BEC to crack down on electricity theft

The Nassau Guardian

BEC to crack down on electricity theft

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Anatol Rodgers principal dismisses BUT’s claims

The Nassau Guardian

Anatol Rodgers principal dismisses BUT’s claims

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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More crime fighting initiatives promised

The Nassau Guardian

More crime fighting initiatives promised

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Two primary schools still out of commission

The Nassau Guardian

Two primary schools still out of commission

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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‘Wanted’ suspect not really wanted

The Nassau Guardian

‘Wanted’ suspect not really wanted

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Nassau Guardian

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Ruling may prompt change to Employment Act

The Nassau Guardian

Ruling may prompt change to Employment Act

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

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

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

Gibson said the ruling was “interesting”.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Landowners want help in clearing shantytown

The Nassau Guardian

Landowners want help in clearing shantytown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Minister stands by plan to cut pay of protesting teachers

The Nassau Guardian

Minister stands by plan to cut pay of protesting teachers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Police force shake up

The Nassau Guardian

Police force shake up

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

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

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

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

­September 16.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Tourism Policing Unit will also have a new head.

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

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

The commanders of two Family Island divisions will switch places.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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FNM deputy: PLP has no referendum plan

The Nassau Guardian

FNM deputy: PLP has no referendum plan

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Nassau Guardian

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

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

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

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

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

 

Painted Skin: The Resurrection, directed by Wuershan

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

 

Caught in the Web, directed by Kaige Chen

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

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

 

Feng Shui, directed by Jing Wang

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

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

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

 

 

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Judge dismisses constitutional motion

The Nassau Guardian

Judge dismisses constitutional motion

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

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

Bain represented himself.

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

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

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

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

Raquel Whyms appeared for the Crown.

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Men in custody after police appeal

The Nassau Guardian

Men in custody after police appeal

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

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

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

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

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

Police said they turned themselves in yesterday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Miami group presses for ‘remaining truth’

The Nassau Guardian

Miami group presses for ‘remaining truth’

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

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

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

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

The government has called the video fake.

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

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

Sanchez said his group has not made these allegations up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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SCUBA Diving the Molokini Crater

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

Bahamas delegation in Cuba for talks

The Nassau Guardian

Bahamas delegation in Cuba for talks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mitchell has said that the video is a fake.

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

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

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

 

 

 

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Police find 1,500 pounds of marijuana on Andros

The Nassau Guardian

Police find 1,500 pounds of marijuana on Andros

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Former detainee relives ‘hellish’ experience

The Nassau Guardian

Former detainee relives ‘hellish’ experience

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

His children winced at the words.

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

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

The man ended up stabbing him, he claimed.

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Apparent suicide in Carmichael

The Nassau Guardian

Apparent suicide in Carmichael

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Murder accused fires lawyer

The Nassau Guardian

Murder accused fires lawyer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The matter had been adjourned to 11 a.m.

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

Barnett is on remand at her Majesty's Prisons.

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

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Tourist charged with rape

The Nassau Guardian

Tourist charged with rape

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Evans said Doherty earns $50,000 per year.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The case was adjourned until November 8.

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Call for reforms in QC selection process

The Nassau Guardian

Call for reforms in QC selection process

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Men Who Cook charity event slated for Saturday

The Nassau Guardian

Men Who Cook charity event slated for Saturday

The Bahamas Urban Youth Development Center presents its 2nd Annual Charity Event “Men Who Cook” Culinary Competition to benefit the Advancement for Health HIV/AIDS Prevention Project, that targets at risk adolescents and young women in New Providence and Grand Bahama.

On Saturday, August 31, Club Waterloo will once again open its doors and welcome dozens of men, giving them the opportunity to showcase their culinary arts for hundreds of enthusiastic locals and visitors to enjoy.

With the expansion and growth of this charitable culinary competition, Bahamians from all around the Bahamas are gearing up for a treat of delicious hot smoking BAR-B-Que along with many savory and mouth watering side dishes, icy cold drinks and great entertainment.

These dishes are some of the best you will find, and they are all prepared by some of the best chefs and master grillers as we are expecting chefs and cooks from all across The Bahamas to support this annual charity and sign up for the competition.

Men Who Cook Bahamas (MWCB) was launched in 2012 not only to raise funds to sustain BUYDC’s programs, but also to raise awareness about the prevalence of HIV/AIDS among young people in the Bahamas, and it is now recognized as the best

and most outstanding Charitable Cooking Competition in New Providence that involves teams of Men from all civic, social and political groups who joined this year’s competition as a way to give back, and get involved in the fight to prevent the spread of HIV among young people.

Don’t miss the hottest grilling and cooking action by men and fathers from your communities. The competition has some of the very best in Bahamian cooking. The BBQ is free all day till it’s gone with your $20.00 adult ticket. Local cooking and grilling teams will offer for public judging, samples of their home-cooked or hot off the grill signature dishes. Guests can taste and vote for their favorite dish in each of the four categories: Appetizers, Side dishes, Entrée’ and Desserts. In addition, there will be live music, a hot wings eating contest, a variety of dishes for your enjoyment, and plenty of giveaways. Tickets are on sale at the door for only $20.00 adults & $10 for children 12 & under. The event opens to the public at 12:00 p.m.

To register for the event, pick up a registration form from the Bahamas Urban Youth Development Center, or download the form and rules from www.menwhocook-bahamas.com.

 

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PM: Bahamas innocent victim in Cuban affair

The Nassau Guardian

PM: Bahamas innocent victim in Cuban affair

The Bahamas is an “innocent victim” that has become the target of protests from sympathizers of Cuban immigrants, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday, but added that all claims of abuse toward detainees will be investigated.

Christie was asked to respond to a letter that was reportedly sent to him by US Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio and Congress members Mario Diaz-Balart, Albio Sires and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the U.S. representative for Florida’s 27th congressional district.

The letter asked Christie to stop any further Cuban repatriations.

On Friday, the government repatriated 24 Cubans.

Christie said he is worried about damage The Bahamas’ reputation might sustain because of the negative press and criticism.

He said The Bahamas conducts repatriations in accordance with international treaties.

He said when Cuban immigrants are detained in the country the United Nations comes in and assesses who is eligible for asylum.

“We do not invite the Cubans to come to The Bahamas [illegally],” Christie said. “They come in and when they come in we are spending significant resources to ensure that they are treated in a very hospitable way even though they are in the Detention Centre, that there is a level of comfort that ought to exist.”

The prime minister stressed that the government does not encourage detention center officers to be cruel to detainees.

“That’s not the intention of the government,” he said. “When we have allegations we investigate the allegations.

“We are in the process now of investigating those allegations. Clearly, there will be a finding on it.

“People are very emotional on this subject but we are going to find a way to deal with it.

“We’re going to try to work through this problem. We are innocent victims as a country and a government of this entire situation.

“If, in fact, a few of our officers have caused people to have harm inflicted upon them, then we have to find those parties and they have to pay the price for their misdeeds.”

Christie said the government has concerns over the traction the issue has gained.

“I’m very saddened by the development where Cuban Americans have been led to believe that we as a country treated Cubans in the detention center cruelly.

“I’m hoping that we arrive very quickly at the final results of the investigation on it, so that they can see that we are a country of laws and a country of justice and that we will see that justice is done.”

On Sunday, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell refuted an assertion made by Ros-Lehtinen that a video purporting to show Cuban detainees at the detention center being beaten by Bahamian officers is legitimate.

According to an article appearing in the Miami Herald, Ros-Lehtinen said on Friday that U.S. State Department officials told her that Nassau officials have confirmed the video was real and fired the “guilty guards”.

However, Mitchell said, “The Bahamas has not admitted to the authenticity of the video which the protestors themselves have admitted is a fake.”

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Minnis wants answers on Rahming’s appointment

The Nassau Guardian

Minnis wants answers on Rahming’s appointment

Leader of the Opposition Dr. Hubert Minnis yesterday renewed calls for the government to speak to the issue of the delayed confirmation of Dr. Elliston Rahming as Bahamas ambassador to the United States.

“I have spoken to ambassadors in the region and The Bahamas is the laughing stock,” he said in an interview with The Nassau Guardian yesterday.

“In their experience if an ambassador has not been named in two months, most likely they will not be confirmed.

“What they would probably do to damper the embarrassment that they are exposing us to, is to remove [Bahamas Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Eugene Newry] from New York and name him as ambassador and keep Rahming in the post that he is in.”

He was referring to Rahming’s appointment as permanent representative to the Organization of American States (OAS).

Rahming’s appointment as ambassador and OAS representative was made in February.

He assumed his duties as permanent representative to the OAS shortly after that, but has not received word on his appointment as ambassador.

“The Christie administration is an embarrassment and the opposition recommends that they resolve this issue as soon as possible,” Minnis said.

Rahming, the former superintendent of Her Majesty’s Prisons, is stationed in Washington, D.C.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said yesterday that nothing had changed concerning Rahming’s situation and would not offer further comment.

The Free National Movement (FNM) previously called on the government to withdraw Rahming’s name and offer a new representative.

A statement issued by the government on July 1 indicated that Prime Minister Perry Christie had directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with regard to the appointments of consuls general in Miami and Atlanta.

But the ministry did not announce any names.

The statement also said a further announcement will be made shortly about changes in personnel in the diplomatic service as soon as the necessary formalities have been concluded.

It remains unclear which areas will be affected by the changes.

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Woman jailed on gun possession charge

The Nassau Guardian

Woman jailed on gun possession charge

A Haitian woman who was in the country illegally was yesterday sentenced to the mandatory minimum of four years on a gun possession charge.

Celicia Belton, of The Mudd, Abaco, admitted to having a .380 pistol when she appeared in the Gun Court.

Police officers in Abaco found the firearm hidden in a sofa during a search.

Belton, who pleaded guilty through a Haitian-Creole interpreter, asked Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt to have mercy on her.

Ferguson-Pratt explained that the punishment for gun possession was a range of four to seven years.

The magistrate said that she did not think Belton deserved the maximum penalty and sentenced her to four years.

Belton’s co-defendant Germain Dumercie denied the charge. Dumercie, who is in the country legally, was granted $10,000 bail with two sureties.

He makes his next court appearance on September 27.

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Boy found dead

The Nassau Guardian

Boy found dead

A two-year-old boy who was allegedly beaten yesterday was found dead in an apartment on Allen Drive, off Carmichael Road, police said.

A family friend made the discovery and contacted police who arrived on scene around 3:30 p.m.  

The toddler was pronounced dead on scene by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.  

Superintendent Paul Rolle, head of the Central Detective Unit, told reporters the boy’s mother left for work after preparing a meal for her two sons. The two-year-old boy and his five-year-old brother were left in the care of a man the mother knows, according to police.  

Rolle said based on preliminary reports, the victim was allegedly punished with a beating sometime after he had eaten.  He said the boy reportedly went to his bedroom to lie down, and a short while later he was beaten a second time.  

In both incidents, the person who beat the child allegedly used a frying pan to administer the beatings.  

“At this time another one of the friends of the family came by and the [person who allegedly beat the boy] left,” Rolle said.  

“When she went into the room she met the child in an unresponsive state in the bed.”  

When The Nassau Guardian arrived on scene distraught relatives were gathered around the two-storey complex.  

A woman in a car in front of the home rocked back and forth, and raised her hands incessantly.  

Onlookers gathered as the child’s body was taken out of the house.  

Rolle said the 30-year-old suspect was found on Allen Drive shortly after police arrived on scene.  

He was taken into custody and was expected to be questioned last night.

Police classified the unidentified boy’s death as a homicide.

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Apparent suicide of RBDF marine

The Nassau Guardian

Apparent suicide of RBDF marine

As police probed an alleged suicide of a Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) marine, the organization said its members were mourning and the marine will be "greatly missed".

Chinyere Wilkinson, 41, a leading mechanic who has been on the Defence Force for 16 years, was found hanging by the neck in the hallway of his apartment on Fire Trail Road on Friday night, according to police.

A relative reportedly discovered Wilkinson after entering the apartment around 7 p.m.

When The Nassau Guardian arrived on the scene, several distraught relatives and friends were screaming and attempting to console each another.

In a statement, Commander of the Defence Force Commodore Roderick Bowe extended sincere condolences to Wilkinson’s family and friends on behalf of the organization.

But he did not comment on how Wilkinson died.

The Defence Force described Wilkinson as a quiet, competent and committed marine.

The organization said Wilkinson served in numerous departments, including engineering, the Harbor Patrol Unit and recently the supply department.

The statement said the marine’s presence will be greatly missed.

Assistant Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said on Friday night it was not clear how long Wilkinson had been hanging from the ceiling.

“The circumstances surrounding this death are not clear so we have an active investigation ongoing at the moment,” Ferguson said.

He said yesterday police were still trying to determine what might have led to Wilkinson taking his life.

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Union threatens to withdraw labor at two schools

The Nassau Guardian

Union threatens to withdraw labor at two schools

The Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) yesterday threatened that when schools open across the country in September it would withdraw its labor from two of them if the principals are not removed.

BUT President Belinda Wilson called on the government to intervene.

She said Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald has been placed on notice.

Wilson said one school is located on New Providence and the other is on Grand Bahama.

“At this time, I will not call the names, but we have placed the ministry, the minister of education, the permanent secretary and the director on notice that the Bahamas Union of Teachers and our members within those two schools are not prepared to begin the new school year with those two principals in the schools,” Wilson told The Nassau Guardian on the sidelines of the Public School Administrators Workshop.

“We are concerned about the academic direction of the schools.

“We are also concerned about the hostile environment at the schools, and the teachers for the most part do not feel that they are supported by these two administrators.

“We believe that the schools can move forward much more quickly and in a positive way if both of those administrators are removed from both of those schools.”

Fitzgerald said last night he will not name the schools either that the union has issues with.

He acknowledged Wilson’s concerns on the matter.

Asked whether he is concerned about possible industrial action, Fitzgerald said, “If the president of the union says that, of course we have to take it seriously which is why I have acknowledged. We will see what happens.”

Charles Wildgoose, president of the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union (BEMU), said he was not aware of the BUT’s concerns, but he said Wilson, “has her approach of dealing with matters”.

“It would be good if at some point in time, we could exchange concerns and seek to deal with [them], but I think she would have reported the concerns.

“I hope she did or does to the director of education, who in turn will seek information from the superintendent and the principals.

“I know for a fact BUT has expressed some concerns about the leadership in some schools.

“The dialogue is very important and there is a process, and I try to do both.

“If there is a concern about our membership, I go to the source and I find out what the facts are and follow due process in investigating it and seeking to deal with it.”

 

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Victim tells of alleged sex assault

The Nassau Guardian

Victim tells of alleged sex assault

An alleged victim yesterday told a court how a handyman at her church dragged her into a bathroom and sexually assaulted her.

The woman was testifying at the unlawful sexual intercourse trial of Leroy Adderley, who is also known as Rolly. He worked as a handyman at Agape Full Gospel Church in Golden Palm Estates.

Adderley has pleaded not guilty to the allegation at his trial before Justice Vera Watkins.

The student, who is now 18, was 12 when the assault allegedly occurred on July 30, 2007.

The woman, whose name has been withheld for legal reasons, said she was playing with friends after a vacation Bible school at the church ended for the day.

She said Adderley, whom she “respected and trusted”, told her she was needed downstairs to answer the phone in the reception area.

The young woman said she accompanied Adderley, who dragged her into the bathroom once she reached the foyer.

The woman said she was too terrified to scream as Adderley pulled down her pants and underwear and had sex with her as she stood up.

The woman said she did not tell her stepfather, a policeman, about the alleged sexual assault when he picked up her, her sister and her cousins. However, she said a complaint was made at the police station later that day and she was examined by a doctor at the hospital.

The woman denied suggestions by Adderley’s lawyer, Romona Farquharson, that she was sent downstairs as a reprimand for poking fun at her teacher’s accent.

The woman denied that she was admonished earlier for “playing around with boys”.

Farquharson asked the woman if Adderley did anything to her legs during the alleged assault and she said he did not.

The case continues. Neil Brathwaite and Uel Johnson are the prosecutors.

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More Cubans repatriated

The Nassau Guardian

More Cubans repatriated

Days after 24 Cuban detainees were repatriated, the government sent an additional eight Cuban migrants home Tuesday, according to the Department of Immigration.

The news comes as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell on Tuesday revealed that the United States has granted asylum to as many as 10 Cuban migrants in The Bahamas.

Mitchell said the migrants were paroled out of the Carmichael Road Detention Centre after they were determined to be eligible for asylum status.

He said some of the migrants were released “as long as a year ago, and have been living in safe houses in The Bahamas”.

In addition to that, two Cuban detainees who are being held at Her Majesty’s Prisons may be granted asylum in the United States, their attorney Roger Gomez Jr. said yesterday.

Mauricio Valdez and Randy Rodriguez are awaiting final approval from authorities in the U.S.

Authorities from the United Nations interviewed Pedro Parrado, who is being held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, last week. They are looking for a third country that will accept him, Gomez said.

Gomez had filed a writ of habeas corpus seeking the Cubans’ release.

The men appeared before Justice Carolita Bethell to give an update or their asylum status.

Mitchell has said that the men are seeking release based on “various allegations of abuse”.

If no country other than Cuba accepts the men, a full hearing of their case would take place on September 9.

But Mitchell said a part of the difficulty with the asylum process is how long it takes.

“[The U.S.] process takes anywhere from one month to six months once they’ve actually made the decision to take the people into the states,” he said.

Before this latest round of repatriations, Miami-based Democracy Movement called off its protests against The Bahamas pending the fate of 22 Cuban detainees.

The group claims that guards at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre abused Cuban detainees.

The Bahamas government has denied the claim.

A Florida lawmaker branded as “spineless” and “immoral” The Bahamas’ decision to repatriate the 24 Cubans last week.

However, Mitchell took exception to the comments.

“The U.S. Coast Guard regularly sends people back to Havana,” he said.

“They interdict them on the seas. There is a migration committee that meets between the United States government and the Cuban government twice a year; they have the modalities all worked out.

“So what these people are making noise about, I have no idea; and these vile things their legislators are saying about The Bahamas.

“They don’t say the same thing about the United States when they exercise the same powers.”

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FAA makes no further findings against LPIA

The Nassau Guardian

FAA makes no further findings against LPIA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) made no further findings against The Bahamas when it conducted its latest review of Lynden Pindling International Airport’s (LPIA) safety regulations, Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin said yesterday.

This was the first test since the FAA identified several issues at LPIA in May.

According to officials, The Bahamas spent about $3 million to correct deficiencies.

“Any issues that were raised in May were addressed and today there were no findings,” the minister said.

August 21 was the deadline for the Department of Civil Aviation to address the concerns that were raised in order to bring its standards up to the FAA’s minimum requirements for aviation safety.

Hanna-Martin said the government will receive formal notification next week on the country’s category status.

The Bahamas’ performance in yesterday’s assessment could have potentially led to a downgrade to a category 2 International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) jurisdiction, rather than a category 1 IASA jurisdiction.

Hanna-Martin underscored the importance of avoiding such a downgrade.

“The issue of a reputable aviation sector... is directly related to our economy and the well being of our nation,” she said.

“We are a tourism destination, and the importance of airlift internationally is critical to our economy. So anything that would have brought into question the quality of our aviation sector is something that is a matter of grave concern for every single Bahamian.”

Director of Civil Aviation Captain Patrick Rolle said the FAA identified a wide range of issues in May.

Rolle said the key issue had to do with training practices. He said a lack of current aviation inspectors was also an issue.

“What happens after the audit, they (FAA officials) go back and make an assessment of what the original assessments were,” Rolle said.

“Civil Aviation then sends a corrective action plan based on what those findings were and then they come back to review and to consult with the state to ensure that those things that we said were corrected, were actually corrected and what we did today was show the proof.”

With the FAA’s audit out of the way, Hanna-Martin said the Department of Civil Aviation’s will now start preparing for another audit, which will be conducted in October.

That audit will be carried out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Rolle said the department has some work to do in order to meet ICAO standards.

“Auditors will always find something wrong; that’s the nature of their business,” he said.

“Our job is to be in a position to correct those things. So what we’ve done is started a corrective action plan to ensure that we address all of those things that we think the focus will be on.”

A part of the corrective plan is to install a new radar.

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Cubans repatriated

The Nassau Guardian

Cubans repatriated

Twenty-four Cubans were repatriated in two separate flights yesterday, Director of Immigration William Pratt said.

The group included two immigrants who were being held at Her Majesty’s Prisons and the remaining Cubans were being held at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre, Pratt said.

Florida-based protesters from Democracy Movement have protested outside The Bahamas consulate in Miami for weeks.  The group has claimed that Cuban detainees at the detention center have been abused.

The Bahamas government has strongly denied the assertion.

Ramon Sanchez, a representative of the group, said the organization did not support the Cubans  being sent back to Cuba.

According to international reports, sympathizers with the detainees called the repatriation “deceitful” and claimed that some in the group were offered asylum in Panama.

Pratt said the group did not meet requirements for asylum and added that he did not understand the motivation for the protests.

“I really don’t know what is so deceitful about it because those persons were interviewed by our trained officers,” he said.

“... Their applications were [looked over] by UNHCR representatives and it was determined that they were not persons considered for refugee protection.

“And because the UNHCR already established, along with our trained personnel who UNHCR trained, it was determined that they were not considered persons who need protection under the UNHCR convention or protocol.

“So again our policy is that any persons illegally entering The Bahamas, once we process and we determine that they are not persons needing refugee protection, they are to be returned to the country from whence they came.”

Pratt added that he knew of no offer from Panama’s government to give the Cubans asylum.

“As far as I know there was no official request from the Panamanian government,” he said.

Pratt said two more Cuban immigrants remain at the prison.  He added that there are approximately 20 more Cuban detainees at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Darron Cash said this week the party thinks that Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell handled the matter belligerently.  He said the FNM had concerns about the way the government managed the issue.

“As we have watched this unfold over the last several weeks it seems clearer every day that in the language, in the tone, in the approach that the minister of foreign affairs has taken that management is not the word that would best be used to describe how he handed it,” Cash said.

The Bahamas Consulate in Miami was put on alert Thursday after a threat was made against it, Mitchell said.

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I'm looking for some help building up the dive shop section of my directory here: http://www.offermewhatever.com/directory  in the
 dive shops section.  I don't have any pagerank yet but will soon hopefully and the links are free, please suggest your state and and your website.  backlinks are appreciated if you can. 

Some good reasons to go to the Bahamas, especially if you are on the East Coast.
http://www.jaystephenson.me/2013-06-17-17-24-28/nassau-bahamas/5-bahamas

The Waterford boat launch, also known as the Dock Rd. boat launch fairly popular dive site in Connecticut.  This site is good for night diving and diving when there isn't alot of boat traffic.

Sports Memorabilia - NFL MLB NHL NASCAR NBA COLLEGE

Sports Memorabilia - NFL MLB NHL NASCAR NBA COLLEGE

Atlantis unveils new logo to commemorate its 20th year

Marking its 20th year in The Bahamas, Atlantis, Paradise Island, 

has announced that it is adding three important words to its 

logo: "THEN…NOW…ALWAYS."

If you are looking to save money when traveling to the Harborside resort in the Bahamas then check out the site: Saving money at the Harborside Resort at Atlantis in the Bahamas