Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) Chairman Leslie Miller said he sees no conflict of interest in the fact that the corporation's annual Christmas party will be held at Mario's Bowling Palace, which is owned by his family. The Tall Pines MP insisted that he had nothing to do with the decision to hold the party at Mario's, which is located just off Tonique Williams Darling Highway. "I don't operate like that," he said when contacted by The Nassau Guardian yesterday.
"First of all, I'm not a minister in the government, nor did I induce anyone to go there. The fact is it would interest them to know that a lot of the parties from Kerzner [are] held at Mario's. A lot of their Christmas parties are there. So what's the big deal if someone made a decision to have a party at Mario's? It's as good as any hotel in The Bahamas." In past years, BEC's Christmas party has been held at various hotels. Last week, several BEC employees told The Guardian they believe it is in poor taste for the corporation's annual Christmas party to be held at a business the chairman is affiliated with.
But Miller said he is not moved by their accusations. "I could care less what they say. It [doesn't] bother me," he said. Miller added that there is a faction of BEC employees who is upset with him because of the changes he is trying to make to improve the state of BEC's finances, particularly with regard to scaling back on overtime pay. "I don't really have time for foolishness. Tell them to get a life," he said.
"They try to [distract] you with foolishness." Asked if he is aware how much the corporation is paying to hold its party at the bowling alley, Miller said it's a non-issue. "When they have parties at Kerzner, do you all call and ask them these things?" He asked. Miller also said he does not have any shares in Mario's. "I don't have a position in Mario's. Like everything else I am associated with, it's owned by them," he said referring to his family. "It's a place like any other place and if they chose to go there what's the problem? Are you not allowed to patronize black people and institutions in this country?".
The party is expected to be held at Mario's on December 14. Former BEC Chairman Michael Moss would not comment on whether he believes Miller is in a conflict of interest. However, he said he does not know of any BEC party previously taking place at the bowling alley. The Nassau Guardian understands that the National Insurance Board's Christmas party will also be held at the bowling alley next month.
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