Dear Editor,

The late great and deeply lamented Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, former Premier and Prime Minister of this wonderful nation, was a visionary, even if some of his political and economic antics caused massive grief for countless Bahamians. It was he, along with his speech writers, who coined the then electrifying slogan: ‘A square deal’ more than 40 years ago.

Under that plan, the average Bahamian who had long been overlooked and marginalized by the then political directorate (United Bahamian Party) was promised a bigger portion of the economic and political pie, so to speak, that was available but perceived to being hogged up by the elitist white Conchy Joe Bahamian and their black supporters.

This was a no brainer and a slogan which captivated the dreams and imaginations of tens of thousands of residents in the inner city and over-the-hill areas of New Providence. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the 1970s, 1980s and right up to the 1990s was acknowledged, even by its detractors, as the party of ‘the people’ and it ushered in many of the societal and institutional advances that we see today.

While many may argue, unsuccessfully, that the middle class has been and is being decimated by the cockeyed policies of the Gold Rush Administration, it is now clear that two and a half years into another term in office, the current top tier of leadership within this iconic party has lost its collective way and may well be living in the fifth dimension. It is, obviously, out of touch and in an apparent ‘don’t care’ mode.

The average Bahamian does not ask for much from their political representatives and very seldom would they take to the streets in protests or demonstrations even when he/she is treated badly or ignored. Haitians and Jamaicans are prone to loudly and publicly vent their grievances. It is a given that some of them even over turn vehicles and burn rubber tires to make their point. Oftentimes there are casualties. Not so in The Bahamas.

We are passive and respectful, generally speaking, of authorities and the rule of law. Take for instance this fiscal revenue enhancement exercise called value-added tax (VAT) which was implemented the start of this year. It is accepted that we need to generate more revenue. It is also clear that we need to have more public accountability and transparency by our politicians, across the board.

Public funds are being spent and wasted in many cases that beg for logical explanations which, in many instances, are not forthcoming. The proverbial ‘cookie jar’ is alive and extremely well.

Contracts are awarded by all administrations to cronies and supporters who have little or no clue as to how to go about performing the terms and conditions of the same. In many cases it has been alleged that these so-called ‘contractors’ have finessed the salient art of ‘bullskating’, for want of a better expression, their employees with the excuse: “The check has not been released by the ministry yet…” When they do get the check, many employees are still not paid and resentment grows.

No one should forget the individual who ripped up a long stretch of the Airport Gateway road after he was allegedly not paid by the road builder. I believe that he is languishing (or should be) up at the correctional facilities in Fox Hill.

The loquacious Virginius Alfred Gray (PLP-MICAL), our current minister of agriculture and fisheries, was quoted as saying, after the still unclassified destruction by fire of a dormitory at the BAMSI campus in Andros, that a disgruntled contractual employee had “confessed” to arson. Lo and behold, weeks later no one has been charged and, according to the police, there are several individuals of interest.

It is now a common phenomenon to see tens of millions of dollars of public money being frittered away by politicians; their cronies and bag men/women. Kisses have long gone by favor in this nation and it is clear that it is who you are or who you know. This is dead wrong and no way to build a solid society where we are all regarded as able to access all of the benefits which The Bahamas may have to offer.

Urban Renewal is a wonderful program but we have to ask if it is relevant and achieving the stated objectives. Certain aspects of it are beneficial, such as the improvements to one’s home, but there is too much wastage in the awarding of bogus contracts to remove derelict motor vehicles and to cut down grass and weed.

The middle class will survive but I am more concerned about the many thousands of our fellow Bahamians who are living from paycheck to paycheck (where there might be one) and are on an economic tread mill – they are not going forward and they are not going backwards. It has been suggested that the vast majority of our people don’t have even $1,000 in their bank account.

There is scarce available affordable real estate or housing in New Providence. There are, apparently, little or no incentives by any administration to economically empower individuals by making Crown Land readily available for the construction of a home or other buildings. Too often it appears that the white direct foreign investors are treated by a different yardstick than a black potential entrepreneur.

Sir Lynden, God bless his soul, and his crew were, initially, all about political ascendency for the unwashed masses and, by extension, their own dominance of the political directorate. While they mouthed the necessity to economically ‘empower’ the rank and file, that was, I submit, yet another cliché and bogus political slogan.

Mortgage relief was a fundamental plank in the PLP’s electoral platform in 2012. I told them long ago that that was a pie in the sky exercise in futility. They laughed me to scorn. Two and a half years later the silence on this issue is deafening.

A mortgage is a contractual arrangement between the lender and the borrower. The administration, regardless of who is in or who is out, has no potential locus standi and to suggest otherwise is akin to massive fraud and bamboozle.

The Gold Rush Administration has a golden opportunity to rise to the occasion in the formulation and implementation of a Square Deal 2.0 along the economic lines first promulgated by the PLP way back in 1973.

There is no more time to waste if we are to really economically empower our people. Those who are already rich, materially, will make it. The middle class will continue to eke out an existence.

I could care less about the political posturing and gyrations of the current prime minister. He has set up the various councils and committees of the PLP in such a way that it would be almost impossible to dethrone him. As a lawyer by training and a Christian minded individual, I would never advocate a coup against his interregnum but something has got to give as it is clear to all that he, like so many others, is a resident of the fifth dimension.

Dr. Andre Rollins (PLP-Ft. Charlotte), a bogus PLP, if ever there were one, fired the first shot across the bow of SS Christie with absolutely no real repercussions. It is obvious that If this political pygmy could do this with impunity, Christie’s days as PM are clearly numbered and the handwriting is large and in charge on the wall.

The PLP needs a fresh; new and bold leader. I look forward to the day when the PM will gently go into the night and take a well deserved break from front line politics. The ascendency of a ‘people’s man’ in the form of the Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, DPM, will usher in a new day for this wonderful nation and our best shot , for this generation, of achieving, feeling and seeing a Square Deal.

It is those who reside in the inner city areas of New Providence; the ghettoes in Grand Bahama and the slums in Abaco and Eleuthera about whom I am most concerned. A Square Deal 2.0 may not be the panacea that will wipe away the tears from every eye or bring sight back to the blind, but we must try something different and apply it on a sustained basis. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

– Ortland H. Bodie Jr.

Despite the frigid conditions in the Northeast section of the United States, Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn found a way to get hot on the court for Michigan State. So hot, that he finished the game with a career high eight points for the Spartans in their 71-51 rout of Rutgers University in their Big Ten matchup.

Nairn shot a perfect 4-4 from the field in 16 minutes off the bench for the Spartans. He also finished with two rebounds and an assist. Nairn's previous high had been seven points, which came in a 70-50 win over Indiana on January 5.

Tum Tum's minutes have fluctuated over the course of the season as he continues to try and find a consistent role in Tom Izzo's ball club. A game like this could prove to be a step in the right direction.

The matchup between the two schools was originally supposed to take place on Tuesday, but was postponed due to a blizzard in New York.

Michigan State lost two of its previous three games coming into the contest, but against Rutgers, they looked like a completely different team. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said that he has never seen a stranger basketball season in the Big Ten Conference.

"Some nights your team is awfully good, the next the opposite. Teams are winning by 30 and then losing by 20," Izzo said. "It's frustrating, I bet, for fans, media and coaches. As far as we're concerned, I thought there were some bright spots and we got back to our roots. We defended well, we rebounded well and we got on the fast break well."

Brenden Dawson led the Spartans scoring attack with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Bryn Forbers also chipped in with 18. The turning point of the game was a second half run of 18 straight points by the Spartans, which gave them a 52-36 lead. The lead grew to 62-36 before the Scarlet Knights made another basket. Rutgers finished 16-55 from the floor and 4-14 from long distance.

The Spartans held the Knights leading scorer, Myles Mack, to just seven points on 2-10 shooting. Kadeem Jack was Rutgers' top scorer in the game with 17 points. With the win, the Spartans now hold a record of 14-7 and are 5-3 against Big Ten opponents.

Next up, the Spartans will take on in-state rival Michigan University (13-8). That game is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. and will be broadcast live on CBS.

GENERAL SITUATION: A cold front will move into the Northwest Bahamas on Friday.

Friday 30th – Partly cloudy and mild today, turning cloudy, windy and cool tonight with the chance of few scattered showers over the Northwest Bahamas in the vicinity of the front. Maximum Temperature 78°F and Minimum Temperature 59°F. Small Craft Caution will come into effect tonight after the frontal passage. Winds light & variable at 10 knots or less today but shifting northwest to north at 15-20 knots tonight after the frontal passage. Seas 3 feet or less today but building 4-7 feet after the front passes.

Saturday 31st – Variable cloudiness, cool and windy with a few showers in the vicinity of the front during the day and into the night. Maximum Temperature 77°F and Minimum Temperature 60°F. Small Craft Advisory in effect for the Northwest & Central Bahamas. Winds N-NE 15-20 knots. Seas 4-7 feet over the ocean.

Sunday 1st – Variable cloudiness, cool and windy with a few scattered showers in the vicinity of the front during the day and into the night. Maximum Temperature 78°F and Minimum Temperature 61°F. Small Craft Caution in effect. Winds NE-E 15-20 knots. Seas 4-7 feet over the ocean.

Monday 2nd – Cloudy and windy at first with scattered showers. Maximum Temperature 78°F and Minimum Temperature 73°F. Small Craft Caution in effect for the Central & Southeast Bahamas. Winds SE 10-15 knots at first becoming SW at 10 knots by nighttime in the Northwest Bahamas and E-SE 15-20 knots in the Central & Southeast Bahamas. Seas 2-4 feet over the ocean in the Northwest Bahamas and 4-7 feet over the ocean in the Central & Southeast Bahamas.

Tuesday 3rd – Mostly sunny; fair and cool tonight. Maximum Temperature 77°F and Minimum Temperature 67°F. Small Craft Caution in effect. Winds NE 15-20 knots. Seas 4-6 feet over the ocean.

Wednesday 4th – Partly sunny with a chance of few brief showers. Maximum Temperature 77°F and Minimum Temperature 68°F. Small Craft Caution in effect. Winds E-SE 15-20 knots. Seas 4-6 feet over the ocean.

Some 60 participants in the Government's Fresh Start programme were told on Thursday that "Failure is not an option" by Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville during the opening session at Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute.

Minister Darville told the participants of his personal story of having come from very humble beginnings, but used the opportunities presented and was educated through scholarships.

"This 15 week-employment skills programme is geared toward you, the youth of our country, and is designed to equip you with the skills and experiences that are necessary to successfully find and retain a sustainable job. As most of you are aware, unemployment is very high among young people and finding a job is not always easy, especially when an individual lacks the basic qualifications and experience that employees are looking for.

"Franklin D. Roosevelt, former President of The United States once said, 'we cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.' The government of The Bahamas recognises this important need and is therefore providing you 60 participants a second chance to receive the training, the tools and experiences necessary so that you will develop personally, professionally and as a result you will be able to function successfully in the workplace."

The Minister further stated that the programme is an opportunity and they should they should use their experiences and where they have come from as stepping stones to become productive citizens of the country. Using a few of the previous graduates from the programme as examples, he said they now hold positions in places such as Atlantis, Memories, Four Seasons Resort and other very successful companies.

Even though life may not be easy and there are seasons of disappointments, it is how they deal with failure and their ability persevere that will determine their success.

"By enrolling in this programme, you are taking the first step on your road to new opportunities. However, like on any road, you may encounter obstacles, potholes, speed bumps and things that may possibly slow you down or hinder your progress for a moment. Use these to help you to identify your weak areas and to better yourselves. Remember that you cannot give up and failure is not an option! Set your mind, soul and heart upon doing everything necessary to complete this programme and to become your best."

The Minister added, "You must make no excuses. You must also be willing to make personal sacrifices and prioritize. Determine what it will take to become the best and make daily choices to stay on the narrow road. Make the right choices about your time management and your friends. From this point on, you must have people around you who will help you to achieve your goals. Proverbs 13:20 warns us all, 'Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.' Do not spend time with persons who participate in illegal, immoral and foolish activity. This will lead you into the wide road that will carry you far away from fulfilling your goals. Determine to be an individual of both value and success.

"Finally, young people, today you have an opportunity to start afresh. This means that you have the ability to do something new, uncommon and out of the ordinary. You have the chance to open new doors, attract different people and revolutionize your life. You can do it."

Also present was the Director of Youth, Darren Turnquest and the Coordinator of Youth Programmes at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mrs. Carla Brown.

FRESH START PROGRAMME - The Fresh Start Programme was officially launched on Thursday at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute where 60 participants were addressed by the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville along with the Director of Youth, Mr. Darren Turnquest and the Coordinator of Youth Programmes at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mrs. Carla Brown Roker. Shown are the participants with Minister Darville, Mr. Turnquest and Mrs. Brown Roker. (BIS Photo/Andrew Miller)