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Volume: 107 No.227 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 PRICE – 75¢ (Abaco and Grand Bahama $1.25)

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT 13TH IAAF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS CARTOONISTS PLAN BARRY AND THOMAS

ARTS9/ AND1 ENTERTAINMENT1 TRIB INU SECTIONTE C ISEEN SPORTSTO F SECTIONINA EL BISHOP HALL: ‘ACTUAL LIFE’ WOULD BE GOOD ALTERNATIVE TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT By CELESTE NIXON Tribune Staff Reporter [email protected]

CHANGING the defin- Child dengue fever ition of “life sentence” to refer to the remainder of a convict’s natural life would be a good alterna- tive to capital punishment, according to a religious leader. Bishop Simeon Hall of the New Covenant Baptist Church said the govern- ment’s suggestion of extending the current life sentence of 25 years to cases ‘on the rise’ SEE page nine

Symptoms increase and ANGER AS STRAW VENDORS MOVE TO PRINCE GEORGE WHARF STRAW VENDORS line Prince George intensify across the board Wharf yesterday after Hurricane Irene damaged the tent on Bay Street. CLINICAL cases of cises by the Department of Felipé Major/Tribune staff dengue fever in children were Environmental Health have said to be on the rise, accord- no affect on mosquito breed- ing to a local doctor. ing grounds. The physician also told The “Even after fogging,” he Tribune that the symptoms said, “you will still have lar- experienced by persons going vae, so in just a matter of days to the clinics have increased we’re back to square one.” and intensified across the “These mosquitos don’t board. travel more than 100 metres. Health Minister Dr Hubert So if you are bitten in a par- Minnis said that he could not ticular yard, the breeding site confirm or deny reports as is either in that yard or the data from public and private adjoining yard.” facilities had not been fully Three to 15 days after a compiled. However, he not- mosquito bite, an infected ed that dehydration played a person will feel chills, a key role in the severity of the headache, a high fever and disease. pain behind the eyes. Lower The doctor, who spoke on back pain and achy joints are the condition of anonymity, also early symptoms. said: “It has not let up at all. Last year, regional officials We are swamped every day, expressed fears that the and the symptoms that we are dengue fever epidemic in the seeing now are a lot worse Caribbean could be the worst than what we were seeing at outbreak in more than a the start of the outbreak.” decade. Health officials continue to Dengue fever-like cases stress the need for greater have skyrocketed on the cap- AN ARTISAN who town area. "They have an allocat- porary market site on Bay community involvement ital since September, at which sells her wares at Prince "We are paying rent and ed spot. The tent might Street. against the outbreak. time there were only five con- George Wharf is angry at they out there for free," have been destroyed but After the storm passed, Preventative measures are firmed cases of dengue fever straw vendors who have said the artisan, who told if they have a designated vendors moved their wares a critical element in the fight in the Bahamas and another The Tribune to eradicate the disease, said moved to the site since she has to pay site why not go there? It's to the Prince George Dr Minnis, as fogging exer- Hurricane Irene destroyed $50 each day she operates not fair," said the artisan Wharf. SEE page nine their tent on Bay Street. from the site. who did not want to be When asked if govern- The craftmaker com- "Now it looks pathetic, I named. ment would hasten the plained the site is now con- ain' trying to knock them Last Thursday, Hurri- opening of the new straw gested with artisans and and take bread out their cane Irene lashed New market currently under straw vendors, who are all mouths because they have Providence, tore down construction on Bay competing to sell their to make a living too, but trees and utility poles, and Street, Works Minister goods to tourists and locals why don't they go work ripped through portions of milling about the down- under the tent? the tent covering the tem- SEE page nine

SANDALS TO CLOSE FOR LESLIE MILLER: BLUE HILLS LABORATORY SCHOOL FOUR WEEKS TO ADDRESS MP AN ‘EASY OPPONENT’ INITIATIVE PUT ON HOLD FORMER Cabinet By NOELLE NICOLLS HURRICANE DAMAGE Minister Leslie Miller Tribune Staff Reporter By TANEKA THOMPSON yesterday branded [email protected] Deputy Chief Reporter Blue Hills MP Sidney [email protected] Collie an "easy" WHEN TG Glover Primary School opponent who he can opens its doors next week, it will do so SANDALS Royal Bahamian resort effortlessly beat in without the addition of the much-touted will close for four weeks to "address the next election. lab school initiative. structural and other damage" sustained Appearing on a The project was expected to “revolu- from Hurricane Irene, according to a radio talk show, Mr tionize” the education system; howev- statement from Chairman Gordon Miller also criticised er, it has been placed on hold by the 'Butch' Stewart. Mr Collie's term in Ministry of Education until further Staff were informed of the impending office so far, claiming notice. closure yesterday afternoon. the MP has done lit- LESLIE MILLER Desmond Bannister, Minister of Edu- The resort's 600 employees were tle to nothing for his cation, was unavailable for comment yes- encouraged to take vacation time or terday. However, in his 2010/2011 budget leave during the temporary closure, The constituency since he was elected in communication, Mr Bannister dedicated Tribune understands. 2007. a significant portion of his speech to Only essential personnel – engineers "He hasn't been in there and made highlighting the initiative. and landscaping staff – will be engaged his presence felt in the last four and a “A laboratory school is a professional during the closure. half years, that's a fact," said the for- development school for teachers, and is SEE page nine SEE page two SEE page nine

NASSAU AND BAHAMA ISLANDS’ LEADING NEWSPAPER

PAGE 2, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS FROM page one mer Blue Hills MP, who lost to Mr Collie in 2007. "The fella who is there LESLIE MILLER: BLUE HILLS MP AN ‘EASY OPPONENT’ He called the attack “vin- Records obtained from fencing of a park in Bozine Cabinet minister’s record in development company over now couldn't show you one tage Leslie Miller” and the the Ministry of Finance Town ($20,000), construc- a previous radio appearance. who had rightful claim to the single thing, he or his wife, remarks “of a desperate show Mr Collie has spent at tion of walking tracks "I would hope that in this land. did in almost five years as man.” least $99,306.25 in his con- ($65,380) and donation of election perhaps her and her Mr Collie hit back by the MP." “I beat him when he was a stituency up to 2010 from computers to various schools husband may go on that bal- claiming that despite own- When contacted for a Cabinet Minister and I was a the allowance provided by ($13,926.25). lot so the people of Blue ing a thriving business right response, Mr Collie said he rookie politician, and I will government. Mr Miller also took aim Hills will have the privilege next to the community, Mr was not surprised by com- beat him again on the basis This money went to resur- at Mr Collie’s wife, who of running both of them out Miller has not hired a single ments. of my record,” the MP said. face a basketball court and commented on the former at the same time and then resident of Bozine Town. they don't have to come “He hasn’t done a thing FORMER MINISTER RECALLS BRUSH WITH DEATH back there,” said Mr Miller for them, and now, after as a guest on the Real Talk four years of building up his Live radio show. business, he has reappeared. "I hope he comes, that'll “I will meet him on the be the easiest win in this ground in Blue Hills and country. I want him and his give him a dose of the same wife on the same ticket.” medicine he got in 2007,” Mr Miller also took his Mr Collie said. political opponent to task During his radio appear- for his work on Bozine ance, Mr Miller also Town. recounted his brush with He said if the Progressive death after thugs robbed Liberal Party is returned to him of gold jewellery dur- power after the next elec- ing an early morning jog. tion, he will advocate that He said the incident has government take over the him concerned for women land in that area and rede- in eastern New Providence velop it. who jog in the early morning "Once we take over the hours, leaving them suscep- reigns of government again tible to attack. it is my intent (for) govern- "My greatest fear is for all ment to take over all the the ladies that walk in Win- land stretching from Blue ton in the mornings. Hill Heights to the end of “Some go as early as 4.30 Bozine and redevelop that or 5 am. entire area because a lot "Something is wrong with needs to be done in Bozine." that picture when Bahami- Residents in Bozine Town ans got to be afraid to even FORMER MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY Leslie Miller is pictured on Monday describing how he was robbed during his early have been involved in dis- run or walk in the streets of morning run in Winton. Mr Miller also referred to the incident during his radio appearance yesterday. pute for years with a private New Providence," he said.

THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011, PAGE 3 LOCAL NEWS

FELIPE MAJOR/TRIBUNE STAFF NO APPARENT ACTION ON ‘DENGUE FEVER FACTORY’ SYSTEM IN ATLANTIC COULD DEVELOP INTO HURRICANE By JASMINE LOPEZ The Bahamas is still dealing with the aftermath A WEATHER system of Hurricane Irene, which brewing in the east Atlantic ripped through homes, over the past few days buildings and infrastructure became Tropical Storm in Cat Island, Eleuthera, Katia yesterday and could Abaco, Mayaguana, develop into a hurricane Inagua, Long Island, Ack- some time today. lins, and Exuma. Chief Meteorologist With repair work ongo- Basil Dean said Katia is ing, even the slim possibil- still too far away to know ity of another hurricane whether the Bahamas will approaching these islands be affected by the storm. is unwelcome news. "We do not know if NEMA commander Cap- Katia is a threat to the tain Stephen Russell said: Bahamas yet, but we will "The only thing that we can by early next week because do is stop repairing and the storm is expected to take precautions to save turn northward just before lives. reaching the Bahamas and “We would just warn NOTHING appears to if it does, the threat would persons to seek shelters, have been done about the lessen," Mr Dean said. and just stand still and keep East Bay Street house He said the storm was ourselves safe until the one resident complained located at latitude 12.7 storm passes. was a “dengue fever fac- degrees north and longi- “Afterwards we would tory.” tude 35.4 degrees west at do our assessments and A week has passed 5pm yesterday. decide whether the storm “It has winds of 60 mph took us a step back or a since The Tribune drew and it is moving forward step forward because attention to the state of travelling west-northwest whether it is a category one the property, which fea- at 20 mph. or a category five storm, we tures an untreated pool "Strengthening of this will just have to ride it out, filled with stagnant water storm should be expected but the bottom line is to and piles of garbage – over the next day or so and just stay safe." making it a perfect breed- Katia could become a hur- ing ground for dengue ricane by tomorrow or fever-carrying mosquitos. Thursday,” he said. This is despite the fact "The storm would not be that the Department of anywhere near the Environmental Health Bahamas if it turns north- was notified, and owner west but for now we just Mark Finlayson promised have to monitor it,” Mr to “look into” the matter. Dean said.

IRENE ‘WILL HAVE LITTLE EFFECT’ ON SCHOOL OPENINGS By CELESTE NIXON closed next week for repairs. The storm also snapped power lines Tribune Staff Reporter While Mr Sands could not provide an and uprooted utility poles. [email protected] estimated cost of repairing the damage, Most Cat Islanders have been without he said the work in Cat Island is expect- power for nearly a week and this is MANY Family Islands are still reeling ed to be completed in time for a delayed expected to remain the case for some from Hurricane Irene, but the Ministry of opening on September 12. time. Education says this will have little affect Mr Sands assured the public that As it was one of the islands most on the opening of the new academic year. although schools in both Acklins and impacted by Irene, earlier this week the With the exception of those on Cat Mayaguana incurred minor damage dur- government announced plans to import Island, all government schools will be ing the hurricane, this will not prevent generators from the US to provide tem- ready to open their doors to students them opening on time. porary power for Cat Island's reverse next week Monday, education officials Powerful Hurricane Irene struck Cat osmosis water plant, and said eligible said. Island between Wednesday and Thurs- residents would be allowed to import 0DULQH1DYLJDWLRQ&RXUVHVJ Director of Education Lionel Sands day of last week, leaving damaged building materials, electrical material said that schools in Cat Island will remain homes, buildings and schools in its wake. and agriculture supplies duty free. 7KHUH LV QR VXEVWLWXWH IRU WUDLQLQJ DQG DW VHD WKHUH LV OLWWOH URRP IRU HUURU VR SODQ WR DWWHQGWKHIUHH¿UVWFODVV RIWKH7HUUHVWULDO 1DYLJDWLRQ &RXUVH RIIHUHG E\ 7KH %D KDPDV 6FKRRO RI 0DULQH 1DYLJDWLRQ DW BEC ‘EVEN CLOSER’ TO COMPLETELY RESTORING POWER %$65$ +HDGTXDUWHUVRQ(DVW%D\6WUHHWRQ THE Bahamas Electricity ing update on the Family the restoration effort. Three patience of its customers in Corporation said it is now Islands: Carilec (Caribbean Electric New Providence and the 0RQGD\ 6HSWHPEHU   DW SP WKHQ “even closer” to completely Utility Service Corporation) Family Islands who may be FRQVLGHU HQUROOLQJ LQ WKH PRQWK FRXUVH restoring power in New Prov- Restoration complete teams will also be flown in to without electricity supply at idence and the Family Islands • Andros Cat Island and Eleuthera to this time. The corporation has 2WKHU FRXUVHV LQFOXGH 6HDPDQVKLS 6DW in the wake of Hurricane • Bimini assist with the restoration committed its resources – XUGD\V  DQG &HOHVWLDO 1DYLJDWLRQ 7%$  Irene. • Black Point and Staniel efforts on those islands. Those both human and capital – to 7HO   RU YLVLW According to BEC, several Cay, Exuma teams are expected to be in restoring supply nationwide areas in New Providence • Farmers Cay, Exuma place this week. in the shortest time possible,” ZZZEVPQEL] came online yesterday, includ- • Ragged Island “BEC appreciates the the statement said. ing: • Salina Point, Acklins • San Salvador • Domingo Heights • Rum Cay • Joan’s Heights • Crooked Island • East, Wilson Tract • Inagua • Finlayson Street • Great Harbour Cay • St James Road (near Kemp Road) 99 per cent restored • Windsor Lane • Mayaguana • Butler Alley • Exuma • Cool Bush (off Market • Long Island Street) • Lewis Street In Eleuthera, BEC said, it • Hay Street, continues to make progress, • Mackey Street (Royal with supply almost complete- Bank) ly restored in Deep Creek, • Chippingham (near the Hatchet Bay, Tarpum Bay, Cricket Club). and Rock Sound. “Efforts continue in Water- Restoration efforts contin- ford, Green Castle, Gover- ue in the following areas: nor’s Harbour and Palmetto • Rock Crusher Road Point. The most • Gladstone Road significant progress was • Johnson Road made in Harbour Island • Blake Road where 90 per cent of cus- • Blue Hill Road North tomers have had their supply (opposite Government restored,” the statement said. House) “In Abaco, BEC teams are • Fritz Lane making good progress. 95 per • Scott Street cent of the island is back on • Cumberland Street supply. • Dunmore Street “Teams are working in • Butlers Corner Treasure Cay. Less than one • Tinshop Corners third of customers in that • Bay Street and Victoria community have not been • Soldier Road (Circle reconnected. Green Turtle Palm Mall) Cay and Tilloo Cay remain • East Avenue (Center- without supply.” ville Food Store BEC said the restoration effort has now commenced in A statement from the cor- Cat Island, where Hurricane poration said: “Customers, Irene hit hardest. both commercial and resi- So far 10 per cent of the dential, are advised that island, from the Cove to BEC’s Command Centre Arthur’s Town now has remains operational 24 hours electricity, it said, adding that of the day and representatives the arrival of 100 poles and are available to take customer other heavy duty equipment calls.” was expected yesterday. The centre can be reached “BEC is also shipping sup- by calling 302-1001. plies to Acklins and Eleuthera BEC also gave the follow- that will assist in completing

PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE EDITORIAL/LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master In support of LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Comptroller Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972- Published Daily Monday to Saturday of Customs Shirley Street, P.O. Box N-3207, Nassau, Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune. Glenn Gomez, and I’m still Insurance Management Building., P.O. F-485, Freeport, Grand Bahama scratching my head, trying THE other day I met a LETTERS to figure out why anyone TELEPHONES crooked, former airline- [email protected] would be so incensed with S witchboard (News, Circulation and Advertising) 322-1986 worker in the grocery store someone who is doing such who said this to me, “Gab- a good job cleaning up his Advertising Manager - (242) 502-2352 toms Regulations, and any- Circulation Department - (242) 502-2386 by, somethin’ mussey wrong mess! You see, Glenn with Gomez head, ay? You one, friend, family, enemy, Gomez can’t understand Nassau Fax: - (242) 328-2398 beggar or king who trans- Freeport, Grand Bahama: 1-(242)-352-6608 hear ’bout how he say—in why anyone would stay the papers now, how too gresses those directives will away from work feigning ill- Freeport fax: (242) 352-9348 much Customs Officers get the hammer on their ness; he can’t understand crooked?” head if he finds out about why anyone would habitu- “But isn’t that true?” I it. I know too, when he was ally show up for work late Those independent-minded Abaconians countered. only a junior officer, no Offi- and/or dressed shabbily; he “Dat might be so, but—” cer-in-Charge or Supervisor, can’t understand why any- REPORTS reaching The Tribune shortly ernment to provide in hurricane aid, Mr “Anyway,” I said, “Just dared to order him to do one earning a salary would after the passage of Hurricane Irene claimed Curry seemed taken aback by the question. forget it!” and I went down anything—no matter how steal from his/her employer that at least two of our settlements had been “We don’t need government’s money,” he trivial, that was against the washed out to sea — Lovely Bay, Acklins, retorted. “We don’t need money to clean up another aisle. and he can’t understand When I was in the Cus- regulations; they knew too, why, among other vices, offi- and Green Turtle Cay, Abaco. While both — this is our island. This ain’t the govern- if he knew any of them did, these settlements suffered damage, happily ment’s island and we can clean it up. toms Department long cers don’t understand the they are still with us and, unlike Humpty- “In fact,” he said, “if you look, we started enough to start hearing in- he wouldn’t “pimp” on people they “pull deals” Dumpty, they can be put together again. on Saturday at 10am with four trucks and house gap-seed, I used to them, but boldly sit to his with have absolutely no As government officials toured the finished at 3pm — as you can see it’s all hear about this Glenn desk and forward a letter respect for them and that islands, they found serious damage in many done.” Gomez who didn’t skylark about the incident to head they will only find this out areas, but little in others. Cat Island, for Photographs show clean streets, neat at all, but he was stationed office. Furthermore, no after they get themselves example, which took the brunt of the storm, homes, a quiet, peaceful, tranquilly colourful at a port somewhere in Executive would even think fired. Glenn Gomez finds was the worst hit. Repairs, which will be island — everything back to normal. Nature Andros, so I still didn’t of calling any station he these things repulsive and major, have already started at that island. only has to do its part by returning the headed, to order a shipment However, other areas in the island chain foliage to the trees. However, Sundowners know who he was. Then incomprehensible because somewhere in the late sev- released that duties hadn’t they go hard against what seemed almost untouched by the savage Bar to the southwest of the island, was bad- yet been secured on. Today storm. ly damaged. It had suffered severe beach enties the transfer-list came he believes in and what he is First reports out of Abaco — when it was erosion. The government dock also lost its out and that very same he is—deservedly so, the made of, and he won’t stop eventually confirmed that Green Turtle Cay seawall, which affected the wooden dock Glenn Gomez was sched- comptroller of customs, and fighting against them till he had not disappeared into the ocean — had behind it. However, the ferry dock was still uled to come to my station, many—even officers who draws his last boats being torn from their moorings, roofs intact. Air Freight, as Supervisor. know better, are trying to breath…because he has to. being ripped off homes, trees uprooted and Asked what made Abaco so special, the At the time Air Freight was portray Glenn Gomez as It is time in this country about three feet of flooding in such areas Prime Minister listening to the Chief Coun- like infamous Dodge City: one who has “changed” and for us who may not be quite as Murphy Town. However, in Marsh Har- cillor with obvious pride, said that other gone power-hungry. Any- bour residents were thankful that they were than being home to him, these were deeply there was regular gambling at the standard and integrity in the bond-rooms, drinking one who knows that man level of our present comp- spared – only one electric pole was down. endearing, accepting people; independently- knows all he expects of him- The north of the island had taken the brunt minded, self-starters “and as you can see alcohol (my forte) was ram- troller, but have benefited of the storm. quite boastful!” pant and coming late and self and every man and from his guidance, to stand Up until Monday there were still fears for The Tribune’s Robert Carron, who was leaving early was really no woman in customs is an hon- up in support of him against little Green Turtle Cay, which got the worst among reporters who flew to the various big deal. Well as soon as it est day’s work for the pay negative and ill-willed peo- of the blow. It had still not been heard from. islands after the storm and was also on the was public knowledge that received…no more…no ple. With the Meteorological office warning Abaco trip, was impressed by the spirit and Gomez was headed there, less. serious thunder and lighting storms for later attitude of the people of Green Turtle Cay. slackers, drunkards, gam- Recently a badly-tar- VERNON M Monday and advising boaters not to ven- “The interesting thing is that not once on nished, former customs ture out, Prime Minister Ingraham took off our tour of the other islands did we find blers, crooked officers and JOHNSON II airline personnel knew busi- executive wrote a cowardly Nassau, by helicopter to visit his home island — such an independent, determined attitude,” and scathing attack on Abaco. Robert told us. “In every settlement we ness-as-usual would come to August, 2011. Among the settlements called on were heard complaints. We heard no complaints a screeching end once that Sandy Point, Moores Island, Coopers Town, in Abaco, although they had been without transfer date surfaced…and Blackwood, Treasure Cay, Green Turtle, electricity since Wednesday — no tele- it did. and Marsh Harbour. There was minimal phones, no cable, no cell phones — they Now I had my faults, but Sharing a moving and damage in Sandy Point, slight damage to a were just busy getting on with the job. They pulling-deals was out of the wooden dock in Moores Island, minimal told the Prime Minister that if BEC did not question for a man who damage in Coopers Town and no damage in come to put up their electrical poles, they grew up under a grand- inspirational experience Treasure Cay. would do it themselves and charge BEC!” While others had been worried for their The stubborn Loyalist blood still runs mother whose philosophy welfare, the Prime Minister’s party found strong in the blood of those people. was, “A liar is a thief and a EDITOR, The Tribune. the hardy, independent people of Green “The way Abaconians come together in thief is a murderer!” On the Turtle Cay busy cleaning and repairing their times of crisis is an example of what people other hand, there were THE breakfast club at McDonalds at Oakes Field got a island. Although pleased to see their prime can do when they do not depend on gov- countless friends and family- minister, they seemed to wonder what all ernment’s social services to do it all. surprise visit from Cat Island Maestro Ezra Hepburn of members to whom I gave a Ezra and the polka dots and banana boat fame. the fuss was about. “The impression I got was that they will “break”, when they came Of course, no one could get in touch with ask for help if they need it. But it seems Ezra, an old friend of Oswald Greenslade and the old through the airport, without Banana Boat Crew, was warmly received as he stood in them. They had no electricity, no cable, no they consider the offer of help an insult to even a thought I was rob- cell phones —so what! They were too busy his usual perch on the rail. their ability to take care of themselves. If bing the country; however, I putting their island back together again to the rest of the Bahamas was like this, this The regular crew was so moved that they broke out in concern themselves with the worries of the country would truly be a Garden of Eden.” have undisputed facts that song of his standard hit songs over the years. outside world. Now we can better understand our Prime proves Glenn Gomez The renditions led by Tom Butterfield and Al Sherman, When a Bahamas Information Services Minister, who brings this same determined, knows, believes and acts like Freddie Taylor and “Big Jew” joined in. And to every- reporter asked Chief Councillor Greg Curry let’s-get-it-done attitude to his administra- that is robbery. Here is what one’s surprise a homily was rendered by Michael Humes how much his settlement would expect gov- tion. I know of him: he knows the of the Prime Minister’s Office! law of the land and the Cus- Madam Editor, I would like to share this moving and inspirational experience with you because you see, Ezra has had health challenges lately and has just begun to come out again. He is being encouraged to get back in shape for the banana boat Christmas party. It is truly a blessing to be present on the rare occasions when man's inhumanity to man can be witnessed. You may also want to know that it is not only politics that is discussed at McDonalds from time to time, there are prayers and witness.

JON FOWLE Nassau, August 9, 2011.

THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011, PAGE 5 LOCAL NEWS WOMEN TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER SUSPECTED MARIJUANA FOUND TWO women were tak- ber of shotgun shells This means: en into custody after offi- inside a washing machine. 1. Slow your vehicle ONE MESSAGE cers discovered a quanti- The women, ages 47 when approaching the READS: ‘Your cell number ty of suspected marijua- and 19, were taken into intersection has been awarded na at a Ridgeland Park custody for questioning. 2. Stop your vehicle 5,100,000 pounds home. completely in the ongoing According to police CRIME TIP 3. Allow the first vehi- Apple mobile UK reports, at around As a result of hurricane cle that came to a stop to promo. For claims 11.25am on Monday, offi- Irene, many four-way be the first to go send email to’ cers from the Nassau intersections are without 4. Allow remaining followed by an Street Police Station exe- functional traffic lights. vehicles to cross the email address. cuted a search warrant on Police are encouraging intersection in the same a home at Woods Street, all drivers to proceed order in which they Ridgeland Park West and with extreme caution at arrived BTC WARNS CUSTOMERS discovered the suspected these intersections treat 5. Never block an inter- drugs along with a num- them as four-way stops. section; this is an offence.

COURT NEWS CELL PHONE CASH PRIZE THIRD MAN IS ARRAIGNED IN

MESSAGESBy JASMINE LOPEZ BTC, said‘ARE the message ALL is that the numberFAKE’ from which CONNECTION WITH DRUG BUST part of a scam being run by the messages were being A THIRD man was arraigned in Mag- gerous drugs with intent to supply. BTC has warned all cel- someone in the UK and sent has been blocked by istrates Court in connection with a A hearing will take place on Septem- lular phone customers to urged the public not to BTC. high speed chase that resulted in police ber 5 in Court Eight, Bank Lane to ignore and delete text mes- respond to the message, but According to Mr John- officers seizing more than 500 pounds determine if Johnson will be granted sages from overseas which rather delete it immediate- son, the company took of marijuana. bail. claim they won large sums ly. action even though no cus- Nelson Johnson, 35, of Cordeaux Also charged in connection with this of cash. He said: "It’s as simple as tomers have called to com- Avenue and Market Street, appeared matter are Trevor Cartwright, 32, of Several such messages getting junk email stating plain about the scam. before Magistrate Carolita Bethell and White Subdivision, Kemp Road; have been circulating in you won the lottery – Mr Johnson said this is was charged with conspiracy to possess and Travolt Bartlett, 29, of St James recent weeks, and BTC offi- instead of following up on it not the first time sham text dangerous drugs and possession of dan- Road. cials say they are all fake you just ignore it.” messages have circulated in and could be attempts to Mr Johnson said police the Bahamas. steal money from the recip- are investigating the matter "There is no way that ients. but face considerable obsta- persons are receiving these JURY DISCHARGED IN ATTEMPTED MURDER TRIAL One reads: "Your cell cles in pursuing the person messages for nothing A SUPREME COURT The discharge order was is expected to begin. number has been awarded or group responsible, as because nobody gives out judge discharged the jury given by Justice Roy Jones If the trial is unable to 5,100,000 pounds in the they are in a foreign coun- money for free,” he pointed in an attempted murder tri- following a short break, begin at that time, the next ongoing Apple mobile UK try. out. al yesterday, minutes after after Cpl Johnson had giv- possible date is May 28, promo. For claims send "The police are involved Mr Johnson also one of the alleged victims en testimony about what 2012. email to” followed by an but the challenge is tracking explained that such a text gave testimony. took place that day. Sandradee Gardiner is email address. someone from the UK,” he message is not a virus and Lavardo Miller, also When court reconvened, the prosecutor in the case. Marlon Johnson, vice said. will not harm cell phones known as “Siggy”, is Justice Jones revealed the Joseph Darceuil represents The Tribune president of marketing at He also told or the GSM system. charged with two counts of discovery of potential con- the accused. attempted murder. flict in the matter concern- He is accused of shoot- ing a jury member and their ing Detective Corporal 518 connection to a witness in Earl Johnson and shooting the case. ByGIRL DENISE WHO MAYCOCK DROWNED IN RIPcerned CURRENTS citizens, searched IDENTIFIED the water until 8pm, at Detective Constable Justice Jones discharged Tribune Freeport Reporter but were unable to locate the missing teen. 2290 Bruce Chisholm on the jury on that basis and [email protected] Haven’s body was found near the shore at February 17, 2009 in Nas- adjourned the matter to around 7am on Saturday. sau Village. October 31, when the trial FREEPORT – The young girl who According to reports, when her distraught drowned after being pulled under the sea by mother spotted the body she ran into the strong rip currents has been identified as 14- water to retrieve it, but was stopped by police year-old Donnay Haven, a student of St officers. George’s High School. It is believed that the strong rip tides Haven, who could not swim, was in the thought to be responsible for her death were water with relatives at Xanadu Beach around after-effects of Hurricane Irene. 4pm on Friday when she disappeared under NEMA officials had issued an all clear for the water. the island of Grand Bahama around noon Police and BASRA officials, joined by con- on Friday.

PAGE 6, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS ALTERNATE SCHOOL ROUTES 1 2

3 4

THE Ministry of Works FIGURE 1: Access to CI Gibson High School on Marathon Road. and Transport outlined alter- nate routes to six schools in FIGURE 2: Access to St Augustine’s College. an effort to reduce the impact 5 of ongoing road works on FIGURE 3: Access to Doris Johnson Senior High School. “back to school” traffic. The New Providence Road FIGURE 4: Access to Faith Temple School. Improvement and Infrastruc- ture Project is expected to be FIGURE 5: Access CR Walker Senior High School on Baillou Hill completed early next year. Road and Market Street.

EASTEASTERN FACES New Provi- WORSTTwo-lane OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL traffic at the Robinson RoadTRAFFIC to Wulff dence residents will suffer the junction of Soldier Road and Road, is currently a one way worst of the back-to-school Abundant Life Road will thoroughfare. traffic jams next week as the only be allowed during the Officials said motorists government braces for the first few weeks of school, could expect an identical sys- inevitable road congestion. according to Shenique tem on Market Street once Increased police presence, Albury, environmental spe- work commences in that area. longer green lights, and cialist for the project. Some 100 officers from the improved signage were among Other changes include the Traffic Division and various the initiatives unveiled by traf- closure of the eastern access police stations will patrol fic authorities and the Ministry to Texaco Gas Station at the heavy traffic areas, school of Works yesterday. junction of Old Trail Road zones and their peripheries The ministry also defined and Robinson Road; and for the first few weeks. access routes to school zones access from Grace Avenue to The Ministry of Works will still under construction as a the Robinson Road and Old also monitor traffic and col- part of the New Providence Trail Road junction. laborate with the police to Road Improvement and Infra- Passage onto Robinson identify challenges and structure Project. Road through Cable implement new strategies. The eastern district is Bahamas will not be allowed Motorists were asked to expected to pose the greatest during peak morning traffic. contact the ministry’s hotline challenge, officials said yes- Traffic officials have asked with any concerns or sugges- terday, particularly Prince contractors to create a right tions regarding traffic flow Charles Drive, Fox Hill Road turning lane at the junction on 302-9700, or by emailing and Eastern Road. of Marathon Road and [email protected] Traffic officials urged Robinson Road, for those s. motorists to adhere to diver- who want to drive south on Feedback can also be sub- sion signs and avoid using local Marathon Road. mitted on Facebook through access routes designated for Motorists were also advised the ministry’s “Road residents and businesses. that Baillou Hill Road from Improvement” page.

THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011, PAGE 7 LOCAL NEWS

BRANCHES AND LEAVES litter this Nassau street after Hurricane Irene. EUNICE ROSE ELDON JOHNSON DWAYNE FERGUSON

STREET TALK HURRICANE IRENE: WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE

EXPERIENCEKEITH MAJOR, AUTO the damage that ANDwas sus- NICODEMUS AFTERMATH? ISRAEL, Force, I’ve seen first hand MECHANIC tained to the home that I SECURITY GUARD what the storm did to the “Well I wasn’t too con- grew up in. “Looking at Irene’s Family Islands, namely cerned about Hurricane “The truth of the matter impact on New Providence, Acklins, Cat Island and Irene because I know is though, Bahamians were there really wasn’t any. Long Island. Those islands where put my trust in. You too relaxed and didn’t heed “I was concerned about suffered the most but over- have to put your trust in the the warnings and instruc- the amount of rain that we all as a country, we did pret- PETRIKA CHARLTON DAVID LONGLEY Lord and that’s what I did. tions given to them. would get because this ty well. “I think was also impor- “It’s not as bad as antici- island could not handle a “And I have to mention tant for people to follow the pated though and that is a lot of flooding right now or that NEMA did an excel- low Bahamians in those doing to the US now, I’d instructions given to us by blessing in itself but we ever. lent job in keeping the islands as best we can. say we’re blessed. the Met office and NEMA. have to take these storms “I’d take heavy winds country up to date during “The Defence Force is up “So I really hope that If you take the precautions seriously.” over flooding any day. the storm and with assess- to the challenge and we will people are not complaining then things should work “I’m hoping that Nassau ment post-Irene. step up to the plate. and carrying on because at out. DWAYNE FERGUSON, getting spared significant “There will be challenges “The entire Bahamas is the end of the day you have “The storm was very seri- DOCTORS HOSPITAL damage and flooding would with getting supplies to the fortunate to have lived your life. ous and we all have a little HOUSEKEEPING not cause people to slack islands but we are going to through this experience and “Material things can be bit of fear in us but I trust in “My experience during off during the rest of the get it done to help the fel- considering what Irene is replaced.” God and I’m grateful that the storm was a good one. hurricane season. despite the damages the Even though we were “People think because country took as a result of locked down in hospital they bought out the food the storm, we didn’t lose throughout the storm, we store and then most of it is any lives. had all of the utilities work- not used because the storm “If you look at what’s ing the whole time. No dis- was over before it began, happening now in the US, connection! people wouldn’t take it seri- there’s about 15 reported “So it was pretty com- ously. deaths I believe, and the fortable. We gave our “I think the government damage appears to be patients in hospital prior to did well in their response worse and the storm is the storm quality care and to victims in the Family weaker hitting them than it treated the new ones com- Islands and even in New did us. So I’m very thankful ing in the same, whether the Providence. about us not having to go cases were big or small. The “The equipment to through that.” workers here helped to remove trees and clear clean up the area along roads and what not were EUNICE ROSE, ELE- Collins Avenue so we got already made available to MENTARY SCHOOL do to that as well. There them through the Road TEACHER weren’t damages really so Improvement Projects real- “Hurricane Irene wasn’t a I guess we fared well.” ly. problem for me because I “And as soon as the was prepared for the storm. ANONYMOUS storm was completely out I secured my property and “I didn’t incur any dam- of our area, they left imme- ensured that my family and ages as a result of Irene but diately for the islands, so I had the basic necessities I’m not following it too that was really good. required to have during a much. I’ve seen and read “However, I do not agree storm. the damages to the Family with them shutting down “Before the storm hit Islands through the media government offices in Nas- Nassau, I had the tree limbs reports so I’m hoping that sau for a day. The reason in my yard cut down so that the government can step in being was road safety but they would not snap and fly and help them as best as the roads were basically about and damage my they can. clear enough for persons to home or my neighbours. “Every storm its basically go to work and so I think “The blessing in that was the same type of response them shutting the office none of my trees, and I and really, there really is down put a lot of work on have a lot, were uprooted. only so much the govern- hold and it was not a good A neighbour’s tree did fall ment can do but I really call. on our roof but it was hope that they step it up “I was impressed by undamaged, surprisingly, so this time.” BEC’s response timing to I was grateful. restoring power and fixing “But my issue with peo- PETRIKA CHARLTON downed lines. Sometimes ple during the hurricane “I think in Nassau we when these storms hit in season is that they don’t fared pretty good during other countries, the situa- take it as seriously as they Irene, at least where I live. tion is worse or just as bad should and do not prepare. There was some minor and takes much longer. So Safety is a big thing and shingle damage, one or two they did pretty good.” during a hurricane, it should leaks but thank God it was not be taken for granted.” nothing serious. KATHERINE ARCHER, “We had power through- LIBRARIAN ELDON JOHNSON, out the whole storm, it nev- “There was no real con- RETIRED POLICE er turned off so that was cern for me about the OFFICER good. storm. The longest my “Well I wasn’t in the “Unfortunately the cable home was out of power was country when the storm hit was off since the storm hit for about 12 hours max. It because I was in Houston. I and just got turned on had went off early Thurs- was trying to get home to today (Monday). The Fam- day morning and came back secure my property and had ily Islands got hit harder that evening at about 8pm. already spent $700 on a than we did. “I’m surprised at some of one-way ticket to Nassau “I’m not sure the the damage it did to the but was told that due to the response to the affected res- island. I’d never seen as weather, no flights could get idents in the out islands much down trees and pow- in or out. from government officials er lines yet, and I’ve been “I was fortunate enough was as fast as it could be through a few storms – though to have friends who considering the nature of some stronger than this. It had secured my property the disaster, though some definitely wasn’t an for me and I am really of my family on Cat Island Andrew.” grateful to them. said damages weren’t “New Providence fared THAT bad. DAVID LONGLEY, well during the storm, how- “They don’t have power DEFENCE FORCE ever my hometown in Ack- and telephone connection OFFICER lins did not. As we speak I though, so that’s what’s “I think Nassau came out am making preparations to hurting them right now.” pretty well and being a visit my hometown and see member of the Defence

PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE Relax, unwind, escape and educate yourself

By LARRY SMITH al conferences on archaeology. Their AS we approach the end most notable discov- of the holiday season, ery was the juxtapo- there's still time to get sition of Lucayan some serious reading done. artifacts with Spanish Here's a vacation reading trade goods at the Long Bay beach list to help you relax, PLEASE NOTE: TOUGH CALL WILL BE ON escape, unwind and edu- where Columbus is cate yourself. VACATION FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS believed to have stepped ashore in Freeport Notebook Those musings include 100 students in dorms and 1492 – a story that by Peter Barratt letters to local newspapers, 80 professors in motel-like Tough Call broke Barratt is the English- poetry and doggerel, news rooms. But there is no on the Reuters born architect who planned clippings, historical photos, doubt where the credit lies newswire in 1983. the city of Freeport back in observations and recollec- – which is why the facility is In his epilogue, the 1960s, and one of the tions. now known as the Gerace Gerace writes: few remaining people who It provides interesting Research Centre. "(My wife) Kathy knew legendary Freeport and easy-to-read back- Gerace is from Buffalo, and I are proud of founder Wallace Groves ground to the current con- New York, and joined the what we have personally. dition of Freeport, Grand staff of the College Centre built. As we like In fact, he designed the Bahama – one of the great- of the Finger Lakes in 1969. to say, the GRC mausoleum near Mary Star est enigmas of the modern He ran student field trips is very much our of the Sea where Groves Bahamas. through the Florida Keys child. We have and his wife Georgette are in 1970, where he saw an raised it to buried. Life Quest ad offering the US naval where it is Barratt published the by Dr Donald Gerace base on Salvador for sale today, but we first and only substantive Donald Gerace is an for $1. must now let it history of Grand Bahama Italian-American geologist His initial contacts were stand on its in 1972. who pioneered develop- with Hugh Sands, perma- own feet and Although now a Bahami- ment of the Bahamian nent secretary at the Min- become all that an citizen, his work permit Field Station, a scientific istry of Education, and a it is capable of was refused twice over the research facility for college Colonel Flagler at the US becoming in years and he now spends students and professors on consulate in Nassau. the future. much of his time in Florida, the island of San Salvador. The first group of 40 stu- “We are but clearly Freeport is still Described as "a happy war- dents flew in on Bahamas pleased to see very much on his mind. rior", throughout his long Airways in December 1971, the College of It is an untidy mind, he career Gerace saw obsta- and more than 36,000 have the Bahamas admits, despite his role as a cles as challenges to be met passed through the centre take over." town planner. rather than reasons for since then. In this 175-page volume despair. Over the years, In he has thrown together I knew him from the researchers on San Sal- Columbus' "personal subjective mus- 1970s when I visited San vador have studied the Footsteps ings that I thought the Salvador as a writer for the island's flora and fauna, its by Dr Ronald Shaklee Vir- reader might find interest- Bahamas News Bureau. He geology and paleontology, Shaklee is a Youngstown ginia to Fort Lauderdale, Albury ing...(highlighting) some was always cheerful in the as well as its modern and State University geograph- Florida. From there they published Life on a Rock events in the early period face of budget constraints ancient archaeology. er who has spent consider- sailed their yacht to the in 2008 to commemorate of the Freeport story." The and bureaucratic inanities. Every year there is an able time at the Gerace Bahamas. "Arriving in the five years she and hus- subtitle says it all: "Pines, It is remarkable that the academic conference on Research Centre over the Bimini we dropped anchor band Peter spent on High- Port, Politics, Poems and field station has survived natural history or geology, years. In 1993 he published and passed out from bourne Cay in the Exumas Prose." the past 40 years, housing and there have been sever- this slim volume as a scien- fatigue...The next morning in the 1990s. tific introduction to the I poked my head out of the island's environment. A companionway and fell in Rose's to Mount revised edition was pro- love...I have never forgot- Fitzwilliam duced in 2008, with the aim ten that magical moment by Dame Ivy Dumont of capturing San Salvador when the Bahamas claimed This 383-page book is by at a particular point in time. me forever." the Long Island teacher "San Salvador has under- Within five years they who became our first gone tremendous change found themselves based at woman governor-general since the (Columbus quin- Staniel Cay, eventually in 2001. centennial)," Shaklee building a home called Born in the settlement of writes in his introduction. Serenity. Rose's, Dame Ivy attend- "The landscape that for The island was settled by ed Government High centuries watched as the Gray family in the ear- School in Nassau before progress passed it by has ly years of the 20th centu- joining the public service undergone significant alter- ry, and the venerable as a teacher. ation. Let this manuscript Staniel Cay Yacht Club She retired as a deputy be a record of what the was built by a group of permanent secretary in island was like before Nassuvians (including John 1978, and joined NatWest progress remakes San Sal- Maura and Roy Arteaga) Trust Corporation as a vador into yet another in 1959. training officer, retiring exclusive tropical play- Chaos to Serenity is a again in 1991 and entering ground for the rich and collection of stories that front line politics. She was ridiculous." includes the author's per- appointed government sonal experiences of island leader in the Senate in life and trivia, "with a little 1992 and served in the cab- insanity thrown in for real- inet until her third retire- ity." It is the latest in a long ment in 2001. line of "I lived on a While impressed by the Bahamian island" pageantry of her swearing- accounts, dating back to in ceremony in Parliament Rosita Forbes, a famed Square on November 13, English travel writer who 2001, Dame Ivy was con- spent time on Eleuthera temptuous of her living and published her story in accommodation at Gov- 1940 (A Unicorn in the ernment House, which pos- Bahamas). Others of this sessed rather "more char- popular genre include: acter than comfort." Jack Ford's Reminis- And during her term she cences of an Island Teacher significantly progressed the at Green Turtle Cay, Aba- restoration of that 200- co, from 1948-53. My Cas- year-old historic building. tle in the Air published in "Having been appoint- Chaos to Serenity 1994 by the daughter of out ed on the recommendation by Martha Wohlford island doctor, Evans of one prime minister, it This is a personal mem- Cottman, who moved to was my destiny to serve oir by an American woman Marsh Harbour in 1945 primarily during the who has spent most of the and died there in 1976. administration of another. past 40 years on Staniel Eleuthera: The Island I did so, having both an Cay in the Exumas. Called Freedom was pub- understanding of our sys- Wohlford is a writer, pho- lished in 1966 by another tem of government and a tographer, graphic artist celebrated travel writer keen sense of responsibili- and second home renter named Everild Young, who ty to the nation and to who arrived on the island lived at Governor's Har- myself." in 1969 with her husband, bour. This book tells in detail Trey, a charter yacht cap- British teacher Stephen how a girl born at Rose's, tain. Griffiths (who worked on Long Island in 1930 In 1967 she and her new Croooked Island in the "served in the several husband took a honeymoon 1970s) published Sand in capacities from which she cruise from Alexandria, My Shoes in 1996. Alison has retired five times."

Share your news •All of these books – and many others about the The Tribune wants to hear Bahamas or Bahamas-relat- from people who are ed subjects – can be obtained making news in their from Media Enterprises Ltd neighbourhoods. Perhaps on Shirley Park Avenue. you are raising funds for a good cause, campaigning for improvements in the What do you think? area or have won an Send comments to award. [email protected] If so, call us on 322-1986 Or visit and share your story. www.bahamapundit.com THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011, PAGE 9 LOCAL NEWS BISHOP HALL: ‘ACTUAL LIFE’ WOULD BE GOOD ALTERNATIVE

TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENTbe categorised to determine which cases con- FROM page one stitute the death penalty, while others may warrant imprisonment for life, their natural “actual life” in prison is a “good compro- life and whether a lesser period of time is mise” to the death penalty as it sends a mes- more appropriate. sage that crime will not be tolerated. Calling the suggestion a “noble step”, Bish- “The bottom line is we need to send a op Hall said if the government amends the strong message to the crime element,” said law so those who “shoot, stab and kill” go to Bishop Hall. jail for the rest of their natural lives, it will Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has said be a deterrent and a strong message to crim- under the current laws, it is unlikely the death inals. penalty will be carried out in the near future. Knowing the life-long consequence of their While understanding the public’s frustra- actions, Bishop Hall said “it would force peo- tion with continuing high levels of crime, Mr ple to have regard for human life.” Ingraham said the country will continue to He added that in the Old Testament of abide by the rule of law and decisions made the Bible similar punishment was given to by our courts. those who disobeyed the law, persons would He said: “Even if we change the law, it will be banished from civilisation for committing take some time for that law to be able to be crimes. applied to persons who are convicted, and so The government was scheduled to debate there are several other things the society the death penalty bill before they adjourned ought to consider in the interim rather than to for the summer. However, when the House ANGER AS STRAW VENDORS MOVE TO PRINCE GEORGE WHARF expect something that is not likely to hap- adjourned the bill was still not ready for pre- pen." Lucaya MP said earlier this week. "We sentation. FROM page one don't see us moving into the new market The government is considering changing The proposed legislation will outline spe- the current life sentence from 25 years to Neko Grant said workers are moving as until it's finished. We have no plans to cific categories of murder. It is still unclear if fast as they can. replace the tent," he said. include a sentence of a person’s natural life. the government will bring the bill when Par- Mr Ingraham said murders would have to "The situation there is being evaluated. The new market is set to open some liament resumes on October 5. We are working feverishly in an effort to time in September, although a firm date complete the new straw market," the has not been provided by government. SANDALS TO CLOSE FOR FOUR WEEKS TO ADDRESS HURRICANE DAMAGE FROM page one Hurricane Irene. Roads and communities were inundated, electricity supplies cut off, roofs The last guest at the Cable Beach resort were damaged and life, as we know it, was should leave the property by Saturday and disrupted. those who are booked to stay at the hotel will "We also owe a great debt of gratitude to be moved to its sister property Sandals Emer- our team members, many of whom volun- ald Bay in Exuma, said a company spokesman. teered to remain on property to ensure the The property is expected to re-open on Sep- protection and comfort of our valued guests, tember 28. knowing that their own homes were under "We're not letting anybody go. Unlike oth- threat of flooding or structural damage. er properties we've made a commitment to "Their selfless efforts made it possible for our team members after this month of clo- our guests to weather the storm with minimal sure that everyone will still be employed. discomfort and to stabilise and protect our We're inviting everybody to take vacation or operations at Sandals Royal Bahamian and go on leave during this period," said the Sandals Emerald Bay. We will work as speed- spokesman. ily as possible and spare no effort to ensure "We have a very dedicated group of people that all our facilities are restored to the world- who work here and they understand the situ- class standard which is the hallmark of Sandals ation. Even before this happened they under- Resorts and our beautiful country. stood this was a soft period (approaching) so "In the case of Sandals Royal Bahamian, a lot of them had booked vacation time or this will mean a period of closure of about asked for leave." four weeks to address some structural and During the closure, hotel bosses will also other damage. However, Sandals Emerald upgrade older facilities on the property includ- Bay, which was spared significant damage, will ing the Manor Building, built in the 1940s. remain open." A statement issued by Sandals Resorts Earlier this week, another property on the International Chairman Gordon Stewart Cable Beach strip – the all-inclusive Super blamed the passage of Irene for the closure. Clubs Breezes – announced it will close Sep- "Last week, our beautiful islands took a tember 1 to October 31 to repair damages severe pounding from the rains and winds of from Irene. LABORATORY SCHOOL

INITIATIVEpleted, givenPUT the time frame,” ONof the MOEHOLD in implementing FROM page one said Mr Sands. its technology agenda. However, no money was The ministry at one time also known as a demonstra- allocated in the 2011/2012 contemplated funding the tion school,” stated Mr Ban- budget for the initiative. That project through its Inter- nister, in his published speech. is the reason why the bid was American Development It was expected to be a col- not approved and the project Bank (IDB) funded laborative project between was placed on hold, said Mr INSPIRE project. However, the School of Education and Sands. The Ministry focused Dr Karen St Cyr, INSPIRE the College of the Bahamas, instead on opening the pri- project manager, said after helping to improve teaching mary school, without the lab review, it was determined that proficiency, and “fully pre- initiative. the “targets and triggers” for pare” students for the “intel- The introduction of a lab the INSPIRE Project “did not lectual, artistic, physical, school in the Bahamas would fit” with the T.G. Glover pro- social, emotional challenges have “permitted” the School ject. beyond primary school.” of Education at COB to As of now, it is unclear why Through the initiative, T.G. become a College of Educa- the government changed its Glover was supposed to be tion, furthering the institu- mind on the “revolutionary” equipped with “state of the tions aspirations of attaining education initiative that had art” facilities, including: Tech- university status, according to some in the education sector nology or multimedia labs, Mr Bannister. “hyped up.” studios for art, drama, dance “It is also expected that this Observers may just have to and music, as well as library school will offer an Instruc- wait until the 2012/2013 bud- and playground facilities. tional Programme that pro- get to see if the project finds A procurement bid was motes an inclusive creative its way back onto the govern- even published for the lab community; fosters critical ment’s funding agenda. school in May for computer thinking; cultivates an intrin- Despite it all, T.G. Glover hardware and software, sic motivation to learn and Primary School will be open including 32 interactive white- activate participation in the for business next week. boards with projectors, and learning process; develops self 32 student response systems awareness, compassion for (SRS). others and appreciation for Technology companies that diversity and personal lead- were hoping to cash in on the ership; uses an experiential bid had to bank on something approach; (and) values dif- CHILD DENGUE else. The bid process was ter- ferent ways of learning,” he minated before a contract said. FEVER CASES could be awarded, because The May bid was closely the Ministry of Finance pulled watched by education FROM page one the plug on the project. observers, not only because 20 suspected cases. Lionel Sands, Director of of their excitement about the The country has since seen Education, said the ministry lab school, but also because more than 1,500 this year originally anticipated funding of their concern about the while public health officials for the project, so it pushed management of technology are investigating four sus- forward with the tender initiatives in the Ministry of pected fever related deaths. process, even though the July Education. Persons experiencing 1 budget had not been pub- In a series of articles dengue fever-like symptoms lished. around the time of the bid, are asked to call the hotline at “We couldn't wait until The Tribune highlighted the 359-2929 to speak with a after the budget to go to bid; concerns of industry experts, healthcare professional before then we would not have had who questioned the capacity visiting the Princess Margaret time to get (the process) com- and management capability Hospital.

PAGE 12, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEISHA, Libya Associated Press

LIBYAN REBELS say they're closing in on Moam- mar Gadhafi and issued an ultimatum Tuesday to regime loyalists in the fugitive dicta- tor's hometown of Sirte, his main remaining bastion: sur- render this weekend or face an attack. "We have a good idea where he is," a top rebel leader said. The rebels, tightening their grip on Libya after a military blitz, also demanded that Algeria return Gadhafi's wife and three of his children who fled there Monday. Granting asylum to his family, includ- ing daughter Aisha who gave birth in Algeria on Tuesday, was an "enemy act," said Ahmed al-Darrad, the rebels' interior minister. Rebel leaders insisted they are slowly restoring order in the war-scarred capital of Tripoli after a week of fighting, including deploying police and collecting garbage. Reporters touring Tripoli still saw chaot- ic scenes, including desperate motorists stealing fuel from a gas station. In the capital's Souk al Jum- ma neighborhood, about 200 people pounded on the doors of a bank, demanding that it open. Civil servants said they were told they would receive a REBEL FIGHTERS head patrol the village of Heisha, some 100 kilometers east from Misrata, Libya, Tuesday. (AP) 250-dinar (about $200) advance on their salaries for There has been speculation fighters. Ahmed Abu Sweira, An Algerian newspaper wanted by Libya's new rulers. The strike hit Gadhafi's the three-day Muslim holiday that Gadhafi is seeking refuge standing on the overpass, said reported that the exiles, who The interim government criti- home in his Tripoli compound, of Eid al-Fitr, which starts in Sirte or one of the other rebels are waiting for rein- also included an unknown cized Algeria's decision and Bab al-Aziziya, in retaliation Wednesday in Libya. remaining regime strongholds, forcements for the final push. number of Gadhafi's grand- demanded that Gadhafi's rel- for the Libyan-sponsored Rebel fighters were con- among them the towns of Bani On Monday, NATO hit children, had waited 12 hours atives be handed over for trial bombing of a Berlin nightclub verging on the heavily milita- Walid or Sabha. about three dozen Gadhafi to receive authorization from in Libya. earlier that year that killed two rized town of Sirte, some 250 "Gadhafi is now fleeing — military targets in the Sirte President Abdelaziz Boutefli- The fate of Gadhafi's son U.S. servicemen. At the time, miles (400 kilometers) east of and we have a good idea area. NATO insists it remains ka while Aisha was in labor. Khamis continues to be in Gadhafi showed American Tripoli. where he is," Tarhouni said, within the bounds of its origi- Algerian U.N. Ambassador doubt. On Monday, rebel journalists a picture of a dead The rebels gave pro-Gad- without elaborating. "We nal mission of protecting Mourad Benmehidi said in a fighters said they believed baby and said it was his adopt- hafi forces there a deadline of don't have any doubt that we Libyan civilians, but appears letter to the Security Council Khamis, commander of an ed daughter Hana — the first Saturday — the day after the will catch him." to be paving the way for obtained by The Associated elite military unit, was killed public mention that she even end of the Muslim holiday — Some 90 miles (150 kilome- advancing rebel forces with its Press that the child was born in a rebel ambush south of existed. to complete negotiations and ters) west of Sirte, about a targeted airstrikes. Monday "at the border with- Tripoli last week. However, Diplomats almost immedi- surrender. After that, the dozen armored, gun-mounted Diplomatic tensions rose out medical assistance." The Tarhouni said Tuesday that he ately questioned the claim. But rebels will "act decisively and trucks were parked at a staging between the rebels and Alge- Algerian Health Ministry said cannot confirm Khamis' death. Gadhafi kept the story alive militarily," said Mustafa ground in the desert. A high- ria after the Algerian govern- the child was born Tuesday. In all, Gadhafi has eight bio- through the years. Abdul-Jalil, the head of the way overpass provided some ment agreed to grant refuge Algerian news reports said logical children, a daughter Adel Shaltut, a Libyan rebels' National Transitional shade for rebels, most dressed to Gadhafi's wife, Safiya, Aisha's pregnancy was one and seven sons. diplomat at the U.N. in Gene- Council. in T-shirts and camouflage daughter Aisha and sons Han- reason for Algeria's contro- Since the rebel takeover of va, said it was common knowl- His deputy, Ali Tarhouni, pants. nibal and Mohammed. versial decision to take the Tripoli more than a week ago, edge that Hana Gadhafi was- said in Tripoli that "sometimes Commander Ismail Shallouf In a dramatic episode, fleeing family in. Benmehidi evidence has been mounting n't killed. "All Libyans knew to avoid bloodshed you must said patrols have gone 30 miles Aisha, a lawyer in her mid-30s, said Algeria allowed Gadhafi's that Gadhafi may have lied from the very beginning that shed blood, and the faster we (50 kilometers) closer to Sirte, gave birth to her fourth child family to enter for "humani- about the death of his adopted it's a lie," he told AP, saying do this, the less blood we will and occasionally have — a girl — as the family tarian considerations." baby daughter Hana in a 1986 Hana was married and had shed." exchanged fire with Gadhafi escaped to Algeria. The whole party is now U.S. airstrike. children. THE TRIBUNE • SECTION B • [email protected] WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 NASSAU BUSINESSMAN ‘INKS’

GRANDBy NEIL HARTNELL BAHAMA* Robert Myers ‘pencils’ agreement LOGISTICS to lease supplied by theDEAL Grand Bahama Pow- MICHAEL MOSS Tribune Business Editor er Company has, to date, stymied the Associated Grocers warehouse for auto parts Sea Air Business Centre’s take-off. A NASSAU-BASED businessman Besides these factors, the venture has agreed a deal to lease the export/import venture could also provide jobs and a much- BEC EYEING Freeport-based 86,000 square foot needed boost for a Freeport econo- Associated Grocers warehouse for an * Awaiting licence and approvals from Port my that is badly in need of good news auto parts import/export business, Tri- and some growth momentum. ‘$4-$5M HIT’ bune Business can reveal, the venture * Potential boost for jobs and Freeport’s logistics “You are correct. At the moment now just awaiting a licence and regu- we’re just waiting on a licence from latory approval from the Grand vision the Port,” Mr Myers told Tribune FROM IRENE Bahama Port Authority (GBPA). Business yesterday. “We have a deal * Could slash Robert Myers, head of New Provi- pencilled out with Associated Gro- dence-based landscaper, Caribbean parts logistics business at the Associ- clients at a cheaper cost than from the cers, and assuming we get granted a projected profits Landscape, confirmed developments ated Grocers property. US, employing an import/export strat- licence to do the business we’re look- to $2-$3m when contacted by Tribune Business, If the relevant approvals are forth- egy. ing to do, we will be occupying that but declined to go into detail about coming, and the business takes off, it And Mr Myers’ plans, if successful, building.” * Nassau cash the company and its proposed busi- could finally fulfill the original vision could also provide the spark to ignite Declining to give details on the flow hit by storm ness plan due to the pending regula- and business model Associated Gro- the vision that the Port and Hutchison nature of the company’s proposed tory approval. cers had for the facility - namely a Whampoa had for the Sea Air Busi- operations, or the scale of the likely preparations However, sources familiar with the logistics/distribution hub exploiting ness Centre as a light industrial/logis- investment and resulting jobs, Mr deal told this newspaper Mr Myers Freeport’s favourable tax regime to tics centre. Hutchison has argued that * Clifton Pier was looking at establishing an auto service Latin American and Caribbean the relatively high cost of electricity SEE page 2B overhauls to resume next week HURRICANE IRENE By NEIL HARTNELL WEAK PRIVATE Tribune Business Editor SECTOR IN REGULATORY REFORM THE Bahamas Electric- FARMING INDUSTRY’S ity Corporation is likely to $1.1 MILLION take a “$4-$5 million hit” COMING ‘TO A HEAD’ from Hurricane Irene- ‘100% DEVASTATION’ * Draft Bill to amalgamate three financial related repairs and dam- CREDIT RISE By NATARIO McKENZIE farmers here on Long Island supervisors into one in circulation age, Tribune Business was * Meagre July Tribune Business depended mainly on told yesterday, a sum set Reporter bananas, papaya, plantain or * Minister says proposed body ‘more of expansion highlights [email protected] cash crops for their liveli- to take a significant chunk Bahamian economy’s an Authority’ out of its projected $7 mil- hood. We lost the entire * Reforms could be ‘extremely helpful’ to lion profit for this financial continued woes HURRICANE IRENE banana and plantain crops. year. has caused “100 per cent dev- “We were in the peak sea- private sector Michael Moss, BEC’s * Loan arrears rise astation” to the Bahamnian son of banana production. In chairman, said those fig- again to $1.162bn, agriculture industry, with fact, my packing house right By NEIL HARTNELL ures represented the best farmers on the hardest-hit now has quite a bit of plan- Tribune Business Editor estimate at this point, with with non-performers Family Islands losing entire tain, bananas and papayas the Corporation still totalling $672m crops. that farmers salvaged. Farm- THE GOVERNMENT is “crunching the numbers” Several packing house ers are already back in the moving to bring financial and likely to come up with By NEIL HARTNELL managers and agriculture field cleaning up. We have a services regulatory consoli- a final figure by Friday. Tribune Business Editor officials, when contacted by team in place now and will dation “to a head”, the min- “It’s likely to be pretty Tribune Business yesterday, hit the roads tomorrow to ister of state for finance con- close to a $4-$5 million THE MEAGRE $1.1 mil- were on the ground assess- start a full assessment.” firmed yesterday, with a hit,” Mr Moss told Tribune lion July expansion in credit ing the damages or prepar- The news was similar in draft Bill to amalgamate Business. “We’re still to the Bahamian private sector ing to inspect farms on sev- Eleuthera. Godfrey three regulators into one crunching the numbers, but has again highlighted the econ- eral Family Islands. Deveaux, packing house “consolidating Authority” omy’s continued weakness, as Maurice Minnis, manager manager for South it appears to be of the currently being circulated order of that magnitude. commercial banking loan of the packing house on Eleuthera, told Tribune Busi- arrears resumed their upward Long Island, which was ness: “I’m out on the land among the private sector. We still don’t have final Zhivargo Laing confirmed numbers, but it’s in that trend, expanding by 2.2 per severely impacted by the right now doing inspections. kind of area. That is the cent to $1.162 billion. storm, told this newspaper: Some of my farmers so far to Tribune Business that the reasonable estimate we The Central Bank of the “We have been 100 per cent ZHIVARGO LAING have so far.” Bahamas’ report on monthly devastated by the storm. The SEE page 2B SEE page 4B Despite the unexpected economic and financial devel- opments for July, released yes- financial blow resulting terday, again highlighted the from Hurricane Irene, Mr banking industry’s difficulty in Moss said BEC - in com- finding creditworthy clients to mon with other companies lend to, and the fact many con- with operations and infra- sumers and businesses are [ Learn more at royal delity.com ] structure spread through- ‘maxed out’, as private sector out the Bahamas - had credit expansion fell year-over- fared much better than year by more than $25 million expected, as the Category - from $26.5 million in 2010 to Three storm had hit the just $1.1 million this year. more sparsely populated Of particular note was the central and southeastern $2.6 million contraction in Bahamas hardest. commercial and other loans, “It means we were not compared to a $22.1 million as heavily impacted as we credit expansion to this sector might have been,” the in July 2010. BEC chairman added. “It This emphasises the contin- could have been far worse ued struggles of many if Irene had hit areas of the Bahamas-based businesses, especially small and medium- Bahamas where we have sized enterprises. They are some dense populations.” either unable to access credit, Given that BEC’s finan- due to risk aversion among cial year-end is September commercial banks and other 30, 2011, Mr Moss said the formal lenders, or simply do Corporation’s balance not qualify due to the condi- sheet and income state- tion of their balance sheets ment had relatively little and income statements. time to rebound from the “Mortgage growth weak- effects of Hurricane Irene. ened to a mere $1.4 million from $15.5 million [in 2010],” the Central Bank report said. SEE page 4B “However, consumer credit, at 34.3 per cent of total Bahamian dollar claims on the private sector, firmed by $2.3 million in contrast to the year- earlier $11 million net repay- ment.” The latter development again highlights concerns first Personal Pension Plan raised by Arawak Homes chairman Franklyn Wilson, $5.5568 who previously expressed con- cerns to Tribune Business that, t Strong investment performance t Competitive fees $4. by concentrating on higher-$ yielding consumer loans, banks and other lenders were t Flexible Structure t Efficient administration diverting much-needed debt $5.4351 capital away from the more $4. productive sectors of the Bahamian economy - mort- gages and businesses. $5.3869 As for the commercial banking industry’s loan BAHAMAS BARBADOS $4. arrears, the Central Bank said that following June’s decrease Nassau: 242.356.9801 St. Michael: 246.435.1955 The information contained is from a third party and The Tribune can not be held they “firmed modestly” last Freeport: 242.351.3010 responsible for errors and/or omission from the daily report. SEE page 2B

PAGE 2B, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE BUSINESS WEAK PRIVATE SECTOR IN ‘MAJORBy NEIL HARTNELL SLACK’ IN LABOUR MARKET $1.1 MILLION CREDIT RISE Tribune Business Editor Central Bank says 35% rise in discouraged workers and FROM page one uptick in non-accrual loans. THE CENTRAL BANK informal sector job creation more telling than jobless rate fall “Similarly, the advance in consumer arrears was due of the Bahamas yesterday said month, although there was “not “considerable slack” remains These are workers who Bank said energy costs fell ery momentum continued in a broadly-based movement” mainly to a $10.6 million (9.4 per cent) rise in the short-term in the Bahamian labour mar- have simply stopped looking during July, with average July, although thousands of among most institutions. ket notwithstanding the for gainful employment. As a gasoline and diesel prices Bahamians may not yet be Total private sector loan segment, which negated a $0.6 million (0.4 per cent) reduction apparent reduction in the result, the Central Bank said: dropping, respectively, by 4 feeling it. It added that, prior arrears rose by $24.7 million, unemployment rate, noting “Considerable slack remained per cent to $5.27 per gallon to Hurricane Irene, there the report said, taking their in the non-performing category. “In contrast, the decrease in that most job gains over the in the labour market...... The and 1.2 per cent to $4.98 per were indications that tourism ratio as a percentage of the last two years have been in total $6.179 billion in outstand- mortgage arrears reflected a majority of the job gains over gallon. performance had improved, ing Bahamian dollar private $13.6 million (4.4 per cent) the ‘informal economy’. the last two years have been “When compared to the with the US market showing sector credit to 18.9 per cent. decline in short-term delin- Essentially delivering the in the informal sector, and the same month of the previous revival signs and Copa Air- This still means that close to quencies, which eclipsed the message that the employment number of discouraged work- year, the mean prices of gaso- lines’ new airlift boosting $1 out of every $5 lent is past $8.7 million (2.7 per cent) gain picture is not as rosy as some ers was elevated by 34.8 per line and diesel were higher by Latin American arrivals. due. in non-performing loans.” might interpret the Depart- cent to 11,900.” 25.5 per cent and 41.1 per The construction industry, The Central Bank said loan The Central Bank said ment of Statistics’ data to be, The informal sector refers cent, respectively,” it added. meanwhile, was benefiting delinquencies between 310-90 Bahamian commercial banks given that the official jobless to the likes of roadside ven- “In terms of electricity from the Government’s public days past due rose by $14.1 mil- increased loan loss provisioning rate dropped from 14.2 per dors and BTC phone card costs, the Bahamas Electrici- infrastructure investments, lion or 3 per cent to $490.4 mil- by $6 million or 2.1 per cent to cent in May 2009 to 13.7 per sellers. Yet the number of dis- ty Corporation’s (BEC) fuel coupled with the $2.6 billion $287.8 million by end-July, rais- lion during July, growing to 8 cent this May, the Central couraged workers indicates charge was stable, at 22.75 Baha Mar project. per cent of total banking sector ing their ratio to arrears to 24.8 Bank’s report on monthly per cent. there are hundreds of cents per kilowatt hour for Still, “global headwinds” loans outstanding. economic and financial devel- Bahamians who have simply July, but it grew by 11.62 cents are there, including signs of a More importantly, non-per- The ratio of provisions to non-performing loans stood at opments for July indicated stopped looking for a job, and per kilowatt hour over last US economic slowdown amid forming loans - those 90 days or that the increase in discour- are in danger of losing the year.” the downgrading of its sover- more past due, and upon which 42.8 per cent, with loan write- offs and recoveries for July aged workers was more habit of work. The Central Bank said the eign debt rating by Standard the banks have stopped accru- telling. Elsewhere, the Central Bahamian economy’s recov- & Poor’s (S&P). ing interest- increased by $10.5 standing at $21.8 million and million or 1.6 per cent to $672 $4.2 million, respectively. million during July. They now Meanwhile, foreign currency account for 10.9 per cent of credit to Bahamians and total credit outstanding, mean- Bahamas-based businesses ing that more than $1 out of expanded by $7.2 million in every $10 lent by the banking July, “a slowdown” from last ByREALTORS: NATARIO McKENZIE TOO EARLY TO ASSESS STORM’S IMPACT year’s $30.5 million expansion. Tribune Business yesterday. on to what they have until they find sector is in the non-performing Tribune Business Reporter In terms of the storm’s impact on out when the economy is going to category. Again, highlighting the econ- [email protected] omy’s weakness, private sector his day-to-day operations, Mr Newell straighten out. I feel it will be coming “The growth in total arrears told Tribune Business, “We had a lapse back soon and, when it does, there are reflected a $19.6 million (7.9) foreign currency credit con- per cent increase in the com- tracted by $1.5 million. Com- FAMILY ISLAND realtors yester- because of the storm due to insurance some fantastic opportunities for sales in mercial segment to $266.8 mil- mercial and other loans fell by day said it was too early to determine claims and cleaning up, but we’ll be the Bahamas.” lion, and a more modest $10 this sum, as opposed to a $27.7 the impact Hurricane Irene has had back at 100 per cent full swing on Mon- Dale Kemp, a sales agent for Cold- million (3.8 per cent) rise in million expansion in July 2010, on their respective real estate markets, day. well Banker Lightbourne Realty on consumer delinquencies to while mortgages were especially second homes, with several Lee Pinder, a real estate agent with Exuma, told Tribune Business: “I $271.7 million, which offset the unchanged. noting that business has been slow all Coldwell Banker Lightbourne Realty would say we really weren’t affected $4.9 million (0.8 per cent) The Bahamas’ external reserves expanded by $10.2 mil- around. in Cherokee Sound, Abaco, told Tri- because the market was so quiet. In reduction in the mortgage com- “Business has been a lot slower due bune Business: “Real estate is sort of terms of our operations, the Internet ponent to $624 million,” the lion in July, compared to a $38.7 million contraction in to the economy, and it has been typi- down all around, but I don’t think it went down and came up recently, but I Central Bank said. cally slower during this time of the will affect sales. would say it really hasn’t affected us “The expansion in commer- 2010. Excess liquid assets in the cial delinquencies was led by a commercial banking sector rose year. It’s hard to say what impact the “It’s because of what’s happening in that much. $17.1 million (31.2 per cent) by $65.5 million to $967.4 mil- storm would have on the real estate the United States. The economy is so “It’s been really quiet the past boost in the 31-90 day segment, lion, compared to a $16.4 mil- market; it’s really hard to say,” Ed low that everybody is afraid to invest or month, and nothing has really changed and a $2.5 million (1.3 per cent) lion expansion in July 2010. Newell, of Abaco Estate Services, told spend right now. They’re just holding too much.” FROM page one /(*$/ 127,&( FARMING Myers added: “We’re keen to 127,&( do an investment in Freeport, NASSAU BUSINESSMAN ,17(51$7,21$/ %86,1(66 &203$1,(6 $&7 and think the business model INDUSTRY’S 1R RI  will be OK.” ,Q 9ROXQWDU\ /LTXLGDWLRQ Asked whether other ‘INKS’ GRAND BAHAMA ‘100 PER CENT investors were involved in the venture, Mr Myers replied: 1RWLFH LV KHUHE\ JLYHQ WKDW LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK 6HFWLRQ “Predominantly it’s me. This DEVASTATION’   RI WKH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO %XVLQHVV &RPSDQLHV $FW feeds into a lot of other busi- LOGISTICS DEAL FROM page one 1R RI   *52:7+ ,19(670(17 $'9, nesses. bune Business: “You’re not no need for the facility, being getting a building and prop- able to accomplish the same 625< &203$1< /,0,7(' LV LQ GLVVROXWLRQ 7KH “The dynamics of the busi- have had severe damage to ness work more on the erty of that size unless you’re goals from Fort Lauderdale. GDWH RI FRPPHQFHPHQW RI GLVVROXWLRQ LV WKH UG GD\ making a substantial invest- PLP politicians, Obie fruit trees. A lot of them Caribbean than the Bahamas. were blown down, and they RI $XJXVW  0U 3DXO 0RQNV LV WKH /LTXLGDWRU DQG The Bahamas will be a small ment. Just think about the Wilchcombe and Pleasant capital investment and peo- Bridgewater, attempted to were loaded with fruits, FDQ EH FDQ FRQWDFWHG DW  6HDWRQ 3ODFH 6W +HOLHU percentage of the business, avocados, oranges and stuff -HUVH\ -(;3 but it feeds into other busi- ple needed to run it. It’s not duplicate the Associated Gro- small. cers business model with their like that. $OO SHUVRQV KDYLQJ FODLPV DJDLQVW WKH DERYHQDPHG nesses. It does not work sole- “Once I send my ly in the Bahamas. The num- “It will be good for own venture, leasing the facil- FRPSDQ\ DUH UHTXLUHG WR VHQG WKHLU QDPHV DGGUHVVHV Freeport if it gets approved. I ity from its developer. How- assessment to the min- bers are not there; they are istry they can see what DQG SDUWLFXODUV RI WKHLU GHEWV RU FODLPV WR WKH /LTXLGDWRU there in the Caribbean. The hope it works out for ever, their business hit trou- Freeport and the Bahamas, ble, and they had to stave-off really went down. We EHIRUH UG 6HSWHPEHU  Bahamas is one small aspect have a lot of wind dam- of the larger picture.” because I’m here.” attempts by Associated Gro- Sources close to develop- cers to lock them out after age to our farms, but not Describing the number of much water damage that jobs created, and level of ments had told Tribune Busi- they allegedly fell behind on ness the licence application their rent. I have seen thus far. I investment involved, as hope to be finished my “decent”, Mr Myers told Tri- had been submitted to the Ex-John S George and Grand Bahama Port Author- Freeport Concrete chief, Ken assessment by the week- ity some two months ago, but Hutton, was brought in to end or Monday. The fruit a reply had yet to be forth- take over the day-to-day trees, water melons, cas- coming, with Mr Myers and operations of the politicians’ savas and what not are his group hoping to have Universal Distributors busi- rooted up, gone. Some of heard something by now. ness. the taller ones are still He declined to comment He was negotiating with standing, but shorter when questioned on this Baha Mar’s general contrac- ones were just blown aspect by Tribune Business tor, China State Construction, right out of ground. yesterday. for the warehouse to act as There are thousands of The Associated Grocers the logistics/distribution hub avocado pears on the warehouse has yet to fulfill its for its equipment and con- ground.” potential, the Florida-based struction materials. Howev- Juanita Monestine, grocery wholesaler and dis- er, it appears that plan has agricultural officer in tributor having found it had failed to come to fruition. Exuma, told Tribune Business that Exuma farmers had suffered losses in the “thousands of dollars”. Ms Mon- estin,e who completed her assessment of the damages to farms last Friday, said: “We had a lot of bananas, pigeon peas, water melon and pumpkins lost. We had a lot of fruit trees uproot- ed. There was a signifi- cant impact. The farmers lost thousands of dollars worth of crops.” Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources,, Larry Cartwright, told Tribune Business: “A lot of the pear trees whic are in season right now would have been affect- ed. It would affect the citrus trees that may be in blossom right now, and have young fruit on them. “The entire agricultural industry would be impacted. I cannot put a dollar value on it, but the entire farming communi- ty would have suffered great losses. All banana farmers would have been impacted greatly because any time the wind exceeds 40 miles per hour it’s hard for bananas, as they cannot be shielded from the wind that well. If they are in low lying areas they are affected by water.”

THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011, PAGE 3B BUSINESS ROAD OPPONENTS: THE BAHAMAS MUST BE ‘NO ‘WEBy NATARIO McKENZIETOLD YOUeveryone that it SO’was being mis- Tribune Staff Reporter managed; now we don’t have to [email protected] convince anyone. I remember when we started this protest with MEMBERS of the Coconut the Coconut Grove Business DIFFERENT’ ON GOLD TRADE Grove Business League told Tri- League; everyone thought we Chamber chief calls for regulation bune Business yesterday that the were just being a little too impa- Government being forced into a tient.” and similar approach to scrap further $12.5 million in borrowing Mr Heastie added: “They’re for the New Providence Road working with too small a crew Improvement Project simply and they just can’t get the work metal, not outright ban proves what they had been saying done on time. This has become all along in terms of its manage- more trouble than it’s worth at a By NATARIO McKENZIE duty in ensuring they are not exploit- ment. mismanaged from the certain point. They have half Tribune Business Reporter ed by criminals, taking government- beginning. completed every road that they [email protected] issued ID from all customers selling Arnold Heastie, owner of have touched. and NEIL HARTNELL items to them. These IDs are retained Heastie’s Service Station, and “It would be funny if it wasn’t Tribune Business Editor and fingerprinted, so these compa- other business owners raised their so serious. All this tells me there nies can not only identify the vendors voices in protest more than a year was no planning done or not THE BAHAMAS should be “no but track them to their home address- ago against the new traffic sys- enough planning done, $12.5 mil- different” from other countries when tem, which made Baillou Hill lion more on the backs of the tax- es. Road one-way north-bound and payers.” it comes to imposing regulations on Mr Rolle, though, said it would “be Market Street one-way south- Ethric Bowe, owner of the buregeoning ‘cash for gold’ busi- a major challenge” for persons to pro- bound and negatively impacted Advanced Technical Enterprises ness, Tribune Business was told yes- vide proof of ownership, showing that their businesses. and spokesperson for the CGBL, terday, a move legitimate operators they - and not someone else - owned The group of some 50 busi- told Tribune Business: “It is mis- backed in a bid to weed out those a particular piece of jewellery. nesses took their fight to court, management. It’s unfortunate accepting the proceeds of crime. But he added: “What happened to and last December secured a vic- really because this is not neces- Speaking to Tribune Business after Leslie Miller was scary. It shows how tory in the Supreme Court against sary. This place could be a won- former PLP Cabinet minister, Leslie desperate things have become when the Government over the road derful place but we’re destroying Miller, became the latest Bahamas persons want to get what they want changes, only to see that decision it. We’re going to be so burdened resident to be robbed of his gold jew- from you.” overturned by the Court of with debt soon.” ellery in broad daylight, Bahamas Darin Doti, manager of Nassau LESLIE MILLER Appeal. With the Government seeking Chamber of Commerce and Employ- Pawn, told Tribune Business yester- After much protest and assess- a further $12.5 million in debt ers Confederation chairman, Winston day that marginal operators, without where you live and your home num- ing the current state of affairs, financing for the New Providence Rolle, said: “What we see happening ID and tracking systems, were stimu- ber if something ends up stolen in the Mr Heastie says they no longer Road Improvement Project, it with this is exactly what happened lating the demand for gold - and relat- shop. need to convince anyone of their takes total borrowing up to pos- with scrap metal. ed street crimes and robberies. case. While Mr Heastie and other sibly as much as $155 million. “What needs to happen is every- “Unless we put some regulations in He told Tribune Business that Nas- body needs to follow suit with what businesses in the Baillou Hill A posting on the Inter-Ameri- place to ensure business is conducted sau Pawn had been a “pioneer” in Road and Market Street area we are doing. We spent thousands can Development Bank's (IDB) above board, this kind of thing will claimed revenues had dropped website, under the headline Sup- bringing regulation to the business, and thousands of dollars for our sys- about 50 per cent due to the road- plementary Financing for New happen.” investing thousands of dollars in tems. No one told us we had to do works over a year ago, many Providence Transport Program, Mr Rolle urged the Government to implementing a system to protect the these types of systems; we regulated companies in areas such as detailed that the IDB was prepar- “take a comprehensive look at the business as well as its customers. ourselves. We spent the money and Robinson Road and Prince ing a further $12.5 million in debt industry, and see where the flaws are. “We’re a pawn shop,” he said. “We time to make sure we’re safe and our Charles Drive have now been financing for the long-running This same industry operates above take other goods as well, and we deal customers are safe.” forced to either close down or project, which will be released in board in other jurisdictions. Why with legitimate people that need mon- “I have database I can look at and reduce staffing levels as they suf- 2012. should we be any different? ey to pay their bills. There are the see every customer that has done fere substantial revenue drops "The supplementary financing “Once regulations are properly put bad ones out there. We have been business with me, every single item with consumers unable to access is required to complete the New in place, it should eliminate the prob- really instrumental with trying to they brought in and when they their premises. Providence Transport Program, lems. We need to go the same route come up with regulations to stop this brought it in. We put these regula- “This is mismanagement,” Mr and will principally fund cost [as scrap metal], do some close exam- stuff. We’re more in the spotlight tions in place so we can be here for a Heastie said. “I don’t even need overruns arising on the road ination, and close the loopholes to because we are a legitimate business.” long time. to see the numbers to see that development component of the ensure it’s not an attractive business “The problem is there are guys that “There needs to be regulations; this was mismanagement from program, which seeks to improve for people who have bad intentions.” aren’t doing it the right way, not there has to be. If these places are the beginning. They thought they the critical main roads in New Mr Rolle indicated he was against doing the procedures we do. When going to be open they need to do had one thing and then they went Providence," the IDB said on its an immediate, arbitrary ban on the you do business with us you have to over budget. website. what we do. The bad guys are going ‘cash for gold’ trade because this have a government ID, and it’s not to steal. It’s not that these types of “I have a feeling they’re going The discovery of utility cables would not only impact legitimate just looking at the ID and that’s it. to be doing some more of that. places are encouraging it, it’s just that were not mapped, forcing operators and their revenue flows, We were the first group to say it the contractor to dig around them “We scan the ID, take a picture of shifted because of what’s happening was being mismanaged, and now and take more time than project- but also the employment they created. the person, electronically fingerprint with gold right now. That’s the thing we really don’t have much to say. ed, has in the past been claimed Legitimate operators argue that them and we have cameras in our that’s worth the money, not because We were trying to convince as the reason for delays. they alreadty go beyond the all of store,” Mr Doti added. “We will know there are cash for gold places.”

PAGE 4B, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE BUSINESS

REGULATORYFROM page one Bank Supervision Depart- REFORMmately, the idea is to processCOMING had not moved as them on‘TO some additional A BHEAD’ank Supervision continu- ment, which regulates the increase the Bahamas’ quickly as he himself had things discussed, and then ing as a standalone, rather Government was aiming to banking and trust compa- competitiveness and attrac- hoped, Mr Laing said the we will be able to chart the than having a single super- “move forward as quickly ny sectors. Industry sources tion as a destination for key goal was to get the way forward. visory body or ‘super regu- as possible” on reform of suggested to Tribune Busi- financial services business, reforms and legislation “If it [the reforms] lator’. the financial services indus- ness that the Central Bank creating a marketing tool right, as this would be achieve the results that The Government was try’s regulatory structure, was keen to ensure the that can be employed in “extremely helpful” to the industry would like, and urged as recently as last after well-placed sources Bank Supervision Depart- pitches to prospective Bahamian financial services that I would like, both in month to publicly commit told this newspaper that ment remained separate clients. industry’s competitiveness. terms of balancing the abil- to, and give a timetable, for draft legislation was now in under its own umbrella. Financial services indus- “We’ve been working on ity to regulate with inter- concluding financial ser- circulation. When asked about this, try executives were tight- that steadily now for national best practices, and vices regulatory reform. It is understood that the Mr Laing replied: “I’m not lipped on the proposed Bill months and months,” Mr creating regulatory effi- Having got the Securities Government is looking to going to comment on that, and regulatory consolida- Laing said of financial reg- ciency, effectiveness and Commission, Compliance integrate the Securities because we’re having dis- tion when contacted by Tri- ulatory consolidation, “and responsiveness to the needs Commission and Insurance Commission, Insurance cussions [with the private bune Business, telling this we’re at the point where of clients, it will be Commission into the same Commission and Compli- sector] and they’re not fin- newspaper they had we’re trying to bring the extremely helpful.” building, it was urged to ance Commission into a ished yet. You’ll have to promised the Government matter to a head. It’s a cul- complete the process single regulatory body, wait and see.” they would keep the matter mination of many, many Jurisdiction by integrating their opera- either a solitary Commis- confidential. days and months of work. tions. However, several well- “It’s about trying to Brian Moree, senior part- sion or an Authority. And Mr Laing added: Regulators placed sources said they achieve a result that could ner at McKinney, Bancroft One well-placed source “The last thing we want to had been informed the reg- be helpful to advancing the & Hughes, told Tribune said the draft legislation Still, any moves by the do is be a jurisdiction ulatory consolidation effort cause of financial services Business then: "The reason was a Financial Services Government to complete regarded as not very com- was a top priority for the in the country.” why this is so important is Commission Bill, and the operational integration petitive and not well regu- Government, and that the If this required delays to because it affects the basic added: “That’s under active of the three targeted regu- lated. Ingraham administration ensure the consolidated efficiency of doing business consideration.” lators into one supervisory “Our situation today is was seeking to place the supervisory institution and in this jurisdiction. Mr Laing, though, said body is likely to be warmly that we’re regarded as a Bill on the legislative agen- accompanying regulations "It obviously affects the the amalgamated regulato- welcomed by the Bahamian well regulated jurisdiction da for this autumn. “work well”, the minister level of bureaucracy, which ry entity was “more of an financial services industry, in many ways, but there can This would ensure it said, then so be it as the is involved in obtaining reg- Authority”, but described which has long pressed for still be improvements. arrives on the statute book final outcome was what ulatory licences, and com- it as a “consolidating enti- such a move. There is the matter of prior to the upcoming gen- counted. plying with regulatory ty”. It believes such consoli- duplication by various reg- eral election, but Mr Laing “We’re trying to move guidelines that apply to He added that compar- dation will increase regula- ulators, and we want to told Tribune Business this this effort forward as quick- each sector." ing the proposed supervi- tory efficiency by eliminat- eliminate that.” impending event was “real- ly as possible, having been Regulatory consolida- sory body to, say, the UK’s ing overlaps and duplica- It appears that financial ly irrelevant” to what the able to engage in some tion, he added, would Financial Services Author- tion between the existing services regulatory consol- Government and private additional sets of discussion "modify, simplify, the reg- ity (FSA) would “be a big supervisory bodies, and idation, at least for the sector were hoping to with the private sector and ulatory red tape and stretch”. enhance responsiveness to moment, is taking the form achieve. industry,” Mr Laing told bureaucracy that exists in The regulatory consoli- the private sector’s needs, of a ‘twin peaks’ model, Acknowledging that the Tribune Business. “We the financial services indus- dation does not, at this while maintaining an with the Central Bank’s regulatory consolidation expect to hear back from try." point, involve the Central appropriate level of over- Bank of the Bahamas’ sight of the sector. Ulti-

BEC EYEINGyear to September‘$4-$5M 30 from $7 that willHIT’ be shortlived,” FROM Mr tenance overhaulsIRENE of genera- FROM page one million to $2-$3 million, not Moss added. “People had to tion units at its Clifton Pier the outcome the Corporation put funds aside to prepare for power plant, Mr Moss said “Unfortunately, we’re tak- wanted as it seeks to get back the hurricane, and for some Hurricane Irene was “a very ing this coming close to the on a sustainable financial people there will be some small contributor to that”. end of the financial year, as footing following the $37 mil- restoration costs, but from a The main factor behind the it ends in September,” he lion in collective losses it sus- New Providence perspective delays, he added, had been explained. “Taking this hit in tained in 2007-2008. collections and payments getting in the $3 million rental the August-September time Cash flow, a critical indica- should return fairly quickly.” units to provide an additional period does not give much of tor for BEC, is likely to be Admitting that “some Fam- 20 Mega Watts (MW) of pow- a recovery period at all. impacted in the near-term by ily Island revenues will be lost er. “If you continue to operate the damage inflicted on Aba- for a while”, Mr Moss said “We should resume the from the initial premise of a co and Eleuthera, two of the that funds generated from the overhauls of the Clifton Pier $7 million profit [for 2011], Family Islands that make hardest hit islands - Cat units early next week,” Mr and we have a $4-$5 million important revenue contribu- Island, Long Island, Acklins Moss told Tribune Business. hit as a result of Irene, I guess tions. and Crooked Island - did not “In terms of funding of the that begins to give you the “In terms of cash flow, in account for a significant per- overhauls, the majority of our picture.” the last few days we’ve seen a centage of BEC’s cash flow. suppliers have us on payment It is thus possible that Hur- reduction in cash payments Abaco and Eleuthera, in advance relationships, so ricane Irene could slash from consumers on New though, did, “so there is going these overhauls are largely BEC’s net income for the Providence, but we believe to be some impact from paid for. 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PAGE 6B, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE BUSINESS OIL RISES AS EAST COAST REFINING RESUMES NEW YORK Associated Press BANK OF AMERICA OIL ROSE to near $89 per barrel Tuesday on expecta- tions that supplies will be tighter in the wake of Hurri- BEING SUED BY cane Irene. The storm forced several refineries and petroleum ter- minals to reduce production or shut down altogether. The US BANCORP East Coast may deal with low- er fuel supplies in coming weeks, and traders are betting oil and gasoline prices will rise. Meanwhile, another tropical storm — Katia — is strength- OVER MORTGAGES ening to a hurricane out in the NEW YORK the defective loans or all of Atlantic and may eventually Associated Press the loans in the pool. head toward the U.S. A U.S. Bancorp Nobody wants to sell "when THE lawsuits against spokesman, Thomas Joyce, a month from now people will Bank of America are pil- said the bank filed the law- be talking about another mon- ing up. suit as a trustee on behalf ster hurricane," said Michael The latest comes from of several investors who Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic U.S. Bancorp, which wants bought the loans. He Research. Bank of America Corp. to wouldn't identify the num- Benchmark West Texas repurchase poorly written ber of investors the bank Intermediate crude rose $1.63 mortgages sold by Coun- represents. "Because the to finish at $88.90 per barrel trywide Financial in 2005. matter is in litigation, I in New York. Brent crude Bank of America bought can't comment on the jumped $2.14 to end at $114.02 Countrywide Financial specifics in the lawsuit," he per barrel in London. Corp. in 2008. said. Bank of America did- "There is clearly a worry The lawsuit, which was n't comment. about the contribution of some filed in New York on Mon- The nation's largest bank key northeastern refineries," said Tom Kloza, publisher and day, claims Countrywide is facing several other law- chief oil analyst at Oil Price sold U.S. Bancorp a pool suits. On Aug. 8, American Information Service. of over 4,000 loans origi- International Group Inc. OPIS said that Sunoco's nally valued at $1.75 bil- sued the bank for more refineries in Marcus Hook and lion. U.S. Bancorp claims than $10 billion, claiming Philadelphia have slowed fuel Countrywide ignored its Bank of America deceived production. ConocoPhillips own mortgage underwrit- the insurer by selling it refinery in Trainer, Pennsyl- ing guidelines when issuing faulty mortgage invest- vania, cut back on production those loans. ments. as well, while its Linden, New According to the com- Jersey, facility was shut down. Bank of America has Hess Corp.'s Port Reading, plaint, Countrywide agreed already paid a total of $12.7 New Jersey, refinery also cut to repurchase loans within billion this year to settle production. 90 days if any of the state- similar claims. Analysts note that U.S. ments made in the loan Worries that similar law- energy demand likely will contract wound up being suits would further drain decline after Hurricane Irene untrue. the bank's cash reserves led as massive flooding keeps Those statements includ- to a sell-off in the bank's many people off roads along ed an assertion that the shares by 36 percent this the East Coast and in the loans complied with the month to a low of $6.01. Northeast, and millions of oth- ers remain without power. bank's underwriting guide- The stock price rose back Also on Tuesday a private lines. after the Charlotte, North firm said consumer confidence U.S. Bancorp says Coun- Carolina, bank got a $5 bil- in August was at its lowest lev- trywide's loans began to lion investment from War- el since April 2009. That could "become delinquent and ren Buffett's Berkshire point to lower fuel demand as default at a startling rate," Hathaway Inc. last week. well. Analysts say, however, soon after it sold the loans. Bank of America's stock that it may not affect prices U.S. Bancorp has asked the fell 26 cents, or 3 percent, until refineries are back to full court to ask Countrywide to $8.13 in afternoon trad- production. to repurchase either just ing.

1 2 7 , & ( 1 2 7 , & ( ROSNEFT TEAMS UP WITH (6621,*(5,$6$2720( 7:2 /,0,7(' (6621,*(5,$6$2720( 7:2 /,0,7(' BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB EXXON MOBIL IN ARCTIC DEAL BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB MOSCOW ... that until today were not able 1 2 7 , & ( ,6 +(5(%<*,9(1DVIROORZV Associated Press to develop existing deposits in &UHGLWRUV KDYLQJ GHEWV RU FODLPV DJDLQVW WKH the U.S." DERYHQDPHG &RPSDQ\ DUH UHTXLUHG WR VHQG D (662 1,*(5,$6$2 720( 7:2  /,0,7(' LV RUSSIA'S state-owned Ros- Sechin also said that Exxon neft teamed up with U.S. com- Mobil could get a share in other SDUWLFXODUV WKHUHRI WR WKH XQGHUVLJQHG FR 32%R[ LQ GLVVROXWLRQ XQGHU WKH SURYLVLRQV RI WKH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO %XVLQHVV&RPSDQLHV$FW pany Exxon Mobil on Tuesday projects in the Black Sea. "If the 1 1DVVDX %DKDPDV RQ RU EHIRUH UG GD\ RI in a multibillion deal to devel- Tuapse (field) yields results, 6HSWHPEHU$',QGHIDXOWWKHUHRIWKH\ZLOOEH op offshore oil fields in the Russ- Exxon will become a natural H[FOXGHGIURPWKHEHQH¿WRIDQ\GLVWULEXWLRQPDGHE\ E 7KHGLVVROXWLRQRIWKHVDLG&RPSDQ\FRPPHQFHG ian Arctic — one of the last partner for our additional capa- RQ WKH WK GD\ RI $XJXVW  ZKHQ LWV $UWLFOHV RI WKH/LTXLGDWRU regions with immense and bilities in the Black Sea," he was 'LVVROXWLRQ ZHUH VXEPLWWHG WR DQG UHJLVWHUHG E\ WKH untapped hydrocarbon deposits quoted by Interfax as saying. 5HJLVWUDU*HQHUDO 'DWHGWKHWK GD\RI$XJXVW$' — in return for access to Rex Tillerson, Exxon Mobil's resources in the Gulf of Mexi- chief executive, attended the cer- F 7KH/LTXLGDWRURIWKHVDLG&RPSDQ\LV&DURO**UD\ co. emony and said in the statement RI1RUWKFKDVH'ULYH+RXVWRQ7H[DV86$ Because Rosneft does not that the deal "takes our rela- have its own technology for deep tionship to a new level and will &DURO**UD\ 'DWHGWKHWKGD\RI$XJXVW sea drilling, it was looking for create substantial value for both /LTXLGDWRU partners to develop the offshore companies." 1RUWKFKDVH'ULYH +$55<%6$1'6/2%26.<0$1$*(0(17&2/7' projects in the Arctic and other Exxon Mobil and Rosneft first +RXVWRQ7H[DV $WWRUQH\VIRUWKHDERYHQDPHG&RPSDQ\ regions of Russia. A deal it was struck a deal in January to devel- 86$ pursuing with Britain's BP earli- op a sector in the Russian part of er this year fell through, leaving the Black Sea. the path open for Exxon Mobil. Putin lauded Exxon for its The oil giant already has expe- extensive experience in drilling rience drilling in the Arctic in the Arctic region in Canada. regions of Canada. Tuesday's signing ceremony Rosneft spokesman Rustam was preceded by talks between Kazharov told The Associated Rosneft executives and Exxon- Press that the "strategic part- Mobil top brass, including Pres- nership" with Exxon was signed ident Neil Duffin. BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES AS OF: MONDAY, 29 AUGUST 2011 in the presence of Prime Minis- Putin hailed the deal as "a tru- BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE 1,398.28| CHG 0.16 | %CHG 0.01 | YTD -101.23 | YTD % -6.75 ter Vladimir Putin. He was ly strategic partnership," the FINDEX: YEAR END 2008 -12.31% WWW.BISXBAHAMAS.COM | TELEPHONE: 242-677-BISX (2479) | FACSIMILE: 242-323-2320 unable to name the plots that RIA Novosti news agency 52wk-Hi 52wk-Low Security Previous Close Today's Close Change Daily Vol. EPS $ Div $ P/E Yield Rosneft will work on in the Gulf reported. The prime minister 1.19 0.95 AML Foods Limited 1.17 1.19 0.02 5,000 0.155 0.080 7.7 6.72% 10.63 9.05 Bahamas Property Fund 10.63 10.63 0.00 -0.642 0.080 -16.6 0.75% of Mexico and Texas. estimated the total investment 7.50 4.40 Bank of Bahamas 6.93 6.93 0.00 0.230 0.100 30.1 1.44% 0.53 0.17 Benchmark 0.18 0.18 0.00 -0.048 0.000 N/M 0.00% Exxon Mobil said in a state- in the project at a massive $500 2.84 2.55 Bahamas Waste 2.70 2.70 0.00 0.030 0.090 90.0 3.33% 1.96 1.77 Fidelity Bank 1.77 1.77 0.00 0.097 0.040 18.2 2.26% ment that Tuesday's agreement billion, a figure he described as 11.10 8.29 Cable Bahamas 8.48 8.48 0.00 0.245 0.310 34.6 3.66% includes $3.2 billion to be spent 2.80 2.35 Colina Holdings 2.55 2.55 0.00 0.438 0.040 5.8 1.57% "scary," over an unspecified 8.50 8.33 Commonwealth Brewery 8.50 8.50 0.00 300 0.740 0.000 11.5 0.00% on exploring three giant unde- number of years. 7.00 6.21 Commonwealth Bank (S1) 6.88 6.88 0.00 0.496 0.260 13.9 3.78% 2.00 1.63 Consolidated Water BDRs 1.60 1.67 0.07 0.111 0.045 15.0 2.69% veloped oil and gas fields in the The deal is a blow for Britain's 1.90 1.31 Doctor's Hospital 1.37 1.37 0.00 0.074 0.110 18.5 8.03% 5.50 4.75 Famguard 5.43 5.43 0.00 0.498 0.240 10.9 4.42% Kara Sea — between the north- BP, with which Rosneft struck 8.50 5.35 Finco 5.39 5.39 0.00 1,000 0.757 0.000 7.1 0.00% 9.74 7.75 FirstCaribbean Bank 8.29 8.29 0.00 0.494 0.350 16.8 4.22% eastern corner of continental an accord in January to jointly 6.00 5.00 Focol (S) 5.75 5.75 0.00 0.435 0.220 13.2 3.83% 1.00 1.00 Focol Class B Preference 1.00 1.00 0.00 0.000 0.000 N/M 0.00% Russia and the Arctic archipel- develop the Arctic fields. That 7.30 5.50 ICD Utilities 7.30 7.30 0.00 1,600 -0.122 0.240 -59.8 3.29% 10.80 9.80 J. S. Johnson 9.82 9.82 0.00 0.880 0.640 11.2 6.52% ago of Novaya Zemlya — in the agreement fell through, however, 10.00 10.00 Premier Real Estate 10.00 10.00 0.00 1.207 0.200 8.3 2.00% Arctic as well as a sector in the after BP's Russian shareholders BISX LISTED DEBT SECURITIES - (Bonds trade on a Percentage Pricing basis) 52wk-Hi 52wk-Low Security Symbol Last Sale Change Daily Vol. Interest Maturity Black Sea. managed to block it. 99.46 99.46 Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BAH29 99.46 0.00 6.95% 20 November 2029 100.00 100.00 Fidelity Bank Note 17 (Series A) + FBB17 100.00 0.00 7% 19 October 2017 The Kara Sea sectors cover "The Exxon deal is offering 100.00 100.00 Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) + FBB22 100.00 0.00 Prime + 1.75% 19 October 2022 some 126,000 square kilometers us much more" than BP, 100.00 100.00 Fidelity Bank Note 13 (Series C) + FBB13 100.00 0.00 7% 30 May 2013 100.00 100.00 Fidelity Bank Note 15 (Series D) + FBB15 100.00 0.00 Prime + 1.75% 29 May 2015 (50,000 square miles) between Kazharov told the AP. RoyalFidelity MerchantBank & Trust Ltd. (Over-The-CounterSecurities) 52wk-Hi 52wk-Low Symbol Bid $ Ask $ Last Price Daily Vol. EPS $ Div $ P/E Yield 50 to 200 meters (yards) deep BP spokeswoman Sheila 10.06 5.01 Bahamas Supermarkets N/A N/A 14.00 -2.945 0.000 N/M 0.00% and contain some 35.8 billion 0.55 0.40 RND Holdings 0.35 0.40 0.55 0.001 0.000 256.6 0.00% Williams would not comment on CFAL Securities Ltd. (Over-The-Counter Securities) barrels of oil, Rosneft said. The the deal but said BP is still "com- 41.00 29.00 ABDAB 30.13 31.59 29.00 4.540 0.000 9.03 0.00% 0.55 0.40 RND Holdings 0.65 0.75 0.40 0.029 0.000 24.13 0.00% Black Sea sector covers 11,200 mitted both to Russia and to the BISX Listed Mutual Funds 52wk-Hi 52wk-Low Fund Name NAV YTD% Last 12 Months % NAV 3MTH NAV 6MTH NAV Date square kilometers (4,300 square continuing success of TNK-BP," 1.5779 1.4674 CFAL Bond Fund 1.577926 3.39% 5.87% 1.548717 1.535365 31-Jul-11 miles) between 1,000 and 2,000 its Russian venture. 3.0160 2.9020 CFAL MSI Preferred Fund 3.0248 2.63% 3.94% 2.981382 2.952663 31-Jul-11 1.6128 1.5289 CFAL Money Market Fund 1.6151 2.61% 4.53% 1.591803 1.580804 5-Aug-11 meters (yards) deep, it said. Tuesday's agreement is the 2.8686 2.5730 Royal Fidelity Bahamas G & I Fund 2.5730 -5.41% -9.79% 30-Jun-11 13.7347 13.2291 Royal Fidelity Prime Income Fund 13.7347 2.82% 1.94% 31-Jul-11 Russia's top energy official largest Russian oil deal in recent 114.1289 99.4177 CFAL Global Bond Fund 114.0922 2.35% 13.88% 114.128861 111.469744 30-Jun-11 118.4255 101.6693 CFAL Global Equity Fund 118.4255 2.30% 8.26% 116.580785 115.762221 30-Jun-11 said Rosneft, which is 75 per- years. 1.1749 1.0000 FG Financial Preferred Income Fund 1.1749 2.48% 5.16% 30-Jun-11 1.1343 1.0000 FG Financial Growth Fund 1.1343 1.41% 5.17% 30-Jun-11 cent owned by the Kremlin, will Royal Dutch Shell had invest- 1.1764 1.0000 FG Financial Diversified Fund 1.1764 2.38% 5.39% 30-Jun-11 9.5078 Royal Fidelity Bah Int'l Investment Fund Principal get shares in at least six Exxon ed some $20 billion in the 9.9952 Protected TIGRS, Series 1 9.9433 0.98% 4.58% 31-May-11 11.4985 10.0324 Royal Fidelity Bah Int'l Investment Fund Principal Mobil projects in the United Sakhalin 2 offshore project in Protected TIGRS, Series 2 10.9652 0.78% 5.70% 31-Jul-11 10.6813 9.1708 Royal Fidelity Bah Int'l Investment Fund Principal States. Russia's Far East before it was Protected TIGRS, Series 3 10.6013 5.75% 13.20% 31-Jul-11 8.8564 7.5827 Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund 8.6507 3.01% 18.38% 31-Jul-11 The shares "will be in pro- forced out of the project in 2006. MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price portion to the ones Exxon will The agreement surpasses the 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity get by working in the Russian 2004 deal between Cono- Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week projects," Deputy Prime Minis- coPhillips and Lukoil when the Change - Change in closing price from day to day EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today NAV - Net Asset Value ter Igor Sechin told the Interfax American oil company paid $2 DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months N/M - Not Meaningful P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings FINDEX - The Fidelity Bahamas Stock Index. January 1, 1994 = 100 news agency. "I'd like to empha- billion for a 7.6 percent stake in (S) - 4-for-1 Stock Split - Effective Date 8/8/2007 size the exclusiveness of these (S1) - 3-for-1 Stock Split - Effective Date 7/11/2007 Russia's second-largest oil pro- TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 decisions for Russian companies ducer. P L ATI AND NAKID-I SET E V E RYBODY WINS ON THE IN YA EAR ARTIST IN THE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM FINALE OF THE GLEE PROJECT S P O T L I G H T: EDEN MERRY THE TRIBUNE • SECTION C

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011

CARTOONISTS PLAN SEPT. 11 ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE

By MATT MOORE Associated Press

SEPTEMBER 11 is etched in the memories of millions, and as the 10th anniversary nears, cartoonists are etch- ing their thoughts and emotions about 9/11 into comic strips. With the anniversary falling on a Sunday, more than 90 cartoonists with five different syndicates have banded together to dedicate their strips on September 11 to those whose lives were lost in the attacks. September 11-themed strips will appear from the writers and artists of "Family Circus," ''Mallard Fillmore," "Candorville," "Doonesbury" and "Pluggers," among others. Jeff Keane, who co-authors "The Family Circus," was immediately sold taking a sentimental tack, while others on the idea when approached by King may try to make a reader laugh. Features, his syndicate. "After 9/11, the cartoonists organ- “After 9/11, the cartoonists organised and did a "I knew that it was something that I ised and did a series of message strips thought would work for 'Family Cir- around Thanksgiving Weekend ... but series of message strips around Thanksgiving cus' if I could find the approach for it," it was also reflective and sympathetic he told The Associated Press. to everyone who suffered," he said. Weekend ... but it was also reflective and sympa- "Because 'Family Circus' is more of a "So 10 years later, a good number of realistic look at family, and I don't those cartoonists already understood thetic to everyone who suffered.” – BRENDAN BURFORD necessarily have a cartoon that is a what the message needed to be," Bur- 'joke a day,' but more sentimental and ford said. "Some are taking the 'it's more emotional, it was easier for me OK to laugh,' and others are taking to look at it that way." the "it's OK to heal" path. And it being Sunday, that gives the Zits 93 cartoonists ample space to write, draw and be read. Jim Borgman, the co-creator of Borgman and Scott said their strip "Zits" with Jerry Scott, about a per- will look at the anniversary through manent teenager and his parents, teenager Jeremy's eyes. called the upcoming anniversary "Jerry Scott and I tried to think something that cannot be ignored. about what Sept. 11, 2001, would "As a cartoonist we would have all mean to a person who is now 16 years been wondering 'Is it OK to deal with old — put aside the fact that Jeremy this topic in our work?' Of course you has been 15 or 16 for 13 years now," can, but there is something comforting he said. about the thought that a bunch of us are going to be struggling to say some- Daddy’s Home thing on that day," he said. "My col- leagues — cartoonists — are an aston- Tony Rubino, who writes "Daddy's ishingly varied and talented group of Home," was living in Washington on people. I fully expect we'll see a broad Sept. 11 and has been involved with range of approaches that day." Jeremy's Heroes, a charity founded It's not the first time that cartoonists on behalf of Jeremy Glick, one of the have banded together. Previous efforts passengers killed aboard Flight 93 in have included topics like Earth Day or Shanksville, Pa. breast cancer awareness. But the His strip for Sept. 11, which is drawn scope of this endeavor is unprece- by Gary Markstein, drew inspiration dented, with five syndicates and the from the passengers of Flight 93, newspapers they serve participating: whose actions helped bring the Unit- King Features, Creators Syndicate, ed Airlines flight down in a Pennsyl- Tribune Media Services, Universal vania field instead of its likely target, Press Syndicate and Washington Post the White House or the U.S. Capitol. Writers Group — and the strips they "I went by their example and rather provide to newspapers participating. than reflect on something that was The artists produce the strips inde- negative in the past, I thought 'What is pendently. the future? What I've done, my par- The comics, each produced inde- ticular strip for 9/11 this year, is a look pendently by the artists, will be fea- forward rather than a look back," he tured in a separate, full-color pullout said. section and online the same day at Rubino said that the cartoonists' w w w . c a r t o o n i s t s r e m e m b e r 9 1 1 . c o m . efforts are bound to be noticed, even Afterward, exhibits on the strips are among the din of anniversary coverage planned for the Newseum in Wash- and programming. ington, San Francisco's Cartoon Art "The comics are different. I think Museum, the Toonseum in Pittsburgh it's a chance for people to see a per- and the Museum of Comic and Car- spective on this anniversary that they toon Art in New York. wouldn't see otherwise," he said. The tone of the strips are varied, "They're going to get a million televi- said Brendan Burford, comics editor sion programs, but this is a unique at King Features Syndicate, with some way of looking at it." WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 02 A RT S&E N T E RTA I N M E N T THE TRIBUNE • SECTION C LIL WAYNE RELEASES EMOTIONALLY CHARGED VIDEO FOR ‘HOW TO LOVE’

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer AD boy rapper Lil Wayne has brought forth an emotionally charged video for his latest Btrack, “How To Love”, which has struck a very personal chord with many fans, especially the female ones. Steering clear of the usual and gave a different enlighten- ‘rump-shaking’ video vixens, Lil ment on how you can consider Wayne has chosen to tell the a girl and how they're in a for- story of a troubled young ever pursuit trying to find woman whose life enfolds in love.” Lil Wayne’s dedication two very different ways. to the message of his latest sin- The rapper takes us on the gle seems to have paid off, as life journey of a young girl born Weezy fans everywhere, includ- into a hostile environment. The ing in the Bahamas, have girl, who was almost aborted by expressed their love for it. her mother, grows up in an “Finally Lil Wayne did some- emotionally and physically abu- thing a bit more realistic, some- sive household. thing for girls and women to Her father goes to jail and relate to. I do think the girl she is molested by a family should have got married before member. she found out she was preg- As she grows older, she has a nant, it would have sent a bet- baby, turns to stripping to make ter message that you don’t have ends meet before she finally to settle for being a baby moth- gets the bad news that she has er alone, you can also be a wife H I V . and a mother. On a real note, Viewers are then taken young girls and women need back to her childhood where their fathers around them to this time her mother moves also have that male love in in with family members after there life,” one Bahamian fan she gives birth and eventually s a i d . gets married. Another local fan said the This one move changes video touched him on a very everything for the young girl personal level: and she experiences a sequence “I respect this message. That of events that are very different life is very, very scary but some- from those in her ‘first life’ times you do what you have to where she grew up in a home do. Thank God I changed my without love. life around, no drink smoking, Lil Wayne takes a back seat dancing – nothing. I’ve learned in his own video, choosing to if I don’t love myself no one show the story of a woman who will ‘cept my mama. My out- never learned to love. come wasn’t as tragic as in the According to the song’s pro- first ending but I went through ducer, Detail, the story for the hell. I can definitely appreciate video was written by the rapper this video.” himself. “This video was so deep. I’m "Wayne wrote every scene: proud of Wayne for this one. He told me scene by scene by Made me sad though,” a third scene," he told MTV News. Bahamian fan said. “It's gonna have a big, big, “How to Love” is from Lil big effect, and it's going to Wayne’s ninth studio album, shock you because the per- “Tha Carter IV”, which was spective you might look at it released right after the MTV as. He kinda tapped into a dif- Music Video Awards last Sun- ferent perspective of the song d a y . L I L Wayne performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, August 28, 2011, in Los Angeles. (AP)

LIST OF WINNERS OF 2011 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS The Associated Press

HERE are the winners of Sunday night's 2011 MTV V i d e o M u s i c Awards in Los Angeles:

POP MUSIC VIDEO: Brit- ney Spears, "Till the World Ends."

ROCK VIDEO: Foo Fight- ers, "Walk."

HIP-HOP VIDEO: Nicki Minaj, "Super Bass."

COLLABORATION: Katy Perry featuring Kanye West, "E.T."

MALE VIDEO: Justin Bieber, "U Smile."

FEMALE VIDEO: Lady Gaga, "Born This Way."

VIDEO WITH A MES- SAGE: Lady Gaga, "Born This Way."

CHOREOGRAPHY: Bey- once, "Run the World PLATI and the Naykid- I has taken an entirely new approach to album releasing, and will do something never done in the Bahamas before. (Girls)."

time, the brand new video for the nised as being one of the last fron- EDITING: Adele, "Rolling song: "Steamy Rider" will be released. tiers of innocence left in the world in the Deep." After the videos, Plati and the Naykid where the stain of commercialism and PLATI AND NAYKID- I I will perform all eight songs on the the poison of political agendas and SPECIAL EFFECTS: Katy album. Some include dub and religion hasn’t stigmatised us into a Perry featuring Kanye West, Junkanoo remixes, creating for an stereotype," he said. "E.T." exciting party album that rockers will "Other than our Olympic prowess, RELEASE NEW ALBUM l o v e . we haven’t had a global impact in the CINEMATOGRAPHY: “The purpose is to participate in intellectual and philosophical arena Adele, "Rolling in the the elevation of global consciousness which makes us the perfect launch- Deep." A BAHAMIAN band with a dis- and the Naykid-I. by participating in the only medium ing pad for new thought in this global tinctly unique musical flair will release It is an expression of the band tak- that is accepted by the masses – music; marketplace of ideas and digital con- ART DIRECTION: Adele, their latest album on Saturday, Sep- ing Caribbean music and "rocking" because it has not been politicised or v e r s a t i o n . "Rolling in the Deep." tember 3. Plati and the Naykid- I has it (adding rock music) - making it a turned into a religious form. It is the "We want to use this hybrid form of taken an entirely new approach to crossroad for all forms of music. only medium left on the planet where music as a medium to verbalise the DIRECTION: Beastie Boys, album releasing, and will do some- The band, which welcomes its most honest thought can be accepted for concerns of every citizen of this glob- "Make Some Noise." thing never done in the Bahamas beautiful addition, former Miss what it is and it doesn’t have to apol- al paradigm regardless of nationality before. Bahamas Raquel Horton, will per- ogise or be explained,” said Plati, who or geography." BEST NEW ARTIST: The album, entitled "Dredrock Ris- form live at Senior Frogs on Prince has chosen to go beyond his scope as Visit www.platiandthenaykid-i.com Tyler, The Creator, ing", will be released via a live concert George Wharf this coming Saturday. Dr Tyrone “Butch” Bartlett, general to watch the concert live on Saturday "Yonkers." that will be streamed live over the Guests will be treated to the bands practitioner, to heal the world in night. Facebook users will be able to Internet. DREDROCK is a brand videos, which feature scenes all another way - through music! plug in the band's name to watch the VIDEO OF THE YEAR: new style of music created by Plati around the Bahamas. At the same "I want to see the Bahamas recog- concert there as well. Katy Perry, "Firework." WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 06 A RT S&E N T E RTA I N M E N T THE TRIBUNE • SECTION C Repairing Irene’s damage rene did tremendous damage to gardens Ithroughout The Bahamas GREEN and putting matters straight takes a great deal of time and SCENE effort. There are two factors on our side, however: roots By GARDENER JACK are the strongest part of any plant; and all plants fight for life. blown over onto its side it can often Small plants that are still in the be re-seated by drastically hat- rack- ground but badly wind burned ing the limbs. Once the largest limbs should be left for at least two weeks and all their foliage have been before any pruning is done. By that removed with a chain saw, the root time the parts that cannot regen- – already the heaviest part of the erate themselves will be obviously tree – will overcome the leverage d e a d . problem and sometimes slowly, Small shrubs that have been sometimes quickly, will magically blown onto their sides with some return to an upright position. Make roots exposed should be set upright sure nobody is anywhere near the and staked, if very small, or sup- root crater during this operation. ported with a prop – a length of A coconut tree – indeed, most branch with a forked end or crotch. palms – cannot survive once their Exposed roots should be covered tops are blown off or the trunk bro- with soil as root growth does not ken. Manila palms (Christmas take pace in light. Stakes and props palms) will look unsightly but it is should remain in position at least wise to leave the foliage in place until Christmas, probably longer. for a month or so until the fronds Small trees, those up to about 16 are completely dead and easy to feet in height, can also be set pull off. While they are dying, the upright but props will not do the fronds transfer minerals back into job of keeping the tree upright. If the parent plant. there is a healthy well-rooted tree in If a papaya tree is snapped off line with the patient tree then it can all you have to do is cut the dam- provide an anchor. Otherwise, as aged part away. New branches will will be the case in most instances, grow and each one will be as pro- the tree will have to be roped and ductive fruit-wise as the original s t a k e d . single stem. Cover the exposed area Two strong ropes at 90 degrees to to keep rain out. A tin can works each other on the uprooted side of f i n e . the tree must be attached to the Banana trees that still have roots tree above a branch to prevent the in the ground can be propped rope slipping down, yet still in a upright. If the plants are less than 6 position where the trunk of the tree months old the foliage can be is thick. Where the rope loops removed by cutting laterally around the tree must be protected through the stem near the top. New by a length of rubber or plastic leaves will appear and the growing hose. This is very important as the process will continue. Older plants slightest movement will cause the may be in the process of deliver- rope to eat into the bark and then ing banana bunches within the into the cambium layer, causing stem so always cut as near to the even greater problems. The hose foliage end of the stem as possible. allows the rope some movement It will be a long time before our but does not itself move, protecting gardens are pretty again. If we con- the tree from deadly chafing. centrate on the health of our plants The stakes to which the rope is the prettiness and productivity will tied should be metal or wood. I r e t u r n . have never yet come across plastic stakes that do the job right. Large trees are the province of • [email protected] experts, but if a large tree has been THIS pine branch was sufficient to support an 8-foot mango tree that was blown down by Hurricane Irene.

ust a few images of what we the JBahamas looked like 40...50...60... years in the past

BY ROLAND ROSE

Strolling along the Western Esplanade are the Nuns of the Sisters of Charity. From Mount Vernon St Vincent Convent Hudson River New York. They worked here in the Catholic school system. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 THE TRIBUNE • SECTION C A RT S&E N T E RTA I N M E N T 07 BEYONCE REVEALS PREGNANCY AFTER VMA 2011 PERFORMANCE! By LESH

MARRIED to Jay Z for three years, Beyonce Knowles confirmed that she is indeed expecting a baby after perform- ing her hit song "Love on Top" at the 2011 MTV VMA Award Show. Kicking off her performance, she said "I want you to feel the love that's grow- ing inside me." Following her heartfelt performance, the star smiled and dropped her microphone, slowly unbut- toned her shiny coloured jacket, struck a pose and rubbed her beautiful baby bump, officially announcing her preg- nancy to the world. The camera immediately cut to Jay Z, supported by Kanye West sitting amongst the already hyped audience with a overjoyed reaction to the reveal- ing. Jay Z smiled and stood up as he applauded his wife and the good news they both share. In previous interviews Beyonce said that she would start a family before the age of 30, the singer is now 29. Through- out her career and marriage, there had been false rumors that she was preg- n a n t . Beyonce shared with MTV: "I feel like a woman. I feel like I'm very aware of who I am. I feel great and I feel like 30 is the ideal age to start a family, because you're mature enough to know who you are and to have your bound- aries and your standards, and not be • EDEN Merry afraid, too polite, but you're young is passionate enough to be a young woman. I'm so about becom- looking forward to it. "Jay and I have kind of made a deci- ing a role mod- sion that we want to be known for our el for other to music and not our relationship or scan- emulate. dals. But he is amazing. I definitely had a very natural friendship and connection with him. We've been together for a very long time and I'm very happy. Love is the foundation of everything, By FARAH everything I do. My music is inspired by love from my family, my husband, my s i s t e r . " HE serenaded our newsroom with According to the Huffington Post, a four lines from her song ‘Political new Twitter record was set thanks to Games.” And out of this young girl Beyonce's big announcement at the S MTV VMA's. " Twitter's official glob- came an old soul with a profound message al PR feed, @TwitterComms, confirmed with regards to politics in our country. on Monday that Beyonce's announce- One would think that only those persons old ment set off a tweeting frenzy that saw enough to vote would stay abreast of political rhetoric 8,868 tweets per second at 10.35 pm on during the election season. However fifteen year old Sunday. That's the most tweets per sec- ond (TPS) ever recorded for a a single Eden Merry Gaitor, a student of Sir Jack Hayward e v e n t . " High School in Freeport said she, like other Bahami- Going further, Beyonce's friends and an citizens, is annoyed with ‘political games’ in this industry peers took to Twitter and country. shared their views and excitement for She channeled this frustration into the song, written h e r . by her mother Edith Clarke, pleading to political Former Destiny's Child member, candidates to be true to citizens and find solutions to LeToya Luckett said: " “WOW!! In the problems facing the our nation. tears!! Congrat’s BEY & JAY. “What a “What inspired me to record this song is the polit- beautiful performance Bey!” ical games that go on in this country. I really hate that Michelle Williams simply said she is the government is selling us out. Some people that " o v e r j o y e d . " enter politics only do so for their own gain and don’t Song-writer, producer and singer The really care about the Bahamas, the people living here Dream also expressed his thoughts and and the problems that we are faced with. If that is tweeted: “I Finally get to say congratu- your intention as a candidate then you should recon- lations to Beyoncé and Sean Carter. sider entering politics because we have problems and Bless You Both!” we need solutions,” she told In Ya Ear. Newlywed Kim Kardashian extended her congratulations to Beyonce and Jay “The Bahamas would be a much more successful if • Eden the government looked at the people’s point of view Z by tweeting: " I’m so happy for Bey- Merry once & Jay Z, Be’s preggo!!! Congrats!” when it comes to different issues as oppose to only and her Beyonce's sister, Solange Knowles looking at the party’s point of view.” mother also took to twitter and tweeted: " Eden Merry’s aggressive nature fuels her passion to Edith One.And.Only. I could not possibly be become a positive role model for others to emulate. Clarke. more proud. Tears in my eyes. No one She is exhausting every avenue to provoke a change deserves it more. That doesn't happen of some sort. but right now I don’t have the money to do,” she said. by accident. That doesn't happen by “I started singing from the age of four but I didn’t She also said that music is not the only field she has an chance. That doesn't happen by gim- really like singing. I could do it and do it really good interest but she desires to delve into every form of media m i c k s . " but it didn’t really started out as a love. After I saw there is. “I want to own my own media because I believe the that I was making sense with something at last I media is so powerful and it can be used for good.” began using music in a positive way. I first started off Eden Merry lives for a great challenge and she has a singing gospel but now I sing inspirational music and success story she wants everyone to hear. She came to be any opportunity I get to do something positive I try to such a popular motivational role model in her community do.” at such a young age at the same time battling asthma that C H A R T So far she has released an inspirational album titled threatened her life from birth. Walk on Water, a book on study habits and aspires to MICHAEL JACKSON'S Her testimony is one that anyone can become inspired by. do much more when her financial resources allow. “People make excuses as to why they can’t do certain things TOP 10 HITS! “While money isn’t everything, it is everything but all it takes is investing a little time and making sacri- because every project you decide to take on requires 1. MAN IN THE MIRROR fices,” she said. money. I am trying to seek funding for the things For more information contact holywordentertain- 2. HUMAN NATURE that I want to. I would like to record another album [email protected] or 1-242-533-1227. 3. SMOOTH CRIMINAL 4. DIRTY DIANA 5. BAD 6. BLACK OR WHITE CELEBRITY TWEETS ON MJ’S BIRTHDAY 7. ROCK WITH YOU 8. BEAT IT YESTERDAY would 9. THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL have marked the 10. HEAL THE WORLD 53rd birthday of Michael Jackson. And even though MJ has been dead L I N E D AY for over two years MICHAEL JACKSON'S now, celebrities chose to remember ‘MAN IN THE MIRROR’ the legendary "I'm Starting With The Man In King of Pop The Mirror with birthday I'm Asking Him To Change wishes on Twitter: His Ways And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place (If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place) Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change (Take A Look At Yourself, And Then Make A Change) (Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na, Na Nah)" WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 08 A RT S&E N T E RTA I N M E N T THE TRIBUNE • SECTION C

ITS HAS been an unbelievable two years since the untimely death of one of the world’s greatest enter- tainers Micheal Jackson. This week Made You Look pays tribute to the talented artist. If he were alive, Monday, August 29 would have made him 53 years old. Fans from all around the world paid tribute to artist who set the bar numerous times in the music industry. Michael Jackson suffered a car- diac arrest at his Holmby Hills on June 25, 2009. Take a look at the milestones in Micheal Jackson’s life.

$JHQWV %URNHUV /WG 0 $56+ &RUUHVSRQGHQW THE TRIBUNE • SECTION E WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 INSIDETRAK 13th IAAF World Championships ATHLETES ON TRACK IN SOUTH KOREA Thomas and Barry soar into the final TURN TO 2E... By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter THREE FEMALE [email protected] DAEGU, South Korea — While

SPRINTERS history was not to be written for the Getty Images three competitors in the men's 400 metres at the IAAF World Cham- ARE ALL SET pionships on Monday, Donald Thomas and Trevor Barry inked FOR 200M their names in the Bahamian almanac by becoming the first male

high jumpers to reach this plateau Photo courtesy of PRELIMS together. The duo renewed a rivalry that saw them finish as the champion TURN TO 3E... and runner-up at both the Central American and Caribbean Games and the Commonwealth Games last year and this year's Nationals as ATHLETES they prepare to square off in the first two final appearances for the TAKE TIME Bahamas on day six of the champi- onships Thursday night. In what was a keenly contested OUT IN THE showdown for the 12 qualifying spots, Thomas nailed his second GAMES attempt at the automatic height of 2.31 metres or 7-feet, 7-inches for the third of six competitors to VILLAGE advance out of Group A. Thomas, better known as "Juice TURN TO 4E... Trevor Barry competes in the high jump at the 13th IAAF World Championships. or Sky Walker," got in with the sev- RAISING THE BAR: enth spot. For Barry, he had a clean slate cleared on his first try and Thomas clean sheet and that seemed to have advance out of the qualifying round RAYMOND up and was actually leading Group had to go to his second attempt. inspired Thomas as he too went over in Berlin, Germany, in 2009. B, but he missed all three attempts They slowly progressed to 2.21m on the first go. But at the final mark "I just want to give God the HIGGS LONE at the qualifying height and had to (7-3) and this time they both were at 2.31m (7-7), which separated the thanks and praise for allowing me to wait right until the end to join Raul successful in their first attempt. By field of 18 competitors, Thomas was get through," said Thomas, who is Spank of Germany and Aleksey the time they reached the next at his best, soaring over the bar on back in the final after missing out in COMPETITOR Dmitrik of Russia, tied for 11th, height at 2.25m (7-41/2), Barry was his second attempt with nine other Berlin, Germany, two years ago just pushing the total in the final to 13 in a groove with another first competitors. after he was on top of the world as FOR THE instead of 12. attempt clearance. But there was When the dust had all cleared, the champion in Osaka, Japan, in They all cleared the last height some concern as Thomas didn't stick Barry got in as one of the final three 2007. just before the automatic mark of it until his third and final shot. qualifiers. "It's pretty good to be in the final. BAHAMAS IN 2.28m (7-53/4). The competition At the fourth height at 2.28m (7- Neither Thomas nor Barry forgot LONG JUMP started at 2.16m (7-1), which Barry 53/4), Barry continued to register a how painful it was when they didn't SEE page 5E FOR THOMAS, IT’S ALL ABOUT HIS SIGNATURE SHOES By BRENT STUBBS with the shoe company, although Senior Sports Reporter Adidas is the supplier for the [email protected] Bahamas' athletic sporting uniforms for all national teams. DAEGU, South Korea — Ask "They are custom-made," said just about every top athlete and they Thomas, whose shoes were featured will tell you that they have some prominently on the big screen mon- type of omen, gimmick or ritual that itor in the Daegu Stadium when he they feel helps them when they are competed in the qualifying round competing. Everybody tries to do on Tuesday. or be different from the crowd. "They dropped them off at the When he burst onto the high jump Games Village for me when I TURN TO 5E. scene after a tremendous transfor- arrived. It's a special shoe. It makes mation from the basketball court in me feel like I'm jumping with the 2006, it was a mo-hawk hairstyle for Bahamas flag on my feet," he said. NADAL Donald 'Juice or Sky Walker' The shoes are basically aqua in Thomas, which ever one you prefer colour with a patch of black going up to call him. on the side. The Nike emblem is yel- HAS SHAKY As he makes his appearance at low and the side of the heels are the 13th IAAF World Champi- white. They represent all of the START TO US onships where he's trying to regain colours of the Bahamian flag. his men's high jump title that he won Printed on the back of both shoes in 2007 in Osaka, Japan, Thomas is SIGNATURE STYLE: Donald are the initials DT, which is an OPEN TITLE spotting a new pair of jumping shoes Thomas’ shoes - with his initials abbreviation of Donald Thomas. that have been specially designed and the Bahamian colours - "This is the first time that I had a DEFENSE for him by Nike. were specially designed for him shoe this colour," said Thomas, who Thomas, 26, is one of the few by Nike. TURN TO 7E... Bahamian athletes under contract SEE page 3E PAGE 2E, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 TRIBUNE SPORTS

SPORTS 13th IAAF World Championships BAHAMIAN ATHLETES ON TRACK IN SOUTH KOREA

SPORTSMANSHIP: Quarter-miler Chris Brown (above, below and bottom right) congratulates Kirani James of Grenada following Monday’s 400m semifinal. Brown’s time of 45.43 didn’t qualify. Getty Images

SPRINTER Sheniqua Ferguson (left) in action in a 100m heat. Photos courtesy of

QUARTER-MILER Ramon Miller (far left) competes in the 400m semifinal on Monday. He ended up 16th overall with a time of 45.88 seconds.

TRIBUNE SPORTS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011, PAGE 3E

SPORTS 13th IAAF World Championships Sprinters all set for 200m prelims

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter [email protected]

DAEGU, South Korea — They have been resting com- fortably at the Games Vil- lage. Now it's time for Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie and Anthonique Strachan to unleash the tale of two tapes as they get set to compete with Nivea Smith in the pre- liminaries of the women's 200 metres when the action NIVEA SMITH resumes at the 13th IAAF Championships on Thursday. day of competition Sunday Today is an off day for for the first time this year. competition. "Anything is possible," At one end of the spec- said Ferguson-McKenzie, trum is Ferguson-McKenzie, reflecting on the disqualifi- the double national sprint cation of Jamaican world champion who, at age 31, is record holder Usain Bolt starting to wind down her after a false start denied him long and illustrious career. the opportunity to defend his On the other end is title that went to compatriot Anthonique Strachan, the Yohan Blake in 9.98. fastest junior competitor in "I'm not saying that we are the world who celebrated her going to drop the baton, but 18th birthday here during the we just need to get it around. team's mini-training camp on We have a good team. Once August 22. we get the stick around, In between is Smith, the and the 4 x 100 relay," she is to erase the world junior everything else will take care 21-year-old Grand Bahamian said. record of 22.18 held by Felix. of itself. We have the leg who made history as the first Instead of pursuing the Anything else that she speed. We just need to con- Bahamian to ever medal at goal of securing a double achieves will be gravy. centrate on getting the stick the IAAF World Junior medal or at least a multiple "I only have this meet here around. Whatever happens, Championships when she appearance in the final at and all of next year to get happens." earned a bronze in the 200m these championships, Fergu- the record," she said. As for the Olympic Games in 2007 with a time of 23.69. son-McKenzie said she took Like her mentor Ferguson- next year in London, Eng- The trio are lined up to a reality check and admitted McKenzie, Strachan also had land, Ferguson-McKenzie provide another historic feat that "there's more to life a chance to double in both said don't write her off just for the Bahamas - the first than making finals.” sprints, having ran a season's yet. time that three competitors "I've been doing that for best of 11.34 at the Carifta "Pauline Davis-Thompson will compete in the half-lap the past couple of years. In Games in Montego Bay, is my role model and she race at either the Worlds or 2009 I did it. But looking Jamaica, in April. But she walked away with the gold the Olympic Games. back, you say maybe if I did- opted not to contest the two medal, actually silver and In 2009 in Berlin, Ger- n't run the 100, the 200 because of her reaction com- eventually gold," Ferguson- many, Ferguson-McKenzie would have been better. So I ing out of the blocks in the McKenzie said as she reflect- and Sheniqua 'Q' Ferguson, think I need a chance to rest. straight-away race. ed on the disqualification of who fell short of advancing I really didn't rest for the "I'm not ready mentally or American champion Marion out of the semifinal of the most part this summer with physically in the 100 because Jones that changed Davis- 100, were a double treat with the travelling and training. ANTHONIQUE STRACHAN (above), Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie mentally I don’t have a Thompson's colour from sil- Ferguson picking up the So coming here and skipping (above right) and Nivea Smith (top right) are all set to compete in strong block and physically, ver to gold at the 2000 bronze and Ferguson plac- the 100 gave me a chance to the preliminaries of the 200m on Thursday. because I'm not running the Olympics in Athens, Greece. ing seventh in her heat in the rest." times that they are running," "I told these girls that I'm semifinals. As the glamour event on she said. "I think I would going to be around until This time around, there the track, Ferguson-McKen- on the 200m with the view "So I think it's fun. It's good. have been discouraged 2013. So at the end of the are a lot of expectations for zie said she really thought of eventually running the It's definitely positive. I'm before I reach the 200. So I day, when I'm ready to the three, but both Ferguson that she would have missed quarter-mile (400m). really excited about it." decided to just stick to my retire, I will retire. Nobody is and Strachan are taking it in it. But in hindsight, she's not American Allyson Felix, For Strachan, still a high strongest event - the 200." going to retire me and I strides. that concerned. It's the only the defending champion in school student at St If she can advance to the believe I can do it until "I'm thankful and I'm event at either the Worlds, the 200 in Berlin, is doing it Augustine's College, the semi-final and even the final, 2013." blessed to be here and in the Olympic Games or the here. She got the silver in a thought of competing in her Strachan said she would be Strachan said she's just good health and in good spir- Pan American Games in close encounter with gold first World Championships quite satisfied with her ini- happy to have Ferguson- its," said Ferguson-McKen- which she hasn’t won a medallist Amantle Montsho is now a reality. tial effort here. She noted McKenzie in the camp as zie, who was seen spending medal. of Botswana. "I'm still a junior athlete that Ferguson-McKenzie and well as a team-mate in the some time with Strachan and On Monday night, Ameri- Even though she has to competing among the elite the other senior athletes have 200 and on the 4 x 1 relay Ferguson in the living room can Carmelita Jeter won the prepare herself mentally to and some of the best in the been inspiring her and she because she feels there is still of their apartment complex gold here over Ferguson- compete, Ferguson-McKen- world," said Strachan, who has certainly been trying to a lot that she can learn from at the Games Village. McKenzie's training partner zie said it was also a pleasure earned her spot here when soak up as much information the Bahamas’ most decorat- "I'm in good spirits. That's Jamaican Veronica Camp- for her to spend some time she won the Pan American as she can about being an ed female sprinter. a start. Once I get that, bell-Brown. Trinidad & with the younger girls like Junior Athletics Champi- elite athlete. For her birthday, Strachan everything is great. So I'm Tobago's Shelly-Ann Bap- Strachan, Smith and Fergu- onships in a meet and world Although they have to said she trained in the morn- looking forward to getting tiste clinched the bronze. son in the Games Village. leading junior time of 22.70 compete in their individual ing and slept when she started. Normally by now, I For years, people have "It's fun. I think we've in Miramar, Florida, in July. events first, Ferguson- returned to the dorm. would have been started, but been agitating for Ferguson- actually had four women in Whether or not she McKenzie took a glance The celebration is on hold I decided not to run the 100. McKenzie to drop the cen- the sprints, three in the 200," advances to the final, Stra- ahead to the 4 x 100 relay until after the championships I want to focus on the 200 tury (100m) and concentrate Ferguson-McKenzie said. chan said her ultimate goal that will be held on the final when she returns home. FOR DONALD THOMAS, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SHOES FROM page 1E

noted that he had the oppor- tunity to work with Nike to

design the shoes with his spec- Getty Images ifications. "If I don’t like it, they will go back and change it, send me a pair and let me try it out again until it's the right fit," he added. Although Thomas used the

shoes for the first time when Photo courtesy of he competed in the prelimi- nary rounds on Tuesday, he admitted that they "fitted quite well." However, he said he will wait until after he competes in the final on Thursday before he makes a final determination on whether or not there will have to be any more modifi- cations. "It's hard to get your own personalized spikes," Thomas said. The Grand Bahama native joined athletes such as former world champion Maurice Greene, who displayed a pair of Adidas spikes draped in the American flag that he wore when he competed at a press conference here. Veronica Campbell-Brown, the 100m silver medallist, has a pair made with the Jamaican flag. For Thomas, he's just delighted to be the first Bahamian to have been afford- ed the opportunity to compete in his own specially designed FOCUS: Donald Thomas competes in the high jump at the 13th IAAF World Championships. jumping shoes.

PAGE 4E, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011 TRIBUNE SPORTS

SPORTS 13th IAAF World Championships ATHLETES TAKE TIME OUT IN DAEGU GAMES VILLAGE

TEAM MANAGER Ralf McKinney (wearing hat) with Demetrius Pinder (far left), Ramon Miller (far right) and Raymond Higgs (standing).

QUARTERMILER Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown can be seen in front of the Games Village at the 13th IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea.

CHRIS BROWN plays a video game to relax.

TREVOR BARRY plays a video game to relax.

ATHLETES and officials can be seen in the dining room. HEAD COACH Fritz Grant with sprinter Cache Armbrister on the training track.

TRIBUNE SPORTS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 2011, PAGE 5E

SPORTS 13th IAAF World Championships Raymond Higgs lone competitor for Bahamas in the long jump

By BRENT STUBBS Like Thomas, who began his col- competition, Higgs noted that he is Senior Sports Reporter legiate career playing basketball, starting to feel the jitterbug. But he [email protected] Higgs also made a switch to athletics. has been working daily on trying to But he noted that he's more than get over his nerves. DAEGU, South Korea — A year thrilled to be making his debut at "I'm a little nervous, but I'm just ago, Raymond Higgs was battling it the worlds in an event other than going to put back my run-up and just out with Donald Thomas and Trevor the high jump. try to get on the board," he said. Barry for a spot on the Bahamas’ "This is my first, so I'm not expect- The qualifying mark is 8.15m (26- national team. ing anything big," Higgs noted dur- 83/4). This year, he's on the team at the ing a visit to the Games Village. "But In preparation for the competi- 13th IAAF World Championships I want to do something big, so I'm tion, Higgs said he has been keeping in Athletics, but it's not for the high just going to go out there and try my a low profile, resting and making jump. He made a decision to con- best." sure that his "muscles don't get tight- test the men's long jump and it has Before you get the wrong notion ened up." paid off big dividends for him as the that Higgs may have abandoned his Having already booked his ticket lone competitor to represent the signature event in athletics, he made to the Olympic Games next year in Bahamas. it crystal clear that "high jump just London, England, Higgs said he just The action resumes here at the wasn't clicking for me this year so I wants to "try and use this as a learn- Daegu Stadium following a break went with the one that I qualified in ing experience to see what I need to on Wednesday. - the long jump." be doing before and during the com- The Grand Bahama native was the He produced a season and per- petition.” country's junior high jump champion sonal best of 7.80m (25-07.25), to “This will be a good experience in 2008 before he represented the win the Bahamas Association of to do that," he added. Bahamas at the World Junior Cham- Athletic Associations' BTC Nation- But with some of the biggest pionships in 2008 where he was als title at home in July to ensure names in the event expected to be eighth overall with a leap of 2.12m that he was able to make the trek competing, Higgs said he will defi- (6-feet, 113/4-inches). He currently here with the team on August 20. nitely have to "PR" (personal best) has a personal best of 2.20m (7-3). "I had some good jumps in prac- every round just to be able to "stay Thomas has done a season's best tice so it wasn't really a shock to in the competition.” of 2.31 (7-7) and Barry has done me," he said. "I jumped 7.91 (25- “That's what I'm trying to do,” he 2.28m (7-53/4). They have both qual- 113/4) in practice. So it wasn't a big said. ified for Thursday’s final with shock for me." Once he can get his feet wet in the Thomas leading the way, clearing After watching Bianca 'BB' Stuart opening round, he intends to make the automatic mark of 2.31m (7-7). struggle as the first competitor for the necessary adjustments to com- Barry was one of the last qualifiers at the Bahamas in the women's long RAYMOND HIGGS poses in the Games Village. He is the lone competitor for the pete on the big stage at the biggest 2.28m (7-53/4). jump on Saturday's opening day of Bahamas in the long jump. meet in the world this year.

BFRARRYOM page 1E AND THOMAS SOAR INTO HIGH JUMP FINAL I just have to refocus and get OVER THE BAR: Donald ready." Thomas clears the bar in the Thomas, who still amazes high jump at the 13th IAAF the crowd from the time he World Championships. switched over from playing basketball on a dare at Lin- denwood College in 2006, said he wasn't surprised that he had to labour the way he did to get into the final. "I am just thankful that I'm through," he said. "I never doubted myself. I showed up here in good form. I had a few minor errors with my approach in some of the low- er heights, but as the bar goes up, I'm a better jumper, so hopefully I can keep that up and do something special in the final." Twenty six-year-old Thomas is thrilled about his performance. And he was the first to congratulate his team- mate Barry for an excellent series of jumps to join him in the final. "We're just trying to rep- resent our country and make the Bahamian people proud," he said. "The ultimate goal is to come out victorious. So I just have to go back to the (Games) Village and get some rest and refocus for the final." Although he got in on a "wing and a prayer," Barry paid a price that not many people realized as he had to jump with a twisted left ankle from his first attempt at the opening height of 2.16m. "I'm just glad that I got try to bring some more speed through," said Barry, who to the bar," he said. "I also also jumped with a heavy need to take my approach heart, knowing that his coach back a bit so I can reach my Keith Parker was not in the height fairly quickly so I can stands to support him. The get more speed going into the 27-year-old worked instead bed. But my problem is mini- with veteran Ronald mum. I have the height over Cartwright, one of the mem- the bar. I just have to make bers of the Bahamas' coach- that crucial adjustment." ing staff. "I really wanted to With the final stacked with clear 2.31. But I know once I some pretty good young get in (the final), I'm going to jumpers, no doubt both Barry soar from there. I just wished and Thomas will have to I had done it in the qualifiers. improve on their perfor- I guess I just have to go back mances if they want to ascend and prepare for the final. on the podium again like they Hopefully, I can do it then did together last year. and get a chance to get a Dimítrios Chondrokoúkis, medal." a 23-year-old former national The height has actually junior champion of Greece, been a thorn in the side for advanced with the top quali- Barry, who would have sur- fying jump as he was the only passed both his personal and competitor to clear all five season’s best of 2.29m, hav- heights without a miss. He ing finished just short of both was in Group B. A surprise marks at 2.28m in the quali- came in Group A as 25-year- fying round. old Darvin Edwards With today being an off day improved on St Lucia's for competition in the cham- national record twice – at 2.28 pionships, Barry said all he and then 2.31m – to clinch the intends to do is rest. "I just DYNAMIC DUO: Donald Thomas (left) and Trevor Barry are preparing to represent the Bahamas in the final of the high jump on Thursday top spot. They both are mak- have to watch a few tapes and – day six of the 13th IAAF World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. ing their Worlds debut.