RADIO ABACO NEWS
A 'Local Government in Review One Year After' seminar involving senior officials of the Ministry of Family Island Affairs and Local Government and Abaco council, town committee and board members was held 21st - 23rd August at Abaco Beach Hotel. The seminar was officially opened by Minister Vernon Symonette and the aim was to help make all those involved in the local government process more effective in their roles.
Mrs Royann Swain has been confirmed as Principal of Abaco Central Secondary School. Mrs Swain took over as Acting Principal when Mr Cephas Cooper, the previous Principal, was seconded to the Ministry of Local Government earlier this year.
Principal Eunice Mills took the reins at Central Abaco Primary School as former Principal Felamease Sawyer started a 3 year study course. The buildings for the new school were not completed so Grades 1-3 students will remain at Marsh Harbour School while Deputy Principal Beatrice Moxey supervises Grades 4-6 at Dundas Town School.
There was a death at Green Turtle Cay on 28th August when a 4,000 lb concrete slab struck 41 year old Christopher Hodgkins at a building site at Marina Village, The Bluff. Mr Hodgkins was reported to be operating a manual crane at the time of the accident and died instantly from head injuries. The slab that caused the fatality was not the one that Mr Hodgkins was working on.
A special ecumenical Back to School service was hosted by St Andrews Methodist Church, Dundas Town, on 31st August. There were choir presentations and a special liturgical dance by the St Andrews Dance Troupe. A rousing rendition of 'His Eye is on the Sparrow' by Tannah Cornish brought the audience to its feet. Special speaker for the occasion was ex-schoolteacher and Deputy Island Administrator Jack Thompson. In his own lively and animated style, Administrator Thompson admonished the students to apply themselves well, the parents to keep checking on their children's work, and the teachers to be diligent in their instruction and discipline.
Mr Bruce Lightbourn of Sandy Point was elected District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows at the Lodge's convention held in Sandy Point during the month of August.
Mrs Sandra Albury of Casuarina Point was elected Deputy Chief Councillor for the South Abaco District in an election to replace Michael Bethel who was made Senator earlier this year.
Crossing Rocks and Bahama Palm Shores experienced drifts of dead fish during the middle of September. Bahama Palm Shores residents noted a 25 lb grouper as well as smaller fish such as grunts, angelfish, triggerfish and porgies.