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The Tribune
Volume:115 No.175, AUGUST 3rd, 2018
Established 1903
Weekend
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WEEKEND: SCHOLAR WITH A VISION FOR US ALL
‘Please - answer my girl’s prayers’ Mum still waits for govt to help sick daughter By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net A STATELESS teen suffering from a lifethreatening brain cyst who needs to travel to the United States for treatment remained hopeful yesterday that officials will move swiftly to regularise her status. Without a passport or travel document, 15-yearold Taranique Thurston cannot get treatment at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida for the fluid collecting in her brain. Her mother Ginette Caty, 34, was naturalised as a Bahamian citizen in 2013 – more than a decade after she had applied at the
FORMER Cabinet minister Phenton Neymour was remembered yesterday as a leader and patriot who died too soon. Government officials, family and friends paid tribute to the former
parliamentarian at his funeral at Christ Church Cathedral. Among those attending were Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis, and Acting SEE PAGE NINE
Friday, August 3, 2018
FIT ON THE GO Pages 14 & 15
Intimate oils
Portraits of friendship Art, pages 10 & 11
COP HELD IN AIRPORT COKE BUST A POLICE officer is expected to be arraigned in Magistrate’s Court today after he was found on board a charter flight at Lynden Pindling International Airport with eight pounds of cocaine in what is suspected to be his suitcase. Police made the arrest shortly before 1pm on Thursday. Drug Enforcement Unit officers conducted a search of a charter aircraft at LPIA, with six persons aboard. On checking the suitcase believed to be the property of the officer, three kilos of suspected cocaine were discovered with an estimated street value of $53,000.
HEALTH FEE INCREASES WILL RAISE EXTRA $20M
required age of 18. Yesterday, Taranique told The Tribune she hoped to meet Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis so she could make her appeal in person. She admitted she felt saddened by negative comments on social media concerning her situation. The Tribune was advised by a senior government official that Taranique’s file is under review; however, Ms Caty had not been contacted up to press time. Ms Caty said: “I just don’t want to feel like I’m alone... my child needs urgent medical care. They just don’t understand. In 23 days, it will be my daughter’s birthday, August 24.” SEE PAGE THREE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
FINAL FAREWELL TO ‘LEADER AND PATRIOT’ By FARRAH JOHNSON
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1 animals
history books theatre film fashion music puzzles cultur e
TARANIQUE THURSTON, aged 15, is still waiting for paperwork to allow her to travel to the United States for treatment of a life-threatening brain cyst. Taranique is pictured with her mother, Ginette Caty. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
LYFORD CAY RESIDENTS WARN ‘WE’LL LEAVE OVER TAX HIKE’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Government is moving to reinstate the $50,000 property tax “cap” after The Bahamas’ wealthiest community slammed “punitive taxation” that threatens “500 percent or greater” tax hikes. KP Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minister, yesterday
A LYFORD Cay property. told Tribune Business that the Government was “actively reviewing” recent Real Property Tax Act
reforms that could have a “devastating effect” on Lyford Cay and its annual $215m economic impact. While the Government is still determining the details, Mr Turnquest indicated it was seeking to distinguish between second home properties that are used exclusively by their owners and those that are rented out to other visitors. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
THE Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) is targeting “$20m plus” in extra revenue this fiscal year, a Cabinet Minister revealed yesterday, adding: “Health can’t be run on a wing and a prayer.” Dr Duane Sands, Minister of Health, said that the PHA was looking to narrow its $50m funding deficit through a combination of revenue increases and spending cuts, with feed adjustments “just one” of the measures decided upon. “A number of decisions have been made to basically ensure that the PHA and its hospitals can actively function,” Dr Sands said of Wednesday’s meeting involving himself and PHA officials. “It includes a number of strategies to reduce expenditure and also to increase revenue. “The fee schedule is just one of those things.” FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
A COMIC’S VIEW:
STOP STEALING PARKING SPACES FOR HANDICAPPED
SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Friday, August 3, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
The next edition of The Tribune is on Tuesday after the holiday weekend
PHA chief engineer Terrance Cartwright, left, supervises as the air conditioning is restored at Eight Mile Rock Community Clinic.
Air conditioning relief for clinic By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE staff and patients at the Eight Mile Rock Community Clinic should begin to feel some relief from the heat as a technician has been dispatched to deal with the air conditioning problem, according to an official at the Public Hospitals Authority in Nassau. Judy Terrell, PHA director of communications, confirmed there has been a longstanding problem with the
air-conditioning unit at the EMR Clinic, but said their chief technician has executed a short-term solution to the problem. A worker contacted The Tribune this week and reported working conditions at the clinic were unbearably hot for staff and patients. According to the employee, the air-conditioning units have not been functioning properly since before January of this year. “The PHA acknowledges that this is a longstanding problem at the EMR
Clinic. However, we are happy to report that our chief engineer Mr Terrance Cartwright conducted a full review and assessment last week, and he has now activated the implementation of the short-term solution,” said Ms Terrell. She added the long-term solution to the problem would be completed within the next 30 days. “The long-term solution, which will be completed within 30 days, will fix an issue that has plagued this institution since inception,” she said.
HAITIAN AMBASSADOR IN HOSPITAL
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THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Jeffrey Williams, Bahamas ambassador to Haiti and non-resident ambassador to the Dominican Republic, is in hospital after he experienced “a medical episode” on Tuesday morning while working at the Bahamas Embassy in Pétion-ville, Haiti. The diplomatic staff of
the embassy made arrangements for Ambassador Williams to receive a medical examinatnion at the Santé Lambert Hospital in Pétion-ville. Following the examination, Ambassador Williams was in good spirits, the ministry said. “Although in stable condition, precautionary protocols were activated to ensure the continued good health
of Ambassador Williams. Arrangements were made to have Ambassador Williams travel to The Bahamas for further medical attention. “At the time of this release, Ambassador Williams was resting comfortably in hospital.” The embassy in Haiti was temporarily closed but will reopen during normal working hours today.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, August 3, 2018, PAGE 3
‘Please - answer my girl’s prayers’ from page one The distraught mother has been told that her daughter will have to wait until her 18th birthday before she can apply for Bahamian citizenship. Due to her mother’s naturalisation process, Taranique is currently registered in the Bahamas as a non-Bahamian born to a foreign mother and Bahamian father, who are unmarried. On Monday, Ms Caty and Taranique spent nearly three hours at the Department of Immigration after they were told by a highranking official that her daughter’s file would be reviewed. However, Ms Caty said the pair were initially
refused entrance, and later told to go to the Haitian Embassy. Taranique reiterated her appeal in a short video made later that day. “I am 15 years old,” she said. “I was diagnosed last year with fluid around my brain. My mother is Bahamian, she was born here. My father is a Bahamian, he was born here. “I was born here, I consider myself a Bahamian citizen,” the teen said. “All I’m asking is the government help me to get citizenship so that I can get a Bahamian passport to travel to Florida and get my fluid out of my brain. Because if I don’t, it might be a chance that I die, but I’m only asking that the government help me to get a passport so I live.”
TARANIQUE THURSTON, left, and her mother, Ginette Caty.
SUSPECT ACCUSED OF KILLING ACTIVIST’S SON IN HIT AND RUN By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A FREEPORT man accused of a recent fatal hit and run accident in Grand Bahama was arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Roberto Davano Taylor, 29, appeared in Court One before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson. He was not represented by counsel. He was charged with killing in the course of dangerous driving. It is alleged that on July 15,
Taylor was driving a pink 2009 Chevrolet Malibu along West Sunrise Highway in a manner dangerous to the public and causing the death of Trey Akeem Garvey, 19. When asked how he wished to plead to the charge, Taylor said “not guilty”. Taylor opted to have the matter heard in Magistrate’s Court. He was also charged with driving a car without third party risk insurance and driving without a valid driver’s licence. Taylor pleaded guilty to counts two and three.
The prosecution accepted the guilty pleas and asked for sentencing to be postponed until October 16 when Taylor will go to trial for the charge of killing in the course of dangerous driving. The prosecutor noted that while counts two and three are summary offences and are bailable, count one is a more serious offence and objected to bail. Magistrate Ferguson informed Taylor he would have to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. She remanded him to the Bahamas Department of
Correctional Services until October 16.
PAGE 4, Friday, August 3, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
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Trump trashes media as ‘fake disgusting news’ WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (AP) — Thundering that the media is the “fake, fake disgusting news,” President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of grievances Thursday at a Pennsylvania campaign rally in which he cast journalists as his true political opponent. Trump barnstormed in a state that he swiped from the Democrats in 2016 and that is home to a Senate seat he is trying to place in the Republicans’ column this fall. But the race between GOP US Rep Lou Barletta and two-term incumbent Democratic Sen Bob Casey took a back seat to Trump’s invectives against the media, which came amid a backdrop of antagonism to journalists from the White House and hostility from the thousands packed into a loud, overheated Wilkes-Barre arena. “What ever happened to the free press? What ever happened to honest reporting?” Trump asked, pointing to the media in the back of the room. “They don’t report it. They only make up stories.” Time and time again, Trump denounced the press for underselling his accomplishments and doubting his political rise. He tore into the media for diminishing what he accomplished at his Singapore summit with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un. He complained about the tough questioning he received in Helsinki when he met with Russia’s Vladimir Putin last month. And he began his rally speech with a ten-minute remembrance of his 2016 election night victory, bemoaning that Pennsylvania wasn’t the state to clinch the White House for him only because “the fake news refused to call it”. “They were suffering that night, they were suffering,” Trump said of the election-night pundits. He then promised that the Keystone State would deliver his margin of victory “next time”. “Only negative stories from the fakers back there,” the president declared. With each denunciation, the crowd jeered and screamed at the press in the holding pen. The inflammatory performance came just hours after White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders refused to distance herself from Trump’s previous assertions that the media is the “enemy” of the American people. Pressed during a White House briefing on the issue, Sanders said Trump “has made his position known”. In a heated exchange with reporters, she recited a litany of complaints against the press and blamed the media for inflaming tensions in the country. “As far as I know, I’m the first press secretary in the history of the United States that’s required Secret Service protection,” she said, accusing the media of continuing “to ratchet up the verbal assault against the president and everyone in this administration.” Although Barletta’s bid was an undercard to Trump’s main event, savaging his opponents, the president did bless the congressman’s bid. Trump, who has accelerated his campaign schedule in recent weeks to help the Republicans he favors both in primaries and November’s
midterms, was the first Republican to win Pennsylvania since 1988. “For years and years, they said Republicans should win the state of Pennsylvania,” Trump said. “It always got away. But we won the state of Pennsylvania.” He and Barletta, who is trailing by double digits in the polls, share hardline immigration views, and Trump lashed Casey with his own derogatory nickname: “Sleeping Bob.” But Trump’s focus was on defending his own accomplishments and beliefs. He pushed for tougher borders, overstating the threat posed by violent gangs like MS-13 and making the group a stand-in for all immigrants in the United States illegally. He defended his kid-glove approach to both Kim and Putin, saying, “it would be a good thing, not a bad thing” to have warmer relations with the hostile powers and dismissing talk that summits with the autocrats elevated them on the world stage. He bashed the Democratic leadership of Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and, curiously, suggested that his frequent foe Rep Maxine Waters of California was “a new star” of the party. He raved about the booming economy and said, without evidence, that his blue-collar supporters in states like Pennsylvania were the biggest beneficiaries. And he looked ahead to his 2020 re-election campaign, touting his new slogan, “Keep America Great Again” while musing whether he wanted Massachusetts Sen Elizabeth Warren, whom he decried as “Pocahontas,” or Vermont Sen Bernie Sanders, whom he flatly deemed “crazy,” as his opponent. The rally came at a perilous time for Trump, who, the day before, had bluntly declared via tweet that his attorney general should terminate the federal probe into the campaign that took him to the White House. It was a newly fervent attack on the special counsel investigation that could imperil his presidency. Sanders scrambled to explain that Trump’s tweet was “not an order” and that the president was not directing his attorney general to do anything. “It’s the president’s opinion,” she said. But it again raised the specter that Trump could try to more directly bring special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia-Trump election-collusion probe to a premature end. And it revived the idea that the president’s tweets themselves might be used as evidence that he is attempting to obstruct justice. Negotiations have also started again about a possible presidential interview as Mueller’s team has offered the White House format changes, perhaps willing to limit some questions asked of Trump or accept some answers in writing, according to a person briefed on the proposal who wasn’t authorized to discuss private talks and spoke on condition of anonymity. By Jonathan Lemire and Jill Colvin, Associated Press
Reasons to be proud? EDITOR, The Tribune. Re: BAHAMIAN?
PROUD
RECENTLY, much was proclaimed unthinkingly about how far The Bahamas has come in 45 years of independence. In outbursts of faux patriotism, it was common to hear self-congratulatory talk about “the best little country in the world, proud to be Bahamian, etc”.
But just what is it that we are so proud of? It cannot be many of our incompetent government institutions, fiscal irresponsibility, intolerance, widespread crime, immorality, xenophobia, inadequate health, education, legal and political systems, infrastructure, rampant corruption and so on, to name just a few areas. Unfortunately, the list could go on and on.
Generally speaking, our country is alarmingly dysfunctional, but we choose to believe our own smug propaganda and deny it. Without facing facts honestly, there is little hope of improving things to the point where we can be truly proud to be Bahamian. KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, July 13, 2018.
Tackling the air hackers EDITOR, The Tribune.
THE long-awaited aircraft accident report of the fatal January 2018 crash has been released by The Bahamas’ Air Accident Investigation Department (AAID). Incidents like these rehash national focus on the pervasive aviation issue of “hacking” in The Bahamas. A reference to hacking in short refers to the carriage by air of passengers by operators not licensed to conduct such services for reward. Although “hackers” engage in unlawful activities in operating outside the authorisation of their licences; on the flipside the service that they provide must also be recognised. Of course, as it stands from a purely legalistic standpoint, the most obvious way to address this discrepancy is to severely reprimand and discipline hackers for their violations. However, looking at the matter holistically and from a policy standpoint perhaps this is an opportunity for the Ministry of Aviation and Tourism to consider addressing the reason behind the existence of “hackers” in a proactive sense. In the words of Aristotle, nature abhors a vacuum; and quite frankly the reasons “hackers” persist in The Bahamas is because they fill a vacuum. This vacuum is simply the gap in availability of frequent and affordable air transportation between smaller and
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net less populated communities throughout The Bahamas. In an unregulated market (in terms of aviation routes and frequencies) such as The Bahamas, such a gap is a natural consequence owing to reduced coverage by commercial carriers due to either low or inconsistent demand for such service. As recently highlighted through the Sky Bahamas Airlines reports as regarding their excessive indebtedness to Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD); the cost of operating aviation services is very costly. Therefore, as prudent business entities, commercial carriers will only opt to offer services to areas which they perceive as economically justified. It must be noted however that this situation is not novel. The problem of servicing small, less populated and under-served communities in a domestic aviation network was also faced by the US post its airline deregulation. To remedy this the US EAS (Essential Air Service) programme was designed to facilitate service to smaller communities throughout and beyond the continental US. The EAS programme was created to specifically support commercial carriers providing service to small under-served communities
that they would otherwise opt not to for financial reasons. The EAS programme provides oversight and subsidy to commercial carriers to offer commute to smaller under-served communities. If The Bahamas were to implement a programme similar to EAS, (possibly funded by the collection of overflight fees by The Bahamas) this would bring commercial carriers back into performing this function and removing the void that hackers step in to fill. This would also serve to make it easier and more affordable to island hop in and around The Bahamas which could only augur better for our tourism product as well. Strengthening the ability of commercial carriers to perform the function of commercial carriage by air (even to small communities) helps to better deepen and punctuate the designed divide between the function of general aviation and commercial airline operators. By investing in this divide and putting in place the necessary support, aviation officials can make it easier, more just, feasible and also effective to severely discipline and discourage “hackers”. This will ultimately remove the safety concern that hackers present. KEITH O. MAJOR Jr., LL.M. Aviation Attorney Nassau, August 1, 2018.
Beach vendors EDITOR, The Tribune.
GOODMAN’S Bay… has Parks given permission for Arawak Cay style beach concessions? Remembering how under the Ingraham Government Arawak Cay Food vendors was created I have to bring to your attention that in the eastern end of Goodman’s
Bay, beach area fronting the parking area someone has set-up a tent and a vendor concession. Has Mr Shenandoah Cartwright at Parks approved this and if not please remove the vendor immediately before the one multiplies to three-four-six-eight-ten.
Goodman’s Bay to my knowledge is covered by legislation…isn’t the setting up of such vendor locations illegal? Expect it moved - closed down by this weekend, Editor. W THOMPSON Nassau, July 25, 2018.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, August 3, 2018, PAGE 5
Child rapist Birbal sent from country By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net CHILD rapist Andre Birbal was repatriated to Trinidad and Tobago following the completion of his prison sentence at the end of June. The former art teacher’s release from prison follows a plea deal earlier this year where he admitted two counts of unnatural sexual intercourse with a former student between
2002 and 2004. Birbal, 56, was sentenced to eight years and four months before acting Justice Andrew Forbes. His time served on remand in custody was deducted from his sentence. He was escorted to his homeland by two immigration officers on June 30, according to documents obtained by The Tribune. A senior official in the Office of the Attorney General confirmed yesterday that Birbal is on the
country’s restricted list, and a recommendation has been made for Cabinet revocation of his permanent residency, and for him to be placed on the stop list. The plea deal in March followed two successful appeals by Birbal. He worked as an art teacher at Eight Mile Rock High School in Grand Bahama and fled the country in 2009 when allegations of sexual abuse surfaced. Birbal was extradited in 2010 to stand trial and was first convicted
in 2011 on eight counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with two boys. The former teacher was jailed for a total of 35 years but appealed the conviction. At a retrial in 2014 - when he faced charges against just one of the boys – he was again found guilty and jailed for 28 years. However, he won his appeal in 2017 and was ordered to stand trial for a third time to allow a new jury to decide his guilt or innocence.
ANDRE Birbal at a previous court appearance.
LABOUR CHIEF TELLS NURSES LEADER TO QUIT THREATS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
LABOUR Director John Pinder has told Bahamas Nurses Union President Amancha Williams to stop her threats now that the government has committed to start paying nurses overdue funds this month. A day after the BNU renewed its strike threats, Mr Pinder told The Tribune: “I told her to remember your first responsibility is patient care. You are saying you are threatening a nurses strike as a patient care provider. I have advised the president that if the government has addressed the issues and has given a timeline to deliver on them, then she ought not to continue with these threats. “She sat in meetings, her and her permanent secretary and they agreed
to certain things and the Department of Health has agreed to have a lot of the issues dealt with in this month’s pay package.” On Sunday, the Ministry of Health said all outstanding payment matters related to the union have been addressed. The nurses had raised 14 issues that have been “amicably resolved,” according to a ministry press release. But the BNU, which held a strike vote on June 7, remains dissatisfied. Some of the matters the PHA insists are subject to further verification exercises––like overdue mileage allowance and hurricane related payments––remain unaddressed, the union said during a demonstration this week. In response, Mr Pinder said: “There are one or two issues that need to be verified, like if you travel so and so miles and you put in
for mileage allowance, the department must confirm the case, that what is being claimed is the right amount. You have disturbance allowance, which is to ensure that persons transferred to the Family Islands are not paying expenses out of pocket but could meet their obligations. Based on my conversations with the permanent secretary, progress is being made on these issues.” As for outstanding payments to nurses who have obtained post-graduate qualifications, Mr Pinder acknowledged the longstanding problem, one he said he had discussed years ago with then-Prime Minister Perry Christie. “When in training nurses receive a stipend,” he said. “Once finished, the paper work must be sent to the treasury so the Treasury could know of the new salary. Somewhere along
the line, people were dragging their feet on that. It is a big problem. I don’t know why that’s been dragging on so long.” Nurses have also complained about a new shift the PHA is introducing that will require them to work a five-on/two-off shift, a change from the fouron/four-off shift they now work. The PHA says this will be done to reduce shortage issues in hospitals and clinics, but Mr Pinder said it also reflects the government’s desire to cut back on overtime pay to nurses. “If you have five nurses on and one calls in sick, the four will continue working, regardless of the one nurse not being there,” he said. “You don’t have to call in somebody who you would have to pay double time to which is what you would do now with the four-on/fouroff system.” Mr Pinder said when he
was Bahamas Public Ser- nurses didn’t enjoy having vice Union president years 40 hours off per week. ago, he negotiated the “The Act says after eight transition of patient care hours you must pay overtechnicians to the five-on/ time but the nurses on the ANDRE BIRBAL, pictured outside court yesterday. two-off shift, believing four-on/four-off shift were nurses would soon follow. working ten hour days,” he “When I was president, said. “They could’ve come they told me there was too and say you need to pay me much overtime and too time and a half for the next many call-in days,” he said. two hours. The government “They told the uniontrial they needs to fix it to prevent By LAMECH JOHNSON before Justice Carolita running late and two were that from happening.” Tribunebeginning Staff Reporterto restrucBethell yesterday. officers, including the ljohnson@tribunemedia.net He is defended by Krysta tigator, could not be fo ture the healthcare services Although more than Mason-Smith. The issue of bail then toA have better coverage 300 nurses voted in favour MAN scheduled to Only three of 13 prosecu- after the defence req stand trial for at- tion witnesses for last that the matter be dism and to yesterday bring down overof appeared a strike month, the tempted murder was granted the proceedings yesterday. The Crown withdrew time. It was to start with government has not issued $15,000 bail after the trial Among those missing was initial objection to ba did not start because key witalleged victim. the court to granted auxiliary nurses butthe the a strike certificate the B nesses did not show up. Yesterday afternoon, the $15,000 bail with rep nurses refused to come on BNU because of the conHowever, as a condition for prosecution was asked by the conditions and ordere his bail, Kevin be hospijudge to report on why electronically board andBrown heldwillthe cern thattheir not toallbenurses had electronically monitored in witnesses were not present. tored. tal hostage. The auxiliary the opportunity to addition to having two sureThe prosecution told the Justicevote. Bethell the tors. judge that in addition a journed the matter nurses accepted the change Mr two Pinder said the t Brown is accused of the civilian witness changing ad- vember 5. because we attempted were led to one Labour Department August 12, 2012 dresses, of the police witEucal Bonabyhas and A murder of the Cordero Smith would nesses was stationed in Harka Hanchell appeared believe nurses not yet received a formal and was expected to stand bour Island, one officer was Crown. change to the shift within response from the BNU to about four months.” its position although a letter Mr Pinder said the was sent to the union. current shift system contraHe said if the BNU venes the Employment Act makes another request for a and could’ve been a head- strike vote, the department ache for the government if will accommodate the poll.
ACCUSED BAILED AFTER WITNESSES FAIL TO SHOW U
TAXI DRIVER MUST WAIT FO MURDER TRIAL DATE
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
ing concerning the murder of Denise Adderley, the country’s third homicide for 2011. However, that hearing was adjourned to November 18 for mention and fixing of a trial date before Justice Bernard Turner. Adderley is accused of the January 9, 2011 murder of Denise Adderley. Ms Adderley, a pre-school
GOLFERS TAKE A SWING AT HELPING LOCAL CHARITIES A TAXI driver accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend in her car at a gas station will have to wait five weeks for a trial date. John Manuel Adderley, 40, appeared in Supreme Court yesterday for a fixture hear-
teacher at the Uriah M primary school, was g down on the night in qu inside her car at the T Service Station on the of Wulff and Kemp roa The taxi-driver, wh arraigned before J Isaacs on July 8, 2011, ed not guilty to the cha He has retained M Ducille to defend him.
MAN TO FACE COURT OVER MURDER OF ELDERLY WOMA
AUTHORITIES yesterday confirmed that a 31-yearold man will be arraigned this week in connection with the murder of an elderly woman who was stabbed to death. The 74-year-old grandmother, who The Tribune un-
derstands is Vivian Johnson, was killed at her home at Greenway Drive on Saturday night. She was found, police said, on the floor of a bathroom at her residence. She had several stab wounds. A family member of the
victim on Monday sai were shocked when learned of the incide which a close relativ assisting police during investigations. Police later confi that the relative lived her.
POOP Deck Eagles Golf Club sponsored by Poop Deck West held a presentation to distribute cheques to various charities in The Bahamas by funds raised at their 2018 golf tournament. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
PAGE 6, Friday, August 3, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Processing delay confirmed for scholarship payments By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
SCHOLARSHIP payments from the Ministry of Education have been delayed due to processing irregularities, The Tribune was told. Payment cheques were
due to be sent out in July, according to a senior official in the Scholarships and Education Loans Division, who said the process was halted due to an investigation. Yesterday, Education Permanent Secretary Lorraine Armbrister confirmed there was a delay but would
‘REVERSE CHANGES TO SCHOOL UNIFORM SUPPORT’ By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday called for an immediate reversal of changes to social assistance policy, limiting aid for school uniforms. Mrs Hanna Martin, shadow minister for social services and urban development, said the drastic shift from need-based policies threatened to marginalise
families and disrupt access to education. Noting the allocation for uniform assistance had been considerably reduced, she referred to two specific assistance guidelines: “That no more than two children in any household may be assisted; and if assistance was obtained last year no applicant will be assisted except in ‘extreme or extenuating circumstances’.” Mrs Hanna Martin said: “This is a drastic shift from
not provide further comment on the matter, or give an updated timeline. “We’re working very assiduously,” she said. “We expect to have the matter resolved.” Concerned parents have expressed their frustrations over the delay on social media, and in calls to The
Tribune this week. “But it has been approved,” said one mother, “I really don’t understand this. Who decides which children get the money, and which parents can just foot the bill and wait to be reimbursed? Who decides that? The budget has just been
ENGLERSTON MP Glenys Hanna-Martin. a time-worn policy where assistance was based on qualifying need. This new policy has the potential of marginalising untold households and very likely disrupting the education of many children. “It is also of note that the allocation for uniform assistance has been
reduced in this year’s budget by almost one-half as compared to the allocation in the 2016/2017 budget. This is particularly alarming as the most recent unemployment numbers show no appreciable reduction in the number of people out of work. We are seeing more of the same from a government clearly insensitive to the human suffering that is being experienced by many in this country. Many persons receiving food assistance including elderly and disabled persons whose cards have expired have been without assistance for months
passed, millions of dollars allocated to education.” The mother continued: “This is utterly ridiculous. This child is supposed to go back to school on the end of the week. She can’t go back without paying her school fees. If you don’t have $7,000 then the child can’t go back. Yes it is
your child but because she was awarded a scholarship you think the government would uphold their part of the bargain, and you are budgeting for that. “If they were busy collecting money owed to them then they wouldn’t have this problem,” she added.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff thereby causing great hardship.” Mrs Hanna Martin reiterated concerns over claims the Social Services Department is referring aid-seekers to charitable organisations such as Red Cross or Great Commission Ministries. “This is appearing more and more as a policy of abandonment of the primary and fundamental role of our social safety net,” she said. “I call on the new minister to immediately review these policies and affirm and confirm that people who have qualifying need be it food or assistance with
school uniforms for their children are not turned away. We are reminded of the PM’s recent comments in the House of Assembly when in proclaiming his commitment to the poor he recited Matthew Chapter 25 verses 35 to 40. “This drastic cut in social assistance for our children living in poverty conditions is contrary to the recent rhetoric heard in Parliament on the Over-the-Hill initiative. “The minister of social services and (urban) development is being called upon to immediately reverse this draconian policy,” she added.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, August 3, 2018, PAGE 7
Woman accused of stealing $66,000 from her employer By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
A 23-YEAR-OLD woman was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with theft and laundering of more than $60,000 from her employer over a seven-month period. Krystal Rolle appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a total of 11 theft and money laundering charges concerning
some $66,000 she is accused of stealing from Simply Business Solutions and funneling through a personal account starting back in November last year. She pleaded guilty to the offences. Her boyfriend L’Shabazz Forbes was charged with three counts of theft and one of money laundering in connection with the matter. Forbes pleaded not guilty to the charges. Both reside at Taylor
Court in Sandilands Village. Rolle’s former employer discovered the scheme after being questioned by the bank about various transfers made from the company’s credit card to at least two RBC accounts. The accounts were later identified as being registered to the couple. Rolle held clearance to operate the company’s bank accounts and credit cards. Prosecutors had alleged
the former assistant, between Friday, November 3, 2017, and June 5, stole $55,278.87 by reason of her employment and laundered $55,005.90 through her RBC bank account between those dates. It was also alleged that Rolle, while concerned with Forbes, stole $11,579.94 between Tuesday, January 30, and Thursday, March 1, and laundered the funds through his RBC bank account.
Forbes alone was charged with laundering the same sum between those dates. However, court records noted the funds were allegedly transferred to Forbes’ account without his knowledge. Rolle, who showed very little emotion in court, entered guilty pleas to all 11 charges brought against her. Meanwhile, for his part, Forbes pleaded not guilty to four charges prosecutors brought against him.
Forbes also indicated to the court that he repaid the sum of money placed on his account. The matter was adjourned to Tuesday, August 7, when Magistrate McKinney is expected to sentence Rolle. Magistrate McKinney granted the prosecution the length of the adjournment to determine whether it intends to pursue its charges against Forbes.
REACHING OUT TO HELP YOUTH GROUP By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
DUDLEY and Katie Seide, founders of Reach Out Youth Organisation (ROYO), received a generous donation from a local business in Freeport that has pledged its support to help them with their breakfast programme for underprivileged kids. The Seides thanked Payless Snackables operator Gary Smith, who has agreed to make an ongoing donation for one year to ROYO. “Today is a great day for our organisation,” said Mr Seide, who commended the company for its ongoing support of the breakfast programme which caters to 80-100 children daily. “They decided to partner along with us so we can continue to feed the less fortunate kids in our community and have also agreed to come on board to
support our back to school giveaway on Saturday.” ROYO will hold its back to school giveaway at the Reach Out Community Centre on Banyon Lane from 11am to 2pm on Saturday. Mr Seide was impressed that a new business is setting a good example by giving back to the community. “I think it is a good gesture, and it means a lot to us because Mr Smith saw the need to assist us and now we will able to put food on the table for many kids before they go to school. “It is a tremendous donation, and I want to thank them because they put their money where their mouth is coming to our aide. Some companies have been around for many years, and we are always out in the community asking for help, and for a new company to offer their support is exemplary,” Mr Seide said.
He also noted that ROYO and Payless Snackables are discussing the idea of donating 25 cents of every dollar spent by customers to the organisation. “What they are doing means a lot, and while we thank those US donors for their donations and support, it means a lot more to have Bahamian companies here support us too. “I hope this trend continues and spur companies to give back in these difficult times,” Mr Seide said. Mr Smith said his company was motivated to make a donation to ROYO because of the good work the organisation is doing in the community. “We see what they have been doing with the kids in the community, and we wanted to be a part of that and help them out,” he said. “I feel that businesses big or small need to give back to the community, especially to organisations that cater to children.”
JAMAICAN ON DRUG CHARGE By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
A 34-YEAR-OLD Jamaican national has been charged with a drug seizure at Grand Bahama International Airport earlier this week. Clifton Garth Tomlinson stood before
Magistrate Subsola Swain faced with one count each of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and taking preparatory steps to export dangerous drugs. According to police, Tomlinson was preparing to travel through the airport when he was caught with two pounds of suspected
cocaine. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the matter was adjourned to November 20 for trial. Tomlinson was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim. He has the right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
HUNT FOR THREE MEN AFTER ARMED RAID ON STORE THE Royal Bahamas Police Force is also looking for three men who robbed a food store yesterday morning. Shortly after 11am, three men armed with firearms, entered a food store on the corner of East and Fowler Streets, held employees at bay and
robbed the establishment of cash before getting into a black vehicle and escaping. Investigations are continuing. Police also said they arrested a man after seizing what is suspected to be marijuana from a home in eastern New Providence shortly before 11am
YOUR
yesterday. DEU officers conducted a search of a home at Elmer Close off Sea Breeze Lane, and recovered two crocus bags which contained 20 packages of suspected marijuana. The marijuana weighed 70lbs and has a street value of $70,000.
CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019
GARY Smith of Payless Snackables, left, made a donation on Thursday to Reach Out Youth Organisation founders Katie and Dudley Seide. Photo: Denise Maycock
PAGE 8, Friday, August 3, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Stop stealing parking spaces for handicapped M
Y late Aunt Kay, who was like my second mother and who also happened to be wheelchair bound in the latter portion of her life, was a source of inspiration and a pillar of strength to me throughout my life. In fact it has long been said that she’s where I get my “hard mouth” from. In her time, she lived up to that old adage “small axe fall big tree”. Checking in at a “gigantic” 5ft 2in she was always the protector and enforcer for the family. (Mainly getting my backside out of hot water on one of the many occasions my mouth signed a check my butt couldn’t cash.) So I feel now it’s my duty and obligation to my dearly departed sweet Auntie, to continue to address and “champion” a certain cause, an issue, that not only affected her while she was alive, but other
handicapped persons island wide to this day; the abuse of “handicapped” parking spots by non-handicapped persons. BLUE MARKS THE SPOT These spots were created to facilitate handicap persons in their attempt to lead normal, productive lives, not to be abused by the “D” average jungaliss who’s just “flashing in” to top off their phone and grab a bar of “cake soap”. It’s also not for the wannabe bad boy whose food order is ready. It’s sad that in 2018 many drivers (both legal and the ones who bought their licenses) don’t regard
those blue lined spaces as hallowed ground; as in off limits unless you are truly handicapped. THE TWILIGHT ZONE More bizarre than this blatant disregard for common courtesy — and the law — are some of the excuses I’ve heard in my misadventures into parking “La La Land”, where, on occasion, I’ve had to pull a page out of my aunt’s book and “bless” said transgressor: 1. Kelly’s parking lot, Marathon Mall. I questioned the offender to which she replied, “I just spend a gunk on dese nails for one wedding. You can’t
Funeral Service For SAMUEL ALPHONSO SANDS, 87 of Nina Crescent, will be held on Monday, August 6th, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church. Officiating will be Canon Norman Lightbourne, assisted by other ministers of the Clergy. Interment will follow in Church’s Cemetery. He is survived by his children: Debbie Jones, Gregg (Sharon) Sands, Keith (Deidra) Sands and Gina Sands Scavella; grandchildren: Gian Sands, Gina (Sanchez) Brooks, Geron (Danielle) Sands, Ebony (Jonardo) Ferguson, Sean (Nave) Sands, Ke-Sha Sands, Brittany Jones, Bria and Erin Scavella; greatgrandchildren: Giann and Gianna Sands, Journee Ferguson; Sisters: Patricia Cole, Eleanor (Charles) Rolle; Sistersin-Law: Elizabeth Sands, Joan Sands, and Elizabeth Gibson; Uncle: Henry Sands; Nieces & Nephews: Clinton (Heather), Chandler, Tregg (Margerita), Channon and Vivian Sands, Edward (Cecila) Cole, Dihann Cole, Renee (Winton) Bain, Ron (Noella) and Tracy Sands, Sandy (Jason) Carpenter, Anthony (Elizabeth) Rolle, Charlamae (Carl) Nixon, Denise Rolle, Charles (Sophia) Rolle, Eleanor (Alexander) Williams, Hughie (Ishka) Rolle, Sonia and Andre Gibson; Numerous Grand Nieces and Nephews; Other Relatives and Friends: Rita Spriggs, Ethel Sands & family, Erma Kelly & family, the Browns, the Culmers, the Poiters, the Sands’, Peterson family, John Blyden & family, Francina Taylor & family, Eva Hilton & family, Elizabeth Burrows & family, Erma Williams, Chef Eldred Saunders, John Gilbert, Bursil & Deidre Wood, Roy & Pat Ellis, Delora Moncur, Derek & Debbie Gilbert, Godfrey Eneas, Henry Gibson, Roosevelt Godet & family, Clem Foster, Burtell Holder & family, Dr. Sheena Antonio Collie, Dr. Beverton Moxey, staff of Bahamas Health & Helaing Medical Centre, staff of Lowes Pharmacy, staff of Chekard Limited, Peatra Jones, the staff of Sammy’s Chicken, staff of Syngad Services, Debbie Symonette, Gina MacKenzie, Theda Weech, Philip & Nicole Gray & family, Tex & Denise Turnquest & family, Mae Curry, Caregivers Yvette Roach & Sylvia Paige, Canon Norman Lightbourne & family, Deacon Eric Miller, Canon Crosley Walkine, Archdeacon James & Reverend Angela Palacious, Archdeacon Kingsley Knowles, Fr James Moutrie, Fr. Don Haynes, Holy Cross Anglican Church, especially the Anglican Church Men & Holy Cross Christian Achievers, Bernard Turner & family St. Mathews Anglican Church, Kiwanis Club of Cable Beach, Monica Sands & family, Jean Newry, staff of Doctor’s Hospital especially Bridgette Sherman & Nurses of the Intensive Care Unit, families of Regency Park especially the McKinneys, the Alleynes, the Deans, the Bethels, the Halls, the Holders, the McCartneys, the Majors, the Fishers, and the Adderleys and a host of others. Family and friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians, #44 Nassau Street on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
A CAR pictured previously blocking a disabled parking bay. see they match my head?” (They did match the purple, yellow and pink colors in her ghetto fabulous hairdo.) I can’t walk all the way across this big breezy parking lot and mess up my nails.” It was clear her etiquette matched her fashion sense… non-existent. 2. Super Value, Cable Beach. This was a weird case, not only did the offender take the handicapped spot right from under the nose of a legitimate handicapped person, she had no conscience about the matter, exiting her vehicle with no
remorse as she sauntered to the front door. When I told her how “cold blooded” she was she simply replied, “Mister, my kids well rude I can’t bring them in here behind me so I has to park dem close so nuttin’ will happen to them.” The final one is the most atrocious infraction of them all: 3. Sea Grapes Shopping Center, Nassau East. The offender illegally parks in the handicap parking space in front of the food store only to bypass the food store and beeline it to the more enticing
liquor store. What left me shocked and awed was the fact that the offender was in his full Royal Bahamas Police Force uniform. As the youth of today so frequently say… “Savage.” I’m still scratching my head on that one. MOVING FORWARD The only advice I can offer is this; Real handicapped people be strong, keep the faith and know that you still have me as a “champion” for your cause, trained by Auntie Kay, so you know these offenders will be chastised and made humble for their indiscretions. To the offenders I say this: Your lack of respect, common sense, compassion, rationale and blatant disregard for your fellow man is lousy and pathetic. By your actions it’s obvious you are handicapped socially – not legally. And before you ask, being called “crazy” doesn’t get you a handicap parking permit either. Until next week, let your conscience be your guide, especially out of handicapped parking spaces.
Position Available...
Our lending institution is looking for a Loan Officer who is prepared to make a difference in the lives of customers. We are looking an individual to evaluate and recommend loan applications for approval. You will act as liaison between customers and our financial institution and you will help qualified applicants acquire loans in a timely manner. The ideal candidate must have experience managing consumer and equity loans. Loan Officer responsibilities: ➢ Meet with applicants to obtain information for loan applications and to answer questions about the process; ➢ Analyze applicants’ financial status, credit, and property evaluations to determine feasibility of granting loans; ➢ Maintain an active knowledge base of all the Company’s loan products and an understanding of the qualifications required of each applicant; ➢ Identify and recommend products that meet the customer’s needs, utilizing the Company’s lending guidelines; ➢ Review and update credit and loan files to ensure all documentation are in order according to Company policy; ➢ Utilize professional judgement to determine which potential borrowers represent good risk opportunities for the organization; ➢ Analyze potential loan markets and develop referral networks to locate prospects for loans. Skills, Qualifications & Experience: ➢ Minimum Associates Degree in Finance or Related field ➢ 3 years’ experience required ➢ Excellent communications and customer service skills are Essential ➢ Strong attention to detail and a mind for numbers ➢ Computer literacy is a must ➢ Sales skills & Ability to attract people ➢ Must be a self-starter & carry out instructions Interested persons must submit a current resume and photograph to hremploymentnow@gmail.com no later than 17th August 2018.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, August 3, 2018, PAGE 9
Final farewell to ‘leader and patriot’ from page one Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is out of the country. Mr Turnquest said Mr Neymour demonstrated what it was to live and “die in grace and courage”. “Just recently Phenton reminded us of how precious is life, how precious is each day, how precious are the memories we make and share with those whom we love,” he told the congregation. He also referred to a personal quote from Mr Neymour, who once said: “You’ve got to enjoy now, you don’t know what tomorrow brings...” Mr Turnquest insisted that Mr Neymour’s life was one that was “well lived,” and described him as a “devoted patriot” who was dedicated to the development of his country. Expressing his sincere condolences to the family, Mr Ingraham mentioned the “lasting contributions” Mr Neymour had made to society, his community, and the nation at large. He added he “especially liked” Mr Neymour for his “many positive qualities”, such as honesty and loyalty. “It is difficult to not be overcome with emotion as I do a final wave goodbye to Phenton… some four years he battled cancer with its attending complications (and) he faced it bravely in the same way he did everything else,” the former prime minister said. Mr Ingraham also mentioned Mr Neymour’s “distinctive, deep baritone” voice, which he said demanded respect from him along with the rest of their colleagues. “In the last days, he brought his voice to bear on course to find a cure for cancer and reduce the suffering of those afflicted by the disease,” he said. Mr Ingraham said he thanked God for Mr Neymour’s life and legacy, and encouraged the grieving to be comforted knowing their loved one is in heaven. For his part, Mr Davis, acknowledged that Mr Neymour had “already accomplished much” in his “short” lifetime, adding the former state minister for the environment had “much more to offer”. “What I know of Phenton – and what is spelt out
THE FUNERAL service for former MP Phenton Neymour and, inset below, Attorney General Carl Bethel comforts Mr Neymour’s brother, Chet. so well in his obituary – is that he was always a leader. Moreover he had prepared himself ... for leadership,” Mr Davis said. “But for him leadership was not a goal within itself, it was not for selfadvertising. But rather, leadership was a golden opportunity to do something for others and to uplift others and the community.” Byron Woodside, a former Cabinet colleague of Mr Neymour, also reminisced on the times he spent with the former South Beach MP. He also recalled instances after the 2007 general election when people suspected some of the younger ministers of meeting up after Cabinet meetings to “plot against Mr Ingraham”. Assuring his listeners that it was “nothing of the sort,” he explained: “Those opportunities were used to cry on each other’s shoulders about our senior ministers who were giving us hard times.” Mr Woodside also said the friendship he had with Mr Neymour was what was “most important” to him. He told his family he appreciated them for graciously “loaning” him to the public. Cutelle Neymour, Mr Neymour’s widow, also shared her final farewell to her husband in an audio recording, thanking him for
THE WIFE of Phenton Neymour, Cutelle Neymour, is comforted during the service.
FORMER Cabinet Minister and MP Ricardo Deveaux, President and CEO of The Bahamas Primary School Foundation. all of the love and support he offered to her over the years. “You were my husband, my lover, my best friend, my confidant, my greatest supporter, my cross, my everything,” she said. “What we had Phenton in such a short time, some persons will never experience in their lifetime and I’m forever grateful for this blessing.” Mrs Neymour also said that the eight and a half years she spent with her husband contained the “deepest love”, stating she will miss his touch and his delicious meals. Expressing gratitude on behalf of the family, Chet Neymour, brother of the deceased, said Mr Neymour inspired and challenged people to be “better Christians, better human beings, and better Bahamians.” Said his brother: “Phenton Orson Osbert Neymour gave his God, his country and his family literally and figuratively his all then on July 23, 2018 with the wind at his back, with that indelible full tooth open gate grin, he dropped the mic, got on his boat… and he said ‘gone fishing’.” In 2014, Mr Neymour was diagnosed with colon cancer, which went into remission in 2015, just to return in July 2016. After a long battle with the disease, Mr Neymour died this month at the age of 53.
OPPOSITION Leader Philip Davis speaking at the funeral. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
ASHLEY NEYMOUR, daughter of Phenton Neymour.
FORMER Prime Ministers Hubert Ingraham and Perry Christie.
PAGE 10, Friday, August 3, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
REPRESENTATIVES at the 2018 Council meeting at the ministerial level - but what awaits the Caribbean with OECD and EU deadlines looming.
Tax rules we can’t meet, unity we must not avoid T
HE financial services sector of Caribbean jurisdictions - and other parts of the developing world - have been under continuous assault by the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) since the mid-1990s. This assault will peak again in a month’s time when financial institutions are expected to comply with the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) which demand these institutions report on the assets of foreigners to the tax authorities of their country of origin. The majority of the institutions will fail to do so for many reasons that will be explained later in this commentary. But there will be consequences as the member states of the OECD and EU use their superior power to blacklist jurisdictions, thereby increasing their exposure to loss of correspondent banking relationships with global banks; increasing the cost of banking transactions and, hence, the cost of doing business; and limiting access to the global financial and trading system. The whole point of the CRS, devised by the OECD and wholeheartedly embraced by the EU (a few of whose members are also powerful members of the OECD), is to stop
A Caribbean Perspective
By SIR RONALD SANDERS competition in tax matters. These two organizations, largely driven by rich countries of the world, expound the virtues of competition, including by tying aid and investment arrangements to competition in recipient developing nations from companies in their countries. But, while they demand market access on the basis of competition from their companies with far greater access to financial and other resources that eliminate local firms, they are vehemently opposed to competition in tax. In this regard, these two bodies which, while multinational in membership, are not international in representation or in authority, impose their rules on the rest of the world. Consequently, over the last three decades, the financial services of Caribbean jurisdictions have steadily declined, losing revenues and costing jobs. When the OECD first raised its head on this issue in the late 1990s, Caribbean jurisdictions devised a regional response. A team led by Owen Arthur, then
Prime Minister of Barbados, myself representing Antigua and Barbuda and with the talents of then-Barbados AttorneyGeneral Sir David Simmons and Lynette Eastmond (now head of her own political party in Barbados), mounted a spirited response to what the OECD at the time described as ‘harmful tax competition’. That initiative halted the OECD juggernaut for a time, but it never altered its objectives which, in plain language, were to stop jurisdictions in the Caribbean and elsewhere from competing with OECD countries on tax. They took the view at ‘low tax’ or ‘no tax’ jurisdictions posed a threat to their own comparatively high-tax countries. Instead of lowering their own tax structures to compete, they opted to eliminate the competitors. The initial unity of Caribbean jurisdictions quickly dissipated as the rich countries first used their age-old technique of divide and rule, coercing one country after another to agree to imposed rules or be
NOTICE In the Estate of EMMANUEL HARTMAN CURRY late of Grosham Close on the Island of New Providence one of the Islands of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, deceased. NOTICE is hereby given that all persons having any claim or demand against the above Estate are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of the same certified in writing to the undersigned on or before the 1st November A.D. 2018 and if required, to prove such debts or claims, or in default be excluded from any distribution; after which date the Administratrix will proceed to distribute the assets of the deceased having regard only to the proved debts or claims of which the Administratrix shall have had Notice. AND NOTICE is hereby given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the 1st November A.D., 2018. NORWOOD A. ROLLE & CO. Chambers Suite #6 Gomez Building Dowdeswell Street east of Christie Street Nassau, N.P. The Bahamas
blacklisted. In the end, governments – having failed to act in concert – lined-up to sign-up, proclaiming their surrender as victory. “See, we aren’t tax havens; we follow international rules.” Forget the fact the rules weren’t and aren’t international, the proclamations of victory were empty. Every surrender deprived Caribbean jurisdictions of a place in the global international financial services sector; cost the loss of jobs and severely dented revenues. The question of what choice did they have is valid. But the answers are different. One answer is Caribbean jurisdictions have no choice but to surrender because they have no leverage with OECD and EU countries. So, better that each surrender to ward off greater punishment. Another answer is to eschew individual responses and bargain with the OECD and the EU collectively at a high political level. The latter answer was tried once and sacrificed on the short-term goal of national escape. In the end, all were trapped one at a time. Thereafter, Caribbean technicians struggled valiantly in the so-called OECD Global Forum, and in CARIFORUM encounters with the EU, where they were subjected to the same “acquiesce or else” policies. But, there is every good reason for the Caribbean to reignite high-level political engagement with the EU and the OECD, given that, in any bargaining, they can make political judgements and decisions that technicians cannot. Two big deadlines are
now facing the Caribbean: the OECD and EU requirement for reporting under the CRS by September, and the EU threat to blacklist at least four Caribbean countries they consider to be non-compliant with antimoney laundering and counter-terrorism financing requirements of the International Co-operation Review Group (ICRG) of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Neither deadline will be met. The OECD and EU demands relate to what they call “Base Erosion and Profit Shifting” (BEPS) which is designed to punish jurisdictions that compete in tax, thereby in their view, depriving them of tax revenues. Caribbean banks particularly will have to report to more than 100 countries – a costly and, at the moment, almost impossible exercise. Among these 100 countries are a majority with which Caribbean countries have little or no trading or financial relationships. Overseeing this automatic process is an OECD body called the Forum on Harmful Tax Practices (FHTP) with whose injunctions the Caribbean is expected to comply - or else. Against this background, it is welcome news that at last July’s CARICOM Heads of Government meeting it was decided a high-level task force should intervene with the EU to avoid blacklisting of some of its member states. The task force will be led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston
Browne, and will include the Prime Ministers of Barbados, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia and the Minister of Finance of Jamaica. The limiting of the task force to engage with only the EU and with a focus solely on the FATF-ICRG process, mentioned earlier, should be expanded to include the OECD at the highest level. The OECD’s CRS and BEPS requirements pose immediate and urgent dangers to the region. The Caribbean taskforce should also seek advocacy alliances with countries in Africa and the Pacific which are also being targeted by the OECD-EU axis, and with some countries in Europe who are unhappy with EU policies that adversely affect them. In this regard, the involvement of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group, which is a direct interlocutor with the EU, would be helpful. The least Caribbean countries can request is a delay by the OECD and the EU in the implementation of the current BEPS, CRS and FATF-ICRG deadlines; the taskforce should also have a practical plan that it can lay-out. What bargaining leverage the Caribbean will have with the EU and the OECD is a burning question. But whatever it is, it will have to be based on a lock-step, unified and determined approach by every Caribbean country. It is not a time for disunity. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the
WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? I CAN’T remember when I wrote my first article on the renewal of Bay Street. Nor can I remember how many times I have written on this subject. The answers are, however, long ago and very many times. I am saddened that I have to once again raise this matter but it is of so much importance to the prosperity of Nassau and its people that we must nag the authorities until the objectives of the redevelopment of Bay Street and downtown Nassau are achieved. The British Colonial and Pointe development is a good thing but it doesn’t deal with the heart of the town. What has to be tackled is Bay Street from the British Colonial to the Paradise Island bridge. To put it bluntly, East Bay Street is an eyesore to which we subject our people from
the west heading east and visitors alike. They have to endure this on their way to Paradise Island. I don’t begrudge the developments taking place on western New Providence but they should not be as a result of the decay taking place in “Old Nassau Town where we did roam”. Have you ever asked yourself why so many cruise ships want their own private island? Or why many passengers remain on board ship or immediately take a ferry from the cruise pier to
Paradise Island? I have to suggest that a master plan be agreed and incentives be offered to those developers who adhere to the plan. A time limit would need to be set because it is urgent that work starts soon. I am aware there are differing views re the height of buildings and density etc, etc, etc. However, this is of such importance to the economy that compromises by all parties are needed in the national interest.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, August 3, 2018, PAGE 11
Pope: Death penalty is always inadmissable VATICAN CITY Associated Press POPE Francis has decreed that the death penalty is “inadmissible” under all circumstances and the Catholic Church should campaign to abolish it, a change in church teaching that could influence Catholic politicians and judges in the US and across the globe. The change, announced Thursday, was hailed by anti-death penalty activists and scorned by Francis’ frequent conservative critics, who said he had no right to change what Scripture revealed and popes have taught for centuries. The Vatican said that Francis had amended the Catechism of the Catholic
Church — the compilation of official Catholic teaching — to say that capital punishment can never be sanctioned because it constitutes an “attack” on the dignity of human beings. Previously, the catechism said the church didn’t exclude recourse to capital punishment “if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor”. Past popes have upheld that position, though St John Paul II began urging an end to the practice and stressed that the guilty were just as deserving of dignity as innocents. The new teaching says the previous policy is outdated because there are new ways to protect
the common good, and the church should instead commit itself to working to end capital punishment. “Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme means of safeguarding the common good,” reads the new text. Today “there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes,” it said, adding that society now has effective ways to detain prisoners so they aren’t a threat and even provide the possibility
of rehabilitation. “Consequently, the church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide,” reads the new text, which was approved in May but only published yesterday. The death penalty has been abolished in most of Europe and South America, but it is still in use in the United States and in countries in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. This week Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the death penalty could soon be reinstated in Turkey, where it was abolished in 2004 as
part of its bid to join the European Union. Within hours of Thursday’s announcement, New York Gov Andrew Cuomo vowed to introduce legislation to remove the death penalty from New York state law. Francis’ new teaching is also likely to feature in the confirmation process for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, a churchgoing Catholic who, if confirmed, would join four other Catholic justices on the bench. One of their former Catholic members, the late Justice Antonin Scalia, famously said that he didn’t find the death penalty immoral, and that any judge who did should resign.
317 KILLED IN NICARAGUA UNREST
WASHINGTON (AP) — The human rights arm of the Organization of American States said Thursday that 317 people have been killed during violence surrounding anti-government protests in Nicaragua that began in April. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights said the toll included 23 minors and 21 police officers. President Daniel Ortega has acknowledged 195 dead, while the independent Nicaraguan Pro-Human Rights Commission has reported 450. The report came as the OAS adopted a resolution calling for the creation of an OAS working group to promote nationwide dialogue for peace. Nicaraguan Foreign Minister Denis Moncada rejected the idea, calling it an “interventionist political maneuver”. “This idea is raised when the attempted coup against President Ortega was already neutralised and while Nicaragua gradually restores its daily life and economy,” he said. The OAS rights body said it had verified that Nicaragua’s government has persecuted and criminalised protesters. It said that after protest barricades were forcibly removed between July 19 and 30, authorities used armed hooded men to execute arbitrary and violent arrests.
AT LEAST THREE DEAD IN MINE COLLAPSE
ZANU-PF supporters celebrate the victory of their candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Photo: Jerome Delay/AP
MNANGAGWA WINS ZIMBABWE ELECTION HARARE, Zimbabwe Associated Press
ZIMBABWE’S President Emmerson Mnangagwa has won the country’s election with just over 50 percent of the ballots as the ruling party maintained control of the government in the first vote since the fall of longtime leader Robert Mugabe. Mnangagwa received 50.8 percent of the vote while main
opposition challenger Nelson Chamisa received 44.3 percent. The opposition is almost certain to challenge the results in the courts or in the streets. While election day was peaceful in a break from the past, deadly violence on Wednesday against people protesting alleged vote-rigging reminded many Zimbabweans of the decades of military-backed repression under Mugabe. Zimbabwe’s president says he is
US WANTS LIBERTIES UNION TO TAKE THE LEAD ON REUNITING FAMILIES SAN DIEGO Associated Press THE Trump administration and the American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday revealed widely divergent plans on how to reunite hundreds of immigrant children with parents who have been deported since the families were separated at the US-Mexico border. President Donald Trump’s administration puts the onus on the ACLU, asking that the organisation use its “considerable resources” to find parents in their home countries, predominantly Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. The US Justice Department said in a court filing that the State Department has begun talks with foreign governments on how the administration may be able to aid the effort. The ACLU, which sued on behalf of separated parents, called for the government to take “significant and prompt steps” to find the parents on its own. “Plaintiffs have made clear that they will do whatever they can to help locate the deported parents, but emphasise that the government must bear the ultimate burden of finding the parents,” the ACLU said in a filing, pinning blame for “the crisis” on the administration and arguing it has far more resources. A decision on how to bridge the differences falls to US District Judge Dana Sabraw, who has ordered
that more than 2,500 children be reunited with their families. He was scheduled to speak with both sides in a conference call Friday. As of July 26, 431 children whose parents were outside the country were in the custody of the US Health and Human Services Department. The ACLU said it takes “a degree of detective work” to track down contact information for deported parents, some of whom may be hiding from persecutors. The group said the government provided home-country addresses in US immigration databases with no useful information for about 120 parents. Other addresses had limited use — for example, some had “calle sin nombre” (“street without a name”) or six addresses connected to one Honduran child, all in the Mexican city of San Luis Potosi. The proposals from both sides come a week after a court-imposed deadline to reunite more than 2,500 children who were separated from their families at the border. The administration also asks that the ACLU consult each deported parent to determine if they wish to waive their right to be reunified with their child, a scenario that may occur if the parent wants the child to remain in the US. The US would work with foreign governments “to determine how best to complete reunifications”.
“humbled” by his win. “Though we may have been divided at the polls, we are united in our dreams,” Mnangagwa said on Twitter. “This is a new beginning. Let us join hands, in peace, unity & love, & together build a new Zimbabwe for all!” Mnangagwa tweeted, after a week that began with peaceful voting Monday but spiraled into deadly violence in the capital on Wednesday.
EMMERSON MNANGAGWA
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Part of a marble mine collapsed yesterday in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo, killing at least three people, state officials said. Hidalgo’s government said in a statement posted on its Facebook page that the collapse occurred in a locality known as Dengantzha in the Francisco I Madero township. It said the state prosecutor’s office confirmed that one body had been recovered and the search continued for four miners believed to be trapped under rock. The missing people were inside a vehicle that was traveling on one of the mine’s roads when the collapse occurred, the statement said.
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THE TRIBUNE
GIRLS BUILDING THE FUTURE A FEMALE robotics camp held this week at the University of The Bahamas library. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
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GOVERNMENT NOTICE CABINET OFFICE THE OPENING OF SHOPS ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ACT, CHAPTER 36 Monday, 6 August, 2018 - Emancipation Day In accordance with Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act, Chapter 36, Statute Laws of The Bahamas, the following days will be observed as Public Holidays: On the said day, all public offices, banks and shops throughout The Bahamas must be kept closed except that shops may open: (c) for the sale of food, cooked or prepared for consumption on the premises (d) for the sale of drugs, medicines or surgical appliances (e) for the sale of ice (f) for the sale of bread, fresh and frozen fish, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, butcher’s meat, and fresh dairy products until the hour of ten o’clock in the morning
ZONTA CLUB SCHEME SEEKS TO EMPOWER WOMEN THE Zonta Club of New Providence recently wrapped up its 5th Workforce Readiness Programme, furthering the empowerment of women through scholarships and certifications awarded to several of the 18 participants in this year’s three-week skills training workshop. The programme kicked off July 2 at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, with the selected participants exposed to a blended style of learning, including formal presentations by industry experts and on the job training. “It’s amazing how these several weeks can change the attitudes and outlook for these women who come through our programme,” said Kayla Darville, president of the ZCNP. “Our workforce training is life skills centered and designed to prepare unemployed women for the competitive world of work which we hope will improve their overall economic status. “Throughout this programme’s five-year history we have seen the merits of helping the ladies become more self aware and confident in their God given
talents and abilities.” At the closing on July 23, Patricia Minnis, wife of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, pledged her support as well as the support of the newly formed Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister to the programme and to the empowerment of women in the Bahamas. “You must think big. Not just where you are now. I never thought I would be in this position,” she said, pointing to her upbringing in the Coconut Grove neighbourhood. “Through education and somebody moving me along the way, through prayer and believing in myself I am where I am today. Block the number of haters and surround yourself with positive people and form a ground swell around you of people who believe in you and most importantly find yourself prayer warriors who will pray with you and for you.” Throughout the course, the participants were mentored in spirituality, entrepreneurship, leadership, work ethic and protocols, customer service training, conflict resolution, communication styles, resume writing,
interviewing skills, dressing for success, office etiquette and decorum, social graces, legal issues (knowing your rights), budget and financial planning. The participants were also given an opportunity to train in Microsoft Office Suite, facilitated by BTVI. At the end of the training programme, the successful candidates received a certificate of completion from BTVI during the closing ceremony. “BTVI’s main mission is to make people, men and women, workforce ready in the Bahamas,” said BTVI President Dr Robert Robertson. “I’ve been a part of this ceremony from three to five years and it’s one of the more exciting programmes I look forward to every year. I encourage you to take advantage of all that you have learned and I now declare you workforce ready.” The 2018 scholarship winner Nadia Moss was awarded the two-year scholarship to pursue an associate of arts degree at the Soldier Road institute. Additional scholarships were also awarded to outstanding women who want to pursue studies in specific areas.
(g) for the sale of any articles required for the burial of the dead body or in the case of illness of any person or animal or in any other emergency (h) for the sale of petroleum products (i) for the sale of fresh water (j) for the sale of newspapers and periodicals C.O.1883
THE ZONTA Club’s Workforce Readiness Programme scholarship recipient Nadia Moss (centre) warmly accepts her certifications from Patricia Minnis (left) and the ZCNP president Kayla Darville.