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VOLUME:115 No.238, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2018
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‘Fees must fall for NHI plan to work’ Sands warns doctors and insurers will have to cut charges
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ALL doctors, healthcare facilities and insurers must cut their fees if the revised National Health Insurance (NHI) model is to succeed and be financially viable, a Cabinet minister has warned. Dr Duane Sands, minister of health, told Tribune Business that “compromise” over service charges and pricing was required at “every step along the healthcare delivery pathway” for the NHI scheme to be sustainable. In return, he said healthcare providers and insurers will gain access to a “massively expanded market”
STILL, WE REMEMBER
through NHI’s broadening of coverage to Bahamians who were previously unable to afford private medical coverage and/or go outside the public system. “In order for this thing to be workable, there has to be compromise at every step along the healthcare delivery pathway,” Dr Sands confirmed. “It could certainly not exist if we maintain the cost structure we have now. “The expectation is that everybody ought to look at shaving some part of their rack rate. That includes practitioners, insurers, insurance brokers; everybody along the path in exchange for a massively expanded market.”
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis renewed his pledge to improve his party’s communications programme as he told participants in a weekend conclave his administration’s mistakes were louder than its accomplishments. Dr Minnis touted his party’s achievements – such as lowering the deficit, a downtrend in crime and
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A SUPREME Court jury has acquitted two cousins of the role they were alleged to have played in the slaying of businessman Leo Rahming at the car rental company and carwash he owned in the Marathon area last year. The jury, at the directions of Justice Bernard Turner on Friday, acquitted Renaldo Georges of Rahming’s murder on May 4, 2017, at EZ Kicks and Car Rental, and Terrance Meuze of being an accessory after the fact. Meanwhile, the actual gunman, who is purportedly of Jamaican descent, is still at large, based on the evidence.
GB COUPLE FACE $580K FRAUD CHARGES
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
planned rejuvenation of Over-the-Hill communities – but said these positives are not being heard because of errors. Dr Minnis also reportedly told parliamentarians in a closed session on Friday they must govern together because they were elected together. “The people called for us, the FNM. They wanted us to rescue, restore, rebuild and revitalise our Bahamas. SEE PAGE SIX
COUSINS CLEARED OF ROLE IN MURDER
SEE PAGE 13
MINNIS - ‘OUR ERRORS SMOTHER SUCCESSES’ By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
HOME
THE British Legion-Bahamas Branch and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force paid tribute to all Bahamian military veterans who served during the First World War during a ceremony at Rawson Square yesterday. More words and pictures - Page 3 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
A FREEPORT couple accused of defrauding a Grand Bahama company of more than half a million dollars were charged in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Franco Adams, 39, and his wife, Kimberley, 47, of Montrose Drive, South Bahamia, appeared before Magistrate Rengin Johnson to face 34 counts of fraud by false pretences. It is alleged that between 2016 and 2018, the pair, working with others, illegally obtained $584,678.88 from PharmaChem Technologies Grand Bahama Limited. SEE PAGE 12
FEDS TELL BANKS - HAND OVER ‘VENEZUELA’ ASSETS By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ACCOUNTS at two Bahamian banks, alleged to contain bribery proceeds from a $1.2bn money laundering scheme tied to top Venezuelan officials, are targeted for seizure by the US government. Court documents obtained by Tribune Business reveal that US federal
authorities want to seize assets held in bank accounts with Deltec Bank & Trust and Ansbacher (Bahamas) as part of a crackdown on
corruption linked to the Nicolas Maduro-led regime. The planned Bahamas seizures relate to $12m in bribes that a senior executive at PDVSA, the Venezuelan state-owned oil and natural gas company, has admitted to receiving for his role in helping to loot, and asset strip, PDVSA of millions of dollars. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
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INSIGHT
FRED SMITH: ‘PROVE YOUR STATUS’ MAKES US ALL JEAN RONY SEE PAGE SEVEN
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, November 5, 2018, PAGE 3
Remembering the veterans of The Bahamas THE British LegionBahamas Branch (BLBB) and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force paid homage to all Bahamian military veterans who served during the First World War during a wreath laying ceremony at Rawson Square yesterday. RBDF officers and marines paraded from the Western Esplanade near Arawak Cay to Rawson Square before the event, in a tribute to the 30 soldiers who marched from East Street to Rawson Square and onto Prince George Wharf in 1914. There those soldiers boarded a ship, which took them to Jamaica to undergo further military training in preparation for the war, the RBDF noted in a press release. The wreath laying ceremony was a celebration of
the 100th anniversary of the ending of the First World War on November 11, 1918. Wreaths were also laid near the Queen Victoria statue as tributes to servicemen, who served 100 years ago during the reign of King George, and to veterans, including the late Sir Etienne Dupuch and Mary Moseley. Sir Etienne, former Tribune publisher, volunteered to join the war efforts, serving in the West Indian regiment and returning to the Bahamas on April 1, 1919 after the war. He left the war with the rank of private. Mrs Moseley served as chairperson of the Belgian Relief Fund in Nassau. In 1914, she left the Bahamas for England to offer her assistance to war relief efforts. There, she formed the Ladies’ Committee of
The West Indies, Bahamas Chapter. This was established in 1915 in London as the women’s wing of the war sub-committee. It was through her work with this fund that she was able to raise thousands of pounds for the Belgian war relief effort. According to RBDF reservist Adina MunroeCharlow, British Legion executive secretary, the Bahamas sent approximately 700 of its sons to participate in this war; six were killed in action, three died from wounds, and 28 from other causes. The RBDF has partnered with the British Legion-Bahamas Branch since 2011, and is presently assisting in preserving the memories of the men who served in the two world wars.
PIERRE DUPUCH, son of the late Sir Etienne Dupuch, WWI veteran, laying a wreath. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
CHILDREN of the late Sir Etienne Dupuch, from left, Etienne Dupuch Jr, Eileen Dupuch-Carron and Pierre Dupuch.
TROOPS pay tribute yesterday in Rawson Square.
CEPHAS FERGUSON, veteran and chairman of the British Legion, Bahamas Branch.
SOME of the attendees at the military ball at The Hilton.
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ELIZABETH (Lou) Moseley-Cuevas, grandniece of the late Mary Moseley MBE.
Monday, 5th November 2018
"Purolator oil filters always in stock right here at Bay Street Garage. Get one with EVERY oil change"
Photo: RBDF
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THE TRIBUNE
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US holds its breath for Trump’s first electoral test TOMORROW’S American mid-term elections will serve as a referendum on the tenure so far of US President Donald Trump. For months, political pundits and observers have reminded us the first mid-term elections under a new president can serve as a stinging rebuke. The opposition party often racks up big gains at the expense of the president’s party. The most recent example is most often cited. In 2010, the Republicans wiped out the legislative gains Barack Obama had helped to achieve for the Democrats two years earlier. The GOP controls Congress, and despite the evidence of eight years ago, the odds heavily favour the Republicans to retain their slim but decisive control of the Senate on November 6. The math is by now familiar to many. The Republicans have a 51-49 margin in the Senate, and Vice President Pence will always vote for the GOP position in the event of a tied vote. So the Democrats need to at least reverse that two-vote margin to prevail. While there have been periods during the past six months when it looked like Democrats might succeed in regaining Senate control, the reality is it will be an upset if Republicans do not increase their edge. This is because Democrats are defending seats they really have no business holding in the first place, in deep red states like North Dakota, Indiana, West Virginia, Missouri and others. A similar situation occurred for the Democrats two years ago, but the phenomenon that Trump rode to victory soured the chances for Democrats in blue or neutral states like Pennsylvania to reclaim seats that would normally be theirs. Republicans for decades have made political gains by never overestimating the awareness or engagement of the American voter. Despite avowedly supporting positions on issues such as health care, gun control, abortion and immigration that polling has repeatedly revealed as unpopular, often by large margins, the GOP has cleverly and cynically manipulated the American political system to convert its minority position to one of governance. The Republicans control 33 governorships now and are actually fielding candidates in Georgia and Kansas whose present Secretary of State positions give them control over the very electoral
process in which they are competitors! Federal court orders and commonsense notwithstanding, the GOP may prevail in these races. Trump frequently rants against the “Establishment” press as “the enemy of the people,” because they oppose him. In an unusual public commentary, the Washington Post offered an unusual indictment of the president, almost ten days before the election. Here is their view: “The (election) issue that predominates is Trump’s noxious, divisive and dishonest style of government. (He has promoted) fear mongering over a distant band of ragtag Honduran migrants; a fairy tale about a middle class tax cut; relentless vilification of essential institutions of democracy like the Federal Reserve Bank, the media, and law enforcement; resistance to legitimate judicial and congressional oversight, and restricting the right to vote.” The Post estimates Trump told 4,229 lies in public by August 1, and that tally rises daily. As interest in the election intensifies, the key is control of the House of Representatives. Here, the polls suggest the Democrats may very well gain the 25 seats they need to retake control of the chamber. Seven of those seats are presently vacant, mostly due to Republican resignations. There are signs that here at least, a Democratic surge is a realistic prospect. Many publications are closely following certain bellwether districts all across the country, reporting breathlessly on the latest indicators. Presuming the Democrats do regain control of the House, however, what will really change in Washington? Unless the Democrats also recapture the Senate, confirmation for judicial and executive branch nominees will remain in Republican control. Several potentially significant things would change with Democratic control of the House. Federal budget initiatives and appropriations rise in the House, and prospects for Trump favourites like the southern border wall would further fade. Approval of the federal budget would require bipartisan cooperation. And legislative investigative action on crimes and misdemeanours by Trump and his campaign would proceed, including on additional issues consequent to the Mueller investigation. That’s worth waiting and voting for.
It’s time to restructure the Bahamas National Trust EDITOR, The Tribune In May 2018, I sent a long letter to the President, the new Council and the Director of Bahamas National Trust. I still have not received a reply, let alone acknowledgment of receipt. The letter describes a situation in our West Side National Park, a 1.5 million acre park on the west side of Andros, as follows: A foreign commercial fishing vessel, the Eleven Experience, was anchored here for 6 months last year, in a place known locally as the “shark hole”, some call it the “tarpon hole”. A more magical place I do not know, for on any given day you can go there and see many sea turtles, tarpon, shark, fish, wading birds, and up until recently, complete solitude. A local guide I know calls it a “national treasure”. It really should be called a “sacred spot”. It is said this boat, the Eleven Experience is returning in the next couple of days, for another six months. Another six months? The vast majority of residents, the lodge owners, and most of the bonefishing
guides here on Mangrove Cay, Andros find this unacceptable, as should all Bahamians, including the powers to be at BNT. The very idea that a foreign floating fishing lodge is able to set up shop, profiting from, and likely degrading, a highly important Bahamian resource in our national park is beyond unacceptable. They are anchored in a spot that has immense local importance, with no supervision or witness to see what goes on there, day or night. When I spoke to Mr Eric Carey about this some months ago, he asked me “is it offensive or illegal?” It seems Mr Carey has never seen this spot. He didn’t ask me if it was damaging or degrading the resource, or if it were “taking” a Bahamian resource from Bahamians. He did not ask me if it degraded the beauty of the area by having a 74’ yacht permanently anchored there for half of the year, a consideration mandated by the Bahamas National Trust Act. In my letter, I questioned whether the 24-hour a day running of their generator, the nutrient-laden water
from showers and sinks, washing down the boat, or sewerage could possibly be benefiting this priceless spot. No response. When I spoke to the captain of this vessel a few months ago, his argument for being there was how much money they paid in taxes, fees and property tax on Harbour Island, how much they purchased locally, how many local guides they used, as if.... as if, the resources of this country should be apportioned according to how much money was thrown around by foreigners. Money should not be of issue here. Unless, of course, the owner of this vessel, who also owns the Bahama House in Harbour Island I am told, has been making sizable donations to the BNT. Then, I would like to know how the “donations” made to BNT may have influenced Mr. Carey and others to ignore this assault on our national park. I think it is time to restructure the Bahamas National Trust. NORMAN TRABULSY JR. Mangrove Cay, Andros November 05, 2018
Four rebels, no real cause EDITOR, The Tribune IT SEEMS that in every parliamentary term at least one MP goes rogue and rejects the metaphorical paramour who invited him to the legislative dance. Perry Christie took Andre Rollins to his bosom in the last parliament only to have the good doctor rain all over his parade. Hubert Ingraham could not get rid of the pebble in his shoe named Bran McCartney who eventually peeled off to form his own vanity party that had something to do with costing Mr Ingraham the 2012 election. Sir Lynden Pindling had to contend with an avalanche of principled rebels who marched out of the PLP into the wilderness before eventually finding their way into government two decades later. But now Hubert Minnis has to contend with not one but a gang of four rowdy rebels who seem hell bent, not on stopping any ideological juggernaut that the FNM is on, but rather they appear motivated solely by a desire to drop licks on the man who either fired them from high office or passed them over for promotion. Messrs Frederick McAlpine (the Rejected), Reece Chipman (the Ejected), Vaughn Miller (the Dejected) and Travis Robinson (the Unprotected) have decided to patch hell on Dr Minnis at every chance they get in the House of Assembly. After cutting off their noses to spite their faces during the VAT debate, they came back to kick dust in the Prime Minister’s face over the temporary relocation of the Post Office to a deserted mall owned in part by a cabinet minister who declared his interest in the mall and who recused himself from debate on the proposal. While the optics of engaging an entity in which a cabinet minister has a financial interest does not look good for any government, a transparent compliance review will quickly reveal that there is nothing sinister or untoward in this particular
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net proposal. It was done in full public view and in line with the relevant rules. What does leave a bad taste in the mouth is the fact that by his own admission Financial Services Minister Brent Symonette (he who would have voted for Donald Trump if he could) is still actively involved in running his family’s vast business affairs. How does he have the time? But Symonette and his poor fiduciary judgment is not the issue. The fact is the Main Post Office building downtown has been in such a poor state of disrepair for so long that it is a wonder the Ministry of Works never pulled its certificate of occupancy. That is the egregious omission for which both political parties should be criticised. The move from that decrepit building is justified on health and safety grounds alone. Nobody can quarrel with that. First the post office was decamping to a vacant warehouse on Gladstone Road. When that failed to pass a cost-benefit analysis the next best alternative seemed to be the Town Centre Mall. PLP leader Brave Davis criticised the renting of the mall space but had to admit that even the PLP had the space on their short list when they were in government. The mall location makes sense because it gets traffic out of downtown, relieving congestion there. It makes sense because the Mall is centrally located to enable the easy flow of surface transport from the airport to the central sorting and distribution facility for both international and domestic “air” mail. The Mall is easier to get to for most postal customers. Parking is ample and the whole interface experience with the post office should be more efficient. By putting the staff in better quarters (the owners
will invest millions in leasehold improvements before the tenant moves in), hopefully they will be better motivated to deliver the mail accurately and quickly instead of the snail’s pace they are forced to work at now. Nobody bothered to ask the owners of the gas stations in the immediate area, the small business and food merchants already on the Blue Hill Road, Robinson Road and East-West Highway corridors what they think of the idea of bringing a nest of economic activity to their neighbourhood. It should be a boon for their businesses. The PM says he wants to take government services directly to the people. What could be better than putting the post office in the beating heart of the community where it can more readily feed the smaller regional post offices around the island? Messers McAlpine, Chipman, Robinson and Miller need to find another hill on which to fight their battle with Dr Minnis. And they need to learn that even though it is entertaining to see trash-talking rebel MPs try to prove their independence by bashing the very government they belong to, voters rarely reward them with an independent ticket back to parliament at the next general election. Mr McAlpine has been around politics for quite a while. Messrs Chipman and Miller have private sector careers and will be just fine. The young Mr Robinson is another story altogether. He couldn’t even muster up the votes from his University of The Bahamas cohorts to be made a trustee. If nothing else Mr Robinson has become walking testimony to the fact that when the cut and thrust of politics demand strategic thinking and an ideological position, youth and inexperience can be more of a liability than an asset. THE GRADUATE Nassau, November 4, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, November 5, 2018, PAGE 5
You’re ruining my brother’s life, says Jean Rony’s sister By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE sister of Bahamian-born Jean Rony Jean-Charles yesterday appealed to the public for empathy as she denied allegations meant to thwart his upcoming citizenship bid. Clotilde Jean-Charles told The Tribune she is constantly bombarded with fake news and rumours about her brother, the latest being an attempt to link him to a deceased armed robber with a similar name. “Some of the stuff I just delete,” she said, “it’s really frustrating. What hurts me the most is I’m the first child. Every time they come up with something, it’s like they coming after me. “Put your differences aside,” Ms Jean-Charles continued, “even if you have so much hate you would prefer to ruin someone for the rest of their life. Do you think you will be happy at the end of the day? What do you expect to accomplish? Do you have children, you have family, this isn’t just one person doing this. “All kinds of people are getting involved in this and don’t even know nothing. They ain’t even asking questions, just putting their own thing just so the government can deny him the rights for the (citizenship) processing.” Advertisements notifying the public of Mr Jean-Charles’ intention to apply for citizenship, a legal requirement, were published in The Tribune last Thursday. The ad renewed discourse on social media over the controversial case. Mr JeanCharles, 35, is at the centre of a legal battle that has farreaching implications for the country’s immigration and citizenship laws. He was picked up during a routine immigration patrol in the Fire Trail Road area on September
18, 2017, and deported to Haiti some two months later on November 24, 2017. He says he was born in The Bahamas to foreign parents, but did not make an application for citizenship when he turned 18. Last month, the Court of Appeal set aside a landmark Supreme Court ruling that ordered his return to the country, and mandated constitutional relief from the government. His lawyers have stated their intent to appeal the recent judgment at the Privy Council. Yesterday, Ms JeanCharles expressed frustration over the ordeal and the toll it’s taken on her family. She is the eldest of five siblings, and the only one to be naturalised having applied at 18. Her four brothers are: Jean Rony, Eliquene, Ronald and John. Ronald and Eliquene are deceased, with the latter passing away in September, she said. “I’m trying to figure out where all this rubbish coming from. I don’t understand it,” she said. “They saying he using his brother name, why then would I use the same name? Why would my mommy have two children with the same name?” Ms Jean-Charles said: “The only travel this boy ever did was when they send him to Haiti. Back then when you was born to foreign parents you was supposed to apply for a travel document. Every time it’s one thing it’s a next thing. Yeah when he was 18, he was supposed to apply and he didn’t, but my God everybody deserve to live. “Just because now he applying, all of these bogus claims coming out. “Put your hatred on the side,” she added, “what if it was you, what if it was you in that shoe? You ruin this boy whole life, the boy trying to move on.”
COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR FRIDGE THIEVES By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
TWO men who stole a refrigerator worth $850 from the Ministry of Education last week have been ordered to put in 15 hours of community service as penance. Magistrate Ambrose Armbrister gave Theodore Brown and Santino Dames the conditional discharge after they admitted to stealing the refrigerator, though he stipulated that a $500 fine or six months in prison is in order if they default. The matter was adjourned to December 12 for a status update.
According to the facts, on the date in question, Wenly Fowler, the complainant, went to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) and reported that on 6.15am on that date, unknown persons went to the Learning Resources Centre situated on Mackey Street and stole a fridge from a kitchen at that facility. The thieves were driving a red or maroon coloured Chevy S-10 pickup truck. Dames, 31, and Brown, 30, were subsequently arrested. Officers conducted inquiries and later recovered the fridge in question from a residence at Rolle Estates, Nassau Village.
A weak man may fall, but if a strong man picks him up, he has done his duty for mankind.
~Betty Taylor ~
Original Author
For more original and inspirational quotes, please get a copy of the book “Hold On To Life and Love”at Logos Bookstore, located in the Harbour Bay Shopping Centre.
JEAN Rony Jean-Charles pictured with his mother, above, and, below, as he is today.
PAGE 6, Monday, November 5, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Minnis - ‘our errors smother successes’ from page one “We won together so we must govern together,” Dr Minnis told party members, according to a party press statement yesterday. The two-day conclave came on the heels of four dissenting FNM parliamentarians voting against a resolution for the government to rent the Town Centre Mall from Cabinet minister Brent Symonette and his brother. The dissenting MPs – Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, Centreville MP Reece Chipman and Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson – also voted against the VAT hike earlier this year. When contacted, Mr Chipman was adamant he did not say sorry for his critiques of the party in Parliament but did not offer further comment. “I am unable to discuss the conclave however there was absolutely no apology from me,” Mr Chipman told this newspaper yesterday. Sources within the FNM, who were present for closed sessions, confirmed participants were ordered not to speak on the event with the media. One source told The Tribune the dissenting members offered some remarks about their performances in the House of Assembly, but noted their comments could not be considered an apology. “One of them apologised to the PM,” the source said, “saying ‘I’m sorry I may or may not have offended you personally’. Nobody
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, pictured earlier this year. He told FNM party members “we won together so we must govern together” during a party conclave. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff According to the FNM improved communications stronger; public finances are Dr Minnis declared the apologised for voting. They being restored, and there FNM is “launching ambijust said sorry for offending statement, the conclave programme. In his address, the party is accountability and trans- tious social and economic in whatever way they may was convened to “conduct a critical and frank analysis leader told the conclave parency with the people’s programmes, including the or may not have.” Over-the-Hill Revitalisa“It’s not apologetic, and assessment of the party that in just a year and a money.” He further stated: “The tion Project; land reform, they’re not apologetic for in keeping with its mani- half, people were already their actions,” another festo, party principles and witnessing a new direction deficit is down; tourism is the Citizen Security and party member told The philosophy of governance”. for our country, and that thriving; major investment Justice Programme, innoThe meeting also the government was suc- projects are on the hori- vations in education, the Tribune yesterday. “These of the are disloyal individuals. reportedly set in motion ceeding on many fronts, zon; we are on the path to transformation I wouldn’t be surprised if long-term strategy for the according to a statement rescue Grand Bahama after energy sector, and small decades of despair; we have business development inithey kick up whenever the development of a think from the FNM. He stated: “Crime and stopped the massive cor- tiatives, including the Small mood is not right. If you tank, ongoing development Development say you’re loyal to me, your of new parliamentarians the fear of crime is down; ruption that was draining Business and party officers, and an our economy is growing the Public Treasury.” Centre.” loyalty ain’t conditional.”
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
By FREDERICK R M SMITH, QC
T
HE Social Media frenzy about the identity of Jean Rony Jean-Charles for him to have to “prove who he is” promotes a serious threat to the presumption of innocence in The Bahamas. Targeting Jean Rony puts everybody’s freedom and presumption of innocence at stake. We are all potential Jean Ronys. Jean Rony has committed no immigration nor other offence known to the law. Like most of us, he was “born” in the Bahamas and was exercising his constitutional right to move about freely when he was falsely arrested, illegally detained and expelled from the country. This was a result of Fred Mitchell‘s 2014 “Prove you have status” and “produce papers” upon demand policy. Jean Rony was thereby presumed to be guilty of no known offence under the law. Because of Fred Mitchell (PLP) and now continuing with Brent Symonette (FNM), he was merely by policy, deemed born with original sin. It can and will happen to any of us. Fred Mitchell blessed The Bahamas by attributing original sin to every child born here of foreign parents. Thus, every child is born guilty, born an outlaw, born an illegal until they can obtain papers showing they have status. Yet, there is no law in The Bahamas which requires anyone to “prove” they have status. That is the big mischief here. Fred Mitchel, by illegal policy, turned the presumption of innocence upside down. He has imputed original sin to every child born in The Bahamas, even if they have a birth certificate to the effect that they were born in The Bahamas. Now, even a birth certificate is not enough. Now the government and the public want a person who has a birth certificate to prove they are the person named on the birth certificate. Regrettably the Court of Appeal, fell into that same error. I challenge PM Minnis, Minister Symonette or Fred Mitchell to prove they are the person named on their birth certificate. How on earth does anyone prove that? If there is a suspicion of forgery or other offence then the police should take that person to court and prove their case. Now however, every child is born with a presumption of having committed an offence (yet unknown to the law) simply by being born to foreign parents or simply parents with foreign sounding names. Mitchell also created the concept of “being illegal” doesn’t mean that a person has been convicted of an offence which then infects the child, it simply means “not having papers” or “not having status”. Yet, there is no offence of “not having status” nor “not having papers”. Fred Mitchell’s edict attributed original sin and a presumption of guilt of not having status, not having papers, to every child born of foreign parents in the Bahamas. Thus, every child is born guilty, born an outlaw, born an illegal until they can “prove“ [not even in a court of law... but to an immigration officer and the yellow bus picking them up at random] that they have “status” or until they “get papers”; and they languish at the detention centre until they do so, or until they are expelled illegally, like Jean Rony was. The big mischief here is he turned the presumption of innocence upside down and has imputed original sin, a presumption of having committed an offence simply by being born to parents who are foreign and even those parents may not have ever been convicted of having committed a criminal offence either. Yet, when a person is convicted and pays a fine or does
Don’t be fooled, ‘prove your status’ makes us all Jean Rony JEAN Rony has committed no immigration nor other offence known to the law. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
their time, nobody else in the family is imputed with the guilt or the conviction of that person. The conviction doesn’t follow that person forever making that person forever an outlaw, an outcast, and doesn’t marginalise the person outside of society. That is what is wrong with the whole concept of having to have “papers” and prove you have “status”.
S
UCH a law would be unconstitutional in a society that presumes everyone innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. We should fear Attorney General Carl Bethel and Minister Symonette’s new “National Identity law” they are cooking up to serve Parliament. They say the Immigration Act is to be dramatically amended. They intend to go one step further to create an independent national identity certificate, for every person in the Bahamas, as they recently did in Jamaica and India, to prove ones identity, foreign or not. Woe betide you if you do not have it with you when Immigration stop you on the street or raid your home; not just in shanty towns where the alleged illegals live. The government will doubtless start building several other concentration camps to hold any person without “papers”. A person is not going to be able to get a “national identity card” unless they have been granted some kind of permanent
residency or citizenship or other immigration status. People (not just Haitians) will be guilty of an offence of “not having an identity”. This will deprive all of us, not just the Jean Ronys, of our presumption of innocence and also the constitutional presumption of people being citizens. Take me as an example. I am a citizen by virtue of Article 3 (1) in the constitution, even though I was born in Haiti. I have no paper from the government to say I am a citizen of The Bahamas. Nor do I need one (except for the fear of being picked up at random by Immigration). Most Bahamian citizens are citizens by virtue of Article 6 because they were born in The Bahamas (of allegedly Bahamian parents), or are entitled to apply for citizenship under Article 7 and receive it. Yet, Fred Mitchell and Brent Symonette have deprived people of these rights without even passing a law. They perpetuate an illegal policy whereby Immigration, defence force and police randomly pick people up and if they don’t have “papers” or they can’t prove their “status”, treated worse than a convicted criminal, illegally detained for years and eventually expelled. What is even more tragic, is this applies to the children of immigrants, to the children of the children of the immigrants and even to the children of the children of the children. Fred Mitchell has marginalised thousands of innocent people into outlaws and outcasts.
They cannot work; earn a living; receive education; medical treatment; get married; get birth certificates; travel between the islands; get a US visa; get a driver’s licence; own a home; get a business licence or provide for their families; they can only turn in frustration and eventually to violence and rebellion. This is Fred Mitchel’s blessing to The Bahamas.
A
ND this is the constitutional anathema that PM Minnis and Symonette continue to propagate in following in Fred Mitchell‘s footsteps by declaring “Get Your Papers Straight or Get Out” Policy in October 2017. As terrible as they were, even AD Hannah, Barbara Pierre and Loftus Roker never did this to the people of The Bahamas. The new FNM has become even more aggressive about having “papers” than the PLP under Fred Mitchell. True to form, the FNM are now going to legislate the creation of Children Born with Original Sin and Guilt. Be careful Bahamas, because this will not only apply to immigrants. Both the PLP and the FNM politicians such as Fred Mitchell and Brent Symonette have so managed to distract us with the “Haitian boogie man” that we are not seeing they are taking away our right to the presumption of innocence, as they rabble
rouse us to “Hunt the Haitian without papers”. The new immigration Symonette Strike force will be empowered by law to stop, search, interrogate and detain people at random and for indefinite periods until they can prove their “status”. And this will apply to every single person in The Bahamas whether their parents came here as immigrants, legally or illegally, and whatever your constitutional right to citizenship might be. If you don’t have a “paper” in your hand to prove to the man in the green battle fatigues with the gun and a dog that you have “status”, then you’re going to be locked up! This is how I grew up in Haiti. This is what every person in Haiti was subjected to. And this is why I fight so hard, in My Bahamas, to make sure Our Bahamas does NOT become a Little Haiti. Fred Mitchell and the FNM will have successfully converted the presumption of innocence to a presumption of guilt! One day, you too will suffer the same fate as Jean Rony Jean -Charles. Not being able to “prove your status” on the street, on a bus, on demand. Not having “papers”, even though there is no law that says you have to prove your status or have papers Therein lies the great perversity of Mitchell’s fascist policy now obsessively and ignorantly driven home by Dr. Minnis and Ministers Bethel and Symonette. Do NOT forgive them Lord, For they Know What They Do!
PAGE 8 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018
by Malcolm Strachan
I
T HAS been almost 18 months since the Free National Movement became the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and many of us are still struggling to figure out just who this government is. What is their brand of governance? What will we remember them for? Will it be for taking a savvy campaign catchphrase and turning it into a punchline? Or as the government that unabashedly increased the tax burden on its citizenry? Time will tell, but for now, with little to no understanding of what this government’s identity is, the parts we are able to piece together do not bode well for this administration’s legacy. If we look to our American neighbours – whether you like, love or hate them – both presidents Trump and Obama had consistent messaging throughout their tenures. President Barack Obama, certainly the more widely favoured of the two, campaigned on change and a belief that if all citizens came together that they can make their country a better place. On the other hand, his successor, President Donald Trump, makes decisions on the premise of “making America great again”. It is very hard to ascertain any decision our government has made that reflects it being “the people’s time”. Perusing any local social media, one can find comic relief using the government’s campaigned slogan. Whether the populace is determining that it is the people’s time to suffer, or questioning which people the government are referring to, neither
INSIGHT
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If I was running a sham like this I’d avoid the hard questions too
PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis talking at a tourism industry conference at Atlantis earlier this year. assumption speaks well of this government. Also, as disjointed as their self-perception may be, we can surmise that neither of these perspectives would align with how the government views itself. We have all heard by now the dissenting voices from within Parliament on the
Funeral Service Freda Theresa Baker, 94
Co-owner with her sisters, of A. Baker and Sons, one of Nassau’s oldest businesses died October 31, 2018. She was one of 14 children of her parents, Anthony Saadi Baker and Cawcob Bonagieb Baker. Except for a brief time she spent attending the Fisher School for Women in Boston in the 1940s and two years out of the last five she spent in Philadelphia for health reasons, Ms. Baker lived her entire life in the Bahamas. Ms. Baker was extremely proud to be a Bahamian. She knew many elected officials on first name basis. But she also knew new many straw vendors, taxi drivers and horse and buggy owners. She told everyone she met in the United States that they should come visit the Bahamas because he or she would enjoy, the beaches, the ocean, the fishing and the people. Ms. Baker attended Queens College in Nassau. After graduating from the Fisher School, Ms. Baker worked for her brother, The Honorable Useph Baker, as a legal secretary until his death in 1967. From that time, until just a few years ago when she was in her late 80s, she worked in A. Baker and Sons. Ms. Baker was a consummate salesperson. She could often tell her customers’ shirt sizes just by looking at them. A customer coming in for a shirt, often left with a shirt, a tie and belt, with a handkerchief that no gentlemen should be without, thrown in for free. Ms. Baker was a beloved Aunt to numerous nieces and nephews throughout the United States and in the Bahamas. But she was also an “Aunt” to many Bahamians who would come to visit her in the store to discuss their accomplishments in school and college. She was as warm and encouraging to her young friends as she was to her own family. In her later years, Ms. Baker often required the assistance of nurses and aides. In public, she always introduced them as her friends. Ms. Baker is survived by her sisters Mary and Virginia, and her sister-in-law Juanita Baker. She is also survived by nieces and nephews in the Bahamas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Florida.
government’s decision to increase value added tax, as well as renting space in the Town Centre Mall from Immigration and Financial Services Minister Brent Symonette. Members of Parliament for Pineridge, Bain and Grants Town, Centreville and Golden Aisles have echoed the wider community in this regard. Interestingly enough, the Free National Movement conclave which took place on Friday and Saturday was organised with the aim of getting all party members “on the same page”. Although FNM chairman Carl Culmer insisted this exercise was not done to target dissenting voices from within the party, it is highly doubtful that some
form of intimidation was not at play. Particularly with Culmer’s response indicating that freedom of speech is fine in certain forums and not others, one must wonder who decides these forums? And why, if you’re a backbencher whose obligation is to the people that voted you in, does there have to be a forum in which you can disagree with a decision made by the government in the first place? Certainly, it doesn’t seem like any secret to the Bahamian people that certain individuals in this government are very insecure and sensitive to any form of criticism. The prime minister has gone so far as castigating the media at a press event for the way they do their jobs – which is not
bestowing praise upon him every chance they get. He, too, beyond firing three of the four MPs after they voted against the government’s decision to increase value added tax, executed his own attack on McAlpine, who has been his harshest critic. The prime minister has also not been alone in cracking the whip on dissident voices within the camp. Founding member of the FNM Maurice Moore has on multiple occasions lashed MPs Fred McAlpine, Travis Robinson, Reece Chipman and Vaughn Miller for views on government decisions. Culmer says they want to be careful the Opposition cannot “twist” the message.
Funeral Service
Cora Yvonne Carey, 86
of Winton Highway, Nassau, The Bahamas, who died at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Shirley Street, Nassau, on Monday, 29th October, 2018, will be held at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Shirley Street, Nassau, on Thursday, 8th November, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Father Anselm Russell will officiate and interment will follow in the Church Cemetery, Shirley Street. She was predeceased by her husband, Morton Carey and daughter, Anne Marie Jenner. She is survived by her children, Philip and Kim Carey, Jonathan and Shena Carey and Cecile Carey; grandchildren, Andrew and Rebecca Carey, Christopher Carey, Matthew and Aliya Carey, Spencer Carey, Jonathan and Violet Carey, Stephen and Sherry Carey, Joyanne Carey and Jessica Jenner; great grandchildren, Sadie and Tristan, Shilah, Jonathan III, Jordin, Aaliyah, Mollie and Jonas and many other relatives and close friends. Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited, Palmdale Avenue, Palmdale, Nassau, on Wednesday, 7th November, 2018 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, 6th November, 2018 at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Shirley Street, Nassau at 11:30 a.m.
Instead of flowers the family request that donations be sent to The Nazareth Centre Home For Children, Millennium Gardens, P.O. Box N. 8187, Nassau in memory of Mrs. Cora Yvonne Carey.
Father Anselm Russell will officiate and interment will follow in the Church Cemetery, Shirley Street.
Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.
But what message is that: “It’s the people’s time?” That message would have been twisted a long time ago, but not by the Opposition, or any of the “Rebel Four”. Rather, it’s been twisted by the party’s very own shaky leadership. Any organisation typically takes on the identity of its leader. From brands such as Apple and Tesla to countries like the US and Canada. Many US political commentators – the one’s worth watching, at least – would say the cause of the recent domestic acts of mass violence have occurred as a result of the hate-filled rhetoric from its leader. Likewise, we are still struggling to understand what the government’s identity is because largely we have no clue of what Prime Minister Minnis’ identity is. Lacking in charisma and personality, we are unable to get a true sense of who he is and what he’s about. His most coherent speeches sound scripted, and any time he’s spoken off the cuff he’s given us his fair share of “twisted” messaging. Moreover, without managing his own portfolio, he doesn’t report to the Bahamian people on a regular basis about anything of value. Luckily, he is able to hide under the cover of press secretary ‘Ace’ Newbold, who quite possibly has the hardest time earning a pay cheque in the country. Surely, many people wonder what Dr Minnis does all day. However, if you were to tune into his Facebook page, you can see that he spends the majority of his time travelling abroad and campaigning in the Family Islands in constituencies where he is comfortable knowing he won’t be made uncomfortable. He has yet to hold a similar forum in the nation’s capital for what we imagine to be fear of being disrobed. Understandably, if I were running a sham on the Bahamian people, I would want to avoid the hard questions as well. Nonetheless, one thing to know about the Bahamian people is that without you showing us who you are, we will not make any qualms about deciding who we see you as. And as of right now, for the prime minister and his government, they certainly aren’t who they said they were. The time will come when the electorate holds a mirror in front of this government. Certainly, we hope they can bear the sight of what is reflected.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
I
T’S time for a Caribbean Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States. Over the last 70 years, since its formation, the OAS has had ten Secretaries-General and one Acting Secretary-General. None has come from the Caribbean even though Caribbean countries started being members of the Organisation from its inception in 1948 (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), or 1967 (Trinidad and Tobago), if we take account of English-Speaking Caribbean countries only. Using 1967 as the start date for English-speaking Caribbean countries, in 51 years no Englishspeaking Caribbean country has held the post of Secretary-General. The holders of the post have come from: Colombia (twice): 1948–1954, Alberto Lleras Camargo; 1994– 2004, César Gaviria; Chile (twice): 1954 –1955, Carlos Dávila (died in office) 2005– 2015, José Miguel Insulza; Uruguay (twice): 1956– 1968, José A Mora; 2015 to the present, Luis Almagro; Ecuador: 1968–1975, Galo Plaza; Argentina: 1975– 1984, Alejandro Orfila; Brazil: 1984–1994, João Clemente Baena Soares; Costa Rica: 15 September 2004 – 15 October 2004, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez (resigned); USA: 15 October 2004 – 26 May 2005, Luigi R. Einaudi (acted as SG). The Caribbean has been relegated to the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) post for 33 years between 1980 and 2018, except for an intervening five-year period, 2000-2005, when the US held the post. The other holders of the ASG post in the history of the organisation have been: The US three times: William Manger, 1948–1958, William Sanders 1958–1968, Luigi R. Einaudi 2000-2005; El Salvador once: Rafael Urquía, 1968–1975; and Guatemala once: Jorge Luis Zelaya Coronado, 1975-1980. From the Caribbean the following persons and countries held the ASG post: Val T McComie, Barbados, 1980–1990; Christopher R Thomas, Trinidad and Tobago, 1990–2000; Albert
INSIGHT
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2018 PAGE 9
OAS no longer fit for purpose Ramdin (Suriname) (2005– 2015), and Nestor Mendez (Belize) 2015 to present. In the latter case, Belize is a member of both the CARICOM and Central American groups I have recounted all these details to illustrate the point that with 14 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states in the now 34-member OAS (almost half the membership), after at least 51 years of membership of the organisation, the Caribbean merits a turn at holding the post of Secretary-General. The organisation is desperately in need of reform. It has been struggling financially for many years and its condition is getting no better. Governments are reluctant to increase their membership fees or to put more money into it because of its lack of performance in almost all the pillars of its structure. These are: democracy, human rights, security, and development. Recent negotiations revealed deep chasms between member-states, particularly over the allocation of resources. In the end a budget was agreed, but few were satisfied with the outcome. The division emerged largely between CARICOM states, which wanted
more allocations for development and security, and the four counties that pay the largest subscriptions – the US, Brazil, Mexico and Canada – which argued for more resources for democracy and human rights. Many other countries sat on the fence, either because they were genuinely torn between the priorities for funding, or because they did not want to be targeted as resisting any attempt to strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law. In these negotiations, there was little focus on how the organisation could be improved to deliver benefits to the people of all its member-states. The struggle was for the supremacy of the national positions, particularly those of the more powerful member states. What did not happen in these intense and sometimes rancorous negotiations, was any attempt by the Secretary-General or the General Secretariat to contribute to the process with a healing touch or a bridge-building solution.
The Charter of the OAS negotiated 70 years ago, at a different time in the history of the Americas – one in which the United States primarily, was bargaining with Latin American states, many of them ruled by dictators and military governments – represents what was then politically possible. It is not fit for purpose in today’s world where circumstances have changed dramatically and where new challenges have arisen. Today instant communication via the internet; transmission of images through Facebook and Instagram; immediate information by WhatsApp and Linked-In have exploded the world of secrecy and of knowledge suppression. Oppressive governments cannot hide their actions; and opposition groups cannot conceal efforts at undemocratic behaviour. Events such as these require a responsive OAS, not one that is paralysed by bureaucracy. Similarly, if the OAS is to be relevant to Caribbean countries, it must also become more alert and reactive to their development and security needs. After all, the majority of Caribbean countries in the OAS have a far more impressive record of upholding democracy and human rights than many other member-states. But, democracy and human rights are not sustainable in circumstances of under-development and
THE MEXICAN ‘caravan’ vulnerability to security threats, including global warming and sea-level rise. Each is necessary to the other. Caravans of migrants heading for the borders of the rich do not arise only from political repression; mostly they are driven by economic deprivation, poverty and want – conditions from which the majority of Caribbean countries have raised-up themselves, with no wish to return. For all these reasons, the Charter of the OAS urgently needs reform and its institutions require root and branch review and strengthening, particularly the relationship between the organs representing the member-governments and the Secretary-General. The Caribbean has enough
talented and experienced people to help reform its Charter, strengthen its institutions, refashion its operations and make it fit for purpose and relevant to the people of all its member-states. The region also has the capacity to provide a Secretary-General when Luis Almagro’s current term ends in 2020, and consideration should be given now to who the best candidate would be. If CARICOM countries are divided over a candidate, others will take advantage of that division to insert their own candidate, as has happened with other organisations. In the process, the Caribbean will continue to be relegated to second position. The position offers the Caribbean the real opportunity to contribute to the improvement and enhancement of the OAS, and to lift the profile and influence of the region.
(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the OAS. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own). Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com
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INSIGHT
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What is bullying? BULLYING is the use of superior strength or influence to intimidate someone, typically to force them to do something. Bullying is usually thought of as taking place between children at school. However, it can also occur at work and include behaviours like verbal abuse, sabotaging the victim’s job or work relationship, or misusing authority. While men who bully tend to victimize both genders equally, women bullies target other women about 80% of the time.
What are the different types of bullying • Physical bullying can involve hitting, kicking, pinching, pushing, or otherwise attacking others. • Verbal bullying refers to the use of words to harm others with name-calling, insults, making sexual or prejudiced comments, harsh teasing, taunting, or verbal threats. • Relational bullying focuses on excluding someone from a peer group, usually through verbal threats, spreading rumours, and other forms of intimidation. • Reactive bullying involves the bully responding to being a former victim by picking on others. • Bullying can also involve assault on a person’s property, when the victim has his or her personal property taken or damaged. • Cyber bullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. What kind of people normally bully others • Generally, those who bully others are looking for superiority over others. That is why they focus on something unique about you and create a feeling of insecurity with the intention of hurting you. • It is their past or current situation of life that turns a person to bully others. Those who bully have experienced a very stressful or traumatic situation in their life. Some people who do not know how to positively respond to stress or trauma may turn to violence and bullying. • The person who bully, often feels that their family
Take control and beat the bullies Stay Connected
and friends do not have enough time to spend with them. A violent family environment also leads to a person becoming a bully. • Just to feel popular and seen as tough or cool can also lead to act of bullying. Some people may also learn to bully from others. • The person who experiences bullying, is more likely to bully others. They bully others to protect themselves from being bullied. • The bully has low selfesteem. So they put others down in order to get superiority. Bullies usually do not have any particular talent. So they make fun of others. • But there are some bullies that do not fit in any of the above criteria. They just bully others because of their ego.
What kind of people are bullied • A person who is good at what they do • Intelligent, Determined, and Creative • Few or no friends • Popular or well liked • Physical features that attracts attention • An illness or disability • Sexual orientation • Religious or cultural beliefs • Race
What should you do if a bully approaches you Be confident. Bullies lose their power if you do not cower. Deep down, they doubt they deserve your respect. They admire you for speaking with self-assurance and confidence. So when they bombard, do not counterpunch. Rather, win them over with your strong, firm, courteous demeanor.
Bullies operate by making their victims feel alone and powerless. Use Simple, Unemotional language. An assertive, but unemotional response lets a bully know that the victim does not intend to be victimized. It does not seek forgiveness, but does not pose a challenge either.
Set Limits The trick is to remain polite and professional while still setting your limits firmly. Do not let the bully get under your skin that is what they want. Practice your response so you are prepared the next time something happens and you can respond swiftly without getting emotional. Keep it simple and straightforward. Act quickly and consistently. The longer a bully has power over a victim, the stronger the hold becomes. Oftentimes, bullying begins in a relatively mild form name calling, teasing, or minor physical aggression. After the bully has tested the waters and confirmed that a victim is not going to tell an adult and stand up for his rights, the aggression worsens.
How to prevent bullying Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. • Help kids understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure kids know how to get help. • Keep the lines of communication open. Check in with kids often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns. • Encourage kids to do what they love. Special activities, interests, and hobbies can boost confidence, help kids make friends, and protect them from bullying behaviour. • Model how to treat others with kindness and respect.
Help kids understand bullying Kids who know what bullying is can better identify it. They can talk about bullying if it happens to them or others. Kids need to know ways to safely stand up to bullying and how to get help. • Encourage kids to speak to a trusted adult if they are bullied or see others being bullied. The adult can give comfort, support, and advice, even if they cannot solve the problem directly. Encourage the child to report bullying if it happens. • Talk about how to stand up to bullies. Give tips, like using humour and saying “stop” directly and confidently. Talk about what to do if those actions do not work, like walking away • Talk about strategies for staying safe, such as staying near adults or groups of other kids. • Urge them to help kids who are bullied by showing kindness or getting help.
Keep the lines of communication open People do look to others who they look up to for advice and help on tough
decisions. Sometimes spending 15 minutes a day talking can reassure kids that they can talk to their parents if they have a problem. Start conversations about daily life and feelings with questions like these: • What was one good thing that happened today? Any bad things? • What is lunch time like at your school? Who do you sit with? What do you talk about? • What is it like to ride the bus to school? • What are you good at? What do you like best about yourself? Talking about bullying directly is an important step in understanding how the issue might be affecting a person. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but it is important to encourage others to answer them honestly. Assure kids that they are not alone in addressing any problems that arise. Start conversations about bullying with questions like these: • What does “bullying” mean to you? • Describe what someone who bully is like. Why do you think people bully? • Who are the adults you trust most when it comes to things like bullying? • Have you ever felt scared to go to school or work because you were afraid of bullying? What ways have you tried to change it? • What do you think parents can do to help stop bullying? • Have you or your friends left others out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or why not? • What do you usually do when you see bullying going on? • Do you ever see someone being bullied? How does it make you feel? • Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do if it happens again? There are simple ways that parents and caregivers can keep up-to-date with kids’ lives. • Read class newsletters and school flyers. Talk about them at home. • Check the school website • Go to school events • Meet teachers and counselors • Share phone numbers with other kids parents Teachers and school staff also have a role to play.
Encourage kids to do what they love Help kids take part in activities, interests, and hobbies they like. Kids can volunteer, play sports, sing in a chorus, or join a youth group or school club. These activities give kids a chance to have fun and meet others with the same interests. They can build confidence and friendships that help protect kids from bullying. Model How to Treat Others with Kindness and Respect Kids learn from adults’ actions. By treating others with kindness and respect, adults show the kids in their lives that there is no place for bullying. Even if it seems like they are not paying attention, kids are watching how adults manage stress and conflict, as well as how they treat their friends, colleagues, and families. Let us create safer communities and stop bullying today.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, November 5, 2018, PAGE 11
POLICE OFFICER STABBED ON DUTY A POLICE officer is in hospital after he was stabbed by a man on Saturday. Police said the on duty officer was at an unnamed business when he was “attacked” by a man armed with a knife shortly after 10am, who stabbed him in his body. The officer is in serious, but stable condition in hospital and a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with the attack.
Police also said a New Providence man is in hospital after he was shot while walking in the Chippingham area Friday night. Shortly after 8pm, a man was walking on Constitution Drive when he was approached by a gunman who shot him before running away. The victim was assisted to hospital and is listed in stable condition, police said. Investigations into these cases are ongoing.
THREE BAILED OVER $4M DRUGS HAUL By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A SUPREME Court judge has granted bail to three men ahead of their trial over allegations they were caught with close to $4m worth of marijuana in waters off South Andros. The Tribune understands Justice Gregory Hilton granted Kenny Major, Patrick Bain, and Brian Marshall $20,000 bail with two suretors ahead of their February 2019 trial. The men, ages 34, 36, and 41 respectively, must report to the Central Police Station in Grand Bahama on Mondays and Fridays before 6pm until then. They were also ordered to surrender their travel documents. Last Monday, the trio was charged before Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain on several drug
related charges stemming from the October 25 incident. It is alleged the men each conspired to and consequently imported the $3.8m worth of drugs, and then once the drugs were in their possession, conspired to supply them to other persons. According to initial reports, shortly after 3pm on the date in question, Drug Enforcement Unit officers, assisted by Marine Support officers, US Drug Enforcement agents and the US Coast Guard, intercepted a 32-foot midnight express go-fast boat in waters off South Andros, with three adult males on board. Officers subsequently conducted a search of the vessel and recovered 84 crocus bags of marijuana, weighing 3,870 pounds and yielding an estimated value of $3,870,000. The men are represented by attorneys Ian Cargill and David Cash.
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel, centre, with members of the PLP.
AG IN TALKS WITH PLP ON FINANCE SECTOR THE Office of the Attorney General held consultations with the Official Opposition on Friday about the financial services sector. The group agreed to enhanced cooperation and consultation on all steps necessary to address the challenges being faced by the industry due to the increasing demands of international organisations. There was also strong commitment to work together to do all that is necessary to limit damage to the Bahamas’ reputation, and to ensure the preservation of a vital
sector of a diversified Bahamian economy. Also present were legal officers in the OAG and senior representatives of regulatory agencies such as the Central Bank, the Securities Commission, the Compliance Commission and the Gaming Board. Mr Bethel said: “It was the unanimous view of both sides that it was of paramount importance that there should be a united, national approach to confront the challenges, reform and update all necessary laws and regulations, and ensure improved outcomes.”
SERIES OF ARMED ROBBERIES POLICE are investigating five armed robberies, which occurred over the weekend, leaving one man in hospital nursing stab wounds. Two of the robberies happened on Saturday. Shortly after 1pm, a man was at Christie Park on Nassau Street when he was approached by a man armed with a knife who robbed him of cash, then stabbed him about the body before running away. The injured man was taken to hospital for medical attention, police said. Hours later, shortly after 8pm on Saturday, police were that told two gunmen entered a major food store on Baillou Hill and Carmichael Roads, held up an employee and robbed the store of cash before escaping. Police said three armed robberies occurred on Friday. In the first incident, shortly after 8pm two men armed with firearms entered
a convenience store on Market Street and Palm Tree Avenue, held up an employee and robbed the store of cash before running into the community and escaping. Shortly before 9pm, two women had just arrived at a residence on Sunglow Drive, Colony Village when they were approached by two armed men who robbed one of the women of her handbag which contained cash and other items, before running away. About two hours later, shortly after 11pm, two armed men entered a restaurant on Palm Tree Avenue and Fourth Street, held employees up and robbed the eatery of cash before fleeing on foot and into the community. Anyone with information on these or any other crimes is asked to contact the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2 or Crime Stoppers at 328- TIPS (8477).
ELDERLY MAN FOUND IN SEA AN elderly man is suspected to have drowned in waters off Goodman’s Bay on Saturday. Police said the man’s body was found shortly after 10am floating at the eastern end of Goodman’s Bay. The man was
wearing long black pants with a black, white and yellow shirt. Police said foul play is not suspected and the incident is being investigated as a drowning, however an autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.
PAGE 12, Monday, November 5, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Mitchell: Settle nurses dispute - and don’t harm the patients By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell has urged Health Minister Dr Duane Sands to urgently settle any “outstanding issues” nurses may have, asserting that patient care is on the “chopping block” as a result. Mr Mitchell’s admonition comes amid threats from the Bahamas Nurses Union that nurses will not be showing up for their new shifts next month to oppose
a shift change proposed by the Public Hospitals Authority. Mr Mitchell, in a brief statement, urged Dr Sands to settle “without delay” any lingering issues the union may have, claiming the “chaos and disputes should not be allowed to continue” and risk compromising healthcare. The PLP senator also said the responses and interventions by the health minister to date seem “heartless and uncaring”. “We (the PLP) support the nurses in their struggle
for justice and will continue to monitor events,” the press statement said. Last month, the PHA announced that the four days on/four days off shift will change to a five days on/ two days off shift in over a month. However, the two sides dispute what impact the change will have on the well-being of nurses. The BNU insists it will leave them overworked, while the PHA says it will reduce chances for accidents and errors. The PHA also thinks nurses should be
less overworked since more of them will be on duty during a single shift. Both sides are also at odds over the legality of the shift change. PHA managing director Catherine Weech has asserted the change is consistent with the Bahamas Employment Act, the 2015 industrial agreement between the PHA and the BNU, and an agreement the parties reached in 2014. However, BNU president Amancha Williams insists that 2014 agreement, signed by the BNU’s former
leader, is void because it was not adopted in the 2015 industrial agreement. That industrial agreement mandates that both parties agree to any changes, failing which the terms must remain the same until 2022 when the current agreement expires. Under the new shift, nurses working between 6pm and 6am will receive a $1.75 per hour premium in addition to their standard hourly pay. However, Ms Williams has criticised such a rate as being both inadequate and outdated. She
has also said that nurses in the United States and Canada receive premiums of $5 or more. Ms Williams has also predicted that changing the shift will encourage economic migration for nurses. Dr Sands, meanwhile, has previously said he will not interfere with negotiations as long as they are being conducted in good faith, and suggested the outspoken nature of health professionals in recent months was indicative of a democratic political environment.
GB COUPLE FACE COURT IN $580K FRAUD CASE from page one
KIMBERLEY Adams.
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
The Adams were also charged with two counts of abetment to commit fraud by false pretences. It is alleged that between February 2016 and July of this year, they purposefully facilitated another in obtaining cash from PharmaChem Technologies by false pretences. They were also charged with two counts of money laundering. It is alleged that between February 2016 and July 2018, the accused entered an
agreement which facilitated the acquisition of over $500,000 from PharmaChem that represented the proceeds of crime by or on behalf of another person. They pleaded not guilty to all the charges and elected summary trial. Wendall Smith represented the couple. They were remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to February 11, 12, and 13, 2019. The prosecution indicated the matters will proceed by a voluntary bill of indictment.
FRANCO Adams appeared in a Grand Bahama court on Friday.
THE TRIBUNE
Cousins are cleared of role in murder from page one Rahming, who was shot in the head and died in hospital a short time later, was the cousin of Latrae Rahming, former press aide to former Prime Minister Perry Christie. According to the evidence of Everette Strachan, sometime in the morning of May 4, 2017, he received a phone call from Rahming, whom he knew all of his life. Rahming told him to bring some car parts for a Nissan March vehicle. Mr Strachan told Rahming he would deliver the items to him sometime later that day. Shortly after 6pm, Strachan arrived at EZ Kicks and Car Rental and approached Rahming, who was in the yard along with a few other persons, with the car parts. Mr Strachan said he and Rahming were conversing in the area of a shed on the property, when he said Rahming’s attention was drawn to a male standing on the property. Mr Strachan said when Rahming asked the male if he needed any assistance, the male replied with a Jamaican accent: “I am waiting on someone to bring me some money to buy something.” The witness said two minutes later he heard a single gunshot, and when he looked around, saw the same male Rahming had spoken with moments prior pointing a black firearm at Rahming. The gunman fired a few more times before Rahming fell to the ground. Mr Strachan said after the gunman shot Rahming, he briskly made his way to the back eastern gate of the property. The witness said he quickly searched Rahming because he knew him to have a firearm on him, but he didn’t have it on him at that time. He said he then shouted out to persons who worked at the establishment and asked where Rahming’s shotgun was, and was told by someone it was in his truck. Mr Strachan said when he went to Rahming’s truck it wasn’t there, but when he went to Rahming’s mother’s Nissan Note he found the firearm. At that time, Mr Strachan said he could see the man who shot Rahming going through the yard towards a shortcut, so he
fired off a single shot that missed him. The witness said he gave chase to the gunman, who hopped onto a small, black scooter with a male driver, both of whom subsequently escaped by heading north on Isabella Boulevard, which runs parallel to Marathon Road to the east. Mr Strachan said he ran back to the scene of the shooting and met the police, who ordered him to drop the gun. Persons in the yard told the police he wasn’t the shooter, and so he wasn’t arrested. Mr Strachan said by this time, Rahming was bleeding heavily and appeared lifeless, however, someone said he still had a pulse. Thus, he and others put Rahming in the Nissan Note and they drove him to the hospital while he followed them. He later found out that his former high schoolmate had died. Mr Strachan said he would be able to identify the gunman, as he got a good look at him for about two to three minutes. However, he said he would not be able to identify the driver of the scooter. Meanwhile, Police Corporal 3752 Greenslade said that around 6.20pm on the date in question, and while on duty, he heard what appeared to be gunshots in the area of EZ Kicks and Car Rentals. As a result, he and his partner Corporal 2276 Cyr ran across the street where they observed a male in a red shirt brandishing a black firearm that appeared to be a pistol. Cpl Greenslade said he ordered the male to drop the weapon, however, the gunman turned in his direction and pointed the weapon at him instead. In fear for his and his partner’s life, Cpl Greenslade said he fired five shots with his service pistol. The gunman fired two shots at at the officer before escaping through a short cut to the rear of the establishment. Cpl Greenslade said a male who identified himself as a worker was also on the scene with a shotgun and fired a shot at the gunman, however, the worker was made to drop the weapon, which was collected. The gunman, meanwhile, was able to jump on a motorcycle that was parked through Isabella Street and make his escape. Cpl Greenslade said
when he returned to the scene of the shooting, he saw a male lying on the ground in a pool of blood, suffering from a gunshot wound and appearing to be lifeless. Cpl Greenslade said he received further information that the victim, Rahming, was the proprietor of the business establishment. When interviewed at the Central Detective Unit (CDU) two weeks later, Georges said on the date in question, both he and Meuze went in the area of Lil General’s Food Store on East Street south to meet up with a male, who speaks with a Jamaican accent. However, he said the purpose of that meeting was to make a “drug run” for his cousin. Georges further stated that he and the wouldbe gunman left Lil General’s en route to EZ Kicks and Car Rentals on his black and yellow Suzuki DR-Z400 dual-sport motorbike, where he dropped the male off, but insisted that he was always of the impression that it was a drug run for Meuze. Georges said when he dropped the male off, he then started doing wheelies on his motorbike to pass the time. However, he said after the shooting happened, the male with the Jamaican accent came running out of the bush with an “angry face” with a gun in his hand, put the gun to his back and ordered him to ride off, and told him that if he made the “wrong move” he would kill him. Georges said he never contacted Meuze about the incident, but told his girlfriend what had happened. Meuze, when interviewed by police two days after Georges, admitted that two days after the shooting, he sent a text message to his cousin from a number he admitted was his, telling his cousin to “toast that wybe,” meaning to burn and destroy his motorcycle. However, Meuze said he only told Georges to do that because he was “looking out for him” after hearing about the incident on the news. Meuze said Georges ultimately burned down the motorcycle in the back of his neighbour’s yard. Christina Galanos represented Georges, while Damien White represented Meuze.
Monday, November 5, 2018, PAGE 13
RENALDO GEORGES, who has been cleared of accusations of the murder of Leo Rahming. Terrance Meuze was also acquitted of being an accessory.
www.ub.edu.bs
CAREER OPPORTUNITY STAFF Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply for the position of:-
Bank Reconciliation Clerk at the University of The Bahamas
Oakes Field Campus responsible for reconciling balances from the bank statement to the general ledger. Specific duties and responsibilities include preparation of complex bank reconciliations; preparation of journal entries required to clear the bank reconciliations; investigation of all current and long outstanding reconciling items; and collaboration with other units in the organization to resolve matters as they relate to the bank reconciliations. Candidates must have at least an Associate’s Degree in Accounting or a Business field and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a similar position. Interested applicants should submit the following electronically to the Vice President, Human Resources Department by Friday, 9th November, 2018 via hrapply@ub.edu.bs: • A cover letter of interest highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position; • Completed Employment Application Form (www.ub.edu.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Application-for-Employment-Staff.pdf)
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Résumé; • Copies of qualifications and certificates; • Copy of the relevant pages of a valid passport showing passport number, photo identification and expiration date; • Copy of N.I.B. Card; • Copy of Voter’s Card; • Three (3) written professional references. For a detailed position announcement visit: http://www.ub.edu.bs/about-us/career-opportunities/staff/ .
PAGE 14, Monday, November 5, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Woman fined for breaking fingers of police officer www.ub.edu.bs
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply for the position of:-
Project Officer, responsible for working collaboratively with the Director of Physical Plant, the University’s department heads and other stakeholders to coordinate work schedules, equipment usage schedules, and respond to enquiries and concerns in a timely fashion as well as identifying any potential risks that could affect the progression of projects, and for maintaining crucial project documents. Other duties and responsibilities include advising on the development of project scopes and budgets; reviewing project progress and advising on quality and budget, with special emphasis on the analysis of suggested or required change orders; advising and assisting in the bidding process and selection of qualified contractors for projects; and providing supervision and oversight for construction projects. A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in civil or structural engineering facilities or construction management, or architectural science is required, plus, a minimum of seven years’ experience in construction project management (preferably commercial).
Electrical Supervisor/Foreman, responsible for planning, organizing,
scheduling, assigning and reviewing maintenance work in the Electrical Unit as well as supervising and evaluating the work of assigned employees. Specific duties and responsibilities include preparing written estimates of materials and labour and giving time lines for maintenance and development projects; monitoring the acquisition and use of materials and equipment; and planning, organizing, coordinating and overseeing day-today maintenance activities to assure the proper and efficient maintenance, construction and repair of the University’s buildings, facilities and equipment.
Candidates must have an Applied Associate of Science Degree or Associate Degree in Electrical Technology AND a Three-Phase Electrician License with at least five years of proven relevant post-qualification experience; OR a Three-Phase Electrician License AND at least ten years of proven relevant work post-qualification experience, which should include certificates in supervision; OR a Single-Phase Electrician License AND at least twelve years of proven relevant work post-qualification experience. Certificates in supervision would be a plus.
Director of Greek Life & Student Leadership, responsible for the
overall vision, leadership, assessment, and coordination of services and programmes for the Department. Specific duties and responsibilities include disseminating and interpreting the University’s policies and procedures as they pertain to fraternity and sorority chapters and councils; working with undergraduate members of fraternities and sororities, alumni and volunteers; developing programmes and services that foster a sense of community among Greek organizations; overseeing leadership development programmes for fraternity and sorority undergraduate leaders, and community programmes, and attending appropriate fraternity and sorority events. Candidates must have at least a Bachelor’s degree. A Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Affairs, Organizational Leadership, Counselling or related field is preferred with a minimum of three years’ experience in fraternity or sorority life or five years’ experience in Student Leadership/Development.
Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach, responsible for the
management and administration of all activities related to track and field and cross country and exercising direct supervision of recruiting, training, and coaching student-athletes participating in both sports. Specific duties and responsibilities include promoting the track and field/cross country programme in accordance with the mission of the University; overseeing the recruitment and selection of student-athletes; scheduling and conducting regular practice sessions in and out of season, as permitted by the University; developing and implementing strategies for motivating student-athletes; organizing and participating in clinics, exhibitions and campus activities; and organizing and participating in public activities which include speaking engagements, television and radio interviews and press conferences. A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred. A Level 3 Coaches Certification or higher; successful coaching background at the collegiate or national/international or professional level is required. Five years of relevant coaching experience is preferred. Interested applicants should submit the following electronically to the Vice President, Human Resources Department no later than 9th November, 2018 via hrapply@ub.edu.bs:• A cover letter of interest highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position; • Completed Employment Application Form
(www.ub.edu.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Application-for-Employment-Staff.pdf)
• Current Curriculum Vitae or Résumé; • Copies of qualifications and certificates; • Copy of the relevant pages of a valid passport showing passport number, photo identification and expiration date; • Copy of N.I.B. Card; • Copy of Voter’s Card; • Three (3) written professional references. For detailed position announcements visit: http://www.ub.edu.bs/about-us/career-opportunities/staff/ .
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A 26-YEAR-OLD woman was fined more than $4,000 on Friday for breaking two of a woman police prosecutor’s fingers during a row outside the officer’s Gamble Heights home last month. Magistrate Samuel McKinney ordered Larissa Rolle of Mahogany Street to pay Woman Corporal (W/Cpl) Samantha Miah $4500 for injuring her on October 21 in her driveway. Similarly, Rolle is also fined $1,500 for assaulting W/Cpl Miah, who is also an attorney, and faces six months in prison if she does not pay. She was also fined $1,500 for threatening to kill W/ Cpl Miah on that date, and ordered to keep the peace for one year. If she is convicted within that period, she faces a $1,500 fine or six months in prison if she doesn’t pay. The altercation was the result of the officer’s attempts to warn a male acting in a disorderly manner in the front of her yard, which Rolle’s 27-yearold sister Lyndina Rolle took exception to, according to the evidence. And when W/Cpl Miah and Lyndina Rolle exchanged words about it, Larissa Rolle, who was in the next yard, jumped in, and attacked and threatened to kill the officer, among other things. Both women pleaded guilty to their respective offences. For her behaviour, Larissa Rolle was also fined $38 for damaging the officer’s t-shirt during the altercation, with a one month prison sentence if she defaults. She also received fines of $150, $50, and $25 for using obscene language, trespassing on W/ Cpl Miah’s property, and
behaving in a disorderly manner. Her sister, meanwhile, was fined $1,000 or six months in prison for assaulting W/Cpl Miah, and $300 or one month in prison for threatening to harm her. She was also fined $150 or one month for using obscene language, and $25 or one week for disorderly behaviour. According to the evidence, W/Cpl Miah was taking out the trash at around 10.40pm on the date in question, when she saw an unknown man in the road in front of her yard, saying, “I ga kill somebody tonight, all I have is guns.” The man was making a gun symbol with one of his hands, and was jerking that hand back and forth in a suggestive manner while loudly saying “bup, bup, bup” to imitate the sound of gunshots. W/Cpl Miah also saw a woman trying to restrain the man. At that point, W/ Cpl Miah felt “duty bound” to warn the male of his behaviour, which she did, stating: “Behave yourself out here tonight before you get in trouble, because trouble is easy to get into, but hard to get out.” However, the woman who was with the man responded to the officers remarks by saying: “Get in what f***ing trouble? We in the f***ing road, no could could do f***ing nothing to us, we in the road.” W/Cpl Miah proceeded back up her driveway, but then the woman advanced towards her driveway and said some things to her. Words were exchanged between the two before W/Cpl Miah told the trespasser to “get out of my yard”. However, the woman refused, and told the officer “I will f*** you up out here tonight.” More words continued to be exchanged between
the two, before the man approached and held the woman back. W/Cpl Miah again proceeded up her driveway, but then a second woman approached the end of her driveway, accusing her of starting the altercation and egging it on. Then, a third female, who was standing at the western end of the driveway in the yard adjacent to W/ Cpl Miah’s, pointed at the officer and said: “What you dealing with? You want dead tonight aye?” While this was happening, W/ Cpl Miah observed a black object that appeared to be a cellphone in one of the woman’s hands. W/Cpl Miah responded by telling that woman that as long as she stayed where she was, there wouldn’t be an issue. However, the third female subsequently approached her and attacked her in the driveway. In doing so, she forcibly flung her hand with the object at her. When W/Cpl Miah raised her hands in defence, her assaulter’s hands and the black object smashed into her left hand, causing immediate pain. According to the evidence, the black object was also thrown at W/Cpl Miah, hitting her on her shoulder. After W/Cpl Miah was hit on her hands, someone grabbed her attacker from behind and pulled her into the neighbouring yard. W/ Cpl Miah said she heard someone say: “You stupid aye? That’s a police officer.” According to the evidence, one of the women in question told the one that attacked to calm down, however, the latter kept saying: “I don’t care who the f*** she is, I will f*** her up, I will kill her out here tonight.” The two women were represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson. Police Sergeant Tamika Gibson prosecuted the case.
SUSPECT ACCUSED OF BEFRIENDING ELDERLY THEN STEALING THEIR MONEY By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN was charged on Friday in connection with allegations that she befriended elderly persons and later stole thousands of dollars from their bank accounts. Anastacia Moree, 39, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged with 20 fraud-related offences concerning the $22,600 she defrauded Virginia Smith out of between January and February. Police also alleged the woman forged numerous Commonwealth Bank withdrawal receipts bearing Smith’s name between the dates in question in a bid to access the money on her account. Moree also allegedly stole $124 from Smith, as well as a Bahamian driver’s licence worth $20 in Smith’s name. She was further charged with stealing a Commonwealth Bank card and a National Insurance Board card belonging to Louise Guerrier on October 22, and fraudulently obtaining $2,000 from Commonwealth Bank
ANASTACIA Moree outside court on Friday. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff that same day. Moree is also accused of Moree is also accused acquiring and subsequently of forging a Scotia Bank being found in possession application/maintenance of some $6,100 between and input form for a Visa August 17-21, which in part debit card on August 17, represents the proceeds of and fraudulently obtaining criminal conduct. a total of $6,000 from variMoree pleaded not guilty ous Scotiabank locations, to all of the charges and such as the Bay Street, Sol- the case was adjourned. dier Road, and Wulff Road Bail was denied and she locations, over the follow- was remanded to the ing three to four days. Bahamas Department of She is further alleged to Correctional Services in the have stolen one NIB card interim. worth $10 from Angelica She has a right to apply to Clarke on April 2. the Supreme Court for bail.
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Monday, November 5, 2018, PAGE 15
OBAMA PRAISES DONNELLY, SAYS VOTERS DON’T WANT ‘A YES MAN’ INDIANA Associated Press
FORMER President Barack Obama praised Indiana Democratic Sen Joe Donnelly yesterday for being willing to break with his party, telling a roaring crowd at a rally in the state that “you don’t want just a yes man”. Donnelly has sounded more like President Donald Trump while trying to persuade voters in the conservative Midwestern state to grant him a second term. He’s angered some Democrats by tacking to the right in recent weeks
and embracing some of Trump’s pet priorities, such as building a border wall with Mexico. But Obama told voters during the rally in Gary that Donnelly “tries to do right by people” — not just his party — and noted he supported the Affordable Care Act, the health care overhaul passed under Obama. “Joe Donnelly and I didn’t agree all the time. But Joe always let me know where he stood and I knew what he believed in and that he always was focused on: ‘What’s the best thing for the Hoosiers that he served?’” Obama said.
“He was honest and he was direct. So you can count on that. That’s what you want. You don’t want just a yes man all the time.” Obama’s stop was sandwiched between his successor’s trips to the state Friday and Monday on behalf of GOP Senate candidate Mike Braun. For Braun, a businessman who has campaigned as a steadfast Trump ally, the current president’s appearances in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne are no-brainers in a state he won two years ago by 19 points. But for Donnelly, who frequently touts how often he votes
with Trump, the Obama rally was a little more complicated. “If he does need to inoculate himself from some of his firmer conservative rhetoric, it’s a pretty effective way to do it,” said Christina Hale, a former state lawmaker and the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2016. Obama has proven a polarising figure with independent and Republican voters and is credited with some of Indiana’s rightward political shift, even though he won the state in 2008. To win in tomorrow’s election, Donnelly not only
needs high turnout from his party’s base but also must peel off some moderate Republicans and independents. That’s why yesterday’s rally in Gary, a heavily African-American city that has more in common with the Democratic stronghold of nearby Chicago than deep red parts of the state, could prove strategic. Obama criticised Republicans for passing a tax bill that benefited the wealthy, and for trying to end protections for pre-existing conditions provided through the Affordable Care Act.
I’m focused on the Senate, says Trump GEORGIA Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump appeared to distance himself from the fate of House Republican candidates yesterday as he devotes his final two days before Tuesday’s midterm elections to helping Senate and gubernatorial candidates. Speaking to reporters as he left the White House en route to get-out-thevote rallies in Georgia and Tennessee, Trump said Republican enthusiasm is higher than he’s ever seen — but he seemed to dampen expectations for his party in the House. “I think we’re going to do well in the House,” he said of Tuesday’s races. “But, as you know, my primary focus has been on the Senate, and I think we’re doing really well in the Senate.” The comments mark the starkest indication that Trump has grown less optimistic about the GOP’s chances of retaining control of the House, where Republicans face greater headwinds than in the Senate. And they came as Trump’s travels in the closing stretch before midterms that could profoundly change his presidency are largely taking him to traditionally Republican states to campaign on behalf of statewide candidates. The president’s closing argument to voters was on
SUPPORTERS of President Donald Trump cheer as he arrives to speak at a campaign rally yesterday. stark display Sunday as he seeks to motivate complacent Republican voters to the polls by stoking fears about the prospects of Democratic control. “You want to see Georgia prosperity end?” Trump told the rally crowd in Macon, Georgia. “Vote for the Democrat.” Trump’s remarks included ominous references to the “Antifa” far-left-leaning militant groups and a migrant caravan marching toward the U.S.-Mexico border that he has called an “invasion.” Appearing before thousands in an overflowing aircraft hangar in Macon for Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp, Trump declared, “There’s electricity in the air like I haven’t seen since ‘16.” “This is a very important election,” he added. “I wouldn’t say it’s as important as ‘16, but it’s right up there.” Trump was also set to
campaign Sunday in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for Republican Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn. Trump told reporters before boarding Air Force One that “tremendous crowds” were already awaiting him in both states. He said that enthusiasm was off the charts, though polls have shown Democrats to have an enthusiasm edge. “The level of fervor, the level of fever is very strong in the Republican side,” said Trump, adding: “I have never seen such excitement. Maybe back in ‘16 during the presidential, right around the vote. But I have never seen such an enthusiastic Republican Party.” Trump also pushed back on the idea that the election was a referendum on his presidency and that Democrats reclaiming the House would be a rebuke of him and his policies.
PACIFIC TERRITORY KEEPS LINKS WITH FRANCE NEW CALEDONIA Associated Press
A MAJORITY of voters in the South Pacific territory of New Caledonia chose to remain part of France instead of backing independence yesterday, a watershed moment that led French President Emmanuel Macron to promise a full dialogue on the archipelago’s future. Final results had 56.4 percent of the
voters who participated in the referendum deciding to maintain ties with the country that has ruled New Caledonia since the mid-19th century and 43.6 percent supporting independence, the high commissioner’s office said. “I’m asking everyone to turn toward the future to build tomorrow’s New Caledonia,” Macron said, speaking from the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris. “The spirit of dialogue is the sole winner.”
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PAGE 16, Monday, November 5, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
FROM left, Freda, Virginia, Mary, Nezera, and Lulu Baker, taken in 1993.
Freda Baker, a familiar face at Baker & Sons FREDA Baker, co-owner with her sisters of A Baker and Sons, one of Nassau’s oldest businesses died on October 31. She was 94. Ms Baker was one of 14 children of her parents, Anthony Saadi Baker and Cawcob Bonagieb Baker. Except for a brief time she spent attending the Fisher School for Women in Boston in the 1940s and two years out of the last five she spent in Philadelphia for health reasons, Ms Baker lived her entire life in The Bahamas. She was extremely proud to be a Bahamian and knew many elected officials on a first name basis along with many straw vendors, taxi drivers and horse and buggy owners. She told everyone she met in the United States they should come visit The
Bahamas because he or she would enjoy the beaches, the ocean, the fishing and the people. Ms Baker attended Queen’s College in Nassau. After graduating from the Fisher School, she worked for her brother, the Honorable Useph Baker, as a legal secretary until his death in 1967. From that time, until just a few years ago when she was in her late 80s, she worked in A Baker and Sons. Ms Baker was a consummate salesperson. She could often tell her customers’ shirt sizes just by looking at them. A customer coming in for a shirt, often left with a shirt, a tie and belt, with a handkerchief that no gentlemen should be without, thrown in for free. Ms Baker was a beloved aunt to numerous nieces and nephews throughout
the US and The Bahamas. But she was also an “Aunt” to many Bahamians who would come to visit her in the store to discuss their accomplishments in school and college. She was as warm and encouraging to her young friends as she was to her own family. In her later years, Ms Baker often required the assistance of nurses and aides. In public, she always introduced them as her friends. Ms Baker is survived by her sisters Mary and Virginia, and her sister-inlaw Juanita Baker and by nieces and nephews in the Bahamas, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Florida. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on tomorrow at Sacred Heart Church on Shirley Street in Nassau at 11.30am.