News Archives

Bahamas Prime Minister Meets Rick Fox and Magic Johnson

Bahamas Prime Minister Meets Rick Fox and Magic Johnson

Mon, Dec 31st 2012, 05:52 PM

Nassau, Bahamas -

Prime Minister the Rt.
Hon. Perry Christie meets with Rick Fox and Earvin "Magic"
Johnson, former National Basketball Association championship stars with
the Los Angeles Lakers at his office December 31, the last day of 2012. Picture from left: Minister of
National Security the Hon. Dr. Bernard Nottage; Minister of State for
Investments the Hon. Khaalis Rolle; Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie
Wilchcombe; Rick Fox; Prime Minister Christie; "Magic" Johnson;
Attorney General the Hon. Allyson Maynard-Gibson; and Deputy Prime Minister
the Hon. Philip "Brave" Davis.

Design Caribbean 2013 Conference Coming to Grand Bahama

Design Caribbean 2013 Conference Coming to Grand Bahama

Mon, Dec 31st 2012, 03:47 PM

Freeport, Grand Bahama
- Organizers of the Design Caribbean Tradeshow have set their sights on
Grand Bahama Island, as the location for its 2013 International Expo
and Fair, following a very successful event in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic, in early 2010.

Event organizers, the Caribbean Export
Development Agency, (CEDA) recently met with executives of The Grand
Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) as part of a regional tour,
scouting the future location for the 2013 Design Caribbean event.

Executive
Director of CEDA Mrs. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Mr. David Gomez and the
CEDA team, say that they are excited to work with the relative bodies to
bring...

M. P.'s Year-End Report to Constituents...

M. P.'s Year-End Report to Constituents...

Mon, Dec 31st 2012, 01:01 PM

Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis Member of Parliament, Killarney Year-End 2012 Report to Constituents

I would like to once again thank the constituents of Killarney for re-electing me on May 7th, 2012 to return as your representative in parliament.

As you are no doubt aware, my role now includes not just that of your M. P, but I am also The new Leader of The Free National Movement Party. Both responsibilities are equality important to me and to the nation. I will continue to give you the representation that you expect and deserve.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve, and as your employee I am submitting to you a brief year-end report.

STAYING IN TOUCH WITH RESIDENTS One of my major goals is to stay in constant contact with residents so that I am aware of the issues that affect you. I have already met with residents in a number of areas and my goal is to continue making the rounds during the course of the coming year so that I can hear your issues, concerns and suggestions first hand.

Please feel free to email me at killarneymp@gmail.com or call the office for an appointment at 327-7006. In addition to our website (www.thekillarneyvoice.com), text message service and blast emails, we now have a new TEXT HOTLINE which allows you to text any issues or complaint that you would like to see addressed. The number is 376-7509.


COMPLAINTS I have received a number of complaints from various areas of the constituency over the past six (6) months, including insufficient street lightening or lights that need to be repaired, vacant properties that needed clearing, derelict cars that needed to be removed, streets that need paving, poor garbage collection, missing street signs, water and sewerage issues, and trees that needed cutting prior to the hurricane.

In every case, I have personally brought these issues to the attention of the appropriate authorities and I am happy to report that the majority of them have been dealt with appropriately. I am asking that you keep me informed of any issue that is still pending so that I can follow-up with the necessary requests.

JOBS The need for jobs continue to be one of the major priorities for residents in the community, and Killarney's Job Assistance Program is still in place and very active. Residents who are unemployed are encouraged to submit your resumes at this link:http://www.mycontactform.com/hosted/form.php?formid=362296 or email to us at killarneyjobassistance@gmail.com so that you can be added to our database and notified when positions become available. We thank the many persons/businesses who have submitted job openings and we look forward to your continued participation in our program.

HURRICANE SANDY Residents were kept informed, prior to and during the recent hurricane, and a video report in the aftermath of the hurricane was submitted. http://youtu.be/PdY0n-PjtEc. I am happy to report that the majority of damage reported in the aftermath of the hurricane, has now been repaired. I encourage all Killarney residents to stay vigilant and be prepared during the hurricane season.

CONSTITUENCY ACTIVITIES One of our first activities after the May election in Killarney was our Annual Let’s Read Summer Program - Six (6) Killarney students won computers as a result. I encourage the youth of Killarney to continue to excel academically. We will begin very soon, another program (a “peer to peer” program) which would not only help students who have difficulty in certain areas, but will assist those who need to gain points for being involved in community programs.

Free Pottery Classes for both the youth and adults have been held at the constituency office, thanks to a Killarney resident, Mrs. Joann Behagg. I encourage all killarney residents who are to willing share your expertise with members of the community to offer your services. Teaching various skills to willing participants can go a long way to assist in nation building and even provide careers.

In lieu of a Christmas Party, Killarney held a Christmas competition where members of the constituency were invited to choose a child in one of three (3) age categories and write a 250 word essay to say why that child should win a computer. Three students won computers. Again, I encourage all students to stay focused and continue to excel and continue your participation in our activities.

DEATH ANNOUNCMENTS It is always sad to have to share news about the death of our loved ones. As your representative, please know that I feel your pain during these difficult times and beginning in the new year, I will dedicate a space on our website to send condolences to persons who have suffered the loss of relatives in our community. Please feel free to email me at killarneymp@gmail.com with any condolences that you would like shared. Please note that we would need to confirm the details before posting.

KILLARNEY CONSTITUENCY FNM ASSOCIATION I would like to thank the Killarney Constituency FNM Association under the chairmanship of L. Sidney Saunders for their assistance as we move forward. The Association arranged our recent constituency meeting held at Blake Road Community Centre, where residents were informed about the details regarding the upcoming gambling referendum and were allowed to voice their opinions and/or concerns. http://youtu.be/-Z9gI2u-BMU We were able to conduct an online survey, were Killarney residents gave their views about the referendum. The results were shared during the meeting.

The majority of the residents who participated were not in favor of the legalization and regulation of web shops. Residents can still vote at this link:http://poll.pollcode.com/7ybwny The Association will continue to keep you informed of upcoming meetings to be held.

I would like to thank those of you who have kept me informed about issues that need to be addressed and I encourage you to continue to stay in touch. You are my eyes and ears in the community and it will take all of us to keep Killarney working together! Thank you again for the opportunity to serve!

Hon. Dr. Hubert A. Minnis, Member of Parliament, Killarney Leader, Free National Movement.

Economic Woes Persist on the Eve of 2013
Economic Woes Persist on the Eve of 2013

Mon, Dec 31st 2012, 11:34 AM

Murder Count SoarsBbeyond 100
Murder Count SoarsBbeyond 100

Mon, Dec 31st 2012, 11:32 AM

Gambling Debate Builds Steam
Gambling Debate Builds Steam

Mon, Dec 31st 2012, 11:29 AM

Gun Charges Dropped 'For National Security'

Gun Charges Dropped 'For National Security'

Mon, Dec 31st 2012, 11:26 AM

The Acting Attorney General who signed a written directive to have gun and ammunition charges against a couple discontinued says he did so because it was a matter of national security. Jerome Fitzgerald, appointed as Acting AG in the event that the Attorney General is out of the country, said that his review of the file relating to George and Janice Hayes led to him concluding that the matter should be discontinued. The charges were discontinued on Friday. In a statement released afterwards, Mr Fitzgerald said: “On the 28th day of November 2012, Mrs Allyson Maynard-Gibson, the Attorney General, left the jurisdiction of The Bahamas on Government business.

“In the absence of the Attorney General I acted as Attorney General. During the absence of Mrs Maynard-Gibson, I reviewed the file relating to Janice Hayes and George Hayes and satisfied myself that it was appropriate to discontinue the prosecution. “As a consequence, I executed a nolle prosequi. This is a matter of national security and as a consequence I have no further comment on this subject.” The couple each faced a charge of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition. It was claimed that on February 3, 2010 the two were found in possession of a .380 pistol and 19 live rounds of ammunition for the weapon.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges at their arraignment days after their arrest in 2010. They continued to deny the allegations against them. On December 21, their attorney was expected to make a closing address to the court concerning the evidence brought against her clients. However, prosecutor ASP Ercel Dorsett brought correspondence from the Attorney General’s office giving a directive to discontinue proceedings. The nolle prosequi was rejected by the deputy chief magistrate because the document was not dated and it was not clear who had signed it.

She asked the prosecutor to send the document back and adjourned the case to December 28. Last Friday, Garvin Gaskin, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, appeared before the court and said the issues that had arisen concerning the document had been rectified. Deputy Chief Magistrate Bethell inspected the document and asked Mr Gaskin who the Acting Attorney General was who had signed the directive. “The Acting Attorney General at the time was Jerome Fitzgerald,” said Mr Gaskin. The magistrate addressed the couple and told them of the document’s contents. However, she said, the matter could be brought back at any time the Attorney General wished as the pair were not acquitted, only discharged.