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VOLUME:117 No.21, DECEMBER 19TH, 2019

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CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & MORE CARS

INSIDE

LOCKED OUT Officer at centre of job switch row ‘cut off’ by Force

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net SOME of the privileges of Assistant Commissioner of Police Kendal Strachan have been revoked as he refuses a transfer to the Ministry of Social Services.

His lawyer Wayne Munroe said his radio and his profile on Lotus Note - a police service network - have been disabled and his access card to police headquarters has been deactivated.

ACP Strachan is presently on sick leave but by the time he returns to work next week Mr Munroe says he expects to have already initiated legal action on his behalf.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames said this is a “tough situation”.

“This is a very sensitive one and I’m very mindful of that,” he said yesterday, “because I know there are varied positions out there and I am always cognisant of the officers involved because I know them personally and their families.”

He said ACP Strachan is exercising his rights but the government maintains its position.

“His remit and his responsibility is to advise the minister of social services and to serve as the chief security officer and advise the ministry,” he said.

ACP Strachan’s actions are the culmination of a government agenda that began when eight senior police officers were directed to take vacation leave in March.

SEE PAGE THREE

A BAHAMIAN businessman has revealed how his family’s home and wellbeing have been threatened by the government’s failure to “honour a contract” now owing him at least $30m.

Kingman Ingraham, who borrowed $9m, told Tribune Business he is uncertain how badly “scarred” his wife and son are after the almost five-year battle over the government’s alleged lease agreement breaches

forced them out of their Camperdown Heights home.

Having sealed what he thought was an ironclad, irrevocable deal for the Department of Public Health to rent the former Kelly’s Warehouse property on Soldier Road in December 2014, Mr Ingraham said his project company, Teetering Investments - and his family - were thrown into “disarray” when it did not move in and begin making rental payments as stipulated by the contract.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

L SOUR CE

DEATH CRASH DRIVERS FACE 15 YEARS JAIL

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRISON time of up to 15 years has been proposed for a new offence of vehicular manslaughter by reckless driving in a bid to toughen the Road Traffic Act. In its current form, Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act—killing in the course of reckless and dangerous driving—prescribes a fine of not less than $5,000 but not exceeding $10,000 or imprisonment for a term of four years, or both the fine and imprisonment.

However, several new proposed amendments tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday go further, including repealing Section 44 to replace it with a stiff prison sentence and eliminating a monetary fine for killing by reckless driving among other things.

SEE PAGE SIX

JUDGES PAY IN LINE FOR 6% INCREASE

By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net

‘GOVT OWES $30M FOR SCRAPPING MY LEASE’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

$1

FESTIVE FEAST

THE SALVATION Army hosted its annual Christmas lunch yesterday at St Joseph’s Hall.

Report - Page 2 Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

‘PUT UP OR SHUT UP’ ON CORRUPTION CLAIM

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis wants the representative of a nonprofit organisation in Abaco to meet police and divulge details about a corruption allegation he made or apologise for the statement.

According to a report, Ian Goodfellow, of 25 United, claimed at a town hall meeting on Monday

PM Hubert Minnis that an NGO requested a meeting with the government to discuss the

Cooper’s Town School and was told the meeting would require an upfront payment of $30,000. He claimed it was an example of corruption, the kind the Minnis administration pledged to fight.

Dr Minnis told The Tribune he has raised the matter with Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson. “What he said, that NGOs are being confronted with corruption, making

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

A REPORT tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday recommended judges receive an overall increase of six percent in their current salaries.

As parliament wrapped up for 2019, The Judges’ Remuneration and Pensions Commission report tabled in the House of Assembly made several key recommendations for judges in The Bahamas.

The report completed December 2018, recommends a six percent increase in salary across the board for judges in order to compensate for insufficient increases over the last ten years; and an additional three percent increase each year starting from 2018.

SEE PAGE THREE

SPORT

AYTON POSTS DOUBLE DOUBLE ON HIS RETURN

PAGE 2, Thursday, December 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

SALVATION ARMY PUTS ON A PARTY

THE SALVATION Army hosted its annual Christmas lunch yesterday at St. Joseph’s Hall. CIBC First Caribbean presented a cheque of $5,000 to the Salvation Army during the event.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Salvation Army yesterday held its annual community luncheon where representatives paid homage to the older members of Bahamian society.

A total of 300 seniors were treated to Christmas dinner and presented with food parcels in St Joseph’s Hall, courtesy of the Salvation Army and its corporate partners.

Clarence Ingram, divisional commander of the

Salvation Army’s local branch, told The Tribune the dinner was the latest of three the organisation has hosted to honour seniors in the community.

“We’ve already had one in Grant’s Town and one on Mackey Street, so this is the third of these,” he explained.

“We’re providing them with a meal (and) also with food to take home with food parcels that would last them approximately a week to assist during the Christmas season as well.”

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THE TRIBUNE from page one The Commission stated the Judiciary must be able to attract high standing and competent lawyers to the Bench. “This Commission understands that in the ‘real world’ it is highly unlikely that the average earnings of judges will be able to compare with the average earnings of the Bar for top lawyers,” the report highlighted.

Meantime, the Commission explained that the Judiciary exists to maintain the rule of law by protecting fundamental rights of the individual. “Further, it is important that judges compensation be sufficient to reflect the importance of the Judiciary as an independent, co-equal branch of government and to ensure that judges will be fearless,

Thursday, December 19, 2019, PAGE 3

Judges pay in line for six percent increase independent, incorruptible and efficient in the execution of their duties,” the report stated. ​The document explained judges received effectively less than one percent per year in increases over the last ten years. “In addition to the initial increase of six percent in salaries, the Commission further recommends that the Justices

receive annual increases thereafter that should exceed inflation if we are to attract Justices of a high calibre. Industry standard increases for senior executives in Bahamian private entities is in the range of two percent to four percent and the Commission therefore recommends an annual increase of three percent,” the report outlined.

Among them include, the salaries of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to be increased to $127,468 per annum, a six percent increase over the current salary $120,253, the President of the Court of Appeal to be increased from $115,902 to $122, 856 per annum , Senior Justice of the Supreme Court to be increased from $113,219 to $120,012 per annum,

Officer at the centre of job switch row ‘cut off’ by police force from page one He is the first of five officers due to return to service when their leave ends.

Two of those officers have already sought legal advice, Mr Munroe said, and the lawyer expects they will discuss their options with him over the holiday.

Mr Munroe said contrary to the transfer letter ACP Strachan received from Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson, his loss of privileges proves his appointment as chief security of the Willie Mae Pratt School for Girls and Simpson Penn Centre for Boys is not ancillary to his position as ACP. “Even the simplest police officer and civilian in headquarters has a profile on the police service network,” he said.

“He can’t even reach police officers on his radio. I told him I am fairly certain this is not being planned by the commissioner or the deputy commissioner because Paul Rolle and Anthony Ferguson are the type of fellas who would go and tell you, ‘give me your radio, give me your card.’ These (other) guys are so dunce that they believe they can transfer him out of the police force.

They have this degree of arrogance that they believe they can do whatever they want,” Mr Munroe said.

WOMAN ROBBED IN RESTROOM

AN ARMED man burst into a women’s restroom and robbed a woman of her handbag, police said yesterday.

The theft occurred shortly before 9pm on Tuesday. According to a police report, a woman was inside the restroom of a business establishment on Robinson Road off Marathon Road, when an armed male entered and robbed her of a handbag containing a phone and other personal effects, before escaping on foot.

An investigation is ongoing.

Mr Dames wouldn’t discuss the legalities of the transfer but when asked whether government lawyers approved the move, he emphasized that the “whole collective weight of the government has been brought to bear” on the matter, as with any government decision.

The Minnis administration has been accused of lacking candour concerning its plans for the senior ranks of the law enforcement agencies.

Fiscal prudence was its justification for its vacation leave policy but police and defence force officers have said the policy followed no discernible logic.

Two deputy commissioners of the Department of Corrections have alleged

in lawsuits that they were sidelined via vacation leave so the government could appoint their junior, Charles Murphy, as commissioner of the prisons.

Nonetheless, Mr Dames was clear yesterday that the law enforcement agencies are, in fact, being restructured.

“The government has taken a position that we wanted to see where these agencies were because we have to position them for the future, understanding that our focus is all about education, recruiting quality officers and then succession planning which is the end game,” he said. “I say to the commissioner, the commodore and commissioner of prisons every day, your bags are

an ordinary Justice of the Supreme Court increased to $106,041 to $112,403 and Justice of the Court of Appeal from $113,219 to $120,013 per annum.

The Supreme Court has a maximum complement of 15 justices, inclusive of the Chief Justice and four Senior Justices. The Court of Appeal comprises six Justices, four of whom are

appointed and the other two are acting Justices.

Section four of The Judges’ Remuneration and Pensions Act every three years allows for a Commission to be formed to review the adequacy of salaries, allowances and pensions for judges and thereafter a report is given to the Prime Minister for approval after it is made public in the House of Assembly.

ABOVE: National Security Minister Marvin Dames; left: Assistant Commissioner of Police Kendal Strachan; right: lawyer Wayne Munroe ready? Because your times are drawing nigh. Is your legacy intact? Have you prepared your respective agencies for the next tier of leadership?”

He continued: “We did a manpower audit of the police force as we did of the defence force which is going through a transition period as well as the Department of Corrections. We’re using those audits as a benchmark to take us where we need to go because at the end of the day it’s all about the Bahamian people and the level of service we’re providing. What we’re doing is nothing new. We’ve had officers who have been seconded in the past. Clarence Russell is an example who was seconded to the Passport Office. Before

him we had Chief Superintendent Franklyn Dames who was seconded. Franklyn has since retired and Russell has now moved on to the Department of Immigration.

“Some are saying this is a demotion. What does that mean? Because our idea of policing has been very linear, very single focus so that it’s just about the police force? We have to start thinking much broader than the police force to address the social ills that are impacting our country. If

we’re saying these individuals are good enough, and if we’re saying they are quality individuals then we should not have an issue of using their talents in places where they are needed and those are the kinds of discussions we ought to be having. Do we keep them in the police force where we have an over abundance and positions are overly saturated or do we allow them to take their skills they would’ve learned elsewhere so they could further enhance and assist us in this fight?”

PAGE 4, Thursday, December 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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Is corruption really so shocking to discover?

THERE is a scene in the classic movie Casablanca, when the local police chief declares himself “shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here”. A moment later, he is handed his winnings.

Which brings us to allegations of corruption - with the representative of the non-profit organisation 25 United saying at a town hall meeting claiming that an NGO was told that to meet with the government to discuss the Cooper’s Town School, it would require an upfront payment of $30,000.

The representative, Ian Goodfellow, said it was an example of the kind of corruption the Minnis administration pledged to fight.

Cue the administration seeming shocked to discover that corruption may still exist in The Bahamas.

But should they really be shocked?

We have, after all, just had two court cases showcasing allegations of corruption - though both ended in not guilty verdicts. Is it really implausible that there might be other individuals today who might seek money to which they’re not entitled?

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis did the right thing in saying that Mr Goodfellow should tell the police what he knows and saying that he asked the commissioner to call him to get the information so that any individuals trying to obtain money in such a way could be prosecuted.

Iram Lewis, the Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, was rather more critical of Mr Goodfellow, talking

of reckless aspersions, saying “now the reckoning is here”, and complaining “It disturbed me also in that I felt kind of bad because if you are here to lend humanitarian support and bring relief there’s no way you should throw it back in the people face”.

Hang on a minute, Mr Lewis. Is that any way to talk to someone who, if what he says is true, is trying to help The Bahamas and ensure money goes to the relief effort and not someone’s pocket?

There is, of course, a long distance between an allegation and a conviction, and we don’t know who if anyone might be involved in such a claim - but right now the first focus should be on gathering all the information to see if there is any substance to the charge.

Cleaning up corruption was one of the campaign rallying cries of the FNM - well, here’s your chance.

How many of us would truly be shocked, shocked to find that corruption is going on in here? Why, Dr Minnis himself has said that his claim that there were losses of $200m a year in The Bahamas was a conservative estimate.

So let us not be so hostile when an actual claim is made, let us instead do all we can to investigate it, and talk to the partners who have come to our support in our time of need to see if they have experienced such problems. Reach out to all the NGOs and ask them if they have faced any such problems.

And if they have? Find who is responsible, and charge them before the court.

Whether they wear the shirt of an FNM, a PLP, a DNA or whoever.

A punishment to fit the crime WE APPLAUD the government for the toughening up of penalties for those who kill someone with their car.

It seems it has been something of a loophole that someone could get a light fine or short prison sentence when causing a person’s death while driving recklessly or in a dangerous manner.

The new penalty for vehicular manslaughter would be as much as 15 years in prison. The amendment bill would also add extra sections dealing with vehicular manslaughter by dangerous driving, while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or while committing other offences.

Just because someone commits manslaughter with a car or other vehicle shouldn’t make it any less of a crime than manslaughter by some other means. If

FOOD retailers are seeking “at least” a three-fold increase in the mark-up permitted on eggs by price control, with Philip Beneby, head of the Retail Grocers Association, renewing calls for such regulations to be abolished. Readers posted their reactions on tribune242.com.

Porcupine said: “Mr Beneby is absolutely correct. The very idea of price control is an affront to any thinking person.

This is what competition is supposed to do, correct? Soon government will believe it has the right to tell us what to wear.

End price control and the price controllers. Use these same people to go around and see if government employees are actually working while on the job.

The people, remember the people’s time, would be much better served in this way. If government was

you recklessly drive a car into someone, is that any less of a weapon than if you had recklessly swung a knife?

Earlier this month, we called for an increase in sentences after a man was fined $11,000 and jailed for just a year after hitting and killing another man while driving while high and drunk - and then attempting to leave the scene.

When families lose someone to such a crime, a low sentence is an insult added to the injury they have suffered.

People know they should not get behind the wheel drunk, or on drugs.

People know they should drive carefully, not recklessly.

And now they know - if these amendments become law - that if they fail to follow the rules, they can expect a punishment fitting the crime.

even slightly more efficient, taxes could be lowered and we wouldn’t need price support.”

There was this comment from Hrysippus: “Price controls contravene the laws governing economics.

They cause more problems than they solve. If you disagree then just take a look at how price control on gasoline in Haiti has worked out.”

Akbar had this to say: “Yet he is not explaining how a price increase will alleviate the problems of his supply chain! Vertical integration seems not to be a part of Bahamian business persons’ acumen.

Like typical Bahamians

looking for the gubberment for their solutions and profiteering. Our economy is just too small for a free market spirit without a substantial commitment from the business community to explore and implement innovative market strategies. Without this the consumers will suffer. Just my humble opinion.”

And Dawes posted this comment: “Maybe the supermarkets should show what the price would be if there was no price control so the public could see. They keep telling us that without price control other items would go down in price, so let’s see how low those would go and also how high the price controlled ones would go. Then we would know whether price control is good or not.”

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

Why do we condemn those who are different?

EDITOR, The Tribune ACCORDING to the story of Babel, after the flood there was a united human race with one original language. They upset God when they attempted to build a tower that would reach heaven. We are familiar with the story of how he intervened and confounded their speech causing them to scatter around the world.

So they could no longer understand each other.

They built nations according to their own language which brought about different societies with diverse cultural rules. In some societies these rules known as tribal rules put up barriers commonly referred to nowadays as discrimination.

Where some people reject those who do not ascribe to the same culture as theirs.

While some questions the story of Babel one thing that can’t be disputed is that discrimination is real and is a major concern throughout the world. But here at home in the Bahamas where almost everyone is attached to someone who is attached to someone via kinship or friendship.

The question is why do we condemn others simply because they do not adhere to our traditional rules?

Why do we discriminate against others because they listen to a different music, wear different clothes and their choices of food and drink are not the same as ours or because they speak another language? Are we so tunnel visioned that we can’t or don’t want to see the broader picture?

Not realising we are not an island unto ourselves and the world is watching. I remember reading in the Bible (yes I believe in the Bible) how the Jews debated over traditional laws which caused great dissension amongst them. But Christ came and was crucified leaving us with a new command. “That we love one another.” We all know

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the story of the Samaritan about how the man was robbed and left to die by the wayside. The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans yet it was a Samaritan that showed mercy.

It would be to our advantage if we were to follow Peter’s convictions as he spoke to centurion Cornelius and others in a room full of people in Acts 10:28.

And he said to them: “You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or even to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. Jesus’ brother, James said .“It is my judgment that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.” (Acts 15:19).

Coming to Christ in faith alone is hard enough for some people. Why should we make it more difficult by rejecting them because they don’t adhere to our tribal rules? I’m not a biblical scholar and do not profess to be one. But the good book admonishes us not to judge others and not to put a stumbling blocks or hindrance in the way of another. What we must accept is that we can’t enforce our rules on people outside our cultural circles.

Our rules are not supposed to keep others out, but to keep us aligned with each other. The last vestiges of discrimination in the Bahamas as we know it should have been buried when Collins wall was broken down.

Unfortunately society will not let it be put to rest as it is still alive and rears its ugly head in many different ways and places. It is everywhere. In the office the secretary believes she is better than the janitor, The suit thinks he is better than

the T-shirt, the foreigners ostracised, gays demonised, the lighter is better than the dark skin. You know what they used to say “if you black stay in the back“. The rich better than the poor.

It’s not what you know, but who you know – the list goes on and on.

Lest we forget we are all just sojourners on our way to another place. After having experienced a most turbulent year, the worst we have ever seen, and it will take years to recover from. One would think we would not be harbouring any negative feeling towards anyone and are overwhelmed with thankfulness and love as we try to rebuild. Still the question goes unanswered: “Where is the love?” Because even though we live in a democratic society we are at a place whereas some of us, in fear of reprisals, are afraid to exercise our Godgiven rights.

Someone said: “You may not agree with the choices others make, and as long as it does not violate your rights, you must recognise their rights to make them.”

Writer Robert Ingersoll said: “This is my doctrine: Give every other human being every right you claim for yourself.”

Author Evelyn Beatrice Hall, in her book The Friends of Voltaire (great read )said it best: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” No I’m not an advocate for any group or cause, just someone that believes all men are equal in the sight of God. As Christmas approaches and we celebrate the birth of Christ, let us pray for people everywhere and that peace on earth and goodwill towards all men prevail.

Merry Christmas and God bless you. Love you.

ANTHONY PRATT Nassau, December 15, 2019.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 19, 2019, PAGE 5

DAMES DEFENDS $17M COST OF DRONES

By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames has defended the $17m sum for the government’s national drones programme, saying it is money well spent.

On Monday, Mr Dames signed a $17m contract with California-based Swift Systems for a multi-agency drone programme he said should lead to “record level” crime reduction.

However some critics have questioned the expenditure, arguing the price tag could have been lower.

The Mount Moriah MP dismissed naysayers, saying the government has had bids close to a $100 million and chose the company who best suited the Minnis administration’s needs and budget.

“We take it very seriously when we spend the Bahamian people’s money, it took a long process. We had 25 companies from around the world who participated in this process and that $17 million was one of the lowest bids. We had bids in excess of close to $100 million. It’s more than just the drones, it’s training, it’s the real time

setters. We can use these drones in theatres, we can use them underwater. What we are doing is creating a regional centre of excellence whereby we can train people locally and from around the region and to keep ahead of the curve,” said Mr Dames.

According to national security minister, the drones—which are expected to go into operation next year—will be custom made. Training of law enforcement officers from each branch is also expected to take place in 2020.

“We have made it clear,

ONE of the drones provided by Swift Tactical Systems.

these are not drones that you buy out of your local department store. We will produce an effective drones programme. These are short and medium range drones that you cannot find in any department store. We are talking about drones that can do many number of things, some to which I cannot even speak about here right now. If you look at developed countries, $17 million can’t even get you a part for the drones that they acquire.

These drones we have are for the safety and security of a nation,” said Mr Dames.

Put up or shut up on $30,000 corruption allegation, orders Minnis from page one

PM Hubert Minnis wants the representative of a non-profit organisation in Abaco to meet police

it difficult for them to progress and that in fact he is aware of a particular NGO who wanted to have a meeting with government and was told that if they were to pay $30,000 they could have such a meeting, that is overt corruption if that is the case,” Dr Minnis said.

“I have asked the commissioner to call in Mr Ian Goodfellow to get all the information, the details, so that we may prosecute the individual or individuals who are trying to corruptly obtain money from NGOs. We do not tolerate it. I think Mr Goodfellow, if he has such information, it is his responsibility to give such information to the police for it to be investigated thoroughly.”

He added: “If he does not give such information, then we have corruption in society because of individuals like him who have such information and refuse to step forward and reveal such information; and in the absence of that, if he cannot validate such information then he needs to apologise

to the Bahamian populace for such statements that he’s made.”

Ken Hutton, head of the Abaco Chamber of Commerce and one of the lead private sector organisers of recovery efforts in Abaco, said he has not been able to corroborate Mr Goodfellow’s allegations.

“I reached out but was unable to confirm specifics of the allegations so it’s very difficult to operate on hearsay,” he said yesterday. “If this stuff happens, it needs to be made public and if they don’t want to go to the ministry, they can come to people like the chamber so it can be pursued.”

Iram Lewis, minister of state in the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction, said he has written Mr Goodfellow’s NGO concerning his allegation. “He’s going to have to answer and will have to prove,” said Mr Lewis, who attended the town hall meeting where Mr Goodfellow made the allegation. “He wanted to talk, I allowed him to continue to talk and now it’s time for him to provide evidence.

There’s no way we as a government could stand back and allow anyone to cast those kind of aspersions so recklessly and not do anything about it.

“I allowed him to vent and spill his guts and say what he thought he had to say and now the reckoning is here.

It disturbed me also in that I felt kind of bad because if you are here to lend humanitarian support and bring relief there’s no way you should throw it back in the people face. That is not a thing to do because it’s as if you want people to feel undignified,” he said.

Mr Lewis also said he received a note from one of the largest NGOs advising it doesn’t know where the allegation came from.

According to its Facebook page, 25 United is an NGO dedicated to providing disaster relief by uniting teams of 25 volunteers with experience in emergency medical response, public safety and construction who are ready to be deployed within days of a disaster to help stabilise communities.

Editorial View - Page 4

LLOYD: IT MAY COST $25M TO REBUILD SCHOOLS

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Minister Jeff Lloyd estimated it will cost $20m to $25m to repair the schools in Abaco and Grand Bahama that were destroyed by Hurricane Dorian.

Mr Lloyd said all the schools in the affected areas were reopened but noted there were outstanding challenges at Central Abaco Primary School and Patrick Bethel High School.

Mr Lloyd said: “(They are) going to be ready in September 2020, especially Patrick Bethel maybe about a $4 million upgrade repair, so it’s quite significant. It won’t be ready for a long time.”

When asked about the funding of the repairs, Mr Lloyd said the money will come from the government’s consolidated fund and donors.

He said: “It appears as if there will be some funding from the consolidated fund, but a good much of this will be coming from donors, non-governmental organisations, foreign, as well as locals, who have offered to assist in repairs.

“We are just in the final stages of a supplemental budget preparation as you know the deputy prime minister… (will be) borrowing

in the upcoming year 2020 to fund a huge deficit part of which is as a result of Dorian. Well, we have prepared a budget of about $20 million, $25 million for the repairs in Abaco and Grand Bahama.”

He added: “But as I had said some time ago, you know, as the scopes of work coming from Ministry of Works on what exactly the damage is; I could expect that those numbers may potentially increase.”

The minister said restoring water in the schools in Grand Bahama has been a challenge.

“There is still a salinity content that is a little bit of the acceptable nature. I know we have been trying to get the water tables repaired by running water off and opening taps, and so on,” he said.

“You know that there are a number of NGOs, foreign NGOs like Water Missions in Grand Bahama that is making available some thousands of gallons of potable water every day for schools and others who may need it.”

He continued: “But that water situation is definitely a challenge. It has not prevented schools from operating, but it certainly has been a challenge.”

When asked if there were any concerns regarding the upcoming BJC and BGCSE

examinations, Mr Lloyd said initially his ministry was concerned.

He said: “…But I can congratulate our teachers and administrators for the work they have done in providing extra classes in the afternoon and on weekends.

“You know the virtual

MINISTER Jeff Lloyd

school began, we are very pleased by the efforts of BTC and (the) one-on-one programme that they have instituted with our endorsement so those students who were disaffected by the loss of time would be able to catch up and that is ongoing at this time.”

He added: “So essentially,

I think we’re going to be okay. As you also know, we have shortened some of the days we would have had as discretionary days. For instance, midterm breaks, as well as when we have those fun days and other days, we have cut those out so that we can make up more instructional time.”

PAGE 6, Thursday, December 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

MAN SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS FOR STABBING WIFE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A 58-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced yesterday to just over a decade in prison for stabbing his wife multiple times during a domestic dispute at their house

last year. Justice Cheryl GrantThompson sentenced Wilfred Armbrister to 11 years behind bars for stabbing Prearline Armbrister on April 27, 2018.

The 20 months Armbrister spent in custody following his initial arraignment last year was factored into his sentence.

It came after the Marshall Road resident entered into a plea deal with the Crown in which he pleaded guilty to causing grievous harm. Thus, his initial charge of attempted murder fell away.

According to police reports at the time, officers responded to a

domestic complaint shortly after 11am that Friday. Upon arrival, they discovered Mrs Armbrister with multiple stab wounds about her body.

According to Crown attorney Tommel Roker, Armbrister had stabbed his wife in her head and upper extremities, and had also

caused her to sustain lacerations to her neck.

Mrs Armbrister was taken to hospital after the incident, where she was said to be in serious condition at the time.

Attorney Eleanor Albury represented Armbrister.

Death crash drivers face 15 years jail from page one It is now proposed that any person who kills another person by driving a car on a road or public place recklessly “commits an offence and is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years”.

Further, the amendment seeks to insert three additional sections: vehicular manslaughter by dangerous driving; vehicular manslaughter by careless driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and vehicular manslaughter by driving while committing certain offences against the Road Traffic Act. Vehicular manslaughter by dangerous driving convictions will be liable to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years, while manslaughter by vehicle under the influence of drugs and alcohol would receive the same penalty.

Meanwhile manslaughter while committing certain offences against the Road Traffic Act is proposed to warrant a conviction of a term not exceeding five years. This would include people who cause the death

of another person while driving uninsured or while permitting a person or child to ride as a passenger without a seatbelt.

The amendment will repeal Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act. According to the proposed amendment, the aim is to “remove the perception that the road death offence of killing in the cause of reckless or dangerous driving is in a different and less important family to other killings by changing the name of the offence to vehicular manslaughter.

“The perception that a road death offence is of a lesser variety to other unintentional killings is supported by the lesser penalties imposed by the law for conviction of that offence as compared to other homicide offences. In terms of fault on the part of the driver, and the impact of death on loved ones, there can really be little distinction between road deaths and other unintentional killings.

“In addition to raising the profile of the road death offence in the Road Traffic Act, the bill seeks to expand the law’s reach to include more circumstances by

which a driver may commit a road death offence.”

There have been a number of convictions this year for killing in the course of dangerous driving, with some arguing the fines are insufficient when compared to the loss of life.

Earlier this month a man was fined $11,000 and given one year in prison for hitting and killing another man while driving high and drunk in September.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans fined Quincy Dean a total of $11,400 and sentenced him to prison for killing the 55-year-old man.

In April, another man was fined over $10,000 for causing the death of a female passenger when the car he was driving smashed into a utility pole in February. Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux fined Hartman Rolle $10,500 in total for causing the death of Latura Penn. Of that sum, $10,000 is for killing in the course of dangerous driving, while $250 apiece is for driving without a valid driver’s licence and while not being covered against third party risk insurance.

Editorial View - Page 4

THE TRIBUNE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net SMALL countries like The Bahamas are challenged to build capacity needed to provide search and rescue services that meet international standards, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said yesterday. He spoke following the release of the final report into the November 8, 2018 plane crash of Byron Ferguson, 34.

“I agree with the report,” Mr D’Aguilar said.

In view of the incident the Air Accident Investigation Department called on the government to comply with Annex 12 of the Convention on the International Civil Aviation, which calls for designating an appropriate entity to perform search and rescue services, granting the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority the power to provide oversight of that entity and establishing a rescue coordination centre to support rescue services.

“We attempted to address a number of those issues through the passage of the Air Accident Authority Act 2019,” Mr D’Aguilar said.

“Much of that Act was provided by the ICAO annexes and were certainly suggested by Mr Delvin Major (the air accident investigation chief) and he was very much involved in the construct of that Act. Obviously small countries are always challenged by the costs of providing many of the mechanisms that are readily available and in place in first world nations that have the tax base to address these issues and unfortunately it isn’t until an event like what happened to Mr Ferguson that we bring focus to bear on them.

“Then you are always resource challenged to address these issues and you almost have to make this a function of someone who has another function because we don’t have the resources for one agency to deal with that one incident that happens maybe once or twice a year and nobody is not sitting down waiting to do that. What we

Thursday, December 19, 2019, PAGE 7

I agree with flight report D’Aguilar can cost-effectively afford is to make this the function of some other agency but bring the training that was identified to be lacking to that agency.”

Mr Ferguson’s family has launched judicial review proceedings over the search and rescue effort.

His brothers reacted to the report on Facebook yesterday. One noted that though Mr Ferguson indicated he was experiencing engine troubles at 8.50pm, first responders did not arrive until an hour later.

Another brother noted that though investigators found Mr Ferguson could have survived for five days following the crash in the best scenario, the RBDF restricted search because of the weather.

A third brother hit out at National Security Minister Marvin Dames who defended the search and rescue efforts following the family’s initial criticism, saying it was unbecoming of him to push back against the family’s claims absent of the facts.

TOURISM and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar

PAGE 8, Thursday, December 19, 2019

A

MERICANS wake up each day wondering what their president and his attorney are up to this time. Neither Donald Trump nor Rudy Giuliani apparently sees any disadvantage to copping publicly to most of the misdeeds with which they have been accused.

The news is full of impeachment, with Senate Republicans and Trump himself calling the effort to unhorse the president a sham and the Democrats seeking to summon witnesses to a Senate trial who would not appear at House hearings. Some pundits are opining there may be surprises in the impeachment process, but for most Americans, there is little suspense.

The expectation is the House will impeach Trump - which they did last night and that the Senate will not convict him. The votes are expected to be mostly along partisan party lines in both houses.

The bigger and much more suspenseful question in most minds is who will oppose Trump in November. As was intended by the Democratic National Committee, the numerous Democratic debates have culled the large field of contenders, with only seven scheduled to appear on stage tonight. Attacked in debates and ridiculed for his advanced age and verbal missteps, former Vice President Joe Biden has nonetheless held on to his position at the top of the pollsters’ charts throughout the campaign so far. And Trump obviously expects Biden to enter the ring against him in 2020.

Why has Biden proven so difficult for his challengers to topple? One of the most frequently cited factors is his steady support among African American voters. It’s a given in American politics that a successful national Democratic candidate must win the enthusiastic support of black voters.

THE TRIBUNE

Trump’s challenger is going nowhere without African American support STATESIDE with Charlie Harper Trump has boasted he’ll get lots of black votes next year, but he earned only eight percent of African American votes three years ago, and most polls suggest he will be lucky to do any better this time. The president’s ill-considered comments about a race riot in Charlottesville, Virginia and his disrespectful denigration of majority black nations like Haiti, majority black cities like Baltimore, and some black athletes make him seem to be a racist. This appears to outweigh any advantage he might gain by overseeing historically low black unemployment levels in the US. Blacks won’t likely support Trump’s re-election.

But why the continuing support for Biden? There are apparently several reasons,

but two stand out. First, many analyses of black voter behaviour reveal that typically, African Americans are above all political pragmatists.

Historically quite suspicious of the American political process, they reportedly prefer voting to maintain or solidify political progress rather than to support dramatic new policy proposals, however enticing. Polls show over half of African American voters prefer a public option for health care over Medicare for all, for example. The public option preference is a moderate, mainstream position.

Second, the independent Pew Research Centre reports 70 percent of black Democrats see themselves as moderate or conservative.

Many observers feel this relatively conservative pragmatism among African American Democrats leads them to support Biden. Blacks have consistently reported to pollsters they think dispatching Trump is their highest priority, and that Biden has the best chance to beat the president.

Biden is ideologically quite distant from the left flank of the Democratic party, and his solid, middle of the road approach to domestic policy issues clearly appeals to black voters. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he and Barack Obama worked well and harmoniously together for eight years during Obama’s presidency. While Obama has said he won’t endorse anyone in the Democratic primary, it would surprise few if his preference turned out to be Biden.

It should not be shocking if, in the future, as the federal affirmative action and equal opportunity initiatives of the 1960s and 1970s produce their desired results of a larger and more assertive black upper middle class in America, a

more significant number of African Americans finds a comfortable home in the Republican or some other conservative-leaning party – one not led by a racist demagogue.

It’s already happening.

The sole African American on the US Supreme Court is reliably conservative Clarence Thomas of Georgia, and the junior US Senator from South Carolina is Tim Scott, a black Republican legislator.

Meanwhile, what of the black contenders to oppose Trump next year?

California senator Kamala Harris, who in some respects seemed to be the female Obama, has withdrawn from the race, citing financial difficulties with her campaign.

New Jersey senator Cory Booker, who has an astonishingly impressive resume and a hot Hollywood girlfriend, hasn’t ignited yet.

And former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick, a recent entrant in the race, isn’t likely to make much difference as the marathon campaign continues.

None of these African Americans has made a dominant impression in overwhelmingly white early primary states Iowa and New Hampshire. And South Carolina, which holds the next primary in 2020 and where African Americans predominate in Democratic primary elections, has remained strongly in Biden’s column.

There have been numerous reports of the difficulties experienced by

TOP challenger: Joe Biden white left-leaning senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren as they try to attract black primary election support. Similarly, South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, more a centrist, has not resonated with the African American community.

The last two successful Democratic presidential candidates were Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Clinton enjoyed such a strong connection to African Americans that he was, not so jokingly, referred to as America’s first black president. Barack Obama actually was America’s first black president. There might be a lesson there.

Obama never took a pitchfork to attack the barricades of privilege BARACK Obama was an inspiring figure but he was no flaming liberal

HISTORY hasn’t yet reached any definitive conclusions on Barack Obama’s eight years in the White House. But last month, the Washington Post added its voice to a growing chorus of opinion that Obama is actually quite conservative, and largely governed that way.

The Post recently reminded readers Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act was previewed years earlier in Massachusetts while Republican Mitt Romney was governor.

And Obama made a firm, early decision to prioritise economic recovery after the Great Recession of 200809 rather than punishing the banking and mortgage industries whose malfeasance had precipitated that economic crisis. This represented a definite tilt toward

establishment Wall Street and away from a more populist liberal approach which would have penalised America’s financial centre much more severely.

Obama did of course pursue more progressive policies in areas like combatting climate change, gay and LGBT rights, and protection for immigrants.

But he never grabbed a pitchfork and charged the barricades of privilege in the US. And as has been widely reported, Obama moved to implement many of his policies by frequently resorting to a kind of executive fiat. In that regard, he more closely resembles his successor than he would likely be willing to admit.

The Post recalls Obama commenting as follows on the 50th anniversary of

Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous March on Washington in August 1963: “After the civil rights era (of the 1960s), what had once been a call for equality of opportunity, the chance for all Americans to work hard and get ahead, was too often framed as a mere desire for government support, as if we had no agency in our own liberation, as if poverty was an excuse for not raising your child, and the bigotry of others was reason to give up on yourself.”

Obama was an inspiring figure whose election in 2008 made most Americans truly proud of themselves and of their country. But he was no flaming liberal and neither, it appears, are his black brother and sister Democrats as the US heads to 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 19, 2019, PAGE 9 HOUSE Speaker Halson Moultrie, left, criticised Philip Davis, right, for an “inappropriate” public challenge of a decision that disallowed him the opportunity to wrap up debate on a confidence resolution in the prime minister last week.

I was playing by the rules, Moultrie tells Davis

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net HOUSE Speaker Halson Moultrie yesterday criticised Official Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis for an “inappropriate” public challenge of a decision that disallowed him the opportunity to wrap up debate on a confidence resolution in the prime minister last week.

The decision, according to Mr Davis earlier this week during a press conference, constituted an abuse of power by the speaker.

He further alleged it was an attempt to silence the opposition for “pure and naked political reasons”.

Responding yesterday, Speaker Moultrie said his action taken on December 11 in the House of Assembly was consistent with Parliament’s rules.

This is despite his view that the rules “evince a Machiavellian philosophy” that does serious damage to minority parties.

Speaker Moultrie said given this long-standing concern, he had called on the rules committee to meet for more than two years to review and propose changes.

“First of all I’d just like to simply say that in in legal environments and in quasi judicial environments it is inappropriate first of all for any member who may be aggrieved by any decision of the chair or of a judge to seek to raise red herrings in the media or the press and to challenge that decision when the rules of procedure provides the procedure for any aggrieved member to follow,” Mr Moultrie told the House of Assembly.

“Secondly with respect to these rules, these rules in my estimation when you read them in their totality, evinces a Machiavellian philosophy to do the most serious damage to the minority parties.

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“I disagree absolutely with the philosophy and contempt of most of these rules and I’ve been calling for the rules committee to meet for more than two and a half years now to review these rules. If someone had taken the opportunity to read these rules in totality they would have discovered the action taken by the speaker on the 11th of December was consistent with the rules that we happen to be functioning under.”

He continued: “In particular, the rule 33(9) is very clear that other than on motion on censor or no confidence, of which is critical of government or of an officer in service of government or a public corporation, the final reply of the mover of the original question closes the debate. That rule is very clear that other than those two motions the mover has the right to close the debate.

“But on this particular instance on the 11th of December we were dealing with censor and motion of no confidence which does not give the mover the right to close the debate. That rule is clear.

“Secondly it is not correct to suggest that the speaker permitted the governing party to repeal a motion when the rules are clear that a motion can be amended and one of the motions for amendment without notice is a motion to amend a motion and so it’s incorrect to suggest that the matter was repealed.”

On Sunday, Mr Davis maintained that as mover of a no confidence resolution in the prime minister and according Parliament’s rules, there must always be a summing up by the mover of the motion unless he directs that someone else do so.

He insisted that in this instance the

opposition was denied the privilege and honour that is ordained by that convention and rule because the speaker closed the debate without allowing the debate to be summed

up. The no confidence resolution was amended to a confidence motion in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, which was passed in the House of Assembly last week.

Mr Davis said the no confidence resolution was the result of opposition’s concern that the prime minister misled the House of Assembly last year when government sought

approval to lease the Town Centre Mall for the relocation of the General Post Office.

The building is part owned by St Anne’s MP Brent Symonette.

PAGE 10, Thursday, December 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Sands addresses medical school on challenges of healthcare

By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands was recently invited to the Morehouse School of Medicine to deliver a speech on the successes and challenges in the Bahamian healthcare system before and after Hurricane Dorian.

The minister was personally invited to present a “conversation of significance” by Morehouse president and dean, Valerie Montgomery-Rice.

In a copy of the letter obtained by this newspaper, the institution commended Dr Sands for his “laudable career and many years of public service” that they believe made him an “ideal

candidate to share pearls of wisdom on leadership, health and service.”

The invitation also noted that Morehouse only invites “esteemed leaders and pioneers in healthcare who can impart invaluable knowledge and wisdom to current and future leaders.”

Elaborating on the contents of his speech to The Tribune, Dr Sands

HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands, right, and Valerie Montgomery-Rice, Morehouse president and dean, explained that his presentation focused on issues of “mutual interest and concern” that highlighted specific challenges in equity and access as it relates to healthcare.

“I talked about the impact of Hurricane Dorian on the health sector in Abaco and Grand Bahama and how we have stabilised the delivery of public health services and the psychological and mental health care requirements,” he said.

“But I undergirded my discussion with a very sober discussion of the impact of climate change and the fact that while we were the victims of...monster storms in 2019, that it was just a matter of who was going to be next.”

Dr Sands said he also gave a general outline of the country that explained its geographic location and its population size and provided a brief synopsis of the economy which addressed some of the health challenges present in Bahamian society today.

When asked what factors he believed prompted the invitation he added:

“The rekindling of interest in The Bahamas was multifactorial.”

“One was certainly the role of Dr Shaneeta Johnson,” he said referring to the Bahamian bariatric surgeon working at Morehouse School of Medicine.

“The second was that the president of Morehouse actually had visited Abaco multiple times and was personally moved and that piqued an interest in our story.”

Dr Sands added that “the diaspora in Atlanta” had been very instrumental in Hurricane Dorian relief efforts and stated that they had contributed immensely through donating equipment, medical supplies and medication.

“It is against that backdrop that this conversation was conceived,” he said.

Speaking on other factors that contributed to the personal invitation he added: “What’s fascinating is that there are not very many female general surgeons in the United States, there are not many black general surgeons in the United States (and) there are not very

many bariatric surgeons in the United States.”

“The Bahamas happens to have two black female bariatric surgeons...so we lead the world in a number of ways that many Bahamians have no idea.”

On Tuesday, Dr Sands was also presented with Morehouse School of Medicine’s Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Health Equity award which is given to an individual who is “distinguished in their field of endeavour and whose service exemplifies the institution’s core values.”

When asked whether he was surprised by the honour he told The Tribune: “I have been practising in The Bahamas since 1994 and to be recognised was a singular honour—totally unexpected. I do what I do because this is my country and I have no other so to be recognised for it is pretty special, but I’m going to keep doing what I have to do to try to make certainly The Bahamas better; and more specifically, healthcare in The Bahamas better.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 19, 2019, PAGE 11

BILL TO ALLOW MAGISTRATES THE RIGHT TO GRANT BAIL

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Minnis administration tabled the Bail (Amendment) Bill in the House of Assembly yesterday, which will enable magistrates to grant bail in certain matters and to provide rules to regulate bail application procedures.

The 2016 amendment to the Bail Act, which was passed under the former Christie administration, restricted the ability of judges to grant bail in offences involving intentional libel, assault, stealing and other previously bailable offences. The amendment also did not return the power of magistrates to grant bail for the offences of drug possession with intent to supply, rape, housebreaking, attempted murder and threats of death.

However, unlike the 2016 bill, this new amendment will make provisions for magistrates to grant bail for drug possession with intent to supply and certain firearms matters.

The bill reads: “...A magisterial court will have jurisdiction to grant bail for possession of prohibited weapons and ammunition; unlawful shortening of guns; any offence mentioned to the third schedule to the Criminal Procedure Code; unlawful possession of a revolver, unlawful possession of a firearm or ammunition (with or without intent to supply), unlawful possession of a gun, and assault with a deadly or dangerous instrument or means.”

Moreover, the bill will also require persons on bail to register with the Bail Management System as a part of his or her statutory declaration.

If passed, the new bill will likely be seen as a significant improvement in the eyes of many judges, who previously noted the 2016 amendment as “counterproductive” and a “sore issue.”

In fact, last year, the late Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs said stripping magistrates of the authority to grant bail in all but the most serious offences was “counter-productive” and had created nothing but “confusion” for magistrates and senior judges.

He argued that instead of being a “crime fighting tool”, the 2016 amendment only left magistrates open to the “potential of creating resentment toward the authorities by those young person’s caught up in this conveyor belt process.”

Former Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley also echoed similar sentiments last year.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Carl Bethel suggested that the government was reconsidering previous amendments to the Bail Act. The leader of government business in the Senate said: “Some things will probably happen, but we will see. We are looking at it. We have heard the complaints and we will work on it. We are looking at it.”

It is unclear when Parliament will debate the amendment. The House of Assembly will reconvene on January 29.

PAGE 12, Thursday, December 19, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

SEVENTY volunteers from the Bahamas Feeding Network enjoyed a two-night stay aboard Royal Caribbean’s newly amplified Oasis of the Seas as treat for their work. Photo: Tim Aylen (BVS) for DPA

M

OSEFF House, the humble yellow building on Fox Hill Road, is headquarters to the volunteers that churn over 6,000 meals each week.

From long nights to early mornings, the Bahamas Feeding Network’s (BFN) volunteers work to serve a mission that is greater than they are. With their motto of “Give, give, give”, they are always surprised when they become the ones to receive.

“Whenever we have the

70 BFN volunteers get a taste of the high life chance to show our appreciation for their enthusiasm and volunteerism, we take the opportunity to show them,” said Executive Director Philip Smith.

“We’ve taken them to Eleuthera a few times, but

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this year is very special with the support of our partner Royal Caribbean.”

Most volunteers begin preparations at 10pm and work on their feet until 3pm the following day twice a week. “We wanted them to sit down, kick off their shoes and receive some R & R,” said Smith.

The two-night cruise on board the newly amplified Oasis of the Seas gave the volunteers a well-earned break and the opportunity to explore the ship’s new amenities.

Oasis of the Seas suffered extensive damage earlier in the year when a crane collapsed onto the ship while on dry dock. With cosmetic repairs made, Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest ship returned with the tallest slide at sea - a 10 story plunge called the Ultimate Abyss, its first escape room Apollo 18, its first

BBQ restaurant Portside BBQ, spotlight karaoke and a Music Hall. “We are pleased to have the Bahamas Feeding Network on board to enjoy the Oasis of the Seas with us,” said Royal Caribbean’s Senior Vice President of Hotel Relations Mark Tamis.

“The ships renovations are incredible and we are glad that BFN gets to be some of the first persons to experience it.”

Families and friends of Royal Caribbean were the first passengers as it made its debut at the Fort Lauderdale port while celebrating the ship’s 10-year anniversary.

The trip followed BFN’s shorter visit aboard the Mariner of the Seas in early November. However, this time was different. Rather than simply boarding the ship at the Nassau harbor, the group boarded flights to

Fort Lauderdale and sailed away into paradise. This was a first for BFN and it allowed them to explore every inch of all 16 decks.

The volunteers ate at new restaurants, paraded the Boardwalk, propelled down the Perfect Storm slides and danced the night away to the many musical performances.

“The amplified Oasis of the Seas offered a fabulous experience with exhilarating slides that caused my heart to race and then bring me back to a place of calm and serenity where there were numerous hot tubs throughout the ship that I took advantage of,” said Bahamas Feeding Network Volunteer Shevana Wilson.

Smith explained, “Our volunteers are truly incredible. This tightly knitted group of people are my family. We take care of one another and do everything together. We are very

grateful that Royal Caribbean allowed us to relax and enjoy such a special moment like this together.”

The cruise was not just fun and games. Each day, minds raced with ideas for preparation and distribution once they returned.

The group was also fortunate to meet with RCL’s Global Vice President of Culinary, Dining and Beverage Linken D’Souza and his team to discuss potential plans for the organization and ways to streamline their operation.

“My heart is so full,” said another BFN volunteer. “I love cooking each week, but it is amazing to see how similar the feeling of giving is to receiving. Never did I think that we would be on a cruise together, but I am honoured to be one of the many volunteers who are able to relax and enjoy everything the ship offers.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 19, 2019, PAGE 13

How St Francis created Nativity scene in 1223

By VANESSA CORCORAN Adjunct Professor of History, Academic Counsellor, Georgetown University AROUND the Christmas season, it is common to see a display of the Nativity scene: a small manger with the baby Jesus and his family, shepherds, the three wise men believed to have visited Jesus after his birth and several barnyard animals.

One might ask, what are the origins of this tradition?

Biblical description The earliest biblical descriptions, the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, written between A.D. 80 and 100, offer details of Jesus’ birth, including that he was born in Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod.

The Gospel of Luke says that when the shepherds went to Bethlehem, they “found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger”. Matthew tells the story of the three wise men, or Magi, who “fell down” in worship and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

But as my research on the relationship between the New Testament and the development of popular Christian traditions shows, the earliest biblical descriptions do not mention the presence of any animals.

Animals first start to appear in religious texts around the seventh century.

A series of early Christian stories that informed popular religious devotion, including what’s known as the Infancy Gospel of Matthew, attempted to fill in the gap between Christ’s infancy and the beginning of his public ministry. This text was the first to mention the presence of animals at Jesus’ birth. It described how the “most blessed Mary went forth out of the cave and entering a stable, placed the child in the stall, and the ox and the ass adored Him.” This description, subsequently cited in several medieval Christian texts, created the Christmas story popular today.

Start of Nativity scenes But the Nativity scene now recreated in town squares and churches worldwide was originally conceived by St. Francis of Assisi.

Much of what scholars know about Francis comes from “Life of St. Francis,” written by the 13th-century theologian and philosopher St. Bonaventure.

Francis was born into a merchant family in the Umbrian town of Assisi, in modern-day Italy, around 1181. But Francis rejected his family wealth early in his life and cast off his garments in the public square.

In 1209, he founded the mendicant order of the Franciscans, a religious group that dedicated themselves to works of charity.

Today, Franciscans minister by serving the material and spiritual needs of the poor and socially marginalized.

According to Bonaventure, Francis in 1223 sought permission from Pope

Honorious III to do something “for the kindling of devotion” to the birth of Christ. As part of his preparations, Francis “made ready a manger, and bade hay, together with an ox and an ass,” in the small Italian town of Greccio.

One witness, among the crowd that gathered for this event, reported that Francis included a carved doll which cried tears of joy and “seemed to be awakened from sleep when the blessed Father Francis embraced Him in both arms.”

This miracle of the crying doll moved all who were present, Bonaventure writes. But Francis made another miracle happen, too: The hay that the child lay in healed sick animals and protected people from disease.

Nativity imagery in art The Nativity story continued to expand within Christian devotional culture well after Francis’ death.

In 1291, Pope Nicholas IV, the first Franciscan pope, ordered that a permanent Nativity scene be erected at Santa Maria Maggiore, the largest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome.

Nativity imagery dominated Renaissance art.

This first living Nativity scene – which was famously depicted by Italian Renaissance painter Giotto di Bondone in the Arena Chapel of Padua, Italy – ushered in a new tradition of staging the birth of Christ.

In the tondo, a circular painting of the Adoration of the Magi by 15th-century painters Fra Angelico and Filippo Lippi, not only are there sheep, a donkey, a cow and an ox, there is even a colourful peacock that peers over the top of the manger to catch a glimpse of Jesus.

Political turn of Nativity scenes After the birth of Jesus, King Herod, feeling as though his power was threatened by Jesus, ordered the execution of all boys under two-yearsold. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were forced to flee to Egypt.

In an acknowledgment that Jesus, Mary and Joseph were refugees themselves, in recent years, some churches have used their Nativity scenes as a form of political activism to comment on the need for immigrant justice. Specifically, these “protest nativities” have criticized President Donald Trump’s 2018 executive order on family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border.

For example, in 2018, a church in Dedham, Massachusetts, placed baby Jesus, representing immigrant children, in a cage.

This year, at Claremont United Methodist Church in California, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus have all been placed in separate barbed-wire cages in their outdoor Nativity scene These displays, which call attention to the plight of immigrants and asylum seekers, bring the Christian tradition into the 21st century. theconversation.com

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PAGE 14, Thursday, December 19, 2019

ANOTHER $300,000 FOR DORIAN RELIEF THE Moore Bahamas Foundation announced $300,000 in new grants for Hurricane Dorian relief and recovery, part of $1m in support pledged by conservation philanthropist Louis Bacon. The new grants follow Moore Bahamas’ funding for emergency aid in the immediate days after the hurricane and a post-hurricane needs

assessment. The grants will help address continuing emergency needs and accelerate the recovery of the Bahamas’ spectacular ecosystems and its economy.

“In the wake of Dorian’s destruction, our goal is to support families as they reconstruct the best possible future for themselves and their communities,” said Mr Bacon, chairman of The

Moore Charitable Foundation and Moore Bahamas Foundation, its local affiliate. “By supporting environmental restoration and humanitarian relief alike, Moore Bahamas hopes to help the people of Grand Bahama and Abaco get their lives and their economy back on track.”

Moore Bahamas is supporting organisations that

are deploying recovery resources over the next year, including a partnership with the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) to conduct ecosystem damage assessments for the maritime and mangrove habitats of Grand Bahama and Abaco.

“The post-storm assessments funded by the Moore Bahamas Foundation will guide how and where to make the most

impactful habitat restoration investments,” said Shelley Cant-Woodside, BNT’s director of science.

“In addition to fueling the Bahamas’ tourism economy, healthy ecosystems play a crucial role in buffering our communities against the effects of future storms.”

Moore Bahamas is also providing the Ranfurly Home with emergency staffing support.

THE TRIBUNE

SUPPORT: Louis Bacon

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 19, 2019, PAGE 15

HAITIAN CAPTAIN HAS SMUGGLING SENTENCE CUT

The Tribune A1MAIN

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FORBES ministers owedat Bahamas ance of some also said as $62,023 The source Forbes was one $20,000 each Mr Light, with and Power in arrears of Monday the company former minister as of July, in talks with balance over settle the Mr for some $60,000 a list obtained to three-month period. to a according PLP Mount d

by The Tribune.and Collec- Forbes, former was appointe The Credit ent listing of Moriah MP, January 2015, in tions Departm and board to Cabinet y served as the MPs, senators the period and previousl the Bahamas of for l members 31, revealed chairman ral and Industria July ending State Minister Agricultuion. that former of Works Corporat on the “do not Others in the Ministry owed BPL list are: former Dr disconnect�

Arnold Forbes of Health Tall $62,023.14.

by The Minister former The list obtained delin- Perry Gomez, Leslie Miller, Tribune contains of six Pines MP Youth Minister of former quent accounts Cabinet minis- former Johnson, Dion former PLP PLP MPs, Dr Danny Village MP ters, two former Tourism DR DANIEL entities, and Nassau be, two private Cabinet min- Smith, former JOHNSON Obie Wilchcom one sitting $24,413 Town MP Minister South Beach MP Bamboo and former ister: Hamilton State Renward Wells. who owed Cleola of Mr Wells, $3,703.96 at former Minister Damian Affairs and Legal for $9,277.07 locations two separatetotal – did not Gomez.

SEE PAGE EIGHT $12,981.03 in yesterwant to comment other former day, and the

DION SMITH $9,275

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BPL WHO RUNS is quite willCRUNCH DAYLLOVER utilityto operator from it “walk away�

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By NEIL HARTNEs Editor $25m, five-year maximum Tribune Busines dia.net ent contract BPL managem and Minnis nhartnell@ tribuneme if the board wish it to go.

Power & ation BAHAMAS board will administr which will The meeting,PowerSecure Light’s (BPL) by meeting� be attended their attorneys hold a “crunch s and cure today, key with PowerSe likely crit- executive is viewed as the from the US, with the outcome whether the to determining whethermake and ical in decidingas manager. sides will “kiss latter remainsTribune Busi- two separate. up� or Multiple - SEE BUSINESS yesterday STORY sources FULL US ness that the confirmed

were spent under ers’ dollars administration. the Christie is evidence new He said if there A VIRGIL lity�, the

By KHRISN Reporter of “crimina will allow the Deputy Chief ia.net government course. its kvirgil@tribunemed his law to take after his parMoments as the naAFTER leadinglandslide maiden speech Minleader, Dr ty to a stunning tion’s next dealing a parathat under victory and to the Progreswill nis promised Bahamians lysing blow Party last night, his watch, to fear from Liberal sive have nothingent, pointing to Prime Minister incoming the governm which he said Minnis declared Dr Hubert have abused “imvictimisation, who those itutional� that is “unconst of trust “have “wrong�. positions moral� and to unofficial to fear�. something to thousands of According able was FNM Q Speaking rs at the House today. results, the defeat pledged that to pull off a stunning masjubilant supporte last night, ment Dr Minnis will give securing a E Sports Centre administration Terrance of the PLP, constituencies.

National Movehis Free ed 39 the General it sive 34 of also announc ntary Regment leader be sworn in as Auditor the resources The Parliame ent did that he will ’ fourth prime Bastianto probe how taxpay- istration Departm reneeds election Bahamas full The not release 5pm at Governwith the last minister at sults last night, in from the numbers coming agency around ent governm 11pm.

FRIDAY i’m lovin’ it!

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By AVA TURNQU Reporter Tribune Chief edia.net aturnquest@tribunem Sewerage WATER and Chairman Corporation yesterday Adrian Gibson existence the confirmed disconnect� of a “do not d by scores list populate the governof elites at utility owned to ment he pledged provider as n on crackdow initiate a accounts. delinquent told The Mr Gibson “confidential Tribune the 221accounts, list� held total of with a combined the period $175,000 for2017. ending June he plans He said that corporathe to direct all persons tion to notify arrears owing excessive or face debts to resolve disconnection.a list confi“There is the Long dential list,�

Island MP said. would think “In fact, I corporations that all the year or two, over the last rly in and more particula there year, this May of close attenhas been that list by tion paid to ent with the managem changing the a view to lists usually way those operate. this con“As it stands, a number has fidential list on it, and persons of it’s being really and trulypersons by used to notify or letters. courtesy call that as the I can say toothe corporachairman of to direct tion I am going owing that all personswho are excessive arrears EIGHT SEE PAGE at the end of

DR PERRY GOMEZ $24,498

LESLIE MILLER $42,219

HIGH 91ÂşF LOW 80ÂşF No.215, Volume:114

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DAMIAN GOMEZ OBIE $3,413 WILCHCOMBE CLEOLA $4,911 HAMILTON they owed $6,118 list and the amount since that date. disconnect�

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Tribune Staff walkabout tribunemedia.net During a Acting prepared. live national sdorsett@ on Tuesday, During a Ferguson Commissioner Fox Hill ioner his office ACTING Fergu- Commiss and address from Dr Minnis Anti-Gang Police Anthony yesterday said the Inveslast night, ne Maria is of Tracing and announced dev- son establishment of two Firearms Unit will operate fore- said: “Hurrica the potentially the Bahamas tigation WITH Detece Maria another hurricane that we separate Royal anti-crime out of the Central cast for Hurrican while the Force storm to pass astating monitor.� ng tive Unit (CDU) 11 projecting the Baha- must carefully Though most Police aimed at eliminati t PAGE SEE units counHe added: near the Southeas was spared gang activity in the morning, Prime of mas Friday Hubert Minnis of the Bahamas the number PAGE TWO try, reducing Minister Dr those of SEE and is urging residents be vigilant islands to

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Dr Hubert Min-, PRIME Minister Kendera Woodside nis meeting murdered Eugene the mother of

for this . Yes I feel ility our countries than I can say.� has a responsib one mother more said he will ensure Each citizen to information Dr Minnis is provided . and whateverbring that forward. re. medical attention he felt the famthe composu us.� we must e, who is pregnant after live among Dr Minnis said makes me feel has Mrs Woodsid the grieving and days Three These criminals who emphasised country’s he “You can see of those pushed the ily’s pain. “What Mrs Minnis, that her appeargoing through,� is that most during murder that violent crime into ROLLE pain she’s I, even worse

By RASHAD Reporter her that someto the family the yard, struggle with spotlight yet again, was not a “I assured have we see in Tribune Staff medical doctor, ance before them on women said. today (Friday) we will a.net the national acute. called years as a to look rrolle@tribunemedi g her pain remained live a life, my my political move,one day this week time personnel come pregeven medical and comfortin black she’s ain’t hugs wear cried. victims. “He to Dr e THE her because for murder sure that Prime Minister wife God,� Mrs Woodsid give my upon after in mourning I’m calling words of I have to make infant are and his a baby. I could my really nant. “As a mother, Hubert Minnis couldn’t answer “He’s right now just for because I this,� her and her unborn make also will mothers take we Minnis all d breath They can stop Patricia well and sure the that consumeas baby to be right here. believe mothers who was tearful both ents to makepersonnel the questions my body. e yesterday who arrangem said Mrs Minnis, my heart out only son. They Kendera Woodsid have our sons they necessary medicalsee her on a “We my her son, eighttoo for times. as and “This at and her she grieved most of them we cradle from birth still with look after to ensure the safety who was killed almost shoot my daughter with basis (the house) year-old Eugene, would’ve deliveredto me knowing men we are infant.� with regular they inside four days ago. people ain’t tell- and What they do to my family? so they are closer patients,� Dr becomeWe have to speakshould of her and her unborn PAGE TWO SEE are my former ogist by pro- them. I think all women “Why these bringing my son me. they do to us? me? I they them. this week ain’ carry ing me they she cried between What Minnis, a gynaecol message we wear black one day in “Why they said. “The happening a baby.� tried to right now?� entire Bahamas and mourn what’s 29 years, He’s e, Eugene’s fession, Dr Minnis send to the alone.

Rose- live screams as Tonio Woodsidhis wife even must can’t fight this family at theirEugene is the police console the consoled home where on father, struggled to maintain bud Road a stray bullet as he was shot by did his homework. he Monday as

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By RASHAD Bahamians $10,149,738. by the Carib- Tribune Staff Reporte so alarmed Action Task rrolle@tribunemedia.net increases was comes after LL bean Financial draft The revision more than

By NEIL HARTNEs Editor Rolle, minForce’s (CFATF) BRENSIL Tribune Busines dia.net services he included that were not The Bahamas report on , 1,700 workers his staff ister of public nhartnell@ tribuneme Gen- that he instructedaddressing and National Insurancer in his original count.

Decembe Progressive THE Attorneyslammed to begin work on June.

Amid the said between 2017, the criticism May flaws from early eral yesterday

by Liberal Party’sadministrablasted the 2016 and in the nation’sg the Mr Bethel deficiencies purse ballooned Minnis administhe launderin the public of of firings anti-money former Christie to tackle $16,532,738 because ation’s tion because of its “entirely unacfailing administr regime as SEE PAGE SIX they had tration for es with the Christie public service ceptable�, warning “in great known weakness hiring of new that period. during put The Bahamas necessary urgency.

BUSINESS workers danger�. told Trib- FULL STORY - SEE Carl Bethelhe had been une Business

Nassau & Bahama

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aster m o n f o s a m o the dog t r a e w s o t Tribune e d h n T u o b g n i e B The Tribune The Tribenudne A1MAIN

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By SANCHE Reporter Tribune Staff dia.net sdorsett@ tribuneme yesFIREFIGHTERS a large blaze terday battled Providence at the New three weeks Landfill, nearly a massive that after tackling dump city fire at the nearly a month. burned for Charge of Fire Officer in Chief SuperinServices, Evans said tendent Walter is “not confire the the current any way to this nected� in and at previous blazedo not know time officials the fire. Howwhat caused ent Minister ever Environm told rehe Kenred Dorsett the site that porters at “sabotage� in said suspected the fire. He relation to ed� the team he “instructrs to have the of firefighte hed “before and blaze extinguis day� today nomination Baha Mar’s certainly before Friday. opening on started shortly blaze The and Wednesday after 3am officEvans said Chief Supt battle the fire to but ers expect another day for at least wind is a “huge� he said the factor.

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observed would be the holiday date of the historic the PLP month that the 50th on the actual January 10. nounced last mark event, Tuesday, in the public holirevealed a march to Ranard Henfield of back planned ry of Majority Rule. yet The change weeks is has been perceived even ganiser anniversa developmentorgani- day calendar attempt by the gov“after several as planned�

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By SANCHE Reporter sation that of a second 9 - the original sion. with The Trib- application to protest Tribune Staff Squares because Monday, January announced for success Bahamas. dia.net In an interview II said “there March Parliaments date another sdorsett@ tribuneme SEE PAGE SIX Mr Bostwick ise� and the and “event conflicts with observance the une, for that it Rule Day. the comprom denied no booked this month Majority be by this being nt will be deterred event� already DESPIT E nt that However, earlier and Parliame group will “not fascist coercion date.

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AL BASIS FOR ROLLINS: NO LEG REBEL SEVEN DISCIPLINING THE

HUSBAND KILLED AFTER GUNMEN FORCED COUPLE TO STOP CAR T SKA DORSET

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By AVA TURNQU r, officerdia.net Reporter tal to 25 confirme Clayton Fernande Tribune Chief sdorsett@ tribuneme media.net of the Central nationwide. in-charge Unit, warned a lull, quiet aturnquest@tribune MP “This is like said.

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Chipman, the “lull� ousted party as leader of Fernander Theo Neilly, and and from left, Hubert Zika virus. doing our surveillan Chief Supt have been Hubert Minnis Staff be- THE REBEL SEVEN of, Butler-Turner, Neko Grant, sion of the believe armed Public Health Opposition, Hanna/Tribune “I think we as it relates Director of said police be the motive the Official basis ard Lightbourn, Loretta yesterPhoto: Shawn well may out cause there is no legal progressing Dr Pearl McMillan Executive Committhe message He said the Andre Rollins. case robbery d that there the killing. have “hapheeding for such a move. a formal support FNM’s not have a day confirmeno new con- to getting widespread tee would group’s actions for and persons that could came He added been lodged solidify a new leader.� have been since the de- there Zika thing the incidentto anyone�. because the around on it. This July, which is when objection has pened firmed cases came in an “were consistent with took place press release protected His remarks case against “the bogus charges� down in The murder to quespartment’s and the get our first 9pm on Tuesconstitutionally ntarians to 5, which raised against him e-mail in response shorty after December of cases in New we usually SEE PAGE SIX levelled members of Parliaright of parliame leadarea of Millenfrom The Tribune. the tions Rollins echoed the recall a parliamentary have day in the the number 23. six other off Tonique from 22 to on took part in Dr longer , nium Gardens, Providence ment who of Long Island er when they no Dr Mincase each ability Williams Darling Highway rner sentiments There is one e in his/her action of removing Dr Rollins MP Loretta Butler-Tu the country’s confidenc post. the brought Hubert and for the nis from number of and St Anne’s MP week to lead.� count to 109 Tribsaid a growing who last SEE PAGE THREE murder g to The admitting “that were Chipman, year, accordin FNMs are of action for said the if the matter the une’s records. court, the the best course Fernander take under to to be taken to Chief Supt the party to nces is victim, identisaid the present circumsta as Kendrick police by with fied was driving of the foreign Simms, when another car re- his wife, mians, most committee former employees won’t of them forcmonth, ahead them. to pulled tee next Smith said ceive all that is due to stop.

ROLLE Chairman James said they will, ing them man was drivBy RASHAD Reporter Mr Smith a “high “The yesterday. money was givMillennium Tribune Staff a.net however, receive Since the ing through basis by rrolle@tribunemedi SEE PAGE FIVE en on an ex-gratia mport figure�.

SEE PAGE FIVE former em- the China Export-Iwas inFOREIGN will and Baha Mar ent Bank (EXIM) for Bahaployees of the governm tended primarily be paid by Commitappointed Claims

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are dead, SIX people ju15-year-old including a another man is venile, and his life in hosfighting for four separate pital after in less shooting incidents in the capital. than 48 hours s took the The homicide count to country’s murder 43 days of the 26 for the first g to The new year, accordin records.

Tribune’s an isPolice launchedlast night of land-wide search suspected for two men dead in Yelthe shooting a man Gardens in low Elder latest incident.bloody weekDespite the Commisend, Assistant Police Stephen sioner of “hundreds� of Dean said were patrolpolice officers over the past streets the ling keep an effort to few days in well as visitors the public as safe. officer-inMeanwhile Central Decharge of theChief Superintective Unit, Fernander tendent Clayton after a implored parentsto “keep a killing on Friday on their chilwatchful eye� y their young dren, especiall boys.

Fernander Chief Supt have launched said police for the a massive manhunt the weekend suspects in killings.

SEE PAGE THREE

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CALL FOR RESISTANCE TO ‘DANGEROUS’ SPYING BILL

EST

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MoveFREE National Leader Peter ment Deputyyesterday acTurnquest government of cused the gerrymander“shameless recently tabled he ing� over changes that boundary the “deliberclaims affect on of middle ate eliminati from the forclass areas� constituency. mer Montagu with The In an interview characterised Tribune he boundary and the proposed a “desperate changes as emoattempt to the perverted� te tionally manipula electorate.

SEE PAGE 11

EQUIPMENT AT FAULT FOR SERIES OF BPL OUTAGES

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By AVA TURNQU Reporter Tribune Chief media.net aturnquest@tribune “catastrophic�

THE outages that island-wide Providence plagued Newstemmed from late last year equipment Pier widespread the Clifton g to failures at accordin Power Station, and Light. vehicle.

Bahamas Power reported escape in a were taken The company investo reports, The victims they are on the findings of its According midnight on where T islandhospital SKA DORSET but stable tigation into two another shortly after officers re- to

By SANCHE Reporter in serious and Sunday, the domestic inci- listed wide outages, Tribune Staff occurred a dia.net condition. that shortly major outage that r 29 and sponded to Valentine said sdorsett@ tribuneme in Police Novembe dent at a homeoff Johnson an officers arrested officers, a on also between r 4 last year, in after 4am, TWO police wife, are in Subdivisi . While at the the shooter, who was Decembe to the a gunshot internal memo sent Terrance with a from husband and armed obtained condition stable ent and also recovhome, a man the of- suffering serious but shot multiapproached them wounds. Police from the governmTribune.

by The after they were responding shotgun both of a shotgun SEE PAGE 11 ficers and shot to flee ered ple times while attempting c incident�.

The suspect.

SEE PAGE 12 to a “domesti an adult male, before police said.

HowPolice have by one of the the scene, returned fire. con- officers suspect was able to who was shot custody in ever the officers, in the shooting. nection with

shootings one of six fatal area on Friday, in the Englerston in the calendar above. bune Staff W. Carey/:Tri as shown at Peardale Park Photos: Terrel from the scene to be a deadly February, boy is taken a 15-year-old 12 so far in what has proven THE BODY of and one of over the weekend,

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to “fully undo much more senseless set derstand this and have law of killings,� respond “as enforcement and in as possible� in Perry quickly meaningful way� neighbourhoods�

PRIME Ministerlikened a “very fighting efforts.

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DESPIT E homicides in hours its 27th homicide for to patrol the and sice must solicit effort by his ers corded people have recording 13 ioner of New Providen them “continuous� the year. Seven to “flood multaneously giving 13 days, Commiss Greenslade been killed since Friday. n, in to interdict administration afternoo Police Ellison with officers is not in “the capacity ts of people Monday streets� a the On Bahamas necesis that that the said the movemen “crisis� and con- police also reportedoutside incorporata bid to do “all this madness the a state of on the streets,� police ofn can was stabbed Nassau sary to bring on day man average Bahamia � ing more reserve about their the an establishment men were to a halt�. speaking and “if necessary tinue to “go two without Mr Christie, yesterday, ficers, ating Royal BahaStreet while area of as normal day� attacked. ce shot while in the victims with reporters s� occur- incorpor Force marines fear of being mas Defence conferen Corner. These said the “madnes At a press to gang activity in policing efforts. said he ters on Ross said to be in stable ring is due n. also of were at police headquar Mr Christie with in hospital. a weekend and retaliatio past bloody be speaking Monday afterCommissioner condition ioner He said the a “shocking would Commiss is simso“carnage�, SEE PAGE THREE de said it said the only weekend is that will reGreenslade country’s crime Greenslaenough for people not development� ent to at the lution to the “keep prolific ply the finger at a press quire the governm to “point is speaking to e crisis� problem Greenslad bars�. He une Staff in times of their of Police Ellison Terrel W. Carey/Trib offenders behind Bahamas police to “manage Photo: COMMISSIONER not yet refuse yesterday. said the Royal (RBPF) is Act, Chapter SEE PAGE THREE conference Police Force implementing Suppression g. considering “locking down boxer was of human traffickin 53, of 106. a curfew or The former with three JOHNSON James Coakley, Andros

By LAMECH Reporter also charged filed under on Ross Staff Cargill Creek, of rape before Chief a double shooting, lamented Tribune tribunemedia.net was broughtJoyann Fergu- counts 6(a) of the Sexual ljohnson@ recent inciyesterday te Section 99. It nature of the three mosthave left one Corner in Magistra to answer to two Offences Act, Chapter in “too bold� in the capappeared O WELLS he engaged dents, which three others the g in perA MAN yester- son-Pratt

By RICARD Reporter occurring of traffickin Section is alleged that man dead andserious condi- crimes as he insisted Magistrate’s Court as- counts to Tribune Staff SEE PAGE SIX in ia.net ital recently, of prolific day accused of sexually sons contrary Trafficking in hospital during rwells@tribunemed “handful the a woman 3(1)(a) of Prevention and of the that � remain hell-bent saulting a and po- tion. s holidays.

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AS the country the Christmato be a victim in Persons Detective to grapple on terrorisin alleged is THREE She lice continue spate of vio- CentralSuperintendent ClayPAGE SEE speaking to with the latest law enforce- Chief Fernander, scene of lent crimes, are seeking ton media on the ment officials assistance in the T the public’s SKA DORSET

By SANCHE Reporter Tribune Staff dia.net tribuneme sdorsett@ placed authorof an law as it investigatallow the ity solely in the hands , POLICE are nces sura judiciary The bill will of police, or independent ICB met ing the circumsta EST of a commissioner on his behalf, the the death that the

By AVA TURNQU Reporter standards rounding r-old boy who was person actingwarrant from a adding onal Tribune Chief media.net d recent three-yea sive in a car to obtain a to in- internati aturnquest@tribune Court judge per- and also addresseListening found unrespondaycare yess of the General Supremeand examine a front of his n. from criticism Act by the Privy in ATTOR NEY -Gibson tercept terday afternoo communications the toddler of opera- Devices s Allyson Maynard the In- son’s body The unication suggestion and Council. d shortly af-a ica- telecomm yesterday defended She said any n was a was discovere of Commun t tors, internet providers Monday by terception the legislatio ter 2pm on an importan postal services. t yesterday, that SEE PAGE SIX bill� was false. tions Bill as tool that would In a statemen-Gibson ex- “spying anti-crime privacy of lawSEE PAGE FIVE was Mrs Maynard enhance the rather than that this move abiding citizensit, as detrac- plained ented in Bahamiunpreced encroach upon FOR YOU... tors claim.

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Parliame peaceful ing but dissolving dling the forthcom said he is Mr Christie election will us contestwith all the vigour confident the and will fol- elections d.� fair at our comman be free and and peaceful SEE PAGE TWO low a spirited is consistent campaign that political country’s this with

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By RASHAD Reporter Tribune Staff a.net rrolle@tribunemedi Nottage’s DR Bernard forever be will “footprints the Bahamian etched on landscape� fordevelopmental work as a through his of the Bahamer presidention of Athletic mas Associat the Bahamas Associations, ion, the Medical Associatand as a afMinDoctors’ Union consumer FORMER Prime the reminister for , health and was to accept when I ister Perry Christie fairs, education into a defeat, Opposias I did pictured yesterday. W. was in arrears, sponsibility for it in response to national security, tenant who Photo: Terrel Philip “Brave� recent he said ns airport Staff levelled described tion Leader resigned,� ay.

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By RICARD Reporter Wednesday He will receive sance and cronyism that weeks. never any he was “disap- to its base. acceptmaintained Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic. ia.net He also said allegations being in arrangethat I was relating Mr Christie by the rwells@tribunemed gova state funeral announced, documents would on my part ility for any degree Per- pointed� be by the new that a review of rsies ty, irrements to Prime Minister ed tossed around two controve matters any ing responsib the press secof criminali notion FORMER condemn concerning last term as to these his administration of according to Office of the the whatsoever and yesterday ernment ramuch his spending that absolve ry Christie during retary for the and prove as noth- sponsible Minnis administ Anthony is bare’ is just transpired is wrongdoing efforts by the his government in Prime Minister, that ‘the cupboard prime minister.at accusations from of the FNM’s rhetoric l slogans.� tion to portray as he challenged Newbold. political slogans.�

Hitting back Minnis administhan “politica light, SEE PAGE SIX SEE PAGE THREE a negative leader to carry out a of the r- ing more of the challenges I have governof the members ng the controveto “One the nation’s who led the $8m examination tration concerni of more thanclean up as the person led the government “dispassionate sial pay out and who record�. interview at one vendor for hurricane to an ment off of $1.2m During a lengthy home on Thursand the write his Cable Beach defended his day, Mr Christie

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By RICARD Reporter Tribune Staff ia.net rwells@tribunemed concern ADMIT TING Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday Christie for ter Perry admiration the expressed forth by the effort put security national to former the build-up minister in election. the May general from his away Breaking since being public silence office in hisof a voted out last month, toric fashion Mr Chrishis visibly troubled portions of tie detailed tion with his last conversa longfriend and childhood colleague on time political .

Thursday Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tewho someone throughout his naciously� he loved and life for thosetrait he said he a supported, up to their saw on display tion. last conversa SEE PAGE SIX

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d it must as Hurrion the island home has “Every those who remained . The homes last week. discussion with Minister has been destroyed battered their icken Raghas been health facility WIPEOUT: Prime s on storm-strPrime Min- cane Irma teachers’ residence no water. destroyed. The te, and safety condition to deteriora urged the 18 been has been destroyed. The is no light. There is HEALT H he smell the school will only continue destroyed. There about, you can yesterday as The in the afterged Island Minnis said to evacuate “As we walk , dead animals. ister Dr Hubert on the island reduced ls will dehas T stench of dead carcasses s of the individua remaining residents them e Irma, whichof rubble and SPECIA L REPOR that we get health condition Russell, math of Hurrican it’s essential s there to piles Words: Khrisna W Carey teriorate and Dr Minnis said. only most structureisland unlivable.

Pictures: Terrel this island,� reluctant to leave the for Dr Minnis off here,� rendered the stay n saw for the understandablyhome, expressing concern “They cannot as Many were and a delegatio and days ever known through said after he damage left by Irma residences, place they’ve gs. hurricane ripped safety of their first time the Five monster personal belongin d about the left behind. We will have by the smell after the Category island.

Defence “They are concerne may have , exacerbated on of all eshere and the the same materials they the small southern physical condition dispatch a vessel and at the destructi those still whatever and Force cleanup The island’s the e carcasses said. the Defence strongly urge Dr Minnis of rotting animalled Dr Minnis to small community can Force will try to commenc SEE PAGE THREE there is security,� sential services, to leave until the ensure that Island been time has on Ragged Ragged Island and be restored. to the residents; a walk through “I’ve spoken Minnis said following Dr devastated,� warns Dr Hubert Minnis

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Liberal were obtaineda from a ther’s PROGR ESSIVE The emails n Bradley EMAILS leaked following of China Con- by The Tribune Party Chairma out at his highdata breach ’s (CCA) story in December Roberts lashed of CCA struction America colleague Vinthat from the breach former party night, accusservers show2013, Jerome lighting by a San Francisco cent Peet last North Anto servers China Construction as early as was seeking ing the former Islands MP hacker.

Fitzgerald of dollars eventually paid 24 bitcoins dros and Berry l enemy� and of $24,000) secure millions equivalent e, trucking, of being a “politica independin brokerag at Baha (thehave access to their servmounted an contracts who ape to it because he limousin showing a resat in Cabinet ers restored; however, ent campaigna nomination forwarded leaked emails Mar while he of Educathat emails ONE of the Education, Scil was denied g party.

Minister of as the Minister and Tech- pears relating to personne quest from or from the governin y Jerome Fitzgerald. to PLP suption, Science Tribune has to, compromised, ence and Technolog Speaking at CCA were in The nology, The a rally in North officials at Baha porters at night, Mr Robagent for Limolink despite top they were not learned. which his Bahamas. You are encourcontradict the saying at from Andros last is war� as The emails this week de- Mar clientele with was faa reference d by the hack if erts said “this aged to get d writes, “I limousine company crowd to vote of Viacom Minister, who his office to concerne Mr Fitzgeral matime. free he urged the t Dr Perry the president miliar. nied ever using to himself the an email dated May 18, am aware that interior regard the you wish. Please feel to arrive ly for incumben that a vote with In contracts began “Also Izmirlian personal we direct me adding from the mul- 2013, sent to Mr d, with terials have I would really e business with to contact contact Gomez, a vote for the or his family resort. the hotel. be limousin meet your agents Mr Fitzgeral g for Mr Peet is Cur- for it if we couldbro- are ready to he or have Movement. ti-billion dollard - the Pro- by our Managin Porter, Shelly appreciate anytime,�

Free National Mr Porter Mr Fitzgeral Party MP QuentinAlarice Fill copied, appointed your official your people SEE PAGE SIX his 2013.�

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THE captain of a Haitian sloop used to smuggle over $100,000 pounds of cocaine into the country last year has had his prison sentence shortened on appeal.

Terry Nacius will now serve three years in prison instead of the five years he was sentenced to for smuggling $135,000 worth of drugs into the Bahamas last September. His new sentence is three years and six months—to take effect from September 26, 2018, the date he admitted to the offence.

On September 21, 2018, Nacius and a group of other Haitians were arrested after officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit’s Marine Support Unit and US law enforcement officials conducted a search of a Haitian vessel near a harbour in Matthew Town, Inagua.

Nine packages of cocaine were discovered in a compartment near the hatch onboard the vessel. The drugs weighed 19.8lbs and carried an estimated street value of $135,000, police said. During an interview with police, Nacius, a farmer from La Tortue, Haiti, admitted to stashing the cocaine inside the boat, along with others, before making for the Bahamas.

Days later on the 26th, Nacius was charged along with three others before Senior Magistrate Subusola Swain with possession of dangerous drugs, importation of dangerous drugs, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs and conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs.

Those offenses attracted sentences ranging from four to seven years.

During the arraignment, Nacius admitted to the offences, and further explained that he, along with others, loaded the drugs on to the vessel in Haiti. He said his original plan called for him to contact another person to collect the drugs once the group made landfall in Inagua.

In mitigation, however, Nacius, via a translator, told the court: “I shouldn’t be sent to prison for a long time because I am guilty. I am the captain of the boat.

I have been to the Bahamas before. I have a family back in Haiti. I have a wife and children. I have nine children. I work in Haiti as a farmer. My children and wife are in Haiti. They all depend on me for their upkeep.�

Nonetheless, Nacius, was sentenced to five years in prison and ordered to be deported once his sentence is served.

Nacius was charged with a dozen other Haitians, nine males and three females in connection with the drug bust. However, five of that number, namely Alina Aly, Lukenson Pierre, Nelson Joseph, Erode Pierre and Angeline Lubin, were sentenced to two months in prison for giving false names to officers when asked about their identities.

They were also ordered to be deported after their respective sentences are served.

Attorney Stanley Rolle from the Office of the Public Defender represented Nacius on appeal.

ENT

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

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ManEmergency actiThe National after they agement Agency (NEMA) ent the police y managem n cations with from entering the vated its emergenc and an evacuatio were blocked plan yesterday ed at the Kenarea. were also shelter was establish um at the Several persons with respira- dal G L Isaacs Gymnasi Centre Sports to the hospital Gar- rushed Queen Elizabeth shelter during ts. in Jubilee tory complain Tribune arrived on which was used as a for displaced RESIDENTS to evacuate their When The residents were the last hurricane dens were forced after a massive the scene, several roofs, as the residents. believed their yesterday is on landfill ce dump homes the Providen pouring water their homes. a smaller The fire at fire at the Newcommunity in thick, blaze grew closer to nt for Tall started by to have been Road.

Parliame blanketed the s smoke.

Member of Miller was also assist- bush fire off Fire Trail black hazardou the Royal Bahamas Pines Leslie in hosing down their TWO AND THREE entrance Members of SEE PAGES blocked the visibility ing residentsproviding transportaPolice Force on as homes and who needed help. residents to the subdivisi tion for those zero. Angry dropped to in verbal alterbecame involved fire off Fire a smaller bush to the city spread have ed by Movement fre- Trail Road that blanketed Jubilee in Jubilee G the Free National areas in prevent the ce dump. The fire from the smoke started in to T surrounding d A YOUNGSTER flees done enough the New Providen SKA DORSET e landfill that Gardens and at and threatene

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THE TRIBUNE

IMPEACHED

President Trump to face trial in Senate WASHINGTON Associated Press DONALD Trump became the third president in American history to be impeached yesterday on a largely party line vote, setting up a formal trial next year in the Senate.

The impeachment vote capped off a three-month investigation into the president’s actions in regard to the Ukraine. The vote came at the end of a day long partisan debate on the House floor with Republicans charging Democrats with wanting to over turn the last presidential election and Democrats arguing the president tried to use a foreign power to help him win re-election.

‘A great day for the constitution of the United States,’ Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the votes concluded. ‘I could not be prouder or more inspired by the moral courage of House Democrats. We never asked one of them how they are going to vote. We never whipped this vote. We saw the vote -- well, you saw the public statements that some of them made, we saw the result when everyone else did,’ she said.

‘The statements on the floor about patriotism and about being very true to the vision of our founders. And so I view this day,

HOUSE members vote on article II of impeachment against President Donald Trump who was speaking at a campaign rally in Michigan, right

this vote as something that we did to honor the vision of our founders, to establish a republic, the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform to defend our democracy and that republic and the aspirations of our children, that they will

always live in a democracy,’ she added. The House held two separate votes - one on each article of impeachment. Pelosi presided over the votes and largely kept her party in line. And she silenced a few Democratic lawmakers who cheered the

outcome with a flick of her wrist. The speaker made it clear before the vote she did not want Democrats to be celebrating what she considered a grave constitutional matter.

The vote on the first article of impeachment - abuse of power - was 230 to 197.

The vote on the second article - obstruction of Congress - was 229 to 198.

‘On this vote, the yeas are 230. The nays are 197. Present is one. Article one is adopted,’ Pelosi announced after she gaveled the vote on the first article to a close.

On this vote, the yeas are 229. The nays are 198.

Present is one. Article two is adopted,’ she said at the end of the second vote.

For the first vote there were two Democratic defections: Colin Peterson of Minnesota, who said he would be a no vote, and Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey who is reported to be switching to the Republican Party.

For the vote on the second article, those two were joined in the dissenting column by Maine Democrat Jared Golden, who said he would vote for the first article but not the second.

‘A SUICIDE MARCH FOR DEMOCRATS’ MICHIGAN Associated Press DEFIANT in the face of a historic rebuke, President Donald Trump labelled his impeachment by the House of Representatives “a suicide march” for the Democratic Party as he delivered a rambling two-hour rally speech that overlapped the vote.

“Crazy Nancy Pelosi’s House Democrats have branded themselves with an eternal mark of shame,” Trump told the crowd in battleground Michigan, where he took the stage just minutes before being impeached. “It’s a disgrace” It was a dramatic and discordant split-screen moment, with Trump emerging from a mock fireplace like Santa Claus at the Christmas-themed rally as the impeachment debate in Washington played out.

It was also Trump’s longest

rally ever, according to the tracking site Factbase, clocking in at two hours and one minute.

Throughout the rally, Trump unleashed his anger at the Democrats, slammed their effort as “illegal” and accused the party of demonstrating “deep hatred and disdain” for voters.

“After three years of sinister witch hunts, hoaxes, scams, tonight the House Democrats are trying to nullify the ballots of tens of millions of patriotic Americans,” Trump said, claiming that it was the Democrats who were “interfering in America’s elections” and “subverting American democracy.”

Mid-rally, an aide held up a sign notifying Trump of the vote count and the president announced to the crowd that “every single Republican voted for us.

Whoa. Wow, wow. ... And three Democrats.”

CURFEWS ENFORCED AS INDIAN PROTESTS GROW

NEW DELHI Associated Press

FROM campuses along India’s Himalayan northern border to its southern Malabar Coast, a student-led protest movement against a new law that grants citizenship on the basis of religion spread nationwide yesterday despite efforts by the government to contain it.

The law provides a path to citizenship for Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and other religious minorities who are in India illegally but can demonstrate religious persecution in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. It does not apply to Muslims.

Critics say it’s the latest effort by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist-led government to marginalise India’s 200 million Muslims, and a violation of the country’s secular constitution.

Modi has defended it as a humanitarian gesture, but yesterday, authorities tightened restrictions on protesters, expanding a block on the internet and a curfew in Assam, where protests since the law’s passage a week ago have disrupted life in Gauhati,

INDIANS protesting against the Citizenship Act in Mumbai, India yesterday the state capital. They also stones at buses in Kochi, restricted assembly in a the capital of the southernMuslim neighbourhood in most state of Kerala.

Hundreds chanted New Delhi where demonoutside New strators on Tuesday burned slogans a police booth and several Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia University. Widely vehicles.

After India’s Supreme disseminated images of Court postponed hear- police charging unarmed ing challenges to the law students with sticks and Wednesday, huge dem- tear gas at a protest at the onstrations erupted in school on Sunday superGauhati, in Chennai, in charged opposition to the the southern state of Tamil law.

Critics say the CitizenNadu, and in Mumbai, India’s financial capital. ship Amendment Act is Protesters also rallied in the most overt example yet Srinagar, the main city of discrimination against in disputed Kashmir and India’s Muslims in a string in the tourist mecca of of actions taken by Modi Jaipur in the desert state since his party’s landslide of Rajasthan, and threw reelection victory in May.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 19, 2019, PAGE 17

Shelters will remain open into new year

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

THE shelters accommodating displaced Hurricane Dorian evacuees will remain open until the new year, according to Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell.

Speaking outside Cabinet, Mr Campbell said it is difficult to give a definitive timeline as to when the shelters will be decommissioned because he’s not the sole person responsible for the facilities. He had previously said the two remaining shelters on New Providence would close by the end of the year.

He said: “So you would appreciate that this is a multi-agency project. I’m manning the shelters.

Other agencies are helping to prepare for the transition. So that was my desire and I continue to work daily along with my

team, offering alternatives to evacuees. “Those who qualify we are offering rental assistance that might enable them to get some form of independence to go on their own. But as long as they determine they aren’t able to go any place else, then the government has a duty to live up to the commitment it made and to continue to shelter them.”

Mr Campbell said he is unable to give a figure to indicate how much the government is paying to accommodate the evacuees. He said: “...It wasn’t a figure the government would have budgeted for. It isn’t anything that we anticipated and so the sooner we can stop that particular line of spending, we as the government would be pleased.

“Like I would have indicated, personally, I was hoping that we would have done that before the Christmas. We continue to hope, and the numbers

are decreasing, so persons are taking the offer to receive the rental assistance and go into private accommodations.”

The minister also said he is unaware of how many undocumented migrants are staying in the shelters. “I really don’t know because in the aftermath of the hurricane, we gave assistance from a humanitarian point of view. And so that was not an issue for me as a minister,” he said. “That was not an issue for the social workers. I’m sure that since then there’s been some categorization, but I personally can’t give the number. ” When contacted, Department of Social Services Deputy Director Kim Sawyer told The Tribune yesterday: “As of Sunday, 487 evacuees still reside on two designated sites in New Providence: 373 at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium and three tents, and 114 at the Bahamas Academy Gymnasium.”