National Notes

July 2000 Table of Contents

NATIONAL NOTES

Archdeacon Shot: The nation was stunned at the news that retired Anglican church leader Archdeacon William Thompson had been shot by a robber at his rectory in the early hours of 29th May. Archdeacon Thompson, 66, was wounded in his chest and back and was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital in critical condition. The Archdeacon had retired as rector of St Agnes Church, Nassau, in 1999 after 32 years of service. There was an ecumenical overload of blood donations that accommodated the needs of both sinners and saints. Archdeacon Thompson finally succumbed to his wounds on 23rd June and was buried on 1st July.

2000/2001 Budget: Minister of Finance Sir William Allen presented a balanced $2.08 billion budget in the House of Assembly that brought benefits to many Family Islanders. The islands (not including New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Abaco) will receive a further two year customs duty exemption for building material and machinery used to clear land. The rate of duty on golf carts is to be reduced from 50% to 20% while duty on computer hardware and cameras is to be eliminated. The major emphasis of the budget was on education, health, national security, tourism and social services. "I regard it as a singular honour to have been afforded the opportunity of assisting in putting The Bahamas on the path of sustainable growth," Sir William said.

Moncur Wins NCAA Title: Bahamian Avard Moncur of Auburn won the men's 400m title in the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships held in Durham NC in a time of 44.72 which set a new national record, a new school record and was the third-fastest time in the world this year.

Horror in Nassau: Seven year old Jasmine Wood and her four year old brother Drexel Wilson were murdered in the early hours of 13th June in a middle class area of Nassau while their mother, Lakeisha Wood-Johnson, left them briefly to make a telephone call. Both had their necks slashed. The mother returned to discover her dead children while the murderer was still in the apartment. He tried to assault her but she ran out, screaming. Police arrived on the scene and arrested Herbert Johnson, 35, who is believed to be the caretaker of the triplex where Mrs Wood-Johnson and her children lived. Johnson was found about 150 feet from the scene of the crime with his wrists slashed. Police kept a 24 hour vigil on Johnson at Princess Margaret Hospital before moving him to Fox Hill prison. It was a bad several days for the Wood family. Lakeisha Wood-Johnson's uncle Lionel Wood was shot by police the previous week after he ran amok on a tractor, destroying cars, a police motorcycle and damaging several buildings. Then on the day before the children's murder, her cousin Terrance Wood was killed by a shotgun wound to the head over a land dispute in Eleuthera.

Bahamian Labour Hero Dies: Sir Randol Fawkes, a prominent labour activist, died at the age of 76 at Lyford Cay Hospital, Nassau, of heart disease. Sir Randol was known as the father of the Bahamian labour movement and helped establish Labour Day as a public holiday.

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