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Volume:114 No.224, OCTOBER 13TH, 2017
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Beautifying the Bahama s
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WEEKEND: BEAUTIFYING THE BAHAMAS - ARCHITECT ENVISIONS MODERN COUNTRY
US couple search: plane wheel found By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net HOPES of finding missing US couple Forrest and Donna Sanco alive appeared dashed last night after an aircraft wheel was recovered in the sea off Eleuthera. And a pilot who has been engaged in the search for the couple told The Tribune he is “99 per cent” certain the wheel is off the Cessna aircraft they were flying when the couple vanished nearly three weeks ago. The San Salvador-based pilot and aircraft engineer who has flown around the Bahamian islands for 25 years, said: “I was flying today and was starting to do the Exuma chain when
IMMIGRATION Minister Brent Symonette yesterday insisted that the deadline threat for all irregular migrants to leave the country by year-end only sounded “draconian” but will be carried out as “humanely and caring” as possible. Mr Symonette did not provide many details on the foreshadowed new immigration policy when he spoke to news crews
I got a WhatsApp message saying some guy found a wheel off a plane. This was about 30 miles north west of Eleuthera. “I would say 99 per cent that it matches the plane. I am also an aircraft engineer and this is definitely a wheel from a Cessna.”
SEE PAGE SIX
FNM IN SPY BILL CHANGE
SEE PAGE SIX US COUPLE Forrest and Donna Sanco have been missing since September 26.
FOX HILL MAN GUNNED DOWN
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
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LRG. 1-TOPPING PIZZA 8 WINGS 2L PEPSI
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AFTER months of speculation, the Minnis Administration announced yesterday that Ellison Greenslade has been appointed High Commissioner of the Bahamas to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and as Permanent Representative to the International Maritime Organization. The administration referred to Mr Greenslade as “former commissioner of police,” although it SEE PAGE FIVE
AMERICAN recruiters are poaching Bahamian nurses from the country’s cash-strapped public healthcare system, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, who said 70 nurses have left this month. Dr Sands told The Tribune the worsening phenomenon has been magnified by existing
from Our News and ZNS yesterday. However, the Immigration minister did clarify that Dr Hubert Minnis’ deadline did not represent an amnesty for persons seeking to enter the country illegally – a point raised by Opposition senator Fred Mitchell yesterday. Mr Symonette said officials were still in talks over how they would tackle the resulting influx of applications given the immense backlog faced by the department.
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By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
By AVA TURNQUEST and NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Staff Reporters aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
SEE PAGE TWO
NASSAU
GREENSLADE CONFIRMED AS ENVOY TO LONDON
NURSES QUIT FOR HIGH US SALARIES
THE PILOT said this photograph of the wheel showed it had been in an accident.
MIGRANTS CRACKDOWN ‘HUMANE AND CARING’ By AVA TURNQUEST and KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporters aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
country Interview, pg 4&5
A MAN standing outside his Fox HIll residence yesterday was killed when two men pulled up in a white vehicle and shot him, police said. The man, according to those who knew him, has been identified as Anthony McKenzie aka “Lugger.” His death marks the 110th murder this year and the eighth time someone has been killed in Fox Hill in 2017, a number that already eclipses the total number of deaths in the constituency last year.
“Shorty before 1pm the victim, an adult male, was standing in front of his residence with two other persons when a white vehicle pulled up,” Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dean said. “Two persons came out, armed with firearms, shot at them and the victim ran off. The victim was chased by the men and fatally shot. The vehicle then left the scene. Despite the heavy police presence in this area we’ve been blighted by incidents like this but we are not giving up, we feel comfortable.”
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SEE PAGE THREE
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Minnis Administration will amend its Interception of Communication Bill to ensure the Minister of National Security does not have the power to authorize use of listening devices, Attorney General Carl Bethel announced in the Senate yesterday. Activists and the Progressive Liberal Party had criticized the administration not only for tabling a SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Friday, October 13, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
FORREST Sanco (above) and his wife have been missing since September 26.
US COUPLE SEARCH: PLANE WHEEL FOUND FROM PAGE ONE
The Sancos were flying a newly-bought Cessna when they took off from North Eleuthera on September 26 heading down for their honeymoon in Rum Cay. They never arrived and it was only last Friday when their family in the States appealed for help in finding them that the alarm was raised. The pilot, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said a photograph of the recovered wheel to sent him showed it had been in an accident. “The axle nut is still attached to the wheel. For that to happen you would have had to have had ditch where the wheel gets broken off as the plane hits the water,” he said. “The wheel has not been in the water long because it has not been corroded. In sea water these things corrode incredibly fast and this isn’t showing corrosion so it has to have been in the water for just a short time.” The pilot has spent the last three days flying hundreds of miles, crisscrossing the islands along the Sancos’ planned route to Rum Cay. “I have been over the entire east coast of Long Island, Conception, Cat Island and Rum Cay several times,” he said. Flying about around 1000 feet he would look for any possible evidence of the
missing plane either on the ground or in the water. If anything suspicious appeared he would take photographs and then examine these back home after landing. “Three days ago I found an orange object which looked like a life raft on a beach in a very, very isolated place on Cat Island. “Supposedly police went to look and came back with the report that it was old,” said the pilot.
Photographs “I flew over there again this morning and took some photographs which I’ll have a look at tonight just to triple check.” Even with the finding of the Cessna wheel, the pilot has still not abandoned hope that somehow the couple can still be found alive. This morning he will be back behind the wheel of his aircraft, heading north to Eleuthera to scout the seas once again. The find comes as dedicated searches by authorities for the couple have stalled. Royal Bahamas Defense Force press liaison Desi Corneile told The Tribune yesterday that the police force had the lead on the investigation because the couple were last seen on land. However, she noted that all active RBDF planes and
ABOVE: The pilot searching for the couple saw this orange object when flying over Cat Island. The police reportedly checked it out and said it was old. RIGHT: And on a flight over one of the other southern islands, the pilot spotted this object which could be an overturned life raft. vessels have been put on alert concerning the missing couple. “We’ve had specific air patrols, along with the Coast Guard, but there’s not much info to go on. “We have more than 100,000 square miles. So it’s going to be ongoing, everybody, all our sea and air crews have been put on alert, and we will to continue to support the police and family in the search.” When contacted yesterday, Bahamas Air and Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) Operations Manager Chris Lloyd said the organization had no leads. “An aircraft normally would be reported overdue in an hour, and this is ten days in the open Atlantic Ocean. It’s incredible,” he continued, “he (Sanco) closed the flight plan so air traffic wasn’t concerned, and then you expect them to come off radar because they’re descending.
“But you and your new husband go on vacation in a small plane to an out island and nobody is calling you? No family, no friends, no Facebook pics?
“Even worse the caretaker expecting to pick you up from airport and the owner of the house you’re staying in doesn’t call to say welcome? It’s unbelievable.”
Mr Lloyd said: “The Coast Guard has sent a high tech plane with heat seeking, oil seeking, the works but even that the RBDF had to beg for that because it’s so old.
DATE FOR GIBSON CONSTITUTIONAL RELIEF HEARING government to pay “millions of dollars” in damages to those persons affected. On August 3, Gibson was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court on 36 bribery A DATE of December 14 has and extortion related charges: one been set for the Supreme Court count of misconduct in public office, hearing of former Cabinet minister 16 counts of bribery, two counts of Shane Gibson’s application for conconspiracy to commit bribery, two stitutional relief on the basis that a counts of conspiracy to commit extormagistrate’s lack of jurisdiction to tion and 15 counts of extortion – all of grant bail according to the Bail Act is these concerned with Jonathan Ash. unconstitutional. The number of bribery and extorAdditionally, Gibson has been granted leave by Justice Cheryl FORMER Minister tion related charges has since decreased to 31, though the amount Grant-Thompson not to attend of Labour Shane he is alleged to have solicited from those proceedings, given the former Gibson. Mr Ash remains the same. Golden Gates MP is not seeking any About an hour after his initial relief from the application. However, according to his attorney Wayne Munroe, arraignment, Justice Grant-Thompson granted QC, Gibson remains on the application essen- Gibson $40,000 bail with two sureties and on tially “as a respondent” due to him being the the condition he does not reoffend and attends his trial. She did not impose any travel restricoriginal applicant. Furthermore, Fred Smith, QC, attorney tions on Gibson, and neither was he required for self-styled activist Omar Archer Sr and to surrender his travel documents or check into attorney Maria Daxon, have filed affidavits . any police station. Shortly after Gibson was granted bail, howMr Munroe told The Tribune that he and Mr Smith have agreed their respective matters ever, Mr Munroe shared his intent to reporters should be heard together, given they cover the to challenge the constitutionality of Section 4 3A of the Bail Act which removes the jurissame material. Last month, appearing before Justice diction of magistrates to grant bail in those Grant-Thompson during a mention hearing in circumstances. Last summer’s amendment to the Bail Act connection with Gibson’s 31 bribery and extortion related charges, Mr Munroe sought to add made charges of intentional libel, assault, stealseveral people to his client’s initial notice of ing and a number of other previously bailable offences non-bailable in Magistrate’s Court motion for constitutional relief. Those people, Mr Munroe said at the time, which resulted in an increase in the number of would have been remanded for different peri- persons being remanded to the Department of ods of time and would not have had the luxury Correctional Services and having to apply for a of having such an application filed on their bond in the Supreme Court. Additionally, the amendment did not return behalf like Gibson, who was granted $40,000 the power of magistrates to grant bail for the bail by Justice Grant-Thompson in August. Nonetheless, Mr Munroe said at the time offences of drug possession with intent to that should the application prove success- supply, certain firearms matters, rape, houseful, it could result in a “substantial liability breaking, attempted murder and threats of of the state” that could potentially cause the death.
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 13, 2017, PAGE 3
POLICE remove the body from the scene in the Fox Hill area. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Fox Hill man gunned down FROM PAGE ONE Mr Dean said not long after the incident police was able to recover the vehicle they believe was used in the murder. The vehicle was found in the Nassau Village area. “We’re pursuing leads in that,” Mr Dean said. “While we are in the Fox Hill area, we have seen positive results over the past few weeks. “We continue to take firearms and drugs out of this area.
“We will work until we get all the drug peddlers and people with firearms out of this area.” Fox Hill’s MP, Shonel Ferguson, was at the scene of the murder and she told reporters she trusts the hard work police have been doing in the area. “We are pleased that residents are coming forward to help as much as they can,” she said. “We grieve with the family, but we celebrate also the goodness that’s coming out of Fox Hill.”
MEMBER of Parliament for Fox Hill Shonell Ferguson and Senior Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dean at the scene. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
STORR: I CAN BE A PART OF THE CHANGE IN PLP Four candidates to contest party’s chairman position By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net ALEX Storr, the Progressive Liberal Party’s former candidate for the Elizabeth constituency, believes he can be a part of the change, which party supporters believe the organisation needs to reignite dogged support from the Bahamian electorate. Mr Storr, 46, will be one of four candidates on the ballot for the chairmanship of the party when PLP’s gather on October 22-25 in its second convention for the year. Former Long Island candidate Glendon Rolle, former Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez, and former Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe are also contesting the post. Party insiders said yesterday the former Mortgage Corporation Chairman has been pegged as the front-runner in this race. Mr Storr described himself as a part of the new wave of PLPs who realises Bahamians lost the trust of the party during the last administration and much more must be done to regain this trust. “We suffered a defeat in May of 2017 and I think that the Bahamian people sent us a message,” Mr Storr told The Tribune yesterday. “I think its up to us now to show that we have received that message and are responding.” He also said: “One of the things we need is to regain the trust of the Bahamian people. “Anyone who knows me knows that I have always tried to stay above board and lead by example and trying to
ALEX Storr
GLENDON Rolle
help those that I can. I think that will go a long way in presenting a face of the party that people can respect and trust.” “I think one of the unique things I bring to the table is I am not a newcomer. I am young but I still have the needed experience. “And so I think I will be able to bring both worlds together and perform a transition for our generation to take leadership in not only the party but in the country.” Mr Storr is also the party’s former vice chairman. Earlier this week, former Prime Minister Perry Christie said he would not publicly endorse anyone ahead of the PLP convention. While he remains reserved, insiders said it is in the best interest of the convention’s outcome for Mr Christie to maintain this position. Among these is former Cabinet minister George Smith. He on Tuesday said: “As the former leader it is appropriate for him to stay out of it. His comments were very appropriate and this is the right tack for him to take. “I believe he still exercises influence in the party, but
now I believe the mantle has been passed.” So far interim leader Philip “Brave” Davis and Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin are the only two candidates to officially announce intentions to contest the party’s top post. Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper will run for deputy leader. The PLP held its last convention on January 24-26. At the close of the three-day event, Mr Christie won with 1,264 votes to 169 for former Attorney General Alfred Sears in a leadership race. Mr Christie then led the party to a crushing defeat in the May 10 general election. Several days later he resigned as party leader.
DAMIEN Gomez
OBIE Wilchombe Mr Davis, former PLP deputy leader, was immediately elevated to party leader, as mandated in the PLP’s constitution.
GRANT AND CULMER NOMINATED FOR FNM CHAIRMAN POST By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
HOWARD Grant and Carl Culmer have been nominated as they seek to become the next chairman of the Free National Movement. Elections will be held next Thursday. Only party officers and the FNM’s central council can participate in the election. The winner will succeed Sidney Collie as chairman of the party. Mr Collie has been appointed Ambassador for the United States and permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS). Insiders had expected former FNM Senator Heather Hunt to nominate herself for chairman, but a source said she decided not to run. In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Culmer said he wants the party
to stay on message, stay committed to campaign pledges and he wants to elevate the party’s political discourse. “We need to get away from the (PLP Chairman) Bradley Roberts’ types of politics, that belittles people rather than talk about the issues,” he said. “Under my leadership, the FNM will continue in that vein.
Voters “We’re the party for the people and you’ll see see more things to make sure we not only look at Bahamian voters but the ways that we can go and prepare younger folks to be community leaders, through education opportunities.” The 35-year-old Mr Grant is considered the underdog in the race. In a press release, he said he believes his youth should help him in the race.
PAGE 4, Friday, October 13, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Importance of democratic accountability TO FOLLOW up our online editorial earlier this week about developing events in Catalonia, we look today at the affect on democracy of globalisation and political and economic centralisation in an increasingly interdependent world. It can be reasonably contended that people accept that they need to work together with others in order to survive and prosper, with all contributing to a common good. But somebody has to be in control to make things happen. Democracy has been shown to work most effectively within a defined territory where people have similar interests and are prepared to be bound by a common set of laws formulated by elected representatives answerable to the people concerned. In this way a nation is built. Despite the influence of vested interests, most agree that, in principle, it is desirable for decisions to be taken as closely as possible to the people they affect and that decision-makers should be directly accountable for their actions. However, globalisation has meant the gradual centralisation of political and economic power as well as the rise of supra-national institutions and international conventions and organisations regulating cross-border activity. This is designed to bring order and stability to the world and appears to be beneficial. But one unintended consequence has been increased concern and resentment amongst ordinary people who feel detached and excluded in the face of decisions by unidentifiable and unaccountable bureaucrats. The impetus for globalisation has been partly the ‘new world order’ proclaimed by the first President Bush in 1990 which was originally a call for universal or global governance and unification of the world economy. The proliferation of supra-national institutions imposing obligations on individual countries takes power away from ordinary people since the emphasis is on avoiding conflict and achieving stability rather than strengthening democracy as an aim. As such, proponents of globalisation look askance at secessionist and separatist movements within recognised states that are fuelled not only by resentment of the inequalities caused by the process but also by political grievances and resulting antagonism towards governments. However, with so much current conflict – to name just a few, anarchy in Somalia, Libya and parts of the Middle East and demands from the Palestinians and the Kurds in Iraq, as well as Catalonia, for independence – the prospect of
any form of world government is surely remote. Theoretically, international treaties, conventions and agreements should not supersede national laws. But smaller countries in particular do not generally have the capacity, resources or even the will to question systematically the substance of new international obligations or to resist their imposition insofar as individual nations are affected by them. The debate about globalisation can, therefore, appear purely academic to us here in The Bahamas since we are ill-equipped to do battle on the international stage, though we need always to be fully aware of our commitments and responsibilities at that level. It behoves us, however, to do what we can in our own country to improve our level of democracy by pushing decisionmaking as close to the people as possible and ensuring governmental accountability on all fronts. In these columns on Wednesday we drew attention to the poor condition of our capital city and to the need for a major rethink about how it should be run, in particular the importance of identifying and determining responsibility and accountability. Given the current confusion, the key must be to establish a local authority and a mayor directly involved at the local level and with responsibility for all aspects of the city’s activity. Dependent as we are on tourism for our livelihood, this should be top of the government’s agenda. At the same time, we urge the government, which now has its feet under the table after some five months in office, to take a hard look at devolving power and responsibility across-the-board to levels closer to the people throughout our nation. Greater development of local decision-making in an archipelagic state such as ours, with some local island communities far removed from the capital, should be a priority. Proper funding of local authorities may be difficult at this stage as the government seeks to improve the country’s poor fiscal position left by the PLP administration, but that should not deter it from starting to consider how such a process might work for the benefit of all. Even if, as a small island state, we lack power and influence on the world stage, in the interests of democracy we should be more inclusive at the local level in our own country. We need now to recognise the importance of this and take action accordingly.
Let’s be both sensible and sensitive EDITOR, The Tribune. STRANGER things have happened, but yesterday in the House of Assembly a strange thing happened - it came the turn for the member for St Anne’s to speak ..... he prefixed his comment, all of maybe three-minutes by saying there will be an announcement concerning Immigration and sat back down giving way for PM Hubert Minnis to make his statement, far from the usual summing up that the closing MP, usually the PM will do then the bombshell. Illegal migrants have till December 31, 2017 to get out - no explanation of process, no detail, what if you have an application for status what happens cold if you have no status so illegal get out or we are coming for you.
BAHAMIANS born to illegal Haitian migrants EDITOR, The Tribune. I AM somewhat dismayed to have read and heard statements attributed to assorted cabinet ministers and a few from religious and civil societies lambasting Bahamians who dared to question the appropriateness of the response and offer of entry into The Bahamas by ‘some’ Dominican students who would have been adversely impacted by a series of recent hurricanes. They called people like those, me included, unchristian like and accused us of a whole lot of other bogus adjectives. In the main, I could care less because half or more of them never espoused or advocated any sort of immigration and citizenship relief for the tens of thousands of BAHAMIANS born to illegal Haitian migrants and immigrants. This category of unfortunate individuals have been relegated to ‘limbo’ status, despite the clear provisions of our Independence Order (our Constitution), 1973 under those provisions, such persons once attaining age eighteen years are ‘entitled’ ‘to apply’ for citizenship or naturalization. This looks good on
paper but in reality, it’s a whole different proposition. It is due to this inordinate application process, which could take decades, our fellow Bahamians of illegal Haitian parents are consigned to living in our nation, often with no sort of legal status without official documents, and find it almost impossible to participate in the formal economy. They are, literally, in no man’s land. It is a political phenomenon that from 1973 straight down to now, all of our politicians and not a single administration has seen fit to regularise this abject; inhumane and unconstitutional fiasco which some call ‘Christian’ while lamenting the plight of others outside our borders. By all means, let us assist those nations that were decimated by recent hurricanes and other natural disasters but let us do the right thing by our Bahamian brothers and sisters, of our own household, but illegal Haitian parentage. At least one cabinet minister has acknowledged that one of his parents was an illegal Haitian migrant (seeking a better way of life). One would think, therefore, that this
group of persons would have a natural advocate in cabinet. In addition, Christ like Jeffrey Lloyd (FNM-South Beach), Minister of Education and sometimes Acting Prime Minister, and, of course Dr Hubert ‘Crying’ Minnis (FNM-Killarney), our compassionate and Christian Prime Minister, must ‘know’ that Charity begins at home and, of course, could end abroad. Is it possible, however, for us to give our children’s meat to others when we do not give the children them, none? It should take no more than a few months to vet all relevant documents and to process bona fides applications. Citizenship should be granted to those actually born here. Those who came over as children, a five years’ residency certificate, then a pathway to citizenship within the next five years. These people, especially the ones born here are our people and it is their time also. To God then, in all things, be the glory. ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, October 9, 2017.
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net My thoughts quickly returned to the recent fury from PM Minnis alleging there was a cold unchristian attitude and perception in the country – remember the Dominica flap? Well what will the Christian Council have to say on this proclamation to have illegal migrants out by December 31st, 20l7 – 80 days time? The migrant issue has been a cancer since the earliest of times but we have to remember there is not a single indigenous person who can trace their life back to the Taino - Arawak Lucayan Indians so we are all migrants – why isn’t there more sensitivity? Where is the FNM’s ‘christian attitude’ that they, the FNM, pontificated just days ago after the Dominica hurricane issue 7. Only Bahamasair flies to Haiti ... the ATR plane with a max of 70+ passengers - if there are say 20,000 illegal Haitians here that means one ATR has to make 277 flights or three-four flights a day till December 31st. Do the Haitians have the money? Honestly if I was in this qualifying group I would wait to be arrested and let the Treasury of The Bahamas pay for me to get back to Haiti - did the gurus of the OPM - Immigration think about what that cost would be? What is serious in this announcement is why did the Minister with the Constitutional Portfolio and responsibility for Immigration, the MP for St Anne’s, did not say a word on the policy but left it to the PM who has no portfolio connected with Immigration? May It be better for the representative for St Anne’s to resign as it seems the PM is doing his job? He is redundant! To the north of us the ‘dreamers’ as they are called, persons who are in the US illegally, know nowhere else than the US
fight daily to save their status - the Haiti Government is pleading with the US to extend the deadline for Haitians to January, 2018 and there are some 20,000 involved in that exercise, probably about the same or less than we have. Question also did the Minister for Foreign Affairs advise the Haitian Government prior to this announcement – have there been even a conversation? Immigration be it under the PLP - FNM has been always a disaster - probably one of the most corrupt agencies of Government and infamous for abuse, gross inefficiency and refusal to comply where there is justification under the Constitution to grant legal status. Blood is on both the PLP and FNM hands. What was surprising when PM Minnis announced this controversial policy ONE Government MP banged the table - ONE ... could not identify who but it was one who sat across from the front bench of the Ministers....was this a cabinet decision before the announcement? Did the rank and file MP’s know and agree to it? The public needs to know. If you, MP for St Anne’s is still the Minister constitutionally responsible for Immigration please enunciate the policy and how this will be managed and give us rough numbers as to how many persons, males/females/children are involved and what will be the cost if the illegals simply refuse to leave and the cost for repatriation falls on the Public Treasury? Last year you spent over $1 million in repatriation of some 2,000 I believe 10 times that is $10 million! From the ‘80’s we had an illegal migrant problem, I agree, but let’s be sensible and sensitive. You PM said we are heartless and unchristian - back at you, sir. W THOMPSON Nassau, October 12, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 13, 2017, PAGE 5
GREENSLADE CONFIRMED AS ENVOY TO LONDON FROM PAGE ONE had never previously announced he resigned from that position. In recent months, National Security Minister Marvin Dames repeatedly said Mr Greenslade was still the substantive commissioner of police, even as Acting Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson moved to transfer some police officers to positions of his choosing, an act some familiar with the inner workings of the force said was unusual from a person in an “acting” role. The government had said
FORMER Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade.
FNM IN SPY BILL CHANGE FROM PAGE ONE
Bill it opposed in opposition just several months ago, but for modifying it to give the power to authorize wiretaps to the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police. Unlike the PLP’s Bill, the FNM’s Bill encompasses the provisions of the Listening Devices Act, the controversial law that would be repealed if the Interception of Communication Bill passes through Parliament. The LDA gives the Minister of National Security power to authorize the use of listening devices for up to 30 days and for the Commissioner of Police, in consultation with the Attorney General, to do the same for up to 14 days. “The Privy Council suggested that a mature Parliament in a modern state might wish to review (these) parts,” Mr Bethel acknowledged yesterday, adding: “We understand that so that power is out. The legal authority the present law has for the Minister of National Security to just himself authorize, that is going to be out. We’re taking out the offensive elements.” However, the Minnis Administration may not yet be willing to go as far as the PLP contends it should, with Mr Bethel suggesting he favours keeping the provision that allows the Commissioner of Police to authorize the use of listening devices in consultation with the Attorney General without having to get a warrant. “The minister of national security has no further role to play in any form of Interception of communications,” he said. “It will only be the Attorney General, the commissioner and the court. A case could be made that in matters of great urgency the police do need to have the ability in real time without preparing court documents (to intercept communications) and even though (the Bill) says you can go to a judge you still have to thereafter prepare court
documents. (When you need) real-time, immediate voices on the communications, it is with that possibility in mind that those provisions (authorizing use of listening devices in the LDA) have been added in. The point is that there are situations of grave emergency where the police may need to move very quickly to hear a conversation. And so we will have discussions with civil society and we will see
“The point is that there are situations of grave emergency where the police may need to move very quickly to hear a conversation. And so we will have discussions with civil society and we will see how far that goes.” Attorney General Carl Bethel how far that goes. The important part about that already is based on comments on that which have already been received, the police will only be able to go to the Attorney General, get the consent from the Attorney General and use a listening device for 14 days. After 14 days they must go to court.” Mr Bethel said the original Bill has been amended to ensure communications can’t be intercepted except when serious crimes are suspected. “The PLP’s Bill would’ have given the right to obtain an interception warrant for any offence so if some employer decides that some employee is tiefin’ by reason of employment they would’ve had the right to go make a complaint and get the police to go wiretap some staff member,” he said. “Yes through a judge
Mr Ferguson was Acting Commissioner while Mr Greenslade was on vacation. In addition to Mr Greenslade, former Free National Movement chairman Sidney Collie has been appointed Ambassador for the Bahamas to the United States of America and Permanent Representative to the Organisation of American States. Appointed as Consuls General are former North Eleuthera MP Theo Neily as head of the Consulate General in Washington, DC; Astra Armbrister-Rolle as head of the Consulate General in Atlanta; Linda
Treco-Mackey as head of the Consulate General in Miami; and Lawrence “Larry” Cartwright as head of the Consulate General in New York, NY. In biographies released to the media, Mrs Armbrister-Rolle is described as a “fundraising professional in the non-profit sector.” Mrs Treco-Mackey was the campaign manager for Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ 2007 election bid and she has served as an executive on the FNM’s council and as its Deputy Treasurer. Mr Cartwright represented Long Island as its MP from 2002 to 2012.
PHA Managing Director Herbert Brown retires By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel (they would get that power), but the point is that it applied to any offence and there are many, many minor criminal offences in respect to which (it could’ve been applied).” “The first thing we did is we took that phrase out and limited the operation to the most serious offences, those that really count: murder, drug trafficking, terrorism and human trafficking. There was some reference (in the original Bill) to sedition and treason; they’re ridiculous offences, they’re going to be taken out after the consultative process. Any political offence like criminal libel, we in the FNM, in our history, we know about what appeared to us to be the abuse of the state’s power to charge people with certain offences for political reasons.” On Wednesday, human rights activist Fred Smith, the fiercest critic of the original Bill, said the FNM’s Bill “is worse than the PLP Bill.” While Mr Bethel reiterated yesterday the administration will have widespread consultation on the Bill before debate begins in Parliament, Mr Smith said yesterday the Bbill should be withdrawn from Parliament for proper consultations to continue. “The government should withdraw the Bill from Parliament and conduct a sensible consultation exercise with the public,” he said. The Minnis Administration has not responded directly to hypocrisy charges even though several elected officials, including Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, shredded the PLP for tabling the Bill several months ago. Anthony Newbold, Dr Hubert Minnis’ press secretary, said Tuesday that Dr Minnis has indicated no regrets to him over statements he made months ago criticizing the PLP’s Bill.
AFTER more than 40 years of public service, Public Hospitals Authority Managing Director Herbert Brown has retired. Health Minister Dr Duane Sands told The Tribune yesterday that the seemingly abrupt move coincided with the upcoming completion of his contract with the government. When asked whether Mr Brown was asked to demit office, Dr Sands said his retirement was voluntary. However, he noted that the managing director had accumulated some 20 weeks of vacation time, and had been mandated to take it. Mr Brown’s contributions to public health will be celebrated at a retirement luncheon today. A PHA advisory yesterday read: “Mr. Brown was appointed as Managing Director in 2002 and has spearheaded some of the most significant recent developments in public healthcare during his fifteen year tenure as head of PHA. It continued: “These include the construction of the Critical Care Block at Princess
HERBERT Brown has been in public service for more than 40 years. Margaret Hospital, the Child & Adolescent Robert Smith Complex at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, the expansion of the Rand Memorial Hospital, the relocation of the Community Counseling and Assessment Centre, and the establishment of the Supplies Management Agency among many others.”
PAGE 6, Friday, October 13, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
MIGRANTS CRACKDOWN ‘HUMANE AND CARING’ FROM PAGE ONE He noted that application renewals “may suffer” as the department prioritizes the processing of new applications ahead of the December 31 deadline. “If someone is on the street on the second of January, but whose application is in, we’re going to talk about it,” Mr Symonette said. “Someone who is caught on the streets on the second of January who has never made an attempt to come into Immigration, does not have a receipt for filing a document, have never had any piece of paper, I think the PM has made it very clear what’s going to happen.”
Legal Mr Symonette continued: “So it’s not as draconian as it sounds because what we’re really trying to say is if you’re here you should have made an effort to make yourself legal.” Mr Mitchell, former Immigration minister, insisted that Dr Minnis’ deadline gave the impression that Immigration officers were to sit on their hands until December 31. In a Senate contribution, he stressed that language was important, and statements concerning Immigration matters should be measured. Mr Mitchell said: “(Wednesday) there was a statement made in that other place. The statement said inter alia that illegal immigrants have until the 31st of December to leave town or they will be deported (these are) my words. Now that’s fine and good, but I thought the law
was already being enforced. I didn’t know you needed a policy to do that. “When you plan public policy you ought to think about the implications of what you’re saying. “Are the immigration officers supposed to sit on their hands until the 31st of December?” Mr Mitchell continued: “And if they catch someone is that person going to able to say, ‘Sorry boss, I got until the 31st of December to clear up my affairs?’ Is that what is going to happen?” On Wednesday, Dr Minnis told Parliament the fate of anyone who does not comply with the dead-
“The new policy will be implemented within the law and constitution as humanely and as caring as possible.” line would be aggressively pursued and deported. Dr Minnis said emphasis would be placed on the process of granting and renewing work permits and visas. “The new policy will be implemented within the law and constitution,” Mr Symonette told reporters yesterday, “as humanely and as caring as possible. “Both sides (government and migrants) are not right there are some problems we have with regard to processing, and maybe the way we treat people, and on the other side of the coin there are persons who are (abusing the process). We seem unduly harsh but there are
IMMIGRATION Minister Brent Symonette. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff numerous cases of irregularities that happen.” “Clearly persons born here to non-Bahamian parents, who have a right to apply at 18, they have a process they can go through. We are talking about people who have come here to avoid, or avoiding applying for a work permit or status to be here. Those are the people this is addressed at.
The roll-out of the November 2014 policy by the former Christie administration drew fierce pushback from activists as well as negative attention from the international community, and was accompanied by high-profile
round-ups in which people, including children, were picked up by immigration officers. When asked yesterday whether similar scenes will play out in the new year, Mr Symonette said: “I hope not, but it’s up to the individuals. Just so
Hiring “So if you’re working here whether it be a gardener or a banker, a live-in carer or a nurse at the hospital, if you do not have a work permit you must be regularized before the end of the year. If you are a permanent resident Bahamian living here who is hiring one of those people the appropriate action will start to happen on the 2nd of January. Mr Symonette noted that under the existing policy, first time work permit applicants will have to apply from their home country.
MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands.
NURSES QUIT FOR HIGH US SALARIES FROM PAGE ONE
Legal Advisor/Secretary to the Board The Legal Advisor/Secretary to the Board is responsible to the Board of Directors of the NHIA and should be accountable to the Board through the Chairman on all matters relating to corporate governance. In the performance of a legal advisory role, this position reports to the Managing Director. This position is a member of the Management Team of the NHIA and as such, collaborates and liaises with the Managing Director and other members of the management team. The position requires a comprehensive understanding of laws that govern the NHIA, healthcare, insurance and human resources in The Bahamas. Specifically, the Legal Advisor/Secretary to the Board will have a legal backgroundwith a strong knowledge of corporate governance, policy development and related matters. The Legal Advisor/Secretary to the Board, will establish an effective working relationship with the Managing Director, management, staff and other key stakeholders, as necessary.
To view the full job posting, please visit www.nhibahamas.gov.bs/careers/.
to be very clear,” he added, “apprehension exercises in the event that a boat rocks up will still continue and deportation will still continue. “So this isn’t an avenue where you can jump on a boat and attempt to come.”
shortages in the Bahamas health score, underscoring that some 400 more nurses are needed. Recruiters from the United States are offering Bahamian nurses a green card, better wages and far more attractive incentives than those being offered locally, he explained. “We have to keep it real and let the Bahamian people know what the issues are. There has to be transparency,” said Dr Sands. He continued: “This has been a longstanding problem but it has gotten significantly worse and that is what happens when you take your eye off the ball. I have conducted a special review of the circumstances of nurses in the country. “This is a special priority for me,” Dr Sands added, noting additional resources may need to be directed towards retaining nurses in the country. “We have many Filipino and Africana nurses in our clinics because many of our Bahamian nurses are now working in South Florida. We have to make the necessary decisions to deal with this issue. If we don’t there may be very few nurses left and for safety reasons we will have to shut down services because you cannot have unskilled labour. “We have lost many nurses out of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for instance because they have marketable
skills and we can’t pay them what they are worth,” said Dr Sands. Dr Sands noted that with the starting salary for nurses at just over $20,000 a year, US recruiters are able to offer far more attractive salaries and benefits. “We are 400 nurses short right now across our health care system in terms of what is safe and optimal. There is also a shortage in North America and they can’t train nurses fast enough but there they have money,” he continued. “They come down have a nice session at the Hilton say to these young ladies primarily, many who are single and say, ‘Look, we can give you a Green Card right now and a better salary.’ When you as a nurse cannot afford a car or a home and you are supposed to be considered a professional and someone says to you tomorrow, we will do this for you, we will give you a Green Card, you will have access to $50,000 to $60,000 a year plus training what would you do? They are quite happy to accept the offer and move to Hialeah or West Palm Beach” said Dr Sands. The Bahamas is by no means the only country in the world wrestling with a nursing shortage. A World Bank Report in 2010 noted the region is facing a rapidly growing shortage of nurses “as demand for quality health care increases due to an aging population, and high numbers of nurses emigrate, drawn by higher paying jobs in Canada, the UK and the USA.
FLORIDA CONFIRMS 1ST LOCAL ZIKA INFECTION FOR 2017 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida health officials are reporting the state’s first case this year of the Zika virus transmitted by a local mosquito. Florida’s Department of Health said Thursday a Manatee County couple traveled to Cuba, and one of them contracted Zika while on the Caribbean island and was bitten by a
mosquito after returning home. That mosquito then bit and transmitted the virus to the other partner. Officials wouldn’t identify the sex of the couple, citing privacy laws. Officials say there’s no evidence of ongoing, active transmission along Florida’s Gulf coast, or anywhere in the state.
Florida reported 296 locally acquired Zika infections last year. Zika causes relatively mild symptoms in most adults but can cause severe birth defects in babies of some women infected during pregnancy. The virus also can be transmitted sexually.
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Friday, October 13, 2017, PAGE 7
TENANT ‘HEARD GUNSHOTS AND A SCREAM’ By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
AFTER hearing what sounded like gunshots and a woman scream on the evening of September 12, 2015, a tenant who had occupied a unit in Barry and Sheena Johnson’s triplex sat in her apartment and did not call police until the next morning. Gail Zamor told the Supreme Court she did not want to get involved and so she listened to her “spirit” and sat at her computer and continued surfing the internet. The woman, who resided at the couple’s triplex since June 2014, said just before hearing gunshots she heard loud voices and talking outside between 9pm and10 pm on the evening in question. She then heard what sounded like two gunshots or firecrackers, a woman scream, and then a third shot. The witness had also heard a vehicle leaving the area quickly. Three men, Paul Belizaire, Devaughn Hall, and Kevin Dames, are on trial for the double murder and armed robbery. The couple was found shot dead at their triplex apartment in Deadman’s Reef on the morning of September 13, 2015. Both had a gunshot wound to the head. Two others also charged in the matter – Virgil Hall and Allan Alcime – accepted a plea agreement wit h the AG’s Office and has turned witnesses for the Crown. Both have been convicted of armed robbery and are serving prison time.
off the main road of Queen’s Highway. He asked if she knew the Johnsons had several surveillance cameras installed at their unit, and if she felt she should get a camera too. Zamor said while she was aware the couple had cameras installed at their unit, she did not see the need to have any installed at her unit before or even after the murders.
Voices THE three men accused of the double murder and armed robbery – Kevin Dames, Devaughn Hall and Paul Belizaire – at an earlier court appearance. Photo by Vandyke Hepburn. Zamor gave evidence on Thursday about hearing gunshots and a woman scream. Although she lived in a “very quiet” neighbourhood and thought it was unusual, she did nothing. “I was sitting at my computer surfing on the internet,” she said. “I started to get up to see what was going on, but my spirit said ‘no, sit down,’ and I continued to surf the net.”
Bodies The next morning around 8am on September 13 while putting out the trash, she discovered the bodies of her landlords, Barry and Sheena Johnson. She saw a man lying on the ground in an orange jumpsuit, and went back to her apartment to get her glasses for a better look. “I got closer and saw it was Barry,” she said. The
woman noticed the couple’s front door was cracked open and looked inside and saw Sheena lying on the floor. Before calling the police, she told the court she continued to take her garbage to the trash can. Ms Zamor said while taking out the trash, she noticed Mr Johnson’s Silverado truck was not there. In his cross-examination, defence counsel Geoffrey Farquharson asked Zamor if she could recall what day of the week was on September 12, 2015. She replied it was a Saturday and she had gone to church earlier in the afternoon. “Are you a SeventhDay Adventist?” he asked. Ms Zamor said she is a Hebrew-Israelite. Mr Farquharson asked the witness if the neighbourhood where she lived is quiet, and she answered it was “very quiet” because the triplex was almost a mile
According to Zamor, when she heard loud voices on the evening of September 12, she thought the Johnsons were having a party or coming from a party. She noted the couple has parties “once in a while” at their residence. “After you heard gunshots or what sounded like a firecracker, and after you heard a woman scream, you thought it was a party?” asked Mr Farquharson. “No, not at that point,” she replied. “Why after you heard gunshots, you did not call the police?” asked counsel. “My spirit told me to sit down – I didn’t move. I mind my own business,” she replied. “I put it to you that you did this?” suggested Farquharson. “No,” she replied. Ms Zamor explained she thought the gunshots were firecrackers. “I just sat in my seat as the spirit told me,” she said. Farquharson asked the witness if she knew her neighbours Barry and Sheena had a lot of money, or that he had some businesses. “Did you poke your nose to find out why?” he asked.
Zamor said it was not her business, and described the young couple as quiet, hardworking people. “They were young people who had their heads on their shoulders and worked hard,” she said. “Did you know he was a supervisor at the container port? Where did he get the money (to do that)?” counsel asked. “I put it to you that you knew Mr Johnson had a reputation of a drug dealer?” Mr Farquharson suggested. Zamor denied the assertion and said Mr Johnson was more like a “preacher man.” “You sit in your apartment and let those two people bleed to death?” “Yes, sir, I could have been next,” she replied. “If an ambulance had come, they would have had a chance,” he suggested. “Would you say that you are a cold-hearted woman,” asked counsel. “No, not all. I am a woman who was minding my business.” Mr Farquharson then suggested to Zamor that she deliberately waited 12 hours before she made any report to the police. She denied doing that. “When you saw Mr Johnson lying on the ground, and you went back in the house to get your glasses, you did not scream, and you were not scared?” he asked. Ms Zamor said she was not afraid because she once worked at a funeral home from the age 12 to 15 years and had seen dead bodies before. She said she tried calling 911 and 919 but could not get through on her phone, so she called her brother who contacted the police. The trial resumes today.
ONE YEAR IN PRISON FOR STEALING RICE AND TUNA
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A 21-YEAR-OLD man was yesterday sentenced to just over a year in prison for breaking into a preschool and stealing a bag of rice and a can of tuna over the holiday weekend. Wilcher Rahming, of McKinney Drive, appeared before Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans, and was sentenced to one year and two months for breaking into Zion South Beach Baptist Church Preschool and
stealing one bag of rice weighing one pound and a can of tuna. The stolen items had a total value of $3.15. The crimes that he was charged with, shop breaking and stealing, were allegedly committed between October 8 and 9. Rahming pleaded guilty to both charges. Meanwhile, a 26-yearold resident of the Grove was charged yesterday for stealing, at gunpoint, over $5,000 worth of cell phones, cash, and a car from several people between February and March of this year.
Ahmad Armbrister, of 3rd Street, The Grove, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney facing four counts of armed robbery and one count of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. It is alleged that on February 25, being concerned with others and armed with a handgun, Armbrister robbed another individual of a cellphone worth $50 along with $68 in cash. It is also alleged that on the same day, concerned with others and armed with a handgun, he also robbed another man of one black
BAMSI FIRE ACCUSED ‘WITNESSED AGGRESSION TOWARDS CONTRACTORS’ By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE MAN accused of setting fire to a dormitory at the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) yesterday claimed he only worked at the North Andros site under specific conditions to mitigate against his fear of working among disgruntled and “violent” workers at the site. Dave Dion Moxey, taking the witness stand before Justice Bernard Turner, claimed he told his employer Whtiney Bastian he would only work at the site on the condition he reports solely to Mr Bastian, that Mr Bastian pays him directly and that Mr Bastian drops him to and from work, a proposal that was agreed to. And Moxey claimed his tenure of employment with Mr Bastian occurred in one week in August of 2014, some four months prior to the date of the fire.
Scepticism Moxey claimed prior to being engaged for employment by Mr Bastian, he heard negative reports about the disgruntled unpaid workers at the site and consequent displays of aggression by the same, leading to his scepticism over working there. He claimed while working there, he witnessed and was directly involved in several displays of aggression towards the project’s contractors. In two separate incidences, he claimed both a man named Paul and another man named Kenneth Johnson threatened Mr Bastian for the monies owed to them, and with regards to Paul, Moxey suggested the threat was so severe Mr Bastian had to in turn threaten to notify the authorities. In a separate incident, which he said he regretted in hindsight, he claimed he travelled to Nicholl’s Town, Andros in the company truck to retrieve some lumber. When he got there, however, he was met by a mob of angry workers, who were all ready to jump him thinking he was either Mr Bastian or Audley Hanna, the main contractor. However, he said upon realizing he was not Mr Bastian, they backed off, although they cryptically warned him that his luck would have been very bad otherwise. Despite his own and the other reports of workers being unpaid, however, Moxey claimed he was paid in full for the work he did during that one week: a total of $1,400 cash minus $100 for lunch credit. He said his main duties involved sawing out the roof’s damaged rafters and installing some 750 hurricane clamps.
THE aftermath of the BAMSI fire. And after completing his work, Moxey said he never had a need to go to the site again. It was on this basis, coupled with the contents of a record of interview and subsequent voluntary statement given by Moxey in 2015 that he and his attorney Calvin Seymour sought yesterday to prove to jury members he had neither a motive nor opportunity to commit the crime in question. Crown prosecutor Darell Taylor, assisted by Donard Brown, had just closed its case against Moxey just moments before, and rather than exercising his right to stay silent, as explained by the judge, Moxey elected to take the witness stand and face extensive cross-examination from both his attorney and Ms Taylor, and the jury if need be.
Carpentry While on the witness stand, Moxey went on to explain how on January 15, 2015, he had spent the entire day in Fresh Creek doing carpentry work. He said he later went to Adderley’s Liquor Store to honour an appointment he had with the store’s owner, Dale Adderley, to collect some money and discuss other potential job ventures with him. At around 6pm, Moxey said he was still at the store having a Guinness beer when an Officer Mackey and Officer Gator, the latter of whom he said he grew up with in Fresh Creek, approached him and subsequently arrested him in connection with the BAMSI fire. He said he was eventually taken to the Nicholl’s Town police station. However, he claimed Darlene Adderley, Mr Adderley’s daughter, as well as his own brother, Donny Moxey and another relative, saw him in Fresh Creek on the day in question, and could vouch for his appearance in that town. Further, he claimed that Adderley’s Liquor Store gives receipts to its customers that displays the time and date of the purchase, as well as security cameras, which he said could
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LG cellphone worth $32, and that he robbed another man of one Acer cellphone worth $100 and one white Nissan Skyline worth $5,000. It is also alleged that on March 26, armed with a handgun, Armbrister robbed a man of one black Craket cell phone valued at $107.
Armbrister was not required to enter a plea and the matter was adjourned to December 15 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) until that time.
MAN IN COURT ON AMMO CHARGES
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A 35-YEAR-OLD man was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court over allegations that he was found in possession of nearly 100 rounds of assorted ammunition. Hugh Tai, of Rum Cay Drive, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney faced with two counts of possession of ammunition with intent to supply and one count of possession of a component of a firearm.
Rounds It is alleged that on October 9 at New Providence, and being concerned with others, Tai was found in possession of 60 unfired rounds of 7.62 ammunition. It is also alleged that on that same day while at New Providence, and concerned with others, he was also found with 31 unfired rounds of .223 ammunition. It was further alleged that on the day in question, and being concerned with others, Tai was found with one gray .223 mm magazine. Tai pleaded not guilty to the charges. The matter was adjourned to November 23 for trial. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) until that time.
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GETTING IN A FLAP OVER ‘NO CHICKEN IMPORTS’ BYE BYE BIRDIE WHEN Bamboo Town MP and Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Renward Wells announced in Parliament: “I am committed to putting in place in two years ‘no chicken imports’ into this country.” “It is my intention to have Bahamians eat as much of their food from locally grown sources. This would allow us to eat food that is closer to its nutritional source, which is more beneficial and has the potential to reduce our national high level of non-communicable diseases.” I was shocked and awed. No more chicken imports? Seriously? Is Minister Wells truly aware of the enormity and improbability of such an undertaking? I don’t know if Mr. Wells seriously took into account, the love affair Bahamians have with chicken. Now before some of you poultry aficionados get in a ‘fowl’ mood, let’s look at the pros and cons in this whole scenario. PRO’S According to an article in The Tribune’s Business section, Lance Pinder, operations manager at Abaco Big Bird, welcomed the Minister’s
RENWARD WELLS, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Fred Smith.
remarks, saying the vision was “possible” and “certainly ambitious”. “It would be a very good thing.” “From a logistics standpoint I think it’s possible; it’s certainly ambitious. It’s
“I guarantee one thing for sure, if this all does go down, the “yard chicken” will be the fastest animal in the entire Bahamas, when it’s all said and done.” always a good thing when governments talk about it, but the basic things that have impacted farming over the years are still there.” “That would require a big investment. People would need to have the confidence that government would actually implement such a ban,” he added. Mr. Pinder also noted: “The local banks are not lending money. There are no financing options.”
“Right now we have been looking at solarising the farm. We have less than a 4 per cent debt to income ratio with our current lender. We can’t even borrow money to solarise the farm, and it’s a no brainer.” “We did the numbers, as the government is getting $100,000 more a year in taxes out of us versus if we shut down and they just got the 30 per cent tariff on imported chicken.” “When someone buys a chicken from us the money stays in the country for about three weeks, versus if an imported chicken was purchased the money stays in the country about a week,” noted Mr Pinder. CON’S A similar poultry ban, by a previous administration, almost led to catastrophic results. ‘Joe Public’ was irate, and wanted their chickens, as chicken reserves plummeted, I was reminded of those emaciated, gaunt birds served to the public by less than scrupulous individuals. I also vividly
remember the fallout socially, by those ‘jonesing’ chicken lovers, and the ban being lifted shortly, thereafter! Don’t do it Rennie, ‘base out bird’ ain’t gonna fly! I guarantee one thing for sure, if this all does go down, the “yard chicken” will be the fastest animal in the entire Bahamas, when it’s all said and done. MINNIS’ IMMIGRANT ROLLER COASTER Okay, let me get this straight, over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the PM champion the cause of Dominica, and potential immigrants relocating to our Bahamas. Defending the disputed nationality of Minister of Transportation and Local Government Frankie Campbell. And now, on to this, his latest contribution in the HOA. “We must be a country that abides by the rule of law.” “Those migrants who are here illegally must leave by December 31, 2017. “ After which period they will be aggressively pursued and deported. This applies to all nationalities.” “Those Bahamians and residents who employ illegal migrants have until December 31, 2017 to
regularise these individuals or to stop employing them.” “I implore Immigration Officers to execute their duties in a professional and humane manner. Those who illegally employ such migrants are legally liable and they will be prosecuted. We must be a country of law and order.” I hope it really applies to all “Nationalities,” but taking all things into consideration, along with this administrations numerous examples of double talk, and slow delivery on campaign promises, is this going to be executed objectively and fairly? Or, will we see the usual parade of Cuban, Haitian and Jamaican nationals hauled before the courts, and carted off to the Detention Centre? All I’m saying is, the same time Immigration ‘raids’ ‘over the hill’ please ensure they hit Albany, Lyford Cay, Port New Providence, etc. You see where I’m going with this, right? FIREY FRED PM Minnis, statement didn’t slip past human rights activist QC Fred Smith, nor did the PM escape Smith’s verbal onslaught. “The Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, Director of Immigration ,etc. cannot see and understand everything they have been
doing is completely lawless, illegal and an abuse of the rule of law then they are being intentionally blind.” “They are pandering to a xenophobic public.” “They don’t see that huge human resources are being wasted and squandered; the taxpayers’ money being squandered in these raids, detentions and deportations instead of making thousands of people positive, contributing members of our society. That is why I say the Bahamas has now been thrown from the frying pan into the fire.” “Minnis is the ‘New Mitchell’ and he is a Menace to The Rule of Law.” How do you really feel Mr. Smith? CONVICTION The passion and conviction displayed by our PM, in regards to Dominica and defending his boy ‘Frankie’ is commendable. Now, with the same aforementioned passion and conviction, mister Prime Minister, please let us know what’s the deal on: BAHA MAR CAMPAIGN REFORM CRIME FOIA NIA SPY BILL Asking for a friend, please and thanks.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
TRUMP LASHES OUT AT PUERTO RICO AS HOUSE PASSES AID PACKAGE By KEN THOMAS AND ANDREW TAYLOR, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump lashed out at hurricane-devastated Puerto Rico on Thursday, insisting in tweets that the federal government can’t keep sending help “forever” and suggesting the U.S. territory was to blame for its financial struggles. His broadsides triggered an outcry from Democrats in Washington and officials on the island, which has been reeling since Hurricane Maria struck three weeks ago, leaving death and destruction in an unparalleled humanitarian crisis. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, with whom Trump has had a running war of words, tweeted that the president’s comments were “unbecoming” to a commander in chief and “seem more to come from a ‘Hater in Chief.’” “Mr. President, you seem to want to disregard the moral imperative that your administration has been unable to fulfill,” the mayor said in a statement. The debate played out as the House passed, on a sweeping 353-69 vote, a $36.5 billion disaster aid package that includes assistance for Puerto Rico’s financiallystrapped government. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the government needs to ensure that Puerto Rico can “begin to stand on its own two feet” and said the U.S. has “got to do more to help Puerto Rico rebuild its own economy.” White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised the House action Thursday night and promised the administration “will continue to work with Congress to provide the resources necessary to recover and rebuild from the hurricanes” and the wildfires in California. Forty-five deaths in Puerto Rico have been blamed on Maria, about 85 percent of Puerto Rico residents still lack electricity and the government says it hopes to have electricity restored completely by March. Both Trump and Vice President Mike Pence visited the island last week to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the island’s recovery. But Trump’s tweets Thursday raised questions about whether the U.S. would remain there for the long haul. He
DEVASTATED communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. (AP) tweeted, “We cannot keep FEMA, the Military & the First Responders, who have been amazing (under the most difficult circumstances) in P.R. forever!” In a series of tweets, the president added, “electric and all infrastructure was disaster before hurricanes.” He blamed Puerto Rico for its looming financial crisis and “a total lack of accountability.” The tweets conflicted with Trump’s past statements on Puerto Rico. During an event last week honoring the heritage of Hispanics, for example, the president said, “We will be there all the time to help Puerto Rico recover, restore, rebuild.” White House chief of staff John Kelly, speaking to reporters, said the military and other emergency responders were trying very hard to “work themselves out of a job.” Reassuring the island, Kelly said the U.S. will “stand with those American citizens in Puerto Rico until the job is done.” At the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. told reporters “there’s still plenty of work to be done” by the military troops in Puerto Rico. He said there was no current plan to withdraw troops who are supporting FEMA’s recovery efforts. McKenzie, director of the military’s Joint Staff, said it will be up to FEMA and other civilian agencies to decide when the military is no longer needed there. Democrats said Trump’s tweets were deplorable, given that the 3 million-plus U.S. citizens on Puerto Rico are confronting the kind of hardships that would draw howls of outrage if they affected a state. One-third of the island lacks clean running water and just 8 percent of its roads are passable, according to government statistics.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 13, 2017, PAGE 9
TRAMPLING ON PEOPLE’S RIGHTS, IGNORING THE LAW, IS A DANGEROUS PATH TO FOLLOW In a second blistering attack, The Bahamas’ human rights lawyer analyses the government’s ultimatum for illegal immigrants to leave the country by the end of the year. By FRED SMITH, QC The FNM Christmas ultimatum is a continuation of the unconstitutional and illegal fascist practice of state terrorism against the migrant community. This Immigration Purge is intended to cause panic and terror in the migrant community. Quite apart from the illegality of the customary raids and purges, this ultimatum is simply impractical. It is inhumane; it is arbitrary; it is going to tax the resources of the Department of immigration at the most stressful and taxing time of the year -Christmas. The Government is saying this ultimatum has been misconstrued and it is only directed at certain people. Concerned people are being told they should just email the minister directly with the immigration number of the person who is waiting for their papers. Once again we are taking away due process and we are making governance, a matter of subjective favour by a particular immigration officer or Minister as opposed to a sensible process of dealing with applications. This ultimatum is creating corruption instead of preventing it. There are already insufferable delays (in some cases of decades) in processing applications. How insane is it to create this massive bottle neck and for the minister and DOI to be receiving thousands of emails from Members of Parliament, pastors, lawyers, friends, applicants and members of the public? Why not sensibly deal with all the applications in a timely, organized and orderly fashion and on a continuing basis? Anyone going to the Immigration Department at Hawkins Hill will see the lines outside stretching for hundreds of yards all day. The Carmichael Concentration Camp is already overburdened, overcrowded and the sanitation and health facilities are completely overwhelmed. By the Minister saying people should contact him to get their papers straight by Christmas, is showing that this threat of being arrested and detained is being made not only simply to those who are: 1. working illegally in the country 2. legally here and are in fact citizens or residents in waiting Those who are here working illegally, don’t have immigration application numbers to “regularise” or
So this is a hypocritical ultimatum that makes no practical or humane sense. It is intended to terrorize the migrant population and in particular the population of people: 1. born in the Bahamas (citizens in waiting) and or 2. who have lived in the Bahamas for decades since before independence and 3. who have rights to have their applications timely considered. And to do this at Christmas time. How unchristian of the Government in a nation supposedly governed by the rule of law and an abiding respect for Christian values? It is a time when the immigration, customs, police and defence force officers are already challenged with Yuletide personal affairs. The Immigration Department can’t cope with all A1M AIN the applications during the Established 1903 FRED Smith (above) is hitting year in normal course of AY SD UR TH out at the FNM government business. after their announcement on The last three months of OM Wednesday (right). RIBUNE242.C the year are always the busG NEWS ON T 24/7 BREAKIN iest and stressful even for HIGH 87ºF Biggest And Best! the minister of immigration, LOW 78ºF his department and people get their papers proOFFICIAL SOU in general as families are cessed by Christmas. RCE preparing for Christmas This ultimatum is INSIDE and New Year’s festivities. obviously directed at: CH TE D AN RS, CARS ADER: CARS, CA It is hypocritical to say 1. those who have CL ASSIFIEDS TR this is just directed at been born here and people who don’t have 2. those who are waitwork permits and are working for their applications ing here illegally. to be processed Those people can’t “regu3. those who have larise” their status or “get been residing here for their papers in order”. years and have moral The Immigration Departand international and or ment is already swamped. refugee rights to be here. Thousands of files 4. those who already already can’t be found. have applications in and The department is are in jeopardy of being already understaffed and picked up simply because overwhelmed with work. the Immigration Depart‘WE DIDN’T Files have been lost. ment hasn’t yet processed MISUSE The department T their applications. OU ES SH LA SMITH FUNDING’ already is unable to proSo the above people M FN S’ ES NL AT ‘VISIO cess the thousands and should not be the subject thousands of legitimate of: naturalization and other 1. terrorist immigration applications already are raids in process. 2. losing their homes The Carmichael Con3. losing their papers and LE UP centration Camp is already CO US 4. losing their belongings comcontinue toAYED arrest those IM PRlegitimately VICTare ARCH overflowing and exceeding – SEsus5. being falsely impris- munity. DRIVE-BYwho G IN S ON its capacity of 200 by more DY AG Y oned at the concentration DR LA Thousands of people E AS SH of landing without TO GOD pected camp and 1. have already put in a permit, overstaying their than 500. The entire system is 6. being put in jeopardy their applications permits, or working without already overburdened. of being deported and or 2. have been waiting a work permit. Why create this unholy 7. having to pay corrupt sometimes for years The Immigration Depart- stress? 3. have been going to the ment won’t even consider It is a government terror Immigration Department “General raids such applications because tactic. weekly asking for answers will simply give It is grandstanding. Even the minister says the practice is to require It is far better for the the department is unable to those persons to leave the Immigration process all the applications. country and then to make Immigration Department Officers maximum Even now for those who application for their work and the minister of immiabroad, so gration to be using the opportunity are entitled to be registered permit from paper ing Newsto give people resources to process the Bahama Islands’ Lead as citizens, a complete newNassau &pretending to pursue their layer has been created of until December 31, 2017 is many thousands of applicacorrupt practices tions already there. “belongers permit”, further hypocritical. 1. “Not regularising your Make their processof picking challenging the process and ing more efficient and status” or creating more delays, more up, arresting, 2. “not having your earn money for the Treasexpense and more paperdemanding payment work for people who are papers”, or ury rather than create panic and then releasing 3. being on the street and mayhem. entitled to status. Raids and falsely imprisThe ultimatum is obvi- without your papers, or people in their ously also not directed at 4. waiting for the Immi- oning people will cost the own internal people who are in the Baha- gration Department to taxpayer and the Treasury money it already doesn’t process instead mas working illegally. process your application have. We will have to feed It’s obviously directed These are not offences of dealing with thousands of people who at the thousands and thou- known to the law. people properly sands of people These should not be are detained and then the through the court 1. born in the Bahamas or reasons the Immigration costs of having to deport 2. those who have yet to Department should use to them on boats and planes. system if they have And it is illegal to have make applications for their pick you up in the yellow indeed committed raid, to arbitrarily arrest citizenship, or bus, detain you at the Carand falsely imprison (which 3. those whose work per- michael an offence.” Concentration is being called euphemistimits have expired and are Camp and/or deport you. cally “detaining”). waiting for an answer to the Arresting thousands of The DoI and Defence renewal applications or people en masse in this way Force should use their immigration officials to let 4. those who have applied is illegal, arbitrary, inhuman limited resources more them right back out. for work permits or resiThe perversity is all of dency permits and are and degrading. productively. General raids will simply the above people would not simply waiting for answers This threat is also illegal be subject to round-ups, 5. those born in the Baha- give Immigration Offic- and in breach of the Immiraids or deportation if their mas before 1973 and are ers maximum opportunity gration Act which does not applications would be con- again waiting for the appli- to pursue their corrupt give the power to officers to practices of picking up, conduct raids and to falsely sidered in a timely manner, cations to be dealt with i.e. before December 31 There is nothing for those arresting, demanding pay- imprison and then deport ment and then releasing people. 2017. people to regularize. So why create this panic There is a process under It is grossly inhuman and people in their own interfor those people? degrading to be making a nal process instead of the Act. dealing with people propThree months before threat of arbitrary raids. The process is for a Christmas it is already sendThe DoI should process erly through the court deportation order to be ing shockwaves of terror the many thousands of appli- system if they have indeed served on a person; that through the immigrant cations in an orderly fashion committed an offence. person has seven days in i’m lovin’ it!
The Tribune
OBITS
BER 12TH, 2017
3, OCTO
VOLUME:114 No.22
:$1
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER
Get out: Minnis gives illegals exit deadline
who the fate of anyone deportation will be does not comply. of Assembly yesSpeaking in the House er underscored minist terday, the prime all nationalito d applie ne as that the deadli and residents nts in the Baham ILLEGAL migra ber ties, adding that Bahamians illegal persons country by Decem must leave the Minister Dr Hubert who also employ these 31, 2017, Prime SEE PAGE SIX declared yesterday, Minnis (pictured) sive pursuit and aggres an d as he warne
ELL By KHRISNA RUSSrter Deputy Chief Repo dia.net krussell@tribuneme
in His statements came s’ ultiresponse to Dr Minni living in matum that people ly must the country illegal ber 31 Dr get out by Decem d up rampe PRIME Minister “menace or suffer from Hubert Minnis is a in the efforts to enforce immito the rule of law”Bahama gration laws. They also tion with Bahamas, Grand iation come as his frustra Human Rights Assoc has the administration appears a boilPresident Fred Smith to have reached what some declared. e yet ing point amid rebuk st harshe his In as self-inflicted supported activists see gh their of the leader he n, Mr wounds.Thou in the general electioMinnis criticism has mostly been the public eye, Smith called Dr ell,” lik- kept out of the “New Mitch former some leading activists have the s to Minni the ening him Minister been upset that recently Foreign Affairs whom Administration eption of Fred Mitchell with tabled the Interc sparred. ion Bill, which he has frequently unicat be Comm “I wish that I could es Mr Smith said yesterday energi expending my positive, “is worse than the PLP spy in constructive, d of bill.” newly the uplifting ways instea for As evil of having to fight the again announcement immigration a government yet ” Mr SEE PAGE SIX for another five years, Smith said.
ELL By KHRISNA RUSSrter Deputy Chief Repo dia.net krussell@tribuneme
E By RASHAD ROLL rter Tribune Staff Reponet rrolle@ tribunemedia.
Deputy A DAY after K Peter Prime Minister former Turnquest said the more ed government divert $150m a from than $40m recovand relief ane hurric the most ery loan to win Opposirecent election, “Brave” tion Leader Philip tion allega the Davis denied dent” saying he was “confi SEE PAGE FIVE
POLICE at the scene
of the shooting off Wulff
which to appeal to the Governor General who must consider each appeal. This process of threats, ultimatums, indiscriminate, wholesale terrorist raiding by the government on the immigrant community is simply unconstitutional, inhuman and degrading. This FNM ultimatum is simply continuing the fascist tactic of state terrorism against the migrant community. It’s also creating liability and damages to the Government for court claims for false imprisonment, false arrest, indefinite detention, breaches of the Constitution and the Immigration Act. When that happens the government complains lawyers are taking money from the Treasury through damages and costs. It then costs the taxpayer more money to have lawyers at the Attorney General’s office and the whole judicial system dealing with court cases. The government is perpetuating and creating lawless agencies, The Department of Immigration and the Defence Force, armed and fully resourced, answerable to no judicial
“It is far better for the Immigration Department and the minister of immigration to be using the resources to process the many thousands of applications already there. Make their processing more efficient and earn money for the Treasury rather than create panic and mayhem.”
Road on Tuesday night. W Carey/Tribune staff Photo: Terrel
unced dead at the Shenika was prono to men were rushed DORSETT scene while the two remain in serious By SANCHESK A rter hospital where they Tribune Staff Repodia.net condition. Sdorsett@tribuneme than 30 years, more of Her best friend e yesterday asked God to forTribun the told Bain SHENIKA Hart a over as she lay dying Anisk of her sons and give her and watch home she shared that despite losing two a ters’ fathers, Sheniklifeet away from the ters. two of her daugh st, friend with her three daugh multiple times and was still “one of the happie she has ever met. Shenika was shot night in a drive-by est” peopleShenika’s sons was hit by a ay Tuesd late s killed One of two men in seriou to cross Market shooting which left car while attemptingago, a short while al. l years condition in hospit s, shortly after Street severa to another son According to reportstanding in front after that she gave birth father of was few days later. The 8.30 pm Shenika ng at Peardale who died a buildi was murdered a child upied e middl of an unocc ide two men when Shenika’s ago and another father died alongs Road Wulff off a white “Japanese”n few yearslast year. the occupants of illness shotgu of a SEE PAGE THREE armed with vehicle pulled up and shot them.
S By RICARDO WELLrter Tribune Staff Repo ia.net rwells @tribunemed
have AUTHORITIES of debris ruled out an area which near Cat Island be they thought could carplane remnants of the ican rying missing Amert and honeymooners Forres Donna Sanco. docuSearch and rescue The by ments obtained indicate Tribune yesterday raft spotdebris and a life n side ted on the easter “not now of Cat Island is ated believed” to be associ SEE PAGE THREE
system, no higher authority and eventually will take the law into their own hands and terrorize the rest of the population. One day the Bahamas will come to rue the day it perpetuated the creation of these two military forces. This is how a Ton Ton Macoute or Gestapo or SS is created. That may sound dramatic, exaggerated or hyperbolic but it isn’t. Because they act completely outside of the law, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Penal Code, the Immigration Act, or the Constitution they effectively become a law unto themselves. They can perpetuate their own corrupt practices; they are answerable to no one. Because migrants, or the children of migrants, rarely take them before the courts. Often, by the time those few people whose rights have been abused, actually do sue, they are deported. Migrants, poor people, can’t afford to sue. It is simply insane to keep doing this. The definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. This illegal practice has been going on for 50 years. Government should focus on processing the thousands and thousands of applications already in the system instead. I’m so sick and tired and discouraged by this continued insane unconstitutional terrorist behaviour by PLP and FNM governments.
BAMSI FIRE ACCUSED ‘WITNESSED AGGRESSION TOWARDS CONTRACTORS’ FROM PAGE SEVEN
be used to verify his claims. He claimed the same was expressed to police officers, though accepting the same was not reflected in either the record of interview nor his statement. Additionally, he claimed he first found out about the fire by Officer Gator, who was standing next to him, and due to the phones of
various persons sounding off due to the sharing of images of the blaze. However, Ms Taylor questioned the consistency of Moxey’s testimony as compared with the contents of both the record of interview and his subsequent statement to police. In particular, and referring to both the record of interview and his official statement, Ms Taylor questioned why Moxey did not tell
police something as crucial as the names of the various people he claimed saw him in Fresh Creek on the day in question. She especially questioned why Moxey would not have included the bit about him only being made aware of the fire because of Officer Gator in his record or interview and/or statement, given that Officer Gator would have allegedly been one of the arresting officers and that
it would’ve been those two officers who took him to the Nicholl’s Town police station. Moxey’s response was he was “traumatized” and “stunned” at the time, suggesting it slipped his mind as a result. However, Ms Taylor asserted he was lying. The trial continues. Moxey was initially arraigned and charged with arson over allegations
that he set fire to the male dormitory at the North Andros site in January of 2015. Preliminary reports from police said the fire was the result of arson and the blaze began in the roof around 7pm on January 15, 2015. Officials battled the blaze and managed to extinguish it shortly after 11pm; however, it left one of the male dormitories at the site severely damaged.
PAGE 10, Friday, October 13, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
GOVERNMENT AND ATLANTIS IN MAJOR CLEAN-UP OPERATIONS By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE government’s National Cleanup Initiative has got underway with its first phase tackling the removal of abandoned appliances, furniture and derelict vehicles known as “white waste”. The cleanup will also identify abandoned and or dilapidated buildings with the objective of assessment by the Ministry of Works. According to officials, rodent control activities will be integrated into the cleanup to reduce rodent populations. The initiative is manned by the Ministry of Environment and Housing under the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), and seeks to involve the community and stakeholders in cleanup and maintenance for the respective areas. The cleanup in New Providence is to be conducted in five phases, with its First Phase targeting Bain Town, Centreville, Englerston, and St. Barnabas.
Education Each community will be put on alert of the days for placement and pickup of waste. The other components of the initiative are inclusive of ongoing public education, enforcement and monitoring. Meanwhile, Atlantis resort staff clad in rubber gloves and armed with garbage bags spent the National Heroes Day Holiday with rakes and shovels in a community clean-up on the mainland. The Atlanteans, led by top resort executives, took to the streets just beyond the bridge targeting the Eastern Parade, Betty Cole Park, Retirement Park, the area known as ‘The
ATLANTIS TEAM’S HEROES DAY HOLIDAY CLEAN-UP
ABOVE AND ABOVE RIGHT: Residents through Old Boat Alley, off Market Street, gathered for two days to clean up their surroundings as part of the government’s National Cleanup Initiative. Pond’ and portions of Okra Hill. The effort was also supported by the Paradise Island Tourism Development Association (PITDA), Bahamas Waste Management and businesses in the area, such as Bahamas Hand Prints, Craig Butler and Company and businessman Franklyn Butler. Atlantis President & Managing Director Audrey Oswald says the effort and what it means for the island as a whole are very important to Atlantis. “This clean-up effort is a part of our commitment to the community. Seeing the transformation in real time is
amazing and we are so very happy that we are able to contribute to the betterment and the uplifting of these areas in such a meaningful and tangible way.”
Rewarding She added that seeing residents of the areas targeted not only thanking and applauding the Atlantis team for the clean-up, but getting involved as well, was very rewarding. Environment minister Romauld Ferreira also joined in the clean-up effort from start to finish, calling the volunteers from Atlantis and
Pond businesses and residents, “true heroes”. “This is the beginning of what we hope to be a groundswell of really taking pride in our country and our environment,” Mr Ferreira said, “because I’ve said this many times – nobody can really do this for us… It’s only through working together that we can achieve the goals that we want, which is a clean Bahamas and we’ve been saying this all along that the environment is the golden thread of our Bahamas.
Air Mr Ferreira continued: “It’s the one thing that connects us all; we breathe the same air, drink the same water. “We all want to live in a clean environment and the Government cannot do it all. “We have to embrace a spirit of volunteerism so I thank Atlantis and the partners from The Pond because this being National Heroes Day, the charge is to be a hero. “Do your part. This is our Bahamas.” Ed Fields, Atlantis’ Senior Vice-President of Public Affairs, said the resort planned to familiarize itself with every business owner and resident in the Pond area with a view to creating a community that everyone can view as the model of partnerships between business and residents. “We wish to create an environment that everyone is proud to work and live in. “It will take some time to accomplish, but we will not give up until we get there,” Mr Fields said. In addition to picking up and bagging garbage refuse in the area, the cleanup effort will also see the removal of larger debris, derelict vehicles and abandoned structures which have been serving as breeding grounds for rodents, mosquitos and other pests.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 13, 2017, PAGE 11
GRIM SEARCH FOR VICTIMS AS WILDFIRES GROW TO SIZE OF NYC
SPAIN CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY AMID CATALAN SECESSION CRISIS By CIARAN GILES AND ARITZ PARRA, Associated Press MADRID (AP) — Thousands of Catalans who want their region to remain in Spain marked the country’s national day Thursday, marching through Barcelona waving both Spanish and Catalan flags and shouting “I am Spanish,” as the region’s threats of independence have left the country in crisis. Meanwhile, in the national capital Madrid, troops and police paraded in front of King Felipe VI, accompanied by national and regional politicians. Thousands of people waving Spanish flags lined the sidewalk of Madrid’s Paseo de la Castellana avenue for the military parade. The pilot of a fighter jet taking part in the Madrid parade died when the plane crashed while landing at a base in Albacete, some 200 miles southeast of the Spanish capital, authorities said. In Barcelona, Catalonia’s capital, a crowd of people that local police said numbered 65,000 marched to a central square, some with their faces in the red and yellow colours of both the Spanish and Catalan flags and shouting “Viva Espana” — “Long live Spain.” “We are now feeling that years of threats by separatists have turned into an attempt to normalize social division,” said Juan Jose Garde, a 63-year-old retired civil servant who was joining a national day march for the first time after years of enjoying the holiday by taking his family to the beach. For many others, Thursday’s march in central Barcelona was also a first. Montse Sanchez, a 56-year-old Catalan bank clerk, said she only felt the urge to protest when the separatists’ bid recently became “an imposition of thought.” “They want to impose on us the ideas of one, but in Catalonia we are more than one, we are many people with very different feelings toward nationality,” she said. The slogan of the march was “Yes to Catalonia. Spain, too,” supporting Catalan autonomy, but within Spain as a whole. Two small groups of protesters clashed as the unionists’ demonstration was getting underway, throwing chairs and bottles taken from a cafeteria terrace at each other. An officer was injured when local police intervened to separate them, Barcelona’s urban guard said.
WHITE HOUSE SAYS CUBA COULD STOP ATTACKS ON AMERICANS By JOSH LEDERMAN, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House chief of staff John Kelly says the United States believes that Cuban President Raul Castro’s government could stop attacks on U.S. diplomats. Kelly isn’t elaborating on why the U.S. believes Cuba could stop it. Previously, the United States has said merely that it was Cuba’s responsibility under international law to protect diplomats serving on its soil. The U.S. has not accused Cuba or any other actor of perpetrating the attacks. Cuba’s government has vehemently denied involvement or knowledge of the attacks. At least 22 American government personnel are said by the U.S. to be “medically confirmed” to have been affected by the attacks. The U.S. says the number could grow. Kelly was asked about the Cuba attacks during a press briefing at the White House.
FIREFIGHTERS put out a hot spot from a wildfire near Calistoga, California on Thursday. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) By ELLEN KNICKMEYER AND JOCELYN GECKER, Associated Press SONOMA, Calif. (AP) — Teams with cadaver dogs began a grim search Thursday for more dead in parts of California wine country devastated by wildfires, resorting in some cases to serial numbers stamped on medical implants to identify remains that turned up in the charred ruins. Many of the flames still burned out of control in fires that spanned more than 300 square miles an area equivalent to the size of New York City’s five boroughs. Sonoma and Napa counties endured a fourth day of choking smoke while many residents fled to shelters or camped out on beaches to await word on their homes and loved ones.
Winds A forecast for gusty winds and dry air threatened to fan the fires, which claimed their 29th victim and are fast becoming the deadliest and most destructive in California history. Some of the state’s most historic tourist sites, including Sonoma city and Calistoga in Napa Valley, were ghost towns as firefighters tried to stop the advancing infernos. Calistoga, known for wine tastings and hot springs, was deserted Thursday except for dozens of firefighters staged at street corners as ash rained down on them and a thick haze covered the ground. Mayor Chris Canning warned that fires were drawing closer and all of the city’s 5,000 residents needed to heed an evacuation order.
A HELICOPTER draws water from a pond to help put out a fire near Napa, California on Thursday, (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli) “This is a mandatory evacuation. Your presence in Calistoga is not welcome if you are not a first responder,” Canning said during a news briefing, explaining that firefighters needed to focus on the blazes and had no time to save people. A few residents left behind cookies for fire crews with signs reading, “Please save our home!” Sonoma County Sheriff Robert Giordano said officials were still investigating hundreds of reports of missing people and that recovery teams would begin conducting “targeted searches” for specific residents at their last known addresses. “We have found bodies almost completely intact, and we have found bodies that were nothing more than ash and bones,” the sheriff said. Some remains have been identified using medical devices that turned up in the scorched heaps that were once homes. Metal implants, such as artificial hips, have
ID numbers that helped identify victims, he said. Firefighters had reported modest gains, but containment of the flames seemed nowhere in sight.
Emergency “We are not out of this emergency. We are not even close to being out of this emergency,” Emergency Operations Director Mark Ghilarducci told a news conference. More than 8,000 firefighters were battling the blazes, and more manpower and equipment was pouring in from across the country and from as far as Australia and Canada, officials said. Since igniting Sunday in spots across eight counties, the fires have transformed many neighbourhoods into wastelands. At least 3,500 homes and businesses have been destroyed and an estimated 25,000 people forced to flee their homes.
The wildfires continued to grow in size. A total count of 22 fires on Wednesday fell to 21 on Thursday because two large fires had merged together, said state Fire Chief Ken Pimlott. Hundreds of evacuees fled to beaches far to the north of the fires, some sleeping on the sand on the first night of the blazes. Since then, authorities have brought tents and sleeping bags and opened public buildings and restaurants to house people seeking refuge in the safety and clean air of the coastal community of Bodega Bay. Local charities and residents went to Costco to buy supplies for the fleeing families. California Highway Patrol Officer Quintin Shawk took relatives and other evacuees into his home and office, as did many others. “It’s like a refugee camp,” at his office, Shawn said. Community members fed breakfast to some 200 people on the beach alone,
and Patricia Ginochio, who owns a restaurant, opened the eatery for 300 more to sleep, she said. The evacuees’ arrival was heralded by a long line of headlights heading to beaches. “The kids were scared,” Ginochio said, adding that temperatures by the beach dropped dramatically at night. “They were shivering and freezing.” The challenge of fighting the fires has been compounded by a need for more help and growing fatigue of firefighters who have been working for days. “We have people that have been on that fire for three days who don’t want to leave,” said Cal Fire’s deputy incident commander in Napa, Barry Biermann. “At some point, you hit a road block.” Fire officials are investigating whether downed power lines or other utility failures could have sparked the fires. It’s unclear if downed lines and live wires resulted from the fires or started them, said Janet Upton, a spokeswoman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Some lucky evacuees have returned to find what they least expected. Anna Brooner was prepared to find rubble and ashes after fleeing Santa Rosa’s devastated Coffey Park neighborhood. Then she got a call from a friend: “You’re not going to believe this.” Her home was one of only a handful still standing. “I swore when I left I was never coming back to this place,” Brooner said. “I feel so bad for all the other people. All of us came back thinking we had nothing left.”
KELLY: N. KOREA THREAT ‘MANAGEABLE’; HOPES DIPLOMACY WORKS
By MATTHEW PENNINGTON, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — White House Chief of Staff John Kelly said Thursday the North Korean nuclear and missile threat is “manageable” for now but the isolated nation can’t be allowed to develop the ability to strike the U.S. homeland. Although President Donald Trump recently declared his top diplomat was “wasting his time” trying to negotiate with the North, Kelly said he hopes diplomacy works before the nation can develop its weapons capabilities further. Kelly comments at a White House news conference were milder than Trump’s recent pronouncements. Over the past three weeks the president has exchanged threats and personal insults with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, escalating tensions. Kelly said that Americans should be concerned about North Korea. He said the North has developed a “pretty good” intercontinental ballistic missile capability and is developing a nuclear re-entry vehicle, which is needed for a missile to survive re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. Then he spelled out a bottom line. “I think I speak for the administration, that that state can simply not have the ability to reach the homeland,” Kelly said. He said there’s already “great concern” about Americans who live in Guam. North Korea in August threatened to fire a salvo of
WHITE House Chief of Staff John Kelly speaks during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday. (AP)
intermediate range missiles toward the U.S. Pacific island territory, a major military hub and home to U.S. bombers that periodically fly missions over the divided Korean Peninsula. “Right now we think the threat is manageable,” he said, but added the situation would become more problematic over time if North Korea’s capability “grows beyond where it is today.”
“Let’s hope that diplomacy works,” he said. Trump on Wednesday conceded differences on North Korea with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who advocates keeping open the possibility of negotiations with Kim’s authoritarian government. “I think perhaps I feel stronger and tougher on that subject than other people,” Trump said in the Oval Office.
“But I listen to everybody and ultimately I will do what’s right for the United States and really what’s right for the world,” he said, adding, “it’s a problem that has to be solved.” Trump has hinted at a preference for military options, although a strike on North Korea could leave close U.S. ally South Korea vulnerable to North Korean military retaliation.
PAGE 12, Friday, October 13, 2017
RADIO HOUSE SET FOR THIS YEAR’S
DUNKIN’ FOR BOOBIES RADIO HOUSE is ready do its bit for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its fourth annual “Dunkin’ for Boobies” fund-raising event next Tuesday. In the last three the event years has raised more than $13,000 but the group is hoping to exceed that amount this year. Getting an early morning soak by being dunked in a tank of water might on any other occasion be a little unpleasant, but because in this case it’s to raise funds to promote breast cancer awareness, the DJs and personalities at Radio House don’t mind going “Dunkin For Boobies”. There will be live broadcasts of the morning shows on 100 Jamz, Kiss 96 and Y98 from 6am
until 10am right from the front of Radio House on Shirley Street, where passing motorists will be asked for donations in the fight against breast cancer. With a $300 donation, anyone can nominate their boss, manager, coworker, family member or anyone for that matter, to be dunked in the dunkin’ tank that will be set up in the front of Radio House. The event was scheduled to have taken place to mark the start of fundraising month, but was cancelled due to heavy rains. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Cancer Society of the Bahamas. For more information, call 677-0950 or e-mail jjmckenzie@tribunemedia.net.
THE TRIBUNE