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VOLUME:117 No.18, DECEMBER 16TH, 2019
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SPORT: ATHLETES RECOGNISED AT ANNUAL AWARDS
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‘God has my back’
Hours later, mother of six shot dead and dumped in bushes By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE husband of the woman fatally shot in Nassau Village on Saturday said hours before his wife was brutally murdered, he had a “funny feeling” that something bad would happen. “Friday evening was the last time I saw her. The last words I said was ‘honey, don’t go because I have a feeling something bad gonna happen.’ It was just on my mind and she said ‘don’t worry, God has my back’ and she left (with friends) but I can’t force her,” Philip Lockhart, Sr, said in an interview with The Tribune yesterday. It was several hours later, he said, when a neighbour came and told him that his wife Cara, pictured, a mother-of-six, had been
FAREWELL TO OUR LATE FRIEND RICHARD COULSON SEE PAGE EIGHT
DAVIS - WE’RE NOT CHASING FNM REBELS
killed. “A neighbour came and alerted me about my wife. I thought it was a prank first and then when I went there, they showed me her body in the bush. I mean they shoot her and put her in the bush like a dirty dog.” According to reports, shortly after 7am on Saturday, a man was walking on a track road between Lewis Street and Hope Gardens when he discovered a woman’s body and later alerted police officers to the scene. “Paramedics were called to the scene and attempted to revive the victim but were unsuccessful. She was pronounced dead at the scene,” police said in a statement. Superintendent Shanta Knowles told reporters on Saturday that police SEE PAGE THREE
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the Progressive Liberal Party will not actively seek to recruit Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller and Centreville MP Reece Chipman. “We are a big tent and our tent is open and we will conduct ourselves and do the things that we think ought to make people want to come to us and want to join us and we hope that they will see the fruits of what could happen in SEE PAGE SIX
$5M WASTE OF AXED WELFARE REFORM PLAN
FINALLY - BPL’S NEW ENGINES ON STREAM By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Power and Light’s $95m, 130 megawatt power plant has been brought online in time for its December 15 deadline, the company said yesterday. The plant at Station A of BPL’s Clifton Pier Power Station features seven Wartsila 50DF tri-fuel engines that are burning light fuel oil but have the capacity to burn natural
gas or heavy fuel oil. BPL chairman Dr Donovan Moxey said in a statement: “The advent of the new power plant at Station A is exciting for us at BPL. It marks the first milestone on our strategic turnaround plan for our national utility and it means we are close to bringing an end to loadshedding. We are excited to usher in a new age of reliable energy production at BPL and the first phase of lowering our fuel costs and SEE PAGE FIVE
HOME
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE SCENE where a mother of six was fatally shot in Nassau Village on Saturday. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
FAMILIES have received almost no value from a $5.4m investment in welfare reform that was halted by the Minnis administration. An Inter-American Development Bank report on efforts to reform The Bahamas’ social safety net, which it helped to finance, reveals that the already-launched initiative was “cancelled after the change in policy direction” that followed the May 2017 general election. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
LLOYD APPALLED BY SUPPORT FOR BEATING By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
EDUCATION Minister Jeff Lloyd had tough words yesterday for people who condoned the punishment of a girl captured in a viral video being beaten with pots and pans. In the video released to social media last week, an older woman repeatedly hits a young girl in school uniform with frying pans,
MINISTER Jeff Lloyd prompting screams from the child. “I was mortally offended and incensed by
the display of abhorrent, despicable and senseless behaviour by this adult woman,” Mr Lloyd said in a statement. He has said a probe into the matter has been launched, with him drawing it to the attention of National Security Minister Marvin Dames. He said: “I was further offended and appalled by some of the views expressed in conversations and the media which
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
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INSIGHT
WHAT DIFFERENCE COULD MCCARTNEY HAVE MADE? SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Monday, December 16, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Big Christmas party for GB By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama community will be treated to an extraordinary Christmas event this week that residents will not forget, as the island continues to recover and families try to gain some normalcy after Hurricane Dorian. Bass Pro and Convoy of Hope are hosting a four-day event at the YMCA playing field, starting today, that will bring Christmas cheer to thousands of children and their parents on Grand Bahama. The event is free and there will be carnival rides, games, lot of toys and gifts, and food. Relief packages of grocery items also will be distributed. Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops in the US, said that when they learned about the storm that hit the Bahamas, they wanted to do something to help with relief efforts.
He said that they asked their customers at Bass Pro and anglers around the world to donate to the relief efforts in Grand Bahama. He said they received donations of tents, water, food, and other hurricane relief supplies. In addition to donation of relief items, Mr Morris said that they wanted to do something for the children and decided to host a Christmas event, Santa’s Wonderland. “We want to create happy memories for the kids and for families and the people of Grand Bahama,” he said. Grand Bahama Christian Council President Pastor Robert Lockhart said this will be a good end to the year for children who have been through so much with the storm. “This four-day celebration will cater to 8,000 to 10,000 children but also to parents, and tickets are being made available to all the kids in the schools,” he said. He said tickets are colour
coded by the days – children with red ticket hand bands will come out on Monday night, blue ticket bands are for Tuesday night, green ticket bands are for Wednesday night, and yellow bands for Thursday night. Pastor Lockhart is encouraging persons to attend. “There is going to be free food, and all the rides – carousel and slides are free. And they are even going to bring snow for us here, and grocery distribution will be for all of the adults.” Every child will receive a Christmas gift, he said. Karen Pinder-Johnson, executive director of the YMCA, said that facility representatives are happy to be able to provide the venue for the event. She commended Bass Pro and Convoy of Hope for what they are doing to help the community to heal after such a devastating storm. She said the YMCA supports the event.
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THE TRIBUNE
Monday, December 16, 2019, PAGE 3
THE SCENE where a mother of six was shot dead in Nassau Village Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
‘They showed me her body in the bush ... They shoot her and put her in the bush like a dirty dog’ from page one received reports of gunshots in the area some five hours earlier, but didn’t find anything or anyone. Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, Mr Lockhart, said her relatives are completely distraught over her murder. “We have five boys and one girl, a one-year old daughter. The oldest
is 19. One of the boys is autistic. They’re taking it hard, especially the oldest one because he lost his father and then three days later, he lost his uncle,” he said. “He can’t even go to work. But, I is a warrior so we gone push through (sic).” Married to her for 18 years, Mr Lockhart said his wife was a kind-hearted woman. “She was moody and nice, but sometimes
strict. But, one thing is she would give you the last what she have… Last month would make us 18 years. Our anniversary was last month, November 15,” he said. Meanwhile, Daphne Major, Ms Lockhart’s sister, added: “She was a sweet, awesome person; a loving mother, you know kindhearted and funny and witty. She was a beautiful person inside and out.
That was my little t’ing, that was my girl… For years, she’s been (a resident of the Nassau Village community.) She was a well-known person through the streets.” Ms Lockhart’s death has pushed the country’s murder to 95 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records. According to police, investigations are continuing. Anyone with
LLOYD APPALLED BY SUPPORT FOR BEATING from page one
appear to condone this barbaric act, seeking to justify it with a often mis-understood biblical imperative, or the ridiculous assertion that ‘it was done to me, and I turned out okay’. “As a human being, a Bahamian and member of the executive branch of this country, I condemn to the highest degree possible the abuse of our citizens, especially our children, by anyone – whether verbal, emotional, psychological, physical, financial or cultural. For decades, we tried to identify and eliminate the root causes of crime and violence amongst us, and their disastrously negative consequences. If we need a place to start, we
may wish to examine how we treat each other, especially the most vulnerable among us. “Is there any wonder that we are beset by a culture of violence, death and other nefarious orientations, as partially reflected in a 2019 UN report, entitled the ‘Global Study on Homicide’, which recorded The Bahamas as having the sixth highest murder rate in the Americas, a region of 27 countries? “Is it any wonder that so many of our young people, especially young men, find themselves enmeshed in a downward spiral of gang life, criminality, insensitivity and wanton destruction?” Mr Lloyd cited studies showing it is best to show children relationships skills than to escalate to physical
harm. One study, he noted, linked spanking to later aggressive behaviour, antisocial conduct, anxiety and depression. “So when someone says it was ‘done to me and I turned out okay,’ we should understand that if that is true, then they were the lucky ones,” he said. “So
many more find themselves in a cycle of violence that we see affecting succeeding generations. The mental, physical, spiritual and economic health of every human person – especially our children – must occupy the highest priority for our citizens, as it does for this government.”
information is asked to call the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2 or the Crime
Stoppers hotline at 328TIPS (8477). Editorial View - Page 4
PAGE 4, Monday, December 16, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
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Children face Christmas without their mother EVERY murder is a tragedy – but some make the heart ache that little bit more. The murder of a mother of six just two weeks before Christmas is one that hurts. “They shoot her and put her in the bush like a dirty dog”, said the husband of Cara Lockhart. Mr Lockhart said his last words to her before she went out were “honey, don’t go because I have a feeling something bad gonna happen”. He said she told him not to worry and that “God has my back”. Killings like these make you hold your family closer. You wonder how the country has reached the point where a mother of six is not safe. Or it makes you think of other killings, such as that of Kenrika Martin, the 17-yearold found dead on a beach. Or the murders that took place as Hurricane Dorian arrived, making you wonder just who would go out seeking to harm another as the nation faced disaster. Or the eight-year-old killed in 2017 as he did his homework when a stray bullet
ripped through the wooden wall of his home. Tragedies all. Too many tragedies. Ms Lockhart’s death is the 95th murder of the year. At the start of this year, 95 families would have had relatives they expected to see in Christmas with this year. Every one is a tragedy – and every perpetrator harms not only the victim, but the victim’s family and friends, and the nation as a whole. For those who know who the killers are, they aren’t your friends. They don’t deserve your protection. If you have any knowledge of who might be responsible, tell the police. If you know of someone who is going to commit a crime, tell the police. If you know of someone with an illegal firearm, tell the police. Tackling crime is something we need to do together. Ms Lockhart’s five children won’t have their mother home this Christmas. For their sake, we need to work together now – to prevent more children from losing their parents.
Farewell, Richard Coulson, a keen advocate for The Bahamas WE ARE sad to report the loss of a member of The Tribune family. Richard Coulson died on Friday morning after a brief illness. He was 88 years old, as sharp-minded as ever and a regular columnist in The Tribune. His last article, a review of the new book by Sir Christopher Ondaatje, appeared in Friday’s Weekend section. Mr Coulson had a keen financial mind, and his analysis of stock offerings, business results and the strengths – and weaknesses – of the Bahamian business landscape became a regular part of his Tribune work. He was also the author of the book A Corkscrew Life, Adventures of a Travelling Financier, published in 2014 and filled with stories of wit, wisdom and wine. We will miss his contribution, and we will miss him – for at heart he wanted the best for The Bahamas. Christina Rolle, over at the Securities and Exchange Commission, said he was “a strong and
consistent advocate for the development of the Bahamian capital markets”. He certainly was. In the strength of Bahamian businesses on such markets, he saw a way forward for the country, a way to grow and attract further investment. In recent columns, he talked about oil exploration, removing the Grand Bahama Port Authority to improve governance in the area, climate change, Bahamasair and more. One column, in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, showed his optimism for the Bahamas of tomorrow. “It won’t be easy or quick,” he wrote, “but the energy of the Bahamian people, with generous help and expertise from abroad, will prevail.” May we all focus such energy on the tasks that lie ahead of us, and carry with us his optimism that we would prevail. We shall miss you, Richard. Many thanks for the wisdom you shared.
Symonette’s pros and cons EDITOR, The Tribune PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis’ motion of no confidence in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis met its expected outcome in the House of Assembly. With the defection of Centreville MP Reece Chipman and Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, the Free National Movement (FNM) still maintains a lopsided majority, with 33 MPs to the PLP’s four. At the centre of this latest brouhaha is St Anne’s MP Brent Symonette, former Cabinet minister. Symonette is the son of the late United Bahamian Party (UBP) leader and first Bahamian premier, Sir Roland Symonette. With the merger of the FNM and UBP in the early 1970s, the former became a viable option to the PLP on the political landscape. For all intents and purposes, the junior Symonette is the face of the defunct Bay Street Boys within the governing party. Consequently, Symonette’s strategic importance to the FNM cannot be
overstated, even to the extent of FNM hierarchy being willing to lose an election. With the awarding of lucrative contracts by the Water and Sewerage Corporation and the Nassau Airport Development Company to Bahamas Hot Mix (BHM) in 2019, in addition to the relocation of the General Post Office to the Town Centre Mall, Minnis apparently viewed the foregoing transactions as being worth the risk of a potential political fallout. In fairness to Mr Symonette, he doesn’t own shares in BHM, his children’s trust does. To the Bahamian electorate, however, this bit of information will do little in reducing tensions among those hellbent on continuing their ageold class conflict with the Symonette clan. The BHM issue seems to repeat itself in every FNM administration. It happened in 2001, when Symonette resigned as Airport Authority chairman; and again in 2011 -- both under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. Ironically, the FNM would
go on to lose in 2002 and 2012 respectively. Is history repeating itself? Whatever happens in 2022, the Symonette family will be fine. With a population of only 400,000, The Bahamas is relatively small. This can help to explain why Symonette’s business tentacles are so ubiquitous. Even though conflicts of interest dilemmas are hard to avoid in The Bahamas, Symonette could’ve helped matters by remaining out of frontline politics. Symonette is a shrewd businessman and a massive financial benefactor to the FNM. However, the PLP will once again argue, during the 2022 election campaign to disgruntled working-class Bahamians, that the FNM is all about advancing the interests of wealthy Bay Street elements such as Symonette. These are the pros and cons of Symonette being in the FNM. KEVIN EVANS Freeport Grand Bahama December 12, 2019
Pensioners are getting rough end of the deal EDITOR, The Tribune
WHEN I first joined the Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Department, back on June of 1978 my salary then was around $700.00 per month. Fast tracking to September 3rd, 2003, retired from active law enforcement service. The pension now in June of 2019, with all of the taxes and exorbitant prices in the food stores are not fair to people like me, living on a pension of $1,250.00 (without deductions)...and obtained after twenty-five years of unbroken service. And my rent is $540.00 per month. My food bill roughly around $350.00 and even this amount, very many items having nutritional value, after considering the price, I was forced to place them back onto the shelves. This amounts to inflation and the meaning of which is simply, an economic process in which prices increase, so that money becomes less valuable...So the question
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net is under whose umbrella are the prices of goods and services attributed? The Central Bank of The Bahamas, or The Price Control Unit? God help me, if I ever needed medical surgery, etc. Something must be done for retirees, public servants of the government. Just recently, I offered for a security job and was told ‘Pops, where are you going, but-you-looking for work...’we do not hire old people, furthermore, what can you do as an old man? I am only a little over 60 years? ‘That’s way too old’. Okay, I said. I think that under the Rt Honorable Hubert A Ingraham-Prime Minister, Commonwealth of The Bahamas (at-thetime, we had four increases to pensions). God knows how we would have fared, had he
not considered the plight of these Bahamian men and women that have served their country, actually we were the ones standing in the gaps...on the line protecting/sacrificing their lives, as they served their Countrymen, while many now were in primary schools, but what have we received in the form of thanks? Has the nation shown gratitude? We don’t think so. Fast forwarding and if the Good Lord was to delay His coming, many of you now, that we are looking to in order to fill this gap and give us pensioners what we deserved. And finally, to the powers that be, we suspect, and it is very possible that many of you are likely to find yourselves being counted among the old... what goes around, does certainly come back around, quo. For all the Pensioners. FRANK GILBERT Nassau, December 6, 2019.
Time to stand up and be counted EDITOR, The Tribune IN TIMES past, I used to make a lump sum payment on my Canadian $$ credit card in order to cover purchases that I would make for family in Canada at Christmas. However, RBC Canada will no longer allow you to have a credit balance on your credit card and so I now must make payments as they come due. I recently availed myself of the much touted “RBC online banking wire transfer option” to pay my RBC Canadian $$ credit card. This was chosen in lieu of the regular $ 6 draft option due to the unreliability of our post office which cannot deliver mail at the best of times,
let alone during the holiday season. The amount to be paid was $90.63 and I input the required details, sent in my back-up document and went about my day happy that the process was so fast and easy. Then I saw the charges...in order to pay $90.63, the Bahamian $$ equivalent of $69.77, I was charged $44.17!! broken down as follows: Credit card payment $ 69.77 (CND $$ @ 0.7763) Stamp Tax $ 1.05 Cable charge $ 20.00 VAT $ 2.40 Wire charge $18.50 VAT $ 2.22 How can this be possible? I do the work for them, provide all the details and
then they charge me 63% processing? Is the Central Bank aware of what these banks are charging Bahamians? In my play book this reads extortion — Central Bank, how about yours? When are you going to stop these banks from excessively charging fees on top of fees and stand up for Bahamians? The banks made plenty money in the past...now that things are tough they want to put it on us yet again? Sure wish our Central Bank would stand up and be counted...... COLLEEN P DUNKLEY Nassau December 12, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, December 16, 2019, PAGE 5
PROTESTERS DEMANDING HELP FROM HAITI By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net OPERATION Sovereign Bahamas protested outside the Haitian Embassy on Shirley Street on Friday, demanding their officials cooperate with The Bahamas government in dealing with their citizens. Founder of Operation Sovereign Bahamas, Adrian Francis and scores of supporters of the organisation marched in front of the Haitian Embassy as they delivered a letter to that office demanding that Haitian officials cooperate with government
and also outlined issues concerning their undocumented Haitian migrants in this country. “We delivered a letter to the Haitian Embassy today, that letter spoke directly to some of the things that has been happening here in our country, some of the churches that have been harbouring illegal and undocumented migrants. What we’ve done today is we’ve sent a message to the Haitian Embassy that we are going to need you guys to cooperate with the government of The Bahamas and the people of The Bahamas and that enough is enough,” said Mr Francis.
He accused the Haitian Embassy of not having the decency to contribute to the Hurricane Dorian efforts especially with their citizens being affected. He also said that as issues with undocumented immigrants become more pressing, not enough is being done to address these matters. “We have to punch the nation where it hurts the most and obviously our government refuses to respond to some of the things that concern Bahamian people. The Haitian government is not doing anything to respond to Hurricane Dorian, not even a dollar and they’re
just taking, taking from us. Sixty million dollars in remittances leave this country every year, Haiti raises $2.3 billion from remittances and $60 million comes from us, 25 percent of the Bahamian population is from Haiti. We are disappointed with the response of the government,” he said. The group held placards that read, “Haitians get free land in The Bahamas, our people cannot afford land,” and “Applications for citizenship should only be made by legals.” In November, Operation Sovereign Bahamas protested in front of the Kendal
GL Isaacs gymnasium, a shelter for Hurricane Dorian victims, demanding that migrants leave. Mr Francis, a former talk show host, believes that cleaning up the immigration issue can assist in making The Bahamas a better place for Bahamians living abroad to return to. “We have done our share, we are flying two flags in our country. We need right now for the Bahamian people to know that they have to enjoy their country. Our mandate is very simple to create a Bahamas that Bahamians will begin to enjoy and a nation where
the diaspora can return home to. We have to create a nation where Bahamians can begin to enjoy and one where those who are scattered abroad can come back to. The Bahamians; they’re not enjoying our country, there are people who are going to school and not even coming back,” said Mr Francis. When contacted on Friday, officials of the Haitian Embassy confirmed that they received the letter, but have not yet read its contents. Yesterday, a Haitian Embassy official said diplomats were working on a response.
STUDENT DIES AFTER HITTING HEAD ON FLOOR By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
BPL CEO Whitney Heastie tours station A Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
Finally - BPL’s new engines on stream from page one bringing Bahamians the reliable, affordable and safe power they deserve.” BPL faced one of its most challenging summers this year. Its load-shedding programme frequently knocked out customers’ power for hours at a time. That scheduled loadshedding ended several weeks ago. Dr Moxey said the new plant was officially handed over to BPL yesterday, though Wartsila will continue to manage and operate the plant. BPL CEO Whitney Heastie said: “This is a
critical accomplishment for us. We have been working miracles to keep a severely debilitated generation fleet online, plagued by old machines that have—for various reasons—not been maintained as well as they could have been, and also by a growing demand for electricity that has taxed our ability to supply. Now, with the replacement power out at Clifton Pier, we can shift our caseload generation— that is, the first power to the grid and the foundation of our power supply—to Station A, which means we’re burning cheaper, more efficient fuel with
more reliable engines first. Our customers will see the difference.” Station A will cause increased reliability, lower electricity costs, increased energy and price security, lower fuel charge on monthly billing and “possession of sufficient generating assets to finally close the chapter on rental generation on New Providence,” BPL’s statement said. Officials have not specified when the savings will be felt by residents and businesses. Customers’ BPL bills are expected to increase by $20 to $30 for ten months in 2020 as a result of
the Electricity Rate Reduction Bond Act, recently passed in the Senate. This legislation comes as a bailout to “cash strapped” BPL for the refinancing of some $650 million necessary to repay debt owed to local
banks amounting to $320 million and for desperate upgrades. The company decided to build the new plant after a fire took out some of its major assets in September, 2018.
C I GIBSON Senior High School is mourning the death of a student who died in hospital after hitting his head on concrete near the school’s entrance on Thursday morning. In an interview with The Tribune on Friday, C I Gibson Principal Herbert Oembler said that everyone at the school was shocked and saddened by the news. “We know he had a heart condition because he was just standing and waiting to come on the inside because we do checks as they come in and he was on the line and he fell and hit his head by the gate. We don’t know the cause of death because he was conscious afterwards,” he said. The Tribune understands the student is Arlington Turnquest, an eleventh grader at C I Gibson. After hearing news of his death, many students and friends took to social media to share their memories of him and express their condolences to the family. In a post on Facebook, C I Gibson said: “We are nobody to question on God’s will. But, it feels hurt that He called you so soon. May your soul rest in peace.”
TWO ARRESTED OVER DRUGS, GUN
TWO men were arrested after they were found with an illegal gun and marijuana, police said. Shortly before 11pm, officers from Operation Team, acting on information, searched a home at Lewis Street, off Market Street and found a 20 gauge shotgun with 20 rounds of ammunition, along with some marijuana.
PAGE 6, Monday, December 16, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
PLP ASKS SEARS TO EXAMINE POST OFFICE DEAL By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the Progressive Liberal Party has asked Alfred Sears to examine whether parliamentarians have standing to challenge the Minnis administration’s resolution on the Town Centre Mall in the Supreme Court with the hope of having it declared null and void.
“We have provided (Mr Sears) with the Hansard of the complete proceedings (of the House of Assembly) and I think that’s at this time under complete review,” he said at a Progressive Liberal Party press conference yesterday. Mr Sears, a former Attorney General, declined to comment when contacted. In July he questioned whether the House was misled concerning the deal, noting St Anne’s MP Brent
Symonette’s disclosure that he discussed terms for leasing the mall with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, an admission that contradicted the resolution that was passed. The mall now houses the General Post Office. “Would the House of Assembly have considered it just to grant an exemption to Mr Symonette had the House of Assembly been informed of Mr Symonette’s prior discussion with the prime minister
relating to the terms of the lease…?” Mr Sears asked. “Therefore, the disclosures by Mr Brent Symonette and by Mr Basil McIntosh have raised the following constitutional, legal and ethical issues: whether Mr Symonette’s disclosures breached his ministerial oath and the prudential rules contained in the Cabinet Manual; whether Mr Symonette was required to disclose the leasehold contract himself to the House of Assembly
before the presentation of the resolution for exemption; whether the House of Assembly was misled by the certain representations, amongst other things, contained in the resolution and, if so, the effect of any alleged misrepresentations; and whether the Speaker of the House of Assembly, a senator or any member of the House has the legal standing to make a constitutional claim, under article 49, for the Supreme Court
to declare the aforesaid resolution null and void and order Mr Symonette to vacate his seat as a member of the House of Assembly.” Last week, Mr Davis moved a motion of no confidence in Dr Minnis, accusing him of misleading Parliament over the mall resolution. However, the Free National Movement amended that motion and later passed a resolution of confidence in the Killarney MP.
THE PLP celebrated its 66th anniversary with a Gospel brunch at the botanical gardens over the weekend. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
Davis - We’re not chasing FNM rebels from page one
joining us,” Mr Davis said at a press conference yesterday. “There will be no active pursuit of them.” Mr Miller, after frequently assaulting the Minnis administration’s legislative agenda over the past two years, resigned from the party last week. Mr Chipman resigned about two months earlier and both are now Independent MPs. Mr Davis said Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, another fierce critic of the administration, should decide what his own future will entail. Mr McAlpine is
still a member of the FNM. “He ought to take his own counsel and direct himself as to what his future is in that organisation,” Mr Davis said. “He may see a future in it where he will continue to be the thorn in their side. He ought to understand what is being said about him, to him and take a position as to how he sees his position and where he sees that future lying.” FNM chairman Carl Culmer has called on Mr McAlpine to make up his mind. “You can’t be inside the party and be a Trojan horse,” Mr Culmer told this newspaper last week. “He needs
to decide whether he will be an FNM and know how organisations work or not. Sometimes you can’t agree (with a party) but there’s a place and a way to air your disagreements. To come in the party and then blast the party, I have a problem with that.” Mr Culmer said he “cannot respect McAlpine for what he’s doing,” comparing him unfavourably to Mr Miller. “Vaughn had his differences but never one day tried to kill the party,” he said. “Vaughn stated his disagreements and that was it. You never saw him outside trying to degrade or belittle anyone.”
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, December 16, 2019, PAGE 7
Tuberculosis case confirmed at Kendal Isaacs gymnasium By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
ONE person at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, a shelter for Hurricane Dorian victims, tested positive for an active case of tuberculosis, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. The patient, a student, was admitted to hospital for treatment. Following the TB confirmation, a “contact tracing protocol” began with people who may have come into contact with him being tested for exposure. “As of 11 December 2019, 273 persons in the shelter have been screened,” the ministry said. “Of that number 63 had positive skin tests, inducing an exposure to TB at some time in their past. As a part of the TB protocol those persons will also receive a chest x-ray to determine whether they have active TB or were merely exposed to someone with TB. At the school that the student attends, 36 persons were also screened. As the results from the skin test have to be read 48 hours and 72 hours after placement, those results are pending.” Officials said it is not known where the infection
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands
MISSION CONTROL WILL BE RESTORED AT RAND - SANDS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands said that “mission control” will be restored at Rand Memorial Hospital today with the removal of the administrative hospital team from outdoor tents. He also said elective surgery could resume at the hospital by January when temporary operating and recovery rooms are expected to be ready. Since early September, hospital administrator Sharon Williams and her administrative team have been working in tents that were erected outside on the hospital grounds after the administrative department sustained significant damage during Hurricane Dorian. The public health institution sustained severe flood damage, and about 75 percent of the building was exposed to black water intrusion. Dr Sands toured the hospital on Friday where repairs and renovations are presently underway to restore the facility. He was pleased with the progress of work there. He said that officials started renovations at the IAT Building after Dorian, where the outpatient clinic is located. “It is exciting…on Monday the administrative team could be out of the tents so mission control can be restored,” said Dr Sands. “We will resume outpatient clinic at IAT Monday morning. It is a wonderful advance and evolution of where we were and where we headed.” Dr Sands indicated that there is significant progress in terms of demolition at the Rand. “What we found is that in this very old building were termite damage and rusty pipes. I want to assure the public that…we will not do anything that will compromise the safety of our people. But we do not believe that we will be able to get rid of every single piece of termitedamage wood.” Dr Sands said there will be mould remediation and workers will make sure that bacterial contamination is sorted out so that the structure is safe.
He believes that doctors would be able to start elective surgery at RMH in January. The minister noted that the operating and recovery rooms and the surgical supply area is part of the entire remediation project. In the meantime, he said that an area is being prepared where they will place temporary operating and recovery rooms that will be operational by January. Dr Sands said that in January, officials will provide another update on the progress at the Rand. On the topic of a new hospital for Grand Bahama, the minister said it is something that the government is committed to. “I think we all want that; I think the prime minister made it very clear that a new hospital is in the works for the people of GB, but a new hospital has to be planned and it has to be conceptualised, and we have to identify an appropriate site,” he explained. “GB deserves all of the services that could be provided in the Bahamas – that is cardiac care and cancer care, and services that are not currently provided. So, we have to conceptualise how that facility should look like, and how big it is going to be. “We also don’t really know what the design should be—should it be built to withstand 250mph winds or built out of some novel material that has been invented? We have to make sure as we a plan for the era of climate change. “When we invest in a structure in GB it would serve not just for this year, but for the next generation. It has to be carefully thought and planned. I don’t imagine we will have a ground-breaking for such a facility in less than two years,” said Minister Sands. “We are committed to getting it done - no question. And we need to figure out how to fund it. But I can assure you, the team lead by the PM is committed to a new hospital facility,” he said. Dr Sands also commended Samaritan’s Purse which has established a field hospital in Freeport, and other relief organisations that are assisting in Grand Bahama.
originated even though the infected person stayed at a shelter. “The person has active TB, we do not know where it was acquired, and all of the contacts have to be traced,” Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said. The ministry said the TB rate in the Bahamas is less than 20 per 100,000, making the country a low incidence one. Proper hand washing, coughing and sneezing hygiene are nonetheless important to help prevent spread of the infection, the ministry said. People with latent TB infection have no symptoms, do not feel sick, cannot spread the infection to others, usually have a positive TB skin test reaction and can develop active TB if they do not receive treatment for the latent disease, the ministry said. Symptoms of active TB in the lungs include a bad cough lasting longer than two weeks, pain in the chest and coughing up blood or sputum, with other symptoms including weakness or fatigue, weight loss, chills and sweating at night. Active TB is treatable. The ministry said: “Tuberculosis is a disease caused by a bacteria that usually affects the lungs or throat where the disease
may be infectious. TB can also attack other parts of the body such as the kidney, spine and brain where it is usually not infections. TB is a disease that is spread through the air. When a person with active TB
disease coughs, sneezes, talks or spits, people nearby may breathe in the bacteria and may become infected. People with active TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day.”
PAGE 8, Monday, December 16, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Business expert Richard Coulson dies, aged 88
LEFT: Richard Coulson with his daughter Amanda on her wedding day in July 2008; above: Richard in New York when he worked as a young lawyer for Cravath, Swain & Moore in the early 1960s; bottom left, Richard during his time in Korea in 1953, and other family pictures.
THE Bahamas has lost one of its most influential citizens and The Tribune its most trusted business columnist. Richard ‘Dick’ Coulson passed away early on Friday morning at Doctors Hospital after a brief illness. He was 88. Born January 8, 1931 to Sidney Cuthbert Farrington and Abby Stewart Farrington, Mr Coulson was by profession a Wall Street lawyer, international investment banker, Korean War hero, financial consultant, author, columnist, husband, father, grandfather. Most of all, he was a friend to The Bahamas who added in immeasurable ways to the development of its commercial culture and its place in centre stage of offshore finance. With a fascinating
upbringing that included three homes every year – New York, Nassau and Massachusetts, shuttled back and forth until boarding school by a glamorous mother who introduced him to two separate fathers, he enjoyed each experience, never realising that this was not the ordinary life. When many others – raised with money and the finer things it could buy – fled The Bahamas after Independence, the Andover and Yale-educated Mr Coulson ran back to what he considered his true roots and though he traveled the world thereafter, Nassau was always his roots and it was to The Bahamas that he lent his great insight and sage wisdom. In later years, after his formal retirement
from offshore banking, there was hardly an IPO, private placement offering, or a board of directors that did not benefit from his influence and counsel. Lesser known is the softer side of a man whose intelligence spilled over easily into an ability to write without ostentation, breaking down complex business matters into simple scenarios that everyone could grasp. Mr Coulson’s opinions mattered. While Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd today called him “one of the greatest financial minds this country has ever known,” Alexandra Maillis-Lynch remembered what his support of her plan to create a company based on her cooking meant. Her words -- “He
was a very pivotal figure in the early direction of my career and was willing to trust a young Bahamian when everyone was saying that I couldn’t possibly be a Bahamian cook!” Today, that company, Events by Alexandra, is a success story, one of many that may never have happened without the encouragement of a Bahamian who dined with royalty yet never underestimated the worth of the individual with an idea. Mr Coulson’s patriotism was remembered by radio personality Greg Lampkin who said “The country has lost a truly concerned patriot,” a thought echoed by Organization for Responsible Governance Executive Director “Through his writing and a
few in personal discussions, your father helped me to better understand the role of citizens in governance. He will be missed but not forgotten.” Accolades poured in from the business community and its regulators, including from Christina Rolle, Securities and Exchange Commission who called Mr Coulson “a strong and consistent advocate for the development of the Bahamian capital markets,” adding “The entire financial services community will miss him.” No one will miss Mr Coulson more than his devoted daughters, Diana Coulson, who lives in Paris, and Amanda Coulson, Director of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, and the grandchildren he adored, Emily Voges, 16 and Daisy, 13, born to Amanda and her husband Uli Voges, Curator of Art, Central Bank of The Bahamas. “He taught me we are all human, all individuals, and that it is always worth taking the time to truly know one another before deciding who somebody might truly be under their skin or behind their mask,” Amanda recalled, noting that her father did not care what colour someone’s skin was, or their ethnicity. sexual preference, even, jokingly their Junkanoo or political colours. He did not understand intolerance. “He taught us a healthy respect for our differences and diverse values. He was a proud Bahamian who passed his love of country, hard work and service to his daughters and granddaughters and through his actions he showed himself to be a patriot who believed strongly in equality of all kinds. He taught me how to be socially engaged and how not to be scared—as a young woman—to use my intellect
and carve my own path. He was consistently supportive of my choices, even when I suspect he was not entirely sure they would lead to my happiness, he would counsel me but allow me to succeed or fail on my own, while always having my back. He was brutally honest, honourable, thoughtful and the best damned backgammon teacher anyone could ask for. His mind was razor sharp and he would not spare you his clear analysis; he was a keen observer of life, a storyteller and, surprising to many, a wonderful poet.” To his older daughter, Diana, he wrote in his last e-mail, “I accept that lifespans at this age can end abruptly and unpredictably, as a normal fact of life, not to cause great wailing or anguish.” Though best known for his business acumen and the razor-sharp mind, as daughter Amanda describes it, Mr Coulson was also an avid competitive sailor, art collector and the author of A Corkscrew Life, Adventures of a Travelling Financier, which was published in 2014. A private memorial service will be scheduled later and his ashes will be scattered in his beloved Eleuthera on his birthday in January. In honour of his life’s passion and commitment to nation-building by supporting young Bahamians in their vision, the family has established the Richard Coulson Scholarship Award in Finance, to be granted annually towards the education of a young Bahamian. Donations can be made to Richard Coulson Memorial, First Caribbean FCIBC, #2552862 * Contributed by Diane Phillips Editorial View - Page 4
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
THE FNM, lead by Hubert Minnis, centre, heading towards the House of Assembley last week. Inset left: Branville McCartney Main photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
What if McCartney had stayed the course? Perhaps it’s not too late... BY MALCOLM STRACHAN LAST week’s spectacle in Parliament – a vote of no confidence becoming a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Minnis was doubly disappointing. Not only did it serve as a sobering reminder of the political horror show that was the previous administration under then-Prime Minister Perry Christie, but it also reaffirmed the nature of Bahamian politics is the greatest impediment to our advancement as a nation. Listening to the buffoonery and chicanery on display between the opposing parties, how can one not be deflated two-and-ahalf years before election with no political faction seeming equipped to give this country exactly what it needs – 21st century leadership? Rather, the government would prefer to cozy up in its echo chamber, tuning out the cries of countless Bahamians who trusted this administration to bring change. And in Opposition, the leadership of Philip “Brave” Davis still causes many to shudder at flashbacks of the previous administration. While the PLP has yet to prove itself of being worthy of another chance, their luck may be found in that a government has to reach at least an average standard to remain in good favour. Else, alternatives begin looking more attractive. As of right now, there isn’t much adulation for the Minnis administration. Crime remains an issue and the recent uptick in violence begins to make last year’s incredible feat look like a fluke. The economy has suffered a setback at the hands of Hurricane Dorian, while the government’s handling of post-Dorian rebuilding efforts has been unimpressive. Add measures which increase the cost of living, and the Minnis administration has hit the Bahamian people where it hurts. Yet, publicly, they still remain confident the electorate will return them to power in 2022. Perhaps this is why, over two years in office, their weapon of choice is to remind the Bahamian people of how terrible the PLP performed. While that may not be a bad political play for a party seeking a second term, it does not elevate the standard of government in this country.
If their most often used tactic is to attack the PLP, then what does it say about the sitting government? How can the Bahamian people be confident in them, if their confidence seems so shallow and insecure? Such is the quagmire in Bahamian politics. As much as the Bahamian people complain about the PLP and the FNM, we remain in this twisted, abusive love affair, apprehensively waiting to be whisked away by another party. Though, while we hear this often, the past two elections have shown that when it counts, the Bahamian people opt for the devil they know. However, particularly after 2017, the voters are in a unique space – cynical of both major parties and seeking new leadership. Perhaps, some would say, this is the perfect opportunity for a third party to disrupt the status quo. Yet, while the opportunity may be there, there doesn’t seem to be any takers. In 2011, just under a year before the 2012 election, the Democratic National Alliance, founded by Branville McCartney, looked to be a viable alternative to our played out two-party system. Although most Bahamians, characteristically political creatures of comfort, were hesitant to take a chance on the new party, they were still able to walk away from the election with eight percent of the vote. Some would say this was a good start. The DNA’s vision was to move The Bahamas into the 21st century, and certainly, they seemed to have some of the ingredients for success. Chief among them was their leader. A young, vibrant McCartney showed the courage to stand up to a fierce former prime minister in the likes of Hubert Ingraham, building a lot of buzz surrounding the party. They were also able to capture the attention of the young and old who wanted to see change – a very difficult thing to accomplish in an intensely cultish political climate. Nevertheless, the Bahamian people would tell McCartney that 11 months was too little time to persuade the electorate. Later, during the former government’s term, the DNA’s presence was also sparse, and they lost momentum while the
opportunity was ripe to position itself as a better alternative. Failing to capitalise on conveying to the Bahamian people that since 2012 the party had become more seasoned and ready to lead, the DNA made fatal mistakes that led to it becoming a non-factor in the 2017 election. Crucially, McCartney’s decision to form an alliance with Loretta Butler-Turner may have been the misstep that torpedoed both of their political aspirations ahead of the 2017 election. After an embarrassing showing at the polls and having stepped down as leader, McCartney manages to maintain his relevance by providing the media with the occasional interview. Still, one must wonder if his decision to step down as the party’s leader came prematurely, and, in effect, set the party back a few election cycles. As much as he felt the DNA’s poor performance at the polls in 2017 was an indictment on his leadership, the sweeping majority of FNM parliamentarians voted in also showed the Bahamian people wanted to ensure Perry Christie’s political run ended. Nonetheless, the DNA’s transition to leadership under Arinthia Komolafe – a bright young Bahamian woman revered by many – still leaves the party with little chance of breaking through the ceiling. While parts of our society has warmed to the idea of women in leadership, from a practical standpoint, we are a long way away from this becoming a reality in government – a disproportionately male dominated arena. And thus, Bahamians will likely once again be led by fear when it comes time to vote for their next government. The question is, though: “Whose leadership will we be more afraid of in 2022?” Will we still be suffering post-traumatic stress disorder from the Christie years? Or will things get so bad during the next two-and-a-half years under Prime Minister Minnis that our memories will become as fuzzy as “Brave” Davis? We shall soon learn our fate. Though, one thing is certain – much of what Branville McCartney outlined in a 2011 interview where he discussed the country’s need for a leadership alternative still exists today.
He said: “We’ve been in one direction for basically the last 40 years. Initially, our main issue in this election, as I said, is crime. Crime did not just develop over the last five years, it is something that has developed over many years... And both governments have been in power during that period of time. The same thing with illegal immigration, which is at its worst right now, in the history of The Bahamas. “That is the result of successive governments not doing what they’re supposed to do. It’s the same thing with our educational system. Our educational system needs revamping. It’s not a system for the 21st century, and there are a lot of our students out there with D averages, unable to read and write, fill out resumes and application forms. But that’s the result of successive governments.” Discussing the state of the economy, McCartney said: “Our economy is failing. It’s not working. We
have no money — the country is broke. Successive governments have failed to diversify the economy... failed to provide opportunities for young Bahamians and failed to empower young Bahamians. Where we are now, the middle class is about to be extinct. Getting the Bahamian electorate to recognise that - that may be the challenge. There’s no doubt that this country needs a new direction and must be changed, but getting them to see that and change is always difficult.” Eight years later, crime is still an issue. The middle class has all but vanished. Illegal immigration still vexes the masses of Bahamians. Our education system is still a challenge, and our economy is still dependent on tourism. And maybe most unfortunate, the Bahamian people still refuse to affect radical change in government. Had McCartney stayed the course, who knows how promising the DNA’s chances would have been in
2022 with him and Komolafe at the helm? Certainly, the third time may have been the charm. As 2022 is not that far off, the DNA’s highest hurdle will be introducing a slate of candidates the voters can get behind, developing a platform that resonates with the populace, securing the funding to form an aggressive campaign for election and changing the Bahamian people’s views towards having a woman serve as prime minister. Eight years since McCartney’s 2011 interview, the DNA can ask the Bahamian people a very serious question: “Where do you want to be in another decade?” Indeed, the DNA should not underestimate what the next two-and-a-half years can mean for its party’s legacy and our national history, as it can be a game changer for Bahamian politics. Just as much as Komolafe’s, McCartney’s leadership and experience will be essential to their party’s success.
PAGE 10 MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019
I
N the weeks since Hurricane Dorian devastated Abaco and parts of Grand Bahama priority has been on securing inhabitants safety and then slowly starting the process of rebuilding these shattered communities. Abaco suffered by far the greatest destruction and loss of life from the storm. Yet in just a few short months the island has started to recover and already businesses are reopening and visitors and locals returning. Before the hurricane local website abacobuzz.com operated by second-home owner Joanne Feinstein kept everyone up to date on the comings and goings of Abaco life. Today her site provides a vital portal for people to see what work has been done so far. For some it may be enough to entice them back to the island and join in the work. What’s for sure is Abaco is already starting to stand on its own two feet. Hope Town, Elbow Cay Abaco Inn – Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Rooms are also available. Abaco Pure - Water Delivery is available: 242.475.0946 Bike Shop, Hope Town Canvas - Shopping is open. Bikes available for rent, repairs 10am-3pm Clinic in Hope Town (Nurse Glori) is open at the Yellowbird Cottage Elbow Cay Cart Rentals open for business Harbour View Grocery open for business Home Supplies Monday Friday, 8am-11am Hope Town Cart Rentals - open for business Hope Town Sailing Club: open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday - Sunday Island Boy Excursions available for boat charters Island Cart Rentals is open for business. Imports Unlimited open
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Abaco: getting back on its feet, cay by cay 9am – 12pm, 1pm-4pm Monday through Friday Lighthouse Cart Rentals - open for business LVA Grocery Store open daily 8am-9pm, 8am-2pm Sunday Lighthouse Liquors is open for business at Sip Sip from 2pm – 5pm, Monday - Saturday. Lighthouse Marina Gas and diesel open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8am On Da Beach Bar/Turtle Hill is open for business The Thompson Group dock building available Vernon’s Bakery & Grocery – Fresh-baked bread now available Re-opening: the Abaco Inn \The re-opening of The Abaco Inn is a success story of perseverance. One of Abaco’s favourite hot spots opened Friday, November 16. The Inn invited all who could attend to a cocktail party with complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvres for the reopening. An amazing time to be thankful.
The property has 60-plus years of history and its reopening was a remarkable accomplishment given the amount of damage the island endured. Like many others, the Abaco Inn was not spared by the wrath of Dorian. The Inn lost four villas, plantings, coconut trees and suffered damage to the roof on the main building. Not to mention the piles and piles of debris and lack of power, hampering the rebuilding efforts. That did not stop Tom Hazel, the general manager and visionary of the Inn who wasted no time assembling the Abaco Inn team to clean up and rebuild. Jack, Joe, Moses and John are a few names of those who worked tirelessly to help clean up and rebuild the Inn. From trucks carting debris to the planting of trees, shrubs and hedges to the installations and repairs of doors and roofs. Local workers, carpenters powered by the five-star team of staff members worked in collaboration to restore the iconic Inn. It’s amazing
what the human spirit can do to overcome devastating situations. The revitalization of the Inn over just 76 days is testament to the people who love Elbow Cay and especially The Abaco Inn. Restore Hope Foundation is a group of second home owners and residents who have a long term interest in building a lasting legacy on beautiful Elbow Cay! Read more: restorehopefoundation.com Green Turtle Cay The Green Turtle Cay Foundation is making strides in clean-up and rebuild. Amy Roberts Primary School is open in a temporary location and while the Foundation is in the process of purchasing additional land for a state of the art schooling facility. Power restoration is underway and water has been fully restored. The tree is fine at the Wrecking Tree and the Wrecking Tree restaurant will be rebuilt Great Guana Cay Clydes Restaurant is open (formerly The Sunsetters Restaurant) in Orchid Bay serving dinner Thursday – Sunday 5:00pm – 11:00pm. Propane is now available at Guana Lumber Yard Monday – Saturday 9am – 4pm, closed on Sunday. Thank you to the Global First Responder! Johnny Roberts, the owner of Nippers, is once again helping his community by opening a larger Fig Tree Wine & Spirits and a much-needed convenience store. The store is open Monday – Saturday 9am5:30pm & Sundays 12:00pm – 4:00pm. Please help Great Guana Cay - achieve the dream of donation matching GRANT. The Trustees of the Joe & Sarah Galloway Foundation are pleased to offer a $15,000.00 matching grant to help raise the goal of $30,000.00 for relief efforts on Great Guana
THE SANDPIPER Inn
Cay this ends December 31. Please make your check payable to: ALL Saints Church 338 E. Lyman Ave.,Winter Park FL 32789 : memo Great Guana Cay Bahamas att: Beth Warren. Marsh Harbour Abacays Freight Service is open. Between Marsh Harbour port and the Cays 242 367.6247 (It works) office located by CJ’s Welding Abaco Gas open 9-12pm on the daily basis Abaco Health Services Mobile Medical Unit is providing free medical services. Appointment times available on Abaco Health Services Facebook Page! Sick walk-ins welcome! Agape Family Dental Centre is open. For appointments What’sApp 242 825 3691 Commonwealth Bank Bahamas has opened a new sub branch at Maxwell’s Supermarket in Marsh Harbour! The Chemist Shop (prescription service) is opening January 2020 in Maxwell’s Cruise Abaco will reopen April 2020! EMM Boat Service in Marsh Harbour and all the cays Frederick’s Agency is open at their temporary location inside Maxwells. Albury’s Trucking temporary office at Maxwells Integrated Medical Centre is now open. S.C. Bootle Highway, across from Marsh Harbour Health Care Centre. 242 367 1304 Maxwell’s Supermarket & Home Store Holiday Store Hours: December 22- December 24, 8am to 5 pm. Wednesday, Christmas Day: CLOSED Thursday, Boxing Day, December 26th: 9 am to 2 pm December 27th - December 31st: 8 am to 5 pm. Wednesday, New Years Day: CLOSED Back to regular schedule on January 2nd, M - Sa: 8 to 5 Sundays: 9 to 2. REV Cable Bahamas has opened a sub-branch at Maxwell’s, Open 9am-2pm. Mon-Fri.
SEACOR Island Lines has an office at Marsh Harbour Port call 242 458 2556 Taxi Service: Peter Pratt 242 825 9325 Man-O-War Man-o-War Hardware Store is open Man-O-War Heritage Museum & Coffee Shop is open (6am-12pm) Joe’s Studio is also open Monday - Saturday, 11am-2pm Albury’s Sail Shop has opened across the street from the old location. Steak Night - Every Wednesday a generous second homeowner who would like to stay anonymous provides steaks for the people on Man-o-War Cay for a special grill out at The Hibiscus Cafe on Wednesdays at 6:30pmthey are grateful for generosity for such kind people! Schooner Bay The Sandpiper Inn is Open for Breakfast (8am-10am) and Lunch (12:30pm-3pm) Monday - Wednesday, and Breakfast (8am-10am), Lunch (12:30pm-3pm) and Dinner (7pm-9pm) Thursday - Sunday The Delphi Club - a luxury bonefish lodge is open. Abaco Club on Winding Bay. is open and ready for members and guests. Treasure Cay Treasure Sands Club. clean up is well underway. Treasure Sands Club has a tentative re-opening date as March 1st, 2020. New pizza spot “Sunset Pizza” is scheduled to open March 1st, 2020 Treasure Cay Resort & Marina will rebuild. Stay tuned for all new developments. Bahama Beach Club Resort - “We hope to start reconstruction in January and reopen part of the resort in June,” said Craig H. Roberts President/ Developer
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
By ALFRED M SEARS, QC
I
N the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, it is imperative The Bahamas adopt a climate change resilient Building Code to guide restoration rebuilding in Abaco and Grand Bahama, the construction of new buildings and retrofitting key infrastructures throughout the country. Since this rebuilding will be funded by a combination of private, state borrowing and international grants, it is in the public interest that rebuilding be done in a way to make Abaco and Grand Bahama more resilient for the next hurricane. The Bahamas is one of the first Commonwealth Caribbean countries to implement a mandatory building code in 1971 to regulate building design and construction. Its Building Code was updated in 1987 along the lines of the South Florida Building Code. In 2003, a new edition of the Code was created, patterned after the ASCE 7 load standards, where the design wind speeds were increased and the installation of hurricane shutters was made mandatory. Dorian’s windspeed of 185 mph, gusting up to 220mph, and flooding storm surge at reported heights of over 20 feet in Grand Bahama, exceeded the design requirement of the Bahamian Building Code. According to Aman Karamlou and Karthik Ramanathan in their essay “What Hurricane Dorian Taught Us about the Bahamas Building Code”, the Building Code of The Bahamas, while one of the best in the Caribbean, lacks thorough specifications and construction detailing requirements for some critical regions and elements of the roof and weak enforcement by its inspectorate due to limited resources, training and geography. Florida, after Hurricane Andrew in 1992, requires structures in vulnerable areas to be able to withstand winds of 111mph and higher, while Miami-Dade and Broward buildings must be able to withstand winds of at least 130mph. In the Florida Keys, structures must be able to withstand winds of up to 150mph. In Munroe County, structures must be elevated above the flood plains to allow storm surge to pass underneath living spaces. Bottom floors can only be used for limited purposes such as storage and recreation. Since the most of land area of The Bahamas is at sea level or below, the Building Code of The Bahamas should be adapted to this new reality of global warming. While the Building Code makes provision for wind speed, there is no provision for sea surge and wave action. After
INSIGHT
MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019 PAGE11
We need to build to cope with the new reality of the storms we are facing
A HOME damaged by Hurricane Dorian is surrounded by debris in Eastern Shores on Abaco in September conferring with a number of Bahamian architects, engineers and contractors, I propose the following measures should be considered, for areas zoned as hazardous zones (low lying coastal and swamp areas where there have been hurricane sea surges of eight feet or more) to reduce risks and increase resilience for buildings, subdivisions and public infrastructure: • Elevation of buildings in low lying coastal and vulnerable areas by creating a drag line. Built structures should be elevated, with minimum floor elevations above the crown of the road or 15 feet above high tide. Like vulnerable areas in the Carolinas and Florida, commercial and residential structures are built on 12 feet high columns, on stilts with breakaways on the ground level which are used for parking, recreation and storage. Similarly, in the Miami International Airport, the concourses and
key operational centres are located on the higher floors, at least one floor above the ground. • More effective enforcement of the Building Code, better preparation of the inspectorate, contractors and elimination of shortcuts.· Ensure that designed mixture of concrete is
strictly observed to ensure that that there is no reduction in the strength and reliability by adding water or not observing the recommended chemical formula. Mandatory testing of concrete for strength and reliability before applying to structure. • Tie down roof with
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50%
screws, rather than nails, and reduce roof overhangs· Require impact rated windows and doors for proper sealing to ensure stability and integrity during hurricane winds. • Institute new drainage requirements for all subdivisions and commercial complexes, such as
protective dunes planted with indigenous salt tolerant plants and trees. Water features can be used as retention lakes or ponds to mitigate flooding and to drain off storm water. • Electricity, water and cable distribution systems should be built underground. • Freeport Airport Flooded with over ten feet of water during Hurricanes Frances and, Jeanne, Matthew and Dorian, a reset is necessary to reduce the risk of flooding and destruction of this vital infrastructure in the future. Like the Miami Airport, the departure and arrival lounges, the control tower, concourses and other vital operations of this airport should be constructed at least 15 feet above the ground or high tide. • Schools, community centres, Government complexes and major subdivisions should be required to construct shelters, equipped with water tanks, generators, upper level structures to provide secure shelter during hurricanes for local communities during hurricanes. This was the client’s brief, based on stakeholder consultation, in designing and constructing the current T.G. Glover Primary School to serve as a shelter for the community of Fort Charlotte. • To achieve resilience for the rebuilding of the Marsh Harbour City Centre, the Freeport Airport, residential communities and public infrastructure requires, I believe, proper scientific review and consultation with national stakeholders on hurricane vulnerabilities, strengthening of the Building Code, enhancing the resources of the Building Inspectorate and clarification of a national development strategy to deal with the new normal of global warming. These adaptation measures will reduce the risks of damage from hurricanes and improve resilience of the built environment of Abaco and Grand Bahama as well as the entire Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
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PAGE 12 MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019
T
HE untidy and muddled way in which Canadian banks are withdrawing from the countries of the Commonwealth Caribbean is a direct result of insufficient attention being paid by governments to the terms of their entry at the time. Commonwealth Caribbean countries are those that were former colonies, or are still territories of, the United Kingdom. It is reported that: “Beginning in 1955, a former governor of the Bank of Canada and director of the Royal Bank of Canada, Graham Towers, along with a representative
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Withdrawal of Canadian banks: opportunity to remedy not repeat mistakes from the Ministry of Finance, helped write the Bank of Jamaica law of 1960 and that country’s Banking Law of 1960. These laws, which became the model for the rest of the newly independent English Caribbean, pleased Canadian banks.” Quite extraordinarily, the major Canadian banks that established in the Commonwealth Caribbean did so on a letter of comfort; they did not invest a cent in capital, other than what was needed to satisfy the start-up of operations. From the time they opened their doors to now when they are closing them, Canadian banks were mere custodians of the assets of Caribbean people or people benefitting from doing business in the Caribbean. The only things they owned were the few buildings they bought or built and the large profits they made for many decades – all of which were repatriated to Canada for the benefit of their shareholders and the Canadian economy. What they are selling today is the custody of the assets of Caribbean depositors and viable loans within Caribbean jurisdictions that give a good return. Over the years, the profits from their Caribbean operations have amounted to thousands of millions of dollars. This is why in the sudden haste of Canadian banks to depart the Caribbean, regional governments should be careful not to repeat the mistakes of their predecessor governments in the late 1950s and 1960s that allowed the Canadian banks to formulate terms. There are a few facts that should be borne in mind. First, up until their secretive rush to depart the region, Canadian banks controlled more than 60 percent of the Caribbean’s banking sector. This means they conducted more than 60 percent of the region’s transactions. In this scenario, if the region is accused of involvement in money laundering and tax evasion, it seems logical Canadian banks in the region were involved in some measure of that activity. This is borne out by Alain Deneault in a 2015 book titled, “Canada: A New Tax Haven: How the Country That Shaped Caribbean Tax Havens Is Becoming One Itself”. In the book, Deneault writes: “Beginning in the 1950s, at the instigation of
Canadian financiers, lawyers, and policymakers, these jurisdictions changed to become some of the world’s most frighteningly accommodating jurisdictions. In 1955, a former governor of the Bank of Canada most probably helped make Jamaica into a reducedtaxation country. In the 1960s, as the Bahamas were becoming a tax haven characterized by impenetrable bank secrecy, the Bahamian finance minister was a member of the board of administrators of the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). A Calgary lawyer and former Conservative Party honcho drew up the clauses that enabled the Cayman Islands to become an opaque offshore jurisdiction.” In this sense, the Canadian banks may have reason to consider their own contribution to the tainting of the Caribbean as a tax haven and the consequences that regional countries now face in terms of the withdrawal of correspondent banking relations (CBRs) that are vital to their economies and the wellbeing of their people. That brings us to a second consideration surrounding the sale of the operations of the Canadian banks in Caribbean jurisdictions. It is related directly to maintaining CBRs. Correspondent banks in the US are reluctant to provide CBRs to respondent banks in Caribbean jurisdictions that have assets of less than $1 billion. That restriction applies to most indigenous banks. It is why Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne insisted any sale of their operations by Canadian banks must be made to indigenous entities. This policy was designed to ensure local banks could achieve the asset base of $1 Billion that would make CBRs more secure. When a consortium of indigenous banks purchase the operations of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), formally announced on December 12, each of them will be in a better position than before, and the Eastern Caribbean economies would be more confident of their capacity to continue to participate in global trade and finance. The acquiring consortium of indigenous banks are: 1st National Bank of St. Lucia, Antigua Commercial Bank Ltd., National Bank of Dominica Ltd., the Bank
ANTIGUA and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Montserrat and Bank of Nevis Ltd. In this regard, recognition is due to Gaston Browne, for not agreeing to the sale of Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) to other than indigenous banks in his country. Had he not done so, RBC may not have decided that the wise course was to sell only to the indigenous banks. As it stands, the sale of BNS operations in jurisdictions in the Eastern Caribbean, other than Antigua and Barbuda, is a lost opportunity. Had governments provided the overall economic guidance, indigenous banks could have acquired over $2 billion of the assets being held by BNS for approximately $50 million, resulting in stronger indigenous banks; each better placed to secure CBRs and each more financially secure. What is more, the assets and the generated profits would have benefitted a faster rate of social and economic development of Eastern Caribbean countries. As it now stands, those profits will now flow to Republic Financial Holdings (RFH) and shareholders in Trinidad and Tobago, when they could have been kept in the Eastern Caribbean. No quarrel with RFH, it made a business decision in its own interest and that is what businesses do. It is a shame a similar good business decision was not made by the Eastern Caribbean authorities, except Antigua and Barbuda. The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organization of American States. 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 entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com
THE TRIBUNE By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A MAN has been cleared of allegations that he robbed a Domino’s Pizza employee of her car, cash and cellphone while she was making a delivery eight years ago. Justice Bernard Turner ordered that Charles Ingraham be acquitted of the October 8, 2011 armed robbery of Janet Higgs after finding he did not have a case to answer. During trial, Ms Higgs testified that on the date in question, she was working the noon to 8pm shift at Domino’s Coral Harbour location. She said she ended up having to work a double-shift that day. While working, she said her manager asked her to make two deliveries. The first of those deliveries was to a customer in the Bacardi Road area. Ms Higgs said before she left the store, she called the customer to let her know she was on the way and to be on the lookout for her. Ms Higgs said she arrived at the residence shortly after 9pm. When she arrived, she said, the residence and the yard was in total darkness. Ms Higgs said she blew her car’s horn to notify the customer that she was outside. However, no one came out of the residence. She blew her horn again, but still got no response. Ms Higgs said just as she was about to leave, she heard two voices saying: “We coming now.” The voices belonged to two young girls, who both came running to her car. One of the girls went to the window on the driver’s side—the car was a lefthand drive vehicle, but Ms Higgs instructed her to go to the passenger’s side window because the driver’s side window wasn’t working. The girl did as she was told, and when she got to the passenger’s window, Ms Higgs said she heard a man’s voice ask her how much was for the pizza. Ms Higgs said the voice came from the right side of the car, but she couldn’t see him. She said at the time, she figured it must have been the girls’ uncle. The unknown man then said again: “Y’all have the money for the pizza?” Ms Higgs said when one of the girls answered in the affirmative, the man then ordered the young girl: “Ask her (Ms Higgs) how much for the pizza.” The young girl did as was told, and Ms Higgs told her
Monday, December 16, 2019, PAGE 13
Accused cleared in Domino’s Pizza case the pizza cost $25. Ms Higgs said the man then said: “Ya’ll have the money? Pay her for the pizza.” After the young girls paid Ms Higgs, the man then said: “Wait, open up the box.” After one of the girls did so, the man ordered: “Y’all go back upstairs.” The girls consequently ran, and just as Ms Higgs was about to pull off, she noticed another man standing by the driver’s window. That man, she said, was about 5’9” tall, of slim build, and had a t-shirt tied around the lower part of his face just below the nose. That man then told her, with a “Haitian-Bahamian” accent: “Don’t look at me. This a f*****g robbery.” Ms Higgs said she got a glimpse of the person who said that. She explained that when the remark was made, she bent her head down, but in doing so looked through the corner of her eyes to get a good look at the person’s face, which prompted his remark. That person, a male, ordered her to start the car, which she did. However, Ms Gibbs said the man then told her: “No, get out the f*****g car.” Ms Higgs said when she got out of the car, the man asked her: “Hold on, where your bag?” Ms Higgs said she replied by telling the man her bag was in the back seat of the car. Then, she said he asked where her cellphone was, to which she replied by telling him it was in her bag. Afterwards, the man put a gun to Ms Higgs’ head and ordered her to “break off running” before he “let off a shot”. Ms Higgs did as she was told, and shouted after the girls: “Y’all wait for me. I get rob!” She also said she shouted out for someone to call the police. Meanwhile, Ms Higgs said the other man that was on the right side of the car said: “She ain’t running fast enough” before warning her: “Speed up before I let off a shot.” Ms Higgs said she got even more afraid and ran inside the young girls’ house, where she instructed them to notify the police. One of the girls subsequently opted to call her brother and tell him
the Domino’s driver got robbed. Meanwhile, the armed robber sped off in the car she was driving. Ms Higgs said she started dialing 919, but couldn’t get through. She tried calling her workplace, but got the same result. The police eventually came, and Ms Higgs gave a statement in relation to the matter. A week later, police called Ms Higgs to the Central Detective Unit (CDU), where she picked Ingraham out of a nine-man lineup as the man who held her at gunpoint. And to be sure he was the one who held the gun on her, Ms Higgs said she asked each of the participants to say “get out of the f*****g car” to hear their accent. During cross-examination by defence attorney David Cash, however, Ms Higgs was challenged on the likelihood of her being able to get a good look at the robber’s face, given the lighting at the time, the
way she was positioned in the car when the robber set upon her, and the fact that the man had something covering the lower half of his face. It was revealed that Ms Higgs never looked in the robber’s eyes, nor did she look at his nose. And with
her admission that she asked for the participants of the lineup to say “get out of the f*****g car”, Mr Cash said that was proof that she wasn’t entirely sure of how the person looked, and needed to hear that person’s voice in order to positively identify him.
Mr Cash said if she was so confident in how the person who robbed her looked, there would have been no need for her to ask that question. Ingraham was eventually acquitted at the no-case submission stage of the trial.
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THE TRIBUNE
TRUMP A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO DEMOCRACY, SAYS SCHIFF WASHINGTON Associated Press AS Washington braces for this week’s expected vote to impeach President Donald Trump, partisan battle lines hardened yesterday, with Democrats defending impeachment even if Trump isn’t removed from office and Republicans denouncing the integrity of the constitutional process. The Democratic-controlled House planned to vote on Wednesday on two articles of impeachment against the Republican president, and the decision whether to make Trump the third US president in history to be impeached was expected to play
out along party lines. There is some debate between the White House and GOP-run Senate about the contours of the Senate trial anticipated in January, but there seems little doubt the Senate would acquit Trump. But a seemingly predetermined result has not convinced Democrats that their impeachment effort, which was prompted by Trump’s push to have Ukraine investigate a Trump political foe, was in vain. Framing the matter as a national security issue, the chairman of the House committee that led the investigation insisted it was “not a failure in the sense of our constitutional duty in the House.”
“This misconduct goes on, the threat to our election integrity coming up goes on,” said Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff of California, who heads the House Intelligence Committee. ``It’s a clear and present danger, I think, to our democracy, and not something that we can turn away from simply because the Republicans in the House refuse to do their duty, and continuing to put the person of the president above their personal obligation.” Democrats expect support for impeachment from all but a few of their members; no Republicans are expected to join them. From the beginning of the inquiry, Trump has tried to cast it as a
UNDER FIRE: Donald Trump
political effort by Democrats to undo the result of the 2016 election. Trump is accused of abusing his presidential power by asking Ukraine to investigate his 2020 rival Joe Biden while holding American military aid as leverage, and obstructing Congress by blocking the House’s efforts to investigate his actions. Trump has lashed out against impeachment and has told confidants that even if he is acquitted in the Senate as expected, it will be a stain on his legacy. “The Impeachment Hoax is just a continuation of the Witch Hunt which has been going on for 3 years. We will win!” Trump tweeted yesterday.
LEBANON PROTESTS TURN VIOLENT
BABE’S BAT GOES FOR $1MILLION
BEIRUT Associated Press
CALIFORNIA Associated Press BABE Ruth has hit another one out of the ballpark. The bat used by the legendary baseball player to hit his 500th home run was auctioned on Saturday for more than $1 million. Ruth hit his 500th homer in Augusdst 1929, in a game against the Cleveland Indians. According to SCP Auctions, the ball cleared the right field wall at League Park and rolled down Lexington Avenue. Ruth was the first of just 27 Major League Baseball players to reach that mark. He gave the autographed bat to his friend, former Suffern, New York, Mayor Jim Rice, in the 1940s.
NEW York Yankees’ Babe Ruth in action in 1929 at New York’s Yankee Stadium.
UN disappointed with climate talks MADRID Associated Press MARATHON UN climate talks ended yesterday with a slim compromise that sparked widespread disappointment, after major polluters resisted calls for ramping up efforts to keep global warming at bay and negotiators postponed debate about rules for international carbon markets for another year. Organisers kept delegates from almost 200 nations in Madrid far beyond Friday’s scheduled close of the two-week talks. In the end, negotiators endorsed a general call for greater efforts to tackle climate change and several measures to help poor countries respond and adapt to its impacts. UN Secretary-General António Guterres
said he was “disappointed” by the meeting’s outcome. “The international community lost an important opportunity to show increased ambition on mitigation, adaptation and finance to tackle the climate crisis,” he said. “We must not give up and I will not give up.” The final declaration cited an “urgent need” to cut planet-heating greenhouse gases in line with the goals of the landmark 2015 Paris climate change accord. But it fell far short of explicitly demanding that countries submit bolder emissions proposals next year, which developing countries and environmentalists had demanded. The Paris accord established a common goal of keeping temperature increases below 2 degrees
Celsius, ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. So far, the world is on course for a 3- to 4-degree Celsius rise, with potentially dramatic consequences for many countries, including rising sea levels and fiercer storms. After two nights of fractious negotiations, delegates in Madrid decided to defer some of the thorniest issues to the next UN climate summit in Glasgow in November. Chile’s Environment Minister Carolina Schmidt, who chaired the meeting, said she was “sad” no deal had been reached on the rules for international trading in carbon emissions permits. “We were on the verge,” she said, adding that the goal was to establish markets that are “robust and environmentally sustainable.”
Some observers welcomed the failure of a deal on carbon markets, though, and the European Union and developing countries had said beforehand that no deal was better than a bad one. “Thankfully, the weak rules on a market-based mechanism, promoted by Brazil and Australia, that would have undermined efforts to reduce emissions, have been shelved,” said Mohamed Adow, director of Nairobi-based campaign group Power Shift Africa. Helen Mountford, from the environmental think-tank World Resources Institute, said that “given the high risks of loopholes discussed in Madrid, it was better to delay than accept rules that would have compromised the integrity of the Paris Agreement.”
LEBANESE security forces fired tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons yesterday to disperse hundreds of protesters for a second straight day, ending what started as a peaceful rally in defiance of the toughest crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in two months. The violence comes on the eve of a meeting between the president and parliamentary blocs in which resigned Prime Minister Saad Hariri is widely expected to be renamed to the post. The tension also reflects deepening divisions in the country that is grappling with a severe liquidity and foreign currency crunch. Hariri resigned Oct. 29 amid nationwide protests that have accused the entire political elite of corruption and mismanagement amid Lebanon’s worst economic crisis in decades. The protesters say they won’t accept Hariri as prime minister, demanding an independent head of government not affiliated with existing parties. “Saad, Saad, Saad, don’t dream of it anymore,” protesters chanted Sunday. After weeks of bickering, the political parties failed to put forward independent names, most of them insisting on keeping their political share in the government. The protests were largely peaceful, but some demonstrators lobbed water bottles and firecrackers at security forces guarding parliament. After a couple of hours, security forces chased the the protesters away, using batons and tear gas.
AN ANTI-govt protester
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, December 16, 2019, PAGE 15
‘GUARDIANS OF OUR HERITAGE’ CHIEF Petty Officers Ian Morley and Allan Francis were both hailed as “guardians of our heritage” after they officially retired from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Both senior enlisted officers were recognised for their dedicated services during a special ceremony on December 9 at Coral Harbour Base. Several individuals, including Lieutenant Commander Kenneth Force, commanding officer, base maintenance team (BMT); and Senior Lieutenant Origin Deleveaux,
IAN MORLEY, above, and Allan Francis
training officer, brought brief remarks, and thanked them for their services over the years. CPO Francis enlisted as a marine recruit in 1985, and has served in numerous key departments which included squadron, supply, headquarters (public relations section) and engineer. CPO Morley enlisted as a marine recruit in 1984. He has also served in essential areas such as squadron, supply, training, military police and force protection unit and headquarters.
PAGE 16, Monday, December 16, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Christmas Beat Retreat
THE ROYAL Bahamas Police Force hosted its annual Christmas Beat Retreat yesterday evening at Rawson and Parliament Square Bay Street. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff