April 1, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 1 VOLUME 20 NUMBER 7 APRIL 1ST, 2012 Participants compete in first Abaco Family Fitness Weekend By Rashida Murray Three days of absolute fun in the sun is the only way to describe the first Great Abaco Family Fitness weekend, coordi- nated by Lee McCoy, from March 23 – 25, 2012. Participants streamed from all across the globe to compete in events at the Coco Bar in Treasure Cay which was a prime location. Safety measures and pre- cautions were effectively executed by the police department and the Treasure Cay Crash, Fire and Water Rescue Team. Res- idents and second home owners welcomed the change of pace from the humdrum everyday activities. This friendly athletic competition was something the whole fam- ily could enjoy. Please see AFFW Page 2 Features this issue Crossword Puzzle - B 16 U-Boats off Abaco - B 14 The Great Abaco Fitness Weekend was held over the weekend of March 23 to 25 in Treasure Cay. It is the first in what the spon- Community Calendar - B 22 sors and organizers hope to be an annual event. Competitions in cluded an open water swim, sprint and olympic triathalons, a kids’ 1 mile fun run and a 5k/10k Fun Run/Walk. Candidate Debate Intro - A 8 Picture above are Officer Mackey with some of the kids who competed in the fun run; left to right: Tucker Cartwright, Carter Cartwright, Tanner Cartwright, Officer Mackey, Maison Wong and Walker Wong. See page 2. Entrepreneur Watch - A 24 Tech Support- A 18 Vessel holding 51 Haitian Fatal plane crash at Treasure immigrants seized Cay Airport On March 25, 51 Haitian immigrants were found in a small sailboat floating near Tiloo Cut. The boat was towed to Crossing Beach in Marsh Harbour where the men and women on board were processed by Immigration officers. See full story on page 7. Requested Service Service Change Change Permit NO 4595 NO Permit WEST PALM BCH FL BCH PALM WEST Stuart, FL 34997 FL Stuart, PAID 5675 SE Grouper Ave Grouper SE 5675 US POSTAGE US Stuart Web Inc. Web Stuart Four lives were tragically lost in the first fatal air crash on Great Abaco since the 2001 PRSRT STD PRSRT The Abaconian The crash involving the artist Aaliyah. Heavy cross-winds are suspected to have played a Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. label the in shown date expiration the before subscription your Renew role in downing the six-seater aircraft. Please see details on page 6. Page 2 Section A The Abaconian April 1, 2012 North Abaco The Great Abaco Family Fitness Weekend competed for the sprint race had to swim from Hope Town brought home the gold Ltd and many others. Beneficiaries of the AFFW From Page 1 a quarter mile, bike ride for 15 miles, and for their race. Representing Abaco proudly event likewise were appreciative including Activities commenced on Friday eve- run a 3.1 miles distance. Results are as fol- were Lindsey McCoy with a swim time of the Abaco Swim Club, Friends of the En- ning around 5pm with a splash as contes- lows: 16:24 minutes, Nakia Wong with a bike vironment and the Rotary Club of Abaco. tants swam a one mile open water event Individuals Sprint Triathlon near the shoreline; followed by a soft Overall Placing Overall Time opening ceremony. Robert Meister of the Treasure Cay Resort (a proud sponsor) Dale Hill 1st 1:14:33 expressed his gratitude to Lee McCoy and Brent Cartwright 2nd 1:20:58 Ms. Wynsome Ferguson of the Ministry of Vicki Stafford 3rd 1:22:23 Tourism, organizers of the events. For the Dorian Roach 4th 1:23:35 mile swim, Peter Wagner and Gina Wilcox It was a mad dash to the finish line for the Olympic Triathlon contestants Greg Lowe and Peter Wagner. Olympians cov- ered twice the distance as the sprinters. Fatigue was the only challenge for these athletes whom were driven by the motiva- Above: Mr. Meister (L) and Adrian Whylly Above: from left to right: Carter Cart- tion to finish strong. Results are as follows: (R). Winners of the 5k and 10k. wright, Tucker Cartwright, Donte Rich- ard, Maison Wong, Walker Wong and Placing Time Tanner Cartwright. All competitors in the ride time of 49:53 minutes and Kristin Wil- Greg Lowe 1st 2:53:25 Kids Fun Run event. Above: the lovely ladies of the Hope Town liams who’s running time recorded 29:06 Peter Wagner 2nd 2:54:29 Below: two competitors relax after a race. relay team “Tres Chicas.” Left to right- Carlos Chee-A-Tow 3rd 3:00:26 minutes. Nakia Wong, Kristin Williams and Lindsey Tony Bethell-Bennett 4th 3:32:14 Fortunately, everyone went home a McCoy winner proudly wearing a medal for partic- The crowd cheered at the arrival of ipating within the various events; especial- won first place prize round trip tickets to the anchor for the men’s relay team, Phil ly Maison Keopke-Wong (age 6) champion Florida on Bahamasair. Tony Bethell-Ben- Cummings of the Tribune, whose flight of the kids’ one mile race, Justin Fureich nett placed second and Greg Lowe placed touched down just in time for him to com- and Adrian Whylly winners of the 5k and third. Awards were presented to these ath- plete the 6.2 mile run. Rob Rothwell of 10K run respectively. letes. Bahamas Hotmix, met him at the exchange Participants boasted of how pleased The athletic fitness events were: the zone elated to “pass the baton” to his part- they were to compete in the first Great Ab- one mile open water swim, a triathlon, a ner after his 24.8 miles bike ride. Adam aco Family Fitness Event which was very kiddy one mile run and a 5k/10k run. The Isaac of the Carribbean Landscaping Com- well organized and patronized by proud events were categorized for sprinters and pany had given Rob a strong start at the sponsors including the Cycles Unlimited, Olympians, male and female athletes re- beginning of the triathlon by completing a Home Fabrics, A-Salt Weapon, Damia- spectively. The triathlon began at 7:30am 1500m swim in less than 25 minutes. nos, Sotheby’s International, John Bull on Saturday morning. Individuals who The praiseworthy female relay team Ltd., Bahamian Brewery & Beverage Co [email protected] April 1, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 3 Page 4 Section A The Abaconian April 1, 2012 April 1, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 5 More North Abaco Public forum discussing port and bridge projects held in Coopers Town There was a public presentation on ture a twelve foot clearance at high tide. foot clearance was too low and that not all again to respond to the crowd. Under the March 20 in Coopers Town to discuss The port will be built roughly three locals would be able to benefit. A fellow budgetary constraints, he explained, this the multi-million dollar port and bridge kilometers north of Coopers Town. It, audience member Mr. McIntosh respond- was what could be worked out. It was at projects that have been scheduled for the nearly 1,400,000 square feet, will feature ed saying, “The south-side is a breeding a point where the project would either be area. China Harbour Engineering Com- a container port, a bulk cargo yard, offices ground,” implying that a twelve foot clear- scrapped or move forward and the admin- pany (CHEC) offered a walk-through of for immigration and law enforcement and a ance would be enough for the type of ac- istration opted for the best deal. the plans to the nearly 150 gathered. Also marina. 340 feet of breakwater will also be tivities the creek would see. present was the Honourable Neko Grant, placed at the entrance of the port. Mr. Tinker raised concerns about the Minister of Works, and John Schaefer, en- CHEC will provide the majority project’s impact on the future of the com- gineer. According to Mr. Grant, this dual of the labour to complete the project and munity and implored CHEC to reconsider Below: A rendering of the proposed port project is the largest of several government will import the main materials. They will how the project would commence. “This project located 3 kilometers north of Coo- initiatives planned for Abaco. consider using local concrete and other is a project that will impact our lives,” he pers Town. It will feature bulk storage and “This is a project that will transform materials if it is not price restrictive. 30 continued, “only 30 persons on a project of a marina among other modern amenities. North Abaco,” Mr. Grant said, “and [the Bahamians, such as truck drivers, clerks this scale?” Mr. Tinker called on the young The port is one of two projects commis- Prime Minister] is determined not to leave and security, will be directly employed by people in attendance, many of whom he sioned by the government for North Abaco. the island the project. An additional $3.865 million said were looking for opportunities, to ask The second project is a bridge that will al- “This is a project the way worth of labour will be locally contracted. the tough questions. low access through the creek dividing Great he found Mr. Lee and Mr. Yu talked about The Hon. Neko Grant took the stage and Little Abaco. that will it.” Mr. “win-win cooperation.” They hinted at transform North Grant several public welfare initiatives CHEC Abaco,” went on would undertake throughout the progress to ex- of construction.