THE government has made no progress towards enacting campaign finance laws three years after Prime Minister Perry Christie said he was committed to addressing the problem, with State Minister for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez revealing to The Tribune yesterday that a draft of the legislation has been languishing since 2007. In a frank admission, Mr Gomez said: “Privately most members support (campaign finance laws) on both sides. The problem is when we get in the group and start looking at how to raise money to fund campaigns, all the principles start to disappear ... at this point I have no update on it. The draft that exists needs to be vastly updated. It requires a lot of work. It was in draft form at the end of 2007...”

THE government has made no progress towards enacting campaign finance laws three years after Prime Minister Perry Christie said he was committed to addressing the problem, with State Minister for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez revealing to The Tribune yesterday that a draft of the legislation has been languishing since 2007.

In a frank admission, Mr Gomez said: “Privately most members support (campaign finance laws) on both sides. The problem is when we get in the group and start looking at how to raise money to fund campaigns, all the principles start to disappear ... at this point I have no update on it. The draft that exists needs to be vastly updated. It requires a lot of work. It was in draft form at the end of 2007...”

 

 

DIRECTOR of the Princess Margaret Hospital Mary Walker in a move to quell concerns over the hospital’s new electronic-pass system said on Friday that the initiative was introduced to improve the facility’s security services. The new system, which was introduced last week, provides a more “proactive measure to security,” Ms Walker said...

DIRECTOR of the Princess Margaret Hospital Mary Walker in a move to quell concerns over the hospital’s new electronic-pass system said on Friday that the initiative was introduced to improve the facility’s security services.

The new system, which was introduced last week, provides a more “proactive measure to security,” Ms Walker said...

 

NASSAU, Bahamas -- To show support and solidarity on World AIDS Day, December 1, local medical supplier Ports International recently made a donation to the Bahamas AIDS Foundation. The Bahamas AIDS Foundation is a non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to the fight against HIV/AIDS in the community and worldwide, by providing programs and activities to continuously fight HIV/AIDS in the Bahamas.
As stated by Mrs. Michele Rassin-Moodie "We have come such a long way in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Huge global efforts such as the UNAIDS Strategy Getting to Zero have proven results as more people are accessing treatment and prevention services; but we are not there yet. Corporate partners must assist the Bahamas AIDS Foundation in raising awareness, prevention, treatment and reducing HIV/AIDS in the Bahamas."
How can you help support the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Bahamas? Make a donation to the Bahamas AIDS Foundation in their commitment to Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections, Zero mother to child transmissions, and Zero AIDS-related deaths. Proudly adorn your red ribbons, wearing one is a sign that together, we can stop the spread of HIV and end prejudice. Support the Bahamas AIDS Foundation and call 242-325-9326 or email aidsfoundationbahamas@yahoo.com.

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Chairman Bradley Roberts said the party will begin ratifying its candidates for the next general election in early January 2016 and the public should expect a few "new faces", including Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner's brother, Craig Butler.

Roberts was asked in a recent interview whether the PLP has determined who it wants to run in Bamboo Town and Fort Charlotte given Dr. Andre Rollins' and Renward Wells' departures to the Free National Movement (FNM) nHe said while former Attorney General Alfred Sears is foreshadowed to run in Fort Charlotte, the PLP has not confirmed anyone for Bamboo Town.

However, Roberts continued, "You can expect new faces. One of the names I think you will find of tremendous interest ran as an independent the last time and happens to be the brother of the want-to-be leader of the opposition. He expressed an interest, so I am told by the branch. You will see who else. Stay tuned."

Craig Butler, a former treasurer of the PLP, resigned from the PLP in June 2011. At the time, he said it should be clear to political observers that he was "disillusioned" with the organization. Butler, an attorney, was denied the PLP nomination to run as a candidate in the Elizabeth by-election in February 2010. He was again denied the PLP nomination to run as the party's candidate in Kennedy for the general election. Attorney Dion Smith received the nomination.

Butler ran as an independent in Bamboo Town in the 2012 general election and gained 329 votes, the lowest percentage of votes of the Bamboo Town candidates. He ran against Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Leader Branville McCartney, the incumbent MP, FNM candidate Cassius Stuart and then PLP candidate Renward Wells. Roberts did not confirm whether Butler has expressed an interest in trying his hand again in Bamboo Town.

This month, Wells, the Bamboo Town MP, revealed that he is running in that constituency in the next general election and is "confident" that he will retain his seat in the House of Assembly. Wells, who announced on November 4 that he severed ties with the PLP and joined the FNM, has said despite the backlash he has received because of that decision, the majority of his supporters have indicated they would continue to stand behind him. He admitted that some "hardcore" PLPs have expressed disappointment with his decision, but he said they are in the minority.

Wells announced his resignation from the PLP in the House of Assembly, on the same that day that Rollins, who resigned from the PLP back in June, also announced his allegiance to the FNM. Meanwhile, Roberts said the public should expect more "interesting people" to run on the PLP's ticket. He added that the party will take a phased approach to introducing its full slate of candidates.