...the proposed gambling referendum could be dead on arrival (DOA)

By Dennis Dames

As the news surfaces about the upcoming gambling referendum and the possible questions on its ballot – one thing is certain, and that is:  the confusion mounts.  Are we going to vote half of the way or the full nine yards on Bahamians gambling in The Bahamas?

Is the referendum going to be about a national lottery, legalizing web shops, casino gambling for Bahamians, or what?  The success of the vote will depend on the ballot menu.

Some Bahamians voters want the whole hog; which is the legalization of all forms of gambling for the native gamblers period.  Others simply want to do their thing in the web shops without having to look over their shoulders for a possible law enforcement raid.  Then, there are those among us who want to play numbers exclusively; whether it’s lotto, lottery, Island Luck, Flowers, Asue Draw and so on and so forth.

Does the government of The Bahamas intends to please all the Bahamian gamblers with the referendum questions or only some?  Is it really fair to still have tourists gambling in certain places and Bahamians in others - when the smoke of the vote is cleared?

Do we actually know what we are doing in relations to the proposed referendum?  I agree that the Christie administration has enough votes in the Bahamian parliament to do whatever they want in regards to the gambling question for Bahamians in The Bahamas.

It looks like the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) is playing with fire in relations to legalized gambling for Bahamians in their country, as there is no guarantee that the “yes” vote will prevail in the referendum.  If it doesn’t, do Perry Christie and the PLP have the guts to close down every illegal gambling establishment in the country?

I doubt it.

So, it is my view that the PLP government could be setting itself up for a major defeat with their proposed impending referendum on gambling for the Bahamian gamblers in The Bahamas.

It is a grossly false assumption for one to postulate that every Bahamian who gambles in some form or another in these islands - will tow a line on referendum day, and vote yes or no to whatever the questions are – in my humble opinion.  Many Pastors will ensure that their flock is motivated on voting day to defeat the gambling for Bahamians question.

So again I say, that the powers that be - is playing a serious game of political Russian roulette with this gambling matter for Bahamians; which could result in the political demise of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

Be progressive Mr. Christie, and move in the Bahamian Parliament to settle the gambling for Bahamian concerns once and for all.  If tourists could gamble legally in our beloved country, then – we Bahamians must be able to do so too.   There is nothing complicated about this; except to say that the proposed gambling referendum could be dead on arrival (DOA).

Sunday September 23, 2012

Caribbean Blog International

....the Bahamian government's failure to prosecute a single human trafficking case – has led the Bahamas to be classified as a “Tier 2 Watch List” on the State Department’s 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report for the second year in a row

Us Alert On Trafficking



By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

THE alleged lack of “freedom of movement” for Chinese workers is an indication that human trafficking may be taking place at a large-scale construction site in the Bahamas, according to a new report from the US State Department.

This, among other factors – including the government failure to prosecute a single human trafficking case – has led the Bahamas to be classified as a “Tier 2 Watch List” on the State Department’s 2012 Trafficking in Persons Report for the second year in a row.

“Media outlets have reported that Chinese workers in a large-scale Chinese construction project in The Bahamas do not have freedom of movement – a human trafficking indicator,” the report said.

It does not specify what “large-scale Chinese construction project” it is referring to, but the Thomas A Robinson national stadium, the Baha Mar resort, the Chinese Embassy, and various road projects in the family islands could all be described as large-scale construction projects with employed Chinese workers.

When reached for comment, Baha Mar senior vice president of administration and external affairs, Robert Sands firmly stated that the US could not be referring to their project.

“It doesn’t apply to us because our persons have freedom of movement,” Mr Sands said, before pointing out: “Baha Mar is not the only construction project going on in The Bahamas where Chinese workers are employed.”

Representatives for the Chinese Embassy, meanwhile, could not be reached for comment up to press time.

The State Department’s report continued to describe the Bahamas as “a destination, source, and transit country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking”.

“Undocumented migrants, particularly the estimated 30,000 Haitians who largely arrive in The Bahamas voluntarily, are vulnerable to forced labour, especially in domestic servitude and in the agriculture sector,” it read. “Experts also have raised concerns that some workers from Jamaica could be vulnerable to involuntary servitude.”

Groups “especially vulnerable” to sex trafficking in the Bahamas include foreign citizens in prostitution and “local children engaging in sex with men” for basics such as food, transportation, or material goods, the State Department stated.

“The Government of The Bahamas does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so,” the report said. “Despite these efforts – most notably the establishment of a high-level interagency committee and continued statements of commitment to address human trafficking – the government has not identified or assisted any victims of trafficking or initiated any forced labour or sex trafficking prosecutions; therefore, The Bahamas is placed on Tier 2 Watch List for a second consecutive year.”

However, the State Department did name a “positive development” as the government’s March announcement of the establishment of a “working level interagency task force” set to handle “specific allegations of human trafficking and a protocol to guide officials in handling trafficking cases.”

The State Department also praised the government for holding a trafficking awareness event in March.

The entire Trafficking in Persons Report can be read online at the State Department’s official website – www.state.gov.

June 20, 2012

Tribune242

Caribbean Blog International

Does the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration’s budgetary provisions remain true to its pledges to an impatient and hurting populace whose expectations for relief and renewal are extremely high... and to what extent does the 2012/13 national budget meet those high expectations?

The Budget: Part II

Consider this

By Philip C. Galanis

Last week, we invited our readers to consider whether the national budget for fiscal 2012/13 as presented by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister and Minister of Finance addresses the important promises that were made during the general election campaign.  In answering that question, we reviewed the fiscal environment that the PLP Administration inherited on May 7, 2012 and the attendant limitations and constraints for the nation’s first budget for Mr. Christie’s second non-consecutive term in office.

This week, we would like to continue to Consider This… Do the PLP administration’s budgetary provisions remain true to its pledges to an impatient and hurting populace whose expectations for relief and renewal are extremely high, and to what extent does the 2012/13 national budget meet those high expectations?

The macro view

The government anticipates that it will incur a total deficit of $570 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 and a Government Finance Statistics (GFS) deficit of $504 million for that period. This represents an increased GFS deficit of $256 million or 103 percent more than was originally approved by Parliament for fiscal 2011/2012. The GFS deficit as a percent of GDP will be 6.3 percent — a new record for The Bahamas — more than a doubling of that figure of three percent in the preceding year.  The increased GFS deficit will be financed by additional borrowings which will push the national debt from $4.3 billion at December 31, 2011 to $4.8 billion a year later, rapidly approaching 60 percent of GDP, also a new record — and not in a good way.

Similarly, the GFS deficit for 2012/13 will be $550 million which, as a percent of GDP, will be 6.5 percent — another new record for The Bahamas.  By the end of fiscal 2013, the national debt will exceed $5.3 billion, more than 60 percent of GDP.

Recurrent revenue measures

The recurrent budgeted revenues of $1.55 billion for the next fiscal year are anticipated to increase by only $100 million or seven percent over the actual outturn of the preceding fiscal year.  This compares to an increase of $435 million or five percent in the gross domestic product (GDP) for the same period.

At first glance, the projected recurrent revenue appears to be overly optimistic for several reasons. First, recurrent revenue is projected to exceed the increased GDP rate of growth by two percent.  Secondly, last year’s budgeted revenue of $1.514 billion was not achieved.  The actual, revised projected revenue came in at $1.45 billion or $64 million less than was originally budgeted.

The third and most compelling reason that we believe that the projected recurrent revenue is overly optimistic is that over the past five years, the average increase in recurrent revenue was three percent. To suggest that we will achieve more than a doubling of that amount to seven percent next year is questionable.  The government anticipates that it will collect an additional $148 million more in excise taxes in the next fiscal period than it did last year, although at the same time it foreshadows a reduction in almost every other category of tax revenue over the preceding year, except for tourism taxes which are expected to increase by $8 million.

Capital revenue

The government expects to receive no capital revenue for the ensuing year as compared to $86 million last year.

Recurrent expenditures

The recurrent expenditures for 2012 will end at $1.7 billion, $27 million or two percent more than the $1.68 billion that was originally approved by Parliament for fiscal 2011/2012.  For 2012/13, recurrent expenditures are forecast at $1.82 billion, an increase of $114 million or six percent over the preceding year.

Several recurrent expenditure allocations have been made to address specific campaign promises.  There is an allocation of $4.4 million for the re-established Ministry of Financial Services and $3.2 million for the establishment of the Ministry for Grand Bahama, both campaign pledges.  Thirdly, the government has provided $15 million “for the implementation of early initiatives in the Charter [for Governance], such as the introduction of Urban Renewal 2.0.”

Several other items are noteworthy relative to budgeted recurrent expenditures. These include significant subventions for the following ministries and departments:

Department of Public Service, $187 million – an increase of $13 million;

Royal Bahamas Police Force, $132.2 million – an increase of $5.6 million;

Royal Bahamas Defence Force, $54.7 million – an increase of $3 million;

Department of Education, $202 million – an increase of $5.4 million;

Ministry of Education, Science & Technology, $49 million – an increase of $3.7 million;

Department of Social Services, $40 million – an increase of $5.9 million;

Public Hospitals Authority, $199 million – an increase of $13.2 million.

These allocations demonstrate the government’s commitment to essential areas of our economy and society that require urgent attention.  Moreover, the increases reflect many of the areas that the PLP consistently promised the electorate they would address once they were returned to office.

The increases for the Public Service and Social Services demonstrate the government’s stated intentions to improve the conditions of the average Bahamian, whether working or in need.  Enhanced subventions to the Public Hospitals Authority reflect that healthcare is a priority issue and those to the Department of Education and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology confirm the government’s oft-stated intentions to address the deficiencies in education as a method of creating a better future for young Bahamians.  The increases to the Royal Bahamas Police and Defense Forces confirm the government’s determination, as spoken about at every rally, to break the back of crime and to address the problem of our porous borders, with regard to illegal migration, poaching and gun-running.

A substantial percentage of recurrent expenditure, 18 percent, is allocated to servicing the national debt.  The interest on the public debt alone is budgeted at $207 million along with debt redemption of $121 million, which in the aggregate represents $66 million more than the preceding year.

Capital expenditure

Total capital expenditure for 2012/13 is budgeted at $400 million. The two largest items in this category are for the Ministry of Works & Urban Development for $229 million and Sundry Capital Expenditures for $132 million.  In the Ministry of Works, the largest expenditures have been allocated for road construction, highways, streets and bridges in the aggregate of $175 million. Sundry Capital Expenditures include provisions for the Baha Mar Road Development for $48 million, as well as subventions for Capital Subscriptions to International Agencies, the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, Bahamasair Holdings Ltd. and the Water and Sewerage Corporation in the amounts of $12 million, $5.5 million, $18 million and $20 million, respectively.

Conclusion

Within a very short period, the Christie administration has quickly sought to address the fiscal realities left by the former administration, while simultaneously attempting to honor some of its election campaign pledges.  In this first budget, the government has made a commendable attempt to balance the scales by holding off increasing taxes on Bahamians, while concurrently seeking to allocate its limited resources in an economically anemic environment.

However, the government would be wise to remember that this is a Bahamian public with great needs and little patience. As understanding as the people may be with this 2012/2013 budget, which is a hybrid of the outgoing Ingraham regime and the fledgling Christie administration, that understanding will only go so far before the expectations that were raised so high during the campaign need to be not only met but exceeded and the country put back on steadier, more fiscally secure ground to ensure the glowing future that was promised by the PLP.

Jun 11, 2012

thenassauguardian

The Budget: Part I

Caribbean Blog International

Post Mortem of the 2012 General Election

By Dennis Dames


We have had two one-term governments in a row; which is a reflection of the shifting political times in The Bahamas - in my view. The Bahamian electorate is clearly more aware and wiser, and we hold those who seek to represent us to a higher standard than yesteryear.

This is no longer about Puppy love for the FNM or PLP, or the irrational support for any other; rather, the people simply want good governance and a healthy and prosperous future for themselves, their children and country.

The new Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) government should not allow their recent landslide victory to cloud the genuine wishes of the masses. We demand an environment where we could support ourselves and family, as the majority of us are not for hand-outs or political charity.

It’s all about pleasing the employer before another general election season comes. Delivering a strong and all-around job environment is absolutely essential to the present government’s possible second term success; and so is the significant reduction in crime.

Indeed, low unemployment numbers and a much more peaceful and respectable environment are totally necessary for the politically ambitious Bahamian today.

Time will reveal if the Perry Christie PLP administration is up to the task of delivering for the Bahamian boss people who are really serious about a better Bahamas for all citizens.

...does the national budget for fiscal year 2012/13 address the important promises that were made during the recently completed general election campaign?

The Budget: Part I

Consider this

By Philip C. Galanis

On Wednesday past, May 30, the prime minister and minister of finance presented his much-anticipated first budget of the new administration that was elected only two weeks ago.  This week, we would like to Consider This… does the national budget for fiscal year 2012/13 address the important promises that were made during the recently completed general election campaign?

The short answer is that it begins to do so.  However, the extent to which it does is severely constrained by the distressing state of public finances that the Christie administration inherited from the former administration.  In addition, there is a time constraint challenge that significantly factors into what was contained in Prime Minister Christie’s recent Budget Communication.

For the past few terms, when general elections were held in early May of 2002, 2007 and 2012, the usual mid-May budgetary process has been punctuated by a change of government which imposed severe restrictions on the victor because of the very narrow time line between the elections and the required presentation of the national budget.  Therefore, in the absence of a predetermined fixed election date, successive governments should make a deliberate effort to avoid holding general elections in May because of the constraints that this event places on the implementation of a national budget designed to address the victor’s national agenda.  More about that at another time.

The state of public finances

It is now becoming increasingly evident that the former FNM administration that has always claimed to be a government of accountability and transparency has been neither. An early indication of this was first observed in the Ingraham Administration’s deliberate negligence to submit its customary and much anticipated mid-year budget report earlier this year.  It can be reasonably surmised that the former prime minister and minister of finance consciously decided to forego this practice in 2012, which he himself introduced with much fanfare and consistent conformity, for purely political reasons.

The former prime minister and his Cabinet clearly realized that if they honestly reported the state of public finances at mid-year, their deplorable financial performance would have been received with shock and awe by the Bahamian citizenry.  In the run up to elections, an honest report would likely have brought about an even more devastating outcome at the polls, and therefore, presumably, the FNM government took a conscious decision to withhold such reporting from the public, hoping that the public would place the lack of a report in the “no news is good news” category.

Another example of the FNM government’s willful refusal to report on the true state of public finances pertained to the New Providence road works, which the Public Accounts Committee, under the chairmanship of the Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage, revealed had incurred a budget overrun of nearly $100 million.

A third instance of the FNM government’s lack of accountability regarding public finances was exposed in the current prime minister’s communication last week when the latter reported the horrendously high and historically unprecedented total deficit for 2011/2012 which rose to a record level of $570 million versus an approved total deficit of $314 million, an increase of $256 million or 82 percent more than was originally anticipated.  In line with the International Monetary Fund Government Finance Statistics (GFS) concept, the GFS deficit, which is the total deficit less debt redemption, for 2011/12 is projected to result in $504 million or 6.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). This is double the 3.0 percent that was presented by Mr. Ingraham as the forecast in last year’s Budget Communication.

Finally, the FNM government’s legacy to the national debt is equally disappointing and extraordinarily dismaying.  The national debt increased from $3 billion to $4.3 billion during its term in office from 2007 to 2012, an increase of 40 percent in five years.  This represents an historically high debt to GDP ratio of 56 percent.  Because of this inherited unparalleled GFS budget deficit of $504 million for 2012, the Christie administration will have to borrow an additional $504 million in order to pay off the financial excesses of the Ingraham administration.

The national debt will therefore increase to $4.8 billion by the end of the next fiscal year. But it gets worse. Again, because of the excessive commitments and spending of the Ingraham administration, all things being equal, and barring any unforeseen catastrophic developments over the next two years, given a projected record GFS deficit of $550 million for fiscal year 2013/14, is anticipated that the national debt will increase to well over $5.4 billion by 2014. This will represent a disastrously high debt to GDP ratio in excess of 60 percent.

All these unmatched and unequalled negative performance measures that the government inherited were incurred by an FNM government that frequently and triumphantly trumpeted its commitment to good governance, fiscal prudence, sound financial management, accountability and transparency in public finances.

It is fair to say that so-called good governance, fiscal prudence, sound financial management, accountability and transparency in public finances notwithstanding, Mr. Ingraham and his FNM Government have unquestionably left Mr. Christie and his government in a financial pickle.

Promises to keep

In spite of the alarming news, the Christie administration is still very determined to implement its agenda as articulated in its 100 day promises, the Charter for Governance, the Speech from the Throne and the Budget Communication.  While it will be enormously constrained by the fiscal realities that it has inherited, the new government has set about delivering on the social contract that serves as a basis of the mandate it was given on May 7.

It will be important for the new government to regularly give the Bahamian people an open and candid account of its stewardship over the next five years if it hopes to break the recent trend of one-term governments.

Conclusion

Next week, we will examine how the new administration’s budgetary provisions plan to remain true to its pledges to an impatient and hurting populace whose expectations for relief and renewal are extremely high and to what extent the national budget for 2012/13 will seek to meet those high expectations.

Philip C. Galanis is the managing partner of HLB Galanis & Co., Chartered Accountants, Forensic & Litigation Support Services. He served 15 years in Parliament.  Please send your comments to: pgalanis@gmail.com

Jun 04, 2012

thenassauguardian

The Budget: Part II

Caribbean Blog International

Preliminary autopsy report on the May 07, 2012 general election

By Dennis Dames:



The following in my preliminary autopsy report on the May 07, 2012 general election - which resulted in the crushing defeat of the Free National Movement (FNM) party and its now deflated leader, Hubert Alexander Ingraham.

Firstly, it was a people’s victory - more than a Progressive Liberal Party’s. The last five years was financially exhaustive for many of us; and scores of Bahamians – including me, have expressed how it was the worst time economically that we have faced in our lifetime.

Home ownership was lost left, right and centre; unemployment increased dramatically, and we the people became naturally apprehensive about our and our children’s future while we watched a very grand road improvement and infrastructure project gobbled-up hundreds of millions of dollars in borrowed funds.

Then, there were fellow FNM supporters who had abandoned ship in mass numbers during the last term of the Free National Movement government. It was indeed a creepy experience to be witness to card carrying FNMs from the inception of the party move on to other political organizations.

The FNM defeat was in the making the day after their 2007 general election victory. Most FNM MPs had abandoned their constituents from 2007 to 2012; and when they did confront the voters to vote for them this time, they discovered that they were out of favor with the people. Mr. Brensil Rolle, Tommy Turnquest, Carl Bethel, and a lot others now understand that the Bahamian electorate would not tolerate rotten representation.

Through it all, how was it that the FNM incumbent candidate for Killarney, was able to hold on to his seat in believable fashion, despite the massive Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) wave? The answer to this holds the keys to the future successes of the Free National Movement (FNM) Party – in my humble opinion.

2012 general election constituency breakdown... ...possible winners and losers on May 07, 2012

Constituency Breakdown




By ADRIAN GIBSON

ajbahama@hotmail.com



THE 2012 general election is shaping up to be one of the most sulfurously partisan polls in recent years. This election, the Bahamian electorate must choose only the most progressive and visionary of a fluid field of hopefuls seeking their votes, whilst shedding certain current MPs like a septuagenarian sheds hair and teeth.




As the clock ticks away and May 7 is clearly on the horizon, any person who underestimates the impact of the DNA in certain constituencies—particularly those constituencies that were decided by 100 or less votes in 2007 (and 2010, in the case of Elizabeth)—would be making a colossal misjudgment (although I don’t believe they will win any seats).



Frankly, both the PLP and the FNM have done a fairly good job of infusing fresh faces into the 2012 line-up as both parties—especially the PLP—had certain representatives who were, and continue to be, carriers of more baggage than a conclave of bellmen.



Indeed, in this political pageant, we can see the emergence of a new generation of political leaders who I hope are prepared and willing to put national interest above narrow party and political considerations. Frankly, this election—being the last in the age of Ingraham—will be won by the party who not only addresses the issues, but who can also woo non-ideological, independent voters.



With a nomination day count of 133 persons seeking to represent the Bahamian public in a fight for 38 seats, among the strong and seasoned contenders is a slew of peripheral figures, and a series of wannabes and also-ran candidates. This sycophantic election cycle has spawned a noxious political environment where we’ve heard political rhetoric spouted by some of the most proficient spinners since Rumpelstiltskin.



As May 7 draweth nigh, the political showdown is rapidly devolving into a time of incivility as reckless behaviour and the architects of lies, revisionist spin, braggadocio and petulant whining goes into full swing—some of this stuff can only be categorized as the utterances and actions of nincompoops.



Whilst a geyser of special interest money will soon—if not already—flood the streets, I urge Bahamians to focus on substance, candour and credibility and to elect representatives who have a pragmatic plan for their communities as opposed to becoming enraptured in the absurd displays of buffoonery by certain politicians and their goons.



That said, now as a 27-year-old, May 7 will mark my second opportunity to cast my vote and I am—like most young Bahamians—fired up and ready to go to the polls.



Indeed, as the ham/turkey, washers/dryers, catchy songs, booze-filled grill and chills, bright- coloured T-shirts and cold hard cash comes out, I remain hopeful that a more edified electorate will reject political paternalism and demand that the substantive societal/national issues are addressed.



Today, I’ve decided to once again don my monk’s garb and attempt to read the political tea leaves, making electoral projections relative to the political odds of the candidates contesting seats in the upcoming general election. Noticeably, my political crystal ball is foggy relative to certain seats, which I will leave as toss-ups. One can decide for themselves, after reading and tallying up the projections, which party I feel is likely to win the election.





Bain Town and Grants Town



The Bain Town and Grants Town seat is likely to remain in the PLP column, as Dr Bernard Nottage will jettison FNM newcomer John Bostwick—son of Janet and Henry Bostwick—to the political dustbin. When Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and his team commenced a walkabout in the area last week, I was perplexed to see Dr Nottage’s ill-advised behaviour and the tomfoolery of supporters who were obviously following his lead. Dr Nottage, in my opinion, behaved like a politically frightened incumbent and could’ve been more likened to a hell-and-damnation preacher man who lives on the boondocks—shouting/talking in Tommy Turnquest’s face—as opposed to the cultured, centred OB/GYN that myself, and the general public, has come to know.



In Bain Town and Grant’s Town, John Bostwick’s candidacy is comparable to a kitten being thrown into a pool! Bostwick will be beaten by tradition.





Bamboo Town



Bamboo Town will have a new MP following this general election as FNM-turned-DNA leader Branville McCartney will be forced to eat the sour grapes of defeat.



Prior to him forming the DNA, Mr McCartney was a shoo-in on the FNM ticket, however it is believed that he has committed Ingraham-assisted political suicide and will be treated like an unwanted stepson on May 7th. The political sands have shifted and, frankly, McCartney’s electoral hopes are on a hamster wheel and going nowhere fast!



Bran McCartney is a leading candidate for political oblivion and, whilst he has been a good MP, due to the boundary cut—which incorporated seven polling divisions from the traditionally PLP- voting Kennedy constituency into the reconfigured Bamboo Town—he is on the fast track to becoming a political one hit wonder. These days, the DNA leader is seen as an FNM who has gone rogue and who—beyond the reams of hype and the perception of him as a glib pretty boy with a messianic deportment—appears to be a bit too green (pun intended).



That said, the race for Bamboo Town will do down to the wire, as FNM candidate Cassius Stuart, PLP Renward Wells and Independent candidate Craig Butler are all formidable challengers.



Frankly, Mr Butler’s noteworthy campaign has thrown a “monkey wrench” into the showdown for Bamboo Town. Butler will prove to be a headache for his opponents and would have literally been unstoppable if he was also on a major party’s ticket. He has disrupted the political status quo and stands as good a chance as any of winning the Bamboo Town seat.



There is one certainty in the Bamboo Town race and that is, for the first time ever, Cassius Stuart—after losing $1200 in deposit money previously—will at least have his deposit returned to him.



Bamboo Town is a toss-up!





Carmichael



FNM candidate for Carmichael, Darren Cash, will be beaten like a piñata in that constituency.



Cash is a political featherweight who seems to be an intelligent gentleman who unfortunately is unable to connect with ordinary folks.



Quite honestly, he comes off as a monotonous snore who appears to have neither razzle nor dazzle.



Moreover, I’ve heard allegations by some residents of Carmichael that they will vote against Cash because they purportedly didn’t feel that he was sympathetic and compassionate towards them as homeowners—in his capacity as a banker—when they faced mortgage woes.



Dr Danny Johnson (PLP) will capture the seat.





Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador



The Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador contest is shaping up to be an interesting electoral battle. Admittedly, since his loss to James Miller, Philip “Brave” Davis has paid his dues with the PLP and has seemingly garnered a reputation as the emperor of Cat Island rather than previous references as an absentee MP.



That said, Mr Davis has been beaten before and is now facing a serious challenger in Michael Pintard (FNM). Mr Pintard is an orator and has the FNM’s machinery backing him. Previously, Pintard ran in 1997 against PLP leader Perry Christie and was sent packing.



Pintard will make the race for the Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador seat competitive as he is spending quite a bit of time on the ground contrasted to Mr Davis—also PLP Deputy leader—who has to campaign nationally.



This is likely to be a race to the bitter end, with Mr Davis sitting in a most advantageous



position and likely to put a spanking on Pintard.





Central and South Abaco



PLP candidate Gary Sawyer will have to once again reach for a crying towel in the Central and South Abaco constituency. Edison Key will politically body slam Sawyer in that race.



That said, DNA candidate Roscoe Thompson is expected to be a viable threat to the FNM’s retention of this seat. However, he’s likely to join Sawyer in the losers’ column. This contest will probably render a strong showing by the DNA.





Central and South Eleuthera



The Central and South Eleuthera seat is a battleground seat. The appending of Central Eleuthera to the traditionally PLP South Eleuthera stronghold, among other factors, puts the political momentum in Howard Johnson’s (FNM) favour.



Johnson is a homegrown chap and his mother’s (Emily Petty’s) switch from hardcore PLP stalwart councilor to support her son could have a positive impact upon Johnson’s electoral chances. Frankly, if Governor’s Harbour—Johnson’s homestead—overwhelmingly votes in support of him, that immediately hampers PLP candidate Damian Gomez’s chances. Closer examination of that race shows that current MP Oswald Ingraham—who ran four times, losing twice in 1992 and 1997 to then FNM MP Anthony Miller—would have to, in large part, become a surrogate candidate and extend goodwill to Gomez for him to be victorious. By all accounts, Mr Ingraham wanted to run again but was unceremoniously dumped in favour of Gomez.



If Howard Johnson wins Governors Harbour, Palmetto Point, Rock Sound and breaks even in other settlements, he should win the seat. If Johnson polls well in the traditionally PLP-leaning deep south—Wemyss Bight, Deep Creek, Green Castle, etc—then he’s likely to become the MP.



As it stands, this will be close race and it’s highly likely that Damian Gomez will suffer a politically sobering loss. The political thrust is with Johnson, so he’s likely to politically beat the snot out of Damian Gomez!





Central Grand Bahama



The Central Grand Bahama seat will be won by Neko Grant (FNM). Mr Grant is running in traditionally FNM areas and will torpedo his opponents electoral hopes—Julian Russell (PLP) and Howard Grant Jr (DNA)—winning by a comfortable margin of 700 or more votes. Frankly, Julian Russell brings little appeal to the PLP’s Grand Bahama ticket and should hit the panic button and politically jump overboard now.



Relative to Howard Grant Jr—son of outgoing FNM MP Vernae Grant—my guess is that he’s running on principle, seemingly feeling that his mother was treated unfairly when her seat was eliminated and she wasn’t re-nominated. He has promise but will find that, in 2012, his candidacy is a mere pipe dream.





Centreville



PLP leader Perry Christie will eat Ella Lewis’ (FNM) and Celi Moss’ (DNA) lunch in Centreville. Both of Mr Christie’s challengers will fall like sand through a sieve and be set on the treadmill to oblivion.



Frankly, Mr Christie has been returned to his political base—Centreville—where his family lived. No former Prime Minister/Premier has ever been defeated—not Ingraham, Christie, Pindling, Symonette—so the likelihood of that happening this election cycle is nil to none.





East Grand Bahama



In East Grand Bahama, outgoing FNM MP Kenneth Russell is supporting his sister-in-law, DNA candidate Ferline Bridgewater-Thomas. It will be interesting to see if his base and strongest supporters shift with him. I doubt it though.



FNM candidate Peter Turnquest will rout all challengers for the East Grand Bahama seat.





Elizabeth



The clash for the reconfigured Elizabeth constituency will be intense and will undoubtedly leave at least one candidate in diapers after the votes are counted.



The inclusion of the more FNM-inclined Port New Providence and Treasure Cove gated communities, and the splitting of the PLP-leaning Elizabeth Estates area to put one half into Yamacraw and another half into Elizabeth, bodes well for FNM candidate and cardiovascular surgeon Dr Duane Sands. The new Elizabeth is truly reflective of wider Bahamian society, featuring a mixture of persons from lower socio-economic means to high strata.



The race for Elizabeth, whilst likely to be hotly contested, features three of the best candidates in tax attorney Ryan Pinder (PLP), banker Charlene Paul (DNA) and Dr Sands. A recently published survey, conducted by a company that I’m affiliated with (Silver Lining Enterprises), shows that the DNA will also poll well in this constituency.



As it stands, it appears that Dr Sands will give Mr Pinder—who is one of only a handful of MPs whose exciting Parliamentary debates and debating style is always riveting—a black needle.



According to some observers, the race for Elizabeth will cost a mountain of dollars.





Englerston



FNM candidate Caron Shepherd would be better of counting and watching sheep rather than vying for the Englerston seat. In a matchup with Glenys Hanna-Martin (PLP), Ms Shepherd is running in quick sand and sinking fast. She is a major also-ran challenger among a slew of other minor opponents contesting for the Englerston seat.





Englerston—which is now amalgamated with parts of the former St. Cecilia constituency—has never voted FNM and will, I believe, give Mrs Hanna-Martin one of the largest margins of victory in the general election.



Seemingly, the inner-city PLP-leaning seats have been lumped into one massive voting block, with Englerston and St. Cecilia now being one seat and extending as far as Yellow Elder on its western boundaries and nearly as far east as Sea Breeze.



Relative to this seat, contestants such as Paul Rolle (Independent), Alex Morley (Independent), S Ali McIntosh (BCP) and Nicholas Jacques (DNA) will all lose their deposits. Thanks to them the Public Treasury is set to collect $1,600.





Exumas and Ragged Island



Anthony Moss (PLP) may lack the political horsepower to recapture the Exumas and Ragged Island seat as many residents express displeasure with his lackluster representation.



Phenton Neymour (FNM) could edge out the PLP incumbent as Mr Moss is said to be unpopular in the Exuma Cays and has rendered a performance that is purportedly the reason for voter discontent. Frankly, there are only two serious contenders in this race and, key to the fight for this seat, is who wins the cays and George Town. I’m told that Moss is being supported by many in the Baptist church—where he’s very active—and that even Baptist Pastor Dr William Thompson is on the campaign trail for him.







Fort Charlotte



The Fort Charlotte constituency—aka Killarney B— should be a political duel. The fact that the boundaries extend further into what used to be Dr Hubert Minnis’ Killarney seat—all the way to the Cable Beach roundabout—makes the contest even more electrifying.



The face-off in this highly competitive race is between former NDP leader Dr Andre Rollins (PLP) and Zhivargo Laing (FNM), although DNA candidate Mark Humes is expected to get a handful of votes himself.



As it stands, both Dr Rollins and Mr Laing are seen as political journeymen, Mr Laing being a political acolyte of PM Ingraham. I live in the Fort Charlotte constituency and, frankly, some residents have stated to me that they question whether, in the case of Dr Rollins, he has a wide-eyed infatuation with power and would wobble on any position to attain it. Relative to Mr Laing, it has been noted that in his past, he has alienated voters with what many perceived to have been his impatient demeanour, a patronizing and condescending approach when speaking to people and an intolerance to divergent views.



Mr Laing used to be the MP in this constituency, which he lost in 2002, and subsequently relocated to Grand Bahama where he has most recently represented the Marco City seat.



How does Mr Laing’s move play out in the minds of his former constituents, many of whom are asking if he returned to New Providence because he sensed that he was in a deficit position politically?



Two days ago, I read a booklet delivered to my house (and that of other residents) explaining Mr. Laing’s move to Grand Bahama due to pressing family and business-related reasons and I accept that. Undoubtedly, his attempt to explain his plan and his movements over the last 12 years will be noted by most residents. What particularly stood out to me was his character pledge to be “honest, humble, hardworking, accessible, responsive, in touch and productive.” Whatever happens, I intend to hold him accountable and true to his words.



Both gentlemen vying for my vote, and that of thousands of other constituents, are articulate, noteworthy and youthful men. May the best man win!





Fox Hill



Shonell Ferguson’s (FNM) candidacy in Fox Hill reminds me of a wilting candle and she will be rendered a seat less wonder. By all accounts, current MP Fred Mitchell (PLP) has been a visible, hardworking MP, thereby leaving his opponent with a long, tough journey to the polls with her status as a “Fox Hill gal” to have no bearing on the contest.





Garden Hills



Whilst incumbent Brensil Rolle (FNM) has the advantage, the Garden Hills seat could still go either way. Garden Hills has come to be known as one of the swing seats, vacillating between FNM and PLP representatives in recent elections. That said, whilst Dr Kendal Major (PLP) is said to be a hardnosed campaigner, Mr Rolle is quite popular on the ground and, considering the population shifts in the constituency due to the construction and sale of houses in newly constructed housing subdivisions, he may have the advantage in the electoral showdown.





Golden Gates



FNM challenger Winsome Miller is a no-hoper who will “win none” in Golden Gates. PLP incumbent Shane Gibson, by all accounts, has been a good MP and is likely to retain his seat.



Mrs Miller is on the FNM’s B-Team, has failed to impress and is, in my opinion, one of the FNM’s weakest links in the South West.





Golen Isles



In Golden Isles, I once thought that Charles Maynard (FNM) would be like Humpty Dumpty and have a great political fall. However, with a favourable boundary cut and a reputation as a political ground hog, I’m going to forecast him to retain his seat.



In the Golden Isles seat, it is unfortunate that Michael Halkitis—seemingly an all-around good guy and a rising powerhouse—will lose his bid to be re-elected to a seat that he held from 2002 to 2007.





Killarney



In the electoral race for Killarney, Jerome Gomez (PLP) and Prodesta Moore (DNA) will fall like sand through an hour glass in an electoral head-to-head with Dr Hubert Minnis. If any of those contenders beat Dr Minnis, I would stop writing this column for a month. The doctor is a rising powerhouse within the FNM and most likely to be its next leader. No doubt, one expects to hear of fits of hysteria, uncontrollable crying and recurring nightmares from his snubbed challengers who have already greased their own political skids by being brazen enough to accept a nod to challenge one of the nation's best MPs.





Long Island



Loretta Butler-Turner (FNM) needs to permanently stay in Long Island for the next week or so.



The people of Long Island—my home town—are complaining that she comes there for brief periods, pops in-and-out and returns to Nassau whilst her PLP challenger Alex Storr has taken up residence and the DNA candidate, Mario Cartwright, is already a longtime businessman and permanently lives there.



If Mrs Butler-Turner is fooled by the notion that Long Islanders will merely vote for her because she’s an FNM, she could find herself shell-shocked as they would vote in protest just to send her a message.



Of late, I’ve discovered that former FNM Attorney General Tennyson Wells is actively campaigning for Mr Storr and that his sister, former Director of Education Iris Pinder, is Mr. Storr’s campaign manager.



Whilst I still expect Mrs Butler-Turner to win, it will be unlike the 2007 race in Montagu, where she won by a margin of 68 per cent. I suggest that PM Ingraham travels to the island and calls a mass rally. Long Islanders want to feel as if their MP will be with them all the time, not merely for brief periods during election season. And that’s a memo!





Mangrove Cay and South Andros



Incumbent MP Picewell Forbes (PLP) and FNM challenger Ronald Bostfield are two dreadful major party candidates vying for the Mangrove Cay and South Andros seat. Independent challenger and former MP Whitney Bastian will politically wipe the floor with both of his major opponents.



The residents of this constituency have indicated to me that they want to do like the Arabs and politically throw their shoes—i.e. votes—against the incumbent. Mr Forbes, whose “Speak Up” talk show I grew up listening to on Long Island, will suffer a humiliating loss to Independent Whitney Bastian and will likely be going the way of the Dodo—that is, political extinction.





Marathon



The race for the Marathon seat is a run-off that is too close to call. Although it is currently represented by an outgoing FNM MP, PLP challenger Jerome Fitzgerald has purportedly made a lot of headway in that constituency over the last two years.



That said, FNM challenger Heather Hunt appears to be a bright young attorney who has as good a chance as any of capturing this seat. Moreover, the boundary cut—which extends Marathon into the FNM-leaning Blair community—should bode well for Mrs Hunt. The Marathon seat is a fifty-fifty chance of breaking either way!





Marco City



The odds were stacked against the outgoing MP for Marco City, however, the FNM’s nomination of well-respected educator and basketball coach Norris Bain will likely put this seat into the FNM’s win column. Bain is further strengthened by the addition of two FNM-leaning polling divisions from Lucaya and one from High Rock.





MICAL



FNM challenger Sidney Collie will be politically sucker-punched in MICAL. Current MP V. Alfred Gray is likely to retain the seat in a race—between two home town boys—that’s set to be a carnivorous affair. Any expectancy of Mr Collie winning his seat is only comparable to waiting for VAT 19 (liquor) to turn 20!



Sidney Collie is a banana peel away from slipping into the political abyss for, as German philosopher Friedrich Nietzche stated, “if you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”





Montagu



PLP MP Frank Smith will be sent packing in Montagu and, after this election, find himself banished to the political wilderness. Mr Smith’s impoliteness has earned the ire of the Prime Minister and so it appears that the full weight of both the Prime Minister’s office (boundary cuts, etc) and the FNM’s electoral machinery has come down upon him.



The DNA’s candidate Ben Albury is expected to have a strong showing in this race, with independent candidate Graham Weatherford providing some comic relief and heated, provocative rhetoric.



Whilst I expect FNM candidate Richard Lightbourn to win the seat, it will not be by 2007 margins as Mr Lightbourn is not seen as a politically attractive candidate but rather one whose good fortune is to have been nominated to contest a staunchly FNM/UBP seat.





Mount Moriah



Tommy Turnquest is likely to recapture the Mount Moriah seat (aka Killarney C), which is another seat that now extends into Dr Minnis’ former Killarney constituency with hopes of attaining favourable electoral reforms. I must applaud Mr Turnquest for his handling of the embarrassing episode in Bain Town, which left him seeming poised and statesman-like, contrasted to Dr Bernard Nottage who was constantly sounding off like an empty cymbal.



Frankly, what Dr Nottage should have done was to assemble a welcome brigade for the PM and his team and walk with them, taking the opportunity to perhaps gain political mileage by highlighting the concerns and needs of constituents and any failures on their part to address the issues facing Bain Town residents from 2007 to present.



Arnold Forbes (PLP) seems to be a likable, worthy challenger but he will take a shellacking in this election cycle. DNA candidate Wayne Munroe will have little to no serious impact.





Nassau Village



The Nassau Village seat features one of the dreariest match-ups this election cycle. I was also unimpressed by the selection of Basil Moss to be the FNM’s standard bearer in Nassau Village.



However, after watching him on Bahamas at Sunrise earlier this week, I must say that I thought he did well.



PLP candidate for Nassau Village—attorney Dion Smith—is one of those head scratching nominations. At the PLP’s candidates’ launch, Smith rendered a putrid performance and appeared to be nothing short of an unimpressive, phony-sounding political neophyte who, at best, is a mediocre candidate. Mr Smith appears to be a nondescript, deer-in-the-headlight nominee who is perhaps one of the PLP’s worst candidates.



Indeed, when it comes to the PLP and the FNM, the nominees for the Nassau Village seat must be the most bland and uninteresting nominations for the 2012 general election. The pickings are slim and, as it stands, I would have to say that DNA candidate Chris Mortimer is the most appealing of the trio of candidates seeking to represent that constituency. However, Mr. Mortimer—whilst one of the DNA’s strongest candidates—will not win in what has come to be known as a PLP stronghold. I expect Mr Smith to be elected the MP for that area with Mr. Mortimer perhaps having one of the strongest showings of any DNA candidate. Frankly, Mortimer is one to watch for the 2017 general election as I believe that by then, he’s likely to be picked off and among a slate of major party (i.e. FNM/PLP) candidates.





North Abaco



Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham (FNM) has an exploitable mismatch in the North Abaco race, which is being contested by Renardo Curry (PLP) and Sonith Lockhart (DNA). Mr Ingraham is the FNM’s MVP (Most Valuable Politician) and has done wonders for the island of Abaco and its development.



The notion, by PLPs that Mr Curry could beat Mr Ingraham is merely to fool that young man to proceed to the political gallows although he knows that he couldn’t win even in his playground dreams. Child, please! I have a better chance of becoming President of the United States than Mr. Curry has of beating Mr. Ingraham. This will be an historic rebuke!





North Andros and the Berry Islands



The North Andros and the Berry Islands constituency race features three of the best contenders in this political cycle. Desmond Bannister (FNM), Dr Perry Gomez (PLP) and Randy Butler (DNA) are all well-respected and could all serve as MPs in their own right.



However, this election cycle the political door will be slammed in the faces of Gomez and Butler. Frankly, I believe that at his age Dr Gomez should have stayed away from the political front lines and instead enjoyed the twilight of his medical career without any nightmares of being politically manhandled by Desmond Bannister.





North Eleuthera



The North Eleuthera constituency should be an exciting race to watch. The run-off between Theo Neilly (FNM)—an airport manager and local government chief councilor—and Spanish Wells fisherman and fellow local government councilor Clay Sweeting (PLP) is expected to be a hotly contested affair. Mr Neilly should win the seat.





Pineridge



Current MP Kwasi Thompson has been an outstanding representative, whilst PLP challenger Dr. Michael Darville—who has a medical practice in the constituency—has also earned much praise from residents.



Frankly, I still believe that the PLP should have nominated Dr Darville in the Marco City constituency, as he is not overwhelmingly favoured to beat Mr Thompson. That said, Dr. Darville is a formidable candidate and, whilst Mr Thompson holds a slight edge at this time, the quality of the candidates vying for the voters support in this race could cause the pendulum to swing either way. This race will certainly be a nail biter.





Pinewood



The Pinewood seat is a toss-up!



Although, like the Klingons, FNM MP Byron Woodside has mastered the art of invisibility—in terms of his ministerial portfolio—by all accounts he has done a creditable job in his constituency. However, Pinewood has long been a PLP stronghold and Khaalis Rolle could—depending on changes within the voting bloc and the luck of the political draw—capitalize on the extensive love affair this constituency has had with the PLP. The race for Pinewood will no doubt be close and quite competitive.





Sea Breeze



Hope Strachan (PLP) will puncture the ego of a cocky guy in Sea Breeze. Outgoing FNM MP Carl Bethel, who has become a nowhere man of Bahamian politics, will suffer an ego-busting defeat in Sea Breeze.



In 2007, Mrs Strachan lost by 64 votes after campaigning in the constituency for just six weeks!





South Beach



Monique Gomez (FNM) is likely to win the South Beach seat over Cleola Hamilton (PLP) who is becoming increasing unpopular among constituents.





Southern Shores



The Southern Shores contest is the race between three PLPs—two of whom are now members of the FNM and the DNA. Whilst I believe that Kenyatta Gibson (FNM) may hold a slight edge, Kenred Dorsett is a strong opponent and the impact of DNA candidate Dr Madeline Sawyer could also affect the outcome. The seat is too close to call!





St Anne’s



Accountant Hubert Chipman (FNM) will win the St Anne’s seat, with the only question being, “by how much?”



Outgoing MP Brent Symonette won by nearly 64 per cent of the votes (990-plus votes) cast in the St Annes constituency in the last general election, so one waits to see if Mr Chipman, upon dispatching PLP candidate Greg Burrows, will have a similar margin of victory.





Tall Pines



Leslie Miller (PLP) will politically extinguish Karen Butler (FNM) in Tall Pines. Ms Butler is a sacrificial lamb and her chances could only be great in her own imagination. Mr Miller, a self-described pot cake, is a political groundhog and will politically clobber Ms Butler.





West Grand Bahama and Bimini



The West Grand Bahama and Bimini seat is most interesting. Incumbent Obie Wilchcombe (PLP), the presumed frontrunner, is in a hotly contested race against Pakeisha Edgecombe (FNM) in what will be one of the most watched electoral races in 2012. A review of the seat shows that parts of the Eight Mile Rock settlement—Hanna Hill, Pinedale, Martin Town and Russell Town—which are now in the reconfigured constituency are more PLP-leaning areas, whilst FNM-leaning areas such as Queens Cove have been added to Pineridge or appended to Central Grand Bahama. Bimini which has about 1000 votes has been nearly evenly split over the last 30 years. Besides Mr Wilchcombe, former PLP MP Henry Bowen is the only other person—based on polling data—to win Bimini in two consecutive elections.



In the race for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, I would give incumbent Obie Wilchcombe the edge over Edgecombe in favour of his retention of the seat.





Yamacraw



Lastly, Yamacraw will be a battle royale between Melanie Griffin (PLP) and Dion Foulkes (FNM). Over the years, Mrs Griffin has been said to have a stranglehold on the seat and the addition of half of the Elizabeth Estates community to her seat appears to strengthen her. That said, challenger Dion Foulkes, a political groundhog and a veteran, will prove to be no push over. For now, I’ll categorize the race in Yamacraw as a toss-up!



The upcoming general election will be a political circus and a helluva election season which will leave, upon its conclusion, quite a number of sitting MPs and electoral hopefuls shell-shocked and reaching for a crying towel!

The very same Perry Christie who failed to fulfill his first duty as Prime Minister in 2002 ...can't condemn violence by his supporters ...or even get out his party's election platform in 2012," says Hubert Ingraham

'Late-Again Plp Criticised For Lacking A Manifesto

By CELESTE NIXON

Tribune Staff Reporter

cnixon@tribunemedia.net

#DESPITE continuing to talk and make promises, opposition leader Perry Christie has still not released his five-year platform, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham pointed out.

DESPITE continuing to talk and make promises, opposition leader Perry Christie has still not released his five-year platform, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham pointed out.

The FNM, by contrast, has already produced a hefty 2012-2017 manifesto, and the DNA has issued a 20-page preview version of its plan.

Speaking at an FNM rally in North Eleuthera Wednesday night, Mr Ingraham said: "The whole election campaign is only four weeks. With a quarter of the campaign behind us, the late-again PLP leader has yet to inform the Bahamian electorate on the details of his election platform.

"His campaign speeches and those of his candidates up to now have been filled with just one thing: Ingraham, Ingraham, Ingraham," the Prime Minister said.

The rally came one day after photographs surfaced of PLP supporters driving over an effigy of an FNM supporter, and Mr Ingraham asked why no one in the PLP has come forward to condemn the act.

He said: "They keep talking about their new plan to address crime. Have you heard anyone in the PLP condemn the symbolic killing of an FNM supporter yesterday?

"They plastered the effigy of an FNM supporter being rolled over by PLP adorned-vehicles in Golden Gates. Now that is an invitation to violence; not a call for peace and respect of the law."

Mr Ingraham said the lack of condemnation by Mr Christie proves nothing has changed in the PLP and that the opposition would only bring "disorganisation and dysfunction" if elected as the government.

"The very same man who failed to fulfill his first duty as Prime Minister in 2002 can't condemn violence by his supporters, or even get out his party's election platform in 2012," said Mr Ingraham.

"Doesn't that sound like nothing has changed?"

April 20, 2012

tribune242

Caribbean Blog International

Let civility reign in this 2012 general election season...

Remaining civil during the election

thenassauguardian editorial

Passions are rising in anticipation of the general election.  The parties are putting up posters and having mass rallies.  Bahamians are ready to determine who will be the next Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

A hobby in The Bahamas around election time is crowd watching.  Many people tune in to rallies or pick up newspapers just to see how many people attended events.  Bahamians want to get a sense of who has the most momentum heading into voting day.  People pay careful attention to who filled this park, or whose motorcade was the biggest.

Among the passionate base supporters of each party, this is serious business.  Verbal “battles” emerge between rival sides when rallies are taking place over which party has or had the largest crowd.  These arguments are accompanied by other odd arguments over momentum, such as which party’s flags are most visible on vehicles.

With a record 172,085 people registered to vote, clearly there is great interest in the outcome of this election.  With all of this enthusiasm and interest we have kept up our tradition of non-violent elections – by non-violent we mean the absence of organized and widespread political violence.

With all the challenges we have had with crime and violence over the past few years, this is something we should be proud of.  It was a pleasure over the weekend to witness, in various places, Bahamians losing their voices in robust arguments with friends over politics; each side calling the other a failure and a danger to the future of the country.  Even after a few drinks, in some of these situations, the debates only got louder.  None even remotely approached violence.

We should be proud of our political tradition of non-violent dissent and we must continue to teach our young people that we can disagree without violence.  When you are tired of a government, a politician or a leader, vote against that person or group.  You can also work to persuade others to vote against them.

This is the beauty of democracy.  We can all have an opinion, struggle for our cause, but do so without seeking to physically harm others.  We must remember that the members of our political class have close ties.  The leader of the opposition and prime minister are former law partners and are close friends.  The families of senior members of the Free National Movement (FNM) and senior members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) intermarry.  The children of our politicians attend the same elite private schools.

These close ties are good.  We differ politically, but not to the extent of contempt and hatred.  This election season we all should seek to remember that all sides care about The Bahamas.  And we should commend all the men and women who offer themselves for service to the country.

Apr 16, 2012

thenassauguardian editorial

Caribbean Blog International

...the six worst Cabinet Ministers who have served in Hubert Ingraham's Cabinet at some point in the last five years... 2007 - 2012

By ADRIAN GIBSON

ajbahama@hotmail.com

 THIS week’s column begins a two-part series that seeks to review the FNM’s Cabinet, rating the six worst ministers who have served at some point in the last five years and, in part two, evaluating the five top performing ministers since 2007.

 Frankly, following the 2007 General Elections, I thought that Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham was rather shorthanded, particularly since—as I said in a 2009 ministerial grading column—“he must contend with a few hopeless jokers in his boardroom, who seem out of touch with public sentiment and merely concerned with the pomp and trappings of high office, living in their world of fantasy.”  Although Mr. Ingraham has further diversified his Cabinet since then, there were/are certain ministers who, in my opinion, were/are not the ideal choices and who appear to have been mere space cadets. While there have been a few top-tier ministers, there have been others who, in my opinion, have mismanaged the sky-high expectations of the Bahamian people, some of them having wilted under pressure.

 Quite honestly, as I think over the last five years, there are some ministers whose feeble performances, lily-livered nature and wringing of hands should, in my opinion, have left them handcuffed to the backbenches of Parliament.  Frankly, there are those who have been mere talking heads—underachievers whose ministerial supervision has been mired in mediocrity, leaving one to wonder if they are mentally on a beach, building sandcastles and collecting seashells as opposed to rendering effective ministerial service.

 Sharing the title of fifth worst minister is Claire Hepburn (now Supreme Court Justice) and Sir Michael Barnett (now Chief Justice) for what was, at that time, equally pitiful performances as Minister of Legal Affairs/Attorney General (AG). Both Mrs. Hepburn and Sir Michael earned an I for incomplete or a QF for what appeared to have been a quick failure in their ministerial posts.

 During their terms, there seemed little to no tangible evidence of any attempt to hasten the alleviation of the overwhelming case backlog and hardly any notable legislative initiatives to advance the reformation of the judicial system.

 Frankly, during the tenures of Hepburn/Barnett (as AG), there was little to no improvement in the infrastructure or administration of justice/legal system, hardly any initiatives undertaken relative to the tenure and payment of judges, no new hiring and recruiting of attorneys to the AG’s office to deal with issues such as trade reform and criminal matters and little efforts made to incentivise lawyers to leave their practices and sit on the Bench. At that time, I felt that someone should have tickled them as both Mrs. Hepburn and Mr. Barnett had seemingly fallen asleep at the wheel.

 As the chief ministers of justice, both former Attorneys General did little to confront the deficiencies in the justice system and show that justice in the Bahamas is transparent. Frankly, both of the past Attorneys General scarcely made the public aware of any amendments to laws or the introduction of Bills to confront 21st century criminals. The then justice ministers both appeared to operate in a reactionary state.

  Moreover, I felt that there was not a resolute thrust for disciplinary action to be taken against corrupt attorneys, that there was no provisioning of additional resources for police prosecutors and that they were flawed in their failure to bring in or hire special prosecutors.

 All-in-all, Mrs. Hepburn’s/Mr. Barnett’s respective terms as AG was, in my opinion, abysmal.

 Fourth on the list of worst ministers is Neko Grant—primarily in his capacity as Minister of Tourism and Aviation. Mr. Grant was perhaps the worst tourism minister in modern Bahamian history. He performed dreadfully during his time at the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation (MOTA).

 It seemed a gross miscalculation to appoint Mr. Grant in the aforesaid portfolio as he appeared to be overwhelmed by such a difficult assignment. Under his leadership, sources told me that morale at the MOTA was at an all-time low and that the Bahamas had drastically lost market share.

 Mismanagement, coupled with the recession that occurred during the now Works Minister’s posting, had the Bahamas headed for its worst tourism year in seven or eight years and the worst summer in 10 years. Although other mitigating factors—such as the economic crunch in the US—was at play, the tourism yield appeared to have nosedived under Grant who seemed visionless and out of his depth.

  Former Minister of Lands and Local Government Sidney Collie roars into third place. Overall, Mr Collie was a flimsy minister who performed dismally and, in the face of a possible firing and reshuffling of the Cabinet, suddenly resigned in 2008. His term in office reminds me of a tired yawn.

 In June 2008, a court ruled that the proper processes were not followed in the run-up to that year’s constitutionally flawed, local government elections. This resulted in those elections not going ahead in nine areas.

 During his administration, Mr. Collie advanced no draft legislation to address and update the rent control act, land reform and price control.

 In a 2008 column, I wrote:

  “Having grown up on an island, I am also aware that local government has numerous deficiencies, including empowering certain persons in small communities to victimize or repeatedly grant jobs/contracts to a favoured few. This must be carefully monitored!”

 I see no evidence of where Mr. Collie took heed.

 Even more, what was perplexing is that whilst Mr. Collie was “Minister of Lands” in title, however the substantial land portfolio fell under the purview of the Prime Minister. Was that an indication of the PM’s lack of confidence in Mr. Collie’s abilities?

 Ranking second on the list of worst FNM ministers from 2007 to now is Carl Bethel, the former Minister of Education.

 Mr. Bethel, the smug and ostentatious former minister—now FNM chairman—has become the nowhere man of Bahamian politics, having been promptly dismissed on the convention floor during his party’s conclave and relegated to a permanent place on the political backbench.

 Whilst there may have also been some institutional encumbrances, Mr Bethel was a bellicose grandstander under whose leadership the Ministry of Education (MOE) appears to have floundered. During his tenure, the MOE was accused of being slow to react to charges of molestation against teachers. That said, I was reliably told that there was evidence showing where the Department of Education had attempted to suppress complaints against accused persons long before Mr. Bethel entered the hot seat.

 During Bethel’s term, there appeared to be no concerted effort towards educational and curriculum reform, no specific plan for the proper training of security personnel and no teacher-mentoring programmes were instituted.  Perhaps, one of the former minister’s greatest downfalls was the perception that he did not take advice and exuded a know-it-all air of pomposity that did not bode well in a community-oriented ministry such as the MOE.

 Bethel’s supervision at Education saw increasing incidents of school violence and the recording and circulation of school porn and school fights via YouTube to thousands of viewers. Unfortunately, a student was also killed on a school campus during that time.

 Due to Carl Bethel’s calamitous political record, particularly during his last posting at the MOE—of which he was publicly relieved by PM Ingraham—party insiders have expressed wonderment about his capacity to effectively run a concession stand.

 Hands down, the worst minister of the Ingraham government—circa 2007 to 2012—has been Tommy Turnquest, the Minister of National Security.

 When it comes to combating crime and implementing a much-promised strategic crime fighting plan, Mr Turnquest seems to be on Pluto. He lacks the common touch and, in the Cabinet deck of cards, seems a joker. At times, Mr Turnquest appears egg-heady and, even more, completely out of his depth—I thought his request for an Australian journalist to apologize for a documentary on the crime rate in the Bahamas was evidence of his cluelessness about the crime situation and the perceptions of Bahamians and visitors alike.

 

 Let me first say that Mr. Turnquest has politically matured and has become superb on the campaign stump this election cycle. His delivery is much more fluid and he has adopted a “take no prisoners” stance. He has also been a competent manager of Parliamentary affairs as leader of government business in the House of Assembly.

 That said, his term as National Security minister has been a long, stupendously ineffective blur. In his post, he seems a rank amateur, who appears one-dimensional in his directorial capacity.

 The fear of crime has risen as the populace has also lost confidence in Mr. Turnquest’s ministerial leadership.

 Whilst Mr. Turnquest cannot be held accountable for social conditions, what happens in people's homes or the fact that Bahamian society is becoming increasing amoral, the nightmare of street violence must be a political headache, as voters are increasingly becoming disaffected with the soaring crime rate. Crime is a looming economic threat and, undeniably, there is a need for a moral awakening in the Bahamas.

 Crime is spiraling out of control, yet Mr. Turnquest appears to have no feasible crime fighting strategy. Whilst the minister is great at quoting statistics, the level of criminality has degenerated to a point where prevention is nearly unheard of and Bahamians are now going to bed and waking up expectantly inquiring about the number and identities of the injured or murdered, rather than asking if someone was murdered.

 There must be greater, effective collaboration between the National Security Ministry and the Attorney General's office. The notion that sadistic criminals can be granted bail in record time—even with the recent amendments— and the fact that there's a case backlog, militates against the efficient and timely prosecution and sentencing of criminals.

 As Minister of National Security, Mr. Turnquest should have engaged in more hands on dialogue and reportage to the public, soliciting responses and an exchange of ideas about crime. The Commissioner of Police persistently notes the Police Force's efforts in pursuing community policing, but much more can be done to encourage community participation or to foster a partnership between the police and civil society (church, civic groups, social scientists, academics, etc). Today, residents in certain communities are apprehensive about sharing information with the police, as some claim that they have lost faith in the police holding their identities in the strictest confidence. Indeed, community policing can open the door for greater intelligence-gathering, particularly since the criminally-minded mostly commit crimes against persons residing within their communities. Furthermore, some police officers should immediately participate in desperately needed seminars in civility in order to heighten their obvious lack of interpersonal skills and decorum.

 In fighting crime, the seemingly defunct Urban Renewal Programme could have been revamped and utilized more effectively. In the past, the focus of the programme was merely on marching bands and police walkabouts, but it should be modified and used as a community mechanism to generate meaningful employment, teaching high school dropouts and training people for the workplace and entrepreneurial ventures.

 Moreover, greater incorporation of civil society in the national security conversation can offer solutions and foster dialogue among people with specialised knowledge.

 Does Mr. Turnquest truly have an appreciation for the level of social discontent associated with crime and his ministry's response?

 We are all waiting for a report of the workability of the ankle bracelets for alleged criminals out on bail?

 As I’ve said before, the entire prison should be razed. Fox Hill prison has structural issues that cannot simply be resolved by building on to the present, archaic structure. A new structural design must reflect the latest approach to incarceration, which implores that greater emphasis be placed on reform. That said, I do applaud Mr Turnquest for ensuring the construction of special courts at the current prison to facilitate speedier trials and alleviate the burden of transporting high-risk prisoners, on remand, from the prison to the courts in Bank Lane the usual dangerous and high speed manner. However, a new prison should, in the near future, be constructed on Andros or another island with tremendous land resources.

 The Broadcasting Corporation (ZNS), for which Mr. Turnquest is also responsible, needs further re-directing and large scale retrenchment. ZNS continues to be plagued by inefficient, antiquated programming that lacks in-depth investigation and research, needs upgraded and quality production and a systemic transition from analog to digital signals. Whilst ZNS has got rid of staff, there is no evidence of a serious transition to a true public broadcasting network.

 And why am I hearing accounts of ZNS reporters being muzzled and sanctioned for their pursuit of stories?

 On a positive note, Mr. Turnquest did oversee the purchase of equipment, vehicles and planes for law enforcement agencies and there has been a move to equip the police with technical facilities (DNA lab). However, based on my conversations with police officers of all political persuasions, one wonders if police officers are satisfied that they are suitably rewarded and protected (e.g. bulletproof vests)?

 Perception is reality in politics and it appears that Mr. Turnquest lacks the political will to read death warrants, ushering in the finalization of legal appeals so that convicted murderers can receive their court-ordered, just desserts. More could have also been done by Mr Turnquest to supervise the establishment of a witness protection programme to protect state witnesses who are being bumped off!

 Indeed, whilst there is no blame game for crime, the extent of Mr. Turnquest's national security experience is as an assistant bank manager.  After a tumultuous reign, Mr. Turnquest is undoubtedly the weakest of Mr. Ingraham’s major portfolio selections.

 There are also several other mediocre Cabinet ministers who are runner-ups on the list for the five worst ministers, namely: Minister of State for Lands and Local Government, Byron “Mr. Stealth” Woodside and Minister of State for Social Services Loretta Butler-Turner who, if I may add, is a very nice lady.

 Next week, the best of the 2007-2012 Ingraham Cabinet….

Caribbean Blog International