Abaco, Referred to As a Pre-Valentine Key Presentation
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Volume 13 Number 5 March 1, 2005 Section A NEMA Presents Keys to 11 Homeowners Ministers Pratt and Gibson Attend Ceremonies By Jennifer Hudson February 11th was a day of celebration for many people in the settlements of Moore’s Island, Cooper’s Town and Murphy Town when government and officials of the National Emergency Management Agency were on hand for a series of joyful Key Pre- sentation Ceremonies. Keys to four homes were presented in the settlement of Hard Bargain on Moore’s Is- land, five keys were presented in Cooper’s Town and two in Murphy Town. All were presented to the lucky new home owners in red boxes in what Mr. Jack Thompson, Coordinator of NEMA, Abaco, referred to as a Pre-Valentine Key Presentation. The distribution of homes varied from one to three bedrooms depending on need. In each of the settlements the contractors were praised for their excellent and timely workmanship. Also thanked were the archi- tect, engineer John Schaeffer, heavy equip- ment operators, BEC, Water and Sewage and residents who loaned materials. Mr. Thompson began his remarks by re- minding everyone how on September 25th, In a ceremony on Moore’s Island on Februay 11 four persons were given keys to new houses built by NEMA. Shown above in the 2004, the island was “troubled on every side back are the Hon. Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, Deputy Prime Minister; the Hon. Shane Gibson, Minister of Housing and National and cast down but not destroyed.” However, Insurance; Mr. Neil Campbell, Deputy Director of NEMA on Abaco; Mr. Richard Gibbs, Housing Officer on Abaco; and Mr. just one day shy of 20 weeks, 21 keys to Roderick Bowe, Administrator for South Abaco. In the front are the four who received keys to their new houses. They are Meltina Davis, Betty Albury, Irwin Davis and Leon Swain. Ms. Albury gave the new homeowners’ response. Please see New Homes Page 2 Guana Residents Hear Environmentalist Murder Suspect Is Arrainged The residents of Guana Cay met to hear Dr. Michael Risk, who has studied coral reefs in The Bahamas and Caribbean for 40 years. He explained some of the possible Christopher Sands of Guana Cay was arrainged in Magistrate’s Court on February consequences of development on the north end of the island. Introducing the speaker is 18 charged with the murder of Eltoro “Yogi” Adderley on February 13. He will be Troy Albury. remanded to Fox Hill Prison in Nassau until his preliminary hearing on July 5. The The residents of Great Guana Cay are are documenting their objections with body of Mr. Adderley was found on February 14 in his boat with a bullet wound to his mobilizing against a proposed develop- known facts and scientific reports. head. Mr. Sands was arrested on Febrary 15. Abaco police officers were assisted in ment for the north end of their island and Prominent civil rights attorney Fred their investigation by police officers from Grand Bahama. Please see story on page 5. are raising money to finance their effort. Smith of Freeport has been retained. He They accept that the 500 acres of private came to Guana Cay and spoke to about land will eventually be developed but they 75 residents on February 10 at the Blue Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. have strong reservations about a golf Water Grill. He gave the various steps course, a 260-slip marina in a wetland the developer’s application must go The Abaconian PRST STD area and government’s insistence on giv- through and the stages where their objec- 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Medley, FL 33178 PAID ing the developers the last remaining tions must be heard and considered. He Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 Crown Land on Guana Cay. further stated that Local Government must MIAMI FL 331 With a June start-up date mentioned give its approval at several stages and is by politicians, the Guana residents have hired an attorney for guidance, and they Please see Guana Page 20 Page 2 The Abaconian March 1, 2005 Contractors Are Praised for Timely Response During the ceremonies in North and Cen- ing and uplifting speech to the people of the official party to the other settlements New Homes From Page 1 tral Abaco the Minister of Housing stated Moore’s Island. “We saw disaster,” she but remained overnight in Moore’s Island new homes have already been presented, that by the end of the day 46 homes will said,”but God always has a plan and God as she said that she always has to hurry off. which equals one house per week. The pre- have been rebuilt on Abaco and over $1 always turns it into good. What we see to- She never gets to hear what the people have sentation on Moore’s Island concluded all million worth of building materials have day is the result of team work.” to say so this time she was going to stay the houses for that community but, as Mr. already been issued. He thanked all who She encouraged the residents to set a day and listen to them. Thompson said, “The love affair will con- have donated to the relief account. aside to clean up Moore’s Island and paint Mr. Carl Smith, Chairman of NEMA, tinue as we want to assist some of the se- Speaking on the National Housing Project the buildings (the paint to be donated by Bahamas, expressed sincere gratitude to all nior citizens with repairs and further distri- in The Bahamas, Mr. Gibson said that they Jack Thompson). “Urban renewal will come Please see New Homes Page 22 bution of supplies.” have to continue to build homes for new to Moore’s Island!” The Hon. D. Shane Gibson, Minister homeowners and the government has an Mother Pratt did not continue on with of Housing and National Insurance, stated aggressive mission to build 1000 new homes that all concerned shared in the joy of the throughout The Bahamas this year at a cost families receiving keys that day and that it of $107 million. “The greatest challenge,” was evidence of the government’s determi- he said,” is securing enough land to build nation to bring relief to hurting Bahamians the homes on. People will not be allowed the length and breadth of Abaco. On to construct on government land without Moore’s Island he praised the community’s permission. Another mission is to repair support of NEMA under the leadership of houses as part of the government’s Urban Chief Councillor Lillian Laing and men- Renewal Programme. The plans are to trans- tioned the setbacks encountered by the work form communities by assisting with home crews there due to challenges of obtaining repair, community clean up and youth and essential supplies owing to unfavourable senior citizen programmes. We must also weather conditions and finding a suitable transform minds or people will go back to vessel. Contractors working against all odds their old ways,” stressed Mr. Gibson. “The got the houses completed in record time and Urban Renewal Programme has already over 150 persons in Moore’s Island ben- been launched on Abaco and people will efitted from the additional work. see it more in force here soon. The present Mr. Gibson addressed the issue of land residents of Snake Cay will be moved to ownership which had been brought to his homes in Spring City.” Members of the Wesley College band provided music for the ceremony in Murphy Town attention during his previous visit to the is- Mr. Gibson stated how proud he was to on February 11 which gave keys to new houses to two residents there. Their homes were land. Persons were unable to procure mort- be able to show off the houses built jointly destroyed by the hurricanes. The Hon. Shane Gibson gave the keys to the new homeowners. gages as they had not been able to get pa- by the government’s Housing Programme pers for their land. He told the residents and NEMA for the families for whom help that in order to solve the problem the gov- has come including the disabled, senior citi- ernment will take ownership of all land and zens and single mothers. TREASURE CAY then give title back to the home owners for The Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. HOTEL RESORT & MARINA a nominal processing fee.. Cynthia (Mother) Pratt, gave a very mov- Resort Features: •Spectacular 3 -mile beach •Championship golf course •Marina-view restaurant & bar •Pool, tennis, watersports •150-slip full-service marina •Diving, snorkeling & dive shop •Boat rentals, charters & guides •Hotel rooms, 2 or 3 BR suites www.treasurecay.com Treasure Cay Road (exit off Bootle Hwy) Hotel: 242-365-8801 Spinnaker Restaurant: 242-365-8469 The Moore’s Island All Age School choir entertained the dignitaries and crowds at the Golf Course: 242-365-8045 Treasure Divers: 242-365-8465 ceremony giving keys to four residents of Hard Bargain. NEMA provided the houses to the needy who were unable to rebuild after Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne last September. 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