THE change of date of the Independence Celebrations to July 8 on Grand Bahama is not going over well with some residents who feel it is breaking national tradition, and are calling for celebrations to be held as usual on July 9.

Kirk Russell, vice-president of the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association and a member of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, and several local pastors are strongly opposed to the date change, and say that many other residents of Grand Bahama are too.

They stressed that Independence is an important national event celebrated every year to commemorate an historic time in the country, and that Grand Bahamians should celebrate on the same date with the rest of the country.

According to a reliable source, The Tribune was informed that date change was a direct order from Cabinet. However, we have not been able to confirm that with the Cabinet office.

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