National Notes

May 2000 Table of Contents

NATIONAL NOTES

Police Seize Bales: Police seized some 60 bales of marijuana in south Long Island on 22nd March. This was a further indication of an increase in drug trafficking in the Out Islands. A Roses, Long Island, man was kidnapped the previous day but police were able to pick up five suspects in short order. It is not known whether the kidnapping was related to the marijuana seizure.

Freight Vessel Sinks: Three people drowned and two survived when the freight vessel Alma B capsized two miles south of Cat Cay, Bimini, on 23rd March. Dead were the captain, a Nicaraguan seaman and a passenger. The boat was carrying building materials and groceries to Bimini from Miami.

Speech From the Throne: Governor-General Sir Orville Turnquest delivered the Speech From the Throne promising a new Dangerous Drugs Bill, major police force restructuring, improvements to Fox Hill Prison rehabilitation programmes, a new Magistrate's Act and Coroner's Court Act, and a Children's and Young People's Act that provides for parenting orders and re-integration into the community of non-violent juvenile offenders.

Parliamentary Registration Department: The Parliamentary Commissioner reminds the general public that registration of voters on the current Register continues on a daily basis at the Parliamentary Registration Department offices in Nassau and Freeport and the various Island Administrator's offices in the Family Islands. All Bahamian citizens, 18 years and older, whose names do not presently appear on the Official Register are urged to register. The Parliamentary Commissioner also urges all persons whose names appear on the register and who have moved to a new constituency since registering, to apply for transfer of their registration to the new constituency.

Teacher of the Year: Joan Knowles of Oakes Field Primary School, Nassau, was chosen as the 2000 National Teacher of the Year. Vernita Davis of Thelma Gibson Primary and Catherine Collins of North Eleuthera High School were the runners up. Abaco was represented by Mrs Neulessa Major.

Clifton Cay: Perhaps the biggest political hot potato of the past year in The Bahamas is the proposed development of 600 acres of land in the south-west of New Providence called Clifton Cay as a gated community. There has been reaction against both the loss of beach access for Nassau residents, loss of valuable wetlands and bird feeding areas, and the possible loss of archaeological treasures dating from both Arawak and slavery days. The ruins of the Whylly plantation are situated within the boundaries of the proposed community. Many Bahamians wonder what the fuss is about because they did not know the area was so richly endowed until the protests started. More Bahamians have visited the area since the dispute arose than ever before. Government has taken a hands-off policy but did reject a recommendation from its own archaeological consultants that advised no or limited development. The developers, in turn, have suggested a reduced building plan that would leave wetlands and historical sites untouched. A decided catalyst in the argument was an aerial photograph of New Providence printed in The Tribune last year which clearly showed how little coastline remained available to the Nassau public.

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