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By Keith Archibald Forbes (see About Us).
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The
Government is looking for partners to help it abolish Bermuda’s middle
schools. Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said yesterday that a
request for proposal would be put out today to find organisations to “plan,
manage and execute the school redesign process”. He explained the massive
change would require schools to be redesigned and rebuilt and new signature
schools designed. “Issuing an RFP will provide us with the benefit of using an
effective, existing, structured school redesign process that can be tailored to
the needs of the Bermuda public school system. This will also allow the officers
within the Department of Education to continue to focus on the day-to-day work
of public school education. I encourage the public to review the RFP, which will
be available online under the Office of Project Management and Procurement
section of gov.bm.” You will see our sincere intention to be collaborative by
giving you the opportunity to help transform public education in Bermuda.” Mr
Rabain expected to have responses to the RFP by the end of September. He said
discussions on how the island could phase out middle schools had already
started, but that the Government was aware it would require thought, research
and consultation. Mr Rabain added that the Government had already notified
parents, teachers, staff, the Board of Education and unions involved in
education about the RFP. He said: “To carry out this work in a way that is
meaningful for our children means not only restructuring our school system with
the phasing out of middle schools, but also redesigning or rebuilding existing
schools and designing new signature schools. I thank all of the critical players
for their diligent contributions towards executing what I have outlined here
today; however, much work remains ahead. I am encouraged by the path we are on
to transform Bermuda schools and the Bermuda public education system. I invite
all members of the public to participate in the transformational process when
called upon and thank the public for their patience and commitment to our
children and their future.”
“Revolutionary”
changes are needed in the island’s education system, according to the general
secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers. Mike Charles told a crowd at the
38th Annual Labour Day Banquet last night that the Government had allowed a
“second-class” public education system to continue unchanged. Mr Charles
said: “A country that does not educate it’s people well will relegate its
citizens to being second-class citizens in their own country. Our Government
today is making the mistake, continuing out of habit a pattern of education that
was built by design. This mistake, this lack of vision to revolutionise how we
raise up our young people, raise them up to believe in their potential and their
ability to lead this country, this mistake of refusing to modernize our schools
and support our programmes, is allowing an age-old design of a second-class
education system to continue. The population of Westgate is not by chance. It is
by design. So for those of us here and everywhere, it is time for us to put our
money, our time and all our energy to where our mouth is and make public
education in Bermuda second to none.” Mr Charles said that despite the success
of labour governments at the polls throughout the Caribbean, unions in the
region still find themselves going head-to-head with their governments. He
suggested that some elected officials may have the right intentions, but are not
experienced being on the other side of the table during union negotiations. Mr
Charles said: “How many of our current elected officials have been active
participants in any of the island’s trade unions? How many have experienced
the trials of negotiations or the tensions in the room when a motion to strike
comes forward. “I make this comment not to suggest that the elected officials
intentions are not well directed, but rather to highlight that their ability to
connect, their ability to connect with genuine understanding will only be
limited if they have never set on the other side.” The veteran educator also
took aim at the One Bermuda Alliance, who he said vilified unions when they
sought to extend furlough days. Mr Charles said: “We took the country on our
backs, sacrificing our personal wages to stabilize the Government books. We
collaborated. Even more so, we came with solutions, offering our sacrifice when
the experts were out of ideas. Fast forward 18 months — 18 months of
significant personal sacrifice — we helped the OBA government save face. We
put billions of dollars back into Bermuda’s books and when the terms of
agreement came to an end, we were vilified. Many of the people of Bermuda
accused us of not co-operating for the good of all when in fact it was they who
were not keeping their word.” Mr Charles added that it was easy to feel
bitter, but the island’s union members should instead feel pride that they
were on the right side of history. Despite the conflicts with governments, he
said true collaboration is necessary to create better outcomes for everyone on
the island. Mr Charles said: “Collaboration is more than an empty trail of
letters and e-mails that do nothing more than say ‘I told you so’.
Collaboration is more than the empty meetings that pretend to gather input, only
to push forward with the original plan. And collaboration is more than just
giving lip service to find solutions only to have the same challenges persist
month after month.” He said unions around the world needed to support one
another and to stand up when needed for the benefit of all, particularly in the
face of a changing world. As unions, we find ourselves returning to the same
challenges over and over and over again. Our watch must be vigilant so as not to
lose the rights and privileges that we have secured. We have seen a rise in
populism, a rise in racism, more abuse of power by politicians and the erosion
of human rights. Governments are attempting to dismantle trade union rights and
the influence over government decision making by big business decision making
continues to grow. Grass roots democracy is being attacked. For many of our
colleagues around the globe, these are difficult times indeed.”
It
was unclear last night if a school hit with an asbestos problem will be able to
open for the new school term. Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said
AC Management and Bermuda Water Consultants had carried out removal work and
collected air samples at Clearwater Middle School in St David’s and an
overseas lab had found the samples were free of asbestos. But floor tiles,
suspected to contain asbestos, were damaged during the removal, which meant
extra work had to be carried out. Mr Rabain said: “We have had a conversation
with the Department of Health and the Department of Health has agreed that they
have examined what is going on at Clearwater and they are in the process of
determining, because of this new thing that has popped up, they are in the
process of determining whether the school can be operating while this work is
being undertaken. “We expect to hear from them today, in fact.” A government
spokeswoman previously said that asbestos was discovered in the ceiling of the
cafeteria and closet spaces in June. Remediation work was carried out over the
summer and completed on August 5. But the Government said last week that further
air samples had been sent overseas after concerns were raised about floor tiles
at the school. Mr Rabain said yesterday: “The results were submitted to the
Department of Health who issued a health certificate of completion — the final
step in any asbestos abatement process in Bermuda. Further abatement work was
needed because the original abatement work that was carried out damaged some
floor tiles. That work is currently under way.” He added: “Under any other
circumstances, finding asbestos at any school is an issue that would be quickly
addressed and dealt with by the Ministry of Public Works and third-party
licensed contractors. However, in keeping with my promise to be transparent and
open with my communication with relevant stakeholders, I deemed it critical to
provide this update.” The minister said the department had pledged to work
with parents and staff at schools to deal with questions and keep them aware of
work being done at the school. Mr Rabain added: “Our approach is simple. We
will focus our efforts where they are needed and communicate with those that are
affected as soon as practicable. This morning, the ministry and department
received a report on the readiness of schools, and I am pleased to report that
the majority of Bermuda public schools will be ready to receive teachers and
staff on September 3, and students on September 10.” He said the Government
had yet to receive confirmation from two schools, but that was expected before
the end of yesterday. Mr Rabain added: “What we are waiting for is indication
that the schools have been cleaned and are ready for teachers. We have the
majority of them — all but two schools — that they will be set up and ready
for Monday.”
A
series of promotions and appointments have been made at the island’s tourism
authority. Kevin Dallas, the CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said the
changes recognised the had work and dedication of the organisation’s staff. Mr
Dallas added: “Their efforts provide critical support and help progress the
goals of the National Tourism Plan. Along with the rest of our team, they also
underscore the high level of talent we’re lucky to have on board as we mark
five years of enhancing Bermuda’s tourism product, supporting stakeholders and
growing the industry.” Erin Smith has been promoted to the post of chief
information officer. Ms Smith was a member of the original BTA team as director
of research and business intelligence. Alastair Jack has been made the new
assistant director of sports marketing and Tashae Thompson has been appointed as
assistant director of experience development. Both are five-year veterans of the
BTA. Kristin McSweeney was promoted to the post of manager of customer
relationship management and systems. Leonard Williams, who started at the BTA as
an intern in 2016, has been appointed to the post of experiences satisfaction
coordinator. And Shannen Talbot, who started as a BTA intern in 2017, has been
made an assistant Shannen Talbot will provide administrative support for public
relations and Clintel Jones will provide administrative support for destination
services. Ms Talbot joined the BTA as an intern in 2017 and Ms Jones had
fulfilled several temporary assignments at the authority. The BTA earlier
announced the appointment of Ishmael Kolthoff as director of sales and business
development.
A
boater charged with causing the death of his passenger on New Year’s Day
appeared in Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Mikado Burchall, 31, was charged
with the unlawful killing of Adrian Hassell, 24, with an alternative charge of
causing his death by reckless and dangerous driving. Mr Burchall was also
charged with operating a boat while impaired. Mr Burchall was not required to
enter a plea as the case must be heard in the Supreme Court. Senior magistrate
Juan Wolffe released Mr Burchall, from Smith’s, on $20,000 bail and adjourned
the case for the October arraignments session at Supreme Court.
Thousands
of people took to the streets of Hamilton in an explosion of colour and joy in
Bermuda’s first Pride Parade today. Huge numbers joined a boisterous
procession — estimated by police at more than 5,000 people — which at one
point stretched along Front Street from the Birdcage to the Cabinet building.
Large numbers of visitors celebrated with local supporters, creating an upbeat
carnival atmosphere, with many people wearing rainbow attire and carrying
banners promoting love and equality. Organisers and supporters expressed their
delight at the turnout from the community, including Rod Ferguson whose case was
responsible for the re-legalisation of same-sex marriage in Bermuda. Mr Ferguson
told The Royal Gazette: “We ourselves did not know how much support we had
until today. This is why this is so hugely important.” Pride supporter Barbara
Maguire said: “I’m here to celebrate my brother here and our entire
community today.” Her friend Paul Minnick said: “It’s remarkable how
quickly the facilitators here have moved this mission forward. It’s been a
concern of mine for many years as a Bermudian. I’ve felt a bit of an outcast
in my own home. This is a huge stride forward.” Joanne Bawden said: “I am so
excited. Like a lot of Bermudians living abroad, I support this. It has been an
embarrassment seeing what’s gone on, with people here and tourists not feeling
they can be who they are. I’m very proud. It’s kind of a birth — people
coming together to celebrate Bermuda.” Shanon Stovell said her cousin, the
late Sharand “Oopie” Ming, was an amazing, funny person who was killed in a
hate crime. She said he would have loved to see so many people come out in
support of Pride. “Today is a day to celebrate, to be you and to be proud,”
she said. A minute’s silence was held before the parade set off, with Ed
Christopher, the town crier and emcee for the event, telling the audience:
“For those who went before us, we see your footprints — we are going to walk
in them and make them deeper.” Mr Christopher added that Bermuda Pride was all
about love. He urged marchers not to argue with any protesters, adding: “This
is about love. If they cannot hear it, let them argue among themselves.”
Carlita Lodge said: “Celebration in any community is important. I’m a member
if the Rainbow Alliance and I’ve represented Bermuda at World Pride in
Toronto. I feel so proud of my country and my people here celebrating
intersectional diversity.” Kim Walton said: “There’s overwhelming love and
support for everybody. You hear people say they’re in support of LGBTQ but you
don’t physically see them. This is overwhelming, beautiful — it means so
much.” No protests were in evidence, although Elizabeth Christopher, one of
the organisers, voiced regret that the rainbow decorated pedestrian crossing at
the junction by the Daylesford Theatre had been defaced with green paint and
profanities. Ian Hind, senior engineer for the Corporation of Hamilton, said
that two crossings at Queen Street had also been defaced in a similar manner,
and that he had been requested to report the vandalism to police. A protester
holding up a sheet stood on Cedar Avenue as the parade filed past. The day
started with a series of Pride activities at Victoria Park from 9.30am,
including synchronized yoga stretches and live entertainment led by Joy Barnum.
Celebrations and more entertainment at Victoria Park will run from 12.30pm to
7pm.
A
jubilant crowd took to its feet last night to welcome the country’s first
Pride event today. A panel of Caribbean activists discussed the history of
LBGT rights in their countries and their experiences of organising similar
parades in their homelands. Nastassia Rambarran, from Guyana, told the audience
at the Hamilton Princess: “You’re trailblazing, in a way. We’re really
excited to come.” Ro-Ann Mohommed, from Barbados, dismissed claims that Pride
events were an “imported” phenomenon. The organiser of Barbados’s LGBTQI
Pride told the audience of about 200: “Sexuality is not the import —
homophobia is.” The panellists also discussed the role black and other ethnic
people played in the Pride movement. Zakiya Johnson Lord, deputy chairwoman of
gay rights charity OutBermuda, asked the speakers for their views on the multicolored
rainbow for the Bermuda Pride flag, which includes black and brown. Jaevion
Nelson, from Jamaica, said a key aspect of Pride was to “challenge notions
that our community has to look one particular way”. Suelle Anglin, who runs
Pride Jamaica, said the emphasis on inclusion helped counter the commercialization
of Pride events. She added: “We are not just here partying.” And Rudolph
Hanamji, the chairman of Pride Trinidad & Tobago, praised the thought and
effort that Bermuda had put into the organisation of the parade and that it had
“given us that moment of pause”. All four guest speakers were from countries
that have already held Pride parades. Linda Bogle Mienzer, a Bermudian activist,
told the panel there had been a “pushback from the black community — they
can’t move past how they feel that racism has been ignored by the sector of
our community that has embraced Pride”. Mark Anderson, another activist who
performs as drag artist Sybil Barrington, said Pride should include respect for
one another, including the gay community and wider society. He added: “We have
to respect each other’s opinion and come together to deal with this.” The
audience included many younger people. A 16-year-old girl, who identified
herself as Eliza, asked the international panellists how their countries
“empowered queer youth”. Ms Anglin said that activists were prohibited by
law from offering support to people under 18 in Jamaica. She added: “We try to
have partners in different agencies that might have these interactions and try
to build their capacity.” An 18-year-old female Bermuda College student, who
said she was bisexual, told the panel: “I have not been in a female
relationship — people always try to use that against me.” Ms Mohammed told
her: “You do not owe anything to anybody and you do not owe them an
explanation about your sexuality.” Renée Webb, a former Progressive Labour
Party MP and minister, asked the panel how trailblazers in human rights had been
honoured in their countries. Ms Webb, who led an unsuccessful campaign to have
protection on the grounds of sexual orientation added to the Human Rights Act in
2006, said: “We have a lot of people who fought to bring this day about.” Ms
Anglin said: “The first thing to do is document our history.”
Becoming
a bishop was a calling made known to Roxanne Haynes nearly two decades ago. This
month it finally came to fruition as she became the first female bishop in
Bermuda. “I just want to give God thanks for fulfilling a prophetic word that
was released over 17 years ago, concerning my elevation to bishopric,” Dr
Haynes said. I want to give God the glory and the honour for doing such a mighty
work in my life. It reminds me that whatever God has spoken about our lives, He
will complete and fulfil it. I feel blessed and honoured that God has entrusted
me with the mandate to serve in this sacred office.” The mother of four has
been faced with a handful of personal challenges in recent years including the
death of her husband, Bishop Christopher Haynes, in June 2013. Losing her
long-time partner in ministry and best friend forced her to “deepen her
resolve in Christ” in order to continue pastoring their church, Restoration
Fellowship, without him. “My husband and I were a team in ministry for over 37
years. It was definitely an adjustment not having him with me, but I knew the
work of the Lord had to continue regardless of any circumstance or situation,”
Dr Haynes said. “Reflecting back on that period I can now see my husband’s
passing as a transition rather than a loss. The Word of the God says in 2
Corinthians 5:8: ‘To be absent from the body is to be present with the
Lord.’ My faith was greatly tested during that time. I had to learn I was
capable of continuing the work without him and how to rely on the Lord and trust
that He was leading me, and the flock that I covered, in the right direction.
I’ve seen the scriptures come to life in new ways. For example in 2
Corinthians 12:9 the Word says ‘In my weakness His strength is made
perfect.’ Meaning that I will never be without strength as long as I remain in
Him. I certainly have seen God show His strength at work in me over the last few
years.” Dr Haynes was ordained at the Fellowship’s annual holy convocation
in Raleigh, North Carolina, on August 17. She wore bishopric garments and
carried a staff during the ceremony, which was conducted by Archbishop David J
Billings III, the chief apostle of the United Fellowship of Churches
International. A spokesperson from the religious denomination said: “Bishop
Haynes is the first female bishop in the UFCI and to our knowledge, Bishop
Haynes is the first female bishop in Bermuda.” Dr Haynes will be formally
installed as bishop over Bermuda and the Caribbean regions in November. Through
this role, she is charged with ensuring all churches under her guidance are
growing, developing and doing well. “I will also be required to look out for
opportunities in communities we don’t currently serve and to train, mentor and
prepare others for ministry in the Kingdom of God.” She said that it had
always been her desire to bless the lives of others — no matter her title or
position in the church. “I have served God earnestly from the moment I
accepted Him as my Lord and Savior over 40 years ago,” she said. “While
I’m incredibly honoured to be elevated into the bishopric and don’t take
this position for granted, my focus on accomplishing the work of the Lord
hasn’t changed from the moment I acknowledged the call of God on my life. My
prayer and desire is that God will continue to use the gifts and the anointing
that is on my life to help increase the Kingdom and bless the life of people
everywhere.” In order to become a bishop, the Council of Bishops has to first
consent to offering the individual a position in the bishopric. The candidate
then has to be consecrated as bishop-designate, serving in that capacity for
approximately a year. During this period the Council of Bishops examines the
person’s life to ensure they are of “upstanding character” and trains the
candidate in the catechism. It is only then that a person can finally be
consecrated into full bishopric. The accomplishment would not have been possible
without support from her close family, friends and God, Dr Haynes said. She
encouraged anyone going through challenges and difficulties to hold tight to God
and “cling to His promises and His Word. It is during these times we need to
employ and put into practise all of the lessons and strategies that we’ve
learnt,” she said. When you feel the walls closing in on you, reach out to God
in prayer and worship. But it is also important to remember that this Christian
walk is not to be done in solitary. We are a community, a body of believers, who
should be able to rely on one another, encourage one another and help one
another. Having said that, in reaching out to God we still need each other to
make it through these kinds of situations.”
The
island’s financial regulator and currency issuer has struck new coins to
celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Bermuda Monetary Authority has issued
triangular coins featuring a compass rose and a map of Bermuda which is
available in $5 in gold, $2 in silver and 25c in cupronickel. The authority has
also issued a Bermudiana coin, the first in a series of six designed to feature
the island’s national flower. The Bermudiana commemorative coin has two colour
versions that highlight the distinctive purple petals and yellow centre of
Bermuda’s national flower, as well as gold, silver and cupronickel
denominations, The BMA is responsible for currency and also regulates the
financial services sector. The coins are available at market prices from the
Note & Coin Exhibit at BMA House, Victoria Street, Hamilton, Monday to
Friday, 9am to 4pm. For more information on the BMA’s Commemorative Coins, call 295 5278.
On
the eve of the Pride event and parade in Hamilton, the Opposition leader
said he would vote in favour of same-sex marriage, after his thoughts changed in
wake of a referendum on the subject three years ago. Craig Cannonier added
that he recognised the rights of individuals to control their own lives and to
be happy. The One Bermuda Alliance leader explained: “I voted against it and a
large part of that had to do with the fact that, historically, I grew up in the
church as a Christian man and, still, I’m an ardent believer in the Lord. It
has been something that the church has frowned on, yet we have so many other
sins that are going on around in Bermuda ... men abusing young women —
underage — and young boys, that we need to stamp out. These people have walked
through the halls of our churches, they have gone to the front and prayed, and
have led in our churches.” He added: “I recognize that what we need to do,
is get on with loving one another and put the judging behind us, aside. So with
that journey, I recognised that it is important to embrace the community.” The
non-binding referendum in 2016 recorded a majority vote against the introduction
of both same-sex marriage and civil unions. However, the vote had a turnout of
less than 47 per cent, with 14,192 against same-sex marriage and 6,514 in
favour. Mr Cannonier said: “I met with several pastors and at the end of the
day, I came to the conclusion that, the greatest commandment is love.” He
added: “I think we have way too many issues within society, because we have
judged people on things that we shouldn’t have, not understanding the history,
not understanding where people have come from. That goes for even members of the
LGBT community judging someone like myself, who did not agree with same-sex
marriage. The beauty of it is that upon reflection, upon listening and upon
continuing to want to grow in the process of becoming a better human being, I
have come to the conclusion, that they have the right of self-determination,
they have the right to happiness, as long as it’s not breaking any laws.” Mr
Cannonier said the introduction of a Pride celebration in Bermuda was “an
historic time. I believe that the message that the LGBT community, the Pride
community, have given is a message of love, unity, harmony and, quite
interestingly enough, diversity as well, which is the spice of life.” The MP
said he felt in the past that LGBT people had “not stood together as strongly
as they should have”. He added that the Pride celebration was an opportunity
for people to come together to “spread the message of love. I’m appreciative
of the message, because it is a message that should be screamed as loud as
possible around the world; that we are all human beings, and that if we treat
each other with the foundation of love, we can come to conclusions a whole lot
better, and we can heal a whole lot quicker.” Mr Cannonier called for both
spectators and participants to be “respectful” and for everyone to
“conduct themselves with decorum, respect in pride in who they are”, without
casting aspersions or judgments. He added he could not attend the parade because
he will be at a family funeral.
A
third of public primary schools were ranked as poor in maths based on average
pupil scores over three years, it has been revealed. The detailed Cambridge
Checkpoint assessments for 2015 to 2017 were released after a public access to
information request from The Royal Gazette to the education ministry.
Bermuda’s annual assessment was designed to rate Primary 6 pupils on English,
maths and science. The Cambridge system uses scores from 0, ranked “very
poor”, to 6, graded “excellent”. Scores from 3 to 4 are classified as
“Good, about average for Cambridge Primary Checkpoint students”. Scores
between 2 and 3 are deemed “OK, but below average for Cambridge Primary
Checkpoint students”. Scores from 1 to 2 are rated as being “poor”. The
Pati request asked for the average pupil score, by school, in the three subject
categories. The average pupil score in each of the three subject areas in each
year was added together and divided by three to get the average pupil score over
the three-year period. The exercise found that the average pupil score in maths
at six of the island’s 18 primary schools scored below 2 — labelled
“poor”. The lowest-ranking primary schools were Francis Patton, Hamilton
Parish, (1.97), the Gilbert Institute, Paget (1.87), Harrington Sound,
Smith’s, (1.97), Heron Bay, Southampton (1.93), Paget Primary (1.80) and
Victor Scott, Pembroke, (1.57). Victor Scott was the only school where the
average pupil score was below 2 for all three years. The average pupil score in
maths was below 2 twice in the three-year period at Gilbert (2015 and 2016),
Harrington Sound, (2015 and 2016), Heron Bay (2016 and 2017) and Paget (2016 and
2017). Francis Patton had an average pupil score in maths below 2 only in 2015.
An average pupil score for maths was not given for East End Primary for 2016.
The school’s average pupil score for the three-year period — 2.50 — was
calculated using the average scores from 2015 and 2017. Three primary schools
had an average pupil maths score of 3 or more over the three-year period —
Dalton E Tucker, Southampton (3.20), St David’s (4.27) and St George’s
Preparatory (3.50). The Bermuda national average maths score in 2017 was 2.4 and
the international average was 3.8. The island’s national average for maths was
2.2 in 2016, compared with an international average of 3.9. The Bermuda national
average maths score was 2.4 in 2015, 2.6 in 2014, 2.7 in 2013 and 2.9 in 2012.
The international averages for 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were 3.8, 3.9, 4.1 and
4.0 for the same years. The results of the 2018 and 2019 Checkpoint exams have
not been released. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education said that results
for both years would be released in October. Diallo Rabain, the Minister of
Education, did not respond to a request for comment yesterday. Mr Rabain was
asked what the Ministry of Education was doing to bring up maths scores at the
schools where they were found to be poor, and whether recommendations made by
Cambridge representatives who visited Bermuda in 2018 had been implemented. Mr
Rabain said in February last year that the results of the 2017 assessments
showed “a need to continue to focus our attention on improving math scores”.
Cambridge Curriculum assessors conducted a review of maths classrooms and ran
teacher training sessions a month later. Mr Rabain told the House of Assembly
afterwards that two Cambridge representatives visited ten schools and observed
500 pupils. “A primary observation pointed out to the department was the
missed opportunity for our students to engage in deeper learning in many of the
classrooms. Some of the practices that we have been implementing have not been
the best practices. We recognize this, and now we endeavor to improve the
practices to do better.” The Cambridge assessors recommended several
improvements, including an increased pace of learning, increased pupil workload,
and more challenging assigned work. Mr Rabain said that the training was needed.
“We will endeavor to ensure that this type of training is ongoing as we move
ahead. Mr Rabain added: “It is recognised that providing our teachers with
constant professional development will help to enhance and build on the standard
of teaching and learning in the classroom and ultimately improve the Cambridge
score results for our students.” Mr Rabain said that a “comprehensive
delivery plan” would be developed that would “action steps, timelines and
accountability measures for the improvement of mathematics across the system”.
He added that the education department would “report out on a monthly basis
the progress being made in our mathematics curriculum”. The Primary Checkpoint
was first used in Bermuda in 2012 and the island is the only public school
system in the world to use Cambridge to administer these assessments across the
education system.
Results
for public school children’s exams sat more than a year ago will be revealed
in the autumn, an education ministry representative has said. The
spokeswoman added that the Cambridge Checkpoint results for the 2017-18 academic
year would be unveiled in October. She added that the results of the 2019 exams
would be released at the same time. The response came after Diallo Rabain, the
education minister, was asked about the status of the exam results this week. Mr
Rabain was asked when the results of the 2018 exams had been received by the
Government and why they had not been released to the public. He was also asked
if recommendations made by Cambridge Curriculum assessors who visited Bermuda in
March last year had been implemented. Recommended improvements included an
increased pace of learning, increased pupil workload, and more challenging
assigned work. Mr Rabain did not provide responses by press time yesterday.
Primary 6 and Middle 3 public school pupils, the classes who take the Cambridge
Checkpoint exams, are assessed annually in three areas; English, maths and
science. A report on the 2017 exam results was delivered by Mr Rabain in
February 2018, ten months after pupils sat the test. He said then: “In the
past, we’ve reported the results in October. However, the technical staff at
the Department of Education have taken time to prepare a more parent-friendly
and community-friendly report.” Mr Rabain added that the Bermuda Public School
system “is the only public school system in the world to use Cambridge to
administer these assessments system wide”. Mr Rabain told MPs in a ministerial
statement in the House of Assembly in March 2018 that he had told the public the
month before “that our students were not performing at the expected standards
for English, maths and science”. He added that maths results provided the
“greatest concern”.
Two
police officers accused of gross misconduct will go before a disciplinary
tribunal that will include a senior colleague, the Supreme Court has ruled.
Both officers claimed in the Supreme Court earlier this year that the tribunal
formed to review the allegations against them would be biased, if a fellow
officer sat on the three-member panel. They asked for an order to prevent the
Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley from setting up the disciplinary
hearing. The tribunal was ordered after Police Constable Oswin Pereira was
accused of the use of excessive force in the arrest of a teenager in 2017 and
Police Constable Joshua Boden was accused of failure to tell superior officers
about the incident. Chief Justice Narinder Hargun refused the application from
the two constables in a judgment delivered on August 19. The complaints against
the officers stemmed from an incident in 2017 when they were involved in the
arrest of Talundae Grant, who died in an unrelated motorcycle crash earlier this
year, aged 19. The court heard that Mr Pereira was involved in a high-speed
pursuit of Mr Grant’s motorbike on May 13, 2017. Mr Boden, who responded to a
request for assistance, arrived at a wooded area off Eastdale Lane, Southampton
and saw Mr Pereira enter the trees on foot. The Chief Justice said: “PC Boden
also entered that wooded area and eventually saw PC Pereira attempting to subdue
the suspect by means of a Taser stun gun. PC Boden moved to assist PC Pereira
and attempted to place handcuffs on the suspect, who offered resistance as PC
Boden attempted to subdue him. While attempting to place the handcuffs on the
suspect, PC Boden observed a swinging motion in his peripheral vision, and later
observed that PC Pereira was holding a police-issued ASP baton.” The officers
were both told the incident was under investigation on October 2017 and it was
decided they would undergo a tribunal for alleged gross misconduct last
December. It was alleged that Mr Pereira used excessive force. It was further
alleged that Mr Boden failed to act with honesty and integrity, had abused his
powers and did not report his colleague’s misconduct to his superiors. The
case was scheduled to be heard by a tribunal, but the officers asked for a
judicial review over the appointment of the three-strong panel. A tribunal
should include a barrister, a layman and a police officer, but Mr Pereira and Mr
Boden argued that the presence of a police officer would lead to the appearance
of bias. Allan Doughty and Marc Daniels, lawyers for the two officers, said that
the appointment of a police officer to the tribunal would go against natural
justice. Mr Justice Hargun said: “The core legal argument, as set out in the
applicants’ written submissions, is that a reasonable observer, fully informed
of the relevant facts, would have concern of bias; because, a serving member of
the tribunal is appointed by the prosecuting authority and will be under the
direct command of the prosecuting authority, while acting as a judge during the
court of proceedings. It is said that if the third member of the tribunal must
be under the command of the prosecuting authority, it follows that the third
member will, by definition, always be an ‘interested party’. It cannot
seriously be suggested that the mere fact a police officer is a member of the
disciplinary tribunal necessarily means that the tribunal can no longer be
considered as independent. Furthermore, the mere fact an officer is part of the
command structure within the BPS does not disqualify that officer from serving
on a disciplinary tribunal determining complaints made against other officers of
the service.” The Chief Justice said that it would be a benefit to have a
member of the BPS on the panel because of their experience in the police service
in Bermuda. A BPS spokesman said yesterday: “A disciplinary tribunal will now
take place in regards to the matters relating to two BPS officers at a date to
be agreed. The outcome of this tribunal will be released at a point when the
process has been concluded.”
You’re
not seeing things when your monthly Belco bill charges for more than a month’s
worth of usage. In some instances, those additional days can tip a customer
deeper into a higher rate tier. Belco is in the process of installing meters
fitted with a small computer chip and radio that transmit information about a
customer’s electricity usage to the company. This will overcome the problem of
monthly readings exceeding 30 or 31 days. As an example of the problem currently
encountered, a resident found their bill jumped significantly from June to July
even though their energy consumption barely altered, with one month’s bill
covering fewer days than the next. When they queried this with Belco, they were
told “excess days” had been charged at the top kilowatt hour rate. However,
when contacted by The Royal Gazette, a Belco spokesman said there is no
“excess days” charge applied to monthly bills. He explained that while the
company endeavors to keep the monthly meter-reading cycle to approximately 30
days, sometimes the period is extended by a few days. This happens as a result
of delays, such as public holidays when meter readers are not out-and-about
gathering readings. “Belco’s billing cycles are determined by meter reading
cycles. The company’s meter readers start in the eastern end of the island at
the beginning of each month and work their way westward, finishing in Dockyard
at the end of the month,” the spokesman said. “Normal meter reading cycles
are between 25 and 35 days, however every effort is made to complete reading
cycles of approximately 30 days.” He said that between March and the end of
September there are “significant challenges” in the meter reading cycle due
to public holidays and staff vacations. “Meter readers work Monday through
Friday, and on occasion, may work on Saturdays in an effort to balance out any
challenges presented by the public holiday schedule. This means that some
reading cycles are shorter and others are longer based on when routes are
read.” He gave an example of what can occur to a customer who uses 20 kWh per
day.
Belco’s energy charges are split into tiers: the first 250 kWhs at 15.75 cents per kWh, the next 450 kWhs at 24 cents per kWh, and the remaining kWhs at 33.62 cents per kWh. The spokesman pointed out that during the months of July and August energy usage tends to increase as air conditioning units work harder to cool rooms compared to the months either side. He added: “We are currently in the midst of an AMI meter deployment programme which will facilitate remote readings of our meters. Once full deployment has been achieved, Belco will be able to offer different reading cycles which will not require movement of our meter readers from one end of the island to the other.”
The
families of two Florida firefighters missing at sea yesterday asked for Bermuda
deep sea fishermen to help in the search for them, and offered a $70,000 reward
for information. Justin Walker and Brian McCluney set out in a Robalo 24ft
centre console boat, early on August 16 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Experienced boaters, the pair were expected to return home by 6pm, but never
returned to port. Mr Walker is a firefighter in Fairfax County, Florida and Mr
McCluney, an Iraq War veteran, is a firefighter in Jacksonville, Florida. Both
have been trained as paramedics. Natasha Walker, Mr Walker’s wife, said:
“They have been good friends since college. They both have really good
survivals skills. They grew up in Florida, so they grew up on the water. They
take this fishing trip every year.” She added that even items that washed
ashore in Bermuda could help trace Mr Walker and Mr McCluney. Don Harding, a
family friend, added: “They have done the most extensive search in history off
of Florida. Basically, they still have a few grids to be searched to finish up
the coast, but we have an expert who is saying it’s likely if the boat is
still floating, it’s coming this way. We were hoping to charter a boat and get
an aircraft, but it’s not something that’s readily available, so we are
trying to get the word out to the fishermen. There are fishermen who go out 100
miles. We want them to keep their eyes open. We want to resolve this somehow. We
know this might be a long shot, but if one of these fishermen are out there and
they spot something, there is a $70,000 reward. We are trying to get some
awareness out there. We are working to get an aircraft out here, and we will be
going to the marinas next. These guys are heroes and we need to get them
back.” Mr Harding said three days after the pair disappeared a fishing bag was
found and identified. “From that, they were able to re-grid and the Coast
Guard was saying if they could find one more thing they could re-grid again, but
because that was the lone clue, as the days went by, it became less useful.”
Mr Walker and Mr McCluney were last seen on CCTV footage as they backed their
boat down a boat ramp at 11.30am on August 16. A mobile phone ping was later
recorded at 1pm, which showed the men were 31 miles off Brevard County, where
they planned to fish. The US Coast Guard searched more than 146,000 square miles
for six days, but did not find the men or their boat.
DropIt
Delivery, the island’s new grocery delivery business, has announced revised
pricing for its cost-saving annual membership. The service, which
entrepreneurs Carl Vincent and Leanne Evans describe as “Lindo’s grocery
store, Warwick, online”, has attracted more than 500 registered users since
launching nine weeks ago. DropIt is now offering an annual “time-savers”
membership for $129. Members pay an $18.99 delivery fee on top of the cost of
their food order, or may pick up their order at Lindo’s for a fee of $12.99.
Guest users can register online, and pay a $24.99 delivery fee or a $14.99 fee
for in-store pick-up. The business, the owners say, is evolving quickly to meet
demand. DropIt has added hundreds of items to its inventory since launch, while
creating focused categories for special dietary items such as gluten-free,
lactose-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian. The DropIt founders say it has
been rewarding for them to serve customers who, due to age or disability, are
unable to go grocery shopping. Ms Evans said: “It almost allows them to shop
for themselves again.” In addition to individual users, DropIt says several
organisations depend upon the business to serve their guests and staff on a
regular basis, including Rego Sotheby’s International Realty, The Loren at
Pink Beach, and The Reefs Resort & Club. For the next month, DropIt says, a
promotion will offer new users and existing customers one free delivery.
A
general agency meeting was held yesterday ( 28 August) at BUEI for the more than
65 agencies that are members of the Emergency Measures Organisation (EMO) to
provide an update on the latest hurricane forecast for this season and some
of the web tools that are available on the Bermuda Weather Service website. The
meeting was opened by the National Disaster Coordinator, Steve Cosham, with
keynotes given by the Chair of the EMO, the Minister of National Security, the
Hon. Wayne Caines, JP, MP. Minister Caines invited members of the Disaster Risk,
Reduction and Mitigation Team onto stage to be recognised for the planning work
they have completed for the various hazards that face Bermuda. An understanding
of tropical cyclone development and characteristics was presented by Michelle
Pitcher, the Deputy Director of the Bermuda Weather Service (BWS), and an
overview of the latest hurricane prediction was presented by James Dodgson, the
Director of the BWS. This year the forecast is for a slightly above average
hurricane season with 13 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes
being predicted. The public is reminded of the five themes of hurricane
preparedness:
The final presenter was Aderonke Bademosi-Wilson who gave an overview of the new Government alert application called Treefrog. The Treefrog app which is available from Google Play and the App Store is free to download and enables user’s to receive a variety of Government news and alerts as they are published. The user can customize the content with one exception, and that is the Public Safety alerts. These alerts will be sent to all subscribers, including EMO alerts.
The
Bermuda Post Office (BPO) is reminding the public that it is currently
undergoing an internal systems upgrade. To accommodate the upgrades the
BPO’s sub post offices will close for a half day at 12 noon on the following
dates outlined. Regular postal service will resume following day. The BPO thanks
the public for their patience and apologizes for any inconvenience during this
period of system implementation. Mangrove Bay Post Office — closure date at 12
noon — Wednesday, Sep 4th. Southampton Post Office — closure date at 12 noon
— Wednesday, Sep 11th. Crawl Post Office — closure date at 12 noon —
Wednesday, Sep 18th.
The
number of recreational lobster diving licences has been cut by 75 to 375 for the
new season in a bid to conserve the crustaceans. The move by the home
affairs ministry came after statistics for the 2018-19 season showed a 2 per
cent decrease in the number of inshore lobsters compared to the average for the
previous 20 years. A spokeswoman for the ministry said: “The number of
lobsters caught per trap in the commercial fishery is a standard measure that is
an indication of the lobsters’ abundance. According to catch data from the
past 20 years, this past season was the sixth consecutive season of
below-average commercial catches.” Delvin Bean, of the Bean family fishery,
said recreational lobster divers posed a threat to the commercial trade. He
added: “I would most definitely like to see the recreational divers cut back a
little more. Of course, it’s a threat to our income.” Mr Bean and his
family, who carry out business from their boat, Nothing’s Easy, sell
most of their catch of fish and lobsters to restaurants. Mr Bean warned that
some recreational divers misused their licences for profit. He said: “We do
have people breaking the rules. Right now you have a bunch of recreational
divers out there that are making it into a business. They are catching lobsters
by day and they’re selling them. It has been brought to the attention of the
appropriate people to deal with it.”
Bermuda
is to take part in a around-the-world yacht race — as a port of call and as
team partner for the just-named clipper GoToBermuda. Kevin Dallas,
the Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO, christened the vessel yesterday at St
Katharine Docks in London just before the launch of the 2019-20 Clipper Round
the World Yacht Race. GoToBermuda will compete against 11 other Clipper
70 racing vessels in a 40,000 nautical mile race to start in London on Sunday.
Mr Dallas said: “This is a really exciting partnership and we are proud to be
a part of the Clipper race for the first time. Sailing is part of our DNA. In
Bermuda, we live life differently. Set apart, not only by our location, but also
the way of life, sailing has always been a part of who we are, so we’re really
excited to invite romantics, explorers and adventure-seekers like our Clipper
race crew, to Bermuda next June.” The City of Hamilton will be one of 15 ports
for the race fleet — on the epic journey’s final leg from New York to
Londonderry, Northern Ireland in July 2020. Other places the boats will stop
over include Panama, Portimao, Portugal, Cape Town, South Africa, Fremantle,
Australia and Qingdao, China. The race teams are made up of a professional
skipper and mate, and crew from all over the globe. The BTA will offer the
opportunity of a lifetime for a Bermudian to compete in the final leg, as part
of the GoToBermuda crew, as part of a forthcoming promotion. The Clipper
race is the only event of its kind for non-professional sailors, training
everyday people to make six ocean crossings. The race was founded in 1996 by Sir
Robin Knox-Johnston, who was the first person to sail solo and non-stop around
the world 50 years ago.
More
than 50 police officers will be deployed to tackle any trouble at Bermuda’s
first gay Pride event, it was revealed yesterday. But Acting Superintendent
Hashim Estwick said he expected Saturday’s celebration to be “very safe”.
Mr Estwick said: “What the Bermuda Police really want people to do is to
celebrate in a safe environment and have some fun. We have in excess of 50
officers that will be available and there is a squad of marshals that will also
be there to ensure that everybody’s safe. The persons involved in the parade
are important and the protesters are important as well. The message is, come
out, be peaceful, kind and considerate to each other.” Mr Estwick said three
areas will be designated for protesters, but it was up to individuals if they
wished to use them. He added: “The police is not here to corral any person
into a protest area. We believe that these areas are safe for the protesters.
There is a separation where people can protest carefully and kindly and also to
allow the process to go on.” But Mr Estwick warned that the BPS was “more
than prepared to respond to any threats. We have mined social media, we have
conducted a barrage of investigation into possibilities and, based on our
investigations, we believe this is going to be a very safe event.. The churches,
the main protest groups, have been telling their members to stay away. They do
not want to draw more attention to it than it needs.” David Northcott, one of
the Bermuda Pride 2019 organisers, explained the reasons behind the parade and
other events, which will include a panel discussion at the Hamilton Princess
tomorrow evening. He said: “First and foremost it’s an unapologetic, public
celebration of the LGBTQI+ community in Bermuda. We are here, we belong and we
are tremendously grateful for the support that we have received. We want to be
visible and we want to have our allies visible as well.” Mr Northcott said it
was also an opportunity to “remember those who have gone before us”. The
date was chosen to mark the 25th anniversary of the Stubbs Bill, which in
September 1994 decriminalised sex between consenting adult men. Mr Northcott
added: “We also remember those who have lost their lives along the way.
Sometimes in Bermuda it has been a very difficult place to be open and free with
who you are. There is bullying, there is harassment, there have been suicides
and there has been murder. We want to remember those who have gone before and
honour them and thank them for the work that they’ve done.” Lorraine
Shailer, co-chairwoman of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce’s retail division,
said that Saturday was the traditional busiest day for back-to-school shoppers.
She added: “We are completely open for business and ready for all your
shopping needs, whether it’s back-to-school or any other shopping.” Ms
Shailer said disruption to on-street parking would be kept to a minimum and all
car parks will be open throughout the day. She added: “The retail division is
certainly looking forward to the Saturday festivities and we positively
encourage our shoppers to come out and enjoy a day in the city.” Chen Foley,
another Bermuda Pride organiser, explained that the Victoria Park venue was
chosen because it was wheelchair accessible. He added that the Bermuda Musical
and Dramatic Society’s Daylesford Theatre had made its toilets available for
wheelchair users. Mr Foley said that anyone who took part in Pride was expected
to be “respectful of those who might not agree. Our ask is that you not engage
with them. Save your energy for having fun with us. The journey for the queer
community in Bermuda has been difficult. Pride might be emotional for some of
the participants so we just ask you to be sensitive and a good neighbour to
anybody who might be a little emotional throughout the events that take
place.”
A
lawyer denied a charge of assault in Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Kamal
Worrell, 38, pleaded not guilty to the unlawful assault and wounding of Chavelle
Dillon. The incidents were alleged to have happened on June 1 in Warwick.
Magistrate Maxanne Anderson released Mr Worrell, from Warwick, on $5,000 bail
and ordered him to stay away from the alleged victim. The case was adjourned
until October 7.
A
game-changing course based on Singapore methods has been delivered to maths
teachers at public and private schools. Training, from the international
firm Maths No Problem, was provided to Warwick Academy teachers, as well as
public primary and middle schoolteachers. Andy Psarianos, chief executive of the
company, said the programme was based on the successful education system in
Singapore. Mr Psarianos said: “Singapore’s success was quite remarkable —
unheard of. Singapore is at the top of the league tables, but they didn’t used
to be. The small southeast Asian republic is an outlier in education. When they
changed their system of education, they shot to the top in 1995. A decade
before, they were at the bottom.” Singapore, which has a population of 5.6
million, is also top for ease of conducting business and ranked the world’s
most competitive country. Maths No Problem, a British-based professional
development and textbook company, sends its trainers worldwide to run events
such as this week’s three-day seminar at Warwick Academy. The course was
sponsored by professional services firm Deloitte. Mr Psarianos said: “We help
jurisdictions like Bermuda adopt methodologies that are used around the world,
but especially in Singapore.” About 70 teachers were trained by Yeap Ban Har,
a consultant who heads the company’s professional development unit, from
Monday to Wednesday. Jill Finnigan, a senior teacher at Warwick Academy, said
three teachers from the school who were sent in 2017 to a course in London with
Dr Ben Har had come back “raving about their experience. We decided then and
there to bring Dr Ban Har here to share knowledge not only with our school but
other educators.” Members of the Bermuda Council of Teachers of Mathematics,
headed by Rebeka Sousa, joined the programme. After a team from Warwick Academy
met Kalmar Richards, the Commissioner of Education, the course was advertised to
teachers in public primary and middle schools. Ms Finnigan said teachers who
took in the course part had to be members of the BCTM or join the group to
“make sure there was a continuation of the ideas learnt on the course”. Dr
Ban Har said the research-based method used in Singapore combined a variety of
techniques in the classroom for more effective learning. “It encourages
teachers to let students explore problems and discuss it in class instead of
teaching maths in one way.” He added techniques from around the world are
combined in the “Singapore strategy. Teachers are teachers and the same
everywhere. From the responses I get, many are still teaching not in the way we
are describing, but maybe still doing things traditionally.” Margo Furbert,
the primary maths co-ordinator at Warwick Academy, added: “If we could get our
key stakeholders in education aware of this approach, we could revolutionise
teaching in our island.” Ms Furbert added: “I wish that I had been taught
this way.”
A
woman who went for a vacation hairdo was left horrified after her hair fell out
and her eyes were injured. Leanna Ming, 53, said huge clumps of hair fell
out after a trip to Nadz Beauty Salon, Hamilton, and claimed it was because the
hairdresser mixed the wrong chemicals for hair-straightening treatment, and left
the mix in her hair for too long. She added a beautician at the salon also
attached false eyelashes too far up her eyelids, which caused days of irritation
and swelling. Ms Ming said: “I was so traumatized about the hair loss, I
didn’t even want to see it.” Nadine Dillas, the owner of the Court Street
salon, insisted her staff were not responsible for the hair loss. Ms Ming, a
nurse from Warwick, said she went to the salon in July for a makeover, before
she travelled to Barbados. She said that the hairdresser left perming cream in
her hair for more than 15 minutes and that “something didn’t feel right”.
Ms Ming added: “I told her my hair was burning, so she began to wash my hair
out. I put my hand in back, to touch my scalp, and hair came out on my hand.”
Ms Ming said that she suffered hair loss on the back and sides of her head,
which she insisted were caused by chemical burns from the cream. “I felt the
back of my head and my fingers went straight to my scalp. She didn’t notify me
of how much breakage I had in my hair. She just told me that my hair broke
because I hadn’t permed it in a long time. I went and got some lashes done and
the lashes were put inside the red area of my eyelids. The glue was too much and
I couldn’t take them off, so I had to use mascara to push the lashes out of my
eyes.” Ms Ming, who studied at a beauty school in the United States, said that
chemicals used to perm hair breaks down hair proteins and has to be neutralized
with a special agent. She claimed that was not done and the perming cream broke
down her hair. Ms Ming added that the addition of peroxide-based colour to the
mix applied to her hair worsened the effects. Ms Ming explained: “I was told
by the technician that it’s going to burn. It should never burn; not to the
point where it causes your hair to break. They didn’t have the expertise to
even understand that you don’t put in a peroxide-based colour with a relaxer.
It’s all over the internet, for people who don’t have training, but I’ve
been to school, so I know the difference.” Ms Dillas said that the beautician
who applied Ms Ming’s false eyelashes had not been trained in the technique
she used, and had been fired. She maintained that Ms Ming’s hair fell out
because she often wore wigs that weakened it. Ms Dillas said: “If you’re
wearing a wig, or even a cap, every day, it’s going to leave a mark in that
spot and it’s going to take hair from there. Her hair was weakened in some
spots, and when the hairdresser added the chemicals to it, then it would take
some hair from around there.” Ms Dillas, who has owned the salon for more than
ten years, said that she has given the hairdresser advice on how to work with
sensitive hair, and planned to do the same with future employees. She added that
she will also introduce competency tests for new employees, to make sure they
can carry out treatments correctly. Ms Dillas said that she planned to give Ms
Ming a refund. She added: “I do not like the way she chose to go about
this.” Ms Ming said that she was angry over the way her complaint was handled
and that she had had poor customer service. She added: “I’ve owned my own
business for 18 years and any time I’ve had a customer that doesn’t feel
happy about a service, I would almost get down on my hands and knees. Instead,
she’s turned this into me pleading and begging with her, and I don’t think
that that’s good business ethics.” She added that she now felt humiliated
and embarrassed and depressed, by the state of her hair. Ms Ming said: “My
hair has still been coming out, that’s why I feel like this story should be
heard, by other people.” And she told other clients of salons: “Make sure
that you ask your cosmetologist what they’re using in your hair beforehand, so
you won’t fall in this problem that I’ve fallen in.”
A
diving club took the plunge last weekend as part of a massive marine cleanup
effort. A total of 15 divers from the Bermuda Sub Aqua Club, about a quarter
of its membership, combed Harrington Sound to collect trash. A spokeswoman for
the club said: “There were many dive sites on BSAC’s cleanup list and
Harrington Sound School dock is on top this year, mainly because we often dive
around these waters to conduct training activities. “It’s the same reason
that we have done cleanups by the Devil’s Hole and Clarence Cove in previous
years. These areas are close to our hearts and we want to keep them clean and
safe for all its dwellers and users. We are keen to do more clean-up sites any
chance we have.” The spokeswoman added that the club worked with Keep Bermuda
Beautiful in its clean-ups to help maintain Bermuda’s marine environment. She
said: “The rubbish we collect may not only prevent accidents and make for a
healthy ocean. The data collected also contributes to the global statistics
which are important to science studies.” Among the items pulled from
Harrington Sound were two beach chairs, a motorcycle, three motorcycle frames
and a laptop. The divers also recovered nine bags of bottles, four tyres and
about 250 metres of abandoned fishing lines.
Bermuda’s
Jessica Lewis capped off a memorable Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru, by
clinching gold in the T53 100 metre final in a record time, to secure her third
medal of the Games. Heading into the race as the reigning 100m champion and
Parapan American Games record holder, Lewis blitzed her previous record time of
17.67 seconds, set in Toronto four years ago, crossing the line in 17.36 sec,
ahead of Kelsey LeFevour, of the United States in 17.81 and Anahi Lucero
Vazquez, of Mexico, in 19.51, to clinch her second gold medal of the
competition. Yesterday’s success completed an impressive haul for Lewis at the
Games following the gold she won in the T53 400 final on Saturday and the silver
medal she clinched in the women’s T53 800 metres final on Monday. The
26-year-old made a scintillating start to the Games after storming to victory in
the 400 metres final. She finished in a time of 1:01.95, a second faster than
Yen Hoang, of the United States, who came second in 1:02.95. Compatriot LeFevour
completed the podium places, finishing third in 1:02.97. Lewis returned to the
track at the beginning of this week and won her second medal, claiming silver in
the women’s T53 800 metres final. More accustomed to the shorter distance
races, Lewis, came second in a time of 2min 08.99sec at the Athletics Stadium at
the Videna Sports Complex. Hoang, of the United States, won the race in 2:08.99,
with Yadira Soturno Diaz, of Venezuela, finishing a distant third in 2:35.46.
Lewis was guaranteed a medal before the starting pistol with the only three
athletes entering the race. Winning a pair of medals in the longer distances
represents a major breakthrough for Lewis, as she has often struggled for
sustained power in the 400 and 800. She has credited her improved form to
switching to a pair of harder gloves. The remainder of Bermuda’s contingent at
the Games will be kicking off their quest to add further medals to the
nation’s haul as the boccia competition starts today. Steve Wilson, Yushae
DeSilva-Andrade and Omar Hayward will all be in action with Wilson competing in
the BC1 classification pool and DeSilva-Andrade and Hayward going head to head
as part of the BC4 classification pool. Wilson and DeSilva-Andrade have previous
experience at the Games, having represented Bermuda in Toronto four years ago,
while for Hayward the event marks his debut in the competition, having already
gained major international experience including at the 2018 world Championships
in Liverpool. For Wilson, who at the age of 70, upset the odds to clinch gold at
the Buenos Aires Regional Open in Argentina last year, overcoming the sport’s
top players from North, Central and South America, he is adamant about his
ambition for the Games. “I’m going for gold, that’s what I want to go
for,” said Wilson. “I’ve played most of the guys out there and beaten them
before, it is just a case of fine-tuning my game and make sure I hit my shots. I
love the Pan Am Games and I’m just itching to get back there and do what I do.
I’ve been before and it was huge for me back then. I can learn from that
experience and do what I have to do this time around. All three of us stand a
chance of winning a medal and it would be incredible if we could do that.”
DeSilva-Andrade echoed her compatriots sentiments as she also targets a place on
the podium. “I’m really excited about going to the Pan Am Games this time
around because back in 2015 I was in the wrong division and so this time around
I’m a little more hopeful of doing well,” she said. “I’m hopeful of
placing in the medals, that would be amazing.”
A
Bermudian artist who joined the Royal Navy in the Second World War and was
assigned to top-secret work to crack Nazi codes has died. Pamela Darrell,
the 93-year-old widow of Owen Darrell, a Bermudian who also saw wartime service
in the Royal Navy, was just 17 when she joined Britain’s largely female team
of cryptanalysts at Bletchley Park, a mansion in Buckinghamshire that became the
nerve centre for the Allies’ cryptanalysis effort. The job was so classified
that Ms Darrell only received a citation for her work from the British
Government in 2009. Ms Darrell, originally from Oakham, Rutland, joined the
Women’s Royal Naval Service, known as the Wrens, for different reasons. She
told The Royal Gazette in 2010: “I wanted to go to sea. Bletchley Park
was right in the middle of England.” Hundreds of Allied codebreakers worked to
crack German ciphers, including the Enigma code, which the Nazis believed was
unbreakable, at the secluded mansion near Milton Keynes. Ms Darrell said the
Germans often changed their codes and the team had to “work like blazes to
figure out what the new code was”. The work at Bletchley Park was essential in
the defeat of the U-boat menace in the Battle of the Atlantic and other British
naval victories. It was also vital to success of the North African desert
campaign against Field Marshal Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Corps and for the 1944
D-Day landings in Normandy. After the war, Ms Darrell met and married Mr
Darrell, who only learnt of her wartime occupation when restrictions were
relaxed in the 1970s. Ms Darrell said: “I wasn’t able to tell my family for
a long time — I just told my husband that I did secret work. I didn’t really
understand why we couldn’t talk about our work after the war. I think they
were concerned about the Russians.” Mr Darrell, who had served on a
minesweeper, died in 2013. A keen painter, Ms Darrell was a founding member of
the Bermuda Society of Arts and served as its curator from 1967 to 1980. The
couple were also members of the Garden Club of Bermuda.
First-quarter
gross domestic product (GDP) rose 3.7 per cent, after being adjusted for
inflation, in the first quarter of this year. It was the fastest growth in
quarterly GDP since the third quarter of 2015 and was helped by strong growth in
construction work done. GDP reflects the monetary value of the island’s goods
and services over a period in time and is regarded as an indication of economic
health. A report issued this evening by the Department of Statistics showed that
GDP at constant prices in the first three months of the year was estimated at
$1,339.5 million, 3.7 per cent up from the same period in 2018. The main driver
was a $30.9 million increase in gross capital formation, or fixed assets. The
construction element of these assets saw a 15.6 per cent increase during the
period. The report cited Belco’s new North Power Station and ongoing work on
the new airport terminal, as well as new residential construction, road and
bridge refurbishments and hotel development. After adjusting for inflation,
household final consumption increased 0.5 per cent year over year to $624
million. During the period, households spent more on services such as
accommodation services, catering services and insurance but less on durable
goods such as motor vehicles. Government final consumption rose 1.2 per cent,
due to higher wages and salaries, offset by a reduction in spending on goods and
services. The net surplus on trade in goods and services increased $11.7
million, or 3.8 per cent, mostly because of a rise in services exports, which
rose 5 per cent during the period. There were increased earnings from the export
of travel services, legal and accounting services. Goods imports, which have a
downward effect on GDP growth, grew 10.7 per cent due mostly to imports of
machinery, fuel and finished equipment. Payments for the imports of services
rose 1.3 per cent due to construction and engineering services. GDP in current
prices, which does not adjust for inflation, rose 4.8 per cent to $1,816.2
million, up 4.8 per cent year over year.
Dubai-based
International General Insurance Holdings Ltd, the subsidiaries of which include
Bermuda-based re/insurer IGI Bermuda, has reported a net profit of $13.75
million for the first six months of 2019. That result compares to a net
profit of $11.02 million for the same period last year. Gross written premiums
rose 12.2 per cent year-over-year from $165.87 million to $186.12 million. The
group recorded an overall underwriting profit of $25.88 million for the six
months ending June 30 2019, a nine per cent increase over the 2018 result of
$23.75 million. IGI reported growth in most major lines of business, with
casualty, engineering, ports & terminals and financial lines contributing
the most in dollar growth. Annualized return on equity for the period was 8.7
per cent, compared to 7.2 per cent for the same time period in 2018. IGI’s
book value per share grew to $2.358 at the end of June 2019 from $2.271 at the
end of 2018. Investment income was $7.3 million for the first half of 2019,
compared to $4.88 million for the first half of 2018. IGI posted a combined
ratio of 92.84 per cent, compared to 91.28 per cent for the same time period a
year ago. Wasef Jabsheh, vice chairman and chief executive officer of IGIH,
said: “The insurance market is in a healthier position than it has been for a
long time. Rates are continuing to gradually rise, and the outlook remains
positive for the rest of 2019. Our results reflect a clear strategy of
disciplined underwriting and profitable growth as IGI continues to move ahead
with its diversification and expansion strategy, which has kept us strong in
challenging times.” He added: “We are working on a number of exciting
developments and business expansion projects, which are expected to materialise
in the near future.” IGI Bermuda, a class 3B re/insurer regulated by the
Bermuda Monetary Authority, is the principal underwriting entity for the group,
the company said. Registered in Dubai, the holding company also has operations
in Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Morocco and a wholly-owned subsidiary
in the United Kingdom. The group also has a branch in Labuan, Malaysia,
registered as a second-tier offshore reinsurer. The IGI group underwrites a
worldwide portfolio of energy, property, engineering, casualty, legal expenses,
directors and officers, financial institutions, general aviation, ports &
terminals, marine liability, political violence, forestry and reinsurance treaty
business. The holding company had assets in excess of $950 million as at June
30, it said.
Nicholas
Garside has been promoted to head of Bermuda property at Liberty Specialty
Markets, which is part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. He takes on the
role on Monday, and reports to Steve Horton, president, Liberty Specialty
Markets Bermuda. Mr Horton said: “Nick is an exceptionally capable executive
who’s amassed considerable experience in both the Bermudian and international
property markets. His skills and in-depth knowledge will be of tremendous
value.” Mr Garside joined Ironshore Bermuda as senior vice-president of
property last year, prior to its rebrand to Liberty Specialty Markets. During
his 15-year career in insurance, he worked for Novae Bermuda as deputy head of
direct and facultative property. He also brokered property risks for Willis in
London, Sydney and Bermuda.
David
Altmaier, commissioner of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, has been
added to the line-up of speakers and keynotes for the annual PwC Insurance
Summit, presented by the Financial Times. Mr Altmaier will be part of a
panel with John Huff, president and chief executive officer of the Association
of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers, at the November 7 event at Hamilton Princess
and Beach Club. Keynote speakers who have been added to the conference line-up
include Hiscox chairman Robert Childs, Legal & General Re CEO Thomas
Olunloyo, and industry innovators Karen White, former Silicon Valley executive
and current CEO of RMS, and Paul Brand, deputy CEO of start-up, Convex
Insurance. Panel discussions on ILS and the island’s growing life reinsurance
sector will feature Michael Millette, founder and managing partner, Hudson
Structured Capital Management, and Chip Gillis, chief executive of Athene Life
Re, organisers said. Also joining the conference line-up are top executives from
the world’s largest reinsurer, Munich Re. Marc-André Giguère, president and
CEO at Munich Re, US (Life and Health) and Mary Forrest, president and CEO at
Munich Re, North America (Life and Health), will participate. Previously
announced participants include Brian Duperreault, president and CEO of AIG, who
will deliver the opening keynote, as well as Sompo International CEO Nigel
Frudd, and RFIB group executive chairman Dennis Mahoney. Bermuda market veteran
Mr Mahoney, the former CEO of Aon UK, said: “I am looking forward to being
part of a great line-up of speakers at PwC’s annual summit. The risk landscape
is fast evolving and my keynote will touch on the topic of inclusion in the
industry, and how in an increasingly divisive world, the historic broker-carrier
relationship is becoming even more symbiotic.” Curtis Dickinson, the finance
minister, will be interviewed live by Financial Times insurance correspondent
Oliver Ralph, who will be on-island along with Robert Armstrong, the FT’s US
finance editor. Some 300 attendees are expected this year, organisers said,
including C-suite executives and senior professionals from more than 75 global
companies and organisations, including 50 re/insurers, offering attendees
networking opportunities. Arthur Wightman, PwC Bermuda leader, said: “We are
building on the success of our event last year with a stellar line-up of
inspiring and thought-provoking speakers and keynotes and a fast-paced agenda
that will address the most pressing issues in the market today, including
technology, cyber-risk, regulation, climate change and sustainability.”
A
man who fought a 14-year legal battle after he was humiliated in public over gay
porn has been given $125,000 in compensation. The Supreme Court ruled that
Dwight Lambert, who was cleared on charges of importation of obscene material in
Magistrates’ Court, deserved compensation for the breach of his human rights.
Mr Lambert said in a written submission to the Supreme Court that he felt
“skinned alive” by the trial in the lower court and the subsequent media
coverage. He said: “These were very private and intimate details of my life,
that I had never expected to share with anybody. It was complete and utter
public shame and humiliation.” Assistant Justice Kiernan Bell, in a decision
released on August 21, found that Mr Lambert had suffered because of the charges
and the publicity. Ms Justice Bell wrote: “I accept the evidence of the
plaintiff, that he has suffered severe emotional distress, humiliation,
embarrassment, loss of personal dignity and hurt feelings, as a result of the
infringements of his Constitutional rights. I find that his suffering was
severe, for an extended period of time, particularly in the lead up to and
during the trial. I further find that it is an aggravating factor that counsel
for the prosecution, at the trial, advanced its case based on allegations that
the content of the DVDs would incite sexual deviants and child molesters. The
counsel have aggravated the injury by what they argued in court. These actions
certainly increased the hurt feelings, embarrassment and injury suffered by the
plaintiff.” Magistrates’ Court heard at Mr Lambert’s 2007 trial that had
brought DVDs featuring gay sex to the island in 2005, but that they were seized
by customs officers on the grounds that they were obscene under the Obscene
Publications Act 1973. He was told to surrender the discs or face prosecution.
Mr Lambert, however, insisted the legislation did not define “obscene”. But
he was in 2006 charged with three counts of the importation of obscene articles,
but magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo ruled the prosecution had not proved the DVDs
were obscene. Puisne Judge Stephen Hellman found in 2017 that Mr Lamberts’s
right to a fair hearing and freedom of expression had been breached as he could
not have foreseen the DVDs would be classed as obscene. Mr Lambert later
launched legal action against the minister responsible for telecommunications at
the time. He said in his statement to Supreme Court that his packages were
seized because of bigotry as there had never been a prosecution under the 1973
Act before. Mr Lambert added that he was convinced straight pornography would
not have been treated the same way. He said that because his case was
newsworthy, he received embarrassing publicity and felt shamed when his picture
appeared in the media. Peter Sanderson, Mr Lambert’s lawyer, argued in Supreme
Court that Section 15 of the Bermuda Constitution allowed for redress for
breaches of constitutional rights. He added that Section 15 said that “persons
carrying on their life in Bermuda should be free from unjustified interference,
mistreatment or oppression from the state”. The section added that “if a
person has suffered damage from such unjustified interference, mistreatment or
oppression, that person is entitled to compensation”. Michael Taylor, for the
Attorney-General’s Chambers, did not dispute the facts of the case, but said
there should be either no damages or nominal damages. Mr Taylor told Supreme
Court there should be no redress for distress caused by the publicity of the
trial and suggested Mr Lambert should take legal action against the media that
reported on the case and Magistrates’ Court, which did not order the hearings
to be held in private. But Ms Justice Bell wrote: “I do not find these
arguments persuasive. The plaintiff has no recourse against the court or any
third parties such as the press who were simply reporting accurately on
proceedings in open court. In fact, the plaintiff’s only available avenue for
redress is in the constitutional arena.” The judge ruled that the breaches of
Mr Lambert’s freedom of expression and his right to freedom from interference
were compounded by the infringement of his right to a fair trial. Ms Justice
Bell added: “These are significant constitutional rights and it is appropriate
to recognize and uphold the importance of these rights with a vindicatory award.
In the end, Constitutional redress can only go so far — and the court is
mindful that no sum will truly compensate the plaintiff for the distress,
humiliation, embarrassment, loss of personal dignity and hurt feelings he has
suffered and continues to suffer as a result of the infringements of his
constitutional rights.” She awarded Mr Lambert $100,000 in compensation and a
further $25,000 “vindicatory award” for the human rights breaches.
Police
have renewed calls for information today as the island marks the one-year
anniversary of the murder of Danshun Swann. Mr Swann was stabbed to death on
South Road, Southampton, outside the entrance to the Southampton Rangers Sports
Club, just after midnight on August 27, 2018. A police spokesman said: “The
murder of Danshun Swann was senseless and a cowardly attack by unscrupulous
individuals. Justice demands that those responsible are prosecuted.” He added:
“This investigation is an active investigation and detectives are renewing
their appeal for witnesses to come forward. Investigators are aware that there
was a large crowd present at the time that Danshun was stabbed and many people
witnessed this stabbing. “The investigators are also aware that many of those
witnesses were recording a fight that was taking place and investigators are
interested in speaking with those witnesses that have footage. Police were
grateful for those who have already come forward with information. This appeal
is for more to do the same. Investigators are aware that some witnesses are
reluctant to come forward and would like to remind the public that the
information that you share will be treated in the strictest of confidence. All
information is important and has the potential to solve Danshun’s murder.”
Two men were arrested by police in connection with the murder of Mr Swann, but
both were released on bail as the investigation continues. Anyone with
information is urged to contact Detective Chief Inspector Arthur Glasford on
247-1739 or Acting Detective Inspector Jason Smith on 717-0864..
Anonymous tips can also be given by calling the independent and confidential Crime
Stoppers hotline 800-8477.
A
security guard at a club was attacked by a group of men after he asked for proof
of age, police said yesterday. The 39-year-old suffered injuries to his face
and body after he asked members of the group for identification at the East End
Mini Yacht Club in St George’s. A police spokesman, who appealed for
witnesses, said the security guard was taken to hospital for treatment and was
later released. He added a 38-year-old St George’s man had been arrested in
connection with the incident and released on police bail pending further
inquiries. The incident happened on Saturday about 12.30am. Witnesses or members
of the public with information or video footage should contact the Criminal
Investigation Department on 247-1744.
Polaris
Holding Company Ltd, parent of Stevedoring Services Ltd and recently-acquired
East End Asphalt Company Ltd, has reported a net profit of $801,000 for the
fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. Operating profit was $1.07 million, the
company said, before taking into account acquisition costs of $210,000 and
start-up losses of $56,000 in relation to Polaris’ acquisition of EEA in
March. This marked the fourth consecutive year of operating profits in excess of
$1 million, the company said. After accounting for the EEA acquisition and
start-up costs, Polaris reported a gain of 90 cents per share, with a return on
equity of seven per cent. At the current 32 cents per share annual dividend
distribution and based on Polaris’ most recent BSX price of $5.10, the company
said, its dividend yield was 6.3 per cent. A company spokesman said: “Polaris
has demonstrated once again that it is a steady pair of hands — true to its
motto — ‘quietly powering Bermuda’. Without interruption or disruption,
Polaris through its subsidiaries has ensured that the goods and products that
are required by and for its community are delivered safely in a timely and
efficient manner. With the recent acquisition of EEA, Polaris is primed for
growth in another service industry where its proven management experience,
coupled with the expertise of the EEA staff will ensure that entity to be
another successful performer in the Polaris portfolio.” In addition to
Stevedoring Services and EEA, Polaris owns and operates Mill Reach Holding
Company Ltd, which holds real estate located at Mill Reach Lane, Pembroke and
Equipment Sales and Rentals Ltd, which owns and leases heavy operating machinery
and equipment to Stevedoring Services.
The
head of a company that pledged to create fintech jobs in Bermuda has stepped
down after bizarre comments in a series of media interviews. Patrick Byrne,
founder and CEO of Overstock.com, resigned on Thursday after he told several
news outlets he had been an FBI operative and helped the agency commit
“political espionage”. He also claimed the agency had instructed him to
pursue a relationship with Russian spy Maria Butina. Mr Byrne made headlines on
the island in April last year when he signed a memorandum of understanding with
Bermuda to create jobs and educational opportunities for Bermudians through
Medici Ventures, an Overstock.com subsidiary formed to incubate, launch and
invest in blockchain. A government spokesman said the company would make Bermuda
its “laboratory” for blockchain investments and would create at least 30
jobs in three years. Medici Ventures has not responded to a request for comment
sent last Friday on whether the change in leadership of the company would affect
its plans for Bermuda.
Bermuda’s
surplus in economic transactions with the rest of the world narrowed to $204
million in the first quarter of this year. One of the drivers of the $116
million fall in the current-account surplus, compared to the first quarter of
2018, was a $24 million rise in goods imports. The island imported goods worth
$255 million in the first three months of this year, compared to $231 million in
the same period last year. Notably, there was a $37 million rise in imports from
the US, wile imports from the UK also grew by $4 million. Goods imported from
the Caribbean fell by $15 million year over year, while imports from Canada
dipped $2 million. Machinery imports climbed $11 million, fuel rose by $6
million and finished equipment gained by $5 million. The island’s services
account surplus fell $4 million in the first quarter to $75 million. A report
from the Bermuda Department of Statistics showed there was a $16 million fall in
the surplus for “other business services” due mostly to payments related to
construction and engineering services. Meanwhile, the surplus on government
services climbed by $6 million to $50 million. The primary income account
surplus dropped by $88 million to $419 million. The primary income account
reflects balances on compensation paid to non-residents and income from
investments and payroll tax paid by non-resident companies to the Government.
“This decline reflected primarily a negative balance on net investment income
compared to a surplus in the first quarter of 2018,” the report stated. At the
end of the first quarter 2019, the stock of foreign assets held by Bermuda
residents registered above its stock of foreign liabilities by an estimated
$3.054 billion. The net international investment position increased by $483
million over the fourth quarter of 2018.
The
inflation rate fell to 0.3 per cent in May, according to Bermuda Government
figures. A 3.6 per cent drop in average property rental prices, for
properties not subject to rental control, was a contributing factor. Inflation
had been 1 per cent in April. Month-on-month analysis in the Consumer Price
Index bulletin showed price increases in the fuel and power, food, tobacco and
liquor, and the education, recreation entertainment and reading sectors, while
the health and personal care, and clothing and footwear sectors were unchanged.
There was a 2 per cent decrease in the rent sector overall, attributed to the
aforementioned fall in the cost of rental properties outside rental control. The
transport and foreign travel sector was down 1.6 per cent as the average cost of
airfares and premium fuels dropped 2.3 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively.
The household goods, services and supplies sector fell 0.2 per cent, with the
average cost of household appliances such as microwaves, dishwashers and air
conditioners down 10.6 per cent. In the fuel and power sector, prices rose 1 per
cent due to a 3.1 per cent increase in the fuel adjustment clause. Food prices
were up 0.3 per cent on average, with salad dressing up 4.1 per cent, and the
price of potatoes up 3.3 per cent. In the tobacco and liquor sector prices were
up 0.8 per cent, with the average cost of wine rising by 2.6 per cent. In
year-on-year analysis, the health and personal care sector was the largest
contributor to inflation, increasing 2.3 per cent. The major contributing factor
was the average cost of health insurance premiums. The Consumer Price Index was
released by the Department of Statistics.
The
Bank of Jamaica has warned its customers that it will no longer exchange Bermuda
dollars from today. A statement from the country’s central bank, released
last Friday, said it would stop exchanging Bermuda bills at its counters because
it has been unable to “repatriate this particular foreign currency”. A bank
spokesman said: “In that regard, after giving value for the Bermudian dollar
to the public at our banking counter, the bank cannot obtain value in return.
Given this development, the only recourse at this time is to cease accepting the
Bermudian dollar.” The spokesman said the bank viewed the exchange of currency
as a “public good” and added: “After accepting the Bermudian dollar at its
banking counter in exchange for Jamaica dollars over the years, we regret any
inconvenience caused by this decision.” The bank did not state when the
problem arose or how much it had cost the bank. Efforts to contact the bank for
comment were unsuccessful yesterday. The Ministry of Finance did not respond to
a request for comment.
A
“phenomenal” project on the arrival of slaves in America has sparked a call
to boost discussion about history in Bermuda. Cheryl Packwood, the former
director of the Government’s Washington DC office, said that further embracing
the island’s past would help the country to progress. It came after The 1619
Project was launched by The New York Times Magazine to observe the 400th
anniversary of the beginning of slavery in Virginia, when Angolan people were
stolen from Spanish traders and delivered to Virginia and Bermuda. Ms Packwood
said: “In order to go forward, we need to understand our past. We can’t
ignore what has happened in the past, we have to embrace it, we have to
understand it and everybody needs to know because it’s all of our history.”
The New York Times initiative aimed to “reframe the country’s history” and
place “the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at
the very centre of the story we tell ourselves about who we are”. Ms Packwood
said that although there were precursors to 1619, the year had become a marker
to “rally around”. She explained: “It’s an iconic date, it’s a date
for education, for publicizing all of this.” The businesswoman, who earned a
bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University, added: “It was one of the
first recorded dates, historically, for blacks being in the mainland United
States, so when history was taught to children, that was one of the first things
they talked about; these first African men that landed in America.” She
described The 1619 Project as “phenomenal” because it provided historians,
academics and cultural commentators with a vehicle for talking about the issues.
The daughter of the late historian and librarian, Cyril Packwood, said that
there were plenty of occasions that Bermuda can use to do the same. She added:
“There are all sorts of dates that we could think of to commemorate ... the
ending of the British slave trade, emancipation.” Ms Packwood explained: “We
can look at emancipation, we can look at getting ready for 2034, which will be
the 200th anniversary of emancipation. August 1, 2019 would have been the 185th
anniversary of emancipation in Bermuda and we all ignored it. We do commemorate
emancipation with Cup Match every year, but we could have had interviews,
articles, but it’s not too late, the whole year can be used. We can be talking
about it in schools this year, we can do special projects, bring in special
speakers perhaps.” Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Labour, Community Affairs
and Sport, noted the 185th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Bermuda
when she highlighted commemorative events last month in the run-up to Cup Match.
Ms Packwood added: “Bermuda is a place where the wider community loves
history, we don’t always look for stuff that’s new. People would listen to a
regular panel, every month or every week.” The work of John Thornton, a Boston
University professor, identified that the Africans who were taken to Jamestown,
Virginia, and Bermuda in 1619, hailed from the southern African nation of
Angola. They were captured during warfare in their home country and placed in
the São João Bautista, a Portuguese slave ship bound for the Spanish colony of
Vera Cruz in modern-day Mexico. That vessel was attacked by the White Lion and
the Treasurer, English privateers, which went to Jamestown and traded Africans
for provisions. The Treasurer continued on to Bermuda, where more slaves were
landed. Professor Thornton believed that a majority of Bermuda’s early influx
of African slaves came from Angola. A spokesman for the Blue Flag Ambassador
course explained: “The significance of the slaves being from Angola is
relevant, and their impact evident today by virtue of our Gombeys. The word
Gombey is Buntu, the language of Angola, and means rhythm. It is curious that
the English had tried to settle in Virginia from 1607 and although they had
multiple setbacks, they did not import slaves until that unexpected arrival of
‘20-odd Negroes’ in 1619, 12 years later. Conversely, Bermuda was
established in 1612 and slaves were sought out only four years later in 1616.
Between 1616 and 1619, Bermuda quickly surpassed Virginia in importance to the
Crown, and by 1622, Bermuda’s population was greater even though it had only
been colonized a decade earlier.” A packed schedule of events took place in
Hampton, Virginia, over the weekend to mark the landing of the enslaved Africans
at Point Comfort, now Fort Monroe, in late August 1619. Clarence Maxwell, a
historian, credited Professor Thornton’s work for increasing awareness among
American scholars of the links with Bermuda. He said: “I think the US is
getting more and more aware of it, they’re more interested in Bermuda’s
relationship with Virginia.” Dr Maxwell, who teaches Latin American and
Caribbean History at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, added: “It’s
good that they’re being linked together ... as we get more knowledge about the
relationships, as the US gets more aware of Bermuda, then hopefully at some
point we will be able to talk more about it.” A new education strategy
developed by the National Museum of Bermuda is expected to reflect multiple
perspectives of the island’s history and diverse cultural heritage. Elena
Strong, the executive director, said earlier this year that the blueprint was a
“formal response” to calls from the community. The museum is working with
the Department of Education to promote the new approach to teachers, who
contributed to discussions on the change of focus, and to work out how it can be
integrated into the history curriculum in schools. Ms Foggo noted Emancipation
Day activities had focused on the legacy of abolitionist hero Mary Prince. Ms
Foggo added: “The ministry from a broader perspective is seeking to ensure
that Bermuda’s historical milestones receive the attention and public
awareness they deserve. We were extremely encouraged by the interest expressed
by members of the public who attended our events to learn more about our
collective history. In fact, so well received were our events, that we had to
provide additional activities to satisfy the public’s demand for historical
information.” She added that the department supports many programmes and
events that provide awareness about Bermuda’s culture and history.
Bermuda
College has adopted a new flag and brand as part of its Vision 2023 Strategic
Plan. The college has unveiled a new turquoise and white logo intended to
symbolise the various paths that bring students to the institution and reflect
its strategic direction. Duranda Greene, the college president, said the almost
yearlong journey to develop the school’s new brand had been transformative. Dr
Greene said: “Once all of the data from our focus groups, surveys, meetings
and discussions came together, we realised how transformative Bermuda College is
to so very many that have entered our gates. It’s not just the fact that our
teaching faculty are more highly credentialled than most in comparative
community colleges. This goes way beyond that. Our faculty and support staff
really care about our students in a way that shows up in our data. In our most
recent graduate survey, we had nearly nine out of ten graduates said they would
recommend Bermuda College to someone. That speaks volumes not only about how we
do what we do; it also speaks to our relevance to this community and
internationally.” A spokeswoman for the college explained that the logo was
designed to be “trendy and timeless”. She said: “The new colours are
indicative of Bermuda’s landscape, reflecting the vibrant tropical hues and
refreshing tones of the island. They are as distinctive as the college’s
resilience and relevance to our community. And our commitment is renewed to
continue to deliver excellent opportunities and access to further education and
career goals for students from all walks of life.” Peter Sousa, the chairman
of the board of governors, said he was confident that the new brand reflects the
new shift of the college. Mr Sousa said: “I am firmly convinced, that the
college is well-positioned to continue to provide a standard of education,
second to none, for Bermuda’s residents, and that it will continue to be
recognised internationally, offering unparalleled opportunities and access to
our students, to set their feet firmly on paths to further education or career
goal success.” Dr Greene added: “There are so many opportunities available
here, that quite frankly, are not available to students overseas. Transfer
pathways to more than 30 accredited and recognised institutions in Canada, the
UK, US and the Caribbean; new career opportunities in emergent fields, such as
compliance; new internship experiences with our business and industry partners;
and more online studies to gain professional designations from quality external
providers. Bermuda College truly offers many pathways. We’re inviting the
community to discover their own with us.”
Bermuda-based
Frontline Ltd, one of the world’s largest oil tanker operators, is to buy ten
newly built Suezmax tankers from commodities trader Trafigura Group. Under
the terms of the deal, Trafigura will get between $538 million and $547 million
in cash as well as 8.48 per cent of Frontline shares worth about $128 million.
The agreement announced on Friday validates Trafigura’s 2017 decision to back
a $1.55 billion order for 16 Suezmaxes and 19 oil-product tankers fitted with
units known as scrubbers, which are needed to comply with new environmental
regulations coming in 2020 to reduce sulphur emissions from shipping. In
addition to Frontline paying as much as $675 million in cash and shares for ten
of those Suezmaxes, the tanker operator, which is backed by Norwegian
billionaire John Fredriksen, has the option to buy four more of the vessels. The
deal is expected to close between November and March. “This marks a
continuation of an approach that has long been integral to Trafigura’s
strategy, namely investing in infrastructure assets in support of commodity
flows and then collaborating with a market leader like Frontline to maintain
sufficient access to those assets for our trading business,” Rasmus Bach
Nielsen, Trafigura’s global head of wet freight and a driving force behind its
recent moves in shipping, said in a statement. Nielsen sees significant upside
potential for the stake in Frontline due to rising US oil exports, an ageing
global shipping fleet and low vessel orders. In the past, Trafigura has used its
commodity-sector knowledge and access to relatively cheap capital to invest in
the construction of pipelines and ports, eventually selling stakes in those
assets while maintaining access for its commodity flows. Handling about 5.5
million barrels of crude and products per day, Trafigura is the second-biggest
independent oil and metals trader. Freight rates have been rising ahead of
implementation of the International Maritime Organisation’s 2020 sulphur
regulations. The cost of hiring a Suezmax tanker is currently close to $13,000
per day, according to data from the Baltic Exchange. Rates have increased since
the start of the month and are at their highest on a seasonal basis since 2015.
As part of the deal with Trafigura, Frontline agreed on long-term charters for
all ten vessels until the deal closes at a price of about $23,000 a day. That is
“loss making on current spot rates” but “fair given the outlook for the
balance of the year”, analysts at Fearnley Securities AS said in a note to
clients. Over the course of this year, about 2,200 ships globally will install
so-called scrubbers, allowing them to keep burning high-sulphur fuel oil once
IMO 2020 comes into force. Much of the work is being crammed into the fourth
quarter, threatening to drain capacity from the global fleet. Fearnley says the
deal will make Frontline the largest Suezmax operator in what it rated “a very
positive transaction” for the shipping firm. The deal will provide Trafigura
with a cash boost amid pressures about its debt levels and criticism from
short-seller Iceberg Research about how it values some assets. Trafigura is
highly leveraged, with adjusted net debt standing at nearly $7.6 billion at the
end of March, equal to nearly 4.5 times its annual earnings before interest,
tax, depreciation and amortization in its fiscal 2018 year. Separately,
Trafigura this month struck an agreement with Frontline and another
Bermudian-based company, Golden Ocean Group Ltd, a dry bulk shipping firm also
backed by Fredriksen, to form a marine-fuel joint venture.
A
teenage woman has been arrested in connection with an early-morning stabbing at
Horseshoe Bay. A police spokesman said a 19-year-old woman, believed to be
from Paget, was this afternoon in custody for the attack, which left an
18-year-old woman with multiple stab wounds. The spokesman said the injuries to
the victim were not believed to be life-threatening. Another teenager, an
18-year-old Devonshire male, suffered an arm injury in the incident, but police
said the injury was “not consistent with a stab wound.” The spokesman said:
“It is believed that he fell on some rocks in the area around the time of the
stabbing incident. The investigation continues and detectives encourage anyone
who has video footage of the stabbing to come forward. Any information provided
will be treated in the strictest of confidence.” Police said the female victim
had been involved in a dispute with another young woman at the Rum Bum Beach Bar
on Saturday night. She then left the bar when it closed, and was standing with a
group of people near the bathrooms and outdoor showers at around 12.30am when
she was repeatedly stabbed. The victim was taken to King Edward VII Memorial
Hospital by motorcycle and was admitted to a general ward for treatment of
non-life-threatening stab wounds about her body and arms. A spokesman for the
Rum Bum Beach Bar said: “It has come to our attention that there was an
incident at Horseshoe Bay during the early hours of Sunday morning at 12.33am.
We were hosting a special event, an electronic dance music party, which had
finished at midnight, and security guards had escorted patrons off the premises.
Soon after, as staff members were cleaning and breaking down equipment, the
police were on scene and notified us of the incident which occurred in the
bathroom and parking lot area.” The spokesman added: “After police arrived,
they spoke with the on-duty manager and our security staff who allowed access to
our video surveillance cameras. We are assisting local officials in their
inquiries.” Witnesses should call the Criminal Investigation Department on
247-1744 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 800-8477.
A
ferry brought to Bermuda to transport cruise ship passengers has been out of
action for more than month after it hit a reef, The Royal Gazette can reveal. But
the owners of the Spirit of St George’s said the ferry was scheduled to
be back in operation today. The catamaran, used by Norwegian Cruise Lines to
ferry its passengers between Dockyard and the East End, has been out of
commission since July 18, when it struck a reef as it left St George’s Harbour
through Town Cut. Beau Evans, owner of the boat’s operator Cruiseport Ferry
Management Ltd, said repairs had now been completed. Mr Evans added: “What
happened was we hit a reef in Town Cut back on July 18 and suffered some damage.
The boat has a considerably long bulbous bow on each of its two hulls, and we
hit the port side one. All the repairs are now done and we will be starting up
again with passengers on Monday.” A spokeswoman for NCL confirmed the boat had
struck an “underwater obstruction” while leaving St George’s on July 18.
The spokeswoman added: “The ferry immediately returned to St George’s for
assessment. Several guests were treated for minor injuries.” Mr Evans said the
injured passengers were all treated quickly and all the passengers were returned
to Dockyard on a government ferry while the Spirit of St George’s
remained in the East End. Mr Evans said: “We have been extremely busy,
bringing about 1,000 people to and from St George’s every day. It has been a
very successful service, and then we had this incident. In the meantime, we
approached Government and they allowed us to use their ferry to fulfil our
service to NCL that we promised.” Mr Evans said he could not confirm how much
it had cost to fix the damage to the boat. A government spokeswoman said the
Department of Marine and Ports Services had launched an investigation into the
crash. The spokeswoman added: “In the interim, the government ferry service
provides lift on a day-to-day basis while the Spirit of St George’s is
out of service. Government’s core service was not impacted.” NCL brought the
Spirit of St George’s to Bermuda in 2017 at its own expense to ferry
passengers on round trips to St George’s as part of a 2016 agreement between
the cruise line and the Government. As part of the agreement, the cruise line
committed to provide the tender service until 2022. Cruiseport Ferry Management
Ltd was subsequently awarded a contract to operate the service by NCL after an
open RFP. Michael Fahy, then the Minister of Tourism, Transport and
Municipalities, said the service would double ferry lift to St George’s during
the cruise ship season. The Spirit of St George’s, a 400-seat, 133ft
high-speed charter vessel, boasts a 5,200 horsepower motor and a top speed of 25
knots. The vessel has run passengers between Dockyard and St George’s since
2017 while NCL cruise ships are in port. The Corporation of St George has said
the service had helped to increase visitor numbers in the town.
Jessica
Lewis made a scintillating start to the Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru,
after storming to victory in the women’s T53 400 metres final on Saturday.
Lewis executed the perfect race, making a flying start and finishing in a time
of 1min 01.95sec, a second faster than Yen Hoang, of the United States, who came
second in 1:02.95. Kelsey LeFavour, of the US, placed third in 1:02.97. The
Bermudian is eyeing a sweep of medals in all three of her events in Lima and
will return to action in the 800 final tomorrow. “It’s such an honour to
bring home a gold medal again to Bermuda,” said Lewis, the reigning Parapan Am
T53 100 champion. “I felt like I had a great chance of winning the race, but I
knew that it was going to be a fight with the US girls. I am quite thrilled that
I managed to be that far ahead of them." The gold medal represents a major
breakthrough for Lewis, as she has often struggled for sustained power at the
longer distances and believes her switch to a harder pair of gloves has made a
huge difference. “I have transitioned into using the hard gloves which have
definitely helped me get stronger in the longer-distance events. I had the best
start I have ever had in these gloves, so everything just came together for the
race.” Lewis’s main race, the 100, will take place on Wednesday, with the
26-year-old hoping to shatter her Parapan Am record time of 17.67, which she set
in Toronto in 2015. She is, however, expecting stiff competition from her main
rival LaFevour, who previously raced in the T54 and has beaten Lewis on
occasions since moving classifications. Also representing Bermuda in Lima, are
boccia players Steve Wilson, Yushae DeSilva-Andrade and Omar Hayward. Wilson and
DeSilva-Andrade have previous experience at the Games, having competed in
Toronto, while Hayward will be making his debut in the competition. All three
represented the island at the Bisfed World Boccia Championship in Liverpool in
2018. Wilson will compete in the BC1 classification pool and DeSilva-Andrade and
Hayward are part of the BC4 classification pool. The boccia competition starts
on Thursday.
Yahoo News, London. A
billionaire Duke with scores of Bermuda-registered companies for tax avoidance
reasons plans to demolish council homes in London and replace them with
luxury flats. The property group run by Hugh Grosvenor,
28, the seventh Duke of Westminster, wants to knock down Walden House in
Westminster and build shops and homes, which would include social housing. But
40 families in existing council homes say they were only told of the plans in
March, seven years after private tenants in neighboring flats, the Sunday
People newspaper reported. The Duke is the world’s richest person under
30 with an estimated wealth of up to £10 billion.
Flights
to and from the UK are set to be cancelled next month after the British
pilots’ union announced strikes yesterday as part of a long-running dispute
over pay. The British Airline Pilots Association put British Airways on
notice of its plans for members to take industrial action on September 9, 10 and
27. One source, who said he was due to fly from London’s Gatwick Airport to
Bermuda on September 10, was notified yesterday that the flight had been
cancelled. The union warned the three days could cost the airline almost $150
million. BA claimed the industrial action was “unjustifiable” and said it
was working to limit disruption to passengers. Balpa said it had proposed a
number of packages that would have avoided a strike during several days of talks
with the UK’s Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. The union added:
“BA did not accept any of these packages and it is clear following discussions
with members over the last few days that BA’s most recent offer will not gain
the support of anywhere near a majority of its pilots. In these circumstances,
with a 93 per cent vote in favour of taking industrial action, and with no
prospect of any further meaningful talks, we have no choice but to call this
action.” Balpa estimated every day of strike action would cost BA almost $50
million. It said the “gap” between the airline’s position and that of the
union’s was about $6 million. The union said: “Our proposal remains on the
table should BA wish to reach agreement prior to strike action. British Airways
is an extremely profitable and successful company and pilots have been proud to
play their part in that. Over recent years BA pilots have made sacrifice after
sacrifice to assist the company such as taking a pay cut, productivity
increases, closing the final salary pension scheme, giving up annual leave days,
a new rostering system, and reducing flying pay. In what is British Airways’
centenary year, this will be the very first time its pilots will go on strike.
They do so as a last resort and with enormous frustration at the way the
business is now being run. Our ballot is valid until January, and more dates may
be announced until such time as this matter is resolved.” BA said that a
proposed pay deal of 11.5 per cent over three years was fair and had been
accepted by the members of other trade unions, which represented nearly 90 per
cent of employees including engineers, cabin crew and ground staff. A
spokeswoman for the airline said last night: “It is unacceptable that the
Balpa union is destroying the travel plans of tens of thousands of BA customers
with this unjustifiable strike action.” She added: “We are extremely sorry
that after many months of negotiations, based on a very fair offer, Balpa has
decided on this reckless course of action. BA is now making changes to the
global schedule. BA will do everything possible to get as many people away on
their journeys as possible.” The airline was “exploring options” to
supplement its fleet with aircraft and crew from other companies. It was also
working with partner airlines to schedule larger aircraft to take the maximum
number of customers The spokeswoman said: “In addition to basic pay, pilots
also receive annual pay increments and regular flying allowances. BA continues
to pursue every avenue to find a solution to avoid industrial action and protect
customers’ travel plans.”
Air
samples from an area of an East End school, where floor tiles suspected to be
contaminated with asbestos were removed, were yesterday sent to an overseas lab
for analysis, an education ministry spokeswoman has revealed. The
spokeswoman said the tiles were found in a classroom at Clearwater Middle
School, during routine cleaning, after the school was given the all clear. She
added: “Results are expected back next week, after which the corresponding
health certificate will be issued, from the Department of Health.” The
spokeswoman also said that asbestos removal was carried out on the cafeteria
ceiling and the ceiling of closets. The news came after an insider warned
earlier this week, that parents, pupils and teachers had not been given the full
picture on asbestos at the school, and that the scale of work that had been
carried out this summer had not been made public. Diallo Rabain, the education
minister, announced earlier this week that the green light had been given to
start classes on September 10. Mr Rabain told broadcaster ZBM that work at the
school involved floor tiles, but did not identify the cafeteria or closet spaces
as areas of the building where other asbestos abatement had been done. An inside
source said work that had been done to tackle asbestos at the school was a
“Band-Aid fix”. The source added: “No one has been in there and done a
thorough inspection and been through the whole school.” The insider said staff
were still concerned about the safety at the school, despite Mr Rabain’s
assurances. The Royal Gazette’s source continued: “I don’t know how in the
world they can say it’s clean.” The spokeswoman said the latest find was
made after asbestos removal work was completed, in other parts of the St
David’s island school, built in the years after the Second World War by the US
military. She said that the cancer-causing material was discovered in the
ceiling of the cafeteria, and the ceiling of closet spaces, in June. The
spokeswoman said that AC Management, a licensed asbestos removal contractor,
dealt with damaged material that contained asbestos, and that the material was
“encapsulated or removed and replaced with non-asbestos materials”. She
added the work was completed on August 5. Air samples of the areas where
asbestos was found were then collected by Bermuda Water Consultants and sent
overseas for analysis. The spokeswoman said: “The lab results came back, and
the areas were deemed safe and asbestos-free. Lab results were submitted to the
Department of Health and a certificate of completion is in progress, as a final
assurance that the tested areas are safe, for students and staff. The ministry
notes that no health issues have been reported regarding asbestos exposure. The
ministry also notes that, in regards to concerns expressed regarding asbestos
discovered in 2018 in the custodial main storeroom area at Clearwater, abatement
works were conducted and completed, in December 2018.” Mr Rabain repeated an
apology to parents and staff made earlier this week “that they were not
notified of these works in a timely fashion. It is our aim to be transparent and
forthcoming, with all information, in regards to school facilities and work
being conducted that relates to health and safety. Protocols are being put in
place, to ensure that the ministry has all parent’s correct e-mail addresses
and contact information, to allow for notices of this nature to be sent out
quickly and efficiently.” Mr Rabain said that the ministry encouraged school
staff to highlight health and safety problems. He added: “When necessary,
licensed contractors are brought in to evaluate and recommend solutions. While
their methods may not be familiar to, or understood by, persons outside of their
licensed technicians, we rely on their expertise to ensure the safety of our
schools.” Cole Simons, the shadow education minister, said that the full
report on Clearwater should be made public. He added that the ministry always
apologised, when it had been “caught out”. Mr Simons said: “This
government shares information with the people on a need-to-know basis, or when
their backs are up against the wall. Transparency does not come easy for
them.” Nakisha Burgess, the president of the Clearwater Parent Teacher Student
Association, did not respond to a request for comment.
A
68-year-old cruise ship passenger from the United States who died on Thursday
while on a jet ski ride with her husband was named by police yesterday.
Kathleen Emam was on a tour off Daniel’s Head in Sandys when she fell off the
back of the jet ski and lost consciousness just after 2pm. Life-saving efforts
were carried out as she was taken by boat to Mangrove Bay public dock.
Resuscitation efforts were continued on shore by the Bermuda Fire & Rescue
Service and by ambulance personnel as she was rushed to King Edward VII Memorial
Hospital. But Ms Emam was later pronounced dead by doctors. The couple, who were
on the Norwegian Escape, travelled from their home in New York. A liaison
officer has been assigned to assist the family. A police spokesman said there
did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and the cause of death was
being investigated. A Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman said last night the
company was “saddened” by the death of its passenger. She added: “The
guest sustained fatal injuries as a result of a jet ski incident during an
island excursion organised independently in Bermuda. Our thoughts and prayers
are with the deceased’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
The number of jobs in Bermuda increased last year compared to 2017, but the
number held by Bermudians dropped, Department of Statistics figures revealed. The
Job Market Employment Briefs report said there were 33,810 positions filled
at the time of the survey in 2018, an increase of 151 or 0.4 per cent on the
previous year. It showed that posts held by Bermudians, who accounted for 70 per
cent of the total number of jobs, dropped by 92 from 23,671 to 23,579. The
figures also revealed that the gap between black and white median salaries
increased over the period. Wayne Furbert, the Cabinet Office minister, said:
“The Employment Briefs provides a broad count of all jobs in the Bermuda
labour market by selected demographics, industrial and occupational groups.”
He explained that the hotel sector recorded an increase of 186 filled posts. Of
the 2,383 workers in the category, which included guesthouses and other
accommodation, 1,573 were Bermudian, 132 were non-Bermudian spouses of
Bermudians, 630 were listed as “other non-Bermudian” and 48 were permanent
resident certificate holders. Mr Furbert said: “The median gross annual income
for employees who worked in establishments with ten or more filled jobs climbed
by $1,088 from $64,250 to $65,338.” The report showed that the $1,088 increase
was equivalent to 2 per cent. It added: “In comparison to the moderate rise in
median earnings, the annual inflation rate in August 2018 was 0.9 per cent. The
profile of median income by race shows that white job holders earned $90,416 in
2018. On average, black job holders earned $59,006 while job holders of mixed
and other races earned $54,979 per year. The pay disparity between the two major
racial groups exceeded $31,000 in 2018. This gap was caused by disproportionate
shares of white workers and black workers in higher paying roles such as senior
officials and managers and in professional occupations together with uneven
shares of blacks and whites in lower paying jobs such as service workers,
skilled agricultural and fisheries workers and workers in elementary
occupations.” The report added that in 2017 the median annual income for black
employees was $58,204 compared to $88,557 for white workers — a difference of
$30,353. The number of people employed as service workers and shop and market
sales workers grew by 138 to 7,249. Posts in the construction industry increased
by 6.4 per cent from 2,008 to 2,136, fuelled in part by 18 more women in the
sector. Women had 49 per cent of the overall employment market — the same as
last year. But they held 56 more positions in 2018 at 16,594, compared to the
17,216 jobs filled by men, which was up by 95. The report’s introduction
explained that it was based on information collected from the 2018 employment
survey, which used August 26 to September 1 last year as its reference week. It
said: “The information collected from the survey is the primary source used
for analyzing employment trends in Bermuda for government, commerce and the
general public.” The report warned against making direct comparisons with the
Labour Force Survey and census results, which it said were not comparable. It
added: “Other non-Bermudian employment increased by 223 filled jobs, from
7,340 to 7,563. The number of Bermudian job holders decreased by 92 filled jobs,
while non-Bermudian spouses of Bermudians and permanent resident certificate
holders gained a total of 11 and nine more filled positions, respectively. The
share of filled jobs held by persons of mixed and other racial heritages grew by
236 positions, while whites recorded a decrease of 80 filled positions.”
The
fence around the site of the former Canadian Hotel has been covered with a
rainbow of roses in time for the island’s first gay Pride parade. Artist
Robyn Hooper, along with volunteers, has been hard at work painting a bright
Love is Love Community Mural project along the orange wooden barrier at the
junction of Reid Street and Court Street. The mural should be finished before
the Pride parade on August 31, which helped to inspire the project. Ms Hooper
said: “I’m always looking for a place to do art, but when I got involved in
Pride, I wanted to help in any way that I could. I tried to organise bits and
pieces with the parade, and this just worked out.” She said she received
permission from Richard and Thomas Powell, who own the property, to put up a
mural on the barrier. Ms Hooper said: “Richard Powell reached out to me when I
put out a call to see if there were any spaces to paint. He said I could paint
everything that was orange. At least I hope that’s what he said.” She
explained that she wanted the community to be involved in the project, so she
put out a call for assistance online. Ms Hooper added that she hoped the
finished project would resemble a garden of roses in the colours of the Pride
flag. Work started last week with the painting of a rainbow banner along the
fence and on Thursday Ms Hooper started to add outlines for the roses. Ms Hooper
said: “I thought about different ways to do this. At first I wanted to blend
all the colours, but, this way is quicker, so we can bang it out, before the
parade. “This way, I can chalk it out and when people come, they can copy over
the lines and it gets everyone together even more. The more the community is a
part of it, the more they will enjoy it, hopefully. There was a really good
answer to the call for help.” Yesterday, Ms Hooper began to incorporate words
into the mural to break down the meanings of the stripes in the Pride rainbow.
Pride flags originally included six coloured stripes: red for life, orange for
healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, blue for harmony and purple for
spirit. Some groups and events, including Bermuda Pride, have included black and
brown stripes, to symbolise diversity and inclusivity. Ms Hooper said the public
appeared to approve of the mural. She added: “People driving by seem to be
enjoying all the colours so far. I think the people who are excited about the
parade are also excited about anything that is showing support.” Ms Hooper
said: “I think every community needs more public art. Art expresses the
cultural values of a community and there is always room for more art. The city
is doing a great job to encourage it, and I have been grateful to have had the
opportunity to do some murals for them, but this one is on my own.”
Bermudians were called on to “dare to invent the future” at a packed
forum last night on national independence.
The call came from panellist Ryan
Perinchief, who brought the audience to its feet at the Bermuda Industrial
Union’s EF Gordon Hall. Mr Perinchief, founder of the Future Leaders
Programme, added: “It is time for us as Bermudians to set forward a new
vision, before we are thrust into someone else’s.” The final of the five
speakers prompted Alex Scott, who served as premier from 2003 to 2006 and
appointed the Bermuda Independence Commission in 2005, to tell the room: “Ryan
gives me hope, but despair in that I let him down. It was under my watch that we
brought out the basis of going independent — but were unable to move it
forward.” Mr Perinchief spoke of Bermuda’s “colonial predicament” as an
island viewing itself as far from the Caribbean nations that embraced
independence decades earlier. He said: “Due to this disconnect, we have
consistently told ourselves we are out here on our own, another world, and not
ready for independence.” Organisers of the forum highlighted Mr Perinchief as
the night’s youngest speaker. Calling for Bermudians to connect with their
identity and embrace “a psychological shift”, Mr Perinchief grounded the
island’s decades of hesitation over national sovereignty in its colonial
status. He said: “I lament that it is impossible to have a unified
conversation on independence as Bermudians. Bermuda is fundamentally, as the
oldest British colony and the first to import African slaves, a tribalist
state.” Voicing regret at his inability to move independence forward, Mr Scott
said: “When I listen to young Ryan, it’s like a race car being kept in a
garage or being made to go at 20 miles an hour.” Mr Perinchief told the
audience a referendum on independence was unlikely to succeed unless opinion was
tilted by interference on the part of Britain. He said: “A unique opportunity
that might have the potential to change is with the UK’s recent announcement
that they want to legislate for Bermuda on beneficial ownership — as well as
with Brexit.” Mr Scott opened the talks with an overview of the UK’s brewing
political chaos over leaving the European Union. To applause, he said:
“Bermuda will not become a democracy until the majority of Bermudians make it
one.” He added that the push for sovereignty was being made primarily by the
Progressive Labour Party and black Bermudians. Cordell Riley, a statistician and
vice-president of Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda, said reports and papers
on independence went back to the civil unrest of the 1970s. Mr Riley said:
“When I hear people say we need more information, I don’t know how much more
information we need.” Issues surrounding independence were catalogued in the
Bermuda Independence Commission’s report, he said. Several speakers noted
Bermuda’s racial divide, both socially and on the issue of independence. Lloyd
Williams, a Bermudian living in the independent Caribbean country of St Kitts
and Nevis, said he had been disturbed at the racial divisions he had witnessed
back in Bermuda. Mr Williams said: “When I walked around on the 24th of May,
it was a black Bermudian parade. This is supposed to be a Bermuda parade.” He
told the gathering of hundreds: “We have been preconditioned to think of black
and white; colonialism not only brought us the government system, but it brought
us a religion which perpetuates racism. Unless we see these truths, we won’t
be able to address that properly and see ourselves as human beings.” The room
at the BIU had filled to capacity before the forum had begun last night, with
attendees listening in the hall outside. David Burt, the Premier, was present
along with a host of government MPs, and Michael Dunkley, an Opposition
backbencher. The event, organised by activists LaVerne Furbert and Raynol Todd,
also heard from Phil Perinchief, a former attorney-general and a vocal advocate
for independence. He is also the uncle of Ryan Perinchief. Mr Perinchief
questioned people who had opposed independence 20 years ago by saying “yes,
independence — but not at this time”. He added: “When asked the question
again, they say the same thing. So when? And what time?”
There’s
a buzz at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club — and it’s not just from
its beehives. The hotel has stepped up its sustainability programme,
including finding ways to reduce its impact on the environment and bring benefit
to the community. That’s the buzz, and it is producing results. For example,
the hotel has phased out plastic straws and replaced them with drinking straws
made from hay. It has increased its purchases of local food produce, while
reducing food wastage, and it is in the process of switching to energy-efficient
LED lighting. The hotel also recycles glass, and its used office paper is
shredded and given to a local pet supplier to be used as bedding. Meanwhile, ten
beehives at its beach club property are producing honey that can be served to
guests or used as an ingredient by the hotel’s restaurants. These and other
socially responsible and environmentally beneficial actions are under way or
being considered. Hotel guests and staff have welcomed the steps, which have
been given added impetus from AccorHotels. In 2015, the group became the parent
company of Fairmont Hotels. The Hamilton Princess is managed by Fairmont.
D’esta Ascento is maintenance manager and Planet 21 manager at the hotel. She
said: “Planet 21 is the Accor group’s sustainability umbrella. They have
mandated each Accor company or hotel to meet six social responsibility
initiatives. The pillars are our staff, guests, communities, food and beverage
side, our buildings, and who we partner with. Under each of the tiers were 16
things we have to complete by 2018, which we did.” Other ideas have been
instigated by the hotel’s owners under their own steam. “We looked at our
central plant — our boiler room infrastructure — to see if we could reduce
and cut back on energy usage. Three things implemented were the condensed water
heat recovery; air handling recovery and air compressor heat recovery. These
back-of-house initiatives decrease the amount of energy we use on a daily
basis.” All the hotel’s outdoor lightning has been replaced with LED
instalments. LED lighting is also being introduced internally in corridors,
public spaces and rooms. Not all the ideas come from management, some are
suggested by staff members. Ricardo Cera, executive chef, said: “The different
departments take their own approach and try to play their part. We have a
commitment for 2020 to reduce the food waste in our kitchens to 30 per cent.”
Reducing the use of plastic is also part of the drive. Mr Cera said: “We
started last year with phasing out plastic straws. The first solution was a
paper straw, but we read that they still have micro particles of plastic. So we
found a second option, which is hay straws. They are 100 per cent natural and
biodegradable. A lot of guests find them funny, and they really appreciate the
initiative. Also, we have stopped putting straws automatically in drinks, by
guests’ request, to prevent extra consumption.” Takeaway containers are
being replaced by biodegradable alternatives, and the hotel is increasing its
use of locally produced food. “We are trying to go more with local produce
from farmers and fishermen to help reduce our carbon footprint,” said Mr Cera.
"In the first four months of this year, we increased by 30 per cent our
local purchases.” Ideas suggested by staff and put into action include using
orange peelings as an ingredient to enhance chutney, while excess pastries go to
the Salvation Army. Another chef has recommended that instead of disposing of
coffee grind it can be put it into the hotel’s fertilizer. That idea is being
looked into. The hotel adopted two beehives at its south shore beach club
property earlier this year. That has been expanded to ten hives. They are looked
after by Spencer Field, of Passion Fields Maintenance and Beekeeping Ltd. Guests
can experience local honey production, and some of the honey ends up at the
hotel to be served up or included as an ingredient in menu items. The island’s
bee population is fragile and suffered a huge die-off a few years ago as a
result of pesticides and parasites, including the varroa mite. The population is
recovering, helped by proper maintenance of hives on the island. The addition of
the hotel’s ten beehives is welcome, said Mr Field. “Any appreciation goes a
long way,” he said, adding it is important for corporations or businesses
considering having beehives to ensure they get specialized help to maintain
them. There are about 250 beehives on the island and on average each has 20,000
to 25,000 bees. The hives can be harvested for honey once or twice each year,
depending on hurricanes. While the hotel’s share of the honey harvested from
its hives will not meet all its needs, it does reduce the amount of honey
sourced from elsewhere. By implementing the various social responsibility
actions, there is a positive impact on the hotel’s bottom line. There has been
a decrease in its electricity consumption and there is likely more to come as
the hotel looks at the possibility of solar battery power storage and food waste
composting. However, beyond the dollars and cents there are wider
considerations. Ms Ascento said: “Everyone from ownership down is creating an
atmosphere of doing what’s right for the environment. We are sharing that with
guests so they are aware of what we are doing, and so they can get the
‘buy-in’.” While Mr Cera said: “It is no longer just awareness, it is an
obligation for all of us.” He said the hotel has a role to play educating and
giving as much information as it can to create awareness among guests and
employees. “We have some funny stories. Some wondered why we were doing it and
asked ‘is it just to save money?’ No, it is to save the planet. We are using
more than the planet can regenerate. Our goal is that they take these measures
to their homes — so it is a trend, not [merely] a phase.”
A
tourist died yesterday after an incident during a jet ski tour. The
62-year-old American woman was a passenger on the machine when she fell off and
“became unresponsive”, police said. Emergency crews were called to the
incident in waters off Somerset at about 2.10pm. A police spokesman said: “She
was immediately brought to shore and rushed to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital
via ambulance.” He added later: “Sadly, despite life-saving efforts the
female visitor has been pronounced dead at the hospital.” The spokesman said
no more information about the woman would be released until her next of kin was
notified. Police are continuing to investigate the incident.
A new home is being sought for
an antique organ from an historic Bermuda church built by enslaved worshippers.
The organ at Cobbs Hill Methodist Church dates back to around 1883. “It
carries a lot of our history with it,” said church elder Earlston DeSilva. Mr
DeSilva added: “It has a beautiful sound, but we have not been able to play it
for some time.” The church in Warwick, which dates back to 1827, is
Bermuda’s oldest standing Methodist building. A group photograph on the wall
showing the centennial includes the preacher Thomas Stowe Dill, who is the
great-grandfather of Mr DeSilva as well as Sheila Conyers, an adherent member.
Ms Conyers said of the organ: “That’s my baby. My mother was an organ player
for 50 years; it’s beautiful and powerful. But to have something that we can
play, I would suggest something like the organ at the Peace Lutheran Church,
which can convert to a piano.” Edna Simmons, the church secretary, said:
“It’s difficult for us to part with it, because it’s a treasure. But we
have to go with the times.” The church has 22 core members, but every week is
joined by visitors both local and overseas, drawn by its history. That history
has influenced the neighborhood around it: Moonlight Lane, where the church
stands, takes its name from slaves building the edifice by moonlight. The corner
down the hill at Middle Road is nicknamed Amen’s Corner from the sound of
singing from the church. Ms Simmons credited the African Diaspora Heritage
Trail, a charity dedicated to Bermuda’s African history, for bringing visitors
and tours. Gloria Ray, chairwoman of the trustee and management committee, said
the congregation had decided on a new instrument as part of “trying to modernize”.
She added: “We don’t have anybody to play it; a lot of people can’t use
the foot pedals. If it could be sold, we would gladly accept that.” They
estimate that a modern keyboard organ could cost the church up to $25,000.
Berlene Smith, the deputy chairwoman, said: “We have had people from the
National Museum of Bermuda come to look at it and we are hoping they can take
it. They will have to have a meeting of their board before any decision is made.
It would be great at the museum because it would fit so well.” The decision
remains a difficult one. Mr DeSilva said: “As we move it, we are moving out
part of our history.” The organ was built by William Henry Davis & Son of
New York City. Its first home in Bermuda was believed to be Christ Presbyterian
Church in Warwick. In about 1900, it went to Grace Methodist Church in
Devonshire, and was acquired by Cobbs Hill Methodist Church in 1957. It was
dismantled and restored in 1988..
A
proposed walk-in medical clinic in Hamilton has been refused planning permission
by the Development Applications Board. However, Marico Thomas, chief
executive officer of Bermuda Medical Specialties Group, said yesterday that the
plans for the Health Express Urgent Care clinic, which have cost close to $1
million, were approved in February — but he was told he had to resubmit the
application because of an administrative error. Mr Thomas added that the company
was told “in no uncertain terms” it could continue work on the Reid Street
building — but planning permission was denied in June. He said: “It was
supposed to open on July 1. We spent the money and then we were held back
because of something that is not of our doing. There is pain. There is pain and
aggravation.” The company proposed a change of use for 5 Reid Street, which
was categorised as retail space, to a walk-in clinic. Mr Thomas said the company
had spent $400,000 on renovations to the former P-Tech electronics store and had
committed another $500,000 on staff for the clinic. He added that the delay
meant that two Bermudians who would have been hired were not. He said: “There
is a massive hole in our bank book that needs filling and this was not
planned.” Mr Thomas said that despite the problems, he hoped the clinic would
be able to open its doors to patients inside the next two weeks. Blackhawk
Consulting, part of Mr Thomas’s business group, filed a second application on
behalf of BMSG in April. But the DAB’s June sitting rejected the plans after
they found the proposal contravened the City of Hamilton Plan 2015 because it
did not contribute to the “vitality and interest of the principal shopping
area”. The meeting’s minutes said: “The technical officer cited the
example of nail boutique Polished and noted while this is not a retail use, it
does add vitality to the area and encourages movement of pedestrians around the
city, which is better than vacant spaces. The general consensus was the
doctor’s office should not be fronting on Reid Street and the wrong location
had been chosen for this use.” Board members also highlighted the risk of
traffic congestion if patients were dropped off outside the clinic. They added
if pedestrianisation of parts of Reid Street was to be introduced, the clinic
would face problems. The minutes said: “The board inquired about the
pedestrianisation of Reid Street and commented the approval of a clinic in the
area would go against pedestrianisation as the clinic would argue that drop-offs
are required for its business. The technical officer advised she could not speak
to this, but access will always be required along Reid Street for delivery to
existing retailers and for emergency access purposes.” BMSG already runs a
medical centre on the third floor of Reid Hall, also on Reid Street, with a mix
of full-time doctors and visiting specialists intended to offer “a
comprehensive primary care GP and specialist physician service focused on
longevity and quality of life”. Mr Thomas said the new addition was designed
to meet public demand and ease the pressure on the emergency room at King Edward
VII Memorial Hospital. He added: “From what I have heard, the ER has a
three-hour wait. Sometimes it goes up to four. It isn’t just Bermuda’s ER
— the average wait in the US is three to four hours. The interesting thing is
50 per cent of those visits can be treated somewhere else.” Mr Thomas said the
clinic aimed to limit waiting time to less than 45 minutes, would be open seven
days a week and from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday. He added the clinic also
planned to use a high-tech electronic medical records system to improve
efficiency and treatment. Mr Thomas said: “Bermuda has incredible doctors, but
the system that we have ... sometimes we have paper records, duplication of
information, contradictory information and that all has to be managed.”
Unresolved
matters at the heart of a deadlock over police officers’ work conditions could
be settled by conciliation, the Government said last night. Wayne Furbert,
the Minister for the Cabinet Office, explained that the public sector
negotiating team advised the Bermuda Police Association of its intention to
refer certain issues to the ministry responsible for labour. The BPA was
expected to hold an emergency meeting today for its members to consider a way
forward. Mr Furbert said: “While the public sector negotiating team is
essentially responsible for leading our union negotiations, the Government is
keen to conclude the Bermuda Police Association’s discussions for a new
collective bargaining agreement in a timely fashion. While the parties have made
progress in reaching agreement on some matters, regrettably, negotiations have
reached an impasse.” He added that the PSNT sent a letter to the BPA last
Friday “advising that negotiations had stalled”. Mr Furbert said: “The
letter also gave notice that the PSNT is in the process of referring certain
outstanding matters to the Labour Relations Section of the Ministry of Labour,
Community Affairs and Sport for settlement by conciliation. “I can advise that
both parties are eager to conclude the negotiations. For our part, this
Government will continue to work in good faith with the BPA to settle
outstanding issues related to the terms and conditions of service.” The Police
Act 1974 defines conciliation as “any method or process used, including
mediation, in order to settle a dispute amicably or to bring about an
agreement”. Sergeant Andrew Harewood, the BPA chairman, said on Tuesday that
talks included a call for officers to be provided with legal cover if they
become the subject of an investigation into an incident during the course of
their duties. Other problems still to be settled include government employee
health insurance contributions.
Workers
at a cleaning firm were urged to take any complaints to the Government’s
Labour Relations section after it was claimed that some staff had not been paid
for up to three months. Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Labour, Community
Affairs and Sport, said the ministry was aware of “a current dispute
concerning a local cleaning company”. She explained: “The Labour Relations
section has the ability to investigate and mediate such complaints brought to
its attention, as well as refer unresolved disputes to an arbitration or
tribunal panel for adjudication. As it relates to this specific matter I must
caution that all complaints and inquiries made to the Labour Relations section
are confidential. However, as a general note, the non-payment of wages is
contrary to the Employment Act 2000 and employees who have concerns over late or
non-payment of wages are strongly encouraged to contact the Labour Relations
section and consult with a Labour Relations officer.” Ms Foggo also reminded
workers to review the Act, which sets out employees’ rights and obligations.
She added: “Employees within a unionized environment should contact their
respective shop stewards and, or union representatives directly. Employers are
also reminded that they too can use the Labour Relations section as a resource
when faced with having to make difficult decisions as a result of financial
hardship.” Ms Foggo said: “As we prepare to observe Labour Day, I think
it’s critically important to remind the community that we are here to support
both our workers and employers. We encourage anyone who may be facing challenges
in the workplace to contact the Labour Relations section so that we can assist
where we can.” An employee at Just Cleaners Ltd told The Royal Gazette this
week that some staff had been hit by non-payment and late payment of wages. The
worker complained that, in some cases, people had not received their wages for
up to three months. Management at Just Cleaners, based on Midsea Lane, Pembroke,
did not respond to earlier requests for comment. The Labour Relations Section
can be reached by calling 297-7714 or 297-7716 or by visiting its office at 23
Parliament Street between 8.45am and 5pm on weekdays.
Opinion.
By Michael Dunkley is the former Premier of Bermuda, an Opposition backbencher
and the MP for Smith’s North (Constituency 10). "On March 1, 2019,
finance minister Curtis Dickinson provided the House of Assembly with a
statement “Update on the Work of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission”.
I was naturally interested in this update, as gaming is an amenity that can
benefit our hospitality industry and Bermuda. In addition, there has been an
evident lack of progress on making gaming a reality, since the Progressive
Labour Party became the government in July 2017. The BCGC has lacked the
leadership and driving force required for this initiative after the departure of
the former chairman (Alan Dunch) and executive director (Richard Schuetz), and
we have seen unacceptable ministerial interference. In his statement, the
finance minister said the first priority was to secure a correspondent bank.
This was always expected to be a critical challenge to overcome, but one that
the One Bermuda Alliance believed could be attained, with solid and well-drafted
casino gaming regulations. Without these regulations, a correspondent bank will
not be achieved. So why in more than two years of a PLP government have these
regulations not been tabled? A comprehensive draft was completed by the former
chairman of the BCGC and his team, it was blessed by the Attorney-General’s
Chambers, approved by Cabinet, and was ready to be tabled under the negative
resolution procedure, until the election was called, owing to the antics of
certain MPs. Why has the PLP to date failed to act on this critical component?
Second, Mr Dickinson stated another critical priority was the recruitment of an
executive director. He said the services of an executive recruiter would be
engaged to assist in securing a “qualified leader”, for the commission. When
questioned four months later, in July about the progress, the minister admitted
no executive recruiter was engaged, the BCGC would do it on its own and, while a
candidate had been identified, no other details could be provided. This begs the
question as to why, 18 months after the departure of the former Mr Schuetz, this
critical leadership position remains vacant? During a July 2019 sitting of the
House, I questioned the finance minister on the cost to run the BCGC from April
1 2018 through to the end of June 2019. I was informed that the total cost for
that period was $2,513,062 broken down as follows:
This is a significant amount of money, and, while this is not a comment directed at the staff of the commission, it must be questioned how spending of more than $2.5 million can be justified with no results. Gaming, and the millions of dollars invested, appears to be at this point, dead in the water under the PLP. Before the 2017 election, the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club was granted a provisional licence, which, I suggest, the lack of action by the PLP has rendered moot, and the legislation itself was amended to allow Desarrollos a licence, which it now cannot implement. The known interest in gaming by both the Hamilton Princess and the St Regis project in the East End, has hit a roadblock, and the PLP government has sent a bad message with its handling of gaming. One must question whether we are open for business and if investors have the confidence to take a “gamble” on Bermuda under PLP leadership. David Burt, the Premier, said recently that all good ideas would be considered. Well, here is one: make gaming a reality. Desist from any political interference and allow capable and experienced professionals to get the job done."
Hamilton
Insurance Group Ltd has jumped into the top 15 syndicates at Lloyd’s of London
after completing its acquisition of Pembroke Managing Agency Limited. The
transaction and the acquisition of Ironshore Europe DAC, both from Liberty
Mutual Group Inc, were completed on Tuesday. It brought a boost to the size of
Bermuda-based Hamilton, which was founded in 2013, doubling its gross written
premiums on a pro forma basis to $1.1 billion. It also added 200 employees,
enlarging the group to more than 350 staff. While the numbers are important,
Pina Albo, chief executive officer, said expanding the group’s global
footprint and diversity was as significant. “This acquisition was the perfect
expression of the execution of our strategy, which is to build a global
diversified speciality insurance and reinsurance company. This acquisition fits
squarely in there and does a number of things to advance us in the further
achievement of this strategy.” Speaking to The Royal Gazette, she said
the closing of the acquisitions “vaulted us in the Lloyd’s market to one of
the top 15 syndicates”. At Lloyd’s, Pembroke Management Agency manages a
portfolio of specialty insurance products through syndicate 4000, while Hamilton
Underwriting Ltd is managing agency for syndicate 3334, acquired by Hamilton in
2015. “The Pembroke Management Agency is a very strong, speciality insurance
franchise, and this fits very squarely in our further development of our
speciality insurance business, so it catapults us in the speciality space much
higher, and allows us to build our reinsurance franchise,” said Ms Albo.
Hamilton had also been looking for a non-Lloyd’s platform, and fulfilled that
with the acquisition of Ironshore Dublin, giving it passporting rights to write
business throughout the European Economic Area and to provide capacity in the
US. “That platform allows us to expand our reinsurance franchise throughout
the EU and the US. From that extent it is incredibly strategic and gives amazing
optionality, particularly as the US E&S licences are going to allow us to
expand our speciality insurance offering. And we have a one-third interest in an
MGA called Attune, and it now writes small commercial business in the US. With
our own E&S licensing capabilities, we are going to look at ways of
expanding our collaboration with this very capable insurtech platform.”
Hamilton now has operations in Dubai, London, Dublin, Shanghai, Bermuda, New
York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Its strategy remains to build a global,
diversified insurance and reinsurance platform. “We have three businesses,
essentially the speciality insurance business, which has been catapulted
significantly with this acquisition; we have a strong reinsurance franchise
through Hamilton Re, which we are going to continue to expand; and we also have
a new unit which we formulated called Strategic Partnerships, and that is the
one that Jonathan Reiss will be heading when Tony Ursano takes over as the group
CFO,” Ms Albo said. Mr Reiss, one of the founding members of Hamilton
Insurance Group, has been appointed to head the new business unit Strategic
Partnerships. He will continue in his role as chief financial officer until Mr
Ursano takes on that role next month. Ms Albo said: “That platform is a
fee-generating platform. We have some fee-generating in our group all ready
through our ownership of Attune, and some of the things we were all ready doing
in the ILS space through Hamilton Capital Partners. But with this acquisition
and the management of third-party syndicates, it made sense to make a unit out
of that dedicated to fee business.” She said Mr Reiss knows Hamilton’s
business inside out, and also the wider insurance and reinsurance world and
developments that are taking place. “When we did this acquisition it was like
the stars aligned. There was a perfect opportunity for Jonathan to leverage his
skill set, knowledge and market access, to build a new platform for us. I’m
excited and so is he.” Ms Albo said the timing could also not have been better
as Mr Ursano had decided to leave TigerRisk Partners LLC, where he was
president. “I have known Tony and worked with him very closely since my
inception at Hamilton. He has a very longstanding insurance industry experience,
and also in the banking world. We are incredibly happy to have Tony with his
contacts and strategic vision on board to help us as we continue to execute our
strategy.” Ms Albo said that going forward Hamilton sees its growth in
Lloyd’s as being primarily organic, and while she is not excluding further
acquisitions she does not see any more this year. Speaking about the insurance
and reinsurance market in general, she said: “We are seeing an uptick in both
insurance and reinsurance rates in the lines that we are in, and certainly an
uptick that has been more sustainable, and we believe it will be more
sustainable going forward. So having this acquisition and being a much larger
player, it feels as if the wind is at our back as we are now at a market cycle
that is more beneficial to grow and write new business.”
The
number of people who sought help from a charity over abusive relationships has
already surpassed the annual average, the agency’s leader said yesterday.
Laurie Shiell, the executive director at the Centre Against Abuse, explained
that requests for assistance spiked in the first three months of 2019. She said:
“The year started off very fast. We noticed January was above average and
February was above average — we were seeing 30 clients for the first two
months and then 20 in the third. We’ve definitely seen a greater increase in
clients this year than we’ve ever seen before and we believe it’s due to
getting information out there about our services and the work we do. We think
it’s a good thing that people are getting help.” She said that numbers had
returned to the more typical 12 to 15 clients a month, but the early uptick
meant about 120 had been seen so far this year, compared with a yearly average
of 100. Ms Shiell said the figures did not suggest the sudden increase was
connected to new relationships and that “many of them have been going on for
some time”. But she added: “I would say perhaps 90 per cent of the clientele
has been first-time clients.” Ms Shiell said the first quarter of the calendar
year also brought more requests than usual from men, with one a month compared
with about five annually. She explained: “There are men that are looking to
get help. Our services are not just for women, we do assist men who are
survivors of abusive relationships whether it’s harassment, verbal abuse ...
they need to get away from their partner that just won’t leave them alone. We
are here to help set boundaries, to obtain that healthy relationship.” Ms
Shiell encouraged anyone struggling in an abusive relationship to seek help. She
said that clients who successfully escape their circumstances find “freedom, a
new lease on life”. Ms Shiell added: “If you know of someone that’s in a
situation and you’re not sure what to do, give us a call.”
Air-conditioned
buses should be a must on longer public routes, a senior user of the service
said yesterday. Elizabeth Adams, 71, said she was at her “wits end” over
the failure to use AC-equipped buses on long runs. She said that the buses in
use on long-haul journeys “have their windows open, the driver is burning up,
and the passengers are uncomfortable”. Ms Adams added: “We have politicians
that are supposed to be doing their job. I don’t understand why they would
have these short routes air-conditioned and not the lengthy routes when these
people are suffering. It’s just wrong. Where is the mentality? Where is the
thinking?” Ms Adams, a volunteer with three island charities, said that she
depended on the bus service, which she often used several times a day. She added
that the lack of air conditioning on some buses, combined with summer humidity,
triggered her asthma. Ms Adams said: “The air conditioning does help. As soon
as I walk into my house I put the air conditioning on. I stay in as much as I
can in the afternoon.” She said that a “second look” should be taken at
how buses were deployed. Ms Adams added: “I believe that if they are going to
be using air conditioning, they should use it on the lengthy routes — from
Hamilton terminal to St George’s and Hamilton terminal to Dockyard.” Roger
Todd, the director of the Department of Public Transportation, said yesterday
that an “air-conditioning campaign” had been launched by the department. He
was speaking at a press conference held by Zane DeSilva, the Minister of
Transport to publicize an increase in the number of buses on the roads. Mr Todd
said that some models of bus in the fleet were “particularly problematic”.
He added: “We have a programme in place to address that, as well as the older
units. Our position is that if it has an AC unit on the roof, it should be
working.” The transport ministry did not respond to a request for comment
yesterday.
An East End school has been
given the green light for classes to go ahead after concerns about suspected
asbestos, the Minister of Education said. Diallo Rabain apologised to
parents of students at Clearwater Middle School for not alerting them to the
potential risk earlier. He was interviewed on ZBM and said that abatement work
was already completed when the broadcaster first aired the story. Mr Rabain
said: “We were waiting for the overseas report to come back and give the all
clear. I have contacted the Department of Health and they have received the
report and they’re in the process of issuing a certificate to say that the
school is safe to enter. In this particular case, there were some tiles that are
on the floor that were found to possibly contain asbestos. As soon as that
happens, that area was shut off and ... an abatement company that’s licensed
in Bermuda was brought in to do the actual work. They did the work and after
that samples are taken by a third party ... and those are sent overseas to be analyzed.
Once those come back giving the all-clear, that is the only time that the rooms
can be then occupied.” The minister added that he wanted to apologise to
parents for “not reaching out to them and letting them know what was going
on” when the suspicions first arose. Teachers and relatives of students voiced
their concerns about conditions at the St David’s school this week. A
spokeswoman for the Department of Education said then that the school would be
inspected by a third party to make sure it was safe. She added that further
details would be released once the inspection report was handed in.
Bermuda
commuters have benefited from a 40 per cent boost to public bus service, the
transport minister said this morning. Zane DeSilva said that improved
maintenance projects had brought the average number of daily in-service buses
from 50 up to 70. Mr DeSilva said the boost had led to “far fewer service
cancellations”. He said the Department of Public Transportation had worked
“tirelessly” to boost bus service with the addition of new vehicles and
through maintenance and repair of the current fleet. Mr Desilva added: “I am
pleased to report that nine new buses have entered the service over the past
year and three more buses are scheduled to arrive between September and November
this year.” He said the new vehicles included USB charging ports, on-board
CCTV, and signage which complied with the Disability Discrimination Act. Mr
DeSilva said that 14 buses were recently given a “midlife refit” that would
extend their life “by a minimum of five years”. He added that another
project would look to fix emissions problems with 16 vehicles. Mr DeSilva said
that school bus service would resume on September 9, one day before the start of
the new public school year. He said that the safe and timely transport of pupils
to their schools was of “paramount importance” and that the DPT would
continue to send daily e-mails about after-school bus service. Mr DeSilva said
that a hiring drive had been launched to fill operational and technical
positions in the DPT. An advertisement for 15 bus operator jobs was posted last
week. Roger Todd, the director of the DPT, said that the new operators were
needed to drive the increased number of buses on Bermuda’s roads. He added:
“This compliment will help to ease some of the burden on the overtime.” Mr
Todd said that work on problem air conditioners was being done. He added: “Our
position is if it has an AC on the roof, it should be working.”
A
former premier who appointed the Bermuda Independence Commission in 2005 has
asked young people to turn out for tomorrow night’s special forum on the
topic. Alex Scott, who served as premier from 2003 to 2006, said: “The
political times here and internationally require us to think soberly about what
are going to do.” Mr Scott added that the discussion was like taking part in a
family conference. He said: “If you are a young person becoming an adult and
you wish to have an influence and a place that you really feel is home, you
should join the discussion. A people cannot have total authority if another
parliament can take your decision and thwart what you want.” Mr Scott added
that Bermuda “was and still is a divided community” that remained split
along racial grounds on independence. He said: “It is the penultimate step for
the sovereignty of a community. Bermuda has one of the most advanced
constitutions in the remaining British territories. To paraphrase the BIC’s
report, there is no other country more prepared for independence than Bermuda.
There has been occasion when the British have given us the nudge towards
independence, which was the case with the White Paper on independence in
1979.” Mr Scott sat on the Pitt Commission, appointed to investigate
Bermuda’s inequalities in the wake of riots that engulfed the island in 1977.
He said: “Out of its report came a call for Bermuda to move towards
independence. The commission came out of the series of disturbances before it,
but there has never been a riot since. The commission’s prescription for
Bermuda, from a governance perspective, has worked. That was the beginning of
the end for the vice-like grip that the United Bermuda Party had on Bermuda The
political pendulum swung towards the PLP, and 20 years later the Government was
transferred to the PLP for the first time.” Independence was put to the public
as a referendum in 1995 by Sir John Swan, a former UBP premier, who resigned
from office when it was rejected. Mr Scott suggested that, if white people had
supported Sir John’s push for independence, the UBP might have remained in
power. He added: “He could have written the rules and constructed a
constitution that would have probably sustained the UBP for far longer.” Mr
Scott said independence was “relevant to now, as opposed to just historic —
the discussion is not independence for independence’s sake. All informed
observers feel Bermuda is ready.” Independence has been a goal of the
Progressive Labour Party since its formation in 1963. However, Mr Scott traced
Bermuda’s push for self-determination to earlier decades, including the work
of activist E.F. Gordon and the labour movement in the 1940s. The forum,
entitled Independence for Bermuda — Now, or Never? will be held from 6pm to
8pm at the Bermuda Industrial Union on Union Street. The topic of independence
will be up for discussion at a forum tomorrow night. Panellists scheduled for a
“now or never” review will examine self-determination for the island from
6pm at the Bermuda Industrial Union headquarters in Hamilton. The panellists
are:
Teachers
have “grave concerns” about pupils and staff at an East End school
contaminated by asbestos, the head of the Bermuda Union of Teachers said
yesterday. Shannon James, the president of the BUT, said that the union
demanded the highest standards of safety in school buildings for staff and
pupils. He added that news that asbestos had been found at Clearwater Middle
School in St David’s had disturbed the profession. Mr James said: “To hear
that there has been asbestos in areas of Clearwater, when we know the danger
that exposure to it brings, causes grave concerns regarding the students who go
in and out of each class and especially for the staff who are stationed in the
affected rooms and are there for the majority of the day.” He added that
school staff, parents and pupils needed to be shown how this problem had been
eradicated, if it had been fully addressed or what the plan was if there was a
need for extra work to be carried out at the school. Mr James said: “To be
this close to school opening and not knowing what is happening is definitely not
a good thing.” He said that the union had asked for certificates of occupancy
for public schools that showed they had been maintained and that problems had
been fixed. He added: “This further demonstrates the need for such an
inspection to be carried out to ensure the safety and health of a school family.
We can’t imagine what must be going through the minds of the faculty and
students of Clearwater Middle School, knowing that they may have been exposed to
such harmful material.” He was speaking after the Government confirmed that
work to remove asbestos had been carried out at the school this summer. A
spokeswoman for the Department of Education said that an independent inspection
was being carried out “to ensure the school is safe to occupy”. She added:
“A further statement will be made once the third-party inspector has submitted
the final report.” A two-day inspection of the school carried out in August
2017 by the Office of the Safety and Health Co-ordinator revealed that
“suspected asbestos” had been found in a storeroom. A report note said:
“Confirmation testing requested; results being awaited.” Inspections of all
public schools were completed last year between September 17 and October 17. The
survey at Clearwater found that there were “ongoing potential asbestos
exposure concerns” over the storeroom. The findings of both reports were
released to the public in March.
An
autism spectrum disorder programme for preschool children will welcome its first
pupils next month. The new programme at Prospect Preschool in Devonshire
will open on September 10 — the first day of the new school term. Sherri
Bucci, the assistant director of early childhood at the Department of Education,
said that the programme and training was “not about putting a label on a
child, but about addressing individual’s needs”. Diallo Rabain, the Minister
of Education, added that a “specially designed and resourced” classroom
would serve the pupils. He said: “This programme will close the gap in our ASD
programme offerings between the child development programme and primary school
as we have ASD programmes in the primary, middle and high school levels. It will
not only offer specialized early intervention and support for students on the
ASD spectrum but include students who may have similar support needs. With a 1:2
teacher-student ratio, the programme itself will provide focus on the social and
emotional elements of development, while at the same time utilizing the
preschool curriculum that is taught in other schools, according to the child’s
level of functioning.” Mr Rabain added that teachers, support staff and
Department of Education employees were taking part in a two-day training session
this week. Curtis Dickinson, the Minister of Finance, announced in the 2019-20
Budget Statement in February that some of the $327,000 earmarked for preschools
would be used to create an ASD programme. Anthony Peets, then president of
charity organisation Bermuda Autism Support and Education, said after the Budget
announcement that early diagnosis was “imperative” and that “specific
intervention programming is welcomed”. Mr Peets added: “What is more than
imperative is having trained personnel who implement the day-to-day
interventions. Working with children on the spectrum is way more than just
having awareness of a diagnosis. Interventions are tailored and targeted for
that child.” Tinée Furbert, the Junior Minister of Disability Affairs, said
in an op-ed in April that services in Bermuda for people with autism had “come
a long way”. She added: “We will continue to work hard to improve access and
services for persons with autism and their families.” An information session
for families and professionals will be held tonight at the Bermuda Underwater
Exploration Institute from 6pm to 8pm.
Students
studying subjects ranging from medicine to law and criminology have won $25,000
scholarships. Zoe Exon, Sydney Rego, Casey Schuler, Chrysda Smith and Shayla
Smith won Nicholl Scholarships, named after Albert Nicholl, a philanthropist who
left most of his estate to promote education in Bermuda. Zoe, 18, from Pembroke,
said the award was “a great honour — I was very happy and appreciative to
learn that I was selected as a recipient”. She will start a medical degree
this September at St Barts and Queen Mary University, part of the University of
London. Zoe said: “Once qualified as a doctor, I hope to return to Bermuda to
aid with the medical care of my community. Thanks to the generosity of the
committee, my financial burden has been lightened and I am one step closer to
achieving this goal.” Shayla, 21, from Warwick, has already graduated from
Dalhousie University in Canada with a double major in philosophy and Spanish.
She said: “I will be commencing the two-year LLB Law graduate programme at the
University of Leeds in the fall. It is both an honour and a privilege to receive
this scholarship as I pursue my dream of becoming a lawyer.” The awards were
handed out on July 31. Chrysda, 18, from Hamilton Parish, is to study for a
Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology at York University, Canada. She will also
play on the university’s field hockey team. Chrysda, who was a 2019 Most
Outstanding Teen special awardee, said: “I am extremely grateful for the faith
that the Nicholl Scholarship committee has exhibited in me.” She added:
“This award demonstrates that hard work does pay off.” Chrysda follows in
the footsteps of her aunt, Wendy Woods, who was a recipient of the same
scholarship in 1990. Casey, 20, from Hamilton Parish, is embarking on the third
year of a double major in justice and peace studies and theology, with a minor
in Spanish, at Georgetown University in the United States. She said: “I have
chosen my majors out of an interest and desire to be an active participant in
the betterment of my communities. This scholarship is one of my greatest
achievements alongside being accepted into Georgetown. Like many US
universities, the tuition is exceptionally high compared to universities in
Canada or the UK, and so this scholarship has lessened that financial burden; I
am honoured to have been chosen. Seeing all of the students who have won
scholarships in the past makes me proud to be a part of such a talented
generation of Bermudian students.” The final winner was Sydney Rego, who will
study for a Bachelor of Arts in psychology at Queen’s University in Canada.
Rick Spurling, one of the trustees administering the awards, said funds were
“back in a good financial situation” after some years with only two
awardees. Mr Spurling said: “We try to give away virtually all the income,
which we maintain through investment as well as the income of the fund
itself.” All of this year’s awardees were female, and Mr Spurling said
trustees hoped to see more male applicants. He added: “We see the top-
of-the-line candidates. It’s exciting — they are very impressive young
people, and it’s very encouraging, especially when you see some of the
problems out there in the world.” Mr Nicholl, known as Nicky, arrived in
Bermuda from England in 1917, during the First World War, as chief examination
officer of the Royal Navy Reserve at St George’s.
As
Bermuda’s marketing partnership with the US Open gets under way next week, the
Bermuda Tourism Authority is encouraging entrepreneurs, museum curators and
artists to come up with ideas to showcase the island’s fascinating tennis
history. The best proposals could receive funding from the BTA’s Tourism
Experiences Investment Programme, which provides grants to home-grown ideas to
help them either start up or expand. Tennis is one of four areas of focus for
the programme’s fall 2019 application process. Others are: food tourism
experiences, re-purposing cultural sites and natural assets and experiences and
services for superyacht tourism. While those areas of focus are of particular
interest to the BTA’s strategic priorities for 2020, all home-grown tourism
ideas are welcome for consideration. The process begins on August 28 and 29,
when interested applicants can participate in a free BTA prep workshop offering
tips on how to submit a winning presentation. Bermuda’s link to tennis
heritage gets the spotlight this month during the US Open, which begins August
26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in Flushing Meadows,
Queens, New York. The BTA hopes the event will inspire some creative local
thinking around the sport. “This is the first time we have specifically called
upon applicants to think about sports history as a tourism experience in
Bermuda,” said chief experience development officer Glenn Jones. “Almost 150
years ago, Mary Outerbridge introduced tennis from Bermuda to the United States.
It’s a story our marketing team will share with tennis fans during the US
Open. When those fans come to Bermuda, we should offer them a memorable
experience that illustrates our country’s connection with the sport they
love.” Ms Outerbridge is credited by the International Tennis Hall of Fame as
the ‘Mother of American Tennis’. She was born in America to Bermudian
parents, and first came across the game while visiting her family’s Bermuda
home in 1874. She learnt tennis from British officers stationed on the island.
She later took tennis equipment back to New York, introducing the sport to her
home borough of Staten Island. Today, a mural there tells her story. The BTA’s
strategy is for Bermuda to devise its own form of storytelling on this historic
milestone. “I’m confident the island’s entrepreneurs, museum curators and
artists can come up with something brilliant that brings to life this
little-known piece of Bermuda’s past,” Mr Jones said. Tourism experience
applications are accepted from September 1 to 30. Decisions are announced in
late October. Successful applicants are encouraged to launch their ideas in the
first or second quarter of 2020.
Beauty
and fashion entrepreneur Aerin Lauder, a granddaughter of Estée Lauder, has
been singing the praises of Bermuda. She has joined Rosewood Curators
programme, on behalf of Rosewood Bermuda, to share travel tips and insights
about the island for Rosewood destinations around the world. In addition, she
has partnered with Rosewood Bermuda to bring to the hotel an amenity line, which
features six coral palm-scented bath and body products and a fragrance bar. The
AERIN hotel amenity line was launched when the luxury hotel reopened after
undergoing $25 million of renovations last year. Ms Lauder is the founder of
AERIN, a luxury lifestyle brand that offers curated collections of beauty,
fashion and home decor products. She honeymooned in Bermuda in 1996 at the
urging for her grandmother, who cofounded cosmetics company Estée Lauder. Ms
Lauder has made return visits to the island and has shared some of her insights
in an interview that features as part of the online Rosewood Conversations
website. She gives travel packing tips and recommendations for what to do when
you arrive at your destination. In a question and answer interview, she said one
of her favourite memories of Bermuda was on her last trip. “I spent a perfect
day on the beach with my girlfriends at Rosewood Bermuda’s Beach Club. They
have one of the most beautiful private beaches in Bermuda. We drank rosé, ate
fish tacos and French fries, and just relaxed,” she said. While in Bermuda her
favourite flowers are Bermudian freesia and oleanders, and she said the
traditions, scents and colours of the island inspire her work. “I particularly
love the bright colours of the island — from the pink sand beaches, to the
blue water and candy-coloured homes. Everything is just so vibrant and
beautiful. What’s more, it feels like you’re a million miles away, but it is
so easy to get to. If you’re located on the east coast, you can easily go for
the weekend and have two full days at the beach.” As well as her own AERIN
line of perfume, cosmetics, fashion and furniture, Ms Lauder is the style and
image director for Estée Lauder Corporation. Her complete curator interview,
including destination and travel trips, can be found on Rosewood Conversations,
the brand’s online travel digital platform. The Rosewood Curator programme was
launched in 2013 and includes fashion icons Anna Dello Russo and Iris Apfel,
prima ballerina Tan Yuan Yuan, designer Zac Posen, Academy award-winning actress
Allison Janney, and art expert Emmanuel Perrotin.
Three people have been deceived by a new social media scam this week.
Police
issued a warning about the scam, in which residents are recruited through an
Instagram account belonging to a person purporting to be Jessie_Jae_Allen.
Victims are urged to transfer no less than $200 to Jamaica via Blue Nile
Services, an agent of Western Union. The person transferring the funds is then
informed that any monies sent will be invested in currency exchanges and that
they can expect immediate payouts of up to $7,500. After sending the funds to
Jamaica, the individual sending the money is provided with a tracking number,
which they are told can be used to collect their investment funds. A police
spokesman said the tracking number is fictitious and any attempts to recover
monies are unsuccessful. Blue Nile Services reported the scam to police and are
assisting with inquiries. In a separate recurring scam, one person has recently
reported being deceived by a phishing e-mail that appeared to be from a local
bank. An example follows:
Police urged members of the public to disregard any e-mail claiming to be from a local bank that requests verification of online banking credentials or username and password details because of software upgrades. They said one person has also recently reported being deceived by a phishing e-mail that claimed to be from a local internet services company. The deceptive e-mail provided a link for the recipient to apply e-mail settings to avoid being locked out of their e-mail account. A spokesman said the phishing e-mails are used to obtain personal information and other sensitive data and should be ignored. Any incidents of suspected internet fraud should be reported to the Financial Crime Unit on 247-1757.
Sailors
have welcomed a crackdown on people who own more moorings than boats. The
enforcement of the “one boat, one mooring” rule by the Government aims to
tackle the problem of people making a profit from extra spots. A spokesman for
the Ministry of Tourism and Transport said: “If someone owns three boats and
all are registered with [the Department of] Marine and Ports, they can own three
moorings. He added: “Owning one boat and multiple moorings is not allowed.”
The spokesman said the policy had been in place for some time. Boat owner Ben
Outerbridge agreed that enforcement of the policy was reasonable. He said: “I
only heard about it within the last month or so. I suppose it makes sense. If
you own a boat but can’t get a mooring and there’s someone else who has ten
moorings and no boat, that wouldn’t feel very fair. There’s only so much
space, so I understand the frustrations.” Another sailor added: “I don’t
think it’s new. I think it’s just that it’s finally being enforced.” He
said there were people who paid a series of small fees to get several moorings
and rented them to other boaters for a profit. He added: “People shouldn’t
be making financial gains like that. Most places are full and there are people
who can’t find a mooring anywhere. I think it’s a good thing that Marine and
Ports is actually cracking down on this stuff.” The ministry spokesman said
the law on moorings had not changed. However, he did not respond to questions on
whether the Government had adopted a get-tough policy for owners of multiple
moorings. The spokesman also warned boat owners to keep up to date with their
mooring fees or risk loss of their anchorages. He explained: “Boat mooring
owners that have not paid their annual fee are sent a late notice requesting
payment, plus a late fee, within 30 days. If payment is not received, the owner
risks the mooring being cancelled. Between 200 and 250 notices of non-payment
were issued every year."
A
blueprint for the funding of major projects to boost job numbers and the economy
should be a priority, an economist claimed yesterday. Robert Stubbs said a
“chronic weakness” in how major work was funded was a key reason for stunted
growth in the Bermudian job market. Mr Stubbs is a cofounder of Seed Bermuda, a
new organisation which plans to ask the public to help come up with a plan for
how the island could look in the decades ahead. He added that a comprehensive
development plan to shape short-term infrastructure goals was needed. He said:
“Chronic weakness in Bermuda’s fixed-investment spending for a full
generation now is a major contributing factor to our weak economy and lack of
job growth. One of Seed Bermuda’s primary objectives is stimulating greater
fixed-investment spending by both the public and private sectors. In addition to
advocating for an economic stimulus plan and identifying specific new investment
opportunities we view as commercially viable for Bermuda, in the coming months
Seed will be engaging the public in helping us produce a master plan or Vision
Bermuda 2050 plan. Such plans in many ways are the quickest but also the most
important to produce. They identify principles and practices we would like to
embrace in determining long-term sustainable urban development and public
transportation goals for Bermuda, which could then be used to inform and
prioritise shorter-term infrastructure planning. Such planning offers the island
a unique opportunity to overcome difficulties across a range of challenges
we’ve created for ourselves.” Mr Stubbs added that Seed — social,
economic, environmental development — aimed to “undertake, disseminate and
debate” non-partisan research. He highlighted that Bermuda’s
fixed-investment spending as a percentage of gross domestic product over the
past three years had been, on average, lower than Caribbean countries such as
the Cayman Islands and Jamaica over the past three years. Mr Stubbs said the
Bahamas was the only country in the region to have weaker government capital
spending than Bermuda. But he added that money ploughed into fixed investment
from the private sector in the Bahamas “more than makes up for it”. Mr
Stubbs explained: “Generally speaking, fixed investment covers expenditure on
items which are used repeatedly by households, businesses and governments in the
production of goods and services for themselves or others throughout the
year.” He said that included construction of homes, offices, hotels and
schools, new transport, heavy machinery such as cranes and generators, as well
as computers. Mr Stubbs added that fixed investment could also include software,
mobile phones and even intellectual property such as films, television
programmes, music and books. He said: “All infrastructure spending by
government is classified as fixed investment and is recorded under capital
expenditures in the Government’s budget. In addition to infrastructure
spending, government capital expenditures includes spending on heavy machinery
and transportation equipment such as buses and ferries.” The 2019-20 Budget
showed that capital spending was $56.6 million in 2017-18, with a revised
estimate of $61.6 million in 2018-19. It is forecast to be $64.7 million this
year. Construction industry sources backed the view of Mr Stubbs that a plan for
upgrades and repairs across the island was needed. One construction insider
said: “As far as roads, bridges and sewage works go, I don’t know; nobody
knows. Government would probably have to have a Green Paper, then a White Paper
— they would have to initiate a survey first and then come up with a plan.”
Another added: “There’s no island-wide survey of what is in need of repair,
that we are aware of.” Alan Burland, the president of BCM McAlpine, said
Bermuda should always think about ways to improve what it had to offer. He
added: “As we strive to upgrade such things as infrastructure, we should
always try to add value, with an eye towards long-term quality and
durability.” Mr Burland said that areas of infrastructure the country “could
and should address” included energy-efficient, affordable homes and retirement
housing. Mr Burland added: “If these are in urban areas where people can live,
work and play, the stress on the environment is less, with less need to use the
roads every day.” He said that pollution-reduction efforts could include
increased use of urban sewage treatment plants and improvements to storm water
basins such as the Pembroke basin. Mr Burland added: “We applaud the
Regulatory Authority for producing the recent Integrated Resource Plan, which
projects a far greater use of renewable energy. Add to this an increase in use
of electric vehicles, smart energy-efficient appliances and energy storage or
management to further improve value and help the environment.” Mr Burland said
that moving Hamilton docks would allow redevelopment of the waterfront area to
include “a mix of residential, office, retail, marina, recreation and parkland
uses”. He added: “Perhaps, with appropriate planning and community
consultation, we could consider allowing the city to grow to the north.”
Curtis Dickinson, the Minister of Finance, said in his Budget statement in
February that the most significant items of capital development expenditure were
upgrades to the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute at $4.5 million, school
maintenance at $3 million and road works scheduled to cost $1.5 million. He
added: “While most of the planned investment is related to construction
projects, there is capital acquisition provision of $20.6 million for IT
developments across government, and new public buses and other vehicles to
support public service delivery.”
A
cryptocurrency derivatives exchange has added Bermuda to its list of places
where local customers are not allowed to access or use its services. BitMEX
has put the island, along with Seychelles and Hong Kong, on its list of
restricted jurisdictions. The list also includes the US, Canadian province Québec,
and a number of other countries. The company said it had taken the decision as a
proactive move to ensure continued compliance of its bitcoin mercantile exchange
platform. BitMEX is owned and operated by Seychelles-headquartered HDR Global
Trading Ltd. In a statement, the company said the cryptocurrency landscape has
changed and companies such as BitMEX are working with regulators to create
standards “that will help it go mainstream”. It said it believes fervently
in the goals of regulators, adding “we understand that nothing is more sacred
than the safety of your funds and the stability of the platform. For this
reason, we have decided to restrict access to BitMEX for users in the
jurisdictions in which HDR-affiliated employees and offices are located.
Seychelles, Hong Kong and Bermuda will be added to the list of jurisdictions
already restricted from access to BitMEX. This change will have no financial
impact on the business and will affect very few people. The BitMEX team will be
reaching out to those who are affected.” In Bermuda, HDR Capital Limited and
HDR Global Services (Bermuda) Ltd are registered companies. In its statement,
BitMEX said: “We believe success in the cryptocurrency space lies in the
ability to think long-term, not short-term. And in that long-term view, we
believe this course of action affords us the best opportunity to engage
regulators in deep, thoughtful, and productive explorations of the risks and
opportunities present in the cryptocurrency market.” BitMEX will be among
technology companies at the five-day Bermuda Tech Week in October.
James
King, a former surgeon and political candidate who played key roles at some of
the island’s top businesses, has died. Dr King was 80. Dr King spent the
1990s and 2000s as chairman of several boards, including Bermuda College, the
Bermuda Telephone Company and Argus Insurance. He was a director at the Bank of
Butterfield from 1978 to 1997, and chairman of its board from 1997 to 2007. Dr
King also served as chairman of the ruling United Bermuda Party from 1990 to
1993. He ran as a candidate in the Progressive Labour Party stronghold of
Devonshire North in the 1993 and 1998 General Elections. However, he was
understated about his accomplishments and told The Royal Gazette in 2007: “I
prefer to do things quietly and not in the headlights.” Dr King died on Friday
after a long illness, with friends and family at his side. Sir John Swan, a
former UBP premier, said Dr King was “a highly competent surgeon and an astute
businessman who reached across the spectrum of Bermuda’s community”. Sir
John added: “As chairman of the UBP, he did a sterling job. He was a big
thinker, someone who understood the value in building relationships, and who
could well represent Bermuda in whatever he did.” Dr King trained at the
University of Toronto as a specialist chest surgeon, but also excelled outside
his field. Venetta Symonds, the president and chief executive of the Bermuda
Hospitals Board, said she had worked with him when she was a young radiographer
and it was “nerve-racking, because he was always considered a great doctor who
was strict, direct and intolerant of nonsense”. She added: “He was serious,
with high standards, but this was balanced with his kind words and all-knowing
smile.” In the early 1970s, Dr King was among the first to set up practice
close to the hospital with a group that included fellow surgeon Delmont Simmons.
Dr Simmons said: “Jim was a diligent, hard-working colleague who I could call
at any time to help with a problem, which I did, many times. I could be
operating on a Sunday afternoon, need a surgeon, and if I called Jim, he would
be there in 15 minutes to help. He was a general surgeon and when he started
there were not many people who could do that.” Wilbert Warner, a friend and
also a surgeon, said Dr King was “a superb surgeon who could have practiced
his craft anywhere in the world, but decided to serve the Bermuda community”.
Dr Warner added: “He certainly was one of the best surgeons I’ve worked with
both here and in Canada. He did all the tough cases.” He said Dr King had
tackled the “very rare, very risky” operation to remove a tumor in the
adrenal glands — pheochromocytoma. Dr Warner said: “I don’t believe
another such surgery has been performed at King Edward since that time.” Among
Dr King’s friends was Dennis Fagundo Sr, a co-director at D&J
Construction. Mr Fagundo said: “He was a business partner and close friend. We
worked on business ideas and travelled together; when he left the medical field
20 years ago, he got a lot more involved in business. He was very caring and
quiet and probably the best surgeon in this country.” The Bank of Butterfield
experienced major growth under Dr King’s leadership. Dr King told colleagues
when he stepped down as chairman: “The thing I am most proud of is having had
the opportunity to see the bank continue to prosper and do well.” Charles
Marshall, a former senator, was Dr King’s running mate in the 1993 and 1998
elections. Mr Marshall said: “We took on the Opposition leader’s district.
We lost both times, but we enjoyed it greatly. Dr King could walk into a house
and tell many of them that he had brought them into the world. He made a very
valuable contribution to Bermuda and its advancement. It wasn’t easy,
particularly in the days of segregation. If it was not for people like Dr King,
we would not have the lifestyle we are used to today.” Dr King was predeceased
by his son, Peter, and leaves his wife, Lauren, his son, James Jr, and siblings
Ann and Paul.
A
government backbencher has been sworn in as the temporary health minister.
Neville Tyrrell will act in place of Kim Wilson, who is off the island until
September. The Warwick South Central MP was sworn in last Wednesday. David Burt,
the Premier, said: “The Bermuda Constitution affords me the right to name
members of the legislature, who do not sit in Cabinet, to act for ministers
while they travel. This has happened in the past when the Junior Minister of
Finance acted for various ministers while they were abroad. Mr Burt added that
Mr Tyrrell worked closely with Ms Wilson and that he was sure he would “ably
perform in this post for the next two weeks”.
A
government contract for the delivery of sand to fill golf course bunkers should
be reissued after it was awarded to a company run by a Cabinet minister, the
Opposition leader has claimed. Craig Cannonier, the leader of the One
Bermuda Alliance, said David Burt, the Premier, should step in and order that
the opportunity went back out to tender. But the Government insisted yesterday
that the procurement process was “above board and followed all legal
guidelines”. Island Construction Services, led by Zane DeSilva, who is also
the Minister of Tourism and Transport, successfully bid in response to a request
for proposal to import thousands of dollars’ worth of sand to the
government-owned Port Royal Golf Course before a major tournament in the autumn.
Mr Cannonier said Mr DeSilva should have recused himself from the RFP — or
been ordered to. He added: “If David Burt cannot see how bad it looks to award
this contract to a Cabinet colleague and someone who has been embroiled in a
civil suit in relation to another Port Royal contract, then not only is he out
of touch with the people, he is not fit to be Premier. He must step in and
demand that the RFP for this work is reissued so that small Bermudian firms who
are desperate for work can benefit.” Port Royal is preparing for the first PGA
Bermuda Championship, which will run from October 31 to November 3, and the
procurement notice posted last month asked for proposals for 4,000 tonnes of
sand. Mr Cannonier said: “This is a minister who was only recently answering
parliamentary questions about the budget for improvement work. He said he would
provide a budget for the work as well as an itemized list of work to be done.
Under these circumstances, surely it was only appropriate that he should not
have bid for this contract or that his bid was rejected.” However, Jamahl
Simmons, the Minister without Portfolio, said: “As a former Minister of Public
Works, the Opposition leader should recall that ministers play no part in the
procurement process. In the case of sand for Port Royal, the RFP was issued in
accordance with the Office of Project Management and Procurement requirements.
Bids were received and evaluated against a matrix developed by that office.
Public officers from the Ministry of Public Works evaluated the bids and
determined that the bid from Island Construction, which was the lowest price,
presented the best value for money and that the company was best placed to
provide the service required. Based on the technical officers’ strong
recommendation of Island Construction, the Cabinet approved the award of the
contract. The Leader of the Opposition’s suggestion that a minister should be
recused from bidding on a government contract is ridiculous. In fact, it is
laughable. Had that standard been applied to the UBP and the OBA, the Government
of Bermuda would never buy a car, a sheet of paper, water, milk or even paper
clips. Honest, fair criticism is welcome, as this government is not perfect and
nor do we claim to be.” But he said: “Divide-and-conquer tactics based on
innuendo and deception, however, contribute nothing of value to the public
debate.” In June, Mr DeSilva, the president and chief executive of Island
Construction, helped to announce the tournament. He and Wendall Brown, a
businessman, were listed in a 2017 civil case that alleged they profited from
their former positions as trustees of Port Royal by “causing or permitting”
construction contracts at the public course to be awarded to their own
companies. Both denied the claims and Mr DeSilva pledged at the time he would
fight the lawsuit “to the end” and insisted the trustees “did everything
by the book”. Mr DeSilva did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.
The
grandmother of an 11-year-old girl due to start at an East End school next month
said she was concerned about asbestos in the building. Mary Faries heard a
radio report last week about the presence of the cancer-causing material at
Clearwater Middle School in St David’s. She said that she was worried about
the possible health impact on pupils and staff. Ms Faries, 66, said: “We
cannot expect our children to be going to an environment like that. There could
be other families whose children are starting on September 10. They are away
right now just like my family is, and haven’t heard the news. It’s just not
good enough. Asbestos is serious.” Diallo Rabain, the education minister, has
stayed tight-lipped about what work was being done to remove the asbestos risk
and if the school would open as scheduled for the new term. Ms Faries, from
Pembroke, has just bought new school uniforms for her granddaughter. She said
she had contacted the Department of Education about the issue yesterday and that
the public deserved more information on what was happening. She questioned
whether remedial work at the school would be completed in time for the new
school year and if the building would be safe. Ms Faries said she feared that
pupils would have to be relocated. She said that pupils and staff should only
return to the school if their safety could be guaranteed. Ms Faries added: “I
would like to think they would have experts going and reviewing this work.”
She added that she had raised the concerns not only for her family but for
others as well. Ms Faries said: “The more people that complain, maybe we might
hear something.” A two-day inspection of the school carried out in August 2017
by the Office of the Safety and Health Co-ordinator revealed that “suspected
asbestos” had been found in a storeroom. A report note said: “Confirmation
testing requested; results being awaited.” Inspections of all public schools
were completed last year between September 17 and October 17. The survey at
Clearwater found that there were “ongoing potential asbestos exposure
concerns” over the storeroom. The findings of both reports were released to
the public this March. Mr Rabain was asked several questions about Clearwater
last week. They included questions on what work was being carried out, who the
work was being performed by and if the school would be open on September 10. Mr
Rabain was also asked if any health problems that could be linked to asbestos
had been reported. Last night, a spokeswoman for the Department of Education
said the material had been removed this summer by “a licensed abatement
firm”. She said the school would be inspected by an independent third party to
ensure the school was safe to occupy. She added that further details would be
released once the inspection report was handed in. Nakisha Burgess, the
president of the Clearwater Parent Teacher Student Association, said questions
on “this very sensitive matter” should be sent to the education department.
She added: “We are all looking for answers, and I believe this is where you
should start.” Cole Simons, the shadow education minister, said there was
“real concern” that the asbestos-removal programme at the school was
“woefully inadequate and should be better managed”. He added that the
problems at Clearwater were not new and highlighted that the school was not
opened on time for the start of the new school year in 2010. Mr Simons said:
“The delay resulted because the then PLP government’s health and safety
reports alleged that there were maintenance issues at the school, which included
mould, asbestos, rotten wood in a room, and open ceilings to the air conditioner
in the hallways.” Mr Simons added that the teachers, pupils and staff at the
school should not be exposed to health risks. He said the Government should
provide an update on work at the school.
Some
staff at a cleaning firm have not been paid for up to three months, an employee
has claimed. The staff member said “hard-working and dedicated” staff at
Just Cleaners Ltd had been hit by non-payment and late payment of wages. The
worker, who asked not to be named, complained that several staff members had not
received their wages for months. The source added: “Workers are not being paid
on time and not being paid at all.” The employee said that, in some cases,
employees had not received wages for up to three months. The source added that
at least seven employees had experienced problems with pay. The staffer said:
“I’m sure there are more.” The employee added the problem deserved
attention “because this is the habitual behaviour of this company”. The
employee said no explanation had been given for late payments. The staffer
added: “No one gets a reason. It’s ‘you will get paid on this day’ —
and the day comes and goes and still no pay. I just listen to other employees
being told that they are going to be paid on a certain day and it never happens.
This is repetitive every month.” The employee said that staff had not
contacted anyone outside the company over the payment problems. Just Cleaners’
clients include the Bermuda Police Service, Butterfield Bank and power firm
Belco. Management at Just Cleaners, based on Midsea Lane, Pembroke, did not
respond to repeated requests for comment. The firm’s Facebook page said the
company was “a one-stop shop for Bermuda’s residential, commercial and
industrial cleaning”. It added that the company “are certified green
cleaners” and offer services including maids, corporate contracting, steam
cleaning and window cleaning.
An
unannounced charge for ID cards for seniors sparked complaints yesterday about
government communication. A senior in his seventies, said the ID cards, used
to get seniors free public transportation, were once issued at no cost but will
now have an $8.11 fee slapped on them. The senior, who asked not to be named,
found out about the charge this month when he went to get a new driving licence
and renew his ID card. He said: “The driving licence was free, but the
senior’s card cost $8.11. What I found strange was that my new driver’s
licence was free. Why charge for one and not the other?” The man, from
Pembroke, said that the charge did not create a financial problem for him, but
that it was “another bill for seniors to pay”. He added that the pass had
been free for 11 years and he had not been told of any changes to the policy
until he went to get a new pass after he changed address. A spokesman for the
Transport Control Department said that an administrative fee of $8.11 was
imposed at the start of June to cover the production costs of seniors’ ID
cards. He added that the ID cards cost TCD $16.22 to produce but an internal
audit ruled it was “foregone revenue”. But the tourism and transport
ministry ordered the cost to be passed on to seniors. A spokeswoman for the
Ministry of Tourism and Transport said that the $16.22 charge was halved for
seniors by the Motor Car Act 1951, which entitled seniors to a 50 per cent
reduction on all licence charges. She also confirmed that a public announcement
on the change was not made and that seniors were told when they went to collect
new ID cards. Charles Jeffers, the deputy chairman of senior advocacy group Age
Concern Bermuda, said the failure to publicize the new charge was another
example of a lack of government communication. He added that the extra expense,
as well as a land-tax increase, which caused seniors to worry about how they
would make ends meet after it was implemented this month, was a “great
concern”. Mr Jeffers said: “We live in the communication age. The fact that
we have to search and investigate for answers over changes to public fees and
taxes is a problem. Sometimes an explanation is all that is needed.”
Drivers’ licences for people aged over 65 will continue to be issued free of
charge.
Everest
Insurance has appointed Kyle Adams to lead its Bermuda operations. “In
this role, Kyle will focus on establishing and growing Everest’s Bermuda
insurance operations — a growing and innovative market for our clients and
trading partners,” said a spokesman from the company. Mr Adams comes to
Everest with over 20 years of experience, including a decade operating in
Bermuda. Most recently, he held the title of co-chief executive officer for JLT
Specialty Bermuda and led JLT Bermuda’s financial and professional lines
practice. Prior to his time at JLT, Mr Adams spent 19 years with Aon’s
Financial Services Group in Bermuda and the United States. He has a Bachelor of
Science in business administration-finance from the University of Vermont. He
also has his chartered financial analyst, chartered property casualty
underwriter, and registered professional liability underwriter designations.
“Kyle brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise and strong, well-developed
relationships in the Bermuda market to Everest,” said Mike Karmilowicz,
president of Everest Specialty Underwriters. “The addition of Kyle and the
establishment of our Bermuda operation signify our commitment to becoming a
world class speciality diversified insurance company, and allow us to further
expand our distribution footprint and capabilities to help better serve the
needs of our clients.”
A
top reggae star claimed yesterday that a dispute with promoters over his backing
band was to blame for his failure to perform at a weekend music festival. But
the organisers of Unity Festival Bermuda said they “strongly disagreed” with
comments made by Wayne Wonder on the reasons for his no-show. Wonder told The
Royal Gazette that he was approached by event organisers to appear with
reggae superstar Buju Banton, the headline act, and agreed. The singer, whose
real name is Von Wayne Charles, added he was later asked to perform a full set
at the concert. But he said the promoters appeared to reject his condition that
his band had to appear with him and suggested he use backing tracks instead.
Wonder told online Caribbean news outlet Loop Jamaica that he would “not use
tracks on a big show like that”. Wonder added: “I didn’t hear back from
them.” He added that he was never sent an airline ticket to attend the event.
Wonder disputed the claim made by festival organisers that he had backed out of
the show in an interview with Loop Jamaica. He said: “They never follow up
back. They put out something say ‘my inability to perform’, but they never
reach out to finalize the thing.” But festival organisers said Wonder’s
comments were “inconsistent with any correspondence and/or legal
documentation”. A spokesman added: “We, however, believe it would be
counterproductive to engage in a back and forth over this, as it will only
undermine the essence of the event and all of those who worked so hard to bring
Bermuda a first-class event. We look forward to having meaningful discussions
with Wayne Wonder and his team in the near future, as we believe ultimately that
in the reggae community we must work together and resolve our differences in an
honourable manner.” Organisers announced on Friday that Wonder would not
perform at the event at National Sports Centre, in Devonshire, because of
circumstances beyond their control. A spokesman added at the time that Wonder
“was scheduled and confirmed and his inability to perform was due to an
external conflict that has nothing to do with Unity Festival organisers”.
Wonder confirmed his withdrawal from the festival in an Instagram post on
Friday. It was estimated that 7,000 people attended the weekend event. Another
Jamaican musician was also involved in a dispute over a concert appearance this
month organised by a different promoter. The publicist for reggae artist Vershon
said afterwards that his client had been denied entry into Bermuda as a tourist
after the last-minute cancellation of a show. However, Vershon, whose real name
is Kemar Brown, denied that version of events. He said he had not travelled to
the island and apologised to the Government and people of Bermuda.
The
son of the “King of Soul” is to star at Family Centre’s annual Beach Bash
fundraiser next month. Otis Redding III will be part of the entertainment at
the Fairmont Southampton Ocean Club beach. He said: “I am very excited to come
to Bermuda again, I am so honoured to be a part of a special event that will
definitely benefit so many families in Bermuda.” The musical line-up will also
include Working Title, One SOULution, Mia Chambray and James Gregory, Chris
Finsness and Spencer Wood, with a guest appearance by Rowdy Piper. Martha
Dismont, the executive director of Family Centre, said: “This is Family
Centre’s largest annual fundraiser and we are always extremely grateful for
the support of our sponsors and the community’s generous support. The demand
for our services continues to rise. The sponsorship and support we receive
enables families to receive our successful therapeutic services and programmes
without financial worry. We look forward to another successful community
fundraiser and an opportunity to mix and mingle with our guests.” The event
will have the theme Vitamin Sea, and guests should wear bright summer colours
and ocean blues. Thania Redman, the relationship development director at Family
Centre, said: “The decor is taking a citrus spin this year — thanks to
Select Sites Group’s Starla Williams, our creative team at RBK Advertising and
our incredible volunteers. I think everyone is going to love it.” The event,
on September 14, will feature food stations and a buffet on the beach and a
raffle draw. Patrina “Power Girl” O’Connor and Rajai Denbrook will cohost.
Family Centre provides counselling, community programmes and training services.
Ms Dismont said 158 families received counselling services last year and 117
children were given supplementary support. The centre also runs a social skills
group and therapeutic specialized camps. About 218 children are enrolled in the
centre’s community programmes. Seats at the Beach Bash are $250 per person at
tables of ten. For more information and to reserve a seat or table, contact
232-1116.
A
master carpenter from the West End whose career spanned more than 60 years has
died. Charles Rupert “Pine” Smith was 87. Mr Smith’s family said he
was “hard-working, stubborn, opinionated, funny, current with all news,
determined and immoveable”. His obituary was released after a funeral service
and celebration of his life at St James’ Church in Somerset yesterday. Mr
Smith was taught the trade that became his “first love” by his father,
Arthur, from whom he also inherited another of his nicknames, “Gov’nor”.
He attended the West End School as a child, but had to put education aside after
primary school to learn carpentry. Mr Smith drove a taxi and worked as a prison
officer after he married Vida Virgil in 1956. The couple had three children,
Gregory, Michael and Crystal. The family said Mr Smith’s workshop on
George’s Bay Road in Sandys turned out “everything”, from furniture to
doors. He also built roofs and was known for his confident walking around
rooftops on construction sites as if he was on the ground. Mr Smith’s shop
served as a neighborhood hangout and club for friends to discuss the news of the
day. His obituary said: “A Somerset Cricket Club lifetime member and a
Progressive Labour Party man to the bone, he would never shy away from
expressing his views.” A keen traveler, Mr Smith also coached a women’s
softball team. Christopher Famous, now a PLP MP, wrote about a visit to Mr
Smith’s workshop in a 2015 column for The Royal Gazette. Mr Famous said
Mr Smith was a “living legend”. He added: “As he proudly displayed his
vast array of carpentry tools, one could sense the pride of workmanship that
permeated the air and oozed from the nearly 100-year-old Bermuda stone walls.”
He said Mr Smith was a prime example of the Bermudian hospitality “that has
you leaving as family, no longer the stranger who first walked through the
door”.
The
challenges and opportunities presented by Bermuda’s healthcare system will be
among the topics explored by discussion panels at the annual conference
presented by the Bermuda Insurance Institute. The conference on October 3
has chosen “transformation” as its overall theme. Matthew Irvine, Axa XL’s
Bermuda professional lines chief underwriting officer, is the conference
chairman. He said: “When we pick the topics for the conference, we ensure they
fit in with the conference theme. So this year it is areas, products or
industries that are experiencing dramatic transformation. The topics, however,
also need to be in areas that our members will find of interest both
professionally and personally. Therefore, we always look for topics that our
members are already thinking about themselves, with the goal of providing
insight and education in these areas of interest.” Kim Wilkerson, of Axa XL,
will moderate the healthcare panel and will be joined by panellists Michelle
Jackson, of BF&M, and Ricky Brathwaite, of the Bermuda Health Council. Other
panel discussions are: “Opioids (How much pain can we take)”, moderated by
Kirstin Beasley, of Willis; “Cannabis (How high is the cost)”, moderated by
Mark Simons, of Marsh; “Wellbeing in the Workforce (The benefits to a healthy
work force)”, moderated by Jacqueline Perreault, of Colonial; “Climate
change (The storm approaches)”, moderator to be confirmed; and “CEO panel
(The view from the top)”, moderated by Rees Fletcher. The keynote address will
be given by John Gale, CEO, Reinsurance Bermuda of Axa XL, on the topic of the
“Insurance Gap”. Mr Irvine said every generation feels that their period in
time is seeing great change in the world. “That is typically true, usually
affecting one or two key areas, whether it be financial, political,
technological, regulatory, economical or territorial. However, the unprecedented
speed of the transformation in all of these key elements is what really
differentiates the world now from prior periods of change. Transformation was
typically at a steady pace, which allowed for trial and error, but with the
rapid change we now experience, we often do not have the luxury to ask ourselves
whether the transformation will always make sense, either financially or
socially. At the BII, we always try and choose themes for our annual conference
that will interest our members, attract high caliber speakers and will have the
conference attendees engaged. Our goal is always to make the BII conference a
must attend event. Bermuda as a re/insurance marketplace has always been at the
forefront of transformation to find solutions for its clients, both in products
and efficiencies so it seemed like a perfect theme for a conference that will be
of great interest to all our members and other stakeholders in Bermuda.”
Conference tickets are available by contacting the BII office on 295-1596.
The
Department of the Registry General and the Office of Intellectual Property are
reminding the public to take the necessary steps to protect their intellectual
property rights. Intellectual property (IP) qualifies as something novel or
the intangible creation of the human intellect. An idea alone is not
intellectual property. A commonly used example is an idea for a book, which is
not intellectual property, but actual written words do count. Having the correct
form of intellectual property protection will protect the right holder from
unlawful use or duplication:
There are various effective ways to protect an intellectual property. Having IP protection gives owners the right to take legal action against anyone who attempts to use or duplicate their work. Suitable protection will depend on the type of intellectual property or rights associated with an individual’s created work and whether protection was applied for. The types of intellectual property protected in Bermuda include:
The
$88 million Bermuda Infrastructure Fund was set up to provide capital for
private companies as well as public projects, one of its co-founders has
explained. But the only known cash injection since its launch more than 14
months ago — when it was suggested that upgrades to roads and bridges would be
among early contenders for the money — has been $1.5 million to an electric
vehicle-rental company. Don Mackenzie, the chairman and owner of New Venture
Holdings, said last week that the fund was created as a way for international
businesses to provide finance amid limited borrowing opportunities. He
explained: “BIF has a flexible view as to what constitutes infrastructure and
sectors include transportation, energy, healthcare and telecommunications. To
date, BIF has met a number of local groups and companies seeking investment
capital. BIF has also had discussions with Government about funding certain
public sector projects.” The fund was devised by Mr Mackenzie, Brian
Duperreault, the chief executive of American International Group, and Preston
Hutchings, the chief investment officer at Arch Capital Group. A launch
announcement in May 2018 claimed that almost $100 million had been raised. It
added: “In the first instance, the types of projects the fund will consider
are ports, docks, roads, bridges, industrial facilities and healthcare
facilities, among others.” Mr Mackenzie said: “The purpose of the fund is to
work with the international and local insurance companies to provide capital to
support a platform that provides the Bermuda public and private sector with
foreign direct investment.” He explained: “Bermuda as a whole needs to
attract FDI to support businesses and projects where local financing is scarce
or not available. The international businesses sector has a large pool of
capital to invest and, prior to BIF, international companies in Bermuda were
precluded from investment in local projects.” Mr Mackenzie said the fund
offered equity and debt finance that “might otherwise not be available on the
local financing markets”. He added that the fund’s goals were to assist
projects and companies that improve Bermuda’s infrastructure, stimulate the
economy and create jobs. David Burt, the Premier, said in November 2017, when he
was also the Minister of Finance, that it was hoped the fund would attract $100
million from Bermudian-based insurance companies. He said then that examples of
the “many potential investment opportunities” that might be considered
included “upgrades to Bermuda’s energy infrastructure, sewage treatment, new
port facilities at Marginal Wharf, redevelopment of the Hamilton waterfront”
and the construction of mixed-use residential and commercial buildings in the
city. The Ministry of Finance said in June that the fund, which started
operations in June last year, had raised about “$88 million in capital
commitments from limited partners including the Government of Bermuda”. The
response explained that a “small loan” was made to a new electric
vehicle-rental business in April last year to help it acquire assets and that a
$1.5 million investment in the same firm was expected to be completed in June.
Beverley Connell, from Pembroke, said in a Letter to the Editor last week that
she had asked about use of the fund as part of a public access to information
request. The response to her, as well as details given to Dwayne Robinson, the
Opposition public works spokesman in the Senate, revealed that a term sheet was
signed to invest up to $10 million with a new fixed wireless internet provider
and that the BIF was evaluating a $35 million indoor vertical farm with an
accompanying solar development. Mr Mackenzie said that Fortress Investment
Group, which has its headquarters in New York, managed the fund and was
responsible for “locating and analyzing projects”. He added that the BIF was
“primarily a private sector venture” and that the private investors bear all
of the risk. Management fees are payable twice a year in advance, in an amount
equal to 0.75 per cent of capital invested, with a minimum annual fee of $1
million. If the fee is less than $500,000 over the period, the Government must
pay the difference and that amount represented an interest in the fund. The
Government’s commitment to make up any shortfalls is capped at $3 million. Mr
Robinson said last week there was “structural decay” in buildings such as
schools. He added: “I believe that we definitely are in need of an actual
infrastructure fund. This infrastructure fund is currently operating as a
venture capital one in a country where capital is very stringent and there are
not many options. I’m not opposed to providing relief for Bermudian
entrepreneurs to receive a large amount of capital. However, this infrastructure
fund should be used to repair our ageing infrastructure.” A finance ministry
spokeswoman said last week: “The Bermuda Government remains committed and
supportive of the fund, and at times provides guidance and necessary
assistance.”
Almost
two thirds of properties bought from a top estate agent this year were bought
with cash. Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty said the number of buyers who did
not need a mortgage had grown “exponentially” since 2010. The firm’s
midsummer update also said that the market for $1 million properties had
strengthened. The realtor said its team was able to collect a “tremendous”
amount of information and found “several noteworthy trends”. The firm
explained: “The most astonishing data is the number of cash buyers. Our agents
have seen this number grow exponentially since 2010 when we recorded only 3 per
cent of buyers with cash. Last year, 43 per cent of our buyers used cash to
purchase their homes. During the calendar year so far, 62.5 per cent of our
purchasers were cash buyers.” The estate agent said its data over two decades
showed that “the island’s real estate sales have been relatively flat for
the past five years” and that the average number of units sold annually was
about 300. The report added: “We anticipate seeing an improvement in
transactional activity in 2019. Our data indicates that the $1 million-plus
market segment is strengthening, as is the $750,000 to $999,000 price range.
Based on the recent notable price reductions, it appears that buyers are now
finding these prices more attractive.” Analysis carried out by the Coldwell
Banker team showed that prices were dropped for 111 properties throughout
Bermuda between January and April. The realtor said that the figure equated to
about 22 per cent of the market, based on about 500 properties currently for
sale on Property Skipper, an online portal. The report explained: “The
adjusted prices seem to have caught the attention of buyers because Property
Skipper reports show inquiries were up by 14 per cent this April, compared with
April 2018, in the sales, rentals and commercial market segments, and traffic
overall in Bermuda for June was up 19 per cent compared with the corresponding
period from the previous year. In fact, our most recent in-house demand
analysis, tracking qualified buyers, indicates that our Coldwell Banker agents
are actively working with 25 per cent more buyers than they did six months ago.
Although we are continuing to see list-price erosion, buyer demand this summer
appears to have been relatively robust.”
An amateur photographer caught
a “spectacular” waterspout on camera when it appeared off North Shore
yesterday. Adrian Cunningham rushed to grab his zoom lens after he was
alerted to the phenomenon by his wife, Victoria, at their home in Smith’s. The
40-year-old software developer said: “It’s not often you get to see some
weird weather like that, so it’s a very rare opportunity when you get the
chance to take a picture.” He added: “I’ve seen a few this year, but that
was the most spectacular.” Andrew Bufalino, a Bermuda Weather Service
meteorologist, said: “What occurred was an isolated thunderstorm that tapped
into perfect conditions to produce a waterspout.” He explained: “What
commonly causes this localized phenomenon is when two primary wind regimes move
towards each other. If these wind regimes continue to strike one another and
begin to interact, they can produce a localized circulation of air over the
water, sometimes compared to a merry-go-round or carousel. If these circulations
get caught up in an updraft that is linked to nearby building clouds, showers or
thunderstorms then they can help promote a concentration of rising air that
circulates, thus a waterspout.” Mr Bufalino added: “Today’s waterspout was
a perfect example of how benign and inactive weather conditions can quickly
change.” He said the opposing wind systems stemmed from the wind flow
typically found in everyday weather — which was forecast, and another wind
regime that developed from a nearby shower. Mr Bufalino added: “These
small-scale events are almost impossible to predict, particularly in Bermuda.”
An
18-year-old student has won a scholarship worth up to $36,000 to study at a top
Canadian university. Eden Robinson was awarded this year’s Dudley &
Deborah Butterfield Scholarship and will attend McGill University in Montreal,
Canada, to study psychology and management. Ms Robinson was granted the
scholarship by the McGill Bermuda Scholarship Trust, set up to provide support
to Bermudians who attend McGill. A spokesman for the trust said: “The
scholarship trust is looking to find people who are not just strong academically
but are outgoing and demonstrate leadership characteristics. Ms Robinson is very
confident and as a young 18-year-old she has demonstrated that she is leadership
material, interested in the world around her and will be a contributing member
of society.” Ms Robinson, from Paget, studied at Warwick Academy between 2006
and 2016. She volunteered for the Eliza DoLittle Society and attended the
Somerset School of Dance, where she passed several examinations in classical
ballet. She moved to Trinity College School in Ontario, Canada, in 2016. She
achieved the status of academic scholar at Trinity for three years. Ms Robinson
also won awards for school spirit and the Rigby Prize, the highest honour in
social sciences, and became an Ontario Scholar. She continued community work
overseas and volunteered with child mentoring programme Big Brothers Big Sisters
in Ontario and was a fundraiser for Black Lives Matter Toronto. Ms Robinson was
also a member of several diversity groups, a peer support counsellor and a
member of Trinity College’s Master Key Committee, which gives tours of the
campus to prospective pupils. The scholarship, established in 1998, provides
$9,000 a year for up to four years.
A
star pupil has picked up more than $90,000 in scholarships to help fund his law
studies at a top British university. Conor Hay, 17, graduated from Warwick
Academy as this year’s valedictorian after he scored 43 out of a possible 45
points in the International Baccalaureate programme. He is scheduled to start a
law degree at King’s College London in the autumn. Conor said: “They are
significant financial contributions, which enable me to study law at university.
I really appreciate the opportunity and support they provide. I am really
excited to be attending university in September. It will be quite a significant
change from studying at Warwick Academy, but I am looking forward to studying in
London.” Conor, from Southampton, said that his work ethic was fuelled by his
enjoyment of his courses at school. He explained that he was stimulated by the
IB programme and was encouraged to push himself beyond the average. Conor said:
“I try to always put my best effort into everything that I do. I find that if
I enjoy something, it is easy to stay motivated to work hard. I enjoy
essay-based subjects, which involve the formation of an analytical response. Law
is a fascinating subject and I feel that the skills I developed at school will
be useful when studying it at university. I chose to attend King’s College
because of its strong reputation for providing an academically rigorous and
world-class legal education. I was also attracted to the location — the law
course is based in Central London, close to large law firms and the Inns of
Court.” Conor studied hard for his IB exams to make sure that he had enough
points to be accepted into King’s, rated as one of the top ten universities in
the world. He also gained experience in legal work through a summer internship
at the Attorney-General’s Chambers and several law firms. Conor was thrilled
when he won a scholarship from law firm Conyers in July. The bursary is $30,000
a year for up to three years. Conor won the scholarship a week after he was
awarded a Bermuda Foundation for Insurance Studies overseas scholarship. He has
also picked up a bursary from law firm Appleby.
A
29-year-old trainee doctor proved that age was no barrier after he won a
three-year medical scholarship. Matthew Sinclair was awarded the JJ Soares
Medical Scholarship to help fund his studies at the University of Limerick in
Ireland. Mr Sinclair, who is due to start his third year in medicine, said that
the scholarship would provide him with $10,000 a year for three years. He added
that the bursary was one of the few scholarships that he was eligible for
because of his age. Mr Sinclair said: “A lot of the scholarships are limited
so you have to be young or over 35, so this is kind of a grey area. There are
many older students now in medical school so I don’t necessarily feel that
I’m much older, but many scholarships have age restrictions, usually around
25.” Mr Sinclair, from Pembroke, first pursued a career in business after he
graduated from William & Mary University in the United States in 2013.
However, after he worked with insurance firm Hiscox for a year and Mount Saint
Agnes Academy for two years, he realised that he had made the wrong choice. Mr
Sinclair explained: “I was working at a desk and it just wasn’t very
fulfilling.” He said his interest in medicine was sparked when he signed up
with L’Arche International, an organisation that works with people with mental
disabilities, in Cape Breton, Canada, for two years. Mr Sinclair explained that
the programme allowed people to live alongside people with mental disabilities
to help them through day-to-day life. The experience reminded him how much he
enjoyed helping others and reaffirmed his interests in medicine, particularly in
the field of care of the dying and care of the elderly. Mr Sinclair said: “A
lot of medicine is curative, which I think is awesome, but I like geriatric and
palliative care because you’re really focusing on quality of life. You can
make simple adjustments that have a big impact on their lives. The whole idea of
being well rounded is very important to me and I think that’s what caused the
shift towards medicine. It’s not just the relational aspects of medicine but
also the fact that medicine is ever changing, ever-evolving and that there’s
so much to learn.”
An
abandoned car has sat outside a Bermuda Housing Corporation property for more
than a year, the head of the residents’ association said yesterday.
Charles Jeffers, who lives at Lily Park in St George’s, said the car was an
eyesore and had been used for dumping trash. He was worried it could be a hazard
to children, but has struggled to get the vehicle moved. Mr Jeffers said: “The
car is not just an eyesore. It’s a danger, especially to little children who
might climb up on it and fall through the broken windscreen.” He added: “We
also have concerns about mosquitoes and rats. My first correspondence with the
Bermuda Housing Corporation was June 2018.” However, Mr Jeffers said that
despite e-mails, calls and visits to the corporation’s office, he had been
unable to get the BHC to move the silver Suzuki Swift. “I spoke to an officer
at the Transport Control Department who said that they used to tow vehicles, but
that they no longer could because the oil has to be drained before it could be
taken away. I have suggested a solution to the powers that be. Give people
notice to move the vehicle. If they don’t, then Government moves it, bills
them and tells them they can’t get their driver’s licence renewed until they
pay the moving fee.” Mr Jeffers added that the vehicle’s licence plate was
still attached, but declined to reveal the number. He said: “It should not be
difficult with the licence to track down the previous owner. But in the
meantime, it has just remained sitting where it is.” Mr Jeffers added that
abandoned vehicles had become a problem elsewhere in Bermuda. He said: “There
are abandoned cars in various places all over the island and yet seemingly
nothing much can be done.” The Lily Park development, off Redcoat Lane South,
has about 30 residents. The BHC did not respond to a request for comment.
Not everyone has the luxury of
a long lunch break, which is why a new bistro in Hamilton is focused on
efficient service and menu items that can be prepared with minimal waiting time.
A month after opening, the set-up at JC’s Bistro is proving to be to the
liking of customers. “We have got great comments. It is a people place,”
said owner Jean-Claude Garzia. It is at the location of the former Victoria
Grill, at 29 Victoria Street, next door to JC’s Café, which opened a year
ago. Customers can sit inside or on the outdoor patio area, and lunch is served
Monday to Friday between 11am and 2.30pm, while dinner is served Thursday
through Saturday from 6.30pm to 9pm. The bistro attracts office workers at
lunchtimes. It has tailored its offerings and service to meet the requirements
of customers who often have only a limited amount of time to sit down to eat.
“We understand that most of the customers are office people,” said Titas
Sukys, who is maitre d’hotel at Beau Rivage Restaurant. “You are not going
to have to wait too long [for your food].” The bistro is the sister restaurant
of Beau Rivage at Newstead Belmont Hills Hotel and Spa. They are both owned and
managed by the J&L Group Ltd, as are Bistro Zanzibar and JC’s Café. Cesar
D. Domingo, executive chef of J&L Group, said: “We are having healthy
menu, tuns, multigrain breads. We are offering the light-dressed salad, and
mouthwatering pies.” Also on the menu are appetisers, including tuna
carpaccio, crab cake, as well as soup of the day and gourmet sandwiches. The
dinner menu includes steak, lamb, salmon, catch of the day and pasta dishes.
Food is only part of the story. Award-winning chef Mr Garzia opened JC’s Café
last year with the intention of also reopening the adjacent restaurant space
once it had secured a licence to serve alcohol. During the past 12 months the
old restaurant has been visually transformed by Mr Garzia’s wife Veronique.
The look and feel of the eatery owes much to her designs and selections,
including eye-catching multi-colored hardwood floor, tables and chairs,
lighting, table mats and large monochrome and colour wall images of Paris. The
restaurant is on one floor. An old elevator that once connected to other parts
of the building now houses a display cabinet. Mr Garzia, owner of J&L Group,
is a celebrated chef. He won the Best Chef of France title in 1996. He is
delighted with the new restaurant and the feedback from customers, saying the
feel of the place reminded him of Le Figaro, the Reid Street eatery that closed
in 2003. Duane Villagracia, chef in charge at JC’s Bistro, said the
restaurant’s reputation was quickly spreading through word of mouth. While Mr
Garzia added: “It’s simplicity, but elegant food. It is very cool. It’s an
‘everybody place. Here at JC’s Bistro, we do everything with passion, love
and commitment. We always do our best for our guests to satisfy their needs.”
Thousands of reggae fans
danced and sang as reggae superstar Buju Banton shone at the national stadium
last night. Banton told the crowd at a packed Unity Festival Bermuda:
“Tonight is the reunification of Buju Banton and Bermuda. I want to fall in
love with you like you are a brand new girlfriend.” The Jamaican artist was
backed by a live band which included three backing singers, a saxophonist and
percussionist. The one hour and 20 minute set included several fan favourites,
including Love Sponge, Wanna Be Loved, Driver and Murderer.
Organisers earlier said up to 8,000 people were expected to congregate at the
festival at the National Sports Centre in Devonshire. Concertgoers predicted
musical fireworks before Banton’s performance. Georgina Francoeur, 50, said
that being able to see Banton for the first time in Bermuda “means the world.
This is a 50th birthday present from my girls, and it’s a bucket list to see
him live — and to see him live in Bermuda is amazing. It’s a big deal.”
The organisers of the festival said the event provided “an opportunity for all
of Bermuda’s estranged communities to put down their articles of discord and
come together in peace, love and unity”. Ms Francoeur, from Pembroke, said the
message was an important one. She added: “Music speaks to you in a way that
all barriers are broken down and everyone is just together.” Athanasius Smith,
39, said that the message of the festival organisers “was more important than
ever. Music brings everybody together. It’s a common language. I’m looking
forward to a good night, a peaceful night, a fun night.” Mr Smith said that he
had been a fan of Banton’s since high school. He added that seeing Banton
perform live would “take me back almost 30 years”. He was joined for the
concert by girlfriend Sherika Parfitt, 29, also from Southampton. But Bermudians
were not the only ones excited for Banton’s performance. Michael Mitarotonda,
from Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, said that news of the concert had come as a
special surprise. He explained: “I saw the picture of Buju on an advertisement
as we were going through Customs at the airport. I had no idea he was here this
weekend.” Mr Mitarotonda, 50, said he was a “huge fan” of the artist. He
added: “I’ve seen him four or five times in Manhattan.” Mr Mitarotonda, at
the show with wife Mary Anne, said that he liked Banton’s style of music and
the energy he brought to performances. Banton arrived in Bermuda by private jet
on Friday afternoon. He waved to fans as he stepped off the plane surrounded by
a small entourage. Banton said “Love Bermuda” before he got into a waiting
Bentley limousine.
A
company run by a Cabinet minister has won a contract to import thousands of
dollars worth of sand to improve a golf course’s bunkers in the run-up to a
major tournament. Island Construction Services was the successful bidder
after the Government issued a request for proposals as Port Royal Golf Course
prepares for the first PGA Bermuda Championship in the autumn. Zane DeSilva, the
president and chief executive of Island Construction, is also the Minister of
Tourism and Transport. A government spokeswoman said yesterday that the firm
made the best submission and was the lowest bidder. She added that all
government contracts worth more than $50,000 were published. The spokeswoman
said: “The tender process was open and transparent and in accordance with the
financial instructions guidelines. Submissions received were reviewed and
closely scrutinized by technical officers. After a thorough review, a prudent
decision was made based on the best submission and lowest bidder.” No
information was provided about the value of the contract or how many submissions
were received. The RFP was open for ten days last month with a deadline of July
25. It said: “Following the recent announcement that Bermuda will host a PGA
Tour event at Port Royal Golf Course in October, the Government is now seeking
proposals from suitable qualified and experienced entities for the ‘turnkey’
importation and delivery of both bunker sand and top dressing sand to Port Royal
Golf Course.” The contract details said the 3,000 tonnes of bunker sand must
comply with United States Golf Association recommendations and that the colour
of 1,000 tonnes of top dressing “shall be clearly identified, for approval by
the ministry”. The RFP said that laboratory test reports on the size of the
sand particles would be required. Samples of the sand would also have to be sent
for analysis by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries “to obtain
official approval to import the sand to Bermuda”. Mr DeSilva told the House of
Assembly last month that he would provide an itemized list of the work to be
done on the Southampton course, along with the budget for the improvements, in
response to questions from Michael Dunkley, a One Bermuda Alliance MP. The
Opposition member had highlighted that the sand traps lacked sand. Mr DeSilva
said then: “The itemized list is being finalised as we speak. As the member
with his past experience knows, these things take a little time. As soon as we
have those completed, I will gladly bring all those details to this House by
ministerial statement.” Mr Dunkley, during the motion to adjourn a week later
on July 26, said: “If sand has to be replaced in all the traps, it’s going
to be a significant expense, probably in excess of a couple hundred thousand
dollars. It would take some time to get here, unless we have sand on the island
and I’m not aware that we do have sand on the island.” He added that he had
seen Island Construction vehicles “in the sand traps doing some work”. Mr
Dunkley said then: “I would like to know what the budget will be, what
contracts have been given out for the work, what’s the scope of the work that
has to be done, what challenges we face with the irrigation system, with the
water supply or anything like that.” Mr DeSilva was not in the House of
Assembly at the time and MPs heard he had been off the island on business. Mr
DeSilva did not respond to requests from The Royal Gazette for comment
this week. A special report issued in October 2014 by then Auditor-General
Heather Jacobs Matthews faulted a $24.5 million restoration project at Port
Royal and criticized the awarding of contracts worth $1.6 million and $1.2
million to one company without being put out to tender. The report pointed out
that a board member, who was also a Member of Parliament at the time, had owned
the company. A Public Accounts Committee later heard that the excavation
contract went to Island Construction, the only company that submitted a bid. Mr
DeSilva is a former trustee of the course and at the time was an Opposition MP.
The Bermuda Championship is expected to involve professionals who do not qualify
for this year’s World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions event in China. It
will run from October 31 to November 3 and have a $3 million purse.
A
first-time tenant said the Office of the Rent Commissioner admitted it could not
help after her landlady backtracked on an agreement to return her deposit after
she quit her apartment. Yesterday, the woman, who asked not to be named,
said the department had told her this month that the owner of her Devonshire
apartment was “completely in the wrong”. However, she added: “It turns out
that the rent commissioner, due to recent restructuring, no longer deals with
these matters, so I was on my own.” The 25-year-old was $850 out of pocket
after she vacated an apartment on Morning Glory Drive at the end of July. She
said that withheld deposits appeared to be “the norm” in Bermuda. She said:
“This is an issue that a lot of people experience.” The Royal Gazette
has seen a document from her landlady that agreed to return the deposit after a
satisfactory inspection of the premises on July 25. The woman said: “I cleaned
and painted the apartment as outlined by my lease and my landlady confirmed it
as satisfactory. The inspection was quick with some minor items to improve. Once
I resolved the items, I advised my landlady and she confirmed, in writing, that
she would return my deposit once she replaced a set of blinds — so a maximum
deduction of $30.” She added: “I handed over my keys and figured that I had
closed that chapter. How wrong I was.” The Office of the Rent Commissioner,
which deals with rent increases, unlawful rental charges and unlawful evictions,
was merged with the consumer affairs department in 2015. A spokeswoman for the
Ministry of Home Affairs said that legislation did not allow for rent
controllers to enforce payment at the end of a tenancy. The spokeswoman added:
“That is a matter for the courts.” The former tenant said she had been
e-mailed with complaints that became “more and more ridiculous” after the
premises were inspected and approved. Complaints continued from her landlady
after a new tenant moved in. The woman added: “On top of that, the apartment I
had been living in had not been registered for at least three years, so she was
facing potential fines. That made sense to me, as there were clear safety
hazards in the apartment that I only noticed a few months into my lease.” The
woman said she felt she had “a pretty black-and-white case” when she took
her correspondence and pictures of the apartment to the rent commissioner last
week. However, she added: “The system, as it currently stands, favours and
encourages exploitative landlords and landladies. I have two options here —
get a lawyer and pay higher fees than my deposit is worth, or depend on the
goodwill of my landlady. So in other words, I am not going to get any money
back.” The woman said: “Is this really the best that we can do? Are we meant
to simply accept this? Is there no way an enforcement agency can be formed to
prevent and condemn this type of behaviour? In the end, I guess I only have
myself to blame. I was told by a friend at the beginning of my lease that there
was a high, if not 100 per cent, chance of me losing my deposit. Perhaps I
should have done a better job of managing my expectations.”
Massive
support for Bermuda’s first Pride parade has forced an earlier start time.
Bermuda Pride 2019 said that organisers had been “overwhelmed with the support
and goodwill from the community”. A spokesman added: “The event promises to
be extremely well attended and bigger than expected, which is fantastic.” The
parade will now start at 11am on August 31 — three hours earlier than
scheduled. The move was made to give everyone “more time to complete the
parade and enjoy the park, entertainment and community gathering after”. The
spokesman added: “This will also ensure that we are mindful of supporting the
businesses of Hamilton, many of whom are very supportive of Pride.” The event
is being organised by Elizabeth Christopher, Chen Foley and David Northcott. The
organisers predict that up to 1,000 people could turn up. They added: “When we
first planned Pride, we did not really know how many people would attend. We
were hopeful for a good turnout, but we really had no idea. What really mattered
to us as we planned Pride was creating and claiming a public space for LGBTQI+
Bermudians and residents. Diversity and inclusivity — as indicated by two of
the eight colours in our logo — matter particularly for a community that has
often been marginalized or ignored.” The group said that as the event
approached it had become clear “that holding Pride in Bermuda has created what
we hoped for — space for the LGBTQI+ community and for allies in particular to
show their support”. They added: “We are sure that as the day approaches we
will see even more Pride flags and messages of inclusion. More than the desire
for Pride, we would say the level of support shows the need for Pride.” The
group said the public should attended for several reasons. It said: “Not least
because this is an historic event, but also for a sense of working together,
showing the world that Bermuda is a diverse, warm and accepting place for our
LGBTQI+ residents and visitors alike, and also just to come and have fun.” The
organisers said that Bermuda was “moving to a place of true openness and
acceptance of the LGBTQI+ community”. They added: “It is our hope that Pride
will raise the awareness for everyone about the importance of diversity and
inclusion and the need to tackle homophobia.” The parade will still depart
from Victoria Park and end at 12.30pm. A Pride Ceremony at the bandstand will be
held after the parade. Victoria Park will be open from 9am to 7pm.
Reggae
superstar Buju Banton touched down in Bermuda yesterday. The headline act
for this weekend’s Unity Festival arrived by private jet at the airport at
about 4.15pm. Banton waved to fans as he stepped off the plane accompanied by a
small entourage and walked across the tarmac at LF Wade International Airport.
He said “love Bermuda”, before he got into a waiting car. Banton’s arrival
came after another top reggae star cancelled his appearance at the last minute
for today’s Unity Festival. Organisers said Wayne Wonder was no longer on the
bill “due to circumstances beyond their control”. They added that his
inability to perform was caused by “an external conflict that has nothing to
do with the Unity Festival organisers”. A spokesman apologised but said all
the other acts were on schedule to give “an amazing show full of additional
surprises”. The artist confirmed his withdrawal in an Instagram post addressed
to “all my Bermuda fans” and said the cancellation was beyond his control.
Wonder, whose biggest hits include No Letting Go and Saddest Day, was due to
appear alongside the headline act at the event, which is expected to attract
thousands of music fans. The concert is scheduled to start at the National
Sports Centre at 9pm, with gates opening at 7pm.
A
major hair show with international experts will be held this weekend. The
Bermuda Hair Show, organised by hair and beauty firm Natural Blessings Always
and Northshore Medical and Aesthetics Centre, will feature information sessions
by island and international stylists, samples of products, a fashion show and
items for sale from Bermudian businesses. Nicole Famous, owner of Natural
Blessings Always, said the proceeds from the show would be donated to six
bereaved senior citizens, who will get pharmacy gift cards and grocery store
vouchers. Ms Famous added: “When we give these gifts to the seniors, we’re
letting them know that we care about them and love them. I want to see our
senior citizens smile more.” The main sponsor of the event, to be held at
CedarBridge Academy, is Design Essentials, an Atlanta-based cosmetics company.
Ms Famous said: “We support one another until we make it in the industry.”
International guests will include French cosmetics expert Craig Carter as part
of a two-year commitment to the annual show. Bermudian experts in the field will
include hairdressers Luxury Cuts, the Salon Shop, as well as Hamilton boutiques
Mystique and 27th Century. Kyjuan Brown, of Northshore Medical and Aesthetics
Centre, will give a hair restoration tutorial. The Garden Market store in
Pembroke has donated products that can be used to promote healthy hair, such as
apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Ms Famous said that tickets for the show were
selling “crazy fast” and that VIP passes had already sold out. Proceeds from
last year’s show, which attracted about 350 people, were used to give a young
woman whose family had hit health and money problems a full scholarship to
Bermuda College. Ms Famous said: “Her mom had been diagnosed with cancer and
her father had been made redundant.” Ms Famous, who started to work on natural
hair when she was 8, said that she continued to put on the event to show people
that: “God made our hair a certain way. We should treat it like a tree —
water it, nourish it, and take care of it, because it’s our DNA.” The event
will be held at CedarBridge tomorrow between 1pm and 6pm. General admission
tickets for the show are still available at ptix.com for $35.
A
special election will be held in the Town of St George next month to fill a
vacancy left by the departure of Tania Stafford as a councillor. A notice in
the Official Gazette published on August 8 said Ms Stafford resigned on July 23.
She joined the corporation on April 25 as one of six municipal resident
councillors. A government spokeswoman said an extraordinary election for the
seat will be held on September 19. The polling station will be at Penno’s
Wharf cruise ship terminal. Nomination day will be September 5. The spokeswoman
said: “This election is only for municipal residents of the municipality of St
George. Registration for this election will close on August 21 at 5pm.”
A
Bermuda-registered plane crash landed outside Moscow in Russia yesterday morning
after a bird strike. The Ural Airlines Airbus 321 was en route from
Moscow’s Zhukovskiy Airport to Simferopol in Crimea, when it hit a flock of
gulls just after take-off. The pilots brought the plane down “safe but hard”
in a corn field a short distance from the airport. At least 74 of the 226
passengers were injured. Bermuda Maritime Operations said it received
“almost-simultaneous” distress alerts from the aircraft at 1.15am Bermuda
time, and contacted the airline. The BMO added: “Although not on the runway,
the aircraft evacuated all 226 persons to safety.”
The
Honorary Colonel of the Royal Bermuda Regiment is to step down after more than
20 years in the role and almost 60 years in the military. Lieutenant-Colonel
Eugene Raynor, appointed as the first black commanding officer of the Bermuda
Regiment in 1980, will be replaced by another former CO, Lieutenant-Colonel
David Gibbons. Colonel Raynor, who joined the segregated military as a private
in the Bermuda Militia Artillery in 1961, said: “Being involved, in one way or
another, has been pretty much a way of life. To be the Honorary Colonel of the
Royal Bermuda Regiment is an honour very few people will have. It’s been a
good time and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” Colonel Raynor achieved the
rank of corporal in the BMA before he was commissioned in 1964. He was one of
the founding officers of the integrated Bermuda Regiment, formed from the BMA
and the Bermuda Rifle Corps in 1965. Colonel Raynor stood down as CO in 1984,
but later joined the Defence Board and was made honorary colonel in 1999. His
role was to advise a series of governors, who act as the Commander-in-Chief of
the RBR, and the regiment on military matters and to promote military service.
Colonel Raynor said: “Even though I’m not hands-on, I have been aware, and
made myself aware, of what was going on. I hope I have been useful, especially
with the different governors I have met. I believe I have been useful there, to
some extent.” Colonel Raynor’s military experience started as a toddler —
his father, Vernon, was a soldier in the Bermuda Militia Infantry assigned to
protection of the island’s military installations in the Second World War. He
said in an interview as an adult that he remembered being mesmerized by his
father’s .303 Lee Enfield rifle when he came home on a break. He said:
“Another one of my earliest memories was watching parades — that was a major
influence on me.” Colonel Raynor later joined the BMA Cadet programme, even
though he was three months short of the minimum age of 14. He went on to sign up
with the BMA and rose rapidly through the ranks. Colonel Raynor was also one of
the soldiers picked for the regiment’s first overseas camp in Jamaica in 1968.
He was appointed as aide-de-camp to the governor in the 1970s and rose to the
highest rank in the service less than a decade later. Colonel Raynor said:
“It’s been a good time and I’ve enjoyed it.” But the 77-year-old,
awarded an OBE for his military service, added that he was aware of his
advancing years and wanted to reduce his responsibilities, so decided to stand
down from his honorary role and from the Defence Board. Colonel Raynor added he
would miss the camaraderie of the RBR most and the interaction with the ranks.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed that. With people over the years, I was hands-on.
What the soldiers were doing, I was doing and I found that the soldiers really
appreciated having me around. I was just as dirty coming out of the field as
them. Later on, as honorary colonel, it was always my intent to visit them in
the field and spend as much time with them as possible. Being with the troops at
all levels was the best experience I had as a soldier.” He added that being
appointed the first black commanding officer was a pivotal event. Colonel Raynor
said: “It was a proud moment for me and for the whole island, really. It was a
great ceremony at Police Field and the whole regiment turned out.” He added
that the RBR had changed in many ways — but that the commitment to service to
the island in internal security and disaster relief was a constant. Colonel
Raynor said: “The regiment in its present state has had, over the past few
years, the opportunities to improve its standard of operations and training and
the chance to take part in major international exercises. The opportunities
surpass the Jamaica exercise I was on in 1968. The regiment has been a major
benefit to Bermuda. The RBR offers an opportunity for military training.
Recruits will be doing things very different from their normal lives. People
will find out there is a niche there that they can enjoy and that benefits
individuals and the community. It will be tough and starts being tough simply by
being immersed in a disciplined activity. But when people come out after three
years, they have things they can recall and use to guide them out of other
problems life will throw at them.” John Rankin, the Governor, thanked Colonel
Raynor for his long service. He added: “His advice, drawing on his long and
distinguished experience, has played an important role in developing the
regiment’s work in support of the security and defence of Bermuda. I, and my
predecessors as Governor, have been grateful for all he has done for the
regiment throughout his career, not least during his service as commanding
officer from 1980 to1984. At the same time I am very pleased to appoint Colonel
Gibbons as his successor and look forward to working with Colonel Gibbons as the
regiment continues to grow and develop in the post-conscription period.”
Ben
Adolph has moved to the Bermuda office of Leadenhall Capital Partners LLP.
Leadenhall is a London-headquartered insurance and reinsurance-linked investment
manager. Mr Adolph’s transfer from the London office will give Leadenhall’s
a senior presence on the island, the organisation said. Mr Adolph, managing
partner and head of non-life portfolio management, has worked for Leadenhall
since 2013. He said: “This exciting development for Leadenhall will help
advance a more complete coverage of the market by generating additional contact
points with Leadenhall’s strategic counterparties in the major
insurance-linked and reinsurance hubs, but it does not signal a shift away from
Leadenhall’s current investment-sourcing channels which it will continue to
develop further.” The transfer was reported on cat bond, insurance-linked
securities and alternative reinsurance capital website, Artemis. The ILS manager
has around $5.5 billion of reinsurance-linked assets under management. It has
offices in London, Bermuda and the United States, Artemis reported, but also
benefits thanks to its joint venture with MS Amlin that provides it a presence
in the major reinsurance hubs including London, Bermuda, Zurich, Singapore, the
US and Japan.
The
Bermuda office of international fintech firm Circle has begun to advertise for
staff. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said last month that 30 people would be
hired for the operation on-island in the next two years. Now, the first job
advertisement has appeared on website, greenhouse.io, with solicitation of
resumes for the position of director, finance operations. Circle was founded in
2013 by internet entrepreneurs Mr Allaire and Sean Neville. It is a
crypto-finance company built on blockchain technology. In its job advertisement,
the company said it is seeking someone with more than 12 years of experience in
financial operations and financial reporting, including five-plus years of
experience leading a team. The candidate who is hired will act as general
manager for the “Bermudan office”, the ad said, working with Circle’s
treasury team to ensure that liquidity and net capital requirements are met. The
company stated in the job advertisement: “This will be a key initial hire for
Circle’s recently announced Bermuda office. You will be the senior
representative and point of contact for the Bermuda Monetary Authority, manage
local financial operations in Bermuda, and work with Circle’s accounting team
in Boston to report on financial performance.” When the opening of a Bermuda
office was announced Mr Allaire said the entity will service non-US customers,
with the company planning to roll out new crypto-asset listings, advanced
trading products and other innovations in the coming months. Roles the company
will offer in Bermuda will be in areas including general management, risk,
compliance, trading and customer operations.
A
US-based firm of consultants has been signed up to help boost air arrivals, the
head of the Bermuda Tourism Authority revealed yesterday. Kevin Dallas, the
chief executive of the BTA, said the organisation and the Bermuda Airport
Authority had joined forces to recruit Ailevon Pacific Aviation Consulting, in a
bid to increase airlift to the island. The company, whose headquarters are in
Atlanta, Georgia and which also has an office in Sydney, Australia, was hired
with government approval after a request for proposal process. It is understood
a major factor was their experience of work with smaller airports. Mr Dallas
said: “We selected APAC for its successful track record with helping other
relevant destinations increase their air capacity, including places such as
Hawaii, Palm Springs, California, Savannah, Georgia, and Asheville, North
Carolina, whose size or criteria align with Bermuda and our National Tourism
Plan. “By undertaking this initiative, we’ll be working with the BAA to
spearhead a realistic strategy that examines our island’s diverse needs in the
context of key cities and target audiences, then works with airline partners to
achieve the highest airlift possible throughout all seasons of the year.” He
added: “I’m certain from the RFP process that we have hired the best people
on the market. We hired them with an expectation that over time, they will help
us get results.” Mr Dallas said representatives from the company will be in
Bermuda next week to work with interested parties to develop a plan to attract
the most suitable flights and airlines to Bermuda. A BTA spokeswoman said:
“Consultants are speaking with both authorities’ teams, and will also meet
with key stakeholder groups, including the Bermuda Government, Skyport, global
business associations, the Chamber of Commerce and travel agents to gather
diverse perspectives on airlift challenges and needs as they affect Bermuda. The
collaborative initiative is focused on identifying the best airlift strategy for
Bermuda, along with potential opportunities in negotiations with airlines.” Mr
Dallas added that airlift was a key element in visitor air arrivals as it can
affect the cost to travel to and from Bermuda. He said: “There’s clearly a
correlation between the number of leisure air arrivals and air capacity. Every
Bermudian will be aware that the costs to fly have been higher this summer than
they have been the last couple of years. That has the same impact on visitors as
it has on residents.” He was speaking after it was revealed earlier this week
that year on year tourist air arrivals had dropped by 5 per cent. Mr Dallas said
much of the decline was due to airline schedule changes that reduced the number
of flights between Bermuda and New York. Visitor air arrivals from the city —
Bermuda’s largest tourism market — fell by more than 12 per cent in the
first half of the year with 3,182 fewer tourists from the area compared to the
same period in 2018. The figures also revealed a 4.4 per cent drop in hotel
occupancy rates in the first half of the year. Stephen Todd, the CEO of the
Bermuda Hotel Association, said hoteliers were warned about the potential effect
of the decline in airlift and taken steps to prepare themselves. Mr Todd added:
“We knew that was going to have an impact on the number of visitors, so we
were able to prepare ourselves. We have been working with the Bermuda Tourism
Authority to offset some of those losses. One of the things we are always
focused on is to ensure that our employees and partners stay gainfully employed,
so we try to get the occupancy numbers as high as possible.” He said the
hotels worked with the BTA to encourage visitors to the island — and to extend
the stays of those who did choose Bermuda as their destination. Mr Todd added:
“We try to look at how we can attract guests and make sure that we have guests
stay for as long as possible. If we can encourage them to stay five or six days
instead of a weekend, that’s only going to benefit us.” Mr Todd said he was
confident that efforts to improve airlift and boost visitors to Bermuda in
slower shoulder months would pay off. He added: “We have been assured that
efforts are being made by all parties to not only encourage airlines to increase
their lift, but also to attract new airlines to Bermuda. With the work that the
BTA is doing to attract guests, we are optimistic that the strategy used by the
BTA to implement the National Tourism Plan is going to start to reap rewards. We
believe it is going to get traction and provide greater incentives for visitors
to come to Bermuda and hopefully stay in our hotel rooms.” Mr Todd said the
BHA had no fear that a decrease in hotel occupancy would hit new hotels due to
open in the near future. He said: “They have done their research. They will be
offering products that will be quite attractive and well supported by
visitors.”
Not
every business needs or can afford a full-time IT expert as part of its team.
However, on occasion such expertise is needed and often at short notice.
That’s where newly formed Gnosis can step in. The Bermuda-based company
provides managed IT services through its on-island team. It is differentiating
itself from the competition by adding touches such as the flexibility of
rollover hours, so that a business with unused hours on its IT managed service
agreement can roll them over from month to month. That’s an example of the
“building the right solutions for our clients” approach adopted by Gnosis,
said Neil Lupsic, chief executive officer. Gnosis is pronounced with a silent
“G” and is a Greek word for knowledge, which reflects the company’s call
that “knowledge is power”. With offices on Front Street, it provides IT
services and solutions through its on-island team. Among its services and areas
of expertise are IT managed services, networking, compliance, cybersecurity, virtualization,
and migration to the Cloud. Mr Lupsic has an extensive background in IT and
telecommunications. He is a former chief technology officer at Digicel Bermuda.
He worked on the building of 2G, 3G, 4G-LTE and fibre to the home, as well as
services used at the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda. After that, he looked for
new challenges and that led to the formation of Gnosis. “We thought the market
was a little static in how IT services were provided,” he said. The team
includes Corey Brunton, chief operating officer, and Glenn Malcolm as senior
systems engineer. Mr Lupsic said that with continuing advancements and changes
in areas such as cybersecurity, Cloud, and compliance, there is a need for
businesses to have a trusted partner in the IT field for guidance and direction.
He said Gnosis provides an on-island solution to “combat the increasing trend
of moving IT service abroad”. It is sometimes hard for a company to warrant
spending money on having a full-time IT expert on staff, he said, but by
choosing an on-island consultancy company that has that experience “it saves a
lot of money in the long run”. He added: “We’re driving to have
experienced engineers on-island at the right price point to save businesses
going overseas. We pride ourselves on being proactive rather than reactive. Our
approach is more where we are monitoring the environment all the time and we are
proactively maintaining it.” It offers flexibility with managed service
agreements that allow unused hours to be rolled over from month to month. “We
appreciate that IT demands differ from month to month, and we allow our clients
to migrate their monthly support hours from month to month,” Mr Lupsic said.
He explained it is similar to the approach “that revolutionized the telecoms
space with rollover data for mobiles”. Managed service agreements also mean a
client can allocate budgets in advance. “The other thing that differentiates
us is that we know Bermuda. We know all the nuances between how everyone
connects to each other, and we can develop solutions that suit our clients.”
Gnosis is owned by Steven Petty, who is its president. He retired from
Butterfield & Vallis last month after more than 30 years. With a keen
interest in technology and how it is applied in the business world, he is keen
to build Gnosis into a full-service IT consultancy for clients big and small. He
said: “We are not just looking at reinsurance and cyber. We will be working
with a diverse range of clients in Bermuda, who have very different needs and
require IT help and consultation but may not need someone [in that capacity]
full-time.” Mr Lupsic said: “Some small entities may only need an IT person
for five hours a month — it does not make sense to have an on-site person
doing that work. We have the ability to work with clients and offer flexible
contracts which guarantee that, for example, the patching is being done, and we
are delivering an IT road map for them which we consistently manage as part of
that contract.” Gnosis started in December. Mr Lupsic said: “We’re
building something really special on the ground in Bermuda and we’ve enjoyed
tackling the challenges we faced in our first few months of our startup journey.
We’ve been able to establish frameworks and our clients are happy with how we
are performing.” He is excited to offer quality and cost effective solutions
to clients, and also by the growth of fintech, cybersecurity and compliance
requirements. In addition, he is enthusiastic about bringing new technology to
the Bermuda market and using automation to assist in managing IT infrastructure.
As the company grows it intends to bring in and develop young Bermudians in the
technology sector. The Gnosis team this month volunteered its services to assist
the Technology Leadership Forum.
Bermuda
will be aiming to clinch further glory at the third annual Carifta Triathlon and
Aquathlon Championships in Montego Bay, Jamaica, starting tomorrow. The
15-member team will be looking to build on the momentum of 12 months ago in
Tobago, where Bermuda clinched a second-place finish overall in the medal table,
with Jasmine Hasselkuss and Nick Pilgrim both adding gold to the overall haul.
The majority of team members from last year’s success return for this year’s
competition, which kicks off with the 16 to 19 age group aquathlon (swim
followed by a run), followed by the 11 to 12 and the 13 to 15 age group
triathlons. On Sunday, the younger age groups will compete in the aquathlon
followed by a sprint distance triathlon for the 16 to 19 age group. This year
the event organisers have also added have an open, sprint-distance triathlon to
proceedings in which Neil De Ste Croix, the team’s coach, and parents Clive
Langley and Arthur Wightman will be competing. Rounding out the event will be a
mixed team relay aquathlon, which will comprise teams of two males and two
females, with each team member swimming 250 metres and running 2½ kilometres
before tagging the next team member. Ahead of their departure, the athletes were
handed a welcome boost, with De Ste Croix revealing that two-times world
champion and national hero Flora Duffy, fresh from her gold medal-winning return
to action at the Tokyo Olympic Test Event on Wednesday, took time to give her
well wishes to the team. “The athletes are all extremely focused and have
trained exceptionally hard to get to where they are fitness wise,” said De Ste
Croix "They were given a huge boost on Thursday morning with a video
message from world-class triathlete and local treasure, Flora Duffy, from Japan
where she had just won the Olympic test event. As a coach I am immensely proud
of each and every athlete and am excited to see them perform over the
weekend.”
Scott
Barnes has stepped in as a replacement for navigator Matthew Smith and will team
up with pilot David Selley in the Rubis Around the Island Power Boat Race on
Sunday. Smith will be off the island for the annual race, which was
postponed last weekend because of unfavorable weather conditions. Despite having
to switch navigators, Selley is confident of striking up a quick understanding
with Barnes and said the pair were “prepared to go to battle” when they take
to the start-finish line at Ferry Reach. "Unfortunately, Matthew had to go
away and is pretty bummed out about that, so Scott Barnes will be jumping in the
boat,” Selley said. “He knows what he needs to do and he’s raced before.
He’s also light, which is good, as the boats are weight sensitive. Scott is a
‘race-head’ so he’ll be fine. You don’t want someone who disagrees with
you. You want someone who is prepared to go to battle and encourage you and not
slow you down.” Selley and Smith set a new A Class record on their way to
clinching both class and line honours after circumnavigating the new 54-mile
racecourse in a time of 55min 11sec last year. They broke the previous record of
55:46, set in 1992 by Andrew DaCosta and co-pilot Chris Smith, the older brother
of Matthew Smith, although Selley said the two records were akin to “comparing
apples with oranges”. He said: “Ours was a new A Class record under the new
A Class rules. We have more horsepower than they used to have.” Selley and
Barnes, the island’s top karting driver, are one of only two boats competing
in the A Class along with Errin Butterfield and navigator Shane Medeiros. “The
goal is go out and beat our record and try to be the first boat back,” Selley
added. “You’re only ever racing your class, but it’s an added bonus if
you’re the first boat back. There will be some good competition. Shane
Madeiros and Errin Butterfield’s A26 boat is almost identical to ours. Those
guys are fast and we’re pretty evenly matched. It could be anyone’s day.”
The B Class boasts the largest racing fleet with nine boats. Among them are the
father and son team of Craig Nesbitt Sr and Jr and 57-year-old Ernie Mello, who
has come out of retirement to make an appearance 40 years after making his race
debut. Mello is set to compete as a navigator on the 19-foot Phantom he owns
along with pilot Cleveland Maybury. The S Class features the second-largest
fleet with five boats, among them top contenders Steven Eversley and navigator
Brandon Franks and the pair of Andrew Cottingham and Henry Talbot. The C Class
has the smallest fleet with Chad Sutherland and navigator Terance Rance the sole
boat having entered. The D Class is slightly larger with Shawn Butterfield and
navigator Jermal Woolridge and the pair of Stuart Durham and Kaya Stewart the
only two teams having entered. The race starts at 2pm, with the A Class the
first scheduled to come off the start-finish line.
Proposed
reforms to health benefits should not be examined to a tight deadline, an
insurance industry leader warned. Peter Lozier, the executive vice-president
of group insurance at Argus Group, said that “health reform of this magnitude
and complexity requires comprehensive input from a breadth of stakeholders”.
He added: “As many details are yet to be determined, we encourage the adoption
of a flexible, rather than fixed, consultation period to ensure all stakeholders
have the opportunity to be heard.” Mr Lozier was speaking after plans were
unveiled last week for a revised package of health insurance benefits designed
to cut out-of-pocket expenses for the public. Kim Wilson, the Minister of
Health, said that the Bermuda Health Plan 2020 would replace the Standard Health
Benefit coverage for all the island’s 65,000 residents. But the level of
coverage, as well as who will administer the scheme, remain unclear. Ms Wilson
said that consultation documents on the plan would be released “over the
coming weeks” and that there would be a four-month consultation period on what
the plan should include and cost. Responsibility for administration of the plan
will also be discussed. Mr Lozier said that the company had a responsibility to
help lower healthcare costs on the island. He added: “We support solutions
that better balance affordability and quality care. We remain an active
contributor in the Health Financing Reform Stakeholder Consultation Group and
welcome further consultation by the Government as they develop the Bermuda
Health Plan.” Mr Lozier said that healthy lifestyles, backed by healthcare
professionals, “is the key to driving down overall health costs. This is why
Argus continues to invest in chronic disease prevention and care management to
improve the financial and physical wellness of Bermuda residents. We are
committed to working with the Government to provide health management tools and
programmes that improve the population’s health.” Naz Farrow, the chief
executive of insurance firm Colonial Group International, said last week that
the company agreed with the “high-level goals” proposed in the BHP. But she
warned: “The proposed creation of a ‘new healthcare system’ will be a
massive and complex undertaking requiring the highest degree of technical and
financial planning, co-ordination and community co-operation.” Ms Farrow said
the company welcomed Ms Wilson’s “commitment to meaningful and effective
consultation with stakeholders”. She added: “We also appreciate the
minister’s statement that the road map to achieving the 2020 plan, as she
framed it, is ‘complicated’ with much to be made clear on economic,
administrative and transitional questions that will have material effect on the
viability of the plan itself.” Insurance firm BF&M did not respond to a
request for comment. Ms Wilson said last week that the unified system was
“best suited to achieve efficiencies, economies of scale and cost savings. A
unified system means that all residents will be in the same basic insurance
pool, sharing health costs throughout all of Bermuda’s residents.” The
government website estimated the prospective plan could cut health expenditure
for a family of four from $25,536 a year to $17,068 compared to the present
system. A hypothetical model for a single adult showed the annual cost of $7,058
going down to $6,308, with suggested savings such as:
A
serial conman who defrauded his friends of thousands of dollars was jailed for
three years yesterday and ordered to make reparations to his victims.
Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons said Jonathan Ratteray had multiple chances to
change his mind about his schemes but instead relentlessly pursued more money.
And she said he had lost the benefit of a guilty plea by making allegations,
rejected by the court, that his victims thought they were investing in criminal
activities. Mrs Justice Simmons told Ratteray: “You used various degrees of
coercion and intimidation to scam people over a prolonged period of time. You
could have come to your senses and stopped your criminality at an earlier
point.” Mrs Justice Simmons added: “You took nothing positive away from your
previous convictions and sentences. The three years in prison should be followed
by two years of probation with a reparations order to come into effect six
months after probation begins. It’s up to you now, Mr Ratteray.” Ratteray,
32, from Smith’s, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraudulent inducement to
invest between November 2017 and January 2019. He was set to be sentenced on
Monday, but the hearing was adjourned after he made scurrilous allegations that
his victims believed they were investing in the drug trade. But at a special
“Newton” hearing in the trial yesterday morning, both complainants fiercely
denied the allegations and maintained that Ratteray had claimed their
investments were above board. Bryon Sheppard, a former co-worker of Ratteray
conned out of more than $26,000, said he was promised his funds would be
invested in cryptocurrency through a Hamilton-based underwriter. And Chae Powell
said he was told his $6,650 would be put towards a plan to invest in foreign
currency and that he did not believe that Ratteray, a family friend, would
defraud him. Both said they trusted Ratteray, only to lose their entire
investments. Mrs Justice Simmons found that both the victims were consistent,
believable and truthful in their evidence. She added: “The courts reject the
defence version of facts and will sentence Ratteray based on the Crown’s
case.” Larissa Burgess, for the Crown, said Ratteray had attempted to
manipulate the court for a more favourable sentence, and in the process he victimized
the complainants again. She added: “The defendant has done nothing more than
to show himself as being untrustworthy and now, in his latest stunt, he
attempted to con the courts.” Ms Burgess called for a sentence of between two
and three years, along with reparations for the victims, given his history of
similar offences. Elizabeth Christopher, for Ratteray, argued a sentence of
between 18 months and two years followed by a period of probation would be more
suitable. She also argued against a reparations order, which she said would
amount to a “life sentence” for her client. Ms Christopher added the
complainants should have expected that any investment comes with a risk. Mrs
Justice Simmons said: “But you don’t expect someone like Bernie Madoff. You
don’t expect someone to give you false reports on earnings.” Ratteray
himself apologised to his victims and the court. He said: “These people
didn’t deserve the things I did to them. There is a deep-rooted issue that I
need to get sorted out. I’m just asking for some help in that direction.
Paying them back ... I don’t know how I’m going to come about it, but I will
try my best.” Ratteray was previously sentenced to 18 months behind bars in
2013 after he admitted ten counts of dishonestly obtaining property. He told his
victims he would invest the money and guaranteed quick returns, but used the
cash to pay his bills and defrauded two victims of $17,000 over a two-month
period. As part of his sentence he was ordered to pay back $13,940 — but still
owes more than $10,000. Ratteray also spent a year in jail for defrauding former
cricketer Barry DeCouto of $74,600. At that time, he told the senior the money
would go to a friend who needed help to pay his mother’s medical bills.
Massive
increases of up to $880 in six-month land tax bills have left seniors worried
over how they will make ends meet. Seniors were shocked when they got their
invoices which were much higher than six months ago. One homeowner told The
Royal Gazette: “We opened up our land tax bill and noticed that it had gone up
significantly. When I looked back at the last bill I saw it had gone up $887.50.
We are over 65, way over, we do get $900 exemption but the increase has
basically wiped out the exemption.” She added: “The Government needs to
rethink this latest insult to the people of Bermuda.” The woman explained that
she and her husband, of Devonshire, had earlier owned retail businesses in
Hamilton and had always hired Bermudians. She said: “We have saved for our
retirement and live on a very fixed income, just getting by, in this very
expensive country.” The 76-year-old added: “We’ve done everything right,
and now this. I have not taken anything from Government, ever.” Curtis
Dickinson, the Minister of Finance, announced an annual $300 base charge on all
homes in the 2019-20 Budget in February. The changes to land taxes, which are
determined by annual rental values, also included zero rates on properties with
ARVs up to $22,000. Fees on homes with ARVs between $44,001 and $90,000 jumped
from 12 per cent to 17 per cent, and those in the next bracket, up to $120,000,
increased from 25 per cent to 30 per cent when the new rates came into effect at
the start of last month. Mr Dickinson said seniors would continue to get an
exemption on properties with an ARV of $45,500 or less. The woman explained that
the couple had earlier paid $2,130 in land tax on their home, which has an ARV
of $81,000, and the most recent bill was for $3,017.50. She said: “We could
barely pay the $2,000 and now we’re being asked to pay $3,000, how can someone
on a fixed income afford that?” Her husband added: “The biggest problem with
Bermuda right now is there’s not enough people to pay taxes and keep the
country running, everybody’s got to pay more. We don’t have a problem with
that, but I think they have to treat the seniors a little better.” Another
woman said she was alarmed by the $150 surcharge on each of the four rental
properties connected to her home. The 68-year-old, from Hamilton Parish, said
she benefited from land tax relief on the apartment she lives in through the
seniors’ exemption. But she said she covered the land taxes on her rented
properties, only two of which are occupied, and that she tried to keep rents low
in fairness to the tenants. The homeowner said: “As a black person, when you
retire, real estate is the thing to have because you’ve got an income, you
can’t live off the government pension, you save your money and you buy
property. All my apartments rent for less than $2,000 because I try not to
overcharge people but I still have to pay house insurance, land tax and things
... me and my husband won’t have enough money to live off. I know they say you
can pass the land tax off to the tenants so now I’m wondering if I should go
to rent control, get all my rents raised and pass all this money off to the
tenants, which is unfair to them as well.” Age Concern Bermuda said that an
explanation was needed for the $150 surcharge included in the latest bills and
that better communication from the Government would have helped homeowners to
plan their finances. Claudette Fleming, the organisation’s executive director,
said a member alerted the organisation yesterday to the surcharge” which had
“no definition or description” but appeared to be attached to the senior’s
rental unit. She added she had contacted the finance ministry to ask for more
information on the reason for the extra charge, but had yet to get a reply. Dr
Fleming said: “The senior in question, also called the land tax department and
they were unable to explain the nature of the surcharge.” A government
spokeswoman confirmed that the $150 was the half-yearly installment of the $300
base charge introduced by Mr Dickinson in his Budget earlier this year. Dr
Fleming added: “The devil is always in the details. There should be a
description of the charge on the demand notice and a related communications plan
to ensure that seniors in particular understand how the tax will be practically
administered. In addition, language should be clear and consistent, for example
‘base charge’ is identified in the minister’s statement but the language
‘surcharge’ is used on the demand notice or invoice. Most of us won’t have
connected the two, that is if we even recalled what the minister said way back
in February. Mr Dickinson said in February that land tax was expected to raise
$85.4 million in this financial year. Tax rates on homes with an ARV of between
$22,001 and $44,000 remained unchanged and owners of properties with ARVs of
more than $120,000 saw the rates rise from 47 to 50 per cent.
Independent
Lloyd’s of London broker Tysers has announced the launch of a Bermudian-based
affiliate. Tysers (Bermuda) Ltd will be headed by Richard Tomkins, who has
relocated from London to become managing director of Tysers Bermuda. He was
managing director of reinsurance at Tysers, and has more than 30 years of
insurance brokerage experience and has covered both mainstream and specialty
areas, predominantly in the treaty and binding authority lines of coverage, the
company said. In 2006 he joined Integro Insurance Brokers Ltd, which now trades
as Tysers, along with Nick Harrap to grow the firm’s reinsurance business. Mr
Harrap is the new managing director of reinsurance for Tysers, following Mr
Tomkins’s move. “I’m excited to build the Tysers Bermuda office. Tysers
Bermuda will provide access to additional insurance markets for our independent
broker relationships globally,” Mr Tomkins said. “We see particularly
attractive opportunities that will complement our specialty focus in both
insurance and reinsurance, along with providing additional capacity for our
clients globally, where other markets are not responding to the demand.” He
added: “Overall, this will provide our clients with the best possible
solutions. We are also actively seeking to build our broking capabilities and
expertise in Bermuda to match our needs as we grow the office.” Jason Collins,
co-head of Tysers, said: “Tysers sees the expansion of the office in Bermuda,
to serve its worldwide clients, as an important part of our overall strategic
plan. Our commitment to Bermuda is demonstrated by moving Richard, an important
leader of Tysers, to lead this new venture. He has supported the growth of our
London business over the last 13 years and is the ideal person to execute this
part of our strategy.” London-based Tysers employs more than 500 people and
handles upwards of $2 billion in annual premiums working with leading
re/insurance markets worldwide to deliver risk solutions to a global client
base, the company said.
Axis
Re has named Gino Smith as head of property for EMEA LatAm. The Bermudian
will take on the role in November, overseeing Axis Re’s property treaty
reinsurance business in Europe, Middle East and Africa, as well as Latin
America. Mr Smith joins the company, which is part of Bermudian-based Axis
Capital Holdings Limited, after 19 years in underwriting roles at Axa XL Re in a
number of locations including Bermuda, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico. A
graduate of Berkeley Institute and Bermuda College, Mr Smith went on to study at
Saint John’s University, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and Harvard
Business School. He speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. In his new role he
will be based in Zurich and report to Andy Hottinger, president EMEA LatAm. Mr
Hottinger said: “Gino is a talented underwriter with a diverse professional
background and underwriting experience that spans multiple geographies,
including Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean and the United States.”
Flora
Duffy made an astonishing winning comeback in a controversial Tokyo Olympic Test
Event last night, with a performance she described as “best-case scenario”.
Although Duffy finished third behind Jessica Learmonth and Georgia Taylor-Brown,
the Bermudian was later awarded the win after the British pair’s were
disqualified for trying to finish the race in a tie. Competing for the first
time in 14 months because of a career-threatening foot injury, Duffy beamed as
she crossed the line and pumped her fist in a celebratory gesture after passing
her first test with flying colours. At times it was almost like Duffy had never
been away, particularly during the 40-kilometre bike, where she showed glimpses
of her hard-charging best, leading the front pack for long periods and dictating
the pace. “This was my first race in over a year, so there was a lot of
cobwebs to blow out,” said Duffy, speaking before Learmonth and
Taylor-Brown’s disqualification I felt very rusty out there and it was hard
from the start for me. I haven’t done this intensity for a year, but I’m
just happy to be back. There was a lot of time during the past year when I
didn’t think I would be back, didn’t think I would run again, didn’t think
I’d ever be back at the point end of the race. This is best-case scenario. I
loved the course and it was just great be racing with girls again and feel like
myself.” Duffy completed the Olympic-distance race, including a run reduced to
5km because of the searing morning heat, in a time of 1hr 40min 19sec — 11
seconds behind Learmonth and Taylor-Brown. Alice Betto, of Italy, was second in
1:40:54 and Vicky Holland third in 1:41:11. Duffy said it was important to familiarize
herself with the course at Odaiba Marine Park, where the Olympics will be held
next summer. “The whole point of coming here was to check out the venue, check
out the course and see the conditions,” Duffy added. “I love racing in hot
and humid weather and that felt pretty good today. I’m just lacking a bit of
race fitness. That was the hardest part for me. It was a great course and I look
forward to next year.” She will now switch her focus to the ITU World
Triathlon Grand Final in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she will take the next
step in her recovery in two weeks’ time. Katie Zaferes, who has dominated the
World Triathlon Series in Duffy’s absence, did not finish after being involved
in bike crash with her United States team-mate Kirsten Kasper.
Nobel
Prize-winning author and academic Toni Morrison was a “mesmerising” speaker
30 years after she visited the island to help mark the 150th anniversary of the
Bermuda National Library. Ruth Thomas, a former government cultural affairs
officer, said she was a regular guest for dinner at Ms Morrison’s home in New
York state with people like film-maker Spike Lee and poet Amiri Baraka after
they were introduced through a friend. Ms Thomas accompanied her friend, the
American playwright Shauneille Perry, to New Year’s Day dinners at the
author’s home in the 1970s and 1980s. She said: “She was always in the
middle of a book, and her use of language was mesmerizing to listen to,” Ms
Thomas said. “She also cooked wonderful meals. She would get annoyed with us
because we could never eat it all.” Ms Morrison, who died on August 5, aged
88, will be honoured by the Bermuda International Film Festival with a second
showing of Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am at 6.30pm on Wednesday at the
Specialty Cinema in Hamilton. The documentary was shown on the island two days
after Ms Morrison’s death. Ms Morrison started the 1970s with the publication
of her debut novel, The Bluest Eye, and as her fame grew, so did the roster of
guests at her dinners. Ms Thomas said American writer James Baldwin was a
no-show one year because he insisted on being driven to the house. She added:
“Toni would have writers and actors there and would hold forth — I don’t
think I said a word; I would just listen to her. She was very sensitive and
hated injustice. She was very concerned about the plight of blacks in the past.
She had a vibrant face and thick hair like a lion, with a very powerful
expression, very intuitive and discerning. Racial discrimination stalked Ms
Morrison’s guests on their journeys to her house in an upmarket area. Her home
was in a very secluded, wealthy, white area, and most of her guests were black
and would have come from far away. One year [poet] Amiri Baraka walked in
furious, because the local-area police had stopped him. The police watched you
the whole time you were in the area. I remember being followed.” Ms Thomas met
Ms Morrison again in 1989 when she picked her up at the airport with the late
politician Louise Jackson, who threw a party for the author at her home. Cyril
Packwood, a historian and then the head of the library, had suggested bringing
Ms Morrison to the island to mark the library’s milestone. Ms Jackson, a board
member who had attended Washington’s prestigious Howard University at the same
time as Ms Morrison, orchestrated the visit. Ms Morrison’s bestseller,
Beloved, had won a Pulitzer Prize the year before and Ms Morrison was at the
height of her fame. Ms Thomas said: “She was sizing the place up. She’d
never been here before, and she was fascinated by the ocean, the colour of
it.” Florenz Maxwell, a historian and former head of the Youth Library, also
met the author. She said: “There was something about her presence that awed
you.” Ms Maxwell said The Bluest Eye was her favourite of Ms Morrison’s
books. She added: “She was famous, and I was in my glory meeting her. I liked
the emphasis she placed on the positive side of liking your blackness. She
inspired me as a writer, and writers need as much inspiration as they can get,
particularly in an isolated place like Bermuda. She wrote in the same vein as I
wanted to.” She added the two might have met years earlier because she was
offered the chance to attend school in Lorain, Ohio, where Ms Morrison, one year
her senior, was born and raised. Ms Maxwell said: “A woman who came to our
church conference heard me recite a poem I had composed, and asked my father if
she could take me to the high school at Lorain. My father didn’t want me to
go. Later I realised I would probably have gone to the same high school as
her.”
As
part of the celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary, the Bermuda Monetary
Authority (BMA) has expanded its community outreach this year to boost five
on-island charities through its “Days of Giving” programme. One of those
charities is Family Centre. BMA staff assisted with the charity’s Cup Match
tag day and through denim day donations. This year the BMA is partnering with
five registered charities with missions that address areas such as children and
families, arts and culture, the environment, education and seniors. In addition,
21 Bermuda charities will benefit from monies raised by staff who participate in
the BMA’s “Charitable Fridays”— internal dress-down days held on the
second and fourth Friday of each month in exchange for a minimum donation
benefiting the selected charity.
Angry
contractors plan to sue for millions of dollars in unpaid bills for work on the
stalled Caroline Bay development at Morgan’s Point, two construction firms
involved in the project said yesterday. The two warned legal action was
“imminent” and one estimated that between $5 million and $10 million was
owed to about 25 firms. One said the majority of the contractors had taken legal
advice on an action against Brian Duperreault, the chairman of Caroline Bay
Limited. He added: “The feeling is that Mr Duperreault could easily pay off
the contractors and call it a day.” He highlighted a scaffolding supplier owed
$170,000 who was now struggling to pay his children’s school fees. He
said: “It’s always the small guy who gets hit the most. It’s been six
months of just empty answers, nobody is saying the right thing and guys have
realised they have no recourse.” Another contractor warned: “It’s
imminent. Writs will be dropped in a matter of weeks. There is a majority team
that has taken advice and another splinter group that’s taken different
advice, but I’m sure everyone will join in on the action.” He said one
contractor was owed more than $1 million. “There are some in the range of
$300,000 to $500,000 and a lower tier within $100,000. All in all, it could go
to $5 million to $10 million.” He added: “There are people who have missed
mortgage payments and can’t make insurance commitments because of that
development.” The development on the former United States military base was
put on notice last month by Curtis Dickinson, the Minister of Finance, who told
the House of Assembly that “the economics of the development must be
recast”. Both contractors said the project had been poorly managed and had run
short of finance on a regular basis. The Ritz-Carlton Caroline Bay hotel resort
at Morgan’s Point was heralded as a bonanza for Bermudian firms at its
groundbreaking in 2016. But Parliament heard last month that developers had
advised the Government in February 2018 of “significant financing issues”
that jeopardized construction. Work on the hotel phase was halted in March last
year, but limited work continued on the site’s residential units. The two
contractors who spoke to The Royal Gazette said work at the site had been
at a standstill since late last year. One said that several residential units
were unfinished and that metalwork was “at risk of rusting because of the salt
air”. He added: “I don’t think all the windows are in place. There was a
lot of metal used in the interior.” The second said: “Some of what’s there
will have to be redone.” The man continued: “Anything exposed to the
elements, whether it’s foundation with rebar or the windows and doors and
exterior items sitting with no service and maintenance. If it’s not being
used, it will deteriorate.” A third contractor said the site was “in varying
stages of completion with some buildings with no roof and some metal studs
exposed to the elements”. He added: “A few of the units are fully complete
and even furnished for show. And there is everything in between.” The
contractor said the site had “components that are just sitting there not being
used, including electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air
conditioning systems, doors and windows”. He added: “With no use or
maintenance happening, for sure product is deteriorating.” Mr Dickinson
highlighted Caroline Bay’s reliance on a guarantee from the Government “to
the tune of $165 million” last month. Caroline Bay’s board announced in June
“an agreement which will provide the financing to continue construction”.
But Mr Dickinson told MPs that “a term sheet or draft terms of agreement do
not represent irrevocable financing and should not be termed as such” and said
the development needed to be “devised with a realistic view of the world
economy”. Neither Mr Duperreault nor a Caroline Bay spokesman responded to a
request for comment yesterday.
A
former Bermuda resident has been jailed in Prague over a credit card debt in the
Middle East. South West News Service in the UK said that Alan Stevenson,
from Manchester, England, was arrested in June on his way to visit his mother in
the UK. Mr Stevenson is understood to have worked at the Bank of Bermuda in the
mid to late 2000s. A spokeswoman with HSBC Bermuda said yesterday: “HSBC takes
the issue of confidentiality very seriously and as such is not able to discuss
any matters in relation to existing or former employees.” Mr Stevenson was an
avid golfer during his time in Bermuda, taking part in a number of tournaments.
The news agency said that Mr Stevenson’s name appeared on an Interpol list for
an outstanding credit card debt that he had racked up while in Qatar six years
earlier. It was not clear how much the debt is for. SWNS said that Mr Stevenson
has been kept on 23-hour-a-day lockdown in Pankrac Remand, a notorious Prague
prison, since his arrest. Mr Stevenson’s health was said to have suffered and
that he had lost more than 20lbs. The British-Australian dual national now faces
extradition to Qatar. Mr Stevenson worked as an IT manager in Doha in 2013. He
opened a bank account which required him to submit a blank cheque to act as
collateral against the card and to be used to cover any outstanding funds if he
ever failed to pay. The news service said that Mr Stevenson had been forced to
return to the UK after his mother became sick. He notified the bank and tried to
work out a payment plan on the cash owed. But the bank attempted to cash the
cheque which bounced. Mr Stevenson was convicted in his absence over the
insufficient funds cheque and reported to Interpol, which classified him as a
wanted person. His family members are said to have contacted the British and
Australian embassies in the Czech Republic and have been told his case is being
reviewed.
A renewable energy company has
predicted it will exceed expectations with a new solar farm on a disused airport
runway. Saturn Solar Bermuda 1 explained its objectives in a string of documents
submitted as part of a licence application posted on the Regulatory Authority
website. The firm, part of Canadian-based Saturn Power, said it aimed to develop
a six-megawatt power plant on the unused “finger” at the airport. It said in
a Bulk Generation Licence application: “The goal of the project is to produce
clean, emission-free, and sustainable power through the conversion of sunlight
into electricity therefore reducing Bermuda’s dependence on dirty diesel power
generation. This project provides the island of Bermuda with a price-stable and
cost-efficient source of electricity with predictable supply. Saturn Power’s
mission is to ensure the safe, efficient and timely installation of the project
and long-term operation of the project to exceed the expectations of the
Government of Bermuda, the citizens of Bermuda and local agencies.” The
application showed the ownership structure of the company. It added: “At
Saturn Power Inc, this same team has been responsible for the development,
permitting, engineering, financing, and construction of over 70MWs of solar
facilities in Canada and internationally. The company was founded over ten years
ago and has seen great success with renewable energy development.” Walter
Roban, the home affairs minister, said: “I am pleased that the project has
progressed from a proposal phase towards becoming a reality.” He explained in
June 2018, when he was the Minister of Transport and Regulatory Affairs, that
Saturn Power had submitted the lowest bid out of nine proposals, six of which
were Bermudian, and offered a rate of 10.3 cents per kilowatt hour. The Bermuda
Government will collect rent for the site, although the licence application said
that the lease was “in the process of being amended between the parties”.
Portions of the company’s submission were removed from the documents released
to the public, including the expected capital cost for the installation as well
as anticipated annual expenses, which were predicted to rise in line with
inflation each year. The application said that a local contractor would be used
to build the solar power station with imported equipment for specialized parts
such as “solar modules, inverters, racking, transformers and other electrical
equipment”. Mr Roban said last year that the deal included an agreement that
all bidders “were required to have Bermudian content in regards to labour
during construction and operations, and maintenance personnel
post-construction”. He explained then that the project will “create an
opportunity for sustainable and sensible competition in the electricity
sector”. Mr Roban added that it would stabilize a portion of ratepayers’
electricity bills for the next 20 years. He said that the replacement of oil
fuel costs with solar power would keep an estimated $20 million or more in the
island’s economy over the project’s lifetime. The Government’s Official
Gazette said that comments on the proposed development could be submitted up to
21 days from the date of the application notice, which was on Monday.
Visitors
to St George’s can meet characters from Bermuda’s 1775 Gunpowder Plot over
the next few weeks. The Bermuda Tourism Authority and Norwegian Cruise Line
is marking the role the scandal played in the island’s historical heritage
with a cultural tourism initiative. Today marks the anniversary of the Gunpowder
Plot, which tested Bermudian loyalty to the Crown and underscored islanders’
close family and commercial ties with America. The Plot also highlighted
Bermudians’ support of George Washington’s Continental Army during the 13
colonies’ Revolutionary War against Britain. On the night of August 14,
several dozen men broke into an unguarded ammunition magazine above Tobacco Bay,
stealing more than 100 casks of gunpowder for delivery to American ships waiting
offshore. The stolen powder made it safely to Washington’s troops, convincing
the Continental Congress to lift its crippling wartime embargo on food and
supplies to the island as a British colony. Local actors, dressed in period
costume, are helping bring the episode to life by regaling town visitors with
facts and anecdotes about the event that exploded tensions between Bermuda, its
colonial governor and the English government. They are portraying characters
such as staunch imperialist governor, George James Bruere, and Colonel Henry
Tucker, long believed to be a conspirator in the plot, in a demonstration from
now until Labour Day week, on Mondays and Wednesdays, between 9.30am and 2.30pm.
BTA chief experience development officer Glenn Jones said: “The feedback from
store managers and visitors so far has been very positive. We’re excited to
introduce these initiatives to St George’s and it’s encouraging to see this
level of support from stakeholders.” NCL guests who browse St George’s shops
featuring Made in Bermuda artisans will be rewarded with a Bermuda gift. Other
activities include a daily Unesco World Heritage Walking Tour, a
behind-the-scenes tour of St Peter’s Church and the daily historic
re-enactment of the Ducking Stool. Corporation secretary Candy-Lee Foggo said:
“We are working to make the town more lively, with craft stalls in King’s
Square, including Ashley’s Lemonade, with its refreshing drinks, plus buskers
playing throughout the town, which all adds to the ambience.” The Bermuda
National Trust has also opened Tucker House, the historically preserved home
where local conspirators were believed to have met, on Mondays and Wednesdays
this month, from 10am to 4pm. More information is available at the Visitor
Services Centre, York Street, from 10am to 4pm.
Air visitor arrivals dropped by 5 per cent year-on-year in the first half of
2019, with the sharpest falls in the number of younger visitors and arrivals
from New York, the tourism authority said yesterday. However, the air arrivals
spent 7 per cent more per person — a 1.4 per cent increase in total air
visitor arrival spending. Kevin Dallas, the chief executive of the Bermuda
Tourism Authority, said: “In the hospitality business, visitor spending is a
metric most closely tied to profitability. “We’re very pleased to see
economic growth in the first half of the year. However, we remain concerned
airlift challenges will continue to negatively affect air arrivals in 2019. We
raised this red flag at the start of the year, and since then, our team has
closed the deal on big-brand event partnerships, including the US Open and the
PGA Tour’s inaugural Bermuda Championship. These are purposeful steps that can
help us offset the constraints on airlift.” Figures released by the BTA showed
the number of air visitor arrivals fell from 66,604 to 64,175 in the second
quarter, with the greatest loss — 1,974 people — in the 25 to 34 age
bracket. Combined with a decrease in air arrivals in the first quarter, total
air visitor arrivals fell from 92,920 to 88,263 — 5 per cent — in the first
six months of the year. The lower number of leisure air visitors also caused a
decrease in hotel occupancy, which fell 3.3 per cent year-on-year in the quarter
and 4.4 per cent in the first half of 2019. But the visitors who arrived in
Bermuda by air between April and June spent a total of 2.4 per cent more on the
island — $98.5 million compared with $96.2 million in the same period last
year, an increase of $2.3 million. Air visitors spent a total of almost $132
million in the first six months of the year. Mr Dallas explained: “After
twelve consecutive quarters of leisure air arrival growth dating back to January
2016, the sharp increases Bermuda experienced over the past three years are leveling
off. This is not unexpected and not overly worrying, because our
overall trajectory is strong. In fact, statistically, 2019 is outpacing 2017,
which at that time was a record-breaking year.” He added: “With new hotel
inventory, new marketing partnerships and new on-island experiences on the way
in the next several years and visitor spending on the rise, we believe the
future for Bermuda’s tourism industry remains the brightest it’s been in a
generation.” The decline in air visitors was also blamed on a drop in the
number of seats available from New York to Bermuda in the first half of the
year. A BTA spokeswoman said: “At the BTA’s Outlook Forum back in February,
officials warned that while 2018 leisure air arrival numbers had reached a
16-year high and third consecutive year of growth, business and visiting friends
and relatives travel had declined sharply — down more than 30 per cent since
2007. This scenario is impacting the amount of inventory airlines assigned to
Bermuda.” Cruise ship passenger arrivals were up in the first half of the
year, with a 15 per cent year-on-year increase, up from 201,179 to 231,495 —
30,316 people. The cruise ship passenger increase meant boosted tourism figures
in the first six months of the year, with 319,758 total leisure visitors this
year compared to 294,099 in the same period in 2018 — a total of 25,659
people.
A
drop in the number of younger visitors hit leisure air arrivals between April
and June, the Bermuda Tourism Authority said yesterday. The largest decline
in visitors was in the 25 to 34 age bracket, which saw a 13.5 per cent decline
over the period — 1,934 people. The numbers in the 18 to 24 age bracket fell
8.3 per cent and the number in the 35 to 44 age bracket dropped by 5.6 per cent.
The total drop in the number of visitors in the three age brackets amounted to
2,871. The first quarter experienced similar declines in the same age groups, a
total of 4,670 fewer visitors in the first half of the year. Despite the decline
in overall leisure air arrivals, the number of visitors over the age of 55 grew
by about 2 per cent with 403 additional visitors in the second quarter and 552
in the first half of the year. New York, Bermuda’s largest tourism market,
suffered the greatest decline in visitor air arrivals. A total of 3,182 fewer
visitors came to the island in the first six months of the year compared with
the first half of last year — a drop of more than 12 per cent from 26,294
people to 23,112. Boston, Hartford/New Haven, Baltimore, Chicago and most US
West Coast locations also suffered declines. But the number of tourists flying
from Philadelphia went up by 407 and the number from Washington increased by 210
people. The number of people who flew to the island for concerts and carnivals
rose slightly, from 311 to 361. But destination weddings guest figures dropped
from 3,397 to 2,854, and the number of visitors who came for sporting events
fell from 994 to 813. The BTA also reported that the average visitor spend an
additional $90 in the quarter compared to last year — an average spend of
$1,534 per person. Leisure visitors also stayed slightly longer, with the
average duration of stay extending from 5.19 days to 5.28 days. Yacht arrivals
fell by more than one third from 3,591 to 2,208, with declines in all size
categories.
Tourists
and residents have called for public toilets at three South Shore beaches to be
cleaned up. The bathrooms at Jobson’s Cove, Chaplin Bay and Elbow Beach
all came in for criticism from beachgoers when The Royal Gazette toured South
Shore beaches last week. But visitors gave the thumbs up to Horseshoe Bay, which
has been renovated to include extensive facilities and is cleaned by staff three
times a day. Cruise ship visitor Alex Camboa said he was appalled by the
“gross” state of the bathroom at Jobson’s Cove. He found it to be littered
with toilet tissue, discarded lighters and cigarette butts. He added the
bathroom smelled and the taps and soap dispensers did not work. The 23-year-old,
from New Jersey, said he would have to wash his hands in the sea. He said: “I
love your island, but this is disgusting.” Shai Richardson, a camper at
Chaplin Bay, said the bathrooms there had no lights. She said: “You can’t
even use them at night because it’s completely dark. It can be a little bit
scary. We don’t like bringing the little kids down there at night.” Ms
Richardson added that regular maintenance was needed to keep the bathrooms in
good condition. She said only some of the sinks worked, but that they were
“useless if there’s no soap”. Joanne Simmons, 62, a veteran of 44 years of
camping, said the Chaplin Bay bathrooms were “much better” than they used to
be and were clear of cockroaches and flies. But she added: “There is always
room for improvement.” Ms Simmons said: “There are no trash cans whatsoever,
none outside, none inside. You can’t even wash your hands when you’re
finished using the bathroom.” Nelson Brangman, originally from Bermuda,
visited the island from New Jersey with American Tatiana Medley. Mr Brangman
said that the public bathrooms at Elbow Beach needed to be better monitored and
cleaned on a regular basis. He added: “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy,
but every day the bathrooms need to be cleaned by somebody.” Ms Medley said
the Elbow Beach portable toilet was “unsanitary” and that “I have a fear
that everything is dirty in there”. Horseshoe Bay had the only toilets that
won praise. Leonardo Hickney, a tourist from New York, said the was
“satisfied” with the condition of the bathrooms. He added: “I’ve
definitely seen much worse. They’re good quality — there’s enough stalls,
everything works fine.” The Department of Parks said that the bathrooms were
serviced every other day. A spokeswoman said: “The Department of Parks makes a
concerted effort to proactively address complaints regarding the condition of
these facilities within a 24 to 48-hour time frame.” The spokeswoman added:
“The Ministry takes this opportunity to urge the community to be respectful of
these public facilities as their purpose is to serve the entire community who
seek to enjoy Bermuda’s public beaches and parks.”
An
elderly Bermudian man who collapsed in Florida while on a cruise with his family
said staff at Port Canaveral saved his life after he collapsed with a heart
attack. Peter Rego, 72, had just left a cruise ship when he collapsed, but
was helped by a group of port employees and medical professionals. Mr Rego said
in a video posted online after his release from hospital: “God bless them all.
Deep in my heart I appreciate what they did for me and I will never, ever forget
it.” The Bermudian said the last thing he remembered was his sight becoming
blurred as he talked to his daughter at the bottom of the ship’s gangway on
August 4. Sean Summers, a port worker, said he ran to help Mr Rego after he
heard people scream. Mr Summers said: “I noticed a man sprawled out on the
ground. I grabbed a radio and said I need paramedics, ‘Asap’.” His
co-worker, Josh Clayton, ran to get a portable defibrillator and another port
worker, Stephanie Dobson, stayed with Mr Rego. Ms Dobson said: “We were doing
CPR. There was no pulse noted. Josh was running back with the defibrillator from
the terminal. We shocked him once and there was a return of the pulse.” She
added: “If he had been in a shuttle on the way home or to the airport, it
might have been a different outcome.” Mr Rego, from St George’s, said he was
told after he awoke that he had had two blocked arteries and that surgeons had
put in four stents to correct the problem. Kathy Longworth, Mr Rego’s
daughter, said in a video posted by the port authority: “Thank you for being
there — for being at the right place at the right time. Thank you for just
stepping in, and not thinking twice about what you were doing. You saved his
life.”
Three
police officers have successfully completed a training programme. The
officers — two women and one man — completed the close protection officers
course and were recognised at a ceremony last Friday. The 4½-week course
provides training in protecting Government officials and other important
figures. The names of the officers who completed the course were not provided by
the Bermuda Police Service due to their professional responsibilities. Four male
officers from the British Virgin Islands also took part in the training
programme. A police spokesman said: “Though the BPS has provided this training
to local officers over the years, Friday marked the first time that local female
officers and overseas officers successfully completed the training.” Darrin
Simons, the acting deputy commissioner, said that “hearty congratulations”
were in order for the seven officers. He added: “It is especially pleasing to
highlight Bermuda’s first female close protection officers, as well as the
first overseas close protection officers trained in Bermuda from BVI. This would
not have been possible without the hard work of the training centre staff, who
are to be commended for their efforts. We look forward to hosting future
specialist training opportunities for local and overseas officers.”
A
man yesterday switched his plea to four charges of bank fraud to guilty. Angelo
Toussay, 35, admitted the theft of $2,350 from HSBC and an attempt to steal a
further $8,590. He also pleaded guilty in Magistrates’ Court yesterday to
possession of plastic cards with magnetic strips and a machine designed to make
false credit cards for the purpose of stealing money in St George’s. The
offences took place between July 20 and 24. Toussay, from the Dutch Caribbean
country of St Maarten, on Saint Martin, denied the charges when he appeared in
Magistrates’ Court on July 29. Magistrate Maxanne Anderson remanded Toussay in
custody for sentence on August 16.
A
store owner and cancer survivor said yesterday she almost cried after a man
stole a charity box set up to help sufferers from the disease. Bernette
Forde, of Bargain Hunters Hardware Store in Sandys, said she was “stunned”
when she discovered the donation box for cancer charity Pals had been stolen
last November. She said: “I was so upset I nearly cried. I’m a two-time
cancer survivor and Pals had helped me when I was sick, so when we opened up our
business in July I wanted to give back to Pals.” Ms Forde added: “If he
stole a bag of chips, I would’ve been willing to leave it alone, but, because
it was a charity box and it was for a good cause, that meant a lot to me. It
kind of hurt my feelings.” She was speaking after Jean Rouget, 54, pleaded
guilty yesterday in Magistrates’ Court to the theft of the box on November 19
last year. The court heard that Ms Forde, 62, noticed that the donation box was
missing when she was opening the store on November 19 last year. She reviewed
CCTV footage and saw that Rouget had come into the store four days earlier and
walked out with the box under his shirt. Ms Forde said: “We had not been
in business that long and I was just stunned that this whole thing had
happened.” She contacted police and Rouget was arrested on a few days later.
The court heard that Rouget, from Sandys, told officers: “Yes it was me. There
was only $25 in the red charity box.” Ms Forde said that she had been
collecting money for cancer patients and hair loss research since September and
planned to donate the proceeds to Pals once the box was full. She added that in
the nine months since the theft the store had made back less than half the
amount that was stolen. Ms Forde said that the box, which cost $30, had been
destroyed when Rouget broke into it. She explained that she had contacted PALS
soon after the theft to get a more secure box, but had not heard back from them.
Ms Forde added that Rouget had not offered to repay the cash. She said: “I
haven’t gotten anything; not even an apology from him.” Rouget told the
court that he had drug and psychiatric problems. He added that he went into the
store to buy something, but saw the donation box and stole it. Alan Richards,
for the prosecution, said that Rouget had a history of shoplifting, but added
that “stealing from a charity takes things to a new level”. Magistrate
Maxanne Anderson ordered a social inquiry report, a mental health assessment and
a drug assessment on Rouget. He was also referred to today’s sitting of the
drug treatment court. Ms Forde said that she was pleased Rouget had been caught,
but that she wanted him to get treatment. She added: “I would have forgotten
the whole thing, because I kind of felt sorry for the guy. I heard he was on
drugs or something, so I even considered not pressing charges, but then I really
didn’t know what to do. I would suggest people not steal at all, but if
you’re going to steal, leave the charity box alone; at least because it’s
for a good cause.”
Bermudian
lawyers Henry Tucker and Kyle Masters have been relocated to the Hong Kong
office of international law firm Carey Olsen. Their arrival in Hong Kong
gives the office Bermuda law capabilities, the firm said. The office now boasts
British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda-qualified lawyers. The two
Bermudian lawyers were members of the dispute resolution and litigation practice
at Carey Olsen Bermuda prior to heading to Hong Kong. Mr Tucker advises on all
aspects of offshore commercial and trust litigation with a specific focus on
arbitration, enforcement and insolvency issues, the firm said. Praised for being
“client-centric in every aspect of his legal practice” in the most recent
edition of Chambers Global, he has more than ten years’ experience before the
Commercial Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in Bermuda. Mr Masters has
extensive experience in regulatory and compliance law, internal and external
risk mitigation, corporate governance and enforcement actions, the firm said. He
has appeared before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal in Bermuda,
undertaking a wide variety of commercial and civil litigation. Michael Hanson,
managing partner of Carey Olsen Bermuda, said: “Establishing a Bermuda
offering in Hong Kong represents yet another important building block not only
for Carey Olsen Bermuda, but also the wider Carey Olsen group. We have witnessed
and experienced significant interest in our Bermuda services from Hong
Kong-based clients in the past year and are delighted to now be able to offer
this capability going forward on the ground in Hong Kong.” He added:
“Similarly, it is pleasing as a firm that we are able to provide exciting
opportunities like this to talented Bermudian lawyers such as Henry and Kyle as
they continue to progress their own careers.” The ability to provide Bermuda
legal advice in Hong Kong follows the launch in July of Carey Olsen’s
corporate practice in the jurisdiction with the appointment of Michael Padarin,
the firm said. Mr Padarin, who practices BVI and Cayman Islands law, specializes
in the formation, operation and restructuring of private investment funds,
primarily private equity and venture capital funds, and their related fund
sponsor vehicles. Commenting on the arrival of Mr Tucker and Mr Masters, Mr
Padarin said: “They each bring with them a great amount of expertise and
knowledge and we are delighted that Henry and Kyle are joining us at such an
exciting time for Carey Olsen in Hong Kong.” He added: “The size of our team
continues to grow in response to client demand and the ability to now offer
Bermuda law advice on the ground in Asia further strengthens our offering.”
Competitors
will dig in to the 2019 Bermuda Sandcastle Competition this month with $3,500 of
prizes up for grabs. An overall prize of $500 will be awarded to the most
impressive sandcastle at Horseshoe Bay on August 31, with a further $3,000 worth
of cash prizes to be won across four resident categories. And visitors will be
eligible to enter the competition in a special category intended to offer a
unique experience to guests. Hannah Emmerson, the organiser of the annual event,
said free workshops will be held on August 24, 28 and 29 from 5.30pm at
Horseshoe Bay in the lead-up to the competition. She said: “In these sessions,
participants will learn how to create a masterpiece in sand from past champions,
discover quick tips and tricks to keeping sand in place and other details.”
Entry into the competition is free, but teams should register online at website
sandcastle.bm to ensure a place is available. On the day of the event,
competitors will check between 9.30am and noon, with the building beginning at
10am. Participants will receive free beverages on the day of the competition
though a partnership with John Barritt and Sons. Ms Emmerson said: “Each team
will be assigned a building plot of 10ft by 10ft and will be supplied with a
large mound of sand to work with to give them a head start. All sandcastle
building tools must be downed by 4pm, at which time the judges will arrive on
the beach and commence judging.” This year’s judges will include Jamal Hart
from the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation, N’zingha Ming from the
Bermuda Society of Arts Gallery, Tim Morrison from the Hamilton Princess and
Beach Club and David Thomas from the Bermuda Tourism Authority. Ms Emmerson also
said that this year Hamilton Princess had stepped forward as title sponsor for
the competition, with Alexandra Mosher Studio Jewellery, Digicel and the OIL
Group also offering sponsorship. Mr Morrison, general manager of Hamilton
Princess, said: “We are thrilled to be able to support the Bermuda Sandcastle
Competition yet again this year. The event is a fantastic spectacle for locals
and visitors alike and makes for a wonderful day at the beach. We can’t wait
to see what the competitors come up with.” Ms Mosher said: “We incorporate
Bermuda’s iconic pink sand into our products, so we look forward to seeing how
the teams use it to create their sand sculptures at Horseshoe Bay.”
A
Bermuda restaurant chain might have the most exclusive extra virgin olive oil in
the world — the entire production of a former island resident who bought an
olive farm in Italy. Françoise Lepercq, who still owns a home in Bermuda
and is a regular visitor, bought a working olive farm in the picture postcard
province of Tuscany five years ago after a decade in her homeland of France.
And, through a friendship with Emilio Barbieri of the Little Venice Group, she
struck a deal to sell the bulk of her oil to the restaurant chain. Ms Lepercq
said: “I found this place in Tuscany with three thousand olive trees. The
former owner was producing oil, so I decided to continue and that’s how it
started.” She added: “I didn’t know anything about olive oil, but I was
lucky enough that the person who worked with the former owner stayed on —
everybody in Tuscany has olive trees, so they know how to take care of them.
They bring the olives to the mill and they have enough for their family. What I
do is just on a larger scale. I have known Emilio for 25 years. It was just by
chance I mentioned I was buying this property and I was going to produce olive
oil. I brought some so he could taste it and he loved the fact it was organic.
That’s how it started.” Now Mr Barbieri takes almost all the olive oil that
Ms Lepercq’s Poderecogna farm produces, an average of more than 2,000 litters
a year, although she said she kept some for friends and family. Ms Lepercq said:
“It’s a small production, but at the same time, it’s large enough to be commercialized.
I was always going to try and sell it but the lucky thing was that Emilio had so
many restaurants, that’s taking almost all of it. I’m very lucky I didn’t
have to work so hard. I just care for the trees and do the best I can. It’s
funny when people in Tuscany ask what I do with the olive oil. They’re very
impressed when I say it goes to Bermuda.” Ms Lepercq explained Tuscan oil used
early harvested olives, picked just before they started to change from green to
black, which gave the product a stronger flavour with hints of “artichoke and
asparagus” unlike varieties produced in the south of the country. She added:
“It’s very green and spicy. That’s the way people in Tuscany like it.
Further south, they wait until the olives are mature, so the oil is softer.”
She said that she kept up another tradition of the former owner — organic
production, but also installed her own olive press and bottling plant so she
could control production every step of the way. Ms Lepercq said: “It’s very
important after the harvest to process the olives as quickly as possible. If
they’re not, the oil would be too acidic and not qualify as extra virgin olive
oil.” She said her oil was also high in antioxidants, like polyphenols, which
are regarded as having healthy properties. “It was tested in a Canadian
laboratory to see what the polyphenol content was, and it had a very high level.
We got a comment from the person who looked at the results and they said it was
very high quality. So it’s not only got a good taste, it’s good for your
health.” Mr Barbieri said: “People love it and we get so many compliments.
People often ask after dinner if they can buy a bottle and we try to oblige.”
Ms Lepercq said Bermuda was likely to stay her main customer. She added: “I
don’t really have plans to expand because most of the land we have is already
planted. The rest of it is a forest and we’re not allowed to change that.
That’s why Tuscany is so beautiful. They try to preserve the forest. It’s
vineyards, olive trees and forests.” Ms Lepercq, 59, who lived on the island
with her family for about a decade until 1998, said: “I come back to Bermuda
probably three or four times a year. I still have strong links to Bermuda — my
daughter loves it here and I love spending the summer here. I also have good
friends who are like family.”
A
trio of American couples who met on honeymoon in Bermuda 50 years ago have
returned to the island to celebrate their golden anniversaries. Marie and
Howard Dupee, Camille and Bill Duncan, and Karen and Bob Netherton were all
married in the United States on October 11, 1969 — but only met when they all
chose the Elbow Beach Hotel for their honeymoons and have been friends ever
since. They returned to the resort in October 1994 for their 25th wedding
anniversaries, but picked a cruise to the island a few weeks in advance to
celebrate their latest milestone. Mrs Dupee, who married in Pennsylvania, said:
“I guess it is unusual. But, we’re not just friends any more, we’re
family. I think it’s really remarkable that we’ve been able to maintain this
relationship for 50 years. We’ve all had such a good friendship for so long,
and we want to come back and spend our time here. We could have chosen to go
anywhere else, but Bermuda’s been a really big part of our lives since we were
first married. We went back to Elbow Beach yesterday for a champagne toast.
After we told them the story they brought out a plate with ‘congratulations’
on it.” The couples were first introduced by Bob Allen, the social director at
Elbow Beach at the time, at a cocktail party. They were surprised to learn they
had all married on the same day in different parts of the Northeast US and two
of the weddings had the same bridesmaids’ dresses. Mrs Dupee said: “We did
all sorts of activities together. The beaches, the lighthouse, Crystal Caves,
the Botanical Gardens, snorkeling, even helmet diving.” The six have since met
every year in different destinations such as Alaska and the Mediterranean. They
have also visited each their homes in Florida, South Carolina and Pennsylvania
and attended the weddings of their children. After they returned to Bermuda for
the landmark silver anniversaries, they decided major marriage milestones would
always be celebrated with a trip back to where it all started. Mrs Netherton,
who married in New Jersey, said the six hoped to return to Bermuda for another
milestone anniversary. She added they might have to do it before their 75th
celebrations. Ms Netherton said: “I want to know that I’m here.” The
couples said that they had not seen much change in the island over the years.
But the Duncans, who married in New York City, said they fell victim to changes
in travel procedures on the 25th anniversary trip. Mr Duncan said: “Back in
1969, you didn’t need a passport to get into the island, just a photo ID. So
in 1994 we showed up at the airport with our drivers’ licences. They
wouldn’t let us on, so we had to go home and get a flight the next day.” The
couples said a taxi driver told them to contact The Royal Gazette after
they told him their story. Mrs Dupee said: “The taxi drivers here are like
ambassadors for the island. That’s something we love about the island — the
people are wonderful.” Kevin Dallas, the chief executive of the Bermuda
Tourism Authority, said: “We send a warm welcome to these couples, and hope
they enjoy celebrating the fun and friendships they first shared together out
here. Their story perfectly underscores Bermuda’s genuine allure to romantics
— a story we continue to build on as we activate a new generation of
experience seekers.”
A
war veteran’s family are owed $20,000 in unpaid benefits and are struggling to
make ends meet, they said yesterday. Kerrie Aubrey, whose 86-year-old mother
Maureen has spent the last month in hospital, said the family have been forced
to pay interest only on the mortgage for their home. She said she believed the
War Veterans Pensions Commission was “using any excuse to delay making
payments”. Ms Aubrey said yesterday: “This can’t go on. It used to work
fine, but since March it got worse.” Her mother is the widow of Elliot Aubrey,
a Second World War veteran who died in 2002. Her family said she was entitled to
$7,000 a month in pension and other benefits, but only a fraction had been
received. The Aubreys were one of three families who said they were grateful for
an increase in veterans’ pensions, which will go up from $800 a month to
$1,000 in October. They questioned why some of their benefits took so long to
reach them. One family, who asked not to be identified, said they often waited
months before they got their benefits and that they still had not been given
their June payment. An 82-year-old widow, who also asked not to be named, said
she had been waiting for a $128 copay from a dermatologist’s appointment in
March. She said: “Social insurance said they would pay it, but they have not.
When I e-mail them, I don’t get a reply. Everything used to work like a dream,
it seems that copay for a medical specialist, is not getting paid.” Her
husband, also a veteran of the Second World War, died in 2013. She added: “The
doctor has been waiting for his payment and has been extremely patient about it.
But I feel like paying it myself so that I don’t have my conscience bothering
me the next time.” Parliament approved the pensions increase last month, with
new benefits such as psychiatric services and visits to chiropodists added.
Derrick Burgess, the Deputy Speaker and seniors’ advocate for the Progressive
Labour Party, at the time accused commissioners of withholding benefits from
veterans. Mr Burgess told MPs that veterans who went into rest homes were denied
their pensions. He added: “No Act gives you the power to take a pension from
somebody.” Mr Burgess said: “I have had complaints from some families that
they have not been paid in a few months. I have not been able to verify them.
But I do know we have people receiving a pension and they stop paying the
pension when they go into a rest home. They don’t have the authority.” Mr
Burgess said he had met with the commissioners and was “still awaiting
answers”. He added: “I have told them that if they have ceased paying, folks
need to get their pensions as soon as possible.” Ms Aubrey said she was living
“day to day, penny to penny” I owe my caregiver. We have no internet and no
transportation. We’ve been paying for things out of our own pockets and not
getting reimbursed.” Ms Aubrey added: “I’m an educated person. I’ve got
all my faculties. I feel bad for others who might be confused or not able to
follow what’s going on.” Carol Everson, a case worker for the Bermuda
Legion, said: “The veterans are now in their 90s, and most are vulnerable and
frail.” She added that “a number of veterans’ families report delays of
several months in receiving pensions”. Ms Everson said: “There should never
be a lack of response or a lack of respect and courtesy to inquiries, and there
is no excuse for pensions, which have been provided monthly for years, falling
behind by several months, putting severe financial pressure on families and
veterans.” She added there was a lack of information on the Government’s
website on benefits available to veterans. Ms Everson said: “The criteria for
eligibility and benefits should be clearly laid out, including the procedure for
applying for a pension or transferring benefits to a widow on the death of a war
veteran.” She added the legion had a leaflet on benefits.
The Ministry of National Security said it would be unable to comment until
today.
A
grassroots movement in Bermuda could spark the Cabinet to take the lead on
independence if island-wide talks reveal enough support for the cause, political
sources have claimed. It was believed that interest in a formal break from
Britain had grown in recent months and restless voters wished to prompt
government leaders into action. The Progressive Labour Party told The Royal
Gazette its sights were set on an independent Bermuda, but the vision was
not shared by a majority of residents. A public forum on the topic scheduled for
next week at the Bermuda Industrial Union is thought to be one of several that
could gauge support. Cordell Riley, a statistician among the five panellists
listed for the event, explained: “It was said to me this has to be a
grassroots movement. “If it’s a grassroots movement, so there are different
shoots at different areas in the island, the Government will start to take
notice and say, we have to take the lead on this and have something formal, such
as a commission.” He added: “When the people do not see the Government move
in the direction that it would like, people start to take it on their own
initiative. If there is significant support, it starts to grow and that’s when
Government will come in and either take the lead or shut it down.” Mr Riley
welcomed the opportunity for a “healthy” discussion and said he planned to
cover the potential costs of independence as well as “irrational concerns”
about Bermuda going it alone. He said: “I am aware that people are talking
about independence more, particularly with what’s going on in the UK with
Brexit, and the impact it would have on Bermuda. Also with regards to the
economic substance Bill that was passed, and was seen as something that was
perhaps enforced upon Bermuda. We hear other talks, in terms of we have a
Governor from the UK, he appoints a British police officer as Commissioner, and
I’ve even had officers tell me privately there seems to be an increase in
recruitment from the UK.” Mr Riley said that although he had yet to conduct a
poll on independence this year, results from earlier surveys over the past
decade suggested about two thirds of the population, between 60 and 67 per cent,
were opposed to a split from the UK. He added: “I don’t think at this point
there is a significant movement towards independence. I think there are people
saying, ‘Let me have a look at it’, but that doesn’t mean you can’t
educate people, that people won’t change their minds.” One source agreed
that talk of independence among PLP supporters and the wider community had
increased. The source said: “There seems to be more interest around the issue
from more rank-and-file members, there’s a little buzz. I’m not saying
it’s a groundswell, but more than it has been in the past couple of years. A
grassroots group may indicate that this effort is not just coming from the top
down but from the bottom up.” Another observer told the Gazette that there was
a perception among some people that the PLP leadership was not doing enough
“to push the independence agenda”. The source added: “They took the view
that we’re going to proceed, party or not, by putting together like-minded
people to get out and drive the issue.” It was thought that a non-partisan
group could test the temperature of the country before approaching government
leaders. The source said the aim would be to indicate to ministers “it’s
time that you take the independence issue and move it along ... otherwise there
is an independent group who will drive this issue and the party will be
embarrassed into moving ahead”. A PLP spokeswoman said on Friday:
“Independence remains a core value of the Bermuda Progressive Labour Party and
we do envision a day when Bermuda will become independent. At this time,
however, the people have shown no indication that their feelings on this matter
have altered. What is clear, however, is the people of Bermuda’s desire to see
greater fairness, greater opportunity, more affordable healthcare and a better
quality of life, for themselves and their families. While we fight to tackle
those issues, we will continue to educate our people on the benefits of
independence and continue to push for our vision of an independent Bermuda, that
one day we believe more Bermudians will share.” The PLP’s constitution
states that the party’s purpose included it would “serve as a vehicle in
moving Bermuda to independence”. However, the subject was not included in its
2017 General Election platform. Jason Hayward, a PLP senator and the Bermuda
Public Services Union president, said after the party’s landslide victory two
years ago that it was time to “look at independence as a viable option”. A
week later, Jamahl Simmons, then the Minister of Economic Development and
Tourism, dismissed the suggestion when he told the Bermuda Captive Conference:
“It was not in our platform, we have not discussed it.” David Burt, the
Premier, explained in the House of Assembly in November 2017: “Independence is
inside of the PLP’s constitution, so whenever we have a meeting that matter is
discussed.” Yet he confirmed the following May that although the “groundwork
in constitutional reform” should be laid to allow for self-determination in
the future, “independence is not part of our current mandate”. Phil
Perinchief, a political scientist and former PLP attorney-general, was also
among the list of speakers for next week’s talk, which was advertised to be
held at the BIU headquarters from 6pm on August 22. He explained: “I hope to
discuss with the panel and the attendees the issue of self-determination, what
it means in the lead-up to it and apprise the group about international
relations and how we might make our own way in the world with the 193 other
independent countries in the UN.” Mr Perinchief added: “I’ve heard the
rumblings from different quarters and I would fight for independence or
self-determination anywhere, including Hell. I believe that all right-thinking
and ambitious people should fight for self-determination and independence
because it’s the ultimate expression of who we are and who we would want to be
as human beings, in concert and harmony, with other free and loving human
beings.”
The
Bermuda Monetary Authority and National Association of Insurance Commissioners
discussed issues of mutual regulatory interest when they met for a seventh
official regulatory dialogue since the signing of a memorandum of understanding
in 2015. The NAIC is a US-based standard-setting and regulatory support
organisation created and governed by the country’s chief insurance regulators
from the 50 US states, the District of Columbia and five US territories. Topics
discussed included: NAIC Credit for Reinsurance model revisions and Bermuda’s
2019 Qualified Jurisdiction re-evaluation; International Association of
Insurance Supervisors insurance capital standard developments; catastrophe risk;
and innovation and technology initiatives in both jurisdictions. The dialogue
took place on the sidelines of the NAIC’s summer national meeting held last
week in New York City. According to the Association of Bermuda Insurers and
Reinsurers, Bermuda is the largest supplier of catastrophe reinsurance to US
insurers. Craig Swan, managing director, supervision (insurance) at the BMA
said: “The relationship between the Bermuda and US markets is an important
one. Bermuda commercial property and casualty (re)insurers and alternative
capital structures have paid over $200 billion in claims to US policyholders in
the past decade, including 30 per cent of the claims arising from the 2017
hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.” Abir hosted a reception at the NAIC summer
national meeting. The gathering included US state insurance regulators, NAIC
executives and global (re)insurance industry participants to recognize the BMA
on its 50th Anniversary. The NAIC delegation at the dialogue included: NAIC
president and Maine superintendent, Eric Cioppa; NAIC president-elect and South
Carolina director, Raymond Farmer; NAIC vice-president and Florida commissioner,
David Altmaier; and NAIC secretary-treasurer and Idaho director, Dean Cameron.
NAIC CEO Michael Consedine and COO Andrew Beal also participated. The BMA
delegation included Mr Swan; Ricardo Garcia, chief actuary; Yvette Pierre,
director, policy; Natalie Stevenson, assistant director, international affairs;
and Cara Philip, graduate trainee.
A
leading American securities official says her country can learn from the
approaches taken in Bermuda and other jurisdictions concerning the regulation of
cryptocurrencies. Speaking at a convergence forum hosted by the Singapore
University of Social Sciences, US Securities & Exchange commissioner Hester
Peirce said “crypto regulation affords international regulators the
opportunity to learn from one another”. She added: “I often have expressed
my concern that the US will fall behind other countries in attracting
crypto-related businesses unless we are more forward-leaning in establishing a
regulatory regime with discernible parameters. The US SEC can look to our
counterparts overseas for ideas in untangling some of our most difficult legal
and policy questions in this area.” Stressing that the views expressed were
her own, and not necessarily those of the SEC or her fellow commissioners, Ms
Peirce said regulators in jurisdictions including Singapore, Thailand, Japan,
Hong Kong, Malta, Switzerland, France and Bermuda were addressing difficult
questions concerning cryptocurrency regulation. She said: “Bermuda is one of
the only jurisdictions to address the custody question in detail. In conjunction
with a regulatory regime for digital asset businesses, the island also released
draft guidance for crypto custodial services, which addresses such difficulties
as how to store private keys for hot and cold storage while preserving necessary
liquidity, what safeguards should be in place to prevent unauthorized access,
and how to frame internal audit of transactions to ensure their integrity.”
Referring to the efforts of Bermuda and other countries to innovate, she said:
“These ‘laboratories of regulation’ operated by our international
counterparts have me thinking about possible paths for the US to become more
welcoming of crypto innovation.” She added: “I look forward, for example, to
learning more about Bermuda’s custody framework to see if we can draw from it
as we think about how our custody rules apply in the crypto context.” Ms
Peirce concluded: “Whatever direction we go in the United States, continued
communication among the world’s financial regulators will be important. While
I believe a single global regulatory framework would be unwise, regulators can
create a healthy environment for this new market to grow by sharing information
that will smooth cross-border transactions while stamping out fraud and other
harmful activity. We also can continue to learn from one another to fill the
gaps in our own regulation and borrow, when appropriate, from frameworks
developed and tested in other places.” Ms Peirce’s comments were made on the
same day that the founder and chief executive officer of a fintech firm that is
to set up on the island told a US Senate Banking Committee that the regulatory
approach taken by the Bermuda Government “can and should be emulated by other
countries”. Jeremy Allaire’s fintech company, Circle, will create more than
30 new jobs in Bermuda over the next two years, he said recently. Mr Allaire
said an uncertain and restrictive regulatory environment has led many digital
asset projects and companies to domicile outside of the US and to block US
persons and businesses from accessing products and technologies. In Circle’s
case, he told the Senate committee, the firm has begun the process of moving its
international-facing products and services into a licensed Bermuda entity.
“Bermuda’s forward-looking Digital Asset Business Act provides a
comprehensive regulatory framework for companies offering this new type of
financial service,” he testified. We believe that the approach the Bermuda
Government has taken can and should be emulated by other countries.” Mr
Allaire’s crypto-finance firm was the first to get a full licence under DABA,
which came into force last September.
Bermuda’s
health watchdog has started the search for its next chief executive. The
Bermuda Health Council has invited applications for consideration for the role
of chief executive. And the regulatory body is also on the hunt for a health
economist. Ricky Brathwaite has served as acting chief executive since December.
He joined BHeC as programme manager for health economics in 2014 and later
became director of health economics. Dr Brathwaite was made acting CEO of the
regulatory body after former chief executive Tawanna Wedderburn was fired. He
did not respond to questions about the job postings by press time yesterday.
Advertisements of the posts were published last week. The council said that the
role of chief executive was appointed by the BHeC board and reports to the board
through the chairman. It added: “The CEO recommends and participates in the
formation and revision of policies and programmes by the council and is
responsible for implementing and directing, through effective leadership of
staff and operational supports, the policies and programmes approved by the
board, in accordance with the council’s strategic goals as determined by the
board. The CEO is responsible for the successful management of the organisation
to meet the goals and objectives as set out by the board.” The successful
applicant will, among other responsibilities, be required to oversee day-to-day
operations, communicate with the health ministry as well as other community and
stakeholder groups, and lead the recruitment, hiring, training and termination
of staff. The person will hold a master’s degree in the healthcare or
management field, as well as a minimum of ten years’ post-qualification
experience in a manager or director’s post. Business and management
experience, experience with the development of public health policy, and
experience with a regulatory organisation are considered assets. The health
economist “provides advisement and guidance ... on health system costs,
opportunities for efficiency, implications of system change, and the forecast of
demand within the healthcare system”. The job description adds: “The health
economist collaborates with local and international partners on research in the
areas of health economics, profits and loss, insurance market dynamics and
consumer preferences — working towards a more affordable health system that
will produce more healthy lives to help grow Bermuda’s economy.” The
successful applicant will be responsible to develop and implement strategies,
develop and execute projects and programmes, and monitor the status of
programmes. The successful candidate will hold a postgraduate degree in
economics, finance or a field related to health economics and a minimum of seven
years of post-qualification experience in the health system. Ms Wedderburn
revealed in March that she would take legal action over her termination which
ended an 11-year career with BHeC. Ms Wedderburn said that she had asked for
judicial review proceedings against David Burt, the Premier, Kim Wilson, the
Minister of Health, her former employers and Alicia Stovell-Washington, the
chairwoman of the council. The health council was set up to regulate private
health service providers, ensure the provision of essential health services and
to promote good health. The BHeC told The Royal Gazette its policy is not
to respond or discuss HR matters or personnel issues.
A
coding problem with Bermudian passports is to blame for “distress and
disruption” experienced by some travelers, the national security minister said
yesterday. Wayne Caines said that he was aware that some Bermudian BOTC
passport-holders had experienced “additional questioning or delays” at some
borders. He added that the problem was not as a result of changes with the
United States Customs and Border Protection procedures or US immigration law. Mr
Caines explained: “The problem has arisen from the electronic coding of
Bermuda BOTC passports, which for security reasons are now issued from the UK.
Despite guidance issued by the International Air Transport Association
confirming that Bermudian BOTC passport holders remain eligible for visa-free
travel to the US, difficulties continue to be encountered with some airlines and
airline agents.” He said that a joint working group with the Passport Office
in Britain had been created to try to fix the problem. Mr Caines said: “It is
clear that the current situation has caused distress and disruption in a number
of cases and Government House is in close touch with the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office on this matter.” He added that his ministry “has given
resolving this matter urgent priority”. A document which explains the US visa
exemptions for Bermuda can be found on the US Consulate website. Mr Caines
advised all Bermudian passport holders to visit the website to print a copy of
the exemption to carry with their passport “until a solution is found”. He
warned: “Please be mindful that presenting the card does not guarantee action
by an airline representative or immigration official. Travelers have still
experienced difficulties, including being denied boarding and/or missing
flights, even after presenting this document.” Mr Caines said that another
option for Bermudian passport holders was to consider applying for a US visa.
Instructions on how to obtain the visa can be found on the US Consulate’s
website.
The
Bermuda Tourism Authority is backing six local organisations and entrepreneurs
to provide cultural experiences for visitors to the island. Glenn Jones, the
BTA’s chief experience development officer, said PinkSand Entertainment,
Eettafel, the Urban Culture Exchange, the Supper Club, the Bermuda Sandcastle
Competition and St Peter’s Church were unveiled as successful experience
investment applicants. Mr Jones said each of the awardees will offer a uniquely
Bermudian experience for guests in the coming months. PinkSand Entertainment,
headed by Jonathan Tankard, hosts the Made in Bermuda Nights events series on
White’s Island with a range of local musicians. Eettafel organizes
full-service luxury picnics at iconic Bermuda locations and vistas, while the
Supper Club, organised by Scott Nearon, hosts dinners at Elbow Beach. The Urban
Culture Exchange, organised by promoter John Lee, will offer visitors a range of
Bermudian cultural experiences. The BTA also announced its support for the
Bermuda Sandcastle Competition and St Peter’s Church, which will this year
offer a “Mysteries and Majesties” tour of the historic St George’s church.
The BTA said it would host free entrepreneur workshops on August 28 and 29 to
help new and existing businesses create initiatives that align with the BTA’s
objectives and the wants of visitors.
Film
fans were warned of an internet scam that is designed to steal credit card
details. The Regulatory Authority of Bermuda said an advertisement
circulating on Facebook suggested a programme called MovieFlix can offer a
streaming service like Netflix, but free of charge, if customers sign up before
today. It warned that the promotion leads users to an article that claimed
Netflix has “lost thousands of Bermudian users this week because of the new
competing service”. A spokeswoman for the RA said that although the MovieFlix
website appeared to be legitimate, every tab on the page linked to the same
online form asking people to sign up for a trial membership. She said the hoax
had already appeared on posts in Australia and New Zealand with identical
messaging and other countries targeted included Canada and Ireland. Denton
Williams, the RA chief executive, said: “Our role as an independent regulatory
body is primarily to protect consumers and industry stakeholders. MovieFlix is
an example of a phishing scam, designed to steal credit card details, Mr
Williams explained. “Often these scams are linked to international organised
crime and we strongly recommend that if consumers have already subscribed for
the service, that they monitor their bank accounts or cancel their cards before
their information is taken.”
The
Canadian company that intends to take over Ascendant Group sees an opportunity
in Bermuda to replace fossil fuel energy generation with renewables, as it is
doing elsewhere. That was among the comments made by Ian Robertson, chief
executive officer of Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation during a
second-quarter earnings conference call on Friday. He spoke a few hours after
Ascendant Group shareholders met and voted overwhelmingly to accept
Algonquin’s $365 million offer for the group, which includes energy provider
Belco. The amalgamation transaction is expected to close later this year,
subject to the granting of regulatory approvals. Algonquin has reported adjusted
net earnings of $55 million for the second quarter, or 11 cents per share, up
from $50.9 million for the same period in 2018. Revenue fell six per cent,
year-on-year, to $343.6 million. During Friday’s conference call, Mr Robertson
responded to a question about the Ascendant transaction and said that while
Belco is “a great utility in a highly stable and fairly well-off socioeconomic
service territory, what really enthused us about it is the fact that, believe it
or not, that the utility supplies almost 100 per cent of its energy from fossil
fuel resources.” He said there are two consequences of that. “Obviously, I
don’t think Bermuda is achieving its objectives from an ESG [environment,
social and governance] perspective. And second of all, maybe where the real
opportunity comes in, energy is very expensive in Bermuda, like 40 cents a
kilowatt-hour with almost 20 cents of that being attributed to fuel. The company
sees an opportunity to do in Bermuda what it is doing in the US Midwest in terms
of replacing fossil fuel energy generation with renewables. And gosh, when
you’re paying 20 cents for the energy alone — there’s a value proposition
there.” He also mentioned the Regulatory Authority’s preference for
renewable energy projects, as laid out in its Integrated Resource Plan,
published last month. Mr Robertson said: “You can imagine that was the
underpinning of our interest in Bermuda and music to our ears. From our
perspective it has advanced the timing of our expectations of continued
investment to replace fossil with renewables. So I think it’s great news.”
Regarding debt within Belco, Mr Robertson said it is a “relatively low levered
utility”.
Bermuda’s first all female
drum band will participate in the Pride Parade this month. Coral Beats said
the theme of the Pride Parade, “We Belong” was especially important to their
band, which welcomes diversity. The percussion group will play at Victoria Park
and participate in the parade on August 31, from 2pm. A spokeswoman said: “We
are made up of a group of ladies from all backgrounds that come together once a
week to practice the samba, reggae rhythms of Brazil on their drums and various
other percussion instruments.” Coral Beats formed in March 2017 and has played
at birthday parties, weddings, the Bermuda Festival, the Queen’s birthday at
Government House and for TEDx. Band member Nicky Gurret said: “Our group is
excited to be playing in the parade in support of the LGBTQ community and
present our music to the parade watchers.”
Two
lawsuits filed in New York courts have been withdrawn after Bermuda Chief
Justice Narinder Hargun upheld claims by Bermuda-based Athene Holding Ltd that
such matters are the exclusive jurisdiction of the island’s courts.
A US-based investor in Athene, Central Laborers Pension Fund, made a derivative
complaint against private-equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC and Athene
Asset Management LLC. The plaintiff, on behalf of Athene shareholders, demanded
damages for what it described as “looting” of Athene through
“extravagantly expensive” fees paid for managing the reinsurer’s
investment portfolio, according to the complaint, filed in the Supreme Court of
New York on June 18. The fees agreed for managing the portfolio of about $130
billion run into hundreds of millions of dollars per year. Athene maintained
that the suit should have been filed in Bermuda as the case hinged on the
conduct of its directors, the Financial Times reported. According to the
company’s by-laws, the FT said, any such matters must be resolved in
Bermuda courts. Mr Justice Hargun granted an ex parte temporary injunction on
July 5, ordering a halt to the CLPF action in New York. Thereafter, Cambria
County Employees Retirement System — a public pension fund in Pennsylvania —
launched a separate New York action, which made no reference to the conduct of
directors. Cambria also sought an order from the New York court preventing
Athene “from attempting to interfere with” the suit, according to a report
in the FT. However, before the matter could be heard in New York, Athene
again sought relief from the Supreme Court of Bermuda, and Mr Justice Hargun
ruled in favour of Athene. The plaintiffs in the two matters subsequently
withdrew the suits, citing the Bermuda injunctions, according to the FT.
Apollo, the co-defendant in both matters, said the claims were “completely
without merit and would fail in any jurisdiction”, the FT reported.
Calling the dismissals “a routine application of Athene’s by-laws, which
clearly provide that Bermuda is the proper forum for litigation”, Apollo added
that the two cases were brought by the same law firm and “were ultimately
nothing more than a failed attempt to forum-shop”, the FT said. A
spokesman for Athene said the company had no comment.
Cabinet
minister Zane DeSilva lost a court battle with his sister-in-law and niece after
it was ruled that his company wrongfully fired them. The Supreme Court
upheld a decision by the Employment Tribunal that Island Construction was wrong
to dismiss Barbara Phillips and Rebecca Phillips over allegations of theft and
dishonesty. Archibald Warner, the counsel for Mr DeSilva and the company, argued
that the tribunal should have pushed back their hearing until after a police
investigation could be carried out. But the request for an adjournment was
denied and, despite an invitation to make further applications in person, Mr
DeSilva and his counsel did not attend the hearing. Puisne Judge Shade Subair
Williams said the failure of the Minister of Tourism and Transport and his
company to appear at the tribunal meant they were “hardly entitled to later
complain” that they did not get a fair hearing. Mrs Justice Subair Williams
supported the decision of the tribunal in written reasons delivered on July 29.
She said: “It is difficult to envisage what kind of evidence would have been
available to the tribunal had they granted the appellant’s adjournment
request. Mrs Justice Subair Williams added: “Equally, it appears that the
tribunal was not given any indication by the appellants on the likely time frame
needed to resume a hearing if the matter adjourned. Perhaps these are matters
which might have been made clearer had the appellants and/or their counsel
sensibly accepted the opportunity to appear before the tribunal in person to
address the tribunal on their request.” Mrs Justice Subair Williams concluded:
“Having relinquished the opportunity to appear, and having willfully absented
from the full hearing which followed, it is hardly open to the appellants to now
complain that they were deprived of a fair hearing, based on an adjournment
refusal.” Counsel for the Phillips's were contacted, but did not comment by
press time last night. Mr DeSilva declined to comment on the matter, but
indicated that an appeal against the decision would be launched. According to
the written reasons, published online this week, Island Construction fired the
pair on April 27 last year on the grounds of serious misconduct, making
accusations that one stole gas and received money for unworked hours, and the
other acted dishonestly. The mother and daughter brought the matter to the
employment tribunal and, through lawyer Peter Sanderson, argued they had been
wrongfully dismissed. The tribunal held a hearing on December 4, 2018, and ruled
they were wrongfully dismissed. In the Supreme Court, Mr Warner argued Mr
DeSilva and Island Construction were deprived of a fair hearing, but there were
arguments about what, if any, police investigation was under way. Mrs Justice
Subair Williams wrote: “Peter Sanderson, counsel for the respondents,
expressed grave doubt about the activeness of an ongoing investigation and
informed the court that his clients have never even been approached by police in
relation to their employment. On the return date for the continuation of this
appeal hearing, Mr Warner shared that he had spoken with Police Constable Pitt
who advised that the police investigation was under way and that there would
likely be an arrest. Mr Warner himself described this information as terse.”
Mr Warner also argued the tribunal wrongly accepted the Phillips’s version of
events without making a “full enquiry” about the complaints against them.
But Mrs Justice Subair Williams said: “Where an employer elects not to appear
for the final hearing before a tribunal, that employer is hardly entitled to
later complain that the tribunal failed to intervene with questions in the
examination of a witness. It’s obviously correct that the tribunal had an
infallible duty to ensure that it conducted the proceedings fairly. In my
judgment, the fairness of the proceedings was not compromised by the
tribunal’s acceptance of the employee’s uncontroverted evidence.” She
dismissed the appeal by Island Construction and Mr DeSilva, and affirmed the
decision of the Employment Tribunal.
The
Bermuda Tourism Authority will launch a new initiative to draw visitors to
cultural sites — and encourage the sites to stay open. Glenn Jones, the
chief experience development officer at BTA, said the Discovery Days initiative
will focus activities in St George’s, Hamilton and Dockyard on different days,
which will help volunteer-staffed museums and attractions be open at the right
times. Mr Jones said: “It can be labour intensive and expensive for a cultural
tourism site to be open all the time. For the most part they are managed by
volunteers, and when we started to dig into this problem volunteer shortage was
the main barrier to a good cultural tourism experience at our museums, galleries
and other sites. Sometimes visitors would be sent to a cultural site or museum
and it would just be closed. And the person who sent them there really had no
way to know it would be closed. There’s no way really to recover from a
concierge sending someone to that museum. The trust breaks down and the
concierge stops sending visitors to that museum because they don’t want to
disappoint anybody and we are in a vicious cycle.” Delivering a presentation
to stakeholders on Wednesday evening, Mr Jones said the Destination Day
initiative would put focus on Hamilton on Fridays, St George’s and St
David’s on Saturdays and Dockyard on Sundays, with the goal of ensuring
attractions are open on those days. He said: “We are not saying stay closed on
the other days of the week, but especially focus on these days of the week to
put a good foot forward.” The BTA also announced that it would roll out a
number of tour options that focus on Bermuda’s architecture, heritage and
culture in response to the demands of visitors. It will launch walking
architecture tours in Hamilton, St George’s and Dockyard in October, timed to
take place during the Destination Days in those areas. Tours will also be
launched to highlight day-to-day Bermuda culture, taking visitors into
residential neighborhoods, Government estates and Bermuda National Trust
properties. These tours will also be aligned with Destination Days, focusing on
the western, eastern and central parts of the island and will end at iconic
Bermuda properties such as Aberfeldy in Somerset. Another cultural option will
help visitors explore “secret artefacts”, providing unique experiences to
guests at the National Archives, the National Gallery, the Freemason’s Lodge
and the National Museum. Another set of cultural experiences will focus on the
island’s black heritage and the African Diaspora Trial. In October, the BTA
will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Sally Bassett statue at the Cabinet
Office with a series of nightly events, including a theatrical performance at
the Cabinet Grounds. Other cultural tours will be launched in Dockyard and St
George’s. The BTA also said it will introduce more Bermudian culture into
Restaurant Weeks 2020 with a series of special dining opportunities in unique
cultural locations. Restaurant Week 2020 will launch on January 16 with a luxury
rose garden picnic at the Waterville Rose Garden. And on January 24 Eric
Adjepong, a celebrated chef and former Top Chef contestant, will create a meal
intended to tell the story of the African slave trade in a dinner near the
historic Cobbs Hill Methodist Church. Restaurant Week will also feature a fish
fry at the Transportation Museum in Dockyard, which will boast live music, local
beer and Bermuda fish, including lionfish. David Skinner, the head of the
Bermuda Festival, added that the 2020 festival will also find ways to educate
and inspire as part of the BTA’s initiatives. Mr Skinner said Naturally Seven,
an acappella group, will also entertain crowds at the rose garden picnic. Alda
Dizdari, a classical violinist, will partner with local performers for shows in
Dockyard and St George’s.
The
publicist for the reggae performer Vershon has disavowed an earlier statement
issued on behalf of the artist claiming that he had been unfairly turned away
from Bermuda. The Jamaican artist, Kemar Brown, complained he was refused
entry as a tourist at LF Wade International Airport on August 2, after the plug
was pulled on the concert the next day in which he was scheduled to perform. But
Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, responded on Thursday that no
record existed of Mr Brown submitting an application for a permit to perform in
Bermuda, and that his name did not appear on any flight manifests for that day.
The minister said Mr Brown was “never refused entry into Bermuda because he
never travelled to Bermuda”. His publicist, Shuzzr PR, last night retracted
the earlier statement criticizing the refusal and calling for an apology. The
spokesman said that in light of Mr Caines’s statement, it was “only prudent
that we withdraw our initial stance”. He added that he offered “our
sincerest apologies and our co-operation in any investigating being carried
out”, saying the firm would assist with repairing any damage done to the
island’s reputation. The spokesman said the firm had made “a conscious
decision to release reggae-dancehall artist Vershon from our roster and any
contractual obligations”, adding: “To the people of Bermuda, our
apologies.”
Reggae
artist Vershon has confirmed that he was not barred from entering Bermuda this
month. And he has apologised to the Government and people of Bermuda for a
statement “erroneously put out by my publicist” last week. The Jamaican
performer, whose real name is Kemar Brown, said that he had been contracted to
perform at the BDA Summer Music Festival on August 3. Mr Brown said that he and
his party had arrived at John F Kennedy International Airport, in New York, on
August 2 for a connecting flight to Bermuda. He told the website Bernews.com
that it was there that he was advised by telephone, the show had been cancelled.
Mr Brown said: “At no point did I enter Bermuda and subsequently left New York
for Jamaica. “On the 5th of August, a statement was erroneously put out by my
publicist, causing embarrassment to me personally, the Government and people of
Bermuda, and to my fans. I want it to be categorically known at no point did the
Bermudian Government deny me entry into the country because I have never been
there before.” He also offered an “unreserved apology” to Wayne Caines,
the Minister of National Security. The publicist for Mr Brown said at the
weekend that an earlier press release which said that Mr Brown had been denied
entry as a tourist at LF Wade International Airport on August 2 was issued “at
the direction of our client”. A statement on the Shuzzr website added: “Even
after the release was crafted, Vershon approved the dissemination of said
release, and remained silent since. It’s irresponsible for him now to say ‘a
statement erroneously put out by my publicist’ when it was done at his
direction and approval.” Mr Caines said last week that no record existed of Mr
Brown having submitted an application for a permit to perform in Bermuda, and
that his name did not appear on any flight manifests for that day. He added that
Mr Brown was “never refused entry into Bermuda because he never travelled to
Bermuda”. The original press statement from Shuzzr claimed Mr Brown had the
documents legally required to visit Bermuda as a tourist, and had wanted to
bring positive publicity to Bermuda tourism. It called for an apology from
Bermuda. In a statement on Friday night, the company said: “Considering the
statement made by the minister of security for Bermuda, Wayne Caines, which
refutes the artist’s claim, it’s only prudent that we withdraw our initial
stance, offer our sincerest apologies and our co-operation in any investigating
being carried out, and assist with repairing the damage done to the island
reputation.” Shuzzr said its credibility was at stake and added: “As such,
we have made a conscious decision to release reggae-dancehall artist Vershon
from our roster and any contractual obligations. To the people of Bermuda, our
apologies.”
Plans
for a broader, cheaper standard health coverage package to encompass all the
island’s residents were given a cautious welcome yesterday. Charles
Jeffers, the deputy chairman of the seniors advocates Age Concern, called a
proposal to revamp the Standard Health Benefit “long overdue”. Mr Jeffers
said: “Age Concern has pushed for this for years. We need to get basic
benefits under one banner and away from insurance companies dealing with the
extras. If we don’t, there’s nothing to stop insurance rates continuing to
go up. They are in the business of making money and satisfying their
shareholders. If we have our basic benefits under one set of administrators, we
stand to benefit. We are looking at this proposal closely, because a lot of
pensions are being taken up with health insurance. We’re hoping the Government
is prepared to do whatever is necessary to bring down costs.” The present
coverage of the Standard Health Benefit has limited cover for doctors’ visits,
prescription drugs or dental care. The revised benefits, tentatively planned to
begin late in 2020, are anticipated to bring savings by combining residents in a
single unified pool. However, a veteran industry insider, requesting not to be
identified, predicted “heavy jobs losses” for the health insurance industry.
He said: “A universal health programme means insurance benefits being taken
over by the Government and taken out of the hands of private insurers. We are
not the first country to do it — Bermuda is late to the universal health
insurance game. But everything comes with pros and cons. Hopefully, it leads to
coverage for everybody from the womb to the tomb. But the bad thing about
universal insurance is it causes queues. Emergency care is pushed up the line.
If you’re waiting on knee surgery, you can be pushed down the line. This is a
known fact — it’s happened in every area where universal insurance has been
implemented.” He questioned how it would be paid for: “Countries with
universal health insurance have high taxes. All these things have to be factored
in.” Mark Selley, the chairman of the Bermuda Healthcare Advocacy Group, was skeptical.
He said the planned four-month consultation period was “not giving us enough
time”. He added: “There’s no doubt that healthcare needs to be fixed, but
I don’t think this is going to work the way the Ministry of Health is
planning. Will this be a huge loss for the private insurers? The co-pay is not
legislated at the moment. Will there be an uproar from doctors if the Government
puts that control in place? There’s a lot of questions about this. We have not
received any prior warning. Until we’re told more about how they intend to
move this forward, we don’t have any idea how it will work.”
Bermuda
has been hit by a confirmed imported case of dengue this year, a government
official said. The spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health added that there
had been a further three suspected imported cases of the virus, but emphasised
there was no significant risk to public safety. The announcement came after an
outbreak of dengue in the Philippines was declared a national health epidemic.
The South-East Asian country’s Department of Health said that 146,062 cases
had been reported from January to July 20, up 98 per cent from the same period
last year. More than 600 people have died. Bangladesh has also been hit by the
country’s worst outbreak of dengue, where tens of thousands of cases have been
reported this year as well as several deaths. Requested information on where the
cases originated was not provided yesterday, although it is understood they did
not happen this month. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral infection that causes
flu-like illness, and can develop into a potentially lethal complication called
severe dengue. The World Health Organisation said global incidence of the
disease had grown dramatically in recent decades, with about half the world’s
population now at risk. The virus is found in tropical and subtropical climates,
mostly in urban and semi urban areas. It is transmitted by female mosquitoes,
mainly of the species Aedes aegypti. The spokeswoman said that Bermuda had
maintained “good control” over the types of mosquitoes capable of
transmitting the virus. She added: “As a result, Bermuda does not have the
vector most competent in spreading dengue.” The spokeswoman said the island
was prepared to handle confirmed and suspected cases of the virus. She added:
“Public education about mosquito control continues, including within the
setting of the airport for travellers to areas where mosquito-borne diseases are
problematic. Community physicians and hospitalists communicate with the
Epidemiology Surveillance Unit on case management of suspected cases. Actual
cases would be managed by supportive care by community physicians, or in
hospital as required by hospitalists and infectious disease specialists.” The
spokeswoman said that the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital’s Emergency
Department and community physicians work together in early identification and
treatment of suspected cases. The Public Health Act requires residents to keep
their property free of water build-ups where mosquitoes can breed. The
spokeswoman said properties should be scanned once a week in the summer, and
water should be emptied from items such as buckets, plant pots, saucers, tyres,
wheelbarrows and plastic tarps.
A
celebrated Little Venice waiter, famous for regaling customers for decades with
singing and practical jokes, has died at 64. Originally from Modena, the
northern Italian city famous for its sports cars, Antonino Astarita became known
to generations of Bermuda diners as Tony or “Crazy Tony”. The senior waiter
and wine steward’s inexhaustible hospitality was “from the heart”, Mr
Astarita told The Royal Gazette in 2011. Speaking on the Hamilton
restaurant’s 40th anniversary, he added: “I come here to enjoy people. We
treat people right and they are satisfied. I love the job. Sometimes in the
morning I can’t wait to come into this place.” Mr Astarita had his own
colourful back story for coming to the island, saying he had been poached from a
Capri nightclub in the 1970s by friends from the Little Venice. He recalled:
“They said ‘why don’t you come with us to Bermuda’. And then a week
later, I was in Bermuda.” His quick and personable service came with a
trademark laugh and supply of comedic props, including rubber chickens, Viking
helmets and a suit of armour. Awarding Mr Astarita a Best of Bermuda as a waiter
in July 1997, The Bermudian magazine remarked: “Still crazy after 18
years, for him every day is carnival, every meal an opportunity to perform.”
Emilio Barbieri, the managing director for the restaurant’s operating company
MEF Group, said his original business partner Gioacchino “Jacky” DiMeglio
had orchestrated Mr Astarita’s arrival here on September 18, 1979. “Tony
came as a waiter, and he wanted to be a sommelier, which eventually he was,”
Mr Barbieri said. “He was very happy with what he was doing. His conversation
was always to the point, to make people laugh. That’s what made him unique. If
you said something he didn’t understand, it was his big laugh that told you,
somehow, he understood. His personality was bigger than himself.” Mr
Astarita’s repertoire of practical jokes included warning patrons the coffee
was dangerously hot, then pretending to spill it on them. The cup, which would
be empty, was secretly held in place with a spoon through the handle. One party
routine entailed a doctor’s costume, and checking patrons with a stethoscope
to ensure it was safe to continue serving them alcohol. Mr Barbieri said: “He
was the only one who could get away with it.” Mr Astarita was also known as
“the singing waiter”, rendering “Happy Birthday” for guests deliberately
out of tune. Mr Barbieri said the waiter’s favourite had been the opera
favourite Nessun dorma from Puccini’s Turandot. “That was his
forte, the one he really enjoyed,” he said. Mr Astarita is survived by his
wife, Sue, and stepchildren Harry, Alice and Charlie. A memorial service will be
held next Saturday at St Theresa’s Cathedral on Cedar Avenue in Hamilton.
Attorney-General Kathy Lynn Simmons released a ministerial advisory today
on anti-money laundering and antiterrorist financing systems.
Lieutenant-Colonel
David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, expressed “complete shock and
disgust” after trash collection workers found human waste in garbage bags
placed out for collection on Tuesday. Colonel Burch said: “We are having
increasing incidences where our waste collection staff are finding human and
animal waste and other contraband placed in residential garbage bags. This most
recent incident occurred at Cedar Hill, Warwick. I think the entire community
will agree with me that this is not only absolutely unsanitary and abhorrent,
but more importantly, it poses a significant health and safety risk to our
workers. It’s amazing that we actually have to remind the public not to
dispose of human and animal waste via the weekly garbage, but here we are. I am
urging members of the public who are engaging in this type of disgusting
behaviour to stop. Please have some respect for the hard-working men and women
of our waste management section, who diligently do their jobs daily, often under
thankless conditions, simply to ensure that our island maintains its cleanliness
and beauty.” Colonel Burch advised that the disposal of paints and other
hazardous waste items through residential collection was also a rising concern.
All of these items can be disposed free of charge at the Tynes Bay Waste to
Energy Facility. For more information regarding residential waste collection,
recycling or hazardous materials disposal, visit gov.bm.
Complaints
over a $5 post office fee on non-dutiable packages have been listened to by
Wayne Furbert, the Minister for the Cabinet Office. Yesterday, Mr Furbert
said he had contacted the Bermuda Post Office to request that “this fee not be
charged on non-dutiable goods”. The clearance and processing fee has been in
place since 2012 for dutiable items, but was recently extended to cover
non-dutiable packages, Mr Furbert explained. “The public will be aware that
over the last several months, the BPO has been undergoing an extensive reform
process. This includes closely reviewing its business processes and services and
updating its services to provide greater financial management of its
resources.” Unhappy customers took to social media over the charges after the
post office began enforcing the charge on August 1. Nick Kempe, the shadow
finance minister, branded the fee “a back-door tax by Government”. Mr Kempe
called the BPO’s stated wish to improve the client experience “complete
nonsense”. He added: “How does a $5 charge ‘enhance the client
experience’? This is just a revenue-raising exercise. It makes you wonder what
Government is planning next. Maybe a $5 charge to pass through the duty-free
line at the airport?” Mr Furbert also reminded the public that the $5 for
dutiable packages could be exempted if they completed the form themselves. The
forms are available from the Department of Customs site on the government
portal, gov.bm.
A
revised package of health benefits could cut out-of-pocket expenses for the
public, according to plans unveiled by Bermuda’s health minister yesterday. However,
specifics on what the new plan will provide, as well as who will administer the
scheme, remain unclear. Kim Wilson said that the Bermuda Health Plan 2020 would
replace the Standard Health Benefit coverage for all the island’s 65,000
residents. She said that the proposed unified system “is best suited to
achieve efficiencies, economies of scale and cost savings”. The minister told
a press conference: “A unified system means that all residents will be in the
same basic insurance pool, sharing health costs throughout all of Bermuda’s
residents.” The government website estimates the prospective plan could chop
annual expenses for a family of four from $25,536 to $17,068 compared with the
current system. A hypothetical model for a single adult shows the present yearly
cost of $7,058 potentially dropping to $6,308, with suggested savings such as:
Naz Farrow, the chief executive of Colonial Group International said yesterday that the company supported a scheme to improve health and reduce costs, but warned the creation of a new system was a “massive and complex undertaking”. Ms Wilson said that the new benefits package “will be designed to help make us healthier and result in real savings by placing caps on co-payments while ensuring healthcare businesses can be financially stable”. She added that a new draft plan for public consultation includes “access to doctors and specialists, home-care services and basic coverage for medicines, dental, vision and overseas care”. Ms Wilson said that it was estimated the BHP could be provided for $514 a month for adults and $178 a month for children. She added: “This would be $257 each, when shared between employer and employee. It would replace SHB and, therefore, includes everything already in SHB.” Responsibility for administering the plan had yet to be decided, she said. It would be part of a twofold consultation expected to last four months. Ms Wilson explained: “One, it will be to decide what does that Bermuda Health Plan 2020 look like — what type of benefits should be included. The second part of the consultation will include the development of a road map as to how we will effectively transition our health financing from the current, disjointed, expensive methodology towards a unified system.” Ms Wilson did not rule out a possible quango arrangement to administer the plan, in addition to private and government-run schemes. She was tight-lipped on whether one administration model was preferred over another. Ms Wilson said: “The consultation period will allow members of the public and private sector to participate in this process. It is very important that they are fully engaged. No decisions are final.” Ms Wilson said that health insurance providers had been “intimately involved” with consultation to date. She said that a stakeholder consultation document that detailed feedback from health insurance providers and other groups would be available in “due course”. Ms Wilson issued a “caution” to Bermudians in her speech. She said: “There will be members of our community who will be content with the status quo, not wishing to advance the reform measures I have just spoken about, and who think that the fundamentals of our healthcare system in place for the last 50 years should continue. This government does not agree.” Ms Wilson did not provide an answer when pressed on what specifically would be opposed in the new plan, She said: “I can anticipate, without looking in a crystal ball, that if we change a system that has systemically disserviced a large segment of our population for over 50 years, that there are likely going to be detractors.” Ms Farrow said that Colonial agreed with the “high-level goals” proposed in the BHP. She added: “The proposed creation of a ‘new healthcare system’ will be a massive and complex undertaking requiring the highest degree of technical and financial planning, co-ordination and community co-operation.” Ms Farrow said the company welcomed Ms Wilson’s “commitment to meaningful and effective consultation with stakeholders”. She added: “We also appreciate the minister’s statement that the road map to achieving the 2020 plan, as she framed it, is ‘complicated’ with much to be made clear on economic, administrative and transitional questions that will have material effect on the viability of the plan itself.” John Wight, the president and chief executive of BF&M, said the company had no comment for now. Questions sent to insurers Argus Group were unanswered by press time yesterday. However, Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, the Shadow Minister of Health, called the announcement a “flavour of the month”. She said the plan was a move by Ms Wilson “to show their relevance and to attempt to dupe the public that something is being done to control costs” and that it came amid “a total lack of transparency concerning the vision for healthcare and curtailed costs”. Ms Gordon-Pamplin added: “In the past parliamentary year, the minister has announced and passed legislation to effect several piecemeal changes to the healthcare system, which has resulted in increased health insurance costs as there is a clear lack of understanding of the drivers of healthcare costs.”
Opinion.
By Leah Scott, the Deputy Leader of the One Bermuda Alliance and the Opposition
MP for Southampton East Central (Constituency 30). "The Premier,
David Burt, was quoted as making the following comment in the House of Assembly
on July 12: “I don’t think economic reasons are the main reasons that people
leave Bermuda. The main [reasons] revolve around education and issues inside
our community around violence and gang violence.” My One Bermuda Alliance
colleague, senator Dwayne Robinson, recently shared his views about the
Premier’s comments, highlighting that he is clearly out of touch with both
reality and the community. I, too, have concerns about the Premier’s
detachment from the economic struggles and issues that many in our community
find themselves facing daily. But beyond that struggle, which is very real, the
Government put in place a Violence Reduction Team to combat the risk factors
that can set our young people, particularly our young men, on a path towards
gang involvement. In July 2017, the Ministry of National Security’s Violence
Reduction Team was formed and the Government promised the people of Bermuda that
it would “give reducing gang violence the priority it deserves”. Wayne
Caines, the minister, said so in a ministerial statement to the House of
Assembly in November 2017. In that same statement, he also provided the House
with some statistics. He said that since 2009 “35 young black men have been
shot and killed; 92 people have been injured by illegal firearms; and over 400
of our young people are deemed at risk of falling prey to the gang lifestyle”.
Nowhere in that statement did the minister include the number of people who are
leaving Bermuda because of gang violence. The VR Team’s core goals and
objectives are to:
None of the above-listed core goals and objectives include stopping or minimizing gang violence so people will not leave Bermuda. One would expect that if gang violence was indeed the cause of people leaving Bermuda, stopping or reducing such an exodus would have to be stated as a core goal, or objective of, the VR Team. On November 23, 2018, Mr Caines, delivered a further statement updating the House on the activities that the VR Team had been engaged in. Specifically, he noted that the VR Team is supported administratively by the Ministry of National Security headquarters staff, and that it works in conjunction with the Inter-Agency Gang Enforcement Team. The VR Team also works with the administration and student services teams at both CedarBridge Academy and the Berkeley Institute, in conjunction with the Bermuda Police Service, to provide much needed support services for at-risk students. Mr Caines stated that the VR team worked with the Department of Public Transportation to develop plans to get students home safely, and has been in the schools to co-ordinate mediation sessions between students involved in rival gangs. The VR Team also supports a wide range of community groups that align with its goals and objectives, such as Mothers on a Mission Bermuda, the Clergy Working Group and Living Legends Community Group. In addition, according to the minister, these interventions by the VR Team have resulted in a marked decrease in gang-related conflicts at the schools and during after-school hours. So, there are several people and agencies who are working diligently to address and alleviate our gang culture and gang violence, not the least of whom is the Gang Reduction Co-ordinator, Leroy Bean, who is tireless in his efforts working with gang members and their families. Contrary to what people may think or believe, his role is not limited to the hours of 9 to 5. This man gets up and out at any hour of the day or night. He sacrifices his personal family time to address the needs of the members of our community. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the most important remark in Mr Caines’s November 2018 statement was this: “The work of the Gang Violence Reduction Team is important and should not be understated. The ongoing, gang-related tensions in the community have not been ignored. Rather, this government and the Gang Violence Reduction Team have been steadily working to co-ordinate resources to best address the issues and we are seeing results.” I will repeat what Mr Caines said in his statement: “We are seeing results.” So what is the basis for the Premier’s remarks about Bermudians leaving Bermuda because of gang violence? I am sure the Premier is updated at Cabinet about the successes that the VR Team is achieving. I am sure that, aside from Cabinet, the Premier must have meetings with his minister to discuss whether the goals and objectives of the VR Team are being achieved. And if they are not being achieved, what is the strategy to ensure that they are achieved? Quite frankly, if I were Mr Bean, or the minister, a gang member, a member of any of the VR Team, a member of the organisations assisting the VR Team, or a person leaving Bermuda because I just can no longer economically survive here in my own country, I would be deeply disturbed and offended by the Premier’s remarks. Mr Burt effectively said that the VR Team, led by Mr Bean, under the auspices of the Minister of National Security, has not been effective, and their efforts to tackle gang violence have come to naught. Essentially, the Government is wasting its money and the gang reduction efforts, and all those associated with those efforts are failing. Because, surely, if the efforts were coming to fruition, then people would not be leaving the island. Now, to be clear, there are persons who are gang-affiliated who do leave Bermuda to start over elsewhere, anonymously. However, the number of persons who do so certainly do not make up the bulk of emigration. In the November 2017 ministerial statement referred to earlier, Mr Caines said that “the systemic devaluation of black men in this country is so pervasive that we must start by shifting how we raise our sons in this Bermuda. When we value them more and show it by ensuring that there is a place for them to execute their aims and aspirations for life, then they will value themselves”. The minister consistently highlights and acknowledges the important work done by the Ministry of National Security’s Gang Reduction Team, under the leadership of Leroy Bean. He believes in and supports the VR Team, and he believes in our young men and their value to our community. I believe in the VR Team, the efforts of Mr Bean, the affiliated support groups and the Minister of National Security. Unfortunately, Mr Burt’s remarks reflect that he does not believe that the efforts expended by Mr Bean and Mr Caines in respect of addressing gang violence and antisocial behaviour have brought about significant results. He has also vocalized what he thinks about gang members and their impact on our country and community. So, the Premier makes these disparaging remarks in the House on July 12, and then, it is reported that the Premier gave the first eight young men to participate in the government-funded Redemption Farm support and encouragement. Isn’t there some level of hypocrisy here? I mean, it’s fine if the Premier believes that gang violence is responsible for the hike in Bermudians emigrating from Bermuda; and, if he believes that, then he must substantiate his comments. The Premier admitted that there is no empirical evidence to support his statement about gang violence being a main driver of emigration. But, if he cannot substantiate his comments, and the aggregated data proves his statement is disingenuous and unfounded, then don’t you think that the people of Bermuda are owed a sincere and genuine apology? In my mind, it’s either an apology to Bermuda for making such an erroneous statement, which he himself noted is not supported by any empirical evidence, or, it’s an acknowledgement by the Premier that his Progressive Labour Party government, with its imposition of taxes on the small man, the lack of job creation, the abysmally slow evolution of fintech as a business line, the lack of direct foreign investment, absolutely no capital projects waiting in the wings, the exorbitantly high cost of living, and the lack of a viable plan to address, mitigate or change any of these issues, are the real reasons that people are leaving Bermuda."
The
Weather Channel is likely to get more attention in the offices of Third Point
Reinsurance Ltd in the future. That observation was cause for a
light-hearted chuckle, but it was more than a throwaway line for chief executive
officer Daniel Malloy. Third Point Re is beefing up its presence in property
catastrophe and specialty lines. In the first six months of this year it had
gross premiums written of $402.2 million, of which property catastrophe totaled
about $57 million. The reinsurer yesterday reported second-quarter profit of
$53.1 million, or 57 cents per share, up from $19.6 million a year ago. Although
it made a net underwriting loss, the gap has narrowed, reflected in a combined
ratio that has dropped from 103.6 per cent a year ago, to 101.1 per cent. Mr
Malloy said the company is on target to hit its goal of underwriting
profitability, subject to catastrophe events, by year end. “This will be an
important milestone for the company and a validation of our strategy to deliver
value from both sides of our balance sheet,” he said. We have continued to
build out our underwriting team over the past year, where we have successfully
recruited talented underwriters, to allow us to expand our portfolio into new
profitable lines of business including property catastrophe and specialty. We
are encouraged with our progress to date with the build out of our team and
portfolio positioning going better than expected.” He became CEO of the
Bermudian-based company in May, following the resignation of Robert Bredahl. He
also continues as CEO of Third Point Reinsurance Company Ltd, a position he has
held since 2017. Speaking to The Royal Gazette, he said the caliber of people
that have joined the company on the underwriting side meant it now punched above
its weight. He mentioned the teams and new hires in Bermuda and the US helping
to drive its property catastrophe and specialty lines. Tracey Gibbons joined in
April and leads a specialty team for Third Point Re in Bermuda. She has been a
lead in the class for 15 years and “clients and brokers want to trade with
her”, said Mr Malloy. The company has also added a senior risk modeler. Asked
about the increased presence in property catastrophe and specialty lines, Mr
Malloy said: “We are seeing, on the property catastrophe market, reinsurance
capacity being withdrawn due to the losses in 2017 and 2018. That has given us
an opportunity to step in. I’m excited by our prospects, watching the plans we
started 12-plus months ago roll out. I’ll be watching The Weather Channel now,
that’s something new for us. In a way we are inching a little bit closer to
what is a more typical offering for a Bermuda reinsurer, but we still understand
our roots and our DNA, which includes a relationship with Third Point [LLC], and
they have been great producers of very profitable investment returns over the
years.” Third Point Re’s investments are managed by Dan Loeb’s Third Point
LLC hedge fund. The reinsurer’s investment return for the first six months of
the year was 10.3 per cent. As it released its second-quarter results, the
company announced that Sid Sankaran, formerly chief risk officer and chief
financial officer at AIG, has joined its board.
Thousands
of dollars worth of sand is expected to be imported to fill bunkers before the
first PGA Bermuda Championship in the autumn. A notice on the government
website invited proposals for the supply and delivery of 4,000 metric tonnes of
sand to Port Royal Golf Course. It gave a detailed breakdown of specifications
and explained that submissions should include laboratory reports and that
samples will be needed for tests on island. Greg Maybury, the golf course
general manager, said the bunkers needed to be filled regardless of the upcoming
competition and that the sand will meet US Golf Association standards. He
explained on Wednesday: “Even if we weren’t having this event, we would look
to have this type of sand. The sand has been depleted over the years, we needed
it anyway.” Mr Maybury said that the last delivery was about ten years ago,
before the PGA Grand Slam of Golf was held at the course between 2009 and 2014.
He explained that play and stormy weather contributed to the loss of sand from
bunkers. He said: “The sand gets blown out, we haven’t been able to
replenish it, we’re putting the sand back, if you wish. Typically, golf
courses fill their bunkers every year, we haven’t been able to do that.” The
request for proposals was issued by the Ministry of Public Works last month. It
said: “Following the recent announcement that Bermuda will host a PGA Tour
event at Port Royal Golf Course in October, the Government is now seeking
proposals from suitable qualified and experienced entities for the ‘turnkey’
importation and delivery of both bunker sand and topdressing sand to Port Royal
Golf Course.” Project particulars showed that 3,000 metric tonnes of bunker
sand must be “fully compliant with applicable USGA recommendations”. The
notice explained: “Bunker sand shall be silica sand, white in colour, very
angular and with a low degree of sphericity.” It said the hydraulic
conductivity — the rate at which water moves through the sand — must be 24
inches an hour or more. And a “fried-egg lie test” will determine the
likelihood of any balls becoming partially buried in the bunkers. Requirements
for 1,000 metric tonnes of topdressing sand included that more than 60 per cent
of the particles will be fine, medium and coarse, between 0.15mm and 1mm. The
notice added: “The colour of the sand shall be clearly identified, for
approval by the ministry.” It said: “Laboratory analysis reports for both
the physical analysis and particle-size analysis of the sands from an accredited
laboratory are required. Proponents must be prepared to provide additional
documentation verifying the material properties and performance characteristics,
on request of the ministry.” The material was expected to be delivered to the
golf course no later than September. The notice added: “The successful
proponent will be required to submit samples of the sands to the Department of
Agriculture & Fisheries (Plant Protection Section) for local analysis and
testing, to include nematodes testing, to obtain official approval to import the
sand to Bermuda.” No suggested budget was provided in the notice and it was
understood costs vary depending on quality and shipping arrangements. One New
Jersey supplier said premium bunker sand could cost up to $40 a tonne — which
is less than a metric tonne — with some damp topdressing sand priced at about
$20 a tonne, although it was thought that dry sand could be a better option
because of the delivery distance. Freight and delivery costs would be
additional. The Bermuda Championship is expected to involve professionals who do
not qualify for this year’s World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions event in
China. It will run from October 31 to November 3 and carry a $3 million purse. The
Royal Gazette asked for further information about the RFP, which had a
submission deadline of July 25, but the Ministry of Public Works declined to
comment.
Shareholders
of Ascendant Group Ltd have approved a takeover bid by a Canadian utilities
group. They gave overwhelming backing to the bid from Algonquin Power and
Utilities Corp, in a meeting at the Hamilton Princess Hotel and Beach Club this
morning. Peter Durhager, the chairman of Ascendant’s board of directors, told
shareholders in attendance that of those who voted 99 per cent had supported the
transaction. Ian Robinson, the chief executive of Algonquin, said the company
was “very pleased” by the strong support for the acquisition. He added:
“We look forward to developing deep relationships with employees, customers,
and the Bermuda community and look forward to being a part of the exciting
future for Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited and Ascendant’s
non-regulated businesses.” Algonquin had offered $365 million for the shares
in Ascendant, which includes electricity supplier Belco, AirCare Ltd, iEPC
Limited, IFM Limited and Ascendant Properties Ltd. Shareholders will receive $36
per share, a premium of 20 per cent over yesterday’s closing share price of
$30 per share. Ascendant’s board of directors previously voted unanimously in
favour of accepting the bid. Mr Durhager told attendees prior to the vote that
Algonquin “have the capital resources, the operational knowledge and the
experience in renewable innovation necessary to advance the company’s efforts
to provide cleaner and more cost-effective electricity to our community”. The
company currently operates 54 energy facilities, about 90 per cent of which are
renewable. They operate in 13 states in the United States and one province in
Canada with 2,300 employees. He said that there would be expectations on
Algonquin to reinvest profits in Bermuda. He added: “A smart owner will both
invest in the infrastructure that they own, and also in the community in which
they are operating.” But Mr Durhager said: “At the end of the day, it is
their prerogative what they do with their profits.” He said that the issue of
the 60/40 rule would be examined after the takeover was backed. Mr Durhager
added: “The Government regulators, in this case the Ministry of Finance, the
Bermuda Monetary Authority and the Regulatory Authority, will have to get
involved. Certainly the BMA and the Ministry of Finance will be making a
determination to issue a licence to any non-Bermudian owner that would own more
than the relevant portion. So there’s no difference in this transaction than
any other business in Bermuda.” The bid by Algonquin will require regulatory
approval before going ahead.
Greenpeace
will team up with the Government for a forum on the oceans plastic crisis.
The international environmental charity will highlight its research on plastics
in the Sargasso Sea at Plastics Night Aboard the Esperanza on Monday. Home
affairs minister Walter Roban will speak about Bermuda’s commitment to fight
plastic pollution. Other panellists include Vanese Gordon, of the Government’s
waste management team; Anne Hyde of the Bermuda Marine Debris Task Force; Celia
Ojeda-Martinez of Greenpeace Spain; and Micah Richardson, 17, of GreenTeam
Bermuda. Arlo Hemphill, a senior oceans campaigner for Greenpeace USA, said:
“Due to its location in the centre of the North Atlantic gyre, Bermuda, and
the broader Sargasso Sea, is a depository of plastic pollution coming from
countries all around the Atlantic Ocean. It’s important that we all work
together to address this crisis, and protect this special ocean environment.”
The event will take place from 6pm to 9pm on the deck of the Greenpeace ship
Esperanza, which has travelled the world to expose environmental injustice and
push for solutions. It will be docked at Penno’s Wharf. The event is open to
the public, but attendance is limited to the first 100 who register.
The
chances of a busy hurricane season have increased, according to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States. Noaa has
forecast ten to 17 named storms for 2019, of which between five and nine will
reach hurricane strength. Of those, two to four are expected to reach major
hurricane status with winds of 111mph or greater. Conditions have become more
favourable for hurricane growth as the El Niño phenomenon had ended,
forecasters said in their midseason update. Noaa’s Climate Prediction Centre
said the likelihood of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season had grown to 45
per cent, from 30 per cent in its May forecast. The likelihood of near-normal
activity fell from 40 per cent to 35 per cent, and the chance of below-normal
activity dropped from 30 per cent to 20 per cent. So far this season,
subtropical storm Andrea dissipated before making landfall in May, while
Hurricane Barry hit Louisiana as a Category 1 in July. The Atlantic experiences
12 named storms and six hurricanes in an average season, of which three become
major hurricanes. Gerry Bell, the lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at Noaa’s
Climate Prediction Centre, said: “El Niño typically suppresses Atlantic
hurricane activity, but now that it’s gone, we could see a busier season
ahead. This evolution, combined with the more conducive conditions associated
with the ongoing high-activity era for Atlantic hurricanes that began in 1995,
increases the likelihood of above normal activity this year.” Pete Gaynor, the
acting Fema administrator, said: “Today’s updated outlook is a reminder to
be prepared. We urge everyone to learn more about hurricane hazards and prepare
now, ahead of time, so that if state and local authorities announce evacuations
in advance of a storm, you and your family will have planned where to go and
what to do to stay safe.” Kim Zuill, a meteorologist at the Bermuda Weather
Service, said the waters around the island have been warmer than usual for the
time of the year — something that can encourage storm growth. She said: “The
sea temperature around us is running at least a couple of degrees above normal
for this time of year. If a tropical system approaches our area, it will have an
increased heat source to aid in intensifying the system — remembering that
this is only one ingredient in the recipe of tropical system evolution.” She
added that, regardless of the outlook, only one storm is needed to make the
season busy for Bermuda. Ms Zuill said: “Bermuda has experienced damage from
tropical systems that have formed in seasons where the actual seasonal
statistics are below average, normal as well as above average. There is not a
direct correlation between any forecast or changes to a seasonal forecast and
landfall statistics for any landmass in our region, including Bermuda. As
always, the best advice we can give is to keep informed through BWS about the
tropical activity in our region, and once a tropical system forms, keep updated
on its progress and community effects.”
Reggae
artist Kemar Vershawn Brown, who goes by the stage name Vershon, was “never
refused entry into Bermuda because he never travelled to Bermuda”. Wayne
Caines, the Minister of National Security, weighed in on the issue after a
spokesman for the performer complained he had been refused entry as a tourist.
It was claimed Mr Brown was turned away after being told that the BDA Summer
Music Festival had been cancelled — invalidating his work permit. But Mr
Caines responded that concert promoters had been told “weeks in advance”
that Mr Brown needed a work permit to perform on the island. On Friday, the
Department of Immigration was made aware of three Jamaican nationals who said
they had come to perform at the same concert, but who did not hold valid work
permits. The festival had been scheduled for Saturday, but was cancelled. Mr
Caines said the three were allowed entry to Bermuda as visitors — but that Mr
Brown had not been among them. He added that there was “no record of Mr Brown
in our system”, or of an application for him to perform. No Jamaican nationals
were refused entry to the island on Friday and Mr Brown’s name did not appear
on any flight manifests for that day, said Mr Caines. He called the confusion
“unfortunate” and said concert organisers had failed to inform entertainers
and take responsibility for the mistake. Mr Caines added: “Furthermore, I am
disappointed that they have allowed both international and local media to
misplace blame on Bermuda and the hard-working people at the Department of
Immigration.”
The
planning department needs to do more to back “the growth of the country”,
the home affairs minister has told the Development Applications Board. The
minutes of the board’s meeting last month said Walter Roban attended to
discuss plans to streamline the planning process and improve the public image of
the department. The minutes said: “The minister indicated that it was
important for the department to continue in providing guidance to the public to
enable their goals to be realised when it comes to development projects, while
at the same time protecting the environment. The minister further stated that in
order to improve the department’s reputation, it was important for rebranding
to take place and in doing so, make the planning process less bureaucratic to
improve efficiency.” The record added: “The minister stressed that the
public should not feel the need to involve an agent for every type of
application. To conclude, the minister reiterated the need for the department to
operate in a manner that is more conducive to supporting the growth of the
country.” Mr Roban said yesterday the meeting was one of a series of
discussions he had organised to discuss government objectives. He added: “I
visited the board as part of my goal to meet with all of my boards under my
ministry — I had not met with the planning board yet. I wanted to talk to them
about an ongoing campaign by the ministry about work to streamline the planning
process so it can be more efficient. There is a role the board can play in
that.” He said one policy under development would allow the board to delegate
some planning decisions to the director of the department. Mr Roban added: “We
are discussing with the DAB what they can to do make the planning process more
efficient and about the goal of the Government to stimulate economic activity by
ensuring that projects will contribute to that particular goal. “We are
looking at the development and planning process to contribute to greater
economic activity, growth and job creation in the economy. The meeting was to
let them know the Government’s policy objectives around planning and that they
will play a role with some of the proposals on how we can streamline the
process.” Both the Progressive Labour Party and the One Bermuda Alliance
governments have in the past called for improvements to planning process to
encourage construction projects and job creation.
The
widow of a computing tycoon and philanthropist has won a legal battle to allow
her to buy Agar’s Island. The Supreme Court ruled that Lillian Martin, an
American, should have been granted a licence to acquire the island, where she
lived with her husband, James Martin. Last night, Wayne Caines, the Minister of
National Security, said the Government was taking advice on whether to appeal
against the decision. Assistant Justice Ian Kawaley said in a written judgment:
“The arrangements initiated in 1997 would not now be lawful. But, objectively
viewed in light of the object and purpose of the governing provisions, they were
designed in a transparent way to enable Dr Martin, and his widow after his
death, to apply for a licence to buy the property which they quite openly
treated as their home before the purchase was completed.” Mr Justice Kawaley
said “positive evidence” was needed to dispute legally binding documents
entered into by law-abiding citizens. He said in the July 31 ruling: “In this
case, the minister assumed the heavy burden of persuading the court that on
their face the agreements were not what they seemed, and the reality was
informed by a sly ‘nudge-nudge, wink-wink’ understanding. Looked at
superficially through the lens of hindsight, the series of five-year leases
commencing in 1997 did excite suspicion that there was a scheme to renew the
leases until Dr Martin obtained a licence or abandoned the scheme when the
application was first effectively made in 2014. But this cynical first
impression does not withstand careful and objective scrutiny because the
arrangements entered into were not artificial or commercially inconsistent with
Bermuda Transportation Company Limited retaining legal and beneficial ownership
of the property after the 2007 amendments came into force.” Dr Martin, who
died in 2013, aged 79, was a major influence in the development of computer
science and his work included the creation of some of the building blocks of
modern IT systems, as well as teaching other businesses how to benefit from
technology. The English-born businessman and author moved to Bermuda in the
1980s and built a home on Agar’s Island in the Great Sound off Point Shares in
Pembroke. The Supreme Court heard that in 1997 he entered into an agreement
which contemplated the purchase of Agar’s Island if he was able to obtain a
licence. The arrangement also said he would occupy the island as a tenant under
a five-year lease and finance the development of the property. Mr Justice
Kawaley explained in his judgment: “The development was needed to raise the
value of the property to the requisite land valuation threshold, which would
enable a restricted person to obtain a licence to purchase the land under the
Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956.” The Government announced a
moratorium on any further licences for non-Bermudians to buy land in 2005 as
part of an effort to end the practice of “fronting”. Dr Martin did not apply
for a licence until after the moratorium came into effect in 2007 and he died in
2013. Ms Martin, his widow, applied for a licence in July of 2014, after the
moratorium had ended. But the application was refused. Government lawyers,
acting for the Minister of National Security, claimed that there were suspicions
that parts of Bermuda’s immigration law had been breached by Dr Martin’s
arrangement. Mr Justice Kawaley said the case turned on “a bland point of
statutory construction”. He added: “They were in my judgment obviously
lawful arrangements when initially made. The critical legal question is,
therefore, whether the arrangements, taking into account the way in which Dr
Martin — and the applicant after him — occupied the property, were caught by
the more restrictive regime introduced by the 2007 Act and became unlawful as a
result.” Mr Justice Kawaley found that the arrangements would have aroused
suspicion “at first blush” in 2014, but were still lawful when the 2007 Act
came into full effect. He said legislation did not prevent people from entering
into sale and purchase agreements before they obtained a licence to purchase
land. Mr Justice Kawaley added: “If it is permissible to enter into a sale and
purchase agreement without a licence, it is impossible to identify any
free-standing prohibition on occupying land as a tenant prior to making the
licence application or while an application is pending. He said: “A tenant
does not cease to be tenant merely because they are also a prospective purchaser
of the property being leased. It is important to remember that the Department of
Immigration had notice of the fact that Dr Martin was occupying the property he
had contracted to buy and was a mortgagee of as long ago as 2010 and was unable
to identify any straightforward basis for criticizing these arrangements.”
Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said: “The Government is
taking advice and considering its options in relation to the decision by the
Supreme Court in this matter, including whether to appeal.” It is understood
that the Martin case was the first ruling on the meaning and effect of the 2007
legislation, which was designed to prevent non-Bermudians from buying property
illegally by the use of a resident as a “front”. It was revealed in 2010
that the Bermuda Housing Corporation had obtained a $1.5 million waterfront
property near Five Star Island in a settlement after suspicions of fronting were
raised. As part of the settlement, the Government agreed to rent the home back
to the family, who had to pay $10,000 a month for five years. Lieutenant-Colonel
David Burch, the Minister of National Security when the settlement was made,
said at the time: “I am not aware of all the details in this case, but clearly
we got to the point where everybody agreed ‘OK, you got me’.”
Two
government agencies have been ordered to draw up a complete list of public
grants handed to a failed sports centre. The checks by the Ministry of
Finance and the Accountant-General’s Department must include the paper trail
behind a double grant made to Sandys 360 by mistake. However, the decision
issued by Gitanjali Gutierrez, the Information Commissioner, did not require the
two offices to release the records. The commissioner has set a deadline of next
month for both bodies to finish a “reasonable” search for the payment
records. Each office must also issue their decision on whether or not to grant
the public access to information request for the documents. The ruling came
after a Pati request on payments from January 2007 to May 2016, when more than
$5 million was poured into the West End sports complex. The Pati query included
a request for records behind the double payment of $807,000 from the Government
Reserve Fund, made in August 2011. Sandys 360 shut down in 2013, four years
after it opened, because it could not pay its bills. The decision this week from
Ms Gutierrez faulted the Accountant-General’s office for passing the Pati
request over to the Ministry of Finance without first checking if it held the
relevant records. The department also failed to notify the Pati applicant that
the ministry might have held the Sandys 360 records. Ms Gutierrez’s decision,
issued on Monday, ordered both offices to check for records and give a new
decision on whether to grant access before September 9.
Arbitrade
Ltd has terminated its gold trading agreements with Sion Trading FZE and
divested itself of all interests in the gold which was provided to it by Sion
under the agreements. The Bermuda-registered company has also stated it
never assumed any liabilities for the crypto tokens called dignity, namaste,
honor and orectic. Arbitrade said its business and contractual relationships
with United Arab Emirates-registered Sion have now been assumed by Cryptobontix.
In its statement, Arbitrade made no mention of its future plans. It acquired
Victoria Hall, on Victoria Street, last October as its global headquarters, but
the building has remained unused. The company’s relationships with Sion and
Cryptobontix have featured a number of turns. Arbitrade announced in March 2018
that it was to acquire Ontario-registered Cryptobontix Inc, which owned the
suite of crypto tokens. Since then Arbitrade has made numerous mentions of its
tokens, and also a multibillion dollar gold agreement to back its tokens with
precious metals. In November it said its directors had secured “in excess of
$10 billion in gold to back their tokens”. This was in relation to a safe
keeping receipt, or SKR, for 360,000 kilograms of gold that was said to have
been verified by “an independent public accounting firm”. The identify of
the accounting firm has never been publicly revealed. In January, Arbitrade said
it had completed the purchase and vaulting of an additional $3.8 million of
hallmarked gold bars through Sion. It issued photographs of some gold bars next
to a card featuring Arbitrade’s name and the names of the crypto tokens
dignity, namaste, honor and orectic. Len Schutzman, Arbitrade’s chief
executive officer, said: “With our alliance with Sion, and their gold-mining
network, we are able to expand our family of precious metals-backed crypto
coins”. Also in January, Arbitrade’s gold procurement agent Sion announced
it was to purchase a major shareholding in Arbitrade by acquiring the shares in
the company held by Leila Holdings Ltd, a Bermuda exempted company owned by
Arbitrade founder Troy Hogg. However in May, Arbitrade announced it had never
completed the 2018 purchase of Cryptobontix due to “timing issues and
regulatory approvals”, and that Mr Hogg was working to close the sale of
Cryptobontix and its tokens to Sion. The following month Sion announced the
completion of that deal. In an announcement from Arbitrade’s directors,
released yesterday through Bermudian-based law firm Trott & Duncan Ltd,
further information was given on the history and background to the deal. It said
Cryptobontix issued the digital asset tokens, or ingot tokens [dignity, namaste,
honor and orectic], which were designed to be backed by precious metals. “It
was intended that once Arbitrade had been set up in Bermuda, Cryptobontix, which
was in majority common ownership with Arbitrade, would be brought into the
Arbitrade group and as part of this the ingot tokens would also transfer. In
preparation for this Arbitrade contracted with Sion to provide gold in order to
back the ingot tokens,” Arbitrade said in its statement. Arbitrade’s
agreement to acquire Cryptobontix was conditional with the major condition being
adequate proceeds from an initial coin offering. Following a number of
regulatory challenges and approval delays, generally being faced in the fintech
market in Bermuda, along with market conditions affecting the ICO market, the
proposed ICO was not undertaken, the acquisition of Cryptobontix did not proceed
and consequently the ingot tokens remained squarely with Cryptobontix. As a
result, Arbitrade has never owned Cryptobontix nor assumed any liabilities for
the ingot tokens.” Regarding the gold agreements, the company said: “With
Arbitrade having no requirement for gold in relation to any exchange, mining or
other business activities that it might undertake, negotiations for Sion to move
all contractual obligations in relation to the gold to Cryptobontix were aligned
when Sion identified a business opportunity in the ingot tokens and indicated
their desire to acquire the shares in Cryptobontix. As a result, Arbitrade’s
business and contractual relationships with Sion have now been assumed by
Cryptobontix.” Trott & Duncan provided legal advice on the transaction.
Arbitrade’s announcement comes two weeks after newly-formed Dignity Holdings
LLC, registered in Delaware, claimed its subsidiary Dignity Gold had acquired
Cryptobontix and its tokens and would continue the relationship with Sion
through the SKR for 395,000 kilograms of gold. That amount of gold would be
worth $18 billion at today’s prices. The CEO of Dignity Holdings is Stephen
Braverman, the former chief operating officer of Arbitrade Exchange (Bermuda)
Ltd. In a court document in January, Mr Braverman also referred to himself as
being an officer and director of Cryptobontix. Investment and real estate
businessman Kent Swig is chairman of Dignity Holdings. He is also president of
New York-based Swig Equities LLC and Helmsley Spear LLC. During the past two
weeks, requests by The Royal Gazette to Sion, Dignity Holdings, Dignity Gold,
and Cryptobontix for information about the reported acquisition of Cryptobontix
by Dignity Gold have not been answered.
Film
fans were warned this afternoon of an internet scam that is designed to steal
credit card details. The Regulatory Authority said an advert circulating on
Facebook suggested a programme called MovieFlix can offer a streaming service
like Netflix but free of charge, if customers sign up before Saturday, August
10. It warned that the promotion leads users to an article that claimed Netflix
has “lost thousands of Bermudian users this week because of the new competing
service”. A spokeswoman for the RA said that although the MovieFlix website
appeared to be legitimate, every tab on the page linked to the same online form
asking people to sign up for a trial membership. She said the hoax had already
appeared on posts in Australia and New Zealand with identical messaging and
other countries targeted included Canada and Ireland. Denton Williams, the RA
chief executive, said: “Our role as an independent regulatory body is
primarily to protect consumers and industry stakeholders. MovieFlix is an
example of a phishing scam, designed to steal credit card details. Often these
scams are linked to international organised crime and we strongly recommend that
if consumers have already subscribed for the service, that they monitor their
bank accounts or cancel their cards before their information is taken.”
Skyport
has reached out to the public for used luggage to test baggage equipment at the
new passenger terminal building. A Skyport spokeswoman said those who donate
luggage will be given “tags” for a monthly draw, with prizes to include gas
vouchers, grocery vouchers and gift cards. Mikaela Pearman, marketing and
communications officer at Skyport, said: “A fully functioning baggage handling
system is an integral part of an efficient airport terminal. Skyport, along with
its partners in the programme will be conducting tests and trials of the system
and we encourage members of the community to donate old luggage they are no
longer using, so that we can test the system efficiently. The testing of
equipment brings us one step closer to opening a world-class airport for
Bermuda.” Skyport said the new baggage system was installed by Glidepath, a
New Zealand-based company with nearly 50-years of experience in delivering
airport baggage handling and integrated security screening systems. The Skyport
spokeswoman said: “The baggage handling system is used to carry bags checked
in by passengers, from the flight check-in desks to a holding area where they
are then driven to their plane on baggage carts. The complex system is rigged in
the ceilings of the first floor of the new building. It consists of 242
Conveyors totaling almost 3.5 kilometers in length traveling up to 1.8 meters
per second. In addition to transporting bags to the flight loading location, the
system software will maintain the passenger information for each bag and monitor
its position along the conveyor belts.” Those interested in donating baggage
are asked to call 299-4832 by December.
A
conservation charity is on the hunt for a new head. Bill Zuill confirmed
yesterday that he has quit as executive director at the Bermuda National Trust. Mr
Zuill said the departure had been amicable. He added: “I’ve had a good three
years there, and, now, I am interested in doing some other things. I’m looking
at some opportunities.” Mr Zuill said the BNT was “a wonderful organisation
with some great people doing extremely important work for Bermuda”. He
directed further questions about the circumstances of his departure to Alana
Anderson, the president of the BNT. Ms Anderson said that Mr Zuill had resigned
from the post on Tuesday to pursue other business opportunities. She added:
“We definitely wish him all the best and we do hope that he will be able to
continue to be involved in the trust.” Ms Anderson said that Mr Zuill had been
responsible for “numerous successful ventures” in his time at the trust,
including the International Conference of National Trusts, held in Bermuda this
year. The event brought representatives from conservation organisations in 37
countries to the island in March. She added that it had been a pleasure to work
with Mr Zuill. Ms Anderson said: “He has an incredible knowledge of
Bermuda’s history, both built and natural heritage, which was an asset to the
trust. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.” She said that a search
would be launched to find a replacement. Vincent Chaves, the trust’s director
of finance, will become interim executive director. Mr Zuill was appointed to
the role three years ago. He took over from Jennifer Gray, who held the post for
nine years. Mr Zuill, a former Editor of The Royal Gazette, said at the
time of his appointment that he was “deeply honoured” to take over. He
added: “In some ways, this role means that I am coming home as I feel that I
grew up with the trust, since my father was director from 1972 until the early
1990s and I spent a lot of time on trust properties. Ever since, I have had a
great passion for Bermuda’s history and environment and look forward to utilizing
my experience as a journalist and as a manager to make the trust an even better
organisation than it is today.”
The
Bermuda Sailors’ Home has opened a new centre in Dockyard to cater for the
crews of cruise ships. Ilya Cherapau, manager at the Bermuda
Sailors’ Home in Hamilton, said the Seafarers’ Centre was a logical move
because of the distance between Dockyard and the home, on Serpentine Road,
Hamilton. He added: “This Dockyard expansion was an organic thing to do. Even
if they know where this place is and we provide everything, even if we pay for
their trip, it may still be impossible for them to come because the time they
have off is limited.” Mr Cherapau said that the new centre, expected to be
open until the end of cruise ship season in October, opened last month without
publicity, but had already attracted up to 50 crew members a day. He added:
“The official ceremony was on July 29, but on the 20th I stopped by to see how
it was going. We hadn’t advertised it, just put a little sign outside to say
it was a Seafarers’ Centre. They showed me the log book and I was shocked.
Without telling anyone, just by putting the sign out, we had between 30 and 50
people daily registering and using the facility.” The centre, behind Media
Lounge Cinema and managed by its owners, was designed to give crews from
visiting ships the chance to sit down, go online and communicate with their
families overseas. Francis Richardson, the CEO of the Bermuda Shipping and
Maritime Authority, said the centre was an important addition to services for
sailors on visits to the island. He added: “They make great sacrifices by
working at sea. Many of them are leaving home for long periods of time, they
miss important and significant milestones like anniversaries, birthdays and
sometimes even the birth of their own children. It’s a tough world. There are
upsides to it, but it is certainly a sacrifice. Having a facility where they can
come ashore and feel a bit at home is extremely important and in Bermuda during
the summer season, we have a large volume of crew on the island.” Shakira
Hayward, also of the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority, added: “When you
are on a ship, all you want to do is keep in contact with your family members.
You get a lot of seafarers with wives, husbands and children. They want
somewhere safe and somewhere clean to reach out to their families.” Mr
Cherapau added it was hoped that the centre could be operated for every cruise
season. He explained: “This is the first year and we didn’t quite know how
everything was going to work out. There were several things that could go wrong,
but I think for a first year it’s a great success both for us and the
seafarers. Because we had no idea what the feedback would be and it involves a
financial commitment, we said let’s open for a limited time and set aside
three months of funds. The Mission to Seafarers, an international charity who
serve merchant crews, financed another month of operation, so it will go to
October, which is pretty much the end of the cruise season.” Mr Cherapau
added: “Next year, we will look to see how much funds we can guarantee and we
will try to reach out to the local and international community to see if we can
fund the full season.” He said the Seafarer’s Centre could offer additional
services to seafarers, such as shuttle buses and the ability to use the centre
as a mailing address, if sufficient funds were available.
A
Jamaican reggae singer demanded an apology yesterday after he was refused entry
to Bermuda when the concert he was scheduled to perform in was cancelled. A
spokesman for 28-year-old Vershon, whose real name is Kemar Vershawn Brown, said
he was told at the airport that, because of the cancellation of the BDA Summer
Music Festival, his work permit was “null and void” and he would not be
allowed to enter the country as a tourist. The spokesman said: “While we
understand that Vershon needs a work permit to work on the island, and the
Government right and decision to cancel the event and permits, the artist still
had the legally required documentation to visit the island as a tourist, which
was ignored.” He added: “It’s unfortunate that those who seek to bring
positive publicity and aid in the economic development of Bermuda’s tourism
sector are refused entry even with the proper documentation. The artist, who is
a brand ambassador for reggae-dancehall music, is owed an apology for the way it
was handled.” The BDA Summer Music Festival was scheduled to be held at
Snorkel Park last Saturday, but was cancelled at the last minute because of
immigration-clearance problems. Azia Toussaint, a rapper and reality TV star who
was also scheduled to perform at the concert, was able to enter the country and
blogged about her time in Bermuda in glowing terms. The national security
ministry, which is responsible for immigration matters, did not respond to a
request for comment.
A
child protection charity has condemned a decision to release a serial pedophile
from prison four years early. Kelly Hunt, executive director of the
Coalition for the Protection of Children, said last night that it was
“unfathomable” that Jomar Akbar Caines had been released before he had
served his full 12 years behind bars. Ms Hunt said: “This individual has
proven that he is not only dangerous, but has the propensity to re-offend.”
She highlighted that Caines was “someone with multiple, violent offences
against children”. Ms Hunt said the courts should consider sentences of 20
years or more for these kinds of offences. She added: “It is of note that the
Commissioner of Prisons has the authority to forfeit the two-thirds remission
for good conduct and ensure that the full term was served, particularly when no
specific treatment or ongoing assessment was received while incarcerated.” She
was speaking after Caines, 43, was released from Westgate prison after eight
years yesterday for an attack on a ten-year-old schoolboy in a restaurant
toilet. Kathy Lynn Simmons, the Minister of Legal Affairs, issued a public
warning of his release, as a sex offender “considered to present a risk of
significant harm to the health or safety of the public, an affected group of
people, or an individual”. Ms Hunt said: “We hope that prior to release,
victims and their families were informed that this perpetrator was due to
re-enter society. Our anticipation is that this announcement comes hand in hand
with the news that a sex offender management team has successfully been
implemented for the protection of our children.” Ms Simmons said she reached
the decision after consultation with Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley.
She added: “The minister has determined that the Ministry of Education should
be provided with information regarding this offender, to ensure that relevant
schools are notified about his impending release.” Caines was jailed after a
March 2011 attack in the Pasta Basta restaurant in Hamilton. The court heard he
went into the restaurant and asked the child where the bathroom was. The boy,
who was holding his younger brother, walked Caines to the foyer of the
restaurant, which led to the bathroom. Caines told the victim to put his brother
down, grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him into the men’s bathroom. The
terrified boy screamed for help and banged on the bathroom door as Caines began
to touch him in the chest area. Two members of the public heard the shouts and
banged on the bathroom door. Caines rushed out of the bathroom with a claw
hammer and begun to swing it and throw punches at the customers who had stepped
in to save the boy. The court heard he punched one man several times as he tried
to shield a toddler. Caines was chased by several customers as far as Hamilton
Police Station, where police arrested him. He was charged and convicted of a sex
assault on a minor, deprivation of liberty, assault and common assault.
Prosecutors said at Caines’s trial that he had been in counselling and had
shown a “noticeable change in behaviour” in the months after his arrest. He
received an additional year for each offence as the offences were committed in
an increased penalty zone. Caines was also ordered to serve at least half of his
sentence before he was eligible for parole and to take part in sexual,
psychological and drug rehabilitative programmes while in jail. Caines
apologised to the victim and society for his actions before he was sentenced. He
told the court: “At the time I wasn’t taking my medication. I feel that any
help that is necessary, I’m looking forward to it.” Caines was convicted and
jailed in 2010 for an attempt to provoke a young man to perform an indecent act.
He was released from prison just five months before the restaurant sex assault.
Caines was sentenced to a year in prison in 2002 for burglary with intent to
commit sexual assault on a young man. And he was jailed for four years for sex
assault, unlawful carnal knowledge and deprivation of liberty in 1997 for an
attack on a 13-year-old boy.
A
new $5 fee slapped on duty- free items posted to Bermuda has sparked fury. Angry
post office users said they had been hit with the fee when they collected
birthday cards. One woman wrote on the Maj’s List Facebook page that she was
charged $20 to pick up birthday cards addressed to her son. The charge,
introduced on August 1, means anyone who fills out a Bermuda Customs declaration
form — required to collect all packages — has to pay the “processing
fee”. Another customer said that she was warned about the change last week
when she went to collect a letter from overseas. She added: “Had I left it
until this week, I would have been charged. I was more concerned about the fact
that the contents are confidential and that they would want to look. And to be
told that even if no duty has to be paid a form has to be completed and a charge
for $5 made, that is ridiculous. Fair enough for packages, but not for letters
and cards.” She added: “Christmas is going to be either very busy at the
post office or they will be thumb-twiddling, as no international mail will be
coming in. Also, what happens with our international businesses and law firms?
Are they going to have to go through the same process? I don’t think this was
very well thought out.” A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Post Office said the fee
was introduced as part of the mail service’s efforts to upgrade services “to
create a more efficient, modernized customer- service experience. We are always
looking to improve and enhance the client experience. This involves modernizing
our processes, some of which took effect August 1. Customers should be aware
that the BPO’s customer service representatives act on behalf of HM Customs in
the collection of customs duty and must adhere to their process and procedures.
The BPO assists its clients with completing the Bermuda Customs declaration
form. The person collecting the package must sign the BCD as the declarant and
pay the duty. The BPO will process your BCD and customs duty fees directly to
customs. There is a $5 BPO processing fee for each BCD. Gifts, duty-free items
or items attracting a zero rate of duty still require a BCD to be completed with
printed invoice/receipt and valid photo identification as per customs
requirements.” The spokeswoman warned customers that anyone collecting
packages must be authorized to do so and have valid photo identification. She
said: “A printed invoice/receipt is required for all goods and merchandise,
inclusive of gifts. Customs requires the BPO to submit a printed invoice/receipt
attached to the BCD, whether the goods or merchandise are dutiable or not. If
unable to provide an invoice/receipt the customer can provide an equal
representation of the items with pricing.”
“Demoralised” police were
considering their options last night after a further delay in negotiations with
the Government on pay and conditions, their representative body said.
Sergeant Andrew Harewood, the chairman of the Bermuda Police Association, said
officers feared that the Government’s refusal to honour a partial agreement
struck in May was linked to residual ill will from the clash between police and
demonstrators outside Parliament in December 2016 led to protesters being
pepper-sprayed. He was speaking after he warned on Monday that negotiations were
at risk of breaking down. Mr Harewood said the incident, in which officers were
assaulted and pepper spray was used on members of the public, might have caused
“the Government’s ill feelings towards the Bermuda Police Service”. He
said that the police service were still criticized over the confrontation with
protesters, who were angry about the public-private partnership deal to
redevelop the airport. He said: “That’s all we hear about in the papers and
public statements. It’s unprofessional for the Government to be bashing the
police for no apparent reason.” Talks have been held over the past 18 months
through the independent Public Sector Negotiation Team on terms of employment
for police. Other problems still to be settled include Government Employee
Health Insurance, and legal coverage for police officers. Mr Harewood said there
had been progress in talks in the wake of an emergency meeting held by the BPA
in April. He insisted that the partial agreement later reached with the PSNT was
legally binding and that it was “bad faith” that the Government had refused
to accept it. Mr Harewood added: “Part of the issue is that we do not have a
union where we can go on strike. We feel that Government tries to take advantage
of police.” Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said yesterday
that the police were of “value”. However, he added: “All outstanding
contractual matters, including salary and contractual negotiations, fall outside
of my remit and come under the minister with responsibility for labour.
Outstanding matters are with the Public Sector Negotiating Team and are still
being negotiated.” Mr Harewood said the BPA hoped to hold a general meeting
next week to discuss its options. He said: “The members are not happy. This is
not a job; it’s a duty and we need a high morale to do our job. What causes a
police officer to stand in front of a person and take a bullet so that person
can live? It’s about morale and a sense of duty. When you take that from
officers, it makes the job dangerous for them and for the public.” Mr Harewood
said if talks did break down the negotiations could be referred to the
Department of Workforce Development for “settlement by conciliation”. He
added: “That process takes 14 days. If not, then the matter goes to
arbitration.” Lovitta Foggo, the labour minister, did not respond to a request
for comment.
A
44-year-old woman has been charged with the theft of more than $2,700 worth of
prescription drugs. Fiona Iris was accused of using invalid prescriptions 41
times to obtain codeine and atasol painkillers. Prosecutors alleged in
Magistrates’ Court yesterday that Ms Iris, from Pembroke, stole $2,448 worth
of codeine and $280 worth of atasol from pharmacies across the island. Ms Iris
was also charged with possession of codeine between December 2017 and last
November. Magistrate Maxanne Anderson adjourned the case until September 9 and
released Ms Iris on $2,500 bail.
A
former attorney-general and expert in space law claimed yesterday that a
comprehensive plan was needed for Bermuda to capitalize on its satellite slots.
Philip Perinchief said the country had to have a more aggressive approach to
make sure the island was not left behind as technology in the $277 billion
industry evolved. He was backed by Sara Langston, a visiting expert who
highlighted that Bermuda was well placed to make the most of its good
international relations. Four satellite orbital slots — areas where a
satellite can operate — were allocated to Bermuda by the International
Telecommunication Union in 1983. One slot hosted its first satellite in 2013 but
it is understood there have been none added to any of the slots since then. Mr
Perinchief said: “In my view, we have been going along a path which is
somewhat disjointed and inconsistent. I think we have to put out there a
consistent and coherent policy to commercialize all of our slots but, in
particular, the one that we have a satellite in because from 2003 or 2004 up to
now it has been fits and starts and we really need something consistent,
coherent and connected. Competition is so high in this industry that if we
don’t adopt a more aggressive approach and a consistent approach, others will
come in and fill the void and that, in my view, is what’s happening even with
Jamaica right now. Jamaica have it in the works to develop a slot. Hopefully, it
won’t be a threat to Bermuda’s commercialization.” The State of the
Satellite Industry Report 2019 said the global space economy was worth $360
billion last year. Of that, 77 per cent, or $277.4 billion, was generated by the
satellite industry, with telecommunications the biggest sector. Mr Perinchief
said that expanding Bermuda’s participation was likely to boost the public
purse and create jobs. He explained: “It’s renting real estate in the sky.
Government’s coffers will be filled and we’d be better positioned to look
after our budget.” He added that there could be opportunities to create
partnerships with other countries or private companies, but political will to
achieve that was needed. Mr Perinchief suggested that an agency set up to
harness domestic and foreign expertise could work alongside aviation and
shipping bodies and that Bermuda could expand its maritime work through the use
of surveillance or reconnaissance satellites. Mr Perinchief and Dr Langston, an
assistant professor in space flight operations at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical
University in Florida, delivered a presentation to about 25 lawyers and
interested others in Bermuda last week. They explained some of the problems in
keeping up with space law as the industry progressed. Dr Langston said yesterday
that she had learnt about the island’s “long history” of strong ties to
the UK, the US and Europe and that these were a good foundation for development.
She added: “Bermuda, historically has been a strategic place in between
continents, but this adds a further layer.” The professor, who was a classmate
with Mr Perinchief when the two studied air and space law at Leiden University
in the Netherlands, said that it was important to establish a “niche
expertise”. Dr Langston added: “It also gives industry a chance. As you’re
still developing, this is an optimal time for industry to give their input
because if you just build the regulations separate to the needs of the industry
— and the industry is dynamic — then they’re going to be outdated by the
time it comes to implement.” She explained that Bermuda must work through the
UK, which makes sure that its Overseas Territories comply with the Outer Space
Treaty and legal regimes, which are supported by international negotiation and
co-operation. Dr Langston added: “The industry needs stability of policy.
It’s really hard for them to act when they don’t know from administration to
administration what’s going to happen.” Mr Perinchief said: “We have to
broaden our vision, with respect to our regulations — one here and there and
in a limited fashion is not quite enough to service a burgeoning industry
that’s growing leaps and bounds almost daily. The new technologies are
phenomenal, so we need an organisation to keep its finger on the pulse, both
locally and abroad.” The pair explained that the satellite industry affected
most aspects of modern living, including paying for groceries by credit card,
using social media or satellite television, delivering weather forecasts and
monitoring climate change. Mr Perinchief added: “Look around us and you
can’t see any item that’s not affected by satellite technology. We’re
trying to bring space down to Earth.” The Ministry of Home Affairs recently
launched a website designed to support the industry’s development. It includes
information about the Bermuda Space and Satellite Policy Advisory Group, which
was established last year[2018] to give advice on the sectors, and “to serve
as a vehicle for guiding Bermuda’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the satellite
industry in international policy matters”. Home affairs minister Walter Roban
released the following statement today. "This government is committed to
diversifying and growing Bermuda’s economy to promote job creation for
Bermudians in existing and new emerging industries. Through decades of
involvement, Bermuda is recognised as having the necessary experience and
well-earned reputation in the global space and satellite industry. This is
exemplified by the fact that over the years, global leaders in this industry
(Intelsat, SES, EchoStar) have made Bermuda their home. The government is well
aware that the global space industry is approaching $300 billion and predicted
to become a trillion dollar industry by 2040. It is for this reason we are
leveraging our excellent reputation and success in the insurance/risk industry
to capitalize on this opportunity. Our goal is to attract and encourage global
investors and high net worth individuals in this industry, to bring their
business and key personnel to Bermuda, and offer training opportunities for
Bermudians. To that end, the Space and Satellite Policy Advisory Group was
created to develop our strategic plan and ensure Bermuda is well positioned to
benefit from the growing space and satellite industry. For information on
Bermuda’s Space and Satellite Administration and the Space and Satellite
Policy Advisory Group please visit the official hub of Bermuda’s Space and
Satellite Administration website. For further information on what government is doing to capitalize on
opportunities in the space and satellite industry, please refer to my
ministerial statement on Emerging Space Economies and the press release on the
launch of the Space and Satellite Website.
The
Bermuda Health Council has asked people for “innovative solutions” to help
fight against serious diseases. The Council is developing a Chronic Disease
Innovation Programme, which will fund initiatives to address high rates of
non-communicable chronic diseases and associated disabilities. It has launched
an online survey to get suggestions from the public. Tiara Carlington, the
project manager, said: “In some way, we are all impacted by the growing burden
of chronic disease in Bermuda, whether as patients, friends, family members,
employers, health insurers or health providers. However, we are not of the
belief that the status quo is the only pathway to the future. We imagine that
through a collaborative approach we can do much better and enable better health
for all. This fund creates an opportunity for the system to explore new ways of
reducing the burden and improving the health of the population.” A BHC
spokeswoman said: “Health professionals, community leaders and groups know
what is needed to support and strengthen the health of the population. Given
this existing knowledge, there are valuable resources within the community that
are in an ideal position to propose interventions that align with Bermuda’s
national strategies for improving public health.” The spokesman said that all
members of the public can submit ideas for health interventions. The BHC will
then put out invitations for formal proposals. Funding for the programmes will
be based on the evidence which supports the proposal, the scale of impact, the
projected and supported return on investment and sustainability of the benefit.
Initiatives will also be considered based on their ability to address risk
factors that are common across chronic conditions, such as smoking and obesity.
The spokeswoman added the initiative is funded through insurance, with a portion
of this year’s Standard Premium insurance rate going towards the programme.
She said: “All funds will be used to support public health interventions that
consider local context, are derived within the local environment, and can
complement the health system in addressing this major health system issue of
chronic disease. The BHC will provide programme oversight, and all reporting of
the use of awarded funds and outcomes resulting from the funded initiatives will
be made public.” Ricky Brathwaite, the acting CEO, said there has been a
deliberate shift of focus to find ways to prevent and manage chronic diseases in
Bermuda. Dr Brathwaite said: “We are thinking about long-term investments in
our communities and expecting improvements in health and cost reductions. Over
time, there have been some really great ideas that have been brought forth by
members of the public, and we are excited that we now have an opportunity to
empower our communities.”
Commercial
office space in some of Bermuda’s most historic properties has come onto the
rental market. Moresby House, the Star of India and the upper level of the
Clocktower Mall, all in Royal Naval Dockyard, are now available. Wedco totally
refurbished Moresby House two years ago. The landmark building overlooking the
Great Sound has approximately 5,500 square feet of space with parking for ten
cars. Meanwhile, The Star of India, built in the mid-1930s and originally a
bowling alley, was turned into a club for navy families in 1970. Wedco has
refurbished the building, adding a new kitchen, bathrooms, air conditioning, new
windows and doors. It has 1,630 square feet of open space. The upper level of
Clocktower Mall, completed in 1857, has 4,500 square feet of space which is
divided into meeting rooms and offices. The current configuration can be altered
to suit, Wedco said. Joanna Cranfield, business development manager at Wedco,
said: “This is a chance for a business to position themselves in one of the
busiest locations and most iconic buildings in Bermuda. Dockyard has excellent
transport links, good parking, a wide range of restaurants, stores and services,
even some apartments to live in. The office space is in some of the most
historic buildings in Bermuda dating back more than 150 years.” She added:
“It is not often that these locations become available and we are hopeful that
the right business with the right fit will see the benefit of locating their
offices in the Royal Naval Dockyard.” For more information, call Joanna Cranfield on 239-0514.
Ascendant
Group Ltd, which is the subject of a takeover bid by a Canadian utilities
company, has reported a loss of $1.9 million for the first six months of the
year. That compares to reported earnings of $3.1 million for the same period
in 2018. The company said earnings were impacted by the changes to core earnings
from operations, as well as $4.6 million in restructuring charges related to the
sale of the company. Shareholders of the company will meet on Friday to consider
a $365 million offer by Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp for the shares in
Ascendant, which includes Belco. Shareholders would receive $36 per share under
the proposed deal, which is backed by the company’s board of directors. In its
financial statement, Ascendant said its core earnings from operations during the
first six months were $2.7 million, compared with $4.1 million a year ago. It
said the decrease was largely the result of lower electricity demand at Belco,
in addition to a small increase in depreciation expense. This was partially
offset by 21 per cent growth in Ascendant’s non-utility businesses and $2.2
million lower corporate expenses. Cash flow provided by operations, before
changes in non-cash working capital balances, decreased $4.3 million, to $9.8
million for the six- month period that ended on June 30. The decrease was
primarily driven by decreased Belco revenues and restructuring charges, offset
by cost savings at Belco and Ascendant. Capital expenditures for the six-month
period were $73.1 million compared to $36.5 million for the same period of 2018,
reflecting execution of the company’s capital plan including Belco’s
replacement generation, battery storage and transmission and distribution
modernisation projects, the company said. The company’s share repurchase
programme was suspended on April 1 as a result of the invitation for proposals
for the purchase of the company. Trading was suspended on June 3 in anticipation
of the announcement that the company had signed an agreement for the sale of the
company, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals, and resumed on June 4.
The company’s board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of 11.25
cents per common share. Year-to-date, the company has declared dividends totaling
22.50 cents per common share. Ascendant said its capital plan progress continued
in the first half of the year with engines delivered for the North Power Station
and ongoing upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure. The
company said continued cost reductions were made through operational
efficiencies and implementation of an early retirement programme. Sean Durfy,
chief executive officer, said: “The company has identified a prospective
buyer, Algonquin Power and Utilities Corp, that has a long track record of
renewable energy generation in the North American market and has the capital
resources, operational knowledge and experience in technological innovation to
bring more renewable energy to Bermuda. The board is in support of Algonquin
purchasing the company and is asking shareholders to approve the sale.” Dennis
Pimentel, president of Belco, said: “Belco is continuing the construction of
the $120 million replacement generation and commissioned the battery storage
project at the North Power Station. We also continue to invest in upgrades to
the transmission and distribution grid to ensure reliability of the system but
also to allow the integration of more renewables as per the release of the much
anticipated Integrated Resources Plan by the Regulatory Authority on July 25.
The company supports the IRP and all efforts to improve Bermuda’s environment
and reduce greenhouse emissions wherever possible. Belco is currently in the
review process to determine how it can work with the Authority to implement this
aspirational plan and ensure a continued supply of safe, reliable and
cost-effective power for our customers.” Mr Durfy added: “In addition, the
company’s efforts to reduce costs are bearing fruit. Considering declining
sales, these costs savings are critical to keeping rates in check. Our
non-regulated businesses continue to perform well and experienced healthy growth
of 21 per cent compared to the first six months of 2018.” Should Ascendant
shareholders approve the deal on Friday, the bid by Algonquin would require
regulatory approval before going ahead.
Bermuda-based
Argo Group International Holdings Ltd has reported net income for the second
quarter of $28.8 million, compared with $41.8 million for the same period a year
ago. The second-quarter net income included pre-tax charges of $32.3 million
related to an increase in current and prior accident year losses of $10 million
and $22.3 million, respectively. In addition, the quarter included approximately
$7.5 million of expenses associated with proxy solicitation and related
activities. The speciality re/insurer said that given the unique and
non-recurring nature of the events that gave rise to those expenses, they are
not included in the its definition of adjusted operating income and, as such,
not included in the calculation of the combined ratio. There were no comparable
costs incurred during the 2018 second quarter. The expenses relate to a proxy
battle between the company and activist shareholders Voce Capital Management
LLC. Mark Watson, chief executive officer, said: “For the first half of the
year, Argo’s book value per share growth plus dividends paid was 10.6 per cent
and our annualized return on shareholders’ equity was 13.1 per cent, which
reflects strong contributions from our investment portfolio.” He added: “We
continue to deliver strong shareholder value creation despite some isolated
claims volatility impacting the second quarter of 2019. Our focus on increasing
efficiency through digital enhancements and growing profitable business lines
continues to yield positive results, with 10 per cent gross written premium
growth in the quarter.” Gross written premiums grew were $772.9 million,
compared to $702.8 million for the same period last year. Combined ratio
increased to 103.4 per cent, compared with 96.3 per cent in the second quarter
of 2018. Net investment income for the quarter was up 28.9 per cent at $42.8
million, while book value per share was $56.28, up by 10.6 per cent from
December 31.
A
company owned by Bermuda’s longest-serving premier has thrown its weight
behind Bermuda’s first gay pride march. Sir John Swan has pledged that his
landmark Seon Place office block in Hamilton will fly the Pride flag in the
run-up to the August 31 event. Sir John said: “It’s the right thing to do.
If you believe in human nature and the equality of man, then why should people
have to make those choices here in the 21st century? Bermuda has to be on the
right side of where things are going and for the right reasons.” The support
of Sir John’s real estate firm Swan Group was revealed after Tony Brannon, a
supporter of Bermuda Pride, published a statement from the company on social
media yesterday. Sir John said that the decision was made after a number of
tenants in the ten-storey Seon Place approached him to ask if his business
empire planned to support the parade. He added that Seon Place was an
appropriate spot to fly the flags and it had become a tradition to use the
flagpoles outside the building to publicize major events. Sir John said: “We
have the six flagpoles at the building and they’ve always symbolized something
significant to the country. Therefore we had two choices — we keep the
existing flags there, which means we don’t identify with what’s taking
place, or we put the Pride flags up.” Sir John added that he was prepared for
criticism of the decision but was not deterred because “life is full of
backlash. In life, you will always have someone who disagrees with you and
people are entitled to their disagreements. I respect their disagreements, but
you can’t just decide your life on the anticipation of backlash. The country
is no longer run by seniors any more; it’s run by the younger people. They
don’t see Bermuda as the same way as our ancestors and if we want to be a part
of what’s going on in the world, we have to grow up.” Sir John said that he
would attend the Bermuda Pride celebration in Victoria Park, Hamilton, on August
31. The event will also include a panel discussion on August 30 and a parade
through Hamilton at 2pm the next day. The Bermuda Hotel Association has also
backed Pride. The organisation said it supported events that helped to boost
tourism and that “we are pleased to support Bermuda’s inaugural Pride parade
as a sponsor”. A spokesman added: “We hope that the event on August 31 is a
success as it marks the beginning of a new annual tradition for Bermuda as an
international travel destination for our visitors.”
An
endangered species of snail saved from extinction by a breeding programme has
been released into the wild. More than 11,000 greater Bermuda land snails,
bred at a British zoo, have been given a new home on Morgan’s Island, which is
owned by the Bermuda National Trust. A spokesman for the BNT said the endemic
Poecilozonites bermudensis snails, once plentiful, had been almost wiped out in
the late 1970s by introduced predators, pesticides and human expansion.
Conservationists presumed the invertebrates were lost until Alex Lines, a
Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo intern, found small populations clinging to
life in isolated spots. He had been sent out to search for the creatures during
the summer of 2000, in the wake of a December 1999 story in The Royal Gazette.
In 2014, the snail species again showed its resilience, when a cluster of them
was discovered in a Hamilton alleyway by Mr Lines’s father, Bruce. Specimens
were sent to London Zoo for a captive breeding programme and Chester Zoo joined
in the effort. The first repatriation of snails to Bermuda was made in February.
Nonsuch Island took 4,000 of the creatures and the BNT’s island in Ely’s
Harbour, Sandys, received its first batch last month. Mark Outerbridge, the
wildlife ecologist for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, said
Morgan’s Island had been chosen as a haven because it was “not threatened
with future development”. The island’s palmetto forest offers the snails a
good habitat and its cover of poison ivy deters visitors from walking on the
animals. A team of Trust members freed the snails on July 17 with Dr Outerbridge
and Alison Copeland from the department, as well as Amber Flewitt from Chester
Zoo. Gerardo Garcia, the curator of lower vertebrates and invertebrates at
Chester Zoo, said the snail was “one of Bermuda’s oldest endemic animal
inhabitants. It has survived radical changes to the landscape and ecology on the
remote oceanic islands of Bermuda for up to a million years, but, since the
1950s and 1960s, it has declined rapidly. Its demise is mainly due to changes to
their habitat and the introduction of several predatory snails.” Carnivorous
snails imported to control accidentally introduced milk snails and flatworms
took a heavy toll on the Bermuda land snails, which are particularly vulnerable
because for thousands of years before 1503, they had no natural predators.
Nonsuch Island’s fauna and flora are culled from imported species and
Morgan’s Island does not appear to be home to any of the predators. Dr
Outerbridge said: “I am profoundly grateful to the Bermuda National Trust for
allowing us to introduce these unique snails to Morgan’s Island.” He added:
“The creation of such island refuges is extremely important to the long-term
survival of this species.” Bermuda’s land snails were the basis of research
by the late Stephen Jay Gould, a prominent Harvard University paleontologist,
who, as a graduate student, completed his doctorate on them. Their fossils were
one of many influences on his controversial evolutionary theory, punctuated
equilibrium. Dr Gould, who died in 2002, also provided a record of the near
extinction of the greater Bermuda land snail species, after he had earlier found
thousands of live snails when he visited Bermuda in the 1960s. He wrote that he
could find none after a 1973 visit. Dr Outerbridge said the public would be
unlikely to find the Poecilozonites variety of snails on the mainland. He said
that if any were discovered, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources
would accept specimens to add to the breeding programme to boost the genetic
diversity of its stock.
Two
Cup Match legends say it is time for the clubs to take a stand on bad behaviour
by players in the island’s premier sporting event. Excessive appealing and
acts of dissent towards the umpires, most significantly St George’s batsman
Allan Douglas Jr knocking a stump out of the ground after being given out on the
second day at Wellington Oval, have come under severe scrutiny. Dean Minors and
Dennis Wainwright, both former St George’s wicketkeepers of great repute, have
plenty to say on the issues of behaviour and time wasting at Cup Match. Minors,
a member of the Voice of Summer commentary team and president of the Cup Match
Former Players/Officials Association, reminds that any show of poor deportment
is there for the world to see now that the match is live-streamed. He said:
“The game is televised worldwide, people are taking pictures and posting them
and the players have to be very mindful of their behaviour on and off the field.
Whatever they do can be televised. This should be a warning to the players to be
very careful and it is a recommendation before selecting the team that the clubs
have a word with the players about the dangers of social media.” Minors
recalls the protocols in place when he played for Bermuda at the highest level.
“We were warned prior to the World Cup [in the West Indies in 2007] that any
dissent shown to the umpires, we could be in breach of the rules,” he said.
Bermuda is set to host the ICC Americas T20 World Cup Regional Qualifier from
August 15 to 25, when players’ deportment will be monitored closely. Emmerson
Carrington and Alex Knight, standing in his first Cup Match, were put under a
lot of pressure last Thursday and Friday, and had to contend with long delays
while supporters and team-mates came on to the field to celebrate a player
reaching a half-century. There were six fifties over the two days and each
celebration, a tradition unique to Cup Match, lasted about seven minutes —
still some ways short of the interminably long 12 minutes it took for the field
to be cleared when Onias Bascome scored his maiden century in Somerset last
year. “It was more of a party atmosphere than it was about cricket,” Minors
said. “People are paying too much money for camps and sponsorship not to get a
full day’s cricket or a quality product. I congratulate the umpires for two
days of being very professional. I don’t think they get the accolades they
deserve.” The umpires’ reports have yet to be received, but it is highly
likely that Douglas will be charged with a Level 2 offence for serious dissent
towards an umpire’s decision. “We just have to await the umpires’
report,” Wainwright, who attends Cup Match every year, said. “We are in a
discipline mess! Behaviour wasn’t as bad this year as I’ve seen in past Cup
Matches, but still Cup Match is our premier game. If we don’t stand up as
seniors and say openly ‘this is not on’ then it is not going to get any
better. People take for granted this is the way it is supposed to be. I’m one
who will speak out against bad behaviour — if it is wrong, it’s wrong.
Let’s work towards cleaning up this game. The onus falls on management; they
are the people responsible for the club.” Dalin Richardson, of Somerset,
became the first reserve to win the Cup Match Safe Hands Awards when he was
presented with the award yesterday by Wainwright and Mahesh Reddy, the medical
director of Bermuda Healthcare Services. Richardson took a catch above his head
on the mid-wicket boundary to dismiss Onias Bascome on the first day. Richardson
was presented with the Cal “Bummy” Symonds plaque. “Even though the award
is not based on the best catch, the best catch is not excluded,” Wainwright
said. “It is based on all-round fielding, but the fielding was so poor, with
so many catches dropped, that this young man stood out with the judges.” The
award was first introduced in 1998 with Allan Douglas Jr, who held three catches
this year, winning it the past three years.
Suppliers
of low-emission buses are being invited to submit bids to provide transport in
Bermuda. The Ministry of Tourism and Transport and the Department of Public
Transportation issued a Request for Proposals for “appropriately sized,
accessible, and low emissions buses” for the island. The RFP specifies two
sizes of bus and is open to electric, diesel and hybrid diesel-electric
vehicles. It comes after the DPT teamed up with sustainability group Rocky
Mountain Institute to carry out a feasibility study on reducing the carbon
footprint of the public transportation fleet. A transport ministry spokesman
said: “The findings were encouraging and highlight the opportunity to acquire
buses that meet local regulations and customer needs, while being both
environmentally and financially sustainable.” The RFP document is on the
Government website and the closing date for submissions is September 16.
Nearly
three-quarters of Bermuda residents believe immigration benefits the economy,
according to a new survey. The poll found 72 per cent of people think
immigrants help expand the economy by increasing the number of jobs on the
island. The remaining 28 per cent said immigrants do not help the economy
because they take jobs from existing residents. A sample of 400 people,
including Bermudians and non-Bermudians, were quizzed over the telephone in the
survey by Total Research Associates. The poll also found 97 per cent of people
believed immigration is important to Bermuda’s economy. Asked to grade the
importance of immigration to Bermuda’s economy, the results were:
The non-commissioned survey took place from July 2 to July 13 as part of the quarterly Total Research Associates Bermuda Omnibus. Results are accurate to within 4.9 percentage points, 95 times out of 100.
The
Bermuda Tourism Authority will unveil a new cultural tourism programme at a
public stakeholder meeting tomorrow. A BTA spokeswoman said the programme
would put a spotlight on the island’s diverse cultural tourism attractions
including its distinct architecture, food culture and black heritage. Glenn
Jones, BTA chief experience development officer, said: “We all appreciate how
interest in Bermuda’s culture and heritage peaks around Cup Match, but we also
know visitors want an elevated cultural experience all year long. With the help
of our stakeholders, we now have an action plan that considerably raises the
profile of cultural tourism in the visitor experience Bermuda offers.” The
programme is said to be the result of more than a year of research and
consultation and will include “an exciting menu of experiences” to give
visitors an authentic look at the island’s history, culture and lifestyle. Mr
Jones added: “Visitors can start participating in the new experiences this
October. Meeting the desires of experience enthusiasts — a key target segment
identified in the National Tourism Plan — is the primary objective.” The
stakeholder meeting has been oversubscribed, but the BTA has said a recording of
the presentation will be made available to the public on Friday. The BTA
spokeswoman said: “In addition to hearing about the strategic approach for
cultural and food tourism Wednesday, stakeholders will learn how they can align
their own ideas to the overall strategy. Attendees will also learn details about
new visitor events, as well as innovative promotions starting in January to
connect existing events, including the Bermuda Festival of Performing Arts and
Bermuda Restaurant Weeks.”
A
homeless man who messaged death threats to David Burt and his family has had his
sentencing postponed at the Supreme Court. Jared Gordon, 30, has pleaded
guilty to sending the threats to the Premier in e-mails in 2017 and 2018. The
messages included threats to “put a bullet” in the Premier’s head. Gordon
appeared at yesterday’s arraignments session, where his sentencing was held
off for the completion of a neuropsychological report. Gordon was given a
mention date of August 22.
A
British man was fined $1,000 yesterday after he pleaded guilty to cocaine
possession. Magistrates’ Court heard that police officers spotted Fardin
Mohammadi, 23, acting suspiciously with another man near the flagpole on Front
Street. Officers approached Mohammadi and found a small plastic bag filled with
0.34 grams of white substance when they searched him. The incident took place on
July 6. Mohammadi, from Brighton, East Sussex, UK, apologized to the court.
An
American tourist who attacked a woman at a bar was fined $800 yesterday.
Lauren Soto, 21, pleaded guilty to a “shameful” assault on Sherry Flanagan
at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club. Magistrates’ Court heard that Ms
Flanagan was with her husband at the hotel bar when Soto approached them. She
complimented Ms Flanagan on her dress but started to shout abuse at her when she
ignored her. Soto lunged at Ms Flanagan and scratched her before other bar users
pulled her away. However, Soto attacked Ms Flanagan a second time and inflicted
bruising and scratches before she was escorted out of the bar and arrested. The
incident took place on Friday. Soto, from Miami, Florida, said: “It should
have never happened. It was shameful and embarrassing.” Soto was ordered to
pay her fine before the end of the day.
The
trial of two people accused of a murder 13 years ago was adjourned yesterday and
the jury released. Cleveland Rogers, 52, and Katrina Burgess, 48, have
denied the premeditated murder of Marcus Gibbings in 2006. Mr Gibbings,
originally from Trinidad, was found stabbed to death at an apartment at Derwent
Lane, Devonshire, on October 26 that year. A trial in Supreme Court began early
last month, but the case was adjourned. Mr Rogers and Ms Burgess returned to the
Supreme Court yesterday for a new trial date. The case was adjourned again until
August 15 and a trial date is expected to be set for later this year.
British
workers contracted for Belco’s North Power Station downed tools on Saturday
after a delay in their pay cheques. Last night a spokesman for Belco’s
parent company Ascendant Group said that the contractors’ payroll was delayed
through their UK-based employment agency. The industrial action involved an
unknown number of staff at the project in Pembroke. The spokesman added: “The
issue was resolved within 24 hours and staff returned to work.”
Opinion.
By Sir John Swan, a businessman, former Premier of Bermuda between 1982
and 1995, and a former Belco board member and Michael Murphy, a former attorney
for American International Group. He was the chairman of the Association of
Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers between 1985 and 2005. "We would like to
endorse and commend the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda for its decision in the
recently released first Bermuda integrated resource plan to reject liquefied
natural gas as an option and for committing Bermuda’s electricity generation
programme to using at least 75 per cent renewables to be put in place by 2035.
The RA’s foresight and courage in making this decision, if properly developed,
could lead to the creation of brand new industries, many new jobs in Bermuda for
Bermudians, local investment opportunities, huge foreign exchange savings
leading to fossil fuel independence, and no longer being held hostage to the
whims of the global oil market. Even Belco now supports the IRP in principle. In
light of the IRP’s high commitment to the specific kinds of renewables that
fit Bermuda’s unique topography, Bermudian Ascendant shareholders should be
questioning if this opaque, proposed, one-time payout to shareholders for their
stock really makes sense for the future of our country. This is a proposed sale
to foreign owners, a loss of cyclical revenue and a potential exodus of
significant assets that Bermuda will never get back. This is also our chance to
lead ourselves in the right direction for the many and not the few. Let’s
establish Bermuda as a leader in technology, policy and innovation to attract
new talent and competition, rather than give up our right to choose our own
destiny. The revolution happening now in the electric car market, the increased
excess capacity to store rooftop solar or other electricity in their battery
packs and either sell it to Belco’s grid or use it in our homes in the
evenings through the use of a two-way charging system could rapidly make the
recently acquired Belco generators at the North Power Station a partially
redundant asset. Moreover, if properly and intelligently set by the RA, customer
costs of purchasing electricity would be reduced and the Bermuda people could
see the details of how they may participate in this cost reduction directly on
their bills. The Renault project in Porto Santo, in the Madeira islands, is an
example that shows how the benefits of the electric car with large battery packs
could satisfy most of Bermuda’s power needs in the near future. With this IRP
decision, Bermuda has now entered a new paradigm where the best path to lower
electricity costs has been chosen to be an aggressive pursuit of new
clean-energy sources where we must all play our part to attain the result. The
“build more, profit more” model of the arcane power monopolies such as Belco
is now bankrupt — a dead duck. This defunct model is the basis for their
proposed sale at a very high premium price and can only lead to significant
increases to customers’ costs of electricity. Instead, the right incentives to
align utility, distribution and customer needs must be carefully chosen by the
RA and the Bermuda Government so that the Bermudian people committed to the
future of the island are all pulling in the right direction. Does Bermuda now
even need to consider a foreign buyer for Belco at this strategic moment of
change in energy source direction? The IRP decision should also force a complete
detailed analysis by the RA and by the Bermuda Department of Energy of
Ascendant’s proposed sale to Algonquin Power & Utilities Corporation,
especially since the entire process since early 2019, which eliminated many
prospective bidders, has been fatally flawed. No one, not even Belco knew six
months ago of the IRP decision to commit to at least 75 per cent renewables and
to eliminate LNG as an option. How could bidders intelligently make a fair
estimate of the value of Belco before the IRP was issued? Many of the more
careful, potential quality bidders were surely left behind by the flawed process
of putting the cart before the horse. The Ascendant shareholders who vote on
whether to accept the APUC offer on Friday, along with the RA and the Bermuda
Government, who have the ultimate say on whether the proposed foreign buyer is
acceptable, must carefully consider what if anything APUC offers Bermuda to meet
its renewable objectives as provided in the IRP. The bottom line is that Bermuda
needs to reduce the cost of electricity for Bermudians and ultimately the cost
of living on the island. There are recent precedents of regulatory authorities
in Hawaii and other locations of rejecting bids from power-generating companies
at premium payout prices to shareholders for a variety of reasons — many of
which appear to exist in the APUC-proposed purchase. We have recently reviewed
most of the public information available surrounding the proposed purchase of
Belco by APUC, including the public announcements of the proposal, Securities
and Exchange Commission fact sheets, investment expert analysis of the APUC
transaction and its impact on APUC, and the recent financial statements of both
APUC and Ascendant/Belco. We have concluded that the proposed purchase by APUC
offers little if anything to satisfy Bermuda’s long-range electricity
objectives and reduction in customer electricity costs, as recently expressed in
the IRP. Bermuda may be better off if Ascendant, with the right management
attitude and its new vision embracing the IRP, continued without a foreign
takeover bid being considered until it is determined what can be delivered by
Belco and other Bermudian investors to meet the IRP objectives. It would be the
most inopportune time for Ascendant insiders, senior management and foreign
shareholders — collectively at least 22 per cent of the company ownership —
to be permitted by the RA/Bermuda Government to bail out, take more hard
currency out of Bermuda or realise large incentive payouts to senior management
at a time when management focus on the future of renewables is most needed. In
the interest of brevity, we have summarized our reasoning in arriving at these
conclusions, but are prepared to provide details to any interested or concerned
parties. Papers prepared for the shareholders meeting on Friday provide some
vague statements expressed by the outgoing board about long-term savings to
ratepayers evolving over time in moving towards renewables and lots of legalese
on why two-thirds voting shareholder approval by an amalgamation mechanism to
eliminate minority shareholders objecting to the transaction was the way to go.
Ascendant directors emphasised the many ways that the $36-per-share cash offer
was a wonderfully high premium price for the shareholders to receive from APUC.
Algonquin eventually must recoup the premium it proposes to pay, most likely
from customer ratepayers’ increases, part of which Belco already applied for
with the RA in March this year, just before any sale or bidding process to sell
Belco was announced by management. A proposed $420 million rate base was
submitted by Belco in its request for a rate increase. No details were laid out
by APUC as to how, when and in what amounts the customer ratepayers would have
savings on their bills, only a statement that the transaction itself would not
increase rates. Is APUC the right potential purchaser to be considered to meet
the IRP renewables’ 75 per cent minimum objective? While APUC and Ascendant
management are presenting the potential buyer as a state-of-the-art renewable
conglomerate, almost all of the renewables APUC owns are in hydro-electrical
power, concentrated solar power, land-based wind generation and large, land-use
solar fields for utility production — none of which would apply to Bermuda’s
topographically unique power-production renewable needs. No specific information
has been provided about who will own Ascendant within APUC, other than “an
affiliate of APUC” or the corporate-governance chain of command or
decision-making process affecting Ascendant within an extremely large and
complex buyer such as Algonquin. The press releases state that the Ascendant
head office would remain in Bermuda, which could be a self-serving tax position.
It appears that the ”affiliate” will be AAGES itself, a joint venture
between APUC and telecommunications company Abengoa, where each of Algonquin and
Abengoa have only minority interests. We do not know Abengoa’s objectives, but
do know it almost went bankrupt in 2016. Are these risks of possible economic
instability, complex ownership and partially defined corporate governance
acceptable to ratepayers, the RA and the Bermuda Government? According to our
research:
Electricity is a fundamental need, publicly regulated, and is required to maintain lives, cost-effective businesses and the comforts of all Bermudians, and should be treated as such. The days of an old-line monopoly and foreign profiteers dictating exorbitant rates to the Bermuda people are over."
When
Michael Hanson set about creating a law firm from scratch, he had a clear idea
about how to approach the task. In November 2017, the Bermudian lawyer left
a partnership position at Appleby and the next day registered as a sole
proprietor trading as Carey Olsen Bermuda, the local outpost of an international
firm with offices in British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Guernsey, Jersey,
Cape Town, Hong Kong, London and Singapore. Today, less than two years after
starting up, the Bermuda firm has 14 lawyers — including eight Bermudians. The
firm has 25 overall staff and is hunting for new office space having outgrown
its digs at Atlantic House on Par-la-Ville Road. The firm’s rapid growth has
validated Mr Hanson’s belief that the market was ready for more competition.
“Doing something from the ground up, without an existing structure, was
extremely attractive to me,” Mr Hanson, 39, said. “I certainly felt it was a
huge risk. We could be sitting here with one person. But I felt that focusing on
the Bermuda market, and being competitive in this space, would bear fruit.” To
become competitive he knew that he wanted to create a culture of excellence, a
talented, hard-working group who provided top-level service. To do so, he
naturally was interested in experienced lawyers working at well-established
firms. But he also took a less well-travelled path, reaching out to Bermudian
lawyers working in other jurisdictions, and attracting lawyers on-island who
were not working in a traditional law firm environment. “We tried to find out
where the good Bermudian lawyers were who had left the island,” Mr Hanson
recalls. “We didn’t want to be Conyers, or Appleby. We wanted people who had
not worked in Bermuda to help build our culture here. We sniffed it out. Also,
some lawyers had heard of us and contacted us. We also targeted Bermudian
lawyers who were not in law firms, who were working in-house. Having lawyers who
have worked inside companies as general counsel, or as compliance officers,
gives us a unique selling point. They have walked in the shoes of our clients.
Our business model was to attract the local market, and the way to do that is to
get the best lawyers in the local market. We recruited staff using a
benchmarking test versus the UK. We put less emphasis on who you know, and where
you went to school. You had to pass the test, and the interview process, which
was quite rigorous. We also let people know that it would be hard work here.”
Seasoned lawyers Keith Robinson and Gavin Woods have joined from Appleby, while
Mary Ward left Conyers to join the firm. All are now partners at Carey Olsen.
Bermudian counsel Henry Tucker joined the firm, Adam Bathgate arrived from Carey
Olsen’s Cayman office, while Ashley Fife came over from Appleby, and Bermudian
Sam Stevens returned home from a position in London. Senior Bermudian associates
Kyle Masters (Digicel) and Cheri Minors (Colonial) moved to the billable hours
environment from in-house positions, while Bermudian Jay Webster arrived from a
London firm. Bermudian associate Michelle Falcucci returned from London, too,
while fellow Bermudian associates Keivon Simons and Jennifer Woods also joined
the firm. The firm’s practice focuses on corporate, trusts, litigation, and
employment matters. The biggest growth area has been litigation, Mr Hanson says,
while the corporate practice is gaining traction, too. The association with
international firm Carey Olsen has proved beneficial. Mr Hanson said: “We get
fantastic support without being told what to do. The Carey Olsen group tries to
support each jurisdiction in what it wants to do. They think that the people who
know best are the people here on the ground. The group respects and supports
that. In Bermuda, we do what is necessary to build the business here and have
the full assistance of the firm. It has proved correct to focus on the Bermuda
market and compete on the international stage with a proper brand behind you.”
Mr Hanson expects the office will have a total of 50 staff within the next two
years. That is a far cry from the firm’s beginnings; Mr Hanson initially
worked out of his garage, not moving to the firm’s current 5,000-square foot
space until February 2018. A move to a larger office is imminent. “Our lawyers
are sharing offices, and our pods are full,” Mr Hanson said. “We want to
move asap into a space that is 10,000 to 15,000-square feet. Of course, that is
not what we budgeted for. But it’s a good problem to have.” Some of the
firm’s future growth may be at the expense of its competitors, Mr Hanson
acknowledged. “We are respectful and friendly with other firms,” he said.
“We are not going out of our way to annoy them. My kids play with the partners
of other firms’ kids. We do things properly and ethically, but we are here to
compete.”
A
Bermudian film-maker has won top honours at an international film festival in
the US for a sitcom pilot with a touch of Bermuda. Alex Scrymgeour,
producer, creator and writer of Eddie’s, said he was “beyond thrilled” to
take home the best pilot prize at the Long Island International Film Expo. He
said: “People who have seen the show enjoy our feel-good story and characters
and say that it’s a welcome break from all the negativity on television. I am
working to get the show picked up so Eddie’s cast and crew can get back to
work so we can continue to entertain and make people laugh and smile.”
Eddie’s stars Eddie McGee, a veteran of shows including NCIS: Los Angeles and
Chicago Med, as the owner of a beach bar in Venice, California. But Scrymgeour,
a former reporter with the Mid-Ocean News, made sure the show had a Bermudian
flavour, with a Bermuda flag displayed in the bar and a regular — George
Wendt, who played Norm Peterson in the long-running hit show Cheers, also set in
a bar — drinking Dark ‘n’ Stormys. He added that he wanted to create a
positive, wholesome show with a diverse cast led by McGee, an amputee who lost
his left leg to cancer. Scrymgeour said: “Eddie’s is a fun, happy show with
a strong diverse cast and Mr McGee as star and producer is giving voice to 25
per cent of the population who have no strong presence on TV or in film as, for
all the talk of diversity in Hollywood, there is no discussion regarding
diversity and disabled actors. He added: “On June 19, CBS signed a pledge to
audition more disabled actors to give opportunities to disabled actors and
producers who have no voice or who only continue to fill stereotypical negative
stigma roles that aren’t reflective of the one in four US adults with a
disability.” Scrymgeour said the show had not yet been picked up for
distribution by a network, but it had already gained fans internationally
through film festivals. He added: “Eddie’s is screening in Spain on August
11 at the Madrid International Film Festival. It has been nominated for three
awards at that festival — Best Actor for Eddie McGee, Best Director for
Michael Lange and Best Editing for a short film/pilot. We have won three awards
for best pilot at various festivals across the United States — Best Pilot at
the California Film Awards 2019; a Gold Remi Award for Best Pilot at the 52nd
annual WorldFest Houston; and now Best Pilot at The Long Island International
Film Expo. We are also waiting to hear about the New Orleans International Film
Festival and should know in the next ten days or so.” Scrymgeour is also
working with McGee on another project, a short film called Kill Switch. He
added: “We are raising funds now to shoot in the fall/winter. I’m also
writing a new dramatic action thriller one- hour scripted television show. I’m
always creating and working on something.”
An
all-star group of celebrities and Instagram influencers travelled to Bermuda for
the annual Cup Match celebrations. Among the visitors were television
personalities, actors, entertainers, musicians and models. They included La La
Anthony, an American TV star with more than nine million followers on Instagram.
Ms Anthony is best known as the host of several reality shows on TV channel VH1.
She posted a collection of photographs from this year’s Bacchanal Run on
Instagram. The caption read: “Bacchanal Run in Bermuda is on my list of the
top-ten things I’ve ever done.” She added: “I love Bermuda” on the post,
which was liked by 53,000 users. The guests were said to have been in Bermuda to
celebrate US actress Meagan Good’s birthday. Ms Good, the star of the movie Think
Like A Man, who has five million followers on Instagram, also posted a
collection of photos, which earned her almost 30,000 likes. The group was joined
by actor Terrence Jenkins, known as Terrence J, who also appeared in Think
Like A Man. Mr Jenkins was also the anchor of E! News and has 2.9
million Instagram followers. He hash-tagged “cupmatch2019” on his Instagram
account, which also had @davidburtmp tagged. Lance Gross, an American actor,
model and photographer, who stayed at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club,
also joined the party. He tagged @princessbermuda in his post to his 1.8 million
followers. Mr Gross also posted a picture with Mr Burt at St George’s Cricket
Club with the caption “Thx for having us in Bermuda for The Cup Match”. The
guests also included Amy Correa Bell, who recently released an album called Disguise/Gotta
Love. The musician’s photo taken at the Botanical Gardens read “Found
what I was looking for”. Mr Jenkins told interviewer Qian Dickinson, of
Bermemes, that he will “always be here at Cup Match”. But he added that he
would maintain a “neutral” position on support for St George’s or
Somerset.
A
joint-services marine team rescued six US tourists after their rental boat
capsized in heavy waves yesterday. The Royal Bermuda Regiment and police
team on police boat Rescue 2, deployed as part of the marine security element
for the traditional Non-Mariners raft-up at Mangrove Bay, swung into action
after the Boston Whaler, about 13ft long, overturned in Cavello Bay in Sandys at
about lunchtime. RBR Private Keeshun Best, a member of Boat Troop and part of
the Rescue 2 crew, said: “There were a few people holding on to a capsized
boat, which was sinking. “We got them out of the water and took them to
Somerset Bridge — they were very grateful we turned up.” The 26-year-old
from Smith’s added: “I’ve done training for this kind of thing, but never
had to do it before. But I knew exactly what to do and kept calm.” Lance
Corporal Donavin Trott-Burchall, who piloted an RBR rigid-inflatable boat on
patrol in Mangrove Bay and also answered the distress call, said: “The water
was a bit rough for such a small boat and it tipped over. We were going to tow
the boat back, but a jet ski that was with them did that, so we resumed our
patrol.” The 26-year-old from Devonshire, also a Special Constable, added that
he had enjoyed his stint on the water over the holidays. He said: “It’s just
making sure everyone is safe and keeping a presence out there. People are less
likely to act up if they see us and we’re here to assist people if something
goes wrong — I’m OK with that.” Private J.D. Symons, who crewed the RIB
with Lance Corporal Trott and Bermuda Reserve Police Section Officer Jeffrey
Benevides, added: “This is the reason I got into the regiment.” The
22-year-old from Devonshire, a diving instructor with Fantasea in Sandys, added:
“Just getting out on the water and policing it — it’s great. We are extra
hands to help out in rescues and things like that. It’s definitely worthwhile.
A lot of what we do is training to look out for people and this is exactly what
we’re doing —keeping an active watch.” Section Officer Benevides, a
21-year veteran of the BRP and a government animal control officer when out of
uniform, said: “We wouldn’t have been able to have such a high-profile
presence this year without the RBR. I enjoy working with them. I’ve
cross-trained with them and done some weekend camps with them. The Reserve
Police works really well with the regiment — I guess because we’re all
volunteers. We’re all here for the same reason. We want to give something back
to the community.” Private Best and Lance Corporal Trott-Burchall were two of
nine RBR soldiers deployed on a five-strong fleet of Boat Troop and police boats
for the raft up, including 41 Juliet, a derelict boat brought back to life by
RBR marine specialists and only commissioned last Wednesday. Sergeant Major
Jeffrey Patterson, the officer-in-charge of Boat Troop, said: “It’s been a
very positive experience. There were fewer boats and it has been quieter than
last year.” He added that the joint patrols had assisted other boats that got
into trouble amid high winds and strong waves. Sergeant Major Patterson said:
“We have worked very well with the police and we look forward to continuing to
work with them in the future.”
SOBC
DARAG has announced its new office in Bermuda as it expands its US and Bermuda-based
operations. It is owned by DARAG Group investors, and is the principal
vehicle for North American legacy transactions. It said the Bermuda team will
provide “a full suite of finality solutions to clients, including the
acquisition of insurance entities in run-off, assumptions, novations and
retrospective reinsurance”. Dan Linden has joined as head of the Bermuda
office. Joel Neal, Ryan Heyrana and Lucy Foster have also joined as executive
vice-president, vice-president and financial controller/ captive manager,
respectively. Tom Booth, chief executive officer at DARAG Group, said: “I am
delighted to welcome the new Bermudian team. This team brings further expertise
and capacity to help grow SOBC DARAG in Bermuda and North America and will
benefit from access to our extensive capital resources”.
Arbitrade’s
chief operating officer Stephen Braverman has left the company and is leading a
new business that owns the crypto tokens once controlled by Arbitrade.
Separately, a gold company in the US said it stopped doing business with Sion
Trading FZE, a gold procurement agent for Arbitrade, very soon after the
business arrangement was announced in December. The future plans of
Bermudian-registered Arbitrade, now bereft of what it thought were its crypto
tokens, are unknown. During the past three months The Royal Gazette has made
repeated attempts to contact Arbitrade, but has received no response.
Arbitrade’s former COO, Mr Braverman, is now president and chief executive
officer of newly created Dignity Holdings LLC. Investment and real estate
businessman Kent Swig is the chairman. He is president of New York-based Swig
Equities LLC. Dignity Holdings said that through its subsidiaries it had
acquired Cryptobontix and its tokens. It intends to grow into “one of the
largest, most stable global cryptocurrencies”. The company and its
subsidiaries are registered in Delaware, with offices in New York City,
according to a July 25 statement. There has been no update on Arbitrade’s
future plans since January. A year ago the cryptocurrency exchange and mining
company said it would create hundreds of jobs on the island, that it had
“title” to billions of dollars of gold bullion to back its crypto tokens,
and that it would store bullion in Bermuda. It acquired the seven-storey
Victoria Hall office building, on Victoria Street, in October to be its global
headquarters. However, ten months later the building remains unused and in
darkness. At the end of June its website was cleared of all information,
including a list of officers and directors, and replaced with a “coming
soon” message. Arbitrade is still listed as active at Bermuda’s Registrar of
Companies. The company does not have a licence to operate a digital asset
business on the island. Arbitrade lost control of Cryptobontix Inc and its
family of crypto tokens in unusual circumstances. It was thought it had acquired
Cryptobontix in March 2018, but in May this year it was announced that deal was
never completed due to timing problems and regulatory approvals, and that Sion
Trading FZE was to acquire Cryptobontix. That new deal was said to have been
completed in June. Arbitrade previously claimed it had “title” to 395,000
kilograms of gold bullion, which would be worth $18 billion at today’s market
price, and that the bullion would be used to back its crypto tokens. It claimed
that in partnership with Sion it had secured title to the gold through an SKR,
or safe keeping receipt. Arbitrade never revealed who had given it title to the
gold and under what conditions, nor where the gold was, or the name of the
“independent public accounting firm” that it said had verified the account.
The gold bullion SKR was to be transferred to United Arab Emirates-based Sion
with its acquisition of Cryptobontix in June. Four weeks later, the situation
surrounding Cryptobontix changed again, according to the July 25 statement from
Dignity Holdings that announced it had acquired Cryptobontix and its tokens. It
said its subsidiaries, Dignity Mining Group LLC and Dignity Gold LLC, had
“acquired Cryptobontix, a family of tokens backed by Sion Trading FZE’s gold
in Dubai”. According to the company, Dignity Gold owns the crypto tokens
called dignity, namaste, honor and orectic, and will “continue the
relationship with Sion Trading FZE through the safe keeping receipt for 395,000
kilograms of gold in addition to the tokens”. The Royal Gazette has reached
out to Sion for comment on the development, and to Dignity Holdings for further
information, but has not received any response. In December, Sion announced it
had secured a precious metals contract with Don David Gold Mexico to purchase
“metal dore” from its Oaxaca Mining Unit. It planned to allocate precious
metals, including those bought from Don David Gold Mexico “to further enhance
Arbitrade’s existing gold assets”. Don David Gold Mexico is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Colorado-based Gold Resource Corporation. Gold Resource said it
quickly ended its relationship with Sion due to “red flags” that included
questionable procedures, weight confirmations and payment of invoices. Max
Barber, owner of Sion, disputed that and said it was his company that was
unsatisfied with the weight and purity documentation for the gold provided by
the mine. In reply, Jason Reid, CEO and president of Gold Resource, said his
company has been selling gold for years to reputable buyers in the industry
without encountering any of the issues claimed by Sion. He said Gold Resource
has since closed out the deal and terminated its relationship with Sion.
Robert
Myron has stepped down as chief executive officer of James River Group Holdings
Ltd due to ill health caused by Lyme disease. He has taken on the positions
of president and chief operating officer, and remains on the board of directors.
J. Adam Abram, a former CEO of the Bermudian-based company, will return to that
role. The shift in management duties is effective from today and is expected to
be permanent. Mr Abram said: “The Company has performed extremely well under
Bob’s skilful leadership. Indeed, the results from our most recent quarter
demonstrate his success as CEO. However, lingering effects from a case of Lyme
disease make it impossible for Bob to perform all the duties of CEO to his
satisfaction. In consultation with the board of directors, he has asked me to
return as CEO. Bob and I, and the broader management team, have worked together
in this configuration before, and we return to this arrangement with confidence.
Our focus will remain on continuing to seek to deliver strong underwriting
results, profitable growth and earning industry leading returns on equity.” Mr
Myron said: “I have enjoyed being CEO of James River and have great confidence
in our future. I look forward to working with Adam and our team to build on our
momentum.” On Wednesday, the company reported a $20.3 million profit, or 66
cents per diluted share, for the second quarter. That was up from the $17
million net income achieved for the same period last year. Adjusted net
operating income for the quarter was $20.2 million. Mr Myron said: “James
River had another strong quarter, generating a 95.2 per cent combined ratio
while our largest business, core E&S [excess and surplus], experienced an
increase in gross written premium of 81 per cent with every division growing.
Our core E&S gross written premium was $247 million for the first six months
of 2019, which represents a 42 per cent increase over the $175 million of
premium we wrote during the first six months of 2018. For the ninth consecutive
quarter, we were able to achieve rate increases on our core E&S renewals,
which were up 5.4 per cent in the quarter year over year, and submissions
increased 20 per cent. New business pricing was also very strong.”
Renters
of electric minicars in Bermuda now have a more muscular option to consider. Rugged
Rentals has launched, offering the Hummer HXT, an electric twist on the iconic
American vehicle built by Hummer which until 2012 was owned by General Motors
and was then spun off. It has a restricted top speed for safety purposes, and a range
of 70 to 90 miles on a single charge. The Rugged Rentals company is co-owned by Tallent J.
Clark, who has left a position with HSBC to work full time in the business, and
Justin Robinson, who is an underwriter with BF&M. Both men say they have
long harbored entrepreneurial ambitions. Rugged has eight vehicles on-island,
with a further ten expected by the end of the year. The owners say their full
complement of 50 vehicles will be here by the end of March. The vehicles arrived
in Bermuda a month ago, and have been turning heads ever since, Mr Clark said.
“Anyone who passes in their vehicle turns to point and look,” he said.
“When you park on the street, or at the beach, everywhere we go, the vehicle
is a magnet. Everyone wants to see what they have to offer.” The fleet was
fully booked for Cup Match weekend. “Before we launched, we took the vehicles
out for a couple of weekends to let people see them, feel them, sit in them and
that, coupled with social media, has meant that demand has been phenomenal,”
Mr Clark said. Mr Robinson added: “We are having to turn people away already,
and that’s with eight vehicles. We need to get more vehicles here. Part of the
appeal of the Hummers is that they are more “car-like” than other electric
vehicles. They are a more sturdy, rugged, and spacious vehicle. Everyone who
sits in one is in awe that they are so much more spacious.” While Mr Clark
added: “The comfort of them is also attractive. People want to cruise in
style, especially Bermudians. They want to be seen.” Mr Clark and Mr Robinson
said the market is both local and visitor. Already, overseas travel agencies
have been in touch to discuss how to rent the vehicles. Individual vehicles are
available, or can be rented as a fleet, pending availability. “We have had
enquiries about fleet rentals,” Mr Robinson said. “Corporates have been in
touch to discuss team-building events, taking the fleet for a scavenger hunt, or
just to have a fun day in them.” The left-hand drive vehicles are equipped
with side-by-side leather seating, a Pioneer brand radio with auxiliary jack,
removable canvas top, a lithium-ion battery, a defogger, and an eco-drive
feature to limit battery usage and speed. Vehicles arriving in the next shipment
will have air conditioning, Mr Clark said. The vehicles can be charged at 110
volts, which corresponds with most household outlets, or 220 volts. Rugged’s
220-volt charging network will be fully operational within two months, Mr Clark
said. Until then, local renters can charge the vehicles at home, if required. It
takes six to eight hours to charge the battery on 110 volts, he says, and half
that time for a 220-volt charge. Mr Clark invited private vendors, including
Airbnb property owners, to contact Rugged regarding provision of a complimentary
charging station. Rugged’s rental location at Tiger Bay in St George’s will
be operational this week, according the owners, who expect to set up additional
rental sites as the fleet grows. Bookings will eventually be possible via
Rugged’s website at ruggedrentalsbda.com. Until then, bookings can be made by phone, e-mail, or in person. Rugged is the
first company to benefit from the $88 million Bermuda Infrastructure Fund, which
was set up last year to stimulate economic activity and create jobs. “We are
appreciative of the administration to start the Bermuda fund to allow young
locals the opportunity for job creation,” said Mr Clark, who turns 36 today. He
anticipates that Rugged 2 seater edition (it can accommodate up to four but not
in Bermuda) will have 12 full-time staff and five part-time workers
once the company has a full complement of vehicles.
The
stocks in the Town of St George could soon have a new home. The Corporation
of St George has submitted a planning application to move the stocks, pillory
and whipping post from King’s Square to nearby Ordnance island. It is planned
to set them up in front of the replica of the ship Deliverance. The application,
received on July 12, also proposed to narrow the Ordnance Island roundabout to
prevent tour buses and taxis from stopping on it. Planning documents included in
the application said: “Some block traffic as they load and unload passengers
in the middle of the roundabout.” The stocks and pillory, replicas of those
used in the 18th century for those convicted of petty crimes, are a popular
tourist spot.
Obsolete
parts from the clock at Sessions House were handed over to the National Museum
of Bermuda for preservation and possible display. The components were
removed from the timepiece when its mechanism became electric. Elena Strong, the
museum’s executive director, explained that Bermuda has five historic turret
clocks ranging from the late 1700s to 1924. She said: “These public clocks
played an important timekeeping role in local society, as before the middle of
the 20th century, many people did not own clocks or watches. The Sessions
House clock was made in 1862 by Gillett & Johnston, a clockmaker in Croydon,
Greater London. It is similar in design, albeit much smaller, to that of the
famous London attraction Big Ben. The clock was converted to electrical drive
several decades ago and now, thanks to the Government, the historic components
that were removed for electrical mechanization are at the museum for
conservation and preservation.” It was thought the historic parts could go on
display at the museum alongside the original Dockyard clock, which dates back to
1856. Ms Strong said the island’s other turret clocks included the Whitney
Institute clock, from the late 1700s, the St Peter’s Church clock, dated 1814,
and the Manchester Unity Hall clock, from 1924. A ministry of public works
spokeswoman explained that the Sessions House clock parts no longer worked and
due to the “age and historical nature of the mechanisms, it was agreed the
National Museum of Bermuda could take possession of the old parts”. The
existing timepiece at the parliamentary building has been out of order since at
least April. The spokeswoman said last week: “The ministry undertook to
extensively clean the Sessions House clock mechanisms and surrounding areas and
will now begin the process of assessing the clock to source new specialized
replacement parts. The ministry is also in the process of sourcing a qualified
individual to make the repairs, as it is a unique task. Again, the ministry
regrets any inconvenience caused to the public due to the inoperability of the
Sessions House clock.”
A
Bermudian artist whose work was recently exhibited at a charity gala run by
Beyoncé’s mother stressed the importance of staying true to oneself. Gherdai
Hassell, who was raised in Southampton Parish and now works in China, was
talent-spotted by the team behind Tina Knowles Lawson via social media and
invited to exhibit at her Wearable Art Gala at the Waco Theatre Centre in Los
Angeles this June. Her paper collage fetched more than $6,000, and Ms Hassell
will this month be displaying more of her works including oil paintings at the
Emerging Artists exhibition at the Bermuda Society of Arts from August 9.
“Beyoncé’s mum holds a charity art gala, which raises money for arts
programming for young people,” Ms Hassell explained. “Social media is
interesting, I am all the way in China, and they found me and invited me to
come. I couldn’t attend, but they had my artwork shipped over. The piece sold
for $6,000 which is awesome, it was my largest acquisition and has added a lot
of value to my work. I prefer to work in collage, although I do enjoy oil
painting. I would consider myself a multimedia artist. The collage work, which I
call ‘alibi’ are an exploration of self as an exploration of materials. My
biggest dream is to live authentically as myself, and to be able to draw a
direct line from my life to my work. If I can live my highest, truest expression
of myself, all the bells and whistles of being an artist are sure to follow.”
Following her dream didn’t come easily. Born in Bermuda, Ms Hassell, 28,
graduated from the Berkeley Institute in 2009 and putting aside her lifelong
love for art, she studied public health at the University of North Carolina with
a minor in business. Despite high academic achievements, Ms Hassell tried to get
a job and set up a business in Bermuda to no avail. Instead, she decided to try
out law school, studying a legal practice course at the BPP University in
Manchester, UK. She quickly realised that she was not being true to herself.
“I would be in class drawing and trying to figure out how to get art
supplies,” she said. “After two months in the course, the art took over. For
as long as I can remember, I have always been an artist. I could no longer fight
the urge to put my art at the forefront of my life and I haven’t looked back
since.” Ms Hassell applied for numerous overseas jobs, before landing a
position teaching English at a school in China where she has lived for three
years. “I was lost for a really long time and felt like I needed to be alone
to find myself. I needed the space, time and clarity to be able to do that so I
wanted to go somewhere where I was not familiar. It was a rocky time — the
first day I got there my bags were lost, didn’t know the translation apps, and
I’d missed a flight. When I got to my hotel, I sat on the floor and cried my
eyes out. I told myself to get through the first week, then the first month, six
months and a year. It has been the best decision I have made in my entire life.
An opportunity came up to teach art at a school in Guiyang in the Guizhou
Province, which I have been doing for the last year and a half, and I am now
planning to do a Master in Fine Art here. I feel like, if I hadn’t gone to
China, the opportunities wouldn’t have come. Sometimes, you have to set
yourself up and put yourself in positions, for the doors to open.” Ms Hassell
is back in Bermuda for six weeks, and although this is her first time seeing
friends and family members in three years, she hasn’t stopped working. Aside
from preparing for her show, she has been teaching art at the St George’s
Community Centre and erecting her artwork in the Government Administration
Building. She also delivered a speech at the Berkeley Institute’s graduation
ceremony. “The speech was about the power of asking; asking for something that
you want in your life, and asking despite foreseen obstacles,” she explained.
“At the end of the day, it is either a yes or no, but if you don’t ask, you
don’t know. My entire journey has been completely about that. We should all
ask for the things that we want, when we do, we’d be surprised when it comes
to us. If we are continuously putting our intentions out, it will come back.”
Cup
Match had a dramatic finish yesterday at Wellington Oval when batsman Dion
Stovell was struck in the head on the first ball of the Somerset second innings
and taken to hospital. Somerset, who started their innings at 7.16pm, had
been set an unlikely winning target of 136 to win in the remaining nine overs of
the final 20. Somerset dismissed St George’s for 153 in 44 overs in their
second innings, after leading by 18 in the first innings. They looked ready to
take up the challenge when Stovell attempted to hook the first delivery from
Justin Pitcher which was short, and was struck in the side of the head. He
dropped his bat which subsequently hit the wicket, but all that became
irrelevant once it was noticed that Stovell, lying on the ground, had been
seriously hurt. After several minutes waiting for a stretcher to be brought on
to the field, the umpires called off the game with the stumps pulled at the
bowler’s end, the mood around the ground quickly changing from anticipation to
somber. Stovell was discharged from hospital last night. “We knew it was a
serious injury as soon as it hit him on the temple,” said Lionel Cann, the St
George’s captain, who was fielding at slip. “As soon as somebody gets hit,
especially if they don’t have a helmet on, it affects you immediately. I had
nothing to do with the game being called off, which was the right decision with
everybody’s frame of mind. It was good that they took up the challenge,
that’s what Cup Match is about. There is always a chance you could chase down
13 runs an over on a small field like this.” Terryn Fray, who took over the
captaincy of Somerset in the St George’s second innings after Jordan DeSilva
suffered a calf injury during his innings of 76, admits it was a sad way to end
the two days of cricket. “Dion is a tough cricketer and I’m sure he’ll
bounce back,” Fray said. “We just hope it is not as serious as everyone
thinks. He is one of the best players I’ve ever played with in Bermuda, so I
give him the utmost respect. You can always call on him to bat or bowl and
he’ll do the job.” Yesterday, the Somerset first innings ended at 2.52pm,
batting 76.1 overs for their 315 which was led by Stovell’s top knock of 79
from 73 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Captain DeSilva scored 76 from
135 balls at No 7. The pair put on 105 for the fifth wicket after Stovell, who
went off injured on Thursday evening, returned at 123 for five yesterday.
Stovell was caught and bowled by Pitcher who led the St George’s bowling with
four for 94 from 22.1 overs while Macai Simmons claimed two for four from four
overs late in the innings. St George’s dropped several catches in the Somerset
first innings, including DeSilva being missed on 21 by Zeko Burgess at deep
mid-off as the fielding began to get sloppy. Wicketkeeper Temiko Wilson then put
down an easy chance off a DeSilva edge after he had reached 50. Captain Cann was
also guilty of missing an easy catch when he dropped Malachi Jones’s skied
shot at mid-wicket off Pitcher. Some of the St George’s batsmen batted
irresponsibly in the second innings to give Somerset a faint hope of victory
after they were reeling at 71 for five. Knocks of 21 and 25 by Allan Douglas and
Lionel Cann helped bring up the hundred after Douglas was controversially given
out lbw by umpire Emmerson Carrington, the batsman indicating that he hit the
ball. Cann and OJ Pitcher added 21 for the eighth wicket when Cann skied to deep
mid-wicket where Greg Maybury held a good catch. Justin Pitcher added a valuable
15 in the tail end before he was caught, sweeping, on the square leg boundary by
colt Alje Richardson. Derrick Brangman claimed four for 48 from 15 overs while
Stovell and Jones took two wickets apiece. St George’s, sent in by Somerset on
Thursday, scored 297 for six before they declared in the first innings on
Thursday. They batted for 66.3 overs before Somerset replied with 119 for four
at the close, eventually batting for 76.1 overs. Chris Douglas hooked the first
delivery of the Somerset first innings from Justin Pitcher for six to signal
their intention as they began their run chase. He and Fray put on 49 for the
first wicket in 13 overs, before Douglas was run out for 25 after driving a
Mackih McGowan delivery through extra cover where Treadwell Gibbons got his hand
to the ball before Justin Pitcher followed up to throw to the wicketkeeper
Steven Bremar with Douglas caught well short after being sent back by Fray. Fray
added 23 before he was caught on the square leg boundary by Justin Pitcher,
giving colt Mackih McGowan his first wicket in Cup Match, the score 61-2.
Richardson, who had a nervous start after replacing the injured Stovell, was
caught at short leg by Macai Simmons off a no-ball from Pitcher before settling
down to play some impressive boundary strokes, getting off the mark with a four
off Pitcher and then next ball lifted the ball over mid-wicket for a six. He was
soon out for 30, caught at the square leg boundary by Allan Douglas off Onias
Bascome. He hit four fours and two sixes. Greg Maybury and captain Jordan
DeSilva are the two overnight batsmen, both in single figures after two wickets
went down in the space of just two runs as St George’s fought back before the
close. Earlier, they had four batsmen reach 50s after losing opener Treadwell
Gibbons in the second over of the game, caught and bowled by Malachi Jones after
he tried to turn the ball onto the on side and got a leading edge. Rodney Trott
(68) and Temiko Wilson (66) had the perfect response, adding 138 for the second
wicket. It was Wilson’s first 50 in Cup Match after making his debut last
year. Onias Bascome and Macai Simmons picked up the scoring pace in the middle
order, both scoring 54 after Allan Douglas failed to score. Bascome hit two
fours and two sixes and Simmons three fours and three sixes. He and Justin
Pitcher were together when the declaration was made at 4.23pm. Pitcher blasted
28 from four sixes. Jones claimed three for 49 and spinner Derrick Brangman two
for 48 for Somerset.
Graffiti
threatening to shoot police is being investigated. The offensive graffiti
appeared around Pembroke on Thursday. One example, found on Happy Valley Road,
said: “Shot shot kill cops for Cup Match.” A police spokesman said: “The
offensive graffiti, which threatened violence to police officers during Cup
Match, was found spray painted at Dundonald Street, Happy Valley Road, at the
junction of Beacon Street and Angle Street and on Cedar Avenue. The graffiti was
documented, and inquiries continue.”
Public
school staff will be responsible for keeping their school websites up to date, a
ministry spokeswoman said. She added that the Ministry of Education’s
website and individual school websites would be updated for the start of the new
school year. Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, said last month that work
had begun to update the Ministry of Education website. He said: “Currently,
the Department of Education is training school staff to operate the back end of
the site. We look forward to unveiling the website for the upcoming 2019-20
academic year.” The spokeswoman confirmed that school staff would be told to
make sure individual school websites in the education ministry domain had
regular updates. She said: “Each school is expected to keep information on the
website up to date utilizing the calendar function. Updating the website is
considered part of the administrative staff’s regular work as it is a method
of sharing information from the school with parents and students.” The
spokeswoman said that “designated school staff” were being equipped “with
the skills to operate the back end of the website and the process for updating
information on a regular basis”. She added that staff at the education
department would be responsible for their website and ministry staff for its
site.
A
lighthouse keeper and a member of the public turned heroes after a man
threatened to jump from the top of Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. The two talked to
the 58-year-old man until police negotiators arrived at the Southampton landmark
and talked him down from the 117ft-high structure. A police spokesman thanked
the lighthouse keeper and the member of the public who assisted for their
“prompt and brave action”. The spokesman said: “The lighthouse keeper and
a member of the public intervened until police officers arrived on the scene a
short time later, with police negotiators eventually getting the man to come
down from the lighthouse without incident. He was then taken to King Edward VII
Memorial Hospital for medical assessment.” The incident at about 3pm on
Wednesday was not the first of its kind. In December 2015, a 72-year-old man
died after falling from the top of the lighthouse. Police were unable to confirm
if the incident was an accident or if the person had jumped.
A
man filmed naked on the roof of a house on the first day of Cup Match was taken
to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for assessment. A police spokesman said
that officers received a report of a man on the roof of a home in Wellington
Back Road, St George’s, at 9.15am on Thursday. He said: “At first the
24-year-old male resident was apparently on the roof naked, which was captured
on video and shared on social media. However, when police arrived and spoke with
him, he was fully clothed and came down from the roof without incident. The man
was transported to KEMH by a family member in a private vehicle for medical
assessment.”
Wellington
Oval, St. George's (first day of two; Somerset won toss): Somerset, with six
first-innings wickets in hand, are 178 runs behind St George’s. Cup
Match is evenly balanced after the first day at Wellington Oval as bat dominated
the ball. St George’s, sent in by Somerset, scored 297 for six before they
declared going into the tea break. They batted for 66.3 overs before Somerset
replied with 119 for four at the close. The first three hours of play today will
have a huge bearing on the outcome of this match, with St George’s looking for
early wickets, while the champions know that occupying the crease up to lunch
will work in their favour. Somerset have considerable batting depth with Dion
Stovell retiring hurt yesterday as St George’s picked up the wickets of Chris
Douglas, Terryn Fray, colt Alje Richardson for a fluent 30, which included two
sixes, and Stephen Outerbridge. Douglas hooked the first ball of the innings
from Justin Pitcher for six to signal Somerset’s intent as they began their
run chase. He and Fray put on 49 for the first wicket in 13 overs before Douglas
was run out for 25 after driving a Mackih McGowan ball through extra cover where
Treadwell Gibbons got his hand to it before Justin Pitcher followed up to throw
to wicketkeeper Temiko Wilson with Douglas caught well short after being sent
back by Fray. Fray added 23 before he was caught on the square-leg boundary by
Justin Pitcher, giving colt McGowan his first wicket in Cup Match, the score 61
for two. Richardson, who had a nervous start after replacing the injured
Stovell, was caught at short leg by Macai Simmons off a waist-high no-ball from
Pitcher before settling down to play some impressive boundary strokes. He got
off the mark with a four off Pitcher and then next ball lifted him over
mid-wicket for a six. He was soon out for 30, caught at the square-leg boundary
off by Allan Douglas off Onias Bascome. Grey Maybury and captain Jordan DeSilva
are the two overnight batsmen, both in single figures after two wickets fell in
the space of two runs as St George’s fought back before the close. Earlier,
the home side had four batsmen reach fifty after losing opener Treadwell Gibbons
in the second over of the game, caught and bowled by Malachi Jones after he
tried to turn a sharply rising ball to leg and got a leading edge. Rodney Trott
(68) and Temiko Wilson (66) had the perfect response, adding 138 for the second
wicket. Bascome and Macai Simmons picked up the scoring pace in the middle
order, both scoring 54 after Allan Douglas was out for a duck. Bascome hit two
fours and two sixes, and Simmons three fours and three sixes. He and Justin
Pitcher were together when the declaration was made at 4.23pm. Pitcher blasted
four sixes in his unbeaten 28. Jones, clearly showing the effects of an injury
he carried into the game, claimed three for 49 and left-arm slow bowler Derrick
Brangman two for 48 for Somerset.
Thousands
of people braved the heat to soak up the Cup Match atmosphere at St George’s
Cricket Club this weekend. Spectators filled the stands at Wellington Oval
to watch the game, take on the “stock market” at the Crown and Anchor tables
and socialise with friends and family. The game ended in a draw after Somerset
batsman Dion Stovell was struck on the head by the first ball of their second
innings and taken to hospital. He was later discharged. The result means
Somerset, who won the annual match in 2018, retain the trophy for another year.
Dorothy Cann, from Sandys, said that the annual match was the highlight of her
summer calendar. She added: “There’s a great feeling of togetherness. It’s
a celebration of our history, of who we are and how far we have come, and
sometimes how far we still need to go. We have been through darkness, but we can
see the light ahead.” Ms Cann said the heat was always a problem, but that she
came prepared. She added: “It always feels like this is the hottest time of
the year. But I’ve got my water, I’ve got my fan and I’ve got a little
shade.” Robert White, from Hamilton Parish, was impressed by the level of
competition this year as St George’s mounted an effort to retake the Cup on
their home turf. He said: “I’m glad to see it be a more competitive game
than some of the past years. St George’s came out swinging, and I don’t
think everyone expected that.” Mr White said that although thousands of people
showed up for the game, the crowd seemed smaller than previous years. He added:
“It seems a little quieter up here than usual. Maybe it’s the heat, but
it’s a little disappointing. I had thought more people might come since it’s
a closer game.” But he said: “It is good to see all the tourists out and
about, though. If they can sort out a cruise ship in St George’s the next time
the game is up here, can you imagine? This place would be packed to the
rafters.” Douglas and Shirley Waters, from Stone Mountain, Georgia, travelled
back to Bermuda specifically for Cup Match after they missed it last year. Mr
Waters said: “My wife and I missed out on last year’s Cup Match by about
three weeks and everyone was telling us about it, so this year we decided to fix
that mistake. It’s fun. I can’t say I understand the game at all. A couple
of people have tried to explain it to us, but I’m still having a great time. I
got my head around Crown and Anchor. Not that it helped me win anything.” Mrs
Waters added: “We love Bermuda. Everyone has been really sweet to us. We have
been to a few places around the Caribbean but this place is special. Its like a
little bit of southern hospitality in the middle of the Atlantic. Everything is
so bright and colourful. The water, the houses. It’s awesome.” Lori
Williams, from Smith’s, said the Cup Match atmosphere — and the opportunity
to meet friends — drew her to the game every year. Ms Williams said: “It’s
the biggest party of the year. Honestly, I don’t really watch much of the
cricket at all. It’s more about seeing my friends, unwinding and soaking up
the positive vibes. I always forget how expensive it can be, but thankfully
I’m not much of a gambler, so it goes a little farther for me.” Alex Wolfe,
from St George’s, praised the Cup Match spirit of togetherness and friendly
rivalry. Mr Wolfe said: “I love Cup Match. It’s the music, the food, the
atmosphere. Everyone puts all their personal stuff aside and come together for
two days. Suddenly the biggest argument is red and blue or blue and blue. And
that’s pretty good.” Occasional showers on Thursday did little to dampen
spirits in St George’s, where crowds began to gather early to enjoy the game.
Paul Daniels, a St George’s supporter, was optimistic despite his team’s
poor record in recent years. Mr Daniels said: “Somerset has won for what, five
or six years in a row now? But ask half of those Somerset fans, they grew up
without ever seeing their team have a victory. They went 20 years without
winning, so they can chat all they want nowadays.” Mr Daniels, whose family
has been blue and blue “for generation after generation after generation”,
said he and friend Robert Coddington had been to every Cup Match for about four
decades. He added: “We got here at seven o’clock and we’ll be here bright
and early tomorrow.” Charlie Marshall, a St George’s batting legend, said:
“I love coming to Cup Match. It’s very exciting and one of my favourite
holidays of the year. As you get older, Cup Match becomes better than
Christmas.” He added: “This is Bermuda, this is the gift — all the support
from Bermudians of all different cultures coming out.”
A
team of soldiers joined forces with police officers today as part of a massive
safety and security operation at Cup Match. A total of eight Royal Bermuda
Regiment troops were deployed alongside the Bermuda Police Service to patrol St
George’s Cricket Club, this year’s host of the annual East v. West cricket
match. Private Keno Fox, 27, from St George, said: “It’s been great. The
atmosphere is electric – St George’s is trying to prove itself this year.”
The kitchen porter at The Loren at Pink Beach in Tucker’s Town added: “I
have worked with police a lot and we’re all trying to enjoy ourselves while
doing our job to keep everything safe. It’s a family event, so it’s
important to interact with people.” Private Kirk Wilks, who works for a family
catering company, said: “It good to see people celebrate and see people I
haven’t seen in a while. It’s a good atmosphere. The 20-year-old from
Devonshire added: “The police are cool and it’s something different for
me.” Private Shanday Tannock, 23, a child care worker from Sandys, said:
“It’s lovely. You can’t complain. It’s a bit hot, but we’ve got to do
what we’ve got to do. I’ve never done Cup Match before, but I have worked
with the police previously. It opens your eyes a little bit more and helps you
to understand all the work that goes on behind the scenes.” She added: “The
crowds are very friendly, but if you have a happy, jolly face, and your tone of
voice is good, everything goes well.” Lance Corporal O’Neil Nelson, 43, a
barber from Somerset, said: “It’s been nice. It’s very relaxed and civilized
and I’m enjoying working with the police. It’s a pleasure.” Inspector Kuhn
Evans, the BPS bronze commander at the ground, welcomed the green addition to
the thin blue line. He said: “It’s very useful because they will know people
we don’t and they have that interaction. We don’t have the manpower we used
to have, so they’re valuable extra resources. It’s also advertising for
people to join up because they are very visible." Lieutenant Colonel David
Curley, the RBR’s Commanding Officer, who visited the match with Regimental
Sergeant Major Jason Harrell, said he had walked around the ground with
Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley. Colonel Curley added he also planned
to visit soldiers from Boat Troop, who will be on patrol with members of the BPS
marine unit over the holiday. He said: “Things have gone extremely well. We
have made a commitment to support the Bermuda Police Service and we will have
joint operations on land and sea right over the Cup Match weekend.”
Cup
Match festivities got under way at the St George’s Cricket Club today as
spectators gathered to celebrate Emancipation Day. The Wellington Oval was
abuzz with energy as people filled the stands from early this morning to watch
the game, bet on crown and anchor tables, listen to soca music, enjoy
refreshments, and mill about greeting fellow game goers. Supporters of both
teams seemed unbothered by intermittent rain showers that punctuated the sunny
periods throughout the morning. Paul Daniels, who supports St George’s,
remained optimistic despite his team’s poor record in recent years. Mr Daniels
said: “Somerset has won for what, five or six years in a row now? But ask half
of those Somerset fans, they grew up without ever seeing their team have a
victory. They went 20 years without winning, so they can chat all they want
nowadays.” Mr Daniels, whose family has been blue and blue “for generation
after generation after generation”, has attended Cup Match every year with his
friend Robert Coddington for about four decades. He said: “We got here at 7
o’clock, and we’ll be here bright and early tomorrow.” He added: “The
cricket is the best part. The first day is Emancipation Day, it is very
important. The older people remember the meaning of Cup Match, the younger
people don’t seem to.” Somerset supporter Tucker Powell, 21, said: “Before
Beachfest, I always come to the game to enjoy the camaraderie and the
sportsmanship out here. It’s a tradition that I come with my dad. It used to
be the whole family but it slowly got less and less and now it’s just the two
of us. I’ve been coming to the opening ball every year for the past 15
years” Mr Powell added: “Coming to see the game with my dad every year is
definitely one of the biggest highlights of Cup Match for me. When I’m older I
plan on coming to the game with my dad as well as with my kids, so that we can
have this same bonding experience that we’ve had for a while.” He said he
would return with his friends tomorrow to “hit the crown and anchor tables”.
Charlie Marshall, a Cup Match batting legend for St George’s but now a
supporter, said: “I love coming to Cup Match. It’s very exciting and one of
my favourite holidays of the year. As you get older, Cup Match becomes better
than Christmas. This is Bermuda, this is the gift, all the support from
Bermudians of all different cultures coming out.” John Rankin, the Governor,
said: “Everyone’s very excited about the start of Cup Match on the first
day. The sun is shining, a bit of grass on the pitch so it’s good for the
bowlers.” Mr Rankin added: “It’s an important day that marks emancipation.
It’s right that the island comes together to remember that and to look forward
as well. I just hope everyone’s safe, everyone has a good time, and that
it’s a good, competitive match.
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Authored,
researched, compiled and website-managed by Keith A. Forbes.
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