PICEWELL FORBES 'LOSING GROUND IN CONSTITUENCY'
tribune242
ALTHOUGH winning his seat by the largest margin out of any candidate in the 2007 general election, Picewell Forbes, the PLP's Member of Parliament for South Andros, is reportedly beginning to lose considerable ground in his constituency.
As a first time MP for the area, Mr Forbes's financial woes have been known for some time - and with a general election less than two years away it appears as if this factor is not being overlooked by his competitors.
Reports suggest that the former MP for the area, Whitney Bastian, still wants to represent the constituency, and with his financial prowess, he could prove to be a considerable obstacle for Mr Forbes.
Political sources claim that Andros - more so than any other seat in the Bahamas - is one area where a candidate without substantial amounts of money cannot be expected to win.
The Tribune source said: "Let me tell you, in Andros you have to dig in your pocket from the time you land until you fly out of there.
"It's like that mindset was established years ago when Sir Lynden (Pindling) was representing them, so it's hard to break that - no matter who you are.
"And it doesn't matter if your MP is doing a good job or not.
"He or she could be in there every other week, walking up and down, shaking hands, kissing babies, attending every funeral, wedding, and pastoral anointing, and yet be voted out because they are unable to provide a contract for their generals."
Attempts to reach Mr Forbes for comment were unsuccessful.
October 27, 2010
tribune242
A political blog about Bahamian politics in The Bahamas, Bahamian Politicans - and the entire Bahamas political lot. Bahamian Blogger Dennis Dames keeps you updated on the political news and views throughout the islands of The Bahamas without fear or favor. Bahamian Politicians and the Bahamian Political Arena: Updates one Post at a time on Bahamas Politics and Bahamas Politicans; and their local, regional and international policies and perspectives.
Showing posts with label Sir Lynden Pindling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sir Lynden Pindling. Show all posts
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Bahamian National heroes
National heroes
By RUPERT MISSICK JR
rmissick@tribunemedia.net
and NOELLE NICOLLS
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net
Tribune Staff Reporters:
FORMER Minister of Culture Neville Wisdom tells the story of a primary school teacher who two weeks ago did a class exercise asking students: Who do you identify as a national hero?
Of 16 students, 14 identified President Obama, one identified Dr Martin Luther King and one the late Sir Lynden Pindling.
This story highlights, if nothing else, the poor job earlier generations did in teaching Bahamian history and establishing who is and who should be called a national hero of the Bahamas.
Several years ago a Cultural Commission was appointed to establish just that.
The Commission was to also formulate programmes and strategies for the coordinated promotion, study, research, preservation and enhancement of the Bahamian cultural heritage in music drama, poetry, religious expression, creative writing and their publication, oral story telling, film making, art, sculpture, dress, cuisine, dance and Junkanoo.
They made their first report to government in September 2003.
The Commission's report stated that national heroes are “seminal contributors to the shaping of Bahamian society from slave plantation and colonial fiefdom to an independent nation and an aspiring model society, where all citizens have equal opportunity towards being constructive, creative and self directed human beings.”
A national hero was defined as a person who has gone beyond their personal and historical limitations to give the society a psychic and spiritual rebirth. National hero was distinguished from a hero.
Sacrifice:
A hero was defined as someone whose dedication, hard work and sacrifice has contributed to the society. National heroes are people who were to have accomplishments that have been acknowledged and recognised as a national inspiration by a significant portion of the national body.
Winston Saunders and Charles Carter were appointed co-chairmen of the commission but the committee basically dissolved after Mr Saunders died in November of 2006.
“We had finished most of the work. It was wide ranging and it was a tribute to Mr Saunders because he spent his whole life dedicated to cultural and artistic pursuits. I was just pleased to be a part of it. He was the driving force and unfortunately as fate would have it, when he died it died. I just hope the work hasn't died,” Mr Carter said.
When the 2007 elections took place the present government did not continue the work of the commission.
“The work we did was largely finished and submitted to government. It is probably lodged somewhere in the Ministry of Education or Culture,” Mr Carter said.
Among the recommendations of the committee were:
• A national hero and literature during the month of October;
• A public holiday celebrating national hero's day on the second Monday of October each year, replacing the Discovery Day holiday;
• A Bill for national honours to be introduced;
• Ministry of Education building to be named the Arthur Hanna Complex;
• Ministry of Health building be named after Reverend Dr H W Brown;
• Exuma Street be renamed Amos Ferguson Street;
• Third Terrace Centreville be renamed Rusty Bethel Drive;
• Nassau International Airport be renamed Sir Lynden Pindling International Airport and
• Establish national heroes parks in New Providence and family islands.
All of this seems to be the easier aspects of the commission’s work, however. After this the more problematic and subjective work of establishing who should be called a national hero should have proceeded. And while there may be many Bahamian heroes, the majority will escape the description of national hero.
Contribution:
For example, while 40 or 30 years ago one would never have doubted that Sir Sidney Poitier was a national hero, a new generation is questioning the “real contribution” Sir Sidney has made to the Bahamas.
Although born in Miami in 1927 during his Bahamian parents’ visit to Florida, Sir Sidney – the son of a poor tomato farmer – grew up in Cat Island. Sir Sidney has also served as the Bahamas’ ambassador to Japan and was made an Honorary Knight Commander in the 1970s for his contribution to the arts.
Sir Sidney was the first black actor to win an Academy Award for a lead performance (Lilies of the Field in 1963).
Many of his films tackled racial themes and have been heralded for helping to break down social barriers between whites and blacks during an era of racial segregation.
In February of this year a group of filmmakers protested the College of the Bahamas’ decision to host a conference and film festival dedicated to Sir Sidney.
The most vocal critic of the festival, filmmaker Celi Moss publicly lambasted the college for using its resources to honour the Academy Award winning actor.
“When it comes to the arts in the Bahamas he’s done nothing,” claimed Mr Moss.
Mr Moss’ assertion that the Oscar winner has done nothing for the Bahamas is hyperbolic at best and perhaps a more measured expression of Mr Moss’ opinion would have been that Sir Sidney hasn’t done enough, or rather done what Mr Moss would have seen as enough.
But Sir Sidney had been involved in philanthropic activities in the country, off and on, since he won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Homer Smith in “Lilies of the Field.”
The first was when Sir Sidney made a personal appearance on the stage of the Shirley Street Theatre on Saturday February 29, 1964 during the Nassau premiere of the movie.
The screening was a benefit sponsored by the Ways and Means Committee of the British Legion as part of an annual drive for funds to aid needy ex-servicemen in the Bahamas.
In the 70s he kept true to his promise.
The 1974 premiere of “Uptown Saturday Night” held in Nassau was in aid of the Bahamas Association for the Mentally Retarded. The premier of “Buck and the Preacher”, Sir Sidney’s directional debut was held in Nassau to aid the construction of Jordan Prince William High School.
College Professor Dr Ian Strachan hit back at the criticism arguing that the event’s protesters are misguided by a sense of “entitlement.”
“What they are basically saying is that despite the fact that Sidney Poitier helped change the world for all black people, he is not worth honouring or studying because he didn’t do something specific for this community that they think are paramount,” Dr Strachan said.
Still to many this is not enough because “it seems he didn’t help today’s struggling Bahamian artists directly, monetarily, by ‘putting in a word’ or by showing up every summer and teaching a class in method acting,” said Dr Strachan.
There was a point where Sir Sidney felt that he was not appreciated by the Bahamian public.
“Lilies of the Field” was Sir Sidney’s 20th film and he told a crowd of more than 600 who gathered at the theatre, “I was beginning to feel that I was not loved here. I have been asked to do things in Asia and Africa and was wondering when someone was going to ask me to do something for my people here.”
He had left Nassau 21 years before with “a bundle and several dollars given to me by my father to make my mark in the world” and was more than willing to help any organization that was doing “something worthwhile for us Bahamians.”
Sir Sidney eventually made a home for himself in Winton, but left in the 70s after he said that he felt harassed by the constant visits of gawking tourists.
Before leaving he also expressed concern over the number of “corrupt” persons with whom Sir Lynden was surrounding himself, although he thought that Sir Lynden himself was an honest man.
In addition to the lament of Mr Moss, there are more who disagree as to whether or not Sir Sidney should be considered a national hero.
Father Sebastian Campbell, who is Chairman of the National Heroes Committee, and member of the National Cultural Development Commission said that Sir Sidney was simply a person who “came along at the right time and was in the right place,” but did nothing to “advance the country”.
Teacher:
“What has Poitier done to advance Era Anne Hanna who worked for 40 plus years as a teacher in Mason Bay, Acklins? She was a teacher, handy man, janitor, who had to ride horse back to the school. She was never absent for one day and taught some of the leading citizens in this country. At the end of her retirement she got no pension nor no gratuity. These are the people we need to recognize as our heroes and stop letting persons with status and fame to trump up their contributions,” he said.
However, Mr Wisdom said even though Sir Sidney left, and it was necessary for him to practise his skills in the US, he was an integral part of the “quiet revolution” of majority rule and Independence.
Father Campbell is concerned, however, that persons, who, unlike Sir Sidney, are not famous or wealthy will be lost to history and their contribution to national development also will be lost.
“The workers of the Burma Road Riot: They are our heroes. They laid the foundation for trade unionism in the Bahamas.
“These are the people we need to rescue from obscurity and write about their triumphs, tell their story. These are the leaders of trade unionism in the Bahamas and yet they are not being recognized,” he said.
Father Campbell believes that the recent Queen’s honours when Kerzner International CEO Sol Kerzner received a knighthood was an example of where wealth and status trumped what he sees as a “real contribution” to the country.
“Status and money should not be the deciding factor in who should get the highest honours in the country. It is wrong. There are many Bahamians who are way ahead of the Sol Kerzners. They didn't give money, because they didn't have it; they gave themselves,” Father Campbell said.
Another Bahamian hero who will have to be rescued from obscurity is Dr Joseph Robert Love.
Dr Love was born in Nassau, in 1839 and died in Kingston in 1914.
He was a teacher, priest, medical missionary, army doctor, journalist and newspaper editor, politician, and legislator, freemason and an advocate for black pride. He grew up in Grant’s Town, and was a member of St Agnes Anglican Church. He emigrated to the United States in the 1860s and was ordained a priest in 1877.
He was the first black medical graduate of the University of Buffalo in 1879, and went to Haiti in 1881 as a medical missionary.
While in Jamaica he was the editor of the weekly paper the Jamaica Advocate and was a big influence on Marcus Garvey.
However, Father Campbell said that Dr Love is not what he would call a national hero.
“What has he done to advance the modern day Bahamas? A part of this challenge needs to be to get Bahamians to write our stories.
“We have to be careful to say that not everyone is a hero. Just because someone did something outstanding he is a hero?
“We have examples of how to go about this from other countries: There is a lot to learn from Jamaica and Trinidad,” he said.
However, Mr Carter believes that Dr Love is one of the many unsung heroes in the Bahamas.
“He is better known in Jamaica than the Bahamas. He helped Marcus Garvey form his consciousness.
“He is one of the most brilliant Bahamians ever made, and he was a (parishioner at) St Agnes.
“That is the same place I go to church.
Message:
“The worst part about that is no one knows him; we are not taught who he was. If you were a Jamaican you would know who he is. I tell young people when they listen to Bob Marley, a Bahamian person influenced that message. But that is not supported by other things that happen in the community (by the cultural narrative). They say okay fine that is what you say, but we don't celebrate him in the country. That is the great tragedy in the Bahamas,” he said.
Mr Wisdom said that Dr Love is not a national hero simply because he does not fit in the Cultural Commission's definition.
“People who have been obscured from the national consciousness because we have done a poor job at education, may have to be classified as hero and not national hero.
“Dr Love would fall into that category,” he said.
Perhaps Sir Stafford Sands personifies this type of person.
Mr Wisdom said, however, he would oppose Sir Stafford being installed as a national hero.
“Sir Stafford represents a division from the philosophy of one Bahamas. He is perceived by most Bahamians as having been a racist. Sir Stafford went to his death bed in self imposed exile in Spain, and in my opinion the mere fact that he did not reconnect with his home denies him the opportunity. He abandoned the country and went into self imposed exile during a period of transition when the country needed all hands on board as we tried to move this new Bahamas upward, onward and forward together. In my opinion, I don't care how bad things get, as a nationalist I am going to stay here and fight. Once you abandon your country you give up the right to be defined as a national hero.
“I do not know (if he was a racist on his death bed), but I do know he did not reconnect with the country. The view that I hold and many hold is that he simply could not accept the fact that the country would be administered by black Bahamians despite the fact Sir Lynden and Sir Milo demonstrated and were consistent in a one Bahamas position.
“There was never any question raised about Sir Roland Symonette as a national hero. He was a contributor and did not abandoned this country. Founding fathers and national heroes don't give up on a country and expect in years to come to be acknowledged as a national hero,” he said.
However, the explanation of why Sir Stafford left for Europe is not so simple.
Around the 1967 election Sir Stafford was not a well man. A chain smoker, he suffered from a serious bronchial condition.
In April of that year he spent six weeks in Miami for treatment of his problem. That was three months before he announced his resignation from the House.
Up until the day of his resignation from the House, Sir Stafford, who had given up his law practice mainly for health reasons, had every intention of spending his winters in the Bahamas.
Five years after his resignation Sir Stafford died of cancer in the London Clinic in England. The National Heroes Bill and the National Honours Bill were passed by parliament, but were not brought into force. A date for implementation was never published.
What about people who are not obscure and have undeniably helped to make the modern Bahamas what it is, but simply were not liked.
Mr Carter said what disturbs him most about the modern Bahamas is the ignorance of and lack of appreciation for Bahamian culture.
“We have a very strong and viable culture that is not being protected, taught and practised. What course in Bahamian history and culture did you have? Look at our country today; look at how many kids are growing up completely devoid of any knowledge of and appreciation for the country they live in,” he said.
The former MP said that the Bahamas is in danger of losing a heritage that really stands out.
Heritage:
“ It is a beautiful heritage. We have everything to be proud of to make us truly Bahamian,” he said.
However, Mr Wisdom pointed out that all Bahamians have some foreign parentage as you go down the various generations.
“There is no such thing as true, true Bahamians.
“We all came here on ships, so being Bahamian really needs to be defined as a person who acknowledges the Bahamas as his or her home, who demonstrates an undying love for the country and who is prepared to give his or her all for the Bahamas for the entirety of their life.
“That is a real Bahamian,” he said.
July 11, 2010
tribune242
By RUPERT MISSICK JR
rmissick@tribunemedia.net
and NOELLE NICOLLS
nnicolls@tribunemedia.net
Tribune Staff Reporters:
FORMER Minister of Culture Neville Wisdom tells the story of a primary school teacher who two weeks ago did a class exercise asking students: Who do you identify as a national hero?
Of 16 students, 14 identified President Obama, one identified Dr Martin Luther King and one the late Sir Lynden Pindling.
This story highlights, if nothing else, the poor job earlier generations did in teaching Bahamian history and establishing who is and who should be called a national hero of the Bahamas.
Several years ago a Cultural Commission was appointed to establish just that.
The Commission was to also formulate programmes and strategies for the coordinated promotion, study, research, preservation and enhancement of the Bahamian cultural heritage in music drama, poetry, religious expression, creative writing and their publication, oral story telling, film making, art, sculpture, dress, cuisine, dance and Junkanoo.
They made their first report to government in September 2003.
The Commission's report stated that national heroes are “seminal contributors to the shaping of Bahamian society from slave plantation and colonial fiefdom to an independent nation and an aspiring model society, where all citizens have equal opportunity towards being constructive, creative and self directed human beings.”
A national hero was defined as a person who has gone beyond their personal and historical limitations to give the society a psychic and spiritual rebirth. National hero was distinguished from a hero.
Sacrifice:
A hero was defined as someone whose dedication, hard work and sacrifice has contributed to the society. National heroes are people who were to have accomplishments that have been acknowledged and recognised as a national inspiration by a significant portion of the national body.
Winston Saunders and Charles Carter were appointed co-chairmen of the commission but the committee basically dissolved after Mr Saunders died in November of 2006.
“We had finished most of the work. It was wide ranging and it was a tribute to Mr Saunders because he spent his whole life dedicated to cultural and artistic pursuits. I was just pleased to be a part of it. He was the driving force and unfortunately as fate would have it, when he died it died. I just hope the work hasn't died,” Mr Carter said.
When the 2007 elections took place the present government did not continue the work of the commission.
“The work we did was largely finished and submitted to government. It is probably lodged somewhere in the Ministry of Education or Culture,” Mr Carter said.
Among the recommendations of the committee were:
• A national hero and literature during the month of October;
• A public holiday celebrating national hero's day on the second Monday of October each year, replacing the Discovery Day holiday;
• A Bill for national honours to be introduced;
• Ministry of Education building to be named the Arthur Hanna Complex;
• Ministry of Health building be named after Reverend Dr H W Brown;
• Exuma Street be renamed Amos Ferguson Street;
• Third Terrace Centreville be renamed Rusty Bethel Drive;
• Nassau International Airport be renamed Sir Lynden Pindling International Airport and
• Establish national heroes parks in New Providence and family islands.
All of this seems to be the easier aspects of the commission’s work, however. After this the more problematic and subjective work of establishing who should be called a national hero should have proceeded. And while there may be many Bahamian heroes, the majority will escape the description of national hero.
Contribution:
For example, while 40 or 30 years ago one would never have doubted that Sir Sidney Poitier was a national hero, a new generation is questioning the “real contribution” Sir Sidney has made to the Bahamas.
Although born in Miami in 1927 during his Bahamian parents’ visit to Florida, Sir Sidney – the son of a poor tomato farmer – grew up in Cat Island. Sir Sidney has also served as the Bahamas’ ambassador to Japan and was made an Honorary Knight Commander in the 1970s for his contribution to the arts.
Sir Sidney was the first black actor to win an Academy Award for a lead performance (Lilies of the Field in 1963).
Many of his films tackled racial themes and have been heralded for helping to break down social barriers between whites and blacks during an era of racial segregation.
In February of this year a group of filmmakers protested the College of the Bahamas’ decision to host a conference and film festival dedicated to Sir Sidney.
The most vocal critic of the festival, filmmaker Celi Moss publicly lambasted the college for using its resources to honour the Academy Award winning actor.
“When it comes to the arts in the Bahamas he’s done nothing,” claimed Mr Moss.
Mr Moss’ assertion that the Oscar winner has done nothing for the Bahamas is hyperbolic at best and perhaps a more measured expression of Mr Moss’ opinion would have been that Sir Sidney hasn’t done enough, or rather done what Mr Moss would have seen as enough.
But Sir Sidney had been involved in philanthropic activities in the country, off and on, since he won an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Homer Smith in “Lilies of the Field.”
The first was when Sir Sidney made a personal appearance on the stage of the Shirley Street Theatre on Saturday February 29, 1964 during the Nassau premiere of the movie.
The screening was a benefit sponsored by the Ways and Means Committee of the British Legion as part of an annual drive for funds to aid needy ex-servicemen in the Bahamas.
In the 70s he kept true to his promise.
The 1974 premiere of “Uptown Saturday Night” held in Nassau was in aid of the Bahamas Association for the Mentally Retarded. The premier of “Buck and the Preacher”, Sir Sidney’s directional debut was held in Nassau to aid the construction of Jordan Prince William High School.
College Professor Dr Ian Strachan hit back at the criticism arguing that the event’s protesters are misguided by a sense of “entitlement.”
“What they are basically saying is that despite the fact that Sidney Poitier helped change the world for all black people, he is not worth honouring or studying because he didn’t do something specific for this community that they think are paramount,” Dr Strachan said.
Still to many this is not enough because “it seems he didn’t help today’s struggling Bahamian artists directly, monetarily, by ‘putting in a word’ or by showing up every summer and teaching a class in method acting,” said Dr Strachan.
There was a point where Sir Sidney felt that he was not appreciated by the Bahamian public.
“Lilies of the Field” was Sir Sidney’s 20th film and he told a crowd of more than 600 who gathered at the theatre, “I was beginning to feel that I was not loved here. I have been asked to do things in Asia and Africa and was wondering when someone was going to ask me to do something for my people here.”
He had left Nassau 21 years before with “a bundle and several dollars given to me by my father to make my mark in the world” and was more than willing to help any organization that was doing “something worthwhile for us Bahamians.”
Sir Sidney eventually made a home for himself in Winton, but left in the 70s after he said that he felt harassed by the constant visits of gawking tourists.
Before leaving he also expressed concern over the number of “corrupt” persons with whom Sir Lynden was surrounding himself, although he thought that Sir Lynden himself was an honest man.
In addition to the lament of Mr Moss, there are more who disagree as to whether or not Sir Sidney should be considered a national hero.
Father Sebastian Campbell, who is Chairman of the National Heroes Committee, and member of the National Cultural Development Commission said that Sir Sidney was simply a person who “came along at the right time and was in the right place,” but did nothing to “advance the country”.
Teacher:
“What has Poitier done to advance Era Anne Hanna who worked for 40 plus years as a teacher in Mason Bay, Acklins? She was a teacher, handy man, janitor, who had to ride horse back to the school. She was never absent for one day and taught some of the leading citizens in this country. At the end of her retirement she got no pension nor no gratuity. These are the people we need to recognize as our heroes and stop letting persons with status and fame to trump up their contributions,” he said.
However, Mr Wisdom said even though Sir Sidney left, and it was necessary for him to practise his skills in the US, he was an integral part of the “quiet revolution” of majority rule and Independence.
Father Campbell is concerned, however, that persons, who, unlike Sir Sidney, are not famous or wealthy will be lost to history and their contribution to national development also will be lost.
“The workers of the Burma Road Riot: They are our heroes. They laid the foundation for trade unionism in the Bahamas.
“These are the people we need to rescue from obscurity and write about their triumphs, tell their story. These are the leaders of trade unionism in the Bahamas and yet they are not being recognized,” he said.
Father Campbell believes that the recent Queen’s honours when Kerzner International CEO Sol Kerzner received a knighthood was an example of where wealth and status trumped what he sees as a “real contribution” to the country.
“Status and money should not be the deciding factor in who should get the highest honours in the country. It is wrong. There are many Bahamians who are way ahead of the Sol Kerzners. They didn't give money, because they didn't have it; they gave themselves,” Father Campbell said.
Another Bahamian hero who will have to be rescued from obscurity is Dr Joseph Robert Love.
Dr Love was born in Nassau, in 1839 and died in Kingston in 1914.
He was a teacher, priest, medical missionary, army doctor, journalist and newspaper editor, politician, and legislator, freemason and an advocate for black pride. He grew up in Grant’s Town, and was a member of St Agnes Anglican Church. He emigrated to the United States in the 1860s and was ordained a priest in 1877.
He was the first black medical graduate of the University of Buffalo in 1879, and went to Haiti in 1881 as a medical missionary.
While in Jamaica he was the editor of the weekly paper the Jamaica Advocate and was a big influence on Marcus Garvey.
However, Father Campbell said that Dr Love is not what he would call a national hero.
“What has he done to advance the modern day Bahamas? A part of this challenge needs to be to get Bahamians to write our stories.
“We have to be careful to say that not everyone is a hero. Just because someone did something outstanding he is a hero?
“We have examples of how to go about this from other countries: There is a lot to learn from Jamaica and Trinidad,” he said.
However, Mr Carter believes that Dr Love is one of the many unsung heroes in the Bahamas.
“He is better known in Jamaica than the Bahamas. He helped Marcus Garvey form his consciousness.
“He is one of the most brilliant Bahamians ever made, and he was a (parishioner at) St Agnes.
“That is the same place I go to church.
Message:
“The worst part about that is no one knows him; we are not taught who he was. If you were a Jamaican you would know who he is. I tell young people when they listen to Bob Marley, a Bahamian person influenced that message. But that is not supported by other things that happen in the community (by the cultural narrative). They say okay fine that is what you say, but we don't celebrate him in the country. That is the great tragedy in the Bahamas,” he said.
Mr Wisdom said that Dr Love is not a national hero simply because he does not fit in the Cultural Commission's definition.
“People who have been obscured from the national consciousness because we have done a poor job at education, may have to be classified as hero and not national hero.
“Dr Love would fall into that category,” he said.
Perhaps Sir Stafford Sands personifies this type of person.
Mr Wisdom said, however, he would oppose Sir Stafford being installed as a national hero.
“Sir Stafford represents a division from the philosophy of one Bahamas. He is perceived by most Bahamians as having been a racist. Sir Stafford went to his death bed in self imposed exile in Spain, and in my opinion the mere fact that he did not reconnect with his home denies him the opportunity. He abandoned the country and went into self imposed exile during a period of transition when the country needed all hands on board as we tried to move this new Bahamas upward, onward and forward together. In my opinion, I don't care how bad things get, as a nationalist I am going to stay here and fight. Once you abandon your country you give up the right to be defined as a national hero.
“I do not know (if he was a racist on his death bed), but I do know he did not reconnect with the country. The view that I hold and many hold is that he simply could not accept the fact that the country would be administered by black Bahamians despite the fact Sir Lynden and Sir Milo demonstrated and were consistent in a one Bahamas position.
“There was never any question raised about Sir Roland Symonette as a national hero. He was a contributor and did not abandoned this country. Founding fathers and national heroes don't give up on a country and expect in years to come to be acknowledged as a national hero,” he said.
However, the explanation of why Sir Stafford left for Europe is not so simple.
Around the 1967 election Sir Stafford was not a well man. A chain smoker, he suffered from a serious bronchial condition.
In April of that year he spent six weeks in Miami for treatment of his problem. That was three months before he announced his resignation from the House.
Up until the day of his resignation from the House, Sir Stafford, who had given up his law practice mainly for health reasons, had every intention of spending his winters in the Bahamas.
Five years after his resignation Sir Stafford died of cancer in the London Clinic in England. The National Heroes Bill and the National Honours Bill were passed by parliament, but were not brought into force. A date for implementation was never published.
What about people who are not obscure and have undeniably helped to make the modern Bahamas what it is, but simply were not liked.
Mr Carter said what disturbs him most about the modern Bahamas is the ignorance of and lack of appreciation for Bahamian culture.
“We have a very strong and viable culture that is not being protected, taught and practised. What course in Bahamian history and culture did you have? Look at our country today; look at how many kids are growing up completely devoid of any knowledge of and appreciation for the country they live in,” he said.
The former MP said that the Bahamas is in danger of losing a heritage that really stands out.
Heritage:
“ It is a beautiful heritage. We have everything to be proud of to make us truly Bahamian,” he said.
However, Mr Wisdom pointed out that all Bahamians have some foreign parentage as you go down the various generations.
“There is no such thing as true, true Bahamians.
“We all came here on ships, so being Bahamian really needs to be defined as a person who acknowledges the Bahamas as his or her home, who demonstrates an undying love for the country and who is prepared to give his or her all for the Bahamas for the entirety of their life.
“That is a real Bahamian,” he said.
July 11, 2010
tribune242
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Long Island and the FNM
By PAUL G TURNQUEST
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
IN a letter to the editor written earlier this week, the questioning surrounding the lack of development and investment in the future of Long Island was raised.
Bearing in mind the current economic situation in which every government now finds itself, the author, whose identity is unknown, maintained that some form of development can and should be finding its way to this long suffering island. Because, as we all know, Long Island has now for many years paid its dues to the governing FNM party and quite rightly should expect some form of "compensation" in view of its continued loyalty.
"The FNM could send anyone down to Long Island and the residents would vote for them," the author wrote; and "despite this certifiable fact, Long Island remains off the short list of islands pegged for improvements and necessary infrastructure.
"Despite this fact, Long Island has always supported the FNM even when it was unpopular to do so."
To add insult to injury, the author also highlights how other islands - which were not as loyal to this governing party and which in fact are currently represented by PLP Members of Parliament - are continuing to get assistance and development from the powers that be.
Funding
"Each and every Long Islander should note that almost $22 million dollars of joint funding provided by the European Union and the government of the Bahamas is being spent on the 300 souls that inhabit Acklins Island and the 37 souls that inhabit Rum Cay.
"While they are Bahamians and are no less deserving of infrastructure, surely Long Island would have been a better, more logical choice for these investments. However, this begs the question as to whether Long Island and its people are any less deserving? Or has the traditional support of the governing party caused Long Island to be taken for granted and left off the list of real and present concerns," the writer asked.
"I respectfully suggest to the electorate and constituents of Long Island that all and sundry consider these matters before pledging support for any proposed or incumbent representative as the "Salt of the Earth People of Long Island", rightfully demand delivery and not ill-fated promises. We trust that this FNM Government has not forgotten the people of Long Island, but yet again, no one realizes that you are hurt unless and until you cry out," he said.
Being a Long Islander myself I can fully understand from where the writer speaks, as Long Island has always had a peculiar relationship with the FNM. In fact I think you would be hard pressed to find any other island where being a PLP is more difficult or more dangerous than Long Island. No one can truly deny that Long Island was treated poorly under the old PLP government of Sir Lynden Pindling.
Electricity
The FNM had to come in and pave the roads and provide electricity to the rest of the island, not just stop the supply to where their supporters lived. The FNM government laid the pipes to pump water throughout the settlements.
The PLP government of 2002-2007 had to put the water in those pipes but little else was really done for the residents during this time. And Long Islanders I'm sure were not surprised because after all, the PLP were in power. In the back of their minds, they were hoping and banking on the return of their beloved FNM. But alas, as the letter writer explained, "the Torch" had returned but for some reason one of its greatest allies was overlooked once again.
However, is this really the case?
In his report to his constituents, Larry Cartwright, the MP for Long Island and Ragged Island explained that while the constituency has suffered like the rest of the Bahamas, it has been successfully accomplished quite a bit.
These accomplishments in just over two and a half years are as follows:
* Simms classroom block completed;
* Office space for Tourism officer;
* Poseidon Point road rebuilt;
* New apron at the Stella Maris Airport at $837,700, which was instrumental in Bahamasair returning to Stella Maris;
* All schools repaired and most properly enclosed for a total cost of $518,000;
* Simms seawall constructed and road rebuilt after it was left untouched for five years;
* Benzi Hill, Scrub Hill, and Turnbull side roads rebuilt and paved;
* Simms dock and marina completed;
* Appointment of Youth, Sports and Culture and Fisheries Officers;
* New Road Traffic office;
* New standby generator for David Simms Memorial Health Centre;
* New vehicles and boat for the police;
* Greenhouses for schools;
* Construction of a technical and vocational block at NGM Major High School;
* Rebuilding and paving of McKann's and White House back roads $394,000;
* Signing of contract for the rebuilding of the dock at Salt Pond at $772,209.90.
Despite these accomplishments, Mr Cartwright said you will always get persons who are not up to speed with what the government has done in Long Island and who would question why other constituencies were being better cared for and looked after at this time.
Needs
As he quite rightly explained, any government in this position today can only deal with the needs of any one constituency. Wants, will have to come at a later time.
"Of course I would love to see an international airport at Deadman's Cay. I'd love to see a cruise ship port in Clarence Town too," Mr Cartwright said.
But for now, such dreams will have to wait.
"You have the Opposition out there who is telling them, ya'll have been out there supporting the FNM all these years, but look, Cat Island getting this, Grand Bahama getting this, and Abaco getting this. What Long Island getting? And many of our people are not educated as to what is going on so they do not know how to answer them. So they begin to believe what other people are saying," he said.
Mr Cartwright admitted that two of his campaign promises have yet to be completed - mainly the piping of drinkable water and cable television to every home.
However, these promises he said hopefully will be completed by December 2010.
"The islands of Long Island and Ragged Island have a lot to be thankful for in that even though the whole world has been in recession for over a year, prices have escalated and the fishing industry was dealt a disastrous blow, poverty on these two islands is still at a minimum, crime is practically non-existent and our people are happy.
"For this we must be grateful," he said.
But if what the letter writer wrote to the editor is correct then it is safe to say that the people of Long Island will not be too "happy" for too long.
These constituents, he said, are no less deserving than the next, but because of their continual loyalty, require that much more from this present government.
Because, as the writer said, the last thing any governing party wants is for the constituents of any area to believe that their traditional support has caused them to be taken for granted.
What do you think?
April 12, 2010
tribune242
Tribune Staff Reporter
pturnquest@tribunemedia.net:
IN a letter to the editor written earlier this week, the questioning surrounding the lack of development and investment in the future of Long Island was raised.
Bearing in mind the current economic situation in which every government now finds itself, the author, whose identity is unknown, maintained that some form of development can and should be finding its way to this long suffering island. Because, as we all know, Long Island has now for many years paid its dues to the governing FNM party and quite rightly should expect some form of "compensation" in view of its continued loyalty.
"The FNM could send anyone down to Long Island and the residents would vote for them," the author wrote; and "despite this certifiable fact, Long Island remains off the short list of islands pegged for improvements and necessary infrastructure.
"Despite this fact, Long Island has always supported the FNM even when it was unpopular to do so."
To add insult to injury, the author also highlights how other islands - which were not as loyal to this governing party and which in fact are currently represented by PLP Members of Parliament - are continuing to get assistance and development from the powers that be.
Funding
"Each and every Long Islander should note that almost $22 million dollars of joint funding provided by the European Union and the government of the Bahamas is being spent on the 300 souls that inhabit Acklins Island and the 37 souls that inhabit Rum Cay.
"While they are Bahamians and are no less deserving of infrastructure, surely Long Island would have been a better, more logical choice for these investments. However, this begs the question as to whether Long Island and its people are any less deserving? Or has the traditional support of the governing party caused Long Island to be taken for granted and left off the list of real and present concerns," the writer asked.
"I respectfully suggest to the electorate and constituents of Long Island that all and sundry consider these matters before pledging support for any proposed or incumbent representative as the "Salt of the Earth People of Long Island", rightfully demand delivery and not ill-fated promises. We trust that this FNM Government has not forgotten the people of Long Island, but yet again, no one realizes that you are hurt unless and until you cry out," he said.
Being a Long Islander myself I can fully understand from where the writer speaks, as Long Island has always had a peculiar relationship with the FNM. In fact I think you would be hard pressed to find any other island where being a PLP is more difficult or more dangerous than Long Island. No one can truly deny that Long Island was treated poorly under the old PLP government of Sir Lynden Pindling.
Electricity
The FNM had to come in and pave the roads and provide electricity to the rest of the island, not just stop the supply to where their supporters lived. The FNM government laid the pipes to pump water throughout the settlements.
The PLP government of 2002-2007 had to put the water in those pipes but little else was really done for the residents during this time. And Long Islanders I'm sure were not surprised because after all, the PLP were in power. In the back of their minds, they were hoping and banking on the return of their beloved FNM. But alas, as the letter writer explained, "the Torch" had returned but for some reason one of its greatest allies was overlooked once again.
However, is this really the case?
In his report to his constituents, Larry Cartwright, the MP for Long Island and Ragged Island explained that while the constituency has suffered like the rest of the Bahamas, it has been successfully accomplished quite a bit.
These accomplishments in just over two and a half years are as follows:
* Simms classroom block completed;
* Office space for Tourism officer;
* Poseidon Point road rebuilt;
* New apron at the Stella Maris Airport at $837,700, which was instrumental in Bahamasair returning to Stella Maris;
* All schools repaired and most properly enclosed for a total cost of $518,000;
* Simms seawall constructed and road rebuilt after it was left untouched for five years;
* Benzi Hill, Scrub Hill, and Turnbull side roads rebuilt and paved;
* Simms dock and marina completed;
* Appointment of Youth, Sports and Culture and Fisheries Officers;
* New Road Traffic office;
* New standby generator for David Simms Memorial Health Centre;
* New vehicles and boat for the police;
* Greenhouses for schools;
* Construction of a technical and vocational block at NGM Major High School;
* Rebuilding and paving of McKann's and White House back roads $394,000;
* Signing of contract for the rebuilding of the dock at Salt Pond at $772,209.90.
Despite these accomplishments, Mr Cartwright said you will always get persons who are not up to speed with what the government has done in Long Island and who would question why other constituencies were being better cared for and looked after at this time.
Needs
As he quite rightly explained, any government in this position today can only deal with the needs of any one constituency. Wants, will have to come at a later time.
"Of course I would love to see an international airport at Deadman's Cay. I'd love to see a cruise ship port in Clarence Town too," Mr Cartwright said.
But for now, such dreams will have to wait.
"You have the Opposition out there who is telling them, ya'll have been out there supporting the FNM all these years, but look, Cat Island getting this, Grand Bahama getting this, and Abaco getting this. What Long Island getting? And many of our people are not educated as to what is going on so they do not know how to answer them. So they begin to believe what other people are saying," he said.
Mr Cartwright admitted that two of his campaign promises have yet to be completed - mainly the piping of drinkable water and cable television to every home.
However, these promises he said hopefully will be completed by December 2010.
"The islands of Long Island and Ragged Island have a lot to be thankful for in that even though the whole world has been in recession for over a year, prices have escalated and the fishing industry was dealt a disastrous blow, poverty on these two islands is still at a minimum, crime is practically non-existent and our people are happy.
"For this we must be grateful," he said.
But if what the letter writer wrote to the editor is correct then it is safe to say that the people of Long Island will not be too "happy" for too long.
These constituents, he said, are no less deserving than the next, but because of their continual loyalty, require that much more from this present government.
Because, as the writer said, the last thing any governing party wants is for the constituents of any area to believe that their traditional support has caused them to be taken for granted.
What do you think?
April 12, 2010
tribune242
Saturday, February 6, 2010
The Governing Free National Movement (FNM) documents voter 'errors' in forensic scrutiny of the Elizabeth voter register
By CANDIA DAMES ~ Guardian News Editor ~ candia@nasguard.com:
The errors on the Elizabeth voter register discovered by the Free National Movement during its forensic scrutiny are numerous, according to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
In one instance, as documented by the party, the FNM discovered that one of the people registered to vote in the February 16 by-election moved out of the area years ago, and only returned two months ago after he and his wife separated.
He reportedly moved back in with his mother. The law requires voters to be ordinarily resident in a constituency for at least six months in order to vote.
The man's brother is also said to be registered, but he does not live in the constituency.
Another voter, the scrutiny shows, lives on the eastern side of Commonwealth Boulevard. While he lives in Elizabeth Estates, he is in the Yamacraw constituency.
These cases, according to senior FNM officials, can be replicated many times over, contaminating the voter register.
But Ingraham said his party and the government are determined to ensure the highly anticipated election is both free and fair.
"We are forensically going through the register and anyone who we have any questions about, we are seeking to contact them, to locate them, to obtain as much information as we can," he told The Nassau Guardian during an exclusive interview in his downtown office yesterday. "We've been doing this for a little while and we've been doing a very good job. I want to thank the people who are doing this for us. This is a political operation, so others may be shouting from the rooftop. We will be rejoicing on the 16th."
Ingraham said there is no higher duty for a prime minister to perform than to protect the country's democracy, to protect the sanctity and the ability of the people of The Bahamas to choose their government in a free and fair election and to have a register of voters that is as accurate as is humanly possible.
Since the 1992 election, the parliamentary commissioner has been required to make available to all candidates and political parties the register of voters for any constituency. The object of this is for parties and candidates to go through the register as it is being compiled to see whether they detect any errors or omissions in the register.
"I recall very vividly in 1992 I discovered that the register for one of my polling divisions, Grand Cay, had a number of names on it of persons I knew did not live there," Ingraham said.
"That was an innocent mistake, but the reality is that somebody had to check it to verify it...That is what we are doing with Elizabeth today.
"That is what we would have done for constituencies before now. We have discovered a number of errors and we are making them known to the registrar. We've discovered people who do not live in the constituency who show up on the register for the Elizabeth constituency. We've made that list available to the [parliamentary commissioner] and we are continuing the exercise, so that to the best of our ability we are able to identify and provide the [parliamentary commissioner] with any information we have about who is in the wrong polling division, who we have verified no longer live in the constituency or who've been able to show never did reside in the constituency, but who were included on the register of 2007."
Ingraham said the Free National Movement would likely make a statement on what it found during its scrutiny of the register.
He said that in 2007, former Prime Minister Perry Christie "fumbled and dropped" the ball, and failed to ensure the integrity of the general voter register.
"[Former Prime Minister the late Sir Lynden Pindling] had an election in 1992 with a clear register. I did so in 1997 and again in 2002. He (Christie) neglected to do his job," Ingraham charged.
"It is not possible for you to produce a register when you've changed the boundaries in a constituency at the time Mr. Christie did and expect to have a reasonably accurate register.
"No prime minister will call a general election without asking the parliamentary commissioner 'Is the register in order? Is it ready? What time do you need to get it in order?' so he could factor that in before he calls an election, but you must recall that Mr. Christie called an election on May 2, 2007.
"Mr. Bradley Roberts, the chairman of the PLP, was in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, swearing in Haitian nationals to become citizens of The Bahamas with them going to the commissioner's office on the same day, with them being registered to vote in the 2007 election because clearly he could not have known that Mr. Christie was going to dissolve the [Parliament and] those persons were unable to vote."
The Guardian asked Roberts yesterday to respond to this statement from the prime minister. Roberts said he recalled that at the time in question he was in Abaco on Ministry of Works business as he was minister at the time.
He said he recalls three people who needed to be sworn in — an American, a Haitian and a European — because their original swearing-in process had been "screwed up". He denied Ingraham's suggestion about what the motive for the swearing in of those nationals was.
Ingraham said yesterday, "Whatever is wrong with the register, Mr. Christie is responsible. I will never have an election called by me in The Bahamas where we're not satisfied that the register is in proper order. That's my duty to ensure that the people of The Bahamas' right to vote is never compromised as a result of negligence or carelessness or incompetence."
Ingraham noted that the Boundaries Commission reported on March 26, 2007 and the general election was called for May 2, 2007.
"It was not possible with the best of intentions to have an appropriate, accurate register in that short period of time," he said.
Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel is scheduled to certify the Elizabeth register today, but candidates could still lodge any complaints about alleged voter fraud they may have.
February 05, 2010
thenassauguardian
The errors on the Elizabeth voter register discovered by the Free National Movement during its forensic scrutiny are numerous, according to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.
In one instance, as documented by the party, the FNM discovered that one of the people registered to vote in the February 16 by-election moved out of the area years ago, and only returned two months ago after he and his wife separated.
He reportedly moved back in with his mother. The law requires voters to be ordinarily resident in a constituency for at least six months in order to vote.
The man's brother is also said to be registered, but he does not live in the constituency.
Another voter, the scrutiny shows, lives on the eastern side of Commonwealth Boulevard. While he lives in Elizabeth Estates, he is in the Yamacraw constituency.
These cases, according to senior FNM officials, can be replicated many times over, contaminating the voter register.
But Ingraham said his party and the government are determined to ensure the highly anticipated election is both free and fair.
"We are forensically going through the register and anyone who we have any questions about, we are seeking to contact them, to locate them, to obtain as much information as we can," he told The Nassau Guardian during an exclusive interview in his downtown office yesterday. "We've been doing this for a little while and we've been doing a very good job. I want to thank the people who are doing this for us. This is a political operation, so others may be shouting from the rooftop. We will be rejoicing on the 16th."
Ingraham said there is no higher duty for a prime minister to perform than to protect the country's democracy, to protect the sanctity and the ability of the people of The Bahamas to choose their government in a free and fair election and to have a register of voters that is as accurate as is humanly possible.
Since the 1992 election, the parliamentary commissioner has been required to make available to all candidates and political parties the register of voters for any constituency. The object of this is for parties and candidates to go through the register as it is being compiled to see whether they detect any errors or omissions in the register.
"I recall very vividly in 1992 I discovered that the register for one of my polling divisions, Grand Cay, had a number of names on it of persons I knew did not live there," Ingraham said.
"That was an innocent mistake, but the reality is that somebody had to check it to verify it...That is what we are doing with Elizabeth today.
"That is what we would have done for constituencies before now. We have discovered a number of errors and we are making them known to the registrar. We've discovered people who do not live in the constituency who show up on the register for the Elizabeth constituency. We've made that list available to the [parliamentary commissioner] and we are continuing the exercise, so that to the best of our ability we are able to identify and provide the [parliamentary commissioner] with any information we have about who is in the wrong polling division, who we have verified no longer live in the constituency or who've been able to show never did reside in the constituency, but who were included on the register of 2007."
Ingraham said the Free National Movement would likely make a statement on what it found during its scrutiny of the register.
He said that in 2007, former Prime Minister Perry Christie "fumbled and dropped" the ball, and failed to ensure the integrity of the general voter register.
"[Former Prime Minister the late Sir Lynden Pindling] had an election in 1992 with a clear register. I did so in 1997 and again in 2002. He (Christie) neglected to do his job," Ingraham charged.
"It is not possible for you to produce a register when you've changed the boundaries in a constituency at the time Mr. Christie did and expect to have a reasonably accurate register.
"No prime minister will call a general election without asking the parliamentary commissioner 'Is the register in order? Is it ready? What time do you need to get it in order?' so he could factor that in before he calls an election, but you must recall that Mr. Christie called an election on May 2, 2007.
"Mr. Bradley Roberts, the chairman of the PLP, was in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, swearing in Haitian nationals to become citizens of The Bahamas with them going to the commissioner's office on the same day, with them being registered to vote in the 2007 election because clearly he could not have known that Mr. Christie was going to dissolve the [Parliament and] those persons were unable to vote."
The Guardian asked Roberts yesterday to respond to this statement from the prime minister. Roberts said he recalled that at the time in question he was in Abaco on Ministry of Works business as he was minister at the time.
He said he recalls three people who needed to be sworn in — an American, a Haitian and a European — because their original swearing-in process had been "screwed up". He denied Ingraham's suggestion about what the motive for the swearing in of those nationals was.
Ingraham said yesterday, "Whatever is wrong with the register, Mr. Christie is responsible. I will never have an election called by me in The Bahamas where we're not satisfied that the register is in proper order. That's my duty to ensure that the people of The Bahamas' right to vote is never compromised as a result of negligence or carelessness or incompetence."
Ingraham noted that the Boundaries Commission reported on March 26, 2007 and the general election was called for May 2, 2007.
"It was not possible with the best of intentions to have an appropriate, accurate register in that short period of time," he said.
Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel is scheduled to certify the Elizabeth register today, but candidates could still lodge any complaints about alleged voter fraud they may have.
February 05, 2010
thenassauguardian
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