NASSAU AND BAHAMA ISLANDS’ LEADING NEWSPAPER

Five key seats to 2012 victory

Volume: 107 No.321 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 PRICE – 75¢ (Abaco and Grand Bahama $1.25)

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By PAUL G TURNQUESTChief Reporterpturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE 2012 general electionwill be determined by theresults of five key con-stituencies, party insidershave predicted.

According to informationgleaned from the recentlyrevealed Boundaries Com-mission report, it is believedthat a victory by either thePLP or the FNM can onlycome with a victory in whatwill be the new Elizabeth,Sea Breeze, Bamboo Town,Carmichael, and the as yetunnamed “constituency 21”in the South of New Provi-dence.

Of the 38 seats being rec-ommended by the Commis-sion for the 2012 election,

the PLP believe that they arepoised to win 10 or 11 out ofthe 23 in New Providence,two out of the five in GrandBahama, and possibly six outof the 10 seats in the FamilyIslands.

However, when it comesto these five “coin toss seats”in New Providence, partyinsiders said the results cango “either way”.

As it currently stands, con-stituency 21, which will becreated out of polling divi-sions from the old GoldenIsles, South Beach, and BlueHills constituencies will com-prise of some 4020 voters. Alook at the 2007 general elec-tion results of these respec-tive polling divisions, whichnow make up Constituency

Party insidersagree on keybattle zones

TRY OURPINA COLADA

McFLURRYThe Tribune

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LEADER OF DNA Branville McCartney, surrounded by members of his party, speaks to members of themedia yesterday in a press conference. For full story, see page 3. He also said yesterday that he was notworried by proposed boundary changes ahead of the coming election, and that people would make aninformed choice. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

CORRECTIONAN ARTICLE published

in Wednesday's Tribuneunder the headline “Hospi-tal blames damage on hur-ricane” incorrectly statedthat repairs to the ambula-tory care block will start in10 days and work on themedical block to begin inanother two weeks.

In fact, repairs to theambulatory care block willbe completed in the next 10days and work on the med-ical block will be completedwithin two weeks.

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

A TEENAGER was wounded in a drive-byshooting as he stood on the front porch of afriend's home in the Golden Gates subdivi-sion.

The 16-year-old was standing outside ahouse on Sisal Road at 10pm on Tuesday whena gunman in a black Honda opened fire onhim, shooting him several times in the shoul-der.

Police said that minutes before the shooting,an unidentified boy was seen walking in thearea.

The victim was taken to hospital where heremains in stable condition.

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BOY, 16, IN DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGEXCLUSIVE By PACO NUNEZTribune News Editorpnunez@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas has an “incredible opportu-nity” to improve on energy security while alsoincreasing the safety of its citizens, a top US offi-cial said.

Acting Assistant Secretary of State RobertaJacobson said the entire Caribbean is well posi-tioned to get involved in the energy industry –whether in terms of pursuing renewable energyor developing traditional hydrocarbon prod-ucts.

This potential can in turn be used to createeconomic opportunities that erode the underly-

ENERGY IS ‘INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY’

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A HELICOPTER rescuemission was launched lastnight after rough seas drove amail boat carrying 17 personsaground off Marsh Harbour,Abaco.

Early reports suggested the150-foot Legacy was break-ing apart as it was pummelledby 20-foot swells, but ownerEarnest Dean said he’d heardthe vessel was damaged butintact.

The incident took place ataround 7pm and within twohours, a helicopter was on thescene, pulling passengers fromthe vessel.

Although unconfirmed,

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CONSTITUENCY CHANGES REVEAL...EXCLUSIVE

THE POLICE issued anappeal last night to find amissing 15-year-old girl.

Sylvanna Marshall, of Cow-pen Road, has not been seenfor a month. She is slim, and5ft 6in, and was last seen

wearing a white blouse andgray pants.

Anyone with informationis asked to call 911, 919, theCentral Detective Unit on502-9991, 502-9910 or Crimestopers at 328-TIPS.

SEARCH FORMISSING GIRL, 15

SYLVANNA MARSHALL, missing

WOMAN Marine AniskaBonaby has earned the dis-tinction of becoming the firstwoman of the Royal BahamasDefence Force to successfullycomplete the Defence Force’sMilitary Dive Course. Thenine-week course was con-ducted at Coral Harbour Baseand proved to be both physi-cally and mentally demanding.

The Military Dive Coursehas a success passing rate of20 per cent, hence making thisunit an elite training experi-ence. Woman Marine Bonabysaid she was humbled to havebeen afforded the opportuni-ty to train with the men.

“There are many femaleswithin the force who haveaccomplished great feats, nev-ertheless, I’m just a new addi-tion to the first of many accom-plishments that other femaleshave made to the Force,” saidMarine Bonaby. “The instruc-tors treated me as a partici-pant, rather than a female andbecause of this I became morecompetitive and motivated tocomplete my tasks.”

Woman Marine Bonabyenlisted in the RoyalBahamas Defence Force inJanuary, 2009 as a member ofNew Entry 46 and WomanEntry 16. Her dedication anddetermination earned her thedistinction of Best FemaleRecruit of her squad. She ispresently attached to HMBSNassau, where she serves as aradio operator.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 2, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

Defence forcewelcomes firstfemale diver

Aniska Bonaby receives her divepin, above, and is pictured duringone of her dives, right.

By CELESTE NIXONTribune Staff Reportercnixon@tribunemedia.net

The DNA is calling on gov-ernment to execute the Vol-unteer Bahamas programmeproperly and not use it as anelection tactic.

At a press conference heldyesterday at the DNA head-quarters, while commendingthe FNM government for thevolunteer initiative, DNAleader and Bamboo TownMP Branville McCartney saidthe initiative is politicallymotivated and lacks the prop-er infrastructure for successfulimplementation.

“While Volunteer Bahamasis a commendable effort,unfortunately it appears it’smotive may be more politicalthan admirable – sincelaunching this effort the gov-ernment has invested very lit-tle resources into ensuring itssuccess and achieved lacklus-ter results.”

In keeping with the primeminister's call for “a new eraof volunteerism”, the govern-ment launched VolunteerBahamas on November 1, aninnovative programme gearedtowards harnessing the gen-erosity of Bahamians and res-idents.

Central to the programmeis the idea that in order todecrease crime and createsafer, healthier and more non-violent communities, we needpartnerships between gov-ernment, faith and communi-ty-based organisations, cor-porate citizens, philanthrop-ic groups and individuals.

Among his criticisms, MrMcCartney said the pro-

gramme has poor infrastruc-ture and management, as wellas no measurable goals tomonitor the initiatives’progress.

Further, with less than 100Bahamians signing up for theprogramme in the first weekMr McCartney said it isapparent the government hasdone little to engage the pub-lic as there is no plan for vol-unteers to begin until nextyear, closer to when the elec-tion will be called.

“The Bahamian people areexpected to come to the gov-ernment to seek solutions toour challenges and once againwe are met with inadequate,poorly executed policies,” saidMr McCartney.

In an effort to embrace theinitiative and further engageBahamians, Mr McCartneysaid DNA candidates havecollected almost 500 volun-teer applications that include

submissions from PLP, FNMand DNA supporters “whoare all prepared to rise abovetheir party and do what isright for their country”.

According to the DNA, thegovernment needs to investthe resources required to trainas well as deploy volunteersand should engage themimmediately.

Mr McCartney said thegovernment should not politi-cize the programme by wait-ing until the election to exe-cute it.

He added that a compre-hensive plan should be for-mulated that includes mea-

surable goals and ways tomonitor progress.

With a country as small asthe Bahamas it is possible tomake a difference, but peo-ple must stand together, saidMr McCartney.

“The DNA,” he said,“believes that while our chal-lenges are great, the unitedwill of our people is evengreater and that togetherthere is nothing that we can-not overcome.”

LOCAL NEWS

THE TRIBUNE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011, PAGE 3

By DENISE MAYCOCKTribune Freeport Reporterdmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Thedecomposed body discov-ered in bushes in LewisYard has been identified bypolice as 47-year-old JohnCharles.

According to reports,Charles was homeless. Hisbody was discovered on Sun-day in bushes, just west ofthe Lewis Yard PrimarySchool.

Foul play is not suspectedand police are awaiting theresults of an autopsy todetermine the cause ofdeath.

VISION AIRLINES plansto start running flightsbetween five US cities and theBahamas.

Bryan Glazer, a spokesmanfor the Georgia-based, low-fare airline, said the newflights started Thursday.

They will fly to FreeportInternational Airport onGrand Bahama Island fromBaltimore-Washington Thur-good Marshall IanternationalAirport, Md.; Fort Laud-erdale-Hollywood Interna-tional Airport, Fla.; Raleigh-Durham International Air-port, N.C.; Richmond Inter-national Airport, Va. andLouisville International Air-port, Ky.

Glazer says the new flightsare part of a strategy to revi-talize the tourism economy inthe Bahamas and to fill gapsat some US airports in thewake of airline consolidation.

LEADER OF THE DNA Barnville McCartney shows 500 volunteer applications including submissions from the PLP, the FNM and the DNA. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

NEARLY 50 Haitianswere apprehended inwaters near Exuma hoursbefore 51 i l legal immi-grants were repatriatedyesterday.

Immigration DirectorJack Thompson confirmedthe immigrants werepicked up, but could notgive a break down in theratio of men versuswomen.

“At this point I am notsure how many are men orwomen, but I do know theyhave all been tested andcleared and are on their wayto the capital for process-ing,” he said.

This latest group of immi-grants comes after a repa-triation exercise was carriedout in the capital yesterdayafternoon.

Mr Thompson said thedepartment of immigrationsent 51 Haitians home on aBahamasair flight.

“You may remember wecarried out an exercise inHarbour Island last weekwhere we apprehendedsome 40 illegal immigrantswho had no status.

:Those people were sincesent to the capital and they,along with some others whowere at the detention cen-tre, were repatriated,” hesaid.

Mr Thompson said the100 Haitian immigrants whowere discovered in watersoff Harbour Island havebeen processed and clearedof any diseases.

He also said that there isone case of suspectedtuberculosis at theCarmichael Road Deten-tion Centre, but the manhas already been trans-ferred from the centre fortreatment.

The man was isolated forevaluation after he showedsymptoms compatible withthe disease.

Mr Thompson alsorefuted earlier reports ofcholera cases at the deten-tion centre, explaining thatthere are currently no sus-pected cases of the dis-ease.

‘Volunteers should not beused as election tactic’

VISION AIRLINESTO OFFER FLIGHTS

MAN FOUND DEADIN BUSHES NAMED

HAITIANSSTOPPEDCLOSE TOEXUMA

MANY SUPPORTERS ofthe governing Free NationalMovement (FNM) and severalmembers of the Press haverightly criticised the Opposi-tion Progressive Liberal Party(PLP) and its Leader the HonPerry G Christie over the hugedebt that the party owes theBroadcasting Corporation ofThe Bahamas (BCB). Accord-ing to the Press, the PLP owesthe broadcasting corporation awhopping $248,000. Until thePLP pays off this debt to thebroadcasting corporation, theparty should not be given anyair time on ZNS.

For reasons unknown to theBahamian public, the PLPappears to be unwilling to satis-fy the outstanding debt. No oneis naive enough to believe thatthe PLP is unable to pay off thedebt. The Opposition has manymultimillionaires, so why has theparty not paid its bill to ZNS?Incredibly, several Members ofParliament and other high rank-ing officials of the PLP had crit-icised the Ingraham administra-tion for the downsizing exerciseat ZNS in 2010. The broadcast-ing corporation had been sub-sidised by the taxpayers of thiscountry for decades.

In fact, the financiallystrapped corporation had beenreceiving up to $11 million eachyear from the Treasury. Obvi-ously the financial haemor-rhaging had to be stopped. Cor-porations like ZNS have beenbleeding the Treasury fordecades. One of the main rea-sons why ZNS has been unableto stand on its own two feet isbecause organisations like thePLP simply refuse to pay theirbills at the struggling corpora-tion. This can explain why theexecutives at the broadcastingcorporation always have to gowith their hats in their handsto the government for subsidiesevery year. The situation atZNS just could not go on for-ever. Opposition MPs haveargued that the downsizingexercise at ZNS is further proofthat the FNM is anti-Bahamian.This is simply untrue.

As it stands right now, thecivil service is grossly over-staffed. Over 60 to 70 per centof what the government makeseach year is used to meet itsmassive payroll. This is why theFNM government has bor-rowed so much money fromforeign lending institutionsover the past four-and-a-halfyears. I see why The Bahamasis up to its neck in debt.

Prime Minister HubertIngraham made the very diffi-cult decision to trim staff levelsat ZNS because the countrycould not afford to hand outmillions each year to the broad-casting corporation. I am sorry

that Bahamians were laid off. Itoo have family members whohave lost jobs. I know what itfeels like. Nevertheless, PrimeMinister Ingraham did whatany other sensible, prudentleader would have done undersimilar circumstances. Thebroadcasting corporation hadbecome too costly to the tax-payers of this country. TheOpposition used this unfortu-nate episode to gain politicalmileage. This was wrong.

Political observers will con-tinue to debate the issue sur-rounding the massive debt thatthe PLP owes to ZNS. ThePLP debt isn’t my main con-cern, however. I am concernedabout the Chairman of theBroadcasting Corporation ofThe Bahamas, Michael Moss.

I would like to know whatthe PLP, if elected to power,intends to do with the chairman.Michael Moss is a very coura-geous man. He has chided avery powerful political organi-sation for its unwillingness topay its bill. If Perry Christiebecomes the next Prime Minis-ter, I hope he, or any memberof his government, does notretaliate against Moss or hisfamily for this embarrassing dis-closure to the Press. The chair-man did nothing wrong. He wasonly doing his job. In fact, hadhe not challenged the Opposi-tion to pay its bill, then onecould argue that the chairmanwas just as negligent as the PLP.

I believe Moss was appointedto his position by the presentgovernment. Perhaps he maybe a supporter of the FNM.One would think that Mosswould resign from the chair-manship of the broadcastingcorporation if the FNM losesthe general election. Thatwould be expected of him, Ithink. I have raise the issue ofpolitical victimisation becauseof allegations that former PLPadministrations had victimisedthose who did not toe the partyline during the 1970s and 1980s.Bahamians who supported thethen Opposition Free NationalMovement were treated shab-bily by diehard PLP support-ers. However, I believe thatMr Christie has tried to dis-tance himself and his partyfrom the practices of formerPLP administrations. Perhapsthe PLP has truly turned over anew leaf under the leadershipof Perry Christie. Be that as itmay, whatever happens in 2012,one thing is clear, Michael Mossshould not be harmed or vili-fied by any member of the PLP.He should be treated with dig-

nity. He should be treated as afellow Bahamian. Supportersof the PLP must remember thisone thing: Michael Moss is ahuman being just like them.The way the government car-ried on in this country duringthe 1980s, one is almost tempt-ed to believe that they had for-gotten that their political oppo-nents were people. There werepersons in this country whowere treated as subhuman. Thelate Francis A Schaeffer point-ed out in his book, WhateverHappened to the HumanRace? that “eventually everynation in every age must bejudged by this one test: how didit treat people?”

I am not writing to impugn orcast aspersions on the PLP or itsleadership. I am not writing todig up the unsavory past of thePLP. I am writing because I fearthat certain persons in this coun-try hold a vendetta against sup-porters of the FNM and PrimeMinister Hubert Ingraham.These persons might want totake revenge on supporters ofthe prime minister if the PLPwins the next general election. Ilisten to radio talk shows everyweek, and it sounds as if somesupporters of the Opposition areanxious for their party to winthe election in order to takerevenge on the FNM and its sup-porters. I have even heard callsfor a commission of inquiry byOpposition supporters. Christiemust warn his party supportersthat no political victimisation willbe tolerated under his watch asPrime Minister.

If Christie wins in 2012, andsomeone in his administrationvictimises an opposition sup-porter, then Christie should“move heaven and earth” inorder to punish the culprit .This nation’s democracy hasprogressed steadily over thepast 19 years. Most Bahami-ans, especially the younger gen-eration, will not tolerate areturn to the dark days of the1970s and 1980s, when FNMsupporters, who voiced theiropposition to the sitting gov-ernment, were persecuted.

In summation, if the PLP issuccessful in winning theupcoming general election, thenew government must see to itthat Michael Moss is treatedlike a fellow Bahamian. Heshould not be subjected topolitical victimisation or ridiculedue to his political persuasion.Moss has done nothing wrongin going after the $248,000 thatthe PLP owes to ZNS. PerryChristie and his supportersmust remember this.

KEVIN EVANSFreeport,Grand Bahama,November 8, 2011.

EDITORIAL/LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PAGE 4, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune LimitedNULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.Publisher/Editor 1972-

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REPUBLICAN presidential candi-dates rejected US intervention in theEuropean financial crisis as they used adebate Wednesday to shift the spotlightfrom the sexual harassment allegationsmade against Herman Cain.

They also warned that failing to cutbudget deficits at home would doom theUS to the same sort of crisis that nowplagues Greece and Italy.

The eight-candidate debate in hard-hitMichigan was the first since the scandalrocked Cain’s upstart campaign earlylast week. Cain, a political novice andbusinessman, has been at the top of pollsalongside former Massachusetts Gov.Mitt Romney.

Cain's troubles have dominated USpolitics, sidetracking attention from theeconomy — the issue seen as PresidentBarack Obama's greatest vulnerability.

But the debate, focusing on the econo-my, offered candidates a chance to offertheir proposals less than two monthsbefore the Iowa caucuses, the party'sfirst nominating contest.

Moderators from the business newschannel CNBC asked if the UnitedStates should join in a bailout of Italy.Europe's third-largest economy is deal-ing with massive government debt.

Romney said there will be an effort todraw the US in, but “Europe is able totake care of their own problems. Wedon't want to step in and bail out theirbanks and their economies”.

Even so, he said the United Statesshould continue contributing to organi-zations like the International MonetaryFund that are working to prevent a melt-down in troubled economies.

Cain said there wasn't much the Unit-ed States could do directly to help Italyat present because the economy there isin such difficult shape.

For Cain, the question at the start ofthe debate appeared to be a welcomechange from the nonstop attention to theharassment allegations. Four women sayCain sexually harassed them while heheaded a restaurant trade association inthe 1990s. He has adamantly denied anywrongdoing.

The audience booed when moderatorsasked Cain about whether the allega-tions should be a consideration inwhether he is qualified to be president.Cain said the American people “deservebetter than someone being tried in thecourt of public opinion based onunfounded accusations”.

Romney, a former venture capitalist,

was asked if he would keep Cain on thejob as a CEO given the accusations. Heresponded: “Herman Cain is the person torespond to these questions. He just did.”

Cain’s rivals have approached his trou-bles cautiously. In an earlier interviewwith ABC News, Romney said the alle-gations were “particularly disturbing”and needed to be addressed.

One of the four women has said Caingroped her after a dinner meeting to dis-cuss a possible job, but she never filed acomplaint. Two of the other women hadcomplained to the trade group and laterreceived payments. They have not dis-closed details of their allegations.

Cain has attacked the credibility andmotivations of his accusers. He hasrepeatedly tried to put the controversyto rest, doing interview after interviewand finally holding a news conferenceTuesday insisting that he would continueto stand alongside his rivals despite theaccusations. The controversy has made itdifficult for the other Republicans tocampaign as usual and keep the focus onbeating President Obama.

But at the debate, the candidates stuckto the theme of the economy. There werefew if any early sparks among rivals whooften spar energetically. They all called fora smaller role for government. Not surpris-ingly, none of the contenders found muchto like in Obama’s economic stewardship.

There was disagreement on US eco-nomic relations with China. Romneyaccused China of unfair trade practicesand said he would designate it as a cur-rency manipulator. But Jon Huntsman, aformer ambassador to China who is nearthe bottom of the presidential polls,warned this could set off a trade war.

Michigan offered a good location todiscuss America's economic problems.Its unemployment rate is 11.1 per cent— even higher than the national rate of9 per cent. But there was only scantmention of the Michigan auto industry,which benefited in 2008 and 2009 from afederal bailout that both PresidentGeorge W Bush and Obama backed.

All eight Republicans on the debatestage say they wouldn’t have offeredgovernment assistance.

Not so President Obama, who stoodoutside a factory not far from the debatesite recently and said government bailoutsof General Motors and Chrysler were asuccess that saved thousands of Americanjobs. President Obama is counting on thebailout to help him win Michigan, a statecritical to his re-election hopes.

PLP shouldnot victimiseMichael Moss

LETTERSletters@tribunemedia.net

Republicans shift from scandal to Europe

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By DANA SMITHdsmith@tribunemedia.net

IMPROPER disposal ofcompact fluorescent light-bulbs (CFLs) could be haz-ardous to health.

CFLs contain the heavymetal, mercury. If the bulb isnot properly disposed of, theystand the risk of ending up inthe local landfill, broken, andspilling mercury into soil andground water.

Exposure to mercury canresult in poisoning and avast number of hea l th

problems.This has prompted govern-

ment officials to organise aCFL disposal programmewhere consumers can bringused CFLs to “drop-offpoints” for proper and safedisposal.

More than 200,000 CFLshave been distributed freelyto the public by the govern-ment since May of this year inan effort to reduce householdenergy costs.

Zendel Forbes, presidentof First Derivatives Consult-ing Limited and a project

coordinator in the disposalproject, unveiled the new pro-gramme yesterday at theDepartment of Environmen-tal Services on FarringtonRoad.

In conjunction with theprogramme are the BahamasElectric Company, and theDepartment of Environ-mental Health Services(DEHS).

“Given the potential healthhazards of mercury, a dispos-al programme is of para-mount importance,” a pre-sentation handed out at theconference stated.

“CFLs are safe to use, how-ever they do contain a smallbit of mercury,” Mr Forbessaid.

“With the increased use ofCFLs, we need to managethat risk. CFLs must be dis-posed of in the proper man-ner.”

Mr Forbes stressed theusage of CFLs in residentialhomes is safe, but they can-not be thrown into thegarbage with the rest of thehousehold trash.

"”We want to make surethat they don’t break becausethat is the problem withCFLs, they can break andrelease the mercury,” MrForbes said.

“You shouldn't just takethese things and toss them inthe trash.

“We don't want the publicto be afraid of CFLs, but dis-

pose of them properly. Don'tjust throw them in thegarbage, utilise one of theproposed drop-off points,” hesaid.

As a part of the pro-gramme, consumers will beencouraged to take theirburned-out CFLs to drop-offpoints which will be the storethey originally bought thelight-bulb from.

Store managers from Kel-ly's, Henry F Store Electric,AG Electric, and Super Val-ue, were present at the con-ference, having all agreed tobecome a drop-off point forused CFLs.

“People will bring them tous, anyway,” said Alex Store,

manager of Henry F StoreElectric.

“We've been selling themfor over 10 years and unfor-tunately right now people arejust throwing them in thetrash.”

Thomasina Wilson, DeputyDirector of DEHS said theDEHS is “on board” with theprogramme and explained therole DEHS will have in theproject.

“The bulbs do containsome contaminants and it cancontaminate our water table ifimproperly disposed,” MsWilson said.

“Our role is to collect,dispose, and ship out thebulbs for recycling. It’s just

something we’re doing froman environmental perspec-tive.

“We’re trying to get theBahamian people into themindset of recycling in gen-eral.”

The used CFLs will be col-lected from the drop-offpoints by DEHS and thenshipped to a recycling cen-tre in Florida for safe dis-posal.

“The danger is not justin one bulb,” Mr Forbessaid.

“But collectively when youhave 100,000 or 200,000 dis-posed bulbs in the landfill,that mercury can seep into thewater table.”

LOCAL NEWS

THE TRIBUNE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011, PAGE 5

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PUBLIC OFFICIALS donot have a responsibility toattend funerals connectedwith high profile murder cas-es, according to voters in thelatest Tribune242 poll.

Despite former ministerLeslie Miller’s criticism of theFNM for not being repre-sented at Marco Archer’sfuneral, 307 voters – a hugemajority – disagreed.

Only 107 agreed officialsshould attend such events.

‘College Kid’ was among

those disagreeing with MrMiller: “Politicians need notattend murders, weddings, par-ties, or any other event unlessthey have some sort of per-sonal obligation to do so. It’snot their job to do so. That’sfor family, friends, and Churchmembers to do. It’s not anissue for me, I don’t know howit is for Mr Miller. If he wantsto attend it, fine.”

‘ABC!!!!’ was of the sameopinion: “"Grandstanding",that's all it is. Actually, it

think it's absolute rubbish. Idon't believe the role of myMP or any governmentleader, for that matter, is toattend funerals, weddings, etc.In this particular case, thegovernment had alreadyexpressed its condolences tothe family. That is enough!Grow up Leslie!”

A similar sentiment wasexpressed by ‘Roger’: “Whenwill we get to the point wherewe expect more than photoop from our politicians?

Going to a funeral is not whatI expect from my governmentleaders. I expect them to enactpolicies to deal with makingthe quality of life better in mycommunity. Leslie Miller isoff base with this one.”

‘Dave’ agreed: “Stop tryingto put politics in everything.How much other funeralsheld in Nassau that LeslieMiller and members of hisparty did not attend?”

A new poll is now online –check out tribune242.com.

SHOULD PUBLIC OFFICIALS ATTEND HIGH-PROFILE FUNERALS?

Warning over disposal offluorescent light bulbs

‘The bulbs do contain some contaminants and it cancontaminate our water table if improperly disposed.Our role is to collect, dispose, and ship out thebulbs for recycling. We’re trying to get the Bahami-an people into the mindset of recycling in general.’

Thomasina Wilson, deputy director of DEHS

By LAMECH JOHNSONljohnson@tribunemedia.net

ACCORDING to a state-ment read by a police officerin a Supreme Court murdertrial yesterday afternoon, thedefendant was not aware hehad struck another man whenhe hit a wall while driving inOctober 2009.

Prosecution witness SgtTerrel Forbes, of the CentralDetective Unit, told a 12-member jury that on the ear-ly morning of October 10,2009 – being in the Homicidesdivision at the time – he hadtaken a statement and record-ed an interview with TyroeFrancis Jr, the man accusedof killing Jonathan Linden.

Francis faces the charge ofmurder and the prosecutionalleges that on the night inquestion the accused inten-tionally drove his 2002Hyundai Accent into thedeceased, who died of hisinjuries as a result of the colli-sion. However, in his statementto police, he mentioned noknowledge of striking some-one until it was mentioned tohim after he was arrested inthe Central Police Station.

Before that revelation wasmade further into his testimo-ny, the detective told the courtthat the accused had been cau-tioned regarding his purposefor being questioned about theincident – and his allegedaction in it – before asking if herequired to have an attorneypresent during questioning.

After that was completed –with Francis indicating thathe had no attorney and didnot need one – the officer toldthe court that he had taken astatement from the accusedwhile asking questions aboutthe events leading up to thecollision and subsequentdeath of Mr Linden.

The accused told the offi-cer that he and a friend –Tyrone Roberts – were at

Royal Castle Restaurantaround 2am getting food toeat. While waiting, he saidthat three men were callinghim names because theyalleged that he had “causedone of their boys to get lockup.” He said in his statementthat he was being threatened.

After leaving the restaurantand heading south on BaillouHill Road, he said he saw threemen walking. One of themthrew an object in front of hiscar, causing him to swerve leftand hit a wall. He told the offi-cer that he got out of the car,fearing that persons were com-ing after him, and went to con-tact the police when he realisedhe was not being followed.

After arriving at the Cen-tral Police Station to reportthe incident, he was told byofficers that he was being tak-en in for questioning regard-ing the death of a person. Hewas later informed that hehad hit a person.

While this account wasbeing given by the accused, adetective had given him moreinformation. He respondedthat his information notedthat he and Roberts had been“carrying on” at the restau-rant to the point that an offi-cer had to tell them to behave.

The officer also told theaccused that he’d receivedreports that Francis was theaggressor in a verbal exchangebetween himself and threemen after the police had left.Sgt Forbes suggested that hisinformation revealed that theaccused had followed the threemen with the intention ofattempting to kill one of them.

The accused replied, “No,sir,” to the suggestions.

Before the officer testifiedabout the recorded state-ments, prosecutor EucalBonaby asked the officerabout his investigation of thescene in question.

Sgt Forbes said he hadreceived a tip from a colleague

about an incident that hadoccurred on Baillou Hill Road.

He said that he received thetip around “3.40am” and “as aresult of that information, Iwent to Baillou Hill Road andKing Street where I saw amale lying lifeless.”

The detective said that thedeceased, who was lying on hisside – in a small pool of blood– between a wall and a 2001Hyundai Accent, was wearinga white shirt, grey pants andblack and white tennis shoes.

After noting the “extensivedamage” to the car and dis-covering whose name thevehicle was registered in –Tyrone Francis Sr – the offi-cer told the court that hecalled another officer to pho-tograph the scene and to pro-vide additional information.

Murrio Ducille, defenceattorney for the accused, askedthe officer if his client hadcooperated with the police,gone to the police of his ownfree will and given statementswithout the presence of alawyer. The officer replied,“Yes, sir,” to all the questions.

He then questioned if theofficer had included in hisreport his unsuccessful find-ing of any objects at the scenein question because of theofficer’s statement mention-ing a search. The officerreplied, “No, sir.”

Elvardo Johnson, a relativeof the deceased, and Tyrone

Roberts, a passenger in the carat the time of the incident – alsotestified yesterday. Johnson saidthat after he, the deceased andanother friend were hit by thecar, which he said happenedfast, he and Jerome Charltonran after the passenger and gotinto a scuffle to prevent himfrom getting away.

Lawyer Ducille suggestedthat the two had beat upRoberts, but the witness saidthat it was a fight where“blows” were traded fromboth sides. Mr Ducille sug-gested it was a “two on one”fight and he replied, “Yes.”

Roberts told the court thathe had fallen asleep while inthe car with Francis – the dri-ver – because he had a fewbeers from a bar, a pint ofalcohol that night prior toawakening to find the carswerving and colliding into awall.

He said that Francis got outon his side of the car andwhen he did the same, mencame up to him and told himnot to go anywhere. Afterstating that he couldn’t goanywhere, he said that thetwo men had attacked him.

When cross-examined byMr Ducille, he said that hehad to be taken to the hospi-tal to receive stitches to hisleft eye.

The trial resumes today at10am. Justice Vera Watkinsis the presiding judge.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 6, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

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Murder accused ‘was not aware that he had struck another man’

By DENISE MAYCOCKTribune Freeport Reporterdmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – The Carni-val Magic – the newest addi-tion to Carnival Cruise Linesfleet – made an inaugural voy-age to Grand Bahama onWednesday.

State Minister for FinanceZhivargo Laing was presentfor the ship’s arrival atLucayan Harbour around 9am.

At a brief welcome recep-tion and exchange of plaquesceremony on board the ship,Mr Laing noted that Carni-val’s contribution has beensignificant to the country’soverall tourism sector.

“We appreciate the contri-bution that Carnivalmakes…in this country,” hesaid. “The cruise business isour fastest growing segmentin tourism in the country, andCarnival is a big part of that.”

Carnival Magic is a newbrand ship, with a passengercapacity of 4,700 and a crewof 1,400, according to CaptGiovanni Cutugno.

He said the vessel was builtin Italy in April, and startedits first season of cruising inthe Mediterranean Sea duringthe summer from its Europeanhome port of Barcelona, Spain.

Capt Cutugno said the ves-sel is making its first Atlantic

crossing, onto its home port inGalveston, Texas.

He said they will sail fromGalveston with weekly cruisesto various ports, and will callat Freeport twice a month.

“Carnival has many vesselscruising to Freeport. We havea long tradition of cominghere to this beautiful island,”he said.

The ship will remain in portuntil 4pm Thursday when itwill then sail onto Texas.

Mr Laing believes that Car-nival Magic will help generatemuch needed economic activ-ity here on Grand Bahama.

“At the Ministry of Financewe watch revenue very close-ly and nothing helps revenuelike economic activity, and sohaving this ship call on ushere in Grand Bahama todayis an absolute delight.

“I want to say to you,whether by accident or delib-erate, however often youwant to come to GrandBahama we will welcome youeach and every time. We areextremely appreciative ofyour coming. I have a predic-tion that in the not too dis-tant future, I believe thisalready good jurisdiction willbecome an even better juris-diction,” Mr Laing said.

After an exchange ofplaques, the media was tak-en on a tour of the ship. The

vessel, which is 1,004 feet inlength and a full 130,000 tons,has a water park complete

with two water slides, and aSkyCourse, the first ropescourse at sea.

LOCAL NEWS

THE TRIBUNE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011, PAGE 7

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AS part of its development of the newmarkets appealing to the internationalhigh-spending traveller, the BahamasTourist Office will attend the Interna-tional Luxury Travel Market (ILTM)held in Cannes, France in December.

David Johnson, director general ofthe Bahamas Ministry of Tourism &Aviation, said: “Our first experience of

ILTM in 2010 proved very positive andwe are keen to build upon those, andnew, relationships in 2012 and beyondto deliver the luxury traveller best suit-ed to a large part of our Bahamianproduct.”

The Bahamas is hosting the 30thanniversary Caribbean Marketplace inNassau in January 2012, giving the coun-

try the opportunity to display its capitalcity while uniting international contrac-tors with local and regional suppliers.

The Bahamas tourist offices in Italyand Germany will continue to concen-trate their energies on regular commu-nications with their industry partners inthese growing markets although theywill not attend ITB and BIT in 2012.

BAHAMAS TOURIST OFFICE TO VISIT CANNES EVENT

Minister welcomes shipon Grand Bahama debut

MINISTER FOR FINANCE Zhivargo Laing was present for the arrivalof the Carnival Magic on its inaugural voyage to Grand Bahama onWednesday

AROUND this time ofyear, plant enthusiasts lookforward to one of the bestplant sales in New Provi-dence.

The Camperdown PlantSale always takes place in thebeautiful garden of Sarah

Lobosky on the corner ofSour Sop Street and PigeonPea Lane in Camperdown.

Four keen gardeners wholive in the immediate area gettogether every fall to pooltheir resources and maketheir home-grown plants

available for sale to the pub-lic.

On offer each year are awide assortment of palms,shrubs, ferns and pottedplants including bromeliadsand orchids, plus hanging bas-kets.

These four ladies all boastof beautiful gardens, and sev-eral years ago, decided toshare some of their excessplants and trees by holdingthe sale.

As the first sale was popu-

lar beyond all expectations,they decided to make this anannual event.

This year, the sale will takeplace on Saturday, November12 from 9am until noon, andthere will be a large table ofplants priced at $5 or less, sothose on a restricted budgetwill find plenty of items in thisprice range.

Also featured are freerefreshments and a smalltable of wonderful home-made pepper jelly, plus somebeautiful hand made,embroidered tote bags andaprons.

Those interested will beable to follow the signs onEastern Road and PrinceCharles Drive.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 8, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

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By DENISE MAYCOCKTribune Freeport Reporterdmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – A 38-year-old Bahamian man was takeninto police custody followingthe discovery of some $50,000worth of illegal drugs onGrand Bahama.

Asst Supt Clarence Reck-ley, press liaison officer,reported that Drug Enforce-ment Unit officers executeda search warrant around 6amon Wednesday at a residenceon Churchill Drive. Whilesearching the residence, offi-cers discovered eight poundsof suspected cocaine with anestimated street value of$50,000, as well as two-and-a-quarter ounces of suspectedmarijuana worth $300.

ASP Reckley said policealso discovered and seized alarge amount of cash.

The male occupant wasarrested.

MAN ARRESTEDAFTER DRUGS FINDPlant ladies of

Camperdownto host sale

CAMPERDOWN PLANT LADIES, (l to r) Alison Albury, Cindy Wilde,Joanna Robertson and Sarah Lobosky will be on hand to answer ques-tions.

THE TRIBUNE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011, PAGE 9

Where willyour voteGOVERNOR General Sir

Arthur Foulkes and LadyFoulkes began their first offi-cial visit on Monday, enjoy-ing an exuberant welcome atthe Treasure Cay Interna-tional Airport, including anhonour guard of RoyalBahamas Defence ForceRangers.

They were welcomed byNorth Abaco AdministratorTheophilus Cox and othergovernment officials alongwith civic and religious read-ers. The warm welcomeextended to a joint assemblyof SC Bootle High School andCooper’s Town Primaryunder the theme, “GivingHonour”.

Following entertainmentby students from bothschools, including a soulfulinterpretive dance by Grade 3student A’Joya Sands, choralspeaking, an acrostic andmusic, Sir Arthur continuedthe One Bahamas theme hehas relayed on all official vis-its.

His message of celebratingthe unique history of eachFamily Island as an integralpart of “the archipelago ofopportunities” which consti-tutes the Bahamian experi-ence, was warmly received byschool administrators, teach-ers, parents and students.

In his address, Sir Arthursaid: “With deference toAndros being the largestisland in our chain and thefifth largest in the Caribbean,may I say that Abaco is alsobig and, indeed, strong.

“From Little Abaco toMarsh Harbour to SouthwestPoint to Man ’O War Cay andindeed the length and breadthof the Abacos, your ancestorsand now you have forgedunique chapters in thatunique history that is theBahamian story.

“For centuries, you havecontributed to the economicand political life and the socialhistory of The Bahamasthrough Abaconian ingenu-ity, commercial enterprise andlove of things Bahamian.”

Their Excellencies also par-ticipated in an assembly atFox Town Primary Schoolwhere he shared a similarmessage and enjoyed theentertainment which includ-ed a medley of Bahamianmusic.

Sir Arthur and LadyFoulkes visited the CoopersTown Community Clinic andthe Government Clinic in FoxTown. They were hosted tolunch by the Little AbacoTownship at the ValleyRestaurant in Fox Town.

LOCAL NEWS

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GOVERNOR GENERAL Sir Arthur Foulkes chats with these youngsters at the Fox Town Primary SchoolNovember 7. Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes are on their first official visit to Abaco.

Official visit byGovernor General

SIR ARTHUR FOULKES shakes the hand of a Fox Town PrimarySchool student after receiving a gift on November 7. Sir Arthur andLady Foulkes are on their first official visit to Abaco.

LOCAL NEWS

THE TRIBUNE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011, PAGE 11

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By SANCHESKA BROWNTribune Staff Reportersbrown@tribunemedia.net

MASKED men broke intoa branch of Scotiabank earlyyesterday morning, started asmall fire and destroyed anautomated cash machinebefore leaving empty hand-ed.

The would-be thieves brokeinto the bank’s Marsh Har-bour, Abaco, location around6am and tried in vain to gainentry into the vault.

Police said the suspects didnot steal any cash but starteda small fire inside the bankbefore they escaped.

Superintendent StephenDean said police believe themen were attempting to breakinto the vault.

“We believe they were try-ing to get the money out ofthe vault, but they wereunsuccessful. They didn’tbreak any of the windows toget in the bank but they didput a large hole in the wall.After they got in they triedto break into the ATM butthat was also unsuccessful,”he said.

“They also set a small fire,but luckily it was confined andnothing was damaged. We arelooking at the surveillancefootage and we feel good thatwe will have this case

wrapped up shortly.”No one has been arrested.

Police investigations contin-ue.

The bank was closed yes-terday, however operationsare expected to resume today.

In a statement, Scotiabanksaid: “Bank managementhave confirmed that therewere no injuries sustained toany staff or customers. Dueto the nature of our business,a robbery is always a possi-bility but we assure the publicof our commitment to secu-rity and to the safety of ouremployees. We are workingwith the police into the inves-tigation and would not like tosay anything further to com-promise their work.”

Anyone with informationon the break in are asked tocontact police at 911 or 919,CDU at 502-9991/9990, Crimestoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS or contact your nearestpolice station.

In May, 2010, Scotiabank'sEmerald Bay branch wasrobbed just after 9.30am.

Police said a masked gun-man went into the bank whileanother man waited behindthe building in a white car –which police said was stolenearlier that morning.

After stealing an undis-closed amount of cash, thepair fled the area.

BANK HIT BY MASKED RAIDERS

When The Tribune visitedthe crime scene yesterday, aman claiming to be the ownerof the home where the boywas shot could not providedetails on the shooting, andsaid he did not know the vic-tim.

The homeowner did say thevictim is a friend of anotherboy who lives in the homewhere he was shot.

Up to last night, The Tri-bune was not able to confirmif any suspects were in policecustody.

Meanwhile, police are ques-tioning another 16-year-oldboy for alleged possession ofan unlicensed gun and numer-ous armed robberies.

At 3pm on Tuesday, offi-cers of "Southern Storm"received information abouthidden weapons in bushes onLily of the Valley corner, offEast Street.

Police said a search of thearea revealed a shotgun andshells.

Just a couple of hours later,

four men were taken into cus-tody in two separate arrests.

The first arrest was at4.30pm when officers of theMobile Division were onpatrol of Garden View Roadwhen they saw the driver of aheavily tinted brown Honda

Accord acting suspiciously. Police searched the vehicle

and found a handgun withammunition.

The second arrest wasmade at 8.45pm.

Police were on patrol atFifth Street and Coconut

Grove when they saw theoccupants of a white HondaTorneo acting suspiciously.

Officers searched the vehi-cle and found a handgun withammunition, They took theoccupants of the car into cus-tody.

Abaco residents said it wasprobably a US Coast Guardhelicopter from the AUTECnaval base in Andros.

At last count, 11 people hadreportedly been rescued.

Legacy had attempted toenter Marsh Harbour duringhuge seas churned up byTropical Storm Sean.

One Abaco resident said:“It’s a terrible rage. Peoplewho have lived here for 50,60 years have never seen arage like this. The boatshould never have left Nas-sau.”

After reports that the vesselwas in danger reached themainland, several boats were

launched from Hope Town totry to help.

But, the Abaco residentsaid, “If Legacy can’t get in,they probably couldn’t getout.”

It seems the passengers andcrew were very lucky, she said– running aground on a sandbar instead of the nearby reef.

At around 8.30pm, MrDean said he had yet to speakto the captain, but had heardthat the vessel was still in onepiece and that no passengerswere injured.

On Monday, a huge waveswept a man off a 40-foot cliffin Marsh Harbour, presum-ably to his death. BASRAsuspended the search for hisremains on Wednesday.

ffrroomm ppaaggee oonnee

ffrroomm ppaaggee oonnee

SHIP RUNS AGROUND Boy, 16, injured indrive-by shooting

THE SCENE of the shooting, pictured yesterday. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 12, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

ing causes of crime and violence, she said.Ms Jacobson, who is in Nassau to take

part in the second Caribbean Basin Secu-rity Initiative (CBSI) Dialogue, explainedthat while combating the trafficking ofdrugs, guns and people is a cornerstoneof the initiative, true regional securitycan only be attained if citizens feel theireveryday lives have been impacted.

She said: “One of the reasons we talknow about citizen security and consid-erably less about just counter-narcotics isbecause it’s so obvious that the phe-nomenon is broader than just drugs.

“It is in fact about whether people feelpersonally safe, secure, and we all knowthat in many respects that’s a govern-ment’s first duty – to keep its citizens safe.But when you start to look at the problemand you disaggregate it, it isn’t just aboutwhere drugs or gangs may come from andthe supply, it isn’t just about the demand– it’s about the socio-economic causesthat underlie crime and criminality.

“If you go about fixing it only by tryingto attack the symptoms and not theunderlying causes, you’re never going toget more than half way there.”

A lack of economic opportunities –particularly for young men – is often sig-nificant among these root factors, andthis is where energy diversification can

come in, Ms Jacobson said. “It isn’t just economic opportunity,”

she said, “there are other things thathave to come with it, but certainly if peo-ple don’t feel they have an opportunity toprogress economically, to have a life thatholds promise for them, it makes it easi-er for gangs, for drug cartels to recruit.”

Once a country accepts that crime pre-vention starts with social and economicopportunity, Ms Jacobson said, the nextstep is to identify the emerging fieldsthat Bahamians can be prepared for.

“Obviously, there’s a lot that’s goingon in the Bahamas that speaks to some ofthe, perhaps, more traditional areas ofeconomic growth – there are buildingprojects for new hotels, there are lots ofindustries related to tourism – but thefact of the matter is, as you look ahead,the issue of energy production, energyself-sufficiency, is also one in which youcan really significantly generate jobs.

“Now, the kinds of jobs you are goingto generate are also going to be fairlywell paying jobs, but they may also bejobs where fairly specialised training isnecessary.”

In recognition of the region’s potential,Ms Jacobson said, President Obamalaunched the Energy and Climate Part-nership of the Americas (ECPA) in theCaribbean – at the Summit of the Amer-icas in Trinidad and Tobago in 2009.

The ECPA, a relatively small agency,helps create pilot projects in countrieswhere either private or public sector enti-ties are interested in breaking into theenergy industry.

“Our focus,” she said, “has been heav-ily on how we work with countries onenergy security, on clean energy, onrenewables.”

At the moment, the ECPA is involvedin around 40 projects throughout thehemisphere.

Asked how the Bahamas could quali-fy for an ECPA pilot project, Ms Jacob-son said: “The way that you have to lookat that is, how do we develop the marketfor renewable energies? Because untilthose are really economically viable andthere is a structure in place for thoseindustries, they’re not going to be devel-oped by the private sector.

“I think in the end, obviously, everygovernment has to make its own deci-sion on how they proceed on this, but Ithink the more you look towards diversesources of energy, the more governmentsare going to realise that they need exper-tise from those in the private sector and,hopefully, will work in partnership withthem.”

• See part 2 of our exclusive inter-view with Acting Assistant SecretaryJacobson in tomorrow’s Tribune.

21, reveals a slight lead in thefavour of the FNM with 1695votes to the PLP’s 1670.

The “new” Elizabeth,which essentially will encom-pass the old boundary linesof the 1997 Yamacraw con-stituency, shows from the2007 election results that theFNM will yet again have aslight edge over the PLP hav-ing secured 1689 votes to thePLP’s 1630.

Sea Breeze, although cur-rently represented by theFNM’s chairman Carl Bethelis being reported to be a seatthat will be “up for grabs”come 2012. However, evenPLP party officials have

admitted that it is likely thatthis seat would not go toeither the PLP or the FNM,but rather to the DNA’s ChrisMortimer.

Bamboo Town, yet anotherseat that will be “up forgrabs” is currently represent-ed by the DNA’s leaderBranville McCartney, who isexpected to face a “tremen-dous challenge” from both thePLP and the FNM.

As for Carmichael – cur-rently represented by theFNM in its Minister of Edu-cation Desmond Bannister —it is unknown who will returnto carry the party’s banner inthe 2012 election as it isbelieved that Mr Bannisterwill be the party’s next candi-date for North Andros and

the Berry Islands.Yesterday, it was revealed

that the Boundaries Commis-sion had recommended thatthree seats should be cut fromthe current 41-member Par-liament, bringing the newtotal for the 2012 general elec-tion to 38.

The seats proposed to beeliminated at that time wereEight Mile Rock, Kennedy,and Clifton. However it isunderstood that while theKennedy constituency mightremain, the constituency ofMontagu and Englerstonhave been eliminated in NewProvidence to make way forlarger inner-city seats, and anew seat (constituency 21)in the south of New Provi-dence.

Speaking to The Tribuneyesterday on the reports ofthe possibility of Kennedy’selimination, the area’s currentMP Kenyatta Gibson saidthat he generally had no com-ment as the reports are only“recommendations” at thistime.

“However, notwithstandingthat, I will run wherever myleader and my party decidefor me to run in the next gen-eral election,” Mr Gibsonsaid.

Other changes to the cur-rent make-up of the con-stituencies show that drasticcuts have been made to manyof the “inner city” areas, suchas Farm Road and Centre-ville, Mount Moriah, and StCecilia.

CONSTITUENCY CHANGES REVEAL FIVE KEY SEATS TO 2012 VICTORYffrroomm ppaaggee oonnee

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Energy security is an‘incredible opportunity’