Bahamas News

The company that has been negotiating to purchase the Bahamas Film Studios at Gold Rock Creek in Grand Bahama is putting together its final submissions for the government.

According to head of Bahamas FilmInvest International Owen Bethel, the company is expected to go before the company by the end of December.

“We are presently preparing the submission to the government for approval because the land is leased from the government and therefore we need the approval to take on the heads of agreement for the arrangement,” he said.

Bahamas FilmInvest International (BFI) is an affiliate of Montaque Capital Partners & Montaque Corporate Partners, based in Nassau. The group specializes in developing film and television projects based in The Bahamas, and was reportedly partnering with a group of international investors in the acquisition of the Studio.

Mr. Bethel said there are still a number of obstacles that the company has to overcome. He said the government has to approve of all of the investors.

“There is the fact that other than myself the investment group consists of foreigners who are required to be approved by the government as investors,” he said.

Mr. Bethel said the company is in the process of finishing its proposals.

“We hope to have that process in terms of the submissions to government concluded early into next month and get approval from government early into the New Year,” he said. “We have not had any active discussions with the government and we don’t want to do that until we have prepared the full proposal in terms of what we intend to do for them.”

The studio sits on 3,500 acres, which is currently being leased by the government. The studio houses a tank, which was used in the Disney blockbuster movies Pirates of the Caribbean II and III.

Last year, the Toronto-based Golden Creek Enterprises said that the company was set to spend $75 million to upgrade the property. However, Mr. Bethel said BFI would have to spend much more.

“Now there is a need to build a sound stage and to further develop the various prop sets such as the warehouses and the dressing facilities and so forth,” he said. “All of these would be necessary to complement the studio and the sound stage.”

“We know that from the first proposed date it would have ran us into $90 million plus,” Mr. Bethel added.

When completed the property is expected to include a film studio, resort, residential area and theme park.

“We are looking forward to beginning a project that we know will benefit Grand Bahama and ultimately The Bahamas,” Mr. Bethel said.

Source: Bahama Journal

A $110-million development envisioned to be a resort and residential community with first-class amenities is planned for North Long Island.

The British-based developers of the proposed Port St. George investment, plan to use available land in the Stella Maris area for the construction of this project, which will include an 18-hole signature golf course and a marina.

Plans for the development were outlined to concerned Long Islanders at a town meeting, held at the government high school in Simms, on Tuesday.

The proposed developers also announced plans for another resort for the Stella Maris area - Caribbean Heights - which together with Port St. George will open opportunities for hundreds of jobs both during the construction and post-construction phases.

More than 400 people packed the school’s auditorium and many more listened through open doors and windows. Many questions were asked on matters such as dredging, road elevation, antiquities, solid waste and the reconfiguration of Queen’s Highway.

It appeared following the meeting that Long Islanders were satisfied that the marine resources would not be comprised. They welcomed the development, which the investors assured would have a completion date in 2015.

Ian J. Moorcroft, a director of Port St. George, said, “We are in the planning stages. We hope to get approval by next Easter.”

He told Long Islanders that the developers are hoping to break ground by the fall of 2008.

Keith A. Bishop of Islands By Design Ltd., said he had been contracted to do the environment impact assessment.

Government officials at the town meeting included Earl Deveaux, Minister of Public Works and Transport; Sidney Collie, Minister of Lands and Local Government; and Lawrence Cartwright, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources.

Also in attendance was a representative from the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission.

Minister Collie assured Long Islanders that “no significant investment” will come to the islands without the government coming directly to the people “and as clear and as concise as possible, apprise the people of the proposed investment.”

He also assured residents that “before the first soil is turned and the first brick is laid, you would know what is coming to your island and whether you welcome such investment.”

Minister Deveaux said the airport at Stella Maris is currently undergoing expansion and very soon work will begin to complete the terminal building, which will meet the International Civil Aviation standards for international security.

He said Long Island will shortly have an improved Stella Maris airport in the north to accommodate the proposed development.

Deveaux emphasized, “It is not likely we will have enough space in the north to put a 7,000-ft. runway but we will accommodate short-haul aircraft. In the partnership that we seek to develop in Long Island, if you need a longer airport we will invite you to Deadman’s Cay.”

He added that the government also intends to complete the dock in Long Island.

“It is my duty to tell you that we have selected a spot in Long Island we feel could accommodate the year-round dockage, the low maintenance of the sand movement and deep water sheltered harbor. We are looking at the area where BEC (the Bahamas Electricity Corporation) currently is so we have room for long-term expansion.

“We will go to bids as soon as the designs are completed on that dock.”

The Works Minister told Long Islanders that as a result of the recent passage of Tropical Storm Noel, “we have had to re-prioritize our road infrastructure.” He further indicated that Long Island was already high on the schedule for sea walls construction, repairs to the dock at Simms and additional infrastructure works.

In addition, he said government now has before it, a list of Family Island roads identified for repair, “so that we can make some choices in the sense that Cat Island, Long Island and Exuma had exceptionally high flooding and unexpected damage to their roads. We had to shift our priorities around so that we could accommodate repairs as a result of the flooding.”

Minister Cartwright, who is the parliamentary representative for Long Island, was pleased with the turnout at the meeting and the hard questions asked.

He thanked the investors for choosing Long Island for their proposed project.

“I believe that Port St. George will be something great for Long Island,” Cartwright stated. “And, based on what I have heard over the last few weeks and the amount of excitement this has generated, I believe Long Islanders are now ready to accept Port St. George.”

Source: Nassau Guardian

Cable Bahamas’ Director of Customer Care Carrie Collie took the stand at election court yesterday, bringing documents on the accounts of six Pinewood voters who had either transferred or activated their accounts to locations outside the constituency.

The Progressive Liberal Party was seeking to prove that several people who voted in the Pinewood constituency were not ordinary residents.

Cable Bahamas records show that voter Nikeya Clear applied for an account on August 15, 2003 on Armbrister Street, which is in the Pinewood constituency, but later got a transfer to Misty Gardens on November 25, 2006. Collie noted that the account was disconnected on July 13, 2007.

PLP Attorney Philip “Brave” Davis also asked Collie to divulge the customer information on Latia Davis, who applied for an account in Faith Gardens on January 30, 2007. Collie added that she was the second person to apply at that same residence.

Casey Nicole Dean applied for services on August 5, 2004 on Casirilla Street and later applied for a transfer to Sea Breeze on December 19, 2006.

Meanwhile, Annoinette Nelly applied for cable on August 17, 2006 in Sir Lynden Pindling Estates.

Michael Saunders applied for service on September 2006 in Gleniston Gardens, while Sherly Williams applied on October 29, 2002 for Augusta Street. Both accounts are still active.

However, during cross examination by the Free National Movement’s lead attorney Michael Barnett, Williams said Cable Bahamas did not require the six voters to live in the places where they were being billed.

Bahamas Electrical Corporation General Manager Kevin Basden also reported the same. Several weeks ago, he provided the court with the accounts of more than 100 persons whose votes are being challenged, which could mean that they do not actually reside outside of the boundaries.

Those six voters are just some of the 159 votes that Senator Allyson Maynard-Gibson is challenging. She lost the general election for southern New Providence seat by 64 votes to the then FNM contender Byran Woodside.

Annamae Missick, who at first had trouble describing where she lived, eventually pointed to a residence outside of the Pinewood constituency. Her daughter Monique Missick, whose vote is also being challenged by the Progressive Liberal Party, lives at that same address on East Buttonwood Avenue.

Jethro Daxon, whose voted is being challenged by the PLP and FNM, also admitted to living outside the boundaries. He has been living in Nassau Village for over 17 years.

Kevin Ferguson of Soursop Street was called to give evidence on voter Shevaughn Williams, whose address was listed on her voter’s card counterfoil as no. 1815 Soursop Street. Ferguson told the court yesterday that he knew the persons living at that house to be Patrick and Margo Rolle. He said while he used to see Williams in the neighborhood, she did not live at that house.

The final witness, Inspector Raymond Murphy from the Ministry of Housing, confirmed that documents to be submitted as evidence from the Housing Department were legitimate.

Davis was scheduled to finish up with his witnesses yesterday. However, after several no-shows, Senior Justice Anita Allen extended his time to Monday.

Sandy Bastian and Aneka Armbrister were added to the list of persons who could not be found, Davis reported. Meanwhile Justice Allen instructed him to make a list of persons who were subpoenaed to court and did not show up.

“I don’t like people who don’t show up,” she said, added that those individuals were not being obedient to the court.

Davis is to have the list ready for Monday when election court proceedings continue at 10 a.m.

Source: Nassau Guardian

RBC’s Bahamian team has succeeded in winning the banking titan entry into the Turks and Caicos market, with authorities there granting a banking license — even as Nassau representatives hosted a job fair in Providenciales.

“I can confirm that their application was approved,” Turks and Caicos Minister of Finance Floyd Hall yesterday told Guardian Business. “If they don’t have their license yet, they should have it by Monday.”

That piece of paper confers full commercial banking rights on the Canadian institution, which is now concluding a job fair in the Turks capital. That developing hub of activity has also been selected as home for RBC’s first commercial bank in the territory. Hall and others in the local financial services sector suggest the RBC has already scouted out a Grace Bay location to house its fledgling operation.

Heading that assault is its Nassau team. No one from that regional head office could be reached for comment Thursday.

But the finance minister is suggesting his jurisdiction’s newest player — expanding the number of commercial banks to four — will likely focus on servicing all aspects of the growing economy.

Its GDP has seen double digit growth over the last decade, he said, with further projections for an eight-to-nine percent increase this year.

“I think the full gamut of banking is at RBC’s disposal,” said Hall. “I would believe that is what they will want to pursuit here.

“Our per-capita income has grown from about $10,000 in 2003 to between $13,000 and $14,000 for this year.”

That phenomenal growth is now propelling an increasing tide of Bahamian institutions to the small chain of islands to the south.

Insurance companies as well as banks are leading the charge, looking to grow their businesses in an emerging economy so close in so many ways to their own.

It’s a natural fit for them, said Hall, given the shared history and culture between the two archipelagos.

But, Bahamian businesses may have to move quickly.

“We are getting applications from the banks in the region as well as internationally,” said Hall. “As we are all aware The Bahamas is our closest neighbor and, at the end of the day, investing here is a good fit for them.”

RBC seems poised to take advantage of the second-home market in Turks, providing funding for the increasing number of American, British and European expats looking for a hotel-condo lifestyle.

They may be looking for a cheaper alternative to the comparable Bahamian property. The price gap, however, is narrowing, and RBC stands to claim a significant share of that business down south, perhaps taking some from FirstCaribbean, The Bank of Nova Scotia and domestic bank TCI.

The move to Turks will likely be completed before RBC finalizes its acquisition of Caribbean banking giant RBTT, based in Trinidad. That $2.2-billion deal will facilitate the institution’s move into the emerging Latin American market.

It will also see RBC’s regional headquarters move to Port of Spain, although analysts have suggested The Bahamas will likely continue to enjoy some regional responsibility in that new structure. That seems all the more likely with the addition of a Turks operation.

That successful expansion — spearheaded by RBC’s Nassau executives — make speak volumes about the banking expertise this jurisdiction has already amassed.

In fact, says Paul McWeeney, managing director of RBC competitor Bank of The Bahamas, local financial service institutions will more and more take that know-how on the road as they look for emerging markets in which to grow their businesses.

While RBC is moving south, his institution is finishing up plans to open its own facility in Miami.

Source: Nassau Guardian

Cable Bahamas may have renewed incentive to finalize a product deal with HBO and other premium program providers given that the American company is now threatening to take legal action against what it calls Caribbean perpetrators of copyright infringement.

Just a few months ago, Trinidad and Tobago’s cable provider Columbus Communications (CC) and its brand Flow were on the receiving end of warnings from HBO Latin America (HBOLA), the service distributor for the region. The U.S. mega corp., in fact, initiated legal action against the two for allegedly broadcasting HBO and Cinemax without a licensing agreement.

Miguel Angel Oliva, HBOLA’s vice president of public relations and corporate affairs, reportedly released a statement claiming that: “They are continuing to steal the signal on an illegal basis and we are not in any kind of negotiations or talks with them.”

According to Trinidad’s Guardian, CC was given a deadline to stop using the service or the government and U.S. embassy officials would get involved.

It’s a threat that may very well worry Cable Bahamas, which has in the past attracted its own share of complaints from entertainment providers. They’ve charged that the cable company must sign onto service agreements before airing their premium programming.

Currently, the BISX-listed cable company accesses HBO’s encrypted material, airs it and then pays for the privilege without a contract between the two parties, something the U.S. takes issue with.

In 2004 the last administration amended Bahamian copyright laws requiring cable providers to enter into contractual agreements with U.S. property owners, but those laws were never enacted.

However, the new administration is actively reviewing implementing that law which would force them to do just that.

“We are now in very delicate negotiations with the U.S. government,” said Registrar General Shane Miller in an earlier interview with Guardian Business. “We may decide that Cable Bahamas would have to enter into a contract with premium programming providers to be able to carry those signals and have legal protection behind it.”

The situation with HBO and The Bahamas perhaps stands on even shakier ground given CC also has controlling interest in Cable Bahamas, holding nearly 30 percent of the publicly traded company’s shares, which gives it the single largest voting block and so control.

Cable Bahamas officials could not be reached yesterday for further comment.

However, the specter of litigation is not just a concern for that institution, but for the country itself as the U.S. prepares to produce its annual list of nations they feel have little regard for copyright matters.

The Bahamas was removed from that list last year, but Miller said the country must maintain its vigilance to remain off this year and in the future. And while The Bahamas has resolved its interest around counterfeit issues like the sale of fake merchandise, the issue of how Cable Bahamas gets its programming appears to have been left largely unresolved.

Source: Nassau Guardian

The issue has long been a big bone of contention for many clerics who have outright blasted any attempt to move in that direction.

Mr. McCartney said gaming plays a vital role in the promotion of the tourism industry which is the country’s main generator of revenue.

“The time has come, in my view, to formulate more progressive policies for the promotion of gaming in The Bahamas and to review and update our gaming laws in order to keep abreast of technological changes in the industry,” he told attendees of

A Gaming Board seminar yesterday.

In the early 1970’s the largest jackpot was 150 coins on the quarter slot machine which was worth about $37.50, the minister pointed out. Today, he said, one can win millions of dollars on the slots.

“Clearly, new legislation is needed to keep abreast of ever changing automation and new technology in gaming,” he said.

“A case can be made that our gaming laws are archaic. Despite the advancements of the Internet and the proliferation of gaming on-line, The Bahamas currently lacks substantive laws to regulate Internet gaming.”

Not so for other countries in this part of the world. For instance, the Turks and Caicos currently allows residents, who make a minimum of $75,000.00 annually, to gamble. Additionally they allow a number of local bars to have a few legal slot machines.

In Puerto Rico and Curacao citizens can gamble during ‘local nights’.

However, gaming has not all been a bed of roses for some countries. In the case of Antigua, in 2003, the government initiated a WTO case against the United States for blocking foreign operators from participating in American online gambling markets. The WTO ruled in 2004 and 2005 that the United States had violated the 1994 General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) treaty which it signed, that includes and permits Internet gambling.

After losing a final appeal, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative John K. Veroneau, in a statement said that the US had decided “to exclude gambling from the scope of the U.S. commitments under the GATS”.

Gaming issues in The Bahamas are different.

“Whenever the question of the expansion of gaming comes up in The Bahamas, as it does from time to time, decisive action is effectively forestalled by a strong lobby from the religious community,” said Mr. McCartney.

“The question of the introduction of a national lottery appears to have been still born. However as an industry if gaming does not move forward the only other choice is to stagnate and die.”

He raised several pivotal questions that should be answered about local participation in gaming potentially banning foreigners from participating who qualify for permanent residency permits without the right to work because they purchased a home or condominium for a certain price because they are regarded as ordinarily resident in The Bahamas.

There are an estimated 10,000 persons with permanent residence status for The Bahamas.

There is a growing market for casino operators in islands like Exuma, New Providence and Abaco, according to tourism officials.

The tourism state minister said the prospect of Harrah’s Entertainment joining with Baha Mar developers for the development of the properties along Cable Beach, coupled with the reopening of the Royal Oasis Resort and Casino in Grand Bahama provides an excellent opportunity to address the challenges faced by legalized gaming in The Bahamas.

Source: Bahama Journal

By the end of 2008 The Bahamas government will be more Internet friendly, according to Minister of State for Finance Zhivargo Laing who yesterday announced plans for a number of government services soon to be accessible online.

Minister Laing made the announcement during the launch of the post office’s website and postal online tracking solution.

Laing said that by the end of next year, Bahamians could look forward to online applications for police records, driver’s license renewals, e-passports and various permits and certificates. Services also will be offered online to electronically pay for a number of government services, including real property tax and customs duties.

In addition to those services, Laing said that a client-centric citizens, residents and business community web portal — directing customers to the information, products and services they desire from the government’s website — will be implemented.

Two hundred government forms also will be available online for easy access and download. And the government plans to expand and improve its wide area network to ensure better service and greater capacity, a service that would also be extended to the Family Islands.

“Our being here today is another step along our serious march toward the full realization of e-government in The Bahamas,” Laing said. “Today we launch the Post Office website and online tracking solution. The Post Office Department is one of the few public service agencies which directly competes with the private sector, as a number of private entities provide courier services similar to The Bahamas Postal Service.”

The new online system at the Post Office provides information about postal department services, products for sale and makes available a means for tracking parcels and letters sent through the Express Mail Service.

“This online tracking of registered and EMS mail is an important interactive phase facility for the users of the postal service,” said Laing. “And it now means that clients of the Post Office will be able to purchase a service request from the counter to its delivery point. This introduces new levels of transparency and accountability into the government’s postal delivery service.”

The new system at the Post Office will help alleviate frustrations of persons trying to locate packages. Now customers can log on to www.bahamas.gov.bs/postalservice for that information.

“More and more the government of The Bahamas will make use of Information Communication Technology to modernize its systems and bring more effective and efficient services to the public,” said Laing. “It is a long journey but we will get there.”

The Bahamas Government Online initiative was launched in January 2006. Post Master General Godfrey Clarke said he was elated that the Post Office could now offer customers a “splendid” online service.

He added that the latest online feature would alleviate waiting on lines at the Post Office, with the new application forms readily available online.

Source: Nassau Guardian

Police have issued no substantial update on the murder of Dr. Thaddeus McDonald, whom students, family members and friends affectionately called ‘Dr. Mac’.

Some of those who attended the memorial ceremony were still visibly upset at losing one they loved to such violence while others paid various tributes, including a special African drum salute performed by CLICO Colours.

“I remember Dr. Mac as a valiant member within the college community,” said Heather Watkins Hunt, a COB alumna. “He was a quiet gentlemen, a teacher and a friend.”

Mrs. Watkins Hunt recalled that what was so special about Dr. McDonald was that he made any subject easy to understand and enjoyable for students.

“Dr. Mac had an open door policy for all students and his personality was bright and colourful as the Dashikis he wore,” she said.

COB President Jayne Hodder extended condolences to family members and close friends who attended the memorial.

Dr. Earla Carey-Baines, dean of Liberal and Fine Arts brought remarks on behalf of the Ghanaian community. Dr. Carey Baines, along with Dr. Rhonda Chipman-Johnson, executive vice president, are expected to take over Dr. McDonald’s responsibilities for the time being.

As the ceremony progressed, some persons wept openly.

Members of the African Bahamian Association (ABA) were clad in red and black coloured African regalia as they sat somberly in the audience.

Lydia Ferguson, chairperson for the Advisory Council of the ABA, explained that the colours are worn in times of mourning in Africa.

“We are mourning Dr. Thaddeus McDonald, as he was a Ghanaian and a Bahamian,” she said.

“Red actually stands for the pain and passion of love they have for their family members. It also represents distress. As someone is suddenly killed, immediately a family member takes a red cloth and they tear it right up which is the reason why the edges are jagged.”

In delivering the eulogy, Dr. Chipman-Johnson described Dr. McDonald as a man dedicated to teaching and learning.

“He stood behind the College in any venture it undertook,” she said. “His home was a testimony of love for Africa and The Bahamas. He lived and breathed for Africa.”

He was also remembered as an inspiration.

Anastarcia Huyler, president of the College of The Bahamas Union of Students (COBUS), said Dr. McDonald represented the voice of persons who were enthused about culture.

“He stood for everything that was Bahamian and helped to give us a sense of self-esteem as black people especially with those of us of African heritage,” she said.

“I was not even a member of his school and he welcomed me. We met a year ago when I hosted an event for campus life and since then he has had me involved with the African movement here in the Bahamas.”

“I was in Africa for the past two weeks, ironically and he passed on my birthday while I was in Africa, the place that I loved.

She said COBUS mourns the death of a great giant.

Persons attending the service included past presidents of the college, Dr. Keva Bethel and Dr. Leon Higgs; present and former ministers of education, Carl Bethel and Alfred Sears; former archivist Dr. Gail Saunders, Dr. Nicolette Bethel, director of youth, sportsman Alpheus ‘Hawk’ Finalyson and Senator Dr. Jacinta Higgs.

Dr. McDonald’s body was found badly beaten in his Queen Street residence two weeks ago.

Source: Bahama Journal

In his sworn testimony, Fort Lauderdale based investigator Steve Mallon told the court that during an August 1, 2007 interview with Jamaican national Manani Taylor at the Carmichael Road Detention Center, the detainee told him that he had purchased his voter’s card for $1,000.

Taylor is one of 159 people whose votes are being challenged by Senator Maynard Gibson.

According to Mr. Mallon, Taylor said a man called ‘Keith’ told him he knew a guy who could “get things done.”

Taylor gave ‘Keith’ $1,000 and in return was sent to the Farrington Road Parliamentary Registration Department to collect a voter’s card, Mr. Mallon testified.

Recalling the details of his interview with Taylor, the private investigators said when Taylor arrived at the Farrington Road office he identified himself and said he had come to collect a voter’s card. He was asked where he was born and replied “I was born in the Bahamas,” Mr. Mallon told the court.

According to the witness, the Jamaican national told the government department that he had no ID or documents in his possession, however, he was allowed to take a photograph and given the crucial voting document.

Taylor described the woman who processed him at the Parliamentary Registration Department as being in her 40’s and said he was told to ask for this same woman whom ‘Keith’ identified by a name that sounded like ‘Tricks.’

In the election court last week, Deputy Director of Immigration Lambert Campbell told the court that Taylor had a permit to reside in The Bahamas in 1996.

At some point, according to his file, he was picked up by authorities and taken to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

Mr. Campbell said Taylor was released in 2001.

According to the file, the Jamaican man had two Bahamian voters cards.

Taylor was arrested again in 2007 in the law enforcement operation “Quiet Storm,” and he reportedly produced his voter’s card as proof of legal status in The Bahamas.

The matter was sent to police to investigate, Mr. Campbell said.

The file indicates that the director of immigration was advised that Taylor should face criminal charges, but no charges were filed, according to evidence given in the election court.

Instead, the Jamaican man was repatriated on August 31 following his second stint at the Detention Centre.

Voter Quizzed On Nationality

Another Pinewood voter whose nationality is under question took the witness stand in the election court Tuesday. The witness, speculated to be Haitian, was quizzed about herself and her son, who also voted in the Pinewood constituency in the May 2, general election.

Betty Charles Joseph, 46, told the court that her mother brought her to New Providence from Haiti, when she was 14-years-old.

She testified that she had never attended school here or in Haiti.

The witness – who spoke English with a heavy Creole accent – claimed to have attended night school at Our Lady’s Catholic Church, but she told the court that she did not know how to read or write.

Senator Maynard Gibson is challenging the vote of Ms Joseph’s son, Kendal Seraphin on the grounds that he did not live in the Pinewood constituency at least six months prior to the May 2, general election which is required by law.

An earlier attempt by Mrs. Maynard Gibson to amend her petition to challenge Mr. Seraphin’s vote on the ground of citizenship was denied.

In court Tuesday, Mrs. Maynard Gibson’s attorney, Philip “Brave” Davis and Michael Barnett, the attorney for Pinewood MP, Byran Woodside expressed different opinions over whether Ms Joseph herself was a Bahamian citizen and whether her birth certificate - a document which Mr. Davis said was amended - was legitimate.

On Monday, Antoinette Bowe, deputy chief medical records officer at the Princess Margaret Hospital, said the hospital had no record of Ms Joseph’s birth, although it did have records showing the births of her six children.

Attorney Davis told the court today that because Ms Joseph was not married before, Kendal – her second son – was born in 1981, under the law that child would take his mother’s nationality.

Outsiders Voting In Pinewood

Also taking the stand Tuesday, were Pinewood Gardens voters Michael Smith, Lavana Turnquest, and Sheena Rolle all testified that they resided in Sir Lynden Pindling Estates leading up to the general election, which is in another constituency.

Another Pinewood voter who took the witness stand, Latoya Hanna, told the court that she lived on Sequoia Street East in a triplex.

When asked by Mr. Davis exactly where she lived in Pinewood, Ms. Hanna pointed out on a map provided to an area outside the Pinewood boundary lines.

Also, Eleanor Brennen testified that another Pinewood Gardens voter, Cheryl Williams, should not have voted in that constituency because Ms. Williams was living with the witness’ husband on Augusta Street within the six month period leading up to the May 2, election.

There were at least four subpoenaed witnesses who failed to appear before the court. Mr. Davis said he still expects to wrap up his case by the end of the week.

Michael Barnett, the attorney for Mr. Woodside said he is prepared to begin calling witnesses by next week Tuesday.

Source: Bahama Journal

The Royal Oasis may have thought that it was out of the woods when it decided to honor the agreements that 3,000 time share owners had with the previous owner. It appears, however, that another group of timeshare owners is now looking to have its own concerns addressed. According to letters of complaint mailed to the Guardian last month, timeshare owners at the neighboring Freeport Resort and Club argue that the Royal Oasis must respect their right to access its golf course, beach and a pathway cutting across that property and leading to the International Bazaar. Owners say they have enjoyed these amenities for a number of years and are appealing to the government to intervene.

In a letter-writing campaign aimed at finding solutions to their grievances, these timeshare owners argue that they have been unjustly treated. According to Rolland and Beverly McElhaney of Onsted, Michigan, timeshare owners are battling three main issues. “”We understand the Driftwood Property in Grand Bahama (formerly Princess) is in the process of being sold and sincerely hope the grievances with Freeport Resort and Club (adjoining property) will be addressed and corrected. The three grievances are: A) The shortcut path which we used for 25 years has been closed since Sunrise Hwy. was diverted by Driftwood; B) After 25 years of golf at ‘privileged rates’ at the Ruby & Emerald courses, it was denied after Driftwood took over and C) The Bahamia Beach Club should be rebuilt.”

It’s a similar story for another fractional unit owner.

“My wife and I have been timeshare owners at Freeport Resort and Club on Grand Bahama for some seven years. We have enjoyed vacationing in The Bahamas and until recently never regretted the decision to invest our vacation dollars in Grand Bahama,” wrote James Garvey, a timeshare owner from New York.

“I am outraged that the Driftwood Companies have taken these privileges away. These amenities, some of which have been enjoyed for over 25 years, were promised to us, they are binding, and it is unconstitutional for them to be denied,” wrote Loretta MacNeil from Boston Massachusetts.

Readers may recall that earlier this year, Harcourt Developments agreed to honor agreements made with existing owners of timeshares when they took over that property, however, timeshare owners at Freeport Resort and Club, the vast majority of which hail from the United States and Canada, and many of whom have been owners for over twenty years, say that they feel that their rights have been violated. They are hoping that just as Harcourt Development honored existing contracts, they will do the same in their case.

“We have made overtures to Harcourt during our preliminary meetings with them and we’ve gotten a pretty good vibe from them,” said Jack Grobowsky, President of Freeport Resort and Club. “At present, we are optimistic that we will get a reasonable … but we haven’t heard anything yet. We plan to contact them in less than ten days to find a remedy to these issues.”.

Guardian Business was unable to make contact with officials at Harcourt Development up to press time.

Source: Nassau Guardian