McRib
123 No. 10, Thursday, December 4, 2025
‘I FORGIVE HER, BUT
I WON’T FORGET’
Acid victim breaks silence on life-changing injuries and the woman attacker
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport
Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
BLINDED for life in a 2020 acid attack, Stephanie Ann Braynen says she is relieved, but not satisfied, that the Court of Appeal has upheld the seven-year sentence of the woman who disfigured her, insisting her attacker deserved far more prison time.
Ms Braynen, who lost her sight after Pandora McKenzie threw a metal cup of corrosive liquid
into her face in November 2020, said she is grateful the court refused to cut the sentence after McKenzie appealed just one year into her imprisonment. But she called the punishment “a slap on the wrist” for what she considers “a premeditated attempted murder.”
Despite what she endured, she said she refuses to live with bitterness. “I feel sad for her,” she said. “I don’t hate her. I forgive her. But I won’t forget
FORGIVE - SEE PAGE THREE
Darville says new hospital will not worsen flooding on Perpall Tract
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
A CIVIL engineering report has concluded that the multi-million-dollar specialty hospital planned for the Perpall Tract area will not worsen flooding in nearby communities and is expected to help protect them, according to Health
and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville.
He said this while contributing yesterday to a resolution to borrow $201m for the construction of the new specialty hospital.
“I am pleased to report that the preliminary findings from the civil engineering report verified that
HOSPITAL - SEE PAGE FIVE
• DAVIS warned that The Bahamas can no longer “accept” or “tolerate” outdated healthcare systems as he urged Parliament to approve a US $201m loan to build a new hospital on New Providence. It is “past time to change the status quo on healthcare.” SEE PAGE FIVE
• THE Government is paying $39m over a ten-year period to acquire the recently-completed Harbourside in-patient facility on East Bay Street from Doctors Hospital, it was revealed yesterday. SEE BUSINESS
THE FIRST US Ambassador to The Bahamas in over a decade, Herschel Walker, his wife Julie Walker and his dog Duke, arrived at Jet Nassau terminal, yesterday. See PAGE FOUR
PHOTOS show Stephanie Ann Braynen before and after she was attacked with acid by Pandora McKenzie.
HEALTH MINISTER Dr Michael Darville.
Acid attack victim: seven-year sentence a ‘slap on the wrist’
FORGIVE from page one
she did.” She added: “I really appreciate what the court did. But Pandora should have gotten more than that. She got away with a slap on the wrist. I’m totally blind in both eyes, and my whole life has changed.”
The attack, in November 2020, left Ms Braynen permanently blind and disfigured. She travelled to the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, but doctors were unable to save her sight. Now on a pension, she relies heavily on her children.
“My life changed drastically,” she said. “I have to depend on the children, but I learn how to manoeuvre in the house, do my basic things, but I am in good spirits.”
Ms Braynen believes the case was mishandled from the outset. She argues the original charge of grievous harm did not match the severity of the attack.
“When it first happen, they put it as grievous harm, but this is attempted murder,” she said. “The magistrate said that, but she only could go by what the law allow and that seven years was the maximum she could give.”
She believes the charge was downgraded because
“My life changed drastically. I have to depend on the children, but I learn how to manoeuvre in the house, do my basic things, but I am in good spirits.”
McKenzie’s son is a police officer. “That’s why CID put it down as grievous harm — her son is a police,” she said. “Pandora would’ve been looking at 20 years.”
The criminal proceedings spanned four years, from the attack in 2020 to McKenzie’s conviction on September 16, 2024. “I say, ‘Lord, nothing coming out of this,’” she recalled. “It take four years of going to court back and forth. They keep putting it off.”
McKenzie appealed on September 8 this year, but the Court of Appeal upheld both the conviction and the seven-year term. Ms Braynen said the judges should have imposed a harsher penalty. “Once you go to the Appeals Court, you disrespect what you really supposed to get,” she said.
“Why you still give her the seven years? You supposed to add more.”
She said she has no option to seek civil damages. “She don’t have a pot to piss in,” Ms Braynen said bluntly. “Ain’t nothing I could sue her for.”
What pains her further is that the man at the centre of McKenzie’s suspicions has long moved on.
“The saddest thing is the gentleman she did it for, he done divorced and remarried,” she said. “He called me today to check on me. So what was it over?”
After nearly four years of delays, Ms Braynen said she is grateful the criminal matter has run its course.
“I’m glad they see fit she must stay and finish her time,” she said. “It is what it is. I will live it. And I thank God I lived through it.”
Family mourns ‘kind-hearted’ artist found stabbed on Fernander Road
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune
Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
A 30-YEAR-OLD Gam-
bier Village resident was found dead early Wednesday morning with multiple stab wounds, prompting grief and shock among loved ones and community members who gathered at the scene.
Police were called to Fernander Road shortly after 7am, where they found the body of Kevin Poitier with lacerations to the upper body. Emergency Medical Services confirmed he showed no signs of life. A man is assisting police with their investigation, though officers declined to provide further details.
As word spread, relatives, neighbours and onlookers filled the narrow street, many openly emotional as they struggled to understand what happened to the young man they described as kind-hearted and hardworking.
A bystander whose wife is related to the victim said the family is devastated.
“He is a good artist and he is a cook, so what lead to this I don’t know. He live right where they found him, him and my younger cousin life right there,” he said.
“Right now, all of them having mixed emotions,
first she was extremely depressed finding out. I had to calm her down, but when I get to find out who it was, it leaves me emotionally distorted and I break down crying. I limit my emotions because I have already experienced so much death close to hand but honestly I even shed tears for him because he close to me, but what bother me the most is that Gambier isn’t that type of place, why they turning Gambier into this.
“Gambier ain’t like this, they are turning Gambier like every place else, we had some type of tranquillity, serenity, some type of peace down here but this getting out of control. Everybody know everybody so what lead to something like this. He is a young man bey, he just start living his life.”
He said the loss is especially heavy for his wife.
“I am more sorry for my wife because I just lose my brother two years ago and she had to sit down and help me through my own grieving.”
Killarney MP Dr Hubert Minnis, who visited the scene, urged calm and unity.
“We are all one family and the police has responded and we have the greatest respect and confidence in the police,” he said.
“I am certain they will get over this and this will help
to bring all of us together, support each other, support the family.
“I spoke with the mother and obviously she is distraught and saddened but immediately after Parliament today I will come down and spend more time with the family reassuring them and assisting wherever possible. The community has great respect for the police and we are certain that the police will get to the bottom of this.”
Dr Minnis declined to speak directly about the victim.
“I want to leave all of that for another time,” he said. “Let me speak with the mother first, I spoke briefly with her but I want to talk more to the family first but I am sure someone from the family will speak on behalf of the family.”
Another person at the scene described Mr Poitier as gentle, trusting, and deeply loved.
“Kevin was a sweet individual, and despite whatever anybody say a lot of people could vouch that he was really respectful, helpful and caring person. I felt like his heart was too big at timeS,” she said yesterday at the scene.
“If he is going through something you wouldn’t know because he bottles stuff up and the way they
killed him and just left him like nobody’s child, he is a son, someone brother, someone uncle, he is
somebody.” She said their last conversation was just days ago. “He was happy. He always
Stephanie Ann Braynen lost her sight after Pandora McKenzie threw a metal cup of corrosive liquid into her face in November 2020.
bubbly and nothing could bring him down easy. Anybody who know him know he is this happy go-getter.”
CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT Darville talks with the victim’s mother near the cordoned-off area in Gambier following the deadly stabbing.
Photos: Shawn Hanna
Walker arrives in Nassau, ending 14-year wait for US Ambassador
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
FOURTEEN years after the United States last had a permanent ambassador in The Bahamas, US Ambassador-Designate Herschel Walker arrived yesterday for an official welcome at Jet Nassau, marking the end of a diplomatic gap that had spanned three presidential administrations.
Mr Walker, 63, stepped off the plane alongside wife Julie and their golden retriever, Duke. They were greeted by Foreign Affairs Director General Jerusa Ali and acting Chief of Protocol Celeste Evans-Williams, as senior US Embassy officials looked on. A small pin bearing the American and Bahamian flags was affixed to his jacket.
Also present was Kimberly Furnish, who has served as Chargé d’Affaires since 2024, who will transition to Deputy Chief of Mission. She and husband Michael Dowgiewicz were among the first to greet the ambassador-designate. In a light personal moment on the tarmac, Mrs Furnish handed Mr Walker a football — a nod to his celebrated athletic career — before fastening the dual-flag pin to his coat as
they spoke quietly. Mr Walker becomes the first US ambassador to The Bahamas since Nicole Avant’s departure in 2011. The official residence, Liberty Overlook, has been readied for occupancy after more than a decade of vacancy.
He was nominated in December 2024 by President Donald Trump, a longtime associate, and confirmed by the US Senate in a 51–47 vote. During his September confirmation hearing, Mr Walker said his priorities would include countering China’s influence in the region, strengthening anti-drug-trafficking efforts with the DEA and regional partners, and encouraging US investment to support Bahamian economic growth. A household name in American sports, Mr Walker’s career spans college football, the NFL, Olympic bobsledding and mixed martial arts. He also served as the national spokesperson for the Patriot Support Programme, visiting military bases to promote mental health support and share his own experiences. From 2017 to 2021, he co-chaired the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, and for
US AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE
received by
more than 18 years he led National Health Through Fitness Day, helping connect fitness advocates with lawmakers. He later entered national politics, running for the US Senate
in Georgia in 2022 as a Republican candidate. His campaign was overshadowed by controversy, including allegations of domestic abuse and claims that he paid for a girlfriend’s abortion
despite publicly opposing abortion.
Mr Walker’s arrival brings an end to years of unsuccessful nominations. Since Ambassador Avant’s departure, several nominees failed to advance: Cassandra Butts,
who died before her hearing; Trump nominees Doug Manchester and William Douglass, whose nominations were withdrawn; and President Biden’s nominee, Calvin Smyre, who never proceeded to confirmation.
Pickstock sworn in as Golden Isles MP with vow to ‘work
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Progressive Liberal Party’s Darron Pickstock vowed yesterday to listen, be present and work harder than “anyone has ever worked” as he was officially sworn in as the new member of Parliament for Golden Isles. Mr Pickstock was surrounded by an entourage of friends, family, and supporters who witnessed his inaugural address in the House of Assembly. His election to office follows last month’s by-election where he defeated the FNM’s Brian Brown and two others. In his speech, he reflected on his upbringing and the work ethic that shaped him, recalling how he began by bussing and cleaning tables before becoming a businessman and an attorney, experiences he said helped mould him into the man he is today.
Prime Minister Philip Davis commended him, acknowledging that although his path to office was not easy, still “he overcame.”
He described his journey as a “Bahamian story,” adding: “It’s not how you start, it’s how you end.”
Mr Pickstock thanked Mr Davis for his confidence and guidance while also expressing gratitude to the people of Golden Isles for their support.
He acknowledged public frustration that progress may not be happening as quickly as desired but said the government is taking decisive action to build resilience for the future.
“The governing party asked the people of Golden Isles to give us a chance, to keep moving the needle forward,” he said. “We did not ask them to pretend that everything is fine. We asked them to look honestly at the record of the Davis administration, to look at the direction of the opportunity and the country, and then give us a chance. They agreed, and I feel the weight of that decision.”
He said he believes in a Bahamas where opportunity exists for all, where doors open for those prepared to work, and where the government serves as a partner in progress rather than a barrier.
He also highlighted his ten-point plan for Golden Isles, centred on improved infrastructure, safer spaces
for families, and expanded opportunities, pledging to work until these goals are achieved.
“I will be a man of my word. I will work hard for Golden Isles, harder than anyone has ever worked. I will be present, I will listen, and I will act,” he said. He told residents that whether they voted for him, the opposition, or not at all, he still intended to earn their trust through tangible action.
“I know that some people in Golden Isles did not support me. Some did not come out to vote at all. I say to them today - I hear you as well. You may doubt whether this time will be different. That doubt is understandable. My goal is to give you reasons over time to believe that your Member of Parliament always has your best interest at the forefront.”
Herschel Walker and his wife Julie Walker along with their dog, Duke, arrived at Jet Nassau terminal yesterday. They were
Bahamas Foreign Affairs Director General Jerusa Ali and Acting Chief of Protocol Celest Evans-Williams; also Deputy Chief of Mission Kimberly Furnish, and her husband Michael Dowgiewicz, and welcomed by senior officials from the USEmbassy.
Photos: Shawn Hanna
NEWLY elected MP for Golden Isles, Darren Pickstock, sworn in during a session of the House of Assembly yesterday. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
Davis: ‘We can no longer tolerate outdated healthcare’
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip
“Brave” Davis warned that The Bahamas can no longer “accept” or “tolerate” outdated healthcare systems as he urged Parliament to approve a US $201m loan to build a new hospital on New Providence, declaring that it is “past time to change the status quo on healthcare” in the country.
Leading debate on the borrowing resolution yesterday, Mr Davis said the new facility will “change our reality” and finally give the country the infrastructure needed for modern medical care. The hospital, to be built on 50 acres at Perpall Tract, is expected to take between 31 and 36 months to complete. Plans include dedicated maternity and paediatric wards, emergency and intensive care units, surgical theatres, diagnostic labs and masscasualty infrastructure.
“It will mean more beds and treatment rooms, stronger diagnostic services, and a facility built for the health challenges of this century rather than the last century,” Mr Davis said. He added that concerns about operating two hospitals must be weighed against the broader shifts already underway within
the system. “We are under no illusion that new facilities will automatically solve all of our healthcare woes. That is why we have strengthened so many critical areas of healthcare in our nation in preparation for this moment.”
Mr Davis said the new Accident & Emergency wing at Princess Margaret Hospital will open within weeks, with additional clinics being built and more healthcare workers in training. Still, he acknowledged that no single initiative — including the new hospital
— is a “silver bullet” for long-standing challenges.
“We view the entire healthcare system – the clinics, hospitals, labs, diagnostic facilities, and preventative healthcare initiatives – as a cohesive ecosystem working together for the good of our people,” he said, while cautioning that staffing and resourcing remain critical issues for the new project.
Mr Davis said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of the system and underscored the urgent need for reform. He stressed that frontline
workers were not to blame for the failures revealed during the crisis.
“Our issues with healthcare are many and deep-rooted in systems and philosophies that no longer serve the needs of a 21st-century Bahamas,” he said. “We can no longer accept, no longer tolerate an outdated healthcare models that have been in place for far too long. It is past time to change the status quo on healthcare in The Bahamas.”
He framed the initiative as part of a broader
philosophical commitment by the Progressive Liberal Party.
“The Progressive Liberal Party was built on the principles of access and equity,” he said. “We see healthcare as a right, not a privilege. We see it as an investment in national development, not an expense.”
Mr Davis listed the government’s achievements so far, including expanded emergency medical services to the Family Islands, clinic repairs and construction, expansion of the Prescription Drug Plan, NHI primary care coverage and the launch of the Catastrophic Care Fund.
Despite these improvements, he said the population has long outgrown Princess Margaret Hospital.
“Considering the state of PMH, it is abundantly clear that a new facility was and is needed,” he said. Incremental fixes “are not sufficient to keep up with the emerging needs of our population,” he added, arguing the country cannot afford extended political wrangling about location or scope.
“We don’t have the luxury of time to have back-and-forth discussions or whether we just needed another room added on to PMH when people are sick and dying and need us
to take decisive action,” he said. “The decision has been made. New Providence is getting a new hospital, and we are securing the funding for that hospital today.”
Meanwhile, Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the issue with the funding resolution was not the use of international partnerships but the lack of transparency, which he said repeatedly characterises the Davis administration.
He argued that Bahamians should not be asked to approve “a major infrastructure loan, more than a quarter a billion dollars without clear disclosure of terms, without clarity on the labor arrangement, without sustainability plan being laid in this house for staffing and operations, and without a transparent explanation as to why the government canceled the fully financed $90 million hospital upgrade that was ready to begin under the FNM.”
Mr Pintard said large projects in The Bahamas frequently suffer cost overruns, delays and quality concerns, adding that responsible financing requires clear repayment plans and proper risk assessment. He also criticised the current state of the healthcare system, citing staff shortages, limited resources and poor working conditions.
Engineering report clears hospital plan of flood risks, says Darville
newly purposed hospital will not, I say will not add to the flooding challenges in surrounding communities,”
Dr Darville said. “But will instead add much added value and protection by the design drainage system for the hospital.”
Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Dr Darville said residents had expressed concerns that the hospital could make flooding “even worser.” Those fears were raised during a heated Department of Physical Planning hearing in October.
These concerns were also highlighted in the town planning certificate, prompting the committee to require an in-depth drainage plan for the hospital. The Ministry of Works later approved this plan. After the town hall meeting, a contract was awarded to Caribbean Civil Engineering Group
Limited to study the East Grove and Perpall Tract drainage systems and recommend mitigation strategies. Dr Darville said the drainage design for the hospital’s 50-acre site has been completed and submitted to the Ministry of Works. A detailed engineering analysis of the well fields was also provided, addressing how heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Imelda affected the Fort Charlotte area. The report outlined maintenance issues in the well fields, including malfunctioning floodgates and uncleared drainage canals. It also proposed a broad mitigation strategy for nearby communities, including expanded drainage ponds.
“This flood mitigation strategy will carry a substantial cost that will have be underwritten by the government in collaboration with the Water and Sewerage Cooperation with meaningful
input from the Member of Parliament for the Fort Charlotte consituency anfd the residenyts of Forth Charlotte to ensure that the long-term resilience, addressing public health safety issues and ultimately the protection to their properties,” Dr Darville said. Residents have continued to argue that flooding from Tropical Storm Imelda shows Perpall Tract is unsuitable for the new hospital. Many recalled widespread inundation after the storm.
Dr Darville previously clarified that the facility will not sit within the well fields and that its buildings will be positioned on higher ground, seven to fourteen feet above sea level.
Dr Darville said further details will be released in the coming weeks regarding the engineering report, the labour composition ratios of Bahamian versus foreign workers, and the
projected 30–36 month construction timeline. He assured the opposition that all signed agreements and technical reports will be tabled in the House of Assembly.
Dr Darville said conditional approval was granted for a concessional loan equivalent to $300m by the China EXIM Bank. He added that after technical review, engineering consultants recommended switching to reinforced
concrete, resulting in more than $22m in savings and lowering the project’s estimate to $268m.
PRIME MINISTER Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks during House of Assembly yesterday.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
HOSPITAL
The Tribune Limited
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“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH,
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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PM is not a newcomer
THERE is something quite remarkable in Prime Minister Philip Davis, as he nears the end of his first term as leader of the nation, declaring that we can no longer accept outdated healthcare systems. After all, if things have become outdated, a significant portion of that has happened on his watch.
Mr Davis cannot pretend to be some newcomer to the scene. It is 32 years since he was first elected as an MP, back in 1992. He served as deputy prime minister under Perry Christie’s administration from 201217 as well. He is no neophyte suddenly discovering that things are amiss. Yesterday, however, he declared that “we can no longer accept, no longer tolerate outdated healthcare models that have been in place for far too long. It is past time to change the status quo on healthcare in The Bahamas”.
Well, welcome to the debate, Mr Davis – but if this was such a priority, if it was unacceptable, why was it not something that you tackled in your first year in office in 2021 rather than waiting until your final year before an imminent election? Is the healthcare revolution going to happen before voters make their mark or is this just setting up your manifesto for the campaign trail?
The matter was raised as part of discussions over the proposed new hospital for New Providence, paid for through a $201m loan and over which there have been numerous questions.
Questions do not always represent opposition – though they are often taken as such.
Some of those questions have been about how a healthcare system already short of staff – last month it was reported the country is short of 500 nurses – will manage to find the recruits to run a whole extra hospital. The shortage we have at present is for the current staffing needs, let alone extra on top. The price tag for those extra salaries will be hefty in itself.
That is not to put down any thoughts of whether such facilities are needed, or to downplay the benefits of improved health services or extra personnel to deal with the injuries and illnesses so many of us face. Far from it – it is simply doing what any of our teachers asked us to do when we were in school: Show your work.
Mr Davis went on to talk about achievements of his government, which is slightly odd to do when you are talking about the inadequacies of the healthcare system. He talked about NHI – though we have
reported a number of times about the slow payments from government to providers. He talked about the Catastrophic Care Fund – though there have been concerns raised about how the fund’s awards are decided. He talked about clinic construction – though The Tribune has heard complaints from residents about clinics being built or half-built then not properly staffed.
There was another curiosity raised yesterday – the country to pay $39m over ten years to buy a newly built in-patient facility on East Bay Street from Doctors Hospital.
Health Minister Dr Michael Darville did not respond to Tribune Business questions on the deal yesterday, including the rationale for the lease-to-purchase move and what benefits it will deliver for the Bahamian people and public healthcare, plus what plans there are to ensure it is adequately staffed and resourced when the government takes control.
It seems unusual to announce a significant purchase without spelling out how it will actually benefit anyone. Why, you would think officials would rush to explain what it will do to help us all if we do indeed need a revolution in healthcare.
Dr Darville was also somewhat dismissive of concerns about flooding in communities surrounding the new hospital, saying the new hospital will not add to flooding in the area. And yet, in recent bad weather, the extent of flooding was clear to see. How the footprint of a major hospital would not displace extra water into neighbouring areas is hard to fathom.
The Bahamas certainly deserves excellent healthcare. It is certainly something that we should strive for. But for the prime minister to suddenly declare a system he has been a part of building for many years is outdated is a tough line to swallow. Becoming outdated is something to happen over decades. Not everything can be blamed on the COVID years.
A single hospital will not solve all those ills either – not when we hear stories of decay and collapsed floors at other health facilities.
The new hospital must not be the be-all and end-all of transforming our healthcare, nor should all this have been left until so late in the day if it is indeed so urgent.
So we look forward to this revolutionary plan – we anticipate the details eagerly. Even if we wonder why it has taken so long.
Demand answers on Carmichael Village
EDITOR, The Tribune.
IT is troubling to watch how this government handles serious issues. Every time something questionable comes to light, the response seems to be the same. We saw it with the Grand Lucayan, where Bahamians have been waiting more than six months for a straightforward update on the sale. Now we are seeing the same pattern with the Carmichael Village Development Project, and this one raises even bigger concerns. It has been more than five months since questions were first raised in Parliament about the company attached to this project. Since then, not a single clear explanation has been given. What makes this worse is that the silence continues even as the government’s own Public Debt Statistical Bulletin shows that the amount of public money tied to this company has ballooned. The report confirms that the total now stands at more than $20 million. This is not hearsay or as the Prime Minster described it, “politically motivated.” It is written in an official
government document for everyone to see. What makes people uneasy is not just the size of the number, but the fact that this money has gone to a company that appears to barely exist. There is no public record of a business licence, no sign of experience, and no explanation from any minister about how such a company could receive tens of millions in taxpayers’ dollars. For the government to act as if these questions do not deserve answers only makes people wonder what they are trying to avoid. When Bahamians raise concerns about matters like this, we are often told it is politics or that the Opposition is stirring things up. But that excuse does not work here. The figures are printed in the government’s own report. The questions came after information was placed on the public record. And even if someone wanted to dismiss the source, the public still deserves an explanation when millions of their dollars are being handed out with no transparency. The silence around Carmichael Village reminds
many of the same silence around the Grand Lucayan. While the issues are different, the attitude is the same. When deadlines pass and promise fall apart, nobody is held responsible. And while people wait for answers, life moves on for those in charge as if nothing happened. We cannot allow this to become normal. We cannot sit quietly while millions of dollars go unaccounted for and major national projects remain shrouded in uncertainty. Bahamians work too hard and sacrifice too much to have their own government refuse to level with them.
It is time for everyday people to demand answers on Carmichael Village, just as many still demand answers on the Grand Lucayan. Call your MP. Speak up in your community. Ask the questions the government is avoiding. Because if we continue to accept silence on matters like this, we will only see more of it. And in the end, we are the ones who pay the price
RYAN THOMPSON Nassau, December 2, 2025.
Real local govt is what we need
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I JUST would like to introduce a couple of ideas to the fray, regarding what I see as a direct impediment to the upward mobility the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the way we have perceived our involvement with the various constituency elected members of our Legislative Assembly, to be one of begging them to do this, or that, when their mandate is as clear as mud ‘the protection of the state, and the tail end being the overall welfare of The Bahamian people, seemed straightforward enough, but oftentimes doesn’t seemed so, why?
As I delve into the mechanical tit bits, sifting through the knots & bolts how out system government comes across, I couldn’t help myself in conclude after a self examination of matters on the ground, that it is an archaic belonging to an earlier time, antiquated, dated, obsolete, outmoded time, I am sorry but it is the depiction that my analysis belted out?
Haven’t laid the foundation of possibly where Have Proffered Go, I wished to evoke by association of ideas, that a parliament comprising of 39 seats, to govern, and I just heard Father God say that our population sits at 554 thousand very mixed by unreasonable proportion of local foreigners, ratio that does challenge the lesser, greater sums, quote, end quote. This disparity focuses on Bahamians and the level struggles, hardships taxes being live daily, and meager salaries paid weekly, monthly God knows how many of the ends were being meted out, or could it be that activities not so decent were fueling much of the revenues acquired?
In making my argument, contribution further does wish to layout some geographical facts to the Bahamas, our Status: Monarchy, Area: roughly 13,939 square km (5,382 square miles), Capital: Nassau, Language: English, Creole, French Creole, Religion: Protestant, Roman Catholic, Currency: Dollar, Organisation: CARICOM, COMM, UN.
An archipelago of about 700 islands and 2400 Cays in the northern Atlantic Ocean 50miles off the Florida coast and resting just on the north side of the Republic of Cuba. About 22 of the islands of the Bahamas are inhabited, and two thirds of the population live on the main island of New Providence. The climate is warm for much of the year, with heavy rainfall in the summer. Tourism is the islands, rather the country’s main industry. Banking, Insurance and ship registration are also major foreign exchange earners. Export includes oil transshipments, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, crayfish-lobster and rum. Now, according to the gross domestic product the total value of goods produced and services provided in the country in one year. And the gross national product the gross domestic product plus the total of net income from abroad, were so marginal fail see why have the governments for decades haven’t limited the foreign elements here operating tourist related businesses, and having to export the lucrative sums, the revenues to their home countries, the likes of Mexico, Cuba, US, Asia, Europe, Africa, and God knows who, or where else ( these are all opportunities for the Bahamian people (the taxpayers) and who have advertised the destination via of the Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism (again using taxpayers money), yet on the competitive and profiteering end were no Bahamians hogging up what were legally hashed out by Father God for the Bahamian people, gone forever, why?
A friend of mine working downtown Nassau, in one of the jewelry stores, told me one time, brother could you loan me a couple of dollars til I get paid, because all of the money made in the store have to be sent to New York first and after they calculate and do whatever, the salaries then is sent back to
our store to be paid, so the salaries are always late, that is horrible. Now, can you imagine the number of local opportunities intercepted by the foreign elements and people who have great wealth much more than local people stripping the Bahamian people of their tourist dollars? All of the visitors shopping in jewelry stores downtown hoarding away what was meant to sustain our people being exported daily, no wonder the average Bahamian is experiencing levels of hardships not seen since the great depression, covet is a joke compared to that.
Just consider what the Cruise Ship industry is doing to our country, they are in direct competition with the Bahamas’ Ministry of Tourism, how come, they have their own little island and it have been configured resorts, selling all of the amenities available on Nassau, or Paradise island, and the governments doesn’t see anything wrong with it?
Here is my solution to the chaos, introduce local government in a real way to all of the 39 constituencies, giving each workable budget and the autonomy to operate, that way, the managers will be on the ground daily and able to identify those needs, responsive to those needs, rather than having to wait on central government to come if and when they are able to, is a more progressive state to be in, anything is better than what we currently have.
My heart goes out to younger Bahamians who really want to do things in their country, stuff that will benefit them and their families greatly, improve life but conditions don’t appear to belong to these people, but why? When I look at how people in some other countries are progressing, business wise, nice homes, quality education, college degrees, and being able to send their children to the very best colleges, university, I become bitter but in a good way?
I rest because many of you cannot take it.
FRANK GILBERT Nassau, December 3, 2025.
HEADS UP, EVERYONE: there’s a new cartoonist in town – and nobody in authority or power should consider themselves safe from his pointed pen. The Tribune’s brilliant new cartoonist, Lamaro Smith, will be skewering hypocrisy, highlighting absurdity, and giving readers plenty to think about.
Let love rule
By RICK FOX
I have been in public life long enough to understand politics, personalities, and pressure.
I am not surprised that a politician seeking attention would publicly claim he didn't know I was Bahamian. What alarms me deeply is that the Minister of Tourism chose to send a demoralising message to the next generation of Bahamians who aspire to come home, contribute, serve, and use their global success to elevate the brand of The Bahamas for all of us. What is he telling them: that the moment they speak up, challenge the status quo, or call for accountability, their citizenship too can suddenly be “questioned,” their loyalty “doubted,” their contribution “erased”? If that is the precedent he is setting, then this is not a personal attack on me; it is a threat to our country’s future.
Three Decades of Global Value Grounded in Bahamian Pride
If a lifetime of work, decades of service, and billions in measurable value can be dismissed or distorted for political convenience, then what does that signal to the young Bahamians watching?
My work across professional sports, Hollywood, global business, climate tech, entrepreneurship, innovation, and diplomacy has arguably generated
measurable results that can be substantiated through globally recognised standards that evaluate a brand’s individual impact on a country.
The Prime Minister understood this when he appointed me Ambassador-at-Large. As an astute and responsible leader, he did his homework. He validated my contributions, and he continues to celebrate the value of leveraging Bahamians with global reach.
A Leader Who Understood the Assignment
The late Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, the former PLP Minister of Tourism, understood the importance
of global representation. He didn't cast doubt on Bahamians who served; he empowered them.
He included me at the forefront of a four-year global tourism campaign, including a Super Bowl television and print campaign seen by more than 110 million people. He understood that Bahamian excellence strengthens The Bahamas. Where Leadership Should Know Better
Of all the people sitting in positions of power, the Minister of Tourism should be the first to understand the value of global Bahamian ambassadors. His ministry depends on it. Our national brand depends on it.
When the leader responsible for promoting The Bahamas abroad chooses instead to undermine any Bahamian who elevates the country's image, it becomes more than a political moment; it becomes a failure of responsibility and introduces a credibility gap.
Those who profit from division will always try to shift the conversation.
Any Minister who publicly diminishes Bahamians that elevate the nation globally not only damages our nation's brand but also erodes the credibility of the office they hold.
The larger issue, as I see it, is our leaders still have not answered the fundamental questions Bahamians
The late Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, the former PLP Minister of Tourism, understood the importance of global representation. He didn’t cast doubt on Bahamians who served; he empowered them.
are asking about transparency, voter apathy, or the more than 2,500 missing or newly registered voters who appeared or disappeared in Golden Isles over the last four years.
I have been consistent and clear: Our democracy needs strengthening. Our elections need full transparency. And Bahamians deserve security to vote without financial recourse and with total confidence that the secrecy of their ballot is protected and counted accurately.
Live-streaming of the election process from ballot boxes to vote counting would be a major step forward in restoring voter trust. When speaking about voter apathy, it isn't to blame the tired, weary, and
disenfranchised voter — it is to incite hope and inspire all Bahamians that the system that is failing us can be restored.
These questions remain unanswered. Today I challenge all Ministers, especially the Minister who challenged my citizenship, to declare where they stand on these issues. Answering the following questions would be the first step in showing that they have the capacity to put country before party:
Where do you stand on streaming the election process?
Where do you stand on a National Day of Civic Duty to make it possible for all Bahamians to vote safely and securely?
Will you commit to address any additional issues that reduce voters' faith in the integrity of our elections before the next national election is called?
Our Democracy Is on the Line Elections are the heartbeat of our nation and a global measure of our democratic strength. Moving toward the 2026 General Election without addressing the flaws exposed in the recent by-election is unacceptable. Bahamians deserve transparency before we ask them to cast another vote. Accountability, integrity, and respect must guide us forward. The next generation is watching! Let our love for The Bahamas rule.
Pastors help residents return looted barge items
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
NORTH Abaco pastors are helping residents voluntarily return items taken from the Brooklyn Bridge barge that ran aground last month, as pressure mounts over repeated ship groundings in Abaco and what critics call inadequate penalties for reef damage.
Bishop Cedric Bullard of the North Abaco Pastors Association said people have begun contacting their pastors to say items from the barge are in their possession. He said the goods will be collected and taken to the port for Customs inspection.
He said several people have indicated they will return items, though he could not yet say how many. Bishop Bullard said some residents initially took goods believing they were helping protect cargo from water damage.
“They got items from the barge, thinking they were retrieving by lightening the load or sealing the stuff from being destroyed by water, eventually going into the sea,” he said.
“After they realised the news of the government and they were talking about, ‘well, if you move the stuff, it's considered stolen, they decided to turn it back.”
Chief Superintendent Michael Thurston, officer in charge of Abaco, said police must evaluate the circumstances of attempts to return items — whether they were given to people, received unintentionally, or taken from the barge.
Pressed on whether voluntary returns would spare people from charges, he said: “We will consider, we sit down and consider them voluntarily bringing it. Each situation may be different, but we would consider persons in that category.”
He said no additional arrests have been made.
Three men have been charged with looting to date: Darron Lightbourne, Fairel McIntosh and Mosell Smith, who allegedly stole washers, dryers, engines and electronics.
Environment Minister Zane Lightbourne told Parliament yesterday the barge owner will be fined and required to cover all
restoration costs under the Environmental Planning and Protection Act.
Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), has said the owners will be fined at least a $20k spot fine. Mr Lightbourne said an on-site inspection by ministry divers confirmed “extensive physical damage” to the reef.
During the Brooklyn Bridge barge’s journey, the chain connecting the tug boat to the vessel snapped, allowing it to drift and run aground. The minister said: “The ministry's initial assessment documented widespread damage, including broken coral fragments on the sea floor, shattered reef structures and areas where the reef was scraped down to bare limestone. The damage caused by the tow line dragging across the reef, the barge resting directly on the coral, and the debris that fell from the vessel caused extensive damage.”
“The ministry has determined that continued monitoring and further assessment will be necessary to determine the precise restoration needs and to guide any required legal or remedial actions.”
The ministry has asked the Perry Institute of Marine Science Bahamas Undersea Research Foundation to undertake a more detailed assessment. Mr Lightbourne said standardised data is needed to support mitigation and restoration work, guide planning and regulatory decisions, and assist with insurance or legal evaluations. He added: “Although immediate replacement of lost coral is not possible significantly or scientifically, guided intervention can significantly enhance recovery, reduce erosion and help compensate for ecological loss.”
North Andros MP John Pinder said the Brooklyn Bridge incident is part of a wider pattern of barges running aground in Abaco and “ruin our natural resources.” He said vessels are travelling too close to Bahamian waters to “take shortcuts for a profit,” arguing that if they remained further offshore “they would have
been able to get a hold of that vessel before it ruined another reef.”
He pointed to groundings in Fowl Cay National Park, Treasure Cay and near Sandy Cay National Park, saying there have been “probably about a half dozen in the past few years that have run aground in Abaco because of the negligence of the captain, the owners, the operators going too close to shore in Abaco.” He said operators should “stop taking shortcuts to make a small profit and ruin the livelihoods of Abacocians.”
Mr Pinder said people in the area “are fishermen” and “seamen” who “live and breathe in those waters,” adding that when a reef is destroyed, “you're not just destroying some coral, you're not just destroying some fish and some livelihood. You're destroying livelihoods. You're destroying Bahamians paychecks. You're destroying what we have for the next generations.”
He called for dramatically higher penalties for barge groundings, saying “we should increase the fees for these barges running the ground to astronomical amounts. Charge them a million dollars. I guarantee we won't see another one of them,” and argued that “having only 10s of 1000s of dollars of penalties on the books to relay, we need to increase that. We need to increase it to seven figures, easily, seven figures, and make a statement that our waters are not to be trifled with. Our reefs are not to be trifled with. Bahamians livelihoods are not to be trifled with. Stop cutting your journey short to make an extra profit or save a little bit of time and running in to the abaconian waters.”
Environmental activist Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, executive director of BREEF, also criticised the proposed $20,000 fine. “I did see what was posted, that they were being fined $20,000 which is obviously totally inadequate, and there needs to be, you know, proper evaluation of the area of reef that was damaged and a calculation of the fines that should be
assessed.”
She said she does not believe $20,000 is the legal maximum, pointing to provisions in the Environmental Planning and Protection Act. She noted there is “a provision for assessing damages and also the cost to restore the reef,” and said that in other jurisdictions “the fines are in the range of several million dollars,” adding that The Bahamas
does “have provisions in the Environmental Planning and Protection Act to assess larger fine from that.”
Asked if a $20,000 fine would be a meaningful penalty, she said: “It would be a slap on the wrist, and it definitely needs to be considerably higher than that.”
She said a proper assessment is needed of “how much reef area was
actually damaged and how much was destroyed,” adding there is “a critical window of time to recover some of the corals that may have been displaced and reattach them.” She warned that “that window of time is rapidly closing,” and said that “from what I've seen, there are parts of the reef that have been completely destroyed, and a proper assessment needs to be done with that.”
RICK FOX (right) with the late Obie Wilchcombe, former PLP Minister of Tourism, who did the Behold campaign.
Junkanoo Authority Bill amid ongoing dispute
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Davis administration tabled the controversial National Junkanoo Authority Bill in the House of Assembly yesterday, a move officials hailed as ushering in the next phase in the life of Junkanoo.
The bill is largely similar to the version released for public consultation earlier this year.
Its introduction follows a highly publicised dispute between the government and the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP), which likened the bill to an attempt to centralise control and roll back the organisation’s self-governance.
The dispute escalated in October when the government transferred oversight of the the upcoming parades to the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) and ordered an audit
of the JCNP. The change sparked complaints about consultation, transparency, and funding, prompting the JCNP to privately claim that the groups would sit out this season’s parades.
However, all major Junkanoo A-groups have since said they will return to Bay Street for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades. Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg did not address the controversy in Parliament yesterday, but thanked the cultural community for participating in efforts to strengthen the management and support of Junkanoo.
He acknowledged that change can be challenging but added that growth requires courage and careful reflection.
He said: “We believe the country is ready for the next phase in the life of Junkanoo. We are in a better position today because we
have listened, learned, and worked together. There may still be important conversations ahead, but I am confident that within the Junkanoo community, we have partners who care deeply about this art form and who want to build the best possible future for it and for The Bahamas.”
Under the proposed bill, an authority would be established to regulate national parades, manage funding, create for-profit subsidiaries, foster public interest and oversee a National Junkanoo Fund.
The fund would be financed through parliamentary appropriations, ticket sales, donations, and revenue-generating activities, and have the authority to borrow money, own property, and establish forprofit subsidiaries.
Instead of the originally proposed 15 members, the bill now calls for a 17-member governing body appointed by the Minister,
representing a range of stakeholders and cultural institutions.
The members include government representatives, people with experience in finance, management, law, commerce, culture, youth development, or the arts, and chairpersons of the JCNP, National Junkanoo Committee, Grand Bahama Junkanoo Corporation, and Family Island Junkanoo Corporation.
With the Minister’s approval, the Authority may make regulations for participant registration, safety and conduct at parades, official parade routes and schedules.
The bill would also install local committees across the archipelago, with funding provided by the Authority.
“Junkanoo belongs to the Bahamian people. Together, we will keep it strong, keep it safe, and keep it growing,” Mr Bowleg said.
HIV-POSITIVE MURDER ACCUSED DENIED BAIL BY COURT OF APPEAL
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
THE Court of Appeal has dismissed a bail application from an HIV-positive man accused of murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, upholding a Supreme Court ruling that his release would pose a serious risk to public safety.
The appellant, who requires daily antiretroviral medication, blood work and regular monitoring, argued that continued detention at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS) jeopardised his health. He claimed the conditions of his confinement were harsh, saying he was forced to use a slop bucket, sleep on a steel bedframe with cardboard and sheets as padding, and had limited bedding. He maintained these conditions worsened his medical issues and interfered with his treatment regimen, which includes the antiretroviral drug Acriptega.
However, the Court of Appeal noted that his HIV diagnosis was disclosed only orally during the bail hearing and was not included in his affidavit, preventing the prosecution and the court from properly examining the claim.
A BDOCS medical report later obtained during the appeal confirmed the appellant’s medical conditions — HIV, a seizure disorder and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease — were being actively managed.
The report said: “Inmate [DR] is known to the Medical Department [sic]; he suffers from seizure disorder and a viral illness which he has been placed on Dilantin 300mg and Acriptega one tablet once daily. He has also been treated for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Follow-up for these conditions can be done at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. If deemed necessary by the attending physician, referrals can be made to Princess Margaret Hospital or Ministry of Health Clinic on Rosetta Street.”
The appellant also argued that he had no prior convictions and that detention
would hinder his ability to prepare his defence and support his family. Court records contradicted this, listing multiple convictions — housebreaking, stealing, attempted housebreaking, assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property and threats of death. He also had two outstanding warrants, which prosecutors said increased the risk of flight. His legal team advanced two further grounds, claiming the Supreme Court judge had not allowed him a proper opportunity to address his criminal history and ongoing matters. The Court of Appeal rejected this, noting the Bail Act required the judge to consider those records and that the appellant failed in his duty of full and frank disclosure by omitting them from his affidavit.
The appellant also asserted he “did not feel” he received a fair hearing. The Court of Appeal said a subjective feeling of unfairness, without supporting evidence, does not amount to a constitutional breach. A review of the ruling showed the judge considered all relevant material, heard submissions from both sides and provided detailed written reasons.
Justice Neil Brathwaite had previously determined the appellant was not a fit and proper candidate for bail and denied the application.
The Court of Appeal upheld that decision, concluding the Supreme Court properly balanced the appellant’s constitutional right to liberty with the need to protect public safety. The judges said the lower court correctly applied the Bail Act, including provisions governing serious offences, and fairly assessed his criminal history, outstanding matters and credibility.
“For the reasons set out above, none of the grounds advanced by the Appellant has any substance,” the appellate court said. “The learned Judge applied the correct legal principles, considered all relevant matters, disregarded irrelevant ones and arrived at conclusions that were fully open to him on the evidence.”
Woman alleges she was orally raped by trusted family friend
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN testified yesterday that a once trusted family friend forced his genitals into her mouth while she was blindfolded and practising for an eating competition. The now 24-year-old complainant, whose name is being withheld to protect her identity, gave evidence in the rape trial of Gary Talbot Cooper, 59, before Justice Dale Fitzpatrick. Prosecutors allege Cooper orally raped her when she was 21 on January 14, 2023. The complainant said Cooper picked her up from Contour Me Body Studio on East Street South in his black Nissan Note, telling her they would practise for an eating competition he had previously mentioned. She said she agreed to go to his house because she trusted him, describing him as a family friend who was her sister’s godfather.
Before the incident, she said they had a close relationship and were like father and daughter. After they brought groceries into the house, she said Cooper told her to sit in a brown chair while he warmed up the food. She testified that he placed the food on a table, blindfolded her with a black cloth, and fed her various items — fruits, macaroni and whipped cream among them — five in total. She said Cooper praised her when she correctly identified what she was eating. She told the court that one item felt strange, and when she questioned him, he assured her it was a hot dog. She said he kept putting it in her mouth. She testified that after he removed the hot dog, Cooper placed his penis in her mouth. She described it as soft and said it smelt of foreskin. She said Cooper told her to “suck and pull.” At that point, she pulled off the blindfold
and claimed Cooper hurried to put his penis back in his pants. She said she asked him why he had done it and why he felt that way about her. Although angry, she said she tried to remain calm because she was in his home.
She said Cooper denied putting his genitals in her mouth and told her he had only masturbated while feeding her. She testified that on the drive back to the studio, he again denied the assault but admitted to having feelings for her. She said he told her not to tell anyone because it would ruin his life.
The complainant said she recorded a conversation between them as she questioned him. In that recording, played in court, a male voice is heard begging a woman, saying he would do anything she asks, asking for forgiveness, and saying he would never do it again. A male voice is also heard saying, “please don’t destroy
me,” and later a female voice says, “Gary go in your car.” She identified both voices as hers and Cooper’s.
She said Cooper cried during the recorded exchange and begged her not to report him. She said she called her mentor, Ms Hanna, who picked her up. After telling Ms Hanna what happened, she agreed to inform her mother and the police.
She said she gave a statement at the Central Detective Unit and handed over the recordings. She later went to Princess Margaret Hospital, where her mouth was swabbed and she was placed on an IV drip.
During a police station confrontation, she said Cooper refused to look her in the eyes, treating her as if she was a stranger.
She told prosecutor Terry Archer she did not give Cooper permission to put his penis in her mouth and identified him
in court as her assailant. Under cross-examination, defence attorney Wilber Deleveaux suggested she was giving only half the story. She denied this. He suggested it was Cooper’s birthday that day. He also suggested she told Ms Hanna a different set of food items to make her story more believable, which she denied.
The complainant said that when she removed the blindfold she only saw Cooper holding a hot dog because he had already put his penis back in his pants. She said she knew the object earlier was a penis because of the smell.
She agreed that Cooper offered her a vehicle in the audio recording, but denied threatening to report rape unless he provided one. She also denied approaching him at a mall seeking a vehicle in exchange for dropping charges, saying she had not seen him in two years. She denied making up the allegations to extort him.
She confirmed Cooper had given her rides in the past. She also agreed she told police that Cooper allegedly told her not to bite in addition to “suck and pull.”
She told the defence she no longer has the iPhone she used to record the audio. She said her statement to police reflected exactly what she told them and that she signed it.
When questioned by the jury, she said she did not leave the house immediately after the assault because she needed evidence. She said without the recording it would’ve been his word against hers. She also said she had not told her family beforehand that she was going to practise for an eating competition. Throughout her testimony, the complainant remained calm and composed.
In addition to Mr Archer, Jacklyn Conyers also served as a prosecutor.
MAN WHO ‘FORGOT’ CASH IN BAG LOSES OVER $46,000 TO CROWN
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
AN American tourist had $46,748 forfeited to the Crown yesterday after admitting he made a false declaration to a US officer at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Tuesday. Christopher Kuzlik, 52, of Chicago, Illinois, told the officer he was carrying only $8,000. However, a search of his bag shortly before 1pm on December 2 revealed he had significantly more. Kuzlik pleaded guilty to making a false declaration
to an officer of the United States before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly Burrows. He told the court he is a frequent visitor to The Bahamas and had recently won money at Atlantis Casino. He said he forgot he had additional cash in his backpack. Kuzlik apologised for failing to make the correct declaration. He was fined $500 or face one month in prison. The seized $46,748 will remain forfeited to the Crown.
Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the matter.
MAN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED RAPE OF FEMALE ROOMMATE
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded to custody yesterday after he was accused of attempting to rape his female roommate on East Street last weekend. Prosecutors allege Anthony Grant, 36, attempted to rape the 22-year-old woman on the night of November 29. The woman was reportedly able to resist and fight him off before fleeing their apartment.
Grant was charged with attempted rape before Magistrate Abigail Farrington. He was not required to enter a plea. The case will proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment. He must apply for bail in the higher court. Grant will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the service of his VBI on March 27 2026. Assistant Superintendent of Police K Bould prosecuted the matter.
‘Tumultuous’ year for Family Islands as airline issues bite
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
TOURISM officials say shifting airline capacity, rising competition and uneven demand made 2025 a difficult year for the Family Islands, as Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board executive director Kerry Fountain outlined the pressures shaping what he described as a “tumultuous” period for the sector.
Speaking at the Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association’s 73rd Annual General Meeting, Mr Fountain said the year began on a “steady footing,” boosted by a post-US election surge that lifted room revenue in November and December last
year. However, he said the sector soon entered a “little wobbly” stretch tied to tariffs and intensifying competition from cruise activity in Nassau, which he stressed must be considered. “Last year, in November after the elections, just like the stock market, our business went up. November, December compared to 2023 numbers were up healthfully,” he said. The collapse of Silver Airways in June compounded difficulties. Mr Fountain said the industry “lost one of our biggest airline partners,” noting that signs of trouble were visible as early as last December when it appeared the airline was “not going to make it.” He said Makers Air and Aztec
Air tried to “make it up,” but their smaller aircraft could not replace Silver’s 40-to-72-seat planes. Bahamasair has assisted, he said, but a gap remains. He said islands with reliable air service performed better than those hit by schedule disruptions. Abaco, Andros, Bimini, San Salvador, Eleuthera and Long Island were “up,” while Exuma, Acklins and Cat Island were down. He linked Exuma’s decline directly to the loss of Silver Airways.
From January to October, room nights sold increased in Abaco, Bimini, Eleuthera and San Salvador, while Andros was “basically flat.” Room nights fell in Acklins, Cat Island and Exuma. Room revenue climbed in Abaco,
Andros, Bimini, Eleuthera, Long Island and San Salvador but slipped in Acklins, Cat Island and Exuma.
Reviewing the broader picture, Mr Fountain said outer-island room nights were up 0.5 percent. Choosing to emphasise the positive, he said “point five percent up is better than point five percent down.” He added that room revenue is significantly ahead of year-to-date 2024.
He said he avoids presenting occupancy figures for the out islands because “that would be a bit depressing,” arguing that room nights and room revenue are more meaningful measures.
Mr Fountain said “over-tourism” in New
Providence represents an opening for the Family Islands. “I think of the foot traffic that I see every day, walking from Downtown Nassau to Junkanoo Beach. Tourists don't want to see that,” he said. Travellers seeking to avoid crowds are increasingly willing to travel during the off-season, he added, calling it a further opportunity.
The BOIPB website OutIslands.com attracted 300,000 visitors this year, up four percent from 2024, while hotel lead conversions rose 102 percent. He said this indicator is crucial because it is “not how many people visit the website, but how many hotel leads we generate.”
Looking ahead, Mr Fountain pointed to data
showing inbound demand strengthening: 84 percent of travellers plan to travel more in 2026, and they expect to spend more on accommodations. He likened today’s competitive environment to the chaotic croquet scene in Alice in Wonderland, where “nothing remains stable for very long.” He compared technology to Alice’s flamingo mallet, customers and employees to the hedgehog that “gets up and moves to another part of the court,” and regulators to the card soldiers shifting at the Queen of Hearts’ command. He said this mirrors the reality for tourism operators contending with fluctuating markets, rising costs, changing consumer habits and evolving regulation.
AI takes centre stage at tourism AGM as new tool unveiled
By KEILE CAMPBELL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
ARTIFICIAL intel-
ligence dominated the conversation at the Baha-
mas Hotel & Tourism Association’s 73rd Annual General Meeting, emerging as the through-line in presentations ranging from visitor engagement to workforce training — and placing the Ministry of Tourism’s new AI-powered trip-planning tool at the centre of the industry’s next phase.
Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Director General Latia Duncombe showcased the system during her presentation, saying it was designed to keep tourism partners connected and provide visitors with real-time, accurate information while building itineraries. She said the platform “gives you everything,” including flight options, flight times and connectivity.
“When we speak about The Bahamas as a destination, the experience, we have to stay connected to ensure directions are there, experiences are there, the updated contact information, so that our visitors start to curate their itineraries, everything is done,” she said. “What is beautiful about it, everyone has been integrated with ChatGPT. That’s how easy it is to speak to it.”
Ms Duncombe said the
success of the ministry’s digital tools depends on real-time accuracy, adding that updated maps, images and partner information become essential as travellers begin shaping their trips. She linked the AI planner to the government’s Google Street View project, which captured images across all 16 islands to help travellers “can actually see the destination” when researching.
She also highlighted the ministry’s recently launched learning management system as another example of artificial intelligence supporting tourism development. She said the platform is built for selfpaced instruction and is “powered by artificial intelligence,” allowing training to reach more hospitality workers across the islands.
Earlier in the meeting, Bahamas Out Islands Promotion Board executive director Kerry Fountain said travellers themselves are turning to AI as their primary research tool. “How are they now doing their research? It used to be search, and now it’s moving towards AI,” he said. He argued that recommendations generated by AI are increasingly shaped by real-world conditions such as available airlift and credited the ministry’s trip planner for its precision. “You can plan your vacation using AI. I did it, and I was amazed at how
accurate the information that was provided to me. It was right on point.”
Mr Fountain told attendees he tested the system by asking whether he should visit Andros or Exuma, stressing his interest in scuba diving and fly fishing. When he added that he would be travelling from Atlanta and needed a non-stop flight, he said the platform recommended Exuma. “It said you need to choose Exuma, because Delta Airlines has a nonstop flight from Atlanta.
I was amazed,” he said, urging the industry to “get with it” as technology
reshapes tourism.
Referencing a news report about AI potentially replacing workers, Mr Fountain said he asked the system directly: “Will AI replace us? Will AI replace me, or Joy, or Jackson, or Suzanna?” He told the audience the tool replied that “if I don’t start using AI, I will be replaced by somebody who’s using AI.” Technology extended beyond AI in this year’s keynote address. Prime
Minister Philip Davis used his remarks to highlight the government’s broader digital infrastructure push, pointing to the Smart City pilot in downtown Nassau. He said the initiative — developed with Aliv and Cable Bahamas — is transforming the cruise port corridor into a connected zone, with free public Wi-Fi from Prince George Wharf to Arawak Cay enabling small businesses to engage visitors in real time.
Mr Davis said digital immigration cards, the Sand Dollar system and the national mobile app are now embedded in the travel process, reducing paperwork and streamlining arrivals. He framed the transition as central to the country’s competitiveness.
“A modern industry also needs modern tools,” the prime minister said. “If we want to be seen as a leader in tourism, we have to behave like one every day.”
PRIME MINISTER Philip ‘Brave’ Davis (centre) at the Bahamas Hotel & Tourism Association’s 73rd Annual General Meeting pictured
industry stakeholders.
Photo: Keile Campbell
Doctor who sold ketamine to ‘Friends’ star Matthew Perry gets 2 1/2 years in prison
By ANDREW DALTON Associated Press
A DOCTOR who pleaded guilty to selling ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks before the “Friends” star’s overdose death was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison on Wednesday.
Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett handed down the sentence plus two years of probation to 44-year-old Dr. Salvador Plasencia in a federal courtroom in Los Angeles.
The judge emphasized that Plasencia didn’t provide the ketamine that killed Perry, but told him, “You and others helped Mr. Perry on the road to such an ending by continuing to feed his ketamine addiction.”
“You exploited Mr. Perry’s addiction for your own profit,” she said.
Plasencia was led from the courtroom in handcuffs as his mother cried loudly in the audience. He might have arranged a date to surrender, but his lawyers said he was prepared to do it today.
Perry’s mother, stepmother and two half sisters gave tearful victim impact statements before the sentencing.
“My brother’s death turned my world upside down,” sister Madeline Morrison said, crying.
“It punched a crater in my life. His absence is everywhere.”
She talked about the broad effect of his loss.
“The world mourns my brother. He was everyone’s favourite friend,” Morrison said, adding “celebrities are not plastic dolls that you can take advantage of. They’re people. They’re human beings with families.”
Plasencia was the first to be sentenced of the
five defendants who have pleaded guilty in connection with Perry’s death at age 54 in 2023. The doctor admitted to taking advantage of Perry, knowing he was a struggling addict. Plasencia texted another doctor that Perry was a “moron” who could be exploited for money, according to court filings.
Prosecutors had asked for three years in prison, while the defence sought just a day in prison plus probation.
Perry’s mother talked about the things he overcame in life and the strength he showed.
“I used to think he couldn’t die,” Suzanne Perry said as her husband, “Dateline” journalist Keith Morrison, stood at the podium with her.
“You called him a ‘moron,’” she said, addressing Plasencia. “There is nothing moronic about that man. He was even a successful drug addict.”
She spoke eloquently and apologized for rambling before getting tearful at the end, saying, “this was a bad thing you did!”
Plasencia also spoke before the sentencing, breaking into tears as he imagined the day he would have to tell his now 2-year-old son “about the time I didn’t protect
another mother’s son. It hurts me so much. I can’t believe I’m here.”
He apologized directly to Perry’s family. “I should have protected him,” he said.
Perry had been taking the surgical anesthetic ketamine legally as a treatment for depression. But when his regular doctor wouldn’t provide it in the amounts he wanted, he turned to Plasencia, who admitted to illegally selling to Perry and knowing he was a struggling addict.
Plasencia’s lawyers tried to give a sympathetic portrait of him as a man who rose out of poverty to become a doctor beloved by his patients.
His mother stood to speak after Perry’s mother had spoken, but the judge told her it wasn’t appropriate for this hearing.
Plasencia pleaded guilty in July to four counts of distribution of ketamine. Prosecutors agreed to drop five different counts. He did not plead to causing Perry’s death, and the amount he distributed was relatively small given that he sold only to Perry.
She said she largely
agreed with a probation report suggesting the appropriate sentence was between eight and 14 months, but she went well beyond that.
“I think the judge was very well-reasoned,” Keith Morrison told reporters.
Garnett said at the start of the hearing that family impact statements may not be appropriate because legally, “there is no identifiable victim in this case. The victim is the public.”
But Perry’s lawyers said they didn’t object to family members speaking.
The defence sought to cast Plasencia as a doctor treating a patient who was overcome by recklessness and greed.
“It was a perfect storm of bad decision-making, everybody agrees,” attorney Karen Goldstein said, adding “absolutely his judgment was clouded by money.”
Prosecutors said he was never acting as a doctor.
“He wasn’t a negligent or reckless medical provider,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Ian Yanniello said. “He was a drug dealer in a white coat.”
Garnett generally
agreed, pushing back against the defence argument that Perry was Plasencia’s patient, and that the doctor had diagnosed him in a phone call they had before the sales began.
“Mr. Plasencia kept pushing it,” the judge said. He literally was offering to sell ketamine.”
When another defence attorney, asked “Is your honour confused about how this all went down?” Garnett replied, sternly, “No I’m not.”
The other four defendants who reached deals to plead guilty will be sentenced at their own hearings in the coming months. Garnett said she would seek to make sure all the sentences made sense in relation to one another.
Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on “Friends,” when he became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004 on NBC’s megahit.
Pentagon knew boat attack left survivors but still launched a follow-on strike, AP sources say
By LISA MASCARO Associated Press
THE Pentagon knew there were survivors after a September attack on an alleged drug boat in the Caribbean Sea and the US military still carried out a follow-up strike, according to two people familiar with the matter. The rationale for the second strike was that it was needed to sink the vessel, according to the people
familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss it publicly. The Trump administration says all 11 people aboard were killed. What remains unclear was who ordered the strikes and whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was involved, one of the people said. That will be part of a classified congressional briefing Thursday with the commander that the Trump administration says ordered the second strike,
Adm. Frank “Mitch” Bradley. Hegseth has defended the second strike as emerging in the “fog of war,” saying he didn’t see any survivors but also “didn’t stick around” for the rest of the mission.
Hegseth is under growing scrutiny over the military strikes on alleged drug traffickers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. Legal experts and some lawmakers say a strike that killed survivors would have violated the laws of armed conflict.
ACTOR Matthew Perry participates in the BUILD Speaker Series to discuss the mini-series “The Kennedys After Camelot” in New York, March 30, 2017. Photo: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt welcomed Mr Lester Edison Rollins to Government House on Friday as he celebrated his 100th birthday. Mr Rollins, who marked the milestone on November 30, was joined by family members during the courtesy call, where he received congratulatory letters from the Governor General and King Charles III, along with a gift fruit basket.
Photo: BIS