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VOLUME:115 No.236, NOVEMBER 1ST, 2018
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Cop in unlawful killing cases fails to appeal By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net A POLICE officer found by the Coroner’s Court this year to have unlawfully killed two people in separate incidents has not appealed those rulings, drawing focus as to whether the Department of Public Prosecutions will pursue criminal action against him. The rulings sprang from two separate incidents in which Corporal Adrian Miller killed 31-year-old Girred Clarke on August 17, 2013, and 22-year-old Terrique Fowler on June 7, 2013. The 21-day deadline for him to appeal those rulings passed weeks ago and it is not clear why he did not launch an appeal.
Yesterday, Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskins said his department will not press charges against him in connection with one of the matters, the death of Clarke, who was shot at a party. “With respect to one of the matters, certainly from our vantage point it doesn’t speak to a cogent case of homicide,” Mr Gaskins said. “The other one, I haven’t gotten anything (from the Coroner’s Court), so I don’t want to speak to that.” Clarke, 31, got into an argument at a party hosted by family and friends when he fired two shots into the air with a .45 Glock pistol and one shot at a fleeing car. Cpl Miller responded to the scene.
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Public Hospitals Authority called it “reprehensible” yesterday that the Bahamas Nurses Union would admit to “deception” during negotiations in 2014 that led to an agreement for a now disputed shift change, insisting it remains resolute in implementing a five on/two off shift. The PHA released the statement last night following a Tribune report where the BNU’s former president, Jannah Khalfani,
admitted she signed the shift change agreement on behalf of the BNU though she knew the agreement would not be binding. Ms Khalfani told this newspaper the agreement was signed when the BNU and the Ministry of Health were negotiating a contract for Department of Public Health nurses. She said because then PHA managing director Herbert Brown pressured the union to consider a nurses shift, she signed the document to pacify him. SEE PAGE FIVE
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4C’S OWNER AND CAPTAIN GIVEN BAIL By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
4C’s ADVENTURES owner Clayton Smith and one of his tour boat captains, Roderick Watson, were granted bail by a Supreme Court judge before their trial in which they are accused of negligently causing the death of an American woman and injuring nine other people when the boat they were chartering burst into flames earlier this year. Attorney Nicholas Mitchell confirmed to The Tribune that Justice Renae McKay granted both Exuma natives $10,000 bail each with two sureties yesterday afternoon concerning the deadly explosion in waters off Barratarre, Exuma on June 30.
INSURERS WARN HEALTH LEVY WON’T BE ENOUGH By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
I’LL PUT A SPELL ON YOU 100 Jamz held a Halloween trick or treat event yesterday - complete with sweets, treats and screams for all the young ghosts and goblins who called by Radio House. Jamz DJ JJ is pictured bringing a little magic to the event for one visitor. See page two for more. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
WHERE’S EASIER TO DO BUSINESS - BAHAMAS OR THE GAZA STRIP? By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
SINGLE
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SEE PAGE THREE
SEE PAGE THREE
PHA BLASTS UNION ON SHIFT DEAL SIGNING
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THE Deputy Prime Minister yesterday pledged “drastic improvement” after the World Bank concluded it was easier to do business in the war-torn West Bank and Gaza Strip than The Bahamas. Peter Turnquest MP told Tribune Business that planned reforms to the Government’s processes
and interaction with the private sector, driven by the increasing use of technology, would warrant “a significant upgrade” to The Bahamas’ 118th spot in the World Bank’s “ease of doing business” index. While that represented an improvement of just one spot from last year’s 119th position, the World Bank still put The Bahamas two places behind the 116thranked West Bank and Gaza Strip - the Palestinian
territories regularly subjected to bombardments, economic blockades and lengthy power outages as a result of conflict with Israel. Mr Turnquest, though, said The Bahamas was frequently “short changed” by assessments from the World Bank and other international agencies, which often failed to account for improvements and reforms enacted by this nation. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
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BAHAMIAN insurers yesterday warned the $1,000 annual premium for National Health Insurance’s basic package may “grossly underestimate” the true cost of the scheme’s benefits. The Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA), releasing the industry’s “position paper” on the government’s revised NHI model, called for data and empirical studies that showed how it determined the scheme’s costs and employer/ employee contributions. In particular, it questioned how it could set a $1,000 annual premium for NHI’s Standard Health Benefit, the minimum level of coverage, when the NHI Authority had yet to agree the fees that doctors and other healthcare providers will charge. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
DIANE PHILLIPS: WHOSE IDEA WAS IT ANYWAY?
SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Thursday, November 1, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Trickers and treaters out in force at 100 Jamz party
HALLOWEEN trick or treaters were in good shape yesterday, enjoying themselves at a 100 Jamz event at Radio House. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 1, 2018, PAGE 3
Cop in unlawful killing cases fails to appeal from page one A witness testified during the coroner’s inquest that Cpl Miller identified himself as a police officer and told Clarke to stop while other witnesses testified that he did no such thing before shooting Clarke. “In that particular case, when we looked at all of the circumstances, apparently the deceased was firing a gun, the police officer was called on the
scene and told him to stop,” Mr Gaskins said. “In respect of that one, even though the finding was the finding, when you look at the evidence it certainly didn’t smack of an (unlawful killing).” Cpl Miller has been removed from frontline duty, though it is not known exactly when this occurred. The timeline of his two incidents show that he was not taken off frontline duty after the Clarke killing,
however, even though a coroner’s inquest into that matter had not yet taken place. Mr Gaskins said it is not for his department to decide whether an officer in such circumstances should be allowed on frontline duty before an inquest has exculpated him. “We cannot take any administrative actions,” he said. “That would be for the commissioner or the police commission, whomever, to say what their
OWNER: Clayton Smith
workings are but it would not be for any outside body to take administrative action like that.” Former State Minister for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez, nonetheless, questioned why an officer would not be taken off active duty immediately after a fatal shooting. “One would hope there would be both a coroner’s inquest and an internal inquiry by the police having regard to the seriousness of a loss of
CAPTAIN: Roderick Watson
4C’s owner and captain given bail from page one Smith, 45, must report to the George Town, Exuma police station every Wednesday before 6pm, while Watson, 36, must report to the Carmichael police station in New Providence every Wednesday by 6pm. The pair’s voluntary bills of indictment (VBIs), the bundles of documents that outlines the Crown’s cases against them, will be served on them both on December 12. Yesterday’s bail hearing came a day after both men were formally charged before Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain on one count each of manslaughter by negligence and nine other counts of causing
negligent harm concerning the deadly explosion. It is alleged the pair’s negligence caused the death of Tennessee native Maleka Johnson, and also negligently caused harm to her husband of 15 years, Tiran Jackson, who had to have one of his legs amputated. Similarly, the pair were accused of negligently causing harm to 22-yearold Vermont-native Stephanie Schaffer, who had to have both of her legs amputated after the incident. Smith and Watson are further alleged to have caused negligent harm to Stephanie Schaffer’s sister Brooke Schaffer, her mother Stacey Bender, and Paul Bender, her mother’s husband. Smith and Watson are also alleged
to have negligently caused harm to John Inman, Sheila Jones, Haiden Jones, and Kyle Ackerman. According to initial reports, shortly after 9am, a 40-foot chartered tour boat was travelling in waters just off Barraterre, Exuma, with 10 tourists and two Bahamians on board, when an engine exploded, causing the boat to catch fire. The 10 people on board the vessel were consequently injured and taken to the mini-hospital in George Town. One of those injured, Mrs Jackson, died of her injuries, while several others were airlifted for further medical treatment. Neither man was required to enter a plea to the charges.
MAN DROVE TO HOSPITAL WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama police are investigating a shooting in Freeport on Tuesday that left a man in hospital with multiple gunshot wounds. According to police, officers received reports of gunshots at a business in the International Bazaar shortly before 9pm. ASP Terecita Pinder said that further inquiries led officers to the Rand Memorial Hospital where a
male with gunshot wounds about the body was being attended to by doctors. A further investigation revealed the victim was in his vehicle when someone shot him. ASP Pinder said the injured man was able to drive himself to the hospital to seek medical attention. Although police have not released the man’s identity, the victim is believed to Omar Penn aka “Punch” of Grand Bahama. Police are investigating the matter and are appealing to anyone with
information concerning the incident to contact the Central Detective Unit
at 350-3107 through 12, 911/919 or call the nearest police station.
life before the person is allowed back in the same role,” he said. “Most people would do that. This speaks to negligence on the part of his supervisors.” Among other things, Mr Gomez said fatal shootings by police raises questions about an officer’s state of mind, hence the need for thorough investigations before they are allowed back on frontline duty. The Coroner’s Court does
not determine criminal, civil or disciplinary liability; it ascertains facts surrounding a person’s death. A finding of unlawful killing does not automatically lead to criminal charges. The Department of Public Prosecutions can decide not to press charges, though families can launch judicial review proceedings into such decisions, according to Mr Gomez. There have been nine police-involved killings in 2018.
PAGE 4, Thursday, November 1, 2018
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Why the midterms are looking good for women THE midterm elections are widely expected to usher in this century’s “year of the woman” – an explosion of women entering government. Massachusetts will likely elect its first black woman to Congress, Arizona is poised to send its first woman to the US Senate, and fully 50 percent of Democratic congressional nominees this year are women. But California – a policy trendsetter that in 1993 became the first state to be represented simultaneously by two women in the U.S. Senate – won’t be making history this year when it comes to women. All of California’s 53 House seats are on the ballot, and a record 57 women entered the primaries. But the Golden State’s midterm election contests skew very male. Since none of the 39 Democratic representatives are facing a serious challenge, Democrats hoping to take back the House of Representatives are targeting California’s 14 Republican-held congressional districts – particularly the seven that favored Hillary Clinton over Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election. Of 10 total battleground districts in California, only three Democratic challengers are women. I’ve been covering congressional races since 2004, first as a national political journalist in Washington and most recently leading California coverage at the Los Angeles Times. Now, as director of the Annenberg Media Center at the University of Southern California, I help journalism students tell stories about the midterms. There’s not much to share with these up-and-coming reporters about California’s role in 2018’s year of the woman: Nearly all the female newcomers in Washington next year will win office in other states. Women represent roughly half of the country but make up just 20 percent in Congress. More female lawmakers would better align the US government with the nation’s demographics. And, research suggests, it might just lead to more compromise and better policy. In the absolute best-case scenario for Democrats – one in which all its female challengers defeat Republican incumbents – three new women from California could be headed to Congress in January. Gaining three women would simply bring California’s Democratic delegation up to 19 total women in Congress – the same number it had back in 2016. That year, several female lawmakers – including some who won office in 1992, the original “year of the woman” – retired. But it would leave California Republicans without women in Congress because a Democratic sweep would mean the defeat of Mimi Walters, the state’s only female GOP representative. Her Democratic challenger for the
Orange County-based 45th District, law professor Katie Porter, has a 64.4 percent chance of winning, according to the FiveThirtyEight rankings. Female democrats are running against male Republicans in only two battleground districts. First-time candidate Katie Hill is running in the 25th District, which includes parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. She has a better chance of winning than other female challengers. Thirty-one-year-old Hill, a millennial with a rock-climbing hobby, is challenging Rep. Steve Knight, the last elected Republican in Los Angeles County. She has a 71.8 percent chance of ousting Knight, according to the analysts at FiveThirtyEight. In the final days of the campaign, California Democrats are putting some minimal effort into Audrey Denney’s attempt to unseat Rep. Doug LaMalfa in a far northern California congressional district that favored Trump by nearly 20 points. In California’s two most competitive midterm races, the Democratic hopeful is male and the Republican candidate is female. Republican Darrell Issa, who represents northern San Diego and parts of Orange County in the 49th Congressional District, barely managed to get re-elected for a ninth term in 2016. He won by less than 1 percent, the slimmest margin of any race in the country that year. Now that Issa is retiring, the 49th represents the Democrats’ most promising opportunity to capture a California seat from Republicans. To do so, Democrat Mike Levin – the favored candidate – must defeat Diane Harkey, the Republican chairwoman of the state Board of Equalization. Her campaign has struggled in recent weeks. That’s good for Democrats but not for California raising its female representation in Congress. California’s other competitive congressional races feature two male candidates. Its next governor will also be a man – either Republican John Cox or Democrat Gavin Newsom. A woman has never run California. It has, however, had two female senators for decades. This year Sen. Dianne Feinstein will almost certainly be reelected, rejoining Sen. Kamala Harris. Anyone lamenting California’s underwhelming pink wave in 2018 can take solace in another fact, too: Nancy Pelosi, the longtime representative from San Francisco, is likely to remain the highest-ranking Democrat in Washington. The only question is whether her title will be minority leader or a title she held once before: speaker of the House. By Christina Bellantoni, University of Southern California. This article first appeared on The Conversation
We must displace hatred with love and pray for a safer tomorrow EDITOR, The Tribune WE ARE still shaken and deeply saddened from the appalling massacre in the Etz Chayim - Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA this past Saturday. We mourn the loss of the lives that were cut short and pray for a full recovery for the injured. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and may God bring them strength and comfort to bear their grief and pain. This tragedy has touched a chord in the hearts of all people regardless of religion and backgrounds as was evident by the moving amount of emails, calls of support and condolences that was sent to myself and my community. No words can describe the horror and evil that occurred. Jews who gathered to pray and celebrate the Sabbath were killed for no reason other than the fact that they were Jewish. Our hearts are broken and
our spirit is shattered. Yet, it is how we respond to such horrific moments that define who we are as people. The city of Pittsburgh needs our prayers and good deeds more than ever. Let us say a prayer in memory of those murdered, let us hug our loved ones a little tighter, reach out a little more to those in need and let us commit ourselves to speak out against hate and intolerance. Every act of violence should be a catalyst to promote even greater peace and understanding between human beings. Every act of darkness should inspire us to increase with even more acts of light, goodness and kindness. Let us displace hatred with love, darkness with light, divisiveness with unity. With prayers for a more peaceful and safer tomorrow. RABBI SHOLOM BLUMING Nassau Jewish community Nassau October 28, 2018
Exuma Park: We deserve full disclosure EDITOR, The Tribune
WITH great interest I read the October 30, letter regarding the apparent lack of transparency with the Exuma Park deal the Bahamas National Trust cut with Albany. I was travelling and missed the original story in September and the Trust’s “lacklustre” reply on October 11. I was employed by The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) for 25 years. I joined as its Education Officer, and was then first promoted to Director of Education and then to Deputy Director. During the latter years of my tenure, I served as lead in the BNT’s firstever Strategic Planning Session and authored its first Five-Year Strategic Plan. I am also a BNT life member. I state these things only for disclosure and to give a back-drop to my perspective. I certainly commend the Exuma Citizen for writing and I support his/her remarks and concerns. Moreso, I question the basic wisdom of this type of corporate partnership. For certain, corporate partnerships in conservation are hugely important and employed globally with great success. But most of these partnerships are project-specific. After a full and lengthy disclosure and demonstration of ability and commitment, a stated amount of money comes in for a clear list of deliverables. The reporting mechanisms to monitor the application of funds is rigidly structured. Accountability is integral and not
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net negotiable. It certainly appears as if the BNT’s deal with Albany is not project-specific. And, in the absence of real information from the BNT and the lack of public disclosure in advance of the announcement of the partnership, one can reasonably question if there was a process at all. If that’s true, it’s terribly unfortunate. The Exuma Citizen was spot on when he/she called the Exuma Park special. In fact, just a few days ago, the Marine Conservation Institute announced its 2018 Global Ocean Refuge Awards. The Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park earned the coveted awards’ Platinum status, a true testament to the extraordinary marine conservation achievements which are taking place in this, our oldest Bahamas national park. It is a place of unmatched beauty and unrivaled in its role of replenishing the neighbouring seas with priceless marine resource of intrinsic and commercial value. The BNT’s October 11 article made mention of $10 million needed to fund our national parks. I do not know where that number comes from. The Exuma Citizen spoke of $300,000 per year for the Exuma Park. I do not know where that number comes from either. I do know that parks in The Bahamas, and for that matter, around the world, are
chronically underfunded. With national economies the world over in their current fragile states, private fund-raising becomes more and more challenging and more competitive. As it does, the need to develop creative financing mechanisms becomes more acute. But need and creativeness do not entitle any organization to carte blanche with the process. Transparency is imperative. The Exuma Citizen’s concluding sentence rings with irony (intended or otherwise). He/she wrote “the BNT receives $1.5 million in funding from the government; they owe transparency to the Bahamian people.” A tax-payer (i.e. source of money) feels real stake in the game and wants a say. That exactly is the rub. How will the BNT handle Albany when they demand a say in conservation matters in the Exuma Park? Or demand additional development rights? The BNT’s model - mandate, actually - is National Parks are open to all people. I do not believe this corporate partner’s model is similarly based. I would suggest the BNT to put a hold on this partnership with Albany. At the very least, BNT members and tax-paying Bahamians deserve full disclosure. Further, if a transparent process was not detailed in advance and/or followed, the organisation should admit their misstep and take aggressive steps to correct the situation. SUSAN HOLOWESKO LARSON Nassau October 31, 2018
The police station on Potter’s Cay is a failure EDITOR, The Tribune PLEASE allow me space in your column to pose the following public question to the Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, whose organization maintains a manned facility and (one presumes) constant, visible patrols on a minuscule causeway/peninsula under a high traffic bridge with single, easily controlled entry and exit points to an adjacent one-way street: -
Dear Commissioner How exactly does a person get robbed on Potter’s Cay (as reported in The Tribune of the 30th October, 2018)? Awaiting your timely response. ANDREW ALLEN Nassau October 30, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 1, 2018, PAGE 5
PHA BLASTS NURSES UNION ON SHIFT DEAL SIGNING from page one
She said the union always believed that for the change to take effect, the PHA needed to send a formal letter to the BNU kickstarting a process that would have reopened the industrial agreement to negotiation, a process she said was never carried out. The PHA hit back in a statement yesterday. It said: “The
Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) acknowledges with extreme interest the Bahamas Nurses Union’s position through its former president relative to the specific agreement entered into with the PHA on the 9th of December, 2014. “We find it reprehensible that the BNU would publicly declare that it knowingly came to the negotiation table with the expressed intent to deceive the PHA, and by extension
the government of the Bahamas by executing a document that in their opinion would be unenforceable. This outright admittance by the BNU clearly indicates a lack of good faith in negotiation. The PHA sincerely hopes that this was a case of miscommunication. “The PHA stands on its original position that our proposed implementation of the standardised shift system is supported by and is in compliance with The
Employment Act of 2001, the specific agreement dated December 9th, 2014 and the industrial agreements between the PHA and the BNU covering the periods of July 1, 2010 to November 15, 2015 and November 16, 2015 to November 15, 2020. “We further contend that we do not rely on these agreements in combination but that each document stands on their own, giving rise to our authority to amend our shift system as well as our roster
schedules. These rights are clearly spelt out in the 2010 industrial agreement and more specifically, in Article 5 of the 2015 industrial agreement. “Further in consideration to our nurses and the BNU, we sought their concurrence regarding the value of the compensation; the period of the work week, as well as the minimum break period between shifts, to which the BNU agreed.”
It’s not about the money, say nurses By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Nurses Union President Amancha Williams stressed yesterday that her members’ fight against a new shift system was rooted in the protection of their livelihood as scores of nurses marched on the Ministry of Health. The demonstration began at the General Post Office building shortly after 9.30am yesterday and followed a Tuesday meeting with PHA officials, which Mrs Williams described as positive. “We all decided to come together and just show the country that we have the best interest,” Ms Williams told ZNS, “the nurses, we have the best interest of the country. “It’s not about money, the shift change that we want to change or are non compliant to is not conducive for the nurse. We have reviewed the shift change and the shift change is not just about $1.75.” Under the new shift, nursers working between 6pm and 6am will receive a $1.75 per hour premium in addition to their standard hourly pay. Mrs Williams continued: “It’s more than that, it’s our livelihood being taken away from us. It is the security of our families being taken away from us. In order for us to function as a nurse, we need time for the mind to become rejuvenated.
THE BAHAMAS Nurses Union protesting outside the Princess Margaret Hospital on Monday. Photo: Terrel W. Carey Sr/Tribune Staff “We need this body to be relaxed so we must follow the rules and regulations of taking care of a patient and administering drugs. We must be, first, alert.” She added: “It’s also about living up to what the law says and we need to stop playing games with the people.” The PHA announced last week that the four days on/four days off shift will change to a five days on/two days off shift in over a month. The two sides dispute what impact the change will have on the well-being of nurses; and also its legality given that a 2014 agreement on the shift change between the BNU and PHA was not adopted in its 2015 industrial agreement. While it’s not clear what
impact 12-hour shifts have on nurses’ health, one study by academics at the University of Southampton concluded that such shifts “may lead to reduced nurses’ well-being and healthcare systems’ loss of productivity.” Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands maintained he would not interfere with ongoing negotiations so long as they were conducted fairly and in good faith. Dr Sands told reporters yesterday he had “no beef” with public nurses, noting his ministerial responsibility over both the BNU and the PHA. He suggested the outspoken nature of both doctors and nurses in recent weeks could be linked to perceived freedom from victimisation.
CLICO POLICYHOLDERS WANT MORE INFORMATION FROM GOVT
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net BISHOP Simeon Hall called for the government to be more open with CLICO (Bahamas) policyholders after more than 100 people turned up to a town hall meeting hosted by his church. Bishop Hall, a former annuity holder, maintained his position that the government holds a special obligation to the insolvent insurer’s clients due to regulatory negligence. He said chief among concerns raised at the forum on Tuesday night was the lack of communication and access to information from both CLICO and the government. “Part of the deal,” he said, “as I understand it, is that some other insurance company is acquiring CLICO and will cause persons who have health insurance and the like can be covered. “But if they (medical policyholders) lose their insurance at 70 years old, who will insure you? That’s the dilemma some people find themselves in.” Bishop Hall said: “I’m hoping some amicable conclusion could be made for these people. The government is trying to look at this and get involved in it, but the government must also be responsible for this in
BISHOP SIMEON HALL some way, in how this thing went wrong. “I understand there are now measures to avoid this type of debacle but it should have never happened, and scores of persons are left waylaid by rugged capitalism, disadvantaged by rugged capitalism.” Back in 2016, former Prime Minister Perry Christie announced that the insolvent insurer’s executive flexible premium annuity (EFPA) holders, and surrendered pension policies, would receive a cash payment capped at $10,000. Anything owed above this sum was to be paid off via the issuance to former clients of seven-year promissory notes (government bonds), which will provide them with quarterly insurance payments at the prime rate (4.75 per cent). It was also indicated that surrendered insurance policies, death benefits, medical
claims and staff pensions would ultimately be paid in full. Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest confirmed last week the government will make another $10m payout to CLICO (Bahamas) clients before year-end. It will be the fourth payout since 2016. Bishop Hall had previously expressed hope the year-end payout would also include some 700 former medical insurance policyholders, whose coverage was cancelled by the liquidator due to the financial drain imposed on the company’s remaining assets, and others who had let their coverage lapse. However, sources told Tribune Business that they will not be included. “People are in a quagmire,” Bishop Hall said yesterday, “trying to finance this and the only positive note is we have on reliable sources that some monies will be paid out end of November, early December. “I’m very grateful that the Minnis government continues what Prime Minister Perry Christie initiated. Sometimes when government comes, new government’s change things but they continued it and people were very happy and hopeful something would be manifested by the end of the year.”
“I have to encourage dialogue,” Dr Sands said, “and certainly wherever there’s foul, as a referee of sorts, I would have to interfere. But failing that this will have to play out. So do not expect for the minister to interpose
himself into these negotiations, discussions, as long as they are proceeding in good faith. “Maybe this is a period where people feel released in order for them to speak their mind,” he continued, speaking
about recent protests from those in the public health system, “where they’re not concerned about victimisation and so they feel this is a reasonable opportunity because we will listen. “The beauty of democracy is sometimes it gets loud, sometimes it gets a little bit contentious but bear in mind people can feel that there is not going to be a situation where their attempt to advocate for their own rights would be met with anything other than consideration and hopefully some positive change.” He added: “How can we complain when they are staying within the confines of the rules? They are demonstrating their discontent and then they go back to work and take care of patients.” The new shift for nurses is set to take effect next month.
PAGE 6, Thursday, November 1, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Frenchman had forged licences By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A 36-YEAR-OLD Frenchman was ordered to pay $3,000 yesterday after admitting to being caught with three forged driver’s licences at the Lynden Pindling International Airport earlier this week. Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain sentenced Malan Doumbia for having the three fake driver’s licences in the names of Richard Hogue Jr, Richard Lee Jones, and Aby Abdou Baba. According to the facts read by the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Clifford Daxon, at 4.19pm on October 28, officers at the Airport Police Station
received information that a French national was detained by US Customs and Border Patrol agents at the pre-clearance area after being found with a number of credit cards and driver’s licences. The police officers proceeded to investigate the individual. When he was handed over to them by the border agents, he gave his name as Malan Doumbia. The officers subsequently searched his luggage and discovered 24 debit cards, 10 Visa gift cards, six Discover cards, three Master’s Card gift cards, and two HSBC Visa credit cards in the names of Richard Hogue Jr and Aby Baba and a credit card skimmer. Officers also discovered
$2,196.85 in Bahamian currency, which was seized as the suspected proceeds of criminal conduct. Numerous inquiries were conducted by US Customs and Border Protection of the licences, and it was revealed that the documents were not genuine. When he was interviewed by officers on the matter, Doumbia admitted to the offences in question. Doumbia pleaded guilty to the offences when they were read off yesterday. He indicated that his reason for being in the Bahamas was for vacation purposes, and that he was supposed to meet up with a friend, who ended up not being able to make it because of personal issues. He also indicated that
he had no plans to use the three licences in question. He added that it was all a mistake. Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Swain fined him $1,000 on each count of possession of forged documents, payable immediately, with a penalty of nine months imprisonment if he defaults. However, she said the $2,196.85 that was seized can be applied to the fine, leaving a balance of $803.15. The senior magistrate said upon paying the fine in its entirety, and/or serving time, Doumbia is to be turned over to immigration officials for deportation. The licences in question were ordered confiscated and destroyed.
HAITIAN WOMAN CAME FOR THREE WEEKS AND STAYED FOR TWO YEARS By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A 28-YEAR-OLD Haitian woman was fined $750 yesterday for turning what was supposed to be a three week visit into a two-year stay.
Yolaine Remy was granted a 21-day stay in The Bahamas by immigration officers on May 22, 2016, but was never granted an extension for her visit and ended up staying for two years and four months. The Anse-A-Foleur resident was caught in south
Bimini last Friday disembarking a Western Air flight from Nassau. She faces a six month custodial sentence if the fine is not paid. Another Haitian woman, Eliatha Pierre Louis, who was also caught disembarking that same Western Air flight, was fined $300 for illegally entering the Bahamas by boat in August. Failure to pay the fine would result in six months in prison. Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain recommended the two women be deported once the fines are paid in full, and/or their prison sentences served. Meanwhile, a Jamaican man, Marvin Patterson, was fined $1,500 for overstaying in the Bahamas, and lying about his name when officers questioned him about it.
According to the facts read off by the prosecutor Avia Beckford, an immigration officer, Patterson entered the country legally on July 17, 2017 and was granted a one week visit. He subsequently received an extension to August 20, 2017. On Monday, the 27 year old was taken to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre by police officers for processing by immigration officials. At that time, he told one of the officers that his name was Marvin Johnson. However, when his passport was taken to Department of Immigration headquarters, it was revealed that his name was in fact Marvin Steve Patterson. It was also revealed that no evidence of a further extension was given to him, and that he consequently overstayed for one year, two months and seven days. For his actions, Patterson was fined $750 on the charge of overstaying, and another $750 for giving false answer. He faces six months in prison if he defaults on the fines. Act Dep Chief Magistrate Swain ordered that he be turned over to immigration officials for deportation once the fines are paid and/or his sentences served.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 1, 2018, PAGE 7
MICHELLE BUTLER, centre, received the Prime Minister’s Cup during a National Youth Recognition awards ceremony in late October. She is pictured with Minister of Youth Lanisha Rolle, third from left, and Director of Culture Darron Turnquest, third from right, and other officials. Photos: Eric Rose/BIS
Michelle takes top spot in youth awards
By ERIC ROSE
2018 National Youth Month awardees
MICHELLE Butler received the Prime Minister’s Cup Award at the National Youth Awards ceremony recently held at Melia Resort. Ms Butler was a part of a field of more than 130 youth and stakeholder nominees vying for the top award. She also won the Youth in the Arts Award earlier in the evening. The awards were presented on October 24.
1. Prime Minister’s Cup – Michelle Butler 2. Minister’s Cup – Kai Jones 3. Director’s Cup – Raymond Mitchell 4. Environment Award – Jewel Thompson 5. Education – Jasmine Clarke 6. Youth Ally Award – Duquesa Dean 7. Entrepreneurship Award - Chris Barr 8. Youth in the Arts Award – Michelle Butler 9. Youth in Religion – Raymond Mitchell 10. Volunteerism – T’Sean Mott 11. Youth in Governance – Onasius Nottage 12. Youth in Sports – Kai Jones 13. Youth in Leadership – Vashti Thompson 14. Youth Organisation Award – Teen Life Skills Services 15. Personal Triumph – Anthia Knowles
RECIPIENTS of the 2018 National Youth Month awards are pictured, right, with Minister of Youth Lanisha Rolle, seated centre, and Director of Youth Darron Turnquest, fourth from left, and other officials.
Rising Star Awards 1. Education – Tysha Johnson 2. Arts in Culture – David Cox 3. Community Volunteerism – Matthew Thompson
THEY SHOULD HAVE STARTED THE VAT AT 15% AS PLANNED THERE was lively debate on tribune242. com yesterday after Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said that the deficit had declined 50 percent in the first quarter and revenue had increased – while PLP Deputy Leader Chester Cooper said value added tax collections for the quarter are “significantly below budget”. Bonefishpete said: “So they should of started the VAT at 15% as planned. Just blame Christie for caving in. Problem solved.” Watcher asked: “Anyone
still remember the original reason for VAT? You know, to pay down the debt. “Not only has all the VAT revenue been wasted by both governments, but they also need to increase
the rate to pay for . . . errrrrr . . . anything but the debt.” That prompted this reaction from John: “The original reason for VAT was tax reform where customs duties and stamp taxes would be replaced by VAT in preparation for membership in the World Trade Organisation. The WTO considers customs duties barriers to trade. But rather than eliminate customs duties or gradually reduce them as VAT was introduced, government kept both taxes running simultaneously.
So imagine when customs duties are totally eliminated. VAT may have to go to 25% for government to realise the current level of revenue. Especially if they do not grow the economy.” Proudloudandfnm said: “So the entire country is falling apart but VAT collections are up. We are a dumb country . . .” This week also saw former nurses union president Jannah Khalfani claim the 2014 shift change agreement is null and void. Socrates had this to say: “Gov’t always has a ‘consultant’ at the table
when negotiating with the union, so how could this happen? Why does gov’t agree work rules for shift workers as though they are 9 to 5ers? There is a reason they call them shift workers and that in itself suggests their conditions of service will be different from most folks. The level of incompetence and dysfunction on display in everything touched by gov’t is so shocking.” Sickened said: “Unions are simply too difficult to work with and they do not negotiate in good faith. They now need to be outlawed!”
There was this from Sheeprunner12: “Thats the Bahamian way . . . trying to outsmart each other and all end up in the gutter.” And TheMadHatter asked: “No sympathy for nurses on here? Our fellow Bahamian workers? No wonder foreigners taking over. We fight each other and bring each other down, so they don’t have to. By the way, where that VAT money gone? Still missing.”
• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
PAGE 8, Thursday, November 1, 2018
L
ONG before someone decided to make life easier, there were a lot of everyday things you could to that were actually easier to do. Remember the days that you used a large impressive key to open a hotel room door? There was something classy about that. You felt you had arrived and taken possession, even if just for a day or two. Nowadays, they give you a piece of plastic that has all your personal information embedded somewhere inside it. And if it doesn’t work - which a lot of times it doesn’t - you have to take it back down to the front desk and ask them for a new one and now there are two pieces of plastic with all your information on them and the front desk is reminding you to turn it in upon departure and security folks have warned you to destroy it before you go. So, you are torn between orders from two credible sources. Should you turn in the plastic key card to make the person behind the desk appreciate that you are law-abiding and risk a sick-minded night worker getting all your personal info and setting his sights on your pathetic bank account, if not your front door since presumably you live far enough away to justify staying in his crummy hotel anyway? By now you are harbouring dislike for the whole system. You never felt those emotions when you had a plain ordinary old-fashioned key, did you? Admit it. Have you tried to go to the bathroom in an airport in the last decade? In the old days, if you were female, you would prep the seat with a protective paper sleeve, sit, go, and flush upon completion. Seemed pretty simple. But someone decided they had to improve upon perfection so they arranged for a toilet to flush every time you got the paper sleeve situated just so and were about to go. Baloooooosh. The first time I ever heard it scared me half to death. Thought something had invaded the seat underneath me and was about to blow up the place with me with my underwear down which I could not remember at the moment were new or not. Did not even have to go to the bathroom anymore. Maybe the idea of an unseen device automatically flushing for you was to protect us
THE TRIBUNE
So whose idea was it anyway? THERE’S too much plastic at today’s hotels. against that one in a thousand people who, so happy to have relieved themselves, forgets to flush so joe-anonymous happily does it for them. Over and over and over again. Then there is the infamous check-in kiosk to add to your convenience at the airport. Well, they say it is for your convenience but, truth be told, it was pretty convenient before when you walked in, smiled at someone you knew or didn’t know but thought you might know, and walked straight up to the counter where someone you did not know was incredibly polite and said: “Where are you travelling to today?” and proceeded to do all the work. Now, for your convenience you get to do all the work. With two arms and 10 fingers, assuming all are still attached, and a light suitcase and a personal item which includes your laptop, two cellphones, three chargers, your wallet, brush, pens, pad, passport and who-knows-what in your attempt to travel light and not struggle with another piece of luggage, you come to the kiosk.
W
RESTLING with your light suitcase and trying rest your overstuffed personal item pocketbook on top without spilling anything so you can get your passport and submit it to the scanner while holding on to said piece of luggage and bag which has a mind of its own and wants to tip over as you are submitting your passport to the scanner and trying to answer the questions on the screen correctly while watching the antics of your light luggage, you manage to check in and heave a sigh of relief. OK, you passed the kiosk course and now for your convenience there is the little matter of getting through the security line when you stupidly forgot that you had to take off your shoes and you wore boots. The kind that zip up. OK, now you have your luggage and your personal item with electronics that would fill a display case
in Best Buy and there is a baby stroller in front of you and a guy who looks like a football team behind you and you have to de-shoe. All because on December 22, 2001, a would-be terrorist on a flight from Paris to Miami packed his shoes with explosives and, from then on, millions of passengers have had to de-shoe before travelling. What about all those people who smuggle drugs into countries by hiding them in private parts? What if they decided that was a security risk and we all had to bare our private parts to clear security? Though come to think of it, maybe that is what the vertical scanner does. While we are on the subject of things that are more convenient or better for us remember the car radio dial? One knob went up and down for stations, another for volume. If you had a more sophisticated version, you could adjust for a little more bass or treble by turning the finer ring on the back of the volume or station knob. Later, you were able to make the ultimate choice – AM or FM before AM was relegated to a single role as ‘time of day’. Get in a new car or rental car today and by the time you figure out the e-version of the plethora of offerings on a radio display, you wish you had paid more attention to statistics at school or something that would have prepared your brain for such challenges and chances are if you own the car you will be trading it in before you fully get to know the possible offerings of the radio. Not every new-fangled fragment of our lives seems to make sense. Hot air hand dryers in bathrooms save trees but burn electricity which runs on fossil fuels. There are a thousand other things that make us feel as though we are moving backwards instead of looking forward but you’ve got to admit when you want a cold one, there is nothing like a pop top. And not one of us is likely to rue the day when we first learned the miracle of e-mail. Like it or not, we are not going back to rotary radio dials and pre-kiosk check-ins. But maybe one day the big hotel room key will make a welcome comeback.
MODERN car radios are far too confusing.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 1, 2018, PAGE 9
CHARGÉ d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers with students representing Eleuthera that attended the EducationUSA College Fair in October.
HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS FLOCK TO US COLLEGE FAIR THE United States Embassy recently sponsored the 4th annual EducationUSA College Fair at the Melia Nassau Beach Resort. This year’s fair included representatives from more than 40 US colleges and universities. The one-day event attracted more than 1,800 students from Nassau and the Family Islands along with their parents eager to learn about higher education opportunities available in the US. The embassy also held informative presentations providing step-by-step instructions about the student visa application process. Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers was pleased to host her first college fair in Nassau. She also hosted a networking event for the
visiting college representatives and key education contacts from The Bahamas at Liberty Overlook prior to the college fair. In reaction to her first EducationUSA College Fair, Ms Bowers stated: “The US Embassy is pleased that over 1,800 Bahamian high school students took full advantage of the opportunities and information our college fair offered to the public at no cost. “Both of our countries prioritise education because we understand that it undergirds increased prosperity. Access to US higher education can also strengthen the ties between our two countries by creating opportunities for the future political, civil society, and educational leaders of The Bahamas with whom
we will continue partnering to promote a free and prosperous world. “Last year we saw an 11 percent increase in the number of Bahamians studying at US colleges and universities over the prior year. We have no doubt that our EducationUSA college fairs will facilitate further increases in years to come.” The event took place on Saturday, October 20. EducationUSA is a US Department of State network of over 400 international student-advising centres in more than 180 countries. The network promotes US higher education to students around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, and current information about opportunities to study at accredited post-secondary institutions in the United States. A
CHARGÉ d’Affaires Stephanie Bowers greets two of US Embassy Nassau’s Youth Ambassadors, Durran Thompson and Darnell Coicous at the EducationUSA College Fair. US degree can be the key to a successful career and open new doors for prosperity and understanding. Prospective students can choose from more than 4,700 accredited colleges
and universities to pursue a wide range of study options in a variety of academic settings – public or private, small or large, urban or rural. For more information
about EducationUSA and other US Embassy initiatives visit US Embassy Nassau’s Facebook - https:// www.facebook.com/USEmbassyNassau/ or https:// bs.usembassy.gov
Creative outlet for gallery as it is chosen for Miami summit By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net THE National Art Gallery of The Bahamas has been asked to be a streaming site for the 2018 Creative Time Summit being held in Miami, Florida. The event begins today and runs until November 3. This is the first time the country has been asked to participate in the summit which is considered to be one of the most important of its kind each year. Creative Time is an annual convening for thinkers, dreamers, and doers working at the intersection of art and politics. Functioning as a roving platform, the summit brings together artists, activists, and other thought leaders engaging with today’s most pressing issues. Presenting a critical range of perspectives, the summit provides strategies for social change in local and global contexts. Katrina Cartwright, NAGB education officer, and Holly Bynoe, the gallery’s chief curator, recently sat down with The
Tribune to discuss the role NAGB will play in this year’s event. “This is the first time that we have been invited and really considering the scope of the event, it is a pretty big deal for us,” Ms Bynoe explained. “It shows that we are indeed doing something right as an institution to be recognised.” Ms Cartwright added that there is a special significance that this year’s event will be held in Florida given the close historic ties the Bahamas has to the state, from post-slavery days to the days of migrant workers from this country working there in the 1930s and of course the connection to South Florida Bahamians enjoy to this day. NAGB will livestream a session from the summit each day and has also organised a series of local events to coordinate with that content. Over 80 speakers will engage with themes including immigration and borders, climate realities, notions of intersectional justice, gentrification, tourism as an enabler for
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neocolonialism, and the roles art and activism can play in all these pressing issues. This year’s speakers include Haitian-American author and MacArthur “Genius” Edwidge Danticat, philosopher Timothy Morton, writer Vijay Prashad, artist Zach Blas, curator Elvis Fuentes and Cuban-born artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons. At the gallery, events will begin today with extended hours to view the new
showing of Lavar Munroe’s exhibition “Return the Magic of Flight” and Jonathan Bethel’s exhibition “Elemental”. The gallery will also show “Get Out” – the Jordan Peele horror film which won the Academy Award award for best original screen play. “This movie tackles so many of themes that we expect to come out during the summit so we are sure it will lead to great discussion,” Ms Cartwright
explained. In between summit screenings on Friday, there will be local presentations by Joey Gaskins on intersectional justice, Dr Adelle Thomas on climate change and Dr Naombi Hall-Campbell Dean on reparations and social justice. And to end the three day event, there will be a photo walk and history talk around the Over-theHill communities, with a guided tour by Christopher Davis, lead historian at the
Pompey Museum. Artists and academics Angelika Wallace-Whitfield, Melissa Alcena, Jodi Minnis, Dr Ian Bethell-Bennett and Eric Rose will also be on hand during the tour. Each of the events are free to the public and there will be opportunities to purchase refreshments throughout each day. For more information and to see a detailed list of speakers and topics, please visit www.nagb.org.bs.
PAGE 10, Thursday, November 1, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Long-serving public servants to be honoured at luncheon By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MORE than 30 long serving public servants who have retired on Grand Bahama will be recognised during Public Service Week. The retirees - 33 in total - have completed some 25 years of service in various
public agencies, including law enforcement. Laurie Bullard, chairman of the northern region’s public service celebrations committee, said the Ministry of Public Service and National Insurance is hosting the event, which kicks off on Sunday, with a service of thanksgiving at Jubilee Cathedral. A week of activities have
been planned through November 10. The highlight will be an appreciation luncheon on Friday, November 9, at the Grand Lucayan resort. Minister of Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle is expected to attend and deliver the keynote address. Ms Bullard said that as part of Public Service
Week, public servants of various departments, along with the honourees, will host the show Morning Devotion on ZNS Radio at 6am from the entire week. Ms Bullard said every year, the committee recognises retirees to show their appreciation for their years of service. She said that Sherril Mae
Wildgoose-Darville, a senior clerk at the Freeport Post Office, is the longest serving public servant with over 40 years of service in Grand Bahama. Some of the other retirees to be honoured are: Arleen Sands; Helena Seymour-Hinds; Clayton Pratt; Ginger Swain; Melinda Farrington; Vanria Dixon; Supt David Deveaux;
SCHOOLS GIVEN A LOOK INSIDE EFFORTS TO CONSERVE MARINE LIFE By RIEL MAJOR
THE Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and Norwegian Cruise Line hosted a presentation recently on ocean conservation for four local schools at the Bahamas National Trust Retreat. Students from Mt Carmel, Trinity Christian, Xavier’s Lower School, and Temple Christian all watched and participated in an interactive presentation last week. The presentation was led by Jessica Harvey who introduced five informative videos about tiger sharks, the Nassau grouper, parrot fish, lion fish, and other marine life. Students were able to ask questions about the marine life in the video and were tested on facts stated in the video. The Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation conducts scientific research and hosts
educational programmes aimed at conserving the marine environment. Guy Harvey, chairman, said: “We are here in Nassau to give presentations to schools which is a part of our port course and while we’re on board we give presentations to all the guests and the crew as well about issues facing different marine animals, but more importantly marine conservation generally. “Norwegian Cruise Line, being one of the largest cruise ship companies in the world, sails its ship through the Caribbean so all of the rescue issues that affect the Caribbean kind of affect their business too so it is really good that they have become so actively involved carrying out their message of conservation and thanks to Norwegian for that and also to The Bahamas National Trust for hosting us here today.” Eric Carey, executive
director of Bahamas National Trust, said: “We do all of this science and we talk about conversation but you really have to bring it down to the level of young people and that is what we try to do with our discovery clubs, instil at a very early age that the principles of conservation and we are not trying to create all treehuggers and all scientists, but what we want is that they will have an understanding of the importance of the environment. “What Guy and his team were focusing on today was looking at sharks, you know The Bahamas is now legendary as the first country in the Caribbean to declare a shark sanctuary, but we also talked about the Nassau grouper which are obviously very important. So the objective of conservation is to ensure that Bahamians can always have Nassau grouper for boil fish.”
SHARKS swimming in The Bahamas.
Supt Wendall Deveaux; Sergeant Julian Wilson, Sergeant Cleveland Dames, Sergeant Darron Mortimer and Sergeant Dennis Ferguson. Custom officers Gurney Armstrong; Charles Bosfield; and immigration officer Antoinette Carter-Gibson will also be honoured, along with others.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 1, 2018, PAGE 11
GIRLS READY TO RUN THE WORLD
GIRL Con founder, Senate President Kay Forbes Smith (centre), and other committee members along with sponsors announced plans for Girl Con 2018 on Tuesday at the Keen I Media studios in Freeport. Photo: Courtesy of Keen I Media. By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net AFTER a very successful conference for high school girls last year, Girl Con 2018 is hosting its second event for some 300 participants at the Regency Theatre in Freeport on November 20. Senate president and businesswoman Kay Forbes Smith, founder of Girl Con, said this year they are focusing on the issue of gender equality for women, which is one of the 17 United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to end all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere. Under this year’s theme, ‘I am, I can, I will,’ the conference’s mission is
to inspire, motivate and empower girls who are in their senior year of high school as they prepare for their transition as young women in the real world. Mrs Smith said that Girl Con has moved from being just an annual event to now a non-profit organisation that aims to ensure girls in The Bahamas have every opportunity to succeed and overcome challenges that confront them. “There are too many instances of abuse, exploitation, and violence against women and girls,” she said. Referring to United Nations statistics, Mrs Smith said that it is estimated that 12 million girls under age 18 will get married and two million girls under age 15 will become
pregnant in developing regions. “As a result of this, Girl Con has made a commitment to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals as part of our core mission. Those goals prioritise the fight against many adversities that affect the rights of women, such as access to education, training, and even entry into the workplace,” she said. Expressing concerns about the prevalence of bullying in schools and incest in some homes, Mrs Smith noted that many girls feel hopeless when they should feel hopeful. She said: “When we recognise what is going on globally we also recognise what is going on in The Bahamas. Of the 17 SDGs,
we have put specific focus on the achievement of true gender equality.” The Girl Con committee is comprised of women who are committed to mentoring girls on Grand Bahama, and their plans are to expand it to the Family Islands. This year, a group from Abaco will be attending the conference. The panelists are: Bahamian entertainer Angelique Sabrina; writer, motivational speaker, event planner and television personality Kerel Pinder; Italia Williams of Eye Candy and Gennett Martin-Isaacs. Mrs Smith said the panelists are all women who are successful and have made significant contributions to the development of the country.
There will be an essay competition on this year’s theme. The winner will receive $1,000 while $750 and $500 goes to the second and third place finishers, respectively. The top three winners and a chaperone will also travel to New York with the Girl Con committee to attend the UN Commission on the Status of Women. “We want our young women to be exposed to global issues, to come and hear what is going on and to hear what women are doing in their respective countries, and the programmes that are in place to caters to girls,” she said. After the conference, Mrs Smith said that Girl Con expects to continue to host mentoring programmes throughout the year.
Yvonne Ward, district superintendent at the Ministry of Education, said that many girls will benefit from the conference which promotes female empowerment. “I am very pleased to be a part of this committee because it is about professional women coming together to help mentor our young girls who are in their senior year of high school,” she said. “We want to encourage girls to educate themselves about gender equality and discrimination against women and other issues. We want the participants to know that we are here for them and so they can talk to us about their issues so we can help them overcome them,” said Mrs Ward.
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THE TRIBUNE
DEAD SEA SCROLLS - A PRICELESS LINK TO THE BIBLE’S PAST, WHEN THEY ARE REAL A CONSERVATOR works with a portion of the Dead Sea Scrolls containing Psalm 145 at The Franklin Institute, in Philadelphia, and, below, the ancient Khirbet Qumran ruins, below which are the caves in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
By DANIEL FALK THE Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, has removed five Dead Sea Scrolls from exhibits after tests confirmed these fragments were not from ancient biblical scrolls but forgeries. Over the last decade, the Green family, owners of the craft-supply chain Hobby Lobby, has paid millions of dollars for fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls to be the crown jewels in the museum’s exhibition showcasing the history and heritage of the Bible. Why would the Green family spend so much on small scraps of parchment? Dead Sea Scrolls’ discovery From the first accidental discovery, the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls is a dramatic one. In 1947, Bedouin men herding goats in the hills to the west of the Dead Sea entered a cave near Wadi
Qumran in the West Bank and stumbled on clay jars filled with leather scrolls. Ten more caves were discovered over the next decade that contained tens of thousands of fragments
belonging to over 900 scrolls. Most of the finds were made by the Bedouin. Some of these scrolls were later acquired by the Jordanian Department of Antiquities through
complicated transactions and a few by the state of Israel. The bulk of the scrolls came under the control of the Israel Antiquities Authority in 1967. Included among the scrolls are the oldest copies of books in the Hebrew Bible and many other ancient Jewish writings: prayers, commentaries, religious laws, magical and mystical texts. They have shed much new light on the origins of the Bible, Judaism and even Christianity. The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest known manuscripts of the Hebrew Bible dated to the 10th century A.D. The Dead Sea Scrolls include over 225 copies of biblical books that date up to 1,200 years earlier. These range from small fragments to a complete scroll of the prophet Isaiah,
and every book of the Hebrew Bible except Esther and Nehemiah. They show that the books of the Jewish Bible were known and treated as sacred writings before the time of Jesus, with essentially the same content. On the other hand, there was no “Bible” as such but a loose assortment of writings sacred to various Jews including numerous books not in the modern Jewish Bible. Moreover, the Dead Sea Scrolls show that in the first century BC there were different versions of books that became part of the Hebrew canon, especially Exodus, Samuel, Jeremiah, Psalms and Daniel. This evidence has helped scholars understand how the Bible came to be, but it neither proves nor disproves its religious message. Judaism and Christianity The Dead Sea Scrolls are unique in representing a sort of library of a particular Jewish group that lived at Qumran in the first century B.C. to about 68 A.D. They probably belonged to the Essenes, a strict Jewish movement described by several writers from the first century A.D. The scrolls provide a rich trove of Jewish religious texts previously unknown. Some of these were written by Essenes and give insights into their views, as well as their conflict with other Jews including the Pharisees. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain nothing about Jesus or the early Christians, but indirectly they help to understand the Jewish
world in which Jesus lived and why his message drew followers and opponents. Both the Essenes and the early Christians believed they were living at the time foretold by prophets when God would establish a kingdom of peace and that their teacher revealed the true meaning of Scripture. Fame and forgeries The fame of the Dead Sea Scrolls is what has encouraged both forgeries and the shadow market in antiquities. They are often called the greatest archaeological discovery of the 20th century because of their importance to understanding the Bible and the Jewish world at the time of Jesus. Religious artefacts especially attract forgeries, because people want a physical connection to their faith. The so-called James Ossuary, a limestone box, that was claimed to be the burial box of the brother of Jesus, attracted much attention in 2002. A few years later, it was found that it was indeed an authentic burial box for a person named James from the first century A.D., but by adding “brother of Jesus” the forger made it seem priceless. Scholars eager to publish and discuss new texts are partly responsible for this shady market. The recent confirmation of forged scrolls at the Museum of Bible only confirms that artefacts should be viewed with highest suspicion unless the source is fully known. • The author is Professor of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies and Chaiken Family Chair in Jewish Studies, Pennsylvania State University
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, November 1, 2018, PAGE 13
Sands: Gambling addiction problem destroys families By RIEL MAJOR THE Public Hospitals Authority, Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and the Bahamas Gaming Operators Association held their first symposium yesterday highlighting gambling addiction. The purpose of the symposium was, in part, to integrate a gambling addiction programme into the current addiction programme at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and to address gambling addiction and its effects on some gamblers. During his remarks, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands expressed his support for the initiative to reduce the prevalence gambling addiction and other gambling related harms. Dr Sands said: “Gambling addiction (is) a pernicious problem that destroys lives and ruins families. “I support the strong linkage being created between the Bahamas Gaming Operators Association and the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. This partnership provides an opportunity to reduce the incidence and prevalence of problem gambling and other gambling related harms. Prevention strategies in general, and those tailored specifically to atrisk groups are needed, especially high-risk groups such as persons living on our Family Islands.” He continued: “This symposium gives us the opportunity to share knowledge and expertise from our collective experience, and it is a chance for you as participants to find out about the work and research programmes underway around the world, and perhaps
DR DUANE SANDS, Minister of Health, pictured during the recent World Mental Health Day Conference. closer to home as well. My government and I take problem gambling seriously. I will continue to push the Ministry of Health to ensure that we help to prevent and minimise problem gambling through public education and awareness and targeted outreach to atrisk persons. “In recognition of these
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service programmes in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. “Once again, I congratulate the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and the Bahamas Gaming Operators Association on hosting their first ever Gambling Addiction Symposium, which I am confident will serve this
Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
nation positively.” Gershan Major, chief executive of BGOA, said the industry has an obligation to promote awareness of gaming addiction issues. “Gaming is a form of entertainment and it should be viewed and enjoyed as such,” Mr Major said. ‘It should only be played
against one’s budget or allocated disposable income and should never be played against funds allocated for priority spend — like one’s rent, mortgage, school fees, car payments, grocery bills, insurance, savings and the like. “As in any other form of entertainment, it should be enjoyed in moderation.”
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PAGE 14, Thursday, November 1, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Trump launches midterm election push WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump is kicking off a final rally blitz with just days to go before midterm elections that will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress. He’ll attend 11 events across eight battlefield states over the next six days. The final push began last night in Estero, just outside Fort Myers, in Florida, where Republican Gov. Rick Scott is challenging Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson for US Senate. Democrat Andrew Gillum and Republican Ron DeSantis are locked in a tight race to replace Scott as governor. Trump’s rally lineup also includes a stop in Pensacola, Florida. He
has scheduled two rallies each in Indiana and Missouri, plus stops in Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, Montana and West Virginia. It is aimed at bolstering Republican turnout and countering Democratic enthusiasm heading into Tuesday’s vote. Former President Barack Obama will also campaign in Florida, appearing tomorrow for Nelson and Gillum, the Tallahassee mayor. While Trump is not on the ballot this time around, both Democratic and Republican strategists have reported that Trump’s rallies — the centerpiece of his unconventional and underestimated 2016 campaign — have been a boost for local candidates, generating hundreds of thousands
PRESIDENT Donald Trump in front of Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base yesterday.
of dollars in free media and boosting Republicans in post-rally polls. Folks in southwest Florida started to line up for Wednesday’s rally before dawn. By 5 p.m., people streamed in, many wearing red shirts. A few people wore Halloween attire — a man in an Uncle Sam hat, one in a red cape, another dressed as a Revolutionary War soldier. The majority of the crowd reflected the makeup of the area: older and white. At least one local business allowed employees to take the day off if they attended the rally.Adam Botana, the vice president of Bay Water Executive Boat Club said one employee took the day off to go to the rally. So did Botana’s parents, the company’s owners.
Funerals go on as suspect indicted
PITTSBURGH police stand guard as pallbearers carry the casket of Irving Younger, 69, from Congregation Rodef Shalom after his funeral yesterday. Below, Robert Bowers, a 46-year-old truck driver charged in a 44-count indictment with murder, hate crimes and other offences that could bring the death penalty. PITTSBURGH Associated Press THE suspect in the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre was indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday, and members of a grief-stricken Jewish community endured another round of funerals for victims of the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history. Robert Bowers, a 46-year-old truck driver who authorities say raged against Jews as he gunned down 11 and wounded six, was charged in a 44-count indictment with murder, hate crimes and other offences that could bring the death penalty. The indictment, which was expected, was announced on the second day of a weeklong series of funerals for congregants who perished in the mass shooting at Tree of Life synagogue. “Today begins the process of seeking justice for the victims of these hateful acts, and healing for the victims’ families, the Jewish community, and our city,” U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said in a statement. “Our office will spare no resource, and will work with professionalism, integrity and diligence,
in a way that honors the memories of the victims.” One after another, services were held for three more victims of the rampage: Joyce Fienberg, 75; Melvin Wax, 87, and Irving Younger, 69. “It can’t be fixed,” Robert Libman said at his sister’s funeral, clutching his chest as he described the pain of losing her. “My sister is dead. My sister was murdered. There was no one I know like her. Pure goodness. ... She was the most tolerant and gentle person that I’ve ever known.” Fienberg’s sons, Anthony, of Paris, and Howard, of Vienna, Virginia, said she spent five years caring for their father as he battled cancer, then, after his death a few years ago, devoted more of her time and energy to Tree of Life. She was a retired researcher at the University of Pittsburgh. “My mom would be very angry that her funeral wasn’t able to be at Tree of Life, and that her friends lost Saturday couldn’t be here,” Howard Fienberg said. Younger had a small realty office in Squirrel Hill, the heart of Pittsburgh’s Jewish community, and coached baseball for more than 20
years. He loved to talk, and would gladly share his life story or stop strangers on the street to show them pictures of his grandson in California. One friend called him “a kibbitzing, people-loving man.” Widowed a decade ago, Younger had a son and daughter in California, who waited all day Saturday to learn if he had survived. “That waiting stage was just unbearable,” said his son, Jared, of Los Angeles. “Saturday was the most lonely day of my life.”
Jared Younger said that when his sister contacted him, he had a feeling it was about his father. Irving Younger hadn’t been in great health, undergoing bypass surgery last year. Jared Younger said his dad drank Diet Coke for 40 years, quipping he was “anti-water.” The day’s other funeral was held for Wax, a retired accountant who was regarded as a core member of the congregation at New Light, which rented space in the lower level of Tree of Life. A drained-looking Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, a survivor of the weekend shooting, hurried from service to service. “I can’t imagine the stress he’s under,” said his predecessor, Rabbi Charles “Chuck” Diamond. As Younger’s service was wrapping up, Myers momentarily forgot to read a letter to his family that another rabbi had sent. “After preparing for five funerals, you get a little verklempt,” Myers said. Bowers remained jailed without bail ahead of an arraignment scheduled for today.
Saudi writer strangled then dismembered ISTANBUL Associated Press
SAUDI journalist Jamal Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul as part of a premeditated killing, and his body was dismembered before it was removed, a top Turkish prosecutor said yesterday. Chief Istanbul prosecutor Irfan Fidan’s office also said in a statement that discussions with Saudi chief prosecutor Saud al-Mojeb over the killing yielded “no concrete result” despite Turkey’s “good-intentioned efforts to reveal the truth.” The statement was the first public confirmation by a Turkish official that Khashoggi was strangled and mutilated after he entered the Saudi Consulate on October 2. It also pointed to a lack of cooperation from Saudi officials in the investigation of the slaying. “In accordance with plans made in advance, the victim, Jamal
SAUDI Arabia’s top prosecutor Saud alMojeb yesterday. Khashoggi, was strangled and killed immediately after entering the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia,” the prosecutor’s office said. “The victim Jamal Khashoggi’s body was dismembered and destroyed following his death by
suffocation, again in line with the advance plans,” the two-page statement read. The prosecutor’s statement that Khashoggi was killed immediately conflicts with a report by pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak earlier this month, which cited what it described as an audio recording of Khashoggi being tortured before being killed. The newspaper claimed that his fingers were cut off and that he was killed by being beheaded. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said he doesn’t feel “betrayed” by Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi’s death. Trump, who made Saudi Arabia the destination of his first foreign trip as president, said the Saudis didn’t betray him but “maybe they’ve betrayed themselves.” Trump told reporters at the White House yesterday. “I just hope it all works out.” Turkey is seeking the extradition of 18 suspects in the journalist’s
slaying who were detained in Saudi Arabia. It also is pressing Saudi Arabia for information about who ordered Khashoggi’s killing and the location of his remains. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Riyadh to disclose the identity of an alleged local collaborator said to have been involved in getting rid of Khashoggi’s body. Saudi chief prosecutor al-Mojeb met with Fidan twice and also visited the Turkish intelligence agency’s Istanbul headquarters this week before leaving for Riyadh on a private jet. Saudi Arabia has not commented directly on the prosecutor’s visit and al-Mojeb did not respond to journalists’ questions at the airport as he departed. Fidan’s office said the Saudi delegation submitted a written statement and invited the Turkish delegation to come to Saudi Arabia bringing “evidence obtained during the course of the investigation.”
MAFIA HIT MAN MAIN SUSPECT IN BULGER PRISON KILLING BOSTON Associated Press A MAFIA hit man who is said to hate “rats” is under suspicion in the slaying of former Boston crime boss and longtime FBI informant James “Whitey” Bulger, who was found dead hours after he was transferred to a West Virginia prison, an exinvestigator briefed on the case said Wednesday. The former official said that Fotios “Freddy” Geas and at least one other inmate are believed to have been involved in Bulger’s killing. The longtime investigator was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of death. Among the many unanswered questions after Bulger was found dead on Tuesday: Why was he moved to the prison? And why was a frail 89-yearold like Bulger — a known “snitch” — placed in the general population instead of more protective housing? Geas, 51, and his brother were sentenced to life in prison in 2011 for their roles in several violent crimes, including the 2003 killing of Adolfo “Big Al” Bruno, a Genovese crime family boss who was gunned down in a Springfield, Massachusetts, parking lot. Private investigator Ted McDonough, who knew Geas, told The Boston Globe: “Freddy hated rats.” “Freddy hated guys who abused women. Whitey was a rat who killed women. It’s probably that simple,” McDonough told the newspaper, which first reported that Geas was under suspicion.
CANNABIS FANS LEFT HIGH AND DRY IN CANADA
TORONTO Associated Press
THE name of the store is High North, but it might as well be named High and Dry because for all but about four hours of the first two weeks since marijuana was legalised in Canada, there was no pot to sell. Trevor Tobin, one of the owners of the Labrador City shop in Newfoundland and Labrador, said they went 10 straight days without supply. “The producers keep saying there will be some bumps in the road, but right now it’s not a bump in the road. It’s a big pothole,” he said. His mother, Brenda Tobin, is a part-owner and said that after she tells customers there’s nothing to buy, “a lot of them are saying, ‘Oh, well. I guess it’s back to the black market.’” The first weeks have felt more like a soft opening with few retail outlets operating and rampant supply shortages. Quebec closed its government-run shops for three days this week because of a lack of pot and will continue to keep them shut Mondays through Wednesdays until availability is stabilised.
THE TRIBUNE
Learning as they grow TRIBUNE photographer Shawn Hanna was on hand to see what happened when primary and preschool students from various schools in Nassau visited Willard Patton Preschool yesterday for their career fair.
Thursday, November 1, 2018, PAGE 15