June 1, 2014 The Abaconian Section A Page 1 What’s Inside Airport Open •NIB unveils new card. A6 • “Is the Airport Open Yet?” Final Installment A22 • “Da roads dem dig up.” Why a patch of freshly paved road was torn up days later. A7 •Get Fishing! A10 • “William H Albury” re- turns home. B6 Above: the day many Abaconians and visitors have been waiting for, the Leonard M. Thompson International Airport open for busi- ness. See page 2 for the coverage. •Weeks later, victims of the Sandbanks fire still Conservation group need help. A22 Community meeting stops bulldozing of historic site •Crossword: Airport Edi- in Cherokee tackles Developer to tion! B13 preserve artefacts various issues •Crime Report. B12 What’s Happening •June 4-7: BBC: Trea- sure Cay Leg •June 5: Sea Spray Goombay Festival Above: Abaco Defenders met a bulldozer underbrushing an area many feel holds his- •June 6-7: Schooner Bay Issues ranging from garbage to police presence were discussed at the community meeting torical value. in Cherokee on May 12. See page 12 for the full rundown. Press Release Tuna Classic The conservation group known as the Abaco Defenders banded together to stop June 9: Cherokee Quilt the clearing of land on private property that • may be the remains of Carleton settlement, & Antique Exhibition the first Loyalist settlement in Abaco. The group approached the operating bulldozer, stood in front of it with cameras running •June 13-14: Central until it shut down. The group was able to Abaco Lionfish Derby Requested explain their concerns to the operator and Service Service Change Change Permit NO 4595 NO Permit the General Manager of Treasure Sands, WEST PALM BCH FL BCH PALM WEST Stuart, FL 34997 FL Stuart, Tim Blakely. PAID 5675 SE Grouper Ave Grouper SE 5675 •June 24: Elbow Cay US POSTAGE US Stuart Web Inc. Web Stuart PRSRT STD PRSRT The Abaconian The Please see Carleton Page 15 Lighthouse 150th Year Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. label the in shown date expiration the before subscription your Renew Celebrations Page 2 Section A The Abaconian June 1, 2014 New Terminal Opens Its Doors Above: the Leonard M Thompson International Airport the morning it opened on May 27. After years of delays and frustrations Abaco finally has an airport it can be proud of. By Timothy Roberts guests alike were very proud and im- At six o-clock in the morning pressed. Bobby Jones, Assistant Air- on May 27, 2014, the new Leonard port Manager, said “This is a good day M Thompson International Airport for Abaco having realized the existence opened its doors and just after seven of a brand new airport terminal that the first passengers disembarking from will service not only Abaconians but Bahamasair walked into the new build- persons travelling to Abaco.” ing and into history. He said that “this morning all se- The $30 million terminal and air curity personnel arrived on time and traffic control and crash rescue build- when Bahamasair and Sky Bahamas ings, which began construction in Sep- arrived all passengers were processed tember of 2011 enjoyed a soft opening efficiently.” that brought to a close the long saga “What we are looking forward to of delays and has finally given Abaco- now is greater airlift to Abaco bringing nians an airport terminal they can be more revenue to the community and proud of. spur more business in the community,” Despite a lack of belief by many Mr. Jones said. that the airport terminal would open While airport personnel work out (The Abaconian’s online poll showed the kinks in operations on their first over 70% of readers did not believe day government officials are expected Above: the breezeway outside the new terminal. it would open this day) residents and Please see Terminal Page 5 June 1, 2014 The Abaconian Section A Page 3 DAMIANOS Page 4 Section A The Abaconian June 1, 2014 Coldwell Banker June 1, 2014 The Abaconian Section A Page 5 Airport Opens terminal building to see for themselves Terminal From Page 5 and some even ventured inside. Major Nelson from Calabasas, in to tour the airport on Wednesday, California said this is his second trip May 28 and see it in operation. to Abaco and that “this new terminal is Michael Walsh, Regional Man- just first class; outstanding. Absolutely ager for Silver Airways, said “We’re Beautiful” very excited; we’ve been waiting a long Tina from Maryland said “it was time to get into a prestigious building.” exciting to be on the first international He said “When a community puts flight to the new terminal. It’s long together a terminal like this we see that awaited and quite impressive.” they mean business and that they want OC Cornish, local taxi driver, said us to come in and they are making it that the terminal “building is beautiful” easier for potential growth. We look and it is exciting to see it operate. forward to operating smoothly here in Carl, an Abaco resident, said “it’s the peak season.” a beautiful building and something Ab- The terminal concourse was abuzz aco can be proud of.” with excited guests sharing smiles and Above: view of the new terminal from the tarmac. The first sight to greet many visitors to A couple visiting from Fort Lau- talking about how nice the terminal Abaco. derdale who came in through the old building looks. Locals drove up to the Editor’s Note terminal were very impressed and said The day is finally here and we saw the “new terminal wonderful, bright a smooth opening of the Leonard M. and cheery.” Thompson International Airport. It is While the terminal is now open a beautiful building that will facilitate the shop areas have not yet been filled the proper development of our beautiful and only one check in section is fully in island. use. It is expected that the shop spaces However, there are some kinks to will be filled in the coming months and be worked out and questions still to be that the domestic check in area put to answered. The airport opened the same use. day as our press-time. So next issue The parking area is open and free for the moment, but they are expected we should have more details concern- to begin charging parking fees soon for ing things like the control tower, cost both short and long-term parking. of parking and long-term management Despite the few items that are not plans. complete, the sentiment among Abaco- Thanks for reading The Abaco- nian and congratulations Abaco on this Above: Baggage claim at the new terminal. nians is clear; they are thankful for a product they can finally be proud of. milestone! -Bradley Albury FURNITURE PLUS Page 6 Section A The Abaconian June 1, 2014 Central & All Abaco Bahamas National protecting our environment while inviting In response to growing environmen- NIB unveils new the world to enjoy it.” tal challenges, The Bahamas Government card for members Trust emphasizes The video showed a Cradle of Pro- established the Exuma Cays Land and Sea “Conservation in tection segment showcasing native birds. Park in 1958 making it the first of its kind In the 1950s, a sanctuary was established in the world. A year later, The Bahamas The Bahamas” on Inagua and a Wildbirds Protection Act National Trust was created by an Act of was passed for the protection of the West Parliament in 1959 to build and manage the By Canishka Alexander Indian flamingo population by the National national park system of The Bahamas, and During the Informative Talks sched- Audubon Society. it is believed to possibly be the only non- uled at the 10th Annual Island Roots Heri- Audubon records reflected that it was governmental organization in the world tage Festival, David Knowles of the Baha- the first time in history that special protec- charged with such a responsibility. mas National Trust (BNT) shared a video tion for flamingos had been proposed and David Knowles, BNT’s Director of on the history of conservation in The Ba- then established in law, so early in the 20th Parks, said that today there are 27 National hamas and the important role played by his Century The Bahamas positioned itself as Parks with the latest addition being one in organization. a leader in conservation, the commentator Eleuthera. Lynn Gape, Deputy Executive Audience members were shown how narrated. Director, and Eric Carey, executive direc- Above: Island Admin. Preston Cunning- everything on land and sea are connected The video presentation took a turn tor, were also featured in the video. ham (center) replacing his old, paper NIB with much attention given to nature’s eco- and quickly backtracked to the discovery As the presentation drew to a close, card with the new plastic one. He is ac- systems, fresh water sources and marine of Christopher Columbus, and how he it was reiterated that the challenge is not companied by NIB Deputy Chairman Ber- life. nard Evans (left) and NIB Manager of Pub- plundered The Bahamas’ natural resources to take the natural bounty that we have for lic Relations, Pandora Butler (right). As Pamela Poitier, co-founder of then the native people – the Lucayans. granted. Although Bahamians first thought Rake n’ Scrape Festival, pointed out there Although the settlers who came after that BNT was a bank, they soon learned On May 20 the National Insurance are certain industries that can sometimes Board officially unveiled their new NIB Columbus were able to enjoy the wildlife, that BNT was formed to help them under- member’s card.