Caribbean Weather

Friday, April 30, 2021

Forewarned is forearmed

Baha Mar’s Mini Blue Golf Course is definitely not dull; a course not to be taken for granted.

So, when I heard Baha Mar had introduced a mini golf course to its list of activations, my thoughts immediately turned to the putt-putt golf I used to play on dates with my hubby when on vacation – you know the one where you putted the golf ball into the clown’s mouth or the windmill, or the devil’s eye. Suffice it to say, I wasn’t entirely enthused about going out for a round of putt-putt, but I’m always up to take one for the team. And I’m glad I did.

I quickly realized that Mini Blue is unlike any of those putt-putt courses I had played in the past. It is in fact a professionally inspired 18-hole mini golf course.

I made my way to the Mini Blue Clubhouse to check in, arriving just ahead of my 4 p.m. tee time with hubby in tow to give it the old “college try”, because if I had to play a round, he had to “suffer” with me. And then there was the fact that it was really hot cause there’s no such thing as springtime in The Bahamas, so I was in a dress, and didn’t even have the most rudimentary of proper golf attire.

I honestly didn’t know if I would make it through 18 holes.

At the Mini Blue Clubhouse we were presented with a choice of two clubs – both putters, the mallet (chubby) or the regular putter which made me smile. I went with the regular putter simply because I figured it would be a lark. Actually, it was going to be a lark all around having to play the course with a putter, a club used to make relatively short and low-speed strokes with the intention of rolling the ball into the hole from a short distance away. God help me if I found myself in a hazard situation like the water, up against a bunker or playing through vegetation.

We were apprised of the rules by Mini Clubhouse staff, and sent on our way.

Rounding the clubhouse to hole number one, my first glimpse of the course left me awestruck. It was definitely unlike any putt-putt course I’d ever seen.

Baha Mar’s Mini Blue golf course, a professionally inspired 18-hole miniature gold course, the newest addition to Baha Mar’s amenities.

Laid out before me was a gorgeous, meandering course with trees, rocks, ponds, flower beds, sand traps and other natural elements.

We teed off at the par four hole one, which I parred to open the front nine and my hubby went two over, and had me dancing a jig, despite the heat. By the time we had played through the second hole, a par three, which we both went one over on and with me in the lead, I was forgetting about the heat, because a cooling breeze had begun to blow, and my competitive nature had kicked in. I wanted to win!

And then there was the realization that Baha Mar’s Mini Blue is in no shape, fashion or form like the gimmicky putt-putt courses I used to play. It was definitely not dull.

Mini Blue is not to be taken for granted. There are tricky holes, bendy turns, and unexpected bumps and rolls which maintained the adrenaline.

I absolutely love the par three fifth hole which is absolutely beautiful. And then there’s the face that I had to brave water hazards on both sides of the fairway and try to navigate getting past a bridge to get to the green. I approached the hole with the thought of wanting to chip the ball over all obstacles and getting it to hopefully rest on the green to keep me out of trouble with all the hazards; but alas, I only had a putter to my name. I ended up going one over on this hole, but as beautiful as it was, it’s a hole that also scared the bejesus out of me.

I continued the first nine holes either parring a hole or going one over, and feeling great generally, until I started the back nine. I literally bombed the par four number 10 hole, going five over, and couldn’t recover, while my hubby had a hole-in-one on the par three 11 hole, eagled, the 17th hole and parred at least another hole, and going one over on other holes, to outpace me for the remainder of the round.

I’m not going to share my final score, but suffice it to say I was bummed I was bested by my hubby, and was more than ready for a rematch as soon as we completed the 18th hole. We ended up having so much fun, I had forgotten about the heat by the end of the round.

Mini Blue proved to be a terrific date event. We were able to follow COVID-19 safety protocols, be socially distant from others on the course, and we were out in the open air.

It’s also an amazing option for families, teens, groups, and anyone who enjoys a little competitive fun.

For those people that have never played mini golf before, the object is to get the ball in the hole using the least number of strokes.

Mini Blue is open to all ages, children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Baha Mar’s Mini Blue Golf Course is located by the resort’s sports court near the Racquet Club.

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Fusing rock, funky jazz with a touch of Junkanoo for the win

“Funkatology” – a fusion of rock and funky jazz with a touch of Junkanoo – a song penned by Chris Fox about seven years ago, has earned the 77-year-old a win at the 2020 SongDoor International Songwriting Competition.

Fox’s original composition “Funkatology” won the Instrumental category.

It’s a win Fox says made him appreciate his song even more, and made him feel that he needs to do more arrangements like that.

“[Funkatology] just came to me, and I just wrote. It came naturally,” Fox told The Nassau Guardian. “I like to write for movie soundtracks and was thinking if I had to write for a movie soundtrack that’s what it would be,” said Fox.

“I had written Funkatology but never brought it out. During the pandemic he decided to enter the song into a competition.

The 1978 Berklee College of Music graduate entered “Funkatology” into the SongDoor competition “to see what would happen.”

Fox is the former band leader of the Mighty Makers Super Stars, and is known for his fiery arrangements. He is described as multi-talented – an arranger, composer, guitarist, music instructor, recording artists, conductor, playwright, songwriter, author, producer and director.

The SongDoor competition each year recognizes one Grand Award Winner and six category winners – Christian, Country, Hard Rock/Alt-Rock, Instrumental, Pop and Soft Rock/Alt-Folk.

All entrants receive a SongU.com 45-day all-access trial, one-year film and TV membership, and songwriting software, valued at $220.

The Grand Award winner takes home a prize package valued at $5,291.80; category awards prize package which Fox won total $1,356.95 – an acoustic demo with their choice of a guitar/vocal or piano/vocal demo, or opt for an expert mix on an existing demo; three-month SongU.com platinum membership where they can pitch their songs, collaborate, get personal coaching, and take courses; and enjoy a one-year membership to Broadjam where they get pitch opportunities.

Fox said for him it wasn’t about the prize.

“It’s really not money. It’s more than money if someone pitches your song,” he said.

SongDoor was started in 2006 so that people who really care about the craft of songwriting could have a place to get their music heard, have an honestly good chance of getting some credible recognition for their work, and end up with something tangible for their effort.

Aside from material stuff, the SongDoor crew says winning is good for a person’s confidence as they’ll have an award to put on their resume.

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Dwight’s Oscar scorecard: Only two wrong (sort of)

There’s been so much to talk about last Sunday’s Academy Awards telecast.

First, the low ratings. Down more than half from last year – which was already the lowest-rated broadcast in Oscars history – initial numbers on Monday had the United States ratings at just under 10 million viewers. That caused great horror and panic, as “The Awards Show of Awards Shows” had never before fallen below the 10 million mark.

But by mid-week, with all the numbers in, and delayed viewing on DVRs accounted for, the number was adjusted to just over 10 million. That’s still 58 percent lower than 2020, but just above the Grammys, and well above the Golden Globes and, as usual, last year’s Emmys.

The other big issue: the odd production choices. The dullness and, for the most part, humorless tone (with the bizarre exception of nominee Glenn Close and presenter Lil Rel Howery), and the questionable order of the presentation of awards, may be more remembered in the future than who actually took home statuettes.

For most of the previous 92 editions of the awards, Best Picture is almost always the final award of the night. The exceptions being the Oscars’ first couple or so decades, almost a century ago, and one time in the 1970s.

But somebody decided to mix things up and place Best Picture second to last in the lineup, ending the night with the lead acting categories, and specifically, with Best Actor being the night’s final award.

Apparently, the producers were banking on an emotional ending, with almost everyone predicting the late Chadwick Boseman would win Best Actor.

But as stated last week in our predictions, posthumous acting awards are very rare for the Oscars, happening only once in 1976 for Peter Finch for “Network” for Best Actor, and once in 2008 for Heath Ledger for Best Supporting Actor “The Dark Knight.”

Nevertheless, the word “upset” has been bandied about all week regarding “The Father” star Anthony Hopkins’ win over Boseman. And many have been angry and saying all manner of horrible things on social media.

Most of those “talking smack” likely didn’t watch “The Father”, or any of the four other films and performances in that category.

Hopkins’ was indeed the best performance of the year, of any actor, in any category. And as I stated in my review of the film a few weeks ago, it is arguably the best work of his illustrious career.

And thus, finally, begins my Oscars report card!

Last week, as has become an annual tradition, I attempted to predict “who will win” the Academy Award in a number of the top categories. And I also included “who should win” based on “my personal favorites”.

As usual, I count a win from the “my personal favorites” list as a win for me, regardless of whether I stated that the Academy would go with someone else for the award. Got it?

So, while I, too, thought the Academy would give the award to Boseman, I did certainly believe Hopkins was the most deserving of the award. I’m delighted the Academy voters agreed.

Once again, if you haven’t watched “The Father”, put that on top of your “To Do” list.

The same thing happened with Adapted Screenplay. My personal favorite was “The Father” and screenwriters Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller. While I predicted voters would go with ChloĆ© Zhao for “Nomadland”, they indeed went with my favorites in the category.

There were, however, two categories I got completely wrong. My epic fail was for Cinematography; instead of Joshua James Richards for “Nomadland”, the award went to Erik Messerschmidt for “Mank”.

Give me some credit, though, for acknowledging that Best Actress was likely primarily a race between Frances McDormand (“Nomadland”) and Andra Day (“The United States vs. Billie Holiday”). Both had won at the Golden Globes. But I picked Day over ultimate winner McDormand. After Sunday, the latter now has three Best Actress wins under her belt.

McDormand is now only one behind the legendary Katharine Hepburn for awards in this category, besting even Meryl Streep and Ingrid Bergman. (While both Streep and Bergman each have three acting Oscars, only two of those are for Best Actress, with the other in the Supporting category.)

Otherwise, all my other predictions were spot on:

Best Picture: “Nomadland”

Director: ChloĆ© Zhao, “Nomadland”

Supporting Actress: Yuh-Jung Youn, “Minari”

Supporting Actor: Daniel Kaluuya “Judas and the Black Messiah”

Writing, Original Screenplay: Emerald Fennell, “Promising Young Woman”

And I also casually but correctly predicted that “Sound of Metal” would win Best Sound. And that Thomas Vinterberg’s mere inclusion in the Best Director category was a surefire sign that his Danish-language film “Another Round” was going to win Best International Feature Film.

Plus, even though it was a pretty easy guess that “Nomadland” would win, it marks now five years in a row I’ve correctly predicted the Best Picture winner, often going against the grain and inciting ridicule for my controversial picks, like “Moonlight”, “The Shape of Water”, “Green Book”, and for last year’s “Parasite”.

This streak is hot!

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‘Mortal Kombat’: Super-violent, non-sensical fun

“Mortal Kombat” (US Rated R)

Cast: Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Mehcad Brooks, Josh Lawson, Hiroyuki Sanada

Genre: Action/Fantasy

Where to watch: In Theaters/ HBO Max

Dwight’s Rating:

Just like the martial arts fighting video game on which it’s based, people are going to find themselves in two corners while watching “Mortal Kombat.”

In corner number one: big time fans of the video game franchise, completely mentally-enslaved by the ideas initially presented in the game, and who expect any and every part of any adaptation to strictly adhere to every aspect of the game.

In corner number two: people who have no idea what “Mortal Kombat” is all about, or, more realistically, casual fans of the game, who may not even remember the characters’ names and back-stories, and are willing to forgive the movie’s creative team for taking liberties and attempting to tweak the storylines to make a little bit of sense in a limited time, without running on for four hours.

If you’re in camp two, you might want to avoid watching this with anyone in camp one. They simply won’t be silent. Not for one minute. And they’ll likely keep saying “this is dumb” or “this isn’t right” or “this isn’t what happened” or “this isn’t the way it goes in the games”. And you should expect that to continue for most of the nearly two hours of the film.

Otherwise, if you’re a fan of wild, ridiculous fantasy and outrageous special effects, combined with mixed martial arts (MMA), along with scenes of people ripping out their opponents’ hearts or spines or intestines, “Mortal Kombat” is actually super-violent, non-sensical fun. Just suspend all logic and reasoning!

Based on the immensely popular video game series that debuted in 1992 and has since spawned a couple of movies, comic books, and animated TV series, we now have this reboot of the movie franchise, released last week in theaters and simultaneously on HBO Max.

Hunted by the fearsome warrior Sub-Zero, MMA fighter Cole Young finds sanctuary at the temple of Lord Raiden. Training with experienced fighters Liu Kang, Kung Lao and the rogue mercenary Kano, Cole prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions to take on the enemies from Outworld in a high-stakes battle for the universe.

To fans of the video game, that stuff will mean something. To everybody else, it absolutely won’t, and it doesn’t matter. Just sit back and marvel at the lengths people will go to, trying to gross you out. And enjoy the often-successful attempts at humor, especially at the hands of Australian actor Josh Lawson, who plays the reprobate Kano.

If over the past few weeks you’ve been binging on high(er)-brow Oscar-nominated films leading up to the Academy Awards, “get over here” and consider “Mortal Kombat” a bloody, gory palate cleanser.

And count the number of times you’re in the corner screaming “finish him” at the screen.


• Dwight Strachan is the host/producer of “Morning Blend” on Guardian Radio and station manager. He is a television producer and writer, and an avid TV history and film buff. Email dwight@nasguard.com and follow him on twitter @morningblend969.

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Land of the Rising Suns!

Bahamian DeAndre Ayton was 11 years old and still living in The Bahamas when the Phoenix Suns (44-18) last went to the National Basketball Association (NBA) postseason, but now at 22 and the starting center for the Suns, he has helped that franchise end that 11-year drought. The Suns took down a key Western Conference rival, the Los Angeles Clippers (43-21), 109-101, at the Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday night, booking their tickets for the playoffs.

Ayton finished the night with five points and a game-high 11 boards. It was a shooting night that the Bahamian may want to forget as he went 2-for-8 from the field and split a pair of free throws. However, the playoff-clinching victory is what matters for the Bahamian and the Suns right now. He added two assists and two steals in the 27 minutes he had on the floor.

The last time the Suns made the playoffs was 2010 when they had Steve Nash as their point guard and Amar’e Stoudemire as one of the starting forwards. Nash is now the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets and Stoudemire is his player development assistant. It was the second-longest active playoff drought in the league and also tied for the fifth longest all-time in the league. The Sacramento Kings, for which fellow Bahamian Chavano “Buddy” Hield plays, own the longest playoff drought of 14 seasons. 

The win for the Suns on Wednesday night marked the first time for the season that they were able to defeat the Clippers. They lost the season series two games to one – a series which had its share of chippiness, hard fouls, technical fouls, flagrant fouls and even ejections. A playoffs series between these two teams could provide must-watch television quality for the league.

Both of Ayton’s made field goals came in the first quarter. His first shot came at the 6:29 mark when he made a putback layup to put his team up 17-13. His second shot came 23 seconds later when he converted a cutting layup that gave his team a 19-16 lead.

The Suns led 39-31 at the end of the first quarter, fighting off a 15-point scoring onslaught from Paul George who torched them in their previous two matchups. Ayton was active in that quarter with four points, four rebounds and a steal.

The Suns had their biggest lead of the game, 14 points, in the second quarter, taking a 53-39 lead on a Mikal Bridges’ three-point play with 7:17 remaining. At the end of that quarter, the Suns held a 10-point lead, 63-53.

The Clippers came within four points at the 1:05 mark of the third quarter, 82-78. The Suns ended the quarter up 86-80, paving the way for a dramatic fourth quarter.

Third-year player Ayton did not attempt a shot in the fourth quarter but pulled down four rebounds and had a plus-minus stat line of plus-10 in that quarter. The Clippers got to within one point twice in the quarter – the final one coming at the 6:08 mark with the Suns ahead 93-92.

That lead quickly grew to seven points with the Suns taking a 101-94 lead with 3:31 remaining in the game. Chris Paul scored all eight of those points by himself during that stretch for the Suns. He had 15 in the quarter. It was the knockout punch that the Suns needed as the Clippers, who never led in the game, had no answer.

The Suns outrebounded the Clippers 45-36 including a 15-5 advantage on the offensive glass. The Suns had 15 second chance points compared to 10 for the Clippers.

With one game left to play in the month of April, Ayton is averaging 15.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this month. On the defensive side, he is averaging 1.1 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. The big man is shooting 65.8 percent from the field this month and is averaging just above 31 minutes per contest.

In the big picture, Ayton is averaging 14.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game in the 62 games he has played this season. He is shooting 62 percent from the field – a career high.

The Suns have won 11 games this month and lost just four. They are one of two teams in the Western Conference of the NBA that has clinched a playoff spot – the other is the conference and league-leading Utah Jazz (45-17). The Suns are one game behind the Jazz and now have a two-game cushion between them and the third-place Clippers.

Ayton and the Suns will play host to the Jazz tonight as they look to shake things up at the top of the Western Conference. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m.

Hield was also in action on Wednesday night but he and the Kings got turned back emphatically by the Jazz, 154-105, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

Hield finished tied for a team-high with 18 points and added seven assists and five rebounds. Defensively, he finished with three blocks and two steals. He shot 50 percent from the field, going 6-for-12 including 3-for-6 from deep.

The Kings kept close to the Jazz by the end of the first quarter, 30-27, but an 86-47 combined second and third quarter advantage made the difference in the game.

The Grand Bahamian played all 12 minutes in the third quarter but was kept out of the game in the fourth for obvious reasons – the Jazz were already up 116-74 by the end of the third quarter.

With 10 games left in the season, Hield still sits in second in the league in made three-pointers with 245. The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry is still ahead of him with 278 made three-pointers. Sitting in third place is the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard with 227 made three-pointers.

Hield is averaging 16.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season. He is averaging a career high four made three-pointers per game. He is shooting 41 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from deep on the season, and is averaging a career-high 34.2 minutes per contest.

They Kings will start a four-game road trip tonight with a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. That game will be broadcasted live on NBATV and tips off at 10.30 p.m.

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Minor league players assigned to their respective teams

A quartet of Bahamian professional baseball players have been assigned to their Minor League Baseball (MiLB) affiliates of their respective parent Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs, as they look to get back in action this season. Their 2020 seasons were canceled because of the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The four players who have been assigned so far are the Pittsburgh Pirates Tahnaj Thomas, the New York Mets Warren Saunders, the Texas Rangers Keithron Moss and the Los Angeles Angels D’Shawn Knowles.

MiLB restructured its leagues because there are less teams. These leagues are Triple A, Double A, High A, Low A and Rookie Ball.

Thomas, the number seven prospect for the Pirates, will play for the Pirates’ High-A affiliate, the Greensboro Grasshoppers, that plays their home games at the First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. They compete in the High-A East League in the South Division.

The last time the right-handed pitcher was in action was in 2019 when he finished with two wins and three losses. He started 12 games. The Grand Bahamian’s earned run average (ERA) was 3.17, and in the 48.1 innings he pitched, he struck out 59 batters.

The former infielder turned pitcher was first signed by the Cleveland Indians in 2016.

The Grasshoppers will get their season underway on Tuesday, May 4 when they take on the Hickory Crawdads.

Saunders is set to play for the Low-A St. Lucie Mets that plays their home games in Port St. Lucie, Florida. They will be playing in the Low-A Southeast League in the East Division. In 2019, he played his first season. In 127 at-bats, he had 41 hits inclusive of one home run. He recorded a batting average of .323. Saunders scored 25 runs and had 20 runs batted in (RBIs). He also had three stolen bases.

Opening night for the St. Lucie Mets is set for Tuesday May 4, at which time they will take on the Jupiter Hammerheads.

Moss will play for the Down East Wood Ducks that plays out of Kinston, North Carolina, in the Low-A East League in the Central Division. Moss signed with the Rangers organization back in 2017 and last played in 2019 in the Arizona League. In his 120 at-bats that season, he had 37 hits and 27 runs scored. The number 28 prospect of the Rangers homered twice and had 14 RBIs. His batting average was .308.

They will open their season against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers on Tuesday, May 4.

Knowles was expected to move up the ladder for the Angels last season, but the pandemic slowed that down a bit. He will look to impress team officials in the Low-A West League in the South Division when he plays for the Inland Empire 66ers. They play their home games in San Bernardino, California. Knowles last played in the Pioneer League in 2019 at which time he played 64 games. In his 253 at-bats, he had 61 hits, 38 runs scored and finished with a batting average of .241. He had six home runs and 28 RBIs.

On opening night, the 66ers will play the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. That game is also set for Tuesday, May 4.

Fans are allowed at the games, as long as COVID-19 guidelines are followed, and the season is set to wrap up in September.

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Team Bahamas to compete in premier team tennis events this year

The Bahamas’ premier tennis teams will be back in action this year, as announced by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA).

Both the Davis Cup and Billy Jean King Cup competitions were postponed in 2020 due to the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed that competition in both events will take place this year.

The Bahamas’ 2021 Davis Cup team is comprised of Justin Roberts, Kevin Major Jr., Baker Newman and player/captain Marvin Rolle.

Making the squad for The Bahamas’ 2021 Billy Jean King Cup, formerly the Fed Cup, are collegiate athlete Sydney Clarke, Larikah Russell, Simone Pratt and player/captain Kerrie Cartwright.

The Billy Jean King Cup was recently renamed in honor of tennis legend Billy Jean King. The American tennis great won 39 Grand Slam titles – 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles and 11 in mixed doubles. She is a former World No. 1.

King, as a player and coach, won the Fed Cup trophy 10 times – a record for an individual. She was appointed as the competition’s first global ambassador in 2019.

The Bahamas is in Group II Americas Event A of the 2021 Billy Jean King Cup. The event will be held in Panama City, Panama, June 23-26, 2021.

A total of seven nations, namely The Bahamas, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Uruguay and host country Panama will compete in two pools, one of four teams and the other of three teams (Pools A and B) at the competition. The winners of each pool will play each other to determine which nation will advance to the Americas Group I for 2022.

The teams will play on clay courts.

For the Davis Cup, The Bahamas is in Group III and the event will also be held in Panama City, Panama. The dates are June 30 – July 3, 2021.

Two nations will advance from the Americas Group III event to contest the 2022 World Group II Playoffs.

The nations competing include: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, the US Virgin Islands and host country Panama.

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VP: Royal Caribbean, govt agreed on terms of PI project

Royal Caribbean Cruises’ (RCC) Vice President of Private Destinations James Boink said Wednesday evening that all of the terms of the cruise line’s Paradise Island beach club project have been agreed to with the government and the company is awaiting final signatures.

Boink was part of the Town Planning Committee’s obligatory public meeting on Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club project, to be built on the western end of Paradise Island by the end of the year if approved.

The project is already under intense scrutiny, as part of RCC’s development acreage includes Crown land that overlaps with a plot of Crown land being sought by Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club, owned by Toby Smith.

Smith has taken the government to court over the acreage, which he says he was granted a lease for.

Smith, who was also in the virtual meeting Wednesday evening, said Royal Caribbean’s development boundary overlaps the land he said he has sought by almost 200 feet. He directed his ire toward Boink and other RCC executives on the call, saying they have refused to negotiate with him. Smith contended that the disputed property cannot be developed by RCC as his matter is in court.

Boink, answering the questions of another participant, said the disputed piece of beach is important to the beach club experience the cruise line is attempting to develop.

“Our plan is seven acres and it is an integral part of our project that is a world-class pristine beach that offers a fantastic guest experience,” Boink said.

When asked by Smith if they have a signed Crown land lease, Boink would only say, “All of our terms have been agreed upon with the government and we are pending signature of the final execution version of the contract.”

He said that contract included a Crown land lease.

In all, RCC plans to develop 20 acres on the western side of Paradise Island, seven acres of which is Crown land.

The beach club is designed to cater to 3,500 “guests and residents”.

Boink said when RCC first approached the government about the land they wanted the entire end of the island, but were negotiated down to seven acres.

The project is expected to bring $1 billion into The Bahamas over ten years and employ 250 Bahamians.

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Cruises could resume from US ports if majority vaccinated, notes CDC

As cruise companies prepare to set sail from The Bahamas, some a little more than a month from now, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said cruising from US ports could resume this July if cruise companies agree to the majority of their passengers being vaccinated.

A letter from a top CDC official to the cruise industry, which has been widely reported on by US news outlets, said if cruise lines can produce proper documentation and ensure that 95 percent of passengers and 98 percent of crew members are vaccinated, then cruising from US ports could resume as early as mid-July.

During a Royal Caribbean Cruises first-quarter business update and financials call yesterday, its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Fain said his cruise company was encouraged by the latest news.

“We are looking forward to resuming operations out of various ports around the world in the coming months. In addition, we have had very constructive dialogues with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in recent weeks about resuming cruising in the US in a safe and healthy manner,” he said.

“Last night, the CDC notified us of some clarifications and amplifications of their conditional sail order, which addressed uncertainties and concerns we had raised. They have dealt with many of these items in a constructive manner, that takes into account recent advances in vaccines and medical science. Although this is only part of a very complex process, it encourages us that we now see a pathway to a healthy and achievable return to service, hopefully in time for an Alaskan season.”

The Bahamas is considered a significant player in the cruise industry as the top cruise ports in the United States, all in Florida, call on ports in this country. 

Royal Caribbean plans to resume sailing from The Bahamas as its new home port, beginning in approximately six weeks on June 12.

The cruise line will sail from Nassau’s cruise port to Grand Bahama, its private island on CocoCay and then onto Cozumel, Mexico before heading back to Nassau.

The move was heralded by the government as being the boost to tourism the country desperately needs, as cruise passengers would have to fly into the country and likely book room nights at local hotels ahead of their departure.

The announcement from the CDC comes as Royal Caribbean announced that approximately 75 percent of bookings made for 2021 are new and 25 percent are due to the redemption of future cruise credits (FCCs) and the “Lift & Shift” program.

“Booking activity for the second half of 2021 is aligned with the company’s anticipated resumption of cruising. Pricing on these bookings is higher than 2019 both including and excluding the dilutive impact of future cruise credits,” the company stated in its first quarter 2021 financial report.

“Cumulative advance bookings for the first half of 2022 are within historical ranges and at higher prices when compared to 2019. This was achieved with minimal sales and marketing spend, which the company believes highlights a strong long-term demand for cruising.”

Royal Caribbean has said that it will sail with only vaccinated passengers and those under 18 who test negative for COVID-19, adding that its ship’s crew will be vaccinated.

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Thompson outlines various investment projects in Grand Bahama

With several large investment projects slated for Grand Bahama, some of which have already begun, Minister of State for Finance Kwasi Thompson declared yesterday that Grand Bahama’s recovery is “set to take flight”.

Thompson, who gave the keynote address at yesterday’s Grand Bahama Business Outlook, outlined several key projects, including those by two major cruise lines that are set to move the island’s recovery full speed ahead, after Grand Bahamians endured two economically devastating years caused by Hurricane Dorian followed closely by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Fortunately, today we can renew our faith and hold firm to our belief in Grand Bahama, because we are at a major turning point on our difficult road to recovery,” Thompson said.

“It took many months to complete critical public works projects that were essential for the recovery. It took many months to complete delicate negotiations on significant projects that were central to the recovery.

“Some frustration and skepticism may have crept in during the wait, but I am here to reassure you that Grand Bahama’s recovery is set to take flight.”

Thompson said Royal Caribbean International and the ITM Group, which formed Holistica for the Grand Bahama investments, are making progress on their negotiations around redeveloping Freeport’s cruise port. Thompson explained that the government continues its work to finalize the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort to Holistica.

Thompson also gave the assurance that Carnival Cruise Line’s port project is moving ahead.

He also outlined projects like the completed first phase refurbishment of the Rand Memorial Hospital; the government’s completed acquisition of the Grand Bahama Airport; the first phase construction of Western Atlantic University School of Medicine, which has started, and Royal Caribbean’s six-month home porting initiative as just some of the contemporary wins for Grand Bahama’s economy.

Thompson also mentioned the proposed $130 million Weller Development or “Discovery Bay Project”, which is expected to include a small format marina, retail pavilions, for-rent villas and for-sale estates. He said the government recently approved the development, which is expected to create 100 jobs.

And he added the Doctors Hospital Cleveland Clinic project into that mix of economy starters to come, calling it a “non-traditional investor” project. 

He explained that Doctors Hospital’s flagship facility is a partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and is planned for 2022.

“Each of these projects and the many others underway have set the foundation for Grand Bahama’s recovery to take flight,” Thompson said.

“We now have tangible signs of this, elements that we can see and experience first-hand, which will serve as the footing for continued improvement.”

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Thursday, April 29, 2021

Lynette Anderson

Private service for the late Lynette Anderson age 76 years of Nina Crescent will be held at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road on Monday, May 3rd, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.

Lynette is survived by her brothers: Lloyd Anderson and Lauris Anderson; Sister-in-Law: Sandra Anderson; nieces: Phiona Anderson Langevine and Joylyn Cumberbatch; nephews: Alistair Anderson, Neil Anderson, Lennox Rodney, Michael Rodney,Gaynor Rodney, Paul King and Richard Pearson; great nieces and nephews: Alissa Anderson, Ariel Anderson, Analise Anderson, Alistair Anderson Jr, Petrina Langevine, Gabrielle Langevine and others too many to mention; cousins: Alice and Cecil Cadogan, Girlyn and Joyce Jackson, Eileen Wolford, Barbara Barnwell, the Mingos and others too many to mention; Goddaughter: Nekishia Rolle and family; Friends: John Saunders and family, Linda Rolle and family, Joy Sylvester, Shevron Thomas, Merle Thomas, Talia Ramdial La-Guerre, Karen Marshall, St. Agnes Anglican Church family and a host of other relative and friends.

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MS. ELSIE MAE MOXEY

Memorial Service for MS. ELSIE MAE MOXEY, of #101A Gordon Ave., Freeport, Grand Bahama and formerly of Nassau, New Providence will be held on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Jubilee Cathedral, Cathedral Boulevard, Freeport, Grand Bahama.  Officiating will be Pastor Karol Roach, assisted by other Ministers of the Gospel.

Precious memories will linger in the hearts of her Special friend: Daphne Evans; Brothers: Sydney (Keva) Adderley and Pastor Carlton (Daphne) Adderley; Sisters: Pastor Jacquelyn Dean, Deacon Laura Smith, Brenda Wells-Rolle and Brenda Wells-Martin; Nieces: Dr. Cheryl Strachan (Deacon Othland), Pamela Lowe, Tammika Butler (Julian) and Family, Jan Miller (Rickardo) and Family, Laverne Bethel (Luke) and Family, Joy Armbrister (Kelsey) and Family, Dr. Karen Rowland (Pastor Jason) and Family, Dominique Thompson, Tanya Thompson and Family, Deidre Taylor (Stuart) and Family, Darshelle Freeman (Degland) and Family, Julie, Linda, Paula and Anatches Harts and Family, Monica Fox and Family, Elaine Lightbourne and Family, Dorothea Brown and Family, Jonelle and K’Lisa Adderley and Tonia Knowles and Family; Nephews: Alfred Harts and Family, Sidney (Chammaine) Harts and Family, Percy Sweeting and Family, Terrance, Rico and Stephen Wells and Families, Anthony and Dwayne Thompson, Inspector Ramando Russell (Sgt. Gaichelle, RB Police Force), Tre Adderley (Donise), Darell Wells, Shane Garvey, Rodney, Cruz and Creflo Adderley; Cousins: Pastor Karol Roach (Glenys) and Family, Brenda Dames and Family, and Pastor Valerie Roach-Mullings and Family, Luther, Wendell and Clarence Rolle, Ena Thompson and Family, Stephanie Delancey and Family, Clara-Roach McPhee and Family, Veronica Roach-McGee and Family, Leona and Adelma Roach, Annette Roach-Dorsett, Bradley, Scott, Joel and Dana Brennen, Sherry Brennen-Bethel and Family, Olga and Opal Roach and Family, Children of the late Livingston L.V. Evans; Adopted daughters: Monique Taylor, Dominick, Alexis, Ashton and Family Adopted sons: Arsenio, George, Mateo and Alex;  Neighbors of Gordon Avenue: Louise Williams-Sears and Family, Makeba Hamilton and Family, Wealthy Hamilton and Family, Nolan Rolle and Family, Ms. Lewis and Family,  other Nephews: Kevin Archer and Shannon Moxey; Step-daughter: Perissa Moxey and family; a host of Relatives and Friends including: Ingrid Kerkula and Family, the McKenzie Family, Theresa Bonaby and Family, Management & Staff of Scotiabank Bahamas especially Freeport Branch and the Golden Girls retirees whatsapp group, Grand Bahama Softball Association, Cancer Society of The Bahamas,  Sister Sister Survivor Support Group, residents of the Cancer Caring Center, Mrs. Roberts and Staff,  Erin Storr, Suzette Rolle, Chriscola Johnson, Jackie Cash, Omega Miller, Delores Joseph, Jacqui Gibson, Dominique Justin, Danielle Frederick, Mr. Brown, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. Rolle, Mr. Mackey and Cretwell Micklewhite, Doctors, nurses and staff of the Oncology Department, PMH, staff of the Radiation Department, Doctors, Nurses and Staff at Sunrise Medical Clinic, The Medical Pavillon and Lucayan Medical, Dr. Wiona Pratt, Dr.  DuVaughn Curling, Dr. Winston Forbes, Dr. Monique Pratt, Dr. Leviticus Rolle, the late Dr. Philip Thompson and Dr. Vincent Burton, Management and Staff of Dolly Madison Home Center, Yvette Gibson, Aniska Maycock, Craven Forbes, Ella Guarro, Kim Jones, Charlene Rolle, Shavon Rolle, Cindy Bevans, Ilene Stubbs, Patrice and Marie, Angie Zonicle, Crystal Thompson, Nolan Rolle, Mavis William, Helen Rolle, Lana, Precious Williams, Vernette Chocolate Thomas, Robert Forbes, Carmen Jones, Leslie Hoyte, Lisa Beckles, Barbara and Angie, Judd Williams, Natasha Smith, Donnette Bain, Dellerse and Family, Donna Russell, Ricardo Russell, Andrew Forbes, Raoul Richardson and Family, Paulette Adderley and Family, Illenna Neely and Family, Sally Rahming and Family, Roy Adams and Family, Carolyn Penn and Family,  Coolie Hall and Family, Ingrid Rose and Pam Carroll, Clarence Bain, James McNeil, Thelma Newman, Mavis, Elsie Williams and Family, Marvin, Louise Weech and Family, Marcus Petit Doe, Sonia Bonaby and Family, Satellite Central, Star General, LaBelle Beauty Salon, Colina Insurance Co., Family Guardian, Emmanuel Wallace and Family, Manny, Donna Mackey and Family, Carlene Holmes and Family, Dwight, Calvin, Evelyn, Barbara Thompson and Family (Miami, Florida).

Viewing will be held in the “Serenity Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited, #11-A Coral Road, Freeport, Grand Bahama on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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MR. PHILIP TROWER ENGLISH

MR. PHILIP TROWER ENGLISH, age 81 years, Businessman of #9 Confederate Walk, Freeport, Grand Bahama and formerly of Wisbech, CambridgeshireEngland died at the Rand Memorial Hospital, Freeport, Grand Bahama on Saturday, April 24, 2021.

He is survived by his Wife: Virginia English; Daughter: Anthea; Son: Mark; Granddaughter: Paris; Niece and Nephew in England: Beverly and Tony, all Relatives, Friends and Associates

 Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.

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Rosemary Minus-Clarke

Private service for the late Rosemary Minus-Clarke age 84 years of Pineyard Road, Fox Hill will be held at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road on Saturday May 1st, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. Officiating: Rev. Heuter B. Rolle.

Rosemary Minus-Clarke is survived by her Sons:Vernon & Averil Clarke; Daughters-in-law: Christina & Dianna Clarke; Grandchildren: Shavargo, Kenneth, Shaquel, Christian, & Ajayi Clarke, Bianca Rolle Clarke, Avesha & Alexandria Clarke; Sisters: Patricia Minus, Janet Hepburn, Wilamae Braynen, and Carolie Wilson; Sisters-in-Law: Apostle Fredericka Minus and Ethel Minus; Brothers: Rudolph and Elder Audley Minus; Adopted Mother: Mother Lousie Rahming; Brothers-in-law: Israel Clarke, Herbert Clarke, Bruce Dames and Glen Hepburn: Nieces and Nephews: Lashorn Minus, Marilyn & Chadwick Williamson, Derick, Alexander and Ricardo Marriott, Angela & Errol Dailey, Wendy M. & Keith McDonald, Raquel & Raymond Carey, Daron & Toni Williams, Dwayne & Lanardo Dames, Stephanie & Gregory Smith, Karen & Ivan Greene, Roberta Williams, Dwight Musgrove, Dwight & Antoni Lloyd, Ameil & Mario Minus & Jamaal Forbes; Cousins: Eva & Ralph Bethel, Dorothy Bethel & Family, Sybil Deveaux & Family, Dorothy Sands & Family, Ruth Minus and Family, Judy Gail & Family, Pat & Elaine Storr & Family, Hilda & John Tucker & Family, Shelia Sands, Christal Ferguson & Family, Joyce Evans & Family, Carla Evans & Family, Wendy Hunter, Brendalee Clarke, Ann Thompson, Erica, Mykell, Charmine, Francina & Tiffany Clarke, Pastor Patricia Rolle, Wanda McPhee, Lisa, Tamie, Sonia, Vashanti, Claudia & Pearline Clarke, Emmerita Cartwright, Zerline Sawyer, Estella Johnson, Jacqueline Horton, Shirley Ferguson, George McPhee, Anthony, Andrew, Sean Deveron, Cormeno, Israel Jr, Jarred & Travis Clarke. Other Relatives & Friends: Alderine Rolle & Family, Louise Minnis & Family, Roslyn Hanna & Family, Heidi Armbrister & Family, Normalee Stubbs & Family, Brian McDonald & Family, The Pine Yard Community & Family, Gwenville Williamson & Family, Rev. Dr. C. W. Saunders & Family, Reverend Heuter Rolle & The Salem Baptist Church Family, Rowena Albury & Family, Theresa Butler & Family, Gwendymae & Patrick Sweeting, Brendalee Adderely & Family and Antoinette Duncombe. Ms. Samantha Wilkinson & Family, Mr. Chance Farrington & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Greenslade & Family and Mr. Christoff Fox & Family.

Viewing will be held in the Celestial Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

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MRS. CAROLE ROLLE

MRS. CAROLE ROLLE age 63 years of #33 Hearn Lane, Freeport, Grand Bahama and formerly of GDE RIV, Nord, Haiti died her residence on Monday, April 26, 2021.

She is survived by her Adopted Son: Jeery Jean; Special Friend: Jermain Gelin;  Brothers: Senge Jean, Jovenel Jean and Claude Jean; Nieces and Nephews: Lynda Outten, Gerda Jean, J’Nya  Outten  and Bianca Jean, Stanley Jean, Tian Outten, Mirkens Hans Stanley, Ralph Jean, Tanis Junior and Serge Andy and  other Relatives and Friends.


Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date.

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MR. VELOCK WELLINGTON LAING

Funeral Service for MR. VELOCK WELLINGTON LAING age 70 years of #137 Fawcett Lane, Freeport, Grand Bahama and formerly of  Mather Town, Grand Bahama who died at the Rand Memorial Hospital Freeport, Grand Bahama on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Restview Memorial Mortuary Chapel, 11-A Coral Road Freeport, Grand Bahama. Officiating will be Minister David Hield, assisted by Minister Tiffany Laing. Cremation will follow.

Precious memories will linger in the hearts of his Wife: Doretta Hall-Laing ; Children: Alexander, Wellington Jr, Jason Laing; Daughter-In- Law: Sherry Laing;  Grand-children: Sebastian Arthur Laing and  Skylar Bleu Laing;  Sisters: Espy Swain (Audley), Roselyn Green, Gold Laing, Helen ‘Dale’ Hamilton and Rozelda Laing-Green (Tyrone), Violet Johnson (Alexander), Vernell Saunders (Flavert), Norma-Jane Hield, Martha-Jane Saunders, Karen Clyburn (Allen) and Eleanor Hield;  Brothers: Jack, Lawrence, Milton and Charles Laing, Ashwell Hield, Delvin Cephas (Cathy), Adsil Hield (Allison);  Nieces: Shana Ruff, Tiffany and Stacey Laing, Katrina Neymour, Phyllis Laing, Tyesha Green, Donyell and Dontenae Hamilton;  Nephews: Bryant Swain, Patrick and Randy Green, Shawn, Mario, Christopher Laing and Tristan Green; Cousins: David and Joe Hield, Charles Lowe Jr, Ceila Moxey, Geralane Brown, Sharlene Lowe; a host of other Relatives and Friends including the Hield Family, Janette Grant and Family, Eldriegde Laing and Edward Bain.

Viewing will be held in the “Perpetual Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited, #11-A Coral Road, Freeport, Grand Bahama on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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Ruth Moreen Oliver

Private service for the late Ruth Moreen Oliver age 66 years of Firetrail Road will be held at Lakeview Memorial Gardens Mausoleums, Gladstone Road on Thursday, April 29th, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating: Pastor Dianne Coverley J.P., M.O., Pastor Franklyn Williams J.P. and Minister Diane B. Williams J.P.

Precious memories will always linger in the hearts of her son: Berlin Oliver; daughters: Min. Diane B. Williams J.P., Racquel and Rachelle Oliver; sister: Clairgar Cooke; son-in-law: Pastor Franklyn Williams J.P.; daughter-in-law: Takura Oliver; grandchildren: Reginald, Dianthe’, Bria, Ramir, Tayla, Donte’, Raneil, Talin, Taren, Da’ron Jr.; great grandchildren: Regshanay, D’shante nieces: Sophia, Deanne, Clair, Nadine, Claudine, Beverley, Sharon, Andrea, Madeline, Varnell, Serene, Petrona, Bernadette, Barbara, Samantha, Doris, Veronica, Stephanie, Dorothy, Pauline, Odia, Shyann, Loralee, Vernique, Thelma; nephews: Byron Jr, Trevor, Leroy, Wilbert, Tyrone, Everton, Benjamin, Curtis, Rufus, Eddie, Leon, Brunell, Burtis, Theophilus, Denver, Levon, Ricardo, Ence, Wayne, Joel, Garvey, Burton Jr., Rico, Rev. Joseph, and Sidney. Numerous other relatives and friends: Pastor Dianne Coverley and Church of God of Prophecy Farrington Road (River in the Desert) Family, The North Family, The Williams Family, Mike and Audrey Rolle and the Rolle Family, Doreen Meadows, the Brooks Family, Dr. Dean Tseretopoulos and Family, the staff of the Lyford Cay Hospital, the staff of Andros Compania Maritima S.A., the Goulandris Family, Percy Rolle, Jennifer Cancino and Family, Lynette Isaac and Family, Don Poitier, Rowena Burrows and Family, Charles Gordon and Family, Vivia Young and the Young Family, Lavern Carey, Sharon Clarke and Family, Chris and Family, Eula Saunders, Hettie McIntosh, Maxon Noel and Family, Carmela McKinney and Family, Bosie Pringle and Family, Pastor Scott and Crystal Wilson and the Marshall Road Church of God of Prophecy, The Thompson Family, Public Hospital Authority Family, Airport Authority Family, Bahamar Family, Sybil Strachan Primary Family, and Woodcock Primary Family.Restview Memorial

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Othman “Banjo” Arlington Brown, Sr.

Service of Thanksgiving for the life of Othman “Banjo” Arlington Brown, Sr., age 83 years of Whitaker Avenue, Carmichael Road and formerly of Colonel Hill, Crooked Island,will be held on Thursday, 29 April 2021, at 11:30 a.m. at Lakeview Memorial Gardens. Officiating will be Pastor Daniel A. Nottage, assisted by Overseer Randolph O. Deleveaux and Reverend Robin Strachan, Sr.

He was predeceased by daughter, Ivy (Pastor Don) Daxon.

Left to cherish precious memories are his beloved Wife of 57 years: Marian Brown; Children and their spouses: Superintendent, RBPF, Dennis (Almeta); Senior Commander, RBDF, Gregory (Demethera); Sergeant P. Nehemiah (Johanna); Sergeant Othman Jr. (Lakia); and Terry Brown; Tora (George) Symonette, and Brickell “Rene” (Corporal Tovarris) Evans; Grandchildren: Dennis Jr., Deandra, Deneko, Damona, Avardo, Grenique, Jordyn, Khandi, I’zaiah, Zyir, and Zavier Brown; Omal Outten; Denzel, Don Jr., and I’esha Daxon; and Rihanna Evans; Great Grandchildren: Nevaeh and Cadence Brown, and Malia Outten; Sisters and Spouse: Juetta Ferguson, Apostle A. Catherine Chisholm, and Olga (Wellington) Richards; Brothers-in-Law: James (Audrey) Moss, Ezekiel Moss, Clifton (Loretta) Smith, Timothy (Lisa) Moss, Ernest (Thelma), Frank Moss, Edsel Scavella Sr., and Clarington Deleveaux; Nieces and Nephews: Dr. Anita (Kevin) Dean, Erica (Ian) AtkinsLeroy Brown, Jr., Hazel (Agilus) Petit, Elon (Ethylyn) Ferguson, Barbaramae Forbes, Hugenal (Susan) Ferguson, Minister Dora Chisholm, Robyn (Keila) Strachan, Raymond and Keith McKenzie, Johanne Chatelain, Blossiemae (Clifford) Clarke; Kevin, Ingrid, Tristan (Verline), and Shone (Linda) Ewing; Nyoche (Wilfred) Rolle; Perry, Terry, Rochelle, and Granville King; Stephanie, Cindy, David, Lynford and Earnell Brown; Eldorette Ward, Sandradee (Julian Sr.) Gordon, Albert (Michaelle) Richards; Monique and Edsel Scavella II; Clarington Jr., Kendal (Raquel) and Kai Deleveaux; Vernita Adderley, Claudina Smith, Reginald Moss, and Techaka Clarke; Other relatives and friends including: Pastor Juliemae Farquharson and The New St. John’s Baptist Church Family, Colonel Hill, Crooked Island; Cynthia Williams, Shenique Bastian, Andrew Ferguson, D’andra Dorsett, Rasheed Williams, Shaquon Ferguson,Dr. Julian Gordon Jr., and Sada Gordon; Robin Jr., and Lourdes Strachan; Nadia Munnings, Nelson and Nelshawn Chatelain; Jenniamae Moss, Cypreanna Winters, Muriel Deleveaux, Officer Levant Wright; Doreen, Sandra, and Caleb Williams; Elaine Ferguson, Doreen Darling, Sharon Scavella, Hylene Moss, Mr. & Mrs. Eleazer “Liza” Scavella, Jamal Chisholm, Patrick Farquharson, Senator The Honourable Sharon Annafaye Ferguson Knowles, Bishop Maurice Simms, the Entire Community of Crooked Island, Overseer Randolph and Willimae Deleveaux, Pastor Daniel and Rosalyn Nottage and the Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church Family, Hermis Chisholm and Family, Rev. Drs. Michael and  Hilda Symonette and Family, Mrs. Emelitha Daxon and Family, the Anderson Family, the  Farquharson Family, Edna Moss, Raquel (Sheldon) Hall, and a host of other relatives and friends, all of whom we love and appreciate.

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ANDREW DAVID CURRY

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR THE LATE ANDREW DAVID CURRY, AGE 65 YEARS OF PRATT’S CLOSE, GOLDEN ISLES ROAD, NASSAU. Will be held on Saturday 1st May 2021 at Graveside: Woodlawn Gardens Cemetery, Soldier Road at 10:00 a.m.. Officiating is Reverend Father Dwight H. L. Rolle. Interment:Woodlawn Gardens Cemetery, Nassau. Andrew was predeceased by his Parents: Ira and McNolah; Brother: Baldwin (Alex); Aunts: Gloverlyn Williams, Irie Ferguson & Diane Ferguson Gilmore, Isabella Curry; Uncles: Willis, Rhuel & Elin (Rudolph) Ferguson, Edgar, Fredrick, Harry, Erick & Zac Curry; Cousins: Whayde, Daryl, David, & Demetri Ferguson, Sandra Ferguson & Shaymrayne Williams. Left to cherish his memories and legacy he left behind are His Son: Diaz Curry; Daughter: Dacia Smith; Granddaughter: Daniya; Special Friend: Linda; Adopted Sons: Perez Curry (nephew) and Andre (Sandra) Ferguson of Coral Springs FL.; Adopted Daughter: Monique Paul (cousin); Brothers: Marcus (Grace), Carlfred (Addiedell), Dezon (Jabina) Curry, Steven (Joyce) Culmer; Sister: Dr. Rowena Curry-Ferguson (Bishop Franklyn); Adopted Brothers: the Smith brothers (spouses) of Stuart Manor Exuma, Mr. Oral Dean (Mrs. Dean) (neighbour); Adopted Sister: Audrey Clarke; Uncle: Hollie Ferguson of Queens New York; Beloved Aunts: Lenore and Icelyn Ferguson; Aunts-in-Law: Althea and Peggy Ferguson; Nieces and Nephews: Candice (Luke) Chantae, Omega (Jonas), Myrtil, Carlette, Tyrone, Valarina (Apostle Utah) Dezon Jr, De’Zjah, Romeika, (Zhivargo) Franson, Ferraro (Latina), Dr. Rodenia Ferguson, Dalmus (Wendy) Lechante; Numerous Grand nieces and nephews; Cousins: Rhodnie, Delecia, Paula, Terecita, Maltina, Carver, Hermis, Ricardo, Camille, Theresa. James11, Anita, Absolom, Caleb, Natasha, Lonnie, Deborah, Belon, Audley, Audrey and Ajara King of Miramar Fl, Katherine, Dwight, Jackie, Tanya, Marc, Troy, Sundae, Holly, Tina, Alric, Wenceworth, Coralee, Sherniell, Sally, Joycelyn, Roselyn, Sonia, Susanne, Pauline, Deborah, Vernie, Anita, Valerie, Lavern, Monique, Xhante, Wilson, Yvonne, Deloris, Denise, Janet, Anna Ruth, Rosetta, Carolyn, Sarah, Miriam, Portia, Godfrey, Edgar, Warren, Leuit, Kirk, Edgar Jr, Mathew, Frederick, James, Julian, John, Nigel, Daniel, Joseph; Other Relatives and Friends: Hanna Brice, Floretta Williams & Family, the Family of Eugene & Ara-bella Smith, The C.H. Reeves Jr. High School Family. Edna Baker and Family, Delglecia Smith and Family, Doralee Smith Roach, Rosemary Williams, Valerie Tony and Family, the Mt. Thompson, Ramsey, Forest, Rokers Point, Harts, Steventon and Farmers Hill Families, The Pratts Close family. A host of others too Numerous to mention. Continue to Sleep in peace Andrew take your rest, we will always love you. Viewings for relatives and friends will be held on Friday 30th April 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in The Pearl Suite, Memories Funeral Homes, #85 Mount Royal Plaza, Nassau

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CRAIG CRANSTON KELLY

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR THE LATE CRAIG CRANSTON KELLY, AGE 51 YEARS OF EASTWEST HIGHWAY, NASSAU. Will be held on Friday 30th April 2021 at Graveside: Southern Cemetery, Spikenard & Cowpen Road at 11:00 a.m.. Officiating is Reverend Lester Thurston. Interment: Southern Cemetery, Spikenard & Cowpen Road, Nassau.

Cherished memories will forever linger in the hearts of his many relatives, friends and colleagues. Craig is survived by: Brothers: Ryan ( Margaret), Latario (Margo), Elloit, George (Mayen), Rashad, Ervin Kelly Sr. and Lavell Albury; Sisters: Uvanka (Anthony Sr.) Thompson, Rawver (William Sr.) Wright, Cindy (Jason) Johnson, Tonya Kelly, Beulah and Isabella Coak- ley; Aunts: RoseMarie ( Tryam) Deveaux, Rosemary Daniels, Barbara Gardiner, Judy May- cock, Sharon (Daniel) Edgecombe, Rev. Diane Ranger, Sherilynn (Julius) Fernander, Ruby Kelly and Jerry Fisher; Uncles: Patrick Ferguson, Anthony, George (Donna) Fisher and Jerome Fisher; Grand-Aunts: Elcina Ingraham, Marcia Cash & Gladys Kelly; Grand-Uncles: Bishop Curtis Kelly, Dudley Cash and Clayton Kelly; Nieces and Nephews: Tamika Clarke, Anthony Jr., Antonnio and Tanisha Thompson, Tazianna (Michael) Morley, Tania and Tanae Smith, Tara, Sanjay, Ryan Jr., Valentino, Nikitar, Aaron, Royal Jr., Tonnell, Trey, Tristan, Israel, Kellanno, Sabrea, Giselle, Leticia, Saloma and Malika Kelly,William Jr., Neveah Bur- rows, Raven Johnson, Jarvis Rolle, Ervin Jr., Ervin, Kahlil. Anastacia Albury, Lavell Jr., Leigha, Keslesha, Marvin, Anthony, Nicholas, Brandon, Shane, Malik, Isaiah, Valchez, Andrea Brice, Airlea Coakly and Kaiden Young; Fourteen (14) Grandnieces and Grandnephews; Numerous Cousins and Friends including: Tryphenia, Mario and Levardo (Patricia) Deveaux; Erica, Vernincha, Florese and Inspector RoseAnna Simmons, Maxwell Jr., Matthew Daniels, Dawn and Daynette, Dellarese Maycock, Avril (Roland) Cherasard, Wayne, Tiffany, Jamaal and Nursing Sister Annastacia McKenzie, Jermaine and Able Seaman Kenrick Edge- combe, Racquel, Charles Jr., Cashmere, Dennis, Tito, Omar, Tina and Lisa Maycock, Tanya, Leon Rutheisha, Latvia, Patricia, Ashley, Anthonique and Yasmin Ferguson, Stephanie Cargill, Bernadike Darling, Debra, Enamae and Eldica Gittens, Daisy and Family, The Kelly’s, Cooper’s, Coakley’s, Thompson’s and Johnson’s Families; Bozene Town Com- munity, Brian and Natasha Burrows and Family, Shantell, Delcina, Rochelle, Wendell, Rupert, Kevin, Robert and Palma Jane Cooper; God child: Bryan Burrows; Other relatives and friends too numerous to mention: Palma Jane Cooper;

Special thanks extended to: Jamal “Shaggy” Seymour, Ernestine and Nurse Selina Stuart, Nurse Jenniemae Stuart, John Higgs, Shernette Rahming, Shervette Taylor, Demetria Smith, Ricardo Ferguson, Debbie Williams, Gina Johnson, Joelisia Johnson, Orieka Ferguson, Anthony Wilmore and Warren Watson. Please if your name was omitted bear with us at this time. We thank you for all your love and do appreciate all that was done for Craig Cranston Kelly.

God Bless you.

Viewings for relatives and friends will be held on Thursday 29th April 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. in the Sharon Wilson Suite, Memories Funeral Homes, #85 Mount Royal Plaza, Nassau.

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Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Speaker tells executive: If you want a war, you can get a war

House Speaker Halson Moultrie abruptly adjourned proceedings in the House of Assembly today after he accused the executive of disrespecting his authority in Parliament and suggested that he is prepared to go to war over the issue if necessary.

The speaker, who has repeatedly petitioned for the independence of Parliament, said the events of the day represented the “final straw”.

“The Cabinet Office seems to think that it controls the Parliament…” Moultrie said.

The speaker said he reached out to Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis and Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells, who is leader of government business in the House, yesterday to determine how to proceed following confirmation that a staffer had contracted COVID-19.

“We waited and we waited and we waited and got no response,” Moultrie said.

He added that the House of Assembly had yet to be sanitized since the chief clerk contracted COVID-19.

“Yet today, despite the speaker indicating that the staff of this Parliament should be in quarantine as a result of them not being able to take the COVID test, Ms. Lightbourn was called upon to be here this morning, in breach of the request or instruction by the speaker that the staff should be in quarantine,” Moultrie said.

“Now this for me, was my final straw when it comes to the disrespect of this institution and the disrespect of the office of the speaker,” he said.

“I see it as a grave disorder, and according to the rules of this Parliament, if in the opinion of the speaker, the behavior of any member is creating disorder, disrespect to this Parliament, the speaker will authorize by rule 88, subsection 9, to have that circumstance corrected and to adjourn this parliament until such circumstance is corrected.”

“Now, I don’t necessarily pick fights or wars, but if you want a war, you can get a war. They say if you don’t want a war, don’t start one. So don’t come in this Parliament talking about reading books of war because more than one person in this Parliament reads books of war.

“As a consequence, pursuant to rule 88 (9) this Parliament is hereby adjourned to the 3rd of May at 10 a.m.”

Rule 88 (9) reads, “In the case of disorder arising in the House, the speaker may, if he thinks it necessary to do so, adjourn the House without putting any question or suspend the sitting to a time names by him.”

Dr. Minnis previously informed the House that he read books of war.

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Life U wins conference as Demeritte, Sands earn conference honors

It was a historic moment for Life University Running Eagles Interim Head Coach Dominic Demeritte, a Bahamian, and his women’s track and field team as they won the Mid-South Conference (MSC) Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championship for the first time in program history this past weekend. The championships took place at the James H. Taylor II Stadium in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and the resilient Eagles stormed back for victory after coming into the final day of competition in third position.

The Running Eagles, who compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I level, finished the two-day meet with 217 points. The Lindsey Wilson College Blue Raiders finished second overall with 160.50 points and the host, the University of the Cumberlands Phoenix, finished third with 144 points.

Demeritte walked away with the MSC Coach of the Year Award. For the second time in her collegiate career, Bahamian Bria Sands earned the MSC Athlete of the Year Award.

Overall, the Running Eagles finished with nine titles. Sands, the younger sister of national record holder in the men’s triple jump, “Superman” Leevan Sands, swept the jumping events – the long, triple and high jumps. She already has the NAIA ‘A’ standards in all three of those events.

In the long jump, the Life University senior’s first jump of 5.60 meters (m) – 18’ 4-1/2” was her best jump. It was enough to finish ahead of second-place finisher Emilija Kusic who competes for the Blue Raiders. Sands has the third-best jump in the NAIA with a leap of 5.96m (19’ 6-3/4”). Kusic posted a jump of 5.51m (18’ 1”) to secure the silver medal. Kusic’s teammate, Ty’Nasia Walker, leapt 5.32m (17’ 5-1/2”) to finish third overall.

Sands only needed to jump two times in the triple jump final, passing on her other four attempts. She recorded the winning jump of 12.05m (39’ 6-1/2”) on her second and final attempt in the pit. The Bahamian was the only jumper to surpass 12 meters (39’ 4-1/2”) that day. In the grand scheme of things, she is ranked second nationally in the NAIA with a jump of 12.41m (40’ 8-3/4”).

Campbellsville University Tigers Hayley Payton finished second when she recorded a leap of 11.67m (38’ 3-1/2”). Wining the bronze medal again was Walker who posted a jump of 11.53m (37’ 10”).

The Bahamian got her third gold medal in the high jump when she was able to clear 1.69m (5’ 6-1/2”). She had a rough start at her starting height of 1.49m (4’ 10-1/2”), knocking the bar down on her first two attempts, but she went over the bar on her third and final attempt.

Sands got tough competition from Georgetown College Tigers’ Emma Bianchi as she was able to clear 1.64m (5’ 4-1/2”) for second. She did not have any problems clearing that height or the heights before it but failed on her attempts at 1.69m.

Sands and Bianchi are tied nationally for second place in NAIA rankings with a height of 1.70m (5’ 7”).

Bianchi’s teammate Jalynn Landversicht leapt her way to the bronze medal after clearing 1.59m (5’ 2-1/2”).

Other than in the jumps, Demeritte’s team produced gold medal finishes in the 100m, 200m, 100m hurdles, 400m, 10,000m, 4x400m relay and the discus throw events. His team left with 10 All-Conference Team honors.

Demeritte will look to keep his team focused as they head to the North Florida Invite in Jacksonville, Florida, as a last chance qualifier, tomorrow and Friday. The team is tuning up for the NAIA National Championships, set for May 26-28 at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

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The Bahamas finishes third at Caribbean Golf Classic

Regional golf made a grand return over the weekend with the 25th Caribbean Golf Classic wrapping up at the picturesque golf course of the Casa de Campo Resort in La Romana, Dominican Republic.

With the region still experiencing significant cases of COVID-19, organizers staged a subdued five-day event this time around. The event, which is staged by the Caribbean Golf Association (CGA), was one of the first regional sporting events for the year. In fact, it’s one of the first regional sports events since the COVID-19 pandemic forced a stoppage of sports in the region back in March of 2020.

In the competition for the George Noon Cup, given to the country with the most points overall, The Bahamas finished third with 52 overall points. Puerto Rico won with 104 total points, the Turks and Caicos Islands settled for second with 72 points and The Bahamas rounded out the top three.

For the Robert Grell Trophy, the battle for the men, Puerto Rico once again came out on top, scoring 109 total points. The Bahamas was second with 52 points, and an invitational team from the United States finished third with 46 total points.

The Bahamas didn’t field a women’s team. Puerto Rico captured that division, winning the Jodi Munn-Barrow Trophy with 35 total points. The Turks and Caicos Islands took second with 27 total points and the host nation Dominican Republic finished third with 13 points.

Individually, Wilton Williamson came out on top for The Bahamas in the men’s second group with 134 total points. Bahamian Edroy Williamson was 14th in that group with 115 total points, and Anthony Hinsey was 18th with 111 total points.

Leron Williams was fifth for The Bahamas in the men’s fourth group with 101 total points. Dwight Tinker finished tied for ninth with 97 total points, and Ural Pratt was 11th with 95 points. Carlos A. Lopez-Lay, of Puerto Rico, was the top scorer in that group with 122 total points. Lynford Miller finished seventh for The Bahamas in the men’s first group with 142 total points. Erick Morales, of Puerto Rico, won that group with 170 points.

John Reckley finished tied for seventh in the men’s fifth group with 85 total points. Edwin Rosado, of the US Virgin Islands, came out on top in that group with 102 points.

Leander Brice finished 10th for The Bahamas in the men’s third group with 119 total points. Teammate Ken Kangal was one spot behind him, finishing with 118 points. Angelo Fernandez, of Puerto Rico, was the top scorer in that group with 130 total points.

Last year’s event was canceled due to the arrival of COVID-19 in the region. At the previous championships, in 2019, in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, The Bahamas placed sixth overall. Winning that cup was Puerto Rico with 138 points. The Bahamas scored 81 overall points in that tournament.

Globally, the sport of golf has been acknowledged as one of the safest sports in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Hield, Ayton help their teams pick up wins

Bahamians Chavano “Buddy” Hield and DeAndre Ayton, and their respective teams, both experienced wins in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as regular season play continued on Monday night.

Hield and the Sacramento Kings (25-36) experienced success on their home court as they took down the Dallas Mavericks (33-27), 113-106, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Hield was one of four players for the Kings to finish in double digits, scoring 16 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the field. He went 4-for-7 from deep and a perfect 2-for-2 from the charity stripe. The shooting guard was also able to dish out five assists, grab five rebounds and also had one steal.

Ayton and the Phoenix Suns (43-18) wrapped up their five-game East Coast road trip with a 118-110 victory over the New York Knicks (34-28), bringing their nine-game winning streak to an end. The game was played at historic Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.

The center fell one point short of a double-double as he finished with nine points and 13 rebounds in 35 minutes of play. He shot 4-for-7 from the field and made good on his only free throw attempt. He also had two assists and a block.

The game featured the second-best team in the league in the Suns and one of the hottest teams in the league in the Knicks, and the game produced fireworks as expected.

Ayton got on the scoreboard at the 8:49 mark of the second quarter when he had a tip-in to cut into the Knicks’ double-digit lead. This was a part of a mini 4-0 run by the Suns after the Knicks led 44-29. The Knicks were red-hot from the field at the start of the game, connecting on 18 of their first 25 shots. At the half, they led 63-56. Ayton had four points and five boards in the first half as he was unable to get into a groove.

At the start of the third quarter, Ayton and the Suns were able to cut the Knicks’ lead to one, 71-70, at the 8:17 mark when Ayton converted a three-point play. The Suns took their first lead of the game with 40.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter, 87-85, when Mikal Bridges made a 26-foot three-point shot. The game was tied at 87 points at the end of the third quarter.

It was a back-and-forth game at the beginning of the fourth quarter before the Suns took a 106-98 lead on a Cameron Johnson three-point shot with five minutes left. That shot capped off a quick 8-0 run that started with a shot from Devin Booker at the 5:37 mark.

The Knicks attempted a comeback in the final five minutes of the game but the Suns were determined to head back to Phoenix with a win as Chris Paul hit some huge clutch shots to lead them to victory. Paul scored the final seven points of the game for the Suns.

Booker scored a game-high 33 points in the win. Derrick Rose led the Knicks with 22 points.

It was a grueling five-game East Coast trip for the Suns as they played against five playoff-bound teams in the Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets and the Knicks. Their two losses in that stretch came against the Celtics and the Nets.

Without their leader in point guard De’Aaron Fox, Hield and the Kings knew they had to be aggressive early against a dangerous team like the Mavericks. They did just that as they stormed out of the gates, taking a 20-3 lead  at the 6:10 mark of the first quarter on a dagger three-pointer from Hield. It was his first bucket of the game. The Kings went into the second quarter with a 31-17 lead.

Hield went on to miss all three of his shots in the second quarter and the Mavericks closed the deficit to 59-52 at the half. The Mavericks used a 33-26 second-quarter advantage to make the game competitive.

After going into the fourth quarter with an 87-85 lead, the Kings had to dig down deep to hold off the Mavericks the rest of the way. Hield drilled a three-point shot to put the Kings up 109-101 with 2:27 left in the game.

Luka Dončić brought the Mavericks to within five points when he made a layup with 22.1 seconds left in the game, 111-106, but Hield sealed the game with two free throws to give his team the 113-106 win.

Richaun Holmes led the Kings with 24 points in the win. Dončić also finished with 24 points.

Grand Bahama native Hield and the Kings will look to upset the league-leading Utah Jazz (44-17) when they welcome them to the Golden 1 Center tonight for a matchup, starting at 10 p.m.

For the first time in 11 days, the Suns will play at the Phoenix Suns Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. They will be in a tough battle tonight on ESPN, taking on the Los Angeles Clippers (43-20) who sit one game behind them in the Western Conference of the NBA. That game will also get underway at 10 p.m. The Suns will look to avoid a 3-0 series sweep by the Clippers this season.

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‘Jazz’ leaves game in first inning with hamstring injury

After breaking out of a dreadful 0-for-12 slump with two hits on Monday, Bahamian infielder with the Miami Marlins Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. kept it going with another hit in his seventh consecutive lead-off role on Tuesday, but was removed from the game against the Milwaukee Brewers shortly afterwards due to a strained left hamstring as reported by Major League Baseball (MLB) up to press time.

Up to press time, the Marlins trailed the Brewers, 4-3, in the sixth inning at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The electrifying starting second of the Marlins had a first-pitch infield single, beating out a throw from a routine ground ball to Brewers’ shortstop Luis Urias, once again showing his blazing speed. He stole second base one pitch later, getting under a tag from Brewers’ second baseman Pablo Reyes, and advanced to third on a groundout to first base by Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas before scoring on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Jesus 

Aguilar. Chisholm stayed down momentarily after stealing second base, which could be at which time he suffered the injury, but he bounced up and later scored.

Marlins’ rookie Chisholm is regarded by Statcast and mlb.com as one of the rising stars in the majors, considered a lethal speed-power threat.

He already has a National League-leading seven stolen bases this year, third in the majors behind Kansas City’s Whit Merrifield and Oakland’s Ramon Laureano, both of whom have eight stolen bases.

Chisholm showed 30.1 feet per second sprint speed on his infield single in the first inning last night (30 feet per second is considered elite).

The 23-year-old Bahamian speedster had an infield hit in his only plate appearance, bringing his batting average up to .290 (20-for-69). This season, Chisholm has four home runs, seven RBIs (runs batted in) and 11 runs scored. His slash line of .290/.375/.551 is among the best in the majors among starting second basemen. He is tied for the team lead in home runs.

Defensively, Chisholm has 58 assists and 21 putouts in 81 total chances, splitting time between second base and shortstop. He started at second base last night. Chisholm has just two errors on the season and has been a part of 16 double plays.

Jose Devers, who made his MLB debut Saturday, replaced Chisholm at second base for the bottom of the first inning.

Chisholm and the Marlins conclude their three-game series against the Brewers this afternoon, before having a day off on Thursday. First pitch today is set for 1:40 p.m. They travel to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., this weekend.

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Revolving door

Since 2002, Bahamian voters have rejected the incumbent party at the polls, choosing instead to punish the government of the day and cast their lot with the alternative party. But how far has this revolving door gotten us, and have we ultimately been better off from our continual decision to reverse course?

The question is one we have pondered a lot recently as there is a growing mood against the Free National Movement, which was elected to office four years ago, promising more respectful and accountable governance, but somehow delivering way below the mark it set.

Daily on cable television, no matter the program we are watching, we are bombarded by political ads seeking to sell Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis as a focused, in-touch, visionary and caring leader, whose leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic saved lives, protected livelihoods and kept the country stable amid unprecedented challenges.

Whether voters will buy into that message will eventually be seen, but Minnis, we believe, has a tough climb on the believability ladder.

It’s not that Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip Brave Davis is exciting the masses or engendering confidence in his ability to steer us beyond the economic and fiscal quagmire we find ourselves in.

But there is a great deal of anger and anxiety among the population.

If disenchantment among voters deepens in coming months, that would be to Davis’ advantage.

During a recent discussion on these very issues with us, an astute political observer, who we do not know to have any particular political leaning, opined that it would be in the nation’s interest to vote Minnis and the FNM out.

“We will have Brave,” he said. “We will have to live with Brave and hang on for five years. Maybe, just maybe, after that we would have sensible leadership.”

That statement, sad as it was, left us thinking even more deeply about our dismal political offerings.

Our country cannot take another five years of poor leadership.

An early vote?

With the month of May just days away, the Minnis administration, with Minnis as finance minister, is no doubt placing a strong focus on preparing a national budget.

We do not envy Minnis and his team in making the difficult decisions in an attempt to keep us stable while articulating a plan to address our burgeoning debt, even as the pandemic rages.

The mid-year budget snapshot, released by the Ministry of Finance at the end of January, showed a deficit of $736.1 million and a national debt of $9.3 billion (as of September 2020). 

The government borrowed $2.1 billion in the first half of the fiscal year.

There is an expectation that things have only gotten worse since the Mid-Year Budget report as social services demands on the public purse have persisted.

Seizing the opportunity to portray itself as prepared and serious, the PLP in March released an economic plan, promising to reduce value-added tax from 12 percent to 10 percent, and pledging to “recommend” to the National Tripartite Council “that they move towards a minimum wage of $250 per week” from the $210 per week that currently exists in the private sector.

As the FNM upped its campaign activity early this year and started naming candidates, it fueled expectations that an early election will be called.

At the time, some pundits speculated that an election would be called for May 2021 so the FNM could possibly be re-elected ahead of what can only be a bad news budget.

That clearly is not going to happen.

This means that the months of May and June are most likely out for an early election, as well as July as the new spending plan takes effect.

In an election year, it would be political suicide for an administration to increase taxes. The view that had been expressed by some political observers was that an early election would have permitted the Minnis administration to make that kind of tough decision.

With the country gripped by a third wave of the coronavirus, even if he had contemplated an election in the first half of 2021, Minnis no doubt gets that he needs to wait for the situation to improve.

In the meantime, we can expect him to continue claiming a win well in advance of Election Day.

Without a doubt, political leaders must demonstrate confidence in their party’s ability to win an election. This is why we continue to hear Minnis make statements like the FNM will win all 39 seats in Parliament.

While he makes that declaration publicly – for understandable and obvious reasons – the prime minister, if he is being properly informed by his party’s strategists, must have some idea that his party is in trouble.

He is hoping to be the first prime minister since Hubert Ingraham in 1997 to lead his party to re-election.

The odds are increasing, though.

Minnis is no doubt banking on growing stability of the US economy with increasing numbers of adult Americans getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and jobs returning.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistic reported this month that the unemployment rate edged down to 6.0 percent in March.

It said these improvements in the labor market reflect the continued resumption of economic activity that had been curtailed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Job growth was widespread in March, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, public and private education, and construction.

If Minnis decides to run out his term, if the Minnis administration could get the majority of adults in The Bahamas vaccinated, and if Minnis could take us into 2022 with improved economic conditions, the FNM’s chances of re-election would improve.

But that’s a lot of “ifs”. That’s, in fact, a lot of very big “ifs”.

No matter how long he waits to call an election, many Bahamians have already made up their minds that they will vote Minnis and the FNM out.

Disconnect

There appears to be a very good chance that we will continue to play musical chairs in Bahamian politics.

Up next, Brave Davis and the PLP.

But why do we keep shifting every five years and is it good for national progress?

A 2014 ABC network article by Tim Dean, titled “It’s time to let political dinosaurs go extinct”, made very interesting observations about Australia that reflect the 2021 reality of Bahamian politics and voter sentiment.

Speaking of the malaise afflicting contemporary politics in Australia, Dean wrote: “We’re currently governed by 20th Century political dinosaurs that are offering ill-fitting solutions to 21st century problems based on obsolete ideologies from the 19th century. It’s not just about a lack of narrative or vision, it’s that whatever vision either party can muster is tailored for the wrong century.”

He continued, “I suspect that many of us have sensed a growing disconnect between the ideologies of the major parties and the challenges we face today, even if we might not all frame it in this way.

“This fundamental disconnect could account for some of our perpetual dissatisfaction with both sides of politics. It might account for why we keep switching between the two parties at both state and federal levels, only to become disillusioned with who we’ve placed in charge shortly thereafter.

“It might also account for why so many people under 30 have simply tuned out the major parties – after all, both parties are at odds with their very 21st Century values and worldview.”

If we didn’t know better, we would think Dean was writing his observation on our current state of affairs.

More precisely: we are governed by those who still seek to operate towards a colonial system of governance which is ill-fitted for the era we are in.

Pillar to post

Politicians are duty bound to inform the electorate on the plans they have should they be voted into office.

We have in many columns articulated the many pledges the Minnis administration did not fulfill. It is blaming Hurricanes Irma and Dorian, and now COVID-19 for derailing many of the plans it had upon coming to office.

While the FNM government expects to be forgiven for its failure to meet commitments, we suspect many voters will not give it the pass it expects.

While the PLP’s promises might sound enticing, we have too often seen politicians dangle carrots only to come in office and disregard their pledges.

The failure of our political leaders to do in office what they committed to doing in opposition is a major contributing factor to our perpetual dissatisfaction.

For the country, forward progress has been difficult to achieve.

There is no national vision which the major parties buy into and which the country has adopted. 

New administrations come in seeking to carry out their vision for the direction the country should head. Before they know it, they are at the middle of their term, the nation’s problems are mounting, a sour mood has set in among the electorate, and it becomes increasingly difficult to mark major achievements in the second half of a term, especially if public finances are severely depleted. 

Add to the mix – in the case of the current administration – a destructive Category 5 hurricane and a once in a century pandemic and you get the perfect recipe for another dramatic defeat at the polls.

While we can boast about our peaceful transition of power, our constant spinning of the wheels keeps pushing us back to square one.

When he shared with us his disappointment that the work of the multi-sectoral, apolitical team that worked on the National Development Plan was set aside after the government changed in 2017, Felix Stubbs, who headed the committee, stated, “One of the difficulties we have in The Bahamas is that we’re so divided by politics that we never ever have our best minds working on any problem, and so we go from pillar to post whenever administrations change.”

By no means are we advocating that the FNM should get another chance to complete its agenda after the next election. We will leave it to the voters to decide. 

We understand fully that giving one bad administration a shot at governing again is worse than continuing our revolving door approach to selecting who will govern our affairs.

Such is the decision that awaits us, sooner, we suspect, rather than later down the road.

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