Senior Supreme Court Justice Jon Isaacs has granted an injunction that will keep web shops from shutting down. Attorneys Wayne Munroe and Alfred Sears were before the judge this morning representing a group of web shop bosses. Last night, Prime Minister Perry Christie ordered an end to all web shop gaming in The Bahamas after voters on Monday overwhelmingly voted against the regulation and taxation of web shops, and the establishment of a national lottery. As many as 3,000 people reportedly work in the industry.

Some web shops were closed this morning while the matter was before the courts but many were open. Munroe told The Nassau Guardian that the injunction "holds the status quo with regard the applicants before Justice Isaacs until the matter comes before the judge who will hear it". He said the issues that will be tried are whether what the numbers bosses do is caught by the Lotteries and Gaming Act and whether that Act is constitutional.

Munroe said Sears has also indicated that he intends to argue that the operators had a legitimate expectation to operate as they would have met with officials under the Ingraham administration to discuss possible regulation, and their licenses would have remained in place.

Munroe said the matter is being forwarded to Chief Justice Sir Michael Barnett who will either assign it to another judge or hear it himself. The matter was heard in Justice Isaacs' chambers. According to Munroe, representatives for the crown (Loren Klein and Darren Henfield) indicated that they intend to present evidence in the matter. Munroe represents Island Game, Island Luck, FML Group of Companies, Asue Draw, Whatfall and Chances Sears represents Paradise Games.

Presently, the baseball situation in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas is still in a quandary. The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has taken on board Senator Greg Burrows, who no doubt has been charged with the responsibility of trying to network a compromise between the Bahamas Baseball Association (BBA) and the Bahamas Baseball Federation (BBF). There is uncertainty about what will ultimately happen.
What's the ongoing dilemma? For readers who have not been keeping abreast of the issue, there are two baseball groups in the country. One, the BBA, is the parent body and the organization with the full baseball history in the country. The other, the BBF, is the vibrant entity with member bodies throughout the country. However, it is the BBA that is recognized by the international baseball world.
Jim Wood, the much-criticized president of the BBA, has reportedly been quite stubborn and is perceived by many as the villain. Some see him as the old guy who refuses to step aside for younger leadership. There is some merit to that I suppose. Personally, I believe he has made his contribution and would do well to allow others to gracefully escort him, with all the due accolades, into the sunset.
Wood was an excellent player for many years and is one of the names most positively associated with the St. Bernard's baseball organization. There is another bit of information that is generally unknown about Wood. He happens to have a background as an official of the Pan American Baseball Federation (or Confederacion Pan Americana de Beisbol-COPABE). He is known in the regional baseball mix. Wood has recognition status and to his credit, there have been instances when he could have caused the BBF to be ignored.
There was the occasion when The Bahamas got a major amateur triumph. A BBF team represented the country at the University Games in Cuba and defeated the host team 2-1. It was a glorious occasion for The Bahamas that would not have happened had Wood not endorsed the participation. Wood will tell you that he was called about the team that did not arrive in Cuba with BBA sanction.
"I could have stopped them. They would have been sent back home, but I couldn't do that to The Bahamas," he explained.
In truth, while it is good copy and nice to see the BBF interacting with Major League Baseball (MLB), all Wood has to do is communicate a concern to the confederation or the International Baseball Federation (IBF) and the BBF would find itself facing a wall, regionally and internationally.
At this point, despite the fact that the IBF wants the local matter settled in the best interest of the program here, the BBA is still considered the parent body for the sport in the country. Burrows will have to sit with Wood and make a mighty effort to come to some kind of an arrangement. Burrows' position as a consultant with ministry means little in the grand scheme of things. The IBF and COPABE do not recognize government intrusion in sports. Woods can ignore Burrows and the baseball situation would stay the same.
Quite frankly, like it or not, getting Wood to sit down and come to a middle of the road agreement, is essential. Although the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) has been brought into the mix by the international body, Wood is still a powerful force and will remain that way unless, or until the BOC, IBF and COPABE take some extreme action. There could be a decision to ban Wood from his role as BBA President.
Will that ever happen? I doubt it, so, the Jim Wood/baseball saga continues.
(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)

The president of the Exuma Chamber of Commerce says that the deputy prime minister is expected to meet with lawyers concerning Oceania Heights Limited this week to resolve the ongoing dispute.
Pedro Rolle told Guardian Business that investors in the controversial development were upbeat and hopeful following last Friday's meeting at the Ministry of Works and Urban Development.
Since then, the chamber president has encouraged all investors to compile information on their case and state exactly what they hope to achieve through the complaint. These files will be presented to Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis prior to meeting the lawyers.
"He didn't say when, but he did say this week. He was very specific," Rolle said.
"I think both sides are mindful that nothing can immediately be done with the stroke of a pen. But without exception the investors are upbeat and felt his involvement in this process is the most attention they have received so far. They are hopeful good things will come of this."
Last Friday's meeting, attended exclusively by Guardian Business, went over a dizzying array of issues in regards to the Exuma project.
The principals of Oceania Heights have been accused of double-selling lots, failing to process stamp duty and provide official documentation, and falling behind in the construction of amenities. It has also been alleged that lots were sold prior to Oceania Heights receiving subdivision approval.
Anthony Thompson and Howard Obront, the principals of Oceania, have denied any wrongdoing and expressed willingness to work through the matter.
Oceania Heights includes more than 40 acres of pristine, oceanfront property. Dozens of lots have been sold to international investors over the last 10 or so years.
In the compilation of documents and demands, Rolle from the Chamber of Commerce said around half of the more than a dozen investors simply want their money back. The other half are demanding a clear title so ownership is 100 percent determined.
Rolle said last week's meeting was an important step to achieving resolution.
"I think it has been a positive thing and it's a wonderful concept. We are grateful that it has come to this point," he told Guardian Business.
Both the public and private sector have acknowledged in recent weeks that the Oceania dispute has been damaging to the reputation of The Bahamas. Regardless of fault, stakeholders appear to have reached a point where a speedy resolution is in the best interests of all parties.

OUT OF 38 constituencies in the Bahamas only three returned a majority "yes" vote, Acting Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall said yesterday.