Dear Editor,

I read with some interest your article in The Guardian of 6th July, 2017, regarding Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) increasing their fuel surcharge and URCA being unable to price regulate them for five years. Having worked at URCA and been intimately involved in the drafting of the Electricity Act 2015, I can assure you that during this five-year "regulatory holiday", the public was not left unprotected. BPL is not supposed to have the ability during this five-year period to freely raise rates without any checks and balances. Under section 20(6) of the Electricity Act, the issue of rates and rate increases during this period is supposed to be part of the management agreement between the government and PowerSecure. To date, the public is unaware of the terms of the management agreement and it is unclear what part or role the government has played, if any, in approving the latest rate increase. Prior to 10th May, 2017, this responsibility would have rested with the Ministry of Works and Utilities which would have been responsible for relations with BPL and PowerSecure.

- Vincent Wallace Whitfield

Dear Editor,

The story line of rogue police officers lining their pockets for profit is plentiful and often commands a big headline that is routinely splashed across the front page of the local dailies with reckless abandon. Today, however, I feel compelled to highlight a wonderful and unforgettable story of goodness, wisdom and excellence in a noteworthy performance by five officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
A few months ago, I was seized by the throat by a rather empty-headed fellow wanting to rip the very shirt off my back in a wanton act of intimidation. The assailant was also a rather sickly fellow in urgent need of medical attention. This added, in good measure, to my reluctance for retaliation. I called the police and they responded with impeccable timing, quickly apprehending the assailant and taking us both down to The Grove Police Station. Sergeant 229 Rolle, clearly a veteran of many years, listened intently to both sides before spelling out to the assailant what the charges against him looked like. Without going any further into the finer details, I wish to convey my thanks and appreciation to the remarkable team of officers that oversaw the matter. My breath was taken completely away by the skillfulness shown and the excellence displayed by so wonderful a team of officers at that station. Had I not seen it with my own eyes I would have never believed it!
The five officers I encountered all did their jobs that day. Sergeant Rolle was quite masterful and discerning, demonstrating a stellar leadership that was neither loud nor boisterous, but connected well, and his people skills could only be outdone by his humility. I was thoroughly impressed by the insight, natural passion and intelligence demonstrated by W.P.C 3863 Nixon, P.C. 3472 Smith and PC 3859 Sturrup who were all professional, courteous and well-meaning, and their immaculate appearances were exemplary. Sergeant 1328 Adderley sat quietly and very little was offered from him by way of questioning, yet he still seemed sharp as a whip!
Let me also hasten to say here that, until my encounter with W.P.C Nixon, I had never given any serious thought to the significance of female officers on the R.B.P.F and the roles they've played. But today I am thoroughly convinced that their addition is not only wise, but an undeniable stroke of genius. To sum up their essential quality, I'd have to say that they bring balance to the R.B.P.F.
Commissioner Greenslade, if there are any awards to be given or honors to be had, these fine officers, who have invested so much of themselves by way of time, sacrifice and duty to country, are most deserving. Needless to say, they made the Royal Bahamas Police Force look really good that day. We seldom care how much people know until we know how much they care.
There is a Chinese proverb that has garnered great affection, and one I've come to love so dearly; it reads simply: "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now!"

- Toby Glass

Dear Editor,

The PLP squandered five years of the life of this country through poor leadership and visionless governance. They squandered this nation's potential and its ability to improve its fiscal standing. Instead, they ensured that we, as a borrower nation, remain slaves to our masters, the lenders, with their globalist agenda.
Former and present PLP MPs were present in the House of Assembly when debates were being held to borrow, cumulatively, hundreds of millions of dollars. They were present when the former prime minister stated publicly that it was necessary to implement VAT for the sole purpose of paying down the national debt. These same former MPs also participated in budget debates advocating how the borrowed and collected money would be spent.
They were there when BAMSI burned down without insurance and the police did not get their overtime money owed to them.
They were there when the government bailed out Bank of The Bahamas to the tune of $100 million.
However, I do not recall any of the former PLP MPs raising questions when Michael Halkitis arrogantly told the Bahamian people where 'da VAT money gone'.
I do not recall one former government minister standing up and saying, "But this isn't what we told the Bahamian people." Instead, many of them testified to the government's stellar management of the country's finances. There were no calls for transparency or accountability from some of these same former ministers who now seem offended that there will be questions, investigations and innuendo concerning the mismanagement of billions of dollars.
How can these 'honorable' servants of the Bahamian people want to take a defensive posture concerning questions on how the former government mishandled the nation's finances? Are they serious? They seek to defend the indefensible. Sadly, the current revelations of fiscal mismanagement only scratch the surface of the former government's waste.
Now, it may be true that some of the former MPs may not have known everything about how the people's money was spent, but it cannot be denied that these intelligent persons had to have known that something was amiss. Everyone knows whether or not they are getting value for money.
The Bahamian people have shown in no uncertain terms that they saw what the former government was doing in the dark. Although the full light of revelation has not yet come, we all have a strong feeling about what will be found. The stench of their corruption still fills the air.
Members of the opposition should show some humility. In my opinion, they should be collectively tarred and feathered for what they did to this country. Instead, they stand with heads held high, defiant, as though they are to be owed a debt of thanks.
And while they are at it, they should issue a gag order on Bradley Roberts; he is not helping their cause at all.
It is time to move this country forward. We expect more revelations of the wrongdoings of the former administration, but that should not detract from the present one doing what it was elected to do -- make The Bahamas better for Bahamians.

- JB