Note from the Publisher
We send our prayers and express our concern for Richardson Campbell,
Public Relations Consultant and former Editor of the Freeport News who
is seriously ill.
On this day in 1834, the British Parliament's Act freeing the slaves came into force. With that Act of Parliament, the slaves in The Bahamas were almost free. They became apprentices for four years and then in 1838, they were finally free to go their own way. We know of course that it was not as simple as that. Today we still see the affects of slavery in the society where the large masses of the descendants of slaves are still at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder, and in this FNM dispensation there is a new form of slavery being practiced. It is being practiced so successfully that even the victims of the slavery are afraid to protest their condition.
The only community in The Bahamas that actively celebrates the Emancipation Day is the Fox Hill community that this columnist is likely to get the chance to represent one day in Parliament. They also celebrate on Fox Hill Day 10 August. The village comes alive during this time. Festivities began on Friday 30 July with the opening of a new museum on slavery and Fox Hill.
Lakeview Cemetery, the new garden of remembrance for the burial of the dearly departed at Lake Cunningham, New Providence, reports that they may have a sale as a result of our story on the web last week. Click the link at the bottom of this page for photos of the opening and a picture of the gardens.
THIS WEEK WE PRESENT an exposé on the collapse of agriculture in The Bahamas. Further, we talk about how the Government has reversed course on taxation and has sold out the Montagu Vendors.
WE HAD 7840 hits on the web for the month of July, that is up to
12 midnight 31 July, 1999. Thanks for reading.
e-mail timbuktu@batelnet.bs
LONG
ISLAND FARMERS IN TROUBLE
The disease is called Black Sigatoka. It is a fungus that spells
disaster if unchecked for banana crops. Long Island is the heart
of banana country in The Bahamas, and one of the few agriculture producing
areas left in the country. Under Earl Deveaux, himself an agriculturist,
agriculture has collapsed in The Bahamas. North Andros farming is
next to nothing. North Eleuthera has suffered from severe drought
without sufficient help from the Ministry. Now comes the news that this
fungus may be widespread in Long Island. It is said that there are
trees in Long Island which have only one or two leaves on the tree.
The fungus has destroyed the others. The tree needs at least five
to six leaves to carry the bananas to maturity. The result is that
there will be serious crop failure in Long Island if help is not given.
There must be an immediate and comprehensive spraying programme for the
fungus throughout Long Island. The diseased plants should be cut
down and destroyed. The disease even survives in dead plant material.
It is clear that for a disaster of this magnitude to exist, given the importance
of bananas to Long Island, and the importance of the crop to the Government's
self-sufficiency programme, it is clear that Earl Deveaux has fallen down
on the job again. He must go.
A STORY ABOUT BANANAS
When Pierre Dupuch was Minister of Agriculture back in 1996, he imposed
a ban on imported bananas as a means of forcing Bahamians to buy
Bahamian
bananas, and as a means of helping the local growers. It turned out
to be a disaster. The result was winjy bananas on the shelves or
no bananas at all. The local farmers were simply not ready.
The story comes back to haunt us in another way. During the Tribunal
case of William Fines vs. Kelly Bakery, opposing Counsel Reginald Lobosky
was hard at his cross-examination. He was getting to the point and
asking Mr. Fines whose salary was cut because the company said he did not
meet production quotas, why he produced no banana bread for the months
of April and May 1996. Mr. Lobosky's point was that some banana bread
should have been made during the month. Mr. Fines reminded Mr. Lobosky
that during that time there was a ban on bananas being imported and no
local bananas could be found to produce banana bread. Is that what
you call an unintended consequence?
PARADISE
ISLAND AIRPORT TO CLOSE
The Paradise Island Airport is to close on 13 September. This
is to allow Sol Kerzner to use the land to put up time-share units.
Mr. Kerzner just got a generous legislative package passed for him by the
FNM administration in the House of Assembly last week which will enable
the timeshare business that he now plans to enter to flourish. Continental
that owns the airline that operates in Paradise says that it will move
to the Nassau International Airport.
THE SPEAKER'S
FALSE APOLOGY
In her continuing campaign of being holier than thou, R. Italia Johnson,
Speaker of the House of Assembly, trying hard to become another female
icon like Janet Bostwick issued a statement to apologize for the recent
conduct in Parliament. She was snubbed by Bradley Roberts MP, PLP Bain
Town. In her statement, she was no doubt entering the same old tendentious
campaign in which she has engaged in the last month against Bradley Roberts.
There is no need Madame Speaker to apologize for any behaviour of Members
of Parliament. What you ought to do is apologize for being so biased
as a Speaker and try to be even-handed. If you fail to do so, then
Bradley Roberts will ignore you, and in that he has every PLP's support.
WHY CLUB ROCK'S
LICENCE WAS SAVED
Those who read last week's commentary on how Club Rock's license was
saved despite calls from the Christian Council to cancel the license, say
that this columnist was wrong for ascribing some grand motive to the Licensing
Authority. The comment was made that the Licensing Authority was
respecting Bradley Griffin, the clubs owner's right to his investment and
private property. It was unfair in our view to cause his club to
close down because of a random act of violence outside his club.
Our friends say the Licensing Authority in fact took the line of least
resistance. The Club will have to close shortly in any event they
say because the new owners of the land the Hilton British Colonial have
decided that the Club will have to go for a parking lot for the new hotel.
Club Rock is located next to the old Drum Beat Club on Long Wharf, New
Providence. It is a hangout for young black males and their women.
It plays reggae music.
BEC PLUNGES INTO
DARKNESS
On Friday morning 30 July at 2 a.m., the island of New Providence was
plunged into total darkness. The lights continued to shine at Sol
Kerzner's Paradise Island. The rest of us suffered in three hours
of darkness and heat. BEC was at it again. Their explanation was an explosion
took place at one of the plants. The people of Freeport are suffering
the same fate with power off somewhere in the city at least twice a day
every day for the last week for an hour or more at a time. On Thursday
29 July, the water went off throughout the whole city of Freeport.
No explanation from the utility company. Meanwhile BAHAMASAIR continues
to be late. On Thursday 30 July, the beginning of the holiday weekend
flights into Freeport were delayed for as long as four hours for operational
reasons. That tells us a lot.
BEC OFF AGAIN SATURDAY
MORNING
At 5 a.m. 31 July, the power was off again in New Providence.
According to BEC's emergency line which was working for once, the areas
affected were Bay Street, Brace Ridge Road, Brigadoon, Mt. Vernon, Dick's
Point and Winton. They said the power would be restored by 6:30 a.m.
At 6:45 a.m., they were still saying that. Power was restored at
7:30 a.m.
A VORTEX OF COLLAPSE
That is the best way to describe The Bahamas today. You have
a Government of FNM slaves working for the Yankee dollar, prostituting
the country every day to the horror of its people. That same slave
Government keeps telling us that things are getting better. We know
it is worse but we are satisfied to be purchased by 1200-dollar handouts
in our Government pay cheques. The banks were crowded this week as
civil servants flocked to the bank to pick up their lump sum payment by
the Government. The fact is though, nothing works. There must be
a better way to run a country than this.
BILL ALLEN'S TAX LEGACY
The House of Assembly has reversed all the taxes that they passed just
six weeks ago. Presumably those taxes were put in place after careful
thought and planning. The hapless Minister of Finance Bill Allen
said that he expected to make up some 30 million dollars of additional
revenue from the new tax measures. Nineteen million was to come from
the tax on the Brewery alone. Now with all the taxes reversed, where
is he going to get his 30 million? One supposes it means off to the
bank again to borrow.
HOTEL
ENCOURAGEMENT ACT AMENDED
The Prime Minister announced that the Government is amending the Hotels
Encouragement Act in Parliament on Tuesday 27 July. Hotels will now have
18 months to take advantage of tax relief on customs duties for repairs.
After that the door is closed and repairs will be off the table.
It appears that this measure applies to certain Family Island properties
as well. The legislation is tortuously worded and so you should consult
your attorney. The legislation does not seem to make economic sense
but perhaps it makes political sense. It appears to be a ham-fisted
effort by the FNM Government to force construction repair projects to begin.
They have an eye on the next election and jobs.
PARADISE ISLAND
GOLF CLUB TO CLOSE
Sol Kerzner has decided that the Paradise Island Golf course is not
up to scratch and is closing it down for repairs that will take about two
years. The airport which is next to it is also to close. The
idea is that the rich and famous would want to buy high priced homes around
the golf course. But in order to get the prices he needs, the golf
course will have to be top notch. Get this - the Montagu vendors
who the Prime Minister is forcibly removing from the Montagu Foreshore
believe that they are to make way for a third bridge which is to be built
to accommodate those persons who will live on eastern Paradise Island in
the new development. Things that make you go: "hmmm"!
JIM DUNCOMBE TO
LOSE HIS JOB
By the way, you remember Jim Duncombe of King Eric and His Knights
fame and the leading Golf Pro at Paradise? With the closure of the
Golf Course he has been offered a redundancy package reportedly of one
years' salary. Mr. Duncombe attacked this columnist last year when
this columnist came to his defence when Sol Kerzner chose one of the construction
workers at PI to play golf with world famous Ernie Els instead of Mr. Duncombe
as it was usually done. All of the staff knew Mr. Duncombe was insulted
by it, but Mr. Duncombe attacked Fred Mitchell instead of the problem.
A staff member came to this columnist and reported that the staff see the
redundancy as the reward for Mr. Duncombe's loyal service. Harriet Beecher
Stowe be praised!
THE POOR MONTAGU
VENDORS
This columnist held a press conference on Wednesday 27 July at the
Opposition Committee Room of the House of Assembly to defend the Montagu
Vendors Association for which this columnist is the attorney. The Prime
Minister breached an undertaking which his Government arrived at over the
years of patient negotiations that a permanent market would be put in place
for the vendors on Montagu. The Minister of Public Works Tommy Turnquest
specifically promised it during his budget address. The Prime Minister
said that he had read a Tribune editorial and letters to The Tribune
and became convinced that the vendors have to move. This Prime Minister
is subject to ex parte pleading. He did not hear the other side.
The vendors plan to fight the decision. They were not mollified by
his attempt to intimidate them in a meeting on Friday 30 July when he told
them that they would be moved to the William's Street dock as a their new
site. The advice of their lawyer is do not move. Bahama Journal
photo shows the Montagu Ramp.
ELWOOD DONALDSON
ON MONTAGU VENDORS
Former Member of Parliament Elwood Donaldson says that he can't understand
the arguments for moving the vendors from Montagu based on the traffic
jams caused. He says that as a result of John Morley's Mall-at-Marathon
he has to take an extra forty-five minutes to get home each day.
No one argues that the Mall must be moved because of the traffic jams it
causes. Yes Dr. Donaldson but look at two factors: Mr. Morley
is an FNM supporter, he has a different ethnic background from the Prime
Minister and he is a rich man. Those are apparently material considerations
in any public policy decision being made by the Prime Minister. The Montagu
Vendors do not fall within those categories.
GLADSTONE
THURSTON FIRED
The
Bahama
Journal photo shows Darnelle Dorsette talking to the press as Guardian
Editor Oswald Brown casts a glance in retreat. Ms. Dorsette and Mark Symonette,
two senior reporters of The Nassau Guardian, demonstrated on Thursday 29
July for their dismissed colleague Gladstone Thurston. Mr. Thurston,
though mercurial in nature, is acknowledged widely as the best political
journalist in the country. He understands the system and the players.
He was relegated by a vicious and begrudgeful group of young Black men
who now run the Guardian to a back room publication called the Bahamas
Observer against his will. Now they have announced that The Observer
which was to fill the afternoon void left when The Tribune became a morning
paper is to fold. At a shareholder's meeting in April Paul Adderley
and this columnist warned the new Directors of The Guardian that they were
wasting
The Guardian's money by investing in that paper. The paper
never got a circulation above 200 per day. Someone should sue these
people for devaluing the Guardian. It was reported that sick outs may take
place as a result of this if the company does not reconsider its position.
Shane Gibson of the BaTelCo union is unionizing the Guardian. On
Wednesday 27 July at their annual convention, he promised all hell will
break loose if Mr. Thurston was fired.
FNM BACKBENCHERS
FEAR INGRAHAM
The Montagu Vendors were incredulous. Greg Williams, the MP for
Bain Town, and the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works,
came with a message from the Prime Minister that the PM wanted to see Alan
Brown, President of the Vendors Association by himself. The vendors
were up in arms and demanded that others be allowed to go in. Mr.
Williams looked at them and said: " Well you know how the Prime Minister
is! " He said he would try to get one more person in the meeting.
In the event, the Vendors just showed up with all their members to the
PM's office. It only goes to show how the saying is true: not only
one woman born a crazy child. As for the backbenchers, what a way
to run a Government; scared of the man who leads them.
B.J.
NOTTAGE ON SMUGGLING IN FREEPORT
Dr. Bernard J. Nottage, the PLP MP for Kennedy, told the House of Assembly
on Tuesday 26 July that the container port in Freeport is a haven for smuggling,
and that the police and immigration were having problems entering the premises
to check. This brought an angry denial from the company. No one believes
the denial. Dr. Nottage called for a permanent contingent of Defence Force
officers to police the container port.
FNM TO BE SUED
Fred
Ferguson pictured in this Bahama Journal photo, formerly of Bahamen, has
decided that he is going to sue the FNM for using his song 'Here We Go
Again' as a campaign song in the last election. He has asked them
for $10,000 to settle the matter. The FNM has counter offered $5,000.
Desmond Edwards who is his party's spokesman on Copyright called Mr. Ferguson
greedy. Mr. Ferguson for his part said that he could not believe
that the party that he voted for was doing this to him. Mr. Edwards sought
to pollute the issue by claiming that because Mr. Ferguson's lawyer was
Glenys Hanna-Martin, PLP Women's Branch Chair, that there was some improper
motive behind the suit. Shame on you Mr. Edwards. Does this
mean that Mrs. Hanna-Martin is not entitled to make a living? The story
was written in the Bahama Journal by Candia Dames.
IAN
STRACHAN RETURNS TO THE STAGE
It was a masterful play, and a substantial improvement over his last
publicly performed work which came off as a petulant diatribe. This
was clearly a studied and well thought-out piece. It is called Diary
of Souls and was performed throughout the country and New Providence.
It chronicles the tragedy of the death of 39 Haitians in the Exumas
in 1990. They were buried without an autopsy, in a common grave.
The tragedy was never satisfactorily explained, and Mr. Strachan's thesis
is that the Government lied to cover up the murder of the immigrants.
It visits all the themes of Haitian hatred in the Bahamas. Jeffery
Allen was moved to tears by the performance. Dr. Strachan starts at the
University of Massachusetts in the fall. He left the College of The
Bahamas one year ago. Diary of Souls played at the Dundas Centre
for the Performing Arts in Nassau 29-31 July. Pictured is the brochure
cover for the play. The photo is by Peter Ramsay.
CONGRATULATIONS
HAROLD ANTOR
He is
an aggressive young entrepreneur.
He is an insurance man with class.
This week Global Life announced that he has his own branch.
Good man! Good Service!
MORE NEWS FROM
TENNYSON WELLS IN FREEPORT
We reported last week that the Attorney-General who is challenging
the Prime Minister for leadership of the FNM held a launching party in
Freeport. We now know that it was held at the home of Scottie Pinder.
Mr. Wells had to restrain those there who promised to give money and time.
In addition to five MPs including Minister Pierre Dupuch, several prominent
FNMs were there. Terry Gape, Maitland Cates, Jim White. Minas
Vardoulis of the Chicken farm and Keith Fox of Solomon Brothers.
Looks like Mr. Ingraham has a fight on his hands. Mr. Wells is holding
a big launching party at his home on Monday 2 August reportedly in
his new Nassau mansion.
A PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE TO INGRAHAM
Hubert Ingraham reportedly called another meeting in Freeport to counter
what Mr. Wells had done. In it two persons made the following pledge:
" I will never leave or forsake you". Mike Edwards, FNM Vice Chairman,
was one. Who was the other? Fifty dollars if you guess the
name.
FOCOL SHARES OVERSUBSCRIBED
We reported last week that the shares (2.1) million of them at five
dollars a pop were oversubscribed. Congratulations to Anthony Ferguson
of Colina Financial Advisors and Ken Kerr who put the deal together.
Let's hope that it makes money for the shareholders. The court dismissed
the action filed by Maurice Glinton in the Court of Appeal on Friday 30
July. Mr. Glinton is expected to appeal to the Privy Council.
- end -
The country was stunned but not shocked by the late week report that Hubert Ingraham, the Chief Slave Prime Minister of The Bahamas intends to stay beyond the two terms that he pledged when he took office. This means that the bet with the Jamaican Minister who told this columnist that Ingraham intended to stay has now been lost. A case of Kalik will be on its way to Jamaica shortly.
The announcement reportedly came at a birthday party held to celebrate the Prime Minister's 52nd birthday at the plush and posh apartment of his main man Ronnie Knowles, the Minister of Health. The whole Cabinet with one exception was there, even Tennyson Wells. Mr. Wells was like a lamb to the slaughter at that party. He was made to come even after launching his campaign for Prime Minister at his home high atop Blue Hills on August Monday. Mr. Wells' party was thought to be the party of all parties. But alas Ingraham had the last word at the other party.
Pierre Dupuch boycotted the luncheon for the Prime Minister. Dupuch has apparently had enough of the deification of Ingraham. Mr. Dupuch is expected to be the Deputy of Tennyson Wells when Wells succeeds Mr. Ingraham.
Alas that may not now be because, Mr. Ingraham intends to stay. The Cabinet and the backbench have lined up against Mr. Wells. Algernon Allen who was knocked out of the box for Prime Minister by the allegations of drug involvement made by Bradley Roberts, PLP MP in the House, led the campaign for the Prime Minister to stay. It is believed that Mr. Allen left Mr. Wells' party and telephoned Mr. Ingraham and told him he had to move right away to nip Mr. Wells' in the bud. War in the FNM camp.
The piece on the fungus affecting bananas from last week caused a long and detailed response from the Ministry of Agriculture. The bottom line is that the allegations are correct. The fungus is causing disaster in Long Island.
This week we are in Bimini for the 32nd annual Glenda's Road Race, sponsored by Glen Rolle. Next week a picture spread on the Bimini Bay fiasco of Gerado Capo.
We hope you like the new clickable headlines. They make our page easier to read.
We have had 1922 hits up to 8 a.m. this morning on the web
for the month of August. Thanks for reading.
CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS
AT PMH
There are signs of possible corruption within the new Hospitals Authority.
Leader of the Opposition Perry Christie MP has in his possession copies
of correspondence from Nassau Agencies Limited, a local wholesale distributor
of longstanding, to Michaela Storr, the Managing Director of the new Hospitals
Authority dated 29th July, 1999. The Hospitals Authority is the public
corporation which now owns the Princess Margaret Hospital, the Rand Memorial
Hospital in Freeport and Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre in New Providence.
In the correspondence, Nassau Agencies complains about this year’s materials
management tender at the hospital. It says that a contract for supplies
worth $630,000 was issued to a company called Reliable Medical. Nassau
Agencies received only $11,000 in accepted bids. What concerns Nassau Agencies
is that the Hospital Authority gave a contract for supplies to a company
that is not listed in The Bahamas, that is not the authorized dealer for
the various products, is not listed in the telephone book, is unable to
give local quotes over the telephone, and only came into existence four
weeks before the tender of January 1999.
One product for which Nassau Agencies Ltd. is historically the supplier
and is the authorized dealer, is called Hibiscrub. The duty for which is
42%. Nassau Agencies says they put a 20% mark-up on that and charge $172
per case, Reliable Medical put in a bid of $72 per case for Hibiscrub.
According to Nassau Agencies, the landed cost in New Providence - cost,
insurance and freight (CIF) - is $100 per case, so something has to be
wrong. The Nassau Agencies letter says that it is not a good practice to
accept Hibiscrub from an unauthorized dealer who is not in a position to
deal with any complaints which might arise should the medication be defective.
It says it has been complaining for three years about how awards were being
made by the hospital on tenders like this.
The only person who has been publicly identified with the company Reliable
Medical is an employee of the Hospitals Authority at Sandilands Rehabilitation
Centre but it is believed that he is fronting for three doctors who are
known to be close friends of Hubert Ingraham, the Prime Minister. The Leader
of the Opposition intends to reveal the names of those three doctors in
due course...
LONG LINES FOR US VISAS
The Honourable Perry Christie has received numerous complaints about
the long lines that Bahamians have to endure in order to get a U.S. visa.
The Leader visited the site of the embassy in Queen Street on two occasions
during the week, one at midnight and another at 2am and found people camped
out at the embassy and across the street on the private porches of businesses
in Queen Street. Mr. Christie expects to make a statement later in the
week.
KERZNER
OWES THE PLP 1.45 MILLION
The FNM through Hubert Ingraham told the country that they turned down
all donations from Sun International during the 1997 General Election Campaign.
They told Sun that they wanted the money given to certain public works
projects when they became the Government. Now that the FNM is the Government
again, Sun is paying them the money. They are putting 1.5 million into
pubic parks in FNM MP's constituencies. They tried to fool the public by
starting with Mother Pratt's constituency, but Frank Watson gave the game
away when the park was opened in Flamingo Gardens. He repeated the story
of turning down the election donation. That means that the FNM was offered
1.5 million to fight the PLP in the last election. The PLP was given $50,000
for election 1997. That means the PLP is owed 1.45 million by Sun International.
It is an absolute scandal. Clearly Sun intended to keep the PLP out by
helping Ingraham to buy the election. But Ingraham had so much money that
he turned it down. Of course, many people don't believe he turned it down
at all. But that, as they say, is another story.
POLITICAL SITUATION
IN BIMINI
The talk is all the rage in Bimini that FNM MP David Wallace is on
his way out to Eight Mile Rock, because of the reported departure of Lindy
Russell to the church from his Eight Mile Rock seat. In Bimini, they believe
Mr. Wallace is vulnerable because of certain information which they have
fed to the PLP's putative candidate Senator Obie Wilchcombe. Senator Wilchcombe
is waiting on the appropriate time to release the information. Meanwhile
George Weech, former MP, is holding the fort. The Local Government Elections
held in June resulted in the loss for the PLP from 9 seats down to three
seats. But the local leaders say that is because the last PLP Council had
members that people thought let the community down. They crossed party
lines and voted in FNM members because they were so fed up with the last
Council. The PLP's national party is concerned that the result shows that
the party has lost support in Bimini. But local leaders tell us that this
is not the case. The question remains though can Kay Smith, a woman, win
in West End and Bimini where there is such a macho culture. The FNM plans
to run Kay Smith in place of David Wallace. But many of the leaders here
say that the future leadership in Bimini is female. They say that the males
are dropping out, and so you have to look to women to lead. Women dominate
the new Local Government Council.
TRIPLE WEDDING
IN FOX HILL
Three
siblings in one family, the children of Erskine Davis decided it was cheaper
to get married at the same time. Two daughters and one son decided to tie
the knot at St. Anselm's Church in Fox Hill Saturday 31 July. Monsignor
Preston Moss administered the ceremony. The Tribune was there and Joy Thompson
of the Tribune took the photos of the couple. It was an exciting time in
the village. Crowds showed up to see the marriage take place. A capacity
crowd attended the wedding reception at the Sheraton Grand Hotel at Paradise
Island. Wedding photos
PLP ALL THE WAY
AT TRIPLE WEDDING
The Hon. A. D. Hanna, former PLP Deputy Prime Minister gave one of
the toasts at the wedding reception of the Davis children. The Master of
Ceremonies told the capacity crowd that in the old days when A.D. Hanna
finished speaking they would all say "PLP!" and the crowd would answer
back "All the Way!" He told the crowd that he would try it then. He roared
out three times: "PLP!". In the old style, three times they roared back:
"All the Way!" FNMs be warned.
HOW THE SENATE
IS RUN
The Government does not quite know what to do with the Senate. The
constitution requires the passing of legislation by the Senate in order
for a Bill to become law. The Prime Minister clearly thinks of the Senate
as a nuisance. The Government Leader of the Senate sometimes does not know
from week to week what is to come before the Senate and what is not. The
Senate meets at haphazard times. The Government Senators want to get out
of the meetings as quickly as possible without explaining what the legislation
is about. Often, they don't seem to understand the Bills themselves. Even
worse, they don't seem to understand the procedures of the place. It is
just one more example how the FNM just does not know what they are doing.
WHO RUNS POLICE
STATIONS?
This columnist called the Commissioner of Police on Wednesday 4 August
to complain about the manning of his police stations. A client called and
so this columnist went to see him at the East Street South Police Station.
Once there, it was clear that there were only two constables in the station.
They looked like they were literally fresh out of high school. There was
no Corporal, no Sergeant in command. The female constable was giving orders
to the male constable. Strange procedures as well. When, a request was
made to see the client at 11 p. m., the constable refused on the grounds
that she was afraid that the prisoner would escape. She said that the hour
was too late and they did not allow persons to be seen at that time of
the evening. The police ought to know that they must allow attorneys access
to clients at all times. It took a call to CID and an order from the duty
Sergeant to get the matter straight. What the constable revealed and this
was the complaint made to the Commissioner, Sergeants she said only work
from 9 to 5. The Commissioner promised to look into the matter..
ISLAND WIDE POWER
FAILURE IN NEW PROVIDENCE
BEC plunged the whole island into darkness for the third day in a row
for half the day on Tuesday 3 August. This time they said it was not their
fault. The day before on August Monday in the middle of the Emancipation
Day Service in Fox Hill, the entire eastern section of the island was plunged
into darkness. This is what the BEC emergency line had to say at that time.
A human being answered the phone and told this columnist that two of their
engines at Blue Hills were stripped down. There was a thunderstorm over
the Blue Hills plant which knocked out the plant. He had no idea when the
plant was going to come back on line. It came one and half ours later,
after the service was over. What sources tell us is that BEC's equipment
is simply old and in need of replacement. The story of the failure on 3
August was that a private vehicle touched one of the main lines and broke
it. That shorted out the whole island, and it took half a day to bring
us all back on line.
PINDLING, ZENDAL FORBES,
COB PRESIDENT
It was an unusual gathering at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in
South Andros. Sir Lynden Pindling, the former Prime Minister met Zendal
Forbes who ran against Sir Lynden on the FNM ticket in South Andros in
1992 and Dr. Leon Higgs, the President of the College of the Bahamas all
met on Sabbath in South Andros 31 July. The three are members of the Seventh
Day Adventist Church. Sir Lynden thought it was auspicious that the three
were there gathered, and he especially asked Mr. Forbes who is also the
President of the Union of Teachers at COB to meet with the President of
COB and try to work on their differences. The College and its lecturers
are engaged in talks to settle various trade disputes.
THE HANGING
PRIME MINISTER INGRAHAM
Remember last
month after Hubert Ingraham went down to South America and embarrassed
himself and his Government by suggesting that the death penalty would soon
be abolished in The Bahamas? We predicted then that in order to show that
he did not mean to suggest abolition, he would come back home and arrange
to hang some people just to make a point. So said, so done. On Tuesday
10 August John Higgs who murdered Joan Butler, his wife who was also one
of the granddaughters of Sir Milo is to hang. David Mitchell who murdered
two German tourists in Abaco is to hang as well. Philip Davis is planning
to move with a last ditch constitutional motion to delay the execution.
David Mitchell is probably too poor for any further representation. In
his case, it will be two more months before the five-year threshold established
by Pratt and Morgan. In that case the Privy Council says once five years
had gone by since the sentence was passed, then you had to commute the
sentence to life imprisonment. The German Government and the family of
the murdered couple have all asked for the sentence of Mr. Mitchell to
be commuted but to no avail. Mr. Ingraham and his blood thirsty Government
are going ahead. They have no ideas about how to fight crime. Hanging is
it. They have the support of 99 per cent of the population. It only goes
to show, however, that not even human life is sacred to Mr. Ingraham. He
will do anything to get votes. Our Bahama Journal photo shows Fox Hill
residents as they talk to a Bahama Journal reporter and register their
disapproval over the fact that the hangings were scheduled for Fox Hill
Day.
US CUTS OFF DIRECTORY
ASSISTANCE CALLS?
It used to be that if you wanted a telephone number for any one in
the U.S. all you needed to know was the area code and then dial that code,
plus 555-1212. That is out of the window. Now if you want directory assistance,
you have to dial a BaTelCo operator who will connect you. The problem is
that BaTelCo has fired so many people, the service is dead slow.
BATELCO TO REOPEN FOX
HILL OFFICE
Following a protest from residents of Fox Hill, led by this columnist,
a letter has been received from BaTelCo saying that the office in Fox Hill
which was closed in their downsizing exercise 1 May 1999 will be reopened
at some date in the future. The new office will go in a building owned
by BaTelCo in Fox Hill just opposite St. Anne's Church. The people of Fox
Hill are overjoyed.
GRAND BAHAMA
PORT AUTHORITY ANSWERS NOTTAGE
Chief Slave Prime Minister Ingraham has a new spokesman in the Grand
Bahama Port Authority. We reported on the web last week that Dr. Bernard
Nottage made allegations of smuggling at the container port in Freeport
owned by Hutchison Whampoa. His allegations were against the negligence
of the Government. We have learned that the Prime Minister's office instructed
the Port Authority to answer Dr. Nottage. That is improper since the Port
Authority has no responsibility to the national security. Secondly, ZNS
NEWS was instructed by the Prime Minister's office to kill the story about
Dr. Nottage's allegations, but what the Port's response does confirm
is that Bahamas Customs has access to the container port only from 9am
to 5pm. We support Dr. Nottage's call for Defence Force officers to be
placed around the clock at the container port.
A CALL FROM WASHINGTON...
E MAIL FROM FREEPORT
Mike Edwards was uncharacteristically cussing like a sailor. But his
buddies were able to confirm as soon as he left, that yes, he had pledged
allegiance to the Prime Minister just as we had said in the last edition
of the web. By the way thank you to our e-mail correspondent who told us
the name of the other person who pledged allegiance to the Prime Minister.
She got the name right on the money. We understand that a call came from
Washington in response to the latest news on the web. Well get this D.C.,
although it has been denied, there is talk of changes in the Senate soon
for the FNM. It is said that with the marriage of Senator Pauline Cooper
and her move to Nassau to live with her husband, Kay Smith becomes the
next in line for a Senate seat. It is said that Senator Cooper's Senate
seat was to be a Grand Bahama based seat. Senator Cooper is a lovely person
and it would be a great pity. But you know Mr. Ingraham, anything to win
votes.
Further, it is said that Mr. Ingraham is determined to get Geneva Rutherford
into the Cabinet. He is pushing Dame Ivy through the door as fast as he
can. Senator Rutherford is to replace her at education. Can't see how he
can do that, knowing that in his upcoming fight with Tennyson Wells, he
will need the support of Dion Foulkes and every other Foulkes that he can
get. At the banquet in Grand Bahama sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce,
Senator Rutherford introduced the Prime Minister in what some thought was
too political a manner for the occasion. Nevertheless a chuffed Prime Minister
told Senator Rutherford's husband that if he would free her, she would
go far indeed.
NO ONE SHOULD BE SURPRISED
BY INGRAHAM
You will now see how lame some people really are. Suddenly no one will
remember that Hubert Ingraham is the same person who said that a Prime
Minister should not serve more than two terms. In fact, he promised constitutional
change to limit the term. Now of course, that the money has gotten sweet
for him, the position carries so much power, he does not want to go. He
is doing what many other Black leaders have done before him. They never
know when to go. When it was time for Sir Lynden, our last Prime Minister
to leave, he did not know it was time. Mr. Ingraham is no exception to
the rule. Dr. Eric Williams in Trinidad used to play this trick all the
time. He would announce that he was going, only to fish out those in his
Cabinet who were against him, then get rid of them once they reared their
heads. He would orchestrate the fact that he was staying by the rank and
file "spontaneously" calling for him to stay. You watch what will happen
now. Ortland Bodie and Ivoine Ingraham, two of the nation's finest jackasses,
apart from Ozzie Brown, will be leading the way for Mr. Ingraham to stay.
The PLP had better get its act together. The problem now is that the people
are ready to be rid of this fellow and his crew of Uncle Toms who have
sold this country right down the drain. The question is whether or not
the PLP is ready. Everyone knows that Sol Kerzner (Paradise Island) and
Mike Dingman (Lyford Cay) do not believe that Mr. Ingraham has sufficiently
paid his political debt. To them, having to deal with Tennyson Wells is
a fate worse than dealing with the PLP.
ALGERNON ALLEN
CALLED TO ACCOUNT
On the weekend visit to Bimini, this columnist discovered that the
monies collected for the fire relief victims in Bimini in the spring of
1997 have been disbursed but no new housing has been established for the
victims of the fire. The area is as vacant as it was on the day we visited
it in 1997. Algernon Allen who has something to say on everything, must
say what has happened to the money and why the victims cannot have access
to the money. Further, it was learned that the victims now have to begin
paying for power in their temporary digs. Mr. Allen let's hope the cat
has not gotten your tongue on this one. The question is where is the money?
FOX HILL BRANCH FETES QUINCY
PRATT
The Fox Hill Branch of the PLP held a reception for famous Fox Hill
boxer Quincy Pratt this past week Tuesday 3rd August, the reception was
held at the home of Mr. Don Brice to honour Quincy for his contribution
to the Fox Hill Community and for his prowess in the sport of boxing. In
making the presentation, Senator Hon. Fred Mitchell praised Quincy for
serving as a role model to many youngsters in Fox Hill and helping to train
and inspire them in the field of boxing and beyond. In his response, Quincy
said he'd been born a PLP and had always voted PLP. "This is the first
award I have ever received and I'm grateful".
Quincy Pratt reigned for a time as Middle Heavyweight Champion of The Bahamas and has been described by Juanianne Dorsett FNM MP for Fox Hill as her hero. Our photo shows, from left Larry Wilmott Branch Chairman; Mr. Pratt, Della Cockburn, Branch Vice-Chairman; Calvin Brown, National General Council Member; Senator Mitchell and Clarence Moss, Branch Vice Chairman.
Minister
of Health Ronnie Knowles was reeling following allegations of corruption
against his Ministry by Leader of the Opposition Perry Christie at a press
conference on Tuesday 10 August. Mr. Christie revealed the content
of a letter written by Godfrey Thomas, Managing Director of Nassau Agencies
(1995) Ltd. In it he revealed that his company had lost a bid to a company
which only came into existence four weeks before the bid. The Minister
admitted in the Senate that the matter has caused him concern and that
it is being investigated.
This week 10 August marked Fox Hill Day. That is the special day when the people of Fox Hill celebrate Emancipation Day. But for the FNM's attempt to keep the PLP out of the celebrations, it was a marvelous event. Quincy Pratt and Ray Minus, the boxers, put on an exhibition fight which thrilled the crowds. There was the traditional climbing of the greasy poll. No plaiting of the maypole. But there was a Miss and Mr. Fox Hill contest which was well attended.
This
week, we have a photo spread on Bimini. This columnist visited Bimini
from 5 August to 7 August. It was a political trip designed to hold
up the flag. We spoke to the fire relief victims, looked at the Bimini
Bay project which threatens the ecology of Bimini, and talked with our
political leaders including former MP George Weech, pictured with this
columnist at left. The pictures are by Lee Davis. Click
here for the Bimini photos.
We keep Peter Bethell in our prayers. Mr. Bethell is back in
The Bahamas, following medical treatment in the U.S. We pray for
recovery.
We had 3816 hits on the web site
up to 8 a.m. this morning for the month of August. Thanks for reading.
RADIO TALK SHOWS DUMP
INGRAHAM
It must have been a sad week for Hubert Ingraham. Mister loudmouth
himself could not be heard. The talk shows were blazing with fury
that he is about to turn back on his promise not to run again for the Office
of Prime Minister. Indeed during the 1997 General Election campaign,
he said that 1997 was to be his last campaign. But alas the power
is too sweet, so he has decided to back off. Tennyson Wells, the
Attorney-General, has something in store for Mr. Ingraham. It is
being said that Mr. Wells plans to leave the Cabinet at the end of the
year. He plans to run in any event for Leader of the FNM, whether or not
Mr. Ingraham stays on. On Emancipation Day, he launched his campaign
with a party for 2000 people at his Blue Hills home. It is
said that when Algernon Allen, the Minister of Housing aka Minister of
Idle Poetry, turned up his face dropped visibly. He could not believe
Mr. Wells' support. The drug allegations by Bradley Roberts against him,
knocked him out of the box weeks ago. Mr. Allen reportedly called
Mr. Ingraham and told him he had better move quickly to stop Mr. Wells.
Hence Mr. Ingraham's preemptive strike by announcing that he plans to stay
on through the next election.
WHERE IS THE
FIRE RELIEF MONEY, ALLEN?
The Tribune carried a statement by this columnist on Monday 9 August
asking for an accounting for the money collected for the Fire relief victims
of the Fantasy Island settlement in Bimini. Some 48 people were made
homeless by a fire in Bimini in 1997. Over one hundred thousand dollars
were collected. The Minister responded to The Tribune story by saying
that the facts were printed in the newspaper and laid on the table of Parliament.
Leader of the Opposition Perry Christie searched the files of the Parliament.
No such communication exists. Mr. Allen's Permanent Secretary could
not confirm such a communication. Did the Minister mislead the newspaper?
Where is the money Mr. Allen? No homes have been built to replace the homes
that were burned. Mr. Allen says this is because of a dispute over title.
Nonsense. Just give the people the money so the homes can be rebuilt.
There is still no fire engine in Bimini. If a fire breaks out again,
then Bimini is serious problems.
U.S.
AMBASSADOR AT TENNYSON'S PARTY
The photo at right taken by Rodney Moncur shows U.S. Ambassador Arthur
Schechter at the Emancipation Day Party of Tennyson Wells. He attended
with his wife. The speculation was fast and furious about what
that meant. Then there was the former PLP candidate Clinton Clarke
(1997 General Election). He was seen flashing the V sign of the FNM
with Mr. Wells and with Carl Bethel, the Minister of Jumble Up, aka, Minister
for Economic Development.
U.S.
VISA LINES
Perry Christie, Leader of the Opposition, at his press conference (pictured
at left in the Guardian photo with colleagues Senator Mitchell and Bradley
Roberts MP) on 10 August talked about the long lines for visas at the U.S.
Embassy. According to Embassy sources, the U.S. Ambassador was so
concerned about the lines that he has had water and fans supplied for people
on the lines. Mr. Christie said that just before his press conference
he went down to find people camping out for a berth for a visa interview
from 6:30 p.m. the day before. He said old women were laid out on
the sidewalk to get a space for 9 a.m. the next morning. He called
this inhumane. The Americans say that there has been an unprecedented
forty per cent increase in the demand for visas. The Cat (short for
catamaran) which plies between Nassau and Miami is believed to be responsible.
People choose that because they can bring all their baggage versus the
airlines that leave too much baggage behind. The Americans point
out that the Bahamian passport office and the Criminal Records Office have
the same problems. They also point out that people camp out on the
Prince George Dock to get a space on the Cat as well. Bradley Roberts,
the PLP MP, was having none of that at the press conference. He said that
if the Americans can put people on the moon they can solve the long lines
at the embassy. While the Americans point out that if you are travelling
pre-cleared you do not need a visa, more Bahamians are going by boat, and
many persons who go on cruises, even though they enter by air, have to
have a visa when the cruise returns to the U.S.
U.S. DOING HUMAN
RIGHTS REPORT
The annual human rights report for the U.S. Congress is now being compiled.
Staff from the Embassy visited this columnist as they have for the past
five years at least to speak about aspects of human rights in The Bahamas.
This columnist is still concerned about the independence of the Judiciary,
the state of the prison, and the state of the police force. In addition,
there is the continued discrimination against the Opposition by the publicly
owned television and radio station.
CINEMAS
GALORE
Chris Mortimer, an enterprising young Bahamian, has gotten his new
cinema Galleria off the ground. It is located next to the Mall-at-Marathon.
It is state of the art. We now have cinema overload in The Bahamas.
R&D cinemas have screens at Prince Charles and at JFK Drive. They also
have screens in Abaco and coming in Freeport. There is the old Shirley
Street Theatre and now the Galleria. The Joy Thompson of the Tribune photo
shows Plays and Films Control Board Chair Senator Desmond Edwards with
Chris Mortimer inside the new cinema. Congratulations to Mr. Mortimer!
FNM SENATOR
SAYS: THEY'RE TOO CROOKED
During the debate on the allegations of corruption at the Ministry
of Health, one FNM Senator got up and walked out of the chamber.
When asked why he was leaving, he said: " I'm not defending them.
They're too crooked. Stay on them. Hold their feet to the fire."
Oh dear!
THE MEALY MOUTHED GUARDIAN
Stupid Ozzie Brown was at it again. He refused to put the Opposition's
position in the newspaper about the Ministry of Health scandal because
it was presented by this columnist in the Senate. What a perfect ass?
Mr. Brown was almost lynched by PLPs in the Southerners Lounge the other
day when he was exposed for telling lies on Dr. Bernard Nottage.
Dr. Nottage confronted him about it and he went slinking out of the room.
The next day he had Dr. Nottage on the front page. The PLP must not
lose an opportunity to attack Mr. Brown and his stupidity. He is
an ignoramus. Mr. Brown is attempting to better his station in life through
marriage. The family is reportedly aghast. But he can marry whom
he wishes, what he must do is act fairly in that newspaper. Until
he does, we shall attack him for the jackass that he is. We must
not support this blatant political discrimination against the PLP.
DR. NOTTAGE'S SON
TO MARRY
Congratulations to Dr. Bernard Nottage who is in Washington D.C. this
weekend for the marriage of his son Brian Nottage.
THE
SEYMOURS CELEBRATE 50 YEARS
The former neighbours of this columnist in Centreville, Delegal and
Mayrona Seymour celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in a special
service of thanksgiving at the East Street tabernacle of the Church of
God. Elgarnett Rahming, the new national overseer officiated. Attending
were the Leader of the Opposition Perry G. Christie MP and Mrs. Christie,
former Prime Minister Sir Lynden O. Pindling and Lady Pindling and
this columnist. Our photo shows the happy couple. Their children
are: Verona, Marilyn (Marvie), Michael, Steven, Sharon, and Carlton.
Carlton is married to the sister of this columnist.
NEW NATIONAL
OVERSEER FOR CHURCH OF GOD
Congratulations to Elgarnett Rahming on his election to the post of
National Overseer for the Church of God. He succeeds Bishop Brice
Thompson after 25 years. This columnist remembers Bishop Rahming
with some fondness during the days of our political party the Peoples Democratic
Force (PDF). He always invited us to Church of God conventions and
treated us with respect. We wish him well in his new post.
WORK PERMITS AND
THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM
While in Bimini we discovered that the Government without consultation
with the industry raised the work permit fees on diving instructors.
The fees were increased 450 per cent. The idea says the Director
of Immigration is to encourage Bahamianization. The problem is that
there are few Bahamians in that area and the fees were put in place without
notice to the industry. Overnight, the dive shop in Bimini faces
$7,000 additional costs for his work permits. This threatens to put
him out of business. Our PLP people in Bimini are very concerned because
that business provides some 900-1100 visitors to Bimini every year, with
a stay on average of 7 days. Will this put him out of business?
The Ministry of Tourism needs to intervene and investigate. Stuart
Cove, who represents all dive operators in The Bahamas, is said to be making
representations to the Government.
THE HANGMAN'S
NOOSE ON HOLD
Justice
Ricardo Marques angered Bahamians this week by cheating them of a blood
spectacle. No executions on Fox Hill Day. The stays of the
executions came as attorneys for the condemned men brought constitutional
motions on the grounds that the men had suffered cruel and inhumane punishment
while at the prison. Philip Davis, attorney for John Higgs, argued
that the death penalty per se is unconstitutional. In addition, he
argued that there was discrimination against the convicted men because
the women on death row were commuted after clemency pleas but the men were
not. Further, he said that the Prerogative Committee's discretion
had been fettered by a directive of the Prime Minister who upon returning
to The Bahamas after an embarrassing gaffe in South America about abolishing
hanging, said there would be hangings very soon in The Bahamas. The
public was furious that there were no hangings. At week's end, the
submissions of attorneys Davis and Wayne Munroe for David Mitchell, were
rejected by Justice Marques. Mr. Davis is appealing the matter to the Court
of Appeal. It is likely to get to the Privy Council. Some lawyers
think that the Privy Council judges should be asked to visit the locus
in quo, the Bahamian jail, and see the conditions there before they can
make a decision. Justice Marques visited the prison but in true Bahamian
style, it was spic and span when he arrived, cleaned up just for him.
The attorneys complained that Justice Marques inspection of the conditions
was perfunctory. The Guardian photos show the two men Higgs (in the tie)
and Mitchell being led to the Supreme Court for their hearing. Mr.
Higgs' first wife surfaced from New York, to say she had not been murdered
by him, contrary to popular belief in Nassau, and she called for clemency.
If you did not know better, you would get the feeling that the Courts are
now working in cahoots with the Government to hang these men.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO BASIL O'BRIEN AND WENDAL MAJOR
You saw it here in this column first. Just as we predicted, Basil
O'Brien is on his way to the Court of St. James as our High Commissioner
to the United Kingdom. He succeeds Arthur Foulkes. Mr. O'Brien is
to be succeeded by Wendal Major as Secretary to the Cabinet. Mr.
Major is a Valley Boy. Luther Smith, who was unceremoniously dumped
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, by a petulant Prime Minister, is
to be offered a post to run the new airport when the Authority comes on
stream to run the airport. Mr. Smith has been succeeded at the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs by Missouri Sherman Peter.
FREEPORT STORIES
The Freeport native restaurant 'Geneva's' is the place for political
intrigue. And what intrigue there was this week, following Hubert
Ingraham's announcement that he wants to stay. FNM's are busy planning
for Mr. Ingraham's demise in Freeport. The date with destiny is to
be the time of the convention in early November. One man who is oft
quoted in this column, but we'll save him this time, says on Mr. Ingraham:
" Hubert could stay, but if he is a wise man, I suggest he move on." At
one point during the week, Bernard Dupuch, brother of Minister Pierre and
son of Sir Etienne, called the talk shows to support Tennyson Wells
for Leader of the FNM. We almost felt sorry for Hubert. He
has obviously worn out his welcome in the FNM. Perhaps, it's time
to come back home to the PLP where he belongs.
MAN DIES AT CONTAINER
PORT
Reports say that a wildcat strike occurred following the death of a
worker for the construction firm COSTAIN at the container port's extension
in Freeport. The men wanted to know about insurance coverage and
safety. The matter was settled. But it is also reported that
the man who was handling the crane was not qualified to do so, and the
company has spirited him out of town.
FOLLOW UP ON ALLEGATIONS
AT FREEPORT CONTAINER PORT
The talk in Freeport is that a team of U.S. officials is in Freeport
to examine the container port following allegations of smuggling by Dr.
Bernard Nottage.
CRACKS
IN MAURICE MOORE PRIMARY SCHOOL FREEPORT
As the new school year is about to start, teachers are up in arms about
the state of the Maurice Moore Primary School in Freeport. There
are cracks in the structure. There is visible flaking. The
Prime Minister who boasted when it opened one year ago that the school
would be equipped with the latest in equipment can't be heard from. The
school was built by one of his fellows Fletcher McIntosh of FES Construction.
People believe that is why no noise has been made. They think there
may be some connection between the firm and Mr. Ingraham. The school
is in bad shape and repairs are urgently needed. The construction
was said to be shoddy.
ALGERNON
EMBARRASSES CONSULTANTS
Several weeks ago, we reported how the Minister of Idle Poetry, aka
Minister of Housing Algernon Allen in a mad quest to wiggle out of an attack
on him by Bradley Roberts brought innocent civil servants and private citizens
into the debate. It was worse than we thought. After investigating
the matter it turns out that when Mr. Allen called the persons to come
to the House of Assembly to laud them as National Heroes, he did not tell
them that he was using them to attack Bradley Roberts. Mr. Roberts
had attacked Mr. Allen's abuse of Government funds to hire "consultants"
and called them cronies. Mr. Allen called some of the consultants
Ray Minus, the boxer, Moon McPhee , the basketball coach and others to
come to the House to laud them but did not tell them why they were there.
Shame! Shame!
TOMMY TURNQUEST'S
GOOD TURN
In an attempt to show the people that Black contractors are not discriminated
against by the Ministry of Public Works, Minister Tommy Turnquest spoke
out at the recent groundbreaking for the new Sadie Curtis School in Nassau
Subdivision. He listed all the Black contractors who got business.
Remarkable that a Minister of The Bahamas Government has to do that in
a majority Black country. Anyway, he called the list of contractors
and in particular the amounts of money paid to Kirk Thompson over the years.
Mr. Thompson is the contractor on that particular school. Mr. Thompson
has done well. Reportedly, the next day, the Business License people called
up Mr. Thompson and asked him to pay a visit. The Minister's report
apparently piqued their interest. They had some questions to ask.
WHERE DOES FNM
FOX HILL MP STAND?
Reports say that Juanianne Dorsett who has told at least one constituent
in Fox Hill that she does not intend to run again is reportedly one of
the females leading the charge to unseat Hubert Ingraham. She reportedly
says despite her undying devotion to the man, he does nothing for her or
for Fox Hill. No wonder it took this columnist to get the Fox Hill
Post Office fixed and the BaTelCo Office reopened. Mrs. Dorsett is
reportedly supporting Tennyson Wells.
- end -
Note from
the Publisher:
This week the FNM celebrated 7 years of misrule. 19 August, 1992 was a fateful day. The people thought that they were freeing themselves from a tyrant. They found that what they lost was a patriarch, and they got themselves a pig in a poke.
Someone pointed out that the Prime Minister threatened Roy Bowe, a Bahamian investor in the Emerald Bay project in Exuma. He just does not know how to talk to people. One of these days he is going to meet up with someone who simply hauls off and slaps his teeth down his throat.
We just hope that Perry Christie and the PLP are able to organize properly and take advantage of the season of discontent in the country.
Frank Watson, the Deputy Prime Minister, whom every one believes, is a complete sop to those of European descent, held a press conference in which he proclaimed what the FNM had done in seven years. In each case, he was claiming credit for what foreign investors had done, not the work of the Government. Sun International, which they keep claiming for themselves, could not have come here under the PLP because of sanctions against South African investment. The PLP was out of power once sanctions were lifted.
But PLP leader Perry Christie was able to point out at a PLP press conference that Bahamasair has been run exclusively by the FNM for the seven years that they have been in power. Bahamasair now has fewer planes, flies fewer passenger miles, less routes, but has more staff. The airline is losing 16 million dollars per year. In other words the FNM has failed as a Government, despite all the talk about investment.
This week we add John Carey's site johngfcarey.com to this page as a permanent site. Welcome John.
This week we had 6160 hits on the site up to 8 a.m. this morning
for the month of August. Students are returning to school, we hope
they turn to us to read the news. Thank you for reading.
LEADER
OF THE OPPOSITION SLAMS FNM
The Hon. Perry Christie, Leader of the PLP held his second press conference
in as many weeks. This time his principle subject was Bahamasair.
The national airline is a national disgrace. The PLP left an airline
with 650 employees, down from 900 after advice was given to it to reduce
the staff. The numbers are now back up to 810. Even Government
Ministers had to agree with Mr. Christie that an airline that cannot ever
leave on time is a problem. The Ingraham Government has failed the
Bahamian people on Bahamasair. The losses are a staggering quarter
of a billion dollars accumulated over the years. The main scandal
is parts. The airline can not keep an inventory of rotable parts.
That means that every time a part is needed, it takes sometimes six hours
to get the part from Miami. Meanwhile passengers sit on the ground and
wait without explanation. Mr. Christie said that in one case it took 30,000
dollars to collect a $2,000 part. The other problem is Glen Pickard,
a consultant who is perceived as Frank Watson's man, who is the General
Manager. One year ago, he was picked to replace Arthur Barnett Jr. who
was unceremoniously dumped by the company. Mr. Pickard has taken
the airline on a downward slide. Mr. Watson refuses to make a decision.
His view of life is that those of European stock are superior to those
of African stock, so Pickard stays.
CANDIA DAMES
LEAVES FOR SCHOOL
Bon Voyage and good luck to Candia Dames, one of the best young journalists
in the country. She has left for school in Atlanta where she will
further her studies in the area of mass communications. We wish her
all the best. Miss Dames is the sister of Superintendent Marvin Dames
of the Drug Enforcement Unit and Denis Dames, the political activist. In
her own right, she was a writer for the Bahama Journal and
Love
97 News.
POLICE COMMISSIONER
ON HIS WAY OUT?
A speculative story in The Tribune of Thursday 19 August
told us that the Commissioner of Police is to leave on a two-year sabbatical
so that he can take the Bar Exams at the Eugene Dupuch Law School.
The Commissioner seemed to confirm this when the newspaper spoke to him.
That is incredible news. It means that the FNM has finally succeeded
in pushing him out the door. They have been trying to pin the crime
problem on him for years. Mr. Bonamy does not appear to enjoy popularity
with his men or with the public at the moment. However, he had promised
that he would not go anywhere until the time of his retirement was up,
pursuant to the provisions of the law and the constitution. If he
wants to leave for school, he certainly should not attend the Eugene Dupuch
Law School where some of his subordinates are going to school. He
ought to leave the country. The Government ought to pay for him to
be ensconced in luxury and isolation from the minions so that he can get
this done with dignity.
MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
DISASTER SHOW
Apparently the Minister of Dead Banana Plants, Earl Deveaux, aka Minister
of Agriculture, is getting advice from some quarter that the answer to
his lousy performance on the job as Minister of Agriculture is to go on
a publicity binge. Never mind the fact that he has nothing to show for
it. He intends to fly off to Andros where the banana fields are a
wreck, and then to Long Island where banana production is in an absolute
mess. This is simply because the Ministry's extension programme has
failed and it allowed the disease black sigatoka to take hold in the Bahamian
banana fields. The Minister appears to be more interested in certain
commercial investments than in the well-being of the Bahamian farmer.
Agriculture has collapsed under the Minister. It does not matter how many
agreements you sign, how many pictures you take, that facts won't change
until Earl Deveaux is either removed from the Ministry and replaced by
someone who will work or he himself starts to do his work as Minister.
TENNYSON WELLS
IS A HAPPY MAN
The
Attorney General is a man about town. He has a broad smile and is
waving and shaking hands everywhere he goes. He is a man with a mission.
That mission is an unrepentant commitment to make sure that Hubert Ingraham
goes in 2002 or before. Mr. Wells' friends continue to say that nothing
that Hubert Ingraham has said has caused Mr. Wells to change his mind about
running for the leadership of the FNM. He intends to force the issue
when the convention comes up in November for the FNM. He is lining
up the forces. His friends say that Mr. Wells is prepared to spend
half a million dollars to defeat Mr. Ingraham's attempt to stay on.
We wish him luck! If you remember last week we reported that Mr. Ingraham
told his cabinet at Senator Ronnie Knowles' house on Emancipation Day that
he intends to stay on through the next election. Our photo by Rodney Moncur
at the Emancipation Day Party of Tennyson Wells shows former PLP candidate
Clinton Clarke (1997 General Election) flashing the V sign of the FNM
with Mr. Wells and with Carl Bethel, the Minister of Jumble Up, aka, Minister
for Economic Development.
.
A SAD FNM ANNIVERSARY
The FNM took a bashing this week, even as they said they were celebrating
their election victory of 19 August, 1992. Radio talk show callers
bashed them for selling the country down the drain and taking credit for
investment which they had nothing to with. Senator Desmond Edwards
appeared opposite this columnist on Senator Obie Wilchcombe's show and
ducked issue after issue saying that he was in a celebratory mood and did
not want confrontation. Yeah right! Callers asked him to tell
them why the FNM does not stand up for Bahamians.
EXUMA PROJECT TO
SHUT DOWN
On Thursday 19 August an anonymous caller to the office of this columnist
claimed that the Emerald Bay project which was covered extensively on this
site in its edition of 18 July, 1999
is to shut down completely. 
We
reported that the mammoth development (see photo of our trip during Independence
weekend, 1999) at Ocean Bight would change life in Exuma forever. Some
250 rooms, a golf course and casino are planned, probably to be followed
by the condominiums. You may remember that the Emerald Bay site had to
stop many of its construction activities because they did not get the necessary
permits for various activities. They thought they had the problem
licked and Roy Bowe, the Bahamian from Rolleville who is the prime mover
of the project, was once again a happy man. Now comes a report that
the project may be completely shut down because the Prime Minister and
Lynn Holowesko of the Bahamas Environmental Science and Technology Commission
went down to Exuma and started roughing Mr. Bowe up, demanding various
things. Roy Bowe made it clear that the things that were being demanded
jeopardized the project. The Prime Minister replied that he should
shut it down. Par for the course. We say again someone is going
to slap this man's teeth down his mouth and soon.
HUTCHISON
CAN'T PAY FREEPORT BILLS?
We have learned that several vendors in Freeport including David Jennette's
Sanitation Company are having trouble collecting their money from Hutchison
for various jobs done for them. The question is, where is that 282
million dollars that Hutchison got from our banks to put their project
together? With these kinds of reports and the failure of anything
to get out of the ground on the Lucaya strip, we have to ask ourselves
if one day we are not going to wake up and find Hutchison has packed up
and left the keys with Avis. Of course, we have no sympathy whatsoever
for David Jennette and his family. They are most objectionable. The
trouble, if it is true, could not have come to a finer group of people.
May be they will now start respecting Bahamians and small people.
.
BASIL O'BRIEN
OFF TO LONDON
The
Prime Minister hosted a farewell luncheon for Basil O'Brien, the
Secretary to the Cabinet. He has agreed to become the High Commissioner
to London and our Ambassador to the European Community. He succeeds Arthur
Foulkes. Mr. O'Brien, who served as a Permanent Secretary to Foreign
Affairs, is eminently qualified and we wish him well. He will find,
however, how Bahamian politicians don't take foreign affairs seriously.
There will be an information deficit. No communication from home.
His job will be a lonely one. And then there are the Ministers who constantly
visit the place and want you to come pick them up from the airport.
There is serious work to be done, and one supposes that since Mr. O'Brien
has the Prime Minister's ear maybe he can persuade that lightweight to
be serious for a change. We live in hope. The Prime Minister
ran a line of classic b.s. when speaking at Mr. O'Brien's farewell lunch.
He claimed that the appointment was being made to de-politicize the appointments
of Ambassadors. The bull just never stops. And he actually
expects us to believe that stuff. The Tribune photo shows the Prime
Minister shaking the hand of Mr. O'Brien. We will certainly miss
him from St. Agnes where Mr. O'Brien is the crucifer some mornings. The
Leader of the Opposition nor any one from the Opposition was at Mr.
O'Brien's farewell luncheon, presumably held at public expense.
HANGINGS ON
HOLD AGAIN
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeals of David Mitchell and John
Higgs. They refused to grant a stay but took note of the undertaking
of the Attorney-General that no execution would take place before 27 August.
As usual these fellows who run the Court of Appeal, none of whom are Bahamian
in the true sense of the word, made some gratuitous and slack comments
about discouraging frivolous and vexatious applications. How can
an application to stop a hanging on any ground be frivolous and vexatious.
What they ought to do is stop making frivolous and vexatious decisions
and comments and start taking Bahamians seriously and apply sensible law
in their decisions. We continue to be concerned about their rudeness
to counsel. It is absolutely disgraceful. The case is headed to the
Privy Council. Maybe the Privy will have the courage to declare the death
penalty per se unconstitutional.
.
BUTCH KERZNER
SAYS THEY DON'T MAKE ENOUGH
According to an interview by the son of Sol Kerzner, Butch, his company
Sun International, the owner of Paradise Island, is not making enough money
in The Bahamas. This after announcing record profits for the quarter.
They are only making eight per cent on their money. Butch claimed in an
interview in The Tribune on Tuesday 17 August that his investors needed
a fifteen per cent return. Poor Butch and Sol, we guess they will soon
be going to the poor house. Perhaps that is why bellmen went on a wildcat
strike at Sun last week.
.
UNION BUSTING AT
COB
The hand of Hubert Ingraham was everywhere to be seen. He had
the College unilaterally announce on Wednesday 18 August that they were
giving an eight per cent raise to its lecturers. They also enclosed
cheques for $2300. There was a catch. If you got the cheque
you had to sign a document which said that you accepted the money and the
terms and conditions of employment. The Union and the College are in talks
at the Ministry of Labour on these issues, yet the College pulls this trick.
This is a dirty, nasty trick. They know that the lecturers are eager for
the money because they have suffered long and hard. So they are taking
advantage of the hardship. Who but Hubert Ingraham could think up
such an evil and pernicious union-busting scheme.
BAHAMIAN ATHLETES
HONOURED
The
Minister of Youth, who acts more like an old man than someone three times
his age, has finally come up with something useful. He has put up
photos of the Bahamian athletes who have succeeded worldwide in the arrivals
hall at the Nassau International Airport. The Tribune showed a photo
of the family of Eldece Clarke-Lewis looking at her portrait after
its unveiling.
.
INGRAHAM " THE
POLITICAL WHORE"
Sean Hanna is so fed up with Hubert Ingraham and his use of hangings
for political purposes that he let go a fiery blast in the The Tribune
of Thursday 19 August. He called Mr. Ingraham a political whore.
Things that make you go: "hmmm"!
.
OPPOSITION TO
BIMINI
The Leader of the
Opposition will lead an official delegation on an official visit to Bimini.
He will be accompanied on the visit from 23 August to 24 August by Senator
Obie Wilchcombe (pictured), putative candidate for the constituency; Bradley
Roberts MP for Grants Town; Senator Melanie Griffin; this columnist; Calvin
Brown, NGC Member for Fox Hill as aide to Mr. Christie. While there Mr.
Christie will meet with local PLP leaders in a private lunch, then tour
the Bimini Bay project and the site of the Fantasy Island fire. He
will hold a public meeting on the night of 23 August at the All Age School.
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Note from
the Publisher:
This week was a hectic week of travel. Students are returning to schools and the results show by the number of hits on this web site. Stan Smith II, law clerk at Gwendolyn House is off to University of the West Indies to begin his law studies. Michelle Fox of ZNS and St. Agnes fame is headed back to school for year three at UWI. Berlice Lightbourne also of Gwendolyn House is back to UWI Barbados for year 2. To the chief Gwendolyn House Secretary Helen Farrington who is away in South Carolina, we hope you feel better soon. Reno Miller returns to school in Canada. His dad Philip Miller of the Office of Prime Minister celebrated his 48th birthday on 24 August. Best wishes to all.
We continue
to pray for Peter Bethel, former Minister and former Deputy Leader of the
PLP who is ill. We pray for the Campbell family who lost former customs
officer Sterling Campbell (pictured) at the age of 58. Dr. Bernard
Nottage lost his mother. She was churched at Salem Baptist Church
on Saturday 28 August. Rest In Peace.
Thank you to the Lunch Bunch led by Dr. Cleveland Eneas Jr., Henry Dean and H.O. Nash for a delightful trip courtesy of Tyrone Sawyer's Fast Ferry to Harbour Island. We have pictures below. More about the Lunch Bunch.
PLP Leader Perry Christie made an official visit to Bimini on 23 and 24 August. Pictures below.
Hurricane Dennis
Hurricane
Dennis threatened The Bahamas. Some wind, high seas and rain in the
eastern islands and New Providence but at this point not too much damage.
There are several other hurricanes in the works that the country is watching
(see the latest map up to Sunday morning).
Bahamas
Information Services photo by Peter Ramsey. We received an interesting
letter from a correspondent who is a Bahamian who lives in Texas.
We will respond to him directly but he makes the charge that it appears
that this columnist has a bitter hatred of Hubert Ingraham. Not so!
The point is that this columnist believes that he has a responsibility
to expose fraudulent political behavior from an Opposition point of view.
Often that is harsh; more often than not it will involve vitriol. That's
politics. Mr. Ingraham can take it. He has his job to do.
This columnist has his job to do. The public must decide. It
is important for every character flaw of his to be unmasked. It was
that character which caused the Bahamian people to think him acceptable
as Prime Minister. If that character is fraudulent, the Opposition
has a responsibility to point it out. Nevertheless, the point is
well taken but one hopes our correspondent understands.
We had 9615 hits on the site up to 8 a.m. this morning. Thank you for reading.
AS FAT AS AN FNM CABINET
MINISTER
There is a popular photographer around town who coined the simile in
the headline. And certainly that is the impression you would have
gotten looking at the array of fat cats, wannabes and ne'er do wells; newly
jumped up and just arriveds that made up the cast of the FNM celebrating
their 7th anniversary of misrule of The Bahamas. The Tribune photo
showed it all as the fattest cat of all sat in all his puffed up arrogance
in Bethel Baptist Church on 19 August 1999.
WHAT
DID REV. STEWART SAY AT BETHEL?
Apparently, there is nothing like politics to cause Reverend gentlemen
to prophesy. And so it was that behold on 19 August, the Rev. Timothy
Stewart, respected pastor of Bethel Baptist Church, successor to the Rev.
H. W. Brown who prophesied the coming of the PLP, himself prophesied that
the country needed Mr. Ingraham and the FNM for yet another term because
the Lord had more work for Mr. Ingraham to do. That's how the public
heard it. Rev. Stewart called the Steve McKinney Show on Tuesday
24 August and denounced Mr. McKinney for spreading misinformation. He never
said it. So just what did he say?
REV. STEWART'S
EXPLANATION
Speaking to this columnist at the funeral of the mother of Dr. Bernard
Nottage, Rev. Stewart denied he made any such prophecy. He said that he
simply pointed out that the Government had had some economic success during
their seven years in office, but the economic prosperity had not touched
the lives of many people, so the Government had plenty of work to do. According
to Rev. Stewart, this was then translated by FNM propagandists (our
word, not his) to mean something other than what he said. We accept
Rev. Stewart's version of the facts because he is a man of the highest
integrity.
REV. DR.
CHARLES SAUNDERS PROPHESIES ON CHRISTIE
You will remember that back in the spring when Rev. Dr. Charles Saunders
was celebrating his 25 years as Pastor of Salem, he told the country with
both Mr. Ingraham and Opposition Leader Perry Christie sitting there that
Mr. Christie would become the next Prime Minister. When the people
heard it, and interpreted it, the press printed it, Dr. Saunders was on
the telephone denying that he said it.
THE SPIN
ON WHAT THE PASTORS SAY
The spin doctors say that Rev. Stewart expected to succeed Rev. Dr.
Saunders as head of the Baptist Missionary and Education Convention, the
powerful agglomeration of all Baptist Churches in The Bahamas. Dr.
Saunders supported the now President Rev. Dr. Willie Thompson. The
spin is since Rev. Saunders prophesied for the one part, someone else had
to prophesy on the other part. Thus one prophesy for the PLP in the
spring, and one for the FNM in the late summer. Who knows?
One thing is sure, no man knows. Only God knows. The question is:
who has God told? All this proves is that pastoring is a human business.
There are as many points of view as there are pastors. The best thing
for pastors to do in those political situations is to admonish all politicians
to act in the public good, and do God's work on earth by being kind to
the underprivileged. Leave who is going to win to others.
LEADER OF THE
OPPOSITION VISITS BIMINI
Leader
of the Opposition the Honourable Perry Christie made an official visit
to Bimini 23 and 24 August. While there he met with former Member of Parliament
George Weech and with other PLP leaders on the island. Mr. Christie also
toured south Bimini and the proposed Bimini Bay project on north Bimini. 
Accompanying
him were Bradley Roberts MP (photo), Senator Melanie Griffin, PLP Chairman
Senator Obie Wilchcombe and Women's Branch Chair Glenys Hanna-Martin. The
group was joined by Senator Fred Mitchell.
PLP TO GET ITS
OWN WEB SITE
John Carey and this columnist are perhaps the foremost proponents in
the PLP of the new technology and the need to embrace it. The PLP
Leader has commissioned an agent to get a PLP web site up and running.
Not a moment too soon. The FNM announced a web site in a reaction
to this site in the spring. It has been a big flop. The FNM
has been unable to get it properly updated. The key to the web site is
not the web site itself but the maintenance, writing and design.
The PLP must be prepared to invest in this technology and develop its own
lines of communication independent of the traditional sources. That
is when we will know and believe that the Pindling era is finally dead.
.
PLP TO HOLD CONVENTION
The Convention of the Progressive Liberal Party is to be held in the
last week of October. This convention is to put the imprimatur of
Leader Perry Christie. Mr. Christie intends to make it a real break with
the past, with leadership battles behind him, new leadership for the party
administration and the wholesale invitation to the next generation to get
on board.
CONGRATULATIONS
TO GARTH NASH (H.O.)
Thirty years of marital bliss. The anniversary came on Monday
23 August 1999 for Garth Nash, aka H.O. and wife Christine. H.O.
Nash worked with father of this columnist at ABC Motors, the Ford dealer,
for many years. He is now at the Civil Aviation Department and an active
leader of the Lunch Bunch.
.
LUNCH BUNCH
VISITS HARBOUR ISLAND
The Lunch
Bunch was a group started by the late Dean William Granger and other senior
gentlemen in Black society who wanted to have a leisurely chat on Tuesday
afternoons. It moves from place to place. It is all male, and
lunch is hosted by a different person at their home every Tuesday after
3 p.m. Archdeacon William Thompson, Governor General Sir Orville Turnquest,
Archbishop Drexel Gomez, Ambassador Sir Arlington Butler are amongst its
members. Last Tuesday 24 August there was no lunch, so the group
offered a day trip on the new Fast Ferry service to Harbour Island.
Lunch was put on. Those who went for the day leaving at 7 a.m. from
Potter's Cay in New Providence and returning at 6:25 p.m. are seen at dockside
after disembarking in Nassau. From left are: Brenville Hanna, Courtney
Strachan, Senator Fred Mitchell, Henry Dean, Craig Gomez and Garth (H.O.)
Nash. Kneeling are Dr. Adrian Sawyer and Dr. Cleveland (Fritzie) Eneas
Jr.
ON BOARD THE FAST FERRY
This columnist joined The Lunch Bunch on the one thirty trip.
It was a comfortable journey. The boat clips along at 35 knots.
It is air-conditioned. Comfortable seating similar to an airplane,
good service and a good view. It takes one and a half-hours to get
to the Eleuthera mainland. On board was Fayne Thompson, Attorney-at-Law
and PLP activist with his family. He has Harbour Island roots.
In a photo by Brandino Brown, Fayne Thompson is pictured with this columnist
on board. The other photo is of Mr. Thompson's daughter and son.
You see islands in sight all the way. It is shallow water to cross.
There is another half an hour to Harbour Island. It runs on time.
When you compare the price $139 round trip and the time, it beats $96 for
Bahamasair, a fifteen-minute flight but a four-hour wait on the ground.
The service is extremely popular. Good Luck Tyrone Sawyer.
THE FAST FERRY
CREW
Congratulations to the crew for a job well done. This picture
is taken with this columnist and the crew at dockside in Eleuthera at Gene
Bay and with a friend on staff in front of the ship's galley. By coincidence,
this columnist wore the same peach and khaki outfit of the staff.
That brought a good chuckle. Photos by Brandino Brown.
.
GEORGE MACKEY
WRITES FOR THE TRIBUNE
George Mackey is now a regular contributing columnist to The Tribune.
His column appears every Saturday in The Trib. If you can get your
hands on it, try to read it. It is big on the old days and how discipline
amongst youngsters in the old days caused the better life for Bahamians
to day.
DG OF TOURISM ON
VIRTUAL REALITY
We have a real cyber age Director General of Tourism. Did we
read somewhere that he would have customs and immigration clearance done
by computer before you arrive? Interesting! We agree that all that
stuff ought to be dreamed of but what about fixing the airport, particularly
the domestic terminal which is an absolute disgrace to this country, or
even fixing the Ministry of Tourism's building. Our fellow Harvard alum
the DG!
JANET BOSTWICK
ON SUN INTERNATIONAL
George Smith, the former MP for Exuma, was highly amused the other
day by an up close and personal interview in The Trib with Foreign Minister
Janet Bostwick, the clueless one. She claimed according to Mr. Smith that
Sun International coming to The Bahamas was the greatest thing that happened
to us. What a laugh!
.
STRIKE VOTE AGAINST
SUN
More and more it appears that the Minister of Labour Theresa Moxey
Ingraham is playing block for Sun International. She refused this
week to supervise a strike vote by the Hotel Catering and Allied Workers
Union against Sun on the spurious grounds that a strike vote cannot take
place while there is a private arbitration. She did a similar unlawful
action against the COB lecturers. She refused to supervise a strike
vote on three occasions. The Hotel Workers have the clout to challenge
this unlawful behavior in the Courts. The law says the Minister must
be given two days to schedule the vote once the trade dispute has been
filed and the requisite number of days have passed. There are no
other conditions. The Hotel Union went ahead and had its own vote
to strike which it won hands down. People have simply had enough.
.
KERZNER
PERSUADES INGRAHAM TO STAY
The Tribune editorialist, one of Sun Internationals' greatest protectors,
wrote this week that she could not see any one in the works to succeed
Hubert Ingraham and that he ought to stay on through the next election
to lead the FNM. This is the selling job which is being done by a
combination of intellectual dishonesty, self-serving and twisted logic,
outright prostitution of themselves by some, to help keep Hubert Ingraham
in power. But who has the most to lose if Mr. Ingraham goes.
That is Sol Kerzner and his 800 million-dollar investment. Mr. Kerzner
is implacably hostile to the PLP. His friends say that he will spend
any amount of money to keep the PLP out of power, and he certainly does
not want some one like Tennyson Wells whom he considers mercurial to be
Mr. Ingraham's successor. So the political talk in town is that it is Sol
Kerzner who persuaded Mr. Ingraham to stay. He needs Mr. Ingraham
there to protect his investment. Mr. Ingraham, has the view that
those of European descent are responsible for turning his home north Abaco
into Paradise. He is forever grateful to them. He sees this as part
of the intrinsic quality of Mr. Kerzner, his Europeaness. It was therefore
easy for him to accept Mr. Kerzner's advice on the subject of staying Prime
Minister. There you have it folks!
NEW ADDITION
TO COLINA FINANCIAL
The
financial headmen at Colina Financial have snagged another one. This
time Hiram Cox has joined Anthony Ferguson and Ken Kerr at Colina Financial.
There is a lot of betting that Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Kerr will put Crooked
Island and Cat Island on the map after they are finished. Perhaps
The Bahamas' first billionaires. Things that make you go: hmmm! The Guardian
photo shows Mr. Cox being congratulated by Mr. Ferguson in the centre and
Mr. Kerr at right of the photo. Colina Financial markets its own
mutual fund, and also invests for Bahamian investors. One of these days,
it may be possible to convince those in this sector that they need to back
up a Government that is friendly to their interests.
CENTRAL BANK AND
INTEREST RATES
While
the Americans are raising interest rates to cool the threat of inflation
in their economy, the Bahamian economy is said to be so flush with money
(Scotiabank has 100 million to lend for example), that the Central
Bank has lowered interest rates. Governor of the Central Bank Julian
Francis defended the Bank's action of lowering the prime rate from 6 per
cent by three-quarters of one per cent. The rate change came several
months ago but Banks are just now notifying clients of the change in their
adjustable rate loans. In an interview this week with The Guardian
Mr. Francis said that he was not concerned about the hike in interest rates
in the U.S.
GEORGE WILSON REPORTS
IN
The
trial of George Wilson (photo) for allegedly bilking insurance monies began
this week in Texas. Mr. Wilson, former Secretary General of the PLP
and former Action Group Leader for the FNM, and well-known businessman,
is in Texas for the trial. He sent us an e-mail, having discovered
this site. We wish him well, and hope he keeps us abreast of the
developments.
DMX PERFORMS
Rapper DMX, famous for the expression " my dawgs
" performed in Nassau on 8 August. Sorry we missed the performance.
Heard it was great. His latest: Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
is great.
COB UNION
WALKS OUT ON COB PRESIDENT
The
COB union UTEB is considering its next step after being double-crossed
by the President and Administration of COB. The Union members were
offered a salary increase unilaterally and over the Union's head.
Members of the Union signed away their rights, some in ignorance, others
just fed up with the protracted negotiations on the matter. The Union
is considering court action against the College. 
On
Tuesday 24 August Zendal Forbes Union president, was joined by Thomas Bastian,
President of the Hotel Workers Union and Duke Hanna, head of the umbrella
National Congress of Trade Unions at a press conference to denounce the
COB move (See Guardian photo). The COB administration is treating
its lecturers with contempt for which the administration can suffer for
in the long run.
ARCHBISHOP DREXEL
GOMEZ A BUSY MAN
The
Archbishop started the week with a blast against Rastas, speaking at a
church in his hometown in the Berry Islands. He told the congregation
that those who support Rastafarianism do not support Christ. He said they
had no biblical basis for their practices. This seems to ignore the racial
pride element which Rastas embrace, and denigrates that fact. It
seemed a strange fight to pick. By week's end the Archbishop had the unenviable
task (see Guardian photo) of announcing to parents that school
fees at Anglican schools are to go up by five per cent. The talk
is that Freeport High is a drain on the finances of the church. When
the Port Authority turned over the school to the church it did not disclose
the full cost of the school's maintenance. That has led to the school
being unable to carry itself. The schools in Nassau have to take
up the slack. The other problem is the Government's one time lump sum payment
to Government teachers of $1200. That creates further trouble for
Anglican teachers. The Archbishop wants the Anglican school system to keep
up in salaries.
IT HAPPENS
TO BOYS TOO
Sean Innis, The Tribune's Court reporter, reported
a trial that took place on 20 August. It reported that a woman 25
years old Samantha Campbell of Chrysanthemum Avenue is charged with indecent
assault of a 14 year old minor. The minor was a boy. The boy
reported that the woman came inside his house while he was home alone,
persuaded him to take off his clothes. The boy said the woman touched
his penis and they had sex. Afterward he said that he was mad, sad
and felt like punching the woman in her "belly". This must be a first
for The Bahamas, and one can imagine the snickers all around. It can't
happen to boys. Boys are supposed to jump right in. A rare
move of courage then? We shall see.
CLUELESS JANET
TO GO TO THE HILL
The Tribune reported another speculative story
last week about Janet Bostwick, the clueless Minister of Foreign Affairs
going to Government Hill, following the retirement of Sir Orville Turnquest.
That was predicted in this column months ago. It is unusual for speculative
stories of this nature to appear in The Tribune. Must be a pretty
solid leak from high up!
THE
COMMISSIONER IN HIS LAST DAYS?
We have confirmed that the Commissioner of Police
met with his senior officers last Wednesday 25 August and informed them
that as of Tuesday 31 August he will begin 18 months leave of absence from
the force to study law at the Eugene Dupuch Law School in Nassau. He told
them that during his leave of absence he does not want to hear anything
about crime or the Police Force and that no one should call him to talk
about either of those subjects. It is also understood that Errol Farquahson,
the now Senior Deputy Commissioner is to take over the force until December
when Assistant Commissioner Paul Farquahson will then be promoted to Acting
Commissioner until Mr. Bonamy officially retires. We understand that a
house is being remodelled within the Police Barracks for Mr. Bonamy and
his family to occupy at Government expense.
HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?
How this Commissioner of Police could be persuaded
to take a leave of absence in the circumstances of today to go back to
pass the bar exams at the Eugene Dupuch Law school is incomprehensible.
But according to high level PLP sources the Commissioner has a cadre of
highly placed FNM friends who have worked out a deal for him. There
was a speculative story in the Bahama Journal about it. This followed The
Tribune's front-page story. Wendall Jones, the Publisher of that paper,
is known to be a close friend of the Commissioner. In some circles
the talk is that a foreign Commissioner is to be brought in to head the
Force under contract for three years while Assistant Commissioner Paul
Farquahson, gets ready to take over. This is incredible. But
under the FNM, anything is possible. The report of the police review
by the British experts is finished. The report is said to be scathing
of the present Commissioner. It also condemned the living conditions
of the police in Freeport.
NEWS
ABOUT THE ASSISTANT AND DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS
We are reliably informed that both Assistant
Commissioner Wilton Strachan and the Senior Deputy Commissioner Errol Farquahson
have been granted permission to readjust their ages downwards. This will
give both men an additional two years on the force. The move comes about
when the two men revealed according to our sources that their ages had
been 'put up' when they joined the force and they wanted the record to
now reflect their real ages.
POLICE MORALE AT
THE LOWEST
Last week Police Constable Raymond Knowles was shot at point-blank
range through the head as he tried to inspect a car that had been stopped.
This has left the force reeling and younger officers believe that the Government
and the senior ranks do not care about their well-being. Constable Knowles'
funeral is to be held on Friday 3 September in Rock Sound, Eleuthera.
MITCHELL HOMESTEAD
ON THE MARKET
Following the death of our mother, we have decided
to put the homestead at 99 Collins Avenue on the market. C.A.
Christie real Estate, Frank Carey, Powell Management and Levi Gibson are
authorized to act on our behalf. The asking price is $400,000 net.
It sits on two lots 55 x 110 each at 99 Collins Avenue. It will be
ideal for a professional group's use.
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