MONDAY i’m lovin’ it!
HIGH 87ºF LOW 77ºF
The Tribune L ATEST NE WS ON TRIBUNE242.COM
CLOUDS, T-STORM
The People’s Paper
Volume: 112 No.201
Biggest And Best!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 PRICE – $1 (Family Islands $1.50)
THE NOLLE AND THE WORKERS PLP BETRAYS ITS ROOTS - SEE INSIGHT
BUYING A HOME?
HOME BUYER’S GUIDE INSIDE
AG: No conflict over Sandals Maynard-Gibson denies involvement of family in resort By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson yesterday dismissed rumours that her family has a business interest in the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort. The false reports circulated over the weekend as discontent continues to swell over her decision to issue a nolle prosequi to stop a private prosecution against the hotel and two of its senior executives. “My family has no shop space nor any business interest at Sandals,” she said, responding to questions from The Tribune. In April, Columbian Emeralds International opened a new store at Sandals LaSource Resort in Grenada. Mrs Maynard-Gibson’s husband, Maxwell Gibson,
FORMER PRESIDENT MARTELLY MAKES SWEET MUSIC FOR FANS
is the franchisee for Columbian Emeralds International’s locations in Nassau and Freeport. The attorney general told The Tribune that her husband had shop space at Sandals Royal Bahamian in the past, but could not recall the time period. She insisted there were no present ties to the resort. The nolle order halted the action launched against the resort, its general manager, Gary Williams, and financial controller, Fitzroy Walker, by five officers of the Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU) who had alleged that Sandals Royal Bahamian was in breach of the Industrial Relations Act by failing/ refusing to “treat or enter into negotiations” with the union. SEE PAGE 12
BAHAMAS Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson yesterday defended Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson against critics calling for her resignation over her decision to stop a private prosecution against the Sandals Royal Bahamian resort. While he noted that the matter reinforces the ar-
gument for an independent director of public prosecutions, Mr Johnson branded criticisms as “unfair” and suggested that the move could bolster public perceptions of her level of independence in the role. “High ranking members of the Cabinet seem to be saying that the AG should have consulted with them,” he said. SEE PAGE 12
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net POLICE are investigating an apparent suicide after a Haitian man was found by his brother hanging from a tree behind his home yesterday morning. Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said the deceased - who is believed to be in his mid60s - was discovered hanging by a rope tied to a tree behind the Canaan Lane home off Shirley Street that he shared with his brother. The victim’s brother, Moliere Joseph, said he was shocked to find the deceased’s body, telling reporters that he had spoken with his brother the previous night. SEE PAGE TWO
‘UNACCEPTABLE’ MALFUNCTION HAS DELAYED SURGERIES By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
MALFUNCTIONING air-conditioning units in the $100m Critical Care Block at the Princess Margaret Hospital have stalled surgeries in the last few weeks, prompting Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis to criticise the government for the “unacceptable” situation. “As a doctor and the former minister of health, I am appalled by the alarming reports coming from Princess Margaret Hospital that there has not been air conditioning in the operating rooms for two weeks,” Dr Minnis said in a statement. SEE PAGE SIX
BAR PRESIDENT COMES TO THE DEFENCE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
HAITIAN MAN FOUND HANGING FROM TREE
McCARTNEY WELCOMES CHALLENGE TO LEADERSHIP FORMER Haitian president Michel Martelly was back to performing as Sweet Mickey Martelly at the Caribana Music Festival held at Botanical Gardens on Saturday night. He is pictured getting a helping hand from police as a fan took to the stage to hug him. For more pictures from the event, see page 14. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
ONLY TWO-THIRDS OF FIRED STAFF REAPPLY TO WORK AT SANDALS ONLY two-thirds of the more than 600 employees who were terminated by Sandals Royal Bahamian in August reapplied to work at the hotel, with a resort official saying the severance payout from the surprise terminations “opened up opportunities” for former staff members. Yesterday, the resort announced that nearly 500
jobs have been offered and accepted as the property moves to fill some 600 posts brought on by a temporary closure and renovation project. The property closed in mid-August and is expected to open in midOctober. Labour Minister Shane Gibson and union officials have criticised the hotel for the surprise ter-
minations, accusing resort executives of “union busting”. The Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union has several ongoing disputes with the hotel and has been fighting for years to be recognised as the property’s bargaining agent. SEE PAGE SIX
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net LESS THAN a week before the Democratic National Alliance convenes its first convention, party Leader Branville McCartney said he welcomes challengers to his position, one that he has held since the organisation was formed in 2011. Mr McCartney, who has been criticised by pundits for appearing to operate the party as if he were a one man band, said he not only welcomed United Democratic Party Leader Greg Moss to contest the post, but others should certainly do the same. SEE PAGE 14