The last two years have been a tremendous struggle for our family. Not only dealing with the unexpected death of our father but also dealing with the current rift with Sir Jack. Both men love this country and this island, and both have made significant contributions to the island both personally and as business men through the Port Authority. The break up between St George and Hayward families has been a devastating one, hard on us all, especially my mother. It is because of this that we want to make it very clear to the Bahamian Public and especially to Grand Bahamians that we are seeking a swift end to this turmoil.

On Friday, 28th September, 2007, the Election Court rejected a last minute attempt by defeated PLP candidate Allyson Maynard-Gibson to amend her election petition. The Election Court also ordered Mrs Maynard-Gibson to pay the costs of FNM Minister Byran Woodside who defeated Mrs. Maynard-Gibson in the general election. The trial of the election petition is scheduled to begin on 15th October, 2007 just two weeks from now. Mrs Maynard Gibson sought to amend her petition to add additional grounds but the Election Court made up of Senior Justice Anita Allen and Justice Jon Isaacs rejected the application.

On September 29 2007, the Freeport Supreme Court ordered that Save Guana Cay and Aubrey Clarke could issue a new Judicial Review case to sue the Government and Hope Town District Council, the local government district for Guana Cay and the Bakers Bay Developers. This is the 2nd Judicial Review case launched against the Government and Developers. It is the 1st against the Hope Town District Council. Secretary of the SGCR Association Anthony Roberts, a generation Guana resident and fisherman, showed the media some of the damage being allowed to seep into the waters surrounding his island. He made it very clear that he did not feel the Bakers' Bay Developers are protecting the environment and that if was ridiculous that they should be left to self govern themselves in their environment practices.

The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce is not waiting for business to come knocking on the doors of Freeport. They are going to knock on a few doors themselves. To this end, they have announced plans for the Nassau Executives Investment Tour, on October 31, 2007. This tour, as announced by Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce President, Christopher Lowe, will bring Nassau business people up to Freeport to learn about real investment, business and living opportunities on the Island. "We want to show them" said Mr. Lowe, "that, despite what has been heard in the news about the Port Authority, Freeport is open for business."

The Bahamas Government is in the process of developing a National Strategy on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing, Anthony M. Johnson, Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) revealed on Thursday (September 27, 2007). The FIU director emphasized that the proposed development of a national anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) strategy "is a first for The Bahamas" and is in keeping with an emerging trend in the global community.

Grand Bahama author and poet Marina Gottlieb Sarles was the guest presenter at the prestigious National Art Gallery of the Bahamas' Poets & Writers series on Sept 25th, reading short stories from her book Sand in my Shoes. Ms. Sarles was delighted over how the trip went. "It was so much fun and very stimulating for me," she said. "They asked a lot of questions about writing and storytelling - how I could speak the Bahamian dialogue with such a connectedness to the culture. They asked about Cay, my parents, my spiritual life and how the Bahamas had formed me. I think it surprised them that I could speak so Bahamian - not just Abaconian but Bahamian - and their questions were precise, warm, their comments kind and uplifting. It was really cool!" To read a review of her storytelling evening, from the Nassau Guardian, click the link below.

Minister of National Security and Immigration, the Hon. Tommy Turnquest said Monday that a "seamless transition" in the change of command of the mission of Operation Bahamas, America and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) in Georgetown, Exuma, from the U.S. Army to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency was critical to the continued success of the programme. The "seamless transition" included assurances from the United States Government to the Government of The Bahamas that while the U.S. Army would not head the operation any longer, the assets it contributed to OPBAT would not be diminished "but in fact strengthened."

The Government has terminated a $3.1 million contract to construct a school of 26 students at Salina Point, Acklins, and has instead entered into a $200,000 contract with Julius Chisholm to erect two additional classrooms, a library and an administration block, Works and Transport Minister the Hon. Earl Deveuax said in parliament Wednesday. Minister Deveaux also announced that the Government has cancelled a number of road and school contracts totalling in excess of $22 million, which were entered into by the former administration.

Nine children from the recently formed Grand Bahama Sailing Club competed this last weekend in the Royal Bank of Canada Junior Optimist Sailing National Championships in Nassau. Hosted jointly by the Royal Nassau Sailing Club and the Nassau Yacht Club, the seven races took place over Saturday and Sunday. The Grand Bahama Club shipped their boats to Nassau to make up a fleet of 56 participants, that included clubs from New Providence, Abaco, and Long Island, the largest ever to enter this annual national event.

Ten Bahamians received their Bridge Watchman certification following successful completion of their studies at the Marine Training Centre of Holland College, Canada. It brings to 43 the number of Bahamians who were successful at Holland College as part of the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC) program of the Bahamas Maritime Authority. "The Bahamas registry has in excess of 1,600 vessels with crew sizes over 2,000 in some cases," said BMCC co-ordinator Dudley Martinborough. "Therefore a programme like this sensitizes students to this vast potential job market."

Please help us celebrate World Animal Week by doing something nice for an animal this week! Whether it's spending extra time playing with your own pets, or doing something nice for the many homeless animals at the Humane Society. From October 4 -10, remember our adoption fees will be reduced, for those days only! Flora is the little black and tan dog who is grinning in the photo. (She has a slight underbite, which actually is the cause of the smile you see, but we prefer to call it a smile!) She is the sweetest little dog we ever met and she has had a rough life. We first met her over two years ago when she was surrendered by her first owner.

Minister of State for Social Development, the Hon. Loretta Butler-Turner says her ministry will continue to find ways to empower the country's senior citizens through a variety of programmes geared towards that objective. Mrs. Butler-Turner said senior citizens deserve the best quality of life the nation can afford, adding that the country will reap the benefits of their continued contributions. "I have been told by many older persons that life begins at 60," Mrs. Butler-Turner said, "so to empower this segment of our population should not be very difficult.

A few days ago Kevin Degenhard, executive director of The Bahamas Humane Society, and his wife, Gail, witnessed the public abuse of a defenseless animal by a middle aged man. Mr Degenhard said, "We were driving past Arawak Cay where local men were selling crawfish but one man was tugging a large Loggerhead turtle along the hot concrete, with a rope constricting a rear flipper and the hapless, magnificent creature flapped in vain as he turned it on his back. A number of disgusted American tourists were remonstrating with him and his friends but were met with grins and laughter. "

Franklyn Mackey is in need of blood - he 's O positive. He has stomach cancer and is having surgery on Monday and is in desperate need of blood. The family would be most appreciative if the public can help. Thank you.

Notice Of Meeting for Election of Officers and Presentation of Financial Statements of Grand Bahama Football League. Please note that this meeting is to be held at 5pm on Sunday October 7th (correction from last week) at Freeport Rugby & Football Club.

Gilcrist and Soames - a provider of toiletry products for the hotel industry - has issued a worldwide recall of its 0.65oz/18ml toothpaste manufactured in China as some samples tested contained dyethylene glycol. The Ministry of Lands and Local Government strongly encourages consumers to dispose of any of these products they may have.

Here's your chance to say your piece! Tell us all what bugs you...you know, when you're driving down the road and mumble to yourself, "Muddasick, they can't get that fixed!" Or someone does something really stupid and you shout out, "Well muddasick! They lost their head, eh?!" This is where you can get it off your chest. Send your muddasick to
muddasick@grandbahamainfo.com

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