February 15, 2004 The Abaconian Page RM VOLUME 12, NUMBER 7, APRIL 1st, 2004 Prime Minister Speaks to Chamber Plans Are Discussed to Support Abaco’s Growth By Stephanie Humblestone “I have come today to confirm that we in PM Christie Opens Basketball Court Central Government have accorded a high priority to the concerns of Abaco and that we are endeavoring to deal systematically with the challenges and opportunities which growth now brings to this island,” said the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Prime Minister, addressing some 200 guests at a luncheon on March 18, hosted by the Abaco Cham- ber of Commerce and held at Abaco Beach Resort. He described Abaco, from Crown Ha- ven to Sandy Point and the offshore cays, as “primed” for economic growth but, he reminded everyone, “We are only as strong as our weakest link.” He urged that the dis- advantaged be identified and helped. The Prime Minister commented that The Bahamas covers an area of 100,000 square miles with only a few populated islands. Central government is constantly challenged by this fact because it has to duplicate infra- structure on each of these islands. Placing safety and security as high priorities, he stated that three new police stations have opened, in Crown Haven, Treasure Cay and Moore’s Island. Mr. Christie felt that Abaco has an un- limited potential for growth. The island has a very strong heritage with the United States and a close connection with Florida. With The Rt. Hon. Perry Christie visited the Every Child Counts school in Marsh Harbour and toured the facility. The school is for challenged students who are not able to attend normal classrooms. He is shown here officially opening its basketball court. See Please see Prime Minister Page 16 story on page 18. Min. of Works Signs Road Contract Marine Preserve Is Controversial The Department of Fisheries held a final meeting about boundaries for a marine preserve to be established near the Bight of Old Robinson. The preserve would allow the normal marine development of this important resource by not allowing anything to be removed. A crowd gathered in Hope Town to witness the Minister of Works, the Hon. Bradley This will eventually replenish the surrounding areas. See story on page 7. Roberts, sign a contract with Cleare’s Heavy Equipment/Caribbean Asphalt to repair Elbow Cay’s roads. He is shown here addressing the residents. Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. By Stephanie Humblestone contract with Cleare’s Heavy Equipment/ The Abaconian PRST STD “I am here today for every ‘Doubting Caribbean Asphalt to repair Elbow Cay’s 9945 NW 88th Ave US POSTAGE Thomas,’ who thought it would never hap- roads. Medley, FL 33178 PAID Forward and Address Correction Permit #2438 pen,” quipped the Hon. Bradley Roberts, “It is our lucky day,” remarked one MIAMI FL 331 Minister of Works and Utilities, address- local resident. This was the overall feel- ing crowds gathered in front of the Hope Town Post Office on March 12. They Please see Roberts Page 4 were there to witness the signing of the Page 2 The Abaconian April 1, 2004 Prime Minister Responds to Key’s Resignation Senator Edison Key, long time Progres- Accordingly, I wish to place on public that Mr. Key thought that it lent support to been more than that for the simple reason sive Labour Party supporter, recently re- record the following facts: his belief. that as Prime Minister I do not process in- signed from his seat in the Senate and from 1. Although Mr. Key claims to have de- 7. Secondly, and in any event, not only vestment applications. This courtesy meet- the PLP party, making public his complaints livered his resignation letter to my office, did the firm in question not receive any ing was also attended by the Minister of and criticisms. The following is the Rt. Hon. there is absolutely no record of the receipt contract, they were not even invited to bid! Agriculture who, I am advised, subse- Perry Christie’s response. of that letter by anyone in While the firm in question had made it quently invited Mr. Key to prepare and sub- It is with regret that I now my office either on the 10th known that it intended to bid on the con- mit a formal project proposal to the rel- take public note of the res- January or any other date. tract in question - which incidentally was evant Ministry so that it could be put be- ignation of Mr. Edison Key Letters coming into my of- for $15 million dollars and not $38 million fore the National Economic Council. Min- from the Senate and the Pro- fice are routinely booked by dollars as alleged by Mr. Key - the ister Gray has further advised me, however, gressive Liberal Party. my secretarial staff before Ministry’s screening committee, compris- that from that day to now, he has received Mr. Key has given our na- they are placed before me. ing no fewer than nine public and private no project proposal of any kind whatever tion outstanding service over There is no record of any sector officials, disqualified the firm from from Mr. Key. many long years, including, such booking nor does any even bidding because it did not meet the 13. The only other matters to which Mr. in particular, his courageous Rt. Hon. Perry Christie member of my staff have criteria the Ministry had set. The firm there- Key refers of which I am aware were ap- role in repelling the Abaco any recollection of ever re- fore was placed on the list of those “not plications for Crown land in which Mr. Key secessionist threat in the run up to Indepen- ceiving Mr. Key’s letter. invited to bid.” And there the matter ended and/ or members of his family were per- dence more than thirty years ago. He served 2. It is astonishing, moreover, that on a as far as that firm was concerned. The con- sonally interested. I regret that Mr. Key is with distinction in both the House of As- matter of such constitutional gravity, Mr. tract in due course was put out to bid and disappointed over my Government’s han- sembly and the Senate for extended peri- Key, by his own admission, never called eventually awarded to another, totally un- dling of these personal matters, but he can ods, and I had sincerely hoped that he would me to let me know that a resignation letter related firm of world renown about whom rest assured that my Government’s policy have continued to serve in the latter cham- was on its way. Having shared a close bond neither Mr. Key nor anyone else has ever regarding the disposal of Crown land was ber to which I appointed him in 2002. His of friendship and a political association made any complaint. applied to him and his family no differently resignation as a Senator coupled with his spanning more than 30 years, I would have 8. I should add that the firm in question than it is applied to anyone else. resignation from the Party is therefore a thought that simple courtesy, if nothing else, also applied for a contract with another I regret that Mr. Key’s decision to sepa- matter of unfeigned regret. would have led Mr. Key to telephone me Ministry. This application was also turned rate himself from my government was in- Mr. Key’s decision is, I should add, a or to seek a meeting with me so that he down. fluenced, in part, by what he apparently matter of deep personal regret for me as could let me know, eyeball to eyeball, what 9. It cannot be emphasized enough that perceived to be a loss of personal political well. I have always had nothing but the high- he had decided to do and the reasons for the bidding process in question is as trans- influence in Abaco and his jealousy over est personal regard and affection for Mr. his decision. That Mr. Key could not bring parent as can possibly be and that there are the perceived ascendancy of other individu- Key. He was more than a political colleague; himself to do so is curious and even more any number of checks and balances that als, in particular, a former protégée towards he was also a valued friend. Any sugges- so in the context of an original letter that is make it virtually impossible for any minis- whom Mr. Key appears to have developed tion that I have at any time harboured any nowhere to be found. Nor did the Presi- ter to “pull a deal.” Indeed, it bears em- a great deal of hostility in recent times. ill will towards him is at once mischievous dent of the Senate - the person to whom phasis that the system in the Ministry in It is unfortunate that Mr. Key seems to and demonstrably false. On the contrary, senatorial resignations are constitutionally question was feel that I or my decision to appoint Mr. Key to the Sen- required to be sent – receive any letter of designed many Senator Key’s resignation as a Sena- other Minis- ate, notwithstanding his defeat in the Gen- resignation from Mr. Key until very much years ago for tor coupled with his resignation from ters of my eral Election, and my continued confidence later after the press had broken the story. precisely the the Party is therefore a matter of un- Government in him in that high constitutional office up This makes the matter even more curious.