05242019

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The Tribune

Volume:116 No.105, MAY 24TH, 2019

Established 1903

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THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1 art books theatre film fashio n music food gardening

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WEEKEND: DESIGNS ON FASHION AND FURNISHING

It’s very scary ... It’s escalating

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FEARS over escalating gun violence persist in the Fox Hill community, according to the wife of an off-duty reservist who shot and killed an alleged robber who acted “in a threatening manner” early yesterday morning.

According to police, the off-duty reserve cop saw a man breaking into his neighbour’s vehicle across the street.

His wife, whose name has been withheld, told The Tribune she felt it was necessary for residents to arm themselves, adding she felt safe knowing that

her husband had a licenced firearm.

Insisting crime was out of control, she said her neighbourhood was a hotspot with car and home breakins occurring frequently.

“You always have to be watching over your shoulders,” she said, “no matter what kind of situation it is.

The crime situation is very out of control. I don’t know what to say or how to put it in perspective, but it’s really getting out of hand for the last couple months.

“It’s increased to the high, it’s very scary…it’s escalating.

“I know (police) trying they best and they’re scared

LABOUR Minister Dion Foulkes is facing questions for giving the Water & Sewerage Management Union (WSMU) a strike certificate despite the union’s irregularities.

His decision was against the recommendation of Labour Director John Pinder and has left the Water & Sewerage Corporation board considering legal action, The Tribune understands.

SEE PAGE SIX

to fashion

pages 14 & 15

A COMIC’S VIEW

REALISING THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE CAN STILL BE FREE

SEE PAGE EIGHT

OFFICES CLOSE IN NIB ROW

SIGNIFICANT line and managerial staff absences forced the National Insurance Board to activate its emergency contingency plan, which featured the closure of both its Wulff Road and Fox Hill offices.

The action also let to the closure of some Family Island branches.

Yesterday marked the third day line staff took SEE PAGE FIVE

SEBAS TAKES FIRST STEPS IN BANKING

SEE PAGE THREE

On March 31 the tenure of WSMU’s executive team expired. However, new elections have not been held despite the union’s constitutional provisions. Mr Pinder believed that until the union holds an election, it does not have the power to hold a strike poll or receive a strike certificate. Mr Foulkes nonetheless signed WSMU’s strike certificate on May 1.

Mr Pinder has given WSMU officials until June 30 to hold an election,

UP

Page 7

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

FOULKES WENT AGAINST ADVICE TO OKAY STRIKE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

SHAKING BRUNCH

Perfect patterns

When interior designer turn s

Wife of reservist who shot would-be robber:

Friday, May 24, 2

puzzles

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

CONGRADULATIONS UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas held its spring 2019 commencement at the Thomas A Robinson stadium yesterday. More pictures - Page 11 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

THE two mutual funds launched yesterday by Sebas Bastian’s new investment house are not an alternative “back door” to an Island Luck initial public offering, executives said.

Investar Securities directors reassured that the Gaming Act’s requirements, combined with the restrictions imposed on how much can be placed with any single investment, meant the Titan funds would own less than 5 percent of the web shop and its parent, Playtech Systems.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SORTED - NEW POST OFFICE FINALLY DELIVERED

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE General Post Office was officially opened yesterday during a ceremony held at its new Town Centre Mall location.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis celebrated the highly-anticipated milestone while ardently defending the locale, which has been a source of controversy. Transport Minister Renward Wells

THE PM at the PO opening underscored that the facility is open for business and workers have started full

days. Both government officials also pointed to the future of the institution, with Mr Wells noting they are looking at developing a sector to deal with online mail orders. He also said a relationship is being forged with international courier, FedEx. “It is a very good day for the management and staff of the General Post Office, who no longer have to suffer the poor conditions,

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

DIANE PHILLIPS AN AMBITIOUS PLAN WHICH IS BEARING FRUIT

SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Friday, May 24, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, along with government ministers and officials from the post office, at the official opening yesterday.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/ Tribune Staff

Special delivery from page one hazards and risks, associated with the former location,” Dr Minnis said.

“The journey to today has been protracted. Delay and indecision subjected postal workers to substandard working conditions for many years.

Despite the political games and the misleading rhetoric by some, this new location is far and above superior to the locations proposed by the former administration.

Indeed, the other locations would have proven more expensive and taken considerably more time to open.

“Additionally, the proposed locations by the previous administration were bogged down and riddled with disturbing questions and troubling allegations. Our decision was the quickest, easiest, most cost-effective, and better way to resolve a longstanding and vexing matter that dragged on far too long.”

Last October, a resolution was passed in Parliament to facilitate the move of the General Post Office from its East Hill Street location to Town Centre Mall.

Trade, Financial Services and Immigration

Minister Brent Symonette is co-owner of the mall, sparking controversy around the deal. To this, Mr Wells noted the government decided to make “what some would consider a very hard decision” but said it was done to benefit the employees, general public, and The Bahamas’ international reputation in the universal postal code.

Dr Minnis also noted there is a need for more sorters and other employees at the facility. Mr Wells added discussions will be held regarding this.

Mr Wells, pictured right, also discussed efforts to

rightsize the postal department. To this, he said: “I’m looking forward to by July for us to be able to address the problem in a very holistic way and so after the budget debate, during the budget debate, you will hear some things from me in regards to the post office and staffing of all of the requisite departments that are a part of that ministry of transport and local government.”

Dr Minnis also remarked the government is forging a partnership with a “major player to help us embrace global postal trends”.

Mr Wells also elaborated on this: “We had signed an agreement —I don’t know whether the agreement is signed as yet, but I know that we are in the process of forging a relationship with FedEx. We’re also looking to expand the online mailorderings part of the postal service and we’re going to be looking as to how we can get a dedicated section of the post office that will deal with those purchases from Amazon and global companies that would be coming into the Bahamas so that we can help increase the revenue stream in the post office.”

Regarding the implosion

of the old post office, Mr Wells said Central Bank will be tasked with that demolition. However, there will be a salvage operation before this occurs.

“We will move to ensure that the mission and operating model of the postal service includes advanced information and communications technologies.

This will be a part of our modernisation and digital transformation programme,” Dr Minnis said.

He also said the facility will be used for “cultural displays” and called for a collaboration with the National Art Gallery and Department of Archives to this end. “Moreover, we will develop an information centre here, where residents with no access to computers or indigent, or disabled individuals, may receive help from information assistants, in filling out various forms and accessing various services. This may include filling out passport or other forms, and applying for or renewing certain benefits. This relocation presents an exciting opportunity for the postal service to realise the full automation of counter and interior services and to address the

upgrade of mail security features.”

Dr Minnis also highlighted the importance of technological advancements in the global postal system to the Bahamas.

“The Post Office Savings Bank is now located in facilities to help revolutionise its service. Postal savings systems provide depositors a safe and convenient method to save money, particularly where there is no access to banks.

“We are also taking this opportunity to revamp our system of mail boat service, making them more accountable, for the transport of mail and packages throughout The Bahamas.”

Zinnia Watkins, a mail sorter at the General Post Office, told reporters this move means “a great deal” to her.

“I only was at the post office for about two years, and I couldn’t take it because it was a lot of of mould and my hands used to break out,” she said, pointing to her scarred arm, “because of the environment. And now that it’s a healthier and clean environment, we have A/C. I don’t mind working 9-5 because we have A/C. We don’t sweat. We’re not in no dust, we’re not in no mould, and we even have a great cafeteria, we can sit down and eat.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 24, 2019, PAGE 3

WIFE OF RESERVIST WHO SHOT WOULD-BE ROBBER CALLS FOR MORE POLICE PATROLS from page one because they have family too but it ain’t in control.

It’s way out of control. We had a lot of killings in this area, Step Street, people being gunned down, couple people done get shoot out on the (Fox Hill) park. It’s not safe to go anywhere around here, because you don’t know who at this point have gun.”

The reserve officer’s wife, 49, has lived in the area for three years but her husband is a life-long resident.

The reserve police officer reportedly heard noise outside his home in Fox Hill shortly after 4am, and went outside armed with his licensed shotgun to investigate.

“Once his presence was known,” a police report read, “the suspect acted in a threatening manner, resulting in the officer discharging his weapon and injuring the man. The injured man was transported to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.”

The matter will now go to Coroner’s Court, according to Acting Police Commissioner Paul Rolle.

When asked whether she thought residents in the area should be armed, the reserve officer’s wife said: “Very much, this is a crime area up in here, especially on the back road, known for car break-ins and people breaking open houses. I feel very safe, but at one point when (my husband) go on the island I used to be so scared.”

She continued: “Especially when it get around two or three o’clock in the morning, that’s when they start coming. You hear the dog constantly barking.

Last night the dogs was constantly barking, that’s how we knew he was out there.”

She said the alleged robber charged towards her husband with a screwdriver, adding it was the second

It’s not safe to go anywhere around here, because you don’t know who at this point have gun time in recent weeks that cars at the neighbouring apartment had been broken into.

She called for increased police patrols in the area, and noted police response to reports of break-ins were not consistent.

“We need some assistance with that,” the reserve officer’s wife said, “even in hours of the night you need to have police patrolling

and assisting because you can’t do it alone. You only could protect your neighbours so far, we still need community policing to come on board sometimes you call for them they don’t come.

“The first time we call they haven’t really showed up,” she said, “but I was glad (Thursday) morning they came on time. But many times, you call the

police they don’t respond.”

Yesterday, National Security Minister Marvin Dames and Acting Police Commissioner Rolle warned against conflating the shooting with an incident last Friday in which police killed three men at a home while executing a search warrant.

During that incident, police said the men opened fire and officers were in fear for their lives.

Dames dismisses Davis comments as ‘disgraceful’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday accused Official Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis of mounting an “all-out attack” on the Royal Bahamas Police Force in the wake of Mr Davis’ comments that the time has come for police to stop investigating policeinvolved killings.

Describing Mr Davis’ remarks as “disgraceful”, Mr Dames instead called for the PLP leader and his team to “start being an effective opposition”.

He went on to highlight the Minnis administration’s commitment to transparency and noted his ministry will be reinstating the Police Complaints Inspectorate “very shortly”.

Last week, police officers killed three men in a house on Newgate Road after they entered the property with a search warrant — a matter which has sparked national controversy. Police have said the men opened fire on them and that firearms and drugs were allegedly found in the home. However, some people who were in the home at the time have alleged the deceased did not shoot at police.

When asked to respond to Mr Davis’ call for the government to have independent body investigate this situation, Mr Dames accused Mr Davis of doing “absolutely nothing” while the latter served as deputy prime minister in the Christie administration.

“Independent company… did they do it while they were in office?” Mr Dames, pictured below, said.

“We’re constantly looking at ways to improve this area of policing. And we’re committed to that. Very shortly we will reinstituting the Police Inspectorate, who will begin looking at these matters and matters associated or where police officers are involved.

“But in addition to that, we’re constantly looking at ways whereby we can improve our level of service to the Bahamian people.

We have nothing to hide,” he continued.

“And so Brave Davis continue to talk after the fact. He was deputy prime minister in the former government and did absolutely nothing. And now he and those of his colleagues have (begun) to mount an allout attack on the officers of the (RBPF), which is disgraceful. We’re a government, we’re not in the business of taking up for anyone.

“We’re on the side of the Bahamian people…

And so body cam is something that you will be seeing certainly this year. We’re reinstituting the Police Inspectorate which did not function under the former PLP government, despite their proclamations. And we will continue to look at other means to ensure that we bring the greatest level of transparency to all of our agencies.”

Mr Dames added police shootings are “unfortunate”, however he said it is “even more unfortunate

when others decide to be judge and jury even before the matter is investigated and placed before a court of law”.

“The matter will be placed before the Coroner’s Court and let’s see what happens from there.

I am concerned when the persons, and even so-called political leaders, get in front of a camera or before the press and begin to make allegations.”

Mr Dames also said in the last two years, this administration has conducted more training in the RBPF than was done in more than a decade. In this vein, he noted whenever a police officer pulls a weapon, the officer understands that they will be held accountable for this action.

“The police are focused on their investigations and I give you assurances that those investigations will be objective and they will be fair and they are working as quickly as possible to get the matter before the Coroner’s Court so that the public will an opportunity to hear the evidence and then the law will be able to…make a decision on that particular matter.

“All of us want to know the truth. All of us want to hear what transpired and how it happened. And all of us want to see this matter brought to a closure.”

Meanwhile activist group Rights Bahamas (RB) yesterday released a statement in support of Mr Davis’ call.

RB suggests a “reputable overseas private investigation company be engaged by the government” to investigate this and “all other cases like it”.

It said the company should be tasked with

producing a detailed report of the incident after conducting a thorough investigation, and should report to the director of public prosecutions.

“Using a foreign entity is the best way to protect the interests of the officers, as well as the families of the deceased, from political interference,” the statement says.

Mr Dames also addressed conditions at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services on Fox Hill Road, following a report that a Bahamian pastor sentenced to more than two decades in prison for rape in Georgia said conditions at BDCS are inhumane, and thus requested to be extradited to the United States.

To this, Mr Dames acknowledged conditions at the prison need to be improved. However he reiterated that new Commissioner Charles Murphy has made “tremendous steps” in this direction.

“And I would say that over the last two years, we would have done more work at that institution than possibly ever before,” Mr Dames added. He also said during the former administration, the building’s roof was damaged during a hurricane and never fixed.

“This government has provided the funding and the work on that building which was significant has been finalised. There are other critical issues that are being addressed and monies have been set aside to effect the necessary repairs. And so ours is a government of action, not talk.”

Another two granted bail - Page 5

“Let’s not confuse this,” Mr Dames told reporters.

“I believe it was a shooting involving a police

ACTING Deputy Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle reserve, right, who lived within a particular community. I don’t know the full circumstances around that, but we will see what the police investigation says at the end of the day.”

He added: “And so let’s not confuse that with police on duty and shooting. That’s a different situation.”

Acting Commissioner Rolle stressed the reserve officer was not acting in an official capacity.

“We have to investigate it see the circumstances but that incident happened with an individual as a resident, taking place at his residence, he was protecting his residence.

Mr Rolle added: “He was not acting as a police officer, don’t mix them up. He just happened to be police.”

Yesterday, The Tribune asked Mr Rolle for statistics on the number of licensed firearms registered in the country but the request was denied.

Funeral Service For

Alexander Correll Knowles, 78 of Nassau, Bahamas will be held Funeral service for the late Alexander Correll Knowles, age 78 of Nassau, The Bahamas will be held at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Fox Hill, Nassau, on Tuesday 28th May, 2019 at 4:30 p.m.

Officiating will be Reverend Father Hugh Bartlett Jr. and Reverend Willish Johnson.

He is predeceased by his father and mother, Alexander and Agnes Knowles; brothers, James Knowles and Emerick Knowles; sisters, Jean Pinder and Yvonne Knowles; brothers-in-law, Charlie Collins and William Pinder; sister-in-law, Brenda Knowles.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years Shirley Knowles, sons, Michael and Andy Knowles; daughter, Michelle Knowles-Doura; daughter-in-law, Kim Knowles; grandchildren, Tyler (Jessica), Ashley, Savannah and Antonio Knowles, Dylan Knowles, Lauryn Doura and Correll Davis; great-granddaughter, Aurora Knowles; brothers, Patrick, Geoffrey and Charlton Knowles; sisters, Ruby Collins, Doris Anderson, Deborah Knowles and Julianna Green; sisters-in-law, Rosa Knowles, Linda Knowles, Amarylis Knowles and Dolly Munro; brothers-in-law, Richard Anderson and Bobby Munro; nieces and nephews, Craig Pinder, Perry Pinder, Stephen Collins and family, Gina White and family, Karen Leonard and family, Richard Anderson and family, Brian Anderson and family, Cindy Woodward and family, Joanne Aranha, James Knowles Jr. and family, Roman Knowles, Kimberly Knowles, Trishka Knowles and family, Olivier Knowles, Vanessa Knowles, Ryan Knowles, Bianca Carter and family, Christian Knowles and family, Amanda Freedman and family, David Knowles, Daniela Broom and family, Marissa Knowles and family, Britney Green, Matthew Green, Kurt Munro and family, and Audra Iannarone and family.

A host of other close relatives and friends throughout the Caribbean, United States and The Bahamas including Bradley Lightbourn, Maury and Eileen Lecker, Dr. Patrick Roberts, Tony and Patsy Herce, Jeff and Margo Albury, Sammy Knowles, the entire staff of Aquapure and his Esso family.

A special thanks to Dr. Williamson Chea, Dr. Christine Chin and Verine (Juju) Morgan.

In lieu of flowers the family’s requests that donations be made to The Ranfurly Home For Children, P.O. Box N1413, Nassau or St. Anne’s Anglican Church, P.O. Box N. 1569, Nassau in memory of Mr. Alexander C. Knowles.

Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.

PAGE 4, Friday, May 24, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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Is a summer of discontent heading our way?

TO HEAR some members of the government talk, you’d think all was right with the country – but is that a summer of discontent we glimpse on the horizon?

Certainly, there’s a wealth of union issues for the government to sort through. Negotiations with health unions and doctors still lumber on unresolved – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Latest to come knocking on the government’s door is Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson.

She says there are a host of ongoing issues in education and that the union has recommended changes on a number of occasions – only to have their suggestions fall on deaf ears.

Unpaid salaries, cancelled allowances, staff working for more than a decade before being confirmed in their positions, a lack of training, not enough staff in the ministry, a failure to computerise… it’s quite a list. And that’s before we even get to issues surrounding the curriculum and how to actually teach the next generation of students.

To her credit, Mrs Wilson is calling for the ministry to partner with the union to resolve issues – which given that laundry list of problems shows a remarkable amount of patience.

Meanwhile, this week has also seen disruption over at NIB, with the offices at Wulff Road and Fox Hill forced to close because of staff absences. There have been three days of disruption by staff – and yesterday managers joined in as discussions rumble on over an industrial agreement.

It left people in need without anywhere to turn – readers on social media protesting they could not get into NIB when they’d taken time out of work to get matters resolved. One woman who spoke to our reporter had flown from Exuma to get a letter for her daughter’s passport application – only to be told

come back in a week because staff are on strike.

People depend on NIB for so much – pensions, sickness benefits, funeral payments, maternity payments, business documentation – and so much more.

Any long-term disruption will affect significant numbers of Bahamians. We would hope staff have made their point – and officials have realised the impact of any disruption, and that both sit down for talks immediately.

Lastly – at least for now – the continued arguments over at the Water & Sewerage Corporation have turned into a row about whether a strike certificate should have been issued or not.

That may end up in court – but here’s the thing: going to court over the legality of a certificate won’t solve the issues that led workers to vote on a strike in the first place.

In each of these cases, there seems to be a lack of urgency to do the one thing that’s needed most – talk.

Get on with it, please.

Time to deliver on the Post Office

IN ALL of this, there is one more thing on the horizon – though it seems to have been on the horizon for a long time.

The Post Office is due to open at its new location at the Town Centre Mall, barring any more last minute hiccups.

This at least is a sign of progress to have at last left behind the outdated and frankly dangerous old Post Office building.

The process has taken time, and suffered more than one delay along the way, but it is done, and now’s the time to start rebuilding the reputation of the service.

However, you’ll forgive us if we will believe all is well when our mail starts to arrive in our hands in days rather than months.

Let’s see how it pans out.

Morality is for group prosperity EDITOR, The Tribune Human cooperation is the cornerstone of human achievement. From the development of language and the brain via sharing information in tribes, clans or in modern times the nation state. I have an hypothesis that the formation of criminal gangs in The Bahamas is a modern expression of human cooperation not just for survival but for prosperity of

adversely affected groups and will either cooperate or challenge the formal system.

The evolution of the political parties in The Bahamas followed a similar pattern. The regular Bahamian was not receiving sufficient benefits from the established British rule.

They form gangs called political parties to help secure a better life for their group (tribe). The means were nonviolent while the

criminal gangs means are violent. The objective is the same –- to obtain a better life for the group (themselves). Most morality is for prosperity of the group.

As a mathematician I study patterns. If this group does not get a better life they will continue the struggle for their group. Look at the mess Colombia is in.

teams to the World Relays IAAF in Japan…some silly excuses which the athletes had laughed off as if it was all one big joke, dropping the baton and therefore being disqualified. What is essential in relays?

Minister - her husband DPS Youth Turnquest and other officials all travelling on our expenses and the Minister could not include in her patronising communication what the trip cost.

Budget coming next week…hope we will not see Cabinet Secretary walking

with Cabinet and the FNM MP’s from Churchill Building across to the House…

Her position is secular not ‘political’…Madam if you want to hear the communication go there before and find a seat, but,Madam, your place is not with Cabinet and FNM MP’s walking across the square.

Deficit probably over $160 million…no new revenue Taxes…I pray!

BRIAN E PLUMMER Nassau May 21, 2019

Globetrotters with new shoes EDITOR, The Tribune

PRE-ELECTION 2017 was it not the FNM who heavily criticised the PLP for travel and never reporting?

On two plus years and what do we see? The same but now the shoe is on the FNM foot or feet and their feet are travelling all over God’s globe.

Minister for YouthSports made what I thought was a rather silly communication today concerning the failure of the Track Relay

ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau May 22, 2019

We’re going backwards EDITOR, The Tribune

I AM writing from Mangrove Cay, Andros, where I have lived for the last 15 years. Clearly, we are going backwards, and I think this can be said for The Bahamas, in general.

I have just returned home from the NIB office to pay my NIB contribution. We have two days a week when the office is open. The door was locked. No sign on the door. Nothing. It is an eight mile round trip to get there for me. I came home and went online to file a complaint with NIB. Here is an excerpt from their website, today May 23, 2019.

“PUBLIC NOTICE – Continued Service Level Disruptions and NIB Offices Closure. The National Insurance board wishes to advise the public that service levels will be further impacted today throughout New Providence and the Family Islands due to significant staff absences. ... Family Island offices will also be impacted and further updates on and pension payments will be made throughout the day.”

My guess is that not more than two persons on Mangrove Cay are aware of this notice.

I left there and went to pay my BPL electric bill.

A sign on the door said, “So sorry. Be back shortly.”

This, after having visited this office three different times this week, only to be told that the “system is down” and she couldn’t even accept my cash payment. Again, an eight-mile round trip to get there for me.

I then stopped by Bank of Bahamas, where we also have two day a week service. It was pure mayhem.

A few dozen people crowded into the small room, waiting. The senior citizen line, one of only two lines in total, was packed full of people. I am guessing the wait will be two or three hours to get served, as it often is for we customers.

This has been going on for years now, with no improvement in sight. I suppose we should be thanking God that we even have a bank here, hey?

Last week, BTC completely crashed here on Mangrove Cay. No internet, or cell phone service.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net

Perhaps 1 call out of 20 would go through. People were telling me they were trying to call me, but the call went straight to voicemail.

I have at least seven years of documented complaints to BTC about their terrible service, all the while BTC managers continue to lie to us and tell us it will be getting better “this” month.

This has gone on for years now, and BTC continues to collect “in full” for service they have not provided.

They have lied to us for years, the managers telling us we would get a mass refund, and that service would improve. It has not improved. We have received no refunds, or credit, or apologies. This is fraud by any standards. Not a peep from BTC upper management or URCA on this matter. BTC has failed us.

URCA has failed us. BTC, as it presently exists, should not be given the luxury of making money in The Bahamas. They have failed us.

It is beyond belief that in 2019 we are still suffering such indignities as these.

The losses in time, productivity and direct monetary costs are huge, almost to the point of being incalculable.

The closures of business, the loss of employee productivity, the costs of additional transportation, the cost to management are off the chain.

We have a useless MP, Mr Picewell Forbes, who only visits the island for a photo opportunity or some silly awards banquet. Our community here would be much better served by being allowed to have his generous salary and ample expense and office funds to be put to use directly on community projects, instead of going into his pocket. Someone recently put a “Wanted – Missing Person” poster up, with his name on it, as a joke. But, it was no joke to those of us suffering under his poor, non-existent so-called “representation”. I can not find one person on this island who is satisfied with his performance. Not one.

Our clinic is in a state of unfinished shambles.

The clinic is presently being operated in a dismal building not even fit for a dirty restroom. We have no doctor. The nurses are despondent about this situation, after having been promised a renovated clinic, years ago now. Years ago. Unacceptable and disgraceful.

For more than 15 years we have been promised to be a Port of Entry. When the FNM was elected we were told to “forget about that.”

Our community dock is a disgrace, turning to mud in a light rain. The channel used by our mailboats is not navigable at low tide.

Our schools have broken windows, little maintenance and are always short of funding.

The police do not have a police car. They use their own vehicles to get around the island.

We have no ambulance, no fire engine, no morgue.

Nothing.

Our water pipes are bursting on a weekly basis.

Many of us here are taking the initiative to do our best to improve Mangrove Cay. However, there is little doubt that the government of The Bahamas has completely, unequivocally failed us here.

Without even a modicum of investment in our island, how do Minnis and the other government officials expect for us to do better? How do they expect us to develop our economy, encourage more tourists to come, develop industries, get our young people back home? Under these conditions, it is nearly impossible.

If there were ever valid reasons for a revolution to overthrow the government, these seem to be more than enough.

The problem, it seems, is that Bahamians have gotten so used to their terrible treatment at the hands of their own government that they have lost the will and the energy to fight back. Political victimisation has also helped create this situation of national helplessness.

Is this really the best we can do?

NORMAN TRABULSY Jr Mangrove Cay, Andros May 23, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 24, 2019, PAGE 5

NATIONAL Insurance Board staff demonstrating outside Baillou Hill Road headquarters earlier this week.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff from page one matters into their own hands, but the first day that many managers backed these efforts to force NIB’s hand for a better industrial agreement. Those discussions are ongoing.

NIB Director Nicola Virgill-Rolle, in an interview with The Tribune, said yesterday that while the main office at Baillou Hill Road was offering a wide range of services, efforts were largely focused on providing short-term benefits and pension payments.

Despite best efforts by the small number of staff that did show up to work, there were many customers who left NIB disgruntled yesterday over a notable inconvenience.

Among them was a woman who requested to only be identified as Tera.

She travelled from Exuma yesterday morning only for the day to receive a letter from NIB for her daughter’s passport application.

She said her attempt to get this document failed when she was directed by an NIB employee to return in seven days as workers were on “strike”.

NIB office closures as dispute enters third day “Ain’t no one serving me,” Tera told The Tribune.

“The woman told me ‘miss we are not processing any papers. Come back in seven days because we are on strike.’ I came from Exuma on the plane this morning to deal with my daughter’s passport. My daughter is going away to Texas with the Defence Force Rangers summer camp and I need to complete her passport.

So that just messed me up so that’s $200 odd dollars I spend is for nothing because I can’t get it.

“I don’t know why they on strike. This don’t make no sense, man.”

Raphael Ceremont also expressed frustration because he was unable to obtain a document to renew his cleaning company’s business licence.

“I come to get a tax paper

for my business licence but they tell me Monday. I can’t work because I need the paper but they tell me come back.”

Another woman could be heard shouting inside the building: “They wasting people time, man. No one has time for this!”

However, one person, Wilton Rolle, told this newspaper the service he received was “fantastic”.

Mr Rolle said he was there to receive a cheque.

When she spoke of the issue, Mrs Virgill-Rolle said she hoped for a speedy resolution, but could not say when the apparent impasse between the Union of Public Officers and NIB’s executives would come to an end.

She said: “As of today, given our significant staff absences we have operated

our emergency contingency plan, which includes a real focus on providing short-term benefits and our pension payments.

“We have closed our Wulff Road and Fox Hill offices and that’s for New Providence where the bulk of our clients obviously are.

“Everyone is manning the headquarters office. So for the day we offer a full range of services. However the focus has to be on ensuring our customers receive their short-term benefit cheques and any pensioners who need cheque payments can also be serviced. Pensions payments though by direct deposit have gone out and that is the majority of our pensioners.

“NIB is an important institution in The Bahamas and we focus providing that income replacement due to

retirement, due to maternity, due to sickness (and) funeral benefits. So it was very important for us to ensure that those services as much as possible were not disrupted.”

In the Family Islands, Mrs Virgil-Rolle said Grand Bahama; Bimini; Abaco – Cooper’s Town and Marsh Harbour; North Eleuthera; and Greys and Bunches, Long Island were performing key services and disbursing cheques.

Persons were also dispatched to Moore’s Island to make pension payments.

She was unable to say how many people did not report for duty. However on Wednesday it was said that an estimated 300 line staff did not turn up.

This number would have increased with the backing of the managers.

On Tuesday, NIB workers staged a protest during their morning tea break.

NIB further released a statement saying its Occupational Health and Safety Unit (OHSU) would address emergency industrial and medical cases only, however, customers can continue to submit industrial accident forms (B44) at the Carmichael Road office.

It also said that the providers for the National Prescription Drug Plan could potentially face service disruptions, adding that efforts would be made to resolve the challenges as quickly as possible.

Mrs Virgill-Rolle thanked customers for patience during what she called a difficult period. She said officials were doing their best to ensure the needed services were received.

COURT GRANTS ANOTHER TWO SUSPECTS BAIL

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

TWO of the four people arrested on firearm and drug related charges after police fatally shot three men at a home last week were granted bail yesterday.

Jane Hilton, 56, and Shaquille Morley, 19, were released by Supreme Court Justice Willamae McKay in the amounts of $15,000 and $10,000

respectively, with two suretors. The pair, alongside Kim Smith and Christina Wilson, 19, were charged Monday with possessing two silver .9mm pistols without a licence, a .45m pistol without a licence, 7.45mm ammunition and 23.2 pounds of Indian hemp with a street value of $23,200.

They pleaded not guilty to all four charges. Smith, the pregnant widow of one of the men shot in that

police raid, was granted bail on Tuesday. She is represented by attorney Christina Galanos.

In the case of Hilton, in whose marital home the incident occurred, she has to report to the Wulff Road police station every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday before 6pm and she has to surrender all of her travel documents. She was represented by attorney Ian Jupp.

As for Morley, now

represented by attorney David Cash, he is expected to report to the Elizabeth Estates police station every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and surrender all travel documents.

Meanwhile, attorney for Christina Wilson, Wilver Deleveaux, yesterday said he will attempt to have his client’s bail application heard today. He has attempted and failed on two occasions this week to have the application heard.

THREE HAITIANS ARRAIGNED FOR OVERSTAYING

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THREE Haitians were arraigned in a Freeport Magistrate’s Court this week for breach of the Immigration Act, including overstaying and illegal landing.

The matters were heard in Court One before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson.

Lucien Joseph Charles, 36, was charged with overstaying contrary to

Section 28(1) & (3) of the Immigration Act. He pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the particulars, Charles was found in Freeport after the expiration of a work visa which had expired July 4, 2018.

Charles was convicted of overstaying and fined $3,000 or 12 months in prison. He was also ordered deported to Haiti on payment of the fine or serving the custodial sentence.

Also appearing in court was Janise Jean, 29, and Jenny Reyes, 30, also of

Haiti. The women were charged with illegal landing contrary to Section 19(1) of the Immigration Act. They pleaded guilty to the offence.

The particulars are that both women were found having landed from a place outside The Bahamas without leave of an immigration officer.

The judge convicted the women and fined them $300 each or in default serve one year in prison. They were also ordered deported to Haiti on payment of the fines or on serving their custodial sentences.

FREEPORT MURDER CHARGE HUNT FOR ARMED ROBBERS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A FREEPORT man was yesterday arraigned on attempted murder charges in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court.

Shawn Saunders, 47, of Perth Lane, South Bahamia, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on two counts of attempted murder.

It is alleged that on May 18, at Freeport, the accused attempted to kill Shemar Moss and Curtis Missick.

Saunders, who was not represented by an attorney, was not required to enter a plea to the charges which are indictable offences. A preliminary inquiry will be held to determine whether he will stand trial in the Supreme Court.

Bail was denied and the matter was adjourned to September 5.

POLICE on New Providence are seeking assistance in identifying and locating the men responsible for two armed robberies which occurred overnight.

In the first incident, shortly after 10pm on Wednesday a woman was standing in front of a residence on Hill Crest Drive, Seven Hill Estate, when she was approached by a male armed with a firearm, who robbed her of her handbag which

contained cash and other items, before getting into a Honda sports utility vehicle and speeding away.

In the second incident, shortly after 1am yesterday a group of men were on the outside of a bar on Balfour Avenue, when they were approached by three men, one armed with a firearm, who robbed them of cash and other items before running away.

Investigations are ongoing.

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PAGE 6, Friday, May 24, 2019 from page one failing which he says he will intervene and force an election.

Cade Darling, a union trustee, said the union’s expired term is not the only thing that should have prevented Mr Foulkes from certifying the strike poll.

WSMU’s constitution requires that before a strike poll can be allowed, a two-thirds majority vote is required at a Special General Meeting featuring a quorum of 15 people.

Mr Darling said his union did not have a quorum, with only nine people present. WSMU president Ednel Rolle did not dispute this when contacted yesterday. He suggested that because two meetings were called, both of which lacked a quorum, he proceeded to hold a vote with those who showed up. “[Mr Darling’s] logic is flawed,” he said. “Thank God I have my strike certificate...”

Mr Foulkes could not be reached for comment this week.

Mr Darling said the source of the union’s irregularities is Mr Rolle’s devotion to a clause in their proposed industrial agreement that would give the union right of first refusal for business outsourced by the corporation.

The clause, Article 29, says: “Consultation will be held with the union at the earliest opportunity to discuss any proposal for outsourcing of the corporation’s operations either in whole or selectively. Such consultations shall begin at least

THE TRIBUNE

Foulkes went against legal advice to permit strike

THE DECISION by Dion Foulkes was against the recommendation of Labour Director John Pinder and has left the Water & Sewerage Corporation board considering legal action 90 calendar days before the proposed action takes effect. In the event that at Water and Sewerage Corporation portions of its operations and services are outsourced, in full or in part, existing employees seeking to provide the

services either individually or within partnerships shall have right of exclusively to bid for such services. Such exclusivity shall be limited to nine calendar days after the start of consultations or advising the union. Employees shall be allowed to bid

for such services either individually or within arranged partnerships, either among each other provided that partnership is incorporated under the laws of the Bahamas and the employee or employees hold a minimum of 70 percent ownership in

such companies. Companies formed in such cases shall also be allowed to bid on future services that have been outsourced.”

The clause was in the last agreement signed between the union and the government. However, the union

took legal action in 2015 after the corporation sent out an invitation for tenders in 2013 for a project to supply desalinated water to several Family Island communities. The contract was awarded to Watermakers Incorporation in 2015. The union said it was not given a copy of the invitation to tender or the contract as the industrial agreement required.

Lawyers for WSC argued the clause was only intended to help WSC employees affected by redundancy exercises. To give active employees the right of first refusal would breach the industrial agreement’s conflict of interest provisions, they said. Ultimately, then Acting Justice Brian Moree ruled in favour of the union.

The industrial agreement has since expired. As parties look to negotiate a new one, the clause has become a sticking point with the government refusing to allow it. Mr Darling believes Mr Rolle has lost the support of most union members who would accept the removal of the clause so that a new agreement can be signed. He believes Mr Rolle, desperate to keep the clause and fearing election defeat, has delayed the election.

NCIA Bill ‘dangerous and unconstitutional’ - Davis

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH passed in the House of Assembly Wednesday, the National Crime Intelligence Agency Bill contains elements that are “dangerous” and “unconstitutional”, Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis has insisted.

The Bill calls into question the independence of the body and appears to leave the door open to political interference. This is seen in clause eight of the Bill outlining that the director of the NCIA “shall be subject to the directions of the minister”.

It continues that the minister may from time to give general or specific directions to the director relating to the functions or exercise of the agency’s powers.

The NCIA Bill further gives the agency the authority to “use any force as is necessary and reasonable to achieve the objectives” of a

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis. search warrant. Contained in clause 28 of the bill, the provision brings into question the who is able to quantify what is defined and reasonable and necessary and how this can be done.

Additionally, the legislation makes it against the law in clause 27 to reveal the identities of the NCIA’s agents outside of the director and his deputy,

but makes it a an offence punishable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to a prison term not more than five years or both.

These clauses among others makes the Bill “unworkable” and presented enough reason for the former Christie administration to park this same bill and not advance it, Mr Davis said yesterday.

According to the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP the only difference between the Minnis administration’s bill and that of the former government is the insertion of the word “crime”, which he called a misnomer. He said the new bill also gives powers to the minister, which were not outlined in the old legislation.

“The minister can give directions both specific and general and the director is obliged to follow it, that’s concerning,” Mr Davis said.

“First of all you have to recognise that this is setting up a spy agency and the truth of that is if you look at what this agency is going to be able to do you’ll see they are talking about espionage and threats to the Bahamas etcetera from outside. In effect we are setting up a spy agency.

“Further the bill speaks to the anonymity of employees and so the only face you have is the director and that makes

the whole act unworkable. Now why is that?

Because these same agents are empowered to question people on aircraft or vessels where they are authorised to request documents of people and once they do that t hey have to make themselves known.

So that in and of itself makes it unworkable.

“That is why I believe the bill has to classify the employees those whose anonymity is necessary and those who are not.”

He also said: “The minister giving directions to the director is dangerous.”

Regarding search warrants, Mr Davis said this is an overlap and encroaches upon law enforcement agencies.

“They have to make a distinction between the coordination of an agency that is charged with the responsibility of collecting intelligence data, coordinating that data for the sharing of it with other law enforcement agencies.

“They ought not be

empowered to search and execute warrants. They should leave that to the enforcement agency.”

Mr Davis went on to pinpoint which portions of the bill he saw as unconstitutional. He was referring to clause 27.

“We say that because they have not provided a reason to ask questions of a person or to seize a postal article or to request a production of documents. You have to have some reasonable grounds to suspect that the person is a threat to national security before you make that step. That’s like you walking down Bay Street and an agent coming and asking you questions.

Then he could lock you up and then you could be fined because you refused to answer the question.

“That’s dangerous.”

Mr Davis said he hopes the government rethinks the Bill, which now has to go before the Senate before it can be fully passed and made law.

FORM B Notice of Intended Marriage (Section 7(3))

FORM B Notice of Intended Marriage (Section 7(3))

Shane A. Miller Registrar of Marriages

Shane A. Miller Registrar of Marriages

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 24, 2019, PAGE 7

POLICE IDENTIFY BODY FOUND AT PORT NEW PROVIDENCE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

POLICE have identified the man found lifeless on the lawn of a Port New Providence home on Sunday but the cause of his death remains a mystery.

Superintendent Joy Bosfield confirmed the man as Dannie Lea of Great Britain, and yesterday said police were still waiting

on the results of an autopsy. Mr Lea was found sometime before 5pm by a security guard, who had called the relatives of the homeowner to notify them that the front door was ajar. The owners were reportedly out of town at the time.

When the relative came to check the home, along with the guard, Mr Lea was discovered barefoot wearing only blue pants.

“We got a call from the Port

New Providence security guards notifying us that the front door to the house was open,” said the relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“So this is my wife’s parents house, they were out of town so they called us to go look at the house to see why front door left open.

“When we arrived there to look at the house we noticed the front door was open, we went inside

took a look through the house and noticed like it looked like there was a break-in like someone came in through kitchen window. However it didn’t look like anything was stolen, the house appeared fine, nothing ramshackle or messed up.

The relative continued: “Then as I was exiting the house out the front door to call the police the security guard noticed the body first and pointed out there was

a lifeless body just laying in the front yard.

“He was literally right behind the wall between the walls and the tree on the left side of the gate.

I had walked past him a couple times actually without noticing.

“I can’t understand the correlation between the break in to the house and the body,” the relative added. “Nothing was stolen from the house so the break-in doesn’t even make sense to me.”

Sentencing delay for Nygard as lawyers busy

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE sentencing of Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard on contempt charges was delayed again yesterday, with his attorneys being granted an adjournment due to a scheduling conflict.

His attorneys, the father and son team of Carlton and Rouschard Martin, were expected to appear before Supreme Court Justice Cheryl GrantThompson, but moments prior to the matter getting underway yesterday, the duo submitted a letter to the court requesting an adjournment.

The Tribune understands the pair cited their appearance in the Court of Appeal

on an unrelated matter as cause for their absence. The request was subsequently granted.

Only the younger Martin, Rouschard, appeared during yesterday’s proceedings, where he held brief discussions with Save The Bays attorney, Fred Smith QC, with the pair parting on an agreement to return to court next Monday at 10am.

The Martins were expected to present their written submissions, countering Mr Smith’s March 13 submission in which he called for Mr Nygard to be jailed for contempt.

Mr Smith, at the time, submitted to Justice GrantThompson that a “severe custodial sentence” should be levied on Mr Nygard, as only the loss of his liberty for a “long period” would

cause the “serial recidivist contemnor” to “heel” and respect The Bahamas’ administration of justice.

Mr Smith said a fine would be “peanuts” for a reported billionaire like Mr Nygard, and would do nothing to instil respect for the country’s judicial system in someone who told a former Supreme Court judge to her face that a hearing before her was “the biggest waste of time that I’ve ever experienced”.

Mr Smith also revealed that Mr Nygard is now faced with another committal application for breaching Justice Keith Thompson’s order for him and his attorney Keod Smith to immediately remove a sworn affidavit from Justice Grant-Thompson’s court file containing “very sensitive” client/

PETER Nygard is due to return to court next Monday at 10am.

attorney information from Mr Smith’s law firm Callenders & Co. Mr Smith said a number of emails containing client/ attorney information were previously stolen from his law firm via some unknown means, but were later exhibited in that affidavit

“

by Keod Smith, which was in support of various applications by Mr Nygard to set aside the orders Justice Grant-Thompson made concerning his contempt of court convictions and to be used in his own mitigation and sentencing hearing.

This came after by an

attempt earlier this month my Keod Smith to, through the Court of Appeal, stay the committal proceeding and have the matter move to the higher court.

However, the appeal was struck down, and Mr Nygard’s attorneys were instructed to return to the Supreme Court to have the matter completed.

Mr Nygard’s sentencing was transferred to Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson earlier this year.

The charges stem from a breach of retired Justice Rhonda Bain’s July 13, 2013 injunction prohibiting him from engaging in dredging activities at his Simms Point/Nygard Cay property.

Justice Bain, in a written ruling last July, convicted Mr Nygard for engaging in dredging activities on the sea bed near Nygard Cay between March and April 2015, and again in October of 2016, despite her June 2013 injunction prohibiting him from doing so.

Justice Bain thus said Mr Nygard’s actions warranted him paying costs on a “full indemnity basis,” and further ordered Nygard to pay costs to include the costs of the mitigation hearing to the applicant in the matter, Save The Bays (STB), on a “solicitor and own client basis”.

Justice Indra Charles inherited execution of the sentencing for the case after Justice Bain retired.

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PAGE 8, Friday, May 24, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Irresistible?

A FUNNY thing happened on the way to calming my young son down after an afternoon of playing baseball.

He said he was hungry, and being the (guilty) fast food parent I am when I’m pressed for time, I immediately bribed him with a trip to the nearest Drive-thru.

(It’s amazing how much co-operation you can get out of an eight year old when you bring chicken nuggets to the negotiating table!)

As expected, he was pleasantly quiet on the drive back home as he salivated in the back seat with wide eyes as he savaged his kid’s meal, like a “wildling” straight out of Game of Thrones.

Ever since his mother - my wife - got on her super-healthy food trip, everyone in our home has been going through some sort of “grease” withdrawal.

I will admit even the dogs have been giving me dirty looks as I shovel tons of leftover carrots and peas into their bowls.

So this divergence - on this day - was a real treat for me and my boy.

What I didn’t expect was the loud eruption that emanated from my child mere seconds after he tore into his food container.

“WOW! Daddy, look… a radio!”

A radio? (Even I was impressed, especially considering kids meal prizes these days).

I knew the silent war to lure our children into a lifetime allegiance to the world of fast food was a relentless and expensive one but surely there couldn’t be an actual radio in that box, could there?

Sure enough, there was a little red mp3 player-like object in my son’s hands which even came with a pair of little red ear plugs.

Before I could digest the irony that he

may now be just as invested in the world of radio as I am, it dawned on me that the batteries I was putting into this little player probably cost more than the thing itself.

It was, after all, free right?

That got me thinking of how happy my son was with his find, this seemingly dinky little treasure of his with three buttons and a light.

Would he still feel the same way in a few years when he realised it couldn’t store 50 gazillion songs, and didn’t have the letters SONY or a picture of a halfeaten apple on it?

As much as we sometimes indulge our children to no end we also teach them (or allow them to learn) that everything has a price and a value.

Somehow, along the way, they learn that expensive equals good and therefore cheap must equal bad.

I don’t know exactly when… but it happened to me, too.

I only remember begging my mother for a pair of Clarks for the new school

year because the “sweet water “ tennis shoes I’d kicked rocks with all summer long definitely would not be seen as cool.

Then I needed the freshest clothes (expensive) and best toys (expensive), not to mention the pocket change I begged for because all my friends were getting an allowance.

An allowance!

When I think back now I know, I never did live up to my end of the bargain.

Many days the dogs were ready to burst as they waited to be walked and the garbage was left steaming as I neglected to take it out, but I was always ready to throw a well-rehearsed tantrum for that allowance.

Because I wanted things…cool things… and cool things cost money.

When we are young (and sometimes not-so-young) we don’t realise the sacrifices our parents and family make in order to afford even small luxuries in life, and this generation - Eddie Minnis would say, the “gimme me” generation - is not inclined to learn that lesson just yet.

How much have we spent on designer clothes when the only real difference between a shirt and the one next to it is the price tag and the emblem on the pocket?

Don’t get me wrong, I know sometimes you do get what you pay for but if we are honest with ourselves we will admit it all comes from the same place.

(Hello, China!)

It’s gotten so bad that we hardly ever refer to the product but rather the brand: It’s, “My MacBook Air,” or “My iPhone,” or “My 2019 Aston Martin v12 Vantage.” (Ok, maybe that last one snuck in from my many daydreams).

The point is why can’t we just see things for what they are?

At the end of the day you have a decent computer, a decent phone and a (very) decent car. But that’s all they are and all they will ever be; if you hit anything hard enough it will break.

Since my son got his “radio,” all his other toys have been abandoned, like victorious sports teams, visits to the White House. Those trendier (expensive) playthings mean absolutely zero to him right now.

There’s an old expression that says if you want to make something expensive, make it free.

These days, I had begun to think if you want to make something undesirable make it free.

But a funny thing happened on the way to calming my young son down after an afternoon playing baseball - ast food lecture aside - I was reminded of the value of spending time with my sons and that when you are still innocent enough and genuine enough, you realise the best things in life can still be free.

FORM B Notice of Intended Marriage (Section 7(3))

FORM B Notice of Intended Marriage (Section 7(3))

Shane A. Miller Registrar of Marriages

Shane A. Miller Registrar of Marriages

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 24, 2019, PAGE 9

We must work together to sort out issues, urges Wilson

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson yesterday called on the Ministry of Education to “truly partner” with the BUT in an effort to discontinue “ongoing issues in education”.

Mrs Wilson’s appeal came at yesterday’s Rotary Club of West Nassau weekly meeting.

She said: “For many years you have heard the union’s voice or better yet my voice echoing and sometimes screaming about the various issues that teachers face in education. When we examine the human resource issues that directly impact teachers negatively, they range from unpaid salaries to the cessation of rental allowances.

And could you imagine a teacher, a professional working for more than 10 years waiting to be confirmed in their positions?”

She added: “These perennial problems have caused our members undue hardship, and some have not been able to qualify for mortgages, some were not able to pay their utility bills and others has had their home repossessed. Thus, impacting their quality of life more often than not

BUT’S Belinda Wilson though the union attempts to have these issues resolved in an amicable manner.”

The BUT president said the union has recommended changes on numerous occasions that have not been heeded.

“There needs to be a training and retooling of officers, adequate staffing in the Ministry of Education and in particular the human resources unit and the computerisation of the entire ministry and the department and much more.

“However, the Ministry of Education and the Bahamas Union of Teachers’ inability to find common ground on many issues is an obstacle to focus on education in a broader context. Because it is imperative that we collaborate on the fundamental ideas, structure and policy on education in areas such as curriculum revision and development, eradication

of social promotion, the review of the criteria of the national high school diploma, teacher recruitment and retention. “(Additionally,) teacher professional development and training, the implementation of digital technology, technical and vocational training for our students and the closing of the skills gap to prepare our students for the work force, health and safety in schools, the examinations and the national budget are areas that the ministry and the union must collaborate on.”

Mrs Wilson said despite the issues, the union “will continue to make suggestions.”

She explained: “There must be a national education plan that surpasses a fiveyear cycle. There must be clear priorities, there must be a constructive forum for teachers and students to give ideas and to devise a plan forward. The decision making must be based on empirical data and statistics.

“There must be an evaluation and audit of the entire educational system not only financially but also skills.

Although we had many issues in education, I’m of the view that true partnership will result in working together to achieve an educational system that is the key to a successful society.”

WARNING OVER CONTAMINATED MEAT

By FARRAH JOHNSON

THE Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority has advised the public of a recall of beef frank links produced by Vienna Beef Ltd that may be contaminated with pieces of metal.

According to BAHFSA’s advisory, on May 18 the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Vienna Beef Ltd, Chicago, IL, had recalled about 2,030 pounds of beef frank links.

“The beef frank link products were produced on May 2, 2019 with an establishment number (’EST 1’) inside the USDA mark of inspection,” the advisory

noted. The advisory relates to the following products: 10-lb cases containing skinless beef frankfurters 6” 8’s with case code 013180 and package code 9122 represented on the label; 10-lb cases containing skinless beef frankfurters 6” 11’s with case code 013312 and package code 9122 or 9123 represented on the label; and 10-lb cases containing skinless beef frankfurters 7” 9’s with case code 013490 and package code 9122 or 9123 represented on the label.

The statement also urged local retailers and wholesalers to check for any inventory that may bear the establishment numbers listed above, and remove them from freezers and

discard of them so that they cannot be sold to consumers.

“Wholesalers that are in possession of any recalled product are also asked to notify the public in a timely manner. Consumers, likewise, are asked to check their freezers and discard this product if found,” the statement read.

BAHFSA also noted that the Ministry of Health’s Surveillance Unit has not issued any reports regarding the beef links locally, and said that none have been confirmed by Vienna Beef Ltd. Consumers with questions and concerns are encouraged to contact BAHFSA at bahfsa@bahamas.gov.bs.

PAGE 10, Friday, May 24, 2019

I

T WOULD be hard to find a government entity riddled with more scandal and strife than the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Sciences Institute (BAMSI) but for all of its missteps, mistakes and headline-grabbing hurdles – most self-afflicted – BAMSI appears headed toward a title of most unlikely success story of the year.

First, a confession. I don’t think governments anywhere should be in the business of business where there is an appetite for a private sector owner and operator. So no one is more surprised than I am at the turnaround at BAMSI. From the beginning, BAMSI’s footings in Andros got off on swamp turf despite what I believe was then-BAMSI president Dr Godfrey Eneas’ very best intentions. The mission was ambitious: create a place where Bahamians could learn agriculture and marine science skills, tools that would help diversify the economy and boost food security. As long ago as 2011, Minister of Tourism and Aviation Sen Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace chided The Bahamas for importing up to $500 million in food to satisfy local consumption and a vibrant tourism industry.

When ground was broken in November 2013, BAMSI was posited as the spark plug to ignite Andros’ sagging economy.

Instead, everything about the construction was like a bad play with villainous actors and one dramatic scene after another. Questions about how contracts were awarded, rumblings that subcontracted workers were not being paid or paid on time, construction delays, missed deadlines, the appointment of a foreign lead consultant with a “controversial past” including resigning from his post in Jamaica over questions surrounding his academic qualifications.

Then, the big setback – fire allegedly set by a disgruntled worker (later cleared in a jury trial), an act of arson destroying the nearly completed dorms and the revelation that the entire project was uninsured. What was first labelled as a small repair of

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An ambitious plan which finally appears to be bearing fruit

$120,000 mushroomed into a need to find $5.5 million for labs, roads and rebuilds.

Punch columnist Nicki Kelly summed it up saying “the fire at BAMSI exposed the lies and illegalities that have become the hallmark of this project since it was first conceived” and the late Larry Smith in a Tough Call column in this newspaper detailed every step (as only he could do so brilliantly) of what appeared to be headed for ultimate disaster for BAMSI. So it is not with a little bit of surprise that BAMSI has emerged an unlikely

success story, but success it unquestionably is.

It now offers degrees in Agriculture, Aquaculture, Marine Science, Agri-Business and Environmental Science. The current executive director, Dr Rovenia Hanna, who I have not met, plans to introduce a degree in Business and Food and Nutrition. There are 60 students and that number is expected to double by next year. BAMSI has signed with Hopedale Farms to make basic backyard farming skills available for Nassauvians. In January, it held its first pop up farmers’

market on Gladstone Road. The turnout was overwhelming and BAIC (Bahamas Agriculture & Industrial Corporation) which has responsibility for BAMSI announced it had taken in $14,000 in one day. The farmers’ markets have continued to draw hundreds, including one at Elizabeth Estates Park in eastern New Providence last Saturday. Even with four cashiers, the lines were achingly long and pointed out what still needs to be corrected if the success story is to have a future.

To the outsider, it appears BAMSI is making the improvements it needs to on the inside. But it lacks the same attention to customer service that plagues nearly every government entity. Its current Nassau outlet location on East Bay Street is horribly inconvenient and it’s only because there is parking available

THE FARMERS’ markets have continued to draw hundreds, including one - above and below - at Elizabeth Estates Park in eastern New Providence last Saturday.

across the street and people are willing to chance running across a few lanes of fast-moving traffic to get onions or tomatoes that are fresh and fairly priced that there is any business there at all.

Long lines at farmers’ markets could be easily resolved if there were scales throughout instead of at the pop-up point of sale.

There may always be

questions swirling around BAMSI just because it collects cash and is a government concern, but make no mistake about its impact – it is working. Bahamians are returning to growing produce full or part-time and Bahamians are eating it up, a once disaster transformed into a win for all poised to reach the next level with just a few more steps.

We can do without speeding prison buses at peak hours A8MAIN

WITH utmost respect to Minister of National Security, the Hon Marvin Dames, a man of immense capability to whom we owe appreciation for a reduction in violent crime, will someone in charge of scheduling please stop putting lives at risk, including those of schoolchildren, by sending screeching, screaming, speeding vans carrying prisoners to court appearances during peak traffic hours?

The prison bus barrels down the road doing speeds we could only dream of achieving on a speedway and they do it in the midst of jammed, bumper-to-bumper traffic crawling at zero miles per hour.

The van’s sirens are screaming,

loudspeaker at full roar ordering “Move over”. And we trembling innocents looking for a place to pull over with no loudspeaker to shout back to ask “Where, where would you like us to go? Will this concrete wall do?”

It’s not as though the prisoners have a terribly busy schedule.

Couldn’t they go to court a little bit later? Or better yet, appear by Skype. Gee, large companies all over the world do it.

And while we’re on the traffic kick, let’s talk parking with Naughty.

Naughty’s column the other week about inconsiderate drivers who think reserved for handicapped parking signs don’t

apply to them was the topic of conversation more than once this week – usually arising when there was another offence and the observer would say, “Yeah, just like those people who think it’s okay to screech into a handicapped spot, hop out and sprint into the store.” Congrats to Naughty for keeping the conversation going just as David McLaughlin and others are doing with the dangers of distracted driving. Here’s another suggestion for the spots reserved for physically disabled: Place the handicapped sticker on the vehicle’s licence plate as they do in many other places, making it easy to spot.

Now that we can no longer see

PAGE 8, Friday, May 10, 2019

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My Aunt Kay would have put these drivers in their rightful place HANDICAPPED? ..... NOT! JUST PLAIN STUPID! MY late Aunt Kay, who was like my second mother and who also happened to be wheelchair bound in the latter portion of her life, was a source of inspiration and a pillar of strength to me throughout my life. In fact it has long been said that she’s where I get my “hard mouth” from.

In her time she lived up to that old adage “small axe fall big tree”.

Checking in at a “gigantic” 5 foot 2 inches she was always the protector and enforcer for the family. (Mainly getting my backside out of hot water on one of the many occasions my mouth signed a cheque my butt couldn’t cash.)

May 3 made a year she left to go and stir things up in heaven.

Tuesday, May 7, would have been her 84th birthday.

So I feel now it’s my duty and obligation to my dearly departed sweet Auntie, to continue to address a certain issue that not only affected her while she was alive, but other handicapped persons island-wide to this day; the abuse of “handicapped” parking spots by non handicapped persons.

BLUE MARKS THE SPOT

Shane A. Miller Registrar of Marriages

my head?” (They did match the purple, yellow and pink colours in her ghetto fabulous hairdo.) I can’t walk all the way across this big breezy parking lot and mess up my nails.”

It was clear her etiquette matched her fashion sense… non-existent.

2. Super Value, Cable Beach.

This was a weird case, not only did the offender take the handicapped spot right from under the nose of a legitimate handicapped person, she had no conscience about the matter, exiting her vehicle with no remorse as she sauntered to the front door.

When I told her how “cold blooded” she was she simply replied, “Mister, my kids well rude I can’t bring them in here behind me so I has to park dem close so nuttin’ will happen to them”

MOVING FORWARD The only advice I can offer is this. Real handicapped people be strong, keep the faith and know that you still have me as a “champion” for your cause, trained

by Auntie Kay, so you know these offenders will be chastised and made humble for their indiscretions.

To the offenders I say this: Your lack of respect, common sense, compassion, rationale and blatant disregard for your fellow man is lousy and pathetic.

By your actions it’s obvious you are handicapped socially – not legally.

And before you ask, being called “crazy” doesn’t get you a handicap parking permit either.

Until next week, let your conscience be your guide, especially out of handicapped parking spaces.

NAUGHTY’S column on parking.

These spots were created to facilitate handicapped persons in their attempt to lead normal, productive lives, not to be abused by the “D” average jungaliss who’s

FORM B Notice of Intended Marriage (Section 7(3))

just “flashing in” to top off their phone and grab a bar of “cake soap”.

It’s also not for the wannabe bad boy whose food order is ready.

It’s sad that in 2019 many drivers (both legal and the ones who bought their licences) don’t regard those blue lined spaces as hallowed ground; as in off limits unless you are truly handicapped.

The offender illegally parks in the handicap parking space in front of the food store only to bypass the food store and beeline it to the more enticing liquor store.

What left me shocked and awed was the fact that the offender was in his full Royal Bahamas Police Force uniform.

As the youth of today so frequently say… “Savage.”

I’m still scratching my head on that one.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE

More bizarre than this blatant disregard for common courtesy—and the law—are some of the excuses I’ve heard in my misadventures into parking ‘La La Land,’ where, on occasion, I’ve had to pull a page out of my aunt’s book and “bless’’ said transgressor:

1. Kelly’s parking lot, Marathon Mall.

I questioned the offender to which she replied, “I just spend a gunk on dese nails for one wedding. You can’t see they match

3. Sea Grapes Shopping Centre, Nassau East.

The final one is the most atrocious infraction of them all.

Love you and miss you “Tia”.

who a car is registered to, our windshield inspection habits borne of an instinctive nosiness to know who is driving that luxury vehicle have dwindled and we may not know when there is a true offender who should have RUDE written on his car and when a high truck, for instance, has a small sticker inside above the rear view mirror where security in a golf cart or on foot has a hard time seeing it.

Nothing like a dose of conscience to alter behaviour – at least for some. Then there are those who think it is okay to barge and there is little we can do about them except hope their next step is smack into a deposit by a very large, overfed canine with a bad stomach.

BTC was this week branded “our most inefficient business” by its owner despite mobile customer losses dropping to a record quarterly low. Readers responded on tribune242.com.

John said: “BTC saw its most profitable and growth years under Bahamian leadership and technicians.

Then they brought in the foreigners who did not understand the culture of Bahamian businesses.”

ThisIsOurs had this to say: “BTC’s inability to put forward some sort of strategy baffles me. They have the resources, they know the market . . . they seem to respond to Aliv rather than compete. But the good news may be with Aliv stating that they will be reaching profitability – there may be room for two companies and more lower priced offerings for Bahamians.”

Opposition leader Philip Davis has confirmed his support for the decriminalisation of recreational marijuana, prompting this comment from Geostorm: “Seriously, legalise it for recreational use to have more empty heads walking around! If you think we have a problem with our young men now, watch and see what happens when you legalise marijuana. Marijuana impairs judgment and many of these young people lack judgment without its use so imagine with its use!

I do agree, however, that if we are using it for medicinal purposes, under the supervision of a licensed medical professional, then we can legalise it.”

And Gowon Bowe, the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants president, said The Bahamas must not fear competition in a post-WTO environment.

Well_mudda_take_sic had this reaction: “Bowe said: ‘I think the main message coming out of it is that we should not be afraid of WTO (the World Trade Organisation) because we are afraid to compete.’

“We’re not afraid to compete Mr Bowe. What we are afraid of is competing on a playing field where the rules are set by the much larger developed countries and don’t apply to all equally. Just take a look at how our financial sector has been all but annihilated since the early 1990’s as a result of us having signed on to everything put to us by the OECD, FATF, IMF, etc. We would quickly find the playing field for full WTO members to be just as uneven, unfair and detrimental to the overall economic well being of our small country.

“Put another way, featherweight boxers who step into the ring with heavyweight boxers are only asking for serious trouble.”

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

FORM B Notice of Intended Marriage (Section 7(3))

FORM B Notice of Intended Marriage (Section 7(3))

FORM B Notice of Intended Marriage (Section 7(3))

Shane A. Miller Registrar of Marriages

Shane A. Miller Registrar of Marriages

Shane A. Miller Registrar of Marriages

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 24, 2019, PAGE 11

CLASS OF 2019

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas held its spring 2019 commencement at the Thomas A Robinson stadium.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

PAGE 12, Friday, May 24, 2019

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MODI SURGES TO VICTORY IN INDIA ON HINDU-FIRST PLATFORM NEW DELHI Associated Press

NARENDRA Modi, India’s charismatic but polarising prime minister, was yesterday heading for a landslide election victory, propelling his Hindu nationalist party to back-to-back majorities in parliament for the first time in decades.

With most of the votes counted, Modi’s stunning re-election mirrored a global trend of right-wing populists sweeping to victory, from the United States to Brazil to Italy, often on a platform promoting a tough stand on national security, protectionist trade policies and putting up barriers to

immigration. The victory in India was widely seen as a referendum on Modi’s Hindu-first politics that some observers say have bred intolerance toward Muslims and other religious minorities, as well as his muscular stance on neighboring Pakistan, with whom India nearly went to war earlier this year. “India wins yet again,” Modi exulted in a tweet.

Election Commission data showed Modi’s Bharatia Janata winning 158 seats and in the lead for 145 more, which would catapult the party well beyond the simple majority in the 545-member lower house of Parliament required to govern. The results spelled another nail in

INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses party supporters

the coffin of the main opposition Indian National Congress party, which picked up 31 seats and was leading in 21 other contests. Its president, and the scion of modern India’s most powerful political dynasty, personally conceded his seat to BJP, signaling the end of an era.

Addressing party workers, Modi urged the world to “recognise India’s democratic power.”

He attributed the party’s showing to his policies aimed at improving the lot of the nation’s poor, including free medical insurance, relief for distressed farmers and a programme to build 100 million toilets in a nation where basic sanitation remains a major problem.

Pelosi questions Trump’s fitness to stay... He calls her crazy WASHINGTON Associated Press HOUSE Speaker Nancy Pelosi openly questioned President Donald Trump’s fitness to remain in office yesterday, suggesting a staff or family “intervention” for the good of the nation after his dramatic blow-up at a White House meeting with Democrats.

Trump responded by calling her “crazy”.

“She’s a mess,” Trump told reporters at an afternoon news conference in which he lined up White House staff to testify to his calmness at a meeting with Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer. “Cryin’ Chuck, Crazy Nancy ... I watched Nancy and she was all crazy yesterday,” he claimed.

As for himself, he

declared, “I’m an extremely stable genius.”

Both the Republican president and Democratic leaders dug in a day after Trump stalked out of the Cabinet Room demanding an end to all congressional probes before he would work with Congress on crumbling US infrastructure and other matters.

By Thursday as Congress prepared to recess for the Memorial Day break, both sides were questioning each other’s stability, with the president insisting on Twitter that he was calm when he left the White House meeting that was to focus on infrastructure spending after just three minutes.

Pelosi said Trump has established a pattern of unpredictability, and at one point she even joked about the 25th Amendment, the

Constitution’s provision laying out the procedure for replacing a president.

“I wish that his family or his administration or his staff would have an intervention for the good of the country,” Pelosi said at her weekly news conference, adding that she prays for him and the nation.

“Maybe he wants to take a leave of absence,” she said. Asked whether she’s concerned about Trump’s well-being, she replied, “I am.”

Pelosi also said the White House is “crying out” for the Democrats to launch impeachment hearings — the idea being that such a move would help him politically. White House aides believe that if Democrats move to impeach — and even if they win approval of articles of impeachment

in the House — Trump would be acquitted in the GOP-controlled Senate, supporting his assertion that he’s a victim of Democratic harassment and helping him toward reelection. But the president denied that he’s urging the Democrats on.

“I don’t think anybody wants to be impeached,” Trump said.

However genuine, accusations of infirmity dominated the exchanges yesterday and raised questions about whether Pelosi and Trump could work together on must-do tasks this year, such as raising the debt limit and funding the government. White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said staff-level work on critical policy and spending continues.

Yet Sanders also said on

CNN that it was “lunacy” and “insane” for Democrats to think everyone could just proceed after Pelosi accused Trump of a “cover-up” just before the meeting Wednesday.

“It’s very hard to have a meeting where you accuse the president of the United States of a crime and an hour later show up and act as if nothing has happened,” Sanders told reporters outside the White House.

Hanging over the increasingly personal exchanges is a drumbeat among about two dozen Democrats and one Republican to launch impeachment hearings against Trump based on details in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report that Trump repeatedly tried to block the investigation .

Pelosi has resisted, preferring a methodical process

by which Congress investigates and lays out the facts on the question of obstruction of justice. But she’s been clear this week that any such finding could be worthy of a formal indictment by the House — that is, impeachment.

Pelosi also is balancing the calls for impeachment with the concerns of members from divided districts who helped flip the House to Democratic control and now face tough re-elections 2020.

Pelosi, the second in line to the presidency, said she thinks Trump’s actions were part of his skill at distraction. But she also suggested that he’s unpredictable.

“Sometimes when we’re talking to him he agrees,” she said, only to change his mind. “He says he’s in charge and he may be.”

BOTSWANA LIFTS ELEPHANT HUNTING BAN US LAYS NEW CHARGES AGAINST ASSANGE JOHANNESBURG Associated Press

BOTSWANA has lifted its ban on elephant hunting in a country with the world’s highest number of the animals, a decision that has brought anger from some wildlife protection groups and warnings of a blow to lucrative tourism.

The southern African nation is home to an estimated 130,000 elephants.

The lifting of the ban raised concerns about a possible increase in illegal poaching

of elephants for their tusks to supply the ivory trade.

“Expect mass culling next,” the CEO of WildlifeDirect, Paula Kahumbu, said on Twitter, warning that the impact of

Botswana’s decision will be felt across Africa.

Lifting the hunting ban comes amid growing conflicts between humans, particularly farmers, and elephants, the government’s statement said. It said hunting will resume “in an orderly and ethical manner” but does not say how it will be regulated.

Political friction between Botswana’s previous and current president has played a key part in the government’s shifting stance on elephants in the past year.

WASHINGTON Associated Press

The US filed new charges yesterday against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, accusing him of placing the United States at risk of serious harm by publishing thousands of secret and classified documents, including the names of confidential sources for American armed forces.

In an 18-count, superseding indictment, Justice Department prosecutors allege that Assange

JULIAN ASSANGE directed former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning in one of the largest compromises of classified information in US

history. The case presents immediate questions about media freedom, including whether the Justice Department is charging Assange for actions that journalists do as a matter of course.

Assistant Attorney General John Demers, the Justice Department’s top national security official, said: “No responsible actor, journalist or otherwise, would purposely publish the names of individuals he or she knew to be confidential sources, exposing them to the gravest of dangers.”