WEATHER TRY OUR McFLURRY SNICKERS HIGH 92F LATEST NEWS ON WWW.TRIBUNE242.COM LOW 82F The Tribune T-STORM IN THE PEOPLE’S PAPER SPOTS BIGGEST AND BEST Volume: 107 No.198 SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011 PRICE – 75¢ (Abaco and Grand Bahama $1.25) INSIDE TODAY WHOLE FAMILYBODY WELLNESS & MORE SUPPLEMENT DIET TIPS FOR PARENTS, HEALTHY FAMILY HABITS AND MUCH MORE MASS SICK-OUT AT GAMING BOARD By CELESTE NIXON Tribune Staff Reporter [email protected] THE Gaming Board was virtually deserted after a labour dispute led to a mass sick-out yesterday. Two dead after In response to a break- down in negotiations for an industrial agreement Gaming Board employees were absent from work Friday. This could be just the beginning of indus- trial action yet to come, said the union president. According to President of the Bahamas Public Service Union John Pinder 95 per cent of the 118 Gaming Board employees were involved in the industrial action carried latest shootings out yesterday to protest the failed negotiations. “Employees are frustrated, stressed out and not fit to LAWYER ACCUSED OF STEALING BY REASON OF SERVICE work,” said Mr Pinder. For months the union has Another fights attempted to have the last component to the new indus- trial agreement, which deals with salaries, approved and for his life signed by the government, Mr Pinder said. He added that the gaming By SANCHESKA tance and was not at the board has been without an BROWN scene when police arrived. industrial agreement since The identities of the vic- 2009 and while the majority of the contract has been TWO shooting incidents, tims had not been released agreed to three proposals one in Grand Bahama and up to press time on Friday. regarding employees’ salaries one in New Providence have This shooting death is have been rejected. left two men dead and classified as the island’s sev- Minister responsible for the another fighting for his life enth homicide for the year. Gaming Board, Vincent Van- in hospital. No arrests have been made derpool-Wallace, said yester- The first shooting, accord- and investigations are con- day that the apparent indus- ing to police, happened tinuing into the matter. trial action was in response to around 10pm in Garden Vil- ASP Mackey said police the government’s decision not las, Freeport. do not know the motive for to approve the board’s salary Police say one man was the shooting and are appeal- proposals which were part of shot in the head and the sec- ing to anyone with informa- ond was shot in the stomach tion that can assist detec- SEE page seven at Weddell Avenue. tives to call 350-3107/8, 352- Asst Supt Loretta Mack- 9774/5 or 911. ey said when officers arrived There have been several at Weddell Avenue, near shooting incidents at Gar- CONCERNS SPEEDY East Atlantic Drive, they den Villas this year, despite discovered a man suffering a police walkabout in the REINSTATEMENT from an apparent gunshot area last month. injury to the head. So far, four persons have ONLY GIVEN TO A The victim was taken to died in separate shootings Rand Memorial Hospital, at Garden Villas, including ‘SELECT FEW’ where he later died. 42-year Patrick Lewis and The second victim, who 31-year-old Kiano Javier POLICE OFFICERS was shot in the stomach, had Martinborough in March, By DENISE MAYCOCK already been taken to the Tribune Freeport Reporter [email protected] hospital for medical assis- SEE page six FREEPORT – Although some police officers have been reinstated within MOST CALLS TO NATIONAL HOTLINE weeks of being exonerated before the courts, many oth- CONCERN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ers are still not back at work By SANCHESKA BROWN in the Royal Bahamas Police Force. DOMESTIC Violence There is concern that con- accounts for the majority of calls sideration for speedy rein- to the National hotline, followed statement is only being giv- closely by attempted suicides. en to a select few who may According to Minister of Social have close ties or relations Services Loretta Butler Turner, to prominent persons in the more people call into the hotline community, an officer com- seeking advice regarding domes- plained. tic matters despite the fact that CHARGED: Ralph Jan Ward is shown leaving court yesterday. Within two weeks of the hotline was originally created Felipé Major/Tribune staff being discharged in a sexual for suicide prevention. crime case involving two “Sometimes people are under By LAMECH JOHNSON Ward was not allowed to enter a minors, the police son of an siege in their own homes, this plea to the charges during his arraign- MP was reinstated as an offi- hotline connects individuals who A LAWYER was arraigned before a ment. Prosecutors intend to proceed cer in Freeport. need assistance to the various Magistrate’s Court yesterday on with a Voluntary Bill of Indictment in An officer in New Provi- avenues for help and so it’s not charges of stealing by reason of service this case, bypassing a preliminary dence who also was accused just a matter of people being and fraudulent breach of trust. inquiry. of having sexual intercourse depressed or suicidal. If there is a MINISTER OF Ralph Jan Ward appeared before His former bail was revoked and a with his daughter was also cry for help this is the hotline SOCIAL SERVICES Magistrate Guillimina Archer in Court new bond of $20,000 with one surety reinstated upon being dis- number that you need to call. We Loretta Butler Turner 10, Nassau Street. He is accused of was issued. charged of the offences in are really in the business of pre- stealing property worth $61,750 on The case was adjourned to October the court. venting future crimes, homicides and suicides within our September 6, 2010 which he had access 3 when the Voluntary Bill of Indict- And, a third officer community.” to through his services. ment is expected to be presented. charged with killing in the Despite not having actual statistics, Mrs Butler Turner He is also accused of misusing the Earlier this week, Ward pleaded course of dangerous and said she believes suicides have gone down since the hotline funds entrusted to him on behalf of guilty to similar charges in a separate SEE page seven his client. case. SEE page seven NASSAU AND BAHAMA ISLANDS’ LEADING NEWSPAPER PAGE 2, SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011 THE TRIBUNE LOCAL NEWS "My vexation yuk up each, since the fire burn down because I can't see how some WHY YOU the illegal shanty town a short PET OF THE WEEK: ABNER THE HOUSE PIG people trying to make excuses while go because that is quick- for the illegal shanty town er than it still is taking to fix dwellers. It ain't matter if you VEX? the not working traffic lights." was paying rent, it ain't matter – Motorist if you was Bahamian or Hait- ian, whether you had a dog or "I am vex that the land not, if the landlord was a big- door in at night." space of New Providence must shot or if your ma was the – Sick of devils in Christ- have shrunk by several square queen of Sheba living there. ian clothing miles "Fact is, you is be trespass- because of the removal of ing on your neighbours' prop- "I vex that my neighbour land for the waterways and erty which in the Holy Christ- rims and tyres get tief right inland canal systems through- ian Bible of the Bahamas and off her car in front of her out and more so dumbfound- the world is quite clear." house while the whole street ed that some of the remain- – All time Bahamian was sleeping. Maybe it's time ing land is being grossly our judicial system took a undersold at some $3.50 per "I vex that some of our page out of the book from sq ft. Any more beach front most holy reverends, pastors some Islamic countries and property available?" and bishops only can find cut off these tiefs hands. See if – Birthright their mout' or put pen to they could steal rims with they paper to denounce gays or any mout." "I am vex because t'ings thought of gay marriage. Last – A tief is a liar worsening when cantaloupes I checked, there were no gays been selling in the foodstore down in Rawson Square clam- "I am vex that despite the for say 'round $1.50 before the ouring to get married and authorities' stand and public stamp tax removed from 'damage family life'. No the stated moratorium on no imported fruit, and the next gay people here are too scared drilling for oil in the Bahamas, week after, the same can- to come out the closet much we have yet again seeing oil taloupes – 'cause it looking less ask for equal rights. So I exploration articles on billions much older – selling for dou- gats to ask, why then do our of gallons of oil potential from ble the previous price." men of the cloth find it neces- apparent ongoing oil explo- – Shopper sary at every turn to demonise rations in the Bahamas." and scare Bahamians into – Al Kapoonkalup "I am vex because I have to thinking homosexuals are soon deal with the horrible going to take over the coun- "I vex 'cause I can't wait for winter weather in Buffalo, NY try? this road works to done fix up. and not enjoy the great sunny "Why don't these well-fed . So yinna please do your nation that is the Bahamas." bishops take their hand out endeavour best to hurry fix – B-lo J the collection jar to speak them roads.