VOLUME 14, NUMBER 20, OCTOBER 15th, 2006 Supreme Court Rules for Baker’s Bay Construction Will Resume Immediately On October 12 the Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club won its Supreme Court Abaco Farms Are Showcased battle against opponents of the develop- ment. As a result, The Bahamas’ marina and golf community will immediately re- sume development of its environmentally sensitive master plan on Great Guana Cay. Responding to this decision, Mike Meldman, Chairman and CEO of Discov- ery Land Company, the developers of Baker’s Bay said he was satisfied and de- lighted with but not surprised by the Su- preme Court decision. “It has been a long wait and a hard fight but we remained committed to the Baker’s Bay project and to The Bahamas. We were always confident that the outcome would be favorable. We fully expected that the truth would be recognized and justice would be served. The truth, of course, is that the Baker’s Bay project has abided by the laws of The Bahamas in all of our dealings and that we have consulted and respected the views of the people of Great Guana Cay and Abaco and will continue to do so,” Mr. Meldman said. Mr. Meldman said he was pleased that Agriculture ministers attending the Caribbean Week of Agriculture met in Nassau for their sixth annual conference. In concluding the Baker’s Bay could now proceed with its conference the group visited Abaco to see a variety of agricultural projects underway. They visited the Abaco Big Bird poultry farm plans to build a resort community that will and processing plant, Sawyer’s Farm growing vegetables, the sod farm, Marsh Harbour Exporter/Importer crawfish processing attract homeowners and visitors who re- plant and the neem farm. Abaco was chosen for the visit so the visiting officials could see the wide variety of successful projects. The Please see Baker’s Bay Page 2 group was hosted to lunch at The Abaco Club of Winding Bay. See story on page 10. Set Clocks Back One Hour October 29 Supporters of Baker’s Bay Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Octo- ber 29. Set your clocks back one hour either at bedtime Unite in Demonstration on Saturday evening, October 28 or on Sunday morn- ing, October 29. Swim Meet Drew Nassau Swimmers A 5-K swim meet was held on October 14 at Abaco Beach Re- sort. Many par- ticipants were from Nassau who came on the holi- day weekend to enjoy Abaco and Supporters of the Baker’s Bay Project on Great Guana Cay demonstrated in Marsh test their abilities Harbour on Don MacKay Boulevard on October 9 Many of them have been out of in the swim race. work due to an injunction by the Privy Council that stopped all work on the project. Shown here are Many others joined in protest of the lengthy time taken by the Supreme Court in ruling the win-ners with on the court case brought by the Save Guana Cay Reef Association. Stretch Moreley, Abaco’s Ministry of Sports official Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. on the right. They The Abaconian PRST STD are 16-year-old 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Jenna Chaplin, Medley, FL 33178 PAID fastest woman Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 MIAMI FL 331 swimmer, and Jeremy Knowles, who won the men’s division. Page 2 The Abaconian October 15, 2006 Judge Upheld Baker’s Heads of Agreement Save Guana Reef Association. The As- ings held during 2004, all prior to the ernment, whose call it was, was more Baker’s Bay From Page 1 sociation failed in its attempt to have The signing of the Heads of Agreement and concerned with more Bahamians in gen- spect and cherish the Great Guana Cay Heads of Agreement (HOA) for the de- all with the people at Guana Cay...It is eral getting some of the benefits prom- environment. velopment declared null and void and stop noted that the residents/landowners did ised by the development than with the “As we have stated on many occasions the proposed development at Baker’s Bay express their views and there is indeed fears and apprehensions of applicants Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club will on the basis that The Government had no evidence that those views were discussed which the government obviously does not be the most environmentally sensitive de- authority to enter into such an agreement and acted upon by the government and share and believe are not well founded, velopment ever built in The Bahamas; a with the developers. The Association was the developers.” looked at objectively.” model that all Bahamians can be proud also unsuccessful in prohibiting the grant- Justice Carroll further stated. “It ap- Discovery Land Company indicates of and other developers can emulate. In ing of leases of Crown and Treasury pears obvious from the evidence that the that work is expected to resume immedi- the creation of this resort community we Lands and concessions and exemptions government, in considering this matter, ately at Baker’s Bay and the company look forward to providing meaningful contained in the HOA and their demand was more concerned with the larger in- looks forward to welcoming back valued direct employment for current and future for public consultation prior to the grant- terests of Bahamians as a whole rather employees who had to be laid off in re- generations of Abaconians and other Ba- ing or issuing of any leases, permits or than with the obviously strongly felt (and cent months due to the events that tran- hamians as well as many indirect oppor- approvals. understandable) apprehensions of the resi- spired. tunities for entrepreneurial ventures,” Environmental concerns raised by the dents/landowners. It appears that the gov- Mr. Meldman said. opposition were extensively reviewed and He stated that the developers are com- addressed in the ruling with Justice mitted to ensuring that Bahamians con- Carroll noting, “Although I am not an TREASURE CAY tinue to enjoy access to the beaches as expert in the field, I am most impressed, HOTEL RESORT & MARINA they have for generations and the pres- as an observer, with the mitigation re- ence of Baker’s Bay on Great Guana Cay gime outlined in the addendum to the will benefit the community to the great- Environmental Impact Assessment.” With est extent possible through currently es- specific regards to the Association’s Resort Features: tablished and future socially responsible claims of no public consultations on the •Spectacular 3 -mile beach programs and events. proposed project before government ap- •Championship golf course In his 154-page ruling Justice Norris proval for the project, Justice Carroll •Marina-view restaurant & bar Carroll refused every relief sought by the noted that “there were three public meet- •Pool, tennis, watersports •150-slip full-service marina SGCRA Will Continue Its Fight •Diving, snorkeling & dive shop •Boat rentals, charters & guides Although many Abaconians are pleased with its fight against the development. He •Hotel rooms, 2 or 3 BR suites with the judgement handed down by the expected to apply to the Court of Appeal Supreme Court on October 12 concern- for a hearing that would grant a stay and www.treasurecay.com ing the Baker’s Bay development, those injunction to prevent the developers from Treasure Cay Road supporting the Save Guana Cay Reef As- doing any further work. If necessary, Mr. (exit off Bootle Hwy) sociation are very disappointed. The Smith will appeal directly to the Privy SGCRA has protested several aspects of Council as he did this past June when he the development and the lawyer repre- was successful in obtaining an injunction Hotel: 242-365-8801 Spinnaker Restaurant: 242-365-8469 senting the organization, Mr. Fred Smith, stopping all work. Golf Course: 242-365-8045 Treasure Divers: 242-365-8465 has declared that the group will continue A B A C O S H I P P I N G Joint Venture of Bahamas Address: Marsh Harbour Shipping Co. & United Abaco Shipping Co. 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