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Davis backing BPL as blackouts go on

UNION CHIEF RULES OUT NATIONAL STRIKE PROTEST By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB) President Bernard Evans said yesterday the union would not participate in any “national strike” initiated by organisers of ‘We March Bahamas’. However, Mr Evans, who is also the president of the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU), said he is willing to sit with lead organiser Ranard Henfield and his team to discuss past and future protests. Last Thursday, ‘We March Bahamas’ organisers threatened to initiate a national strike if Prime Minister Perry Christie does not give a national address on steps to meet protest demands by Thursday.

Deputy PM blames outages on old machinery By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net DESPITE three island-wide blackouts and frequent supply disruptions in the past few days, Deputy Prime Minister Phillip Brave Davis has said he has “no regrets” handing over the day-today operations of the former Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) to PowerSecure. Mr Davis, who is also the Minister of Works, told The Tribune he thinks Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) is “meeting its mandate” and blamed the constant power outages on “aged machines”. New Providence residents suffered another

island-wide power outage yesterday following a weekend of electricity challenges. Residents complained of intermittent outages on Friday and Saturday. Last Thursday, BPL blamed a “damaged underground cable” for blackouts on Tuesday and Wednesday and customers were warned at the time that they may experience “intermittent challenges with their power supply until operations have stabilised”. “I have no regrets, because I think BPL is meeting its mandate as we have outlined it,” Mr Davis said when asked about the frequent power cuts.

SEE PAGE SIX

LATE NEWS: ONE DEAD IN SHOOTING POLICE were at the scene of a fatal shooting last night. The incident was off Mermaid Boulevard South, in Golden Gates, as reported as The Tribune went to press. See more details on www.tribune242.com.

ROBERTS: EX- COP ‘HAS OFFERED NOTHING NEW’

SEE PAGE 12

BUTLER-TURNER SUSPICIOUS OF BAHA MAR JOBS TIMING By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement (FNM) Shadow Minister of Labour Loretta Butler-Turner yesterday said she found it “highly suspect” that Prime Minister Perry Christie announced that 1,500 people will be hired to work at the stalled Baha Mar resort in the height of election season. Mrs Butler-Turner told The Tribune that while it is “good and welcome news” that Bahamians will

be able to get jobs, she has “seen and heard the Baha Mar opening dance” from Mr Christie “one too many times” and she will “not hold her breath” that the resort will finally open. On Friday, Mr Christie revealed during a Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) lunch that the troubled mega resort would begin its phased opening in the second quarter of 2017. The Prime Minister also said 1,500 employees will be hired “imminently” in the New Year. SEE PAGE 13

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN in tears at yesterday’s murder scene in Grand Bahama, where a man was found stabbed to death. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

MAN FOUND DEAD IN CAR IN GRAND BAHAMA KILLING By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ONE man is dead and a second was stabbed and hospitalised in Grand Bahama in separate incidents over the weekend, police reported. Police were on the scene of a murder shortly before 10am yesterday in Free-

HURRY! OFFER ENDS January 3

port, where they discovered the body of a man in a vehicle. According to Inspector Terecita Pinder, the police were called to an apartment complex on Tangelo Lane, where a black man was discovered inside a grey-coloured sedan with injuries to the body. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor.

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday claimed that former Deputy Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames has offered nothing new to the Bahamian public since becoming the Free National Movement’s (FNM) “in-house crime expert”. Mr Roberts also accused Mr Dames of leaving the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) “in a huff” in 2011, instead of working with then newly appointed Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade. SEE PAGE 14

LOWEST TURNOUT FOR ELECTION IS PREDICTED

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

Insp Pinder said police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. This latest murder is the island’s 18th homicide for the year. There have been 102 homicides in The Bahamas this year up to press time, according to The Tribune’s records. SEE PAGE THREE

POLITICAL analyst Dr Ian Strachan believes the country may experience its lowest voter turnout in history for the upcoming general election due to lack of faith in the current political system and “weak” alternatives to the current administration. SEE PAGE FIVE

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SCENES from the FamFest event held at Arawak Cay, bringing together Gospel performers both international and local. See page 14 for more photographs. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, December 5, 2016, PAGE 3

Call to force banks to allow employees to join union By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net NEWLY elected National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB) Vice-President Paul Maynard said yesterday his first priority is “immediately to force” Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) and Scotiabank to “allow their employees to be unionised”. Mr Maynard said for far too long the “puppets for the white man” at the banks have victimised, terrorised and laid off their staff without any repercussions. He said the service at both banks is “terrible” and that

if no one else will stand up for the rights of Bahamians and Bahamian workers, the union will. “The staff at Royal Bank and Scotiabank are being mistreated daily,” he told The Tribune. “Both banks have been letting persons go at their whim but the service is getting worse and worse. “The lines are long and the fees are ridiculous. RBC is charging $10.75 to cash a cheque if you do not have an account with them. For me and you, that may be fine but what about the old woman with $100 who needs to have all her money? That is ridiculous. “So the first act will be to

go after these banks. Every day the staff is coming up to me and saying something needs to be done. These people have a right to be in the union if they want to be. In Canada both of these banks are unionised but here they want to take advantage of the staff and intimidate them. “We are going to force them to allow their staff to join the union. It is not right what these people are doing. They are laying off Bahamians left and right and taking services out of this country. To hell with them. It is time for a change.” Earlier this year, RBC closed its Nassau-based

Credit Card Centre and transferred its processes to Trinidad & Tobago, terminating nearly 50 people. RBC also shut down its Paradise Island branch last year, a move according to the bank that was intended to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Scotiabank last year unveiled a restructuring in which around 50 employees were expected to lose their jobs, with six branch closures and the downsizing of two others. Three New Providence locations were “consolidated” into other sites. Caves Village branch was folded into the Cable Beach loca-

MAN FOUND DEAD IN CAR IN GRAND BAHAMA KILLING

THE SCENE of the murder yesterday in Grand Bahama. from page one ports, the victim was at an establishment on East Mall Drive around 3am when he On Saturday, a man was and a group of men became stabbed at a business estab- involved in an altercation lishment near the Interna- and was stabbed about the tional Bazaar, where a man body. had been shot to death a He was transported by week earlier. private vehicle to the Rand According to police re- Memorial Hospital, where

GRAND Bahama police are investigating a brazen daylight armed robbery in the Mack Town area on Saturday, leaving at least three people traumatised. According to reports, two male suspects, one with a firearm, entered a business establishment shortly after noon and held up the owner

and a patron. After robbing the business, the gunman then ordered a female patron to give him the money in her wallet and took her cellular phone. The woman said: “When they came inside and asked for the money, we thought they were joking. They were not wearing masks.” The patron said the men were wearing camouflage pants and blue shirts. One

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Photo: Vandyke Hepburn he was listed in serious con- the parking lot area dition. of the business. Last Sunday, Kashon Police are actively inFowler, 21, was shot to vestigating these matdeath outside the establish- ters and are appealing ment around 3am by a gun- to anyone with informan. mation to call 350 -310 7 When police arrived, through 12 , 911/919 or they found the body of a call the nearest police man lying on the ground in station.

DAYLIGHT ROBBERY AT MACK TOWN BUSINESS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

tion; the Wulff Road and East Street site was consolidated at Thompson Boulevard; and the British Colonial Hilton location moved into Rawson Square. A fourth branch, Cooper’s Town in Abaco, was consolidated into the Marsh Harbour location, while two other Family Island sites - Stella Maris in Long Island and North Eleuthera - closed outright. Scotiabank’s remaining locations on Long Island and Eleuthera - Buckley’s and Rock Sound - were downsized to ‘service centres’, with reduced services and hours and full-service ATMs.

of the culprits stole money from the cash register, while the gunman proceeded to rob her, The Tribune was told. “He held the gun at me and demanded money and my cellphone,” she said. “I gave him some money, but then he asked for more and I gave him all the money I had in my wallet. It was a very frightening moment, but we were very calm and did not scream,”

she said. After the suspects fled, the patron said they heard gunshots in the area. She said that a witness recalled seeing a gold-coloured vehicle leaving the area after the robbery. Police are investigating the incident. Anyone with information that can assist the police is asked to call 242-350-3107 through 12, or 911, 919, or the nearest police station.

MAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER SHOOTING

A MAN was left in hospital after he was shot by the occupants of a dark-coloured vehicle during a driveby shooting on Saturday. Accordinfg to police, shortly after 5.30pm, a man was standing near a park off Kemp Road when the occupants of a dark coloured vehicle pulled up and shot him before speeding off. The man was rushed to hospital where he was admitted in stable condition. Police also said officers were able to take several guns off the street, bringing the total of guns seized to eight during a 24-hour period. In the first incident, around 11pm on Friday, police were conducting an operation on William’s Lane off Kemp Road, when a bushy area was searched and a handgun was found. No one was arrested. In the second incident, shortly after 4pm on Saturday, police were on an operation on Kingston Street, off Kemp Road, when a bushy area was searched and a handgun with 15 live rounds of ammunition was found. No one was arrested in connection with the find either. Then shortly after 11pm, officers found a shotgun at Pine Yard Road when an abandoned house was searched. Five men were arrested. • A man was able to disarm a gunman during an attempted robbery in Nassau on Saturday, police said. Police reported that shortly after 11pm, a man was walking on Rupert Dean Lane when a man with a handgun approached and attempted to rob him. A struggle ensued and the resident reportedly managed to relieve the suspect of the firearm, police said. The suspect then fled on foot. The police were alerted and took possession of the handgun.

PAGE 4, Monday, December 5, 2016

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Mainstream relief as leftist candidate wins in Austria VIENNA (AP) — Left-leaning Alexander Van der Bellen triumphed over his right-wing rival Sunday in the vote for Austria’s presidency, a victory welcomed by moderate politicians across Europe as a blow against the populist forces looking to weaken the European Union. While the Austrian presidency is a mostly symbolic post, it had attracted attention from across Europe as the next possible victory for populists after political outsider Donald Trump’s presidential win in the United States and the Brexit vote in Britain. “What happens here today has relevance for all of Europe,” Van der Bellen said he cast his ballot, later noting that his win showed most voters backed his message of “freedom, equality, solidarity”. With all votes except for absentee ballots counted, Van der Bellen had 51.68 percent of the vote to 48.32 percent for Norbert Hofer. But pollsters predicted a final result of 53.3 percent to 46.7 percent in favor of Van der Bellen once the approximately 500,000 absentee ballots were tallied. The final result of Sunday’s vote was expected by Tuesday at the latest. Van der Bellen said the win sends a “message to the capitals of the European Union that one can win elections with high European positions.” He said he would work to unite a country deeply split between the moderate liberals who voted for him and supporters of Hofer’s anti-immigrant Freedom Party. Powerful euroskeptic populist politicians facing elections next year in other EU nations shrugged off Hofer’s loss as a temporary setback, but the result was greeted with relief and congratulations by mainstream politicians. French President Francois Hollande said Austrians “made the choice of Europe, and openness.” Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel, who heads Germany’s center-left Social Democrats, told the Bild newspaper that “a load has been taken off the mind of all of Europe.” He called the result “a clear victory for good sense against right-wing populism.” Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern said Van der Bellen “will represent Austria domestically and abroad in an excellent manner” — alluding to fears by establishment politicians that a victory by Hofer, whose anti-immigrant Freedom Party is critical of the 28-nation EU, would hurt Austria’s image. Van der Bellen is liberal, left-of-center and pro-EU. Martin Schulz, the president of the European Parliament, called the victory a defeat for “anti-European, backwardlooking populism.” With polls estimating that the two can-

didates were neck-and-neck ahead of the vote, Van der Bellen’s margin of victory was unexpected. Political scientist Kathrin Stainer Haemmerle told the Austria Press Agency said that despite widespread disenchantment with establishment parties in Austria, the results show “the majority of the population is not looking for radical change.” Still, Van der Bellen’s victory presages new possible divisions. The new Austrian president-elect has said he would refuse to swear in a government led by the Freedom Party. But with the Freedom Party given a good chance of winning the parliamentary election less than two years away, Van der Bellen might be forced to act on that pledge. If he is true to his word, he would plunge Austria into a political crisis with unforeseen consequences. Hofer, meanwhile, conceded his loss in a Facebook posting. Acknowledging that he was “endlessly sad,” Hofer said “I would have been happy to take care of our Austria.” He urged voters of both camps to bury their differences and work together. Appearing later with Van der Bellen, Hofer said his loss “is really very painful ... but the voter is always right in a democracy.” Far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen of France and anti-immigrant politician Geert Wilders in the Netherlands tweeted their support for Hofer as voting took place Sunday, then later made the best of his loss. The two, who both face their own national elections next year, congratulated Hofer on his strong showing. Le Pen, who hopes to ride anti-immigrant, anti-EU sentiment to the French presidency, tweeted that Hofer and his Freedom Party “fought with courage.” “Victory will be theirs in the next legislative election!” she added. Congratulating Van der Bellen, EU Council President Donald Tusk said “the continued constructive contribution of Austria to finding common European solutions and keeping our European unity will remain essential.” In Germany, top opposition Green leader Simone Peter called Sunday’s result “a good day for Austria and Europe.” “The right-wing rabble-rousers have to be stopped!” Peter declared. The election Sunday was a rerun of a vote in May that Van der Bellen narrowly won. Austria’s Constitutional Court ordered the repeat following a court ruling after Hofer’s Freedom Party claimed widespread voting irregularities. By the Associated Press

Chinese Titanic EDITOR, The Tribune THE Bahamas is captivated by the drama of Baha Mar, The Pointe and other possible Chinese investments in the country. However an interesting commentary article in the London Times on Friday by the economics editor of Sky News, Ed Conway, entitled “China’s titanic debt is heading for an iceberg” indicates that things economically are not going well in China at the moment. The article starts by referring to the recent launching of a replica of Titanic in Sichuan province which will simulate the crashing of the ship into the iceberg and goes on to explain that China’s debt is on the verge of doing exactly that. The Governor of the Bank of England recently also referred to the Chinese

as piling up debt through the non-financial sector with the debt mountain growing to 260 per cent of national income. If this growth continues and the country is committed by President Xi Jinping to a 6.5 per cent growth rate - which it cannot sustain, according to Mr Conway then the bubble will eventually burst. This will make the 2008 Lehman Brothers crash look like a party. Cash is being pumped into the domestic Chinese market at a fast rate to try to accomplish this 6.5 per cent target - and who in China dares to disagree with the President? As the article continues to say the problem is not so much the scale of the debt but, as he describes it, the plumbing beneath the surface. The more complex

this becomes the harder it is to clean up. Who is lending to whom? A Chinese recession with no more cheap goods would be a shock for all of us. But more so perhaps in the Bahamas as our tourist industry is beginning to very much rely on Chinese capital to fund it and, probably, also our major tourist growth is expected to come from China. We have another high level Government delegation winging its way to China to vet the new owners of Baha Mar and hopefully they find out good things about them. But in bad times the first to suffer will be the overseas investments and we are a minnow relying on a whale to make a fishing metaphor. PATRIC H THOMSON Nassau December 4, 2016

We have no First Lady EDITOR, The Tribune. “THE Monkey Song” is a once popular calypso about a frustrated gentleman who couldn’t seem to shake a monkey off his back. He tries and tries but every sound he makes, every move he takes the monkey mimics him. (You can hear it by Googling Blind Blake and the Royal Victoria Calypsos). This song came to mind recently when trying to digest another incoherent rant from William Arthur Branville McCartney, founder of the DNA and a man who wants us to see him as a prime minister in waiting. The mercurial Mr. McCartney beat up his gum with the pure fiction about a First Lady of the Bahamas. “Everything I do, the monkey wan do.” For starters, there can be no such thing as a First Lady in a monarchy. The Bahamas is a monarchy where the head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, represented here by the Governor General. It would surely be impertinent to refer to the Sovereign as a First Lady. Her Majesty would not be amused. When the Sovereign is a King, no one would think to call him the First Gentleman. In the Bahamas there is no official role for the wife (or husband) of the Prime Minister. Protocol dictates that the wife of our current Prime Minister is officially addressed as Mrs. Bernadette Christie, wife of the Prime Minister. Never First Lady. First Lady is a term associated with the United States, a Federal Republic where the President is both the Head of State and the Head of Government. They won their independence over 240 years ago. British culture and traditions may have been rejected at that time but it was still the prevailing custom and so when George Washington became the country’s first president his wife Martha was referred to as Lady Washington, in keeping with the nomenclature of that time. It was meant as a sign of respect. John Quincy Adams’ wife Abigail was referred to as Lady Adams; Mrs. James Madison was called Lady Madison. Dolly Madison was so good at social affairs in Washington that at her funeral in 1848 President Zachary Taylor gave her eulogy in which he praised her social graces and called her the “first lady of our land”.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net The Americans outside of elite Washington D.C. circles didn’t much like the term first lady. They had just fought a war to eject the British and felt that the term “lady” sounded too much like the royal titles they had renounced. Terms like Presidentress and Mrs. President were used instead when the President had a wife in the White House. Because Presidents like Thomas Jefferson (whose wife had died) and James Buchanan (who was a bachelor) had no wives, their unmarried nieces or daughters stood in and could hardly have been called Mrs. A newspaper coined the term “First Lady of the White House” to refer to Buchanan’s niece and the name stuck. But it was not universally liked. As recently as 1961 John F. Kennedy’s wife Jacqueline Kennedy bristled at being called First Lady saying it sounded like a name for a racehorse. None of this occurs to people like Bran who believe, quite erroneously, that the Bahamas has a first lady. If we did, then surely it would be the wife of the Governor General when the office holder is a man. Curiously, our current GG is a widow, and this particular Lady is a Dame, thank you very much. It is typical of our propensity for mimicking American culture without appreciating our own. The Canadians call their Prime Minister’s wife, Mrs. Justin Trudeau, to be formal, or Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau to be professional, never First Lady of Canada, which she isn’t. Bran has a duty to be on the right side of this subtle point of order. He knows (or ought to know) better and if he wants to be a leader of an independent Bahamas then he must not be subsumed by the dominant culture in our neighbourhood, no matter how tempting. The trouble is some prime ministers (the PLP ones) flout this Republican nonsense by acting as if they preside over a presidential system of government. One Prime Minister even wanted his own standard so he could fly it next to the Governor General’s. The Governor General, as befitting her office in our monarchy has an official standard that traces

its origin back to the Royal Standard and is used with consent of Her Majesty. The current Prime Minister likes to rush about in motorcades with hordes of police outriders, flags fluttering on the hood of his car. Again this is the bastardization of the protocol to fit the ego and the vanity of the office holder. The official cars of Government House have a crown on the license plate for a reason. They belong to the Sovereign who in turn assents to their exclusive use by her Governor General. The GG commands the armed and protective forces and it is she that the motorcades and outriders must protect, not a mere politician who just happens to be the preferred or “prime” minister of the woman in whose name he forms a government. Because we haven’t cut this nonsense off at the head we see the foolishness take place elsewhere, no doubt driving the nation’s civics teachers to madness. We have the First Commoner of the land, aka, the Speaker of the House of Assembly referring to matters “across the aisle”. This comes straight out of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and has no standing in our system. In our tradition there is a “floor” between the government and the opposition in parliament (not aisle) with the government on the right of the Speaker and the opposition on the left. A member is said to “have the floor” when speaking and to have “crossed the floor” when he leaves his party and joins the other side. The floor is also sometimes referred to as “the green carpet”. Our culture is already under attack by the inundation of American hegemony. We see it in the movies, on TV, in the press and in our interaction with the millions of American tourists who come here each year. Let’s not devalue our rich history and culture by mimicking everything the Americans do. A Bahamian TV news presenter recently started off with “this Thanksgiving morning … ” Since when do we celebrate Thanksgiving? And is Black Friday now more important than our historic Black Tuesday? There must be some things the monkey just won’t do. THE GRADUATE Nassau, November 29, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, December 5, 2016, PAGE 5

‘Civil disobedience needs to be directed’ By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

CIVIL disobedience can be used to achieve greater fairness, accountability and performance from government if it is organised and clearly directed, a university lecturer has advised. Dr Ian Strachan, a political analyst and professor of English at the University of the Bahamas, shared his views in an appearance on a weekend radio talk show on how Bahamians can go about getting better representation from those currently in government or those seeking to be elected to public office in 2017. Dr Strachan, who has been critical on social media of the recent demonstration by We March Bahamas, is not opposed to the public using civil disobedience get what they want. Organisers of the protest issued a list of 23 nonpartisan demands to Prime Minister Perry Christie and several of his Cabinet ministers on November 9 and again on November

THE PROTEST march on Black Friday. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff hamians have to open their 22. Mr Christie responded “You can’t come at the to organisers by letter on eyes and create the pro- government with 50 deNovember 24, in which he tections that will enable a mands. You have to be invited leaders to meet with greater level of fairness”. clear. What’s the most im“You will never be able portant thing that you want him at his office. However to eliminate all corruption today that you need to see this offer was rejected. A new letter sent to Mr from government,” he said. change? And you get the Christie on Thursday out- “You will never create a folks around the table and lined more than 30 de- perfect system. But you sure you come up with your as hell can get a better one strategies and if it means mands. During an appearance than this one. And I think boycotts, if it means sit-ins, on the 96.9 FM show “Eye what we need is, organised, if it means marches and Opener” on Saturday, Dr systematic, very clearly di- demonstrations, but you Strachan stressed that “Ba- rected civil disobedience. do it in such a way that you

apply the pressure that’s needed. “It’s clear what everybody is going out for and it is clear you know when you’ve gotten it. And I think we’re out of practice but we have to get back into practice doing that,” he added. In responding to a caller that he had no intentions of entering politics at this time, Dr Strachan said that with a general election on the horizon, people wanting a change in governance must ask political hopefuls whose interests they are representing. “We want to know who is funding your campaign? To what level? And what is attached to those funds? What’s a fundamental issue in this country is the fact that these parties have been able to do these elections for 40 years and never had to tell us where the money was coming from. We get little bits and pieces. “The problem is, there are things attached to these funds. This is why I support publicly funded election campaigns. In other words, if the corporations want to

provide funds, you put it into a general pool as well as there are tax dollars that fund it and each party gets a certain amount and there has to be a certain number of debates and a certain number of primaries. But you don’t get to buy elections because you have a bigger treasure trove than the other guy,” he said. “You create fairness in your election. You give people an opportunity to actually be considered on their merit. What we have in this system, and it’s happening in America too, people are able to buy elections by flooding the elections to buy commercials and tshirts, in our case t-shirts, and this is what causes certain elite groups to be able to hijack your government, making sure it serves them and not the majority.” Just over 1,000 We March Bahamas protesters marched from Arawak Cay to Rawson Square on November 25. Organisers have another march slated for the 50th anniversary Majority Rule Day on January 9.

the opposition is also to articulate on some level for the general public an alternative - and that’s where they seem to be failing. “And so people are agreed that the PLP, well maybe not everybody has agreed, I am satisfied that they are quite corrupt. But I’m not satisfied that the Free National Movement

currently offers an alternative and I certainly am not satisfied the DNA offers an alternative and so I haven’t registered to vote. “I probably will register to vote but I don’t know who I’ll be voting for and I think a lot of people, tens of thousands of Bahamians, are in my position,” he added.

LOWEST EVER TURNOUT FOR ELECTION IS PREDICTED from page one

Dr Strachan, a columnist and professor of English at the University of the Bahamas, made the prediction during his guest appearance on a weekend radio talk show. On the show, local and international politics were discussed including the fallout from the US presidential election which saw Donald Trump defeat Hillary Clinton despite the latter winning the popular vote in what had been called the lowest voter turnout since 1996. Dr Strachan was asked on Saturday on 96.9 FM’s “Eye Opener” if he saw the same occurring for The Bahamas once the election is called. “I don’t want to draw too many conclusions about what’s happening in international affairs simply because there’s a lot of context to get in there and it’s cyclical,” he said. “But I think in our own country it’s clear that this is a historic moment in as much as I believe we’re about to witness the lowest turnout for a general election in our history. He described it as a “crisis of representation”. “I think that at this stage in our national development the Bahamian public reaches a point where they don’t actually see a clear distinction between opposition

and government in terms of their ethics, in terms of their policy positions and in terms of their practice. “And as a consequence, they are turning their backs on the electoral process. I think it’s clear (and) there may be some people out there who don’t accept this, but it’s clear that the government is corrupt. “But there is no real faith in a political alternative on the landscape. And I think that’s why people aren’t animated to go and register to vote and this is why many, many, many will not vote. Now I know that once they declare the election date, declare even before that when the registers are closed, more people will go forward. But they will not be able to catch up and it will certainly never exceed what happened five years ago.” In the May, 2012, general election, the Progressive Liberal Party won 29 of the 38 seats in Parliament to the Free National Movement’s nine though figures released by the parliamentary registration office showed the PLP received 75,806 votes while the FNM secured 65,518 votes - a disproportionately small difference when judged against seats won. The Democratic National Alliance, despite not securing any seats in Parliament, received 13,186 votes.

Last month, The Tribune reported that nearly 57,000 people had registered to vote, a much lower figure compared to this same period before the 2012 general election. Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall publicly stated that his office was troubled by low voter registration numbers to date as the figure represents 34 per cent of estimated eligible voters as of November 4. He also admitted he was unable to pinpoint the reasoning behind the drop in numbers but that his office was working to help as many people as possible through the process, hoping that the effort could aid registration numbers. A closer look at the department’s records which were published recently revealed that 77.2 per cent (43,864) of eligible voters in New Providence have registered; 7,707 (13.6 per cent) in Grand Bahama and 5,225 (9.2 per cent) in the remaining Family Islands. The 2012 voter registry consisted of 172,000 voters countrywide, 134,000 of whom had registered by November, 2011. Dr Strachan stressed that the country is experiencing “a moment - and the question is, how do we understand the moment

we’re in?” “And what are the opportunities that the moment presents to us? And how we take advantage of and actually grow in this moment? Because I think this is a political crisis moment and as I said, I think the crisis is about credibility, the lack of credibility of both the sitting government and the lack of credibility in the opposition.” The university lecturer said there is a high level of discontent for “establishment politics”. “We live in a capitalist society and the kind of democracy that we have is the Westminster system is one which structurally does not support third parties, fourth parties or fifth parties. It’s a ‘first past the post’ system and it’s a two-party system. “In addition to that, we have a moment we have where we have a really, really, really weak opposition and where the people just don’t have any confidence. The job of the opposition is not just to say ‘oh that’s a bad idea’, ‘that won’t work’, or ‘you failed’. The job of

PAGE 6, Monday, December 5, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Activist Henfield ‘to take back seat’ By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

COMMUNITY activist Ranard Henfield, lead organiser of the ‘We March Bahamas’ protest, on Friday announced that he would “take a back seat” in the movement amid controversy over the ultimatum issued by the group to Prime Minister Perry Christie concerning a national strike. The Our Carmichael founder told The Tribune that he felt too much focus was being placed on himself as the lead organiser, and named Executive Director of the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) Matt Albury; Policy Chairman for Citizens for a Better Bahamas (CBB) Lemarque Campbell; and local environmental activist Sam Duncombe, as potential replacements. The controversy centres around the group’s latest letter to Mr Christie, wherein the group said it planned “to initiate further acts of peaceful civil disobedience on Friday, December 9” if Mr Christie does not give a national address on steps

RANARD Henfield. taken to meet protest demands. The letter was attached to an email sent to the media on Thursday. In that email, Mr Henfield thanked the media for protest coverage and summarised the contents of the letter. He wrote: “We are prepared to initiate a national strike in one week should the PM not publicly address the nation on what he has done since Black Friday to advance these issues that affect the people of The Bahamas.” Mr Henfield clarified his email in an interview with The Tribune on Friday, insisting that he does not possess the power to “shut the country down”. He pointed to “misunderstandings” in many of the recent asser-

Photo: Aaron Davis tions from himself and the group. “My statement was made in the context that I would speak to persons with the power to do exactly that. I, Ranard Henfield, do not hold that level of power. We need the unions - they have to go through their channels. “I want this to be clear,” he said. “I can’t shut this country down in that manner. It would take a wealth of effort by so many people for that to occur. I want people to be clear where this movement is at. Yes, a general strike is possible, but there is so much that needs to be done before that. “All of that work that needs to be done; that is what I proposed to move

Funeral Service For

Gene Christobelle Haynes, 80

of Highbury Park, formerly of Barbados, will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Anglican Church, Highbury Park off Soldier Road. Officiating will be the Rt. Rev’d Laish Z. Boyd, assisted by the Venerable Mark Lindsey Fox, Canon Norman Lightbourne, Rev’d Fr. Ethan Ferguson and Rev’d Fr. Don L. Haynes. Cremation will follow.

Left to cherish her memories are her husband: Emerson Haynes; daughter: Susan Haynes Elcock; son: Fr. Don L. Haynes; granddaughter: Shanni Elcock; nieces and nephews: Ronnie, Joycelyn, Selwin, Leslie and Patrick King, Omari Elcock, Pauline Reiph, Lessie Alleyne (Aunt Dell), Patsy Blades and Sandra and David Berry; extended family: Pat and Frank Reid Sr. and Family, Angela and Frank Reid Jr. and Family, Clarence and Avril Reid and Family, Garth and Yasmine Reid and Family, James and Velma Abrahams and Family (Barbados), Carol Watson, Shelly Miller (Barbados), Charlene and Ed Rodger and Family, Juiann Young (Barbados), Hazel and Alison Estwick, Gail and Larry Clarke and Family, Andy and Sonia Gill and family, Ann and Errol Reed, Pat and Vere Murray, Cheryl Lynton and family (Barbados), Glory Conliffe, Carlton and Gretchen Jones; special friends, neighbours and acquaintances: The Rt. Laish Z. Boyd and Joann Boyd and Family; her spiritual sons: Frs. Ethan Ferguson, Colin Humes, Alvardo Adderley, Richard Wood and Canon Peter Scott, Rose Mae Thompson, Bertell and Barbara Holder, Ivan and Paula Holder, Gwennie Turner and Family, Eva Hilton and Family, Philip and Nicole Gray and Family, Patrice Gray, Pamela Chandler and Family, Lorna Bradshaw, Vernell Edwards, Olga Bethel, Ruby Byer, Marge Culmer, Ruthie Adderley, Karen Watson, The Archers, Hugh Sandiford, Rita Spriggs, Nurse Rosalind Johnson, Vera Levarity, Augurita Miller, Jodell Roberts, Geraldine Smith, Lillian Smith and Joyce Thompson; Church and Community Groups: The Barclay’s Bank Retirees Association, Anglican Church Women, Good Samaritan Prayer Fellowship Group, Holy Cross Tuesday Exercise Group, Pastoral Care Committee, Holy Cross Social Outreach Committee, The wider Anglican Diocesan Family, St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church Family of the Berry Islands and The Berry Island Community; Special Thanks to: Tivona Chandler, Dr. Cathrine Conliffe, Dr. Duvaughn Curling, Dr. Gloria Forte, Drs. Servile, Cunningham and the Medical Team, nurses and caregivers of Female Medical 2. To all those whose names may not be mentioned here, we are non-the-less grateful for the memories and support you shared with us. May God bless each and every one of you. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to the Mount Olivet Retreat Center via The Cursillo’s 20th Anniversary Fund or St. Bartholomew Church Renovation Fund via R.B.C. account #1323278. Friends may pay their last respects at Butlers’ Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets, on Monday, December 5, 2016 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at the church on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 from 9:00 a.m.

with next week if demands weren’t met.” Speaking directly to his decision to take a step back, he said: “This movement is bigger than me, bigger than myself, there are several persons that can step up and move us forward, but at this time there seems to be too much focus placed on me.” In a statement published via Facebook, Mr Henfield distanced the ‘We March Bahamas’ movement from strike plans and stated that he was taking a “back seat”. While the post sought to make clear that a “general strike” was not in the works, it also noted that the initiation of such an act “at a date not too far in the future is very much a possibility”. The post read: “The organisers of We March wish to make it clear that there is no ‘general strike’ being planned by the group for Friday, December 8, 2016 nor any time before January 9, 2017 when we plan to march again for ‘United People Day’ (although the initiating of the same at a date not too far in the future is very much a possibility).” It continued: “As our letter states, there may be further acts of ‘peaceful civil disobedience’ before We March again should there be a clear and very evident effort to address the pressing and serious concerns of the people. “At my core, as I’ve been doing with the Our Carmichael and Our Grand Baha-

ma initiatives, I just want to voice the needs of the people in my communities and then galvanise the residents to be a part of the solution process while setting our differences and egos aside. “This whole ‘We March’ movement has become a boulder on my shoulders that I can’t carry much longer up this hill. But I’m hoping that as long as I can carry it, that the people realise that we have a lot to fix in this country and we can only do so if we are united on this climb towards a better country for everyone regardless of our qualifications, family names, social status or political affiliations. “I have had missteps along the way so far and at times I’ve let my passion and conviction to raise awareness and bring about change to get the better of me. One of the learning lessons so far is that as a community activist, I have to assume full responsibility for my utterances and be clear when I put anything out to the public.” The post continued: “So moving forward, I’m going to take a back seat and ask the organisations onboard to step up while I remove my passion from this fight for a better country.” Organisers issued a list of 23 demands to Mr Christie 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 1,000 protestors marched from Arawak Cay to Rawson Square on November 25. Organisers have another march slated for the 50th anniversary Majority Rule Day on January 9, but have dubbed the day “United People Day”. The letter sent to Mr Christie on Thursday outlined more than 30 demands. In addition to calls for a resolution to more than a dozen union matters, 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. • See our Weekend section on www.tribune242.com for an in-depth interview with Ranard Henfield.

UNION CHIEF RULES OUT NATIONAL STRIKE PROTEST from page one

In a letter to Mr Christie and copied to the media, Mr Henfield 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. On Friday, a day after the story was published, Mr Henfield backtracked and insisted that he does not possess the power to “shut the country down” and that there was no national strike planned for Friday. In a series of posts on Facebook, Mr Henfield said the talk of a national strike was contained in a “private email” to the media and was “taken out of context.” However the email Mr Henfield referred to was sent to the media by wemarchbahamas@gmail.com with a subject line that read “national strike looms”. “We are prepared to (initiate) a national strike in one week should the PM not publicly address the nation on what he has done since Black Friday to advance these issues that affect the people of the Bahamas,” the email signed

by Mr Henfield said, as he thanked the media for its coverage of We March Bahamas. Yesterday, Mr Evans said he commends Mr Henfield’s efforts but said there is a “right way” to “go about doing things”. “He (Mr Henfield) previously spoke with the outgoing president John Pinder but I have not had an opportunity to meet with him,” Mr Evans, who was recently elected to the NCTUB post, said. “There are procedures we have to follow, there is a way we have to do things - a right way. Mr Henfield called me and I invited him to sit down with us and explain the purpose behind the protests. We have not committed to anything. “Marching is our thing, a union thing and to be fair to him we will give him an audience to explain his plans. There are so many factors, so many different causes were present at the last march. There were so many different concerns, some valid points, some we aren’t so sure about. The unions have a procedure to follow and if there is a protest or strike planned for Friday, we are not part of that. I do not see that.” Meanwhile, NCTUB Vice-President Paul Maynard said now is “not the time” to ask people not to

go to work. “People had a hard year and Christmas time is a time for people to make money,” Mr Maynard told The Tribune. “You have to understand unions have to be responsible in what we do. Our members do not want to take a cut during Christmas time. “If you walk off the job it is called a wildcat strike and the government can fire you if they want. They can use the Emergency Powers Act and fire you. There is a way to do things; people must understand that.” ‘We March Bahamas’ 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 1,000 protestors marched from Arawak Cay to Rawson Square on November 25. Organisers have another march slated for the 50th anniversary Majority Rule Day on January 9, but have dubbed the day “United People Day”. The letter sent to Mr Christie on Thursday outlined more than 30 demands.

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THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

insight@tribunemedia.net

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016

Thank you, Bahamas Power and Light - for nothing L

A BPL truck out on the road and, above right, updates on the company’s Facebook page.

AST night, New The five-year deal with PowerSecure so far Providence was plunged into has brought nothing but mismanagement, darkness by yet broken trust and overcharging, Stanley another abrupt power out- Cartwright says age. It was the most recent in a slew of outages that has become the norm for our new power “provider/manager”. Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) have been an abysmal failure since they were brought here by the government in February. Amid much fanfare, the company promised to implement a “robust business plan with the goal to reduce customer electricity costs and provide increased reliability”. We have not had a reduction in customer electricity costs, and neither have we been blessed with this illusive promise of “increased reliability”. Under the terms of the Management Services Agreement (MSA) with the government of the Bahamas, PowerSecure was to provide its management services to Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) for the next five years To assist, the Government passed energy re- up to 150 per cent of their We no longer care to hear form legislation for the management fee per year. the excuses. We want reincorporation of BPL, as a But what do the Baha- sults. That is why you are wholly-owned subsidiary of mian people receive when here, BPL. You are being Bahamas Electricity Cor- BPL fail to live up to their paid handsomely to accomporation (BEC), to provide end of the bargain? plish a task that you said safe and secure electrical They have mismanaged you can achieve. services for the Bahamas. and destroyed any trust that You have sold us a bill of The government even re- the Bahamian people have goods, and we want what we moved from the manage- invested in them. They have paid for. If you are not up ment of BEC, its executive squandered our last ounce to the task, please, for the chairman, Leslie Miller, to of patience. love of God, go. Go, and go pave the way for this foreign The Bahamian people quickly! group of “professionals”. have had enough. It is not When Bahamians join in But what has BPL done in good enough for us to simon the next installment of return? Very little it seems. ply keep giving BPL a pass the #WeMarch demonstraUnder the terms of Pow- when our electrical supply tions, we hope that hunerSecure and is interrupted dreds, nay, thousands, more BPL’s MSA, ‘The Bahamian day in and day join in to demand that BPL in addition to people can out. It is not is removed from the manPowerSecure good enough agement of BEC. receiving a ill afford to for us to simply They have proven bebaseline annual continue to “forgive and yond a shadow of a doubt management forget” when that they are not up to the pay for such a fee of $2m, BPL they overcharge task for which they were must achieve vital service as us on our hired. It is high time that pre-defined key electricity and monthly bills by they accepted that and performance in- fail to get it on a “estimating”. moved on. The Bahamian dicators (KPIs) We are not people can ill afford to related to cost daily basis.’ amused by their continue to pay for such a reductions, relipublic relations vital service as electricity ability improvements and stunts of radio appearances and fail to get it on a daily customer service enhance- and Facebook posts, ask- basis. ments in order for Power- ing the public to “bear with That, to us, is only fair. Secure to receive potential them” as they word “assiduadditional performance- ously” to resolve one probComments and responses based compensation of lem after the next. to insight@tribunemedia.net

Does China deserve a bad press? ONE does not have to look far to see why China hosted its first ever ChinaLatin America and Caribbean Media Summit in Chile last month. Here in the Bahamas, hot topics recently have been proposed Chinese investments and the Bahamian people’s aversion to them. These investments include a Chinese Agri-Fisheries proposal that would purportedly require using 10,000 acres of North Andros’ land while promising millions of dollars in return for the country. The proposal does not appear to have gone anywhere far, not even reaching Cabinet, but that has not stopped critics from haranguing the Christie Administration for “selling the country out to the Chinese”. As some observers are quick to note when controversies like these arise, investments by Americans, Canadians or British never attract such hullabaloo. The Chinese are clearly aware that while their ties to government officials the world over may be deepening, discontent about developments from the people who put those officials in power exists as well.

Rashad Rolle reports on a media summit designed to improve understanding of the world’s most populous country and its intentions The Chinese reasons are that this is because of a fundamental misunderstanding, a lack of knowledge about their country’s intentions as well as the success the western media has had in painting their country in a negative light. Against this backdrop came last month’s media summit in Santiago, the Chilean capital. To boost the event’s profile, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a short and surprising appearance during the opening ceremony as part of his own trip throughout Latin America The event brought together more than 100 mostly senior officials of media companies from around the region in a bid to strengthen ties between their companies and China. The goal is to get these media representatives and their companies, which are responsible for disseminating information and creating narratives about the relationship between the

countries, to do their part in counteracting Western portrayals of the Chinese that harm its interests. During the summit, officials emphasised the need for Latin American and Chinese media companies to increase their footprint in each other’s countries, for instance, bypassing the agency wire systems and American-led media that gives everyone the same news and presents it with a supposedly slanted viewpoint. The summit had all the feeling of an inaugural event, one whose likely impact was not immediately obvious. Speeches were heavy on the niceties, emphasising the shared ambitions of peoples separated by thousands of miles. They were also light on specifying what should happen next. There may have even been a disconnect between the two sides concerning their responsibilities. “To keep pushing forward the China-Latin

CHINESE president Xi Jinping made a surprise visit to the media summit as part of his tour of Latin America. (AP Photo) American relation in the new era, the media circles on both sides have to pool together our wisdom and power,” said Huang Kunming, Executive Deputy Director of the publicity

department and Director of the Cultural Progress Advancement Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. “In the modern society, media is an important force

that leads public opinions, influences government decisions and promotes people-to-people exchanges. It should give full play to its advantages and play a more constructive and conducive role in promoting ChinaLatin America co-operation. The media should facilitate the progress on China-Latin America relations.” To some though, the media’s role in the China-Latin American relationship should be neutral. It’s goal is to neither be positive or negative. “Promotion” of a relationship is the province of governments and public relations experts, not traditional media companies concerned with truth. At the same time, China deserves an open mind rather than knee-jerk xenophobia. In a country that too often embraces unfair stereotypes of them, the Chinese people’s way of life deserves more attention in the Bahamas and its people should be humanized. But none of this should come at the expense of sober analysis of the impact See PG 9

PAGE 8 MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016

Email: insight@tribunemedia.net

GAIN AN EDGE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

GAIN AN EDGE

A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATI

Preparation is the key to unlocking success in college and beyond O

ver the past few weeks, you will have seen a recurring theme: the world we live in today is competitive and college is the edge that enables you to compete and succeed. Simply put, achieving your career goals requires some form of education or training beyond high school. At the Lyford Cay Foundations, we have found that with support and guidance, all Bahamians can achieve their career dreams by taking the important step of going to college. But the preparation for a great career starts long before you step through the doors of a college. Whether you are a high school student figuring out your future or whether you are ready to make a change after years in the workforce, laying the foundation for college begins now. There’s an easy three-step guide that everyone can use to transform their dreams into reality - ‘Dream. Plan. Succeed’.

Step one - Dream Dr Giavana Jones, Programme Director of Scholarships and College Success with Lyford Cay Foundation, says “It’s easy to forget that for many, greatness begins with a dream. Dreaming is liberating because it builds hope, which becomes the fuel that propels us forward, even through obstacles. Most importantly, as a first step, it allows you to consider what you may have never seen.” The first step to prepare for college is to crystallise your dream. Identifying your dream career starts with self-exploration. Think about what naturally captures your attention and what you’re good at. Your passions and interests are usually clues to your dream career. You can also visit websites like www.assessment. com to help you understand how your dreams can lead to a bright future.

Lyford Cay Foundations suggests a simple threestep guide for students to transform dreams into reality Step two - Plan Going from dream phase to reality takes focused planning. “The key to success is having a plan. Take the time to map out what you want to achieve and how to go about it,” said Cherrylee Pinder, of CP Training and Consulting Services, a business which provides soft skills training and human resource consulting. “If you’re in school, it may involve taking certain classes, attending enrichment programmes or joining organisations that give you access to your field,” she says. “Likewise, if you are charting career goals, you may consider whether you need to learn another language, obtain certifications or engage in networking opportunities. Success doesn’t just happe; it is crafted from a well thoughtout plan.” When creating your plan, consider the following: • How can you find out more about the career field you’re interested in? • What formal education and training will you need to get you to your goal? • Which colleges offer programmes in the field you would like to study? • How can you connect with someone in your chosen field who can mentor you? • How will you and your family finance your education? As you plan, it will be critical to explore the resources that are available here in the Bahamas

through our national institutions, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), and University of Bahamas (UB), as well as through professional bodies like the Bahamas Institute of Financial Services and other local entities. Scholarships are available through private organisations, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and through the Lyford Cay Foundations.

Step three - Succeed In your journey to college, there will be many milestones. Successes you can look forward to achieving along the way include: • Preparing for your college entrance exams; • Applying for and getting into college; and • Securing funding to attend college. Each success will be worth celebrating as you inch closer and closer to your ultimate goal, college graduation! The next steps after college graduation will be starting your career and carving out the life you have always wanted. The path to your personal success starts right here and now. With preparation, you can succeed!

Dr Giavana Jones, Programme Director of Scholarships and College Success with Lyford Cay Foundations, shares important tips on how to go from dreams to success. Photo: Disha Fraser/CayFocus

• Gain An Edge is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

Cherrylee Pinder, of CP Training and Consulting Services, says the key to success is having a plan.

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THE TRIBUNE

Monday, December 5, 2016, PAGE 9

MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016 PAGE 9

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Does China The deserve a bad press? World From pg7

of China’s investments or a demand that both the Bahamian government and Chinese representatives be more transparent concerning them. Last month’s summit functioned best when it did two things. One, when it emphasized the need for personnel exchanges and explored programs to allow this; knowledge of Chinese cultures is critical to combating xenophobia. Two, as an opportunity to network with media professionals in countries near and far in hope of collaboration. China’s economic ventures in the region were rarely mentioned but loomed large nonetheless. China’s international economic outreach, officials emphasize, doesn’t bespeak imperialism but is the inevitable consequence of seeking to address the needs of the country with the planet’s largest population. China’s trade surpluses and foreign reserves leave it desperate to seek ways of spending it, including through investments outside its country. With its massive population, it needs to reduce poverty rates and to address the constraints of its own domestic resources, prompting it to go outside its lines. Nothing but peace and prosperity are its goal, it emphasizes. Flaws notwithstanding, as far as this region is concerned, its critics have mostly failed to prove otherwise. • Comments and responses to insight@tribunemedia. net

dignity of the Obamas

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By SIR RONALD SANDERS

S Barack Obama’s Presidency of the United States enters its final weeks, there are tens of millions of people in America and across the world who already feel a great sense of loss. That sense will be heightened even more on January 20 when he walks out of the doors of the White House for the last time as President. For this man brought an extraordinary dignity to the office; a dignity that never sagged, not even when a Republican Congressman, Joe Wilson, shouted out, “You lie”, in the midst of his State of the Union speech in 2009. It was an unprecedented and rude outburst, never directed at any President before. The world saw that Obama dignity again and again, most recently when he hosted President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office to fulfil his duty of ensuring that the transition of power is smooth. It could not have been easy. After all, Trump launched his political ambition on the allegation that Obama was not a born American and, therefore, occupied the office of President illegally. Trump maintained that position, even though he knew it to be false, until days before the November 8 elections, and even then without a word of apology. Yet, Obama received him with all the courtesy, respect and importance that was necessary for a President to engage his successor. At the joint televised media event after their meeting, and in every statement

Obama has made within the US and in other countries, he has given every supportive chance to a Trump presidency. He calmed the stock markets; he soothed worried leaders in Europe and in Latin America; and he tried to reassure millions of Americans who fear that their country may have made a backward step into authoritarianism at home and unilateralism abroad. Beyond the dignity with which he conducted the office of the presidency, he put a caring and concerned human face on it. Witness his readiness to engage in town hall meetings in the US and in foreign countries; his willingness to open himself to questioning about his policies; and his tolerance of every person as his equal with a right to question and to be given answers. The latter quality was displayed many times, but none more effectively than in the heat of the TrumpClinton campaign trail when an older man, holding up a Trump sign, sought to interrupt Obama’s speech as he stumped for Clinton. The crowd jeered the man. Obama stopped them in a fashion that is typical of him. He pointed out that Americans lived in a country of free speech; that the man looked like he served in the military (he was wearing a uniform with medals) and his service should be respected; that he was elderly and respect for elders is paramount. That encounter was later related by Trump (probably on the basis of false information that was not checked) as “a disgrace” because Obama “screamed at the protestor”.

PRESIDENT Barack Obama received President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House last month with “courtesy, respect and importance”. Photo: Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Obama also hands to the wanted to see in America. tough decisions have to be Trump presidency a coun- Those people were not made. But, he is unquestiontry in much better shape only blacks and Hispan- ably a man with a great sense than he found it. An econ- ics; they crossed the wide of decency and a desire to do omy that was in the dol- spectrum American white the right thing. When he and his wife, drums when he took office voters - women, students, in 2008 is much improved; professionals and, signifi- Michelle, depart the White unemployment is down; cantly, the same people House, they will leave with the violent crime rate is in Florida, Iowa, Michi- their heads high - and, with the lowest since the 1970s; gan, North Carolina and grace and in dignity. They America was kept safe from Wisconsin that voted for would have served their nation well, striving to heal its foreign attacks throughout Trump in this election. Obama failed to do many ethnic and racial divisions; his presidency; and, abroad, initiatives were taken, such things, including with re- working for tolerance of as signing up to the agree- spect to the Caribbean; for those seen as “others” - the ments on Climate Change, example, Guantanamo Bay gay and lesbian community; and establishing diplomatic in Cuba is still occupied by and trying to establish that relations with Cuba that America as a military de- “immigrant” is not a word gave the US a more benevo- tention centre even though to define the unworthy he pledged to and the unwholesome, but lent face than it end it. His for- a word to describe people had for decades. ‘Obama gave eign policy judg- who have always gone to Despite his America a face ments require America because they truly intelligence, his of decency separate con- believed that it is a land of charisma and sideration, and freedom and possibilities his eloquence, around the will not all be where hard work pays divithe deck was world; and he regarded sympa- dends and where it is posalways stacked gave people thetically. But, against him getsible to make something he gave America ting through a everywhere of themselves that is better a face of decensweeping leg- reason to be than what they left behind. cy around the islative pro- proud and The Obamas did not world; and he gramme that succeed fully; but success gave people evewould deliver cause to believe rywhere reason cannot be measured in perthe transforma- that dignity, to be proud and fection. They have given tion he prom- equality and cause to believe America a glimpse of all ised. He was that dignity, that it can be and in doing elected twice as opportunity equality and op- so much good has been esPresident of the can be portunity can be tablished and will be diffiUnited States achieved. That achieved. That cult to destroy. because he was • Sir Ronald Sanders is in itself is a marable to reach in itself is a Antigua and Barbuda’s vellous legacy. over the vitriol marvellous Obama is Ambassador to the United of his opponents legacy.’ probably no States and the Organisainto the hearts saint, and he has tion of American States. and minds of ornever claimed to The views expressed are his dinary people who trusted be. Politicians live in a rough own. Responses and previhim, and who believed he and tumble world where ous commentaries: www. would be the change they sirronaldsanders.com

e n u b i r he T T policing must A1MAIN

PAGE 10 MONDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2016

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into fortresses, developed all manner of new technologies, passed comprehensive laws, and established highly trained police forces. Unfortunately, total protection is quite unattainable. There is the old adage â&#x20AC;&#x153;where one man can go, so can anotherâ&#x20AC;?. There is no such thing as an un-pickable lock or an impenetrable strongroom, any more than there is a military position that cannot be taken by force. The best we can do is to make the task as difficult as possible and to present the criminal with enough risk to act as a deterrent and to improve the chances of detection. The causes of crime are many, including declining morals, changes in family life, drug abuse and so on. As Commissioner Ellison Greenslade noted in his 2016 policing plan: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is no discounting the adverse effects that illegal drugs, the abuse of alcohol, gangs, teenage pregnancy, disengaged young adults and other social maladies have had on our country.â&#x20AC;? But, in my view, much of this can be boiled down to human greed and the desire for quick wealth and easy living. It is universally agreed that the best deterrent to crime is a strong and effective police force. But the

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HE Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) that I was a part of for 30 years was created in 1840, when the House of Assembly passed an act establishing the first uniform system of policing in the country - with a force of 17 men. The RBPF was organised along similar lines to the Metropolitan Police in London, which had been founded 11 years earlier as the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first modern police service. It had about 1,000 men. During my time on the force, selected officers were sent to top police colleges in Britain for advanced training. These included Bramshill and Hendon Colleges, the West Riding Detective School and the Scottish Police College. The objective was to improve our skills so we could make a greater contribution to effective policing at home. Effective policing includes tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, putting victims first, protecting vulnerable people, dealing with terrorism and organised crime, and maintaining public safety. Keeping people safe has to be a top priority if we are to preserve our quality of life. In search of personal security we have turned our homes

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ETT SKA DORS BY SANCHE f Reporter af Tribune St unemedia.net sdorsett @trib Power and BA HA M AS ed disconum Light has res past due acof s unection orate Comm counts, Corpanager Arnette nications M nfi rmed yesco Ingraham terday. rs Ingraham However, M any is only mp said the co ng accounts â&#x20AC;&#x153;disconnecti SEE PAGE SIX

vehicles into the country. For example, we could control the movement of heavy equipment by designating specific times for movement. We could ban buses from certain streets in the city. We could introduce a points system for the suspension of driving licences and implement tougher tests MONTH MURDERS TOTAL for new drivers. Recommendations like these have been JANUARY 8 8 made over the years, but they FEBRUARY 11 19 were never acted upon. MARCH 12 31 But public opinion can APRIL 11 42 help to bring about posiMAY 9 51 tive changes. There is no and JUNE 11 62 n was killed d a ter a woma an denying that police action DORSETT two people, a woman folA SK JULY 0 62 HE r BY SANC hospitalised ting aff Reporte man, were shoo Tribune St unemedia.net against criminals would be AUGUST 7 69 a drive by ing rib est @t low W ett off sdors Sand Trap ineffective without the acding at the eet around 8pm on or SEPTEMBER 6 75 rec Str DESPIT E eral Bay day. ers and sev tive support and co-operaOCTOBER 10 85 three murd shooting inci- Mon e shooting took the Th count to erâ&#x20AC;&#x153;seriousâ&#x20AC;? hours, Of fic al countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s murder d was the tion of the public. 48 in NOVEMBER 13 98 nts an ntr de of the Ce Su- 90 for the year since Sunin- Charge Over the past decades Unit, Chief Fer- third homicide DECEMBER 4 102 Detective Clayton r perintendent the public has day. ief Supt Fernande Bahamian police have dema id Ch not have nander sa be afraidâ&#x20AC;?. police do â&#x20AC;&#x153;no need to view with The said e for the killing at onstrated competence and er tiv do int y mo In an t said the pt FerChief Su is time, bu crimes thhave n vic- to be committed in courage, and by and large me scriminal always ers on patrol when needed. wo Tribune,will me to the believe ponded nander res cial media that not were the intended tar s the advantage being able the they patrol. This meant that additonal they have been able to win in the ply areas stay tim sages on so miby ha ans to this gets, but were simthe wrong warned Ba at s place home ng ir to choose the time, place The basic mission of the officers had to be kept in the confidence of the peoro the â&#x20AC;&#x153;w g an inside cause a â&#x20AC;&#x153;g m timeâ&#x20AC;?. weekend, befor victim fro as established by Sir and method the stations to deal with ple they serve. pted. his crimes. g, The male police, tin oo sh s warâ&#x20AC;? had erupt Fernander htâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; onday nig Chief Supt ief Su response try is Mhas In recenting. years there has un to So thesaCh police Robert Peel in London in emergencies. Radio comco e ing tir rd id the en sâ&#x20AC;? and the acco der is â&#x20AC;&#x153;very well en Rahm an hand and Reuba is Fern lay Bowe effort by the been notable in â&#x20AC;&#x153;safe flexible to be both efwas to prevent crime munication has eliminated lice. nward Wells po1829, mattersand Re to s t nâ&#x20AC;? ate Photo: Yonta tha ow did ng kn SIX lice fellow can only ga e GE Po s sid PA E ng ma SE alo ha FNM, the police to train more specialRoyal Ba fective.theAnd the public has and disorder. This has not this drawback and there is for on ati ratific F). t night at his Force (R BP urs began afspeaking las mo to become better acquaint- fundamentally changed, but a formidable argument to ist officers. And this has reJEFF Lloyd The ru GHT used certainly expand beat patrols as part sulted in a better criminal ed with prevention CmeastheFImethods URT OVER O IN E R U C H rate,ingas well as a ures - including the latest DR Police are more mo- of a universal system of po- detection JA OPP-yeED s of organis IS have. N the proces s lau nch last O TI A S ar- old better communiIL teâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; U RG reduction in certain types C ida technologies. bile, have licing. Beat patrolling tends 26 VI C nd A A ca his SN T its RI - BUMECH JOHNSON alocounngtrysidmae n Terefe Masoe ofn r Rahm ing dit By KH Chief Reporter ht, where Mratified, exnigcrime. money or crecethe puty eiveimprove of The RBPF has done recations to s Decommunity charg and greater techni- to rec edia.net r By LA ficial ly lan em gle rte of ba un s sin po t a trib wa Re un e IL f il@ co sociation to fac ne Staf blic placeâ&#x20AC;? By KHRISNA VIRG rter toward ac icity provider kvirg s of the as sti ng ing net utiveis in a puskills emedia. ecIt po of isethan ever before. markablyTrljoibu well contain service provided by officers â&#x20AC;&#x153;fighting cal electr n@ tribunto ing a responsibility National hnso from draftthe d Light nt at Parad m- Deputy Chief Re ia.net Free re an ide r we inc E is and we Po an TH od inn ed s M in ma Pinewo , Nove tribunem of Dr Baha e star our Sunday kvirgil@ evolved, critismCommissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team the criminal assault society has so and provides an ementâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CA N regga on Movimportant new cand iIsland onAs y As- the ). e nc s th PL in ue JA M AI f (B g aim tit sel ns o tin rejec e als nd him of ficially rdens Co sed, ber 13. The initia d accuapproach eded Ga tion has This branded theand Jah Cure fou eâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;shave nameour m W HI LEto crime. planners to keep Court yes-per-A third society. Officers has totiv the ch necommunity. is- date. his cia of his par- to link strongest for create mu hamian na the Magistrat of commitwhere so fulâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;d hing three And in the -year- old Ba Thompson, launc al six New Provi- jobs in an economy s at party â&#x20AC;&#x153;deceit id accusa-abreast cused eral of the 22 ac y t l, sev da tha ter changing circumamacformed valiantly and developencourages or dismissaof ht, nour huge nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remain residents ulâ&#x20AC;?to tyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fin of ea TrevTremendous nig tio t ctf t l em en cia pe las sd na Dr so arym res as mi tio tes er plo a the ad ida y ting ument t present at dence cand nal Movement unem oury levels, Dr M in- tions that FN M Le e as- constituenc ded lasaccount from an arg was notments attentake sav stances, to of eo in progress has been made have taken inis uncept their own responsibilstemmed is brok NatioplaceM inn ptured on vid of raignment. s Free bert M inn ort for talk membersevent donning flo rt ca wa be Hu s r id. Hu wa ge sa t ted sin Dr tha pp ds Leader nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ver, the tackle nis er repeathe thousanmedia rances of supersigns and HoweBahamian furthhelp emerging issues, and to forpublic relations Perity police He to his plans to of the of- policing. orange and su oln Bain as and shared and . nc ed led nt iew r Li ea dia ce arg un M st rev ch rev res me co l ho of p, dis cia the ow sto rer support times on so 39, whose real later . y reform in plemen- plans to secret deals the sh partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standard-bea mulate energnotable placards in M in- for more r, priorities support. This has enabled most form duties. , fence haps the s the ose Reuh the im are bashing Dr ncel anytheir The singe ture Alcock SEE PAGE SIX try throug a national solar ca rs that hand s for this seat and ch the can- Bain and rty discove me is Sicca e Magisas iou pa of na , ec pr ing ion . sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hm tat nis effective policing. ma the Commissioner his the specialist police The high drama tragRa befor and ey TWO nand ral Baha GE be ne e.units, PA ge the tiv E n er 17 tia SE eig ov 20 appeared ini inn r for powe el McK me, he told natural resources to didate for the trate Samusome sucThe Commissionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s This program team to achieve like the Drug Enforcement mayhem ort- edy of murder and on. electi was in party supp edy interests. rty of pa e res th TEN W hile only rem E PAGE cess, as evidenced by a four Unit, and the sco reduced the only issues po- 2016 policing plan identifies , will not time ers icity, are not SE st of electr the high co ow customers all per cent decrease in serious it takes for police to get to lice have to contend with. the following priorities: ll wi but ende in the indep hair and deâ&#x20AC;˘ The prevention crimes against the person in the scene of a crime. Tech- Although it might seem confidenc ce-C essed with expr of the commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Vi ter nis mi ce the magnientection s. Isaaccrime. 2015. nical standards are also im- odd, inMrterms Turnquest, of ons in the go, you Stephen of y for electi tion and a Justice n itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for you to want â&#x20AC;&#x201C; tra responsibilit control youthe fear of QUEST â&#x20AC;&#x153;W he â&#x20AC;˘ Reducing The police approach fo- proving as we strive toRNkeep tude traffic uenr nonsense un ham adminis Coovertit ve gra r ns By AVA TU ate In rte d with t wh po las do the can ief Re er of to fool aro rnquest net Tribune Ch time membother re was not nocrime. two-every chance trying M r Tu cuses on prevention, the pace with the latest innova, said thepolice tribunemedia. shadows aturnquest@ Commission data to justify any the constituency line,â&#x20AC;? The Tribune. s cie sray Mini tistical ntacted by curit voter regist â&#x20AC;˘ en coMaintaining enough sta preservation of public or- tions. task. everyone REE public low National Se rd said wh lled Practically SEE PAGE TH FORMER ges given the yeste ay ca y Turnquest boundary lines channumbers. gerryof ter Tommof trust and confidence. der and the speedy detecThe old system pain a community is affected n the ue tio to iss s esange on the ly potential ch eâ&#x20AC;?, taking aim at sugg ies Reflecting wever, he ultimate nc tituetraffic aste of tim â&#x20AC;˘ The safety and security ng, ho way or antion and arrest of miscre- trolling a beat a â&#x20AC;&#x153;wwas often by inerione cons mand increase in tions of an 2017 general election. the was ants. Officers try to make criticised because other. And the police are of the public. ahead ofit â&#x20AC;˘ Working with young it as difficult as possible for difficult to contact the offic- inevitably involved whenever a problem arises - from people. â&#x20AC;˘ The protection of the illegal parking to vehicular PAUL Thompson is the quintessential policeman. His tourist industry. homicide. career spanned the modern development of The Bahaâ&#x20AC;˘ The efficient manageTraffic control has bemas - from colonial times to the challenges of nationcome more difficult for the ment of resources. hood. As the plan noted, police police and subjects them to Born in a small farming village in Trinidad, he was reper work is dangerous and depressures sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;from cruited by the Royal Bahamas Police Force in 1951. He g Newspasourcinmany ad Le nd la a Is es.hamOfficers must try to manding. And the force will spent most of his time on the force in the Criminal InNassau & Ba prevent accidents and dif- place continuing emphasis vestigation Department, retiring in 1981 as an Assistant fuse congestion. They must on properly equipping ofCommissioner. have an understanding of ficers to perform their duHe then began a second career as head of security for the purpose of control, the ties more effectively. the Paradise Island Resort & Casino, returning to the poNEXT WEEK: the need factors involved and the lice force as a civilian training officer in 1998, and in 2002 methods to be used. Most to upgrade our chaotic pubwas appointed general manager of Wemco Security. importantly there must be lic tranport system. Five years later, he set up his own security company Comments and responses adequate and intelligent Paul Thompson & Associates. Now in his 80s, he remains legislation, a willingness to to insight@tribunemedia.net active in security work.

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Monday, December 5, 2016, PAGE 11

Suspect in series of armed robberies detained by police By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A MAN allegedly responsible for “hundreds of armed robberies” was arrested with another man after leading police on a high-speed chase on Carmichael Road on Friday morning, averting what senior police said could have been a “disaster for some business people” in the lead up to Christmas. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Stephen Dean, the two men were captured by police after they were reportedly spotted “canvassing” the Carmichael Road area throughout much of Friday morning. ACP Dean said police were notified shortly before 11am by a “concerned citizen” after various business owners feared their establishments would be robbed. ACP Dean said at various points on Carmichael Road, the car driven by the suspects could be seen by business owners “slowing down” suspiciously, as if they were scoping out their potential targets. ACP Dean also said police are investigating to see if the vehicle used was stolen. On being notified, ACP Dean said officers from the mobile division caught up with the two men “midways” on Carmichael Road, which resulted in a chase east on Carmichael Road. ACP Dean said the chase ended in the Golden Gates Shopping Plaza, where the two men ditched a firearm from the vehicle. Shortly afterwards, both men were arrested and taken into custody, ACP Dean said. ACP Dean said while police believe both suspects are

responsible for committing a number of armed robberies, one of the suspects is known to be a “prolific armed robber” who has been “in and out of the system” and who was likely “about to do some severe, serious damage during this Christmas”. Nonetheless, ACP Dean attributed Friday’s arrest to “public support” and members of the public “working in concert with the police”. “This is exactly what we have been asking the public,” he said. “Immaterial to how insignificant the information might seem, you might say it was nothing. One could have easily said thats some guys just passing. But because the public was alert, they are listening to the message we continue to send out, they are listening to us. And as a result of the public, a concerned citizen, they put in that phone call and that phone call helped us to get the success today. “Preliminary examination of these two individuals, we can tell you that one of them is a prolific armed robber, who has been in and out of the systems,” ACP Dean added. “He is responsible for hundreds of armed robberies in this country, and we believe he was about to do some severe, serious damage during this Christmas. But I believe we have averted what could have been a disaster for some business people today. “But we want to reassure members of the public that our people are up and about, our officers are out there canvassing the area. We told you in the policing plan earlier this year that we will be looking at these types of things, looking at the prolific offenders, and we are targeting them. We have some

more prolific offenders on the agenda, because these people are in and out of the system. We believe we can keep them behind bars, we will be able to bring crime to a manageable level.” Still, ACP Dean cautioned the public to exercise caution as they conduct their personal affairs at this time of year, which he said includes checking one’s surroundings, alternating travelling routes and remaining vigilant while parking in various parking lots. ACP Dean also made an appeal to business owners to not seek to make large bank deposits without the assistance of a “reputable” security agency and/or the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). “Depositing by yourself, those days are over,” he said. “We are asking you, we are pleading with you, get a reputable security firm to help you escort that large sum of money. And also you can talk to the police to get assistance with escort duties as the case may be. “We also say to business persons, do not carry large sums of money home with a view that ‘I’m going to take it to the bank the next day’. Do not leave large sums of money in the business places overnight. That’s only creating a temptation for somebody. So we are asking you to be alert.” ACP Dean added: “Crime prevention and personal safety, it starts with you, the individual. You have to be alert. This is the time that we know people are happy, they worked hard all year, they’re looking at loved ones who they can buy gifts for, some things they can do, but we are asking you to not let your guard down.”

MANATEE IS TRACKED TO THE BAHAMAS

A FLORIDA manatee known as ‘Washburn’ has made history by being the first manatee that researchers have actively tracked as she crossed the Gulf Stream and arrived in the Bahamas. Last week, scientists from the Bahamas Marine Mammal Research Organisation (BMMRO) confirmed the pregnant manatee is now swimming in the waters of the northern Abacos near Grand Cay. Crossing the Gulf Stream and finding the banks of the Bahamas is no easy feat for slow-swimming manatees typically found in shallow water, so researchers monitoring her during her near 200-mile trek were concerned. “Thanks to the quick response from BMMRO’s scientists, we received photos and video of Washburn’s condition upon arrival in Abaco and could confirm that she had made it safely,” said Dr James Powell, executive director of Florida’s Sea to Shore Alliance, the group that tagged and released Washburn early last month in Florida. Washburn has joined a handful of other Florida manatees that have migrated to the Bahamas. BMMRO has worked with manatee researchers at the US Geological Survey to document at least four manatees in the Bahamas that were previously from Florida (identified as known individuals by the unique scar patterns on their body). BMMRO’s executive director, Dr Diane Claridge explained: “Due to successful management efforts in Florida, the manatee population is slowly increasing which is causing a natural expansion of their range, and is likely why manatees are increasingly seen in the Bahamas.” If this trend continues, the Bahamas could become home to more manatees, which is why one of BMMRO’s primary outreach programmes is focused on increasing awareness about manatees to ensure their wellbeing. Over 400 people are now helping BMMRO scientists track manatees as they move

WASHBURN the manateee in Abaco. Photo: BMMRO throughout the islands after a social media campaign. For Washburn, this was not her first unusual journey. She made headlines in the United States this fall when she was rescued from the cooling waters of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, on September 22 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare and began her rehabilitation at Connecticut’s Mystic Aquarium before being flown to SeaWorld Orlando by the Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station. Her rescue and rehabilitation were co-ordinated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership, a co-operative group of more than two dozen private and governmental agencies that pool resources to rehabilitate injured Florida manatees and then release them back into their natural habitat. After treatment for cold stress, Washburn was released on November 1, near New Smyrna Beach, Florida, at which time Sea to Shore Alliance scientists placed a satellite tag on her as part of a manatee movement study. Washburn spent 11 days in the area, feeding and resting normally with other manatees, before travelling south down the coast, then east offshore and into the Gulf Stream. Washburn arrived on Little Bahama Bank off Walker’s Cay on Thanksgiving Day and was photographed by BMMRO scientists northeast of Grand Cay on November 26. The BMMRO is a non-profit group based in Sandy Point, Abaco whose mission is to promote the conservation of marine mammals through scientific research and educational outreach.

CONCERN OVER DELAY IN PLACEMENT OF DOCTORS ON ELEUTHERA By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THERE is growing concern in North and Central Eleuthera over the apparent delay in the placement of a crop of new medical doctors in the area, with residents claiming that they have gone without “adequate medical care” for more than three months. Admitting that they have heard the “promises” from medical administrators in New Providence, residents said they have had enough of sub-standard and insufficient medical service. In late September, The Tribune received noticed that the usual count of three medical doctors in the area had been brought down to one; with that doctor being stationed in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. It was said that the doctors stationed in both North and Central Eleuthera had been removed for various reasons, with very little consideration given to the timeframe for replacements to be named. In the build up to Hurricane Matthew, local administrators in Eleuthera gave notice that the matter could evolve into a bigger issue if it continued to go unchecked. According to local media reports, the response given to that notice specified that the island was equipped with “a good compliment of professional registered nurses and nurse practitioners, skilled in emergency services, midwifery, community nursing and other critical areas.” In addition to residents, staff at the various facilities throughout North and Central Eleuthera are said to be “torn” over the ordeal, with fears that any public campaign being launched in opposition to the matter would be viewed as “unwarranted complaining” by superiors back in the capital. One nurse, who spoke to The Tribune on the condition of anonymity, contended that the matter has gotten consistently worse in recent weeks as some patients have began to take issue with the level of care being offered at facilities. That nurse claimed: “They need medication filled, a certain level of treatments; way beyond

what nurses are able to do. It is insane for us to step up and do these things not being authorised, but at the same time, quality care is quality care.” “How do you say to a person week in and week out that ‘I know you need treatment, I can’t do it, but a doctor may be coming soon.’ And I stress ‘may be’ because no one is sure, no on is certain; but these people need attention in the time being.” Another nurse, asked of the work load in recent months without a doctor stated in short, that it is “stressful”. She echoed the sentiment that nurses on the island are trying their best to offset the lack of doctors, but simply are able to deliver the level of care required by

many patients. People living in Northern and Central Eleuthera needing to see a medical doctor have had to either travel to New Providence, or make then lengthy drive to the southern end of the island to be treated in the public clinic in Rock Sound. In recent weeks, there has been a level of confusion over exactly which government department has direct responsibility over this ordeal. The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) said that the Department of Public Health was responsible for the matter as no facility in Eleuthera falls under the management of the PHA. The Tribune’s efforts to get a response from the Department of Public Health last week were unsuccessful.

PAGE 12, Monday, December 5, 2016

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A full stomach thanks to red noses for students on hurricane-hit islands By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

SEVEN primary schools in West Grand Bahama and North Andros impacted by Hurricane Matthew will receive free hot breakfast meals courtesy of an $8,000 donation from the Red Nose Day (Bahamas) campaign. At St Anne’s School on Friday, 11-year-old Red Nose (Bahamas) founder Caden Smith presented Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald with the cheque, the proceeds of which were raised from this year’s inaugural Red Nose Day (Bahamas) drive in February.

RETRIAL DATE TO BE SET IN MURDER CASE By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A RETRIAL date will be determined in two weeks for a man accused of murder and attempted murder. Shirvon Stubbs, 25, appeared before Justice Bernard Turner for a status hearing on Friday concerning a December 13, 2014 incident in which 18-yearold Jaquan Rolle was shot dead and then 14-year-old Ashton Dorsett critically injured. Rolle and his brother were shot at on Soldier Road as they left the funeral of another brother, Jermaine Rolle Jr, who was killed on November 29. Stubbs, defended by Glendon Rolle, was initially set to stand trial on October 3. However, while the jury was empanelled on that day, the matter was adjourned to October 5. But the case never commenced due to the approach and passing of Hurricane Matthew. Last month, after the case had started, his lawyer was involved in a traffic accident resulting in a further week’s delay. Justice Turner ultimately discharged the jury so that the delay would not prejudice Stubbs’ right to a fair trial. In a status hearing on Friday, the lawyer indicated that he was still not 100 per cent recovered and the matter was adjourned to December 16 for a retrial date to be set. Stubbs, who maintains his innocence, was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services until then.

The Bartlett Hill, Lewis Yard, Martin Town, West End and Holmes Rock primary schools in West Grand Bahama, as well as the Lowe Sound and Nicholl’s Town primary schools in North Andros will benefit from the donation, Mr Fitzgerald said. Red Nose Day is a fundraising campaign spearheaded by non-profit organisation Comic Relief Inc. The annual campaign raises funds to assist the poor, but mainly young children and young adults in some of the poorest communities in the world such as Africa, Asia and Latin America. Money raised during the Red Nose Day campaign goes to the

Red Nose Day fund, and is used to support projects to keep children and young people safe, healthy and educated. Caden, who wanted to help stamp out hunger in her own country, met with Social Services Director Melanie Zonicle and Mr Fitzgerald to offer her views on how the Red Nose Day fundraiser would be beneficial to The Bahamas. Last October, her persistence paid off as she received a proclamation from Prime Minister Perry Christie to launch the first Red Nose Day in The Bahamas, which was launched on February 19. Money raised from Red Nose Day (Bahamas) is to

be used to assist the government’s National Lunch Programme, which provides lunch for more than 3,000 government school students. Red Nose Day (Bahamas) had also previously proposed to supplement the programme with a breakfast plan. “The Red Nose initiative is something that young Caden Smith came to me with earlier this year, and I can still recall that meeting when she was so energetic, so full of life, and wanted to do what she could to serve her community, particularly those children she felt were in need,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “This of course was a national event she put on, and

I encouraged her from day one, and she inspired me to support her to the extent where I did a public service announcement, even putting on the red nose myself. So I really want to thank her for everything she has done in this regard. And to encourage more young people to get involved and to have an appreciation that we are our brother’s keeper, and it is our duty to help where we can help.” Caden, who aspires to be a pediatrician, thanked everyone who she felt played a part in supporting the Red Nose Day (Bahamas) initiative. “I’d like to thank the ministers of education and social services, corporate Bahamas and the public for

believing in me and helping me to make my dream of feeding children who are in need, a reality,” she said. St Anne’s vice-principal Nicolette Archer commended Caden for being an upstanding student and a good ambassador for the school. “We are so very proud of Caden, who is showing what it is like to be a real, true Blue Wave,” she said. “We are here in Blue Wave country where we say that character counts every day and all of the time. And in this initiative Caden has really shown that she is a young lady of character. “She has often won the good character award in our school and, as you can see, this shows you why.”

DAVIS BACKING BPL AS BLACKOUTS GO ON from page one

“The challenge has been we still have the aged engines and we have not been able to address them in the way we had anticipated much earlier. That requires capital. Remembering that BPL is still a Bahamianowned entity and they look to government for the raising of their capital, therein lies the challenge at the moment. We need to be able to replace the aged engines DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis at the commissioning of and that is what is giving us Bahamas Power and Light’s power plant in Harbour Island last month. the challenge that we have and replace those engines storm, with several rejecttoday. that are aged.” ing BPL’s claims of using “I think reDespite Mr “historical usage data” that liability has ‘I think reliability Davis’ claim was specific to each cusbeen improved. has been that light bills tomer’s account to calculate What I say to improved. What have decreased, billing. residents that angry BPL conYesterday, New Proviyou would have I say to residents sumers have dence experienced another seen improve- that you would openly criti- island-wide outage around ments in reli- have seen cised the elec- 2pm. When The Tribune ability, you tricity provider spoke to President of the would have improvements for higher-than- Bahamas Electrical Workseen improve- in reliability, you normal billing, ers Union Paul Maynard ments in the would have seen especially fol- around 4.30pm, he indicatbottom line of lowing Hurri- ed that the company “had your bills since improvements cane Matthew. no idea” what caused the 2012. Take in the bottom Many con- problem. heart from that told The “All we know right know line of your bills sumers to realise that Tribune they is that several engines we will fulfil since 2012.’ simply could shut down at Baillou Hill the other end of not understand (power station) and we are the bargain, that is reliable the “extraordinarily” high trying to get them back on generation, which will come bills they were sent post- but these engines are old,

there is only so much we can do.” BPL posted updates about the blackout on its Facebook page. Around 4pm, the company said BPL said teams were working to restart engines and eventually begin restoring power to customers. “BPL apologises for the system instability issues today and in the past few days and assures you that every reasonable effort is being made to correct the problems. We will continue to update you on the progress of our restoration effort,” the brief statement said. Around 7.30pm, BPL said it had begun restoring power to some areas as it asked for patience, saying the process would be a slow one. “Despite some challenges restarting engines, BPL has managed to get several units back up and running and has started to restore power in New Providence,” the company said on Facebook. “We do advise that given the existing system instability, this will be a slow process as we work to restore power without causing another total system shut-

down.” Irate residents vented their frustrations on BPL’s Facebook page. “No one is interested in apologies, especially after the ‘over-estimated’ bills we just paid,” one person wrote. “Grown folks with grown folks stuff to do require power. It’s laughable that you guys managed millions of households in the United States but are unable to manage a couple of hundred thousand here. This is simply unacceptable as that crappy apology. We should have some recourse. URCA please do your job. Bahamian people deserve better.” Another customer said: “BPL you are messing up my appliances. Who is going to fix my TVs, refrigerator, microwave, freezer, radios etc? Your business in this country is not welcomed in the least. Why don’t you just leave and go back to your own country? This is unacceptable.” BPL said it would continue to provide updates via its Facebook page. American company PowerSecure took over management of BPL, formerly BEC, earlier this year.

POLICE HUNTING FOR TWO MEN IN GRAND BAHAMA

DEANGELO DEAN

GRAND Bahama police are searching for two men who are wanted for questioning, one in reference to causing grievous harm and the other for stealing. Ricardo Quincy Jones Jr, 25, of 17 Halibut Street, Freeport, is wanted for causing grievous harm. He is 5ft 10in, of average build and weighs about 170

pounds. He has medium brown complexion, with brown eyes, goatie and crew cut hair. The second suspect, Deangelo Dean, aka “DD,” 26, of 9 Man-O-War Circle, Freeport, is wanted for stealing. He is about 6ft, of average build and weighs 200 pounds. He is of medium

brown complexion, brown eyes, a goatie and crew cut hair. An all points bulletin has been issued for these men, who should be approached with extreme caution. Anyone with information concerning their whereabouts is asked to call police at 911, 350-3107 through 12, or the nearest police station.

RICARDO QUINCY JONES

MAN DENIES ROBBERIES By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

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A MAN denied being the culprit behind two gunpoint robberies over the summer during his formal Supreme Court arraignment on Friday. Chino Milord, 19, was arraigned on two counts of armed robbery by Justice Bernard Turner through video conferencing from

the Remand Centre at the Department of Correctional Services. It is claimed that on August 13, while armed with a handgun, he robbed Hugh Johnson of $18,910.39 that belonged to The Sports Centre store. It is also alleged that the Sutton Street resident was behind a gunpoint robbery on August 6 when Emmanuel Jerome was held up for a cell phone, $50 cash and a

chain valued at $90. Milord pleaded not guilty to charges concerning both incidents. He was told that he would be brought before Acting Justice Rene McKay on December 14, when he will receive trial dates for both matters. Milord, who remains without legal representation, could face up to life imprisonment if convicted of the charges.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, December 5, 2016, PAGE 13

PM: Baha Mar to start to open ‘in the second quarter of 2017’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Perry Christie gave his most specific comments yet about when Baha Mar will open, revealing during a Bahamas Hotel Association (BHA) event on Friday that the troubled mega resort will begin its phased opening in the second quarter of 2017. “(Chow Tai Fook Enterprises) is arranging for operation by the Grand Hyatt of the Casino and Convention hotels and of other properties by SLS

and Rosewood, all internationally renowned brands, beginning with a phased opening in the second quarter of 2017,” he said. “These operations will almost immediately begin to have a positive economic impact.” Mr Christie also said 1,500 employees will be hired “imminently” in the new year. “This is to facilitate the phased opening of 1,800 rooms at the conference and casino hotel, the casino, convention centre and golf course, and employment of up to 3,300 by August, 2017, and 4,300 by December, 2017,

when all components have been completed and opened.” Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) will invest $200m in “pre-opening festivities, development of family amenities, entertainment and offshore island facilities and demolition and re-development of the former Crystal Palace Hotel,” Mr Christie said the gathering of hotel and tourism personnel. “With these additional investments completed, the project will have created 5,700 new direct jobs and an additional 4,160 indirect and inducted jobs.” Mr Christie said Baha

Mar’s contractor already has over 500 people working on site, overseeing standards and constructing a timeline for the resort’s completion. “This will ensure ontime competition of those properties that are slated to open in April, 2017, and by December, 2017,” he said. Mr Christie mentioned other developments in the pipeline, including some slated for Grand Bahama. “The competition and opening of the Baha Mar mega resort will be complemented by the opening of the 250-room, all-inclusive

Warwick Hotel on Paradise Island and the phased construction at The Pointe of a 100-unit condominium complex slated for competition September, 2018, and a branded, 150-room hotel which will open November, 2018. “The 900-space garage at The Pointe is also undergoing a phased opening with current access given to annual pass holders and tenants and public access to the garage following shortly thereafter. “These are all developments which are expected to have immediate and sig-

nificant impact on commercial activity, employment and government revenues in New Providence and indirect impacts on the rest of the country.” A high-ranking government delegation left for China on Thursday to meet with prospective Baha Mar buyer CTFE and tour its casino operations. The delegation includes Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson; Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe; Sir Baltron Bethel, senior advisor to the Prime Minister; and four officials from the Gaming Board.

BUTLER-TURNER SUSPICIOUS OF BAHA MAR JOBS TIMING from page one “This is to facilitate the phased opening of 1,800 rooms at the conference and casino hotel, the casino, convention centre and golf course, and employment of up to 3,300 by August, 2017, and 4,300 by December, 2017, when all components have been completed and opened,” he said. “Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) will invest $200 million in pre-opening festivities, development of family amenities, entertainment and offshore island facilities and demolition and re-development of the former Crystal Palace Hotel. With these additional investments completed, the project will have created 5,700 new direct jobs and an additional 4,160 indirect and inducted jobs,” he added. Mrs Butler-Turner said Mr Christie has been disingenuous and misled the Bahamian people about Baha Mar “too many times to count” and she does not believe that this time will be any different. “We have heard this song from the Prime Minister a few times too often and none of it has come to fruition,” Mrs Butler-Turner said. “He said workmen were on the ground a couple months ago and that wasn’t true, so any promises from Mr Christie are ringing hollow at this point. What is different about this proclamation than all the others? “I take you back to the meeting he had in the Cabinet Office where he said everyone will be paid. Some people have gotten their money but many of the contractors are still waiting so I find it hard to believe anything he said. He has been disingenuous and (misled)

the people about Baha Mar being sold. So I will have to have real evidence to substantiate what he is saying because I have lost faith in him and his empty promises.” Mrs Butler-Turner also said she finds it “coincidental” that jobs are coming right before Bahamians head to the polls. “Mr Christie and his cohorts have been an abysmal failure in office and this is his last attempt to hoodwink the Bahamian people,” she said. “The second quarter is May, June, July - right around elections, I find that highly suspect that’s when jobs will be given. I caution the Prime Minister to remember that we have been advised that the building has been compromised and needs considerable work, so in his rush to say he is

employing people I do not want him to embarrass this country and get tourists here and that building is not up to standard. To me that is very, very important.” A high-ranking government delegation left for Hong Kong on Thursday to meet with prospective Baha Mar buyer CTFE and tour its casino operations. The delegation includes Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson; Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe; Sir Baltron Bethel, senior advisor to the Prime Minister; and four officials from the Gaming Board. In October, 2015, more than 2,000 Baha Mar employees were made redundant. At the time, the resort’s court-appointed joint provisional liquidators, Bahamas-based KRyS Global and UK-based AlixPartners, said the layoffs

were due to the financial insolvency of the $3.5 billion resort project that has been stalled since June 29, 2015.

PRIME Minister Perry Christie pictured during a tour of the Baha Mar property earlier this year. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation

Consultants Revitalization of the Sponging Industry Project number ATN/ME-15441-BH The Government of The Bahamas has received financing from the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments under the Revitalization of the Sponging Industry for the services of consultants to deliver the following activities: Consultancy 1: Sponge research - internationally and nationally. Consultancy 2: Determination of the local sponge industry baselines. Consultancy 3: Determination of optimal sustainable sponge. harvesting practices, and development of guidelines for sustainable certification. Consultancy 4: Development of branding tools. Consultancy 5: Production of exporting tools for locally produced items to be sold in the international market. Consultancy 6: Development of a 5-year Business Plan. Consultancy 7: Provision of training – Governance training, and Financial management training. The Bahamas Agricultural Industrial Corporation now invites eligible consultants or consultancy firms to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested candidates must provide proposals, along with information outlining qualification, experiences, competencies, and cost. Consultants will be selected in accordance with procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (GN-2350-7) and is open to all eligible consultants as defined in the policies.

How to Apply

Interested consultants may obtain detailed information about these position on our website www.baic.gov.bs. Proposals must be delivered via direct mail or email at the address indicated below. Bahamas Agriculture and Industrial Corporation Attn: Human Resources P.O. Box N-4940 Nassau, Bahamas Email: sponge@baic.gov.bs

BAIC HEAD OFFICE & TRAINING CENTER Old Trail Road • P. O. Box N-4940 Nassau, Bahamas

Tel: (242) 396-3725/6 Fax: (242) 322-2123 / 328-6542 Web: www.baic.gov.bs www.facebook.com/mybaic

Growing. Partnering. Empowering.

PAGE 14, Monday, December 5, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

FNM PREPARING TO RATIFY FAMILY ISLAND CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net THE Free National Movement (FNM) is nearing the completion of its 2017 general election campaign lineup, with party Chairman Sidney Collie telling The Tribune on Friday that the organisation

expects to ratify several Family Island candidates in the coming weeks. Although three constituencies in New Providence remain without candidates Killarney, Yamacraw and St Anne’s - Mr Collie said the FNM has now set its sights on the Family Islands. “Next on the agenda is North Abaco along with

South and Central Abaco, Central and South Eleuthera, North Eleuthera and Exuma,” Mr Collie told The Tribune. “Once we complete those we will return to Grand Bahama.” Asked about the candidates for the remaining constituencies in the capital, which include Killarney - party leader Dr Hubert

Minnis’ constituency - Mr Collie said the leader’s seat is always the last to be ratified. As for the other two, Mr Collie said the “potential candidates are ready but have employment issues to resolve”. Last month the party ratified three candidates, including radio talk show host and attorney Jeff Lloyd, for

South Beach, founder of the Public Transit Association Reuben Rahming, for Pinewood Gardens, and Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells for the same constituency. It was at this same event that some of the party’s Pinewood Gardens Constituency Association protested the FNM’s choice of Mr

Rahming, donning florescent orange signs and placards. These signs bashed Dr Minnis and strongly denounced Mr Rahming. They strongly supported talk show host Lincoln Bain and claimed that despite assurances from Dr Minnis that he would be ratified to run for the seat, Mr Rahming was chosen.

Roberts says ex-senior cop ‘has offered nothing new’ from page one

In response last night, Mr Dames criticised Mr Roberts, saying the PLP chairman is concerned about politics while “blood is on the streets”. He added that the PLP has “made a mockery” of the police force since he left in 2011. Mr Roberts was responding to initial remarks made by the FNM’s recently ratified candidate for Mount Moriah last week. During a recent guest appearance on radio talk show Darold Miller Live, the former senior policeman said the government has been unable to control violent crime in the country because it is lacking a strategic plan that involves a multifaceted approach to the problem. In his statement, the PLP chairman said that Mr Dames has offered no new solutions to the country’s crimes woes and said this was the case because “his socalled recommendations are either already existing government policy and settled

in law or are mere repetitions of initiatives” pronounced by Commissioner Greenslade. “What have we heard? To date, we have not heard one new idea, no not one,” Mr Roberts said. “Mr Dames’ leader, Dr Hubert Minnis, is prancing up and down in the media complaining about how the government needs to produce a crime plan and lamenting about how the government is not serious about crime. On the eve of the 2017 general election, Dr Minnis now has his ‘in house crime expert’ to deliver the plan he keeps complaining about and the best Minnis’ ‘in house crime expert’ could muster is to repeat the anti-crime policies of the PLP government and the crime plan of his former colleague who beat him out for the top job at the Royal Bahamas Police Force. “Instead of rolling up his sleeves and working with Commissioner Greenslade as the consummate goaloriented team player and public servant, Dames left the police force in a huff for

FamFest

more money in the private sector only to return to offer nothing to the national dialogue on crime. His appointment by Dr Minnis is at best dubious and questionable,” Mr Roberts said. Mr Roberts then suggested that former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham “perhaps” had made “the correct choice in selecting Greenslade over Dames (for the post of Commissioner) in light of the report received from Canada after their training.” “This decision was made notwithstanding political partisan pressure and support for Dames which could not overcome the veracity of the Canada assessment,” Mr Roberts claimed. Mr Dames quit the police force in early 2011 to take up a post at Baha Mar. Last night, Mr Dames hit back at Mr Roberts’ rebuke. “As usual, blood is on the streets and all Bradley Roberts is concerned about is politics,” Mr Dames said. “His voice is silent while young men slaughter each other, while women die clutching their Bibles under

a hail of automatic gunfire. “The Progressive Liberal Party has proven to be a dismal failure on crime. Women and men alike are afraid to traverse New Providence when the sun goes down. “Bahamians say silent prayers before they enter their homes, hoping they won’t become victims of burglaries, or worse. New Providence has become less safe, and Roberts offers nothing. No comfort for the dead, no solace for the afraid.” He said when he left the RBPF in 2011, the administration at the time did not “insert its political machinations” into law enforcement. He added: “The PLP has since made a mockery of our force - rehiring those already put out to pasture, creating a secret agency under the guise of intelligence that operates outside the ambit of law, allowing political concerns to trump the integrity of service. “When the Free National Movement returns to power, we will approach crime as the scourge that it is. We

won’t take the anecdotal approach that the current administration has adopted, that crime is no longer a major concern. “We will unshackle the Commissioner of Police and remove the undue and unwise political interference that has plagued our force. “The Free National Movement will support the rank and file of the force as well as the senior management and we will bring clarity to whatever the National Intelligence Agency is, bringing it under the ambit of proper statute law, if it is indeed a tool that we can use,” Mr Dames said. The country has recorded 101 murders for 2016, according to The Tribune’s records with the latest killing occurring in Grand Bahama yesterday when police found the lifeless body of a black male in a vehicle with injuries to the body. Under the Progressive Liberal Party, there have been 559 murders in the Bahamas since the 2012 general election, far surpassing

the “490 plus” under the last FNM administration, which was highlighted as part of the PLP’s campaign. Last week, in his rebuke of the government’s effort on the crime fight, Mr Dames said that while the focus should be one that involves prevention and deterrence, enforcement and detection along with rehabilitation and integration, so far the war on crime has been fought in “silos”. Mr Dames said he believes that the relationship between the police force and communities such as Mount Moriah need strengthening. He added that community policing needs to become the norm to bridge the divide between law enforcement and the community so that prevention and deterrence is the order of the day. He also argued a constituency-wide crime watch initiative focusing on surveillance, patrol and mutual partnerships should be set up, where volunteers within the community can help in the fight against crime.

2016

DWIGHT MARTIN, second from right, at the moment he heard he won the contest for local singers at FamFest, the BTC Fam Fest song competition, alongside fellow finalists. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

GOSPEL Artist Deitrick Haddon at FamFest.

BAHAMIAN Gospel Artist DJ Counsellor at FamFest.

GOSPEL Artist Bri performing at Fam Fest at Arawak Cay.

PAGE 16, Monday, December 5, 2016

THE TRIBUNE