Govt already paid $30 mil. for new West Bay Street

The Nassau Guardian

Govt already paid $30 mil. for new West Bay Street

The Christie administration has paid the developers of Baha Mar more than $30 million over the past year to cover the government’s portion of costs for roadwork associated with the development, The Nassau Guardian understands.

However, when asked about this yesterday, Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice-president of administration and external affairs, would not reveal exactly how much the government has paid on the debt.

However, he did tell reporters that the Christie administration has paid more than 50 percent of the $48.3 million owed.

“The reality is that there is an obligation to [pay] a finite amount but amounts have been paid on [the] account for over a year,” Sands said on the sidelines of a shop steward conference hosted by the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union.

“The government has made in excess of 50 percent payment on that outstanding [amount],” he added.

For the past few months, the government has been negotiating with Baha Mar over whether it has to pay the full amount for road work associated with the project.

Earlier this month, Minister of Works Philip Brave Davis said government negotiators verified that the developers spent more than $100 million for the rerouting of West Bay Street.

At the time he added that Cabinet now has to agree to the final amount the government will pay for the work.

However, Davis did not reveal the figure Cabinet would be asked to approve.

Yesterday Sands said talks between government and Baha Mar are ongoing but did not want to divulge any details, nor would he say if the government had agreed to pay an adjusted amount.

“We continue to work with the government to resolve this matter and we are making progress in that particular area,” Sands said.

“We are very hopeful that should be solved in the not too distant future.”

In June, The Nassau Guardian first reported that the government was eyeing a payout to Baha Mar that was lower than the sum initially expected.

Under the agreement with Baha Mar, the government is obligated to pay more than $47 million to Baha Mar if the cost of the reconfiguration of West Bay Street exceeded $70 million, Davis said earlier this year.

He said if the figure is less than $70 million, the government would only be obligated to pay 50 percent.

This figure is the government’s portion of costs for the new West Bay Street that runs along the luxury development.

The Nassau Guardian previously reported that government technical experts reportedly assessed the value of the Baha Mar roadwork at around $58 million.

In August, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham criticized the government for the negotiations, calling the government’s insistence on paying less for the road “vexatious” and “worrisome”.

However, Davis said if the government accepts Baha Mar’s proposition it would mean that it cost $59 million to construct one mile of the rerouted West Bay Street and related infrastructure.

Prime Minister Perry Christie also responded to the criticism and said his administration would not apologize for protecting Bahamians’ money.

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Cubans to be repatriated more quickly

The Nassau Guardian

Cubans to be repatriated more quickly

The Cuban government has agreed to amend its foreign affairs policy to allow for quicker repatriations of Cuban nationals detained in The Bahamas, according to National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage.

The traditionally slow pace of repatriations of Cubans continues to place a financial burden on the government, according to Nottage, who spoke to reporters earlier this week during a press conference at the Ministry of National Security. In some cases, Cubans have lingered in the Carmichael Road Detention Centre for over nine months, he said.

Nottage said a Bahamian delegation met with the Cuban government six weeks ago to discuss challenges with illegal migration.

"As a result, just over two weeks ago, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, my office, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the immigration department were able to conclude amendments to the current understanding which would enable us to be able to deal with Cuban detainees so that they would not have to stay in our detention center as long as they have been staying,” Nottage said.

Explaining why Cuban repatriations take some time, Nottage said the Cuban government has to carry out an investigation to ensure that the person being sent to its government is a national.

"Once that is determined we can repatriate them,” Nottage added. “They are doing it more quickly now so that will save us considerable funds over the long haul, particularly if the increase in the detainees we've seen recently continues."

So far this year, more than 70 Cubans have been repatriated.

Dr. Nottage said there are currently 30 Cubans in the Detention Center, 14 of whom the Cuban government has agreed to take sometime this week.

Additionally, two Cubans remain in Her Majesty's Prison, he said.

The government talks with the Cuban administration came amid claims of abuse by a group of Cuban detainees.

A copy of a report into the alleged abuse of Cubans at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre was leaked to the media last month.

The report contains witness statements in which marines admitted to beating detainees.

Since the issue of abuse has been raised, the number of Cubans entering Bahamian waters has increased.

Nottage said it would be interesting to see if there will be a further uptick in illegal migration.

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The sad decline of the Island Palm Resort

The Nassau Guardian

The sad decline of the Island Palm Resort

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - It was once regarded as one of the jewels in Freeport’s crown, but today the Island Palm Resort is an eyesore.

From being a top hotel, some say this rundown building is an indicator of the way things are in Grand Bahama.

Today, the place is a hollow wreck. Bedrooms have been broken into and any remaining air conditioning units and fixtures and fittings smashed or stolen. We are told that thieves seeking valuable copper piping are regularly ransacking the place.

There is also evidence of homeless people taking shelter in the building.

The courtyard and swimming pool, once favored by tourists who flocked to the hotel, is now strewn with rubble and rubbish.

How its fortunes have changed.

In the mid 1960s, in the heart of downtown Freeport, there were few accommodation options available except for two motels: The Caravel Inn, located on East Atlantic Drive, and The Freeport Inn, located On the Mall and at the corner of Explorer’s Way, a short drive from the airport.

The Freeport Inn initially had 66 rooms grouped around the only heated pool on the island.

By 1968, it had quickly expanded to 170 rooms, in order to accommodate the growing population of this 'magic city'.

The name was changed to the Island Palm Resort in 1996, and a renovation tried to revive its fortunes. However, the doors were finally closed in October 2011 with the loss of 15 jobs.

In the weeks leading up to the May 2012 general election, the former Free National Movement (FNM) administration purchased the Island Palm resort for $1.9 million to facilitate the expansion of the Rand Memorial Hospital.

However, within weeks of taking power, the victorious Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government cancelled the project.

Plans were then announced to turn the building into a much-needed shelter for the homeless, but they too were abandoned after the local business community raised concerns.

Today, it is not known what plans are afoot for the Island Palm Resort.

When looking for comment from the Ministry for Grand Bahama, The Freeport News was put through to the office of Permanent Secretary Melvin Seymour, only to be told he was “in a meeting”. No call was returned.

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Leaky roof leads to flooding at magistrates court complex

The Nassau Guardian

Leaky roof leads to flooding at magistrates court complex

Court was canceled in all but one of the courts in the recently-built magistrates court complex yesterday after a leaky roof resulted in severe flooding.

Court officials taped a note to the court door indicating that the courts were closed yesterday due to flooding.

As a result, scores of people were turned away.

Court officials told reporters that the courts on the second floor were “saturated” with water.

Additionally, the officials, who did not want to be named, said mold and mildew had developed as a result of the problem, which has been worsening in the past weeks.

“The conditions are deplorable,” the court officials said.

“Something needs to be done.”

Workmen were on-site yesterday working to temporarily repair the problem.

Deputy Director in the Ministry of Works Caldwell Pratt told The Guardian yesterday that the ministry is in the process of issuing a contact to a company to fix the roof.

“By the end of this week, we expect to mobilize on-site,” he said.

It is unclear whether all courts will reopen today.

Another official added that the elevator in the court complex has been inoperable for at least six months.

Individuals in wheelchairs have to be physically carried up the stairs, the official said.

The problems come less that two years after the multimillion-dollar facility opened.

Construction of the court complex began in 2005. In 2008, Adler Construction was awarded a $6.4 million contract to complete the job.

The court complex opened in January 2012.

 

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Girl, 15, on suicide watch at prison

The Nassau Guardian

Girl, 15, on suicide watch at prison

The 15-year-old girl who allegedly attempted to rob a clothing store in Town Centre Mall last month has yet to undergo the full psychiatric and psychological examinations that the court ordered in August, she told the court yesterday.

The teen, whose identity is being withheld because of her age, was charged in a magistrate’s court with attempted armed robbery, possession of an unlicensed firearm and escape on August 29.

She returned to court yesterday for a status hearing. However, Acting Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt said she did not receive the reports as ordered.

The girl, who was previously remanded to Her Majesty’s Prisons (HMP), told Ferguson-Pratt that she “saw somebody one time”.

The magistrate said she would follow up on the reports.

The teen’s attorney Jeffrey Lloyd asked Ferguson-Pratt to release the girl to her parents’ custody under the supervision of the Department of Social Services.

Lloyd pointed out that the girl was missing school. He also noted that the evaluations could be carried out on an out patient basis.

However, Ferguson-Pratt said she would reserve a decision on that until she contacts the department responsible for conducting the evaluations.

Ferguson-Pratt asked the teen and her parents to return to court on Friday. She said by then the court will be in a better position to decide whether the girl will be released to her parents.

The girl’s parents told the court yesterday that they have no problem with their daughter returning home.

It is alleged that she attempted to rob Zonna Viva clothing store of an undetermined amount of cash on August 2.

It is further alleged that she was found in possession of a black maverick pump action shotgun and seven 12-gauge shotgun shells.

The girl was not required to plead to any of those charges when she was arraigned last month.

As it relates to the escape charge, the teen’s mother pleaded not guilty to that count on her daughter’s behalf.

It is alleged that she escaped from custody at the Grove Police Station on August 5.

While at HMP, she will be on suicide watch.

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Six killed in fire

The Nassau Guardian

Six killed in fire

Six people, all related, including a two-year-old girl, died in a fire that destroyed a residence on Homestead Street early yesterday morning, which left most of the victims burnt beyond recognition, according to the police.

The victims were all found dead in the bathroom of the small four-room structure, head of fire services Superintendent Walter Evans said.

The fire started just before 2 a.m.

Investigators have not ruled out arson, according to Evans, but because the investigation is ongoing, he could not say what started the blaze.

Next door neighbor Magloi Belidor told The Nassau Guardian that he heard a woman who was trapped inside the home screaming for help.

Belidor said he and other neighbors tried in vain to extinguish the fire with buckets of water before firefighters arrived.

“I was in the room sleeping and I heard someone holler and say, ‘help,’” Belidor said.

“When I [came] out. . .I see the fire through the east window, and I [pulled] the door open. When I [opened the door], in there [was] full of fire. I couldn’t get in there.”

When firefighters arrived, they met the small home engulfed in flames, police said.

Police did not release the identities of the victims yesterday. However, relatives identified two of the victims as Jennifer Barrett and her two-year-old daughter Joshinique King.

The small community was hit hard by the tragedy. When The Nassau Guardian arrived at the scene shortly after the fire started, neighbors and relatives of the victims screamed in anguish over the deaths.

Princess Barrett, Jennifer’s sister, also lost her niece, her aunt Marylin and three cousins in the fire. She said she lived in the home but was out of the house when the fire started.

“I didn’t sleep home,” Barrett said. “My best friend called me, she lives right next door, and she told me the house was on fire [and asked] if anybody was in there. I told her I wasn’t home; I don’t know. Then I came home shortly after.”

Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage, who visited the scene with Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade, a contingent of senior police officers and Minister of State for National Security Keith Bell a few hours after the blaze, called the event an “unspeakable tragedy”.

Nottage spoke to reporters after he laid a wreath inside the destroyed home. He explained that area MP Glenys Hanna-Martin was out of the country and added that he wanted to see the damage firsthand on her behalf.

“All we can do is offer our condolences and whatever services are necessary to help them through this transition period and try to do everything we can to ensure that it doesn’t happen again,” said Nottage, who was visibly shaken by the deaths.

While he said he did not know what caused the fire, Nottage said the proliferation of extension cords, which homes in the community use to share power, are a fire hazard.

“There are some things that I think contribute to incidents like this, and we think we see some evidence of it here,” he said. “I think the fire chief is very likely to give some advice to the people around here about how they can prevent circumstances like these from recurring.

“Many of these communities you go into you will see these extension cords and the vehicles rolling over them, sometimes they go across the street and there is no question that that is a recipe for problems.

“I can’t say that is what happened here but I noticed that there are cords running across the ground.” Nottage said.

Marie Winters Lloyd, who identified herself as an aunt of some of the victims, also visited the scene yesterday afternoon.

She broke down in tears as she made her way through the debris.

“I miss them; they’re gone,” Lloyd, 70, said as tears streamed down her face. “They grew with me. I took care of those children [until] they became grown. I did the very best I [could.]”

“We had good communication and a good relationship, basic understanding.”

Other relatives, who lived nearby, were also at the scene yesterday but were said to be too grief-stricken to speak to reporters.

 

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Officers cleared in custody death

The Nassau Guardian

Officers cleared in custody death

The Coroner’s Court jury charged with looking into the police custody death of 35-year-old Jamie Smith yesterday found that his killing was lawful.

The jury also found that the force used to subdue Smith on February 8 was justifiable.

Smith died within 12 hours of his arrest at the Central Detective Unit (CDU) after he allegedly confessed to two armed robberies.

Inspector Ezra Maycock, Sergeant Keno Smith, Corporal Brian Roache and Corporal Sterling Knowles were at CDU when Smith died.

The officers said they struggled to contain Smith after he violently attacked them in a bid to escape from Maycock’s office at the CDU.

Roache, who has martial arts training, said he applied a carotid sleeper hold that was not taught at the Police Training College.

Smith began gasping for breath during the struggle and collapsed and died shortly after it ended, the jury heard. Smith died from asphyxia (lack of oxygen) caused by neck compression.

Coroner Jeanine Weech-Gomez summed up the case yesterday. The jury returned its findings about two hours later.

 

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Govt to address concerns of persons with disabilities

The Nassau Guardian

Govt to address concerns of persons with disabilities

After years of successive governments promising to address the concerns of the disabled community, the Christie administration will make its rights and protection a priority, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday.

Christie said the Ministry of Finance will reprioritize some areas of governance to ensure that his administration can bring the necessary legislation to Parliament.

The prime minister's promise provides members of the disabled community with its first reason to hope since the former administration tabled the Disabilities Equal Opportunities Bill in Parliament in 2012.

However, that bill died when Parliament was prorogued in the run-up to the general election.

Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin said the government has since produced new draft legislation.

Griffin said the draft was put in more simpler terms than the previous one.

She said the government will carry out widespread consultations to inform various groups about the new legislation.

Christie underscored the importance of consultations.

"Governments have to consult with the private companies because there has to be a major transformation of physical things like sidewalks, the entries to buildings, and elevators,” he said. “There has to be a paradigm shift in building approvals because the commitment will be that we are recognizing and institutionalizing the recognition that there are people who are different to some of us, and therefore all of us are entitled to it.”

Griffin said the government is hoping to wrap up public consultations by December 3, which is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

As previously reported, Griffin will sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on behalf of the country on Tuesday.

The purpose of the convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights of persons with disabilities, and promote respect for their inherent dignity. Persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments.

"In signing this convention, The Bahamas joins with several other countries in the region who believe that all people, regardless of their physical or mental abilities, should be afforded the right to grow, learn and reach their maximum potential and that there should be full and effective participation of persons with disabilities in society and development,” Christie said. “As a Christian nation, we should want no less for all of our people."

Christie added that merely signing the convention will not be the end, as every citizen must begin to embrace what it means.

“By signing this convention, we will have moved another step closer to creating a just society where all persons enjoy equal rights,” he added.

Christie said he would not want to leave office without improving the quality of life of the disabled in the country.

Griffin said about 15 percent of the population is believed to be suffering from some form of disability.

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BEC to crack down on electricity theft

The Nassau Guardian

BEC to crack down on electricity theft

A Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) task force is preparing to move into shantytowns and other areas across New Providence in a bid to crack down on people who are stealing electricity, BEC Executive Chairman Leslie Miller revealed yesterday.

Miller said the already cash strapped organization is likely losing hundreds of thousands of dollars as a result of the increasing problem of electricity theft.                          

“Now what we have found is that many Bahamians, and some of them are former BEC employees as well as unscrupulous electricians, they will bypass the BEC meter and get their electricity directly from our wiring at the poles,” Miller said during a press conference at BEC’s main office.

“This has become a serious problem. Because of these hard economic times people revert to all kinds of nonsense to enable them to beat the system.

“They’ve employed some savvy techniques and I must warn them now that we are strengthening our efforts to crack down on this type of behavior. We can assure them when it is found that they are stealing electricity, the supply will be immediately terminated, and we are making every effort to enact stiffer fines that they will be required to pay.”

Asked to estimate how many households steal electricity, Miller said “plenty”.

While the problem is “rampant” in shantytowns and some of the poorer communities, Miller said Bahamians would be “surprised” to see who else is stealing electricity.

“It’s not just the poor among us, it is anyone who can get away with it,” he said.

However, as it relates to the shantytowns, Miller explained how the process works.

“One person would have a meter from BEC and this one person would be paying their bill,” he said. “Then we find out that they would make some changes to the BEC box and hook up all their neighbors and friends and bypass BEC’s meter.”

Miller warned that where this type of illegal activity takes place, “BEC will not take pity on anyone.”

“We need the customers to pay us to enable us to keep this country lit,” Miller said.

Miller added that BEC officials recently shut down the supply of a man who was supplying electricity to six people in his middle class neighborhood.

He noted that the problem has been commonplace over the years but has grown substantially recently.

Those caught carrying out the illegal exercise can face hefty fines and even jail time, Miller said.

Additionally, they will be required to pay back the corporation and risk having their BEC service permanently disconnected.

Miller is proposing that those found stealing electricity be made to pay triple what their electricity bill should have been over the time that they were carrying out the illegal act.

He said BEC has a process in which it can gauge how much electricity was used.

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Anatol Rodgers principal dismisses BUT’s claims

The Nassau Guardian

Anatol Rodgers principal dismisses BUT’s claims

Anatol Rodgers High School Principal Myrtle McPhee said yesterday that despite the Bahamas Union of Teachers’ (BUT) call for her removal, she will not allow anyone or anything to distract her from her vision for the school.

It is the first time the principal has spoken publicly about the controversy surrounding the school.

McPhee, who has been in the teaching profession for nearly 40 years, has faced criticisms from the union for several months.

But the Ministry of Education has said she will remain in her post.

In an interview at the school on Faith Avenue, McPhee called the “noise in the market” interesting, but said she does not see the need to defend the truth.

“The truth will speak for itself, and the minister of education as well as the director of education spoke to the issues,” McPhee said.

“I was quite confident that what we do here at this quality institution speaks for itself in terms of all of our accomplishments.

“I know there was a lot of noise in the market, but it did not prevent the normal activities from going on. We had peace and quiet.”

In February, BUT President Belinda Wilson and some parents and teachers at Anatol Rodgers called for McPhee’s resignation.

Tensions between the union and the Ministry of Education came to a head and the school was forced to close temporarily.

At the start of the new school year, some teachers sat outside their classrooms and joined union officials in a protest outside the Ministry of Education.

McPhee noted that only about 15 out of the 93 teachers at the school participated, which she said speaks volumes. She said the school has quality teachers committed to producing quality students.

The principal noted Anatol Rodgers is the largest school in the country with 1,400 students. At least 50 of them have varying disabilities.

It is one of two “comprehensive” public schools — it has both junior and senior high students. Those junior and senior students were separated recently, a move McPhee said is significant.

In response to the BUT’s claims that she has created a “hostile environment” and her leadership style is not effective, McPhee said, “I am quite aware of the human element in every organization.

“Human beings are our most important resource. I am very sensitive to them in terms of what I say, and how I say it.

“But the job has to be done according to the standards set down by the Ministry of Education.”

McPhee touted the school’s achievements, including a group of pre-engineering students, who won the build-a-bridge competition this year. The competition required students to team up within their schools and build the strongest and most beautiful bridge with just 100 popsicle sticks and Elmer's glue.

McPhee said the school is also proud of its many other successes.

She noted that the school has consistently seen well above 50 percent of its students who sit national examinations, pass with grades A through D.

Asked how she would describe her relationship with parents and teachers, McPhee responded, “Professional”.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) President Rena Hudson said last week the principal does not have the support of parents, whose major concern is violence on campus.

But McPhee said whenever there are large groups of students from varied backgrounds there is bound to be some conflict.

“I want to say that the fights are contained to about 15 percent of the total population,” she said.

“That leaves 85 percent of our students who do not engage in fights. To me, that is very significant.

“But for some reason only the 15 percent are highlighted. That is really an injustice.”

McPhee admitted there are some challenges with meeting the needs of all students, but she said despite those challenges she is passionate about her role and has not lost her love for teaching.

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More crime fighting initiatives promised

The Nassau Guardian

More crime fighting initiatives promised

National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage said yesterday the recently revealed crime plan is the first in a series of initiatives the police force will roll out in the coming months in a bid to reduce the high level of violent crime.

"The step we announced on Friday, that's not the end of it," Nottage said. "We have a number of matters that we are bringing to the table.”

While Nottage did not reveal what the other components of the plan would be, he said police are considering various options.

The first phase of the plan calls for all police officers in New Providence to work 12-hour shifts.

Additionally, Nottage said officers in the police band, administration and support services would be deployed to the frontline.

He also indicated that 150 Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines were deployed to sedentary duties normally carried out by police officers.

The plan came in the wake of a spate of murders and other violent crimes.

The government has already faced criticisms on the initiatives announced on Friday.

Prominent religious leader Bishop Simeon Hall said the plan is too soft and will not address the problem of repeat offenders.

Free National Movement Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner questioned whether the changes would tire out police officers and weaken the nation's borders.

And Police Staff Association (PSA) Executive Chairman Inspector Dwight Smith said the association was “blindsided” by the government’s decision to place officers on 12-hour shifts.

But Nottage said yesterday the bottom line is there has to be a reduction in crime and violence.

“I have a country where people are afraid; they are fearful," he said.

"I have to act. I met with the commissioner of police. I met with executive management. I met with the commanders of the various divisions.

“I spelt out to them the situation as I see it, and I indicated to them steps that I intended to take after seeking advice from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

"The police force is a disciplined force. The PSA is an association. It is not a trade union. If we are going to have law and order, it is important for everyone to know what their role is.”

Smith recalled challenges with the 12-hour shift system under the leadership of the late Bernard K. Bonamy, former police commissioner.

He said it created a lot of unease and sickness within the force.

But Nottage said all he is asking is for police to work hard.

"I need the policeman to be prepared to do his job and to do it well," he said. "[All] policemen know that when there are emergencies in the country that they might be required to go beyond what the normal working hours or conditions are.

“We need more bodies. We are not only looking to the police force. We have sought the assistance of the RBDF and they have provided us with the 150 men to help us and if we need more they will provide more. That's the state of the situation."

As for how long police will be required to work 12-hour shifts, Nottage said that will be assessed on an ongoing basis.

"When we feel that the matter is under control we will pull them back," he said.

"What we are trying to do is secure the peace and safety of the people of The Bahamas."

As for the suggestion that the move to involve 150 marines would weaken the country's borders, Nottage said none of the marines who are assisting police were a part of the unit that patrols the borders.

 

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Two primary schools still out of commission

The Nassau Guardian

Two primary schools still out of commission

Despite Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald’s assurance that Stephen Dillet Primary School was cleared by the Ministry of the Environment to reopen yesterday, the school was forced to close its doors as teachers staged a sit-in over “persisting” health concerns.

Uriah McPhee Primary School was also closed yesterday despite assurances by the minister on Monday that it would be open. Outside the Churchill Building Tuesday, Fitzgerald indicated that a decision was made not to resume classes at that school after environmental health officials said they were not satisfied all mold had been removed.

When The Nassau Guardian arrived at Stephen Dillet yesterday morning, students were being turned away at the gate, and parents who had dropped off their children were called back to the school to collect them.

But Fitzgerald said students and teachers should be in the classroom.

“I am not aware of any other concerns. I called this morning and they told me the kids had reported and the teachers had reported,” Fitzgerald said.

Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson told reporters outside Stephen Dillet yesterday that mold, malfunctioning air conditioning units and a lack of running water at the school remained unresolved concerns.

“They are telling the teachers, ‘Go into the school and teach.’ But teachers will not be teaching because...the air conditioning technicians are still here working, the vents are still filthy, the air is still thick and on top of that there is no water in the school,” Wilson said.

“How can you work? How can you teach? And how can children learn if the environment is not conducive? And for God’s sake parents, come and see about your children.

“It always has to be as if the union is embattled with the employer. Your children are in here also.”

Fitzgerald said he was not aware of the concerns Wilson raised.

“As I said, we are very concerned about any issues that would impact the health of teachers or students,” he said.

“The union does not have any more concern for students than we do at the Ministry of Education.”

Fitzgerald said he hopes Uriah McPhee will be able to open today.

Though he acknowledged the loss of classroom time, Fitzgerald said education officials are focused on ensuring that teachers and students return to a safe environment

Asked whether teachers who staged a sit-in at Stephen Dillet yesterday should expect disciplinary action, Fitzgerald said, “I don’t want to get into that.”

“I am unaware that they have another reason for sitting out, and I am not sure what that is so I don’t want to comment on that until I get all the facts,” he said.

Wilson added that the union sent a list of concerns to the Ministry of Education on Monday night, and is prepared to sit down and discuss possible solutions, but teachers will not return to the classroom until those issues are resolved.

The cost of repairs at both schools is expected to exceed $130,000, according to education officials.

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‘Wanted’ suspect not really wanted

The Nassau Guardian

‘Wanted’ suspect not really wanted

The family of a man police issued a wanted bulletin for is demanding an apology.

Andre Thompson, 20, was among a group of 10 men police issued wanted bulletins for on Sunday night. Police advised the public that they wanted to question him in connection with murder.

Thompson’s attorney, Christina Galanos, said police had already arrested, questioned and released her client in August.

If police wanted to question Thompson in relation with another matter, Galanos said, they did not have to issue a wanted bulletin for him.

“This is of grave concern to me because he is not wanted, as far as what I’m being told,” she said yesterday.

“The police know where he lives. They dropped him home on August 29.  So how is someone wanted when you’re not making any effort to find him?

“I think it’s a gross miscarriage of justice.

“They didn’t have to do that. Putting his name and picture in the paper should have been the last resort.”

Thompson’s father, James Thompson Sr., said his son’s reputation was damaged.

Thompson’s photo and name were printed in The Tribune yesterday along with other men identified as “wanted”.

“I had coworkers ask me if this was my son,” he said. “I had family call from the out islands wanting to know what happened. Police would do things like that but they won’t apologize for that. They expect you to go on.”

Galanos said that around 4 a.m. Friday, police searched the family’s Pinewood Gardens home looking for Thompson.

Once the family explained that he had already been arrested, the officers confirmed that his name was still in the system, apologized and left, according to Galanos.

“Now this morning there is a headline in The Tribune listing Mr. Thompson as wanted with his picture,” she said.  Thompson said he felt singled out and was embarrassed by the error.

After the interview, Galanos took her client to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) to turn him in.

He was released five minutes later and told that he was free to go.

Thompson said he felt relieved and had no plans to return to CDU.

When contacted for comment, Superintendent Stephen Dean said police are no longer looking for him.

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Govt to spend $6-$10 mil. to host world relays

The Nassau Guardian

Govt to spend $6-$10 mil. to host world relays

The government will spend somewhere between $6 million and $10 million over the next two years to host the inaugural and second annual International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Relays, the biggest sporting event ever to be held in the country, Minister of Sports Dr. Daniel Johnson revealed yesterday.

However, Johnson said the country is expected to recoup all of its expenses in tourism dollars and promotions.

“You’re looking at spending $3 million to $5 million per event in terms of setting it up properly,” Dr. Johnson said during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday morning. “The return on investment is normally about two to one.

"So we are expecting the economic impact to be at least double that for us as a country. The advertisement impact for two days to be on major networks around the world, carried by 52 countries is about a similar amount. We really have done the economic work behind the scenes, so it's a fairly good investment and the returns should be impressive."

The Bahamas was chosen to host the event in 2014 and 2015.

The world relays is set for May 2014 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and around the same time in 2015.

Events will include the 4x100 meters (m), the 4x200m, the 4x400m, the 4x800m and the 4x1,500m for both males and females.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, who was also at the press conference, said he is hopeful that the country will reap the benefits of hosting the relays.

"I'm hopeful that given the nature that there will be a return to the country in every which way, because we are very much committed to developing The Bahamas as a sports tourism world authority and destination," Christie said.

"The fact that we are able to host these world games is a tremendous honor for The Bahamas.

"This is another giant step towards bringing prominence to the country as a sporting destination. We will work assiduously with the local organizing committee to ensure near perfection in the organization of these games and getting that stadium to be filled to capacity when the time comes."

In order to pull off the event, Johnson noted that the facilities have to be world class.

It is expected that about 700 athletes will attend the relay. In addition, 300 officials will also attend.

Johnson said the event will result in the creation of 500 full-time and part-time jobs.

Former Coach Keith Parker is president of the local organizing committee (LOC). President of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) Mike Sands is the vice president.

Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage is the government and Cabinet advisor and board member.

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Ruling may prompt change to Employment Act

The Nassau Guardian

Ruling may prompt change to Employment Act

A recent decision by the Industrial Tribunal that suggested workers may be entitled to more paid vacation may prompt the government to clarify the Employment Act, Minister of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson said yesterday.

In an August 28 ruling, President of the Industrial Tribunal Harrison Lockhart made a number of recommendations about vacation entitlement as outlined in the Employment Act.

Lockhart ruled that instead of two weeks of vacation time equating to 10 working days and three weeks to 15 working days, two weeks should equal 14 working days and three weeks 21 working days.

Gibson said the ruling was “interesting”.

He said the law may need to specify in days how much paid vacation time a worker is entitled to.

He said he would wait to see the outcome of an appeal before he could say what implications the ruling will have on the workforce.

“Depending on what happens at the end of the day with the appeal’s process we would have to make a decision as to whether or not amendments to the law are necessary to specify days rather than weeks,” Gibson said.

“I know in some industrial agreements it is spelt out where you are entitled to ‘x’ amount of days after the first year rather than weeks.

“In the law I think it is spelt out in weeks rather than days, so if it means bringing clarity and amending the laws, we may have to look at that.”

The Tribunal’s ruling arose in relation to a dispute between The Central Bank of The Bahamas and the Union of Central Bankers.

After the ruling, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) said it had “grave concerns” over the issue.

“We are further seeking legal advice on the matter and expect to launch a swift, definitive and tangible response in due course, utilizing all options of recourse available to us under the law,” said the group’s President Chester Cooper in a statement.

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Landowners want help in clearing shantytown

The Nassau Guardian

Landowners want help in clearing shantytown

Landowners of a shantytown off Joe Farrington Road are appealing for people with demolition equipment to donate their time and services to help tear down structures that do not meet building codes, their attorney John Bostwick Jr. said yesterday.

Bostwick said a demolition order issued by the government to his clients expires at the end of the month. He said his clients do not have the money to hire work crews to demolish and clear away the structures.

The area was damaged by fire in July, leaving more than 100 people homeless and more than 30 structures razed. A few structures still remain on the site.

“I’m encouraging the greater Bahamian public, rather than be involved on the sidelines, throwing jeers, asking questions, advancing conspiracy theories and all the rest of it, that they can be involved from seeking to see what they can do to play a positive role in contributing to the solution,” he said.

“My clients are not in a financial position just to simply write a check and have bulldozers and dump trucks come out there and load up.

“Those people who have got that kind of equipment may be in the area or have been affected by a shantytown or squatters themselves and have access to the equipment, maybe they can lend of their services rather than just their negative comments.”

Bostwick said his clients have issued several notices to tenants to vacate their homes and have stopped collecting rent.

He also said while the government is busy trying to clean up shantytowns, it should also focus on regulating other “slum” communities in areas like Over-the-Hill.

“[In those communities] there are leading, black Bahamian families that own clapboard shacks without toilets, that are renting to Bahamians for successive generations. Those people fall into the category of slum landlords,” Bostwick said.

He said he wants to see revisions to legislation to prevent landlords from renting substandard premises to tenants.

“We need to have it where if you are renting properties to residents it should be at a certain standard,” Bostwick said.

“If you’re going to be able to collect rent for a person occupying a [place], the premises must be at a certain standard and it must have an indoor bathroom.

“How can it be legal in a county in 2013 to rent a wooden shack to somebody — no light, no running water.  That should be illegal.”

Earlier this month, Environment Minister Ken Dorsett said the government may soon prosecute shantytown landowners who have not met environmental and building standards.

Bostwick has said his clients are not “overly concerned” about the government’s threat of prosecution.

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Minister stands by plan to cut pay of protesting teachers

The Nassau Guardian

Minister stands by plan to cut pay of protesting teachers

Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald said yesterday he is firm in his resolve to cut the pay of nearly 200 teachers who protested with the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) on Monday.

Fitzgerald said the deductions would come out of teachers’ pay this month or October.

The minister added that every public school teacher reported to work on time yesterday and repeated that he had no plans to meet with the union under the current conditions.

His statement came as BUT executives met with officials at the Department of Labour for a conciliation meeting over six trade disputes the union has filed.

The union has warned of further action if teachers’ salaries are cut.

“Their salaries will be cut and I don’t want the union in any way to mistake my kindness for weakness,” Fitzgerald told reporters before heading into a Cabinet meeting.

“We at the Ministry of Education are very resolved in the position we have taken and we will proceed along that way.

“They will see a deduction in their pay, if not this pay day then definitely by next month after we’ve had a chance to finalize all the paperwork.”

BUT President Belinda Wilson warned in a statement on Monday that Fitzgerald “will pay the price” if he follows through on his pledge to cut teachers’ salaries.

Wilson told The Nassau Guardian yesterday that it is in the minister’s best interest to resolve the six trade disputes the union filed against the Ministry of Education and Department of Education before he creates another problem by cutting the pay of some teachers.

“If he keeps pushing, the union [will be] forced to take further action,” she said.

Wilson said her union would file a trade dispute demanding that teachers get their full salary, if their pay is cut, and urged the minister to stop acting “on emotion”.

When she spoke with The Nassau Guardian, Wilson declined to comment about yesterday’s meeting at the Department of Labour.

On Monday morning, more than 100 teachers and BUT members protested outside the Ministry of Education instead of reporting to work on time.

The teachers demanded that Fitzgerald exit the building and talk to them, and broke into song several times.

In a statement released Monday, the union said the protest was organized because of “threats” from Fitzgerald; intimidation and victimization against union officers; deductions from teachers’ salaries; breaches of industrial agreements; millions of dollars owed to teachers; school health and safety issues; teacher shortages and failure to post new teachers.

The protest came after mounting tension between the union and education officials.

Last week, Wilson and other BUT officials were blocked by police and security guards from entering Anatol Rodgers High School for a lunch time meeting with teachers. They were told to come back at 3 p.m., once classes were done.

The union said this violated their agreement with the ministry, but Fitzgerald said no agreements was breached.

The union’s protest was also fueled by the ministry’s decision not to reassign principals from two schools, Anatol Rodgers in New Providence and Maurice Moore Primary School in Grand Bahama.

Fitzgerald believes the union’s actions do not have the full support of its members.

He said only 10 percent of teachers from the two schools in question took part in Monday’s protest.

“In this instance, I don’t feel as though the president went about it the right way,” he said.

“I think she may have underestimated not only the public outrage in her actions, but also the lack of support she may have had within her own membership.”

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Police force shake up

The Nassau Guardian

Police force shake up

In the first of what is expected to be a series of personnel shake-ups in the Royal Bahamas Police Force to coincide with a more focused crime fighting strategy, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade has shifted the command of eight senior officers.

Superintendent Clayton Fernander, who was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery in April, will no longer head the Southeastern Division.

He will be transferred to the Office of the Commissioner of Police at police headquarters effective September 16.

Superintendent Ashton Greenslade, the brother of Commissioner Greenslade, will leave his post as head of the Central Division to be the new commander of the Southeastern Division effective

­September 16.

Superintendent Leamond Deleveaux has left his command post at the Western Division and will head the Central Division effective today.

Superintendent Allan Emmanuel has left his post as officer in charge of the Carmichael Division to head the Western Division effective today.

Superintendent Mary Mitchell, who was in charge of the canteen and mess halls, was placed in charge of the Carmichael Division effective September 10.

As of September 6, Superintendent Ken Strachan was moved as head of the Traffic Division and now heads the Firearms Tracing and Investigation Unit. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Craig Stubbs now heads the Traffic Division.

Strachan’s move seems to line up with remarks made by Minister of National Security Dr. Bernard Nottage when he announced the government’s new crime plan last Friday.

At a press conference at police headquarters, Nottage said a police superintendent had been earmarked to take over the firearms unit. He said that superintendent will be joined by a team of weapons experts and sharp shooters.

Nottage said this would result in an increase in the firearms unit by 100 percent.

The Tourism Policing Unit will also have a new head.

ASP Gregory Johnson, who was formerly assigned to a police tribunal, now heads the tourism police.

Former Head of the Tourism Policing Unit ASP Ernest Hanna was moved to Fire Services this week.

The commanders of two Family Island divisions will switch places.

ASP Dennis Brown, who was the officer in charge of the Inagua Division, will head the Berry Island Division effective September 30.

ASP Gregory Johnson, who still heads the Berry Island Division, will head the Inagua Division effective October 7.

Last week, Nottage announced that all police officers on New Providence will immediately be placed on 12-hour shifts effective last Saturday.

Additionally, he said 150 Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines would be immediately deployed to assist with the crime fight.

Those announcements came as Nottage acknowledged that gang and turf wars have fueled the recent increase in violence. In a recent two-week period, 13 people have been murdered.

Nottage added that police officers serving in administrative and support service capacities would also be deployed to the front line.

The minister said significant resources have been added to the Homicide Unit of the Central Detective Unit (CDU). The Armed Robbery Unit and Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) will also be adjusted and enhanced, he said.

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FNM deputy: PLP has no referendum plan

The Nassau Guardian

FNM deputy: PLP has no referendum plan

Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) Loretta Butler-Turner has criticized the Christie administration for not yet releasing the questions and date for its proposed constitutional referendum.

In an interview with The Nassau Guardian, Butler-Turner questioned if the government is taking the issue seriously or if it will handle the vote as it did the January gambling referendum.

“If you look at what they have done already with the previous referendum, they really don’t care about what the people think,” she said.

“This is the impression I get. It doesn’t seem like it’s of great importance to them. They are just going through the motions to say they’re doing something. It’s like the Perry Christie shuffle, lots of movement but nothing happening.”

The Constitutional Commission presented its report to the government in early July. The document, which contained 73 recommendations, was released after nine months of meetings across the country.

A referendum based on some of the commission’s recommendations is expected in November.

“November is in fact right around the corner,” the Long Island MP said.

“We have not heard anything and we don’t go back to the House of Assembly until October 2. You’re looking at a window perhaps between October and the end of November, probably about 60 days.

“I don’t think they have a plan. I don’t think they are serious about any of this and it’s probably going to be another rushed event similar to what they’ve been doing since they returned to office.”

Butler-Turner said one main issue she wants to see addressed in the constitutional referendum is the removal of gender discrimination against women. She said she would not support any delay in presenting the question of gender equality to the public.

“I think the question of gender equality for women is definitely non-controversial. I think they [the government] have already been a part of that process that has denied Bahamian women their full rights.”

A referendum held in 2002 asked voters, among other things, if they wanted to remove constitutional discrimination against women. The majority of the electorate voted against this.

The Progressive Liberal Party supported the 2002 referendum in the House of Assembly but later sided with those who opposed the process.

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BIFF partners with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

The Nassau Guardian

BIFF partners with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China

The 10th Annual Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), from December 5–13, will once again celebrate “Cinema in Paradise”.

BIFF is proud to announce that for the second year the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China will be providing Chinese films to be showcased before and during the 2013 film festival.

BIFF’s Founder & Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool says, “The relationship between BIFF and the Embassy Of the People’s Republic of China In the Commonwealth of The Bahamas has been growing for over 8 years. With China’s rapidly changing environment and rich culture, bridging cultures through film is critical as it allows the world at large to see the nuances.”

The films to be shown at the 2013 Bahamas International Film Festival are:

 

Painted Skin: The Resurrection, directed by Wuershan

An ancient fox spirit embarks on a diabolical quest to become human after escaping an icy prison, and becomes bound to a disfigured princess who seeks the love of a noble guard as her kingdom crumbles in this lavish supernatural epic. Confined to a frozen cell for centuries, malevolent fox spirit Xiaowei (Xun Zhou) regains her freedom and seeks to preserve her beauty by seducing men and consuming their hearts. Should a man offer her his heart willingly, Xiaowei will become mortal, breaking free of the underworld and experiencing living among the living. Meanwhile, as a dark cloud falls over her kingdom, Princess Jing (Wei Zhao) flees, hiding her deep facial scars under a mask of pure gold while seeking the love of her former protector, who remains haunted by his failure to save her years prior. When destiny brings Xiaowei and Princess Jing together, the battle for the princess' heart begins.

 

Caught in the Web, directed by Kaige Chen

Set in modern-day China, a young woman becomes embroiled in controversy after a cell phone video of her being disrespectful on a public bus to an elderly person goes viral. The aftermath effects her personal and professional life and brings her face to face with the video's poster, an ambitious journalist.

The film was selected as the Chinese entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar at the 85th Academy Awards.

 

Feng Shui, directed by Jing Wang

Wuhan, central China, the mid-'90s, summer. The ambitious Li Baoli (Yan Bingyan), her husband Ma Xuewu (Jiao Gang) and their eight-year-old son Wenzhao, aka Xiaobao (Wang Tiange), move from their cramped old house into a spacious, more modern, high-rise one provided by the car parts factory at which Xuewu works as a team leader. The hyperactive Baoli is on edge during the move and relentlessly keeps attacking everyone verbally. For her, the move is a major step upwards in life; but soon everything starts to go wrong. Xuewu, fed up with her perpetual bitching, tells her he wants a divorce and starts spending as little time at home as possible. To gain sympathy, Baoli tries to use Xiaobao in her domestic war. Meanwhile, Xuewu has taken a liking to a sympathetic co-worker, the married Zhou Fen (Wang Moxi), and when Baoli sees him taking her to a hotel one day she makes an anonymous call to the police to raid their room. As a result, Xuewu is demoted at work. The pair continue to live together, but Xiaobao takes his father's side in Baoli's constant power-playing. Things get worse when Xuewu's mother (He Minglan), left homeless in her village, comes to live with them, and Xuewu is laid off at work. He commits suicide, and Baoli, left to care for her mother-in-law and son, leaves her job in a backstreet socks shop and becomes a female yoke-bearer to earn more cash. Ten years later, she is still doing the same job and Xiaobao (Li Xian), now a top student at high school, is about to take his final exams to enter university. But he has still not forgiven his mother for his father's death.

In addition to showcasing three award winning films from China, the Embassy Of the People’s Republic of China will be co-sponsoring the Youth Film workshop, a program designed to teach selected schools throughout The Bahamas how to make a film in a day. The topic of the film will be on the opportunities that Baha Mar will bring to The Bahamas.

Hu Shan, Chinese ambassador to The Bahamas, also expressed his delight with the showcase of China made films via the 10th Bahamas International Film Festival, noting that this move will strengthen the cultural exchange between China and The Bahamas and bring the two peoples together. Meanwhile, Ambassador Hu also gave his best wishes to the filmmakers of The Bahamas, hoping one day Bahamian film and culture could be shown in China.

 

 

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Judge dismisses constitutional motion

The Nassau Guardian

Judge dismisses constitutional motion

A judge on Thursday dismissed the constitutional motion of a man facing murder and armed robbery charges.

Justice Jon Isaacs told Melbourne Bain, who is also known as Snatcher, that his applications were misconceived.

Bain represented himself.

Isaacs explained that Bain could not invoke the protections of the constitution as he was impugning the proposed evidence against him.

He said the proper forum to do that was at trial. Isaacs said since there was an alternate means of redress, the application could not be heard.

Bain also filed a habeas corpus application. Isaacs said the purpose of habeas corpus was to test the legitimacy of detention.

However, he explained to Bain that he was being detained on a court’s order.

Raquel Whyms appeared for the Crown.

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Men in custody after police appeal

The Nassau Guardian

Men in custody after police appeal

The five men wanted in connection with a recent murder spree are all in custody, police said yesterday.

The mother of one of the men who police were searching for in connection with the three murders claimed yesterday that he is innocent.

Annamae Neilly, the mother of Kenneth Neilly, said she turned him in to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) yesterday morning.

"We want to clear his name," Neilly said during a telephone interview.

In addition to Neilly, police launched a nationwide manhunt for Hans Neely, Duran Neely and Aaron Neely, who all live at the same home on Avocado Street in Pinewood Gardens, and Dior Johnson of Spice Street.

Police said they turned themselves in yesterday.

The men are being questioned in connection with the murders of Robert McIntosh, Gwyneth Duncombe and Rhajashe Pinder, who were killed over the weekend.

McIntosh was shot in front of a home in Nassau Village on Saturday around 8 p.m.

Duncombe was a backseat passenger who was shot while in a car in the Pinewood Gardens area on Saturday after 2 p.m.

Police said she and the two other occupants had just left a wedding reception before she was shot.

Pinder was killed around 9:15 p.m. Friday after he arrived at his home in Nassau Village.

Assistant Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said on Monday that the five men are “major suspects” in the three murder cases.

Initial reports indicated that Neilly was related to the three Neely suspects, however his mother denied that claim.

"They are not family," she said. "Kenneth Neilly is my son and he is not involved with them...Not that he doesn't know them, but they are not his friends.

"They (police) are involving him with these guys but he doesn't keep company with these guys."

Neilly said her son has been frequently harassed by police since his release from Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) in June. She said he spent a year in prison after he was charged with armed robbery.

She claimed his case was thrown out because of a lack of evidence.

Neilly said her son was picked up several times in connection with that same armed robbery.

She said she hopes to clear her son's name once and for all.

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Miami group presses for ‘remaining truth’

The Nassau Guardian

Miami group presses for ‘remaining truth’

Miami-based protest group Democracy Movement will continue its protest against The Bahamas in the face of allegations of abuse at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, group spokesman Ramon Sanchez said yesterday.

“We’re going to protest for the truth to come out,” he said.

“Tomorrow (Monday) we will meet to see what our next course of action is. We are eager to hear from the Bahamian government that it will release the full investigation.”

Democracy Movement staged protests against The Bahamas after a video aired on a Spanish language TV station in Miami purporting to show Cubans being abused by Bahamian officers.

The government has called the video fake.

“We just want to be as unbiased as we can be,” Sanchez said. “It’s important. The reason that we haven’t put this issue to rest yet is that the prime minister and the minister of foreign affairs have not clearly stated that everything will come to light.

“There are also some issues that haven’t come out, namely sexual harassment.”

Sanchez said his group has not made these allegations up.

He said the group will drive past the Bahamas Consulate in downtown Miami today as a symbolic message.

During a press conference on Friday, Sanchez asked Prime Minister Perry Christie to take action against the guards responsible for allegedly abusing Cuban detainees at the facility.

He said he delivered the letter to a security guard at the consulate on Friday.

“That’s the closest we’ve gotten to giving the consul general anything,” he said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday he is “loathed to dignify what they say or do by any form of comment”.

“I think it’s really outrageous what they’ve said about our country,” he said.

“My role as the chief diplomat is to defend this country’s reputation.”

According to one of the marines interviewed as part of the initial investigation by the Defence Force, Cuban detainees were severely beaten at the detention center for almost two hours after they attempted to escape in May, and one even appeared to have temporarily lost consciousness as a result of the abuse.

Randy Rodriguez, a Cuban detainee who was granted asylum last week by the United States, said his experience at the facility “cannot be put to words”.

Shortly after arriving in Miami on Friday, he claimed that while at the detention center, he was "mercilessly" kicked on the floor by guards, pepper sprayed and doused with water.

Sanchez said Rodriguez and his family will be relocated to Texas tomorrow.

He said the Cuban community in Miami provided food and clothing for the family.

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SCUBA Diving the Molokini Crater

An article with photo's of our dive on the Molokini Crater in Maui.

Bahamas delegation in Cuba for talks

The Nassau Guardian

Bahamas delegation in Cuba for talks

A delegation of senior government officials left for Cuba yesterday to begin talks over the issue of illegal Cuban migrants traveling to The Bahamas, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell said yesterday.

Mitchell said Foreign Affairs and Immigration Permanent Secretary Philip Miller and Commander of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Roderick Bowe head the delegation.

He said they will “begin talks on the modalities of a more efficient return of Cuban migrants to their home country”.

“This is part of the initiatives approved by the Cabinet and which we announced shortly before my departure last week.

“I plan to have discussions directly with the minister of foreign affairs of Cuba in Grenada during the course of this week.

“I want to say with regard to migration matters that I am pleased with the progress that has been made thus far in resolving all the outstanding matters that have so exercised the public over the last weeks.”

Miami based protestors have staged hunger strikes and demonstrations against The Bahamas after a video aired on a Spanish language TV station in Miami purporting to show Cuban detainees being beaten by Bahamian officers.

Mitchell has said that the video is a fake.

A copy of a report into the alleged abuse of Cubans at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre was leaked to the media last week.

The report contains witness statements in which marines admitted to beating detainees.

Aside from the issue of Cuban migration, Mitchell said the delegation will also discuss oil exploration.

 

 

 

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Police find 1,500 pounds of marijuana on Andros

The Nassau Guardian

Police find 1,500 pounds of marijuana on Andros

Police yesterday reported that 1,500 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $150,000 was found in Andros.

Superintendent Samuel Butler, officer-in-charge of the Drug Enforcement Unit, said seven men between ages 21 and 36 were arrested on Tuesday.

The men were arrested in connection with a drug bust on a 36-foot boat on Andros and told police where to find additional drugs.

Butler said the marijuana was found in bushes around 12:25 p.m. He added that police were investigating the group for quite some time.

“They were traveling out of Jamaica to The Bahamas and they were trying to move it (marijuana) further north,” he said.

 

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Former detainee relives ‘hellish’ experience

The Nassau Guardian

Former detainee relives ‘hellish’ experience

MIAMI, Florida — A Cuban man who had been detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre said yesterday he had a “hellish” experience, which included being allegedly beaten by guards.

"I have no words to describe the experience," Randy Rodriguez told reporters. "This is something that has no comparison with anything else."

He claimed that while at the detention center, he was "mercilessly" kicked on the floor by guards, pepper sprayed and doused with water. Emotions ran high yesterday when Rodriguez and his family, who were granted asylum by the United States, arrived in Miami around 1 p.m.

They were greeted at the airport by Democracy Movement spokesman Ramon Sanchez.

At the group’s headquarters, Rodriguez relived his experience while detained in The Bahamas as his family looked on in silence.

He was surround by his two sons and wife, who were visibly shaken by his testimonial.

After allegedly being beaten at the facility, Rodriguez was transferred to Her Majesty’s Prisons and was released from custody on Thursday.

He had been accused of attempting to escape from the detention center but denied this.

"The detention center, that is criminal," he said. "Many times, children were unable to eat because food was in bad condition."

Rodriguez said he was beaten by the guards at the detention center and while at the prison, he was stabbed by an inmate.

His children winced at the words.

"I was beat up in the detention center," he said. "In the prison, I was not beaten up by the officers, but they put me in a cell with four criminals – two had killed police officers, one that had raped two women and one I don't recall very well, but his mind was not right.

"Once I was there, I was Cuban and white and they would say dirty things to me. There was a day when one of them showed me a sharp object and said he was going to kill me."

The man ended up stabbing him, he claimed.

Rodriquez's wife and two children were briefly held at the detention center as well.

His wife claimed to have witnessed sexual abuse at the facility.

Rodriguez also said a video purporting to show Cuban detainees being beaten by Bahamian officers was real. He claimed to have been present when the video was taped.

However, the government has said that the video was staged.

A detainee claimed in a witness statement to Defence Force investigators that the video was staged to reenact earlier abuse.

 

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Apparent suicide in Carmichael

The Nassau Guardian

Apparent suicide in Carmichael

Police were last night probing the apparent suicide of a 41-year-old man in the Carmichael Road area.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anthony Ferguson did not provide much detail, but said the man was found hanging by the neck in the hallway of an apartment on Fire Trail Road.

“Our initial information vealed that family members arrived home shortly after [7 p.m.], where they found the male hanging from the ceiling,” said ACP Ferguson. “The circumstances surrounding this death are not clear so we have an active investigation ongoing at the moment.”

Ferguson said it was not clear how long the body had been hanging there.

The Nassau Guardian understands the man was a member of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

 

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Murder accused fires lawyer

The Nassau Guardian

Murder accused fires lawyer

A man on trial for a capital offense yesterday fired his lawyer.

Leonard Barnett’s sudden decision to get rid of his court-appointed lawyer Dorsey McPhee forced an adjournment in the trial.

Barnett is accused of the June 2004 shooting death of Rico Astair Farrington.

He was last seen alive when he left his parents’ home on June 2 in his mother’s black Ford Explorer.

Prosecutors allege that Barnett shot Farrington at Spinney Road in Grand Bahama and then transported his body to a wooded area off the East Sunrise Highway in the vehicle.

Farrington has denied the allegation at his trial before Justice Jon Isaacs.

Isaacs said he would communicate with the registrar to see if another lawyer could be appointed at short notice.

The matter had been adjourned to 11 a.m.

A witness said that he bought an Austria Glock .40 pistol from Barnett for $300.

Barnett is on remand at her Majesty's Prisons.

Jurors were unable to reach a verdict at his first trial before Justice Hartman Longley.

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Tourist charged with rape

The Nassau Guardian

Tourist charged with rape

An American visitor accused of rape was denied bail in a magistrate’s court yesterday.

Ryan Doherty, 26, of New York, is charged with raping a 20-year-old female tourist at Paradise Island on Monday.

Doherty was not required to enter a plea during his arraignment.

Prosecutor Clifford Daxon objected to bail on the basis that he has no status in The Bahamas and has no ties here. Daxon said there is a chance the American will not return to the country for trial.

He noted that Doherty arrived in New Providence on August 14 and had permission to be here until August 21.

Doherty’s attorney Kimberly Evans asked Acting Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt to consider granting bail.

She said he is fully employed in New York as a network engineer. She said he was expected to return to work yesterday.

Evans added that he has no prior criminal record in the United States of America or in The Bahamas.

She said he is educated and has a degree from the College of Westchester in New York.

But Ferguson-Pratt also noted that there is no guarantee that Doherty will return for trial.

However, Evans said based on his character there is no reason why he should be considered a flight risk.

Evans said her client is willing to put up $8,000 to $10,000 for bail.

He could get assistance from his family if the magistrate were to set bail at a higher amount, she said.

Evans said Doherty earns $50,000 per year.

But Ferguson-Pratt said she could not grant bail. She made that decision after taking a break to research the bail law.

“Had this been vested in me, it is very likely that this court would have taken another course,” she said.

“...My hands are tied and I’m bound by the law.”

Doherty held his face and sighed heavily when Ferguson-Pratt revealed her decision.

Ferguson-Pratt noted that Doherty can appeal the decision in the Supreme Court.

Daxon said the matter will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for review.

The prosecution intends to proceed by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI), which will fast track the case to the Supreme Court.

The case was adjourned until November 8.

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Call for reforms in QC selection process

The Nassau Guardian

Call for reforms in QC selection process

Bahamas Bar Association President Elsworth Johnson has called for the reform of the selection process for Queen’s Counsels (QCs).

Section 15 of the Legal Professions Act gives the prime minister the ultimate authority in determining who is awarded the prestigious title.

According to Johnson, the selection process is often based on political patronage and should be changed to a more transparent and independent process.

“I think it’s a process that has to be reformed. In my opinion, I think it’s discriminatory. There are no women QCs in The Bahamas and only two QCs to represent the criminal bar.”

Johnson noted that Prime Minister Perry Christie acknowledged that the appointment procedure was flawed at the opening ceremony for the Bahamas Bar Association’s new headquarters in April.

Christie pledged to appoint more QCs while admitting that many duly-qualified persons had been denied appointments.

He said that the slate of QCs would be more representative of the entire Bar.

In 2003, QC appointments were suspended in England. The appointees are no longer chosen by the government but by a nine-member panel, chaired by a lay person, which includes two barristers, two solicitors, one retired judge and three non-lawyers.

Attorney Maurice Glinton challenged the selection process in 2010 via a lawsuit after his name was not forwarded to the governor general. Glinton, who was called to the Bar in 1980, was invited to apply for the position by the attorney general.

However, Glinton’s name was not included on the list that was forwarded to the governor general on the advice of the prime minster.

Glinton was awarded a declaration that his name should have been included on the list.

Glinton alleged in his lawsuit that the selection process was discriminatory, as two lawyers who were junior to him had been appointed QCs.

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