Raynard Rigby - former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) chairman resigned from a crucial party election committee

Rigby resigns from PLP committee

By CANDIA DAMES
Guardian News Editor
candia@nasguard.com

Many PLPs angered by letter to Christie


A day after The Nassau Guardian revealed that three influential members of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) were seeking to block the re-nomination of several PLP members of Parliament, former party chairman Raynard Rigby resigned from a crucial party election committee.

The Nassau Guardian confirmed that Rigby resigned yesterday as the coordinator of the southwest constituencies for the party in the upcoming general election.

It was considered a key position as the PLP oils its machinery for what some pundits think will shape up to be a bitterly fought battle at the polls.

Rigby told The Guardian he had no comment on the matter.

As the party has already gone into campaign mode, Rigby was selected to organize the party’s efforts in southwest New Providence.

As was reported exclusively by The Guardian Monday, Rigby was one of the authors of a letter written to PLP leader Perry Christie, urging him to make “bold decisions” with respect to party nominations.

The other authors of the letter were Philip Galanis, a former parliamentarian who organized the party’s re-election effort in 2007, and George Smith, a former parliamentarian and Cabinet minister.

The three men are against the nominations of Shane Gibson (Golden Gates); Vincent Peet (North Andros and the Berry Islands); Obie Wilchcombe (West End and Bimini); V. Alfred Gray (MICAL); Picewell Forbes (South Andros); Leslie Miller (Blue Hills) and Anthony Moss (Exuma).

They also said the party must be in a position to defend Arnold Forbes (Mount Moriah) in the event he faces any attacks over a reported challenge in his professional life.

Wilchcombe, Gray, Miller and Arnold Forbes have been ratified by the party’s National General Council.

Still, Rigby, Smith and Galanis suggested that these nominations ought to be reviewed if the party is to have a chance of winning the election.

They believe that the various controversies would hurt the party’s chances at the polls.

Christie has already expressed disappointment that someone leaked the letter to The Guardian and many within the party are calling for the heads of the three authors.

They have come under fire from PLPs angry that they would even suggest the men are not suited to run on the PLP’s ticket.

Rigby, Galanis and Smith are themselves no strangers to controversy. They are among the most outspoken men in the PLP. Rigby has made several candid comments since the 2007 election that have angered some PLPs.

In 2008, Rigby blasted the opposition for “failing to properly address national issues”.

At the time, he said: "I think the opposition has demonstrated a degree of strength, however, there appears to be a lack of coordination between what is being done in Parliament and what is required to be done outside of Parliament by the party and its broad-based membership."

Earlier, he said a number of things went wrong for the PLP in the last election.

"People were not connected to our message. People did not understand what the government was trying to achieve by these anchor development projects," he said.

"People didn’t get a sense that the government was close enough to them."

Rigby — who made the remarks after the last general election while he was still PLP chairman — said the party probably made some errors in judgment as it related to selecting candidates.

"And I think by and large people bought into this question of Mr. Christie that he was weak and indecisive and we allowed the FNM, to a very great extent, to determine the issues in the election, and they focused purely on issues of leadership," he said at the time.

In 2009, Rigby said publicly that it was inappropriate for Wilchcombe to serve as chairman of the approaching PLP convention and run for the deputy leadership post.

And on numerous occasions, Rigby has publicly criticized Christie’s leadership.

But the various controversies were set aside several months ago when the party’s leadership appointed Rigby coordinator for the southwest constituencies for the approaching election.

Some observers viewed it as a “kiss and make-up” between Rigby and Christie.

Christie has repeatedly talked about the importance of the party getting an early start as the campaign season approaches.

It announced candidates for the 2007 election just several weeks before voters went to the polls.

In addition to Wilchcombe, Gray, Miller and Arnold Forbes, the PLP has already made key selections for the upcoming election.

They are: Renardo Curry (North Abaco); Dr. Andre Rollins (Fort Charlotte); Alex Storr (Long Island and Ragged Island) Tanisha Tynes (Lucaya); Clay Sweeting (North Eleuthera); Dr. Bernard J. Nottage (Bain and Grants Town); Fred Mitchell (Fox Hill); Frank E. Smith (St. Thomas More); Melanie Griffin (Yamacraw); Glenys Hanna-Martin (Englerston); Cleola Hamilton (South Beach); Dion Smith (Kennedy); Gregory Moss (Marco City); Dr. Michael Darville (Pineridge); Jerome Gomez (Killarney); Dr. Daniel Johnson (Carmichael); Senator Jerome K. Fitzgerald (Marathon); Senator Michael Halkitis (Golden Isles); Senator C.V. Hope Strachan (Sea Breeze) and Dr. Kendal V.O. Major (Garden Hills).

5/18/2011

thenassauguardian

Bahamas Blog International

Outrage after Garden Hills MP Brensil Rolle asked Exumians what they think about the construction of marinas in the Exuma Land and Sea Park

Online outrage after MP poses marina development question
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net


FNM MP for Garden Hills Brensil Rolle got a little more than he bargained for after using his Facebook page to ask Exumians what they think about the construction of marinas in the Exuma Land and Sea Park.

The question was met with an immediate flurry of responses, many from persons outraged that the MP had asked for the opinion of Exumians only after the government granted approval for the development of Bell Island to Prince Karim al-Hussaini, the Aga Khan IV.

The permits will allow for the excavation of 4.32 acres of upland area for a yacht basin, 2.56 acres of sea floor for an outer channel, 4.28 acres of sea floor for a barge landing and 1.9 acres of sea floor for the outer area of the barge landing.

The approval has incensed many Bahamians, and Exumians in particular.

Earnestine McKenzie Bain wrote that if the government is going to allow marinas in the national park, poor local fishermen should be allowed to fish and gather conch from the area as well.

She added that straw vendors should be allowed to harvest the top portion of palm trees growing in the park to use in straw work.

Ms Bain noted that if you only take this part of the tree, it eventually grows back, whereas building a marina at Bell Island will kill precious reefs which will never grow back.

She wrote: "I really don't know why (you) ask the Exumians this question, when you guys are doing what you have planned anyway. To me it makes no sense."

Victor Grant wrote that while the construction of a marina may provide employment for a few Bahamians, the government ought to be formulating a plan to stimulate the economy on a wider scale, particularly to the benefit of former employees of the Four Seasons Resort in Great Exuma.

Terry Lamond Bain wrote: "Why ask people something your government has decided already?"

He asked if the government intends to put a marina on every island in the park.

"While you are at it, give out licenses to run jet-skis in the Flamingo sanctuary in Inagua and develop all other national parks too."

Mr Bain added: "By the way, Mr Rolle, the question ought to be directed to Bahamians - not just Exumians. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is for all Bahamians! If the billionaire Brother Prince Aga Khan is a true environmentalist, he would hand over Bell Island to the Bahamas National Trust and buy all the other islands in the park and hand them over to the BNT..."

Nicolle Ferguson concurred that the MP's question should have been asked before the marina was approved - not after.

"As a young Exumian, I am not at all happy with what is going on around me and what is being allowed to happen by non-Bahamians.

Responding to the flood of negative comments, Mr Rolle wrote: "I just ask the question, nothing personel (personal)".

However, former MP for Exuma, George Smith, said the issue is a very personal one for Exumians, and Mr Rolle should know better.

Mr Smith said: "No one should suggest that the views of these Bahamians are anti to the Aga Khan. There is not one person in Exuma who would not welcome the Aga Khan as an investor.

"But is it right of the government of the Bahamas to say that he can come here and do what any Bahamian can't?

"He (the Aga Khan) is not the culprit. It's the government's fault here. Fair is fair.

"Exumians who have strong views about this should be praised for speaking out and speaking up," he said.

The Bahamas National Trust, which oversees the park, has noted that private islands existed in the area long before the park was created. In a statement issued last week, the BNT said it holds the view that "there is a distinct and fundamental difference between the unrestricted exploitation of public resources within a national park and the acceptance of reasonable access for non-commercial use of private property."

November 10, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Earl Deveaux - Environment Minister - Resignation Sought Over Billionaire Islamic Leader - The Aga Khan Matter

Calls made for Earl Deveaux to resign
By MEGAN REYNOLDS
Tribune Staff Reporter
mreynolds@tribunemedia.net:



CALLS were made yesterday for the resignation of Environment Minister Earl Deveaux over plans to develop Bell Island in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.

Dr Deveaux said he was minded to approve plans submitted by Island of Discovery Limited, understood to be billionaire Islamic leader the Aga Khan. He also admitted accepting a free ride in the Aga Khan's helicopter to attend a film screening in Abaco before going on to Bell Island with BNT executives the next day.

However, former PLP MP Philip Smith said: "Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

"In late 2006, Shane Gibson, quite correctly, resigned from Cabinet in a similar matter involving a permanent residency permit for an American entertainer.

"Maybe when he tenders his resignation from Cabinet, Dr Deveaux will also tell the Bahamian public how much it will take to buy him since he claims he does not 'think a helicopter ride could buy' him.

"I look forward to reading the resignation statement; or failing this, the letter of dismissal from the Prime Minister."

Plans to dredge and excavate at least 8.8 acres of marine sand flats, rock and vegetation for two channels, 12ft and 14ft deep, a barge landing and 20 slip yacht basin, as well as roads across the 349-acre island, have been passed on to the BNT for their input, Dr Deveaux said.

But after they were revealed in The Tribune yesterday, conservationists opposed to any development in the park expressed further concerns over allegations the BNT accepted a $1 million donation from the Aga Khan last year.

Sam Duncombe, from conservation group reEarth, said: "By allowing development in the park, they are destroying the natural beauty, the ecological diversity and history associated with being the first marine park started in the world.

"Does a million dollars negate this critically important focus?

"If this is the case, the BNT hierarchy should resign immediately followed closely by the Minister for the Environment, because it's painfully clear that they have abandoned their directives."

BNT executive director Eric Carey refused to comment on whether the Trust accepted a donation from the Aga Khan, nor would he state the Trust's position on the Bell Island development despite being the usual spokesman for the Trust.

"This isn't an environmental issue anymore," Mr Carey said.

"It's getting too political.

"This requires input from the board so I will let the president know that a statement is expected and he will meet with his colleagues on the board to address all of the concerns that have been raised."

He said BNT president Neil McKinney is expected to return to Nassau next week.

An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by Florida consultants Turrel, Hall and Associates Ltd concluded the development would not have a significant environmental impact and the planning applications state "no negative environmental impacts expected".

But in an area where fishermen are arrested for taking anything within the 112.6 acre park, the possibility of approving plans to dredge and excavate in a zone that has been protected since 1958 has astounded former Exuma MP and PLP Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries George Smith.

He said: "We will arrest a Bahamian from Black Point who passes through the cays and catches a few fish, but we're going to let a man come in, because he's Mr So-and-so, and do dredging to 15ft?

"If it was John Brown from Long Island I think it would be a different story.

"I cannot envision that we would want to see that in the park, where after the dredging, the silt will settle on reefs and on shoals in an area that has not been disrupted from the day it was made a park."

September 15, 2010

tribune242

Bahamas Blog International

Norman's Cay, Exuma Land Deal

Norman's Cay Exumas Bahamas "Sweet Deal" 

By Candia Dames

Candiadames@hotmail.com

Nassau, The Bahamas

03/03/2004

The Progressive Liberal Party Government is set to honour what is being called a "sweet deal" with a group of local and foreign investors to control the vast majority of land on Norman's Cay, in the Exumas.

But former Member of Parliament for Exuma George Smith is seeking to discourage the government from allowing the investors to exercise their option on a conditional purchase lease for the more than 400 acres of land, which he says is valued at around $60 million.

The deal was agreed to in principal shortly before the general elections of 2002.

The property was part of the controversial cay that was vested in the Treasurer after it was confiscated from Medellin cartel drug kingpin Carlos Lehder, who arrived on Normon's Cay in the late 1970's and began purchasing large pieces of property.

Lehder's operation figured prominently in the famous Commission of Inquiry into drug trafficking in The Bahamas during the 1980's.  He is serving a long prison term in the United States for drug trafficking between South America and the United States.

It was revealed in the Commission of Inquiry that he built a 3,300-foot airport runway, protected by radar, bodyguards and attack dogs and controlled Norman's Cay for several years.

During the Commission of Inquiry, Mr. Smith's integrity also came into question.  He was appointed chairman of the Hotel Corporation, which generated some controversy at the time when Prime Minister Perry Christie announced it.

Mr. Smith, whose constituency included Norman's Cay, believes it is wrong for the government to give the land to the investors simply because of the infrastructural and touristic development they plan to bring to The Bahamas.

Mr. Smith said in an interview with the Bahama Journal Tuesday he is concerned about the deal that investors - who include attorney James Cole - got approval under the FNM administration in March 2002.

"Some time after the May 2, 2002 elections it was brought to my attention that the previous government less than two months before the elections agreed to surrender all of the land that was vested in the Treasurer that was Mr. Lehder's property at Norman's Cay," Mr. Smith said.

"I felt that this was unfair to those individuals who stayed at Norman's Cay who were not afforded the opportunity to acquire the land to extend their businesses."

Mr. Smith added, "I was surprised that other people who may have an interest in doing other touristic undertakings were denied an opportunity to purchase the land.  I think to have given the land to any one single entity was unfair, unnecessary and borders on being immoral.

"Land in the Exuma Cays is fetching a premium price.  I encourage the government to revisit this matter while remaining reasonably fair to [the investors in question.]

Others who are concerned about the deal reportedly believe that Mr. Cole and his group will end up with $60 million in land after investing less than half of that value and what they intend to do will in fact become a real estate development.

But Mr. Cole was unavailable Tuesday to comment on these reports.  His assistant said he is out of the country for another week and would probably be able to comment then.

The Journal has learnt that Mr. Cole is involved with the Amanresorts team, which is seeking to develop a $25 million tourist development at Norman's Cay.

Amanresorts owns luxurious resorts all over the world and provides five-star service to guests with three employees per room.  In agreeing to the deal in principal, the former government reportedly saw it as a good way to drum up more Family Island investments and fuel greater economic prosperity for residents of the Exumas.

After satisfying the terms of the conditional purchase lease agreement, the group will be granted the right to purchase the "breath-taking" property for an undisclosed price.

Minister of Financial Services and Investments Allyson Maynard Gibson said Tuesday that the present administration wants to send the right message to investors that it is committed to honouring the commitments made by the past administration.

"The style of negotiations and the economic focus of administrations change from administration to administration," she noted.

But Minister Gibson added, "It is fair to say that it is unlikely that this administration would have come to the same economic terms as did the former administration.  However, as Minister responsible for investments, I want to emphasize that the commitment made by the former administration will be honoured."

Norman's Cay is one of the most beautiful cays in the Exumas and is located 36 miles from Nassau and 210 miles off the Florida coast.  Mr. Smith, who said that more Bahamians should have the opportunity to own the land in question, believes that this would be the "moral" thing to do.