Christie at odds with PM over six planned Baha Mar hotels
tribune242
PLP leader Perry Christie is at odds with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham over his belief that the six hotels which are to be built as part of the Baha Mar Resort should be built or opened in phases.
Mr Christie said it would only increase the cost of the project to break down the construction into phases, and would make little sense for the resort developers not to open all of the hotels at the same time if they were all constructed simultaneously.
Information reaching The Tribune is that Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham may have asked the Chinese if the hotels could be built in phases rather than all at once or that if this could not be accommodated, that they would open in a phased manner.
But Mr Christie said that considering the fact that so much money was being borrowed to fund the hotels' construction it would "not make sense to have hotels sitting there that they couldn't sell", referring to the ability to sell rooms within the hotels once they are completed.
And he added that the size of the Baha Mar development was one of the reasons for the re-development of the Lynden Pindling International Airport.
Studies
"Don't forget, Baha Mar engaged a company to do studies which concluded that both the Baha Mar development and Atlantis can co-exist/be developed at the same time," said Mr Christie.
Meanwhile, Mr Christie also told The Tribune that he understands that coming out of the Prime Minister's meetings with Baha Mar financiers, China Export Import Bank and the China State Construction Company, its general contractor, an arrangement may have been reached whereby the Bahamian labour component on the construction project would be increased by ten per cent, with 40 per cent Bahamian and 60 per cent Chinese labour.
Some sources had suggested Mr Ingraham had sought to negotiate a $200million increase in the amount of funding that will go to Bahamian contractors in connection with the project.
"The Prime Minister, I presume upon his return, will advise the country as to whether or not he was able to succeed in these discussions," said Mr Christie last week.
Stephen Wrinkle, President of the Bahamas Contractors Association, said yesterday that prior to Mr Ingraham leaving for China he told the BCA in a meeting that he would seek to increase the Bahamian content of the labour force and get more work for Bahamian contractors as part of the Baha Mar project.
"We have to ensure we've got the quantity of the workers and the dollar value comes to the contractors and not just payrolls," said Mr Wrinkle yesterday.
The contractor added that as the industry awaits an announcement on what was the outcome of any efforts on behalf of Mr Ingraham to achieve this end, the BCA continues to dialogue with Baha Mar and BTVI on training workers so they are prepared "at such time as when the facts and figures emerge".
"We know there will be a Bahamian content in the labour force and the project and we are continuing to focus our efforts on preparing our workers and contractors so if the work the Prime Minister is doing comes to fruition we will be able to presentable work force for project," said Mr Wrinkle.
November 08, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Those who did the harm to the fine folks currently in disputed occupation on lands owned by Arawak Homes should be brought to justice
Arawak Homes; Truth and Facts
By Felix Bethel
jonesbahamas
Regrettably, the Wilson family, Arawak Homes and some of their business associates have become and now stand as objects of scorn and easy vilification by many Bahamians who cling to their misguided views concerning some acreages of land in Pinewood Gardens that clearly belong to Arawak Homes.
This matter begs for a solution that might well be compared with one such that could be made by a modern-day Solomon; such a one that would recognize the views, values and aspirations of those people who were duped, ripped off and otherwise abused by any number of fraudsters.
While we know it for a fact that, Mr. Franklyn R. Wilson, his family and Arawak Homes have what it takes to defend themselves, we would like – for the sake of the record- to tell the public that, we abhor some of the most recent attempts made to demonize this man, his business and his family. For quite some time now, Mr. Wilson, his family and very many of his business associates have been the intended victims of any number of slurs, charges, innuendoes and a host of unfortunate characterizations – which taken together – amount to one of the nastiest cases of collective character assassination in today’s Bahamas.
This latest effort comes on the heels of some of Arawak Homes’ legitimate attempts to take full and free possession of lands that belong to them – as attested and affirmed by the highest courts in our land.
Were we living in a place where good sense and the rule of law happened to be the order of the day, this would have been the end of the matter as far as Arawak Homes and its principals were concerned.
As for the gangsters who duped the poor; those whose duty it is to ferret out and bring to justice such crooks should be given the time, the resources and other materiel needed to bring them all before the courts.
It is incontestably factual that, "Blatant fraud and dishonesty" have left scores of Bahamians without good title to their homes on a 150-acre tract of land near Pinewood Gardens…”
We also know that it is a fact that, some of this fraud’s perpetrators have gone so far as to falsify a Supreme Court judge's order in an apparent bid to cover their tracks.
In addition, we know that, in at least two Supreme Court judgments, we find a classic tale of how a greedy group hiding behind the name Horizon Systems, aided and abetted by unscrupulous attorneys, have exploited poor, unsuspecting Bahamians for their own financial gain.
In this regard, note that, in one of the said judgments –as rendered by former Senior Justice John Lyons on November 7, 2003 – there is evidence galore to show that John Sands, aided by his attorney Leon Smith, of Smith, Smith & Co, fraudulently induced the Supreme Court to issue him a Certificate of Title to the 156-acre tract on November 30, 1990, via a Quieting Titles action.
We also know that, it was precisely this Certificate of Title, which was set aside by the Supreme Court; with such “titles” being of absolutely no value. And for sure, these rulings do show that Arawak Homes has good title to the land; and that the real grievance the homeowners do have is with the fraudsters who sold them land in the first place.
Evidently, those people who used attorneys to conduct title searches are best placed to recover their money; this because they can sue those lawyers for negligence and claim against their professional indemnity insurance. As regards the second judgment, delivered by Supreme Court Justice Hartman Longley, it was found that within a week of obtaining his fraudulent Certificate of Title, John Sands had conveyed the entire 156 acres of land to Horizon Systems for a collective $107,000.
Mr. Leon Smith acted for both seller and purchaser.
This action was in clear breach of a 1991 Supreme Court injunction preventing Mr. John Sands from selling any part of the 156 acres in question. Clearly, then, this means that both Mr. Sands and Horizon Systems were then in blatant contempt of the court.
But as telling happens to be the fact that, Horizon Systems then, according to Justice Longley's ruling, began selling lots to Bahamians, many of whom were relatively poor and lacked the means to pay attorneys to conduct title searches on their behalf.
Here the bottom line is that, Justice Longley had already ruled that Horizon Systems had not and did not acquire any title or interest in the 156 acres as a result of the original fraud; thus the issuance of an injunction against it to prevent it from selling any more lots.
At this juncture, then, there is a crying need for those who continue to bay at the Wilson family to cease and desist; and for those who did the harm to the fine folks currently in disputed occupation on lands owned by Arawak Homes to be brought to justice.
November 9th. 2010
jonesbahamas
By Felix Bethel
jonesbahamas
Regrettably, the Wilson family, Arawak Homes and some of their business associates have become and now stand as objects of scorn and easy vilification by many Bahamians who cling to their misguided views concerning some acreages of land in Pinewood Gardens that clearly belong to Arawak Homes.
This matter begs for a solution that might well be compared with one such that could be made by a modern-day Solomon; such a one that would recognize the views, values and aspirations of those people who were duped, ripped off and otherwise abused by any number of fraudsters.
While we know it for a fact that, Mr. Franklyn R. Wilson, his family and Arawak Homes have what it takes to defend themselves, we would like – for the sake of the record- to tell the public that, we abhor some of the most recent attempts made to demonize this man, his business and his family. For quite some time now, Mr. Wilson, his family and very many of his business associates have been the intended victims of any number of slurs, charges, innuendoes and a host of unfortunate characterizations – which taken together – amount to one of the nastiest cases of collective character assassination in today’s Bahamas.
This latest effort comes on the heels of some of Arawak Homes’ legitimate attempts to take full and free possession of lands that belong to them – as attested and affirmed by the highest courts in our land.
Were we living in a place where good sense and the rule of law happened to be the order of the day, this would have been the end of the matter as far as Arawak Homes and its principals were concerned.
As for the gangsters who duped the poor; those whose duty it is to ferret out and bring to justice such crooks should be given the time, the resources and other materiel needed to bring them all before the courts.
It is incontestably factual that, "Blatant fraud and dishonesty" have left scores of Bahamians without good title to their homes on a 150-acre tract of land near Pinewood Gardens…”
We also know that it is a fact that, some of this fraud’s perpetrators have gone so far as to falsify a Supreme Court judge's order in an apparent bid to cover their tracks.
In addition, we know that, in at least two Supreme Court judgments, we find a classic tale of how a greedy group hiding behind the name Horizon Systems, aided and abetted by unscrupulous attorneys, have exploited poor, unsuspecting Bahamians for their own financial gain.
In this regard, note that, in one of the said judgments –as rendered by former Senior Justice John Lyons on November 7, 2003 – there is evidence galore to show that John Sands, aided by his attorney Leon Smith, of Smith, Smith & Co, fraudulently induced the Supreme Court to issue him a Certificate of Title to the 156-acre tract on November 30, 1990, via a Quieting Titles action.
We also know that, it was precisely this Certificate of Title, which was set aside by the Supreme Court; with such “titles” being of absolutely no value. And for sure, these rulings do show that Arawak Homes has good title to the land; and that the real grievance the homeowners do have is with the fraudsters who sold them land in the first place.
Evidently, those people who used attorneys to conduct title searches are best placed to recover their money; this because they can sue those lawyers for negligence and claim against their professional indemnity insurance. As regards the second judgment, delivered by Supreme Court Justice Hartman Longley, it was found that within a week of obtaining his fraudulent Certificate of Title, John Sands had conveyed the entire 156 acres of land to Horizon Systems for a collective $107,000.
Mr. Leon Smith acted for both seller and purchaser.
This action was in clear breach of a 1991 Supreme Court injunction preventing Mr. John Sands from selling any part of the 156 acres in question. Clearly, then, this means that both Mr. Sands and Horizon Systems were then in blatant contempt of the court.
But as telling happens to be the fact that, Horizon Systems then, according to Justice Longley's ruling, began selling lots to Bahamians, many of whom were relatively poor and lacked the means to pay attorneys to conduct title searches on their behalf.
Here the bottom line is that, Justice Longley had already ruled that Horizon Systems had not and did not acquire any title or interest in the 156 acres as a result of the original fraud; thus the issuance of an injunction against it to prevent it from selling any more lots.
At this juncture, then, there is a crying need for those who continue to bay at the Wilson family to cease and desist; and for those who did the harm to the fine folks currently in disputed occupation on lands owned by Arawak Homes to be brought to justice.
November 9th. 2010
jonesbahamas
The $2.6 billion Baha Mar project will call for tens of millions of dollars in public infrastructure changes
High Baha Mar taxpayer costs...
Utilities prepare to carry out millions in work
By CANDIA DAMES Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
The planned $2.6 billion Baha Mar project will call for tens of millions of dollars in public infrastructure changes in a massive effort that is already being coordinated with the involvement of utility companies in The Bahamas.
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), the Water and Sewerage Corporation and Cable Bahamas are all in discussions with Baha Mar on how to handle the significant and costly rerouting the project would necessitate.
According to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, the government would need to borrow $50 million for its share of infrastructure costs connected to the project.
The 11th revision of the Baha Mar infrastructure designs show West Bay Street being rerouted at the Gaming Board with a new roundabout to be constructed at the Breezes SuperClubs hotel.
It also calls for the construction of several more roundabouts along the new West Bay Street, including a roundabout at Baha Mar’s golf course, one at a new road linking John F. Kennedy Drive to West Bay Street, another at Baha Mar’s commercial center and one at the Sheraton Resort.
The area now known as Cable Beach has a long history of involvement with local utilities. In fact, it is a landmark location for telecommunications infrastructure in The Bahamas.
In 1892, a telegraph cable connecting Jupiter, Florida to Goodman’s Bay was completed at a cost of 30,000 pounds in a joint venture between the Bahamas Government and Marconi Communications.
That cable gave Cable Beach its name during what was the start of telecommunications in The Bahamas. To this date, there remains much fiber optic cables in that area, including BDSNi, Bahamas 2, Acros interconnecting all telecommunications to the southeast islands in The Bahamas and also Haiti.
All these years after the first cable was laid, Cable Beach is not known for the cable laid from 1892. It is known for its upscale neighborhoods and for the current Baha Mar properties that line the strip.
The massive project would significantly impact the current telecommunications infrastructure in the area, but also other utilities like electricity, water and sewerage and cable (Cable Bahamas).`
The median along what is known as the strip is not just an area with aesthetic value. It is home to much of BTC’s infrastructure in that area. And all of that copper and fiber cable would have to be relocated.
Kirk Griffin, acting president and CEO of BTC, said the company also has three cell cites in the area that would be impacted.
“We pretty much know if there are no changes to what their (Baha Mar’s) proposals are what it is we have to do,” said Griffin, noting that this would cost “a few” million dollars.
Griffin said BTC is looking at different options for rerouting.
One is rerouting around the Prospect Ridge area.
While indicating that the undertaking would be significant, Griffin said it is nothing that BTC cannot handle.
“This is something that we are very much accustomed to and quite capable of doing,” he said.
Griffin added that BTC views the Baha Mar opportunity as beneficial because the company would be able to generate additional revenue.
He said BTC does not expect to have to pay for the work that must take place, but stressed that the company was awaiting final details on if and how the development would proceed.
BEC’s General Manager Kevin Basden said his corporation estimates that its work connected to the Baha Mar project could cost between $30 million and $40 million.
“We’re prepared to meet whatever is required,” Basden said. “We have the resources in house and we will couple that with where necessary.”
Baha Mar has reportedly requested that the planned two-lane road known as Corridor 7, linking John F. Kennedy Drive to West Bay Street, be developed as four lanes and all high voltage cables be buried.
Basden said BEC’s approach to the project would depend on whether it is a phased development.
“What I can say is the first order of business more than likely will be the construction of the new roadway and provision of a utility corridor,” he said.
“[What we would have to do is implement] new cables along the new road. Those new cables will then be utilized to replace existing cables along West Bay Street.”
BEC currently has high voltage cables that run along West Bay Street servicing customers in the area.
Basden said the important thing is going to be to maintain supplies for customers.
“Based on the information that we have received thus far all of our cables along West Bay Street will have to be relocated,” he said.
Additionally, BEC has two major transformers along the Cable Beach median that will also have to be relocated, as will a major primary substation at Cable Beach east of the Cable Beach Police Station, Basden pointed out.
According to Basden, the work would call for a generator upgrade to factor in load growth.
“So, it’s going to call for major works on the part of BEC,” he said.
Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice president of governmental and external affairs, said the developers are satisfied that they are advancing the planning of the infrastructure element of the project.
“We see this as a very seamless transition,” Sands said. “The development of the new West Bay Street does not impact the current West Bay Street.
“In fact, the new West Bay Street has to be totally completed before we begin to close a portion of the existing West Bay Street.”
Making a point that was also made by Griffin and Basden, Sands said residents do not have to be concerned about any disruptions associated with the development.
“We’re very happy,” he said.
“We’ve had excellent cooperation from the various government ministries, from the utility corporations and we’re advancing our work.”
11/8/2010
thenassauguardian
Utilities prepare to carry out millions in work
By CANDIA DAMES Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com
The planned $2.6 billion Baha Mar project will call for tens of millions of dollars in public infrastructure changes in a massive effort that is already being coordinated with the involvement of utility companies in The Bahamas.
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC), the Water and Sewerage Corporation and Cable Bahamas are all in discussions with Baha Mar on how to handle the significant and costly rerouting the project would necessitate.
According to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, the government would need to borrow $50 million for its share of infrastructure costs connected to the project.
The 11th revision of the Baha Mar infrastructure designs show West Bay Street being rerouted at the Gaming Board with a new roundabout to be constructed at the Breezes SuperClubs hotel.
It also calls for the construction of several more roundabouts along the new West Bay Street, including a roundabout at Baha Mar’s golf course, one at a new road linking John F. Kennedy Drive to West Bay Street, another at Baha Mar’s commercial center and one at the Sheraton Resort.
The area now known as Cable Beach has a long history of involvement with local utilities. In fact, it is a landmark location for telecommunications infrastructure in The Bahamas.
In 1892, a telegraph cable connecting Jupiter, Florida to Goodman’s Bay was completed at a cost of 30,000 pounds in a joint venture between the Bahamas Government and Marconi Communications.
That cable gave Cable Beach its name during what was the start of telecommunications in The Bahamas. To this date, there remains much fiber optic cables in that area, including BDSNi, Bahamas 2, Acros interconnecting all telecommunications to the southeast islands in The Bahamas and also Haiti.
All these years after the first cable was laid, Cable Beach is not known for the cable laid from 1892. It is known for its upscale neighborhoods and for the current Baha Mar properties that line the strip.
The massive project would significantly impact the current telecommunications infrastructure in the area, but also other utilities like electricity, water and sewerage and cable (Cable Bahamas).`
The median along what is known as the strip is not just an area with aesthetic value. It is home to much of BTC’s infrastructure in that area. And all of that copper and fiber cable would have to be relocated.
Kirk Griffin, acting president and CEO of BTC, said the company also has three cell cites in the area that would be impacted.
“We pretty much know if there are no changes to what their (Baha Mar’s) proposals are what it is we have to do,” said Griffin, noting that this would cost “a few” million dollars.
Griffin said BTC is looking at different options for rerouting.
One is rerouting around the Prospect Ridge area.
While indicating that the undertaking would be significant, Griffin said it is nothing that BTC cannot handle.
“This is something that we are very much accustomed to and quite capable of doing,” he said.
Griffin added that BTC views the Baha Mar opportunity as beneficial because the company would be able to generate additional revenue.
He said BTC does not expect to have to pay for the work that must take place, but stressed that the company was awaiting final details on if and how the development would proceed.
BEC’s General Manager Kevin Basden said his corporation estimates that its work connected to the Baha Mar project could cost between $30 million and $40 million.
“We’re prepared to meet whatever is required,” Basden said. “We have the resources in house and we will couple that with where necessary.”
Baha Mar has reportedly requested that the planned two-lane road known as Corridor 7, linking John F. Kennedy Drive to West Bay Street, be developed as four lanes and all high voltage cables be buried.
Basden said BEC’s approach to the project would depend on whether it is a phased development.
“What I can say is the first order of business more than likely will be the construction of the new roadway and provision of a utility corridor,” he said.
“[What we would have to do is implement] new cables along the new road. Those new cables will then be utilized to replace existing cables along West Bay Street.”
BEC currently has high voltage cables that run along West Bay Street servicing customers in the area.
Basden said the important thing is going to be to maintain supplies for customers.
“Based on the information that we have received thus far all of our cables along West Bay Street will have to be relocated,” he said.
Additionally, BEC has two major transformers along the Cable Beach median that will also have to be relocated, as will a major primary substation at Cable Beach east of the Cable Beach Police Station, Basden pointed out.
According to Basden, the work would call for a generator upgrade to factor in load growth.
“So, it’s going to call for major works on the part of BEC,” he said.
Robert Sands, Baha Mar’s senior vice president of governmental and external affairs, said the developers are satisfied that they are advancing the planning of the infrastructure element of the project.
“We see this as a very seamless transition,” Sands said. “The development of the new West Bay Street does not impact the current West Bay Street.
“In fact, the new West Bay Street has to be totally completed before we begin to close a portion of the existing West Bay Street.”
Making a point that was also made by Griffin and Basden, Sands said residents do not have to be concerned about any disruptions associated with the development.
“We’re very happy,” he said.
“We’ve had excellent cooperation from the various government ministries, from the utility corporations and we’re advancing our work.”
11/8/2010
thenassauguardian
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Something is dreadfully wrong in our country... The Bahamas
Blood, Alcohol & Rage
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Regrettably, this land of ours has become a place where debauchery is being routinely equated with fun; a place where guns, alcohol drugs and nastiness routinely cavort.
There is also no doubting the fact that, some of our youth are living in a world where the human person is no longer treated with reverence or respect; thus that myriad of nasty offences some people inflict on others.
Indeed, some of these god-awful offences begin once you take to the streets; where some Bahamians see absolutely nothing wrong with cussing each other out; heaping abuse on people who should be either their fellow Bahamians, their brothers and sisters in Christ, or both.
But such is life in this brutalized place, that money is among the few things that is reverenced; there is also evidence galore to support the conclusion that, some of those who do not have what they consider their fair share of the loot, simply take what they want.
This spirit of spite and corruption now pervades practically every aspect of life in this place; whether reference is made to some of our troubled churches; troubled homes or deeply troubled homes.
Indeed, this spirit of confusion sometimes finds itself in those places where some Bahamians go in order – so they say – to have some fun.
Regrettably, some of this fun can and does end up with someone or the other being turned into just another blood-drenched statistic in this country where a bloody-count has become a kind of sport for some.
In this regard, we are told – and quite reliably so- that the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital is busiest on the weekends; that is to say, once the work-week comes to an end, some of those who have labored and toiled find themselves cut up, shot up or otherwise ripped to pieces.
Those who perpetrate these dastardly offences are just as often, other working men and women who say that they are intent on ‘having fun’.
On occasion, some of the same kind of mayhem is visited upon some of our younger women and men; with some of them –as it were- still dripping with the mother’s milk from their mouths.
But – as in some things dreadfully human – these youth are in a hurry to be seen as all grown-up; and so, they drink alcohol like their elders; use ganja as they always have – and for sure, they sometimes lace these with cocaine or some other drug of choice.
Thereafter, add a dash of sex and rage and you have a recipe for violence unleashed. This is precisely the mix that precipitates some of the nasty violence that routinely leads either in the direction of someone or the other being left hideously wounded, or which treks its way to the morgue.
Evidently, something is dreadfully wrong in this place. And as clearly, that matter that happens to be wrong has little to do with the downturn in the world economy, joblessness or social distress.
Here take note that while it is somewhat trendy [but also quite facile] to recite the devastation wrought by the Great Recession; we are not so sure that this economic fact of life is today driving the rage that routinely erupts when this or that group of Bahamians get together –as they say and tell themselves -to have some fun.
Pray, tell, what does fun have to do with blood-shed, alcohol and rage unleashed? Evidently, the echoing answer shouts back; practically nothing.
By way of illustration, take note that a few days ago, there was new information coming in to the effect that, a 20-year-old youth-man was stabbed in an altercation with a group.
We are told that, “… What started out as a night of fun turned deadly several hours later for a 20-year-old male, who was stabbed to death outside an East Bay Street night club early Sunday morning, last week-end…”
Yet again, take note [according to the police] that, “… the incident unfolded sometime around 4:30 a.m. when an argument erupted between the victim and a group of men while standing outside Club Illusion…”
One thing led to another; as a consequence of this unfolding that brought action and result together, the youth-man was stabbed to the upper right arm; taken to hospital via private vehicle, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
This death pushed the nation’s macabre death count to 75.
At this juncture, the question arises as to how high this count will go before Bahamians tell themselves that they are doing the best they can as they make the way clear for Advent.
Sadly, only God knows.
November 8th. 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Regrettably, this land of ours has become a place where debauchery is being routinely equated with fun; a place where guns, alcohol drugs and nastiness routinely cavort.
There is also no doubting the fact that, some of our youth are living in a world where the human person is no longer treated with reverence or respect; thus that myriad of nasty offences some people inflict on others.
Indeed, some of these god-awful offences begin once you take to the streets; where some Bahamians see absolutely nothing wrong with cussing each other out; heaping abuse on people who should be either their fellow Bahamians, their brothers and sisters in Christ, or both.
But such is life in this brutalized place, that money is among the few things that is reverenced; there is also evidence galore to support the conclusion that, some of those who do not have what they consider their fair share of the loot, simply take what they want.
This spirit of spite and corruption now pervades practically every aspect of life in this place; whether reference is made to some of our troubled churches; troubled homes or deeply troubled homes.
Indeed, this spirit of confusion sometimes finds itself in those places where some Bahamians go in order – so they say – to have some fun.
Regrettably, some of this fun can and does end up with someone or the other being turned into just another blood-drenched statistic in this country where a bloody-count has become a kind of sport for some.
In this regard, we are told – and quite reliably so- that the Accident and Emergency Unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital is busiest on the weekends; that is to say, once the work-week comes to an end, some of those who have labored and toiled find themselves cut up, shot up or otherwise ripped to pieces.
Those who perpetrate these dastardly offences are just as often, other working men and women who say that they are intent on ‘having fun’.
On occasion, some of the same kind of mayhem is visited upon some of our younger women and men; with some of them –as it were- still dripping with the mother’s milk from their mouths.
But – as in some things dreadfully human – these youth are in a hurry to be seen as all grown-up; and so, they drink alcohol like their elders; use ganja as they always have – and for sure, they sometimes lace these with cocaine or some other drug of choice.
Thereafter, add a dash of sex and rage and you have a recipe for violence unleashed. This is precisely the mix that precipitates some of the nasty violence that routinely leads either in the direction of someone or the other being left hideously wounded, or which treks its way to the morgue.
Evidently, something is dreadfully wrong in this place. And as clearly, that matter that happens to be wrong has little to do with the downturn in the world economy, joblessness or social distress.
Here take note that while it is somewhat trendy [but also quite facile] to recite the devastation wrought by the Great Recession; we are not so sure that this economic fact of life is today driving the rage that routinely erupts when this or that group of Bahamians get together –as they say and tell themselves -to have some fun.
Pray, tell, what does fun have to do with blood-shed, alcohol and rage unleashed? Evidently, the echoing answer shouts back; practically nothing.
By way of illustration, take note that a few days ago, there was new information coming in to the effect that, a 20-year-old youth-man was stabbed in an altercation with a group.
We are told that, “… What started out as a night of fun turned deadly several hours later for a 20-year-old male, who was stabbed to death outside an East Bay Street night club early Sunday morning, last week-end…”
Yet again, take note [according to the police] that, “… the incident unfolded sometime around 4:30 a.m. when an argument erupted between the victim and a group of men while standing outside Club Illusion…”
One thing led to another; as a consequence of this unfolding that brought action and result together, the youth-man was stabbed to the upper right arm; taken to hospital via private vehicle, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
This death pushed the nation’s macabre death count to 75.
At this juncture, the question arises as to how high this count will go before Bahamians tell themselves that they are doing the best they can as they make the way clear for Advent.
Sadly, only God knows.
November 8th. 2010
The Bahama Journal Editorial
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Racism in The Bahamas
The spectre of racism
By ADRIAN GIBSON
ajbahama@hotmail.com
I pledge my allegiance to The Flag and to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas for which it stands, one people united in love and service.
- Bahamas' National Pledge of Allegiance
THE spectre of racism continues to linger in the Bahamas today, complemented by the emergence of a new, black oligarchy and an observable classism that further stratifies the nation along economic/class lines.
These days, there remain persons who, however subtly, continue to have an epidermal obsession, judging people on the hue of their skin (whether black or white) rather than adhering to Martin Luther King's magnanimous urging to assess a person based on the content of their character.
Undoubtedly, due to people imprudently judging others based on their skin tone, Bahamians across the spectrum of colours may have not had fair chances at jobs or bank loans.
Over time, our race relations have been shaped by issues such as slavery, minority rule and the fight for majority rule, mass illegal immigration (particularly from Haiti) and so on.
Although there is a maturing air of racial harmony in the Bahamas, there are occasions where antipathy and racism surfaces, particularly when self-seeking, narrow-minded politicians exploit the psychological effects of slavery and the racist injustices of the past.
In the years since the UBP's dismantlement, black Bahamians have become apprehensive about white Bahamians ascending to political power, mainly due to the angst that these Bahamians could have a stranglehold on both the economic and political structure, turn the country into some kind of racist backwater where the masses are oppressed and/or accrue more wealth in the process (something that several rapacious black politicians have also done).
According to former Director of Culture and College of the Bahamas (COB) lecturer Nicolette Bethel, the appointment of a "self-identified white Bahamian as Deputy Prime Minister has raised the fear that the oppressive force that was fractured in 1967 will return and change the Bahamas back to what it was before Majority Rule."
Nicolette Bethel asserts that the appointment of a "self-identified white Bahamian as Deputy Prime Minister has given white Bahamians a chance to feel as though they belong in The Bahamas again." (In the wake of US President Barack Obama's ascendancy to the Presidency in 2008--the first time for an African-American--I've decided to comprehensively explore the prospect of a white Bahamian such as Brent Symonette, or any other, ascending to the Prime Minister's post and, to an extent, the place of white Bahamians in local politics in next week's column).
Racism--a terminal disease--and classism has deepened the social divide and has led to the imposition of Judeo-Christian values that have caused the denigration of some indigenous culture and contributed to the ghettoisation and residential segregation of countless Bahamians in what historically are, in some cases, African heritage sites that have today evolved into crime-riddled, dirty war zones with sub-standard housing.
Indeed, while Judeo-Christian values have its merits, it could be because of such outside influences and historical ties to slavery, that some black Bahamians are mentally enslaved and in some instances become virtually fixated with bleaching their skin and/or, among themselves, comparing who has a lighter skin tone, with the lighter coloured persons being viewed as more beautiful or, as is proven sometimes, more likely to be presented with opportunities.
Does the rhetoric of racial propaganda echo the real social values inherent to Bahamian society as is seen during political rallies? Outside of politics, to what extent is race really an issue in the Bahamas today?
In the Bahamas, race issues and classism go beyond the sphere of political discourse, but also influence attitudes, social interaction and settlement patterns.
In New Providence, in some cases, there is little interaction for some people outside of a certain class/race of friends. Nicolette Bethel asserts that there is an unspoken air of separation along racial lines as "there are still churches and clubs and parks and professions and schools that are avoided by whites (and) blacks."
Having been raised on Long Island, while I can presume that some small-minded people possibly harbour restrained racial prejudices/thoughts, for the most part the island (particularly young people) is a melting pot with white and black Bahamians sprinkled in the various settlements and both black and "Conchy Joe" Bahamians rush with junkanoo groups, work together, inter-marry, patronise the same restaurants/clubs, etc.
While I have a diverse background and a heterogeneous group of friends, I've found that for some Nassauvians, there's an air of suspicion and a lack of interaction outside of established race/class groupings.
According to Alan Gary LaFlamme's 1972 study of the bi-racial community of Green Turtle Cay, he discovered that various forces, ranging from the relative physical isolation, residential segregation, segregated work schedules, recreational segregation to social distance, have kept the two ethnic groups apart.
LaFlamme asserts that, socially, there was a preference for socialising within one's own ethnic group and consequently concluded that as a result of this, cultural differences are maintained or even created and derived from differences in resources, personal association and shared ideas.
Christopher Curry, my former college lecturer and a white Bahamian historian who has recently returned from university where he pursued his doctoral studies, claims that on Green Turtle Cay, "even the Loyalist Memorial Garden erected by the whites in 1983 symbolises the community's racial segregation with its central icon a heroic Loyalist woman waving the union flag and a loyal female slave 'a suitable' step or two behind."
In a 2005 interview with another daily, when addressing his heritage and culture, even DPM Brent Symonette appeared to assert his disconnect and apparent cultural demarcation, stating: "My heritage is France, hence the name "Symonette.' France to England and possibly to Bermuda and then here. When Alfred Sears stood up and talked about Clifton, he painted this very emotional picture of the black slave captured in Africa (sic) and landing into freedom in The Bahamas. I didn't come that route. So my cultural history isn't based in the navel string of Mother Africa, so how can you ask me to celebrate that heritage?"
According to Mr Curry:
"Within New Providence, residential segregation is evident although racial lines in many instances have been obscured or even subsumed by class values. As such, professionally-trained and educated blacks were able to achieve upward mobility after majority rule, many moving out of the Over the Hill areas to more lavish housing in the eastern district or newly-developed sub-divisions in the southeast and western ends of the island.
"While it is true that there has been some integration by blacks into traditionally white communities, the degree of social interaction between the races is questionable.
"A recent survey in 2003 suggests that many Bahamians still prefer to live in ethnically homogenous communities. Accordingly, only 58 per cent of respondents lived in a residential area with persons of another race and only 50 per cent of persons living in an all white or all black community would consider living in a mixed residential area," he said.
Throughout several Family Island communities, a common thread of residential segregation and racial attitudes is entrenched, although young Bahamians are rapidly breaking the cycle. Michael Craton and Gail Saunders note in their historical work 'Islanders in the Stream' vol.II, that Spanish Wells was known as the most prejudiced of all the white communities, forbidding blacks from remaining on the island overnight.
Chris Curry, who also conducted a survey/research on that island, states:
"Today, except for a handful of government officials the entire population of the original settlement remains 'Conchy Joe' white, the majority are blood relations and more than one quarter rejoice in the single surname Pinder. Similar configurations, (albeit with a higher 'sprinkling' of blacks) are also found on the offshore cays in the Abacos, including Guana Cay, Elbow Cay, Man o' War Cay and the mainland settlement of Cherokee. While the obvious and explicit forms of racism may have subsided in these communities, their values and preference for living apart from others encourages social distancing and latent forms of racism."
Two years ago, I watched a two-part CNN report that, while feeding into some stereotypes, delved into the topic of being "Black in America" and attempted to examine interracial relationships, AIDs statistics, educational gaps, successful black Americans, unemployment and the inability of educated black women to find an educated or employed mate of equal footing. Even more recent, I watched the sequel to that earlier report as well as another CNN special report that purported to address the issue of debt among black families.
While racism/classism may exist in both the US and here, by contrast, it appears that black Bahamians have a greater sense of self-worth and equality unlike some black Americans who appear to have an inferiority complex and a mental enslavement that has been overwhelmingly poisoned by hundreds of years in slavery and a vicious civil rights struggle.
Nevertheless, America's race relations appears to be improving, and the presidency of Barack Obama, in this industrialized nation where the majority of its population is Caucasian, is indicative of this.
Frankly, when looking at the racial tensions in the US, persons such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and the late, white US Senators Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond, have contributed to racial divisions.
During President Obama's campaign, Jackson engaged in an uncensored tirade against the then Democratic-nominee's urging of blacks to plan families instead of bearing bastard children with multiple partners out of wedlock.
Indeed, it is because of opportunistic, monied so-called black leaders such as these purveyors of disharmony that some black Americans have adopted a racially contemptuous psyche and, in some cases, an outlook that isn't appreciative of hard work and blames the white man for everything (and this does not excuse injustices or racism by whites).
Locally, although the unambiguous and overt forms of racism may have receded since Majority Rule and constitutional changes, the continuance of residential segregation and what appears to be a general lack of interaction between the ethnic and class groupings is noteworthy.
In 2006, Helen Klonaris, a Greek Bahamian, noted that race is "a conversation that white Bahamians by and large, either want to dismiss, with common phrases such as 'I don't think about race,' 'race doesn't come into it,' or 'we're over that', or, become defensive and speak of 'reverse racism', that 'the tables have turned' and white people are now the victims of Black oppression."
Sir Durward Knowles' One Bahamas campaign is a noble idea, but it cannot be made a reality unless, as Christopher Curry suggests, "further discussion on the historical antecedents of racism in The Bahamas would provide a meaningful understanding of the present race issues that divide our great nation."
November 05, 2010
tribune242
By ADRIAN GIBSON
ajbahama@hotmail.com
I pledge my allegiance to The Flag and to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas for which it stands, one people united in love and service.
- Bahamas' National Pledge of Allegiance
These days, there remain persons who, however subtly, continue to have an epidermal obsession, judging people on the hue of their skin (whether black or white) rather than adhering to Martin Luther King's magnanimous urging to assess a person based on the content of their character.
Undoubtedly, due to people imprudently judging others based on their skin tone, Bahamians across the spectrum of colours may have not had fair chances at jobs or bank loans.
Over time, our race relations have been shaped by issues such as slavery, minority rule and the fight for majority rule, mass illegal immigration (particularly from Haiti) and so on.
Although there is a maturing air of racial harmony in the Bahamas, there are occasions where antipathy and racism surfaces, particularly when self-seeking, narrow-minded politicians exploit the psychological effects of slavery and the racist injustices of the past.
In the years since the UBP's dismantlement, black Bahamians have become apprehensive about white Bahamians ascending to political power, mainly due to the angst that these Bahamians could have a stranglehold on both the economic and political structure, turn the country into some kind of racist backwater where the masses are oppressed and/or accrue more wealth in the process (something that several rapacious black politicians have also done).
According to former Director of Culture and College of the Bahamas (COB) lecturer Nicolette Bethel, the appointment of a "self-identified white Bahamian as Deputy Prime Minister has raised the fear that the oppressive force that was fractured in 1967 will return and change the Bahamas back to what it was before Majority Rule."
Nicolette Bethel asserts that the appointment of a "self-identified white Bahamian as Deputy Prime Minister has given white Bahamians a chance to feel as though they belong in The Bahamas again." (In the wake of US President Barack Obama's ascendancy to the Presidency in 2008--the first time for an African-American--I've decided to comprehensively explore the prospect of a white Bahamian such as Brent Symonette, or any other, ascending to the Prime Minister's post and, to an extent, the place of white Bahamians in local politics in next week's column).
Racism--a terminal disease--and classism has deepened the social divide and has led to the imposition of Judeo-Christian values that have caused the denigration of some indigenous culture and contributed to the ghettoisation and residential segregation of countless Bahamians in what historically are, in some cases, African heritage sites that have today evolved into crime-riddled, dirty war zones with sub-standard housing.
Indeed, while Judeo-Christian values have its merits, it could be because of such outside influences and historical ties to slavery, that some black Bahamians are mentally enslaved and in some instances become virtually fixated with bleaching their skin and/or, among themselves, comparing who has a lighter skin tone, with the lighter coloured persons being viewed as more beautiful or, as is proven sometimes, more likely to be presented with opportunities.
Does the rhetoric of racial propaganda echo the real social values inherent to Bahamian society as is seen during political rallies? Outside of politics, to what extent is race really an issue in the Bahamas today?
In the Bahamas, race issues and classism go beyond the sphere of political discourse, but also influence attitudes, social interaction and settlement patterns.
In New Providence, in some cases, there is little interaction for some people outside of a certain class/race of friends. Nicolette Bethel asserts that there is an unspoken air of separation along racial lines as "there are still churches and clubs and parks and professions and schools that are avoided by whites (and) blacks."
Having been raised on Long Island, while I can presume that some small-minded people possibly harbour restrained racial prejudices/thoughts, for the most part the island (particularly young people) is a melting pot with white and black Bahamians sprinkled in the various settlements and both black and "Conchy Joe" Bahamians rush with junkanoo groups, work together, inter-marry, patronise the same restaurants/clubs, etc.
While I have a diverse background and a heterogeneous group of friends, I've found that for some Nassauvians, there's an air of suspicion and a lack of interaction outside of established race/class groupings.
According to Alan Gary LaFlamme's 1972 study of the bi-racial community of Green Turtle Cay, he discovered that various forces, ranging from the relative physical isolation, residential segregation, segregated work schedules, recreational segregation to social distance, have kept the two ethnic groups apart.
LaFlamme asserts that, socially, there was a preference for socialising within one's own ethnic group and consequently concluded that as a result of this, cultural differences are maintained or even created and derived from differences in resources, personal association and shared ideas.
Christopher Curry, my former college lecturer and a white Bahamian historian who has recently returned from university where he pursued his doctoral studies, claims that on Green Turtle Cay, "even the Loyalist Memorial Garden erected by the whites in 1983 symbolises the community's racial segregation with its central icon a heroic Loyalist woman waving the union flag and a loyal female slave 'a suitable' step or two behind."
In a 2005 interview with another daily, when addressing his heritage and culture, even DPM Brent Symonette appeared to assert his disconnect and apparent cultural demarcation, stating: "My heritage is France, hence the name "Symonette.' France to England and possibly to Bermuda and then here. When Alfred Sears stood up and talked about Clifton, he painted this very emotional picture of the black slave captured in Africa (sic) and landing into freedom in The Bahamas. I didn't come that route. So my cultural history isn't based in the navel string of Mother Africa, so how can you ask me to celebrate that heritage?"
According to Mr Curry:
"Within New Providence, residential segregation is evident although racial lines in many instances have been obscured or even subsumed by class values. As such, professionally-trained and educated blacks were able to achieve upward mobility after majority rule, many moving out of the Over the Hill areas to more lavish housing in the eastern district or newly-developed sub-divisions in the southeast and western ends of the island.
"While it is true that there has been some integration by blacks into traditionally white communities, the degree of social interaction between the races is questionable.
"A recent survey in 2003 suggests that many Bahamians still prefer to live in ethnically homogenous communities. Accordingly, only 58 per cent of respondents lived in a residential area with persons of another race and only 50 per cent of persons living in an all white or all black community would consider living in a mixed residential area," he said.
Throughout several Family Island communities, a common thread of residential segregation and racial attitudes is entrenched, although young Bahamians are rapidly breaking the cycle. Michael Craton and Gail Saunders note in their historical work 'Islanders in the Stream' vol.II, that Spanish Wells was known as the most prejudiced of all the white communities, forbidding blacks from remaining on the island overnight.
Chris Curry, who also conducted a survey/research on that island, states:
"Today, except for a handful of government officials the entire population of the original settlement remains 'Conchy Joe' white, the majority are blood relations and more than one quarter rejoice in the single surname Pinder. Similar configurations, (albeit with a higher 'sprinkling' of blacks) are also found on the offshore cays in the Abacos, including Guana Cay, Elbow Cay, Man o' War Cay and the mainland settlement of Cherokee. While the obvious and explicit forms of racism may have subsided in these communities, their values and preference for living apart from others encourages social distancing and latent forms of racism."
Two years ago, I watched a two-part CNN report that, while feeding into some stereotypes, delved into the topic of being "Black in America" and attempted to examine interracial relationships, AIDs statistics, educational gaps, successful black Americans, unemployment and the inability of educated black women to find an educated or employed mate of equal footing. Even more recent, I watched the sequel to that earlier report as well as another CNN special report that purported to address the issue of debt among black families.
While racism/classism may exist in both the US and here, by contrast, it appears that black Bahamians have a greater sense of self-worth and equality unlike some black Americans who appear to have an inferiority complex and a mental enslavement that has been overwhelmingly poisoned by hundreds of years in slavery and a vicious civil rights struggle.
Nevertheless, America's race relations appears to be improving, and the presidency of Barack Obama, in this industrialized nation where the majority of its population is Caucasian, is indicative of this.
Frankly, when looking at the racial tensions in the US, persons such as Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson and the late, white US Senators Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond, have contributed to racial divisions.
During President Obama's campaign, Jackson engaged in an uncensored tirade against the then Democratic-nominee's urging of blacks to plan families instead of bearing bastard children with multiple partners out of wedlock.
Indeed, it is because of opportunistic, monied so-called black leaders such as these purveyors of disharmony that some black Americans have adopted a racially contemptuous psyche and, in some cases, an outlook that isn't appreciative of hard work and blames the white man for everything (and this does not excuse injustices or racism by whites).
Locally, although the unambiguous and overt forms of racism may have receded since Majority Rule and constitutional changes, the continuance of residential segregation and what appears to be a general lack of interaction between the ethnic and class groupings is noteworthy.
In 2006, Helen Klonaris, a Greek Bahamian, noted that race is "a conversation that white Bahamians by and large, either want to dismiss, with common phrases such as 'I don't think about race,' 'race doesn't come into it,' or 'we're over that', or, become defensive and speak of 'reverse racism', that 'the tables have turned' and white people are now the victims of Black oppression."
Sir Durward Knowles' One Bahamas campaign is a noble idea, but it cannot be made a reality unless, as Christopher Curry suggests, "further discussion on the historical antecedents of racism in The Bahamas would provide a meaningful understanding of the present race issues that divide our great nation."
November 05, 2010
tribune242
Friday, November 5, 2010
The Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office is in need of a total overhaul
In the Face of Incompetence
By Felix Bethel
jonesbahamas
Things are clearly going from bad to worse when a senior public officer could blithely tell the public that he – in his capacity as Parliamentary Commissioner – could fix his mouth to admit [even before a critically important bye-election], that he could not verify the accuracy of the register for that election.
This is clear evidence of one other national disgrace!
And so we conclude by way of this extended commentary; and here we also note – and regrettably so – that, there are still some Bahamians who do not get it as discussions, debate and diatribe become fixtures in that matter currently being traded between the nation’s two premier leaders; the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham and his parliamentary counter-part, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie.
While, each -as an important leader in his own right- deserves credit and more for the service they have rendered to the State and to the Bahamian people.
But notwithstanding their joint record of service, they do themselves and their record a profound disservice when either engages or suffers others to engage in any discourse that borders on reeking of incivility.
Sadly, some of this has entered the conversation between the two men, their party supporters and a host of other Bahamians concerning what – if anything – should be done about how the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office is manned, runs and performs.
Evidently, something is wrong in that office; and just as obviously, something must be done about the mess if the Bahamian people are to be left with the assurance that, this vitally important office is up to the task it has been assigned.
This is the sum, then, of the entire matter.
Here we can – of only for the record – some of what we still believe concerning this matter. As we noted in an earlier commentary on the same issue: [Now that] “The dust has settled and the five protested votes have been counted in the bye-election in the Elizabeth constituency.
“Congratulations are in order for Mr. Ryan Pinder who is now the Member of Parliament-elect for that constituency…”
Interestingly, once the Elizabeth contest had been settled; it was revealed – as fact confirmed in the Elections Court – that, “…a high degree of incompetence prevails in the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner…”
This was part of the reasoned and fact-based conclusions arrived at by two senior Justices, Mrs. Anita Allen and Mr. Jon Isaacs in a well written judgment said: "Again, this process has exposed failures, omissions and errors on the part of the Parliamentary Commissioner and his staff which may, if not corrected, threaten the fairness of the electoral process and ultimately our democracy…”
There is nothing here that begs for either debate or dispute.
Simply put, the judges spoke and wrote the truth; and as such, their opinions should have factored into subsequent action.
As far as we are aware, no one did anything.
And so, today in a time of heat, recrimination and unnecessary name calling, other snide remarks, bluster and windy rhetoric; little yet is being done to fix the things that have been left broken in the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office.
Yet again, we repeat – and therefore reiterate for emphasis – a point previously made when we indicated that, “…It is not an answer to say that the Parliamentary Commissioner did not have resources to do what he is mandated by the law to do. No court can accept that as an explanation for disenfranchising a voter."
Indeed, as is to be underscored, “…This is the second time since the 2007 general elections that the Parliamentary Commissioner came in for such scathing criticism from the same two Judges…”
Something here smacks either of contempt or reeks of the crassest kind of Bahamian-styled incompetence!
But for sure, we are quite persuaded that, “This is a clear indictment on our parliamentary democracy. It is also shameful that the Parliamentary Commissioner is upbraided again. This time there must be consequences…”
At that juncture, we called for the immediate removal of the current Parliamentary Commissioner and for the Minister with responsibility for that department to accept full responsibility for the debacle which took place.
As the record shows, that just did not happen.
Indeed, it seemed to us that ours was but one voice that cried out its truth; albeit from the depths of a wilderness.
But wilderness or no wilderness, we remain adamant in our conclusion that, the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office is in need of a total overhaul. And for sure, when that process is complete; it should be seen and felt that, those who do so understand and respect – as fact- that when judges speak; their reasoned judgments should be factored into whatever ultimately transpires.
And so, like others who too have a say in matters such as these; we would prefer less diatribe, less windy rhetoric and more real action.
November 5th, 2010
jonesbahamas
By Felix Bethel
jonesbahamas
Things are clearly going from bad to worse when a senior public officer could blithely tell the public that he – in his capacity as Parliamentary Commissioner – could fix his mouth to admit [even before a critically important bye-election], that he could not verify the accuracy of the register for that election.
This is clear evidence of one other national disgrace!
And so we conclude by way of this extended commentary; and here we also note – and regrettably so – that, there are still some Bahamians who do not get it as discussions, debate and diatribe become fixtures in that matter currently being traded between the nation’s two premier leaders; the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham and his parliamentary counter-part, the Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie.
While, each -as an important leader in his own right- deserves credit and more for the service they have rendered to the State and to the Bahamian people.
But notwithstanding their joint record of service, they do themselves and their record a profound disservice when either engages or suffers others to engage in any discourse that borders on reeking of incivility.
Sadly, some of this has entered the conversation between the two men, their party supporters and a host of other Bahamians concerning what – if anything – should be done about how the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office is manned, runs and performs.
Evidently, something is wrong in that office; and just as obviously, something must be done about the mess if the Bahamian people are to be left with the assurance that, this vitally important office is up to the task it has been assigned.
This is the sum, then, of the entire matter.
Here we can – of only for the record – some of what we still believe concerning this matter. As we noted in an earlier commentary on the same issue: [Now that] “The dust has settled and the five protested votes have been counted in the bye-election in the Elizabeth constituency.
“Congratulations are in order for Mr. Ryan Pinder who is now the Member of Parliament-elect for that constituency…”
Interestingly, once the Elizabeth contest had been settled; it was revealed – as fact confirmed in the Elections Court – that, “…a high degree of incompetence prevails in the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner…”
This was part of the reasoned and fact-based conclusions arrived at by two senior Justices, Mrs. Anita Allen and Mr. Jon Isaacs in a well written judgment said: "Again, this process has exposed failures, omissions and errors on the part of the Parliamentary Commissioner and his staff which may, if not corrected, threaten the fairness of the electoral process and ultimately our democracy…”
There is nothing here that begs for either debate or dispute.
Simply put, the judges spoke and wrote the truth; and as such, their opinions should have factored into subsequent action.
As far as we are aware, no one did anything.
And so, today in a time of heat, recrimination and unnecessary name calling, other snide remarks, bluster and windy rhetoric; little yet is being done to fix the things that have been left broken in the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office.
Yet again, we repeat – and therefore reiterate for emphasis – a point previously made when we indicated that, “…It is not an answer to say that the Parliamentary Commissioner did not have resources to do what he is mandated by the law to do. No court can accept that as an explanation for disenfranchising a voter."
Indeed, as is to be underscored, “…This is the second time since the 2007 general elections that the Parliamentary Commissioner came in for such scathing criticism from the same two Judges…”
Something here smacks either of contempt or reeks of the crassest kind of Bahamian-styled incompetence!
But for sure, we are quite persuaded that, “This is a clear indictment on our parliamentary democracy. It is also shameful that the Parliamentary Commissioner is upbraided again. This time there must be consequences…”
At that juncture, we called for the immediate removal of the current Parliamentary Commissioner and for the Minister with responsibility for that department to accept full responsibility for the debacle which took place.
As the record shows, that just did not happen.
Indeed, it seemed to us that ours was but one voice that cried out its truth; albeit from the depths of a wilderness.
But wilderness or no wilderness, we remain adamant in our conclusion that, the Parliamentary Commissioner’s Office is in need of a total overhaul. And for sure, when that process is complete; it should be seen and felt that, those who do so understand and respect – as fact- that when judges speak; their reasoned judgments should be factored into whatever ultimately transpires.
And so, like others who too have a say in matters such as these; we would prefer less diatribe, less windy rhetoric and more real action.
November 5th, 2010
jonesbahamas
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is no messiah
PLP must do more than march
thenassauguardian editorial
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)?is marching with some of its supporters on Thursday from the party’s Farrington Road headquarters, just down the street to the Parliamentary Registration Department, in an effort to register voters.
The most significant thing the opposition could do to get people to vote, however, is to come up with policies that inspire.
The opposition has been a vocal critic of the government over the past three-and-a-half years. But it has not been as enthusiastic a propagator of policy solutions to the country’s problems.
The Bahamian economy has not grown since 2007. The country is on pace for a third homicide record in three years. The government is now racking up considerable amounts of debt in order to keep an inefficient public service.
There are many issues facing The Bahamas.
The most urgent initiative the PLP should put full effort in to is finishing the its manifesto. Once done the party would have something to say to the voters beyond the utterance of criticisms of Free National Movement (FNM) policies.
Speaking to members of the PLP, there appears to be a sense that the opposition will win the next general election just because things are bad. Recent evidence does not support this misplaced sense of confidence, however.
With the country facing so many challenges, and there being few reasons for optimism, the PLP barely won the Elizabeth by-election in February. The opposition was only able to secure a three-vote margin of victory in the Election Court during these times.
Bahamians have been governed by the PLP for 30 years out of the last 43 years. The people are very familiar with PLP rule. They remember the nation building and drug-related corruption allegations under the old PLP. They remember the economic growth and the inability of Perry Christie to maintain discipline under the new PLP.
The PLP is no messiah. No one will run to it just because things are bad. It has a track record with just as many failures as accomplishments.
For this PLP to win the support of the electorate, it must offer solutions. It has an advantage the government does not during this pre-election period: It does not have to govern and it can plan.
The PLP should be able to offer to Bahamians, no later than the middle of 2011, a detailed manifesto of solutions. On the issue of crime, for example, the party should be able to set targets for crime reduction if it has confidence in what it is suggesting.
A party with such a long history, and a leader whose likely popularity rating is not that high, should not assume victory is on the way. It needs to offer something new to the people, as what it offered in 2007 was rejected.
11/3/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
thenassauguardian editorial
The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)?is marching with some of its supporters on Thursday from the party’s Farrington Road headquarters, just down the street to the Parliamentary Registration Department, in an effort to register voters.
The most significant thing the opposition could do to get people to vote, however, is to come up with policies that inspire.
The opposition has been a vocal critic of the government over the past three-and-a-half years. But it has not been as enthusiastic a propagator of policy solutions to the country’s problems.
The Bahamian economy has not grown since 2007. The country is on pace for a third homicide record in three years. The government is now racking up considerable amounts of debt in order to keep an inefficient public service.
There are many issues facing The Bahamas.
The most urgent initiative the PLP should put full effort in to is finishing the its manifesto. Once done the party would have something to say to the voters beyond the utterance of criticisms of Free National Movement (FNM) policies.
Speaking to members of the PLP, there appears to be a sense that the opposition will win the next general election just because things are bad. Recent evidence does not support this misplaced sense of confidence, however.
With the country facing so many challenges, and there being few reasons for optimism, the PLP barely won the Elizabeth by-election in February. The opposition was only able to secure a three-vote margin of victory in the Election Court during these times.
Bahamians have been governed by the PLP for 30 years out of the last 43 years. The people are very familiar with PLP rule. They remember the nation building and drug-related corruption allegations under the old PLP. They remember the economic growth and the inability of Perry Christie to maintain discipline under the new PLP.
The PLP is no messiah. No one will run to it just because things are bad. It has a track record with just as many failures as accomplishments.
For this PLP to win the support of the electorate, it must offer solutions. It has an advantage the government does not during this pre-election period: It does not have to govern and it can plan.
The PLP should be able to offer to Bahamians, no later than the middle of 2011, a detailed manifesto of solutions. On the issue of crime, for example, the party should be able to set targets for crime reduction if it has confidence in what it is suggesting.
A party with such a long history, and a leader whose likely popularity rating is not that high, should not assume victory is on the way. It needs to offer something new to the people, as what it offered in 2007 was rejected.
11/3/2010
thenassauguardian editorial
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