2012 Pageant Schedule Enclosed

Freeport, Grand
Bahama -  Miss Grand Bahama Beauty Pageant Organization is set to
present their 2012 Miss Grand Bahama contestants during an unveiling on
April 6, 2012 at 8pm under the theme, Mystical Wonders of Grand Bahama. 
The event will once again take place at Sabor Restaurant and Bar at the
Pelican Bay Hotel at Lucaya.

This is a FREE event and open to the public, and

in attendance will be sponsors, press, friends and family, and also  2011 Miss Grand Bahama,  Keriann Stuart.

The Miss Grand
Bahama Beauty Pageant Organization is pleased and excited to present to
the beautiful and intelligent young contestants to Grand Bahama...

NASSAU, Bahamas -- Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham suspended the House of Assembly until May 22nd Wednesday afternoon, signalling a later than expected 2012 General Election.
By law, the House will automatically be prorogued on May 23rd forcing a General Election to be called. From that date, an election must be held within 90 days.
SOURCE: The Tribune
 

Outgoing St. Cecilia MP Cynthia 'Mother' Pratt was near tears as she sat on the front steps of the House of Assembly yesterday afternoon minutes after Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham abruptly moved to suspend Parliament, robbing her of the opportunity to say her goodbyes to her faithful constituents.
Pratt, who was surrounded by her constituents, said she was deeply hurt and expressed shock that she along with other retiring members of Parliament were not given that opportunity.
As PLP MP Picewell Forbes stood up to speak on a land resolution yesterday, Ingraham moved to suspend Parliament until May 22.
He told The Nassau Guardian shortly after that the House of Assembly would not meet again until after the general election.
Others including former Speaker Oswald Ingraham and fired Housing Minister Kenneth Russell shared Pratt's disappointment.
Pratt, who served in St. Cecelia for the past 15 years, said all she wanted was a few minutes to address the nation.
"You didn't have to shut it down like that," she said, referring to Prime Minister Ingraham.
"At least permit those of us who have given of ourselves over the past 15 years -- my God give me five minutes. I'm entitled to five minutes to say farewell to the Bahamian people.
"I'm just so hurt because I wanted them to know that I'm grateful. I was even going to thank the sitting prime minister for something that he did for the people of my area."
Ingraham, the outgoing MP for South Eleuthera, described the prime minister's move as 'ridiculous'.
"Many of us have been here for many of years," he said outside the House of Assembly. "At least we ought to be able to say thanks to our colleagues and of course our supporters -- not just abruptly bring proceedings to a close like that. I thought it was very much uncalled for. We deserve better than that."
He added, "I trust that at some point, at another forum perhaps, I can say how much I appreciate them and their assistance."
Russell, outgoing MP for High Rock, also expressed regret that he was not given the opportunity to publicly say goodbye to his constituents.
"I would have loved to say a few words to my people on the last day of Parliament," Russell told The Nassau Guardian. "I believe that those of us who are not seeking re-election should have been given the opportunity to say goodbye to those who supported us and to leave Parliament on a very good note."
Russell said he believes Prime Minister Ingraham suspended Parliament because he was afraid that some of the outgoing MPs would have said something that would hurt the Free National Movement.
"The prime minister might have suspected that some people may have gotten negative and political in their farewell and he decided that he would not allow that," he said.
Russell added that he also wanted the opportunity to say farewell to his former colleagues despite what may have happened in the past.
Opposition Leader Perry Christie said he was not surprised by the prime minister's move.
He said Ingraham demonstrated his usual dictatorial ways.
Christie expressed "strong regret" that Pratt and Oswald Ingraham were not given the opportunity to speak.
"It was incredibly and absolutely wrong," Christie told reporters after the House of Assembly suspended.

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

CITY Markets' principal yesterday said "two very serious" Bahamas-based players were now assessing the possible acquisition of the struggling five-store supermarket chain, describing them as "some of the most respected business people in this town and business".

Mark Finlayson, head of the Finlayson family-owned vehicle, Trans-Island Traders, which holds the 78 per cent majority stake in City Markets' operating parent, Bahamas Supermarkets, told Tribune Business he would probably have closed a deal to sell control on Monday had it not been for the emergence of Bahamas-based interest.

Describing himself as "very confident" t ...