Abaco’S Office, the Equipment Had Been Installed Temporarily on Grand Cay After the Hurricanes
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VOLUME 13, NUMBER 6, MARCH 15th, 2005 Diesel Spill Is Confined at Harbour’s Head Estimated 2000 Gallons Is Collected by Response Team By Mirella Santillo On February 28 a trailer tank of diesel fuel belonging to BEC, fell back on the deck of the M/V Legacy while being shifted to accommodate more cargo in Marsh Harbour. The tank was punctured in two places and spilled fuel onto the deck and into the harbour. A generator, transformer and fuel tank were being returned to BEC in Nassau from Grand Cay when the accident hap- pened while docked in Marsh Harbour. According to Mr Benjamin R Beneby, Manager of the BEC Abaco’s office, the equipment had been installed temporarily on Grand Cay after the hurricanes. He explained, “BEC usually supplies Grand Cay with electricity bought from the Walker’s Cay plant.” However, that plant had been damaged in the hurricanes, and the generator, the transformer and the tank, on loan from BEC in Nassau, were used until the Walker’s Cay plant was operational again. Capt. Roker, Chief Officer of the Port Authority on Abaco, immediately inves- tigated the spill, assisted by Mr. Benjamin Ferguson, Freeport Port Director, who A crew from BayChem, a Nassau company, came to Marsh Harbour with material to absorb an estimated 2000 gallons of diesel fuel flew that same day from Grand Bahama. spilled in the harbour. The fuel spilled when a tank truck was punctured from an accident at the freight dock when it was being moved. Captain Roker estimated that 2000 gal- A westerly wind blew the fuel to the head of the harbour. Much of the fuel in open water was contained with floats until it could be absorbed by Peat Sorb. But the diesel in the mangroves has proved to be more difficult to clean up. Please see Oil Spill Page 20 Abaco Club Donates to Horses US Ambassador Visits Abaco Mr. Peter de Savary, the founder and the how the horses came to Abaco, what is chairman of The Abaco Club on Winding known with all certainty is that the entire Bay, has once again extended his generos- heard are Spanish Barbs. This fact was veri- ity to the community of Abaco by assisting fied by DNA testing that was done through the Wild Horses of Abaco. the relentless efforts of Ms. Milanne “Mimi” Now on more than 500 acres of land north Rehor. of Treasure Cay, the horses roam as they Mimi has devoted 13 years of her life have done for centuries. They are one of to the preservation, protection, care tak- The Bahamas valuable natural treasures. In spite of the controversy that surrounds Please see Horses Page 17 Senior Citizens of Cedar Harbour Are Honored Mr. John Rood, recently named U.S. Ambassador to The Bahamas, spent two days on Abaco, speaking, visiting schools, being interviewed on Radio Abaco and re-acquainting himself with the area. He frequently vacationed on Elbow Cay. He is shown here at a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Marsh Harbour on February 24. Pictured, left to right, are Mr. Derek Lee, Chamber Co-President, Mr. Rood, Mr. Revis Rolle, Administrator for Central Abaco, and Mr. Robert Claridge, Co-President. Please see story on page 2. Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. The Abaconian PRST STD 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Medley, FL 33178 PAID Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 MIAMI FL 331 Eleven senior citizens of Cedar H arbour were honoured at a banquet for their contributions to their community. They are shown here with the organizers of the event. Please see story on page 4. Page 2 The Abaconian March 15, 2005 Ambassador Addresses the Chamber of Commerce By Jennifer Hudson sues which were put to him by Mr. Fawkes tween the two countries. The U.S. would amount of money which a resident of Abaco United States Ambassador to The Baha- and Mr. Ralph. like to make sure that children have the in- must spend in order to travel to Nassau and mas, His Excellency Mr. John D. Rood, • The Haitian migration challenge: “The frastructure here to be able to complete their stay overnight in order to obtain a visa, Mr. paid a two-day visit to Abaco on February question of whether to grant citizenship or education in The Bahamas. Rood said that he is looking into having 9th and 10th accompanied by the Embassy’s return people to their own country is a • United States population in Abaco: consular personnel go to the Family Islands press officer Mr. Mike Taylor. Mr. Rood worldwide problem, but we should encour- “The large U.S. population likes it here and to give interviews for a visa and take the took up his post in Nassau on September age the people coming from Haiti to do so the residents call it home. They should reg- passports back to Nassau which would then 2nd and is the eleventh U.S. Ambassador lawfully. The ultimate goal of the United ister with the American Embassy and give be returned to the persons without them to The Bahamas since our Independence. States government is to bring stability to an email address so that they can be con- having to leave the island. His first day on Abaco was spent in Hope Haiti; then there will not be the desire to tacted in the case of emergencies such as Mr. Rood agreed to liaise with one of Town addressing a meeting there and the flee for economic reasons.” hurricane alerts.” Mr. Rood said how im- the members in trying to establish a job following day was spent at three locations • The drug war: “There is a tremendous pressed he was that they have become more corps programme such as “Teen Up” for in Marsh Harbour. relationship between The Bahamas and the than visitors and that they make him proud. the young people of Abaco. Firstly, Mr. Rood spoke at a morning United States and a great will to fight the He noticed that the American community The main perspective that he wanted to assembly at the Central Abaco Primary problem between the two countries. Much in Hope Town is far more involved in the impress upon his audience was, “We are School where he shared a great rapport with progress has been made, but there are still school than the American community in partners with the shared objective of a vi- the students and expressed his admiration things to build on as 10 percent of the co- Marsh Harbour is. This, he feels, is be- sion of a common future.” at the confident display of public speaking caine continues to come through The Baha- cause of the less intimate atmosphere of The Chamber luncheon meeting was of fifth grade student, Barbrianna Dawkins. mas. The United States is placing more fo- Marsh Harbour due to its greater size: and chaired by new president Derek Lee. Other The alertness and excellent behaviour of the cus now on reducing demand which will he would like to encourage the Americans head table guests included co-president, school children also impressed him. He in- ultimately reduce trafficking.” in Marsh Harbour to become involved. He Robert Claridge; 1st vice president, Cindy formed the children of his great admiration • Effectiveness, security and safety of suggested a reception at the schools for the Hayworth; Island Administrator, Revis for the late Martin Luther King and shared the airport: “The safety and security of visitors where they could be invited to be- Rolle and Member of Parliament for South some of that great leader’s words with them. Americans traveling abroad is the number come involved. Abaco, Mr, Robert Sweeting. He then spoke in a one-hour live one priority. Issues with safety, delays, poor • Mr. Rood concluded this interview by programme broadcast by Radio Abaco. In condition of the runway and types of air- stating: “We would like to provide the re- the absence of Silbert Mills, who was off craft are some of the concerns regarding sources to The Bahamas to ensure that it AA and Al Anon the island at the time, Mr. Rood was inter- Abaco. Increased security measures are stays the type of neighbour we want.” Meetings viewed by host Mr. Richard Fawkes of the being worked on by the TSA and Aviation Following the interview at Radio Abaco Freeport News and Mr. David Ralph of The Ministry and will be taken up with the Avia- Mr. Rood addressed members of the Cham- The AA (Alcoholics Anomyous) group Abaconian. tion Minister in the Bahamas. “Mr. Rood ber of Commerce during a luncheon at the of Marsh Harbour meets Mondays and Mr. Rood began by outlining his major further stated that everywhere he hears con- Abaco Beach Hotel. He reiterated several Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Marsh priorities and concerns as Ambassador: cerns regarding the airport here and The of the points he had made during his radio Harbour Community Library. • To represent the President of the United Bahamas needs to invest in this airport be- interview and told the members, “What States and his country in Tthe Bahamas. fore serious problems occur, not only in makes a good ambassador is being able to The AlAnon group of Marsh Harbour • Management and direction of his staff, the area of safety but even in a decrease in put oneself in someone else’s shoes. I am meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month at comprising 300 Americans and Bahamians. traffic. “People deserve to be served in a honoured to have such a big job.