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MAJORITY RULE DAY- It appears that we may be one more step closer to the day being a national public holiday. The 10th January 1967 was when the first government of people of African descent got to run The Bahamas. It was a seminal day in our history. The day has now been embraced it appears by all the political sides. It seems that the start of that began at a service for National Heroes at the Golden Gates Assembly last week when Loretta Butler Turner, the Deputy leader of the FNM, embraced the idea. The Prime Minister sought to build on that. This year the Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes sent out a message to the country which was read in all the schools thanks to the work of Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald. The photo of the week then is that of the annual service sponsored by the Rev. C.B. Moss and the Bain Town Association at Bethel Baptist Church on Wednesday 9th January, the eve of the day , at which the Governor General Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes attended and all the leaders of the government and the Opposition. The photo is by Peter Ramsay of the Bahamas Information Services.
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COMMENT OF THE WEEK
It is no secret that we believe that BTC, the telephone company, should be compulsorily acquired by the Bahamas Government in order to fulfill the promise by the PLP to take back control of the phone company. The phone company is simply a disgrace. The phone company which was bought by Cable and Wireless in a deal widely suspected to be corrupt does not provide adequate service for the Bahamian people. We have said it before Cable and Wireless is simply a lousy company.
We were happy then that the Prime Minister went public with the government’s objections to what is happening with BTC and Cable and Wireless and said so in the presence of the CEO in The Bahamas of Cable and Wireless Geoff Houston. We quote in extenso from the PM’s statements made on Thursday 10th January at the Bahamas Outlook Seminar. We quote them with approval. The patience of the Bahamian people is wearing thin with this company.
Down in South Andros, the phone service has been so bad that Cable and Wireless will have to compensate businesses for the bad service. This simply will not do.
The quotes from the Prime Minister:
“I am advised that Cable and Wireless has divested itself of all of its European holdings. As Prime Minister, I should be concerned as to whether that has implications to the decision that led them coming to The Bahamas. They were a major player worldwide and now they’re reducing themselves to the region.
And people should get vex if the Prime Minister has to dial a number three times from my office to the Cabinet because of dropped calls. Yeah I can call them up and say what the problem is, but I want to talk to them publically; not on my behalf; on all of our behalf.
We are going to have a resolution of this matter and I hope it will be manifested in both the interest of the people of The Bahamas and the shareholders of Cable and Wireless.
I said once to the press that if it appears that the negotiating team was not making progress that we would have to resort to other options and that was interpreted to mean that it can’t happen. Well I don’t want anyone in this room to believe that.”
We are pleased at this and say no more. It has our complete and full support.
Number of hits for the week ending Saturday12th January 2013 up to midnight:189,834
Number of hits for the month of January up to Saturday 12th January 2013 up midnight:275,337
Number of hits for the year 2013 up to Saturday 12th January 2013 up to midnight:275,337
In a press conference at the start of last week, the Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade said that he had to act on the question of enforcing the law on the numbers houses, no matter what the outcome of the referendum on 28th January. Our question is this: Why would Mr. Greenslade feel the need to say anything on numbers house? This is a matter where it is best left to be silent. The fact is whether or not the yes vote succeeds, there is nothing the government or the police can do to stop the numbers houses without making criminals of masses of people in this country. It is silly to think otherwise. Our take on this is let the no vote people live in their unreality. They have a role to play but the police should simply wait it out. There are much bigger fish to fry in this matter. In the meantime, the no vote supporters are attacking the questions saying that it’s the wrong question. The most surprising opponent is Dr. Myles Munroe who has injected himself into what is now a political campaign. Interesting for a man who has studiously stayed out of political debates and now he is front and centre in this one. A sample of the paid ad that he had inserted in the press last week is shown. On the other hand you have the troika Bishop Simeon Hall, Dr. Philip McPhee and Bishop Greg Minnis who support the yes vote. Bishop Hall’s mantra is either to regulate it or eliminate it. Well, we just say vote yes.
From left Bishop Greg Minnis, Bishop Simeon Hall and Rev. Dr. Philip McPhee.
HONORARY CONSUL CALLS ON THE MINISTER
11 January 2013Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Fred Mitchell greets Count Niccolo Caissotti di Chiusano, left, Honorary Consul to Monaco, during a courtesy call on the Minister, January 10. (BIS Photo / Derek Smith)
RYAN PINDER ON THE PENSION BILL
It was a dynamic presentation in the House of Assembly for Ryan Pinder, the Minister for Financial Services. He spoke to the new pension legislation that is proposed by the Bahamas Government to protect employees from their pension funds being raided by their employers. Mr. Pinder said: “We are now debating legislation to provide the necessary protections and regulatory environment for pension funds, and in turn retirement benefits of thousands of Bahamians. Our legislative agenda is clear, we work and as the Government we legislate for the advancement of Bahamians in all regards.”
You may click here for the full statement.
Photo from Facebook of the front page of the Bahamian Times, edited by the then Arthur Foulkes, proclaiming Majority Rule in 1967.
PLP WOMEN”S BRANCH MESSAGE FACEBOOK
The following New Year’s Message was posted by the PLP’s Women’s Branch on Facebook, wishing the country well for the New Year:
January, 2013 New Year’s Message
New Providence Women’s Branch
Progressive Liberal Party
The New Providence Women’s Branch of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) would like to take this opportunity to wish the citizens of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May the peace of God be upon your family, friends and loved ones as we enter a new year filled with favour and opportunity.
The year 2013 promises great things and cause for celebration by the Bahamian people. This year we will commemorate the 46th Anniversary of Majority Rule, our 40th year of Independence and the 180th year since the passage of the Slavery Abolition Act in 1833 which paved the way for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834 and which is commemorated by Bahamians annually on Emancipation day. Further, during the month of November the Progressive Liberal Party – the oldest political party of record within the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, will officially celebrate 60 years since its formation in 1953.
The Bahamian political landscape will also make history as it is anticipated that the current administration will organise and facilitate two referenda that are expected to bring about significant social and constitutional change within our nation.
It is commendable that the current administration under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie is pushing full speed ahead to address a social issue that has plagued our Bahamaland for multiple decades. The subject of the numbers industry that has been a part of the Bahamian society for what many would say since time immemorial will finally receive the requisite focus on 28th January, 2013. The beauty of democracy will be on full display with the populace being given the opportunity to decide whether the industry should be regulated and taxed to the benefit of the Bahamian people.
Figuring even more prominently is the anticipated referendum proposed before July 2013 that will among other things seek to extend equal rights and privileges as enjoyed by Bahamian men to Bahamian women, particularly as it relates to the passage of citizenship to children of Bahamian women.
The New Providence Women’s Branch of the PLP remains steadfast in its efforts to support the government to bring about social, political and economic change. Further, we extend congratulations to the current Christie administration for the progress made to date in just 8 months in office. The current administration has moved swiftly to implement programs that has brought relief to homeowners who were at risk of foreclosure, compensate businesses impacted by the New Providence Road Works Improvement Project, reintroduce initiatives to combat crime and provide much needed attention to the sluggish and stagnant economy of Grand Bahama by instituting strategic and necessary ministries, tax relief and incentives.
The Branch is confident that the government will continue to implement policies that will set the economy and the country back on the right track with a view to bringing back prosperous times to the Bahamian people.
As we embark upon a new year, we also wish to extend an invitation to women who are committed to building our nation to join our efforts in contributing to the social, economic and political prosperity of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. In this regard, we implore more women to join the political process in the spirit of our foremothers of the Women’s Suffrage Movement and their successors who have served in various capacities within the Bahamian Parliament, Cabinet and other public offices.
It is our duty to join the men of this nation in bringing about true change and reformation.
May God continue to Bless the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
New Providence Women’s Branch
Progressive Liberal Party
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION”S FACEBOOK MESSAGE
The following is the message for New Year’s by the Leader of the Opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis:
New Year’s Address 2013
The Honorable Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, MP
Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition
My fellow Bahamians, residents and visitors to our beautiful island home, good evening, and a Happy New Year. As we say good-bye to the old, and welcome the new, we do so with great hope, and anticipation, that the New Year would usher in new possibilities, and new opportunities.
As we look forward to the New Year, we would be remiss if we did not reflect on some of the events that made 2012 memorable for our island nation.
Bahamians and indeed people around the world clinched in their seats as the golden knights took Olympic gold in the Men’s 4x400 meter relay, proving to the world that hard work, and co-operation wins not only the race but the heart of a grateful nation. This victory was but one, of many sporting achievements from our young athletes. We surpassed many personal and national records in the Olympics, Carifta, and other meets throughout the world, etching our athletic prowess in the history of the sporting world once again.
2012 was a year for many glorious achievements in sports and youth development. A proud nation celebrated and opened its world class sporting arena, named after one of our greatest sporting legends, the now deceased Thomas A. Robinson. Even though, the nation recently mourned Tommy’s death, we were pleased that he realized our gratitude for his accomplishments – he received his flowers in life.
We must continue to develop our youth and sports in our country, for it is through this development that we become a nation, building a future for the youth. It is important for us to empower, not stifle our youth, for their potential will become our crowning glory.
In 2012, many projects and buildings started to take shape and form amongst the architectural landscape of our great nation. One such project was the ground breaking of the new wing at the Princess Margaret Hospital, which will in time, help to bridge the divide and usher in e-health which through technology will create One Bahamas, where key elements of healthcare services are delivered via technology throughout our archipelago.
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NOTTAGE ON THE REFERENDUM QUESTIONS
The Minister responsible for the Parliamentary Commissioner’s office Dr. Bernard Nottage spoke to the House of Assembly to answer his critics on the questions which are to be put to the people of the country with regard to the issue of gambling in the country. He said that the questions will not change. The people who support the no vote have been nothing short of inventive in finding one technical fault after the next about the referendum. The minister had received a letter from the no vote campaign to say that they thought the questions were unfair and deceptive. The Minister rejected that.
You may click here for the report on his statement he delivered in the House on Wednesday 9th January written by the Bahamas Information Services.
MAJORITY RULE CELEBRATED IN GRAND BAHAMA
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| Photos By SIMON LEWIS)WARM GREETINGS – Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, greets students assembled in the St. George’s High School Gymnasium on January 10. The occasion was the celebration of Majority Rule Day. |
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| MAJORITY RULE – The Honourable Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama, delivers remarks during the celebration of Majority Rule Day at the St. George’s High School on January 10. (BIS Photos / Simon Lewis) |
Majority Rule Day was 10 January 2013 NASSAU, The Bahamas. It was celebrated throughout the country and especially at all schools in the country. Grand Bahama was no exception. Minister for Grand Bahama Michael Darville spoke to the students at a special assembly at St. George’s High. The story follows and is written by Simon Lewis of the Bahamas Information Services.
January 10, 2013 FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Students from schools throughout Grand Bahama held special assemblies on Thursday morning, January 10, to commemorate Majority Rule Day in The Bahamas.Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, joined in the special assembly at St. George’s High School telling students that outside of Independence, there is no greater event in Bahamian history.Addressing hundreds of students assembled in the St. George’s Gymnasium, the Minister informed that “Majority Rule, which was realised 45 years ago, on January 10, 1967, is an important milestone in Bahamian history which many Bahamians take for granted, simply because they are not aware of its importance.“However, with the exception of the country’s independence in 1973, there is no other event of greater significance in the lives of Bahamians other than Majority Rule,” he told the gathering. Continuing, the Minister reminded students that in order to know the future, the past must be known.“As I am sure you all would remember on May 12, 2012, thousands of registered voters, as young as 18 years old, turned out in large numbers to cast their ballots for the candidate of their choice.“Before Majority Rule in 1967, this would have been impossible because only land owners could vote.“Students, Majority Rule paved the way for average Bahamians like you and I to have the freedom, the rights and opportunities that we enjoy today. “Since 1967, Bahamians like Sir Sidney Poitier, the Golden Girls and most recently the Golden Knights have made their mark on the world and brought much exposure to our small country,” he stated.Concluding, he reminded students of a quote which says, do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.“Our forefathers who led us into freedom and independence lived this quote every day and were true Bahamian trailblazers. I would like to challenge you all here today to go confidently into the direction of your dreams and make your positive contributions to our great country and the world,” he stated.The assembly was also entertained by the school’s Glee Club and a dramatisation by Christina Meme and The Group.The gathering also listened to Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes’ remarks, read by the school principal, Mr. Keith Barr.
Sir Arthur, who was very much a part of the struggle for Majority Rule, in his message, recounted the many activities that led to that day.
| 20th January , 2013 Welcome to bahamasuncensored.com |
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 PLP CHAIR URGES PLPS TO VOTE YES |
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RFK VISITS THE MEMORIAL: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is the oldest son of the former United States Senator, Attorney General and U.S. presidential candidate. He is a frequent visitor to The Bahamas and was a leader in the campaign to save Clifton. He is a well-known advocate and activist for the protection of the environment. He is in The Bahamas this weekend and agreed to appear at the site of Conference Corner where his late uncle the former President of the United States John Kennedy planted a tree to mark his official visit to The Bahamas fifty years ago. The plaque explains the refurbishment of the site and those who participated in the event. Our photo of the week then is that of the Prime Minister and Robert Kennedy Jr. unveiling the plaque in the presence of the Charge for the United States John Dinkelman and Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell. The photo is by Peter Ramsay of the Bahamas Information Services. |
COMMENT OF THE WEEK
In the House of Assembly on Monday 14th January Leslie Miller, the MP for Tall Pines and the Chairman of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation let loose a barrage of allegations and charges against the staff of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation. His main allegation was that there were millions of dollars of overtime being spent at BEC unnecessarily and he accused the employees of dishonesty and taking the Bahamian people for a ride. He gave examples saying that one person collected over one hundred thousand dollars in overtime in one year. He said auditors had tried to find out how this was humanly possible but they could not do the math.
The Unions at BEC were none too happy about Mr. Miller’s assertions and told the public loudly and clearly that they would stop working all overtime no matter when it occurred. From that day forward said the Union’s president at the lines staff level, the workers would be only working nine to five. He said that if the lights went off then they would not respond to any call made after hours, they would simply wait until their regular report to duty before responding.
One Union member in contact with this column claimed that PLPs inside BEC were saying just eight months after the general election that they were sorry that they voted for the PLP. The party itself should take note of the slippage on issues like this, and the FNM’s strategy of death by a thousand cuts. The PLP cannot go down the same road again of 2002 to 2007, starting as it did in 2012 in a minority position as far as the popular vote is concerned.
There is, however, definitely a problem of some kind at BEC. The public is fed up with the corporation that cannot even in the winter when demand is lowest keep the power on. The second issue is that when the power is on the cost of the power is so expensive that according to Mr. Miller Atlantis is paying 20 per cent of their budget on power when in the U.S hotels are paying five per cent of their costs. He named the overtime excesses as one of the reason why the power is so expensive. He argued that if the overtime is needed to that extent why you would not hire additional people at the corporation. At the same time, Michael Moss, the former Chairman of BEC said that the overtime was and is excessive but he argued that BEC is overstaffed.
Clearly, it appears that no one knows quite what to do with BEC. A company that enjoys a monopoly position but is unable to perform its most basic functions. Demand is going to increase with the coming of a new hotel property and no one seems to have a clear path as to how we are going to afford it and what plans we must execute in order to make power available in the future at an affordable price.
The government is well advised to tone down the public attacks on the workers at BEC and not have any confrontation with them. At the same time, the workers response cannot be that they are going to hold the public to ransom by threatening to turn off the power if they do not get their way in their dispute with BEC’s chairman. It is important for cooler heads to prevail in this matter. The middle management union gave a responsible statement which said that they would examine the claims and see how they came about. They also made the point that they do not decide overtime, it is management that decides. Good point.
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark wrote Shakespeare a long time ago. The PLP had better sniff out what is causing the stink. There is no utility in the blame game. We must fix it.
Number of hits for the week ending Saturday 19th January 2013 up to midnight: 161,067
Number of hits for the month of January up to Saturday 19th January 2013 up to midnight:453,054
Number of hits for the year 2013 up to Saturday 2013 up to midnight:453,054
AS FOR THIS HOUSE WE ARE VOTING YES
It is inexplicable really how the vote for the regularization of web shops and national lottery has come to where it is. The fundamentalist churches are busy as bees with their No vote campaign. The yes vote people seem to be on the back foot. It appears that the poor people will vote yes, the richer people will vote no. It appears that even young PLPs are on this bandwagon of they will vote for a national lottery and no for web shop gaming. It is inexplicably stupid and illogical but there it is. We wonder whether something cannot, must be done to snatch victory out of the jaws of defeat. How is it that the PLP cannot discipline its own intellectuals, its own young people that this is a straight line party vote? That if the no campaign wins, the FNM wins and that has greater implications for the government. It is amazing eight months after the general election that people seem to have lost the fighting spirit. What a weak and undisciplined group? It is a strange country. Here you have something the answer to which is so obviously yes yet people will vote to cut their noses off to spite their faces. All sorts of silliness about they are concerned about who is going to make money when the web shops can operate in a regularized climate. Why would you be concerned about that? Just one year ago Hubert Ingraham gave away the entire Port of Nassau to 19 families. Not a peep from the black Bahamian public or these noisy preachers against it but now because some black families stand to make money, there is this big uproar. What the hell is wrong with us? Then the esoteric intellectual arguments? Gee! It is unconstitutional says Ortland Bodie in a writ filed in the Supreme Court. Really? There is settled law that says to the contrary. Then there is the crew that says the Prime Minister is talking too much. But even if that were true which we do not concede, what has that got to do with the answer of yes to sensible public policy. As we say interesting country. There appears to be no appeal to logic at this point. There just seems to be a silliness that has set into a country where gambling is endemic but people will vote against gambling. For us this is a freedom of the individual issue and no matter what the questions, if the answer to the question advances individual freedom why would you vote against it. Most exasperating. Then you have the dishonest Opposition FNM. One moment the Leader of the Opposition says he will vote yes. Then he is not going to tell people how to vote. Now he says that he is going to vote no. Can't make up his mind but he will take any position to arrange defeat for the PLP and its policies, policies which the FNM started and supported but let’s not arguing in favour of consistency and logic. 'But perhaps it may not be too late to simply use tactics and strategy to save The Bahamas from foolishly voting no. As for this House we are voting yes.
BODIE FILES A WRIT
Ortaland Bodie, the talk show host, stole the limelight and the front pages of the newspapers by filing a writ in the Supreme Court claiming that the proposed referendum on gambling in The Bahamas is unconstitutional. You can click here for a copy of the writ.
DAME MARGUERITE AT THE GRAVESIDE
She does it every year. Dame Marguerite Pindling on the occasion of the anniversary of her husband’s leading the Progressive Liberal Party to power for the first time on 10th January 1967, she visits the mausoleum where her husband is interred at St. Agnes Cemetery. This year she was joined by the Prime Minister Perry Christie and colleagues of Mr. Christie from the Cabinet and from the wider party. The first photo shows the laying of the wreath of yellow roses accompanied by the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell and the Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe; the second photo shows members of the wider Cabinet and party along with Dame Marguerite.
The photos are by Ahvia Campbell.
PRIME MINISTER OPENS NEW SCOTIA BANK
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| The Carmichael Road Branch of Scotiabank officially opened its doors January 16, 2013; cake cutting amongst activities celebrating the event. Pictured from left are Kevin Teslyk, managing director, Scotiabank; Alonza Pratt, branch manager; and Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay) |
NASSAU, The Bahamas – Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie says the growth of Scotiabank as a financial institution in the country is a reflection of the stability of the Bahamian economy.
He was addressing the official opening ceremony of the Carmichael Road Branch of Scotiabank held Wednesday, 16th January 2013 in the area known as ‘City 2000’.
“We are here to mark another milestone for Scotiabank in The Bahamas – the consolidation of Scotiabank’s relationship with the fastest growing area of this island – Carmichael,” the Prime Minister said.
He observed that it is a whole new city, which is evolving where there is a major shift in population and also a major movement of business into the area.
“Indeed the establishment of this new branch in Carmichael at this time demonstrates that Scotiabank, one of our nation’s premier banking institutions, recognizes the remarkable growth that is taking place in this area,” he said.
The Bahamas is the headquarters of the international banking operations of the Bank of Nova Scotia, spearheaded by the Bank of Nova Scotia International. The bank has been in The Bahamas since 1956 and operates 20 branches throughout the country.
Scotiabank was also recognized in November 2012 as the “Global Bank of the Year 2012” and “Bank of the Year in the Americas” by the Banker magazine.
The Prime Minister also lauded Scotiabank for its cutting edge technology – being the first bank locally to launch a mobile banking app for the Blackberry and iPhone; and for appointing financial and legal experts James Smith and Sean McWeeney, respectively, as directors.
He said he imagine the bank would be involved in assisting residents in the area as the Government continues its plan to provide affordable homes in existing subdivision or new ones.
“Another thing that makes Scotiabank such an impressive institution in our country is its commitment to corporate responsibility in the broader social context,” the Prime Minister said.
He also recognized the bank for its community outreach programme through volunteerism, being a major sponsor to the Olympic trials last year and it’s “Bright Future Programme” which focuses on helping Bahamian children to further their education.
In this vein, the Prime Minister called on other corporate entities to become involved in the social development of the country.
Also involved in the opening ceremony were staff and students of schools in the area namely the Anatol Rodgers High School, Garvin Tynes Primary School and Gerald Cash Primary School. The official blessing was given by Bishop Ross Davis, of Golden Gates
It was the second bank the Prime Minister opened in as many months in the Carmichael Road area. The first being the First Caribbean Bank on 12th December 2012. (The story is by Lindsay Thompson of the Bahamas Information Services)
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| Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, centre, cuts the ribbon at the official opening of the Carmichael Road Branch of Scotiabank, on January 16, 2013. (BIS photo/Peter Ramsay) | The Carmichael Road Branch of Scotiabank officially opened its doors Wednesday, January 16, 2013, revealing state-of-the-art facility to service the fast growing population. Pictured from left are Alonza Pratt, branch manager; Kevin Teslyk, managing director, Scotiabank; and Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay) |
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| Prime Minister and Minister of Finance the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, centre, flanked by Cabinet Ministers, managers of Scotiabank and Junkanoo participants at the official opening of the Carmichael Road Branch of Scotiabank, January 16, 2013. (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay) |
OUR MAN ED BETHEL ON THE JOB IN LONDON
LONDON, England - His Excellency Ed Bethel, High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Court of St James, left, pays a Courtesy Call on Vijay Krishnarayan, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation, at Marlborough House in London on Tuesday, 15th January 2013. (Photo/Bahamas High Commission, London)
CHINESE OFFICIAL VISITS THE BAHAMAS
President of the Senate the Hon. Sharon R. Wilson (right) greets His Excellency Li Zhaozhuo, Vice-Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC, People's Republic of China during a visit to the Senate January 18. Vice-Chairman Li and a delegation arrived in The Bahamas for a formal visit on January 17 and will leave January 19. Mr. Li also visited with Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes at Government House. ( BIS Photo / Derek Smith)
Governor -General Sir Arthur Foulkes (right) welcomes His Excellency Li Zhaozhuo, Vice-Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC, People's Republic of China during a courtesy call at Government House January 18. Vice-Chairman Li and a delegation arrived in The Bahamas for a formal visit on January 17 and will leave January 19. Mr. Li also visited with Senate President the Hon Sharon R. Wilson and Vice President the Hon. Joseph R. Curry. (BIS Photo Derek Smith).
His Excellency Li Zhaozhuo, Vice-Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the CPPCC, People's Republic of China arrived in The Bahamas for a formal visit on January 17 and will leave January 19. Mr. Li visited with Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes and Senate President the Hon. Sharon R. Wilson. Pictured from left: Senator Joseph R. Curry, Vice President; Mr. Li; Senator Wilson; and His Excellency Hu Shan, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to The Bahamas. (BIS Photo / Derek Smith)
KHALIS ROLLE TO CALIFORNIA INVESTMENT CONFERENCE
Nassau, The Bahamas -- Minister of State for Investments, the Hon. Khaalis Rolle, will travel to Los Angeles, California, where he will participate in the January 21-24 ALIS Conference Conference's International Opportunities Showcase. The Conference expects about 1,800 attendees and is one of two national investment conferences that have all the potential investors, hedge fund managers, hotel operators, and financiers gathered on an annual basis.
"We're participating in the America's Lodging and Investment Summit that's taking place in California," says Minister Rolle. "This is one of the big two summits that takes place for this industry in investments in the United States. The other one is in New York. We've been given the privilege of participating on a panel that specifically speaks about investment opportunities in the country."
Minister Rolle will present two projects which invite people to The Bahamas to look at the associated investment opportunities. But, this is a very large conference and it’s considered the creme de la creme of investment conferences globally particularly in the tourism and hospitality industry.
He said the conference is a complimentary speaking opportunity for The Bahamas, worth about $70,500, and will reach the hotel and tourism investment community, featuring countries that are actively promoting investment in the hotel industry and opportunities that exist today.
Mr. Rolle will represent The Bahamas amongst countries such as Scotland, Argentina, Australia, to highlight two projects in the country that are ready for investors. First, giving a 5 minute PowerPoint presentation about the benefits of investing in The Bahamas and then a 3 minute presentation in a second round.
"There are a number of countries on the panel that I'm going to be participating on and it's about our ability to invite the 'Amazing Race' to The Bahamas," said Mr. Rolle.
POLICE STAFF ASSOCIATION DONATES BODY ARMOUR
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Chairman of the Police Staff Association, Sergeant Darrell Weir (right) presents Police Commissioner, Mr. Ellison Greenslade, with one of the 30 pieces of body armour his Association recently donated for distribution among the membership of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna) |
NASSAU, The Bahamas --- Executives of the Police Staff Association recently donated 30 pieces of body armour to the Royal Bahamas Police Force to be distributed among its membership responsible for fighting crime on the frontline.The Staff Association’s donation proves charity does indeed begin at home.Police Sergeants 1714 Theresa Stuart and 1586 Lenny Rolle of the Mobile Patrol Division were the first recipients of the body armour.“We are more than delighted to present these vests to the Commissioner of Police to assist our members as they fight on the frontline of crime,” Staff Association Chairman, Sergeant Darrell Weir said.“One of the primary duties of police officers – particularly those on the frontline - is to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, but in doing that, we must help to ensure the safety of our officers who are fulfilling that mandate.“Being able to outfit our membership with body armour is very significant because it adds to the officer’s personal safety and safety. By ensuring the safety of our members, we are better able to serve the people of The Bahamas by fighting crime on all levels while making it safe for all persons – police officers and citizens alike.“We would like to thank those of our sponsors in Grand Bahama and New Providence who came to our assistance in helping purchase these vests,” Sergeant Weir added.Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade applauded the Staff Association for their charity.“Nothing is more important than the welfare of our people, particularly our people on the frontline, those officers in the Mobile Patrol Division and others parts of the organization who are on the sharp end of policing daily,” Mr. Greenslade said.“This goes a long way in demonstrating that we truly care and is further consistent with our mantra of Care, Respect and Trust. I have asked that we all consistently deliver care, respect and trust to our people and I am very pleased that this is evidence that this message is getting through and so we thank you sincerely and look forward to your continuing support.”Sergeant Weir said distribution of the vests will be left in the hands of the Commissioner of Police and his Executive Management Team.“That decision (of how the vests will be distributed) will be made by the Commissioner of Police, he being the head of our organization, it will be up to him to decide who gets the vests, we just turn them over to him, but the fact of the matter is whoever gets them, we will be better protecting our members,” Sergeant Weir added.
( The story is by Matt Maura of the Bahamas Information Services.)
COB TO ESTABLISH AGRI SCHOOL IN ANDROS
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| Bahamas Agriculture and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) chairman Arnold Forbes leads a tour of the proposed site for a school of agriculture in North Andros, 16th January. |
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Nassau, The Bahamas -- In collaboration with the College of the Bahamas, the Government is taking steps to establish a school of agriculture in North Andros.Situated on the site of the former agriculture research centre in San Andros, the project seeks to train Bahamians to take advantage of a nearly $1 billion industry.Seven Cuban technicians with various specialties including rice and coffee production have been engaged to assist in the operation.Bahamas Agriculture and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) chairman Arnold Forbes and a high level team toured the proposed site on Wednesday, January 16.Included were general manager Benjamin Rahming, assistant general manager (agriculture) Arnold Dorsett, assistant general manager (land) Judith Thompson, agriculture consultant Godfrey Eneas, and College of the Bahamas University Transition Secretariat team leader Dr. Olivia Saunders.They were received by North Andros and the Berry Islands administrator, Ivan Ferguson, BAIC investments manager, Alphonso Smith, and other local officials.“Andros has the potential to be the breadbasket of The Bahamas,” said Mr. Forbes. “Until we take Andros and agriculture seriously we will continue to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on food imports.“Food security is key to the survival of any country. Without food security we are not reaching proper nationhood status because a nation should be able to feed itself. Until we are on that road we have a lot of work to do.”Late last year, The Bahamas sent a trade mission to Cuba. Meetings were held with Cuba’s Ministry of Agriculture.“They graciously allowed their professionals to come to The Bahamas to give us advice on what it will take to get The Bahamas on the road to food security,” said Mr. Forbes.“We are looking at an exchange of ideas and techniques and formulas so that The Bahamas agricultural product can catch up with the rest of the world.“We are spending about $700,000 on food imports every year. If we can dent that by 25 per cent, we are saving almost $200 million that can stay in our country and make our economy stronger.”There is no guarantee as to the quality of food imports, said Mr. Forbes.“When we import food we are not importing the highest quality food,” he said. “In most cases we are getting a second class product.“We wonder why we are having so many illnesses as well. Do we know what we are importing? We are actually entrusting our health to someone else when we import food. “But, if we are growing our own food and we are doing it in a way that is sustainable, pesticide free and organic we know what we are putting into our bodies and I guarantee you we will see a healthier population as a result.”For agriculture consultant, Mr. Eneas, the near $1 billion in imports each year to feed residents and tourists is already “unsustainable.”“We are exporting jobs,” he said. “Many of the crops we import, many of the processed food we eat, we can do it here. And it is by creating value added in food processing that you create jobs.“We cannot continue to depend on others to produce our food. By producing food locally we know it is nutritious, we know it is fresh and we know the conditions under which it is grown so it is in our interest to become more productive.”With islands of Andros, Abaco and Grand Bahama having “untapped potential,” Mr. Eneas cited a variety of career opportunities from farming to processing to marketing.“Agriculture can be the basis for the economic sustainability of many of our Family Island communities,” he said. “As a result of that people will not have to migrate to New Providence because we can create jobs within these communities.”Mr. Eneas underscored the need for those engaged in agriculture to upgrade their skills incorporating science and technology.“If we are going to be competitive, if we are to function as a WTO member, we have to upgrade our skills,” he said. “We have to provide the infrastructure for globally competitive agricultural system.“We lack infrastructure which is needed for our country to sign bilateral agreements to ensure that what is coming into our country is safe.“But, for too long we have depended on others not only to grow our food and feed us but also to ensure the safety of our environment an eco-system. We as a country have to grab hold of our future.”In her capacity as team leader of the College of The Bahamas University Transition Secretariat, Dry Saunders said the project is going to be an integral part of the proposed University of The Bahamas.“A goal of the University is to drive national development and agriculture must play an extremely important role in development of the nation,” she said. “Food security is serious business and if the University is not able to incorporate this vision then I don’t think we would be doing our job properly.”A current lack of interest among Bahamians in agriculture, she said, can be attributed to a lack of knowledge of the importance of agriculture and how the economy is structured.“But I feel that many Bahamians are interested in broader national development and once they become more aware of the possibilities and potentials in agriculture, more will become interested,” said Dr. Saunders. “Agriculture is a business and so business students will see opportunities in agriculture also.“Our job as we progress in this project is to broaden the base of knowledge of young people generally to understand that we can produce to feed ourselves, that we have a responsibility for our own food security, and that there are economic possibilities for them and the country.”Administrator Ferguson welcomed the project. “We are expecting some good things to happen for this district,” he said. “Food and agriculture sufficiency is high on the Government’s agenda and this project speaks volumes to the commitment of the government to ensure that we can feed ourselves.“We have to find a way to reduce the amount of money we spend on imports and so I am appealing to young people to find their niche in agriculture because it is very important and fundamental to our independence once we can feed ourselves.“Many opportunities are available to Bahamians in agricultural science. We must debunk the myth that agriculture is primarily soil and toil. There are other creative means that can be used to extract the most benefits from this industry.”
BISHOP GILBERT THOMPSON’S HISTORY BOOK
Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes brings remarks during the Official Book Launch of "A Goodly Heritage" by Bishop Gilbert Thompson at the Holy Trinity Activities Centre, 17th January . (BIS Photo / Patrick Hanna)Bishop Gilbert Thompson, right, presents Governor General with a copy of his book "A Goodly Heritage", during the Official Book Launch 17th January at the Holy Trinity Activities Centre. (BIS Photo / Patrick Hanna)
TOURISM MINISTER IN EXUMA FOR AD SHOOT
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| The photo shows the Minister with Rick Fox and Shekara Ledard |
NASSAU – The Bahamas – 17 January 2013 – The Islands Of The Bahamas will showcase the destination in a new multi-million dollar advertising campaign designed to showcase some of the islands’ most compelling features –turquoise water, stunning beaches, friendly people and the laid-back lifestyle that transports vacationers millions of miles from their everyday cares. The ad, the first in a series, will feature several celebrities associated with The Bahamas including former NBA star and actor, Rick Fox, supermodel Shakara Ledard and world-famous illusionist David Copperfield, a resident of The Bahamas. Being shot on location Jan. 16-20, the campaign called “Behold,” will showcase these celebrities interacting with the striking beauty found throughout this nation of diverse islands.
The Bahamas attracts many high profile visitors, along with millions of mainstream travelers each year. The Bahamas welcomed approximately 5 million visitors in 2012, and all of them enjoy a similar experience of secluded beaches, authentic hospitality and world-class sailing, fishing, diving and more. Fox and Ledard, both of whom spent childhood years in Nassau, are natural spokespeople for the destination. Among Ledard’s modeling credits are several Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issues, including a 2005 layout shot on Andros, Bahamas. David Copperfield is one of the islands’ most famous second-home owners having purchased The Islands of Copperfield Bay (formerly Musha Cay) in Exuma.
The campaign, created by the Zimmerman agency, is scheduled to launch in the near future with :30 and :60 second television spots, print, and out of home formats. The television spots are directed by Nigel Dick who has previously worked with Cher, Guns & Roses, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, Oasis and The Backstreet Boys among others. Robb Aaron Gordon, a lifestyle and celebrity photographer whose credits include Ritz-Carlton, Rolex, Four Seasons, Cindy Crawford and Princess Cruises, will shoot the print ads.
“We are very excited about this new campaign. Celebrities have always come to The Bahamas for the beautiful beaches and water, and the utter sense of escape that our lifestyle here provides. What we really want to say with this campaign though is that you do not have to be a celebrity or millionaire to enjoy that same beauty. Behold, The Bahamas are right next door and totally within your reach,” said Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism for The Bahamas.
Leon Martin, the former husband of Transport Minister Glenys Hanna Martin known as Onni who died suddenly and tragically at the age of 57 on Friday 4th January was buried on Friday 18th January following a church service at St. Anselm’s Catholic Church in Fox Hill. The service was conducted by Monsignor Preston Moss who told the congregation that God is always with you wherever you are and was with the late Mr. Martin at the end. Only God can judge, he said. Mrs. Hanna Martin was joined at the service by her father the former Governor General Arthur Hanna, her three children and other family members, her extended family of the Cabinet of The Bahamas led by the Prime Minister Perry Christie and his wife Bernadette. The photos are by Peter Ramsay of the Bahamas Information Services.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER VISITS EXUMA HOSPITAL
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis speaks to the media after touring the "mini-hospital" being constructed in George Town, Exuma, on January 16, 2013, with senior Ministry of Works officials and other stakeholders. The nearly $14-millon facility is slated to be completed for handing over to the Ministry of Health in June, 2013, and the National Insurance Board is underwriting its building cost. The community hospital will also have a morgue, and emergency, operating and dental facilities. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)
-- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Works and Urban Development the Hon. Philip Davis (centre) and Senior Deputy Director of the National Insurance Board Theresa Burrows listen to President and General Manager of Freeport-based Reef Construction Company, Limited, while touring the "mini-hospital" being constructed in George Town, Exuma, on January 16, 2013. The facility is slated to be completed for handing over to the Ministry of Health in June, 2013, and the National Insurance Board is underwriting its building cost. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)
A side view of the "mini-hospital" being constructed in George Town, Exuma, on January 16, 2013. The nearly $14-millon facility is slated to be completed for handing over to the Ministry of Health in June, 2013, and the National Insurance Board is underwriting its building cost. (BIS Photo / Eric Rose)
THE COBUS PRESIDENT’S VIEWS ON THE CONSTITUTION
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COBUS President, 5th from left, poses with the Constitutional Commissioners Photos by BIS/Elcott Coleby |
COBUS President Ernesto G. Williams addresses the Constitutional Review Commission on Friday, 18th January 2013 Photos by BIS/Elcott Coleby |
19th January 2013
“The constitution is the highest source of law within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. As such, this document should never be static; it should always be evolving to reflect the transforming culture & people of the country.” With this belief, Ernesto G. Williams, President of the College Of the Bahamas Union of Students (COBUS) offered reform recommendations on a number of issues to the Constitutional Review Commission on behalf of COBUS. He addressed the Commission on Friday, 18th January 2013.
Fixed term limits for the Prime Minister; universal tertiary education; the abolition of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and bringing an end all forms of discrimination inclusive of gender, age and national origin were some of the issues Mr. Williams discussed in his address to the Commission.
Joining the chorus of many Bahamians, including the government who are calling for an end to gender discrimination, Mr. Williams decried the inherent constitutional bias against women regarding their children and spouses and called for this error to be quickly corrected.
“Under Article 3 Subsection 2 and 8, only a male, in all instances, can pass on citizenship to his children and this is not so for the citizen who happens to be born a female. The College of the Bahamas Union of Students finds this to be flagrantly wrong and it stands as a slap in the face of each of our mothers and those brave women who stood strong during the Women’s Suffrage Movement all those years ago. This is an error that must be quickly corrected; so many Bahamian children have been ostracized under this, simply because of the nationalities of their fathers.”
Mr. Williams also said that “similarly under Article 5 of the Constitution, women cannot pass on their citizenship to their husbands. What exactly are we telling our women? - that they are of less value to this country as opposed to men? So many families have suffered under this blatant discrimination and many marriages have failed because of this.”
Continuing with the general theme of discrimination, the COBUS president took on the hot button topic of gambling, pointing out that “the average Bahamian might have no idea that within the Constitution of the Bahamas, the Government of the Bahamas can lawfully discriminate against Bahamians in relation to Gambling under Section 26 Subsection 4(e). How is it that in the Bahamas, a country to which Bahamians are the inheritors, that a foreigner can have more rights than locals in their own country?”
He similarly called for this discriminatory provision in the constitution to be removed.
On the issue of term limits for the Prime Minister, Mr. Williams feel that the country robs itself of ingenuity and creative thinking when one person can serve as the Prime Minister as long as the politics of the day dictates. He called for an enshrined term limit for the office of Prime Minister.
“Under Article 74 of the Constitution, there needs to be term limits (for those) who serve as the Prime Minister, down to only 2 consecutive terms. Many developed democracies have term limits on their leaders. I am truly of the belief that the Bahamas has robbed themselves of ingenuity and creative thinking because of the absence of such requirements for well over 50 years. If this was enshrined in our Constitution since 1972, we would have had at least 2 other Prime Ministers bringing new leadership, insight and prospective to our country.”
Mr. Williams also recommended the replacement of the Governor General with a president; a reduction in the age requirement for senators from 30 to 21, bringing it in line with the Lower House; the removal of age discrimination; the establishment of an Independent Boundaries Commission and the abolition of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
The Commission’s work continues and according to its chairman Sean McWeeney QC, they are on schedule to report to the government by the end of March of this year.
(The story is written by Elcott Coleby of the Bahamas Information Services.)
CRITICISM OF REFERENDUM ANSWERED BY AG
The following statement was issued by the Bahamas Information Services for the Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson answering critics on the referendum:
The Bahamas is a free democratic and sovereign nation. Desiring to deepen democracy, the government announced a Referendum on Gambling to be held on 28th January, 2013.
The process by which the Referendum will be held and the legislation that defines the process are valid and subsisting. It is the same process that was used in 2001 when a Referendum was held under the Constitutional Referendum Act. The legislation under which this non constitutional Referendum is to be held is the Referendum Act.
Criticism surrounding the use of the word “regularization” is misconceived. The word “regulation” implicitly encompasses “legalization” as the government cannot regulate an unlawful activity. A “yes” vote covers legalization.
The referendum questions have been framed as precisely as possible. In this regard, the use of the word “regulation” eliminates the need to add the word legalization as the former necessarily encompasses the latter.
BTC ON THEIR P.R. ATTACK AGAIN
Prime Minister Perry Christie has signaled that the government is prepared to challenge the continued efficacy of Cable and Wireless as a business partner for the government of The Bahamas, given that they are no longer a worldwide company but reducing to a regional company only. This may be cause to void the agreement for the sale of BTC. WE watch and wait. But it is interesting how this lousy company, with its dropped calls, insists on spinning the story that it is doing a great job, viz. the statement they issued last week praising themselves for selling out their worldwide business and becoming a regional company. They are actually trying to convince us that they are helping us.
Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) today announced it has agreed the sale of its Macau business, CTM, for US$750 million, strengthening its ability to invest in the Central American and Caribbean region, including in The Bahamas.
Since 2010, CWC.’s stated strategy has been to reshape its global portfolio business to focus on this pan-America region.
The result of the sales of our Macau and Monaco Islands business – announced in December – is that CWC will build up a strong financial position, and today announced we intend to invest in its existing businesses in this region, including BTC, and to consider new acquisitions. We believe that new investment is in the interests of everyone in The Bahamas.
We are in the midst of a major investment programme at BTC, worth more than $100 million in the past 2 years alone, including upgrading all of the company’s networks. BTC’s networks were aging and in a desperate need of upgrading when CWC took on management responsibility. Our overhaul of the systems has taken time to get right, but we are delivering a 21st Century infrastructure which will benefit The Bahamas for many years to come.
BTC is a Bahamian company. It is 49% owned by the Bahamian people, and 99% of its staff are Bahamians. As the major shareholder, CWC takes the responsibility of running the business seriously. We remain committed to BTC and to providing an infrastructure of which The Bahamas can be proud.
THE 2013 MARATHON RACE
Arawak Homes sponsored yet again this year the Bahamas Marathon and the Susan Korman Race for the cure on 20th and 19th January respectively. The first Bahamian Marathon runner today who crossed the finish line was Sidney Collie (pictured). He was met by Arawak Homes Chairman Franklyn Wilson and Danny Johnson, the Minister of Sports.
On Majority Rule Day 10th January, the students of the Sandilands Primary School were joined by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell for the morning’s special assembly. The students presented the history of Majority Rule in songs and poems under the direction of Principal Esther Cartwright.
The photo is by Kristaan Ingraham of the Bahamas Information Services.
FRED MITCHELL ON MISSING TURKS
Fred Mitchell, the Foreign Minister, issued the following statement on complaints in the media that the Foreign Ministry had not responded to the reports sent by the Turkish Embassy in Havana about its citizens missing in The Bahamas. The statement was released at a press conference in the Board room of the Department of Immigration on Thursday 17th January:
17th January 2013
The Prime Minister has already commented in the press about the matter of three Turkish citizens who allegedly went missing in The Bahamas.
I had earlier promised an investigation into the complaint that the Turkish government had made representations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about this matter and that the government here had not responded.
That investigation is complete. Regrettably, the note sent by the Turkish authorities back in October was not acknowledged either by our offices here in Nassau or in Havana, through which the Turkish embassy sent the note.
The appropriate reprimand has been issued to those involved and the note has been sent to the Turkish Government expressing our regret over this matter.
The matter is with the police and has been thoroughly investigated.
The salient facts that we can reveal are these:
This matter was reported to the police by a brother and cousin of Veysi Oral and Huseyein Oskan on 21st March 2012. The relatives said that the men had travelled to Grand Bahama with a view to travelling to the United States.
An investigation was done by the Central Detective Unit in Grand Bahama. There was no evidence found after checks with travel related companies and touristic facilities of any contemplated journey by these individuals.
Interpol was then notified of the missing persons.
Information from investigations subsequently revealed that the men left from a local hotel in Grand Bahama on a smuggling route via Bimini en route to the United States. The individuals never arrived. When the alarm was raised both American and Bahamian authorities were put on high alert but they were never found.
The police investigations have continued. The matter remains open under active investigations as a missing persons report.
Anyone who has any information which they think can help should contact the Royal Bahamas Police Force investigators.
This information will be communicated to the Turkish embassy in Havana.
I repeat the Prime Minister’s warning about those who are involved in smuggling people into the United States from this country.
Thank you
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ANSWERS THE TRIB ON CANADIAN ADVISORY
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell had promised since last year that there would be an investigation into the report by The Tribune that an investment advisory had been issued by the Canadian government by The Bahamas. The statement which follows was issued by the Minister at a press conference in the Board room of the Immigration Department on Thursday 17th January:
17th January 2013
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Business Section of The Tribune published a story on 19 October 2012, “Canada issues investment warning against Bahamas,” alleging that the Canadian Government issued a statement providing advice on entering into real estate transactions in The Bahamas. The issuing of such a statement, according to this article, stemmed from ongoing disputes between several property owners and the developers of the Oceania Heights project.
The statement on the website quoted in The Tribune’s article, read: “If you are interested in purchasing property or making other investments in the Bahamas, seek legal advice from appropriate professionals in Canada and the Bahamas before making commitments. Disputes arising from such activities could be prolonged and costly to resolve.”
Following the discovery of the statement on the website, Bahamian officials at the Bahamas High Commission in Ottawa approached the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Canadian officials have communicated that the statement was not meant to be negative in any way, and was only intended to provide general advice on any real estate transactions. In addition, the statement was not based on specific dispute in The Bahamas. Further, based on the internal Canadian government research, it was found that the statement had been on the website for at least five years.
The statement has not been changed, due to its innocuous nature. However, the layout of the webpage on which the statement was previously published has changed. Rather than appearing on the page with the same heading as “Advisories,” the Canadian Government has reorganized the webpage such that the statement appears under “Laws and Culture.”
It should be made clear that this statement is not an advisory. On the Canadian Government’s travel page for The Bahamas, it is clearly written when we checked that
“There is no nationwide advisory in effect for The Bahamas.”
The assertion in the article that the statement by the Canadian Government amounted to an “investment warning” against The Bahamas appears to be commentary by the writer and the truth of the statement is not supported by what the Canadian government has said to us.
The statement merely says that property buyers should exercise the same caution entering into an international property transaction as with any other large-scale transaction, whether domestically or abroad, in-store or online. Indeed, we would say the same thing to Bahamians involved in transactions in Canada.
I wish to clarify, then, that lengthy disputes over real estate are not unique to The Bahamas, nor to Canada. Some real estate transactions, while perfectly legitimate, require some time and due diligence to conclude. I would reiterate the advice provided by our colleagues in Canada that anyone seeking to purchase property or make major investments in The Bahamas or in Canada should seek the appropriate professional legal advice and conduct the appropriate due diligence on the company or individual with which they wish to enter into a transaction.
end
EX PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER WANTS CERTAINTY
19th January 2013
“With regard to fixed dates – whether the system is changed or not the EMB (Electoral Management Body) must know when the election is being called and the date must be suitable for the highest turnout,” said recently retired Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel in his address to a public sitting of the Constitutional Review Commission on Friday, 18th January 2013.
Stopping short of calling for a fixed date for general elections, Mr. Bethel recommended guidelines for the setting of election dates such as outside of the hurricane season; a time when most Bahamians are not inclined to travel (and in the country) and other considerations that would cause the least amount of inconvenience to the general public, thus maximising voter turnout.When asked about the efficacy of the Election Court, Mr. Bethel expressed the view that certain statutory powers of the Election Court as is presently constituted could be transferred to the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office, where a statute body could bring about speedy resolutions to electoral disputes instead of the current and lengthy process of an Election Court hearing.“For instance, if you are being nominated and you are rejected and you don’t think that is right you have no recourse than to wait until after the election then go to the Election Court” Bethel said. Bethel continued: “There are people who would advocate that why don’t you have a body that can resolve that situation and move on. And if you can be accepted it can be done in a day or two, and put it behind you.” In other regional jurisdictions, Parliamentary Commissioners are equal to Supreme Court judges in their statutory powers pointed out Mr. Bethel. “Most of them (Parliamentary Commissioners) are at the level of Supreme Court judges and they resolve most of the issues that would arise” said Mr. Bethel. On the major question of residency, Mr. Bethel feels that although a recent amendment was made to the Parliamentary Elections Act allowing persons to legally vote after an absence of up to one year, more should be done to more effectively address the issue of residency.“There perhaps need to be some consideration given to appointing permanent Revising Officers for the various constituencies. Such persons would get to know their constituencies and would be in a better position to monitor movements, especially if we ever decide to keep constituencies beyond five years and we continue to vote based on residency,” said the former Parliamentary Commissioner. Even though a quinquennial (changes every five years) voters’ register is more expensive to maintain than a permanent one, Mr. Bethel pointed out that it “is a more accurate register for a system such as ours where residency is of great importance.” Mr. Bethel summed up his presentation to the commission by stating that “the Parliamentary Registration Department is a very important body in the country and it is time that the Department receives constitutional recognition.”The Constitutional Review Commission appointed by Prime Minister Christie on August 1, 2012 under the chairmanship of Sean McWeeney, is on schedule to complete its consultative work and report its recommendations to the government by the 31st March 2013.
THE FNM URGES ITS SUPPORTERS TO VOTE NO
You may watch their position on video: |
You have never seen such rubbish and duplicity than the statement of Dr. Hubert Minnis on the vote on gambling. First he said he supports it. Then he said that he would not tell people how to vote. Now he says that the is telling people to vote no. At the same time, one of the more prominent members of his party are saying that he will vote yes. Dion Foulkes who is well known gambler says that he will be voting yes. So there you have it. Dr. Minnis cannot even control his own party. The website which sends messages aroound by e mail, believed to be written by Sharon Turner, the special friend of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham calls Dr. Minnis, Dr. Zig Zag Their press statement of 16th January follows:
In a Press Conference held at the FNM Headquarters today, FNM Party Leader, Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis stated that the referendum is a "royal mess" and that The Bahamas has once again become "A Nation for sale!"
Dr. Minnis has charged that the PLP government has made no reasonable efforts to answer the dozens of questions posed by the Free National Movement regarding the referendum, and that despite their stated position of no horse in the race, everything the Prime Minister has said has suggested otherwise. He said that the government has also failed to produce the draft regulations on gambling which were promised, but has instead kept the people in the dark.
Dr. Minnis: "Perry Christie is another Otis Redding, singing DREAMS, DREAMS DREAMS TO REMEMBER! The PLP sold a dream on mortgages, dreams on national health insurance, and dreams of employment. Perry Christie and the PLP, sold Dreams Dreams Dreams to remember!"
Dr. Minnis stated that the referendum process is being rushed and is flawed. In the absence of the necessary information, The Free National Movement party recommends that Bahamians vote NO on BOTH questions on the upcoming referendum.
NINA SIMONE HOW IT FEELS TO BE FREE
The former Minister of the FNM Government has resigned from the Senate but that hasn’t shut is mouth. Every week he is in the press praising himself and the FNM. The latest salvo is published below in the FNM dominated No Spin Zone on Facebook. It is of course rewriting history and praising himself. He should be ashamed of himself.
“Pension Bill before the House, heavy lifting done by the FNM. Intellectual Property Rights and other five WTO Bills to come to the House of Assembly, heavy lifting done by the FNM. Signatory A status achieved by the Securities Commission, heavy lifting done under the FNM. Road Works completed, heavy lifting done by the FNM. Number 3 rating in the Corruption Ranking, heavy lifting done by the FNM. Move up the Financial Services ranking, the heavy lifting done by the FNM. Bahamar coming along, heavy lifting done by the FNM. I could go on and on but I think you get the point, we lift the heavy weight for the good stuff and they take the credit. Everything bad, though, they put on us, even their incompetent handling of the referendum. Still looking for some original ideas from the PLP.”
GAMING BOARD CHAIR ROLLINS BACKS A YES VOTE?
The following statement was issued by Andre Rollins MP for Ft.
Charlotte, the PLP whip and the Chairman of the Gaming Board on the
vote for gambling scheduled for 28th January:
Date: January 20, 2013
As we go to the polls to decide on whether we will support the regulation and taxation of web shop gaming and/or the establishment of a national lottery, as Chairman for the Gaming Board of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I wish to share the following considerations and implications of the upcoming gaming referendum.
Firstly, gaming is either legal or illegal. Some would argue that
gaming should be either legal and open to all, or illegal and open to
none. Our existing gaming legislation does not support this argument
as it gives visitors rights to gamble that are not granted to
Bahamians, permanent residents and work permit holders currently
residing in The Bahamas. Secondly, we cannot permit any industry to
operate outside the purview of the law, and without proper regulation
and oversight. Currently a substantial amount of gaming occurs in The
Bahamas without proper regulation and oversight.
If Bahamians wish to have access to gaming as a form of entertainment it must be understood that it is unacceptable for it to continue in an unregulated manner. The position of this government must be clear: We cannot regulate the sector in part; it must be regulated as a whole.
To continue to allow gaming houses in The Bahamas to exist without
appropriate regulatory controls creates the potential for the
infiltration of and control by criminal entities, which could very
easily produce adverse domestic and international consequences.
Our nation’s financial regulatory regime and the reporting
requirements it imposes on businesses engaged in financial services,
cannot be effective if it ignores a large group of businesses which
conduct significant financial transactions. This is critical for our
country if we wish to maintain our standing as a responsible financial
services jurisdiction compliant with international anti-money
laundering and anti-terrorism best practices.
Our country must be seen to be continuing along a progressive path of reform not just in the eyes of the international community, but also in the eyes of our citizens. The government cannot be perceived as being guilty of engendering a culture where laws are selectively observed and applied; where law enforcement and not justice is blind.
The government must be aggressive in bringing all local gaming operations into conformity with the laws governing gaming – laws that promote high standards for participation in the industry by the owners, vendors, employees and patrons of all gaming establishments and which create safeguards to protect the interests of the gaming and non-gaming public alike.
Currently, lawful gaming regimes exist throughout the Caribbean in
Barbados, Anguilla, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and
Barbuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica,
Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, St. Lucia, Grenada, St.
Vincent and Belize. A regional operator with a presence in each of
these countries reports that existing underground gaming enterprises
existed in all of them before the introduction of lawful regimes and
the regulated operations all survived despite concerns that they would
be undermined by fears of the impact taxation would have on operator
revenue and/or player winnings.
The expansion of the Bahamas’ regulatory regime to cover gaming by locals would create a new recurrent revenue stream for the government. To be consistent with the practices of respected gaming jurisdictions around the world, the government must clearly outline “good causes” that would be funded by this voluntary tax. Examples of identified “good causes” in other jurisdictions are: Education (schools and scholarships), healthcare, senior citizens, the disabled, youth programs, arts, culture, historic preservation, sports (Olympics), capital improvements, economic revitalization programs, public safety, public transportation and public housing.
Should the majority of Bahamians vote no to both questions it will be
an expression of the public’s wish to deny Bahamians the right to
participate in local gaming except as employees of the hotel-based
casinos. Based on the long history of Bahamian participation in games
of chance and the recognition that historical legal restrictions
precipitated the creation of illegal gaming enterprises, it is
inevitable that the demand for such activity will persist beyond
January 28 even in the face of a no vote. The difference is that the
government will be under greater pressure to use its law enforcement
resources to respond to illegal gaming – resources that are scarce and
themselves under increasing pressure to address the scourge of violent
crime affecting parts of our country.
While it has admittedly taken far too long for any government to
muster the political will and courage to police this unregulated
activity and despite the fact that preparation for this referendum has
been an awkward and untidy process, it cannot be argued that
fifty-plus years is insufficient time to know whether or not something
should be regulated or taxed for the benefit of our country and
people. The alternative is to yield to the calls to postpone this
process and risk perpetuating government that is irresponsible and a
society that is ungovernable.
PLP CHAIR URGES PLPS TO VOTE YES
In a stinging rebuke to the Leader of the Free National Movement, the
Chairman of the PLP has called the FNM's leader double minded and
untrustworthy. He said that Dr. Minnis had initially said that he
supported gambling but would not tell others what to do save to vote
their conscience. Dr. Minnis later told the public they must vote no.
Mr. Roberts gave compelling reasons why the PLP should vote yes in
the best interests of the Bahamian public. We say it is about time.
We support his position. You may click here for the full statement
given to the Woemn's Branch of the Party earlier today.
Remarks
ByBradley B Roberts
National Chairman
Progressive Liberal Party
Meeting of the New Providence Branch of the Progressive Liberal Party
20th January 2013
Leaders who are double-minded are unstable and lack credibility
Madam Chair Mrs Komolate;
Executive Officers;
Branch members, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant good afternoon
I am delighted to join you in your first meeting of 2013, a year that
holds great promise for all the peoples of the Bahamas with a
Progressive Liberal Party Government headed by our fired up Prime
Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie and the addition of new
generation leaders.
I address you on the eve of the advanced poll to decide on the
regulation and taxation of web shop gaming and the establishment of a
National Lottery. Let the record show that at all times – as far back
as 2010, the Progressive Liberal Party supported the idea of a
referendum on this national issue. Our leader and Prime Minister, the
Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie has never wavered or flip-flopped on this
national issue.
In our Charter for Governance the Progressive Liberal Party committed
that within its first 100 days in government it would provide details
for a referendum on a National Lottery and gambling in The Bahamas.
True to this promise the Prime Minister in a communication to
Parliament confirmed the government’s intention to seek the will of
the Bahamian people via a referendum on the issues of a National
Lottery and or Web Cafes after the North Abaco Bye Election; this was
August 8, 2012.
Later, on November 1st 2012, the Prime Minister communicated to
Parliament that a Referendum would be held on the 3rd of December
2012, but only on Web Shop Gaming.
Due to evolving public opinion, the Prime Minister again communicated
to Parliament on November 14th 2012 that more time was needed; that
the government had decided to add the question of a National Lottery
to the referendum and the new date of 28th January 2013 was set to
hold the Referendum.
Subsequent to that, the requisite legislative and regulatory
frameworks were put in place with the passing of the Constitutional
Referendum (Amendment) Act, 2012 in Parliament on the 7th December,
2012 and the Referendum Regulations, 2012 were gazetted on 31st
December, 2012 setting out the general parameters for the conduct of a
Referendum. Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage stated
in his national address that “these pieces of legislation are to
ensure that Referenda in The Bahamas are conducted based on tried and
true electoral processes. The Government is committed to fairness,
transparency and propriety in the conduct of Referenda and we are
satisfied that the requisite legislative regime is now in place.
At all material times the Prime Minister was open, honest, consistent,
fair and demonstrated tremendous courage, character and strength in
the face of bogus and intentionally misleading statements from the FNM
and their surrogates.
Let us now compare and contrast this characteristic with that of the FNM leader:
On August 20, 2012 Dr. Minnis was quoted as saying "I have nothing
against individuals gambling in terms of lottery, buying numbers etc."
He also indicated that he would vote in favor of legalization of the
numbers industry.
He later said the following: "I have said on numerous occasions, we do
not intend to tell people how to vote. Every Bahamian should be guided
by their conscience."
And lo and behold by the 16th January 2013 Dr. Minnis had made a 180
degree turn on the issue and said that "... the Free National Movement
has concluded that it will recommend that the Bahamian People Vote NO
on question number one.
With respect to Question Number Two, while the Free National Movement
in principle supports the establishment of a wholly State-owned
national lottery..."
"...we will recommend to the Bahamian People that they vote NO on
Question Number two"
Ladies and gentlemen, this is clearly a man who does not know his own
mind and does not believe his own words so why should anybody trust
Dr. Minnis. He is clearly double-minded and St. James said that a
double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Dr. Minnis has no
credibility as a leader and his word cannot be trusted.
What is more astounding is that a Cabinet document CO2246 which was
recently published online by Bahamas Press disclosed minutes of a
Cabinet meeting that took place on the 21st May 2010, the following
observations by the then FNM government were made:
“…the Law Enforcement Agencies have been ineffective in enforcing the laws against illegal gambling.”
“The observation was made that most of the “numbers houses” have duly applied for and obtained Business Licences.”
“…the State itself has added legitimacy to these operations by
accepting Business License submissions and issuing duly approved
licenses.” (repeat)
The communication revealed that the FNM government intended to “take
steps to regularize these operators which have escaped national
accounts for years.”
The document also revealed that the FNM “Government might hold a
Referendum with the government not taking a position on gambling but
undertaking to abide by the decision of the citizenry in such a
process.” (repeat)
The very positions Dr. Minnis held while he sat around the cabinet are the same positions he is now urging the Bahamian people to vote no because of.
Dr. Minnis is well aware of the draft regulations called the “COMPUTER
WAGERING LICENSING REGULATION 2010” that his government lacked the
courage to bring to Parliament, yet he tells Bahamians to vote “NO”
because of the absence of regulations.
Further Madam Chair, Officers & Members, the Progressive Liberal Party
is confident that the Bahamian people fully understand that the
Government cannot regulate an enterprise or industry that is illegal
so this hand wringing by the FNM over word choices is intellectual
dishonesty at its worst. The Attorney General Allyson Gibson pointed
this out in a press statement on Friday.
The government of The Bahamas has a track record of growing, managing
and regulating the casino industry to international standards for over
fifty years. May I add that I was privileged to serve as Chairman of
the Gaming Board back in in 1991-92. I am obliged to remind Bahamians
that Archdeacon Murillo Bonaby, a well-known Anglican Priest and Rev
William Miller of Church of Christ Highbury Park, both served as
members of the Gaming Board and there were nay a word of objection
from the Church Community. I was proud that during my short tenure the
numbers of Bahamians employed in the Casinos escalated.
The wholly Bahamian owned local gaming industry is viable and
profitable, sustaining over 3,000 jobs and pumping millions of dollars
into the local economy. In a fully regulated business environment, the
profits will remain within the local economy, boosting the country’s
national savings and improving the government’s revenue performance
through fair taxation. The proposed Initial Public Share Offering will
expand the ownership franchise of this industry to all Bahamians.
Regulating the industry will bring greater accountability and transparency to this industry so it’s a win-win proposition for all Bahamians
A “YES” vote in the upcoming Referendum on the 28th January 2013
legitimizes this viable and profitable industry and removes the “black
market” stigma the industry carried for decades. A “YES” vote
eliminates the current underground cash economy connected with the
industry, protects the Bahamian economy and provides a legitimate
platform for expanded economic empowerment and ownership opportunities
for many Bahamians. The PLP is now obliged to encourage Bahamians to
make this bold and progressive step in the economic interest of the
country by voting “YES” on Referendum Day.
The facts are clear that the FNM once supported this bold initiative, but lacked the strength and courage to see it through on behalf of the Bahamian people. They now seek to sow seeds of confusion to cloud the salient issues through lies and muddy the waters to hide their narrow and selfish political interests.
The PLP urges all Bahamians to see the broader national picture and vote “YES” on Referendum Day.
Contrary to the Public Relations of The No Vote Campaign in my humble
opinion the majority of Bahamians will cast their votes in favour of
the Yes Vote as those who participate in Web Cafes and Lotteries
strongly desire to have the long dark clouds removed from their heads.
Thank you for the opportunity to address you and good afternoon.
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
Forrester Carroll writes this week from Freeport in the third of his four part series. This week he continues the legacy series and shows how Hubert Ingraham systematically dismantled all the protections for Bahamians that were put in place by the Progressive Liberal Party. The series concludes next week.
Immediately after taking office (August 19th.1992) Ingraham repealed Pindling’s “Immovable Properties Act;” this was a piece of Legislation put in place to protect against foreign speculators purchasing large plots of Bahamian land, holding on to it until the prices went up, then reselling for big bucks. This practice, which was widespread in the country prior to the PLP coming to office, was not what we wanted, neither was it right for any country, but with Hubert Ingraham it was a different story. This was Ingraham’s first act of sabotage, in my view, of the basic rights of Bahamians. With this decision Ingraham fulfilled a promise (and commitment) he made to those Bay Street “Mega, White Real Estate Barons” for their support of him, and his FNM party, in bringing them to office. He attacked and gradually (and meticulously) dismantled/abandoned the PLP’s “Bahamianization Policy” which was (as was said earlier) designed by Pindling and Hanna to protect jobs and business opportunities for Bahamians. The PLP’s policy of “no foreign involvement” in certain businesses (reserved for Bahamians) was also abandoned, during Ingraham’s last term in office, leaving Bahamian business persons vulnerable to foreign domination and he (Ingraham) refused to implement the National Insurance Scheme which would have provided full comprehensive universal health insurance for all Bahamians. Ingraham gave BTC to foreigners despite the fact that Bahamian applicants were willing and fully able to purchase and effectively manage the company. The FNM prime minister displayed a rare disdainful attitude toward those Bahamians who wished to submit bids telling them that they “were too greedy and they need not apply;” he told us that if BTC were given to Bahamians the place would be closed down and out of business in six months. For those of you who forget very easily let me remind you that when the Cable TV Franchise was first proposed by Ingraham and his government there were no plans to include Bahamians in the bidding process. We knew this, for sure, because the PLP (in opposition) received word that Ingraham was hell bent on making sure that no Bahamian group even submit a bid. His view was that if it were given to Bahamians they would make a mess of the industry and eventually fade away into the sunset leaving their customers holding the bag. To secure the proof the PLP needed it was decided to force Ingraham’s hand by bringing a “Resolution” to parliament asking the FNM government to vote with the PLP for the franchise to be awarded to a Bahamian entity ONLY; Hubert Ingraham led his government (with the exception of cabinet minister Pierre Dupuch) in voting down the PLP’s resolution leaving no doubt that he had no intention of considering any Bahamian applicant for the TV Cable franchise. This was the proof the PLP needed and this was when Mr. Pierre Dupuch distinguished himself as a true patriot; he broke away from the pack by voting with the PLP thus alienating himself from his FNM colleague cabinet ministers. This Honourable gentleman established himself as a true Bahamian patriot, that day, when he showed willingness (and the tenacity) in protecting the rights of ordinary everyday Bahamians. Pierre Dupuch began that day to impress me and to establish his own Legacy as a true red-blooded Bahamian patriot. It must be remembered that Dupuch was a senior member in Ingraham’s cabinet, serving at Ingraham’s pleasure, and he did the unthinkable-the unbelievable-when he cast his vote against his own government, and with the PLP, in favor of the Bahamian people’s interest. It later turned out that Ingraham planned all along, allegedly, to give the cable franchise to his daughter’s husband’s father. Bahamian applicants (for the franchise) didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting the monopoly although many of them applied and were in a better position, financially, than Mr. Keeping the Canadian gentleman who succeeded in getting the monopoly handed to him on a platter. To make matters worse for Bahamians (and to discourage them from even submitting applications) Ingraham made it a condition that all applications would have to be submitted accompanied by a $10,000.00 non-refundable (certified banker’s cheque) deposit. He was sure with that condition no Bahamian would apply as he knew that most Bahamians (black or white) wouldn’t risk losing $10,000.00 (if they had it to lose) on an unsure thing. Ingraham knew he was home free with this stipulation. Many opinions, at the time, were that there were enough potential customers, in the country, for about four or five different operators but it was Hubert Ingraham himself who insisted that this was not the case; he insisted that there would only be enough business generated for one operator and with that he gave the 15 year franchise monopoly to his daughter’s father-in-law (Mr. Keeping); a shameful and disgraceful act of nepotism indeed.
Ingraham dismantled the total structure which was put in place, by the PLP government, for the advancement of ordinary Bahamians; he adopted policies which in effect disenfranchised Bahamians at every level and turn. In all of his fifteen years we are hard pressed to find even one decision he, and his government, took which could be viewed as promoting the interest of Bahamians. The repealing of Pindling’s “immovable properties act,” “the awarding of all those lucrative government contracts to foreigners,” “the employing of all those foreigners to head government departments replacing Bahamians,” “the act of aggression against Mrs. Cheryl Grant-Bethel,” “the fire sale of BTC to a foreigner when Bahamians were in abundance wanting to purchase the entity,” “the Arawak Port deal,” “allowing an 80% Chinese to a 20% Bahamian workforce at the Bah Mar construction site,” “the Cable TV franchise given to a Canadian when at least ten Bahamian groups were fully qualified to receive the license.” The man’s chickens have now come home to roost though and his Legacy, whatever it is, sealed. Pindling bahamianized the management of all government departments; Ingraham came and replaced them all with foreigners. His legacy of preferring foreigners over Bahamians (a classic example being that of Mrs. Cheryl Grant-Bethel) will live on to qualify him as a hater of all things Bahamian. Like I opined earlier every human being leaves a legacy but, in Hubert Ingraham’s case, I don’t think his children would even be proud of his.
For the Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd the real property tax exemption fell away on 4th August 1990. They were given an initial thirty-five (35) years, exemption, from 1955 when the Hawksbill Creek Agreement was initially signed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the second. On that August date (4th August 1990) real property tax, on undeveloped property held by the Grand Bahama Port Authority in Freeport, became due and payable. The PLP government, led by Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling submitted a proposal, for a twenty-year extension, enumerating several pre-conditions with which Port officials would have had to agree in order to obtain the additional twenty years extension proposed by the Pindling government. Sir Lynden gave the Port Authority two years to agree the government’s terms or, alternatively, to submit a counter-proposal for consideration by his government. In the meantime, however, the general elections were held, on August 19th 1992, and unfortunately the PLP lost; the FNM won that contest, Hubert Ingraham became prime minister and any agreement to be consummated, with the Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd in that regard, was left to Hubert Ingraham and his new FNM government to conclude.
THE SUBJECT CONTINUES NEXT WEEK.
Forrester Carroll JP
Caricom Ambassador Meets Barbados PM
CARICOM Ambassador, HE Picewell Forbes MP presents credentials to the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Freundel Stuart, QC, MP
Dr. Myles Has His Say On The Constitution
The constitutional commission headed by former AG Sean McWeeney QC is continuing its work. This time Dr. Myles Munroe the charismatic preacher was before them on Wednesday 16th January. Pastor Myles wants provisional citizenship granted for those who are born here of foreign parents to avoid the social problems attendant upon the children of immigrants born here mainly Haitians who have no status while they are under 18.
AG Leads The Bahamas Defence In Switzerland
Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson is to lead The Bahamas defence to its human rights record when she appears before the UN Human Rights Council for what is called the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Switzerland on 23rd January. Questions are expected to come from countries interested in our treatment of Haitian’s and of gay people.
The Intellectuals Try To Complicate A Simple Yes Or No Vote
It appears that hostility has set in toward the PLP on this matter of the referendum vote. Inexplicable. Some of its own supporters are going against the party line it appears even though if the FNM gets its way and the people vote no, their own party will have gone down in flames after only eight months. This is quite serious. A simple yes vote is being complicated by all sorts of phony arguments, all of which have to do with for some reason people have now developed a hostility to the ideas that they supported just eight months ago.
Altamese Isaacs Celebrates A Birthday
Altamese Isaacs, the manager of the Fox Hill constituency office celebrated a birthday on Friday 18th January. She had a great time, dancing up a breeze to all the Bahamian songs they played. She isn’t telling her age.
Bluehole Drama From Facebook
A cry and alarm went out from the people of Long Island and the country over the news that the land around the Dean’s Blue Hole which just was featured by National Geographic and “60 Minutes” as the deepest in the world at 632 feet would be sold into private hands. The Government stepped in immediately with Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchombe saying that it will remain in Bahamian hands. The photo appeared on Facebook.
Rev. Enoch Backford To Leave Mt Carey
He came to Mt. Carey in Fox Hill, the Baptist Church run by the Yorubas in Fox Hill and part of the Salem Baptist Union in a time of turmoil some ten years ago. He has fallen into ill health but he brought peace to the church. Now he has indicated that he is leaving. The Rev. Enoch Backford will mark his last days at the church with a service marking his anniversary on Sunday 27th January. With best wishes to this man of integrity.
The Yes Vote Poster From Facebook
Happy Birthday Dr. Martin Luther King
The Original Plaque In 1962
Constable Joe Major of the Royal Bahamas Police Force poses with the original plaque in 1962. A walk down memory lane.
FORMER PLP CHAIR SAYS VOTE UNLAWFUL
Speaking at a forum organized to discuss the referendum being organized on gambling for The Bahamas on 28th January, former Chairman of the PLP Raynard Rigby spoke outagainst the government’s decisions on the referendum and asked people to vote no. Mr. Rigby said that the proposed referendum was not a referendum at all and that it was unconstitutional. Mr. Rigby said: “Additionally, the Rule of Law has been violated because the Government has determined to hold a referendum on an illegal act without FIRST curing the illegality. It must also be accepted that web shop gaming is currently illegal. To hold a referendum without first ensuring that the current law of the land is being upheld is a gross violation of the Rule of Law. The Government by its very decision is seeking to make the electorate complicit in a breach of the law. This process is cancerous and acts as further affirmation that our approach to governance and law making is corrupt. The proper course for the Government is to first stamp out the illegality and then move to make the operations legal by way of the passage of law and regulations.”
You may click here for his full statement.
HAITIANS KEEP COMING AND OBEDIAH SMITH WRITES
The poet Obediah Michael Smith writes about the persistent problem of Haitians in The Bahamas. The country has the sense that it is being swamped by Haitians and there is no end. The U.S. Coastguard caught 164 Haitians in Bahamian waters and took them right back to Haiti last week. On Friday 11th January, another boat made its way to Abaco and Haitians melted into the large undocumented Haitian community in Marsh Harbour. Here is Mr. Smith’s poem in blank verse.
Speaking out about
being Vex about Haitians
arriving in The Bahamas
by Obediah Michael Smith
1
Whoever happens to overhear me confess I couldn't care less. For so long now they have made being Bahamian seem like a travesty: an identity that is constantly interrupted. Every time a ship of them comes - whether they are apprehended or not - they upstage what was happening- whatever we might have been doing. Whatever we might have been engaged in, as if knocked over or knocked out of our hands.
2
In addition to however many are apprehended, detained and deported, without end haunted by those escaping into the country- escaping through the bushes. Almost impossible to go a day without Haitians on your mind. Haitians haunting Bahamians - haunting the Bahamas without end.
3
That is what is unfair. That Is what is unwelcome, the interruption they are. How is it that Haitian is the theme of Bahamian life? Hardly a thing- hardly a thought more constant. Impossible to get Haitian off Bahamian minds. Inserting themselves upon the agenda whatever your plans were.
4
Haitian on the menu as it were, along with the fish of the day - along with conch chowder and whatever else you were fixing to serve - planning to serve - Haitian in the mix. It is that intrusion that I detest.
5
Impossible to know my country apart from theirs - apart from them - undocumented here and there, any and everywhere among the population.
6
Want to bring structure- improvement- uplift to the citizens of the country. Want to inspire then to excel. Want to put this program and that program in place for their advancement but the Haitians keep-a-coming and so much of the nation's energy and so much of its resources running out running after them.
7
It is the national structure you see that cannot get erected. Haitians flooding in like bad weather; ruining, wrecking what had been put in place and painted. Trees and lawns and landscapes disfigured and shingles off roof tops. This the sort of setback to attend to without end: a step forward and two back with illegal Haitian immigrants to deal with- to have to do with- to have to fill your hands with. What else can we at one and the same time do with hands filled with Haitians apprehended?
8
How debilitating it is, the energy it draws out- attention it draws away from so many Bahamian matters - a vexing problem. Relax- less vigilant- turn our backs upon Haitians entering undocumented and soon there would be more of them than us. It is just that we have other stuff to work on - to deal with but can't because of how unrelenting is their surreptitious invasion.
9
I have for some time now, in silence, seeming to be tolerant, knowing of their plight, thrown my hands up regarding the idea of identity, a Bahamas for Bahamians. In my heart, I've decided that these 700 islands, its capital especially, is not mine but free for all.
10
You see, I wanted a lab, enclosed as it were, to do my experiments - with all of my Petri dishes containing my experiments, undisturbed unless I disturbed them; a record though of all the little changes of whatever transpired, but over run as these islands are, with Haitians invading, all of my experiments are spoilt, shifted this way and that. Security I needed, conditions I needed to insure the integrity of the outcome of my lab experiments is over and over again compromised.
11
This country now is at best Haitian-Bahamas. We are all at best Haitian-Bahamians. They have a country to themselves, the western side of Hispaniola. They do what they do with it - did what they did with it now they want to do what they want to do with ours too.
12
I see it as unfair, their unending intrusion. Always shocking to discover that in their substandard living conditions- living on the edge as they are- here in other people's country illegally as they are and they'd have, in so many instances, in excess of half-a-doze children.
13
Haitian dilemma, without end, inserted and inserted is our dilemma as well. Forced upon us as it is, we are made to wear an outfit whether we like it or not.
14
I have not for a long time known what it means to be a Bahamian. I have not been allowed to be. I do not try to be. I have become comfortable being or I have to settle for being something ambiguous.
15
Attempt to hold fast- to hold on to Bahamian like a stick in my fist I was tenaciously clutching; find the stick is a shitty stick I do not wish to grip. Let then have it, I seem to have said some time ago. Some time ago, it seems, I flung it down; I flung it away - this idea of a Bahamian identity.
16
I am just one among the diaspora of millions of the continent of Africa; without country, without nationality. Their independence is their independence. They acquired it in 1803. What I thought was our independence - acquired in 1973 - is not ours really; not free to pursue our destiny without Haitians without end jumping on board; escaping from the mess they've made so far of their national experiment.
1:17 a.m. [Friday] 12.01.13
ALLYSON MAYNARD GIBSON AND THE COURTS
The Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson spoke at the opening of the legal year ceremonies in the Supreme Court, following the annual service which took place in the Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau. The Attorney General explained the power under Article 78 of the constitution which gives her the power to stop any prosecution and she can act without anyone directing her. It is a complete discretion. The Minister recommitted her office to swift justice for Bahamians and tackling the back log of cases in the courts.
You may click here for the full statement.
The photos are by Peter Ramsay of the Bahamas Information Services.
MAJORITY RULE MESSAGE FROM THE GG
For the first time in the history of the Majority Rule celebrations, the Governor General attended the services. Sir Arthur Foulkes was one of the architects of majority rule back on 10th January 1967. The Prime Minister attended the services as well ( see photo of the week) at Bethel Baptist Church. Importantly, the Leader of The Opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis and his colleagues from the Free National Movement attended. The Minister of Education had a message distributed in the schools from the Governor General and
you can click here for the full message and the note which he added on politics which was delivered at the service.
The photos are by Peter Ramsay of the Bahamas Information Services.
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REMARKS BY SIR ARTHUR FOULKES
MAJORITY RULE SERVICE
BETHEL BAPTIST CHURCH 2013
Rt. Hon. Prime Minister
Fellow Citizens:
The achievement of majority rule in The Bahamas was another milestone in the world-wide struggle for freedom and equality, and to enfranchise those denied the dignity that is the birth right of all humanity.
It is essential that we place majority rule in the historical context of all those struggles to achieve human liberty and social justice, including decolonization and the enfranchisement of women and oppressed peoples throughout the world.
Even as we are a part of the main, we have advanced the global, universal forward march of human civilization and progress in our Bahamian context.
Here at home, this year’s anniversary of majority rule is bookended by the 50th anniversary of women’s suffrage last year and the 40th anniversary of independence this year.
These three bold chapters form a brilliant narrative of freedom and hope. They speak to the universal values to which all humankind aspires, values which are the fountainhead and fruit of democracy.
Though these values of liberty, equality and fraternity are held to be self-evident, it is only through constant struggle that racism, discrimination and other denials of human dignity are defeated; defeated on the battlegrounds of history; defeated by wars of liberation; or defeated by non-violent movements for majority rule and equality.
The film Lincoln, which is currently in movie theatres, speaks to the often complicated and untidy business of politics as it relates to the emancipation of oppressed peoples.
It fell to Abraham Lincoln, once a supporter of slavery, to help advance the liberation of those so enslaved. Through the noble art and the vocation of politics, human civilization, democracy and freedom have been advanced.
To those who would so easily disdain and dismiss politics -- and politicians -- I remind them that today’s statesmen and national heroes were typically yesterday’s politicians.
We lionize Lincoln today. Yet many of his contemporaries scorned him. One of our greatest national heroes, Sir Milo Butler, understood that political involvement was essential in achieving and maintaining the promise of democracy -- along with all our rights and privileges as citizens.
So even as we celebrate majority rule, let us never forget that freedom -- and even civilization itself --requires democratic politics and civil society.
I pay tribute then, to colleagues who have left us, and colleagues still happily with us who lent their determination, talents and strong shoulders in bending the arc of Bahamian history towards the achievement of our Second Emancipation.
In this spirit, I commend to those of you in the political arena, and those of you with leading roles in civil society, the example and inspiration of these champions of majority rule.
Their overriding example was a fierce determination to uphold and steadfastly protect the ideals of human dignity in the complicated and sometimes untidy world which has marked the human condition since the dawn of time.
Let us be worthy of their example of unceasing struggle; let us not give in to cynicism and apathy; let us not be seduced by those who refuse to join the long march for freedom because they disdain the untidiness of the process.
So even as we memorialize the achievement of majority rule, let us recommit ourselves to celebrating our vibrant Bahamian parliamentary democracy, and the promise inherent within democratic politics to ever secure and deepen our national heritage with all its freedoms, rights and privileges.
_______________
MITCHELL IN THE HOUSE ON PENSIONS BILL
9 January 2013 NASSAU, The Bahamas– Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Fred Mitchell called for mandatory pension legislation, outside of National Insurance, to secure additional funds for retirees until such time as their death.He was making contribution to the debate on The Employees Pension Fund Protection Act, 2013, in the House of Assembly on Wednesday, January 9, 2013.The measure seeks to regulate the administration of occupational pension schemes in the country; amongst other things.Mr. Mitchell said that the Progressive Liberal Party has made contributions to three parts of the country’s social safety net. The first being the National Insurance programme, which exists and has served the Bahamian people well. The second was the National Health Insurance, which was passed during the last PLP Government and is awaiting regulations from the Ministry of Health for it to take effect.“Once those regulations are in place it will stop something which happens egregiously; people who are falling afoul of proper health care simply because they cannot afford it,” he said.And thirdly, the most important contribution by this administration is to develop mandatory pension legislation, another safety net for pensioners.“Perhaps this would be some kind of force savings for people so that at the end of their careers they would have not only National Insurance to depend upon, not only do they have their health care taken of but they also have a livable pension on which they can depend,” he said.“Much of this is predicated on the view that by the time you reach retirement age, you would have at least paid for a home and you don’t have the expense of having to buy a home and the rest would be taken care of by the social safety net.”Mr. Mitchell said he was perplexed as to why there be preoccupation with age because he concluded a long time ago that there should be no age discrimination of any kind.He referred to a recent report about the National Insurance Fund which appeared in the newspapers that stated the age of retirement be removed from 65 to 67, in keeping with current world trends as people are living longer and healthier.In The Bahamas, people are starting their families later and have obligations, which go beyond the normal age of 65, he said. And, the rule is becoming more or less these days is that people, when they reach the actual age of 65, they ask for extension of their services because very often they are still paying for their homes. “We went through a problem when many grandparents had taken care of their children’s children because their children died because of an epidemic, which swamped through this country because of drugs and AIDS. So, many grandparents are carrying out these responsibilities far beyond the normal retirement age,” Mr. Mitchell said.He said he understood that there is a need for young people to come into the work force, and that everybody is committed to that. But he also wondered if you really have to attack old people in order to make that point.“People, if they have talent and they can still serve the country and are able-bodied and in sound mind, I don’t think there should be any reason why you can’t call on them to come and lend their expertise.“We have had and have numerous programmes for young people to ensure that young people are trained to get into the workforce. But that cannot be at the expense of people who are able-bodied, simply because they reach a particular age,” Mr. Mitchell said.
The story is written by Lindsay Thompson of the Bahamas Information Services.
PM TALKS ON THE BAHAMIAN ECONOMY
We wanted to share with you the comments of the Prime Minister at the Bahamas Outlook Seminar on Thursday 10th January in two stories written by the Bahamas Information Services by Lionella Gilbert.
NASSAU, Bahamas -- Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie said the Government has designed a multifaceted programme of action to address the critical growth and fiscal issues identified by Moody’s. The Prime Minister explained that Moody’s downgraded The Bahamas’ Credit Rating largely on the basis of the Agency’s view that the country’s growth prospects are modest and the revenue base inadequate.He addressed the Moody’s downgrade at the opening of the 22nd Annual Bahamas Business Outlook at the Wyndham Nassau Resort, Thursday, January 10, 2013.“My Government’s agenda for addressing the economic and social challenges of the country in the near term was clearly spelled out in our Charter for Governance last May when we did the Speech from the Throne,” Prime Minister Christie said.“It is evident that redressing the public finances is of paramount importance to the successful implementation of our Agenda for Change.” The Prime Minister said the Government is focused on stimulating economic growth (including attracting Foreign Direct Investment), strengthening public expenditure management, eliminating waste, curtailing widening debt as well as reforming, restructuring and modernising revenue administration.The Government also plans to reform the tax system to broaden the tax base.“We are going to provide more information during the Mid-term Budget, but we are working towards enhancing growth; we have made a decision on tax reform; we have now empowered the Ministry of Finance to move and talk to the country.”Prime Minister Christie said the Ministry of Finance would spearhead public discussions on the Value Added Tax issue.“Put very simply, no matter how creative we are and even though we are going through reforms on how to collect revenue and property taxes more effectively, the country’s expenditure is now outrunning and outpacing its ability from traditional sources to find revenue to match it.“Therefore, there has to be a turning point in the country.”He noted that if the Bahamians vote “Yes” in the National Referendum Ballot concerning the regulation and taxation of Web Shop gaming, the Government would have to move very quickly to put in the necessary regulations and taxation regime.“But even that which may be a significant revenue base in the country, is not sufficient for us to proceed without now pausing as a country to look at a new form of taxation,” the Prime Minister stressed.Further, to increase the number of stopover visitors to The Bahamas, the Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe is launching a multi-million dollar marketing tourism campaign,” Prime Minister Christie said.“For over 40 years, we have seen cruise visitors shift from a 30 per cent share to over 75 per cent of visitors to The Bahamas,” he said.“There is the sober reality that in 1990, The Bahamas received 1.5 million stopovers over a quarter of a million more than the 1.3 million stopovers in 2011.”Providing more statistics the Prime Minister said, “75 per cent of stopover visitors stayed in traditional hotels in 2011 and a decade ago nearly 82 per cent were staying in hotels. Over the same period however, timeshare stopovers increased 55 per cent, second home stopover owners increased 105 per cent and stopovers staying at apartments increased 76 per cent.“Clearly the nature of the business has changed and it is imperative that we revitalise our tourism product to stop and reduce unemployment.”The Government intends to encourage the “movers and shakers” of the world to make The Bahamas a destination of choice, increase religious tourism, sports and heritage tourism and put in place the necessary legislation, structures and groups in place to regulate the potential medical tourism industry in the country.
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PM ON THE OUTLOOK FOR THE BAHAMAS
NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Gladstone Christie said economic growth has continued to be “buttressed” in The Bahamas by mildly positive developments in the tourism and construction sectors. The Prime Minister was giving an update on the Bahamian economy at the opening of the 22nd Annual Bahamas Business Outlook at the Wyndham Nassau Resort, Thursday, January 10, 2013.Prime Minister Christie said, “The Ministry of Tourism preliminary report indicates that total visitor arrivals increased by 6.3 per cent in January – November period last year. Sea arrivals were up 5.8 per cent, and more strikingly, high value added air arrivals expanded by eight per cent.He said $400 million was spent to upgrade the Lynden Pindling International Airport at a time when the recession impacted, so there must be enough traffic moving through it to pay for the airport.The Prime Minister also noted that in 2012, the construction sector continued to benefit from a number of on-going major public and private sector investment projects.He said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest World Economic Outlook (October 2012) estimated that Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth last year remained constant at 2.5 per cent in The Bahamas.“This despite the fact that the Fund has marked down growth prospects for a number of major economies around the globe.”For this year, the IMF still forecast Real Growth on the order of 2.7 per cent, the Prime Minister said.“While this is somewhat encouraging, it is equally clear that we must strive to do much better, especially if we are to create adequate job opportunities for Bahamians and make a significant dent in unemployment, which unfortunately still remains at an unacceptable high level.”Despite the challenges, Prime Minister Christie noted that there is a continued interest in foreign-direct investment in real estate in The Bahamas.During 2012, 627 permits were issued under the International Persons Landholding Act at a purchase price of $442,508,311, which attracted Stamp Duty of $66,460,000.In that same period, certificates were issued to 574 persons, which attracted a Stamp Duty valued at $53 million, the Prime Minister said.Inflation has remained relatively modest across most categories of the Retail Price Index, he said. “Looking ahead, it is clear that prospects for the Bahamian economy hinges closely on the developments in the United States, our most significant trading partner,” Prime Minister Christie said.“The IMF forecast calls for continued modest growth in the U.S. economy, just in excess of two per cent in 2013, essentially unchanged from 2012.”As for developments on New Providence, the Prime Minister explained that the Baha Mar project has not had the impact on GDP that Atlantis had and that is essentially because it has been driven by Chinese labour.“We expect that to change as we move closer towards the finishing work that will take place here at Baha Mar, and we expect to therefore have some kind of impact that has not shown itself as yet in our assessments.“We expect something to be triggered off as more and more Bahamians go to work.”Prime Minister Christie said developments planned for South Ocean and Hilton should invigorate the economy.He added that Albany during the recession continued to sell properties at high premium values, attracting some of the world’s most wealthy people. The development is also prepared to make significant public sector contributions.The Prime Minister said the Government remains committed to bringing more excitement to Bay Street and will create incentives to spur development along the city of Nassau right up to Montagu.“We have looked closely at the Kerzner Marina Village and its impact and we are re-committing ourselves to a boardwalk from the cruise ship terminal going east.”The Prime Minister said families such as the Kellys, Symonettes and Bethels are involved and thinking how they can integrate their resources and planning into the project.
The story is written by Lionella Gilbert of the Bahamas Information Services.
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| BIS Photos Patrick HannaMinister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Fred Mitchell delivers the Keynote Address during the Opening Ceremony for the 46th Anniversary of Majority Rule Exhibition, January 10, at the College of The Bahamas' Harry Moore Library. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna) |
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Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Fred Mitchell along with Dame Marguerite Pindling, touring the 46th Anniversary of Majority Rule Exhibition, January 10, at the College of The Bahamas' Harry Moore Library. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna) |
January 10, 2013NASSAU, The Bahamas – An exhibition detailing the struggle towards Majority Rule was unveiled at the Harry C Moore Library of the College of The Bahamas on the 46th Anniversary of Majority Rule, which came about on January 10, 1967.Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon. Fred Mitchell represented the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister by delivering the opening remarks at the ceremony held Thursday, January 10, 2013.“On behalf of the Prime Minister, I wish to pay tribute to all who are responsible for this exhibition this evening and are helping to continue the narrative and to tell the old, old story of how we have overcome,” Mr. Mitchell said.The Prime Minister has committed to establishing Majority Rule Day as a public holiday.Mr. Mitchell also attended a Majority Rule Day service on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 in the Bain Town community hosted by Rev C. B Moss. “I am really pleased at all of the attention that these observances are getting this year; it looks like we are finally getting it right.”At that service His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, the Governor General gave an impassioned plea for people to understand that none of this could have come about if it were not for the untidy business of politics. “Politicians are bashed, vilified. Politics they say is dirty. Yet it is politics that has produced much of the story which we come here to celebrate and to mark,” Sir Arthur said.Supporting those words, Mitchell said those who know him, know that he is very strong on the adversarial nature of the country’s political system. “Out of that adversarial game comes the dynamic history and the public policy which we have today,” he said.This exhibition depicts the story of the march from the Emancipation of slavery, to Burma Road, to Majority Rule and to Independence. “I hope next year January 10th is a public holiday. It now has bi-partisan support. I hope that next year, Burma Road, now called Blake Road is completely repaved with cobblestones, an idea given to me by one of the assistant clerks of the House of Assembly. "So that when we ride over it, everyone will ask: what do these stones mean? And we will reply, “We are Going down Burma Road. Don’t lick nobody”, Mr. Mitchell said.The Majority Rule Day observances are very much a part of his decision to have a public life, he said.In 1977, he got the opportunity at the convention of the Progressive Liberal Party, directed by Sir Lynden Pindling to write a series of pieces delivered by members of a group known as the National Alliance, which included amongst others the late Brenville Hanna, and his friends Sean McWeeney and Michael Symonette. The essays were delivered at the start of the convention, and later his friend Paul Drake put those essays into a book, which he called Great Moments In PLP History. “It began in my mind as a simple construct: that the political history of the modern Bahamas should be seen as beginning with the Burma Road riots of 1942 and ending with Independence in 1973. In between was Majority Rule Day 1967. The narrative was extended recently to include the Emancipation of the slaves in 1834,” Mr. Mitchell said.He said he listened to the other speakers at the Bain Town service, namely the Prime Minister; and Loretta Butler-Turner, Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement.“I thought to myself: “Yes! By Jove I think they’ve got it! Each of the principals I named had the narrative just about right.”What is interesting though is the FNM’s version of the narrative. It is a parallel narrative but a compelling one all the same, and one which admits to the common history, he said.“What allows them now to embrace the event, is the fact that the founders of their party, the “Dissident Eight”, were amongst the progenitors of the movement to Majority Rule. “It appears that having realised that fact, they are able to embrace Majority Rule as the seminal event that it was and is,” Mr. Mitchell said.The narrative is further broadened by the legal reality that in 1967 there was the vote with full, universal adult suffrage without property qualifications for the first time in Bahamian history. The result then literally was majority rule. It embraced both black and white; in that the will of the majority was expressed and done.“Further, as the Governor General read his statement, a statement which was read in all the schools throughout the country this morning, I thought that we have finally gotten to the point where officialdom can say the words “Black” and “African descent” without sounding like they are apologising.“That to me is a major achievement. There was a time in the 1990s and up to recent times, when you had to say those words as if you were whispering a secret,” Mr. Mitchell said.
You can click here for the full statement by Mr. Mitchell. The story is written by Lindsay Thompson of the Bahamas Information Services.
THE PICTURE OF BEYONCE AND HER BABY
BEYONCE AND DAUGHTER GO FOR A DIP: Blue Ivy Carter took a dip in the cool blue waters of the Bahamas this week - with a little help from her mum Beyonce. Mum and daughter went for a paddle as they enjoyed a family holiday with Beyonce's husband, rapper Jay-Z. Beyonce, 31, who also took part in a photo shoot in the islands, posted the picture of herself with Blue Ivy Carter, who turned one this week, on her public Tumblr website "iam.beyonce.com". (Photo published in today's (Jan. 11) Tribune. Excerpt from the Facebook page of Oswald Brown.
JEROME FITZGERALD ON THE NOLLE
9th January 2013
Few people remember that it was the FNM’s Attorney General the then Orville Turnquest who entered a writ of Nolle Prosequi, stopping the prosecution of one of the Moskos, who had been charged for murder and skipped bail rather than face trial. The PLP had insisted that the trial should go ahead. The PLP lost office in 1992 and as soon as they did the Mosko defendant was freed by the FNM. The FNM clearly has a convenient memory of this injustice. Now there is a compelling case for the AG intervening to stop the prosecution of George Hayles and his wife on a gun charge and the FNM following the idle Rodney Moncur is seeking to make hay of this and are causing real problems from which they ought to resile. There was a row about it in the House of Assembly led by Loretta Butler Turner loudly interrupting the Speaker causing a suspension of the session on Wednesday 9th January. The Prime Minister told the Leader of the Opposition that if he wanted to know the facts he would tell him but not in the House and asked for responsible behavior by the Opposition. The Acting Attorney General Jerome Fitzgerald who acted to stop the prosecution gave this statement to the House of Assembly on the matter.
You may click here for the full statement.
A NEW FEATURE: FUNK’S SHORT CORNER
Kendal Demeritte also known as Funky has re-started his weekly contributions to the public debate with a feature called Funk’s Short Corner. Enjoy!
– YES, YES, YES WHAT A CHOICE!!!
Wow, to know but the righteous, then a man cometh, Father Jimmy Moultrie. When James Moultrie comes to town even the devil runs! What a choice, Mr. Prime Minister, oh what a choice. You just can’t beat it, by appointing him as chairman of the National Insurance Board. Yes, yes, yes, it’s a flush, it’s a flush, it’s a flush and it’s not a straight flush, it’s a royal flush. And even if the Lord above had anyone better he kept it for himself. Congratulations Father Jimmy Moultrie on a stellar appointment. I know and the world knows that you’ll bring the upmost professionalism, civility, and good Christian principle to what might have been a wretched institution. You just can’t beat it; you can’t beat a royal flush, even the devil folded (turned his hand in) on the call! The corner knows this reverend gentleman, how you think the corner if I must say so myself has so much intelligence. He once taught me! Congratulations teacher! They could only fold, they can’t touch this, it’s a royal flush. Yes, yes, yes!
Until next time we’ll be back on the other subject of Gaming but we had to yield to reverence.
FUNKY NASSAU
The Bahamian group the Beginning of The End performed this song in 1971 and it was an international hit. The song was written by Tyrone Fitzgerald, aka Dr. Offf and Raphael Munnings. It was since been covered by Erica Badyu and Santana.
BRADLEY ROBERTS PLP CHAIR ON MAJORITY RULE
The Progressive Liberal Party led by its Leader Perry Christie and joined by Dame Marguerite Pindling, the widow of the late founding Prime Minister of The Bahamas attended services at the Living Waters Church in Oakes Field. The pastor is Apostle Raymond Wells. Pastor Well preached a fiery sermon but declared that while he voted PLP the last time, he could not promise the next time unless the PLP did good. PLP Chair Bradley Roberts spoke on behalf of the party. He said that he was concerned that the hard won freedoms which we now enjoy are being jeopardized by a small group of young men who are terrorizing the society by their criminal activity.. You may click here for his full statement to the church to day 13th January. Following the service, the Prime Minister and Dame Marguerite laid a wreath a the tomb of Sir Lynden.
REMARKS
BRADLEY B. ROBERTS
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
PROGRESSIVE LIBERAL PARTY
46TH ANNUAL MAJORITY RULE CHURCH SERVICE
LIVING WATERS KINGDOM MINISTRIES
WARREN STREET
Sunday, 13th January 2013
Apostle Raymond Wells and Mrs. Wells;
Mr. Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie;
Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentarians;
Party Officers, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant and brisk Good Morning
The Psalmist David said in his 122nd song, “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”
I come in peace and bring warm greetings on behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party.
I am truly glad to be here this morning to celebrate the 46th anniversary of Majority Rule in the house of God and to give thanks to Almighty God for His many blessings both on a personal and a national level.
On Thursday of last week, the 10th of January 2013, the nation celebrated the 46th anniversary of Majority Rule. This singular event in Bahamian history played a significant role in shaping the modern Bahamas we experience and live in today. The significant events leading up to and emanating from Majority Rule must become permanently etched in the Bahamian historical landscape as these events collectively define us as a people, reveal what we believe in as Bahamians, and serve as constant reminders of our vision and values.
It is widely believed that with the exception of Emancipation from Slavery in 1834 and the attainment of Independence in 1973, there is no event of more consequence and historical importance than the attainment of Majority Rule on January 10th, 1967.
You get no argument from this Bahamian on that ascertain.
As courageous Bahamians stood in the vanguard of social change as far back as 1942 and beyond, I am confident that God at all times dispatched His guardian angels to offer protection and to secure victory in this righteous cause for social justice, human dignity and unconditional universal adult suffrage.
I am pleased that today there appears to be bipartisan support for this day to take its rightful place in the annals of Bahamian history. The Progressive Liberal Party fully supports the proposal advanced by the Prime Minister that January 10th should be observed as a national holiday. This day must be recognized as a major victory for justice, equality, freedom and human dignity.
I thank the Governor General for his national address on Majority Rule and his message of unity and responsibility.
I also thank the Minister of Education for elevating the level of participation in all of our schools in recognizing this important national event. This gesture will no doubt lead to better educating our children on their history and who they are as a people.
The president of the College of The Bahamas, Dr. Betsy Boze is commended for her commitment to encourage greater intellectual discourse and social awareness in this country on great historical events such as Majority Rule. The Art Exhibition at the Harry C. Moore Library was a great start and I encourage all to view the exhibition.
It pains me however; to witness the careless, reckless and wanton disregard that too many of our people, especially by a number of our young black men, have for these precious and hard fought freedoms. The level of crime, carnage and general disregard for human life and personal property are clear evidences of their unwillingness to accept responsibility for these priceless gifts: Gifts such as freedom, self-determination and the opportunity for real democracy to come to The Bahamas, underpinned by equality, tolerance, economic justice, social justice - all important elements in the creation of a free, modern, democratic state.
My brothers and sisters, you cannot put a price on these gifts and make no mistake about it – with freedom and opportunity come great responsibility.
Majority Rule ushered in the opportunity for all Bahamians to have constitutional, political, social, cultural and economic rights ordained by Almighty God. Where these rights were not readily accessible, the Government of the day created laws and implemented policies to enable these entitlements.
It is therefore the responsibility of every Bahamian to contribute to the continued development of our democracy and we cannot have a successful democracy without the prevalence of the rule of law.
WE MUST AS A PEOPLE, BECOME INTOLERANT OF LAWLESSNESS
I implore the government to hasten the expansion of Urban Renewal to the far flung corners of our archipelago. The arm of the government must touch and be felt by all Bahamians in its attempt to bring about social transformation and an arrest to this scourge called crime and the fear of crime.
And so, my friends, we come here to mark a critically important milestone in our progress as a people – and to re-commit ourselves to a struggle that never ends.
As we look to the future, it must be that the average man, making the average salary, with children to educate to university level; that they see not a glass ceiling but boundless opportunities that give rise to hope and optimism as we work together to build the best little country in the world. This is the essence of the promise of Majority Rule.
So in closing I simply say that we in this generation of leadership stand on the shoulders of giants and have a responsibility to safely deliver this country to the next generation of Bahamians stronger, richer and more civil.
We cannot fail in this solemn national duty and by God’s grace and mercy we will succeed. Our forebears have sacrificed too much for too long for us to callously disrespect their legacy through ignorance, selfishness and indifference.
On behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party, I congratulate The Bahamas on its 46th anniversary of Majority Rule and may Almighty God continue to bless The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
Forrester Carroll writes from Freeport in the second of a four part series about the legacy of Hubert Ingraham and the problems which he caused for The Bahamas during his time as Prime Minister. He contrasts that to the developments during the time that Sir Lynden Pindling was Prime Minister.
While all these new policies were affecting the country and the population positively, more and more children, from poor white and black families, were advancing in their education and their ability to hold their own. Many were going abroad with the assistance afforded by the scholarship programs instituted, notwithstanding the depressed economic state of affairs of their parents. Other Institutions, in the country, were expanding and improving simultaneously as well; careers in medicine, engineering and other professional opportunities were becoming available to those who were qualifying themselves (abroad) and returning home to serve our population. Another real area of social concern, for Sir Lynden certainly, was the question of a safety net for the sick, unemployed, retired and the infirmed.
There were no real benefits (and or protections), in place against dependency, accruing to our people, especially in their senior years when sickness, unemployment and or retirement might be expected to occur so Sir Lynden’s government, after much rancor from the Bay Street’s/UBP/FNM elite group, introduced the National Insurance Scheme. Sir Lynden advanced this idea in the face of overwhelming objections from this elitist party (the UBP now FNM); It was too expensive they shouted; it would never work (they said) but Sir Lynden, to his credit, ignored their shouting and stayed the course. One thing led to another and the need to protect our boarders became evident and so it was that a border patrol, of some kind, for our defense was concluded to be necessary and so, against Bay Street’s vehement disapproval as usual, a defense force was introduced. Eventually, because of the number of young men (especially) seeming to have a hard time coping with life and the sense of losing too many of them by the wayside, the government began talking up the idea of a “National Service” scheme with the view to saving these young people from themselves but, like with every other new program, all hell broke loose; Pindling wanted his own army they shouted; it would be too expensive they said; we didn’t need a military service they argued; we don’t want our children learning how to use guns they argued; under pressure from many quarters (especially from the elite whites who I perceived didn’t want their lily white children serving in that black army alongside those poor black children from over-da-hill) the government eventually caved in and shelved the idea which Sir Lynden, in retrospect during one of his last interview sessions before his death, admitted was the biggest failure of his government. He sincerely regretted acquiescing to the naysayers when he failed to introduce the “national service” scheme which was also objected to (and shouted down) by this same BAY STREET/UBP/FNM grouping; we’ve now lived long enough, all of us I submit, to regret the decision not to introduce the scheme.
As we continued moving along, in our nation’s development, during those embryonic years post majority rule (1967), it was obvious that Bahamians were still getting the short end of the stick when it came to jobs, significant promotions and business opportunities. Eventually (without going into much detail) the PLP government was obliged to compensate, the situation in the country, by introducing its famous “Bahamianization policy.” Similar to America’s “Affirmative Action Program” the adoption of this policy was to ensure that employers be required, first, to consider qualified Bahamians for available jobs and promotions in their businesses before applications, for foreign labour imports, would be considered by the Immigration department. The consequences, for Bahamian professionals, had the government not adopted such a policy would have been huge numbers of qualified Bahamians remaining unemployed and disenfranchised in their own country; this in the face of huge numbers of foreigners working on permits in positions that Bahamians were and are well able to fill. The government found it necessary as well to ensure that certain business opportunities were reserved EXCLUSIVELY, in the country, for Bahamians. To this end a policy was introduced to require that all business opportunities, in the touristic, wholesale, retail and shipping sectors, including restaurants, up to a gradual escalation of a capital investment of $3 million be RESERVED for Bahamians exclusively. No percentage of those enterprises (on paper at least) was to show ownership by foreigners; the PLP government was not prepared to tolerate the involvement of foreigners in those sectors of our business community. All these things and more (too many to list here in this one article) were put in place, by the PLP government under the leadership of Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, during those first 25 years of majority and black rule, for the benefit of us ordinary Bahamians. Then the PLP lost the general elections of 1992 ushering in what would turn out to be the darkest period in our history; Hubert Ingraham came along and, in retrospect, taught us a lesson on who not to vote in office in future general elections. I am saddened to say but it was then that we began our decent back to that abyss of social, economic and political deprivation of pre-1967 Bay Street rule-that cesspool of being second class citizens (again) and slaves under conditions much like those which prevailed during the 40s, 50s and 60s. Ingraham, and his FNM government (as it turned out), represented (in all aspects of his governance) the old mindset of the defunct UBP/Bay Street elites; a mindset which oversaw the re-introduction of a policy which, in effect, said to Bahamians (especially of colour of no influence and of no status) that “They need not apply; you need not aspire to be all you can be because we don’t believe in you; you are incapable of doing anything right.” There are good and bad Legacies, for the Bible tells us of men who are blessed if they leave Legacies (inheritance) for their children as it (implies) curses on those who fail to do so. Now that Hubert Ingraham has (as he said) passed off the scene let us examine, in a nutshell, his 15 year tenure and determine, as best we can, what kind of Legacy he will leave us.
Forrester Carroll JP
Miguel D. Taylor writes about the cost of a ticket to Miami from Freeport and back. This is symptomatic of a number of complaints which people in Freeport have about the cost of living there. One imagines that it also dampens the tourism product.
Dear Editor (s),
Please afford some of your valuable space at your next posting on Bahamas Uncensored.
There’s an old gospel song which was taken from Romans 8:31, where in part it says “What shall we say to these things…” This has to be the backdrop upon which I now write.
I just don't get it! Recently, I purchased a ticket for a flight to New York City (NYC) from Ft. Lauderdale. This is a flight that is a little over 2hrs, and the cost for the ticket was one hundred and eighty seven dollars ($187.00) roundtrip. In my mind, that is one helluva deal! Now, a ticket from Freeport to Ft. Lauderdale, which is just a twenty five (25) minute flight, cost me roughly around three hundred and fifty seven dollars ($357) roundtrip. I imagined that I could have probably gotten a flight from Nassau to Ft. Lauderdale for cheaper. But I find it quite baffling not to mention quite perplexing, that seemingly, respective authorities, be it the Grand Bahama Port Authority and/or the government have not noticed this ridiculously amount in air travel costs to Florida, which is presumably just about ninety (90) nautical miles from Freeport, and tried to bring about a reduction in the cost of air travel to and fro. Now perhaps, my ignorance on regulations and how things supposedly work for this particular city has taken a dominant position and by extension skewed the process of formulating thoughts as it pertains to such, but in any event, it is something that ought to be looked into. We settle for too much foolishness around here!
I hold the view that this is part of the reason why the tourism sector on this island is suffering. It costs too much to operate here, and to add salt to industry, little or no incentive. Additionally, it costs too much to travel here. Coupled with insufficient attractions and/or night life (after 6pm roughly), the island is more and more becoming a forgotten paradise (for lack of a better term). I applaud the initiatives being undertaken by the current administration to boost the tourism sector here on the island. However, the cost in air travel must be addressed. We can have as many beautiful hotels as we want, but if the cost for getting here is too expensive/unattractive to visitors….what would be the point of it all? Truth is, archaic methods in a modern era simply won’t work. We have to be innovative thinkers, visionaries, and driver of strategies. Perhaps it is time to really knock heads with the ‘controllers’ of this city. Better regulation, better oversight, better results.
What shall we say to these things?
I am etc.,
Miguel D. Taylor
miguel.taylor@mgroup242.com
Pierre Dupuch writes people must know how the taxpayer’s money has been spent! He is also against gambling it seems, arguing that it will lead to addiction. Mr. Dupuch is a former Member of Parliament and contributed this piece to the web by direct distribution.
The General Election was held in May of last year. Since then everybody, the Government, the church leaders, the media and the people have been talking about and promoting slackness. It's become a big deal. It seems to be the biggest, most important game in town. Slackness.
Firstly, we talked about how the oil profits would be shared, and everybody's eyes got bigger ... more oil, less work, more slackness. And we hadn't even struck oil yet ... and probably never will without destroying our most important asset, beauty.
So we destroy one and discover the other. That's what we call progress, ambition, drive. And all those good things.
The most important subject lately, however, has been extreme slackness, gambling. Making plenty with no effort. Way to go Government ... lull the people to sleep, make them slaves again.
Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against gambling. If you want to gamble, so long as you don't affect those who don't want to gamble, it's fine with me.
However, let us look at several scenarios. The one I am about to tell you I personally witnessed on several occasions when I was stationed in Freeport with The Tribune.
A gambler comes in and visits the Lucayan casino. He plays $100,000 and loses it. Depressed, he walks out, goes to Bell Channel, pulls out a revolver and shoots himself. He chose to come here; he chose to gamble and lose; he chose to shoot himself. It may sound heartless, but that's his business. If it were me I would not recommend such an approach. But what he did would not encroach on anybody’s private life or bank account.
I recall a young boy who over sixty years ago went to Bimini with his father to watch the presentation of trophies at a Big Game tournament. He went to his father and said, "Daddy, what's that funny looking thing in the corner with figures and a handle."
"Why son, that's known as a one armed bandit."
"A One Armed Bandit," said a curious son, "what’s that daddy?"
"Well son," his father said, "here's four shillings. Take them, and one at a time, put them in that slot and each time pull the lever. Whatever comes out is your winning."
The boy took the four shillings and did what his father had said. The first shilling went into the machine, and to the boy's surprise nineteen shillings came out.
"This is fun," he thought. And so he continued until the last shilling went in and nothing came out. This took about an hour.
The boy went to his father and said, "Dad, that was fun, please give me another four shillings."
Sternly, his father said, "No son, no more money. That was your first lesson in gambling."
The young boy learned that if you have four extra shillings and want to have some fun, you spent it on a slot machine (or some other gambling device). But when it is finished, it is time to walk away from the table.
This is fun. After all, there's no harm in having fun, is there?
So why not legalize gambling in The Bahamas? This is a free world. The Constitution guarantees our freedom to do whatever pleases us. Right?
But that's rather broad, isn't it? A little freedom was lost when Eve joined Adam. Instead of having the whole bed, Adam had to make room for Eve. They had to accommodate each other.
Before cars we were free to walk on any side of the street. And then came cars, and we had to give up some freedom so that there would be order and we would not kill each other.
And then came highways and more freedoms were lost. Speed limits were introduced; exits came on highways and there were more rules and we lost even more freedom.
But this was good because humans had to give up some freedoms so that everyone would be able to enjoy the things around them. So when we make laws, we shouldn't make them just for a small group; we should be very conscious of the fact that others may be affected. And the lawmakers must always keep this in mind before passing any laws.
When I was a young boy in school in Canada I experienced first-hand how gambling is addictive. One evening I visited some friends who lived on the same floor in the dorm where I lived. My friends were both from wealthy families, one from Trinidad, the other from Brazil.
They had spread a blanket on the floor so that the Prefect below our floor could not hear the dice rolling. This was early evening. Both had already become quite animated. I left and went to my room and bed.
When I woke the next morning the dice game was still going on. The boy from Brazil had lost everything, his silk shirts, his expensive pants, his fancy shoes ... everything. They had both become so animated that they were frothing at the mouth.
At this point I said to myself, "This stuff is dangerous. These guys are good candidates to become addicts." Later on in life one had become a gambling addict.
I have seen many young people who I grew up with become gambling addicts and lose everything, including their parent's money which they had saved for a rainy day.
Now this is where rubber hits the road. These addicts soon stop paying their bills, their children aren't fed well, and they can't afford electricity. Basically they and their families become wards of the state.
This is where the unscrupulous politician comes in. He sees two people, one a gambling addict who can't pay his bills, and the other who has put his money aside and made good investments so that his family is taken care of and there's money for a rainy day.
The politician sees a vote. He starts class warfare, pointing out that the "rich man" must be taxed more because after all this poor family must be fed, and proposes laws to tax the person who has saved his money.
This is where innocent people become affected. No law should ever be enacted if it will adversely affect a group of innocent people.
But this, they say, is a small group of people. I say, they can't take the good and not the bad.
So when this so called high powered "Yes" group who are proposing the legalization of gambling can tell me how they propose taking care of these addicts without affecting the lives of the innocent, I will consider supporting them.
But, to me, this has all been a smokescreen. The real problems facing this country should be addressed and acted on. The Government says it needs money. And it indeed does. But before they are given more, the Government should tell the public, in no uncertain terms, what caused the $100-million overrun on the roads? What's really happening at Arawak Cay; what's the story on NIB and the money in Tourism?
The people are entitled to know what happened to their hard earned dollars which were taxed to pay for the operation of the Government. They are not only entitled to know, they must know. It cannot and must not, be swept under the rug.
The people wait, Prime Minister. And they're running out of patience!
Rev. Fr. James Moultrie Is Appointed
The Minister of National Insurance Shane Gibson announced last week that Rev. Fr. James Moultrie, the retired Anglican priest, diplomat and Member of Parliament, is to succeed Greg Moss as Chairman of the National Insurance Board.
Foreign Minister With Bahamian Students In The Caribbean
Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell hosted Bahamian students who go to school in the Caribbean to a reception at Luciano’s in Nassau to bid them farewell as they depart Nassau to return to school. The reception as planned by Caricom High Commissioner Picewell Forbes. The reception took place on Thursday 10th January.
Doom And Gloom At Bahamas Outlook Seminar
The Bahamas Outlook Seminar takes place every year in the second week in January in a stellar effort by Joan Albury of the Counselors. The idea is to say what the latest developments are for the Bahamian economy for this year. But many seemed to use it to spread a message of doom and gloom. The Financial Services Board for example talked about what she said was the reputational disadvantage which The Bahamas has. The argument is that lawyers in The Bahamas have a closed shop and this is causing issues for the brand. Then there was the hotel sector led by George Markantonis of Paradise Island who talked about the problems at the hotel with the Bahamar Cable Beach project coming on stream. Maybe it was the way it was all reported by hey these things are cyclical and we will get out of whatever we are in with a bit of time and planning. But the fisherman should not call his own fish stink.
Mike Misick To Go To The UK
Despite notes that were smuggled allegedly from the Brazil prison in Rio where the former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands languishes in prison on a British arrest warrant in solitary confinement and without reportedly being able to see the sun, showing that Mr. Misick is prepared to remove himself voluntarily back to the Turks and Caicos Islands, the British have said they may extradite Mr. Misick to the United Kingdom and not to the Turks and Caicos. The campaign for justice for Mr. Misick continues.
The Fallout On Greg Moss
Just as we uploaded the column last week a set of photographs were sent out by the office of the PLP’s Chairman Bradley Roberts showing the Prime Minister Perry Christie and the recently dismissed PLP MP Greg Moss in a warm embrace at a club in Freeport on Saturday 5th January. We show one of the photos. Interesting the developments since last week. The Minister of National Insurance Shane Gibson was in the press to say that Mr. Moss could bounce back in his political career. The Prime Minister went to some pains to say that Mr. Moss has a bright future. Mr. Moss himself told the press on Wednesday 9th January in the House of Assembly that he was unrepentant and stood by what he said but he still supports the PLP.
Picewell Forbes Off To Guyana
The High Commissioner to Caricom and to the individual Caricom countries is off to Guyana on 14th January to represent the Minister of Foreign Affairs on the Community Council which is the second highest organ of Caricom. He will be accompanied by Foreign Service officer Kyle Chea.
Fred Mitchell With Doris Johnson Students
There is a new track club at the Doris Johnson School and Fred Mitchell MP went to visit the club and wish the students the best. The visit took place on Thursday 10th January.
The Flu Is Raging
Public officials in The Bahamas have sent out a warning on the flu and asked people to go get vaccinated for the disease. You need to wash your hands. The best advice is wash your hands; sing the happy birthday song twice while washing to make sure the soap gets all the germs off your hands. The flu shot will stop you from catching the disease or make it milder. Those who get it have been suffering from headaches, vomiting, loose stomach and chills.
Preachers Are Rowing
The fight between the yes forces and the no forces over the referendum and gambling in the religious community is getting worse and bitter. Pastor Mario Moxey of the Bahamas Harvest Church was on the radio on Friday 11th January and launched into an adverse comment about Bishop Simeon Hall and the other three pastors who have become most associated with the yes vote in contradistinction to the the thirty or so Pastor Moxey says are for the no vote. Pastor Moxey called Bishop Hall on Darold Miller's radio show on Friday 11th January a renegade pastor. He said that he was disappointed in Bishop Hall particularly since he looked up to him as a mentor. Bishop Hall did not take kindly too it and called the show immediately to denounce it. He was followed up by Rev. Dr. Philip McPhee who also did not take kindly to Pastor Moxey;s remark either. Who would have thought?
Perry Christie's Offer Of A Knighthood
The Queen's birthday honours come up in June. The deadline for submissions is some time in March. Perry Christie, the Prime Minister, speaking at the farewell lunch for former Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel saw former PrimeMinister Hubert Ingraham in the audience. He (Mr. Christie) quipped that the former Prime Minsiter should allow Mr. Christie to nominate him for a knighthood. The honours done at New Years and in June for the Queen's birthday are actually made by the Cabinet. Mr. Ingraham later told the press that he had no interest in a knighthood ; that being Rt. Honourable was enough for him. This year's honours are likely to be the last before the Bahamian honours come into force.
Farewell To Barry Farrington
Barry Farrington who was the last Chairman of the United Bahamian Party, when the government of the UBP lost in 1967, went on to survive the PLP and the FNM in office. He was FNM oriented but never let that interfere with stellar service to the company that he worked for. Not when it was Resorts International and they had close ties to Pindling's PLP, not when it changed to be owned by Merv Griffin, Donald Trump and then Sol Kerzner who transformed the property into what it is today, having lost it to the financial excess of the early 21st century. Mr. Farrington was there through it all. Well on Friday 11th January after 40 years, he called it quits and moved on to another field. The press said he was overcome with emotion after the staff met to say farewell. He goes down in the record books as survivor, a company man, a man of the old era who got along in the new era, a good example. He was the quintessential advisor. No word on what he plans to do but perhaps he will stay on as a trustee of the Hotel Workers Pension Fund. Best wishes in the new life with much respect.
