NASSAU AND BAHAMA ISLANDS’ LEADING NEWSPAPER

BRAN: NO FNM DEAL

Volume: 108 No.27 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 PRICE – 75¢ (Abaco and Grand Bahama $1.25)

WEATHER

SUN ANDA SHOWER

HIGH 82FLOW 72F

By CELESTE NIXONTribune Staff Reportercnixon@tribunemedia.net

DNA LEADER BranvilleMcCartney last night deniedclaims that he is joining theFNM party, stating therumours are evidence that theDNA is a “well-oiledmachine” which has put“tremendous fear” in theFNM and PLP.

In a message to supportersmade on the DNA’s Face-book page yesterday, leaderand Bamboo Town MP MrMcCartney denied sugges-tions the DNA intends to jointhe governing FNM.

“I would like to sayemphatically that there is nodeal with the FNM, secret orotherwise, and there will nev-er be any,” Mr MCartneyemphasised.

Mr McCartney said if theDNA are not elected to begovernment of the Bahamasfollowing the coming gener-al elections, the party has tobe the deciding factor in whowill govern the Bahamas andwill not have a coalition withthe PLP or the FNM.

According to recentreports, Mr McCartney andother executive members ofthe DNA have held secretmeetings with members of theFNM to secure their placewithin the government.

Among other claims, it hasbeen said DNA membershave either been wronglyexpelled from the party or

willingly removed their sup-port.

Most recently, it wasclaimed talk show host SteveMcKinney will no longer beseeking a DNA nominationas he has lost confidence inthe party and Mr McCart-ney’s leadership.

The DNA leader said on aradio talk show last night thatif this is true, it may bebecause Mr McKinney want-ed to run for Fort Charlotte,but the party decided not tochoose him.

Mr McCartney said heexpects such rumours to con-tinue over the upcomingweeks and months, as the“established organistions”now fear the DNA.

He said: “Both leaders ofthe PLP and the FNM recog-nise the potential in the DNAto send them off into thepolitical sunset.

DNA leadersays he will not swap sides

TRY OUR DOVERASPBERRYMcFLURRY

The TribuneTHE PEOPLE’S PAPERBIGGEST AND BEST

L A T E S T N E W S O N W W W . T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M

ARTS

NNIIGGHHTT OOFF TTHHEE YYOOUUNNGGFFIILLMM MMAAKKEERRSSSEE ARTS SECTION C

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

HHAAWWKKSS HHOOPPEE FFOORRMMAAGGNNUUMMSEE SPORTS SECTION C

SERGEANT Skippings talks to a vendor on Bay Street during a police tour of the island to pass on safe-ty tips. Police have shown a heightened presence in the run-up towards Christmas. For more pictures, turnto page 16. Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

By AVA TURNQUESTTribune Staff Reporteraturnquest@tribunemedia.net

CONTRACTS to buildgovernment homes weredirectly awarded by a consul-tant, thus reducing the hous-ing director’s role to that of anadvisor within the formerMinistry of Housing andNational Insurance.

Ministry of Housing tech-nical director Godfrey Majorsaid he was stripped of hisresponsibility to contractinfrastructure work and housebuilding in 2002 withoutexplanation.

In view of the gross techni-cal mismanagement cited inan independent audit of theformer ministry, Mr Major, inan interview with The Tribuneyesterday, explained his rolein the Housing programme.

The Value for Money audit,contracted by the Office ofthe Attorney General in 2008and obtained by The Tribunelast week, revealed that there

By SANCHESKA BROWNTribune Staff Reportersbrown@tribunemedia.net

AFTER weeks of specula-tion, Vincent Peet, the MP forNorth Andros and the BerryIslands, has confirmed he willnot be running in the upcom-ing general elections.

In a decision he describedas “final”, Mr Peet said aftermuch debate he has decidedto take his name out of therace.

“After much prayerfuldeliberation,” he said, “andafter much consultation withconstituents, colleagues, fam-ily and friends, including theesteemed leader of my party,the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, Ihave decided not to stand forre-election in the forthcom-

By LAMECH JOHNSONljohnson@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are reassuring cit-izens who will be frequentingdowntown Nassau during thisholiday season that the area issafe and in “good hands”.

The reassurance came yes-terday as Royal BahamasPolice Force officers followedup on their recently-launchedcrime prevention initiative,visiting businesses and pass-ing out fliers with informationon robberies.

Yesterday morning, seniorranking officers walkedthrough the busy downtownstrip, speaking to manage-ment, staff and customers inretail businesses led by SuptLeon Bethel, officer in chargeof the Central Police Station.

Prior to this, Supt Bethelspoke to the press outside the

East Street north station, tosend a reassuring message topersons in fear of going abouttheir normal routine duringthe Yuletide season.

“We came here to informmembers of the public thatthe downtown area of NewProvidence is in good hands.It is safe,” he said.

The senior officer explainedthat their recently launchedoperation, created specifical-ly to tackle crime through theholiday season, was “designedto deal with all criminal ele-ments, traffic offenders, andprolific offenders”.

According to Supt Bethel,some 325 traffic tickets weregiven out and police have exe-cuted a number of warrantson prolific offenders.

He said: “We have arrested25 persons, many of them forpossession of dangerous drugs

and some females for solicit-ing.”

Police will be consistentlypatrolling several areas indowntown district, especiallyShirley Street, Bay Street andDowdeswell Street. Potter’sCay Dock and Arawak Cayare also on their policingradar.

“So people can come out.Visitors and residents alikecan come out and get theirconch salad from Potter’s CayDock or Arawak Cay with-out being disturbed,” saidSupt Bethel.

“All shoppers can comedowntown and go in anystore. You do not mind howlate it is, police officers areon the ground.”

Business retailers yesterdaytook the time to express their

TAKING THE CRIME OUT OF CHRISTMAS CONSULTANTBLAMED FOR

HOUSINGCONTRACTS

PEET STEPSOUT OF THE

ELECTION RACE

SSEEEE ppaaggee 1122

SSEEEE ppaaggee 1100SSEEEE ppaaggee 1166

SSEEEE ppaaggee 88

BRAN McCARTNEY

i’m lovin’ it

By DANA SMITHdsmith@tribunemedia.net

DNA CANDIDATE ChrisMortimer claims the recentboundary change will notaffect his campaign, despitethe fact that he now repre-sents a new constituency.

The former Seabreeze can-didate now represents newlyformed Nassau Village, as aresult of the current govern-ment’s reduction of Houseseats to 38, from 41.

Some constituencies had to

be eliminated or redrawn,forcing all political parties tomove or release constituencycandidates.

DNA leader BranvilleMcCartney had criticised theboundary change earlier thismonth, calling it an “inade-quate attempt at intimida-tion” to “displace” DNA can-didates.

Mr Mortimer spoke to TheTribune, yesterday, about hisconstituency change, at theCA Mortimer Sr Centre’sweekly soup kitchen on Beat-

rice Avenue.“I don’t think it affects our

campaign because our focusis on people,” he said.

“Bahamians are Bahamiansregardless of where they are.Whether it’s Nassau Villageor whether it’s Seabreeze.”

Reiterating a message hesent before, Mr Mortimerclaims Bahamians want “goodrepresentation” no matterwhat constituency they are in.

“They want people to rep-resent the things that areimportant to them,” he said.

“To listen to them, to talk tothem, to hear what they’resaying and act upon it. Thoseare some of the things we’vebeen doing and we found thatmessage has been really res-onating within the new con-stituency.”

As for his potential NassauVillage opponents, Mr Mor-timer stated: “I've heard someof the individuals who maybe offering themselves but Idon’t necessarily think of itlike that.”

He continued: “I am notrunning against anybody, I amrunning for something, whichis the betterment of our peo-ple.

“Whoever they send, myfocus isn’t going to be onthem. My focus is going to beon how we can address thelives of Bahamians.”

CA Mortimer Sr Centre’ssoup kitchen has been pro-viding free meals to senior cit-izens and the disabled per-sons since the first week ofOctober.

The kitchen provides anaverage of over 100 meals aweek which can be deliveredor collected directly from thecentre.

Yesterday, the centredecided to organise a specialChristmas luncheon, insteadof the usual soup dinner.

Nearly 40 persons arrivedfor a Christmas lunch, madeand served by volunteers.

Care packages were alsoprovided which containedfood items that could be pre-pared at home, such as rice,canned tuna, and boxed pasta.

The community facility isowned and run by Mr Mor-timer, who named it in hon-our of his late father.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 2, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

PUBLIC NOTICELost Passport in the area ofThompson Blvd. by CriminalRecords Building on the 6th

December

356-5431/557-5908REWARD FOR RETURN

Candidate confidentdespite changes

FOOD is served atthe CA Mortimer SrCentre’s weeklysoup kitchen onBeatrice Avenueyesterday, withChristmas lunchserved to visitorsto the centre.

By DANA SMITHdsmith@tribunemedia.net

IN view of former disgrun-tled employees launching alawsuit against the companyresponsible for roadworks,one worker defends the com-pany, claming it brought“great economic and socialprosperity”.

Pedro Tynes, a constructionforeman for Cartellones Con-strucciones Civiles, said thatCartellones gave him, as wellas many others, jobs andtraining.

“I just want to express myview,” Mr Tynes said. “I wasgiven the opportunity to workand to become an entrepre-neur.”

He said he is “one of theyoungest Bahamians to makeit to a foreman in this Argen-tinean company”.

Mr Tynes claims Cartel-lones hired him, trained him,and gave him “the opportu-nity to rise up the ranks”.

According to Mr Tynes,many of the current road-workers “came with noknowledge at all”, but were

still hired by Cartellones.“They gave us opportuni-

ties and they trained us,” hesaid.

“They taught us skills thatwe would have had to goneto school for.”

Cartellones “really openedthe eyes” of “a lot” ofBahamians, Mr Tynes said.

He claims that many, nowequipped with infrastructur-al knowledge, will be able tofind construction jobs or evenstart their own constructioncompany, after the roadworkshave been completed.

“When they pack up theirbags and leave when this is

finished, these young mencan be picked up and nothave to worry about train-ing,” he said.

“I think Cartellones shouldbe recognized for what it is...They brought great economicand social prosperity to manyyoung Bahamians.”

LOCAL NEWS

THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011, PAGE 3

BY DENISE MAYCOCKTribune FreeportReporterdmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – A 21-year-old Freeport man wascharged with rape in theFreeport Magistrate’sCourt yesterday.

Shanto Reitano Greenappeared in Court Onebefore Magistrate DebbyeFerguson.

I t i s a l leged thatDecember 18 , theaccused raped a femaleresident of Freeport.

Green, who was repre-sented by attorney RufusAllen, was not required toenter a plea to the charge.

He was remanded toHer Majesty ’s Pr isonuntil February 22, 2010,when a prel iminaryinquiry will be held todetermine whether thereis sufficient evidence fora trial in the SupremeCourt.

WORKER SPEAKS OUT INDEFENCE OF COMPANY

MAN ONRAPE

CHARGE

SHANTO REI-TANO GREEN atcourt yesterday.He is accused ofrape.

By AVA TURNQUESTTribune Staff Reporteraturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PUBLIC officers - such asdrivers and prison officerswere transferred to fill build-ing inspection roles, accord-ing to an independent auditof the former Ministry ofHousing and National Insur-ance.

Failures in recruitment andselection, including anecdotalevidence of appointment bypatronage, were outlined inthe Value for Money auditconducted by Crown Agentsin 2008, and obtained by TheTribune last week. Insufficienttraining of new and existingstaff was also cited.

“Where appropriatelyskilled staff have been recruit-ed it is understood that thiswas, on occasions, without theconsent or involvement of theDirector, Technical Servicesor without line managementresponsibility,” the audit stat-ed.

Ministry of Housing tech-nical director Gordon Majoryesterday confirmed that boththe ministry and departmentfaced challenges to humanresource management anddevelopment.

“Several persons werebrought in as inspectors whohad initially had another pro-fession, you know the sayingyou have lemons you makelemonade,” he said.

“You have to work with thestaff you’re given to workwith, but some of those per-son that were brought in as

inspectors were not trained inthe building background.”

In an interview with TheTribune, Mr Major explainedthat the ministry was plaguedby staff shortages and thatthe need for professional offi-cers was repeatedlyexpressed. This was support-ed by the audit, which statedthat contract officers wereappointed to work on theHousing programme despiteprotestations of existing pro-fessional staff.

Mr Major said that theresponsibility of hiring cameunder the minister and per-manent secretary.

“Some people have theimpression that you can takeanybody, put them in a postand they can do the job, that’snot really so in the technicalfield,” he said.

“You can’t just take any-body and say ‘Ok fill this postas an inspector’ and that isperhaps what happened sometimes.”

Contracted by the Officeof the Attorney General, theaudit revealed that the pro-gramme’s HR capacity wasstretched seriously by 2006 asa result of: the accelerationof the programme; recruit-ment of contracted officerslacking in relevant skills;appointments of staff intotechnical positions, such asinspection, for reasons otherthan merit; sidelining of pro-fessional staff; lack of clearreporting lines leading to ten-sion and dysfunction, insteadof maximizing the potentialstaff; insufficient training of

existing and new staff.“It should not be left to a

minister or Public ServiceCommission to allocate staffto a ministry/department,without operational man-agers providing a clearunderstanding of resource/skills needed,” the reportstated.

Unskilled inspectors led to“some of the problems” sur-rounding the housing pro-gramme, Mr Major said.

Unlike the Ministry ofPublic Works, which conductsstage inspections, Mr Majorsaid housing inspectors wereused mainly to ensure qualitycontrol.

“That person really needsto be someone who has athorough knowledge of con-struction processes and pro-cedures, but it didn’t happen.We didn’t have those per-sons,” he said.

“It is difficult for someonewho does not know what theyare supposed to be lookingfor, to make the correctionsand to keep the contractor inline.

Mr Major added: “Theblind leading the blind, some-times contractors try to cutcorners and unless you know,you really can’t get thosethings.”

Despite the limited tech-nical skill of some inspec-tors at that time, Mr Majormaintained that the respon-sibility for completing thebuildings in accordance togovernment standards andcontract terms were that ofthe contractor.

‘Inspectors werenot experts’

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN ANY western nation, theso-called middle class hasalways been and remains thebulwark of such a nation. It isfrom the ranks of the same thatmost job creators emerge andthe same act as the catalyst thatdrives the local economy. It is agiven that small to mediumsized businesses generateapproximately 60 per cent ofall jobs and gross national rev-enue and productivity.

The late great Sir LyndenOscar Pindling and the firstPLP administration are rightlyregarded as the herald and orig-inator of what we now term themiddle class in our country.During the 1950’s and 1960’sthere were, of course, theexceptional traditionally“black” and “conchy joe” indi-viduals who were able by sheerdetermination and hard workto rise above the norm andenter the ranks of the then mid-dle class. This, however, wasnot a common occurrence.

Massive additions to and theavailability of educational plantand its spin offs, during the erawhen the late great Sir CecilWallace-Whitfield was Minis-ter of Education resulted inwell educated and motivatedprecursors of the embryonicmiddle class.

This, of course, was aided bythe timely development of thesuburbs in the inner city such asRidgeland Park; Culmersville;Englerston; Highbury Park;Sunshine and Sunset Parks, etal. Persons who once beforewere tenants were then able topurchase affordable building lotsand construct decent residencesfor themselves and families.

Today, here in the capitalisland of New Providence, wehave witnessed, within one gen-eration, the rapid developmentand expansion of areas like theCarmichael Road; PrinceCharles; Winton; Sea Breezeand districts. The traditionalinner city is now vibrant hubsfor entrepreneurial endeavours;artistic ventures and culturalexposes.

In this leap forward, howev-er, the once buoyant middleclass is under assault and poten-tial decimation due to any num-ber of economic and politicalforces and ideologies. The cur-rent FNM administration, whileit may mean well, hasembarked on a dedicatedregime of tax; borrow andspend. Our national debt nowexceeds 4.5 billion dollars andthere is no apparent end insight to repeated and massiveborrowings.

Taxes have been and arebeing heaped upon the collec-tive backs of the average

Bahamian citizen to the extentwhere we don’t recognise ourfeet from our elbows. To set upand fund even a small businessis now out of the reach of many.Red tape and regulations areliterally “killing” many wouldbe entrepreneurs. Our infra-structure in New Providence isbeing mauled and badly man-aged but the erstwhile political“masters” call it modernisationand necessary progress.

I am apolitical and most ofmy other personal habits arebenign. What I am, however, ispassionate about being aBahamian who wants only whatI consider to be best for all.There are far too many invol-untary foreclosures and repos-session of homes and resi-dences.

The cost of living is escalatingon a daily basis and thereappears to be no correspond-ing increases in salaries andwages. Private educational costsand fees are soaring. The avail-ability and affordability of thesmallest of residential lots herein New Providence are beyondthe reach of all and sundry. Thecosts of utilities have long beena sore bone of contention andmany citizens and businessowners are swamped with thehigh levels of the same.

Our society is now rapidlyevolving into two extremes –the wealthy and the poor. Themiddle class is and has beensqueezed out of existence bypolitical and economic pres-sures. I have long held and stillhold that our Prime Ministersneed no longer be lawyers andignoramuses of the highest

financial order. I look forwardto the day in the not too dis-tant future when we will have atechnocrat and a trained econ-omist type as Prime Minister.

Once Messrs Christie andIngraham would have demittedfrontline roles, I see the emer-gence of an Orville “Tommy”Turnquest (FNM-Mount Mori-ah) or a Hubert A Minnis(FNM-Killarney), whether indi-vidually or as a team, to take usto the next level as a nation.No, I am not an FNM nor am Ia PLP but we have got to moveforward. Party labels and affil-iations don’t really matter tome.

Of course, within the ranksof the latter party people likePhilip “Brave” Davis (PLP-CatIsland; Rum Cay and San Sal-vador) and Shane Gibson(PLP-Golden Gates) must pre-pare to come to the centre ofthe stage in our national politi-cal arena.

The arrest of the decline anddiscrimination of the middleclass is of paramount impor-tance as we prepare to crossover into the proverbialpromised land of “milk andhoney.” No Bahamian can orshould be left behind. “New”and “fresh” political blood andleadership are required nowmore than ever before.

And so, as we enter theChristmas Holidays and pre-pare for 2012 I extend bestwishes to all of my fellowBahamians, especially thosewithin the diminishing ranks ofthe challenged middle class. Inall of these things, however, toGod be the glory for there areyet great things that He will dofor The Bahamas.

ORTLAND H BODIE JRNassau,December, 2011.

EDITORIAL/LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

PAGE 4, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune LimitedNULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master

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

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

Published Daily Monday to Saturday

Shirley Street, P.O. Box N-3207, Nassau, BahamasInsurance Management Building., P.O. F-485, Freeport, Grand Bahama

TELEPHONESSwitchboard (News, Circulation and Advertising) 322-1986

Advertising Manager - (242) 502-2352Circulation Department - (242) 502-2386

Nassau Fax: - (242) 328-2398Freeport, Grand Bahama: 1-(242)-352-6608

Freeport fax: (242) 352-9348

ELECTION TIME in the Bahamas isoften referred to as “silly season”, a timewhen a citizen takes what he hears with alarge grain of salt. As any reporter willtell you, it is not only “silly season”, but itis also a very difficult period for a jour-nalist to cover. So much time is wastedsifting fact from fiction that little time isleft to report on ideas and programmesthat could move the nation “forward,upward and onward”.

However, the 2012 election promisesto be worse than any we have ever beenthrough, and reporters will have to honetheir investigative skills to avoid the trapsas they dig for the truth.

The PLP is now urging young Bahami-ans to bring their voices to the nationalstage by taking part in the country’s firstever participatory journalism project. Theyare invited to report from their homesand streets using cell phones and cam-eras. This is fine, but at the receiving end— and before it is put out for public dis-semination – there has to be an experi-enced person checking for accuracy.

Anyone watching news reports of thetroubles in the Middle East, reported byTwitter and cell phones, and broadcastby the international networks, were alwayscautioned that the man in the street wasthe source and that the reports could notbe checked by the networks for accuracy.In other words, listener you are receivinginformation, but beware — it might not allbe true. No journalistic standards hadbeen employed. And for the uninitiated,who might think otherwise, there is moreto journalism than just fact gathering.Those facts have to be verified — checkedand double checked.

One would be surprised at the numberof tips The Tribune receives that by thetime the “facts” have been checked andthe exaggeration and opinions strippedfrom the information, a story is published— but not exactly the one reported bythe telephone caller.

And so if Twitter, Facebook and othersocial media are to enter this election withraw information, there is going to be a lotof public confusion, and trained journalistswill have a mammoth job chasing up thesereports to find out how many are accurate,and how many have to be debunked ascheap propaganda.

For example, when we walked into TheTribune yesterday afternoon, there were

two journalists in animated conversation.We joined them.

They were sceptical about a report thathad been making the rounds all day andwhich they knew in the end would bringnegative results. Knowing the partiesinvolved, they could find no benefits in itbeing true for either party — the FNMor DNA. If true, it would create a moun-tainous credibility problem for the DNA,a problem that Mr McCartney could nottolerate.

The story that we walked into appar-ently emanated from a rejected DNA can-didate, who was now shaking the dust offhis feet as he left a party in which he nolonger had faith.

According to him — with the story gath-ering many new layers in its repeatedtelling — Bran McCartney of the DNAand Prime Minister Hubert Ingrahamwere in huddled talks, resulting in MrMcCartney surrendering his party at thefeet of the Prime Minister. Of course,there was a price. Mr McCartney wouldnot be prime minister as yet, but he wouldbe a stepping stone nearer his goal. In anFNM government, Bran McCartneywould be deputy prime minister. And cur-rent deputy prime minister Brent Symon-ette? He would get the proverbial boot, ofcourse.

Like our senior reporter, when consid-ering the source of the tall tale, knowingthe temperament of the Prime Minister,and what we believe we know of MrMcCartney, we did not give credit to anypart of the story. But our reporters couldnot shrug their shoulders and laugh. Itwas their job to investigate.

Prime Minister Ingraham denied thestory. And so did Mr McCartney, but thePLP clung to it almost as if they weredelighted to have at last found a politicallife line.

Of course, they want voters to believe itis true to discredit the integrity of theDNA, and give the impression that theFNM is crumbling and is leaning on theDNA for support.

According to the PLP, Mr McCartneyand the FNM are hatching a plot “designedto fool Bahamian voters into believing theDNA is something new and providing cov-er for Ingraham’s fading support”.

It is true that political plots are beinghatched — many of them — but this far-fetched tale is not one to be taken seriously.

Decline ofthe middle

classLETTERSletters@tribunemedia.net

A political plot without foundation

NOTICE is hereby given that DONALD THOBY of #96 Baillou Hill Road, P.O.Box SS-5139, Nassau, Bahamas is applyingto the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship,for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of December, 2011 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that HENRETTA VENESSER VIRGIL of Domingo Heights, East Street South is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 21st day of December 2011 to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, P.O.Box N- 7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

EDITOR, The Tribune.Please allow me a little space

to comment on the very kindsentiments of concern for mywelfare and special words ofencouragement expressedtowards me not long ago in aletter to the editor by KevinEvans, a regular letter writer.

Mr Evans’ expression of con-cern regarding the likelihood ofvictimisation being meted outto me or members of my familyin the event of the PLP everregaining governance of theaffairs of our beautiful Bahama-land is likely born out of hisfirst-hand experience of suchtreatment or the likelihood ofsuch treatment having beeninflicted upon a family memberor friend during an earlier PLPregime when intimidation andvictimisation were commonplace, the order of the day.

I share Mr Evans’ hope thatsuch unacceptable behaviourdied when the FNM governmentnot only liberalized the airwaysby granting licenses to multipleradio and television stations butalso simultaneously ushered ina period of freedom of expres-sion previously unheard of inthis land of my birth that I amproud to call my home.

I wish, nevertheless, to assureMr Evans that in discharging theduties entrusted to me, I havealways acted without fear orfavour and I do not intend to stopdoing so now. Such was the casewith the restructuring activity thattook place at ZNS. Individualswere disengaged from both sidesof the political divide. Some indi-

viduals with no known politicalaffiliation were also disengaged.

The board’s mandate was tocreate an organisation that couldbest meet the needs of a publicservice broadcaster. The man-date given demanded that thetalents best able to meet such amandate were retained whilethose not required to achievethe objective were separated.

The process of right-sizing theorganisation did not come easy.However, it was quite necessaryin order to stem the significantdrain on the public purse beingused to provide employment fora select few at the expense ofthe broader taxpayer base. Theactions taken, though necessary,required a courageous board,supported by a courageous yetcaring government and primeminister to be effective.

While the loss of earnings bythe individuals separated isregrettable, it is to be noted thatthe separations were effectedwith the utmost of compassionfor the individuals concerned,separation packages beingappreciably more generousthan stipulated in the collectivebargaining agreements betweenZNS and its unions.

In closing, I wish to once againthank Mr Evans for his concernand his kind words of supportand encouragement and I wishto assure him that it is fully myintention to continue doing rightbecause it is the right thing to do.

MICHAEL R MOSSFreeport, Bahamas,December, 2011.

AA sshhaarreedd hhooppee

By DENISE MAYCOCKTribune Freeport Reporterdmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – A 31-year-old male resident of Freeportwas robbed by gunmen of hisvehicle in the Royal Bahami-an Estates area on Mondaymorning, police reported.

Asst Supt Loretta Mackey,press liaison officer, reportedthat police received a call atabout 9.27am that twomasked men armed with ahandgun robbed the victim ofa dark purple Nissan Skyline,license plate No. 52058.

The victim told police hehad just arrived home at9.25am when he wasapproached by the culpritswho demanded the keys tothis vehicle, which is valued

at $34,000.One of the suspects is

described as being 6’1” tall ofslim build and dark complex-ion. The suspect was alsowearing a mask, a blue andwhite long sleeve shirt, andlong blue jeans.

The second suspect wasdescribed as 6’1” tall of heavybuild and dark complexion.He was wearing a black maskand clothing. Anyone withinformation that can assist thepolice is asked to call in at350-3107/8, 352-9774/5 or 911.

LOCAL NEWS

THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011, PAGE 5

By DENISE MAYCOCKTribune Freeport Reporterdmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – NationalSecurity Minister TommyTurnquest said the govern-ment is committed to theacquisition of 11 mid- to long-range vessels for the RoyalBahamas Defence Force overthe next five years.

He said the additional boatswill improve the force’s effec-tiveness and efficiency, andenable more frequent patrols– limiting or even eliminatingthe threat from drug smug-glers and other criminals inBahamian waters.

Mr Turnquest was speak-ing on Monday at the firstannual Maritime Symposiumon Grand Bahama hosted bythe Royal Bahamas DefenceForce in conjunction with thePort Department and theDepartment of MarineResources.

Noting that the Bahamas isfaced with the “monumentalchallenge” of guarding andprotecting extensive maritimeborders, the minister said sus-tained success can only berealised if all partners worktogether.

“I am pleased to be here inGrand Bahama today to addmy strong support for this sym-posium. I wish to commendthe Royal Bahamas DefenceForce, especially the NorthernCommand, for organising thisimportant event.

“This initiative is a goodexample of the strong andcohesive alliance that needsto be further developed andsustained between Bahamianlaw enforcement agencies, ourfishermen, the Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Association, andour international partnerssuch as the US Coast Guard,in guarding and protectingour borders, and providingemergency search and rescueservices to those who use ourseas,” he said.

Mr Turnquest said theBahamas archipelago spans100,000 square miles of seaand is rich with marineresources – which are nowunder threat by poachers, par-ticularly from the DominicanRepublic.

The Bahamas is also situ-ated between the sources ofillegal narcotics in Central andSouth America, and the prof-itable markets in NorthAmerica and Europe.

“It is this simple fact ofgeography that has, fordecades, driven the persistentand continuing illicit traffick-ing in narcotic drugs and psy-chotropic substances into andthrough our country,” said MrTurnquest.

He said the establisheddrug trafficking routes havenow become arms traffickingand migrant smuggling routes– and at times all these parac-tices are found to be part ofthe same criminal enterprise.

“We have experienced aconcomitant increase in crimeand criminality in our country,no doubt as a result of thesemerged criminal operations,particularly illegal firearmstrafficking,” he said.

Mr Turnquest said the gov-ernment’s policy of acquiringadditional vessels for theDefence Force on a constantbasis, is being combined withcutting-edge training pro-grammes and the decentrali-sation of Defence Force oper-ations to bases throughout thecountry.

“This strategy is alreadypaying dividends as it reducesthe response time to navigateor provide aerial support forthe entire Bahamas,” he said.

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

Extra boats for RBDF

CAR TAKEN BY ROBBERS

On December 7, 2011, theChinese government publisheda White Paper on China’s For-eign Trade. As most Bahami-ans are keen to learn aboutChina’s development, in par-ticular, China’s foreign trade,we, the Chinese Embassy,have submitted the WhitePaper for publication.

PEACE, development andco-operation are the trends intoday’s world. Since the adop-tion of a reform and opening-up policy more than 30 yearsago, China has conformed tothe trend of economic glob-alisation by being more opento the outside world and pro-moting economic and tradeco-operation with other coun-tries on the basis of equalityand mutual benefit.

Through years of develop-ment, foreign trade hasbecome one of China’s mostdynamic and fastest-growingsectors, placing China amongthe world's largest trade coun-

tries. China’s foreign tradedevelopment has strength-ened the nation’s ties with therest of the world, effectivelypushed forward the country’smodernisation, and promot-ed world prosperity andprogress.

The historic progress in Chi-na’s foreign trade has beenclosely connected with thechanges in international anddomestic circumstances. Start-ing in the 1980s, peace anddevelopment became thetheme of the times. With theacceleration of economic glob-alisation, the flow and alloca-tion of capital, technology,products, markets, resources,labour forces and similar ele-ments became more dynamicaround the world.

Scientific and technologicalprogress, led by informationand communications technol-ogy, has greatly improvedproduction efficiency; inter-national industrial transfer hascontinuously deepened anddeveloped.

Economic globalisation, sci-entific and technologicalprogress, international indus-trial transfer and strengthenedco-operation between countrieshave provided historic oppor-tunities for China’s integrationinto the world economy.

The Chinese government,conforming to the trend of thetimes and taking economic con-struction as the central task,has implemented the reformand opening up policy, devel-oped economic and technolog-ical co-operation with othercountries, vigorously and ratio-nally utilised foreign invest-ment, brought its comparativeadvantage into full play, pro-

moted the deepening of thedivision of labour in the inter-national industrial chain, andprovided favourable conditionsfor its own foreign trade devel-opment.

During this process, foreignenterprises, and multination-al corporations in particular,have obtained abundantopportunities to invest in Chi-na, added value to their capi-tal, technology, managementexperience, marketing chan-nels and other elements, andshared the fruits of China’srapid economic growth.

China’s foreign trade devel-opment benefits greatly fromits reform and opening up,from economic globalisation,and from taking the path ofco-operation and mutual ben-efit. China cannot developitself in isolation from the restof the world, and global pros-perity and stability cannot bemaintained without China’sparticipation.

The development of Chi-na’s foreign trade has accel-erated the modernisation ofthe national economy,enhanced the country's com-prehensive strength, andimproved the standard of liv-ing of more than 1.3 billion

Chinese people. It has alsohelped integrate the Chineseeconomy into the world econ-omy, and make economicglobalisation conducive to thecommon prosperity of allcountries and regions.

During the internationalfinancial crisis, China’s for-eign trade was among the firstto stabilise, promoting therecovery of the world econo-my. After the crisis broke outin 2008, the Chinese govern-ment adopted in time a seriesof policies and measures tostimulate the economy,expand domestic demand andstabilise imports and exports.In 2009, global goods importsdecreased by 12.8 per cent,while China’s goods importsincreased by 2.9 per cent,making it the only country tomaintain growth among theworld’s largest economies.

The China factor sustainedthe exports of many countriesaffected by the financial crisis,stimulated demand in the glob-al commodities market, andboosted confidence, giving anew momentum to the world’seconomic recovery andgrowth. During its third reviewof China's trade policy, theWTO pointed out that Chinahad played a constructive rolein stimulating global demandduring the international finan-cial crisis, and had thus madesignificant contributions to thestability of the world.

The development of Chi-na’s foreign trade has helpedenhance the national welfareof China and its trading part-ners. As it accelerated its inte-gration into the global divi-sion of labour, China hasgradually developed into amajor producer and exporter

of industrial products relyingon its labour cost advantage,relatively strong industrialsupport, processing and man-ufacturing capabilities, andincreasing labour productivi-ty. It provides inexpensiveand quality commodities tomeet the diverse demands ofthe international market.

China’s advantage due toeconomies of scale and lowprocessing costs in the globalmanufacturing industry par-tially offsets the rising pricesof upstream factors of pro-duction, playing an importantrole in curbing global infla-tion and raising the real pur-chasing power of consumersof its trading partners.

The development of Chi-na’s foreign trade has provid-ed a broad market for its trad-ing partners. Since 2001, Chi-na’s import of goods hasincreased by approximatelyfive times, representing anannual growth rate of around20 per cent. China’s rapidlyexpanding imports havebecome a major driving forcefor global economic growth,creating an enormous marketfor its trading partners to aug-ment their exports.

At present, China is thelargest export market forJapan, Republic of Korea,Australia, ASEAN, Braziland South Africa, the secondlargest for the EU, and thethird largest for the US andIndia. As China’s industriali-sation and urbanisation moveforward rapidly, and itsdomestic demand keepsgrowing, the country’s con-tinuously expanding andopening market will offerincreasing opportunities to itstrading partners.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 6, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

White Paper to furtherChina’s global role By KHRISNA VIRGIL

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

AN Abaco man wascharged in a South Floridafederal court with aiding andabetting the importation ofcocaine into the US.

According to a SouthernDistrict of Florida press state-ment, Wayde Andrew Collins,35, was charged on Friday,December 16, after police dis-covered 275 kilograms ofcocaine believed to be his.

The drugs were found on alarge red tow boat call “Sorrel”docked at the Sail Fish Marinain Stuart, Florida, on December1, the statement said.

Mr Collins could face 10years to life if he is convictedof the charges.

He is the brother of ClaudeCollins, who was gunneddown almost two weeks agoin Marsh Harbour.

Claude Collins was shotnumerous times in the chestshortly before 8pm on Friday,December 9, at a home inSweeting’s Village.

When The Tribune brokethe story, residents of thecommunity where the 44-year-old victim lived, claimedhis murder was drug andhuman trafficking related.

“(Collins) is known to haveassociation with human traf-ficking, and that usuallyincludes drug trafficking. It’s ahit,” a resident claimed.

He said Mr Collins “wentoutside to get a smoke, he saton the porch and someoneshot him five to six times inthe chest. The coroner saidwhoever shot him was makingsure they killed him”.

According to the resident, aboat was seen leaving theshoreline some 1,000 ft awayfrom the scene shortly afterthe shooting.

When asked for an updateon the matter, SuperintendentNoel Curry, advised The Tri-bune to consult a US daily’swebsite for the specifics onthe case. Central DetectiveUnit officers were flown fromNew Providence to Abaco toinvestigate the matter.

On the same day, Exumapolice discovered decomposedhuman remains that they sus-pected to be a man wanted inconnection with murder of 17-year-old Courtney McKenzie.

Ms McKenzie was stabbedto death last August in MossTown, Exuma. The decom-posed remains were foundhanging from a tree east ofMoss Town, which police sus-pected to have been there forthree to four months.

ABACO MANCHARGED IN

FLORIDA COURT

FLASHBACK to September, when the Bahamas signed an Economic Technical Co-operation Agreementwith China, part of an ongoing relationship between the two countries.

China’s Foreign TradePart one of three

Submitted by the Chinese Embassy, Nassau

FOR the fifth year, the USEmbassy’s American andBahamian staff gathered at theNazareth Centre on Thursday,December 14, to share Yule-tide cheer with the home’s 44children.

US Chargé d’Affaires, JohnDinkelman, led the afternoonof Christmas caroling asembassy staff treated the chil-dren to pizza and drinks.

A special appearance wasmade by Santa Claus, who dis-tributed gifts donated by theembassy community as well astoys donated by the AmericanWomen’s Club as part of theUS Marine’s annual Toys forTots programme.

“I’m so proud of the USEmbassy community for takingtime during this busy holidayseason to give back to the com-munity by ensuring the childrenof the Nazareth Centre experi-ence the joy of the season,” saidMr Dinkelman. “I firmlybelieve that when you are in theservice of your fellowman youare in the service of your God.”

LOCAL NEWS

THE TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011, PAGE 7

NOTICESGC Worldwide Ltd.

(In Compulsory Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that on 15th December, 2011 inaction no. CLE/gen/00050 of 2011 and pursuant to Sec-tions 93 and 105 of the International Business Compa-nies Act, 2000, The Supreme Court of The Common-wealth of The Bahamas ordered that SGC WorldwideLtd. (“the Company”) be placed into liquidation and thatJuan Lopez and Simon Townend, of KPMG Restructur-ing Ltd., 5th Floor, Montague Sterling Centre, East BayStreet, P.O. Box N-123 Nassau, Bahamas be appointedJoint Official Liquidators of the Company, with the au-thority to act jointly or severally.

Dated this 21st day of December 2011

_________________________________Juan Lopez and Simon Townend

Joint Official Liquidators

EMBASSYSTAFF

BRINGSFESTIVE

CHEER TOCENTRE

US EMBASSY staff led by US Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman, standing left of Santa, and embassy staff’s children, front, and Fiordelisa Bain, from the Nazareth Centre, stand-ing right of Santa, gather around the US marines Toys for Tots gifts donation.

EMBASSYSTAFF

BRINGSFESTIVE

CHEER TOCENTRE

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 8, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

For more information visit www.nassaucontainerport.com or call 242.323.7066 or 242.323.7064

THAT KEEPS ONGIVETHE

1,000,000 ordinary shares at B$10 per share. Minimum subscription of50 shares ($500).

January 31, 2012.

NASSAU

&

Prospective investors are advised to read the prospectus in its entirety and/RU�VHHN�SURIHVVLRQDO�ÀQDQFLDO�DGYLFH�

before making a decision.

BUSINESSMAN PeterNesbitt Thomson, 85, of Mon-treal, Canada, who made theBahamas his home, died peace-fully in Aventura Medical Cen-tre, Florida, on Thursday.

Mr Thomson moved to theBahamas in 1977 and sum-mered in Vermont.

He was a prominent busi-nessman, who during hiscareer sat on more than 80corporate boards, includingPower Corporation of Cana-da, where he was Chairmanuntil 1968,The Royal Bank ofCanada, and Caribbean Util-ities. He will be rememberedfor his frankness, his love ofthe sea, friends, and family.

He is survived by his wifeLinda, his children Peter andFrances Patricia, step-childrenAndrew and Leslie Raenden,their spouses Holly, Tim, Julieand Scott and six grandchildren,Monique,Victoria, Christina,Chloe, Ben and William.

Donations in his memoryshould be sent to the Cana-dian Lyford Cay Foundation,PO Box N7776,Nassau.

BUSINESSMANWHO MADE

BAHAMAS HISHOME DIES, 85

PETER NESBITT THOMSON, who has died aged 85.

“They have their propa-ganda machinery focusedheavily on us, but as a localsong suggests, ‘dog don’t barkat park car’.”

Talk show host McKinneyrefused to comment on thematter. He said anything hehad to say would be said onhis radio show.

Prime Minister Ingrahamhas denied the report. How-ever, the PLP released a state-ment last night backing theclaims of a “secret coalition.”

The opposition party said MrMcCartney and the FNM arehatching a plot “designed tofool Bahamian voters intobelieving the DNA is some-thing new and providing coverfor Ingraham’s fading support.”

The PLP questionedwhether Mr McCartney hasalways been an FNM opera-tive, or if the DNA’s “internalturmoil, disorganisation, andfailure to recruit credible can-didates send him back toIngraham’s arms.”

The party claimed manyBahamians will not be sur-prised to hear about thealleged secret deal, becauseof Mr McCartney’s “votingrecord in parliament.”

“Ingraham was againstUrban Renewal. So’s Bran.Ingraham’s against the PLPproposal to double thenation’s investment in educa-tion and training – Bran fol-lowed right in his footstepsopposing it. The mask is offnow, Bran. You can stop yourdouble talk,” the party said.

ffrroomm ppaaggee oonneeBRAN: NO FNM DEAL

ing general elections. My deci-sion in this regard is final andirreversible and I have

informed my leader and therelevant councils of my partyaccordingly.

“At this particular junctureof my life, I need to concen-trate my attention and energyon my legal practice. Hope-fully, however, I will be ableto offer myself for renewedservice to my party and nationin the future.”

Mr Peet expressed his grat-itude to the “good people” ofNorth Andros and the BerryIslands for their loyalty andfor being able to representthem in the House of Assem-bly for the past 10 years.

He also thanked MrChristie for giving him theopportunity to serve as amember of his cabinet.

In a statement, Mr Christiecommended Mr Peet formaking the “sensible” deci-sion not to run for the NorthAndros and Berry Islandsconstituency.

He said: “I accept Mr Peet'sdecision with deep regret. Hehas been a loyal and depend-able ally in Parliament and inthe councils of the Party formany years. Moreover, he hasgiven outstanding service toour nation, especially as a cab-inet minister and as the rep-resentative for the con-stituency of North Andros.

“However, I firmly believethat Mr Peet has made thecorrect decision in agreeingnot to stand in the next elec-tion. I commend him for thecompletely unselfish and sen-sible position he has taken inthis matter.

“I wish Mr Peet well andassure him of my continuedfriendship and support.”

Mr Christie said the PLPhas already started theprocess of selecting a newcandidate to replace Mr Peetin the next general election.

He said the process is beingconducted in close consulta-tion with the PLP’s generalsand supporters in NorthAndros and is expected to becompleted soon.

A source close to the partysaid the PLP is in talks withFNM Clifton MP KendalWright to replace Mr Peet astheir candidate in NorthAndros and the Berry Islands.

Mr Wright, who has pub-licly expressed his disap-pointment in having hisClifton seat cut, is rumouredto be quitting the FNM.

It was speculated that MrPeet was being dropped as aPLP candidate after he wasaccused of mismanaging$180,000 worth of clientfunds.

In a statement to the press,Mr Peet, an attorney by pro-fession, confirmed the exis-tence of “a matter” regardingclient funds, but stated nolegal action is pendingbetween himself and theclient.

This is not the first time MrPeet found himself in the mid-dle of controversy. In 2006,he was the centre of mediacoverage when it was revealedthat his chauffeur stole$10,000 in US $100 bills fromhis bedroom closet in 2003.At that time Mr Peet main-tained the money, which wasall in US currency, was to payhis daughter's college tuition.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 10, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

TO OUR VALUED CUSTOMERS,PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT

BETTY K AGENCIES LIMITEDWill Be Closed To The Public

Friday December 23rd 2011 at 12:00 noon& will Re-open on Wednesday December 28th, 2011

at 8:00 amIn observance of Christmas Day

& Boxing Day Holidaysand

Friday December 30th at 12:00 noon& will re-open on Wednesday January 4th, 2012

at 8:00 amIn observance of the New Year’s Day Holiday.

We Would Like To Thank YouFor your continued patronage throughout the year

& would like toWish You

A Merry Christmas&

Happy & Prosperous New Year

PEET STEPS OUT OFTHE ELECTION RACE

ffrroomm ppaaggee oonnee

VINCENT PEET, the MP forNorth Andros and the BerryIslands, will not stand in thenext elections.

was no evidence of dueprocess relating to how con-tracts were awarded for infra-structure and house building.Millions of dollars of publicmoney were reportedly spentover many years in a lax con-trol environment, accordingto the audit, which cited a sig-

nificant risk of abuse or mis-use of funds, either throughpoor decision-making or cor-ruption.

“The Ministry and Depart-ment do not have any guide-lines or other documentationrelating to procurement strat-egy, specification/requirementdefinition, contractor selec-tion and bid evaluation,” the

audit stated.Yesterday, Mr Major said

he served mainly as aresource person given his“lengthy background” in thedepartment, and providedadvice at meetings he attend-ed whenever necessary.

“I probably could say (myrole was) advice and guidancebut not the hands-on involve-ment of assigning contractsfor infrastructure or homeconstruction,” he said.

“We were located in twodifferent buildings altogeth-er.

“(The directive said) as ofthis date, this person will bedealing with contracts,” hesaid.

Contracts awarded by thegovernment were based onlimited contractual documen-tation, according to the audit,and subsequently offeredinsufficient legal protection.

Deficiencies in contractmanagement furtherincreased the risk of abuse bycontractors as monitoring andtechnical oversight was limit-ed, the audit stated.

Mr Major said AnthonyFerguson was the consultanthired by the Ministry and giv-en the duty of awarding con-struction and infrastructurecontracts. The contracts werestandard documents.

The audit also reported thatfinancial incentives offered bythe Housing programme tohousing contractors wereinsufficient to achieve therequired level of quality man-dated by legislation, and thatthis contributed to the pro-gramme’s poor value formoney.

Mr Major also disputedaudit findings that there wasno formalized system forrecording contractor perfor-mance. He said that the grad-ing system in place at thattime considered not only thecontractor’s performance onthe project but also the easeof doing business with them.However, Mr Major admittedthat the grading system wassubjective and heavily reliantupon the technical capabili-ties of housing inspectors,some of whom were unskilled(see story on page 3).

Mr Major said the respon-sibility for contracting wasrestored to him when theFNM administration tookoffice in 2007; however, hewas transferred out of theministry shortly after.

In 2008, Mr Major wastransferred to the Ministry ofWorks, where he served asacting director. He was thentransferred to the Office ofthe Prime Minister in 2010,and had responsibility for theSouth Beach township. MrMajor was returned to theMinistry of Housing this year.

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 12, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

Telephone: 393-2822, York & Ernest Sts.P.O. Box N-712, Nassau, Bahamas

Butler’s Funeral Homes& Crematorium

Funeral Service For

Marjorie Gonzalez, 66of Sea Breeze Estates,w i l l b e h e l d o nThursday December22nd, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.at The New Mt. ZionMissionary BaptistChurch, Baillou HillR o a d S o u t h .Officiating will bePastor Alfred Stewartassisted by MinisterTheophilus Claridge.

Interment will follow inWoodlawn Gardens Cemetery, Soldier Road.

Left to cherish her memories are her twodaughters: Germain “Gigi”Gonzalez and GinaGonzalez Rolle; one sister: Betty Lobosky; onebrother: David Sands; five grandchildren: T.J.and Jason Forbes, Kelgia, Kara and Kelsie Rolle;one son-in-law: Kelsey Rolle and numerous niecesand nephews and other relatives and friendsincluding: Maria Gonzalez-Graves, DianePritchard and family, Doctors and Nurses of theIntensive Care Unit at Doctors Hospital, Dr.Kevin Moss and staff, Dr. N. Darville, Dr. WestlyFrancis, Pastor Alfred Stewart and family, Pastorand Rev. Carrington Pinder and family, The NewMount Zion family, The Cancer Society BallCommittee, the Gonzalez family, family andfriends of Abaco, Mr. Philip Lightbourn and thestaff of Phil’s food service, management and staffof Purses of Nassau, management and staff ofPrince George Plaza, Ruth Pritchard and family,Kim Major and family, George and Regina Sands,Melba Gibson, Natasha Wilson, Anthony Hinseyand family, Charles Sealy and family, KingswayAcademy family, Jandelee Johnson and family,the Fox family, Bernadette Smith and family,Sidney Cartwright, Russara Bain, Celia Pierre,Lorna Pesito, management and staff of SplashDance and the management and staff of YellowStrawberry.

Friends may pay their last respects at Butlers’Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Ernest and YorkStreets on Wednesday December 21st, 2011, from12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. there will be no viewingat the church.

Funeral Service For The Late

REGINALDDUMONT, 88

of #209 FarringtonRoad, will be held onT h u r s d a y, 2 2 n dDecember, 11:00a.m. atEmmanuel GospelC h a p e l , M a l c o l mAllotment. Pastor TomRoberts will officiate

and interment will be made in LakeviewMemorial, J. F. K. Drive.

Left to remember and celebrate Reginald's lifeare his wife: Ivy Leona Dumont; Pre-deceasedb y S o n - C h e d d i D e a n e D u m o n t ;Daughter:Edda Adolph; Grand Children:Deirdre, Jihan and Cheddi, Dumont Jr., andKobe Adolph; Great Grand-Children - CheddiIII, Aiden and Italia Dumont; Daughter-in-Law: Theresa Dumont; Son-in-Law: RonaldAdolph; Brothers and Sisters-in-law: SheilaLightbourne, Cora Cartwright, Geron andSylvia Turnquest, Lois Turnquest, Chris andAnna Cooper, Carlton and Gretchen Jones,Tom and Lisa Roberts, Ida Turnquest, Chesterand Barbara Turnquest, Berkley and JenniferTurnquest, Dudley and Althea Turnquest,Fronia (Neta) Turnquest, Kenneth and IdaTurnquest. The Girls: Elma Campbell, SandraKnowles, , Elizabeth Darville, Debra Wood,Dawn Jones, Kylie Moore, Lisa Ritchie. TheBoys: Gregory Taylor, Quincy Pinder; The GolfCrew - Harold Munnings and Paul Adderley.Numerous adopted family and friends too manyto list but especially his caregivers of NursesN.N.O.W. .

Friends may pay their last respects at BethelBrothers Morticians #34 Nassau St. onWednesday from 10:00a.m until 6:00p.m. andat the church on Thursday from 10:00 untilservice time.

BETHEL BROTHERSM O R T I C I A N S

Telephone: 322-4433, 326-7030 • Nassau StreetP.O.Box N-1026

SINCE 1943Service Above Self

ffrroomm ppaaggee oonnee

SUPER VALUE Food Stores andKelly's Home Centre recently teamedup to treat more than 50 underprivi-leged children from The Big Harvest

Community Sunday School WoodsAlley.

The children were treated to a partyand gift selection at Kellys with both Mr

Rupert Roberts jr, President of SuperValue, and Mrs Nancy Kelly along withtheir staff personally catered to the chil-dren.

To book an advertisement inThe Tribune, call 502-2352

SUPER VALUE TURN SUPER HEROES FOR KIDS

Consultantblamed forcontracts

gratitude for the new initia-tive from the police.

Nick Simmons, store man-ager of the Breitning Bou-tique, commended the policefor the initiative and their vis-ible presence over themonths.

“I think it’s a very good ini-tiative that the police areputting in place, especially forthis Christmas season. I haveseen the police coverage overthe last few months, it’s beenvery strong.

“They are concerned aboutthe retailers on Bay Street soit’s really good to see thisexperience bring some com-fort to shopping to shoppingin peace and enjoying yourholiday without anything hap-pening. So they’re doing avery good job.”

Dorian Roach, of John BullLtd, agreed and consideredyesterday’s walkabout a“good surprise.”

He said: “I think it’s great.It’s a good surprise to see allthese uniformed officersdowntown and Bay Street.We have noticed that we dohave extra police presencearound and it’s great, espe-cially this time of year whenmost of the unfortunate thingshappen.”

Meanwhile, in wake ofcriminals targetting homesand businesses in the CableBeach district, police are

warning crooks to think oth-erwise, lest they find them-selves behind bars.

The message to criminalscame yesterday afternoonduring the new crime preven-tion initiative tour that pro-gressed from downtown Nas-sau to Cable Beach, West BayStreet.

Before touring parts of theCable Beach district, a touristhot spot throughout the yearand more so during theChristmas holiday season,Supt Elaine Sands of theWestern Division sent thismessage to criminals thinkingabout targeting that area.

She said: “I just wantthem to take note of the suc-cesses we’ve had. You knowwe’ve had armed robberiesin this area and all the cul-prits have been caught and

put behind bars.“So I just want to remind

them, the criminals, that thepolice in the Western Divi-sion are on alert and they’reon the lookout for them. So ifthey come to this area, theycould find themselves behindsbars.”

Speaking to the press out-side of the newly built CableBeach police station, thesenior officer, also in chargeof the Airport police andLyford Cay stations, said thearea has its challenges withbreak-ins and robberies.

However, through new ini-tiatives, they are hoping to“minimize housebreaking andpurse-snatching on this CableBeach strip” and “you knowChristmas is fast approachingand we would like the com-munity and all of our visitorsto be safe,” she added.

According to the officer,new strategies and depart-ments have been put in placeto accomplish this goal sincetheir full opening of the newCable Beach police station,due to the swift progressionof the BahaMar project.

“As it stands now, we haveput in place a bicycle patrolunit. We have a number ofnewly recruited officers aboutand they have been placed onthe bicycles to patrol all thehot spots. And they patrolfrom Goodman’s Bay as farout as Gambier.”

“So we’re really lookingforward to policing this areaand keeping it safe, especial-ly with this new project com-ing on stream and you can seeit’s really moving quickly.”

She further explained thatthe deployment of foreignworkers was also motivation tobeef up security and policing.

“We have a lot of foreign-ers who are here, deployed inthe community and we wantto keep them safe as well.And so we put all these ini-tiatives in place to make surethat Bahamian people have avery safe Christmas.”

LOCAL NEWS

PAGE 16, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2011 THE TRIBUNE

POLICE officers tour Bay Street yesterday. Photos: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff

OFFICERS speak to a trader yes-terday to pass on advice.

OFFICERS pass out safety flyers to a passing motorist.

ffrroomm ppaaggee oonnee

Taking the crimeout of Christmas