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VOLUME:117 No.11, DECEMBER 5TH, 2019

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Just so you understand, President Macron

C’est deplorable Turnquest fury over France’s ‘disgusting’ sudden blacklisting

By NEIL HARTNELL & YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Desk THE deputy prime minister yesterday voiced his “total disgust” over France’s decision to blacklist The Bahamas as he blasted the “devious” way in which it had been implemented.

Confirming that Paris had notified the Minnis administration of its decision yesterday morning, Peter Turnquest slammed its “surreptitious” decision as “an affront” to international diplomatic norms.

He added that The Bahamas’ inclusion on France’s list of countries deemed non-cooperative in the fight against tax-related crimes stemmed from “the perception by the French authorities” that this nation

“has not been responding to requests for information in a manner that is satisfactory to them”.

Mr Turnquest voiced particular displeasure that The Bahamas had been deemed compliant last year with the various tax demands of the European Union and Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development - France being a member in both. He added that an inter-governmental investigation had not turned up any French tax information requests that remained outstanding or had not been dealt with.

“I have expressed to the French ambassador our disappointment, our total disgust with the way in which this has been done,” Mr Turnquest said,

OPPOSITION leader Philip “Brave” Davis gave notice in the House of Assembly yesterday of a resolution of no confidence that he intends to move against Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis at the next sitting of the House.

It concerns whether Dr Minnis misled Parliament during debate last year on a resolution to enter a five

SEE PAGE FIVE

FIRE-DEATH MOTHER: SHE NEEDS CARE, NOT PRISON

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

AN attorney is trying to persuade a judge to sentence a schizophrenic woman to just half a decade in the country’s mental health institution for killing her two-year-old daughter by dousing her with gasoline and setting her on fire.

Bjorn Ferguson is seeking to have Justice Bernard Turner order that Philipa Marshall spend five years at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) for murdering Philicia Marshall two years ago.

Mr Ferguson has also requested a hospital order that would place his client under the control and/or custody of the SRC to allow her to adequately receive her ongoing treatment, as to date she has been diagnosed with schizophrenia by two psychiatrists.

AIR SAFETY? PEOPLE CAN’T AFFORD TO RIDE THE BUS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

year agreement for the Town Centre Mall to house the General Post Office. The resolution was brought because the mall is partly owned by St Anne’s MP Brent Symonette, who was the minister of immigration and financial services at the time.

The prime minister brushed off the threat last night, telling The Tribune: “I’m more concerned with running the country, getting Abaco and Grand Bahama

L SOUR CE

SEE PAGE SEVEN

DAVIS PRESSES BUTTON ON ‘NO CONFIDENCE’ MOTION

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

$1

WORK IN PROGRESS

THE CHRISTMAS tree being put up at Rawson Square has sparked some unfavourable comments before it is officially unveiled tomorrow. Full story - Page 3 Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

GOLDEN Isles MP Vaughn Miller attacked the Minnis administration’s legislative agenda yesterday evening, saying in the House of Assembly that many of the bills the administration has passed have no relevance to the major issues facing the country.

He bemoaned the misery index and lack of financial opportunities for Bahamians during debate on the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority and Regulations Bill.

He said the executive and Parliament appear to be “intellectually challenged and uninspired and SEE PAGE FIVE

DOCTOR TOLD: PAY BACK $300K YOU OWE SPORT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A top heart doctor was yesterday ordered to pay almost $300,000 to RoyalFidelity Merchant Bank & Trust after losing his “negligent/fraudulent misrepresentation” appeal over a disputed loan.

The Court of Appeal found Dr Conville Brown “was in breach” of a near two decade-old agreement he made to borrow money

DR Conville Brown from the Bahamas-based investment bank.

The loan, which was secured

against the value of the stocks and securities in his brokerage account at RoyalFidelity, stipulated the sum borrowed must never exceed 50 percent of these investments’ collective value.

However, the Bahamian stock market - and value of the securities in Dr Brown’s brokerage account - plummeted after the September 11 terror attacks in 2001 and failed to recover.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

DAY ONE OF HERO WORLD CHALLENGE

PAGE 2, Thursday, December 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Sailors feeling the heat

SAILORS in the Star Sailors League Finals at Montagu Bay unwind after yesterday’s competition Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net ATLANTIS resort yesterday celebrated the launch of the first Seabin installed in The Bahamas, which aims to reduce ocean pollution.

Michael Neff, Butterfield Group executive, told reporters he was pleased to be present for the inaugural launch of the project.

Seabins are floating devices that take in ocean water, filter it through a catch bag and collect litter and debris in the process.

EN-GB Mr Neff said: “Ocean plastic pollution as you all know is a huge problem for our planet. Butterfield operates in jurisdictions, in about 10 jurisdictions that are all islands. Islands and waters that surround islands are really important to us. And we feel it is really important to help back organisations that are trying to address the problems that create the pollution in the oceans and so this kind of tools keeps the garbage from getting out.

“We sponsor ones in the United Kingdom, in Bermuda, in Cayman, out here in the Bahamas, Canada as well part of our launch as the initial partner today there are 860 of these Seabins around the world.

“They collect every day about 3,600 kilos of garbage so it really is an important part of trying to arrest an significant problem it is admittedly a small part but

Thursday, December 5, 2019, PAGE 3

Atlantis hosts launch of ocean pollution prevention initiative also part of it is getting the message out there that this is a really serious problem that needs to be addressed.”

He continued: “So, we are really pleased that the first installation here in The Bahamas is actually at Atlantis. Because it’s not only the local folks will see it but people from all over the world that come to this incredible resort will see that. ...Atlantis plays a role and Atlantis is as committed as we are to this kind of thing so it’s a great partnership. We look forward to doing more and more of this across the globe and that’s Butterfield’s goal in all of this.”

When asked about the price tag of this initiative, Mr Neff said the initial investment was both in the Seabins itself along with promotional cost.

“We do spend a good deal of money I don’t know the exact figure but it is one of our lead group enterprises which is where we intend

to invest our most money is in things that cut across the entire group and we are committed to this project for a number of years. So, again it is very important to us,” he explained.

“The overall project has been quite successful, and we play a small in that, so we have our eight facilities, but I think it’s suggesting it’s not only that you are doing it but its the message that you send. It’s the awareness you create. I’ve spent some time with the founder of this.”

Ed Fields, Atlantis’ senior vice-president of public affairs, said he’s extremely happy Atlantis is participating in the Seabin Project.

“As you know we are fully engaged in working toward a green environment with our recycling with our water plastics, our single use plastics (and) recycling of oil. The marina here of course is a blue flag marine and so

PETE CEGLINSKI, Seabin co-founder and CEO, holding an ocean plastic removal device © Seabin

this is just a natural continuation of what we are all about. Hopefully, we only had this in the water for a couple months now,” he said.

“Once we see how effective it is and we already know how effective it is.

We’ll look at putting them in other locations in the marina as well as some other marina we have in Paradise Island. Again we are very grateful for introducing us to this product and I think we are going to take charge and thing is Michael it’s a big task but all the little things add up to a big thing so we are very happy to be a part of that.”

Mr Fields added: “The thing about ocean garbage is it keeps coming and while you can have daily manual clean-ups once, twice, three times a day (the) reality is it keeps coming. It comes at night, it comes (in the day) day so what’s good about this is it’s constantly collecting the garbage.”

It’s beginning to look a little like Christmas

THE CHRISTMAS tree in Rawson Square Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net AMID heavy criticism over the national Christmas tree decorations, Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Lanisha Rolle is urging the Bahamian public to hold off on their conclusions of the tree until all decorations have been completed.

“As far as I’m aware, the tree is still under construction so (to members of the public) please give them an opportunity to complete their work and I think you’ll see something beautiful as you did last year,” she said in an interview with The Tribune yesterday.

Her comments to this newspaper came after images of the Christmas tree at Rawson Square surfaced online, eliciting mocking memes and complaints. Many have lambasted the quality and aesthetics of the decorations and some have even called for the removal of Christmas tree. Others took issue with the fact that the tree was not fully decorated.

One Facebook user wrote: “Every year, we have to be cringing on these concepts… I get the coral farm, starfish and conch shell but the materials looks too fake and chunky.”

Another user said: “Too much money being spent to

have these hideous décor year after year. And every year seems to be getting worse.”

Another person wrote: “Well if it was free decoration job then this is cool.

If they paid for this, then this unacceptable. We got hit with a disaster we can’t afford to waste money on no tree (sic).”

In the past, the annual Christmas decorations have been subjected to a number of negative remarks from the public, who have mocked the decor on various social media platforms.

When asked to comment on the uproar, Executive Director of Culture Rowena PoitierSutherland implored critics to redirect their focus this year to what’s most important in the country.

“I think we’ve gotten into a culture of criticising the tree and people do it and people can be nasty,” she said.

“But, I would love it if we could really come together as a community and focus on the real issue and focusing on uplifting our brothers who have suffered through Dorian and giving them something to look forward to - a nice, happy Christmas.”

While defending the the Christmas tree decorations, Mrs Poitier-Sutherland added the ornaments used were meant to reflect the unique Bahamian culture.

“The company…Island Pearls Internationals… made it so that it could be reflective of our culture and give it a little flavour… essentially, the company that made it are Junkanooers and they made the pieces by hand. There’s actually a light show that happens inside the tree…”

Although Mrs PoitierSutherland could not reveal the exact cost of the decorations, she said it was less than $20,000. “We heard people saying it cost $32,000.

That is not true. It is significantly less. I can’t say how much it was, but it wasn’t in those digits,” she said.

Despite criticisms over the Christmas tree, Mrs Poitier-Sutherland said the ministry wants to encourage all persons to come out and support the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

“We’re giving gifts - that’s the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture - to all of the orphanages. We’re (also) giving gifts to all of the displaced children. It’s going to be a time of coming together. We are including the disabled community and for the first time, there is going to be access for them,” she continued. “And, they’re adding to the tree as well. This has been cultural. This has been a committee effort (and) almost every ministry has been involved and I think it’s going to be one of the most spectacular shows.”

Under the theme “Bahamian Culture: Expanding Our World, Exploring Yours”, the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held at Rawson Square this Friday.

Editorial View - Page 4

PAGE 4, Thursday, December 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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Playing the partisan game IT’S taken the better part of half a year, but PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis is at least on the verge of tabling his resolution of no confidence in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

Well, so he says, but then he originally announced those plans back in July. He then postponed them because of Hurricane Dorian – you can do the maths on how much later September is from July 26.

The matter itself brings back the spectre of the long-rumbling row over the post office – and after the long delay and the resignation of Brent Symonette anyway, Mr Davis might find it hard to muster up much public interest – as hard in fact as he’ll find it for the resolution to pass in the face of an overwhelming number of FNM votes on the other side.

Some questions do still remain over the post office deal, so the debate in the House may nudge loose an answer or two extra over the specifics of the phone call Mr Symonette described with the Prime Minister to discuss terms on the lease.

But beyond that, it’s hard to see this as little more than a publicity stunt – a chance for the PLP leader to get behind a microphone and criticise Dr Minnis again.

It’s always interesting to see Mr Davis call for people to rise above partisan politics – as solidly partisan as he often

is. Where, for example, are his condemnations of the behaviour of fellow PLP MPs in the previous government, such as Jerome Fitzgerald? In fact, at the time of the 2017 election, Mr Davis proclaimed that Fitzgerald was the PLP’s man in Marathon.

This isn’t to point fingers at the other side and say look what they did – but if you’re going to talk about rising above partisan politics, people will notice when you conspicuously fail to condemn your own.

At a time when there are so many issues facing the country – the sky-high unemployment after Hurricane Dorian, the financial costs of the storm, the problems with immigration, the escalating murder count – it feels like a use of Parliamentary time that could be better spent on finding solutions rather than an excuse for mud-slinging.

If the resolution comes, there is no apparent path for it to pass – but that won’t stop Mr Davis from holding a press conference afterwards.

So good luck, Mr Davis, as you muster the votes of your three fellow PLP MPs and any stray votes you can coax from unsettled FNMs – but this feels exactly like the kind of partisanship you’re calling on others to reject.

Lanisha can’t catch a break DESIGN choices don’t seem to work out well for Lanisha Rolle.

The Youth, Sports and Culture Minister famously came under criticism last month for handing out medals to young people at a Youth Parliament event in October.

In fact, so far out of line was she that the Prime Minister himself weighed in and told her to repay the government the $582.40 the medals cost.

She’ll be hoping she doesn’t have to dig into her pockets for the latest design choice she has been associated with – the national Christmas tree in Rawson Square, costing “less than $20,000” according to executive director of culture Rowena Poitier-Sutherland, who went on to say she couldn’t say how

much the cost was exactly. Why not? It’s public money.

The first pictures of the tree – which you can see on page one today – have prompted memes and ridicule on social media, in the same way as trees wrapped in cardboard led to much mockery in 2016 under the previous government.

People have criticised the new tree for the “fake and chunky” decorations, one Facebook commenter saying how “every year seems to be getting worse”.

Mrs Rolle has asked the public to wait until all the decorations are completed – which is fair – so we presume we can anticipate a significant change from the current appearance, yes?

We shall see. We certainly hope we shall see better.

No-one has solution to society’s ills EDITOR, The Tribune AS I look at the news and see murder continuously occurring, it supports my hypothesis that social structure change is needed.

If you only treat the symptoms of societal ills, you have to keep medicating indefinitely, as is the Bahamas’ present trajectory.

Both the PLP or FNM intend to do nothing but magic shows like strong police presence or minuscule social intervention. It is no surprise that homicides

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net are prevalent and endemic throughout the Caribbean.

The social structures are similar. The developed world, like the US and Europe have gotten mainly the middle class to pay for a welfare state that somewhat pacify the marginalised.

Capitalism, Socialism and Communism are outdated therefore a more inclusive

socio-economic system is required.

Neither, the PLP nor FNM Only if you live in lala land do you believe the people at the bottom of the socio-economic system get a fair opportunity for social mobility. There are token extremely poor that rise, but it is the exception, not the rule. I borrow from Bob Marley, “It’s war”!!

BRIAN E PLUMMER Nassau December 4, 2019

Split decision on jury’s verdict EDITOR, The Tribune

MANY, if not most Bahamians, were shocked and disturbed at the outcome of the Shane Gibson case. This included quite a number of PLP supporters.

The jury acquitted Gibson on 15 counts after deliberating for a very short period.

PLP leader Philip Davis came out afterward and very curiously called the verdict “a miracle”, which was a very strange thing to say. Does he think that God intervened or that a miracle was needed to acquit Gibson?

Except in PLP circles most Bahamians were quiet, the same sort of quiet Bahamians show when they are upset about a matter but say very little. In chat groups online and in private conversations many Bahamians expressed surprise at the outcome of the case.

Many at the senior level of the PLP went into triumphalist and bragging mode.

Some were gloating and even obnoxious. Bahamians are taking note of the PLP’s reaction and arrogance and lack of humility.

Many times it’s best to sit small and still.

Many in the PLP

leadership are calling for all kinds of resignations.

Since coming to office the PLP has called for just about everybody in the Cabinet to resign.

Because they have been so indiscriminate in asking for ministers to resign, few take these calls seriously.

Some in the PLP have gone after the Commissioner of Police while others have gone after the independent Director of Prosecutions, and the career public officers who were just doing their jobs. They should continue to do their jobs and not be intimidated by the PLP. We should not forget that the judge in the Gibson case ruled that he had a case to answer. Should she also resign because she was doing her job?

This case has left a bad taste in the mouths of many Bahamians but not in the ways PLPs think.

Again, many, if not most, Bahamians believe that PLPs have a sense of entitlement and believe they are above the law.

Investigations and prosecutions for alleged wrongdoing by PLPs are met with the same playbook used by Donald Trump in the United

States when confronted by allegations of corruption, bribery, abuse of power and other matters which may lead to his impeachment.

The playbook is first deny, then attack others, then play the victim and scream, “Witch Hunt!”

Most Bahamians perceive the PLP as a party that has tolerated all kinds of corruption over many years and that the party is still not committed to cleaning itself up.

Some PLPs may see the outcome of the Shane Gibson case as a victory.

But ironically, given how many Bahamians feel about the outcome, it may prove to be a hollow and empty victory for the PLP and may help lead to its defeat once again at election time.

Many things have unintended consequences.

What might look like a victory today can very quickly and easily become a defeat or set back. The final jury on many things in the country is the collective opinion and voice of the Bahamian people, which the PLP may be terribly misjudging.

CG Nassau, December 4, 2019

EDITOR, The Tribune ANYONE doubting that the present government is engaged in the systematic degrading of our country’s vital institutions need only read the media reports of the Shane Gibson case.

Mr Gibson’s speedy acquittal on all counts comes at the end of a shameful process that began with the FNM’s irresponsible promises to jail its opponents if it won power.

Having won power (in an act of pure lunacy on the part of the Bahamian electorate) it committed its first abuse of policing and prosecutorial powers on its first day in office, when it arrested and handcuffed former PLP MP Dion Smith for the removal of what turned out to be his own equipment from BAIC. It then engineered the spectacle of the Frank Smith trial, where two ministers acted “egregiously” in the words of the magistrate – with one of them giving a multimillion dollar contract to the complainant without board approval. This was the same complainant who the prosecution claimed had bribed Mr. Smith.

But its actions in the Gibson case have plumbed new depths of impropriety.

A prosecutorial admission that police had altered the

principal witness’ statement in a material way should have stopped the trial, but unfortunately didn’t.

At the very least, a government capable of learning the lessons of its own lack of rectitude would publicly halt the remaining cases against opposition activists and politicians.

Instead, Attorney General Carl Bethel chose to make a fool of himself by trying to frighten the critics of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police with threats of prosecution. As an invitation to indulge his threats, I will here repeat that, in my opinion, the position of both men is now untenable and they should both be removed from office. It is also my opinion DPP should be disbarred.

Like Frank Smith before him, if Shane Gibson were an ordinary Bahamian, without access to the best, highest profile attorneys, he would in all likelihood be in jail at this moment. That is a frightening prospect and it must make all fair Bahamians rethink the confidence they repose in the many convictions of young Bahamian men who cry foul about the behaviour of police and prosecutors.

At the very least, all convictions involving ASP Debra Thompson should

be reviewed in light of her admission to tampering with and “synchronising” witness statements.

Unfortunately, the courts themselves have shown they are not up to the task of preventing abuses of this kind from taking place.

Unlike in the case of Magistrate Joyann Ferguson (an old friend from London Bar studies days, of whom I am immensely proud), the trial was permitted to proceed despite the improper actions of police and prosecutors and only the actions of nine Bahamian jurors prevented Mr. Gibson’s political imprisonment.

In my opinion, both Justices Indira Charles and Carolita Bethel ought to be removed from the bench for permitting the case to go to the jury. In doing so, they endangered the liberty of a Bahamian citizen who was obviously the victim of improper prosecutorial practices (Justice Bethel admitted the prosecutors’ actions were “very wrong”). Perhaps more significantly, they have helped undermine public confidence in a judicial system that has been shown to be a danger to all Bahamians under the stewardship of an unscrupulous governing party.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau December 1, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 5, 2019, PAGE 5

Davis presses button on his motion of ‘no confidence’ ABOVE: Philip Davis; right: Brent Symonette and, far right , Prime Minister Hubert Minnis. from page one and adjoining cays back together and getting the economy back online and the quality of life back to where it was. However, if Davis and the opposition want to debate we will not object and we will give them a time for the debate to commence. We welcome it.”

Mr Davis originally announced his no confidence motion plans on July 26 but postponed them because of Hurricane Dorian.

His no confidence resolution, read and tabled yesterday evening, notes the constitution mandates

that a sitting member of Parliament who becomes interested in a government contract must vacate his or her seat or must obtain an exemption from the House of Assembly “where it appeared to be just to do so” once that interest is disclosed.

The key clause under scrutiny from the Minnis administration’s resolution that was passed last year said: “And whereas one of the beneficial owners of the said Town Centre Mall is a serving Cabinet minister, who did not take part in the discussions leading to the decision to accept the offer to lease portions of the building, which will be made suitable for the

operations of the General Post Office at the expense of the landlord; which minister has nonetheless declared his interest.”

After he resigned as minister, Mr Symonette sat for an interview on a ZNS radio show, The Conversation with Shenique Miller, where he revealed he had discussed the terms of the mall lease with Dr Minnis before the matter came to Parliament. He said he was in Mexico when Dr Minnis called him early one morning to indicate the administration was going ahead with the lease. The two then discussed terms, with Mr Symonette indicating the need to reduce the size of the building and

Air safety? People can’t afford to ride on the bus from page one unwilling or unable to legislate on all fronts, all at the same time.”

“My perspective as regards to this (bill), which the executive is eager to have passed before the end of the year, is to see it in the context of the total social, economic and political plight of the voters of Golden Isles,” the Free National Movement MP said. “Immediately, I am painfully aware of the economic plight of thousands of Bahamians including hundreds in Golden Isles who, because of ever-increasing taxes and inflationary practices, cannot afford to buy an airplane ticket to fly anywhere.

“These economic times are so rough that many voters are hard-pressed to find bus money to get to and from work, let alone buy an airplane ticket.

“This bill, while being necessary of course, has no pressing urgency for hundreds of thousands of Bahamians, simply because it is being considered at a very bad economic time.

This bill has no impact on the price of cheese, or chicken, or bread, or fish.

It does not solve one single pressing economic problem facing Bahamians. So it is impossible for me to have a sensible talk with my constituents about aircraft accident investigation authority, in a vacuum, leaving out the necessary legislative agenda of policies and measures to empower people economically to be able to buy a plane ticket in the first place.”

Noting wealthy people

GOLDEN Isles MP Vaughn Miller don’t feel the subtle increases in prices for daily necessities, Mr Miller criticised the Central Bank’s plan to eliminate the onecent coin by the end of 2020, saying he believes this will cause massive inflation that will affect the poorest people the most.

The increase in value added tax to 12 percent, which he voted against, has already caused an increase in depression, he said, adding that “our bad idea to force an additional tax on electricity” will do the same.

Mr Miller said Bahamians feel elected officials have been unproductive over the last two years, noting Parliament only meets regularly for short periods “between long recesses.”

“Many voters find it offensive and unacceptable that in a modern Bahamas that has real and pressing issues, economic and political pressures to content

with, we the legislators seem to be insensitive and unproductive in this place,” he said. “This bill, though very important, is out of step with the majority of the Bahamian people, who are on a forced march to poverty.

“At a time like this, when the economy has been shattered by Hurricane Dorian, many voters believe that we should have been bogged down from 9 o’clock in the morning until the late hours of the night, with draft legislation proposals and projects and serious debate as to how we are going to raise employment, (bring) down inflation, fight crime, maintain public infrastructure and order, all at the same time helping to decrease the misery index. This House should be a hive of activity, passing laws, continuously. Instead, we could be accused of being a glorified club house for the indolent and insensitive privileged class.”

explaining that the lease could involve a price of $12 per square foot.

Mr Davis’ no confidence resolution says: “And whereas in his endorsement and approval of the resolution, the member for Killarney in his contribution expressly, knowingly and deliberately misled Parliament and House members in that he said that the member for St Anne’s was not involved in the discussions, negotiations and/or the decision concerning the lease or its terms.

“And whereas the member for Killarney knowingly and deliberately violated at least two principles of the FNM’s adopted and paraphrased

seven principles of public life contained in the party’s manifesto. Specifically, on the principle of integrity, holders of public office ‘should not act or take decisions to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family or their friends…,’ additionally, on the principle of honesty, ‘holders of public office should be truthful’ and on the principle of openness, ‘holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner.

Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.’

“And whereas given

the foregoing, that the member for Killarney knowingly, intentionally and deliberately misled this honourable House.

We ask that in their deliberations, House members uphold ancient tradition, convention and precedent of these hollow chambers by placing the honour and integrity of this honourable House above partisan politics and cult of personality.

“Now be it hereby resolved that this honourable House has no confidence in the member for Killarney to continue to serve as prime minister in this honourable House.”

Editorial View - Page 4

PAGE 6, Thursday, December 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

PILOTS WILL NEED TO SHOW VALID BADGES AS GOVT CLAMPS DOWN ON HACKERS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

DIONISIO D’Aguilar speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PILOTS seeking access to restricted areas of airports will have to display a valid identification badge to gain entry, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said yesterday in the House of Assembly.

This is one of the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority’s (BCAA) measures to clamp down on the problem of unlicensed pilots, also known as “hackers”, performing commercial flights.

“Right now any pilot can jump on the ramp and go where they want that

to go,” he said. “That’s a major contributing factor for a number of the accidents we have had.”

To receive a badge, pilots will have to meet all legal requirements, including having necessary medical and professional certifications.

Mr D’Aguilar made his comments during debate yesterday on the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority and Regulations Bill. The Bill would make the authority independent of the BCAA as required by the International Civil Aviation convention to which this country is a signatory.

The Bill, which passed the House of Assembly

yesterday and will now head to the Senate, specifies how records received in the course of investigations must be protected. Among other things, it makes it illegal for a person to circulate, publish or give access to a draft investigation report or any document obtained during an investigation of an accident or incident.

Chester Cooper, opposition deputy leader, said he fears some of these considerations of confidentiality “might fly in the face of the Freedom of the Information Act, if ever enacted by this government.”

“The need for public awareness leading to public safety should outweigh the

CHESTER COOPER need to protect what those involved in the investigation believe should be kept secret,” he said.

The bill stresses that the findings of air accident investigators cannot be used in criminal proceedings. The role of air accident investigators is to ascertain the facts, not ascribe blame.

Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin and PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis expressed concern about this, however, saying it may fly in the face of the emerging jurisprudence on the matter.

Nonetheless, the bill was passed yesterday evening with unanimous support of the governing and opposition parties.

Recovering businesses can get $500,000 loan

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net RECOVERING businesses on Grand Bahama can access up to $500,000 in credit from commercial banks through a government guarantee programme, according to Davina Blair, executive director of Small Business Development Centre.

Ms Blair said the government would be guaranteeing up to 75 percent of the loans to help businesses affected by the storm to get back up and running.

“The commercial banks are working with us to help you,” she said. “At the moment, we have RBC, Scotiabank, CIBC, and Fidelity that (have) signed on to the programme.”

According to a survey conducted immediately after Hurricane Dorian

by the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, 64 percent of businesses with damage had no insurance.

The chamber reported that more than half of the businesses surveyed were closed a month after the storm, with at least 11 percent planning not to reopen, and many still uncertain about what they would do.

According to GB Chamber of Commerce President Greg Laroda, initially one of the major challenges expressed by businesses impacted by the storm was the need for funding, grants and low-interest loans.

During a seminar for SMEs in Grand Bahama on Monday, Ms Blair talked about several loans and grants for hurricane recovery that are available to businesses in GB and Abaco.

“You have to have been active before the hurricane,

and you cannot be ducking paying licence fees, and there are some people who somehow miraculously are always right under $100,000 in revenue,” she said. “It is okay to show revenue higher than $100,000. VAT is not your enemy if you are filing properly and you are able to pass through all the things you bring into your business you pay VAT on. So, you shouldn’t have a problem doing proper reporting to get proper credits for those things.”

Compliance is mandatory, she stressed, adding that businesses must be compliant with licence fees and other tax related fees before they can access money.

The first step to qualify for the funding, Ms Blair said, especially businesses seeking high level funding is providing financial records.

“Financial records would

be mandatory, there is no compromise,” she said.

There are smaller grants that are available too, she said, such as the $5,000 stand-alone grant for businesses needing to replace equipment, replenish inventory, buy insurance, and assist with helping with employee pay roll for a couple of months.

There is also a $20,000 matching grant, which is a grant that is matched with any other form of funding that might exists whether through SBDC or outside, Ms Blair explained.

She noted that in most cases persons have been able to match a $20,000 grant with a micro-loan and with a stand-alone grant, receiving $40,000 in assistance to help with recovery.

She also reported that there is a micro-loan of up to $15,000.

With the guaranteed

DAVINA BLAIR loans, the executive director stated that there is no restriction on the type of business, but priority is given to companies that can show or justify how critical their business is to the recovery of the economy.

She indicated that builders, contractors, electricians, fishermen, and farmers would be seen automatically as critical, as well as alternative energy, and restaurants.

“The commercial banks are working with us to help you,” she said. “At the moment, we have RBC, Scotiabank, CIBC, and Fidelity that (have) signed on to the programme.”

According to a survey conducted immediately after Hurricane Dorian by the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, 64 percent of businesses with damage had no insurance.

The chamber reported that more than half of the businesses surveyed were closed a month after the storm, with at least 11 percent planning not to reopen, and many still uncertain about what they would do.

According to GB Chamber of Commerce President Greg Laroda, initially one of the major challenges expressed by businesses impacted by the storm was the need for funding, grants and low-interest loans.

During a seminar for SMEs in Grand Bahama on Monday, Ms Blair talked about several loans and grants for hurricane recovery that are available to businesses in GB and Abaco.

“You have to have been active before the hurricane, and you cannot be ducking paying licence fees, and there are some people who

somehow miraculously are always right under $100,000 in revenue,” she said. “It is okay to show revenue higher than $100,000. VAT is not your enemy if you are filing properly and you are able to pass through all the things you bring into your business you pay VAT on. So, you shouldn’t have a problem doing proper reporting to get proper credits for those things.”

Compliance is mandatory, she stressed, adding that businesses must be compliant with licence fees and other tax related fees before they can access money.

The first step to qualify for the funding, Ms Blair said, especially businesses seeking high level funding is providing financial records. “Financial records would be mandatory, there is no compromise,” she said.

There are smaller grants that are available too, she said, such as the $5,000 stand-alone grant for businesses needing to replace equipment, replenish inventory, buy insurance, and assist with helping with employee pay roll for a couple of months.

There is also a $20,000 matching grant, which is a grant that is matched with any other form of funding that might exists whether through SBDC or outside, Ms Blair explained.

She noted that in most cases persons have been able to match a $20,000 grant with a micro-loan and with a stand-alone grant, receiving $40,000 in assistance to help with recovery.

She also reported that there is a micro-loan of up to $15,000.

With the guaranteed loans, the executive director stated that there is no restriction on the type of business, but priority is given to companies that can show or justify how critical their business is to the recovery of the economy.

She indicated that builders, contractors, electricians, fishermen, and farmers would be seen automatically as critical, as well as alternative energy, and restaurants.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 5, 2019, PAGE 7

Fire-death mother: she needs care, not prison from page one This comes after the elder Marshall’s brotherin-law, John Carey, begged Justice Turner to exercise “mercy” in sentencing the woman, as her mental health warrants “rehabilitation and treatment” instead of “strictly retribution and punishment”.

The prosecution, meanwhile, is seeking to have Justice Turner impose a 30-year sentence at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) on Marshall, which represents the lower end of the 30 to 60 year sentencing range for murder.

The arguments came amidst submissions made during the sentencing phase of Marshall’s court matter for murdering 2-year-old Philicia by setting her on fire at their Faith Gardens home in December 2017.

Prosecutors had asserted that the 41-year-old doused her child with gasoline and set her on fire at their home after “hearing voices”. Twoyear-old Philicia suffered second and third degree burns on 43 percent of her body as a result.

The child died in February 2018 at Princess Margaret Hospital. She didn’t die from the burn injuries, but from an “overwhelming” bacterial infection—klebsiella pneumoniae sepsis—that when tested, was extremely resistant to multiple antibiotics.

That infection, according to forensic pathologist Dr Kiko Bridgewater, likely set in during her hospitalisation at PMH. The lack of an epidermis, or the protective outer layer of skin, made it easier for the toddler to get infected in such an open environment.

As to what actually took place on the night in question, Sergeant Tamika Gibson, who was formerly attached to the Carmichael Road Police Station, said Marshall’s husband, Isaac Marshall, told her that he fell asleep with Philicia and his two sons by his side, only to wake up the next morning to discover that his wife had spirited the child away to another room and set her on fire at the behest of “demons”.

Sgt Gibson said when she arrived at the residence and gained entry that morning, she saw the entire family in the front room. Mr Marshall and the two boys were on the couch. Marshall was seated on the floor, attempting to put a pink sweater on Philicia, who was lying on a tan blanket next to her.

According to Sgt Gibson, Marshall was getting the toddler dressed to go to the hospital.

At that point, Sgt Gibson said she noticed that Philicia had no skin on her arms, hands and legs. However, she said the child was not crying. The officer said she also saw a burnt diaper as well as a burnt, yellow onesie near the young child.

Sgt Gibson said Mr Marshall told her—in his wife’s presence—that at around 10.30pm on December 27, 2017, he fell asleep on the floor with his two sons, ages seven and three, with Philicia next to him. He said he wakened around 2.50 the following morning and realised his daughter was no longer next to him.

Mr Marshall got up and started searching for his daughter. His search led him to one of his son’s rooms, where he not only found his wife, but also his daughter, who was lying on his son’s bed with her skin “falling off”.

Sgt Gibson said Mr Marshall told her that he observed a burnt pillow and red blanket on his son’s bed.

Sgt Gibson said Mr Marshall told her that when he asked his wife what had happened, she did not respond.

Sgt Gibson said she immediately cautioned Marshall, who in turn told her “demons” told her to kill herself and her daughter. Sgt Gibson said Marshall told her that she threw gasoline on the toddler and lit her afire.

In October, Mr Carey pleaded with Justice Turner not to send Marshall to prison, but to allow her to get “the help she needs”.

Mr Carey suggested that such actions could only be attributed to Marshall’s mental condition, as in the 25 years he has known the 41-year-old, she has never exhibited any “violent tendencies”. And as it relates to her daughter, Mr

Carey said Marshall constantly displayed “outright” and “genuine” concern for the child’s safety and well-being.

He referred to a situation that occurred in the days leading up to the incident in question, which took place at a Christmas dinner for their family at the Marshall’s residence. At that time, he said Philicia had started crawling towards a flat-screen television he had installed and mounted on a wall for Marshall’s family. A few wires were hanging from the television, which apparently sparked the child’s curiosity and the toddler reached out to grab them.

However, he said Marshall rushed to the girl and stopped her from doing so, and was “very much concerned”. Mr Carey further stated that Marshall turned to him and ask him if he could fix the wires in such a way that they wouldn’t be within the child’s reach “because she didn’t want her daughter to get hurt”.

“And I saw genuine, very, very genuine concern for that little girl,” Mr Carey said.

Mr Carey also said Marshall and her husband both took “excellent” care of their two sons, who are at the “top of their class” in school. Additionally, Mr Carey said his own three children “love their auntie”.

Thus, Mr Carey said his personal opinion was that if Marshall’s situation is handled correctly, in that she is given the appropriate help, not only would the woman’s life be salvaged, but “Philicia’s life may not have to be in vain”.

“Because this that happened, Philipa did not choose to do this,” he said.

“I know that for a fact. She is just as much a victim as her daughter. And my entire family, we are all victims as well. We have lost Philicia. And right now we’ve also lost Philipa.”

Mr Carey added: “We know that there’s a process involved, and justice has to follow its course, but I am asking for the mercy of the court that Philipa is allowed to get the help she needs. I don’t feel that she could get that in Fox Hill Prison.”

PHILIPA Marshall led away at an earlier court hearing

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 5, 2019, PAGE 9

Rolle confident NIB has enough resources to meet commitments

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE mounting pressure on the National Insurance Fund brought on by the passing of Hurricane Dorian, Public Service and National Insurance Minister Brensil Rolle said the National Insurance Board has sufficient resources to meet its commitments.

Mr Rolle told reporters outside of Cabinet on Tuesday that there is a strain on the fund due to the gap in contributions and benefit payouts. He said officials will aggressively target those who have outstanding contributions to ensure the viability of the fund.

He said: “The fund may decrease. I’m not too concerned about the statements at this time. I think we have sufficient (resources) to make our payments and meet our commitments.

Again, it may mean that we may have to aggressively go

MINISTER: Brensil Rolle after individuals who have contributions to make.

“The process is seeking its course. We are looking at how we can get from these individuals the payments that they received from individuals who worked for them.”

In terms of seeking payments from those who owe them, the minister said there have not been any major prosecutions carried out by NIB, noting there were some “low level” court actions being carried out.

Mr Rolle said: “We (are) giving (employers) the

opportunity to settle with NIB (outside of court).”

Earlier this week, NIB released a press statement that noted for the 2020 period, management is projecting a sizeable deficit between contributions income and benefit payments, consistent with actuarial projections for the National Insurance Fund.

“Further pressure has been placed on the fund in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, which has left many Bahamians unemployed, and contributing businesses closed on the second and third largest economies of the Bahamas.

Management has sought to prudently manage NIB’s resources by slowing the growth of administrative expenses while preserving the staff complement,” the statement said.

“Management accepts that the path to improved sustainability is difficult

and unpopular but is necessary for the overall benefit of the thousands of Bahamians who depend on

the fund. Notwithstanding the protests by the union, management will continue to focus on its core mission

of providing benefit payments to its beneficiaries, and to improving its service delivery.”

PAGE 10, Thursday, December 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Convicted murderer in bid to rehear case

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A MURDER convict who notoriously escaped from a police bus and prompted an island-wide manhunt three years ago

is seeking to have the very same court that dismissed his appeal rehear the matter.

Ormand Leon, through his attorney Geoffrey Farquharson, has applied to have the Court of Appeal rehear the appeal

it dismissed of his conviction and 41-year sentence for murdering Francisco Hanna in 2011.

According to Mr Farquharson, the Court of Appeal’s original position was that it had no jurisdiction to rehear an

appeal it had dismissed, and that Leon would have to petition the Londonbased Privy Council to seek redress.

However, Mr Farquharson said he has since informed the court of a “succession” of rulings from the Privy Council that say there is an “inherent jurisdiction” in the appellate court to “reopen an appeal in the interest of justice, where not to reopen it would lead to flagrant injustice”.

In early 2016, police launched a massive islandwide manhunt for Leon after he escaped from a police bus taking him to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services after he had been convicted of murdering Hanna. It was two weeks before he was due to be sentenced.

According to the evidence led at trial, Leon and another man, Denis Mather, decided to go looking for Hanna because on an earlier occasion, Hanna had injured Leon’s brother.

Mather thus wanted to shoot Hanna.

Leon and Mather got a vehicle to commit the act and drove in the area west of Wilson Tract. They eventually spotted Hanna, but because they thought he saw them, the pair drove off, secured another vehicle, and went in search of Hanna again.

The pair eventually located Hanna, and Leon, who was driving, stopped to let Mather, who was armed with a 9mm pistol, get out.

Leon then drove a short distance away and while doing so heard about five gunshots. Shortly thereafter, Mather came running from a shortcut towards the car.

When Mather got in the car, he told Leon: “That’s how you deal with fools.”

Afterwards, the pair left the area.

Hanna’s body was discovered riddled with five bullets, three in his torso, and two in his upper extremities. He was rushed to the Princess Margaret

Hospital by residents in the area, but he died in the hospital later that night.

At the trial, Mather was acquitted by the jury on Justice Bernard Turner’s directions following a nocase to answer submission.

The case proceeded with Leon electing not to take the witness stand; neither did he call any witnesses on his behalf.

Leon was ultimately convicted of murder, and on February 2, 2016, was told

by Justice Turner that he would be sentenced for the crime on February 16 of that year. Moments after the adjournment, however, Leon escaped from a police bus on York Street, off Bay Street, while being taken to prison around noon.

An island-wide manhunt was immediately launched, with police at the time describing him as the Bahamas’ most wanted convicted murderer, but Leon remained at large for two weeks.

Shortly after 11pm on February 17, 2016, Leon was discovered at a home on Fire Trail Road west off Gladstone Road and arrested. During a subsequent trial in the Magistrate’s Court, Leon told the presiding adjudicator that the woman police accused of harbouring him during his two weeks on the run, his former lover Sharlene Stubbs, had only been found with him because he allegedly forced her into a car.

Leon, testifying by video link from the remand centre at the BDCS during Stubbs’ trial, explained that at around 8.30pm on February 16, he saw Stubbs walking on East Street while he was “riding” with one of his friends. Leon said after he saw her, he drove up ahead of her and told his friend to call her to the car. When she did, Leon said he told her: “Let’s go, jump in the car.”

Leon said Stubbs refused to get in the car, causing him to repeat himself by saying: “Come in the (expletive) car.”

Afterwards, Leon said he took Stubbs to his “spot” on Fire Trail Road. Once there, he said, he let his friend drive them to the back of the property, telling his friend to lock the gate on his way out.

Leon testified that he did not allow Stubbs to leave, and when asked why, explained that he was trying to get answers from Stubbs. Leon explained that he wanted to talk to her about the situation at hand at the time and “how she dissed me when I was in jail” and how she “abandoned” him.

Leon explained that Stubbs only visited him on three occasions after his initial incarceration when she told him she was no longer interested in a relationship.

Leon further explained that although he did not tie Stubbs up, he was in possession of a handgun that he did not hesitate to show her when talking with her. He also said he ordered Stubbs to braid his hair so he could further avoid police detection.

Nonetheless, police came to the property not long afterwards and they were both arrested.

The following day, Leon was sentenced to 41 years, six months, two weeks and one day in prison by Justice Turner, who found that the convict was apparently “unwilling” to remain in police custody during the court’s sentencing.

Justice Turner said the two weeks and one day of his sentence represented the amount of time he spent on the run, as well as the one day after his sentencing was originally scheduled to take place.

Leon appealed his conviction and sentence, but it was unanimously dismissed in September of last year by the appellate court, which said it had no lurking doubts about the “safety” of his conviction. The appellate court also said it was satisfied that Justice Turner’s sentence “cannot be impeached on any error of principle”.

‘HOW WAS BPL ALLOWED TO RACK UP SUCH HUGE DEBTS?’ AFTER Bahamas Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard said he believes BPL customers will pay more than the predicted increase of $20 to $30 per month on their bills next year, readers responded on tribune242. com.

Concerned799 asked: “How was BPL ever allowed to rack up such huge debts? Would it not have been better off to

have sold it than to be forever paying for its past debt with no guarantee problems will not recur?”

Truetruebahamian posted this comment: “Sell the facility to a proper supplier/distributor, then those not paying will be cut off until they are paid and running to some government person won’t help them at all. They will have to learn to help themselves out of their jam. Also no power to any shanty towns can ever be allowed.”

Dawes had this to say: “What Maynard is also not saying is as soon as this bond is passed his union will demand a pay rise as now BPL has plenty money.

And as it will be close to election our worthless politicians will give it to them, so we will be back to square one in a couple years.”

Well_mudda_take_sic said: “The worst case financial modelling done indicates that average billings per customer based on current usage of electricity would increase by well over $100 per month for decades for residential customers and much more than that

amount for commercial customers (businesses).

This is because of the very large number of politically connected ‘do-not-disconnect’ customers as well as the smaller customer base that would be able to afford to pay the significantly higher electricity consumption costs. Minnis, Andrews, Turnquest, Bannister, Moxey and Heastie need to come clean with the Bahamian people and stop feeding us with their hogwash.”

And there was this from The_Oracle: “No amount of money thrown at BEC/ BPL will ever slow or reverse the monumental failure that it has been, is, and will continue to be, unless the mindset that created it is removed. Political and management, engineering management. BEC/ BPL is polluting the world of alternate energy, stalling, misinforming, and desperately wanting to control it.

Dinosaurs in thinking, slow moving, and destined for extinction. Unfortunately, they are being allowed to take the country with them.

Politicians want to give them our money to take with them. A continuation of the recipe for disaster.”

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

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 5, 2019, PAGE 11

FOOD FEVER AS PARADISE PLATES HEATS UP AGAIN HANDS for Hunger is putting the finishing touches on preparations for the 2019 Paradise Plates.

The organisation’s signature fundraiser has quickly become known as one of the island’s most anticipated charity events of the year, for both foodies and supporters of good causes alike. Presented by TradeZero, the annual event is scheduled for Saturday, December 7, at Atlantis’ Imperial Ballroom.

Guests will enjoy an evening of food, fun and philanthropy including an array of delicious fare and drinks from the country’s top chefs and beverage purveyors.

This year’s indoor food festival will feature over 40 participants, including some of the newest and hottest restaurants in Nassau.

Paradise Plates will also feature multiple chances to win big when guests participate in the annual H4H raffle and signature Wine Pull. Amazing prizes including JetBlue tickets, hotel stays, domestic travel and much more are up for grabs. The raffle is also open to the public and tickets can be purchased online.

Entertainment will include live art and performances by The Essence Band and The Lady’s Band. On the turntables, international guest DJ Nikki Kynard from New

York will make an appearance; followed by DJ Cleancut who will set the stage for a DJ Ignite finale.

The Stan Burnside Junkanoo Group will cap off the evening with a Junkanoo rush out.

TradeZero has increased its support as the 2019 Presenting Sponsor of Paradise Plates.

“TradeZero is proud to be an ongoing sponsor of such an amazing charity and organisation like Hands for Hunger,” said Dan Pipitone, co-founder of TradeZero. “The work done has been an inspiration to all of us and made a positive impact on our corporate culture.”

Paradise Plates tickets can be purchased online at www.handsforhunger.org or in person at the Hands For Hunger office in the New Providence Community Centre on Blake Road and at Bahamas Vision Centre in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza. Guest experience tickets are a $200 donation. Premium access tickets are a $300 donation. All proceeds from this event benefit Hands for Hunger.

For more information about Hands For Hunger or Paradise Plates, visit www. handsforhunger.org or contact the Hands For Hunger office at 327-1660 or via email at donations@handsforhunger.org.

THE TRIBUNE • AFTER a splendid international spring tour in Nashville, Tennessee, where the Bel Canto Singers performed in the presence of Consulate General responsible for Tennessee in a full concert at the historic First Lutheran Evangelical Church of Nashville, the Bel Canto Singers will once again partner with members of musicians both internal and domestic commemorating the 20th year anniversary of “Christmastide.”

The Christmastide concert, held annually for multiple nights in early December, has grown into a holiday tradition in New Providence. The concert features special arrangements of Christmas carols, anthems, and spirituals.

Hundreds of people come from all over the island each year to attend the concerts, which the singers present as a gift to the music community.

This year’s Christmastide will be held under the patronage of Patricia Minnis, wife of Prime Minster Dr Hubert Minnis.

Bel Canto will be hosting the Christmastide Gala – for the first time at Sapodilla Estate – this evening at 7.0pm. As part of the festivities, there will also be a silent auction, with wine and gourmet cuisine provided, as well as several vendors selling gifts for the season, including Cia Monet, Sonia Rolle handmade bags, and Trevor Tucker ceramic art for Christmas trees as well as prints of his original oil works. Gala tickets are $150 per person and are available for purchase at Custom Computers Cable Beach and Logos Bookstore in the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.

A fine sound

Thursday, December 5, 2019, PAGE 13

PAGE 14, Thursday, December 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

ZIMMERMAN SUES TRAYVON MARTIN’S FAMILY AND ATTORNEYS FLORIDA Associated Press

NEIGHBOURHOOD watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who was acquitted of the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin, is suing the teen’s parents, family attorney, the attorney’s book publisher and prosecutors who tried his case, claiming he was defamed when they allowed a witness to give false testimony in an attempt to incriminate him.

Zimmerman’s lawsuit, filed yesterday, said a trial witness pretended to be the last person to talk to Martin by phone before

he was killed when the witness was actually the half-sister of the caller. According to the lawsuit, Brittany Diamond Eugene didn’t want to testify that she had been talking to Martin before he was killed. So her half-sister, Rachel Jeantel, pretended that she was talking to the teen before he was fatally shot. Jeantel ended up testifying at Zimmerman’s 2013 trial in Sanford, Florida.

Martin was killed during a struggle with Zimmerman, who was a Neighborhood Watch volunteer.

Martin was black. Zimmerman’s father is white and his

mother is Hispanic. Zimmerman’s trial raised questions about race and Florida’s “stand your ground” self-defence law which allows people to use force without retreating if they feel threatened.

In a statement, Martin family attorney Benjamin Crump called the allegations “unfounded and reckless.”

“This plaintiff continues to display a callous disregard for everyone but himself, re-victimising individuals whose lives were shattered by his own misguided actions. He would have us believe that he is the innocent victim of a deep conspiracy, despite the

ACQUITTERD: George Zimmerman

complete lack of any credible evidence to support his outlandish claims,” Crump’s statement said.

“This tale defies all logic, and it’s time to close the door on these baseless imaginings.”

The lawsuit, filed in a central Florida county where Zimmerman is now living, seeks $100 million for allegations of malicious prosecution and conspiracy.

Zimmerman’s lawyer in the lawsuit, Larry Klayman, had planned to screen a film detailing the allegations in the lawsuit.

But the venue, Coral Gables Art Cinema, has cencelled the rental arrangement.

REPUBLICAN: WE SHOULD HANG TREASONOUS DEMOCRATS

CHANEL BACK IN STEP AFTER LAGERFELD PARIS Associated Press

CHANEL brought its off-season fashion show the “arts and crafts” back to home ground in Paris yestrday to mark its first collection since Karl Lagerfeld died earlier this year. New designer Virginie Viard teamed up with film director Sofia Coppola this season to imagine a cinematic opus that saw the house’s 1920s Rue Cambon atelier — replete with crystal chandeliers and mirrored cubist staircase — recreated under the lofty roof of the Grand Palais exhibition space. Unlike the seasonal collections that trickle down to set high street trends, the “arts and crafts” pre-collection aims at showing off the work of the artisans that are the beating heart of Chanel.

FLORIDA Associated Press

MODELS wear creations for Chanel’s Metiers d’Art collection presented at the Grand Palais in Paris yesterday

NATO divided as Trump calls Trudeau two-faced LONDON Associated Press AIMING to play the role of global statesman as the impeachment drama was unfolding in Washington, President Donald Trump instead shattered NATO’s professed message of unity at its 70th anniversary celebration in England and put his personal and policy differences with alliance members on stark display.

Trump called Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau “twofaced” and French President Emanuel Macron “nasty” during a 52-hour trip that exposed the alliance’s divisions on military budgets and relations with Turkey, as well as the U.S. leader’s own unconventional ways on the world stage.

At the same time, he found it difficult to leave behind events in Washington, lashing out as House Democrats resumed their push for impeachment over Trump’s call for Ukraine to investigate a

PRESIDENT Trump at a NATO lunch political rival. He said it was “sad” that Democrats were pushing ahead with the inquiry when “there was no crime whatsoever and they know it.”

Trump, looking to showcase foreign policy wins as he heads into an election year, offered a more optimistic outlook for NATOs future. He took credit for boosting the share of NATO nations

that are meeting the alliance’s goal of spending 2% of gross domestic on defense and sought to pressure more countries to increase their military budgets. But he also put a spotlight on his administration’s lingering to-do list: ending a China trade war he instigated, passing the US-Mexico-Canada agreement as well as trade deals with the European Union and Britain.

A day after Trudeau was overheard gossiping about Trump during a reception at Buckingham Palace, Trump called the Canadian leader “two-faced.”

In an unguarded conversation, Trudeau told leaders, including Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, that “he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top,” an apparent reference to Trump’s long and unscheduled question-and-answer session with journalists earlier that day. Trudeau also said, seemingly about his meeting with Trump: “You just watched his team’s jaws drop to the floor.”

Trump fired back during an afternoon meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He suggested that the Canadian’s overheard comments were precipitated

by Trump’s decision to highlight the fact that Canada falls short of NATO goals on defense spending.

“The truth is that I called him out on the fact that he’s not paying 2% and I guess he’s not very happy about it,” Trump said. Later, seeming to relish the spat, Trump remarked “That was funny when I said that guy was two-faced.”

Relations between Trump and Macron deteriorated a day earlier in feisty exchanges on live television.

First, Trump laced into the French president for what he called “very, very nasty” comments by Macron, who had lamented NATO’s “brain death” under Trump’s leadership of the US. Then, Macron rebuked Trump over his insistence that Europe repatriate its citizens who fought with the Islamic State group.

GOP leaders distanced themselves yesterday from a Florida congressional candidate who sent a fundraising letter stating that “anti-American radical Democrats” should be hung for treason.

George Buck, one of six Republican primary candidates for Florida’s 13th Congressional District, referred to several Democrats but in particular to Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota. Omar was born in Somalia and came to the US as a child.

In the recent letter to potential donors, he said that “we should hang” Omar and other “traitors” for “abusing our system to destroy our country.”

He mentioned “tinfoil hat accusations” against President Donald Trump, but didn’t elaborate.

Buck’s letter cited an unverified story that Omar is an asset of a foreign government who passed information to another foreign government. Omar has denied the report, calling it “outlandishly absurd” in a statement.

“For all their false, tinfoil-hat accusations of President Trump, the Democrats have foreign assets among their most outspoken leadership!” the letter read. “We should hang these traitors where they stand. I have no tolerance for those who are abusing our system to destroy our country.”

Buck previously had been on the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” programme, which mentors and supports candidates in races across the country.

Chris Pack, the committee’s communications director, said in an email that House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy decided to remove Buck from the programme.

Todd Jennings, chairman of Republicans in Pinellas County, wrote: “There is no room for this kind of rhetoric in either political party.”

EU CLIMATE LEADERSHIP IN DOUBT AS BLOC SET TO MISS 2030 GOAL MADRID Associated Press

THE European Union said yesterday it will likely miss its target for reducing greenhouse gases by 2030, dealing a blow to the bloc’s efforts to be a leader in the fight against climate change.

The European Environment

Agency said existing measures put the EU on course to cut its emissions of carbon dioxide and other planet-warming pollutants by 30% in the next decade compared with 1990 levels.

Currently, the 28-nation bloc is aiming for a reduction of 40% by 2030, and some leaders have called for this target to be raised

to 55%, with a long-term goal of ending virtually all new emissions by 2050.

“Recent trends highlight a slowing down of progress in areas such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, industrial emissions, waste generation, improving energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy,” the agency said in a

report. “Looking ahead, the current rate of progress will not be enough to meet 2030 and 2050 climate and energy targets.”

The report was released as officials from almost 200 countries meet in Madrid for U.N. climate talks. The EU’s new executive Commission is expected to present its long-term plan for tackling

global warming — dubbed the European Green Deal — next week.

Environmental campaigners said the EU should step up its efforts to ensure that the aim of the 2015 Paris climate accord of keeping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century remains possible.\

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 5, 2019, PAGE 15

GB HEALTH OFFICIALS DELIGHTED TO RECEIVE TWO NEW AMBULANCES

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama health officials are grateful for the donation of two ambulances after the significant loss of emergency vehicles on the island during Hurricane Dorian.

Hospital administrator Sharon Williams said all the ambulances at Grand Bahama’s emergency medical

services department were damaged due to flooding caused by storm surge in early September.

On Tuesday, Grand Bahama Health Services received two fully refurbished ambulances that were donated to the Public Hospitals Authority and earmarked for Grand Bahama.

The Rand Memorial Hospital also sustained significant flood damage

during Dorian. The entire public health facility is not open to the public; however, patients are able to be receive services in accident and emergency department, which was not compromised.

She said emergency medical services on the island are fully operational, and the staff has resumed working regular eight-hour shifts and responding to emergency and transport for the GBHS.