June 15, 2012 Sect. A

June 15, 2012 The Abaconian Section A Page 3

Page 4 Section A The Abaconian June 15, 2012


and the exercise allowed them to get to know each other better.

Most importantly, volunteers were given the opportunity to see firsthand the amount of trash that had accumulated on the verges that border the highway.

“We really need to have more of an awareness of what’s going on in the com-munity. If everyone got involved and did one cleanup project a year, I think that would make a big difference,” said Stuart-Limperes.

Stuart-Limperes said that the goal is to have more organizations and groups involved with leaders encouraging their members to participate. Additionally, she said that if ten groups from South, Cen-tral and North Abaco come together, they could basically cover and clean up the whole stretch of the island.

Like Stuart-Limperes, Ms. Benjamin said she is willing to partner with anyone who wants to help, and that sometimes she does clean ups on her own.

“Instead of just cleaning up all of the mess, we also need to come up with a solu-tion,” she reasoned. “It’s not just clean-ing up the mess behind people. If you see someone throwing trash out the window tell him or her to pick it up. Don’t laugh with them when they think it’s funny be-cause there’s nothing funny about it.”

Trash From Page 5

Central AbacoPilot Club hosts

fundraiser to attend international convention

By Samantha EvansThe Pilot Club of Abaco has been

referred to as community-minded and, ac-cording to President Elect Augustine Wil-liams, they are more focused that ever on making a lasting impact on the communi-ties on Abaco.

Twice monthly they host a yard sale in the area of the Mudd and Peas in front of the old Ministry of Education Building. They held a “souse-out” on May 26 at the residence of the president elect. On sale were stew conch, stew fish, chicken souse and pig feet served with Johnnycake.

Besides raising funds to send the president to the Pilot International Conven-tion in Las Vegas this summer during July 17-22, they also provide funds towards the fight against brain related disease, which has been the main cause for which Pilot International fights. Other members of the Abaco club will attend the convention as well.

Mr. Williams stated that at the con-vention, they would receive training, get an update on brain-related diseases, and learn regulations and procedures of Pilot International. He added that even though they focus on brained-related diseases, the club is based on friendship and service.

Mr. Williams further stated that he and six delegates just returned from Dis-trict Convention in Freeport, which was

held over the weekend of May 19 and 20. Those delegates were Paul Pinder – Presi-dent, Augustine Williams, Luzena Dumer-cy, Barbara Williams, Claudia Pinder and Christina Lightbourne. At this convention they discussed district business, elected new board members and installed a new governor.

FRIENDS launches Highway Litter

Awareness Campaign

By Erin PattersonFriends of the Environment are set-

ting out to help the environment by “rais-ing awareness of the litter problem and help reduce it here in Abaco.”

The main area they are planning to tackle is along Ernest Dean Highway, pri-marily from Marsh Harbor to Snake Cay. They are inviting as many people in the community to come out and help clean up, and they plan to cooperate with com-mercial truck drivers and owners of local dumps to make this clean up even more effective.

Friends of the Environment also pro-vides data forms for those who choose to do clean ups in their own area, on their own time.

Along with constant clean ups and lo-cal presentations, Friends of the Environ-ment have set up a program called Young Marine Explorers where they help high school students who are interested in the

marine biology field to become more in-formed of their surroundings. They have about 8 students who attend, and they are organized into different groups to match their potential studies.

Pilot Club holds installation and

initiation ceremony

By Samantha EvansSix new members joined the Rain-

bow Pilot Club of Abaco and four new members took office along with directors and project coordinators on June 9.

Past Governor of the Pilot Club of Nassau De’shann Clare-Paul stated that this Abaco Club is the only one that has men and has had a man as president and will install another male president today.

Each of them was pinned by their sponsor then they recited the Pilot Pledge. The new members initiated that night were: Linda Strachan, Margo Dean, Sta-cy Dean, and Nerlyne Dieujuste.

Outgoing President Paul Pinder thanked the Pilot members for working with him this past year. It was a challeng-ing yet exciting one and for their support, he will present them with small tokens at their next meeting.

Charlamae Fernander was presented with a certificate for securing the most

Please see Pilot Page 6


new members and Pinder stated that now they should about three or four certificates which they have received at conferences over the years for net growth. The club was commended by Antoinette Carroll, Past Governor of Lucaya for being consis-tent in their growth and progressive in their projects.

Pilot From Page 5

Police operation targets people committing

traffic & drug offenses 51 cited; 8 arrested

By Canishka AlexanderA police road block called “Opera-

tion Clean Sweep” took place on June 4 in the downtown area of Marsh Harbour as well as Dundas Town and Murphy Town.

Inspector Mario Murphy, officer in charge of the Road Traffic Division, said that officers from the Marsh Harbour Po-lice Station and its detective unit including reserve officers, who pitched in to ensure a successful operation, joined him. There were 14 officers in total.

“We were in full force, we hit the streets, and we just want to remind the few persons who are not law abiding that the police officers have a job to do and we will do it,” Murphy said.

Murphy explained that three check-

Central Abacopoints were set up along Don Mackay Bou-levard along with several hot spots where searches were conducted.

At the end of the four-hour operation, 51 people were cited for various traffic and drug-related offenses. Among that num-ber, eight people were arrested for drug of-fenses involving the possession of marijua-na and cocaine, two persons for loitering, one for disorderly behaviour and a warrant of arrest was issued for one other person.

“Our concern is a number of persons who are selling dangerous drugs in the community and creating a nuisance by be-ing loud and going about the community smoking marijuana as though it’s legal,” he said. “We want to remind persons in Abaco especially the younger persons that marijuana and cocaine possession is still illegal in The Bahamas, and we will not allow them to just haphazardly smoke at will.”

Meetings continue for RENEW

program officers By Canishka Alexander

The Abaco Community Relations Department of the Royal Bahamas Police Force held its fifth meeting regarding theR-ENEW program on May 21.

The program will be installed at Ab-aco Central High School, which was se-lected as the pilot school for the program.

Quotes for materials and mentorship forms were some of the items to be dis-

cussed, along with a date to view the pro-posed classroom that would be used for the launch of RENEW.

According to W/Sgt 2483 Jocelyn Smith, school liaison officer for the Royal Bahamas Police Force, they also talked about mentor training and CPR training for mentors.

Whitney Bain of Whitsun Leadership Group and Vernelle Swain of Wellspring Leadership and Development Center, agreed that a summer camp would be ben-eficial to students involved in the program during the school break. Both Bain and Swain will offer separate programs during the summer.

For Bain’s L.I.F.E. program, there’s a registration fee of $20 and a cost of $12 per month that includes a CD. His program will take place every Friday from 7-9 p.m. at the Latterrain Church in Dundas Town.

As for Swain, she sought to offer her summer program to displaced females who may have issues at home or within them-selves. Her program will be hosted for a three-weekend period with three different groups, and target girls between the ages of 11-17. It will be held the first three weekends in August, and is free to the pub-lic with the assistance of funding from the Ministry of Youth Department.

Jawette Evans from the Social Servic-es Department also updated the group on their department’s program, which is being offered to sexually traumatized females. It is a six-week program, which informs females of the dangers of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases and how to protect themselves. The program begins on

July 5, and is offered on Thursdays only from 3-5 pm for girls ages 10-15 at the So-cial Services Office in Marsh Harbour.

The next RENEW meeting is tenta-tively scheduled for July 2 at 11 a.m. at the Christian Counselling Centre.

Shane Gibson visits NIB properties

By Timothy RobertsDuring a trip to Abaco on June 4

Minister of Labour and National Insur-ance, Shane Gibson toured the sites of two National Insurance Board (NIB) projects and met with staff as he assessed the state of affairs on Abaco.

Mr. Gibson indicated that his primary concern with the hospital focused on the property and questions on why it is that

the minister at the time sold seven acres of Crown Land to two individu-als – normally housing land is sold in lots not in acre-age – and why seven acres of

the same land was then granted to NIB for the mini-hospital. “We will look into that and see exactly what happened and why the

Please see Gibson Page 7

“We are excited about the construction of the hospital”


From the Editor's Desk // Finding Opportunity

The Abaconian

Bradley M. AlburyEditor-in-ChiefAB 20213Marsh Harbour Abaco, The Bahamas

Logo Photo Credit: Tuppy Weatherford Reporters/Freelance Contributors: Canishka Alexander, Samantha Evans, Jennifer Hudson, Timothy Roberts, Mirella Santillo, Rashida Murray, Lee Pinder

Phone 242-367-3200FAX [email protected]

Subscribe NOW Order form on

Page 9

Abaco’s most complete newspaper.

2022 Aero CircleNew Smyrna Beach FL. 32168

7,500 copies Published twice

monthly

Free at over 100 Abaco locations from Grand Cay to Moore’s Is.Subscription rates: $20.00 - Abaco $25 - other Bahamas(One Year) $45.00 USA $65 Canada - airmail $95.00 UK, Europe & Caribbean - surface

Order The Abaconian Today

JUNE 2012

Name AddressAddress City St.Postal code + Country E-mail or Tel # 24 issues - US$ or B$ Above subscription is a gift from:$45 USA via 3 rd Class $25 Bahamas via surface $20 to Abaco US$65 Canada via Airmail US$95 UK, Europe Surface Mail to: 2022 Aero Circle, New Smyrna Beach, FL, 32168 or: P.O. Box AB 20213, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, The Bahamas

If you want to renew this gift next year, please give us your address below

Why subscribe?The Abaconian will keep you informed on issues such as: • Resort & hotel development• Improvements to (and disrepair of) infrastructure• Important Utility Updates• Fishing, boating & sporting activities• Immigration, taxes or duty changes• Changes to laws and regulations

• Community events• New business ventures

• Changes in airline service• Actions by local government

NAME ON CARD:

CARD NUMBER: EXP DATE:

SIGNATURE: AMOUNT PAID:

Master Card Visa

WE NOW EXCEPT MASTER CARD/VISA

An ugly thing happened. I want to extend my condolences to every-one who was affected by that trag-edy on the water. In a way I suppose we all are affected. For something so terrible to happen so close to our shores is a stark contrast to how we perceive our everyday life here in The Bahamas.

There is still quite a bit of rumor, hearsay and false information circu-lating. But this paper has presented the most complete set of facts we could credibly procure at this time. In the coming weeks and months hope-fully a clearer picture will emerge. And during my tenure as editor of this newspaper I hope I never have to cover anything so tragic.

I hope I see more of the beauty. The new terminal opening in a few months is one beautiful event I am incredibly excited for. All of Abaco is excited for it. It’s not just the glim-mering jewel of having something new and shiny – which it is, I’ve been inside and that terminal will be gor-geous – but it’s the promise. It is the promise of bringing more to Abaco and our children.

It is opportunity.But we can’t forget that the

promise of opportunity can be coun-ter to our best interest. It could make us lazy and forget that real opportu-nity starts closer to home. It starts with us seizing what we know and what we have and making the best of it. It starts with us making our own example of what we think Abaco should be.

Others will notice.The one set of people in particu-

lar I hope begin noticing their poten-tial to make opportunity are having a very special month. All our high school graduates are making that walk down the aisle: ceremoniously wedding their future, for better or for worse.

I hope they realize that though a great many things are out of their control they still have the responsi-bility to fight for what is true. And they have the right to create and pur-sue opportunity. They do not need to wait for the next big thing or for the runway to start landing jumbo jets. They can start by flying something smaller.

But even though they might start small, they can be flying Dreamliners some day. And I completely believe that about Abaco’s youth.

But they need role models. They need co-pilots. They need to see us make things happen. If they watch us waiting for the government to do everything they will chart the same flight path.

So I offer my congratulations to the graduates of 2012. You have a bright future to make. I also offer congratulations to the parents, guard-ians and mentors of our newest set of business leaders, nurses, doctors, lawyers, educators, politicians and members of our community. It is an exciting time. And it is beautiful.

Upcoming Events

•June 15 - June 16: Green Turtle Cay Lionfish Derby

•June 20-June 24: BBC Treasure Cay Championship

•June 21: KB & New Entry Band @ Sea Spray

•June 22-June 28: Central Abaco Lionfish Derby

•June 22: Junkanoo Festival @ BAIC Park

•June 29: Stranded Naked @ Fiddle Cay

•June 29: Junkanoo Festival @ BAIC Park

•June 30: St. John Church Mini Fair & Fun Day

•June 30: Love for the Lowes Walk-a-Thon

•June 30: Green Turtle Cay Firefighters’ Steakout

•July 5: Junkanoo Festival @ Sea Spray

•July 7: Independence Fun Run / Walk

•July 16 - July 20: FRIENDS Summer Camp

•July 19: D-Mack @ Sea Spray

Thank you for being a reader. Please send your comments and

criticisms to [email protected]





By Mirella SantilloNo stars could be seen in the misty

sky of June 1 evening. There was one star, however, performing that evening: Taylor Hicks, winner of the 2006 American Idol. The only light up high was that of a pale moon glowing through a halo, watching over the performance that was about to be-gin on the little island of Green Turtle Cay.

How did such a famous artist end up performing on Abaco? Well, according to the artist himself, he fell in love with the island and the people while participating in a billfishing tournament in Marsh Harbour during a former visit. In October of last year, he contacted the Green Turtle Club, and then “it kind of just happened,” he said.

After nine months of working out the details with his Tour Manager, coor-dinating the trip with the Club’s Manager, Molly McIntosh and Ministry of Tourism’s Wynsome Ferguson, Taylor Hicks arrived at the Treasure Cay Airport on May 30 with an entourage of nine people.

A welcome reception organized by the Ministry of Tourism awaited him be-fore he left for Green Turtle Cay.

The rain that had been falling in downpour all day abated towards the eve-ning, prompting the tour manager and the performers to set up on the deck of the Green Turtle Club, in the shadow of a large buttonwood tree, instead of inside.

A crowd of approximately 180 people

The CaysTaylor Hicks concert held under the moon at the

Green Turtle Club

filled up the chairs set around the perfor-mance area. Finally, shortly after nine, Taylor Hicks made his entrance with his tour manager and keyboard player, Bryan Less and a percussion man, Jeff Grady, under the applause of an audience of all ages.

Sitting on a stool, holding his guitar, dressed in a plaid shirt and jeans, smiling and joking easily, Taylor Hicks immedi-ately won the heart of the spectators.

His popularity increased as he started

playing in a heartfelt way, a repertoire of his songs as well as other artists’. “Back to Louisiana” accompanied with guitar and harmonica, “Get back,” “How sweet it is to be loved by you,” and “Nineteen,” com-posed to honour the young men fighting for America, were only a few of the pieces he performed during his two hours on stage.

The laid back setting and his choice of songs made you feel as if the singer was playing and singing exclusively for you in a private performance. Bryan Less called

it “an intimate acoustic.”During autograph signing and photo

taking, the artist amiably posed with any-one who wanted to be photographed with him followed the concert. At the same time tickets were being drawn so the lucky win-ners of the raffle, among them the Green Turtle Club owner, Adam Showell, could claim CDs, a harmonica, posters and T-shirts donated by Mr. Hicks and have them signed. The proceeds of the raffle were to benefit the Abaco Cancer Society.

“This is like a vacation for me,” said the performer. “Real work will start this summer when I am due to play in Las Vegas for two months.” In the meantime, during his five day stay, the singer will do what any other tourist might do while on Abaco; snorkeling, diving, boating, perhaps an impromptu jamming with the Gully Roosters and, of course, visit Nip-pers on Sunday.

His plans for the future? Working on a country record in Nashville, Tennessee and hopefully doing an annual show on Green Turtle Cay.

The two musicians accompanying him on this trip have been friends of his for a long time. Brian Less and Taylor Hicks have played together for ten years. Jeff Grady accompanies him on and off on tours. The remainder of his entourage was in charge of promotion.

Above: Taylor Hicks (on guitar) performed at the Green Turtle Club on June 1. An “in-timate acoustic” set was played for the approximately 180 people. Taylor Hicks won the 2006 season of the popular reality show, “American Idol.” Mr. Hicks has been to Abaco before and decided to include Green Turtle as part of his tour.



Enjoy great dining at Angler’s Restaurantor casual fare at our famous pool bar

both at the water’s edge in Marsh Harbour

KaraokeTuesday night by the Pool Bar starting at 8 pm.

Rake n’ ScrapeDance with “Brown Tip” every Friday night

starting at 8:30 pm.

Calypso Night“Clint Sawyer” LIVE every Saturday night at 8:30 pm.

Stephen ColebrookEnjoy Stephen’s versatile piano music and vocals

Wednesday through Sunday.

Contact us at 367-2158

www.AbacoBeachResort.com

A young entrepreneur reflects on starting

a business

By Brieonna RussellTuesday, February 7 was the official

opening of 18-year-old Dakotah Delancy’s local health and beauty store in Marsh Har-bour.

“Dishy” is located upstairs in the sea foam green building across from Curly Tails Restaurant.

A graduate of the Class of 2011 from St. Francis De Sales, Delancy wanted to further her education by going off to col-lege, but her plans took a detour. She re-turned back to Abaco and decided to not fall under the ‘statistics’ but to become an entrepreneur at a young age.

When asked if starting her own busi-ness was expensive, Delancy said it was less expensive than she had anticipated. With a supportive family and strong moth-er by her side she accomplished opening her dream store.

Her business has blossomed over the short months that it has been opened, and has expanded from only selling small things such as jewelry, makeup etc. to clothes, shoes, bags, sunglasses, phone cases and other items.

Delancy said business is going “un-believably great, and it has become more successful than I had ever imagined.” She also stated how since starting and opening her own business it has given her a dose

Businessof reality and taught her a whole lot of re-sponsibility.

Eventually, Delancy plans to expand Dishy to other main cities such as Nassau and Freeport, and possibly open a location in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

When asked how she thinks her busi-ness will change in the next 5 to 10 years, Delancy said that she wishes to be well known throughout The Bahamas, and have achieved branching out her store to her set locations.

Delancy advises others who want to start their own business to remain patient and optimistic. It is not easy, but if you take things slow and plan accordingly, you will achieve the goal you had set out to do.

Opinion by Dr. James HullSo many people see healthcare as the

responsibility of the Ministry of Health, doctors and nurses. In fact, healthcare is the responsibility of all of the government departments, every company and individu-al in our country.

When I tell this to people they always have a curious look on their face. We all can take steps to keep ourselves out of the healthcare system, which is in itself health-care. I will dedicate some articles in the future to that subject. Today I would like to focus on how companies can help with healthcare.

One company that has been causing Abaco Healthcare, my company that runs Marsh Harbour Medical Centre and Cor-bett Medical Centre in Treasure Cay, so many problems is the Bahamas Telecom-munications Corporation or "BTC.”

Abaco Healthcare has invested thou-sands of dollars in modern telecommunica-tions equipment and electronic health care record systems. These systems allow us to enhance patient care in so many ways. We built these systems based on the promise of fast and RELIABLE telecommunications. We have not received the services that we have been promised and paid for. How it affects our patients can be very serious.

We have a computerized phone sys-tem that can route emergency calls to the

cell phone of our nurses and support staff. This allows us to respond to our patient’s emergencies in a quick and efficient man-ner.

What has been happening is the static in the local Marsh Harbour lines have been causing disconnections to occur before the patients can tell what their emergency is and us who they are. The static has also jammed our phone system so that no outgo-ing calls were possible.

Even when the system is not jammed by poor land line service, it also occurs with cell phones as calls are not connect-ing properly. Voicemails are popping up hours later on our phones from patients who are in need of help.

BTC has made it and continues to make it very difficult to provide timely healthcare to our patients. This has not yet caused a loss of life but it has caused undue suffering to some patients.

Doing your job and doing it well can have a ripple effect which could change someone's life.

I encourage everybody who is em-ployed at BTC to work as hard as they can and to continue to press their bosses to en-sure a quick transition to the new phone system so that no lives are lost.

It would be a tragedy to have a loss of life because of an upgrade that has been executed poorly.

OpinionBTC and Healthcare


Documents

June 15, 2012 Sect. A