Dear Editor,
What is today's date? I believe that today is June 16, 2017. What is the significance of that date? Well, Editor, I'll tell you. Today is exactly six days into what the World Meteorological Organization designates every year as hurricane season in our part of the globe. The dates range from June 1st to November 30th. There are times when some hurricanes develop outside that range, but only on rare occasions. Last year, in October, we experienced a Category 4 hurricane in some parts of our islands (Matthew). It was a dangerous and devastating hurricane. And from the reports I heard, saw, and read in the media, quite a few residents who were hit by Matthew were caught by surprise. They did not know that it was coming. That begs the question -- How could that be? We in Nassau take it for granted that the news appears on television and blasts on the radio everyday (and sometimes throughout the day). And so, reports that a hurricane is on its way to our vicinity of the globe are plenteous. In Nassau we have numerous choices of (especially) radio stations and television stations that are eager to give warnings to their listeners and viewers about the impending doom of the imminent landfall of a hurricane. One would have to be dead not to know that a hurricane is approaching New Providence Island. Not so in the Family Islands. Correct me if I am wrong, Editor, but is it true that ZNS TV 13 does not transmit to the Family Islands? Yes? No? But, I believe 104.5 FM radio transmits to all of The Bahamas. What about the abundance of other radio stations? Can they reach all of the people? But the people don't always listen to the radio. Could it be that Family Islanders who did listen did not take the warnings seriously? I don't know.
Do I have a point? I'm glad you asked that question, Editor. I do have a point. Concomitant with the news of the advent of a hurricane's landfall is the panicking and hysterical behavior of Bahamians and residents in their efforts to secure for themselves the emergency items recommended by Bahamian officials (NEMA). When the news spreads over the airwaves that a hurricane is imminent, people get in their cars and go places to attempt to purchase everything on the suggested list that NEMA provides -- from water and food to plywood and medicine; and everything else in-between. Needless to say, the streets are cluttered with cars and other vehicles, all trying to get where they are going as fast as they can. With all this confusion (as I have witnessed), this is no time to be outside on the roads.
Do you know what steps the government can take to put an end to (or seriously curtail) this quagmire? It is my humble suggestion that NEMA should provide an official list of all emergency items should a hurricane hit any of these islands. Let's call it a "Hurricane Kit". The government should require Bahamians and residents (by law) to have a fully stocked "Hurricane Kit" on June 1st of each year (the beginning of hurricane season) and all the way through to November 30th of each year (the ending of hurricane season). I further suggest that inspectors should be trained and randomly deployed to visit houses to determine whether residents of these houses are complying with the law. If not, then the head of the household should be fined between $100 - $250.
Editor, am I being unreasonable here? After all, the extreme anxiety associated with the knowledge of a storm's arrival could lessen or cease once individuals already have what they need to have in and on their homes.
One of the items on that NEMA list should be a battery operated radio. If some of the residents in the Family Islands had, had access to such a radio, they could have heeded the warnings of those radio stations which have the range to reach those islands, and the residents could have taken the necessary precautions. Better yet, if this "Hurricane Kit" had been law, then (most likely) they would have been prepared when the strong winds and torrential rains began.
And so, Editor, would you, the Bahamian people, and this country's residents make a call on the government to bring legislation to Parliament that would make it the legal obligation of everyone who lives here to have a "Hurricane Kit" ready for inspection from June 1st to November 30th every hurricane season in this country?
Thank you for your valuable time and space in your newspaper.

- Marvin G. Lightbourn

Dear Editor,

The pools at South Beach have been closed for several years, and from their present appearance, and according to comments made by defense force officers stationed there, they will not be opened for a long time.
These pools have been there for more than forty years and have always been appreciated by the residents in the South Beach community. It is a known fact that the beaches at South Beach are not as nice as beaches in other areas of the Island, and hence the pools were used for family outings, just as the beaches were. Lifeguards were always on duty and the kids were taught how to swim. But over the years, especially during the last five, the pools have been neglected and allowed to fall into a state of disrepair. This is sad, because what used to be the pride of the southern part of the island is now nothing but an eyesore. The summer is already here and I believe it is too late to get it up and running by the end of August. But I am appealing to the minister of sports and the minister of education to please make every effort to have the South Beach pools fixed as soon as possible.
In addition to the pools being closed, the corridor along east street that leads to the pool is being used as a dump. While it is hard to police the dumping, I believe if signs were erected and maybe cameras installed they would aid in being a deterrent to law breakers.
Minister Lloyd, you inherited a constituency that was neglected by the former representatives of South Beach for the last decade and now the people have put their trust in you. We know that things will not change overnight, but we also know that you will come through for us. We are behind you every step of the way. Our prayers are with you.

- Anthony Pratt

Dear Editor,

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis' speech at ZNS and BIS was, in my view, a political classic. The staff at ZNS, long held to be the epicenter of political victimization, was admonished by Minnis in no uncertain terms that political victimization will not be tolerated under his watch, whether by the PLP or FNM. Assessment of staff and management will be based on performance, professionalism and punctuality, not political affiliation. FNMs at ZNS will be held to the same standard as PLPs. Minnis' statement that he does not care if you are PLP or FNM was classic. His speech was nearly on par with Martin Luther King Jr's 'I Have a Dream', Ronald Reagan's 'Tear Down This Wall',

Nehru's 'Awake to Freedom', Franklin D. Roosevelt's 'Only Thing We have to Fear', Winston Churchill's 'The Few' and Nelson Mandela's inaugural speech. Minnis has often been criticized by opponents for not being able to speak well. In my estimation, he gave one of the greatest speeches ever in The Bahamas. The thing which stood out regarding Minnis' speech was not its oratorical style or theatrics, or lack thereof, what stood out was its substance.
I believe this speech defines his prime ministership. Gone are the days of political cronyism and political patronage. Under Minnis, meritocracy is the order of the day. Everyone will now have to pull their weight. According to the government, the days of largesse are over. Minnis is the prime minister of every Bahamian, whether they are FNM, PLP, DNA or independent. All will be treated equally and fairly. Minnis' speech was a breath of fresh air to a nation which has become accustomed to political tribalism and political witch hunts. PLPs need not fear political victimization under Minnis. I sincerely believe he means what he says, and says what he means when he said the days of victimization are over.

- Kevin Evans

Dear Editor,

The stark reality is Bahamians do not take hurricanes seriously. The seriousness of the impending dangers sometimes do not hit us until we hear the wind blowing, the trees bending and the power is off.
After the wind gusts up to 50-plus miles per hour, we say, 'The hurricane must be coming this way'. But by then it is too late to make any adjustments that would give ourselves a chance.
We even say that we are not securing our property because the last time it did not come this way.
We gamble, we procrastinate, we play games with our families' lives; we risk our lives. Then we blame all and sundry for our foolishness.
Bahamians are a peculiar people!
June 1 is the beginning of the hurricane season. There is no reason to be surprised, because it happens every year.
So why don't we routinely prepare ourselves? No, we need to be reminded; we need to be spoon fed. We cannot see it is on us to make sure our families are protected.
We hold onto traditions and old habits that many times get us in a bit of trouble, cause us some unnecessary stress and make us uncomfortable. We reluctantly accept change and therefore get stuck doing things over and over that are not beneficial.
Last year we experienced the wrath of a powerful hurricane. Matthew was relentless, wreaking havoc on many islands.
Some people, for the most part, did not heed the Met Office warnings. We said that the hurricane was not coming this way, but Matthew came howling with a mighty show of force. It caught us unprepared.
Insanity is doing things the same way, but expecting a different result.
Instructions by the authorities (NEMA) to evacuate fell on deaf ears. The system did not lend itself to mandatory evacuation, thus the hardships and terror experienced by many. The police, moving forward, should order mandatory evacuation.
This elicits the question, why do we not take hurricanes seriously? Why do we always wait for the last minute? Can some of the damage be avoided? Should we change the way we do things? Why are we buying supplies when the winds have reached gale-force status?
I thought that the best way to counter some of the negative results would be to offer my unwarranted advice, in an effort for all of us to at least give ourselves a fighting chance of surviving a hurricane or minimizing the damage.
This is the beginning of the hurricane season, let us quickly move into preparation mode.
We should start stocking up on dry items such as canned goods that have no expiration dates now, while there is no pressure and supplies are in good numbers.
Batteries, lamps, first aid kits, transistor radios, search lights, etc. should be purchased now, because they will be cheaper and in great supply.
The sensible thing to do is to start doing the necessary renovations to your homes, fastening windows and doors, and getting rid of loose items that could pose a problem in high winds. Starting to secure your house now will eliminate the chaotic activity, such as crowded streets and potential catastrophe which usually are associated with hurricanes in The Bahamas.
The purchase of plywood and other items now will prevent the lack of supply and the risk of merchants price gouging and exploiting desperate citizens who are in search of supplies.
Doing these things well in advance will give residents ample time to batten down before the weather conditions deteriorate.
Securing physical structures in high winds is not only dangerous but can be fatal.
The merchant should not be open and we should not want to be on the streets putting ourselves and everyone else in grave danger after the last warning is given that all residents should be inside and remain indoors.
Hurricane shelters must be identified, made ready and known to the public. The public should be constantly reminded so that the locations become familiar.
This gives the potential shelter occupants a full understanding where of they are going and how they are going to get there. If the residents adhere to the information disseminated, this will prevent them from increasing anxiety, raising blood pressure and from making unnecessary calls, clogging emergency telephone lines.
The hospital and clinics should start the necessary preparation with supplies and training. The organization, synchronization of information and coordination by NEMA must be methodical and timely, well in advance to avoid confusion.
The clinics that are in proximity to particular neighborhoods should be identified and information and the public made aware. Most Bahamians do not know where these places are.
Constant reminders of shelters and clinics must begin far earlier than before, increasing the frequency as it comes closer to an impending hurricane.
The Red Cross plays an integral part. The role that it plays is significant. The experience from the organization is invaluable and should be front and center in the planning stages.
Hurricanes are devastating! They destroy property and sometimes change our lives forever.
Apart from the physical structures, the mental and psychological scars sometimes last forever.
We cannot risk allowing personalities or egos to interfere with how serious we become about working together, pooling our knowledge, time and efforts toward making us all safe.
We can do better by genuinely offering ourselves to lend a helping hand, either pre-hurricane or post-hurricane or both.
We have found out that we help ourselves even more by listening to the authorities, carrying out the instructions, and when evacuations are suggested, it is not a choice, it is a must.
Losing your life to save your house is simply asinine.
Finally, we must be our brother's keeper; we must not only secure ourselves but our neighbors too.
Saving lives is paramount.

- Ivoine W. Ingraham