Brensil Rolle

THE Free National Movement has appointed Brensil Rolle as acting chairman of the party, according to a statement from the party.

With his appointment, Mr. Rolle takes over chairmanship duties from former FNM Chairman and Senator Michael Pintard, who resigned from both posts last week over concerns about his involvement in a lawsuit against Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard. Mr. Rolle previously served as the party’s deputy chairman.

The FNM, in a statement released on Thursday, said the party’s executive committee met and “unanimously determined” to appoint Mr. Rolle as the acting chairman “pursuant to the established practice and custom with immediate effect until such time as the party elects a chairman.”

“Mr. Rolle has served well as deputy chairman since being elected to that post at our November 21, 2014 national convention and we are confident that he will do well as acting chairman,” the statement added.

Mr. Pintard has been mired in controversy since he was named in a lawsuit filed on March 9 against Mr. Nygard and his lawyer Keod Smith by four Save The Bays (STB) directors - Joseph Darville, Romauld Ferreira, Fred Smith and Louis Bacon - and Reverend CB Moss, who is not a member of STB.

The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Nygard engaged in a murder-for-hire scheme with criminals Livingston “Toggie” Bullard and Wisler “Bobo” Davilma, and allegedly paid them to stage several hate rallies and commit such criminal acts as arson and harassment. It was revealed that the criminals were tracked down with the help of Mr. Pintard.

Bullard and Davilma were compensated for their “evidence”; however, the men later claimed in court documents filed by Mr. Nygard last week that they were paid for false testimony and that Mr. Pintard negotiated the payoff.

Last week Monday, in a series of Facebook posts, Mr. Pintard announced his decision to tender his resignation effective immediately as chairman and senator, positions that he held for less than two years.

Mr. Pintard maintained that his resignation was not an admission of guilt, but rather because he did not want the FNM “to be distracted in our effort to defeat an incompetent and unethical government.”

Mr. Pintard also said his “daily fight” will now be to “reveal the truth about this entire affair and every politician, journalist, lawyer and citizen involved in selling out this country to the wealthy foreigner and Bahamian.”

Meanwhile, FNM Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis has told The Tribune that he asked Mr. Pintard to resign because the party doesn’t “need any deflection” and has to “concentrate on moving the PLP.”

In a statement made earlier to the media, Dr. Minnis also said the FNM supported Mr. Pintard’s decision to “defend himself against the political attacks levelled against him” and called for Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis to also tender his resignation “based on the affidavits that raise questions about his participation in the same matter involving Mr. Pintard.”

Mr. Pintard was appointed to the Senate in June 2014 after John Bostwick’s appointment was revoked because of a pending ammunition possession trial. He replaced former FNM Chairman Darron Cash at the party’s convention in November 2014.

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

In celebration of its 40th anniversary, the 1973 Class of St. Augustine's College took on a project to upgrade the Lower Square on the St. Augustine's College campus. The class was very enthusiastic about the project and the overall support was encouraging. The project is now completed and the remaining funds were used to make a donation of computers to the school's library. During a recent visit to St. Augustine's College, committee members, other class members and former teacher, Matthew Williams, met and viewed the completed works, along with Sonya Knowles, principal, and Benedict Dorsett, vice principal. Knowles expressed the gratitude of the school to the Class of '73 for the two projects that are enhancing the environment and helping to develop the students and the entire St. Augustine's College community.

Pictured from left are Benedict Dorsett (vice principal), John S. Bain (class member), Sharon Smith-Ferguson, Sonya Knowles (principal), Hammond Rahming, Kim Outten-Stubbs, Janet Davis-Dorsett and Matthew Williams (former teacher). Other committee members not pictured are Stuart Culmer, Evanette Mcphee-Davis, Frances Turnquest, Frederick Horton, Derwin Higgs, and Pamela Wright-Haven.

Organizers of the Caribbean Muzik Festival requested an additional $100,000 from the Ministry of Tourism to put on two events they postponed last October, according to Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe.
The Ministry of Tourism spent $650,000 to sponsor the festival.

In a recent interview, Wilchcombe said while the festival organizers have proposed several dates for the event, "the issue is cost".

"The ministry does not believe it should engage in any further cost," he said. "They have asked and they have sent us a budget. They've sent us [a budget] seeking additional funding to get artists in town.

"We are not going to engage in that. They have an obligation as was set out; to deliver based on what we did. We are not going to spend any more on that."

Wilchcombe indicated that the $100,000 additional seed money would have also covered airlift and hotel accommodations.

The minister said last month the government was considering providing additional seed money to help the event along. At the time, Wilchcombe said the festival had been scheduled for early April. However, an exact date has not been provided.

Asked about a date, Wilchcombe said, "They have a responsibility and we are going to sit and talk with them.

"The Ministry of Tourism will be demanding that they tell us a date and bring the project to fruition."

While Wilchcombe said he understands circumstances change, "whatever happened with them and their vendors in the United States, that is not my issue".

"My issue is, you still have an obligation," he said. "If you don't fulfill your obligation, then we have to take necessary steps."

But Wilchcombe said he believes based on the "good standing of individuals" involved with the festival, organizers will fulfill their obligation.

The promoters of the festival claim the suppliers defaulted on undertakings to supply stage and sound equipment, ultimately forcing the postponement of two of the festival's four events.

The promoters want the return of money they allegedly paid the two companies. The suppliers have denied being at fault, however.

A dancehall music night was set to take place at Arawak Cay on October 30, and major artists were due to perform on October 31 at the carnival site at the sports center. Two of the planned events took place on October 28 and 29.

In December, Festival Director Desmond Edwards said a new date for the festival will be announced within the "next few days".

Weeks before, organizers were expected to announce a new date for the events that were postponed.
At the time, organizers were still conferring with artists and confirming a venue, among other considerations.

In a previous joint statement, the Ministry of Tourism and Caribbean Muzik Festival (2000) Ltd. said early dates in December were under discussion for the postponed events.

According to that statement, serious difficulties were experienced that made it unwise to attempt to continue the festival.

By Royston Jones Jr.

Guardian Staff

Jovan Bailey - Winner of Last Year's Essay Competition (Photo courtesy of WSC for Barefoot Marketing)

In recent years, the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC), has been reaching out to school students throughout The Bahamas to teach them about the importance of water conservation. In 2004, they launched their first essay competition, to gauge the strength of their knowledge and since then students have continued to show their water knowledge.

 “Water and Sewerage is extremely pleased to reach out to the community, especially students through our flagship activity the National Essay & Video Competition,” said Visna Armbrister, WSC Public Affairs Manager. “We look forward to the students’ participation and have been pleased over the years with the quantity and quality of essays and now videos we've received.”

The student competition began in 2004 and is the annual kick off for National Water Month, which is in May. The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Water for Survival: Value Every Drop’. Armbrister noted, “By using this theme, we hope to sensitize the public not only through the writings and video presentations of our students, but also through the media about the need to value this precious resource that we tend to take for granted.”

The competition will launch on March 21st and the deadline for entries to be submitted is April 22nd, 2016. Essays must be between 400 and 500 words and videos no longer than three minutes. The first place winners for both the essay and video categories will receive scholarships toward their college tuition, with tablets and other prizes for the second and third place winners for each category.

WSC Encourage Students to Think About Water Conservation (Photo courtesy of Derek Carroll for Barefoot Marketing)

“Water is a necessity of life,” said Armbrister. “None of us can live without it. WSC continues to spread the message that water must be valued and not taken lightly and we hope the competition will help show that.”

Winners of this year’s competition will be announced via WSC’s Facebook page and website. All rules are also posted on these pages for review by students wishing to enter this year’s competition.

Water Conservation is Especially Important in The Bahamas. The Bahamas is surrounded by water, however water is a precious resource that is being depleted day by day. The corporation is getting young students to think about water conservation with their 'Wet & Wise Essay and Video Competition'. (Photo courtesy of Barefoot Marketing)

The theme for this year’s competition is ‘Water for Survival: Valve Every Drop’. The competition will launch on March 21st and the deadline for entries to be submitted is April 22nd, 2016. (Photo courtesy of BVS for Barefoot Marketing)