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‘FUNDS NEEDED FOR COVID FIGHT’
NAUGHTY: THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY OF NEW CABINET
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
Darville warns that health system needs money in a hurry By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said there is a need for emergency funding for the public healthcare system as it grapples with the COVID-19 crisis. Dr Darville was appointed health and wellness minister during a swearing-in ceremony at Baha Mar on Monday.
Since the appointment, Dr Darville told reporters he has visited several healthcare facilities and held numerous meetings with health officials to get a better idea of the country’s fight against COVID-19. “My initial assessment is we have a lot of work to do and there’s definitely a need for emergency funding,” he said yesterday.
LEWIS FIRST TO HINT AT RUN FOR LEADERSHIP By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
CENTRAL Grand Bahama MP-elect Iram Lewis said if he has the support, he would possibly challenge the leadership post of the Free National Movement when it becomes available at a convention in November. However, he said such a run is not priority at this time. Mr Lewis told The
HERE COME THE JABS
SEE PAGE FOUR
Tribune his main concern is getting back to work in his constituency to hold frank discussions with his council and constituents on what led to the FNM’s overall defeat at the polls last week. Mr Lewis was among three former Cabinet ministers who retained their seats in the election. In addition to him there was former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and SEE PAGE THREE
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell and US Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts sending off vaccinations to the Family Islands yesterday. See PAGE FOUR for the latest on the COVID fight. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
DAVIS: VAT CUT COMING ‘FIX OUR DEBT OR WE’LL - ONCE THE DUST SETTLES BE A NATION FOR SALE’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.met
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said his administration will work on implementing campaign promises such as increased minimum wage and reducing value
added tax to ten percent “as soon as the dust settles”. Speaking to reporters yesterday, he noted the administration has to put certain things in place. “As soon as the dust settles,” Mr Davis said. SEE PAGE FIVE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
REALTOR Mario Carey yesterday voiced fears The Bahamas will become “a nation for sale” unless it quickly gets its $10.4bn national debt and associated economic and fiscal
crises under control. Mr Carey said this nation might be forced to sell-off key national assets and patrimony unless it rapidly reckons with a growing debt mountain that is presently bigger than the Bahamian economy.
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
CULMER BLASTS ‘GUSSIE MAE’ CABINET FREE National Movement chairman Carl Culmer criticised the Davis administration’s “Gussie Mae” Cabinet, which he says contradicts the Progressive Liberal Party’s promises of fiscal prudence. Twenty-two Cabinet ministers are a part of the Davis Cabinet while seven members of Parliament were sworn in as parliamentary secretaries yesterday, prompting concern from the FNM.
FNM chairman Carl Culmer. “Today, several more individuals joined the already crowded field of PLP MPs that have been appointed by the prime
minister to either serve in the Cabinet or as parliamentary secretary,” Mr Culmer said in a statement. “Despite their bogus pandering to the less fortunate and an already struggling middle-class during the most recent electoral campaign, and multiple promises of fiscal prudence and conservatism, I note another ‘Gussie Mae’ PLP Cabinet has been formed.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE THREE
DIANE PHILLIPS: PRIME MINISTER, KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE
- SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Friday, September 24, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Davis: We have seen damage from rule by just one man By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has revealed that his government will follow a “servant-leadership” concept, saying “we have all seen how the rule by one man has damaged our country”. Mr Davis’ remarks came while welcoming seven new parliamentary secretaries who were sworn in at the Grand Hyatt, Baha Mar. The following were sworn in as parliamentary secretaries: John Pinder, Tourism, Investment & Aviation; Bacchus Rolle, Works and Utilities; Lionel Lundy, Office of the Prime Minister; Kirk Cornish, Office of the Prime Minister, Abaco; Wayde Watson, Economic Affairs; Jamal Strachan, Foreign Affairs and Leonardo Lightbourne, Marine Resources & Family Island Affairs.
“Over the past few days, I have spoken in earnest about my intention to lead an administration that works in partnership with the Bahamian people,” Mr Davis said at the ceremony. “For me and my colleagues, the concept of servant-leadership is not just an idea. “We want to transform governance in our country and make servant-leadership a living, breathing reality. I wish to underscore the fact that an essential component of servant-leadership is the need to work together: to consult, to consider, to understand and to action the will of the people.” Taking an apparent swipe at former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, who some accused of taking a one-man band approach during the pandemic, Mr Davis said his party will not make the same mistake. “We have all seen how the rule by one man has damaged
our country. We will not make that mistake, and will do everything possible to work in the best interests of the Bahamian people.” Mr Davis also defended the size of his 22-member Cabinet, saying the country is in crisis and said it takes all hands on deck to solve the various challenges. His Cabinet is slightly larger than the one appointed by Dr Minnis in 2017. “As we welcome the seven parliamentary secretaries who have just been sworn in, I want to take the opportunity to expand a little on the broad reasoning and rationale behind the Cabinet appointments,” Mr Davis said. “Our country is in crisis. These challenges are unprecedented in scale and scope, in breadth and depth. First of all you need to make sure you have a team in place that is heavily focused on the things you wish to get done.
DAVIS ‘DISCOMFORT’ AT END OF CEREMONY PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis experienced “a bout of discomfort” at the end of a ceremony where parliamentary secretaries were sworn in at Baha Mar yesterday. A statement from the
Progressive Liberal Party said this discomfort came as a result of a combination of his “routine medication and missing his morning meal.” The statement said after the event, Mr Davis left for home and quickly
recovered from the discomfort. Mr Davis later chaired his administration’s first Cabinet meeting at 2pm yesterday. “He thanks all those who have expressed a concern,” the PLP’s statement said.
“This is why in my remarks yesterday, I alluded to the need to put ‘all hands on deck’. Afterwards, members of the press queried the need for the size of Cabinet that I have appointed. It made me realise that I needed to spell out in greater detail, exactly what the job of this Cabinet will be.” Mr Davis said his experience in government has taught him how easy it is to get caught up dealing with what is urgent, because of the need to address the dayto-day priorities. However, he said, in doing this “bigger things” are left undone. “In our present situation, doing just this will be no easy feat,” he said. “But in solving the day-to-day problems, the bigger things are left undone. Our mandate is bigger than that. The Bahamian people voted for change: big change, transformational change. “Unlike the previous administration, we intend to keep our promises. This requires work. This requires effort. Put briefly: the challenges are multifaceted and multi-layered. And the opportunities we intend to create are great. Let me explain. “For example: when we talk of the health crisis, getting on top of the COVID-19 pandemic is the most urgent,
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and his wife Ann Marie yesterday. most obvious issue. Every country in the world has encountered challenges, but the previous administration failed miserably, which is why The Bahamas was consistently ranked at the bottom of the global league tables: 179th out of 180 countries, for the government’s handling or mishandling of the pandemic.” Mr Davis said COVID is a matter of great urgency and implementing the government’s COVID action plan alone could take all of the Minister of Health’s attention. “But there is so much more that needs urgent attention: the collapse of the healthcare system; the shortage of doctors and nurses; the exhaustion and complete demoralisation of all healthcare workers that led them to strike recently – and the list goes on,” Mr Davis said. “If we are to solve these problems, and yet still, expand opportunities by
getting NHI back on track, build new hospitals, expand medical tourism and so on, it will take determined effort. “Think about the other challenges: in education, about the state of our crumbling infrastructure with the roads, with BPL, with water and sewerage; and this is before any mention of the state of the public finances. Remember the ten billion dollars in debt?” He said if the government is going to address the many crises then it will need “all hands on deck”. “And so I turn now to today’s appointments of parliamentary secretaries,” Mr. Davis said. “Around the Commonwealth, parliamentary secretaries undertake important functions, supporting the work of their ministers, especially in Parliament. We have made substantial promises in our intention to be open and transparent, and to be held accountable.”
THE NEWLY appointed Parliamentary Secretaries alongside Governor General CA Smith, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper yesterday. Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
MITCHELL: POLITICAL APPOINTEES HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR RESIGNATIONS By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday said all political appointees were recently asked to submit resignations as a matter of routine with the Davis administration’s election to government. Mr Mitchell was contacted to respond to a voice note circulating claiming that up to 15 people at the Office of the Prime Minister were told to go home this week. It was further alleged that their contracts were not being honoured, but that they were given one month’s salary instead.
Mr Mitchell said while he was not familiar with what took place at the Office of the Prime Minister, he suspected that whatever happened was routine. “I don’t know the specifics of what happened at the Office of the Prime Minster, but I explain to people that there are two levels of hirings in this country as in other countries. One is at the political level and the other is the public service level and if you are at the political level, once the administration changes all the politically hired people have to change. “That’s the way the system is, and I suspect that that’s what is at work as you report at the OPM.” He continued: “They (the
former administration) did the same thing, so I am not sure. I am not using that as a defence, but that’s just the system and, for example, the most obvious example would be the Foreign Ministry. “All political level appointments like consulate and special contracts have been asked to submit their resignations to the permanent secretary. That is a matter of routine, and the prime minister decides whether or not to accept the resignation or to allow them to continue. “That’s the way it works so we have them all in the Foreign Ministry at the moment with the exception of one, the other one is outstanding as well.”
BOWLEG TO CREATE ADVISORY COUNCIL IN MINISTRY By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
NEWLY appointed Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg said he wants to create an advisory council in his ministry where all stakeholders can be involved to help transform the entertainment and cultural industry. Mr Bowleg spoke to reporters a day after he was sworn into office at Baha Mar. He is one of 22 government ministers who are now a part of the Davis-led Cabinet. “One thing we want to do is bring people involvement in the ministry and when I say people involvement, no one knows everything as it relates to any aspects of life and so the first thing I want to do is immediate put an advisory council in place for culture so we can get all stakeholders involved and so that we can move culture or bring culture back to the place where it needs to be and ensure that our entertainment industry is well taken care of,” Mr Bowleg told reporters.
“The same thing I want to do for sports, and I think once we put those in place, we’ll have more young people involved in the decision making of the programmes that we will bring to the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture.” He also said: “There’s a lot of jobs inside that industry but plenty people don’t realise that but once you see this advisory council is made to place, then you’ll see what we’re talking about as it relates to the job creation that will come for a lot of entertainers that are sitting home now and have nothing to do.” As it relates to the future of Junkanoo this year, Mr Bowleg said he could not comment on the matter just yet. He only said getting the pandemic under control is the government’s main focus. “Right now, the health of the nation is what is most important and the protection of lives as it relates to COVID,” he added. “So I wouldn’t want to make any assumption or discussion as it relates to Junkanoo. We just want to make sure
that we control this COVID environment, and we can live safely and then we will be concerned about Junkanoo moving forward.” Earlier this month, chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence Dion Miller told The Tribune the organisation does not foresee any “traditional” parades this year given the worrisome COVID situation in the country. “In regard to this year, the JCNP and our partners do not foresee any traditional Junkanoo parades this year as we have seen in past years and that’s due to the COVID pandemic,” Mr Miller said. “I can share that we have just begun some sort of communication with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and our corporate sponsors on developing plans for a Junkanoo experience. What that experience is, I can’t speak to exactly right now, but in regard to traditional parades on Bay Street, we do not foresee that happening this year again.”
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, September 24, 2021, PAGE 3
MEMBERS of the Cabinet attending the meeting at the Tradewinds Building yesterday.
Photo: Leandra Rolle/Tribune Staff
NEW GOVERNMENT HOLDS ITS FIRST CABINET MEETING By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Davis administration held its first Cabinet meeting at the Tradewinds Building yesterday. The meeting came after 11 ministers were sworn into office Wednesday to complete Prime Minister Phillip
“Brave” Davis’ Cabinet, which also has five women around the table. The group includes a mixture of experienced hands and new figures and brings the Davis Cabinet to 22, making it larger than the Cabinet former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis had appointed in 2017. Before yesterday’s meeting, Mr Davis thanked his
colleagues for accepting their ministerial appointments and also reminded them of the hard work ahead. “The task ahead of us is momentous as the challenges that’s facing us is almost overbearing,” he told Cabinet members yesterday. “But we accepted this challenge because we are up to it and I am
confident that each and every one of you around this table is up to that task. “We have a health crisis and I have asked Dr (Merceline) Dahl-Regis to join us in our first meeting to update us on what’s happening with (the) COVID pandemic because unless we get that under control, everything else is next.
We have the economic crisis — that too has to be addressed. We have to find a way to balance our handling of the virus with ensuring that our economy is not further damaged by what we do going forward.” Dr Dahl-Regis is the head of the National Vaccine Consultative Committee. Mr Davis also pledged
transparency and accountability in his administration, insisting that his government will keep the public informed about their plans for the country. “We are a progressive government and what we intend to do is to ensure that we move this country forward and solve these problems,” he added.
Lewis first to hint at run for leadership from page one former Minister of Agriculture Michael Pintard. Former State Minister of Finance Kwasi Thompson also won his bid to represent East Grand Bahama, which was previously represented by Peter Turnquest. Other FNMs who were elected are Shanendon Cartwright in St Barnabas, Adrian White in St Anne’s and Adrian Gibson in Long Island. Asked if he would contest the FNM leadership post if he got the support, Mr Lewis said, “Yeah, if it comes to that point and I put my name in the hat then I will, but that’s still not my priority.” FNM chairman Carl Culmer said on Wednesday night that the party’s council agreed to let Dr Minnis remain leader of the party until a new leader emerges from a convention in November. Dr Minnis had told committee members that he will hold on to his Killarney seat and has no plans to resign from the House of Assembly or contest the post in a convention. “I respect that and up to that point I have never considered because he’s the leader, so the position
was not vacant,” Mr Lewis said. “I have never applied for a job if there is no vacancy. “I want to act in the best interest of the party. I don’t know what the future holds, but, like I said, at the moment I want to get back to my base, the grassroots and hear from them and I want to be guided by what they have to say.” Mr Lewis said he has great respect for Dr Minnis who weathered many storms with the FNM. “He is the leader and I respect leadership and I want to commend him for the job that he has done when the party was going through its challenges when in 2012, he stepped up when our then leader and another man that I respect resigned. Dr Minnis stood in the gap. “He stood when his parliamentary colleagues had a vote of no confidence and wrote a letter (to the governor general). He didn’t run away. He stayed and pulled up his socks and went back to work and was able to realise the largest victory (in 2017) ever by our party and he is willing now to go into Parliament and to defend his legacy and his actions. I commend him and so I stand by him. “I don’t want to take away from that. I don’t
want to distract from that because once you declare your intentions for leadership then the campaign starts and that will take away from where we are now and what should be done, which is going back to our roots and our foundation and rebuilding.” He went on to congratulate FNM supporters and the new Progressive Liberal Party government saying he wished them success because any failure would mean the country also fails. The council’s decision to let Dr Minnis continue to lead the party came during a spirited meeting in which members gave frank assessments about why the FNM suffered its worst electoral defeat in decades. “We had a great meeting tonight and a lot of supporters have expressed their concerns and at the end of the meeting we agreed that the leader, the present leader, will take the party into convention and after convention we will select a new leader to take the party forward,” Mr Culmer told reporters on Wednesday outside Holy Trinity Activity Centre. “Dr Minnis will not offer himself for leadership. We will have an opportunity to choose another leader.” Mr Culmer said the
convention will take place no later than at the end of November. “Dr Minnis also pledged to work with (the new) leader, whomever he may be, so that the FNM will be battle ready for the election whenever it is called,” he added. For his part, Dr Minnis said on Wednesday that he will help hold the PLP accountable in opposition. He said: “I thought the government, we did an excellent job in paving the way forward for the country and preparing for a better future. Unfortunately, the public felt different, and we accept that. We will regroup, look at everything, analyse as to why voters did not vote, what were the challenges, and we will move forward and come out even better. Most importantly, I will be going back to Parliament as the leader of the opposition with my parliamentary colleagues and we have had lots of experience both in opposition and in government and we are assured that we will be a very very vibrant, aggressive opposition and we will keep the government’s feet to the fire. They’ve made many promises and it is essential that when you make promises, you adhere to the promises.”
CULMER BLASTS ‘GUSSIE MAE’ CABINET from page one
“This prime minister has seemingly appointed the largest Cabinet in the nation’s history with some 22 individuals comprising the executive branch of government. “An additional seven PLP members of Parliament have been appointed as parliamentary secretaries. I implore the FNM’s parliamentary team to be bold, courageous, and steadfast in holding the executive branch to account as they are now the only opposing voices in the House of Assembly with very few PLP backbenchers in existence and having
a strong voice on behalf of the Bahamian public.” Mr Culmer also said Mr Davis has already shown the Bahamian public that “he will not abide by the meaningless words delivered in his flowery speeches where he promised to govern for all Bahamians,” saying there are already numerous claims of victimisation of people who do not support the PLP. “One week has passed since the Bahamian people decided to elect the PLP, and within this timeframe several persons have already been summarily dismissed from their jobs during some of the most challenging economic times in our nation’s history,” he
said. “Is this governance for all? Is this caring and compassionate leadership? “This is the administration that promised to not only govern for all Bahamians despite party affiliation. They made an impassioned campaign to the Bahamian public that they would ensure that the most vulnerable among us are protected and have a safety net. It is only reasonable to assume that the intent is to take care of these Bahamians through the use of unemployment benefits, as the Davis administration has already sent scores of persons to the unemployment line,” he alleged. “While I would want to
wish this administration well as they endeavour to begin their term in office, it is critical to outline that certain promises made have already met their speedy demise and the sun has apparently already set on the so-called ‘new day’ that was pledged to the Bahamian people.” Yesterday, Foreign Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell responded to allegations of victimisation in the Office of the Prime Minister, saying while he did not know the specifics, all political appointees were asked to submit resignations as a matter of routine after the Davis administration was elected.
IRAM LEWIS, the MP for Central Grand Bahama.
PAGE 4, Friday, September 24, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
‘FUNDS NEEDED FOR COVID FIGHT’ SAYS HEALTH MINISTER from page one
“We have some of our suppliers as well as individuals involved in the fight who need to be paid and the prime minister has instructed me to find out exactly what is happening on the ground and I have done that. “I have a few more places to visit. I intend to visit the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and then do a cross the island tour of our clinics to see where we’re at and how we can bring relief to those residents and healthcare professionals on those islands.” Dr Darville said officials are hoping to move swiftly to address all health-related concerns and get the
COVID-19 situation under control. He said his team has already identified a “potential” place to house additional beds for COVID patients and are working to increase manpower in public health. “Everywhere we go, we realise that our staff are overworked,” he continued. “Some of them are extremely exhausted and we find shortages with our nurses, sometimes with our physicians as well as our other healthcare professionals. We don’t want to leave them out. “Our lab services are also lacking so we have to look at where we are financially and begin to start the process to improve the manpower resources at
these facilities so that we will be better able to move at a rapid rate and get our COVID situation as well as to improve upon our primary healthcare facilities.” He also said the Davis administration is committed to building a new hospital. “The need for a new hospital is paramount. I can tell you this much,” Dr Darville added. “Under this administration, we will be moving very rapidly to address that additional need while at the same time doing the necessary renovations and improvements at our current tertiary facilities, so I do agree that we need to improve upon what we have while we begin to lay solid plans to construct a new facility here in New Providence as well as in Grand Bahama.”
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell and US Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts sending off vaccines to the Family Islands. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
Here come the jabs By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas government and the United States began a joint mission yesterday to distribute COVID-19 vaccine doses to several Family Islands, including Abaco, Bimini, Long Island, Exuma and Eleuthera. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis along with other local and US Embassy officials held a press conference at Odyssey Aviation for the rollout of vaccines for the Family Islands. According to the US Embassy in Nassau, the mission is between September 23-28. The embassy said the first day of the “effort alone will result in the distribution of 1,590 vaccine doses to Bahamians on the island of Abaco”. “The Rhode Island National Guard (RING), supported by USNORTHCOM, provided the aircraft for the mission— a C-12 plane capable of carrying 1650lbs of passengers and cargo – as well as two pilots and three vaccination subject matter experts. “Four to six Royal Bahamas Defence Force medical personnel will work alongside their RING colleagues to execute the joint mission. In addition to distributing life-saving vaccines, the mission will provide an opportunity to exchange
best practices on the logistics of vaccine distribution and wider interagency coordination,” the embassy said in a release. Mr Davis expressed gratitude to the embassy and US government. “We are in discussions to ensure that enough Pfizer arrives in The Bahamas and arrives in time to be able to see that we get our country fully vaccinated,” he said. Cultural events, such as Junkanoo, did not happen in typical fashion last year nor this year due to the pandemic. Asked if the country can expect Junkanoo parades or cultural events due to the slow increase in vaccination numbers, the prime minister replied: “It depends on how Bahamians respond to the cry to become vaccinated. At that time the decision will be made again. I’ll be relying on the experts and the scientists and doctors to determine whether or not we should be doing those things.” While encouraging people to get vaccinated, Mr Davis emphasised that vaccination is not the endall to stamping out the disease and asked residents to adhere to COVID protocols. “Vaccine is not the end all to our challenges because as you are aware there could be breakthroughs and so while we insist that we all attempt to
be and encourage persons to be vaccinated we still are asking them to follow our COVID protocols. Keep your mask on, wash your hands until we get the answer to eradicating this deadly disease,” he said. The vaccine delivery comes after the announcement of the United States requiring all adult foreign visitors who are travelling by air to show full COVID19 vaccination status. Foreign travellers will also have to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within three days of travelling, but fully vaccinated international travellers will not have to quarantine upon their arrival in the U.S. US Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts said officials are still waiting for further details on the new policy. “The United States will require all travellers to be vaccinated,” she said. “So we’re still waiting for the details of how that will happen, but I can tell you today which is that it will be coming sometime in midNovember so you have a little bit of time to get vaccinated if you haven’t done it. The second is that we know children will be exempt. So other than that, I don’t have details, but I am really gratified to hear that Bahamians’ vaccination demand has gone up as a result of that regulation.”
DARVILLE: DROP IN CASES MAY BE RESULT OF LOW TESTING By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville urged Bahamians not to become overly optimistic about the slight drop in recent COVID-19 infections, saying the declining numbers could be a result of low virus testing. His comments came as the country recorded 111 new cases of COVID-19 and ten additional virus deaths on Wednesday. The day before saw 91 cases recorded, while 39 cases were reported on Monday and 34 on Sunday. The country now has a total of 20,490 cases, 1,639 of which are still active. There have also been 522 COVID deaths confirmed since the start of the pandemic. In its September 22 dashboard, the Ministry of Health reported that 10
people had died from the virus between September 8 and September 19. Three of the victims were from Grand Bahama while the remaining seven were New Providence residents. Their ages range from 44 to 82. Speaking about the nation’s COVID-19 situation yesterday, Dr Darville admitted that officials have seen some positive signs that cases may be decreasing in the country, but said more data is needed to determine this fact. Notwithstanding this, he said it’s still important for Bahamians to not let their guards down as the drop in numbers could be a result of decreased testing. “We’re seeing signs that the cases may be falling, but we are mindful not to be too optimistic at this time because that may be a direct result of lack of testing so we have to get the facts together
and put the puzzle together that revolves around the science and then we will be pleased to allow the media to know where we’re at and to allow the Bahamian people to understand the situation,” Dr Darville told reporters before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. On the campaign trail, the Progressive Liberal Party promised that once elected, it would stabilise the country’s COVID situation through increased testing, and expanded contact tracing, among other things. Earlier this week, Dr Darville told reporters the government is ready to activate its ten-point COVID action plan, which includes offering free COVID testing to Bahamians. He said the government is in the process of negotiations with companies as it seeks to implement free COVID-19 testing.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, September 24, 2021, PAGE 5
Davis: VAT cut coming - once the dust settles from page one
“We are still putting our government and pieces together as soon as we get to the actual business of governing, which requires a structure to be put in place, meaning the proper personnel, you’ll see us complying with the promises we made.” The Progressive Liberal Party’s 10-point plan
in its Blueprint for Change includes a promise of a reduction of VAT and the recommendation to the National Tripartite Council that it move towards a minimum wage of $250 per week. The PLP has also promised to build a new hospital. The party’s leaders previously said in March they will reduce value added tax to ten percent for one year as part of an economic
plan, which the then cabinet minister Kwasi Thompson commented at the time would “destabilise the economy”. The opposition Free National Movement has poured water on some of the promises, saying the country’s finances and economic situation will make them difficult to achieve. On Wednesday, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis called the pledge
to build a new hospital “impossible.” Asked to respond to this, Mr Davis said, “I’m not going to be engaged in any criticism of what we can and cannot do, just watch and see.” Asked what he thought about the FNM’s council giving Dr Minnis the goahead to stay on as party leader until a new leader emerges from a convention in November, Mr
Davis made it clear he is not involving himself in the FNM’s “internal issues” and will not be distracted. This comes after the party suffered a crushing loss in the general election and, according to party insiders, Marco City MP-elect Michael Pintard was seen as the frontrunner to succeed Dr Minnis for leadership. The prime minister did not seem fazed when asked
DAVIS LEADS TRIP TO UN PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis will lead a delegation today to participate in the 76th Session of the United Nations in New York. Included in the delegation are Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service Fred Mitchell, Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Myles Laroda, and officials of the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Davis and his delegation will travel to New York today. He will deliver the country’s national address tomorrow. Mr Mitchell, along with foreign service officer Krissy Hanna, travelled to New York yesterday. While there, he is expected to hold a number of bilateral meetings with other foreign ministers. Topics of discussion at the UN session will be recovery from the COVID pandemic, climate change, democracy, peace and human rights. Mr Davis and his delegation will return to The Bahamas on Sunday.
70 HAITIANS HELD AFTER BOAT STOPPED
THE BOARDING team and Haitian sloop on Wednesday.
US TOURIST CAUGHT WITH COCAINE By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
AN American tourist caught with cocaine he claimed he purchased from a local taxi driver must pay $500 to avoid spending three months in prison. A second US citizen caught with marijuana she claimed she accidentally brought on vacation was also ordered to pay a fine. Seth Buchman, 27, was arrested after US border agents found five grams of cocaine on him when they searched his luggage at Lynden Pindling International airport on September 21. The court heard around 5.15pm that day, American custom officers called police to their secondary search area and pointed out the Arkansas native, before turning over a dairy
supplement package with cocaine in it. The prosecution said the accused was then arrested and transported to a nearby station where he owned up to the offence. During his interview, he also told police he bought the drugs from a taxi cab driver. Yesterday, Buchman told the magistrate he was sorry for his actions and insisted he would never do it again. As a result, he was fined $500 or three months in prison. Meanwhile, Natalie Solis was arrested after officers at LPIA found five grams of Indian hemp among her belongings on September 20. During her arraignment, she pleaded guilty to one count of simple possession and told Magistrate Samuel McKinney she had purchased the marijuana in Las
Vegas but had forgotten to take it out of her luggage before traveling to The Bahamas. Solis, who hails from Dallas, Texas, was subsequently fined $400 or two months in prison. In a separate matter, a couple who denied being in possession of Indian hemp were granted bail ahead of their trial. Michael Adderley, 38, and Shadavia Newman,30, were accused of having 12 ounces of marijuana on September 13. During the hearing, Adderley was further accused of deceiving two police officers. They both denied the allegations brought against them and the matter was adjourned to November 8 for trial. In the interim, the pair were each granted $3,500 bail.
TEENAGER ADMITS HAVING AMMUNITION
By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A TEENAGER who admitted having an assortment of ammunition must pay $7,500 worth of fines if he doesn’t want to spend two years of his life behind bars. Brad Sands, 19, was arrested after he was found with 44 rounds of .380 ammunition in August
2020, without being a holder of a firearm certificate. Police said Sands was also found with 12 live rounds of .45 ammunition, eight live rounds of 9mm ammunition along with 12 ounces of Indian hemp around the same time. After denying the allegations during his initial arraignment, Sands returned to court yesterday to plead guilty to the offences.
He was subsequently fined $4,000 or two years in prison for possession of ammunition with the intent to supply, $2,500 or a year on remand for the two other counts of ammunition possession and $1,000 for the single count of simple drug possession. Magistrate Samuel McKinney said the youngster must pay a minimum of $2,500 before he is released from custody.
POLICE PROBE SUSPECTED SUICIDE By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
ABACO Police are investigating an apparent suicide on that island on Thursday after a man was discovered dead at a residence in Marsh Harbour. According to police, a man was found unresponsive
about Dr Minnis leading the party in opposition. “That is their challenge. I’m not going to get involved in their internal issues. We have work to do . There’s much work to do. This country is in dire straits, both economically and from a health crisis. Our health infrastructure is collapsing and we need to address these issues. I’m not going to be distracted by what they’re doing.”
at his residence on Don McKay Boulevard shortly after 5pm. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle reported that officers from the Marsh Harbour Police Station went to the residence where they discovered an adult male inside a northern bedroom closet, lying on his back
with an apparent gunshot injury to his head. He said EMS personnel were called to the scene and examined the victim, but found no signs of life. The body was taken to the Marsh Harbour Clinic, where a doctor pronounced him dead. ASP Rolle said investigations are continuing.
Photo: RBDF
ANOTHER vessel was intercepted where 70 Haitian migrants were apprehended in the southern Bahamas by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force yesterday afternoon. At approximately 2pm, this latest group of migrants were apprehended on a Haitian wooden sloop, 52 nautical miles northwest of Great Inagua by HMBS Bahama, under the command of Senior Lieutenant Alexis Brown. The migrants—55 males, 15 females—who were in fair health, were subsequently taken onboard the RBDF vessel and were transported to Matthew Town. They were handed over to Department of Immigration officials for processing. On Wednesday, 86 Haitian migrants were also apprehended off Inagua during a joint operation with the US Coast Guard, and Operation Turks and Caicos Bahamas (OPBAT), and the RBDF. RBDF officers and marines are currently providing security details for both groups of migrants who are currently being detained at the local police station on the island. “The Royal Bahamas Defence Force wishes to discourage this type of treacherous voyage by individuals seeking to leave their homeland,” the agency said in a press release.
MURDER SUSPECT TO FACE SUPREME COURT By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 31-YEAR-OLD man accused of killing a man in Andros last year will answer to the charges in the Supreme Court next month. In April 2020, Clinton Forbes was charged with the murder of Calvin Harrison Rolle. According to initial reports, on the first of that month, police responded
to the settlement of Mars Bay, South Andros after receiving reports that a man was discovered near a community park with apparent gunshot injuries to his body. Medical personnel were called but the man was pronounced dead a short time later. After his arraignment, Forbes was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. When he returned to
court for the presentation of his voluntary bill of indictment (VBI), he elected to have 21 days to notify the prosecution of his alibi witnesses. Magistrate Samuel McKinney then told the accused he would appear before Supreme Court Justice Bernard Turner at which time he will enter a plea to the murder charge. Forbes was further remanded into custody until that time.
PAGE 6, Friday, September 24, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
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More money to fight pandemic - but from where? A NEW government never gets long before the size of the task at hand becomes clear – and that has perhaps never been more true than in the middle of this pandemic. The new Health and Wellness Minister, Dr Michael Darville, has barely had time to kick the tyres to see how roadworthy our health system is, but he’s already appreciating that one of the first things the country needs is funds for the fight against COVID. “My initial assessment is we have a lot of work to do and there’s definitely a need for emergency funding,” said Dr Darville. Of course, that money has to come from somewhere and the news in yesterday’s Tribune that the country’s debt now exceeds the value of the economy means it’s not going to be easy to find that money. Dr Darville added that some bills are outstanding, saying: “We have some of our suppliers as well as individuals involved in the fight who need to be paid and the Prime Minister has instructed me to find out exactly what is happening on the ground and I have done that.” Next up for Dr Darville is a visit to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre to see the situation there before a tour of the island clinics. A lot of this information should, ideally, be ready and waiting for the new minister as part of the handover of power, but Dr Darville is doing the right thing by seeing things for himself. Some of this he should have been aware of, however. He says that “everywhere we go, we realise that our staff are overworked. Some of them are extremely exhausted and we find shortages with our nurses, sometimes with our physicians as well as our other healthcare professionals.” The Tribune has catalogued the problems facing our healthcare system, and how overwhelmed staff are in the face of COVID-19 – how does the new Health Minister not know this too? He also talks of the need for a new hospital – when medics have said previously that we almost need a hospital for COVID alone.
The scale of this problem should by now still be shocking, yet not surprising. Every day, the problems have been catalogued in the media, and in the daily count that has seen more and more cases and deaths added to the nation’s total. Is more funding needed? Absolutely. The question is, where is the government going to find that money? There is no easy answer here – and we hope our new leaders very quickly grasp exactly how difficult the situation is that we face.
Cabinet size
TWO words have been on people’s lips to describe the new Cabinet of The Bahamas. “Gussie Mae”, says FNM chairman Carl Culmer to describe the size of the Cabinet, bulging with 22 ministers and seven MPs as Parliamentary Secretaries on top. There are now as many PLP MPs appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries as the FNM has MPs full stop. “Gussie Mae”, says Tribune columnist Naughty as he talks of how Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has “many mouths to feed” in his party. Even on this page, cartoonist Jamaal Rolle portrays the “Gussie Mae” Cabinet weighing in. For all the talk about public finances with the size of the debt, the first impression looking at the size of the Cabinet is that rather than cutting back, we’re starting off by spending more. It might be hard to justify to public sector workers if they turn around and start cutting jobs having added more to the salary bill at the top end. Mr Davis says he needs all hands on deck as he defends the size of the Cabinet. Well, Mr Davis, we’ll be keeping a close watch on that deck. Those chosen for the posts need to show they’re earning their money. When funds are desperately needed on the front line, and the new government planning to cut the rate of VAT, it does raise concerns about the prospect of reducing the nation’s mammoth debt. Over to you, new ministers, show us all you’re worth your money.
Trade deal inclusivity EDITOR, The Tribune. OUR world is divided into various political and economic blocks, nations with their corporations allied to others in an attempt to create a free trade situation. Not that real free trade exists anywhere. Like selfish children nations and the economic trade blocks carry out illegal actions that go contrary to the agreements they joined. Trade barriers, preference to their corporations needs, create unnecessary conflict and uncertainty. Trade Organisations try to be democratic in nature, and where you find democracy you can also find national self interest. Nevertheless, these Trade Organisation are essential to many nations, particularly smaller nations. The CUMSA Trade Agreement will free its members from unnecessary red tape, and offer mediating solutions to the group should difficulties happen. An organisational approach to understanding their members needs and assisting the group in achieving its economic goals is paramount. We have many trade groups to compete with, namely the EU, Asian Trade Groups often led by China, and more independent groups, such
as the Russian Allied Group. Their purpose is to maximize their nations’ corporations profits and overall sales. Ignoring the needs of smaller nations is customary and often accepted by the leading nations of this planet. Since the UK wishes to join the CUMSA may I suggest a large inclusive group be created, where North and Central American, South American and Caribbean nations become an economic block capable of competing with any competitor. I do not mean bringing about The Monroe doctrine, not at all, but for the self interest and future growth of all these nations a Political and Economic Power Block is needed. Our competitors have already gone on a buying spree throughout the Americas. Yes, I am speaking about The Chinese Competitive Block. Buying up or winning competitions to control and maintain shipping ports, vital natural resource areas, and throwing its “friendly” propaganda around these areas. Like The Mafia of old, The Chinese and EU governments and their corporations, make every effort to control or buy these nations’ precious resources to only ship these items to their nations, and
not create real long term manufacturing jobs. Central America, Latin America and The Caribbean can ally themselves with The UK, Canada, Mexico, and America. Imagine the political and economic influence, the economic power that can be exerted throughout our world. Power member nations can have their percentage of the assumed 2.5 trillion dollars in trade. Presently Canada, Mexico and America share a 1.3 trillion trade balance. If a truly inclusive Group of nations can be created, double, triple that trillion dollars. Imagine small islands becoming administrative power houses for this group, manufacturing facilities throughout this region. Improve our citizens’ lifestyles, health care, political situations in time. Just a thought. Folks, what do you think? We are better off united than as separate competing nations. “Calculate the public advantage, the welfare and liberty of every nation united” – Marquis De Lafayette. A European who believed in The Americas. So should we. STEVEN KASZAB Ontario, Canada. September 23, 2021.
The War Cabinet EDITOR, The Tribune.
ALL of you know that for decades I have been privileged to be the biggest media supporter of the new Prime Minister, the Hon Philip “Brave” Davis, QC. When he was a mere lawyer @ Messrs Christie; Ingraham; Davis & Company at Victoria Avenue, I was there. When he established his own practice @ West Hill Street north, I was with him and now that he has ascended the greasy pole, I have more work to be done. Most of the senior cabinet ministers and ministers of State are now in place with a small number of Parliamentary Secretaries to be appointed. I would hope that the Hon Leslia Miller Brice (PLP-Sea Breeze) is included in that number. Any Prime Minister has the constitutional authority to have any sized cabinet of his choice. Sir Lynden, God bless his soul, had one of the first so-called “gussie mae” cabinets way back in the day. My “boy” the Rt Hon Hubert A Ingraham had even bigger ones. The Rt Hon Perry G Christie had big cabinets also. It is within the purview of the PM of the day to determine how best to deploy his parliamentary team. He should be guided by
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the severity and urgency of issues of public policy and not just to secure “jobs” for his caucus. The Bahamas is in a literal war on two fronts: we have yet to address the impacts and devastation of back-to-back hurricanes and the ongoing COVID pandemic is not going anywhere anytime soon. In wars, the four star general is mandated to deploy his troops as might be most effective and able to defeat “the enemy”. This is what Brave has to do. The optics might offend some ill-informed Bahamians, especially those in the rump opposition, but there is a new sheriff in town. I am especially pleased with the appointment of the Hon Alfred Sears (PLP-Fort Charlotte) as Minister of Works & Public Utilities; the Hon Zane Lightbourne (PLPYamacraw) as the Minister of State within the Ministry of Education; the Hon Senator Michael Halkitis as Minister of Economic Affairs; the Hon Wayne Munroe, QC (PLP-Free Town) as Minister of National Security; the
Hon Myles Laroda (PLPPinewood) and, of course, the Hon I Chester Cooper (PLP-Exuma) as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism and Aviation. In fact, I endorse and love all of the appointments, so far. The Bahamas is waging war on multiple fronts and we desperately need and require all hands on deck if we are to overcome the common enemies anytime soon. I could care less if detractors call the cabinet “gussie mae” or any other names. The tasks at hand are not easy ones and must be dealt with efficiently and effectively. Minnis had a big cabinet also even if it achieved next to nothing. I would be remiss if I did not reference the election of my “boy” Dr Michael Darville (PLP-Tall Pines) and subsequent appointment as Minister of Health. At some point within the next year we shall see and witness the introduction of a Real National Health Initiative. Again, I congratulate the PM and his team, but none more than his immediate family who would have been and are the wind beneath his wings. ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, September 23, 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
Man ‘dressed like drag queen’ robbed John Bull By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A SUPERVISOR at the John Bull Store testified that a man dressed like “a drag queen” had entered the establishment moments before it was robbed of over 70 luxury timepieces. Margarite Higgs, a 12-year employee, was at work on July 23, 2018, when the store was robbed around 10am at Port Lucaya Marketplace. Accused Corradon Cockburn, 33, and 26-year-old Diego Carey, both of New Providence, are on trial for conspiracy to rob the store. Cockburn is also charged with possession of proceeds of criminal conduct, and Carey was charged with receiving. In her testimony, Higgs indicated that she arrived at work around 9:30am to open the store. She met Felicia and another staff member there. Also arriving later to work on the morning shift were Daphne, Megan and Shantay, and the store manager Paula Robinson. Ms Higgs opened the safe and deactivated the alarm. She took the watches out of the safe and set them up in the showcase. Just as they opened the store around 10am, she saw a person walk in the store wearing white jeans, a black and white shirt, with long black weave, and a big handbag. Higgs said the person appeared to be a man, dressed as a Drag Queen walking in high heels. He walked straight over to the Rolex counter and pulled out a big jackhammer from his handbag, she recalled. According to her evidence, she was standing at the office door at the time. “I saw him lift up the hammer and I told my boss, Paula, ‘we are about to get robbed’ and closed the door.” Ms Higgs said she heard the shattering of glass. She pushed the panic button and called 911 on her phone, and then the store’s loss prevention officer in Nassau. According to the supervisor, an Italian couple with
their two children were the only customers in the store at the time. She said the incident lasted less than five minutes. When she unlocked the door, Daphne, Felicia, and Megan ran inside the office. Ms Higgs said all five Rolex showcase counters were damaged and one Breitling showcase was partly damaged. The police arrived shortly afterward. In her evidence, she noted that the Rolex showcases were made of regular glass, and the Breitling showcase was made of Swiss glass. Most of the inventory was gone, she said. Ms Higgs said that a total of 55 watches were usually put out on display in the Rolex showcases, and 33 in the Breitling showcase. There were five Rolex counters – Professional, Stainless Steel, Two-Tone, Steel and Gold, Ladies and Gents watches, and Solid Gold. She said the watches range in price from $5,500 to $49,000. She said that about 32 to 33 Rolex watches, and two Breitling watches were missing. Ms Higgs said the person entered the store from the north entrance and was about 5ft 10in tall. When asked by the prosecutor how many persons came in the store, she said one person came in. During cross-examination, Bjorn Ferguson asked Ms Higgs how many persons worked at the store. She said five persons worked in the MAC Makeup Section, and six worked in her section with the watches. She said that five persons were scheduled to work, but one staff had called in sick. When asked who had called in sick, Higgs said she could not remember who it was. When questioned about the drag queen, Higgs recalled that the person was also wearing shades or sunglasses. “Were you afraid?” Ferguson asked, “No,” said the supervisor, “I was being observant. I took a mental note.”
The defence attorney asked how long was it before she re-emerged from the office. She said it was about five minutes. She said there was broken glass on the floor and in the watch display counters. “Did you see blood?” asked Ferguson. “I can’t recall,” Ms Higgs said. Ms Higgs said police arrived about five to ten minutes after the robbery, and she gave police a statement. She identified what was missing. Mr Ferguson asked, “Did you attend an ID parade?” “No,” Higgs replied. “Did the police take your fingerprints?” he asked. Higgs said police did not take her fingerprints. She said they dusted the counters for fingerprints. Det Sergeant 3429 Bernardo Curtis, said on July 31, 2018, he received certain information from Det Dean and went to the Lucayan Harbour where she spoke with the security personnel, who pointed at a young man who gave his name as Diego Carey and pointed out a silver bin. Sergeant Curtis identified Carey in court. He said that he examined the bin and discovered a Rolex watch with John Bull tags in five pairs of socks. He cautioned and asked Carey how he came in possession of the watches. He said that Carey was preparing to leave the island by mailboat to New Providence. He said he could not verify the story given by Carey, so he was arrested. He placed the five watches in individual red bags. Sgt Curtis said he took Carey to the Custody Suite for safekeeping. He also reported that Carey appeared to have an injury to his leg. He said he gave the five red bags to the Criminal Records Office. When shown the five red bags in court, Sgt Curtis said he put his signature in a bag that contained all five bags. When asked if he put his signature on each of the individual red bags, he said he did not put his signatures on any of the five bags. The case resumes tomorrow.
LARRY ARILIUS, left, and Dillon Williams outside court yesterday.
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
TWO FACE COURT OVER ATTACKS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net TWO young men were charged in the Freeport Magistrate’s court yesterday with murder and attempted murder. Larry Arilius, 24, and Dillon Williams, 26, both of Freeport, appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson. Neither man was represented by counsel. Arilius was charged with murder. It is alleged that on
September 17, at Freeport, the accused, concerned with others, caused the death of Antonio Morley by means of unlawful harm. He was also charged with attempted murder. It is alleged that on the same date and place, the accused, concerned with others, attempted to cause the death of Eunique Moxey. He was not required to enter a plea to the charges. Arilius and Williams were charged together with three counts of attempted
murder. It is alleged that on September 17, at Freeport, the accused men, being concerned together, attempted to cause the death of Alfred Harris, Jr, Acario Morley, and Vereance Reckley. They were not required to enter pleas to the charges. A preliminary inquiry will be held into the charges to determine if there is sufficient evidence for the men to be committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The cases were adjourned to January 26, 2022.
Friday, September 24, 2021, PAGE 7
CORRADON COCKBURN, left, and Diego Carey at a previous court appearance.
PAGE 8, Friday, September 24, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
The good, the Bad and the ugly of the new Cabinet THIS week, we welcomed the first whole week of Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) governance, once again. Along with it came the good, the bad, and the ugly. Let’s begin.
THE GOOD
yesterday’s politicos, you can’t go wrong with this batch. Chester Cooper for tourism is also a good call, as is Mario Bowleg for youth, sports, and culture.
THE BAD
Three words: Gussie Mae For the first time in Baha- Cabinet mian history, five women So even before the elechave a seat at the table as tion, the “word on the ministers. street” was that “Brave” Glenys Hanna-Martin, would have many mouths Ginger Moxey, and Jobeth to feed. Coleby-Davis run their The reality of that ministries. Additionally, became clear this week Pia Glover-Rolle when PM Davis and Lisa Rah- ‘A fat, swollen decided to swell ming have been his cabinet to named ministers cabinet of this include 27 of proportion of state. the 32 members One of the out- hasn’t been of parliament cries of (half) the elected for his electorate during seen for a party. the last govern- while. Brave Now, don’t ment is how few is our own get me wrong, women were repI know Baharesented in the version of mian men love highest level of Oprah: You “solid tings,” but, power in the past get a cabinet honestly, this is administration. ridiculous. The new prime job! And you A fat, swollen minister, Philip get a cabinet cabinet of this “Brave” Davis, job! And you proportion hasn’t has sought to been seen for a get a cabinet correct this. while. Brave is Even if some job! And, our own version of these persons yes, you get a of Oprah: You were appointed get a cabinet job! for appearance’s cabinet job!’ And you get a sake, good job cabinet job! And on that. you get a cabinet job! And, Also in the good category yes, you get a cabinet job! was the new PM’s placing of I know the PM wants us certain ministers to specific to believe this will transministries. late into more benefits and Who can argue that productivity for the BahaGlenys Hanna-Martin mian people, but I’m not isn’t the perfect person the convinced. country needs right now in Like my old boss, the late education? Alfred Sears Bryan Aranha taught me, for public works (he could a word to the wise: piggies have filled any position, get nice and fat, but hogs go honestly) is a good call, as is straight to the slaughter. Obie Wilchcombe for social Sometimes, less is more, services. especially when we are Personally, I would have having money problems. liked to have seen more You may have a lot of bel‘new blood’ get higher lies to keep full, but in the positions across the board, end, it is Bahamian taxpaybut if you have to recycle ers footing the food bill.
Also in the “bad” category is the absence of Leslia Miller-Brice named to a ministry. Up to deadline time, I’m hearing rumours of her being named as Speaker. Were she to get (at least) that, some voters would be partially relieved. There was also talk that her husband’s business (in the gaming industry) may have prohibited her from being a part of the cabinet. I find this line of thinking strange. For one, the PLP was the party that regularised gaming, against the wishes of the Bahamian public, mind you. So now gaming is as legitimate a business as any. Additionally, it can be argued that Leslia’s foray into politics engendered many Bahamians to view the PLP as viable in this election. She’s more wellliked and more well-known than 95 percent of the PLP candidates who skated into office. Why punish her when her constituents in SeaBreeze reposed faith in her to the degree of 65 percent of their votes? In any event, if these are the rules for the road, there should be a particular (appointed) Bahamian ambassador to South Africa handing in his resignation right about now. Fair is fair, right?
THE UGLY
The past four and a half years have been relatively peaceful on these here roads. I remember (and wrote about) the days when former Prime Minister Christie’s motorcade spelled doom for Bahamian drivers’ gearbox, transmission, and tyres. His entourage would come roaring through traffic, sirens blazing and horns honking to run unsuspecting
ABOVE, MAD Magazine’s Alfred E Neuman, and right, Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder II... or is that the other way round?
motorists into the bushes to “make way”. Now, because I also happen to live in the west, as does our new PM, I’ve been run off the road to “make way” four times already in two days. All for our new, harried PM and his entourage. Seriously? This time, the only difference is that instead of running into the bushes, I have found myself up close and personal with the sidewalks that “Doc” them left behind! I guess that’s progress, right?
WHERE YA PUT ME
Graveside Service For
Only two fundamental questions remain post-election.
The first is, what will become of the Free National Movement (FNM)? It’s only been a few days, but already the rows have started. Please get rid of him now, some say. Let him remain, for now, more say. Honestly, I’m beginning to think that the only things
Amon Douglas Bannister, 54
of Adamsville, Harold Road will be held at Woodlawn Gardens on Saturday, September 25th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Charles T. Dorsett.
He is survived by his wife: Jennifer Roker-Bannister; son: Elijah Sherlin Bannister; adopted son: Landale Caprone; brothers: Michael Greene and Lenneth Bannister; sisters: Carlene Bannister, Deborah Sampson, Bernadette Bannister, Ishmae Bannister and Ludell; brothers-in-law: Michael Sampson, Rev. Anthony Cleare, Errol Cleare, Mark Cleare and Donnie Fox; sisters-in-law: Christine & Samantha Bannister; Elsa Roker, Wendy Fox, Curly Aranah, Elizabeth Kemp and Marva Cleare; nephews: Ahmad, Schmal, Sean, Latory, Ovando, Decoyle, Jadon, Cezarrio and Robert; nieces: Alicia, Lennique, Britanny, Racquel, Malissa, Makeva and Vastacia; grandnephews: Cezarrio Jr., Kyrie and Deshawn; grandnieces: Ay’zah, Shacoya, Heaven and Jalissa; uncle: Authrey Bannister; aunts: Rena, Winifred, Margarette Bannister, Rosalee and Barbara Johnson; cousins: Kathleen, Judith, Kathy, Stephaine, Rozlyn, Sharon, Tami, Ingrid, Diane, Corretta, Marve, Paige, Lorraine, Laverne, Nell, Bishop Marilee Watson, Ismae Davis, Althea Davis, Dr. Racquel Hall, Shanique, Terez, Nichole, Charmaine, Crystal, Makel, Antonique, Judy, Samantha, Sherrell, Lakeisha, Sherlisa, Maxine, Fiona, Natasha, Diane, Carolyn, Rotaj, Trinity, Serenity, Talibia, Gerrad, Kevin, Dion, Derrick, Huwtith, Ahmad, Anthony, David, Michael, Ian, Li, Dave, Anthony, Archie, Bishop Ross Davis, Romeo, Jeffrey, Dwayne, Pedro, Kevin, Shervin, Mario, Altavis, Aaron, Cedric, Rufus Jr, Darius, Lavaugh, Eddie, Bertis, Newman, Xavier, Deangelo, Mekel, Kelsey, Selvin, Alanzo, Authrey Jr., Clint, Stan, Trent, Ray, and Cohen; cousins-in-law: Debbie and Kendrick Strachan; nephews-in-law: Kevin Knowles, Dion, Javan, Jordan and Jason Miller; nieces-in-law: Keva Miller-Knowles, Anthonyse, Allissa and Marissa Cleare, Jaffra Saunders, Monalisa Cleare, Vanessa and Nadia Miller; grandnephews-in-law: Maliek, Mekhi, Jayden, Gaje, Kruze and Jaiquon Miller; grandnieces-in-law: Akira Knowles and Kayshan Knowles, Dvonya, Erin, Alissa, Madison and Winter Miller, Ava Rose Brown, Ayla Miller, Dystiny Edgecombe; other family & friends: Cleso & Sherry Smith & Family, Rollin & Alice Rolle & Family, The Bastians, The Pennermans, Rev. Moses Pennerman, The Coakleys, Prophet Murphy, Prophetess Lenora Sands, Rev. Rolle, The Iron Man Gym, Catrina, Tia, Foxie and the Mangrove Cay Family; special friends: Dean, Tyrone, Frank, Prince, Phillip, Steven, Greg, Leonard Goff, ASP Allison Brooks, Wellington Sears, Eugene, Patrick, Neville, Dion Pratt, Nathan, Sandy, Dorothea, Alrick, Rosanell, Phil and a host of other relatives and friends. Viewing will be held in the “Celestial Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Service for MYRTLE LORRAINE STRACHAN, 92
a resident of Hay Street & formerly of Williams Town, Exuma, will be held at St. Agnes Church Cemetery, Nassau Street, on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Archdeacon Keith N. Cartwright & Rev’d Father Ruel J. Strachan. Left to cherish her memories are her 1 son: Derek Johnson; 2 grandchildren: Rachel and Derenique Johnson; nieces: Gwendolyn Johnson, Loretta Kemp, Iva Dean, Mary, Sherly, Yvette, Lorraine, Sarah, Gloria & Helen; nephews: George Johnson, Alfred Strachan, Cecil Martin and Junior; and a host of other relatives & friends too numerous to mention. Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 9-3:00 p.m. on Saturday.
certain in this life are death, taxes, and FNM in-fighting. My advice to the party leaders is that they should tread carefully and allow for more time to make sensible decisions. But when have they ever listened? The second question – and I admit this may only be me – is “who would have thunk” the kid from MAD magazine, aka Alfred E Neuman, would grow up to be the representative for Central and South Abaco? Not me. That was definitely not on my bingo card.
POWER OUT AGAIN FOR SECOND DAY RESIDENTS in western New Providence suffered through an hours-long power outage for a second day yesterday. Bahamas Power and Light reported shortly before 3pm that “a trip” at its Windsor Field substation left parts of western New Providence without electricity, including JFK Drive, West Bay Street and the area around the Western Medical Centre. At the time, BPL said it had a crew on its way to assess the situation. At 7.35pm, BPL said power had been restored to all affected areas. On Wednesday, portions of New Providence also dealt with a power outage that occurred around 4pm. Power was not restored until after 10pm Wednesday.
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THE TRIBUNE
Prime Minister, please keep your eye on the prize
Friday, September 24, 2021, PAGE 9
By Diane Phillips
EVERY prime minister in recent Bahamian history has faced what at some hour must have felt like a Sisyphean mountain to climb. Hubert Ingraham had a hurricane named Andrew. Perry Christie had a deluge of crime and debt. Dr Hubert Minnis had a double blow, Dorian and permanent secretaries and COVID. It is little wonder that senior officials in their with his own hands full, ministries while he focuses Prime Minister Philip on the economy and the “Brave” Davis called for pandemic. all hands on deck when he named the final members of his Cabinet on Wednesday. Davis has a population behind him who recognises There is deep wealth his warmth and the chal- in The Bahamas that lenges he faces. We know has never invested or is that of the thousand things reluctant to invest in The that need attention, two Bahamas for justifiable are so urgent that failure reasons. Red tape is so red to confront them head on it’s magenta. Returns are could impact the sover- risky. Ease of doing busieignty of this nation and the ness should not even be a well-being of every single phrase. What ease? Digione of us. talisation must be sped up, Ironically, the end goals forms available, completed of the two three-ton ele- and filed online, standards phants in the room stand met, not who you know but in total contrast. The prime what you can bring to the minister has to grow the table that benefits the most. economy and halt the pan- Call together a zoom round demic, rev the engine of the table of the most successful former, pump the brakes on people you can reach, here the latter. and abroad. And listen. If the new prime minister Along with financial keeps his eye on the prize wealth, there is a reservoir – the pandemic and the of natural resources and economy – partisan politics geographical bounty that will take a back seat and he could make The Bahamas will be a hero. More impor- one of the richest countries tantly, he will in the world save a country ‘The thing about but for years that is teetering debt is it is so we have been on the edge of a doing the same easy to get into very steep and old, same old. dangerous cliff. and so blessed It is time to He must head hard to get out reinvent the off attempts economy. of. The bigger it by others to Why are we control and is, the faster and not a major manage The more dangerous maritime or Bahamas by aviation hub it grows, leading the given location? march to grow multiplying Why are we not a new econ- on itself, like a a major mediomy to reduce cal research unemployment, cancer. When it and wellness dependency on comes to debt, centre? What government, a you don’t have is keeping sense of hopeus from relessness and, friends. You creating our most urgently, have those who downtown debt. or telling our want to collect The thing story that goes about debt is or bail you out far beyond the it is so easy to on their terms.’ world of Junkaget into and so noo? Why are blessed hard to we still standget out of. The bigger it is, ing in line to get a licence the faster and more danger- disc instead of being the Silous it grows, multiplying on icon Valley of the region? itself, like a cancer. When The title is still available, no it comes to debt, you don’t one else has claimed it. We have friends. You have cannot afford to continue those who want to collect or taking baby steps. It is time bail you out on their terms. to leap, to think big, to seek The very independence of advice from those who did so successfully and listen. The Bahamas is at stake. I will be accused, as I Though it is tempting for a prime minister to get side- often am, of being a Poltracked – to divert attention lyanna. I don’t care. But I to the needs of education believe the economy can or preservation of natural take a dramatic turn if we resources or resolving a approach it in a dramatic labour dispute – this prime way and think of it as a new minister cannot afford to economy. If, on the other hand, we just tax more to take his eye off the prize. He will have to provide try to wiggle out of debt, guidance, especially for all we will accomplish is newcomers to their roles, turning more potential but he will need to make investment away, particuthem take charge with their larly that of Bahamians who permanent and deputy right now could be forming
RE-INVENT THE ECONOMY
consortiums to buy vacant government buildings, to develop a high rise east of East Street in Nassau with green space around it, to turn Grand Bahama into a regional medical and tech research capital, to make Eleuthera the wellness centre and the blue holes of Andros and Long Island among the most famous and sought after dive spots in the world. There is a group working on carbon credits from sea grass that must be protected. Welcome them, work with them, enhance the cruise visitor experience so more guests disembark in Nassau, create a Bahamian wedding-honeymoon package that takes couples throughout the country, experiencing a journey from large to small properties to see the best of all worlds within this amazing land. But most of all, we must get the vaccination message right if The Bahamas is to get up off our knees and truly get back to some sort of normalcy where we can hug a friend again without fear, where children and teens can get back into a classroom and to after school activities, where a soccer or basketball team can play a season. And to do that, we must reach herd immunity. That means getting the message right. Our messaging about why to get vaccinated has been all over the place and everything but effective. It cannot come from government because of a natural distrust when officials tell you to put something in your body. We need an ad council to prepare a campaign that includes the real-life stories of the unvaccinated, the 60-ish man gasping for breath begging for air, asking if it is too late to get vaccinated, the child burying her mother sobbing, “If only she had gotten the shot.” We need one sharp young woman telling a date ‘No thanks, I’m not taking a chance if you say you’re not vaccinated.’ We need to take pandemic safe interaction as far as we took the message for safe sex. And we need to step up the information about the rewards currently offered and add to that process. Risk and reward, key elements. Or we can just see how many Bahamians instantly overcome their fear and their Bill Gates wants to put a chip in me conspiracy theory belief if the US rules no unvaccinated foreigners can cross the borders. Just see how busy the vac centres will be if a trip to Walmart is at stake.
Death Notices For Beatrice Butterfield Simpson, 89 affectionately called “Marie” a resident of Seymour’s Close off Cowpen Road, died at her residence on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. She is survived by her 4 sons: Charles & James Simpson, Brandley & O’Brien Daniels; 5 daughters: Victoria Simpson Rolle, Carolyn Beckford, Isadora Walkine, Nathalie Rose & Monalisa Williams; 35 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Kelson Burrows, 48 a resident of Water Street, Big Pond, died at his residence on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. He is survived by his wife: Darcie Burrows; children: Keiandra & Karlisa Burrows, Rydesha Munnings, Raven & Danaj Thompson; parents: Alvin & Barbara Burrows; brother: Kevin Burrows; sisters: Bernadette Cargill, Deloris Rolle, Shavone Porter, Tamika Storr and Vernika Webb; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Edith Minnis, 80 a resident of Maura Crescent, Elizabeth Est. & formerly of Abraham Bay, Mayaguana, died at her residence on Thursday, September 16, 2021. She is survived by her step mother: Evangelist Neilor Johnson; 3 daughters: Arnette Rolle, Sherry Minis & Rochelle Major; 5 sons: James Minnis Jr., Michael, Clinton & Rodney Minnis & Leonard Brown; numerous grand & great, grandchildren; 9 sisters: Artis Williams, Lorraine Knowles, Dabymae Butler, Judy Kenton, Easlie Dean, Brendalee Smith, Annamae Charlessils, Linda Wallace & Rosemae Strachan; 4 brothers: Rodney, George, Dwight & Leroy Johnson; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Patrick Samuel Saunders, 70 a resident of Nassau Street North & formerly of Milton Street, died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday, September 16, 2021. He is survived by his wife: Patricia Davis; 3 daughters: Koshena Davis, Jewel Saunders Rolle & Patrinique Saunders; 6 grandchildren: Ursula & Patrick Davis, Aahmaul Minnis, Wellington & Anwar Clarke, Lauryn Rolle; 2 great grandchildren: Zhavone Clarke & Wellington Jr.; 1 brother: William “Billy” Saunders; 3 sisters: Rose Marie Powell, Janet McDonald & Cleo Williams; son-inlaw: Lorenzo Rolle; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
PAGE 10, Friday, September 24, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
US envoy to Haiti resigns over migrant expulsions THE Biden administration’s special envoy to Haiti resigned in protest of “inhumane” large-scale expulsions of Haitian migrants to their homeland as it is wracked by civil strife and natural disaster, US officials said Thursday. Daniel Foote was appointed to the position only in July, following the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise. Even before the migrant expulsions from the small Texas border town of Del Rio, the career diplomat was known to be deeply frustrated with what he considered a lack of urgency in Washington and a glacial pace on efforts to improve conditions in Haiti. Foote wrote Secretary of State Antony Blinken that he was stepping down immediately “with deep disappointment and apologies to those seeking crucial changes”. “I will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport
thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs to daily life,” he wrote. “Our policy approach to Haiti remains deeply flawed, and my policy recommendations have been ignored and dismissed, when not edited to project a narrative different from my own.” The State Department criticised Foote for resigning at a critical juncture and pushed back against suggestions that his policy prescriptions were overlooked. “This is a challenging moment that requires leadership,” spokesman Ned Price said in a written statement. “It is unfortunate that, instead of participating in a solutionsoriented policy process, Special Envoy Foote has both resigned and mischaracterised the circumstances of his resignation.” He added that the role
of the president’s advisers is to provide him with the best possible advice. “No ideas are ignored, but not all ideas are good ideas,” Price said. Foote’s sudden departure leaves a void in US policy toward Haiti — US Ambassador Michele Sison is expected to depart soon after being nominated to serve in another State Department post — and adds another critical voice to the administration’s response to Haitians camped on the Texas border. Criticism has been fueled by images that went viral this week of Border Patrol agents on horseback using aggressive tactics against the migrants. Democrats and many pro-immigration groups say efforts to expel thousands of Haitians without giving them a chance to seek asylum violates American principles. The migrant camp has shrunk considerably since surpassing more than 14,000 people on Saturday, with
many of them expelled and many others released in the US with notices to report to immigration authorities. The expulsion flights to Haiti began Sunday and there were ten by the end of Tuesday, according to Haitian officials. US officials say they are ramping up to seven flights a day, which would make it one of the swiftest, large-scale expulsions from the US in decades. At least one top official in Haiti cheered Foote’s resignation while accusing the Biden administration of violating the rights of Haitian migrants. “This is the first time we see a US diplomat who has decided to go against the will of the US government,” Mathias Pierre, Haiti’s election minister, told The Associated Press. “We salute that.” Pierre also criticised Haiti’s elite, saying they have turned a blind eye because migration fuels the economy. He noted that 35 percent of Haiti’s gross
domestic product is remittances, with the diaspora, much of it in the US, sending roughly $3.8 billion a year. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has barely discussed the expulsions in public, saying only that his government is worried about conditions that migrants face on the US border and that it will help those sent back to Haiti. Pierre was far more critical of the US. “While they’re receiving (thousands) of Afghan people, they’re rejecting Haitians while Haiti is in the middle of a crisis: a crisis with the earthquake, a crisis with the assassination of the president and a poverty crisis that is clearly one of the major issues why people are leaving,” Pierre said. Foote served previously in Haiti as deputy chief of mission and is a former ambassador to Zambia. In his new position, he worked with the US ambassador to support Haiti after the
president’s assassination. For weeks, he had been quietly pushing in Washington a plan to boost US security assistance to Haiti to pave the way for new presidential elections. But Haiti watchers said he became increasingly disappointed with the pace of decision-making in the administration. “When someone who is tasked with Haiti policy at the highest level resigns because ‘recommendations are ignored and dismissed’ it’s not only troubling, but shows you this administration does not tolerate anyone who won’t go along with their distorted view of the facts,” said Damian Merlo, a Republican strategist who has worked for years on Haiti policy and is now a registered lobbyist for the country’s government. “Dan Foote is a world class diplomat who refuses to be told what do. I wish more foreign service officers had his courage to stand up and call out their bosses.”
STUDENT QUARANTINE ‘OPTIONAL’ ORLANDO, Florida Associated Press
A DAY after assuming his job, Florida’s newly appointed surgeon general yesterday signed new protocols allowing parents to decide whether their children should quarantine or stay in school if they are asymptomatic after being exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The new guidelines signed by Dr Joseph
Ladapo also tweaked the state’s prohibition against school mask mandates. In terms of quarantine rules, Ladapo eliminated previous mandates requiring students to quarantine for at least four days off campus if they’ve been exposed. Under the new guidelines, exposed students can continue going to campus, “without restrictions or disparate treatment”, provided they are asymptomatic.
Death Notices for Sandra Flowers, 48
ZHANG JUN, permanent representative of China to the United Nations, speaks during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York yesterday. Photo: John Minchillo/AP
‘A WARMER WORLD IS A MORE VIOLENT ONE’ UNITED NATIONS Associated Press
a resident of #50 Tucker Road & Pond Court, Big Pond, died at her residence on Tuesday, September 21, 2021. She is survived by her husband: Craig Flowers Sr.; 2 daughters: Ashtia Flowers & Shanea Armbrister; 2 sons: Craig Jr. & Chervonne Flowers; numerous grandchildren; 9 sisters including: Rosemarie Hamilton, Laverne Valcin & Yvonne Hamilton; 1 brother: Anthon Johnson; 1 uncle: Joshua Johnson; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends.
Lakesha Mackey Neymour, 44
USING apocalyptic images, three presidents and seven foreign ministers warned yesterday that a warmer world is also a more violent one. At a ministerial meeting of the Security Council, the officials urged the UN’s most powerful body to do more to address the security implications of climate change and make global warming a key part of all UN peacekeeping operations. The leaders and ministers pushing for more UN action said warming is making the world less safe, pointing to Africa’s conflict-plagued Sahel region and Syria and Iraq as examples.. Micheal Martin, Ireland’s president, who chaired the meeting, said climate change “is already contributing to conflict in many parts of the world”. And Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said climate change “is a war without gunfire so to speak that causes economic damage and losses in lives no less dire than actual wars”. “The effects of climate change are particularly profound when they overlap with fragility and past or current conflicts,” said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “And when natural resources like water become scarce because of climate change, “grievances and tensions can explode,
complicating efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace.” The introduction of the topic at the Security Council, not typically a place for discussion about the environment, is a emerging notion — one that is arising because of the increasing recognition that in human ecosystems, natural stressors and traditional notions of security and peace are inexorably intertwined. “Our lives and daily realities are at the nexus of climate change insecurity,” said Ilwad Elman, a Somali-Canadian peace activist. “The impact of climate change and environmental degradation are also changing what it takes to build peace ... because we are experiencing climate-related shocks and stresses.” For years, academics who study conflict and climate change have been highlighting how events like a oncein-a-millennium Syrian drought have exacerbated conflicts without being the sole causes. It’s a more nuanced approach to understanding conflict — and to developing tools that reduce its impact on societies. “Look at almost every place where you see threats to international peace and security today, and you’ll find that climate change is making things less peaceful, less secure, and rendering our response even more challenging,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
said. He cited a list of nations including Syria, Mali, Yemen, South Sudan and Ethiopia. “We have to stop debating whether the climate crisis belongs in the Security Council,” Blinken said, “and instead ask how the council can leverage its unique powers to tackle the negative impacts of climate on peace and security.” Russian and Chinese diplomats reiterated their countries’ objections to putting climate change on the agenda of the council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, when other UN and international forums are addressing the entire climate issue. “There is a Russian saying that... too many cooks spoil the broth,” said Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky. He accused council members of introducing “a completely unnecessary political component to an already complicated and sensitive discussion.” Chinese UN Ambassador Zhang Jun said the council must “refrain from using a wholesale approach,” saying that not all war-torn countries “were plunged into chaos because of climate change”. Still, most of the leaders who spoke yesterday morning were painting a gloomy picture for the planet as a whole.
MELVIN VAN PEEBLES DIES, AGED 89 NEW YORK Associated Press
a resident of Bowen Sound, Central Andros, died at PMH on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. She is survived by her husband: Randolph Neymour; 1 son: Ranaldo Neymour; 2 daughters: Randesha & Rakeisha Neymour; 2 grandchildren: Ashante Santana & Raheem Neymour; 3 brothers: Chris, Shauldand & Elvis Mackey; 6 sisters: Nhchoria Mackey, Crystal Moss, Nhkayla Wright, Tiffany & Patrice Elliott & Kendra McPhee; numerous nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends.
MELVIN Van Peebles, the groundbreaking filmmaker, playwright and musician whose work ushered in the “blaxploitation” wave of the 1970s and influenced filmmakers long after, has died. He was 89. In statement, his family said that Van Peebles, father of the actor-director Mario Van Peebles, died on Tuesday evening at his home in Manhattan. “Dad knew that Black images matter. If a picture
is worth a thousand words, what was a movie worth?” Mario Van Peebles said in a statement Wednesday. “We want to be the success we see, thus we need to see ourselves being free. True liberation did not mean imitating the colonizer’s mentality. It meant appreciating the power, beauty and interconnectivity of all people.” Sometimes called the “godfather of modern Black cinema,” the multitalented Van Peebles wrote numerous books and plays, and recorded several albums — playing multiple
instruments and delivering rap-style lyrics. He later became a successful options trader on the stock market. But he was best known for “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song,” one of the most influential movies of its time. The low-budget, art-house film, which he wrote, produced, directed, starred in and scored, was the frenzied, hyper-sexual and violent tale of a Black street hustler on the run from police after killing white officers who were beating a Black revolutionary.
MELVIN VAN PEEBLES
SPORTS PAGE 11
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
Simmons, page 15
‘It’ll mean the world to me’ By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
A
INDIANAPOLIS Colts wide receiver Mike Strachan (17) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Indianapolis on Sunday, September 12. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
s injuries continue to mount for the Indianapolis Colts’ receiving corps, Mike Strachan is on tap to receive more opportunities and is also just weeks away from having the opportunity to play an NFL game in front of his entire family for the first time. Although he was targeted just once with no receptions in last Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Strachan played 33 snaps on offence, the third most of any Colts receiver. Strachan was listed at wide as a second string on the depth chart for the upcoming week three matchup against the Tennessee Titans, behind Parris Campbell. Campbell was inactive for last week’s game against the Rams and was limited
in practice Wednesday due to an abdominal injury. In week one, Strachan finished with two catches for 26 yards in the Colts’ 28-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawk. He earned a pass interference penalty on a third target. All three of those plays came on third down and resulted in Colts first downs. Strachan was on the field for 18 snaps and was targeted three times, a higher rate than any other receiver in the lineup. His mom, sisters, brother, uncle and two cousins were in attendance at the home opener and his father will join the remainder of the family and attend the Colts October 3 matchup in week four against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. “It’ll mean the world to me,” Strachan told Colts. com when asked about his father having an opportunity to attend an NFL game. “He was the one who
brought me up and helped me, teaching me to learn receiver. He also played receiver. So for me to go out there and show him all he’s taught me throughout the years is going to be special for me, it’s going to be emotional.” The Good Morning Football crew surprised Strachan live on air with the announcement that his parents would attend the game courtesy of Bahamasair. As for the remainder of his family at the week one opener, Strachan said he looks to continue his production with the added motivation of family in the stands. “It was definitely special,” Strachan said. “A lot of emotions going on. I was just out there doing my job, when the ball comes to me, I have the mindset to make the play. For me to go out there and perform in front of them, it’s a special thing for me.”
‘MARIO, COMING FROM AMONG US, UNDERSTANDS OUR PLIGHTS’ By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
FINALLY, Bahamas Olympic Committee president Romell Knowles said the newly formed Progressive Liberal Party government, under Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, got it right by selecting a Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture who came from among their fraternity. Mario Bowleg, the Member of Parliament for Gardens Hills, was sworn in on Wednesday in the Andros Room of the Baha Mar resort as one of the 11 selected to complete the Davisled 22-member cabinet after the PLP dethroned the Free National Movement at the general elections on September 16. “The sporting community is relieved that the Progressive Liberal Party has seen the wisdom in giving sports a person within our ranks,” said Knowles of Bowleg, who also served as the outgoing president of the Bahamas
Basketball Federation and a former vice president of the BOC. “For years now. Quite a number of years, sports seemed to have been a token position for supporters of whoever was the governing party, but the wisdom of Philip “Brave” Davis as Prime Minister understanding that sports play a critical role and a vital role in some of the social issues that this country faces, gave us someone within our ranks..” During the ceremony at Baha Mar, Knowles said Bahamas Baseball Association secretary general Teddy Sweeting expressed the sentiments of the majority of the sporting fraternities when he uttered that he’s “elated that finally, a government seemed to have gotten things right in giving sports to someone within the ranks. “I can tell you without fear or favour that no longer will sports sit on the sidelines and allow anyone in a very respectful way to allow the Ministry of Sports or
the Department of Sports, to be a token for somebody, who has been a party supporter.” In Bowleg, a former basketball player with the AF Adderley Fighting Tigers turned high school coach for the St Andrew’s Hurricanes and CC Sweeting Cobras to assistant and head coach of the men’s national basketball teams and former vice president and president of the BBF, Knowles said they have a specialist that they can rely on. “Just like the legal and just like the health profession, we require a specialist, someone who understands our language and someone who comes from among us, who understands our language and understands our pain and understands what our responsibilities are as a federation, as an association and as an athlete. “Mario, coming from among us, understands our plights. He would have sat in that ministry before for hours trying to get resolve on when he would get his grant, trying to understand
Livingstone Parks dies at 72 By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net LIVINGSTONE Parks, remembered for the sufficient role he placed in the development of softball from behind the scenes as an executive of the Bahamas Softball Federation and continued even when he demitted office, passed away on Wednesday, September 15 at Doctors Hospital. He was 72. Former Member of Parliament and BSF president Neko Grant, who enjoyed the past 40 years affiliated with Parks, said when he first came into office in 1975, Parks got his introduction to the administrative level as one of the vice presidents. When he left to pursue his political career with the Free National Movement, Grant said Parks continued to work with the sport. “I had a wonderful working relationship with all people, but Vinky was a quiet, but hard worker, who certainly contributed to the growth of softball in the Bahamas,” Grant said. “Softball at the time was quite different from existing
LIVINGSTONE PARKS one. Only the sacrifices we made financially and otherwise, kept softball going.” Grant, an International Softball Federation Hall of Famer, publicly extended condolences to the family of his long-time friend Parks. Current BSF president Ted Miller said he was shocked when he saw on television that Parks had passed away. “He hailed from Eleuthera and he was a softballer at heart,” said Miller, whose paths also crossed
as they both worked in the construction field. “When I joined the federation back in 1994, Parks was the second vice president. “He never gave up and so when I was the tournament director before I became the president, he would always gave me some pointers. He was a very good guy, very nice guy.” Another former BSF president Burkett Dorsett said when he came into the administration of the sport, Parks was serving under the leadership of president Grant and deceased secretary general Greg Christie. “He continued on supporting the federation in its trust to continue to be a force to reckon with,” Dorsett pointed out. “He remained a follower of softball and he continued to throw his support behind softball.” Now serving as the president of the English Speaking Caribbean (ECAST), Dorsett said it’s sad to hear of his demise and he too sent his sympathy to Parks’ immediate family and his extended family in the softball community throughout the Bahamas.
the subventions for athletes. “So I believe that a Brave Davis led administration will make life easier for those of us who practice sports and those who administer sports.” Speaking on behalf of all of the sporting bodies that fall under the jurisdiction of the BOC and that are on the outside looking in, Knowles welcomed Bowleg to his new post. And Knowles said he looks forward to a bigger budget, grants being resolved in a timely manner, a clear part on the subvention and opportunities to travel in what he has dubbed a “new day.” Timothy Munnings, the Director of Sports in the Ministry, also chimed in as he concurred with Knowles in his assessment of his new boss. “Mr Bowleg has extensive sports experience, not just as a national team coach, but also as an administrator having served in various leadership capacities in sports,” said Munnings
of Bowleg, who replaced Iram Lewis, the last minister under the FNM government led by former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis. “Mr Bowleg is well known in the sporting community and will receive my full support and that of my department and I am confident he will also receive the full support of its shareholders as we collectively work to continue elevating sports in the country.” Bahamas Softball Federation president Ted Miller said Bowleg understands the plight of team sports, so he’s confident that he will do well in that regard. “I know that if I go to him as president of the Bahamas Softball Federation, he knows exactly what I’m coming for because he’s been there trying to move teams around the country and the world and knows exactly what we are up against and is needed. “He knows the infrastructure for the sport, so we could speak the same language. “I just hope he gets the tools he needs to be effective within the ministry.”
PAGE 12, Friday, September 24, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Core Athletics looks to recruit middle distance runners By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net FORMER 400/800 metre specialist Waldon Whyms and his newly formed Core Athletics Track Club is looking to recruit some more middle distance runners in the country. Whyms and his wife, Cheryl, who serves as the secretary, will conduct a tryout session on Saturday at 11am from the pavilion at Fort Charlotte for all potential competitors who are interested in running races for the new club in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ upcoming track season. She said the trials are free to try out, but there will be a small administrative fee and a contract that each athlete, once accepted, will
be required to sign as proof of their commitment to be a part of the club. “We don’t want to exclude anyone so that is why we are raising the alarm,” she said. “We are expected to stage about three of these trials so that we can see the true potential of these athletes in becoming a part of the club.” As a big supporter of the sport on the sidelines when their two children Cheldon (now in college) and Caldon followed in her husband’s footsteps as competitors, Cheryl Whyms said she saw how many persons gravitated to events like the 100 to 400m, but there were very few that ventured into races that were longer to compete in. “Coach Waldon assisted Pauline Davis with her
track club for a few years and then we decided as a husband and wife team to start the Core Athletics Club two years ago,” she said. “It’s a club that is geared more towards low income families. “Coach Waldon came from a background when participation in clubs was free. We had kids who were involved in track and field, but when we looked around, we felt there was a need to provide a club that can benefit more people, who couldn’t afford to be a part of the clubs as they are structured now.” For Waldon Whyms, who competed for the Aquinas College Aces before he went on to join the Bahamas Tigers Track Club where he was coached by Sidney Cartwright and was a team-mate of
Olympic parliamentarians Iram Lewis and Renward Wells, said this is his way of giving back to the sport that helped him to earn a scholarship to attend Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. “It’s challenging. Nobody is perfect, so we are facing our challenges, but we are committed to making it and giving back to the entire track and field body in the BAAA,” he said. “I believe in helping the athletes to make sure that they can get something out of it like an education. “We have some requirements, which includes doing well in school and being eligible to go to college and to be a productive citizen of the Bahamas.” During Saturday’s trials, athletes will compete in a cross country competition that will include hills as they
THE HUSBAND and wife team of Waldon and Cheryl Whyms have formed the Core Athletics Middle Distance Track Club. are assessed in their abilities at the start, the middle and the end of the races. “We’re not just going to look at the winners, but I want to look at the athletes’ approach to it, how they deal with the middle of the race and how they complete the course.” Both male and female athletes, from the junior to senior high school levels from the government and private schools, are invited to attend. “I believe we have the middle distance athletes, but they just need direction,” Waldon Whyms said. “I believe that we don’t have a lot of coaches. We
have the Hurry Murray Club and the T-Bird Flyers Track Clubs that are doing that now, but we could use more geared towards the middle distance races. “I believe pound-forpound, we have middle distance runners who we can get to the level of Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner. We just have to find those athletes and that is what our club is all about. We want to get athletes to excel at CARIFTA in the middle distance events and go on from there.” Athletes are urged to show up in the proper running gear to compete on Saturday.
BAHAMIAN COACHES DISCUSS PRESSING ISSUES AFFECTING LOCAL SPORTS By RENALDO DORSETT Sports REPORTER rdorsett@tribunemedia.net SOME of the most influential members of the Bahamian coaching fraternity came together to discuss some of the most pressing issues affecting local sports on both the local and international levels. Head coach of Ole Miss Rebels Women’s Basketball, Yolett McPheeMcCuin, assistant coach for Kentucky Track and Field, Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and San Francisco Giants first base coach Antoan Richardson appeared on a panel hosted by The Bahamian American Association of the Washington, DC and MidAtlantic Region to discuss the way forward for Bahamian sport. McPhee-McCuin criticised what she views as a lack of investment in sports from successive administrations. “The Bahamas is the only place where you can do well and you come back and they will tell you you are overqualified. I think
the Government of The Bahamas would have much more success, the crime rate would go way down and there are so many things that a serious investment in sports can provide. Just how they invest in carnival and all these other things, an investment in sports can do amazing things for this country,” she said. “The fact that we are not investing seriously in athletics in The Bahamas is an abomination. Sports is an asset that is not being utilised.” Ole Miss recently signed McPhee-McCuin to a new four-year contract extension that runs through 2025. Under her leadership, the Bahamas finished with the gold medal at the 2015 Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championships. McPhee-McCuin cited a lack of funding in her experience as senior women’s national team head coach and the fact that the underfunded programme was in such disarray that Jonquel Jones, one of the premier players in the WNBA, made the decision to attain citizenship and join Bosnia and Herzegovina to
anchor their national team programme. “When we won the CBC tournament, I was rooming with two other people, my players were four to a room, are you kidding me? If we made the investment we needed to make, would Jonquel Jones feel like she needed to be a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina? Is this a joke? She had to make that decision to make a living,” McPhee-McCuin said. ‘‘We are missing the mark. There are so many avenues athletics can take you but we have to make a serious investment.” Ferguson-McKenzie has gone through the local sporting system as junior athlete at the grassroots level to an Olympic gold medallist and one of the country’s most decorated athletes with 52 medals in international competition. She insisted that government involvement at that grassroots level is the only way to cast a wider net and discover more elite athletes capable of achieving success at the international stage. “I would like for the government to be more involved at every level from
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the primary level to the high school level. By the time they get to the high school level we can have a plethora of athletes that can achieve scholarships. I know the government is involved at the pro level but it is almost as if they wait until you become good to begin their support, but in my humble opinion, I think it would be better if you develop from the ground and build on that foundation and make those opportunities wider for everyone. I know there are athletes in the Bahamas that qualify to get scholarships, however, some of the areas if you don’t have the money to join a certain club or be coached by a certain coach you’re not going to make it. I think the government can level that playing field and that’s where they can come in with the financial assistance.” Ferguson-McKenzie joined the Wildcats staff in 2018 under fellow Bahamian head coach Lonnie Greene after four years with the Houston Cougars where she helped build that programme into a nationally relevant contender. She said the continued success of a new generation of track and field icons like Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner serve as an inspiration to a younger generation, but also underlies the fact that the country’s best talent has found it necessary to leave The Bahamas to accelerate the development of their careers. “We have the talent. Unfortunately we feel that at this point the athletes have to come out of The Bahamas and be mostly based in the states or possibly now in Jamaica to reach the next level. [MillerUibo and Gardiner] are a testament - just as Frank [Rutherford], Pauline [Davis Thompson] and the people that were ahead of me - that this is all possible. The Bahamas is a very talented community, the talent is there but how are we going to enhance that talent and be able to bring more of our athletes to the rest of the world,” she said. “I think there is so much more that we can actually do to get Bahamians more scholarship opportunities and being able to bring them back. It didn’t happen for me, but how can we change that? Jamaica is doing it, they are getting it done step by step and it would be nice if we can follow step by step. The story I hear from the 70s and 80s is that the Bahamas
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used to win at the CARIFTA level and compete alongside Jamaica.” She also added that the brain drain in the Bahamas is also affecting athletes and coaches who wish to return to give back to the communities but a lack of financial support has made that virtually impossible. Richardson added that when the stakeholders make decisions in the country that affect sport, experts in the field must be included in that decision making process. “Get the right people in the room. I think when we are having conversations on how to move things forward we have to have the right people in the room. We have to ensure when we are making decisions with athletics and how to push it forward we have Bahamians with immense experience and knowledge in different areas. We cannot talk about basketball and Coach Yo is not in that conversation at any high level in the Bahamas, the same with Debbie and track and field. We have to think about the purpose and the objective and if the objective is to help the people, let’s step aside and recognise who are the people who have the most information and knowledge to make that happen and just make sure they are in the room.” he said. “We just want to make sure as a country we are making the right steps to help our people. We just want to make sure that the people in power that are making decisions get the right people with the right information that have a real opportunity to push that agenda for you.” Richardson and the Giants became the first team to clinch a postseason berth for the 2021 MLB postseason. In a complete turnaround from last year’s pandemic shortened season, San Francisco is now 98-53 to lead the National League West and was the first team this season to reach the 50, 60, 70, and 80 win plateau. McPhee-McCuin has recruited two Bahamian players to her programmes at the NCAA Division I level - Shalonda Neely at Jacksonville and Valerie Nesbitt at Ole Miss. “I think we all get into the profession for much of the same thing. My motto is to teach, develop and inspire young people, so just to see them accomplish leaps and bounds. I’ve coached two Bahamians now so that’s been a joy. It’s been a lot of pressure but definitely a joy to see them to be able to create their own way. Val is currently playing in Spain and Shalonda is playing overseas as well so that’s the greatest gift for me, seeing young people accomplish
their goals. Those are the things we look for as coaches more than the wins, life wins,” she said. “There’s a plethora of talent at home, it’s raw talent and that’s what makes it so unique because it’s things that cannot be taught. With Bahamians, I feel like God just sprinkled a bit of athleticism, speed, and that ‘it’ factor that we have. What it shows is them having success, is that it is possible for anyone from our small islands to be able to come over and achieve greatness. In America, they start so young and the exposure is there. It seems as in basketball you cannot reach the level you want to reach unless you leave home and go to school and train over in the US. I’m one of the few that was able to graduate in the Bahamas, from Grand Bahama Catholic High School, and went and played Division I basketball. It has become more challenging in a lot of ways. Hopefully, I would like to see a lot of people have that opportunity but it is up to the powers that be to invest because everyone is not able to go away but we have enough talent at home.” Richardson added that the growth of baseball has been a testament to local leagues and academies like International Elite Sports Academy, Maximum Development Sports Academy, his very own Project Limestone. “We’re in a really good place, it’s exciting for me. When I started professionally there were only two other guys in the system, now we have over 20 young men playing professional baseball and even more in college, high schools. Even in the youth leagues back home, I think we are playing more baseball than we ever have since I was introduced to the sport. We see Jazz [Chisholm] but there is also a lot of talent in the minor leagues working their way up and I’m really glad that it didn’t take 28 years for the next guy to reach the major leagues. I think the next one will be an even shorter timespan than it was between me and Jazz so we’re excited about the future of baseball in our country,” he said. “There are ways we can accelerate those processes and I’m excited about the possibility of making those things happen.” BAAWMAR was formed out of a community of Bahamians in the Washington DC area. It was established in 2016 and lists its goals as connecting Bahamians in the area, collaborating with people and institutions in the DMV and The Bahamas, bringing Bahamian culture to the region, and forging bonds between the Bahamian diaspora.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, September 24, 2021, PAGE 13
Copper, Parker help Sky hold off Wings in playoff opener CHICAGO (AP) — Kahleah Copper scored 23 points, Candace Parker had a double-double and the Chicago Sky beat the Dallas Wings 81-64 in a first-round WNBA playoff game on Thursday night. Parker finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals for the sixth-seeded Sky, who advance to a second-round game on Sunday against third-seeded Minnesota or fourthseeded Seattle, the defending champion. The seventh-seeded Wings were eliminated from the playoffs. The first two rounds are single elimination, with the league’s top two teams getting a bye into the semifinals, which are best-of-five. Courtney Vandersloot had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists, nine in the fourth quarter after the Wings had cut a 21-point first-half deficit to 55-52 early in the period. Allie Quigley added 15 points for Chicago. Arike Ogunbowale led Dallas with 22 points and Satou Sabally added 12. Chicago led by as many as 21 points before settling for a 44-29 halftime advantage. Cooper had 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting and Parker had seven points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. The Wings, who entered the game with less playoff experience combined than four different Chicago players, charged back in the third quarter, outscoring the Sky 21-11 behind Sabally’s eight points. Allisha Gray’s close-range shot early in the fourth quarter cut the deficit to three and Ogunbowale’s 3-pointer with 4:22 left made it 68-62. But Dallas didn’t get any closer as Vandersloot scored seven points in a 13-1 closing run.
DALLAS Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) drives to the basket against Chicago Sky guard Kahleah Copper (2) during the first half in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs last night in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
HORTON TO TAKE OVER AS PRESIDENT OF BASKETBALL FEDERATION By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net WITH Mario Bowleg being ascended to the position of the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, first vice president Eugene Horton will be moved up to take over the role of president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation. Horton, the first vice president, will replace Bowleg, the outcoming president who will vacate his seat after he was appointed by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis to his Progressive Liberal Party’s 22-member cabinet this week in the Andros Room of the Baha Mar resort. “It was well-deserved. It was what he wanted. He’s stepping away from the federation, but he’s heading into bigger and better things and to make more of an impact to work with the federation and other sporting bodies,” Horton said. “He can make some things happen.” Horton, however, cautioned people who believe that Bowleg
will only focus or put more of a priority on the sport. “Although we expect more emphasis to be placed on sports and basketball in particular, we know that he also has youth and culture under his portfolio, so we have to respect that,” Horton said. “I know if I am requesting something for basketball, we will send in a letter as usual and follow the right protocol. “We’re not expecting any preferential treatment. It could happen, but we don’t intend to put any pressure on him to get anything done for us. We will work with the system as we’ve done in the past and hope that we can get our share of the pie.” On his elevation to president of the BBF, Horton said it should be a smooth transition because their entire executive board has been working together as a unit. “One of the things I’ve been pushing to our members is that we will have to continue to work as a team,” Horton said. “To tell you the truth, anyone of us in administration should be able to step up
EUGENE HORTON and take over. So the team work will continue because we collaborate on everything we are doing to make things happen.” Horton, in wishing Bowleg every success in his new role, also commended the other basketball politician elected. The list
includes Myles Laroda (minister of state in the office of the Prime Minister), Bacchus Rolle (parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Utilities), Wayde Watson (PS in the Ministry of Economic Affairs), Vaughn Miller (Minister of Environment and Natural Resources), Leonardo Lightbourne (PS in the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs), Leslia Miller-Brice, the Member of Parliament for Sea Breeze) and Shenandon Cartwright, the FNM MP for St Barnabas. He also mentioned unsuccessful candidates Chris Saunders and Derek Smith, an independent in Exuma. In the meantime, Horton said the federation will be working on securing the sanctioning fees from Atlantis for the return of the Battle 4 Atlantis when both men and women collegiate basketball games will be played here in November. Additionally, he said the men’s national team will also be participating in the FIBA World Cup
Qualifier in November and once they can get the go ahead from the Competent Authority or the new PLP Government on the lifting of the restrictions on hosting sporting activities in the country, they will begin to finalise the team. He noted that Moses Johnson and Steve Barnes have been working on the potential list of players for the team. He said with head coach Chris DeMarco not expected to be available because of his commitment as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors as they would be smack into the National Basketball Association regular season, they will also be looking at a replacement to coach the team. In the absence of any physical activities, Horton said international rules interpreter Freddie Brown was conducting clinics for table officials to help improve the level of officiating as they look forward to hosting some of the upcoming international events in the future.
New minister says his focus will be providing equality to all By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net OUTGOING Bahamas Basketball Federation president Mario Bowleg, now in charge of the three-headed Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said his focus will be providing equality to all and not just concentrating on one over the other. The newly minted Member of Parliament for Garden Hills was selected to serve in the Progressive Liberal Party’s cabinet as he was appointed by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis on Wednesday in the ballroom of the Baha Mar resort. “I am very much excited and looking forward to the challenge of trying to improve all three aspects of this ministry, which is sports, youth and culture,” Bowleg said. “I know that people will think that because I’m sports oriented through my coaching and administration of basketball. But I don’t know if people know that I am a musician. I play the trumpet, I was a member of the Music Makers and I play the drums in church. So for those who don’t know, there is a cultural aspect inside of me.” Once he reports to office, Bowleg said his first mission is to meet all departmental heads in the three departments of the ministry so that he can ascertain where they are and what they need to do to move forward. “I want to make sure that we have the necessary human resources in place because I really want us to get culture back to
where it used to be by revolutionising it. I want to form a culture commission whereby we get all of the culture people in place to revolutionise the entertainment industry. “Once we would have revolutionised the entertainment industry, we can identify what is Bahamian culture and then we can bring about a celebration throughout the Bahamas as far as culture is concerned.” Don’t take him for granted While he feels a lot of people believe his focus will be primarily on sports and basketball in particular, Bowleg begged to differ. “The intent is to put together a Sports Advisory Council board together to allow all of the stakeholders in sports to come together,” he stressed. “I want to get innovative thinkers to come together to move sports forward.” Admitting that he doesn’t have all of the answers, Bowleg said he will rely on the expertise of those around him to give him the opportunity to ensure that all and sundry are happy with what will take place as they move to the next level. “Without a doubt, we will have to put some new programmes in place that will allow the youths to be more productive,” he revealed. “So we will have to provide some training for them to be better equipped for what is happening in the world today. “We also have to bring these young people to the table so that they can tell us how they feel and what can be done and what can attract the attention of the young
people in the decision-making of our country.” Indicating that he does have a plan that was put together long before he was elected, once he gets into office, he wants to ensure that the morale of the staff is heightened so that they can make the ministry, one of, if not, the most attractive in the Davisled PLP government. “I want to make sure that this ministry becomes what it used to be and be very active and informative in this country,” he projected. “We want to encourage the participation of all in the sports, youth and culture aspect to come on board with me in getting the job done.” Emphasis on all aspects of sports In reference to those who lament that his focus of attention will be primarily on basketball, Bowleg said there’s no disputing the fact that track and field and swimming advanced to the Olympic level, but the team sports need to be given some priority to ensure that they get their share of the international glory. “It’s more expensive to deal with team sports than it is for individual sports,” he pointed out. “But yet we have to look at the team sports in this country and see where they are and what needs to be done to take it to the next level. “We don’t want to be stagnated where we are only having representation in track and field and swimming in these individual sports, but basketball is one of those team sports where we could
be in a position to qualify for the next Olympics. “I also feel that with the amount of talent that we have at the professional level, that baseball could also be given some serious consideration. We also have volleyball where there is a lot of talent available as well.” Bowleg advised everyone that his approach will be to provide the necessary funding and assistance to all of the athletes and team sports that are needed and not just waiting until they have attained the international acclaim for the country to jump on the bandwagon in celebrating their accomplishments. “I don’t want the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to only look at giving these athletes the flowers after they would have made the Bahamas proud,” he noted. “We have to make sure that they have the necessary funding to sustain themselves so that when they get to the international competition, they will be able to compete to the best of their abilities.” The subvention programme for athletes will definitely be revisited and a clear statement will be made on how the funds will be dispersed to assist these athletes in their preparation for their international competitions. “I’m dealing with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and so I want all components to understand that if they have the passion for the area that they are responsible for and if they want to see us strive as a nation, let’s move forward as we make sure that we have the action plan to make this country great again.
“And if there is something that is hampering them, I need to know, I want to know because I want to be able to move those obstacles out of the way so that we can all enter into those doors at the ministry to do the work on behalf of the Bahamian people and get the job done.” No preferential treatment As he demits office as president of the BBF, the former assistant and head coach of the men’s national basketball team ensured his collegiate that they have the ability to take the sport even higher than he left it. “I know that the individuals left behind have the passion, the ability, the knowledge and know how to get to the next level,” he pointed out. “I know what their goals are. It’s the same as mine when I was there. So I know they will do all they can and I will provide any support that I can so that they can attain those goals. “But all disciplines in this country will be provided with the necessary tools and funding once available that they need to ensure that they are successful. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is out there to support the various associations and federations and clubs as they go out there on a daily basis meeting the people and helping them to become productive citizens in this country.” Bowleg said it’s definitely a “new day” in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and he will make himself available to hear what people have to say and the advice they have to give for the betterment of the three components of his ministry.
PAGE 14, Friday, September 24, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Chisholm Jr: ‘Now we’re seeing what we’re about to go into next year’ By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net WITH just 10 games remaining in the regular season and the Miami Marlins out of the 2021 MLB playoff picture, Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr is looking ahead to the future of the franchise and the young players at its foundation. Chisholm and fellow NL Rookie of the year candidate Trevor Rogers have been starters for the duration of the season but the franchise has also relied heavily on young players like Lewin Diaz, Jesus Sanchez, Bryan De La Cruz and others. “Now we’re seeing what we’re about to go into next year,” Chisholm said after Monday night’s 8-7 come from behind win over the Washington Nationals in extra innings. “We have all these rookies on our team
- I think it’s like 17 - including staff maybe 19, 20. We go out every day, play our hardest and we’re showing each other what we have in store for next year.” The Marlins begin a seven-game road trip tonight with a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays over the weekend at Tropicana Field in Tampa, Florida (September 24-26). They follow with a four game series against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York (September 28-30) and conclude the season at home with a three game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at loanDepot Park in Miami (October 1-3). “Just end the year on a winning note,” Chisholm told the Miami Herald. “Come back next year and build off of that and not just keep on losing.” In 114 games this season, Chisholm is hitting .254
MIAMI Marlins’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr runs to first base during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) with a .734 OPS, slug- triples, 17 home runs, 49 ailments, including a hamging .430 with 106 hits, RBI and a team leading 22 string strain, ankle strain, 183 total bases, 67 runs stolen bases. Despite miss- shoulder contusion and scored, 18 doubles, four ing 34 games with various time on the COVID-19
reserve list, Chisholm is just three home runs away from the vaunted milestone of 20 stolen bases and 20 home runs in his rookie season. Chisholm, who was called up late in 2020s COVID19 shortened season, was an opening day starter this season and quickly became a fan favourite for his production and exuberant personality both on and off the field. “I never imagined that that’s what it would be with people saying ‘Oh my God, that’s Jazz Chisholm. That’s Jazz. I want to see Jazz.’ All that stuff, it’s amazing,” he said. “I feel a lot more com fortable now...I feel like I’m back at me. I feel very comfortable in the box against everybody that goes on the mound. I feel I’m taking really good swings. My swing feels great. I feel everything is clicking for me right now.”
WHITE SOX CLINCH AL CENTRAL TITLE FOR 1ST TIME SINCE 2008 CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox clinched their first AL Central title since 2008 with a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in a doubleheader opener Thursday behind two home runs by Tim Anderson. Chicago, in its first season under 76-year-old Hall of Famer manager Tony La Russa, is going to the postseason in consecutive years for the first time. Anderson hit his fifth leadoff home run of the season and added a threerun drive in the second for his sixth career multihomer game. Luis Robert and Eloy Jiménez hit consecutive homers in the second for a 7-0 lead off Aaron Civale (11-5). Aaron Bummer (4-5) retired all three batters in the fifth. Cleveland won the second game 5-3 when Oscar Mercado hit a tworun homer in the seventh off José Ruiz (1-3), making a winner of Emmanuel Clase (4-5). PHILLIES 12, PIRATES 6 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — J.T. Realmuto homered and drove in four, Ronald Torreyes hit a goahead, three-run home run in the sixth inning and
Philadelphia erased a sixrun deficit to pull within two games of NL East-leading Atlanta. It’s the fourth time this season and third time this month Philadelphia won after trailing by at least six runs. The Phillies are the first team in the modern era to win by at least six runs after trailing by at least six runs twice in the same season, according to STATS. The other was last week, when they rallied from down 7-0 in the fourth inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs 17-8 on Sept. 16. Aaron Nola (9-8) bounced back from a shaky start that saw the Pirates take a 6-0 lead, including homers by Ke’Bryan Hayes and Colin Moran. Torreyes lined a 2-0 fastball from Anthony Banda (2-2) over the wall in left to put the Phillies up 8-6. DODGERS 7, ROCKIES 5 DENVER (AP) — Max Muncy homered off Lucas Gilbreath (2-2) to start the 10th, and Los Angeles closed within one game of NL West leader San Francisco. Kenley Jansen (4-4) pitched the ninth and Blake Treinen got his sixth save
CHICAGO White Sox’s Leury Garcia (28) and Yoan Moncada (10) celebrate after defeating the Cleveland Indians in the first baseball game of a doubleheader yesterday in Cleveland. The White Sox clinched the American League Central title with the win. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) when C.J. Cron hit into a game-ending double play. TWINS 7, BLUE JAYS 2 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nick Gordon drove in four runs and Michael Pineda (8-8) won his third straight start as Minnesota bumped Toronto back in
the AL wild-card race. The loss was especially costly for Toronto, which fell a full game behind New York for the second spot and three games behind wild-card leader Boston. Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. exited in the fifth inning after teammate Randal Grichuk accidentally stepped on his right hand in the outfield. Blue Jays starter Steven Matz (13-8) lost for the first time in eight turns, finishing just three innings with seven hits and two walks allowed. Teoscar Hernández tied it in the fourth with his 30th homer, but the game unraveled for the Blue Jays in the fifth. PADRES 7, GIANTS 6 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jurickson Profar raced home on Victor Caratini’s infield single off Dominic Leone (3-5) with one out in the 10th, denying San Francisco its 100th win. San Diego stopped a five-game losing streak. and remained six games behind St. Louis for the second NL wild card. Ross Detwiler (3-1) pitched the 10th for the win. CARDINALS 8, BREWERS 5 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt homered twice, and St. Louis overcame a 5-0 deficit to extend its longest winning streak since 1982 to 12 games. On a day Adam Wainwright faltered early, St. Louis rallied with one run in the fifth, four in the seventh, two in the eighth and one in the ninth. The Cardinals moved five games ahead of Cincinnati and Philadelphia, who played later Thursday, for the second NL wild card. Milwaukee has lost five straight since clinching its fourth consecutive playoff
berth on Sept. 18, four to St. Louis. T.J. McFarland (4-1) pitched a one-hit seventh, and Giovanny Gallegos struck out two in a perfect ninth for his 12th save, Aaron Ashby (3-1) was the loser. MARINERS 6, ATHLETICS 4 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Chris Bassitt pitched three scoreless innings less than a month after surgery to repair three facial fractures, but Seattle rallied against Oakland’s bullpen for a four-game sweep. Seattle matched its season high with its fifth straight win and moved within two games of the idle Yankees for the second AL wild-card spot. Oakland fell four games back of New York. Bassitt was struck by a 100 mph line drive off the bat of Brian Goodwin of the Chicago White Sox on Aug. 17 and had surgery seven days later. He allowed one hit in three scoreless innings. Mitch Haniger’s 35th homer tied the score in the sixth, and Luis Torrens followed with a go-ahead, two-run homer off Jake Diekman (3-3). Joe Smith (3-4) pitched a scoreless fifth and Paul Sewald got his 10th save. NATIONALS 3, REDS 2 CINCINNATI (AP) — National League batting leader Juan Soto homered in consecutive innings, and Washington pushed Cincinnati further from playoff contention. Seeking his second straight NL batting title, Soto raised his average to .325 with a three-hit night and is four points ahead of the Los Angeles’ Dodgers Trea Turner. He led off the sixth against Luis Castillo
(8-16) with an oppositefield drive to left that bounced off the top of the wall and into the stands. He homered to the opposite field again in the seventh for his 29th homer and third in two nights. Patrick Corbin (9-15) allowed four hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings with seven strikeouts and four walks as last-place Washington won for the fourth time in five games. DIAMONDBACKS 6, BRAVES 4 PHOENIX (AP) — Carson Kelly hit a tying three-run homer off Jacob Webb (5-4) in a five-run seventh,and Daulton Varsho followed with a goahead double for last-place Arizona against the NL East-leading Braves. Seeking its fourth straight division title, Atlanta saw its lead cut to 2 1/2 games over Philadelphia. Arizona, which began the day tied with Baltimore for the major leagues’ worst record at 48-104, announced before the game that manager Torey Lovullo was given a one-year contract extension through 2022. Sean Poppen (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh for his first major league victory. J.B. Wendelken got his second save. ORIOLES 3, RANGERS 0 BALTIMORE (AP) — Ryan Mountcastle and Austin Hays homered, rookie Zac Lowther (1-2) pitched five sparkling innings to earn his first major league victory and Baltimore beat Texas. Tyler Wells worked the ninth to complete the fivehitter and earn his fourth save. Mountcastle hit a solo shot in the fifth inning off Glenn Otto (0-3) for a 2-0 lead. Otto gave up two runs and five hits with seven strikeouts in five innings.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, September 24, 2021, PAGE 15
What will the 76ers do with Ben Simmons? Philly guard wants out By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The rift between the Philadelphia 76ers and their star guard was shattered beyond repair. There was no turning back, the deal was done — Allen Iverson was traded to the Detroit Pistons. Team president Pat Croce had tried mending the relationship between Iverson, the franchise star, and coach Larry Brown but found both sides unwilling to bend on the thornier aspects of their disagreements. “It was a horrifying experience,” Croce said. None more so than when Croce took the call from general manager Billy King in his Ocean City, New Jersey, home in the summer of 2000 saying that a trade had been reached with the Pistons and that Iverson — his habitual tardiness and clashes with Brown on the rise — had played his last game with the Sixers. “I couldn’t protect Allen,” Croce said. “If he wasn’t going to listen to the coach and if he was going to be late for practice or miss practice, I couldn’t do anything about that.” The next call Croce made was to Iverson, with a simple message: “You’re going to be traded, Allen. I can’t protect the front porch if you leave the backdoor open. There’s no way.” That was that — until it wasn’t. Sixers backup center Matt Geiger refused to waive a contract clause that would have earned him a 15 percent pay raise if he was traded. Unable to find another combination that worked, the deal was off. AI stayed a Sixer. And he didn’t pout that season. He didn’t whine because things were said
PHILADELPHIA 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) goes to the basket during their NBA playoff basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks, in Atlanta, on June 12, 2021. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) by his coach that hurt his feelings. Years before his famous diatribe about practice, Iverson was on his professional best behaviour in 2000-01 and led the Sixers to the NBA Finals while he won MVP. “He exceeded everything he said he was going to do,” Croce said. “He never missed practice, he never was late for practice anymore. I’m never going to say he loved practice. I’m telling you, he strengthtrained, he did everything that was asked for him.” Two decades later, the Sixers are again on a collision course for divorce with another mercurial guard, Ben Simmons. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Simmons — with $147 million and four years left on his contract — said
in a meeting last month in Los Angeles with key franchise figures including team president Daryl Morey and coach Doc Rivers that he wanted to be traded. Rivers went on ESPN this week and tried to make peace in public with Simmons, stating his case for the three-time All-Star to return to the team that made him the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft. “I can tell you up front, we would love to get Ben back, and if we can, we’re going to try to do that,” Rivers said. “Ben has a long contract, so it’s in our hands and we want him back.” The Sixers, of course, should want Simmons back, especially if Morey can’t find a suitable trade that would bring back the kind of haul that would keep the
franchise near the top of the Eastern Conference. Near the top — not at the peak. The 25-year-old from Australia has long been his own player in Philadelphia, refusing, for example, former coach Brett Brown’s plea in 2019 to shoot at least one 3-pointer a game. Just try to be better, Brown asked. Simmons instead attempted seven 3s that season and is 5 for 34 over his four-year career. But the final straw just may have been the aftermath of the top-seeded Sixers’ shocking secondround exit to the Atlanta Hawks last season in the East semifinals. The Sixers lost three games at home, and Simmons took the blame from fans and even inside the locker room.
Simmons shot 25 for 73 (34 percent) from the line in the playoffs and missed 27 alone against Atlanta. His defining moment as a Sixer came when he passed up a wide-open dunk that would have tied the game late in Game 7. He heard footsteps and passed the ball — and passed on the chance to lead the Sixers into the next round. Joel Embiid, long a Philly fan favourite and NBA MVP runner-up, called the play the “turning point” in the season-ending defeat. Rivers was asked postgame if Simmons could still be a point guard for a championship team like the kind the Sixers want to become. “I don’t know that question or the answer to that right now,” he said. “You know, so I don’t know the answer to that.” Rivers was Simmons’ staunchest defender all season, praising the guard on every Zoom interview he could, even pushing back at questions that suggested Simmons wasn’t doing enough because he couldn’t shoot. Rivers stumped for Simmons as a defensive player of the year candidate and said the guard was “too good” for criticism lobbed his way. “He does other things for your team, and I just don’t understand why that’s not sinking in in our city,” Rivers said during the firstround series against the Wizards. “You know, everybody on the team doesn’t have to be a scorer to help the team. Ben scores, but Ben creates scoring for us. That’s what he does.” Whatever the reason of his unhappiness (Simmons hasn’t talked publicly since the season ended), the Sixers enter training camp
NBA FINES WARRIORS OWNER LACOB $50,000 FOR SIMMONS COMMENTS NEW YORK (AP) — The NBA fined Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob $50,000 for violating the league’s anti-tampering rule with comments he made about Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons. Lacob said the Warriors had no interest in the disgruntled Sixers guard. “In some ways, it doesn’t really fit what we’re doing,” Lacob said this week. “He makes a lot of money. And, can he finish games? I don’t know. “He’s very talented. The problem is: We have Draymond (Green). Draymond and him are very similar in the sense that neither one really shoots and they do a lot of the playmaking. That’s one issue. The salary structure is another.” next week trying to win in Embiid’s prime with Simmons prepared to sit out. Croce said when Iverson came back, “he realised he was in the wrong.” Will Simmons see the issue the same way? “If he said, ‘I’m going to come back, I’m going to work harder, I’m going to work on my free throws, whatever,’ Philadelphia would embrace him,” Croce said. “He’d be the Second Coming. It would be unbelievable. Truly. It would be great for the team, it would be great for the franchise. And then if he didn’t want to stay, he’d be worth something. “Right now, his feelings are hurt and he doesn’t realise he’s the genesis of his own hurt.”
PAGE 16, Friday, September 24, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
CAROLINA Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (82) rushes for a touchdown as Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (26) defends during the second half of an NFL football game yesterday in Houston.
Darnold, defence lead Panthers past Texans, McCaffrey hurt CAROLINA Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (22) rushes for a gain as Houston Texans cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (26) defends during the first half in Houston. (AP Photos/ Eric Christian Smith)
By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) — Sam Darnold threw for 304 yards and ran for two touchdowns, and the Carolina Panthers eased past the Houston Texans 24-9 last night despite losing Christian McCaffrey to a hamstring injury early in the second quarter. The Panthers are 3-0 for the first time since 2015 when they opened the season 14-0 and reached the Super Bowl. Carolina’s top-ranked defence put the squeeze on Houston rookie Davis Mills in his first career start, sacking him four times and holding him to 168 yards passing.
Mills was pressed into action after Tyrod Taylor suffered a hamstring injury last Sunday and was placed on injured reserve. Darnold was efficient as he continues to revitalise his career with the Panthers after being cast aside by the New York Jets. But he could face some serious adversity if McCaffrey is forced to miss significant time. McCaffrey came in leading the league in scrimmage yards, the same thing he did in the 2019 season. But he missed all but three games last year with various injuries as the Panthers sputtered to 5-11 in coach Matt Rhule’s first year. Darnold rushed for Carolina’s first score in the first quarter and put the game away when he bulled in from 1 yard out to make it 24-9 with about four minutes left, losing his helmet in the process. Mills threw for a touchdown and avoided big mistakes after he threw an interception in the second half of Sunday’s loss at Cleveland. But the Texans (1-2) couldn’t run the ball, finishing with 42 yards on the ground, and that forced Mills into tough downand-distance situations as Houston punted six times. Mills’ favourite target was Brandin Cooks, who had nine receptions for 112 yards. Darnold’s 5-yard run put the Panthers ahead early and McCaffrey was injured on Carolina’s next drive. Rookie Chuba Hubbard was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-1 from the Houston 5 to end that possession. Hubbard, a fourth-round pick from Oklahoma State, finished with 11 carries for 52 yards and three receptions for 27 yards. Anthony Miller grabbed a 1-yard touchdown pass about 30 seconds before halftime, but Joey Slye missed the extra point. Miller made his debut with the Texans after he missed the first two games with a shoulder injury. Tommy Tremble dashed untouched into the end zone from 7 yards out to put Carolina ahead 14-6 in the third quarter. The teams traded field goals before Darnold’s short rush on third-andgoal capped a 12-play drive that put it away. INJURIES Carolina rookie CB Jaycee Horn, the eighth overall pick in the draft, injured his right foot early in the third quarter. He didn’t put any weight on it as he was helped off the field. UP NEXT Carolina visits Dallas on October 3. Houston visits Buffalo on October 3.