December 2002 Table of Contents

RADIO ABACO NEWS

Abaco Chamber of Commerce: Tourism minister Obie Wilchcombe spoke to the Abaco Chamber of Commerce on 18th October at Abaco Beach Resort and addressed several areas of concern for Abaco. Foreign-owned bonefish lodges were legal as long as they offered ten rooms or more. On the subject of second home owners using their properties as rental cottages he noted that “to some degree you have to protect (the local hotels)”. He said that Cabinet colleagues were studying legislation as there had been many letters of complaint about the practice. Several ACC members advised the minister to approach the matter with great caution as much of Abaco’s tourism economy depends on such arrangements. There were far more rental cottages available than hotel rooms.

Fewer Flights: Bahamasair has cut the number of flights to Treasure Cay. There will be no service to Treasure Cay from Nassau on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and only one flight on the other days. On the plus side, Bahamasair resumed flights to West Palm Beach from Marsh Harbour with the inaugural flight taking place on 15th November.

Election 2002: If you didn’t laugh, you had to cry. The Bahamas general election earlier this year was a shocker with the country (except for Abaco) performing a political flip-flop. David Wallace, a minister under the previous FNM government, decided he was going to laugh instead of cry. Along with poet and activist Michael Pintard, Marsha Stubbs, Anthony Lockhart and Patrice Johnson he wrote and performed a satirical review he called Election 2002. Three shows on 25th and 26th October at the Anglican Hall in Marsh Harbour were packed out and the audience reaction was phenomenal. If there’s anything Bahamians enjoy it’s politics and Election 2002 allowed them to laugh at themselves and each other.

New Computer Lab: The PTA of Abaco Central High School turned over a new computer lab after the previous one had been seriously vandalised. PTA president Leonard Edgecombe handed over the keys to Business Studies teacher Beverly Rolle who noted that the school still required more computers. The new lab is air conditioned with private terminals.

Oil Rigs? There is activity off Walkers Cay which seems to indicate that drilling operations are in progress. A Canadian company which had obtained permission from the previous government appears to be drilling in 15 feet of water some two miles southwest of Walkers Cay. There is also a 300 foot freighter on hand. The operation has been under way for several months and the work crew have been uncommunicative. The rigs are on fishing grounds where local fishermen place their crawfish condos.

Remembrance Day: Abaconians honoured the fallen in two world wars on Remembrance Day 10th November. Senior Island Administrator Alexander Williams addressed St John the Baptist Anglican Church in Marsh Harbour and spoke of those who had made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom. A parade of scouts walked from Aldersgate Methodist Church to the Union Jack Dock where a wreath was laid on the harbour waters while the Wesley College band played “Abide With Me”. Present was scout master Drexel Major who was paralysed in a traffic accident last year and is undergoing treatment in Nassau.

More Lights!: Following a traffic accident on 11th November at the S C Bootle Highway and Don MacKay Boulevard junction, local businessman Lowell Albury told Radio Abaco that he would like to see lights installed. He pointed out that a 1999 study showed that 8,400 vehicles passed that way daily, a figure which is probably closer to 1,000 now. Two years ago there had been a fatal accident in the area and several lesser accidents.

Abaco Man Shot: Police in Holly Hill near the Daytona Beach area of Florida responed to a call just before 10 pm on 11th November and found the body of Marvin Leon Roberts, 29, of Treasure Cay, on a coastal dock. Roberts had died from multiple gunshot wounds. Next day the police found the body of Desmond Russell, 39, of Grand Bahama in the nearby waters of the Halifax River. Local residents who knew Roberts say that he was a quiet person who had married just three months ago and has a young son.

December 2002 Table of Contents