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CYNTHIA ‘MOTHER’ BISHOP’S WIFE TELLS COURT . . . PRATT DEFENDS REPUTATION AGAINST ILLEGAL FIREARM ‘INSINUATIONS’ By CELESTE NIXON Tribune Staff Reporter [email protected]

FORMER deputy prime minister Cynthia Pratt defended her reputation ‘We had sex in same against “insinuations” regard- ing the discovery of an illegal firearm on her property. During what was her final budget contribution in Par- liament, Mrs Pratt passion- ately defended her record, reputation and character yes- terday, denying she was con- nected to any criminal activi- ty during her term as DPM and Minister of National room as our children’ Security. Mrs Pratt, who is affection- ately referred to by many By NATARIO Prosecutors have Bahamians as “Mother”, is McKENZIE accused Fraser, 53, of

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i REACH 125 THIS YEAR fied yesterday that it grim Baptist Temple T By PAUL G TURNQUEST was not unusual for on St James Road, Tribune Staff Reporter she and her husband had a sexual rela- [email protected] to have sex while in tionship with the girl the same room as ACCUSED: Bishop between July 2005 AT THE present rate of their children. Randy Fraser and February 2006. murders being committed in When asked by Fraser denies the , PLP Deputy her husband’s attorney Jiaram allegations and remains on Leader Philip Davis said he Mangra whether she and her $10,000 bail. expects the death toll to husband during their 22 years Mrs Fraser claimed yester- reach 125 by the end of the of marriage had ever had sex day she did not see anything year. while their two children were wrong with her husband He claims the record- in the same room Mrs Fraser counselling the complainant breaking figure will be replied, “Yes, sir.” as he often counselled boys reached so long as the gov- Prosecutor Franklyn and girls and who were her ernment fails to make fight- Williams questioned whether age at the time of the alleged ing crime a national priori- her testimony about having incidents. ty. sex with her husband in his Mrs Fraser told the court During his contribution to church office while in close she never told anyone she and the 2011/2012 national bud- proximity to their two chil- her husband had sex in his get, Mr Davis, described the dren was a “concoction.” Mrs church office. recent surge in violent crime Fraser claimed it was not. Mrs Fraser also said that as the “most serious prob- In her previous testimony, during a confrontation with lem” facing the country Mrs Fraser corroborated her the complainant’s family on today. husband's evidence that dur- Palm Sunday, 2006, she never “The most fundamental ing power outages at their confirmed that the voice on right any government owes Eastwood Estates home she, a recording played in her its citizens is personal safety. her husband, and their two presence was that of her hus- The citizens of the Bahamas daughters went to the bish- band. deserve the right to live, op's church office. She said The trial was adjourned to work and move about peace- on some occasions, while their June 20 when attorneys in the children were asleep in an case are expected to present SEE page 10 inner room in the office, she their closing statements and her husband were inti- before Deputy Chief Magis- mate. trate Carolita Bethel. IN THE BIN: Trash is placed in a new BigBelly Solar Compactor – a compacting trash receptacle completely powered by solar energy – on Bay Street yesterday. The device can hold ‘five to six times’ as much garbage CHILD INJURED IN as the regular bins now lining Bay Street. SANDILANDS VILLAGE • SEE PAGE FIVE FIRE DIES IN HOSPITAL THE Sandilands Village fire claimed the life of anoth- ‘MILLIONS PASSED THROUGH STAFF’ IN VEHICLE LICENSING SCAM er victim yesterday. One of POLICE estimate “millions of dollars” have vehicles through this unauthorised scheme to the surviving children who passed through the hands of employees at the bring their vehicles into CDU. He said the was fighting for life at Princess Road Traffic Department involved in a vehicle police have a list of well over 100 registra- Margaret Hospital died yes- licensing scam. tions. terday. Ten employees were arrested by police in “Either you come or we come and get you,” Funeral services were held the fraud investigation that started six months said Supt Rolle. last week for three other chil- ago. The vehicles licensed under this scheme dren killed in the tragic blaze. Superintendent Paul Rolle, head of the Cen- could be stolen, said Supt Rolle. The children remain venti- tral Detective Unit (CDU) said the police More arrests are expected in the investiga- lated and managed by a team took four employees into custody this week, tion. One of the employees arrested was a 52- of specialists in the Intensive with the others having been arrested last week. year-old woman, who had been 18 years on the Care Unit, including paedia- The scam has been in operation for about two job. One of the male employees arrested was tricians, anesthesiologist, neu- years, according to police estimates. rosurgeons, and critical care Supt Rolle appealed to drivers who licensed SEE page 10 paediatric nurses.

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NASSAU AND BAHAMA ISLANDS’ LEADING NEWSPAPER PAGE 2, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS EDUCATION SPECIAL REPORT L W Young Junior High School makes technological leap By NOELLE NICOLLS Tribune Staff Reporter [email protected]

THE transition from type- writer to keyboard has been a success at L.W. Young Junior High School, which is leading the pack in computer educa- tion in the public school sys- tem. While some students are still required to use typewriters to sit the annual keyboarding exam for the Bahamas General Certificate of Secondary Edu- cation (BGCSE), students at L.W. Young have access to some of the most modern tech- nology in the public school sys- tem. Principal Janet Nixon said the school has some way to go before donning the title of cut- ting edge, but it is well on its THE new technology at L W Young Junior High School. way. Thanks to a major dona- /Tribune staff tion by Scotia Bank, the school Tim Clarke is currently configuring a new modern languages lab that will with them,” said Ms Gibson, “Let us get them seeing this have 30 networked computers who is also teacher of the year language in action. Once they by the start of the new school at the school. see it, I think their apprecia- year. Not only will the new lab tion for a second language will Inside the lab, students will help to strengthen the language be deepened and strength- participate in inter-classroom based skills of the students, it ened,” she said. exchanges with classrooms all will allow teachers to take the Even teachers at L.W. software and provide technical “We are having refurbish- help of private sponsorship. over in the world. Language classroom beyond the school’s Young have dedicated com- support to teachers. ment of our physical plants Computer teachers at the students will have access to gates. puters. The Teacher’s Resource The primary lab at the school every single year. H.O. Nash is school have a vision for the online resources like vocabu- Lab is equipped with about 12 is administered by Linda Rah- a good example of where we school and the ministry on the lary and word builders with computers, where teachers can ming, a computer teacher at the have challenges. The school is whole. Ms Rahming said she audio and visual tools to assist Internet enter grades into the student school. This lab was also pri- about 41 or 42 years old; The hopes to see the programme in learning the “correct pro- information management soft- vately funded. The 24 student mechanical and electrical had expand beyond keyboard, and nunciation” of words. Because “We have had many kids this ware. computers are used in comput- to be redone completely. L.W. even Pitman, the computer cer- of the contained lab environ- year who illness took the better Ms Nixon said the Software er classes and during break Young, C.H. Reeves are simi- tification system used in some ment, other classes will not be part of them. So they were out Technology Inc (STI) system, times for student projects. The lar. Government High, which schools to teach word process disturbed by class activities, of class for a very long time. used in about 18 public schools school does not have an inde- is some 30 years old, is simi- and data processing skills. according to modern languages Imagine this child having access with varying degrees of success, pendent lab administrator, so lar,” said Mr Sands. She said her utopian view is coordinator Lynn Gibson. to a computer at home with the works to satisfaction at L.W. the lab’s availability is based “If these are similar can you to see computer science as a “Once our Internet is up and Internet. All I have to do is Young. on the computer teacher. imagine a school in Majors Cay department with multiple once we set the monitors to it, email the activity to them and The system is online at the Ms Rahming said she tries to that was probably built in 190- streams, like software, net- the students in this room will they can do the activity and school and enables teachers to have the lab open at least three whatever. Can you imagine a working, hardware, animation. get to see students from other email it back to me. Life is enter grades at home. Parents to four times per week outside school in some parts of Students would be able to enrol classes in Latin America or sweet. I can evaluate them and have user accounts and can of class hours. Most times the Eleuthera or Abaco. The gov- in the various programmes wherever they are learning send their marks back to them. view student grades online. The lab is filled to capacity. There ernment does in my estimation, within the department rather Spanish. They will see how they It gives us the opportunity to three computer teachers at the are no time limits on student and I am talking about govern- than just having one computer learn it and be able to join in help the students beyond the school are trained to use the use, and Internet usage is ment’s throughout, a wonderful option. classroom,” said Ms Gibson. restricted by a software appli- job trying to upgrade. Practically speaking, she said cation. Last year the DOE budget she would like to see the The computers at the school for computers was $600,000. Mr BGCSE expanded beyond key- are not networked. Ms Nixon Sands said the department did boarding, and the computer said the school is working with not even spend half of the mon- programme focus on more than Scotia Bank, which volunteered ey. He said this line item in the just Microsoft applications. its manpower and expertise to department’s budget is strin- Ginger Pickstock, another assist with the process. gently administered by the Min- computer science teacher, said Networking all of the com- istry of Finance, which limits her vision is to see students puters at the school will allow the department’s ability to acquire a broader understand- administrators to centralise an engage vendors directly. ing of computer science and the industrial printer on the net- power of the computer. work to save money on print- “When we teach them about ing. Every student and teacher Finance Microsoft applications they will receive a user account so think about that as the only they can save documents under The added bureaucracy was other option other than social a private account. School brought into effect prior to networking. administrators also will be able 2007, when Mr Sands was “Students need to realise the to control user access and brought into the director’s computer can spark their cre- establish levels of privilege. chair. The department former- ativity. L.W. Young is one of the few ly had greater financial power “There is computer anima- schools in the public system during early 2000. Today, tion, computer programming, that has a computer lab. A finance determines the type, computer design and all of handful of schools have pri- make and model of computers these things. They do not see vately funded labs, and a hand- bought by education. the alternatives in using com- ful have government funded “You have to rationalise why puters. They just think I can labs. However, Director of you want these things. If you only write a letter, produce a Education (DOE) Lionel Sands are unable to, it is difficult to card or listen to music,” said said well below 50 per cent of receive. Now here is the chal- Ms Pickstock. the 160 schools have computer lenge I believe the Ministry of “That is our hope that we labs in any form. Finance has. In the past years, will not only teach them the The department is currently we have gotten all of these basics that they will be able to negotiating a deal with a pri- things and not much seemed to be employable but also to vate company that could see 20 have been done with all of realise you can be the employ- schools get computer labs this these things. So (they ask) why er by creating these things that year for about $300,000. is it now that you are asking for you go and buy from the game If negotiations are success- all of these things. Can you store. You can be the creator,” ful, the combination of private show me where it will make a she said. sponsorship and department difference much more than it For the many computer resources over the next few did in the past,” said Mr Sands. savvy students, she said it is her years could result in every “So that is the challenge we wish for them to realise, the 20 school having a computer lab have. Trying to justify why we hours they may spend sitting at within the next five years. need all of these things when the computer playing games Working hand in hand with in the past we so-called had all could be 20 hours spent design- the computerisation is a process of these things and it did not ing a computer game and mar- of school renovations that the work. So it is stringent and it keting it for sale. department is intending to have should be that way. We ought “That is what we hope that partially funded by the Inter- to be able to justify it, and when one day we will actually have American Development Bank we get something we should bred maybe 100 or more stu- (IDB) loan facility. show how it benefited the sys- dents that say those teachers Mr Sands said many schools tem itself,” he said. actually sparked the idea that are in need of major electrical As the Ministry of Education we can produce these things rewiring in order to handle the tries to keep pace with the and market it not just in the electrical load of computer demands of the time, L.W. Bahamas but abroad,” said Ms labs. Young is racing ahead with the Pickstock.

THE TRIBUNE TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011, PAGE 3 LOCAL NEWS court NEWS Gaming Board staff Prosecution discontinues complain about senior murder case officer’s behaviour A JUDGE yesterday dis- charged the murder charge against a former prison guard Critical of ‘unprofessional’ and ‘disrespectful’ conduct accused of killing his ex-girl- friend’s boyfriend. Jerome Bethel, 38, had STAFF at the Gaming shop steward, telling him himself. The first is the Hon- been on trial for the murder Board have expressed con- that he runs the board and da Accord. of Gary Gardiner, who was cern that a senior officer at not the union and then “The second is the little stabbed in a fight on February that department is “treating stormed off before the fire Suzuki that no one knows 11, 2009. the place as if it’s his own trucks reached the office to where to find it and it pops Bethel’s daughter had testi- company.” give the OK for us to come up when he drives it. And fied that her father and Gar- One example of this atti- back inside,” one employee the staff in Freeport claim diner had become involved in tude, the staff claim, was said. an argument at her mother’s that he has the office jeep seen on May 31 when a fire The building, according to for the Freeport office Cowpen Road residence that alarm was raised at the night. the staff, is very old, and in parked at the airport at all Bethel was a prison officer Gaming Board headquar- poor and dilapidated condi- times for when he is town ters. from 1995 to 2001. tion. and nobody else is allowed The staff were reportedly The prosecution entered a to use it,” one of the nolle prosequi in the case last asked to leave the building Wednesday after Justice Vera while firefighters worked Disrespectful employees claimed. Watkins delivered two rulings inside. Repeated attempts to on the admissibility of evi- However, they told The Nevertheless, they claim reach the chairman of the dence. Justice Watkins yes- Tribune yesterday that the that they always come to Gaming Board Kenyatta terday discharged the jury and senior officer in question work, do not complain, and Gibson before press time notified Bethel that the prose- demanded that they return therefore feel the senior offi- last night were unsuccessful. cution had decided to discon- Messages were also left tinue his case. to work – even though the cer’s behaviour was disre- Bethel was represented by firefighters had not yet com- spectful and uncalled for. for the senior officer in attorney Murrio Ducille. pleted their checks. “Another example of his question, however these Jilian Williams prosecuted “This officer came outside unprofessional ways is that were not returned before the case. and got mad at the union he is using three vehicles by press time either. New HIV/AIDS threat for people aged 50 and over

By TANEKA THOMPSON tics, Dr Minnis said. "As a Tribune Staff Reporter result of their life expectancy [email protected] we have a pseudo increase and individuals from countries that MEN and women age 50 and does not have a great health over are a growing group of care system as we do. They new HIV/AIDS victims, Health would have a higher death rate Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said. and as a result less individuals As he gave his contribution with AIDS". to the 2011/2012 budget debate, The country is also making Dr Minnis said new cases in this great strides in preventing the previously "immune" group transmission of HIV from grew out of relationships mother to child with no report- ed cases last year. Antenatal between older men and younger care and atiretrovirals are avail- women, and vice versa. able at no cost to HIV-positive "A new threat has emerged pregnant women. for persons over 50 years of age. DR. HUBERT MINNIS This has played a pivotal role Before we were seeing most, if in the decline in HIV transmis- not all, of our AIDS cases in sentence, today's treatment sion from mother to child, from the younger population. But means those with the illness can 30 per cent in 1995 to less than 2 we're now seeing AIDS cases live a long life. per cent in 2006, said the MP in the 50-year-olds and older. At the end of December 2009 for Killarney. This occurs both in male and some 2,152 people were receiv- The antiretroviral pharmacy female as a result of the older ing antiretroviral therapy at no at the HIV/AIDS centre sup- male going out with the younger cost – a seven fold increase over plies medication to 2,146 per- female and (vice versa). the 300 people receiving the sons – 35 prescriptions are filled "So that group that was same treatment in 2002. The per day in the centre and 65 to essentially immune yesterday is now prevalent treatment has led 70 are filled once a week at the now being infected, so we're to a reduction in new HIV Infectious Diseases Clinic. seeing a trend now in the older infections, a decrease in the He added that more than 500 population." number of new AIDS cases persons in Grand Bahama and This demographic has been year-on-year, and a dramatic Abaco who would not ordinar- left out of the Ministry of fall in reported AIDS-related ily have access to HIV testing Health's targeted prevention deaths, said Dr Minnis. were screened recently under strategies, said Dr Minnis, as Dr Minnis said only 59 per- new health care initiatives. adolescents have long been the sons died from the disease or targeted focus of the ministry's AIDS related complications last prevention strategies with lec- year. tures and initiatives throughout The prevalence of the nation's schools. HIV/AIDS therapy in the coun- As of December 31, 2010, try has increased the life there were 12,095 HIV infec- expectancy for victims of the tions: 6,335 cases of AIDS and disease, which adds to the total 5,760 persons who are non- number of persons living with AIDS but HIV positive. Of the the disease. Other countries total infections, 4,333 occurred with less sophisticated health in young adults between the care systems have higher ages of 15 and 44 years old. HIV/AIDS death rates and sub- Dr Minnis said while just 10 sequently lower numbers of per- years ago, a positive diagnosis sons living with AIDS, which was considered a painful death could lead to confusing statis-

PAGE 4, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 THE TRIBUNE EDITORIAL/LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Tribune Limited I challenge young NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Bahamians to SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991 keep their dates EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972- Published Daily Monday to Saturday at the polls Shirley Street, P.O. Box N-3207, Nassau, Bahamas Insurance Management Building., P.O. F-485, Freeport, Grand Bahama EDITOR, The Tribune. rather take control of our divine destiny. WEBSITE Recently, the Parliamen- LETTERS If we are truly tired of the www.tribune242.com – updated daily at 2pm tary Commissioner, Earl [email protected] political dinosaurs and have Bethel disclosed that of the shaken the mentality of 65,000-plus Bahamians “unworthiness” then we added to the new registry should proactively research Paul Adderley’s view of court sentences about 14 per cent fell in the mirrors such corrupted and or, if you so wish, interro- 18-35 demographic. non-progressive nations – gate these political new- While political analysts unless the youth take the comers. INSTEAD OF assisting the police in activities, took a dim view of the decision of reins and redirect it. crime solving, many Bahamians like to sit some Supreme Court judges to allow pro- may be encouraged, 9,100 Rather than huddle Unlike my date in 2002 back and fingerpoint, blaming one or other bation for persons who had been convicted young people is less than amongst naysayers who political party for its cause. of armed robbery and other serious offences. and 2007, you and I have a impressive when thousands rare opportunity—one I poke holes at the problems, While crime and its root causes are com- As for the magistrates he wanted to know more Bahamian youth are we must now become the plex, Prime Minister Ingraham told House what they were thinking in their light sen- never thought I’d get in my members last week that society cannot tencing of drug dealers. still refusing to participate young age—of more options solution and secure our des- expect change if it continues to accept the Mr Adderley reminded the courts that a in a free electoral process. and thus, less excuses for not tiny while the fruit for practice of politicians receiving gifts from short time before the legislature had signif- Sadly, I can relate. showing up at the polls. change is so ripe. criminals to support an election. During the icantly increased the penalty for drug offend- I once was an apathetic, Like you, my resumé I challenge all young last two general elections, he said, there ers. The prison term, he said, was increased disinterested Bahamian. boasts of degrees and expe- Bahamians to keep their were claims that some politicians took mon- five-fold and the maximum fine was Tired of the political see-saw rience that elsewhere would dates at the polls and ey and gifts from drug dealers and other dis- increased twenty-fold. between the major parties express their frustrations reputable characters. We can add that no “So there was no question as to how Par- rev up a lucrative and suc- matter how hard these politicians might deny liament wished the court to view the seri- and stagnant national cessful career, but instead and hope before July 14. these claims, these disreputable characters, ousness of the drug offence,” said Mr growth, I stood up the polls has gone unrewarded by Call (242) 325-2888/9 for proud of their new found importance, don’t Adderley. “Notwithstanding that fact, that on two election dates since employers and the govern- registration spots, time slots mind chatting with reporters about their has been persistently ignored by the sen- becoming the legal age. ment of my own country. and required documentation generosity to their “friends” in high places. tencing practice by the Magistrate’s Court. Even worse, while study- We ask: “How can the for registering. It’s fairly easy to chart the source and “The bench in the Magistrate’s court,” he ing in the US and asked nation that drapes my heart, Conduct in-depth research escalation of crime through the columns of said, “appears not to be aware of the fact of what it was like politically the same that produced Dr on those vying to push your The Tribune. what the law was amended to. It is not for in my homeland, I com- Keva Bethel, Dr Myles ideas and desires forward Serious crime started in the sixties with the bench to ignore the wishes of Parlia- politics. Suddenly Bahamians denied each ment.” pared it to , referencing Munroe and Jackson Burn- and, most importantly, lift other the democratic right of free speech, He recalled a particular case when a man that nation’s political med- side dismissively ignore my up your head, young association and security. The advent of the pleaded guilty to more than six offences of dling in most sectors. bursting passion to follow Bahamaland. PLP’s “goon” squads at political rallies, esca- armed robbery and was released on proba- While that assessment their lead in advancing these lating into burning of property, injury of cit- tion. may be exaggerated or, to islands through my talents?” K K POITIER izens and general mayhem, started the ball “That is wrong,” he thundered. “It is right some, unjustified, I still feel We can no longer sit and Kennedy Constituency, rolling, followed in the seventies and eight- that it be said in this place (House of Assem- the ongoing political climate watch our futures fade, but May 28, 2011. ies by the advent of the drug traffickers, fast bly) that that kind of sentencing is bad, is boats, retaliatory killings, and a general destructive of public confidence in the sys- breakdown of all the rules that held a Chris- tem, is frustrating to police and totally incon- tian society together. Fast money was a sistent with what ought to be the morality of badge of success and in schools some chil- the community.” dren expressed their dreams in schoolroom Today the situation is even worse — A sad day in the essays of one day following a family member many rogues are roaming our streets with into the drug trade. one or more murder charges pending. The 1984 Commission of Inquiry sum- Mr Adderley knew of no way to protect marised the corruption that had society in its society against that “small minority of per- grip —a corruption that had infiltrated even sons who are terrorising the Bahamian com- to the ministerial level of government and a munity, except by long terms of imprison- history of the PLP “drug trade that caused persons to ‘wink ment.” their eyes’ or look the other way.” It also left Mr Adderley was also harsh on Bahami- EDITOR, The Tribune. I know about two years ago Andros – Coakley Town, us with a Prime Minister who – according to an lawyers, who, he said, had neither a good when the PLP name was a Johnson, Darling and the list the Minority Report of the inquiry into drug nor high reputation. His views are interest- Today is a sad day in the shame if you associated your- goes on. transshipment — “did not exercise sufficient ing. We shall let Mr Adderley vent fully on life of its PLP history when selves with the party, a group We can understand how care to preclude the possibility of drug-relat- them in this column tomorrow. Our readers the grandson of Sir Milo But- called the Caucus built up of you, Craig Butler, feel ed funds reaching his bank account or being know that nothing has improved with time, ler made such a courageous young professionals, grass- because we were betrayed by applied for his benefit.” although we are confident that we have an move when some people in roots, Rastas and other the party. We recall the lone voice of then Assis- Attorney General’s office manned by the party believe he is unfit Caribbean countries came I am family, a Caucus mem- tant Police Commissioner Paul Thompson lawyers fully aware of the problem who are together and met Tuesday ber and the Caucus is big and who predicted the very murder that we see trying to do something about it and a gov- to run in the upcoming elec- tion on the PLP ticket, the nights at the Sir Lynden Cen- strong. Over the next weeks on our streets today if society did not come ernment that has vowed to amend the Bail there would be many more to grips with the reality of those times. Act. party his grandfather and tre in Farrington Road. In 1981— 30 years ago — then Attorney We can only agree with the Commission ancestors fought for. It was like a big festival families hurt by action of an General Paul Adderley complained of the of Inquiry’s report of 27 years ago that “apa- I come from a PLP family every Tuesday. uncaring leader. The night leniency with which drug offenders were thy and a weak public opinion have led to and am stronger than most of That Group went from when my cousin won the elec- being dealt with by the courts. His was the the present unhappy and undesirable state of those who call themselves town to town and island to tion run off I stepped outside same complaint that we have today. He felt affairs in the nation.” PLP today. island campaigning for Perry and heard the Chairman of that the courts were contributing to soci- So don’t send to inquire as to who is to My cousin was denied a Christie as Leader and Brave the PLP telling someone that ety’s breakdown. blame for the country’s crime. It is you, Mr nomination, he is very popu- Davis for Deputy Leader the leadership did not want Taking as his theme “Crime and its dirty Joe Q. Public. And no one can improve soci- lar, is able to talk to every- leading up to the 2009 Con- Myles and that my cousin companion corruption,” Mr Adderley, in ety’s lot until Mr and Mrs Joe Q. Public one no matter what religion, vention. would not get the nomination, addressing the House on the appointment of bestir themselves and assist the police force colour or creed and he is so Early February 2010, Sun- but would not give the rea- a select committee to investigate criminal with information to help fight the crime. honest he could almost be days, cold and raining would son for this. I felt like going inside and nominated for sainthood. find the Caucus Group out putting up PLP posters. get my boys and give him a This group of brothers and good you know what. sisters took a lot of abuse, This is why Adrian and 127,&( including some from the pre- Craig Butler with other long 127,&( LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW 6$,17-8/,67$1,6RI-$0(6 sent Prime Minister Hubert time PLPs are leaving the PLP for the DNA and they &,67(51 (/(87+(5$ %$+$0$6 LV DSSO\LQJ WR WKH Ingraham and his followers, but it was no surprise when say it’s all because of Christie 0LQLVWHU UHVSRQVLEOH IRU 1DWLRQDOLW\ DQG &LWL]HQVKLS IRU UHJLVWUDWLRQ our leader of the Caucus the young people don’t want QDWXUDOL]DWLRQ DV D FLWL]HQ RI 7KH %DKDPDV DQG WKDW DQ\ SHUVRQ arrived the confrontation to waste their time working ZKR NQRZV DQ\ UHDVRQ ZK\ UHJLVWUDWLRQQDWXUDOL]DWLRQ VKRXOG QRW ceased and they backed off and wondering when their EH JUDQWHG VKRXOG VHQG D ZULWWHQ DQG VLJQHG VWDWHPHQW RI WKH IDFWV and left, including the PM time comes if they would be WK because he knew the leader treated like they see others ZLWKLQ WZHQW\HLJKW GD\V IURP WKH  GD\ RI -XQH  WR WKH are treated. 0LQLVWHU UHVSRQVLEOH IRU QDWLRQDOLW\ DQG &LWL]HQVKLS 32 %R[ 1 well and knew he could not be intimidated by anyone on Remember when you  1DVVDX %DKDPDV the planet. touch one you touch all. At that point our PLP leader as usual was at home. CHRISTOPHER The only ones came to the McKINNEY Caucus defence was the Caucus Member Deputy Leader Brave Davis, Nassau, Frank Smith, Fred Mitchell, June 1, 2011. Fish McKenzie and Jerome Fritzgerald and at that moment I saw people passing by on that cold morning boo- ing the FNM and giving the Caucus support and saying that is what they call courage. After the Elizabeth bye election members on the Can- didate Committee and Lead- ership of the PLP for what- ever reason started rumours Share about my cousin and did not give him the nomination for your South Beach so his older brother, Adrian, decided to go “Green.” news Had the party checked they The Tribune wants to would have found amongst hear from people who are many other relatives in the making news in their south our uncle and his wife lives in South Beach and even neighbourhoods. Perhaps though their daughter is mar- you are raising funds for a ried to an FNM Minister, nev- good cause, campaigning er left the PLP and cannot for improvements in the support the candidate Hamil- area or have won an ton the LaRodas have family award. from Inagua, Acklins chain If so, call us on 322-1986 including the Hanna, Heastie, and share your story. Tynes, Moss, McKinneys,

THE TRIBUNE TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011, PAGE 5 LOCAL NEWS Solar-powered bins to keep Bay Street shining

By LAMECH JOHNSON

CO-FOUNDERS of an envi- ronmentally sensitive business have joined forces with the Downtown Nassau Partnership to introduce an eco-friendly device for the upkeep of Bay Street. ABOVE: Co-CEO's of Clean Torry Ferguson, 26, and Green Bahamas Torry Ferguson Dewit Duncanson, 24, of the Dewit Duncanson show how two-year-old company Clean- the Solar Compactor operates. Green Bahamas, yesterday unveiled the BigBelly Solar Compactor – a compacting trash receptacle completely FAR LEFT AND LEFT: The new powered by solar energy. BigBelly Solar Compactor can Mr Ferguson said the recep- hold ‘five to six times’ as much tacles can hold "five to six garbage as the regular bins times" as much garbage as the now lining Bay Street. regular bins now lining Bay Street. Tim Clarke/Tribune staff "Regular garbage bins holds about 20-25 gallons of garbage. “The solar compactor can hold up to 120 gallons. That’s power on other areas where five to six times as much they need to better improve garbage, so it eliminates the their services." number of times trucks have to Mr Ferguson said the aim is come to Bay Street and most not to take jobs, but rather to importantly it saves energy and create opportunities for young is environment friendly." people to have a stake in the The increased capacity cuts future of the Bahamas. operating costs, fuel use and "We're trying to implement greenhouse gas emissions. renewable energy and recycling As trash collects inside a Big- initiatives and once we get big- Belly solar compactor, an inter- remaining capacity to sanita- innovative" and addresses one compactors to John Bull for 90 said it would be a "good con- ger we're going to need per- nal “eye” senses when the bin is tion crews. of the many issues that have days free of charge. They con- tract" for the company. sons – Bahamians – to work. filling and automatically trig- A green light indicates “emp- plagued the area. tacted us back and they love "Give it to me so I can put We're trying to encourage espe- gers a compaction cycle. As the ty”, yellow means “almost full” "A lot of people have com- it." the garbage on my truck", he cially more young men to get compacted trash reaches the and red means “full”. plained about the garbage and Mr Moss said he hopes a joked. in on this positive investment,” level where pick-up is neces- Mr Ferguson said the com- rodent problem in downtown contract can be negotiated after Some persons were less he said. sary, a message is sent through pactors are “low maintenance” and this helps to deal with the free trial, because "it's enthusiastic about the new the CLEAN notification sys- and inexpensive to maintain. that,” he said. something that is going to help compactors, claiming they will tem, which essentially “calls Charles Klonaris, co-chair- Two of the solar-powered solve the issues the area has." take jobs from garbage collec- home” to indicate that it needs man of the Downtown Nassau receptacles have already been Tourists and residents in the tors. to be emptied. Partnership “DNP”, said the placed outside the John Bull area took in the new recepta- However, Mr Duncanson "We discovered it two years initiative is good for downtown. store on Bay Street. cles as they walked passed the does not feel this is the case. ago and we contacted Mr "We think it is very econom- Mr Moss explained the rea- store. He said: "We feel that if our Gevon Moss to work out a pro- ical and environment friendly. son for this: "Ferguson and William Connely of Colum- company can take care of the posal to use them. We're tar- It reduces the number of trucks Duncanson came to us and pre- bus, Ohio, who has been visit- garbage here, then government geting the corporate businesses that have to come in and they sented a proposal on the solar ing the Bahamas for 11 years, workers can focus their man- for now but if persons want are run by solar energy. compactors and we asked John them for their homes, we can “The garbage and smells are Bull because they have had work something out,” Mr Fer- contained better and the sight problems with garbage in that guson said. of the garbage is dealt with." area of the store. John Bull Externally visible LED indi- DNP project manager Gevon agreed, we ran it by them cator lights also communicate Moss said the idea is "fresh and (CGB) and they leased the information about a bin’s

BODY FOUND IN WATER IS IDENTIFIED ARREST AFTER FIREARM By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter AND AMMUNITION FOUND [email protected] By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter [email protected] FREEPORT – The body discovered floating near Williams Town Beach on Saturday has been identi- fied as that of 17-year-old Keith Wallace Jr, who dis- GRAND BAHAMA POLICE appeared while riding a jet ski over the Labour Day arrested a 37-year-old Freeport man holiday. after discovering a firearm and The teenager, who is a resident of Coral Reef ammunition in the Garden Villas Estate, left the Lucaya area on the jet ski around area on Sunday. 6pm on his way to Williams Town. According to reports, DEU offices A search was conducted by BASRA, Police, and were on patrol in the Weddell concerned citizens, who discovered the jet ski near Avenue area around midnight when Silver Point, but there was no trace of the teen. they saw a man acting in a suspicious The body was discovered floating in shallow manner. waters near Williams Town shortly after 7am on Sat- Officers conducted a search and urday. discovered a black 9mm pistol with a Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to magazine clip and six rounds of determine the cause of death. ammunition.

MAN CONVICTED OF FORMER GIRLFRIEND’S MURDER SET TO BE SENTENCED A MAN CONVICTED of May 27. Poitier, in an unsworn state- murdering his former girlfriend According to an autopsy ment from the prisoner's dock, is expected to be sentenced report, Ms Adderley died as a denied killing his former girl- today. result of blunt force trauma to friend. Angelo Poitier, 24, was con- the body. He claimed that he had victed last October of the mur- Poitier was expected to be unwillingly signed a confession der of Shanice Adderley, 19. sentenced yesterday, however, because he feared police would The young woman's body his psychiatric report was not brutalise him. was discovered inside a grave at available. Poitier is expected to appear the Bahamas Veteran's Ceme- His sentencing hearing has before Justice Vera Watkins tery on Infant View Road on now been adjourned to June 7. this morning.

WINNING SAXONS RUSH BACK FROM FREEPORT

WINNERS: Saxons chairman Toby Austin, member Javon Clarke and director of operations Anton Dean brought back the winning cheque yesterday from the Grand Bahama Port Authority ‘Rush For Peace’ parade held in Freeport over the Labour Day holiday. Felipé Major/Tribune staff

PAGE 6, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT: Commissioner Ellison Greenslade speaks to the 2011 graduating class of Sandilands Primary School at the Church of God Auditorium. Police commissioner encourages students to ‘follow their dreams’ By CELESTE NIXON that we are depending on you – teachers and authority figures. respect rather than a very educated The commissioner added that it Tribune Staff Reporter our hopes and dreams are tied up He said: “Obedience will cause person who is rude and disrespect- is up to all Bahamians to do their [email protected] in you.” you to listen before you speak and ful. part and join together to “make Highlighting the ceremony’s think before you act – these are “I believe that a caring, kind, the Bahamas a safer place to live, THE Commissioner of Police theme, “Born to win”, Mr very important life skills that you loving, and respectful young person visit, work, and play.” saluted primary school graduates, Greenslade said that each student must understand if you are to have will not use drugs, alcohol, smoke Mr Greenslade also thanked the encouraging them to follow their is born with special gifts and talents any chance of a meaningful cigarettes, curse and engage in pre- parents and teachers, saying he dreams into the future. and can achieve anything they put future”. marital sex,” Mr Greenslade said. appreciates the sacrifices they Addressing the 2011 graduating their mind to. Mr Greenslade said that these He noted that in today’s make in the pursuit of education class of Sandilands Primary School He told the students that as they important life skills can often take Bahamas, the minimum require- and a better life for the students. at the Church of God Auditorium, prepare for high school, they a person further than they think – ment for many jobs is a bachelors He said that they must continue Commissioner Ellison Greenslade should remember their early adding that when looking to hire a degree, and for some even a mas- to be “guideposts” for the children, said: “I want you to know that you lessons in manners, respectfulness young person, companies will often ters degree – neither of which can so they can develop and grow into are the future of the Bahamas and and obedience to God, parents, go for someone “with manners and be achieved through mediocrity. healthy and productive adults. Cable Bahamas Cares Foundation donates van to Children’s Emergency Hostel THE Cable Bahamas Bahamas Cares Foundation Island mothers who were Cares Foundation came to (CBCF) in the initiative was coming to New Providence the rescue of the Bahamas Insurance Management. to give birth. Children’s Emergency Hostel “We wish particularly to However, in 1970 the with the gift of a brand new thank Neil Cadman and Kiwanis Club of Nassau eight-seater passenger van. Insurance Management once established it as a home “We could not, as a com- again for working with the specifically for children tem- pany committed to serving Foundation through the pro- porally or permanently dis- our community, stand by and vision of insurance for the placed due to a family crisis. allow this very important vehicle we are donating The safeguarding of chil- institution not to be able to today. They have offered us dren is what current manag- carry out its daily responsi- assistance previously and er of hostel Nakita Smith bilities because of a lack of continue to share our interest describes as the main mis- basic transportation,” said in serving our community sion of the institution. Anthony Butler, president philanthropically,” said San- “We have some 26 chil- and CEO. “The 26 children dra Knowles, newly elected dren currently in the home currently resident in the hos- Chairman of CBCF. so whatever you have in your tel have an almost daily need The Children’s Emergency home we can use, times 26. for transportation and Cable Hostel, founded in 1962 by It’s hard but we are here for Bahamas was happy to ful- the Bahamas Christian a purpose so we are asking PICTURED FROM LEFT: Anthony Butler, president and CEO of Cable Bahamas; Ronald Thompson, fill that need.” Council, was set up as a tem- the public to do just a little board member at the hostel; Sandra Knowles, CBCF chairman; Nikita Smith-Adderley, asst administrator Partnering with the Cable porary shelter for Family bit more,” she said. of the hostel; Marita Ferguson, administrator of the hostel; and Stephen Rose, hostel driver.

NOTICE RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Ltd. INVITES TENDERS Colton Harris-Moore

RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Ltd. invites ‘Barefoot Bandit’ tenders for the purchase of the following: suspect injures “All THAT” piece parcel or lot of land ankle at Federal being Lot No. 112 situate in Westridge Estates Subdivision situate in the Detention Centre Western district of the Island of New Providence one of the islands of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. THE MAN accused of Property Size: 22,000 sq. ft. being the Barefoot Bandit Building Size: N/A injured an ankle while playing volleyball at the Federal This property is being sold under Power Detention Centre in SeaTac. of Sale contained in a Mortgage to RBC Attorney Emma Scanlan told The Seattle Times Thurs- Royal Bank (Bahamas) Ltd. day that Colton Harris-Moore is on crutches. All offers should be forwarded in The 20-year-old from writing in sealed envelope, addressed is accused of a to the Manager, Royal Bank Commercial crime spree that stretched from Puget Sound to the Financial Services, P.O. Box N-7549, Caribbean, including burglar- Nassau, Bahamas and marked “Tender ies, and boat and airplane 7939”. All offers must be received by thefts. He earned the nick- the close of business 4:00 p.m., 17th name because he allegedly June, 2011. committed some of the crimes while barefoot. Harris-Moore was arrested on July 11 in the Bahamas www.rbcroyalbank.com/caribbean and is awaiting trial on six fed- ™ Trademarks of Royal Bank of . Used under licence. eral charges and more than 30 state felonies. Attorney John Henry Browne says a plea deal is in the works.

THE TRIBUNE TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011, PAGE 7 LOCAL NEWS Students excelling in hospitality programmes By LAMECH JOHNSON embarked on a number initia- Ms Cambridge explained offering courses in customer Programme (LMP) is a con- added, explaining that 28 stu- tives to expose our students to that this is a regional certifi- service skills, shaping attitudes, tinuation of the START pro- dents have already completed HOSPITALITY is the the myriad of opportunities cation programme designed understanding the visitor gramme in grade 10. the Junior Hotelier Pro- order of the day at one high that await them." by the Caribbean Hotel Asso- voice, problem-solving, com- "It provides 11th and 12th gramme and 24 students have school in New Providence, One of those initiatives is ciation and offered by the munications and tourism sus- grade students with the class- passed CaribCert. where students are excelling the Junior Hotelier Pro- Bahamas Hotel Association. tainability." room learning and real-life "Two students received dis- in a number of innovative gramme, open to ninth grades It aims to train students in The Skills, Tasks, and work experiences needed to tinction. Sasha Greene hotelier programmes. students. core tourism industry, includ- Results Training programme take advantage of the bound- received 100 per cent and Janelle Cambridge, lectur- "It is a 10-week programme ing professionalism, health and (START), developed by the less opportunities in lodging,” Shekinah Ferguson received er of the hospitality depart- that seeks to explore careers in safety, customer service and American Hotel and Lodging Ms Cambridge said. "After the 92 per cent. All others passed ment at the Anatol Rodgers hospitality, meet with indus- sustainable tourism. Educational Institute three year programme, stu- with a B average. They did High School, the school has try professionals to learn about Anatol Rodgers, Aquinas, (AH&LA), is also offered at dents are able to qualify as well." been working hard to make the industry and link class- and St Anne’s School were Anatol Rodgers. Certified Room Division Spe- "Our tourism industry is in sure its students are prepared room learning and experiences selected to pilot the pro- It is a one-year curriculum cialists. good hands. And the hospital- for the future. to the workplace,” Ms Cam- gramme. that aims to give students the “As a requirement, students ity department at Anatol She said: "The aim of bridge said. Ms Cambridge added: "We real-world knowledge and must complete over 320 hours Rogers is setting the pace in tourism hospitality programme Another of the programmes are also a part of the skills needed for a long-term for their designation." tourism education in the pub- is to develop future leaders in offered by the school is known BahamasHost programme. It career in the industry. The programmes are lic schools,” Ms Cambridge the industry. As such, we have as CaribCert. promotes tourism awareness, The Lodging Management already bearing fruit, she added. Anatol Rogers High school places seventh at annual International Lodging Management competition By LAMECH JOHNSON classmates. He said: “Although we placed sev- TWELFTH grade Tourism Study enth in the competition, I think we students at the Anatol Rogers High did exceptionally well representing school participated in the eighth the Bahamas. We received many pos- annual International Lodging Man- itive comments and we met a lot of agement competition in Orlando, people, so there was a lot of net- Florida in which the Bahamas placed working.” seventh out of 12. Delnika is hoping to become a The three-day event, held at the cruiseship captain while Lakeyia and Rosen Shingle Creek hotel, hosted Christoff want to become head and students from around the world and pastry chefs respectively. challenged them to solve problems The International Lodging Man- based on real life job scenarios. agement competition saw students Janelle Cambridge, lecturer for the take part in three contests. BUSINESS OWNERS: Pictured are those in atten- hospitality department, noted that The hotel operations portion dance at the Ministry of Public Works and Trans- no school from the Bahamas has ever involved: port’s information meeting. before participated in the competi- • room inspections (students had MINISTRY OF WORKS MOVES TO tion, now in its eighth year. 10 minutes to find 10 housekeeping "We were a bit skeptical because errors in a typical guest room) INSTALL 24-INCH WATER MAIN we didn't know what to expect as it • a night audit (teams undertook MINISTRY of Works officials informed business owners was the first time for us and the coun- front desk accounting responsibili- and residents of the Eastern District that Fox Hill Road to try, but during the competition I ties) the Pine Barren junction is presently closed for phase one thought the students performed well. • case studies in food and beverage of the installation of a 24-inch water main. They did their best,” she said. and sales and marketing (students A two-week full road closure is anticipated for this junc- Delnika Stuart, one of the school’s had 15 minutes to find solutions to tion as the work heads west. three participants, said: "My experi- various scenarios) To date, the ministry has completed the installation of ser- ence was overwhelming considering The hospitality portion allowed vice ducts, laterals, and drainage systems from Fox Hill at first I didn't know what to expect teams to demonstrate their knowl- Road to Pine Barren. because it was our first time. Not edge, skills and abilities in event plan- Road reconstruction will begin once the 24-inch water only our first time but the country's ning. They were given various tasks main is installed. first time as well. to complete, within budget parame- The ministry hosted an information meeting at New Life “I feel very honored to have been ters, including invitation design, ban- Christian Centre on Prince Charles Drive on June 1. Char- one of the first persons to represent quet organisation, menu develop- lene Collie, public relations representative for the New my country at this competition. It ment and floor plan design. Providence Road Improvement and Infrastructure Project, was a lot of pressure but we did The Knowledge Bowl, which all and Francis Clarke, project engineer for the Ministry, facil- well." three Bahamian students agreed was itated the meeting. Another participant, Lakeyia their favourite, had teams demon- “We need you to appreciate the challenges including the Adderley, said the group put consid- strate their knowledge through a mul- heavy volume of traffic, underground utilities and that this erable effort into preparing for the ti-round Jeopardy-style quiz. is an important road and a major east/west link,” said Ms competition. Armed with this experience, Ms Collie. Business owners called for work to be carried out She said: "It was rough through- Cambridge said she and the depart- during evening hours, additional signage indicating access to out the days because it was a lot of ment can now begin planning for businesses, flashing beacons around open trenches and a hard work but we pushed and put a future events. water truck available on a consistent basis to keep dust at a lot of effort in it even though we did- “Moving forward, I know what to minimum. During the closure, access will be granted only to Letisha Henderson/BIS Photos n't get much sleep." do with the present students that I businesses and persons residing in the area. ADDRESSING CONCERNS: Charlene Collie, public Christoff Hall, the only male stu- have so we know what to prepare Full road closure will be enforced from Pine Barren relations official and engineer at the Ministry of Pub- dent representing the Bahamas in for with next year's competition," Road to Beatrice Avenue in the second phase of the water lic Works and Transport, talks about roadworks on the competition, agreed with his she said. main installation. Prince Charles Drive.

THE TRIBUNE TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011, PAGE 9 LOCAL NEWS Minister thanks OAS for students’ scholarships THE Organisation of American States (OAS) has Close to a million dollars spent close to a million dol- lars on scholarships for Bahamian students in the spent in past four years past four years, for which Education Minister Desmond the most popular areas in Minister Bannister also Bannister thanked OAS Sec- which requests are made for had a meeting with DC’s retary General Jose Insulza development assistance. Deputy Mayor for Education, during a courtesy call last “That would be very De’Shawn Wright, where the Tuesday. important,” Mr Insulza area of special needs educa- Director of the OAS added. “That would satisfy tion was a main focus of the Department of Human an area that some countries discussion. Development, Education and have been asking for. Mr Bannister again Culture Marie Levens was stressed the importance of also at the meetings in the US teacher training and noted MINISTER OF EDUCATION Desmond Bannister (at right) thanked OAS Secretary General Jose capital, and discussed with Technologies that the Bahamas was open Insulza (at left) for the organisation’s support of Bahamian education through the awarding of Minister Bannister the possi- to the idea of exchange pro- scholarships during a courtesy call on Tuesday in , DC. bility of the College of the Another area in which grammes or other partner- Bahamas becoming a part of Minister Bannister expressed ships with the District of He also took note of the Bahamas has access to a top While in town, Minister the OAS consortium of col- an interest was that of spe- Columbia. minister’s interest in technol- quality education, including Bannister will visit Neval leges and universities. cial education, which he Deputy Mayor Wright ogy. He questioned the min- those children with special Thomas Elementary School, Mr Bannister noted that a called “a critical area” for the welcomed the overture, and ister about the difficulty needs. which the Embassy of the natural area of collaboration Bahamas. He discussed the in the area of special educa- inherent in the fact that the “There are great dispari- Bahamas has “adopted” for for the Bahamas and the importance of teacher train- tion explained that there is a Bahamas is an archipelago. ties (in the populations of the academic year. OAS would be in the area of ing, particularly to take fairly high degree of integra- Minister Bannister talked school districts around the He will also seek opportu- tourism studies. Mr Insulza advantage of the new tech- tion of students with special about the need to duplicate Bahamas), but there are won- nities to examine best prac- welcomed the idea, saying nologies that can be used as needs in the DC public school efforts so many times to derful opportunities for inno- tices in specific areas of the that tourism studies is among tools in education. system. ensure that each child in the vation in education,” he said. DC public school system.

BONEFISHING ‘CONTRIBUTING $140M TO ECONOMY A YEAR’ EVEN outside of Coastal Jared Dillet, the sub-chair- Awareness Month, the man of the National Coastal Coastal Awareness Com- Awareness Committee, said mittee said it is continuing that bonefish are given some to stress the need for bone- protection in the Bahamas, fish protection in the and just like grouper and Bahamas, pointing out that conch, they benefit the econ- bonefishing contributes omy. Mr Dillet said Bahami- approximately $140 million ans need to be educated on to the economy a year. the issue. Earlston McPhee, chair- He said that it is illegal to man of the National Coastal catch Bonefish by net. Awareness Committee, said If caught breaking these law enforcement and edu- protection laws, one can be cation are important factors fined $3,000 or one year in MINISTER OF TOURISM Vin- in the protection of the prison. He added that some cent Vanderpool-Wallace and industry. people ignore the catch-and- Minister of Agriculture Larry Minister of Tourism Vin- release rule by selling bone- Cartwright are presented with cent Vanderpool-Wallace fish at $10 per pound. the committee’s bonefishing and Minister of Agriculture If catch-and-release is protection poster. Larry Cartwright were obeyed, one bonefish could recently presented with the be worth thousands of dol- few bonefish for consump- committee’s new bonefish- lars since sports fishermen tion. ing protection poster. travel to the Bahamas and He said just like grouper Minister Vanderpool-Wal- spend thousands of dollars season, Bahamians need to lace said that bonefishing is to fish for them. be made aware of new size an important factor in Fam- Minister Cartwright said limitations. ily Island tourism and it is a that with the new protection April was observed as growing and lucrative indus- laws, room must be left for Coastal Awareness try that needs protection. Bahamians who may catch a Month.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS MILLIONS DISPLACED BY NATURAL DISASTERS LAST YEAR OSLO, Norway Associated Press

ABOUT 42 million people were forced to flee their homes because of natural disasters around the world in 2010, more than double the number during the previous year, experts said Monday. One reason for the increase in the figure could be climate change, and the internation- al community should be doing more to contain it, the experts said. The Internal Displacement Monitoring Cen- tre said the increase from 17 million displaced people in 2009 was mainly due to the impact of "mega-disasters" such as the massive floods in China and Pakistan and the earthquakes in U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER for Refugees Antonio and Haiti. Guterres speaks during the opening of the Nansen It said more than 90 percent of the disaster Conference on Climate Change and Displacement in the displacements were caused by weather-related 21st Century in Oslo Monday. (AP) hazards such as floods and storms that were probably impacted by global warming, but it couldn't say to what extent. Speaking at the Oslo conference, U.N. High "The intensity and frequency of extreme Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres weather events is increasing, and this trend is called the issue of climate-related displace- only set to continue. With all probability, the ment "the defining challenge of our times" number of those affected and displaced will and criticised the international community for rise as human-induced climate change comes lacking the political will to reduce to pace of into full force," said Elisabeth Rasmusson, the climate change. secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee "There is increasing evidence to suggest that Council. natural disasters are growing in frequency and The monitoring centre and refugee council intensity and that this is linked to the longer- presented the report at an international con- term process of climate change," Guterres ference about climate change and displace- said. ment in Oslo. Asia was the hardest hit region last year, The number of people displaced last year — with the largest number of displaced people about 42 million — is roughly the size of seen in countries such as India, the Philip- 's entire population, and the pines, Bangladesh, , China and Pak- onslaught of natural disasters so far this year istan. also has been grim. In China alone, more than 15 million people The March 11 earthquake and tsunami in were forced to leave their homes following Japan left more than 10,000 people dead, some floods, while 11 million people were displaced 17,500 missing and about a half-million home- in Pakistan, the report said. The large floods in less. India in 2009 also continued to force people to In the , tornadoes have leave their homes in 2010. wreaked havoc from Alabama to Massachu- "This report provides us with evidence of the setts, while floods have inundated states from extent and urgency of the problem that we Montana to Louisiana. In the southwest Mis- cannot ignore. souri city of Joplin, the U.S.'s deadliest torna- “We must increase collaborative efforts to do in six decades killed at least 141 people prevent displacement by natural disasters, and and destroyed more than 8,000 homes in a do a better job of protecting those displaced," city of about 50,000 people. Rasmusson said.

PAGE 10, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS PLP Deputy expects murder toll to reach 125 this year FROM page one sonal security, we cannot mies, unfamiliar grounds into said. uation in power? But when it accomplish great things as a dangerous turf and random Mr Davis said that in the comes to this top priority, nation. And so this govern- social contact into risky busi- Bahamas today, the increase fighting crime, they have ably, secure in one’s person ment’s failures on crime are ness. When crime afflicts a in violent crime over the past offered only band-aids for and property. Without per- serious and fundamental. neighbourhood – those who four years under the Hubert our gushing wounds. The sonal security, we cannot “Crime has dissolved the can avoid it, stay away; those Ingraham administration is result is a nation in crisis. No have economic security. social fabric that binds who cannot suffer terribly. “shocking and unaccept- clever political marketing, no Without personal security, Bahamians together. It has This is a new fact of life, and able.” attacks on the PLP, no polit- we cannot build successful turned strangers into ene- it is a national tragedy,” he In fact, he said, in every ical propaganda or fanfare communities. Without per- major category of crime, can mask the fact that this there has been an increase government has failed on between the years 2007 to crime. The facts are the DR NOTTAGE: GOVT CRIME FIGHTING POLICIES ‘HAVE LITTLE EFFECT’ 2010. facts! By TANEKA THOMPSON if government had not used whatever strategies it “Murders increased from “When confronted with its Tribune Staff Reporter could to create some jobs for the thousands of 78 to 94. Attempted murder failures on any issue, this [email protected] unemployed. And so the targeting of the 1,000 almost doubled from seven government has a standard youth who will be employed for up to a year to pre- to 13. Robbery increased response ready: blame the GOVERNMENT'S crime fighting policies have pare them for work by which time the general elec- from 194 to 334. Armed rob- PLP. If water leaks in a gov- had little to no affect on violence and illegal activ- tion will be over is not unexpected." bery increased from 817 to ernment bathroom, even a ity throughout the country, former education and He said instead of training graduates with basic 919. Housebreaking government bathroom built health minister Dr Bernard Nottage said. skills government's money would be better spent increased from 2510 to 3120. at great taxpayer cost by The Bain and Grants Town MP noted some of fixing the country's ailing public educational system And unfortunately, the companies connected to PLP DEPUTY LEADER: the initiatives put in place by the Ingraham admin- – an area which routinely produces school leavers increasing trend continues FNM interests, the FNM will Philip Davis istration since 2007 – such as introducing a nine per- who lack basic reading and arithmetic capabili- for the first half of 2011. blame the PLP. It is not a son jury to bring about speedier trials, electronic ties. “There have been over 377 creative response, it is not a monitoring of persons on bail, deploying more "What we need to do is fix the education system murders since May 2nd, truthful response, but it is a ed in the success of an entire police cars and personnel – but said they have not so that they can acquire these skills while they are 2007. Fifty-seven murders consistent response on their generation of Bahamians. Mr been as successful as hoped. in highschool." have been recorded so far part – blame the PLP,” he Speaker, fighting crime "All of these things the government talks about Evidence of the broken educational system is for 2011. This does not said. deserves more than the shal- they have done, but the bottom line is what impact seen in his constituency, an area where only 55.6 per include the numbers of Turning to the PLP’s low or cosmetic or too-little- does that have on crime? We're not blaming the cent of residents studied beyond the ninth grade, deaths over the past few Urban Renewal Programme too-late measures offered by government for crime (but) it's their responsibility according to the most recent statistics Dr Nottage this government. We need to to deal with crime, to reduce crime, to find solutions said. months that remain unclas- which was shelved by the to crime. That's their job. Bain and Grants Town has a population of just sified or termed ‘suspicious’. current government, Mr be serious about prevention, "All of that I outlined has made no difference in over 9,000 people, about 3 per cent of the country's “At this present rate we Davis said it was unfortunate serious about prosecution, incidents on crime or fear of crime. All the new population, he added. are on track for over 125 that such a successful pro- and serious about rehabili- police vehicles, the new police officers, the new "The last survey that was done showed that edu- murders this year. One hun- gramme became a “political tation,” Mr Davis said. laws, the nine man jury, the ankle bracelets – in cational attainment among our residents was not dred and twenty-five lives football.” With more than 250 per- spite of all the government's initiatives crime and impressive. Only 0.8 per cent of residents of that lost. No one would have ever The results of this fact, he sons on bail for murder, and the fear of crime have never been greater," said Dr constituency had three or more years of college. imagined such a day in the said, speak for themselves. some of them on bail for Nottage, as he gave his contribution to the Five per cent at least had an Associate's Degree but Bahamas 20 years ago,” he “After the next election, more than one murder, Mr 2011/2012 budget debate. 11 per cent had only a kindergarten or elemen- said. the PLP will reintroduce an Davis highlighted that under "The Bahamas has never felt as unsafe as it feels tary education and 23.5 per cent attended school up Turning to the Prime Min- urban renewal programme the best scenarios, a murder today. Criminals have never been bolder, there to the 9th grade. Only 55.6 per cent went beyond ister, Mr Davis said the with full resources, with mul- case could last for as long as have never been so many guns on the street in the 9th grade which means that 44 per cent or so of Member of Parliament for tiple community partners, one month. With this in spite of all of the initiatives. I'm not saying they are the total did not complete their secondary educa- North Abaco (Hubert Ingra- with the capital and person- mind, he said that it would not investing in crime reduction strategies because tion. ham) has provided the nel needed to make both a take approximately six years they appear to be, all I'm saying is the (things) "This explains many of the difficulties we face House of Assembly with a short-term and a long-term to hear all of these cases have had little or no effect." attempting to ensure that residents have a fair shot list of measures to address impact. In fact, we have plen- under our current judicial The country's murder count reached 57 after at securing employment in times such as these." crime over the last four ty of advice for this govern- system – which doesn’t take four men were killed during the Labour Day week- "We can brag about building schools, we can years. This list, however, he ment. Under the Christie into account that there is on end. brag about how much money we spend on educa- average 100 murders being Mr Nottage said with more than 50 murders in tion but if in a country where free education was said, does little to help those administration, school polic- just over five months the country needs a different introduced long ago where in a constituency where who have already lost their ing was introduced, because committed annually in the approach in order to stem violent crime. we have almost four or five primary schools where loved ones to crime. if our children are afraid, Bahamas to be added to the Mr Nottage also criticised job creation and we have access to senior secondary schools if we “His lists are a flimsy they cannot learn. Under the numbers. employment training programmes introduced in cannot (do) better than getting 55 per cent of our defence, and they do not FNM, school policing was “Nor does it make the upcoming budget as general election ploys. residents beyond 9th grade, something is wrong obscure the truth: this gov- ended. allowance for the increasing "In is election year, I would have been surprised with this." ernment has failed to make “The Member from North number of retrials in recent fighting crime a priority. If Abaco likes to brag about years. This calculation also the Member for North Aba- his ability to make decisions. does not take into account co were the type to consult Well this decision, and so all the other serious and vio- citizens, to care about what many others, were the wrong lent criminal offences to be Bahamians really want, he ones, wrong for our children, tried by the same judges would have thrown his spe- and wrong for the Bahamas. before the same courts. cial interests out the door Reverse your bad decision, “Do the math! You will and made this crisis his first reintroduce the Christie plan realise that we have a very, concern. for school policing, make our very, serious problem. A “Instead, we have a party schools safe for learning. drastic shock is needed to in power which has different “And some more advice – the system. It cannot be busi- priorities. When they get take a national youth service ness as usual. It cannot be behind closed doors, they programme seriously. This politics as usual. We cannot ask: How can we benefit the government has invested in ask the families of murder special and foreign interests the success of its special victims to wait years for jus- who will support our contin- friends, but it has not invest- tice,” he said.

‘MILLIONS PASSED THROUGH STAFF’ IN VEHICLE LICENSING SCAM FROM page one disks, several telephones and license plates” that were all property of the Road Traffic found in possession of “licensing parapherna- Department. lia and an assortment of inspection stickers Police say a 42-year-old resident of the and decals.” Grove was the “primary person” in the ring. When police searched the employee’s He operated a “one stop shop” from the back home they found “a pack of registration of his car. Cynthia Pratt defends reputation against illegal firearm ‘insinuations’ the House by High Rock MP Ken- FROM page one neth Russell, and the former DPM said his comments amount to an planning to step away from front- insinuation that she is either line politics after 14 years repre- involved in the gun trade or allows senting the people of St Cecilia. people to hide guns at her home. She told the House she has always “This matter has been raised on served the Bahamian people, and several occasions like I have done will not be painted as a criminal. something wrong when I was sit- She said: “One thing a man has is ting in the chair as Minister of their name – my name will live on National Security,” said Mrs Pratt. and I do not want it to be said that She said if she had anything to I am a crook or a criminal. I am hide, she would not have called woman who gave my best to the the police – which was “the right Bahamian people.” thing to do”. Regarding the discovery of a “I might be poor but I am not a stolen firearm in her yard, Mrs criminal, there are still some fair Pratt explained that a young man people in this party, not all are was working in her garden when CYNTHIA PRATT crooks like people try to make it he came across shotgun casings and out to be,” said Mrs Pratt. a gun in a dog cage. She added that during her time Mrs Pratt said after she was notified by her as a Member of Parliament, while she did husband, she immediately called the police, not always agree with what members oppo- who discovered the gun belonged to a man site said, she has always been respectful, nev- who had brought it onto her property. er referring to anyone is a disparaging man- The matter has been raised several times in ner. THE TRIBUNE TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011, PAGE 11 INTERNATIONAL NEWS ARIZONA FOREST FIRE EXPANDS WITH STRONG WINDS SYRIA SAYS POLICE, SECURITY SPRINGERVILLE, Arizona Associated Press

AN ENORMOUS wildfire that forced the evacuation of several FORCESBEIRUT KILLED IN PROTESTS mountain communities Associated Press FUNERAL PROCESSION FOR PALESTINIAN PROTESTER in eastern Arizona grew Monday to more than ARMED men attacked 300 square miles (780 Syrian security forces in a square kilometers), send- tense northern city on ing smoke and haze Monday, Syrian officials across five states, author- said, and 120 policemen ities said. and security forces were Crews were expected killed in a region where the to encounter tough con- army has carried out days of deadly assaults on pro- ditions, with strong State television added winds, low humidity and testers calling for the end of President Bashar the armed groups carried lightning storms expect- out a "real massacre," ed. Assad's rule. The govern- ment vowed to respond mutilating some bodies and Officials said the blaze throwing others in the has burned thousands of "decisively," setting the stage for a new crackdown. Orontes River. acres (hectares) since it Jisr al-Shughour, about started more than a Communications were cut to the area around Jisr 12 miles (20 kilometers) week ago near the White from the Turkish border, Mountain town of al-Shughour on Monday and the details of the has been the latest focus of Alpine. Authorities Syria's military, whose believe an abandoned attack were impossible to verify, but there have been nationwide crackdown on campfire may have the revolt has left more sparked the blaze. unconfirmed reports in the past by residents and than 1,200 Syrians dead, So far, the flames have activists say. The town was destroyed five buildings. activists of Syrians fighting back against security forces a stronghold of the coun- No serious injuries have try's banned Muslim been reported. and even mutinous troops. PALESTINIAN MOURNERS carry the coffin of Palestinian protester Enas Shreiteh – who was killed Brotherhood in the 1980s. when Israeli soldiers opened fire on Sunday at protesters who tried to burst across Syria's frontier with Roughly 2,500 fire- Human rights groups said the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights – during a funeral procession at Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp, fighters, including many Security at least 42 civilians have in Damascus, Syria, on Monday. Syrian police blocked dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters from from several western been killed there since Sat- approaching the Israeli frontier on Monday, a day after 20 demonstrators were reported killed trying to break states and as far away as Adnan Mahmoud, the urday. through into the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights. (AP) New York, are working chief government Syria's government has a to contain the wildfires, spokesman, acknowledged history of violent retalia- fire information officer that Syrian forces had lost tion against dissent, includ- Peter Frenzen said. control of some areas for ing a three-week bombing in fighting with Israeli human shields. switched sides and were In Arizona, the fire "intermittent periods of campaign against the city forces, but it has not car- The TV reports could fighting security forces. and heavy smoke created time" and promised that of Hama that crushed an ried any footage of the not be independently con- Ahead of Monday's pea-soup visibility, forc- the army would restore uprising there in 1982. protest, crackdown or firmed. The Syrian govern- report, another activist said ing the closure of several security in the area. Jisr al-Shughour itself ambush at the northern ment has severely restrict- gunmen had successfully roads, including about a "We will deal strongly came under government edge of Syria. ed the media and expelled kept security forces out of stretch near the New and decisively, and accord- shelling in 1980, when it Monday's state television foreign reporters, making the area, but he had no line. ing to the law, and we will was a stronghold of the report said the officers it nearly impossible to details. Fearing retaliation, Apache-Sitgreaves not be silent about any banned Muslim Brother- were ambushed as they independently verify the activist requested National Forest Supervi- armed attack that targets hood, with a reported 70 responded to calls from events. anonymity. sor Chris Knopp specu- the security of the state and people killed. residents for protection Details of the operations Amnesty International lated at a community its citizens," said Interior Assad's decision to allow from the armed groups. It in Jisr al-Shughour and criticized Syria's "brutal meeting on Friday that Minister Ibrahim Shaar. pro-Palestinian protesters said 20 policemen were ini- nearby Khan Sheikhoun treatment of protesters" an abandoned campfire The government's to storm the Israeli border tially killed, and then the have been sketchy and and called on the UN Secu- was responsible for the response set the stage for twice in recent weeks indi- groups blew up a post attempts to reach residents rity Council to condemn fire. an even stronger crack- cates he may be trying to office and attacked a secu- of the town were unsuc- the killings and refer Syria Fire officials expect down against a popular deflect focus from a seri- rity post, killing other cessful. to the International Crimi- the fire will grow given a uprising that began in mid- ous crisis at home, and pos- forces. Human rights activist nal Court. windy forecast and March and poses a potent sibly divert international Mustafa Osso cast doubt "Those responsible for expected dry lightning threat to the 40-year attention from a new Hiding on the government the brutal crackdown of Monday. regime of the Assad family. crackdown. accounts. pro-reform protesters must "The protesters have so no longer be allowed to get The state also has The possibility of a mutiny State television broadly The report said the far been peaceful and away with murder," Philip another major wildfire, would show new cracks in carried Sunday's protest at armed groups were hiding unarmed," he said. Osso Luther, Amnesty's deputy in southeastern Arizona a rule that has held out the Golan Heights to the in homes and firing at secu- said there were uncon- director for the Middle that threatened two com- through weekly protests of south frontier, which left rity forces and civilians firmed reports of a few East and North Africa, said munities. thousands of people. as many as 23 people dead alike, using residents as army deserters who in a statement Monday. FIVE US SOLDIERS KILLED IN BAGHDAD ROCKET ATTACK BAGHDAD were killed in the northern city of Associated Press Tikrit, the capital and near the west- ern city of Ramadi Monday. FIVE American troops serving as Four of them died when a bomb advisers to Iraqi security police in exploded at a checkpoint outside a eastern Baghdad were killed Mon- government compound in Tikrit, the day when rockets slammed into the hometown of Saddam Hussein. It compound where they lived. The was the second attack in four days deaths were the largest single-day against the compound and the gov- loss of life for American forces in ernment employees who live and two years. work there. The U.S. military announced the The deaths were announced by a deaths in a brief statement, exclud- media adviser to the provincial gov- ing details. Two Iraqi security offi- ernor, Mohammed al-Asi. A mili- cials later said the troops died when tary official in the Salahuddin Oper- three rockets hit near the U.S. ations Command, which oversees forces' living quarters at a joint U.S.- security operations in the province, Iraqi base in the Baladiyat neigh- said a suicide car bomber blew him- borhood where American troops self up near the entrance to the com- were partnering with Ministry of pound. It had been a palace and Interior police. The Iraqi officials support buildings constructed by spoke on condition of anonymity Saddam, but now serves as a hub because they were not authorised for government offices in the city. to speak to reporters. Monday morning's attack is the American forces said the incident second in Tikrit in recent days. On is under investigation. Names of the Friday, a suicide bomber blew him- dead were withheld pending notifi- self up in a mosque inside the gov- cation of family. The deaths raised ernment compound, killing 16 peo- to 4,459 the number of American ple. Hours later, another suicide service members who have died in bomber walked into the Tikrit hos- Iraq, according to an Associated pital and blew himself up near the Press count. emergency room, where family With the 46,000 U.S. forces still in members had gathered. Five peo- Iraq scheduled to depart by year's ple were killed and 16 were injured end, American troops and their in that incident. bases in Baghdad and southern Iraq Four others died in Baghdad, have increasingly come under attack where officials said gunmen in and threats from Shiite Muslim mili- speeding cars opened fire on two tias, hoping to construct a narrative security checkpoints. The early that they were responsible for dri- SECURITY CONTRACTORS inspect their armored vehicles after a roadside bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, Monday. A suicide morning attack took place in the ving out the Americans. bomber in the northern Iraqi city of Tikrit and gunmen in the country's capital killed a total of eight people on Monday morn- Azamiyah district, a Sunni Muslim At the height of the surge of U.S. ing, demonstrating the simmering violence that threatens Iraq's stability. (AP) enclave, according to military and forces four years ago to combat sec- medical officials. They spoke on tarian violence that nearly tore Iraq side bombs when moving around The show of force was accompa- he'll discuss it with the country's condition of anonymity because they apart, there were about 170,000 the country. nied by a threat from al-Sadr him- main political blocs. But so far there were not authorized to talk to the American troops in the country. The The Baladiyat neighborhood self. During an interview with the has been no request from the Iraqi media. number then was gradually drawn where the five Americans were BBC he said he would unleash his side on the extremely sensitive top- Attackers bombed the house of down to below 50,000 when Wash- killed is a predominantly Shiite dis- militia, called the Mahdi Army, on ic. a police colonel near Ramadi, the ington announced it had ended its trict near Sadr City, a Shiite slum American forces if they do not with- The five fatalities Monday were capital of the mostly Sunni Anbar combat operations ten months ago. that was the heart of Muslim sect's draw. He said his supporters were the largest on a single day since May province. U.S. troops still in the country opposition to U.S. forces in Iraq. already targeting U.S. bases and 11, 2009, when five forces died in a The colonel survived the attack focus on training and assisting Iraqi Less than two weeks ago, tens of vehicles in Iraq. noncombat incident. On April 10, and was taken to the hospital. security personnel, but are to shun thousands of supporters of anti- U.S. officials have been pushing 2009, six U.S. troops died — five in His wife, mother and son were all combat. Nevertheless, the Ameri- American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Iraq to decide whether it wants combat in the northern city of Mosul killed, Iraqi police said on condi- can forces still come under almost marched through the streets of Sadr some American forces to remain and one north of Baghdad in a non- tion of anonymity because they were daily attack by rockets and mortars City, demanding an end to the beyond December 31, and Prime combat related incident. not authorised to speak to the in their bases and gunfire and road- American military presence in Iraq. Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said Elsewhere, a total of 11 people media.

PAGE 12, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 THE TRIBUNE INTERNATIONAL NEWS WHITE HOUSE BRUSHES OFF

WASHINGTONHOUSE LIBYASeveral House membersRESOLUTION have unlikely to be taken up by the Associated Press expressed their dissatisfaction Senate. White House officials with those briefings, saying more are pushing for passage of a Sen- THE WHITE HOUSE of them won't suffice. ate resolution introduced by brushed off congressional On Friday, the House passed a Senate Foreign Relations Com- demands for a detailed report non-binding resolution chastis- mittee Chairman John Kerry, a outlining U.S. objectives in ing Obama for failing to provide Democrat, and Republican Sen. Libya, a move likely to stoke a "compelling rationale" for the John McCain that would express further anger among lawmakers Libyan mission and demanding support for the Libya campaign. over President Barack Obama's a report "describing in detail" However, the ranking Repub- decision not to seek their con- the operation's objective, its lican senator on Foreign Rela- sent for the military operation. costs and its impact on the tions is urging the administra- White House spokesman Jay nation's two other wars in Iraq tion not to take that approach Carney said Monday that and Afghanistan. and instead address the concerns administration officials were Forty-five Democrats joined raised by the House resolution. already answering questions the Republican majority in pass- "Because the president has about Libya in briefings with ing the resolution. not made his case to Congress, lawmakers. A House resolution Obama ordered air strikes in the American people have no calling on Obama to provide March after a U.N. resolution, clear understanding of the U.S. more detailed answers was and consultation with Congress interests at stake in Libya, how "unhelpful," Carney added, sug- has been limited. The Constitu- much this will cost and what gesting that the administration tion says Congress has the pow- other priorities will have to be has no plans to formally respond er to declare war, and the 1973 sacrificed," Sen. Richard Lugar within the 14-day window out- War Powers Resolution requires wrote in a column for Monday's lined in the measure. the president to obtain congres- edition of The Washington However, the spokesman said sional authorisation within 60 Post. the White House could continue days of the start of military oper- to hold regular consultations ations, a deadline that passed with Congress on Libya. last month. IN THIS PHOTO taken on a government "To the extent that within The White House says it organised tour, Libyan soldiers walk past those consultations there are believes the Libya campaign is Moammar Gadhafi's portrait seen next to a questions asked that we can still in compliance with the War damaged building in Tripoli, Libya, on Mon- day. (AP) answer, we will answer," Car- Powers Resolution. ney said. The House resolution is

CHILEAN VOLCANO GROUNDS FLIGHTS, COATS SKI SLOPES

A BOY RIDING HIS BIKE looks at a plume of smoke and ash merging from the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle vol- cano in Rininahue near Lago Ranco, over 500 miles south of Santiago, Chile, Monday. (AP)

SANTIAGO, Chile National Geology and Mines Service, said the fis- Associated Press sure was belching toxic gases and material that could clog rivers and force them to overflow. AN ERUPTING Chilean volcano sent a tow- Spectacular displays of lightning flashed in the ering plume of ash across South America on Mon- volcanic clouds during the weekend, and while the day, forcing thousands from their homes, ground- amount of ash falling east of the volcano subsided ing airline flights in southern Argentina and coat- significantly by Monday, experts said it was too ear- ing ski resorts with a gritty layer of dust instead of ly to predict how long it will take before the vol- snow. cano falls silent. Booming explosions echoed across the Andes as Volcanic dust coated ski slopes above San Car- toxic gases belched up from a three-mile-long (five- los de Bariloche and Villa la Angostura two weeks kilometer long) fissure in the Puyehue-Cordon before the official start of the winter skiing season. Caulle volcanic complex — a ridge between two The resorts' trade group said it was too early to say craters just west of the Chilean-Argentine border how it would affect the local economy, but for that began erupting Saturday. now, residents were told to stay indoors and tourists Winds blew a six-mile-high (10-kilometer-high) were asked not to come. cloud of ash all the way to the Atlantic Ocean and The Cordon Caulle is nearly 620 miles (1,000 even into southern Buenos Aires province, hun- kilometers) south of Santiago, in Chile's lakes dreds of miles to the northeast. region, just west of Bariloche. Authorities went Authorities in Chile went house to house, trying on alert before the eruption Saturday when as to persuade stragglers near the volcano to leave many as 240 tremors an hour struck the region. because of an increasing danger of toxic gas and The volcano's last major eruption was in 1960, flash floods. By Monday, about 4,000 people had shortly after a 9.5 magnitude earthquake, the most been evacuated from more than 22 communities. powerful in recorded history, struck Chile. They began fleeing as swarms of earthquakes Sat- Some scientists have said that last year's 8.8 urday heralded the eruption and hundreds more quake in Chile increased the likelihood of vol- fled Monday to shelters farther away. canic activity due to shifts in pressure along the Some refused to leave, wanting to protect their Earth's tectonic plates. homes and livestock. Chile's verdant lakes region The ash cloud first blew over Argentina and is a centre for dairy farming, with more than 9,000 then circled back over Chile on Sunday. By Mon- cows and sheep. day, however, prevailing winds had spread the ash Deputy Interior Minister Rodrigo Ubilla said eastward as far as Bahia Blanca, in southern about 50 families in the Rininahue area refused to Buenos Aires province on the Argentine coast. abandon their homes. During the weekend, the volcano spat out "Everything is prepared with shelter and trans- pumice rocks nearly eight inches (20 centimeters) portation for them to immediately leave the danger in diameter. zone," added Vicente Nunez, director of Chile's Because airborne ash can severely damage jet emergency preparedness office, urging them to engines, all flights between Buenos Aires and the leave. Andean resorts of Bariloche, Esquel and Chapel- Just north of the complex of volcanoes, the city co were canceled until June 12. of Futrono and the communities of Lago Ranco Seven other airports in Argentina were closed and Entre Rios were particularly vulnerable to through Thursday, effectively isolating the south- flash floods. Some people also refused to leave ern Patagonia region from the rest of the country. Mantilhue, along the Rio Bueno, or "Good River," Aerolineas also cancelled nighttime just six miles (10 kilometers) from the eruption. flights well to the north of the volcanos, from And while the evacuation order wasn't yet manda- Buenos Aires to Santiago, Chile, and Mendoza, tory, a group of Mapuche Indians said they would Argentina, as a precaution. seek the regional governor's authorization to enter LAN airlines suspended more than 35 flights the area to pray for the volcano to stop erupting. from Chile to southern Argentina, and some high- Enrique Valdivieso, the director of Chile's ways in Argentina also were closed.

THE TRIBUNE • SECTION B • [email protected] TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 BAHAMAS TOPS Robin Hood closing Prince Charles store RATE CUT NO * Further lay-offs imminent, as retailer’s By ALISON LOWE Mark Finlayson announced he had REGION’S PER boss pledges: ‘We’re off the market’ Business Reporter pulled out of a deal to buy the com- [email protected] pany’s food retail business. ‘SILVER BULLET’ * Quiet on reasons for Finlayson deal Mr Schaefer, however, blamed the end, only saying there were issues Robin Hood president Sandy closure of the store on ongoing road- HEAD TOURISM Schaefer yesterday met with staff to works on Prince Charles, rather than ‘outside’ both parties’ control announce further lay-offs as he con- the termination of the deal with Mr * Promises to rebuild and win back firmed the closure of the company’s FDI IN 2020 $7 million Prince Charles Drive loca- SEE page 4B By ALISON LOWE customers tion, a day after City Markets’ chief Business Reporter [email protected]

More than 32,000 people were employed in the KHAALIS ROLLE tourism industry in 2010, while 91,000 people, or 56 * Chamber chief says per cent of all Bahamians, $45-$50m ‘pumped’ were employed in jobs “indi- should have happened rectly” related to the sector, two years ago according to a report by a UK-based economic consul- * While grateful, tancy firm. According to Oxford Eco- believes unlikely have nomics, growth is projected dramatic impact on on an annual basis in the into private sector GDP produced by the private sector recovery Bahamian tourism industry - * Ex-banker adds that directly and in the economy * Rate cut likely to have $60-$70m impact, as gov’t debt servicing costs also overall as a result of spin-off record $1.134bn activity - between 2010 and to drop $15-$20m 2020, as well as in employ- reserves and $918m ment both directly and indi- * But former Chamber chief calls for ‘more rhyme and reason’ in Central system liquidity forced rectly stimulated by tourism. However, the contribution Bank decision-making Central Bank to act of tourism as a proportion of overall GDP and employ- * Hopes funds released back into economy used for ‘productive purposes’ By NEIL HARTNELL ment is to decline from 2008 Tribune Business Editor levels. By NEIL HARTNELL debt servicing burden also like- “nothing negative” in the move, Oxford Economics’ pro- Tribune Business Editor ly to be slashed by $15-$20 mil- Mr D’Aguilar said that based The Central Bank’s move jection that the contribution lion. on the $6.077 billion outstand- to slash the Discount Rate by of tourism to Bahamian With between $60-$70 mil- ing in local currency loans at three-quarters of a percent- GDP, and as an engine of he Central Bank lion set be released back into end-April 2011, the 0.75 per- age point should have taken employment in this nation, of the Bahamas’ the Bahamian economy and centage point rate cut “just place two years earlier and is will be lower in 2020 than it move to slash the public sector via this interest pumped $45 million into the unlikely to be a “silver bul- Discount Rate by rate cut, Dionisio D’Aguilar economy, assuming the banks was in 2008, would seem to let” for private sector recov- 75T basis points “just pumped also called for more trans- reduce every variable rate loan ery, the Bahamas Chamber indicate that the economy $45-$50 million” back into the parency when it came to the by 0.75 per cent. of Commerce and Employers will be creating more non- hands of Bahamian businesses monetary policymaker’s deci- “The critical issue is whether tourism related jobs and Confederation’s (BCCEC) and consumers, a former sion-making, saying it was the banks follow through and chairman said yesterday. GDP, suggesting greater Chamber of Commerce presi- unclear why the Central Bank economic diversification. dent told Tribune Business yes- had chosen this moment to act. Describing the announce- SEE page 4B ment as “a modest bit of good The findings of the DIONISIO D’AGUILAR terday, with the Government’s Still, adding that there was Oxford Economics’ report, news”, Khaalis Rolle added, Travel and Tourism’s Eco- though, that he was “not com- nomic Impact Across the plaining” since the reduction Caribbean, prepared for the in the cost of capital/money World Travel and Tourism would aid the cause of reduc- Council and the Caribbean GOVERNOR: RATE CUT TO ‘SUPPORT RECOVERY’ ing the cost of doing business Hotel and Tourism Associa- By ALISON LOWE in the Bahamas. Business Reporter “Every little bit helps,” Mr tion (CHTA), were present- [email protected] Denies timing influenced by politics ed at the Caribbean Hotel Rolle told Tribune Business. and Tourism Conference in “This is a move that should The Central Bank of the cost of money, the cost of capi- developments that are current- have taken place a while back. Barbados last week. Bahamas’ governor yesterday tal and credit, in Bahamian ly surfacing in terms of FDI While the report’s findings I think this is two years after it dismissed speculation that the society. It will also lower the activities. You will see the ben- really should have taken cost of borrowing for those efits. There will be some trick- timing of yesterday’s 75 basis place. SEE page 5B point Discount Rate reduction already holding debt, likely sav- le-down effects from (FDI pro- was linked in any way to the ing businesses and individual jects), and businesses will have ‘I’m not complaining, but upcoming general election, borrowers millions of dollars in an opportunity to be a part of we need to be a bit more reac- adding that the move would interest payments. that,” said Mrs Craigg in a tive. It’s never too late. But make it easier for more “The direction of the econo- Bahamians to access credit and my is positive, and you will SEE page 4B SEE page 3B “support the economic recov- have businesses linking into the WENDY CRAIGG ery”. Wendy Craigg said she fore- sees the lowering of the Dis- count Rate by the Central Bank - the interest rate applied to money lent by the Central [ Learn more at royal delity.com ] $5.5968 Bank to domestic banks it $4. licenses - will create a lending$ environment providing more opportunities for Bahamian- owned businesses to “be a part $5.5451 of the spin-off” effect from major foreign direct investment $4. (FDI)-driven projects, such as Baha Mar. The Discount Rate reduc- $5.6769 tion, which should lower the $4. Bahamian Prime Rate - the benchmark used by all com- The information contained is from a third mercial banks to price loans - party and The Tribune can not be held responsible for errors and/or omission from 5.5 per cent to 4.75 per from the daily report. cent, effectively reduces the

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t " IJHIFS TUBCMF SBUF PG SFUVSO t 1SPGFTTJPOBM GVOE NBOBHFNFOU t -POHUFSN DBQJUBM QSFTFSWBUJPO t %JWFSTJmFE QPSUGPMJP MOTIVATED SELLER t -PXFS SJTL JOWFTUNFOU ISLANDS AT OLD FORT BAY #6074 Charming 4,850 sq. ft. 4 bed 4 bath home located in the fully completed section of Islands at Old Fort Bay. Well positioned on the waterway, fabulous views and superior accommodations for a boat. A wonderful opportunity to acquire a very competitively priced home in Old Fort. Asking US$2.5m. Make an offer. BAHAMAS BARBADOS [email protected] 242.424.9792 Nassau: 242.356.9801 St. Michael: 246.435.1955 SIRbahamas.com t 242.362.5200 Freeport: 242.351.3010 PAGE 2B, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 THE TRIBUNE BUSINESS A Grand Bahama-based timeshare executive tells Tribune Business how the island lost its lustre when the regulators failed to find a royal partner for the Princess

By JACK GROBOWSKY some $33 million, and it was admitted by gov- President, Freeport ernment that Harcourt was given some $80 mil- Resort & Club lion in concessions. You do the math and ask yourself what terms must be required of Har- court for the deal to make sense and work. Don’t t is disheartening to reminisce on what you think someone in Government or the Port could have been over the Labour Day A cry from the heart would have insisted, for all of this, that Harcourt weekend of 2011. My first observance agree to immediately renovate and re-open? Ask of Bahamian Labour Day was in 1978, PVCI timeshare owners, the shop owners in the spent in Nassau finalising the purchase of what was about to become the Freeport Resort Bazaar and the 1300 abandoned employees (and I other victims) what they expected and relied on & Club, Grand Bahama’s pioneer timeshare resort. Those were the glory days, when success the authorities to do on their behalf. It was bred and spread more success by adhering to mandatory and prudent for Government to the time treasured, universally accepted ‘Golden on Freeport’s travails ensure this was done, but Harcourt built their Rule’. Suffolk Court instead. Everything remained When the Grand Bahama business model no closed for another four long, agonising years, longer followed the prerequisite fundamentals, and no one wants to relive those Labour Day first cracks started to appear, then serious dete- Celebrations. But there is hope and promise rioration crept in and overtook the culture and coming – at least that is what the papers report. fabric of the business society. Yes, there is another election coming, around Time has proven that history repeats itself Labour Day 2012. For Grand Bahama, it has when lessons learned are not heeded. The results been eight years of ‘scorched earth’ economic of a bad habit are predictable. Grand Bahama damage, including the loss of the 1,300 jobs . relied on Wallace Grove’s development vision, How does that failure add to the 2011 Labour and the proven track record of such sub-devel- Day celebration? There are so many unanswered opers as Princess, the creators of Bahamia, El questions, so many strange decisions, that it is Casino, Princess Tower and Bahamas Princess, mandatory that the Government come clean and the Bahamia Beach Club and the two 18-hole disclose to the public not only the terms of the golf courses, Emerald and Ruby. Thereafter, agreements between the successor developers memory lane began to turn into a series of night- of Bahamia/Royal Oasis, but also the Heads of mares. Fast forward a bit more than two decades to Agreement (HOAs) they engaged in. The admin- the year 2000, when Driftwood became Princess’s istrations of both parties have been involved, successor. Its myriad mistakes, under the wanti- with the complicity of the GBPA. ng scrutiny of both the Government and the Harcourt seems to have abandoned Grand Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), led to Bahama, and if so has squandered its opportunity - and forfeited the right - to try to revive the the most rapid decline and sustained neglect of The front of the GBPA. any city in modern time. island’s economy. A Harcourt buyer must be The ill-advised diver- told the facts, and told to truly fulfill the expec- sion of Sunrise High- tations that both Driftwood and Harcourt failed way, violations of the to meet. Do you know how many times a study Bahamia Land Prospec- Is it a coincidence that economy that was the catastrophic loser. Why has been launched to fix the Grand Bahama Yes, there is another election when any good news of was Driftwood/Lehman Brothers allowed to keep tus, greed and callous coming, around Labour Day 2012. economy? To put things into perspective, a 10- disregard for the rights progress is announced, the insurance proceeds, as opposed to honouring year loss of 1,300 jobs amounts to several years of For Grand Bahama, it has been it is most often timed to of others, and other bad a ‘mandatory non-disturbance clause’ to reno- staffing levels for Baha Mar, the largest single coincide with an decisions were just eight years of ‘scorched earth’ vate and re-open at least the PVCI Timeshare project in all of the Caribbean. New Providence, impending election cam- operation and some of the amenities, as the time- some of the ills. Sports economic damage, including the you had something to celebrate on this Labour paign? When was the share law required? coaches are terminated loss of the 1,300 jobs. Day. last election – oh yes, it Instead, everything closed down and remained for a single non-perfor- This letter doesn’t just criticise – it specifically mance mistake, but was around Labour Day so for four years while Driftwood was fleeing 2007. Now that is when the scene. Both the Government and the Port identifies many obvious problems, errors and hardly anyone takes mistakes of the past, and offers a suggestion that time to analyse the Harcourt was approved engaged themselves and approved both successor might provide tremendous relief to so many vic- repeated, prolonged abuse of power and, per- to buy the abandoned shipwreck known as Drift- transactions. Fundamentals were ignored, and haps worst of all, ignoring the most elementary wood’s Royal Oasis. Instead of holding Drift- when the going got tough, they simply dropped tims and Grand Bahama residents who need help fundamentals of business. Grand Bahama resi- wood’s feet to the fire, the citizens, directly or the ball. This should have been a real wake-up now. A legitimate Harcourt successor was need- dents have painful memories of the failures of the indirectly, are paying for their power bill arrears, call. As it turned out, it was no wake-up call at all, ed long ago - as early as 2008, so this is where the top economic watchdogs. Why are they still feel- the casino tax delinquency, the salaries, Nation- and everyone must have thought it cannot and emphasis should be. If you agree, write to or ing the pains of neglect and apathy, and not al Insurance and pension abuses. Why did it will not happen again. Well, it not only did, but call your MP of either party to express your view. awakening those who have fallen asleep at the come from Government coffers and not from the damage was even greater the second time As recent international events have shown, switch? They remember Labour Day 2005 all to Driftwood/Lehman Brothers? Why was the under the Harcourt label. peaceful democratic action by individuals gets debtor not held accountable or controlled due to well – they were forced to forego celebrations due The enormous expectations brought about by attention, especially if the case made is com- its obvious state of bankruptcy. Despite a solid to a double whammy – Driftwood’s indiscretions the Harcourt purchase, touted during the 2007 pelling. If Grand Bahama residents do so, along Timeshare Law, why was it not enforced, leaving and the aftermath of the hurricanes, both devas- with some help from New Providence residents, thousands of PVCI timeshare owners in peril? election campaign, almost seemed to trigger a tating to the well-being of Grand Bahama resi- But, truth be told, it was the Grand Bahama replay of Murphy’s Law. How could that be? there will be happier Labour Days to come for dents. The Royal Oasis portfolio was reportedly sold for them.

PAGE 4B, TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011 THE TRIBUNE BUSINESS FROM page 1B reduce the rates by three-quarters of one $45-$50m ‘pumped’ per cent on all credit they’ve extended. I’m Robin Hood sure they’ll come up with a number of rea- sons why they will delay that change.” With almost $3 billion in outstanding mortgage debt at end-April 2011, if all these into private sector home loans are linked to Bahamian Prime and the rate cut passed along by the com- nelled into the productive sectors of the are leveraged up to the hilt,” he explained. closing Prince mercial banks, total repayments will reduce national economy, such as the housing mar- The impact from the 0.75 percentage point by around $22.5 million annually. ket. “If that money is deployed into the drop, which takes the Discount Rate to 4.5 For consumer loans and commercial productive sectors of the economy, I think per cent, and should push the Bahamian loans, respectively, if the same happens it could be very useful,” Mr D’Aguilar said. Prime Rate down to 4.75 per cent from 5.5 collective debt servicing payments will drop “But there is nothing more profitable for per cent, will also take some three-six the bank other than to lend it out in con- months to filter down into all levels of the Charles store by $16.12 million and $6.99 million per annum. sumer loans. economy. Questioning why the Central “That, to me, is at least a significant help “There needs to be a shift to put it into Bank’s monetary policy committee would FROM page 1B to businesses that are struggling with debt the productive sectors of the economy, “pick now” to reduce the Discount Rate, payments, and people with mortgages tied business and housing, but after this reces- and whether there were concerns over the to variable rate loans,” Mr D’Aguilar told sion the banks will be even less willing to US economy’s health, Mr D’Aguilar was Finlayson. Robin Hood’s second outlet is thus closing within Tribune Business. put money into business loans, given they quick to add: “I don’t think anyone can four-five months of opening, a sharp contrast to expansion “It should pump another $40-$50 mil- hell they’ve caught this time around. find any negative in this one. It’s long over- plans announced close to 2010’s year-end. lion into the economy, giving consumers a “The housing sector is a productive sec- due.” Mr Schaefer, meanwhile, asserted his renewed commitment little more to spend without taking on more tor of the economy. It employs a lot of Still, calling for more transparency in the to turning around the retail company and “win back cus- debt. It will take a few businesses on the people, and has a lot of flow through in policymaking and decision-making process, tomers”, telling Tribune Business: “We’re off the market for the edge away from the edge, and give them building materials and supplies.” the former Chamber president said: “The foreseeable future.” room to be eligible for loans they may not While mortgages and commercial loans thing I find odd is there’s no rhyme or rea- He would not go into details on the reason for the collapse of were generally tied to the Bahamian Prime son. There should be method to the mad- have been eligible for, in addition to allow- the deal in principle that he signed in mid-May with Mr Fin- ing consumers - based on their income - rate, consumers loans were sometimes not, ness. and Mr D’Aguilar urged the commercial “Has something drastically changed to layson and his family investment vehicle, Trans-Island Traders. to qualify for loans.” Mr Finlayson cited “irreconcilable differences” in a brief The former Chamber president banks to extend rate cut benefits to per- make them think they now have to do it? sonal borrowers. I’m glad they did it. I think it’s good for the statement released over the expressed hope, though, that if $45-$50 weekend as the cause of the ter- million was returned into the hands of “It’s not only the businesses, but also economy. There’s nothing anyone can say Bahamian consumers, it would be chan- the consumers, because their employees negative about it.” mination of his bid to acquire the food retailer. Tribune Busi- ness, though, understands that FROM page 1B tee that “conditions did not Trans-Island decided not to pro- Governor: Rate cut to ‘support recovery’ exist previously (which would ceed after its due diligence exer- have allowed for a rate reduc- phone interview yesterday. tion), but that in the present cise did not confirm the initial The adjustment sees the Cen- explanation for that yesterday. of foreign currency reserves is context we are seeing more beliefs it held regarding the ben- tral Bank of the Bahamas The Central Bank’s estimate is critical to providing the support positive growth momentum in efits Robin Hood’s business reduce the Discount Rate, more in line with the Interna- necessary for the Bahamian the economy”. could bring to it and its City effective immediately, by 75 tional Monetyary Fund’s dollar’s parity with the US dol- She explained that the out- Markets chain. basis points, to 4.50 per cent. (IMF). lar, so it is key that the Central come of the adjustment in the However, this newspaper also The Bank said it anticipates From a monetary perspec- Bank deems levels to be high Discount Rate is that the public understands that Mr Schaefer financial institutions will “fol- tive, the Central Bank said it enough and the demand for will benefit from “a more and Robin Hood became low suit” with a corresponding “took into consideration the credit to be such that it would favourable lending environ- unhappy with some of the terms reduction in the Prime Rate improvement in the external not threaten this situation. ment” in which they can Mr Finlayson was offering. MARK FINLAYSON from 5.5 per cent to 4.75 per reserves position over the past In this regard, the Bank said “acquire credit much more eas- Under the terms of the now- cent, coupled witj “similar two years, to historic levels, and the existence of “significant ily”. defunct deal, Mr Finlayson was to take over the foot retail adjustments in their lending the opportunities for this posi- slack” in the economy “In terms of growth itself the business at Robin Hood's two stores, sub-leasing the food sell- rate schedules” and therefore tion to be sustained in the short “removes the near-term threat economy is starting to grow, so ing space from Mr Schaefer. the cost of credit to borrowers, to medium term by net inflows to the external position (for- this is certainly an opportune Mr Schaefer, as well as becoming a landlord, was to have whether they be a business, from the foreign exchange eign currency reserves) from an time to support the recovery by retained ownership of Robin Hood's high-margin, heavy duty households or individuals. earning sectors”. expansion in credit growth having a change in the mone- Mrs Craigg acknowledged appliance business, effectively going back to the company's Elaborating on this state- (loans and mortgages offered tary policy,” she added. roots when it first started in the Bahamas in 1999 and 2000. that adjusting the Discount ment, Mrs Craigg told Tribune by domestic banks)”. The Governor said the Cen- And Mr Schaefer and his partner, -based Suresh Rate to impact interest rates is Business the Central Bank per- Credit growth has “been tral Bank expects that credit in “not a typical policy instru- ceives that the “outlook from muted at some 0.7 per cent for the domestic economy will Khilnani, would have provided supply chains to Mr Finlayson ment” of the Central Bank. The tourism and the foreign direct the six-month period to end- expand at a moderate rate and his City Markets business from the US, helping them to last time the Discount Rate was investment (FDI), from which April 2011”, it noted. And the “over time” as a result. “It’s not source product and providing logistics support. adjusted - in a downwards the Bahamas’ earns the bulk of Central Bank added in its going to happen tomorrow or In an interview with Tribune Business yesterday, Mr Schae- direction - was in six years ago. our [foreign reserves], is explanatory press release that next week,” she said. fer said the decision to abandon the acquisition came about as Explaining the move, the improving and will continue to the financial sector’s perfor- The top banker denied some a result of “issues that were beyond (Finlayson’s) control and Central Bank said in its state- add to our external reserve mance “remains stable, sup- suggestions - put to Tribune beyond ours”. ment that a number of factors position”. ported by a strong capital ratio Business yesterday - that the “The deal was no longer financially viable for ourselves or were “carefully considered in This was partly in response to of nearly 26 per cent”. policy adjustment’s timing is in them, as some of the conditions changed,” he added. its decision to adjust monetary suggestions from Tribune Busi- “Even so, the Bank main- any way political - given the policy, including the signs of a ness sources, who questioned tains a close watch on the per- potential benefit to economic more positive outlook for glob- the Central Bank’s decision to sistence of credit risk, as evi- conditions from cheaper access Respect al growth and the implications lower the discount rate now, dence in the high loan arrears to credit, which could spur con- for domestic economic activi- given that the high levels of rate, although conditions have sumer spending and business Mr Schaefer spoke amicably of Mr Finlayson yesterday, ty”. external reserves cited by the stabilised over the past two investment prior to next year’s telling this newspaper: “I would say that I certainly still main- “Based on an improving per- Central Bank have been the years,” it said. general election. tain utmost regard and respect for Mark and his family, and we formance of tourism and for- case for some time and are not Effectively, what the Central “The Central Bank strictly certainly stand ready to help them in any way we can.” eign direct investment activity, primarily available as a conse- Bank is saying is that with for- looks at the facts. This is a mat- In the meantime, he confirmed that inventory from Robin the Bahamian economy is quence of activity in the “real” eign reserves at $1.134 billion ter that the Monetary Policy Hood’s Prince Charles Drive location, which opened in Janu- poised to grow by nearly 1.5 economy, but due to higher lev- and excess commercial bank Committee (of the Bank) looks ary, has now been moved to the company’s flagship Tonique per cent in 2011, and in excess els of foreign currency borrow- liquidity at more than $900 mil- at on a monthly basis. We had a Williams-Darling Highway store, paving the way for the former of 2 per cent in 2012 - with ing and the provision of addi- lion, these funds - especially the monetary policy meeting for site to be closed for the foreseeable future. broadening medium-term ben- tion special drawing rights latter - have to be released the month of May just last Linking the closure to the roadworks on Prince Charles Dri- efits for employment and (SDRs) - an international somehow, and are at high week, and so this is in line with ve, he said that when and whether the location is re-opened is opportunities for the produc- reserve asset created by the enough levels to prevent any that,” she said. “completely contingent” on the completion of works which tive sector,” the Central Bank International Monetary Fund dramatic shock or drawdown. As for the Central Bank’s he has blamed for an 80 per cent reduction in business at that said. Interestingly, the 1.5 per (IMF) to supplement its mem- And the high unemployment stance on the Discount Rate location. cent real GDP growth estimate bers’ reserves - to this nation. levels and reduced incomes, going forward, Mrs Craigg said “Our business was spectacularly successful there, and I don’t for 2011 is some 0.5 percentage They have also been boosted with borrowers focusig on it is a matter that the Monetary have to tell you about the impact of the roadwork,” said Mr points lower than the 2 per cent to record highs by the proceeds meeting existing obligations, Policy Committee of the insti- Schaefer. The businessman said some staff from the Prince projection given by the Gov- of the Bahamas Telecommuni- means demand for new credit tution will “continue to ernment in its recent 2011-2012 cations Company’s (BTC) sale. will remain muted. Essentially, review”. Charles Drive location will be relocated to Tonique Williams- Budget, although there was no Maintaining a certain level existing borrowers will benefit, “The Bank remains commit- Darling Highway, while others will be laid off. not new ones. ted to responding appropriate- “Clearly there will be redundancies,” he said, declining to pro- Mrs Craigg said the decision ly to ongoing economic and vide any figures. came about following the most monetary developments, in its He also added that the closure of the store presents an recent monthly meeting of the goals to achieve monetary sta- “opportunity” in this regard, as he will “take the best from both Monetary Policy Committee of bility and contribute to sus- places” to man that store. the Central Bank, given a tainable economic growth,” she “Hardship presents opportunity. We can look at our staff and determination by that commit- added. who are ‘A players’ and who are ‘B players’. The opportunity we have now is to recommit ourselves with the loyal and hon- est staff that want to give service we are known for,” said Mr Schaefer. He said he has received indications that the roadworks may be completed within “three to four months”, and as such antic- ipates the possibility of a “grand re-opening” of the Prince Charles Drive Robin Hood location at that time. Mr Schaefer said the company is now “revamping” itself, as he now “feels remotivated to get us back to where we were before”. He added: “I think I am human like everyone else, and the pounding we were taking over the last six or seven months saps your interest and desire. We had lost our taste for the battle.” He suggested the company suffered over the last six months as he had been “in a selling mode”, seeking a buyer for it. “You take your eye off the ball and the quality suffers and the variety suffers.” Mr Schaefer claimed he was “reinspired” to make the business successful by his daughter, Kyra. He suggested that the extent to which the company will be successful in this endeavour depends on whether the Bahami- an public can “forgive us for messing up as we have over last year (and) be patient with us as we rebuild”.

THE TRIBUNE TUESDAY, JUNE 7, 2011, PAGE 5B BUSINESS Outgoing gaming chief warns of challenges ahead

MOLLY DAVIS, ered to have started — and Associated Press $222 million in April 2005. JACKSON, Miss. Gregory said lawmakers must find other ways to help Mississippi's top casino reg- the industry compete, especial- ulator said on Monday that his ly since Mississippi is unlikely to replacement will face major sanction online gambling with- challenges in keeping gambling in its own borders or promote revenue up across the state. brick-and-mortar casinos to its The Mississippi Gaming own citizens. "We cannot exist Commission is looking for a on bringing people to play new executive director to blackjack anymore," he said, replace Larry Gregory, who adding that at least one casino said whoever succeeds him will in Las Vegas now generates be responsible for overseeing more revenue from non-gam- a time of increased competition bling activities than casinos. from online gambling and new He said that Mississippi will markets that attract out-of-state INTERNATIONAL need to invest heavily in other tourists. tourism attractions — such as "Every state has gaming BUSINESS convention centers, water parks now," he said at a John C. Sten- net gambling carries a risk of and racing tracks — near its nis Institute of Government online security breaches and waterfront casinos. luncheon in downtown Jack- would make wagering too "There's been talk on the son. Pennsylvania began to accessible, fostering addiction coast, but also Tunica, of bring- allow gambling a few years ago problems. He said that online ing some mega race track into and has now surpassed Missis- casinos could also open up the facilities," he said. sippi in market share. Ohio will gambling to minors. Despite economic and other begin to allow gambling this "That is a scary, scary thing," challenges, gambling continues year, and Florida is consider- said Gregory. "And how are to grow. ing the move, he said. you going to stop it? To me, I "We are still doing well in Also, Internet gambling don't think you can." development," said Gregory. could become a major market "We've got 10 approved sites force in the future, even though down on the Mississippi Gulf it is currently illegal under state Construction Coast. In addition, we just and federal law. Gregory said approved the Margaritaville Mississippi uses tax revenue that Mississippi's "conservative with Jimmy Buffett. That was from gambling to support high- approach" to gambling — very, very exciting." way construction and improve- avoiding racier-themed slot The commission hopes to ments. The state has the fourth machines and restricting loca- replace Gregory by August. He largest gambling industry in the tions to within 800 feet of said he has not yet made plans, nation, with over a $2.5 billion waterfronts, for example — but doesn't intend to retire. market employing roughly means the state is unlikely to He has worked as the execu- 20,000 people. sanction online gambling with- tive director since 2001, starting Hurricane Katrina, the mas- in its borders. as the chief of staff of the sive BP oil spill and the recent A 2006 federal law effective- agency in 1995. Gregory has flooding have all taken their ly banned Internet gambling. It also worked for the state's (AP Photo/Mel Evans, File) toll on the industry. prohibited banks and credit transportation commission and AGE OF THE MACHINE: In this Sept. 13, 2007 file photo, a woman smokes while playing slot machines Mississippi casinos closed for card companies from process- personnel board. at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. three weeks, which Gregory ing payments from gambling said cost some $10 million in companies to individuals. But tax revenue. No casinos were gambling experts say it creat- damaged, and associated hotels ed enough gray areas to open had little damage. the door for a deeper expan- "It was just major devasta- sion into the multibillion dol- tion having 15,000 people out of lar industry, and the District of work," he said. "Thankfully Columbia in April became the most of the casinos paid for the first U.S. jurisdiction to allow workers." Internet gambling. Once considered a "reces- D.C. lawmakers plan to use sion-proof" industry, gambling revenue — estimated at has also been hit hard by the between $13 million and $14 economic downturn, Gregory million through fiscal year 2014 said. — to offset budget cuts and In April 2011, casinos across fund social services. the state earned $189 million Despite missing out on a in revenue, according to state piece of what could be a bil- records. That compares to $195 lion-dollar market, Gregory million in April 2006 — before endorses a continued ban in the Great Recession is consid- Mississippi. He said that inter- BAHAMAS TOPS REGION’S PER

HEADFROM pageTOURISM 1B FDI IN 2020 suggest that The Bahamas will become less dependent on tourism by 2020, it is also evident that only the British Virgin Islands, Aruba, Antigua and Barbuda and Anguilla are to be more dependent on tourism in terms of its contribution to the overall economy and employment than the Bahamas. This nation is projected to have tourism-related activity account for 49.9 per cent of total GDP in 2020, and 60.3 per cent of all jobs, up from 46.5 and 56 per cent at present. The report also shows that Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Puerto Rico are projected to be getting more tourism-related investment in dollar value in 2020 than the Bahamas. However, since each of these countries have significantly larger populations than the Bahamas, this nation - with a pro- jected $1.703 billion annual FDI inflow in 2020 - will be getting the highest investment in tourism per capita at that time in the Caribbean, according to the report. The figure is down as a pro- portion of total investment in the Bahamian economy from the 45.1 per cent recorded in 2008, to 41 per cent, however. Oxford Economics predicts that after accounting for an esti- mated $1.1 billion or 14.4 per cent of this nation’s GDP in 2010, the GDP contribution from the ‘direct’ tourism industry in the Bahamas will grow by an annual rate of 3.4 per cent between 2010 and 2020. Negative This follows negative growth of 4.2 per cent in 2008, 10 per cent in 2009 and 0.6 per cent in 2010. The proportional contri- bution to GDP from the tourism industry directly in 2020 will then be 15.3 per cent - still down from 2008’s 15.4 per cent. The firm’s analysis indicates that tourism’s contribution to the ‘broader’ economy in terms of GDP will grow by an average annual rate of 3.5 per cent over the next 10 years. This measure takes into account both direct and indirect effects, along with the impact of investment, government collective consumption and merchandise exports related to travel and tourism. Again, the proportional contribution of tourism in this broad- er sense will be 49.9 per cent, down from 2008’s 51.6 per cent. In terms of employment in the industry directly, Oxford Economics projects this will grow by an annual rate of 2.8 per cent between 2010 and 2020, to ultimately amount to 21.2 per cent of all employment by 2020. This is down slightly from 21.6 per cent in 2008. In 2010, employment in the tourism industry directly account- ed for 32,200 jobs or 19.8 per cent of all employment, suggests the report. Employment in the broader economy, which is related to tourism activity, will grow by 2.8 per cent annually, the report projects, but at 60.3 per cent will remain two percentage points lower than the proportionate contribution of travel and tourism- related employment to total employment levels in 2008. In 2010, this type of employment was said to account for 91,000 jobs in the overall economy, or 56 per cent of all employ- ment.