RADIO ABACO NEWS

March 2001 Table of Contents

RADIO ABACO NEWS

Rev Carlton Dorsette to Nicaragua: Rev Carlton Dorsette, pastor of Trumpet Assemblies of God in Dundas Town, set off for a nine day mission to Managua, Nicaragua, on 17 January. Although most of Rev Dorsette's ministry would take place in Managua, he would also be visiting villages on the outskirts of the city to communicate with the indigenous population through an interpreter. Rev Dorsette has previously ministered to an Alabama correctional institution.

Computers from Disney: Gunther Schmidt of Disney Cruise Lines presented seven Abaco primary schools with computers on behalf of his company. Although the computers had been used by Disney on Castaway Cay, they were all upgraded for children's use with relevant programs, stereo speakers and CD roms.

Abaco Population Increase: The population of Abaco has risen 32% since 1990. The population at the time of the 2000 Census was 13,174, up 3,171 from 1990. The population of Marsh Harbour and south went from 4,581 to 6,607 while Dundas Town, Murphy Town and north rose from 5,422 to 6,567. The number for The Mud and Pigeon Pea was approximately 1,200. The total population of The Bahamas in 1990 was 254,685 and in 2000 was 304,413.

No More Duplexes: The Marsh Harbour Town Planning Committee has decided there will be no more duplexes built in Government Sub Division (Norman Cove Estate). At the moment multi-storey building outnumber single family homes, for which the area was intended. The ban would maintain a balance between permanent and transient residents.

Reverend Chief Councillor: Joseph Norris, the Chief Councillor for North Abaco, was ordained associate pastor for Full Gospel Assemblies of God, Treasure Cay, on 28th January. Rev Norris is the supervisor of revenue collection in Marsh Harbour and is responsible for the collection of real property tax and business licences. At the ordination Rev Ernie DeLoach admonished Rev Norris to "preach every sermon, teach every lesson, as though it were your last. A sense of urgency should be present whenever you communicate God's word." Superintendent of churches, Vernon Moses, applauded and encouragement, which helped bring Rev Joseph Norris to his present status.

Consultative Crime Committee: The recently-formed 31-member Consultative Crime Committee held its first meeting on 31st January with 16 members present. Randy Key was elected chairman, Jimmy Williams deputy chairman, Leiann Key-Kaighan secretary and Lisa Sawyer assistant secretary. The liaison officer is Corporal Dorsette. The committee wishes to create a general public awareness of crime on the island and encourage the public to cooperate with the police force.

World Outreach Ministries: Under the theme Financially Empowering Kingdom Citizens Through Sowing and Reaping, the World Outreach Ministries International held a three-day conference at Below Decks, Abaco Beach Hotel, from 29th-31st January. The host pastor was Larry Williams and the keynote address was delivered by Pastor Derek Benjamin. He asked those present to be good managers of what God has given them. "Manage your own household. That means be sensible, conscientious, and be a faithful steward. All your material possessions belong to God and it is up to you to manage them." He advised his listeners to avoid 'get rich quick' schemes and lotteries. Pastor Benjamin, a retired bank manager, also warned against co-signing for loans. "You may be left to foot the bill." About 70 people attended each night and music was provided by New Directions out of Full Gospel Church, Treasure Cay.

Wasn't Cold to Them: Gunther Schmidt, Disney supervisor at Castaway Cay, said that chilly temperatures in January did little to faze northern visitors. "Many of our guests come from further north. The Caribbean in winter is quite pleasant to them." Castaway Cay is visited once a week by the Disney Magic and twice a week by Disney Wonder. Each ship brings between 1,000 and 3,000 passengers. Mr Schmidt said booking are stronger than ever. 25 local people are employed at Castaway Cay.

Full Time Magistrate: As Abaco's population has increased, so has the incidence of crime. The quarterly visits by magistrates led to a backlog of cases up to two years. Abaco now has a full-time magistrate in the person of Crawford McKee, from Nassau.

Ranch Raid: CID officers raided the Ranch club and sports bar in Marsh Harbour at 2 am on 4th February, searching for drugs and weapons. There were about 100 patrons at the club and the CID officers separated the men from the women. Several men were searched but not women as there were no female officers present. No arrests were made but bottles and rocks were thrown and one police vehicle window was broken.

Abaco Arts Festival: The fourth Annual Arts Festival was held at the Pavilion, Abaco Beach Hotel & Resort from 2nd - 4th February. This year's festival was dedicated to the memory of Don Barnes, a Canadian artist who had exhibited at all previous festivals and who died last year. Over one and a half million dollars worth of art was on display. Bridgette Carey's display depicted scenes above and below the sea. Her display was hard to miss as it was at the very entrance to the festival. Cavelle Macdonell of Treasure Cay showed off her latest work, painted on tiles. Tuppy Weatherford entered the exhibition for the first time displaying captivating photographs. Two of her photographs showed sunrise and sunset in Hope Town on 1st January 2000. Others showed the July 2000 Abaco Regatta. Pete Johnston displayed his sculpture work, Blain Sweeting his driftwood furniture, while Garvin Russell displayed gorgeous jewellery boxes made right here on Abaco from local cedar. Alice Bain showed off her ceramics, while Colette Bootle showed off her water colours and glass vase neatly covered with pine needles sown together. Truly an exhibition of talent.

Enough All Ready: When Basil Wilmore, proprietor of TNT Service Station on S C Bootle Highway near Dundas Town, arrived for work on 6th February he met yet another break in and this time fire. Apparently the intruder had entered by a side door. Wilmore smelled smoke coming from the attic and alerted the volunteer Town who quickly arrived and extinguished the fire. Indications are that the intruder poured motor oil in the attic and set it on fire. Because motor oil is not highly inflammable, the fire did not spread quickly. Wilmore said that the number of break ins at his establishment is annoying.

Boycott of Games? One of the areas that has received little attention by government since Hurricane Floyd is sporting facilities. The basketball courts in Sandy Point, Dundas Town, Murphy Town and Coopers Town were all damaged. Because of the government's priority to look after residences, the sporting facilities have been overlooked. The Abaco Sports Council met and discussed their next move. President Frank Hepburn said that the former minister, the Hon David Thompson, offered materials only to assist in refurbishment, calling on the Sports Council to provide free labour is planned with the new minister, Hon Dion Foulkes, in the near future. If the meeting is fruitless, the Council must be prepared to boycott the upcoming Bahamas Games due to lack of training facilities. The Games are set for July of this year.

Football Scholarship: Dion McPhee of Dundas Town has been awarded a football scholarship at the University of Connecticut. Dion, 19, stands at 6' 4" and weighs 260 lbs. He was recruited as a defensive lineman.

March 2001 Table of Contents