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VOLUME:115 No.69, MARCH 1ST, 2018

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Bodies in bathtubs Lack of mortuary forces island’s dead to be packed in ice

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net WHEN anyone is declared dead on Cat Island they are stuffed into a body bag, placed in a bathtub and blanketed with ice to slow the process of decomposition, The Tribune has been told.

Medical practitioners have had to resort to this method because there is no morgue on the island and they fear it will be months or maybe even years before the situation can be rectified, while three medical facilities approved under the previous Christie administration hang in limbo.

This is compounded by the absence of emergency transportation, which is often substituted by the use of residents’ personal vehicles to move the sick.

And on a meagre budget of $50 per clinic per month from the government for these facilities to provide

the necessities, including purchasing cleaning products and simple supplies like cups for patients to drink water while they take medication, officials are challenged.

Generators for at least two of Cat Island’s three clinics in Old Bight, Smith’s Bay and Orange Creek have also been reassigned, The Tribune was told, rendering them useless in the event of a power outage.

A group of Ministry of Health officials, who fear retribution, spoke on the condition of anonymity regarding the horrors of Cat Island’s medical facilities.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said he was unaware of the morgue situation, adding he would not know of challenges with every single generator at the 100 clinics across the archipelago.

SEE PAGE SIX

BETHEL: WE’LL FIGHT IMMIGRATION RULINGS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE Office of the Attorney General will conduct a review of the recent rulings handed down by Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hilton concerning migrant detention by the Department of Immigration to determine the extent of its appeal, Attorney General Carl Bethel said yesterday.

Mr Bethel told The Tribune his office believed the rulings were wrong in law, and a review will get underway today to determine which individual rulings can be appealed.

“In our view, the rulings are wrong in law so far as the court purported to apply the Takitota Court of Appeal case,” he said, “and we will so argue before the Court of Appeal.”

SEE PAGE SEVEN

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SHOT DEAD AS HE ARRIVED HOME A BODY is taken from a crime scene in Yellow Elder Gardens on Tuesday night. The victim was shot dead after pulling up to his home.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

TWO MORE PEDESTRIANS DAVIS SLAMS ‘RECKLESS’ KILLED IN ROAD ACCIDENTS MINNIS ON REFINERY DEAL

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net TWO pedestrians were killed in less than 24 hours after being struck by vehicles in two separate incidents, including a hit and run.

They have become the fourth and fifth traffic fatalities over the past five days.

There have been 15 traffic fatalities so far this year, while there were only eight recorded this time in 2017, representing an increase of 87.5 percent.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force has identified one victim as Jean Penny Sirra, 39, of Coral Road.

The other victim has been described as an elderly man.

Assistant Commissioner of Operational Support Kendall Strachan called these figures “an alarming amount” in a press conference held at RBPF Headquarters yesterday.

He added there has been in an “uptick” in pedestrian-related traffic accidents and hit and runs.

In the wake of these tragedies, police are appealing to the public to exercise good road safety habits.

The first incident occurred on Tuesday when a man was hit by a car.

ACP Strachan said: “Around 7.30pm, police… responded to an accident on Cowpen Road West, where the body of a black male was found lying in the streets.”

SEE PAGE THREE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is “reckless” for proceeding with the $5.5 billion Oban Energies project despite last week’s revelations about its front man, adding this shows his “lack of good judgment”.

As he gave a speech before eastern area PLP branch chairs on Tuesday, Mr Davis, pictured, also said he hopes the deal could still be salvaged.

Mr Davis’ strongest remarks yet against the deal came as Dr Minnis is expected to table the heads of agreement for the project today.

Administration insiders say the agreement will allay concerns Bahamians may have about some associated with the project by showing who the real players are behind the deal.

Last week, it was revealed that Peter Krieger, the non-executive chairman of Oban Energies, has faced allegations of misappropriating investor funds and SEE PAGE TEN

PENSIONERS LOSE OUT IN CITY MARKETS HQ SALE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

CITY Markets pensioners have been “kept in the dark” over the $3m sale of the plan’s main asset, with

just 30 per cent of the proceeds seemingly left for their benefit.

Court documents obtained by Tribune Business reveal that the long-running saga over the defunct supermarket

chain’s employee pension plan is again heating up, this time over the sale of its former East-West Highway head office to BISX-listed AML Foods.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 1, 2018, PAGE 3

Two more pedestrians killed in road accidents from page one “I’m able to say to you that prior to this incident, police were alerted of an individual who seemed to be wandering in the area.

“Consequently, the officers, having gotten to the area by that time, discovered that an accident had occurred. That individual who was transported from that location by EMS (unfortunately) lost his life at the (hospital).”

According to police, the driver in this matter stayed on scene and is assisting police with their investigation.

ACP Strachan described the second incident as a “hit and run” that occurred early yesterday morning.

“Just after (4am)…an adult female was doing her morning jog along West Bay Street (in the area of Bayrock), travelling in a western direction, when she

was struck by a white vehicle,” he said.

“Reported to be an SD type (rental) vehicle traveling east. The driver, having struck the pedestrian, left the scene, leaving her dead in the streets.”

ACP Strachan continued: “A resident, a doctor in the area, having heard the impact, responded. He rendered as much medical aid as he was able to at that time. Unfortunately she did not survive that ordeal.

“I’m able to say that since the accident occurred this morning… police have been able to locate and identify (the vehicle) which we were looking for since the incident. However, the driver has not yet been located.”

ACP Strachan pleaded with the public to share any information regarding the incident, and asked the driver to turn himself in.

“A family is grieving, grieving because of the loss of their loved one. A

lady who...was struck and left fatally in the streets, no better than that of an animal who was left to die.”

ACP Strachan added that another serious accident occurred early yesterday morning.

“Officers from our fire services were at Gladstone Road, (extricated) an adult female from a vehicle which had crashed into the utility pole along Gladstone Road.

“Currently that female is still in critical condition at the Princess Margaret Hospital.”

ACP Strachan also warned of a particular hotspot for accidents.

He said: “On the Tonique Williams Highway, where we have seen any number of traffic fatalities occurring between that area of AF Adderley at the roundabout of Baillou Road and CW Sawyer, we have been met with a number of fatal accidents which occurred in that area.

“We have collaborated with our stakeholders from the Ministry of Works and (Bahamas Power and Light) to try to improve the lighting in that area.

“We note, however, that at least five of those fatalities, having occurred late in the evening, (are) occurring in one particular area. And that is right at the (Yellow Elder) park, where persons (are) seeking to cross that very busy thoroughfare.”

ACP Strachan questioned whether stricter penalties would prevent more tragedies. He said: “I can also share with you cases of individuals who have walked out of court, having paid very strict penalties, and we see them the next week.”

He advised the public to exercise caution on roads.

“We are appealing to every one of you, drivers and pedestrians, to pay attention. And while we are also appealing, we

KOFHE GOODMAN, pictured outside court previously.

KOFHE GOODMAN TO BE SENTENCED NEXT MONTH

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net KOFHE Goodman’s sentence for killing 11-year-old Marco Archer nearly six years ago will be handed down by a Supreme Court judge in two weeks.

Justice Carolita Bethel will sentence Goodman on March 15, almost a year after he was unanimously convicted by a jury in his retrial over the September 2011 killing.

It was alleged that between September 23 and 28, 2011, Goodman, of Yorkshire Drive, caused the death of Archer, who disappeared from Brougham Street on September 23 and was found dead days later.

Archer, a sixth-grade student of Columbus Primary, was reported missing by his family after failing to return home from a neighbourhood store where he went to purchase candy.

His family begged for help in ensuring that he was returned home safely.

However, on in September 2011, police discovered Archer’s body in bushes behind an apartment complex on Yorkshire Drive.

Goodman was initially convicted of Archer’s killing on August 2, 2013, and sentenced to death by hanging

by Justice Bernard Turner on October 29, 2013.

However, the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction and sentence, ordering a retrial for as soon as possible because of the “lurking doubt about the fairness of the trial”

brought on by adverse pretrial publicity, misconduct of Goodman’s then defence lawyer Geoffrey Farquharson and the former jury’s irregularity.

Goodman was re-convicted of the murder on May 30, 2017.

When Justice Bethel asked prosecutor Cordell Frazier at the time if it was the Crown’s intention to seek the highest penalty on the law book, Ms Frazier indicated that they were seeking the discretionary death penalty and subsequently requested that a psychiatric and probation report be prepared for the court’s consideration.

Goodman, however, questioned the necessity of

this given that he had “been through this before”.

“Can the court bypass this? I don’t want the long delay. You know I appealing both conviction and sentence,” he added at the time.

Goodman was

represented by Wayne Munroe, QC, Tommel Roker, Alex Morley and Ryszard Humes. Garvin Gaskin, director of public prosecutions, represented the Crown with the assistance of Ms Frazier and Rosalee Ferguson.

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constantly remind you of the importance of ensuring that you, firstly, and secondly the vehicle that you are driving, (are) appropriate for the streets.”

He called for drivers to hold valid licences and all vehicles to be properly licenced, registered, and insured.

He advised pedestrians to wear bright clothing, stay on the sidewalk, and exercise in well-lit areas.

There have been 1,289 reports of traffic accidents thus far for the year, only

16 more than was recorded during the same period of last year.

There have been 178 hit and runs for the year, an increase of 14 in comparison with the same period last year.

According to the RBPF crime statistics, released earlier this year, 54 people died as a result of traffic accidents in 2017.

In the first two months of 2017, there were only eight traffic related deaths— five in January 2017 and three in February.

PAGE 4, Thursday, March 1, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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Rare showing of dissent in China BEIJING (AP) — In a rare public expression of dissent in China, a wellknown political commentator and a prominent businesswoman have penned open letters urging lawmakers to reject a plan that would allow President Xi Jinping to rule indefinitely.

Their impassioned statements on a popular messaging app were circulated widely after the ruling Communist Party announced a proposal Sunday to amend the constitution to scrap term limits on the president and vice president.

In a statement Monday on WeChat to Beijing’s members of China’s rubberstamp parliament, Li Datong, a former editor for the state-run China Youth Daily, wrote that lifting term limits would “sow the seeds of chaos”.

“If there are no term limits on a country’s highest leader, then we are returning to an imperial regime,” Li told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “My generation has lived through Mao. That era is over. How can we possibly go back to it?”

Wang Ying, a businesswoman who has advocated government reforms, wrote on WeChat that the Communist Party’s proposal was “an outright betrayal” and “against the tides”.

“I know that you (the government) will dare to do anything,” she wrote, “and one ordinary person’s voice is certainly useless. But I am a Chinese citizen, and I don’t plan on leaving. This is my motherland too!”

In a message that was swiftly deleted, sociologist Li Yinhe called the removal of term limits “unfeasible” and would “return China to the era of Mao”.

Li added, however, that delegates to the National People’s Congress, China’s parliament, are likely to pass the amendment unanimously since “they aren’t really elected by the people, therefore they don’t represent the people in voting, but will vote according to the leadership’s design”.

It wasn’t clear who deleted Li’s message, but official censors have been working assiduously to scrub criticisms of the amendment from the internet.

An official at the information department of the congress’ Standing Committee said Tuesday that he was not aware of the open letters.

While Xi, 64, is broadly popular in China for his economic stewardship, muscular foreign policy and emphasis on stability, it’s difficult to determine how the move to end term limits has been received overall. Few Chinese dare speak out on political topics, even online, while the media are entirely state controlled and public polling on sensitive issues is nonexistent.

Analysts say the amendment could bring a degree of reassurance initially while leading to long-term uncertainty about Xi’s intentions and the succession process. It upends a decades-long push for greater institutionalisation and rule of law in the country.

The congress is all but certain to pass the constitutional amendment when it meets for its annual session early next month, at which it will grant Xi a second five-year term and appoint new ministers and other government officials.

Under the 1982 constitution, the president is limited to two five-year terms in office, but Xi — already China’s most powerful leader since Mao — is seemingly convinced that he’s the only one who can realize his vision for China and wants additional terms to see through his agenda of fighting corruption, eliminating poverty and transforming China into a modern leading nation by midcentury.

A simple thirst for power is another possible motivation.

Government and party spokesmen have yet to offer any detailed explanations of the reasoning behind the dropping of term limits. Nor is it clear whether Xi will seek to remain president for life or will only stay on for a set number of additional terms.

“The fact that this proposal was possible means that Xi Jinping’s influence is growing,” said Chen Jieren, a Beijingbased independent political scholar.

“The party is recognising his achievements in fighting corruption. People have confidence in and respect for his resoluteness.”

But Chen added: “China is not Cuba.

Through the past few decades, Chinese people have come to understand that no one should be in power for life.”

Foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Monday that the proposal “was made in accordance with the new situation and the practice of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era”.

In a commentary Tuesday, the official China Daily newspaper mentioned the proposal to strip out language in the constitution limiting the president and vice president to two five-year terms, saying it was “necessitated by the need to perfect the party and the state’s leadership system”.

While Chinese censors have moved swiftly to delete satirical online commentary on the move, a range of opposition views continue to be shared.

The Global Times, a newspaper published by the Communist Party, said “outside forces” were trying to challenge the party’s leadership.

Don’t film the victims Re:show some respect EDITOR, The Tribune.

Oil change?

REFINERY - DEAL

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: Updated: Full Disclosure --- Inside Story On The Men Behind $5bn Refinery Deal.

The Tribune, February 21, 2018.

WOULD anyone buy a used car from these guys?

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, February 21, 2018.

THOUGH I have personally never been affected, there is a proclivity by some who may be on the scene when persons are injured or mortally wounded in robberies, car accidents or domestic violence, to take pictures and circulate them on social media.

I find myself mortified at the callous, insensitive and almost sub-human mind that is able to distance itself from a tragedy just to be the first to take a picture and circulate it on social media. These depraved individuals have no regard for the dignity of the victim whose picture is taken and give no consideration to the loved ones of the deceased.

Can you imagine finding out that a loved one was involved in an accident and

died tragically and a bloody picture of the deceased is spread by others on social media, before the next of kin can be advised through proper channels?

This is a despicably low act, by people with low minds, in my opinion, and must have the force of law behind it to stop this intrusion of indecency in such sensitive situations.

Such acts serve as a reminder of how far we have fallen as a people and of how cold-hearted, indifferent, ignorant and detached individuals in our communities are. I really wish such acts would stop!

JB Nassau, February 28, 2018.

Come clean on Oban Energies EDITOR, The Tribune.

OBAN - I am sure many will agree it is more than high time that the Prime Minister came clean on the whole history of the application by Oban to develop a refinery and oil storage facility.

So in 1995-96 these people applied to the Ingraham government — Ingraham was unsatisfied of their qualifications and capacities.

So again Oban returned under Christie and again the Government was unsatisfied as to their capacities, but in December, 2016, it

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net is said, by Minnis, the project was approved but the million dollar question - approved with certain specific conditions to be cleared up such as financial capabilities - sector qualification. This we must know and PM Minnis has to Table these documents.

If he refuses, then certainly we still have both Sir Baltron Bethell who can bring total clarity to the issue I am sure or the then Minister of State

responsible for Investment Hon Khaalis Rolle.

The quote from State Minister Kwasi Thompson of Freeport yesterday was sort of incredible — was he saying — look have pity of Grand Bahama we went through hell and so we will consider any project to alleviate the hurt even if the investors are not too qualified and have an unclean background… that is what I understood. The FNM promised transparency…We need it now, not tomorrow or next month.

W THOMPSON Nassau, February 23, 2018.

Marital rape laws EDITOR, The Tribune.

MARITAL Rape? If as a society we accept man and woman are equal then within that context any abuse of either has to be an offence.

We live in a society where marriage is far from the norm so I suggest we walk carefully as if there will be a statute covering Marital Rape then Common Law wife - persons residing for an extended time period must fall under that same

umbrella in fact anyone in a relationship.

I fear this could bring the gold-digging instincts of certain women to the fore - my chance now to get financial gain out of a very one-sided relationship. This could easily cause very serious societal reaction - crime against the person and even more murders.

Look around in the larger denominations their churches are filled to over flowing with ‘women’ - few men so I have to contend

the opinion of the pastors of those denominations will stay loyal to where their bread is buttered and never rock the boat.

Many of these same Revs live in estranged relationships far from the best to emulate/copy so are they qualified just because you call yourself Rev - Apostle etc, to give definitive opinion to government?

MIZPAH SMITH Nassau, February 28, 2018.

Walmart daydream EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE to reply to Dick Coulson’s open letter. To Mike Maura, Chamber of Commerce.

Super Value Food Stores do have public shareholders - they are a very few but there are some.

AML are a full fledged Public Listed Company.

Which supermarkets does Mr Coulson, who usually is a good red, does he wish to go public? The Chinese

outlets?

Clearly you don’t understand the market - ‘00’s of residents use the internet to stop where the likes of a Walmart have zero Bahamas overheads - why would Best Buy - Walmart plus any of the US Discount operations even those operating now in the Caribbean would ever wish or think about setting up in Nassau?

Not advocating a ban but honestly why would a Walmart want to pay VAT

- Business Licence - have all the troubles the local retailer has plus all the red tape business has to fight daily - our unacceptable cost of electricity - the high level of tiering to say a few things when they can sell and ship to The Bahamas anytime?

PAM SMITH Nassau, February 26, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 1, 2018, PAGE 5

Magistrate unhappy over forced delay in Smith case

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE chief magistrate yesterday denied a request to have former PLP Senator Frank Smith’s bribery and extortion trial thrown out over allegations of “prosecutorial misconduct” concerning the Crown’s late bid to introduce key evidence against the accused, although reprimanding prosecutors for conducting “a piecemeal type of disclosure” to date.

Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt said while the court is “unhappy” that Smith’s trial will be delayed for another two months as a result of the Crown’s request to have more time to secure banking information of “critical importance” to its case, it would be “premature” to discharge Smith’s matter, and thus ruled it should continue The judge also noted concern about the fact that six months after Smith’s initial arraignment, matters pertaining to the root of the case are just being brought to the surface. She said not only is the Crown’s application “contributing to delay”, she has been effectively hindered in the matter.

The failed bid to have the matter thrown out came after Smith’s lead lawyer Keith Knight, QC, said the Crown’s case has been “elevated” from shoddy to “sinister” and “outrageous” after the prosecution said it needed more time to obtain banking information from various banking institutions pertaining to Barbara Hanna via court order.

Some of the “plethora” of documents the Crown now intends to serve on the accused, Mr Knight maintained, contained some of the same information his colleague Damian Gomez, QC, was seeking since the inception of Smith’s matter before the court.

Other documents the accused has only recently been served with, Mr Knight contended, concern Mrs Hanna allegedly repaying a loan on behalf of her son Adrian, notwithstanding her previously maintaining that she never co-signed on a loan with her son, and that if he ever did take out a loan, he did it himself.

Mr Knight also lamented the particulars of a report dated February 26, 2018, by the investigating officer in the matter, which he said he only recently received, in which Mr Knight claimed the officer engaged in the “selective omission” of certain portions of Mrs Hanna’s official statement to police.

According to new lead Crown attorney Edward Jenkins, QC, the prosecution has, subsequent to him being formally engaged in the matter, requested certain information concerning Bank of The Bahamas and Commonwealth Bank. That information has not yet been fully prepared, however, it is being worked on, he indicated.

Fellow prosecutor Anthony Delaney, who officially surrendered the role of lead Crown counsel to Mr Jenkins during Monday’s proceedings, suggested to the court the documents could take a week or two to be completed.

When questioned by the chief magistrate if based on the Crown’s submissions the proceedings are effectively halted, Mr Jenkins suggested as much by saying the Crown needs to resolve the issue concerning the bank evidence as it goes to the “heart of the case”.

He also said it was crucial for the “just resolution” of the trial.

While noting the court was not happy with the delay, she cleared her calendar to accommodate the matter.

However, Mr Knight, who on Monday had called the Crown’s request to provide additional evidence as “shoddy”, said he now

FORMER Senator Frank Smith, centre. elevates their application to “sinister” and leads him to believe there has been “prosecutorial misconduct”. He thus urged the chief magistrate to dismiss the case on those grounds.

However, Mr Jenkins countered by stating if the defence is alleging an abuse of process on the part of the Crown, and that its client cannot have a fair trial as a result, then that issue would have to be determined by the Supreme Court.

However, the chief magistrate said in order for the matter to be properly “ventilated”, the defence must be aware of the Crown’s case beforehand. She thus questioned why the Crown executed such a “piecemeal type of disclosure” to date, and at such a late stage in the virtual complainant’s cross examination, when it was the Crown that brought the charges against Smith.

Mr Jenkins responded by stating the evidence the Crown relied upon when it initially arraigned Smith in August of last year was already disclosed.

When the chief magistrate suggested such matters are usually done at the beginning of a case, and that Mrs Hanna is almost at the end of her cross examination, Mr Jenkins stated that upon coming to The Bahamas after being engaged in the matter, and upon being apprised of the contents of the transcripts for the matter, he asked questions that resulted in

the production of certain documents.

Mr Knight then read the particulars of a report by a Superintendent Johnson, the investigating officer in the matter, which he said should have been disclosed to the defence and/or the court prior to just recently.

In that report, Mr Knight claimed the investigating officer allegedly omitted certain parts of Mrs Hanna’s statement.

This, Mr Knight maintained, ought to be “sharply distinguished” from a no-case submission, because it is not a matter of credibility, but rather an issue concerning the alleged manipulation of a statement, and how the investigating officer conducted himself.

However, the chief magistrate stated that unless and until she can hear from Supt Johnson via his testimony, cross examination and re-examination if need be, she cannot be properly called upon to determine if his conduct was inappropriate. She suggested it would be “premature” to adjudicate on that issue otherwise.

Nonetheless, Mr Knight, taking one last stab at his bid to have his client’s trial dismissed, submitted that once the court is provided with material that indicates that the fairness of the trial has been “adulterated”, the court’s duty is to immediately intervene and bring an end to the matter.

He further charged that

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff fairness on the part of the Crown, which he said includes police officers, begins from the time of the initial arrest straight up to the disposal of the matter, and the relevant duties are divided between the police and legal representatives of the state.

And where it is demonstrated on documents produced by the Crown that something untoward took place and that such an issue affects the fairness of the trial, Mr Knight said the case ends because fairness

must attend each step of the judicial process.

“Once it rears its ugly head, then the matter ends,” he charged.

Chief Magistrate Ferguson Pratt noted Mr Knight’s submissions, but said dismissing the matter would be a “premature” decision.

She also noted that on the docket concerning Smith’s initial arraignment, Supt Johnson was listed as one of the witnesses, and as the Crown is obliged to call all witnesses to testify in court, she would wish to

hear from the investigating officer concerning his involvement in the matter and Mr Knight’s issues with his report.

She subsequently adjourned the matter to May 14-18.

Smith is facing 15 criminal charges concerning his alleged solicitation of $65,000 in bribes from a woman he is said to have assisted in getting a contract at the Public Hospitals Authority where he served as chairman. He is currently out on $50,000 bail.

PAGE 6, Thursday, March 1, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Bodies in bathtubs from page one

DR DUANE SANDS, Minister of Health.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

However, he said, there was a morgue issue in Deadman’s Cay, Long Island, because the wrong compressor for the air-conditioning system had been ordered.

“These challenges where certain services are not up to date are real problems,” Dr Sands said yesterday when he was contacted.

“We have a $5m budget for public health and it costs $3.5m to run Abaco and Exuma’s mini hospital. I have 98 other clinics that I have to run with the balance of the funds.

“Is there a disconnect between demand and need?

Absolutely.”

The group of officials said it is hard to be optimistic about the ongoing situation in Cat Island when issues like the one with the morgue have continued for so long.

“Under the former government, there was supposed to be the construction of a mini hospital, but apparently when the government changed it stopped,” one official said.

“That new facility was also supposed to have a new morgue. So we have no place to store the dead people. That’s the biggest concern. In the event someone dies, you put ice inside the tub of the person’s house or you bring them to clinic and the tub is filled

up with ice until we can get them out.

“When you really look at it you are storing a dead person inside a tub with ice. You have to keep that tub filled at all times. I am thinking about bacteria and sickness being caused by this. The family may also feel like I don’t want to bathe inside this tub when the body goes or even be in that house.

“Cat Island’s healthcare system is not a priority,” the official added. “It saddens you especially considering the political atmosphere.

I don’t care which government comes in, the needs of this community and the state of medical care should be a priority.”

Another health official said the level of expertise of medical and nursing staff on the island is phenomenal, but their abilities are hampered by the physical surroundings.

“Since the drug procurement has been upgraded last year it is going well as far as medication goes,” the official said.

“We may be out of some things from time to time, but at another clinic on the island it can usually be found. Supplies-wise, they are relatively well supplied but there are issues with more basic stuff like cleaning supplies, drinking water, cups to give the patient a glass of water and to take their medication.

“They send $50 per

month per clinic, which is supposed to cover those things but when you live in a place where water on this island is $6.90 for five gallons and a can of Lysol is $9.87 it’s rough. So we have issues with regards to budget allocation and having to spend on the island.

“The Ministry of Education, Civil Aviation and other such agencies the items for them are procured from Nassau and sent to them, but not us.

“In some instance, the clinics might get the odd can of Lysol spray if they are close to another ministry’s facility,” the second official said.

The officials also raised concerns about the structural integrity of the buildings where the clinics are now housed. Outside of the clinic in Old Bight, those in Smith’s Bay and Orange Creek use former nurse and teacher’s cottages.

Regarding Smith’s Bay, one person said: “It isn’t a proper facility. There is no privacy, there is no proper storage of medication, which is put in in a cupboard with no lock or anything. Everything is exposed. The place is really too small to accommodate the population that we have in this area. It’s no place to do nothing really. It’s really too small.”

At the Orange Creek Clinic, there are eroding steps leading up to the building, poor disability access and only one room in the clinic is air-conditioned, another official said.

Dr Sands has repeatedly said the state of health care in the country needs a major overhaul.

In January, he told reporters outside of Cabinet that emergency services throughout the country will undergo “major changes very soon,” and decried the “horrible realities” of the public health care system.

Dr Sands said the improvements included completely renovating the Emergency Department at Princess Margaret Hospital, the redeployment of staff, new modern equipment and the creation of satellite urgent care centres at the South Beach and Elizabeth Estates Clinics.

Initially, he said, the cost was expected to be around $2m, however Dr Sands said because “the needs are so great,” that cost had rocketed to $5m.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 1, 2018, PAGE 7

Bethel: we’ll fight immigration rulings from page one When asked about the costliness of such an endeavour, Mr Bethel said: “We only wish to see the law vindicated. Whatever the result.”

Justice Hilton, in four separate rulings on Tuesday, ruled that Kediesha Bent-John, Gerna Ginord, Verante Mocombe – and their respective children – as well as Ancelet Curry, were all detained contrary to the provisions of the law and that their continued detention would be “unlawful”.

Justice Hilton said the Department of Immigration did not appear to have utilised the procedures specified in the Immigration Act for reasons “best known to themselves” when dealing with these individuals, and that there is “no other basis” upon which they could be held and detained.

The Supreme Court judge referred to the case of Japanese national Atain Takitota, who was unlawfully imprisoned here for eight years between 1992 and 2000.

In his ruling, Justice Hilton stated that former Court of Appeal President Dame Joan Sawyer “confirmed the legal position in The Bahamas that

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel. detention or arrest with a view to deportation without being taken before a court is not permissible.”

Justice Hilton also awarded costs to those individuals to be taxed if not agreed.

The cases are among some 15 separate cases in

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff which the government was asked to prove the lawfulness of the applicants’ arrest and further detention at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

Of those cases, several applicants were unconditionally released; however, the Crown objected to costs

being awarded due to its position that all the arrests and subsequent detention were lawful.

Yesterday, Senator Fred Mitchell, former immigration minister, maintained the Official Opposition’s position that “this issue should be litigated to the

Privy Council and if necessary the act should be immediately amended to ensure that the position of immigration is crystal clear, and the rule on costs should be amended to prevent the abuse of that rule.”

Migrant detentions worldwide have become a growing concern for international human rights groups, and was among key interventions made at the 37th session of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council this week.

In a position document released on Monday, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention reaffirmed its stance on the prohibition of arbitrary detention and the universal human right to seek asylum, adding that the irregular entry and stay in a country by migrants should not be criminalised.

The Working Group upheld that placing migrants and asylum seekers in detention should be seen as a last resort to be used only in strictly limited circumstances. It underscored this position was based on international law and its own jurisprudence.

“The right to personal liberty is fundamental and extends to all persons at all times and circumstances, including migrants and asylum seekers, irrespective

of their citizenship, nationality or migratory status,” it read, adding that “everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and return to his own country.”

In a release on the Revised Deliberation No 5, it further called for the maximum period of detention must be set out in law, adding that indefinite hold cannot be justified and is arbitrary. It was formally adopted by the Working Group in November 2017, but recently issued this year to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“The deprivation of liberty of an asylum-seeking, refugee, stateless or migrant child, including unaccompanied or separated children, is prohibited by international law,” the deliberation adds.

“The Working Group, in its revised deliberation, also says migrants have the right to bring proceedings before a court to challenge the legality of their detention, and to obtain appropriate remedies if their challenge is successful.

“People detained in the course of migration proceedings enjoy as a minimum the same rights as those detained in the criminal justice or other contexts.”

TRIBUTES PAID AS LADY LAURIE MILLER DIES, AGED 93

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

LADY Laurie Miller, the widow of the late Sir Albert Miller, died at her home in Freeport yesterday. She was 93.

Her son, hotelier Russell Miller, said his mother’s death is a “tremendous” loss for the family.

“I think it’s important to know my mother meant a lot to so many people and in our grieving and our sorrow, it’s comforting to know so many people have reached out to us and expressed condolences, well-wishes for us and understanding

LADY LAURIE MILLER our great loss. herself in idle talk or gossip, “My mother was such but when she spoke it was a strong and comforting meaningful and powerful force within our family. and she had something to She wasn’t one to involve say.

“I think we miss most the fact that she did everything within her power to keep her family together as one and made sure her love and her affection for us, of us (children) was well known,” Mr Russell said.

According to a press statement issued by the Miller family, Lady Miller passed away around 1.20pm Wednesday.

“It is with tremendous grief and sadness that we confirm the passing of dear mother and friend. As we mourn we are reminded of her devotion to God, commitment to humanity, her dedication and love to family, friends and

mankind. She served a full and exemplary life and we will truly miss her,” the statement read.

Lady Miller was the former patron of the Let’s Read Bahamas campaign.

The Miller family thanked all for their love and support and asked for the continued prayers of the community.

Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest issued a statement saying that Lady Miller’s passing represents a tremendous loss for Grand Bahama and the wider Bahamas. He said Lady Miller was a Godfearing woman who bore a spirit of philanthropy, and

contributed much to the country’s national development.

He extended heartfelt sympathy to the Miller family on behalf of the government of the Bahamas.

Sir Albert died in 2015.

He was a former deputy police commissioner who served for 28 years in the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

After resigning from the force, he became the first Bahamian to be appointed to the post of president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority. He has been described as an iconic leader in the growth of Freeport.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 1, 2018, PAGE 9

Minister blamed as disability commission left ‘in disarray’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE Persons with Disabilities Commission is in “complete disarray” with Social Services Minister Lanisha Rolle at the helm, a commission member told The Tribune yesterday as he accused her of doing nothing to advance the cause of the body.

Former commission Chairman DeCosta Bethel said the Sea Breeze MP has shown utter insensitivity to the needs of those in the disabled community, adding she does not have what is needed to handle the complex issues of discrimination facing this group of citizens.

He claimed the minister was running “roughshod” over the commission.

“It seems as if she is insensitive to the needs of the commission and the persons (in the) disabilities community and the efforts that should put into the elimination of discrimination against them this is what the mandate is,” Mr Bethel told The Tribune yesterday.

“The first thing that has to happen is the makeup of the commission has to be as closely related to those in the community and that’s why the act states who should be on the commission, but she is running roughshod over it.

“Here it is, this is the end of February and no commission meeting has taken place because the old one expired after three years in December and there is nothing going on.

“She doesn’t seem concerned in the least bit.”

Mr DeCosta added that those gathered for a recent meeting with Mrs Rolle left the gathering upset

SOCIAL Services Minister Lanisha Rolle. and disappointed after she showed up late and offered a “half a**” apology.

“She had called a meeting of the commission members – people who she asked to be on the commission. That meeting was supposed to start at 10.30am and at 11 o’clock she hadn’t showed up and this was inside the same building where her office is. She hadn’t showed up, she hadn’t sent a message to say she is going to be late or to say she coming or she ain’t coming.

“Then at 10 past 11am she came in, mumbled a half a** apology and then proceeded to talk at us for 40 minutes non-stop.

“At that meeting, I was also speaking with a lady who was next to me and I asked her if she was on the commission and what did she have to do with persons with disabilities. She said nothing and it was obvious that she really did not qualify to be on the commission because the act states specifically the requirements that are needed to be on the commission.

“You know there are supposed to be five people, one each from the Ministry of Health, Labour, Works, Social Services and Education. There are five people, four of whom should be representatives of NGOs

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff that are solely involved with persons with disabilities who should be parents and so on and so forth.”

He continued: “There was no one in the room that had a disability so I asked the minister was she satisfied that the people met the requirements of the act and her and permanent secretary were fumbling through the act and uneasy with the questions.”

He said it was disappointing that there has yet to be a meeting called by the new chairman of the commission to discuss the way forward for the next threeyear term.

In January, businesses

were still scrambling to make their businesses easily accessible to persons with disabilities. The deadline to comply with the law in this regard was December 31, 2017.

At the time, Peter Goudie, a former Persons with Disabilities Commission representative, said the vast majority of businesses in the country have no in-depth knowledge of disability laws or that they even exist and expressed concern that work in this regard could be in limbo as a new commission has not been appointed since the last group’s term ended in December.

Mr Goudie, who represented the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce on the commission, said the strides they made could be “dead on the vine” without the push of an active commission.

It came after a special report in The Tribune in December, which explored the plight of three persons with disabilities as they carried out their daily lives.

At the time, they complained about facing widespread challenges ranging from public sensitivity to many public places failing to make the necessary changes to accommodate their needs.

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PAGE 10, Thursday, March 1, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Davis slams ‘reckless’ Minnis on refinery deal from page one that he pleaded guilty to a first-degree felony of organised fraud in 2006.

Investigations by The Tribune also showed that other people identified as high-ranking executives of the company exaggerated their background and qualifications. The company’s website was subsequently erased of references to them.

Mr Davis said: “While the Speaker was being tried in the high court of Parliament when we were putting our case against the Speaker who should have resigned and should still resign, the lost PM said in the House that he had a deal and he did all of that to distract the discussion, to take people’s mind off what we were doing to the Speaker.

“He went on further to tell Grand Bahama, which is in dire need of some real investments, that he had a real deal, a $5 billion deal.

“Well, our deputy leader,

Chester Cooper, our man of business, the first thing he said, he asked Dr Minnis, show us the money. We asked to see the details of the agreement.

“Against much caution and concern the government still went ahead to sign a heads of agreement with this Florida-based Oban Energies. But guess what, before the ink could dry, serious revelations presented in the press confirmed our suspicions.

“The country discovered that the non-executive chairman had pleaded guilty to organised fraud in 2006, according to information supplied by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). To make matters worse, the prime minister told the press that he knew of Oban’s chairman’s problems. What do they say about the birds?

“Imagine that. He knew and yet he went on to execute an agreement with that company. Hubert Minnis is a desperate man

. . . the PM in his rush to get a deal also failed

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on and Chaz Major a.k.a. Chosen Soldiers seeks to capture young souls utilizing their talents for Christ. To Praise, Glorify and Exalt the Lord Jesus Christ through music ministry. Don aka “3D” born on September 29th, 2005 and Chaz aka “C4” born on August 25th, 2009 started ministering at the tender age of 8 and 4. It all began in the beautiful Islands of Nassau, Bahamas on July 2014 at Kemp Road Ministries Youth night talent show where they ministered their first song “Praise the Lord”. Don now 12 and Chaz now 8 continue to provide music to encourage, uplift and give praise to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Chosen Soldiers have been a part of Famfest 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. They have also ministered at numerous churches , schools and events throughout Nassau and Florida. Their first CD entitled “Royal Life” was just released in August 2016 which includes 3 songs “Praise the Lord, Here I am and Royal Life”. A Cd/Video release concert was held on November 4th 2016 at Kemp Road Ministries. The release concert was well attended and supported by many fans and many other well-known local artists. Music videos for “Praise The Lord” and “Here I Am” are currently on You Tube. Chosen Soldiers was recently featured on the Bobby Jones Gospel Show airing on Impact TV this past month reaching 75 million homes and also on “Positive TV” with Host Landlord. Chosen Soldiers music and current video, “Here I am” is now debuting in different Countries like the U.K., England, 22 Caribbean Islands, South America, USA, Africa and Parts of France and Asia. Their Video “Here I Am” is also airing on Tempo TV, Cable 12 and ZNS. They have a total of 10 songs written by their father with their influence. Their goal is to continue the spread of God’s word encouraging our youths of today seeking to build a better tomorrow.

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2 Timothy 2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself With the affairs of this life that he may Please him who hath Chosen him to be a Soldier.”

to honour his own commitment to table such agreements in Parliament.

Last week they packed their bags up and ran out the House as usual after announcing that they would lay the same deal on the table. Why you think they ran as the pressure built? Bahamians were left in shock and even FNM supporters were dumbfounded as the revelations of this proposed deal came to light.”

He said Dr Minnis does not have the skill of due diligence.

“His decision to proceed with Oban proves reckless and lacks the good judgment that should be exercised from his high office as prime minister.

His failure to respond to questions from the press on this agreement prove what we knew more than nine months ago about this Minnis government, that they were ill-prepared to govern. “...And while we all are praying for Grand Bahama,

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, left, with Peter Krieger, executive director of Oban Energies.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe/OPM Media Services which needs urgent critical attention, the perception that some jobs would come with Oban, we all know too well that such jobs would not be immediate.

“If something were to be salvaged and we hope to God that something may be salvaged from this deal, but in fact, after all the pressure and careful work by the media last week, Oban’s website has vanished. That makes the proposal even more suspect.

“How could Prime Minister Minnis make an agreement with a company that has no real background in oil?

“How could the prime minister hitch the good name of the Bahamian people to a project which has no environmental impact assessment done?

“Where are our environmentalists, the activists who so care about our environment now?

“And while questionable deals are being signed with the full sight of the Cabinet without tabling the details in Parliament, the prime minister is going around the world and this really upsets me, further eroding the credibility of The Bahamas calling Bahamians corrupt,” he said, referencing Dr Minnis’ recent trip to Haiti for a CARICOM meeting.

“That’s why others could talk about us bad and think they can get away with it.”

“I want the PM to bring full disclosure and tell the Bahamian people who are the real players behind Oban Energies. Who are they, Mr Prime Minister?

“Could you, Mr Prime Minister, tell us if any of your Cabinet colleagues are hidden partners of that refinery project with Oban Energies?”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 1, 2018, PAGE 11

Public disclosure deadline extended until March 31

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net TWO days before financial disclosures were to be submitted, the deadline has been extended to March 31, Public Disclosure Commission Chairman Myles Laroda said yesterday, telling The Tribune the decision was based on challenges the PDC faced.

According to Mr Laroda, letters sent on behalf of the commission were not mailed to members of Parliament, senators and other government officials until January, which he called a delay.

In addition, there are some first time MPs who are from the Family Islands and who face problems in gathering the needed documents.

As a result, Mr Laroda said yesterday the commission has decided to extend more time to those people.

When he spoke to The Tribune just two days earlier, the PDC chairman said he had no reason to believe the deadline would not be met.

This was echoed last week by Press Secretary Anthony Newbold who said everyone was on target to meet the mandated timeline of March 1.

“The Public Disclosure Commission continues to meet and the chairman is comfortable with where he is at this point,” Mr Newbold said previously.

“Of course we have to wait until the actual deadline arrives to see exactly what is happening, but up to this point everybody is

preparing to be ready to meet the deadline.”

Late last year, Mr Laroda said the commission had met several times and was still in the process of reviewing various 2016 and 2017 filings.

Back in December, Mr Laroda said neither he nor his unit could address any issues with filings from the 2016 and 2017 periods, or the government’s self-imposed deadline to prosecute delinquent public officials under the Public Disclosure Act. There was a July 3, 2017, timeline set by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis for the files on delinquent disclosures to be sent to the Office of the Attorney General, however no action was ever taken against persons who fell in this category.

PRESS Secretary Anthony Newbold, who had said everyone was on target for the March 1 deadline.

PAGE 12, Thursday, March 1, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Grand Bahama to host day of prayer

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net WOMEN of all religious denominations on Grand Bahama will come together for the annual “World Day of Prayer” today, joining some three million people around the world in a celebration of worship and prayer.

The event is being held at the New Hope Methodist Church at 7pm. This year’s service is written by the women of Suriname.

Patricia Dickenson, a member of the WDOP Committee of the Bahamas and the Grand Bahama Committee, said WDOP is an interdenominational movement supported by women all

over the world.

“We will be joined with an estimated three million around the world that day in a service that starts from sunrise to sunset, and within 24 hours this service will be held throughout the world, and we encourage women of all denominations to attend the service,” she said.

Rev Kenneth Lewis, superintendent of the Grand Bahama Circuit of the Methodist Church, said that Methodist women in the Bahamas have been a part of the WDOP for many years.

He noted that three years ago the women of the Methodist Church in The Bahamas wrote the entire service for World Day of Prayer and that Bahamian

Annette Poitier had led the international movement in 2007 and 2015.

“This year it is being done by the women of Suriname, and we are pleased that our women have been at the forefront of this spiritual endeavour,” he said.

Jackie Pinder, vicepresident of the Bahamas Methodist Conference, and senior lay preacher at New Hope Methodist Church will be the guest speaker for the service.

“This event connects us with sisters over the world and we are all women of God sharing our concerns and praying for each other.

We encourage women of all denominations to share in the power of prayer,” said Ms Pinder.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 1, 2018, PAGE 13

PERFORMERS at a previous Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival.

Get set for music and heritage festival VISITORS and locals alike will be completely immersed in the best of Bahamian food, music and culture during the 14th annual Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival on March 8-10.

The buzzworthy event held at George Town, Exuma will feature samples, demonstrations, games, competitions and performances all at the beautiful waterfront of Regatta Park.

Ministry of Tourism and Aviation officials look forward to the event that heightens visitor arrivals in Exuma.

The event will kick off on

Thursday with food vendors selling succulent dishes and children from different schools experiencing storytelling, cultural demonstrations and games. That night will be gospel night with performances from First Praise Team, Stuart Manor Praise Team and Church of God to name of few.

On Friday, the Exuma Regatta Club will also be joining in on the fun with a C-Class race on Friday.

That night, there will be performances will be Juice Unity dancers, Jam Sessions, Action Jackson, Q-Pid, Geno-D, Veronica Bishop and much more. The C-class

races will conclude on Saturday but there’s still much more to do at the park.

There will be two culinary competitions and a mixology competition.

To close out the event Saturday night, there will be performances from the Exuma Rake and Scrape Band, Lady E, Stileet, and D’Mac followed by a Junkanoo Rush Out. Tickets are $5 for children under the age of 12, $10 for Thursday night, $15 for Friday and Saturday and $35 for the three-day package.

For more information call the Exuma Tourism Office at 336-2430.

BAHAMIAN ACCUSED OF HARBOURING PERSON WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN man of Haitian descent was charged in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday with harbouring an illegal person.

Dorsilin Dormeus, 40, was arraigned in Court One before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson where he pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the particulars, on Friday, February 23, at Freeport,

HUMAN SMUGGLER SUSPECT DETAINED

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A GRAND Bahama man was arrested by US Coast Guard officials on suspected human smuggling after he and eight other people of various nationalities were discovered on a disabled private yacht in international waters on February 18.

The Bahamian, captain of the vessel, was taken to the US, along with a Haitian man and an Ecuadorian, to face human smuggle charges, while the six illegal Chinese nationals were returned to Grand

Bahama and turned over to Department of Immigration officials by the crew of USGC cutter William Flores.

Immigration officer Napthali Cooper reported the Chinese nationals four men and two women - range in age from 17 to 35 years. Four of them entered The Bahamas in Nassau arriving from Ecuador via Panama on board Copa Airlines in November 2017 for a period of two weeks, and the remaining two arrived from Ecuador on Copa Airlines on February 11, 2018 and were also given two-week stays.

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Dormeus knowingly harboured an individual without legal status at his residence on South Mall Drive.

The magistrate ordered the accused to pay a $3,000 fine.

Failure to pay would land him two years in prison.

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PAGE 14, Thursday, March 1, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

White House now Hopeless

WASHINGTON Associated Press

WHITE House Communications Director Hope Hicks, one of President Donald Trump’s closest and most loyal aides, is resigning.

The departure of one of the president’s longest-serving advisers, who worked as a one-woman communications shop during his winning campaign, came as a surprise to most in the White House — and cast a pall over the West Wing at a tumultuous time. The news comes a day after Hicks was interviewed for nine hours by the House panel investigating Russia interference in the 2016 election and contact between Trump’s campaign and Russia.

In a statement, Trump praised Hicks for her work over the last three years, saying he “will miss having her by my side.”

Hicks, who occupied the desk closest to the Oval Office in the West Wing, has been a central participant in or witness to nearly every milestone and controversy

of the Trump campaign and White House. She began her White House tenure as director of strategic communications — a title that only partly captured her more expansive role as the president’s gatekeeper to the press.

Hicks acknowledged to a House intelligence panel Tuesday that she has occasionally told “white lies” for Trump. But she said she had not lied about anything relevant to the Russia investigation. She has also been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller’s team about her role in crafting a statement about Donald Trump Jr.’s 2016 meeting with Russians, as Mueller’s expansive probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election and potential misdeeds committed by those in the president’s orbit moves ever closer to the Oval Office.

Hicks’ departure leaves a vacuum in the White House communications team, and in the president’s collection of trusted aides. The announcement came a day after a similar announcement about the impending

departure of deputy communications director Josh Raffel, and just a few days after senior adviser Jared Kushner saw his security clearance downgraded — limiting his access to classified information.

what has been an oftentimes chaotic West Wing.

In a statement, Kelly said Hicks had become “a trusted adviser and counselor,” but behind the scenes the pair had occasionally clashed over

WHITE House Communications Director Hope Hicks

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP “I can’t imagine anyone here leaving a bigger hole in the White House than Hope on her departure,” said White House lawyer Ty Cobb.

White House officials and outside advisers suggested Hicks’ departure would strengthen chief of staff John Kelly’s control over

her more informal role.

Kelly had begrudgingly supported making Hicks communications director after the short-lived tenure of Anthony Scaramucci, in an effort to integrate her role into the rest of the White House’s communications strategy.

Hicks’ departure is just the latest manifestation of

historic staff churn in the Trump administration.

Hicks said in a statement, “There are no words to adequately express my gratitude to President Trump.”

She added she wished Trump and his administration the “very best.”

A former Ralph Lauren fashion model and public relations pro who worked for Trump’s daughter Ivanka, Hicks, 29, had no political background when Trump asked her to serve on his campaign.

Before Wednesday’s announcement, Hicks had not been happy for some time, according to two people with knowledge of her thinking who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

One person said Hicks had been increasingly feeling the stress of the position.

She was an unconventional campaign press secretary, rarely mixing it up with reporters, almost never giving interviews and, despite Trump’s fondness for cable, staying off TV. She spoke at a rally exactly once in December 2016, after Trump beseeched her “to say a couple of words.”

She said nine: “Hi. Merry Christmas everyone, and thank you, Donald Trump.”

Within the White House, she was seen as a stabilizing force on Trump, who at times would grow unhappy when she was not around. Hicks, who has long tried to avoid media attention, was thrust into the spotlight recently when it was revealed she had been dating former Staff Secretary Rob Porter. He left the administration after accusations that he had abused his two ex-wives became public.

Hicks helped craft the White House’s initial supportive response.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters that Hicks would remain at the White House “for several weeks” and denied that Hicks’ decision to leave had anything to do with her lengthy testimony before the House Intelligence Committee.

“Don’t try to read more into it than exists,” Sanders said. “This is something that she’s been thinking about for a while.”

Suspicious mail triggers illness at Virginia military base WASHINGTON Associated Press THREE people at a northern Virginia military base were transported to a medical facility and were in stable condition Tuesday after a suspicious piece of mail was opened and nearly a dozen people felt ill.

A spokeswoman for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall said people in the office on

the Marine Corps side of the base had reported that as soon as the mail was opened they began feeling poorly and complaining of sore throats.

Leah Rubalcaba said 11 people were initially assessed, and three were transported for medical care.

The Arlington County Fire Department said on Twitter that the three are

stable and the investigation is ongoing.

The Marine Corps said the building was evacuated, and several Marines are receiving medical care. The Corps said the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the FBI are conducting a joint investigation.

The joint base is across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, bordering Arlington National Cemetery.

UK police arrest 3 men over blast that killed 5 people LONDON Associated Press

BRITISH police say they have arrested three men in connection with an explosion over the weekend in the English city of Leicester that killed five people.

Sunday’s blast caused

the collapse of a building which housed a shop and a two-story apartment.

Leicestershire Police said Wednesday that “police investigating the cause of the explosion and fire in Leicester ... have arrested three men on suspicion of manslaughter”.

Police said the suspects

EMERGENCY services at the scene in Leicester

are all in their 30s. The cause of the explosion hasn’t been disclosed, but police said “we stress that there remains no evidence that the events of Sunday night are in any way terrorist related”.

Leicester is 110 miles (180 kilometers) north of London.

Photo: Aaron Chown/AP

Best Buy to close its small format mobile phone stores NEW YORK Associated Press Best Buy is shuttering all 250 of its small-format mobile phone stores in the U.S., saying the locations have become less profitable.

Classic + COOL

A memo from the CEO to employees says the stores will close by the end of May and every effort will be made to retain the workers.

The nation’s largest consumer electronics

chain launched the stores more than a decade ago, before Apple’s iPhone was launched. The mobile phone business was growing quickly, with high profit margins.

Classic Air Conditioners / Ductless Units

SALE!

12,000 BTU 220V:

$494.50

12,000 BTU 115V:

$516.00

18,000 BTU 220V:

$682.63

Sales & Full Service Department Rosetta & Montgomery Streets T: 322-2188/9 | E: geoffjones@comcast.net | www.geoffreyjonesandco.com

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 1, 2018, PAGE 15

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PAGE 16, Thursday, March 1, 2018

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