May 1st, 2003 The Abaconian Page 1 VOLUME 11, NUMBER 9, MAY 1ST, 2003 Social Services Minister Tours Abaco Hon. Melanie Griffin Consulted with Local Social Service Personnel The Minister for Social Services and Community Development, Ms. Melanie Griffin, visited Cooper’s Town, Marsh Harbour and Sandy Point on April 10 and 11. Her visits to Cooper’s Town and Sandy Point were brief and were basically fact find- ing missions. Accompanying Ms. Griffin was Ms. Mellany Zonicle, Director of Ser- vices, and Mrs. Barbara Burrows, Perma- nent Secretary. The trip was shortened when the early morning Bahamasair flight was forced to turn back due to extreme weather between Cherokee and Marsh Harbour, fi- nally arriving by mid-afternoon. While in Marsh Harbour Ms. Griffin held a morning workshop at the Resource Cen- ter with agencies dealing with juvenile prob- lems. Attending were the Magistrate, the Prosecutor, Social Services and the Juve- nile Panel. The workshop gave the various agencies a better appreciation of the prob- lems and what must be done to improve the situation. The ultimate goal is to reintro- duce children into their setting and not per- petuate confinement in Nassau treatment centers. On Friday afternoon she visited the Ev- ery Child Counts facility operated by the St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. She was visibly impressed with the discipline The Hon. Melanie Griffin, Minister of Public Services and Community Development, toured Abaco on April 10 and 11 visiting of the students and the dedication of the staff. Cooper’s Town, Sandy Point and Marsh Harbour. She was accompanied by Ms. Barbara Burrows, Permanent Secretary, and Ms. She was impressed with the program and Mellany Zonicle, Director of Social Services. Shown above are, left to right, Mr. Jolton Johnson, Administrator for South Abaco, hoped it could be expanded throughout the Ms. Charlemae Fernander, from for Social Services on Abaco, Ms. Burrows, Ms. Griffin, Mr. Gary Knowles, Senior Administrator for North Abaco, and Ms. Zonicle. Please see Griffin Page 16 Remember Mother’s Day on May 11 SeaWind Held Open House BREA Has Abaco Chapter The new ferry, the SeaWind, arrived on Abaco on April 15 for Abaconians to see. The boat is equipped to carry passengers in comfortable seating as well vehicles and freight. 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 Abaco has formed a chapter of the Bahamas Real Estate Association. Members are Medley, FL 33178 PAID shown here after one of their monthly meetings. They are, front row, left to right, Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 MIAMI FL 331 Roscoe Thompson, Sandra Evans, Derek Lee and Anne Albury; middle row Kathleen Albury, Kerry Sullivan, Mailin Sands, Jessica Pinder, Kathy Bethell, David Cote, Elaine Thompson and Sharon Pinder; back row Chris Plummer, Brent Cartwright, Chris Farrington, Ed Newell, Chad Sawyer and John Cash. See story on page 21. Page 2 The Abaconian May 1st, 2003 SeaWind Will Offer Fast Service The SeaWind, a new catamaran ferry boat which will accommodate passengers, They expect to offer a level of service to half feet when loaded. It can carry several which will soon offer service between vehicles and freight. The boat has three Abaco by June 1. However, at this time 20-foot and 40-foot containers as well as Nassau and Sandy Point, spent April 15 at decks, with the lowest deck for vehicles and they are dependent on the tide to allow ac- palletized freight. It can carry up to 40 ve- the dock in Sandy Point, opening it to the freight. The middle deck is enclosed, fully cess to the public dock in Sandy Point. The hicles, depending on the number of con- public for viewing. Normal cruising time air conditioned and offers movies and mu- company has not made any decision on what tainers aboard. between Nassau and Sandy Point will be sic. That deck has a snack bar and comfort- to do about docking facilities there. The The SeaWind is owned by Bahamas three hours while in heavy seas it will re- able seating. The upper deck is covered but public dock is exposed to weather and dredg- SeaRoad and will be operated by Bahamas quire three and a half hours. The large 260- opened-sided with additional seating. ing would be required to allow the boat to Ferry. Passenger fares and costs for trans- foot long ferry is an impressive, luxurious be on a schedule independent of the tides. porting vehicles and freight will be definite The SeaWind was built in Brisbane, Aus- after they resolve the problem of dockage. tralia and arrived in The Bahamas in March. They had anticipated building a ramp next It is now traveling between Nassau and to the public dock in Sandy Point but they Andros, Eleuthera and Exuma. The boat now realize that it would require much cruises at 18 knots with a maximum speed dredging initially and perhaps dredging of 22 knots. It can accommodate 300 pas- regularly to maintain the depth they require. sengers on regular runs. This number ap- The company is working to provide ser- proaches 600 passengers when the boat is vice to Abaco. They realize that it would chartered for a special event and not carry- be a tremendous economic boost to Sandy ing any freight or vehicles. The boat will Point and would provide many opportuni- have a crew a of seven and draws six and a ties for peripheral businesses to develop. Abaco Tug & Transport Tug & Barge Work Available for Charters Sand & Rock Deliveries Container & Building Material Deliveries The interior of the SeaWind is very comfortable and will accommodate passengers nicely. Marine Construction & Development This deck is completely air conditioned and offers music, movies and a snack bar as well as great viewing. Shown above is the eating area adjoining the food service area. Boulders • Dock & Sea Wall Construction Hi Tide Boat Lifts • Dredging Excavation • Land Clearing Trenching • Drilling • Blasting On the waterfront at the end of the Key Club Road P.O. Box AB20285, Marsh Harbour, Abaco Featuring Bahamian and American foods Phone 367-5205 / 367-5206 • Fax 367-4018 Owned and operated by Barbara Simmons Marsh Harbour’s Over 20 years of experience feeding hungry people Newest Restaurant Real food at real prices - All are Welcome Sun. - Thur. 8 AM - 3 PM • Fri. & Sat. 8 AM - 3 PM and 6 PM - 9 PM VHF Ch 9 • 367-4657 • 367-2922 • Memorial Plaza, Marsh Harbour bahamian cuisine on Hope Town's waterfront Bar Opens Daily 10 a.m. Closed on Tuesdays Happy Hour 5 - 6 p.m. Lunch & Dinner Daily Lunch 11:30 am - 3 pm • Dinner 6 - 9 pm RENTRENTRENT Appetizers 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m ALALAL BIKESBIKESBIKES ICEICEICECall 366-0087 • 366-0292 • VHF Ch 16 Weekly freight between W. Palm Beach, Nassau, & Marsh Harbour General Cargo, 20 & 40 ft. Containers, Drive-on Stern Ramp 20 ft. Refrigerated Containers Specify M/V DUKE OF TOPSAIL Sailing Schedule Sunday • Depart Marsh Harbour Wednesday • Depart Marsh Harbour Monday • Arrive Port of Palm Beach Thursday • Arrive Arawak Cay, Nassau Monday • Depart Port of Palm Beach Thursday • Depart Arawak Cay, Nassau Tuesday • Arrive Marsh Harbour Friday • Arrive Marsh Harbour In Abaco Call (242) 367-2091, Fax (242) 367-2235 or call on VHF ch. 16 P.O. Box AB 20737, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Bahamas UNITED ABACO SHIPPING COMPANY In USA call Palm Beach Steamship Company at (561) 844-5387 Office located above B&D Marine at the traffic light Warehouse A 2nd door, 158 “B” East Port Road, Riviera Beach, Fl 33404 May 1st, 2003 The Abaconian Page 3 Chamber Hears from Two Organizations Bahamas Waste and Red Cross Give Informative Talks The Abaco Chamber of Commerce had needed. He is suggesting that his company two groups represented at their meeting held can lease the equipment which will mean on April 11. The Abaco Chapter of the Red no capital outlay. He recommended a large Cross and Bahamas Waste both made pre- shredder for each community on the cays sentations. to make compost just as Man-O-War does Bahamas Waste Dis- now. Much of his talk was about environmen- cussed Abaco Problems tal concerns which various members brought Mr. Peter N. Andrews, executive chair- up. These included the disposal of oil, bat- man of Bahamas Waste, announced that his teries and vehicles and the effectiveness of company is now represented on Abaco, a sanitary land fill which government is pro- based at Bahamas Hot Mix at the Airport posing for Abaco. He had many good sug- Round-about in Marsh Harbour. It is a large gestions and encouraged the Chamber mem- company from Nassau in the waste collec- bers to continue to work on these problem tion business. They are talking with people areas. involved with garbage on the cays to see Mr. Andrews was accompanied by Mr. how their garbage can be brought efficiently to the mainland. He discussed the systems Please see Chamber Page 17 Mr. Peter Andrews, Executive Chairman of Bahamas Waste, spoke to the Abaco Cham- available, compactors and other equipment ber of Commerce on April 11. Shown above are Mr. Peter Andrews on the left accompa- nied by Mr. Francisco de Cardenas on the right. Chris Thompson Real Estate DAMIANOS REALTY “Family Island Specialists” COMPANY LTD. “Sea To Sea” Estate Property MARSH HARBOUR --------------- 242-367-5046 HOPE TOWN & ELBOW CAY - 242-366-0040 LUBBERS QUARTERS ----------- 242-366-3143 Exclusive Affiliate ELBOW CAY PROPERTIES ---- 242-366-0569 ORCHID BAY Yacht Club & Marina Pristine North End Elbow Cay property comprised of over 5 Great Guana Cay tropical acres.