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By Keith Archibald Forbes (see About Us).
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Bermuda
will today launch its new cybersecurity strategy, with a series of “lunch and
learn” sessions scheduled throughout October. Wayne Caines, Minister of
National Security, said information technology has become critical for the
island, and the Government has worked with local and international partiers to
develop a strategy to address digital threats. Mr Caines said: “Some criminals
seek to use our information and our systems against us for their own economic
gain. They trade in stolen personal information and they deploy ransomware in
attempts to extort money from individuals and businesses. Nation states engage
in cyber espionage for political and economic gain, hackers deface websites,
disrupt operations and expose sensitive, confidential information to the world.
For Bermuda to thrive socially and economically, we must ensure that we are
adequately protected from cyber threats.” The Commonwealth Telecommunications
Organisations was commissioned to help develop the strategy, and visited the
island twice in 2018 to meet with stakeholders to develop a custom-built
strategy. A draft strategy was published online after public consultation last
year to further develop the strategy, which will provide a framework for
Government as it moves forward. Mr Caines said: “This will enable the
diversification of the island’s economy and enhance the island’s prosperity
and safety. It takes a proactive approach and is focused on maintaining a safe
cyberspace for anyone in Bermuda who has an online presence. It is driven by the
Cybersecurity Governance Board, which is comprised of a volunteer body of local
ISP leaders.” Marisa Stones, director of Government’s ICT policy and
innovation department, said Government will host a series of “lunch and
learn” sessions to help educate the public about cybersecurity. The sessions
include:
The sessions will be held from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at the Public Works training room on the third floor of the General Post Office. A senior-specific session will also be held on October 18 at St Paul’s AME Centennial Hall between 10am and 2pm. David Burt, the Premier, said: “The internet is an integral part of our daily lives and there are few activities that do not involve accessing information, goods or services online. As a country, despite our size, we are a significant part of the global economy and the internet has become and increasingly important tool for how we seamlessly, without conscious thought, conduct business, forge personal and professional relationships, participate in social activism and learn about and develop unique interests.” But the Premier added that the benefits of the internet also bring risks — and noted that con artists had even pretended to be him online to lure unsuspecting targets to send them money. He said: “Unfortunately there have been some victims who have fallen prey to crimes and has sent money to someone pretending to be myself, but in fact was someone overseas. Our vision for cybersecurity in Bermuda is secure, resilient and trustworthy internet which fosters and informs an inclusive society in Bermuda.”
The
Premier dismissed fears that some of Bermuda’s cultural hotspots could become
gentrified as MPs debated a Bill designed to boost the economy. David Burt
told the House of Assembly on Friday: “We can have economic growth and
economic development that looks like and reflects the culture we want to
have.” It came after MPs on both sides questioned whether the Bill could have
unintended consequences for the island’s economic empowerment zones in North
East Hamilton, Somerset and St George’s. The Premier told legislators that the
Economic Development Amendment Act 2019 aims to stimulate growth “by widening
the scope of potential investment in approved residential schemes”. He
explained: “Economic empowerment zones are designated geographical areas where
special programmes are implemented to relieve hardship or economic disadvantage,
or to assist disadvantaged persons to achieve equal opportunity.” Mr Burt
added that efforts to close the gaps of inequity focused on striking a balance
between economic, social, physical and community environments, including
financial equality, access to services and good quality of life. The Bill
provides for amendments to the Economic Development Act 1968, the Bermuda
Immigration and Protection Act 1956 and the Companies Act 1981. Among its
measures is a provision for local and exempted companies with a physical
presence on the island — with the Minister of Finance’s consent — to
acquire or hold residential valuation units in approved schemes for no longer
than 131 years through lease or tenancy agreements. Changes to the immigration
Act would allow non-Bermudians and other “restricted persons” set out in the
Act to buy residential units in an approved scheme “without restriction”,
which is applied at present to freehold property, condominiums, tourist
accommodation and rental homes. The amendments would allow the minister
responsible for economic development to approve a scheme for economic
development in any part of Bermuda, including the EEZs, subject to certain
criteria. That approval would be published in the Government’s Official
Gazette. Leah Scott, the deputy Opposition leader, said the One Bermuda Alliance
supported the Bill. She recognised the need for economic stimulus, but was
worried the legislation had the potential “to be a very slippery slope”. Ms
Scott relayed a story about gentrification, which she described as “the nice
word for the exodus of blacks and the influx of whites”, in the Shaw neighborhood
of Washington, where she said the black proportion of the
population had dropped from 78 per cent to 44 per cent. She explained that go-go
music played by a shop owner for years was silenced after a complaint from a
resident in a high-rise luxury development, but a citywide campaign meant that
the decision by the store’s head office was overturned a month later. Ms Scott
said: “He’s turned back on his music and he has continued to be the
institution and hub of the Shaw. My point is that, while this is a good
intention, we have to be careful about what we are doing in preserving the
culture of our community.” She added that gentrification caused displacement,
which can result from reinvestment in the neighborhood. The MP said: “While I
understand the need for economic stimulus and the EE zones, and I’m fully
supportive of that, I just encourage that we be aware of the challenges that we
may face and, again, the law of unintended consequences.” Rolfe Commissiong, a
Progressive Labour Party backbencher, welcomed Ms Scott’s comments. He claimed
the North East Hamilton area, or the back of town, “was analogous to being our
Harlem” from about the turn of the 20th century up until the 1970s. Mr
Commissiong said there was a “concentration of black businesses, of all
types” and culture was prevalent. He added: “On Court Street and the
surrounding side streets, that is where it became almost like the cultural and
business centre of black life, without overstating it.” Mr Commissiong added:
“Is the threat of gentrification one that we should take seriously? I contend
it is. However, I am going to place my confidence in what the Government’s
trying to achieve here.” Supporting the legislation, he said that it would be
important to make sure that “the stakeholders of these communities, who will
be overwhelmingly black, are going to be able to be first in line to benefit”.
Legislation
to advance Bermuda’s efforts to become a digital hub for the interconnection
of submarine cables was tabled in the House of Assembly on Friday. Walter
Roban, the Minister of Home Affairs, tabled three bills for consultation that he
said would provide a strong regulatory framework to attract this “potentially
valuable sector” to the island. Bermuda’s location creates a logical
stopover for cables connecting the Americas to Western Europe. Mr Roban spoke of
the potential for an additional revenue stream for the economy through the use
of the island by the submarine cable industry as a transit location. With
significant infrastructure helping to meet economic substance requirements, it
could also make Bermuda attractive as a potential location for head offices of
cable companies, Mr Roban added. “The Bermuda Business Development Agency is
currently focused on promoting Bermuda as an Atlantic digital hub for
interconnection of cables,” Mr Roban told MPs. There is currently no Atlantic
hub and, because of our unique, prime geographic location, Bermuda is a logical
choice to become that hub. By comparison, the Pacific Ocean has three hubs;
Guam, Hawaii and Fiji. This is the focus of these ‘transit cable systems’
market opportunities.” The three Bills tabled were the Submarine Cables Permit
and Licensing Act 2019, the Submarine Cables (Protected Areas) Act 2019 and the
Submarine Cables (Protected Areas) Order 2019. The Government is seeking
feedback from industry stakeholders. The consultation will last through October,
after which any necessary amendments will be made and final versions of the
Bills will be tabled in the House in November. Mr Roban cited Southern Cross
Cable Network and Australia Japan Cable as undersea cable companies which
already had head offices in Bermuda. “These companies have people on the
island, employ Bermudians, and use our head office support services,” Mr Roban
said. “We aim to attract similar submarine cables to the island.” Submarine
networks carry more than 95 per cent of the world’s intercontinental
electronic communications traffic and are considered “critical
infrastructure” by governments and corporations alike. Landing and operating
significant systems in some jurisdictions has become increasingly difficult and
lacks a single landowner or a single marine spatial planning regulator.
Countries that have shorter and more certain timeframes for the permitting
process are being sought and are becoming much more attractive.” The
legislation sets out timelines for speedy processing of applications by
telecommunications regulator the Regulatory Authority. Three submarine cable
systems — Globenet, Gemini and Challenger — already connect with the island.
“Large technology companies are currently building submarine cable systems
that go past, but do not connect into, Bermuda,” Mr Roban added. “We are
hoping to highlight to these companies the opportunity to do a branching unit
from those planned systems into Bermuda, creating economic substance with
significant infrastructure and thus supporting any intellectual property company
assets that are located in Bermuda.”
MPs
agreed on Friday to update legislation covering the island’s fintech industry.
The House of Assembly heard that the industry was evolving rapidly, requiring
the island’s laws to keep up. The Digital Business Amendment Bill 2019 tweaked
legislation approved last year for the Bermuda Monetary Authority’s oversight
of digital asset businesses, and introduced new licensed business activities.
The Opposition supported the move, but Scott Pearman of the One Bermuda Alliance
said there appeared to be “a desire to rush through legislation” requiring
amendments later on — and Michael Dunkley, an OBA backbencher, told the House:
“At the end of the day, promises are being made and reality is not being
met.” Mr Dunkley said that blockchain technology had not produced a third
pillar for the island’s economy. Curtis Dickinson, the Minister of Finance,
responded: “We should operate by the principle of let’s not let the perfect
be the enemy of the good — time has now moved on due to the ever-evolving
nature of this industry.” David Burt, the Premier, said that eight fintech
companies had established offices on the island with 31 people working in the
industry, 15 of them Bermudian, with “more to come”.
A
taxpayer-funded cruise trip to Bermuda allowed the tourism minister to
investigate alleged “hanky-panky” in the industry, he told MPs. Zane
DeSilva said that technical officers insisted he took a trip from New Jersey
last month that cost almost $4,000 so that he could see the cause for concern
himself. The minister added that he did not like cruises and revealed that his
mystery shopper experience included traveling incognito in a taxi with a former
football team-mate who failed to identify him. He was responding to questions
from Michael Dunkley, a One Bermuda Alliance backbencher, in the House of
Assembly on Friday after it emerged that Mr DeSilva went on the Royal Caribbean
vessel Anthem of the Seas from August 24 to 29. The “cruise passenger
experience observation” trip included shopping on the island, taking the
public bus to Horseshoe Bay, and a taxi ride to visit Hamilton, the Crystal
Caves, Tobacco Bay and St George’s. Mr DeSilva claimed there was a good reason
why there had not yet been any public announcement about the results of his
fact-finding mission. He said technical officers had provided information over
several months but “almost demanded that I see if for myself”. The minister
explained: “In the cruise space right now, there is a bit of, what I might
call, a little hanky-panky going on. It’s a little something-something going
on and let me say this, it’s costing Bermudians jobs, it’s causing
businesses to close.” Mr DeSilva said he was being “measured” because he
had yet to finish collating information. He added that technical officers had
themselves taken secret voyages. Mr Dunkley earlier claimed “you can’t make
this stuff up”. The MP questioned how “one of the most recognizable people
in Bermuda” could travel incognito on public transport. He explained: “I
waited for a ministerial statement today to provide some backdrop to it because
it seems that the minister had so much fun as this mysterious shopper that there
had to be some earth-shattering information that was passed on to make Bermuda
better. A mystery shopper clearly is a tool that is used with some success in
areas, but typically it is by somebody who is unknown and somebody who has some
experience in that area.” Mr Dunkley wanted to know who provided the advice to
take the cruise, what information was found and, “more importantly”, if Mr
DeSilva “was ever undercover during the trip ... especially in Bermuda. Did
taxi drivers know who he was?” Mr DeSilva replied: “I was undercover.” He
said: “I got in a taxi with a guy that I played football with for three years
and he didn’t know it was me.” The minister, who last played organised
football in the mid-1980s, assured MPs he would provide greater detail later. He
explained that he had donated more than $1 million to organisations in Bermuda.
Mr DeSilva added: “If the Honourable Member, Michael Dunkley, thinks that Zane
DeSilva took a cruise on the taxpayers’ dime because I’m short of a dollar
or two ... and to insinuate that I went on a jolly because I wanted to use
taxpayers’ money ... really? Let me make something clear, I don’t like
cruises.” In conclusion, he said: “I want to assure the people of this
country that I have not and never will abuse my power as a minister to use
taxpayers’ money for anything privately in my life. Just for the record, since
I’ve been an MP or minister, I’ve never kept my wages since I’ve been in
this position. Ever. I donate it every year.”
Residents
have been asked to look out old photographs and records that help to tell the
story of Bermuda’s Parliament ahead of its 400th anniversary. The
milestone will be marked in 2020 and Dennis Lister, the Speaker of the House of
Assembly, hoped members of the public could help to showcase all aspects of the
island’s political history. He said: “Next year is a significant year for
Bermuda. We have the oldest continuous Parliament outside of Westminster.
Celebrating the House of Assembly’s 400th year will be an opportunity for us
to reflect on our rich and significant history while looking at our future. I am
asking every Bermudian to comb through their records and share with us anything
you can find about Bermuda’s Parliament and Senate. We are particularly
interested in black Members of Parliament and Senators. We have access to
traditional historical records, but as we know, historical records don’t
always reflect the contributions of all members of society. We have an
opportunity to highlight all aspects of our history.” The Speaker added: “If
you have newspaper clippings, old photographs, essays, records, meeting notes,
we welcome them. Our plan is to carefully photograph them, to first preserve
them and then use them as part of an exhibition which will be on display next
year.” Mr Lister said that a 400th Anniversary Steering Committee was planning
a number of events to take place throughout the year. He explained: “I will
make an announcement on these activities in the coming months. I know a number
of organisations are also planning commemorative events. Please contact my
office and share your dates and activities with us. We will be sure to add your
organisation’s event to the steering committee’s calendar of events.” The
Speaker said documents can be taken to the office of the Clerk to the
Legislature at Fourth Floor, Veritas Place, 65 Court Street, Hamilton, HM 12.
Working
mothers and their newborn babies will be able to benefit from more time together
after MPs passed legislation to extend paid maternity leave. Women will have
the chance to take 13 weeks’ paid leave after childbirth if they have worked
at the company for 12 months continuously before the expected date of delivery.
Fathers were also recognised in the Employment (Maternity Leave Extension and
Paternity Leave) Amendment Act 2019, as it provided for five days’ paternity
leave. Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sport, told
the House of Assembly on Friday: “The provision of maternity and paternity
leave is a key element in enabling parents to forge bonds with their babies, and
while maternity leave has become standard in most countries around the world,
and indeed here in Bermuda, the provision of paternity leave globally has been
neglected. Paternity leave helps foster better father-child relationships, and
fathers need the chance to adjust to their new addition just as much as mothers.
Studies have demonstrated increased benefits for children whose mothers have
longer periods of maternity leave. Those benefits include better cognitive and
academic development, as well as greater health benefits through longer
breastfeeding periods. Additionally, maternal health is enhanced, with
psychological distress significantly less likely for mothers who have more paid
maternity leave.” She explained that the existing allowance for maternity
leave was eight weeks’ paid and four weeks’ unpaid leave. Ms Foggo added
that mothers who had not worked continuously for 12 months will be entitled to
13 weeks’ unpaid leave. Employees applying for paternity leave will be
expected to provide a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy. Paternity
leave can be used only once in a 12-month period, starting on the date of the
child’s birth, and may be used at any time within the next 14 weeks. Ms Foggo
added: “This will provide fathers with the flexibility to use their leave when
it is most needed, whether that is in the first few days following the birth, or
in the first week of mother’s return to work.” The five days will be paid if
the father has worked at the company continuously for a year, and unpaid if not.
Ben Smith, the shadow minister of sport and social development, said the One
Bermuda Alliance “wholeheartedly” supported the Bill. He explained that
studies showed paternity leave allowed fathers to connect with their children in
their first weeks. Mr Smith added: “They are seeing that fathers are actually
tending to be more involved with the child’s life once they’ve started that
bond right from the early stages. It also is helping to keep family units
together.” The legislation also provided for employees to take a week’s
holiday after their first six months of work at a company. Ms Foggo explained
that workers are entitled at present to two weeks of annual paid leave after a
full year of employment. She added that holidays were important to reduce
stress, and that the change “may prevent burnout and optimize a healthy work
environment”.
Four
Bermudian companies have been awarded subcontracts for work on the airport
redevelopment site, Bermuda Skyport Corporation Ltd announced today. Bermuda
Skyport is overseeing construction of the new terminal. Contracts have been
awarded for work related to flooring, painting, excavation and masonry works.
Stafford Flooring will perform carpet and vinyl flooring installation. Mathias
Pro Contractors has been awarded a contract for painting work. D&J
Construction was awarded a stucco wall treatment contract for ancillary
buildings including the gatehouse, concessions building, and water feature.
Concrete tank construction for the waste water treatment plant was awarded to
Correia Construction Ltd. That contract also includes installation of sidewalks
and curbs. Frank Ross, executive director, infrastructure, at Aecon, said: “We
are pleased again to award more Bermudian companies with subcontracts for the
airport redevelopment project. “The important work these companies will
perform marks an exciting phase in the construction of the new airport
terminal.” The redevelopment at LF Wade International Airport is expected to
be completed in 2020.
At
a 4:30pm ceremony held at Police Headquarters in Prospect, Devonshire on Friday,
September 27th Nicholas Pedro was promoted to the rank of Detective
Superintendent by Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley. Acting Deputy
Commissioner Darrin Simons, Assistant Commissioner Antoine Daniels, Assistant
Commissioner Martin Weekes, family, friends and colleagues were also in
attendance at the Police Recreation Club hall to congratulate Mr. Pedro on his
achievement. Detective Superintendent Pedro joined the Bermuda Police Service in
1993, having completed university with a Bachelor’s degree in Political
Science. Since then he has worked in Patrol, Traffic, the Drugs Unit,
Administration as Commissioner’s Staff Officer, the Criminal Investigation
Department, the Fraud Unit, Head of the Serious Crime Department and Head of the
Organised and Economic Crime Department. Mr Pedro has also completed the
International Commanders Programme at the United Kingdom Police Staff College at
Bramshill, graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, USA
and received the Overseas Territories Police Medal for distinguished service.
Currently, Detective Superintendent Pedro is the Officer in Charge of the Crime
Division, with responsibility for areas of policing that focus on specialist
investigations, serious crime and vulnerable persons.
Bermuda
holds the power to flourish as a global centre of technology in the industry of
its choosing, a leading British technical education advocate declared yesterday.
Alumni of the Bermuda Technical Institute, which shut in 1972, have brought one
of the world’s top proponents of science and technology to the island to
spread the word. Tom Ilube holds a place in the upper ranks of PowerList, the
UK’s roster of its most powerful men and women of African and Caribbean
descent. Yesterday, Mr Ilube held a discussion with the Bermuda Technical
Institute Association (BTIA) as well as the Construction Association of Bermuda.
This week, he will share his expertise with John Rankin, the Governor, as well
as Cabinet ministers, the Chamber of Commerce, the Bermuda College and local
schools. “When you become an expert in, say, the application of artificial
intelligence in the reinsurance industry, then you find people wanting to come
and be a part of it,” Mr Ilube said. “You need that rallying vision to start
off. There are places where Bermuda has become an absolute world centre of
excellence, such as reinsurance. With a lot of the direction that things are
going and technology is going, location does not matter the way it used to. Size
does not matter in this game. Bermuda can decide to make it happen.” Visiting
for the first time, Mr Ilube noted the island’s work in building an up-to-date
regulatory framework for the emerging industry of digital business. He said:
“Fintech is huge. There’s a lot of money and brain power going into it. But
it works best when you’re building on top of existing capabilities. The fact
that Bermuda is strong in financial services means that can work well, and
it’s an exciting proposition. The challenge is bringing people into it.”
Rick Richardson, chairman of the BTIA, said boosting technical education would
address the shortage of tradesmen and engineers, as well as providing skills for
a “growing population of at-risk young men”. Conversations on reviving
technical education are much the same the world over, Mr Ilube said. “There
are cultures like Germany that value the technical route. But certainly in the
UK and around the world from the United States to Sweden, over and over again,
it’s ‘we used to be good at technical education, now it’s all academic,
and how do we get the excitement back in the technical side’. “The common
theme is, let’s not try to go back and replicate what we had in the past.
Let’s think hard about the skills that our nation is going to need over the
next 20 to 30 years, and create the institutions that will develop it.” Mr
Ilube pointed to Britain’s university technical colleges — created out of a
partnership between secondary schools, universities and industry partners. The
West Midlands UTC specializes in construction, with a curriculum ranging from
new materials, future architecture and modelling buildings with virtual reality.
“At one level, you think of someone laying bricks, but at another level
they’re looking at what the world will look like in ten to 20 years,” Mr
Ilube said. “It’s incredibly exciting for young people to look at robotics
and ask whether their job will be as a bricklayer, or programming the robot that
lays the bricks.” IT, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence have “become
a part of every strand” of a technical education, he said. Mr Ilube, who has
moved from the industry side to philanthropic ventures, founded the African
Gifted Foundation, which in 2016 launched an all-girls science and technology
school in Ghana. He was the chairman of the Ada College, which opened the same
year in Britain, named after Ada Lovelace — a 19th-century mathematician often
cited as the world’s first computer programmer. “We implemented what we
called modern apprenticeships, getting major employers in industry directly
involved,” Mr Ilube said. "We’re not trying to tell people not to take
the academic route, but to give students a choice that looks just as exciting as
the academic route.” He added: “Now major companies are trying to get our
apprentices. It’s all about how you bring it together at the start.”
Yesterday’s meeting at the Fairmont Southampton hotel enabled Mr Ilube to
share the apprenticeship model with members of the construction association, as
well as BTIA members. Mr Richardson said: “I’ve been following Tom’s work
for a couple of years; he is an amazing speaker. We had a great round-table
discussion on the schools he’s involved in and what we share in common with
other jurisdictions that are trying to move education with technology to the
fore. That’s what we are trying to advocate.” He added: “It’s important
to us that the model he talks about has the academics and the trades at the same
time. That’s what we had at the Technical Institute.”
An
unlicensed pitbull was euthanised after it attacked another dog, and its owner
was fined $1,500. Damon Rabain, 46, said that his dog, Diesel, was an
otherwise friendly dog and that it attacked a Jack Russell terrier, named
Bentley, in self-defence. He told Magistrates’ Court on Thursday: “He was a
very friendly dog and played with every dog in the neighborhood. He tried to
play with this dog, Bentley, but it was aggressive and attacked him first. If
Diesel wanted to kill him he could have, but instead he just bit him and ran
off.” Rabain added: “The same day my son’s mom died, the vet called me to
say that my dog’s been put to sleep. I couldn’t tell my family for months.
My dog was put down all because he did what dogs do.” The court heard that, on
January 15, Erica Smith, the owner of Bentley, heard her dog make a strange
noise while he was outside her home in Smith’s. She investigated and
discovered Diesel biting the terrier while he was on top of him. Ms Smith and
another bystander separated the two and the pitbull ran down the street and
escaped through a set of hedges. She asked a boy, who watched the incident if he
knew who the dog belonged to. He confirmed that he belonged to his father, the
defendant. Crown prosecutor Kenlyn Swan said that on January 28 an animal warden
arrived at Rabain’s home and informed him of the attack before they seized the
dog. Ms Smith confirmed the same day that Diesel was the dog who had attacked
her terrier. A background check revealed that Diesel had been unlicensed and
lacked an identification collar without a validated reason, which could not
confirm if the dog had been obtained from a legitimate source. Diesel was
euthanised shortly afterwards. Yesterday, Rabain pleaded guilty to being the
owner of a dog that caused injury to another dog, being the owner of an
unlicensed dog and having obtained a dog from an illegitimate source. He told
the court that he had paid for Bentley’s $240 veterinary bill after he was
treated for minor wounds. Rabain added that he had taken Diesel, who was the son
of his first dog, to be licensed, but was told that it was unnecessary. Senior
magistrate Juan Wolffe fined Rabain $500 for each offence and ordered him to pay
by November 30.
Not
everybody shared the love 50 years ago when Linda Smith, a black Bermudian, tied
the knot with Rudolf Stroble, a white German. Some people even sent back
their wedding invitations. Others said the marriage did not stand a chance. “I
feel like being in an interracial marriage is very beautiful,” Mrs Stroble
said as the couple prepared to renew their vows on Saturday. “My husband is a
wonderful man, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” The ceremony at St
Anne’s Church in Southampton brought the avid repeat visitors back again to
Bermuda with their families. But the Strobles carry the island with them in
their home in Canada, where they moved in 1971. Rachellin O’Connor, one of
their seven children, explained: “People talk about racial tensions, but their
whole life is nothing but love. I never see them together without holding hands.
Although some people said it wouldn’t work, anyone who ever saw them would say
how they are just in love.” Mr Stroble is now 77; Mrs Stroble is 71. Back in
the mid-1960s, when they met, he was a chef at the Inverurie Hotel on Harbour
Road in Paget, while she was a waitress. Mr Stroble, originally from Heilbronn
in Germany, had just arrived on a December 31 flight from England. He said: “I
still remember stepping off that airline. It was so beautiful. It was paradise,
going out in that tropical air.” The two immediately hit it off — although
Mrs Stroble did not like the idea of getting asked out on his birthday. But she
recalled: “In my heart, I think we met because we were meant to meet.” She
added: “The best thing my husband likes to do is cuddle, which is why I have
had so many babies.” The R’s have it: Reuben is a police superintendent in
Toronto; Rudolf, a bartender at the Pickled Onion in Bermuda; Rachellin, an
administrator at KPMG; Rebecca, a social worker; Robin, a corrections officer;
Renee, a hospital administrator, and Renate is a dental hygienist. Mixed
relationships are a common sight where they live in Mississauga, a city in
Ontario near Toronto. The Strobles had no issues over race with either of their
families, but Mrs Stroble remembers posting the wedding invitation on the notice
board at the Belmont Hotel, where she worked by then. “Someone wrote ‘black
and white’ on it and tore pieces off it,” she recalled with a shrug.
Bermudian food and music abounded in their home in Canada, and Rachellin
remembered winning first prize at her school’s “hat day” with a Gombey
headdress. This Saturday, they renewed their vows at the same church where they
were married in 1969. Asked for their secret, Mrs Stroble said: “When you’re
married, it’s not an easy task. We have ups and downs like everybody else.”
She added: “But we always talked things about. And we never went to bed
without a cuddle.”
The
Government has secured an agreement to borrow up to $200 million to cover the
costs of the Morgan’s Point guarantee, MPs were told yesterday. Curtis
Dickinson, the Minister of Finance, said that a one-year term loan facility deal
with the Bank of Butterfield and HSBC Bank Bermuda was executed last Tuesday. He
told the House of Assembly: “This facility was competitively priced at 4.25
per cent and it is satisfying that local financial institutions were supportive
in providing Government with its financing needs for this unfortunate matter.”
The move enabled the Government to pay $165 million to lenders over the Caroline
Bay development, where construction ground to a halt last year due to financial
problems. Mr Dickinson said: “This facility offers the Government valuable
flexibility with regard to its duty to exercise the full range of options
provided under the project agreements, which includes, in the first instance,
the purchase of the interests of the B and C lenders. “The remaining proceeds
will be used substantially to fund other costs associated with this matter.”
Mr Dickinson said the B loan was provided by an institutional investor, while
the C loan was initially provided by local reinsurance companies Arch, Axis and
Validus. The Validus portion was subsequently purchased by Arch and Axis. The
minister added that the Government had not borrowed the $200 million, but the
agreement means that a facility is in place to borrow that amount. Mr Dickinson
said: “Funds will only be withdrawn when absolutely necessary and only funds
that are drawn will be charged with interest.” He added: “Neither the new
borrowing nor the revised debt ceiling amounts have been determined for any
purpose other than to fulfil the Government’s obligations and exercise of its
rights under the respective guarantees for the Caroline Bay project. However, we
will seek advice from professional advisers to determine the extent there are
other potential liabilities the Government may need to address. Without advice,
borrowing or establishing a debt ceiling without room for contingency would be
irresponsible.” Mr Dickinson, who was forced to raise the island’s debt
ceiling by $250 million to cover the borrowing, previously condemned the former
One Bermuda Alliance government for putting the island “on the hook” for the
guarantee three years ago. He has also warned that, in addition to the $165
million guarantee, the Government will have to pay several million dollars to
construction firms left unpaid after the project dried up.
Bermuda’s
health minister was questioned yesterday on whether the Government had misled
the public on the scope of public consultation on healthcare reforms. Scott
Pearman, the Shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, pointed to a town hall meeting in
Sandys this month to discuss the Bermuda Health Plan 2020. Kim Wilson announced
in August that the plan was to replace the Standard Health Benefit coverage for
all island residents. Mr Pearman said that Ms Wilson had told people at the
meeting that the Government had already decided to proceed with the reform and
that public consultation was limited to the benefits that would be included in
the new plan. He told the House: “Given the expressed statement that you made
in Somerset, would you agree it is misleading to suggest to this House that you
have begun a consultation on any other ways to ensure affordable healthcare for
all?” Ms Wilson responded: “Absolutely not.” She told MPs that the
consultation period was twofold. Ms Wilson said that the first part of the
period was to “ascertain from the public the nature of the benefits to be
included”. She said part two would outline the road map to transition from the
current “disjointed, ineffective” plan to the new scheme. Ms Wilson
reiterated that a “soft launch” of the new plan was expected next autumn.
But Mr Pearman pressed: “If the only scope of the consultation are various
permutations of your single option, that is not a full and proper consultation,
is it? What would you say to members of the public who don’t want your basic
plan at all?” Ms Wilson said that the Government had been elected to provide
“for the basic human right of affordable healthcare. And that is exactly what
we are going to do.” The exchange came during Question Period after Ms Wilson
made a ministerial statement to provide an update on the public consultation
process. She said: “We have begun a period of public consultation, during
which we are speaking to stakeholders and the public on how we can ensure all of
Bermuda’s residents can have affordable access to healthcare.” She told MPs
that a “decent package that is affordable and available to all is
fundamental”. Ms Wilson added: “To do this, we have to change the way we pay
for healthcare.” She said that the Government’s decision to adopt a unified
finance model had been made “following extensive considerations”. Michael
Dunkley, a One Bermuda Alliance backbencher, questioned what other similar
jurisdictions had adopted the unified model, and what if any analysis had been
done by the Government to gauge its success elsewhere. He also asked when the
cost of the BHP would be firmed up. Ms Wilson pointed to the Bahamas, where she
believed the model had been launched “within the last several months”. She
added: “I’m not even sure it’s a year old.” Ms Wilson said that the cost
would be based on public feedback on what benefits they wanted included. She
explained: “The more benefits that are offered, the more expensive the plan.
So until we have an opportunity to gauge the public’s sentiment as to what
benefits will be included, we can’t cost anything.”
The
tourism minister’s company won the contract to deliver sand to fill golf
course bunkers after it submitted a bid 300 per cent lower than its rival, the
House of Assembly heard yesterday. Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch said
Island Construction Services, led by Zane DeSilva, submitted a tender price of
$546,000 for the project at Port Royal Golf Course. Colonel Burch, the Minister
of Public Works, said the only other company to submit a tender was Bermuda
Stone Company, which bid $1.815 million. The Ministry of Public Works estimate
was $558,397. Craig Cannonier, the Leader of the Opposition, had called for the
contract to be put back out to tender because it was awarded to a company owned
by a Cabinet member. But Colonel Burch told MPs: “Island Construction’s bid
was 300 per cent lower than the next lowest bidder, and 7 per cent lower than
the Ministry of Public Works’ estimate. Ministry of Public Works technical
officers determined that the tender submitted by Island Construction Services
for the proposed work was the best value, they displayed their understanding of
the ministry’s requirements and budgeted accordingly, while maintaining a
competitive price.” Colonel Burch said the recommendation was made without any
involvement from himself. The minister also claimed Mr Cannonier had shown “an
incredible lack of understanding of procurement processes” by insisting that
Mr DeSilva should have recused himself from bidding on the contract. He said:
“A blind man could see the hypocrisy in such a statement. That was never
uttered under either a UBP or OBA government that he led with sitting ministers
whose companies successfully bid on government contracts or were simply
arbitrarily awarded them.” Colonel Burch also gave an update on preparations
for the PGA Bermuda Championship, which Port Royal will host from October 31 to
November 3. He said: “I can report that excitement is growing for the
tournament and staff at Port Royal are working flat out to make it a success.
Needless to say, the recent hurricane has caused some damage to foliage on the
course, but I can report that much of the bunker work has not been impacted and
progress on the remaining bunkers is proceeding apace with the nine back holes
being completed so far.” He said staff from the Department of Parks, the
Skills Development Programme and the Hustle Truck were helping remove fallen
trees and other clean up work necessary after Humberto. Michael Dunkley, a One
Bermuda Alliance backbencher, said that he was satisfied that the procurement
process had been conducted appropriately. He added: “I’m glad there’s been
some transparency because obviously, in a small place like Bermuda, it’s
needed. We should not push out just because of the positions they hold.” Mr
Dunkley asked Colonel Burch whether there was an approved budget for work at the
course to prepare for the tournament. Colonel Burch said: “There is not an
approved budget for the works. We are still carving out what is regular work at
Port Royal versus specific PGA work.” Mr Dunkley also asked whether any
outside contractors were being used to perform the work. He added: “Have all
been approved through the regular bidding process?” Colonel Burch said that no
outside contractors were doing work. He added that D&J Construction Company
and Dynamic Excavating & Landscaping had been used to move the sand.
The national security minister
reiterated his call to either charge Ewart Brown or end investigations focused
him. Wayne Caines told MPs yesterday that the inquiry into Dr Brown “has
gone on for a long time”. He added: “It is time for the Department of Public
Prosecutions to make a decision whether or not this matter should proceed.”
The comment came during Question Period in the House of Assembly in response to
questions from Derrick Burgess, the Deputy Speaker. Mr Burgess asked Mr Caines
what was the longest ongoing Bermuda Police Service investigation of a public
official in the island’s history. The Deputy Speaker also asked what had been
the most expensive investigation of a public official and a private resident. Mr
Caines told MPs that he could not provide answers. He explained: “The BPS are
unable to identify the longest investigation that has been undertaken, given the
records do not reflect this information.” Mr Caines added: “BPS do not
record the cost of investigation as this is something that is difficult to
quantify.” Parliament heard in July that more than $6 million had been spent
on investigations into Dr Brown and an overseas hospital. Mr Caines told MPs at
the time that the total cost to taxpayers of investigations into Dr Brown and
the Lahey Hospital and Medical Centre in Boston had reached $6,096,437. He
added: “It’s now an opportunity for us to put this case to Bar or allow this
matter to take a natural course, and go another direction.” Dr Brown said at
the time that the investigations had “more to do with a political vendetta
than it has to do with diagnostic scans or political corruption”. The former
premier added: “When our legal fees are added to the totals provided by the
BPS, and the creative accounting, the total figure is closer to $10 million.
Therefore, we expect them to ‘discover’ something in order to justify their
fishing expedition. We are prepared.” Stephen Corbishley, the Commissioner of
Police, vowed that the inquiry into the former premier would continue. He said:
“The BPS will continue to investigate these matters, thoroughly and
expeditiously, in consultation with the Director of Public Prosecutions team.”
Police launched an investigation after allegations of corruption against Dr
Brown were made by disgraced financier David Bolden in 2011. A civil lawsuit was
filed by the OBA government against Lahey in February 2017, accusing Dr Brown of
profiting from unneeded diagnostic tests at his medical practices. It was
dismissed by a US court in March 2018. The allegations have been denied by Dr
Brown, and he has not been charged with any offence. He has called the
investigation a political witch-hunt and repeatedly called for it to be ended.
An
American actress and activist has promised Bermuda “I’ll be back” after
she shared highlights of her trip to the island. Yara Shahidi, of Black-ish
and Grown-ish, visited with her family in June. She posted online a three-minute
Instagram TV video of her special moments this week. Ms Shahidi, 19, said in a
voiceover: “From the pink sand to the history and the flavors, I miss it
all.” She told viewers that “Bermuda is indeed another world”. During her
stay — when a villa at The Loren at Pink Beach felt like a “home away from
home” — the actress visited the Lili Bermuda perfumery in St George, where
she learnt perfume-making techniques and enjoyed afternoon tea. Ms Shahidi
described St George’s tour guide Kristin White as “absolutely incredible”.
She said: “Kristin offers walking tours of St George’s, but we began her
journey at her bookstore, Long Story Short, where she’s curated an incredible
collection of books and trinkets from people of colour around the world.” The
actress, who starred in the film The Sun Is Also a Star, said she learnt about
“enslaved and indentured people who arrived during the 17th century”. She
added: “There was also a beauty in the reverence that was paid to the
descendants and in the markers and push that was being made to really have a
proper remembrance of all who contributed to the development of Bermuda and who
lost their lives.” Ms Shahidi was excited to shop at Orange Bay Company, which
she said was “full of high-quality, vintage and contemporary finds”. She
explained that a trip to Crystal Caves “did not disappoint” and one of her
favourite activities was a foraging walk. Ms Shahidi said: “When we weren’t
walking on the cobblestone streets, reminiscent of a time past, we were on the
beach, some of us reading, some of us in the water, some of us climbing rock
formations, but every moment was perfect.” She finished: “Bermuda, I’ll be
back soon. Love Yara.” Her visit was supported by the Bermuda Tourism
Authority, whose chief executive, Kevin Dallas, said in July that the
organisation was “thrilled to show off Bermuda’s best to Yara and her
family”. A BTA spokeswoman said that the family also took to the waves on jet
skis and enjoyed food from Marcus’ and Bolero Bistro, in Hamilton, and
Wahoo’s and Sweet Saak Bakery in St George. Ms Shahidi and her family also met
David Burt, the Premier, and his wife, Kristin. The visit was part of the
BTA’s efforts to double the number of African-American leisure air visitors by
2025 and to highlight the island’s appeal to young families.
Immigration
legislation tackling the plight of mixed-status families has been delayed
another time, according to Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security. The
Bill was set for today’s order paper, but pulled after a heated discussion
over the legislation’s readiness, Mr Caines said last night. MPs are to debate
legislation introducing paternity leave and extending maternity leave, as well
as digital assets business amendments relating to the fintech sector. MPs were
expected to hear about progress on the island’s fledgling casino industry
after amendments to the Casino Gaming Act 2014 were tabled two weeks ago. The
Bill included sections that deal with employee disciplinary action as well as
fees related to licensing and approval for operators. Separately, a string of
amendments to the Casino Gaming Regulations 2018 covered 88 pages and were
posted on the Government’s Official Gazette this month. Additions included
regulations around casino advertising and promotions, rules relating to a
cashless wagering system and the issue of exclusion orders. A Ministry of
Finance spokeswoman explained on Wednesday: “The tabling of the Casino Gaming
(Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2019, and gazetting of the Casino Gaming Amendment
Regulations 2019 mark further steps forward towards establishing a gaming
industry in Bermuda. The Minister will elaborate further during the debate of
the Bill on Friday.” The Tourism Investment Amendment Act 2019 was also
introduced this month to apply to specific hotels using concession orders so
that developers can apply for a tourism investment order. It makes changes to
the 2017 Act, which was designed to encourage developers of hotels, restaurants
and other tourist attractions to invest in Bermuda by providing relief from
customs duty and exemption from certain other taxes. The Bill included a move to
change the organisation that helps the minister approve hotel appraisers, who
determine the market value of hotels for the purposes of the Act. Instead of the
Bermuda Tourism Authority, the Bermuda Business Development Agency will carry
out that role, provided the legislation is passed. In an explanatory note, the
Bill explained: “The reference is being changed due to the tourism investment
division of the Bermuda Tourism Authority transferring to the Bermuda Business
Development Agency.” Kevin Dallas, the BTA’s chief executive, said this week
that the organisation was aware of the amendment and was supportive. He
explained: “When our former chief investment officer, Andy Burrows, accepted a
role as CEO of the BDA last year, he was not replaced, and the one additional
team member who worked with Andy to provide tourism investor concierge services
was transferred over to BDA with him. Although BDA and BTA continue to work
closely together to promote Bermuda, it is logical to update the legislation to
reflect the administrative role BDA now has in supporting Tourism Investment Act
applications.”
Legislation
to ease the plight of mixed-status families will not be tabled today as expected
after MPs were “at odds” over the changes, a public meeting heard last
night. Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, told the audience
that his team was trying to strike the “delicate balance” between driving
business and making sure Bermudians have opportunities. Acknowledging the news
would be “disappointing”, he explained: “We just left another meeting and
I just had to call the Premier. I told the Premier that we will not table this
Bill tomorrow.” The announcement was met with applause and a cry of
“Amen”. Mr Caines added that the Bill, first expected to be tabled in July,
was on the order paper for today’s sitting of the House of Assembly and
members of the bipartisan immigration committee “met and met”. He explained:
“When we left the room tonight, there was no way that we could do it.” About
150 people turned out for the public forum at the Berkeley Institute, where
Collin Anderson, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of National Security,
said the first two stages of comprehensive immigration reform included issues
around the processing of work-permit applications. The third phase was to
consider changes to policy and the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1956.
Mr Anderson said mixed-status families, where a parent has Bermudian status or a
permanent resident’s certificate but a child or spouse of the individual has
neither, stood out as an area with “tremendous consensus” in the community.
He explained that meant people who were born and raised in Bermuda, and had
worked here, paid taxes and contributed to the island, could “find that at
some point they’ve actually had to leave this country”. The permanent
secretary provided four example “problems” in which status differed between
generations and even siblings. For each, he indicated how legislation and
subsequent amendments created various scenarios, and how the Government intended
to make sure that status or a PRC could be provided to those affected. He
explained: ”This is what we are attempting to address throughout this
presentation, those individuals that have no place.” A plan to provide
Bermudian status at birth to children born or adopted overseas to Bermudian
parents was met with applause. The legislation already allows for those
individuals to secure status, but only after an administrative process that
includes paperwork. In another example, parents were PRC holders, but because of
their children’s respective dates of birth, and various legislative changes,
one sibling had status and another had neither status nor PRC. Mr Anderson
explained that the Government’s amendment Act would propose that the second
sibling achieves status through their brother or sister. In total, it was
thought that about 1,000 people could be expected to take advantage of the
various changes. Mr Caines said that the troubled history around immigration had
led to fear and an element of xenophobia. He added: “But we have also to
factor in that, based on where we are in the middle of the Atlantic, that we
need guest workers in this country.” The minister explained: “One of the
challenges that we have, as a ministry, we have the responsibility of making
sure that we keep commerce going in Bermuda, but at the same time, making sure
that Bermudians have a place of primacy in their country and making sure that
Bermudians are given opportunities. “That is a delicate balance.” Leah
Scott, the deputy leader of the One Bermuda Alliance and a member of the
committee, told the meeting her party was committed to working collaboratively
with the Progressive Labour Party. She added: “I think the biggest hesitation
for all of us is for people who come to Bermuda and live and they live better
than the people in Bermuda, and that’s not fair. No one should be able to
enjoy our country better than we enjoy it.” The panel also included PLP MPs
Renée Ming and Christopher Famous, Ben Smith, an OBA MP, and William Madeiros,
who chaired the Consultative Immigration Reform Working Group that was put
together in 2016.
The
Progressive Labour Party’s more than two-to-one majority in the House of
Assembly represents a great political opportunity to make the radical changes
Bermuda needs. That is the view of Philip Butterfield, chairman of
BermudaFirst, the advisory group which has proposed sweeping changes to address
the island’s challenges in areas including healthcare, education, living costs
and immigration in its Future State report. Among the recommendations are an
independent education authority, regulation of medical professionals amid a
healthcare system overhaul and immigration policies to spur economic growth. The
report was commissioned by David Burt, the Premier. The apolitical group drew on
the work of eight working groups and 90 participants to make its proposals for
the island’s future socioeconomic success. Asked whether he thought the will
existed to enact the politically challenging raft of proposals, Mr Butterfield
said: “I’m an eternal optimist. Given that the Premier asked for
transformative solutions, he’s already at the place where he recognizes that
this isn’t going to be an easy objective to accomplish. With a 25-11 margin
[the PLP’s majority in the House of Assembly], that’s a political capacity
that should be taken advantage of. I recognize that this is not a light-switch
experience, that what we’re trying to accomplish can only be achieved over a
period of time. We’re trying to get people to recognize that there’s an
opportunity for a greater level of success, if we embrace some of the
recommendations we’re talking about, as opposed to the tinkering that’s been
done in the past. I believe that if you can convince people that these
recommendations make sense, then there would be a level of broad support for
getting those things done.” In an interview, Mr Butterfield, the former chief
executive officer of HSBC Bermuda, said he and his BermudaFirst colleagues were
“ready to talk with anyone” to help further the case for the
recommendations. The status quo was not the way to success, he added, and he
spoke of the urgency for action, especially in education and healthcare. The
public education system had under-performed for the past two or three decades,
he said, and now was the time for radical change. “The most substantive proof
of that is that there are fewer students in public education today than in
private; about 52 per cent of students are in private education,” Mr
Butterfield said. "That was very different from my experience growing up
and it’s very different from any other place on the planet. All the tinkering
around the edges that well-meaning people have engineered over the years
hasn’t produced the desired results. So it’s time to do something radical.
Accountability is the key to improving public education, he said, and an
independent authority would be the best way to achieve it. Today, there’s no
penalty for the shortcomings in the system. We need a performance management
system that allows us to hold people to account. That’s how it works in the
private sector and we see no reason why it shouldn’t work that way in
education. As well as ensuring that teachers meet international standards of
competence, managerial skills to deal with matters such as allocation of
resources are needed. There are decisions we have to make about consolidations
or school closures, which tend to get wrapped up in politics, as opposed to the
underlying issues. We have declining birthrates and a flow into the private
sector, so in the 21st century why do we need 18 primary schools? I think we
could be more effective with a smaller, more focused number of institutions.”
On healthcare, the BermudaFirst team came to the conclusion that an holistic
approach was needed to a complex challenge, including a national wellness
programme to address the chronic, lifestyle-based diseases driving Bermuda’s
healthcare price inflation. “We know through medical practitioners that there
are 800 pre-diabetic Bermudians,” Mr Butterfield said. “There are about 200
people using dialysis today, between the hospital and the centre on Front Street
and that is costing in the range of $20 million a year. Left unchecked, in ten
years that number could be $40 million to $50 million. To me, that’s a crisis
and requires the kind of proactive debate and dialogue that demands a real
solution.” BermudaFirst was critical of the Government’s approach to
healthcare financing reform and Mr Butterfield recommended an approach tackling
“the full spectrum of activity” rather than focusing on one part of it.
“When you pick one element and it has the potential to be more disruptive than
any of the others, then that raises a level of angst that is not in our best
interests. I think we need to have a transparent debate about single-payer
systems and I know that is an objective of the Government.” BermudaFirst
recommends an outcome-based healthcare system to reduce the overutilisation of
services, as well as regulation of medical service providers. Mr Butterfield
said much technology now existed to monitor our health, producing data that
could help doctors to intervene to prevent more serious problems. “I’m of
the view that we should be more proactive in healthcare and I’m sure that the
several physicians in my family would say that it’s in the interests of
patients to take a more holistic view of their health requirements,” Mr
Butterfield said. The right expertise would be needed for regulation, he
stressed. “I don’t know how you can have a non-medical person regulating
doctors; it’s like plumbers running the Pentagon; it doesn’t make sense,”
he said. “I think we’ll get a better result if we get a medical professional
overseeing medical practitioners.” Bermuda should leverage relationships with
overseas institutions to tap expertise to help make informed healthcare reform
decisions, Mr Butterfield said. Immigration arose as a topic of concern among
all of BermudaFirst’s eight working groups, Mr Butterfield said. “It is the
most emotive issue. So we looked at how we could find a methodology to lessen
the emotive content. If we look at it through a talent lens, then we can do
that. We suggested to the Government that they should lead the way, and with the
Premier agreeing to conduct a talent assessment in the Civil Service to see if
the right people are in the right jobs, and to identify people who can be sent
abroad for appropriate career development and return to Bermuda and make their
contribution. If that same approach were consistently applied throughout the
private sector, then over time we’d have a more constructive viewpoint of
immigration.” Immigration’s relationship with job creation and a healthy
economy needed to be made clear, he said, as did an open discussion of why the
subject is so emotive. “The history of immigration in Bermuda is one that
needs to be addressed, not in whispered tones, but in an adult fashion,” Mr
Butterfield said. “I think it’s fair to say that, in the past, immigration
practices were nefarious and principally used to attract more white people to
Bermuda to perhaps balance the politics, as opposed to being used to attract the
right talent to Bermuda to allow us to be successful in the long run.”
BermudaFirst has also identified the high cost of living as a priority issue,
with the price of energy and food causing particular concern, as well as the
plight of seniors. “Bermuda’s kilowatt per hour charge is among the highest
in the world and that has an impact on households and businesses at all levels
and it’s an impediment in the hospitality sector,” Mr Butterfield said.
“So we have to work out a long-term solution that results in a more reasonable
charge.” He saw a role for entrepreneurs in addressing cost of living issues,
and possibilities for vertical, hydroponic farming to make the island less
reliant on food imports. “We’d like to stimulate the thinking across the
community,” Mr Butterfield added.
Entrepreneurs
now have until October 10 to submit ideas for innovative on-island experiences
to the Bermuda Tourism Authority. The previous end-of-month deadline for
applications has been extended due to interruptions caused by recent hurricanes
and passing storms. Home-grown ideas to enhance the island’s tourism product
are invited — and, if successful, could qualify for support under the BTA’s
Tourism Experience Investment Programme. Winning ideas in this round of
applications would be targeted for launch in the first and second quarters of
2020. Applicants can create a profile and submit applications.
Four priorities for BTA investment in 2020 experiential tourism projects have
been identified as food tourism; reimagining cultural sites and natural assets;
experience and services in superyacht tourism; and historical ties to tennis.
Entrepreneurs with proposals that do not fall squarely within those categories
are still invited to apply. Winners of BTA support this spring included PinkSand
Entertainment, Eettafel Bermuda, Urban Culture Exchange, The Supper Club, and St
Peter’s Mysteries & Majesties Tour.
The
Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility has made payouts totaling $12.8
million to the Bahamas Government after the devastation caused by Hurricane
Dorian. Bermuda is a backer and member of the CCRIF, the world’s first
regional fund utilizing parametric insurance, giving member governments the
unique opportunity to purchase earthquake, hurricane and excess rainfall
catastrophe coverage with lowest-possible pricing. The Bahamas has three
tropical cyclone policies and three excess rainfall policies with CCRIF — each
covering a section or zone of the archipelago — North West, South East and
Central. The Government received $11,527,151 from the triggering of its tropical
cyclone policy and $1,297,002 from its excess rainfall policy for the North West
zone — which includes Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama. Dorian made landfall on
September 1 and battered the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama, in the north of the
archipelago, for two days. CCRIF’s payouts are made within 14 days of an
event, but in this case CCRIF made an advance payment of 50 per cent of the
preliminary estimated payout for tropical cyclone within seven days to allow the
Government to begin to address its most pressing needs — with the remaining 50
per cent paid within the 14-day window for all CCRIF payouts. In response to the
payout, Peter Turnquest, Deputy Prime Minster of the Bahamas said: “The
Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility is worth it. The hurricane
insurance is going to give us roughly $10.9 million [the initial payout
estimate] which is more or less in line with what we expected.” Since its
inception in 2007, CCRIF has made 40 payouts totaling about $152 million to 13
of its 21 member governments. Isaac Anthony, the CCRIF chief executive officer,
will visit the Bahamas within the next two weeks to work with the Government in
its recovery efforts, including supporting the country to increase its long-term
resilience to hydro meteorological hazards such as storms and hurricanes, the
frequency and impacts of which are being exacerbated by climate change. Mr
Anthony and his team also will engage in further discussions with the Government
to determine how the facility may provide some additional support from its
technical assistance programme, which supports specific projects after a natural
disaster. For example, the Bahamas was the recipient in 2012 of a TA grant of
$85,000 after Hurricane Sandy for a new seawall at Sandyport Beach. Jamaica
received a $100,000 grant for the rehabilitation of the Muirton Boys Home after
Sandy, Dominica $100,000 for new fencing at the Douglas-Charles Airport which
was damaged by the Tropical Storm Erika in 2016; and Belize $100,000 for the
purchase of 30 automated weather stations. CCRIF was developed under the
technical leadership of the World Bank and with a grant from the Government of
Japan. It was capitalized through contributions to a Multi-Donor Trust Fund by
the Government of Canada, the European Union, the World Bank, the governments of
the UK and France, the Caribbean Development Bank and the governments of Ireland
and Bermuda, as well as through membership fees paid by participating
governments.
Shelves
have gone bare at the island’s top food charity after Hurricane Humberto
knocked out power, forcing the Eliza DoLittle Society to scrap reserves of
spoiled stock. Today, the group’s headquarters in Warwick opens again, but
April Augustus, the executive director, appealed for donations of badly needed
supplies. “We can’t help our community without the help of the public,” Ms
Augustus said yesterday. “We have people from all walks of life walking
through these doors who are hungry.” The facility on Middle Road, Warwick,
lost power while Humberto battered the island on September 18. Once the lights
came back on a week later, food reserves had spoilt in five freezers and two
refrigerators. Ms Augustus said: “We had to turn people away because we were
still trying to replenish. I couldn’t put a price on what we had to throw out;
there’s food that we get donated and food we purchase. It’s a lot.” She
said the charity’s generator had broken down, leaving them without a back-up.
Humberto, and the uncertainty over the potential hit this week from Tropical
Storm Jerry, also disrupted the charity’s crucial food drive for September. Ms
Augustus said: “This is our ‘Food Matters’ month. We rely heavily on our
donors. This hurricane, the fact we thought this storm was happening, put a stop
to everything. People had to take care of their own shopping, businesses were
closing early and I’m sure plenty of people had to throw out food of their
own. It’s been a struggle.” The society stocks non-perishables, and caters
to vegetarians, but relies heavily on meat products to make the roughly 3,000 to
4,000 meals it serves a month. That estimate factors in clients who are picking
up food for their families and others, Ms Augustus said. Last year, the society
served 43,867 meals. Numbers continue to increase, with new clients registering
every week. One person arrived to sign up while Ms Augustus spoke with The
Royal Gazette. She said: “The public needs to know there are children that
may be going to school hungry because they didn’t have any cereal. We need
breakfast items for families.” The charity welcomes basics from soup and bread
to tuna, beans, rice and pasta, as well as the fresh items to supplement meals.
Donations are welcome from 10am to 2pm, Tuesday through Friday, at its
headquarters, which fortunately sustained no physical damage in the storm. Ms
Augustus said: “We can come to collect large donations. But it’s only me and
a part-time driver, which means we’re limited in coming to pick things up.”
Additional
hurricane relief to assist the Bahamas still remains in Bermuda after the
island’s first consignment of donations was sent two weeks ago. Wayne
Caines, the Minister of National Security, said that the Government would
welcome help with extra costs to send further aid to the islands. Some islands
in the north, particularly Abaco, were left in ruins by Hurricane Dorian at the
start of this month. “We’re talking about $1.5 million to $1.7 million of
goods,” Mr Caines said on Tuesday. “So, first of all, we’d like to thank
the people of Bermuda for giving.” Goods are no longer being kept in the
Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Centre, where the initial wave of collections was
assembled and packaged. The first load was sent on September 9 aboard the Royal
Navy ship HMS Protector, and Mr Caines said a second load had been “sent to a
staging area”. He added: “A number of our local shippers, at their personal
expense, packaged and shipped it overseas.” The minister said the remaining
goods faced “about $15,000 in cost”. He added: “We just need some good
benefactors to help us underwrite the cost of the last bit of these goods going
overseas. We need help getting the $15,000 of these costs defrayed.”
Workers
feared they could lose wages after being unable to get to their jobs in the wake
of Hurricane Humberto, the Government said yesterday. Lovitta Foggo, the
Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sport, urged employers to consider
alternative ways to cover costs after her department received calls from worried
residents. The announcement came while a tropical storm warning was in effect
for Bermuda, but that was cancelled at 6pm yesterday after Jerry was downgraded
to a post-tropical cyclone. Ms Foggo explained: “We’ve been inundated with
inquiries from the public regarding salary deductions as a result of missed work
days due to Hurricane Humberto last week. A number of employees have explained
that because of road closures, school and nursery closures, property damage and
fallen utility poles and wires, they were prevented from attending their place
of employment following Hurricane Humberto. And many of these workers have been
advised that their salaries will suffer as a result. These are uncontrollable
and unfortunate events, and the ministry encourages employers to seek
alternative measures as it relates to staff absences. Measures such as applying
unused paid leave as opposed to not paying workers who were absent as a result
of the hurricane should be considered by employers.” Humberto brought havoc to
the island with 81mph winds and gusts of more than 114mph recorded at LF Wade
International Airport. Many homes were badly damaged across the island and
public schools were closed for two days after the storm, which was at its height
between 7pm and 10pm on September 18. More than 28,500 customers lost power.
Buses remained out of service on Thursday and Friday, with routes starting to
return to normal over the weekend. Ms Foggo said: “The ministry, in
conjunction with the unions and employer groups, certainly appreciate the
delicate financial position of our employers as it relates to their continued
business operations. However, we’re asking for these employers to please
ensure that these employment issues are addressed equitably. In the interim,
workers who are still experiencing issues following the hurricane are strongly
urged to communicate with their employers so that solutions can be enacted in a
timely manner. Lastly, any private sector employer who is challenged in meting
out fair and equitable pay following last week’s hurricane should contact the
Labour Relations Section so that our officers can assist you.” The Labour
Relations Section is at 23 Parliament Street, Hamilton, in the old
Magistrates’ Court building. It is open weekdays from 8.45am to 5pm and can be
reached on 297-7714/16. In its final advisory on the system at 6pm yesterday,
the Bermuda Weather Service forecast that post-tropical cyclone Jerry would be
within 29 miles, or directly over, the island at 10pm last night. Jerry’s
strength had dipped to winds of 35mph and gusts to 46mph. It was at that time 47
miles west-southwest of Bermuda, moving east-northeast at 12mph. Tropical Storm
Karen remained a potential threat and continued to head north at 14mph. At 6pm,
Karen was 650 miles south of Bermuda, with winds of 40mph and gusts to 52mph.
Its closest point to the island within the next 72 hours was expected to be 370
miles to the south-southeast at 3am on Friday. However, this system may move
closer to Bermuda after this time period depending upon its track.
A
fact-finding cruise to Bermuda taken by the tourism minister last month has cost
taxpayers nearly $3,900. Zane DeSilva travelled on board Royal Caribbean
vessel Anthem of the Seas from August 24 to 29 at a cost of $3,888.41. He
explained last night that the “mystery shopper” venture included a public
bus ride to Horseshoe Bay, touring Hamilton and St George’s, as well as
visiting local stores. Details of the trip — described as “cruise passenger
experience observation” — were posted to the Travel Calendar page of the
Government’s website. Mr DeSilva said last night: “As Minister of Tourism
and Transport, part of my responsibility is to ensure that the Bermuda brand
delivers a first-rate experience for our visitors and that local goods and
services have equal opportunity to be promoted to our visitors. In an effort to
obtain knowledge of what information is communicated about Bermuda to our
visitors, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport recently organised a
mystery-shopper cruise from New Jersey to Bermuda. As a participant, I
experienced first-hand what cruise lines and passengers say or advise about
Bermuda, prior to arrival. It was also an opportunity to understand what it is
like for visitors, when two ships, with over 6,000 passengers combined, are in
the Royal Naval Dockyard and everyone is trying to obtain transportation around
the island. My experience included shopping at local shops and riding with
visitors on the public bus to Horseshoe Bay and experiencing the beach’s
amenities. I also took a taxi to visit Crystal Caves, Tobacco Bay and toured
Hamilton and St George’s. Ultimately, the assessment provided invaluable
information that will allow my ministry to understand from a visitor’s and
cruise line’s perspective what we are doing well and where improvements are
needed. I intend on giving a ministerial statement on my experience and findings
in the near future.” The trip summary online said that Mr DeSilva “monitored
the way Bermuda is presented to cruise passengers, including ... recommendations
for attractions, shopping and tours. Upon disembarking in Bermuda, the minister
also experienced, as a tourist, what passengers encounter with regard to
transport options available around Bermuda. His mission was to get to Horseshoe
Bay Beach, Crystal Caves, the City of Hamilton, the Town of St George and
Tobacco Bay by using public bus and ferry services along with private taxis.”
The summary said that the insights gained from the trip “will be used to shape
future cruise ship and transport policy”. A breakdown of the total trip bill
was also provided. Air travel was listed at $595.30, while ground transportation
costs totaled $292.84. Accommodation was $3,000.27.
Insurers,
including those in Bermuda, have a unique role to play in helping the world to
adapt to climate change, according to Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of
England. Britain’s top financial regulator said the industry’s expertise
and capital would be essential in “smoothing the transition” to a world in
which temperatures are 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than in re-industrialize
times. Addressing the United Nations Climate Summit in New York on Monday, Mr
Carney said: “The world needs much more investment in infrastructure, and
greater risk sharing of climate risks. Insurers have a unique ability to meet
both needs.” Mr Carney spoke of the need to close the “protection gap”, or
underinsurance, which affects many poverty-stricken countries vulnerable to the
effects of global warming. Collaboration between the insurance industry and
public-sector organisations was key to addressing it, he said. Insurers were
well aware that the physical risks of climate change were being felt across the
globe “with a plague of extreme weather events” leading to
higher-than-normal insured losses in recent years, Mr Carney said. “But
protection gaps in low and middle-income countries mean that even greater costs
are being borne by the uninsured. In 2017, the record $140 billion of insured
losses were eclipsed by an additional $200 billion of uninsured ones. In some of
the countries most exposed to climate change — Bangladesh, India, Vietnam,
Philippines, Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria — insurance penetration is under 1
per cent. The potential economic benefits of closing the insurance gap are
striking. Lloyd’s of London estimates that a 1 per cent rise in insurance
penetration can translate to a 13 per cent reduction in uninsured losses and
over 20 per cent reduction in disaster-recovery burden on taxpayers.” Despite
the potential benefits, progress had been slow, with the protection gap closing
from 78 per cent to 70 per cent over the past 30 years, he said. Mr Carney went
on to spell out what could be done, saying that both sides of insurers’
balance sheets needed to respond. “On the liability side, the focus must be
reducing the protection gap and supporting the resilience of households and
companies to growing climate risks,” he said. Citing the work of the Insurance
Development Forum, a public-private partnership led by the insurance industry
and international organisations, Mr Carney said a better understanding of past
losses would help. "Projects like the open-source Oasis Loss Modelling
Framework of the IDF are leveraging the expertise of the private sector, the
public sector and academia to improve the data available for risk analysis in
low and middle-income countries. New products, such as insurance-linked
securities based on parametric triggers, are vital to help reduce macro
protection gaps and increase resilience. These are generally cheaper to
structure and administer and more efficient to blend with commercial finance if
required. Of course, increasingly climate-related tail risks could prove
uneconomic for private sector insurers to cover. That is where development
agencies and Multilateral Development Banks can step in. Disaster reinsurance
could be one of the most effective uses of development financing.” Mr Carney
said massive investment would be needed in sustainable energy and resilient
infrastructure — and insurers could help to make this happen by allocating
some of their huge investment portfolios to this area. “It’s imperative to
act now to create practical tools and frameworks to support climate-resilient
infrastructure investments — ranging from broader use of catastrophe bonds to
greater risk pooling for the most vulnerable countries. Climate-resilient
infrastructure assets are well suited to life insurers that need reliable
returns over long-term investment horizons. This is even more compelling in a
low-for-long interest rate world. However, as the IDF has flagged at present
only 2.5 per cent of insurance assets managed are allocated to
infrastructure.”
An
iconic shipwreck was badly damaged as a result of Hurricane Humberto. The Montana,
a paddle steamer and civil war blockade runner, which was wrecked off
Bermuda’s North Shore in 1863, forms an important part of Bermuda’s maritime
cultural heritage. Chris Gauntlett, the chairman of the Historic Wrecks
Authority, who has visited the site to witness the impact of last Wednesday’s
storm, told The Royal Gazette: “It looks like a bomb hit it — it is
very, very different.” The extent of the damage is being assessed by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which will publish an extensive
report on it. Mr Gauntlett said that the Montana’s history included
being hit by the Constellation, the wreckage to the northwest of Bermuda,
which inspired the book and movie The Deep. The chairman said: “It is a
big old story.” Mr Gauntlett, the owner and operator for Blue Water Divers and
Watersports, added: “You can see a lot just by swimming over it. It is iconic.
It is one of Bermuda’s most famous spots.” Falko Kuester, an engineering and
virtual reality professor at University of California San Diego, has been
working with the Government to create the Bermuda 100 Project, a digital atlas
of underwater sites surrounding Bermuda. Dr Kuester said: “The damage to
marine heritage, which is now emerging, is gut-wrenching. We are very sad to
hear that among the impacted marine heritage sites is the beautiful Montana.”
He said the Montana had been an “incredibly important site” in the
development and application of new tools, techniques and technologies in
documenting and preserving underwater heritage. Dr Kuester added: “Now we will
work with our partners in the Bermuda Government to help them fully assess the
damage, creating a new data set so that the recovery of coral and this unique
heritage can move forward.” Philippe Rouja, the government custodian of
historic wrecks, who will be working on the project, said: “The Montana
has had extensive and incredibly detailed high-resolution imagery data sets
produced of the site prior to Hurricane Humberto.”
A
cleaning firm accused of failing to pay its employees is to close next month.
Just Cleaners announced in a letter sent to staff this month that the business
would close effective October 15. It said that the company had “experienced
significant difficulties over the past months”. The company added: “Whilst
all efforts have been made through cost-cutting in other areas, infrastructure
changes, etc, it is not enough to sustain the business. As a result of these
issues and necessary change in operational requirements, regrettably the company
is constrained to close operations effective October 15.” The letter comes
after two staff members said last month that they had not been paid their wages
in months. One woman said that she had not been paid by the company for two
months. Another source said that several staff members had not received their
wages for months. Both workers spoke on the condition of anonymity. It is not
known how many workers are employed by Just Cleaners. The company said in the
letter that its goal was “to ensure the smoothest transition possible.
Further, the company has and will continue to make all efforts to ensure all
dues will be provided [to] you after handover of the company to the appointed
Official Receiver/liquidator. It is expected that a separate status letter
outlining the status of your benefits upon termination will be provided, per the
company’s counsel.” The letter advised employees that an employee-management
meeting would be held “at the soonest to provide formal notification of status
of action on operational requirements and to provide an opportunity to address
any questions as best we are able”. It added: “We want you to know that this
is not a statement about your work for the company. You have been a dedicated,
contributing employee. If you wish us to provide references, please let us know.
We will do what we can to assist you during the transition.” The letter is
signed Just Cleaners Management. The business did not respond to requests for
comment sent by e-mail by press time yesterday. Calls to the business could not
be connected. A post on the company’s Facebook page said that “our phone
lines are still down due to Humberto”. Just Cleaners’ clients include the
Bermuda Police Service, Butterfield Bank and power firm Belco. A spokeswoman for
the Ministry of Labour, Community Affairs and Sport said that the ministry
“continues to monitor the developments concerning an ongoing labour dispute at
a local cleaning company. The ministry is limited in what it can offer in terms
of comment due to the fact that complaints and inquiries made to the labour
relations section are confidential.” Lovitta Foggo, the Minister of Labour,
Community Affairs and Sport, reiterated that any employee with concerns over
wage payment should take their complaints to the labour relations section. Ms
Foggo added: “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.”
A
community mentor and devoted curator of the Carter House Museum, one of
Bermuda’s oldest homes and an historical treasure of St David’s, has died at
86. Dolores Harrison loved showcasing the historic 17th-century house and
museum of the St David’s Island Historical Society. Ms Harrison’s family
also enjoyed close ties with Chicago and the classic American music show Soul
Train, which aired from 1971 to 2006, and was created and hosted for its first
22 years by the producer Don Cornelius. Rick Spurling, head of the historical
society, said Ms Harrison succeeded Eloise Millett, first curator when the
renovated Carter House opened in 2001. He said: “She loved taking people
around and talking about her experiences living in St David’s. She was one of
our greatest supporters.” Ms Harrison turned her 80th birthday at Carter House
into a museum fundraiser — as well as a fashion show, with models showcasing
her own collection. Mr Spurling recalled: “She had an extraordinary wardrobe
and was always impeccably dressed. She was also one of the nicest people I ever
knew.” Kim Durham, one of Ms Harrison’s two daughters, explained: “Don
Cornelius is my uncle on my father’s side, and it started in my
grandmother’s house in the basement, when everyone would go downstairs and
dance after Sunday dinner. We loved Soul Train and mom loved it too.” Donna
Boddington, her other daughter, said their mother’s love of that musical era
included keeping an eight-track player with tapes. Ms Harrison had met her
husband, Richard, in Chicago when she moved there to study nursing. Part of her
training required sitting in on an autopsy. According to her daughters, Ms
Harrison fainted watching the procedure — and decided to become a nurse’s
aide instead. She worked at Chicago’s Evanston Hospital until the family
returned to Bermuda 50 years ago. Sociable and work-driven, Ms Harrison’s jobs
included the officer’s club on the United States Naval Air Station at the East
End, and the Black Horse Tavern in St David’s, where lobster became her
speciality dish. Ms Durham said: “She enjoyed working there, liked people and
loved tourists. She was a busy person and worked two jobs for 30 years, at the
Silent Waters nursing home and the Piggly Wiggly supermarket in Shelly Bay,
which became the MarketPlace.” Ms Boddington added: “She mentored hundreds
of young men and women who worked at the supermarket. Later, they would come up
to us to talk no matter where we used to go.” Ms Harrison’s service to
others included accompanying patients for treatment overseas when they had no
loved ones to travel with them. The sister to the Right Reverend Vernon Lambe,
Bishop of the First Church of God in Pembroke, she worshipped at the Chapel of
Ease in St David’s. She attended St Luke’s African Methodist Episcopal
Church in her later years, and St John’s AME. She belonged to an informal
seniors’ group, the Joy Luck Club, and loved dining at the Speciality Inn in
Smith’s to socialize. Keen to stay active, Ms Harrison started at Carter House
upon her retirement. Ms Durham said her mother “loved St David’s and knew
all the history”. Carter House takes its name from Christopher Carter, one of
the island’s first permanent settlers who arrived in 1609 aboard the Sea
Venture. It was likely built around 1640 and, during and after the Second World
War, ended up on the US Base. Lynn Mello, the present curator, said Ms Harrison
had showed her how to look after the museum, adding: “She was wonderful; she
did a great job of it.” Ronnie Chameau, a member of the historical society who
put extensive work into Carter House and its displays, called her “unique. She
kept the place immaculate. Coming up as a young girl, I admired this lady who
was always so well dressed. Once she started at Carter House, it was everything
for her. She was a gem.”
Jerry
has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone as it continues its slow approach
from Bermuda’s west. At 6pm, the Bermuda Weather Service believed the
storm would be within 29 miles, or directly over, the island at 10pm today.
Jerry’s strength had declined to winds of 35mph and gusts to 46mph. It was 47
miles west-southwest of Bermuda, moving east-northeast at 12mph. The United
States National Hurricane Centre said Jerry weakened because of atmospheric
shear, and predicted the storm would degenerate into a remnant low-pressure
system in four days. Tropical Storm Karen was labelled a potential threat to
Bermuda today as it continues to head north, but the BWS forecasts it will
change track and veer west later in the week. At 6pm, Karen was 650 miles south
of Bermuda, heading north at 14mph. It had winds of 40mph and gusts to 52mph.
Its closest point to the island within the next 72 hours is expected to be 370
miles to the south-southeast at 3am on Friday.
“Business
as usual” was declared for today as a weakened Tropical Storm Jerry was
forecast to pass near Bermuda this afternoon. School, government offices and
the Causeway will remain open, and buses are out on the roads, although the
ferry service remains suspended. Trash collection is to operate as normal, and
the Royal Bermuda Regiment remains embodied. However, the clean-up from
Hurricane Humberto last week continues in earnest, and Tropical Storm Karen,
drifting north from Puerto Rico, last night presented a potential threat to the
island for later in the week. Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security,
warned yesterday: “Out of an abundance of caution, we will pay very close
attention to the road conditions. If you do not have to ride a bike tomorrow, we
urge you not to.” LF Wade International Airport remains open, but travellers
were advised to check flight schedules directly with their airlines. The
emergency shelter at CedarBridge Academy in Devonshire, opened last night, will
continue accepting anyone in need today. James Dodgson, the Bermuda Weather
Service director, said that Jerry appeared to be weakening, and that the island
was not expecting to receive hurricane-force gusts. At 9pm last night, the BWS
said the storm’s closest point of approach within the next 72 hours was likely
to be 54 miles to the north-northwest at 5pm today. However, the system could
move closer to Bermuda after this time period depending on its track. Maximum
sustained winds at 9pm last night were 52mph with gusts to 63mph. Earlier, the
weather service said Karen was a potential threat to Bermuda as its closest
point of approach was predicted to be 392 miles to the south-southeast at 3pm on
Friday, although it could move closer depending on its track. Karen was packing
winds of 46mph with gusts to 58mph at 6pm, when it was 990 miles south of
Bermuda, moving north at 8mph. Roads are likely to be slippery today with one to
two inches of rain mixing with dead leaves. Mr Caines said he was unaware of
shortages in the island’s supply of roofing slates in the aftermath of last
week’s hurricane. Several help numbers were shared with the public, as Mr
Caines said the double storm threat had raised anxieties. Anyone experiencing
mental health challenges or stress can speak with a psychologist between 9am and
4pm at 236-8253. The Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute is available from 9pm to
9am at 236-3770. Persons requiring help getting tarpaulins over roofs were
encouraged to call 525-3473.
Delays to legislation designed to ease the plight of mixed status families
could signal challenges for the Government’s delivery of comprehensive
immigration reform, an Opposition MP claimed. Sylvan Richards, the Shadow
Minister of Home Affairs and the Environment, said he believes that
postponements to tabling the Bill indicated resistance in Cabinet, which could
suggest there are further struggles with more sensitive aspects of the wider
issue, in the months ahead. He said: “It’s the least controversial portion
of the immigration policy and my concern is that because the Government is
having difficulty dealing with this low-hanging fruit of mixed-status families,
I’m concerned about their efforts towards comprehensive immigration reform,
which is what they were seeking when they were in opposition. I’m hopeful that
an immigration Bill will be tabled in Parliament this Friday when we meet. If
it’s not, then, in my view, that’s not a good sign in terms of the
Progressive Labour Party being able to bring forward immigration reform.”
Wayne Caines, the national security minister, postponed amendments to the
Bermuda Immigration and Protection Act 1965 in July when he said there were
“important elements that remain unresolved”. It was understood that
mixed-status families legislation would be introduced to MPs earlier this month,
but that was delayed once again as a Bill to raise the island’s debt ceiling
and a slew of measures aimed at boosting the economy were tabled instead. Mr
Richards, who speaks on immigration matters for the One Bermuda Alliance,
explained: “This, is my opinion, based on the time and the delays that the
Government is taking in bringing this Bill to Parliament, it appears that he is
having difficulty getting his cabinet to agree on the Bill. It’s my view that
the minister knows what needs to be done in terms of our immigration policy. He
knows our economy is floundering, he knows that people are still emigrating from
Bermuda in substantial numbers. This Bill that he’s looking to table is, in my
opinion, low-hanging fruit, meaning it’s dealing with mixed-status families.
It’s dealing with people who are already here in Bermuda, people who were
maybe born in Bermuda but, for whatever reason, they don’t have status, people
who we want to stay in Bermuda but, because they don’t have certainty because
of their status, they’re leaving and seeking their fortunes elsewhere, which
is causing a bit of a brain drain.”
Former
employees and overseas workers have helped to return power to Bermuda after
Hurricane Humberto, a Belco representative said yesterday. The spokesman
said: “Thankfully, with the assistance of our retirees, as well as extra
linemen from Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp, we have 75 per cent more
linesmen working to restore electricity.” He thanked all workers who had been
“instrumental in getting the work done efficiently and safely” and said that
the power provider “continues to make good progress in restoring power to our
customers”. The spokesman said that work continued on main branch lines and
smaller pockets of outages across the island. He added: “However, overgrown
vegetation that was broken, uprooted and hitting power lines during the storm is
making the restoration process much more time consuming, as it takes a few hours
to reconnect small pockets of customers. In some cases, customers who have had
their power restored will have it switched off temporarily so that other lines
can be safely repaired.” The spokesman said crews had also faced other
setbacks. He explained: “On Monday evening, there were a number of pole fires
due to salt that had been deposited by Humberto, combined with a light rain,
which knocked out power to a number of areas that had been restored. Dealing
with these priority emergencies has slowed progress in planned restorations.”
The spokesman said that crews would continue to work from 8am to midnight to get
power restored across the island. As Tropical Storm Jerry approaches, Belco
crews will work until the weather makes it unsafe to continue. Crews will be
back out as soon as the storm passes and it is safe to recommence
restoration.” He said that preparations had been made for Jerry. The spokesman
explained: “Belco are replenishing supplies and equipment in staging areas
across the island to prepare for any further damage to the grid.”
The
Speaker of the House of Assembly cautioned Ugandans to give pause before
quitting their jobs for a career in public service. Dennis Lister, who is in
the East African republic for a conference, said: “People should never give up
their jobs to run for political office. You are serving at the mercy of an
individual and if you and that individual fall out, your family suffers.” The
comments, which appeared in an article in Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper,
were made during a meeting with people who had, at one time, worked in Bermuda.
Mr Lister and Progressive Labour Party colleague Kim Swan are at the 64th
Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Kampala. Under Uganda law, a person
elected to Parliament, when they are a member of a local government council or
holds a public office, shall resign before they become an MP. Mr Lister, an MP
since 1989, said Bermuda legislators were encouraged to establish their careers
before they sought office. He said: “We are a small community, so the
opportunity to re-establish oneself or get reconnected job-wise is also limited.
If you give up your job today, it is going to be filled up immediately and if
you lose your position in Parliament the following week, it will be hard to get
back. I have seen a lot of people get excited because they got elected and they
give up their job. Many of us run our own business. Even when you don’t have
an employer, you have to strike a balance with your private business.” Mr
Swan, a PLP backbencher, said: “I would never give up my job for politics.”
He added: “I am going to retire from politics and you always return to your
trade. When you give it up, you return to zero and your family suffers.” Mr
Lister also spoke of Bermuda’s relationship with Uganda. He said an effort was
made to try and bring more people of colour into Bermuda in the early 2000s to
“reflect the Bermudian native”. Mr Lister said: “The African continent was
looked at and Ugandans have been part of that community.” The theme of the
conference is “Adaptation, Engagement and Evolution of Parliaments in a
Rapidly Changing Commonwealth”. It runs until Sunday.
The
island’s insurance companies have begun to pay out after receiving hundreds of
claims for damage caused by Hurricane Humberto. The Category 3 storm
hammered Bermuda last Wednesday evening and into Thursday morning, causing
widespread power outages and property damage. Collectively, three companies
reported yesterday that they had received nearly 600 claims related to Humberto.
Colonial Insurance said it has received more than 175 claims. Juanita Coley, the
firm’s claims manager, said: “We were accepting calls from 8.30am on
Thursday, September 19, from clients whose property had been damaged. Our office
opened at noon, once the roads were deemed safe for public access. Shortly
after, our loss adjusters began assessing damaged properties. Claim payments
began as early as Monday, September 23. Assessments are ongoing and the overall
cost of damages is yet to be determined. The majority of our claims are in
relation to property damage, most of which are located in the western end of the
island. Given the increased activity in the Atlantic, we continue to urge the
public to take all necessary precautions in securing their properties.” John
Wight, group chairman and chief executive officer of BF&M Ltd, said the
company started to receive claims and calls early last Thursday morning. While
the office was closed, he said a skeleton staff was in the building to respond
throughout the day. Mr Wight said: “We began making payments to customers in
respect of valid claims on Friday. Staff were in through Saturday, assessing and
processing claims. We are still receiving and reporting on claims so while we
estimate that the bulk of losses has probably come in, it would be inaccurate to
give an exact number at this time. As an indication, we can say we have received
in excess of 200 claims at this point. The number of marine and home claims
received so far was higher than we were originally expecting, given initial
forecasts, but in line with what we’d expect for a Category 3 storm. That
said, this event was different from similar-strength storms like Gonzalo or
Nicole in that the damage from Humberto seemed to occur in localized pockets.
The areas receiving the most damage were Sandys, pockets of Hamilton Parish and
the City of Hamilton, Pembroke, St George’s and Mullet Bay.” With tropical
force winds continuing to blow, BF&M urged everyone to continue to keep
their property — including damaged property — secured. Customers should try
to obtain suitable repairs-related quotes at their earliest opportunity, the
company said, adding that any photos or repair quotes can be submitted via
e-mail with your claim number or policy number as the subject title. Freisenbruch-Meyer
reported yesterday that it has received roughly 200 claims, and has begun to
settle them. The company said that it is finding that damage has been
island-wide, but weighted more towards the West End of the island. Company
president Michael Freisenbruch and Andrew Wright, chief executive officer of
Freisenbruch-Meyer Insurance Services Ltd, issued a joint statement: “We are
confident that all the insurance carriers are actively assessing the recent
damage from Hurricane Humberto and processing their respective claims
island-wide.” They added: ”A heartfelt thank you should be extended to the
EMO, and other emergency services, the Bermuda Regiment and Belco and our entire
FM staff for all their assistance with Bermuda’s recovery.”
An
authentic replica of an early Bermuda settlers’ cabin was damaged during
Hurricane Humberto. The St David’s Island Historical Society, which runs
Carter House and Museum, is aiming to raise $4,000 to fix roof thatching, which
fell victim to the storm last Wednesday. Rick Spurling, the president of the
society, said that the cabin, built using the traditional methods and materials
used in 1612, survived four storms since it was built in 2012, but the severity
and direction of Humberto took its toll. He told The Royal Gazette: “All the
south side of the thatch has gone, but the structure is still sound. It took a
beating. We knew the thatch was old and we were going to replace it, but now it
is absolutely necessary and we would like to do it by November in time for the
Carter House Family Christmas Party.” Mr Spurling said the wind came straight
at the house because the hurricane came from the southwest. He added: “There
are 800 palmetto leaves up there and about a third of them came down.” Funds
raised will go towards labour, materials and a truck. The storm also damaged
endemic trees, plants and flowers at the St David’s site. Mr Spurling said
that the structure, built predominantly by master builder Larry Mills and known
by its old English name “settlers’ cabben”, had originally been intended
as a temporary structure. He said: “When we first built it, we didn’t expect
it to last — we thought it would crash down in short order in the first storm.
We will rebuild it the same way, so hopefully it will stand for another eight
years.” Carter House is an original St David’s farmhouse dating from about
1700. Mr Spurling added: “I have created a new exhibition in the Carter House
museum of the refugees from the settlers’ cabben who had to move into Carter
House because they had nowhere else to go. I have set them up in there with a
wheelbarrow doing various tasks.
Police
are looking at “forensic opportunities” after a spate of offensive graffiti
around Pembroke, a spokesman said. The latest incident, found yesterday
morning, targeted sites on Parsons Road, Happy Valley Road and the Angle
Street/North Street area as well as Laffan Street and Canal Road. Witnesses or
anyone with information have been asked to call Detective Constable Jerry
Waterman at the Criminal Investigation Department on 247-1744 as soon as
possible.
The
Minister of Finance dismissed claims of payroll tax hikes yesterday after the
owner of Arnold’s said increases contributed to the closure of three shops. Curtis
Dickinson said the rates shelled out by the grocery store chain were less last
year than in 2017. But Nick Kempe, the shadow finance minister, claimed that the
closures were a warning to the Government that its fiscal policies were not
working. Frank Arnold, the company owner, earlier told The Royal Gazette
that payroll tax doubled in the past year. Mr Dickinson said yesterday: “The
Bermuda Government can confirm that there has been no increase in payroll taxes
in the past two years. Our records indicate that the Arnold’s grocery store
chain paid less in payroll taxes in 2018 than they did in 2017. The finance
minister said the Progressive Labour Party administration had focused on growing
the economy and creating an environment for Bermudian businesses to thrive. He
said the Government had worked to make Bermuda’s tax system fairer to
“promote an economy that works for all Bermudians. I will remind the public
that the most recent Budget was a ‘sensible’ budget with minimal negative
impact on the broader economy. We have been very mindful of our fiscal situation
and we were prudent about remedies we put into place to move us in the right
direction.” He explained that no new taxes were introduced and that the
Government provided tax reductions to people earning less than $96,000. Further
measures included payroll tax concessions for employers who hired people with
disabilities as well as new small business entrepreneurs and taxi operators, and
a concession to businesses that hire local entertainers by removing employer and
employee payroll tax for three years. Other steps were set out to offer payroll
tax relief to specific businesses. Mr Dickinson added: “It is regrettable that
three of the Arnold’s grocery stores are closing due to many factors. However,
we are pleased that as a result of these closures no Bermudian jobs have been
lost.” Mr Arnold said yesterday he did not have his company’s payroll tax
records in front of him but that — “to my knowledge” — he maintained
that the costs had doubled over the past year. In a notice to customers, he said
that two stores in Somerset and one on Front Street were closed as of last
Friday. Mr Arnold wrote: “Regretfully, I have made the decision to close these
three locations due to many factors, along with increased operating costs of
running these businesses.” Mr Kempe, a One Bermuda Alliance senator, claimed
yesterday that the Government’s economic policies were not working and added
“significant extra pressures” to businesses. He said: “Frank Arnold’s
statement saying that increased operating costs were a factor in his decision to
close some stores is yet another warning to Government that they need to change
course. The Government has pursued a one-track economic policy of fintech, which
has yet to have any impact on the economy and while our GDP remains positive,
driven by projects such as the St Regis hotel, the airport and the new Belco
plant, the underlying statistics paint a very different picture for local
businesses that employ Bermudians year in year out. Retail sales volumes have
plummeted and the reinsurance sector has continued to shed jobs. At the same
time, the Government has increased the cost of doing business — increased land
tax, the new local company dividend tax, increased foreign currency purchase tax
and the transfer of more cost to private health insurance have all negatively
hit businesses.” Mr Kempe also claimed that a lack of immigration reform added
to “a very different and disturbing picture that is not being addressed by
this government”. He called on David Burt, the Premier, to seek a new economic
direction. The senator said: “The OBA understood — and still understands —
the need to pursue a multitrack economic policy and we provided an economic
stimulus while controlling government costs, but Burtonomics appears to be
exactly the opposite. In the long-term fintech may produce some jobs, but how
long can people wait? They are suffering now. Mr Burt has to take his blinkers
off and show not only that he understands that his policies are not working but
that he cares about the suffering imposed on Bermudians and changes course.”
Christopher Famous, a PLP backbencher, responded: “It is unfortunate that the
OBA is celebrating the shrinking of a Bermudian business in a vain effort to
score cheap political points and push their anti-Bermudian, ‘open up the
immigration floodgates’ agenda.” He said that Mr Arnold’s comment about
payroll tax was “wholly incorrect” and added that the most recent increase
in payroll tax was under the OBA. Mr Famous added: “During their term in
office, the OBA fought desperately to open the immigration floodgates as a
solution to our economic woes, and despite that approach leading to protests and
their complete and utter rejection at the polls, they continue to push an agenda
that Bermudians reject and that Bermudians know will see our people further
marginalised in our own country.” He said that the party was committed to fair
immigration reform that protected Bermudian jobs and opportunities, taking
account of the country’s history and size. Mr Famous said: “It is
unfortunate that the Arnold’s group has found the need to close three of their
stores. However, for the owners to misplace the blame, and for the OBA to jump
on this for political gain, is also unfortunate.”
A
rescheduled town hall meeting to discuss immigration reform will take place on
Thursday, it was announced this afternoon. Wayne Caines, the Minister of
National Security, will host the event at the Berkeley Institute cafetorium from
6.30pm until 8pm. He will be joined by Renee Ming, Christopher Famous, Leah
Scott and Ben Smith, who are all MPs and members of the bipartisan immigration
committee. Other panellists will include Danette Ming, the Chief Immigration
Officer, and Collin Anderson, the national security ministry’s permanent
secretary. Scott Simmons, a Progressive Labour Party backbencher, will moderate.
The meeting was due to be held last week but was postponed due to Hurricane
Humberto.
The
Transport Control Department’s testing facilities at Southside and Rockaway
have been closed until further notice, as a result of damage caused by Hurricane
Humberto. The department announced the closures at 9.30am today, and
apologised for any inconvenience to customers.
Bermuda
insurance industry veteran Fiona Luck is expected to be confirmed today as
chairwoman of an independent advisory group set up by Lloyd’s of London to
ensure that sweeping reforms to its culture are carried out. The UK's Sunday
Times newspaper reports that Ms Luck and the other members of the independent
advisory group will be expected to hold Lloyd’s chief executive John Neal to
account over the pace and success of the overhaul. Today’s announcements come
six months after a report by Bloomberg Businessweek revealed that Lloyd’s had
a toxic workplace culture with a “deep-seated culture of sexual harassment”
ranging from “inappropriate remarks, to unwanted touching to sexual
assault”. The report also revealed a culture of bullying at the institution.
Lloyd’s, which has operated an insurance market for more than 300 years, is
also expected to announce a campaign aimed at the market’s 45,000
underwriters, brokers and Lloyd’s staff to encourage them to speak up about
bullying, The Sunday Times reports. As well, Lloyd’s is expected to announce
standards of conduct setting out behavioral rules for companies and individuals,
the breach of which may result in bans or fines. Today’s announcement is
expected to reveal the results of a cultural survey of Lloyd’s conducted by
the independent Banking Standards Board. Ms Luck, a member of Lloyd’s
franchise board since February 2018, has more than 25 years’ experience in
insurance and reinsurance. She has been a non-executive director of financial
regulator, the Bermuda Monetary Authority, since 2013. Previously, she was
non-executive director at Catlin Holdings Ltd and Allied World Holdings Ltd and,
before that, spent a decade at XL Capital Ltd, in a variety of senior roles
including chief of staff to the CEO and executive vice-president responsible for
strategy, global HR, IT and corporate social responsibility. Ms Luck also worked
for the Ace Group, now known as Chubb, between 1996 and 1999, and was president
and CEO of Marsh and McLennan’s Bermuda operation between 1992 and 1996.
The
Corporation of Hamilton has issued a request for proposal regarding the
operation of the Hamilton cargo docks. A statement issued by the corporation
said: “The port of Hamilton is a dynamic port facility. By supporting cargo
ship calls it has become a key component in Bermuda’s chain. Given this
importance to the City of Hamilton and the wider Bermudian economy, the
efficiency of the port is of ever more importance. Without frequent, reliable,
and cost-effective shipping services Bermuda will be less competitive. Owing to
the remoteness of Bermuda, it is essential our maritime transport connectivity
is maintained at optimal levels both in terms of operational and financial
performance.” Patrick Cooper, city engineer, said: “The port arrangement
based on a single stevedoring licence to encourage private participation has
stood the port and the community well since it was introduced in the 1960s. As
we look forward, port competitiveness remains critical and this may require
important port improvements to be addressed in future to deliver both
operational and cost improvements to safeguard our trading capabilities. It is
for this reason that the City of Hamilton will be adjusting the port arrangement
from an operational licence to a new arrangement that considers the cargo docks
and the Front Street waterfront berths under a separate arrangement. The cargo
docks will be based on a long-term concession that will include responsibility
for security and maintenance of the infrastructure and superstructure components
for the entire area of the cargo docks terminal. This adjustment will allow for
future improvements to be better planned and implemented. As with the previous
stevedoring licence, the new arrangement will contain safeguards against abuse
of the monopoly position but the flexibility gained from a change of this type
will allow greater certainty for the concession holder to invest to improve
performance and for port users to plan their arrangements for the long term.”
The corporation said that the Front Street waterfront area will be covered by a
separate management licence restricted to cruise call operations only, while the
cargo docks area will be contained in the concession agreement. The general
Front Street waterfront berths beyond this will be subject to a separate berth
operational support permit, the Corporation said, adding that the tendering
process for the Front Street waterfront area will be forthcoming. Bid packages
for the cargo docks RFP can be collected from the city’s administrative
offices in City Hall. The deadline for submissions is 3pm on December 19.
Stevedoring Services Ltd has operated the Hamilton docks under licence since
1966. The company’s current terminal operating licence, granted in 2016,
expires in February 2021.
The
rapid growth of the cannabis industry has implications for the re/insurance
industry, says the moderator of a panel at next Thursday’s annual conference
of the Bermuda Insurance Institute. Mark Simons is senior vice-president,
FINPRO, at brokers Bowring Marsh. “Cannabis could be a $2 trillion to $3
trillion industry in a decade and this will be an enormous insurance
opportunity. The opportunities in the cannabis space are endless; aside from the
known medical and recreational side of things, there is massive beverage
potential, sleep and pain management, animal health and arthritis. The major
tobacco, alcohol and pharma companies are taking large positions in the major
cannabis players which is indicative of things to come — they see how cannabis
is going to structurally change the market. The cannabis industry is the
fastest-growing industry and job market in North America and this trend is going
global as well. The producers of these products will require substantial
insurance.” The theme of next week’s BII conference is transformation. Mr
Simons said: “Cannabis is the most transformative and potentially disruptive
product of our generation. There are some key points worth noting — when
cannabis becomes federally legal in the US, there will be much more competition,
no doubt. However, that is certainly not happening anytime soon so we’re
looking to 2021 at the earliest. When it is federally legalized, the market will
explode and there will be lots of new companies for the insurance/reinsurance
markets to offer coverage for all types of exposures. Cannabis companies
currently are grossly underinsured versus traditional risks; this is a huge
opportunity in and of itself and the universe is still small but new cannabis
companies list daily so the market will continue to expand. Companies are only
starting to scratch the surface on global opportunities.” The conference takes
place next Thursday at O’Hara House, on Bermudiana Road, Hamilton from 8.30am
until 4.30pm.
Asbestos
fears at the West End will be investigated today by an expert on the hazardous
building material. Concerns of possible asbestos debris were raised over a
building on Boaz Island in Sandys, damaged last week in Hurricane Humberto. A
West End resident yesterday said he had spotted suspected asbestos on the ground
near a hangar belonging to Wedco. Joanna Cranfield, Wedco’s business
development manager, said it was “unclear exactly where the asbestos
originates from” because a privately owned building nearby had also sustained
storm damage. Ms Cranfield added: “On Tuesday, an expert in asbestos will come
to inspect the debris and to ascertain which building it came from. There is
another privately owned building next to the hangar which appears to have been
damaged and has a tarpaulin over it. If the asbestos is from Wedco’s building,
we will immediately take steps to remove the debris. We will also make a
thorough inspection of the hangar itself. Wedco is aware of the situation and
has been working to clean and remove loose debris from all properties under its
remit, that sustained damage from Hurricane Humberto.” The comments came after
a West End resident, who asked to be referred to as G. Robinson, saw what he
believed to be asbestos on the ground near the building in the wake of the
hurricane. Mr Robinson said: “I looked around and I saw all this asbestos on
the ground, immersed in the ground. I was wondering where it all came from and
then I saw that old building standing there being a nuisance. This is all over
the grass. I started to take pictures of all this asbestos. What would have
happened if the wind would have taken that asbestos across the street to where
all those people live? This building needs to come down. It’s hazardous.
It’s dangerous. It’s detrimental to the environment. We still have Tropical
Storm Jerry and Karen coming. Who knows which way the wind is going to blow?”
Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said at a press conference on
Tropical Storm Jerry that he had not heard complaints about asbestos in the
aftermath of Humberto. Mr Caines added: “Obviously, if there is damage, the
damage will be assessed and if there is triage needed, based on the reports that
we received from the different government agencies, we will deal with that on a
case-by-case basis.” A spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works said today:
“Wedco is aware of the situation and has been working to clean and remove
loose debris from all properties under its remit, that sustained damage from
Hurricane Humberto.”
Veteran
broadcaster Gary Moreno will be the new corporate communications manager for the
Bermuda Police Service, it was announced yesterday. Mr Moreno, who is known
for his work with the Bermuda Broadcasting Company, is to join the BPS next
month. He will work with Robin Simmons, who has undertaken the role since the
departure of Dwayne Caines this year. Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley
said: “I am delighted to welcome Mr Moreno to the BPS team as our new
corporate communications manager. He brings a wealth of journalistic and
broadcast experience from his time with the Bermuda Broadcasting Company and he
is a familiar face and voice to all in Bermuda. The panel who interviewed Mr
Moreno for the role were impressed with his desire to work for the BPS and his
plans to further enhance public and police relationships. I particularly want to
commend Robin Simmons who has worked tirelessly in his role over the past few
months, notably highlighted during the recent events of Hurricane Humberto, and
continues to take forward our business in this area with professionalism and
skill.” Mr Moreno, who first joined the broadcasting company in 1999, is to
take up his new role on October 7. Patrick Singleton, the Bermuda Broadcasting
chief executive, said yesterday: “He is a talented journalist and we wish him
well in his new role.” Mr Moreno wrote on Twitter: “And so this chapter
comes to an end. Thanking God for new beginnings.”
Eight
Atlantic Canadian college and university representatives from New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will visit Bermuda next week. Their
visit will include student advising appointments, senior school visits and an
educational fair. Students, parents and community members are invited to attend
the Atlantic Canadian Educational Fair taking place on Monday September 30, 2019
between 6:30p.m. and 8:30p.m. at the Hamilton Princess Hotel. While most senior
schools will receive visits from college and university representatives,
students are still encouraged to attend the Atlantic Canadian Educational Fair
with their parents and supporters. The senior school visits and fair will
support students as they begin their post-secondary journey. “We are delighted
to have the opportunity to connect with so many students and supporters during
our visits to Bermuda and are equally pleased that so many students choose to
study at our institutions” says Katherine Cross, visit coordinator and
Assistant Registrar at Dalhousie University. “Students can expect to hear
about the wide breadth and depth of academic programs available at our
institutions. They’ll also learn about unique learning experiences, including
opportunities to put their education into practice through work experiences,
research, study abroad programs and hands-on learning.” Participating
institutions include: Acadia University, Dalhousie University, Holland College,
Mount Allison University, Mount Saint Vincent University, , NSCAD University,
Saint Mary’s University and St. Francis Xavier University.
A
tropical storm warning is in effect for the approaching Jerry, with tropical
storm force winds expected to start on Tuesday night. The storm’s closest
point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hours is expected to be within 29 miles
of, or directly over, the island at 12pm on Wednesday. The Bermuda Weather
Service said on Monday night: “A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect as
Tropical Storm Jerry, a threat to Bermuda, is expected to bring tropical storm
force winds with possible hurricane force gusts to Bermuda from Tuesday evening.
“Ahead of Jerry, expect southeasterly winds to increase, clouds to thicken and
rain with embedded showers and isolated thunderstorms. Dangerous surf and rip
tides continue through Wednesday.” At midnight, the storm was 298 miles
southwest of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 63mph and gusts to 75mph.
Jerry, which is projected to remain a tropical storm, was moving north at 7mph.
The BWS said to expect winds up to 46mph and gusts up to 75mph over Tuesday and
Wednesday. Meteorologists are watching the weather system closely and the
Emergency Measures Organisation met yesterday morning to assess Tropical Storm
Jerry’s threat to Bermuda. The US-based National Hurricane Centre said in its
midnight update: “Tropical storm force winds are expected on Bermuda by late
Tuesday. Large swells are also expected to affect the coast of Bermuda during
the next few days. These swells could cause life-threatening rip currents.” A
series of warnings are also in effect across the Caribbean for Karen, which
formed in the Windward Islands and was downgraded to a tropical depression.
Karen is forecast to bring heavy rain, flash floods and mudslides to Puerto
Rico, and the US and British Virgin Islands on Tuesday and a tropical storm
warning remained in effect at midnight. It is expected to continue in a
generally northern direction, before veering sharply west to take it away from
Bermuda on Thursday and Friday. At 6pm its closest point of approach to Bermuda
within 72 hours was expected to be 392 miles to the south at 6pm on Thursday,
but it could move closer after that point. Karen was at that time 1,134 miles
south of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of almost 35mph and gusts to
46mph, and traveling north-northwest at 13mph. Meteorologists are also watching
the recently formed Tropical Storm Lorenzo, which was this morning south of the
Cape Verde islands. The system is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday as
it drifts west-northwest.
Victims
of violent crime are finally getting their claims for compensation heard by a
government board which has been criticized for its “serious backlog” of
cases. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board met on September 11 when
members heard applications and approved financial awards for a number of
victims, The Royal Gazette understands. Another hearing is set to take
place this Wednesday, when more applications for compensation will be dealt
with. But one man, who was shot and injured in 2014 and has been waiting for a
decision on compensation since he applied for an award in 2015, pledged this
week to pursue a civil claim for damages against the board and the Government
over the delay in handling his case. The 26-year-old, who has suffered severe
leg and back pain and depression since the attack, said: “It’s been such a
long time. I have been struggling financially for so long. I have lifetime
injuries because of it. The job I had before I got shot was a good paying job.
Now I’m struggling with a job that doesn’t pay that much and they are trying
to let me go from that because I’m not capable of doing certain things.” The
man, who asked to remain anonymous, added: “The delay makes it harder. I have
a child that I need to support.” His lawyer, Vaughan Caines, wrote to the
Government on August 23 to say he’d been instructed to “issue proceedings
seeking constitutional relief, inclusive of damages” against the board and
“by extension, the Government”. Mr Caines wrote that his client’s
constitutional right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time had been
breached. He claimed the CICB had “failed to act on an embarrassment of
applications for a number of years. Specifically, in [this] case, four years
have passed since his application was first launched with the board.” The
man’s compensation claim is now due to be heard at the CICB hearing on
Wednesday and Mr Caines is expected to attend to make representations regarding
the amount of any award. Separately, legal proceedings are expected to be filed
in the Supreme Court if a settlement is not reached regarding the constitutional
claim. Mr Caines wrote in a letter dated September 3: “That [the victim] has
had to wait at least four years for his matter to be heard is bordering on
unconscionable.” The Royal Gazette revealed last October that victims
of crime were having to wait years for their compensation claims to be
processed, prompting the Ombudsman to launch an investigation into possible
maladministration. A Court of Appeal judgment the following month said it
appeared the CICB had no “plan for disposing of the serious backlog” of
compensation claims. The panel of judges criticized the board, chaired by Puisne
Judge Nicole Stoneham, for failing to provide the court with enough detail on
whether most cases were dealt with in a timely fashion. It noted it was the
responsibility of the Attorney-General to ensure the CICB was “properly funded
with adequate administrative support” to enable it to fulfil its statutory
duty. The court heard there were 37 outstanding applications from those who had
lost a loved one or been injured themselves because of a violent crime. Annual
reports for the CICB do not appear to have been tabled in Parliament since 2015.
It met only once in 2018, when it did not consider any cases. According to this
year’s Government Budget book, $170,000 was spent on criminal injuries in the
financial year 2017-18 and $325,000 was set to be spent in 2018-19. A further
$380,000 was allocated for criminal injuries in this year’s budget. Questions
to the Government about the spending received no answers earlier this year. A
request for comment for this article from Mrs Justice Stoneham and Kathy Lynn
Simmons, the Attorney-General, went unanswered by press time.
Bermuda
Chamber of Commerce is to offer a presentation to its members next Tuesday on
the impacts of advanced technology and innovation on business strategies. The
presentation will take place at the HSBC Harbourview Centre from 5.30pm until
7pm. Thomas Ilube CBE, a British entrepreneur, educational philanthropist and
British Broadcasting Co board member, will lead the presentation as keynote
speaker. Mr Ilube topped Powerlist 2017, the annual listing of the United
Kingdom’s 100 most powerful black people. He is founder and chief executive
officer of Crossword Cybersecurity plc and previously founded several start-up
technology businesses. Mr Ilube will define artificial intelligence and explain
why it’s so important for business leaders to be a part of defining the future
of business in Bermuda. Attendees will have the rare opportunity to discuss with
this technology expert and education philanthropist, clear and practical advice
on reshaping a business model in this rapidly evolving digital landscape, the
chamber said, adding that the presentation will also provide hints and tips on
how to protect businesses from financial crime, and the benefits of adopting
best practices.
An
infestation of termites is being tackled at the hall next to Bermuda’s oldest
church. Interior woodwork, skirting boards and door frames were plagued by
the pest in the church hall at St Peter’s Anglican Church, in the Town of St
George. The hall has been tented so that it can be fumigated with cash provided
by Unesco, the United Nations agency which promotes St George as a cultural
site. Gillian Outerbridge, the parish administrator, said: “I am so relieved
to have the tenting finally take place. “It has been a real worry that the
termites might spread just a few feet across to the ancient and invaluable
church. Ms Outerbridge added: “We are very blessed that the Unesco fund
provided funds to The Friends of St Peter’s Church to cover the cost of the
fumigation.” Ms Outerbridge said one hollow core door was literally filled
with termites. She said: “We tried to tiptoe out of the building with it so as
not to drop any on the way out.” St Peter’s, which dates back to 1612, is
the oldest Anglican church outside England. The hall building includes housing
offices, a choir room, flower room, toilets and the much used hall and kitchen
on the ground floor. It was named for Edith Clair Spencer, long time church
organist and greeter, in 2011.
According
to Geoff Faiella, Killing Carlisle is an actor’s dream: it’s funny
and thoughtfully written, with lots of twists and turns. His hope is that he
does it justice. Mr Faiella will play the lead character Doe in the world
premiere of Killing Carlisle, local journalist's Owain Johnston’s play
that opens at Daylesford Theatre on Thursday night. “Doing it with Owain in
the room is very rewarding,” he said of the Bermudian playwright and
journalist with The Royal Gazette. “It’s giving him the opportunity
to see his work come into the real world. I’m confident enough that I think he
trusts me with his character, but I do hope that I do it justice.” Billed as
“a dark comedy with light weaponry”, Killing Carlisle is
about “a trained hit man and a jilted lover [who] break into the luxurious
Bermuda home of Carlisle Mooney on the same night with murder on their minds —
completely independent of one another”. “Unfortunately for both, Carlisle
isn’t home,” Mr Faiella explains. “The pair find themselves killing time
waiting for Carlisle to return home but, as the hours pass, plans fall apart,
secrets are revealed and tensions rise until an explosion is inevitable. Blood,
firearms and naughty words” make the show inadvisable for children, however
for adults it’s a chance to support a home-grown cast. People should come out
not only for an entertaining evening, but to support performing arts in
Bermuda,” he said. “It’s a cast of mostly Bermuda talent and it’s
community theatre at its core. We’re all volunteers. It’s a hobby for all of
us. We’re all bringing our passion to it and hopefully that shows on stage.”
Mr Faiella discovered acting around the age of 10, when he got involved with the
annual pantomimes put on by the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society. “My
father’s mother, Isabelle ‘Puss’ Faiella, encouraged me to get out there.
She used to perform in clubs in Bermuda in the 1950s and 1960s. In school at
Saltus, I liked performing on stage and when I went to high school in the
States, I started getting even more involved in drama and performing arts. So
it’s really been a lifelong hobby.” On returning to the island in 2010, Mr
Faiella rejoined the local theatre scene, getting involved in shows with both
BMDS and the Gilbert & Sullivan Society. He also frequently acted in plays
Mr Johnston submitted for BMDS’s playwright competition, Famous For Fifteen
Minutes. “When I heard he was going to be producing the world premiere of his
play, I jumped at the opportunity and dropped everything to audition,” Mr
Faiella said. “Owain’s writing style sort of matches with the way I go
through the world. The dialogue matches with my mode of speech and his humour is
always something that struck a chord with me. His plays were right up my street.
Killing Carlisle is very much an Owain play. There are lots of twists and
turns. Naughty words and light weaponry aside, it’s a funny and thoughtful
play and I’m having a great time. It’s billed as a dark comedy and it is a
comedy, but it doesn’t shy away from some important issues facing the island.
It has heart.” Despite that enthusiasm, the reality was that he was a
relatively new father with a limited amount of time for his hobby when the call
for auditions was made. “I went into this completely fresh thinking I would
put myself forward for a minor role because I wasn’t sure of my time
commitment,” he said. “I have a 16-month-old and my wife Sarah and I try to
take turns in [the roles we take on in the] performing arts.” As it turned
out, his wife encouraged him to go for the role he really wanted. “The main
role was a bigger commitment, but I am able to do it because of the support of
my family. Because of my family, I get to enjoy my hobby,” Mr Faiella said.
The
island’s soldiers stood down yesterday after a major effort to cope with the
damage caused by Hurricane Humberto. Private Ariana Smith, 22, who only
joined the Regiment last year, had a baptism of fire on her first hurricane
deployment. She said: “I knew we would be cleaning up, but not much else. I
have enjoyed the togetherness of it all. It’s been very rewarding. The lack of
sleep has not been fun, but I would volunteer for this type of effort again.”
Pte Smith, who joined the RBR after a friend in the service convinced her to
have a shot at Recruit Camp in 2018, added the pay rates were attractive. But
she said: “Really it was because I like new challenges and getting to try new
things. I was excited to see what new opportunities joining the Regiment would
bring – and this was just the latest one.” She was speaking after 120 Royal
Bermuda Regiment soldiers fanned out across the island on Thursday to help clear
roads and help people whose homes had been damaged by the Category 3 storm,
which hit on Wednesday night. Pte Kyle DeRoza, 22, from Warwick, was part of the
hurricane nerve centre at the Bermuda Police Services communications centre at
police headquarters in Devonshire and also worked with a team engaged in
clean-up operations. The signals specialist said: “The updates came in fast
and were processed fast as well.” Pte DeRoza, who studied computing at Bermuda
College and who joined up in 2017, added he later transferred to a clean-up crew
and hit the ground running. He said: “I am a hands-on person and like having
something to do – what is keeping me beyond my minimum service is my pride in
helping the island. You can directly help your neighbours and your community in
the RBR. You can even help yourself – we have the tools, equipment and
training to gain new certifications in trade skills or academics, which give you
more job and career opportunities outside of Warwick Camp.” RBR Adjutant
Captain Paolo Odoli, who celebrated his 35th birthday on Tuesday with a call-up
to serve through the storm, also worked in the Prospect communications centre.
He said: “It was another magnificent effort by our country’s soldiers, who
stepped up to the plate yet again when Bermuda needed them. The RBR – and the
entire country – should be proud of the men and women who left their own homes
to help protect others from harm.” Captain Odoli added: “It was hard work
and it was stressful – but, as Hurricane Jerry approaches, we will be ready to
do it all over again if needed.” RBR Acting Commanding Officer Major Ben
Beasley said: “I am immensely proud of the effort put in by our soldiers on
land and at sea. The RBR has again proved its capabilities and ability to deal
with a crisis, be it at home or overseas.”
Bermudians
were warned yesterday not to take down their storm protection, with Hurricane
Jerry maintaining its projected course to strike the island next week. Wayne
Caines, the Minister of National Security, will update the public today and
tomorrow as the Emergency Measures Organisation meets each morning to assess the
threat. The Bermuda Weather Service’s forecasts, which do not extend beyond
three days, last night put the storm 400 miles southwest of Bermuda on Monday
evening. But predictions continue to show the Category 1 storm on an apparent
direct course over Bermuda on Wednesday morning. Steve Cosham, the national
disaster co-ordinator, said that Jerry’s impact could be anything from
Tropical Storm to Category 3 strength, under yesterday’s forecasts. Mr Caines
said: “I would like to encourage Bermuda to stay prepared. Let’s keep our
level of being prepared up. Do not let your guard down. It is our recommendation
that you leave things boarded up and remain in a state of readiness.” Mr
Caines also urged residents to use care: one person severed a finger while
readying for Humberto earlier this week, and others required treatment after
falling from ladders. In addition to press announcements at 12.30pm today and
tomorrow, parents will get notice over the weekend on the readiness for public
schools for Monday. Belco last night reported 11,000 still without power —
roughly one third of its customers. A spokesman said the company aimed to have
power fully restored by the end of Monday. Hamilton docks were open just 24
hours after Humberto, and Mr Caines said there had been “no indication from
any grocery stories that we are running low on supplies”. The Royal Bermuda
Regiment remains embodied, and CedarBridge Academy will once again serve as a
hurricane shelter is required. Mr Caines noted there had been queries as to why
the Devonshire school was used for emergency shelter, adding: “It is the only
approved facility for shelter during a hurricane.” The minister urged
residents to follow media and Government outlets for regular updates on Jerry.
The Government’s tree frog app is available free from the App Store and Google
Play Store for the latest storm information. According to the United States
National Hurricane Centre, Hurricane Jerry had picked up speed last night and
was headed west-northwest at 18mph. A weather system described as a mid-latitude
trough was to steer the hurricane north and then northeast. However it remained
unclear whether the trough would weaken or strengthen the storm on its course in
Bermuda’s direction.
Tropical
Storm Jerry has been confirmed as a threat to Bermuda. The storm’s closest
point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hours is expected to be 76 miles to the
north-northwest at 5am on Wednesday. However, the system may move closer after
this time period, depending on its track. The Bermuda Weather Service said:
“Tropical Storm Jerry is currently a threat to Bermuda and is expected to
bring tropical storm force winds with possible hurricane force gusts to Bermuda
later on Tuesday. Ahead of Jerry, expect easterly winds to increase, clouds to
thicken and light rain with a few showers as of late Monday evening that grow
into a thunderstorm or two on Tuesday.” At midnight, the storm was 367 miles
south-southwest of Bermuda with maximum sustained winds of 63mph and gusts to
75mph. Jerry, which is projected to remain a tropical storm, was moving at
10mph. Meteorologists are watching the weather system closely and the Emergency
Measures Organisation will meet at 10am to assess Tropical Storm Jerry’s
threat to Bermuda. The National Hurricane Centre also reported that Tropical
Storm Karen formed in the Windward Islands, and a series of warnings are in
effect across the Caribbean. Karen is forecast to approach Puerto Rico, and the
US and British Virgin Islands on Tuesday and continue in a generally northern
direction. Its closest point of approach to Bermuda within 72 hours is expected
to be 664 miles to the south at midnight on Thursday, but it could move closer
after that point. At midnight, Karen was 1,328 miles south of Bermuda with
maximum sustained winds of 40mph and gusts to 52mph, and traveling
west-northwest at 12mph. It is forecast to gain strength but remain a tropical
storm throughout the week.
Bus
service along nine different routes resumed this afternoon as the island
continues to bounce back from Hurricane Humberto. But Steve Cosham, the
national disaster co-ordinator, warned Bermuda would feel some impact from
Tropical Storm Jerry early next week. Mr Cosham told a press conference on
Saturday at 12.30pm: “We have good confidence that Bermuda will see something
from Jerry. We are going to see something. The question is what strength and
when.” He added that Tropical Storm Jerry was this afternoon just below
hurricane strength, but expected to become stronger before it reaches Bermuda.
Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, urged the public to remain on
alert as Jerry approaches. Mr Caines said: “It has weakened to a tropical
storm and is anticipated to pass over Bermuda, most likely sometime on Tuesday
— however this could change. It is too soon to tell. As I stressed yesterday,
we strongly encourage everyone to remain in a hurricane readiness mode.” He
said the recovery effort in the wake of Hurricane Humberto continued, but that
the island was “back in business.” Mr Caines said bus routes 2, 3, 4, 5, 7,
8, 9, 10 and 11 all reopened at 1pm, and other routes were being evaluated with
an update expected later this afternoon. And he said the number of Belco
customers without electricity had fallen to a little more than 8,000 — just
over a quarter of Belco customers. Lights in all homes are expected to be on by
the end of Monday. Mr Caines said Government would announce tomorrow whether
public schools will reopen on Monday. He also announced:
Mr Caines added: “I will remind the public to please take all necessary precautions while restoring their property. The hospital has treated a number of cases of persons receiving injuries while restoring their properties. “Additionally, pay close attention to the food in your fridge. If you have been without electricity for a few days the food in your fridge may be bad — throw it out.” With the approach of Jerry next week, both Mr Caines and Mr Cosham urged the public to take precautions, particularly those whose homes suffered roof damage in Humberto. Mr Cosham said: “Make sure your tarps are as secure as possible. We are going to get at least tropical storm-force winds from Jerry and probably stronger. Don’t just tie it down, batter it down with wood, screws and nails.” Mr Caines added: “If there are any vulnerable people in your house, elderly or children, I would ask the public to go to the emergency shelter. If you know your house is being held together with tarp, it makes no sense to endanger the lives of you and your family members. We have a shelter available with food and provisions.”
The
Town of St George largely avoided major damage in Hurricane Humberto and has
begun to prepare for Tropical Storm Jerry. A spokeswoman for the Corporation
of St George said damage to the roof of the western shed building at Tiger Bay
was the most serious destruction suffered in the storm. She said: “Immediately
following the passing of Humberto, Corporation workers worked in conjunction
with crews from Works and Engineering and the Royal Bermuda Regiment to clear
the streets to allow safe vehicular passage. Staff from St Regis hotel
development also assisted in the cleanup efforts. Numerous trees in Somers
Gardens suffered damage and the gardens remain closed to ensure the safety of
the public during the clean-up process.”
The
Government urged people to dispose of foliage and debris properly after
complaints that items are being discarded at schools and open areas. A
spokeswoman said this afternoon: “We are finding that clean up teams are
working around the clock to clear areas and within hours irresponsible truckers
and members of the public are dumping horticultural waste. “As a reminder, the
Marsh Folly facility will open Sunday from 7.30am until 4pm. Please take trees
and foliage to the Marsh Folly facility — dumping fees have been waived. The
public is asked to use this facility to dispose of horticultural waste
responsibly.” In the immediate wake of Hurricane Humberto, the Government had
organised satellite drop-off sites for foliage at Somerset Bus Station and the
airport, but the public is now asked to take plant waste directly to Marsh
Folly.
From
autumn seedlings to Christmas carrots and poinsettias, Hurricane Humberto’s
close pass this week left farmers and nurseries counting the cost. The
battering on Wednesday night destroyed greenhouses around the island — and low
rainfall meant extra salt damage to plants. Supplies of everything from
cucumbers to bananas have been hit, while farmers rush to batten down ahead of
next week’s anticipated hit from Hurricane Jerry. Tom Wadson, of Wadson’s
Farm in Southampton, declared the impact “horrendous, devastating”, with
casualties ranging from 2,000 tomato plants to beets and carrots. He said:
“Everything in the field is basically toast, and the roof came off our
greenhouse. We got a hard hit.” Cassava, another Christmas staple, managed to
survive because plants had been topped in advance, but Mr Wadson said his farm
had “a couple of tons” of paw paws on the ground. Nearby on Luke’s Pond
Road, Warren Brown at Bermuda Gardens reported one greenhouse was
“flattened”. The island’s top supplier of English cucumbers would take
“a couple of months to recover from the loss. We lost about half our crop,
which we supply for the whole island, so we are going to run short next week,”
Mr Brown added. This storm had a real sting in it, and it caught us. It also got
bigger as it rolled over us. But every time we rebuild, we make it stronger.”
Both farmers said the drench of salt left by Humberto’s comparatively light
rains had hurt vegetation. Yesterday, Mr Brown, still without electricity, was
keeping his hydroponics going with generators. He said: “Belco has been busy
elsewhere — we used to get priority as a food producer, but over the years
we’ve been forgotten.” Brighton Nurseries in Devonshire, which reported
online that its houseplant shed had been “mangled”, had discounted the
plants yesterday to 50 per cent. Greenhouse damage hit Amaral Farms in
Devonshire, according to Anthony Amaral. Mr Amaral joked: “You can’t even
give away avocados right now. They all came down.” Early carrots and Christmas
carrots were “gone”, Mr Amaral said, and late crops such as broccoli,
cabbage and cauliflower had been set back perhaps three months. He added:
“Bananas are worse. That’s been set back a year, year and a half. Farming is
like Vegas — we roll dice with the weather.” Some of the farm’s seedlings,
including the poinsettias popular for Christmas, had been secured from harm in a
stable. But Julie Greaves, the manager of Aberfeldy Nurseries in Paget, said the
business’s Somerset greenhouse was hard hit. Aberfeldy lost large numbers of
poinsettias as well as vegetable seedling in demand with the end of summer. Ms
Greaves said: “The storm took most of the roof off. Nobody realised how bad it
was going to be — there’s a lot of damage. It’s too late in the year to
start growing another crop of poinsettias. People love them, but it is what it
is. Obviously, we will plant something different and try to offer other
things.” She added: “It’s the vegetable seedlings that people really want
now. Because we don’t have a roof on the greenhouses, we have the sun burning
what plants we have left. We just need to get them rebuilt, which isn’t easy.
They’re very technical; you can’t just put one together.” Not far from the
Aberfeldy greenhouses, Westover Farm on Daniel’s Head is one of the island’s
three main dairies. Richard Bascome, the general manager, counted the farm
lucky: there was no damage, although the hurricane disruption threw the milking
schedule into disarray. “A lot of people are going to have to start from
scratch with their crops,” Mr Bascome said yesterday. The storm was stronger
than a lot of people expected. What can you do? Let’s get ready for the next
one.”
A
trial continued this week in Britain for two Bermudian-born men who have denied
charges of terrorism. Hisham Muhammad, 25, is accused of plotting to use a
radio-controlled drone to attack an army barracks. His cousin, Faisal Ahmad, 24,
is charged with failing to notify authorities of the scheme. They were caught by
police in June 2018 after a raid on their apartment in Whitefield in Bury,
Greater Manchester. The sting allegedly revealed equipment for an attack on the
Castle Armoury Barracks in Bury, as well as for knife attacks. The BBC reported
this week that a makeshift drone attachment found in the flat, and shown to the
jury at the Old Bailey in London, included “lollipop sticks attached to an
electrical component with black tape and various wires”. A military aircraft
specialist stated that “significant” research had gone into methods for
equipping the aircraft to drop items ranging from a bomb or pyrotechnic. But
Bernard Richmond QC, who represents Mr Muhammad, argued that it was not
necessarily harmful, noting that drones for children could drop toy parachutes.
The trial continues.
Bermuda
men’s rugby team have been crowned Caribbean champions after beating
Guadeloupe 33-10 in the Rugby Americas North Championship final at North Field,
National Sports Centre today. Bermuda ultimately proved too strong for their
opponents, despite a spirited fight back at the beginning of the second half,
building on a 14-0 half-time lead to prevail courtesy of two tries apiece from
Alex Brown and Jamie Baum, as well as a penalty try and extras from Dan Cole, to
regain a title not won since 2012. Alexandre Dagorn scored the visitors
consolation try with Thomas Gouban adding the extras. Jamie Barnwell,
Bermuda’s head coach, could not hide his delight at fulfilling an important
target he set when taking over the men’s team at the beginning of the year.
“We set ourselves this goal in January and to get across the line is
fantastic, the boys have done a great job and so obviously we’re all very
happy with that. This is a really important milestone for the team. There
wasn’t any space for us not to win, we had to get a result to continue the
trajectory we’ve been on and the boys did just that, it’s been a great team
effort. There are a lot of people behind the scenes who have put a lot of work
into the rugby programme in this country and Bermuda is seeing the results of
that now, it’s good times at the moment. We’ve done what we wanted to do and
now is time to reflect and see how we can push on further.”
Dwayne
Pearman says competing against some of the world’s top golfers at the
inaugural Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course is a “great
opportunity” he intends to make the most of. The experienced and highly
decorated local professional has been granted a sponsor’s exemption from
qualification for the event and thus handed an automatic spot in the 72-hole
tournament, which is a new addition to the 2019-20 PGA Tour and will involve
professionals who do not qualify for the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions
in China this year. “This is a great opportunity and I am really elated that
the guys decided to give me exemption,” Pearman said. “I don’t play as
much golf as I used to, but it’s nice of them to think of me like that knowing
what I have done over the years.” The championship will be held on the same
weekend as the WGC-HSBC Champions and will involve 120 professionals. It will
carry a purse of $3 million and offer 300 FedEx Cup points to the winner. As a
boost to Bermuda, the event, which will run from October 31 to November 3, will
be broadcast on The Golf Channel in 225 countries. “This is a big deal and is
definitely overdue,” Pearman added. “It’s a lot bigger than the PGA Grand
Slam of Golf, where you only had four players coming down. For this event, you
have 120 players along with their families and their caddies, so it’s really
going to be big. You don’t have the top 50 players in the world that are
coming. But there are still a lot of good players that are going to be coming
that a lot of people like to see, so it’s going to be a big event." Even
though he is quite familiar with the Robert Trent Jones-designed layout at Port
Royal, where he was previously employed as the head professional, Pearman does
not consider it as home advantage. “Home advantage, I don’t think so,” he
said. “These guys play golf every day. That’s all they do for a living.
These guys are good and can play anywhere. I do know the golf course and know
what clubs I want to hit off most of the tees. I do know that, but I don’t
think it’s a big home advantage in that sense. You still have to hit the ball
solid and make the putts. There is more than one thing to golf. There’s a lot
of things that go with playing the game and so I don’t really think it’s
that much of an advantage.” The government-owned course will host the
championship in a five-year deal secured by the Bermuda Tourism Authority, which
will be the title sponsor of the event until 2023. The championship is the
brainchild of Seniors Tour player Pat Horgan III, a former Bermuda Open winner,
who is part of the PGA’s marketing and operational team. “I just want to
take my hat off to PH Horgan and all his crew who have done a good job,”
Pearman said. “I also take my hat off to all of the Port Royal crew that are
working on the golf course. These guys are out there every day and are working
overtime and doing a great job getting the course ready.” Pearman, who has won
all but one of the major domestic titles, is the first local to be confirmed for
the Bermuda Championship, with the others to be determined at a 36-hole
qualifier at Mid Ocean Club on October 16 and 17.
A
popular Bermudian singer who enjoyed a colourful career in the United States has
died at 91. James Ellsworth “Al” Trott’s childhood dream of becoming a
jazz singer landed him a stint with one of Bermuda’s top hotel circuit bands
of the 1950s, called the Holiday Island Revue. The band, which was founded by
the promoter couple Don and Elsbeth Gibson, shaped the careers of many young
Bermudian artists, including Gene and Pinky Steede. Mr Trott performed at clubs
around the island as well as in Canada. He moved to the US in the 1960s.
According to family lore, he was sent a telegram inviting him to sing at the
March on Washington in 1963, a milestone event organised by the civil rights
leader Martin Luther King Jr. Mr Trott was asked to sing James Weldon
Johnson’s Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, known as “the Negro national
anthem”; but had to turn it down because he was not yet a full citizen. His
career blossomed as a nightclub singer in establishments throughout New York,
and he went on to perform in Atlantic City and Hawaii, as well as Australia and
Denmark. Mr Trott became a bus driver for the Metropolitan Suburban Bus
Authority, but continued his performing career as a dancer and singing waiter.
The father of two is survived by his wife of 40 years, Quindella Jordan. Mr
Trott’s funeral was held on September 6 in St Albans, New York.
Hurricane
Jerry, the fourth storm of the season, has been confirmed as a potential threat
to Bermuda. The Category 1 storm’s Jerry’s closest point of approach to
Bermuda within 72 hours is expected to be 336 miles to the south-southwest at
midnight on Tuesday. However, the system may move closer after this time period,
depending on its track. As of midnight, the storm was 824 miles south of Bermuda
with maximum sustained winds of 80mph and gusts to 98mph. Jerry, which is remain
a Category 1 on its arrival to the island, has slowed slightly to 16mph.
Meteorologists are watching the weather system closely and the Emergency
Measures Organisation will meet on Monday to assess Hurricane Jerry’s
potential threat to Bermuda. The US-based National Hurricane Centre said in its
latest update: “On the forecast track, the centre of Jerry will move north of
the northern Leeward Islands later today, pass well north of Puerto Rico on
Saturday, be well east-northeast of the southeastern Bahamas on Sunday and turn
northward on Monday. “Maximum sustained winds remain near 80mph with higher
gusts. Some weakening is forecast overnight, but Jerry could re-strengthen early
next week.” The next update will be at approximately 6am on Saturday.
Bermuda
was “bloodied but unbowed” yesterday in the wake of Hurricane Humberto, a
Category 3 hurricane that packed 125mph at its peak. The storm’s centre
swung 75 miles north of Bermuda, battering the island with winds that pried into
roofs, knocked out power for 80 per cent of homes and clogged roads with
branches and debris. In its aftermath, Wayne Caines, the Minister of National
Security, commended the “true Bermudian spirit of support and resilience”.
At sunrise, a combined team of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, works and engineering
staff and Belco workers swung into action. Power restoration could take four
days, Belco warned last night: by 7pm 16,448 remained without power, with 56 per
cent of customers restored. Asking for the public’s patience, a spokesman
added: “Our crews are making good progress, but there are challenges. Much of
the damage caused by Hurricane Humberto is making it difficult to quickly and
easily restore large areas at a time, so crews are working methodically, as fast
as they can, to reroute lines and replace infrastructure as needed.” Buses
today remain out of service, and Mr Caines implored drivers last night to keep
off the roads as work continued “around the clock”. Even as the Atlantic
season’s third hurricane churned north, Mr Caines said the Emergency Measures
Organisation would convene on Monday to assess Hurricane Jerry, a possible
threat early next week. He praised the community’s readiness and collaboration
— although one person was in police custody yesterday for burgling buses.
Today, public schools remain closed. Friday trash collection is scheduled to
proceed, while homes missed on Thursday will be served tomorrow. Ferries are
running, but an update on the bus service is expected today. The bus depot at
Palmetto Road remained without power last night. Bermuda High School, reporting
“quite a bit of damage”, remains closed today. Saltus, where debris was
still being cleaned up, opens on Monday, while Somersfield Academy declared
itself ready for classes today. Sue Moench, the principal at Mount Saint Agnes
Academy, posted on the school’s Facebook page that it would reopen today, and
Wayne Edwards, the Bermuda Institute principal, confirmed his school was set for
today. Warwick Academy reopens on Monday. At CedarBridge Academy, where 49
people weathered Humberto in an emergency shelter, the school sustained storm
damage that Mr Caines said would be fixed “in short order”. The emergency
shelter was not affected. The storm dealt damage to the roof of the acute care
wing at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, with minor damage reported for the
Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute. Somerset Police Station was put out of
commission, and a propane leak at LF Wade International Airport was tackled. The
Causeway reopened at midday. Three structural fires were reported. Roofs all
over Bermuda took damage: a section of roof was torn from a warehouse at
Penno’s Wharf in St George’s, revealing the onion, traditionally dropped at
New Year’s Eve, stored inside. Two Bermuda National Trust properties in the
Town of St George suffered during Humberto. The historic Buckingham, which dates
back to about 1750, was dealt “relatively minor” damage to its roof. More
seriously affected was the roof of Samaritans’ Lodge on Water Street, where a
trust team rendered it “safe from the elements” yesterday. Heidi
Daniels-Roque, one of the owners of the St David’s Variety Store, explained
that properties on the island’s Texas Road suffered roof damage. She said the
business opened at about 1pm yesterday, adding: “It has been busy — a lot of
people need ice, and gas for generators.” At the other end of the island, the
Clocktower Mall in Dockyard will stay shut today because of cruise ship
cancellations, and to give time for cleanup efforts. Visitors to Bermuda got to
experience a different side of island life during Humberto. Tim Morrison, the
general manager of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, said the resort’s
team kept guests “safe and entertained throughout”. Damage ranged from minor
leaks in rooms and some water in the lobby, while a tree was uprooted in the car
park. Mr Morrison added: “We’re pleased to say, though, that these issues
have been managed and the disruption to our guests and members of the public is
at a minimum. Simon Boden, the director of sales and marketing at Fairmont
Southampton, said yesterday: “Generally speaking, we got through the storm
very well. Everybody is safe and we are open for business.” Mr Boden said
about 300 guests stayed at the hotel on Wednesday night. He added: “We were
able to get some very positive feedback. We have an extensive hurricane
preparedness programme that we enacted, it came off flawlessly.” A spokeswoman
at Elbow Beach Resort and Spa said the damage there was limited to a fallen
tree. She added: “We are in tip-top shape. Our building is over 100 years old;
it’s survived every single hurricane. Now we are keeping an eye on Jerry.”
As the cleanup continues, Tynes Bay is open today for dropping off waste from
7am to 7pm. And Marsh Folly is waiving tipping fees for the disposal of trees,
wood waste and foliage.
Hurricane
Humberto’s wrath was felt at Boaz Island Marine Service Station on Malabar
Road in Sandys Parish. The station was closed yesterday due to the impact of
Humberto, but general manager Lawson Williams was hoping to be back in operation
this morning. “We had salt water inside the building, so we can’t get the
computers up to get the pumps working,” Mr Williams said. “Computers don’t
like salt air, and we got our share of it last night. We’re trying to get open
on Friday morning if we can, but I may have to bring our tech guy in. We have
someone on standby but I can’t get hold of him today because of problems with
cell phone service.” Mr Williams said the station “lost quite a bit” from
its overhead canopy, but he termed that damage as “cosmetic”. The Rubis
Terceira’s station on North Shore Road in Smiths Parish suffered slight damage
to the underside of the canopy above its gas pumps, but was open just after 1pm
yesterday. “We are open for business — that’s what matters,” said owner
Ralph Terceira. Insurance company BF&M Ltd was closed yesterday in line with
the EMO’s request to stay off the roads, but the company had a skeleton staff
in to assist with claims-related calls. The company will be open today. John
Wight, group chairman and chief executive officer of BF&M Ltd, said: “We
are relieved to hear that all who reside in Bermuda are safe. We have already
received a number of claims for damaged homes, businesses and boats and are at
work assessing the extent of the damages. Given the power of the gusts we
experienced, it is fortunate that the island did not experience greater
destruction. We are holding those who are dealing with damages in our thoughts
and are doing everything we can to support their recovery as quickly as
possible.” Hamilton Princess & Beach Club re-opened its Crown & Anchor
and Marcus’ restaurants yesterday, while 1609 is expected to resume service
today. This evening’s scheduled Marina Nights event is cancelled, but
performers, The Big Chill, will play at the Crown & Anchor happy hour. The
hotel was not accepting any new room reservations for last night. Meanwhile,
private truckers were enlisted to assist government work crews with the
clean-up, and many could be seen with flatbeds overflowing with tree branches
and foliage, while others were seen ferrying utility poles. Restaurants and pubs
also did a roaring business, both pre and post-Humberto. Many residents whose
employers closed at noon on Wednesday seized the opportunity for a hot meal, and
a cold beverage, at lunchtime with Humberto’s wrath still a few hours away —
and eateries on Front Street were open for business yesterday morning, as was
Soul Food Grill on Court Street and Devil’s Isle on Burnaby Street, among
others. However, many local and international businesses in Hamilton remained
closed yesterday. Wedco announced late yesterday that the Clocktower Mall will
remain closed throughout today.
Residents
in the West End were busy cleaning up yesterday after Hurricane Humberto
battered Bermuda. The Category 3 storm snapped utilities poles, ripped off
roofs of buildings including Allen Temple AME Church, uprooted trees and downed
power lines on Wednesday. Tashae Bean said that she was at home with her family
when the storm struck her house on Sound View Road, Sandys, and ripped off part
of the roof. She added: “If it would have lasted longer, I don’t think we
would have had a roof at all this morning.” Ms Bean said that the roof had
also been torn off by Hurricane Fabian, a Category 4 storm that hammered Bermuda
in 2003. She added: “It’s nothing that I’m not used to. It’s part of
living on the island.” Area residents worked to repair the damaged roof
yesterday morning. Ms Bean said that she loved the way the community came
together to help one another in times of needs such as after a storm. She added
that she would like to see the togetherness at other times as well. Ms Bean
said: “We’re an island. We should have block parties and stuff like that.
You should get to know your neighbours.” Ms Bean encouraged island residents
to check on their neighbours, especially elderly members of the community. Allen
Temple, located across the street, also suffered roof damage. The Reverend
Howard Dill said the damage caused by the storm was “unfortunate”. But he
added: “Life is more important than anything. As we hear people say in other
jurisdictions, all this stuff can be replaced at some particular point in
time.” Members of the congregation were on site yesterday morning to lend a
hand to make temporary repairs. Mr Dill said that he encouraged church members
to take care of their own homes and those of neighbours first and foremost. He
added: “Some of our gentlemen before coming here were helping and assisting
their neighbours.” Mr Dill urged Bermuda’s business community not to take
advantage of those left in need by Humberto. He said: “This is a time for the
businesses not to gorge with pricing. For persons who are assisting and helping
people, it’s not a time to try get rich.” Several local businesses were also
damaged by the storm. D&C Grill, on Middle Road, Southampton, lost part of
its roof. Donald Taylor, the owner of the Caribbean restaurant, said that he was
not at the location when the storm hit. He added yesterday: “This morning is
when I saw what had happened.” Mr Taylor said that employees had pitched in to
tarp the roof to prevent after further damage inside the business. Somerset
Police Station lost part of its roof, although no officer injuries were
reported. Work crews were also kept busy working to clear roads and restore
power to area residents. John Martin, a Belco employee, expected a long work day
ahead. He explained: “Probably straight through until midnight.” Mr Martin
said that the priority was to first restore power to the main circuits and
encouraged member of the public to give space to restoration crews.
Residents
of a Pembroke condominium complex were reeling yesterday after a possible
tornado tore through the area. The Queen’s Cove Apartments in Fairylands,
Pembroke, lost pieces of roof and power during Hurricane Humberto on Wednesday
night. Joan Terceira said that she remembered feeling “shock and horror”
when the winds tore pieces off her roof and caused the ceiling above her living
room to cave in. Her daughter, Karon Wright, said: “We saw that the ceiling
was giving in and we weren’t sure whether it was the window or the whole roof.
We didn’t come into the living room, we just stood outside, and the whole lot
came down and brought everything down with it.” Ms Terceira explained that the
ceiling closest to her patio, which was made of drywall, collapsed over almost
half of her living room, destroying her television and a ceramic lamp. Ms
Terceira added: “We usually don’t get damage, but I guess there’s a first
time for everything.” Ms Wright said that they were later told that the damage
was caused by a small tornado that was formed in the southwest and briefly moved
past the buildings before collapsing. She added that family members would help
her mother through Hurricane Jerry, which is expected to hit next week, while
she flew back to her home in Britain. Ms Terceira said: “Fingers crossed it
doesn’t rain too much until then, because there’s nothing to cover it.”
The Bermuda Weather Service could not confirm whether a tornado had formed
during the storm. A spokeswoman added that winds stronger than they had
previously measured might have been responsible for the damages. The United
States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states on its website
that weak and brief tornadoes can be created during hurricanes and tropical
storms. Colin Young, 96, said that he was watching television on Wednesday night
during the hurricane when he heard “an almighty crack”. He added that it
wasn’t until the next morning that he learnt that the roof of his third-floor
patio had completely caved in. He explained: “I hadn’t any idea what it was,
but it sounded very metallic. I thought, ‘What is up on the roof besides air
conditioner units? Mr Young explained: “I was sure they can’t move those by
the force of winds. Little did I realise that the ‘almighty crack’ was the
roof coming off the porch.” Mr Young said that the force of the winds pushed
water through his outside doors and soaked much of his furniture and floor. Much
of the tiling alongside the condominium complex had been torn off of the western
side of the building. He said: “By our position we knew that we were in for
some trouble, but you can only prepare for so much.”
The
Transport Control Department advised that testing facilities at both the
Southside and Rockaway locations are closed today due to damage caused by
Hurricane Humberto. The Department apologizes for any inconvenience this may
cause its customers.
A
Pembroke reflexologist might have picked the wrong tree to shelter her car
under. Holly Paiva, of Ocean Lane, awoke yesterday morning to find her Ford
Fusion’s windshield smashed in by a tree and her hood damaged. “The thing is
I picked that spot to shelter my car because I was worried that a large palm in
my yard might fall on the car,” Ms Paiva said. “So I picked what I thought
was a safer spot.” But at the height of the storm the sound of smashing glass
hinted she had made a mistake. “I was inside with my two daughters when I
heard it,” she said. “I had a feeling it was my car.” When the winds died
down, she discovered a Mexican pepper tree had fallen on top of her car. The
palm she had worried about earlier was still intact. Ms Paiva did not yet know
how much it would cost to repair it. “I haven’t talked to my insurance
company yet,” she said. “But I am a mobile reflexologist, so this is going
to really put a damper on my business.” During the next storm she plans to
park under the palm.
Bermuda’s
only cargo dock has reopened for business. A spokesman for Stevedoring
Services Ltd, which has the exclusive licence to operate the docks in Hamilton,
said a team from SSL assessed and reordered the dock yesterday following the
passing of Hurricane Humberto. The spokesman said: “It was determined that the
facilities were in good order. The docks will open as normal at 8am on Friday,
and will be able to receive containers back on the port at that time.” Warren
Jones, the chief executive of Polaris Holding Company Ltd, SSL’s parent
company, said: “I am pleased to report that the Hamilton Port has been reset
and is ready to receive the Bermuda Islander and regular business
customers on Friday.” The MV Bermuda Islander is set to dock in Bermuda
this afternoon. Discharge of the Islander will occur immediately upon arrival,
the spokesman said.
The
Mall at Dockyard will reopen tomorrow as the Grandeur of the Seas is due to
arrive on Saturday and the Norwegian Dawn on Sunday. However, the West End
Development Corporation (WEDCO) is warning people that Dockyard is still in
‘hurricane mode’ with boats taken out of the water for Hurricane Humberto
still on the roads and cleaning up work still in progress. Joanna Cranfield
WEDCO’s Business Development Manager, said: “Boats will remain on the roads
due to the approach of Hurricane Jerry. Our staff will also be out cleaning up
after Humberto and preparing for Jerry. We very much wanted to open this weekend
due to the arrival of two cruise ships and to show that Bermuda is open for
business! While we want everyone to come to Dockyard and enjoy the fantastic
facilities we have, we did have people coming just to see the damage from
Humberto. It is very important that our staff are able to get on with securing
and cleaning the area and we would ask people to bear that in mind before
heading to the area.”
The
emergence of cyber-risk is prompting insurance companies to move beyond pure
indemnification of loss costs, the president of the Association of Bermuda
Insurers and Reinsurers has said. John Huff was speaking at Monte Carlo
Reinsurance Rendez-Vous de Septembre, the annual conference of reinsurers.
“What cyber is highlighting, and Abir members have been very strong in
delivering, is that cyber starts with policyholders asking the insurers and the
reinsurers to tell them how to protect themselves, through the underwriting
process,” he told Monte Carlo Today, a special edition published by
Intelligent Insurer. "Insurers are improving ‘cyberhygiene’ by telling
potential customers, who are merely applying for cyber coverage, that no,
they’re not interested in them because they don’t have the software patches,
or hardware enhancements, or a protocol, or a culture for cyber resilience. The
industry is now going from silent cyber, that may or may not be in D&O and
other policies, to a true standalone affirmative cyber product. Regulators are
pushing for it and the industry is responding. It will be an exciting time.”
Mr Huff said Bermuda was at the forefront of the market and continues to provide
the thought leadership and impetus to lead that shift to standalone products.
“I’m getting very energized about cyber,” he said. “Bermuda will take a
leadership role in this area because cyber is going to evolve. No-one knows yet
what the magic formula is for coverage and for cyber terms and conditions and
what will be the exact value proposition for cyber coverage. One thing is
certain: it will require flexibility and adaptation.”
About
60 people turned out to demand action on climate change this morning as part of
a global environmental effort. Mass demonstrations and strikes have been
seen around the world today as young people take to the streets to protest
climate change. Pupils from schools including Bermuda High School for Girls,
Warwick Academy, Somersfield Academy and Saltus Grammar School held signs and
called out slogans including “our planet, our future”. They were joined by
Fridays for Future Bermuda, an activist group calling on the Bermuda Government
to declare climate change an emergency and to ban single-use plastics among
other demands.
Hurricane
Jerry has formed near the Caribbean even as Hurricane Humberto continues away
from the island. It is the fourth hurricane of the Atlantic season, with
initial winds of 75mph, according to the United States National Hurricane
Centre. Meteorologists are watching Jerry closely, and the Emergency Measures
Organisation will meet on Monday to assess whether it presents a threat to
Bermuda. The storm’s closest point as of noon was forecast to be 630 miles by
noon on Sunday, but estimates only extend to three days. At noon, Jerry stood
1,250 miles to our southeast. It is expected to skim just north of the Leeward
Islands. According to the NHC, Jerry’s long-term course towards Bermuda is
affected by a subtropical ridge. But the service added a note of caution about
predictions extending beyond three days, noting: “Since the environmental
uncertainty at long range is so high, little change has been made to the
previous forecast.”
At
8pm, power restoration continues, while schools have given their status for
Friday after the overnight passage of Hurricane Humberto tore across the island
— and buses will remain out of service tomorrow. Belco reported that power
restoration could take days, and drivers have been urged to keep off the roads
tonight. 8pm: Belco said 16,448 remained without power as of 7pm,
with 56 per cent restored. The work is likely to take another four days until
all have their lights back on. A spokesman added: “Our crews are making good
progress, but there are challenges. Much of the damage caused by Hurricane
Humberto is making it difficult to quickly and easily restore large areas at a
time, so crews are working methodically, as fast as they can, to reroute lines
and replace infrastructure as needed. The utility asked for the public’s
patience as work continues.
A
raft of closures and cancellations have been announced in advance of Hurricane
Humberto.
Appleby
partner Vanessa Schrum has been recognised as among the leaders in her practice
area in the Private Client Global Elite Directory published by Legal
Week. Ms Schrum, the global head of private client and trusts at Appleby
Bermuda, has been recognised as “global elite”, one of just 294 lawyers
worldwide to receive that designation. An additional 136 lawyers were deemed
“ones to watch”. Those individuals recognised are determined by a number of
contributing factors including recommendations received from the global legal
community, their international networks including the jurisdictions in which
they are qualified and in which they undertake cross-border work, and their
overall experience, effectiveness and commitment to client service, the firm
said. Launched in 2017, the directory receives thousands of entries annually.
Maceo
Dill, the vice-president of the Bermuda Football Coaches Association, says he is
encouraged by the strides that he and his colleagues are making in their efforts
to raise local standards on coaching. To date, the association has helped
nearly 400 locals obtain Uefa C Licence accreditation and another 35 have gained
their B Licence, working in collaboration with the affiliated Bermuda Football
Association. “We are continuously working in partnership with the BFA,” Dill
said. “The BFA have a coaching-licensing programme, which we are assisting
them to qualify coaches under. Over the years we have developed over 350 C
Licence coaches in Bermuda and 35 B Licence coaches. So we have a big number,
which bodes well as we try to professionalise our coaching industry.” The C
Licence qualifies coaches to oversee the under-17 age group while the B Licence
is a requirement for all coaches at senior level. The BFCA held an award
ceremony at the National Sports Centre on Monday for the 32 candidates who
passed the previous C Licence Course, which comprised various practical and
theory exercises. The course took place over one week in February and again this
month. “We had 32 participants and everyone passed their C Licence, but 15 of
them scored 80 per cent or above to qualify for the Uefa B Licence Course
delivered by the Scottish FA,” Dill added. The course was directed by Jacques
Crevosier, the Uefa instructor and former Liverpool and France assistant coach,
who was helped by a group of local coaching educators that included Dill as
course manager. “We have developed our local coaching educators in the likes
of Andrew Bascome, Derek Stapley, Maurice Lowe, Larry Smith and myself, who
delivered the assessment and the instructional stuff,” Dill added. “But the
C Licence Course is overseen by Jacques Crevosier, whom we have been bringing
down for the last 14 years.” Among the latest to earn C Licence certification
were Rai Simons, the former Chesterfield forward, Vashun Blanchette, the
Somerset Cricket Club president and a former player himself, and Mishael
Paynter, the vice-president of St George’s Cricket Club. “As you can see, we
are starting to attract some younger candidates,” Dill said. “The likes of
Rai Simons, an ex-professional player that’s now getting involved in the
coaching educational part of it, which is great for our country to attract
younger candidates.” In addition to staging the final part of the C Licence
Course last week, the BFCA also partnered with the BFA to offer further
professional coaching development to certified B Licence coaches. “We also
want to keep enhancing the ability of our existing B Licence coaches, so we
offered them the opportunity for additional development,” Dill said. “Part
of the B Licence is that every two years you have to take additional development
to keep current. So what we offered them was the ability to analyze the Panama
game [Concacaf Nations League match] and prepare sessions to give them further
credit in maintaining their licence. It’s just like first aid: you have to
keep refreshing yourself. We recognised that coaches have to keep current and
refresh themselves, so we are offering that service as well.”
Data
services and business intelligence solutions firm Bespoke Analytics is to host a
free, educational showcase to show local companies how quickly they can leverage
their data using TimeXtender’s Discovery Hub data management platform. The
company said the showcase is intended to meet a market need for companies to
modernise their data estate and take advantage of some of the many game-changing
data leveraging opportunities such as advanced analytics and artificial
intelligence. The showcase will be held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration
Institute on October 2 from 8.30am until 11am. Breakfast is included. Bespoke
says the event will show frustrated data users how quickly they can leverage
their data using Discovery Hub and accelerate the time to insight by up to 80
per cent faster than traditional data warehouse and business intelligence
methods. A company spokesman said: “The aim of the showcase is to let
companies know that there is a robust, fast, low risk alternative to traditional
data warehouse and business intelligence solutions that will give companies in
Bermuda advanced data capabilities and the competitive advantages these
capabilities bring, allowing them to maintain their coveted position as leaders
on the world business stage.” Bespoke Analytics builds data strategies and
solutions that help clients leverage their data for faster, smarter decision
making, it said. TimeXtender, Bespoke said, is a recognised global software
company that enables instant access to any type of data in the organisation to
support advanced analytics and artificial intelligence.
The
Bermuda Weather Service has lifted the island’s Tropical Storm Warning as
Hurricane Humberto continues to speed away. As of 3am, the storm was 195
miles north-northeast of Bermuda and speeding away at 23mph. A small craft
warning remains in effect as rough conditions in Bermuda’s waters are expected
to continue today. Kim Zuill of the BWS said: “Things are quieting down quite
nicely. We have downgraded and we are no longer in Tropical Storm Warning.”
The BWS forecast said: “As Humberto moves away local conditions will rapidly
improve with a bright and mainly dry day and seas rapidly decreasing. Northerly
winds will persist for a few days bringing a cool off to our temperatures.”
The American-based National Hurricane Centre said this morning “Large swells
and dangerous surf generated by Humberto will continue along the coast of
Bermuda through today, and these could continue to cause coastal flooding.
“Storm surge along the coast of Bermuda should subside today.”
Numerous
buildings have been damaged and more than 28,000 people lost power as Hurricane
Humberto battered Bermuda. Somerset Police Station lost part of its roof —
although all officers were said to be safe — in the storm that has lashed the
island with hurricane force winds for several hours. The CedarBridge Academy
shelter suffered damaged windows but none of the 46 members of the public or 30
support staff were injured. Part of the roof blew off at Island Glass, on
Serpentine Road, at least eight homes were reported damaged in the West End and
the Government warned people to stay off the roads in the morning because of
downed trees and power lines. At Humberto’s peak point of impact at about
8.30pm, wind speeds of more than 81mph and gusts of more than 114mph were
recorded at LF Wade International Airport. The storm’s closest point to the
island came at 9pm, when it was about 75 miles away. The Causeway will remain
closed until further notice while it is examined for structural damage. Public
schools and Government offices will be closed today. Wayne Caines, the Minister
of National Security, said at 7.45am: “We have come through a really, really
challenging night. “There were no fatalities. Our country is resilient. Today,
we are going to get through this.” Mr Caines urged people to stay off the
roads until they have been cleared, but encouraged them to help clean up their neighborhoods
and “look out for the seniors and most vulnerable”. The Bermuda Fire and
Rescue Service received 45 calls by midnight, including three minor structural
fires, nine medical incidents, 17 minor incidents such as gas leaks and
transformer fires and 16 automatic fire alarms. Emergency incidents included a
reported propane gas leak at Caesar’s Pharmacy on Main Road, Somerset, and a
car getting stuck in the area of Stokes Point Road, St George’s. Harbour Radio
reported a boat in distress but said the single occupant on-board was found
safe, on land and uninjured. Power outages affected 28,515 Belco customers —
about 80 per cent of the island — by 10.45pm. Belco urged people to stay off
the roads early on Thursday because of downed trees and power lines. Hurricane
force winds were beginning to subside by 10.30pm, but tropical storm force winds
are expected to continue until 4am or 5am. By midnight, Humberto had passed and
was about 128 miles to the north-northeast. It remained a Category 3 hurricane,
with winds of 120mph and gusts of 150mph. A Government spokeswoman said at 1am:
“At first light, early responders will start moving around Bermuda to assess
and begin clearing the roads. In the interest of the safety of the emergency
personnel, no assessments will be undertaken before daylight. Reports have been
received by emergency services of downed trees and power lines. For their own
safety, residents are urged to stay off the roads which will also give emergency
services the time to do their jobs. The priority will be clearing major roads at
each end of the island going to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.” She added
that Mr Caines would give an overview and assessment of the island at 7.30am.
Bermuda Hospitals Board said sections of the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute and
old Continuing Care Unit facilities had suffered damage but that patient care
was not impacted and staff kept services running throughout the storm. Services
were expected to resume after the storm finishes. Anna Nowak, the vice-president
of public relations at BHB, said: “Special thanks to all BHB staff who have
worked tirelessly through the storm to ensure care continued. It takes hundreds
of clinical, support and administrative staff in multiple facilities to
implement organizational hurricane plans and ensure all events during the storm
are managed so that people in need of care and support receive it without
interruption. We are also grateful to all of the additional senior clinicians
who willingly made themselves available on-site to react to any unforeseen
emergencies. Finally our thanks to the Bermuda Weather Service for their very
helpful products online which guide our management.”
First-quarter
fiscal performance figures for 2019 were released by the Ministry of Finance
yesterday. Revenues for the three months ending in June were $266.5 million,
$6.4 million higher than in June 2018. A ministry spokeswoman said that the
primary reason for the increase, was because of an increase in payroll tax
collections of about $4.7 million, higher passenger tax collections of about
$3.5 million and higher collections in customs duty of $1.9 million. She added:
“In general, total revenues are tracking in line with budget estimates and the
strength in payroll tax, passenger tax and customs duty receipts increases the
chance of meeting the total revenue target of $1,118.5 million for the current
fiscal year.” The spokeswoman said that current expenditures for the period
were up $4.9 million from the same period in the last fiscal year to $235
million. She explained the increased spending was “mainly due to salary
negotiated pay awards, offset by lower expenditures in grants and contributions
and insurance”. The spokeswoman added: “In general, current expenditures,
excluding debt service, are tracking in line with budget estimates. The $236
million spent in the first three months of 2019-20 represents approximately 25.4
per cent of the total current account budget of $929.9 million.” Capital
expenditures for the period were $17 million, $5.2 million high than in 2018.
The spokeswoman said: “This is due to structural refurbishment of bridges,
refurbishing ferry docks, capital maintenance on Tynes Bay and new capital grant
amounts to the Bermuda Housing Corporation.” She said that capital
expenditures were “tracking on budget”, and that the $17 million spent
represented about 26 per cent of total capital account budget of $64.7 million.
The spokeswoman said total current and capital spending, excluding debt service,
was $10 million, 4.1 per cent higher than last year’s spending. She added that
interest on debt for the period was $29 million; $1.9 million less than last
year’s period. The spokeswoman said: “This is primarily due to the
refinancing of more expensive government bonds, in November 2018, when
Government executed an international bond transaction.” The spokeswoman said
the Government had incurred a deficit of $15.7 million in the period, compared
with $29.9 million last year. She added: “This deficit was financed with
working capital. No new borrowing was incurred during this period.” The
spokeswoman said that gross debt at the end of June stood at $2.58 billion and
net of the sinking fund, debt was $2.461 billion. She added: “In May 2019,
$100 million of private placement notes matured. Government drew from the
sinking fund to pay off these private placement notes, which reduced interest
expenses on an annual basis, by $7.38 million.”
Royal
Gazette Editorial. "Recent news of redundancies at Butterfield Bank and at
Bermuda Security Group, and the recent announcements of retail store closures,
must raise grave concerns about the state of the economy. This may seem
alarmist, given the most recent government statistics. After all they suggest
the Bermuda economy is growing, albeit slowly. But it is not alarmist. Business
confidence remains exceptionally low and there is little suggestion that growth
is likely to increase; indeed, it is more likely to contract as the big capital
projects at the airport and at the St Regis Hotel in St George’s move towards
completion. Recent statistics should not be dismissed, of course. Gross domestic
product in the first quarter of 2019 was 3.5 per cent after inflation, the
strongest in some time, and that was the fourth consecutive quarter of real
growth. The balance of payments surplus also grew by 3.8 per cent in the same
period, also suggesting that the economy was on the upswing in the first part of
the year. The Employment Survey, based on reporting from employers in August
2018, showed that the number of filled jobs increased by 155, or less than 0.5
per cent. Similarly, according to the November jobs survey, unemployment fell to
4.5 per cent from 5.2 per cent in May. All of those numbers suggest that the
Bermuda economy was growing in 2018 and that the growth continued into the early
part of 2019. Other statistics are less positive, especially retail sales, which
have been consistently down and dropped 4.4 per cent in May in real terms. At
the same time, imports by consumers from overseas increased, although these
numbers tend to go up and down. Bermuda’s retail sector is undoubtedly
shrinking, both for structural, internally generated reasons such as customs
duties and for global reasons like competition from online and bricks and mortar
retailers such as Amazon.com and Walmart. The internet makes Bermuda’s
attempts to protect its industries irrelevant. International business, which is
directly responsible for 3,900 jobs — the largest sector — and indirectly
responsible for thousands more, has been essentially flat for the past five
years or more. And while hotel employment and tourism-related sectors have
experienced growth, that increase has tapered off in 2019, and is unlikely to
increase dramatically until more hotels such as the St Regis come online. The
reality is that much of the positive growth of the past two years has been
driven by the construction of the St Regis, which will not open until 2021 but
has carried out much of the heavy construction in terms of the foundation and
steel erection, and the airport, scheduled to open next year. Unless the
beleaguered Caroline Bay project finds new financing and stages an unlikely
comeback, what must concern policymakers and business leaders alike is that
there is nothing on the horizon that will inject life into the economy.
International business may well continue at its existing level, as will tourism,
but there are few other signs of growth. The Premier, David Burt, has pinned
most of his hopes and his credibility on fintech and Bermuda becoming a centre
for cryptocurrencies. And while this may still happen, so far new jobs have been
few and far between. Against this backdrop, a decade of little or no growth,
mushrooming government debt — now increased further by the payment of the
government guarantee on Morgan’s Point — and now the prospect of what little
growth there has been in the past 18 months petering out, the Bermuda First
report is timely. Commissioned by the Premier, it again pushes him to square the
circle between the Progressive Labour Party’s populist rhetoric in the 2017
election and the harsh economic realities his government now faces. As with most
other recommendations of recent years, the Bermuda First committee calls for a
relaxation of the island’s immigration and residency laws as a means of
invigorating the economy. It also recommends the broadening of the Bermuda
economy through the sale of commercial real estate to overseas buyers and easing
of the remaining 60:40 company ownership restrictions. Other recommendations
will also clash with government priorities, including the establishment of an
independent authority to oversee education and a profound disagreement with the
present government plans to change healthcare. Nonetheless, it is the central
theme of opening the economy that is of both the highest necessity for Bermuda
and will cause the Government the most difficulty. It is hard to escape the
irony that the PLP stood by when in Opposition as the People’s Campaign
blockaded Parliament to oppose the previous government’s Pathways to Status
but has now failed to produce its own plan to resolve the issue of long-term
residency; nor that the airport construction, which the PLP so vehemently
opposed, has produced much of what little economic growth there has been in the
past two years. But the protests that accompanied those two events not being
repeated since July 2017 proves that the PLP government is in a position to do
what proved to be impossible for the One Bermuda Alliance government. Like
Richard Nixon going to China, only the PLP can reform immigration because of its
track record of putting Bermudians first and its concentration on protecting
Bermudians in the past. It can say, with a credibility that the OBA had
difficulty claiming, that it is easing immigration rules because there is no
choice but to do so, and it has to do so because it is the only way to ensure a
viable future for Bermudians. To be sure, the recommendations of the Bermuda
First Committee contain risks, and this newspaper has already expressed its
doubts about the passing of flagship Bermudian businesses into overseas hands.
But the truth is that the Bermuda economy today is like a sailing ship on a lee
shore: being pushed inexorably towards the rocks by the winds and the current.
To survive, its tiny crew needs the help of others to come on board and row it
to safety. The Bermuda economy cannot recover if it continues with the status
quo. The stagnation of the past decade proves this, as does the success of the
Cayman Islands in the same period. Bermuda refused to change and has declined.
Cayman opened its doors and is thriving, creating opportunities for newcomers
and Caymanians alike. Another newspaper, talking about an entirely different
matter, said this recently: “There is a fine line between repeating an
experiment until you reach perfection, and continuing it out of stubborn
stupidity when the ingredients are clearly wrong.” For more than two years,
the Government has tried to make the ingredients of Bermudians First and
Bermudian protectionism work. As with many experiments, there may have been some
indications of success — slight improvements in GDP and jobs, for example. But
it must also be obvious that the successes have been limited, while the problems
— stasis in Bermuda’s main industry, the ageing population, unaffordable
healthcare, crushing private and public debt — continue to grow. Great leaders
recognize when it’s time to change course. The time is now."
A
legal battle between three sisters over ownership of a Pembroke home came to a
head last month, as the Supreme Court decided the property should be divided
among them. Rosemarie Pedro had argued she gained sole ownership of the
property after the 2013 death of her stepfather, Quinton Dowling Jr. However,
the court found her sisters, Wanda Pedro and Jennifer Pedro, were each entitled
to one third of the property and that Rosemarie had used “undue influence”
on her stepfather for her own benefit. Assistant Justice Rod Attride-Stirling
said: “The idea that Mr Dowling would cut off two of his stepdaughters is
inconsistent with the evidence, but is supportive of the allegation that
Rosemarie had acquired ascendancy and was acting in a manner which took unfair
advantage of Mr Dowling.” The court heard that Mr Dowling and his wife, Mary
Dowling, bought a house on The Glebe Road on January 31, 1997 through a down
payment and a $101,000 mortgage from HSBC, to be paid through Mr Dowling’s
salary. On the same date, the couple, with Rosemarie, signed a declaration of
trust that said she would “hold the said house as trustee for myself and my
surviving sisters as tenants-in-common in equal shares”. The court heard the
document was produced as part of a bank practice to get “young blood” on the
mortgage to ensure someone younger was “on the hook” to repay the mortgage.
Mr Justice Attride-Stirling said in his August 23 judgment: “The uncontested
evidence at trial was that the parents did not want to add Rosemarie to the
title deeds at all, but did this at the insistence of the bank. Rosemarie played
no role in the acquisition of the property, nor in the payment of the mortgages.
Rosemarie claims, however, that this changed later.” Rosemarie moved into an
apartment at the property and she said she helped her mother and stepfather with
the mortgage. The court heard Mrs Dowling died in 2004, and in 2009 HSBC made a
second loan to Rosemarie and Mr Dowling in the amount of $205,000, secured by a
new mortgage. Mr Dowling suffered a stroke in October 2011, which left him
“severely incapacitated”, and he remained in hospital until his death in
September 2013. Wanda argued Rosemarie had used “undue influence” on Mr
Dowling when he signed the 2009 mortgage, and that under the trust document both
she and Jennifer were entitled to one third of the property. However, Rosemarie
denied having any undue influence and argued the trust document had no legal
effect. HSBC agreed with Rosemarie and claimed they were entitled to 100 per
cent of the proceeds of the sale of the house should they enforce the mortgage.
Mr Justice Attride-Stirling said in his judgment that Rosemarie’s evidence
“was not credible”. Rosemarie denied allegations that she used the proceeds
of the 2009 mortgage to pay for a dog valued at $6,000, televisions and overseas
trips, and said the funds were used to make renovations in the house. The judge
said she produced “scant” evidence of where the money was spent and told the
court the invoices were destroyed in a storm. Mr Justice Attride-Stirling said:
“On the evidence before me, I am unable to conclude that Rosemarie used all or
even most of the loan proceeds for the renovations. Further, I conclude that
Rosemarie used some of the loan proceeds for her personal use. Given the state
of the evidence, the court is not able to determine with precision what was
spent and how it was spent.” Mr Justice Attride-Stirling found that Rosemarie
had put undue influence on her stepfather in the case of the 2009 loan. He noted
that she was the only person to benefit, as the loan was to improve her
apartment, but not the one in which Mr Dowling lived. The judge wrote:
“Rosemarie lived next door to Mr Dowling. Her evidence is that she was his
principal caregiver and that he relied on her. In the context of the evidence
heard, I find that this led to a relationship where Rosemarie had acquired a
significant degree of ascendancy over Mr Dowling.” Mr Justice Attride-Stirling
found that Wanda and Jennifer were entitled to two thirds of the property under
the trust. He found also that Rosemarie did not have the power to enter into the
2009 mortgage agreement, which meant the agreement was unenforceable. The judge
said HSBC did have a claim against Rosemarie for the full amount of the 2009
mortgage, but has no such claim against her sisters. If the bank enforces its
claim and the property is sold, Mr Justice Attride-Stirling found Wanda and
Jennifer would each be entitled to one third of the sale amount.
Liquor
companies should pitch in to help fund addiction treatment, according to the
head of the substance abuse intervention agency Focus Counselling Services. Leslie
Grant, the executive director, made the call as he highlighted the need for
extra resources in Bermuda’s recovery community. Mr Grant, who took the reins
from Sandy Butterfield as executive director of the charity in April, said the
service would host an open house today, to raise much needed funds. Alcoholism
ranks as one of the island’s top forms of substance abuse, the internationally
certified alcohol and drug counsellor and clinical supervisor said. Mr Grant
called for the companies turning the biggest profits on alcohol to step up to a
positive role. He told The Royal Gazette: “I am not saying that the alcohol
stores and companies are the cause. They do provide the substance, but they
don’t make people drink it. However, many of them do make a lot of money and
in some countries, the alcohol companies put quite a lot of money towards
treatment. I can’t say that they do that here. Alcohol is one of the most
prevalent substances; it is not the only substance, but these companies could
support the community, by sharing some of those profits to support the recovery
community. It could help Focus and a lot of other charities and facilities; they
could make a big difference.” Mr Grant added that he would like to see a
specific fund to support treatment for all forms of substance abuse. He said:
“There are different entities that raise funds, but I am talking about being
able to provide resources and treatment overseas for persons who can’t get the
kind of treatment they need here in Bermuda. Pathways Bermuda does assist, but
they do the best that they can. There are people who could benefit, not only
from a different environment, but a different treatment modality, and for a
longer period of time — a mid to long-term facility that is offered that is in
another country. There is no funding for that.” Focus provides supportive
residency or sober living programmes, drop-in centre and individual and group
counselling services for its clients, but Mr Grant says it would like to extend
the level of support it offers under his leadership. The charity’s open house
today runs from 10am to 3pm at 36 Union Street in Hamilton for networking with
partners and to “reintroduce itself and its services” to the community.
Dignitaries attending will include Alison Crocket, the Deputy Governor. Mr Grant
encouraged potential donors to attend to hear the charity’s latest plans. He
explained: “We are having our open house to show the public that we are open
for business and that we offer more than a place of refuge.” Mr Grant said he
hoped to counter perceptions that “guys just come up here to hang out and
sleep”. He added: “The drop-in centre does offer a safe space; they do need
that, but we want to take it to the next level and provide more opportunities
for them. We want to implement new programmes and structures to encourage
recovery. We have already started; we have psycho-educational services,
information about substance abuse disorder, the effects on the person, body and
community, and we are looking to structure that. Focus is launching additional
services catering specifically to women.". The majority will be referrals,
but the service also aims to offer “some individual counselling as well. We
want to be providing services on a consistent basis to support a healthier
community,” he said. Mr Grant has served as senior counsellor at The Right
Living House, an in-prison residential treatment programme. He also worked at
the Turning Point substance abuse programme as an addiction counsellor for six
years, as well as a consultant counsellor for Pathways Bermuda. Mr Grant said
the top challenge for Focus was its resources. He added: “We do not have a
full-time counsellor, and I have other responsibilities, now including oversight
of clinical services, operational management, fundraising and building on
existing programmes. We can provide outpatient treatment and individual and
group counselling, but not on a consistent basis, as we are without a full-time
counsellor. I have some, very little, time to counsel — that is not ideal, but
we have to make it happen. We have a lot of lives to save.”
The
Argo Group Gold Cup, one of the most storied match-racing regattas in the world
that has been won by the luminaries of the America’s Cup arena, will rejoin
the World Match Racing Tour for its 70th competition next year, scheduled from
May 11 to 16 in Bermuda. Event organisers at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
also confirmed that Argo Group, an international underwriter of speciality
insurance and reinsurance, will be back as the title sponsor. An expected field
of 12 teams will battle for the King Edward VII Gold Cup, the oldest
match-racing trophy in the world for competition involving one-design yachts
that dates back to 1907, and a $100,000 prize purse. “The Argo Group Gold Cup
has long been coveted by skippers and crews around the world, and we couldn’t
be more excited to welcome back Argo Group and to rejoin the World Match Racing
Tour,” said Leatrice Oatley, the event chairwoman and a past commodore of the
Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. “The Gold Cup has carved out its place in the match
racing calendar by providing thrilling racing within metres of the shoreline for
spectators to see, and first-class hospitality. The continued support of Argo
Group and rejoining the World Match Racing Tour reinforce the prestige
associated with the King Edward VII Gold Cup,” Oatley said. Argo Group returns
as the title sponsor for the eleventh time, renewing a longstanding tradition of
supporting community and sporting events in Bermuda. “We are thrilled to
continue as title sponsor of the Argo Group Gold Cup,” said Mark Watson III,
the Argo Group chief executive. “Argo’s support of this prestigious match
race demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Bermuda. Supporting this event is
also a natural extension of Argo’s commitment to innovation, teamwork and
sustainability. “Like the elite athletes who compete in the Argo Group Gold
Cup, we know that rewards come only to those who overcome risks through
innovation, approach risks as a team, and manage risks in ways that respect our
environment.” The Gold Cup rejoins the World Match Racing Tour after a
four-year hiatus. The tour has been under new ownership since earlier this year
and is returning to its broader business model with a collective of world
championship-level events, including the Gold Cup and qualifier events that will
comprise the tour season. Points accumulated at the events will lead to the
crowning of the Open Match Racing world champion as sanctioned by World Sailing.
The Gold Cup was a flagship event for the tour before its hiatus and now is the
first event to join the tour as it reassembles. “I am delighted to welcome
back the Argo Group Gold Cup as an official event of the World Match Racing
Tour,” said executive director James Pleasance, a tour principal since 2002.
“The Argo Group Gold Cup has a longstanding history as a flagship event of the
World Match Racing Tour and is a favourite of match-racing teams all over the
world. We look forward to working with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Argo Group
and their partners again next year.” Earlier this year, Ian Williams, of
Britain, became the twelfth multiple winner when he defeated Johnie Berntsson,
of Sweden, in the final. It was the second title in Bermuda for Williams and
ranked him alongside luminaries such as Sir Ben Ainslie, of Britain, Taylor
Canfield, of the US Virgin Islands, Chris Dickson, of New Zealand, and Berntsson
as two-times winners. America’s Cup legend Sir Russell Coutts, a five-times
winner of the Auld Mug from New Zealand, is the Gold Cup’s title leader with
seven victories. “When I was getting into match racing, this was the first big
event I came to in 1998,” said the 42-year-old Williams after his victory on
May 11. “This was the one you really wanted to win. To win in 2006 was huge
for us; it was our first big win. I’ve been coming back since and always fell
at the final hurdle. We traditionally struggle here. To win for the first time
in 13 years is incredible.” Invitations to the 70th Argo Group Gold Cup will
be issued later this year.
Wayne
Caines, the Minister of National Security, urged the Bermuda public yesterday to
be prepared for the potential impact of Hurricane Humberto. Mr Caines said
the Emergency Measures Organisation has been closely monitoring the Category 1
hurricane’s progress and will meet both tomorrow and Wednesday afternoon, at
which point it will be decided what services, if any, will be halted for the
storm. “We want the people of Bermuda to be prepared for the storm. We have
been through this before. The majority of us lived through Emily. We lived
through a few of these things. How do we minimise damage? How do we prevent
people from getting hurt? We prepare.” Mr Caines added that the Royal Bermuda
Regiment has been put on standby and the EMO has been in dialogue with
Government House. He said: “We believe we are capable and talented, and the
Bermuda Regiment has trained for this for a number of years, but the Governor
has indicated that the [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] does have a team that
is ready to assist us on standby in Miami.” The storm has already caused the
cancellation of a town hall meeting on the issue of immigration, which was
scheduled to take place on Thursday night. As of this morning Bermuda was under
a Tropical Storm Warning as Humberto continued to travel towards the island. At
9am today, Hurricane Humberto was 555 miles west-southwest of Bermuda, but the
storm is expected to blow 97 miles past Bermuda’s north-northwest at 11pm
tomorrow. The Bermuda Weather Service said last night: “Squalls and showers in
patchy heavy rain, as well as gusty thunderstorms, will push out well ahead of
Humberto. Dangerous seas start Tuesday night. Storm-force winds with
hurricane-force gusts may begin as early as Wednesday evening, lasting into
Thursday.” The US-based National Hurricane Centre warned: “Maximum sustained
winds have increased to near 90mph with higher gusts. Additional strengthening
is expected during the next 48 hours, and Humberto is forecast to become a major
hurricane by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Hurricane-force winds extend
outward up to 30 miles from the centre and tropical storm-force winds extend
outward up to 150 miles.” Steve Cosham, the national disaster co-ordinator,
warned that the forecasts have a margin of error, which means the storm could
still miss the island entirely or be a direct hit. He said: “Humberto is still
three days out, and the National Hurricane Centre allows for an error in their
predictions of 40 miles for every 12 hours out the storm is. This equates to
more than 240 miles in three days. This means it’s too early to say exactly
what will happen. We could have a direct impact on Thursday or we could have
blue skies with hardly any breeze if it’s 240 miles away. So we don’t want
to pull the trigger on closing anything, but we want to have people understand
why we can’t yet make that decision.” Mr Caines said rain associated with
the storm could begin as early as tomorrow morning, and urged all members of the
public to prepare for the storm. “I must implore all Bermudians to take the
storm seriously and prepare their homes and businesses and everything in their
personal set of circumstances for the storm. After mid-morning tomorrow, we will
see thunderstorms, which will lead to the edge of Hurricane Humberto.” Boats
were being evacuated yesterday from the Dockyard marina and stored on land ahead
of Hurricane Humberto’s approach to the island. Joanna Cranfield, the business
development manager at the West End Development Corporation, warned motorists to
take care in Dockyard and noted that the South Basin, North Rock car park and
Smithery Lane will be closed to the public. Travellers were encouraged yesterday
to move their vehicles from LF Wade International Airport before the arrival of
the storm. Mikaela Pearman, the marketing and communications officer for
Skyport, said: “While we can’t predict the exact weather conditions, the
low-lying car park at the LF Wade International Airport has historically been
subject to flooding. Ms Pearman added: “We would like the public to take the
necessary precautions and remove their vehicles from the long-term parking area
in the event flooding should occur. If you are off island, please try to find
someone to move your car for you if possible.”
Importers
are being encouraged to collect goods from the Hamilton docks today before the
arrival of Hurricane Humberto. Stevedoring Service Limited said that the MV
Somers Isles was being unloaded before it departed later today. The company
said: “SSL will prepare the port for Hurricane Humberto and support customers
as they collect their imports from the docks. SSL and the port will be closed
all day tomorrow to allow staff to make personal preparations for the storm. An
advisory will be issued on reopening as soon as possible once Hurricane Humberto
has passed and conditions have been duly assessed.” Warren Jones, the chief
executive, said that crews had been working since Sunday to unload goods. He
added: “In order to ensure the Oleander and Somers Isles have been fully
serviced, the team has not had the opportunity to do any personal preparations.
We wish to ensure that they have every opportunity to ensure the safety of their
own families and property.” Importers should collect all goods from the docks
by 4pm. For more information call 292-3366.
The Government intends to
“soft launch” a significant revision of Bermuda’s healthcare next autumn,
but full implementation could take years. Kim Wilson, the Minister of
Health, told a town hall in Sandys last night that the details of the Bermuda
Health Plan and how it will be rolled out are still under discussion as the
consultation process continues. Ms Wilson told an audience of about 50 at St
James Church Hall that the Government will work with stakeholders, such as
insurers and doctors, to determine how the transition from the existing
healthcare model to the new scheme could be carried out. She suggested that it
may be decided that a percentage of the population be moved into the new system,
with more being added over time. Ms Wilson added: “It may be a couple of years
before all 65,000 are in. The stakeholders will be able to say what would be
reasonable to expect.” She said the existing standard healthcare benefit
offered little in the way of preventive and primary care, which the new plan is
intended to address. Ms Wilson said: “With the standard healthcare rate, 95
per cent of it is for inpatient and outpatient care. We are looking at cases
where people say they can’t afford to go to the doctor because they can’t
afford the copay, so we want to include primary-care visits with a regular fee,
a regular copay, to encourage people who are saying they can’t go to a doctor
to go for their annual visit.” She said such an approach would mean issues may
be caught and addressed sooner, which would reduce overall healthcare costs. But
Ms Wilson said the specifics of what the plan would contain, and what it would
cost, are still up for discussion. A “mock package” for a single adult shows
the present yearly cost of $7,058 potentially dropping to $6,308, with suggested
savings such as:
Ms Wilson explained the meetings are intended to gather public feedback about what benefits they want to see, along with what premiums and co-pay are reasonable, to find the right balance. Ms Wilson added the ministry had already been told by some that the $400 coverage for prescription medicines seemed too low, but said the standard healthcare benefit does not include such coverage. The Bermuda Medical Doctors Association voiced reservations about the plan on Sunday and complained about the level of consultation with doctors. Ms Wilson responded yesterday that the ministry was “fully committed” to continued dialogue with physicians and healthcare providers. She said: “The Bermuda Medical Doctors Association statement reflects both the shared interest in putting patients first, and the mutual desire to continue dialogue. The ministry has been made aware of the BMDA’s position with respect to the Government’s decision to adopt a unified model of health financing. Their concerns are important and will inform the consultation and development of a transition road map to phase reforms gradually and avoid unintended consequences.” Ms Wilson added that a BMDA representative was included in the Health Financing Reform Stakeholder Consultation Group last year and BMDA members were invited to participate in a survey.
Crypto
industry leader Jeremy Allaire will join Premier David Burt for the opening
keynote conversation at the Bermuda Tech Summit on October 16. The event has
been organised by the Bermuda Business Development Agency, in partnership with
FinTech Bermuda. The conversation kicks off a complimentary full-day agenda,
under the theme “Focused on the Future”, at the Hamilton Princess &
Beach Club, showcasing Bermuda’s ongoing success in embracing innovation that
will shape the future of international commerce. Mr Allaire is the founder and
chief executive officer of Circle, a global crypto financial services company
that provides individuals, institutions and entrepreneurs a digital assets
platform to trade, invest and raise capital, backed by $250 million from
investors including Goldman Sachs. In the next two years, the company plans to
grow its Bermuda office to more than 30 people and has already started hiring.
As part of Bermuda Tech Week 2019, ten panel sessions will look at the extent of
business transformation in a wide range of industry sectors including financial
services, hospitality, insurance and telecommunications. A networking reception
will conclude the event in the evening. Mr Burt said: “I look forward to
sharing a dynamic discussion with Mr Allaire, exploring the opportunities
technology can bring not only to Bermuda’s economy but in its potential to
fundamentally improve financial services globally. As the first company to be
granted a full licence under Bermuda’s Digital Assets Business Act of 2018,
Circle exemplifies the quality we are looking to attract to our island. By
highlighting what can be achieved together, we hope to open the door to more
growth and innovation moving forwards.” Mr Allaire said: “I am honoured to
be joining Premier Burt on stage for the Bermuda Tech Summit. A lot can be
learnt from Bermuda’s visionary approach and its ability to keep pace with
change whilst simultaneously providing a regulatory framework that delivers
certainty and security. Digital currency technologies and blockchains will
continue to evolve rapidly in the next several years with adoption becoming
mainstream. Countries, like Bermuda, able to participate in the innovation stand
to benefit, helping hundreds of millions of people in the process.” Mr Allaire
has spent the last 25 years building internet technology platforms and
companies, including multiple global, publicly traded technology companies. As
one of the most respected leaders in his field, Mr Allaire has provided expert
testimony on cryptocurrencies and digital assets before the US Senate Committee
on Banking where he spoke about Bermuda’s approach and how it should be
emulated by other countries. Roland Andy Burrows, CEO of the BDA, said:
“Bermuda is now leading the way in emerging technologies, specifically fintech
and insurtech, attracting innovative companies by offering them a global
platform from which to grow and do business while ensuring our hard-earned
reputation is not compromised. Our Bermuda Tech Summit, as part of the wider
Bermuda Tech Week 2019, reflects this and is the ideal event to attend for those
who want to stay informed on current trends and hear from key players in
government and industry.” The day’s line-up promises to deliver fresh
perspectives with insights from industry leaders, including Sean Neville,
co-founder of Circle; Chris Evans, CIO and co-founder of Flyt Limited; Niclas
Adler, CEO of Seaheal; Alex Wilson, co-founder of The Giving Block; Philip
Bekhazi, CEO and Julien Aucherone, COO of XBTO; Chance Barnett of Jewel Bank;
Michael Fan, chief strategy officer of Blade; Lucia Gallardo, founder of Emerge;
Tim Grant, CEO of DrumG; Ted Chuckmala, Executive Director of Technology,
AccorHotels North and Central America Region; Eduardo Cruz Del Rio,
vice-president of operations, Wyndham Hotel Group; Diana Plazas, vice-president,
marketing, Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott; Davina Nightingale, senior
digital property channel, Hilton; Mina Matin, partner, Norton Rose Fulbright;
Oscar Garcia, CEO of Uulala; Sol Girouard, CEO of Data Innovation Labs; Susan
Oh, CEO of Muckr.ai; Joel Ogren, CEO of ACA International; Erik W. Contag,
executive chairman, GlobeNet Telecom; David Edwards, CEO and founder of
ChainThat; Cormac Kinney, CEO of Diamond Standard and Lewis Katz of Permanent
Capital. Other Bermuda-based participants include Denis Pitcher, chief fintech
adviser to the Premier of Bermuda; Gerald Gakundi of the Bermuda Monetary
Authority; Roland Andy Burrows of the BDA; Fiona Beck, board director of the BDA
and former CEO of Southern Cross; Kevin Richards of the BDA; Steven Rees Davies
of Appleby Bermuda; Kathleen Faries of RICAP Bermuda; Katryna Gorbunova of EY;
Giles Harlow of Aon (Bermuda) Ltd and Susan Pateras of Liberty Specialty
Markets. The latest Bermuda Tech Summit sponsors include 24Exhange, Appleby
(Bermuda), Blockchain Radio, ChainThat, ConnecTech, HubCulture, Swan Group, The
Royal Gazette and Walkers (Bermuda).
Bermudians
interested in employment in the hospitality industry are invited to complete an
online registration allowing them to be alerted about job openings, specific
training, and learning and development opportunities if they need to refresh or
learn new skills. The initiative, a joint campaign by Government’s
Department of Workforce Development, Bermuda Hotel Association, Bermuda College
and Bermuda Tourism Authority, aims to attract more Bermudians to the
hospitality industry to fill a projected growing supply of jobs over the next
two years. The effort comes in response to a new study indicating Bermuda’s
need for hospitality workers will increase as several new hotels open on the
island within the next two years; these include the St Regis Bermuda Resort in
St George’s, and Azura Bermuda and Bermudiana Beach Resort, both in Warwick.
“We are pleased to be a key stakeholder in this initiative to ensure we have
Bermudian talent ready to meet the rising demand in the hospitality industry,”
said Lovitta Foggo, the labour minister, who encouraged related jobseekers to
complete the survey, accessible via the Bermuda Job Board homepage. She added:
“We are committed to providing training and development opportunities for
emerging hospitality careers that will be required in the very near future. It
is important we identify persons who have a desire to learn, work, and advance
in the hospitality sector. There is a wealth of opportunity, and we are excited
about the prospects for Bermudians.” The Bermuda Hospitality Needs Assessment
Study, carried out by PwC Bermuda for the BTA, found that by 2021 the gap
between Bermuda’s future talent supply and demand for hospitality workers may
range between 555 and 814 positions, driven largely by 335 new hotel rooms due
to come available. The range is based on differing scenarios in 2021, depending
on whether new properties open by target dates. Kevin Dallas, CEO of the BTA,
said: “The ongoing revival of Bermuda’s tourism industry brings both
challenges and opportunities — specifically, in the demand and supply of
Bermudian hospitality workers for projected job growth. As employment
opportunities increase, it’s important that Bermudians be aware, prepared and
empowered to successfully obtain positions in the industry.” The estimated
future demand of hospitality workers ranges from 3,039 to 3,298, depending on
best- and worst-case scenarios — an increase of seven to 16 per cent compared
to current demand, the study found. Roles with the largest gap in supply and
demand of hospitality workers are housekeeping and food & beverage,
representing 63 per cent of the overall gap. “The Bermuda Hotel Association is
very pleased to welcome Bermudians to register for a number of employment
opportunities that will be available in the near future to those genuinely
interested in pursuing careers in the hospitality and hotel industries,” said
Stephen Todd, CEO of the BHA. He added: “It is vitally important to the future
growth, sustainability and prosperity of our destination that we encourage
Bermudians to join us in this endeavor, as we seek to attract increased repeat
business and leisure visitors to Bermuda.” A key factor affecting availability
of workers is age, according to the study. Based on the sampled population, a
quarter of hospitality workers in Bermuda are over the age of 60, and the
island’s rapidly ageing population would continue to put downward pressure on
the supply of workers for the industry. “Bermuda College is looking to
increase its enrolment in hospitality-related courses, such as culinary arts,
hospitality management, bartending and our certified restaurant service
programme, as well as increase outreach to local high schools to attract more
students to hospitality offerings,” said Duranda Greene, Bermuda College
president. She added: “Public high-school students are currently enrolled in
our hospitality department programmes as part of the Department of Education’s
dual-enrolment programme. We expect more students will take advantage of this
opportunity to gain valuable job skills and earn college credit while still in
high school. We will also consider expanding that programme to include the
certified restaurant server programme offered through our Professional and
Career Education division.” Gaps in the supply and demand of hospitality
workers will grow as the industry continues its revival, the study noted — but
training and development of the local workforce may decrease the gap faced by
hotel operators. Increasing how individuals are recruited and subsequently
retained will help the industry and the workforce. PwC used workforce data for
the study from a sample of hotel properties in Bermuda, as well as publicly
available demographic and economic information. Demand was estimated by
identifying key drivers, in particular new developments scheduled to open by
2021. Key executives from 14 existing properties and new developments
participated in the study and provided workforce data.
Opinion, by Michael Dunkley,
the former Premier of Bermuda, an opposition backbencher and the MP for
Smith’s North (Constituency 10). "It is so typical of the
Progressive Labour Party to try to paint the One Bermuda Alliance in the worst
possible light at every opportunity, taking the focus off their own failures
before 2012 and over the past 26 months since winning the election in 2017.
Just look where we stand today, with economic statistics portraying a dismal
picture, confidence in Bermuda at its lowest point since the inception of the
survey, and Bermudians emigrating on a regular basis. The writer of the PLP
op-ed will not face up to these realities, just like he would not stand up and
take his party to task over the $330 million budget deficit that the OBA
inherited in 2012, the astronomical increase in debt under the PLP watch, the
doubling of the Berkeley contract from about $70 million to $140 million, the
fiasco with the Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building, the $45 million squandered on
the failed Grand Atlantic and the Auditor-General’s report outlining serious
challenges and potential lawbreaking in the way the PLP handled the public
purse. The writer also forgets that it was the PLP, under pressure before the
2007 election, which orchestrated the land swap with the principals of
Morgan’s Point to get them off the Southlands property and put them on the
brownfield site that required significant remediation. When the OBA became the
Government, we faced very difficult circumstances with a government that could
not meet payroll in January 2013, deficits that were threatening to drown
Bermuda, an economy that was in a tailspin and many other significant
challenges. As former finance minister Bob Richards has said on numerous
occasions, we took a two-track approach to turn the island around: a plan to
balance the budget over the next few years and to attract badly needed inward
investment of capital. While we were not perfect — we made mistakes along the
way — we did turn around the wellbeing of the island in spite of the constant
headwinds we faced, often manufactured by the PLP to regain power. In fact, the
only positive signs in our economy at present started under the OBA. But what
happens when the new airport terminal opens next year, Belco construction ends
and St Regis opens in 2021? Arbitrade is not the answer. Fintech has not created
the jobs promised. The multitude of memorandums of understanding proudly
displayed by the Premier, David Burt, are not even worth the paper they were
printed on. The situation at Morgan’s Point is a concern and not what we
envisioned when the guarantee was agreed to by the Government and by Parliament.
However, while hindsight is 20/20 vision, I am not going to question the
decision today, but instead my colleagues and I are willing to work with the
Government and Morgan’s Point to turn this situation around, to get the
project going again, make sure creditors are paid, complete the development and
open it for business! Wouldn’t it be a breath of fresh air to work together
for Bermuda, put aside the partisan politics and to help the people we serve?
The
mother of murdered Bermudian teenager Lyrico Steede has spoken out against
violent crime as police in Britain launch a national knife amnesty. Keishaye
Steede, whose 17-year-old son was fatally stabbed in Nottingham on February 13
last year, has told Nottinghamshire Police that getting involved in gun or knife
crime can “destroy your life, for ever”. As part of the nationwide drive,
Nottinghamshire Police are holding a knife crime amnesty with the support of
community partners. This week the authority will showcase its work to tackle
knife crime, as part of Operation Sceptre, which ends at midnight on Sunday. Ms
Steede said in a filmed interview with police: “It is the people who kill
people, and if they have any problems with something that’s going on, or they
feel unsafe, they need to talk to somebody, because ending a life or getting in
trouble for carrying a knife or gun or whatever, could really destroy your life,
for ever. I would just say to get your education, stop listening to all that
‘trap music’, stop writing music that is ‘dissing’ each other and try to
be more positive. A positive life is a happy life.” In December 2018, a jury
found Kasharn Campbell, 19, and Christian Jameson, 18, guilty of murder, and a
17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl, who cannot be identified for legal
reasons, guilty of manslaughter, along with Remmell Campbell-Miller, 18.
Campbell was sentenced to 20 years and 37 days, while Jameson was given 16 years
and 36 days. The 17-year-old boy received a sentence of 7˝ years and
Miller-Campbell was given nine years in custody. This week, persons armed with
knives are encouraged to drop them off at an amnesty bin at 25 police stations,
partner agency and community building receptions across Nottinghamshire, without
fear of prosecution. According to the Nottinghamshire Police website: “It is a
chance for people to play their own individual part in making their own
communities safer by preventing weapons from falling into the hands of
criminals.” Throughout the week, Nottinghamshire Police will display its
efforts to combat knife crime, including educational workshops for
schoolchildren, community weapons sweeps and proactive operations.
Watlington
Waterworks Ltd’s profits fell in the first six months of the year, as piped
water sales dipped. In the company’s report to shareholders for the first
half of 2019, Watlington said rainfall that was three inches higher than the
same period of last year dampened demand for piped water. However, sales of all
other products and services increased. Watlington’s profits for the six months
through June 30 totaled $1.3 million, down from $1.41 million in the
corresponding period of 2018, according to financial statements filed with the
Bermuda Stock Exchange. Revenue slipped to $5.62 million from $5.79 million, as
a $202,000 decrease in water sales was partially offset by gains in other areas.
Watlington said its Utility Division, which supplies piped water as a supplement
to rainfall harvesting, generates 65 per cent of revenue. “The company’s
results therefore have a strong inverse correlation to rainfall,” Watlington
wrote to shareholders. “In years when rainfall is below average one can expect
stronger results and vice versa. For the first six months of this year rainfall
was more than three inches above last year. This created softer demand for our
piped water product, which resulted in piped water sales being down compared to
last year. This was offset to some extent by increased sales from both our
bottled water and retail plumbing divisions improving from the same period last
year.” The company said it was continually connecting new customers to its
pipeline network and had to invest in infrastructure. “The company completed
the purchase of a parcel of land in Southampton on which it is intended to build
a new large reservoir and water treatment building,” Watlington stated.
“Excavation of the site commenced during the second quarter. Plans for the
structure are well advanced with the aim to commence construction sometime in
the first half of next year. This total project will involve significant capital
investment in our infrastructure to meet customers’ current and future
demand.”
Humberto
has been upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane and is a threat to Bermuda. As
of 6am, the storm is expected to be 104 miles north-west of Bermuda at its
closest point by 5am on Thursday as a Category 2 hurricane. But the storm could
come closer to the island after that time, depending on its track. The US-based
National Hurricane Centre has said the storm, which is packing sustained winds
of 86mph gusting to 104mph, has slowed and is moving north-east at 5mph. The
Emergency Measures Organisation is continuing to monitor the track of Humberto.
Wayne Caines, Minister of National Security, said: “The EMO is prepared and
stands ready to convene should the weather system’s forecasted track pose a
threat to Bermuda. I take this opportunity to remind the public that Bermuda is
in the midst of hurricane season. I strongly encourage the public to revisit
your business, household and family preparedness plans.” Some hurricane
preparedness steps include:
Wayne
Caines, the Minister of National Security, urged the Bermuda public yesterday to
be prepared for the potential impact of Hurricane Humberto. Mr Caines said
the Emergency Measures Organisation has been closely monitoring the Category 1
hurricane’s progress and will meet both tomorrow and Wednesday afternoon, at
which point it will be decided what services, if any, will be halted for the
storm. “We want the people of Bermuda to be prepared for the storm,” he
said. “We have been through this before. The majority of us lived through
Emily. We lived through a few of these things. How do we minimise damage? How do
we prevent people from getting hurt? We prepare.” Mr Caines added that the
Royal Bermuda Regiment has been put on standby and the EMO has been in dialogue
with Government House. He said: “We believe we are capable and talented, and
the Bermuda Regiment has trained for this for a number of years, but the
Governor has indicated that the [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] does have a
team that is ready to assist us on standby in Miami.” The storm has already
caused the cancellation of a town hall meeting on the issue of immigration,
which was scheduled to take place on Thursday night. As of this morning Bermuda
was under a Tropical Storm Warning as Humberto continued to travel towards the
island. At 9am today, Hurricane Humberto was 555 miles west-southwest of
Bermuda, but the storm is expected to blow 97 miles past Bermuda’s
north-northwest at 11pm tomorrow. The Bermuda Weather Service said last night:
“Squalls and showers in patchy heavy rain, as well as gusty thunderstorms,
will push out well ahead of Humberto. Dangerous seas start Tuesday night.
Storm-force winds with hurricane-force gusts may begin as early as Wednesday
evening, lasting into Thursday.” The US-based National Hurricane Centre
warned: “Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 90mph with higher
gusts. Additional strengthening is expected during the next 48 hours, and
Humberto is forecast to become a major hurricane by Tuesday night or Wednesday
morning. Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the centre and
tropical storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles.” Steve Cosham, the
national disaster co-ordinator, warned that the forecasts have a margin of
error, which means the storm could still miss the island entirely or be a direct
hit. He said: “Humberto is still three days out, and the National Hurricane
Centre allows for an error in their predictions of 40 miles for every 12 hours
out the storm is. This equates to more than 240 miles in three days. This means
it’s too early to say exactly what will happen.” Mr Cosham added: “We
could have a direct impact on Thursday or we could have blue skies with hardly
any breeze if it’s 240 miles away. So we don’t want to pull the trigger on
closing anything, but we want to have people understand why we can’t yet make
that decision.” Mr Caines said rain associated with the storm could begin as
early as tomorrow morning, and urged all members of the public to prepare for
the storm. “I must implore all Bermudians to take the storm seriously and
prepare their homes and businesses and everything in their personal set of
circumstances for the storm,” he said. Mr Caines added: “After mid-morning
tomorrow, we will see thunderstorms, which will lead to the edge of Hurricane
Humberto.” Boats were being evacuated yesterday from the Dockyard marina and
stored on land ahead of Hurricane Humberto’s approach to the island. Joanna
Cranfield, the business development manager at the West End Development
Corporation, warned motorists to take care in Dockyard and noted that the South
Basin, North Rock car park and Smithery Lane will be closed to the public.
Travellers were encouraged yesterday to move their vehicles from LF Wade
International Airport before the arrival of the storm. Mikaela Pearman, the
marketing and communications officer for Skyport, said: “While we can’t
predict the exact weather conditions, the low-lying car park at the LF Wade
International Airport has historically been subject to flooding. Ms Pearman
added: “We would like the public to take the necessary precautions and remove
their vehicles from the long-term parking area in the event flooding should
occur. If you are off island, please try to find someone to move your car for
you if possible.”
Government
is exploring how Bermuda can issue bonds on a global basis utilizing blockchain
technology, the Premier has said. In a tweet, David Burt said he met with
Radoslav Albrecht, chief executive officer and founder of German fintech company
Bitbond, which he said “utilises #blockchain to provide innovative financial
solutions”. A spokesperson for Bermuda’s Ministry of Finance said in a
statement: “We had the opportunity to meet with the founder and CEO of Bitbond
to discuss innovative financial solutions they have delivered. Bitbond is a
German company whose primary business is originating loans to small and
medium-sized businesses globally using its blockchain platform. What we found
particularly interesting is that the company has also funded some of its growth
by conducting a security token offering. An STO is much like a typical corporate
bond offering in terms of the contractual financial obligations, but operational
aspects such as subscriptions, transactions, payments and custody are handled
automatically using blockchain technology. Consequently, although we are at very
early stages, we are endeavoring to explore ideas and solutions for similar and
other types of fund raising that may facilitate the issuance of digital assets
in Bermuda.” Founded in 2013, Bitbond claims it is the “first global lending
platform for small business loans. We leverage blockchain technology to connect
creditworthy borrowers with individual and institutional investors”. Based in
Berlin, the global peer-to-peer lender closed on a security token offering in
July, which was approved by German regulator BaFin. The offering raised€€2.1
million for a digital bond, a report on the website crowdfundinsider.com says.
Investors from 87 different countries participated in the offering, minus the
United States and Canada. The site said the World Bank raised $110 million in a
“blockchain bond” almost a year ago. There have been other entities that
have leveraged blockchain technology to issue bonds, it added.
A
former Bermuda judge has been criticized by the Court of Appeals for saying he
was getting “horny” in the middle of a murder trial. Carlisle Greaves,
who had served as a puisne judge until last month, made the comment as Troy
Harris, a witness in the trial of Khyri Smith-Williams, testified that he had
shared women with the defendant. Smith-Williams was later convicted of the
murder of Colford Ferguson and of using a firearm to commit the offence. Jerome
Lynch, lawyer for Smith-Williams, used the comment and others to say the judge
had behaved inappropriately during the trial. In a decision released on July 25,
the Court of Appeal rejected the appeal, but appeal judge Sir Maurice Kay added
the court could not condone the judge’s comments. Mr Justice Kay said: “In
particular, his comment ‘all this sex is beginning to get me horny’ was
inappropriate and inimical to the dignity of court proceedings. Mr Lynch was
justified in criticizing it. However, I do not believe that it damaged the
defence or had the potential to undermine the safety of the conviction.”
Smith-Williams was sentenced to serve at least 35 years in prison last October,
after he was found guilty of the murder of Mr Ferguson by a majority verdict. Mr
Ferguson, a 29-year-old father of one, was shot dead in February 2011, as he
worked on a house near the junction of Mangrove Bay Road and East Shore Road in
Somerset. Mr Harris, a witness for the Crown, told the court that Smith-Williams
confessed his involvement in the killing to him and admitted that he had driven
the getaway motorbike. He said Smith-Williams also told him that Rasheed
Muhammad had pulled the trigger, and that Mr Ferguson was not the intended
target. Smith-Williams launched an appeal against his conviction, which was
heard in June. In the hearing, Mr Lynch criticized Mr Justice Greaves’s
handling of the case, particularly his behaviour during Mr Harris’s evidence.
He argued that the judge had done little to rein in the witness’s use of
vulgar language and that the “tacit approval” of the behaviour had lent it
credibility. In transcripts presented to the Court of Appeal, Mr Harris cursed
repeatedly, called Mr Muhammad a f****t and made repeated references to
“f***ing p***y”. But the higher court found Mr Justice Greaves’s response
to the unsavory language was not prejudicial. Mr Justice Kay wrote: “Anybody
familiar with serious criminal trials, in this jurisdiction in recent years,
knows the judge has a very personal style, whereby he engages with witnesses,
defendants, juries and advocates in an informal way, often using casual language
and rich metaphors. In relation to Harris, it was important that the judge
should facilitate his evidence, whatever it turned out to be. If he took the
view, and I suspect he did, that the best course was to let the witness have his
say, subject to the rules of evidence, rather than seek to inhibit him, it seems
to me that that was an exercise of judgment which was open to him.” Mr Lynch
also sought to overturn the verdict on the basis of new evidence, including an
unsworn affidavit from Mr Muhammad. The Court of Appeal heard Mr Muhammad had
visited Mr Lynch’s offices after the trial had ended and said he had not come
forward sooner because he was afraid of reprisal. An affidavit was produced, but
never signed by Mr Muhammad. Mr Justice Kay said an unsworn affidavit from an
alleged accomplice in the crime “does not immediately inspire confidence”.
The appeal judge wrote: “There are insurmountable problems in the way of
admitting the so-called fresh evidence of Mr Muhammad. The notion that a
conviction for premeditated murder might be set aside, on the basis of an
unsworn affidavit attributed to the alleged principal offender, where the only
other material attributable to him is his denial in interview when under arrest
and caution seven years after the event, is unattractive in the extreme.” The
Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal.
Four
men were in custody last night after multiple shots were fired outside of a
Court Street nightclub over the weekend. No one is believed to have been
injured in the attack. A police spokesman said: “Detectives continue to
investigate a confirmed firearm incident that occurred around 9.50pm on Saturday
on Court Street in the City of Hamilton, near the junction with Elliot Street;
where a lone gunman is understood to have opened fire at a group of men outside
Spinning Wheel entertainment complex before fleeing the area. There were no
reported injuries and the scene has been processed by the relevant police
personnel.” The spokesman said four men were arrested on Sunday afternoon in
connection with the shooting, and were still in custody last night. At least
five evidence markers were visible on the ground at the scene. The spokesman
said there were several people in the area at the time of the incident and urged
anyone with information, or anyone whose personal property was damaged, to come
forward.
Opinion.
By Michael Scott, Progressive Labour Party MP for Sandys North (Constituency 36).
"By all indications, when the Dunkley administration decided to gamble
with $165 million in taxpayer’s money, they knew that the Morgan’s Point
project was on shaky financial footing. That begs the question; why take
such a risky, high-stakes gamble with so much of the people’s money? One can
only assume that the One Bermuda Alliance, having broken so many promises, faced
so many protests as a result of their anti-Bermudian policies and seen the
defection of two of their founding members, found themselves in a state of
desperation, and like all men drowning they reached out to whomever they thought
could save them; a big announcement, a loud press event and a flashy photo-op,
promises to Bermudians of a new hotel, new jobs and new opportunities, was an
irresistible prospect for the OBA. In their desperation they put short, and what
eventually were shown to be unsuccessful political gains, over the public purse
and the best interests of Bermudians. They gambled big and now we have all been
forced to face cleaning up the former non-contrite finance minister’s mess.
The repercussions of the OBA’s irresponsible and reckless gamble are
far-reaching. First, there are Bermudian companies and Bermudian workers who are
owed money. Second, our standing with global ratings agencies have been
threatened. Third, by backing a tourism project with so many problems, the OBA
have also made the job of attracting more tourism investment to our shores even
more difficult. A real mess. Yet Bob Richards, the former finance minister and
the author of the mess has declared if he had to do it again he would do nothing
differently. In real terms though, they have made life more difficult for
Bermudians. Just imagine where we would be if we didn’t have to clean up the
OBA’s $165 million mess? Money that could have gone towards educating our
people, training and retraining Bermudian workers, scholarships, building new
schools, supporting our youth and providing relief to our seniors; all lost. The
OBA paid the price for broken promises and anti-Bermudian policies at the polls.
Now they need to come clean about the Morgan’s Point deal and why they gambled
with the future of Bermuda and against the best interest of Bermudians."
Bermuda’s doctors have warned
the proposed Bermuda Health Plan may not reduce the cost of healthcare without
hurting the quality of service. In advance of the first in a series of town hall
meetings on the proposed changes, the Bermuda Medical Doctors Association urged
the Government against rushing into the reform process. Henry Dowling, the BMDA
president, said doctors at the organisation’s first Physician Summit agreed
that there was not enough consultation with doctors on the creation of a unified
healthcare system. Dr Dowling said: “Since the majority of physicians had not
been given any more information about the new plan than the public, we sought
out as much information from local stakeholders, as well as those in countries
that had already transitioned to a similar healthcare model. What we found
caused us concern.” He said the doctors agreed there was an “inherent and
grave danger” with the introduction of a single-payer financing model. Dr
Dowling explained: “Volatility in the cost of an ageing population could place
financial burdens on the single government system, which will force them to cut
services, or raise prices. Both options will hurt Bermudians’ access to local
and overseas services. Bahamas has undertaken similar healthcare reform, and
their experience is enlightening. An official that helped to initiate their
reform confirmed the need for a clear financing structure to be in place prior
to planning any dramatic changes, or income taxes would have to be imposed to
make up the shortfall.” Dr Dowling added: “There was unanimous agreement
that the unified model would not lower healthcare cost, without negatively
impacting the quality of care and waiting times of services.” The Ministry of
Health will host a series of town hall meetings about the proposed Bermuda
Health Plan — the first of which will be held today at the St James Church
Hall in Sandys at 6.30pm. Subsequent meetings will be held at St Paul AME
Centennial Hall in Hamilton on September 30 and at Penno’s Wharf, St
George’s on October 10. Dr Dowling said the organisation was asked to put
forward its opinion on the proposed plan, which he described as a “complete
overhaul”, towards a more socialized system of healthcare as found in Canada
and the UK. He said: “Like those systems, the Bermuda Health Plan has
described itself as seeking equity in healthcare and wanting to achieve
universal healthcare through moving the funding of our health under a single,
government-controlled system. “They have written and verbalized the ability to
bring down the cost of healthcare using this model, and through it finding ways
of helping Bermudians become healthier within this new model.” While the BMDA
spokeswoman said there had been interest in the idea that a unified system would
improve access to primary care, the doctors agreed that more robust data was
needed before they could support such a system. He said: “We have great
concerns on the very short timeframe in which the Government is proposing to
implement these changes, and have challenged them to reconsider extending it and
not putting any legislation forward next year that will advance such a rapid
move towards socialized healthcare.” The BMDA spokeswoman said many of the
historic missteps in Bermuda’s healthcare system could have been avoided if a
representative of the group could be included in the Bermuda Health Council, the
Bermuda Medical Council and the Bermuda Hospitals Board. And he said the
concerns of the BMDA about the potential impact of the changes were echoed by
the BermudaFirst’s report on Health. Dr Dowling added: “We have begun
putting a group of physicians together who will create a white paper that will
lay out a more in-depth analysis of the healthcare dilemma.”
An
advisory group has called on a faster and more transparent immigration policy as
the island awaits the details of promised immigration reform.
BermudaFirst’s Future State Report, the second phase of its national
socioeconomic plan, said any new immigration policy needs to be agile and
reactive to help businesses and the Government attract top talent to Bermuda.
But it said educational and professional development opportunities must also be
available for Bermudians to make sure they can compete at an international
level. In the report that was commissioned by David Burt, the Premier, the group
compared the issue of immigration to that of a county cricket team which may
have to choose between hard-working local players and better-skilled guest
players. The group said: “Teams face a dilemma. To win, a team must attract
talent, but a county is unlikely to find among its ranks enough players that can
win a championship. Under this scenario, it is possible for a county to field a
team entirely made up of guest players, but this defeats the purpose of having a
county game in the first place. This dilemma is resolved by having a limit on
the number of guest players, but, inevitably, there will be some locals who will
be replaced by outsiders. Immigration policy faces a similar dilemma. Some
Bermudians will not be good enough to make the team of their choice. We must be
willing to accept that there are select, key positions within our community
where having the very best person in the role, one whose skills and expertise
meet global standards, is more important than having a Bermudian in place.”
The BermudaFirst report said it may not be possible to fill all positions with
Bermudians initially, the opportunity should be taken to train up local talent
so they can compete for the posts in the future. The report said: “The
Government, by leading in this manner, can positively influence the discourse,
thereby reducing the emotive element of our usual dialogue about immigration. We
applaud the Government’s decision to move forward with the talent assessment
initiative for senior civil servants. We recommend transparency with the public
to aid in the shift in mindset that must be achieved so that we attract and
retain the global talent required for our success as well as make opportunities
available for Bermudians to realise their full potential.” BermudaFirst made a
series of recommendations to improve immigration to produce more job
opportunities for Bermudians. It called on Government to align its goals, such
as GDP growth and an increase in international business, with its immigration
policies and shifting the mindset of the immigration department to recognize the
needs of the business community. It suggested a work permit system that caters
to the needs of international businesses. The report said: “One example would
be distinguishing between work permits for group employees who are in Bermuda on
a rotation basis versus those employees who are expected to fill long-term
jobs.” BermudaFirst also called on the Government to “resolve” issues
associated with family and long-term residency, and to streamline the
immigration processes. The report said the issue of diversity should also be
considered in immigration. It said: “In the interest of diversity, no longer
can the fount of immigration be solely people of European origin. Already we see
evidence of increased diversity in the guest worker population and efforts in
this regard should continue; it is not uncommon to encounter people from Africa
or Asia whilst walking along Front Street.” Comprehensive immigration reform
legislation was expected to be tabled in the House of Assembly in a special
sitting held last Friday, but Mr Burt announced that the legislation had been
pushed back. The Ministry of National Security has not said when the legislation
will be tabled, but a public town hall meeting on the subject of immigration
reform will be held on Thursday.
Premier
David Burt tabled a slew of Bills aimed at boosting the economy at the House of
Assembly yesterday. The Premier wrangled with Dennis Lister, the Speaker of
the House, who complained that the legislation had not been placed on the order
paper. MPs — sitting on the third floor of the Veritas Place office block on
Court Street while Sessions House undergoes renovations — eventually voted in
favour of Mr Burt tabling the Bills after he argued they were of “significant
economic importance”. Craig Cannonier, the Opposition leader, objected to the
tabling of the unseen legislation. Mr Cannonier noted that the special sitting
of Parliament had initially been called so that national security minister Wayne
Caines could table a Bill to deal with mixed-status families. That Bill, which
Mr Caines had originally promised would be tabled at the previous parliamentary
session in July, was put on hold again. Mr Cannonier said afterwards that the
Premier has “disrespected the Speaker and Parliament”. He added: “The
Premier can’t just show up with these Bills. If he’s serious about getting
in agreement with the Opposition, then at least he should say something to
us.” Mr Cannonier criticized “rushing Bills through and then paying the
price”, which he said had been the fate of the sugar tax legislation. The new
legislation tabled by Mr Burt included the Economic Development Amendment Act,
which is intended to lay the groundwork for development in economic empowerment
zones in North Hamilton, St George’s and the West End. Mr Burt explained in a
statement yesterday: “The amendments will make it clear that those who
haven’t had the chance to benefit from these kinds of opportunities will
finally get a fair shake. The EEZs can be transformed to the benefit of those
who call them home or do business there now and lead the move towards a revitalization
of Bermuda, socially and economically, that is long overdue.” Other
legislation tabled was Post Office Amendment Regulations, Post Office
Administration Amendment Regulations, the National Pension Scheme Occupational
Pensions Amendment Act, the Tourism Investment Amendment Act, the Casino Gaming
Miscellaneous Amendment Act and Digital Asset Business Amendment. The
alternative venue for the House lacked microphones for yesterday’s
proceedings, which were also not broadcast. Mr Lister was unable to say, at the
close of the brief debate, when MPs would move back to Sessions House.
Bermuda’s
debt ceiling will be raised by $250 million after Curtis Dickinson, the Minister
of Finance, tabled legislation allowing the Government to pay lenders over the
failing Caroline Bay development. The Government Loans Amendment Act
increases Bermuda’s debt limit to $2.75 billion. MPs met in an improvised
chamber on the third floor of the Veritas Place office block on Court Street,
while Sessions House undergoes renovations. Mr Dickinson condemned the former
One Bermuda Alliance government for putting the island “on the hook” for a
guarantee of $165 million backing the project at Morgan’s Point three years
ago. He said a credit facility of up to $200 million had been negotiated with
local banks, with the $165 million to be paid next week. This will end the
Progressive Labour Party administration’s plans to avoid raising debt this
fiscal year. Construction ground to a halt at the former United States military
base late last year due to financial problems. Two Bermudian contractors on the
project confirmed yesterday that their companies remained unpaid for their
extensive work. Mr Dickinson said the Ministry of Finance had been in discussion
with ratings agencies over concerns that the island could suffer a downgrade. Mr
Dickinson told a press conference: “These extraordinary circumstances and the
liabilities triggered by these defaults, have resulted in the Government having
no choice but to raise the debt ceiling, in order to borrow monies to fund the
payments, as set out in the guarantees.” Former finance minister Bob Richards
had provided credit facilities on behalf of Morgan’s Point Limited for use in
the construction of the hotel and condominium project in March 2016. Mr
Dickinson said: “What the people of Bermuda did not know was that even before
the marina had opened, the Caroline Bay project was experiencing difficulty.
This had to have been known to the OBA Cabinet and the developers who persisted
in providing public updates on the project which were inaccurate. Despite the
financial viability of this project having been in question for many years, the
OBA government guaranteed much of its lending even as this project continued to
be beset with difficulties. Despite extensive efforts by myself and the Premier
to support the developers, they have defaulted on the terms of the loan
agreements with their lenders.” He added: “While this government did not
enter into the deal that placed the people of Bermuda ‘on the hook’ for the
debt consequent upon the failure of this development, we are responsible for
resolving the negative and unfortunate outcomes from the deal negotiated by the
former government.” Both Mr Richards and Craig Cannonier, the Opposition
leader, disputed Mr Dickinson’s claim that the OBA administration had acted
irresponsibly. Mr Richards said that no financing issues had ever been raised
with him during his tenure. Mr Cannonier said OBA members had met “several
weeks ago” with developers at the project, known as Caroline Bay, and
discussed “a plan for new investment” from billionaires. He said developers
met also with the PLP and David Burt, the Premier. Mr Cannonier further queried
the motive for the $250 million debt threshold, set at $85 million more than the
guarantee. A ministry spokeswoman responded last night: “Neither the new
borrowing nor the revised debt ceiling amounts have been determined for any
purpose other than to fulfil the Government’s obligations and exercise of its
rights under the respective guarantees for the Caroline Bay project. Ideally,
the Government would not draw any additional funds other than the amount needed
to purchase the interests of the tranche B and C lenders.” Mr Dickinson
identified tranche B as “institutional investors, principally in the US” who
were owed $80 million, and tranche C as local insurers Axis, Arch and Validus.
Validus sold its loans to the other two firms “at some point last year”, Mr
Dickinson said. The spokeswoman said the ministry would seek professional advice
on whether the Government would face other potential liabilities. She added:
“Without this advice, borrowing or establishing a debt ceiling without room
for contingency would be irresponsible.” According to Mr Dickinson, the
Government will now “acquire the valid claims of Bermudian companies”. The
minister said: “Finally, we must bring this project to conclusion.” Mr
Richards said yesterday that this remark implied that Mr Dickinson intended to
“kill the project”, which the finance minister said was “incorrect”. Mr
Dickinson added: “What we have done today, is fulfil the sizeable obligation
the former government placed on the people of Bermuda, and our stated intention
is to use our best efforts to protect that investment. I wish him well.”
Bob
Richards, the former Minister of Finance, stands by the administration’s $165
million guarantee on the Morgan’s Point development. “If I had to do it
all over again, I would do it,” Mr Richards said yesterday of the decision,
which was formally signed in March 2016. Mr Richards countered finance minister
Curtis Dickinson’s charge that the One Bermuda Alliance committed the public
purse to a development already mired in financial difficulty. “Nobody came to
me as minister to say the project was in trouble, that the loans Arch and Axis
made were not being serviced, that they were defaulting,” he said yesterday.
Instead, Mr Richards criticized the Progressive Labour Party for opting to raise
the country’s debt ceiling instead of putting aside funds earlier to cover the
guarantee. Mr Richards’s comments were echoed by Craig Cannonier, the Leader
of the Opposition, who called Mr Dickinson “disingenuous”. Mr Cannonier
added: “That project put hundreds of Bermudians back to work. What has his
government done? Let’s remember, that’s a project the PLP put in place. We
were the ones to incentivise it and get it moving.” Mr Richards, who lost his
parliamentary seat in the July 2017 General Election, described a bleak economic
scenario for the OBA administration, which took power in December 2012 searching
for projects to stimulate the economy. He insisted that “context is
everything” and added: “The traditional way to get a country out of
recession involves the Government borrowing money and creating projects. We
could not do that because the Government was already in huge debt and running
deficits that automatically put us in more debt.” Pollution at Morgan’s
Point from its days as a military base meant “we had inherited an unworkable
arrangement”, as the Government had to spend about $35 million to clean up
contaminated land. “The principals got land they could use, but because it was
a brownfield site, there was no way any investor was going to put a penny in
without a government guarantee.” Mr Richards was unfazed at the scale of the
guarantee. He said $165 million was “not much” and that a full development
of the site with a hotel, marina and residences could have been worth $2 to $3
billion. Asked if he felt he had been gambling, Mr Richards said: “There’s
risk in everything. We felt it was an investment in Bermuda’s future.” He
explained: “Look at the alternatives. If we were sitting pretty with a stable
economy and a normal tourism industry, that step would have been imprudent. I
agree. But that was not the case. We had a situation where we were mandated to
try and get things moving.” Mr Richards added that he could not say whether
developers had overstated their hand when it came to financing. But he
speculated that, in the rush to complete its marina in time for the 2017
America’s Cup, developers may have “diverted money from the hotel”. A
request for comment on Mr Richards’s suggestion was sent last night to a
spokesman for the developers. Mr Richards said superyachts attracted to the
regatta might have led to easy sales of luxury condos, but “most were in
Dockyard and in town” when the races arrived. “They got themselves in a spot
of bother,” he added. Mr Dickinson stated yesterday that the PLP government,
after seven months in office, was informed in February 2018 of “significant
financing issues”. Mr Richards said: “They did nothing. That’s not prudent
management. And they kept spending anyway. That’s not on Bob Richards;
that’s on the current government.” He said the Government should have set
funds aside over the two subsequent Budgets “in case they had to make good on
the guarantee”. Mr Richards also said he suspected the minister of intending
to “pull the plug” on the project. Mr Dickinson responded last night that
the former minister was “incorrect”. Mr Richards added: “The only real way
this project can be brought to a conclusion is if Caroline Bay is finished and
opened to the public, with guests spending money and the Government getting
taxes. How are we going to get that $165 million, plus $35 million spent on
remediation, how are we going to make that $200 million not a waste of money?”
Morgan's
Point/Caroline Bay Development Timeline over 14 years, most recent
announcements first.
Balls
of grease and human waste have washed up on at least two beaches along South
Shore. “Sewage balls”, also known as “grease balls”, were spotted
along Elbow Beach and Grape Bay Beach, both in Paget, early this week. It is the
first time since April that grease balls have been reported. A mother of four
who lives in the Grape Bay area described the situation as “revolting”. She
added that she was most concerned for the health of her children, who were all
under the age of six, with the youngest being less than a year old. The mother
explained: “I’ve got four young children who are on the beach every day, if
not every other day. Obviously, because of where the balls do come from, who
knows what the repercussions are to their health?” The mother, who asked not
to be named, said that she knew about grease balls, but had not seen them this
year. She added that she saw them about 18 months ago when she first moved into
the area and did her own research. But her worry was that others would not know
about them or the potential health risks that came with them. The mother said:
“I don’t think that many people know too much about them. It wasn’t
something we’d been told about after all.” A spokeswoman for the Department
of Health said that grease balls were oils that mixed with waste water and
congealed into a buoyant mass. These masses float to the surface of the water
when the waste is disposed off at the offshore Seabright Sewage Outfall.
However, she explained that they occasionally came back to shore as “grey
pebble-like lumps of grease the size of marbles”. The department spokeswoman
added: “Grease balls are not scattered over the beach but will be in the wrack
line: the line of debris left on the beach by high tide. The wrack is usually
made up of sargassum weed, bits of plastic, and marine debris.” The grease
balls first appeared in 2013 and created a public health hazard that made
beaches “unfit for recreational use”, according to a study of the beaches
that same year. The Government began daily tests on the water quality and
imposed strict policies on fat disposal for food services. Grease balls
reappeared in 2016, though the water quality remained at a level that was safe
enough for recreational use. The department spokeswoman said that the beaches
were still safe for use when tests throughout the year reported low levels of
bacteria. She added: “Historically, the bacterial levels in the seawater are
unaffected by the presence of grease balls; analysis has shown that the grease
and its encapsulated bacteria do not transfer to the seawater. We only resample
when bacterial levels in the actual seawaters exceed the Department of Health
guideline value.” The spokeswoman said that the Department of Parks had been
contacted to arrange further clean ups. She added that beachgoers should avoid
contact with these grease balls and report them to the Department of Health at
287-5333. Children should be kept away from the area until the grease balls have
been removed. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources did not
respond to a request for comment.
The
jobs of 20 Bermudian security guards at Bermuda Security Group’s
cash-in-transit business unit are to be made redundant. The mix of 12
full-time and eight part-time workers will lose their jobs at Shield Security
Ltd on September 27. The company will close and be replaced by a joint venture
between BSG and Caribbean security powerhouse Guardsman. Guardsman Bermuda Ltd
will start up with 15 Bermudian staff comprising a mix of former and new
employees, BSG said. Three former Shield staff have been hired full-time by the
joint venture. Of the 20 workers made redundant, eight applied for jobs with
Guardsman Bermuda. The new company has been recruiting staff for several weeks,
it said, adding that the forecast for operations projects that staff enrolment
numbers will grow. BSG said the joint venture will operate with an entirely new
business model with a focus on cash-management services. The transition was made
necessary, BSG said, because the “evolution of the industry with advanced
technologies, improved efficiencies and risk mitigation, has created a demand
for a modernized approach”. The company had to adapt to changes in the
cash-in-transit business to remain viable, it said. Herman Tucker, chairman of
BSG, said: “We regret that this will result in the redundancy of staff at
Shield Security Ltd. We have worked closely with the Bermuda Industrial Union
and Ministry of Labour in meeting our obligations with the collective bargaining
agreement and employment legislation. What’s more, we continue to work to
secure alternative employment opportunities for those affected. We are proud of
our role as a major local employer with approximately 350 employees across our
group. We look forward to working with our new partner to deliver a
state-of-the-art cash-management service.” BSG said the process of determining
how to transform the cash-in-transit business into a cash-management service
business has taken several months. During that time, the company recognised that
in order to deliver the new services BSG would require an experienced partner
with expertise, a proven track record, and history in the cash-management and
logistics industry. Guardsman, the Caribbean region’s largest private security
enterprise with 13 companies and more than 8,000 employees, “checked all the
boxes”, BSG said.
September 13
Government
had an opportunity to help save Caroline Bay, the One Bermuda Alliance said
today. OBA Leader Craig Cannonier said: “Several weeks ago, we met with
the developers of Caroline Bay where they outlined a plan for new investment
into the hotel. They also met with the Progressive Labour Party and the Premier.
“The developers had billionaires lined up to invest. Did this Government
encourage that plan? If not, why not? Given what was at stake, we need to know
what happened. Instead we are going to raise our debt ceiling by $250m although
we have had no explanation of why it is $85m more than the amount owed under the
guarantee. What is that $85m for – has this Government overspent? When we came
into Government, Bermuda was on the edge a financial abyss and we had been left
with an out of control debt. The OBA had a two-pronged strategy to cut the debt
and stimulate the economy and we succeeded. Every Government around the world
uses incentives to developers to ensure that jobs are created or jobs are not
lost. That is what we did and I am quite sure that given the same opportunity
and the same economic climate that the PLP, which has had two years to help
Caroline Bay, would have done the same.”
The
Bermuda Government has been forced to pay lenders for the hotel and resort at
Morgan’s Point before the end of this month, finance minister Curtis Dickinson
confirmed today. A loan of $165 million will be negotiated with local banks
and paid next week, which will end the administration’s plans not to raise
debt this fiscal year. As reported in The Royal Gazette this morning, Mr
Dickinson will now table legislation to raise the island’s debt ceiling to
cover the guarantee on the Caroline Bay development. The unfinished development,
where construction has ground to a halt, was put on notice over the summer by Mr
Dickinson. Mr Dickinson told a press conference today that Parliament had no
choice but to raise Bermuda’s debt ceiling by $250 million this morning, and
that the island’s debt would be pushed to $2.75 billion. The minister laid the
blame on the One Bermuda Alliance for agreeing to the $165 million guarantee on
March 14, 2016. Developers at Morgan’s Point have failed on the terms with
their lenders, who include the reinsurance firms Arch, Axis and Validus Re.
Meanwhile “a number of businesses” are pursuing claims against the project.
Mr Dickinson said there was potential for the island to suffer a downgrade at
the hands of ratings agencies as a result. He said: “We are responsible for
resolving the negative and unfortunate outcomes of the deal negotiated by the
former Government.” Asked if the emergency payments meant that the development
would be acquired for the Bermuda Government, Mr Dickinson said the Government
had simply acquired the debt on the project as a result of its obligations. The
Royal Gazette understands that the Government Loans Amendment Act will be
the only legislation tabled in what is likely to be a brief session this morning
at the temporary venue of Veritas Place, on Court Street, while renovations
continue at Sessions House. The move comes with profound implications for the
Government’s hopes of balancing the 2019-20 Budget. The guarantee for the
development at the former United States military base in the West End dates back
to 2015, under the One Bermuda Alliance administration. It is the second-largest
on the Government’s books, behind $276.8 million for the Bermuda Hospitals
Board. Others include $71.8 million for the West End Development Corporation,
$29.3 million for the Bermuda Housing Corporation, $10 million for the Bermuda
Tourism Authority, and $1.2 million each for the Bermuda Casino Gaming
Commission and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation. The guarantees are
not charged against the island’s statutory debt ceiling unless the obligation
becomes due and payable by the Government, pursuant to the amended Government
Loans Act 1978. Immigration reform legislation covering mixed-status families,
which was postponed in July, has been delayed further as a result.
A
Canadian engineer praised for his work for the Bermuda Government has admitted
being involved in dishonest practices in Canada. Yves “Bob” Lortie, from
Quebec, served as a chief engineer for the Ministry of Public Works for three
years and was hailed for his work training Bermudians before his contract
expired on August 21. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported this week
that Mr Lortie admitted in May that he had been involved in dishonest or
questionable procedures “by tolerating a system of contract sharing that would
bypass the city of Montreal’s bidding process” between 2005 and 2009. The
engineer also admitted to the Discipline Council of the Ordre des Ingénieurs du
Québec to having wrongly approved the payment of two invoices. Both of the
allegations related to his time as vice-president at Genivar, a major
engineering firm in Quebec. Mr Lortie told CBC News that he admitted the charges
as part of a compromise after negotiation, and that he would have liked to have
argued his case. He also told the media that he had been open about the
allegations against him when he was hired by the Bermuda Government. Mr Lortie
said: “I unveiled everything in a very transparent way, then they made the
choice.” He added: “These people are able to evaluate; they did their
checking.” Patrick Leblanc, a spokesman for the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec,
said: “The actions for which Mr Lortie admitted his guilt are serious and the
sanction that will be recommended will reflect this degree of seriousness.” A
penalty hearing is scheduled to take place in November and Mr Lortie could
receive a suspension and a fine. The investigation into Mr Lortie was one of 400
launched by the Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec in the wake of the Charbonneau
Commission, which looked at corruption in the awarding of public construction
contracts in Quebec. The commission heard evidence that there was an elaborate
system of bid-rigging through which engineers and construction firms won
contracts in the city of Montreal in exchange for political donations. One
former construction boss claimed that 3 per cent of the value of all contracts
he received from the city went to the political party of the mayor at that time,
and another 1 per cent went to a city official. Among the firms implicated in
the investigation was Genivar, Mr Lortie’s former employer. Opposition leader
Craig Cannonier, who was the Minister of Public Works when Mr Lortie was hired,
said he knew nothing of the allegation against him. Mr Cannonier said he had
been impressed by Mr Lortie’s work in the ministry, but questioned how well he
had been vetted before he was hired. He said: “Ministers are not involved in
the hiring process themselves. At no point is any interference by ministers
allowed in the hiring of people. It really boils down to a question of what
checks and balances are there in the Civil Service? How is it possible that no
one knew anything? What kind of a vetting system do we have?”
Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, previously praised
Mr Lortie for his work to hire, train and promote Bermudians in the ministry.
For months, the judge overseeing national litigation over the opioids crisis
urged all sides to reach a settlement that could end thousands of lawsuits filed
by state and local governments.
But the chaotic developments this week in the case against
Bermuda-registered OxyContin maker
Purdue Pharma, which also has other Bermuda links, underscore how difficult that goal is.
By yesterday, half of America’s state attorneys-general said they would reject
a tentative deal crafted by the other half, and many criticized the terms as
grossly insufficient. Purdue and the Sackler family that owns it “will never be able to undo all
the damage they have done”, Virginia Attorney-General Mark Herring, a
Democrat, said in a statement, “but at the very least, they must face real,
significant, personal accountability for their lies and for the pain and
heartbreak they have caused”. Herring and other attorneys-general opposed to the terms say the amount of
money involved will be far less than the $10 billion to $12 billion promised by
Purdue and the Sacklers. They want the family to pay more from their vast
fortune, much of which has been shifted overseas, and say the current settlement
terms allow the relatives to walk away without acknowledging their role in a
crisis that has killed 400,000 Americans over the past two decades. “This epidemic has affected everybody in our state,” Delaware
Attorney-General Kathy Jennings, another Democrat, said yesterday in a
statement. “Irrespective of Purdue’s actions or evasions, we will continue
to pursue justice on behalf of those harmed by the Sacklers’s greed,
callousness and fraud.” The failure to reach a wide-ranging settlement so far, as the Sacklers had
hoped, means the legal battle over what their company must pay will probably
shift to bankruptcy court. Questions about the family’s responsibility could
play out at the same time in dozens of state courts. More than 20 states have
filed separate cases against members of the family, and it’s not clear whether
federal bankruptcy proceedings would halt those state cases. The company is expected to file for bankruptcy protection within days.
Attorneys-general who say they agree with the terms said the deal is better than
what their states and communities would likely receive if Purdue files for
bankruptcy without any settlement language to guild the proceedings. “Sadly, this agreement cannot bring back those who have lost their lives to
opioid abuse, but it will help Florida gain access to more life-saving resources
and bolster our efforts to end this deadly epidemic,” Florida Attorney-General
Ashley Moody, a Republican, said. “I want to assure Floridians that we will
continue to aggressively pursue our state case against all remaining
defendants.” Some attorneys-general — the group that had been leading the settlement
talks with Purdue — have described the negotiations as ongoing and unsettled. Katie Byrd, a spokeswoman for Georgia Attorney-General Chris Carr, declined
to comment yesterday about the state’s stance, but described the situation as
“fluid”. Minnesota Attorney-General Keith Ellison said “widespread uncertainty”
remains about the details of the settlement terms, including the size of the
payments, how long they would be made and how Purdue and other Sackler-owned
entities would be operated going forward. Under the proposed deal, the family would give up ownership of Purdue and pay
$3 billion to $4.5 billion, depending on how much Purdue brings in from selling
a company known as Mundipharma, which is registered in Bermuda. Several
attorneys-general said they are skeptical that Mundipharma is worth that much,
and they want more money guaranteed from the Sacklers. OxyContin is probably the best-known prescription opioid and was a
blockbuster drug in terms of sales after it was introduced in 1996. In their
lawsuits, the state and local governments say Purdue aggressively marketed the
drug while downplaying its addictiveness. The developments related to Purdue and the Sackler family come just five
weeks before the scheduled start of the first federal trial over the toll of the
opioids crisis in the US. That trial involves claims by Ohio’s Cuyahoga and
Summit counties against multiple opioid makers, distributors and pharmacies. If
the company files for bankruptcy, the trial will go on without Purdue. Families who have lost loved ones to the crisis or have otherwise been hurt
by opioid addiction have pushed back against settlements with Purdue and other
players in the opioid industry. They want a chance to face company executives in
court and tell their stories. In a statement, members of the Sackler family urged governments to sign on to
the settlement terms, saying it will fund solutions to the crisis rather than
continue “endless litigation”.
All
public schoolteachers should be internationally certified as part of a proposed
sweeping reform to education, a new report has urged. Inaction to make
“radical change” to the education system would be the “most significant
missed opportunity” in Bermuda’s history. The stark warning came in the
Future State Report unveiled yesterday. The 31-page document was created by the
BermudaFirst think-tank and is the second phase of its national socioeconomic
plan. The group recommends that an independent authority be created to be
“responsible for the performance management of educators and researching and
implementing an holistic public education system that is appropriately
sized/structured, resulting in a learning environment that facilitates optimum
student success”. Nine specific recommendations for the authority are
identified. They include:
In the report the group envisions a “world-class public education system that produces student outcomes where our children can successfully compete in the global marketplace and our citizens are lifelong learners”. It adds that the reformed education system “must be based on accountability for outcomes”. The report says: “Despite the best efforts to date, we have under performed, and one glaring reality is the portion of our population that is unable to compete for existing job opportunities, much less present themselves as candidates for emerging 21st-century work. If we fail to act decisively now, our passivity will be viewed as the most significant missed opportunity in the history of the island.” The group says the Department of Education “is part of the problem”. The report explains: “A common criticism of the DoE by the many government-sponsored reviews is that the public education system lacks accountability at all levels and that the department lacks leadership, as well as a vision for improving public education. It follows that our public education system lacks the wherewithal to address the challenge of preparing our students for further study or the working world. The existing public education and workforce development systems are not up to the task of meeting the needs of learners in a technologically driven 21st-century Bermuda. The authority must be progressive, agile and based upon accountability for educators and students. This radical change is required, since tinkering with the existing school system for the last several decades has not — and there is no reason to expect that this approach will produce the results we deserve. The ineffective bureaucracy, lack of agility to adjust to externally and internally generated change and the ongoing politicization of public education all combine to resist substantive progress. These root-cause systemic factors are the reason why BermudaFirst believes it is imperative that a radical shift transforming our oversight of public education to an independent authority is the change we must make.” The group argues the authority would “deliver improved student outcomes, better quality classroom instruction and site-based leadership combining to make Bermuda a globally recognised education jurisdiction. The authority, with revised hiring practices, a strong focus on performance management and a streamlined accountability structure, would be able to build mutually beneficial partnerships with all stakeholders who have a commitment to enabling our children to achieve and participate equitably in a growing sustainable economy. Turnover in ministerial leadership” must be reversed. We are hopeful that the Government will commit its resources and political will to this challenging task. The window of opportunity is now; each day of delay makes the journey of change more formidable.”
Opinion,
by Vic Ball, a One Bermuda Alliance senator from November 2014 to July 2017.
"Immigration is an extremely red-hot-button subject that most
people will choose not to touch. Recent history records that the subject is so
emotive and explosive that the One Bermuda Alliance paid dearly for it at the
polls in 2017." The Progressive Labour Party, while in opposition,
stoked the racial emotions of Bermudians so much so that some stormed the Senate
in 2015 and even more blocked the House in 2016. Now that the PLP is in
government, it is now left with the challenge of how to handle it, with the
minister promising Bermudians, again, that he will bring forward legislation
this month after missing the original July deadline that he set. On one side of
the coin are those who believe that Bermuda needs to grant status, as our only
hope, to re-energize the stagnant economy of Bermuda. On the other side are
those who view any attempt to do this, with a great deal of suspicion of an
ulterior motive to alter the electoral demographic and to increase competition
for scarce jobs and resources. The passion and the contradictions of the
immigration debate are not unique to our island. However, unlike other
countries, we do not have waves of migrants washing up on our shores or crossing
our border. What we do have is the dispute over how to address the “mixed
family status” and the “belongers” issue. When observing the
contradictions, we see that the 45th President of the United States was elected
on an anti-immigration platform. He launched his campaign descending an
escalator to deliver a vitriolic message against migrants while his immigrant
wife with a thick accent was by his side. Additionally, Britain has committed
itself to an anti-immigrant Brexit via referendum, to regain control of its
borders from migrants coming from their former colonies. Meanwhile, Bermuda,
which publicizes to the world an economy dependent on international business and
its highly skilled foreign labour, ousted a government that was intent on
providing a pathway to status for our long-term residents and their children.
What has not been done consistently or convincingly by anyone in leadership is
to make sense of the immigration debate from the angle of “population
sustainability”. Instead, our immigration debate has devolved into a black
versus white and an “us versus them” issue. Population sustainability has a
multidimensional approach with birthrate, death rate, emigration and immigration
factors coming into play in that order. These first four dimensions should be
used as it relates to maintaining and enhancing our economy, and our way of
life. The statistics show that our population growth rate is 0.4 per cent. This
is one tenth of the highest population growth rates of 4 per cent in other
countries. It has been pointed out many times that our population is ageing and
our birthrate is low. It has also been said many times that we need a young and
vibrant workforce to bear the weight of supporting an ageing population.
However, this should not automatically translate into granting status to more
people. What we do need is an economic plan that successfully provides economic
growth. This plan will require producers and laborers to derive the necessary
revenue to meet the demands we face now and in the future. Our politicians are
not going to convince enough Bermudians, especially those unemployed or
underemployed and facing financial hardship, that we need to grant status to
more people to come into our island to work. The working man doesn’t equate
the desire or the need for foreign investment with the need to grant status. In
fact, Bermuda has been granting foreign access to our economy for decades, and
even built a world-class financial jurisdiction and successful economic model by
doing so. Therefore, to declare now that the granting of status is the only way
to improve the economy flies in the face of reason and our economic history.
I’m sure some potential investors may be attracted by a more liberal
immigration policy, and some of the investors that are already here may be
insisting on it. However, investors invest because they believe that it is
competitively profitable to do so, not because they can live here indefinitely
and vote. What has made Bermuda attractive to foreign investment in the past,
and will do so in the future, is profitability. There has not been any
convincing arguments made that would compel us to radically change an
immigration policy that spawned one of the most successful economies in the
world. Bermudians’ backs will be up against the wall when policymakers rush
legislation through and expect buy-in. We learnt this the hard way. The
appropriate starting point is a sustainable population for Bermuda to have a
viable future. No one can argue against that. However, the obvious questions to
be asked are, what does sustainability mean and where do foreign workers and
investors fit into the equation? It costs the proverbial arm and a leg to raise
a child in Bermuda — even giving birth to one. However, our leaders have not
devised policies to encourage Bermudians to have more children and raise them
successfully, while making it affordable to do so. Our seniors are fleeing to
other jurisdictions to spend their pensions and to contribute to other
societies, and our leaders have yet to factor this into an immigration policy
except to identify them as an increasing burden and to saddle them with
increasing taxes. Our young university graduates are choosing to stay abroad
rather than return home, and our leaders have provided no policy assurances for
them to do otherwise. Bermuda continues to have a sizeable and highly skilled
foreign workforce because we have failed to produce Bermudians capable of
meeting the need. We have productive skilled and unskilled Bermudians who are
fleeing to Britain because they are unable to find employment here at home. We
also have an untapped resource of Bermudian entrepreneurs, job-creating energy
that we have not exploited or developed while we debate an immigration policy to
attract foreign job creators. Bermuda requires leadership on a sound economic
policy with a proven record that breeds confidence in our financial future. If
such a policy creates the demand for outside investors and highly skilled
workers after meeting our domestic employment and population-growth needs,
Bermudians have proven ourselves to be acceptable to accommodating them. I will
conclude with a few words on the issue of Pathways to Status. There are very
compelling reasons for us as a nation to grant status to people born here and
who have been living here for 15 to 20 years and more. In many cases, it is
simply the right thing to do — and sensible as well. These are people that
have invested in Bermuda and Bermudians. They also have been integrated into our
society socially, culturally and economically. They are our school friends, work
colleagues and community helpers. In some instances, they have never lived
anywhere else and have nowhere else to call home. They add value to our island,
and when Bermuda finds the way to accept them as fellow Bermudians, we will be
better off for doing so. It was and is to our detriment to do otherwise."
September 12
The
people of the Bahamas need “emotional and spiritual” support after the
destruction of Hurricane Dorian, a frontline relief worker said. Major
Clarence Ingram, formerly with the Salvation Army’s Bermuda Division, said
that the island of Abaco “is nearly uninhabitable”. He added: “The damage
is severe. In addition to helping with physical needs, the people need emotional
and spiritual care. This is the most extreme hurricane damage I have ever
seen.” Major Ingram, the divisional commander for the Salvation Army’s
Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Division, is co-ordinating the relief efforts for
evacuees for Abaco, Nassau and Grand Bahama. He was speaking after Bermudians
came together last weekend to amass 200 tonnes of supplies to send to the
region. The 63-year-old said on Tuesday that low-lying areas of Nassau, which
had been flooded, had “mostly returned to normal, with the exception of
ongoing power outages and challenges with the phone system”. He said the
situation elsewhere was much different. Major Ingram explained: “Grand Bahama
and Abaco Islands both have severe damage which will require many years to
rebuild. Life is very hard — especially on Abaco. Most residents of Abaco had
been evacuated to Nassau where shelters had been opened." Major Ingram said
that his focus was “to supply the essential for life”, including water,
food, clothing and shelter. He added: “We will gradually add assistance with
building materials, etc, as people are in a position to receive them.” Major
Ingram said he was not involved in rescue efforts which are being handled by the
military, defence forces and rescue specialists. He said that the biggest
obstacle that he faced was logistics. Major Ingram explained: “Getting
supplies to the impacted islands is very challenging.” He said that financial
assistance to purchase needed supplies and to pay for transportation,
warehousing, and other similar costs was most essential. The Category 5
hurricane tore through the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama last week, destroying
thousands of homes and killing at least 50 people. Anthony Ferguson, the
Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, said that as of Monday, 42
bodies had been found in Abaco and eight recovered on Grand Bahama. He added in
a statement: “We anticipate the discovery of more deceased persons as the
process of search and recovery progresses.” Calvin Ming, the public relations
and development director for the Salvation Army’s Bermuda Division, thanked
the Bermuda public “for their outpouring and expressions of love in providing
goods and materials for early distribution in the Bahamas”.
An account for donations has been set up at the Bermuda Credit Union Co-op
Society. The spokeswoman encouraged all to contribute. She said: “We are
imploring our members to make deposits to this account — no matter how big or
small.” The account number is 9693.
A
re-modeled healthcare system focused on outcomes, an independent education
authority, moves to lower the cost of living and immigration policies to address
the island’s talent gap are among the proposals in an advisory group’s plan
for Bermuda’s future. BermudaFirst revealed Future State Report, the
second phase of its national socio-economic plan, in a press conference at the
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute today. The group claims in the report,
which was commissioned by David Burt, the Premier, that the priorities it
identified “will enhance the lives of Bermudians and provide citizens with the
tools and opportunity to realise their full potential”. The report points out
shortfalls, particularly in the island’s education and healthcare systems, and
spells out recommendations to address them. It also challenges Bermudians to
show the courage in leadership and willingness to change that is necessary to
meet the challenges the island faces. “If we are going to change Bermuda’s
trajectory, we will have to change our mindsets to deal with the social and
economic realities of the 21st century: a shrinking and ageing population, an under performing
education system and healthcare costs that are spiraling out of control,”
BermudaFirst states. BermudaFirst’s roots in lie in a think tank led by
reinsurance veteran Don Kramer, comprising business and political leaders and
formed in 2009 with the aim of finding solutions to the island’s economic
challenges. The group was resurrected by the Bermuda Government in 2017, this
time including no politicians and led by chairman Philip Butterfield, the former
chief executive officer of HSBC Bank Bermuda. Other members represent sectors
including business, charities, unions and education. The report identifies four
global trends impacting life in Bermuda: rising inequalities, the rapid rate of
technological change, tribalism and climate change. Action on education,
healthcare and talent/immigration are seen as “critical priorities”.
BermudaFirst points out the underperformance of the public education system and
that consequently “one glaring reality is the portion of our population that
is unable to compete for existing job opportunities, much less present
themselves as candidates for emerging 21st century work! If we fail to act
decisively now, our passivity will be viewed as the most significant missed
opportunity in the history of the island.” It adds that the public education
system “lacks accountability at all levels” and calls for an independent
authority responsible for performance management of educators and a requirement
that all teachers be internationally certified by an approved list of
institutions. The group envisions a “world-class public education system that
produces student outcomes where our children can successfully compete in the
global marketplace”. In healthcare, the report cites research showing that
nearly 10 per cent of Bermudians have no healthcare insurance and that
Bermudians who have jobs and health insurance spend 18 per cent of their income
on healthcare. “The current health system is not sustainable from the
perspective of cost, service provision or capacity,” the report states. The
report calls for changes leading to a patient-centric, outcome-based billing
model focused on value rather than price, and including regulation of healthcare
providers. “Bermuda’s model of healthcare must evolve to focus more on
outcomes and value and less on the perverse incentives tied to a system that
revolves around reimbursement of service,” the report states. “Any model
that simply pays without due consideration of actual results leads to excessive utilization
at an ever-escalating price.” It calls for a national health education
programme aimed at encouraging people to eat better and exercise more, to combat
preventable, lifestyle-based diseases that generate a large portion of
healthcare costs. Among its recommendations, BermudaFirst calls for reform of
the Standard Health Benefit, the basis of how health insurance premiums are set.
“Instead of SHB solely depending on a fee-for-service model, create a pooling
system that aligns residents to insurance packages based on their income,” the
report proposes. “This model will require Government to regulate fees and
insurers to establish set rates.” SHB pricing should also be published, it
adds. BermudaFirst believes its proposals would reduce healthcare expenditure by
10 to 15 per cent and result in a healthier population. BermudaFirst touches on
the impact of demographic trends and projections that show the workforce will
shrink as the non-working-age population grows. The report states: “It is also
important to note that, if we fix the healthcare industry, but do not expand our
population, Bermuda will continue to be challenged with higher than acceptable
costs as there will simply not be the number of individuals across which to
spread those costs.” BermudaFirst would like to see a “a growing population
with enhanced immigration policies that expand opportunities for Bermudians and
make Bermuda a destination of choice for diverse talent who will be a productive
part of our community”. The report stated that “in the past, immigration
policy and other means were used nefariously to maintain white numeric
superiority”, but that today’s immigration policies had to be market-based
and diverse. Some roles in the public and private sector had to be filled by
those whose skills and expertise met global standards if the island wanted to
remain competitive and innovative, BermudaFirst argued. This would inevitably
sometimes necessitate bringing workers in from overseas. The group’s top three
recommendations for immigration reform that would produce “more jobs for
Bermudians than the present immigration regime” are:
BermudaFirst said another priority was lowering the cost of living, particularly by decreasing the costs of staple food items, energy, healthcare and rents. It suggested that the Government could help by reviewing tax policy as taxes contributed to the cost of items such as energy and food. Other priorities mentioned were moves to strengthen the island’s charitable sector, the provision of affordable housing for at-risk populations, a better transportation system including public and private elements, amendment of the 60:40 rule to stimulate inward investment, implementation of a debt management programme to deal with the Bermuda’s currently “unsustainable” debt level and the positioning of Bermuda as a “world leader in e-services by 2022”. “Quick-win” recommendations include liberalizing ownership restrictions on commercial real estate to encourage a positive response to economic substance requirements and to stimulate urban renewal, allowing hotels to have a minibus licence, allowing the importation of second-hand electric cars and implementing a temporary hardship allowance for qualifying homeowners. Eight working groups and more than 90 people worked on the BermudaFirst project. “This is not the first time the people of our country have had to choose between making a major change or being left behind,” BermudaFirst states. “We have successfully reinvented ourselves throughout our history. Now is the time to do the same.”
NEW
YORK — OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma LP, linked to Bermuda, reached a
tentative agreement with some plaintiffs to resolve widespread litigation over
its alleged role in fuelling the US opioid crisis and plans to tussle with
states opposing its settlement offer in bankruptcy proceedings starting as soon
as next week, people familiar with the matter said. On Wednesday, lead
lawyers representing more than 2,000 cities, counties and other plaintiffs suing
Purdue, along with 23 states and three US territories, were on board with an
offer from the company and its controlling Sackler family to settle lawsuits in
a deal valued at up to $12 billion, the people said. The Sacklers are reported
to have extensive interests in Bermuda, while a variety of companies related to
Stamford, Connecticut-based Purdue have had a presence on-island for up to three
decades. More than a dozen other states remain opposed or uncommitted to the
deal, setting the stage for a legal battle over Purdue’s efforts to contain
the litigation in bankruptcy court, they said. States yesterday updated a
federal judge on the settlement offer’s support, which could evolve as the day
progresses, the people said. Purdue’s board is scheduled to be briefed on
settlement progress today, one of the people said. There remained a chance
negotiations could fall apart and the company’s plans, including timing of a
bankruptcy filing, could change, the person said. The Sacklers, well-known
wealthy philanthropists, have declined to revise their proposed settlement
contribution of $3 billion over seven years and another $1.5 billion or more
through the eventual sale of another business they own called Mundipharma,
several people familiar with the matter said. The offices of Mundipharma Medical
Company, and other companies carrying the Mundipharma prefix are located on
Par-la-Ville Road in Hamilton. The network of companies was reportedly set up to
do business outside North America. New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut,
where privately held Purdue is based, are among the states opposed to the
current offer and have pushed the family to guarantee $4.5 billion, the people
said. Last weekend, the Sacklers “refused to budge” after attorneys-general
in North Carolina and Tennessee presented the family with counterproposals they
said had widespread support from other states, according to correspondence
reviewed by Reuters. The lawsuits, which in some cases targeted the Sacklers as
well as Purdue, claim the family and company contributed to a public health
crisis that claimed the lives of nearly 400,000 people between 1999 and 2017,
according to the latest data from US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The suits allege Purdue aggressively marketed prescription painkillers while
misleading doctors and patients about their addiction and overdose risks. Purdue
and the Sacklers have denied the allegations. With negotiations over the
family’s contribution to a settlement at loggerheads, Purdue is preparing to
file for bankruptcy protection as soon as this weekend or next with the outlines
of a settlement in hand, albeit one lacking support from many states, the people
said. Purdue would then ask a US bankruptcy judge to halt litigation while
settlement discussions continue, a move some states said they are likely to
challenge. A bankruptcy judge could force holdouts to accept a settlement as
part of Purdue’s re-organization plan if enough other plaintiffs agree.
“Purdue Pharma continues to work with all plaintiffs on reaching a
comprehensive resolution to its opioid litigation that will deliver billions of
dollars and vital opioid overdose rescue medicines to communities across the
country impacted by the opioid crisis,” the company said in a statement.
Members of the Sackler family targeted in lawsuits said in a statement that they
support “working towards a global resolution that directs resources to the
patients, families and communities across the country who are suffering and need
assistance” as opposed to engaging in what they described as “endless
litigation.” With Purdue facing more than 2,000 opioid-related lawsuits,
Reuters reported in March that the company and the Sacklers began exploring
bankruptcy options to halt litigation and attempt to reach a far-reaching
settlement. One reason Purdue is eyeing a bankruptcy filing soon is to avoid an
October 21 trial, the people said. That trial, stemming from widespread lawsuits
consolidated in an Ohio federal court, risks a verdict with outsize damages
Purdue could not withstand, one of the people said. Purdue’s current proposal
envisions it using bankruptcy proceedings to transform into a public trust with
a board selected by court-appointed trustees, the people said. The trust would
donate drugs the company developed to combat overdoses and addiction to US
communities, which Purdue values at $4.45 billion over ten years. The Sacklers,
who amassed a multi-billion-dollar fortune from OxyContin sales, would cede
control of Purdue, they said. A Chapter 11 filing with a deal many states oppose
risks triggering more litigation and longer, more expensive bankruptcy
proceedings that could reduce payouts to plaintiffs unless a broader deal is
reached. “I remain steadfast in my view that the Sacklers have to give back
the money they took from selling opioids so that we can put it towards solving
the problem they created,” Connecticut Attorney-General William Tong said in a
statement. “The current proposal does not do that.” The Sacklers have
rebuffed requests from some plaintiffs for more details on the family’s
finances, some of the people said. North Carolina Attorney-General Josh Stein
said he was preparing to follow other state officials and sue the Sacklers. “A
large number of states are committed to the notion that the Sacklers need to
guarantee more money,” he said, adding that different states “have different
views, as is to be expected”.
A
charity tackling one of the island’s most prevalent chronic illnesses has
appealed for funding, even as it prepares to open a badly needed new treatment
centre in Hamilton. Next week, the Bermuda Diabetes Association celebrates
with a roof-wetting ceremony at its Hilton Hill Diabetes Centre on the corner of
Dundonald Street and Princess Street. “This will make a huge difference for
us,” Debbie Jones, the executive director, said. “Diabetes, unfortunately,
is a growing problem. A study in 1995 showed 11 per cent of the population had
it. Now you could say it’s anything from 14 to 20 per cent.” Lifestyle
factors, especially poor diet and sugar consumption, are the leading causes for
type 2 diabetes. The new centre, a repurposed home built of Bermuda stone
purchased from the Hill family, will give the group 2,000 square feet for its
pharmacy, education rooms and offices. Ms Jones called the facility “a
one-stop shop — a hub” to accommodate therapy sessions, education, and even
healthy cooking classes in its kitchen. But the old building, purchased at the
end of 2017, came with hidden roof damage, requiring a replacement. Ms Jones
added: “We found other surprises like an old tank nobody knew about, and a
passageway to the property next door that had to be blocked. It’s one of the
oldest houses in this area. So now we are hoping for a last and final push for
more funding.” The association has a target of roughly $500,000 to raise.
Pedro Madeiros, the head of Paradise Contracting whose own family have been
affected by diabetes, said the centre was hoped to be completed by the end of
November. Bermuda has advantages in the fight against diabetes: insulin, the
hormone required by diabetes patients to regulate their body’s sugar levels,
is obtained by the association directly from the manufacturers in Canada,
cutting out the intermediaries that have raised prices in countries such as the
United States. Ms Jones said: “Our fee is minimal. It’s nothing compared to
retail. And for patients that can’t afford it, we have a client-assisted
programme to help pay for it.” However, Bermuda’s rate of diabetes has
risen. Last month, a study by the Bermuda Hospitals Board revealed that one in
three patients at the hospital had the illness. Women should have no more than
six teaspoons of added sugar a day, and for men it’s nine,” Ms Jones said.
“That means no drinking soda, at all. If we could change that as a first,
people would feel better right away. Another message is simply that people need
to move more.” She said the group was optimistic that simply encouraging
patients to walk, such as strolling from the centre to Victoria Park and back,
would improve health. The roof-wetting ceremony on September 20 marks a
celebration, even though repairs to the same roof cost an unexpected $200,000
extra. Greg Vandermade, the charity’s treasurer, told The Royal Gazette:
“For us to take this dream to the next level, we need loving, caring people in
Bermuda and generous companies to help us fulfil it. We need this centre. Every
year the problem gets bigger and bigger, while our insurance and healthcare
costs keep rising.” The 38-year-old reinsurance executive, originally from
Canada, developed inherited type 1 diabetes at age 10, six months after the
death of his father. Mr Vandermade said: “Both my parents are type 1
diabetics. It was inevitable. I’ve been on insulin every day since.” With
the help of his doctor, Annabel Fountain, he has developed a schedule for
administering his daily insulin. He said: “With diabetes, there’s never one
day the same.” Mr Vandermade added: “You wonder why when you see people
walking down the street eating a load of carbs and washing it down with
fast-acting sugar. If I could not have this disease, I’d love to take a day
off. My advice is to take time to make healthy choices. It doesn’t take that
much extra time. Diabetes hasn’t slowed me down or stopped me doing anything I
wanted to do. I have run in five May 24 marathons and travelled the world. It
can be done.”
The
island’s seniors advocacy group remains resolute despite suffering its worst
financial year for two decades. Age Concern revealed “a challenging
year” for fundraising, with a deficit of $107,804 for the year ending March
31, 2019. The financials were unaudited, but Tracey Pitt, the treasurer, said
its numbers were “pretty much in the ballpark”. Ms Pitt said yesterday that
the last fiscal year’s revenues added up to $655,903 while expenses stood at
$763,707. Claudette Fleming, the executive director, told the group’s annual
meeting: “In my 19 years at Age Concern, we’ve had $100,000 deficits before.
This has probably been the hardest year for our organisation. Cash flows remain
positive and we have met all our bills, but we have experienced this very
significant loss.” Dr Fleming added: “The philanthropic and economic
landscape continues to shift. Companies and individuals are uncertain about
their economic futures. As a result, they are hesitant to come to assist.”
With the island’s senior population on the rise, Dr Fleming said the group had
4,848 members at last count — making it “the largest membership organisation
on the island”. Charles Jeffers, the deputy chairman of Age Concern, said
membership fees would increase in 2020 from $25 to $35 a year for persons aged
50 to 64, and from $25 to $28 for those aged 65 to 79, with seniors over the age
of 80 retaining complimentary membership. New members will also be subjected to
a $15 sign-up fee. Mr Jeffers told the gathering at the Evangelical Church Hall
in Paget: “Think very clearly, give what you can, and make sure that this
organisation stays afloat.” Linda Smith, the chairwoman, said the group’s
board had also agreed on restructuring, switching from a maximum of 14 and a
minimum of 11 members to a range of 11 and seven. Mr Jeffers was presented with
an award for longstanding service, along with Ottiwell Simmons, the former MP
and president of the Bermuda Industrial Union. Jason Hayward, the president of
the Bermuda Public Services Union, delivered the keynote speech, describing his
work with the sub-committee tasked by the Labour Advisory Council with raising
the compulsory retirement age in the Civil Service. Legislation approved this
year raised the compulsory retirement age from 65 to 68 for certain public
offices. The group’s report also called for raising the mandatory retirement
age to 70 over the next ten years. Mr Hayward predicted that businesses would
follow suit. “This is an important milestone that sets the tenor for what is
to come in the private sector.” The senator said that the island’s human
rights legislation needed to be bolstered to protect seniors from age
discrimination in the workplace. Mr Hayward added: “There are now more
employees in the workforce who are 65 and older than ever before.” Seniors who
wished to continue working should be “afforded every opportunity to do so”,
he said. (Note, the Bermuda Government recently enacted legislation to allow
Government employees to work after 65, but has not extended this to the private
sector. In contrast, in the UK, as part of the Equality Act 2010, all persons
now have the right to work in their present jobs after 65).
Bermuda
is featured as a wedding destination in a major multicultural bridal magazine.
Several Bermuda businesses were showcased in the Munaluchi Bridal Magazine shoot
at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club organised by destination wedding
planner Oniki Hardtman, the owner of Oniki Occasions and wife of Bermudian
entrepreneur Jamel Hardtman. Ms Hardtman flagged the island up as an ideal
location after the magazine’s Coterie Retreat was hosted here last year. The
quarterly magazine’s Instagram account has attracted 12.2 million individuals
since 2019 and its Pinterest account receives about three million impressions
each month. Ms Hardtman said the design of the wedding shoot was jewellery by
Alexandra Mosher Studio Jewellery that she received as a gift from her husband.
She said: “Alexandra Mosher’s pink sand jewellery was so inspiring as a
bridal collection. I saw it as part of the decor of a high-end wedding so I
built the design for the photo-shoot around her jewellery.” The bride at the
centre of the shoot, which took place last December, is Bermudian model Sophia
Manders who has been featured in the Bermuda Fashion Festival, RG Magazine and
shoots in New York. Flowers by Gimi and Blueprint Hair Studio were also
featured.
A
trial for two men from Bermuda facing terrorism charges in Britain began
yesterday at the Old Bailey in London. Hisham Muhammad, 25, accused of
subscribing to radical Islam, allegedly planned to use a radio-controlled drone
to attack an army barracks. His cousin, Faisal Ahmad, 24, is charged with
knowledge of the plot and failure to inform authorities. The two have pleaded
not guilty to the charges. Anne Whyte, QC, the prosecutor, told the court that
Mr Muhammad “grew up in Bermuda where his parents lived but moved as a young
man to Gambia”. Mr Ahmad was said to be Bermudian-born but moved to the United
States as a young man, and then to Gambia, West Africa. The men, who are
brothers-in-law, were said to have moved to Britain in 2013. Both were arrested
in June 2018 after a raid on their apartment in Whitefield in Bury, Greater
Manchester, where weapons were allegedly found. The jury heard that Mr Muhammad
subscribed to “extremist” ideology in the vein of the Islamic State
terrorist group, and planned a “lone-wolf attack”. According to the Manchester
Evening News, the prosecutor told jurors: “He had researched how small
drones might be adapted to drop some sort of device designed to harm others. He
had also obtained a variety of weapons and researched how to use knives to
lethal effect. He had purchased blade-sharpening implements and had used
them.“ Mr Muhammad allegedly feigned interest in joining the British Army as a
pretext for visiting the Castle Armoury Barracks in Bury in May of last year. He
was accused of preparing to target the armed forces or police with knives. The
men lived together with Mr Ahmad’s mother, who notified the landlord she
planned to move out that May. The two fell behind on their rent, and their
landlord told them to leave a month later after finding the property neglected.
The jury heard that the landlord grew concerned and contacted police after
noticing knives and wiring in the flat. No explosives were uncovered in the
residence, but police found evidence of plans to drop “some sort of harmful
device” from a drone, Ms Whyte said. Camouflage clothing and a variety of
bladed articles were discovered, as well as clothing and cardboard allegedly
slashed in preparation for an attack. Mr Muhammad was said to have owned a
drone, and the jury heard his phone had been used to research explosives and
download jihadist videos glorifying terror attacks. According to the Crown, Mr
Muhammad’s plans were “imminent”. Both men’s wives were in Senegal, and
Mr Ahmad was alleged to have messaged his spouse with concerns about his
cousin’s plans. The jury heard testimony from a police officer who attended
the flat and believed that he saw bomb components. Mr Muhammad faces a charge of
“engaging in conduct in preparation for acts of terrorism”, while Mr Ahmad,
is charged with one count of having information that he knew or believed might
be of material assistance in preventing the commission of an act of terrorism by
another person and failing to notify the authorities. The trial continues on
Monday.
A
forum on immigration was held behind closed doors last night at Alaska Hall, the
Progressive Labour Party headquarters, on Court Street in Hamilton. The town
hall meeting, billed as open to all, was announced yesterday as “for PLP
members only” by a party press officer. Wayne Caines, the Minister of National
Security, said that the Q&A-style forum had been well attended and that it
had not focused on any one specific aspect of immigration. Otherwise, Mr Caines
refused to be drawn on the specifics of the meeting, in particular the topic of
mixed-status families. He added: “I talked about immigration reform generally
and gave an overview of what the Department [of Immigration] is doing — the
strengths, what we are trying to build on.” Mr Caines said that work was being
done to organise public meetings to discuss the issue. The forum featured Mr
Caines, who is responsible for immigration, with Renée Ming, a PLP MP and
member of the bipartisan parliamentary committee on immigration reform. Leah
Scott, the deputy Opposition leader and a member of the committee, posted online
on Monday that she had sought clarity from Mr Caines about the whether the
meeting was open to the public. Ms Scott cited “the sensitivity and emotion
around immigration and any proposed reform” as well as the “vital need for
inclusion and input”. She said the reform committee would hold public meetings
of its own for discussions on immigration.
The
chairwoman of the Bermuda Health Council has resigned for “family and personal
professional reasons”. Alicia Stovell-Washington said that she had to
return to her profession full time after the death of her colleague, the eye
surgeon Leonard Teye-Botchway. Dr Stovell-Washington was appointed chairwoman of
the health council in October 2017. Her resignation comes four months after
former chief executive Tawanna Wedderburn alleged in a court case that Dr
Stovell-Washington interfered with the day-to-day operation of the council,
along with David Burt, the Premier, and Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, to
push taxpayer-funded payments, to Ewart Brown, the former premier. Ms Wedderburn
made the claims in May as part of an application for judicial review before the
Supreme Court as part of her attempt to quash her termination as CEO last
December. She said that the trio’s interference was unlawful “because it was
done for the purpose of controlling the council’s policy decisions, and/or
facilitating government payments and/or other pecuniary awards to specific
Progressive Labour Party supporters, a former premier, at least one Cabinet
minister, and/or others”. A Ministry of Health spokeswoman previously said
that the respondents in the case vigorously deny the allegations and are
robustly defending themselves in the proceedings, which continued in the courts
yesterday. Dr Stovell-Washington said in a statement released by the Ministry of
Health yesterday: “I’m very sad to be stepping down from such a vital
organisation as the health council, but my personal circumstances require my
full attention elsewhere at this time. I must return to my family and my medical
practice and advocate for patient care and my own family’s health. Following
the recent passing of my colleague, Dr Teye-Botchway, my time and attention must
be dedicated to assisting with patient care and continuity in every way I
can.” She added: “I am a physician first and foremost, and I must return to
my profession full time right now. However, I will continue to support the
health council and the Ministry of Health in every way I can, particularly at
this time of important reforms and a transformation of our health system.” Ms
Wilson said that she was saddened to accept the voluntary resignation. She said:
“It is absolutely evident that the health council grew and evolved during Dr
Stovell-Washington’s chairmanship and I’m entirely indebted to her for her
dedication, fortitude and immense contribution. I know that she leaves the
health council stronger than when she took over. While I am saddened at the
reasons for her need to step down at this time, I’m confident that Dr
Stovell-Washington will remain a stalwart of fairness in the health system and
will continue to be an advocate and partner in our efforts to make Bermuda
healthier.” The ministry’s statement said that Dr Stovell-Washington had
“excelled in her leadership of the board and council”. It said: “Under her
tenure, the health council refocused its strategic direction, increased
oversight and regulation of health insurers, continued to improve its healthcare
data repository and dissemination, ensured decisions were data-driven and
evidence based, enhanced board governance and grew its relationship with local
and international partners such as the Pan American Health Organisation.” Dr
Stovell-Washington steps down formally tomorrow. A new chairman will be
announced in due course.
The
former chief executive of the Bermuda Health Council was accused in court
yesterday of “throwing as much unsubstantiated mud” as possible and engaging
in a media “bloodbath” after she was fired from the government quango.
Tawanna Wedderburn, who was sacked from the BHeC last December, alleged in court
documents earlier this year that she was ousted on the orders of Kim Wilson, the
Minister of Health. She claimed Ms Wilson, along with David Burt, the Premier,
and former BHeC chairwoman Alicia Stovell-Washington interfered in the
day-to-day running of the health watchdog to push taxpayer-funded payments to
Ewart Brown, a former Progressive Labour Party premier. The allegations were
vigorously denied during a one-day Supreme Court hearing yesterday, with Juliana
Snelling, lawyer for both the health council and Dr Stovell-Washington,
questioning why Ms Wedderburn never filed any “bribery or interference
complaints” when she was still being “paid handsomely” her $185,000
salary. Charles Richardson, representing Mr Burt and Ms Wilson, likened the
opening of an affidavit filed with the court by Ms Wedderburn as reading like a
work of fiction by novelist Jeffrey Archer. Ms Wedderburn stated in the court
filing: “As I am coming down the long stairwell in Utopia Restaurant on Front
Street, my legs are heavy and my hands are shaking. I take out my phone and dial
my husband’s number. When he answers, I say ‘Liv, they just fired me’.”
Mr Richardson said: “I have never seen an affidavit that begins like this.”
Later, after hearing arguments from Ms Wedderburn’s lawyer, Eugene Johnston,
Mr Richardson said: “I am hearing Jeffrey Archer again. I don’t feel like
reading Mr Archer right now.” Ms Wedderburn is seeking a judicial review of
the BHeC’s decision to sack her. Yesterday’s proceedings before Assistant
Justice David Kessaram were to hear arguments on whether her case involved
matters of public law, suitable for a judicial review, or private law, where an
alternative legal remedy could be sought. Mr Johnston said the issue was one of
public law, since the Minister of Health had a “clear function to play”
regarding the appointment and termination of the health council CEO, as set out
in section 9 of the Bermuda Health Council Act 2004. He claimed: “The
directive to dismiss was given by the minister.” Ms Snelling said that was
“hotly disputed” by her clients, while Mr Richardson added: “I can’t let
that allegation go against my client.” When Ms Snelling spoke up again, Mr
Richardson told her: “I can handle it.” She continued: “It’s alleged
that my client was directed to do it and there is zero evidence of it.” Mr
Johnston said even if the minister didn’t give the directive, the council
didn’t go through the proper procedure to terminate Ms Wedderburn’s
employment. Ms Snelling said the health council voted eight to one, with no
abstentions, to get rid of Ms Wedderburn on December 6 last year because of
dissatisfaction with her leadership. She had been in the CEO post for three
years and had worked at the council in other roles since 2007. “This is not
the chair off on a frolic of her own with a personal animosity towards the
applicant ... seven people voted with her,” said Ms Snelling. She said the
chairwoman contacted Ms Wilson after the vote was taken. The next day, the
minister and Dr Stovell-Washington spoke again before Ms Wilson e-mailed
approval of the decision. She said Ms Wedderburn was not a public officer, as
defined by the Constitution, and not a civil servant. “Even if she was, if
it’s a private law issue ... it will not be subject to judicial review,”
argued Ms Snelling. She said the civil case was a private law matter because it
was “in [Ms Wedderburn’s] private interests to be employed by the council.
The council was not performing a public duty when it terminated [her
employment],” Ms Snelling added. Ms Wedderburn’s husband, Livingston, wrote
a letter to The Royal Gazette in January this year, alleging his wife had
been “ambushed and viciously bludgeoned”. He asked: “Who plotted and led
the charge on the night of the long knives and who appointed and/or instructed
them?” Ms Snelling described the plaintiff as acting “so ferociously”
after she was sacked. “The bloodbath, the media, that resulted from the
termination ...,” she said, adding that her clients were accused of
“horrible things” and materials were made available to the press to
“embarrass the council”. Mr Richardson said: “We haven’t criticized Ms
Wedderburn in any way, neither my clients or the council. Any reputational
damage has been self-inflicted.” He said she should have gone to an employment
tribunal, rather than seek a judicial review. “Her dismissal was not something
done under the powers of the [Health Council] Act,” he said. “It was
contractually based. That remedy may not have been as glorious as the one she is
now seeking, but it’s there. If Ms Wedderburn was not advised by her counsel
to secure her position before the employment tribunal, that’s sad.” Mr
Johnston said listening to lawyers for the respondents was “almost like being
caught in a whirlwind of confusion”. Mr Justice Kessaram reserved judgment to
a later date.
Bermuda
Red Cross has raised more than $100,000 in a week to help families whose lives
were torn apart by Hurricane Dorian. The Category 5 hurricane tore through
the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama last week, destroying thousands of homes and
killing at least 50 people. Ann Spencer-Arscott, the executive director of the
Bermuda Red Cross, said: “On September 3 we launched an appeal to the
residents of Bermuda to aid those devastated by Hurricane Dorian, one of the
strongest hurricanes on record in the Atlantic Ocean. As of September 10,
Bermuda Red Cross have collected over $100,000.” She said all the funds will
be sent to the British Red Cross, which will transfer the money to the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent. Ms Spencer-Arscott
added: “We want to thank you, Bermuda, for opening your hearts to our fellow
islanders to the south.” As of yesterday, Anthony Ferguson, the commissioner
of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, said 42 bodies had been found in Abaco and
eight recovered on Grand Bahama. The World Food Programme has estimated that
70,000 people have been affected and in need of aid as a result of the storm.
Bermuda-based companies' reinsurance
rates are inadequate, according to a panel of Bermuda-based executives
attending the Monte Carlo Reinsurance Rendez-Vous de Septembre event. They
shared views at the annual Bermuda: Re and ILS Monte Carlo Roundtable, held in
association with Markel Re. Christian Dunleavy, chief underwriting officer at
Aspen Re, said that while rates are improving, any increases are merely keeping
pace with loss cost inflation and reinsurers are not gaining any extra margin in
real terms. “There is a long way to go on rates,” he added. Adam Szakmary,
director of underwriting-Bermuda, Hiscox Re + ILS, said: “In the past, the
spike in rates post-event was more pronounced. Without that, the cycle should be
smoother but rates must be sustainable.” Dan Malloy, chief executive officer
of Third Point Re, said that rates were improving but further increases were
needed. Meanwhile Peter Gadeke, executive vice-president of Willis Re, Peter
Gadeke, said rates increased at the June 1 renewal but that represented a
recalibration of the cost of risk. He doesn’t necessarily believe that rates
will go up in the January 1 renewal period. He said: “Retro rates will
increase and insurers are also achieving rate increases, but reinsurers seem to
be squeezed in the middle.” Intelligent Insurer, a publication that covers the
re/insurance market, reported on the panel in its special edition, Monte Carlo
Today. The appetite of alternative capital investors seeking to enter the
Bermuda market continues, according to Appleby partner Brad Adderley, who said
he was aware of a number of new vehicles that would be entering the market by
year-end. Andre Perez, chairman and CEO of Horseshoe Group, said his company was
seeing significant inflows of alternative capital into the sector. Others
involved in the panel included John Huff, president and CEO of the Association
of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers; Greg Wojciechowski, president and CEO of the
Bermuda Stock Exchange; Arthur Wightman, PwC Bermuda insurance leader; and
Kathleen Faries, chair of ILS Bermuda and of RICAP Bermuda.
An
American motivational speaker said last night that he regretted past statements
in which he referred to homosexuality as a “sickness” and to gays as “an
inferior being”. James Small said that comments he had made about
homosexuality in a series of online videos do not reflect his feelings today.
“That’s five years ago,” Mr Small said. “I’ve done a lot of research
and studying, and talked to my friends and family who are gay. I’m old enough,
smart enough to know that first you got to know what the hell you don’t know.
And then you got to get to know people. My position on that issue is not the
same as it was then because I understand a hell of a lot more now than I did
then.” Mr Small, who spoke with firebrand activist Ayo Kimathi at a
controversial event in 2015, will return to the island for a lecture titled
“Healing Thyself Through Knowing Thyself” at the Liberty Theatre on
September 22. Mr Small, a former professor at City University of New York, said
in an interview that publishes today in The Royal Gazette’s Lifestyle section
that his talk will focus on “spirituality and reality”. Videos posted on
YouTube show Mr Small and Mr Kimathi discussing homosexuality within the black
community, with Mr Small expressing views similar to comments made by Mr Kimathi
that landed him on the stop list four years ago. In one video, Mr Small called
homosexuality a “sickness”. He added: “You’re talking about an inferior
being.” Mr Small went on to say that “the culture of homosexuality is
fundamentally the European culture”. He also discussed adoption of children by
gay couples in a video named “Homosexual Agenda Attacks African Studies
Agenda”. Mr Small said: “How can a homosexual raise a normal, non-homosexual
child? You’re a paedophile. You had to go out, and search out, and hide to
find your victims — now you got your victim as your son and your daughter.”
In another video, “Arab Homosexual Assault on Afrikan People”, Mr Small
described homosexuality “as a weapon in the arsenal of the white supremacist
in his effort to commit genetic annihilation of the black family and the black
race”. He later used the word “cracker” to describe white people and
“f****t to describe gays in the video. The four videos were posted in May
2015. Mr Small said last night that his comments were not “sensitive or
appropriate”. He added: “I regret those things. I’m not against
homosexuality, because that’s somebody else’s way of life. I can’t tell
them how to live their life and I don’t want them to tell me how to live mine.
It’s as simple as that. I will not disrespect that person and I would hope
that person wouldn’t disrespect me.” Mr Kimathi, an American known as the
Irritated Genie, was placed on Bermuda’s stop list by Michael Fahy, then the
home affairs minister in the former One Bermuda Alliance government, over
comments he made at the Liberty Theatre, which included describing homosexuality
as a cancer that originated from white Europeans. He said at the event: “We
don’t agree with homosexuality, we don’t agree with paedophile, none of this
European ‘white sex’ stuff that we talked about. We ain’t with that. We
are not even negotiating with it.” Ian Kawaley, then the Chief Justice, upheld
Mr Fahy’s decision and called Mr Kimathi’s presentation an “unfiltered
message of hate”. Latoya Bridgewater, the host of the Liberty Theatre event
this month, declined to comment about Mr Small before his presentation. Wayne
Caines, the Minister of National Security, who is responsible for immigration,
was asked if he was aware of Mr Small’s visit and whether he supported him
coming to Bermuda, given statements he had made in the past. Mr Caines did not
respond by press time yesterday. Mr Small will speak alongside Mwalimu Melodye
Micëre Van Putten, an education consultant, writer and lecturer. An event flyer
invites people to “join us as we dive into the heart of healing by exploring
our African-Bermudian history with Mwalimu Melodye Micëre Van Putten and
African spirituality with Professor James Small”. The event includes a
two-hour morning lecture component, followed by a four-hour “chat and chew”
in the afternoon.
Progressive
Labour Party members only will be welcome at a meeting on immigration tonight. The
PLP had previously stated on a flyer about the Alaska Hall event: “All are
welcome.” But a spokeswoman said today: “I write to clarify for the public
that the immigration town hall slated to be held at Alaska Hall today is for PLP
members only. The public will be notified of any further meetings open for
attendance on this topic.” Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security,
who is responsible for immigration, will lead the discussion alongside Renée
Ming, a Progressive Labour Party MP and member of the bipartisan parliamentary
committee on immigration reform that was established in October 2017. The
meeting was scheduled as MPs prepare to debate potential changes to immigration
policy for mixed-status families on Friday, when they return from the summer
break. A Bill designed to tackle the issue of mixed-status families had been
scheduled to be tabled on July 26. Mr Caines decided to postpone that after
meeting the drafters of the legislation, as well as the Government’s policy
team. He said “important elements” were unresolved and more time was
required.
All
of Bermuda’s public schools welcomed pupils back today for the start of the
new academic year. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education said: “All
Bermuda public schools were open and safe to receive students today.” But she
added that there were staff vacancies at some school levels. The spokeswoman
said that two art, two music and one physical education teacher were needed at
the primary school level. She added that one math and one foreign language
teacher were still needed at the middle school level. The spokeswoman said:
“The Department of Education has experienced staffing challenges in filling
vacancies for music and art teachers at the primary level, and in securing math
teachers at middle and senior school levels. In the interim, in cases where
there is a staff vacancy, a trained and qualified substitute teacher has been
provided. Staff recruitment is set to commence by the end of September 2019 for
placements for September 2020. She added that the island’s 10 preschools and
Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy, in Devonshire, had a full complement of staff.
The spokeswoman said: “With the current staffing complement, the Ministry and
Department are confident that all schools are positioned to proceed full-speed
ahead with teaching and learning for the 2019/2020 school year.” Diallo
Rabain, the Minister of Education, and DoE staff welcomed pupils and staff back
to school today.
It
was still unclear last night if all public schools would be open today as pupils
return to the classroom for the new academic year. Questions about the
readiness of schools were sent to a Ministry of Education spokeswoman last
night. She was asked whether all schools would be open, if work to tackle
asbestos continued at any schools, and if all schools had been declared safe.
There was no reply by press time. The questions were sparked by work at three
schools in the past few weeks. The spokeswoman confirmed last Friday that work
had been carried out at West End Primary School, Sandys, to remove floor tiles.
She said the work was a “precautionary measure” in case they contained
asbestos. The spokeswoman said at the time that the Ministry of Education was
“confident” the school would be “safe to receive students and staff”
today. She added two other schools — Prospect Primary School, in Devonshire,
and Clearwater Middle School, in St David’s — were “expected to open on
Tuesday, as scheduled”. Work to tackle asbestos at both schools took place
over the summer break. Kalmar Richards, the Commissioner of Education, said
yesterday that she along with Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, and
Department of Education staff would be at schools today to welcome pupils back.
Ms Richards said the visits were designed to “show our support to staff and
students, and to remind us about the important work we do each day — work for
our children”. She added: “The staff and I are fully committed to student
success and will continue to set out a path towards improving results and
transforming Bermuda public schools.” Ms Richards said that 4,820 pupils would
return to public schools for the new term. She added: “I expect our students
to do well and I look forward to seeing an improvement in our results this
year.” Ms Richards said that teachers had taken part in professional
development to prepare for the new academic year. She added that new teachers
had also completed orientation “to equip them with the knowledge they need to
seamlessly transition into the Bermuda public school system”. Ms Richards
said: “I have no doubt that all of the staff will inspire and encourage our
students towards their maximum potential this year. I am also encouraged by work
being done within the DoE to ensure a successful year.” She said that DoE
staff had been involved in tasks that included the preparation and delivery of
school supply orders, finalization of staff assignments, and preparation for the
increase of internet bandwidth at preschools, primary schools and middle
schools. Ms Richards added that staff had also prepared for the launch of the
DoE’s complaints policy and upgrades to PowerSchool, the online school
information site.
Three
acts of vandalism in the run-up to Bermuda’s first Pride parade are still
under investigation, police have revealed. CCTV footage showed a suspect
spray-painting the Pride sticker on the front entrance of The Royal Gazette
offices on Par-la-Ville Road between 3am and 8am on August 30, the day before
the parade. A spokesman for the Bermuda Police Service said: “Efforts to
identify and locate that individual are ongoing.” He added that police were
also probing the vandalism of crosswalks on Queen Street and Washington Street
in Hamilton, which had been decorated in Pride colours in honour of the parade,
the night before the rally and march. Witnesses should call 717-2072.
British
Airways flights between Bermuda and London will be cancelled today for the
second day running because of a strike by pilots. The 2.55pm flight from
Gatwick has been cancelled on both days, as well as the return flights scheduled
for 8.10pm. The airline cancelled about 1,700 flights yesterday as the British
Airline Pilots Association embarked on a two-day strike in a dispute over pay
and conditions. A BA spokeswoman said: “British Airways sincerely regrets that
flights to and from Bermuda today and tomorrow are cancelled due to the strike
action caused by the pilots’ union, Balpa. “We understand the frustration
and disruption Balpa’s strike action has caused our customers. After many
months of trying to resolve the pay dispute, we are extremely sorry that it has
come to this. We remain ready and willing to return to talks with Balpa.”
Balpa has claimed cost cutting and “dumbing down” of the BA brand had eroded
confidence in the airline. The union gave notice of the two-day strike last
month, as well as a third day on September 27. Balpa estimated the series of
strikes could cost the airline about $150 million. The spokeswoman said:
“Unfortunately, with no detail from Balpa on which pilots would strike, we had
no way of predicting how many would come to work or which aircraft they are
qualified to fly, so we had no option but to cancel nearly 100 per cent of our
flights all over the world.” She added that British Airways had offered all
affected customers refunds or the option to rebook to another travel date.
A
new “world-class” beachfront fun zone planned for Snorkel Park Beach in
Dockyard will provide a venue for Bermudian artists, entrepreneurs and business
collaborations, the new operators said yesterday. Belcario Thomas, the chief
executive of the project said the new-look attraction would create more than
jobs and include a water park and upgraded nightlife. Mr Thomas added: “We
will enhance the island’s guest experiences overall by reducing pressure on
Horseshoe Bay and set certifiable service and control standards for the beach
economy to raise the bar in Bermuda. Through collaboration and creativity with
area businesses, we can work on addressing seasonality through bundled packages.
This venture gives us the opportunity to focus on residential and community
programming, products and pricing that more strikes a needed balance.” Mr
Thomas will take over operations at Snorkel Park with the rest of his team at
Beach Boys Ltd, the operator of Tobacco Bay in St George’s, alongside several
partners. He said that, as well as roles for kitchen, bar and beach staff, there
would also be several “back of house” positions available. The unfilled
posts include some for people who have completed Bermuda Economic Development
Corporation, Bermuda Hospitality Institute and Chamber of Commerce tourism
industry programmes. The team said it had a three-year plan to overhaul Snorkel
Park Beach with an emphasis on safety, accessibility and “a welcoming sense of
place”. Dennie O’Connor, of Beach Boys Ltd, will be operations director for
the new venture and Raymond Walker will be managing director. Mr O’Connor, the
winner of this year’s International Certified Tourism Ambassador award, said
the nightlife would have a “broad appeal”. He added: “We’ll introduce
our versions of sunset Hawkins Island-esque experiences, evening transport and
fresh, outside the box events,” he said. A process of consultation with the
planning department, Dockyard operators Wedco and others will take place before
proposals for the water park are made. Mr O’Connor said: “Fortunately, we do
have architectural project management and contracting expertise in-house who
will begin this period of discovery, allowing for sensitivities to any
preservation areas, weather considerations, cost and benefit analysis and the
like.” The Beach Boys team are also joined by Joyce Hayward, a former
accountant-general, as financial controller, architectural project manager
Vanessa Daniel and programming manager Jennifer Turini Ysseldyke. Paul Franco,
the president of Vasco Da Gama, is the contractor, and Podiatry Board chairwoman
Natasha Thomas is in charge of productivity and business intelligence. Chris
Garland, the managing director at Harbourside Holdings Ltd, which owns
Flanagan’s Irish Pub in Hamilton and other hospitality businesses and Sidley
Carswell Sanna, the liaison member of the operating group, rounded of the new
ownership of Snorkel Park. The group was one of six that submitted bids after
Wedco issued a request for proposal in June. Glenn Jones, the chief development
officer at the Bermuda Tourism Authority, said the plans were “an awesome
opportunity for tourism. We know the leadership team at Beach Boys understands
this premise and we’re glad to hear they’ve earned the chance to advance
Bermuda’s beach economy in the West End. The BTA has always believed improving
infrastructure and amenities on beaches where they already exist is the pathway
to a better beach experience for visitors and locals alike."
Bermuda
Hospitals Board (BHB) has announced the awarding of nine scholarships, worth
$155,000, over one or more years. All the scholarships are administered by
BHB, with funding for five from Bermuda Hospitals Board ($70,000), three from
the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation ($45,000) and one from
GlaxoSmithKlein Insurance Ltd, a Bermuda-based subsidiary of GlaxoSmithKline plc
($40,000). Venetta Symonds, BHB President & CEO, comments:
“Congratulations to all the scholarship winners. It is exciting to see the
next generation of healthcare professionals working to complete their studies.
Forty three years ago I was in their shoes – a successful BHB scholarship
winner. I wish them all the best in their studies and look forward to seeing
their careers blossom. Whether they focus on their speciality or go on into
senior leadership, I wish them well. I would like to thank the BHCF and
GlaxoSmithKlein for their on-going investment in Bermuda’s healthcare future,
and to all the members of the BHB Scholarship Committee who administer and
support the selection process.”
Scholarships funded by BHB:
Scholarships funded by the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation (BHCF)
GlaxoSmithKlein Scholarship
A
veteran nurse with almost 50 years on the healthcare frontline is shocked to
find she has no insurance coverage for emergency bone cancer treatment overseas.
Eloise Bell, 73, said yesterday: “I’ve worked here for 50 years, paid my
insurance for 50 years, and the one time I need it I can’t get any
coverage.” Ms Bell said she was told by a pharmacist when she picked up
prescriptions for blood pressure treatment and painkillers six weeks ago that
her health insurance covered only hospital care at the King Edward VII Memorial
Hospital. She added: “I couldn’t believe it. I don’t even get a discount
for being over 65.” Ms Bell, who had bone cancer in her right leg diagnosed
three weeks ago, said she had no choice but to travel to Brigham and Women’s
Hospital in Boston tomorrow for further treatment. She added: “If I could get
it checked here, I could understand why they won’t cover me overseas. But they
won’t do it here. Ms Bell asked: “So what happens to someone who has a
condition they can’t handle here? Do they have to die because they don’t
have insurance for overseas?” Ms Bell said she now has to find thousands of
dollars for her flight, hotel accommodation and treatment in Boston, and did not
know what further treatment might cost. She added: “They are causing me to put
my life over money and I have 24 hours to make a decision.” Now she has
launched an appeal for financial help and obtained a temporary fundraising
licence. She said: “This is my appeal to the public to lend their voice in my
support. “Perhaps some of the people I have helped over the years will be able
to help me out.” Ms Bell said she had cared for thousands of patients over her
career, including hundreds flown overseas by the Bermuda Air Medivac plane from
2004 to 2011. Ms Bell was the service’s vice-president and chief flight nurse
for the service until it folded. She said her health problem started in April
with an ache that she at first thought was a pulled muscle. Doctors suggested
arthritis, then myositis, a muscle inflammation, but a CT scan, followed by an
MRI, revealed a tumor on her right thigh bone near her hip. Ms Bell said: “You
can see on the scan that it is almost through to the marrow of the bone.
That’s why there is such time pressure.” She added: “It’s serious. I was
told the worst-case scenario is I’ll lose my leg. I had a little cry and then
pulled myself together for the next step.” She said a biopsy at Brigham and
Women’s would determine if the cancer was malignant or benign. Ms Bell
explained the procedure was said to be “too dangerous to do in Bermuda”. She
added: “In my 50 years as a nurse, I have had one inpatient hospital visit,
for the delivery of my daughter. I have been off ill about ten days.” Ms Bell
retired from the hospital seven years ago, but she has been employed there ever
since in full-time, part-time and casual roles. Ms Bell explained that casual
nurses were called in when the hospital was short staffed, and were “not
supposed to work more than a certain number of hours per year”. She added:
“All I knew was I had hospital insurance. I didn’t think it mattered whether
it was Bermuda or Timbuktu.” Ms Bell said a part-time nurse from overseas had
a massive heart attack last year while he awaited a new contract. She added:
“He had no insurance because he hadn’t started his new contract. He told me
he thought he would have a second heart attack when he found out it cost about
$100,000, but they still covered him. I never knew my insurance only covered me
for hospital here. I don’t have FutureCare because I don’t need it. Last
month, I did full-time hours in the emergency room, so I should be covered for
that.” A spokeswoman for the Bermuda Hospitals Board confirmed last night that
Ms Bell was “a casual at BHB”, but said that board could not comment on
individual cases because of employment confidentiality. She added: “However,
we can confirm as a matter of policy, all staff are offered the BHB retiree
health plan when they retire from BHB, which includes overseas care as part of
major medical. People who do not take up the plan due to their pursuit of
alternate employment or their decision to take a health plan independently,
forfeit their option to join the retiree plan. Those who take alternate
employment post retirement, including working at BHB as a casual, are subject to
the health plan offered by the employment. BHB casual health benefits only cover
those required by the Health Insurance Act.”
12
Bermudian employees at Butterfield Bank in Bermuda are to be made redundant as
the result of cost-cutting restructuring measures. The bank is making a
further ten roles redundant in the Cayman Island, with those and the Bermuda
jobs being moved to the bank’s support services centre in Halifax, Nova
Scotia. The roles impacted are in the bank’s card fraud department, middle
office area and call centre. A bank spokesman yesterday said employees had been
given advance notice of their positions being relocated to Canada during the
coming months. He said that Butterfield was working to find alternative roles
within the bank for the impacted employees. The spokesman confirmed that all 12
employees affected in Bermuda were Bermudian. “Butterfield is one of the
island’s largest employers and 93 per cent of Bermuda-based roles are held by
Bermudians. Where restructuring is effected, the impact on roles tends to
reflect this proportionality,” he said. Affected employees were informed of
the redundancies last Thursday. The spokesman said: “Halifax provides us with
an in-sourced, cost-effective location in which to consolidate teams that serve
our businesses in multiple jurisdictions.” Efforts are being made to find
alternative roles within the bank for impacted employees, the spokesman said,
adding: “The timing of role redundancies for impacted employees varies by
position and each employee was provided with details for his/her role last
Thursday. In all cases, we have provided several months’ advance notice.”
The redundancies are the second round of job losses at Butterfield’s on-island
operations this year. In April, 11 people lost their jobs at the bank when their
positions in Bermuda were made redundant, and more than 30 accepted early
retirement packages. At the same time, Butterfield announced the closure of its
Rosebank banking centre and drive-through teller services in Hamilton.
Tonnes
of emergency aid supplies were loaded yesterday on board a Royal Navy ship bound
for the hurricane-ravaged Bahamas. HMS Protector, the Navy’s Antarctic
patrol ship, will stop off in the Bahamas with Royal Bermuda Regiment Colour
Sergeant Sheldon Fox and National Disaster Co-ordinator Steve Cosham on board to
deliver the massive amount of food, water, hygiene supplies, plywood and other
donated items. Colour Sergeant Fox, student Bandmaster with the RBR Band &
Corps of Drums and also trained in disaster relief, said: “It’s a bit
different from music, but it’s part of the versatility we offer to the
country. I’m doing the management and handover of supplies in Bermuda and in
the Bahamas to ensure it all gets to the right people.” The 32-year-old former
music teacher from Warwick, now a full-time soldier, added: “I wasn’t
expecting to be doing this this weekend, but it’s the nature of the job; we
serve the people. I’m looking forward to representing the regiment and Bermuda
and helping where I can.” Colour Sergeant Fox was speaking as sailors from HMS
Protector stowed an estimated 100 tonnes of disaster relief supplies, donated by
the Bermudian public and businesses over just one weekend, in its hold before it
steams to the Bahamas today. Small businesses with trucks and large companies
volunteered their vehicles to transport donations from the main collection
centre, at the Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church on King Street, to the
dockside on Front Street. Soldiers and volunteers had earlier stacked donated
goods on pallets and secured them at the church, for easy loading on board HMS
Protector, which stopped off in Bermuda en route for patrol duty in the South
Atlantic. Private Trent-ton Daniels, 22, who worked alongside Protector’s
crew, said his civilian background as an employee at Price Rite in Spanish
Point, meant he had experience of forklift trucks and pallet transport. Pvt
Daniels said: “The moment they asked me to do this, I was more than willing. I
do it for my job and it’s great to do it for my country, and help out our
sister islands as well.” The Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama suffered massive
damage after the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian slammed into them last Sunday and
slowly crossed over northern Bahamian chain for four days. The International Red
Cross estimated this weekend that more than 70,000 people had been forced to
flee their homes and that 45 per cent of homes in the devastated islands had
been destroyed or severely damaged. Captain Matt Syrett RN, the Commanding
Officer of HMS Protector, said: “We’ve arrived in Bermuda at an opportune
time and we’re delighted to be able to assist. We could stay here and load
much more because of the generosity of the Bermudian people, which has been very
impressive.” But he said the need for aid in the affected islands was so
great, the ship would be most useful by getting assistance there as fast as
possible. Captain Syrett added that the response of the people of Bermuda had
been “inspiring. The spirit of this island in helping another island ... is
just amazing.” Lieutenant-Colonel David Curley, the Commanding Officer of the
RBR, said: “This is an excellent example of how the RBR can support the civil
authorities and work with other armed forces in times of need, at home and
abroad. I am very proud of all the soldiers who turned out at very short notice
and threw themselves into the work with huge enthusiasm.” Manai Roberts, of
Smith’s-based MIR Trucking, was one of dozens who came forward to help
transport tonnes of aid to the navy ship. Mr Roberts said: “I figured, at the
end of the day, if something like that happened to our country, people would do
the same for us. I just like to help people and I enjoy doing it.”
Lieutenant-Commander Robbie Nash added: “We’ve all seen in the press the
devastation that Dorian caused and we’re very proud to be representing
Bermuda, the UK Government and the Royal Navy. We’re glad to help out.” John
Rankin, the Governor and also the Commander-in-Chief of the RBR, dropped off his
own donation at the church on Saturday and visited the massive military and
civilian effort to pack and move aid supplies yesterday. He said: “The people
of Bermuda have been incredibly generous. I am grateful that HMS Protector,
together with the Royal Bermuda Regiment and with support from the community and
the City of Hamilton, are loading everything on the vessel so they can take it
to the Bahamas and help those who so desperately need assistance. The
international community, as a whole, is determined to help the Bahamas in its
time of need and Bermuda is playing its part, in that effort. I hope all the
material that is coming from here will help get people back on their feet and
provide them with what they need to get them through the difficult days, weeks
and months ahead.” Wayne Caines, the Minister of National Security, said that
more than 200 tonnes of goods had been collected since Friday and that 100
tonnes’ worth would depart today. Mr Caines said that work continued to
determine when the additional goods would leave Bermuda. He added: “By
midweek, we should have an update.” Mr Caines said that the people of Bermuda
had come together and had emptied their homes and their hearts. He added: “I
am so excited to see the love that the people of Bermuda have shown. I am proud
to be a be a Bermudian today. I know in my heart that we can do anything. This
is an example of what we can do every day in our island home.” Simone
Smith-Bean, the chief co-ordinator of the Bahamian Association of Bermuda for
the relief effort, thanked Bermuda for its “outpouring of love. We are so
grateful for all of the support that you have given us over the past 48 hours.
We are bubbling over with so much gratitude and so much respect for this island
nation that has come to our aid at this time.” Ms Smith-Bean said the
volunteers who had given their time to the cause over the weekend were
"heroes."
Three
public town hall meetings to discuss proposed reforms to health benefits are to
be held in the coming weeks. Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, said that
healthcare providers, insurers, employees and patients had been sought to
“encourage meaningful, constructive dialogue”. She added: “These reforms
will affect us all and I need the input of everyone in the community to build
solutions that work in our shared best interest.” Ms Wilson said that talks so
far on the proposed reforms had been “ extremely interesting. I’m hearing a
range of points of view and very important perspectives. This will help us build
a better health system to make Bermuda healthier.” The meetings are scheduled
to take place on:
All meetings will start at 6.30pm. A consultation guide on the proposed reforms has also been released. A ministry of health spokeswoman said that the guide “provides a description of the Bermuda Health Plan 2020 proposals, the detailed data modelling assumptions in the ‘mock plan’, and information on how to respond to the consultation”. Ms Wilson unveiled plans last month for a revised package of health insurance benefits designed to cut out-of-pocket expenses for the public. She 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 at the time 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. The administration of the plan will also be discussed. Naz Farrow, the chief executive of Colonial Group International, warned last month that the creation of a new system was a “massive and complex undertaking”. 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 that the company “encourage the adoption of a flexible, rather than fixed, consultation period” as many details of the plan had not been determined.
BF&M
Ltd has reported shareholders’ net income of $11.4 million for the first half
of the year, an increase of $4.7 million year-on-year. John Wight, group
chairman and chief executive officer, said: “For the first half of 2019,
BF&M reported strong earnings by both our property and casualty operations
and our life and health business. Strong investment results also contributed to
our performance for the six-month period.” Equity attributable to shareholders
at June 30 was $284.7 million. General fund assets totaled $1.3 billion of which
$143.4 million was held in cash and cash equivalents. Gross premiums written for
the period were $198.8 million, driven by growth in home insurance business in
the Caribbean and higher group health and annuity premium. With increased
premiums written, the company also benefited from increased commissions on
business ceded to the reinsurance market. Commission and other income increased
from the prior year by 11 per cent to $25.6 million. Investment income for the
period reflected a strong first half with a $26 million increase in the fair
value of investments in the period. Short term claims and adjustment expenses
decreased 6 per cent, year-on-year, to $12.3 million from favourable loss
experience in 2019. Life and health policy benefits increased by 111 per cent to
$80.8 million. Life and health policy benefits includes changes in life
reserves, which increased in 2019 compared to the same period last year due to
differences in market interest rates. Operating expenses increased 5 per cent to
$32.5 million for the period. Mr Wight said: “At this time, our thoughts are
with all those affected by the devastation from Hurricane Dorian. We stand ready
to do our part in beginning the process of rebuilding, not just through our
donation in support of the work of the Red Cross, but by promptly assessing and
processing claims as these start to come in.” The company said it is too early
to provide an estimate of the loss the BF&M group has suffered from
Hurricane Dorian, however it expects that the loss will be contained within its
reinsurance programme. BF&M offers property and casualty products as well as
health, life, annuities, pension products, investment advisory and financial
planning services.
Insured
losses from Hurricane Dorian have been estimated at between $1.5 billion and $3
billion, by AIR Worldwide. The catastrophe risk modelling firm said Dorian
first made landfall on August 28 at St Thomas, but quickly strengthened to
maximum category 5 as it reached the northwestern islands of the Bahamas on
September 1. In Grand Bahamas and Abaco Island buildings were destroyed, roofs
were torn off, trees were felled, streets and homes were flooded, and cars,
boats, and debris were strewn everywhere. Hundreds of people remain missing,
while the official death count in the Bahamas from the hurricane is 43. Dorian
moved away from the Bahamas and weakened as it moved north in proximity to the
US coastline. It later made landfall on a peninsula of North Carolina, and on
Saturday swept across Nova Scotia, Canada, as a post-tropical cyclone. AIR’s modeled
insured loss estimates for the Caribbean include damage to onshore residential,
commercial, and industrial properties and their contents, as well as
automobiles; time element coverage (additional living expenses for residential
properties and business interruption for commercial properties that experience
physical loss from both direct and indirect sources); and storm surge. The
estimates do not include loss to offshore properties, pleasure boats, and marine
craft; losses to infrastructure; losses from hazardous waste cleanup, vandalism,
or civil commotion whether directly or indirectly caused by the event; demand
surge; losses resulting from the compromise of existing defences, such as
levees.
There
is now no need to spend time going up and down supermarket aisles gathering your
groceries in a cart. MarketPlace has launched an online ordering service
today, which allows customers to choose what they want to buy and then drive to
the Hamilton store to pick-up the packed groceries. Online grocery order and
pick-up services is a growing trend in a number of countries. In the US, big
name retailers offering such services include Walmart, Target and Whole Foods.
MarketPlace is initially offering its new online order and pick-up service at
Hamilton MarketPlace, however it intends to extend the service to more of its
stores before the end of the year. The aim is to make shopping quicker and
easier for customers. The ordering is done at the MarketPlace website, or
through mobile apps that can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App
store. When ordering, customers can specify alternatives to their first choices
in case they are not available. There are reserved pick-up parking spots where
customers can quickly have their groceries loaded at a time convenient to them.
The minimum online grocery order is $50. There is a $4.95 fee, although this is
waived for the first order. Customers can choose from more than 25,000 items
online at Marketplace.bm. Items are organised by category, and customers can
shop the weekly deals and still enjoy 5 per cent off on Wednesdays. Seth
Stutzman, president of The MarketPlace, said: “Our online ordering and pick up
service is perfect for customers who want to spend their time on things that
matter most. We recognize that grocery shopping can sometimes be a
time-consuming experience. Our goal for implementing online ordering is to give
some of that time back to our customers, allowing them to spend it on things
that matter the most. This service is also great for visitors to island. Our
customers from the US, Canada, the UK and other similar jurisdictions are
accustomed to these sort of tech-advanced services, as well as residents who
have lived and travel abroad. Our team has worked tirelessly over the last few
months to get the new website and mobile app operating, and I thank them
immensely. We are thrilled to be offering this service.” He said supermarket
associates will carefully select the best quality items and keep customers up to
date on their order until it has been collected. Shoppers simply park in one of
the reserve spots for pick-up and call or text the listed number on the
designated parking spot signs to alert an associate of their arrival. Their
order is brought out and loaded into customers vehicles within minutes.,” Mr
Stutzman said.
Drummer
and singer Charles “Tao” Taylor died at the age of 71 in June in Toronto,
Canada. He was a prolific musician who set the tempo for one of the
island’s hottest acts from the 1970s and 1980s, Burning Ice. A memorial
jam session for him was held at the Leopards Club, on Saturday. Mr Taylor played
with a host of bands in the prime of Bermuda’s entertainment scene, but was
best known locally for Burning Ice. He also backed several famous visiting
artists including Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations and Marvin Gaye.
Pat O’Connor, his sister, recalled growing up as one of six siblings in a
vibrant musical household on Parsons Road in Pembroke. Their parents, Robert and
Gwendolyn Taylor, were both artists. “Everybody used to come, and rehearse at
our house. We grew up around music,” she said. “Music was passed through the
family. Charlie had his drum set and I grew up singing. Most drummers are not
singing people, but my brother could do both.” She described her brother, who
called her “Earth Angel”, as “outgoing, outspoken, sometimes
hardheaded”. Ms O’Connor added: “The way he played was awesome.” She
said she had been “blown away” to hear strangers recognize her brother’s
style in the drumming of her son, Tajai O’Connor, who plays in the Royal
Bermuda Regiment Band. Mr Taylor’s niece, Patrina O’Connor-Paynter, known
professionally as Powergirl Trina, said her uncle’s career took flight with
the musician and band leader Michael “Curtis” Clarke. She said: “He was a
drummer for many years with Gene Steede. I remember growing up, going to all the
different hotels where people performed, and being so proud. That was his life,
his bread and butter. He would sleep during the day and at nights, he would
perform. It was a time when the entertainment industry was booming.” A
consummate joker who could improvise songs for fun, Mr Taylor “loved to pull
pranks on people, especially his wife, Stephanie”, Ms O’Connor-Paynter
added. His obituary at the memorial celebration listed local bands including the
Cortinas, Six Love and Three Plus Three Explosion. John Burch, a guitarist with
Mr Taylor in the 1960s group Green Forest, said the band’s name came from a
picture hanging on Mr Taylor’s bedroom wall. Mr Burch said: “He was a Motown
type of guy and sang nice. Charlie was funny, always speaking with folks. We’d
play weddings at places like Castle Harbour and Elbow Beach.” With the 1970s,
Burning Ice grew into a top act. Along with Mr Taylor, it comprised Colin Lee,
Jeffrey Marshall, Basil Burns, Danny Rowling, Gregory Seymour, Wendell Darrell
and Antonio Dill. Mr Marshall said: “It wasn’t very often you would see
Charlie in a down mood. He kept a positive attitude about everything.” He
added: “Charlie was a phenomenal singer and an amazing drummer. Nothing
flashy. He didn’t aspire to a lot of chops. What he played was massive,
massive grooves. You could not sit still.” June Caisey, a singer and
contemporary, traced Mr Taylor’s career back to “Curtis” Clarke in the
late 1950s. She said: “He was part of my life more than 60 years. Charlie was
philosophical and loved everyone unconditionally. Burning Ice saw the future —
they were visionaries.” Cleveland “Outta Sight” Simmons said he helped
promote the band for its Canada tour in the late 1970s. Mr Simmons said:
“Those guys stayed out there for ten years. To start with, they didn’t have
permits. They used to work non-union places. They used to go to this club on
Yonge Street for jam sessions every Saturday afternoon when Prince was the main
feature. That was the same year Prince recorded the song Purple Rain.”
Dale Butler, the music historian and former MP, wrote in his book, Music on
the Rock: “The ‘Ice’ placed profound emphasis on originality — and
an all-out effort to overcome their audience.” Mr Butler added: “Charles was
an exceptionally talented drummer, who I first got to see when I was a teenager,
when he rehearsed with Charles Michael Clarke, in Curtis Clarke and the Cortinas
on Angle Street. He was a much sought-after drummer, who could play anything. He
was a major icon in Bermuda music, when we transitioned from mainly calypso and
began to explore a variety of music.”
A
visitor from the United States who died in a crash last week was identified by
police as Jamie Kopp. It marked the sixth fatal traffic accident of 2019. Ms
Kopp, 49, was riding with her husband on a separate rental scooter in Hamilton
Parish on Thursday, at about 1.45pm, when her vehicle collided with a water
truck. The two were headed west on North Shore Road near the junction with
Cottage Hill Road. The truck was travelling in the opposite direction. Ms Kopp
succumbed to serious injuries, despite life-saving efforts at the scene and on
the ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. She was pronounced dead at
the hospital. A police spokesman said her husband and the driver of the truck
were not injured. A family liaison officer was assigned to help Ms Kopp’s
family. An investigation continues.
More
than a year has passed since Government promised to look at ways to develop
Shelly Bay to improve access for older people and the disabled. Campaigners
who put forward the plan, as an alternative to a Bermuda Tourism Authority
proposal to house food and beach equipment and rental concessions in re-modeled
shipping containers at the Hamilton Parish beach, said they were confident work
would be carried out in the near future. The Ministry of Public Works, however,
declined to comment on when the redevelopment was scheduled or if cash had been
earmarked for the project. Members of the pressure group, which included area
residents Cheryl-Ann Griffin, Esme Williams and LaVerne Furbert, said earlier
that it was their hope that the work would be completed in time for this
year’s summer season. Ms Williams said this week that the group would follow
up with the minister regarding the status of the plans. She added: “I am
confident that the plans will go ahead and am hopeful that they will be included
in the upcoming budget.” The Government last August blocked the BTA plan, part
of its Beach Economy Vision, after public consultation. The public works
ministry instead agreed to examine the campaigners’ proposal, which was backed
by a petition with more than 1,000 signatures. The ministry organised a meeting
in April and outlined plans for a gazebo, water wheelchairs and removable
non-slip mats that would run to the water’s edge, as well as improved access
to the beach. Derrick Burgess, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly and
also an area resident, was on the panel at the April meeting along with
Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, the public works minister, who said at the time
that the plans were “not cast in stone”. Mr Burgess also refused to comment
on the development and said it was a question for the public works ministry. The
BTA hosted a taster event last August to allow potential concession operators to
promote their businesses. Jamahl Simmons, the Minister of Economic Development
at the time, said during the event that “we’re the ones that will make the
final decision”.
Migrant
workers have shared “horror stories” claiming abuse, xenophobia, unfair
discrepancies in working contracts and having their travel documents seized,
according to a union leader. Jason Hayward, the president of the Bermuda
Public Services Union has launched a guest worker task force to address the
issues migrant workers face in their employment. Mr Hayward met with members
from 14 groups this week, including unions, the Bermuda Hospitals Board, the
Bermuda Chamber of Commerce and cultural organisations representing ethnic
groups. Mr Hayward told The Royal Gazette: “The way in which migrant
workers are being treated needs to be addressed immediately. The concerns are
severe — I have been hearing some horror stories. It is important that we recognize
that guest workers play a vital role in our society as Bermuda will always have
to rely on guest workers to fill some areas of our workforce. Guest workers
undoubtedly contribute positively to our economy. We cannot and will not turn a
blind eye to the plight of this population in Bermuda, as all workers should be
afforded decent work.” Mr Hayward said the task force heard stories including
“bullying and harassment, precarious work, instances where employers have
seized travel documents when guest workers arrived in Bermuda, variation to
guest worker employment contracts after arrival and numerous other abuses by
employers which are against the Employment Act. More alarming stories were
shared on how some stakeholders have assisted domestic workers in escaping their
places of employment as a result of the abuses and undignified treatment they
receive from their employers.” The union leader said that the Department of
Labour had received similar complaints, although the Department did not respond
to a request for comment yesterday. Mr Hayward said that the task force agreed
to focus on numerous aims including to promote cultural diversity, inform guest
workers of their rights, campaign against xenophobia and combat discrimination,
raise concerns to the government’s Labour Advisory Committee, and ensure that
Bermuda’s legislation fully protects all workers. Mr Hayward said that he
would encourage local companies to survey their employees in order to identify
instances of bullying and abuse within the workplace. He said: “We are trying
to get companies to put out employee opinion surveys so they can get a better
grasp of the culture that exists within their work environments. We are actively
engaged in the migrant worker population, how to move forward and assist them
and we intend to meet on a monthly basis.”
Bermudians
have rallied in response to calls to send 200 tonnes of goods to the
hurricane-stricken Bahamas. “This could have happened to us,” Juanita
Caldwell told The Royal Gazette yesterday. Ms Caldwell was dropping off $100
worth of supplies in a temporary storage room at the Hamilton Seven-Day
Adventist Centre. She said: “I can’t imagine what people are going through.
I’ve just brought simple things, things for people to clean themselves, to
help give them a sense of sanity.” Ms Caldwell was accompanied by ten-year-old
Alec Geekie, who said: “I just like helping people.” The Saltus year six
student pitched in carrying donations with Wayne Caines, the Minister of
National Security, who yesterday called on “every household in Bermuda” to
donate. Tens of thousands are in need, and hundreds feared dead, after the
Bahamas this week bore the brunt of Hurricane Dorian, the worst storm in the
country’s history. Donations are still being solicited this weekend at the
church centre on King Street, to be shipped on Monday. David Steede, the pastor,
said: “It’s been a steady stream of people. It’s all kinds of Bermudians
from all walks of life. This is the most expensive country to live in, but
people are still willing to give.” Among donors was Wanda Francis, dropping
off a load of toiletries. “This is just who I am,” Ms Francis said. “If I
say I’m a Christian, then when people are in need I just do it.” Mr Steede
said every donation would have to be itemized and packaged before going aboard
the Royal Navy ice patrol ship HMS
A
Massachusetts man who was caught with cocaine in his cruise ship cabin was
ordered to pay $750 before he can leave the island. Kyle Melannson, 29, from
Leominster, pleaded guilty yesterday to importing cocaine and THC — the active
ingredient in cannabis — into Bermuda in an incident on September 3. The court
heard the drugs were found in a search of his cabin by the crew of the Norwegian
Gem. Melannson admitted to police that the drugs, 0.2 grams of cocaine and a
vape cartridge that contained THC, belonged to him. He told the court he was
concerned about his ability to pay a fine because he had no money and the ship
left Bermuda on Tuesday. Melannson said: “On the first night I slept outside.
I’m scared, sir. I’m afraid I cannot pay. I apologise to all for this
situation. I just want to go home and I will do my best to get the money and get
the plane to go home.” Charles Richardson, duty counsel, said Melannson had no
previous convictions here or in the United States and that the drugs were not
intended for supply. He added that he had advised the defendant to contact
family and friends overseas to secure the money to pay for whatever fine he
received. Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe fined Melannson $500 for the cocaine and
another $250 for the THC. The magistrate also ordered that the fines be paid in
full before Melannson is able to leave the country.
Work
has been carried out at West End Primary School to remove floor tiles as a
precaution in case they contain asbestos. Air samples have also been taken
and are being sent overseas. Last night the Ministry of Education confirmed that
during an inspection on Wednesday some tiles were found to be coming up from the
floor in a storeroom at the school. The next day the health department and
Bermuda Water Service visited the school, on Scott’s Hill Road, Sandys.
“After some discussion, it was decided that the best course of action was to
remove the tiles in question in case they contained asbestos. Air samples were
also taken. All works and samples collected were carried out due to the visual
inspection finding,” the Ministry of Education said in a statement. “The
tiles in question were removed and the floor was encapsulated, removing all
possibility of asbestos being present. This work was completed on Friday.” The
ministry said ceramic tiles are scheduled to be laid today, and air samples are
being sent “overseas as per standard protocol”. It also emphasised that the
abatement work was a precautionary measure solely based on visual inspection.
Parents and staff will be formally notified on Monday, and the ministry said it
is confident the school will be safe to receive students and staff on Tuesday.
The ministry’s statement came after two photographs that appeared to reveal
asbestos work at the Sandys school were sent to The Royal Gazette yesterday. The
first, bearing a Ministry of Health letterhead and dated September 4, showed a
permit for asbestos abatement at the school, located on Scott’s Hill Road. It
said that AMR Services was authorized to start asbestos abatement on that day
and complete the work by yesterday. The permit, signed for the chief
environmental health officer, added that the work would tackle the “lifting
and replacement of loose vinyl floor tiles. An Asbestos Abatement Completions
should be issued after a satisfactory inspection has been performed by
Occupational Safety & Health.” The second photo showed what looked like a
plastic tented area that had the permit taped to it. Teachers have already
expressed concern over safety after the discovery of asbestos at Prospect
Primary School, in Devonshire, and Clearwater Middle School, in St David’s,
earlier this summer. A ministry of education spokeswoman confirmed on Tuesday
that work on asbestos had been completed on three areas inside Prospect Primary.
She added at the time that work to tackle asbestos at Clearwater continued. The
spokeswoman explained: “Some additional abatement works were needed, in one
area of the cafeteria.” She said in an update yesterday that Prospect Primary
and Clearwater “are expected to be open on Tuesday as scheduled”. The
spokeswoman added that abatement work at Prospect Primary had been completed and
that school staff had been back inside the building. She said: “The abatement
work has also been completed for Clearwater.” Questions about a whether a
back-up plan was in place for pupils and staff should Prospect Primary and
Clearwater not be opened went unanswered.
A
dissertation dealing with racial bias in Bermuda’s education system written
more than 40 years ago will now be available online. People will be
able to access Muriel Wade-Smith’s A Survey to Identify and Prioritise
Goals for the Bermudian Education System in digital form through the Bermuda
National Library. Dr Wade-Smith said that her dissertation, submitted in 1978,
was about “the goals of education in this country”. She added that she had
compared the goals of education models for other places with Bermuda’s as
outlined by the Department of Education in 1948. Dr Wade-Smith said: “What
struck me was that all the other places never mentioned race, but Bermuda’s
did. To me, the goals were biased against children in the public school system,
which were mostly black. My recommendation was that we included different groups
in re-establishing what the goals in education should be.” She said that her
friends and family had told her that the act of making the dissertation
available was “long overdue”. But she added: “I say everything happens in
its time.” Dr Wade-Smith said that yesterday marked the start of what she had
predicted last year of the “volcanic eruption” that was needed in education.
I believe that today is the beginning of good fortune for education for
Bermuda’s children.” Dr Wade-Smith said: “I believe that I have been
commissioned to bring about two elements in the education of Bermuda’s
children.” She said of the those areas was African-centric education. It is
incumbent upon us that we give our children their history, and their, culture,
and their roots.” She identified the other element as justice. “Justice is
conduct that shows that one is acting in accordance with what is morally right
or fair. So if we want the tumbling out of the blessings, we must prepare
ourselves to deal with Bermuda’s education system from truth and justice.
Sometimes the truth hurts, but it brings us to a better place.” Dr Wade-Smith
was a co-founder of the Bermuda Christian Deliverance Academy in 1994.She later
opened other schools in the Caribbean. Dr Wade-Smith apprenticed at the Berkeley
Institute in 1960 and later went on to work at a local primary school. She
received her first degree, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from
Miami University, in 1971. She completed her Masters of Education three years
later in 1974 and later her Doctorate of Philosophy in Elementary School
Administration and Early Childhood Education. Diallo Rabain, the Minster of
Education, said that Dr Wade-Smith “embodied what it means to exhibit
Bermudian academic excellence in every way. She has been a pillar of strength in
her community and shown what it means to advocate for children and education
here in Bermuda.” Mr Rabain said that Dr Wade-Smith had made “significant
contributions” to the academic community in Bermuda. “She has also worked
diligently to spread her knowledge and expertise internationally.” Mr Rabain
said that it was important that Bermudian contributions to academics were not
forgotten. He added: “Our aim is to glean insight and knowledge from present
and past works of academia to inspire the course of Bermudian education moving
forward.”
Warwick
Academy recorded its best IGCSE results this year. The school reported 96.5
per cent of its pupils achieved five grade C/4s or above and 88.3 per cent of
all distinct subjects written were at C/4 or better. A spokeswoman for the
school said this compared very favorably to Britain, where students achieved
67.3 per cent grades at C/4 and above. A further breakdown showed:
Noah Da Silva achieved straight A*s and 9s, a feat achieved by only 0.1 per cent of the IGCSE candidates worldwide. The top ten students were:
Principal David Horan said: “A tremendous amount of hard work from the students and staff goes into achieving results like these. I extend my congratulations to all our students and pass on my thanks to our staff who either directly or indirectly contributed to their success during their time at Warwick Academy.”
Premier
the Hon. David Burt, JP, MP, met yesterday with the Bahamian-Bermuda Association
coordinating committee, for the Northern Bahamas Hurricane Relief Fund. This
committee has established a Registered Charity (designated account) to
facilitate their fundraising initiative and met with the Premier to discuss
plans to further assist this humanitarian effort. They have received an
overwhelmingly compassionate interest from the Bermudian community. Premier Burt
said, “Our heartfelt prayers continue to go out to the Bahamas as they come to
grips with the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. We will work with the Bahamian
Association of Bermuda to offer support and ensure our collaborative relief
efforts.” Residents can assist the people of the Bahamas by providing cleaning
supplies, building supplies, safety and hygiene supplies, and non-perishable
food items. For more information and to offer assistance contact the Bahamian
Association of Bermuda at 297-2326.
Bahamians living in Bermuda have lost family members after the worst
hurricane in the country’s history devastated parts of the island chain, a
Bahamian-born Bermudian lawyer said yesterday. Simone Smith-Bean, the wife of
former Progressive Party leader Marc Bean, said: “It looks like the aftermath
of an atomic bomb. There are hundreds still missing. They haven’t even started
moving the rubble.” Ms Smith Bean was speaking after Category 5 Hurricane
Dorian hit the Bahamas last Sunday and battered the Abaco islands and Grand
Bahama, for two days. She said some of her own relatives had swam for their
lives after a huge storm surge inundated Marsh Harbour, the capital of Abaco,
and had taken refuge in a church, with hundreds of other refugees from the
storm. Now about 100 Bermuda residents with family ties to the Bahamas have
joined forces to send urgent relief to the stricken country. Ms Smith-Bean said:
“Two or three are saying they have lost family. They are my people and I
can’t leave them behind.” Ms Smith-Bean said she had tracked friends and
relatives in the country on social media and shared their location coordinates
with the United States Coast Guard, who are part of the massive rescue
operation. She added: “Now it’s about sending relief.” She said Bahamians
in Bermuda had teamed with the We Care Project, a disaster relief charity, to
send emergency supplies to the affected islands. Her law offices in Melbourne
House on Parliament Street in Hamilton were being used to collect basic supplies
from tents to canned goods and storage containers. Bermudian-based drinks giant
Bacardi said the firm had donated $1 million in cash and other assistance to the
international relief operation. Bacardi, said it would work with charities and
the Bahamian Government “to ensure that this cash donation provides immediate
and long-term assistance to local relief agencies in their efforts to support
the islands and communities that need it most”. Bacardi was based in the
Bahamas for a short period after the family-owned firm was forced out of its
homeland, Cuba, after the 1959 revolution, and it made rum in the Bahamas for 50
years. A spokeswoman added: “The company has also organised an employee drive
to collect much needed items for those in need in the wake of Hurricane
Dorian.” Bacardi has also sent a link to its global workforce where they can
donate cash to aid organisation Mercy Corps. Guilden Gilbert, a Bermudian who
lives in Nassau, the country’s capital, said: “There are still a lot of
people unaccounted for. Storm surges were in excess of 30 feet; one report I saw
had storm surge at nearly 40 feet. That storm surge would be absolutely
devastating. There’s just no protection whatsoever. There’s just nothing
that can be done to slow that down.” Mr Gilbert said Nassau, on New Providence
Island, had suffered heavy rain and flooding, but got off lightly, in comparison
to other parts of the country. He said Freeport, on Grand Bahama and the second
largest city in the country, had been badly hit. He explained: “When you look
at Freeport, it’s somewhat like New Orleans, Louisiana, in that it sits below
sea level. Coming from the south, there is some protection, but on the north
side, there is no protection. That’s why the airport is under water. Once the
water goes over the airport, there’s nothing to keep it out of Freeport.” Mr
Gilbert said Bahamian authorities had warned that the death toll, more than 20
people so far, was sure to rise. We don’t know what that number is going to
be, but the reality is that it’s more than likely it will be significant,
based on the conditions that exist, the number of houses that were completely
destroyed and the number of people that have been reported missing. Myra Dill,
married to former United Bermuda Party minister and lawyer, Jerome Dill, said
the couple considered their house in Nassau their “second home”. Ms Dill,
who had spoken to healthcare workers in the Bahamas, left stunned at the
storm’s ferocity, said: “I have never seen anything like this from a
hurricane. It’s devastation. Complete and utter devastation. I wouldn’t want
anybody to have to live through this sort of thing. Bermuda is in a position
where it can help out their neighbour island, and that’s something we should
be doing. Ms Dill warned: “It’s very early days. It’s not going to be a
matter of weeks before things are back to usual. It’s going to be years.” The Bermuda Government said yesterday it had been asked by businesses,
organisations and members of the public how they could help. A government spokesman said the Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation team
had launched efforts to ensure aid was directed to the appropriate agencies. The spokesman added that cash donations should be made to the Hurricane
Dorian Relief Fund or the Bermuda Red Cross. Police warned residents last night to check the credentials of relief
organisations looking for funds and remain vigilant against social media scams.
BE
Solar have pledged to donate $20 per solar panel sold in the month of September
towards Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas. "BE Solar
recognizes that Climate Change continues to affect the most vulnerable societies
and that collectively we must do more to stop damaging our planet. Every solar
panel that is installed helps stop fossil fuel from being consumed, and helps to
reduce the effects of Climate Change. "Stuart Kriendler, Managing Director
at BE Solar stated “We were inspired by the government for encouraging Bermuda
to support these vulnerable communities that have experienced catastrophes as a
result of Climate Change. The advent of more extreme natural disasters should be
a reminder of what the future may hold if we do not collectively address Climate
Change. Extreme Heat Waves, Floods, Fires and Hurricanes are all becoming far
too common.“ As of Friday, September 6th 2019, BE Solar have raised $1,440 for
the Bahamas’ hurricane initiative. This appeal is supported by the Rocky
Mountain Institute called the “Building Back Better: A Call to Action for a
Resilient and Renewable Future for The Bahamas”. Earlier in 2019, BE Solar
initiated a similar month long fundraising program where for each solar panel
sold, the company donated $20 towards the disaster created by Cyclone Ida in
Mozambique in March 2019. Over 1,000 people were killed and hundreds of
thousands became homeless overnight by this horrific storm. A total of 84 solar
electric panels were sold which raised $1,680 for the appeal and was donated to
the Mozambique Relief fund. BE Solar would like to extend great appreciation to
clients that supported the previous Mozambique initiative, and look forward to
working with new solar clients to raise funds to assist our brothers and sisters
in the Bahamas.
The
prisons adviser to the British Overseas Territories has been called in to
examine the operation of the troubled Westgate Correctional Facility. Keith
Munns toured the prison yesterday with Timothy Seon, chairman of the Prison
Officers Association, to talk to staff members, having already met officials
from the Department of Corrections. Mr Seon said before the tour that he planned
to raise worries over staffing and budget levels with Mr Munns. He added he
would also discuss some of the prison officers’ grievances, including officers
having to make Government Employees Health Insurance contributions. Mr Seon said
mould removal at Westgate was done by prisoners because there were no certified
specialists available. He explained: “We have no one certified to do it so we
use inmate labour. We are aware that there are certifications for mould
remediation and we are pushing to have a professional cleaning company on a
consistent basis to deal with it.” Mr Seon added the prison also needed
“deliverable and consistent programmes” for prisoners. He said: “We have a
sewing class, art class and a small engines mechanic class which has just ended.
We are hoping to have more classes but that is all that we have running. An idle
mind is the devil’s workshop, and it creates a harder environment for security
staff to manage these individuals. All of this is to do with staffing and
financing. Mr Munns will, more than likely, make some suggestions by way of
financing, but, at the end of the day, the Ministry of Finance holds the purse
strings and if they say there are no finances for it, then ... it is what it is.
There is a lot of angst and frustration within the department.” Mr Seon said
that would hold a meeting with POA members next week over problems that hit
efficiency. “The climate is tense and morale is low when you have a labour
government taking back a contractual benefit. In my opinion, the whole labour
dispute was fruitless, because the only definitive recommendation that was made
is that we are going to pay into the GEHI benefit. I have to get back to my
membership to find out what direction they want to take moving forward, then the
executive will move accordingly. If my membership has the appetite to take it
further, then that is what it will be. I haven’t heard anything from
government. I will talk to Mr Munns about this.” Mr Seon has, in the past,
said conditions in the prison were “deplorable” and he has complained about
a lack of maintenance, burst pipes and a recent ceiling collapse in the
prison’s kitchen, The Prison Officers Association marched on the House of
Assembly in a protest over pay and working conditions in June. Mr Munns was
asked to review Westgate and draw up a report. Mr Seon said: “Mr Munns will
report on how we can better the service and the product that we provide, and
give an internal review of the prison service, before following up with a report
recommending how to make it more effective. He is taking an holistic approach.
After his visit, he will then have a follow-up with the minister and ultimately
the Premier and Government. Many of the concerns we have at the facility come
down to staffing and financing — budgetary constraints. Mr Seon added: “We
have a lot of outstanding issues and concerns.” Mr Munns worked in the UK
prison service for 42 years and is a former governor of HMP Albany in the Isle
of Wight and HMP Wormwood Scrubs in London. His role now is to ensure that the
prison systems in the Overseas Territories are in line with UK standards. Wayne
Caines, the Minister for National Security, defended Government’s record over
Westgate in the House of Assembly after the June protest. Mr Caines highlighted
the recruitment of 25 new officers, a new cleaning regime and improvements to
air conditioning, as well as the CCTV network and telephone systems. The
national security ministry did not respond to a request for comment yesterday.
A
man from the Dutch Caribbean territory of Sint Maarten who admitted four charges
of theft and bank fraud was jailed for nine months yesterday. Angelo
Toussay, 35, pleaded guilty at Magistrates’ Court to the theft of $2,350 from
HSBC and an attempt to steal a further $8,590. He also admitted possession of
plastic cards with magnetic strips and a machine designed to make fake credit
cards. Senior magistrate Juan Wolffe sentenced Toussay to nine months’
imprisonment for each charge. He ordered the sentences to run concurrently with
time already spent in custody taken into account. Mr Wolffe said: “These sorts
of offences are all too prevalent now and strike at the heart of our financial
institutions.” Toussay at first denied the charges when he appeared in court
on July 29, but changed his plea to guilty on August 14. Kenlyn Swan, for the
Crown, told the court that Toussay arrived in Bermuda from Philadelphia on July
20 and stayed at a hotel in St George’s for three days. Toussay was later seen
by the hotel manager to try and get money from an HSBC in the Olde Towne.
Toussay checked out of the hotel on July 23 to catch a flight and asked the
hotel manager to give his laptop bag and a speaker to an associate who would
come to the hotel later that week. The hotel manager was suspicious and
inspected the speaker, which had an electronic card reader and several fake bank
cards concealed inside and contacted police. Toussay returned to the hotel later
that day after he missed his flight and made a reservation for several days.
Police arrived the next day and arrested Toussay. The court heard that police
seized $2,350 in Bermuda dollars stolen from HSBC. They also seized an
additional $2,400 from Toussay, but were unsure if the cash was the proceeds of
crime. Ms Swan told the court that the offences showed a high level of
sophistication and planning. She added that Toussay was one of several foreign
nationals who had attempted to steal from Bermuda banks in recent months. Ms
Swan said: “They attend this island for the sole purpose of criminality. These
types of offences strike at the pillars of the community and attack financial
institutions.” Bruce Swan, Toussay’s lawyer, said that his client had
co-operated with the police. He added that Toussay had come to the island to get
money owed to him and became involved in a criminal scheme. Ms Swan that the
Crown would ask for a forfeiture order on the other $2,400 found on Toussay. Mr
Wolffe adjourned the case until September 26.
Scores
from an annual pupil assessment should be used to guide maths teaching in public
schools, the head of the teachers’ union said yesterday. Shannon James,
the president of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, said that the results of the
Cambridge Checkpoint assessment “should be used to move the system in a
certain direction”. Mr James added: “Out of this ,there needs to be action
steps, a concise plan, professional development, coaches, funding and resources
to ensure that our maths competency improves.” He was speaking after it was
revealed last week that a third of public primary schools were ranked as poor in
maths based on average pupil scores on the Cambridge Checkpoint assessments for
2015 to 2017. Mr James said it was “sad” that the results of the annual
assessments had “become something of a political debate”. He added: “The
test itself is diagnostic — it is a doctor’s visit, per se.” Mr James said
that a plan had been developed in 2015 and that there was a team of subject
specialists, including a maths specialist, who had been “making strides in
implementing a concerted maths effort. That programme was cut and the content
specialists were disbanded. Too many times we chop and change with programmes
when we need to let this diagnostic test guide us into the direction that we
need to go and follow up with a concerted effort to ensure that excellence in
delivered. We have the expertise; we need to ensure that it is put to use and
that we do what needs to be done to improve our math skills.” The detailed
Cambridge Checkpoint results were released after a public access to information
request from The Royal Gazette. Bermuda’s annual assessment rates Primary 6
pupils on English, maths and science. The Cambridge system uses scores from 0,
ranked “very poor”, to 6, graded “excellent”. 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
results of the 2018 and 2019 Checkpoint exams have not been released publicly,
but were sought in the Pati request. A Department of Education employee said
this week “that the information is unavailable until in has been released by
the minister”. A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Education earlier said that
the results for both years would be released next month. Cole Simons, the Shadow
Minister of Education, said that he understood that the results of the 2018 and
2019 assessments had been given to some principals and teachers. Mr Simons said
it was “bizarre” that the results had not been made public by Diallo Rabain,
the education minister. He added: “Given that we are now at the beginning of
the 2019/20 school year, one would have thought that we should have the 2018 and
2019 Checkpoint results in full and published by now.” Mr Simons said that it
was “crucial” that pupils and teachers “know where they stand”. He
added: “The longer the Minister of Education delays the complete release of
these assessment results, the more our students’ performance is possibly
compromised and the more they are left behind.” Mr Simons said that Mr Rabain
would deserve praise if the test results showed pupil improvement. He added:
“If the performance results are not as positive as they ought to be, the
minister should use this as an opportunity to address the areas which need
support, and also, give our teachers the tools required for them to produce
student plans, and teaching tools and resources, which will enable them to
secure improved student outcomes, and place them on par with their international
colleagues.”
A
female tourist died yesterday after a motorcycle crash. The victim, a
49-year-old American, was on a rental motorcycle that was in collision with a
truck on North Shore Road, near Cottage Hill Road, Hamilton Parish, at about
1.45pm. The woman, who has not been named, was the sixth road fatality of 2019.
A police spokesman confirmed: “Sadly, despite life-saving efforts, the female
visitor involved has been pronounced dead at the hospital.” The spokesman said
CPR was performed at the scene before the woman was rushed to the King Edward
VII Memorial Hospital. Traffic diversions were set up as police examined the
crash scene. The police spokesman said the woman would not be identified until
next of kin had been informed. Witnesses should contact police on 295-0011.
The
Government’s delay in filing against same-sex marriage with the Privy Council
in London has been branded “scandalous” by a lawyer for the side backing
same-sex unions. Rod Attride-Stirling, representing the LGBTQ rights charity
OutBermuda, with four other respondents, said the Government had “purposely
delayed every single step” in having the case heard by Britain’s top court.
“They are trying to make it go as slowly as possible,” Mr Attride-Stirling
said this week. “If they had filed notice of appeal in London in January or
February, it would likely be over now, or a date would be fixed.” He added:
“As a result, some of the same-sex couples who are getting married in Bermuda
are being told there’s a question mark hanging over their marriage. Who would
want that?” The lawyer said that the Bermuda Government had lodged its notice
of appeal with the Privy Council on July 12. Documents were filed one day short
of seven months after the Government’s application for leave was lodged with
the Bermuda Court of Appeal last December. Mr Attride-Stirling said the notice
to the Privy Council would have been “virtually identical” to the appeal
filed in here. “It should have taken them two weeks at the most,” he said.
“It’s scandalous. They wanted to delay it — there’s no other reason
why.” A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Home Affairs said: “The
Government’s appeal is properly before the Privy Council and all deadlines
have been duly complied with. Information and practice directions on the
applicable timelines and processes can be found on the Privy Council’s
website.” Reuters reported last Friday that no date had been confirmed for the
hearing, which was “unlikely to be this year”, according to a Privy Council
spokeswoman. The spokeswoman said: “We have received the paperwork for this
case and it is being finalised. It has not been listed yet so we do not know yet
know when the hearing will be. The case number is JCPC 2019/0077.” The
Government’s decision to take the case to the highest court of appeal for
Bermuda marked a last-ditch effort in the legislative battle over same-sex
marriage. After a milestone Supreme Court ruling in May 2017 opened the way for
gay couples to wed, Bermuda’s Parliament countered by passing legislation that
December that replaced same-sex marriages with domestic partnerships. In June
2018, the Chief Justice of the day, Ian Kawaley, ruled in favour of a
constitutional challenge against sections of the Domestic Partnership Act
revoking same-sex marriage. The Bermuda Government appealed unsuccessfully in
November 2018. Mr Attride-Stirling said his clients were “champing at the bit
to proceed” and had “written 100 times” to the Government’s side
querying the delay in filing with the Privy Council. The lawyer said that in the
interim, Carnival Cruise Line, which has its ships registered in Bermuda, has
stopped granting same-sex weddings aboard its vessels. He said: “Carnival is
worried about conducting weddings in case the Privy Council changes the law.”
Mr Attride-Stirling said he was “cautiously optimistic” because “the
Bermuda judgments are massively in our favour”. He added: “We will get a
date set soon. We just do not know when the hearing will take place.”
Belco
is ready to send teams to help the Bahamas in the wake of the devastation caused
by Hurricane Dorian. The storm struck the island nation on Sunday as a
Category 5 hurricane and lingered there for almost two days, causing extensive
damage. A Belco spokesman said the company reached out to partners in the
Caribbean Electric Services Corporation to offer help when it became clear the
Bahamas would be hit. Dennis Pimentel, the Belco president, said: “Our first
thoughts are for the safety of all the residents of the Bahamas. “It’s clear
that this powerful Category 5 hurricane, the second most powerful ever recorded
in the Atlantic, has caused several deaths and extensive damage to property and
infrastructure on the Abaco Islands and on Grand Bahama. Our team is on standby
as assessments need to be carried out and a plan of action put into place by the
Bahamian disaster management team. We are in regular communication with our
Cariclec counterparts, and are ready to assist, once our crews have the
necessary accommodations and other considerations, to effectively help with
restoration efforts.” Mr Pimentel added that Algonquin Power and Utilities, a
Canadian energy company which has offered to purchase Belco’s parent company
Ascendant, would be able to assist Bermuda, if the island faced a similar
disaster. The sale has been approved by stakeholders, but the deal is still
subject to regulatory approval. He said: “One of the major benefits of being
acquired by Algonquin is having a mutual aid agreement in place. Through
Algonquin’s Utility Division which employs over 130 linesmen, Belco will have
access to a number of these resources, which can be deployed to Bermuda, in the
event that we are impacted by a hurricane, greatly improving our ability to
rapidly restore power throughout the island.”
Front
Street has been visited this week by a Royal Navy ice patrol ship. The HMS
Protector, a 292ft vessel, usually patrols the Antarctic where it conducts
surveys and assists with efforts to enforce environmental guidelines. According
to the Royal Navy, the vessel is equipped with two cranes capable of lifting up
to 60 tonnes of stores and equipment. The ship, originally called the MV Polarbjřrn,
the Norwegian word for polar bear, was first launched in 2001 in Norway as a
polar research icebreaker. The Royal Navy chartered the ship in 2011 as a
temporary replacement for the HMS Endurance, but the Royal Navy purchased the
vessel outright in 2013. The ship is expected to remain in port until Sunday,
when will sail for Miami. Government House did not respond to a request for
information on the reason for the vessel’s stop in Bermuda.
Two
would-be nurses became the first winners of scholarships set up to honour the
memory of an intensive care nurse who died two years ago. The Vickie Smith
Nursing Scholarships were awarded to Donnalyn Smith and Milon Outerbridge. Ms
Smith, who is due to start a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of
West England in Bristol, said: “This scholarship helps me a whole lot. My
parents are very hardworking; I see how hard they have to work for me. I would
do anything to help. I want to give back whatever I can, to ease the load.” Ms
Smith said she became interested in a career as a nurse when she volunteered to
work at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to notch up community service
hours while she was at middle school. She added: “A friend had volunteered at
King Edward VII Memorial Hospital as a teen volunteer and she persuaded me to
go. I volunteered in the continuing care unit and from the first day, I loved
it. We sat with elderly patients, those who could not speak, those with
disabilities … We read to them, we watched movies together, we walked with
them. I was so happy, making other people happy. I liked the personal connection
that nurses have with their patients and I wanted to make it a career. I am
interested in going into geriatrics, pediatrics or surgical, but that could
change once I get more experience.” Vickie Smith, who died in 2017, was a
veteran nurse and her mother, Julia, donated $20,000 for two nursing
scholarships in her name. Yvonne McHugh, a friend and colleague of Ms Smith as
an emergency nurse, helped to select the recipients. Ms McHugh said: “Vickie
was from New York and we started at the Bermuda Hospitals Board in 1989 at the
same time. We loved our patients. She took on the challenge of becoming the best
ICU nurse she could be. She was a brilliant nurse, you could ask her anything
and she would know it; she could run the show on her own. The doctors and anesthetists
all respected her and she contributed to saving countless lives. Ms McHugh
added: “She also loved having fun. She would organise dinners, get all the
girls together, and, if there was a new nurse, she would invite them to her
house, and have a BBQ or something. Vickie had big dogs in a tiny apartment. Her
mother, Julia, wanted her memory to live on through a nurse scholarship. Vickie
was very humble and didn’t like any fuss, but she would be very proud of
this.” Ms McHugh said that Ms Smith and Ms Outerbridge were stand out
candidates. She added: “Straight away I could feel their passion.” Ms
Outerbridge has already left for Britain in preparation for the start of her BSc
course.
Leonard
Teye-Botchway, a Ghanaian-born surgeon and former Olympic runner who gave up his
athletic ambitions to devote himself to medicine, has died at 64. The father
of three moved to the island in 1994 with his wife, Ronita, and pioneered
ophthalmology in Bermuda. He became the island’s first honorary consul for
Ghana in Bermuda in January 2011, organising diplomatic and humanitarian links
between the countries. Originally from Accra, the Ghanaian capital, Dr
Teye-Botchway was educated at the University of Ghana Medical School. His late
uncle, John Atta Mills, who died in 2012, served as president of the West
African republic. His brother-in-law, Kern Reid, described him as a deeply
committed Christian and “innate diplomat, who always lifted people up”. Dr
Reid added: “He was hugely generous; I consider him a brother. When I would
bring my family to Bermuda, he would not let me pay for anything. He always had
a positive outlook and always kept a good relationship. It was his inherent
nature.” A keen runner, including marathons, Dr Teye-Botchway joined Ghana’s
Olympic team in the 1970s and became West African champion over 400 metres.
Andrew Morrell, a fellow ophthalmologist in Britain, where Dr Teye-Botchway went
to study, said: “You would never have known. He was outstanding in everything
he did.” Calling Dr Teye-Botchway “my deepest and truest friend”, Dr
Morrell said the two met in 1988 at the University Hospitals in Coventry and
Warwickshire. Dr Teye-Botchway was on the training rotation there. The two men
worked together at Leeds in 1993, where Dr Teye-Botchway met his Bermudian wife.
Dr Morrell added: “Ronita was doing a degree at the University of Leeds. They
met through the church.” Dr Teye-Botchway was “an exemplary doctor, highly
skilled, but with the compassion that not everybody has”, he said. Not only
did he run a very busy clinic, and serve as consul for Ghana, he was an assessor
for Paralympian athletes. In his work, he revolutionized ophthalmology in
Bermuda. He introduced the latest techniques and technology. He helped every
single person he came into contact with; I don’t know how he did it all.” Dr
Teye-Botchway keenly competed in road races in Bermuda, including the Bermuda
Day Half Marathon Derby. He helped organise the Eye Institute Classic 5K, a
popular road race held in the East End, which relocated this year to Devonshire
for its 16th anniversary. Dr Teye-Botchway was the medical director for the
Bermuda International Institute of Ophthalmology, where his abrupt passing on
Tuesday, left colleagues in shock. Dawn Burgess, a technician of 12 years, said
Dr Teye-Botchway believed in continuing education and “always pushed us to go
one step further”. Leonie Curtis, the institute’s receptionist and a close
family friend, described him as “fair and considerate, slow to anger and
forgiving; truly a Christ-like man”. She added: “He was a man of few words,
but very deep and compassionate. We love him with all our hearts.” Carol
Ross-DeSilva, the operations manager, called him “a world-renowned
ophthalmologist, and too good to be true”. She said the clinic would be closed
for business tomorrow, but would remain open for friends to sign a book of
condolences. The High Commission of the Republic of Ghana yesterday called Dr
Teye-Botchway “dedicated and indefatigable” and offered condolences on
behalf of Ghana’s president, foreign minister, Government and people to his
family. David Burt, the Premier, said: “Dr Teye-Botchway was a well-respected
eye surgeon and served his homeland Ghana very well as honorary consul. Only
recently I had the pleasure of hosting him and the Ghanaian High Commissioner to
London for talks during the High Commissioner’s visit to Bermuda. His untimely
passing comes as a tremendous shock. On behalf of the Government and people of
Bermuda I wish to express sincere condolences to his wife, three sons and entire
family.”
Bermuda
National Gallery (BNG) has welcomed Ian Hind, Cameron Snaith and Mitchell Klink
to the Board of Trustees of BNG. These new additions to the board bring a
broad range of local and international experience in business, philanthropy and
the arts, The BNG look forward to their support and expertise in continuing to
develop the BNG’s engagement with Bermuda’s communities. “As the Bermuda
National Gallery continues to evolve, I am delighted to welcome, as Trustees,
the enthusiastic engagement of Ian Hind, Cameron Snaith and Mitchell Klink whose
combined experiences and skill sets will assist the Gallery in its mission to
develop a greater appreciation of the arts as a necessity to the well-being of
our community.” - Gary L. Phillips, Chairman Ian Hind brings to the Bermuda
National Gallery board over 20 years of experience and engagement with
Bermuda’s arts communities. He also brings an invaluable and comprehensive
understanding of building, architecture and systems, all critical to the BNG’s
museum infrastructure and controls, through his accomplished career as an
engineer, most recently as Senior Engineer for the City of Hamilton. Cameron
Snaith wears many hats in his business and philanthropic ventures and brings a
deep entrepreneurial engagement to the board, coupled with a comprehensive
understanding of the importance of the arts to community development. Cam Snaith
is the Co-Founder and Principal of Bleeker, a company that helps talented
professionals create meaningful careers. Based in New York City, Bleeker is
committed to guiding exceptional people towards mastery, growth, and impact
through our diverse ecosystem. Over a thousand executives, entrepreneurs,
artists, and athletes from around the world trust Bleeker to advance their most
essential pursuits. Outside of Bleeker, Cam was invited to join the prestigious
MIT Media Lab in 2015 as a Research Affiliate in their Social Computing group (a
lab creating socio-technical systems that shape our urban environments). He is
the Founder and Founding Chairman of Giving Opportunities To Others, a New York
City-based not-for-profit organization that enriches the lives of promising,
underprivileged middle school students by immersing them in art and music and
has raised millions of dollars since it’s founding in 2001. He built and
operated this charitable organization on nights and weekends while working in
New York City as a marketing professional. As a marketer, he’s worked at the
global headquarters of both PepsiCo and the National Basketball Association and
before that, he spent time working in advertising and talent agencies in New
York City. Cam is a mentor to Olympic athletes through the United States Olympic
Committee’s Athlete Network, to entrepreneurs and artists in the NEW INC
incubator, and to Princeton University undergraduates through Princeton
Internships in Civic Service. Cam also proudly serves as a Director on the
Butterfield & Company Board and a Director on the Ignite entrepreneurial
accelerator, both in Bermuda. He received his BA in English from Princeton
University in 2000 and MS in Strategic Communication from Columbia University in
2010. Mitchell Klink has a rich background in the arts through his work with
museums, galleries, artists and collectors, and brings a wealth of knowledge
around contemporary art and programming to the BNG Boards and committees.
Mitchell Klink has recently moved to Bermuda from Atlanta, where he led tours
and gallery talks as a docent at the High Museum for over 10years. Through his
educational, personal and professional travels, Mitchell is engaged with
museums, galleries, artists, collectors in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York,
London, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Mitchell has advised private collectors,
emerging artists, and arts institution leaders; enjoys collecting contemporary
paintings and drawings; and draws and paints a bit, too.
Premier
David Burt said last night he had offered the island’s support to the Bahamas
after Hurricane Dorian devastated large areas of the island chain. The
Premier extended the offer to the Bahamian Prime Minister, Hubert Minnis, saying
he would consult with the Governor to deploy The Royal Bermuda Regiment if
necessary. Mr Burt added: “We will be assessing our resources, to determine
what we can provide, and how we can best assist.” His remarks came after the
Bahamian Embassy in Belgium appealed for aid. Renée Webb, the Bermuda
Government’s representative in Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the EU,
said Maria O’Brien, the Bahamian ambassador, had asked for an international
relief effort. The northern Bahamas sustained unprecedented damage from the
storm, which packed the highest wind speed at landfall of any Atlantic hurricane
on record. The Queen and Prince Philip said they were “shocked and saddened”
at the loss of life. The letter from the Royals’ summer home in Balmoral,
Scotland, was posted on the Government House website. The Bermuda Red Cross
asked for financial donations, only, to help with relief efforts as the storm,
which yesterday had dropped from a Category 5 to Category 2, continued to batter
Grand Bahama. Ann Spencer-Arscott, the executive director of the Bermuda Red
Cross, said the islands would require help from around the world as the massive
extent of the damage was assessed in the storm’s aftermath. Donations can be
made at BNTB account 20 006 060 365472 200 or to Clarien account 4010035760,
Donations by bank card can be made via the Bermuda Red Cross number 236-8253.
Brian Madeiros, president of Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty, said he had been in
touch with colleagues from Coldwell Banker’s affiliate in the Bahamas. He
added: “On the basis of the communication I have received during the last
couple of days from a variety of local sources, many of the island communities
will remain significantly impacted for years to come. Devastation is an
appropriate description for many of the outer islands and their communities.”
The Bahamian company said that agents, family and friends, remained cut off, and
that some had had their homes destroyed, as Dorian crossed from Abaco to Grand
Bahama.
This
summer, two Bermudians interned with the London Representative Office in the UK.
The interns, Ari Minors and Madeleine Fox, spent thirteen weeks learning about
the work of the London Office and gaining an understanding of Bermuda’s
relationship with the UK, specifically within the UK Government and UK
Parliament. The interns had the opportunity to work and attend meetings with the
UK Overseas Territory Association (UKOTA) and the Overseas Countries and
Territories Association (OCTA) in Brussels. In addition to attending a
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meeting with UK MPs, shadowing
officials in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and a working week within a
prestigious law firm in the City of London. Ms Fox is a graduate of the
University of Oxford (Lincoln College) with a BA in Jurisprudence with Honours.
Following her achievement at Oxford Ms Fox has recently completed the Bar
Professional Training Course at the City Law School. Prior to studies in the UK
Ms Fox completed her first degree in Psychology with Honours from the University
of California, Berkeley in the United States. Ms Minors has a Bachelor of Arts
Business Administration Degree with Distinction from Mount Saint Vincent
University in Canada. She is currently completing her Masters of International
Business degree at Regent’s University London. Premier the Hon. David Burt,
JP, MP said, “I am immensely pleased that this opportunity has benefited these
outstanding, young Bermudian women. The renewal of the internship programme and
the addition of placements in our overseas offices creates the kind of
international experience that Bermudians need to compete in the global economy.
Our hope is that we will be able to do this annually, and for more young
Bermudians.” Ms. Kimberley Durrant, Director and UK Representative for the
Government of Bermuda, who supervised the interns added, “Ari and Madeleine
represent the excellence of Bermuda in their achievements both professionally
and in academics. The internship was an opportunity for young Bermudians to be
encouraged to develop a career within the public service in the areas of
international relations and diplomacy. I am pleased that these young women are
encouraged to move forward in this career path.”
The
chief executive of the Bermuda Hospitals Board is to retire next year after 40
years in healthcare. Venetta Symonds, 61, is to stand down at the end of
July after she handed in her notice two weeks ago. Ms Symonds said: “My
contract says I have to give six months’ notice. I gave a year’s notice, so
the board can work together, along with the health minister, and figure out the
next phase. It takes a long time to determine who you need and what the process
will be, going forward.” Ms Symonds said most people in a similar role spend
two or three years in the job, and that she will have done eight years by the
time she retires. She became CEO in 2012 after six years in the deputy CEO role,
which included an eight-month stint as acting CEO in 2006. Ms Symonds had a
baptism of fire as acting CEO, after she found herself in the middle of a row
over plans to build the new hospital on part of the nearby Botanical Gardens.
She had to face down hundreds of angry people at town hall meetings, organised
to discuss the proposal. Ms Symonds said: “I stood there, looking at this
crowd and trying to understand their passion, and trying to rationalize it,
against the reality of putting things on a green field. The lesson I walked out
of there with was, you have to listen. You can’t make a decision that is huge,
without engaging and bringing the public along with you.” The BHB backed down
and changed their plans. Ms Symonds said: “When it went for the final
permission at planning, when there could have been a thousand signatures saying
‘no’, no one registered a concern.” Ms Symonds started at the King Edward
VII Memorial Hospital as a 17-year-old summer student and worked as a file clerk
in the radiology department. She became interested in radiology and won a BHB
scholarship to get an associates degree in the subject. The scholarship was only
for two years, but, when she passed her board examinations with flying colours,
she decided to study for a bachelor’s degree. However, the scholarship
committee said she was already qualified, and wanted her to start work right
away. One committee member told her: “What do you think you’re going to do?
Come back and be CEO?’.” The committee gave in and paid for an extra two
years at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, and she returned to start work
as a certified radiology technologist in 1980. Ms Symonds said: “I was so
nervous and scared on my first day. People laugh at me when I say I am shy, but
that day, I kept my head down, even when going into the cafeteria. I felt like
there were all these people looking at me.” She was promoted to manager in the
radiology department in 1998, after Adrian Ringer, then the head of the
department, said if she could keep hospital administrators off his back, the job
was hers. The post of chief operational officer came up around the same time,
and the BHB chairman visited her at work and said she should apply for the job.
Ms Symonds said: “The reason I am here is because different individuals have
spotted something in me, and they encouraged me. When I was nervous and didn’t
have confidence, they had confidence. I have had an incredible journey, to get
here.” She added she was grateful to her parents, Norris and Ilis Pearman, for
their support. Ms Symonds said: “Towards the end of her life, my mother would
sit there, and say, ‘I can’t believe you are CEO of the hospital’. The
tears would come. I said ‘mummy, okay, it’s been five years’. She’d say
‘but I can’t believe it’.” Ms Symonds said medical technology had
changed since she started as a radiologist, when she would have to wet develop
X-ray films, a process that is now digital. She added she had seen the first MRI
scanner arrive at the hospital in 2002. “The machine came in a pre-made
building. They had to lift the building off the ship and onto the dock. It was
put on a trailer and we all walked behind it, to the hospital. They had to
change the medians in the road to accommodate us.” Ms Symonds said she planned
to explore a new-found passion for art, gardening and travel, as well as spend
more time with husband Carlos and adult children Marcus and Natasia. William
Madeiros, the BHB chairman, said: “BHB has flourished under Ms Symonds’s
vision and direction. Quality has improved, there is a strong strategy in place
driving exceptional care, a strong partnership and a healthy community, and BHB
has become a more open, transparent and caring partner under her leadership.”
Residents
who could be the subject of outstanding warrants were advised yesterday to see
police before they try to go overseas. Police said the service knew of
people who had been arrested at the airport because of unresolved court cases,
which had caused disruption or even cancellation of trips. A police spokesman
added that anyone worried about an outstanding warrant should visit Hamilton
Police Station at least 48 hours before their date of departure. He said people
should go between 8am and 9am, Monday to Friday “to ensure any court matters
are properly finalised in a timely fashion”. The spokesman explained:
“Warrants are instructions issued by the court to the police to apprehend
persons for various reasons, including those who have failed to respond to
outstanding ticket summons, reconcile outstanding fines or just failed to attend
court. The BPS advises people to proactively resolve these matters ahead of any
travel plans.”
Work
to tackle asbestos at another public school was completed over the long weekend,
an education ministry spokeswoman confirmed last night. However, the
spokeswoman said that it was “anticipated” that Prospect Primary School
would be ready to welcome pupils for the first day of school, on Tuesday. She
added that a report had been received over the weekend, that work was needed in
three areas of the Devonshire school. The spokeswoman said: “Abatement works
have since been completed and the Department of Education is awaiting a final
certificate of completion, from the Department of Health.” She added the
certificate was expected to be received “on or before” Friday. The
spokeswoman said that extra cleaning was also needed in parts of the school.
Teachers from Prospect Primary were sent to nearby CedarBridge Academy yesterday
to prepare for the start of the new school year, instead of their own school.
The spokeswoman said the move was made “in the interest of the health and
safety of teachers”. She added that government officials had yesterday met the
principal and school staff to update them on the Prospect Primary building and
answer questions. The spokeswoman added that parents of children at the school
would be given an update by today. She said that work to tackle asbestos at
Clearwater Middle School in St David’s continued. The spokeswoman explained:
“Some additional abatement works were needed, in one area of the cafeteria.”
She said that the affected area had been sealed off and that teachers had
completed preschool activities, in the building, yesterday. Teachers will be in
off-site professional development sessions today and tomorrow, and they are
expected to be back at the school by Friday. She said that Government
representatives had also met the principal and school staff from Clearwater, for
a progress report on the asbestos abatement work. The spokeswoman added that
parents of Clearwater pupils would get an update today. She said: “It is
anticipated that students will be welcomed at Clearwater Middle and Prospect
Primary on Tuesday.” The confirmation from Government came after two sources
told The Royal Gazette that asbestos had been found at Prospect Primary. Shareka
Tucker, the president of the Parent Teacher Association at Prospect Primary,
said she had not been told anything about asbestos at the school. She added:
“I wasn’t aware of the situation.” Diallo Rabain, the Minister of
Education, was sent several questions about the school yesterday. He was asked
where and when the asbestos had been found, and if parents had been alerted to
the problem. He did not respond by press time. Mr Rabain announced last Friday
that the “majority” of public schools would be ready for teachers and staff
today. He said that “all but two” schools had been given the all-clear and
that he expected an update, about the two schools, before the end of that day.
Mr Rabain added: “The results that we are waiting for, is indication that the
schools have been cleaned, and set up properly, for the teachers.” He
apologised, last month, to parents and staff at Clearwater, and admitted they
had not been told of work to tackle asbestos “in a timely fashion”. Mr
Rabain added: “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 parents’ correct e-mail addresses and contact
information, to allow for notices of this nature to be sent out quickly and
efficiently.” Prospect Primary was given the all-clear after asbestos work was
carried out in 2013. A spokesperson for the education ministry said at the time
that asbestos had been found in the adhesive used to stick tiles to the floor.
A
17-year-old denied a string of offences including the theft of a purse from a
Canadian tourist. Zaire Burrows pleaded not guilty in Magistrates’ Court
yesterday to the theft of a Longchamp purse, a credit card, a Canadian driving
licence and an iPhone owned by Tracy Tory. The incident is alleged to have
happened on August 23. The court heard that the items had a total value of
$1,050. Mr Burrows also pleaded not guilty to the theft of a motorcycle, failure
to stop for police, dangerous driving, failure to stop after an accident and
driving a motorbike of more than 50cc while underage. The alleged offences were
said in court to have happened between August 21 and 23. Senior magistrate Juan
Wolffe released Mr Burrows, from Pembroke, on $3,000 bail and adjourned the case
until October 14.
Walkers
(Bermuda) Limited has boosted its team with Melanie Fullerton joining the firm
as a senior associate in the Bermuda Regulatory & Risk Advisory practice. She
was formerly with the Bermuda Monetary Authority, where she was a senior officer
for legal services, policy and enforcement. Prior to the BMA, she practiced for
five years in the corporate team of Bermuda law firm Cox Hallett Wilkinson Ltd.
Working in concert with Walkers’ global Regulatory & Risk Advisory Group,
Ms Fullerton’s role will involve advising clients on all aspects of existing
and new regulation that impacts Bermuda, including domestic and international
measures. Walkers’ global Regulatory & Risk Advisory Group has grown from
two lawyers in 2017 to 15 providing regulatory advice from the Cayman Islands,
Ireland, Hong Kong, London and Bermuda offices. Jonathan Betts, head of
Walkers’ Bermuda Corporate, Finance & Funds group, said: “Melanie brings
with her a strong regulatory understanding of the Bermuda market. Her expertise
will greatly benefit our clients and we are thrilled that she is joining our
growing team.”
Efforts
to align the island’s economic substance requirements with other low-tax
jurisdictions have been welcomed by the business world. Will McCallum, a
managing director and head of tax at KPMG Bermuda, said it was important that
competing countries operated on a level playing field. Mr McCallum admitted that
there was still uncertainty after the legislation was implemented for existing
entities in July, but that the professional services industry was in a much
“happier space” than earlier this year. He said the Economic Substance
Amendment Act 2019, passed by Government in June, was a “total game-changer". It
meant that entities tax resident in another jurisdiction did not fall within the
scope of the regulations, provided that their home base was not on the EU
“blacklist” of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Mr McCallum
said last week: “Without that non-residency exception, there were a number of
entities that were incorporated in Bermuda but tax resident elsewhere that would
have been incredibly challenged to meet the economic substance requirements.
Government has made a lot of informal statements in public about further efforts
to better align our legislation with legislation passed in other jurisdictions,
which would be welcome as well. It has been a much brighter, happier space, I
would say, in the past couple of months than it was in March, April or May. I
think you’ll find people feel a whole lot better about economic substance now
than they did in certainly the spring and early summer. If we think about May 17
we were moved from the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions, that was
massive. The fact that within a month the Government instigated and completed an
effort to change our legislation to include an exemption for non-resident
entities, was massive.” Mr McCallum said that perhaps thousands of entities on
the register were “fundamentally impacted” by the non-residency exemption.
He acknowledged that there remained a “degree of uncertainty” around the
requirements, which were introduced under EU rules designed to combat tax
avoidance. Economic substance includes physical presence, employees and
revenue-generating activities. The expert said that even the OECD was “not
exactly certain” where lines will be drawn or how the regulations will be
enforced. Mr McCallum said KPMG had received calls from countries in Asia, the
Middle East, northern Africa and Europe, as well as the US and Canada as
entities tried to determine to what extent they meet Bermuda’s economic
substance requirements. He explained: “These are people who don’t understand
our rules and need to, because they have entities affected by it. We’ve been
very busy assisting entities, understanding the rules, looking at their specific
facts and at least starting to help them understand — given that the goalposts
are still moving a little — whether or not their facts support an assertion
that they meet economic substance requirements. There are organisations that
look at their presence in Bermuda or Cayman or BVI and they probably wouldn’t
meet the substance requirements the way they are set up, they don’t really
want to, they don’t really need to. In a lot of cases people have set up
entities that have remained on the register but they weren’t really serving
much of a purpose any more, the reason for their existence had diminished. In
that kind of situation you’re not going to bend over backwards to meet the
substance requirements, you’re just going to strike the entity.” But he
added: “There is a comfortingly high number of people who either meet the
requirements today or might want to consider tweaks to the way they operate to
meet that. At the other end of the spectrum is people who really have no
possibility given their current structure, and in some cases no desire, to meet
economic substance requirements in Bermuda.” Mr McCallum said there had been a
hope that Bermuda’s existing infrastructure would mean that the island might
be a “net winner” in terms of company losses and gains. "The way in
which the rules have been implemented in various jurisdictions meant that
“there hasn’t been a mad run for the exits” elsewhere. I have no
doubt” the overall company count would fall in all of the affected
jurisdictions but it was too early predict the impact."
More
than 20,000 customers across the island lost power after a major transmission
fault at Belco this morning. Residents reported outages in every parish from
about 10am. A Belco spokesman said at about noon that service had been fully
restored. He added that at the height of the outages 20,269 customers were
without power. The spokesman said that the outages were linked to a switchboard
fault and not the result of ongoing work taking place at Belco. He added: “It
was an isolated incident.” Warwick Academy was among the buildings to lose
power for about 45 minutes on the first day of the school term, as did the new
building at Somersfield Academy. Bermuda High School for Girls and Mount St
Agnes for Girls experienced a brief glitch, while Saltus Grammar School reported
business as usual because it has back-up generators. Lights in the west end of
Hamilton remained on. The spokesman said shortly before 11am that a “major
transmission fault” was to blame. He added: “We know that outages are
inconvenient and we thank everyone in advance for their patience.”
RG
editorial. "It’s no real surprise that Ascendant Group shareholders voted
to sell their company to Canadian energy company Algonquin Power and Utilities
Corporation despite cogent arguments being made against the sale of one of the
island’s largest remaining Bermudian-owned businesses. But in this case,
the shareholders do not have the final say over the transfer of ownership of
Bermuda’s major energy supplier and, to all intents and purposes, its sole
distributor of electricity. That decision lies with the Regulatory Authority,
acting under ministerial direction from the Minister of Home Affairs. In
general, governments should shrink from dictating to private enterprise or over-regulation.
But there are occasions when governments should have some say over a business,
and Ascendant, as a near 100 per cent monopoly and the producer of a commodity
which is critical to Bermuda’s survival and success, is a prime example of
this. So, while shareholders of Ascendant can hardly be blamed for agreeing to
double the recent value of their investment, the RA and the Minister have an
obligation to consider the public interest, and to decide whether this sale is
the best path for Bermuda’s energy future. Sir John Swan, a former premier and
leading businessman, and Michael Murphy, one of the most influential figures in
Bermuda’s insurance industry for decades, recently made cogent arguments
against the sale. Hardly radicals, they deserve a hearing over the Ascendant
sale. They argue that, before Bermuda sells its utility into foreign hands, it
should consider whether or not Bermudians can, in fact, make a better fist of
it, especially given that mid-takeover, the RA completely rejected Ascendant’s
strategy — years in the making — of using liquefied national gas to generate
electricity in favour of a strategy that would see Bermuda rely on alternative
energy for three quarters of its power supply in less than 20 years’ time. Sir
John and Mr Murphy, almost alone, have made the technical arguments. These can
be found quite easily on The Royal Gazette’s website, and there is no need to
repeat them in detail here. But, there is a broader debate to be had, over
whether the slow death of Bermuda’s 60:40 ownership rule and the consequential
increased ownership of Bermuda by foreign corporations, has been in the
island’s best interests. It is true that Bermudian ownership of Bermuda
businesses was never absolute. It was long ago recognised that there was
insufficient capital to build and maintain large hotels, and that the marketing
heft of large hotel chains could help Bermuda tourism. So, hotels were exempt
from the 60:40 rule. And, as was recognised by ET (Bob) Richards when he was
Minister of Finance in the last government, that the 60:40 rule was also
designed to protect the old white oligarchy’s businesses, not only from
foreign competition, but from poor Bermudians, mainly black, who might otherwise
have secured overseas investment to help them build their businesses, when
credit and investment in Bermuda was often channeled on racial lines. As the
world has become more globalised, the arguments for allowing foreign investment
in hotels spread to other industries. And it can also be argued that, after a
decade of economic decline, Bermuda does not have the internal capital needed to
invest in its infrastructure and to modernize its economy. Foreign direct
investment is essential for Bermuda’s success. Indeed, the argument for
allowing the Bank of Bermuda first to list its shares in the US and then to
allow its purchase by HSBC, was that it needed more capital in order to serve
the insurance industry. Allowing for that, more than a decade after the sale of
the Bank of Bermuda, how much has Bermuda really benefited? Much of the
investment windfall that came fuelled a local real estate bubble, which burst
around 2010 and has never re-inflated, or was invested in safer and higher
return markets abroad. Today, it is tempting to take the skeleton of the
bank’s headquarters on Albouy’s Point as a metaphor for the hollowed-out
remains of what was once Bermuda’s leading local business institution, one
which now employs a fraction of its former workforce. Certainly, all banks have
had to relentlessly pursue efficiencies in order to survive, and it is by no
means certain that had the Bank of Bermuda remained independent that it would be
any better off. Indeed, the near collapse of Bermuda’s other main bank,
Butterfield, after the 2008 financial crisis, is an object lesson. It became
foreign-owned by a US investment company and a Canadian bank to save it from
near collapse in what would have been a catastrophe for Bermuda. The experiences
of both banks, though, show what can happen to local institutions once they
attempt to compete in the free-for-all of global markets. Bermuda’s other
foreign takeovers have been less high profile. KeyTech, the owner of the Bermuda
Telephone Company (BTC), was already floundering when its operating units were
finally carved up by its rivals, but the public should remember that BTC was
first sold to a mysterious group of foreign investors, whose main goal seemed to
be to flip it to Digicel. And while both Digicel and One Communications work
hard at being good corporate citizens, both are essentially foreign owned, and
will always be under pressure to put profits over people. At the same time, the
consumer now lives with a duopoly. It is curious that the Government, which was
so vociferous in Opposition about the handing over of the airport to a Canadian
corporation, has been so restrained over the Ascendant sale. At least in the
case of the airport, the property will eventually come back to Bermuda — that
almost certainly will not happen in Ascendant’s case. There are arguments in
favour of foreign ownership, including lack of local capital. And there should
be technological advantages and economies of scale from being part of a larger
organisation. In theory, these should benefit the consumer as efficiencies lower
the cost of production. But, there are serious negatives as well. Although
Algonquin has promised to keep Ascendant’s headquarters in Bermuda, that does
not mean that many of its back-office functions need to be on the island. It’s
likely just a matter of time before its accounting, finance and bill collecting,
are being carried out from somewhere else, that most of its computer operations
will be managed from another country, and that any other jobs, that can be done
more cheaply or efficiently somewhere else, will be. Algonquin has to recover
its investment, after all. It’s likely that Walter Roban, the Minister of Home
Affairs, will approve of this sale, although, it will most likely be granted
with conditions on job preservation and other provisions aimed at preventing
Ascendant from being asset stripped. But, those conditions will certainly be
diluted over time; they always are. That’s too bad. Bermudians should have the
opportunity to show they can carve out a successful energy future for their
island. Indeed, there are successful disrupters already in the market. They
showed that alternative energy can work in Bermuda, while Belco continued to
burn barrel after barrel of oil, and the small companies even convinced the RA
of the viability of alternative energy, while Belco refused to deviate from its
vision of a fossil-fuel dependent future. Now facing a large and tough
competitor in Algonquin, the question must be asked whether these small
companies, who have a tiny fraction of the capital of their rival, will be
crushed, forcing the island to continue to live with a monopoly, but one now
owned by an absentee landlord. Mr Roban has a lot to think about."
For
Rhona Emmerson, the sale of advertising agency AAC to Premier Tickets Ltd marked
the end of an era. Ms Emmerson retired from the agency in March 2018, but
retained an ownership interest. That stake has now passed to Michael Branco’s
Celeste Group of Companies, which includes AAC, Premier Tickets, Fireminds and
Innovation House. After more than 35 years in the advertising business, Ms
Emmerson said it was difficult to cut ties with AAC — but she is convinced
that both the time, and the new ownership group, was right. “There is a time
to bow out gracefully and allow the business to reinvent itself,” Ms Emmerson
said. “It was that time for me. I felt I had contributed all that I could.
John White did that for myself and co-owner Cathie Mahoney many years ago —
and now we have passed the baton. Michael and AAC was the right fit. The timing
was perfect. He has the drive, understands the challenges, and is a team
builder. He understands the value of great communications and has invested in a
well run company, with a very professional, creative team, and many years of
experience to build on. He has the sheer energy and partner companies to guide
and build the company going forward.” While her head told Ms Emmerson that it
was time to sell, her heart took some convincing. “It was difficult, and took
a few years to really come to terms with fully leaving and letting go of all
AAC,” she said. “I loved the company we collectively had built, I looked
forward to going to work — yes, some days more than others — and I still
loved a good challenge. The company was driven to make a difference and grow
‘Bermuda Inc’, and that I feel we have accomplished. It was a privilege to
serve so many great clients over the years. They taught me so such, they trusted
our partnerships. I have met and worked with so many clever people, great
supporting vendors and very interesting local and international companies, some
of them clients for over 20 years. The bonus for me: working with creative,
smart, loyal and truly kind staff. Over the years, so many chose to cross over
the door each day and work with me. I am truly grateful for their time and many
talents.” Ms Emmerson and her husband, photographer and platinum printer Mark,
have retired to Gers in southwest France. “So now we are enjoying a quieter
country life, surrounded by sunflowers and vineyards,” she said. “This we
can live with. I have painted all my life, was a very active plein air painter
in Bermuda, and look forward to spending more time painting and discovering the
wonders of Europe. There is so much to see and taste, my goodness — it is
wonderful to be retired. Our French language skills are terrible, but we are
working on it. So, another new challenge!”
Bermuda’s
immigration policy and the high cost of doing business are set to claim another
member of the island’s retail sector with the imminent closure of
award-winning stationery and gift store Pulp & Circumstance. Owner
Michael Grayston said that the Washington Lane shop is to close on Saturday
September 14, putting three full-time staff and two part-time employees out of
work. Mr Grayston took over the running of the business following the death in
2015 of his wife, Kristi, who opened the store in 1996. He said: “After 23
years in business this has been an agonizing decision to make especially as it
impacts my all Bermudian staff and their livelihood as well as numerous Bermuda
artisans who sold their creations in the shop, but the business is simply not
sustainable.” Mr Grayston added: “After we lost Kristi, it was important to
me to keep her legacy going. I knew that she wanted to keep her team employed
and wanted the business to survive. We have made every possible effort but
business conditions in Bermuda have made it no longer viable. After many months
of soul searching and reshaping the business model, I have come to the realization
that the business has run its course and sadly it is time to close our doors.”
Mr Grayston said several factors had contributed to the store’s demise. “In
my view, a radical change in Bermuda’s immigration policy would be the most
beneficial to our business and the retail sector broadly,” he said. “The
loss of thousands of people over the last ten years has impacted all of us.
Immigration policy is critical. We simply need more people on the island to
support a vibrant retail sector.” Mr Grayston added: “Along with this,
increased taxes on the private sector, exorbitant duty and high payroll costs
and overheads have made the traditional bricks and mortar small business retail
model unprofitable.” He said the business has been in steady decline since the
global financial crisis began to impact Bermuda in 2009. “We don’t sell
anything you need,” Mr Grayston said. “We sell luxury goods, things that are
nice to have. A big part of our clientele were the people who left Bermuda.”
In its early days, Pulp & Circumstance was a retail success story. After
opening a tiny store on Old Cellar Lane in 1996, the business expanded rapidly.
By 2008, it employed 12 staff at two shops in Hamilton, and outlets in
Clocktower Mall at Royal Naval Dockyard, and at the airport. Mr Grayston said
Pulp & Circumstance became known for its exquisite engraved and letterpress
invitations, stationery, writing instruments for the serious collector and
greeting cards along with a unique and sophisticated collection of gifts for any
occasion. Mr Grayston said the business enjoyed a multigenerational clientele,
adding that his wife attributed her success to “an impassioned focus on
customer service and building long-term relationships with customers who often
became friends”. He said: “Kristi was an all-in, high energy entrepreneur
and understood before a lot of retailers that providing an in-store experience
was an important component in keeping and attracting new customers. She had a
passion for retail and championed all retailers and Bermuda businesses during
her time as retail chair, and in her role as president of the Bermuda Chamber of
Commerce.” The two Hamilton stores were consolidated into one operation in
2011. The Dockyard shop, opened in 2005, closed in 2012. The airport outlet
closed in January 2018 when its lease was not renewed. “That was a pretty
heavy hit to me,” Mr Grayston said. “It prompted me to do a re-evaluation of
the business, and that led me to where I am today, closing it down. Running an
independent, one-store operation in Bermuda is very difficult due to the
operating costs.” Pulp & Circumstance is not alone; retail sales figures
released last week by the Government Department of Statistics revealed that,
year-on-year, retail sales on-island have declined in 14 of the last 15 months.
Mr Grayston said: “I want to make people aware that it’s a challenge to
operate in Bermuda. Some people think that retailers make money hand over fist,
but I have good relationships with other retailers, and they are all going
through the same thing. There are a few more business owners who are in the same
situation of evaluating a business that is declining, and deciding whether to
hang in or not. Retail is struggling. If Bermuda wants to retain stores like
Pulp & Circumstance, shops that add interest and vitality to the island’s
retail sector, then we need to address some of these issues.”
Bermuda is at the centre of a
crime fiction book written by a sailor who fell in love with the island and its
people on visits here. Entanglement — Quantum + Otherwise, John K.
Danenbarger’s first novel, “unravels the generational impact on reality
after the death of a loved one”. Q: What’s Entanglement about? A: An
explosive collision between a pick-up truck and a Volvo erases two momentous
scientific discoveries. Quantum probability results in complex emotional
entanglements. Voices return from the dead. A bloodstained piano becomes an
heirloom. Although a picture-perfect family, Beth Sturgess divulges an
ignominious past (much set in Bermuda) to her loving husband — who has deadly
secrets. Mistakes are fatal. With deeply flawed, relatable characters, is an
intricate literary crime story that unravels the generational impact on reality
after a loved one’s death. Q: Is this your first novel? A: Yes, this is my
debut novel. Q: What led you to feature Bermuda in your book? A: I featured
Bermuda because I love Bermuda. Period. The story I always tell about the
kindness and consideration of the Bermudian people is when I had to take a large
engine battery from the yacht to a marine shop in Hamilton on a rented scooter.
I had barely ridden a scooter before and was concentrating on driving on the
“wrong side of the road” (left-hand driving being difficult for us
foreigners), when two different cars stopped to help me. The first one saw that
I was riding without a helmet and stopped to tell me to put it on. The second
car stopped to ask if he could help me when I was trying to get the scooter
going again. That told me everything. I was stunned by the kind consideration.
Q: So you have been to Bermuda? A: I sailed a 46ft sloop from Salem Harbor to
Hamilton’s Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the first time with my son and our
spouses. We slept on board, but explored the island on motor scooters both
times. The second time, I sailed with two male friends on the way down and,
since one friend had to suddenly return alone by plane, we sailed with my one
friend and his adult son back to Massachusetts. The Newport to Bermuda Race was
arriving the second time we were there, so we had to move the boat to another
harbour. Q: When was the last time you were here? A: I sailed on my own yacht to
Bermuda twice from New England (Salem, Massachusetts to be exact). Both trips
were about two years apart; sorrowfully, the last time being a little more than
ten years ago. I miss Bermuda. Q: According to your publicist you sailed off the
coast of Bermuda and New England with the Merchant Marine. How did that come
about? A: The “merchant marine” is a sort of misnomer because it is not
related to the Marines, but a merchant marine licence allows a sea captain to
sail a ship up to a certain weight level, and is required for ships with paying
passengers and/or freight. I took the merchant marine exams because I wanted to
raise my competency level as a sailor. Q: How does Bermuda fit into
Entanglement’s plot? A: Bermuda is a haven and cure for a young woman who has
been ruined by drugs. Second, it is an eroding haven for a wealthy criminal who
inherited his wealth from his family’s slave trade. Thirdly, it is a metaphor
for human values which enrich and influence the characters who live there and
the young lady character, shown through the actions of a kind Bermudian woman
and her acquaintances. Q: Do you plan to do a book signing here? A: Our
publicity team hasn’t scheduled anything as of yet, but it would certainly be
a tremendous pleasure to return to Bermuda again.
Two
men were charged with possession of a total of $550,000 worth of drugs
yesterday. Charles Butterfield, 33, was charged in Magistrates’ Court with
possession of cannabis and cannabis resin with intent to supply on December 20,
2019, in St George’s. Kinte Smith, also 33, was charged with possession of
cannabis resin between an unknown date and December 20 last year in St
George’s. The court heard that the two, both from St George’s, were alleged
to have more than five kilograms of cannabis resin with an estimated street
value of $500,000. It was further alleged that Mr Smith had about one kilogram
of cannabis with a street value of $50,000. The men did not have to enter a plea
as the case must be heard in the Supreme Court. Magistrate Maxanne Anderson
released the pair on $10,000 bail and ordered them to hand over their passports.
She adjourned the case until the October arraignments session at Supreme Court.
A
former head of the Bermuda Industrial Union was honoured at yesterday’s Labour
Day celebrations. The BIU headquarters building on Union Square was renamed
the Ottiwell A Simmons Building as a tribute to the ex-leader and MP. Chris
Furbert, the president of the BIU, said a dream of Mr Simmons’s had been
fulfilled when the BIU moved to the building in 1987. He told the former MP:
“We owe you a great debt of gratitude, sir.” Speakers yesterday also
highlighted Bermuda’s first gay Pride celebration two days earlier. Jason
Hayward, the president of the Bermuda Public Services Union and a Progressive
Labour Party senator, told the crowds: “What Saturday showed me was we have to
be absolutely proud of who we are as individuals.” Mr Hayward said his
religious faith had taught him tolerance and empathy. He added: “Support is
real, coming from the labour movement, we have worked hard to reduce bullying,
harassment and discrimination for the LGBTQI community, in the workplace. We are
continually trying to challenge norms.” However, Mr Hayward took a swing at
Butterfield Bank’s sponsorship of the Pride parade after recent redundancies.
Mr Hayward said: “They had the nerve, the gall, to be the lead sponsor, for a
public event, when, a few months ago, employees walked into their offices and
didn’t know if they were going to be dismissed. Where do your priorities lie?
You have not showed your workers that you care for them.” The bank
restructured in April with the loss of 11 jobs and the closure of the Rosebank
Centre in Hamilton. Mr Hayward also pledged support for exploited workers from
overseas and said the BPSU would hold a meeting this week in a bid to tackle
their concerns. David Burt, the Premier, told the crowds outside the union HQ:
“This weekend, there was another march in some of these same streets. The
themes were not new. Words like equality and freedom were used in support of
that cause. The Constitution of Bermuda guarantees that all people are entitled
to freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and freedom of assembly. Those
are hard-fought rights.” Mr Burt added: “It should not be lost on anyone who
marched on Saturday that today’s march is what made Saturday possible.”
Labour Day was established as a holiday in the wake of a general strike of 1981
and was first commemorated in September 1982. Speakers said the fight for
fairness and worker’s rights continued and highlighted this year’s theme of
“social justice and decent work for all workers”. Lovitta Foggo, the
minister responsible for labour, underscored the Government’s commitment to a
living wage, and listed some of the administration’s legislative achievements
for workers over the past year, including extended maternity leave and the
introduction of paternity leave and an increase in the retirement age of 65.
Shannon James, head of the Bermuda Union of Teachers, said people should
remember the struggles of earlier pioneers in union rights. The crowd of about
200 held a moment of silence in memory of Leroy Simmons, the late president of
the Bermuda Entertainment Union, who died in April. Hundreds more joined in as
the march set off at midday through the streets of Hamilton with banners that
celebrated the achievements of the island’s labour movement.
A
Pride parade is to become an annual fixture after 5,000-plus people took to the
streets of Hamilton in a massive show of support at the weekend. Elizabeth
Christopher, a lawyer and one of the organisers, said Saturday’s celebrations
went “much better than expected”. She added: “We want to send a message
that we belong in civil society just as much as the next person”. Ms
Christopher said: “We are going to have it as a regular event.” But she said
it was possible the event could be moved to another date in the calendar rather
than stick to the long Labour Day weekend, which is also a holiday in the United
States. The holiday weekend brought tourists to celebrate with island supporters
in a procession that filled up Front Street from Cabinet Office to the Birdcage.
Colourful costumes and rainbow attire mingled with banners and slogans designed
to back love and equality. Ms Christopher admitted the scale of support
“really hasn’t hit me yet”. But she said: “There were a lot of tears
shed. It brought a lot to the fore for everybody. I think it struck the right
note for Bermuda.” The event was timed to mark the 25th anniversary of the
Stubbs Bill, which decriminalised gay sex in 1994 after a bitter debate in
Parliament. Renée Webb, a former Progressive Labour Party MP and minister,
said: “My journey from the Stubbs Bill [of May 1994] until the Pride parade
has been a long one.” Ms Webb, who made an unsuccessful bid have sexual
orientation protected by the Human Rights Act in 2006, said: “I was so glad I
was able to participate in it. To see 6,000 souls take to the streets of Bermuda
in support of equality warmed my heart.” She added: “One thing in life that
is a constant is change. Bermuda’s destiny has spoken.” The gathering in
Victoria Park before the march included a moment of silence to remember others
who had suffered under out-of-date laws and from prejudice. Ms Christopher held
up a portrait of Wilfred “Oopie” Ming, an openly gay man who was stabbed to
death in a St George’s nightclub on September 10, 1994. She told the audience:
“I just wish he could have been here with us to celebrate this. This is the
kind of event that he fought and lost his life for.” Mr Ming’s first cousin,
Shanon Stovell, said Mr Ming was “an amazing, funny person” who was
“stolen from us in a hate crime”. Ed Christopher, the Hamilton town crier
and MC for the event told the audience: “For those who went before us, we see
your footprints; we are going to walk in them and make them deeper.” Barbara
Maguire, a Pride supporter, said she had come to celebrate “our entire
community today”. Her friend Paul Minnick praised organisers. He added:
“I’ve felt a bit of an outcast in my own home. This is a huge stride
forward.” Joanne Bawden said: “I’m very proud. It’s kind of a birth —
people coming together to celebrate Bermuda.” Carlita Lodge added:
“Celebration in any community is important. I’m a member of 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.” There was only a
token protest against the parade and three rainbow-painted pedestrian crossings
were vandalized with paint and obscenities. Tony Brannon, a musician who
launched a petition in 2015 in an attempt to legalise same-sex marriage, said
after the parade there was “no going back”. Mr Brannon thanked Commissioner
of Police Stephen Corbishley, who pledged police support for the parade. Mr
Brannon said: “This was huge. It gave people confidence that the parade would
be safe.”
More
than 20 per cent of the world’s top 50 largest reinsurers are based in Bermuda
or have a significant presence here. In a latest rankings, PartnerRe Ltd is
the highest placed Bermudian-based company, appearing at 12 on the 2018 list
from ratings agency AM Best. It had $6.3 billion of unaffiliated life and
non-life reinsurance gross premiums written, as measured by AM Best’s
methodology. The list was released as part of a 74-page Global Reinsurance
market segment report published on Thursday. One spot below PartnerRe on the
list is Everest Re Group Ltd, with similarly assessed gross premiums written totaling
$6.22 billion, while at 14 is XL Bermuda Ltd with $5.21 billion unaffiliated
gross premiums written, according to AM Best. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd and
Axis Capital Group Ltd, also make the top 20, while Arch Capital Group Ltd is at
21. Others on the list include Tokio Millenium Re, Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd,
Validus Reinsurance Ltd, Hiscox Ltd, Chubb Ltd, and Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.
A new entry at 47 is Argo Group International Holdings Ltd, while Maiden
Holdings, which had been at 40 in 2017, did not make it into the latest top 50.
In its report, AM Best called the Maiden Re result the most significant drop. It
added: “The drop was driven by Maiden Re’s decision to divest all of its US
treaty reinsurance operations, which no longer factor into its premium
revenue.” Swiss Re Ltd changed places with Munich Reinsurance Company to top
the list with unaffiliated gross premiums written estimated by AM Best at $36.4
billion. AM Best noted that the year-on-year growth in the top 50s total gross
premiums written was close to nil, with the 2018 total at $263 billion. There
had been growth in 2017, which was driven largely by reinstatement premiums
resulting from hurricane losses created by Harvey, Irma and Maria. The combined
ratio of the 2018 top 50 was 100.9, reflecting the losses sustained from US
hurricanes, wildfires in California and Typhoon Jebi in Japan, however it was a
substantial improvement on the collective combined ratio of 109.1 seen in 2017.
Bermuda-based reinsurers also dominated AM Best’s subgroup showing the top 15
global non-life reinsurance groups. Again using a measurement of unaffiliated
gross premiums written, Everest Re, Partner Re and XL Bermuda were seven, eight
and nine, respectively, on the list, with RenRe at 12, and Axis Capital and Arch
Capital at 14 and 15 respectively. The list was led by Munich Re. In
introductory remarks to the report, Matt Mosher, president and chief executive
officer at AM Best, said: “In December 2018, we revised our outlook for the
global reinsurance segment from negative to stable. “Reinsurers faced a
challenging year in 2018 — following an even more challenging 2017. Typhoon
Jebi, California wildfires, and Hurricanes Florence and Michael caused
above-average insured losses even as insurers and reinsurers were hoping for a
respite after 2017. At a recent panel discussion we held, reinsurance experts
agreed that, after the natural disasters in 2017 and 2018, the reinsurance
market would be more rational over the near term and that third-party capital
investors would maintain their presence in the market owing to differing return
expectations and lower interest rates.” AM Best’s market segment report on
global reinsurance also features commentary on trends at Lloyd’s, the mortgage
market, collateralised reinsurance, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and
North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
The
Governor has thrown a special reception to honour the decades of service to the
island’s military by Royal Bermuda Regiment Honorary Colonel Eugene Raynor.
The Government House event, hosted by John Rankin, was held to mark the
retirement of Colonel Raynor after 20 years as Honorary Colonel and almost 60
years in Bermuda’s armed services. The Governor also used the occasion to
thank former RBR Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel David Gibbons, who will
succeed Colonel Raynor as honorary colonel, for taking up the role and to
welcome Major William Madeiros as the new chairman of the Defence Board and
Promotions Board to replace Colonel Gibbons. The honorary colonel’s role is to
advise the Governor, the commander-in-chief of the RBR, and the regiment on
military matters and to promote military service. Mr Rankin said Colonel Raynor
had joined the segregated military in 1961 as a private soldier in the Bermuda
Militia Artillery. He added: “You were a founding member of the integrated
Bermuda Regiment Band, and rose to become commanding officer between 1980 and
1984.” Mr Rankin, speaking at the reception last Friday night, reminded the
audience that Colonel Raynor was also the first black commanding officer of the
island’s defence force and was awarded an OBE for his service. He added: “I
know enough to know that such awards are not made easily and are for genuine
service to your country.” Colonel Raynor, who will continue to sit on the
Defence Board, was presented with a miniature replica of a commanding
officer’s sword to mark his retirement. Mr Rankin said: “Your advice has
been valued by successive commanding officers of the regiment and also by my
predecessors as Governor and myself. Your service has been outstanding.”
National security minister Wayne Caines said he was a junior leader when Col
Raynor was CO of the regiment. He explained that the young soldiers were in awe
of him and learnt from him. He added: “I represent your legacy as Minister of
National Security. Thank you for pouring into me as a young man. Thank you for
that.” Colonel Gibbons told Colonel Raynor: “I joined the Regiment when you
were commanding officer, and I was commissioned when you were commanding officer
… and I’m here now. And it’s an extremely proud moment to take over from
you.” Lieutenant-Colonel David Curley, the CO of the RBR, said he had joined
up after Col Raynor stood down as CO, but knew him in his honorary role. He told
Col Raynor: “You were out and about with the troops in the field and giving
advice to privates and commanding officers. You would always ask those key
questions — I think it opened my eyes immensely and helped me to get the post
I am in now.”
Police
found no evidence of a crime after five tourists on jet skis were
“abandoned” at sea by their tour guide without ignition keys for their
craft. The Government said that “corrective measures” have now been
introduced by the company that hired out the machines. The cruise ship
passengers were rescued by a passing boat, which started to tow the jet skis to
shore. They were met on the way by a boat from KS Watersports, believed to be
the firm that had rented out the vehicles before the July incident. A police
spokesman said this week: “Inquiries regarding the circumstances of this
incident were conducted by police, with all parties involved, but no criminal
offences were detected. The matter has since been addressed by KS Watersports
management, and the Department of Marine and Ports Services.” A government
spokeswoman added: “Marine and ports investigations are not for public
consumption. The matter was fully investigated by the Department of Marine and
Ports and corrective measures have been implemented by the company.” KS
Watersports did not respond to several requests for comment. The incident came
to light on July 20 after Joseph Froncioni came across the stranded
holidaymakers. The group told him that their tour guide had become upset with
how they had operated the machines. Dr Froncioni wrote on Facebook at the time:
“Great boating day ... except for our return on South Shore. We were nearing
the Vixen [wreck] when we were hailed down by people on three jet skis. Turns
out five passengers off one of the cruise ships in Dockyard had rented jet skis
from KS Watersports in Dockyard. They told us that their guide was somehow
unhappy about how they were handling their jet skis and so took all of the jet
ski keys and abandoned them. They had been there for quite a while and asked for
assistance, which we gave. We affixed three tow lines and proceeded towards
Dockyard.” Dr Froncioni, who was the medical director for the 35th America’s
Cup and is a former chairman of the Bermuda Road Safety Council, said the
incident was reported to the Maritime Operations Centre. The centre contacted KS
Watersports and the company sent a boat to meet the jet skiers. He explained
that the vessel took the tourists to their cruise ship, which was about to
depart. Dr Froncioni’s Facebook post added: “I was truly embarrassed that
this could happen here in Bermuda. We apologised to the tourists and wished them
all the best. I doubt very much they will ever come back to Bermuda. Can’t
wait to find out what really happened. However, no transgression on their part
could possibly excuse abandonment at sea. Hope the responsible guide is dealt
with appropriately.”
Royal
Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas cruise to Bermuda was cancelled on Saturday
after the ship developed mechanical problems. The Baltimore Sun reported
Sunday the five-day cruise returned to Baltimore and disembarked passengers. The
ship’s maximum capacity of passengers is 2,446. One passenger, Lisa Rinker, of
Indianapolis, Indiana, reported the cruise was sold out, and is angered at her
family’s treatment. “I feel like we’re being punished because their
equipment broke. And that’s not our fault. Now we have to fight just to get
home. After all is said and done, I’ll be out close to $1,000 for a trip that
didn’t happen.” Rinker said The Grandeur of the Seas never got far from
port. Shortly after pulling away from the dock, the ship began moving in
circles, she said. At around 8pm Saturday, the captain announced that the cruise
had been cancelled. Passengers were told they could choose to leave the boat
immediately or remain on board overnight and disembark at 6am Sunday. When
passengers returned to their state rooms, they found a letter promising to
reimburse them for the cost of the cruise, which, for Rinker and her son, totaled
$3,000, and for any items they’d purchased from the company in
advance, such as shore excursions. In addition, the company offered to reimburse
domestic passengers up to $200 and international passengers up to $400 to change
their flights and up to $200 for one night’s stay in a hotel room. Passengers
also will receive a credit for a future cruise based on the fees they’ve
already paid, according to the letter signed by Thordur Thorsson, the Grandeur's
captain. “We know how much time and effort go into planning a
vacation,” the letter said. “We’re terribly sorry you didn’t get to
enjoy the full experience we had planned for you.” Royal Caribbean spokeswoman
Melissa Charbonneau said in a statement Saturday. “We understand this is an
unfortunate inconvenience for our guests and sincerely apologise for the
interruption in their travel plans. Royal Caribbean officials were unavailable
for further comment. The cheapest air fare Mrs Rinker could find back to
Indianapolis cost her $700 for two tickets, or nearly twice the $400 she expects
to receive from Royal Caribbean. She will not be reimbursed for her stay in a
Baltimore hotel the night before she boarded the cruise ship, for the luggage
fees she paid, for their meals, for parking at the airport, or for the other
incidental expenses involved in planning a week’s vacation. She acknowledged
that many costs could have been avoided by purchasing travel insurance, but she
thinks Royal Caribbean should have gone “above and beyond” to help its
passengers get home safely. “My son and I were sitting on these little benches
[in Baltimore’s Inner Harbour] at 10.30 at night trying to make hotel and
plane reservations from our mobile phones,” she said. “We don’t know
anybody in Baltimore. I felt abandoned. If my son hadn’t been with me, it
would have been kind of scary.” She’s not sure if she’ll take Royal
Caribbean up on its offer for a future cruise. “I love cruises,” she said.
“This is probably the 15th cruise I’ve taken, and about ten of them have
been on Royal Caribbean. I’ve never had any problems before. So I’ll have to
wait and see how I feel after I get home. But right now, I am not at all
happy.”
A
former leading executive with Validus has been appointed president of Bermuda-based
Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited. Jonathan Ritz has taken on the role with
immediate effect. He was formerly the chief executive officer of Validus’s US
insurance operations, and also served as chief operating officer of Validus
Holdings Ltd. He has been in the insurance and reinsurance industry for more
than 25 years. In the newly created role, he will report to Mark Cloutier,
executive chairman and group CEO. Mr Cloutier said: “I am very pleased that we
have been able to attract such a proven and experienced leader as Jonathan to
this important role. His impressive track record and reputation, together with
his extensive expertise across the sector, and in a range of disciplines, will
add further considerable strength to our senior leadership team. In his role as
group president, Jonathan will be joining the group executive committee and
group underwriting committee, and will be working very closely with me as we
continue to refine and build upon our strategies to make Aspen a recognised
leader in the area of specialty risk transfer through the combination of our
insurance, reinsurance, and capital market capabilities.” While Mr Ritz, said:
“I am delighted to be joining Aspen at such an exciting time in the
company’s development. Under Mark’s leadership and Apollo’s ownership, the
business is refocusing on its core strengths and I very much look forward to
playing a part in its future success.”
Rare Bermudian coins, including one of four
three pence in private hands, will
go up for auction in the US this week. The Long
Beach Signature Auction, will feature several of the island’s historic
“hogge pennies” which date back to 1616. Two sixpences, two Sommer two pences
and a shilling will also go under the
hammer on Thursday and Friday. Only eight of the three pence coins are known to exist and half of them are
held by private collectors. The coins are prized by collectors because of their rarity.
A Somers Island sixpence sold at auction in New York for $70,500 in 2015. Hogge money, named after the hog featured on the coins, was introduced less
than ten years after settlement began under the leadership of Daniel Tucker, who
was appointed by the Bermuda Company. Brass coinage with a thin silver coat was created in denominations of
two pence, three pence, sixpence and a shilling, with Roman numerals used for
values. But tobacco remained the main medium of exchange for larger transactions.
The three pence included at the Long Island auction, organised by Heritage
Auctions, was said to be one of the “more attractive” examples known to
exist. The auctioneer said the coin “recently surfaced” in Bermuda. The description from Heritage Auctions said: “Like all examples seen, the
steel-brown/silver-grey surfaces show some light corrosion, but significant
amounts of the silver plating remain intact.” But the auctioneer added the coin was “unusually well-detailed, with fine
interior detail still evident on the hog’s fur”. The catalogue said: “With only four examples in private hands, and two of
those sold relatively recently and now in strong hands, it may be many years
before a comparable example becomes available.”
A
boat designer has won a $4,000 scholarship from an international tanker shipping
firm to help fund his studies in Britain. Hereward Dill, who is enrolled in
the yacht and powercraft design course at Solent University, Southampton, was
awarded the 2019 Concordia Maritime scholarship. Mr Dill graduated from the
Landing School in Maine with an associate’s degree in marine systems in May. A
spokeswoman for Concordia Maritime said it also continued to support previous
winners of the scholarship. Lamar Samuels, last year’s winner, will given more
funds to continue his studies at South Shields Marine School in the UK, where he
will start the phase three part of the course in September. In addition,
Alexander Cook, the 2017 recipient, will receive support as he continues an
archaeology degree at Cardiff University in Wales. Angelique Burgess, general
manager of Concordia Maritime, said: “We are very proud of our scholarship
recipients who are very focused on pursuing their educational goals. Concordia
Maritime (Bermuda) Limited have been providing scholarship awards up to $10,000
since 2011 to deserving students. Many of the past recipients have graduated and
are employed either locally or overseas in the maritime industry which is a
testament to the benefits of the scholarship programme.”
The
little-known story of Bermuda’s expulsion of German nationals at the outbreak
of the Second World War has been revealed by a history group. The war —
which started 80 years ago today — led to the British authorities ordering
Germans to leave the island after Neville Chamberlain, the British Prime
Minister, made a radio announcement that the UK had declared war on the Nazis.
Andrew Bermingham, president of the Bermuda Historical Society, said Harry
Stern, a German-American, who was on holiday in Bermuda with his family when the
expulsion order was made, told his story to the society last month. Mr Stern,
who was aged just eight in 1939, told the BHS that the events were “burnt into
my memory”. He added: “My father managed to get a seat on the last Pan
American Airlines clipper to depart the island. The Monarch of Bermuda
liner sailed September 13 for the three-day voyage to New York through the
U-boat infested waters of the North Atlantic. A horse-drawn landau brought us to
the dock on the morning of the 13th. My mother cautioned me not to speak German
with our nanny once on board.” Germany invaded Poland on September 1 which
sparked the British declaration of war two days later. A German submarine had
torpedoed and sunk the British liner Athenia off the southwest coast of
Ireland on the eve of Britain going to war. A total of 18 of the 128 passengers
lost were Americans. Mr Stern, an 88-year-old antiquarian bookseller from
Chicago, added The Monarch of Bermuda’s portholes were sealed to keep
the ship dark and passengers were mostly confined to the lower decks. The
Furness Bermuda Line’s tourist cruises were halted in 1939 and did not resume
until the end of the conflict. Mr Bermingham said: “He was on holiday here
with his parents, three brothers and his younger brothers’ German nanny at the
outbreak of the war.” He added: “They were among the last passengers on that
ship out of Bermuda.” It was also the ship’s last civilian run of the war as
it was requisitioned as a troopship after it reached port in New York. Mr
Bermingham said: “There are many stories from that time. It’s another that
shows how lives changed on that day.”
Tennis
superstar Roger Federer celebrated his US Open advancement to the quarter finals
at the weekend by serving an autographed ball direct to the wife of a Bermuda
Tourism Authority board member. Kimberley Caines-Best, a barrister married
to BTA board member Joseph Best, was picked out of thousands at the Arthur Ashe
Stadium in Flushing Meadows, Queen’s, New York by the 20-time Grand Slam Swiss
star after the US Open match. Mr Best said Ms Caines-Best’s moment came after
an interviewer asked Federer to hit a signed ball to someone in the crowd. He
picked Ms Caines-Best, who was holding up a purple towel high in the stands, and
delivered the serve with spot-on precision. Mr Best said: “At the end of the
game, the interviewer asked Roger if he could hit any target with his signed
ball. Hearing this, Kimberley started waving the towel ...Roger saw her, and
said, ‘I will hit the ball to the lady with the purple towel’. He hit the
signed ball towards her with exact precision — and we now have an awesome
souvenir to remember this weekend.” Mr Best added he and his wife got a taste
of tennis celebrity status after she caught the ball. He explained:
“Afterwards, so many people came up to us to take pictures of us and the ball.
It was amazing.” Mr Best was speaking after Federer beat Belgian David Goffin
6-2, 6-2, 6-0 on Sunday. A BTA booth was set up at the event and Bermuda
branding was prominent after the authority signed a multiyear deal with the
United States Tennis Association to be the US Open’s exclusive tourism
partner. The collaboration will also see a new tournament in Bermuda next
spring, which will feature a pro-am event as well as exhibitions with tennis
legends and up-and-coming American players.
After
an extended 21 week season, tomorrow night, Wednesday September 4th marks the
end of the 2019 Harbour Nights season. The Chamber of Commerce is
encouraging visitors and residents to come and enjoy the special night’s
festivities including the Gombey Warriors, Strong by Zumba demonstrations,
Working Title Band and Coral Beats, the Brazilian percussion group. Harbour
Nights is a 25+ year street festival that provides, entrepreneurs an opportunity
and a platform to unveil their products or experiences to visitors and guests.
Sponsors showcase their brands to the more than 60,000 visitors and locals who
attend the event each year. Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer, Ms.
Kendaree Burgess comments “The Chamber of Commerce would like to say thank you
to all of this year’s sponsors, especially the Bermuda Tourism Authority, the
City of Hamilton, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the Bank
of Butterfield. We also want to thank and acknowledge our vendors, community
partners, visitors and residents who have visited Harbour Nights this year and
continue to support one of the longest running and popular event series in
Bermuda”. Harbour Nights will recommence in early 2020..
The
Portuguese Cultural Association has announced an evening of Fado music to take
place on 5 October 2019 featuring musicians coming from the Azores: Alfredo
Gago da Câmara (Guitar and Voice); Mário Fernandes (Viola da terra and Voice);
and Ricardo Melo (Bass). Da Câmara, a native of Vila Franca do Campo in the
Azores, is a musician, poet, teacher and author. He has composed many musical
pieces for himself and for other performers throughout the Portuguese diaspora.
He opened a ‘House of Fado’, has taught classical guitar and the ‘Viola da
Terra’, a stringed instrument native to the Azores, and has performed
countless times throughout the Azores, the rest of Portugal, Spain, the USA,
Canada, Luxembourg, Brazil and Venezuela. This will be his first visit to
Bermuda. Da Câmara frequently collaborates with Fernandes and Melo in his
performances, both of whom will be traveling to Bermuda with him. Fado is a
traditional folk music from Portugal that dates back many centuries. Its songs
are characterized by sadness and melancholy based on the hard realities of daily
life faced by the Portuguese. Lyrics centre on longing and loss, but balanced
with themes of hopefulness and love. Fado music often has one or two 12-string
Portuguese guitars, one or two violas, and sometimes a small 8 string, bass. The
event will take place on Saturday, 5 October 2019 at the Vasco da Gama Club,
starting at 7:30 pm, and will feature dinner and dessert before the performances
start. If tickets are bought before 27 September 2019, prices are $90 for adults
and $50 for children. If bought on or after 27 September, the prices will rise
to $110 and $60 respectively. All funds raised will support the Portuguese
School of Bermuda and the Vasco Youth Program. Tickets are available for sale at
Vasco da Gama Club. For more information, call 292-7196.
The
most powerful storm to hit the Bahamas since records began has early today torn roofs from
buildings and caused severe flooding. The slow-moving, category five Dorian
- the second-strongest Atlantic hurricane on record - has sustained winds of up
to 180mph (285km/h). A "life-threatening" storm surge of 23ft (7m) is
predicted in places. The hurricane is moving slowly westwards and may hit areas
of the eastern US seaboard. Bermuda will be issuing its own hurricane report.
The US states of Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina have all declared
states of emergency. There is no official word from the Bahamas yet on
casualties. The National Hurricane Center said that at 03:00 GMT, Dorian was
located on the eastern edge of Grand Bahama, having made landfall earlier on the
Abaco islands, which are just to the east. Both chains are in the north of the
Bahamas archipelago. Grand Bahama, with a population of about 50,000, is only
100km (60 miles) east of West Palm Beach in Florida.
Flora
Duffy finished fifth in her second race since returning from injury at the ITU
World Triathlon Series Grand Final in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Saturday.
She finished the Olympic-distance race — 1.5-kilometre swim, 40km bike and
10km run — in a time of 2hr 4min 26sec, with splits of 19:15, 1:06:35 and
37:29. Katie Zaferes, of the United States, took the honours to claim a maiden
world title in 2:02:45, with Jessica Learmonth, of Britain, finishing second in
2:02:49 and team-mate Georgia Taylor-Brown third in 2:03:03. “Thank you
Lausanne,” Duffy wrote on Instagram. “That was a race to remember. The crowd
+ course was incredible! Thank you for all the cheers. I needed them ...
especially on the run! After the race I was so exhausted, (like I laid down in
the grass for a long time) it took me a while to appreciate 5th as pretty solid
and more forward progress even if I felt very defeated today. Congrats to the
champs!!” Duffy was confident the challenging and hilly course would play to
her strengths, and made a break on the final lap of the bike but was soon pegged
back by Zaferes to set up a showdown in the run. The Bermudian, however,
understandably showed signs of ring rust during the final discipline and started
to drop back with about 6km to go and was overtaken by Rachel Klamer, of
Holland, for fourth on the third lap. Zaferes held off a spirited challenge from
Learmonth, who led out of the swim but was hunted down by the chase group, which
included Duffy, on the bike. Duffy, meanwhile, will have been encouraged to come
through second straight race after missing 12 months of action because of a foot
injury. She won the Tokyo Olympic Test Event in controversial fashion two weeks
ago after leaders Learmonth and Taylor-Brown were disqualified for causing a
deliberate tie.
Macai
Simmons and OJ Pitcher led a fight back with the bat to help St David’s retain
their Eastern Counties title after the final round against Flatts Victoria ended
in a draw at Lord’s on Saturday. The pair came together at the crease with
their team in a spot of bother at 78 for four and were equal to the task of
repairing the early damage as they added 137 runs to steady the ship. Simmons
led the charge as he lashed 11 fours and four sixes in a knock of 89 from 74
balls, while Pitcher hit six fours in a more sedated and unbeaten innings of 68
from 106 balls. St David’s went on to post 250 for seven in 62 overs after
losing three of 65 overs teams are allocated in the first innings to rain.
Openers Shannon Rayner (24), Dean Simons (25), captain Justin Pitcher (14) and
Chare Smith (10 not out) were the remaining St David’s batsman in double
figures. Simmons and Pitcher’s battling knocks and timely partnership
overshadowed a superb bowling display by all-rounder Kamau Leverock who claimed
four for 63 from 21 overs. Regino Smith was also rewarded for some tidy bowling
as he took two for 62 from 18 overs. Flatts also found themselves in early
trouble in their reply at 87 for four with the explosive Leverock among those
back in the pavilion after stroking 21 from 13 balls. Opener Reggie Baker scored
59 from 94 balls and middle-order batsman Dajon Carey an unbeaten 57 from 75
balls. However, it was not enough as wickets continued to fall at regular
intervals. Smith (25) and Coefield Robinson (20), the Flatts captain, and Nelson
Bascome (11) all made starts but were unable to go on. Flatts, whose innings was
reduced from 51 to 47 overs, were 222 for nine at stumps, 28 runs shy of their
target. St David’s captain Pitcher led his team’s attack with figures of
three for 52, while Brian Hall and colt Seth Campbell took two wickets each.
Reflecting on the match, St David’s coach George Cannonier said: “I thought
Flatts put up a good fight. We made up our mind to bat if we won the toss and we
did but lost early wickets. I was a little concerned at the time but the game
change a lot thanks to Macai and OJ. That partnership really bailed us out. I
didn’t expect us to make 250 and knew it would be a hard score for Flatts to
pull down with the overs they had left. I’m happy that we did what we had to
do to defend our title and with the way the guys have applied themselves over
the whole three games.” Clay Smith, the Flatts coach, said the century
partnership between Simmons and Pitcher played a huge factor in his team coming
up short of their objective. “Both of them put their head down and batted
extremely responsibly and that was the difference in the game,” Smith said.
“There was a period right after lunch where I thought for about an hour we
were very flat and sort of lost our plot a little bit. When you’re playing
against champions like this those little gaps can make the difference between
winning and losing. Overall, I thought my boys gave a good account of themselves
and hats off to St David’s for a good all-round performance.”
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Authored,
researched, compiled and website-managed by Keith A. Forbes.
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