FNM blasts ‘attack on PM’
By KRYSTEL ROLLE
Guardian Staff Reporter
krystel@nasguard.com
PLP says PM Ingraham was condemned by one of his own
Bamboo Town MP Branville McCartney’s assertion that Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham lacks compassion was described yesterday by Free National Movement (FNM)Chairman Carl Bethel as an attack and “political posturing.”
“There is no question that such an attack upon the prime minister is totally without any foundation and must be viewed as merely the manifestation of a personal agenda,” said Bethel in a statement.
Bethel was responding to comments made by McCartney while he was a guest Tuesday on the Star 106.5 FM radio talk show ‘Jeffrey’ with host Jeffrey Lloyd.
At the time McCartney predicted that the FNM would be challenged at the next general election, in part because of Ingraham’s lack of compassion toward the Bahamian people.
“At this stage, I’d certainly want [the FNM] to succeed, but we have our challenges,” said McCartney. “We seem to not be connected to the people, from the leader straight down. [We’re] showing a lack of compassion and not listening to the people,” he said.
When pressed by Lloyd, McCartney added: “The prime minister is the leader of the FNM. The buck stops with the prime minister. Yes, there’s a lack of compassion — probably not intentionally. Perhaps that’s just the way he is. That type of governance was necessary in 1992. In 2011 and 2012, I don’t think it is.”
Bethel said McCartney’s assessment was incorrect.
“Indeed, compassion is a virtue best expressed by actions, not words; and the prime minister throughout his political career has always shown great compassion for others,” he said.
“His policy initiatives, infrastructural improvements, stimulus packages, assistance with electricity bills, social spending, unemployment insurance and educational innovations in these tough times all speak louder than words of the prime minister’s compassion.”
Bethel said many people in the FNM were surprised at McCartney’s comments, as McCartney has always had the right to express concerns about compassion, or the lack thereof, at party council meetings.
“Indeed, Mr. McCartney attended the Central Council meeting of the party last week and had every opportunity to voice his feelings to his colleagues, peers, and those party officers and activists who he hopes to lead someday. He said nothing about compassion even though he spoke about other issues,” he said.
Bethel added that the prime minister’s personal journey from the “bowels of dire poverty” in his childhood to the heights of achievement for the Bahamian people as a “visionary” and “compassionate” leader is well-known.
He is of the view that Ingraham’s love and compassion for the Bahamian people is second to none.
“There may be policy differences which divide politicians, but any attack based upon an alleged lack of compassion is nothing short of political posturing,” said Bethel.
Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts also issued a statement yesterday on McCartney’s remarks on Tuesday.
“The prime minister clearly stands condemned by one of his own,” Roberts said. “Who will be the next to step forward and to be frank and honest with the Bahamian people? McCartney’s projections that the FNM will face great challenges in the coming general election are correct. We indeed need change Bahamas.”
2/3/2011
thenassauguardian
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.
Showing posts with label Carl Bethel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carl Bethel. Show all posts
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Friday, August 20, 2010
The majority of Branville McCartney support is on the outside of his party - the Free National Movement (FNM)
Branville 'lacking Cabinet support'
tribune242:
ALTHOUGH widely considered to be a "popular Member of Parliament" by the voting public, FNM MP Branville McCartney does not share that same level of support among his former cabinet colleagues, The Tribune has been informed.
Out of a cabinet of 17 persons, sources close to the Bamboo Town MP said Mr McCartney could have the backing of possibly only "three or four" ministers.
This support, however, is said to grow when one considers there are a few "disgruntled" backbenchers within the party who would like to see a change in the party's leadership.
A senior FNM told The Tribune: "For right now, the majority of Branville's support is on the outside of the party. So his allies, within the organisation, will have to be in a wait-and-see mode. You don't want to be the man to put up your hand in support of him and draw back a stump."
Another voting delegate within the FNM said Mr McCartney would be wise to implement a "wait and see" position at this time, as he should not allow "outside influences" to move him before "the right time."
"In politics, timing is everything. Having political capital, and knowing what to do with it, are two completely different things. It is also very hard to remove a leader who all you can say about him is that you don't like his style. So ambition, in this instance, must learn to pace itself," he said.
Currently, if Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham were to step aside as leader of the FNM by the end of the year, the governing party could see a six-way race for its leadership post.
Among the names being touted as persons interested in becoming the next possible leader of the organisation are: Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing, Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes, the chairman of the party Carl Bethel, and, of course, the former Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney.
August 19, 2010
tribune242
tribune242:
ALTHOUGH widely considered to be a "popular Member of Parliament" by the voting public, FNM MP Branville McCartney does not share that same level of support among his former cabinet colleagues, The Tribune has been informed.
Out of a cabinet of 17 persons, sources close to the Bamboo Town MP said Mr McCartney could have the backing of possibly only "three or four" ministers.
This support, however, is said to grow when one considers there are a few "disgruntled" backbenchers within the party who would like to see a change in the party's leadership.
A senior FNM told The Tribune: "For right now, the majority of Branville's support is on the outside of the party. So his allies, within the organisation, will have to be in a wait-and-see mode. You don't want to be the man to put up your hand in support of him and draw back a stump."
Another voting delegate within the FNM said Mr McCartney would be wise to implement a "wait and see" position at this time, as he should not allow "outside influences" to move him before "the right time."
"In politics, timing is everything. Having political capital, and knowing what to do with it, are two completely different things. It is also very hard to remove a leader who all you can say about him is that you don't like his style. So ambition, in this instance, must learn to pace itself," he said.
Currently, if Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham were to step aside as leader of the FNM by the end of the year, the governing party could see a six-way race for its leadership post.
Among the names being touted as persons interested in becoming the next possible leader of the organisation are: Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette, Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing, Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes, the chairman of the party Carl Bethel, and, of course, the former Minister of State for Immigration Branville McCartney.
August 19, 2010
tribune242
Monday, June 28, 2010
How serious is the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP)?
How serious is the PLP?
tribune242 editorial:
COMMENTING on our June 17 editorial - posted on The Tribune's website and headed: "Is this a gimmick for press headlines?" - a reader asked:
"Is it so, as the PLP claim, that the PM ended the Budget debate midstream in the committee stage? If so (and it was on TV for all to see) then is that not an example of denying the Opposition the right to freedom of speech on behalf of the Bahamian people?
"You don't have to like the PLP and you surely have the right to be an FNM partisan. However, in order to have some level of credibility, don't defend obvious wrong."
We are not defending an obvious wrong, nor do we intend to defend an opposition's attitude of arrogant entitlement -- that rules were not made for them.
In all facets of life to achieve harmony precedents are established and rules and procedures are followed.
So too in parliamentary debates. The debate to which our web site commentator refers is governed by constitutional rules. The rule that Opposition Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell was trying to get around was one that does not allow amendment of a money bill that would change the state of the Treasury unless moved by a Cabinet Minister on the recommendation of the Cabinet. Mr Mitchell, not a cabinet minister, was obviously trying to exempt himself from acknowledging that this rule also governed the Opposition.
The Budget Communication was presented to the House on May 26 by Prime Minister Ingraham. The following week debate opened and all 41 House members -17 of them Opposition- spoke. At that time they could dissect and amend any part of the Budget they wanted. The Budget had to be completed before July 1- three days from now when it goes into effect. Well in advance of the debate government gave its timeline on how it proposed to proceed with the debate and projected when it should be completed. The Opposition had ample time to study the proposed Budget and if members had any policy issues they could have circulated draft amendments - including the one Mr Mitchell moved in the House -- for cabinet consideration. Obviously they did not do this.
After fully debating the Bill, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole with the Speaker retiring from the chamber and the chairman taking the chair.
The Opposition, not having the numbers to defeat any part of the Bill, obviously decided to filibuster, and the filibuster started during examination of the estimates and expenditure of recurrent accounts. According to the Bahamas constitution, no amendment can be made to a money bill except by a cabinet minister with the full consent of the cabinet. As our readers know, Mr Mitchell is not a cabinet minister, and if he were serious he should have submitted his amendment for cabinet consideration well before the start of the debate-- he certainly had enough time to do so.
Because of the seriousness of the economy, the object of this Budget was to cut costs. Instead, Mr Mitchell proposed that funeral payments be increased from the present $650 to $1,300 per person for at least 1000 persons.
Mr Ingraham, obviously realising the Opposition's plan to delay passing of the Budget, warned Mr Mitchell that if he went down that road, he (Mr Ingraham) would move for closure. There is no debate on closure.
Not heeding the warning, the Opposition put the amendment. It was voted down. PLP MP Melanie Griffin by that time was on her feet with another motion -- the Opposition's plan to slow procedure became even more obvious as it appeared that one Opposition amendment was to follow another. The chairman ignored her. Closure was put. The Opposition packed their bags and left. The government continued to move the associated Budget Bills. It went through the Capital budget. So for the PLP to give the impression that the Budget process ended and nothing else was dealt with after they walked out, is just not true. The Budget was completed and passed after their disappearance.
However, what is of interest is that the item to cut parliamentary salaries was very high on the estimates of recurrent expenditure -- as a matter of fact it was Head 3. By the time closure came members were already on Head 44. This was an item about which the Opposition had expressed great concern. Government suggested cutting MPs' salaries by 5 per cent. Opposition Leader Perry Christie disagreed. He said the Opposition wanted salaries cut by 10 per cent. But Head 3 came and went and not a squeak from the Opposition about cutting anything. Why didn't they attempt to move a resolution on this one?
When FNM MP Carl Bethel pointed out this oversight, Dr Bernard Nottage, replied that a separate resolution on salaries was further down on the agenda and that is when they had intended to make their move to have parliamentary salaries reduced to 10 per cent rather than the FNM's five per cent recommendation. They missed the opportunity at Head 3 of the Estimates and skipped out of the House before their anticipated moment came for them to make a big splash by shaving a further five per cent off their parliamentary salaries for the sake of the people.
And so if they were really serious about increasing benefits for burying the indigent dead, and cutting their parliamentary salaries, all they had to do was follow the constitution and parliamentary rules. In other words there is no entitlement to bend the rules and no one is above the constitution -- not even the PLP.
Therefore we stand by our editorial of June 17 that in our opinion the PLP manoeuvres in the House were just gimmicks to attract headlines and impress the less informed.
June 27, 2010
tribune242 editorial
tribune242 editorial:
COMMENTING on our June 17 editorial - posted on The Tribune's website and headed: "Is this a gimmick for press headlines?" - a reader asked:
"Is it so, as the PLP claim, that the PM ended the Budget debate midstream in the committee stage? If so (and it was on TV for all to see) then is that not an example of denying the Opposition the right to freedom of speech on behalf of the Bahamian people?
"You don't have to like the PLP and you surely have the right to be an FNM partisan. However, in order to have some level of credibility, don't defend obvious wrong."
We are not defending an obvious wrong, nor do we intend to defend an opposition's attitude of arrogant entitlement -- that rules were not made for them.
In all facets of life to achieve harmony precedents are established and rules and procedures are followed.
So too in parliamentary debates. The debate to which our web site commentator refers is governed by constitutional rules. The rule that Opposition Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell was trying to get around was one that does not allow amendment of a money bill that would change the state of the Treasury unless moved by a Cabinet Minister on the recommendation of the Cabinet. Mr Mitchell, not a cabinet minister, was obviously trying to exempt himself from acknowledging that this rule also governed the Opposition.
The Budget Communication was presented to the House on May 26 by Prime Minister Ingraham. The following week debate opened and all 41 House members -17 of them Opposition- spoke. At that time they could dissect and amend any part of the Budget they wanted. The Budget had to be completed before July 1- three days from now when it goes into effect. Well in advance of the debate government gave its timeline on how it proposed to proceed with the debate and projected when it should be completed. The Opposition had ample time to study the proposed Budget and if members had any policy issues they could have circulated draft amendments - including the one Mr Mitchell moved in the House -- for cabinet consideration. Obviously they did not do this.
After fully debating the Bill, the House resolved itself into a committee of the whole with the Speaker retiring from the chamber and the chairman taking the chair.
The Opposition, not having the numbers to defeat any part of the Bill, obviously decided to filibuster, and the filibuster started during examination of the estimates and expenditure of recurrent accounts. According to the Bahamas constitution, no amendment can be made to a money bill except by a cabinet minister with the full consent of the cabinet. As our readers know, Mr Mitchell is not a cabinet minister, and if he were serious he should have submitted his amendment for cabinet consideration well before the start of the debate-- he certainly had enough time to do so.
Because of the seriousness of the economy, the object of this Budget was to cut costs. Instead, Mr Mitchell proposed that funeral payments be increased from the present $650 to $1,300 per person for at least 1000 persons.
Mr Ingraham, obviously realising the Opposition's plan to delay passing of the Budget, warned Mr Mitchell that if he went down that road, he (Mr Ingraham) would move for closure. There is no debate on closure.
Not heeding the warning, the Opposition put the amendment. It was voted down. PLP MP Melanie Griffin by that time was on her feet with another motion -- the Opposition's plan to slow procedure became even more obvious as it appeared that one Opposition amendment was to follow another. The chairman ignored her. Closure was put. The Opposition packed their bags and left. The government continued to move the associated Budget Bills. It went through the Capital budget. So for the PLP to give the impression that the Budget process ended and nothing else was dealt with after they walked out, is just not true. The Budget was completed and passed after their disappearance.
However, what is of interest is that the item to cut parliamentary salaries was very high on the estimates of recurrent expenditure -- as a matter of fact it was Head 3. By the time closure came members were already on Head 44. This was an item about which the Opposition had expressed great concern. Government suggested cutting MPs' salaries by 5 per cent. Opposition Leader Perry Christie disagreed. He said the Opposition wanted salaries cut by 10 per cent. But Head 3 came and went and not a squeak from the Opposition about cutting anything. Why didn't they attempt to move a resolution on this one?
When FNM MP Carl Bethel pointed out this oversight, Dr Bernard Nottage, replied that a separate resolution on salaries was further down on the agenda and that is when they had intended to make their move to have parliamentary salaries reduced to 10 per cent rather than the FNM's five per cent recommendation. They missed the opportunity at Head 3 of the Estimates and skipped out of the House before their anticipated moment came for them to make a big splash by shaving a further five per cent off their parliamentary salaries for the sake of the people.
And so if they were really serious about increasing benefits for burying the indigent dead, and cutting their parliamentary salaries, all they had to do was follow the constitution and parliamentary rules. In other words there is no entitlement to bend the rules and no one is above the constitution -- not even the PLP.
Therefore we stand by our editorial of June 17 that in our opinion the PLP manoeuvres in the House were just gimmicks to attract headlines and impress the less informed.
June 27, 2010
tribune242 editorial
Friday, April 23, 2010
Ryan Pinder misses first chance to vote as a Member of Parliament
Ryan Pinder misses first chance to vote as MP
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
DESPITE enduring heavy criticism for having voted in the United States but never in the Bahamas, Ryan Pinder has yet to cast a vote in his homeland - missing his first chance as the newly-elected MP for Elizabeth.
Mr Pinder is again taking flack for his voting record, this time because he passed up the opportunity to formally support the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Bill in Parliament on Wednesday.
The MP defended his absence yesterday, saying he had a previous engagement, and pointed out that he expressed his support for the Bill during the House debate, describing it as a "fundamental component" of achieving the results he promised to his constituents during his campaign in terms of training small business development.
He went on to declare his intention to vote "every time" in the House of Assembly; however the FNM were quick to point out that so far, the new MP's parliamentary voting record stands at "0 for 1".
Carl Bethel, the FNM chairman and MP for Seabreeze, said he and some of his colleagues had planned to stand and applaud Mr Pinder when it came time for the House to take a vote on the Bill.
He said the MP was noticeably absent from the lower chamber, which led to an outburst of laughter from the governing side.
"We were ready to stand and cheer," Mr Bethel exclaimed. "Because finally he would have voted in the Bahamas. But alas we were denied that privilege.
"We can only hope that before this legislative year is over, Mr Pinder would have exercised his constitutional right," Mr Bethel quipped.
Addressing the chairman's remarks, Mr Pinder said he intends to vote "every time" he is required to in the House of Assembly. However, as for Wednesday's session, the Elizabeth MP said he had a previous speaking engagement that was set "a long time before the legislative session was set out."
"I support the BTVI Bill, and I have expressed that in the House and would vote in favour it. So I don't understand what (Mr Bethel) means. I wouldn't understand why they would jump up and down on a piece of legislation. It sounds juvenile to me and certainly sounds like they are preoccupied with Ryan Pinder and not the business of running this country," Mr Pinder shot back.
However, the MP's former rival for the Elizabeth constituency said that it appears Mr Pinder's priorities are not in the right place.
Dr Duane Sands said: "I think it's a bit disappointing that after waiting such a long time for representation, at the first opportunity that the people of Elizabeth would have a chance to have their voices heard on an important vote, their representative was not available."
Looking forward to the rest of the legislative year, Dr Sands said he hoped the people of Elizabeth's concerns would attract more attention from their MP.
Speaking on the matter before the vote, Mr Pinder told the House he supports the Bill, and hoped it wasn't "too little, too late".
He said: "I support it, Mr Speaker, because I promised my constituents, the good constituents of Elizabeth that I am a 21st century politician, focused on training and small business development.
"This Bill is a fundamental component to achieving these goals, short term and long term.
"This Bill is the crux in developing the skills labour necessary to build today's Bahamas and to ensure economic expansion on a sustained basis from among a segment of our society who may never get the opportunity to travel beyond these borders for tertiary education. So on behalf of the good people of Elizabeth, I lend my support to this Bill which is long overdue."
April 23, 2010
tribune242
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
DESPITE enduring heavy criticism for having voted in the United States but never in the Bahamas, Ryan Pinder has yet to cast a vote in his homeland - missing his first chance as the newly-elected MP for Elizabeth.
Mr Pinder is again taking flack for his voting record, this time because he passed up the opportunity to formally support the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Bill in Parliament on Wednesday.
The MP defended his absence yesterday, saying he had a previous engagement, and pointed out that he expressed his support for the Bill during the House debate, describing it as a "fundamental component" of achieving the results he promised to his constituents during his campaign in terms of training small business development.
He went on to declare his intention to vote "every time" in the House of Assembly; however the FNM were quick to point out that so far, the new MP's parliamentary voting record stands at "0 for 1".
Carl Bethel, the FNM chairman and MP for Seabreeze, said he and some of his colleagues had planned to stand and applaud Mr Pinder when it came time for the House to take a vote on the Bill.
He said the MP was noticeably absent from the lower chamber, which led to an outburst of laughter from the governing side.
"We were ready to stand and cheer," Mr Bethel exclaimed. "Because finally he would have voted in the Bahamas. But alas we were denied that privilege.
"We can only hope that before this legislative year is over, Mr Pinder would have exercised his constitutional right," Mr Bethel quipped.
Addressing the chairman's remarks, Mr Pinder said he intends to vote "every time" he is required to in the House of Assembly. However, as for Wednesday's session, the Elizabeth MP said he had a previous speaking engagement that was set "a long time before the legislative session was set out."
"I support the BTVI Bill, and I have expressed that in the House and would vote in favour it. So I don't understand what (Mr Bethel) means. I wouldn't understand why they would jump up and down on a piece of legislation. It sounds juvenile to me and certainly sounds like they are preoccupied with Ryan Pinder and not the business of running this country," Mr Pinder shot back.
However, the MP's former rival for the Elizabeth constituency said that it appears Mr Pinder's priorities are not in the right place.
Dr Duane Sands said: "I think it's a bit disappointing that after waiting such a long time for representation, at the first opportunity that the people of Elizabeth would have a chance to have their voices heard on an important vote, their representative was not available."
Looking forward to the rest of the legislative year, Dr Sands said he hoped the people of Elizabeth's concerns would attract more attention from their MP.
Speaking on the matter before the vote, Mr Pinder told the House he supports the Bill, and hoped it wasn't "too little, too late".
He said: "I support it, Mr Speaker, because I promised my constituents, the good constituents of Elizabeth that I am a 21st century politician, focused on training and small business development.
"This Bill is a fundamental component to achieving these goals, short term and long term.
"This Bill is the crux in developing the skills labour necessary to build today's Bahamas and to ensure economic expansion on a sustained basis from among a segment of our society who may never get the opportunity to travel beyond these borders for tertiary education. So on behalf of the good people of Elizabeth, I lend my support to this Bill which is long overdue."
April 23, 2010
tribune242
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Carl Bethel - Free National Movement (FNM) chairman says party won't name candidates yet for the next general election
By Brent Dean ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Carl Bethel has confirmed that the governing party will not be announcing candidates for the next general election at this time, as has been done by the opposition party.
"We are not involved in that process as of yet," said Bethel yesterday in an interview.
PLP leader Perry Christie told The Nassau Guardian on Sunday that the nomination and selection process would be ongoing in that party.
The PLP ratified four candidates last Thursday.
Senators Jerome Fitzgerald (Marathon), Michael Halkitis (Golden Isles), Hope Strachan (Sea Breeze) and Dr. Kendal Major (Garden Hills) will run for the PLP in the next general election.
Christie added that it's important to ratify and introduce candidates to the various constituents as early as possible because of the changing needs of Bahamians and what they look for in their respective representatives.
Bethel said he is not surprised that the PLP moved to nominate candidates early.
"Oppositions do that type of thing. That's standard fare for opposition parties – that you nominate your candidates early in an attempt to, in a sense, give them a little stature when they go out into the field," he said.
As time goes, Christie confirmed that the PLP would name its candidates on a steady basis.
A party source said that it is possible that the PLP would continuously name candidates for seats it does not currently hold each month at its National General Council meeting.
The process of deciding which sitting PLP MP will or will not again receive nominations will take more time, the source said.
A general election must be held by 2012.
If Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham waits until then to call the poll, it would mean that the PLP began the ratification process two years before the general election.
In 2007, even though Christie called the general election, the PLP did not announce its slate of candidates until about six weeks before the vote.
The FNM's chairman said his party would not be directed with its candidate selection process based on the moves by the PLP.
"We at least have the ability to have a little more say over the timing of events. While it is necessary to always have regard to the political dimension, what the Bahamian people need right now from the governing party is government," he said.
"What the country needs is a steady hand on the tiller leading this country in correct direction and to take decisions that are based on the best interests of the Bahamian people and not on political considerations."
Bethel said this is what the government is focused on.
It is still unclear if Prime Minister Ingraham will lead the FNM into the next general election. Ingraham has said he would inform the country of his decision by the end of the year.
Christie has confirmed his intention to run again as PLP leader.
March 23, 2010
thenassauguardian
Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Carl Bethel has confirmed that the governing party will not be announcing candidates for the next general election at this time, as has been done by the opposition party.
"We are not involved in that process as of yet," said Bethel yesterday in an interview.
PLP leader Perry Christie told The Nassau Guardian on Sunday that the nomination and selection process would be ongoing in that party.
The PLP ratified four candidates last Thursday.
Senators Jerome Fitzgerald (Marathon), Michael Halkitis (Golden Isles), Hope Strachan (Sea Breeze) and Dr. Kendal Major (Garden Hills) will run for the PLP in the next general election.
Christie added that it's important to ratify and introduce candidates to the various constituents as early as possible because of the changing needs of Bahamians and what they look for in their respective representatives.
Bethel said he is not surprised that the PLP moved to nominate candidates early.
"Oppositions do that type of thing. That's standard fare for opposition parties – that you nominate your candidates early in an attempt to, in a sense, give them a little stature when they go out into the field," he said.
As time goes, Christie confirmed that the PLP would name its candidates on a steady basis.
A party source said that it is possible that the PLP would continuously name candidates for seats it does not currently hold each month at its National General Council meeting.
The process of deciding which sitting PLP MP will or will not again receive nominations will take more time, the source said.
A general election must be held by 2012.
If Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham waits until then to call the poll, it would mean that the PLP began the ratification process two years before the general election.
In 2007, even though Christie called the general election, the PLP did not announce its slate of candidates until about six weeks before the vote.
The FNM's chairman said his party would not be directed with its candidate selection process based on the moves by the PLP.
"We at least have the ability to have a little more say over the timing of events. While it is necessary to always have regard to the political dimension, what the Bahamian people need right now from the governing party is government," he said.
"What the country needs is a steady hand on the tiller leading this country in correct direction and to take decisions that are based on the best interests of the Bahamian people and not on political considerations."
Bethel said this is what the government is focused on.
It is still unclear if Prime Minister Ingraham will lead the FNM into the next general election. Ingraham has said he would inform the country of his decision by the end of the year.
Christie has confirmed his intention to run again as PLP leader.
March 23, 2010
thenassauguardian
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Free National Movement (FNM) Chairman Carl Bethel accuses paper of 'character assassination'
tribune242:
FREE National Movement Chairman Carl Bethel has criticised a local tabloid newspaper for what he has described as a continued "campaign of character assassination".
Responding to an article which appeared in The Punch last Thursday, Mr Bethel claims The Punch has continued to misrepresent his achievements during his tenure as Minister of Education.
He also stated that despite reports, he at no time expressed any interest in rejoining the FNM Cabinet.
In a letter, Mr Bethel said: "The Punch, in an obvious and sustained campaign of character assassination, continues to propagate outright lies about me. In the Thursday, March 11, edition this pattern of attack has been repeated and expanded."
Mr Bethel further stated: "The Punch has continued to misrepresent the achievements of my tenure as Minister of Education. For the record, I was the Minister who conceived of, and set up, the Sexual Complaints Unit in the Ministry of Education, with the hardworking members of my staff, not Minister Desmond Bannister, as was untruthfully claimed in The Punch.
"The Sexual Complaints Unit was set up at my command when it became clear that the ministry had no institutional mechanism, or capacity, to appropriately and expeditiously investigate all complaints involving alleged sexual misconduct by teachers and support staff in our schools." Mr Bethel stated.
According to Mr Bethel, he was more concerned with ensuring a safe environment for students in every school in The Bahamas.
"That achievement is among other positive initiatives which I left for Minister Bannister and every succeeding Minister of Education, and for the benefit of generations of Bahamian students to come," Mr Bethel stated.
He added: "At no time did I ever ask to re-join, or even so much as hint to anyone, that I was interested in re-joining the Cabinet. In fact, had I been asked to re-join the Cabinet in any capacity, at this time, I would have refused for the same reasons that I decided to resign from it in November 2009 namely, that the Party needed a Chairman to help prepare it for the next general elections."
Mr Bethel noted that he had resigned from the FNM Cabinet so that he could do all in his power to help the party prepare for the next general elections.
"Those reasons have not changed, and I am not interested in returning to Cabinet until that job is done," he stated.
March 15, 2010
tribune242
FREE National Movement Chairman Carl Bethel has criticised a local tabloid newspaper for what he has described as a continued "campaign of character assassination".
Responding to an article which appeared in The Punch last Thursday, Mr Bethel claims The Punch has continued to misrepresent his achievements during his tenure as Minister of Education.
He also stated that despite reports, he at no time expressed any interest in rejoining the FNM Cabinet.
In a letter, Mr Bethel said: "The Punch, in an obvious and sustained campaign of character assassination, continues to propagate outright lies about me. In the Thursday, March 11, edition this pattern of attack has been repeated and expanded."
Mr Bethel further stated: "The Punch has continued to misrepresent the achievements of my tenure as Minister of Education. For the record, I was the Minister who conceived of, and set up, the Sexual Complaints Unit in the Ministry of Education, with the hardworking members of my staff, not Minister Desmond Bannister, as was untruthfully claimed in The Punch.
"The Sexual Complaints Unit was set up at my command when it became clear that the ministry had no institutional mechanism, or capacity, to appropriately and expeditiously investigate all complaints involving alleged sexual misconduct by teachers and support staff in our schools." Mr Bethel stated.
According to Mr Bethel, he was more concerned with ensuring a safe environment for students in every school in The Bahamas.
"That achievement is among other positive initiatives which I left for Minister Bannister and every succeeding Minister of Education, and for the benefit of generations of Bahamian students to come," Mr Bethel stated.
He added: "At no time did I ever ask to re-join, or even so much as hint to anyone, that I was interested in re-joining the Cabinet. In fact, had I been asked to re-join the Cabinet in any capacity, at this time, I would have refused for the same reasons that I decided to resign from it in November 2009 namely, that the Party needed a Chairman to help prepare it for the next general elections."
Mr Bethel noted that he had resigned from the FNM Cabinet so that he could do all in his power to help the party prepare for the next general elections.
"Those reasons have not changed, and I am not interested in returning to Cabinet until that job is done," he stated.
March 15, 2010
tribune242
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Elizabeth by-election: FNM ahead by one vote
tribune242:
ONE vote decided the winner of the hotly contested Elizabeth by-election, unofficially leaving the FNM's Duane Sands as the representative for the area vacated by the PLP's Malcolm Adderley last month.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister and leader of the FNM Hubert Ingraham said that the governing party would not be declaring victory just yet, admitting that things can go "either way" following today's recount.
As The Tribune predicted, the election came right down to the wire as Dr Sands unofficially won the contest with a total of 1,501, beating his closest contender PLP Ryan Pinder, who obtained 1,500 votes.
In the end third party candidates and low turn out made a huge difference in this election.
While typically for a general election the voter turn out is in the 90 per cent range, approximately 64 per cent of voters turned out on Tuesday.
Altogether third party candidates gathered a total of 141 votes. Literally had any of these votes cast for the NDP, BDM or Workers' Party gone to the PLP or FNM it could have been a game changer.
However, yesterday's "official unofficial results" left FNM's cautiously optimistic and PLPs saying they were not willing to give up as yet.
Returning officer Jack Thompson told The Tribune yesterday that there would be no official recount until today.
There were a lot of factors at play in the Elizabeth by-election, among which is the issue of contested and protest ballots. While the challenged votes were included in the tally, the protested votes were not.
According to Mr Thompson, voters whose names were on the register, but were disputed by party agents, were challenged and required to swear an oath.
Voters whose names were not on the register or had questionable voter cards were protested and required to vote on coloured ballots.
Mr Thompson did not have the official numbers of challenged or protested votes up to press time.
Weeks ago, members of each contending party in the by-election raised an alarm over irregularities with the voting register published by the Parliamentary Registration Department.
Party members claimed they were unable to find hundreds of people on the register during house-to-house visitations. They were not satisfied everyone on the list had lived in the constituency for three months.
One of the biggest side stories of this election was Tommy Turnquest's revelation at an FNM rally the night before that 35-year-old Ryan Pinder had never voted in the Bahamas but had deemed it important to vote in two US elections.
This fact left Mr Pinder vulnerable to open mocking by his opponents.
FNM Chairman Carl Bethel said when Ryan Pinder arrived at Thelma Gibson yesterday morning, the FNM supporters gathered outside sang the US national anthem.
When their candidate Dr Duane Sands arrived, the group sang the Bahamian national anthem.
NDP candidate Dr Andre Rollins said that he was embarrassed for Mr Pinder.
Dr Rollins said that had the FNM come out with this information sooner, the PLP candidate would have never been able to overcome it.
PLP candidate Ryan Pinder called Tommy Turnquest's revelation about his voting history "gutter politics" and said he was not going to respond.
However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said this was nothing but FNM "propaganda" that was being used as a "red herring" to distract PLPs.
Roberts said it was "not a big deal" and that Turnquest's comments were not a matter of any substance. He further suggested that Pinder had renounced his US citizenship before he nominated and that the FNM was aware of this all along.
PLP Deputy Leader Philip "Brave" Davis chiming in on his candidate's voting history said he thought it was disingenuous of the FNM to reveal this information at the last minute giving Ryan Pinder no chance to respond.
He pointed out that during the time in question, Pinder was living and working in the United States and so would not have had the residency required to vote in a Bahamian election.
There were no major disturbances yesterday but police had to be called to quiet rowdy FNM and PLP supporters who gathered outside the polling station at Faith Temple, where the votes were tallied.
Tensions were mounting with supporters of both parties shouting at each other and becoming increasingly aggressive.
The man who was the catalyst for all the excitement on Tuesday, former PLP MP for Elizabeth, Malcolm Adderley, was suspiciously quiet and spent the day away from the spotlight.
When contacted by The Tribune he refused to comment on the election proceedings, saying, "I'm not speaking today."
The election was plagued by low voter turnout and throughout the day swing voters said they were still unsure of who they were throwing their support behind.
The low voter turn out concerned both parties with leader of the opposition, Perry Christie, saying he and his members were getting anxious because voter turnout has been so low.
BDM candidate Cassius Stewart suspects the voter turnout was low because many of the people who appeared on the register weren't actually eligible to vote.
He said if a better analysis of the registry could be done, it may reveal that turnout among eligible voters could be closer to 70 per cent.
Meanwhile, supporters of both major parties are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this morning's recount.
February 17, 2010
tribune242
ONE vote decided the winner of the hotly contested Elizabeth by-election, unofficially leaving the FNM's Duane Sands as the representative for the area vacated by the PLP's Malcolm Adderley last month.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister and leader of the FNM Hubert Ingraham said that the governing party would not be declaring victory just yet, admitting that things can go "either way" following today's recount.
As The Tribune predicted, the election came right down to the wire as Dr Sands unofficially won the contest with a total of 1,501, beating his closest contender PLP Ryan Pinder, who obtained 1,500 votes.
In the end third party candidates and low turn out made a huge difference in this election.
While typically for a general election the voter turn out is in the 90 per cent range, approximately 64 per cent of voters turned out on Tuesday.
Altogether third party candidates gathered a total of 141 votes. Literally had any of these votes cast for the NDP, BDM or Workers' Party gone to the PLP or FNM it could have been a game changer.
However, yesterday's "official unofficial results" left FNM's cautiously optimistic and PLPs saying they were not willing to give up as yet.
Returning officer Jack Thompson told The Tribune yesterday that there would be no official recount until today.
There were a lot of factors at play in the Elizabeth by-election, among which is the issue of contested and protest ballots. While the challenged votes were included in the tally, the protested votes were not.
According to Mr Thompson, voters whose names were on the register, but were disputed by party agents, were challenged and required to swear an oath.
Voters whose names were not on the register or had questionable voter cards were protested and required to vote on coloured ballots.
Mr Thompson did not have the official numbers of challenged or protested votes up to press time.
Weeks ago, members of each contending party in the by-election raised an alarm over irregularities with the voting register published by the Parliamentary Registration Department.
Party members claimed they were unable to find hundreds of people on the register during house-to-house visitations. They were not satisfied everyone on the list had lived in the constituency for three months.
One of the biggest side stories of this election was Tommy Turnquest's revelation at an FNM rally the night before that 35-year-old Ryan Pinder had never voted in the Bahamas but had deemed it important to vote in two US elections.
This fact left Mr Pinder vulnerable to open mocking by his opponents.
FNM Chairman Carl Bethel said when Ryan Pinder arrived at Thelma Gibson yesterday morning, the FNM supporters gathered outside sang the US national anthem.
When their candidate Dr Duane Sands arrived, the group sang the Bahamian national anthem.
NDP candidate Dr Andre Rollins said that he was embarrassed for Mr Pinder.
Dr Rollins said that had the FNM come out with this information sooner, the PLP candidate would have never been able to overcome it.
PLP candidate Ryan Pinder called Tommy Turnquest's revelation about his voting history "gutter politics" and said he was not going to respond.
However, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said this was nothing but FNM "propaganda" that was being used as a "red herring" to distract PLPs.
Roberts said it was "not a big deal" and that Turnquest's comments were not a matter of any substance. He further suggested that Pinder had renounced his US citizenship before he nominated and that the FNM was aware of this all along.
PLP Deputy Leader Philip "Brave" Davis chiming in on his candidate's voting history said he thought it was disingenuous of the FNM to reveal this information at the last minute giving Ryan Pinder no chance to respond.
He pointed out that during the time in question, Pinder was living and working in the United States and so would not have had the residency required to vote in a Bahamian election.
There were no major disturbances yesterday but police had to be called to quiet rowdy FNM and PLP supporters who gathered outside the polling station at Faith Temple, where the votes were tallied.
Tensions were mounting with supporters of both parties shouting at each other and becoming increasingly aggressive.
The man who was the catalyst for all the excitement on Tuesday, former PLP MP for Elizabeth, Malcolm Adderley, was suspiciously quiet and spent the day away from the spotlight.
When contacted by The Tribune he refused to comment on the election proceedings, saying, "I'm not speaking today."
The election was plagued by low voter turnout and throughout the day swing voters said they were still unsure of who they were throwing their support behind.
The low voter turn out concerned both parties with leader of the opposition, Perry Christie, saying he and his members were getting anxious because voter turnout has been so low.
BDM candidate Cassius Stewart suspects the voter turnout was low because many of the people who appeared on the register weren't actually eligible to vote.
He said if a better analysis of the registry could be done, it may reveal that turnout among eligible voters could be closer to 70 per cent.
Meanwhile, supporters of both major parties are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this morning's recount.
February 17, 2010
tribune242
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Bahamas: Only 16 of 40 Members of Parliament (MPs) respond to request for $200,000 spending record
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
FEWER than half of all 40 MPs contacted for an accounting of how they had spent or not spent the $200,000 made available to them between 2007 and 2009 to enhance their constituencies have provided that accounting. Only one of those 16 was PLP.
To be clear, the $200,000 in question -- made up of two allocations of $100,000 in consecutive budget cycles since 2007 until the most recent one -- was not given to MPs outright but made available to them from the public treasury once projects that they decided were needed in their areas were approved by the Ministry of Works and the Public Treasury.
After detailing last year in an INSIGHT article the tribulations of this reporter's attempts to secure a documentary accounting from the Public Treasury on how each MP had spent the money potentially available to him, some readers wanted to know why I had not asked the MPs what they had spent the money on.
In the November 30th article I said that I thought this would have been a cop-out and would not have been sufficient to provide as full a picture as Treasury records would have.
Unfortunately, seven months on from my initial request in July 2009, and despite several follow ups with the Minister of State for Finance and Minister of Finance, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, this documentary information is still beyond the reach of this journalist.
However, over the last month and a half I have engaged in this exercise in what I hope will be an interim step towards an accounting of the expenditures before I have the opportunity to provide the full details as outlined in records held by the Treasury.
In doing so, an email request with a deadline for a reply was sent out before Christmas through each party's leader asking each MP if he or she could provide a breakdown of how they had spent the twice allocated $100,000 that was made available to them in the budget for discretionary constituency enhancement projects. As a result, I did receive several prompt responses that shed some light on the matter.
They were so few, however --no more than four initially-- that I decided to send out another reminder email after Christmas to each of the party's MPs, again with a deadline of several days later, I received a few more replies.
For fairness, I tried to ensure both sets of MPs received the same request at the same time in the same form and were given the same amount of time to respond.
I emailed FNM MPs directly as I was provided with their personal email addresses by leader of government business in the House of Assembly, Tommy Turnquest, MP for Mount Moriah. I relied on the cooperation of PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts and PLP Party Whip Melanie Griffin, MP for Yamacraw to contact Opposition MPs with my request, as I was not provided with their addresses to do so myself.
To date, fewer than half of all MPs have responded -- a total of 16 out of 40. Some MPs provided more detail than others -- indicating exactly what amount was spent on which project and who did the work, for example, while others simply listed work that was done.
Of those, 15 were FNM MPs and one was PLP. This leaves eight FNM MPs and 15 PLPs who did not respond.
Several PLP MPs acknowledged receipt of my request. These included party leader Perry Christie, MP for Farm Road and Centreville, to whom my initial inquiry about the possibility of contacting Opposition MPs for this purpose was forwarded; Deputy Leader Philip Davis, MP for Rum Cay, Cat Island and San Salvador and former Chairman and MP Glenys Hanna Martin. But, despite a reminder, none found time to follow through on it.
It should be noted that these constituency funds are separate from the $18,000 annually disbursed directly to individual MPs for the maintenance of their constituency offices. The Government recently undertook to have an audit conducted of these expenditures, whereby any records of what the money was or was not spent on were collected and scrutinised by the Auditor General's Office.
Yesterday Auditor General Terrance Bastian stated that all "fieldwork" towards the completion of this audit has now been done, and it only remains for his office to complete the report on the funds, which he projected could occur by mid-February.
Below is part one of a breakdown of how all of the MPs who responded said they used the $200,000 in their constituencies. Due to space limitations, expect details on the following MPs' expenditures in tomorrow's Tribune: Earl Deveaux (Marathon), Fred Mitchell (Fox Hill), Hubert Ingraham (North Abaco), Zhivargo Laing (Marco City), Charles Maynard (Golden Isles), Branville McCartney (Bamboo Town), Phenton Neymour (South Beach), Brensil Rolle (Garden Hills), Tommy Turnquest (Mount Moriah), Alvin Smith (North Eleuthera) and Brent Symonette (St Anne's).
How did the following spend the $200,000?
Desmond Bannister - FNM - CARMICHAEL:
2007/2008: Mr Bannister, also Minister of Education, followed the theme "Improving sporting infrastructure and development in the community". He had numerous basketball courts resurfaced (Carmichael Police Station, Mermaid Park West, Mermaid Park East, Carmichael Road next to Golden Gates Assembly) and built two new basketball courts (Belaire Park and Sir Gerald Cash Primary School) and resurfaced the tennis court at Flamingo Gardens Park.
2008/2009: Mr Bannister aimed to "provide for community and family leisure relaxation and enjoyment while enhancing community."
This involved: Having 80 benches designed and placed throughout the constituency -- along Carmichael Road, Flamingo Gardens Park, Belaire Park, Mermaid Park East, Mermaid Park West; and on the campuses of the Sir Gerald Cash Primary School, the Carmichael Primary School, and the Anatol Rodgers High School.
Mr Bannister did not say whether this had exhausted the funds.
Carl Bethel - FNM - SEABREEZE:
2007/08: Installation of cement kerbing along the central median of Golf Course Boulevard; cleaning, levelling and landscaping the central median of Golf Course Drive and purchasing and planting grass and trees; clearing of deserted or vacant and overgrown lots of land in Sea Breeze Subdivision, and Gleniston Gardens, as directed and at the request of the Sea Breeze Crime Watch Association; and the installation of a children's playground and swings, etc, on the western end of the newly developed Park at the intersection of Charles Saunders Highway and Golf Course Boulevard.
2008/09: Purchase of two Eno Interactive "White Boards" with built-in projectors for the Sadie Curtis Primary School; the purchase and installation of a children's playground, swings and other equipment in Hope Gardens Subdivision; the partial landscaping and planting of trees at the new Sea Breeze Public Park, at the intersection of Golf Course Boulevard and Charles Saunders Highway.
Loretta Butler Turner - FNM - MONTAGU:
Mrs Butler Turner, also Minister of State for Social Development said: "After consultation and review it was collectively decided that the constituents of Montagu would be best served by these funds from a general clean-up and sustained maintenance of the constituency. Particularly targeted were the areas of main thoroughfares, street verges, side streets, derelict vehicles and indiscriminate dumping."
In this regard, the services of JimCo Construction and Maintenance Services, whose principal owner is Jim Curry, was selected to provide the services. His company was encouraged to engage the services of unemployed residents of the area to carry out the clean-up and maintenance exercises. This included removing derelict vehicles, clearing overgrown properties and mowing and weeding verges.
The contract was scoped by the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Environment and subsequently agreed by Ministry of Finance. The contract was given for the agreed amount of $11,000 per month.
Since the project did not start until late 2007 there was a credit balance of just under $10,000, which was rolled over to 2008/09. All funds were fully utilised by the end of 2008/09.
In December 2008 a financial donation of $2,500 was made to L.W. Young School -- the nearest Public School to Montagu constituency -- for the school's Junkanoo Group. Also a financial donation of $5,000 was made to Colours Junkanoo Group. The majority of group members and youth are residents of Montagu.
Larry Cartwright - FNM - LONG ISLAND:
2007/2008: Long Island - $85,000 was allocated to the Long Island District Council for projects to be done at the MP's discretion. These included: A bathroom block at Glinton's Park, constructed by Pinder's Construction at a cost of $35,625; the Construction of six concrete settlement sign boards by SJC Construction at a cost of $15,850; the Construction of a Bridge-top culvert for drainage near Hamilton's by Laurin Knowles Construction at a cost of $8,000 and the construction of a new Basketball court in Millerton's School yard by G & E Construction at a cost of $29,304.
The overall total cost was $88,779, $3,779 over the allocated amount, Mr Carwright stated.
All contracts were offered through public tender process.
Ragged Island - $15,000 was transferred to the Local Government Office, Exuma for constituency projects at Duncan Town, Ragged Island. These included: the Construction of wooden shed with wooden floor near Wall of Fame for community functions by Myron Lockhart-Bain, the sole bidder, at a cost of $15,000.
2008/2009: Long Island - $9,984.50 paid to The Amoury Company for computers and additional paraphernalia for schools in Long Island and Ragged Island -- five personal computers, five laptops, surge protectors, flash drives, carrying bags, etc.
Balance of $3,779 to G & E Construction for Millerton's Basketball court; Settlement signs for major settlements on Long Island by Island Signs $9,664.50; Construction of a gazebo at Mangrove Bush Beach (ocean side) $5,200 by Cartwright's Construction; Construction of gazebo at Buckley's Beach (ocean side) $5,400 by Neil Cartwright Construction; Construction of gazebo at Gray's Beach $5,450 by Neil Cartwright construction; Construction of gazebo at Gordon's Beach by Cartwright's Construction $5,800; Road repairs to roads leading to beaches at Mangrove Bush and Buckleys by Cartwright's Construction $5,300; repairs to roof of fishermen's shed at Buckley Point by Don Knowles $2,200 and materials for repairs to widow's home by Henry Cartwright $1,500.
All construction jobs, except the last listed, were offered at the end of competitive bidding among contractors on the island.
$30,722 remains unspent to date but is committed to be spent on the completion of the settlement sign project and building three more gazebos at popular picnic spots.
Sidney Collie - FNM - BLUE HILLS:
$100,000 was spent clearing a five acre parcel of land in the Sunset Park Subdivision to commence the development of a "state of the art" community park, to be administrated by a park committee elected from amongst residents of Sunset Park and members of the executive board of the Blue Hills Constituency Association.
A plan was prepared by an urban planner and submitted for registration to the Ministry of Works. Development of the first and second phase of the park were put out through a public tender process and involved the preparation and installation of the perimeter track and the filling of the park.
A male and female bathroom were constructed and are completed except for water and electricity. Two gazebos are under construction, along with a children's play area, a family picnic area, a tennis court, a mini golf court, perimeter fence, a barbecue pit and a parking area are all awaiting completion.
The contractor is Alexander Hanna. The project is inspected and certified for payment by the assistant director of the MInistry of Public Works, Bradley King.
"All disbursements are handled by the individual contractors with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works," Mr Collie noted. He added that the project is currently "at a standstill" awaiting payment of funds.
A "portion" of the funds were disbursed for the set-up of a community computer lab, including desks, chairs and 15 computers. This project is a joint venture between the MP and the Christ Community Church on Bellot Road, which provided the space and staff that enabled the lab to open six days a week and conduct computer literacy courses.
No money was allocated in the 2009/2010 budget period for discretionary constituency projects due to the economic downturn.
January 19, 2010
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part II
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part III
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part IV
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
FEWER than half of all 40 MPs contacted for an accounting of how they had spent or not spent the $200,000 made available to them between 2007 and 2009 to enhance their constituencies have provided that accounting. Only one of those 16 was PLP.
To be clear, the $200,000 in question -- made up of two allocations of $100,000 in consecutive budget cycles since 2007 until the most recent one -- was not given to MPs outright but made available to them from the public treasury once projects that they decided were needed in their areas were approved by the Ministry of Works and the Public Treasury.
After detailing last year in an INSIGHT article the tribulations of this reporter's attempts to secure a documentary accounting from the Public Treasury on how each MP had spent the money potentially available to him, some readers wanted to know why I had not asked the MPs what they had spent the money on.
In the November 30th article I said that I thought this would have been a cop-out and would not have been sufficient to provide as full a picture as Treasury records would have.
Unfortunately, seven months on from my initial request in July 2009, and despite several follow ups with the Minister of State for Finance and Minister of Finance, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, this documentary information is still beyond the reach of this journalist.
However, over the last month and a half I have engaged in this exercise in what I hope will be an interim step towards an accounting of the expenditures before I have the opportunity to provide the full details as outlined in records held by the Treasury.
In doing so, an email request with a deadline for a reply was sent out before Christmas through each party's leader asking each MP if he or she could provide a breakdown of how they had spent the twice allocated $100,000 that was made available to them in the budget for discretionary constituency enhancement projects. As a result, I did receive several prompt responses that shed some light on the matter.
They were so few, however --no more than four initially-- that I decided to send out another reminder email after Christmas to each of the party's MPs, again with a deadline of several days later, I received a few more replies.
For fairness, I tried to ensure both sets of MPs received the same request at the same time in the same form and were given the same amount of time to respond.
I emailed FNM MPs directly as I was provided with their personal email addresses by leader of government business in the House of Assembly, Tommy Turnquest, MP for Mount Moriah. I relied on the cooperation of PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts and PLP Party Whip Melanie Griffin, MP for Yamacraw to contact Opposition MPs with my request, as I was not provided with their addresses to do so myself.
To date, fewer than half of all MPs have responded -- a total of 16 out of 40. Some MPs provided more detail than others -- indicating exactly what amount was spent on which project and who did the work, for example, while others simply listed work that was done.
Of those, 15 were FNM MPs and one was PLP. This leaves eight FNM MPs and 15 PLPs who did not respond.
Several PLP MPs acknowledged receipt of my request. These included party leader Perry Christie, MP for Farm Road and Centreville, to whom my initial inquiry about the possibility of contacting Opposition MPs for this purpose was forwarded; Deputy Leader Philip Davis, MP for Rum Cay, Cat Island and San Salvador and former Chairman and MP Glenys Hanna Martin. But, despite a reminder, none found time to follow through on it.
It should be noted that these constituency funds are separate from the $18,000 annually disbursed directly to individual MPs for the maintenance of their constituency offices. The Government recently undertook to have an audit conducted of these expenditures, whereby any records of what the money was or was not spent on were collected and scrutinised by the Auditor General's Office.
Yesterday Auditor General Terrance Bastian stated that all "fieldwork" towards the completion of this audit has now been done, and it only remains for his office to complete the report on the funds, which he projected could occur by mid-February.
Below is part one of a breakdown of how all of the MPs who responded said they used the $200,000 in their constituencies. Due to space limitations, expect details on the following MPs' expenditures in tomorrow's Tribune: Earl Deveaux (Marathon), Fred Mitchell (Fox Hill), Hubert Ingraham (North Abaco), Zhivargo Laing (Marco City), Charles Maynard (Golden Isles), Branville McCartney (Bamboo Town), Phenton Neymour (South Beach), Brensil Rolle (Garden Hills), Tommy Turnquest (Mount Moriah), Alvin Smith (North Eleuthera) and Brent Symonette (St Anne's).
How did the following spend the $200,000?
Desmond Bannister - FNM - CARMICHAEL:
2007/2008: Mr Bannister, also Minister of Education, followed the theme "Improving sporting infrastructure and development in the community". He had numerous basketball courts resurfaced (Carmichael Police Station, Mermaid Park West, Mermaid Park East, Carmichael Road next to Golden Gates Assembly) and built two new basketball courts (Belaire Park and Sir Gerald Cash Primary School) and resurfaced the tennis court at Flamingo Gardens Park.
2008/2009: Mr Bannister aimed to "provide for community and family leisure relaxation and enjoyment while enhancing community."
This involved: Having 80 benches designed and placed throughout the constituency -- along Carmichael Road, Flamingo Gardens Park, Belaire Park, Mermaid Park East, Mermaid Park West; and on the campuses of the Sir Gerald Cash Primary School, the Carmichael Primary School, and the Anatol Rodgers High School.
Mr Bannister did not say whether this had exhausted the funds.
Carl Bethel - FNM - SEABREEZE:
2007/08: Installation of cement kerbing along the central median of Golf Course Boulevard; cleaning, levelling and landscaping the central median of Golf Course Drive and purchasing and planting grass and trees; clearing of deserted or vacant and overgrown lots of land in Sea Breeze Subdivision, and Gleniston Gardens, as directed and at the request of the Sea Breeze Crime Watch Association; and the installation of a children's playground and swings, etc, on the western end of the newly developed Park at the intersection of Charles Saunders Highway and Golf Course Boulevard.
2008/09: Purchase of two Eno Interactive "White Boards" with built-in projectors for the Sadie Curtis Primary School; the purchase and installation of a children's playground, swings and other equipment in Hope Gardens Subdivision; the partial landscaping and planting of trees at the new Sea Breeze Public Park, at the intersection of Golf Course Boulevard and Charles Saunders Highway.
Loretta Butler Turner - FNM - MONTAGU:
Mrs Butler Turner, also Minister of State for Social Development said: "After consultation and review it was collectively decided that the constituents of Montagu would be best served by these funds from a general clean-up and sustained maintenance of the constituency. Particularly targeted were the areas of main thoroughfares, street verges, side streets, derelict vehicles and indiscriminate dumping."
In this regard, the services of JimCo Construction and Maintenance Services, whose principal owner is Jim Curry, was selected to provide the services. His company was encouraged to engage the services of unemployed residents of the area to carry out the clean-up and maintenance exercises. This included removing derelict vehicles, clearing overgrown properties and mowing and weeding verges.
The contract was scoped by the Ministry of Works and Ministry of Environment and subsequently agreed by Ministry of Finance. The contract was given for the agreed amount of $11,000 per month.
Since the project did not start until late 2007 there was a credit balance of just under $10,000, which was rolled over to 2008/09. All funds were fully utilised by the end of 2008/09.
In December 2008 a financial donation of $2,500 was made to L.W. Young School -- the nearest Public School to Montagu constituency -- for the school's Junkanoo Group. Also a financial donation of $5,000 was made to Colours Junkanoo Group. The majority of group members and youth are residents of Montagu.
Larry Cartwright - FNM - LONG ISLAND:
2007/2008: Long Island - $85,000 was allocated to the Long Island District Council for projects to be done at the MP's discretion. These included: A bathroom block at Glinton's Park, constructed by Pinder's Construction at a cost of $35,625; the Construction of six concrete settlement sign boards by SJC Construction at a cost of $15,850; the Construction of a Bridge-top culvert for drainage near Hamilton's by Laurin Knowles Construction at a cost of $8,000 and the construction of a new Basketball court in Millerton's School yard by G & E Construction at a cost of $29,304.
The overall total cost was $88,779, $3,779 over the allocated amount, Mr Carwright stated.
All contracts were offered through public tender process.
Ragged Island - $15,000 was transferred to the Local Government Office, Exuma for constituency projects at Duncan Town, Ragged Island. These included: the Construction of wooden shed with wooden floor near Wall of Fame for community functions by Myron Lockhart-Bain, the sole bidder, at a cost of $15,000.
2008/2009: Long Island - $9,984.50 paid to The Amoury Company for computers and additional paraphernalia for schools in Long Island and Ragged Island -- five personal computers, five laptops, surge protectors, flash drives, carrying bags, etc.
Balance of $3,779 to G & E Construction for Millerton's Basketball court; Settlement signs for major settlements on Long Island by Island Signs $9,664.50; Construction of a gazebo at Mangrove Bush Beach (ocean side) $5,200 by Cartwright's Construction; Construction of gazebo at Buckley's Beach (ocean side) $5,400 by Neil Cartwright Construction; Construction of gazebo at Gray's Beach $5,450 by Neil Cartwright construction; Construction of gazebo at Gordon's Beach by Cartwright's Construction $5,800; Road repairs to roads leading to beaches at Mangrove Bush and Buckleys by Cartwright's Construction $5,300; repairs to roof of fishermen's shed at Buckley Point by Don Knowles $2,200 and materials for repairs to widow's home by Henry Cartwright $1,500.
All construction jobs, except the last listed, were offered at the end of competitive bidding among contractors on the island.
$30,722 remains unspent to date but is committed to be spent on the completion of the settlement sign project and building three more gazebos at popular picnic spots.
Sidney Collie - FNM - BLUE HILLS:
$100,000 was spent clearing a five acre parcel of land in the Sunset Park Subdivision to commence the development of a "state of the art" community park, to be administrated by a park committee elected from amongst residents of Sunset Park and members of the executive board of the Blue Hills Constituency Association.
A plan was prepared by an urban planner and submitted for registration to the Ministry of Works. Development of the first and second phase of the park were put out through a public tender process and involved the preparation and installation of the perimeter track and the filling of the park.
A male and female bathroom were constructed and are completed except for water and electricity. Two gazebos are under construction, along with a children's play area, a family picnic area, a tennis court, a mini golf court, perimeter fence, a barbecue pit and a parking area are all awaiting completion.
The contractor is Alexander Hanna. The project is inspected and certified for payment by the assistant director of the MInistry of Public Works, Bradley King.
"All disbursements are handled by the individual contractors with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Works," Mr Collie noted. He added that the project is currently "at a standstill" awaiting payment of funds.
A "portion" of the funds were disbursed for the set-up of a community computer lab, including desks, chairs and 15 computers. This project is a joint venture between the MP and the Christ Community Church on Bellot Road, which provided the space and staff that enabled the lab to open six days a week and conduct computer literacy courses.
No money was allocated in the 2009/2010 budget period for discretionary constituency projects due to the economic downturn.
January 19, 2010
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part II
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part III
How Bahamian Members of Parliament (MPs) spent their $200,000 allocation - Part IV
tribune242
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Dr. Duane Sands confident of Elizabeth victory
By BRENT DEAN ~ Guardian Senior Reporter ~ brentldean@nasguard.com:
Proposed Free National Movement candidate Dr. Duane Sands yesterday expressed confidence that he and his party will defeat the Progressive Liberal Party in the upcoming Elizabeth constituency by-election.
"I feel confident that we will win the constituency of Elizabeth notwithstanding the fact this is a PLP constituency now and we are certainly the underdogs," he said in an interview with The Nassau Guardian.
"This is a good position to be in because it's their constituency to lose — and they will lose."
On Sunday, FNM chairman Carl Bethel confirmed that Sands was unanimously voted by the Elizabeth Constituency Association to become the FNM's candidate in the upcoming by-election.
Sands is likely to be confirmed as the FNM's Elizabeth candidate by Thursday.
Last Wednesday, former Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley resigned his seat in Parliament, paving the way for a by-election.
"Well, I tell you I'm excited. I'm flattered that they would consider me to be the potential nominee for Elizabeth," said Sands. "And while it is not fait accompli, I'm hoping that each subsequent step is similarly favorable."
On the announcement of Adderley's resignation, the PLP had not yet decided if it would run a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election.
The opposition party questioned the legitimacy of the by-election, accusing the FNM of inducing Adderley's resignation by offering him a post as a Supreme Court judge.
However, the party announced yesterday that it would ratify a candidate later today.
Sands said that he thought "long and hard" about being a candidate, emphasizing that the move was not "whimsical."
"The idea is that I'd like to be able to make a significant incremental difference in the lives of not only the people of Elizabeth, but in the lives of Bahamians," he said.
"And one way to do it is to continue what I've been doing. But I have decided that effort on a different front now is appropriate considering the circumstances that we find ourselves in."
Sands was a vocal critic of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme as proposed by the last PLP administration. When asked about that opposition, he said he is not opposed to the concept of NHI.
However, he emphasized that he is opposed to the NHI scheme the PLP proposed.
"And quite frankly the plan as I looked at it then, and the plan as I look at it now, could not work," said Sands. "I made it very clear that we had to do some things before that (NHI)."
The FNM initially voted for NHI, although it raised key issues with the plan as it was proposed. Upon coming to office in 2007, the Ingraham administration has continued to be critical of the PLP's proposed health insurance scheme.
The FNM has taken an incremental approach to health care reform since coming to office in 2007. It passed phased National Drug Plan legislation last year.
Sands yesterday pledged to work with the health minister as the government moves forward with its initiatives.
Sands, 47, is Princess Margaret Hospital's chief of surgery.
January 12, 2010
thenassauguardian
Proposed Free National Movement candidate Dr. Duane Sands yesterday expressed confidence that he and his party will defeat the Progressive Liberal Party in the upcoming Elizabeth constituency by-election.
"I feel confident that we will win the constituency of Elizabeth notwithstanding the fact this is a PLP constituency now and we are certainly the underdogs," he said in an interview with The Nassau Guardian.
"This is a good position to be in because it's their constituency to lose — and they will lose."
On Sunday, FNM chairman Carl Bethel confirmed that Sands was unanimously voted by the Elizabeth Constituency Association to become the FNM's candidate in the upcoming by-election.
Sands is likely to be confirmed as the FNM's Elizabeth candidate by Thursday.
Last Wednesday, former Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley resigned his seat in Parliament, paving the way for a by-election.
"Well, I tell you I'm excited. I'm flattered that they would consider me to be the potential nominee for Elizabeth," said Sands. "And while it is not fait accompli, I'm hoping that each subsequent step is similarly favorable."
On the announcement of Adderley's resignation, the PLP had not yet decided if it would run a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election.
The opposition party questioned the legitimacy of the by-election, accusing the FNM of inducing Adderley's resignation by offering him a post as a Supreme Court judge.
However, the party announced yesterday that it would ratify a candidate later today.
Sands said that he thought "long and hard" about being a candidate, emphasizing that the move was not "whimsical."
"The idea is that I'd like to be able to make a significant incremental difference in the lives of not only the people of Elizabeth, but in the lives of Bahamians," he said.
"And one way to do it is to continue what I've been doing. But I have decided that effort on a different front now is appropriate considering the circumstances that we find ourselves in."
Sands was a vocal critic of the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme as proposed by the last PLP administration. When asked about that opposition, he said he is not opposed to the concept of NHI.
However, he emphasized that he is opposed to the NHI scheme the PLP proposed.
"And quite frankly the plan as I looked at it then, and the plan as I look at it now, could not work," said Sands. "I made it very clear that we had to do some things before that (NHI)."
The FNM initially voted for NHI, although it raised key issues with the plan as it was proposed. Upon coming to office in 2007, the Ingraham administration has continued to be critical of the PLP's proposed health insurance scheme.
The FNM has taken an incremental approach to health care reform since coming to office in 2007. It passed phased National Drug Plan legislation last year.
Sands yesterday pledged to work with the health minister as the government moves forward with its initiatives.
Sands, 47, is Princess Margaret Hospital's chief of surgery.
January 12, 2010
thenassauguardian
Monday, January 11, 2010
Free National Movement (FNM) names likely man for Elizabeth constituency by-election
By ALISON LOWE
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
THE political field for the upcoming Elizabeth constituency by-election was narrowed over the weekend as the FNM announced its local constituency association has selected Dr Duane Sands as its chosen candidate.
In response, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said his party is likely to pick either attorneys Ryan Pinder or Craig Butler.
At a press conference yesterday at Free National Movement headquarters on Mackey Street, FNM national chairman Carl Bethel announced that 47-year-old Dr Sands, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, was unanimously elected by the Elizabeth Constituency Association as its preferred candidate.
Dr Sands tonight faces the scrutiny of the FNM Candidates Committee - essentially the executive of the party - and later its Executive Committee in what Mr Bethel described as the next steps in a "very detailed consultative mechanism" outlined in the party's constitution for selecting candidates in national elections.
The Chairman said that while he would not "presume" the outcome of those consultations, "having regard to what were the most persuasive and carefully thought out views" of the Elizabeth Constituency Association it is quite likely Dr Sands - who currently serves as Chairman of the Bahamas Medical Council, a Director of the Central Bank of the Bahamas and Chief of Surgery at the Princess Margaret Hospital - will be formally ratified as the party's candidate come Thursday.
He emphasised that the selection of Dr Sands thus far "was not an open and closed process or a closed door situation" but a democratic one.
Asked about how important a win in the constituency is for the governing party, Mr Bethel said: "Every constituency is politically very important and to win is also very important."
"Though we are confident of victory we appreciate and value the importance of every individual voter and will not take the concerns of any individual voter for granted. Each voter in Elizabeth can expect their concerns will be individually considered and assessed," he added.
He would not be drawn on the significance of the by-election as a litmus test of likely success in the next general election, stating only that to see it as such would be to take "too opportunistic a view" of the event, which he emphasised was precipitated by the "personal decisions" of Malcolm Adderley, the former PLP party member who resigned his seat last week.
Meanwhile, ending some initial speculation that it may not vye for the seat for fear of wasting resources, the PLP has confirmed that it will be running a candidate in the by-election.
PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said it is "highly likely" at present that once final consultations are concluded, the Party's National General Council will ratify either attorney and party vice chairman Ryan Pinder - son of former PLP Malcolm Creek representative Marvin Pinder - or party treasurer Craig Butler as its candidate for the upcoming election.
The PLP was out in force in the constituency over the weekend, with numerous parliamentarians and party members doing the rounds.
Speaking at FNM headquarters on Dr Sands nomination by the constituency association, Mr Bethel said Dr Sands was the only person who formally applied to be the party's standard bearer for the area and in the unanimous vote of around 20 constituency association members, three others who had verbally indicated an interest in putting themselves forward as candidates threw their support behind Dr Sands.
Freddy Sands, Chairman of the Elizabeth Constituency Association said that he is confident Dr Sands, who is married with four children, is a man who is "not about prestige ... not about money, (but) is concerned about our country and the way it is headed now."
Mr Bethel said that in choosing an FNM MP for their area, Elizabeth constituents can expect to have their first representative "in nearly a decade who will have an effective voice around the table of governance" given how Mr Adderley, who served as their MP since 2002, was purportedly undermined by PLP party leader Perry Christie.
Mr Bethel said those living in the area can expect to see the governing party "campaigning vigorously, consistently, and as much as is required to have the maximum possible impact and to hear the concerns of every single registered voter in the Elizabeth constituency".
"They can expect an attentive ear and that whatever it is possible for us to improve the condition of all in the Elizabeth constituency we will do," said the Chairman.
Asked what the party has budgeted to spend on its campaign, Mr Bethel said this figure has not yet been settled but it will "cost some good money." He added that any donations towards this effort would be "thankfully received and faithfully applied."
The Chairman encouraged "all eligible voters who are residents of Elizabeth who are not already registered to vote or who may have turned 18 since the last general elections or who may have moved into the constituency more than six months ago to take all the necessary steps to register to vote either at the Parliamenary Commissioner's office during working hours, or at the Thelma Gibson Primary School between the hours of 5pm and 8pm on weekdays."
January 11, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
alowe@tribunemedia.net:
THE political field for the upcoming Elizabeth constituency by-election was narrowed over the weekend as the FNM announced its local constituency association has selected Dr Duane Sands as its chosen candidate.
In response, PLP chairman Bradley Roberts said his party is likely to pick either attorneys Ryan Pinder or Craig Butler.
At a press conference yesterday at Free National Movement headquarters on Mackey Street, FNM national chairman Carl Bethel announced that 47-year-old Dr Sands, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon, was unanimously elected by the Elizabeth Constituency Association as its preferred candidate.
Dr Sands tonight faces the scrutiny of the FNM Candidates Committee - essentially the executive of the party - and later its Executive Committee in what Mr Bethel described as the next steps in a "very detailed consultative mechanism" outlined in the party's constitution for selecting candidates in national elections.
The Chairman said that while he would not "presume" the outcome of those consultations, "having regard to what were the most persuasive and carefully thought out views" of the Elizabeth Constituency Association it is quite likely Dr Sands - who currently serves as Chairman of the Bahamas Medical Council, a Director of the Central Bank of the Bahamas and Chief of Surgery at the Princess Margaret Hospital - will be formally ratified as the party's candidate come Thursday.
He emphasised that the selection of Dr Sands thus far "was not an open and closed process or a closed door situation" but a democratic one.
Asked about how important a win in the constituency is for the governing party, Mr Bethel said: "Every constituency is politically very important and to win is also very important."
"Though we are confident of victory we appreciate and value the importance of every individual voter and will not take the concerns of any individual voter for granted. Each voter in Elizabeth can expect their concerns will be individually considered and assessed," he added.
He would not be drawn on the significance of the by-election as a litmus test of likely success in the next general election, stating only that to see it as such would be to take "too opportunistic a view" of the event, which he emphasised was precipitated by the "personal decisions" of Malcolm Adderley, the former PLP party member who resigned his seat last week.
Meanwhile, ending some initial speculation that it may not vye for the seat for fear of wasting resources, the PLP has confirmed that it will be running a candidate in the by-election.
PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts said it is "highly likely" at present that once final consultations are concluded, the Party's National General Council will ratify either attorney and party vice chairman Ryan Pinder - son of former PLP Malcolm Creek representative Marvin Pinder - or party treasurer Craig Butler as its candidate for the upcoming election.
The PLP was out in force in the constituency over the weekend, with numerous parliamentarians and party members doing the rounds.
Speaking at FNM headquarters on Dr Sands nomination by the constituency association, Mr Bethel said Dr Sands was the only person who formally applied to be the party's standard bearer for the area and in the unanimous vote of around 20 constituency association members, three others who had verbally indicated an interest in putting themselves forward as candidates threw their support behind Dr Sands.
Freddy Sands, Chairman of the Elizabeth Constituency Association said that he is confident Dr Sands, who is married with four children, is a man who is "not about prestige ... not about money, (but) is concerned about our country and the way it is headed now."
Mr Bethel said that in choosing an FNM MP for their area, Elizabeth constituents can expect to have their first representative "in nearly a decade who will have an effective voice around the table of governance" given how Mr Adderley, who served as their MP since 2002, was purportedly undermined by PLP party leader Perry Christie.
Mr Bethel said those living in the area can expect to see the governing party "campaigning vigorously, consistently, and as much as is required to have the maximum possible impact and to hear the concerns of every single registered voter in the Elizabeth constituency".
"They can expect an attentive ear and that whatever it is possible for us to improve the condition of all in the Elizabeth constituency we will do," said the Chairman.
Asked what the party has budgeted to spend on its campaign, Mr Bethel said this figure has not yet been settled but it will "cost some good money." He added that any donations towards this effort would be "thankfully received and faithfully applied."
The Chairman encouraged "all eligible voters who are residents of Elizabeth who are not already registered to vote or who may have turned 18 since the last general elections or who may have moved into the constituency more than six months ago to take all the necessary steps to register to vote either at the Parliamenary Commissioner's office during working hours, or at the Thelma Gibson Primary School between the hours of 5pm and 8pm on weekdays."
January 11, 2010
tribune242
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Free National Movement (FNM) chairman Carl Bethel rejects government manipulation claims in Malcolm Adderley's expected appointment
BY STAFF WRITER ~ Guardian News Desk:
The back and forth between both major political parties in the country regarding the recent resignation of Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley from Parliament and the Progressive Liberal Party continued yesterday, with Free National Movement chairman Carl Bethel rejecting the suggestion by the opposition that the government manipulated the constitution to facilitate Adderley's expected appointment as a Supreme Court justice.
"We understand why [PLP Leader Perry] Christie and [PLP chairman Bradley] Roberts are in a state of panic," Bethel said in a statement sent out yesterday evening. "This is the second member of Parliament they are losing since the last election and the whole country knows that the PLP is fractured and in a state of chaos.
"So that is why they are making extreme and desperate statements and seeking to place the blame on others for the state in which they find themselves. And of course, it is easy to blame Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for their political woes. But the truth is that Mr. Ingraham is in no way responsible for the state of affairs in which the PLP leaders find themselves, and their allegation of constitutional manipulation is utter nonsense."
Bethel claimed that "the facts of the matter are very simple and easy to understand."
"In the first place, it has been public knowledge ever since the general election in 2007 that Mr. Adderley was no longer happy with the PLP and the leadership of Mr. Christie, for whatever reasons. Secondly, it has also been public knowledge that Mr. Adderley was interested in serving his country on the Supreme Court, having acted in that capacity previously," Bethel said.
"So it should surprise no one that upon his resignation from the House he may still be interested in becoming a judge. No one -- not even Mr. Christie and Mr. Roberts -- has challenged his qualifications."
Bethel also called the PLP's talk of politicizing the courts "rubbish".
"It is the policy of the FNM government and, we believe, of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, to find qualified judges to serve in our high courts regardless of political affiliations," said Bethel. "That is why the Commission recommended the appointment of Mrs. Rubie Nottage to serve as a justice, presumably with no objections from Mr. Ingraham. There was public unease about that appointment not because she was PLP-affiliated but because of an alleged problem with the American government.
"Both former Chief Justice (Sir) Burton Hall and (Senior) Justice Jon Isaacs are known to have strong PLP family connections, and Justice Neville Adderley ran in elections twice on the PLP ticket before becoming a judge. And there were others with political backgrounds who have sat on the Supreme Court."
Bethel added: "The FNM did not object to any of them because they are qualified Bahamians. The PLP should try to be just as gracious when it comes to judges who may have had a connection with the FNM. After all, they are Bahamians too."
January 06, 2010
thenassauguardian
The back and forth between both major political parties in the country regarding the recent resignation of Elizabeth MP Malcolm Adderley from Parliament and the Progressive Liberal Party continued yesterday, with Free National Movement chairman Carl Bethel rejecting the suggestion by the opposition that the government manipulated the constitution to facilitate Adderley's expected appointment as a Supreme Court justice.
"We understand why [PLP Leader Perry] Christie and [PLP chairman Bradley] Roberts are in a state of panic," Bethel said in a statement sent out yesterday evening. "This is the second member of Parliament they are losing since the last election and the whole country knows that the PLP is fractured and in a state of chaos.
"So that is why they are making extreme and desperate statements and seeking to place the blame on others for the state in which they find themselves. And of course, it is easy to blame Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham for their political woes. But the truth is that Mr. Ingraham is in no way responsible for the state of affairs in which the PLP leaders find themselves, and their allegation of constitutional manipulation is utter nonsense."
Bethel claimed that "the facts of the matter are very simple and easy to understand."
"In the first place, it has been public knowledge ever since the general election in 2007 that Mr. Adderley was no longer happy with the PLP and the leadership of Mr. Christie, for whatever reasons. Secondly, it has also been public knowledge that Mr. Adderley was interested in serving his country on the Supreme Court, having acted in that capacity previously," Bethel said.
"So it should surprise no one that upon his resignation from the House he may still be interested in becoming a judge. No one -- not even Mr. Christie and Mr. Roberts -- has challenged his qualifications."
Bethel also called the PLP's talk of politicizing the courts "rubbish".
"It is the policy of the FNM government and, we believe, of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, to find qualified judges to serve in our high courts regardless of political affiliations," said Bethel. "That is why the Commission recommended the appointment of Mrs. Rubie Nottage to serve as a justice, presumably with no objections from Mr. Ingraham. There was public unease about that appointment not because she was PLP-affiliated but because of an alleged problem with the American government.
"Both former Chief Justice (Sir) Burton Hall and (Senior) Justice Jon Isaacs are known to have strong PLP family connections, and Justice Neville Adderley ran in elections twice on the PLP ticket before becoming a judge. And there were others with political backgrounds who have sat on the Supreme Court."
Bethel added: "The FNM did not object to any of them because they are qualified Bahamians. The PLP should try to be just as gracious when it comes to judges who may have had a connection with the FNM. After all, they are Bahamians too."
January 06, 2010
thenassauguardian
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
The Privy Council Rules that The Court of Appeal Erred when it Determined that it Did Not Have Jurisdiction to Hear The Appeal of Holy Cross Member of Parliament, Sidney Stubbs against His Bankruptcy Order issued by a Supreme Court Judge
"The [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council] thereafter assumed to itself all of the powers exercisable by the Court of Appeal and decided to hear my appeal on its merits," said Mr. Sidney Stubbs
The order of bankruptcy was set aside. The lordships also made a further pronouncement that I may now take my seat in parliament." said Mr. Sidney Stubbs
Stubbs Wins Privy Council Appeal
By Candia Dames
Nassau, The Bahamas
4th May 2005
Bringing an end to more than a year of legal troubles, The Privy Council ruled on Tuesday that the Court of Appeal erred when it determined that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal of Holy Cross Member of Parliament Sidney Stubbs against his bankruptcy order issued by a Supreme Court judge.
"The [Judicial Committee of the Privy Council] thereafter assumed to itself all of the powers exercisable by the Court of Appeal and decided to hear my appeal on its merits," said Mr. Stubbs, who spoke at a news conference held at the office of attorney, Valentine Grimes, one of the MP’s advisors.
Mr. Stubbs also said, "The court found that the adjudication order was bad on the face of the record as the debtor summons was not severed within the time limited by the rules.
The order of bankruptcy was set aside. The lordships also made a further pronouncement that I may now take my seat in parliament."
Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Raynard Rigby, who also attended the press conference, told reporters that Mr. Stubbs is expected to return to the House of Assembly as early as Wednesday after the Speaker of the House has been formally notified of the Privy Council’s ruling.
Mr. Stubbs, who had remained silent throughout the legal ordeal, indicated on Tuesday that he was relieved that the matter is finally behind him.
"It was a humbling experience," he said. "I’m not a gushy person so I can only say that I am happy that it’s over, and I’d like to thank God that it’s now behind me."
Mr. Stubbs also expressed gratitude for the support he said he got as he fought the bankruptcy order issued by Supreme Court Justice Jeanne Thompson in March 2004.
"One of the things that sustained me through my year-long ordeal is the good graces and support of the people of Holy Cross," he said.
"I have gone to households in all 10 polling divisions and also in the new area, Hope Gardens. I’ve spoken to members of the Holy Cross community…Never once was the question ever raised by the majority of people of Holy Cross that Sidney Stubbs should go."
He acknowledged that there were detractors in Holy Cross who wished to see him lose his seat, but he believes that the majority of his constituents were hoping and praying for an end to his legal troubles.
Mr. Grimes indicated that the technical issues involving the case and the ruling will be made public by Mr. Stubbs’ legal team when it returns from London.
It was on the basis of Mr. Stubbs’ appeal before the Privy Council that the House of Assembly in March granted the MP an additional six months to pursue his bankruptcy matter.
The extension came after a previous one that was granted last September expired.
Just last week, Supreme Court Justice Sir Burton Hall annulled Mr. Stubbs’ bankruptcy order after determining that the MP had come to a satisfactory scheme of arrangements to pay his creditors.
Those creditors included Gina Gonzales, Felix Bowe and Colina Insurance Company.
There had been some people, particularly those in opposition, who had been bracing for a bye-election in Holy Cross.
Last week, FNM Leader Senator Tommy Turnquest explained to reporters that the reason why a map was hanging on a wall inside the party’s Mackey Street headquarters was to remind the FNM on a daily basis that it is poised to recapture Holy Cross if an election were called.
The FNM also went as far as nominating former Holy Cross MP and FNM Chairman, Carl Bethel as its candidate for a bye-election.
Mr. Bethel, for his part, ran advertisements advising Holy Cross constituents to register to vote.
During debate on a resolution to grant Mr. Stubbs a six-month extension last September, former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had said that the government was seeking to raise a "dead corpse" and he advised the Christie Administration to bury its dead and move on.
But government officials insisted that Mr. Stubbs had a constitutional right to appeal and were intent on helping him fight the bankruptcy order, which came after a series of debacles, he had been involved in.
On Tuesday, Mr. Stubbs also thanked Prime Minister Perry Christie and PLP Chairman Raynard Rigby, and many others, for their unwavering support throughout his ordeal.
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Tommy Turnquest says that He is Not Troubled by Opposition within or outside His Party
Tommy On Defensive
By Candia Dames
Nassau, The Bahamas
27 April 2005
Amid reports that he is facing fierce opposition from within his own party, Free National Movement Leader Tommy Turnquest called a press conference on Tuesday to reassure FNM's that all is well in the party.
Mr. Turnquest told reporters that he is confident that he has the full support of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and that as far as he is aware Mr. Ingraham, despite reports, is not interested in returning as leader of the party.
"We in the FNM will not allow our political opponents to capitalize on make-believe issues in our party," said Mr. Turnquest, who added that he is not troubled by opposition within or outside his party.
"They want desperately to take the focus off their incompetence, ineffectiveness and inefficiency. We must continue to reveal their total ineptitude as a government. The old, pompous, all-for-me nature of the PLP is back and we must resolve to rid our country of this rudderless, incompetent and unfocused government. This is the focus of the FNM ‐ nothing more, nothing less."
The FNM leader called the press conference to respond to a Bahama Journal article published on Monday under the headline "FNM's Want Tommy Out."
That story revealed that an advisory council of the party headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson has advised Mr. Turnquest that there are many FNM's who want him out and Mr. Ingraham back in as leader.
On Tuesday, Mr. Turnquest refused to discuss the findings of the advisory council with reporters, saying that, "It is unfortunate that some people seem to have taken [the appointment of the council] as a sign of crisis in leadership in our party."
He said, "As the duly elected leader of the FNM, I am working to ready our party to compete fiercely in the next general election. On a daily basis, I am meeting with persons who have expressed a desire to be an FNM candidate in the next election, a process I hope to complete very soon so that we might begin to put them in place."
Mr. Turnquest also urged party supporters to "be strong so we may finish strong."
"The work that we must do is crucial," he said. "Our nation is in the hands of incompetent drifters. They have failed to live up to many of their promises. Our people are hurting. Our country is directionless. We are being misled by those who govern us. They are working to enrich themselves, their families and their cronies."
Mr. Turnquest was flanked by his deputy, Sidney Collie; FNM Chairman Carl Bethel; Montagu MP Brent Symonette; Senator Tanya McCartney; and Loretta Butler Turner, who was a candidate in the last general election.
Leader of the Official Opposition Alvin Smith and a handful of FNM supporters also showed up to support the FNM leader.
There was, however, no member of the advisory council present at the press conference.
On Monday, former FNM Cabinet Minister Tennyson Wells, now an independent MP, told The Bahama Journal that the fact that Mr. Turnquest had to appoint that council indicates that the party is in "disarray."
But Mr. Turnquest said the FNM has never been more united.
When asked whether he had an image problem, he said that he had no idea what it means to have an image problem.
Mr. Wells has said that the key problem with Mr. Turnquest is his image and that the very people who supported his bid for leadership in 2000 are the ones trying to overthrow him as leader.
Former Cabinet Minister Algernon Allen, meanwhile, said that there was treachery afoot.
Mr. Turnquest dismissed those statements.
"In May 2002, I sat at this very table and offered my resignation to the highest authority in his party," Mr. Turnquest said at the press conference at FNM headquarters. "I was asked to remain until the next national convention which I did. I then offered myself for leadership and I was elected as leader.
"I really can do no more than that, but if I continue to look over my shoulder or behind my back, I'd be constantly focused on that rather the real prize which is ahead and that is defeating the PLP and making sure that we return this country back to where it ought to be."
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
They Backstabbed Tommy Turnquest!
Tommy 'Backstabbed'
By Candia Dames
Nassau, The Bahamas
26th April 2005
A move afoot to get rid of Senator Tommy Turnquest as the leader of the Free National Movement to pave the way for former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham's return amounts to an act of treachery, two former FNM Cabinet Ministers indicated yesterday.
Algernon Allen and Tennyson Wells both made a bid to lead the party in 2000, but lost to Mr. Turnquest who had the endorsement of Mr. Ingraham.
Mr. Wells said that Mr. Turnquest is now being "backstabbed" by the same group of people who supported him as leader, while Mr. Allen said, "As one who knows this party intimately, I see all the hallmarks of treachery afoot."
Their comments came following an exclusive report in The Bahama Journal that revealed that an advisory committee headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson has indicated to Mr. Turnquest that many FNM's are concerned that the party would have no chance of winning the next general election with him as leader.
The committee, which was appointed by the FNM leader, reported to him last week.
Mr. Allen, who called into the Love 97 talk show "Issues of The Day," said the pursuit of power at all cost manifested itself in the 2000 FNM convention.
"They got rid of most of those who cared about country, who cared about the direction of the party," he said.
Mr. Allen said that the very people who several years ago "drove Mr. Turnquest's agenda" are now those seeking to cut his political legs and arms off "and they'd stop no short of drinking his blood."
"Here we have this scenario: Mr. Ingraham and others put Mr. Turnquest in position. They heralded him as almost the second coming. They went from island to island, from place to place and they told the public emphatically that he was the only one who could lead the party.
"Now here comes these same persons who surrounded Mr. Ingraham, who carried that message with a passion and who did so in ways which further ruptured and destroyed the organization. But now they say 'Here we are at this point in time. This man can no longer lead us. He is not fitting.' Mind you, they failed to say that in 2002 really Mr. Turnquest was only leader in name because the public voted undoubtedly on the record of the FNM over the past five years."
In his usual impassioned tone, Mr. Allen added, "We have been rendered literally with an ineffective opposition because all are content now with cutting off the fledgling legs of Mr. Tommy Turnquest. I sympathize with him because I know what is happening. Unfortunately, he is in an incestuous group, a group that enjoys carnal knowledge with their own, so to speak. [It's] an incestuous group that seeks now to destroy him because they seek now to forward another agenda."
Mr. Allen said he seriously doubts that Mr. Ingraham wants to return to the leadership of the FNM, saying the matter is not now even in question.
"I cannot see Mr. Ingraham leaving his pensions and emoluments which are a quarter of a million dollars a year ‐ [he's] given a salary, maid, chauffeur, gardener, medical insurance and all the rest ‐ to return to the fray of politics and I do believe that it would not be in his interest. It would not be in accordance with his stated philosophy. It would not be in accordance with the overall advancement of good governance in the country," Mr. Allen declared.
"I think now that the Free National Movement ought to sit and now focus and undoubtedly there is a very strong probability that they will not win 2007, but political parties do not focus on the immediate. They structure toward the inevitability that in 2012 there is an election, God willing if Christ does not come."
Independent Member of Parliament Tennyson Wells, who also served in Mr. Ingraham's government, said the fact that Mr. Turnquest had to appoint a fact-finding committee tells that the party is in "disarray."
He said that while Mr. Ingraham may be able to win the leadership of the FNM, he would not be able to win a general election.
"He has been a divider," Mr. Wells said of the former prime minister. "I would not support him if he comes back. At least 30 percent of the base support that the FNM needs to win the election would not support Mr. Ingraham if he comes back."
He said that it is highly unlikely that the FNM could win the election under Mr. Turnquest, adding that he would need "grooming" and much greater support than he has now.
"I never thought that Tommy was a person to be leader of the FNM in the first place," Mr. Wells said. "[He's a nice person] and has a role to play in the organization, but at that level, no. He is not the person for that."
Mr. Wells said he always thought that the Member of Parliament for Lucaya Neko Grant, and FNM Chairman Carl Bethel "who has a problem with his personality" could lead the FNM to victory in a general election.
He also suggested that former MP Lester Turnquest has what it takes to lead the FNM.
Mr. Wells also told The Bahama Journal that he is still interested in leading the FNM.
"I never really left the FNM," he said. "But most of them are so bitter against me that I've resigned myself to my position. I will make my judgment within the next nine months to a year...but if you ask me whether or not I believe I could win the next election, I think if I was leader of the FNM, I could win the election. But I'm not going to go out and fight over anything. It has to be a consensus. I'm not going to get involved in any friction...I'm finished with that."
Mr. Ingraham has declined to comment on the matter of his possible return as leader of the FNM.
But Mr. Wells believes that Mr. Ingraham should tell the Bahamian people definitively that he does not plan to return if that is in fact the case.
He said the former prime minister's refusal to comment has created confusion.
Meanwhile, former DPM Watson, who headed the advisory council, said on Monday that it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the group's work unless the party's leader allowed the release of the report.
Monday, November 29, 2004
Sidney Stubbs can Only Hold On to His Holy Cross seat in the House of Assembly as long as He has An Appeal outstanding in His Bankruptcy Matter
Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall indicated that if there is an appeal before the Privy Council, Mr. Sidney Stubbs needs to pursue that before he can ask the Supreme Court to annul the bankruptcy order issued against him in March
Stubbs Appeal In Doubt
By Candia Dames
Nassau, The Bahamas
29th November 2004
Nearly one week after Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall adjourned the Sidney Stubbs bankruptcy matter, officials of the Progressive Liberal Party say they have still not been able to confirm whether the Holy Cross Member of Parliament has an appeal before the Privy Council.
His attorneys could not say last Tuesday whether there was in fact an appeal and have not yet given an indication that there is one.
While the legal team filed a notice to appeal to the Privy Council in September, it still remains unclear whether it moved ahead with that intent.
A PLP official told the Bahama Journal that the uncertainty surrounding the alleged appeal is creating frustrations for the party, which is seeking to speed up the legal matter.
When he adjourned the case last week, Sir Burton indicated that if there is an appeal before the Privy Council, Mr. Stubbs needs to pursue that before he can ask the Supreme Court to annul the bankruptcy order issued against him in March.
When asked on Sunday whether he has an appeal before the Privy Council, Mr. Stubbs told the Bahama Journal that he does not speak to the press and any statement in this regard would have to come from his attorneys.
Up to last week, attorney Wayne Munroe, who represents Mr. Stubbs’s former creditor, said he had received no notice from the MP’s counsel that an appeal was indeed active.
The hierarchy of the PLP is reportedly concerned that the matter may be dragging on too long and was considering whether to indicate to Mr. Stubbs formally that the party needed to start preparing for the eventuality of a bye-election.
Mr. Stubbs can only hold on to his seat in the House of Assembly as long as he has an appeal outstanding in his bankruptcy matter.
It could be why he and his legal team are for now keeping quiet on whether they actually have an appeal active.
In September, the House of Assembly approved a resolution granting him an additional six months to pursue an appeal.
Last Tuesday, Sir Burton made it clear to the court that there was no appeal presently before him as it relates to Mr. Stubbs’s bankruptcy matter.
The Free National Movement has insisted that the Holy Cross-seat became vacant the moment Supreme Court Justice Jeannie Thompson declared the MP bankrupt in March.
When contacted on Sunday, the FNM’s candidate for Holy Cross Carl Bethel told the Bahama Journal that he wanted to steer clear of making too many public comments at this time on the matter which is still before the courts.
But he reiterated the position of his party as it relates to the latest debacle involving Mr. Stubbs.
“The government really has to decide whether they are going to honour and uphold the constitution or whether they’re going to play politics with it,” said Mr. Bethel, who is also the party’s chairman.
“They know that Sidney Stubbs has no appeal to the Privy Council. His seat is vacant under the constitution and it is really an abuse of the constitution…the fact of the matter is if there is an appeal, the other side ought to have received concrete evidence of such a thing.”
Tuesday, May 4, 2004
FNM 2007
FNM Launches “Restoration 2007”
Claiming that all the new jobs created since May 2002 were created by the Free National Movement, party leader Tommy Turnquest did what was expected last night – he slammed the performance of the Christie Administration, while again declaring it a “do nothing government.”
“The PLP is a government of show without substance,” said Mr. Turnquest, who brought the keynote address at a rally at the R. M. Bailey Park where he launched a campaign dubbed “Restoration 2007”.
“Let them know that thousands of Bahamians who get swing last time will pay the PLP back next election for their lies and empty promises,” he said.
The rally came one day after the Progressive Liberal Party Government observed its second anniversary in office, with Prime Minister Perry Christie declaring that he and his team remain on course.
Mr. Turnquest spent much of the time accusing the PLP of taking credit for the work he said was done by the Ingraham Administration.
Pointing to a number of resort developments on the Family Islands, including the much talked about Emerald Bay project in Exuma, Mr. Turnquest said the PLP “didn’t do anything to make any of that happen, just like they didn’t do anything to make Phase III of Atlantis happen.”
“All that was planned and approved by the FNM,” he said. “The FNM built or caused all of them to be built.”
In recent weeks, the government has been boasting about its housing record, saying that the PLP built nearly 600 houses in two years, compared to the fewer than 800 houses built by the FNM in nearly 10 years. But Mr. Turnquest sought to set the record straight.
“The PLP is building houses in existing subdivisions, many of which were planned and created by the FNM,” he said. “They are building without building permits and are not providing parks, or open spaces or commercial areas like the FNM did.”
Free National Movement Chairman Carl Bethel, meanwhile, said the government fell far short of its projection for the rate of growth of the Bahamian economy last year.
“Despite the government’s promise of 2.5 percent economy growth for the last budget year, the latest figures from the IMF show that the Bahamian economy last year grew by 0.9 percent,” Mr. Bethel said.
During his budget communication last May, the prime minister actually said that the International Monetary Fund projected real economic growth of the Bahamian economy of 2.9 percent its April 2003 World Economic Report.
Mr. Bethel claimed last night that, “Last year, under the PLP The Bahamas had the worst economic performance of any comparable country in the Caribbean.”
He also claimed that the level of Net Foreign Investment in the Bahamian economy fell from $400 million left by the FNM in 2002, to only $200 million.
Mr. Bethel again attacked the quality of governance in the country, saying that under the PLP the country is beset by “bad government and laziness.”
“There is no money in the Treasury, and while the government is racking up a record-breaking budget deficit this year, the people who could have paid good money to ease that pressure have been giving a whopping tax cut,” he charged.
Mr. Bethel said certain real property exemptions granted under the PLP Administration will provide significant benefits for wealthy persons like those who live in the exclusive Lyford Cay community.
But on Sunday, while appearing as a guest on the Love 97 Programme “Jones and Company” Prime Minister Christie pointed to real property tax cuts as initiatives that have benefited Bahamians who need them most.
“We have given all first-home buyers exemptions from stamp duty on their homes up to $250,000,” Mr. Christie pointed out. “We have eliminated real property tax for Bahamians up to $250,000…This has all proven already to have a direct positive impact.”
At the rally, Mr. Bethel also slammed the PLP on national security issues.
“The Police Force and the Defence Force are demoralized and unhappy,” he claimed. “They are under-funded, under-equipped, under-staffed and under-paid. The government does not seem to have any plan or strategic vision to develop and improve our armed and security services.”
He vowed that “when this one-term government is run out of office the FNM will aggressively grow the economy; attract real foreign investment, stimulate increased Bahamian investment and ownership in the economy, create jobs and empower Bahamians.”
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