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The Tribune

Volume:118 No.05, NOVEMBER 27TH, 2020

Established 1903

Weekend

WeTHE eke ndPAPER: $1 PEOPLE’S photography fashion art gardening food entertainment puzzles animals

FASHION REPORT Page 7

WEEKEND: BAHAMIAN BAKER FACES INTERNATIONAL CONTEST

Abaconian competes to be best

PM - WE’RE DOING THE RIGHT THING Minnis bats off critics insisting emergency extension is needed

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis called assertions that the government’s emergency powers are unnecessary “highly irresponsible, reckless and unreasonable”.

He was speaking in the House of Assembly during debate yesterday on an extension to a new emergency proclamation issued

by Governor General C A Smith this week. The government is seeking Parliament’s approval to extend the country’s state of emergency to January 31, 2021.

“The measures we seek to extend today merely allow us to have the legal authority to act in case we need to use certain measures,” Dr Minnis said. “This does not mean that all of these measures are being used at a given time.”

Dr Minnis — who noted that countries like Barbados have extended their state of emergency into March next year — did not announce any changes to COVID-19 restrictions during his speech.

“The government needs these powers because of how quickly this virus continues to spread,” he said.

SEE PAGE FOUR

However, he said there was pent up demand for the country as many search for tourist friendly destinations to break the lockdown fatigue and other COVID19 restrictions.

“There is no doubt that there is pent up demand to travel,” Mr D’Aguilar said in an interview earlier this week.

“People are frustrated with lockdowns. Frustrated with the inability to travel and to mix and mingle how they’ve always done in the past. So, I think that once the vaccine rolls out and a SEE PAGE FOUR

in the world

pgs 04 + 05

DAMES - MY RESPECT FOR TURNQUEST RESIGNATION

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames said former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest made the “honourable” decision to resign in the best interest of his family and the government.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event at United Faith Ministries, Mr Dames said the East Grand Bahama MP is “not only a colleague, he’s been a friend for an awful long time” and someone that he is praying for.

“I had an opportunity to speak to the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday morning while at the House of Assembly.

“My family is praying for him and his family as they go through this experience right now in their lives and you know all I’m concerned about is that, you know, he and his family find some solace and peace at the end of the day.”

SEE PAGE THREE

‘FREEPORT OFFERS OUR ONLY NEW ECONOMY’

CAN BAY STREET SURVIVE ‘TIL CRUISE SHIPS RETURN?

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar has questioned whether Bay Street can “hold on” for the return of the cruise ship market, which is the lifeline of businesses down town.

He raised the question as he predicted it will take until at least 2022 before 80 percent of tourists who contributed to 2019’s peak arrivals return.

But full-scale visitor arrivals will “take a while” the minister said.

Basden’s bake-off

SO WHO IS POTCAKE? POTCAKE is a familiar sight around New Providence, with his trolley full of hubcaps and his signs full of wisdom about the state of the world. But who is the street philosopher. In a candid interview, he speaks to Diane Phillips about his life, his struggles and his new home. See page nine for more.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas will never generate the 4,000-5,000 new jobs it needs per year over the next two decades by relying on its “twin pillar” economic model, a top attorney warned yesterday.

Robert Adams, who heads the Revitalisation and Economic Expansion of Freeport (REEF) committee, said “the path to recovery lies through” the nation’s second city - and the diversification potential it offers.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

DRILLING SHIP SETS SAIL FOR BAHAMAS THE 750-foot Stena IceMAX drill ship has sailed from the Canary Islands en route to Grand Bahama in preparation to drill an exploratory oil well off the coast of West Andros.

The ship sailed in the face of notification that attorneys are in the process of filing Judicial Review proceedings, asking the Bahamas Supreme Court to scrutinise Bahamas Petroleum Company’s environmental approvals

THE STENA ICEMAX process. Among the points raised is the absence of a proper public consultation process as mandated by law.

“More than a week

before the ship sailed, we advised BPC to cease and desist from mobilising until the courts have an opportunity to consider the matter, and warned that a decision to move forward regardless will be undertaken at their own risk,” said Rashema Ingraham, executive director of Waterkeepers Bahamas and member of the steering committee for Our Islands, Our Future.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

THERE ARE STILL REASONS TO BE THANKFUL

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, November 27, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

RESIDENTS enjoying the sun and Thanksgiving at the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged.

Lunch is on agency for Thanksgiving THE staff and management of real estate company LXBahamas paid a visit to the Persis Rodgers home for the aged on Wednesday morning - bringing with them a Thanksgiving meal for all 25 residents and the staff.

“At LXBahamas, we believe is spreading a little joy when we can,” one of the agents said.

Some of the residents came out to enjoy a prayer led by LXBahamas agent JC Percentie - at a safe distance.

Mrs Ledee greeted the visitors, as did some of the staff of the home, although no one was allowed in due to COVID-19 precautions.

“It was wonderful to see everybody happily looking forward to have their Thanksgiving lunch,” said one of the agents.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 3

FNM thanks Turnquest

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement yesterday officially thanked former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest for his service, saying he did a “commendable job” in the face of “unprecedented, back-toback crises”.

“Mr. Turnquest was Minister of Finance when Hurricane Dorian struck in September 2019,” FNM Chairman Carl Culmer said in a statement. “It was the worst storm to hit The Bahamas. His ministry led the effort to provide funding for thousands of Bahamians to get critical assistance to survive and to begin to restore their lives.

“Just as The Bahamas was making progress with its Hurricane Dorian response, the COVID-19 pandemic began, causing the worst health and economic crisis in modern Bahamian history. Mr Turnquest was instrumental as Finance Minister helping to coordinate the Minnis Administration’s response to the crisis.

“The Minnis Administration has provided Bahamians in need with record amounts of National Insurance benefits and food assistance, along with tax benefits, credits and grants to businesses to help them make it through the tough times.

“Allegations were made against Mr Turnquest in a recent court filing. Following long-standing conventions of our parliamentary system, he resigned from Cabinet. I respect his decision to abide by the conventions of our system.”

Mr Turnquest, a certified public accountant, resigned as DPM and minister of finance on Wednesday, after calls for his resignation mounted nearly a week after a writ was filed in the Supreme Court accusing him of fraud in previous business dealings. He was

PETER Turnquest outside Parliament on Wednesday. not named as a defendant in the court filing, however, and has maintained his innocence.

FNM Senator Dwight Sawyer says he is certain Mr Turnquest will be vindicated of the fraud allegations as he only knows him “to be a man of integrity.”

“I am very saddened of the fact that our Deputy Prime Minister has resigned,” said Senator Sawyer. “I like him a lot.

I thought he was doing an excellent job as Minister of Finance in making sure that the country is

financially stable, bringing more credibility to the financial affairs of the country and making sure we are accountable.

“I am very sad to see that he has left like this. I have known him for quite some time and I also know him to be a man of integrity. I am quite certain that in the final analysis he will be completely vindicated.”

FNM member of Parliament for Pineridge, Rev Frederick McAlpine, thanked Mr Turnquest for his service.

“Mr Turnquest

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff followed the Westminster system and I thank him for what he has done in serving the Bahamian people,” he said. “We wish him well in all his future endeavours.”

Mr Turnquest, offered no further comment yesterday, however, In his resignation statement, he maintained his innocence and said, “at an appropriate time I will have more formal comments to make in regards to the circumstances of the allegations made against me and the actors that have perpetuated it.”

PLP Chairman Senator Fred Mitchell views the resignation as a victory and lesson learned.

“The resignation is a victory for the rule of law and the conventions of the constitution,” Mr Mitchell said.

“The entire country has benefitted from this lesson in governance. The people of the country struck a blow for decency.

“Folks would have been more sympathetic to him personally had the conduct of the Minnis Administration and the former Deputy Prime Minister, in particular, showed compassion for

people. The thousands who were sent home from their jobs by the Minnis/Turnquest combination must be pondering these events in their hearts.”

Senator Mitchell said the PLP continues to advocate the very biggest standards of public probity.

“We continue the fight for equity for all of our citizens and the resumption of our full civil rights,” he said. “The pandemic must not defeat us and the PLP remain ready to assist in that fight. A luta continua (The struggle continues).”

DAMES - MY RESPECT FOR TURNQUEST RESIGNATION from page one

He added: “He made the decision in the best interest of he and his family and certainly as he would’ve noted, he doesn’t want this to bring any attention to what we need to do as a government and as a people in this country and I think that’s honourable on his part. Maybe that’s an example for many persons who continue to be out there calling for his head, you know. They need to take a page (out of his book).”

Mr Turnquest’s resignation on Wednesday came after he was named in a Supreme Court lawsuit relating to an alleged $27m

fraud. Although he was not named as a defendant in the lawsuit and maintains his innocence, there were intense calls for him to step down.

Mr Turnquest explained in a statement why he offered his resignation, which the Prime Minister accepted.

“As a consequence of all the unfounded and untrue claims that have been circulating in the mainstream press as well as in social media, to protect my family, and in the best interest of my constituency and my party, I have offered my resignation as deputy prime minister and minister of finance to the prime

minister with immediate effect,” the statement read.

Mr Turnquest added: “When I met with the Prime Minister today, I informed him that while I am confident my reputation of transparency and accountability will be vindicated once the allegations against me have been fully ventilated through the courts, I did not want a private business dispute, which occurred prior to my taking public office, to become a distraction to the government, or to the important national work that lies ahead.”

Mr Turnquest is the third Cabinet minister in the Minnis administration to resign.

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WHILE Peter Turnquest’s resignation from Cabinet presents a challenge for the government, the country’s economic recovery does not rest on the shoulders of one man, a top banker asserted yesterday.

Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, told The Tribune that Bahamians needed to depersonalise the conversation surrounding the East Grand Bahama MP’s resignation from the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

He said there also didn’t need to be an exaggeration of what Mr Turnquest’s departure would mean to the operations of the Ministry of Finance.

Prime Minister Dr

Hubert Minnis accepted Mr Turnquest’s resignation Wednesday evening, ending nearly a week of political intrigue after the East Grand Bahama MP was named – although not joined as a defendant – in a Supreme Court lawsuit relating to an alleged $27m fraud.

Dr Minnis said in a brief statement that he will serve as interim finance minister before a substantive appointment is made to that post. Mr Turnquest said he will continue to serve out his term as MP. “The role of any Cabinet minister is to prepare for succession planning,” said Mr Bowe.

“No one individual is irreplaceable. The reality is the Ministry of Finance is a function and whilst the Minister of Finance would be the chief executive officer, the actual executive

team which would be his financial secretary, his advisers, the deputy financial secretary report to him. They should still be in existence and it’s really from the perspective of saying there would have to be a new chief executive officer so we have to say that his leadership and his planning for the future is one that we hope is already put in place and they are the same people that he would expect to run it even if he was there.

“I think it’s important to note that he would not be doing calculations personally. He would not be drafting budgets personally. He would not be doing elements that would be creating our economic strategy personally. His primary role would be to review, provide input, produce ideas, guidance and provide direction.

MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames pictured earlier this year.

‘ECONOMY DOESN’T SIT ON ONE MAN’S SHOULDERS’ “Will we miss that? I think we certainly will because he’s been in the room for three plus years.

The personnel would have already become accustomed to his working style.

They would be accustomed to the nature of information that he would have requested and also the instruction of how things get executed.”

Mr Bowe continued: “So, I think that we have to depersonalise this conversation that we’re having that the Ministry of Finance is an institution.

The chief executive officer, meaning the minister is himself an institution because it changes as there are changes in government or changes in ministerial assignment.

“Ultimately, we should be looking at this from the perspective as saying the overall leadership of

the Cabinet is going to be tested at this point in time because the deputy prime minister and minister of finance could have vacated for a number of reasons. It could have been an untimely passing. It could have been illness. It could have been a personal matter and he pulled away and sought leave of absence and so we have to be careful to not exaggerate what his departure will mean to the operation of the Ministry of Finance.”

Mr Turnquest’s resignation came as a surprise even to his Cabinet colleagues, with one minister telling The Tribune Wednesday night that he was “devastated and shocked” by the outcome.

The Tribune understands Mr Turnquest’s Cabinet colleagues largely wanted him to remain the steward of the country’s fiscal affairs as the

nation battles the economic fallout from the COVID-19 crisis.

His departure from Cabinet comes several months after Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands resigned as Health Minister under controversial circumstances.

He is the third Cabinet minister to resign from the Minnis administration, after Brent Symonette quit his post as Minister of Immigration and Trade last year.

Elected deputy leader of the Free National Movement in 2014 during the party’s tumultuous time in opposition, Mr Turnquest stood by Dr Minnis’ side when Loretta Butler-Turner led a revolt against the Killarney MP in 2016. Despite this, the pair did not enjoy a strong relationship and Mr Turnquest was not in the Prime Minister’s circle of most trusted colleagues, sources said.

PAGE 4, Friday, November 27, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

PM - we’re doing the right thing from page one “One highly infectious individual could spread the virus in a closed room of 50 people to nearly every individual in that room.

The infected people would then go (to a) home environment, family members and... they may then all go on to spread it to others.

One case could lead to an outbreak. Hundreds and hundreds of people could get sick.

“When cases spike, governments do not have the liberty of a long period of time to act.

“We do not have weeks to act, instead governments must act quickly and decisively in order to avoid the spread of this deadly virus.

“If a government waits too long to act, many more people get sick; many more people are hospitalised and more people die.

“If the country followed the advice of the Opposition, The Bahamas would be in the same dire straits as those places which opposed lifesaving emergency measures.”

Dr Minnis said health officials have advised him that cases of COVID-19 in New Providence have stabilised since stricter emergency

measures were implemented several weeks ago. “To ensure that this trend continues and out of an abundance of caution, we believe that the relaxation of measures at this time may be premature and may risk an increase in cases,” he said.

He said health officials have also advised that restrictive measures are working in Eleuthera and the policies in Grand Bahama should also remain in place for the time being.

“On Monday past no new confirmed cases were reported on Eleuthera,” he said, adding that next week he will announce whether restrictions on mainland Eleuthera should continue or not. Within days of the restrictive measures being put in place, health officials were able to isolate all positive cases on Eleuthera and quarantine the contacts of positive cases.

“The curve is starting to bend. Health education initiatives are working.

“A team from the Ministry of Health will travel to Eleuthera this coming Friday, November 27, to conduct a follow-up assessment of the COVID-19 situation. Restrictions will remain in place for the rest of this week.”

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in Parliament on Wednesday.

‘WE’RE FLATTENING THE CURVE’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH Minister Renward Wells declared in the House of Assembly yesterday that Bahamians are flattening the COVID-19 epidemic curve.

He noted that fewer than 30 new cases of the virus were confirmed in the last seven days and there have been no new recorded deaths since November 19.

Only 13 cases were reported on Wednesday.

“A total of 42,458 RTPCR tests have been carried out for COVID-19.

The average positivity over the past week is 8.6 percent, down from a weekly average of 17 percent,” he said. “Active cases are also trending down. There are 1,475 active cases. Fifty-six persons were added to our cumulative recovery total bringing the count to 5,789 for a recovery rate of 77.4 percent.”

Mr Wells said only 19 people were hospitalised at last report, including seven

in Grand Bahama and 12 in New Providence.

His comments came during debate in the House of Assembly yesterday on extending the Governor General’s emergency proclamation. The government is seeking to extend the state of emergency to January 31.

“While it is true that the entire Bahamas only experienced one complete lockdown in April, 2020, other islands such as Grand Bahama and Bimini, experienced lockdowns for some two weeks to control the spread of the virus on these islands,” he said. “Controlled weekday and 24-hour weekend curfews have been most effective on the islands of Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco and New Providence to bring the overall transmission down, ‘flatten the curve,’ reduce infections and avoid overwhelming our treasured health care system.”

Mr Wells also said capacity to use the RT-PCR test

has expanded to Grand Bahama and Exuma.

“An RNA extractor machine was purchased to reduce test processing time, and additional persons were onboard at the National Reference Laboratory to process tests more rapidly,” he said.

“Currently, we are running a control saliva pilot test in parallel with the testing using the nose and throat swab. We expect confirmation very soon as to whether we will be able to incorporate the saliva test going forward.”

Mr Wells also said about 80 people were trained as contact tracers in October, including ten civil servants, ten people from the Ministry of Tourism and 60 employees of BahamasAir. “These additions bring the total pool of contact tracers to 111,” he said.

“Data monitoring teams are working closely with corporate partners to improve data workflows for greater efficiency, accuracy and timeliness of data.”

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

TOTAL CASES

TOTAL DEATHS

7,482 163

NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES WEDNESDAY 13 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE GRAND BAHAMA ABACO EXUMA

TOTAL TESTS

42,464

8 3 1 1

HOSPITALISED

21

CASES IN ICU

0

RECOVERED

5,789

CAN BAY STREET SURVIVE ‘TIL CRUISE SHIPS RETURN? from page one certain amount of Americans become vaccinated, I think they will travel like crazy.”

He added: “It will be quite some time because there is no doubt that economic impact in the United States because of COVID because businesses are closed. People are being wiped out so you can’t expect that it’s going to be completely elastic where you bounce right back to 2019. “…I mean British Airways just laid off 12,000 people. So, is it going to come back that quick?

I don’t know and those people have had to borrow money and get themselves

into a situation where they had to live with this so it’ll be some time before you get back to the peak of 2019,” he said.

Asked if he thought it could take about five years before there is some normalcy to tourism, the minister said: “I would say greater than three years. I can’t see that far in advance, but I think very quickly probably 80 percent of it will come back, but the last 20 percent it will take a while. “…(80 percent of those numbers) in 2022 that’s my prediction (and at least three years for a full rebound) as people catch themselves and get confident again.”

He said The Bahamas’ location would work in its

favour.

“The Bahamas, of course, is wonderfully positioned, especially for the cruise ship market because of our location. We’ll have a beautiful new cruise port in the next two years, so we’ll be in a great position to bounce back in the cruise market. We’ll be in a great position to bounce back very quickly.”

Traditionally, the minister said cruise ship customers were loyal.

“We obviously will be the main beneficiary of that.

But the problem is can Bay Street hold on until then?

That’s the concern.

“Cruising isn’t expected to return until probably the first quarter or second quarter of next year so by the time they rally back up then

they gotta work out all their kinks they are probably going to start off by going to private islands, then they gonna come to Nassau. So, the first quarter of next year probably the later part of the first quarter before they start hitting here.

“That will make the effect of COVID on this country one year because March 19 it started so that would be a whole year. It’s very very difficult for businesses that are in rent scenarios and whether they can hold on unless they just shut down and hunker down and hold their money and tell their landlord he gotta wait, as some may be doing. So, it’s a challenge.

“It’s a real challenge. It’s a nightmare,” Mr D’Aguilar said.

LOVE LIGHTS A TREE EVENT TO BE HELD TONIGHT THE annual Love Lights A Tree event will be held tonight.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Kelly’s House and Home, and the company has partnered with the Love Lights A Tree organisers to buy a 40ft Olympia Christmas tree.

Organisers said the event, held at 5pm, would be “a spectacular annual family oriented event that demonstrates joy and laughter; with caroling, dancing, drama and the lighting of the tree which gives persons the opportunity to remember their loved ones”.

The event is organised by the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, and seeks to remember those who are no longer with us - more pertinent than ever this year.

“2020 has been an extraordinary

year for so many; with the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and the pandemic of COVID-19. But despite the economic condition from the coronavirus, the Cancer Caring Centre still remained open at full occupancy during the entire pandemic with patients from the Family Islands undergoing various cancer treatments; unfortunately cancer still ravages throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas,” said organisers.

With a gift donation of a minimum of $30 in recognition of 30 years, your gift will help light the Christmas Tree and light up someone’s life.

Each light is a representation of a person who has lost the fight, a person who is battling, or someone who has

survived cancer.

Names of loved ones will be displayed on the ‘Love Stand Board’ inside the centre court of the Mall at Marathon throughout the holiday season.

The event will be held at 5pm at the Mall at Marathon near CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank where there will be opening remarks from Pastor Mario Moxey, a Christmas message from Rev Angela Palacious, the lighting of the tree by Nancy Kelly of Kelly’s House & Home and other entertainments.

Donations will allow the Cancer Society of The Bahamas to continue its work.

Visit www.cancersocietybahamas. org/donate to find out more.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 5

MEMBERS of the Rotary Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Committee in partnership with the Grand Bahama Power company have been helping Rocky Creek residents.

Rocky Creek rebuilding continues

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Rotary Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Committee, in its recent partnership with the Grand Bahama Power Company, supplied a truck load of building materials to residents of Rocky Creek in East Grand Bahama.

The small fishing village was completely devastated

by Hurricane Dorian a year ago. Every single house there was destroyed, and those families are now living in temporary structures until their homes can be rebuilt.

Through a significant contribution by GB Power, the Rotary Disaster Relief Committee acquired building materials from Third Dimension recently. Five Star Trucking provided a flatbed truck to haul the load nearly 40 miles to the settlement. Rotarians from the five Rotary Clubs, and Rotaract members, helped with offloading the materials to every resident.

James Sarles, of Rotary GB Disaster Relief Committee, said the group is very excited to be able to continue assisting with rebuilding efforts on Grand Bahama.

“Rotary has been hard at work since Hurricane Dorian hit almost a year ago. Rotary has repaired almost 700 homes, repaired 119 boats, and has given away 50 engines; we mucked and gutted

countless homes and conducted mould remediation, and we are rebuilding in east and west,” he said.

As a result of the tremendous work that Rotary has been doing, Mr Sarles said that organisations want to get involved and assist them.

He said GB Power wanted to help where it could.

“They wanted to help those in the East End community and so we identified Rocky Creek which was devastated – virtually every house was gone,” said Mr Sarles during a recent interview. “People were out there suffered tremendously, and the fishermen all lost their boats, and Rotary has been helping them.”

He indicated that Rotary has kind of adopted Rocky Creek, initially providing disaster relief tents for residents there.

“Rotarians from the five clubs offloaded the materials by hand, and so we are proud to be part of helping this community. It’s all about service above self,” Mr Sarles said.

Rotary past president Clifford Bowe, area youth service chairman for Grand Bahama, visited every household in the community and made a list of what each resident needed for rebuilding.

He said they purchased and distributed plywood, lumber, sheetrock, and doors, etc.

“With the materials they

will be able to start rebuilding. All the homes were washed away, only the foundations were left,” he said.

“With this donation, they will now be able to put their roofs back and the framing of their homes and put sheetrock,” he said.

Rocky Creek residents were very appreciative of the supply of building materials.

Residents Paul and Janine Russell said the area needs a lot of help.

Mrs Russell said she will never forget what she experienced a year ago when the Maurice Moore Primary shelter was flooded.

“There was four feet of water and I was crying out to God to let me live and be able to tell my story to others,” she said.

“We are very grateful to Rotary for all they have done and continue to do for us in Rocky Creek,” she said.

Maxine Knowles said that she is grateful to be back home in Rocky Creek.

“We lost our house… but I thank God I am here today, and I thank the Rotary Club for everything they have done for us, and to GB Power for helping us also,” she said.

Walter Reckley said: “Rotary has done a fantastic job, and the people of East End take our hats off to them. They have been here from day one after the storm helping us in East End and they are here today assisting us with restoring our homes.”

ROCKY Creek residents Paul and Janine Russell.

DRILLING SHIP SETS SAIL FOR BAHAMAS from page one “We hold that many things about the approvals process was improper, including the decision to switch from an approved ship to the IceMAX without conducting proper consultation.

BPC’s stated aim is to begin drilling on December 15 which means that time is of the essence if anti-drill campaigners hope to convince the company and The Bahamas government to pause and allow the judicial

process to take its course.

Fellow steering committee member and executive director of the Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation (BREEF), Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, is confident the effort will succeed.

“More than 100 businesses and organizations are now supporting Our Islands, Our Future and there are 45,000 signatories to our petition,” she said.

“We are convinced that if we continue to stand strong together, we can stop BPC

and prevent any future oil drilling in these pristine, ecologically significant waters.”

McKinney-Lambert urged supporters to continue speaking out in The Bahamas and internationally, “and make it clear that we refuse to sacrifice our future and that of generations of Bahamians and others around the world.”

As the IceMAX continues to churn across the Atlantic, it’s movement can be tracked on https://ourislandsourfuture.org/

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PAGE 6, Friday, November 27, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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Having powers doesn’t mean you have to use them THERE seems to be something of a conspiracy theory circulating over the government’s use of emergency powers.

Some, including some who really ought to know better, are speculating that the extension of emergency powers is part of some fiendish plan by the government to keep us locked down forever to serve their purposes as dictators.

To those we would say, take a look around the world.

Right now, cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing in Europe, the US is experiencing another surge with the prospect of potentially hundreds of thousands more deaths, and each of our potential tourism markets is still wrestling with the virus that has put such a stranglehold on our world.

Indeed, the countries that have dealt with the virus best have been the ones that clamped down hard, early on, and were able to loosen restrictions having stemmed that initial surge.

There is nothing welcome about the government having to extend emergency powers until the end of January – but there is nothing sinister either.

We do not want these restrictions on our lives, of course not, but the extension merely allows the government to act if there is another surge in cases – which given our proximity to the US and our ability to travel to hotspots there is very possible.

Merely having the rules in place does not mean that they have to be exercised.

Over-enthusiastic application of those rules can absolutely be a source of complaint – we’ve spoken in this column on many occasions of the lack of logic behind some of the restrictions and the inconsistency.

But if we were to experience a major surge and not be able to do anything about it in time because MPs had to go back to Parliament to implement new rules rather than just extending the one’s we have in place already, that could cost more than our patience, that could cost lives.

So when people talk about dictators and tyrants, look at what the rest of the world is doing. All of these lockdowns and curfews, all of these guidelines on how businesses should operate – this is all guidance being repeated to some extent in countries everywhere. Those nations taking a lighter hand are often the ones experiencing the greater surges as a result – take a look just across the water at the US and the states without

mask mandates are experiencing significant numbers of new cases.

“When cases spike, governments do not have the liberty of a long period of time to act,” said Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday. “If a government waits too long to act, many more people get sick; many more people are hospitalised and more people die.”

We’ve seen that already here – when Grand Bahama experienced a surge in cases and we were slow to limit travel from there, resulting in a number of people arriving in New Providence and unwittingly bringing the virus with them.

The sooner this virus is gone, the better. But that doesn’t mean we should rush away the powers that help us fight it too early.

What we’re doing appears to be working. Cases are down, and so is the number of deaths. Don’t let conspiracy theorists undermine the good work we have done collectively.

Bay Street dilemma Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar is rightly concerned about the future of Bay Street – and whether the retailers there can hold on for the return of the cruise ship market.

One of the first cruise ships to start sailing again recently had a number of positive cases on board and had to return to home port – showing that for the cruise market at least, it looks far too early for an attempt to return to normal. For them, it really will likely take the appearance of a vaccine and its wide implementation before confidence will return.

So how does Bay Street deal with having no ships at berth? It could be a long time – Mr D’Aguilar is talking more than three years before getting back to where we are, and we would wager that is optimistic.

There is talk of a vaccine by April, but that isn’t a magical overnight cure.

It will likely take two sets of injections a couple of weeks apart, but more than that it needs a significant portion of the population to be vaccinated to drive the virus cases down. So businesses wait, their doors closed while they wait for visitors, their staff wondering when they can get back to work.

The government is going to need to work out what kind of safety net it can continue to offer – and for how long.

This isn’t going to be solved in a hurry.

Too hard to get to The Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE operated a travel agency in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for over 45 years. We have consistently and with enthusiasm sent clients regularly to both Nassau and the Family Islands during all this time. Our family have regularly visited and my wife’s family now own a vacation property. It was always easy to book people on the flights from our area with the easy connection through Toronto. The Bahamas was the prime destination for our clients. especially in the winter.

Now everything has changed not only because of the COVID-19 pandemic but your Government making it so difficult to enter that our clients are being forced to go to other southern destinations.

Today I have read about the United States travel warnings in your edition.

Some of our clients are wary about travel but most of them are willing to travel taking precautions as necessary. However they simply do not have the time to go through all the hassles required for your Health Visa and the unworkable five-day requirement to get to Nassau after the test.

I have discussed these problems with other local agencies. The Bahamas has lost nearly all interest from prospective visitors.

People do not have the time to complete the new rules is the main comment. It takes hours to get the test, pick the results up from the health centres, scan them to Nassau and await confirmation about travel.

The Health Visa has created so much uncertainty.

It is so detrimental for The Bahamas to discourage the regular yearly visitors with the red tape. If they are forced to travel elsewhere

they may never return.

The only viable solution to getting tourists back, if they are able to get tests, is to end the uncertainty by dropping the Health Visa and allowing visitors to bring a test result no older than seven days with them.

If they do not have a proper test result they cannot board the airplane. If the Government stubbornly adheres to the current rules I feel certain that I will not have any bookings for The Bahamas. From our premier destination it now has the lowest interest. I can only hope that the Government will take these problems seriously or it will be a longterm catastrophe for the important Bahamian tourism sector. I am very concerned about the current developments.

PETER R JACOBSEN Canada, November 25, 2020.

Why follow the Pope?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

ACCORDING to Wikipedia, the Catholic Church, with its estimated 1.3 billion members around the world, is the largest branch of Christianity.

With Protestants comprising over 80 percent of the religious demographic in The Bahamas, Bahamian Catholics are a tiny minority.

The Catholic Church is headed by Pope Francis.

As an Argentinean cardinal and Jesuit priest, Francis succeeded Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

Argentina is located in South America, the epicenter of Liberation Theology.

This theology was developed by Latin American theologians Juan Luis Segundo, a Jesuit like Pope Francis, Leonardo Boff, Jon Sobrino and Gustavo Gutierrez, subsequent to the Second Vatican Council between 1962-1965. At the time of the Second Vatican Council, the young, impressionable Francis was in his mid to late 20s.

Judging by his controversial utterances since assuming office at the Vatican, Pope Francis seems to have not escaped the influence of Liberation Theology.

Proponents of Liberation Theology have merged Marxism with Christianity.

This cross-pollination is ironic, especially given the fact that Karl Marx was quoted as saying that religion is the opium of the people.

The overwhelming majority of the most ruthless atheistic dictators in the 20th century were deeply influenced by Marxism. Religious Marxists interpret the Bible through the lens of The Communist Manifesto much the same way traditional Catholics read the Bible through the lens of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Ironically, the Catechism of the Catholic Church was edited by Joseph Ratzinger, better known to the world as Pope Benedict XVI. In a recent Washington Post article by Chico Harlan and

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Michelle Boorstein, it was reported that Pope Francis, in a documentary titled Francesco by filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, is calling for the creation of civil union laws for same-sex couples.

The Pope stopped short of calling for the full acceptance of same-sex marriage, which in itself is a misnomer. Genesis 2:23-24 gives us a divine definition of marriage, which is one man to one woman. Anything else is a distortion of God’s intended ideal.

The article claims that Pope Francis stated that gay couples should be legally covered.

According to the Pontiff, homosexuals are God’s children, which conflicts with the words of Jesus Christ in John 8:44, in which the Lord told His Jewish opponents that they are the children of Satan.

The same principle applies to unbelieving Gentiles from a soteriological standpoint. According to John 1:12, one must receive Jesus Christ as Lord in order to become a child of God. As one who studied theology, Pope Francis should be knowledgeable about the doctrine of adoption.

Pope Francis seems to be a proponent of the heretical German Lutheran theologian Adolf von Harnack’s universal fatherhood of God doctrine.

By suggesting that homosexuals are God’s children, the Pope is giving these people a false sense of security. The unrepentant homosexual is headed to a Christless hell, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth throughout all eternity. Either he gives up his lifestyle or he follows Jesus. He cannot have both.

For what it’s worth, Pope Francis’ viewpoints on homosexuality are at odds with the Bible. Evangelical Catholics in The Bahamas must appreciate the fact that their spiritual leader’s

pronouncements must always play second fiddle to the Bible. Our eternal destiny hinges on it. The Bible minces no words in denouncing homosexuality.

First Corinthians 6:9-10 reads: “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor isolators, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherent the kingdom of God.” Additionally, other biblical passages, such as 1 Timothy 1:9-10; Romans 1:26-27; 2 Peter 2:6-8; Jude 7; Leviticus 18:22 and Genesis 19:1-25 are difficult for any homosexual apologist to explain away. Interestingly, Pope Benedict XVI, in the same Washington Post article mentioned above, is claimed to have said that homosexuality is an intrinsic evil. I wholeheartedly agree. Bahamian Catholics who support the traditional definition of marriage must now ask themselves the all-important question: Why am I still following Pope Francis?

Will Bahamian Catholics emulate Pope Benedict XVI by accepting the biblical standards for human sexuality, or will they follow the lead of the current Pope? In closing, I will like to leave a timely quote from the late Dr Greg Bahsen’s Homosexuality: A Biblical View: “ The creation of sexual differentiation by God from the beginning established heterosexuality as the normative direction for the sexual impulse and act.

Man’s sexual function has been defined by God as male-female behaviour.

This fact refutes the claims of homosexual apologists who say that all human beings have the right of self-definition. Such existential rationale reflects an autonomous desire to replace God’s intended distinctions..... “ KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

October 21, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 7

Parents want answers over son’s Texas death

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE parents of murdered Bahamian student Kani Rahming are still waiting for justice two months after their son was fatally shot in Houston, Texas.

According to Rahming’s aunt Sherise Cooper, his parents have been waiting for answers on the student’s untimely death on September 18.

According to her, the death was shocking and her sister took it “really hard” as he was her only child.

“They just hoping for justice, that whoever did it, that one day you know would come forth,” she said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs put out a press release confirming Rahming’s death on September 22. At the time, it was said police had not made any arrests and a motive was unknown.

“The ministry learned from the authorities in Houston that on 18th September, 2020, approximately 10pm, the police responded to an incident on Lazy Hollow, Houston, Texas, where it was

discovered that Mr Kani Rahming, the alleged victim, had been shot in the chest. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries,” the ministry stated at the time.

“According to preliminary reports from the media, Mr Rahming allegedly exited his residence to investigate a rock being thrown through the apartment window. It was during this investigation Mr Rahming was shot in the chest.”

His parents found out about the incident through

Rahming’s girlfriend that night.

“She called them actually, my sister and her husband, and let her know that something happened to Kani. He got shot and they was taking him to the hospital. We didn’t actually know that he would die right then,” the victim’s aunt said.

“After my sister got the news, well you know no flights actually moving from here in Grand Bahama, so they had to get a charter out of here to get into Florida and then fly down to Houston. That’s like that same week actually.”

Although the 23-year-old

victim was from Freeport, his memorial service was held abroad. There was a desire to bring his body back home, but family members were convinced to do otherwise.

“Kani loved America so much,” she explained “So we told her to leave Kani over there meaning just cremate him...

“She would’ve brought him back now, but all of us got together and we said now look this up and down….he then gone now.

So I guess listening to all of us and everybody’s input, her and her husband I guess they just decide just to do

the memorial service over there.”

Although she couldn’t make it to her nephew’s service as she can’t fly, her son went instead. She said the family got “the royal treatment” from Bahamian officials in Texas after the shooting.

She remembered her nephew as a “loving child” with “a beautiful personality” who spoke his mind.

“The minute you see him, you’ll fall in love with him because he (was) always smiling. You don’t have to say a word to him, nothing, and he just has this smile on his face.”

FIVE MORE AIRLINES TO JOIN TRAVEL BUBBLES

DOMINIC MOSS, left, and Mark Augstine outside court yesterday.

Photos: Donovan McIntosh

TWO FACE COURT ACCUSED OF SEPARATE MURDERS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net TWO men were remanded to prison yesterday after being charged in connection with two separate murders that occurred last week.

Dominic Moss, 29, was taken before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis accused of intentionally causing the death of Ryan Taylor on Tuesday, November 17, while being concerned with another.

He was also charged with attempted murder after officers alleged that he, along with another, tried to kill Travis Curry

the same day.

According to initial police reports, shortly after 7pm on November 17, two men approached a residence on Commonwealth Boulevard, Elizabeth Estates when another vehicle came up behind them.

Police said the occupants got out of the vehicle and opened fire in their direction, injuring both men.

“The victims were transported to hospital via private vehicle.

However, while on Eastern Road an emergency medical vehicle was stopped, medical attention was rendered to both men, however one of the victims succumbed to his injuries,” police

said at the time.

During yesterday’s hearing, Moss was represented by attorney Ian Cargill. He was not required to enter a plea to the charge and his case was adjourned to February 15 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Bail was also denied and he was subsequently remanded to the Department of Correctional Services.

In the second murder arraignment before Magistrate Rolle Davis yesterday, 34-year-old Mark Augustine was accused of murdering Doreen Mortimer and an unidentified man on Saturday, November 21.

According to initial reports,

police found the victims in a parked car on Ida Street after receiving reports shortly after 6am that day.

Emergency Medical Services were called, but pronounced the man and woman dead at the scene.

Augustine, who was also represented by Mr Cargill, could not enter a plea to the murder charges and his case was adjourned to February 15.

He too was denied bail and remanded into custody because of the nature of the offences.

However, the accused was told that he has the right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

(AP) Five additional global airlines and the Airport Council International (ACI) World have announced they will join the CommonTrust Network to create “Safe&Clean” travel bubbles on flights in and out of New York, Boston, London and Hong Kong as of December 2020.

By joining the network, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Swiss International Airlines, United Airlines, British Aiways and Virgin Atlantic join Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines who have already selected the World Economic Forum’s CommonPass (encrypted ePassport App) powered by Prenetics (HKG) RT-Lamp technology.

Commons Project Foundation CEO Paul Meyer said: “The members of the CommonTrust Network are coming together to implement an inclusive global network designed to empower individuals with digital access to their health information so they can protect and improve their health, and demonstrate their health status to safely return to travel, work, school, and life while protecting their data privacy.”

The pass was officially trialled in October on Cathay Pacific Airways and United Airlines flights between Hong Kong, Singapore, London, and New York. It enables passengers to demonstrate their Covid-19 status while protecting their data privacy.

United regulatory and policy vice-president Steve Morrissey said: “We were proud to be the first US carrier to trial CommonPass on 21 October from London Heathrow to Newark.

“Testing is a key component of our multi-layered approach to safely reopening travel and ensuring our customers’ wellbeing, and we look forward to using technology platforms like CommonPass to provide travellers and governments confidence in verified test results.”

IN YEAR OF LOCKDOWNS AND CURFEWS, CRIME DOWN

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

WITH movement restrictions and curfews in place for most of the year in response to the COVID19 pandemic, National Security Minister Marvin Dames expects a “double digit” drop in major crime when 2020 statistics are revealed.

Mr Dames said yesterday, “I get briefs (from

police officials) weekly during our weekly meetings just to make certain that we’re trending in the right direction, but I can tell you that for the past three years we’ve been looking at our bar charts and graphs and everything else and the numbers in just about every category over the last three years have been dropping.

“Crimes against property and crimes against the

persons... very encouraged that these are numbers that we haven’t seen in this country... maybe close to 15 years.

“And so if the police and the Defence Force – especially if they continue their (hard work)… through December… we can expect at the end of this year to see some amazing drops in major crime categories and that’s what we want to

see. That’s what Bahamians want to see.”

For the second year in a row, there were fewer than 100 homicides in 2019.

Homicides this year are well below this figure, likely due to the strict curfews, lockdowns and partial lockdowns that have been in place since March.

“If everything continues to hold you’ll see drops in the double-digit,” Mr Dames said when asked

about murder numbers.

“Double-digit drops….

Where the police may be somewhere in the area of about, what, 61 now. Last year this time, there were probably closer to 90.

“When you look at armed robberies too – down significantly... double digits again. You can expect to see that.”

Despite positive strides, he said, officials want “to see that fear index drop”.

“We still have some work to do. We understand that because you know what we’re experiencing did not happen overnight, but I would say over the last three years or since coming into office we promised the Bahamian people that we will reduce crime and looking at all the figures everything seems continuing to trend down, downward.”

PAGE 8, Friday, November 27, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Reasons to be thankful A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

YESTERDAY as I enjoyed every “foodies” warm up for Christmas gorging, Thanksgiving Dinner with my family, I realised that despite it not being the normal Bahamian Thanksgiving we still have a lot to be thankful for.

limitations, those same limitations give you multiple opportunities to grow, improve and become better all around as a person.

Give thanks for each new challenge.

Challenges build character and strength all while making you think.

GIVE THANKS Nothing wrong with Give thanks that you sharpening your mind don’t already have every- during the process. thing you desire.

Give thanks for your Imagine if mistakes. you did, you ‘Give thanks when All of would have them! nothing to you’re tired and They will look forward weary, because it teach you to? valuable means you’ve made lessons. life Give thanks when and accomplished Give you don’t something. thanks when know a subyou’re tired It’s easy to be ject or topic. and weary, thankful for the Why? because it Because means you’ve good things. it gives you made and the opportu- A life of rich accomplished nity to learn fulfillment comes something. and it puts to those who are It’s easy to you on the be thankful quest to con- also thankful for for the good tinually seek the setbacks.’ things. knowledge A life of on every matter. rich fulfillment comes to (Sounds monotonous, but those who are also thankful it’s actually quite fun). for the setbacks.

Give thanks for these Gratitude can turn a negharsh times during this ative into a positive. global ‘COViD 19’ Find a way to be thankful pandemic. for your troubles, and they Harsh times make you can become your blessings. grow as a person, inside and out, whether you want to or EXTRA CRISPY not.

On another note if you Give thanks for your were brave enough to

play chef and burnt the turkey here’s a few options from the explications department.

Pick one that’s your story and you are sticking to it.

1. COViD and Salmonella won’t be a concern.

2. Everyone will think your turkey is Cajun

blackened.

3. Uninvited guests will think twice next year.

4. Your cheese broccoli lima bean casserole will gain new found appreciation.

5. Pets won’t bother to pester you for scraps.

6. No one will overeat.

7. The smoke alarm was

due for a test.

8. Carving the bird will provide a good cardiovascular workout.

9. You’ll get to the desserts even quicker.

10. After dinner, the guys can take the bird to the yard and play football.

11. The less turkey Uncle

You-Know-Who eats, the less likely he will be to walk around with his pants unbuttoned.

12. You won’t have to face three weeks of turkey leftovers.

In all things be thankful for what you do have and not what you don’t.

SUPPORT THE BLOOD BANK

SAVE A LIFE GIVE THE GIFT OF

BLOOD

BECOME A REGULAR DONOR

1 PINT CAN SAVE 3 LIVES GIVE BLOOD - GIVE LIFE

SOME HELPFUL TIPS BEFORE YOU DONATE:

4 You must have eaten at least once for the day.

4 You need at least 30 minutes between your last meal and donating blood.

4 You will need at least 10 minutes rest after donating blood.

4 You can donate blood every 8 weeks.

4 The Blood Bank will do FREE Pre-screening tests to make sure you are healthy enough to donate blood.

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 9

Who is Potcake?

HOW DID A KID FROM ONE OF THE BAHAMAS’ TOUGHEST NEIGHBOURHOODS AND PROUDEST FAMILIES BECOME NASSAU’S BEST-KNOWN STREET PHILOSOPHER?

POTCAKE - real name Locksley Thompson - in his familiar pose on the street and, below, with his daughter Sophie in her wedding gown.

IF YOU live on the eastern side of New Providence or have reason to be there, you see a figure that’s hard to ignore. He’s about 5’8”, sinewy, looks tough as nails and then some and oh, yes, he’s dragging a oversized cart of some kind with hubcaps hanging off the side, a mashed up stuffed animal on the handlebar and a cardboard sign with his thought of the day on the back.

It’s the sign most people know him by and the name he gave himself – Potcake.

What Potcake says and thinks is so captivating that come election time, lots of folks look to the thick black ink on the halfcrushed cardboard to see how Potcake is feeling about things, who he trusts, who he doesn’t, what issues are likely to dominate. It’s almost as if this hubcap hawker, this self-styled philosopher has a way of breaking down the complex and getting right to the point, setting the record straight in case the rest of us were just making it too complicated.

After Biden was elected incoming president in the US for example, the sign warned Trump gone, Biden in, taxes going sky high. To make sure everyone saw it, he plastered two signs on his cart that week, one of them spelling Bidden with two ds.

Spelling never matters with Potcake. It’s the thought that counts and with Potcake’s followers – and they are in the tens of thousands – it truly is.

So who is this man? And how did he get to be Nassau’s street philosopher or end up in photos in living rooms all over the world with visitors who stop to take a selfie with him, framing it and giving it prominent placement for all to share their Bahamian experience?

By Diane Phillips Potcake – his real name cart-dragging cultural pheis Locksley Thompson – nomenon whose “place of grew up one of ten children, business” as he terms it is five boys, five girls. The a well-worn concrete wall Eleuthera-heritage Thomp- along Church Street by sons were a proud, if not St Matthew’s Church and cash rich, lot and where graveyard. It is from there they lived in Balls Alley he sells the hubcaps he was known as the Thomp- picks up off the streets, easy son estate, though estate inventory to come by given should not be mistaken for the state of Nassau’s roads, anything resembling gran- and it is from there he deur. It did, however, hold a shares his wisdom printed certain dignity and a lot of on cardboard. successful people grew up Why, why did they tease right there. and criticise you? I ask.

Today, it’s said that Balls “Ugliness,” he answers.

Alley, tucked between Bay “They say I get big lip.” and Shirley Streets just east I don’t see anything espeof the old Shirley Street cially unusual about his Theatre with only one way lips, what you can see of in and the same way out, them in a face now crinkled probably with creases qualifies as ‘I’d go into the and partially the street covered by with the drug house pockets hat, hair and highest con- full of money and mask, which centration he removes come out pockets of available for a moment drugs for empty. The drug so I can get sale in the man take the key a better look country, not and the car and at how it that Potcake all started. would tell the dope. They get I still don’t you that. For everything you got.’ see anything residents, especially everything worth messthat happens in Balls Alley ing up someone’s head stays right there. There’s for. His right eye, though, almost a hush about the that’s a different story. It place. But back to our man. was stabbed and just about He says despite good poked out when he was family, he never stood much homeless. But we are getof a chance. ting ahead of ourselves.

“They criticised me from Despite the teasing and birth. They teased me. criticism, Potcake made a Even when I used to sell name for himself. Never The Tribune, I’d buy the one to shy away from physigirls lunch and they tease cal labour, he became an me,” he tells me in one expert prettying up cars. of our several conversa- Worked at a couple of tions as I tried to get to places, doing body work, know this oft-bare chested, painting fine vehicles, including showpieces, learned to drive a wrecker.

If it had anything to do with a shiny auto that could be made a shade shinier, Potcake was your man.

Sometimes though, maybe a lot of times, the boss would expect you to work long hours, right through the night, he explains.

“They give you rum.

Music be goin’, they be jokes, you know, keep it goin’, and you’d get that car ready for the next morning when the customer had to have it on Saturday and then come Monday, they’d forget to pay you everything they owed you, give you a little bit here, a little later if you got lucky,” he said.

So he kept painting and he found a way to make life easier and happier. It was a substance that first came in the form of lines and later

crack cocaine. He did it for six or seven years.

Meantime, he had a “good woman” who stood by him much as she could.

Bore him four children, two boys, two girls. His one good eye fills with pride and he smiles when he pulls out the photo of his daughter Sophie in her wedding gown.

The drug habit got bigger and he got more desperate.

“I’d go into the drug house pockets full of money and come out pockets empty,” he says candidly. “The drug man take the key and the car and the dope. They get everything you got.”

The day he hit rock bottom was Christmas 1987.

“My mother had made this big turkey and after everybody ate, I saw this turkey just sitting there, took it out to the street and started selling little pieces of the leftovers for 50 cent, a dollar.”

His family flew into a rage. They were done with the brother hooked on dope. They called police and Locksley Thompson was hauled off to Sandilands where he went through rehab and never turned back. He’s been clean for 32 years and 11 months.

“That first high is the best high you will ever get and you keep searching but you never get it back again,” he says. Despite the haze his drug use created, he vividly remembers the effect they had on the street, especially the women in nearby alleyways who would do whatever it took to get the next hit. “It was the height of the drug days and the virus (HIV) was everywhere, killing people I knew. It was bad.”

Once out of rehab, he began thinking deeply about what he was seeing around him. The handbuilt, jerry-rigged cart laden with hub caps seemed as good a place as any to hoist a sign and share a thought.

He remembers the first cardboard sign he ever created. Ironically, like his life had changed on a Christmas day before, it, too, was on Christmas.

“It said, ‘Your Christmas turkey smell good.’ And you know what happened?

A lot of people passin’ it figured I was hungry and they started bringing me Christmas dinners. I had so much food that day.”

There have been many days since then when Potcake felt low but just as the wave of sadness sweeps over him, a stranger comes by and lifts his spirits, like they did that Christmas day long ago. He will forever be grateful to one man, David Lunn, who helped support him in his writings, making sure he did not go hungry.

He is grateful to Tribune publisher Eileen Carron who used to stop by his “place of business” on the wall, read the signs, nod her head, smile and carry on, making sure The Tribune made space for Potcake’s thought of the day.

The years of ups and downs have made Potcake rugged around the edges but surprisingly tender on the inside, somewhat surprising for a man who spent eight years living on the streets after his house burned down.

“Sometimes when it was cold out and you didn’t have a blanket and no cardboard, it was hard, you wake up and you got bites all over you, your body, face, eyes,” he said. There were times, though, when sleeping on Potters Cay dock or Montagu would be better than listening to the “rowin’, shootin’ and all that stuff” in the Balls Alley, Okra Hill area.

“It can be peaceful out there,” he explains. It can also be filled with pounding, freezing rain and fear. “One night I fall asleep in front of Cycles Unlimited (Mackey Street) and I feel a blow to my head, blood pouring out of my eye.” Two young men were running away. They stole his wallet, the few dollars he had and the sight in his right eye. He spent a month in the hospital. That was nine years ago.

Potcake, who also suffers from diabetes, finally does have a roof over his head though donors are anonymous. He suspects he knows who started the gofundme page and helped rebuild his house recently, though he still does not have electricity. He speaks highly of his MP in Freetown and the

ALL POTCAKE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS IS A LITTLE BIT OF LIGHT HE’S humoured us, lifted our spirits and made us stop and think for 20+ years. Isn’t it time we gave him a little something to smile about? All Potcake wants for Christmas is electricity.

“I see the people up and down the street and they got their TVs on in the evening and they laughin’ and all I got is my chair, my cot and my battery radio so I could listen to gospel all night sometimes till 2 or 3 in the morning.”

When it’s time to fall asleep, he moves the chair away from inside the front door and positions his mattress there to catch whatever breeze there is. Electricity would also mean a fan.

BPL says he needs a document showing he has rights to the property, a deposit of $250 and evidence of the ability to pay. We are working on it. young man who assists with constituency work.

This week, he planted a coconut tree and a Lignum Vitae, putting his roots down not far from where he was born, raised, went right, went wrong and returned to tell us all a thing or two about life.

As for those signs, that wisdom painstakingly written in thick black or red ink on cardboard, he’s had a few special ones over the years. One of his favourites came from the referendum on gaming when then Prime Minister Perry Christie insisted that he had no horse in the race.

“He don’t have no horse in the race, no, but he got one jockey,” Potcake wrote.

And his views on the upcoming local elections?

He shared his thoughts, but that’s a secret between us. You’ll just have to wait for the scrawl on the scroll brought to you by a man who was born on 9/11 some 67 years ago and is still making history one sign at a time.

PAGE 10, Friday, November 27, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

How George Washington used his first Thanksgiving as president to unite a new country

By MAURIZIO VALSANIA Professor of American History, Università di Torino ON THURSDAY, November 26, 1789, George Washington woke early.

Assisted by his enslaved valets – William “Billy” Lee and the young Christopher Sheels – he powdered his hair, put on his favourite black velvet suit, tied his white neckwear and donned his yellow gloves.

Finally ready, he set out to travel the short distance from the President’s House, at what used to be 3 Cherry Street, New York, and St. Paul’s Chapel, which still stands at 209 Broadway.

He had an important aim that day: to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Washington had thought carefully about this Thanksgiving, the first of his presidency.

On October 3, 1789, following the recommendation of a joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, Washington had issued a proclamation.

He urged the people of the United States to celebrate “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer”.

But Washington believed that particular Thanksgiving in 1789 was a crucial occasion. He would use it to call on the people he now led to hold their new country together in the face of forces that he knew could pull it apart.

Devotion in the service of unity It was not the first Thanksgiving Americans celebrated. The first took place at Plymouth colony in the autumn of 1621 – Pilgrims held a feast to thank God for their first harvest

“be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”

But Washington’s main concern was political. The nation was recently formed, and he feared that it could easily collapse. Its many internal divisions and separate interests could be lethal. Consequently, the President wanted this holiday to be a civic celebration in which “we may then all unite”.

and invited members of the neighbouring Wampanoag tribe.

It was not even the first national Thanksgiving – which was held on Dec. 18, 1777, at then-General Washington’s behest. Nor was Thanksgiving yet a federal holiday to be observed every last Thursday of November – it became so with the 1863 proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln.

November 26, 1789, was a Thursday, and the weather was miserable. Few New Yorkers showed up at St. Paul’s Chapel to see the President: “I went to St. Pauls Chapel,” Washington wrote in his diary, “though it was most inclement and stormy.” There were “but few people at Church”.

The President had prepared for the occasion. He also contributed a sizeable sum of his own money to buy beer and food for prisoners confined for debt in the New York City jail. The donation was deemed to be a magnanimous and moving gesture, suitable to the spirit of the holiday. A week later, in an advertisement in the Dec. 3 issue of the New York Journal, those very prisoners returned their “grateful thanks” to their President “for his very acceptable donation on Thursday last”.

Washington’s first Thanksgiving as a President may have not been tremendously successful, given the scarce attendance at the church service.

Yet, as a scholar writing

a biography about Washington, I believe it was an important step in his much larger political plan to bring the executive branch to the people’s doorstep.

What Washington wanted was a virtuous kind of populism in the new country he led. Washington’s populism wasn’t about inciting an angry mob; it was about sharing in their rituals, worshiping their God, speaking their own language. And he did so in the sole interest of the American people.

Thanksgiving 1789, for Washington, was at once religious and more than religious.

Washington’s proclamation invoked devotional language, literally.

The upcoming festivity, in his words, could

‘Pardon our national… transgressions’ As its first President, Washington recognised the United States was born out of slavery, conquest and violence as much as of sacred principle. Civic unification required acknowledgment of these flaws. Thus, in the proclamation, Washington asked God “to pardon our national and other transgressions”.

A tremendously selfaware man, Washington knew that he was a deeply flawed person himself.

He was a slave owner, a relentless pursuer of African American fugitives and a destroyer of Native American villages.

He was also a warrior who deployed brutality against enemies. He was a commander who resorted to corporal punishment with his own soldiers. Washington believed that he was not a saint to be mindlessly imitated. This made him humble in his duties.

More importantly, Washington also grasped the power of his symbolic position as President. He sought

to leverage that for the good of the nation.

As President, Washington could not advertise his actions effectively via Twitter and social media. He had to show himself around constantly, no matter the weather. He had to painstakingly attend balls, plays, dinners, public receptions and of course the church.

Every occasion, every Thanksgiving counted.

Through his outings, Washington met with a diversity of people, including those who were second-class citizens or were not citizens at all.

Women, for example, greeted Washington at nearly every stop of the extended presidential trips he took between 1789 and 1791. Textile workers in New England, Jewish leaders in Newport, many enslaved persons in the South and churchgoers everywhere did the same.

These women and men, in bondage or free, believers or sceptics, played a part in the invention of a new political theatre. Maybe, it was just a theatrical illusion. But these individuals – just like the prisoners in the New York City jail – thanked President Washington because they felt they were voices in a larger political culture.

Washington made sure his Thanksgiving message – not simply a message, but a “proclamation” – sounded clear and strong: May God “render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed”.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 11

Local artists to be honoured at this weekend’s virtual Elevation Awards SHOW hosts include, clockwise from top left, The Natural Empress, Travis Edgecombe, Kedar Clarke, PeeJae Fuego and Apryl Sands.

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net ORGANISERS of this year’s Elevation Awards thought long and hard about the cancelling the event due to the pandemic.

But instead, they have planned a weekend of virtual activities that continues tonight.

The weekend officially started last night and will continue until Sunday. Each night at 8pm the events will be viewable on the Elev8tion Now Digital Platform page on Facebook.

Tonight, the Elevation Awards 2020 pre-show will feature the winners of the 18 different categories and also feature performances by DJ Fresh, Jamie C, Krazy Ringo, PDillon, Sacha the Duchess,

Dia and More. It will be hosted

by Shafayne Allen, and PeeJae Fuego.

Tomorrow night will feature the winners of the top categories such as male, female, hip-hop, visual and gospel artist of the year, as well as TV talk show, music producer, entertainer, and more.

The all-star line-up of performers includes Julien Believe, Wendi, Patrice Murrell, Jay Shephard, Cara T Newton, Jonathan Farrington, Najie Dunn, Sammi Starr, Tebby and others.

“The original 2020 award show was set to be a grand experience for our members and nominees, however, due to COVID-19, we knew that we were going to be limited when it came to an inperson experience,” said show

host Travis Edgecombe.

“We wanted to include everyone and still execute a stellar show, so we decided to incorporate specific elements in the show that would still provide the same level of entertainment and encouragement you would get if you were really there. Luckily, because the awards are always broadcasted live, it was not a challenge to divert to a fully virtual experience, also with digital content being produced through the Elev8tion Now platform, we were not out of our comfort zone.

“We have always been determined to honour the entertainers and creatives in this industry, and although it is different this year, we are still grateful for the opportunity to do so and thank those who have contributed their

PERFORMERS will include, from left, Julien Believe, Patrice Murrell, Wendi, and Sammi Starr.

time, talents, and finances to do the same.”

Mr Edgecombe said viewers can expect an exciting show with live performances from top artists, some good laughs, and a warm environment.

“People should tune into the 2020 Elevation Awards to support this industry. This has sometimes been a long-forgotten industry and it is our hope that persons will continue to show the same love and support for their own as they do for other entertainers and creatives around the world. This show and all of its nominees and supporters are committed to excellence and constant improvement, so it is our hope to continue to be the platform to honour, entertain and promote these hard-working Bahamians and those around the

Caribbean,” he said.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Isaiah Taylor and this year’s Trailblazer Award goes to Andrew “Dru Harmony” Gardiner.

Ending the weekend of events is the Celebration of Gospel 2020 on Sunday. It will be a night highlighting gospel artists who have released original music this year. The two-hour experience will feature artists like Anna Calixte, V-Mac, Latasha Taylor, Sherwin Gardiner, Terez DavisNixon, Akeem Gardiner, Glory Seekers, Pastor Christopher Roberts, Gabrielle Styles, and others.

For more information visit,the Elevation Awards website www. theelevationawards.com or “Elevation Awards” on Facebook and Instagram.

PAGE 12, Friday, November 27, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Trump: I’ll leave if Electoral College seats Biden WASHINGTON Associated Press

PRESIDENT Donald Trump said yesterday that he will leave the White House if the Electoral College formalises President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory — even as he insisted such a decision would be a “mistake” — as he spent his Thanksgiving renewing baseless claims that “massive fraud” and crooked officials in battleground states caused his election defeat.

“Certainly I will. But you know that,” Trump said Thursday when asked whether he would vacate the building, allowing a peaceful transition of power in January. But Trump — taking questions for the first time since Election Day — insisted that “a lot of things” would happen between now and then that might alter the results.

“This has a long way to go,” Trump said, even though he lost.

The fact that a sitting American president even had to address whether or not he would leave office after losing reelection underscores the extent to which Trump has smashed one convention after another over the last three weeks. While there is no evidence of the kind of widespread fraud Trump has been alleging, he and his legal team have nonetheless been working to cast doubt on the integrity of the election and trying to overturn voters’ will in an unprecedented breach of democratic norms.

Trump spoke to reporters in the White House’s ornate Diplomatic Reception Room after holding a teleconference with US military leaders stationed across the globe. He thanked them for their service and jokingly warned them not to eat too much turkey, then turned to the election after ending the call. He repeated grievances and angrily denounced officials in Georgia and Pennsylvania, two key swing states that helped give Biden the win.

Trump claimed, despite the results, that this may not be his last Thanksgiving at the White House.

And he insisted there had been “massive fraud,” even though state officials and international observers have said no evidence of that exists and Trump’s campaign has repeatedly failed in court.

Trump’s administration has already given the green light for a formal transition to get underway. But Trump took issue with Biden moving forward.

“I think it’s not right that he’s trying to pick a Cabinet,” Trump said, even though officials from both teams are already working together to get Biden’s team up to speed.

And as he refused to concede, Trump announced that he will be traveling to Georgia to rally supporters ahead of two Senate runoff elections that will determine which party controls the Senate. Trump said the rally for Republican Sens David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler would likely be held Saturday. The White House later clarified he had meant December 5.

One of the reasons Republicans have stood

by Trump and his baseless claims of fraud has been to keep his loyal base energized ahead of those runoffs on Jan. 5. But Trump, in his remarks, openly questioned whether that election would be fair in a move that could dampen Republican turnout.

“I think you’re dealing with a very fraudulent system. I’m very worried about that,” he said. “People are very disappointed that we were robbed.”

As for the Electoral College, Trump made clear that he will likely never formally concede, even if he said he would leave the White House.

“It’s gonna be a very hard thing to concede. Because we know there was massive fraud,” he said, noting that, “time isn’t on our side”.

“If they do,” vote against him, Trump added, “they’ve made a mistake.”

Asked whether he would attend Biden’s inauguration, Trump said he knew the answer but didn’t want to share it yet.

But there were some signs that Trump was coming to terms with his loss.

At one point he urged reporters not to allow Biden the credit for pending coronavirus vaccines.

“Don’t let him take credit for the vaccines because the vaccines were me and I pushed people harder than they’ve ever been pushed before,” he said.

As for whether or not he plans to formally declare his candidacy to run again in 2024 — as he has discussed with aides — Trump said he didn’t “want to talk about 2024 yet.”

All states must certify their results before the Electoral College meets on Dec 14, and any challenge to the results must be resolved by Dec 8. States have already begun that process, including Michigan, where Trump and his allies tried and failed to delay the process, and Georgia and Pennsylvania.

Vote certification at the local and state level is typically a ministerial task that gets little notice, but that changed this year with Trump’s refusal to concede and his unprecedented attempts to overturn the results of the election through a fusillade of legal challenges and attempts to manipulate the certification process in battleground states he lost.

Biden won by wide margins in both the Electoral College and popular vote, where he received nearly 80 million votes, a record.

• Monday seemed like the end of President Donald Trump’s relentless challenges to the election, after the federal government acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden was the “apparent winner” and Trump cleared the way for cooperation on a transition of power.

But his baseless claims have a way of coming back.

And back. And back.

PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks with reporters after participating in a video teleconference call with members of the military on Thanksgiving yesterday.

Photo: Patrick Semansky/AP The 2020 presiden- notably Senate Majority And the campaign legal tial race is turning into Leader Mitch McConnell team said state lawmakers the zombie election that of Kentucky, who are cling- in Arizona and Michigan Trump just won’t let die. ing to Trump as they face a would hold meetings on the Despite dozens of legal and test of retaining their own election “to provide conprocedural setbacks, his power in the form of two fidence that all of the legal campaign keeps filing new runoff elections in Georgia votes have been counted challenges that have little in January. and the illegal votes have “This really is our version not been counted in the hope of succeeding and making fresh, unfounded of a polite coup d’etat,” said November 3rd election.”

Thomas Mann, senior resiclaims of fraud.

In Pennsylvania, where But that’s the point. dent scholar at the Institute state Republican lawmakTrump’s strategy, his allies of Governmental Studies at ers met at Gettysburg on concede in private, wasn’t the University of Califor- Wednesday to air grievto change the outcome, but nia at Berkeley. “It could ances about the election, to create a host of phan- end quickly if the Repub- Trump lawyer Rudy tom claims about the 2020 lican Party acknowledged Giuliani attended in person presidential race that would what was going on. But they and Trump dialed in from infect the nation with doubt cower in the face of Trump’s the Oval Office. and keep his base loyal, connection with the base.”

“We have all the eviA day after Trump said dence,” Trump asserted. even though the winner — Biden — was clear and his administration should “All we need is to have there has been no evidence begin working with Biden’s some judge listen to it team, three more lawsuits properly without having a of mass voter fraud.

“Zombies are dead were filed by allies attempt- political opinion.” people walking among the ing to stop the certification But the strongest legal living — this litigation is in two more battleground rebuke yet came from a the same thing,” said Fran- states. In Minnesota, a conservative Republican ita Tolson, a professor at judge did not rule on the judge in federal court in the University of Southern suit and the state certi- Pennsylvania, who on SatCalifornia Gould School fied the results for Biden. urday dismissed the Trump of Law. “In terms of litiga- Another was filed in Wis- team’s lawsuit seeking to which doesn’t throw out the results of the tion that could change the consin, election, all these cases certify until Tuesday. Ari- election. The judge admonare basically dead men zona Republicans filed ished the Trump campaign a complaint over ballot in a scathing ruling about its walking.”

It’s a strategy tolerated inspection; the state certifi- lack of evidence. The camby many Republicans, most cation is due Monday. paign has appealed.

VENEZUELA JUDGE CONVICTS SIX AMERICAN OIL EXECS CARACAS, Venezuela Associated Press

SIX American oil executives held for three years in Venezuela were found guilty of corruption charges by a judge yesterday and immediately sentenced to prison, dashing hopes of a quick release that would send them home to their families in the United States.

Alirio Rafael Zambrano, brother to two of the men, said they were “undeniably innocent” and victims of “judicial terrorism”. No evidence in the case supports a guilty conviction, he said.

“We, the family, are heartbroken to be separated even further from our loved ones,” Zambrano said in a phone message from New Jersey. “We pray that the leaders of our nation step forward and continue to fight unceasingly for their freedom and human rights.”

Attorney María Alejandra Poleo, who helped represent three of the men,

said the case was “void of evidence.” “Of course, the defense will appeal the decision,” she said.

The so-called Citgo 6 are employees of Houston-based Citgo refining company, which is owned

by Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA. They had been lured to Venezuela three years ago for a business meeting and were arrested on corruption charges.

Their arrest launched a purge by President Nicolás Maduro’s government of PDVSA and at a time when relations between Caracas and Washington were crumbling as Venezuela plummeted into economic and social crisis.

Five of the men were sentenced to prison terms of eight years and ten months, while one of them received a 13-year sentence. Defence attorney Jesus Loreto said the five with lesser terms could be released on parole in a couple of years.

Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice announced

the verdicts and prison sentences but offered no other comment on the trial’s outcome.

One of the men, Tomeu Vadell, has said in a letter written in a Caracas jail and provided exclusively to The Associated Press before the verdict that he had hopes for a fair trial so he could walk free with his name cleared and go home to his family in the United States.

Despite his circumstances, Vadell held out hope.

“During the trial, the truth has proven undeniable,” Vadell said in the four-page hand-written letter. “It proves that I am innocent.”

“I’m now reaching an intersection where if justice is done, I will be able to rebuild my life and try to compensate my family for all the lost moments,” he added. “The light is intense -- the hope is great -- give me freedom.”

Vadell said it was especially painful to be separated during the

Thanksgiving season from his wife, three adult children and a newborn grandson he has never held.

“Before living this tragedy, these celebrations were very special times for our family,” Vadell wrote, saying he embraced the traditional American holiday after moving in 1999 from Caracas to Lake Charles, Louisiana, for a job with Citgo. “Now, they bring me a lot of sadness.”

It’s the first time Vadell, or any of the so-called Citgo 6, had spoken publicly since being arrested and charged with in a purported big corruption scheme. He has been held at a feared Caracas jail called El Helicoide.

The others convicted are Gustavo Cárdenas, Jorge Toledo, brothers Jose Luis Zambrano and Alirio Zambrano, all now US citizens.

Jose Pereira, a permanent resident, received the longest sentence.

They were also charged with embezzlement stemming from a never-executed proposal to refinance some

$4 billion in Citgo bonds by offering a 50 percent stake in the company as collateral. Maduro at the time accused them of “treason”.

They all pleaded innocence.

The men were summoned to the headquarters of PDVSA for what they were told was a budget meeting on November 21, 2017. A corporate jet shuttled them to Caracas and they were told they would be home for Thanksgiving.

Instead, military intelligence officers swarmed into the boardroom and hauled them off to jail.

Their trial started four months ago and closing arguments took place yesterday. The judge immediately announced her verdict.

The proceeding played out one day a week in a downtown Caracas court.

Due to the pandemic, sessions were held in front of a bank of dormant elevators in a hallway, apparently to take advantage of air flowing through open windows.

News media and rights groups were denied access to the hearings.

The office of Venezuela’s chief prosecutor said prior to the verdict in a statement to AP that investigators found “serious evidence” that corroborated financial crimes potentially damaging to the state-run company.

“The Citgo case has developed normally during all the stages established by the Venezuelan criminal process,” the statement said.

Loreto said his client appeared to have been caught up in a “geopolitical conflict” of which he was not a part. He said Vadell’s name never appeared on any of the documents prosecutors read into evidence.

“There’s nothing that refers to Tomeu in any way -- directly or indirectly,” the lawyer said.

“This is the story of a good guy being held against his will for all the wrong reasons.”

SPORTS PAGE 13

PAGE 17

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

DeMarco: ‘We like our team’

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

D

espite the challenges the programme has faced to this point, Chris Demarco remains optimistic on his official debut as head coach of the senior men’s national team at the FIBA level.

A shorthanded Team Bahamas still faces uncertainty on its roster situation just days away from competition, against the United States (November 29) and Puerto Rico (November 30) at the FIBA Americup 2022 Qualifiers in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“We like our team. Everybody who is here, the federation, myself, and the coaching staff, we got together and talked about our group of guys that are going to be competitive and play hard. There’s a lot to like about the guys that are here. Stuff can change from day to day, we still don’t know how it’s going to look Sunday and Monday but so

far I think the roster reflects what we were trying to do as a federation,” Demarco said. “I think our strength is going to be able to move the ball and shoot the ball.

I think we have a roster that has some good shooters but I think it always starts defensively. We tried to put together a team that can defend and compete on that end of the floor, force some turnovers and get out and push the basketball.

Again I don’t know exactly what it will look like, but how the roster is built right now, the defensive end will get it done for us and create opportunities for us offensively.”

Team Bahamas currently has eight players in Indianapolis confirmed to participate, but that number could increase to 10 by gameday. Available players include Mychel Thompson, D’Shon Taylor, Jaron Cornish, Nashad Mackey, Eugene Bain, Robert Nortmann, Godfrey Rolle III, and Ahmad Pratt.

Several prospective players have been

guys over here. There needs to be 2-3 tests before you get here and there needs to be 2-3 tests here before you can play in the game.

We are doing our best and I know our federation is doing their very best to make sure we put together a team that can compete.”

Gathering the country’s top talent simultaneously during a given window for qualification events has proved to be the biggest obstacle for the federation thus far.

“It’s always a challenge.

It’s been about three years I’ve been working with the programme and we have yet CHRIS DEMARCO, left, head coach of our men’s national basket- to have that moment where ball team, and Mario Bowleg, president of the Bahamas Basketball we have all of our guys Federation. together but that’s always the challenge in FIBA. I do unavailable for a myriad been proving difficult for think we are headed in the of reasons ranging from us and I know for some of right direction,” he said.

“This window especially, COVID-19 travel restric- the other countries to get tions in their respective players in from overseas. guys aren’t that familiar countries, unable to clear I don’t know how Puerto with each other, but that’s COVID-19 protocol, or not Rico and Mexico are doing been one of the things we acquiring a release from but I know with the USA, have been trying to do since their club team. the majority of their team is we got here - getting guys to “It’s been difficult, FIBA going to be from the states. hang out and get to know and USA as the host team That’s been the hardest each other and I think that has been great so far but it’s thing, being able to get our translates to the basketball

court. That’s a challenge with the protocols and tight windows for when guys can be around each other so we have to maximise our practice time. I think the future of Bahamas Basketball is bright, we have the right people in place, the players are committed and I’m excited for it.”

DeMarco, a former Dominican University (California) forward, has been a member of the Golden State Warriors’ coaching staff for seven seasons, serving as an assistant coach, member of the player development personnel, and video scout.

With DeMarco assisting head coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors won three NBA championships and played in five Finals during that span.

He served as an assistant for Team Bahamas in a win over the Dominican Republic in 2018 and most recently coached the national select team last summer against several

SEE PAGE 15

Cornish, Taylor to guide new group in latest FIBA window

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

D’SHON Taylor and Jaron Cornish are two of the few returning members from the Baha Mar men’s national team’s last appearance at the FIBA AmeriCup qualifiers and hope to use that experience to guide a new group in the latest window.

Taylor averaged 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in the previous window and scored 14 in February’s win over Mexico. “I feel just as good as I did in the last window, given the limited time that we had with the quarantines back home. While we are here [in Indianapolis] we just had to make sure we get some of that rust off for this competition coming up.”

The Bahamas faces the United States on November 29 and Puerto Rico on November 30 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Taylor was one of the few team members who live in New Providence and struggled with preparation due to a lack of facilities because of government mandated COVID-19 restrictions.

“I probably overloaded the workouts a lot just given the time frame I had to work with. I think I got maybe two solid weeks of work in. Other than that I was just working outside in my yard, dribbling around the house, for me I always considered basketball like riding a bike, once you know how to do it you’ll always be able to keep on doing it,” he said.

“I anticipate an adjustment period in the game. I can

Atkins: ‘I know I had to become a head coach’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@teibunemedia.net

FOR men’s national 100 metre record holder Derrick Atkins, it was a matter of time for him to make his breakthrough as a highly acclaimed track and field coach just as he did with his storied career as an athlete.

Atkins was recently named the new head coach for the Trailblazers track and field team at Dixie State University in Utah.

He now joins his mentor Rolando ‘Lonnie’ Greene, the head coach at the University of Kentucky and Norbert Elliott, the head coach at Purdue University, as the only three Bahamians coaching track and field at the D1 collegiate level.

“In the coaching world, to become a head coach, those opportunities don’t come too often,” Atkins said. “For me, I’ve been working very hard as an assistant. I had some good head coaches, worked under some good head coaches and so I know that in order for me to do more in the sport in terms of giving back, I know I had to become a head coach.

“I was given an opportunity to go to Dickinson State in North Dakota of all places. I think that changed my life, or put my life in a different direction. I wouldn’t have been able to

SEE PAGE 17

JARON CORNISH still remember the intensity level to actually get a win at this level. It’s going to be a new feeling for the first few minutes in the game but I think from then on we will be pretty good.”

Taking into account health protocols due to the COVID-19 pandemic,

FIBA has decided to return to competition in a “bubble” format which allows for a more controlled and secured environment for teams to compete.

This format will also facilitate the implementation of governmental sanitary protocol required by many countries across the America’s zone. Players, coaches and staff will go through strict testing and other protocols before arriving in Indianapolis and during their time at the event.

Despite the challenges in training and with several prospective team members unable to make the trip, Taylor said the team remains optimistic.

“I think our mood, it’s pretty upbeat given the circumstances. I don’t think anyone wants to go through these daily testings and being locked down. We

can’t go outside until next week, but we are just trying to mesh, get the chemistry right, because that’s going to be important, especially in FIBA play. It isn’t too much about individuals, it’s more about the team coming together so I think so far everyone has been pretty positive.”

Cornish finished with five points and a team high six assists in the win over Mexico. He averaged 4.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the first window.

“Our mindset right now is everyone staying together,

getting to know each other and doing whatever we can to come away with the win.

We don’t have much time to prepare so we have to do whatever we can to get ready,” he said.

“It’s still basketball. All of us know how to play, it’s just a matter of us coming together and playing together. Like we won in The Bahamas I feel like we have that ability to win now.”

Cornish is expected to take on a leadership role,

SEE PAGE 15

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PAGE 14, Friday, November 27, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

MAHOMES VS BRADY SPICES UP THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY WEEK

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer ANDY Reid knows quarterbacks. So does Jon Gruden. And Sean Payton.

For years, these elite NFL coaches have praised the performances of Tom Brady, Mr Six Rings. And they do the same now with Patrick Mahomes, the NFL’s biggest playmaker.

On Sunday, in a matchup that fits prime time but wasn’t one CBS was about to let get away from its afternoon lineup, Mahomes and the Chiefs visit Brady and Tampa Bay. They come into the showdown on different paths. Mahomes was heroic — again — in bringing Kansas City (9-1) back at Las Vegas, avenging its only defeat this season.

Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians, who also knows a few things about quarterbacks, has called Mahomes’ college workout at Texas Tech “amazing.” A good

word for Mahomes in the pros, too.

“The day I worked out Patrick, I think the wind was blowing about 35-40 miles per hour and it didn’t affect his ball at all,” he says. “It was amazing down in Lubbock that day.”

Arians, whose Bucs (7-4) have a bye next week (at last), saw his team and Brady struggle in a loss to the Rams on Monday night.

“We’ve got to get ready to play a great football team coming up,” Brady said. “Nothing has been great to this point. We’ve had some good wins, had some tough losses. Everything is about one week here in the NFL. We’re going to have to go play really, really well against a great football team next week.”

Baltimore (6-4) @ Pittsburgh (10-0) One of the NFL’s best and most physical rivalries, but the Ravens are struggling and lost their past two games, while, clearly, the Steelers are surging.

The Steelers are the 17th team since 1970 to start a season 10-0.

Their 10-game winning streak is the second-longest single-season string in franchise history: The 1975 team won 11 straight on its way to the team’s second straight Super Bowl title. The Steelers can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses by the Raiders and the Dolphins.

This game was moved from last night because of the Ravens’ cornavirus issues. Baltimore will be without running backs J.K. Dobbins and Mark Ingram, along with defensive tackle Brandon Williams, all of whom are on reserve/ COVID-19 list.

Seattle (7-3) @ Philadelphia (3-6-1) (Monday night) Clearly, the way the Eagles have played has made their NFC East lead a mirage. And they’re in the midst of the toughest part of their schedule. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are in the easiest portion, home meetings with both

New York teams and a trip to Washington upcoming before finishing with divisional affairs with the Rams and 49ers.

If Seattle’s defence that finally showed up in last week’s victory against Arizona is for real, Pete Carroll’s crew should be in good shape.

Tennessee (7-3) @ Indianapolis (7-3) Both of these AFC South leaders won in overtime with comebacks last week. The Colts already won at Tennessee this month.

Tennessee has its best record after 10 games since going 10-0 in 2008, in part because the Titans have a league-low five turnovers. Derrick Henry became the first player in league history with multiple overtime rushing touchdowns in a single season and leads the NFL with 1,079 yards.

“That’s just what they do,” Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus says of Tennessee’s run game. “They are just going to stay

committed to it, and we have to stay — we feel like we’re in good shape in terms of our perseverance, in terms of our discipline and we will want to take that in the game and being able to finish.”

The Colts have won four of their past five overall and four of the past five in this series. QB Philip Rivers (right big toe) hopes to make his 235th consecutive start, which would break a tie with Eli Manning for the 10th-most starts in league history.

Chicago (5-5) @ Green Bay (7-3) Neither side comes into this renewal of the league’s longest rivalry playing their best. Indeed, Chicago has dropped four in a row as its offense has disappeared.

Green Bay is 3-3 after a 4-0 start.

The Packers have won their past four home matchups with the Bears. Green Bay has gone 19-5 against Chicago when Aaron Rodgers is the starting quarterback.

Washington rolls past Cowboys 41-16 on Thanksgiving

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Antonio Gibson ran for three touchdowns, Alex Smith had a scoring pass and Washington at least temporarily moved into first place in the woeful NFC East with a 41-16 Thanksgiving victory over the Dallas Cowboys yesterday.

Gibson’s second score was a 23-yard run on the first play after an ill-advised fake punt attempt by Dallas as Washington beat its division rival on Thanksgiving for just the second time in 10 tries, the most frequent visitor for the Cowboys in their annual holiday home game.

Washington (4-7) slides ahead of Philadelphia (3-61) in the NFC East and will stay in first place if the Eagles lose to Seattle on Monday night.

It was the third win in five games since a fivegame losing streak dropped Washington to 1-5.

Dallas (3-8) couldn’t build on a big win at Minnesota, losing for the fifth time in six games since star quarterback Dak Prescott’s

season-ending ankle injury.

The Cowboys were playing a day after strength coach Markus Paul died at a hospital following a medical emergency at the team’s facility.

The Cowboys trailed 20-16 when they faced a fourth-and-10 from their 24-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Darian Thompson took the snap in front of punter Hunter Niswander and pitched to Cedrick Wilson on a reverse that was stuffed for a 1-yard loss.

On the next play, Gibson easily beat the Dallas defence to the left pylon.

After another Dallas punt, Gibson capped a clock-killing drive with a 37-yard score for a 34-16 lead.

Washington made it a blowout when Montez Sweat tipped and intercepted a pass right in the face of Andy Dalton and was free to run 15 yards for a TD. Gibson, who already was the rookie leader in touchdowns rushing and now has 11, finished with 115 yards on 20 carries.

And two-time rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott

of Dallas had just 32 yards while losing his fifth fumble of the season, by far the most of his five-year career.

Smith’s touchdown pass was a 5-yarder to tight end Logan Thomas, who chunked the ball into the second deck of seats not long after his 28-yard pass to receiver Terry McLaurin on a trick play set up Gibson’s first TD. McLaurin had the defensive play of the game, running down Dallas linebacker Jaylon Smith after an interception and tackling him at the Washington 4.

With a chance at the tying touchdown, the Cowboys went 6 yards the wrong direction and had to settle for a short field goal.

Dallas’ last lead was 10-7 in the second quarter after Dalton’s 54-yard touchdown pass to Amari Cooper, who had 112 yards on six catches.

INJURIES A Dallas offensive line that has been in flux all season lost both starting tackles to injuries on the opening drive, which ended in a field goal.

And that’s with the original starting tackles already

WASHINGTON Football Team running back Antonio Gibson (24) escapes a tackle attempt by Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (55) in the first half in Arlington, Texas, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Roger Steinman) out for the season with injuries.

Zack Martin, a fourtime All-Pro at right guard making a second straight

start at right tackle, injured his left calf in the first half.

Four plays earlier, left tackle Cameron Erving exited with a knee injury.

UP NEXT Washington: at Pittsburgh on December 6.

Cowboys: at Baltimore next Thursday.

DESHAUN WATSON’S 4 TDS LIFT TEXANS TO 41-25 WIN OVER LIONS

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer DETROIT (AP) — Deshaun Watson dropped back in a protected pocket at midfield and perfectly lofted one of his four touchdown passes, connecting with Will Fuller in stride just before he reached the end zone.

Houston’s star quarterback made it look easy, and the Detroit Lions did their part to not put up much of a fight.

Watson had a pair of go-ahead touchdown passes in the first half and threw for two more scores in the fourth quarter to help Houston pull away and beat Detroit 41-25 yesterday.

And still, he wasn’t satisfied. “It was definitely good, but I missed two touchdowns,” Watson said.

The dynamic quarterback finished 17 of 25 for 318 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He has thrown 15 touchdown passes without getting picked off once in the past six games.

“You’ve got to give some credit to the guys up front,” interim coach Romeo Crennel said. “If they give him time, he’s able to make plays. Guys can get open and he can hit them. He has that kind of accuracy.”

Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt had an early pick-6 and Fuller had six receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard touchdown catch in which it looked like he and Watson were all alone on a practice field.

The Texans (4-7) have won two straight for the first time this

season and three of their past four games with Crennel.

“That’s good, but we haven’t won enough,” Crennel said.

The Lions haven’t, either, and it might cost at least one man his job.

Detroit (4-7) might end the season with interim leaders after losing consecutive games for the third time this season, dropping coach Matt Patricia’s record to 13-29-1 and general manager Bob Quinn’s mark to 12 games under .500 over five seasons.

Patricia was peppered with questions about his job being in jeopardy, and evaded each query.

“My focus every day is on the guys in that locker room and working as hard as I can to help them be successful,” he said.

The Lions retained Patricia and Quinn for this season and ownership said there was an expectation they contend for the playoffs by playing in meaningful games in December. And, that seems highly unlikely.

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford said the scrutiny on Patricia has not appeared to affect him.

“He’s the same guy every day,” Stafford said. “The guy comes to work, grinds, and wants to win like all of us. He’s a passionate coach, who loves the game. I’ve had a lot of respect with how he’s continued to come to work.”

Detroit, which was coming off its first shutout loss since 2009, scored first before collapsing with turnovers on two straight snaps and three consecutive possessions in the first half. Houston’s defence entered the game with an NFLlow five forced turnovers.

BROTHERLY LOVE Detroit defensive back C.J. Moore and Houston defensive back A.J. Moore, identical twins, embraced before the game and played against each other for the first time.

ELITE COMPANY Watt became the third NFL player to have at least 100 sacks and six touchdowns in a career.

The others are Jason Taylor and Julius Peppers.

HOUSTON Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws during the second half against the Detroit Lions yesterday in Detroit.

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya) Watt put his hands up on a rush just in time to pick off Stafford’s pass and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.

“I saw he was going to throw quickly so I stopped rushing and jumped up,” Watt recalled. “It hit me square in the hands.”

On Detroit’s next snap, Jonathan Williams fumbled and Houston took advantage with Watson’s 2-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Prosise to go ahead 13-6.

“Three turnovers early in the game killed the momentum,” Stafford said.

Watson’s 33-yard touchdown pass to Duke Johnson gave the Texans a 20-14 lead early in the second quarter.

Watson’s first touchdown pass to Fuller early in the fourth put Houston ahead 34-17. He connected again with Fuller, who was wide open, with a 34-yard touchdown on a trick play after handing the ball off and getting it back on a lateral.

Stafford was 28 of 42 for 295 yards with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Mohamed Sanu in the fourth and an interception that Watt returned for a score.

Detroit’s Adrian Peterson had a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs in the first half — and tried to take some blame off Patricia for the latest loss. “It has nothing to do with the head coach,” Peterson said.

TRUMP’S TAKE Watson and Stafford were among a handful of players on both teams that took a knee during the national anthem, a social justice statement that didn’t sit well with President Donald Trump. “No thanks!” Trump tweeted.

INJURY REPORT Texans: FB Cullen Gillaspia (back) and WR Kenny Stills (quadricep) were inactive.

Lions: CB Desmond Trufant aggravated a hamstring injury in the second quarter in another setback for a secondary that had rookie CB Jeff Okudah (shoulder) and CB Mike Ford (concussion) inactive. RB D’Andre Swift (concussion) along with WRs Kenny Golladay (hip) also missed the game.

UP NEXT Texans host Indianapolis and Lions play at Chicago on December 6.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 15

Hield returns to Tampa to train, despite virus spike

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH the qualifications for the delayed 2020 Olympic Games still his focus, amateur welterweight boxer Carl Hield has returned to Tampa to continue his training, despite the rise in the coronavirus pandemic in Florida.

For the past week anda-half, Hield has been training at the East Tampa Boxing Gym under the supervision of coach Odeon Esson.

“It’s been going good so far. We just have to go into the gym at different times, so there won’t be that many people in at one time,” said Hield about the COVID-19 protocol for the use of the facilities. “Everyone has a certain time to go into the gym to train.”

Under the new guidelines, Hield said everybody has an hour session in the morning and they return for an hour session in the evening. He noted that everything is working out quite well for him.

This weekend, however, Hield was scheduled to step back into the ring to compete in his first bout for the year. But he noted that the show has been postponed

until December 19 in Opalocka, which will give him a little more time to prepare.

“That will be the last competition for the year,” said Hield, who was sidelined because of the outbreak in the pandemic from March, forcing all sporting events around the world to be halted, only to make a slow return as restrictions were slowly lifted.

“Hopefully everything will get back to normal and we can have some more competition before the Olympic qualifying tournament is held. I’m just looking forward to being ready when the time comes.”

There is no schedule or venue yet for the new format for the Olympic qualifier.

However, they will have to be staged before the actual Olympic Games takes place from July 23 to August 8 in Tokyo, Japan.

“When I was home (in the Bahamas), I was training, but I really was trying to get back here (Florida),” said Hield, the top Bahamian amateur boxer.

“My lawyer (Ksenia Maiorova) made all of the necessary arrangements for me to get here.

“It’s not easy getting to travel to and forth to the

United States to train. I had to get a special visa to be able to travel.

“So it’s good to be back here. I just got in some sparring yesterday and it was good. The two months or so that I was home, I didn’t get any of that because the (boxing) gyms were all closed.”

When he wasn’t on the road running, Hield said he worked out on the punching bag in his backyard.

But he admitted that there’s nothing like being back in the gym and working out with all of the equipment, including a boxing ring.

“I’m back to the basics, so I feel very good,” said Hield who got some assistance from a Cuban coach named Carlos here in the Bahamas.

“I am getting the kind of training that I need to prepare me for the Olympic trials whenever they have them.”

With all of the protocols in place, Hield said they have to ensure that they wash hands thoroughly and practice social distance to avoid the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in their environment.

Hield, 33, is hoping to make his second straight appearance at the

AMATEUR welterweight boxer Carl Hield has returned to Tampa to continue his training, despite the rise in the coronavirus pandemic in Florida. For the past week and-a-half, Hield has been training at the East Tampa Boxing Gym under the supervision of coach Odeon Esson.

Olympics, the biggest sporting spectacle in the world.

“I want to thank God, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and my lawyer for making it possible for me to get back to Florida to train,” Hield summed up.

“I just want to be able to continue my training

and get ready to represent the Bahamas again at the Olympics.”

Other than Olympics, Hield also represented Bahamas in two Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in 2010 where he got a bronze and lost out in the round of 32 in

Melbourne, Australia in 2006. And as the lone representative from Bahamas, he also participated in a pair of World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, the first in 2011 and again in Milan, Italy in 2009, were on both trips, he failed to get out of the round of 64.

‘FINAL WARNING’ FOR PAKISTAN CRICKETERS IN NEW ZEALAND

By RIZWAN ALI AP Sports Writer ISLAMABAD (AP) — The chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board has warned players on tour in New Zealand to obey COVID-19 protocols or the whole team risks being sent home.

In a WhatsApp voice note sent to Pakistan players yesterday, Wasim Khan said he was given a “final warning” by both New Zealand Cricket and its government after six Pakistan players tested positive for the coronavirus on arriving in the country.

“They have told me straightaway that one more

breach and they will send the whole team back,” Khan said in the two-minute message, recorded in the Urdu language, adding “it will be embarrassing” if this happens.

Closed-circuit television footage showed some members of the Pakistan squad had contravened protocols on the first day of managed isolation. “They also said there were three to four breaches of protocols,” Khan said. “They have zero tolerance and they have given us a final warning. I know it’s difficult times for you and it’s not easy. You have operated in similar conditions (playing) in England ... it’s a matter of the

Chris DeMarco: ‘We like our team’ FROM PAGE 13 elite NCAA Division I programmes.

“This window is no different than when I was there for the Dominican Republic or in the summer when we played Texas Tech, Georgetown, and Memphis.

“We’re all in this together. Coaches have daily discussions and we know exactly how we want to attack so it’s not one of those things where you’re out there on an island and it’s just you so I think it is going to feel very similar with everything, personally I’ve been through with the Bahamas and anytime I’ve participated in these events.”

Thompson, Taylor, and Cornish are the only holdovers from the previous window of AmeriCup qualifiers when The Bahamas scored a 76-59 win over

Mexico last February at the Atlantis resort. “That was a different situation where we got to play the same team twice within four days, so you were able to watch film and make adjustments,” Demarco said. “[Those guys that were there] how they can be helpful for their teammates is just talking about the style of basketball that we want to play and be leaders out there on the floor and let them know what we are looking for.

“I think it was important for them to be there for those two games, but now we have a new team and we have a new team and we’ve got to work together and build chemistry with the guys that are here.

Games will be streamed on ESPN+, but due to COVID-19 protocols, no fans or outsiders will be allowed inside the bubble for the games.

Cornish, Taylor to guide new group in latest FIBA window FROM PAGE 13 particularly in the backcourt with childhood friend and highschool teammate and fellow Abaco native Godfrey Rolle III who is set to make his national team debut.

“We’re excited to play together again and eager

to get out there, it’s been a while,” Cornish said. “I try not to put too much pressure on myself, but I do feel like it’s my job to help bring everybody together since it’s not much of us here with the experience so whatever I can do to help us play together, that’s what I’m going to do.”

country’s respect and credibility. “Please observe 14 days, then you will get freedom in New Zealand to go out in restaurants and roam around, but please adhere to full protocols.”

The Pakistan team’s exemption to practice while in managed isolation will be withheld until an investigation has been completed.

All players were tested four times before their departure from Lahore to New Zealand and were negative on each occasion.

New Zealand Cricket said while the positive cases were disappointing, their early discovery showed government protocols around touring teams are working.

PAKISTAN players celebrate their win in the third Twenty20 cricket match against England at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, September 1, 2020. Six members of the Pakistan cricket squad in New Zealand have tested positive yesterday for COVID-19 and have been moved from managed isolation into quarantine.

(AP Photo/Jon Super “Please guys, I know it’s dif- to play three Twenty20 “historical” and four were against new. The Pakistan touring ficult, it’s very tough, but do internationals stay disciplined and follow New Zealand, starting on group, including 53 playthrough the protocols … December 18, followed by ers and officials, was tested they will not compromise two test matches. The six after arriving Tuesday. on health and safety in New players have been moved All six positive cases Zealand, so please adhere from managed isolation were being moved to the to it,” Khan told his play- into quarantine. Two of the quarantine arm of the isolaers. Pakistan is scheduled six cases were described as tion facility.

PAGE 16, Friday, November 27, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Arsenal, Leicester, Hoffenheim advance in Europa League

By KAREL JANICEK Associated Press ARSENAL’S academy products helped the team cruise into to the knockout stage of the Europa League yesterday, while Leicester needed a late equaliser from Jamie Vardy to advance.

Arsenal’s record signing Nicolas Pépé showed his better side after he was sent off in a 0-0 draw at Leeds in the Premier League on Sunday, scoring the opening goal in a 3-0 away victory at Norway’s Molde. The homegrown talents did the rest as Reiss Nelson doubled the lead and Folarin Balogun — less than a minute after coming on as a substitute — netted the third with his first goal for the club.

Hoffenheim and Leicester also progressed into the round of 32 with two matches to spare. The Premier League club equalised three times in a 3-3 draw at Braga, with Vardy grabbing the final goal in injury time.

Carlos Vinícius scored his first two goals for Tottenham while Harry Winks netted a spectacular one from 56 yards as a dominant Spurs side beat Bulgarian team Ludogorets 4-0.

AC Milan failed to win for the second straight game as the Italian powerhouse was held to a 1-1 draw at Lille, while Rangers was held 2-2 by Benfica after giving up a two-goal lead against the Portuguese side for the second game in a row.

A minute of silence was observed before all the matches to honour Diego Maradona, who died on Wednesday at the age of 60.

Maradona’s former club Napoli paid special tribute to the Argentine before a 2-0 win over Rijeka.

ARSENAL ADVANCES Arsenal used a second-half scoring burst to maintain a perfect record with four wins from four.

Just a minute after hitting the crossbar, Pépé curled a ball into a top corner of the net five minutes into the second half.

Pépé has struggled to establish himself in the team for Premier League games after moving to Arsenal from French club Lille last summer in a deal worth a reported 80 million euros ($89 million) but he’s leading the charge in the Europa League.

He has scored three goals in the competition this season and set up another two for Arsenal.

Five minutes later, Joe Willock — another academy product — provided a fine cross for Nelson to tap in the second.

Balogun finished it off from close range seven minutes from time.

Arsenal tops Group B with 12 points, six more than Molde. Rapid Vienna faced Dundalk later yesterday.

VARDY’S LAST-GASP EQUALISER Vardy equalised five minutes into stoppage time to put Europa League newcomer Leicester into the next stage.

Fransérgio had put the hosts 3-2 up four minutes earlier.

In the previous round, Leicester beat Braga 4-0 at home. This time, it was 1-0 down after Al Musrati scored four minutes into the game.

Harvey Barnes cancelled that out five minutes later with an angled shot high into the net, but Paulinho restored the host’s one-goal advantage in the 24th from close range.

LEICESTER’s Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring his side’s third goal against SC Braga at the Municipal stadium in Braga, Portugal, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Luis Vieira) Luke Thomas netted Leicester’s second equaliser in the 79th.

Leicester leads Group G with 10 points, with Braga on seven. Zorya Luhansk won 3-0 at AEK Athens, putting both teams on three points.

WINKS LET’S FLY Vinícius gave Tottenham the lead 16 minutes into the game after he met a deflected pass from Dele Alli to beat Ludogorets goalkeeper Plamen Iliev on-on-one.

The Brazilian added his second in the 34th. Tanguy Ndombélé started the move with a run up the field before unleashing a low shot that was parried by Iliev, with Dele crossing for the forward to net again.

Harry Winks made it 3-0 in the second half from near the halfway line on the left, lobbying a spectacular shot over the keeper and into the net. It was his third goal for Spurs.

Vinícius set up Lucas Moura in the box to finish the rout with his third goal in four Europa League games.

With nine points, Tottenham is tied atop Group J with Royal Antwerp, which won 2-0 at LASK.

OTHER GROUPS Matteo Politano and Hirving Lozano scored for Napoli against Rijeka as the hosts paid tribute to Maradona, who led them to its only two Serie A titles in 1987 and 1990.

All of Napoli’s players went out onto the pitch wearing shirts with Maradona’s No. 10 and his name on the back, before changing into their own numbers before kickoff.

Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso also put on a Maradona shirt.

Thousands of Napoli fans gathered outside the stadium before the game despite not being allowed inside because of coronavirus restrictions.

Hoffenheim took the lead through Christoph Baumgartner in the 77th and substitute Andrej Kramaric added a penalty in the 89th as the German team advanced from Group L. The Bundesliga club has 12 points, three more than Red Star Belgrade, which won 2-0 at Gent.

After Lille stunned AC Milan 3-0 at the San Siro in the previous round, it drew 1-1 with the Italian powerhouse at home to stay top of Group H with eight

points. Milan is second, a point behind.

Sparta Prague is another point back after beating Celtic 4-1 at home. Celtic has just one point.

In Group I, Villarreal leads with 10 points after a 1-1 away draw at 10-man Maccabi Tel-Aviv, which is second with seven.

Sivasspor is on six after winning 3-2 against Qarabag.

Dinamo Zagreb blanked Wolfsberg 3-0 away to sit atop Group K with eight points, leading Feyenoord by three after the Dutch side drew 0-0 at CSKA. Roma earned a 2-0 win at Cluj to cement its lead in Group A with 10 points.

Young Boys won at CSKA Sofia 1-0 to sit second with seven, followed by Cluj on four.

Leverkusen and Slavia Prague share the lead of Group C on nine points.

The Bundesliga side beat Hapoel Beer-Sheva 4-1 while the Czechs won 3-1 at Nice.

Rangers wasted a 2-0 lead over Benfica and was held to a 2-2 draw. James Tavernier scored an own goal to start the comeback before substitute Pizzi salvaged the draw nine minutes from time. It was the second straight draw for the two sides after Steven Gerrard’s team gave up a 3-1 advantage earlier this month when Darwin Nunez scored Benfica’s last-gasp equalizer in a 3-3 draw.

Nunez along with midfielders Adel Taarabt and Julian Weigl have been quarantined after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Rangers and Benfica sit atop Group D with eight points, while Standard Liège and Lech Poznan have three after drawing 1-1.

A 2-1 victory for Granada over Omonoia kept

UEFA GIVES SOCCER OFFICIAL LIFE BAN FOR RACIST BEHAVIOUR NYON, Switzerland (AP) — A club official from Azerbaijan was banned from soccer for life by UEFA yesterday for “racist behaviour” after posting comments on social media.

Nurlan Ibrahimov wrote the comments, which were allegedly about Armenians and not linked to soccer, during conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia which flared again in September over the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

UEFA, which did not give details about the comments, said it would ask FIFA to extend the ban worldwide against Ibrahimov, who worked as a press officer for Europa League club Qarabag.

Qarabag was also fined 100,000 euros ($119,000) by UEFA’s disciplinary panel, which found charges of “racist behaviour” and an incident “of a non-sporting nature” proven against the club and its employee.

The Armenian soccer federation had urged UEFA to remove Qarabag from the Europa League for Ibrahimov’s comments. the Spaniards on top of Group E with 10 points.

PSV jumped to second on six with a 3-2 win over PAOK, which is third with five. AZ Alkmaar drew 0-0 with Spanish league leader Real Sociedad, keeping both two points behind Napoli in Group F.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 17

100m world champion Coleman appeals doping ban to CAS LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Men’s 100-metre world champion Christian Coleman has formally appealed against his two-year ban for missing multiple doping tests, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said yesterday.

The court also received an appeal by the World Athletics governing body against a decision to clear women’s 400-metre world champion Salwa Eid Naser on a technicality despite facing similar charges as Coleman.

The verdicts in the separate cases will have a big

impact on two of the most anticipated sprint events at the Tokyo Olympics next year.

Coleman is challenging a two-year ban imposed last month by an independent tribunal at track and field’s Athletics Integrity Unit.

The American sprinter had three so-called “whereabouts failures” -- missed tests or not updating details where sample collection officials could find him -- in a one-year period to trigger a doping violation.

Coleman asked for his ban, which currently rules him out of the Olympics,

to “be eliminated, or in the alternative, reduced,” the court said in a statement.

He had previously avoided a ban before the 2019 worlds in Doha, Qatar, when he benefited from the same technicality later cited to clear Naser.

In Naser’s case, World Athletics is appealing against the tribunal’s decision last month to let her off without a ban. Though the Nigeria-born Bahraini did have three whereabouts incidents within a 12-month calendar period, they technically counted as spanning more than one year.

CHRISTIAN COLEMAN, of the United States, reacts after winning the men’s 100m dash during the IAAF Diamond League meeting in Rabat, Morocco, July 13, 2018.

(AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy) World Athletics has requested a two-year ban for Naser, CAS said, adding it is now appointing panels

THE COURT of Arbitration for Sport has received an appeal by the World Athletics governing body against a decision to clear women’s 400-metre world champion Salwa Eid Naser on a technicality. (AP)

of judges to handle the cases.

CAS typically take several months to prepare and

judge an appeal, though fast-track decisions can be reached if all parties agree to cooperate.

Derrick Atkins: ‘I know I had to become a head coach’ FROM PAGE 13 to get my degrees, then second I don’t know if my projection would have been the national record holder, or a two-time Olympian or a silver medallist at the World Championship, if that opportunity wasn’t given to me.”

The 37-year-old 2001 graduate of CR Walker Secondary High School went to Dickinson State where he had a storied four-year career where he established several indoor and outdoor conference sprint records and he also helped lead the Blue Hawks to four Dakota Athletic Conference championships.

He spent three years as an assistant coach at Kennesaw State before he spent the past two seasons as an assistant track coach at Western Carolina University.

“For me, I’m just being blessed with this opportunity and I want to make the best of it,” Atkins said.

“I’m definitely going to be recruiting back home, looking for the right fit because more than anything else, we’re going to be building a programme from scratch.

“So with everything thus far, I’m just happy and blessed with this opportunity. I’m going to make the best of it. I was given an opportunity at Dickinson State. I was All-American national champion, I graduated with my degree, my undergraduate degree, made two Olympic teams, was World Championship silver medallist and so I made the best of my journey and I want to do the same with this one as a coach.”

In an interview with The Tribune, Atkins answered a number of questions in his past and future.

Here’s a look at what he had to say: Trib: When did you realise that you wanted to coach?

Atkins: I always knew that I wanted to coach. It just happened in my senior year in college. I ran really fast and they offered me to run and so I didn’t turn it down. So for me, coaching was always in my path.

I was just a nerd of the sport. I was also interested in the science, training theory and the physiological aspects that goes into training and then getting mentally prepared for competition. My high school coach, Floyd Armbrister, was instrumental in giving me that insight in being a college athlete. He always told the stories of him going to St Aug, so when I came to Dickinson, I was already prepared.

He did a good job of giving back to me and so I want to be there for the next generation. Being a head coach is different from being an assistant coach.

The buck stops with me in recruiting athletes and giving out scholarships. I don’t have to ask anybody if we can do this? So coaching has always been in my path.

My college coach would tell you that I was always interested in the science of the sport. That is who I am

and why I got into coaching or wanted to be a coach.”

Trib: You’re now in an elite field of three division one college coaches. How does it feel to be in the elite category with coach Lonnie Greene and coach Norbert Elliott?

Atkins: I won’t say elite.

I know it ain’t too much of us but I won’t go that far and say elite. Lonnie Greene and Norbert Elliott were my mentors, who I talk to on a weekly, maybe daily basis. I would always ask them about their backgrounds and their journeys.

I got to know that they are two decent human beings.

So for me, I am now one of three Bahamian coaches in the DI level, but those guys are still the trailblazers. They are still the guys I look up to. I’m nowhere close to their level in terms of accomplishments as a coach. I’m not saying that I won’t get there, but I want to be there for the next generation of Bahamian athletes to become great human beings.

That is my ultimate job.

I may not have a national champion, but if I can have somebody who graduates and becomes a CEO of a Fortune 500 company, for me, that is just as great as having a national champion at the DI level because I know I helped that person to become what they are capable of becoming as a human being.

Trib: When do you report to work?

Atkins: I start in December, so me and my family are packing now to make the journey. 2020 has been a very difficult year. We didn’t have a recruiting class because most athletes didn’t have a junior season, which coaches use as a recruiting tool to see their progression. So for me, it’s just hitting the ground and getting the job done when I get there.

I’ve already spoken to my team and they are excited about the new head coach coming in and I’m excited about being able to coach there. Hopefully, we can make some waves in our first year in the WAC. This is the first year the programme will be in division one, so we want to hit the ground running so to speak with everything.

Trib: Are you looking forward to recruiting and is the Bahamas on your agenda?

Atkins: For sure, for sure.

For me as the new head coach, I’m going to mix it up like Lonnie Greene, Norbert Elliott and Henry Rolle in getting the Bahamian talent to come to my university.

But more so, it’s about giving another kid the opportunity the way that I was blessed with my opportunity. Just having a connection with a kid coming to Dixie State, you never know what to expect.

I went to the NIA, not even a division one, two or three school. I went to a smaller school, but I was able to make it all the way to the world stage because I had great coaches, great mentors, who prepared me for college.

So I understand the process. Nothing comes easy in life. You have to work hard for it. That’s where I developed my acronym D.A.S.H. - years ago when I was a professional athlete - determination, ambition, sacrifice and hard work.

That served me well as a professional athlete and it certainly served me well as a coach.

Hopefully, I can give a kid an opportunity to get a degree because you can’t run track forever.

But having that degree, hopefully a master’s or a doctoral and going into the work field and being able to provide for your family, is a goal of mine as a coach.

I want to make sure that when an athlete comes into my programme. they leave well rounded so that they can sustain themselves for the rest of their life.

Trib: How would you sum up your track career?

Atkins: Yes, it was an up and down career. Yes, I had

before someone else comes and breaks my record and goes further than where I have been. It’s good to be the first, but I hope I’m not the last.

Trib: Are you surprised that there isn’t another Bahamian yet to run under the 10-second barrier?

Atkins: Yes I am. We had a lot of great Bahamians to come through the collegiate season as I did. I kept working hard. Sometimes we get lost. I told a couple of the kids coming up that I am here. I am a beacon of knowledge. I will be here to share my knowledge. I’ve been where they want to go.

I’m not a ‘don’t talk to me guy.’ If you reach out to me, I will hit them back up and give you some knowledge.

I don’t want to hoard all this knowledge. I want to give it out to the next generation. I want to give it out, so reach out to me, ask me about anything like how did I get there and I will be truthful to whoever asks me

also had Chandra Sturrup, Pauline Davis, Savatheda Fynes and Eldece Clarke.

They all worked together and I was hoping that with this next generation, we can get more male sprinters, who can go on and be better than me and better than the Golden Girls.

Hopefully the next generation will learn from our mistakes. That’s how we get better. Hopefully we can benefit from those who trailblazed the way for us.

We just have to learn the hard way. I did that. I learnt from all of the pitfalls and all of the ups and downs of my career. I will give you the short cuts, so you won’t have to go through all of that.”

Trib: What would you consider to be the pinnacle of your career so far in track and field?

Atkins: I would say my second Olympics. Yeah, the silver medal was good, running sub-10 was great, but the journey that it

BAHAMIAN head track and field coaches Derrick Atkins (Dixie State University), Norbert Elliott (Purdue University) and Rolando Greene (University of Kentucky). some highs and lows, but that goes with sports. That goes with life in general. It’s persevering through all of that and working hard, and keeping focused and keeping the big picture in focus.

So when I look back at my career as an athlete, it was great.

I learned a lot about the sport, I learned a lot about myself. I felt I was blessed to have been in those situations where I was able to represent the Bahamas at the World Championships, where I won the first silver medal in the men’s sprints and to be the national record holder and the first Bahamian to run under 10 seconds.

I hope it won’t take another 25 years before another one comes. Before I did it, the record was 10.18 and it was 20 years before I broke it, even though a few people tied it a couple of times. I’m hoping that it won’t be another 20 years

those questions. It’s a grind, especially when we have a feeder system with athletes coming up and then they become the next Usain Bolt. Most of our kids come to the United States and after college, or during college, they get lost in the system.

That’s where having a mentor, who can navigate you through those pitfalls.

So for me, I want to be an open book where I can give back to those who are coming up. I know I am the first, but I won’t be the last. I just don’t want it to be another 20 years for another me to come along.

I want to see where we have three and four guys running sub-10 and become Olympic finals.

Just like the “Golden Girls”, I remember how Debbie Ferguson made her first Olympics at the age of 18 while she was still in college. That was a long time since she competed. We

took to get me to London, personally, I felt that was my crowning achievement because the year before that, I was hurt for the entire season.

I gained some weight and there was a lot going on in my life personally.

People say ‘well you didn’t do much except make the semifinal,’ but coming back from where I was in 2010, being injured and just not competing for the whole year in 2011 and working my way back was my greatest achievement.

The toughest that I had to endure, the resilience to get back to the 2012 Olympics was definitely my crowning achievement.

Trib: What would be your low point?

Atkins: I would say my low point was before climbing the ladder back to 2012.

I was just plagued with one injury after the other. It was just a snowball effect. One thing went wrong and after

fixing it, something else went wrong. For me it was probably the lowest point in 2010-2011.

I was just constantly hurt and it seemed like there was no end to it. That was my lowest point.

Trib: How does your family fit into the scope of things?

Atkins: Now married, having a daughter and son, I’m in a better place than when I was an athlete. I didn’t have this balance. It has always been work hours to be a professional athlete and be the best that I could be. So my personal life took a backseat.

But being a lot older, I’m not that old, but I’m balancing both and I can continue to do what I love doing and that is helping others through track and field and coaching and being a father and a husband as well. So it’s very good.

My wife, Angela or Angie, is very supportive. My son, Derrick, we call him DASH for my acronym, is five and my daughter, Jaden, is 13, so you get to see them grow up and be a part of their journey now, as opposed to the past when my focus was just on me, me, me. Now it’s a bigger picture. It’s bigger than me.

Trib: How are you coping in the COVID-19 era?

Atkins: For me, it’s safety first, following the guidelines of the health officials at the end of the day.

For me, it’s safety first, making sure my family is safe, making sure I’m safe, making sure the kids that I coach are safe.

For me, that is the goal.

I’m not going to do anything to put them in harm’s way.

I am going to make sure that we follow the guidelines, the health officials guidelines, the state officials guidelines for the COVID protocol.

Everybody is dealing with this, so I just want to be a positive mental space.

They call it the COVID fatigue. You get tired hearing about the death. We want to see those stories of people surviving. The media tends to focus on the suffering and the negativity, but what about the positivity?

As a coach, as a husband, as a father, I just want to keep a positive light and be upbeat. We’re going to get through this. This is not the end. It takes everyone of us doing our part to get through this.

Trib: Any message you want to share with the Bahamian people as we deal with this pandemic?

Atkins: Continue to keep your heads up, keep a positive light, be safe, be smart, don’t be selfish.

That is what we are seeing now with a lot of people being selfish.

Just think about others.

Continue to pray, continue to be safe and God will take us through this. He never gives you something that you can’t bear.

For me, it’s just staying positive, being safe and most importantly, think about someone else who you can help.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 19

FRANCE RESUMES TAX ON TECH GIANTS, SEEKS DEAL WITH US PARIS (AP) — France is resuming collection of a special tax on Big Tech companies like Amazon and Facebook despite the threat of U.S. retaliatory tariffs on French Champagne, cheese, handbags and other goods.

The tax brought about 400 million euros to the French budget last year, but the government agreed to suspend it in 2020, in exchange for an American promise to drop the tariff threat pending talks on an international deal on taxing online companies.

France was hoping that such an accord could be reached by the end of this year, rendering the French tax moot.

But the Trump administration pulled out of the negotiations, led by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and no such deal is ready yet.

So French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Thursday that France will again levy the tax. Speaking on a visit to Italy, he said: “We naturally hope that the Italian presidency of the G20 will provide the impetus to reach an agreement within the OECD, which could be supported by

all European countries, concerning a fair tax on tech giants.”

A Finance Ministry official said the French Treasury sent the 2020 tax bills to Amazon, Google and other companies affected by the measure last week, and they have to pay by the end of the year.

The ministry expects the tax revenue to total a bit more than last year because big tech companies have had a good year amid the pandemic.

Discussions France’s trade minister told The Associated Press earlier this month that he hopes President-elect Joe Biden’s administration rejoins discussions at the OECD for a global deal.

Other European countries have imposed similar measures, which are aimed at forcing online giants to pay full taxes in the countries where they do business instead of in tax havens.

U.S. officials have argued that the taxes unfairly target successful American companies, though France says its tax is aimed at all big tech companies that make money online.

WORLD MARKETS SUBDUED AS US TRADING SHUT FOR THANKSGIVING

By YURI KAGEYAMA AP BUSINESS WRITER TOKYO (AP) — Global stock markets were subdued on Thursday after significant gains in recent days and as U.S. trading remained closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Investors have been in an upbeat mood this week, pushing the Dow above 30,000 for the first time, on news of the development of coronavirus vaccines and treatments.

They then became more cautious as coronavirus infection rates remain high in many major economies and after the release of a batch of discouraging U.S. economic data, including jobless numbers.

Germany’s DAX ended the day flat at 13,286 while France’s CAC 40 dipped about 0.1% to 5,566. Britain’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.6% to 6,362.

U.S. markets will be closed Thursday and open for half the day on Friday.

In Asia, Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 0.9% to finish at 26,537.31, the highest level for the index since the collapse of the Japanese “bubble economy” nearly three decades ago.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.7% to 6,636.40, but South Korea’s Kospi edged up 0.9% to 2,625.91. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.6% to 26,819.45, while the Shanghai Composite was up 0.2% at 3,369.73.

Cases of COVID-19 continue to soar around the

THE SCREENS showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI), left, and the foreign exchange rate between U.S. dollar and South Korean won are seen at the foreign exchange dealing room in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) world, and deaths related to the sickness are growing, hitting more than 1.4 million people cumulatively worldwide. Worries are growing about it spreading during the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. In Japan, authorities asked restaurants and bars to close early, and people to refrain from travel. European governments are looking to ease existing restrictions ahead of Christmas, though many limits on business are expected to continue.

Economic data has been mixed this week, with reports showing the number of

Americans seeking unemployment aid jumped last week to the highest level in more than a month. A separate report showed consumer spending posted the weakest gain since April.

“The market overall has reached by most standards what we call overbought conditions, and that typically suggests that the market would need to digest the gains, perhaps pause a bit, and consolidate,” said Quincy Krosby, chief market strategist at Prudential Financial.

The Commerce Department said U.S. consumer spending, the primary driver

of the economy, rose by a sluggish 0.5% in October, the weakest gain since April when the pandemic first erupted.

At the same time, the government said that income, which provides the fuel for consumer spending, fell 0.7% in October.

In energy trading, benchmark U.S. crude shed 56 cents to $45.15 a barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, fell 61 cents to $47.92 a barrel.

The dollar inched down to 104.25 yen from 104.50 yen.

The euro cost $1.1906, up from $1.1885.

EU PARLIAMENT BACKS LOBSTER DEAL AND EU-US MINI TRADE PACT

By RAF CASERT ASSOCIATED PRESS

BRUSSELS (AP) — Thanksgiving just got a little bit better for the Maine lobster industry.

The European Union parliament on Thursday approved a mini trade deal with the United States, which includes the elimination of customs duties on U.S. lobster imports. The passage with 638 votes for, 45 against and 11 abstentions was the last major political step for the deal to come into effect.

As a result, the 27-nation EU will drop its 8% tariff on U.S. lobsters for the next five years and work to make the move permanent.

U.S. lobster imports to the EU came to about $111 million in 2017 before falling off in the face of rising tensions between the trading partners, and an EU trade agreement with Canada that allowed its lobsters to enter the bloc tariff-free.

Because of it, said EU legislator Bernd Lange, “we have seen a drop in demand by 50% in Maine, which is obviously quite serious. So now we are making an offer to allow American lobster to come tariff-free into the EU.” For its part, the U.S. agreed to cut in half tariffs on EU imports worth about $160 million a year, including some prepared meals, crystal glassware and cigarette lighters. The tariff cuts will be

retroactive to Aug. 1.

The deal approved on Thursday covers only a tiny portion of trans-Atlantic trade with the U.S., but the EU hopes it will have some symbolic value. And for the lobster industry, already hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, every piece of good news is welcome.

For the EU, which has had acrimonious relations with the Trump administration, a sign of goodwill will never hurt.

“We have more in common than divides us,” said Lange.

“This piece of legislation is an offer: it’s not about lobster for all.

“It’s about cooperation instead of confrontation.”

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

THURSDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2020

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CLOSE

CHANGE

2097.69

0.00

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

0.00 -133.91

-6.00

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.05 33.05 2.00 1.79 2.46 6.00 6.75 4.50 8.59 4.50 6.16 12.77 3.64 6.50 10.88 8.44 16.99 4.25 9.26 15.21

52WK LOW 3.13 22.65 0.67 1.62 1.67 5.00 6.00 2.70 4.75 3.50 5.60 11.06 2.10 3.96 9.60 7.50 13.04 3.20 8.15 13.90

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard RF Bank & Trust Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A RF Bank & Trust Limited Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

52WK HI 2.36 4.43 2.13 198.39 176.73 1.69 1.85 1.77 1.24 8.39 10.26 7.23 12.80 12.81 10.81 10.00 8.98 11.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.65 1.79 1.75 1.05 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

SECURITY RF Bank Note 22 (Series B) + Bahamas First Holdings Limited

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing)

MUTUAL FUNDS

MARKET TERMS

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407

LAST CLOSE 4.05 32.12 1.62 1.78 1.67 6.00 6.00 2.99 4.75 3.64 5.90 11.26 2.27 6.50 10.23 8.40 14.12 3.80 8.85 15.20

CLOSE 4.05 32.12 1.62 1.78 1.67 6.00 6.00 2.99 4.75 3.64 5.90 11.26 2.27 6.50 10.24 8.40 14.12 3.80 8.85 15.20

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

VOLUME

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 VOLUME

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Preferred Income Fund Leno Growth Fund Leno Diversified Fund Leno Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.000 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631

NAV 2.36 4.43 2.13 198.36 173.98 1.69 1.79 1.77 1.05 8.39 9.88 7.23 12.33 12.80 10.20 N/A 9.28 11.86

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 16.9 34.5 N/M N/M N/M N/M 16.3 -6.8 33.9 19.8 13.1 15.6 22.3 13.9 15.9 11.5 17.3 18.7 9.4 24.1

YIELD 4.20% 3.92% 1.23% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 4.33% 0.00% 0.00% 3.30% 3.73% 6.39% 19.12% 0.92% 3.20% 2.86% 3.82% 3.16% 2.26% 4.01%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022

YTD% 12 MTH% 3.35% 4.31% 1.56% 3.12% 1.84% 2.51% 1.65% 2.39% 4.34% 9.82% 1.65% 1.95% -3.06% -2.22% 0.80% 1.17% -12.30% -11.81% 0.64% 0.98% 1.19% -3.63% 4.20% 5.04% 2.63% 7.68% 3.68% 3.93% -4.89% -4.62% N/A N/A -0.50% 3.70% -3.80% 4.10%

NAV Date 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 25-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price

52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks

Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity

52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks

Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity

Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume

Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price

Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume

Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week

Change - Change in closing price from day to day

EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths

Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today

NAV - Net Asset Value

DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months

N/M - Not Meaningful

P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CAROLISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

PAGE 20, Friday, November 27, 2020

COVID-19 from PAGE 24

that The Bahamas will go through more cycles of “tightening and loosening” in the coming months, in response to changes in COVID-19 infection rates, Mr Simmons added that other potential visitors assumed Harbour Island was also under restrictive measures “by association”.

Telling Tribune Business that business levels for December were “pretty good” given the circumstance with an average occupancy rate of 60 percent, he added: “It’s tough because we’ve been getting a lot of concerns. People are saying that if Eleuthera is on lockdown we can’t fly in there, correct?

“There’s that seed of doubt. There’s also if

BPC OIL from PAGE 24

attorney, said: “Given that they [BPC] have not heeded our respectful request that they confirm they will not drill, I think the Coalition has no choice but to ask the courts to intervene. Therefore we will likely have to apply for the injunction. “We’re going for the injunction, yes. Unfortunately we have to. It is shocking that BPC would ignore the letter that we sent, in which we warned them that legal action is imminent, and would result if they and the Government failed to stop their drilling intentions.”

Mr Smith said his Our Islands, Our Future client was not just concerned about the possibility of an oil spill from BPC’s Perseverance One well, which is to be spudded some 90 miles west of Andros close to The Bahamas’ maritime border with Cuba, but also the fluids that will be used in the drilling process and the carbons and other potentially harmful substances/sediments that may be released.

ECONOMY from PAGE 24

next 20 years, and that’s not going to come out of financial services and tourism alone. It’s unrealistic. “That’s why I say The Bahamas’ path to recovery lies through Freeport, and that’s where the additional pillars of our economy can be born and grow. The sooner the Government and others realise that, the better it will be for the national economy.”

While the Government and GBPA have often had a rocky relationship since the Hawksbill Creek Agreement was signed in 1955, Mr Adams said the latter “stands ready, willing and able to do what is required” to haul Freeport and the

Eleuthera is locked down, then Harbour Island must be by association. It feeds a doubt in the market. People want stability if they’re making an investment in a wedding, investment in a conference and party. If it gets to that 30-60 day period where the deposit becomes more firm and non-refundable, it’s more of a difficult sell for people.

“Bookings are strong for December, strong for the Spring, but we’ve been getting two to three e-mails a day with concerns about the rise in US cases and lockdowns in Eleuthera, and concern that it’s only a matter of time before Harbour Island is locked down, are definitely causing people to revisit their plans,” Mr Simmons added.

“The lockdowns, curfews, whatever it is are definitely sending some alarm bells to the market. The clientele of

THE TRIBUNE Harbour Island are pretty dedicated to the place itself and want to get down here for a long time. I’m hoping they keep coming, and once the Government lands on a policy and gets out of the emergency it’s going to come back pretty quickly.”

Mr Simmons said he was thankful to at least be receiving some business, with December bookings and occupancies standing at 60 percent presently compared to last year’s 85-90 percent for the same period.

Acknowledging that his properties are easier to fill because of their relatively small size, he added: “We’re hoping that people will have confidence in the regulations and be willing to commit. There needs to be that confidence that whatever they’re purchasing is not going to change.

The recent lockdowns

in Eleuthera and Exuma sends the message things can change pretty quickly.

“We’re going to remain optimistic and hope we get 2020 in the rear view mirror and we’ll see a vaccine around the corner, fingers-crossed.”

Meanwhile Pedro Rolle, Exuma’s Chamber of Commerce president, called for rapid antigen tests rather than the PCR version to become the required standard for The Bahamas when it came to domestic interisland travel.

Disclosing that COVID19 PCR tests on Exuma cost $300, a price he said was twice that of Nassau, Mr Rolle said this discouraged residents from taking such tests as well as acting as a further barrier to commerce and travel when the island eventually emerges from its own curfews and weekend lockdowns.

“We need to have more testing, and greater numbers of people being tested,” he told Tribune Business. “It costs more than $300 to have a PCR test done here. It’s twice as much as in Nassau. We need to have testing more available if we are going to have any semblance of commerce on this island.

“The requirement of a PCR test to go to Nassau is counter-productive.

Nobody can afford to spend $300 on a test. I think it’s overkill. I don’t understand why you must have a COVID-19 PCR test as opposed to a rapid antigen test.”

Some observers may argue that the cost and availability of COVID-19 PCR tests on Exuma will only become important once travel restrictions are lifted, as presently permission has to be sought to

leave the island. The PCR test has also been shown to provide more accurate results than the rapid antigen tests.

However, Mr Rolle argued: “If you can remain in the Bahamas on the basis of a rapid antigen test [as a visitor], why can’t you travel throughout The Bahamas on the basis of a rapid antigen test. Why not go to Nassau on a rapid antigen test if someone comes here and stays on the basis of a rapid test. “I think we need the rapid test to become the standard if you are travelling between islands. The $300 is discouraging testing, and instead of having less testing we need more. I think that if we can do more rapid testing, and it’s unlikely they will all give you a false reading, at some point in time we will get a better feel for where we are from a health perspective.”

Casuarina McKinneyLambert, the Bahamas Reef Environment Education Foundation’s (BREEF) executive director, and a prominent coalition member, told this newspaper: “We hope BPC will do the right thing and realise this is not the way to go. We’re encouraging people to make their voices heard, sign the petition, send a lot of letters and contact their elected officials.

“We’re all very opposed to it, all 45,000 people that have signed our petition, and we have over 100 organisations that have joined the Coalition locally and internationally. There are lots of people in The Bahamas and around the world that are very concerned about this.

“People are very concerned about the environmental aspects but also there are the economic aspects and the risk The Bahamas can be bearing, particularly for tourism and fisheries. It is the mainstay of our economy and we don’t want to throw that away.”

Rashema Ingraham, executive director of Waterkeepers Bahamas and member of the steering

committee for Our Islands, Our Future, also voiced concerns about the safety record of the Stena IceMAX and its owner, Stena Drilling.

“More than a week before the ship sailed, we advised BPC to cease and desist from mobilising until the courts have an opportunity to consider the matter, and warned that a decision to move forward regardless will be undertaken at their own risk,” said Ms Ingraham.

“We hold that many things about the approvals process were improper, including the decision to switch from an approved ship to the IceMAX without conducting proper consultation.

Mrs McKinney-Lambert added: “We are convinced that if we continue to stand strong together we can stop BPC and prevent any future oil drilling in these pristine, ecologically significant waters.”

She urged supporters to continue speaking out in The Bahamas and internationally, “and make it clear that we refuse to sacrifice our future and that of generations of Bahamians and others around the world”.

harness those opportunities efficiently, making capital available to Bahamian entrepreneurs.

“We need to become more open with respect to allowing people with capital and expertise from outside to come in and work with Bahamians to take advantage of these opportunities, and we need to be more focused and strategic in training our people.”

Mr Adams, though, warned that The Bahamas will have to tackle “cultural issues” and attitudes, citing fisheries as one area where this needed to occur given the potential for fish farming, aquaculture and mariculture.

“We need to have a paradigm shift in out thinking that these are jobs for those not academically gifted,” he told Tribune Business.

“That’s not the case. The academically gifted are the ones we need to focus on these industries. There’s a lot of work to be done, but that’s the way forward for The Bahamas.

“We can build on what we have, but this over-reliance on tourism and financial services to keep us going is not the way forward for us. We need to broaden our base, and natural resources are a natural opportunity to provide a better standing of living for our people.”

Sand and aragonite mining, and their export, also held potential for The Bahamas, Mr Adams said.

He also argued that this nation must stop viewing southern Caribbean countries “as the enemy” and look to increase trade and commerce with them as a means to achieve further diversification.

“We also need to tackle energy in exploiting these pillars,” he added. “We have to tackle our energy costs and become more efficient. That’s a big factor of production and has been a major impediment towards expanding into these pillars. If other countries have done it with less, I think we can do it with some focus and effort.”

“The gulf stream goes north between Florida and The Bahamas,” he added.

“This is a very risky environmental game that BPC is playing at the potential cost of our billion dollar tourism industry.

“It’s not a domestic issue.

The environment is a global phenomenon. It doesn’t respect national boundaries artificially drawn on beautiful maps. This experiment, because that is what it is, to find oil is a potential environmental threat in The Bahamas and to the southeast Florida coast.”

BPC, though, has repeatedly argued that it has reduced the environmental risks surrounding its first exploratory well to an irreducible minimum. It added that it has obtained all necessary approvals, such as the Environmental Authorisation (EA), and go-ahead for its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EM), in compliance with Bahamian and international standards.

Robertha Quant, BPC’s environmental scientist, in recent written responses to Tribune Business questions, said: “The overall process of the EIA, EMP and EA

preparation has spanned almost a decade – many thousands of man hours, including that of employees of BPC, the company’s senior management and Board, as well as environmental experts and various international consultancies, and independent thirdparty reviews.”

Describing a full year of “man hours” as equivalent to 1,600 hours, she said: “In aggregate, our estimate is therefore that a total of approximately five fulltime ‘man-years’ of work went into the most recent EIA/EMP preparation.”

This took place between 2018 and 2020, with BPC also refuting other

environmental and financial concerns raised by critics.

Judicial Review proceedings typically challenge whether the Government, statutory body or local government council has followed the legally stipulated process in issuing permits/ approvals to a developer.

They also focus on whether these permissions have been given rationally, and in accordance with a body’s legal power.

And Mr Smith yesterday argued that, by changing to the Stena IceMAX drill ship, BPCV had requested an alteration be made to its EA. This, the QC said, had brought the application within the remit of the newly-passed Environmental Planning and Protection Act and the stipulation that all changes be subject to further consultation.

“It is not as simple as they think,” he said of BPC. Any injunction application will likely be heavily contested by both the Government and BPC before the Supreme Court, with the latter said by sources to be represented by Graham, Thompson & Co and Sean McWeeney QC, the former attorney general.

wider Bahamian economy back from the brink.

The GBPA’s critics will likely challenge this assertion, but Mr Adams meanwhile argued The Bahamas had not had to work hard to develop the tourism and financial services industries that represent the ‘twin pillars’ of its economic foundation.

“The thing about tourism and financial services as industries is that I describe them as low hanging fruit,” he explained. “I don’t think we had to do much once we had banking confidentiality to develop the financial services industry.

“Once banking confidentiality drifted away from us, it became a challenge.

Year after year we’re seeing a decline in the financial services business, and it’s becoming increasingly

harder to compete internationally as a financial services centre.

“Similarly with tourism.

We didn’t have to do much.

We had sea, sun and sand in abundance all around us, and proximity to the US eastern seaboard made it easy for us to take advantage of it.

“These other industries require us to apply ourselves a bit more to take advantage of them. We have the talented people and can do it.”

Giving an insight into the REEF committee’s thinking and some of the feedback it has received, Mr Adams hinted that food security was a critical issue for many who participated in its consultation process.

The so-called “blue economy”, involving the sustainable exploitation

of the country’s ocean and marine resources, as well as making Freeport a regional maritime hub were said by Mr Adams to have “resonated well” with persons seeing this as a “logical path” for Freeport’s development and to also build on the assets it already possesses such as the harbour and shipyard.

“That’s the way forward for Freeport and, I dare say, the way forward for The Bahamas,” he added.

“When you look at the reality of what is happening to other major parts of the economy, we cannot bury our heads in the sand as to what confronts us. We can’t.

“We need jobs, and we need economic opportunities. A lot of those opportunities lie in the natural resources that God has vested us with. We need to

FRED SMITH, QC

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that AARON WANYA ALDAJUSTE of Ridgeland Park West, Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 20th day of Novemver 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that JOSEPH DOUGLAS MACAULAY of Honey Burn Lane, P.O.Box N911 Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 26th day of November 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ANTOINISSE JOSAPHAT of Jenny Street, Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of Novemver 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that NORADIEU GEORGES of, Cox’s Way N-3756 Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 20th day of Novemver 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that EMMANUEL OLUSEYI KOMOLAFE of Sandyport, P.O.Box General Delivery Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of Novemver 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, TEVIN ALEX FREEMAN, of West Bay Street, P.O.Box AP 59105 Nassau, Bahamas intend to change my name to YASHA’YAHU BAN YAHAWADHA. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 21

Ex-minister to taxi chief: ‘Get a life’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A FORMER Cabinet minister has told the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union’s president to “get a life” over claims he has an interest in a company that will provide ferry/water taxi services at Atlantis and Baha Mar. Jerome Fitzgerald, former minister for education under the last Christie administration, neither confirmed nor denied he has an interest in a charter boat company

called Pieces of 8. He denied, though, having any kind of contract with either resort as he hit back at social media allegations

by Wesley Ferguson.

The Atlantis website lists Pieces of 8 as one of its marine tour operators, and Tribune Business was able to separately confirm it is one of the Paradise Island-based mega resort’s vendors.

The row erupted after Mr Ferguson alleged that the company and Mr Fitzgerald had agreed a sweet deal with Atlantis.

The taxi union president, in a What’s App voice

note, said: “Fitzgerald has attained Atlantis’ attention and they gave him the royal treatment, the run of the mill.

Fitzgerald has boats that he is going to operate in the bubble from the back of Atlantis where the ferry boat drivers will get none of these people.”

Mr Fitzgerald pushed back hard in a message sent to Tribune Business responding to Mr Ferguson.

He said: “I have been informed of a voice note circulating which alleged many falsehoods about me and purported business arrangements. I have no

JEROME FITZGERALD, former minister for education under the last Christie administration. idea where these rumours and lies originated.

“It is not the first time lies have been spread about me, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. “It comes with the territory. If an ‘industry competitor’ told you this, you should not rely

on information from them in the future. If I did have such contract or contracts, which I don’t, as a private citizen I would have politely said it’s none of your business or anyone else’s. “I’m somewhat flattered that some people,

including the media, would wish to keep my name in the press despite the fact that I’ve returned to my private life. My advice to them is ‘get a life’. Because I sure have one and I am enjoying my life as a private citizen to the fullest.”

PORT RECOVERY CHIEF HAS ‘TO BELIEVE’ CHANGE WILL COME

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE head of Freeport’s economic recovery committee yesterday said he “has to believe” at least some of its proposals will be implemented due to the dire economic straits confronting The Bahamas.

Robert Adams, who heads the Revitalization and Economic Expansion of Freeport (REEF) committee, told Tribune Business that some 3,000 responses and ideas had been submitted by participants in the consultation process that followed the release of its ideas to revive the country’s second city.

Declining to provide details on the feedback received ahead of its formal release on Monday, the Delaney Partners attorney and consultant also voiced hope that the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) which had organised and appointed the REEF committee - will be able to find “common ground” with the Government on Freeport’s way forward.

He added that the Government has reached out to, and engaged with, them with both sides trading ideas for improving the business

regulatory and approvals process in Freeport as well as the application of the new Environmental Planning and Protection Act in the city.

Agreeing that it still remains a “now or never” moment to realise the city’s economic potential, Mr Adams said the economic devastation inflicted by a combination of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 gave him confidence that critical reforms will be implemented rather than shelved as in the past given the realisation that the status quo is simply unsustainable.

“I am reasonably confident that given the economic environment and the challenges that face the nation, Freeport in particular, and given the imperative to improve the state of our economy in the not too distant future, this is as good a time as ever to make meaningful change,” Mr Adams told this newspaper.

“I remain of that view.

We have that perfect storm to make something happen.

Something is going to happen. I have to believe that. That’s what keeps me going with this initiative. If I thought for a moment that this is not going to amount to anything I’d close up

shop.

“Something will happen, I do believe that, and it will effect change.

Maybe not as quickly as we’d like as there are so many moving parts outside our control, but I’m reasonably confident something will happen for the betterment of people in Freeport.

We have to try; we can’t give up.”

The Government and GBPA have often had a turbulent relationship, which was illustrated by separate reports on how to advance Freeport’s development by the former’s Economic Recovery Committee (ERC) and the latter’s REEF. While the ERC report laid the blame for Freeport’s woes largely at the GBPA’s door, the REEF version pointed the finger at the Government.

Asked whether the two sides’ seemingly opposing positions can ever be married, Mr Adams voiced hope that both sides will see the wisdom of finding “common ground” to advance Freeport and the economy at large post-COVID. “I anticipate that at some stage the ERC, REEF, the Port Authority, central government and the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce will have a serious discussion with a

view to identifying those areas where we agree and have common ground,” he added, “and where we disagree we can find a compromise and develop a way forward that includes all stakeholders and participants.

“I hope that’s the case.

It’s an opportunity to finally find common ground.

Hopefully that opportunity will present itself in the not too distant future.”

Mr Adams said the REEF committee had already received government proposals “looking at the Port Authority”, which were now being reviewed ahead of a formal response, although he declined to go into detail.

“To their credit I can say that the Government have also engaged with us,” he added. “We had a series of meetings on environmental issues, the application of the Environmental Planning and Protection Act in Freeport, and regulatory concerns expressed by Port licensees.

“We’re in discussions with the Government and they appear to be listening to us, and have to deliberate on our proposals for reform in that area [regulation].

We’ve also presented them with proposals to enhance the regulatory powers of

the Port Authority concerning certain environmental matters relating to the Freeport area. “In particular, enhancing the ability of the Port Authority to address dilapidated structures and abandoned buildings that exist in Freeport. We think that in order for that issue to be effectively addressed the Port Authority’s powers need to be enhanced in certain areas. The proposals

seem to have been wellreceived thus far.”

Mr Adams said the feedback and responses received to the REEF consultation will be published shortly, adding that more than 3,000 replies had been received from a community of 50,000 to 60,000 persons. “This kind of marks a new approach in relation to policy development in Freeport,” he added.

AMENDED

NOTICE CHRONOVALUE INVESTMENT FUND SAC LTD.

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (4) of The International Business Companies Act 2000 the above-named Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 5th, day of August, 2020. The Liquidator is Dillon R. Dean of Nassau Bahamas.

Dillon R. Dean (Liquidator)

NOTICE

IFR Business Investment Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, IFR Business Investment Ltd. is in dissolution as of November 25th, 2020.

24th November, 2020

International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3rd Floor Withfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

HDLB TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

Buena Esperanza Limited

DIAMOND LNG SHIPPING 5 LTD.

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, HDLB TECHNOLOGY LIMITED is in dissolution as of November 24, 2020

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, Buena Esperanza Limited is in dissolution as of November 24, 2020

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, DIAMOND LNG SHIPPING 5 LTD. is in dissolution as of November 25, 2020

International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3 rd Floor Whitfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3 rd Floor Whitfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

Mr. Hironobu Watanabe with address at #1011 Shibaura Island Grove Tower, 21-1, Shibaura 4-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan is the Liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

In Voluntary Liquidation

In Voluntary Liquidation

In Voluntary Liquidation

PAGE 22, Friday, November 27, 2020

GYMNASTICS CENTRE FAILS TO FIND REBOUND ‘MIRACLE’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A GRAND BAHAMA fitness centre and gymnastics school has permanently closed after failing to pull- off the “miracle” needed to rebound from Hurricane Dorian’s destruction of its facilities and equipment.

Ewa Mellor, co-owner of Grand Bahama Gymnastics, told Tribune Business: “We never had support from anyone. We were trying to raise our own money, the Government never helped, ever.

“Dorian was the nail in the coffin, actually, because we were struggling before. Our local people were amazing and we kept them even though the parents couldn’t afford it. We were struggling with supporting the gymnastics itself. So we just made the decision to close it down and cease operations altogether.

“It’s heart-breaking, but we can’t do anything. We lost all of our equipment.

We don’t have the building; we never owned it, we were renting. It’s just another day for everyone, and it’s just day-by-day.”

Ms Mellor said she could not capitalise on any insurance because the business was financed by loans, and these were not covered.

She said: “Well, insurance didn’t even cover a quarter of the loan. You have to understand we had a loan and the insurance didn’t cover a quarter of the loan.”

The children that Ms Mellor used to train are now without facilities or instruction. They now have to seek training elsewhere, and most of them are in the US. Some parents do not have the money to support their children’s training, with COVID-19 making it extra challenging for some of her former students abroad to get back into training.

Ms Mellor said: “The children just want to train, but now they have to find the other sports. I think others need to join in and support to see what we can do, but it’s sort of hard on us. This is not easy, especially not seeing the children and teaching them how to grow.”

“But maybe one day a miracle would happen, and because I’m one who can invest the money and do all of that without blinking, we’ll come back.”

THE TRIBUNE

CENTRAL BANK EXPANDS ITS DEMOLITION TO POST OFFICE

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Central Bank yesterday said it was asked to extend the demolition work for its new headquarters to also include the take-down of the General Post Office building across the street.

Ian Fernander, the banking industry’s capital development manager, said the request to also demolish the long-standing East Hill Street landmark came after it received all the approvals for the Royal Victoria Gardens premises across the street.

The latter will be the site for its new headquarters building, which is viewed as another key component in downtown Nassau’s revitalisation, with Mr Fernander disclosing that Woslee Construction was awarded the demolition contract for both properties because its bid came in at “the lower end” of the $2m to $12m offer range.

Ashley Glinton, Woslee Construction’s managing director, said it had decided not to implode either building but instead demolish them with heavy equipment.

Revealing that the General Post Office’s height was a key factor in this decision, he added: “There is no implosion. The building did not warrant an implosion just because of the height of it. So we priced it as straightforward demolition, using excavators and heavy, specialised equipment to take it down and that’s what’s going on right now.”

THE DEMOLITION of the General Post Office building began last week.

PHOTO: Donovan McIntosh The lower Post Office building at the eastern end of East Hill Street is presently being demolished, with the taller structure next. Mr Glinton said his company has a “high reach excavator” that can extend up to 100 feet, with jaws on the end of it, to “crunch down” the old building.

He added: “As each floor collapses upon itself and the building comes down, we would haul it away.

So that’s pretty much the process, as simplified as I can make it at this particular point.

“When we submitted the bid, the first process was a cost-related item, and when we put our bid together, we looked at the most efficient and most effective way to either build a

EARLY 2021 FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT REGULATION

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamian communications industry regulator yesterday said disaster management regulations for the sector will be implemented by early 2021.

Charles Kemp, the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) electronic communications adviser, told a webinar: “URCA is indeed publishing a set of regulations on ICT (information and communications technology) disaster management. That should be coming into effect during the first trimester of 2021.

“The document outlines what CECIP - that’s critical electronic communications infrastructure providers should do to their network to make them more resilient before, during and after disaster.”

The regulations will also outline what URCA can do on relaxing restrictions covering equipment that may be designated for disaster mitigation and relief. Their chief purpose, though, is to put in place measures that will strengthen ICT infrastructure to cope with future natural disasters such as a hurricane.

Mr Kemp said a highlight of the proposed regulations is “the proposed establishment and introduction of a multi stakeholder group, which will be referred to as the electronic communications sector disaster management task group”.

Another key feature will be a “national roaming

agreement” between CECIPs that would kick-in if, and when, an emergency happens.

This will allow Bahamians to roam between providers, using networks different from their own communications provider’s, during a natural disaster or state of emergency.

Speaking to the consultation process involved in drafting the regulations, Mr Kemp said: “We went out to consultation and, even prior to that, we had invited all the key stakeholders. That would have been NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency), the Met Office, the police force, Defence Force, and other members of the general public to give us some insight as to some of the things that we could do to assist in this.”

The regulations will cover situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic as well as Hurricane Dorian. Mr Kemp added: “What these disasters really do is disrupt national economies. They also severely weaken the poor and, in a lot of cases, become major impediments to sustainable development.

“What the study also found is that impact is even worse,when there is no access to basic information and communications facilities to provide living and vital information.”

building or take down a building.

“Due to the various factors that would have been involved in imploding the building, we decided to go with the excavators. To implode a building is a completely different process. You would have to cordon off various street blocks in order to do that sort of demolition,” Mr Glinton continued.

“Based on the site item and the current structure, that’s why we decided to go with excavating the building or using excavators instead of imploding. It’s much more efficient. There’s much less environmental issues that have to be dealt with, and from a cost perspective it’s much less.”

The Royal Victoria Gardens will

host the Central Bank’s new headquarters, while the General Post Office is being demolished to make way for the Supreme Court building.

Stacey Moultrie, the Central Bank’s environmental impact specialist, said the old Post Office building is the first to be torn down under the recently passed Environmental Planning and Protection Act. She added: “The project actually started before that Act came into force. We were already in discussions with the BEST (Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology) Commission for the need to do an EIA (economic impact assessment) and EMP (environmental management plan), and I guess the project has the honour of being the first project ever to receive a certificate of environmental clearance in the country.”

O’Neil Moss, project manager at Woslee Construction, and leader of the demolition exercises, said: “In terms of the timeline for the demolition, we approach the project in two phases. The first phase would be the Post Office and we are looking at an anticipated completion date of towards the end of January 2021.

“Once we’re done with that we have clear up the site. We will then mobilise to the Royal Victoria Gardens to commence the demolition of the buildings selected to be demolish on that site. The timeline for that demolition to be wrapped up and completed would be right around the first week of March 2021.”

URCA UNVEILS CHANGES TO ITS PRICING STRUCTURES

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas’ communications regulator yesterday said pricing structure changes for satellite services and FM spectrum bands will take place within the next few months.

Clinton Rahming, assistant regulatory officer at the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), told a webinar: “The licensing department has had two changes in the licensing regime. One as it relates to ESIMs, and the other is the revision of the national spectrum plan 2020-2023.”

ESIM stands for Earth Stations in Motion, and Mr Rahming explained: “It’s a satellite service. So it’s pretty much a satellite terminal being placed on vessels and airplanes that are in motion.

“Over the years, our international stakeholders, our satellite service providers, have been making some requests to URCA in regards to its pricing structure on ESIMs. So this year, the licensing department had a meeting and we had a lot of discussions, and we came up with a new tariff structure, a new pricing structure for ESIMs.”

NOTICE NEWFIELD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC. Creditors having debts or claims against the abovenamed Company are required to send particulars thereof to the undersigned c/o P.O. Box N-624, Nassau, Bahamas on or before 14th day of December, A.D., 2020. In default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made by the Liquidator.

Dated the 27th day of November, A.D., 2020 Kirvy Ferguson Liquidator 253 Shirley Street Nassau Bahamas

NOTICE

Mr Rahming said the new structure will allow satellite providers to improve the critical services offered to their clients, while also bringing ESIMs into line with the policy objectives set out in the Communications Act to “promote competition and innovation in the electronic communications networks and services”.

Turning to spectrum management, Mr Rahming said: “The second major change we had in the licensing regime this year was the revision of the national spectrum plan that we got approved from the Government of The Bahamas. In the National Spectrum plan, we identified a number of bands as premium spectrum bands.

“What that does is it gives entrepreneurs, current service providers and future service providers an opportunity to be able to access that very critical and valuable piece of real estate that we call radio spectrum.

Radio spectrum is essential to be able to deploy 5G services.

“One of the important areas in in any regulatory regime is spectrum management.

“And with spectrum management there’s a number of responsibilities, a number of tasks that fall

on the spectrum manager such as spectrum monitoring,” he continued.

“Spectrum monitoring involves conducting compliance checks, conducting occupancy surveys to see who’s operating in the spectrum as they should be operating, and who is operating outside of the licensing parameters.

“We do this to reduce the probability of harmful interference, and that’s one of our key tasks in the spectrum management area.

“This is something that we would like to take into the New Year, especially as it relates to FM broadcasting service.

“We do intend to go out to the Family Islands and ensure there..... are no instances of unlicensed activities.”

Mr Rahming said these checks give URCA’s licensees the radio spectrum protection they need and deserve on the spectrum.

Charles Kemp, URCA’s electronic communications sector advisor, said hurricane damage had resulted in the regulator’s spectrum monitoring system falling into disuse.

“We are working towards having that restored within the next few months, at least a portion of that system,” he added.

NOTICE NEWFIELD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC ___________________________________ N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a)

NEWFIELD INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS INC is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 24th day of November 2020 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

The Liquidator of the said Company is Kirvy Ferguson of 253 Shirley Street, Nassau, Bahamas Dated the 27th day of November, 2020 (c)

HARRY B. SANDS, LOBOSKY MANAGEMENT CO. LTD. Registered Agent for the above-named Company

NOTICE

HYDROCARBON FUNDING LIMITED

EXXONMOBIL GABON INVESTMENTS LIMITED

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 22nd day of October, 2020

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 7th day of September, 2020

Dated the 27th day of November, A.D., 2020

Dated the 27th day of November, A.D., 2020

Kirvy Ferguson Liquidator of HYDROCARBON FUNDING LIMITED

Matteo Pedercini Liquidator of EXXONMOBIL GABON INVESTMENTS LIMITED

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 27, 2020, PAGE 23

Motivating workers to the benefit of all EMPLOYEE benefits are any form of compensation paid to employees over and above their regular salary or wages. Employee benefits come in many forms, and are an important part of the overall compensation package offered to workers. Here we outline three common examples of small business employee benefits that will prove most beneficial in 2021.

In response to a raging pandemic, health insurance, a flexible work schedule and incentive pay are top of mind for the employee returning to their traditional workspace.

There is an understanding that all employers will make the social distancing provisions necessary to keep everyone safe. These

additional benefits, though, will certainly earn you some brownie points with your employee base.

through this pandemic and the health implications, your employees will be eternally grateful if they knew you cared enough to safeguard their health and well-being.

1. Health Insurance Offering health insurance as an employee benefit is generally one of the simplest but most effective steps you can take to reward and attract talent. Health benefits can also deliver a range of benefits, such as increasing productivity, boosting morale and helping shape a positive company culture. The main point of a medical insurance plan for employees is to protect and support the health and well-being of staff, so they can remain active and productive members of your company. As we navigate

and life responsibilities conveniently. If you have a flexible schedule, you can go to a parent-teacher conference during the day, take an exercise class, or be home when the washing machine repair person comes. Flexible work configurations allow employees to work when they accomplish the most, feel freshest and enjoy working.

2. Flexible Work Hours A flexible schedule allows an employee to work hours that differ from the normal company’s start and stop times. In all flexible schedules, the employer expects a full-time employee to work the required hours or more.

Employees stand to experience a good number of benefits when their company offers flexible hours as a benefit of employment. One that many workers point to first is the flexibility to meet family needs, personal obligations

to drive better business outcomes, and more closely align sales representative behaviour with the goals of the company. Lord knows that what we all need in this coming period is an engaged workforce where people are motivated and driving better business success.

• NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities.

He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.

3. Incentive Pay Incentive compensation is a form of variable compensation in which an employee’s earnings are directly tied to the amount of product they sell, the success of their team, or the success of the company as a whole. Incentive compensation management is the strategic use of incentives

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 63° F/17° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Partly cloudy with a passing shower

Partly sunny and pleasant

Mostly sunny and nice

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Not as warm; a morning shower

High: 81°

Low: 73°

High: 80° Low: 73°

High: 81° Low: 73°

High: 82° Low: 71°

High: 76° Low: 66°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

87° F

73° F

88°-76° F

89°-75° F

87°-65° F

74°-63° F

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 66° F/19° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 69° F/21° C

6-12 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N

S

E

W

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

MIAMI

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

6-12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2020

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

N

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

N

S

E

W S

6-12 knots

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

5:38 a.m.

5:49 p.m.

2.8 2.4

12:00 p.m. 0.4 11:57 p.m. 0.1

Saturday

6:17 a.m.

6:28 p.m.

2.9 2.4

12:41 p.m. 0.3 ---------

Sunday

6:54 a.m.

7:07 p.m.

3.0 2.3

12:33 a.m. 0.1 1:20 p.m. 0.2

Monday

7:31 a.m.

7:45 p.m.

3.0 2.3

1:09 a.m.

1:59 p.m.

0.0 0.1

Tuesday

8:08 a.m.

8:23 p.m.

3.0 2.3

1:46 a.m.

2:38 p.m.

0.0 0.1

Wednesday 8:46 a.m.

9:03 p.m.

3.0 2.2

2:23 a.m.

3:18 p.m.

0.1 0.2

Thursday

3.0 2.2

3:01 a.m.

3:59 p.m.

0.1 0.2

9:26 a.m.

9:45 p.m.

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:35 a.m.

5:20 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

3:49 p.m.

4:06 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Nov. 30

Dec. 7

Dec. 14

Dec. 21

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

6-12 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N E

W

E

W

L

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

GREAT INAGUA

N

H

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

CAT ISLAND

E

W

6-12 knots

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 71° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 80° F/27° C Normal low ........................................ 69° F/20° C Last year’s high ................................. 82° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 65° F/18° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 66.84” Normal year to date ................................... 38.17”

uV inDex toDay

S

S

7-14 knots

8-16 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS NE at 6-12 Knots NNE at 4-8 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots E at 4-8 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots NNW at 4-8 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots N at 4-8 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots N at 4-8 Knots

WAVES 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F 78° F 77° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 79° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F

business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2020

$3.98

$4.03

$3.92

$3.95

Economy cannot hit 5k annual new jobs need

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

T

he Bahamas will never generate the 4,0005,000 new jobs that it needs per year over the next two decades by remaining reliant on its ‘twin pillar’ economic model, a top attorney warned yesterday.

Robert Adams, who heads the Revitalisation and Economic Expansion of Freeport (REEF) committee, told Tribune Business this was why the Government and wider Bahamas needed to realise “sooner rather than later” that “the path to recovery lies through” the nation’s second city

* ‘Can’t bury heads in sand’ on Freeport recovery path * Gov’t must ‘sooner rather than later’ realise key truth * Rebound chief urges mindset shift on ‘cultural issues’ - and the diversification potential it offers - in COVID-19’s aftermath.

Calling for “a paradigm shift” in The Bahamas’s economic thinking, he described the country’s two long-standing ‘pillars’ - tourism and financial services - as “low hanging fruit” that it had to do relatively little work in developing due to its geographical location and advent of bank

Oil opponents: BPC gives us ‘no choice’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net OIL exploration opponents last night said they have “no choice” but to apply for an injunction halting Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) activities as its drilling ship began its voyage to this nation.

Fred Smith QC, the Callenders & Co attorney and partner, told Tribune Business that the Our Islands, Our Future coalition would seek the Supreme Court’s intervention as early as this week after the 750foot Stena IceMAX drill ship left the Canary Islands

en route to The Bahamas ahead of the planned December 15 drilling start date.

The coalition, which has placed on its website a map tracking the vessel’s movements as it begins its journey across the Atlantic, said legal action was now inevitable given both the Stena IceMAX’s departure and BPC’s failure to respond to its request to provide an undertaking that all activities will cease while Judicial Review proceedings are underway.

Mr Smith, who is Our Islands, Our Future’s lead

SEE PAGE 20

Resorts voice fears on COVID ‘seeds of doubt’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A HARBOUR Island hotelier is hoping that the “seeds of doubt” sown by COVID-19 lockdowns and other restrictions will evaporate once the Government “lands” on a more consistent approach.

Benjamin Simmons, proprietor of The Other Side and Ocean View properties, speaking in a recent interview ahead of the Prime Minister’s announcement that the restrictions imposed on Eleuthera could be lifted as early as

next week, said these measures make it “a challenging sell” for potential visitors.

While Harbour Island and Spanish Wells have not been subjected to the weekend lockdowns and curfews imposed on mainland Eleuthera, Mr Simmons said his properties have fielded numerous calls from concerned guests that it will be just a matter of time before the restrictions are extended to those locations.

Highlighting the difficulties faced by many hotels and tourism operators amid Dr Hubert Minnis’ warning

SEE PAGE 20

secrecy. Now, with neither industry able to fully meet the population’s growing demand for jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities, Mr Adams said The Bahamas will have “to apply itself a little more to take advantage” of possibilities to generate faster gross domestic product (GDP) growth and diversify.

Voicing optimism that this can be done, the Delaney Partners

consultant attorney identified developing Freeport as “the maritime centre of the Americas” and the sustainable exploitation of marine resource by developing the so-called “blue economy” as opportunities that can be seized.

He quickly pointed out, though, that this will require a “cultural shift” in many Bahamians thinking such that industries such as mariculture and aquaculture

are not seen as sectors solely for persons lacking academic qualifications.

Mr Adams spoke out as the REEF Committee, which was appointed by the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), prepares to release the results of the public consultation on its proposals for Freeport’s post-COVID-19 and Dorian economic revival (see other article on Page 21B).

Arguing that the Bahamian economy now stands at a pivotal point in its history, he told Tribune Business: “We need to have a paradigm shift. We need 4,000 to 5,000 new jobs every year for the

SEE PAGE 20