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Woman shot dead next to her Bible Gunmen open fire as family of five return from church

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE woman who was shot dead Wednesday night as she pulled up to her home in the Chippingham area with relatives had just returned from church when gunmen ambushed the family.

She died with her Bible next to her, police said.

Four other persons, including an eight-year-old girl, are in hospital after two armed men opened fire on their vehicle.

Another victim, a 15-year-old boy, was chased by the shooters on foot through the area as he tried to alert neighbours about the incident. A resident of

the area told The Tribune yesterday that one of the victims had claimed that someone tried to kill her last week.

The brutal shooting happened just one hour before a businessman was shot and killed in front of his establishment on Mackey Street, which marked December’s first homicide.

The killings took the country’s murder count to 99 for the year and brought an end to the bloodiest month of 2016 thus far.

There were 13 homicides in November, according to The Tribune’s records.

The first murder took place shortly after 11pm through Poitier Street.

DESPITE a recent spate of murders and shootings in New Providence and Grand Bahama, officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said the country is still a “safe” place.

However, he acknowledged that there is a problem with drug dealers starting “turf wars” in communities over unresolved conflicts and prolific offenders getting bail, which contributes to the crime rate.

Weekend

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RanaRD HenFielD Interv iew Pages 4&5

Feat of cla y

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Art, page 13

MAN KILLED IN 100TH MURDER OF THE YEAR

A MAN was shot dead on Toote Shop Corner off East Street after 9pm Thursday night, police said.

His death marked the 100th homicide for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

According to police, an adult male was standing in front of a home located at Toote Shop Corner, when two males in a dark coloured vehicle armed with handguns approached and shot him before speeding off.

The male was pronounced dead on the scene.

Thursday night’s victim was killed nearly 24 hours after a woman was shot dead outside her home in the Chippingham area Wednesday night and a man died in hospital after midnight Thursday after being shot outside a business on Mackey Street.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 911, 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 328-TIPS.

150 TO LOSE JOBS AS TREASURE BAY CASINO SHUTS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE THREE

ABOUT 150 casino workers are expected to join the unemployment line in Grand Bahama this week due to the closure of Treasure Bay Casino on December 4.

A source told The Tribune that workers are expected to be paid their severance packages on Friday, December 2.

When contacted for comment, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe indicated that the closure would be temporary and the employees will likely be rehired once the casino reopens under new management.

‘WE ARE SAFE’ INSISTS SENIOR POLICE OFFICER

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

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Chief Supt Fernander warned Bahamians to be “aware of their surroundings” and appealed to members of the public to assist the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) with their investigations.

His comments came hours after the country recorded its 98th and 99th murders for the year - according to The Tribune’s records - and six people were hospitalised, including an eight-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, in separate shooting incidents.

SEE PAGE THREE

SEE PAGE SIX

THE MINISTRY of Tourism Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Pompey Square last night.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

FORMER MINISTER SAYS CRITICISM OF DECORATIONS IS ‘JUST TO GET AT HIM’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom again declined to say yesterday how much a government contract given to one of his businesses, Florarama, to decorate West Bay Street

and the downtown Nassau area is worth, as criticism over the decorations grows.

Mr Wisdom, who served in the first Christie administration, said his contract is with the government and it would inappropriate for him to get ahead of the Ministry of Tourism by disclosing the worth of the contract without its per-

mission.

When questioned yesterday, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe also did not reveal the worth of the contract. However, he told The Tribune that there were three bids for the work and that Mr Wisdom’s company put in the lowest.

SEE PAGE FIVE

STRIKE THREAT IF PM DOES NOT ADDRESS MARCH ISSUES

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net SEEKING to ramp up pressure on the government following its ‘Black Friday’ march, We March Bahamas organisers have threatened to initiate a national strike if Prime Minister Perry Christie does not give a national address on steps taken to meet protest demands.

SEE PAGE SIX

PAGE 2, Friday, December 2, 2016

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Friday, December 2, 2016, PAGE 3

Bishop Hall calls for stricter enforcement to stop crime

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net BISHOP Simeon Hall yesterday said the country is in a crime “crisis,” as he called for a stricter enforcement of the country’s crime laws and for the removal of “some people from civilised society” if the death penalty cannot be enforced in the country.

Expressing his “ambivalence” over capital punishment, Bishop Hall, pastor emeritus of New Covenant Baptist Church, said that “if we’re not going to hang, we need a similarly strong message” to criminals who he said are merely “turning up their noses” at the government’s crime fighting efforts.

Bishop Hall dismissed assertions that the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) needs outside help in the fight against crime, as he said that “we created these things ourselves, and we should find the wherewithal to deal with them internally.”

However, Bishop Hall said while police “are doing their best,” the RBPF is “being overwhelmed by a spirit of murder which dominates the country”.

Similarly, former Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Thompson dismissed assertions that the enforcement of capital punishment would serve as an effective remedy to crime,

BISHOP Simeon Hall. stating that the death sentence will not be enforced “unless we get rid of the Privy Council”.

Saying that Bahamians should “forget about capital punishment,” Mr Thomp-

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff son instead called for a stricter enforcement of the country’s laws, so much so that persons charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison remain in custody for the rest of their

lives, “not just some years and you let them out.”

The statements by both men come after a recent spate of murders over the past few weeks, which made November the bloodiest month of 2016.

According to The Tribune’s records, 13 people were murdered in November, compared to 10 in October, and six in September.

Despite a spate of killings over the past few days, murders have trended down compared to 2015, which set a homicide record of 146 homicides.

According to The Tribune’s records, the murder toll stands at 100 for the year, compared to the 137 recorded up to this point in 2015.

Given the country’s crime woes, many have called for the death penalty to be enforced, in the hope that it would serve as an effective deterrent to criminal activity, particularly for such serious offences as murder.

However, the Londonbased Privy Council has served as an obstacle to the Bahamas carrying out the death penalty, after ruling in 2006 that the mandatory death sentence for murder was unconstitutional.

“The criminals are not afraid of the existing gun laws, of our court system nor the police,” Bishop Hall told The Tribune when contacted. “Thus they break the law with impunity. If we’re not going to hang, we

need a similar strong message to would-be criminals.

I think we need to double the gun possession laws, the gun possession penalties, and take some people away from civilised society.

That’s how I feel.

“Most of the criminals are known to police. Some criminals now know that they can beat the system, and in spite of what the best of us do, criminals are turning up their nose at all of our pronouncements.

“I have some ambivalence about the death penalty, but I think some people obviously shouldn’t be amongst civilised society.

One time ago they used to rob you and then run away.

These set rob you, rape you, then shoot you and take your car. So we’re in a crisis man.”

He added: “...I sympathise with (National Security Minister) Dr Bernard Nottage, but we might as well admit it, we’re in a crisis. Police, they’re doing their best. But I think they’re being overwhelmed by a spirit of murder which dominates the country.”

Meanwhile, Mr Thompson said calls for the enforcement of capital punishment are pointless so long as the Privy Council remains this country’s final court of appeal.

“People talk about capital punishment - we’re not going to have capital punishment in this country unless we get rid of the Privy

Council,” he said. “What we should do is persons charged with murder and sentenced for life, make it life, not just some years and you let them out.”

“The police have shown that they’re doing a very good job in detection of these murders,” Mr Thompson continued. “It appears that the motives are not just occasional robbery, but many times it’s drug related or gang related. And that is going to continue until the police have gotten all those people in custody, we have quick trials with convictions and we get them in jail.

Mr Thompson also said the government would be better served by “investing money” in anti-gun smuggling efforts, as well as rewarding persons who can provide information on gun smuggling rings.

Mr Thompson said the “only outside help” the government should look for should be from firearms forensic specialists.

“We need people who, every gun on the street that we pick up, should be checked against scenes of crime,” he said.

“We have to invest money for information on the importation of firearms. I think that any person who could give information about guns coming into the country, should be given a big reward, particularly if we could get the guns and get the people bringing in the guns.”

WOMAN SHOT DEAD NEXT TO HER BIBLE from page one

Officer-in-charge of the Central Detective Unit, Chief Superintendent Clayton Fernander said two armed men ambushed a family of five as they pulled into their driveway.

“The family, including four females one of whom is eight and a 15-year-old male, had just got home and were about to exit their vehicle when two armed men approached the western side of the apartment building and fired shots into the vehicle. As far as we know nothing was said, the men just approached the vehicle and began shooting,” Chief Supt Fernander said.

“All of the occupants were shot to the body. The male ran out of the vehicle and travelled east on Poitier Avenue where he was chased by the gunman who continued to fire at him.

During the chase, the young man alerted neighbours in the general area and some

persons turned on lights which spooked the shooters and they discontinued their chase. We are uncertain whether they left on foot or in a vehicle. The adult female died on the scene. It was so sad because she died with the Bible right next to her, she was holding the Bible when she was shot.”

The 15-year-old boy is said to be in critical condition and the other victims are listed as serious, but stable.

Police did not release the murdered woman’s name, but The Tribune understands she is Carol Gabriel.

Chief Supt Fernander said police do not know the motive for the crime and are appealing to members of the public for assistance.

A resident of the area, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was in his kitchen getting a drink of water when he heard the shots. He also said one of the victims told him there was an attempt on her life last week.

THE SCENE of the shooting on Poitier Avenue where five persons were shot, one of whom died. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff “I heard shots and I looked outside and I smelled smoke and saw someone running down the road. That is all I saw,” he said.

“I don’t know what happened before that. I looked outside and everyone who was in the car got shot. I didn’t go outside to inspect or look at anything because I did not know what was waiting for me in the dark.”

Vital Nikenson, who identified himself as a roommate of the victims, said he was

afraid to stay in the apartment and was scared for his life. Mr Nikenson, who spoke little English, said he believes he is alive today because he decided not to sleep at the apartment Wednesday night.

The second murder took place shortly after midnight Thursday.

According to Chief Supt Fernander, the victim was talking to a woman in front of his business establishment at Ernest Street off Mackey Street, when two

men in a silver coloured Nissan Tilda pulled up and robbed him.

The man attempted to run but was chased down by the two gunmen who shot him before speeding off. The victim was rushed to hospital by a private vehicle where he died a short time later.

Police are also investigating a shooting incident that left two men in hospital shortly after midnight on Thursday.

According to reports, two men were walking on Cow-

pen Road, when the occupants of a silver coloured vehicle armed with firearms pulled up and fired several shots at them before speeding off. The two men were taken to hospital where their condition is listed as stable.

Anyone with information on any of these homicides is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS. Investigations continue.

‘WE ARE SAFE’ INSISTS SENIOR POLICE OFFICER from page one

“We are safe, it is still safe but people need to continue to be aware of their surroundings,” Chief Supt Fernander said.

“Parents should also be talking to their sons and daughters about the company they keep and the people they hang out with. These young girls and boys are hanging with people that are targets because of their criminal activity.

“The police are trying very hard but we arrest these persons and then the next thing we know they are

out there offending again.

There are a handful of prolific offenders who continue to cause problems for the community, but the police are working to get these people.

“You also have these small time drug peddlers who start these turf wars in communities because they cannot resolve their conflicts. Other times you have people who happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But these people are hanging with persons who are into bad stuff, these people are not their friends, they are bad company.

“We will not let these

people hold the countr y hostage, we will continue to work and identify these individuals who commit crimes,” he said.

On November 15, Chief Supt Fernander said the public had “no need to be afraid” after a spate of shootings and murders and messages on social media warning people to stay in their home because a gang war had erupted. He said the only gang that mattered is the RBPF. Since then, there have been ten murders.

Chief Supt Fernander also appealed to members of the public to con-

tinue to assist police in their investigations. “No one is above the law, we want to assure members of the public that the entire country is safe. We are out here, we will make this country safe and its citizens and its tourists.

We need the public to continue to assist us,” Chief Supt Fernander said.

“You know the persons out there who are committing these crimes. They are your brothers and sister and cousins. You know they are involved in criminal activities so please speak to them. This is our country and we cannot let a handful of individuals destroy it.”

Anyone with information on any crime is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

PAGE 4, Friday, December 2, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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The passing of a dictator TO BE instantly recognisable worldwide by one’s first name or initials is a unique testament to fame or notoriety.

JFK as President of the United States and Elvis as musical megastar or, in modern times, Beyonce, and then Serena in tennis circles, meet the former category in their different ways whereas Fidel Castro occupies both.

Simply identifiable as Fidel, he became a world icon as a revolutionary who deposed Fulgencio Batista, a corrupt and despotic dictator in his own right, in order to protect the poor while others have reviled him as a brutal oppressor of the Cuban people for over half a century.

His passing last week reportedly caused joy and grief in equal measure.

Thousands of Cuban exiles in Florida’s ‘Little Havana’ showed their jubilation and relief at his death which has brought hope of an end to extreme political repression in their homeland. In contrast, within Cuba itself, crowds expressed anguish and sorrow and nine days of official mourning were declared.

In 1959, Castro came out of his lair in the Sierra Maestra mountain range in eastern Cuba and took power by the gun, claiming that he did so on behalf of the downtrodden poor and promising freedom and prosperity which could only be achieved through bloody revolution. He then proceeded to use force to weed out all opposition to his self-declared revolution and persecuted and murdered those who crossed him.

For all the benefits Castro brought about in the shape of good healthcare and education, it is clear that through a brutal dictatorship and political repression he inflicted untold misery, poverty and suffering on his own people to the extent that thousands fled the country, with many settling in the US and several families in The Bahamas.

As well as being merciless to dissenters at home and seeking to support terrorism abroad, Castro was responsible for the most dangerous moment in recent world history by precipitating the 1962 missile crisis between the US and the Soviet Union. This brought the world close to nuclear war before Soviet leader Nikita Kruschev stepped back from the brink and withdrew the USSR’s missiles in Cuba from where, barely 90 miles away, they had been threatening the American mainland.

It remains a mystery to many why a man in charge of the harshest and most repressive Communist regime of modern times should still be romanticised by some as a hero and champion of his people. Following the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion

in 1961, the image of bearded youth and swagger in military dress standing up to a bullying America resonated amongst the Left and continues to do so, though the Canadian prime minister’s swooning reaction to his death was surely not only naïve but also misguided.

The US policy of isolating the Cuban regime and imposing a trade embargo played in to Castro’s hands and ensured that he would seek the support of the USSR while perpetuating the myth of the brave leader protecting his small island state from its giant capitalist neighbour intent on its destruction.

Despite passing the presidency to his equally hard line brother in 2008, Fidel Castro retained his status of great liberator despite such claims being widely discredited. Without any visible sign of the new Cuban leadership softening its stance and loosening its political stranglehold, President Obama nonetheless took executive action in 2014 to chart a new course with Cuba, including the reestablishment of diplomatic relations which should lead to greater engagement and co-operation, in particular increased trade and travel.

He himself made an historic visit there earlier this year which attracted much criticism. It now remains to be seen whether President-elect Trump may derail this action unless Cuban leaders offer some political concessions by moving away from a one-party dictatorship.

If Cuba opens up permanently to the rest of the world, the obvious threat to the Bahamas is competition for tourists. The Ministry of Tourism apparently considers that this will provide greater opportunities for co-operation on a Caribbeanwide basis. However, tourism can be a cutthroat business, with each destination seeking to improve the quality and cost of its product in order to attract more visitors at the expense of their rivals in the region. So we hope that the ministry will take a hard look at this issue and determine what action needs to be taken in terms of quality and price to enhance the attraction of our country to those who will now be tempted by a revitalised Cuba.

We should not be lulled into a false sense of security about co-operation with other countries who, in reality, are our competitors. Above all, we should not underestimate the likely interest of Americans in visiting Cuba which offers more variety than The Bahamas. The quality of Cuba’s tourism product may not compare at present with our own. But theirs will surely improve, so we need to seek ways of offering something even better.

Tiger Woods EDITOR, The Tribune.

HISTORY could be written in The Bahamas this weekend as Tiger Eldrick Woods resumes his playing career at the Hero’s Challenge, hosted by the Albany Resort. He could not have chosen a better place and the Sporting world is buzzing with anticipation as to what may happen.

The questions of physical and mental readiness are all in the background as Mr Woods embraces what may be the greatest challenge of his playing career. The fact that his playing ability has given away to the struggles of human mortality has not diminished his

expectations or those who have watched him for the past thirty years and what many expect to see is not a “new” Tiger Woods, but a Tiger Woods who has now stepped forward to play the game as only he has played the game.

However, forty is a time of transition and he will have to do what theologians do and “go back to the basics”, when things seem tough. He will go back to the basics of just getting the ball in play and since he is still smarter that most players, his age and experience are the real tools he has as his in his bag.

The old folks used to tell us that it is wisdom that al-

lows you to act your age and that the only contribution your shoe size offers to us is the ability to enjoy what we do and be courageous.

Golf like life can be squeezed down to 95 per cent observation and 5 per cent common sense.

Hopefully, the Isles of June gives him the clarity of perspective and perception he needs, so that in the words of my friend Jackson Burnside, “he knows what he is looking at”.

(Life long fan of Tiger Woods) EDWARD HUTCHESON Nassau, December 1, 2016.

Another crime plan EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: Dames: Multi-faceted plan needed on crime.

The Tribune, December 1, 2016.

MIGHT this plan be multi-faceted enough?

(1) Arrest, (2) Fair trial (3) Prayer (optional) (4) Hang ’em.

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, December 1, 2016.

Raping in broad daylight EDITOR, The Tribune.

FOR decades, Bahamians have been shafted by banks, and insurance companies, This past Hurricane Matthew was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Hurricane Matthew was an unusual act of nature that caused the earth to literally vomit on itself. The anger that was portrayed during the surges that belched large volumes of water from the south showed just how angry Mother Nature was.

Many families felt the wrath full blast. The helpless feeling that many experienced have been compounded when the water subsided and the all clear was given, but it was not clear at all.

The overcast conditions stayed through the vicious, cold and callous behaviour of the glutton insurance companies.

I have been insured with a well known insurance com-

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net pany on the Collins Avenue Hill, paying as much as almost four thousand dollars per year for almost 20 years. Always paid on time and never had to claim. But Matthew forced us to seek help because of some roof damage.

After several weeks elapsed, a young gentleman from England came knocking on my door claiming to be an adjuster. We welcomed him into our home, and were happy to see him, anticipating some relief.

He, with a fine tooth comb, went over the damage.

But nothing could prepare us for the horror. He said that we had $20,000 worth of damage, but because of the company policies we could only get $4000 after the deductibles.

In my opinion these people

are worse than Al Capone.

The highway robbery, with a neck tie on, must stop. No company should be allowed to rape the people, with a rotting wooden light pole loaded with red ants.

Our young sons, who make a bad judgment, are chased through the bushes like dogs for shop lifting, but we call it good business practices when insurance companies and banks, without a gun, rob us blind.

Some insurance companies in The Bahamas could care less how the people feel, they only want to suck them dry. They are heartless and have caused many who had setbacks to now feel the suffocation.

It is time to reel in insurance companies and stop them dead in their tracks from fleecing the people.

IVOINE W. INGRAHAM Nassau, December 1, 2016.

Power or no power EDITOR, The Tribune.

HOW much more are we, the consumers, going to suffer before something is done?

It seems BP&L are intent on being unique - the only electricity company that will not generate electricity - will estimate billings and make a profit.

Whoever advised Government to choose PowerSource should be required to return the consultancy fee...

PowerSource must return the $850,000.00 for the obvious fictitious Business Plan.

It is worse than in the 1970s.

Another total failure of the Christie alleged Government.

VAT on Medical Items: I was trying to assist a relative, a pensioner, as they require a MRl imagine on their small income they have to pay nearly $200.00 VAT on the bill for the MRI their doctor has requested. Is Mr Christie real when he talks about NHI? Actions speak and charging pensioners VAT on medical procedures is not humanitarian. Shame, Mr PM. Ladies Basketball Tournament in Bimini: Tourism Today fan fared this as a total success, but news videos

don’t lie - bleachers were less than 50 per cent filled.

Yet again Tourism wasting public money. Spin and more spin!

MOODY report on Baha Mar - how could Moody’s project that if Baha Mar opens what economic effect will potentially happen if they had not been shown the ‘Secret Sealed Agreements’? The PM named the buyer, but the deal was supposed to be Sealed and Secret - this is all a charade W THOMPSON Nassau, November 30, 2016.

March ‘wake-up call’ EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHAT an amazing cacophony of political baloney your reporter presented in this piece. The leader of the opposition recognising that it was a wake-up call for all politicians, but remaining fast asleep at the switch, while large seg-

ments of his party have and are walking out because he won’t, or can’t, actually wake up and get out of the way.

And then the boatload of Government Ministers and MPs, pleading personal agreement with the march objective, but seemingly totally unaware that the

march was all about THEM and their MISGOVERNING WAYS. Talk about blind mice running after the farmer’s wife! As the Jamaicans say it were a real poppy show!

BRUCE G RAINE Nassau, November 30, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 2, 2016, PAGE 5

Former minister says criticism of decorations is ‘just to get at him’ from page one He added that ª• is run by Mr Wisdom’s wife, who Mr Wilchcombe said, was one of the most qualified and distinguished designers in the country.

“Florarama provided the lowest of the three bids,” Mr Wilchcombe said. “The company is renowned for its professional excellence. Over the next several days we expect the beauty of the decorations to light up the Christmas season. Junkanooers and other vendors are involved in the experience that is being created.

Already Bahamians are taking pictures and enjoying the season.”

The Tribune reported Wednesday that Florarama has been given a contract to decorate downtown Nassau and Arawak Cay as the ministry prepared to launch a series of holiday themed events to attract Bahamians and tourists to the area.

The decorations, though incomplete, have been criticised by some Bahamians, with numerous pictures of them mocked in posts on social media.

What some perceive to be poor quality work has caused them to question how much money Florarama has received from the Ministry of Tourism for that work.

For his part, Mr Wisdom has stressed that the work is not yet finished.

The decorations at the Arawak Cay area, for instance, will be completed after the conclusion of a gospel festival, Fam Fest.

Fam Fest will be held between today and Sunday.

As for questions about his receipt of the contract, Mr Wisdom said his family has been in the decorating business for 43 years and he deserves to make a living

NEVILLE WISDOM from it now that he is out of office.

Though he refused to disclose details of his contract, he insisted it is not worth much.

It is fewer than what previous decorators have been awarded because so much of the work has been done in The Bahamas by Bahamians, he contended, despite the fact that the scope of the decorations this year exceeds that of previous years.

“It’s entirely Bahamian,” Mr Wisdom said. “Eleven groups of people have been hired to work, along with Bahamian artisans.

We’ve been in this business for 43 years. My wife is a world-class designer.”

Mr Wisdom said criticism and press attention to the matter is an attack because of his identity.

“All of this is just to get at me,” he said.

Mr Wisdom said his company received a downpayment when initially contracted and will receive the rest of its money when its work is completed.

• Christmas tree lit in Pompey Square - pictures on page 7.

TREES wrapped in decorations near Arawak Cay.

Photo: Aaron Davis

MINISTRY WORKING TO IDENTIFY ILLEGAL WEB SHOPS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM Minister Obie Wilchcombe said his ministry is working with the Gaming Board to identify people who will monitor what’s happening “on the ground” in an effort to clamp down on illegal web shop operations.

Though it was widely assumed that illegal operations were discontinued after the Christie administration began regulating the industry, ordering some businesses to shut down and issuing licenses to companies, web shop bosses say 20 per cent to 30 per cent of the web shop market today is controlled by unregulated parties.

It is a pressing concern, they say, for it robs them of potential revenue and robs the government of a tax source.

The unregulated operations include Bet Vegas, which was denied a provi-

sional license by the Gaming Board last year but remains operational while it pursues remedies through the courts.

But unregulated operations also include rogue ones that mostly rely on hand-held, mobile gaming devices even though they have been outlawed.

“They are doing underground stuff,” Mr Wilchcombe admitted yesterday.

“That’s why we are going to strengthen our street presence to monitor what’s going on in order to protect the industry.”

“I agree completely with Craig Flowers,” he added, referring to comments the FML Group of Companies boss made to The Tribune Wednesday about illegal operations. “We can’t go through all that we have to put in place this proper regime only to be undermined by illegal elements.”

The rules and practices for dealing with illegal operations appear not to be

well defined at this time.

Senior police officers said yesterday that the Gaming Board is responsible for enforcement.

But, according to Mr Flowers, Gaming Board heads told web shop bosses Wednesday that enforcement is the purview of the police since their focus is on regulatory issues.

Indeed, a senior attorney within the government emphasised that it’s the responsibility of both the Gaming Board and the police to address illegal operations.

“If there are any suspicions that a crime has been committed, then the police would be directly involved,” the source said.

“If asked by the Gaming Board to conduct investigations to determine if a crime has been committed they would get involved.

The Gaming Board regulates whether web shops are complying or not.”

Asked about the matter yesterday, Assistant Com-

SUSPECT IN KILLING OF ACTIVIST’S BOYFRIEND IS GRANTED BAIL

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN awaiting trial in connection with a fatal shooting that was captured on video was granted bail in the Supreme Court yesterday.

Sean Thompson, 25, and his lawyer Roberto Reckley appeared before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs requesting that the accused be released from the state’s custody while he waits for his case to be heard in the Supreme Court in November 2017 concerning the

September 15, 2015 murder of Roberto “Bonaby” Williams.

There was no objection to the bail application by the prosecution.

As a result, Thompson was granted $8,000 bail with a suretor.

Thompson was charged with murder under Section 291(1)(b) of the Penal Code, which does not attract the discretionary death penalty if a conviction is reached at trial.

He denied committing the crime when formally arraigned in Supreme Court months after his initial ar-

raignment in Magistrate’s Court.

Williams, then boyfriend of Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM) President Khandi Gibson, was shot and killed by two men outside a residence near the Sadie Curtis Primary School around 8am.

A purported video of the incident was shared on Facebook more than 700 times and had more than 27,000 views within a week of the incident.

Algernon Allen II appeared for the Crown in yesterday’s bail hearing.

MAN FACES COURT ON FIREARM CHARGE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was arraigned on a firearm related offence.

Everette Strachan, 33, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyanne FergusonPratt facing a charge of possession of firearm with intent to endanger life.

It is alleged that he was in possession of a handgun on Sunday, November 27, and shot at Kenton Moss, putting his life in danger.

Strachan was not allowed to enter a plea to the charge and returns to court on December 6 for a determination on whether the case will proceed as a summary trial or preliminary inquiry.

If the latter is held, sufficient evidence would have

to be presented for the case to proceed in the Supreme Court.

Strachan was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services in the interim.

However, he has the right to apply for bail to the Supreme Court.

Attorney Ian Cargill held brief for Nathan Smith who is representing Strachan against the allegation.

missioner Leon Bethel said: “The Gaming Board is responsible. It is instructed in the (Gaming) Act as to what happens when things are not in order.”

Gaming Board officials could not be reached for comment yesterday although messages were left for them amid multiple attempts to reach them.

PAGE 6, Friday, December 2, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Govt team flies to Hong Kong for talks with Baha Mar buyer

By AVA TURQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net MORE than a year on since its failed attempt at brokering an agreement between Sarkis Izmirlian and Chinese stakeholders, a high-ranking government delegation is headed back to China to meet with prospective Baha Mar buyer Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) and tour its casino operations.

The delegation, which left for Hong Kong last night, includes: Attorney General Allyson MaynardGibson; Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe; Sir Baltron Bethel, senior advisor to the prime minister; and four officials from the Gaming Board.

Yesterday, Mr Wilchcombe declined comment on details or the status of the resort’s pending sale to CTFE. He also rejected assertions that the government was fast-tracking approvals to get the resort opened ahead of the next general election.

“I can’t comment on that,” he said. “We are pleased at the pace, pleased that progress has been made and pleased to be a part of this important step.

“We are part of a delegation to meet with potential owners of Baha Mar. We have a series of meetings to cover the various details

150 TO LOSE JOBS AS TREASURE BAY CASINO SHUTS from page one

“They will be replaced by another company, we’re completing (due diligence) work on them as well and they hopefully will begin the transition process a week or so post closure,” Mr Wilchcombe told The Tribune.

“All employees will be satisfied by the severance from Treasure Bay and the government. The arrangement we’re discussing now is for the employees to be rehired.

“We’re hoping to bring a more exciting casino to add to what we’re doing in Grand Bahama.”

Attempts to reach officials at the casino, which is closed for repairs due to hurricane damage, were unsuccessful.

The Tribune attempted to speak with Craig Turner, a casino executive, but was told by a security worker that he was not on property at the time.

“They are just incurring expenses – they are gone,” said the source. “They were just keeping it open for the government.”

It is understood that government was subsidising the casino in Lucaya.

The source added: “I was told that the casino will be paying severance on December 2. The closure of Memories Resort has severely impacted the operation which relied on guests from the resort, which closed in early October following hurricane damage.”

The resort property is expected to reopen in the middle of December.

and discuss with them their interest in The Bahamas and, of course, the casino operations.

“Part of the due diligence is going to look at their operations that they do now in Macau,” Mr Wilchcombe said, “and get a general understanding of how their model works. Most of the people associated with their organisation are familiar in the gaming world, they are renowned in other parts of the gaming industry.

“We’re going to take a look at the model of their operation and how it fits in ours. This is the largest single floor casino in the Caribbean so you have to be sure of what they intend to do, what games they intend to place on the floor, where the emphasis will be, which markets they will be catering to, whether low scale, upscale, how they are going to phase development.”

The Gaming Board complement is comprised of the board secretary Dennis Martin, and three technical staff.

According to Tribune Business sources, a major meeting on Baha Mar, involving all key stakeholders and their Bahamian advisers, took place at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday. It was said that CTFE, and representatives of the China Export-Import Bank and China Construction America (CCA), promised

Mr Christie they would try to make 700 rooms at Baha Mar available for March - in time for the peak 2016-2017 winter tourism season.

Tribune Business also confirmed that former Minister of Financial Services Ryan Pinder is leading Graham, Thompson & Co’s legal representation of CTFE as it seeks to obtain the necessary government permits and approvals to consummate its acquisition of the $3.5 billion Baha Mar project.

Mr Pinder, the Progressive Liberal Party’s MP for Elizabeth, resigned from Cabinet in late 2014.

When questioned about this, Mr Wilchcombe said: “Yeah sure, but you will note that in our earlier discussion we talked about a potential phased opening in the winter season, a soft opening. We are optimistic once everything is completed they will be able to fulfil that.”

CTFE announced in a press statement last month that it was in talks to acquire the beleaguered Cable Beach project, and the government received its proposal for acquisition of the resort last week. The proposals include a list of firms that the Hong Kongbased conglomerate is eyeing to run the shuttered mega-resort’s casino. Mr Wilchcombe confirmed that CTFE will own the ca-

sino license and contract a management firm hired to run it - just as it was envisioned by original developer, Mr Izmirlian.

Since its announcement, there has been some concern over CTFE’s alleged link to Chinese/Asian crime gangs known as Triads via their investment in Stanley Ho’s STDM and SJM companies. The Cheng family – owners of CTFE – has an equity stake in Macau group STDM. A May 18, 2009, report by the US state of New Jersey’s gaming enforcement division, dealing with a proposed Macau casino joint venture between MGM Mirage and Mr Ho’s daughter, Pansy, highlighted concerns that Macau’s VIP gaming rooms were vulnerable to exploitation by the Triads.

According to Tribune Business, the New Jersey regulator’s report made adverse findings against Mr Ho, describing him as “unsuitable”, but no such conclusions were reached about the Cheng family or their companies.

The Hong Kong conglomerate has since pointed out that the Cheng family’s role in the Macau casino is strictly as an investor with no involvement in day-today management of the casino or oversight of the gaming industry in Macau.

It further stated that there will be no affiliation on

the Baha Mar project with STDM. However, documents obtained by The Tribune attest that CTFE Chairman Henry Cheng served as board president at STDM in 1998, and at SJM in 2004.

It also indicates that Henry Cheng served as vice-president at other companies owned by Stanley Ho, such as dog racing.

The Tribune has contacted CTFE for comment, but did not receive a response up to press time.

Mr Wilchcombe did not speak directly to this, but offered: “We’ll take a look at all those issues. In our earlier discussions (with CTFE) we were told that all that has been reported.

We have to do our due diligence and we will reach out to the chairmen of the various gaming boards in the industry.”

Mr Wilchcombe has previously said that the due diligence process will take at least three weeks.

Speaking to the pace of the government, he said: “Rushing? This has taken a long time, the due diligence has been incredibly good.

We must remember some of the players that are at the table now, were at the table before when Baha Mar was at the hands of other ownership. We are not rushing, we have to get it done, rushing, we’re three years late.

“Tourism is growing in

the world, we need to get more rooms, more inventory, more economic opportunities and ensure The Bahamas continues to ride the wave of popularity in terms of tourism.”

“The Free National Movement and all the players concerned have to say what they have to say, they’re opposition. We have to prove that we’re right. This group is associated with Rosewood, SLS, what are we talking about?

The same hotels as before, they didn’t go anywhere, they are the ones being discussed, and we’re hoping they are the ones that will be at the final stages.”

He said: “What has really changed? I think they’re making much to do about nothing.

Our Gaming Board is reputable in doing due diligence.

“When Sol Kerzner came to the Bahamas he couldn’t get a license in the US because of some speculation, but it didn’t stop him from putting together a major company, and it proved to be a great fit for The Bahamas.

“Our history is where we gain our strength, our experience. At the end of the day we have to be realistic, we are very late, it should have been opened years ago, but circumstances beyond our control occurred and the government has brought it to this stage now.”

STRIKE THREAT IF PM DOES NOT ADDRESS MARCH ISSUES from page one

In a letter to Mr Christie, lead organiser Ranard Henfield reiterated that there was no reason to meet privately with the nation’s leader because all issues listed were well within his permit to immediately effect change “with the stroke of a pen” given his portfolio as prime minister, minister of finance, and minister with responsibility for Crown land.

He said that if Mr Christie met some of the demands in good faith, via a public address by December 8, he was prepared to convene a meeting with the more than 40 affiliated organisations and the media to discuss controversial issues.

The letter read: “The monumental Black Friday event of November 25, 2016, has forever redefined the memory of ‘Black Friday’ in The Bahamas. No longer will its history only be associated with the half price sales around Thanksgiving or slavery. It will now forever be remembered as the day when Bahamians of all creeds, colours, social statuses, political affiliations and religious views came together as one people united in love and raised up chants of our national anthem, our national motto and our national pledge as we demanded better governance and representation.

“Tears flowed as thousands came together in the most racially, socially and politically diverse display of solidarity and national pride seen since Independence. Never again will Bahamians be so easy to divide and conquer as we now

THE PROTEST march on Black Friday March.

ACTIVIST RANARD HENFIELD INTERVIEWED - SEE WEEKEND appreciate that once united, we are more powerful than the people in power.”

Organisers issued a list of 23 non-partisan demands to the prime minister and several of his Cabinet ministers on November 9, and again on November 22. Mr Christie responded to organisers by letter on November 24, in which he invited leaders to meet with him at his office. However this offer was rejected.

Just over a thousand protestors marched from Arawak Cay to Rawson

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Square on November 25, with more generous estimates putting the figure around 1,500 persons.

Organisers have another march slated for Majority Rule Day on January 9, but have dubbed the day “United People Day”.

The protest attracted significant support from activists and civic organisations, as well as the support of the country’s two umbrella unions, the Obie Fergusonled Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the John Pinder-led National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB).

Mr Pinder, president of the Bahamas Public Services Union, ended his second term as leader of the NCTUB on Tuesday, and was replaced by Bahamas Communications and Public

Officers Union (BCPOU) President Bernard Evans.

Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) President Paul Maynard was named first vice-president.

Yesterday, Mr Pinder told The Tribune that while his union has a significant number of issues presently before the Labour Department, it does not have a strike vote, and will not participate in a “national strike” without it.

Notable issues include disputes with resorts, Sandals and Ocean Club.

In the Sandals matter, union leaders had started sensitising their memberships for a collective callto-action in response to the contentious nolle prosequi in September. That effort, tagged the “Joint Labour Movement”, foreshadowed a national strike or, at the

very least, a mass demonstration.

Mr Pinder said those plans were put on hold with the passage of category four Hurricane Matthew, and as such, unionists regarded the ‘Black Friday’ march as an opportunity to protest outstanding matters.

The letter sent yesterday outlines 33 demands, 13 of which are directly related to matters currently in dispute between unions and the government, and does not provide any further details about the national strike.

Other demands call for an immediate cease order and moratorium on all government dealings with China or any foreign interest with respect to natural resources; a public declaration from Mr Christie that he will not issue any further leases of seabed or Crown land for the remainder of his term, and a commitment to remove it from the portfolio and establish an apolitical body to administer the distribution of Crown land; the announcement of the 2017 general election and legislative amendments to establish a fixed date; to release the completed draft Freedom of Information Bill and table it if there are no objections from civil society; and the public disclosure of a number of audits and reports.

Mr Henfield drew parallels between the November 25 march and protests staged by the Progressive Liberal Party, and also pointed out the large contingent of PLP parliamentarians that attended the demonstration. As such, he said that his organisation did not expect the prime minister to be obstructive given the sentiments expressed in his previous letter.

Mr Henfield also highlighted the PLP leader’s failure to publicly disavow disparaging statements made against protesters by senior Cabinet ministers and PLP MPs. He referred to statements made by Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, and Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller.

“Should the nation not hear from the Office of the Prime Minister in support of the demands listed above, we the organisers of We March intend to initiate further acts of peaceful civil disobedience on Friday, December 9, for the sole purpose of reminding our parliamentarians that the power of the people is greater than the people in power,” Mr Henfield said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 2, 2016, PAGE 7

‘BPL will continue to fail without extra capacity’

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

BUSINESSMAN Dionisio D’Aguilar asserted that Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd will continue to fail in providing consumers with reliable service so long as its money is “pissed” away, while insisting the company should make a concerted effort to shift all customers to prepaid metering with a view to improving BPL’s cash generation.

He further suggested that the Christie administration “trumped” up what PowerSecure could do for the former Bahamas Electricity Corporation and neglected to realise none of what was promised could be achieved without money.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr D’Aguilar said he believes the company has suffered

under consecutive governments.

These administrations, he said, have squandered the electricity provider’s money placing it in a position where it is unable to borrow money or afford the much-needed upgrades, which are required to improve the quality of service to Bahamians.

“What has happened is that they have run the company as a social welfare department with a lot of people not paying their bills including the government,” the Superwash Laundromat CEO said yesterday when he was contacted. “They thought somehow that miraculously this company (PowerSecure) would be able to put aside funds to upgrade and expand its generating capacity.

“But what has happened is that BPL is financially bankrupt. It doesn’t have a penny. It cannot borrow,

it’s got a flawed business plan and many people do not pay their bills, including the government. If you’re not generating cash how can you possibly expect a company to upgrade or replace its equipment or expand its equipment when it should do it? So this is a classic example of the government of The Bahamas running a public corporation into the ground.”

He continued: “You cannot run a company without cash. How do you expect this company to repair, replace and increase its generating capacity without cash? So it needs cash. Cash will solve this problem.

“Also with the business model that we have now where people use power then get billed for it and then decide whether or not they are going to pay for it is a flawed business plan.

You must shift all of your customers to a prepaid en-

vironment to improve your cash flow so that you can then begin to generate the sufficient cash in order to replace, repair, improve and increase your generating capacity.

“BPL is just flawed and until they correct the business model and it starts to generate cash and the cash isn’t being pissed away on hiring political cronies and striking deals with politically connected people it will never become better.”

On Tuesday night, irate residents throughout New Providence were left in darkness after a “damaged underground cable” caused an island-wide power outage, according to BPL. Customers were also warned on Wednesday that they may experience “intermittent challenges with their power supply until operations have stabilised.”

BPL Corporate Communications Manager Arnette

Ingraham said the company was working on locating the damaged cable and once repairs were complete “services should return to normal”.

On Tuesday night, BPL executives did not offer an explanation for the twohour blackout, but said in a statement on Facebook that the company experienced a “system-wide shut down in New Providence” shortly after 10pm. Around midnight, BPL said power was being restored to communities.

But despite the overnight restoration, customers began experiencing outages early Wednesday morning and the island suffered another blackout shortly after 1pm, with repeated interruptions throughout the day.

Fingers were again pointed at old and obsolete equipment and an obstructive board as latest wave of

JOY JIBRILU, director general at the Ministry of Tourism, and Chief Superintendent Leamond Deleveaux join Santa and children for the Christmas tree lighting.

CHRISTMAS TREE CEREMONY IN POMPEY SQUARE

blackouts brought renewed frustration for consumers.

Bahamas Electrical Workers Union President (BEWU) Paul Maynard said the company has had replacement cables for two years but the old cables have not been replaced because no one has been given the contract.

Senior Bahamian management sources have expressed sympathy for BPL and its manager PowerSecure, saying they were “taking all the heat for all that is going wrong now.”

The source said the historic non-maintenance of lines and equipment which has been requested for months but not approved by the old BEC board had left them with their “hands tied”.

PowerSecure, an American company, took over management of BEC earlier this year. The company was later renamed BPL.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

DANCING to music from the Urban Renewal Band.

JAHMAI Grant performing at the Christmas tree lighting.

THE RHYTHM and Youth Band performing at the ceremony.

CHARLOTTE Nevins performing at the ceremony.

PAGE 8, Friday, December 2, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

BPL plays the perfect Scrooge for Christmas

‘How can the light bill of ‘Miss Nettie’, from the heart of Bamboo Town, balloon from an average of $234 a month to $648.93? A $410 spike in a month?!’

A CARTOON of Scrooge actor George C Scott - but who needs him when we have BPL? Picture: Robert Doucette

A

S much as I would like to address several issues affecting Bahamians this week, I’m forced to go with one, BPL, and obviously I must do it rather quickly as there’s no telling when they will strike again.

The more I look at the whole BPL fiasco, I can only draw one conclusion: we, the Bahamian people, deserve better when it comes to our power provider.

Unless their job was really to be a $25m ‘union breaking’ mechanism, BPL has been an epic failure in many regards.

In all honesty, BPL makes me long for the old ‘BEC’ ... and as comical and frightening as that sounds, it’s true.

At least we could gauge how long we would be off (depending on who Tall Pines MP and former BEC chairman Leslie Miller was ‘vibing’ with).

We knew when the ‘cutters’ from BEC would be out in force - radio ads flooded the airwaves. We also knew ‘ain’t nothing was happening’ if we didn’t ‘hurry put something on the bill’.

Yes, the bills were ‘guesstimated’ but BEC’s guesses were clearly better than those of BPL. I mean how can the light bill of ‘Miss Nettie’, from the heart of Bamboo Town, balloon from an average of $234 a month to $648.93? A $410 spike in a month?!

Interestingly enough, this is all post-Hurricane Matthew by the way. The same hurricane that left BPL with not enough ‘bucket trucks’ and egg on their faces (and sweat drenching ours) with their horrendous job of post-storm power restoration.

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA I find it appalling that BPL would even issue bills with obvious higher rates before Christmas. Some families are just recovering from Hurricane Matthew, trying to scrape together a halfway decent Christmas and now gargantuan light bills! (The role of ‘Scrooge’ will be played by BPL this Christmas.)

What are we really paying for?

Are we paying for the ‘tab’ run up by BPL executives while they were riding out the storm, safely tucked away in the Atlantis with all the comforts of royalty, while we all rode it out in pitch darkness drowning in perspiration?

I hear those mini bar items are pricey! (No wonder ‘current’ did go off ‘ova da bridge’.)

Are we paying for a new cable, since the old one had issues recently?

Causing three days of load shedding and ‘on again, off again’ moments of maddening frustration?

If you needed help BPL just ask for it. Retired BEC linesmen have been ‘layin’ cable’ for years. I’m sure one of those retirees could have assisted.

I know what we are paying for: our lack of concern and protest initially when our ‘gubbament’ flung this on us. Again, in my opinion, just to ‘bust’ the union.

Why send a ‘potcake’ to do a job that BPL was built for?

So as we continue to hold ‘current on’ vigils and lose groceries due to random power cuts caused by ‘faulty’ cables and a nonchalant power provider, we must take the time while we are sitting in the darkness and heat, melting like the wicked witch from the ‘Wizard of Oz’ in solace, to remember that we, the voting populace, are the power providers for governance in this country, and because of ‘boo boo’ decisions in granting lucrative contracts to foreign entities, come election time we may have to play a BPL and pull the plug on their time in office at the polls.

Well, I better run now.

BPL says the blackouts will continue intermittently until the situation is totally rectified!

Hey, here’s an idea. Why don’t we all pay our light bills intermittently until the situation is totally rectified.

Wah’ ya say?

• Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident standup comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net

READERS GIVE SHORT SHRIFT TO MINNIS’ ‘CHANGED LEADER’ CLAIM READERS on tribune242.com weren’t impressed by FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ claim that he was a “different, changed” leader after last Friday’s “We March Bahamas” protest.

Honestman offered this: “This sounds so lame!”

Publius asked: “So if he is suddenly the leader he is supposed to be, then what has he been up to the March? These lowlifes are saying literally any and everything they think will get people of dim wit to support them.”

Jackbnimble said: “Minnis (aka The Press Release King) has deluded himself into thinking the FNM will win by default and now he’s pandering to the voters by pretending to care, which they all do to get their hands in the cookie jar.

“Frankly I am still wait-

ing for a viable third option - and it’s not the DNA. The Bahamas is not totally lost. I am still looking to the hills as I suspect something major will happen to shift this country back into the hands of the citizens and we will get a government for the people, of the people and by the people. God has not forsaken us. Keep hope alive!”

Cas0072 thought Mr Minnis was a “typical Bahamian politician”: “I once thought Minnis would be a focused and actions oriented leader because he was not like the rowdy and

big personality types that we usually see in Bahamian politics. Clearly, I read way too much into what appeared to be his calm demeanour. He is a typical Bahamian politician, pretending to be contrite about past failures only when they can no longer be ignored, and making bold, empty proclamations.”

And there was this from Birdiestrachan: “Minnis should be ashamed of himself. He should know better, but it seems he will do anything and say anything if he thinks he will gain votes. It is not as if he came to know Jesus. There is nothing new that was said and anything that he should not have known. The Black March had one thousand. BTC sale had three thousand.”

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 2, 2016, PAGE 9

Ocean Club workers’ union seeks financial assistance

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE union representing workers at the One&Only Ocean Club has submitted a request to the Bahamas Hotel Industry Management Pension Fund to solicit financial assistance and otherwise for displaced employees of the hotel, Bahamas Hotel Employers Association President Robert “Sandy” Sands said.

Mr Sands confirmed to The Tribune that a request has been submitted to the Health and Welfare fund of the pension fund by the Bahamas Hotel and Catering Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) as the union attempts to secure financial assistance for the 350 employees that have been out of a job since One&Only closed its doors to commence hurricane repairs in October.

The Bahamas Hotel Employers Association (BHEA) is party to the pension fund, Mr Sands said. However, Mr Sands did not say whether or not that request has been ap-

proved.

This information comes after BHCAWU President Nicole Martin, in a recent voice note to One&Only employees and obtained by The Tribune, said the union was waiting on a “formal” agreement by “the association,” presumably the BHEA, to be able to access whatever funds are available in the Health and Welfare fund to provide financial assistance to the employees.

This agreement, Ms Martin said in the voice note, came as a result of discussions with Mr Sands sometime within the last two weeks. Ms Martin also indicated in the voice note that she had intended to speak with Mr Sands again on Monday, although it is unknown if that meeting was held.

This resonates with statements Ms Martin made during an interview with The Tribune last month, when she revealed the union’s plans to use an “existing fund” through a “partnership with the employer” to provide financial assistance to the hotel’s 350 employees

during the five-month closure.

Based on what was said in the voice note, Ms Martin appeared to have been trying to quell the anxiety and concerns held by One&Only employees, who have been agitating for more assistance from the hotel union during the luxury boutique’s temporary closure.

The Tribune understands that One&Only employees are either currently, or due to receive assistance in two ways: assistance in meeting mortgage and/or various bill payments, and assistance for those who suffered flood damages and/or otherwise as a result of Hurricane Matthew.

According to the voice note, Ms Martin said the association has “agreed in principle” to the union’s request, but had “not submitted anything formally to the pension fund.” Ms Martin said in the voice note that the employees should have already started to get some assistance with regards to hurricane repairs, adding that “persons should have already started to either get

assistance or they are processing those.”

However, she said union officials were still waiting on confirmation from the association regarding assistance with bill payments.

Nonetheless, she expressed in the voice note her optimism in the belief that “we are going to get an agreement.”

“Unfortunately the association is not moving quickly, but I believe based on my conversation with Mr Sands, I believe that we are going to get an agreement,” she said in what seems to have been a voice note to One&Only employees in a social media group. “I posted a note in the group last week, where I said I thought that we would have gotten an agreement last week. So it’s not that we’re not saying anything, I did say what I needed to say.

As soon as I know something then I will say something, but I did post a note in the group last week.

“It is unfortunate that it is taking so long but it’s not necessarily because of the union, it’s because we need an agreement from the association. They have agreed

in principle but they have not submitted anything formally to the pension fund.

So that’s where things are.”

She added: “I have not listened to all of the messages, but I know that it is taking a bit long. But we anticipated that it was going to take long. And I am praying and hoping that very soon…

I spoke with (Mr Sands), I intend to do so again on Monday, so just be patient everybody, I know it’s hard, but it’s going to happen.”

The One&Only Ocean Club closed its doors temporarily to repair damage

by Hurricane Matthew in October. The luxury hotel was initially expected to re-open at the beginning of December, but later confirmed that it had delayed its re-opening date to Valentine’s Day of next year.

At the time, management did not specify what would happen to the 350 members of staff in the meantime, but said they and the unions had been informed of the extended period of closure.

Earlier this month, One&Only employees threatened to petition for the National Congress of

FRED MITCHELL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, speaking at the immigration recruits graduation ceremony.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

NEW OFFICERS GRADUATE TO JOIN IMMIGRATION FORCE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

IMMIGRATION officials in the capital commissioned a new cohort of officers on Thursday during a ceremony at the Police Training College on Thompson Boulevard, where Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell implored the department’s newest class to do their best to protect the country’s sovereignty.

Thursday’s ceremony comes just a few weeks after the Department of Immigration installed ten new officers in Grand Bahama.

The two classes are viewed as the initial groups in the series of installments planned by the department, as it looks to strengthen its ranks.

Thursday’s ceremony saw more than 35 recruits installed as officers; with the cohorts having completed a four-month training programme last month.

Mr Mitchell cheered the installation as a step in the right direction.

Speaking at length on the country’s history of colonisation and struggle to Majority Rule throughout his keynote address last evening, Mr Mitchell urged the new officers to always be mindful of the separation between their new posts as officers and their uniqueness as individuals; maintaining that many will attempt coerce them to put aside their morals and principles.

The Fox Hill MP stressed that in an ever-changing world where the value of the Bahamas and its citizenship is known and sought, those that protect its borders have to do all within themselves to hold to their values, principles and mandates or fear the loss of the nation.

To applause from those in attendance, Mr Mitchell stated: “The point is to recognise that there is a difference between you and your job. You may think that people are giving you things

or offering you things and saying you are such great people and that they love you and all the rest of it because of you; but always remember, they are looking at that uniform and they are trying to curry some kind of favour.”

He added: “Your life is your life, don’t mix up your lives with their lives. You may be sitting in Cat Cay in the middle of luxury boats, and yachts and big houses and people popping champagne, but that is their life and not your life, remember to keep the two separate.”

Both Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Cleola Hamilton and William Pratt, acting director of immigration, were on hand to express confidence in the newly installed officers.

Special awards were presented to Shandazzar Rolle (excellence award), Reshanti Murray (director’s award) and Tristan Ferguson (instructor’s award).

IMMIGRATION recruits graduating at the Police Training College.

Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB), headed by John Pinder, to serve as their interim bargaining agent over their dissatisfaction with their union’s handling of One&Only’s temporary closure.

At the time, the One&Only employees called on Mr Pinder, as well as Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson to intervene over their frustration with the BHCAWU and Ms Martin’s handling of the Paradise Island luxury hotel’s closure.

Roughly three weeks ago, however, Ms Martin said One&Only employees could possibly return to work ahead of the resort’s Valentine’s Day 2017 reopening date for “training purposes.”

At the time, Ms Martin said in an interview that while the February 14, 2017 re-opening date is still in effect, employees may have a chance of returning to work early because hotel officials “are looking at some training period that is going to bring them back to work before that opening.”

PAGE 10, Friday, December 2, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

OAS GIVES $25,000 FOR HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORT

DR Elliston Rahming (left), Bahamas ambassador to the United Nations and permanent representative to the OAS, being presented with a cheque by OAS Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez on Thursday, December 1.

THE Organization of American States has made a contribution of $25,000 to The Bahamas to assist with recovery efforts from the massive damage caused by Hurricane Matthew early in October.

Elliston Rahming, Bahamas ambassador to the United Nations and permanent representative to the Organisation of Americn States (OAS), was presented with a cheque by OAS Assistant Secretary General Nestor Mendez on Thursday in the assistant secretary general’s office at the OAS’ main building.

Declaring that the OAS is committed to responding to the needs of member states as they arise, Mr Mendez noted that “these needs are particularly evident after a natural disaster.”

“Unfortunately, over the last few years we have seen an increase in frequency and intensity of these disasters, in particular those associated with climate change,” he said. “In fact,

the 2016 hurricane season ended yesterday, November 30, and it has been documented as the most active in four years, having accumulated a total of 15 named storms, which included seven hurricanes. It is clear that we will continue to face these challenges, and that our organization will need to prepare to respond in more substantive ways than hitherto.”

Mr Mendez said he was pleased to present Ambassador Rahming with “a small contribution from the OAS Emergency Fund (FONDEM) to assist in the recovery efforts following the passage of Hurricane Matthew through the Caribbean region, where it impacted several OAS member states, including the Bahamas.”

“Although the contribution is small, it is nonetheless a clear reaffirmation of our commitment to respond to member states even in the face of our emaciated resources,” Mr

Mendez said.

In accepting the cheque, Ambassador Rahming, who initiated the request for assistance following the passage of Hurricane Matthew through the Bahamas, thanked the OAS “for this great donation” and assured Mr Mendez that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the Bahamas will put it to good use.

The cheque presentation was followed by a special meeting of the OAS Permanent Council in the Simon Bolívar Hall, during which ambassadors paid tribute to the late Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez, permanent representative of Venezuela, who died on November 24, 2016.

At a regular meeting held following the special meeting, Ambassador Rahming was presented with ceremonial gavel in commemoration of his tenure as chair of the Permanent Council for a three-month period from July 1 to September 30.

THE ROTARY Clubs of The Bahamas hand over a donation to the One Eleuthera Foundation.

Cycling Club Bahamas. On Saturday morning, we will ride in support of the Bahamas Aids Foundation.

We should be prepared to leave Goodman’s Bay by 6am (those East can park at Harbour Bay and leave by 5:30am for GB) and complete our regular route, with the exception of the return. On return, we will turn on to Baha Mar Blvd. instead of the six-legged roundabout and proceed to the finish at Goodman’s Bay. Please bring a $20 donation and your completed registration form (emailed previously).

Weekend rides: Sunday leaving 6am sharp from Harbour Bay Shopping Centre in front of First Caribbean Bank (Starbuck’s) 40 - 50 miles headed east.

This ride is not recommended if you have not cycled recently or first timers!

P/I Bridges optional at the end. The pace will range from 17–20+mph, 3-3.5 hour duration (cyclists are invited to join in anywhere along the route).

Weekday rides, east: Morning, Tuesday & Thursday leaving 5am sharp from Sea Grapes Shopping Centre, East Prince Charles Drive. This ride is a 17-mile

loop to the Northbound Paradise Island Bridge and back again (both bridges are sometimes incorporated depending on available time). Open to riders capable of 18 mph + for 1 hour.

Lights are essential.

West, morning: Wednesdays & Fridays leaving 4:45am sharp from Fidelity Bank Parking Lot (opposite Cable Beach Police Station), West Bay St. This ride is a 20-mile loop. The route is varied. Open to riders capable of 18mph+ for one hour. Lights are essential. Contact Shantell to confirm your attendance.

Afternoon: Tuesdays & Thursdays leaving 5:30pm sharp from Old Fort Shopping Center east of Solomon’s Fresh Market. (Faster group leaves North Side Lyford Cay roundabout) This ride is 18miles (23 miles, faster group) . Lights are essential. Recommended for Strong Riders capable of 20mph+ for 1-1.5hrs. Intermediate Riders 17-22mph -see Spyda.

Upcoming events: December 3, Enjoy! Cycling Club holiday get together & Social, Humidor at Graycliff, 5pm.

January 17, Marathon Bahamas, http://www.marathonbahamas.com/ February 18, Ride For Hope, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera http://www.rideforhopebahamas.com.

JOIN THE CLUB

Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas

Cycling Club Bahamas

OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.

Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas. – Continuing its efforts to support family island communities in combating breast cancer, the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas (RCOB) presented a cheque of $5,000 to the One Eleuthera Foundation in support of their cancer screening initiative in Eleuthera.

Assistant governor Tim

Ingraham and assistant governor Mario Smith made the presentation to Shaun Ingraham, CEO of the One Eleuthera Foundation.

Mr Ingraham thanked Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas for their support and donation which will assist with the organisation’s cancer screening and imaging programme.

Mr Ingraham said the purpose of the Eleuthera Imaging Programme is to provide mammogram and ultrasound services on the island. It will provide a level of convenience to those women in particular who are unable to afford to travel to Nassau for breast cancer screening and examinations.

Tim Ingraham acknowledged that the funds donated were part of an ongoing partnership between the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas and the One Eleuthera Foundation and that Rotarians are always willing to assist wherever there is a need in the community. Mario Smith said he hoped the donation would encourage others to donate to this worthy cause as cancer has been one of the leading causes of death in The Bahamas and has touched almost every family especially on the island of Eleuthera.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information visit www.rotarybahamas.com.

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

THE TRIBUNE

Sailing Club in move to support students THE Cat Island Sailing Club Association has awarded five students with scholarships to attend the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI).

President of the association, Pat Strachan, believes that the club should be known beyond being a group of people organising a regatta, as a group that ought to do things for the Cat Island community which leaves a lasting impression and helps it to grow.

“When you educate an individual, you cannot take that away,” Mr Strachan said. “We hope the recipients will return and help to rebuild Cat Island. We want them to help in the development of Cat Island.”

The recipients include Annfernique Stubbs, Office Assistant major; Kiana Brown, Cosmetology; Dario Russell, Welding; and Quincy Cepoudy and Kentone Brown, Electrical Installation. They have each been awarded $500

scholarships.

BTVI’s president, Dr Robert W Robertson, thanked Mr Strachan and the association for its assistance and urged the scholarship recipients to take advantage of the opportunity.

A 2014 recipient of the award and Electrical Installation major, Arley Merzius, attended the presentations, encouraging his fellow students to remain focused and not to take the scholarship for granted.

“I am grateful for the scholarship from the Cat Island Sailing Association.

It shows that it cares for the further development of the island and its young people.

It also proves that they have confidence in BTVI,” said Mr Merzius, who recently landed a job at Bahamas Power and Light.

This is the third consecutive year that the association has provided scholarships to Cat Island natives, with the help of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC).

‘When you educate an individual, you cannot take that away. We hope the recipients will return and help to rebuild Cat Island.’

Friday, December 2, 2016, PAGE 11

PICTURED seated (from left to right) are scholarship recipients Annfernique Stubbs (seated left), Kiana Brown (seated right) and Kentone Brown (standing, second from right) with BTVI president, Dr Robert W Robertson, BTVI’s Associate Vice President of Fund Development, Alicia Thompson and Cat Island Sailing Association exectives Aliea Rolle, Andrea Sturrup and Pat Strachan. Standing far right is Arley Merzius, a 2014 scholarship recipient.

Photo: Aaron Davis

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