Radio Abaco News

March 2000 Table of Contents

RADIO ABACO NEWS

School Protests: Abaco Central High School was severely damaged by Hurricane Floyd and four months after the storm an 8-classroom block was without electricity and in a state of disrepair. On 27th January the president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, Kingsley Black, toured the school and spoke with teachers. He declared that the conditions at the school were intolerable. On 27th January the school's PTA board issued a press release saying that the school was not fit for the children to learn in. President Leonard Edgecombe urged that students should stay out of school until repairs were effected. Next day the students themselves protested, led by Head Girl Antwanya Meeres. District Education Superintendent Jackson McIntosh met with the students and said he supported their effort. Although the students' action was seemingly rebellious, he said, "I am not angry at you for doing it... I am with you on this... This shows you really care... Within two weeks, all wrongs will be resolved." The student protest was headline news in the nation's leading newspaper, the Tribune, on 29th January. In response to the protest and PTA action, Livingstone Junior Williams of Bert Williams & Sons, the contractors for the school repairs, said the actions were out of line. "I am very surprised that those that are in power like the DEO (DES), principal and teachers do not have any knowledge of what is going on in the school." Lights, he said were not in his contract. He disputed claims that the new roof was leaking as stains were not found on the sheet rock ceilings. He claimed the water had to be coming in through the shutters when it rained. Mr Williams said that delays were not of his making and that the reason for each delay was on record. Over 50 parents met at the school on 31st January to view the conditions and meet with Jackson McIntosh. The previous day, lights had been installed in some of the rooms. Mr Edgecombe pointed out that exposed electric wires still existed and that the new roof leaked. Mr McIntosh said that the school would be ready the next day and asked for students to return to school on 1st February. They did so, and the conditions were considerably more amenable than they had been a few days before. Work was still in progress on 11th February and the students again boycotted school for the day. At a 17th February PTA meeting, it was made clear that the parents were tolerant because action had been seen since their protest, but the repairs would be monitored to the end. Mr Jackson McIntosh was present at that meeting and spoke in a low voice. With the Hurricane Floyd damage due to be addressed, other long-standing needs of the school that have not been dealt with over the last four years surfaced from parents' questioning.

New Abaco Markets Location: On 29th January Abaco Markets opened their new location at the old Sawyer's Market site. The store is managed by Robert Malone and is open from 7 am to 7 pm. The new outlet is not a convenience store but a fully stocked market.

Explosive Developments: When the management and staff of Island Bakery in downtown Marsh Harbour reported to work at 6.15 on 3rd February, they immediately noticed the pungent odour of propane gas. Manager Bertram Mills Jr checked for leaks then decided to call in a professional. It was discovered that one of the gas lines had been filed and cut, then replaced in the wall to disguise its condition. Later, charred paper was found which indicated somebody had tried to blow the building up. When the back of the oven was checked, there was a flame track which suggested there had, indeed been a small explosion. According to Mr Mills, there had been an attempt to destroy the bakery. "It could have levelled the whole B & B complex," he said. Police are investigating.

Central Pines Estates: Minister the Honourable Algernon Allen and party examined progress at Central Pines Estates in Marsh Harbour and also made an excursion to south Abaco. The lots, it was said, would be available for $12-14,000 and be fully linked-up to utilities. Over 200 applicants are being processed so far in the first 400 lot stage of the 600 lot development. "Going like hot cakes!" said MP Robert Sweeting.

But How Do You Pay? Along with Minister Allen was Bahamas Mortgage Corporation president Honourable Neko Grant. He said the Central Pines Estates development would be a reality 'sooner rather than later'. His corporation's office would operate out of the Housing Development Office in Dundas Town. Choose your lot, pay for it, then negotiate your terms with the corporation. He expected a qualified Abaconian would be in charge of the office.

A Sad, Happy Day: Dundas Town School was closed in early February and its students transferred to Central Abaco Primary School on Forest Drive. It was a sad day because many of the parents of the children had been taught and had enjoyable experiences at their home town school. It was a happy day, however, because Murphy Town and Dundas Town children finally met their peers in what our Prime Minister has called the most modern primary school in The Bahamas. District Education Superintendent Jackson McIntosh said that weather conditions were a factor in the timing of the move as the school had not been repaired since being damaged by Hurricane Floyd. He was also regretful that the playground area at Central Abaco Primary was not up to what it will be by September. He asked motorists to be particularly careful when on Forest Drive because of the new students getting used to reaching their new school.

Traffic Fatality: Abaco recorded its first traffic fatality of the year on 14th February when Richard Mark Hedden, 44, a resident of the UK who was staying with family on the island, ran into a wrecker which was removing a car from the bush on S C Bootle Highway about 10 miles from Marsh Harbour shortly before 8 pm. Mr Hedden was driving a blue Suzuki licence number 2598 owned by Mary Deal of Joe's Creek. Mary was the victim's sister. Mr Hedden had just returned from a brief visit with his brother, John Hedden, who lives in south Abaco, when the accident occurred. Mr Richard Hedden had been visiting his mother and family and had only been on the island for a few hours when the terrible accident occurred.

Councillors Meet with PM: Five of the nine Central Abaco District councillors met on 14th February in Nassau with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham to discuss a number of local issues. Referring to Abaco Central High School, Prime Minister Ingraham said the students should stay in school, which could be better in its exam results. He noted that the school was one of the most vandalised in the country. Another topic was the widening of Forest Drive and the building of a sidewalk for the students at the two largest schools on the island, both of which are on Forest Drive. There could be problems, Mr Ingraham noted, because of bad planning that had allowed buildings to be constructed too close to the road. Public Works had been informed about the sidewalk and Mr Ingraham looked upon the children's safety as a priority. He fully approved of Central Council's plans to restore Front Street in Marsh Harbour. He noted, however, that any side roads paved in Murphy Town, Dundas Town and Marsh Harbour would have to include water and electricity lines. Cataloguing and restoration of the three public docks - Union Jack, Old Ferry Dock and South Side Dock - would be put into the hands of the Ministry of Works. Prime Minister Ingraham was surprised to learn from Central Council that 30 year old asbestos water piping still existed in Marsh Harbour. The Water and Sewerage Corporation would be instructed to look into the matter. On the matter of the Haitian Mud and Pigeon Pea situation, Mr Ingraham said, provisions had been made for the relocation of people of Haitian descent to an area south of Joe's Creek and north of Murphy Town (which means, in real terms, between Treasure Cay and Marsh Harbour). 60' x 90' lots would be made available with utilities provided. He also went on to say the Haitian problem on Abaco was of its own making and could not be solved by Nassau. Abaconians hired illegal aliens and thereby allowed them to continue here. There was, he noted, an enormous drain on social services because of the added, incalculable, numbers requiring attention.

Ministry of Works Responds: Minister of Works, Hon James Knowles, and party accompanied officials on a tour of the island's needs. He saw the Abaco Central High School, Central Abaco Primary School, the local docks and the K & S junction problems. He was accompanied by MP Robert Sweeting who went with the Minister to south Abaco and Mores Island.

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