March 15, 2004 The Abaconian Page 1 VOLUMNE 12, NUMBER 6, MARCH 15th, 2004 Ministers Review Abaco Club Progress Project at Winding Bay Shows Remarkable Development in Eight Months The Abaco Club at Winding Bay hosted two government ministers for a progress review of the $160 million project located just north of Cherokee. The Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson, Minister of Financial Ser- vices and Investments, and the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism, toured the 550-acre property on February 23 ac- companied by resort developer, Mr. Peter de Savary. Although work began just this past November, many changes have already taken place and the golf course is well un- derway toward completion. It is expected that the golf course will be complete by June. The resort is a members only club which will join Mr. de Savary’s other clubs in Scot- land, England, Rhode Island and South Carolina. The project centers around the 18- hole links type golf course with the last four holes high above the Atlantic Ocean. The other 14 holes will be along the 2.5 mile Winding Bay beach. The resort will also offer bonefishing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving and other water sports. A health spa, horseback riding, tennis and other activities are in the plans. Sixty home sites are planned along the beach for members to build their own homes. The Abaco Club at Winding Bay held a progress review on February 23 inviting government officials and medial representatives. These lots are choice beach front lots back- Shown here is the developer, Mr. Peter de Savary, speaking with the Hon. Allyson Maynard Gibson, Minister of Financial Services ing up to the golf course. Each of the one to and Investments. Also attending was the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Tourism. The resort will include an 18-hole links golf course and will feature water activities. Please see Abaco Club Page 30 Sen. Key States Reasons Concert Features Barefoot Man George Nowak, for Resigning known as the The following is a copy of the letter that spare a few minutes to read and inwardly Barefoot Man, Mr. Edison M. Key wrote to the Prime Min- digest the contents of this letter. Thank you. entertained ister of The Bahamas, the Hon. Perry It was thirty-four (34) years ago, just three hundreds at his Christie, on January 10, 2004, which gave years after the original Progressive Liberal annual concert held reasons why he resigned as Senator. Two Party Government had been in power, that at Nippers on marked areas were modified. I, Edison Key, a young white Bahamian Guana Cay on The Hon. Perry G. Christie from Abaco, made the conscious decision March 7. His Prime Minister of the to align myself with this new political party. popular songs and Commonwealth of The Bahamas presentation are Dear Prime Minister, Please see Key Page 2 anticipated, the It would be most appreciated if you would crowd especially appreciating the songs written about Competition Was Keen at Walk-Run Abaco. By Portia Jonsson Harbour were packed with anxious Hundreds of Bahamians and visitors partygoers. Some arrived at Nippers as alike flocked to Nippers Bar and Grill on early as 8 a.m. in order to get a good seat Guana Cay on March 7th for the 4th An- close to the stage despite the concert start nual Nippers Barefoot Beach Concert fea- of 12 Noon. turing ‘The Barefoot Man” and Sea N’ B Band. Ferries leaving the dock in Marsh Please see Barefoot Page 6 Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. The Abaconian PRST STD 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Medley, FL 33178 PAID Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 About 70 participants enjoyed the First Annual Mega Malt Walk Run sponsored by Mr. MIAMI FL 331 Jerry Wisdom of Price Busters. The Walk Run drew competitors from many town on Abaco. This photo shows members of the Green Arrow Track Club organized by Mr. Vogel Williams, physical education teacher for several North Abaco primary schools. See story on page 16. Page 2 The Abaconian March 15, 2004 Edison Key Gives Reasons for Resignation hang up my ing confident that I was doing the right thing plans for Abaco, and for the past year and Key From Page 1 gloves and and believing that with your code of ethics a half the only information I received is Given the political and racial climate of step aside policy, you would institute the necessary gleaned from word on the street. the Bahamas at the time, one must appreci- from active action to prevent this and future infractions. As far as the much-publicized Winding ate that the decision that I made was a highly politics to I know I did the right thing and I have Bay project goes, all I say is, “What Wind- unpopular one, seeing that I lived in an all make way for no regrets. ing Bay project?”’ white town and the PLP was perceived as a the party to But what I did not expect, Prime Minis- Transfers and promotions have taken “black party.” identify an- ter, was that I would be ostracized, black- place within the departments of Immigra- Needless to say, that decision has over other suitable listed if you prefer, by this new PLP Gov- tion, Customs, the Police Force and I hear the years cost me dearly and in doing so individual to ernment from the day I placed that docu- a Director of Tourism has been appointed gave me an appreciation of the sorrow of run in the South Abaco Constituency. How- ment in your hands. for Abaco. In fact, I read that in the news- banishment as a leper that Miriam must have ever, as the time of the 2002 election drew I have been made to feel like an outsider, paper. felt in the book of Numbers. None-the-less, nearer and the party still had not come up a traitor, if you will, and have been sub- Throughout my life, Prime Minister, I I stood by my decision because I believed with a candidate, you will recall how you jected to more indignity and affront than I have practiced the precepts contained in the then in the principles of justice and right as used great persuasion to convince me to run have had to endure in my entire life time. Golden Rule. Honesty to others and myself espoused by the PLP, which are the same one last time, and, I might add, against the [The next part suggested that those men- has always been my watchword because for principles that I believe in today. wishes of my family. tioned in the confidential document should me integrity is what matters. The general election of 1972 catapulted Nevertheless, I decided, for the sake of have been relieved of their duties but in- For at least the past 12 months I have me into an even greater role within the party the party, to take up the challenge yet again. stead were promoted and given approvals felt increasingly uneasy and certainly con- as I campaigned door to door for the two The 2002 Election proved a great vic- and licenses for a myriad of projects.] And cerned about the direction in which the new PLP candidates, the late Sherlin Bootle in tory for our party and for me personally, they say crime doesn’t pay? PLP is headed and after much agonizing I the North and the late Gordon Hudson in because even though I was unsuccessful in Just briefly, Prime Minister, place your- have finally come to the irrevocable con- the Marsh Harbour Constituency. securing the South Abaco seat, I, neverthe- self in my position and try to feel what I clusion that now is the time. I recall vividly the events that transpired less, came within 24 votes of winning, have been feeling for the past 20 months Sir, with effect from today’s date, Janu- at the first major rally of that election which thereby gaining over 400 votes from the since election 2002. While you are doing ary 10th, 2004, I hereby resign my posi- was convened at the public dock in Marsh previous election of 1997. so, try to recall that I was very reluctant in tion as Senator in your Government. Harbour. As I sat beside the late Sir Lynden Prime Minister, by now you’re probably accepting your offer to serve as a Senator Prior to the 2002 General Election, I had Pindling, the meeting carne to an abrupt asking yourself, “Where is all of this lead- in your new PLP Government. applied for and was receiving a paltry $900 halt when an explosion, the magnitude of a ing?” But sir, I beg your indulgence for In almost two years as a Senator in your per month parliamentary pension. I would case of dynamite, was discharged within a just a little while longer. Government, I have been invited to only appreciate if same could be calculated to short distance of the dock, and it was only You see, I also supported you as the suc- one Parliamentary meeting. reflect my recent status and same be re- by the grace of God that we escaped with cessor and leader of our party, because, like From the day I delivered that revealing instated at the earliest opportunity. our lives. those thousands at the Clifford Park pre- document to you, Edison Key has been During my many years of unblemished When the results of the election were election rallies, I, too, believed if anyone aborted - across the board.