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MOORE: MINNIS COULD HAVE FIRED MPS

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

MAURICE Moore, considered to be one of the Free National Movement’s founding fathers, insisted that the seven MPs’ shocking move to revoke Killarney MP Dr Hubert Minnis’ appointment as leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament could have been avoided had he fired the “rebels” ahead of the party’s July convention.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

Key: I won’t be forced out of the party

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

IN THE aftermath of Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis’ call for the “rebel” seven members of Parliament to resign from the party or face disciplinary action, several of the signatories on the letter to revoke his appointment as Official Opposition leader in Parliament have said they are declining to quit, one of them insisting “I won’t be forced out” of the organisation.

Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key told The Tribune that Dr Minnis could not force him to leave the FNM. Mr Key maintained that instead of Dr

Minnis calling for their resignations, he should be the one to bow out of the top post of the party because his parliamentary caucus no longer reposes confidence in his ability to lead them.

Mr Key, 78, said he expects to be expelled. However, he said, this does not mean anything to him.

Meanwhile, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant said he “respectfully” rejected the leader’s request to leave the party. Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, speaking to ZNS News, also said they had no plans to resign from the party.

SEE PAGE SIX

DISCIPLINARY LETTERS SENT TO MPS AFTER VOTE TO REMOVE LEADER

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement drafted and sent letters of charges yesterday to the seven parliamentarians who sought Dr Hubert Minnis’ removal as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly, formally beginning the process that could lead to their expulsion from the party.

The letters were not disclosed to the media because two of the seven members are expected to receive them this morning, an FNM official said.

The news came as the seven parliamentarians remained tightlipped yesterday in discussing their future and that of the FNM, raising questions about just how well planned their bold move was.

SEE PAGE SIX

NICOLE MARTIN, right, president of the BHCAWU, speaking at the National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB) press conference yesterday to address the recent layoffs at the One&Only Ocean Club.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

UNIONS UNITE TO SPEAK OUT OVER LAYOFFS AT ONE&ONLY OCEAN CLUB

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

AN umbrella union yesterday swore to “level the playing field” between employers and workers in the country, citing the recent layoffs at the One&Only Ocean Club as incentive enough to make life “miserable” for foreign employers who “try to set up shop” in the country without union intervention.

National Congress of Trade Unions Bahamas (NCTUB) executive officials, in a press conference just

days after 61 employees were terminated for “performance based reasons” at the Ocean Club, demanded that the government “cease and desist” from brokering deals with foreign investors “without identifying that a union will be involved as a part of the process” or without “telling them that you’re going to be coming into a unionised environment.”

NCTUB officials also called on Labour Minister Shane Gibson to fix the country’s labour laws “once and for all,” as well as “bring the pressure down” on the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confed-

eration (BCCEC), which they said has “made untold profits from the workers of this country.”

They also said they would be “going after” the various non-unionised work environments in the country in an attempt to restore balance to the employer/employee relationship.

Regarding the terminations themselves, Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) President Nicole Martin accused the Paradise Island-based luxury of committing a “gross injustice”.

SEE PAGE THREE

2002 CASE OF SEX ATTACK ON HANDICAPPED TEENAGER DROPPED

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

PROCEEDINGS have been discontinued against a man awaiting trial concerning the alleged sexual

assault of a mentally handicapped teenager in 2002.

The move by the Crown on Wednesday came more than seven years after 45-year-old Gary Applise was formally arraigned in the Supreme Court on a

rape charge concerning the November 30, 2002 incident.

The alleged victim, who was 15 at the time, is now 29.

Applise’s case had begun in Magistrate’s Court as a

preliminary inquiry until the matter was transferred to the Supreme Court in March 2009 where he pleaded not guilty to the crime.

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 9, 2016, PAGE 3

HOSPITAL AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM BROKEN DOWN AGAIN THE air conditioning system at the $100m Critical Care Block at the Princess Margaret Hospital has broken down again, according to sources close to the matter.

Malfunctioning units

stalled surgeries in September when four of six compressors were hit by surges after a power outage.

It is not clear whether the current break down is an extension of this prob-

lem; however, officials at the time projected that the equipment would be repaired that month.

The Tribune has also received reports of drug shortages in several departments, but this was not con-

firmed by officials.

Yesterday, former Free National Movement Senator and leading surgeon Dr Duane Sands said he was aware of the “unfortunate” challenges, but did not have specific details.

PAUL MAYNARD, first vice-president of the NCTUB, speaking at yesterday’s press conference on layoffs at the One&Only Ocean Club.

Dr Sands said: “These are challenges that continue to plague the hospital, it’s unfortunate that yet again the operating rooms have reduced capacity. It impacts the care patients get, overcrowding on wards and

emergency rooms, and also patient perception of the quality of care.”

The Tribune tried to contact the Public Hospitals Authority, but did not get a response up to press time.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Unions unite to speak out over layoffs at One&Only Ocean Club from page one She also said the hotel union is of the view that the terminations were “wrongful,” as she referred to a previous promise allegedly made by the hotel that no terminations would take place during and/or after the hotel’s closure, and that the hotel would “have all their employees retrained and then have a grand reopening of the resort.”

And, NCTUB First Vice President Paul Maynard yesterday cautioned foreign and local employers not to take the NCTUB’s warnings of industrial action lightly, as he suggested that while unionists are wary to conduct a national strike due to the economic implications it may have, employers should not “push us in that corner.”

“The unions can be irrational, but we’re not,” he said. “We are rational people. When we are talking about doing a strike we affect people. You do a strike, businesses lay off people, and so they’re affected.

We’re mindful of this. And that’s why we take the time and go the extra mile in order to settle these problems. See, I’m here to deal with the problem. We could do what we want, but what we do affects everybody.

And don’t keep using that fact to get over.”

On Tuesday, dozens of employees, including man-

agement and line staff, were fired from the One&Only Ocean Club over the hotel’s reported dissatisfaction with unsavory guest reviews about its staff’s performance.

Ashley McBain, vicepresident of corporate communications at Kerzner International, suggested to The Tribune that the terminations were the result of poor employee performance at the hotel, saying that some employees were not working in sync with “performance standards that we’ve set in place, not only in The Bahamas but beyond.”

But Ms Martin questioned the rationale behind the terminations yesterday, as she charged that terminating the 61 employees, 52 of whom were unionized, should not have occurred without prior notice to the employees, via written warnings and/or one-onone meetings, or without notifying the hotel union.

She said in the hotel industry, guest service complaints are typically dealt with “right away,” and, given the hotel’s closure since October, raises the question: “When did these employees perform poorly?”

“There is no way in a hotel, that deals with guests on a nightly, daily, hourly basis, that you’re going to now tell us 61 of your employees were so bad that you had to fire them,” she said. “This is a company that issues warn-

ing slips like they drinking water. If those employees were that bad, I could assure you they would not have still been employees.

“My industry, our hotel union is pure service.

They give everything. They give their bodies to service.

Most of them they need to go to the doctor, they got back problems, they got ankle problems, they got elbow problems, foot problems, our people give everything. And it is absolutely wrong for an employer to just show up and say ‘your service is awful, bye.’

“At some point someone have to recognise that these people are putting a tutu on a pig and calling it something else. This is nothing more than trying to destabilise the union, trying to get rid of workers whose performance is excellent in my view, but you don’t like the pressure that they bring to bear when things ain’t right.

These employees were vocal about some things that they thought should have happened for them.”

Meanwhile, union Secretary General Zane Lightbourne said based on what happened at the Ocean Club, the government “would be wise” to ensure that unions are included in negotiations over potential foreign investments in the country going forward.

“We just look at individuals sometimes and we forget how important workers are in this country, none of us

ONE DEAD, THREE HURT IN CRASH A MAN is dead and three others are in hospital following a traffic accident in Eleuthera.

According to police reports, around 10.30pm a man was driving a Honda Civic vehicle along a road in the Current, Eleuthera, accompanied by three male passengers, when he lost control and veered several feet into the bushes where the vehicle crashed.

One of the male passengers was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver along with the other two males were taken to the local clinic and later airlifted to New Providence, where they were admitted to hos-

pital in stable condition.

A team of investigators from the Police Traffic Department in New Providence will go to Eleuthera to assist in the investigations.

can exist and survive and benefit without them, and we need to remind the powers that be that that’s how it is and that’s the manner in which we will address this and every other situation,” he said.

“So all of those deals that we’re brokering, all of those deals that are in the pipeline, make sure the unions are involved, because if it don’t happen now, somebody is going to pay later, and the workers have already paid enough.”

On Tuesday, Director of Labour Robert Farquharson told The Tribune the government was made aware of the planned firings. He said the 61 terminated employees were those who were previously utilised to assist in the hotel’s extensive post-hurricane cleanup exercise, but had become expendable as the hotel is now shifting into its “construction phase.”

Mr Farquharson said he has been assured by Ocean Club Human Resources Director Latoya Kemp that those 61 employees would be reconsidered for re-employment when the luxury hotel reopens on February 14, 2017.

ZANE LIGHTBOURNE, NCTUB general secretary, speaking at yesterday’s press conference.

PAGE 4, Friday, December 9, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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Will the European Union collapse?

RECENT events affecting the European Union must be causing concern in Washington.

In advance of Britain’s referendum in June, which resulted in a vote to leave the bloc, President Obama expressed the long held view of American policy makers that the nation should stay in it because her membership enhanced her global leadership in dealing, in particular, with the challenges of terrorism, conflict and immigration. It was in the USA’s interest for Britain to maintain a strong voice inside the EU. Six months later, after having observed the rise of populism in Europe with people turning to nationalist parties following ‘Brexit’ and the victory of Presidentelect Trump which some consider have together set off a chain reaction - the outgoing president has suggested in vivid terms that the increase of nationalism within the EU could result in a ‘bloodbath’.

Whether or not such a stark warning can be justified, the situation is beginning to look increasingly bleak to the eyes of those who insist that full economic and political union of Europe is necessary to avoid the danger of a repeat of the horrors and destruction of the Second World War. The EU founding fathers believed that nationalism caused wars. Historically, it is evident that, when the interests of countries collided and diplomacy failed, conflict ensued. However, in the modern era, wars have been caused more by ideologies like fascism, communism and Islamic fundamentalism.

As the surge of popular protest continues, voters across Europe are apparently expressing their rage against the liberal elite establishment, economic stagnation and wealth inequality, together with their growing dissatisfaction with Brussels. The relentless drive by eurocrats towards ‘ever-closer union’ no longer seems to be acceptable to the grass roots and is becoming increasingly unrealistic.

There has also been the mishandling of the immigration crisis by European leaders, not least by Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel whose open-door policy has spectacularly fanned the flames of a major crisis.

Eurosceptic parties are becoming increasingly influential in France, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands. The defeat of the anti-migrant and anti-Islam candi-

date in Austria’s presidential election last week served to stem the tide for a brief moment, but the resignation of the Italian Prime Minister after the ‘no’ vote in the nation’s referendum on constitutional reform (though the central issue was really Europe) quickly followed - and the consequences of that could be serious both for the euro single currency, in light of Italy’s weak economy and its under capitalised banks, and even for the political stability of the EU itself.

The anti-EU National Front party in France is expected to do well in next year’s presidential election while Hungary, Poland and others have rejected migrant quotas imposed by Brussels. Meanwhile, the euro’s troubles persist, though Greece as its weakest link has now secured some short-term relief through a further bailout.

It seems that, if the EU is to avoid fragmentation or even collapse, radical action is necessary and the rigidities of the original vision in the Treaty of Rome of 1957 have to change. The fundamental philosophy of inexorable progress towards complete economic and political union leading to the disappearance of the nation-state must surely now be reexamined.

The basic question is whether EU member states wish to govern themselves or to sign away that power and be ruled by those in a distant Brussels bureaucracy churning out endless restrictive directives in a futile effort at harmonisation across 27 vastly different countries - faceless and unaccountable officials who cannot be voted out of office.

The original motivation of European unity and co-operation in order to prevent future armed conflict across the continent was surely admirable. Nowadays, collaboration and partnership in trade, the environment, counter terrorism, policing, transport, education, scientific research, culture and sport are equally admirable and desirable. Such co-operation amongst the nations of Europe is achievable and is already happening. But the drive towards further union affecting the sovereignty of member states and leading to a federal European state now looks to be a step too far.

The response of EU leaders to past crises has been simply ‘more Europe’. Now, in order to prevent disintegration of the whole EU project, change and reform is surely essential.

Minnis should resign EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE use of the Constitution yesterday by the FNM MP’s, the seven, was totally in compliant with the Constitution Article 82 clause 4.

Editor, very clearly there seems to be a very serious clash between the FNM, Party, Constitution and the Bahamas Constitution as Article 82 clause 2 places the onus total governing power on the support of the elected members of the majority Opposition party to be Leader of Opposition.

Reading the Constitution you cannot have a Leader of a majority Opposition who does not hold the support of the majority of the

elected MPs of that party.

Here is the clash and the FNM has to amend their Constitution to comply with the Bahamas Constitution and likewise all other political parties if the same occurs. If this occurred in Westminster, Hon Hubert Minnis would have resigned immediately.

A political Party can have a Chairman, but the Leader has to be the de facto person who has the majority of support of the ejected MP’s it is the MP’s who garnished the votes and were elected.

You have a ridiculous issue now - to be compliant with the Bahamas Constitution Hon Loretta Butler-Turner is the Leader of Her Majesty’s

Loyal Opposition no more no less - Dr Minnis is the Leader of the FNM Party not supported by the majority of the FNM MP’s. This, Editor, simply cannot fly and the FNM has no alternative but to change their Constitution to comply with the superior Bahamas Constitution.

The political leadership has to be tied to who retains the support of the majority of those elected.

Dr Minnis do the honourable thing and resign forthwith and allow compliance with the Bahamas Constitution to be respected.

political arena, there is no such thing as victory by higher morality or having the wiser policies.

The only thing that counts for a political leader is retaining control of his troops.

In this Dr Minnis has signally failed. The biggest error for a leader is to be unaware of the quiet manoeuvrers within his own party. Dr Minnis has admitted that he was “blindsided”. This alone should disqualify him.

Reading English parlia-

mentary history, one finds innumerable examples where “right or wrong” was irrelevant, and the aspirant who split his backers could not survive.

Dame Marguerite will have a difficult decision in responding to the letter from the Seven. Whatever she decides, Dr Minnis’ appeal to voters will fade.

S HUTCHINSON Nassau, December 8, 2016.

Collapse of the FNM EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHATEVER may be Dr Minnis’ success in remaining “leader” and technically expelling the Dissident Seven from FNM party membership, the fact is he has lost the big power game. It has become impossible for him to lead the FNM successfully into the next general election.

Losing seven out of nine MPS cannot be corrected.

In the parliamentary

RICHARD COULSON Nassau, December 8, 2016.

Mitchell and the Secretariat EDITOR, The Tribune.

THIS is a continuation of a previous letter on Fred Mitchell’s Baroness twisting in the Wind.

A RECENTLY-RELEASED 48-page review of a host of multilateral development agencies, the Commonwealth Secretary was rated near the bottom in terms of its organisational strength and being in synch with Britain’s development objectives. It’s a safe bet the Brits were being charitable when they rated the Secretariat “adequate” instead of “weak”, and maybe only because it is a creature of their own making.

It is nothing short of shameful that the first time the Secretariat is put in British hands all hell breaks loose. Never mind Fred’s protestation that she is also Dominican by birth and Antiguan by descent.

She’s Caribbean when she wins and British when she messes up.

The drip-drip of information continues. The Baroness is said to have authorized $14,000 for wallpaper for the residence, and it’s being alleged that she is entitled to an education allowance for her children.

She has two boys who are of age.

She is also alleged to have violated a few policies such as the ban on hiring people over 60. She hired a retired Barbados diplomat who was deputy secretary general of Caricom, Lolita Applewhaite, to be the head of her private office at the Secretariat.

Not only is Ambassador Applewhaite over 60, but she also campaigned unabashedly for the Baroness to get the job. One would have expected Secretariat staff to be neutral, or at the very least, not fresh off the campaign trail.

Applewhaite, like Fred Mitchell, should have kept her powder dry during the election because ostensibly there were three Caribbean candidates in

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the race. The Trinidadian never really materialised, the Antiguan bowed out after the first round of voting, and the Baroness survived a bloody battle against an African woman (a deputy secretary general, no less).

Fred helped the Baroness get 25 votes. The African got 24 votes with two ballots spoiled. Charitably I can only speculate if Perry’s ballot was one of those spoiled as time ran out with him unable to make up his mind, as is his wont.

The British are now threatening to defund the Secretariat which would be a serious blow. Remember that Fred told the House of Assembly that the Commonwealth was deteriorating and because of that the ABC countries (Australia, Britain and Canada) were withholding funds. Elect the Baroness and the funds will flow.

The opposite is now happening. Joining Britain in re-evaluating its Commonwealth funding is India, remarkable indeed when you consider that the Secretary General for the preceding eight years was a distinguished Indian diplomat.

Fred told the House last December: “Mr. Speaker, we did the right thing and no amount of ex post facto nastiness can change that fact that the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Bahamas discharged his duty to the Bahamas in our best interest.”

When you catch yourself from laughing ex post facto, you have to consider whether Fred was duped or if he was as gullible as history now makes him appear.

Prime Minister May cannot afford to have any distractions going on in London right now as she prepares her country to disengage from Europe.

As luck will have it Theresa May will be the next

host of the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in the spring of 2018.

The next biennial meeting, the 25th for the Commonwealth, was set to be held in Vanuatu next year, but when a hurricane devastated the Pacific nation last year, the UK offered to host. Members quickly agreed as it virtually assured that the Queen, who has limited her longhaul travel schedule, will attend in her capacity of Head of the Commonwealth.

Theresa May doesn’t want any of the Baroness’ dark clouds raining on her parade. And so the clock is ticking on the Baroness to get her act together.

May wants accountability and reform she can believe in.

If Fred’s response is a weather vane for the Baroness, then Theresa is going to be disappointed on both fronts.

They have circled the wagons. The Baroness blames disgruntled employees in the Secretariat.

Fred thinks it’s sour grapes by people who had a gripe against her personally, rather than standing on the principle that she was British and therefore not a Caribbean person.

Roosevelt Skerrit came to Nassau last month as head of Caricom to survey the damage from hurricane Matthew and no doubt to lobby Perry Christie to help contain the damage from hurricane Patricia.

Recall that in Fred’s communication to the House, he wholeheartedly endorsed Baroness Scotland and pledged to work to get her the Secretary General’s job.

When you endorse someone you put your own reputation on the line. If it backfires it blows your reputation to smithereens.

Kaboom!

THE GRADUATE Nassau, December 7, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 9, 2016, PAGE 5

CHRISTMAS TREE LIT AT POLICE HQ IN GRAND BAHAMA BEFORE having a group of children assist him in the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at police headquarters in Grand Bahama, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour expressed hope that the lighted tree would ignite a spirit of kindness and love among all Bahamians.

The officer-in-charge for Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas said these characteristics are virtues that are needed in today’s society.

“In that spirit of Advent, we in the Royal Bahamas Police Force, light this Christmas tree and we hope that it ignites that spirit into the hearts of each and every one of you,” he said.

This year’s tree lighting ceremony, held at the Gerald Bartlett Police Complex, was under the theme “the true meaning of Christmas, a celebration of life.”

The event focused on SENIOR assistant commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour on the stage with children during Wednesday night’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which was held at the Photo: Lisa Davis/BIS the youth of the island. Gerald Bartlett Police Complex in Freeport.

Keod Smith has until March to give defence in contempt case

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A LAWYER who made prior accusations of bias on the part of a judge presiding over a judicial review will have until March 2017 to produce a defence, witnesses and/or evidence that said that the accusations, which were contained in a series of affidavits, were not contemptuous.

Keod Smith and his lawyer, Elliot Lockhart, QC, appeared before Justice Rhonda Bain for the start of his contempt hearing to show cause why he and then lawyer Derek Ryan should not be committed to prison concerning a series of affidavits filed by Mr Smith in January 2014.

Only Mr Smith was present in court by the time that the matter was called.

Mr Ryan was a no-show.

Mr Lockhart, who represents the pair facing committal, asked Justice Bain for the particulars of the charge laid against his clients so that he would be able to defend them.

He said that having looked at the affidavits, he failed to see where the contempt had occurred.

“And so I go on a basic principle that an accused is entitled to know the case he’s called upon to meet,” Mr Lockhart said.

Justice Bain told Mr Lockhart to refer to the ruling handed down by her on December 16, 2014 where some of the contents of the affidavits were referred to.

Mr Lockhart, however, said: “One needs to know precisely what the allegations are.”

The judge referred the lawyer to the 10 offensive paragraphs in the fifth affidavit filed by Mr Smith, then five paragraphs that were in the sixth affidavit and another five in the seventh affidavit filed.

Mr Lockhart, during the two-hour hearing, then proceeded to go through each of them.

In January 2014, Mr Smith had filed a series of affidavits claiming that Justice Bain should recuse herself from a judicial review proceeding as she had made a series of decisions based on her affiliation with the Free National Movement (FNM).

Ten months later he attempted to withdraw the applications for the recusal of Justice Bain.

He alleged the judge once worked under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, that she was appointed to a high-ranking position in the Attorney General’s Office because of her ties to the FNM and that her two sons were fathered by a person he claims is a close friend and advisor of Mr Ingraham.

Mr Smith claimed that Justice Bain had made several rulings in favour of attorney Fred Smith, QC, who in the past had been affiliated with the FNM, and “can only be explained as coming about as a result of her bias”.

Mr Lockhart held that the contents were not contemptuous and were either a matter of public record or could be proven if his clients were given adequate opportunity to do so.

He also said that Mr Ryan should be absolved from the proceedings because although his law firm’s name appeared on the affidavits, they had been created and filed by Mr Smith himself.

“I make an application for an opportunity to accord my clients to conduct their defence to the allegations. I’d like to thank you

2002 CASE OF SEX ATTACK ON HANDICAPPED TEENAGER DROPPED from page one

When the matter was called on Wednesday for a status hearing by Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs, prosecutor Rosaelee Ferguson presented the nolle prosequi (no prosecution order).

The Office of the Attorney General, by law, could bring the case against him again at any time in the Supreme Court, but it is unlikely.

In a status hearing in July

MAN SHOT NEXT TO HIS CAR A MAN is in hospital after he was shot by two gunmen Wednesday night.

According to police reports, the shooting occurred shortly after 10pm when a man was about to enter his vehicle in front of a home located at Sunset Park off Carmichael Road.

Police said two men armed with handguns approached and shot the victim before speeding off in a dark coloured vehicle. The victim was rushed to hospital where he is detained in serious condition.

Investigations are continuing.

of this year, Applise, who had been on bail, could not be found and this remained the case at Wednesday’s follow-up hearing.

A conviction for rape carries upward to life imprisonment.

for the specificity provided today and now I can produce the witnesses who can make do on contests of affidavits that are without concrete proof,” he said.

The contempt hearing will continue on March 1, 2017 as the court and Mr Lockhart’s calendar is booked out and Mr Smith is reportedly unavailable to attend court from January 15, 2017 to February 18, 2017 due to a medical matter.

He has until December 13 to provide proof of this

to the court.

The proceedings stem from a judicial review application filed by the Save The Bays – formerly the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay – which is challenging an application by Peter Nygard to further develop his Mayan-themed development in Lyford Cay and gain a lease for Crown land reclaimed from the sea without official approval.

The coalition claims that over the last 30 years, Nygard Cay has nearly doubled in size as a result

of construction works undertaken without the appropriate permits and in a manner that had caused significant damage to the surrounding environment of Clifton Bay. Mr Smith, QC, Romauld Ferreira, Crispin Hall and Adrian Gibson appear for STB. Gia Moxey appeared with Mr Lockhart.

Tommel Roker held watching brief for Wayne Munroe, QC, who appears for the Crown in this matter.

PAGE 6, Friday, December 9, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

REBEL MPS REFUSE TO QUIT from page one

“I am an elected member of Parliament,” Mr Key said yesterday when he was contacted. “He (Dr Minnis) can’t force me to resign. What he should do is the honourable thing and step down. The parliamentary group has lost all confidence in Dr Minnis and the stalwarts in the party should replace him.

“I am not resigning from the FNM. I am a member of the FNM. I have a card. It took me 10 years to get, but I am proud of it and I’m not going to resign because he requests that I do it.

“I won the Central and

FNM CRISIS

South Abaco seat with a very large number against the Democratic National Alliance and the Progressive Liberal Party. I am the elected member of Parliament and I am not going to resign because I am still with the FNM. I am not going to resign because he should do the honourable thing now as he has no one hardly with him,” Mr Key continued.

Mr Key said while only a few months remain un-

til the next election, the party should move to elect a leader that is able to beat the PLP. “If the party wants to win the next election or try to win, we better come up with a good leader. Somebody who people respect and who has a track record and can possibly win,” Mr Key said.

Meanwhile, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, who the dissident MPs voted to replace Dr Min-

nis as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly, said she was not prepared to speak on the call for her resignation until she received a formal communication from the FNM. Mr Chipman had very little to say in this regard, only telling The Tribune: “Let the party do what they have to do.” He also said he had not yet received a formal letter from the party.

Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins did not respond to inquiries up to press time yesterday.

Dr Minnis was blindsided by the seven MPs when House Speaker Dr Kendal Major revealed on Wednesday morning that they sub-

mitted a letter of no confidence in the Killarney MP. This letter was also sent to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, who has to officially approve the request, and appoint Mrs Butler-Turner as the new leader of the Official Opposition.

Last night it could only be confirmed that she formally acknowledged receipt of the letter.

On Wednesday night at the FNM’s headquarters and following the stunning move by the rebel seven, Dr Minnis called on them to do the honourable thing and resign from the party or face disciplinary action.

Speaking to a raucous

crowd of supporters, Dr Minnis said he thanked God that the MPs launched their plot before the party was victorious at the 2017 polls, as their actions would have destabilised the government.

He called the plot a “stunning usurpation of the very essence of the democratic right of a political organisation to determine its leadership.”

Likening the party to a sea-faring vessel, he said that the ship has already left the harbour and no “mutineers” will stop its course towards Government House.

None of the dissident MPs were present at the meeting.

DISCIPLINARY LETTERS SENT TO MPS AFTER VOTE TO REMOVE LEADER from page one

While former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham fired Cabinet ministers during his era and FNM members like Tennyson Wells and Pierre Dupuch quit the party to run as independents, the FNM has never expelled a member from the party before.

This possibility now hangs over the seven parliamentarians whose action plunged the party into an unprecedented crisis just months away from the next general election.

According to the FNM’s constitution, the seven members will have seven days upon receipt of the letter to respond to the charges against them, either by seeking clarification or by providing exculpatory evidence.

If the Executive Council concludes they have failed to exculpate themselves, it can form a tribunal consisting of three FNM council members to investigate the matter.

However, “among its options,” Carl Bethel, former FNM senator and attorney general, said yesterday, the executive council “could say let (the matter) die out.”

“It’s politics and all things are possible; or (the council) could take the matter to the next step in the constitution,” he said during an appearance on the 96.9 FM talk show, The Revolution.

That step could include the imposition of a fine not exceeding $100, a suspension not exceeding one year or expulsion from the party.

Disciplinary action could be met with resistance, however.

Michael Scott, an attorney who has represented dissenting FNM factions in court before, said yesterday that the party’s constitution is “poorly written” and illequipped to deal with disciplinary matters.

“The party’s constitution is not very well written and would not be easily processed,” he said, adding that if the matter becomes contentious, he would be willing to represent any or all of the seven members in court.

Meanwhile, Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner said yesterday that she has started to consider who she will appoint to the Senate. The dissenting MPs voted to have her replace Dr Minnis as Opposition leader in the House of Assembly.

HUBERT MINNIS, leader of the Free National Movement at the late-night meeting following the vote to remove him as leader of the Opposition.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Three of the four FNM with official correspond- made leader of the Official Perry Christie will have to senators appointed by Dr ence,” Mrs Butler-Turner Opposition, she could ap- consult with her before takMinnis - Mr Bethel, Dr said. “That’s what we are point new FNM members ing action.

Theoretically, for inDuane Sands and Kwa- waiting on. I am giving (the to various parliamentary si Thompson - resigned appointees) consideration, committees, including the stance, if the need arises Mr Wednesday night in view but we are waiting until we Committee on Privilege, Christie would have to conof the developments. The get the green light to move the Constituencies Com- sult her on key personnel mission or the Public Ac- issues such as the appointfourth senator, Monique forward.”

It remains unclear how counts Committee. ment of the commissioner Gomez, said she was going Mrs Butler-Turner intends There are also numerous or deputy commissioner to do so yesterday. governing responsibilities of police if those posts be“The governor general to use her new powers.

After she is officially whereby Prime Minister came vacant. hasn’t gotten back to us

READERS RESPOND TO RUCTIONS IN THE FNM PARTY THE shock bid by seven FNM MPs to remove Dr Hubert Minnis as Official Opposition Leader in the House was the hot topic among readers on tribune242.com yesterday.

Referring to the seven MPs, Licks2 said: “These are lost and have no idea who or what they are . . . except THEY JUST WANT TO STAY IN THE HOUSE!” Ohdrap4 said: “Well Minnis will push anyone aside to control the party.

They are right to resign.

Edison Key amuses me. He was never elected until he joined the FNM. At 78 he has nothing to lose. I think he is just having fun. These times are the best opportunity to oust both PLP and

FNM, These folks have placed their bets.”

The_Oracle had this prediction: “Mark my words, these seven are going nowhere. But pawns in a game of power, of no intended benefit to anyone but themselves.”

Proudloudandfnm said: “Congratulations on five more years Perry.”

Jujutreeclub thought Dr Minnis was still “calling the shots”: “Let them remain part of the party

since only one of them is ratified a candidate in the person of Loretta. Minnis is still leader of the party so he still calls the shots, run an Independent against Loretta, win the seat and then join the FNM (sounds and looks familiar). That would be more devastating to her than having her resign from the party. One thing for sure, she can’t win in Montagu, St Anne‘s and especially Long Island. Dr Minnis should have ratified Andre to run in Long Island in the first place when she was complaining about Rollins and Minnis undermining her. He would have a better chance with that.

Now the two hugging up like nothing happened.”

Tarzan wondered if a deal

with Branville McCartney would be made: “The only hope for the country is that this revolt is successful and LBT, unlike Dr Minnis, can contain her ego sufficiently to make a deal with Bran.

If that happens the PLP is toast. For that reason, I think the celebrating in that quarter may prove to be a bit premature.”

Honestman thought the party was a shadow of its former self: “What an absolute farce! The FNM is determined to destroy the last remnants of its former self.

What a tragedy for the party and for the country at a time when Bahamians desperately need an alternative to the corrupt Christie led, Chinese sponsored PLP. I believe the FNM under Hubert Minnis is a ‘busted flush’. The brand image has gone with the party scarcely resembling the FNM of Hubert Ingraham. As it stands, the FNM is frankly un-

electable and strong candidates like Lloyd, D’Aguilar and Dames must be wondering about their reputations by association with this train wreck of a party.

In any first world democracy, a party leader facing such lack of confidence and outright rebellion would do the honourable thing and resign for the greater good of the party and the country. Why does Hubert Minnis stubbornly cling to his post against a wave of discontent?”

Sheeprunner12 said: “Minnis has been put out to pasture by the FNM MPs . . . now it is time for the PLPs to do the same with Perry . . . We need a Bahamas Spring in 2017.”

Zakary asked: “What is their end game? Are they going to create their own party? I honestly thought you’d do a vote of no confidence only if Minnis ever became Prime Minister.

Isn’t that the point of all those credible people he nominated? Naturally, I don’t know what going in these people’s head or who’s advising them, but this is quickly looking to be a badly made sitcom.

By the way, Minnis would/ will not relinquish the reins of the FNM, so if that was the goal, then unfortunately this move will not work.”

And in The Tribune’s online poll, we asked readers if they thought the vote of no confidence in Dr Minnis would damage the FNM’s election chances.

The majority of those voting - 63 per cent - thought the move would do damage to the party at the polls.

Thirty-seven per cent didn’t agree.

• The poll is still open, so don’t miss your chance vote and join the debate on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 9, 2016, PAGE 7

FNM supporters in Long Island ‘in disarray’ after shock move

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement supporters in Long Island yesterday were said to be in “disarray” after seven parliamentarians petitioned to remove party Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly and replace him with their parliamentary representative Loretta Butler-Turner.

Although Mrs ButlerTurner is considered to be a very popular MP, senior FNMs on the island claim that many Long Islanders do not want her as their candidate and that the sentiment has been amplified by the latest attack on Dr Minnis’ leadership.

The Tribune spoke to Long Island FNMs at various levels of the party, most of whom identified deeplyrooted issues of trust, authenticity and respect as major points of contention with the incumbent MP. However, Constituency Association Chairman Lasandra Knowles yesterday pushed back against what she described as a pervasive bitterness among constituents, fuelled by the island’s economic ills and youth drain.

Mrs Knowles maintained that the association took a neutral stance towards the political drama unfolding in the capital, and supported Mrs Butler-Turner unequivocally as she remained the party’s candidate.

“The association we are neutral, so whatever she does we support her,” Mrs Knowles said, “so far she still is the FNM candidate.

You have the regular persons who probably had the negative talk before, so they would have their negative talk now.”

Mrs Knowles noted that some persons were unclear about the parliamentary system, and did not understand that while Mrs Butler-Turner was leader of Official Opposition in the House of Assembly, Dr Minnis was still the party’s leader.

“We tried to explain that Dr Minnis was still the leader, but they [the dissident parliamentarians] decided they needed some work done in the House. A lot of people are not registering and saying they’re not voting. They want to get rid of the government but don’t see no one to vote for because the Opposition is not doing the work.

“And then people still

LORETTA Butler-Turner at the press conference held after seven FNM MPs voted to remove Dr Hubert Minnis as Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff have that issue of why should you want to be a leader when there’s already a leader, and you’re a woman,” she added.

Responding to criticism of Mrs Butler-Turner’s performance this term, Mrs Knowles said: ‘We can’t get an airport while in Opposition. Everyone is so fed up because of the recession, it hasn’t come back yet. Long Island is economically dead and the government hasn’t even tried to give us a project and they want to put the blame on her [Mrs Butler-Turner], but it’s not her blame.

“She has an allowance and works as best she can throughout the island. Long Island is 80 miles and only one seat, that’s like three campaigns. So she can only do a third of what other MPs in smaller seats with that same amount.”

When asked whether she felt Mrs Butler-Turner could win the seat as an Independent, Mrs Knowles said she did not know but added that it happened before with Larry Cartwright.

Running as an independent Mr Cartwright beat FNM candidate James “Jimmy” Knowles handily at the polls in 2002.

The MPs’ letter to the governor general was signed

by Mrs Butler-Turner, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins.

It’s the third time MPs have indicated their desire to forcibly remove Dr Minnis from the post. Earlier this year, six of the MPs - excluding Mr Key - threatened to write to the governor general unless Dr Minnis agreed to hold an earlier national convention. Dr Minnis acceded to this request, and re-emerged as party leader after Mrs Butler-Turner and her running mate Dr Duane Sands dropped out of the leadership race hours before the vote.

Bernard Adderley, 61, said: “The people of Long Island are totally fed up with this woman. Staunch supporters of her said yesterday that the woman is nobody to trust. I don’t know where she going after this all over. She has a couple in the Mangrove Bush area who stand behind her, but they are a small minority.

“It leaves staunch FNMs wondering where they stand in this and it’s a huge

the run up to the next general election.

While the move further illuminates a deep divide in the party, Mr Wells said he doubted it would harm the FNM’s chances of securing a win in the 2017 general election.

“Most of them said they were not running,” Mr Wells said when he was contacted.

He quit the FNM back in 2001 after contention with then party leader former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

“They just want to destroy the FNM. They have this view that if they can’t have the party then nobody can have it. That’s all it could be. It has nothing to do with the good of the country for them. “(To do this) right after a convention with a man you was contesting but then backed out because you believed you were getting beaten and he was re-elected by acclamation, you decide that you are not satisfied by that anymore so you are going to move against him. The Bahamian public they are not stupid, they see what is going on.”

He continued: “It’s really selfish, petty and shows no regard for the FNM supporters or the country. That is what they have demonstrated there because I can’t see what the

end game is.

“But I think there are ulterior motives. There are other people who knew what was going on and were organising this. Those people are pulling the string and are just sitting back while those seven are being manipulated.”

Member of Parliament and the country were stunned on Wednesday when Dr Major revealed during the morning session that the seven MPs submitted a letter of no confidence, which stated that they voted to be led in the House by Mrs Butler-Turner.

While the petition to rescind Dr Minnis’ post as leader of the Official Opposition was accepted by Dr Major, it remains unclear whether the governor general has given the nod of approval to their request.

It bore the signatures of Mrs Butler-Turner, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins.

FNM members Renward Wells, the Bamboo Town MP, and East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest did not sign this request to remove Dr Minnis.

Dr Minnis remains leader of the FNM.

embarrassment on real FNMs. Her and the [other] rebels are a party with no name. What they did to themselves [Wednesday] was political suicide and no one did it to them, they did it to themselves.”

Mr Adderley, a former local government chairman, has worked closely with both Jimmy Knowles and Larry Cartwright but left the party to endorse PLP MP Alex Storr in the 2012 elections.

“I told them if they [FNM government] don’t put water in Salt Pond or Clarence Town before five years up, I would not support them in 2012 and they did nothing so I was true to my word.

Now I’m back home to make sure we don’t have five more years of the same.”

Mr Adderley said the actions of those seven FNM MPs were particularly unsettling to Long Islanders given the startling disconnect between the public statements and actions of Mrs Butler-Turner, and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins. Dr Rollins has said that he would challenge Mrs Butler-Turner as an Independent candidate if the voters on the island urged him to do so.

Mr Adderley pointed to the town hall meeting

staged by the party on September 19 to endorse Mrs Butler-Turner’s candidacy, as a recent instance of the glaring hypocrisy postured by the pair.

Despite objections, Mr Adderley said Dr Minnis supported Mrs ButlerTurner in a bid to restore harmony - a move he said he warned the FNM leader would blow up in his face.

“Mrs Butler-Turner brought a cake to the podium and said that this is the remarriage of her and Dr Minnis,” he said.

“If you see the show she put on in Salt Pond if you had been here to witness that you’d be in shock. We told him don’t eat the cake because that’s something to hook him, but he gone and eat it.”

Mr Adderley said: “And FNMs have said this, they can’t trust him [Dr Rollins], he look like he don’t trust himself. If he had a ghost of a chance here he destroyed it [Wednesday].

“I’m not sorry for Dr Minnis in a way, but not sorry. He was trying to be a gentleman not knowing he was dealing with a rogue. I can’t see those seven allowing a 78-year-old man [Mr Key] lead them into the pits of political destruction.

Mr Adderley added: “But

the one that I felt more concern about was Andre Rollins. He was at the Long Island ratification and he stand there on the side booing her, he was side by side with me. Then you look and he’s front and centre in the ruthless effort to unseat Dr Minnis.

“The PM had it right, he told Dr Minnis you can take him [Dr Rollins], but you will learn him. Well Dr Minnis learn him [Wednesday].”

Long Island is considered to be an FNM stronghold, but in recent months there has been a growing sentiment that disenchanted supporters are looking for an Independent candidate or simply won’t vote.

As voter registration continues to lag throughout the country, on Long Island, less than 20 per cent of eligible voters had been registered up to last month.

Mr Adderley said: “Long Island people found out long time that anywhere in the Bahamas, any government entity, if they have someone they don’t want they send it to Long Island.

Long Island is called the dumping ground. [Mrs Butler-Turner] wasn’t wanted in Montagu, so [former Prime Minister Hubert] Ingraham drop her off here.”

MOORE: MINNIS COULD HAVE FIRED MPS from page one

He said the group of seven continuously flaunted “personal ambitions and desires,” which had no place in a party that desperately needed to portray unity.

Mr Moore was referring to the threat of six FNM MPs earlier this year, at the time excluding Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key, to write to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling expressing no confidence in Dr Minnis if he did not agree to hold an early national convention.

Dr Minnis gave in to that request and a convention was held in July, from which he re-emerged as leader.

Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner waged a bitter campaign against him, but dropped out of the race citing victimisation and irregularities in the process.

Now that the MPs have made good on their threat, having on Wednesday submitted a letter of no confidence to the governor general and House Speaker Dr Kendal Major, Mr Moore said “things will play out now and they will play out right.”

Meanwhile, former FNM cabinet minister Tennyson Wells yesterday questioned what was the “end game” of the MPs’ plot, pointing to their limitations to accomplish anything of merit in

PAGE 8, Friday, December 9, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

REBEL SEVEN: From left, Hubert Chipman, MP for St Anne’s; Edison Key, MP for Central and South Abaco; Richard Lightbourn, MP for Montagu; Loretta Butler-Turner, MP for Long Island, Neko Grant, MP for Central Grand Bahama; Theo Neilly, MP for North Eleuthera and Andre Rollins, MP for Fort Charlotte.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Rebels without a cause are just a suicide squad F

OR the past two years or so, the Drake rejuvenated expression “what a time to be alive” has been the go-to expression on social media.

For the uninitiated, Drake is a famous rapper, and until this week his catchphrase (of sorts) had been used and abused for the most mundane and absurd reasons. And I say absurd because blowing an entire paycheck to get Apple’s latest gazillionth iPhone, in my opinion, does not warrant the ‘what a time to be alive’ tag.

But this week - this week!

- after the crafty and cutthroat manoeuvre by the infamous Gang of Six (who have now mushroomed into the ‘Sinister Seven’, a suicide squad of their own) I found myself shaking my head and thinking, ‘What a

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA time ...’

I must say that the emails and calls I received from the moment the only secret ever kept for more than three hours in this country was revealed right up until the night of the short knives at the Free National Movement (FNM) Council Meeting have been enlightening: Some people have called me angry.

Some have called sickened and upset.

Some have called elated and gloating, while a few - bless their hearts - have even called to remind me

it’s not too late to ‘Go Green in ‘17!’

Now that the dust is beginning to settle, I think we should all calm down a little.

The move by Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner and the other members of the FNM Caucus who wrote to the Governor-General to formally announce their lack of confidence in the FNM Leader (aka Operation Throw Minnis’ Entire Body and His Soul Under the Bus) is a tricky one.

On the one hand, Mrs Butler-Turner is rightfully

(and legally) where she and But I have to hand it to her supporters have wanted Mrs Butler-Turner. After her for years. failing to win the support of On the other hand, she the majority of voting FNM can most assuredly kiss that Council members (twice) coveted ‘Leader of Oppo- she has prevailed - for the sition in the House’ posi- moment - slapping, sniping, tion goodbye scheming, cain less than six joling, rowing ‘After failing to months. and plotting Six months. win the support her way to the All of this hul- of the majority top. labaloo for She has besomething that of voting FNM come the first will likely last Council members female Leader less than six (twice) Lotretta of Her Majesmonths? ty’s Loyal OpEqually as Butler-Turner has position, and baffling were prevailed - for she has done it the reactions the moment by playing polifrom Bahamitics like a man. ans who act slapping, sniping, Still, as I like we did scheming, said, this entire not all know cajoling, rowing House takeothis plot point ver is tricky. from season 1 and plotting her Do you blow of ‘Survivor: way to the top. up your entire FNM’.

Seri- She has become home because ously, some of a family memyou were sur- the first female ber has overprised?! stayed their Leader of Her You obvious- Majesty’s Loyal welcome? Or ly don’t watch do you leave reality televi- Opposition, and them in there sion or ‘Game she has done it by and take a nice, of Thrones’. long vacation playing politics (And if you do, and convenishame on you. like a man.’ ently forget to Danaerys will pay the bank, lose a dragon BPL and cable to the white walkers next bills before you go? season. Yes, that’s a spoiler.

After mulling it over for And yes, you deserved it.) five minutes or so, here are

my top pros and cons of the actions of the Gang of Seven (or as Hubert Minnis calls them, the Rebels Without a Cause) so far: Pro: Loretta Butler-Turner has achieved, regardless of methods, something no other woman has in the history of Bahamian politics.

Con: She won on a technicality. Or, as the old people would say, ‘by tiefen’. The win feels Hillaryish, and the Hillarys of the world eventually lose.

Pro: The Loyal Opposition is now fully united.

Con: Who are we kidding? I suspect Dr Andre Rollins is sharpening his knife for LBT’s back as I type.

Pro: The Opposition now has a thoughtful, eloquent speaker as its leader.

Con: (I got nothing, there really is no downside here.)

Pro: Loretta Butler-Turner and crew will now take the government to task on Freedom of Information, Baha Mar and these hidden Chinese deals.

Con: According to unreliable sources, Prime Minister Christie shuffled, moonwalked, bogled and back-flipped out of the House on Wednesday. So it’s safe to say, in the astute words of rapper French Montana, the Progressive Liberal Party “ain’t worried ‘bout nuthin’.”

Pro: This will force Dr Minnis to honestly re-evaluate his (and his party’s) chances in the next general election.

Con: Right now that chance is around minus 10 per cent, so there’s that.

Pro: The Official Opposition can now seriously negotiate with the fledgling third ... er ... fourth party, the Democratic National Alliance.

Con: Loretta and Bran McCartney in an alliance?

Slow swimmers in bloody, shark-infested waters have better odds of survival.

Until next week, I’m off to catch the next episode in this made for ‘reality tv’ drama.

Do not disturb!

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 9, 2016, PAGE 9

Think tank forum held in wake of protest march

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net AS it moved into the second phase of its national protest action, the We March Bahamas movement launched its first in a series of think tank forums last evening, with officials aiming to convert the support gathered through last month’s march and occupation of Rawson Square into “tangible solutions.”

In an interview with The Tribune shortly before the start of last evening’s forum, community activist and founder of the group Ranard Henfield labelled the initiative a “wonderful step in the right direction.”

He said the present action being taken by Bahamians serves as “proof that enough is enough and that we are ready to turn our misfortunes around.”

Thursday’s forum, held at Galleria Cinemas, Mall at Marathon, saw the launch of the group’s heavily touted “think tank” action plan - a process which would see the structuring of ideas and concepts offered up by residents into legislative documents, which will ultimately be presented to the country’s legislature.

“The plan is to bring the country together, Bahamians from all across the islands and all around the world as we look to convert all of the ideas that we have been receiving in recent weeks into action,” noted Mr Henfield.

He added that Bahamians have longed for an opportunity to be “players” in resolving the issues they face on a day-to-day basis.

He stressed that the centralised nature of politics in governance in the Bahamas has left many “out of the loop despite the everlasting struggles.”

THE PROTEST march in Rawson Square on Black Friday.

“This is what we are looking to offer here tonight,” he said. “We have divided our resources among several groups, all geared toward resolving a specific issue.

Discussions have been had, and are continuing tonight.

As a result, these ideas that arise out of these proceedings will then be compiled into legislative documents that would then be delivered to the law makers of our land to indicate to them, that we are prepared to move our society forward.”

We March organisers, in a press statement released Wednesday night, announced that it had transitioned into a coalition, formed through a formal alliance between several community associations focused on moving the coun-

PROTEST HELD OVER POLLUTION CONCERNS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A PROTEST was staged at the Harold DeGregory Government Complex on Thursday, the second of a series of planned demonstrations by the Pinder’s Point/Lewis Yard Environmental Committee.

The committee and residents gathered outside the complex around noon, demanding the relocation of residents affected by industrial pollution from nearby plants in the industrial park area.

The group wants to bring awareness to the ongoing environmental issues affecting residents of the Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard, Seaco Town, Hunters, Mack Town, Hawksbill, and Wellington Heights communities.

“We’re continuing our demonstrations to let the government know that we as people have suffered long enough and we are not going to sit back and take it anymore,” said committee Chairman Berthram Pinder.

“We have been patient for over 35 years and we feel it is time the government, industrial plants, and the Grand Bahama Port Authority start to take serious action to…relocate the residents.”

Shuffel Hepburn, committee member, accused the government of siding with the industrial plants.

“We want them to know that the plan they have afoot is not a good plan.

It is a plan in favour of the industrial plants and not in favour of residents,” he claimed.

Mr Hepburn said that Prime Minister Perry Christie has not yet responded to a letter sent by the committee about their concerns.

“We want the government to understand the resolve of the people, and

we want to keep bringing awareness of these issues and problems to the public’s attention,” he said.

“These problems and issues have gone on for too long and people’s lives are being affected by it. We are determined to keep pressing until we get government to respond.”

Mr Hepburn also criticised the Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville.

“No one from government has spoken to us at this point; Minister Darville has said that he was in touch with us and he had not been in touch with us,” he said.

The industrial park borders the communities of Hawksbill, Pinder’s Point, Lewis Yard and Seaco Town. In addition to possible harmful emissions, there are concerns that the underground water tables are allegedly contaminated.

“We learnt this week that one of the plants was drilling a storm drain and had to stop almost immediately because of the pungent odours that emanated from the ground. It was so bad that work had to be stopped because of the harmful gases. That tells us the whole ground in these communities are polluted as well,” Mr Hepburn claimed.

He believes that the gas was hydrogen sulfide.

“The ground beneath those plants is a disaster,” he said. “And I understand residents have been asked not to drill wells in their yards, and this must be the reason why. It is a risk to eat anything planted in the back yards of those communities.”

Mr Hepburn said residents of Regency Park and South Bahamia are also affected. He said this fight is not just for residents who live around the plants, but also for employees of the industrial sector and Grand Bahama.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

try “forward, upward, onward, together.”

Officials said under this new “united” banner the We March movement presently comprises “a minimum” of 50,000 members from various organisations, including Our Carmichael group; social media platform and outreach organisers Head-Knowles; the Our Grand Bahama movement, Citizens for a Better Bahamas, We The People, Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG), Campaign for The Bahamas, Rock The Vote 242, ReEarth, The Grand Bahamas Human Rights Association, Save The Bays, Bahamians Awake, Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM), Raise Awareness about The Bahamas Landfill (RABL), Rise

Bahamas, the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Association of Bahamas Marinas, Mothers United for Peace and The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF).

We March Bahamas said that it now stands as a “national alliance for progress” and “a union forged through the visionary ideals and courageous call to action” of its founder Mr Henfield.

Controversy surrounded Mr Henfield’s most recent public move, as the community activist had to walk back indications that he, through the We March group, would initiate a national strike in response Prime Minister Perry Christie’s refusal to adhere to the group’s ultimatum.

The Our Carmichael founder, in response to crit-

icism, told The Tribune that his comments, addressed in an email to the media, were taken out of context.

However, the email in question, signed by Mr Henfield and released last week Thursday, stated that the group would initiate a national strike if Mr Christie did not publicly respond to its demands by late this week.

Subsequently, Mr Henfield said he felt too much focus was being placed on himself as the lead organiser.

However, Wednesday’s statement continued: “We commit to stand by, behind and up for Ranard, shoulder to shoulder as the movement continues to bridge divides and encourage action on issues of national concern.

“We are committed to work in unison on five pillars of progress for the entire Bahamas: the economy - empowerment of people, cost of living influencers, ease of doing business. Political reform - inclusive of accountability, transparency, freedom of information, Crown land reform, local government for New Providence and term limits for members of Parliament.

Social elements - includes community development, fundamental human rights, education, arts, culture and health. Protecting our environments, animal life and our natural resources. Labour matters and rights of Bahamian workers.

“We welcome any and all national groups, public officials and engaged citizens to join us as we press forward to create the Bahamas we desire for ourselves and our children. Our work to advance these pillars of progress starts immediately.”

One of the group’s issues has been a call for the

government to introduce a Freedom of Information Act. On Wednesday, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald, who has responsibility for the legislation, defended the government’s delay in bringing it forward.

Mr Fitzgerald said: “We did it the right way and we consulted the public and the country widely. Their input was taken very seriously, we meticulously noted every single concern. I have no doubt that when we table the Bill and when we debate the Bill we will see that we have a cutting edge Bill that stands up against any FOIA legislation in this region and indeed the wider world.”

While the extensive consultation process has been heavily touted by the government, Mr Fitzgerald underscored that the public meetings were not well attended.

On Wednesday, he noted recent efforts to organise meetings to discuss FOIA legislation, but did not refer to We March Bahamas directly.

“I see they’re having a meeting tonight or tomorrow to discuss it,” Mr Fitzgerald stated Wednesday, “we’ve been discussing it for two years, three months ago I got a letter from one of the groups telling me to slow down. So one group saying move faster, the next group, civil society, saying slow down. One group say you’re taking too long, the next group say this the same group that give you the garbage piece of legislation you had in place before.”

Mr Fitzgerald was echoing sentiments put forth by Mr Christie earlier that day, when the prime minister called criticism over his administration’s lengthy track to tabling the legislation unfair.

PAGE 10, Friday, December 9, 2016

Festival brings movies to Rawson Square

THE TRIBUNE

THE SCENE in Rawson Square last night as moviegoers attended the Bahamas International Film Festival opening.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff

CABLE BAHAMAS STILL WORKING ON RESTORATION AFTER HURRICANE Death Notices For

Ashton Fowler, 86

of Fox Drive, Fox Dale and formerly of North Mastic Point, Andros died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Monday, 5th December, 2016.

He is survived by his wife: Maude; Sons: Tyrone, Wayde, Hue, Lucius, Aston Jr., Byron, Richard and Jamal Fowler; 2 Daughters: Kara, Monique and Marina Fowler; 1 Sister: Marina Fowler; Numerous grand and great grand nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Osworth R. Rolle, 22

of Alexander Blvd, Nassau Village died on Wednesday 30th November, 2016.

He is survived by his parents: Kendall and Christine Rolle; 7 Brothers: Omar, Oneil, Owen, Obrian, Jermery, Diquiri and Derick Rolle; Grandmother: Rosemary Moss; 6 Grand Uncles, 10 Uncles, 10Aunts, 7 Grandaunts, 1 Great Grandaunt; 8 Nephews and 4 Nieces; Numerous Cousins and a host of relatives and friends.

George Emmanuel Forbes, 74

affectionately known as

“Cookie”

of Victoria Gardens and formerly of Andros died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday 30th November, 2016.

He survived by his wife: Curlew Forbes; 3 Sons: Mark, Otis and Kevin Forbes; 4 Daughters: Joycelyn Forbes Brown, Brendalee, Niola, and Sherry Forbes; Brothers: Alexander and Tommy Sands, John Smith, Ellie and Hubert Forbes; Sisters: Viola Beckford, Mildred Roberts, Florine McKinney and “Lady “Whymns; A host of other relatives and friends.

CABLE Bahamas teams have been working around the clock to advance restoration efforts on Grand Bahama since Hurricane Matthew left the island devastated in October, the company said, adding that it hopes to have all areas restored by the end of this month.

This effort has proven to be “more extensive and complex than initially anticipated,” but Cable Bahamas said that technical teams continue to work relentlessly toward full restoration on the island.

“There are currently 13 teams in the field working to reconnect REV customers, with an additional seven teams expected to arrive on island this week,” the company said.

“These crews, complete with personnel from New Providence and affiliate companies in Florida, are focused on repairing downed lines and fibre feeds, and improving signal quality across the island.

“This week, Cable Bahamas technicians are expected to complete fibre installation in Queen’s Cove, where the company experienced widespread damage to its infrastructure. Work is also ongoing to repair nodes that were severely damaged by Hurricane Matthew. Services have presently been restored to 75 per cent of the neighbourhoods that were impacted by the hurricane.

“Crews are working relentlessly to complete the remaining areas by the end of December,” the company said.

Teams are also focused on repairing and replacing cable lines running to customers’ homes in various neighbourhoods.

The company expects this extensive work to be completed in early January.

Chief Operations Officer John Gomez noted that Cable Bahamas’ restoration effort is a huge undertaking that has demanded, and still requires, hundreds of man-

Ardastra Gardens

a musical event featuring artist Jeanette Harris.

The event, titled Jingle Bell Jazz & Chocolate Vibes, will be held on Saturday, December 17, in the Marlborough Square, downtown Nassau, starting at 7pm.

Saxophonist Jeanette Harris will be joined by other local performers, and backed by the Melody Sound Band.

Tickets range from $25 for general admission up to $150 for platinum tickets, while tables can also be booked.

Cigar rolling and a bar will also be available.

Tickets are available from Olive’s Cable Beach, Pirates of Nassau and Smugglers.

For more information, contact 362-0532/446-5995.

Ardastra Gardens. - Ardastra Gardens is hosting a Countdown To Christmas Movie Marathon. Tomorrow’s movie is Elf, showing from 5:30pm–8pm (movie starts at 6pm). The cost is $5 per person. Members are free Contact 323-5806 or check the Facebook page for more information.

Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise. - The Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise is hosting

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

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

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

Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas. - The Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas are hosting a charity premiere of the latest Star Wars movie, Rogue One. The screening will be at the Galleria cinema at the Mall at Marathon on December 16, at 7pm.

Tickets for the premiere cost $50.00, and funds

hours to complete.

He explained that several neighbourhoods required a complete network rebuild following the hurricane, and while crews have completed construction in Bahama Reef, The Ridge, South Bahamia and East Grand Bahama, some households in these areas are yet to be restored due to a number of factors, including noise in the signal.

“As part of our restoration process, our ground teams are following the teams that have reconstructed the network to inspect the nodes neighbourhood by neighbourhood to ensure signal quality is stable,” Mr Gomez said.

“Our teams are mandated to provide a one-stop service, which means they are checking everything - exterior lines, internal lines, and signal quality - to ensure our customers have no further need for another technical visit.”

Mr Gomez said: “We un-

derstand everyone is seeking to have their service return to normal.

“We also understand the importance of staying connected with loved ones and enjoying the comforts and services you have been accustomed to and are paying for. To this end, we are working aggressively to ensure your REV services are restored. We know which neighbourhoods have signal issues and we are addressing this by working our way through every neighbourhood, restoring dropped lines that may have been missed and balancing signal to ensure your services are optimised.”

Customers with inactive or intermittent REV services are asked to contact Cable Bahamas via Facebook at www.facebook.com/ GetRevdUp, by e-mail at info@cablebahamas.com, via the company’s web site at cablebahamas.com, or by phone at 602-8800 or 1-242300-2200 (toll-free).

JEANETTE HARRIS raised will go towards the East Nassau Rotary Charitable Trust (a local trust engaged in providing scholarships to Bahamians who would otherwise be unable to further their education) and the Rotary Foundation.

Refreshments are courtesy of Bahamian Breweries and High Rock, Bahamas Wholesale Agencies and there will be Haagen Daz

and popcorn included, as well as a Grand Raffle for attendees only.

Tickets are available from Lindsey Cancino at Bahamas Realty Limited; 23 East Bay St, and RMS Insurance in Olde Towne Sandyport.

Purchase by December 11 and get the Early Bird Discount price of $40 (bulk discounts also).

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 9, 2016, PAGE 11

FORMER Governor General Sir Orville Turnquest.

Photo: Kovah Duncombe/DPA

Sir Orville to hold book signing AUTHOR Sir Orville Turnquest, who served as the fifth governor general of an independent Bahamas from 1995-2001, will sign copies of his book “What Manner of Man is This? The Duke of Windsor’s Years in the Bahamas” today.

The signing will take place from 11am to 1pm at Logos Bookstore at the Harbour Bay Shopping Plaza.

In the book’s foreword, Sir Sidney Poitier calls the publication “an un-

varnished fresh look” at a crucial period in Bahamian history. Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has said the book is “an insightful, informative piece, and an important addition to the literature of the development of the Bahamas.”

Since its official launch at Government House on Monday, the book has already been selling out at local stores around New Providence. Copies are available in hardcover, paperback and on Amazon. com.

PAGE 12, Friday, December 9, 2016

SOME of the youngsters taking part in the carol service at the Church of God of Prophecy East Street Tabernacle.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Aaron Davis

RAISING VOICES FOR THE ARRIVAL OF CHRISTMAS CHILDREN from public and private schools across New Providence were full of voice and Christmas cheer yesterday at the Min-

istry of Education, Science and Technology’s annual festival of carols at the Church of God of Prophecy East Street Tabernacle.

Among the congregation for the celebration of “The True Meaning of Christmas” at which the students displayed their

talents through song, dance, skits and recitals were the Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling; Donella Bodie, Permanent Secretary; Lionel Sands, Director of Education; and principals and school administrators.