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FELIX SANDS WRITES FROM GRAND BAHAMA

Bahama Rock is a mining company seeking government’s approval to mine aggregate at the entrance of Freeport Harbour. The area in question sits on the old Bahamas Cement Company site encompassing more than 270 acres of land at the entrance of Freeport Harbour. The company borders Eight Mile Rock community on the westside of the harbour entrance. On the other side of the harbour sits the Pinders Point, Lewis Yard, and Hunters communities. Together, they form the largest settlements in the Bahamas outside of Nassau.

The topographic maps of this area shows the average land level height of 2 to 6 ft above sea level. This area is flat and vulnerable to storm surge. This was vividly demonstrated with the passage of hurricane Wilma on October 24th, 2005. This fast moving storm brought truck size Boulders, and all manner of debris, from the ocean’s floor onto the ‘Front Street’ of the Eight Mile Rock Community; and subsequently, destroyed many homes, severely damaged others, and unearthed many graves. The caskets floated freely throughout the communities. Thankfully, this was a fast-moving storm. ‘Lest’ we forget the lessons learned.

Bahama Rock turned up the pressure last week; the company seeks government permission to dig a hole in the ground 60 ft. deep over a 270-Acre track of land bringing that great a volume of water into a major population Center. Creating man made risk that places the health and safety of scores of families in this area is both reckless and dangerous. Communities already vulnerable to severe storm surge is a dangerous Gamble. The calamities consequence is not worth the risk of one human life. Bahama Rock through its past actions have shown the people of Grand Bahama who they are. Profits before people.

The company has further stated that if they are not given the approvals by September 18th, the company will commence laying off the hourly workers which are estimated to be 70 persons. What a persuasive threat!

Weather forecasters now have computer models that will show you the the outcome of weather probability. They show probabilities of outcome of what will happen. The lesson of hurricane Wilma showed us an outcome that did not have a 60 ft. hole in the ground in 2005. The lesson of hurricane Dorian, 2nd September, 2019 taught us that hurricanes can stall over Islands and, by extension, communities. Loved ones were simply swept away by water. The area in question does not need human intervention in creating additional risk for loss of life and property damage.

Digging a hole in the ground in the heart of the Eight Mile Rock Community is a portrait of a company that has lost its soul. This, then, is proof positive that the only thing that motivates Bahama Rock is profits. In these Isles of The Bahamas, people are still more important than profits.

Finally, I am old enough to remember people demonstrating on Sunrise Highway between Bahama Princess and the International Bazaar saying it was Tomfoolery to block off West Sunrise Highway and put a man-made beach in the middle of a major thoroughfare. At the time, it was said that the demonstrators that opposed the project were running away investors. Today, the taxpayers of this country are paying the price to remedy that foolish mistake made by the week government of the day and a desperate Port Authority.
The cracks and structural damages to people’s homes in West Grand Bahama tells us all who Bahama Rock Is! Without apology, “No”, to bringing the ocean on a flat Island closer to the community.
Lest we forget. We learn from our past.

Felix Sands

ABAGAIL CARTWRIGHT DEAN’S BLUE HOLE

For two weeks, I have argued that the FNM needs rebuilding. It needs leadership, depth and, most importantly, a bench. Last week, former professional basketball player turned Senator Rick Fox helped make my argument for me.

Fox took to social media Friday to scold Minister Fred Mitchell over a lecture he presented and hosted by the Fox Hill PLP Branch entitled “Framing The Bahamas.” His complaint? Bahamians were “locked out” because attendance was restricted to card-carrying PLPs. He called it an “echo chamber.”

Senator Fox, it was a PLP meeting.

That is like complaining that the Lakers held practice and did not invite the Celtics.

But Senator Fox’s criticism raises a far more obvious question: Why isn’t the FNM holding its own closed-door meetings for its supporters? Why isn’t the party gathering its members to have serious conversations about the future of The Bahamas and the issues it believes should define that future?

Hold your own forums. Discuss immigration. Debate taxation, electricity, education and economic policy. Develop ideas. Challenge yourselves intellectually. That is what a government-in-waiting does.

Instead, the FNM increasingly appears unable to distinguish an issue from an opportunity to make noise.

Fox’s intervention is particularly revealing, however. He once sought a PLP nomination before emerging as an FNM candidate. Now, with questions surrounding the FNM’s leadership and what any future reshuffling might mean for Senate appointments, one wonders whether these videos are less about national discourse and more about him remaining politically relevant- trying to save his seat.

And one final piece of advice, Senator: clean yourself up. A seat in the Senate is a distinguished position. The disheveled hair, unkempt beard, same red shirt and short pants may be intended to make you appear relatable, but it comes across as forced. Bahamian parliamentarians have traditionally understood that public office carries a certain dignity. We are better than that.

The random nonsensical comments on non-issues, and other disconnected commentary may keep Senator Fox visible, but the FNM does not need more content. It needs people who can demonstrate depth, judgment, and a serious understanding of the issues facing the country.

Rick Fox should understand this better than most: good basketball players know you do not take every shot simply because the ball is in your hands.

Sometimes, you pass.

Politics is no different. Not everything is an issue, and not every opportunity to criticize the government is a shot worth taking.

Finally, if this is the best the FNM can bring off the bench, then perhaps my question from two weeks ago is on target: the problem is not simply who is leading the team. The problem is that there still isn’t much of a bench.

-Abigail Cartwright