Saunders calls for committee to explore handling of COVID-19 fight

Parliament is not acting as a “check and balance” for the government, Deputy House Speaker Don Saunders said yesterday, adding that a select committee should be formed to examine The Bahamas’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We can take this opportunity to have a select committee look at the whole COVID-19 fight in The Bahamas,” Saunders said.

“That could be a particular area that committee looks at whether or not we should amend our laws so that there isn’t a one-person competent authority, but instead a different form of competent authority. 

“I’m not necessarily saying that I personally take issue with there being one person. The fact that the issue is so live in The Bahamas, not only by members of Parliament but by the man on the street, then maybe we should have a select committee look at how other jurisdictions are addressing that.”

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has been acting as The Bahamas’ competent authority since a state of emergency was declared at the onset of the pandemic in March.

Acting in that capacity, Minnis has ordered the closure of the domestic and international borders, imposed national lockdowns and implemented nightly curfews.

Saunders, who serves as Tall Pines MP, said a select committee should be formed — “either in the very near future or even after we’ve got things under better control” — to examine what the government has done and how The Bahamas can better prepare for another pandemic.

“The whole essence of a select committee is to probe and examine and make recommendations,” he said.

“In The Bahamas, we don’t use select committees as we should and, as a result, the executive (branch) has much more power or the executive isn’t checked as much as it should be. The Parliament is not acting, in my view, as the check and balance on the government in the way that it should be in a Westminster model.” 

Saunders added, “The role of the backbenchers or the Parliament, in general, is to scrutinize the government, notwithstanding the fact that members of Parliament may be of the same party. The rule of Parliament — whether you’re an FNM (Free National Movement) or PLP (Progressive Liberal Party) backbencher — is to scrutinize the government.

“A way of scrutinizing the government and being a check and balance of the government is to have a proper committee system in place which is normally the position in most Westminster jurisdictions.

“The problem we have in The Bahamas is that our committee systems don’t function the way they should.”

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GLADSTON SPENCER BRISSETT

FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

GLADSTON SPENCER BRISSETT, 88

affectionately called “Papa”

A resident of No. 158 Bamboo Blvd., South Beach and formerly of Westmoreland, Jamaica

Former Executive Chef on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines & Norwegian Caribbean Lines

Will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at 11:00 am at Transfiguration Baptist Church, Market & Vesey Streets.  Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Stephen E. Thompson, assisted by Rev. Terrance Morrison, Rev. Brazil McDonald, Rev. Sherma Bowe and other Ministers of Religion.  Interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery. 

Left to celebrate the legacy of a life dedicated to service and commitment to God and mankind are:

Children & Spouses:

Karen (Frank) Smith; Carol Roberts; Carol Pauline Reid (Jamaica); Faye Delancey; Sally Thompson; Grace McIntosh; Rosemarie (Charles) Gaitor; Gaylene (Mark) Pinder; Marlene (Anthony) Hall and Jaun (Christian) Carroll (Atlanta).

Brother & Sister In law:  Samuel & Hester Brennen

Grand Children:

Franklyn (Elena) Smith, Kayshonta & Sara Smith; Barry (Shonda) Stuart; Lynette Roberts; Dr. Kaleatha Roberts, Shandel Munroe, Olivia (Alex) Brown, Mark Munroe, Daphne Munroe-McMinns; Safyie “Veneice”, Lorraine, Christopher, Lovardo, Mark & Richard Reid; .Kori (Laura) St. Cyr, Kordero & Kyle St. Cyr; Ciara, Reynard (Christin) & Rasean McIntosh; Frederica, Gerard & Germaal Gervais; Terrenique, Gernell Paul, Onike &Gervonte Gervais; Donavan Mingo, Charles Jr., Charlise & Charnae Gaitor; Mark & Tamara Pinder; Anthony Jr. & Antonique Hall and Cohen Carroll.

Great & Great-great Grandchildren:

Tonesha (Andrew), and Andrew Jr.; Sole, Matteo and Luna Smith; Tavaris, Tavaris Jr., N’Shae, Avona & Vernon ‘V.J.’ Stuart; Brynette & Brandon Conliffe; Gaelle Jean-Pierre, & Jahlayah and Jayon Allen; Alyssa Rahming; Tamico Lafleur; Savannah, Dwayne & Devon Charles & Blessings Brown; Aliyah, Phylicia, Shaniah & Marcus Munroe; Bryan, Nathaniel, Dawniqua, Dawnisha, Don Jr.; Jayden & Khloe St. Cyr; Kalijah, Khalil, Kamari, Koen, Kai, Trinity, Nacharii, Kally Rae, Synia & Charli McIntosh; Cosintino & Pachino Gervais; Ashante Munroe & Germaal Gervais Jr.

Daughter in law: Valderine Gervais

Nieces & Nephews:    Lorna McKenzie; Sam & Claudette Bailey, Presley & Mary Bailey, Michael Bailey; Elvis Bailey and Shawn Allen

Caretaker:  Petronah ‘Trona’ Dawkins

Cousins:

Sophia Lou Hepburn; Silbert Evans; Moses Deveaux and the grandchildren of the Late Louise Hepburn; the children of the late Francis Farrington; Mavis Douglas and the children of the late Maizer Kemp; the children of the late Doreatha Seymour; Mabel Newton, Retired Nurse Linda Outten and the children of the late Irene Woods; Almeda Brooks, Theresa Corrine Taylor, Nicola Curtis and the family of the late Petrus Hepburn; Brenda Jones, Adrianna McDonald, Setella Kelly and the family of the late Louise Jones; the children of the late Muriel Mackey; Prince Hepburn & family; Dudley McKenzie & family; Erma Moncur and family; The children of the late Genese & Magdaleine Rolle, The children of the late Albertha Smith; Erma Smith & family, the children of the late Geneva Thurston & Elizabeth Bastian; Deidrie Francis & family; other descendants of the late Zephaniah & Sofia Hepburn of the Cove, Cat Island; The children of the late Albertha Brennen-McMinns; and the children of Samuel & Hester Brennen.

Other Relatives & Friends:

Members of The Bailey & Brissett families of Jamaica; Brian Conliffe & family, Andrenique Brown & family; Manley and Margaret Wilson & family, the children of the late Carolyn Smith; Arleen & Locksley Brown and the children of the late Amos and Ethlyn Gaitor; Cheryl & Kermit Campbell; Deacon Anthony & Gladys Hall & family, Paulette Bowe, Pauline Davis & The Thompson family; Donna Carroll Henfield & family; Maurice & Antoinette Williams & family; Peggy Bethel & The Rolle family; James & Martha Rolle & family; Rosemary Moss; John & Cory Rossiter & family (Ottawa, Canada); Supt. Fred Sands; Dianne Miller; Janet Thompson; Jackie Rolle; Valdrie McClain; Dalacia & Vioris “Queenie” Wright (Cayman Islands);  Janet Rolle; Waysha McKinney; Kelsey Roxberry; Karen Russell; Dorothy St. Claud; Krystal Knight & family; Tamara Moncur Collie; Carla & Kevin Gilbert; Ian Curry, Gerrard Pellitier, Danilo Medina; Nurse Judith Walters; Deborah Johnson & family, Judith Smith & Family, Lowell and Iesha Sweeting, Nathan and Shequetta Higgins, and Enrique and Natasha Pyfrom & family.

Neighbours: Mr. Hubert Rolle & family; Marvin & Karen Archer & family; Esther Neeley & family; the children of the late Evangelist Christiana Ashe, Fritz Roy & Gloria Antoine & family; Pauline & Charles Williams & family.

Friends: Alvin & Daphne Burrell & family, Members of the Straw Vendors Community; Principal Arthellia Isaacs & staff of the Jordan Prince Williams Baptist  School; Bahamas Customs Department; Anudda Production family; Margo Moree & the staff of ICCI; Shanette & Bradley Cunningham and friends of CIBC First Caribbean Bank; friends from Atlanta, Georgia; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; The Rolling Hills family, friends from the Cayman Islands & Dr. Agretta Eneas-Carey and staff.

Many friends from the Religious Community including Rev. Terrance Morrison, Rev. Anthony Sampson, Rev. Ulric Smith, The Marriage & Family Life Ministry & the Members of Zion Baptist Church; Rev. Torrance Bobb & Members of the First Assembly of God (Grand Cayman); and the Bahamas Baptist Association Choir.

Rev. Dr. Stephen & Lydia Thompson; Evang. Leathica King; Rev. Brazil & Christina McDonald; Rev. Basil Johnson and family; Rev. Sherma Bowe; Rev. Alphonso & Dec. Patricia Newry; Rev. Colyn Thompson; Dec. Peter & Robyn Young; Dec. Sandra Gibson; Dec. Anishka Hart; Lillymae Johnson and children; Ethlyn Pratt; Leotha Clyde, Zenarie Johnson & Alberta Demeritte and family; Annabelle Gibson, Theresa Mortimer & The Sands family; Arementha Winters & family;, Bro. Richard & Deaconess Antoinette Sands; Julia & Julian Storr; Samantha Stuart, Margaret Middleton-Rolle, Donna Higgs, Nellie Walkes, Robert & Delores Farrington, Bro. Larry Stubbs (choir director); Phillip & Christine Taylor; Frances Carroll; Beulah Johnson & family; Members of Transfiguration including the Sanctuary Choir; Prayer Band; Missionary Circle; Women’s Auxiliary; Usher Board; Sunday School; Women’s & Girls Council; Bro. Keith Rolle & The Men’s Fellowship and other relatives and friends.

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Another MP tests positive for COVID

St. Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday following possible exposure at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) during Minister of Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira’s report to the nation last week.

“Late this afternoon, I got my results back and Doctors Hospital said it was positive,” he told The Nassau Guardian.

“Now what prompted me to go and take a test was that last week, during the report from the minister of environment and housing, there was an exposure. Somebody on the staff of BIS (Bahamas Information Services) [tested positive].

“I was in the room, as were some other public servants, and so that prompted me to go and take a test. And that test was taken yesterday.”

The MP attended the event in his capacity as executive chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority.

Cartwright said he is fortunate to be asymptomatic.

“Right now I’m having no symptoms,” he said.

“So definitely my situation, my response, pales in comparison to the 90-plus lives that have been lost to this and many other Bahamians who have been impacted by COVID-19 in a real transformative way.

“So, my prayers continue to go out for those families that have been affected and those who are in hospital right now and who are convalescing.”

Cartwright said he tested positive even after diligently following the protocols set forth by the Ministry of Health.

“No one wants to test positive,” he said.

“We are in uncertain times and unprecedented times. And while I wouldn’t have wanted this outcome, even after having continuously followed the protocols, wearing masks, sanitizing my hands constantly, washing my hands, as per the directives of the health professionals, it just goes to show you that even when you are doing the ideal routine, this can happen.

“And it can happen to anyone.”

Cartwright is now the fourth MP to have tested positive for COVID. Opposition Leader Philip Brave Davis and Central and South Eleuthera MP Hank Johnson confirmed weeks ago they tested positive.

It is not known who the other MP is.

PLP Senator Dr. Michael Darville also tested positive weeks ago.

Cartwright said the test he took on Monday was his third, noting he was tested after a trip abroad in August, and again earlier this month following an exposure in the House of Assembly.

Just two weeks ago, it was revealed that a parliamentary staffer who had worked during the September 9 sitting of the House had tested positive for COVID.

While House Speaker Halson Moultrie at the time called for all MPs to quarantine and for the House to meet virtually, that did not happen.

Attorney General Carl Bethel said it was not necessary because the House staffers wore masks the entire time and the MPs wore masks “most of the time”.

The House has met twice since the exposure.

Some parliamentarians, including St. Anne’s MP Brent Symonette and former Ministry of Health Dr. Duane Sands, have since called for the House to meet virtually until a larger venue can be found.

Cartwright said yesterday that he believes virtual meetings would be best.

“I think that the virtual meeting is ideal,” he said.

“I mean, many persons in corporate Bahamas and churches, even though it’s not ideal, they have been having their virtual sermons and virtual worship sessions.

“So, obviously these are the times that we are in, and we have to find ways to adjust. Obviously, there are some parliamentary considerations. But I am sure that there can be some way to reconcile what are some of our commitments from a parliamentary standpoint as well as being responsible as it relates to this pandemic.”

Cartwright said his experience has emphasized the need for everyone to be responsible and follow protocols.

“What it does is reinforce the need for us to continue to be responsible in every which way, both businesses as well as regular citizens, understanding that each of us is responsible for each other’s health and to continue to follow the guidelines by the public health professionals,” he said.

In a statement last night, Cartwright added, “At the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority, where I am chairman, the welfare of all our team members and the general public is of paramount concern. Accordingly, a separate statement will be released to appraise staff and the public of sanitization and operations at the authority.”

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis and Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest have both previously gone into quarantine after someone who works at OPM tested positive.

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Speaker calls for death penalty

Following the shooting deaths of two children and a woman in two separate incidents in Nassau Village over the course of a week, Speaker of the House of Assembly and area representative Halson Moultrie yesterday called for the resumption of the death penalty.

“Capital punishment should be enforced,” Moultrie told The Nassau Guardian.

“That’s my position on it. I don’t expect that we will ever get a final appeal from the Privy Council that says or supports the death penalty. In the United Kingdom, the death penalty was abolished in the mid ‘70s…but the Court of Appeal is not our final court of appeal in The Bahamas. We go to the Privy Council.

“The Privy Council would justify and try to put different levels on the severity of the crime, as if someone’s life is less valuable than the other based on the seriousness of the criminal event. I don’t support that at all.”

Moultrie continued, “I believe that if the laws are on the books, they should be enforced. Now, I believe that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty and they should be given the opportunity to exhaust all of their legal options and all of their appeals, but when they have exhausted all of those appeals, if the verdict remains guilty of murder they should be put to death.

“If you take someone’s life, you should be, and understand that your life will be taken.” 

On Monday, Alicia Sawyer, 30, and her eight-year-old daughter, Ednique Wallace, were found shot to death in a home.

The week before, seven-year-old Reyes Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting, police said.

Police do not think the two matters are connected.

A spike in murders often results in cries from various sectors for hangings to take place once again. 

The Bahamas held its last execution in 2000 when David Mitchell was hanged.

In 2006, the Privy Council ruled that the mandatory death sentence was unconstitutional and left the door open for trial judges to determine what sentence to hand down to murder convicts.

In 2011, the Privy Council upheld the murder conviction of Maxo Tido in the brutal killing of a 16-year-old girl in 2002, but ruled that the crime did not warrant execution.

Even though they called the murder appalling, the law lords of the Privy Council determined that the murder did not fall into the “worst of the worst” or the “rarest of the rare” category of murder.

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis has made it clear that he is a “strong advocate of hanging”.

“I have no reservation about hanging you and moving on,” he said in 2018.

In opposition, Minnis said in Parliament that the necks of “murderous scumbags” should be “popped”.

He also promised while in opposition that if elected, his administration would hold a referendum on the death penalty. 

Despite stating last year that he expected the government to deal with the issue before the end of 2019, Attorney General Carl Bethel said at the time that the government had no plans to hold a referendum to enact constitutional changes to preserve capital punishment.

Noting the potential for loud international backlash if the Minnis administration ever moved on the matter, Bethel said, “The views of loud elements and strong opinions in the international community are noted and respected, but The Bahamas remains a sovereign state.”

Yesterday, the House speaker also called for “systemic change” in the country’s criminal justice system. 

“We need to enforce the laws in respect to illegal firearms,” Moultrie said.

“I think we need take it a step further now. I think we need to go after the illegal guns. We need to have a dragnet. This island is only seven by 21. If we can lock down the island for COVID, and stop the movement of people spreading the COVID, we could certainly lock down this island in a dragnet and try to recover as many illegal firearms as possible and prosecute persons who are illegally bringing in firearms into this country. Make examples out of them.” 

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Sister of murdered mother and daughter stunned by deaths

A wave of sadness came over Normuria Neilly on Monday morning when she stumbled across a Facebook post about a mother and daughter who were found shot to death in a bedroom in their Nassau Village home.

She said she never suspected they were talking about her sister, 30-year-old Alicia Sawyer, and her 8-year-old niece, Ednique Wallace.

“I never thought it was my sister,” Neilly, 23, told The Nassau Guardian yesterday.

“I didn’t have a clue. I was saying, ‘What if that was my family?’ I would feel the same way these people feel about their loved ones.”

Neilly said her cousin came over to her house not long after.

She said he asked if anyone had called her.

“I said, ‘No, nobody called me,’” Neilly recalled.

“He told me to call my daddy, but my daddy was out on the boat. So, he told me to call my auntie or somebody. I kept asking him what happened.

“He was crying and he said, ‘They’re saying your sister and your niece got killed.’”

She said it was surreal to learn the truth.

“When he told me that, everything just left,” Neilly said.

“It was like my whole breath left my body.”

When asked what was going through her mind at that moment, she replied, “Why would you do something like that? Why would you take an innocent child’s life? Why would you take somebody’s life who never did you wrong?”

Neilly said her father is “holding on”.

“I called him and I could see the sadness on his face, but he told me he was holding on,” she said.

“He said he’s trusting in God.” 

Neilly described the last 24 hours as “hard”.

“I don’t wish this on anybody,” she said.

“It’s really hard. It’s two deaths, you know?” 

Neilly said she spoke with her sister four days ago.

She said their last words to each other were, “I love you.” 

Neilly described Alicia as kindhearted.

“She would give you her last,” she said.

“She wasn’t a troublesome person. She stayed to herself.”

Neilly added, “Her favorite thing to do was to scare me. My favorite thing was to sit down and just crack jokes with her and talk about the old times.”

She said her niece was a “loving” child.

“Whenever she saw you, she would give you a hug and ask you how you were doing,” Neilly said.

The double murder is believed to be domestic-related, police reported.

Chief Superintendent Shanta Knowles said a man is in custody in connection with the double-murder investigation.

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Murders down 30 percent

The latest police statistics show a near 30 percent decrease in murders compared to 2019, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said yesterday. 

“Armed robberies are down in double digits,” he told reporters outside Cabinet.

“Murders are down close to 30 percent with three months remaining in this year, so some good things are happening.”

Dames added, “So, a lot of our serious crimes continue to trend downward. Every year when we report we reflect that, and so that speaks to the fact that some significant progress is being made. We’re not there yet. We have a tremendous amount of work to do.”

Dames said police are doing their jobs, but the fight against crime comes down to individuals in their communities.

“The problems that we see are not problems that would have occurred overnight,” he said.

“And they are not the police problems. When we continue to say, ‘What is the police doing?’, I believe that is the wrong question.

“What are we doing, each and every one of us? And the problems that we see are a manifestation over the years of our application of responsibility on behalf of many of us as parents.

“So, the police are generally called in when they have to enforce…when you reach that point, what you’re saying essentially is that everything else would have failed.”

Dames’ comments came a day after a mother and her eight-year-old daughter were murdered in their beds in the Nassau Village area. He said the matter appears to be domestic and said it speaks to the societal issues in The Bahamas.

Dames said that Bahamians who are calling for the use of capital punishment should recognize that the country is “at a crossroads”. He called for better and more involved parenting to help the crime problem

“People recognize that we are at a crossroads and we have tremendous work to do,” he said.

“We have to work with our kids. These are our children, nobody else’s. We brought them into the world.

“And as said before, until each and every one of us comes to recognize that it is our responsibility to participate in this process, we will continue to go down this path. 

“It’s going to take every individual that lives in a community in this country to stand up and say, ‘I’ve got some work to do.’

“We can’t abdicate our responsibility as we have been doing as parents for many years and turning it over to the police, because it’s not the police’s job.

“The police have their role and they continue to play it. They continue to do a tremendous job. The numbers continue to reflect that year after year, since we’ve been in government, the numbers continue to decline. And that is a positive sign. Is that means for celebration? No, it isn’t. I’ll be the first to say that. We’re always looking at ways that we can improve.

“But if you can say, come September, that your homicide figures are close to 30 percent on the decline, your armed robbery figures continue to go down every year, your housebreaking figures continue to go down every year, that’s a credit to the police and it’s a credit to the building of relationships through programs like the NNWC (National Neighborhood Watch Council) with the police.”

According to police statistics, there were 95 murders in 2019, compared to 91 in 2018 – an increase of four percent. There was also a 12 percent increase in armed robberies, with 531 incidents in 2019 compared to 474 in 2018.

It remains unclear how much the 2020 crime figures have been impacted by measures that were put in place to curb the spread of COVID-19, which, at some points included 24-hour curfews and weekend lockdowns. 

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Man killed on Balfour Ave.

Police said a man was shot and killed on Balfour Avenue, near the Village Pub last night.

According to ASP Audley Peters, police responded to reports of gunshots in the area shortly before 10 p.m. and found the body of man on the sidewalk.

Peters said police were told that the victim exited a business on the street and began walking east on Balfour Avenue. As he was walking, a dark colored Nissan drove next to him.

“A man exited, armed with a firearm, and discharged it in his direction hitting him about the body,” Peters said.

The victim, who is known to police, died at the scene.

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Grandmother who died from COVID-19 remembered as family’s rock

Ann Griffin-McKenzie, 60, spent her last days confined to a gurney at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), according to her family.

She died from COVID-19 at 9:55 p.m. on Sunday, nearly two weeks after she was admitted for an ulcer.

“When we left her (on September 15), she was conscious and she was talking,” Griffin-McKenzie’s granddaughter, Jana Ward, told The Nassau Guardian.

“She just wasn’t eating because she had the ulcer. But, then we got called later that day and they said she was fighting for her life. Then, they said she had deteriorated and they had her sedated and ventilated for most of her stay.”

She continued, “A couple of days before she passed, they said her kidneys started to fail. We don’t know what treatment was given. They said they would try dialysis for her.”

Griffin-McKenzie’s niece, Tiffany Cleare, said doctors informed the family that the dialysis wasn’t cleaning her blood.

“It just wasn’t working,” she said.

Griffin-McKenzie’s son, Casey McKenzie, launched a GoFundMe campaign for her five days after she was admitted to PMH.

He wrote that his mother was “a God-fearing woman who has always been the pillar to help everyone and anyone”.

“Her door is always open if you need a place to sleep or meal to eat,” McKenzie said.

“Ann [was] always there with a smile on her face and never asking for anything [in] return. Suddenly and swiftly, she got ill. Princess Margaret [Hospital] staff are doing a superb job with helping our mother. But, medical personnel agree it is best if she was moved to a hospital in the states/Florida.”

He noted that the family needed $9,000 for a medical flight to transport her.

Roughly $2,700 was raised up to Sunday.

“A family friend said they would pay the rest,” Ward said.

“The day after she got it sorted and went to the bank, we spoke to the doctors. They said she (Griffin-McKenzie) was too critical to fly and if she were transported, she would die during transport.”

Cleare described the loss as “a blow for the family”.

“We weren’t expecting her death, her passing,” she said.

“Words can’t explain right now how we feel. She was our rock.”

Cleare said her aunt was “a gem”.

“My auntie, she was like my second mother because my mother hasn’t lived here for over 30 years,” she said.

“She was like my second mom. She helped me with my kids. She just was our pillar of strength.”

Ward added, “She was literally like the comforter of everyone, so it’s sad. The person that everybody wants to go to in this situation is the person we’re mourning. The comforter person is the person who’s dead, so it’s really hard.”

She said her family has been trying to collect her grandmother’s remains since Sunday.

They have been unsuccessful despite the Public Hospitals Authority’s recent plea for families to collect the bodies of their loved ones amid overcrowding in the morgue, according to Ward.

“It’s Tuesday and we’re still waiting for the doctor to sign off on the death certificate,” she said.

“So, they haven’t even released the body.”

There have been 91 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in The Bahamas. As of Monday, 13 deaths were under investigation.

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Dames: Killing of mother and daughter was horrid

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames described Monday’s double murder of a mother and her eight-year-old daughter as “horrid”, as he noted that police have a man in custody in connection with the incident.

Police said the victims were discovered shot to death early Monday morning as they lie in bed in their Nassau Village home.

The incident came one week after a seven-year-old boy was killed when police said he was caught in the crossfire of a shooting in the same area.

“Over the last few days, for the community of Nassau Village it’s been very, very horrid and very sad,” Dames told reporters outside Cabinet.

“I had the opportunity to visit with the family of the first victim and spent some time with them and offered the condolences of our government.

“And the event just over the last few days, unfortunately, it seems to be a domestic issue. The police do have someone in custody who is assisting with that particular matter, so I was informed by the commissioner last night. And we’ll see what happens there.”

Dames said Nassau Village is one of the hotspot areas for crime. He said that while police are doing what they can and making progress, with a community center planned for the area and the recent installation of CCTV, members of the public have to do their part.

“Every murder is senseless,” he said.

“It’s senseless.

“And many of these people know each other. They are all from the same communities or neighboring communities.

“What are we fighting over? So, it’s time for all [of] us to sit down and have that discussion.

“These are not persons coming from another country. These are our children. And when you see that young children are getting caught up in the crosshairs of silly and petty foolishness between these young cowards, it saddens you. But we are determined to do what we have to do to ensure that our communities are safe. And we’re seeing progress.”

In June, a 10-year-old girl died days after she was shot during a drive-by shooting near her home off Carmichael Road.

Dames said yesterday that murders are down nearly 30 percent, according to the latest police statistics.

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Redundancy provision suspended to protect businesses and jobs, AG says

A special order that suspends a provision of the Employment Act related to automatic redundancy after a lengthy period of layoffs, remains in place to protect the economic viability of businesses, according to Attorney General Carl Bethel.

Many workers have been laid off now for more than six months, but their status is not automatically considered redundant as it ordinarily would under law. As such, employers have no obligation to pay severance.

The Emergency Powers (COVID-19)(Special Provisions)(Amendment)(No. 6) Order, 2020, which was implemented by the prime minister on May 26, suspends Section 28(C) of the Employment Act for the duration of the state of emergency and 30 days after.

Section 28(C) states that where an employee has been laid off for a continuous period of at least 12 weeks, such layoff shall be deemed a dismissal because of redundancy.

“Where an employee has been laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the period referred to in paragraph one shall not be taken into account in the calculation of any period used to presume redundancy in accordance with section 28C of the Employment Act,” the special order also states.

Bethel told The Nassau Guardian that the order is “designed to preserve employment and preserve the economic viability of employers so that when the economy fully reopens they are able to bring their staff back to full employment”.

When asked what the result would be if the order were not in place, Bethel replied, “It could be catastrophic to a number of businesses and many Bahamian businesses as well, not only touristic businesses, not only hotels. Many Bahamian businesses would suffer catastrophically.”

 On Monday, scores of furloughed Atlantis employees packed Global Ministries Bahamas on Pinedale Street demanding that the Paradise Island resort formally release them and pay them severance. 

Atlantis temporarily laid off staff on March 21, for what was initially planned to be a period of four weeks and assured the employees of its commitment to support them during the period of uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Ministry of Works to investigate structures on Andros

Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister said he has plans to go to Andros personally to investigate complaints of illegal structures on the island.

“I understand that there are a number of structures in Andros,” he told reporters outside Cabinet.

“I am going to personally go to Andros and take a look at what’s happening, and my ministry is going to formulate a plan as to how to deal with them.

“We are going to be relentless in ensuring that where illegal structures exist, those illegal structures will be taken down.

“I think all of you are aware of the limitations we have within the Building Control Act. And, so, there are certain things that we have to do.”

Bannister’s comments came a week after he revealed that the government has given eviction notices in relation to over 50 structures recently erected on Abaco shantytowns.

He said they are planning to do the same on Andros, and noted that there is still more work to be done on Abaco.

“We have to renew some notices in Abaco and we are about to do that,” he said.

“Those notices are going to be renewed to ensure that if anybody takes action in the courts that we are going to be well within our rights to do it.

“So, notwithstanding the fact that someone may break the law, we still have to act within the law when we are seeking to get rid of those structures.”

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MS. MELANIE ROSANELL THOMPSON

Funeral Service for MS. MELANIE ROSANELL THOMPSON age 23 years of Stapleton Gardens, Nassau, New Providence and formerly of Freeport, Grand Bahama will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.at The Pro-Cathedral of Christ the King, East Atlantic Drive & Pioneer’s Way, Freeport Grand Bahama. Officiating will be Canon Curtis Robinson.

Left to cherish her fond memories are her parents: Steve and Rosanell Thompson; sister: Stephanie Thompson; grandparents: Icelyn Grant, Bernell Rolle, Mother Rosenell Flosetta Johnson, Thomas Smith and Roscoe Thompson;  special friend: Christopher Adderley; uncles: Ricardo Smith, Anthony Higgs, Thomas Smith Jr., Trevor and Kenrick Thompson, Jason and Barrington Rolle, Basil Damianos and Jonah Hepburn II, Troy Stubbs and Calvin Russell; aunts: Helen Hepburn, omece Russell, Sarah Higgs, Alexis Smith, Shantosha Thomspon, Leavern Stubbs Thompson, Arodeana Stubbs and  Andrea Damianos; godfather: Roscoe Dickenson; grand uncles: Leroy Smith, Victor Willis, Milton Grant Sr., Dwight Thompson, Jerome Pitter and Patrick Pitter; grand aunts: Joy Filmore, Lovely Sweeting, Irene Lightbourn, Donna Grant, Victoria Bain, Lonna Wilson, Marylee Davis, Ruth Bowe-Dean, Fredricka Nottage, Flosetta Johnson, Helen Folk, Dorothy Henfield and              Glendane Williams; her legacy will continue to live on in the lives of her numerous cousins, family members and friends. Special thanks to the Staff of Caribbean Bottling Company, University of the Bahamas, Bonaventure Lab, Exuma Hair, Rev. Fr. Grant and Mrs. Grant and St. Judes Church family.

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Dr. Phillip Wellington Thompson, MBBS, F.R.C.S., F.A.C.S., F.C.C.S

Funeral service for the late Dr. Phillip Wellington Thompson, MBBS, F.R.C.S., F.A.C.S., F.C.C.S age 72 years of South Lucayan Tower, Freeport, Grand Bahama and formerly of New Providence will be held on Thursday October 1^st, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Anglican Church Baillou Hill Road, Grants Town, Nassau, Bahamas. Officiating will be Archdeacon Keith N. Cartwright, Archbishop Drexel W. Gomez, Canon Warren H Rolle, Rev’d Dr. James Moultrie, Deacon Peter L. Ferguson and Deacon Ruel J. Strachan. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery Nassau Street, The Bahamas

He was Pre-Deceased by: Parents: William and Cashena Thompson; Brothers: Venerable Arch Deacon William Edward Thompson, Adopted Brother: William R. Wallace; Sister: Jesslyn Thompson;

He Is Survived by: Brother: Retired Assistant Bishop Gilbert A. Thompson; Sister: Veronica Hutchinson; Sisters- in-law: Olga L. Thompson & Rose Marie Thompson; Children: Dion (Gillian) Thompson, Erald (Joyanne) Thompson, Tamara (Greg) Belinfanti, Phillip A. Burrowes, Phillippa, Dr. Phillip W., Michael, Tamia & Milahn Thompson; Grandchildren: Joshua, Eraise, Hannah, Tristen, Matthew & Erald Thompson Iii, Eleanor, Julian & Gabrielle Belinfanti; Nephews: Gilbert Thompson (Dr. Jahzreel), And Calvin Smith Jr.; Nieces: Maude Angela Williams, Heather Ann Maynard (Clement Ii), Pamela Rodgers, Phillipa Rolle & Colette Knowles, Terez & Lesley Hutchinson, Antoinette Hutchinson-Nouguez; Grandnieces: Kennadya Rodgers-Archibald (William), Falon Williams, Amelia & Mary Maynard, Piya Barnett And Phillippa Rolle; Grandnephews: Gilbert Jr & James Thompson, Paul Barnett Iii & Justyn Rolle; Special Friend: Dr. Monique Pratt God Children: Valentina Green, Travano Mcphee, Kahsheriff Munnings, Kendra Jones, Dr. Symone  Sawyer, Dr. Joh Neely, Jameka Dean, Mathias Dean, Jewel Dean, Akilah Gibson, Javin Smith, Alissa Gibson, Enrico Fitzgerald, Taria Bain, Mikhail Dean, Dr. Candice Shaw; Numerous Cousins Including: Audley & Zelma Dean & Family, Maria Ferguson & Family, Kirkland Brown & Family, Whittington Brown & Family, Father Whitfield Hutcheson & Family, Jerry Hutcheson & Family, Albert Hutcheson & Family, Edward Hutcheson & Family, Janet Hutcheson & Family Victor Hutcheson & Family, Maurice Hutcheson & Family, James Hutcheson & Family Billy Brown & Family, The Family of the Late H.W. Brown, Gwen Moncur & Family Andrea Pinder & Family, Melanie Hepburn & Family, Irma Hepburn & Family Leonard Hutcheson Jr. & Family, The Family of the Late Cardinal Hutcheson, Nellie Strachan & Family, The Family of the Late Rodney Braynen, Shelagh Strachan & Family Elsie Strachan & Family, Gloria Strachan & Family, The Family of the Late Hugh Strachan, Brenda Archer & Family, Kingsley Robinson & Family, The Family of the Late Anzlo Strachan, Dr. Leslie Culmer & Family, Dr. Kirklyn Culmer & Family, Sanford Culmer & Family, Stuart Culmer & Family, Raymond H. Culmer & Family, Ingrid Culmer, The Family of the Late Van Bethell, The Family of the Late Pa Bethell, Earl Bethell & Family, Craig Bethell & Family, Oswald & Coral Sawyer & Family, The Family of the Late Ermath Munroe, Alma Adams & Family, Pat Paul & Family, Kendal (Funky) And Rev Emily Demeritte & Family, Maureen Rahming & Family, Gwen Reed & Family, Courtney Strachan & Family, Rosie Fernander-Samuda & Familythe Family of the Late Mrs. Merle Coakley, The Family of the Late Calsey Johnson, Ivan & Florence Deveaux, Edward & Beverly Deveaux, Emily Osadabey & Family;  Other Family Members Including: Madge Morrison, Edris Thompson (Ex-Wife), Dr. Anne Burrowes, Jan Lundy Michele Thompson (Ex-Wife), Charmaine Knowles, Rosalia Bowe, Karen Marshall (FPO); Numerous Friends Including: The Most Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis & Mrs. Patricia Minnis, The Honorable Philip “Brave” Davis & Mrs. Ann-Marie Davis, The Right Honorable Perry Christie& Mrs. Bernadette Christie, The Right Honorable Hubert Ingraham & Mrs. Delores Ingraham, Prince & Willie Francis & Family, Arthur Gibson & Family, Paula Gibson-Balfe, Keith A. McSweeney & Family, Felix Stubbs & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Hubert Chipman & Family, Arnold “Bain Boy” Bain & Family, Bernard Storr & Family, Jeffrey August Williams & Family, The Family Of The Late John Chipman, Mr. & Mrs. Percy “Vola” Francis & Family, Willis “Kool Aid” Bain & Family, The Family Of The Late Winston “Gus” Cooper, Alexander (“Lick”) And Vadie Green & Family, Toby Austin& Family, Herbert Styles Sr. & Family, Eugene (“Sparky”) Fountain & Family, Willamae Cravatt & Family, Ethlyn Ferguson & Family, Emily Munnings & Family, Franklyn (“Bob”) Taylor & Family, Kendal “Kc” Campbell & Family, Jameko “Air Time” Dean, Gregory “Pepper” Clarke & Family, Anton Dean & Family, Eddie Dames & Family, Shawn “Carwash” Smith & Family, Winston “Shem” Sherman & Family, Members Of The Saxons Superstars Junkanoo Group, Especially His Bretheren And Adopted Junkanoo Sons From The Park Boyz Shack: D. Wright, Peter Runks, The Major Family, The Lee Family, Donny Stuart, Lennie Rolle, Selvin Rolle, J. Lee & Stacy, Bonehead, Glen, Naboo, Arrow, Big Laing, Limpy, Elliott, T. Pratt, Leo, Frank, Gregory, Vonnie, Cheryl, Alley, Bodie, Pee-Wee, Fat Boy, All Da Lifters, Moxey (Welder), Neville (Air Brush), Neilly’s Family, ‘Merican, Carl And All Of The People Of Mason’s Addition, The Honorable Algernon Allen & Dame Anita Allen, Samuel “Bookie” & Inez Johnson & Family, Maurice & Lynn Glinton & Family, Dr. Marcus Bethel & Family, Dr. Paul Ward & Family, Dr. Pamela Etuk & Family, Dr. Paul Hunt & Family, Dr. Vincent Burton & Family, Dr. Robert Gibson & Family, Dr. Nigel Lewis And Family, Dr. Danny Johnson & Family, Dr. Herbert Orlander & Family, Dr. Candice Shaw & Family, Dr. Ronald Knowles & Family, Dr. Patrick Whitfield & Family, Dr. Robin Roberts & Family, Dr. Adrian Sawyer & Family, Dr. Nelson Clarke & Family, Drs. Larry & Carol Carroll & Family, Dr. Charles Rahming & Family, Dr. Conville Brown & Family, Dr. Percievel Mcneil & Family, Kayla J. Hield, Sylvia Moxey, Josslee Hepburn, Diocesan Bishop Laish Z. Boyd Jr. & Family, Retired Archbishop Drexel W. Gomez & Family, The Venerable Arch- Deacon Keith Cartwright, Reverend Ranfurly Brown & Family, Fr. Hugh Bartlett & Family, Reverend Wesley Thompson & Family, Gevon Moss & Family, The Anglican Men Church Council, Clergy of the Anglican Diocese, Amos McPhee & Family, The Staff At The Princess Margaret Hospital, The Staff at the Rand Memorial Hospital, The Staff At Sunrise Medical Center, The Staff At Physicians Alliance Limited, The Medical, Surgical And Administration Staff At Lucayan Medical Center, The Government High School Class of ’66 & ’67, The University of The West Indies Medical Class Of 1975, The Caribbean College Of Surgeons, Lorna Johnson & Family, Melanie Roach, Doris Cargill & Family, Rosemarie Hanna & Family, Valentine Grimes & Family, Philip Stubbs & Family, Susanne Bain & Family, Roger Simmons & Family, Patrick Williams, Beverly Wallace Whitfield, Gerald & Barbara Sawyer & Family, Dr. Wesley Francis & Family, Sir Franklyn & Lady Sharon Wilson, Laverne Major & Family, Andy Gomez & Family, Patrell Rolle-Morrison, Mr. & Mrs. Paul Major & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Hillary Deveaux & Family, John & Charlene Neely & Family, Adalee Wisseh & Family, Anthony Woodside & Family, Clifford “Cliffie” Humes, Melverna Wong & Family, Patricia Isaacs & Family, Irringtion (“Minky”) Isaacs & Siblings, Ednol & Andrea Smith & Family, Lenworth Smith & Family, John “Moon” Archer & Family, Francis “Gordo” Hunt, Anton Saunders & Family, Stan Burnside & Family, The Late Jackson Burnside, Pamela Burnside & Family, Family of the Late Tyrone “Dr. Off” Fitzgerald, Family Of The Late Zeus Samuels, Family Of The Late Sir Arlington & Lady Sheila Butler, Family Of The Late Brother (“Bree”) & Corinne Fountain, Clint Mccartney & Family, Kim Major & Family, The Staff Of McCartney’s Pharmacy, Villel Reed & Family, Lana Gatrey & Family, Berkoff Davis, Cheryl Turnquest, Peter Adderley, Franklyn & Pandora Pratt & Family, Evia Hill & Family, Richard “Spider” Marshall & Family, Pauline Knowles, Gurney & Debbie Armstrong & Family, Mitzi Swaby, Kingsley “Redneck” Pickering, Godfrey & Julian Edgecombe, Emmanuel Wallace, Leslie “Red” Darville, John Fraser, Jacqueline Finlayson, Silbert & Arlene Ferguson & Family, David Musgrove & Family, Keva McKinney & Family, Charlie Major Iii & Family, Conra & Lorn “Caffee” Mccartney & Family, Claudia Ferguson & Family, Ricardo “Ala Cup” Richardson & Family, Christopher Richardson & Family, Paul “Teddy Bear” Lightbourne & Family, Isaiah Taylor & Family, Anishka Smith & Family, Ricardo Deal, Mr. & Mrs. Adelbert Mackenzie & Family, The Family of The Late Rupert “Sexy” Miller, Mrs. Paula Miller, Gladstone “Moon” Mcphee & Family, Phil “Big Mama” Stubbs & Family, Alphaeus “Hawk” Finlayson & Family, Anthony Braynen & Family, Dr. Phillip Huyler & Family, Mrs. Janeen Mccartney & Family, Sonia Dames & Family, Ches & Debbie Wood, Glen Archer & Family, Arthur Duncombe, The “Farm Road” Community, Ali Campbell & Family, Adam Campbell and The Crew At “Somewhere Lounge” In Freeport, GB, Kelley and The Crew At “The Hurricane Lounge” In Freeport, GB, Campbell Cleare & Family, Andrew Conliffe & Family, Rodney Williams & Family, Darren Bastian & Family, Greg “Sir Harry” Woodside, Max Woodside, Dr. Ken Newbold & Family, Rudy Stubbs and family, Roosie Godet and Family, Mr. & Mrs. Doyle Burrows & Family, Dean Patrick & Mrs. Astrid Adderley & Family.

**If Your Name Has Been Inadvertently Omitted It Was Not Intentional **

Viewing will be held in the Halcyon Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Tuesday & Wednesday from 10: 00 am to 6:00 pm there will be no viewing at St. Agnes Anglican Church.

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Mother, daughter shot dead

A mother and her young daughter were discovered shot to death in a Nassau Village home early yesterday, police said.

The mother appeared to be about 30 and the girl about 10, police said. 

Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters, who spoke with reporters at the scene, said the bodies were found in a bedroom.

Peters said police were following a “promising lead” in regards to the matter.

These latest homicides happened just over a week after Reyes Williams, seven, was killed in a drive-by shooting in front of his mother’s house in Nassau Village.

Police do not think the murders of the mother and daughter are connected to the boy’s shooting, however.

They believe the latest homicides were domestic-related. 

“The home is supposed to be the safest place,” Peters said.

 “Apparently, for a long time in our community, that has not been the case in all aspects, and so whenever complaints come to the attention of the police, we seek to act on [them] as quick as possible…however, in some instances individuals make reports to the police and they return and decide not to continue with those reports.”

Khandi Gibson, president of a local advocacy group, Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM), was also on the scene. Gibson said while she did not know the victims, more must be done to protect residents.

“Just last week, we lost seven-year-old Reyes,” Gibson said.

“I think now more churches need to be involved now. The churches need to open their doors, not just only on Sundays, but be open, so when persons have their grievances, they could feel comfortable going to the church.”

A recent Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) report examined by The Nassau Guardian on the weekend stated that roughly 82 percent of homicides in The Bahamas were committed with firearms, the highest rate in the region.

The report, “Survey of Individuals Deprived of Liberty: Caribbean (2016 – 2019)”, examined data from six Caribbean countries: The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

“The Bahamas has the highest rate of weapons in the hands of civilians (Small Arms Survey, 2017) and ranks first in terms of the presence of weapons in homicides and third place in terms of the presence of weapons in other crimes (IDB, 2017),” the report read.

“Thus, in The Bahamas, the high rate of weapons in the hands of the civilian population aligns with the high presence of weapons in crimes committed (IDB, 2017).”

 With 19 firearms per 100 inhabitants, The Bahamas had the highest rate of firearm ownership, according to the report.

In a statement that ran in The Nassau Guardian yesterday, former crime commission chairman, Bishop Simeon Hall, said apathy and indifference to crime, remain the major reasons for the prevalence of criminality in our country.

“Too many criminals carry out their lawlessness impervious to the pain they bring to their parents and other family members. But their acts are sustained by the silence of family members who often benefit from their crimes committed,” Hall said.

“Family members who know of and benefit from crime, have blood on their hands.”

Minister of National Security Marvin Dames was scheduled to deliver a report to the nation yesterday, but that has been postponed to a date not yet announced. 

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Some Atlantis workers demand severance pay

Scores of furloughed and frustrated Atlantis employees packed Global Ministries Bahamas on Pinedale Street yesterday demanding that the Paradise Island resort formally release them and pay them severance. 

Atlantis temporarily laid off staff on March 21, for what was initially planned to be a period of four weeks and assured the employees of its commitment to support them during the period of uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the resort’s closure has dragged on indefinitely as a result of an explosion in COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas and in key tourist markets.

Workers say they have had enough of waiting. 

“I am ready to close this chapter,” said Lavette Francis, who worked for Atlantis for 15 years.

“This chapter just needs to be closed. I am ready for this to be closed.”

Francis said it has been a struggle since the beginning of the pandemic.

“You don’t have no money,” she said.

“The $150 they giving you, BPL (Bahamas Power and Light) is like $200 every month. You have to buy grocery. You have to pay all the utility bills. It was just crazy.”

Francis said she hopes Atlantis considers the difficult times employees are battling.

“I am hoping to get my severance package and move on to my ‘plan b’ and onto the other plans I have made for my life,” she said.

Christopher Pratt, 51, who has worked at the property for 34 years, said the resort has not supported its workers enough during the pandemic.

“Well, we only got some [gratuity] and that’s like once in a while,” Pratt said.

“The government sent something here and there. The (hotel) union gave us $100 in coupons. That was in March. After that, we haven’t been supported by the union. We haven’t heard anything from Atlantis, which is bad.”

“[N]ow, we in this pandemic and no one is even here to even help us. The union, I cry a shame [on them].”

Atlantis has not yet announced a reopening date. 

In correspondence to employees on May 29, the resort noted “uncertainty abounds”.

“When we first closed the resort in March, we were hopeful that we would be able to reopen quickly,” Atlantis said. “However, given the severity of the pandemic, we now know that was not possible.”

It added, “During the closure period, we have done everything possible to ease your concerns. As previously communicated, the ex-gratia payment that you have been receiving will come to an end on May 31.

“We understand this may create additional hardship for you and your families. And you can be confident that we are exploring all avenues to lessen your burden.”

The resort informed that medical benefit coverage for employees had been extended to July 31. That benefit was then extended to the end of September.

Yesterday, some employees like Veronica Faustin, who was furloughed since March, said they felt disrespected by Atlantis.

“They don’t value their employees,” Faustin claimed.

“Baha Mar gave their employees [30] percent and plus $150 from NIB, but Atlantis refuses to do anything for us. We haven’t got anything from Atlantis.”

Faustin, who worked in the laundry department, said she is ready to cut ties with the resort.

“I want to take my severance [pay] and go,” she said.

“I called them myself and told them I wanted my severance pay; let me go. They said they are not issuing any packages at this time.”

Theresa Curtis, who worked 13 years as a cook at Mosaic restaurant at The Cove, said she is ready to part ways with the property as well.

“Right now, I just want my severance pay,” Curtis said.

“I think I reached the point where I could use my severance pay for the situation I’m in right now.”

She said despite receiving NIB unemployment benefits, she is still struggling.

“I’ve been getting it, but I am behind on my rent and my light bill,” Curtis said. “It’s a struggle.”

Perry Seymour, who has worked for Atlantis as a manager in the laundry department, claimed the resort has not done anything for him over the last six months.

“Atlantis always prides itself of being a well-respected organization,” Seymour said.

“[They] never had a problem with paying people. Here it is, Baha Mar, who just come, was the very one to make its people redundant and still the [people] they kept got 30 percent pay. What has Atlantis done? Nothing.”

Adrian Francis, managing director of Operation Sovereign Bahamas, who organized the meeting, said he thought it was necessary to stand with hotel workers to ensure they receive what is due to them.

“We have taken on the plight of the people of Atlantis,” Francis said.

“They have come to us and asked us to take on their situation regarding their severance packages from Atlantis.”

Atlantis did not respond to the matter yesterday.

While some employees and their representatives believe they ought to be considered redundant by now due to the protracted layoff period, during the state of emergency, employers are not obligated to adhere to Section 28(C) of the Employment Act, which deals with redundancy.

Under that section, where an employee has been laid off for a continuous period of at least 12 weeks, such layoff shall be deemed a dismissal because of redundancy.

But that provision has been suspended for the duration of the state of public emergency and 30 days after.

In addition to making demands for severance pay, the Atlantis workers are also displeased with the representation of the hotel union.

Adrian Francis told The Nassau Guardian yesterday, “[T]hey wanted to take a stand against the hotel union, who they felt has not treated them well over the years and they are going to file a lawsuit against the hotel union and the leadership of that union.

“They want access to all of the assets that belong to them, including the building. They want access to all of the cash that is in the union and they want to know how much money they have and they want to find out why the union has not treated them in the context in which their constitution states.”

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Moultrie: Another MP contracted COVID-19

House of Assembly Speaker Halson Moultrie confirmed yesterday that a third member of his staff and another member of Parliament (MP) have tested positive for COVID-19.

“I am only aware of three members of Parliament and three members of staff,” Moultrie said of those in Parliament who would have contracted COVID-19 this month.

The latest cases come two weeks after an employee of Parliament tested positive for COVID. That employee came into contact with every single member of Parliament who was present when the House of Assembly met on September 9, according to the speaker.

Moultrie said he was informed by Elizabeth MP Dr. Duane Sands last Tuesday that the MP had tested positive.

“I had indicated (in the parliamentary group) that there were five [cases] and he put a note in that he was aware of six,” Moultrie said.

“Of course, he is in the institution and information — in certain cases — would reach him because he may even be the doctor of record. 

“I got the information from him on Tuesday when he posted it in the group and I later confirmed it with him.”

Moultrie said the MP was present when the House met on September 9.

So far, three parliamentary staffers and one MP have tested positive following the September 9 meeting.

Sands told The Nassau Guardian that the precincts of the House have a COVID attack rate that is “almost 10 times” its general population.

“I was not aware of what appropriate steps had been done to educate persons in the House of Assembly about their risks,” he said.

“I noted that, during my contribution, people were inconsistent in their wearing of face masks and other social distancing protocols and that the House of Assembly was not an appropriate place, nor the Senate, for the current [epidemiological] environment.

“I don’t think we should be still there.”

Sands said Parliament should be held in a different venue or a different manner.

“What’s at risk is the very institution of government,” said Sands, who served as minister of health until May.

“It threatens both the legislative branches of government.” 

Moultrie said Sands suggested a review of the “entire circumstances and the possibility of institutional spread” within Parliament.

Asked whether that review happened, Moultrie said, “Not to the extent that Dr. Sands would’ve been suggesting. We’re still hoping to get a review of the circumstances done.”

He said the government has reduced the number of MPs who attend the meetings.

Moultrie said virtual meetings of the House are still being considered.

“Up to this time, I don’t see it on the agenda yet,” he said.

In August, Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP Philip Brave Davis and Central and South Eleuthera MP Hank Johnson confirmed that they have both tested positive for COVID.

Senator Dr. Michael Darville also tested positive in August.

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65 new cases; two new deaths

The Ministry of Health reported 65 new cases of COVID-19 on New Providence and two new deaths. 

The number of COVID-19 deaths in the country rose to 91. 

Health officials said a 61-year-old woman and an 86-year-old woman, both of New Providence, died on September 27. 

A death that was previously under investigation was classified as a non-COVID-19 death. 

There are now 3,903 cases of COVID-19 in the country. There are 2,072 recovered cases, 1,713 active cases and 92 hospitalizations. 

The Ministry of Health said 19,161 tests were completed up to yesterday. 

There are now 2,822 cases of the virus on New Providence.

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Manager, others accused of defrauding NIB

Amanager at the National Insurance Board in Andros is accused of orchestrating a $123,809.94 unemployment benefits fraud scheme.

Dino Dean, 40, allegedly authorized false unemployment claims for 15 people, who cashed the benefit checks.

Dean denied charges of forgery, falsification of accounts, money laundering, fraud by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretenses at his arraignment before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes yesterday.

Prosecutors say the following people illegally received short-term unemployment benefit checks as part of the short-term COVID-19 unemployment relief: Leroy Poitier, Latoya Neely, Ashanique Neely, Gary Lafleur, Lakeisha Tucker, Gillian Thurston, Kaylisa Miller, Brian Cooper, Ray Rigby, Thio Rolle, Gadville Woodside, Jermaine Evans, Takia Smith, Santoine Major and Quentin Rahming.

Major, Rahming, Cooper and Miller pleaded guilty to participating in the fraudulent scheme.

Cooper and Rahming each cashed checks for $4,256.89, Major cashed a check for $4,125 and Miller cashed a check for $3,081.80, although none of them qualified for the benefits.

Forbes ordered them to repay the illegally obtained money by October 30, in order to avoid spending six months in prison.

Forbes told the admitted fraudsters that they were hurting themselves.

He said, “Everybody loses if [the NIB] funds are depleted.”

The remaining defendants were denied bail and return to court on February 8.

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Davis: Permanent register should be a new one

While noting that he has always been supportive of a transition to a permanent voter register, Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis said the permanent register should be a new one.

Davis said the process is a complex one that requires significant planning to ensure the integrity of the register.

“I have always been an advocate of a permanent register,” he said.

“However, there’s a process to achieve that end because it requires a complete modernization of the registration process. And it is not as easy as saying it’s going to convert this register into a permanent register.”

In an interview with The Nassau Guardian last week, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames said the government was seriously considering the implementation of a permanent voter register in time for the next election in an effort to ensure that voters are not disenfranchised given the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dames said if the changes proposed by the government were to be approved, only new voters would be required to register. He said this would allow more resources to be allocated to ensuring the integrity of the register.

However, Davis said he believes the government has enough time to begin a new register and make it a permanent one while modernizing the registration process.

“We do not fundamentally object to a permanent register,” he said.

“What we are objecting to is the process that they are now trying to engage to make this present register the permanent register.

“[I] think they should start anew. They should have done what the law required, start a register in readiness, give notice that that register will be the permanent register, and then deal with the issues of the registration process, more importantly of which, what the voters are going to use to identify themselves.

“The law requires that one year before an existing one expires, the parliamentary commissioner is charged with the responsibility of starting a register in readiness of the next election. That should have been done.

“And if you are going to go to a permanent register, by now, you should have been setting up all the processes. For example, understanding in particular what is going to be used to identify voters. Are you going to be giving them the same kind of voter’s cards? Are you going to tie it into a system?”

Davis said the government spoke with him on the matter a few weeks ago, while he was in the US being treated for COVID-19.

“They made a presentation to me over Zoom when I was in Atlanta,” he said.

“And I then wrote to them what my views were and they responded. And I wrote back to them as well.”

In the last general election, in 2017, there were 181,543 registered voters. Voter turnout was just over 88 percent, with 160,409 voters casting their ballots.

Leading up to the election, there was controversy over the state of the voter register. Hundreds of discrepancies were found before the register was certified, including the duplication of names and incorrectly recorded birth dates.

Chaos ensued weeks later, at the advanced poll, which saw a number of people unable to vote because their names were not on the register.

The saga led to calls for the modernization of the process.

Following its electoral observation mission to The Bahamas, the Organization of American States (OAS) said: “The mission observed that electoral procedures in The Bahamas are currently developed in a largely manual fashion, including the registration process and the issuance of the voter’s card, and recommended The Bahamas consider modernizing its processes to improve efficiency and security and reduce the level of human error.”

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LGBTQ Pride Week events to be held virtually

LGBTQ+ Pride 2020’s events will be held virtually as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pride Bahamas Organizer Alexus D’Marco said yesterday.

“COVID-19 has prevented us from coming together collectively in one place but it hasn’t prevented us from coming together virtually,” D’Marco said.

“So, what we have started to do is plan our week of events virtually where persons will be able to access our week of events, our topics through a Zoom platform.”

The Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) said last year it would host an anti-gay parade in response to the scheduled events.

However, D’Marco said yesterday there are no concerns about members of the LGBTQ+ community being harmed with the events now being held virtually.

“As far as the safety and concern of our community, in no way we would’ve put our community in harm’s way, even if we had had it at a place,” she said.

“It was going to be in a safe space and a safe place. Our concerns of our community being harmed, we don’t have those concerns or fears due to it being on a virtual platform.”

She said she hopes the events will bring awareness and tolerance for the Bahamian LGBTQ+ community.

“We hope that our Bahamian public is sensitized and educated about this community and their needs,” D’Marco said. The events are scheduled for October 5-9.

It will include sessions on LGBTQ+ social interaction and church and spirituality.

D’Marco said she is “looking forward” to the latter event.

She said she reached out to the BCC with regard to that event.

“We never got any response back from the Christian council as to having a dialogue and conversation about people who are a part of their church organizations,” she said.

“We wanted to have this dialogue for LGBTQIA people and people of faith during this week of pride. During our spiritual and wellness sessions, we’ll have an in-depth dialogue about spirituality as it relates to LGBTQIA persons.”

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Bahamas saw over 23,000 visitors in July

The Bahamas welcomed 23,398 visitors during the month of July when the country first reopened its borders, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Tourism.

Although this was a stark increase in visitor arrivals compared to prior months that saw much lower numbers, it pales in comparison to the 650,353 visitors that travelled to The Bahamas in July 2019.

The numbers also demonstrate that tourism was sluggishly returning prior to the second border closure in July, where commercial airlines were briefly prohibited from bringing visitors into the country.

Broken down by port of entry, air arrivals amounted to 14,970 visitors while sea arrivals totaled 8,428.

The data reflect the severe contraction in tourism as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused global travel restrictions, the Central Bank of The Bahamas said in its just released Monthly Economic and Financial Development (MEFD) report for the month of August.

“The latest data provided by the Nassau Airport Development Company Limited (NAD) revealed that total international departures stood at 2,139 during the month of August, relative to a seasonal growth of 12.1 percent to 169,045 in the preceding year.

“On a year-to-date basis, outward-bound traffic declined by 68.5 percent, a turnaround from a 17 percent expansion during the comparable period of 2019,” the report stated.

“By destination, the US component reduced by 69.7 percent, a reversal from an 18.4 percent increase in the prior year. Similarly, the non-US international component fell by 60.8 percent vis-à-vis a gain of 8.3 percent a year ago.”

On the Family Islands, there were 13,645 visitors during the review period, with Grand Bahama in particular seeing just 1,854 visitor arrivals.

Even with major hotels shuttered, the vacation rental market also saw significant declines with data provided by AirDNA for the month of August showing a contraction in room nights sold of 70. 5 percent compared to the same period last year.

“Pricing indicators varied, with the average daily room rate (ADR) for entire place listings firming by 4 percent to $407.99, while the ADR for hotel comparable listings fell by 6.9 percent to $141.87,” the report noted.

“On a year-to-date basis, total room nights sold declined by 45.3 percent, attributed to respective reductions in bookings for both the entire place and hotel comparable components, of 46.6 percent and 33 percent.”

On the other hand, pricing indicator outcomes showed that while average daily rate for hotel comparable listings decreased by 2.5 percent to $152.83, the ADR for entire place listings rose by 2.4 percent to $411.96.

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Post office clerk denies stealing accusations

A chief clerk at the Post Office in Fresh Creek, Andros, is accused of making false entries in the money ledger to conceal the theft of $70,802.29.

Prosecutors say Terry Neymour, 52, of Behring Point, Andros, falsified records that did not show that she received funds for local money orders and post box rentals.

Neymour allegedly committed the crimes between 2016 and 2020.

She appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Andrew Forbes on Monday, facing 11 counts of falsification of accounts and 11 counts of stealing by reason of employment.

Neymour elected trial in the Magistrates’ Court and pleaded not guilty to all charges.

She returns to court on February 8 for trial.

Although the magistrate lacked jurisdiction to grant bail for the offenses, Neymour’s lawyer, Ramona Farquharson-Seymour, made an emergency bail application to the Supreme Court.

She has been released on $9,000 bail with two sureties.

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McLean’s Town finally energized

More than a year after Hurricane Dorian left East Grand Bahama in shambles, McLean’s Town, the easternmost settlement on the island, has been re-energized.

Cleopatra Russell, communications manager at Grand Bahama Power Company, said the company is now set to begin efforts to restore electricity on Deep Water Cay and Sweeting’s Cay.

“Obviously, these customers would have been without power since the passing of Hurricane Dorian,” she said.

“Our team has worked diligently and safely to rebuild the line bringing power all the way to the eastern end of the island, so that we can prepare to go across the water into Deep Water Cay and Sweeting’s Cay.

“We successfully energized Pelican Point, Rocky Creek, and McLean’s Town.

“And our team will be working with the residents here to continue to energize each individual home as they get approval from the Ministry of Works to be energized.”

Hurricane Dorian passed over Abaco and Grand Bahama last September as one of the most powerful hurricanes recorded in the Atlantic.

The storm left a trail of devastation in its wake, with the eye having sat over eastern Grand Bahama for nearly two days before moving north.

Last December, discouraged by the amount of progress on the island, Minister of Finance and East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest told the Grand Bahama Power Company it had to either quickly restore services to the entire island or hand over the responsibility to the government.

He said the company has not been sensitive to the needs of Grand Bahamians in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, which leveled parts of the island in early September.

Russell said that instead of rebuilding all the power lines that existed before, the Grand Bahama Power Company placed a generator at Equinor, the oil company formerly called Statoil, to provide power to the areas in the far east of the island.

“What we did was work with our stakeholder, Statoil, to use their facility. And we placed a generator there, so that we were able to expedite the process of energizing the eastern end of the island,” she said.

“And then, we would have started to build the lines back from Statoil up into McLean’s Town and back to High Rock and Freetown. And that would have alleviated us as it relates to time, instead of having to build the entire line back from the bridge or over the bridge directly into this area.”

Russell said there were roughly 300 customers in the eastern end of Grand Bahama before Dorian, but that’s down significantly, as homes remain in disrepair.

“Presently, we are at less than 25 percent of that because, obviously, customers continue to rebuild,” she said.

“But what we wanted to do was, just in time to rebuild, to have the energy ready to provide to customers when they need it. So, in McLean’s Town, we are going to energize about six or seven homes today. But as you can tell, customers here are continuing to rebuild. So, we anticipate that whenever they are ready, we’ll be able to give them power.”

Cecil Leathern, a lifelong resident of McLean’s Town, said he was excited about finally having electricity again.

“Over a year now, we was out of power,” he said.

“Well, I’m really excited. It’s been a long time and the news I was getting first was that we weren’t going to be energized anymore. And right now, for me to see them come today and put the meter in there, I’m pretty excited right now.”

Leathern said he had nine feet of flooding in his home during Dorian.

“I lost everything,” he said. “But today is an exciting day and I have it all back and I’m pretty excited.”

Patrice Higgs, who has been living in McLean’s Town for 29 years, was also elated.

“[I’m] very excited, very excited,” she said.

“When I reached from work today, I met [Grand Bahama] Power. And I asked them, ‘What are you all doing today?’ 

“So, they said, ‘We came to hook up your power.’

“I couldn’t believe it. I knew we were going to get power soon but I wasn’t sure it was going to be this early. So, I’m grateful today. I’m thankful.

“[B]ecause when we think of the fuel that we’ve spent from Hurricane Dorian passed, it’s been devastating. But thank God, as of today, no more fuel.”

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The US embargo against Cuba is a failed policy and must end

Each year, the General Assembly of the United Nations votes a resolution that urges the government of the United States of America to remove the policies and regulations which lay down the embargo against Cuba. As a prelude, during the high-level segment of the assembly, an important number of heads of states mention and denounce that policy which has lasted almost 60 years.

From the CARICOM countries to those located in Africa, Europe, Asia and in Latin America, presidents and prime ministers advocate to get rid of the economic, commercial and financial measures against Cuba, which impede the development of the economy and impose obstacles to guarantee the basic needs of our population in many aspects of its life.

Food and health sectors, the rural development and the small and medium private business, are routinely damaged by an extensive set of prohibitions and barriers that caused, just between April 2018 and March 2019, losses of more than $4,340 million.

Between 2019 and 2020, the Trump administration harassed the Cuban financial sector, activated the Title III of the Helms-Burton Law and intimidated and sanctioned foreign companies that send oil and diesel supplies to Cuba.

Just in 2019, the US agencies imposed sanctions against 27 companies, 54 vessels and three people linked to the energy sector, none of them American or subject to US jurisdiction. ‘

In addition to that, 13 fines were imposed by the Departments of Treasury and Commerce against American and third countries companies for doing business with the Caribbean island.

The embargo or the blockade has a lot of extraterritorial effects in the Caribbean countries, Latin America and all over the world.

Here, Bahamians with Cuban relatives or parents who want to send money to their children studying medicine, nursing or other careers there, face obstacles because banks located here deny that possibility, many times to prevent being punished by the US agencies.

One of the hurdles faced by Bahamian trade and business sectors to diversify and increase trade relations between our two archipelagos is the complexity to set direct banking links among the Cuban banks and the ones located in The Bahamas.

Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US government prevented sales to Cuba of mechanical lung ventilators, face masks, test kits, protective glasses, gloves, reagents and other necessary supplies to deal with this pandemic.

In addition, and despite a smear and lies campaign against Cuban medical collaboration, our doctors, nurses and other health personnel have provided and assisted in more than 45 countries around the world since the start of the deadly disease.

Despite harsh working conditions, the health risks and language barriers they face, they have acted with solidarity to defend health as a true human right.

In this 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the world will advocate again for lifting the embargo.

In May 2021, the vast majority of the international community will support the resolution urging the government of the United States of America to revoke that failed and indefensible policy against Cuba. 

• Alejandro García del Toro Ambassador, Republic of Cuba

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Govt cautioned on lifting quarantine

Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CPSA) President Dr. Sabriquet Pinder-Butler is cautioning against the lifting of the quarantine requirement for domestic and international travelers without an adequate alternative in place.

Pinder-Butler said especially given that contact tracers are currently overwhelmed, it is a decision that requires serious thought.

“We have to be careful when we remove measures, that we think about what else we’re going to put in place,” she said.

“Are we going to have persons being tested when they come in the country?

“Are we going to be able to further sustain our contact tracing so that if someone becomes ill quickly, or even their test becomes positive, we’re going to be able to quickly identify them and notify all persons that they came in contact with in a timely fashion?

“We know that one of our rate-limiting steps is the timeliness with which we’re able to actually trace these contacts. And that’s because our numbers have far surpassed what it is that we’re able to trace for a small country.”

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said recently the government will soon announce a plan to remove the quarantine requirement for those entering the country and those traveling between islands.

Minnis also said The Bahamas appears to be nearing the end of its second wave of infections. Hours after his statement, 151 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the country.

Many more have been confirmed since then, with the total confirmed cases standing at 3,838 up to Saturday with 1,717 active and 93 hospitalized. There have been 89 deaths and 14 are under investigation.

Pinder-Butler said the healthcare system is overwhelmed as cases and deaths continue to rise and many in the public continue to ignore health protocols.

“We should not have to wait until we personally see a loved one die from COVID-19 or not be able to access the hospital or healthcare institutions because there is no space,” she said.

“There is no staff to help because all the staff are busy taking care of everyone else. We can’t wait. But I think we are there.”

 Pinder-Butler said that while increased testing could explain some of the new cases, with confirmed community spread, there will continue to be more cases of COVID in The Bahamas.

“We also know that as you have more community spread, you’re going to also have more cases,” she said.

“So, we expect that those numbers will increase, which certainly is a concern for us because we’re still managing patients who are sick with COVID-19 and our hospitals are full.

“Our COVID centers have lots of patients that we’re dealing with on a daily basis.

“Contact tracing units are overwhelmed with patients. So, certainly this is concerning for us as we have reopened the country and some more things have been reopened.”

Pinder-Butler said that rules to deal with those who do not adhere to protocols must be enforced.

“Cases have increased,” she said. “A lot of persons in country are still not following the rules.

“I mean we’ve been talking about this a lot. I don’t think it’s time for us to continue to beg our people to do the right thing. Certainly the measures that we have noted that should be in place for persons not following protocol, they need to be enacted.

“We know that we have about 80 or so deaths in country. That’s significant and we haven’t had our ‘third wave’. We’re still in the second wave.

“So, as this continues to progress, because it will progress and it’s not ending right now, we have to do what is the right thing. We cannot throw our hands up and say if people are going on the beach let them stay on the beach for longer hours.

“We have to make sure that if we see that people aren’t doing the right things that we make sure that they know that they are putting other persons in country at risk. If it is that they need to be fined, then we need to fine them and we need to do the right thing as citizens of this country.

“We have lost enough citizens to COVID already. There are enough households that are still struggling with this condition and we need to do the right thing.”

She added, “Be concerned. We have to do our part. We know that a vaccine is not going to happen tomorrow or the next day and probably not for months.”

The Ministry of Health said yesterday that due to circumstances beyond its control, its Sunday dashboard will not be released.

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Cyclist killed in hit and run

A cyclist riding along Coral Harbour Road early Saturday was struck and killed by a vehicle whose driver did not stop, police said. 

Police said they were called to the scene shortly after 7 a.m. and met the man’s body on the ground with injuries to the face.

The man was reportedly hit from behind. He appeared to be between 65 and 70, police said. 

Police appealed to anyone with information on the fatality to contact them right away.

“We also want to advise persons traversing the road, cyclists, whether it be in the night or in the day, to kindly wear the reflective gear on their person or as well put the relevant apparatus on their cycles so that they may be identified in the day as well as in the night,” police spokesman Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters said at the scene. 

Police said yesterday they had made no progress in locating the driver of the vehicle that knocked down the unidentified cyclist.

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Hospitalizations, deaths both approach 100 mark

Ninety-three COVID-19 cases were hospitalized as of Saturday, according to the Ministry of Health, but at last report, there were only 74 beds available for COVID-positive individuals.

On August 28, Minister of Health Renward Wells said there were 114 beds for COVID-19 patients, but only 84 were available. 

The number of beds decreased to 74 by September 9.

During an address to Parliament, Wells said 51 beds were available on New Providence and 23 on Grand Bahama. 

Yesterday, the health minister promised to call back when reached for a comment regarding the bed capacity for COVID-19 cases.

In recent weeks, healthcare workers and health officials have expressed concern over the public healthcare system’s ability to accommodate the inevitable increase in hospitalizations as a result of a spike in cases during the second wave of the novel coronavirus in The Bahamas

On August 3, Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis said, “There has been an exponential increase in the number of cases, an increase in hospitalizations, an increase in the demand for ICU beds and, sadly, an increase in the number of deaths. The more cases that present to health institutions, the more services will be needed. Right now, our bed capacity and human resources are being increasingly stretched.

“Health officials advise that a lockdown will allow for the repurposing of health facilities and addition of health resources to accommodate the increased need for hospitalizations and healthcare support.”

At the time, there were 679 confirmed cases and 22 hospitalizations.

The prime minister has since moved away from lockdowns as a means to fight COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health confirmed 48 additional cases on Saturday — 47 on New Providence and one on Grand Bahama.

An additional death was under investigation on Saturday as well.

The ministry also confirmed 91 cases on Friday — 85 on New Providence, two on Grand Bahama, one on Abaco, one on Exuma and the locations of two cases were pending.

On Friday, health authorities confirmed the death of a 33-year-old New Providence man, who died on September 19.

A 71-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man of New Providence died on Friday and an additional death was under investigation.

As of Saturday, there were 3,838 total confirmed cases; 2,005 recoveries; 1,717 active cases; 89 COVID-19 deaths; 13 non-COVID-related deaths; and 14 deaths under investigation.

According to the ministry’s dashboard, 19,026 tests have been conducted in The Bahamas. 

The Ministry of Health said yesterday that due to circumstances beyond its control, its Sunday dashboard will not be released.

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