March 1, 2008 The Abaconian Section A Page 1 VOLUME 15, NUMBER 5 MARCH 1st, 2008 Junkanoo featured junior and senior groups Costumes, floats, music and dancing entertained crowds By Julian Lockhart Thousands of Bahamians and foreign- ers lined Don MacKay Boulevard for the long awaited Junkanoo parade 0n Abaco on February 21st for a fun-filled evening of dancing, art work and great music. The Abaco Junkanoo Committee had to postpone the parade, which is usually held during the Christmas holiday because of lack of financial support. But the delay gave the groups more than enough time to definitely make it worth the wait. For the first time the junior and senior parades was combined and a number of persons complained that it took too long with both parades on the same night, es- pecially considering many had to work the next morning. However, those who stayed were treated with “the best Junkanoo parade Abaco has ever had,” according to one Abaconian, as the school groups got Don MacKay Boule- vard rocking and the adult groups kept the groove flowing throughout the late night. The colors were vibrant from purples to blues and reds and the dancers;young and old whined to the beat of the goat-skin The sound of drums and brass instruments preceded the Spring City Rockers, the first place winners of the Senior Junkanoo. Their drums and the cowbells. banner, announcing the theme Out of Africa, was decorated with giraffes and lions and their costumes were awesome. Witch doc- tors, feathered head gear, colors and movement characterized their costumes. See more photos on pages 16 and 17. Please see Rush Page 30 Labour Relations Workshop Advance Clocks One Hour March 9 feature Nassau speakers Daylight Savings Time begins 2 a.m. March 9. Set your clocks ahead one hour either at bedtime on Saturday eve- ning, March 8 or on Sunday morning, March 9. Court Upholds Baker’s Bay Ruling Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club won happy that the courts have recognized another victory on February 18 in its legal this,” he said. battle with opponents of the development. The ruling by the Court of Appeal is President Dame Joan Sawyer, Justice a welcomed and positive affirmation for Lorris Gantpatsingh and Justice Em- the Baker’s Bay project, according to Dr. manuel Osadeby of the Court of Appeal Livingston Marshall, Sr. VP, Environ- unanimously dismissed the Save Guana mental and Community Affairs at Baker’s Cay Reef Association’s (SGCRA) appeal Bay. “We have never felt that the con- and upheld Justice Norris Carroll’s Oc- cerns of the SGCRA should have to be tober 12, 2006, Supreme Court ruling in pressed through the Bahamian courts. favor of development. Discovery Land Company and Baker’s The Minister of State for Finance, the Hon. Zhivargo Laing, center, was the keynote Responding to the decision Mike Meld- Bay came to The Bahamas with an excel- speaker at a Labour Relations Workshop organized by the Abaco Chamber of Com- man, Chairman and CEO of Discovery lent project concept and, through a very merce. He gave an inspirational talk on employers and employees working together Land Company, the developers of Baker’s public consultative process that included to benefit everyone. Administrator Cephas Cooper is on the left and Michael Albury, Bay, said he was pleased with the Court’s individuals involved in SGCRA, made it President of the Chamber, is on the left. decision. “It’s good news. We know we an even better project. Today’s Court of By Jennifer Hudson ask themselves: “What is the ultimate are doing things the right way at Baker’s Appeal ruling has boosted our commit- The Abaco Chamber of Commerce aim of this nation and what do we seek to Bay. We have respected and continue to ment to building the most environmen- presented a Labour Relations Workshop achieve?” He declared, “We should ulti- respect the people, the laws and the envi- tally sensitive development The Bahamas entitled Building Bridges and Making mately be trying to create a society where ronment of The Bahamas and we’re just has ever seen,” he concluded. Connections on February 20 in the Angli- each Bahamian and legal non-Bahamian can Hall in Marsh Harbour. Mr. Michael resident can pursue his/her hopes, dreams Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. Albury, President of the Abaco Chamber and aspirations in freedom and with rea- of Comerce, opened the seminar with a sonable expectation and can be successful The Abaconian PRST STD welcome for keynote speaker, the Hon. subject to his/her own abilities.” 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Medley, FL 33178 PAID Zhivargo Laing, Minister of State for Fi- “Hopes, dreams and aspirations have Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 nance. to be financed; health care, education MIAMI FL 331 Mr. Laing spoke on the topic Connect- and comfortable retirement cost money. ing Employers and Employees to Build This money is gained through paid em- a World Class Work Force. He opened by stating a basic question people should Please see Chamber Page 2 Page 2 Section A The Abaconian March 1 , 2008 Team work is required for good labour relations our own destinies and must not say ‘people delity Bank (Bahamas) Limited, presented Lavon Laroda McKenzie of Treasure Chamber From Page 1 are keeping me back.’ If we do not do bet- as her topic, Empowering your employees Cay Limited spoke about the great po- ployment or invested capital. This requires ter, then companies across the world will through knowledge. She divided her talk tential and many labour challenges in this productive participation between workers beat us out. into three sections: fast-growing Abaco society. “People come and employees. There are 160,000 eligible Employee ownership must become a • Sharing what we know. She suggested unprepared for the workplace,” she stated workers in the Bahamas today and 90 per- more established option in the Bahamian that employers should know their employ- and suggested that the business community cent of these are gainfully employed. workplace. Employees should share in ees, develop trust and show them that they needs a hospitality training and business The Bahamas’ economy had a recent an- profit and loss and so have a feeling of in- are important to the business. They should centre. “It is necessary to create and dis- nual Gross Domestic Product of $6.5 bil- vested interest. show that they would not take advantage of seminate knowledge about the industry and lion which is actually less than the Miami Regarding unions, Mr Laing said that the employees and should make available its mission. Due to lack of training, em- airport takes in in one year. We are a small they and the employers must have increas- company manuals and guidelines. ployees do not have the tools they need. country and must start looking outwards to ing regard for each other and together they • Encouraging employees to constantly We need human resource professionals, the larger market of the world. The Baha- must understand each other’s interests. learn more through mentorship/guidance, and we must mold individuals through mas has the highest per capita income in For businesses to prosper, Mr. Laing encouraging employees to broaden their education.” the Caribbean and the third highest in the suggested that there should be knowledge and to continually develop Bernadette Hepburn from the Abaco Americas (after the United States and Can- • regular and consistent meetings which themselves through training programmess Club on Winding Bay gave a PowerPoint ada). Barbados, which ranks fourth, has could be done via Internet or other means. and seminars, and through open dialogue presentation which pointed out the four el- only half of the income of the Bahamas.” • intelligent dialogue based on soundly and financial guidance. ements of a good employee. Mr. Laing went on to list what he termed researched positions. • Remembering to reward those employ- • Talent - Each employee has a different Three Stark Realities • a willingness to follow through on ees who have continued to learn and grow. talent which needs to be elevated. It is nec- • The real GDP (Gross Domestic Prod- recommendations that emerge from the The benefits will be the building of strong essary to find out a person’s talent so that uct) per capita has been stagnant over the discussions. relationships with employees and strength- he can be placed in the right area. last 30 years. A question and answer period followed ening of the business since well rounded Please see Page 4 • There is global competitiveness in the in which the audience asked questions and happy employees equal happy customers. Chamber economy; tourism and financial services expressed their concerns on such subjects have dwindled. as the gross domestic product, the problem • We still do not have sufficient domes- of poor service in tourism related indus- tic capacity to capitalize our own economic tries, government granted concessions, the growth. We are dependent on large inter- possibility of dropping the automatic 15 national loans for growth. percent service charge at restaurants and “The good news, however, is that every the new possibility of competition in the reality can be reversed,” he told his audi- tourism market from Cuba. ence and listed several ways in which this Round Table Discussion can be achieved.” Following a short refreshment break, a Leaders of government, education, busi- Labour Relations Round Table Discussion ness and civics must adopt an evangelical took place in which three persons directly message to develop the right mind set. involved in employer, employee relations People must not settle for mediocrity through their positions in human resourc- but must continue to upgrade skills and es and management discussed the current The Labour Relations Workshop that the Chamber of Commerce held was to inprove the be an expert on The Bahamas and how it state of affairs on Abaco from their per- relationship between employers and employees.