NATIONAL NOTES

November 2001 Table of Contents

NATIONAL NOTES

Long Island Storm: The heavy rain that drenched Abaco on 29th September moved on to Long Island and intensified. Some 18" fell over the weekend and ruined crops on the mainly rural island. Roads were impassable and cesspits overflowed, creating possible health hazards. Strong winds accompanied the rain and caused extensive damage. The main destruction occurred in the north of the island.

The Effects of Terrorism: Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham addressed the nation on 1st October following the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. He regretted that the events would seriously impact the Bahamian economy and reduce tourism for a period of time. Air travel to The Bahamas was significantly down but cruise ships still brought in significant revenue. Tourism maintained about $5 million a day in foreign exchange last year. Mr Ingraham said that non-essential government expenditure would be halted and noted that the crisis would affect every income earner in both the government and private sectors.

Terrorists in The Bahamas: Three of the terrorists who completed suicide missions in the US were in The Bahamas earlier this year. The names have not been released but two were refused entry into Freeport in May and were returned to the US. The third reportedly entered Bimini during May with German and Greek companions and underwent small aircraft flight instruction near the closest Bahamian island to the US mainland.

Election Fever: There will be a national election in The Bahamas during the next few months. There are three dissident governing FNM parliamentary members - Tennyson Wells, Algernon Allen and Pierre Dupuch - who will either run as independents or make an alliance. All three are highly respected in their constituencies, except that by a new Boundaries Commission exercise the Dupuch Shirlea constituency will be eliminated. But you cannot eliminate the people, the voters, and it seems that all three will play an extraordinary role in the national election. The FNM won the last election with 58% of the popular vote. If the political mood on Abaco is any rod to measure by, the next election will be much closer than the last. With a possible three or more independent candidates being successful we may, considering other matters, be cursed to live in "interesting times". The Bahamas has in the past been governed by a party that had an independent contribution to a majority of one. A successful wildcard three influential independents (all ex-cabinet members) could introduce The Bahamas to coalition agreement instead of parliamentary mandate. RADIO ABACO NEWS

Primary School Student Injured: Little Marvin Louvin left his class at Central Abaco Primary School and, in company of friends, ran with them over the Forest Drive highway, Dundas Town. A black Toyota driven by Nicholas Mills hit him and left him injured. An eye-witness, Rev Carlton Dorsette, said that he knew young Marvin was going to be hit before the accident happened. He tended to the boy and guessed that one of the boy's legs was badly broken. Some 1,400 schoolchildren attend three schools situated on Forest Drive and Radio Abaco urges all drivers in the area to observe the school zone speed limit and be especially careful and watchful when children are around.

Mary Cartwright: After a several years struggle with cancer, Mary Cartwright succumbed shortly after 7 pm on 24th September at her home in Little Orchard, Marsh Harbour. She had been in and out of coma recently and passed away peacefully in the company of her husband, Pastor David Cartwright, and their children Andrew, Jonathan and Cecile. Mary had been a long-serving primary school teacher at Marsh Harbour Primary School and, more recently, at Central Abaco Primary School. She is loved and will be remembered by so many.

Computer Thefts Continue: The spate of computer thefts on Abaco during the past year was considered over when several arrests were made in the summer. Not so. Two computers used by the Road Traffic Centre in Dundas Town were stolen during the night of 1st-2nd October along with a digital camera. Entry was effected through a rear window. The police called the theft "a brazen act".

Medical Fund Established: A medical fund has been established to assist Terrel Roker of Sandy Point who was shot in the back twice during a commercial fishing trip to Bimini, as was reported in last month's Journal. The shooting apparently followed a dispute over a crawfish habitat. The bullets have not yet been removed as their location near Mr. Roker's lower spine requires advanced surgery. The operation will take place either in Florida or Cuba.

Visitor Levels Remain Steady: Radio Abaco conducted a survey with the assistance of the Department of Immigration to see how the recent terrorist acts in the US have affected tourism. For the week ending 4th October there were 573 visitors in 2000 and 616 in 2001. This shows very little change. These figures include Bahamian as well as US entries. The months of September, October and November are the traditional slow months for tourism on Abaco.

BEC Fuel Pipeline: At a meeting of the Dundas Town Town Committee on 10th October a request was made by the Bahamas Electricity Corporation to run a diesel pipeline from Ocean View Park, down Tamarind Drive, along Forest Drive as far as Grace Avenue, then on to the BEC road which leads to the main generating site. At the moment, diesel fuel is trucked in daily from Treasure Cay. The decision was adjourned.

Car Vandalism: Some time between 4 pm on the 11th October and the next morning, four cars were vandalised at the Treasure Cay Ferry Dock car park. One, a red Volkswagen belonging to Ann Saunders of Green Turtle Cay, had a window smashed and there was evidence that the car had been searched.

Strange Robbery: Roderick's Convenience Store on Crockett Drive, Marsh Harbour, was broken into on 11th October by a thief or thieves who gained entry by smashing the front door glass. Only one item went missing, however: a counterfeit $10 note. Roderick Strachan, the store's owner, had it on display so the public could be on the alert. Mr Strachan said that a young man had asked him for the note earlier in the day.

School Pool: Long Bay School on Forest Drive, Dundas Town, became the first school on the island with a swimming pool in early October. It is the aim of the school to ensure that all its 119 students, who live surrounded by water, learn to swim.

Terrorist Tax: Because of the recent terrorist actions against the United States, Bahamasair has instituted a security tax to cover increased surveillance. Flights to the US will have a $10 surcharge and there will be a $3 charge on domestic flights. A round trip journey to Nassau will, as of 18th October, cost $146.

November 2001 Table of Contents