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Minnis: Make up your own minds PM won’t allow his view to sway marijuana issue By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has given tacit support for the medical and scientific use of marijuana, however he told the media his personal views will not supersede a widespread public education campaign. Dr Minnis said the government will establish a committee to host town meetings and focus groups on the issue. He said once the public’s stance is gleaned, the matter will be brought to Parliament for debate and “the people” will make a determination
on the way forward. The nation’s leader addressed reporters at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on his return from the 39th meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, where a report calling for the end of prohibition of the plant was discussed. He said he preferred the scientific name “cannabis” as the world was moving away from colloquial use of the term “marijuana”. Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica plant. SEE PAGE SIX
LOUD AND PROUD
THE country stands to reap the greatest benefit from the full legalisation of marijuana production, sale and use with state control, according to CARICOM’s regional report, which estimated net benefits for The Bahamas was about $5.5m. The Regional Marijuana
Commission (RMC) report was released widely yesterday and calls for a strictly regulated framework for marijuana, akin to that for alcohol and tobacco bringing an end to the prohibition of marijuana for the entire region. It provided costs and benefits analysis for three models of legalisation/ SEE PAGE SIX
COP KILLED SUSPECT BY ‘SHOT IN THE BACK’ By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A FORENSIC pathologist has confirmed a 22-year-old man shot and killed by police in the Fox Hill area five years ago died from a single gunshot to the back, despite officers maintaining he was shot in the abdomen. Dr Caryn Sands, taking the witness stand before Deputy Coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux, said Tarique Fowler died from a single gunshot wound to the back following the fatal June 7, 2013, encounter with several officers. SEE PAGE SEVEN
‘NO U-TURN’ FOR RELAYS PULLOUT
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis firmly backed the government’s decision to pull out of hosting the International Amateur Athletic Federation’s (IAAF) World Relays, citing the need to prioritise the government’s economic and social initiatives. Saying the Bahamian people have accepted the recent increase in value added tax, Dr Minnis told media at a Saturday press briefing the cancellation was final. But last night, Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said he was “distressed” by the SEE PAGE THREE
‘GOING LEGAL’ IS WORTH JUST $5M By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
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GOVERNOR General Dame Marguerite Pindling with youngsters at Friday’s National Pride Day in Rawson Square to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Bahamian independence under the theme “We’ve come this far by faith”. See today’s Independence supplement for more. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
FAMILIES UNITE TO STOP EVICTIONS By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FIFTY families have joined forces to launch legal action to block the government’s first round of shanty town evictions. Shanty town residents primarily from the Golden Isles and Bacardi Road area - are being represented by human rights group Rights Bahamas (RB), which has been canvassing
ONE of the properties in the Bacardi Road area. communities across New Providence in recent weeks and expects to file the legal action this week. RB legal director and its former president Fred
Smith said the number of families that have signed on to bring class action through a general constitutional motion is likely to swell. He accused the government of seeking to short-cut social issues that have been incubating for decades, and continuing the policy of “ethnic cleansing” initiated by the former Progressive Liberal Party government. SEE PAGE FIVE
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
VICTIM DIES IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING
By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
POLICE are investigating a shooting incident that occurred yesterday afternoon and left one man dead. The incident took place on Homestead Street shortly before 3pm. In a statement released yesterday, Royal Bahamas Police liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta Knowles said the man was standing on the street when “what is believed to be” a Ford vehicle pulled up alongside him. SEE PAGE 11
PAGE 2, Monday, July 9, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
THE TRIBUNE RETURNS AFTER THE INDEPENDENCE HOLIDAY. OUR NEXT EDITION IS ON WEDNESDAY. NINE HELD OVER COCAINE FIND
NINE men from the Philippines and Peru were arrested in Grand Bahama on Saturday for possession of more than $70,000 worth of suspected cocaine with the intent to supply. Shortly after 2am, officers with a search warrant, went to an apartment complex on Waterfall Drive where they discovered a duffle bag with five packages, each containing suspected cocaine. All nine were arrested. The weight of the suspected cocaine is 12 pounds and the estimated street value is $75,000. The arrests came two days after two men were found with more than $100,000 in US currency during a joint operation in western New Providence last week. Police said shortly after 1pm on Thursday, Drug Enforcement Unit officers along with US law enforcement officials searched men in a vehicle at a parking lot. The search yielded $109,650 in US currency. Officers also carried out another search of the men’s home where additional US currency was found. Police also arrested two other men in four separate incidents involving dangerous drugs on Thursday. Shortly after 9am, officers assisted by K9 officers searched properties in John Road and found suspected marijuana. A man in one property was taken into custody. About three hours later, officers searched a bushy area at Mahogany Avenue, Pinewood Gardens, and found what they suspect to be a quantity of marijuana. No arrest was made. Shortly after 1pm, an abandoned building at Tina Avenue, off Joe Farrington Road, was searched and a quantity of marijuana was found. No one was arrested. Shortly after 5pm, officers on patrol on Deveaux Street saw a man in a vehicle in the parking lot of a church. Upon seeing the officers, the man started to act in a suspicious manner, police said. Officers searched the man and his vehicle and found a quantity of suspected cocaine. The man was taken into custody.
PLEA AFTER TWO ARMED RAIDS POLICE are asking the public to come forth with any information they may have in solving two armed robberies on Saturday. Shortly after 4pm, a gunman entered a snack food store on Balfour Avenue and Minnie Street, held the cashier up and robbed the establishment of cash and other items before running away. Police were also told a man was robbed while sitting on his motorbike on Soldier Road and Windsor Place Road. The victim said he was approached by two armed men who robbed him of cash before getting onto his 2017 black and blue Yamaha motorbike, licence #1385, and speeding away.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 9, 2018, PAGE 3
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR HISTORIAN
DR GAIL Saunders accepted the Aliv Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Bahamian Icon Awards on Saturday night. The awards, held annually, recognise a host of Bahamians from all walks of life in a variety of fields. Dr Saunders was recognised for her lifetime’s work and devotion to the history of the country. For more from this year’s Icon Awards including pictures from the event and details of winners, see the Weekend section on Friday.
‘No U-turn’ for relays pullout
from page one
decision, adding the government is gradually but deliberately “seeking to destroy this country’s reputation as a country whose word is its bond”. He urged the Minnis administration to reconsider the decision. On Saturday, Dr Minnis suggested it was now time for the private sector to sponsor sporting events. “We have hosted the IAAF on three different occasions,” he said after returning to the country from a CARICOM meeting, “and we have proven to be great hosts. We have proven that we can host great international events. We think it’s time now that the business and the commercial sector sponsor these events. “We have a lot of work to do. We just increased value added tax from 7.5 percent to 12 percent – the people have accepted that. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of programmes to implement. We have scholarships to deal with, trying to uplift our people, trying to go to a paperless system, we must place priorities.” When asked if there had been any consultation with the private sector ahead of the cancellation, Dr Minnis said: “Believe me, we would have done all whatever is possible, but I must first and foremost look after the Bahamian people and the country.” Controversy over the cancellation of the major sporting event, slated for May 10-11, 2019, could be considered as the first hurdle for new Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle - whose appointment to the post has been met with criticism by the sporting and culture community. On Saturday, Dr Minnis defended the Mrs Rolle’s appointment, insisting ministers develop requisite experience over the course of their tenure. Mrs Rolle served as minister of social services and urban
-- the event is televised live around the world and replayed several times during the interval before the next relays. I think they ought to reconsider this decision,” Mr Davis said. Dr Minnis spoke to the press at the Lynden Pindling International Airport as he returned from the 39th CARICOM Heads of Government conference in Jamaica. As Independence Day approaches, Dr Minnis also reiterated his tenyear vision for the country. He underscored his commitment to enforcing the retirement age across the SUPPORTERS at a previous World Relays event. public sector, the develdevelopment until being he said, “there is a team, so opment of an efficient moved as part of a Cabinet even though an individual is technology-driven society, shuffle last week. minister or prime minster, and to eradicate corruption. “I would like to see the “Individuals are moved things are discussed.” and they become knowlIn a statement, Mr Davis young people…60 percent edgeable in certain things,” expressed displeasure of our young people are he said. “There is no so- that the event, which was less than 35 years old, and I called pre-training before launched during the Chris- would like to see the young you engage in a post. You tie administration, has been people elevated to the top and given that opportunity learn and you become very cancelled. good. I was not pre-trained “The explanation given to take us to a new level. “We are in the digital or attend any courses to that they cannot afford it become prime minister. because they are commit- era, most of our young “(Minister of Educa- ted to fiscal discipline is people are in the digital tion) Jeff Lloyd did not certainly sophistry,” Mr era, they must be given an attend any courses or was Davis noted. “They can’t opportunity. “My goal is to see a digipre-trained to become min- be serious. They are really ister of education nor was carrying this campaign nar- tal Bahamas where one (Foreign Affairs Minister rative which they invented ministry can speak to the Darren) Henfield. You go to lie to the Bahamian other via computer. You can in, you read, you under- people to get elected too do things just with the touch of a button as opposed to stand, and many instances far. you become better than “The country’s reputa- moving from one ministry who was there, sometimes tion will suffer. The brand to another taking three to you’re not.” is shot to pieces. The young four months for things to be Former Minister of people have lost an oppor- done.” Dr Minnis added: “I’m Youth, Sports and Culture tunity to showcase their Michael Pintard was moved talents to the world on looking for a more efficient to the Ministry of Agricul- their home turf. What a and a non-corrupt society ture and Fisheries. It was shame this is. The country although that’s very difnoted on Saturday Mr Pin- has lost the opportunity to ficult, efficiency yes but to tard held a master’s degree showcase The Bahamas as stamp out corruption totally in agriculture. Dr Minnis a world class destination is very, very difficult.” dismissed the notion that ministries impacted by his Cabinet shuffle would face any considerable setbacks. “What background I had before I became PM? Give me the book to read, I haven’t seen it yet. Ingraham didn’t leave it, Pindling didn’t leave it, nor did Christie,” Dr Minnis said, referring to the country’s former prime ministers. “You must remember there is a Cabinet team,”
PAGE 4, Monday, July 9, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
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Changing faces - the story of the White House chaos THE sad, dangerous chaos that is the Trump administration was illuminated again last week when EPA administrator Scott Pruitt resigned. Pruitt, as venal and corrupt as any senior official in Trump’s government, was reportedly the subject of 13 different corruption or misconduct investigations when he finally resigned under pressure from the White House chief of staff. That White House chief of staff, John Kelly, has himself been the subject of a barrage of rumours that he will shortly leave office or be pushed out. Pruitt, like his acting successor at EPA and numerous other senior Trump administration officials, appears to owe allegiance to the very industries his department was established to regulate. The secretaries of the Departments of Interior and Treasury are two who come immediately to mind in this connection. Tracking the unprecedented turnover and turmoil in Trump’s administration has become a point of journalistic integrity, with the New York Times and other leading publications actively keeping score. The Times has studied rates of attrition among senior presidential appointees in recent administrations. Of 21 top jobs under presidents going back to Bill Clinton, Trump is far ahead – or far behind. Nine of those positions have turned over at least once in his first 14 months, several of them more than once. This compares with three such changes under Clinton, two under Barack Obama and one under George W Bush. Several top federal positions that have suffered from a lack of continuity are located near the seat of power in the White House. Consider that seven such jobs alone are at top levels of the National Security Council, the president’s senior coordinating agency for international affairs and the nation’s defence. It would be easy to forget Trump’s first appointee as national security adviser Michael Flynn if he did not remain in the headlines for pending criminal charges and rumours of giving vital prosecutorial evidence to special counsel Robert Mueller. Flynn lasted only a few weeks before he was forced out after apparently lying to the vice president and others about campaign contacts with Russian officials. Flynn was replaced with a sensible-seeming general, HR McMaster,
who remained for over a year in office and seemed to some observers to offer a sane counterweight inside the White House to the impulsive ignorance of international affairs that characterizes Trump. But McMaster may have been too sensible. Four months ago, he was forced out in favour of John Bolton, ideologically still in tune with neo-conservatives like Dick Cheney, Paul Wolfowitz and Donald Rumsfeld who guided innocent George W Bush into the phenomenally ill-conceived American intervention in Iraq 15 years ago. One shudders to imagine where the unrepentant Bolton, who still defends invading Iraq in 2003, will lead this current impressionable and unsophisticated chief executive. With all this tumult at the top of the NSC, it is not surprising that several senior staff members were forced out after McMaster and then Bolton assumed office. But deputy national security adviser for strategy Dina Powell left on her own late last year. Her successor was pushed out five months later when Bolton arrived. The White House staff reporting to Trump has been similarly ravaged. Deputy chief of staff Joseph Hagin, who served three other GOP presidents, resigned last month. There have been four different communications directors for this president, starting with overwhelmed Sean Spicer, who actually occupied the office twice. The top White House economic adviser Gary Cohn resigned in March, reportedly after he gave up trying to resist Trump’s misguided lurch toward tariffs. Steve Bannon, supposedly the genius of Trump’s successful election campaign, resigned almost a year ago. Trump is already on his second chief of staff, the aforementioned and possibly lame duck John Kelly. No such list would be complete without mention of turnover at the highest levels of the Departments of State and Justice and the CIA. From one perspective, this is actually good news, inasmuch as many of these officials served the US poorly and their shortened tenure limited the damage they could inflict on the American national interest. But more miscreants and knaves are always waiting in the wings, and we have nearly 30 more months of Trump to endure.
Outriders and sirens EDITOR, The Tribune. OFFICIALS - Official cars and police outriders and those damnable sirens. Seemingly the reason the police added so many motorcycles to their fleet was to reinstate the practice so loved by the Christie Government of outriders and blaring sirens. Sunday location downtown - Independence Beat Retreat - boy even the Commodore of the RBDF has Police
motorcycle escort now and sirens blaring! Not to be outdone when the Beat Retreat was over the Commodore had the same, to go home…Only reason he had to rush to get home to watch the World Cup – why? A sunny summer Sunday people, yes, The People enjoying the peace and quiet and along comes this noise which caused me to rethink - Lord Christie is not back? Boy these boys learn quick!
By the way - the set piece, what the RBDF Band performed seemed to explain totally why the RBDF are unable to catch quiet-wind sailing Haitian sloops. Their boats use sail also but are slower! Cut this siren thing out please Mr Minister we were promised it would go, but it seems Ministers and Officials are liking it. K MINNS Nassau, July 2, 2018.
Exuma tragedy EDITOR, The Tribune. I WISH I could find the words to express how deeply I am hurt when I found out about the unfortunate tragedy in Exuma. I want to send my heartfelt
feelings to all families and friends concerned. Most of all to Stephanie, I wish I could hold your hand to say I hope with God’s love that you will dance again. You are a beautiful girl.
On behalf of my family and friends I wish you all the best love. BRADFORD DARVILLE Nassau, July, 2018.
The hubris of Travis Robinson EDITOR, The Tribune.
they should resign and go and form another group of HUBRIS is characterlike-minded people. ised by the possession of The Westminster system letters@tribunemedia.net a potent witches’ brew of is not broken. The practice foolish pride, dangerous Parliament to authorise a of whipping votes is essenoverconfidence, extreme select committee to inves- tial for the maintenance arrogance and reckless tigate not how the chamber of stable cabinet governambition. At first sight it operates but how our par- ment. The slimmer the is hard to imagine one, liamentary democracy and majority is in a parliament much less all of these traits cabinet government should the more significant is the occupying the mind of the operate. It was another whip’s job. Theresa May Member of Parliament for glaring misunderstanding of currently leads a minorBain and Grant’s Town, our system. What he wants ity government in the UK, Travis Robinson. is within the exclusive pre- meaning she relies on Mr Robinson lost his serve of a Constitutional another party to vote with parliamentary secre- Commission and good luck her party to remain in govtary job immediately with that given our track ernment. Absent the whip after he lost his way and record on tinkering with process and an already ventured off the FNM the Constitution. chaotic situation would be reservation on a crucial The whip process which a nightmare. budget vote. Depending he defied is used by politiWe got our system on one’s perspective and/ cal parties to enforce directly from Britain, hence or familiarity with or igno- discipline on their mem- the Westminster appellarance of our system of bers. Nowhere in the tion, but it is interesting to government he was either Westminster system does it note that similar systems – foolish or a champion of his codify rules for the whip. parliamentary democracies constituents. The Westminster model with cabinet government Some were already plot- started in the UK in 1707 – have been chosen by ting behind the throne to and it was 60 years later many others around the get him back into the fold before the whip was first world including Caribbean, of his party, impressed as used by the Whigs (a politi- European and Asian states. they were by his youthful cal party) to enforce party Some (like Japan) are zeal, his idealism and his discipline. monarchies and some (like passion. But then it quickly For centuries until 2005, India) are republics. became apparent that he the British people hunted One of the very few is impervious to political foxes for sport. The objec- places where there is no pragmatism and that he was tive was to set a pack of need for a whip is Switzerintent on shooting himself trained hounds on the land where most laws are in the foot if left to his own trail of a fox. Because as passed not by parliament devices. many as 30 dogs could be but by the people in bindThe MP sought and deployed they were often ing referenda. Switzerland obtained permission to whipped to stay in the pack doesn’t have political parembarrass himself again in pursuit of the fox. ties so there is no governing on the floor of the House. When the Whigs couldn’t or opposition party. Instead of atoning for his get all of the MPs to reliSwitzerland had seven voting transgression, he ably vote with the party referenda last year includpicked up the rhetorical it was suggested that they ing one to uphold a federal shovel and dug deeper. whip the members to keep decree on how to build and The rookie, new to poli- them in line. The terminol- repair roads. The Swiss can tics, took it upon himself ogy stuck. practice direct democracy to render judgment on a The Speaker of the because their people are system that has served us House has no say over the highly educated, homogwell for many years, and appointment of party whips enous and voting there is some other countries for and is not subject to the compulsory. many generations. It is whip because he must be Mr Robinson should broken, he told the House, impartial except when he indeed get his Select Comand is no longer relevant in must break a tie vote. mittee if he is bored and the modern Bahamas. We have inherited a par- looking for something to Except what sets us apart liamentary democracy that do. Its members should from some others is our has at its core the establish- be limited to the four rebel faithful adherence to those ment of political parties. FNMs who bucked their traditions, customs and As elsewhere in life, from party’s whip and voted systems that have seen us the boy scouts and girl with the opposition on the through difficult times. Its guides to the lodges and budget. very strength is its consist- fraternities, members who Let’s call it the Backency. As the late Hartman freely join are expected to bench Vanity Select Scavella of Landrail Point, comport themselves with Committee. Crooked Island would say, the established rules of the “Times may change but group. THE GRADUATE standards don’t change.” Nassau, If they cannot support Mr Robinson wants these rules and regulations July 8, 2018.
LETTERS
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 9, 2018, PAGE 5
Families unite to stop evictions from page one “I urge the government to remember they are subject to the rule of law,” he said. “If they think someone is breaking the law, go to court, and if it’s a criminal matter give a fair hearing under tribunal. If it’s a civil matter, just like any other landlord who needs to get a tenant out – they need to issue a writ of possession and get an order from court. “We are not living in a banana republic,” Mr Smith continued, “just like immigration can’t indiscriminately and illegally stop, detain, arrest, and deport, the government can’t simply demand people leave their homes. “What law have they broken that thousands of white Bahamians in Albany and Lyford Cay haven’t when they build without a permit? All of these gated communities are expanding and building without permit.” Mr Smith added: “Why are they picking on communities of Haitian ethnic background? I urge the government to have their building and health inspectors do their jobs, identify specific houses that are unsanitary or that are unsafe and then proceed according to the Planning and Subdivision Act or Building Regulations Act or any other act like the Environmental Health Services Act. There are proper procedures to follow. Every government seems to want to take an illegal shortcut to deal with social issues that have been decades in the making. It is unconscionable, it is immoral and also illegal for the government to simply destroy people’s homes.” Mr Smith referred to the legal principle of “jus
ONE of the properties in the Bacardi Road area. tertia” which asserts that landowners or persons claiming legal title must go to court to remove persons in possession or residing on the property. He also noted the notices issued thus far have been prospective in nature, and did not address persons who have lived in these communities for decades. Yesterday, Attorney General Carl Bethel acknowledged there may be a handful of persons who may be able to mount a legal challenge but expressed doubts whether RB will be able to successfully bring a class action. He also pushed back against RB’s claim the government was subverting due process, insisting the government was acting in accordance with statute law by giving appropriate notice both generally and to specific households. However, he said the government will always
encourage persons to explore their legal entitlements, adding there was an impartial judiciary to adjudicate credible disputes. “We’re not upset about that but the issue plainly is that the government has long announced this policy,” Mr Bethel said, “we are going about it in the most humane way and pursuant to statute law. We’re not opposed to people exploring legal rights, we have a duty to protect the Bahamian people from hazards, dangers, risks. Mr Bethel continued: “The people that live in these shanty towns, you may find one or two who invoke sympathies if you look hard enough but let’s talk about the children who are abused, the people who are sick, the quality of life, let’s talk about that. The government takes up the position to clean up these areas for the benefit of residents and those
surrounding communities - that’s our duty. When this happens and the lives of persons who live in shanty towns are improved - isn’t that a right? “Why should some persons be in a special category, allowed to violate every rule and principle?” Mr Bethel said. “There can be no excuse for violating all social, regulatory, and zoning norms, creating a potential health or fire disaster for all law-abiding communities around you –- no excuse for that. We are seeking to address a perennial problem, and we’re not going to be swatted aside by a human rights group seeking a cause célèbre.” Mr Bethel said: “What constitutional right could anyone possibly have to do that? This is what Rights Bahamas is arguing for, that there is a certain breed or class of persons in this society who are not bound by
rules and regulations that bind everybody else, and because they have been allowed to continue in this state in the shadows of society that they should continue to be allowed to do that.” Yesterday, Mr Smith insisted his group and shanty town residents were not against the government moving to address illegality in shanty town communities. He accused the government of perpetuating the myth that there are only “ghetto shacks” in a concerted effort to strip residents of generational home ownership. He claimed that some landowners were prominent members of the Free National Movement, and questioned whether the government would hold anyone accountable for collecting rent. “The government is not backing up,” he said, “I have asked the government to give undertakings
that they will not demolish homes and focus on individual unsanitary or dilapidated buildings - they have not given it. So people are shocked, people who are saying they voted for, worked for, and supported this FNM government, they don’t understand how the government is going to destroy their homes. “This government has an obstinate fortress mentality,” he added, “they don’t want to talk, so we’ll meet them in court.” Notices given to shanty town residents in New Providence last month mandated that residents or landowners with an approved building permit or occupancy certificate had two weeks to have their documents verified by the Ministry of Public Works. The Minnis administration has set a July 31 deadline for New Providence shanty town evictions.
WELLS: CAUSE OF EXUMA BOAT BLAZE STILL UNKNOWN By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
THE CAUSE of the fatal Exuma boat accident which occurred more than a week ago has yet to be revealed, Transport Minister Renward Wells told The Tribune yesterday. “The investigation is ongoing,” he added. Elliot Lockhart, QC, attorney for boat owner Clayton Patterson Smith, echoed Mr Wells’ comments. Mr Lockhart told The Tribune yesterday that
police have not confirmed what caused an explosion aboard a Four C’s Adventure tour boat on June 30. The incident killed one American woman and injured eleven other people. Although initial reports from the Royal Bahamas Police Force said an engine had exploded, later reports from Acting Port Controller Commander Raymond King confirmed that this was not the case. “I am unaware of what the police report stated but I’m sure the social media images would’ve revealed
that the engines weren’t affected as part of the explosion but I wish not to speculate about what may have happened,” he said during a press conference held on July 2. At the time, former Transport and Local Government Minister Frankie Campbell said the affected vessel was homebuilt and had two Yamaha engines. Despite social media reports that representatives from Yamaha were visiting the country to inspect the boat’s engines, yesterday Mr Lockhart could not
STOLEN ITEMS RECOVERED AND SUSPECT HELD STELLAR policing by officers of the Eastern Division and Rapid Response resulted in the arrest of a man and the recovery of stolen items,
police said. Shortly before 6pm on Saturday, police, acting on information and armed with a search warrant, went to a residence on Catamaran
Avenue where they recovered a quantity of stolen items. A male of that residence was arrested and taken into police custody.
confirm this matter to be true, saying he was unaware of any such visits. On July 4, Mr Lockhart declared the boat incident to be a “purely unfortunate accident”. However, he also insisted that based on
his investigations on the island and with the boat’s captain, he strongly believes there is a possibility the boat may have been sabotaged. Four C’s, Exuma’s largest tour operator, was issued a cease and desist order on
July 1. Three days later, Mr Lockhart said his client had returned an excess of $20,000 in cancelled bookings since his company was forced to suspend operations pending the results of the investigation.
PAGE 6, Monday, July 9, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Bahamas won’t sign on to single market By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas will not sign onto the CARICOM Single Market and Economy despite historic steps taken by the region at last week’s summit, according to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Dr Minnis made it clear at a Saturday press briefing the country did not move to adopt the Protocol on Contingent Rights which provides a framework for the free movement of skilled labourers and their families between member states. Dr Minnis said: “I want to say clearly so that you understand in spite of what you may read in the newspaper, we have discussed Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME). The Bahamas is not and will not be a part of CSME. The Bahamas will not allow
free movement of people within our boundaries so we are not a part of CSME. That must be clear, so you do not feel that because of what has happened there, that Caribbean nationals would be able to move into the Bahamas quite readily. “We have our rules, our laws and they will continue to apply so we are not and will not be a part of CSME.” A review of CSME’s operation and a bid to accelerate its full implementation among CARICOM member states was one of the key issues addressed at the 39th CARICOM Heads of Government conference in Jamaica last week. Earlier this year, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness asked the body to achieve full implementation in five years, or Jamaica would consider its exit. He made the announcement in that country’s
Parliament as he tabled a report from the CARICOM commission, chaired by Jamaica’s former Prime Minister Bruce Golding, which listed recommendations to improve the group’s function. According to news reports, several CARICOM member states at last week’s meeting suggested time was running out for full implementation. Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves told media in Montego Bay that CSME provisions like currency conversion and free movement of labour needed more time. Last week, CSME member states also adopted the Procedures on the Refusal of Entry of Community Nationals, according to a CARICOM release, along with a harmonised form to be used by Immigration when refusing entry. The release stated
member states were also urged to implement the Procedures on the Refusal of Entry of Community Nationals by August 1. A special meeting on the CSME was agreed to be held in Trinidad and Tobago in November. Presently, 12 of the 15 full members of CARICOM are also full members of CSME: Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; Grenada; Guyana; Jamaica; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The Bahamas is the only full member that has not joined the CSME as Haiti is a partial participant, and Montserrat - a British Overseas Territory - is a signatory. The CSME was conceived as an integrated development strategy that began as the Caribbean Free Trade Agreement,
which was formed in 1965 and dissolved in 1973. Brent Symonette, minister of financial services, trade and industry and immigration, recently revealed to Tribune Business that the government is targeting 2019 to complete its accession process to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Under WTO, factors like the extent to which foreign labour can enter the Bahamas, and in which industries, will likely depend on this nation’s negotiators and the WTO accession terms. Meanwhile on the matter of hurricane preparedness and disaster management, Dr Minnis said he told CARICOM members he was disappointed at the level of funding for the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) –- its intergovernmental agency for disaster management.
“I told CARICOM point blank at the meeting,” Dr Minnis said, “I’m disappointed that CDEMA has not been funded as much as it should be. They are only funding CDEMA about $1.2 million, and I told CARICOM members that those who have not paid up must pay up, and we must increase funding. “We got a perfect lesson during the last hurricane when America was quite engaged with Puerto Rico and dealing with matters of its own nature, and the other territories were dealing with matters also, which meant that CARICOM nations had to come, galvanise, come together and help themselves and each other. “So the message that has come out there,” he said, “is that we cannot always depend on others. We must be able to mobilise our team, our forces, and try to help ourselves.”
MINNIS: MAKE UP YOUR OWN MINDS ‘GOING LEGAL’ IS WORTH JUST $5M from page one
“I am first and foremost a scientist,” Dr Minnis said on Saturday, “first and foremost a physician. We analyse things and there (is) information coming out that would suggest there are some scientific benefit.” Asked for his personal view, Dr Minnis said: “I believe in research and if research shows that there are medical benefits, my job as a doctor is to try and improve and save lives. I am first and foremost a doctor, so my views are more medicinal, my views are more research, but the matter has to be discussed. So I’m not going to throw my views down anybody’s throat. I’m going to give them the facts, my colleagues will give them the facts, they will read the facts and they will make up their own mind. “But I will not force my views on anybody,” he added. Dr Minnis noted Bahamian Bishop Simeon Hall was part of the regional team that conducted an extensive study on the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana use in the Caribbean, and also made a presentation at last week’s meeting. Bishop Hall was unavailable for comment up to press time. According to Jamaican news agency The Gleaner, the Regional Marijuana Commission (RMC) report argues that a strictly regulated framework for marijuana, akin to that for alcohol and tobacco, should be introduced. It said there was a unanimous view that the current classification for cannabis/
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. marijuana as a dangerous drug with no value or narcotic should be changed to a classification of legal cannabis as a “controlled” substance. Dr Minnis did not speak to any findings of the report at Saturday’s press briefing. “However, The Bahamas’ position is all of our Cabinet members will be well versed with the report,” he said, “and we would embark on an education process so that our people would understand what was the content of the report, after which we would establish a committee… they would then have the responsibility to do both town meetings, focal group meetings. They themselves would be well educated with the report and what is being said about cannabis today.” Dr Minnis continued: “They would travel to the Family Islands seeking individual Bahamians’ opinion, focal groups seeking Bahamian’s opinions, UB and other advanced education institutions within our Bahamas. Once they have completed that they would
be given a timeline as to the response and feeling of the Bahamian populace. Once that is complete that would be brought to Parliament for complete debate, therefore the people would make determination as to what is the advancement forward.” Dr Minnis noted the University of the West Indies was once one of the leading institutions in cannabis research, namely its discovery of its benefits for treating glaucoma, but had “subsequently fallen off.” The government’s committee will comprise of a wide-range of stakeholders, he said, including NGOs, members of the Christian council, University of the Bahamas, and Chamber of Commerce. Dr Minnis said there will not be an opinion poll on this issue. “The entire matter (will be) discussed at Cabinet level. We will come to a consensus determination as to who should be on such committee to ensure you have a broad base and the whole educational process, because whomever is on the committee they must also be quite versed with the report and understand it.” Dr Minnis added: “One of the big mistakes we make, you send the wrong messenger to preach a message that the messenger don’t necessarily understand.” Seventy-one percent of 998 residents surveyed in a recent Public Domain poll said they believed marijuana should be legalised for medicinal purposes, and all respondents ranked marijuana as the least harmful substance by comparison to tobacco, alcohol, and sugar, across the board.
from page one
decriminalisation with 2018 as the theoretical year of implementation. The potential effects on the various variables in year one (2019) and year two (2020) after the implementation of the legislative changes, were analysed. The models were: decriminalisation of marijuana use, with supply remaining illegal (model 1); full legalisation of marijuana production, sale and use with state control (model 2); and full legalisation of marijuana production, sale and use within a competitive market system (model 3). “Like Grenada and Guyana, The Bahamas analyses were heavily influenced by data availability. Estimates of benefits were limited to four areas; excise revenues from marijuana sales, estimates of revenues from marijuana licenses fees, fees collected from marijuana possession and costs averted from marijuana possession arrests,” it continued. “Estimates of excise revenues from marijuana sales were between BSD $180,930 for model 3 year 1 and BSD $207,240 for model 2 year 2. By far, the largest benefit was costs averted from marijuanarelated possession arrests, these ranged between BSD $455,080 for model 3 year 2 and BSD $3,416,060 for model 2 year 1.” It continued: “Moreover, much like the other countries, marijuana-related vehicular accidents costs were more severe than marijuana-related health costs, ranging between BSD $5,498 for model 1 year 2 and BDS $248,475
for model 3 year 2. By way of comparison, marijuanarelated health costs ranged between BSD $2,239 in model 1, year 2 and BSD $888,459 for model 3 year 1. “In terms of total costs and benefits, model 3 yielded the lowest benefit (BSD $4.76 million),” the report read, “followed by model 1 (BSD $5.34m). The highest costs were estimated to occur under model 3 (BSD $1.14m). Still, in all instance estimated benefits substantially outweighed estimated costs.” The report notes there is a limited degree of comparability of the results among countries as the data collected was not common for each country, and subsequent analyses varied in both approach and output. “Furthermore,” the report read, “whereas costs and benefits are presented, it must not be assumed that these are the complete list of costs and benefits, rather the list of costs and benefits were heavily influenced by the availability of data in each of the countries. The outputs are therefore meant to provide a sense of the potential impact, on selected areas, of the proposed adjustment to the legal framework regarding marijuana in the region.” The RMC was asked by CARICOM in 2014 to fully ventilate the social, economic, health and legal issues surrounding marijuana use in the Caribbean. Its mandate was to determine whether the plant should be reclassified, and under what legal and administrative conditions. As previously reported, the report states there was a unanimous view that the current classification for cannabis/marijuana as a dangerous drug with no value or narcotic should be changed to a classification of legal cannabis as a “controlled” substance. There was also unanimity on the need to ensure protections for children and young persons against possible adverse effects of cannabis. The commission advised that prohibition for children and young persons should be maintained, except for medical reasons, and called for the utilisation of treatment and diversion programmes for youth users instead of prosecution. It called for legislation to ensure unhindered access to cannabis/marijuana for scientific and medical research by approved institutions and researchers. The commission also
recommended marijuana smoking and other uses should be banned in all public spaces. The report read: “Marijuana is a plant substance with historical, cultural and religious significance to the Commonwealth Caribbean, which existed benignly as a beneficial plant without condemnation or legal intervention for centuries. Legislative history illustrates that cannabis/ marijuana acquired an illegal status and classification as a ‘dangerous drug’ with ‘no value,’ without scientific or moral rationales to support the radical change in the law, both internationally and domestically. “Further, there is considerable evidence to suggest that this transformation was due to cynical motives to quash competition with the merging alcohol industry, itself emerging from prohibition and even racial policy. This resulted in the draconian legal regime existing today which by virtue of its now illegal classification, acquired a demonised social status. “The now incontrovertible proof of the medical benefits and the value of cannabis/marijuana as a medicinal substance challenges its classification as a ‘dangerous drug’ without value (both domestically and internationally),” the report read. “This fact alone is sufficient to dismantle its currently legal classification. Accordingly, such inaccurate classification is now obsolete, can no longer be supported as a justification for law-making and should be rejected, as it undermines the legitimacy of the law itself.” The report stated the existing legal regime of prohibition was not “fit for purpose”, noting the financial and human costs of maintaining laws were “huge”. Although it underscored total legalisation in a fully liberalised regime was not a plausible option at this juncture for CARICOM, the report maintained an approach that only focused on medical marijuana “would be counterproductive and inimical to the goals of Caribbean development”. “A balanced approach that would meet the main social justice, public health rights and citizen security objectives of the region would be a hybrid or mixed option,” the report stated. “This would be an incremental and cautious approach to removing prohibition, but not too little that the goals would be frustrated, nor too much that CARICOM states are unable to manage the important regulatory controls that are envisaged. This approach would best suit the developmental objectives of the region.” The prevalence of persons who currently smoke marijuana in Guyana and Jamaica in 2016 was 4.6 percent and 28 percent, respectively, according to the report. In Barbados, that figure was between 6.28.8 percent (2006-2007) and in The Bahamas, the figure was 3% in 2017, with an average of 7.9 years since the respondents started using marijuana.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 9, 2018, PAGE 7
Cop killed suspect by ‘shot in the back’ from page one According to the evidence presented at an inquest into Fowler’s death, the bullet travelled from the back to the front of his body. This, however, contradicted the initial police reports of the matter, particularly that of Corporal 933 Kyle Capron which maintained that Fowler had sustained a shot to the abdomen, specifically the front-right lower abdomen. Additionally, according to the reports of Corporal 405 Adrian Miller, the officer said to be the one who fired the fatal shot; Detective Constable 2609 Maurice Arthur; and officer 5026 Miller, Fowler was shot while running towards them, and after being ordered to drop a firearm he was brandishing. However, Cpl 405 Miller’s attorney, K Melvin Munroe, noted in his closing submissions that Dr Sands’ report said Fowler died from a gunshot wound to the “torso”, while the death certificate listed the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the back. Additionally, Mr Munroe said when interrogated in court, Dr Sands said “back” to make a distinction from the front, and wasn’t necessarily meaning Fowler’s actual back. He also noted that Dr Sands said she also could have said “the pelvis”. Mr Munroe also noted Dr Sands saying she made a mistake on the report, that the shooting was not at close range. He said Dr Sands also said she could not determine the position the victim could have been in when he was shot. Mr Munroe noted that Cpl 405 Miller was not the only officer to shoot at Fowler on June 7; Police Constable 478 Knowles also fired a single round at Fowler, according to that officer’s initial report.
CHRISTINA GALANOS, who argued that the officers’ claims “defy common sense and logic”. However, Mr Munroe noted that while both officers discharged their weapons, and notwithstanding his client being the interested party in the proceedings, there has been no evidence led during the inquest to confirm which officer fired the fatal shot. Cpl 405 Miller’s initial report stated that he, along with D/C Arthur and L/C 5026 Miller, received information concerning a group of men in the Bernard Road area opposite the Government Library, all armed with firearms and planning a gang retaliation and initiation. As a result of that information, they contacted Police Control Room requesting assistance from other police units. The crew of Detective Assistant Superintendent Butler and other officers, along with a K-9 unit with Cpl 933 Kyle Capron and D/C 478 Knowles were all briefed on the matter. The officers then proceeded to the area, and Cpl 405 Miller, D/C Arthur and L/C 5026 Miller entered a bushy short-cut area off Fox Dale and travelled northeast. While there, Cpl 405 Miller said he heard one single shot and observed two males running towards him.
The male in the front was wearing a white striped shirt and blue jeans, and was also brandishing a black firearm in his right hand. After shouting “police, drop the gun,” Cpl 405 Miller said the suspect raised the firearm and pointed it in the direction of him and the other officers. As a result, he said he became in fear for his life and subsequently fired one single shot in the direction of the male, who consequently fell to the ground. The firearm fell nearby and the male made attempts to retrieve it. As a result, Cpl 405 Miller said he quickly ran towards the male and removed the firearm — a black 9mm pistol with eight live rounds of ammunition. D/C Arthur’s initial report mirrored Cpl 405 Miller’s report, as well as that of LC 5026 Miller, though the latter’s didn’t mention anything about the suspect trying to retrieve the gun after being shot. However, both Cpl Capron’s and P/C Knowles’ reports differ from that of their colleagues, particularly the latter’s. While P/C Knowles’ initial report coincides with that of Cpl 405 Miller’s and L/C 5026 Miller’s as far as receiving information about a group of males planning a gang retaliation and initiation, it claims that upon the officers approaching the group of males, one of them, purported to be Fowler, stands up, pulls a gun out of his waist and points it in his direction. P/C Knowles’ report says while he was in fear for his life and that he consequently fired a single round in the suspect’s direction, it makes no mention of Cpl 405 Miller also shooting at the suspect, or shooting at anyone for that matter. Additionally, P/C Knowles’ report states that after he fired the shot in the suspect’s direction, the suspect then ran to the rear of
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a residence through nearby bushes along with a “heavy built male” wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans, as opposed to falling on the ground as stated in Cpl 405 Miller’s and L/C 5026 Millers’ reports. After that, P/C Knowles reported that he heard what appeared to be a gunshot from the bushes where the suspects ran. He then went in that direction with K-9 Falco where he came upon both suspects lying on the ground. Cpl Capron’s report mirrors that of P/C Knowles, however, Cpl Capron’s report mentions him observing the armed suspect suffering from “an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen,” while PC Knowles’ report does not. However, testimony from Kenyon Symonette painted an entirely different picture of the events that transpired on the date in question. Symonette said that he, Fowler and others were sitting where the officers said they were sitting on the road. He said he saw an officer with a dog approach them and another two police officers pulling up. As a result, Mr Symonette said he decided to flee because he had some outstanding traffic warrants. Mr Symonette said as he moved to flee into the shortcut, he noticed from his peripheral vision that Fowler was behind him. However, as they were running, Fowler eventually overtook him. Shortly afterwards, Mr Symonette said the two ran into two police officers. He
said he saw when Fowler put his hands in the air and got down on the ground on his stomach. Afterwards, he claimed he saw a dark, heavy-set officer with three freckles on his face walked up to him and said “get down with your fat a**. You look like you want get shoot.” Mr Symonette said as he was getting down, and after putting one knee on the ground, he heard a single gunshot. Afterwards, he heard officers asking for Fowler’s name and date of birth. He said Fowler answered but was gasping and sounded weak. Mr Symonette said the officers asked Fowler for his name and date of birth again and his answer sounded weaker that time. He said he also heard one of the officers curse, adding that he saw no injuries on Fowler before he got down and said he never saw him with a gun. Mr Symonette said he was eventually taken into custody with the others, held at Fox Hill police station before being taken to CDU where he was questioned. Mr Symonette said he made it seem as if he was not around when Fowler was shot for fear that officers would either kill him or “lose him in jail”. On Friday, Christina Galanos, the attorney for Fowler’s family, submitted that the officers’ claims “defy commons ense and logic”, and further charged their evidence defies “science” and the expert opinion of Dr Sands. She further charged
that based on the officers’ reports and their evidence in court, their depiction of the events that transpired on the date in question “simply does not make sense”. She also questioned the particulars of P/C 478 Knowles and Cpl 933 Capron’s reports, which suggested that as those officers approached Fowler and the other people he was with, Fowler “randomly” got up and pointed a gun at P/C 478 Knowles. Ms Galanos also noted all of the officers were armed with 9mm guns during the incident in question, but said “coincidentally”, the officers claimed Fowler also had a 9mm gun. Thus, she said, it doesn’t take “much of an imagination” to figure out where the gun in question could have come from. In making his closing submissions, however, Mr Munroe called on the jury to put themselves in the shoes of the officers at the time of the incident, and asked them to ponder what their actions would be if faced with the same issue. In view of the officers’ evidence, Mr Munroe also asserted that based on the country’s laws, any citizen, including the police, confronted by a person with a firearm can defend themselves and their life in a manner equal to the threat with which they were faced. “The police, they’re not above the law. But by no means they are below it,” he said. The inquest continues.
www.ub.edu.bs
CAREER OPPORTUNITY Suitably qualified candidates are invited to submit applications for the following position available at University of The Bahamas:Recruitment Officer I will assist and provide general support to the Recruitment & Admissions Office related to local and international recruitment for prospective students at University of The Bahamas (UB).
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Among the duties and responsibilities are: • Assist with attending and/or presenting at educational fairs, exhibitions, on and off-site recruitment events and activities. This may include visitation to junior high schools, secondary high schools, businesses and civic groups locally and internationally; • Create a pleasant relationship with all New Providence, as well as, Family Island schools’ guidance counselors and principals; • Assist with generating and maintaining a database for each high school that should be updated annually and, in some cases, at the beginning of each new school term; • Contribute innovative ideas and strategies as it relates to the recruitment of new applicants; • Assist with budget analysis and the development of recruitment strategies; • Submit required weekly, annual or other reports in a timely manner; • Create reports or database on actual student programme interest and enrollment of all new students; • Assist with follow-up analysis of students’ enrollment and college experience; • Assist with reporting of all new programmes that are not currently offered at UB for the overall curriculum programme planning process; • Must uphold UB policies and procedures with regard to student privacy and confidentiality regulations. Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (BBA), Marketing or Media Journalism, with at least 2-3 years of work experience in the work related environment. A detailed position announcement is available online at: http://www.ub.edu.bs/about-us/career-opportunities/ Applicants should electronically submit via hrapply@ub.edu.bs, to the attention of the Vice President, Human Resources the following documents: • A cover letter of interest highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position; • A completed UB Employment Application Form http://www.ub.edu.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Application-for-Employment-Staff.pdf;
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume; • Copy of the relevant pages of a valid passport showing passport number, photo identification and expiration date; • The names and contact information of three professional references.
T: 322-2188/9
E-mail: hrapply@ub.edu.bs Attention: Vice President, Human Resources - University of The Bahamas
E: geoffjones@comcast.net www.geoffreyjonesandco.com
DEADLINE TO APPLY: 25TH JULY 2018
Sales & Full Service Department Rosetta & Montgomery Streets
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018
It’s time to bust the marijuana myths By MALCOLM STRACHAN IT is “high” time the conversation of marijuana decriminalisation or legalisation be approached intellectually. This has been a subject of recent debate, particularly gaining momentum at the beginning of the year. CARICOM’s regional assessments led to a town meeting over a week ago, where despite a lack of representation from the people that oppose marijuana decriminalisation or legalisation, there was still a good turnout, as citizens came out in droves to voice their opinions on the issue. Even though those not in support of marijuana reform were not present, CARICOM representatives were still able to gauge people’s thoughts on the subject. Truthfully, it was good to see citizens come forth and relay their concerns and highlight the plight our marijuana laws place on society. One gentleman’s passionate plea to the moderator was said to be “moving” as he, in riveting detail, served as a spokesperson for the young men whose records become tainted for as little as a joint – effectively leading them on paths to becoming menaces to a
more than 200 diseases and injury-related health issues. Despite these harsh realities, alcohol consumption is certainly legal and practically a cultural norm in Bahamian society. Tobacco statistics are even more alarming: America’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes more than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking. Moreover, six million Americans die annually, and this number DRUG Enforcement Officers with a large quantity of marijuana confiscated last year in Abaco. is projected to increase to society that long turned its Mary Jane?” temperament coming out of eight million by 2030. HowWill its legalisation or the cabinet on the issue. Per- ever, tobacco, like alcohol, back on them. He beckoned mean haps, the most surprising is is a socially accepted vice. to our religious leaders – decriminalisation According to The United chief among them former doom and gloom for our the disinterest of Dr Duane Bahamas Christian Council nation? And if that is the Sands, who has been more Nations Office on Drugs president Bishop Simeon case, how are we currently reticent on the subject than and Crime 2017 World Hall - to stand in the gap managing to survive - as it some would have expected. Drug Report, the aforementioned is only such a major talking As a medical against the injustices. numbers ‘Criminalising How ironic is it that a point because of its preva- professional, on alcohol God-created herb with such lence even while illegal? he should be young people and tobacco The Bahamian ultra- fully aware of a storied application to the by staining their dramatimedical world is so terribly conservative sect is terrified the benefits cally dwarf stigmatised in today’s world and would throw everything that medicinal records at such drug-related – inparticular here in The short of the kitchen sink at marijuana has a young age only deaths, which this issue. We’ve heard eve- had in his field Bahamas. serves to cripple are estimated We, as a people, are rything from it going against since its rebirth to be around so hell-bent on forming our status as a “Christian in the 90s, as them in society. 190,000 and “groupthink” rather than nation”, to suggestions we well it his- Oftentimes, the in most cases making ourselves knowl- would be living in a 700 torically being can be attribedgeable on a subject. It island and cay zombie-land renowned as lack of options uted to opioid is to our detriment as we with already slow-moving a treatment that result from usage. The only repress ourselves in an civil servants moving at an for conditions being convicted CDC also even slower pace. evolving world. such as asthma released that Since the meeting, there all the way to of marijuana It begs the question: 46 people Who’s afraid of “Big Bad has even been a polarising more terminal possession – died every illnesses such even when it is a day in 2016 as cancer. from prescripMythbusting single joint – end tion opioid The stigma up creating the overdoses. associated with criminals that Yet here we smoking mariare, shaking juana - that we fear today. in our boots many people at the big, bad still believe to this day – originated with an influx of marijuana plant. One would be hardMexicans migrating to the United States who used the pressed to find similar herb for recreational uses. statistics on marijuana. In This caused the act to be fact, the majority of the looked down upon by the research that exists point masses. However, this, as to an impossibility of there we can see in the modern being an overdose caused United States, may be much by cannabis. Even when we look at more of a racial issue than a pain reliever of a “lesser anything else. Lo and behold, an immi- effect”: when someone has gration issue turned into a a headache or any kind of war on drugs and marijuana pain, in search of relief they being classified as a danger- may take an aspirin. Why not? This is widely accepted ous drug. Additionally, with big and not frowned upon, in pharma seeing the threat of that it does not have the a natural remedy to many of same addictive properties the illnesses a multitude of as stronger pain relievers. resources would have been However, its side effects pumped into, something can consist of black/bloody would have to be done to faeces, coughing up or vomprotect the private interests iting blood, severe nausea, fever, swelling, upset stomof a few ambitious men. Subsequently, media ach, heartburn, drowsiness tycoon William Ran- - and bizarrely – pain or a dolph Hearst set on a headache – the reason one crusade against marijuana sought out relief to begin by manufacturing and with. Now, isn’t that ironic! Moreover, an Oxford sensationalising uncorroborated stories to sway University study revealed public opinion. Among the daily aspirin usage resulted fallacies he published, he in 3,000 deaths in the suggested marijuana sent United Kingdom – another people on a drug-induced jurisdiction that has been craze where they murdered on the conservative end people. This is perhaps one of the marijuana debate. of the greatest mistruths However, as the world’s associated with marijuana, outlook on the plant and as there has been no pal- its pros potentially far outpable evidence to validate weighing its cons being seen a homicide associated with as budding industries are flourishing all around the the herb. Still, we live in a society world, we shouldn’t be surwhere it as seen as the big prised to see a change in the bad wolf and getting high UK in the near future. Generally speaking, will send you on a similar drug-induced, murderous the outdated views by crusade. It is laughable that some – particularly in The we have such staunch Bahamas where we still believers in this tale that refuse to remove the plank they would probably reject from their eyes so we can any research that disproves clearly see that when reguthis notion before turning lated marijuana has myriad their belief system on its benefits, socially, medically and economically - are terhead. Yet, some Christians ribly stifling. If we were to engage in smoke cigarettes and partake in alcohol. And those constructive dialogue, with that don’t aren’t running biases removed we would through the streets dousing see clear benefits that ought their fellow man with holy to be considered. As crime has been a water and reciting scriptures. However, when it Goliath of sorts, any law comes to marijuana, it is the enforcement official would tell you that the majority spawn of Satan, himself! of the killings taking place By the numbers We can simply look at are a result of the gang wars the numbers: In 2011, there on our streets. While not were 2.5 million alcohol- having been scientifically related deaths. By the proven, jurisdictions which following year, this tragic have legalised or decrimistatistic rose to 3.3 million nalised marijuana have net deaths. Further, in 2014, seen considerable decreases the World Health Organi- in their crime statistics. For zation (WHO) published example, in 2013, Washthat alcohol contributed to ington State recorded a 13 percent reduction in
murders and ten percent in overall crime. This is certainly something to take note of. Legalisation of marijuana has taken major steps in undermining the Mexican drug cartels by biting off a large chunk of their profits. Over time, we may be able to see a true correlation if this trend continues. Similarly, as local gangs fight over turf and its resources come largely from the illegal distribution of marijuana, the policy makers would potentially be dealing a lethal blow to their operations as well. Even if we were to only look at decriminalisation as an initial phase - internationally, it has also been seen that criminalising young people by staining their records at such a young age only serves to cripple them in society. Oftentimes, the lack of options that result from being convicted of marijuana possession – even when it is a single joint – end up creating the criminals that we fear today. Shall we continue to let our sometimes, stifling narrow-mindedness and immovable belief in a debunked stigma continue to guide our perceptions and perpetuate a vicious cycle? Think of the medical feats that can be achieved for our suffering brothers and sisters. According to the US Census Bureau, as of 2016, there were approximately 2.6 million medical marijuana users. Among them, about 92 percent stated the treatment was helpful. However, this is not an argument to suggest we should throw the baby out with the bathwater. Rather, both modern medicine and medical marijuana can be used to treat the ailing and sick interchangeably, where recommended by a medical professional. While we look at some of our progressive neighbours, the economic benefits are indubitably an indicator the profit potential is worth analysing for the Bahamian government. For a country that hooks its employment prospects to a volatile tourism industry, we ought to seriously consider the fact that in the United States alone, the marijuana industry is slated to account for more jobs than the manufacturing industry by 2020. By looking at a small sample size to create a snapshot of the employment opportunities, 57,500 jobs have created between Colorado, Washington and Oregon. Also, those states racked up $175m, $241m and $55m respectively in tax revenue. Surely, this would have to be applied to the Bahamian context, but the numbers don’t lie. This industry, if regulated correctly, has a host of benefits. But first, before we can move forward, we must ask ourselves: “Who’s afraid of the ‘Big Bad Mary Jane’?” And secondly, “Why?” - when its illegality obviously does not prevent its consumption? Will legalising or decriminalising marijuana be the end-all, be-all to our nation’s laundry list of problems? Of course not. However, for a “people’s government” to ignore what seems to be the will of the people - especially when there is a plethora of other examples accessible for them to study – it would certainly be a less than progressive move for a prime minister who has committed himself to leading the country in the 21st century. As the Cabinet prepares to take a day to discuss this latest topic of debate, we are eager to see what they come up with. Hopefully, it is consistent with their mantra of it being “the people’s time”.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018 PAGE 9
What do you do when a robber walks through the door? A ROBBERY is one of the most serious and potentially dangerous crimes committed today. A robber commits a hold-up because he or she believes their profit will be worth the risk. Many people are victims of this crime and many are attacked violently. Using the tips below you can help reduce the possibility of armed robbery and protect the safety of employees and customers.
ROBBERY PREVENTION
1. Greet customers and make direct eye contact. Greeting customers as they enter your store does not just improve customer service, it sends a message to any person entering the store that they have been recognised. 2. Be cautious about answering probing questions. Inquiries relating to opening and closing times are to be expected, but questions or phone calls about your facility’s alarm system or how many employees are on duty at any given time? Those should raise some red flags and politely refusing to give that kind of information is a reasonable and smart way to handle the situation. 3. Maintain visibility throughout the store. Make sure to provide as much visibility as possible, allowing people outside to see inside the store. This effort alone may deter some potential robbers. One of the biggest obstructions of maintaining a clear field of vision is bad lighting. Interior lighting should be bright enough to allow people outside your business to see people inside. Be sure to assess your lighting and the visibility it provides both day and night and replace burned out bulbs promptly. Eliminate any dark areas around your building and parking lots by installing motion sensors that flood an area with light when motion is detected. Lighting is only part of the equation. There should be visibility from the register area to the street at all times. So, be mindful to avoid hanging signs or putting displays on windows or around the sales counter that can obstruct the view of the register. In areas that are blocked by shelving or walls, hang concave mirrors to eliminate any blind spots. 4. Develop a cash control programme. Robbers are in it for the cash and while casing the store they will be looking
Police advice
By SERGEANT NATHALIE RANGER
to see if you have large bills in the register. That is why a low cash policy is so important. A good way to help deter a robbery is by keeping the smallest amount of cash on the premises as possible. Be sure to post a notice to that effect that is visible to customers. 5. Be discreet in cash counting and bank deposits. Do not invite a robbery by carelessly handling money in the store. Be discreet when counting large amounts of cash or preparing a bank deposit, ideally in the back room while another employee handles the register out front, or when there are no customers in the store. Depending on your business, you might opt to make bank deposits using an armoured car service. If this is not an option for you, be sure to vary both your routes to the bank, as well as your times of deposit and take a second person along whenever possible. Do not be obvious about going to the bank. Leave your uniform, apron, or name tag behind when you make a deposit, and do what you can to obscure the money by hiding it a paper lunch bag, a plastic sandwich container, a backpack, or shopping bag. Try to avoid depositing at night, if possible. 6. Take precautions during opening and closing. Always have two employees present when opening up business for the day. Start with a visual check of the entire store before starting your daily opening routine to make sure nothing is out of the ordinary. At closing, have employees check all back rooms, restrooms, and closets to ensure that no one remains in the store. The person in charge of the store should have the only keys to side and back doors, and they should keep them locked at all times to prevent undetected entry. 7. Invest in a security alarm system. Arming your facility with a business security system is an excellent deterrent of would-be robbers. Business security systems are monitored 24/7 by an alarm company, who
immediately notifies the police when activated. These systems offer solutions that can be customised for any business. Consider installing security cameras too. They not only work as a robbery prevention tactic, but can also help with identifying a robber after the robbery has been committed. Lastly, if an alarm system is in use at your business, clearly post security signs and stickers on points of entry. 8. Train your employees. No matter how safe the inside and outside of your business may seem, managers and employees must be trained in robbery deterrence. Training your personnel and periodically refreshing them on robbery deterrence procedures can curb robbery and perhaps more importantly, it can teach them to react calmly and quickly in the event a robbery does occur.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO DURING A ROBBERY
What you or your employees do during a robbery can have a tremendous impact on the outcome of the situation. That is why it is vital to remember a few important tips. 1. Stay calm. It may seem slightly unreasonable to expect anyone to remain calm in a robbery situation, but bringing undue attention to the situation could cause panic and endanger lives. Keep in mind, most robbers are not looking to harm their victim, they are only interested in getting money or property and they are nervous. So, the calmer you are, the less chance there is of the robber becoming agitated or dangerous. 2. Cooperate. Again, robbers are only interested in your money or property, and they seldom hurt people who are willing to cooperate. So, give them what they want and do it
OFFICERS of the Royal Bahamas Police Force conducting a walkabout in Palmdale to offer advice on crime prevention. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Take note of the dis- everything just as it is. Do quickly. Handle the entire situ- guise used, and if there is not try to clean up or touch ation as if you were with a a weapon, glance at it only anything the robber has customer and do not delay long enough to identify it. touched. You may smudge a them in any way. Slowing Look at the robber from fingerprint. down your actions in the then on. While you wait for the Try to discreetly observe police, take time to docuhope that the police will arrive only endangers lives. the robber’s hands. If the ment what just occurred, DO NOT argue, fight, robber is not wearing any including the time the robsurprise, or attempt to use gloves, anything they touch bery took place, what was weapons against a robber. might leave behind identifi- stolen, and a description This is not the time for able fingerprints. of the robber. Write down And if it can be done everything you can think of heroics. Any additional provocation on your part safely, try to observe the while it is still fresh in your could make the situation direction the robber takes mind, including the robber’s when leaving the scene. speech and mannerisms. worse. If you have to move, tell Where a vehicle is involved, If there are any witthe robber what you are concentrate on the make, nesses, ask them to write doing and why. And let model, year, colour, licence down their account of the them know about any pos- plate number. robbery, including suspect 4. Be careful engaging a information. Do not comsible surprises, such as a second employee who is silent alarm. pare notes. People observe If your business has a things in different ways, working in a back room, or if you are expecting com- silent or duress alarm, do so what you might notice, not activate it during a rob- another person may not pany soon. That said, follow the rob- bery unless the situation is and vice versa. Comparing ber’s directions exactly, but life threatening. Even then, notes could cause memories don’t volunteer any extra you should only activate it to be skewed. information about things when you are confident you Ask witnesses to stay like hidden cash or addi- can do so without detection. until an officer arrives. If Do not take any chances. unable to do so, write down tional valuables. Property is not more valu- their names, addresses, and 3. Remain observant. The best defence is being able than lives. phone numbers. observant. Try to gather as These robbery prevenmuch information as postion tips, in addition to IN THE AFTERMATH sible; often, it is the details partnering with a local, OF A ROBBERY that are the greatest help to expert alarm company, is a When the robber leaves, powerful strategy for propolice. Be systematic in your staff should not attempt to tecting your business from observations. Mentally note follow after them. Instead, robberies. Let us create the racial origin, sex, age, they should immediately safer communities. height, weight, hair colour, lock all the doors, and call Visit the Royal Bahamas eye colour and any other the police. Even if you have Police Force Website at defining characteristics that already activated an alarm, www.royalbahamaspolice. could be used to identify a you should still call the org or Facebook page at suspect (ie tattoos, scars). police. www.facebook.com/rbpHave everyone move to force for latest news, daily Sometimes, it can help to compare the robber with the back of the building crime reports and addiyourself. (Is he or she taller, and wait for the police to tional crime prevention arrive making sure to leave tips. heavier, older, etc?)
PAGE 10 MONDAY, JULY 9, 2018
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Justice free of politics A
S controversy currently surrounds the appointment of a judge to the Supreme Court of the United States, the ease with which a new Chief Justice of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was installed on July 4, without any political involvement, should be cause for pride in the Caribbean. In the United States, judges of the Supreme Court – the equivalent of the CCJ – are nominated by the President but must be approved by the Senate. This process has proven to be contentious and protracted. Nominations by any President are regarded as attempts to weigh the balance of the court’s composition in favour of one or other of the two political parties’ ideology. And, since a Supreme Court Judge is appointed for life, only death or resignation occasions an opportunity for a replacement. Toward the end of Barack Obama’s term of office as President, the Senate which was controlled by the Republican Party - refused to meet to consider his nomination of Merrick B Garland to replace conservative Justice Antonin Scalia who died suddenly. With a Presidential election eight months away from President Obama’s nomination, the Republicans were determined to await the result of the election and the possibility of a Republican President nominating a judge who shared their political thinking. In the end, the Senate delay prevailed and the Supreme Court appointment was left to the new President Donald Trump who promptly nominated Neil Gorsuch, a legal conservative favoured by Republicans. Four months
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
after his nomination, Justice Gorsuch was approved by a politically divided senate. The vote was a narrow 54-45 in his favour. In the last two weeks, another vacancy has arisen on the Supreme Court benches as Justice Anthony M Kennedy announced his retirement. Once again, controversy has arisen over the appointment as the political factions in the US quarrel over the ideological leanings of any nominee by President Trump. This battle, split down political party lines, is expected to continue right up to mid-term elections for the US Senate in November. While this public debate takes place in the US, the post of Chief Justice of the CCJ transitioned seamlessly with no controversy, and, importantly, no political involvement. The reason for the seamless transition from Sir Denis Byron to Justice Adrian Saunders as Chief Justice is that there is no role for governments or political parties in the appointment of Justices of the CCJ or the Chief Justice. The search for, and nomination of, the Chief Justice, and other Justices, are carried out by a Commission comprising representatives of bar associations from the region, the Law Faculty of the University of the West Indies and other public service and legal services organisations. When Justice Adrian Saunders was installed as the third President of the CCJ in Jamaica by
Sir Patrick Allen, the Governor-General of Jamaica, the installation was nothing more than ceremonial; the governments of CARICOM having accepted the decision of the regional Commission. While a head of government of any one of the CARICOM countries could have objected to the Commission’s nominee, he or she would have had to secure the agreement of three-quarters of the number of the other heads of government to carry forward an objection. The possibility of such a development is remote, if not impossible. The procedure for selecting and appointing the Chief Justice and other Justices of the CCJ underscores the Court’s independence from governments and political parties. So far, the Commission charged with the task has done an outstanding job. Certainly, the CCJ could have wanted no better quality Chief Justices than they have had in Michael de la Bastide, Sir Denis Byron and now Adrian Saunders. These are all persons, who in addition to their high reputations within the Caribbean region, have enjoyed international respect as their record attests. Like the Supreme Court of the US, which has original jurisdiction over disputes between the states of the United States, the CCJ has original jurisdiction over disputes within the Caribbean Community under the CARICOM Treaty; the
JUSTICE Adrian Saunders CCJ, like the US Supreme Court also has appellate jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. However, while all CARICOM countries accept the original jurisdiction of the CCJ in relation to the CARICOM Treaty, only five of them have so far acceded to the court in its appellate jurisdiction. The arguments in the countries, which have maintained the Judicial Committee of the British Privy Council as the final appellate court, have centred on government influence over the CCJ. But, as has been clearly shown in this commentary, no government has any influence or control over the appointment of the Chief Justice or other Justices of the Court. Further, the record of the CCJ manifestly demonstrates the court has in
no way acted in favour of governments. Between 2005 and 2018, the CCJ has dealt with 79 matters involving three governments; 41 of those cases were lost by governments. The Barbados government won 10 cases and lost 21; the Belize government won 10 and lost 10; and the Guyana government won 18 and lost 10. The argument that governments exercise any control on the judgments of the CCJ is without any foundation. What is more, these judgments are now widely cited by jurists in jurisdictions around the world and are praised for their high quality and judicial analysis. Dean Barrow, the Prime Minister of Belize, and a lawyer himself, sums up the CCJ in the following terms: “Whatever criticisms may still be aimed at the
court, no one can doubt the breadth of its scholarship and the depth of its reasoning. I say this as one whose administration has suffered several reversals at the court’s hands. I am nevertheless happy to proclaim my complete confidence in the court.” It is time to stop dithering and complete the circle of Caribbean sovereignty by embracing the CCJ – a regional institution that has demonstrated its independence and its quality in delivering justice for the peoples of the Caribbean Community. • Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. The views expressed are his own.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 9, 2018, PAGE 11
LAWYER UPSET OVER VIRAL VIDEO OF ARGUMENT AT EXUMA AIRPORT By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Supreme Court justice and Exuma MP Elliot Lockhart has vowed to take the government to task after a video recording of him at an Exuma airport went viral. In the video, Mr Lockhart gets into a brief argument with a police officer that escalates into a shouting match. The 63-year-old QC explained to The Tribune the video was taken after he had gone through the metal detector for a third time and captures an exchange with security officials, whom he said were all familiar with him. He admits that he had “one or two” drinks before heading to the airport, but attributed his loudness to hearing issues. The former judge can be seen at a security checkpoint at the airport, and the recording begins as Mr Lockhart collects his
personal items from the conveyor belt, having already gone through the metal detector. Mr Lockhart said: “I was smoking grass since I came to Exuma, if you would like to know, now find it.” A female security officer asks jokingly whether Mr Lockhart has any substances on his person, to which he replied: “Never, never never.” A police officer steps forward to admonish Mr Lockhart, saying: “Sir, I think you’re a little too old to be behaving like this.” Mr Lockhart then tells the officer repeatedly to “step down”. Mr Lockhart says: “I’ve been a lawyer for 40 years in this country, look, I have my driver’s licence, I am in charge of the police complaints inspectorate. I look after guys like you.” The officer replies: “But you see how you acting. You acting immature, sir, you supposed to be a senior citizen, you supposed to be setting an example for
persons like me, and you see how you carrying on.” Mr Lockhart says: “Do not cast your pearls among swine.” The encounter appears to escalate when the officer steps toward Mr Lockhart and places his hand on his arm, and asks him to lower his voice, to which Mr Lockhart demands he remove his hand. The video ends as the officer backs away and Mr Lockhart collects his belongings and walks out of the security area. When contacted about the incident, filmed more than a week ago, Mr Lockhart explained he had endured a long day of traversing the island in the aftermath of the Four C’s boat explosion, which he described as a “serious tragedy”. Mr Lockhart said he had spent the day advising Four C’s owner Patterson Smith and conducting interviews. He said he consumed “one or two” drinks with friends just before heading to the airport.
As a former judge, MP and QC, Mr Lockhart said he enjoyed wide support from the Exuma community and was surprised the video was posted online and was filmed inside a secure facility. He explained the video shows him collecting his things after going through the metal detector and being unable to determine what was setting off the alarm. “I know I didn’t have a belt on because of this whole idea of going through security system. I went through screening on three separate occasions, the thing kept ringing off. I turn up my back pocket and it was my keys. So I was having fun with the girls on the front end of the security line, they all know me. “I have a problem with hearing so difficulty controlling the volume of my voice, the officer felt I was being noisy so he came out trying to deal with me. “Knowing my rights I pushed him to the limit, and
ELLIOT LOCKHART, QC had he put his hands on me the government would rue that day. “But in the security area it is clear there should be no cameras,” he said, “to my surprise I see this video. I’m a Bahamian, there are loads of unsolved crimes in Exuma – theft of boat engines, missing persons, put your energy into solving crime. But this joker comes up to me trying to make himself look big. “My having gone through
all that I went through earlier in the day with the suffering of those persons on this boat, the affects it will have on the Exuma community. I had the weight of the whole world on my shoulders and that was the straw that broke the camel’s back. “I’m still reflecting on what I suffered because this thing went viral from the authorities, so the authorities must take responsibility for it,” Mr Lockhart said.
VICTIM DIES IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTING from page one
An occupant fired shots at the victim before speeding away. Although the man was hit in his the body, he ran to a nearby home. He was assisted to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. This marks the 55th murder for the year, according to The Tribune’s records, including 14 in June. In the wake of the wave of violence that occurred last month, on June 17 National Security Minister Marvin Dames announced a series of new crime fighting strategies. These strategies would
be geared towards the blanket coverage of specific hotspot areas in New Providence, and included the incorporation of new crime fighting equipment as a part of the 2018 budget cycle, including an updated fleet of squad cars valued at $6.9m. At the time, Mr Dames insisted that while overall crime continues to decrease, police cannot take comfort in the fact that people are still losing their lives. He said last month: “We cannot sit back while murders occur as one life is one too many. The fight against crime and violence has to and will continue to be approached holistically.”
CAREER OPPORTUNITY The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB) has a vacancy for a professional Office Manager and Administrator. The successful candidate will have superior interpersonal and communication skills, an excellent understanding of accounting systems (Quickbooks), record keeping and file management; and will preferably have a passion for Bahamian art and culture. The individual will become a full-time employee of The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) for a Monday-Friday 40-hour workweek, with the possibility of flex-time, and would manage the general office and facilities of the NAGB, including the supervision of some staff. The Office Manager and Administrator will also assist the Director of the NAGB with administrative functions to keep operations running smoothly. A detailed job description including the positions key accountabilities may be downloaded via this link http://www.viviangroupbahamas.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Job-DescriptionOFc-Mgr-Admn.pdf. Interested persons must meet the following minimum criteria: An undergraduate degree or certified training in a related field with a minimum of three years of experience. Previous working experience in a fast-paced environment. Excellent communication skills, including written and oral skills. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Good understanding of accounting (knowledge of Quickbooks). Ability to plan, prioritize and manage workloads. Previous experience as a supervisor and/or project team leader. A team player with the ability to work on own initiative to drive results. All applicants must submit the following by email, to nagbmanager@viviangroupbahamas.com, no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday July 13th: Cover letter highlighting the applicant’s interest in the position. Current résumé. Copies of qualifications and certificates. Three (3) professional references. Copy of one form of national ID, including either National Insurance Card, Passport or Driver’s License. Queries may also be sent to nagbmanager@viviangroupbahamas.com.Incomplete applications will not be processed for consideration. Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Friday July 13th
Your Health when it matters most… Urgent Care • Family Practice • Minor Procedures Stellar Urgent Care #20 Rose lane, Palmdale, P.O. Box -EE-15018 Nassau, Bahamas For more information, Contact us at; Tel: 1-242-603-1416 Cell: 1-242-828 -3984 Fax: 1-242-356-0025 E-mail: stellarurgentcare@gmail.com Hours: Mon. & Fri. 9-4pm
PAGE 12, Monday, July 9, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
DOMINICAN AND US POSCHERS HELD By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
FORTY-SIX people on board a Dominican fishing vessel were apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on Sunday for poaching. This came two days after six Americans aboard a 63-foot pleasure craft were arrested by RBDF officers on Friday for violating the Bahamas National Trust Act after they were caught with fish in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, which is a no-take zone. The RBDF said the latest arrest came after the agency received information that three foreign vessels were in the area of Guinchos Cay. HMBS Madeira, under the command of Senior Lieutenant William Sturrup, was immediately dispatched
to the area to investigate. A 70ft steel hull Dominican fishing vessel named “Ronnie” was apprehended approximately 20 nautical miles south east of Cay Lobos with 46 Dominican fishermen on board. “Further investigations resulted in the discovery of a large quantity of fishery products onboard,” the RBDF said. “Two other Dominican fishing vessels that were in the vicinity fled the area into Cuban waters.” In relation to the Americans, marines spotted the foreign fishing vessel while conducting a patrol approximately one and a half miles southeast of Warderick Wells Cay on Friday. Upon searching the American-registered craft, marines discovered an “undetermined amount of scale fish on board”. The men were subsequently cautioned and
taken into custody. Patrol craft P-45, coxswained by Chief Petty Officer Theodore Thompson, was dispatched to the area. The vessel brought the men and their fishery products to New Providence on Saturday morning. BNT park warden Brent Burrows expressed his frustration with people fishing in the protected Exuma Park and claiming to be ignorant about the law. “As a Bahamian, and a park warden, it’s disheartening that we still deal with poachers on a near regular basis,” he said. “Despite the park boundaries being marked on most every electronic chart, a chart-book, and cruising guides, people still take their chances; abusing the rules of the park. The story always plays out more or less the same – the crew pleads
ignorance, claim they didn’t know the rules. I’m sick of that story and becoming less and less tolerant to hearing the same old tune.” On June 16, the RBDF apprehended four Dominican fishermen for poaching. These men have since been charged in court. Also last month, marines and the park warden apprehended two Bahamians in possession of over $160,000 worth of drugs in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. The drugs were turned over to police. The suspects, who pleaded not guilty, were remanded to the Department of Correctional Services. This case is currently continuing. The RBDF also noted that Friday’s apprehension occurred “shortly after” the closing ceremony of a week-long Marine Conversation Workshop for law
A GROUP of Americans aboard a 63-foot pleasure craft were apprehended on suspicion of poaching in a protected area by enforcement officers held at A complete no-take zone by both land and sea; the the RBDF Base. This workshop was park is known for its beauty, hosted by the Bahamas anchorages, and marine Reef Environment Educa- environment, according to the Bahamas National Trust. tional Foundation. To report poaching, conThe Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park, established in tact the park warden on 1959, was the world’s first VHF09, or call the Park protected area of its kind. Office at 1-(242)-601-7438.
‘NOT ENOUGH SHELTERS TO PROTECT GRAND BAHAMA’ By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THERE are not enough hurricane shelters on Grand Bahama, and a Grand Bahama MP believes it is time to move beyond makeshift shelters at churches, high schools, and gymnasium facilities. In March, a NEMA official in Freeport reported that the buildings designated as shelters are not “up to par” and in need of repairs. All eyes are on Hurricane Beryl, which is officially the first Atlantic hurricane of 2018. It is currently tracking westward through the Atlantic Ocean. “We do not have enough shelters for the island of Grand Bahama; we are in need of shelters…,” said NEMA warehouse manager Tammi Mitchell during a special radio show on hurricane preparedness which aired in late March. “The shelters are going through lots of challenges; our primary shelters are high schools and gymnasiums; everyone has heard that they are not really up to par. They are all we had to use for many years, despite the challenges they have.” “We still have to use them, unfortunately. Some repairs are needed, and we are hoping we can get those done to those buildings. And hopefully, they will be able to be deemed necessary shelters.” Ms Mitchell also noted that some of the churches have opted to be
removed from the list of shelters. Iram Lewis, MP for Central Bahama and parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works, was also a guest on the show and said it is time to build multi-purpose buildings that can act as hurricane shelters. “We learned a good lesson based on what happened in Ragged Island when we had to move the entire population to New Providence,” he recalled of the evacuation of Bahamians from that southern island and other southern family Islands ahead of the onslaught of Hurricane Matthew, in October 2016. Mr Lewis indicated that the Prime Minister had announced that the government would be building hurricane shelters in certain zones throughout the country. The MP said: “We do not need to consistently go through the exercise of panicking and going to these makeshift hurricane shelters. We need to build shelters now purposely, and I want to say thank you to the churches and gymnasiums that open their doors to assist, but now we must find a way to better prepare because it is not a matter of if we are going to be getting hurricanes, it is a matter of when. We need to be proactive and purposely prepare for these natural occurrences.” When asked if the government is looking at building hurricane shelters, Mr Lewis replied:
“Yes, we will be doing some prototypes in certain zones of the country.” He also noted that as the MP for Central Grand Bahama, he is looking at putting hurricane shelters throughout his constituency. Ms Mitchell said that they began seeing the decline of church shelters following Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, in 2004. “We had some unscrupulous thing done in churches, and they say they would no longer wish to be on the list. “But I take a different approach to that. If you say you are in a community and the people who are part of the community pay tithes and offerings; you are telling me you will not house persons who are taking care of this (church) building – that is a concern for me,” she said. Ms Mitchell said that the shelters are manned by Social Services personnel who are trained shelter managers. She also noted that shelters are inspected and checked before they are turned back over to the churches. She also noted that finding shelter volunteers is also an issue. Before going to a shelter, Ms Mitchell said that persons should first try to stay with family members or close friends. If they cannot, then they should find the nearest shelter and take personal items, medication, bedding and toys for their children, and supplies such as food and water.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 9, 2018, PAGE 13
BAHAMAS ON ALERT FOR MIGRANTS AFTER HAITI UNREST By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
AS civil unrest unfolded in Haiti over the weekend, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said local law enforcement agencies were put on alert for a potential uptick in illegal migration. Violent protests raged in the capital Port-au-Prince for a third day over double-digit fuel prices set by the government on Friday, according to Reuters, which reported yesterday that anger over the increase had not lessened despite a temporary suspension. Dr Minnis told media on Saturday the Department of Immigration, police and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force had
mobilised teams to address any influx of Haitian sloops. He warned Bahamians not to hire illegal immigrants as the Immigration Department has been instructed to arrest and prosecute employers who engage undocumented migrant workers. Dr Minnis said: “And I ask all Bahamians who may have vessels or (are) involved in the maritime industry, for them to monitor our waters as to avert any increase in Haitian migration to our shores. I’ve also spoken to the commissioner of police who will offer assistance to both immigration and (the RBDF) so our nation will be prepared in the event there is an increase
in Haitian movement from Haiti because of the unrest. “I will urge Bahamians again, individuals seek different countries looking for employment. I urge them again do not employ individuals who are illegal within our shores. I’ve already informed the Immigration Department to be very vigilant and any Bahamian who is hiring an illegal immigrant, that Bahamian is to be arrested and taken before the courts and the same will apply. We will protect our borders and we will protect jobs for our people. “So, we will be very aggressive on that,” he said. On Saturday, Dr Minnis said he did not expect the unrest to intensify but noted he was in talks with
the American government, which was also monitoring developments with a view to ensure protection of its citizens. According to Reuters, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant announced a temporary suspension to the price increases for gasoline, diesel and kerosene on Saturday afternoon. The decision to raise prices was reportedly part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which called for a range of
austerity measures. On Saturday, Bahamasair moved to temporarily suspend all flights into Haiti citing civil unrest and concern for the safety of passengers and crew. The airline said it will only resume service after it was satisfied there was no threat. Bahamasair flew its inaugural flight into Haiti in January last year. “I can assure the Bahamian people that our staff personnel are safe,” Dr Minnis said.
“The problem that Haiti had faced in terms of the gas prices being increased by anywhere from 37 to 51 percent, they have reversed that, therefore both ourselves and the Americans feel that the matter would be resolved however in the event it’s not resolved, we have been in communication with the Americans, we will continue our discussions so that our people will be safe at all costs with the assistance of the Americans.”
A POLICE officer walks through the parking lot of the Delimart supermarket complex in Port-auPrince, Haiti, yesterday. Photo: Dieu Nalio Chery/AP
LOOTING AND VANDALISM IN PORT-AU-PRINCE PROTESTS PORT-AU-PRINCE Haiti
LOOTERS pillaged burned and vandalised shops in Haiti’s capital yesterday following two days of violent protests over the government’s attempt to raise fuel prices. Journalists saw young men stripping shelves bare in some supermarkets that were charred from the protests. Several bodies lay among debris scattered in the streets. With the situation still chaotic, the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince warned US citizens to shelter in place. It noted that many airline flights had been cancelled and said, “The airport has limited food and water available.” “Telecommunications services, including internet and phone lines, have been affected throughout Haiti,” the embassy added. “It may
be difficult to reach people through normal communication methods.” American Airlines, which had canceled ten flights since Saturday, said three of its planes had left Sunday from Port-au-Prince and the northern city of CapHaitien bound for Miami and New York. Dozens of people remained stranded at the airport in Port-auPrince, unable to return to their hotels or other accommodations due to the blockage of streets and lack of transportation. The cancellation of flights stranded church groups and volunteers from a number of US states, including South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Chapin United Methodist Church in South Carolina posted online that its mission team was safe but stranded. Marcy Kenny, assimilation minister for the church, told The State
FOUR BOYS RESCUED FROM THAI CAVE MAE SAI, Thailand Associated Press
EXPERT divers yesterday rescued four of 12 boys from a flooded cave in northern Thailand where they were trapped with their soccer coach for more than two weeks, as a dangerous and complicated operation unfolded amid heavy rain and the threat of rising water underground. Eight boys and the coach remained inside the Tham Luang Nang Non cave as authorities paused the international effort to replenish air tanks along the treacherous exit route. Extracting everyone could take up to four days. “The operation went much better than expected,” said Chiang Rai acting Governor Narongsak
Osatanakorn, who is overseeing the mission. He told reporters the four rescued boys were taken to the hospital for evaluation, and the next phase of the operation will resume after about 10-20 hours. His announcement, at a news conference more than an hour after helicopters and ambulances were seen rushing from the cave area, drew cheers and applause. Narongsak had dubbed yesterday to be “D-day” as the complicated effort was launched in the morning. He said 13 foreign divers and five Thai navy SEALs were taking part in the key leg of the rescue: taking the boys from where they have been sheltering and through dark, tight and twisting passageways filled with muddy water and strong currents.
NERVE AGENT KILLS BRITISH WOMAN LONDON Associated Press
A WOMAN who was poisoned by a militarygrade nerve agent in southwest England died yesterday, eight days after police think she touched a contaminated item that has not been found. London’s Metropolitan Police force said detectives had become a homicide investigation with 44-yearold Dawn Sturgess’s death at a hospital in Salisbury. She and her boyfriend, Charlie Rowley, 45, were admitted June 30 after
falling ill a few miles away in Amesbury; Rowley remains in critical condition. Tests at Britain’s defense research laboratory showed the pair was exposed to Novichok, the same type of nerve agent used to poison a former Russian spy and his daughter in Salisbury in March. Police suspect Rowley and Sturgess handled a discarded item from the first attack. Britain blames the Russian state for the attack on Sergei Skripal and his 33-year-old daughter — an allegation Moscow strongly denies.
newspaper that the group hoped the unrest would abate enough for them to safely make it to the airport. A North Carolina doctor and his son were part of another medical mission group that was unable to leave. Shelley Collins told WRAL-TV that her husband, James, and their son made it to an airport but could not fly out. Police Director-General Michel-Ange Gedeon ordered officers to crack down on what he called “bandits who disturb the peace and security of the country”. At least three people were killed in protests Friday, and police said the bodies of four people were found Sunday in the streets of the Delmas district, though they didn’t say if that was related to the protests. The government on Saturday scrapped plans to raise fuel prices to 38 percent to 51 percent.
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PAGE 14, Monday, July 9, 2018
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Mr Fitzgerald writes, “I am aware that interior materials have began to arrive for the hotel. I would really appreciate it if we could be appointed your official broker for June 1st 2013.� He then makes a request of Mr Izmirlian for limousine services at Baha Mar, as he touted the level of
OPENS AT LAST T R I B U CENTRE N E 2 4 2 . C MARSH HARBOURO NHEALTH
The People’s Paper
O M Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre has a tortured history, one of missed deadlines and claims of shoddy workmanship, all without ofGOVERNMENT any clear accountability. ficials commissioned the original facility’s The Marsh Harbour Healthcontractor went bankrupt. care Centre in Abaco yesthe of Construction THURSDAY terday, touting it as a long, DECEMBE began centre R 29, healthcare 2016 awaited boost to the island under the former Ingraham TheTribune PRICE – $1 (Family and the Christie adminisIslands $1.50) administration. tration’s National Health When the Christie adInsurance plans. ministration came to power, Like the Child and Adothe $" ) (0-% Ś the new health centre in it spent $1m renovating lescent and Robert Smith PRIME Minister Perry Christie tours SEE PAGE SIX Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff (CARS) Complex that was Abaco yesterday. commissioned last year, the
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
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By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN former employees of Baha Mar will be paid by the government appointed Claims Commit-
FOREIGN BAHA MAR STAFF tee next month,
committee Chairman James Smith said yesterday. Since the money en on an ex-gratia was givbasis by the China Export-Imp ort Bank (EXIM) and was intended primarily for Baha-
mians, most of the foreign former employees ceive all that is duewon’t reto them. Mr Smith said however, receive they will, a “high figure�. SEE PAGE FIVE
HUSBAND KILLED AFTER GUNMEN FORCED COUPLE TO STOP CAR
By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
CHIEF Superintend ent Clayton Fernander, in-charge of the officerCentral Detective Unit, warned drivers yesterday to tra cautious� after be “exmen forced a couple armed to stop their vehicle in the middle of the road before shooting and killing the driver. Chief Supt Fernander said police believe armed robbery may be the for the killing. He motive said the incident could have “happened to anyone�. The murder took place shorty after 9pm on Tuesday in the area of nium Gardens, off MillenTonique Williams Darling and brought the Highway, murder count to country’s 109 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records. Chief Supt Fernander said the victim, identified by police as Kendrick Simms, was driving his wife, when anotherwith car pulled ahead of them forcing them to stop. “The man was driving through Millennium SEE PAGE FIVE
LEA VES ROL E AS ATL ANT IS CEO
Revealed: on the elit Names list and what they e owed
By AVA TURNQ UEST Tribune Chief officials could aturnquest@tribuReporte r not reached up be nemedia.net to According press time. FOUR former to sources close to the Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet Monday Mr matter, as of ministers owed paid $9,000 Wells has since more than $20,000 each on his accounts with an outstand at Bahama Power and s ing balLight, with ance of some former minister one $8,600. The source for some $60,000 in arrears also said as ARNOLD of Monday as of July, according to FORBES a list obtained in talks withMr Forbes was by The Tribune. $62,023 to settle the the company The Credit balance a three-mo over tions Departm and Collecnth Forbes, former period. Mr MPs, senators ent listing of PLP Mount Moriah MP and board members , was appointe for the period to Cabinet d ending July in 31, revealed and previous January 2015, that former ly served as State chairma the Minister n of in the Ministry Agricultural the Bahamas of Works Arnold Forbes Corporation. and Industrial owed BPL $62,023.14. Others on The list obtained the “do not disconnect� by The Tribune contains Minister oflist are: former delinquent accounts Perry Gomez, Health Dr of former PLP six former Tall Cabinet minisPines MP ters, two former Leslie Miller, former Minister PLP MPs, two private of Youth entities, and Dr Danny one sitting Johnson, former Cabinet minNassau Village ister: Bamboo MP Dion Smith, Town Renward Wells. former MP Tourism Minister Obie Mr Wells, former South Wilchcombe, DR DANIEL $9,277.07 and who owed Beach Cleola MP JOHNSON two separate $3,703.96 at Hamilto former Minister n and locations $24,413 $12,981.03 in of State total – did notfor Legal want to commen Affairs Damian Gomez. t yesterday, and the other former SEE PAGE EIGHT
CRUNCH DAY OVER WHO
OH, AND THERE’S AN ELITE WATER LIST TOO
LESLIE MILLER $42,219
DR PERRY GOMEZ $24,498
RENWARD WELLS $12,980
DION SMITH $9,275
RUNS BPL
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SOUTH ISLANDS ON MARIA ALERTPUT
ELEUTHERA is no water. been destroye destroyed. The0 242.367.420 and safety to deteriorate, urged the 18 242.332.3211 EXUMA HEALT H the is no light.4There he smell 242.336.230 school has been will only continue 4 destroyed. There about, you can yesterday as in the afterged Island . The Minnis said to evacuate “As we walkcarcasses, dead animals deister Dr Hubert s on the island als will of dead has reduced RT stench(BAHAMAS) remaining resident ns of the individu REPO LIMITED. ne Irma, whichof rubble and we get them INSURANCE l that SPECI AL health conditio Russell, piles BROKERS & math of Hurrica it’s essentia said. www.InsuranceM AGENTS es there to Words: Khrisna W Carey teriorate and anageme most structurisland unlivable. Dr Minnis the only ntBahamas.com Pictures: Terrel Dr Minnis off this island,� reluctant to leave for rendered the stay here,� saw for the ng concern n understandably “They cannot as home, expressi A1MAIN Many were and a delegatio and days ever known through said after he damage left by Irma residences, place they’ve gs. hurricane ripped safety of their first time the y Five monster personal belongin ed about the left behind. We will have Categor smell the concern the after ted by island. “They are and the Defence s they may have n, exacerba the small southern ion of all esa vessel here and at the same whatever material physical conditio the destruct still Force dispatch The island’s ce the cleanup carcasses andto strongly urge those can the Defence said. Dr Minnis try to commen of rotting animal community Force will that there is security,�Established , led Dr Minnis SEE PAGE 1903THREE until the small sential services time ensure Island to leave has been on Ragged . ; Ragged Island and be restored to the residents g a walk through “I’ve spoken Minnis said followin i’m lovin’ it! Dr devastated,�
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By AVA TURNQ UEST Tribune Chief Reporte r aturnquest@tribune media.net WATER and Sewerage Corporation Adrian Gibson Chairman yesterda confirmed the existenc y of a “do not e list populate disconnect� of elites at d by scores the government owned utility provider as he pledged initiate a crackdow to n on delinquent accounts. Mr Gibson told The Tribune the list� held “confidential 221accounts, with a combine d total of $175,000 for ending June the period 2017. He said that he plans to direct the corporation to notify all persons owing excessiv e arrears to resolve debts or face disconnection. “There is dential list,� a list confiIsland MP said.the Long “In fact, I that all the would think over the last corporations year or two, and more particula rly in May of this year, there has been tion paid toclose attenthat list by the managem ent with a view to changing the way those lists usually operate. “As it stands, this confidential list of persons has a number on it, and really and truly it’s being used to notify courtesy call persons by I can say too or letters. that as the chairman of the corporation I am going that all personsto direct owing excessive arrears who are SEE PAGE EIGHT
By RASHA D Tribune Staff ROLLE prepared. Reporte r rrolle@tribuneme By SANCHE During a SKA DORSET dia.net Tribune Staff T address fromlive national homicides WITH Reporte r as his office sdorsett@ tribunem the last guarding the well as safenight, forecast for Hurrican edia.net residents of Minnis said: “Hurrica Dr e Maria Fox Hill. projecting the ACTING ne Maria Commissioner storm to pass another potentia is During a near the Southea of Police Anthony walkabout astating hurrican lly devst BahaFox Hill on Ferguin mas Friday son announc Tuesday, Acting e that we must carefully Commissioner Minister Dr morning, Prime the establish ed yesterday Hubert Minnis ment of two Ferguson He added: monitor.� said the is urging resident separate Royal Anti-Gang of the BahamaThough most s of those Bahamas Firearms Tracing and islands to Police s was spared Force be vigilant and Invesanti-crime tigation Unit units aimed and will operate out of the SEE PAGE TWO gang activity at eliminating Central Detective Unit (CDU) try, reducing in the counthe number while the of SEE PAGE 11
Covering The
Bahamas for abandoned. ted it must be as Hurri40 years is so devasta d on the island home has . Ragged Island “Every those who remaine Nobody Minnis warns The last week. Does itd. Better! discussion with their homes NEW PROVIDENCE Minister Dr Hubert Raghas been destroye been GRAND BAHAMA facilityABACO storm-stricken Mincane Irma battered 242.394.555 WIPEOUT: Prime ’ residence has d. The5 health 242.350.350 teachers conditions on Prime
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O WELLS By RICARD Reporte r Tribune Staff dia.net rwells@tribuneme concern ADMIT TING Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday ter Perry Christie ion for admirat expressed forth by the the effort put security to former national the build-up . minister in election the May general from his Breaking away since being public silence office in hisof a voted out last month, toric fashion Mr Chrishis visibly troubled portions of tie detailed tion with his last conversa longfriend and e on childhood colleagu time political Thursday. Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tehis someone who throughout and y� naciousl he loved life for thosetrait he said he a supported, up to their saw on display tion. last conversa By SANCHESKA DORSETT SEE PAGE SIX Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
SEE PAGE SIX
The privileged K ARA WA N
By NEIL HARTN Tribune BusinesELL utility operator nhartnell @tribune s Editor is quite willing to “walk media.net away� from maximum it $25m, five-year BAHAMAS BPL managem Power & Light’s (BPL) if the board ent contract hold a “crunchboard will administration and Minnis meeting� with PowerSe The meeting,wish it to go. cure today, with the outcome which be attended likely critby PowerSe will ical in deciding executives and cure their attorneys latter remains whether the from the US, as manager Multiple Tribune . CLEOLA to determin is viewed as key ing whether Business HAMILTON sources two sides will the OBIE yesterday “kiss confirmed and $6,118 make up� or separate. WILCHCOMBE that the DAMIAN US FULL STORY $4,911 GOMEZ - SEE BUSINES NINE individua S $3,413 July. The sumsls named on the BPL “do HURR ICANE not disconne do not include ct� list any payments INSUR ANCE made or furtherand the amount they owed : at the end of debt incurred since that date. Are you
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ARR IVES PRO M SEA SON SPO TLIG HT AS IOR S IN THE WEE KEN D: SEN
the holiday would on the actual date be observed of the historic event, Tuesday, January 10. The change in the public holiday calendar has been perceived by many as an attempt by the government to strike success of a seconda blow to the event by We March Bahamas.
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seats: Encaptured four Island and were spent under glerston; Catr; South Anto ers’ dollars administration. 1,900 votes San Salvado as Exuma and the win with 1,875. the Christie T is evidence ’s By SANCHESK dros as well Islands. SKA DORSET new Mr Christie to the unofHe said if there ELECTION 2017 A DORSETT A VIRGIL By SANCHE lity�, the Tribune Staff Reporter Reporte r By KHRISN the Ragged the same route as According of “crimina will allow the Reporter al seat, Fox planned� even Tribune Staff from the ParSPEAK edia.net An addition resdorsett@tribunemedia.net Deputy Chief without the government ganiser Ranard Henfield dia.net ficial results Registration government THE PEOPLE still being sdorsett@ tribunem PAGE 4 ’s permisrevealed its course. kvirgil@tribuneme Hill, was sion. that “after several nounced last month n his liamentary law to take to press time. after weeks of back Mr ChipmaDESPITE g and ON’ that the PLP counted up the worst deIn an interview and forth� the Cabinet his parplanned a march Moments Department, being denied the DNA ‘TO GO IN a surprisin at the as the nato mark the 50th PAGE 5 Office on out of 12 pollAFTER leadinglandslide use of Rawson This marked une, Mr Bostwick with The Tribdefeat Wednesday rejected anniversary of Majority g party in won seven maiden speech and Parliament Dr MinLOSE humbling governin II said “there a s in the former for leader, Rule. Prime MinSquares NAMES ty to a stunning feat parawill be no compromise application to protest the group’s for a protest This latest developmen Mr ing division tion’s next PLP BIG dealing a polls, outgoing PAGE 7 ld, while � and the in Rawson d that under t is yet Rule Day in January,on Majority victory and to the Progresrecent history. victory came Christie lost group will “not be and Parliaments another set back PLP stronghofive. nis promise ans will MPS ille ister Perry Squares because We March for the organiThe FNM’s Bahamas organiser lysing blow Party last night, attempt toward deterred by this PROJECTED the “event conflicts watch, Bahami sation that planned in the Centrev by five years Christie won Mr Christie his from 9 YOUR seat rocky fascist coercion fear his John Bosta PAGE to with another to protest on wick sive Liberal last night despite and the abuse of event� already II said yesterday Monday, January In 2012, have nothingent, pointing to contwo challeng Prime Minister ille constituency representing our rights and booked for that the demonFAR stration “will go on incoming that included constitutional freedoms�. date. observance date 9 - the original leadership, won the Centrev the governm which he said RESULTS SO PAGE 14 Minnis declared as planned, on 25 votes aftermore than 40 announced for for the eighth tion, Dr Hubert fraces to Dr Minnis’ a abused In Progressive Majority for a of post stituency have “imvictimisa with on area Rule Day. l� Facebook, the Liberal GE time lead ortitutiona ly g to unofParty that those who trust “have continued reports Chairman Bradley However, earlier consecutive He defeated is “uncons MORE COVERA and ultimate of years, accordin Roberts anthis month it “wrong�. PAGES 2-18 positions tured party from the post l was announced in 2,950 votes. moral� and fear�. e Ella ficial results. held Parliament that candidat removal has ng to unofficia Opsomething toto thousands of his FNM’s Accordi able the the Official Mr Christie 1977 and votes at the FNM was Speaking today. of leader of the House of rs at the Q Lewis by 1,349 results, the stunning defeat won all ment House the seat since of the pledged that jubilant supporte last night, position in in time. Mr Christie to pull off a securing a masbeen leader Dr Minnis give has division ly. Party will polling E Sports Centre l MoveAssemb tration Liberal but one of the PLP, constituencies. a long fought his adminis Progressive Terrance ed “This was victory is not the Free Nationa a 2012. sive 34 of 39 it also announc Auditor General since 1997. released ntary RegPrime resources ment leader be sworn in as battle, but the AVA former is yours,� Although he By The Parliame TURNQUEST loss, The ent did Bastian the the how taxpayds the islands of Bimini his seat to that he will s’ fourth prime Tribune mine - the victory reChief Reporter statement about istration Departm told thousan needs to probe Minister lost l Movement and not speak didaturnquest@ full election last Eleuthera, bringing The Bahama Dr Minnis on the carMr Christie not release tribunemedia.net 5pm at GovernFree Nationa with the e and potal to 25 confirmedthe tominister at of FNMs packed SEE PAGE SIX sults last night, in from the . By SANCHESKA cases (FNM) candidater Reece nationwide. nival grounds people’s time DORSETT HEALTH officials numbers coming Tribune Staff Reporter litical newcom agency around “This is the servant and I “This is like a lull, terday urged residentsyeswho secured government sdorsett@tribunemedia.net Chipman, r from the to period,� Dr McMillan quiet and I am your PAGE THREE remain vigilant 11pm. Howeve against en, it apsaid. SEE “We continue to vironmental factors unofficial numbers get samFORT that the PLP only Charlotte ples as they send conbreed MP mosquitoes of the peared that them in for Dr Andre Rollins despite outcome testing but we have “The trust the said last “lull� in local transmisnot inspire no furnight that “there according to ther cases, which vention did sion will theBahaZika virus. Mark Humes is good. ce inofthe said last disciplinary action� be no We’re still monitoring coming afor confiden Director taken � but that’s unofficial results, of te Public against “obvious and Health sweeping defeat e residents is electora the seven it doing our surveillance mian Dr Pearl think night that D ROLLE tional Movement Free Nanow and IMcMillan have stood yesterthey ter Fort Charlott “I think we have . By RASHA behind us day MPs who told him confirmed wonderf ulthat there the party would winning the Reporte r ousted party Leader has a been repeatedly the leadprogressing well and chance Tribune Staff the party have stand been ia.net Dr better rebuild a not no as to victoriit Hubert Minnis as new conrelates could he been to getting the message rrolle@tribunemed opportunity country any firmed cases leader of election had since the deitself,� he said. the Official Opposition, leadership out ership of the their perthere and persons reengineer partment’s press for forbeous in the PLP’sadding that heeding cause there is no release on SIX longer, despitefor him. PAGE AS HE called it. THE REBEL SEVEN January, Perry This December legal SEE RASPBERRY in basis Zika race 5, which thing came Minister of, for such a move. a mistake� sonal affection down in July, which mer Prime ard Lightbourn, Lorettafrom left, Hubert Chipman, Edison Key, the number of cases raised who was proICED TEA “the party madeChristie. resign as leader RichMr Sears, He added that Butler-Turner, Neko in New Mr we usually get our is when Christie to Andre Rollins. Providence from a formal to the Free NaGrant, Theo Neilly, ive Liberal in choosing first case 22 objection has been and jected to lose Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribun nt’s (FNM) of the Progress There is one case to 23. lodged last night, Alsolidify widespread e Staff against “the bogus SEE PAGE SIX each on tional Moveme the Party (PLP) support FNM’s Executive around a new leader.� said he saw levelled against himcharges� Commitfred Sears tee would not have His remarks came six other members and the in an of Parliabecause the group’s a case e-mail in response ment who took actions to quespart in the “were consistent tions from The Tribune. action of removing with the Dr Minconstitutionally Dr Rollins echoed nis from the post. protected Dr Rollins the right of parliamenta sentiments of Long said a growing number of Island recall a parliamenta rians to MP Loretta Butler-Turne FNMs are admitting ry lead“that r er when they no longer and St Anne’s MP the best course of Hubert confidence in his/her have Chipman, who the party to take action for last ability under the to lead.� said the if the matter week present circumstanc were es is to to be taken to court, the SEE PAGE THREE
RESIGN AS PART ES CHRISTIE TO ALFRED SEARS URG
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yesFIREFIGHTERS terday battled a large blaze at the New Providence Landfill, nearly three weeks after tackling a massive fire at the city dump that burned for nearly a month. Officer in Charge of Fire SuperinChief Services, tendent Walter Evans said the current fire is “not connected� in any way to the previous blaze and at this time officials do not know PRIME Minister what caused the fire. HowDr Hubert Minnis meeting ever Environment Minister Kendera Woodsid the mother of e, Kenred Dorsett told remurdered Eugene Woodside. he Bythat RASHA porters at the site D ROLLE Tribunein suspected “sabotage� Staff Reporte Three rrolle@tr He said Photo: Yontalay relation to the fire. after ibunemedia.net r murder that days the Bowe composure. team he “instructed� the struggle withpushed the country’s THE the hugs and have Dr Minnis said of firefighters to the national violent crime into comforting Each citizen words he felt the famof Prime ily’s pain. “What spotlight yet “before blaze extinguished Minister Dr her pain remaine and whateve has a responsibility again, Hubert makes even worse Minnis and our countrie today and nomination day� has we must r information one is that most me feel “He ain’t evend acute. Patricia we see in Minnis couldn’this wife of those mother mores. Yes I feel for this Baha Mar’s bring that forward. live a life, certainly beforethe God,� These the than my yard, I, during answer criminal Mrs I can say.� questions my years as Dr Minnis opening on Friday. that consume “He’s a baby. Woodside cried. Mrs Minnis, s live among us.� a medical said he will Kendera shortly d Woodside yesterda medical attention I could give doctor, ensure The blaze started breath right to the family who emphasised she grieved is provided y as andfor now just for my Mrs Woodsid that her appearafter 3am Wednesday to her baby to be ance before e, year-old my right here. said officEugene, whoson, eight“You can see who is pregnant. Chief Supt Evans They take my heart out political move,them was not a was killed four days the grieving fire theago. my body. pain she’s ers expect to battle to wear black called on women “This my going through and “Why but day said. “I assured one day this these ,� he for at least another people almost shoot only son. They in mournin week ing her that someg for a “huge� time today they bringing ain’t tellhe said the wind isme and they insidemy daughter too “As a mother, murder victims. (Friday) we right now?� my son medical personn will have I’m calling factor. she cried between me. What they (the house) with all mothers upon screams el come because I after her as SIX SEE PAGE Dr Minnis What they do do to my family? believe mothers because she’sto look really console the tried to would’ve delivere to us? nant. I have family at their said Mrs Minnis, can stop this,� “Why they d most of them to make sure pregbud Road so they are Roseain’ carry her who home where and that live closer was at me? I her 29 years, He’s times. “We tearful to me knowing was shot by Eugene they are my both well and unborn infant are a baby.� former patients, a stray bullet we cradle fromhave our sons who Tonio Monday as Woodside, Minnis, a gynaeco � Dr arrangements we will also make birth and as he did his homewo on father, consoled Eugene’s become men they logist by proto make sure fession, we rk. necessar his are still said. wife even as he struggled the them. We y medical must send to “The message we have to speak with personnel look after her to maintain them. I think with and see her is the police the entire Bahamas all women regular basis on a can’t fight this wear black should alone. of her and herto ensure the safety and mourn one day this week unborn infant.� what’s happeni ng in SEE PAGE TWO PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts lashed out at his former party colleague Vincent Peet last night, accusBy NEIL HARTN ing the former North AnTribune BusinesELL so alarmed dros and Berry Islands MP nhartnell @tribune s Editor bean Financiaby the CaribBy RASHA media.net of being a “political enemy� l Action Task D Force’s Tribune Staff ROLLE THE who mounted an independ(CFATF) reAttorney In June, Reporte r ONE of the leaked emails showing a draft report on Genhe told Pareral rrolle@tribuneme ent campaign because he Sciyesterday The Bahama liament quest from Minister of Education, that he instructe dia.net slammed the s deficiencies was denied a nomination cost Bahamians d his staff to to begin work ence and Technology Jerome Fitzgerald. BRENSIL anti-money in the nation’s of from the governing party. Rolle, minincreases was such ister of the flaws from on addressing laundering regime as $10,149,738. Speaking to PLP suppublic services agent for Limolink in The The revision “entirely unacand Nationa clientele with which his Mr Bethel early June. ceptable�, warning comes after porters at a rally in North Bahamas. You are encourhe included blasted the said betweenl Insurance, former Christie limousine company was faput The Bahama they had Andros last night, Mr Robaged to get a reference from 1,700 workers more than December adminis2016 and tration for s “in great miliar. if danger�. “this is war� as Viacom said of erts May 2017, failing president the in his original that were not the regard to tackle public purse “Also withA1MAIN known weaknes the count. Carl Bethel he urged the crowd to vote ballooned you wish. Please feel free we ses with the Amid business $16,532,738 necessary urgency. told Triblimousine the une Business Progressive for incumbent Dr Perry because of by to contact me personally Liberal he had been Christie the are ready to meet with Party’s vote a that contact adding FULL agents Gomez, administration’s criticism STORY - SEE or have your of the Minnis hiring of new your people anytime,� he BUSINESS administrafor Mr Peet is a vote for the Mr Porter our Managing tion because workers duringpublic service writes. of its firings Free National Movement. Director directly.� that period. “As indicated we really SEE PAGE SIX SEE PAGE SIX only cater to highend cusSEE PAGES TWO & THREE tomers and are the official
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Greenslade: Bahamas is not in crisis
IS • FORMER PM BY DAVIS TRIBUTE OF ‘DISAPPOINTED’ONS TO LEGAC Y COLLE AGUE FNM ALLEGATI • SAYS GOVT DID NOTHING WRONG UT OVER $8M PAYO EW • CALLS FOR REVI OF DOCUMENTS
E SEV EN BUR NS - PAG WHI LE NAS SAU ISTI E FIDD LES INSI GHT : CHR
Christie: It’s like the Wild West
certain neighbourhoods� and the suggestion to do is “emotional and makes so no sense�.
By NICO SCAVELLA do much more to “fully Tribune Staff Reporter DESPITE the country derstand this senseless unnscavella@tribunemedia.net His comments recording 13 homicides came of killings,� and have set hours after the country 13 days, Commissioner in enforcement respond law of PRIME Minister Perry corded its 27th homicide rePolice Ellison Greenslade quickly as possible� and“as Christie yesterday likened the year. Seven people for said the Bahamas is not have a “very meaningful way� in the Bahamas’ crime in been killed since Friday. in situD ROLLE a state of “crisis� and the their crime fighting efforts. ation to the “Wild West,� r By RASHA On Monday afternoon, Reporte average Bahamian can conThese efforts, Mr Chrisas he said the recent Tribune Staff dia.nettinue police also reported that wave to “go about their day tie suggested, would a of murders in the capital rrolle@tribuneme man was stabbed outside likely as normal include dedicating a day� without the ’s must solicit a “major� Nottage an establishment on Nassau “subfear be and of being attacked. stantial� number of DR Bernard forever “continuous� effort by ManStreet while two men officwill Atana press conference his were ers to patrol the streets l Emergency) acti“footprints the Bahami administration to “flood shot while in the area The Nationa at police (NEMA New Providence and of headquarters on of e� etched on after they the streets� with officers Ross Corner. These victims landscap siagement Agency cy management the police Monday in the multaneously giving developmental a for- after a weekend of on cations with a bid to do “all that is neceswere said to be in stable them from entering work as vated its emergen TT “carnage�, “the Commissioner y and an evacuati capacity through his t of the Bahawere blocked sary to bring this madness to interdict ESKA DORSE condition in hospital. at the Kenplan yesterda r also the movements of peopleBy SANCH said the only soestablished ium at the mer presidention of Greenslade area. were to a halt�. Athletic Commissioner Staff Reporte shelter was persons lution tosthe country’s crime Gymnas on the streets,� incorporat- Tribune tribunemedia.net respiramas Associa the Bahama Several Mr Christie, speaking Greenslade said it is dal G L Isaacs h Sports Centre hospital with problem sdorsett@ siming more reserve police theis to “keep prolific Associations, rushed to thents. with reporters yesterday, tion, ply not enough for people ofGarQueen Elizabet as a shelter during offenders ficers, and “if necessary� in Jubilee as a behind bars�. He Medical Associa and tory complai Tribune arrived on said the “madness� occurto “point the finger at which was used e - for displaced said rthe RESIDENTS to evacuate their the incorporating Royal Bahas were af- Royal Bahamas MinDoctors’ Union When The hurrican ring is due to gang activity resident forced police last consume in the were times massive for several FORMER Prime Police of crisis� Force (RBPF) is not mas Defence Force marines dens as the the reand minister y after a the scene, and retaliation. yet refuse to “manage believed n, health was to accept residents. on their roofs,homes. ister Perry Christie. considering implementing homes yesterdaProvidence landfill their in policing efforts. the dump is smaller fairs, educatio into a defeat,for it as I did when I pouring water OpposiHe said the past bloody to their a The fire at arrears, security, pictured yesterday W. a curfew to fire at the Newcommunity in thick, Tall grew closer or “locking down started by SEE PAGE THREE Mr Christie also said for national who was in recent COMMISSIONER sponsibi lity response blaze been nt “Brave� weekend in the tenant have d Photo: Terrel of Police Ellison Greenslade he is a “shocking Philip to Parliame he said airport blankete would be speaking Staff levelled Fire Trail Road. ons speaking at a press described tion Leader resigned,� conference yesterday. Member of Miller was also assistus smoke. day. development� that will s with bush fire off Carey/Tribune the criticism recent from accusati Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Mr Christieby the government as black hazardo Davis said Wednes questions on the Royal Bahama Pines Leslie in hosing down their quire the government reStaff TWO AND THREE administration spending, misfea, 71, died tration in s SEE PAGE THREE entrance Members of moves made by a party pandering to SEE PAGES sible Dr Nottage the Cleveat his adminis ing resident providing transpor tablocked the visibility of irrespon O WELLS . at a “misstep� Police Force thought help. By RICARD ion as Wednesday He will receive weeks. homes and sance and cronyism Reporte r that never any By RICARDO WELLS who needed he was “disapresidents to its base. to the subdivis acceptmaintained Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic. tion for those the three most recent He also said allegations being zero. Angry dia.net in arrangethat I was Tribune relating Mr Christie inciStaff the dropped to a double shooting on in verbal altered, Reporter rwells@tribuneme gova state funeral announc documents on my part bility for any degree dents, which have left pointed� by Ross By LAMECH JOHNSON Perberwells@tribunem by the new that a review of controversies would one became involved Corner yesterday, lamented edia.net ments to ing responsi of criminal ity, irreof human trafficking. man dead and three others Prime Minister ned tossed around Fire the press secTribune Staff Reporter ing matters to these twoadministration of any FORMER Suppression Act, Chapter the “too bold� nature bush fire off according to Office of the whatsoever James Coakley, 53, in hospital in serious condiand the notion yesterday condem traernment concern his last term as of ljohnson@tribunemedia.net the country and poof absolve his and prove that much ed by a smaller spread to the city just 106. ry Christie during crimes occurring in the retary for the AS have sponsible spending Cargill Minnis adminis that tion. transpired d is bare’ is Creek, caplice, Anthony Andros as nothl Movement fre. wrongdoing Trail Road fire blanketed Jubilee efforts by the his government in The former boxer was ital recently, as he insisted Prime Minister continue to grapple rhetoric is that ‘the cupboar was brought before the Officer-in-charge of prime minister at accusations from the Free Nationa the smo A MAN appeared with the latest spate of Chief . of the FNM’s “political slogans.� slogans.� to prevent dump. The ing areas in the also charged with TT tion to portray as he challenged back that a “handful of prolific ce TER flees from landfill t in Newbold viopolitical enough Magistrate surround DORSE adminis Hitting Central SIX than three light, and THREE Providen done a Joyann have Detective Magistrate’s Court yesterESKA PAGE I ce lent out FerguSEEcrimes, threatened A YOUNGS ing more Unit, Gardens the Minnis SEE PAGE counts of rape filed under a negative law enforceat the New offenders� remain hell-bent rBy SANCH challenges New Providen son-Pratt to answer to smoke and some of Chief Superintendent evac leader to carry of the members of Reporte r quent fires day accused of sexually government officials are seeking officials fire at the “One of the ing the controveto two Claythick, black have causedry issues. Section 6(a) of the Sexual the nation’s were asked to on terrorising the public. Tribune Staff asprompting who led the $8m counts of trafficking in examination edia.net ton Fernander, speaking tration concern Landfill that Many residents saulting a woman during the public’s assistance respirato peras the person led the government several homes, of more thanclean up “dispassionate Offences Act, Chapter sdorsett@ tribunem in sons contrary to Section the media on the scene to e sial pay out 99. them to develop ts came as a masSEE PAGE THREE the SEE PAGE THREE Christmas ment and who for hurrican of record�. is alleged that he engaged It interview at holidays. to an 3(1)(a) of the Trafficking owners in Jubilandfill, Their commen one vendor in She is alleged to be a victim d off of $1.2m During a lengthy raging at the ANGRY home home on Thursin Persons Prevention was startand the write sive fire was yesterday expresse SEE PAGE SIX d his believe and neither his Cable Beach Gardens defende lee which officials concern that day, Mr Christie disgust and ive Liberal Party nor the Progress energy. solar, to produce of agreeO WE of Works The heads the governBy RICARD MINIST ER r said es, Staff Re cases of imrequires Banniste challeng d ment Tribune alleged “address s� d to Desmon enced concern pressed certain officials solicit-s d delayed ment and BPL rwells@tribuneme marks D ROLLE consistent he has “serious migration today and which he suggeste By RASHA s Power and By AVA TURNQUEST from migrant WHILE reliable By SANCHESKA DORSETT Reporte r on of docuty on the with Bahama to “keep the for both siting bribes The bill will allow the submissi Tribune Staff beatings of Tribune Chief Reporter ia.net THE originalM supply of electrici the deadline Tribune Staff Reporter an law as it placed authorProvidence, Light’s abilitysummer,� telland alleged prisoners in commissioner of police, the former parlia-l ments. rrolle@tribunemed aturnquest@tribunemedia.net are chalor a island of New ting and of the Baha t sdorsett@tribunemedia.net ity solely in the hands the abililights on this migrants and person acting on his behalf, to file financia Among these the lack of of States has which will include mentarians Public Discloyesterday said the independent judiciary, obtaining finaning The Tribuneprevent the requirements custody. to obtain a warrant from comp s THE United lenges with from spouses, the Ministry ATTORNEY a ty to meet the disclosu res, continued adding that the ICB ChairPOLICE are investigatthe BahamaaGeneral Yesterday, the reliability may sion Supreme Court judge ope met cial records in situations highlighted Allyson from fulfilling Affairs said ate� to “intimid Maynard-Gibson of the project.� the instalsure Commis Laroda told lays, missedsupp ing the circumstances international government of Foreign tercept and examine a instandards sury requireparticularly may have opergovernment’s “inaccur yesterday defended the This involves supporting perernmental man Myles yesterday that and “now rounding the death and also addressed recent Inall the necessarBaha Mar report had cases “incom� son’s communications all (INCL. VAT) of a where they accounts prior tion of non-gov terception of Communicathe from lation “of and efforts The Tribunestill some that gered openingin three-year-old boy who criticisms of the Listening ments in necessar y to and in some tion. telecommunications operant. was ated bank organisations� ent and autions Bill as an important infrastructure there were ding�. tire property found unresponsive in He said there Devices Act by the alheads of agreeme plete� informa tors, internet providers a car Privy to marriage. by the governm “free that he is SEE PAGE FIVE shows anti-crime tool that would to an incident y, unwillingg and are “outstan year added in inhibit Council. front some yesterda He alto of Referrin his daycare yespostal services. n Minoffe at new, was also thorities enhance the privacy of criminal In an interview in his disIzmirlian’s apprehension terday afternoon. She said any suggestion lawready “looking and in which Educatio said In a statement yesterday, including Fitzgerald ness s for speech through abiding citizens rather Mr Laroda or� to the curr Jerome that the legislation was The body of the toddler as problem than ternative ways,� ister some persons Mrs Maynard-Gibso SEE PAGE THREE a libel laws� encroach upon it, as detracn However, de SEE PAGE 12 cussions with was discovered shortly “spying bill� was false. s in its latest to make plained that this move exafthe Bahama report. tors claim. exwas who are required ter 2pm on Monday res, they unprecedented in Bahamiby a human rights SEE PAGE FIVE also referthe disclosu The report SEE PAGE SIX
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