Compiled, edited and constructed by Russell Dames... Updated every Sunday at 2 p.m.
Volume 7 © BahamasUncensored.com 2009
COMMENT OF THE WEEK
WHY THEY REALLY CLOSED THE
HOUSE
There is usually a two-month break in the summer for members of
the House of Assembly. The House usually breaks in early July when
members depart until October. But you will remember that when the
House closed, Hubert Ingraham faced PLP accusations of running a do nothing
government. In his wild way, in which he makes it up as he goes,
Mr. Ingraham simply kept extending the time of the House well beyond the
time when there was supposed to be the break. The result is that
members left for their summer break very late, and the time of return was
unnecessarily short, about one month.
Given the short break, and the volume of legislation that the government laid before the House before the break, you would have thought that by Wednesday 2nd September when the government returned to the House, they would be rearing to go. Before the break, Mr. Ingraham said he wanted to pass the bill to bring into effect the prescription drug plan. This was to stop the PLP criticism on health care. You see the PLP passed before it left office a National Health Insurance plan that would have provided the means to pay for the health care and needs of all Bahamians. The FNM agreed with the bill, but during the campaign decided that they would not honour it. The result is that people are still holding cookouts to try to pay for their health care.
Wednesday 2nd September saw a big build up in the press. The prescription drug plan was coming. The Minister of Health Dr. Hubert Minnis was busy with his speech. Dr. Minnis’ staff were all gathered in the gallery. The National Insurance officials who will run the plan were all there. The House of Assembly’s TV channel gave it a big build up. The pharmaceutical salesmen were all gathered in the gallery, some of them even flying in from Grand Bahama. All for nothing. As it turns out, in the end there was no debate, no speech by the Minister. The House was suspended from the 2nd September until 30th September. That means that the original break of two months is what members now get for their summer vacation.
This is a complete joke. Instead of the urgent bill to provide for medication chronic diseases, the people of the country all got only the plaudits and farewells to the recently deceased former House member Leander Minnis. And even in that, Hubert Ingraham, the Prime Minister, was his usual ungracious self. So after speech after speech about the late Mr. Minnis, the House suspended for another month.
Now here is what the Government’s leader in the House told the country about why the long break. First, he said that there was a power failure that morning, which affected the whole island of New Providence and the people of the country would not be able to see the debate on television. Well, there’s a good reason. Let’s clap for that. Then, he said that there was some material that had only come to the House that morning for Members to see; that, well, they should have gotten it before to allow members to have the benefit of mature consideration (our words) before the debate. Then the said that there would be a need to deal with the colour of the walls of the House of Assembly that had been changed to yellow and, well, that needed to be dealt with. The Prime Minister was upset about the colour (see story below).
These were all excuses, not reasons. The real reason, we suspect, is that the government was simply not ready. In other words, they spent the whole summer skiving off and doing nothing, then came back to Parliament after one month with nothing to present, no agenda and nothing to say to the country. So, boy were they glad when the power went off that morning. They no doubt said to themselves: “Praise God! Hallelujah! God is good!”
If they were truly ready, they would have been set to go, come rain or shine.
There could even have been a fallback position. Since the electricity was one of the problems, it would have been helpful if the Minister for BEC would have explained what the reason was for the power failure yet again, the second major power failure in New Providence in a week. No word from the Minister while in the House, although he later issued a statement saying that it was due to a cable fault and it was also an act of God. God gets blamed for a lot of things these days. The excuse sounded familiar.
Well, we suppose then that - by extension - the real reason for the suspension of the House of Assembly for another month by this do nothing government is an act of God. Now isn’t that special!
Number of hits for the week ending Saturday 5th September 2008 at midnight: 78,221.
Number of hits for the month of August up to Monday 31st August 2009
at midnight: 287,884.
THE
RIGBY - WILCHCOMBE DEBATE
When the Bahamian public woke up to their newspapers
last Monday 31st August, there was on the front page of The Guardian a
face off between two PLPs. One of them was Raynard Rigby, former
Party Chairman and the other, current MP and candidate for Deputy Leader
of the PLP Obie Wilchcombe, himself a former Chairman.
There was a dispute. Mr. Rigby made a call
for Mr. Wilchcombe to step down from the position of convention chairman.
It’s a point that was impatient of debate and has been simmering in the
press for some time. Mr. Rigby said that since Mr. Wilchcombe was
running for the office of Deputy Leader, he ought to step down from the
position of chairman.
Mr. Wilchcombe was furious. He denounced Mr.
Rigby’s intervention. The Chairman of the party Glenys Hanna Martin
and Leader Perry Christie both declined to make any public comment saying
that they would not discuss party business in the open but within the party
as was appropriate. The PLP always takes this line when there is
an uncomfortable message, a point obviously not lost on the cartoonist
Stan Burnside (see immediately below). Perhaps there would be some
currency to it, if in the eyes of party members and the public there were
a credible internal procedure for discussion of matters of concern to the
party.
Mr. Wilchcombe himself while refusing to step aside
voluntarily said that if asked by the Chairman or the Party Leader to step
aside he would do so. That seemed to concede the point. Mr.
Rigby later responded to Mr. Wilchcombe, saying that electing Mr. Wilchcombe
to the Deputy Leadership of the party would be taking the party backwards.
Stay turned for the next instalment.
It appears that certain folk just don’t get it.
Here you have a party that was defeated in part by the perception of being
corrupt and indecisive. And even though this is an internal election,
the country is looking to see how the Party deals with the allegation.
Even in its internal democracy, the Party’s business must be equally as
fairly run as a General Election. How the party deals with this will
frame the public’s perceptions for the next general election. The
right thing to do is patently obvious, yet the PLP drags it out until it
inflicts damage on the organization.
When will the PLP get the general point, particularly
in an atmosphere of a double standard between the PLP and the FNM?
Mr. Rigby is right.
Nassau Guardian headline
 |
THE
COLOUR YELLOW
What is in a colour? Apparently quite a lot
for the Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. When the House met on Wednesday
2nd September members came in to find that there were new carpets on the
floor and the colour of the wall had been changed from green to a colour
close to gold or yellow. It was strange, but not something to get
exercised about.
The Prime Minister came in grumbling. Before
he spoke, he said that he found the colour abhorrent and he got so worked
up about it that he promised that when the House returned on the 30th September,
it would be back to its old colour.
The Speaker must have been shaking in his boots
because as soon as the Prime Minister spoke, he acted like a child saying
to his daddy after being scolded that it was not him who did it.
Alvin Smith, the Speaker, said that he was more shocked than the Prime
Minister. He said that everyone knows that the colour is green for
the House not gold. He said that was so at the Westminster Parliament
and throughout the Commonwealth.
Some speculated that they were upset because the
colour resembled the PLP’s colours. Could not have been a PLP that
did it. It was the Secretary to the Cabinet Anita Bernard a well-known
FNM who ordered the change in colour. Anyway, the government is going
to spend its precious dollars repainting that which was painted.
Truly, these people have nothing better to do with their time and they
have more money than sense. Have a look at Stan Burnside’s cartoon
that aptly portrays the Speaker acting the role of a supplicant.
STAN BURNSIDE’S ‘YELLOW’ CARTOON
 |
CRITICISM
OF THE CHINESE VISIT
The Leader of the Opposition Perry Christie did
not get the opportunity for a formal visit by the Chinese Chairman, Wu
Bangguo (see photo of the week). Instead, he was relegated to a late
invitation to the official dinner being hosted by the Prime Minister and
a late invitation to attend the cornerstone laying of the official stadium,
which he negotiated and of which the FNM are now the beneficiaries.
There was an official call paid on the President
of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Assembly. Surely, in
the power equation of The Bahamas, these are not offices as senior as Leader
of the Opposition, and particularly not when the office of Leader of the
Opposition is held by a former Prime Minister. We do not blame the
Chinese for this, but blame Hubert Ingraham for this gross insult and deliberate
oversight.
SOME
COMMENTS HERE AND THERE
Where Is The Registrar of
Insurance?
In the face of the CLICO fiasco, the Registrar of Insurance was left
to explain what appeared to be a lack of attention on the part of that
office. From that, the public had a right to presume that lessons
would have been learnt and in future, the interest of the public would
be more closely watched. Thus, it remains a surprise that Bahamas
First General Insurance Company has yet to publish its financial statements
for the year ended 31st December, 2008 even though the deadline for the
same was 30th June, 2009. The President of Bahamas First General
Insurance Company is Patrick Ward, the Chairman of The National Insurance
Board.
Tourism
And Financial Services Sectors Under Pressure
The negative trend continues with the second largest contributor our
Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This week, Butterfield Bank, the Bermuda
based bank with a branch in Nassau, reported a downsizing of its staff
in Nassau by 10%. This adds to 80 job losses announced at the Sandals
Resort in the tourism sector. Old Bahama Bay in Grand Bahama, also
a tourist resort, announced that it would close its doors for the entire
month of September and lay off staff during the period.
Why
Is the Bahamas Stock Exchange Underperforming?
During the period from 1st January, 2009 to the end of August, 2009,
the value of shares traded on BISX declined by 7.9%. In contrast,
stock markets around the world rose as follows: Dow Jones Industrial Average
- 8.3%; Standard & Poors - 13.6%; NASDAQ - 28.2%; Nikkei 225 - 15.6%;
and UK-FTSE 100 - 9.4%. This must be a source of concern to those
who accept the Government’s propaganda that economic conditions in The
Bahamas will improve as global economic conditions improve. Equally,
it tends to support those who argue that the poor economic performance
of The Bahamas since 2007 has been a combination of global economic conditions
and unwise management policy measures by the FNM Government, including
the policy to have stopped, reviewed an cancelled so many contracts left
in place by the former PLP administration.
Does The
Tourism Minister Have A Plausible Strategy?
Listening to the Minister of National Security announcing what he called
a “new strategy with which to fight crime” caused one to recall that not
long ago the new Minister of Tourism was announcing a new strategy for
tourism. He assured the country that it was a sure winner.
One key aspect of that new strategy was to concentrate on the quality of
the product rather than on price and promotions. Wow! How quickly
things change. Today, one cannot for long watch a US TV station such
as MSNBC, without seeing a Bahamas advertisement where the basic message
is ‘come because it is cheap’. For example, rooms in Grand Bahama
are being offered at $35 per night. We are for all visitors, but
maybe the Minister would benefit from listening to some of the campaign
speeches by the Prime Minister from as far back as 1992 when Mr. Ingraham
was attacking what he called “Kentucky Fried Tourists”.
VINCENT
PEET ON BEC
For the second time in as many weeks, the island of New Providence was
without electricity. Just as the children were getting ready for
school and the island was stirring on Wednesday 2nd September, the power
failed. It took BEC from 7:15 a.m. on that day until 11 a.m. to get
the place back up and running; and then only in part. The Minister
of State for BEC Phenton Neymour claimed, yet again, that it was a cable
fault and an Act of God. God gets blamed for all sorts of things
these days. Vincent Peet, MP for North Andros, who is the Opposition’s
spokesman on Utilities, demanded answers from the government saying that
there must be full disclosure. Here is his statement in full:
“The country has to be seriously concerned at
the inability of the Government of The Bahamas to keep the power on in
its main city, Nassau . Yesterday, the power was off for two significant
periods. The Minister for the second time in a week of major power
cuts has blamed the power failures on a cable fault and an act of God.
Whatever the position, this is unacceptable in a modern Bahamas.
“There has been serious disruption to work and
productivity on the island of New Providence and in the city of Nassau
as a result of the blackouts. The economic costs are incalculable.
The social disruption is reprehensible. The explanations are slow
in coming.
“We therefore need to have a full and frank disclosure
by the Minister responsible for BEC of what the underlying issues are for
the problems at BEC and what are the plans to deal with these problems.
We continue to receive reports that the power cannot be sustained in New
Providence because there is under capacity and there is lack of maintenance.
The report is that because of lack of planning there is not sufficient
power to meet the requirements of the island. The reported lack of
maintenance also has to do with the lack of funding. One expression
of this lack of money is the fact that overtime payments have been eliminated,
so maintenance work cannot be done as scheduled. Government
must address these issues because the island cannot continue to be crippled
by these long unexpected blackouts.
“Not only does New Providence suffer, other communities
are suffering as well because of a lack of power. These include parts
of Andros, Eleuthera and Abaco. All of these issues must be addressed
in a comprehensive fashion so that the country can know what to expect
in terms of the power requirements and supply of this country.”
FRANK
SMITH SAYS INGRAHAM MISLED THE HOUSE
Member of Parliament for St. Thomas More Frank Smith took the Prime Minister
Hubert Ingraham to task for what he said was misleading the House on certain
information during the budget debate. In offering “ Proof positive
that the Prime Minister misled Parliament”, Mr. Smith said that if you
examined the Central Bank’s reports it is clear that the national debt
was higher than Mr. Ingraham recognized during the budget debate and that
he deliberately under reported the size of the debt. Here is Mr.
Smith’s statement issued on 3rd September in his own words:
“During the course of the recent Budget debate
I detailed 13 questions to the Rt. Hon. P.M. in his role as Minister of
Finance. Full and truthful answers to those 13 questions would have
clearly established significant misrepresentations being made by the Rt.
Hon. P.M. during the course of his Budget address. Instead of the
full and truthful responses from the P.M., what the country received as
a response was from the Minister of State for Finance and was clearly calculated
to do no more than to confuse the subject.
“But time is longer than rope and the latest
report from the Central Bank of The Bahamas provides proof positive that
the P.M. knew when he wrote his Budget Communication that it was wrong
for him to predict that at June 30, 2009 the ‘stock of Government debt’
would be $2.9 billion dollars. Even if he thought he was correct
my questions were specifically designed to encourage him to go back and
check to ensure its accuracy.
“This did not happen. So now the Central
Bank of The Bahamas has been left to report the truth which is, that at
the 30 June 2009 the national debt was closer to $3.1 billion dollars than
to $2.9 billion dollars as forecasted by the P.M. Furthermore the
same Central Bank Report shows that this happened precisely through “cooking
the books” specifically by not properly disclosing a loan of approximately
$159,000,000 taken out before June 30, 2009 but disguised as something
else.
“I attach relevant extracts from my address to
Parliament to show that this was no simple miscalculation by the Rt. Hon.
Prime Minister. Instead, the misstatement of the true level of the
national debt had the real intention of understating all of the analysis
about the national debt ratio been sufficient to allow what he was calling
‘head room’ to borrow even more.
“This type of misinformation to Parliament, to
the Country and to creditors of the Country not only undermines the creditability
of the entire National Budget but is also a certain route to destruction
of confidence by creditors at home and abroad.
“This is not in the National interest.
“I therefore urge the P.M. to come clean even
if he comes rough dry. For it is better for the P.M. to acknowledge
his mismanagement of the economy than to destroy it.”
THE
HOTEL UNION FIGHT
During the week, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and
Allied Workers Union were back in court, before Justice Neville Adderley
this time. Justice Adderley stopped the nomination process from going
ahead, based on an application by the Registrar of Trade Unions, Harcourt
Brown. Mr. Brown said that the Union was proposing a nomination day
and according to the ruling of Justice Jon Isaacs in which he set aside
the elections for the union earlier in the year, the nominations had to
be supervised by him.
Kirk Wilson, the Vice President of the Union, who
is responsible for all the legal actions, and who was run out of the Hotel
Union compound for assisting in the transfer of 700,000 dollars of Union
money to, amongst others, his own lawyer, claims that the only nomination
date that is valid is the nomination date set by the Executive Council,
where he was in the majority and which was held on 11th May. Nicole
Martin who was elected president and sat for 60 days or so, but whose election
was set aside, did not participate in that 11th May nomination day because
the Union’s then President set another nomination date for 4th May.
If Mr. Wilson is right, then Ms. Martin, who is
sure to defeat him, will not be able to run in the election at all.
This would be an incredible result and almost a way of cheating in order
to be at the helm of the Union without having to face the true leader at
the ballot box. Mr. Wilson’s actions have already caused according
to reports the Union to be in serious financial difficulties. The
Judge reserved his judgment and is expected to rule on Monday 7th September.
Ms. Martin is represented by Harvey Tynes Q.C. and Damien Gomez.
JOHNLEY
FERGUSON UNDER ATTACK
On Monday 31st August, The Tribune carried buried on page 3, a story that
were it the PLP would have been on page one with blaring headlines.
A Meritorious Councilor of the FNM, the equivalent position of a Stalwart
Councillor of the PLP, who did not have the courage to have his name printed
but chose to be anonymous, attacked the current Chairman of the FNM Johnley
Ferguson for being ineffective. This is the second time in as many
months that such a report surfaced. What is interesting is it gives
a perspective on what they think about the PLP, describing the PLP as at
its weakest state ever. Here is the statement in its own words:
“Mr. Ferguson was never elected. He never
had to campaign. He never felt pressure. He is not accustomed
to winning, having lost his bid to Parliament in Mical and in South Eleuthera.
So he is the last person that can do any planning toward winning.
“He does not have the support of MPs. Many
of them cannot get Mr. Ferguson to do simple things like make sure that
constituency associations have elections in a timely manner and the basic
tidying up to keep the party relevant. The party I know and love
is changing and the Chairman seems not to be able to keep the party working
in harmony.
“This is a time in our party when we need a Chairman
who is proactive and not shortsighted. We need a Chairman who is
articulate and can think on his feet. Mr. Ferguson cannot seem to
separate his personal feelings from his position. He is too thin
skinned for politics.
“With the PLP at its weakest state, the FNM seems
incapable of capitalizing on this weakness, a failing I attribute to the
Chairman.
“During my observation in the last few days,
there seems to be some negative attitude since Mr. Ferguson heard of several
persons who may be interested in the Chairmanship. He has since been
stand-offish to lukewarm. He like many persons in positions of power,
believes like the position belongs to them and no one should ever challenge
them for it. Black leaders usually act strange, when someone else
has aspirations for the position they hold. I thought the positions
belong to no one and the FNM was a democratic organization.
“There are four persons that I know of but may
be more who have surfaced for the position. Mavis Collie, a practicing
attorney and wife of Sidney Collie, Michael Turnquest, a deputy chair and
businessman, Mildred Hall Watson, a party fundraiser and gynecologist and
Anthony Musgrove, a banker and Senator.
“However, the position needs a full time highly
energetic, politically astute, articulate, serious high profile Chairman,
that would keep the party together and who will have no fear in going toe
to toe with the Opposition.
“The party can ill afford to have another appointment
to this crucial position of Chairman. This should be left to the
delegates at the convention. Any attempts to dilute the position
of Chairman will only further erode the confidence in the party.”
CHRISTIAN
COUNCIL’S DOUBLE SPEAK ON RAPE IN MARRIAGE
The Bahamas Christian Council’s President Patrick Paul (pictured) has issued
a statement on the controversial bill introduced by the government to criminalize
rape within a marriage without the need for divorce proceedings or a separation
order. The bill has caused uproar in the society since it was tabled
before the House of Assembly’s summer break. Most critics of the
government believe that they will not proceed with it given the public
uproar and that it is simply a distraction from the problem that the government
has in seeking to keep the country afloat.
The headline on Friday 4th September in The Tribune:
‘Bahamas Christian Council Rejects Rape Law’. In The Guardian of
the same day, the headline was ‘Marital Rape Ban Tragically Wrong’.
At first glance, the newspapers would seem to be correct. What it
looks like is that the Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and Methodist
Churches all seem to be on one side of the issue for the law and the Christian
Council and the fundamentalist preachers on the other side against the
law. However, a careful examination of all the positions of the churches
will show that they are all saying the same thing.
Those who have been reported to be for the law all
have caveats to their support, cautioning the government to ensure that
it is not abused and to ensure that there is consultation. They all
affirm the right of a woman to consent and that women are not property.
The Bahamas Christian Council’s statement seems to suggest that in its
present form the law is problematic. What they suggest is that instead
of calling the crime rape it ought to be described as aggravated spousal
abuse or assault. In the end, it appears that there is a distinction
without a difference.
The point is, women should not be abused in marriage
and should not be raped by their husbands without some sanction by the
law. Now it is for the government's draughtsman to get to work at
seeking to solve the problem. But if we know Hubert Ingraham, he
will bulldoze ahead and we should let him go until his big toe bucks up
against the rock. So far, the Anglican Church has been silent but
one of its clergymen Archdeacon James Palacious says that he agrees with
the law. Here is what the Christian Council’s statement says in its
own words:
“Such a law is appropriate to govern sexual intercourse
between two persons who are not married to each other because, unlike married
people, they have no contract that implies open-ended sexual consent. Therefore,
specific moment by moment consent is required by them.
“But can it be right to bring married people
under such a law designed for unmarried people? We strongly disagree. It
is not right, and it can never be right to bring all married couples under
this definition of rape whereby moment to moment consent is required for
every stage of every act of sexual intercourse.
“Passing this into law while it may be legal,
it will be wrong.
“And it will be tragically wrong because it would
be disregarding the marriage covenant and contract between a man and woman,
when on the day of their marriage in the sight of God and in the company
of witnesses, they pledged to give themselves to each other in holy matrimony
and thereby gave each other upfront implicit open-ended sexual consent.
“Marriage between a man and woman seals a contract
of conjugal rights between the pair, which implies mutual rights of companionship,
aid and sexual relations.
“Therefore as it relates to sexual relations,
by virtue of getting married, a man and a woman give upfront, implicit
and open-ended sexual consent to each other on the day of their marriage
for the duration of their marriage.
“If one party to the marriage wishes to revoke
their implicit sexual consent, he or she can apply to the court for some
kind of order of protection, separation, or dissolution of the marriage.
However, until such time, implied sexual consent arising from the marriage
contract continues.
“The proposed amendment, in its current form,
would interfere with the marital contract entered in by two people as it
defies open-ended sexual consent.
“The Council denounces all acts of rape. [But]
any laws passed should seek to encourage, strengthen and build a better
understanding within the family unit.
“The words 'who is not his spouse' should not
be deleted from the definition of rape, thereby leaving it as is and allowing
rape to only be possible between two persons who are not married to each
other.
“Parliament [should] pass a new amendment that
makes forced sexual intercourse in marriage a crime which can only be prosecuted
in cases of provable force and harm, thereby barring trivial and other
allegations that cannot be proven.
“The basic form of the offence should be called
a term similar to 'spousal abuse' and severe forms called 'aggravated spousal
abuse'. This new amendment should require the attorney general's consent
to charge in cases where the accused person is under 21 years of age.
“Additionally, if a spouse is convicted of violence
which led to rape within marital bonds, there should be mandatory rehabilitative
steps prior to any form of incarceration. Should there be subsequent abuses
leading to rape of a spouse then the full strength of the law should be
applied, that is imprisonment etc.
“Perhaps in this regard the government and the
church should seek to partner along with other social agencies to ensure
that we have qualified, trained and professional persons and personnel
to provide appropriate rehabilitative centres to facilitate such a growing
concern within our society.”
AN
EXCHANGE BETWEEN COMRADES
Johnley Ferguson, who is the FNM’s Chairman and
himself under fire by the FNM for doing nothing, was lobbing some balls
at PLP leader Perry Christie in the Arawak Cay Container Port controversy.
Mr. Christie and the PLP oppose the Port but Mr. Ferguson says that
Mr. Christie has not been vocal on the issue. Mr. Ferguson has a
selective memory. But here is what the Bahama Journal reported of
an exchange between radio talk show host and former FNM Minister Algernon
Allen and Mr. Ferguson when he appeared on Mr. Allen’s show on Thursday
3rd September. The report appeared in The Bahama Journal of 4th September:
Mr. Ferguson: “The perceived failure by the official Opposition
Leader Perry G. Christie to speak out on the controversy connected to the
moving of the downtown Nassau container port to Arawak Cay is being taken
by the government as the opposition’s acceptance to the move.
“While there has been public outrage to the proposed
moving of the port and the related works as it affects communities near
Arawak Cay and in particular Saunders Beach, the official opposition has
not condemned the activities.”
Algernon Allen: “You need not be too nice in commenting on
the perceived inertia of the Opposition Leader.
“In fact Senator, let me say this and I say this
as someone who knows and likes the Leader of the Opposition. But
the Leader of the Opposition has virtually gone into hiding on critical
issues which affect the nation and so his absence in this regard is no
novelty or nothing strange. It follows a very typical pattern.”
IT’S
CONFIRMED: A BAHAMIAN BISHOP FOR GUYANA
The Anglican Diocese announced on Tuesday 1st September
that the Venerable Archdeacon Cornell Moss has been appointed Bishop Designate
of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana. Making the announcement was Bahamian
Anglican Bishop Laish Boyd. This confirms the story that appeared
on this site last week. The new appointment follows the retirement
of Bishop Randolph George of Guyana. Archdeacon Moss who is rector
of the Church of the Ascension in Freeport, Grand Bahama becomes the second
voting Bahamian bishop to serve in the House of Bishops of the Anglican
Church in the West Indies Province. He will be the third Bahamian
to serve as Bishop in the southern Caribbean. The other two were
Drexel Gomez, later Archbishop of the West Indies and Donald Knowles who
served from 1953 as Bishop of Antigua. Our warmest congratulations
to the Bishop designate.
Venerable Archdeacon Cornell Moss, left, Bishop Designate of the
Anglican Diocese of Guyana, with Bishop Laish Boyd. Bahama Journal
photo/Torrell Glinton
MOTHER
PRATT MAKES IT OFFICIAL: ‘I’M OUT!’
Former Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt and incumbent Deputy Leader
of the Progressive Liberal Party is to leave the job of Deputy Leader at
the next convention of the PLP now scheduled for 18th October. Mrs.
Pratt confirmed what had been speculated around political circles all year
at a press conference at her home on Tuesday 1st September. She said
that she had chosen the person she will support but she would not announce
it until the convention, so as not to interfere with the current round
of campaigning. However, most of what she said seems to point to
Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, the Cat island MP, as her choice.
Mrs. Pratt did not say that she will not run in
the seat after the next election, but it is believed that she will step
down from that job as well. There is friction within her constituency
because she reportedly objects to the campaigning of Paul Moss in the constituency
against her wishes. Here is what Mrs. Pratt said in her own words:
“I have decided to announce my choice at convention
because I do not wish to influence or interfere during this present phase
of campaigning.
“Many well-intentioned and well-qualified PLPs
have faithfully served this party behind the scenes. They have served in
tragedy and triumphs; wins and losses and they never asked for anything
more than the opportunity to serve.
“And so as we head into convention I thought
it was important to implore PLPs far and wide to look within for those
who would lead. Look for those who choose service above self; for those
who continue to unify and not divide; for those who demonstrate patience
and do not pronounce entitlement and for the one who offers solutions to
the problems of this country.
“Suffice it to say my choice for the party's
next deputy leader and indeed next Deputy Prime Minister is someone who
can identify with my own personal story of struggle and hard work.
“There is something to be said of someone who
has had to earn their way, but even more can be said of a person who excels
through hard work and looks back to give brother and sister a hand-up.
That is a man.
“As we look ahead, the PLP and indeed this country
will benefit from a deputy leader/deputy Prime Minister who listens and
respects the views of all -- even if he disagrees with the message; someone
who cares about people and will fight for the unpopular or less glamorous
cause if it means the poor and disenfranchised will receive justice; and
one who may not speak with the tongues of angels, but has charity in his
heart.”
ALLYSON
GIBSON’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allyson
Gibson, the former Attorney General and her husband Maxwell Gibson celebrated
25 years as a married couple on Saturday 5th September in a mass of thanksgiving
at the Christ Church Cathedral in Nassau. The service was concelebrated
by retired Archbishop Drexel Gomez and Archdeacon Keith Cartwright.
Additional prayers were said by the Dean of the Cathedral Patrick Adderley
and Rev. Timothy Stewart of Bethel Baptist Church. A reception followed
at the home of the couple on Cable Beach. The couple were married
in the cathedral 25 years ago by then Bishop Michael Eldon and then Dean
of the Cathedral the late William Granger.
WILCHCOMBE
LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN
With Member of Parliament for South Andros Picewell Forbes, speaking at
the podium, with Obie Wilchcombe’s mother sitting in the audience, and
with scores of supporters, friends and well wishers, West End and Bimini
MP and former Minister of Tourism launched his campaign to become Deputy
Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party on Friday 4th September at Our
Lucaya Resort in Grand Bahama. The date was chosen because it was
the anniversary of the funeral of Sir Lynden O. Pindling, which took place
in 2000. Sir Lynden was recognized as the mentor of Mr. Wilchcombe.
Mr. Wilchcombe becomes the second person to join
the race for Deputy Leader of the party, following the announcement that
Cynthia Pratt will be stepping down from the job. Philip ‘Brave’
Davis, the Cat Island MP, is already in the race. Unlike the launch
of Mr. Davis, this launch was reported on page five of the paper.
It was a strange time to do such a launch; in Grand Bahama for a national
seat, not in his constituency and on a weekend when no one reads the newspapers
or listens to the news. It was carried live on television like a
US presidential address. Two others are expected to join. Here
is what Mr. Wilchcombe said in his own words:
“Stalwart Councillors, I have listened, I have
listened, and I have heard. I have met with many of you and what each of
you has told me was summarised succinctly in the words of Stalwart Councillor
Doc Stewart, who said ‘the sooner we get our party back on course, the
quicker the troops will rally’
“It is to this generation that the responsibility
now falls to complete the journey and take our people all the way. All
the way to excellence in education, all the way in the provision of a 21st
century healthcare system. All the way in creating an economy in each island,
where career opportunities can be had by all of its residents. All the
way from deprivation and poverty. All the way to peace and prosperity.
“As the PLP's deputy leader I will explore the
demographics of this country and talk to that emerging minority of Haitian-Bahamians
who must not be ostracised, but must be made to feel that they have a role
to play in the country of their birth."
“Now is the time for the injection of new ideas,
new thoughts and a burst of unintimidated aggression if we intend to stop
the haemorrhaging, reclaim our prominence and return the Bahamas to that
proud place we must always be. For more than 15 years, Grand Bahama Island,
with all of its promise and potential has remained relatively idle. Now
is the time to place the old script aside and put out new paper with new
ink and a new economic paradigm for the island of Grand Bahama.”
We were sent one of the addresses from Mr. Wilchcombe's
launch, that of young PLP Melissa Sears. Please
click here.
Just after our regular 2 p.m. Sunday upload time,
the following news release was circulated by ‘Brave Davis’ office:
“Member of Parliament for Cat Island, Rum Cay
& San Salvador Philip ‘Brave’ Davis today welcomed PLP MP for West
End and Bimini Obie Wilchcombe to the party’s Deputy Leadership Race.
Wilchcombe, who launched his campaign in Grand Bahama on Friday evening,
is the second PLP candidate to officially enter the race. Davis was the
first on August 4th.
“Davis said the official declaration by Wilchcombe
is ‘another sign of democracy at work in the PLP’ and that the various
candidates, those announced and unannounced, all have the best interest
of the party and country at heart.
“He added, ‘as in the quest for an Olympic Medal
team members have one goal even though they often race side-by-side.
That goal in the PLP is for a better Bahamas.’
“The BE BRAVE: CHANGE THE BAHAMAS Campaign has
three fundamental issues at its core: Education; Crime and the Judiciary;
and the creation of a New Economic Model compatible with the changing needs
of the country.”
IN PASSING
What were they talking about?
PLP Leader Perry Christie, Deputy Leader candidate Philip Brave Davis
and MP Fred Mitchell were outside the Christ Church Cathedral following
the anniversary service of Senator Allyson Gibson and her husband Max on
Saturday 5th September. Wouldn't you like to have been a fly on that
wall.
Cancer Screening For Women
The Bahama Journal reports that Medical Director of the Bahamas Breast
Cancer Initiative Foundation Dr. John Lunn has announced that the research
study for inherited mutations in breast cancer susceptibility genes is
set to resume next Wednesday 9th September. Based on observations
by local oncologists, half of Bahamian women develop breast cancer at a
very early age, which is suggestive that altered genes are responsible.
Altered genes were found in two thirds of The Bahamas’ population.
In 2008 another 148 women who had breast cancer from 140 families were
enrolled. Preliminary results from three of the five genes tested
showed that about 17 percent of the women have an abnormal gene.
A medical research team will be conducting genetic tests on Wednesday at
the Oncology Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital between 10:00 a.m. and
12:30 p.m. and on Thursday and Friday between 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at
the Cancer Society Building.
Leander Minnis' Funeral
It has been announced that former Bamboo Town MP Leander Minnis is
to be buried in a state recognised funeral. The service will take
place Wednesday morning 9th September at 11.00 in Nassau at St. Barnabas
Anglican Church..
Diana Thompson Straw Vendor Dies
She was born in 1920 and died in 2009. In those 89 years, she
saw The Bahamas grow from a small backwater into an internationally known
destination. She helped to build the nation through her pioneering
work in the straw market in Nassau where she organized the Straw Vendors
Union. Mrs. Thompson was buried following a service at New Destiny
Baptist Church where she was eulogized by Bishop Delton Fernander.
Present at the funeral were Perry Christie, Leader of the Progressive Liberal
Party, Fred Mitchell MP Fox Hill and Tommy Turnquest, the Minister of National
Security.
Lands Committee Solicits Information - Extends Deadline
The House of Assembly committee to look into the disposition of all
publicly held lands is soliciting information from the public. The
Committee members are Fred Mitchell MP Fox Hill, Chairman; Charles Maynard
MP for Golden Isles and Minister of State for Culture, Deputy Chairman;
Branville McCartney MP Bamboo Town, Minister of State for Immigration;
Philip Davis MP for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador and Kenyatta Gibson
MP
for Kennedy. The Committee issued a public notice soliciting information
from the public “on their concerns about publicly owned lands”. The
committee’s area of inquiry includes crown land, land owned by the Treasurer
and land owned by public corporations like the Bahamas Electricity Corporation
(BEC) and the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC).
The Committee has decided that the deadline for submissions from the public
is to be further extended to Friday 18th September. “Accordingly”,
said a statement, “all people who are interested in making submissions
before the committee and or appearing before the committee should write
the Clerk of the House of Assembly with their submissions or requests.
The Committee has agreed to respond to all those who have written
letters and made submissions and to draw up a schedule of witnesses for
those who wish to appear before the Committee.”
The Case Against Archdeacon Brown Postponed
A parishioner has brought a case of assault against the rector at St.
Agnes Ranfurly Brown. The matter returned to court last week on 2nd
September but had to be adjourned because the police witness did not show
up to court. When the case resumes on 10th September the Crown will
present its final witness. Fr. Brown is represented by attorneys
Anthony McKinney and Wayne Munroe.
The British Showdowns With Their Colonies
The Turks and Caicos Island have had their government and democracy
taken away from them. The Government of the Cayman Islands have been
told that they will not be allowed to borrow any money to meet the government
pay roll. They have been told to cut the budget, layoff staff and
introduce income tax but in any event do not count on monies from the financial
services sector to help you out. In Anguilla, the Chief Minister
has told the British ‘prepare for a showdown’ because they too have been
told they cannot borrow money to meet expenditure. This is the British
Labour Party government acting like an imperial monster. Colonialism
is not dead. The Bahamas cut that chain in 1973 and has fared well
save and except for the period under FNM rule but better that than the
British it seems.
Where Is The PLP Now?
Pressure continues to mount for someone in the Parliamentary group
to challenge the leader of the party. So far, no takers, just a lot
of background chatter going on. What is interesting though is the
perception of the PLP as to where it is. There is a feeling that
the PLP will win the election easily because of the economy of The Bahamas
being in shambles. This is largely the view of those in the party
fifty years and older. But perhaps there ought to be a reality check.
The FNM has similar perceptions about itself despite the economy.
Their view is they are doing just fine given the circumstances and that
the PLP is now at its weakest. There is no sense of pressure on them
within their ranks.
Ricardo Smith To Launch Campaign
Ricardo Smith has been a political activist for all of his adult life.
He is in one excitement after the next. He first came to prominence
in an organization that he formed shortly after the death of his then mentor
the late FNM leader Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield. Mr. Smith ran as
a candidate in the 1991 bye-election to fill Mr. Wallace Whitfield’s seat.
The press has reported that on Monday 7th September he will announce that
he is running for the Chairmanship of the PLP, challenging incumbent Glenys
Hanna Martin.
Police A Laughing Stock
There was an all points bulletin issued on Thursday 3rd September for
Wilmaine Obsaint. Mr. Obsaint was said to be armed and dangerous
and missing having escaped the day before from police custody. Except
wait a minute, he did not escape at all. It turns out that when his
name was called in the police lock up, he was asleep and is also known
by another name. In any case, he did not answer. They then
put him down as having escaped. But all the while, he was still in
the cell, right there in police custody. The Commissioner of Police
Reginald Ferguson was explaining and explaining quite a lot how they could
mess up the works like that. These are our crime fighters.
| 13th
September, 2009
Welcome to bahamasuncensored.com |
|
| LAUNCHING THE MISSION FUND... | ANATOMY OF A TOWN MEETING... |
| HOTEL UNION NOMINATION DAY... | JOHN PINDER FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE... |
| NEW U.S. AMBASSADOR IS SWORN IN... | ATTEMPTED LOCKOUT IN FREEPORT... |
| PHOTO ESSAY OF MINNIS FUNERAL... | THE CHURCH IS FIGHTING OVER RAPE LAW... |
| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR... | IN PASSING... |
The Official Site of the Progressive
Liberal Party... |
The Official Site of the Free National Movement... |
| PhilipBraveDavis.com... | Interesting Places... |
| FredMitchellUncensored.Com ARCHIVES... | Bahamas Government Website |
| Reg & Kit's Bahamas Links | |
| Bahamians On The Web | |
| Bahamian Cycling News | |
COMMENT OF THE WEEK
CRIME ON THE RAMPAGE UNABATED
When
the most recent surveys were done, it turned out that crime is the number
one issue for the Bahamian public. You would think that as hard as
the times are, the economy would be the number one issue; but no, it is
crime. And you can see why. We are now up to homicide number
59 and the count shows no sign of abatement. It appears that every
day you can expect in this little country for a gunshot to go off and for
someone to die. The latest was the death of Degario Knowles who at
22 was shot while seeking to escape a hail of bullets from an unhooded
gunman on Friday 11th September. He was hit eight times late on Friday
evening
When that is not happening, some youngster dies because he is stabbed with a knife. We have all become so familiar with the phrase “he collapsed and died”.
On the television programme The Platform, Wendall Jones asked Fox Hill Fred Mitchell MP the question: why the leaders of the country seem to have no answers.
There are answers, but one is never sure that the society as represented both by the rank and file and by its leaders want to hear the answers and carry out the policies that are the answers. There are long term solutions and short term solutions. The short term solutions are more effective policing, more effective prosecutions, more targeted sentencing and longer jail sentences. The long term solutions are a greater investment in raising boys and ensuring their physical and mental health and a more successful integration and socialization of boys into the common life.
It is the long term solutions that are the issue. The society does not want to invest in the long term solutions, precisely because they are long term. The view is that it is too much money, the solutions too esoteric, too, well yes, long term. The argument is that while the psychologists and sociologists are busy talking about long term solutions, crime is harming the society, killing people in the present and robbing them of their earthly possessions. That is true, but it is also true that criminal young men, in that age 16 to 30 do not just spring up over night. The society has to see that if it does not invest in turning the tide of marginalization amongst that group beginning from the time they are in primary school and into high school, the society is looking for more trouble. It is that marginalization which in part has led us to where we are on the crime front today. It appears to us that this is not something that can or should be debated any longer. It is something to which a PLP government should make a commitment in its next term of office.
In the defence of the PLP and its Leader Perry Christie, that is what the last administration tried to do. It started the national youth programme. It started the Urban Renewal programme. All of these programmes put the police and the defence force as military bodies, male dominated at the front and centre of efforts to reform them and shape the behaviour of the target group. The FNM has scrapped all of those programmes as part of their stop, review and cancel programme. So we will lose out on an investment in our boys that would have been ten years going if the PLP’s programme had been continued to the next election. We would then have had an opportunity to study the effects on the targeted population, but because of the shortsightedness of the FNM, we are going right back to where we started.
The social activist Rev. C. B. Moss (pictured) was in the press again last week as head of Bahamas Against Crime. Some would call him an alarmist, but in one sense he reflects the current opinion in The Bahamas. He believes that the situation is so out of hand that it is quite possible one day to wake up and find that he is victim of violent crime. He is right. It appears that in the randomness, the outrageousness of crime, nothing has the effect of stopping it. A woman is killed with a baby at her breast. The alleged culprit is brought to the courts and there is no sense of shame on his face. A Minister of the government was murdered and that did not stop the murders. A retired police officer is shot in his business and his alleged murderers are captured from the neighbourhood that he served and from all accounts where he gave his heart. There is no remorse on their faces either. But of course they did not do it.
Meanwhile as the figures of death and destruction mount, the leaders of the country appear to be doing nothing. The FNM’s most recent mantra on this is that politics cannot solve crime and that politicians are not responsible for crime. This comes from the same organization that said: if you get rid of the PLP you will get rid of crime. The Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham seems to have a happy go lucky attitude. He feels no pressure from his political opponents. He does whatever he wishes or does not wish and that is the end of that. Even as the crime statistics mount, there is no feeling that there is a political push back against the government for what is happening. Had this been the PLP, the press would have been in overdrive assigning blame to the PLP, the only organization that actually tried to do something about crime when they were in office.
We think that the FNM has lost its way on this. It is time for the PLP to come back to office and for the FNM to go. It is time for policies that will redress the balance in favour of those long term solutions, policies that will give a sense that you have a government that actually cares about the people in the society. That is what we need. Whether we will get it, well that depends on the PLP. That also depends.
Number of hits for the week ending Saturday 12th September 2009 up to midnight: 52,510
Number of hits for the month of September up to Saturday 12th September 2009 up to midnight: 108,380.
LAUNCHING
THE MISSION FUND
Fred Mitchell MP has announced the establishment
of a political campaign fund called ‘The Mission Fund’ aimed at collecting
one million dollars within the next six months. The fund has placed
an announcement on this website (see above).
Mr. Mitchell said “The Fund will facilitate and
assist candidates of the Progressive Liberal Party committed to the ‘Agenda
For Change’ that I outlined when I began my campaign for change within
the PLP on 4th January, 2009.” He said that the Fund would “…further
the interests of the ‘Agenda for Change’ within the hierarchy of the Progressive
Liberal Party.
Noting that the Fund “has already received several
generous donations as a start to the campaign”, he urged support for the
‘Agenda For Change’, saying that it “is critical to the country’s future.”
The Fund is to be established at ScotiaBank Bay Street East.
ANATOMY
OF A TOWN MEETING
Hubert Ingraham’s presence at the town meeting in
Abaco on Thursday 10th September was announced by Pericles Maillis, the
former President of the Bahamas National Trust in the middle of his defence
of the decision of the Bahamas Electricity Corporation to put their new
Abaco plant at Wilson City. In the middle of the address, Mr. Maillis
said “Oh Mr. Prime Minister, incognito.” Incognito he was.
He sat in the middle of the audience with his cap on and he had nothing
to say. He listened with the rest of the audience, laughed when they
laughed.
The hall was packed with thousands of Abaconians.
There were more whites than blacks. The reason was a video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owP9ufcP8f0)
that was receiving wide circulation on youtube about building a plant in
Abaco to provide electricity supply for Abaco, which would burn bunker
C fuel. The video claims that bunker C would cause cancer and it
would cause acid rain, killing the forests of Abaco. It also said
that the potential for oil spills would ruin the national park near where
the plant is located.
The Corporation hit back and hit back hard with
a team led by Minister for the Environment Earl Deveaux, his Minister of
State Phenton Neymour. Also there was BEC’s General Manager Kevin
Basden, along with the Chairman Fred Gottlieb. There were a host
of experts and their supporting casts. This was a matter that was
clearly being taken seriously by the corporation.
In the end, it appeared that the audience was largely
satisfied. They were, after all, overwhelmed with information.
The speeches lasted for two hours and fifteen minutes. The audience
got a chance to have their say. Most were community personalities
who were profiling their various views. The main thrust seemed to
be that the consultation should have taken place before it got to the frenzy
of that night. BEC’s GM apologised for that and promised that there
would be further consultation on the matter.
Mr. Maillis was attacked for being a Bahamas National
Trust former President and defending a project that would harm the environment.
That is not his view. He supports development that lives with the
environment. Glenroy McDonald told the crowd that the environmentalists
were always trying to stop Abaco’s development. He thought that the
project would be good for Abaco. Cay Russell, who is a local government
councillor, while criticizing the lack of consultation with local leaders
thought that it would be a good project. Fred Smith, the attorney
leading the fight to stop the development project on great Guana Cay in
the Abacos called Baker’s Bay, appealed for “my FNM government” to ensure
that all the statutes were amended to provide for local consultation.
From the Opposition PLP, Fred Mitchell MP and Obie Wilchcombe MP attended,
but were not asked to speak, nor did they comment on the matter.
HOTEL
UNION NOMINATION DAY
The nomination day for the long coming Bahamas Hotel
Catering and Allied Workers Union election of officers has been set again
for 15th September. This is after a court ruling by Justice Neville
Adderley that voided the elections and the nomination day for those elections
held in May 2009. This comes after the nomination day set just before
this one was also set aside so that the court could clarify whether or
not the Registrar should supervise the nomination day as well as monitor
the elections. The Court ruled yes.
The court also ruled that no disciplinary action
can be taken against Kirk Wilson the insurgent member who is the cause
of all the problems in the courts for his role in transferring 700,000
dollars out of the Union’s accounts once he and his team were back in charge
of the Union. Former President Roy Colebrook will not be running
and neither will Leo Douglas, the Secretary General. They see their
role as setting the elections. Nicole Martin and her team who were
ousted after 60 days in office because of the defective nomination process
hope to repeat their landslide victory at the poll when it is held on 30th
September. Late news is that the Wilson faction is again going to
court to seek to stop Nicole Martin from running in the upcoming election.
JOHN
PINDER FIGHTS FOR HIS LIFE
The head of the Bahamas Public Services Union John
Pinder who is supposed to be the protector of the workers of the public
service has been in the newspapers lately quite a lot speaking about the
fate of the customs officers that he did nothing to protect from the wiles
of his friend the Prime Minister. You will remember that the members
of the Customs Department were transferred, some were threatened with show
cause letters, and others were retired. John Pinder was not in evidence
to help them so they went to see a lawyer. He objected to that and
has been in the press ever since dancing up and down about his conversations
with the Prime Minister.
Mr. Pinder's last salvo was that the 10 customs
officers who were forcibly transferred in defiance of the terms of the
industrial agreement with the government have all now agreed to their transfers.
This was news to many of the officers. Then he said that he learned
that none of the officers would be fired. This too was news to the
officers. No word on when the cases against the officers will be
decided. They are sitting at home with no productive work to do because
of what appears to be a vendetta by the government against them.
Some have filed court actions.
What seems clear is that John Pinder is not doing
much but talking a lot in order to save his job as the head of the Union,
perhaps seal that agreement to get a seat in the senate from the Prime
Minister and also a nomination for the Fox Hill constituency in the next
election from the FNM.
NEW
U.S. AMBASSADOR IS SWORN IN
The Bahama Journal reports that Nicole Avant, the new Ambassador to The
Bahamas for the United States has been sworn in by U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton in Washington, D.C. The swearing in took place on
Wednesday 9th September in Washington D.C. U.S. staff in The Bahamas
have said that they expect the new Ambassador to take up her post in October
when she will present her letters of credence to the Governor General A.D.
Hanna.
In her swearing in remarks, Ms. Avant thanked U.S.
President Barack Obama for his continued faith and confidence in her. She
said that she is honoured to have the opportunity to serve in The Bahamas
and advance the existing close and mutually beneficial partnership.
She noted that beyond the geographic proximity,
the United States and The Bahamas share a commitment to democratic ideals,
the rule of law and strategic interests that span issues of regional security,
economic and social progress, energy security and stewardship of the environment.
She noted, that this strong relationship has been
described by the leaders of both nations as “excellent”. Her mission,
she said, is to keep it that way.
“In the area of regional security, The Bahamas plays
a critical role in working together with us to monitor and protect our
third border”, she said.
“There is no better example of multi-agency, multi-national
cooperation than the success of Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos – OPBAT
– which has for twenty-five years significantly reduced the deadly flow
of illegal drugs through The Bahamas and ultimately to our children in
the United States”, said Ms. Avant.
Ms. Avant said that from an early age she has benefited
from the wonderful influence of her parents, entertainment industry legend
Clarence Avant and philanthropist, Jacqueline Avant. Their passion
for philanthropy, politics and culture, she said, left an indelible mark
upon her.
She also noted that her parents have instilled in
her and her brother, Alex, the importance of using their talents to learn,
to mentor, to uplift and to serve in any way possible. Ms. Avant
said that she has strived to follow in their footsteps and eagerly awaits
the opportunity to apply the lessons she has learned; service to ideals
and principles; service on behalf of the economically disadvantaged and
on behalf of children in need.
Ms. Avant has worked tirelessly to mobilize and
engage the younger generation towards greater charitable and political
involvement.
She is committed to and passionate about children
and ensuring that the less fortunate and disabled are given every opportunity
for education and equal access to meaningful employment.
Most recently, she served as Vice President of Interior
Music Publishing and Avant Garde Music Publishing (1998-2009) and was the
Southern California Finance Co-Chairwoman of the Barack Obama Presidential
Campaign.
In her professional capacity, she served as an academic
counsellor at the Neighbourhood Academic Initiative – a University of Southern
California mentorship program for high school students that provided full
academic scholarships as well as daily guidance and direction in social
behaviour and responsibility.
For a number of years, Ms. Avant actively served
as a board member for the following organizations: Best Buddies International,
a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships,
integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual
and developmental disabilities; The Bogart Pediatric Research Program,
which raises vital funds to support early stage paediatric cancer research
at the Bogart laboratories located at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
The Bogart Program is dedicated to supporting "bench
to bedside" research to find cures and treatments for these diseases and
to enhancing the quality of life of the children who survive them.
In 2007, Ms. Avant was named one of the American Cancer Society’s Next
Generation Leaders.
Ms. Avant is married to Ted Sarandos, chief content
officer for Netflix Corporation. They have two children, Sarah and
Tony.
ATTEMPTED
LOCKOUT IN FREEPORT
The gossip mongers led by the mainstream press were
having a field day. The Tribune and Guardian led the way with
pictures and all of Obie Wilchcombe the West End MP and the much attacked
former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater. The reason: a company which
they own was the object of an attempted lockout in Freeport, Grand Bahama
on Wednesday 9th September. Mr. Wilchcombe and Ms. Bridgewater, said
a later press release, are two shareholders in the business. There
was a dispute about rent owed and the owners of the facility decided to
lock the company out. The dispute was settled and the bill was paid
and all is back to normal said the press release from the company.
What the press seems to be doing is piling it on in the face of the launch
of Mr. Wilchcombe’s campaign for office.
PHOTO
ESSAY OF MINNIS FUNERAL
Claudius Leander Minnis was buried at the Lakeview
Cemetery in Nassau, following a service at St. Barnabas Anglican Church
on Wednesday 9th September. It was a state recognized service.
Present were Governor General Arthur Hanna, Deputy Prime Minister Brent
Symonette and other Cabinet Ministers and Parliamentarians. PLP MPs
showed up in force led by Leader Perry Christie, Deputy Leader Cynthia
Mother Pratt, Vincent Peet MP North Andros, Picewell Forbes MP South Andros,
Alfred Sears MP Ft. Charlotte, Shane Gibson MP Golden Gates, Bernard Nottage
MP Bain and Grants Town, Frank Smith MP St. Thomas More, Obie Wilchcombe
MP West End and Bimini, Glenys Hanna Martin MP Englerston and PLP Chair,
along with Senators Allyson Gibson and Hope Strachan. The photos
are by Peter Ramsay of the Bahamas Information Services.
THE
CHURCH IS FIGHTING OVER RAPE LAW
Last week on this site, we carried the report of
the view of the Bahamas Christian Council of the government’s proposals
to criminalize sexual assault within marriage. This has caused quite
a stir in the community with some churches lined up for it, others against
it.
The Christian Council weighed in and that would
have seemed to be the definitive position on the matter. The Christian
Council is a democratic organization and is dominated by small fundamentalist
churches that have the same single vote as the large dominations like Anglicans
and Roman Catholics. The Council then has to represent all different
views and that is reflected in the eclectic nature of last week’s statement,
which said on the one hand it was opposed to the law, but on the other
hand if the government called it something else that would be fine too.
Bishop Simeon Hall, who is a Baptist preacher and
head of New Covenant Church and head of the government’s own Crime Commission,
objected to the Christian Council’s statement. The ink was hardly
dry. He accused the council of issuing a statement without the proper
consultations. It is funny, this word consultation. You will
remember how all these folk who supported the FNM ridiculed the PLP and
Perry Christie because he talked about consultation. Now every other
word out of their mouths is now consultation.
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
Last Sunday, in our editorial we talked about Why
They Really Closed the House, noting that among the excuses given by the
Government was the fact of an island-wide power failure in New Providence.
Moments after we went to upload last Sunday, we received this irritated
response from a reader. Said our incensed correspondent:
THERE SHOULD BE NO POWER PROBLEMS AT THE HOUSE
OF ASSEMBLY ,BECAUSE THEY JUST INSTALLED A BRAND NEW BACK UP GENERATOR,
IT'S JUST MORE EXCUSES!
IN PASSING
Walk For Prostate Cancer
The local chapter of Us Too, a men’s prostate cancer group, sponsored
a 1000 man walk to help with prostate cancer awareness in The Bahamas on
Saturday 12th September. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths
amongst men in The Bahamas. The group, headed by Clyde Bethell, is
urging all men over 50 to get a regular prostate exam. There will
be free prostate cancer screenings this month throughout New Providence
from 16th September to 25th September at public clinics throughout New
Providence. Registration at all the clinics will be held at 5 p.m.
for $20. On 16th September, testing will occur at the Elizabeth Estates
Clinic from 6-9 p.m. On 18th September, testing will be held at Flamingo
Gardens clinic at the same time. On 23rd September, testing will be held
at the South Beach Clinic and on 25th September at the Fleming Street Clinic.
PLP Meeting On Convention Chair
The Tribune reported that the PLP’s Leadership Council met in session
at its Gambier House headquarters to discuss the ongoing controversy over
whether or not Obie Wilchcombe MP for West End and Bimini ought to stay
on as Convention Chair now that he is a declared candidate for Deputy Leader
of the party. No word on the outcome of the meeting.
Bishop Fraser’s Retrial
The trial of Bishop Randy Fraser of Pilgrim Baptist Church continued
before Magistrate Carolita Bethel during the past week. The case is now
adjourned to December. Once again sensational evidence was reported
about a phone call of the Bishop’s voice on a cell phone and a dramatic
meeting with the Bishop and his wife and alleged pleading by the wife that
this matter not go to court. This is a trial that we argue should
not have been brought and should be dropped in the circumstances of the
crown’s failure to obtain a conviction before. We believe that the
prosecution is oppressive.
Archdeacon Brown’s Trial
Archdeacon I. Ranfurly Brown of St. Agnes Church is before the courts.
The trial was continued before Magistrate Ancella Evans Williams on Thursday
10th September. The testimony this time came from a police officer
who did not appear on the previous occasion. He said he interviewed
the priest who said that the child who accuses the priest of assaulting
her had been disciplined by the priest because of activity with boys who
visited a parish picnic site. He said the child slapped him and in
seeking to stop her from further hitting him, he fell on top of her.
The trial is adjourned to another date following submissions of no case
to answer.
Paul Moss To Launch Campaign
The Tribune reported that Paul Moss, the PLP activist who is seeking
the nomination for Ct. Cecilia, the seat now held by Cynthia Pratt for
the PLP is to formally launch his campaign for leader of the PLP on 22nd
September. Quoting sources close to Mr. Moss, they said that he had
consulted widely with potential delegates to the convention and was convinced
that he should move forward. The Tribune’s report appeared on Friday
11th September.
Ingraham’s Promises To GBI
Was it just a coincidence that at the same time or just after Obie
Wilchcombe, the MP for West End and Bimini launched his campaign to become
the next Deputy Leader of the PLP that Hubert Ingraham on Sunday last decided
to unleash a barrage of promises to Grand Bahama where unemployment has
reached 17 percent? People are saying that in Grand Bahama the five
FNM members of Parliament are all in hiding. You can’t hear a single
thing from them and they have no idea what to do to help their people in
trouble. So one supposes that this is why Hubert Ingraham had to
go up to Grand Bahama and promise. He promised that the government
would create 500 temporary jobs in Grand Bahama. He promised that
the government would build a new building up there for 17 million dollars,
which will hire 350 people. He is a promising fellow. On the
down side, he said that the unemployment benefit would not be extended
beyond the 13 weeks. That means that those who got aid under the
scheme when it first started will no longer be able to continue on the
programme. Mr. Ingraham said the government does not have the money
and until the tax kicks in January to pay for it, there will be no renewal
of the programme as promised for a second thirteen weeks.
Revenue Down By 30 million
The Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham told the Nassau Guardian in its
edition of Monday 7th September that the revenue for the country is down
by 30 million dollars for the first quarter of the fiscal year. Thirty
million dollars below that which was forecasted. This means that
no one can have any faith in the numbers produced by this government.
Myles Says Hold It Right There On Rape Law
Bahamas Faith Missions’ Pastor Myles Munroe has asked the government
not to proceed with the bill that would criminalize marital rape even if
there were no divorce proceedings or a separation order. Pastor Myles
said that further discussion was needed on the bill and that in its present
form it was not acceptable. This lines him up with the Bahamas Christian
Council on the matter.
Disrespect To U.S. President
U.S. President Barack Obama was disrespected in the chamber of the
U.S. Congress when he addressed the joint session of the Congress on Wednesday
9th September. The President had called the Congress together for
a special session in order to make the case for the Congress to pass comprehensive
health care insurance legislation. Mr. Obama said that he wanted
to be last U.S. President to have to deal with health insurance as a public
policy issue. During the speech, Joe Wilson a congressman interrupted
him as Mr. Obama denied the claim of the critics that illegal immigrants
would benefit under his health proposals. Mr. Wilson, from South
Carolina, shouted, “You lie!” He apologised afterwards. There
was fury on the internet about it, with most condemning him. His
political opponent in the next election got an immediate up tick in donations.
But he also got at last count $700,000 in donations from conservatives
supporters who thought what he did was correct. What we know is that
if Mr. Obama had not been a black man, it would not have happened.
Columinist Maureen
Dowd of the New York Times, in our opinion, got it right.
A Nation of Higglers?
Many people have observed that in the face of the economic disaster
that Hubert Ingraham has visited upon The Bahamas, the nation’s capital
city is now beginning to look more like Kingston or Port-Au-Prince, with
the ever-present street vendors that in Jamaica are called “higglers”.
On every street corner in Nassau, someone is selling something: a phone
card, lunch, crabs, guineps, fish and conch. The Nassau Guardian
interviewed a number of these vendors for its Friday 11th September edition.
The vendors reported that they make a good living off the streets.
Some of them were women with children who were laid off from their jobs
in the tourism sector. They said that they simply could not afford
to sit at home and do nothing. One woman said that for six months
she got nothing but rejection letters from companies who she went to looking
for work. This is what Hubert Ingraham has brought to The Bahamas.
Andrew Allen On Turtle Ban
He is an adept writer. He is a skilful debater and user of the
word. He has contributed letters to the editor to this column.
He has a keen mind and used to be a columnist for The Tribune. The
country has never heard him speak before to a public issue. He has
surfaced. The cause is an unlikely and surprising one that of opposing
the ban on harvesting wild turtles from the seas of The Bahamas.
Mr. Allen appeared on TV on Friday 11th September with a committee of men
who are opposed to the government’s ban, which came into effect on 1st
September. The argument is that the complete ban was not necessary
to fulfil the country's international obligations and interferes with a
way of life in The Bahamas and has been done without sufficient consultation.
Mr. Allen said on the TV programme Bahamas At Sunrise that he was in London
when the announcement came calling for consultation and it gave three days
to do so. He has called for the ban to be eased. This is the
second time that environmentalists have found themselves in the midst of
a firestorm over their wishes for the ecology of The Bahamas. Up
in Abaco at the Marsh Harbour Town meeting, there was a hue and cry over
the environmentalists who are seeking to stop the building of the power
plant at Wilson City in Abaco. We welcome Mr. Allen to the public
arena and hope he is interested in the front line.
Who Is The Leaker?
The Royal Bahamas Police Force are exercised about the fact that the
U.S. posted on their website a warning to tourists in The Bahamas, which
the embassy said they got from the police in The Bahamas about crime in
the western area of New Providence. The police claimed in the
press of Friday 11th September that they issued no such warning.
The next day they went further to say that an investigation was being carried
out to determine who leaked the information to the Americans. What
is the profit in that? What is more important is whether or not it
is true and what are we going to do about it? The U.S. for their
part says that this has been on their site for six weeks and is a storm
in a teacup. It shows how the intelligence unit of the police force
is so deficient that they don’t even read the US. Government’s website
and what it is saying about The Bahamas. U.S. Public Affairs officer
Jeff Dubel said this to The Tribune on Saturday 12th September: "Our website
is local to The Bahamas and the notice was not circulated on a global scale.
This is not an official statement intended to warn Americans against travelling
to Nassau, travel advisories are a serious matter and completely different.
This was just a simple tip for the community on information that we received."
You can see the notice for yourself at http://nassau.usembassy.gov
Canaan Baptist Church
The Canaan Baptist Church did not get good legal advice it appears
when they decided to buy property in what was once Pinewood Gardens and
is now part of the Lynden Pindling Estates owned by Arawak Homes.
Arawak Homes obtained judgment in its favour, that they were the true owners
of the land and that there was no arguable defence by the other side.
The court ordered the demolition of the structure, a church built on the
company’s land. The company proceeded to demolish the structure.
It is hard to see what logical arguments can be used to defeat the Arawak
Homes claim. The other side’s view seems to be that since it is a
church then they should have the right to occupy or be given all the time
they need. The conclusion of such an argument should give great comfort
to anyone who wants to squat on land. The company Arawak Homes issued
a statement last week saying that they had taken all reasonable steps to
settle the dispute between them. They also took steps to remove all
the property within the church and secure it.
Necarla Grant Dies and Is Buried
Neko C. Grant I, the Minister of Works and Transport, has lost his
daughter Necarla to pneumonia. Ms. Grant was a fan of this column
in its earlier incarnation fredmitchelluncensored.com, one of her favourite
reads when she was a student in Canada. Ms. Grant was 36 years old
and he is survived by her parents and one daughter and another sister.
There was a large turnout of the government and parliamentarians of the
FNM for the funeral. The church was packed with well-wishers.
This is the third death faced by Mr. Grant in six months. He buried
his mother last week and his father two months before that. Our condolences
on this latest loss.
BEC Denies
The Minister of State for Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Phenton
Neymour has denied that BEC has a policy of cutting the power for late
payers of their power bills on a Friday afternoon so that the consumer
is unable to do anything about it until Monday morning. He said not
only was this not a policy but that BEC now opens its offices on Saturdays
to allow payments.
The Death Of Hubris
When the young elites first came to power under the FNM everything
out of their mouths was what the FNM would do and how the PLP did everything
wrong. Now it appears that reality has set in and they are beginning
maybe to see that the arrogance of power does not help you in the face
of a creaking and recalcitrant bureaucracy. What they thought was
PLP slowness is in fact a culture and in part a culture of the bureaucracy.
| 20th
September, 2009
Welcome to bahamasuncensored.com |
|
| CHRISTIE STRIKING BACK... | RAYNARD SENDS A DIRECT MESSAGE... |
| SHOTS RING OUT IN FOX HILL... | POLICE TOP BRASS PUT ON A SHOW... |
| NEW SLOVAK AMBASSADOR... | MITCHELL ON FUNDRAISING AND RUNNING... |
| SHANE GIBSON WANTS TO RUN... | FNM CONVENTION PLANNING... |
| UTAH TAYLOR’S STORY... | LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR...
Mitchell
In Support of Rigby...
Mitchell's
Office on Stanford Davis... |
| PEACE MONTH... | IN PASSING... |
| The Official Site of the Progressive
Liberal Party... |
The Official Site of the Free National Movement... |
| PhilipBraveDavis.com... | Interesting Places... |
| FredMitchellUncensored.Com ARCHIVES... | Bahamas Government Website |
| Reg & Kit's Bahamas Links | |
| Bahamians On The Web | |
| Bahamian Cycling News | |
COMMENT OF THE WEEK
WHAT IF WE ARE RIGHT
AND THEY ARE WRONG?
The PLP’s forward strategy is now keenly in the front and centre
of the public imagination. Paul Moss, the PLP activist, has openly
declared that on 22nd September he will launch his campaign to replace
Perry Christie as leader of the PLP. There is no word from any other
save and except that the press has been going into overdrive since The
Punch of Monday 14th September. The Punch claimed that Fred Mitchell
MP for Fox Hill had thrown his hat in the ring for the leadership of the
PLP. That story itself came from an appearance made by Mr. Mitchell
on The Platform, a TV a show of Jones Television on Friday 11th September.
In fact, Mr. Mitchell’s comment was more nuanced than that. When asked by Mr. Jones whether or not there would be changes in the PLP at the upcoming convention, he answered that he hoped so and that he thought so. He was asked whether he would run for leader of the PLP. He answered that he might. When asked if he were prepared to challenge Mr. Christie, his answer was that he was not dealing in personalities but rather the ideas that he was bringing to the table. Perhaps these answers are distinctions without a difference on the question of will he run. The press has been preoccupied with it all week long.
As we report this week, there has been a push back from Perry Christie. The gloves are now off and there was an interview with Algernon Allen, the Love 97 talk show host, and former MP on Monday 14th September. Mr. Christie defended his record. He added his concern about being attacked in the press and on the internet. He indicated that he knew who the critics were and that people ought to understand that there are consequences for their actions.
Oswald Brown, writing in his weekly column in the Freeport News, asked who would believe Mr. Christie that there could be consequences for anything since the records do not reflect well on his carrying out what he said he would do.
Mr. Christie is now at his best. There is a perceived threat to his leadership and so there is a flurry of activity. There is the promise that following the convention, he will still be the Leader of the PLP and that he will put the party into election mode. We wish to God that it is so.
Paul Moss, the activist who plans to run, made the point that there was a generational shift that was needed, that Mr. Christie had served his time. This brings up the question of age and longevity in politics. While age is important, it is not the most important factor; to us the question is whether one is relevant to the times.
All things being equal and with no other Parliamentarian in the race, Mr. Christie is expected to emerge as the Leader of the PLP after the next convention. What happens then?
The party has officially rejected as irrelevant the report that it lost the independent voters in the last election by 12 percentage points.
The party has rejected as irrelevant that it lost all age categories in the last general election except those over the age of 65.
The party does not have any known blueprint or plan for a blueprint of the way forward to address these issues. The way forward seems tied up in the view that no matter how the Opposition is organized that when the government collapses as it must because of the state of the economy, the PLP will win the next election.
With there being no blueprint for the way forward, and no announced opportunity for a credible internal discussion on the matter, much now hangs on the individual who will end up being leader and to a lesser extent the persons who will succeed as Deputy Leader.
As time passes, it appears that Mr. Christie is siding with Obie Wilchcombe for Deputy Leader, refusing to sanction the call for Mr. Wilchcombe to step down as Convention Chairman even though this Chairman will have the most to say over the conduct of the convention including the placement of elections in which he will run. It appears also that he will be backing the incumbent Chairman of the PLP Glenys Hanna Martin who is also an ally of Mr. Wilchcombe. The central party office is also run by allies of that same team. Mr. Christie has promised that there will be put in place a system to run the elections, which will isolate that team from the electoral process. The difficulty is that already, the delegate selection process was not supervised by that independent team of people.
Fred Mitchell speaking to The Tribune during the past week made the point that the PLP has to win the independents if they are to win the next general election. If they lose that group, then they lose the election. Part of the process of winning that group in his opinion is that there must be a credible internal process of democracy. In other words, with corruption allegations being at the centre of the failure of the PLP in the last election, the process of elections in the PLP is a sign to the country that the PLP understands the message and gets the point. It will be Mr. Christie’s job then to ensure that this happens.
As for the attacks on the web, let us make it clear that this column has certain standards and those standards do not allow personal attacks. The analysis here is done from entirely public sources and not from any private sources. The question would then seem to be, what is the PLPs information strategy to deal with the increasing power of the web? Whining about it is not a strategy. Something ought to be done to counteract it.
We end here. Mr. Christie has said that it does not matter how the Opposition is organized, if the government does not do well, the PLP will win. He took the point further in defending the criticism that he does not speak out on issues by saying that in the first two years of Opposition no one is listening to the Opposition so it did not make any sense to agitate. Our argument runs counter to that. We must work and organize and learn the lessons of the past general election; not reject them, or bury our heads in the sand. What if we are right and he is wrong? Is there any harm of downside in doing it our way? We don’t think so.
Number of hits for the week ending Saturday 19th September 2009 up to midnight: 66,286.
Number of hits for the month of September up to Saturday 19th September 2009 up to midnight: 193, 046.
CHRISTIE
STRIKING BACK
Perry Christie, the Leader of the Opposition and leader of the PLP has
responded to the pressure being put on him to speak up more forcefully
of the PLP and its supporters. Mr. Christie made one appearance after
the next on radio and TV over the past week. The first appearance
was on the show Issues of the Day with Algernon Allen who had earlier criticized
Mr. Christie (click to previous
story) for not speaking up for the Opposition causes. The appearance
was on Monday 14th September. Here is what he said in part in his
own words:
“I reject the idea that I can be defeated as
party leader. I am now mobilizing the party into election mode against
Hubert Ingraham and the Free National Movement (FNM).
“So the call will be made, and please be assured
that on the night I speak at the convention, I will be speaking as leader
of the Progressive Liberal Party and that will be after whatever elections
are held.
“There is no doubt in my mind that we will have
the elections of which you speak and that we will divide, that there will
be lots of divisions, maybe even anger. But at the end of the process,
we are about being a group of people whose sole interest is in forming
the next government.
“There was another reality; the first two years
of a new government people don’t pay the kind of attention that they would
pay until they are ready to make the choice. I am now ready to present
to them the alternative to the FNM.
“And I will be making a call for now the PLP
to bring itself into a campaign mode and to be presenting itself to the
Bahamian people with a large number, or a number I should say, of new candidates
so that the people of this country will be able to see why we are the better
alternative.
“I do not believe that Hubert Ingraham will call
a snap election. Mr. Ingraham should know that the mood of the people
will not sustain him today in a snap election.
“Mr. Ingraham obviously relishes the fact that
there is turmoil at the leadership level of the PLP.
“I challenge my opponents to take their best
shot at me. I am open to all of the shots they want. They could
be as scurrilous, as dirty, as nasty as they like. There are always consequences
for people who operate outside the law and outside the rules of an organization.
They do so knowing that.” (As reported by Brent Dean of the Nassau
Guardian 15th September)
RAYNARD
SENDS A DIRECT MESSAGE
Raynard Rigby, the former Chairman of the PLP, who resigned at the last
PLP convention, issued a statement following the reports of what Mr. Christie
said on the radio on 14th September. Here is what he said in his
own words:
“I read the comments attributed to the
Leader of the PLP, Perry Christie, in today’s Nassau Guardian. I
note his reference to the “consequences” that contenders can face if they
“operate outside the rules of an organization”. I must assume that
the rules to which he refers, whether written or by custom, address the
issue of transparency, accountability and fairness in the electoral process.
“To me, the very fact that he anticipates that
the race for the leadership posts will likely lead to a bitter contest,
he must also assume, rightly, that those members of the Party that do not
support the candidacy of Obie Wilchcombe for deputy leader will recognize
the possible advantages (whether real or fanciful) that may accrue to him
as long as he continues as Convention Chair and they will thereby become
hardened in their view that the electoral process was clothed in unfairness
and favouritism.
“Given these perceptions and Mr. Christie’s sentiments,
he must recognize that as Leader he must be seen as the ‘unifier’ and therefore
should not either engage in or be a party to any act which sends a perception
that he favours one candidate to the disadvantage of the others.
Or, that one candidate can consistently break the rules of the organization
without fear of penalty.
“The same ‘rules’ of the organization that Mr.
Christie speaks, demand that the Leader address the obvious conflict that
exists with the serving Convention Chair also running in the election for
the post of deputy leader.
“I have indicated before that for my part there
exists the appearance of a conflict of interest between being a candidate
for a national party office and being Convention Chair responsible for
the overall conduct of the Convention. It is not an issue of the
personal integrity of the person holding the office of Convention Chair,
it is an issue of ‘the appearance of a conflict of interest’ and the integrity
of the Party which are in controversy. The current situation creates
an appearance of a conflict between the duty of the Convention Chair to
ensure a fair process during the Convention, including the election, and
that of his personal interest in doing everything possible to promote his
own election as deputy leader. This appearance of conflict between
duty and self interest in the position of Convention Chair will undermine
public confidence in the Party as a fair and democratic organization, as
well as reinforce the political propaganda that the PLP is a corrupt organization.
“Surely, Mr. Christie recognizes that as long
as the state of affairs continues, it will also foster the ‘division’ that
he recognizes exists in the Party.
“It is always my view and belief that leaders
should act at the highest level of accountability and should always demand
transparency and maturity in their political organizations, and this must
equally apply when it comes to the election of party offices. The
public must be assured that the PLP is prepared to do what is right.
On this occasion, we have thus far failed.
“I trust that the Leader would now do what he
knows is the right thing and demand for Mr. Wilchcombe to relinquish the
post of Convention Chair. This is the right, honourable and decent
course that must be taken.”
SHOTS
RING OUT IN FOX HILL
The Tribune reported on Thursday 17th September
that a meeting was called in the Fox Hill Village at St. Paul’s Baptist
Church to discuss a series of complaints about shots ringing out at night
in the Village. Residents were complaining that the area is not safe
and that the police were not being aggressive enough in seeking to put
an end to the disturbances at night. On the morning of the day when
the meeting was held, five bullet holes pierced the home of a Fox Hill
resident. It is believed that this may be related to some revenge
for a perceived slight. No one has been arrested in the matters.
The residents called for the police to take more
action to solve the problem of crime in the area. They were particularly
critical of the Fox Hill Police station. They said that the station
did provide support for the community, nor properly investigate crime or
stem the rising tide of crime in the area. The meeting was attended
by Shannondor Evans, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Assistant Superintendent
Ismella Davis, who is in charge of the Fox Hill station. The meeting was
convened at the request of the Member of Parliament for Fox Hill Fred Mitchell.
POLICE
TOP BRASS PUT ON A SHOW
Wendall Jones, Publisher of the Bahama Journal and head of Jones Communications
Ltd. gathered the top brass of the Royal Bahamas Police Force for a discussion
about crime and the state of the Force on Thursday 17th September.
It was a remarkable gathering on television on Thursday 17th September.
Almost the entire Senior Command of the Force was present: Reginald Ferguson,
Commissioner of Police (pictured), Ellison Greenslade, Acting Deputy Commissioner
of Police, Marvin Dames, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hulan
Hanna, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Shannondor Evans, Assistant Commissioner
of Police, and Raymond Gibson, Assistant Commissioner of Police.
They defended the Force on all fronts.
The most interesting answer came from Ellison Greenslade
who was asked whether or not there was strife in the Force in the senior
command. Mr. Greenslade has been pinpointed as one who is the subject
of an effort to isolate him on the Force because he is the PLP’s choice
to be commissioner. He answered that there was no strife, that they
all got along like a house on fire (our words). At that point, we
should have turned the television off, but the interview continued.
Mr. Dames defended the departure of the police officers
who were sent home unceremoniously by the Commissioner and the Minister
of National Security earlier in the year. He said that no one comes
to stay in the Force forever, that everyone was simply passing through.
The Commissioner for his part said that they who had departed were not
missed by the Force. He said that there was no problem as far as
he could tell with communication with the Police Staff Association and
their Chairman. He said that disciplinary action could be taken against
the association if they stepped out of line. Things were working
quite well. Things that make you go hmmm!
NEW
SLOVAK AMBASSADOR
The Slovak Republic has a new Ambassador to the
Bahamas. The Ambassador presented his credentials to the Governor
General Arthur D. Hanna on Thursday 17th September. Zdenek Rozhold
will serve The Bahamas as a non resident Ambassador from Havana, Cuba.
The Slovak Republic is one of two independent countries that emerged from
the old country called Czechoslovakia. They separated in 1993.
The Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell attended the
ceremony as did Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Patricia Rodgers and Senator Anthony Musgrove of the FNM and Mrs. Musgrove.
MITCHELL
ON FUNDRAISING AND RUNNING
Last week the web was abuzz with the news that Fred Mitchell had announced
he would run for leader of the PLP. The Punch ran with a story saying
that he had thrown his hat in the ring for the leadership contest.
Just short of it, is the truth. Mr. Mitchell said that he was prepared
and available to do so. In a later interview with The Tribune, he
said that there was plenty of time between now and the election at convention
to make such a decision. He said he wanted to assess the prospects
and see what the Party leader intended to do. He said that more important
to him at this time are the larger themes of the PLP preparing itself for
the next general election, encouraging young people and independents to
support the PLP and the question of fundraising. He announced last
week an effort to raise a million dollars to help the campaigns of PLP
MPs in the next general election.
What we find fascinating is that so far no one has
said do not run. This should be a cause for concern of an incumbent
leader that within his own party there are not loud voices of dissent on
the question of a challenge. Here is what Mr. Mitchell said in his
own words as reported by Paul Turnquest on Wednesday 16th September and
Thursday 17th September:
“My declaration was rather more nuanced than
that. I am still prepared [and available] to run for the leadership
of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) at the upcoming convention in October.
“There is still a lot of time between now and
nomination day. I want the delegates and the public to know that
my running is still very much a live issue.
“Obviously you can’t choose yourself. You
need to know what kind of support there is for it, and what direction the
party will take. The leader has made some statements, so I am examining
those statements to see what the forward movement of the party will be.
“I acknowledge and fully appreciate the enthusiasm
that Paul Moss brings to the contest; his bid is not a realistic one and
cannot be seen as anything more than a protest.
“My view is that someone who is not in the parliamentary
group can’t realistically be leader of the PLP, because he can’t under
the Constitution be leader of the Opposition. So what you would see
there can only be a protest candidacy. And while I appreciate the
enthusiasm which he brings to it, I don’t think there is a realistic possibility
of anything more than a protest. So it has to be someone in the parliamentary
group in my view.
“There are any number of persons within the party’s
parliamentary group who could be leader. However, with a party which
does not welcome the idea of change, I hope that if there is a leadership
battle it will be over the different ideas and visions for the Bahamas’
future.
“The other important point is that given the
way the world has evolved, the country is looking at the PLP to see how
it conducts these elections, because how we conduct these elections will
determine what our image is for the future in people’s eyes.
“We have to connect with independents.
We lost independents by 12 percentage points in the last campaign and that
is the target group in addition to our target base that we have to win
over when the next election takes place. So there is going to be
a very skilful set of ideas and programmes…to put together to be able to
attract the independents and to keep the base. And it has to be a
very skilful campaign and it has to be well-funded and focused.
“I do not know whether or not it is even necessary
to campaign, as all of the prospective candidates are already known quantities
within the party.
“The point is everyone knows everyone and it
is just the competing visions that have to be put (forward) and there is
a long public record of what has been said over the last year, and I think
that message can go forth. It is just that the internal democracy
has to be organised in a way where everybody believes it is fair - and
that applies to every office.
“Whoever leads the PLP, in the next general election,
the party will be well organised and well funded."
“The Mission Fund announced my me is set to be
the beneficiary of a 200 person reception at the Balmoral Club on October
5 my birthday.
“This is being done by friends of mine and it
is hoped that we collect donations for the fund which is designed to further
the interests of the agenda for change within the PLP.
“I plan to adopt a multifaceted approach to fundraising,
in an effort to not only assist this campaign but also that of other PLP
hopefuls.
“I really want to be in a position to assist
others who want to run for the PLP. As I said, I found that the major
problem (during the last election) was funding and it is important for
us to get on top of that issue.
“We have political opponents who are able to
throw hundreds of thousands of dollars at each of us during these campaigns,
and we have to be able to meet that and so I think a part of the way that
we have to reorganise ourselves is getting funding under control..
“The responsibility of deciding which candidates
receive help will ultimately fall to me but, these individuals will be
PLP candidates who support a generational change and share this vision
for the Bahamas in 2020.
“The PLP is a conservative organisation and someone
has to put the case for change and of course change to what.
“It has to be specific and directed and people
have to see that it is in their interest to evolve to be successful and
that is all we are trying.
“Every PLP candidate for the House of Assembly
is worthy of assistance through the fund.
“My whole point is that fund raising is an issue
and we need to start and we must start early and I am trying to do my bit
with that.
“And I have said; here are some ideas I think
the party ought to adopt to go forward into the future.
“And that is the basis upon which I am hoping
to raise the money and advance the funding.
“I expect that there will be a series of private
dinners to raise additional funds on an ongoing basis until the next general
election, set for 2012.”
SHANE
GIBSON WANTS TO RUN
The Nassau Guardian carried a story on Thursday
17th September in which it said that Shane Gibson PLP MP for Golden Gates
was looking to run for the position of Deputy Leader of the PLP.
Mr. Gibson told The Guardian that he would bring influence and support
from across the board. He said that many people who were FNM would
cross the floor to the PLP if he were part of the leadership. Mr.
Gibson is known to be an adept fundraiser. The Guardian asked him
if the Anna Nicole incident, which forced him to resign from office as
a minister and the subsequent public response to the way former Prime Minister
Perry Christie handled the matter, would not provide a hindrance to his
running for office. He said that he did not think so.
FNM
CONVENTION PLANNING
Brent Symonette, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Leader of the FNM was in the press on Saturday
19th September crowing that no one is to challenge the Leader and Deputy
Leader at the FNM’s convention that is scheduled for November of this year.
Mr. Symonette said that he thought that there would be a contest for Chairman
in the party. Insiders are suggesting that Senator Anthony Musgrove
has the inside track for the job. There is said to be widespread
dissatisfaction with the way the job is being handled by Johnley Ferguson,
the current Chairman.
Mr. Symonette was asked to comment on the races
projected for the PLP convention. He said that he thought that after
having lost an election that there would have to be changes of some kind
and that he read about it in the press and that he wished all the contestants
well. Of course, if this had been the PLP where there was no contest,
the press would have been saying that there is no democracy in the PLP.
But it seems when there is a contest, not even the leader of the PLP sees
that as democracy, it is seen as turmoil. Go figure.
PEACE MONTH
This month is Peace Month, so declared internationally
and adopted by The Bahamas with the support of both the FNM led by Prime
Minister Hubert Ingraham and Leader of the Opposition Perry Christie. There
was a huge free concert at Arawak cay to celebrate peace in the streets
on Saturday 19th September.
BIS photos/Peter Ramsay
UTAH
TAYLOR’S STORY
The pain of not knowing your father comes home front
and centre in a new book officially launched on Saturday 19th September.
The book is called The Tears I Cried and its author is one-half of Controversy
TV’s duo hosts, Utah Taylor. Mr. Taylor spent a generation looking
for his father beginning in his birthplace, Exuma. His mother did
not help with any pointers. Finally, she relented with a name, but
there was no physical resemblance and the man was indifferent to him.
His Controversy TV partner Lincoln Bain, who described himself at the launch
as the more aggressive of the pair and described Mr. Taylor as the big
brother he never had, told Mr. Taylor that Charles Rolle, the Deputy Superintendent
of the Prison had to be his father. A DNA test on the first man proved
a zero match; the second test on Mr. Rolle proved 99.6 percent a match.
Mr. Taylor, now Rolle, was relieved and refreshed.
He wrote the whole story out in a book and launched it at a reception for
his newly found father and his new family. They stood proudly on
the stage, and Mr. Rolle hugged the younger Rolle. It was a tearful
moment all around. The work is brief but compelling and well worth
the ten-dollar investment to get it. Attending the reception were
Fred Mitchell MP Fox Hill; Philip ‘Brave’ Davis MP Cat Island, Rum Cay
and San Salvador; Senator Anthony Musgrove FNM; and Archdeacon James Palacious.
The story of Mr. Rolle (nee Taylor) is all too familiar in The Bahamas.
It is a testament to Mr. Rolle’s tenacity and the largeness of his newly
found father to embrace his newly found son and to take him into his wife’s
home and accept him as one of his own. This is really a story with
happy ending.
The story of Mr. Rolle the younger is of course
a huge contrast to his marketed public persona and an example of the irony
of life and its twists and turns, worthy of that famous scene in the denouement
to the Amen Corner of James Baldwin. Baldwin says that men and women
come together and touch each other’s lives in ways that we can never imagine.
Mr. Rolle, senior, urged the son not to be too harsh on his mother and
to reconcile. It is also a contrast the public persona of Mr. Rolle
(nee Taylor) whose Controversy TV image is that of a rough and tumble,
don’t care kind of guy. Seeing himself and his partner on the stage
was an interesting perspective who despite their cultivated outsider’s
image are two really smart men who have crafted an image that works to
get them on the inside and whose marketing genius can be used to great
effect by someone. Congratulations all around.
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
Mitchell in support of Rigby...
John F. Kennedy was tragically shot down on 22nd November 1963.
I start there because he, along with Martin Luther King and Lynden Pindling,
was the man that inspired many of my generation to enter public service
on the front political line. Most remember his call: ‘Ask not what
your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country’.
Raynard Rigby, the former Chairman of the PLP and now a political activist and commentator in his own right, was born on 22nd November 1969, six years to the day after John Kennedy’s death. Today that coincidence is sufficient for me to write publicly to thank him for his timely interventions in the public domain for an on behalf of the Progressive Liberal Party.
John Kennedy said that the men who criticize those who have power, play just as valuable a role as those who do, particularly if that criticism is a disinterested criticism. Mr. Rigby is not seeking any office, reward or nomination, just a better PLP, and thereby a better Bahamas. I do not support any attempt to vilify his public contribution. I defend his right to say it. I have canvassed a number of other colleagues who share this view.
The question is not what Mr. Rigby says but whether or not what he
says is to the point, true and of some value to the public debate. There
is a lot of lip service to the role of dissent in public life, but as soon
as it rears its head there is vilification of the messenger instead of
listening.
Fred Mitchell MP
Mitchell's Office on Stanford Davis...
Editor
The Tribune
Dear Madam,
You published a letter in The Tribune on 17th
September 2009 signed by Minister S Davis. The letter writer is presumably
the same Stanford Wallace Davis of Fox Hill. The letter writer makes certain
allegations against Fred Mitchell, the Member of Parliament for Fox Hill
and sought at the same time to promote Mr. Mitchell’s FNM opponent in the
last General Election. The public should know that Mr. Davis, sometimes
known as Minister Davis, was a campaign worker for Mr. Mitchell’s FNM opponent
in the last General Election.
Our records at the Fox Hill office show that
on 24th October, 2008 Mr. Mitchell wrote a
letter to the Minister of Education seeking assistance to hire Mr.
Davis as a Physical Education instructor at a Ministry school in Andros.
He is therefore now a Public Servant
The note on Mr. Davis’ file at the Constituency
Office shows that Mr. Davis saw Mr. Mitchell in early October 2008, and
Mr. Davis, asked his assistance in persuading the Minister of Education
to finalize the arrangements for his job with the Ministry. The note says
that Mr. Davis was critical of Mr. Mitchell’s FNM opponent for not helping
him even though Mr. Davis supported her. Mr. Mitchell wrote the letter
to the Ministry of Education on behalf of his constituent, a constituent
who did not support him in the last election. The record shows that shortly
after Mr. Mitchell’s letter (was written and sent) Mr. Davis began employment
with the Ministry.
With regard to the allegation that Mr. Mitchell
did not assist with the summer programme for young men sponsored by Mr.
Davis, our office records show that it was explained to Mr. Davis by Mr.
Mitchell that no cash would be advanced to him, but that he could obtain
refreshments up to a certain level per day at the local convenience store
for the duration of his program. The credit was arranged but Mr. Davis
never accessed the credit.
Thank you for allowing this response and providing
the information from our records.
Yours sincerely,
Altamese Isaacs
Fox Hill Constituency Office Administrator
FNM Government Uncaring
I was watching the town hall meeting on ZNS about
the proposed BEC plant in Abaco. Overwhelmingly the residents referred
to the government decision as uncaring and intrusive. The government
of “consultation after the fact.”
If you were to take a closer look at what
is going on in our country today you would see that we are on a crash course.
For instance, take education. This
fall semester thousands of students who were depending on the student loan
scheme were really distraught when the money for funding was cut.
Having a
background in economics, there is a term known as “Cost Benefit
Analysis.” What this means if we relate it to the student loan programme
is that the cost of the government funding the students to achieve a higher
education will be greater realized when these students return, become employed,
earn income, pay taxes and contribute to the society financially or by
donating their time and skills to help others. A country's future
is largely built on the strength of the educational system.
Health Care is another important aspect
of our society that is being neglected. For instance, the government
just borrowed 58 million dollars from the Chinese to build a highway from
the airport to downtown. The Bahamas has no local road toll to collect
revenue, so why build new roads ($122million contract awarded to another
foreign firm) with these funds. Would it not make sense to build
a hospital (the FNM government had planned to build a
hospital but the 09 budget could not accommodate at this time) with
$20 - $30 million of this money which will in turn benefit the country
as a whole and by the way, the government would also collect a $10 registration
fee from each patient passing through the hospital. Just some issues
that were on my mind.
(name withheld)
IN PASSING
The Devil From Counterbutta At Work
The saying goes the devil finds work for idle hands to do. The
devil was busy in what the old folk from Bain Town used to call “Counterbutta”.
That is now known as Black Village. Its again protagonist is Rodney
Moncur, the political activist and gadfly, who has a hand in every pot
of mischief in The Bahamas. Mr. Moncur turned up on the scene of
the destruction of the Canaan Baptist Church who were ruled (see
last week’s report) to be trespassing on land owned by Arawak Homes.
He said that the destruction was the work of the devil and appealed to
Franklyn Wilson, Chairman of Arawak Homes to allow the rebuilding of the
church. He started a campaign with blocks to start the church afresh.
Mr. Wilson had no comment. Interesting that Mr. Moncur is so sure
that it was the work of the devil. Does he speak to the devil frequently?
Happy Birthday To The PLP’s First Lady
PLP Leader Perry Christie flew to Atlanta, Georgia to celebrate with
his wife Bernadette her birthday on Thursday 17th September. Happy
birthday to Mrs. Christie and may she enjoy many more.
Andrew Tynes Charged
It was a sad and shocking thing to see Andrew Tynes (pictured), the
former record holder for The Bahamas in the 200 and 100-metre track races,
a teacher at the CC Sweeting School being charged with indecent assault
of a male who is a minor. To add to the injury he was brought to
court in handcuffs. The judge granted him bail of six thousand dollars
with one surety and he was ordered to stay away from the individual who
is the complainant. This kind of offence has great currency in The
Bahamas today. Even if he is acquitted, it is unlikely that he can
resume his career ever in The Bahamas. The press said that Mr. Tynes
was visibly upset at his arraignment. His lawyer issued a statement
saying that Mr. Tynes vigorously denies the charges and that he expects
that he will be exonerated. The arraignment took place on 16th September.
We hope that the crown is not abusing its position by charging a national
icon in sports and teacher in the midst of a feeding frenzy on this kind
of thing without due consideration. There are reports that notwithstanding
the evidence, there is a propensity of the police to simply carry things
to court and let the court sort it out no matter how weak the evidence.
This is a particularly serious thing when someone is charged with a sexual
offence against a minor.
Tribune photo/Tim Clarke
Rules And Credentials Committee
With the PLP Convention threatening to have the most contested elections
in a generation, all eyes are on the party’s Rules and Credentials Committee
and the committee of trustees that are to oversee the elections.
The trustees’ role is not spelled out in the PLP’s constitution, but by
practice, they are the ones who run the elections. The Convention
Chair is the one who has the responsibility overall for the convention
which includes elections, thus the reason for the objections of candidates
to Obie Wilchcombe a declared candidate serving in the role. The
Party has named Paul L. Adderley the former Attorney General to Chair its
Rules and Credentials Committee. The trustees are Valentine Grimes,
former MP, Tom Basden, businessman and Henry Storr, businessman.
Leander Minnis, another trustee died recently and Berlin Pratt another
trustee is bed ridden.
25 Years For Khodee Davis Killer
The murderer of Khodee Davis, the 16 year old from Fox Hill who was
killed during a fight at the Paradise Island Beach on Whit Monday Holiday
2008 was sent to prison for 25 years by Justice Jon Isaacs. The Judge
said that he did not believe that the killer’s apology was sincere and
that he was simply saying a form of words to wriggle out of the responsibility
for what he had done.
Service For ‘Brave’ In Cat Island
The friends and supporters of Philip ‘Brave’ Davis PLP MP for Cat Island,
Rum Cay and San Salvador held a church service for Mr. Davis this morning
in Cat Island to pray for his election to the office of Deputy Leader of
the PLP. Fred Mitchell MP for Fox Hill was present at the service.
Earlier, Davis stopped in Long Island in his trek across the country.
He is shown taking his message ‘Be Brave…Change The Bahamas’ to a resident
in Long Island.
Hotel Union Fight Continues
The long awaited nomination day for the Bahamas Hotel Catering and
Allied Workers Union took place on 15th September. That day was not
without controversy, as you would expect. Nicole Martin, the incumbent
President who was ousted by the courts in a decision in the early summer,
nominated again. Kirk Wilson, the insurgent who wants to stop it
all and become President without having to face Ms. Martin in an election,
has appealed the ruling on the nomination to the Court of Appeal.
Suspected Arson and Homicide
There was a serious house fire in the Englerston area represented by
PLP Chair Glenys Hanna Martin. Mrs. Martin was present on the scene
of the fire on Thursday 17th September. Reports say that four people
including a baby died in the fire and the matter is being treated as arson
and suspected homicide. If that proves to be the case, it will cause
a dramatic rise in the murder figures for this year in The Bahamas.
Reports are that the house was set on fire and the doors nailed shut to
prevent the escape of the occupants. The police say they have a suspect
in mind.
Mario’s Palace
The 6 million dollar new bowling facility being constructed by former
MP Leslie Miller and originally scheduled for opening last month is still
under construction. Late word is that the facility to be named after
his late son Mario will open in November 2009. The facility is a
state of the art bowling facility with 60 lanes available for both open
and private bowling.
Senator Jerome Fitzgerald To Offer
Senator Jerome Fitzgerald is to offer for the position of Deputy Leader
of the PLP. He told the Nassau Guardian on 17th September that he
would make a formal announcement sometime next week.
Trevor Rhone Dies
We remember Trevor Rhone, the great Jamaican playwright. Mr.
Rhone who co-authored the 1973 film ‘The Harder they Come’ which starred
Jimmy Cliff and who authored ‘Old Story Time’ and ‘Smile Orange’ died in
Jamaica on Tuesday 15th September at the age of 69. It is suspected
that he had a heart attack. Mr. Rhone’s plays were performed under
his direction with the late Winston Saunders performing in the title role
in Old Story Time.
Internet photo/www.jamaicaobserver.com
Fred Mitchell MP Signs The Book
Fred Mitchell, Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs, signed the
book of condolences at the Cuban Embassy on the passing of Juan Almeida
Bosque. See full story at Photo of the Week.
BIS photo/Patrick Hanna
A Day In History
19th September 1972 was the day of the General Election. The
PLP split during the term from 1967 to 1968 and then 1968 to 1972 into
Free PLP and PLP. Then the United Bahamian Party that had ruled the
country up to 1967 decided to dissolve and become one with the Free PLP.
They were known as the Free National Movement (FNM). They fought
the election campaign in 1972 for the first time. The issue was independence.
Sir Lynden O. Pindling said if he won, there would be independence by 1973.
The late Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield who was made notorious in that election
with the phrase “I’ll prosecute their backsides straight to jail” said
Independence, but not at this time. There was a great deal of violence
in that election: dynamite at the docks in Abaco, shooting up the plane
of Edison Key at the Marsh Harbour airport, murders in Nassau. The
PLP won the election. The FNM lost all the seats save and except
those that the UBP held before the election. This was the mandate
needed for the country to proceed to Independence.
| 27th
September, 2009
Welcome to bahamasuncensored.com |
|
| THE MONEY LAUNDERING INDICTMENT... | WHAT COLIN CALLENDER HAD TO SAY... |
| ON ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION... | CHRISTIE ON THE OFFENSIVE... |
| GEORGE SMITH - SUPPORTING CHRISTIE OR IS HE?... | STAN BURNSIDE CARTOON: CHRISTIE & INGRAHAM IN 2037... |
| JEROME LAUNCHES... | PAUL MOSS ANNOUNCES FOR LEADER... |
| KEN DORSETT ANNOUNCES?... | NO PERMITS BY BEC... |
| THE TRIAL OF PLEASANT BRIDGEWATER... | TIME FOR THE PRIVY TO GO... |
| ‘BRAVE’S CAMPAIGN IN HIGH GEAR... | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR... |
| IN PASSING... | |
| The Official Site of the Progressive
Liberal Party... |
The Official Site of the Free National Movement... |
| PhilipBraveDavis.com... | Interesting Places... |
| JeromeFiztgerald.org | Bahamas Government Website |
| FredMitchellUncensored.Com ARCHIVES... | Reg & Kit's Bahamas Links |
| Bahamians On The Web | |
| Bahamian Cycling News | |
COMMENT OF THE WEEK
A JOB LIKE MOMENT
But my name auntie, my name!
From the Scorsese movie The Age Of Innocence
Curse God and Die… You speak as one of the foolish ones Shall we
indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?"
Job 2 9-10
This is a very personal and pointed message to a young man whose reputation in his home country was undone by an announcement out of the blue by United States authorities that in trapping their own politicians, they had trapped him. We are talking about Sidney Cambridge, the now former partner in Callenders and Co., former Treasurer of the Bar Association and former Treasurer of the Progressive Liberal Party. At 40 something, the announcement of the indictment along with Fort Lauderdale politicians Josephus “Joe” Eggelletion (pronounced “egglejon”) on charges of money laundering would seem to be the end of the world. It is not. Sidney! Hold your head and hold your head up. Mandela has said: “Seven times down, eight times up!”
We know the people of this country. The propaganda is going overtime about who did what and who said what. The reality is that we do not know. The reality is that even the US in making their statement were constrained to point out that these are allegations and not proven facts, that the person charged is presumed innocent and must be proven guilty. That said, the proper things had to be done, one of which was to resign as the Treasurer of the Progressive Liberal party, a post that he has enjoyed without rivalry for some years. He was a younger face in an older looking PLP. Now that face is gone.
The PLPs must think that they must have at some time robbed the church. The FNM must be crowing from the rooftops. At a time when the country is in its worst economic crisis, when people do not know where to turn, where there is unprecedented begging on the streets because of the increased poverty and degradation in the country, there is no political pressure on the FNM and its Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. The PLP seems caught up in its own internal but necessary battle for leadership; three PLP politicians are in the courts involved in a sordid case over an attempt to extort John Travolta, the American actor; and now Sidney Cambridge, the PLP’s treasurer is indicted for a money laundering offence in the United States. It has been a good week for the FNM. But one thing we know about life is their turn will come. May not know when or where but it will come.
A little bit of context. We have two examples of Bahamians who were arrested in the United States that ended with not guilty verdicts. George Wilson, the Bahamian businessman, was convicted in September 1999 but was freed by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal and released from his 20-year sentence on 14th February 2003. You will also remember how Michael Hepburn, another Bahamian businessman, was charged in Florida with money laundering in August 2002, and he was released by a jury in Florida. So the fact that charge is made does not make it true, nor does it mean that the US can prove an offence.
Cast your minds back to the trial of Nigel Bowe, the Bahamian lawyer, who was convicted in 1994 and sentenced to 15 years in prison for a drug offence in what most Bahamians believe was an unfair trial. During the trial Sir Orville Turnquest, former Governor General and father of now Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest, was a Minister of the FNM government when a witness made the allegation that he had given Sir Orville thousands of dollars of money in a brown paper bag in a restaurant. Sir Orville then went to Florida where he held a press conference and denounced the allegations as untrue.
So our point is that because the U.S. brings down an indictment and an allegation that a U.S. politician says that he was collecting money for the re-election campaign of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, does no make it true. Mr. Christie who was the Prime Minister back in 2005 when all of this was alleged to have begun issued a statement saying that he was not aware of anyone collecting money on his behalf in Florida and in a later statement said that no money was collected from or by that alleged perpetrator of the money laundering scheme.
Recently one of the commentators on a U.S. talk show, and there are so many, said ‘in the United States, you can indict a ham sandwich’. We agree, and that is why it appears to us that the first statement that must come out of the mouth of any Bahamian is that here should not be a rush to judgment. Let us not be like the wife of Job and jump to rash conclusions. Let us hear the other side and let the facts be proven or otherwise.
There is no doubt about the seriousness of the charges that have been brought against Mr. Cambridge. There is no doubt that the PLP itself has another public relations problem to face even though on the face of this, it has nothing to do with the PLP. The PLP must, however, balance what it must do for the sake of propriety and what it should also do for a besieged soldier. We are famous for abandoning our people. This is something that has Pleasant Bridgewater and her family so miffed today. There is the feeling that the PLP whom she helped and supported refuses to stand with her. It is a difficult situation given all the personalities, but her support is valuable in Grand Bahama and one must be seen to be doing the right thing.
A special condemnation however must be reserved in the Sidney Cambridge matter however for Colin Callender and his law firm who immediately ousted Mr. Cambridge without so much as a by your leave. The indictment happened one day, the next day they booted him out. Clearly, he was not a valued partner and did not mean much to the firm. No words can express the shock of that decision and the unreasonableness of it. Mr. Callender’s statement was all about the firm and him, nothing about the man’s future and whether there was anything that could or would be done to help. For example, would their professional indemnity insurance be able to help with Mr. Cambridge’s defence? We understand that Fred Smith, the Freeport based partner in Callenders and an FNM activist led the charge in ousting Mr. Cambridge
Mr. Callender told The Tribune on Friday 25th September: “He [Mr. Cambridge] has resigned as a member of the firm with immediate effect as far as I’m concerned won’t adversely impact on the credibility or otherwise of the firm.” Clear, concise, cold and factual.
So we go down the path once again of having to stand with a besieged brother, while we soldier on in the vineyard and Hubert Ingraham appears to be laughing all the way to the House. But we must continue to fight the main battle, while we take care of the wounded. How you treat the wounded says much about what you are.
Number of hits for the week ending Saturday 26th September 2009 up to midnight: 172,404.
Number of hits for the month of September up to Saturday 26th September 2009 at midnight: 378,795.
THE
MONEY LAUNDERING INDICTMENT
Here is what is alleged to have happened with Sidney Cambridge, the Bahamian
attorney now indicted in the United States for being involved in a money
laundering scheme. When you read this, you would be surprised and
all of us would really be shocked if the FBI has actual evidence of Sidney
Cambridge saying that he would launder money that he knew was bad money.
That simply does not make sense. The complaint as reported by the
Miami Herald on 23rd September alleges:
Josephus “Joe” Eggelletion (Broward Country Commissioner)
was involved with two South Florida businessmen and an attorney in The
Bahamas to launder $23,000 collected as part of a Ponzi scheme. The
others arrested were Ron Owens and Joel Williams, both businessmen.
The third defendant is Bahamian attorney Sidney Cambridge. To establish
their relationship with Eggelletion, FBI agents donated $5,000 to the commissioner's
private golf foundation. The allegations against Eggelletion are
not related to his public office.
This is how the money laundering scheme unfolded,
according to the criminal complaint:
In July 2006, the undercover agents told Eggelletion
they were interested in opening an offshore bank account on behalf of a
client. Eggelletion said he had contacts with bankers in The Bahamas.
Late that year, an undercover agent and co-operating witness told Eggelletion
they wanted to hide their client’s proceeds from a “nonexistent European,
high-yield investment fraud scheme that was sending out ‘made up’ statements
to clients.”
US Federal authorities say Eggelletion got $23,000
in kickbacks in a money laundering operation, where he helped set up a
bank account in The Bahamas to wire $900,000 derived from a purported Ponzi
scheme.
Eggelletion introduced the agents to Williams and
Owens to assist with opening a bank account in The Bahamas.
In March 2007, the undercover agent, Williams and
Owens met in the Bahamas with attorney Cambridge.
“At that time, the defendants agreed that for every
deposit that came into the bank, defendants Owens, Williams, Cambridge
and Eggelletion would receive a percentage of the money laundered”, the
complaint said.
The first payment of $100,000 was wired to Cambridge’s
trust account at First Caribbean International Bank in Nassau from a bank
account in Miami on March 23, 2007. That and other wire transfers
were deposited in the name of a company called Hexagon Development at the
Bahamian bank.
According to the complaint, Eggelletion eventually
became nervous about accepting the kickback payments from Owens.
In late February 2008, Eggelletion met Owens and
took a black leather day planner containing $15,000 cash -- Eggelletion’s
partial share of the proceeds for the money laundering, the complaint said.
That amount matches $15,000 that Eggelletion had listed as income from
Owens on his financial disclosure form submitted in August for income earned
in 2008. He also listed that he owed Owens the same amount on the
liabilities section of the form.
WHAT
COLIN CALLENDER HAD TO SAY
Colin Callender was not gracious in public to his former partner at Callenders
and Co. Sidney Cambridge was given an ultimatum within 24 hours of
the announcement that he had been indicted: resign or be fired. That
is the way it goes. Riding high in April shot down in May.
No hard feelings, it’s just business.
Mr. Callender said that he thought that the matter
would have no adverse finding on the firm, which was founded by his father,
a Guyanese émigré who was also a Queen’s Counsel.
We are not surprised at the brutality of it, but
what it also shows is the lesson for young black lawyers coming home and
eagerly embracing work in the white firms. There is no love in this.
This is strictly about hired talent and when your talent is no longer useful,
you are gone.
This reminds us of what the black community said
to Bryant Gumbel in the United States when he was the anchor for the NBC
Today Show. Mr. Gumbel, who is unquestionably one of the finest anchors
and commentators anywhere, thought that given his prominence he could not
be dethroned. In the end, his hubris led to his removal and the black
community said to him as he was unceremoniously dumped from the programme,
“we told you so.”
Mr. Cambridge has certainly done the right thing.
You don't want to stay where you are not wanted. But just reading
the evidence that is available, the case seems built on a whole lot of
loose talk and foolishness. This does not a conspiracy or crime make
on the face of it. But that is for the courts of course. We
hope that Mr. Callender can live by what he and is partners have done.
A word of graciousness might have been the civil thing to do.
ON
ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION
Former Prime Minister and Leader of the Progressive
Liberal Party Perry Christie issued the following statement on Thursday
24th September in response to the resignation of Sidney Cambridge as Treasurer
of the PLP.
“I have today, with regret, accepted the resignation
of Sidney Cambridge as Treasurer of the PLP. In my discussion with
him this morning, Mr. Cambridge indicated that he intended to focus all
of his attention on establishing his innocence to the charge upon which
he was indicted in Florida yesterday. In these circumstances, Mr.
Cambridge did not think that it would be appropriate for him to continue
to serve in any capacity within the Party at this time.
“I understand and accept Mr. Cambridge’s decision
and commend him for dealing with this matter so responsibly and promptly.
“While on the subject of Mr. Cambridge’s former
position as PLP Treasurer, however, I consider it unfortunate that the
Nassau Guardian’s headline this morning referred to the indictment of the
PLP Treasurer as if to imply that that position was somehow relevant to
the indictment. In fact, the indictment relates only to matters in
which Mr. Cambridge is alleged to have acted as a lawyer and not as a party
official.
“In any case, I would remind all my fellow-citizens
that in common with all accused persons, Mr. Cambridge is entitled to the
presumption of innocence. In this regard, I am gratified by Mr. Cambridge’s
personal assurances to me that he is completely innocent of the charges
made against him and that he intends to exert every effort to vindicate
himself accordingly.
“Finally, having been able to make further inquiries,
I am now able to confirm that neither I nor any of the persons who were
responsible for fundraising for the PLP in the last General Election have
any knowledge of any contribution that would have been made by, or on behalf
of, or at the suggestion or direction of any of the persons who are named
in the indictment. Any allegation to the contrary is completely false.”
CHRISTIE
ON THE OFFENSIVE
The Prime Minister of second chances, now Leader of the Opposition Perry
Christie appeared last week on Sunday on the television programme Jones
& Co. On that programme, he vigorously defended his leadership
and boldly predicted that he will lead the PLP in to the next general election.
He said that he had learned from his mistakes. Ever since there has
been talk in the wind of possible opposition to his leadership, there has
been a blitz of activity from Mr. Christie. He warned his critics
not to mistake kindness for weakness. Here is some of what he said
in his own words as reported by the Bahama Journal of Tuesday 22nd September:
“I am about the business of leading the oldest
political party in the country and I will lead them to victory… Every single,
right-thinking Bahamian hearing me speak today should know that I have
learnt from my mistakes and those mistakes will never be repeated.
“Those persons in the PLP who hold that view
that I have not taken responsibility for the loss of the PLP in 2007 should
examine themselves to see whether it is in them to share some of the responsibility,
moving forward.
“There were some mistakes made by the PLP and
I take full responsibility for everything.
“But I happen to believe that just as I thought
I would form the government after the election in 2007 and continue the
work of the party because it was a vision that we articulated in 2002 to
make The Bahamas the best little country in the world; that was the vision
fed and fuelled by the policies that we thought would lead us in that direction.
“My work is unfinished. I propose to contest
the next election, I propose to lead a party that will win the next election
and I propose to take the country into a more secure and more prosperous
future for Bahamians and that is most certainly what we undeniably need
for the future of The Bahamas…
“I rested on my laurels. I perhaps ignored
some of the realities. People expected me to take a position.
They wanted me to take decisive action over some individuals whose behaviour
some found unacceptable.
“I acted. It took me in most instances
two weeks to act but insofar as that is concerned, I thought the FNM did
a wonderful job in their propaganda that somehow crystallized the view
that I should have acted more quickly and so I think that is what the report
suggested.
“The Greenburg report suggested that the present
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is viewed as a strong prime minister and
in allowing myself to be seen as a measured person, a consensus person,
the Bahamian people in some instances and perhaps in many instances, drew
a conclusion, not that I was measured and considered but that I did not
rush to judgment and made mistakes, but the propaganda took hold that there
was indecision and procrastination…
“They do not apply procrastination and slowness
to the fact that I was headed toward unparalleled growth, I was spreading
the wealth of the country by providing an anchor policy that was intended
to put major developments in each island of The Bahamas…
“The social programs such as urban renewal helping
the broader community [showed that] my government made much progress but
the FNM created propaganda that Christie was slow.
“But if people had really examined the progress
made, people should have been applauding me for what I did. Because
people were working, people had money in their pockets, people were excited
about the future and we were going from strength to strength.
“There is a major problem in our country today
with strength and how it is being misapplied [by Hubert Ingraham].
“What has happened in The Bahamas today is that
people look at their leaders and are now linking their leaders’ behaviour
to their children and the examples they expect to be set and the standards
they expect their leaders to ascribe to and maintain…
“I’m not weak. People who watch us in Parliament
know I’m not weak. Intellectually I’m not weak and I have a tongue
that can smoothly speak to issues and I think I look good when I’m making
my point. It’s not a question of weakness. It’s a question
now of steering The Bahamas to the mode that it should be in.
“This thing about the macho man has been misinterpreted
and misapplied.
“My final point is this. I am not a weak
person. Do not compare the compassion that’s been the centrefold
of my political and public life; do not confuse my sensitivity to the needs
of the people with weakness. I am not weak and I’m prepared for this
time. You learn from mistakes and you freely acknowledge those mistakes
and you learn from them.”
GEORGE
SMITH - SUPPORTING CHRISTIE OR IS HE?
With the PLP’s convention coming up on 21st October, the talk around town
about who is running for what is hotting up. George Smith, the former
Minister and PLP activist, spoke to the press about his choice for leader
and other subjects. He conducted interviews with Brent Dean of the
Nassau Guardian and Paul Turnquest of The Tribune. We report what
he told Mr. Turnquest in his own words as reported on Friday 25th September:
“I pledge my support for Perry Christie to be
returned as leader of the PLP.
“Mr. Christie is a man with tremendous ability
and ideas. The officers in the PLP must push Mr. Christie to be the kind
of leader that he knows he can be.
“However if Mr. Christie were to return as leader
of the PLP and not perform up to par I would be very disappointed in him,
and the party would have to make the difficult decision of replacing him.
“If that is required we are obliged to do everything
humanly possible to be the government. That is the purpose of the party.
Nothing supersedes that. Nothing. But I am confident that he would (meet
the mark). And if he disappoints me, I would do it with some sadness, but
I would join in the effort to deal with the problem.
“I embrace Paul Moss [who has declared he is
running against Mr. Christie], he is a man of tremendous ideas and I think
he has a future with the party. I think Jerome Fitzgerald [who announced
on Thursday 24th September that he is running for Deputy Leader] has a
tremendous future and we need more like them to come forward because as
they put their ideas in the great mix it becomes what is really best for
the organization and the country.
“I note that there are currently three persons
who have pledged. I like two out of the lot but my true candidate had not
entered the race -- yet.
“I am waiting to see who else has entered the
race. Right now my candidate is none of the above and if he does not enter
the race I will certainly pick the one who I would conclude the party is
safest with.”
STAN BURNSIDE CARTOON: CHRISTIE & INGRAHAM IN 2037
 |
JEROME LAUNCHES
Senator Jerome Fitzgerald has begun his formal quest
to become the next Deputy Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party.
He launched his campaign with his wife, mother Allardyce, father Edward
and children, friends, well wishers and supporters surrounding him at the
Sun And… Restaurant on Thursday 24th September. He joins MP Philip
‘Brave’ Davis and MP Obie Wilchcombe who had previously announced their
candidacies.
Senator Fitzgerald said it was time for him to make
a front line contribution. He rejected those who said he was too
young, recalling that Sir Lynden O. Pindling became Prime Minister of The
Bahamas at the age of 36. He added: “The role of Deputy Leader, however,
is a delicate one requiring patience but not necessarily “sucking up”.
Your vision should be known, but it is the vision of the Leader that is
to be implemented. So I will not talk much tonight about my vision
because I am not running for leader. But I will tell you that education,
diversifying our economy, controlling debt, land reform, real empowerment
and ownership of the Bahamian economy by Bahamians should be of paramount
importance to all of us. I pledge to use all of my persuasive reasoning
to encourage the leader that these are included in the vision of the PLP
and The Bahamas moving forward.
“What I am suggesting is a change in our focus,
emphasis and priorities.” Philip Brave Davis welcomed Mr. Fitzgerald
into the race. You may click
here for Senator Fitzgerald's full address.
Left, Senator Fitzgerald and Mrs. Fitzgerald, right, the Senator is
congratulated by former Attorney General Sean McWeeney and Sharon Wilson,
former President of the Senate. Senator Fitzgerald has established
a special website at http://www.jeromefitzgerald.org/.
PAUL
MOSS ANNOUNCES FOR LEADER
Last week we reported that Paul Moss, the National General Council member
for the PLP’s St. Cecelia seat was to announce that he would oppose Perry
Christie for the leadership of the PLP at the next convention when it begins
on 21st October. He made the announcement as planned on Tuesday 22nd
September on the park named in St. Cecelia after the incumbent PLP Deputy
Leader Cynthia Pratt. She opposes Mr. Moss’ bid to become Leader
and to succeed her in the seat. Mr. Moss is seen as a protest candidate
but amongst the younger wing of the party he has some traction. He
gave his ideas to the public as he unveiled his programme for the party.
Here is what he said in his own words:
“I promise to bring unparalleled and unprecedented
focus on education and the judiciary, in an effort to address the problems
facing these sectors.
“I ask you to support me in bringing every arm
of government and every Bahamian into the 21st century through the largest
reform programme this region has ever seen.
“We are going to unleash the power of the Bahamian
imagination by removing every obstacle to success in this country. If you
want to be successful, you will have a partner in my government.
“On the economy, I can tell you, for Bahamians
who have not only longed but worked to achieve their dreams and fell short
because of lack of resources, those days are gone. For those who saw opportunity
in helping to bring efficiency to government by providing professional
technology services, and you have found that your proposals have disappeared
without mention, your day has come.
“We are going to undertake a project to overhaul
this country and put the Bahamas at the cutting edge of technology, both
in delivery services to our people and in how we deal with the world.
“I will not have anyone telling Bahamian mothers
and fathers it is okay for their children to be earning Ds and Es.
“We are, in my estimation, a smart nation, but
we will become an educated nation too, because education will be the hallmark
in our march into this new millennium. We will engender a sense of purpose
and direction that only the greatest nations have shown.
“Every child - and I mean every child, will know
what it is like to find something in him or herself to contribute to making
this nation and the world a better place…
“At last count, the murder rate stands at an
alarming 65. I am appalled and I am confounded that successive governments
of this nation have allowed crime to fester to the point where it is now
an open sore.
“Bahamians live in fear; imprisoned in their
homes, while the government shrugs its shoulders, even as Bahamian families
suffer the pain of loss of loved ones murdered on our streets, in their
homes and in broad daylight. That has to stop.
“I will enforce capital punishment. If you take
a life, yours will be taken."
“I will fix the administration of justice, and
eventually remove the Privy Council as the final court of appeal.
“I am not interested in any trade agreement until
Bahamians dominate the landscape of this country's economy, building opportunities
for other Bahamians and moving across our borders to establish a new bold
Bahamian brand.
“Every Bahamian family will own a piece of the
country through a new Crown Land policy that will provide every Bahamian
household financial stability and security. That is what government is
for.”
KEN
DORSETT ANNOUNCES?
A somewhat cryptic news statement has been released
by Kenred M. A. Dorsett, National Deputy Chairman of the PLP, where he
speaks of offering himself for “greater service in the leadership”, but
gives no specifics. Here is what he said:
“I have spoken to PLPs throughout the country and
they all agree that our party is in transition with regard to its leadership.
The mantra of change is on everyone's mind and has been weighing on mine
for quite some time now.
“Our country continues to be burdened by the spirit
of hopelessness and despair and I believe a responsive, caring, proactive
PLP can help.
“I feel therefore, that it is my duty to listen
to the call of my people and offer myself for greater service in the leadership
of our party.
“I will be making a formal announcement with regard
to my future plans in the PLP on Wednesday at 11.00 a.m. at the law offices
of Chancellors Chambers, Samana Hill, No.14 Village Road (North).
“I invite you to join me.”
NO
PERMITS BY BEC
Reports over the past week indicate that the Bahamas
Electricity Corporation (BEC) is involved in a monumental cock up as a
result of a failure to obtain the necessary building and environmental
permits to build their facilities throughout the islands. The issue
was first raised by Fred Smith the FNM activist attorney at a town meeting
held in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, two weeks ago.
Mr. smith asked Chairman of BEC Fred Gottlieb whether
they had obtained the necessary permits to build the new power plant in
Wilson City. It turns out that they had not. They also had
not done so for the new power plant in Hatchet Bay, Eleuthera. The
bottom line; the work came to screeching halt, the power is failing daily
in the islands concerned and people are outraged. Some employees
have had to be laid off.
THE
TRIAL OF PLEASANT BRIDGEWATER
Former Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament Obie Wilchcombe testified
in Court on Thursday 24th September in the trial of former Senator Pleasant
Bridgewater for attempted extortion of the American actor John Travolta.
Mr. Travolta appeared earlier in the week with his wife and bodyguards
and lawyers in the court. He testified for only 20 minutes and only
to say that he signed a form to take his son directly to the U.S. but ended
up taking the boy to hospital in Freeport. The boy died. He
was subject to seizures and needed constant care and attention. Mr.
Travolta’s evidence was interrupted by legal arguments which were not resolved
until Thursday 24th September. He is to return when the other evidence
has been led.
In the meantime, the case for the crown does not appear to be headed anywhere
since their first real witness to the event, Mr. Wilchcombe, appears to
be saying that there was no attempt to extort anything by Ms. Bridgewater.
Senator Allyson Gibson PLP is the lawyer for Mr. Travolta in The Bahamas
and is set to testify when the case resumes on Monday 28th September.
Bahamaspress.com carried a transcript of the evidence of Mr. Wilchcombe:
On the weekend of the 9th of Jan. I had a conversation
with Mrs. Bridgwater… we spoke about several matters with the company and
I raised the Travolta fact… she wanted to talk about something but not
over the phone. I was in New Providence at that
time then I returned to Freeport.
12th of Jan. I had conversation when I was at Universal
Distributors headquarters with Pleasant.
We had a meeting and she raised a matter she wanted
to discuss with me. She said that she has a client who has a document.
She said she had a client who had a document who could be harmful to the
Travoltas and having done all we could to protect the image of the country
and knowing my relationship with the Travoltas she thought she’d bring
this to my attention.
She showed me two [2] documents. They were from
the from the Rand Memorial Hospital. I saw John Travolta’s name. I said
this is bullshit. Why would anyone want to raise this issue after all we’ve
been through?
11.19
I inquire… she could not disclose her clients name
and said I should not be having this conversation with you and I am aware
of the relationship. I said tell your client to jump off the roof
and kill himself.
Because I had the phone number from Dr Mark Smith,
I called him. Travolta family doctor.
Did you receive anything? Yes sir and
as a result, I called Mr. Mike Ossi the family attorney. I spoke
to him. The other family lawyer telephoned the office. I was
in my office. Bridgewater was in my office. She spoke to the
other lawyer. The call came in the reception area. We took
the call in that area. I spoke to the person. I called Bridgewater
to the phone and she came. She went on the phone. Took place in reception
area. I returned to my office. I had not spoken to the person
on the phone before. He identified himself.
Mr. Murio Ducille Bridgwater’s attorney begins to cross-examine
the witness.
Wilchcombe telephoned Mark Smith and Mike Ossi.
Bridgewater did not ask him to call anyone. She came on the guise
she was concerned about the document in her possession.
We had done so much to protect him after the death
of his son.
She said she did not want any harm to come to the
Travoltas.
Defence: Did she suggest remotely that she was seeking
you as an agent to extract any money from John Travolta based on any documents
she had?
Obie: No sir.
Isn’t it a fact Mr. Wilchcombe that after you spoke to Smith and
Ossi prior? I met Ossi on the day of the tragedy.
Bridgewater’s attorney continues… It was after you spoke to
them that some time later you heard about extortion. Must have been
about two Mondays after.
At anytime sir, did you make any proposal or demand or request from
John for any money on behalf of anyone? No sir.
At any time sir, did you issue any threats to John to obtain money
from him? No sir. When I say anyone, I meant Ms. Bridgewater.
No sir. Did you speak to anyone by the name of Ronald Zupancic?
No sir.
Lightbourne’s attorney - At the time that you spoke with Pleasant
Bridgewater, did she ever ID her client? No sir.
Apart from the persons that you mentioned earlier, did you speak
to anyone else about this matter? Answer: No.
Spoke to the newspaper? Answer: Yes
Were you arrested with this matter? Answer: Yes.
At no time did Pleasant Bridgewater indicate to you that her client
was seeking to extort any money? Answer: No sir
Left; Obie Wilchcombe at the Travolta trial - right; John Travolta
on his way to court: Nassau Guardian photos/Tony Grant Jr.
TIME
FOR THE PRIVY TO GO
There was a slight ruckus in town on Thursday 24th
September when it was reported that the British appear finally to be fed
up with the Caricom countries including The Bahamas and their getting free
justice from British judges in the form of the Privy Council.
During the CSME debate under the PLP, Fred Mitchell,
the then Foreign Minister, warned the country that one day the British
would simply get tired of it and say that they wanted nothing to do with
it anymore. So the statement reported by the BBC from a Financial
Times report that Lord Nicholas Phillips, slated to become head of Britain’s
new Supreme Court has said that the Law Lords on the Privy Council, were
spending a ‘disproportionate’ amount of time on cases from former colonies,
mostly in the Caribbean should not be a shock although a bolt out of the
blue.
The safe assumption of the Caricom countries that
started the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was that they could continue
to use the Privy Council as long as Caricom wanted it. The British
standard line was they would continue it as long as the Caricom countries
wanted it. Some even argued that it poured money into the British
commercial sector so they would never let it go. Now it seems from
Lord Phillip’s statement, the game is up. Lord Phillips, formerly
UK Chief Justice, has questioned whether some Privy Council cases really
needed to be heard by a panel of five of Britain’s most senior judges.
According to the Financial Times as quoted by the
BBC, while there have been efforts to launch a senior Caribbean court to
take on the kind of cases that reach the Privy Council, some countries
- perhaps understandably it says - don’t seem in a great hurry to end their
access to a source of pro bono (free) judicial expertise. Now if
that is not lowness, we don’t know what is. That is like your daddy
telling you, you are grown now, its time to leave, your mama and I want
some time together.
Ralph Gonsalves, the Prime Minister of St. Vincent
and the Grenadines who is holding a referendum in November to effect the
change in his country and to become a republic was ecstatic. Senator
A.J. Nicholson, the former Attorney General of Jamaica appealed to the
Government from the Jamaican Opposition benches to move to change the law
in Jamaica. He wrote; “Have we no shame!” But typically, Basdeo
Panday, Leader of the Opposition in Trinidad, who supported the Caribbean
Court in government but opposed it in Opposition, told the Trinidad press
that he wants the Privy to stay. He said that the Caribbean Court
was not independent enough and the quality of the judges was not sufficiently
robust. The Caribbean Court of Justice is funded by all Caricom countries
but only Guyana and Barbados use the court as an appellate court.
‘BRAVE’S
CAMPAIGN IN HIGH GEAR
Philip ‘Brave’ Davis’ campaign for Deputy Leader
of the PLP is shifting into high gear. Davis held a reception for
Party Stalwart Councillors at his home in Westridge on Friday 25th August.
The function was well attended. MPs Frank Smith and Fred Mitchell,
along with Senator Allyson Gibson also attended the reception.
LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
In Support of 'Brave'
I would be most negligent if I did not show my
humble gratitude to you for permitting me the opportunity to express my
thoughts in print via your journal.
Having established that, I will say that I watch
with much a baited breath as the “race” for leader and deputy leader of
the very historic Progressive Liberal Party moves on. I expect it to “spice”
up around the first week in October and with that in mind I decided to
get my two cents in before the over-heated debates commence.
My dear friend and colleague, Philip “Brave”
Davis has tossed his proverbial hat in the ring declaring that he is ready
to join the leadership team of the PLP via the position of Deputy Leader.
I cannot think of a more suitable person to join such a team.
Not only do I think Philip “Brave” Davis is perfect
for the leadership team of the PLP but I think he is also very good for
this country in general. It is definitely no secret that our judicial system
is in shambles and in dire need of a team, headed by a well-rounded legally
sound individual who will bring it back to a place that would make us proud
as the country’s legal professions.
Brave, as he is affectionately called, is an
accomplished attorney, parliamentarian, philanthropist and family man.
He is the Senior Partner in one of the leading law firms in The Bahamas,
Davis & Co., and is considered one of the leading advocates in the
country. Although short in stature, he stands tall amongst us in the legal
field, having acquired the tremendous experience that he has over the years.
In recent times I’ve seen Brave referred to as
a “legal genius” and to this I can attest hands down. I have seen him come
through the most difficult cases victorious and with humble confidence.
I don’t think any of us in this admirable legal field would disagree when
I say that, if given the opportunity Brave can put our legal system in
order and in so doing, bring a halt to the high criminal activity in this
country.
In all, I know Brave is the better choice for
Deputy Leader of the Progressive Liberal Party and I know he will be successful
in this regard at his party’s upcoming convention. What I would like to
see is this – Should the PLP be victorious in the 2012 General Elections,
Philip “Brave” Davis appointed Minister of National Security or Minister
of Legal Affairs. He is truly a man for all seasons.
Legal Eagle
IN PASSING
Vincent Ferguson Dies
Former Bahamian US triple A baseball player, former Headmaster of St.
Augustine’s College, former head of the Bahamas Basketball Association,
Vincent Ferguson has died. He was 71 years old when he died at breakfast
at home on Wednesday 23rd September. He died of a reported heart
attack. Mr. Ferguson was a voice for reason and sanity in The Bahamas
in terms of the way it deals with social issues. He was a strict
disciplinarian but a loving man. He will be missed by the society.
PLP Convention Date Changes
There will no longer be a five day convention for the PLP. The
convention, which was scheduled to begin on 18th October, will now begin
on 21st October and end on the 23rd October. Over three days, election
of officers will take place.
Cheryl Grant To Get New Job?
The talk around town is that the number two in the prosecutor’s office
in The Bahamas, Cheryl Grant Bethel, the widow of former Minister of Sports
Peter Bethel is to get the job of Chief in-house Counsel to the Grand Bahama
Port Authority. Good choice! Certainly relieved that the job
did not go to former Justice John Lyons who recently resigned in disgrace
from the bench in The Bahamas.
SAC Principal Robbed
Sonia Knowles, the Principal of the St. Augustine’s College Catholic
high school in Nassau was robbed as she made her way home at her house
in Eastern Estates. She was not physically hurt, but her purse, including
keys, money, credit cards were all stolen. Property crime is the
silent scandal in The Bahamas, with most of it going undetected.
Murder gets the headlines. There have been some scary murders recently.
The robbery happened on Tuesday 22nd September.
Murders Most Foul
Lionel McQueen, the Bahamasair pilot, who was murdered in his bed at
home in Kennedy was said to be a case of mistaken identity. The street
talk is that two women who were asked to knock on the door were known to
a cousin of his that also lived in the house with him, the deceased, and
his brother. The door was opened and two gunmen walked in.
The gunmen were reportedly looking for Mr. McQueen’s brother in some sort
of act of payback or revenge killing. One brother reportedly hid
in the closest but the dead brother took the eight bullets for him, the
street says. Meanwhile the three suspects taken into custody have
been released by police pending inquiries. Mr. McQueen was buried
on Saturday 26th September. Down in Exuma, the rumours are fast and
furious that what looked like a car accident that led to the death of Preston
Ferguson may be more. The Tribune reports that the family of Mr.
Ferguson believes that it is a murder orchestrated to look like an accident
because he was seeing a married woman. No comment from the police
except that they are looking into it and were to re-enact the ‘accident’
to test the new theories. Mr. McQueen died on 20th September.
Mr. Ferguson died on 2nd August.
Soon, Sir Michael!
Reports are that Chief Justice Michael Barnett is to become a knight
shortly. The title comes with the job of Chief Justice that he got
recently despite protests about the issue. He has reportedly elected
to go to London to receive his knighthood from the Queen, not from mere
mortal Governor General Arthur Hanna here in Nassau.
Oswald Brown: Stay Out Of PLP Business
That wise political sage and oft times Jackass of the Week was at it
again in his column of Friday 25th September Oswald Brown. This time,
he was telling Shane Gibson that he should not run for Deputy Leader of
the PLP because of the effect of the allegations surrounding his relationship
with the American B actress Anna Nicole Smith. What is always interesting
is how this stone cold FNM is up in the business of the PLP. Why
won’t they stay out of PLP business?
Ivoine Ingraham For FNM Chairman
The truth has now been revealed, the source behind these anonymous
notes in the newspaper, The Tribune, calling for Johnley Ferguson, the
now FNM Chairman and Vice President of the Senate to go, saying that he
is ineffective. The source, it turns out, is none other than Ivoine
Ingraham, the political operative who has been given a sinecure at the
Bahamas Vocational and Technical Institute where his stock in trade is
political intimidation. No one can quite figure out what he does
for a living. Boy, the FNM would be the laughing stock of the country
if they elected him as Chairman. Last week, with photo and all, the
press said that he was offering for the job. The front runner for
the job is now Deputy Chairman and Senator Anthony Musgrove.
Trib/Guardian Headlines
PLP TREASURER CHARGED IN US said the headline of the Nassau Guardian
on Thursday 24th September. Advertisement
TOP ATTORNEY CHARGED WITH MONEY LAUNDERING, the headline in The Tribune
of the same day and the same story. What a difference. The writer
of The Guardian story has been accused of allowing her individual biases
to interfere with fairness in her stories.
Book Launch
Fred Mitchell will publicly launch his new version of Great Moments
In PLP History at a book launch at the Garden of Eden Hotel in Fox Hill
on Monday 28th September at 7 p.m. The book costs 15 dollars.
You get to the Garden Of Eden by travelling up the main road north in Eastwood
Subdivision from Prince Charles Drive, count five speed humps, make a left
at Incense Court up the hill and to the left at the top of the hill and
drive right into the hotel.
Two Deputy Leaders
There is talk afloat of a resolution to put in place two Deputy Leaders
of the PLP at the next convention, copying what happened when former Prime
Minister Lynden Pindling was seeking to avoid a nasty fight between the
two then senior men in the party below him, Perry Christie and Bernard
Nottage. It only postponed the fight. The party must think very carefully
before it goes down that road again.
Hotel Union Elections To Go Ahead
Justice Neville Adderley has agreed that the Hotel Union elections
can go ahead; despite the request by Keod Smith attorney from insurgent
candidate Kirk Wilson that the most recent decision to conduct elections
be stayed until the Court of Appeal can hear the appeal of the ruling of
Justice Neville Adderley that the elections must go ahead. Elections
are scheduled for 30th September.
Bernard Nottage Says
Leader of Opposition business in the House of Assembly Dr. Bernard
Nottage has called for campaign finance reform in the wake of the allegation
made by Ft. Lauderdale former Mayor Joe Eggelletion that he was collecting
monies for the Prime Minister of The Bahamas. Former Prime Minister
Perry Christie has said it aint so. Dr. Nottage said that he believes
that the time has come for reform in this area. He told The Tribune
on Friday 25th September “There should be completely transparent and accountable
procedures and there should be records that can be subject to scrutiny
so we can tell who is giving what.”
Churchill Building To Go
The Minister of the Environment Earl Deveaux told the Nassau Guardian
on Saturday 26th September that the building that houses the Cabinet office
is to be demolished along with the companion building the Adderley Building.
The Adderley Building, which used to house the Ministry of Finance, has
been condemned. The Churchill Building, said the Minister, has outlived
its usefulness. He said that the two buildings are to be replaced
as part of the revitalization of the city of Nassau.
Happy Birthday To You
Best wishes to Marva and Matthew Mitchell, brother and sister twins.
The pair are brother and sister to Fred Mitchell MP for Fox Hill.
They turned 49 on Saturday 26th September. Happy Birthday to King
Eric Gibson also 26th September, musician and father of Shane Gibson PLP
MP. He is 75.
Pleasant Bridgewater Attends Church In Nassau
Former Senator Pleasant Bridgewater and her entire family attended
the 7 a.m. mass at St. Agnes Anglican Church earlier today.
Miss Bridgewater is in Nassau on trial for attempted extortion. She
is a faithful Anglican, being a lay reader at the Anglican Church in her
native High Rock, Grand Bahama. The rector of St. Agnes Archdeacon
Ranfurly Brown offered prayerful support for Ms. Bridgewater.
