometimes at very short notice. “Laws should protect and serve the innocent, but we must be human enough to identify that even in cases where persons may have erred in their actions and judgment, as a misdemeanour, we don’t cast them away,” she said. “It’s difficult enough with those who have been laid
off, who must find funds for rent, mortgage, and food to feed their families to now realize they have a criminal record. So I join my colleague Wayne Munroe, QC, in calling for the records of those individuals who breached the COVID-19 orders to be expunged.” Senator Lisa BostwickDean, used the debate to weigh in on the decriminalisation of possession of marijuana for recreational use which sometimes causes those who get caught with it to have criminal records. “I am against the industrial use of the version which has the hallucinatory property about it,” said Senator Bostwick-Dean. “However, I feel it should be decriminalised. I don’t want to see people getting criminal records because they had a joint on them. I don’t want to see them
spending time because they had a joint on them and could not pay the fine. “I don’t want to see, whether it’s a young person or an adult, someone going to smoke a joint and getting a criminal record for drug possession. I don’t want to see that. I think the court should look to other means for addressing it. You can send people to therapy to try to address their drug use, but they should not be imprisoned or have a criminal record.” Senator Bostwick-Dean said she specifically supports decriminalisation of marijuana for recreational use and favours the Hemp Industry for Industrial purposes which means the strain of the cannabis sativa plant which has very low amount of THC in it, but has the higher
concentration of CDD. “I am a very strong proponent for Industrial Hemp – the manufacturing side where we can use it to make sisal, textiles, medicine which do not have the hallucinatory effect,” she continued. “I think that’s a huge industry. You are looking at $1.1 billion. Last year projected up to $2.6 billion by 2022. “This is a discussion that needs to be had and people really need to be informed so they realise they are talking about different things when they say the word Hemp. This will be good for our economy. I am concerned about the slant that is currently being given to the discussion (on marijuana) and I want to try to ensure that people have an informed and open discussion.”
SENATORS Carl Bethel and Fred Mitchell.
SENATORS SPEAK OUT OVER IMPACT OF CURFEW ON CRIMINAL RECORDS
NIGHTCLUB AND GUESTS FINED FOR BREACHES from page one
“The offenders were all cited for the offences of: hosting and attending or attending a social gathering and failing to practice social distancing. “Both offences carry a fine of $500.” Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis revealed in a televised address on Sunday that more than 2,888 calls had been received to report various Emergency Powers Orders infractions to the COVID-19 Command Centre since its inception in August. At that time, the statistics reflected 67 percent
of citations issued by the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit referred to the failure to wear masks away from a residence, while 27 percent referred to breach of the curfew. But this excluded the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit’s immediate shutdown of social gatherings and business establishments found in breach of the COVID-19 Emergency Powers Orders. “As part of our COVID-19 response, the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit has dispatched personnel to follow-up on reports of mass social gathering and incidents on isolated breaches,” Dr Minnis said.
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PAGE 4, Friday, November 13, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
FIRST CRUISE BACK HIT BY VIRUS
from page one
with the ship originally scheduled to return to Barbados on Saturday, according to an online itinerary. The ship had made several stops in St Vincent and the Grenadines before turning back. The Norway-based SeaDream Yacht Club, the ship’s parent company, wouldn’t say how many passengers tested positive in the initial round of testing. Bryant said passengers were required to have a negative PCR test to enter Barbados and underwent another test on the dock administered by the ship’s doctor. “We all felt very safe,” she said, adding that the ship had been implementing strict hygiene protocols. “Yet somehow, COVID appears to have got on board.” SeaDream said the ship’s medical staff has tested all crew members and that all
tested negative. The company also said it is currently re-testing all guests, noting they’re all under quarantine along with non-essential crew members. “We are working closely with local health and government authorities to resolve this situation in the best possible way,” SeaDream said. “Our main priority is the health and safety of our crew, guests, and the communities we visit.” Government officials in Barbados did not return messages for comment. Waters around the Caribbean have been largely bereft of cruise ships this year, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suspending cruise ship operations at US ports in mid-March. The no-sail order expired on Oct. 31. Last week, the Cruise Lines International Association, which represents 95% of global ocean-growing cruise capacity, said
THE SEADREAM I its members were voluntarily suspending cruise operations in the US through December 31.
SeaDream was among the first cruise lines to resume service in Europe. In August, the company
reported that an asymptomatic passenger had tested positive for the coronavirus after disembarking from
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net YELLOW Elder residents in need received food items yesterday at the community’s Tom “The Bird” Grant Park. The charitable act is the efforts of the Rotary Club of New Providence in partnership with AML Foods Ltd as well as the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s South Central Division and Yellow Elder Neighborhood Watch. Past President of the Rotary Club of New Providence Valentino Hamilton explained they were to provide grocery bags for 100 families. “So, we would’ve purchased groceries from AML and they agreed to match our donation, which not only enables us to give out 100 bags of groceries today in the Yellow Elder Community but also next week in another community - the Englerston community,” he said. The project is an estimated $4,000 venture for groceries, excluding the donation of computer tablets given to them by a different foundation. They planned to give those tablets to Yellow Elder Primary School, Woodcock Primary School, and Government High School. Mother of eight Maria Miller has been living in the community for 20 years and explained the pandemic has affected a lot in her area. “Some of them work in hotel. Majority of them are happy because the hotels are opening but they saying for how long and is the touriscoming in. Are they going to able to stay on their job or are they going to get lay off again?,” she said. The 48-year-old has also suffered from economic downturn of this health crisis. She has been unemployed for two years. Now, the pandemic has made it harder to clean houses. “The company shut down so eventually I go look elsewhere. So, I was just doing odd jobs. I’m a housecleaner I do housekeeping. So, any little job I can get, every little here and there I just do. That’s what I’m doing now and right now it’s
BRENDA Mackey at the event yesterday. tough because ain’t nobody dirty deal.” want you in their house The mother wants her because of this pandemic.” contract back because she “I been on social service needs to feed her child as for a little while but they the father was killed about decline my card because four years ago. I had to go to the labour She recalled: “I spoke board but after this pan- to everyone. I went to the demic don’t make no sense House of Assembly and I going to the labour board spoke to Halson Moultrie to look for a job if ain’t and he tried his best but nobody giving you a job. So right now I don’t have no that’s a downfall for me too income - not one.” from social service. So any It also has been a struggle little hand out that’s round for 79-year-old Inez Mckenhere nowadays I jump at zie whose house burned it.” down after Hurricane MatIt’s been stressful espe- thew. She said she is living cially dealing with her with her grandson. The children’s school work. The pandemic for her has been mother admitted she felt too rough. sometimes that she didn’t “It was rough enough you think she could make it don’t want think about it,” mentally. she admitted. Similarly, Brenda “I be round my grandMackey, 50, has not been children most of all. You able to work. She claimed have to help them pay their that she had a contract with little bills and thing because the government to clean it was really rough (for a) pipes but she was told to senior citizen.” stop working. This was back “You know you get a in June this year. little something off you “They took it from me. little pension,” she added. Tell me to stop work. I “You have to help the don’t get no social service,” children them pay little she said. bills and things. Even if I “I stop so now they say I was doing it by myself it forfeit the job, so that was a couldn’t sustain me.”
SeaDream I in Denmark. All other passengers and crew tested negative, the company said.
ROTARY HELPS YELLOW ELDER RESIDENTS
THE ROTARY Club in partnership with AML Foods and the Royal Bahamas Police Force donating packages to residents in Yellow Elder. Photos: Donovan McIntosh
TOTAL CASES
TOTAL DEATHS
7,124 155
NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES WEDNESDAY 64 CASES GRAND BAHAMA NEW PROVIDENCE BIMINI AND CAT CAY BERRY ISLANDS
38 23 2 1
LATEST DEATHS • 46-year-old man from New Providence on November 10.
TOTAL TESTS
39,037
HOSPITALISED
28
CASES IN ICU
3
RECOVERED
5,192
NO NEED FOR EXTRA $2,000 TO TRAVEL THE United States Embassy has dismissed a report that $2,000 is required to travel to the US. Daniel Durazo, the public affairs officer at the US Embassy in Nassau, said there are no minimum cash requirements for travelling to the US. The claim was made in a tabloid story recirculated on social media yesterday. Mr Durazo said: “That story is completely false.
There are no minimum cash requirements for travelling to the US. “To be clear: Pre-clearance requirements for Bahamians travelling to the US have not changed. “As has been the case, for all flights departing Nassau International Airport while pre-clearance operations are open (between 9am and 6.30pm), Bahamians may continue to travel through pre-clearance without a visa by meeting the requirements
at https://www.dhs. gov/news/2019/09/09/ visa-requirements-bahamas-citizens-travellingunited-states. “We remind everyone that ultimately CBP officers evaluate every application for admission to the United States on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with existing laws and regulations. In other words, each person’s travel situation is unique, and is ultimately evaluated as such.”
MARIA Miller speaking to The Tribune yesterday.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 13, 2020, PAGE 5
In-class lessons back by year end? from page one “We are meeting with the Ministry of Health officials. They’ve already indicated to us that it is possible.” The minister said once those meetings have been completed, recommendations will subsequently be presented to the Competent Authority at which point a decision will be made. The move, if approved, would be a welcome reprieve for many parents who have long voiced their frustrations with the virtual learning platform. However, in order to safely resume face-to-face instruction, Mr Lloyd said officials have to work out all the logistics in keeping with the social distancing guidelines and other health protocols. “We just need to work out the details as to how it will be done and we need to secure for ourselves, meaning the schools system – how many schools, what capability they have and what number of students they can accommodate at a particular time,” he continued. In public schools where there is a large student enrolment, the minister suggested such institutions may have to adopt the hybrid model as previously announced which involves a mix of face-to-face and virtual classes. “The bigger schools – and you know them – Sadie
Curtis, the primary school, Doris Johnson and Anatol and CV Bethel, obviously they can’t accommodate all the students at one time so we will have to move to what may be the hybrid system as we discussed before. But we need to get our students as quickly as possible for the sake of all – students, parents, teachers and so – on back in school face-to-face learning.” In March, the government mandated the closure of schools after the country recorded its first COVID19 case. The move resulted in many local institutions shifting to online classes, allowing for students to continue their studies at home for the remainder of the academic school year. In a bid to safely reopen schools amid the pandemic, the minister announced in August that public schools will resume operations on September 21, featuring three instructional models: face-to-face, hybrid learning and online learning. However, in response to rising COVID cases in the country, the re-opening date was pushed to October 5, with virtual learning set for the islands of New Providence, Abaco, and Eleuthera – where that method in still practised today. Schools in Exuma have since been added to the list for virtual learning only due to a recent increase of COVID cases on the island.
Yesterday, the minister said officials estimate that some 30 percent of students registered are not regularly participating in the virtual learning platform, a situation he referred to as “concerning.” He said: “Our estimation is that 70 percent are already in school on regular daily. That 30 percent bothers us and as (the director) indicated, it’s our responsibility to find the opportunity. No question about that but at the same time, the children have a responsibility. This is their education and the parents have a responsibility. This is their children’s education, so we all have to adopt a responsible attitude and mindset about education.” Asked if the public could expect to see students physically returning back to school by early next year, Mr Lloyd said he could not give a definitive timeline. He said: “No, no we’re talking imminent. I can’t put a day or a time on it, but it is that close. We’re now in discussions with the Ministry of Health, those will continue and we will make our recommendations to the Competent Authority and the decision will be made.” However, Mr Lloyd was further pressed on the issue and asked about the possibility of in person learning before the end of 2020. To which he then replied, “absolutely”.
INVESTIGATORS at the scene in Queen’s Cove after a body was found yesterday.
DECOMPOSED BODY FOUND IN QUEEN’S COVE AREA POLICE were last night investigating after a man’s body was found in Grand Bahama. The body was badly decomposed, officers said.
Shortly after 4pm yesterday, police were called to the Queen’s Cove area where they found the body through a track road. Officers will await a
report from a pathologist to determine the exact cause of death and the identification. Police said the investigation will continue.
VEHICLES at the scene of the investigation in Grand Bahama last night.
EDUCATION MINISTER JEFF LLOYD
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
PAGE 4, Friday, November 13, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
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Back to school? Only if it’s safe CHILDREN could be back in school before the end of the year, according to Education Minister Jeff Lloyd. If this can be done safely, it will be a boost for everyone. It will be good for parents, who have been trying to juggle work – or trying to find work – with becoming home teachers for their children. It will be good for teachers, who can engage more directly with their students. It will be good for the children, who have been longing to see their friends for so long now. Many of the hurdles that were predicted with home learning have come to pass – as can be seen by the fact that just under a third of registered students are not regularly participating in virtual classes. The frequent power outages have not helped either – with more than a few classes brought to an abrupt end by a power cut affecting either students or the teacher. That word “if”, however, is a big one. If it can be done safely. There will be a great deal of discussion to be had with schools and teachers as to how likely that is. The latest dashboard from the government reported another 64 cases, with Grand Bahama leading the way on 38 cases and another 23 in New Providence. If infections are at the same level in December, it’s hard to imagine the schools opening their doors and risking becoming spreaders of the infection. As much as children appear to weather COVID-19 better than other age groups, they can carry it back home with them – and schools are not just children, they are full of teachers and other staff members who would be more vulnerable. Still, the hope is there – and the Ministry of Education is pushing toward that goal. Children have faced such disruption this year, and a return to normal would be invaluable for them. That normal might take a while yet – the first return might see a hybrid of online learning and face-to-face contact at school to reduce numbers in buildings at any one time – but it does signal another sign of success in the battle against COVID-19 if it can be done effectively. For those 30 percent of children not engaging, we must also try to work out a Plan B if schools don’t return as normal.
How do we reach them, and what are the challenges stopping them from taking part? We must not be too eager in reopening. We must be cautious. But it would make the world of difference.
Action, not words Just as the matter of the wedding held in breach of regulations seemed to have been resolved by police action, of course it comes back into the headlines with a political shouting match. The row took place in the Senate, with Attorney General Carl Bethel – who might be best advised to avoid turning this into an argument given his own son attended the wedding – chiding PLP chairman Fred Mitchell about breaking COVID-19 regulations. In turn, Mr Mitchell fired back about the “infamous wedding”. “Senator Mitchell is the last person to stand in this place to raise any questions about anything to do with enforcement of COVID regulations and orders,” growled Mr Bethel, who presumably is the second last person to do so. He then went on to criticise Mr Mitchell for coming into The Bahamas from the US, going to Freeport and breaking quarantine orders. He even pulled out a phone to show a picture of Mr Mitchell sitting in a restaurant. Mr Mitchell denies any unlawful conduct. Here’s the thing, however. When the issue of the wedding was raised, police responded and dealt with the matter. Has the Attorney General reported Mr Mitchell to the police? Or is he just using this for political knockabout. Has the alleged breach of quarantine been investigated? Confirmed? Penalised? If not, why not? And if it has been dealt with, then why is the Attorney General trying to throw stones from inside his glass house? The whole point of the outrage over the wedding is that it looked to be one rule for one and a different rule for those with connections. If people have evidence of breaches, present it to the police and have the matter dealt with. Waving your phone around and throwing accusations without doing anything about it does nothing, Mr Bethel. Put up, or shut up.
Right cause but the wrong voice EDITOR, The Tribune.
The trouble with travel restrictions EDITOR, The Tribune.
THE news that more Nassau hotels will open fairly soon has been met with excitement and relief by the population. However, the part that is missing is how travellers can arrive with the difficult and time consuming entry requirements. We live in New Brunswick and like others who have written to your newspaper are longtime winter residents who now believe that we cannot come to our property this winter as a result of the many roadblocks. We must travel one hundred miles to the nearest government health facility to obtain the COVID-19 test. We cannot be sure of an appointment time. Giving such tests to healthy people who want leisure travel is a low priority for our health authorities. Private clinics are not allowed here. If we are able to get a test it has to be so timed to meet your unbelievable five-day requirement to be in Nassau on the ground. We have been informed written results can take up
to three days to be ready. Then we must scan these to Nassau for your new Health Visa. Uncertainty at how long this will take to return is another problem. Purchasing air tickets on the now severely reduced number of flights creates yet another problem if permission to travel takes too long to arrive. Only the most loyal travellers to The Bahamas will even attempt to start the booking process. We have a reason to come as homeowners. Nearly everyone else will look elsewhere. Our travel agency is advising their clients to forget The Bahamas as there are many other southern destinations eagerly advertising here for business with far less or no restrictions. Not one ad for The Bahamas has yet to appear here. Prospective visitors simply do not have the time or will to spend hours and money to get permission just to travel for a holiday. They also face more tests at their expense when they are there and are being forced to pay
for your health insurance which they would already have arranged when the holiday is booked. Your population now has high hopes for a rebounding tourist economy. Your Finance Minister says that this is a priority. However, your Government decision makers have not conducted their research and understanding of the travel market by imposing these harsh measures. Until the Health Visa is dropped and the unworkable five-day rule changes there will be very few wanting to travel. Even the loyal and longtime visitors, such as ourselves, will find it extremely difficult to enjoy our beautiful Bahamas. It is a very sad and foolish situation which need not have happened if proper research had been completed and implemented. We hope common sense prevails very soon. CHRISTOPHER SEWARD, QC New Brunswick, Canada November 12, 2020.
J
HISTORY has shown that while an overwhelming number of Bahamians believe in racial equality, many do not support the principle of equal rights and opportunities for women. We have conducted two referenda to see if we hold these values dear. It was a resounding no each time. Allyson Maynard Gibson has had a front row seat on both occasions but she has been on the right side of the issue only once. After flip-flopping during her public service career, since returning to private life she has shown genetic flashes of true grit by fighting for equality and inclusion. Mrs Gibson is a proud member of the global Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority which has many sisters here. Now, a fellow soror, Kamala Harris, is the first female Vice President-elect of the United States. In finding solidarity with this spectacular milestone for women and girls everywhere, Gibson hopes that it serves as a beacon for full equality here. That’s a noble goal that only a Neanderthal would oppose. Sadly, Neanderthal man would envy the stone-age thinking of some of the righteous folk here who defeated those referenda. Ms Gibson now thinks the government should rush equality legislation through Parliament. Eighteen years ago, she was on the hypocritical PLP bandwagon that blasted the FNM for being too hasty in pushing an equality referendum. The process was flawed, she argued, despite the fact that her party voted for it inside Parliament before trashing it outside, ensuring its failure.
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net In 2016 with the PLP in government and Gibson as Attorney General and quarterback of the effort, the referendum failed again. She has no standing now to lecture the FNM on how to get equality legislation to the people. Some of what she advocates sounds more like equity. Equality means giving everyone equal access to opportunities. Equity deals with remedies for imbalance and often seeks recompense. Better we fight one battle at a time. Pay parity is just one rung on the equality ladder. Gender neutrality must be written into job descriptions, benefits and tenure to help eradicate stereotypes that label certain tasks as “women’s work”. We should equalise the retirement age for all, legislate paid maternity leave for mothers and fathers, and stop penalising women with higher insurance premiums and smaller payout. It is past time to act. Empirical data shows that our young women are more ambitious, more motivated and more upwardly mobile than our young men. Far more females than males are registered at the University of the Bahamas even though demographers say the ratio in the wider society is almost even at 95 males to every 100 females. Men are under achieving. In most Supreme Court Bar calls nowadays, women lawyers outnumber men. This summer when the Governor General welcomed 35 new doctors to Government House you
had to squint to find the seven male doctors in the group. Venture into any government ministry and the list of empowered women ascends all the way up to the Permanent Secretary. We have only one female cabinet minister, evidence that fewer women enter politics, despite holding an edge in educational attainment and professional experience. Mandating the future make-up of public boards is not the answer. Competence, not gender, should determine board membership which will certainly guarantee female representation. Address impediments like the lack of childcare and deadbeat dads, issues that drag on women. Conscious and unconscious gender bias is rampant amongst women and men and must be rooted out. Eventually the people must be asked again to amend the Constitution. To succeed we must win over hearts and minds without offending religious sensibilities on the issue. Equal rights for women strengthens and improves society and not only on an economic level. Justice always pays a moral dividend. Exceptionalism like Kamala Harris’ election is not confined to the US nor unique in our hemisphere. Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago have all at one time been led by women. The Bahamas is way past due to join that premier league. THE GRADUATE Nassau. November 12, 2020.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 13, 2020, PAGE 7
Renew CEO’s conviction quashed By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal has quashed the criminal conviction of former Renew Bahamas CEO Michael Cox who had been found guilty last year of working at a local scrapyard without a valid work permit. Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans fined Mr Cox and his uncle, Maurice Cox, $3,000 each after convicting them of illegally engaging in gainful employment in October 2018. Attorney Christina Galanos represented Michael Cox at the Court of Appeal. In its judgment the Court of Appeal wrote: “Having
heard the submissions of counsel, we are satisfied that these appeals ought to be allowed on the ground that the learned magistrate erred when she found that the appellant was engaging in gainful occupation. “There is an obvious dearth of evidence to raise even a prima facie case that the appellants were somehow engaged in gainful occupation. This is a criminal matter and, as in all criminal matters, the prosecution is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the essential elements of the offence are disclosed and are present. “As indicated, there is not even a prima facie case that either Maurice Cox or Michael Cox were
engaging in gainful occupation. What is disclosed is that both men were found at a site which apparently dealt with metals and heavy machinery; that both were dressed in a manner which suggested that they were working. While that is entirely suspicious, it does not rise to the level of proof of engaging in gainful occupation. “The decision of the magistrate to convict both appellants is quashed, the sentences are set aside, the $3000 fine which appears to have been paid by each appellant, if in fact that is so, these monies are to be returned to the appellants. “In view of the court’s decision that this is a fundamental error on the part
of the magistrate, and in our view a basic error, this decision, as an extemporary decision, will be the decision of the court. We do not intend to write. “For future reference, those public authorities, when seeking to prosecute for breaches of their particular statutes, ought to confer with those persons more learned in the law, more au fait with the law out of an abundance of caution.” The Christie Administration contracted Renew Bahamas to remediate the New Providence Landfill in 2014. However, the company’s contract was terminated shortly after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 when it invoked its force majeure clause.
MICHAEL COX
Punch-up at ‘PAWNS’ TO PAY BACK BANK work costs man $350 fine By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 23-YEAR-OLD man, who assaulted another man at his place of employment last week, was ordered to pay $350 compensation to the victim. Police said Malik Sweeting punched a man in his face while at Fresh Market, Old Fort Bay on November 4. He pleaded guilty to one count of causing harm during a hearing before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday. The court was told that on the day in question, Mr Sweeting went to Solomon’s Fresh Market where the complainant worked to speak to him about an argument they had had a week earlier.
The prosecution said when the accused asked the man why he was talking about his girlfriend, the complainant walked away. Mr Sweeting then followed him to the manager’s office where the two got into a fight. During the disagreement, the accused punched the complainant in his face, which caused his bottom lip to tear and bleed. As a result of his injury, he requested police action. Mr Sweeting was arrested a short time later. During an interview with police, he admitted to the offence. During the hearing, Mr Sweeting was represented by attorney Raquel Huyler. She told the magistrate that her client’s behaviour at the time of the incident was “uncharacteristic” of him and insisted he was remorseful for his actions.
She also said the accused had already written a letter of apology to the complainant at his place of employment. As a result, Magistrate McKinney ordered Mr Sweeting to compensate the man $350 for his injuries. He said if he didn’t, Mr Sweeting could risk spending three months in prison. Yesterday, another man appeared before Magistrate Ambrose Armbrister for a similar offence. The 44-year-old was accused of harming his estranged wife on October 30. He admitted to the offence, but disagreed with the prosecution’s facts. As a result, Magistrate Armbrister adjourned the case to March 8 next year for trial. In the meantime, Gibson was granted $2,500 bail.
COMMUNITY SERVICE ORDER FOR BEATING MAN AT GAS STATION By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who assaulted another man at a local gas station was yesterday ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. Donnovan Rolle appeared before Magistrate Ambrose Armbrister after he was accused of beating up another man at On the Run gas station, Carmichael Road on November 6.
The prosecution said that around 4 o’clock that afternoon, the complainant was at the gas station when Rolle and another man, whom he did not know, entered. Rolle punched and kicked him about the body causing him to bleed and swell. After the complainant reported the matter to police, Rolle was arrested. In an interview with police at a nearby station, he admitted the offence. During the hearing, Rolle pleaded guilty. He was represented by attorney Ian
Cargill. He told the magistrate the dispute had occurred over money and noted his client cooperated with police from the onset of the investigation by admitting the part he had played in the incident. As a result, Magistrate Armbrister ordered Rolle to complete 80 hours of community service. He warned that if he didn’t, he would be fined $400 or ordered spend one month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
TWO men who claimed they were unknowingly used as pawns to carry out a fraud scheme were each fined $1,000 and ordered to reimburse the bank that they had defrauded. Antonio Kelly, 23, was accused of stealing $1,020 from Commonwealth Bank on July 3. The prosecution said at the time, Kelly acquired the funds while knowing they were the proceeds of crime. During the hearing before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, Shanton Swain, 20, was also accused of stealing $1,180 from Commonwealth Bank on the day in question. The prosecution alleged he was also aware the funds he acquired were derived from a criminal offence. Both men pleaded guilty to one count of stealing and money laundering yesterday. The court was told the owners of the two accounts
Kelly and Swain stole from noticed unauthorised transactions occurring on their online banking accounts. They then reported the matter to Commonwealth Bank, before contacting the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit to request police action. Police arrested both defendants on November 10. During his interview with police, Kelly admitted withdrawing $1,020 from Commonwealth Bank, while Swain said he lent his ATM card to a friend who placed the stolen money on his account. When given an opportunity to speak, Kelly told the magistrate he only committed the acts because he had filled out a job application and received a call from a person who told him he would be working as a “secret shopper”. He said he followed the instructions he was given and took the stolen money to MoneyGram, where he transferred it to another
account. Kelly stated he never spent any of the money on himself and insisted he was not aware that he was helping someone commit fraud. Swain on the other hand, told the magistrate he had lent his card to a friend who had told him a family member was going to send him some money. Swain claimed he did not expect his friend to use his card to commit a crime, because he had known him for a very long time. In response, Magistrate McKinney asked Kelly and Swain why they were not aware of the recent public announcements warning people about fraud. He insisted both accused should have been able to detect the red flags in the situation and realise that the activities they were being asked to participate in were suspicious. As a result, he ordered both men to reimburse the $1,020 and $1,180 they each stole from Commonwealth Bank and fined them $1,000 each for money laundering.
NOTICE Bonefish Alley Beach Development Project
EIA Updated Supplemental Submission __________________ The Public is advised that on November 2nd 2020, an updated supplemental environmental document for the Bonefish Alley Beach Project, Harbour Island, Eleuthera was filed with the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) by BONEFISH ALLEY LIMITED. The project intends to create a residential BEACH. The EIA document is available online at www.baltdharbourisland.com The document can be downloaded and all comments and questions can be provided to the Developer directly and/or the Director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection in writing at Inquiries@depp.gov.bs. A joint Public meeting will be held on November 26th at 7:00pm with the District Council and DEPP. The meeting will be virtual. Please check the website for the meeting link. A hard copy of the document is also available at the District Council office on Harbour Island during normal business hours.
PAGE 8, Friday, November 13, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
HOW WOULD HAVE-NOTS KNOW HOW MUCH THEY DON’T HAVE IF THE HAVES DIDN’T THROW IT IN HAVE-NOT’S FACES? A Comic’s View
By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA
ONE of the most con- to do. troversial stories in the “How come dey ain’t get country this week revolves arrested like the Coconut around a little known (at Boy?” Bahamians asked. the time) wedding with “What ‘bout that poor huge implications. man who got arrested for Why would any wedding breaking curfew to pump ceremony in the time of water?” some wanted to corona (limited by decree know. to ten persons or less) “How come dey so dumb garner national attention, to post pictures and videos you ask? on social media?” a few Well, because this wed- wondered, incredulously. ding was The last outstanding. question, it So, to drive the This wedturns out, is ding was point home, the actually the excessive. This Haves have a easiest one to wedding was wedding breaking answer. a magnificent The biggest spectacle of all the “socialthreat to the rule-breaking “feeling of distance”rules. and “clout fairness” in The Haves then chasing” this country film themselves voluntarily has always revealed on gyrating, been (and social media still is) the for all the “balling, and existence country to see. having a good of “friends, The soirée ole time. And family, and in question lovers”. It’s an involved a naturally, old Bahamian communica(because they expression to tions officer at have to) the describe the the Ministry unbridled privof Health as Haves put their ileges of the groom. well-connected. photos, videos It also and other The phrase involved the appeared to son of a promi- incriminating reach its zenith nent politician, evidence online in the heyday and a former for all the world’s of the last director at the Christie adminMinistry of consumption istration, Youth, Sports, and envy. After but is forceand Culture. fully staging all, this is the Among many, a comeback proper Have way. under many others. this After picMinnis tures of the administration. non-social distanced, nonYou see, family, friends, COVID protocol event and lovers – also known appeared in this newspa- as the Haves – are having per, the “culprits” and their a tough time with this guests had some explaining pandemic.
CARLYLE Bethel in one of the wedding photos posted to social media. Not in terms of keeping the lights on, or the water running, or laying out fattening feasts while the Have-Nots stand in food lines or fight for $20 vouchers, of course – those things are trivial to the Haves. Instead, the Haves have now come face-to-face with their true, mortal enemy. This enemy has swept in on the back of coronavirus protocols. This enemy is called... “Rules for All”. Rules for All says lockdowns, curfews and social distancing applies to everyone, no exceptions! But a world without exceptions is a foreign, dark, terrifying world to the Haves. And they are not having it! What would be the point of being a Have whose
father is the top law enforcer in the country if you actually have to follow the law? What’s the point of being a Have in the communications department in the ministry in charge of drafting COVID protocols if you have to listen to those pesky protocols? Why on earth would a Have, who is also a (former) director in a government ministry, have to be subjected to directions himself? Nothing about “regular rules” – much less Rules for All – is the Haves way, and the Haves have to make sure the Have-Nots remember that. Pandemic or not. So, to drive the point home, the Haves have a wedding breaking all the “social-distance”rules. The Haves then film themselves gyrating, “balling, and having a good ole time. And naturally, (because they have to) the Haves put their photos, videos and other incriminating evidence online for all the world’s consumption and
envy. After all, this is the proper Have way. Unfortunately for the Haves, the Have-Nots are not having it this time. The curfews, lockdowns and various stress they are experiencing light a fire in the empty, growling bellies of Have-Nots who take that fire, light a torch and roll up to the gates of the Political Palace. So now the HaveNots have a torch in one hand and Rules for All in the other, a unique position brought about only in an environment where everyday distractions have fallen away. This turn of events is tricky for the Haves, born and bred on naked favouritism. To calm the cries of the Have-Nots, the police belatedly shlep into the Land of the Haves and issue citations. The son of the top law enforcer (featured prominently in most conversations about the wedding) puts out a glib “sorry, not sorry”’ statement and washes his hands of the whole affair. Ulti-
mately, there’s only so much time in the day to devote to the rantings of Have-Nots when your real focus is strangling Rules for All. In a nutshell, that is the “why” of why the Haves threw their fete. Brazenly. The Haves exist to break “Have-Not” rules to show why they are “special”. How would Have-Nots know how much they don’t have if the Haves didn’t throw it in Have-Not’s faces? And has anyone thought of a better place to do exactly that than social media? As for the other questions about Coconut Boy and Curfew Water Pumper, who most likely have criminal records for their more reasonable infractions, I have to say I have absolutely no idea. Perhaps the Attorney General or the Competent Authority can answer those questions for you. Do remember to carry a copy of the Rules for All with you when you go ask them.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 13, 2020, PAGE 9
It’s not a number we should be afraid of but we’re selling ourselves short By Diane Phillips It is true that a lot of bad IF FRIDAY is supposed to be the most things have happened on a eagerly anticipated day of Friday the 13th. Take for the week - a tease to the example the luxury cruise excitement of the upcom- ship the Costa Concordia ing weekend - why is it that off Italy which took the at least once every year lives of 32 passengers and it is saddled with being a crew when it ran aground 13th? And wouldn’t you and sank on January 13, just know it – in 2020, the 2012, a Friday. Ironically, Italy is one year we cannot wait to wave goodbye to – we got a of only two countries double dose of misfortune in western culture, the other being Brazil, who with two Friday the 13ths, today ‘Let’s get real. do not recognize the number 13 being the second. If we want as unlucky and Some say Friday prefer instead to the 13th is no big something fear the number deal. Just a bunch to fear, it is 17. In China, the of superstitious number 14, which not a day of nonsense made represents death, the week up by supercilious sends shivers and people who want we should shudders down to us to be afraid of be scared of Kung fu shoes. the number 13. We could easily but what is Supercilious or argue that a lot not, it’s working. happening of bad things Why is there to us as a fall on any given no 13th floor in day of the week people.’ hotels? Of course, matched with any there really is a given day of the 13th floor in a building of calendar. We don’t hold it that size. It’s just called the against Sunday the 17th 14th. If it’s all a bunch of that last November the hoo-hah, why do most air- first case of coronavirus lines not have a Row 13 was detected in Wuhan, in their aircraft, instead China. jumping their seating And you have to give arrangements from row 12 credit where economic bento row 14? efits accrue. Friday the 13th
is
like a midsize business, generating a secret society, a famous book and even more famous movie franchise series which continues to hold its own as the second highest-grossing horror franchise in cinema history.
could be carrying something that could kill us. We are acting like a bunch of chipmunks, shopping like the store we are in at this very moment is going to close for good tomorrow and we will never be able to buy toilet paper or toothpaste again. Look at what is happening and be honest. We are halfexcited THE MOVIE franabout chise may have weekplayed its part in end keeping the fear of freedom and But Friday the 13th in half-afraid. let’s get real. our heads - but why It will feel so If we want do we assign a date good to wiggle something to such importance? our toes in the fear, it is not a sand and squigday of the week gle them like we we should be scared used to, or dip our feet in of but what is happening the water, but we will do so to us as a people. We are looking over our shoulder afraid to hug. Everyone
in case a germ we can’t see is lurking in the shadows. Look at us. We have learned that during those long lockdown days, it is okay to clean out our closets and give away clothes we haven’t worn for years or tear through kitchen cabinets and find spices that deserve to be the object of scientific study. Look at who we are becoming. We know that students need to be back in the classroom with staggered days and hours as soon as possible in a blended learning environment yet we secretly relish the lack of traffic clogging the roads in the morning. Look at what we are taking without rising up and fighting back. Look how passive we have become, getting that sick, sinking feeling in our stomach that no matter what we do we will not be able to stop the oil drilling in our waters and accepting the fact that we still do not have a Freedom of Information Act that could shed light on how this deal was struck and all it entails. Look around us and understand. It is not Friday the 13th we should be afraid of. It is ourselves and what we are becoming. Even if we beat COVID19, will it have beaten us along the way?
POTCAKE, OH POTCAKE, WHERE ARE YOU? TEN days ago, I got a message that Potcake, Nassau’s famed street philosopher, stopped by to let me know he was no longer homeless. Someone had started a gofundme page for him and raised enough money for him to have a roof over his head. No longer would he sleep in doorways to get out of the rain or on top of the wall by St Matthew’s to enjoy the shade. No longer would the jangle of his hubcaps on the side of his cart be the only music he hears day after long day and night after even longer night. Potcake wanted to assure me he was okay after I mentioned him in a column. He left his cell number and mentioned he could use a few pieces of furniture if I had anything I did not need, knowing that Oasis indoor and outdoor furniture is a family business run by our daughter whose travel history to source the pieces he recited to her, right down to her riding camel and donkey during different trips. Potcake, if you are reading this as you usually do, this message is for you. Please turn on your phone or stop by. My family and your friends want to make sure you have everything you need to keep you warm and cozy in your new home. Lord knows, you have given us enough pleasure in your cardboard-slung musings to warrant a little love and attention from the public in return.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
POTCAKE - the famous street philosopher of Nassau - pictured in July while celebrating his new home after years of being homeless. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Death Notice For Mrs. Angela Lucy Carroll, 91
Death Notice For
Philip C. Wallace III, 51 Death Notice For
Linton Reno Miller, 58 affectionately called
“Pinny Babb” a resident of Dunmore Avenue West Chippingham, died at The Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday, November 8th, 2020. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME, INDEPENDENCE DRIVE.
of Imperial Park dies on November 3 2020. He is survived by his wife: Anishka Wallace; son: Anzel Wallace; daughters: Philisha & Ameé Wallace; father: Cecil P. Wallace II (Sherrilyn Wallace); brother: Garvin Wallace; sisters: Nadine Gardiner & Ancenette McCartney; grandson: Liam Charlow; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangement has been entrusted to Evergreen Mortuary, Village & Parkgate Roads.
died at her residence on Boca View, West Bay Street on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. She is survived by her sons: Patrick Carroll and Victor Carroll; one brother: Edmund Knowles; eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.
PAGE 10, Friday, November 13, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
ETA SOAKS FLORIDA, RACES TO ATLANTIC OFF GEORGIA, CAROLINAS
By CURT ANDERSON AND FREIDA FRISARO ASSOCIATED PRESS ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Tropical Storm Eta dumped blustery rain across north Florida after landfall Thursday morning north of the heavily populated Tampa Bay area, and then sped out into the Atlantic off of the neighbouring coasts of Georgia and the Carolinas. Some flooding was reported, but no major damage though one death in Florida was linked to the storm. Some parts of the Carolinas saw three to seven inches of rainfall by Thursday afternoon due to a combination of moisture
carried by the cold front that pushed Eta across Florida and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico brought in by the tropical system. That’s led to flash flooding, multiple water rescues and road closures, and at least one collapsed bridge, said Sandy LaCourte, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Greenville, South Carolina. “It’s unfortunately been a tough day for the Carolinas today,” LaCourte said. Earlier, Eta slogged ashore near Cedar Key, Florida, before moving northeast across the state, according to the National Weather Service in Miami. The storm emerged into Atlantic waters early
Thursday afternoon and was forecast to pass just offshore of South Carolina and North Carolina as it races up the Southeast seaboard through Friday morning. At 4 p.m., the storm was centered about 90 miles (150 kilometres) southsouthwest of Charleston, South Carolina. It had top sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was moving to the northeast at 18 mph (30 kph). Although it was not the most powerful storm to hit the U.S. this year, Eta still had broad impact across the Tampa Bay region, which is home to more than 3.5 million people across five coastal counties. No mandatory evacuations were ordered, but authorities
BOATS sit on the beach in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Eta, Thursday, in Gulfport, Fla. Eta dumped torrents of blustery rain on Florida’s west coast as it slogged over the state before making landfall near Cedar Key, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) opened shelters for anyone needing them. Local media reported only a handful of people showed up. In Bradenton Beach, Florida, Mark Mixon stepped into his flooded garage as he was laying sandbags around his home on Wednesday evening and was electrocuted, said Jacob Saur, director of public safety for Manatee County. There were appliances plugged into the garage and Mixon was killed when he stepped into the water, Saur said.
Private Graveside Service For
Outages
Sidney Kenneth Kerr, 84
Rescue crews had to wait for Florida Power and Light, which was responding to power outages from the storm, to shut down the electrical grid for the neighbourhood where Mixon lived before they could assist, Saur said. The storm did force closure of some lanes of Tampa Bay bridges because of storm surge but they were reopening Thursday. Also reopening was the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which links Pinellas and Manatee counties. Earlier, firefighters in Tampa rescued around a dozen people who got stuck in storm surge flooding on Bayshore Boulevard adjacent to the bay. Some vehicles remained on the roadway Thursday. Isolated neighbourhoods also
of Stapledon Gardens, will be held on Friday, November 20th, 2020 at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road. Officiating will be Fr. Roderick Bain. Due to current Government regulations in respect of Covid-19, attendance is limited to ten (10) persons. He was pre-deceased by his Father: Ronald “Sugar” Kerr; Mother: Lillian McDonald; Brother: Wilton Rolle; Sister: Marie Kerr; Wife: Rosemary Kerr; Daughter: Garnell Duncombe and Son: Captain Marvin Kerr. Left to cherish his memories are his Daughters: Lillian Newbold, Janice Rodgers, Kim Ross of Atlanta, Ga., Denise Burrows, Susan Fraser, Nicole Walker of Ontario, Canada and Nakia Kerr; Sons: Kenwood, Glenroy, Sherwin, Justin & Devon Kerr; Granddaughters: Chantel Fawkes, Shanell Walkes, Sydnee, Tajha, Marvia, Devontae, Devonique, Gavon, Najah Kerr, Ashanti Burrows, Keiwani, Kye and Keiyana Walker of Ontario, Canada and Angel Armbrister; Grandsons: Neko Stuart, Neiman Butler, Kamron, Kohen, Ian, Kito and Alexis Kerr, Randolph & Rashad Burrows, Amaris, Myles, and Zach Fraser; Great Grandchildren: Rayshanno Davis, Ryan Deveaux, Trevon Smith, Neko Stuart Jr., Naaman Butler III, Naarah Butler, Carter Walkes, Michael Major, D’Ajha Cartwright, Amelia Pratt and Ashlon Kerr; Great-Great Grandchild: Ryleigh Deveaux (Dallas, Texas); Daughter-in-Law: Sophie Kerr; Sons-in-Law: Randolph Burrows Sr., Marcus Fraser and Keino Walker; God Daughters: Lisandra Taylor and Glennis Hall; Aunts: Miriam McDonald-Simmons, Minerva McDonald-Rolle, Emerald Johnson; Cousins: Hensel “Daddy O” Strachan, Berkeley, Roderick, Philip Rolle, Prince Broomfield, Decatur Ga., Gary Cooper, Dean and Junior Wilson, Wenzel “Fire” Johnson, Gunnard Burnside, Atlanta Ga., Edgar “Uncle Fie” Bonamy, Brett McDonald, Tommy and Shawn Armbrister, Vernon Campbell, Cubert and Roosevelt Bethel, Catherine Cooper, Ruth Outten, Agatha Marcel, Edith Matta, New York, Helen Johnson, Matherine Johnson, Verneca (Brian) Ferguson, Greta Knowles, Camile King, Agnes Wilson, Brenda (Stephen) Plakaris, Janet Taylor, Clewiston Fl., Marcia Miller, Gloria Cooper McClureSmith, Theresa Young, Rowena and Emma Hepburn, The Bluff, Cat island, Delores Knowles, Janet Walkine, Gloria Gomez; Sisters-in-law: Eva Wilson, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Patricia Cartwright, Villamae McKenzie, Linda Roker, Carolyn Rodgers, Marcia, Marva, Monique Clarke, Barbara & Cleomi Rodgers; Brothers-in-Law: Basil “BJ” Smith, George Rodgers, Charles Rodgers Ft. Lauderdale, Thomas Dorsett of Hallandale, Florida; Nieces: Stella Rolle, Nena, Sharon, Deidre Dorsett of Hallandale, Florida, Janice Rodgers of New Jersey, Keisha Rodgers, Kelly Rodgers, Ontario, Lisandra, Mellissa, Francine, Monique, Coramae Taylor, Tanya McClure, Penny & Doyle Roberts, Erica Poitier, Lemell (Deylon) Kemp, Monique (Kenneth) Toppin, Jennifer & Jenee Thurston, Kim (Mark) Stubbs and Sheri and Rhonda Johnson, Dr. Brendamae Cooper, Linda Mortimer, Michelle McQuilken, Essie, Cynthia, Dee McKenzie of Barraterie Exuma; Nephews: Patrick & Daryl Rolle, Dr. Derek Cooper of Houston, Texas, Spencer Cooper of Ontario, Canada, Father Kari Marcelle, Tony, Don, Mark, Patrick, Howard, Bernard Dorsett of Florida, KC Strachan, Kevin Cumberbatch of Florida, Neville, Whitney, Jeffrey, Darren & Warren Taylor, Carl Jr, Gregory, Albert and Darren Rodgers of Florida, Jason, Edmund, Mark, Darrin and Dwayne “Frog” Rodgers, Vincent “Red”, Rodney, Earl McKenzie Barraterre, Exuma, Billy and Stephen Cartwright, Gregory Cooper, Marcus, Maurice, Max McClure, Scott, Jamayne Wilson, Errol Thurston, Rev. Rudy Cooper (deceased) and Ian Johnson; Adopted Sons: Ian “Big Red” Lightbourne, Anthony “Bando” Bostwick, Henry Dean, Bradley, Philip, Terry and Big Drew Outten Eric “CoCo” Adderley, Darrin Smith, Rudy Cooper, Antione Joseph, Eustace Penn, Roger & Jack Delancey, Eric Carey, Trevor Burgzog, Stephen Thompson, Arthur “Fire” Newbold, Marvin “Socks” Minns, Philip Brooks; Adopted Daughter: Prenell Henfield; Other Relatives and Friends: Cholta Duncombe, Spring City, Abaco Community: Wilson, Archer, Delancey and Ferguson families, Roger and Jack Delancey, Patrick “Plumber” Roberts, Rev. Edgbert Tinker, Eustace Penn, Virginia Russell, Dell Rolle, Dorene McIntosh, McDonald, Thurston, Stubbs, Campbell, Bonamy, Rolle, Strachan, Newbold, Hepburn, Bannister, Kerr, Williams, McKenzie and Seymour families of Cat Island, Descendants of Dolly McDonald, Rowena Elliston, Deanna Whylly of Gregory Town, Eleuthera, Descendants of James McDonald, David and Pandora McDoanld, Descendants of James, Hugh, Yorick Campbell and Winniss Campbell-Bethell, Family of Ronald “Big Boy” Seymour and Constance Dean-Seymour, Family of Georgie Gibbs, Wesley “Wes” Thompson and Family, Dugald and Paula Small, Family of Gustavus Outten; Family of Daryl and James “Jim” Smith, Families of Brazil, Leonard, Cremo McDonald, Ivan and Luther McDonald, Descendants of Samuel Thurston, Families of Junior, Leah, and Lydia Thurston, Ingrid Tynes-Kerr & Family, Jerry Rolle & Family, Huel Dames & Family, Farm Road, Farrington Road Family, Spring City, Sandy Point, Marsh Harbor, Crossing Rocks, Fox Town, Hope Town, Moore’s Island, Murphy Town Abaco, Bennett’s Harbor, Strachan Hill, The Bluff Communities, Family of Marie Kerr, Kemp Road, Tara Edgecombe, Blonneva Saunders, Family of Doris Farrah, Alice Lowe, Elaine Thompson, Family of Prince and Patricia Kerr of Delaporte, Family of George Kerr, Eva Wilson and Family, Pauline Bootle and family, Melvern Saunders & Family, Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham and Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis and Thelma Rolle and Family; and a host of relatives in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Germany, Georgia, Germany, New York, Ontario, Canada, Cat Island, Nassau, friends, neighbors too numerous to mention. May His Soul Rest in Peace! Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians & Crematorium, #44 Nassau Street on Thursday, November 19th, 2020 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
experienced enough flooding to evacuate. J.P. Brewer, owner of Salty’s Gulfport, was cleaning up after her beachside restaurant flooded Thursday morning. “It was pretty bad last night when I came in,” she said, adding that there were already 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 centimetres) of water inside by just before high tide. “We’re in here doing our cleanup today and assessing the damage. I think we fared pretty well considering as bad as it looked last night.” Several sailboats broke free from their moorings and washed ashore in Gulfport, including the vessel where Mo Taggart has lived for two years with her dog. She thinks the boat is a total loss. “I mean, it was disaster,” Taggart said. “I mean, I came out here. My boat’s just up against the seawall, just smashing, smashing ... I need to get another boat. I want to be back on the water, (my dog) wants to be back on the water.” President Donald Trump approved a federal emergency declaration for 13 counties along or near the Gulf coast, adding them to South Florida counties the storm struck previously. The storm had meandered in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this week after crossing over South Florida on Sunday. Eta first hit Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane and
killed at least 120 people in Central America and Mexico, with scores more missing. It then moved into the Gulf of Mexico early Monday near where the Everglades meet the sea.
Rainfall Eta then crossed over the Florida Keys island chain at Lower Matecumbe Key, but the densely populated areas of Miami-Dade and Broward counties to the northeast bore the brunt with heavy rainfall and flooding. It was the 28th named storm of a busy Atlantic hurricane season, tying the 2005 record for named storms. A 29th named system, Tropical Storm Theta, was centered Thursday about 455 miles (730 kilometres) south-southwest of the Azores and moving east. This extraordinarily busy season has focused attention on climate change, which scientists say is causing wetter, stronger and more destructive storms. ___ Frisaro reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press photographer Lynne Sladky and video reporter Cody Jackson contributed to this report from Pinellas County and AP reporter Michelle Liu contributed from Columbia, S.C.
REPUBLICAN SENATORS PUSH FOR BIDEN TO RECEIVE INTELLIGENCE By DEB RIECHMANN AND MARY CLARE JALONICK ASSOCIATED PRESS
with the process of transition so Biden could be read in on classified matters. He said Wednesday that he would “get involved” if WASHINGTON (AP) — As that didn’t move forward. President Donald Trump refuses For now, the office of National to allow President-elect Joe Intelligence Director John RatBiden to receive intelligence cliffe, a loyal ally to Trump, says briefings — even those he was it can’t begin talking with the getting during the campaign — Biden transition team until the an increasing number of Trump’s government starts that transition allies are calling for Biden to process. But the Trump adminishave access to the information. tration is delaying it. “I just don’t know of any Ratcliffe’s office, which overjustification for withholding sees more than a dozen U.S. the briefing,” Texas Sen. John intelligence agencies, said it must Cornyn, a member of the Senate PRESIDENT-ELECT follow the Presidential Transiintelligence committee, said Joe Biden (AP) tion Act, which requires the Thursday. General Services Administration “I see no problem with that,” said Iowa to first ascertain the winner of the election, Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Republican Party’s which Trump is contesting without evidence. longest-serving senator. GSA administrator Emily Murphy, who was “I think so, yes,” said Senate Judiciary appointed by Trump, has not yet officially Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, one designated Biden as the president-elect. of Trump’s closest confidants, when asked if Intelligence agencies have given genBiden should be briefed. eralised intelligence briefings — minus The Senate Republicans advocated for information on covert operations and sources Biden to receive the classified national secu- and methods — for presidential nominees rity information even as they refused to since 1952. acknowledge that the Democrat has won the President Harry S. Truman authorised presidential election, citing Trump’s baseless them for both parties’ candidates because he claims of fraudulent votes. was upset about not learning about the U.S. “At this point at least, I think he should effort to develop an atomic bomb until 12 absolutely be getting intelligence briefings,” days into his presidency. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley said of Biden. Biden was receiving those briefings, along “The briefings he’s been getting as a can- with counterintelligence briefings, but is no didate should continue. I think he should longer getting that information, according continue to get what he’s been getting and to a person familiar with the process who then let’s get on with the resolutions on some was not authorised to discuss it publicly. of these disputes.” A spokesman for Biden’s transition team The GOP pile-on supporting the intel- declined to comment. ligence briefings amounted to miniscule Biden has played down the significance of cracks in support for Trump as he refuses to the delay in getting access to the intelligence. concede the race, but was also in line with “Look, access to classified information is Republicans’ occasional, carefully worded useful. But I’m not in a position to make any answers about his actions during his presi- decisions on those issues anyway,” Biden said dency. While only a handful of Republicans Tuesday. “As I said, one president at a time. have called Biden the president-elect, most He will be president until Jan. 20. It would be were comfortable Thursday challenging the nice to have it, but it’s not critical.” Trump administration on withholding intelBiden is familiar with the President’s Daily ligence information, which could constitute Brief, having read the most sensitive intela national security risk when Biden assumes ligence document prepared for U.S. officials office. during his eight years as vice president. But “Both sides need to have access to the threats are ever-changing and as Inaugurainformation because we don’t know who the tion Day nears, his need for Trump to let him president is going to be, so allow that part of get eyes on the classified information will this process to still continue just for the sake become more critical. of national security,” said Sen. James LankNational security and intelligence experts ford, echoing Trump’s unsubstantiated claims say they hope Trump changes his mind, citing of voting problems. the need for an incoming president to be fully Lankford said he would pressure Trump prepared to confront any national security administration bureaucrats to move ahead issues on Day One.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, November 13, 2020, PAGE 11
Private Funeral Service For Patriarch Israel Willard Arthur Williams Jr., 92 affectionately called “Ole Button” of Crossing Rock, Abaco will be held on Saturday, November 14th, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at The Voice That Calls to Repentance Ministries Crossing Rock, Abaco, Bahamas. Officiating will be Pastor Albert Russell assisted by Pastor Jason Roberts. Interment will follow in the Public Cemetery, Crossing Rock, Abaco. Precious memories will forever be in the hearts of his six sons: Deacon David Sr., Willard Sr., Philip, Deputy Chief Council Israel Jr., Pastor James and Harry Williams; three daughters: Gloria Russell, Pastor Carolyn Bain and Betty McIntosh; step children: Charlotte Newchurch, Claudia Johnson and Gertrude Johnson; adopted children: Selma Roberts, Janet Sands. Daisy Watkins, Lloyd Walker, Marcus and Nelson Davis; daughters-in-law: Deacon Joyce, Alice, Eula, Monica, and Carline Williams; sons-in-law: Deacon Joseph Bain, Leo Russell and Michael McIntosh; grandchildren: Tony, Terry, Levan, Edgar, Adam and Timothy Russell, Shevia Gomez, Kentrell Walker, David Jr., Fredrick, Jason, Rosalee, Sharon, Nevillo Sr., Willard Jr., Jaarvas, Trevor, Quintence, Arthur, Frisco, Eulisha, Philicia, James Jr., Harrinique, Harryann Williams, Catherine Simms, Patrick, Romano, Deano and Diana Bain, Shevon Miller, Edwin, Kendrick, Kendria, and Roshell McKinney, Sharell Walker, Nidjensce and James Low; great grandchildren: Deandra, Britesha, Bianca, Alexis, Jason, Kalvin, Asia, Raki, Kierra, Newillo Jr., Tarris, Peyton, Janajhe, Trevor Jr., Tanahj, Tionna, Akia, Kameah, Shameka, Davon, Trista, Edwin Jr, Trishell, Tameisha, Thomas Jr., Tahyri, Percy Jr., Demko, Kaujan, Sabastian, Evanny, London, Diamond, Brianna, Towanda, Patrick Jr., Akeano, Ayden, Patyra, Kymano, Kymarlie, Kymiah, Destiny, Deshawn, Devonte, Jasmine, Lily, Deashanae, Deondre, Anthony Jr., Tray, Shevanti, Tonishka, Antonio, Tony Jr., Tony Grace, Tonika, Maeisha, Vastacia, Terry Jr., Isaac, Cicely, Amelia, Aleisha, Adeyah, Jameisha, Cameron, Jasmine, Eric, Nathan, Marrisha, Maranda, Marvin Jr., Michelle, Keevana, Keeatra, Kzia, Timothy Jr., Jamaal, Trevor Rolle Jr.; Sister: Ena Williams; sister-in-law: Louise Saunders; grandson and granddaughters-inlaw: Anthoinette Greg, Tiffany, Antonia, Samantha, Williams, Delvern Simms, Thomas Walker, Anishka, Rochelle, Doreen Bain, Anthony Miller, Eddison Saunders, Barry Gomez, Marvin Walker, Kertisha, Ruth, Juffure Russell and Princess Williams; thirteen great great grandchildren; three great grand-in-law: Trevor Newton, Ulisea Mills and Samantha Williams; godchild: Sidney Bain; nieces & nephews: Pastor Albert, Peter, Kirt Russell, Theodre Carroll, Theophilus, Pastor Franklin, Superintendent Vincent, Patrice, Shelia Williams, Audrey Rolle, Nathalie Burrows, Sandra Cotterell, Pastor Napoleon and Samuel Roberts, Perry, Percy, Phillip, Patricia, Pamela, Prescott, and Rosemarie, Nicolls, Eneanor, Stelletha, Barbara, Barry, and Johnny Johnson, Bernice Wells, Damien Fox; other relatives and friends including: James Williams and family, Junior Williams and family, Bateman Bain and family of Nassau, Jeffery, Frederick, Clayton, Hespert, Barbara and family, Estella Pinder and Pinder, Pastor Mervin Burrows and family, The Bain, the Hepburn families, Nurse McIntosh,, Dr. Charitie and family, The Nursing Staff of Sandy Point, Veronica and William Bain, and family, Jay Dean and family, Elizabeth Dean and family, Kenneth McKinney, Alexander Bain and family, Pastor Watson and family, Preston Roberts and family, George Williams and family, Eva, Elizabeth, Rachel and their families, The Simms family, Krystal Thompson, Dereck Gaitor, Portia Cornish, Jasmine Bodie and the Bodie family, Princess Bain and the communities of Crossing Rock, Sandy Point and Cherokee Sound and many other too numerous to mention. Viewing will be held in the Voice That Calls to Repentance Ministries Crossing Rock, Abaco, Bahamas on Friday (TODAY) from 6:00 p.m. until service time on Saturday.
Private Funeral Service For Rodney Bootle Sr., 61 of Murphy Town, Abaco, Bahamas will be held on Monday, November 16th, 2020, 11:00 a.m. at the Public Cemetery, Murphy Town, Abaco. Officiating will be Pastor Peter Watson assisted by Elder Hamfreth Rahming and Elder Marvin Greene. Left to cherish his memories are his wife: Ernestine Bootle; son: Rodney Jr.; brothers: Emitte (Natasha), Lester (Racquel), Jonathan (Raquel) and Rockling (Sandy) Bootle, Henry Munnings of Nassau, Tony (Marilyn), Roger and Cornelius Munnings of Lake Placid FL.; sisters: Minalee (Charles) Bodie, Keva (Basil) McKinney, Samantha (Quincy) Jones, Sharon (Carl) Cox, Ann Wilmore, Brenda Munnings of Lake Placid FL.; nieces/nephews: Nathan (Sophia), Emily (Timothy), Lawonda, Marvin, Latoya (Surgeo), Loretta (Ejuan), Tamika, Lasonia, Don (Jonna), Shavez (Kendra), Richia, Lavargo, Hilly Jr, Dr. Nasasha (Zendle), Emmanique, Azarial, Shaquille, Durrel (Laquania), Jonathan Jr., Decarlo, Rocklyn Jr., Alexis, Deneze, Kelia, Basia, Kendra, Katelyn, Basil Jr. Corey, Quannasha, Aiden, Samara, Samaya, Syreeta & Cordero Stuart, D’ondra Munnings, Kikie Gardiner, Ingrid Russell, Marcia Markey, Hollis & Carlianna Cox, Gaynell & Ebony Bain; grand nieces/nephew: Nathan Jr. (Alexandria) Faith, Gaisha, Wilbut, Sophia, Alexander, Tammy, Tameko, Timothy Jr., Tayshawn, Makaya, Kianna, Denise, Kianna, Paris, Ewayne, Lynden Jr., Jayden, Bella, Gaynia, Jonnajah, Don Jr., Amari, Lavarjnae, Lavargo Jr., Gabriella, Alasia and Felicity Stuart; great grand nieces/nephews: Layon, Lamir; Aunts/ Uncles: Rupert Bootle, Edith, Charles (Laurene) Clarke, William (Melvinia), Albert, Frank, Andrew Munnings; cousins: Ettamae (Bishop Williams), Gloria, Maggie (Tony), Sheila (Lealand), Scott (Rosemary), Clyde (Bonnie), Jackie, Sophie, Patrice, Brenda, Lisa (Earl), Donna Lowe, Misty, Patricia, Timothy & Carla Clarke, Dr. A. Charles Clarke, Attorney Deidre Clark-Maycock, Francis, Michael, Gabrielle (Patrick) Romer; special friends: Denvil Newbold & Family, Wenzel McBride & Family, Anthony Swain & Family, Lorenzo Octavien, Geneva Strachan, Annie and James Williams, Lowell Edgecombe & family; Dianna & Bob Diedrich of Sebastian Fl., Jennifer and Brian Kinn of North Carolina, Willie Albury, Kimbilee Wells, Teddy Neilly and Staff of the Department of Environmental Health Services; other relatives and friends including: The Bootle family, The Williams family, the Swain family, the Dawkins family, the Saunders family, the Curry family, the Simms family, the Abaco Taxi Drivers, Iva Duncombe, The Stuart/Simms families of Moores Island, Judymae McIntosh & family; the Reckley family, Silbert Mills and family, Aubrey Reckley & family; Frank Hepburn & family, Ena Pintard & family; Gwendolyn Pinder & family; Marsh Harbour Police and the communities of Murphy, Dundas, Spring City and Marsh Harbour and the entire Island of Abaco.