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The Case of the Missing Migrant

Dear Readers,

How do you lose a whole human being? That's the question we're all trying to figure out considering everything that has gone on at the Carmichael Road Detention Center in the past few weeks. It seems that in addition to the usual lack of respect for the rule of law or the rights of migrants, Immigration officials are now in the business of misplacing entire individuals.

Jean Rony Jean-Charles was born in The Bahamas but like scores of other persons , has not had his citizenship granted for reasons I am not currently aware. He was picked up as part of ongoing roundups and held at the detention center . Those are the facts that everyone seems to agree on. Where it begins to get dicey is ... What happens while he is there ?

Now according to officials at the Detention Center, he was deported to Haiti. This would be fine IF Haitian officials locally or abroad could verify that. The local embassy reportedly has no record him of being deported to Haiti and he is definitely NOT in immigration custody , so where is he?

His "disappearance" has raised lots of questions AND spawned conspiracy theories: Is Jean Rony Jean-Charles alive and well and in Haiti? Did he somehow escape the custody of local immigration officials , who are now too ashamed to say? Did he use a fake name when he was apprehended making himself difficult to trace? Or worse?

Right now, all of that remains a mystery. What is CLEAR however is that the detention center and our immigration laws need an overhaul. Even more important G is the way we view our migrant population. While we cannot stand for anyone simply breaking the law, we must also act with compassion and Christian love. My hope for the new year is that we find a way to balance the rule of law AND the Golden Rule and treat all individuals as PEOPLE!

#242Editor

New Investment Funds Bill 2017 Set to Fill Substantive Legislative Gaps

The new Investment Funds bill will transition from the older, exclusively rules or disclosure based approach to regulation of investment funds, to a modern approach that considers the conduct of industry participants, and includes appropriate prudential assessments.

This according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. K. Peter Turnquest, creates an opportunity for growth-friendly legislative framework, unencumbered by unnecessary barriers to entry. Mr. Turnquest was delivering opening remarks during an industry meeting held by the Securities Commission. The meeting was held on Thursday, 7th December. Read More

GB Students Join Global Technology Initiative Called "Hour of Code"

With Grand Bahama's first Tech Summit only a month in the past, already, some positive effects from the Summit are being felt among the students of Freeport.

On Monday, December 11, students from Sunland Baptist Academy and Jack Hayward High School participated in what is called "an Hour of Code," simultaneously with children around the globe. In fact, Sunland and Jack Hayward were pacesetters in officially establishing Grand Bahama as part of the worldwide Program. Read More

WSC Spreads Christmas Cheer at Senior Citizens Center

While Christmas is traditionally a time for food, friends, and family, some of our country's elderly and most vulnerable citizens are often those who do not have holiday luxuries. With that in mind, the Water & Sewerage Corporation set out to bring holiday cheer to patients of the Yellow Elder Senior Citizens' Center. Armed with gifts, games, Christmas carols, as well as a traditional holiday meal with all the fixings, the team of WSC volunteers, visited with those at the center to spread much needed Christmas cheer. Read More

BTC Northern Team Say Thanks to Retailers

Yesterday, on what was arguably the coldest day on Grand Bahama this year, the northern BTC Enterprise Sales and Marketing Team warmed things up with a special luncheon to say thank you to their loyal clients. The luncheon which was held at The Lucayan Manor House was an opportunity for guests were invited to mingle in a relaxed environment and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season. Read More

Dog Days Half-Marathon the perfect New Year's Resolution!

Most people will say that sports have an amazing, way of making a positive impact on society. Whether it's helping children, communities or even nations, sports make a difference on a daily basis. Organizations now are using sport to raise money for worthy causes, to boost local economies and most importantly to get people active. As people make their New Year's resolutions, Grand Bahamians are hoping they will add the fourth Annual Dog Days Event on their to-do-list. Read on

First Artificial Urethral Sphincter Surgery in the Bahamas

The very first Artificial Urethral Sphincter Surgery was conducted at Doctors Hospital, Nassau, Bahamas by Bahamian Urologist Dr Greggory Pinto on Tuesday, December 12. An Artificial Urethral Sphincter is a technologically advanced small implantable device that allows patients with a non-functioning or poorly functioning native urethral sphincter, to regain control of their urine flow and take back control of their l ives and happiness. Read on

Parker-Edgecombe Cites Success of NEMA/CDEMA Partnership

The success of regional countries and their various disaster management agencies in mitigating the effects of future disasters such as hurricanes while simultaneously building stronger, more resilient Caribbean countries, will largely depend upon continued regional cooperation and partnerships, Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe said recently. Read More

Recent Construction Contractor Legislation Ensures Integrity of the Sector Says State Minister Elsworth Johnson

The Hon. Elsworth Johnson, Minister of State in the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, addressed the Bahamas Contractors Association (BCA) on legislation passed to ensure the integrity of the sector at their monthly luncheon meeting, December 6, 2017 at Poop Deck West, Sandyport.

State Minister Johnson thanked the BCA for its effort, continued representations, and lobbying support to the Government, which "allowed the 'Construction Contractors Act 2016' ('the Act'), to be enacted and made a reality," he said, adding: "The Government recognizes that further action is needed to fully implement the Act. Read More

Pet Food Institute offers tips on how to keep your pets safe and healthy this holiday season

For many families during the holiday season, dogs and cats are part of the festivities and may even receive a present. A pet's health and safety are still important to consider while planning for holidays. The Pet Food Institute (PFI), which provides information about pet food safety, nutrition and health to pet lovers year-round, here explores holiday-related issues that can impact a pet's health and provides tips on how to prevent potential problems. Read More

National Parenting Programme Makes Appeal to Maintain the Family

All efforts should be made to strengthen and maintain the family as it is the bedrock of a country, said Vaughn Miller, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development in his remarks to graduates of a National Parenting Programme.

"I believe that your participation in the Parenting Education classes and the Parents Support Group, have prepared you to avoid some of the pitfalls of poor parenting challenges and becoming a 'statistic.' Read More

Night Lights at Ardastra, Famed Garden Unveiling 'Magical Light Displays' Entertainment 6 Nights in December, Opening Saturday Dec 16

If you think untangling the strands of Christmas tree lights you stored so carefully last year that managed to unwind mysteriously undetected without human touch requires patience of Biblical proportions, try decorating acres of the country's most visited garden. Then add the complication of making the lighting of the gardens magical without disturbing any of the animals who call that garden home. Read More

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One of my favorite Christmas time stories tells of a man who was not really much of a Christian. In fact, he considered himself more of an agnostic. He would believe in God if he could see any sense in it, but he never really went to church, because he felt no need. His family, however, and especially his wife were very devout. They went regularly to services and worshipped with the others there.

One Christmas Eve, the family dressed and went out into the cold and snowy night to church. The man preferred to stay home by the cozy, warm fire and read. As he was sitting there alone, he heard a thump or a crack at the window. He looked out, but saw nothing. Then he heard it again. It was as if someone were throwing something against the glass. When he went over to the window, he saw a tiny sparrow lying stunned in the snow, and he watched with interest as the little bird slowly got up and fluttered to a nearby branch. The poor creature sat there all huddled and cold looking in the window where it was obviously warm and dry. Then it flew toward the window and hit the glass with a thump. Again, it fell back into the snow.

Finally, the man realized what the sound he had heard was. It was the sparrow trying to get to a place that was warm and dry. The man felt sorry for the little bird, and decided to let it in. He opened the window, but the bird became frightened and fluttered away. Then the man went to the door, and opened it, but the bird only hopped to another branch further from the large scary figure of the man. The more the man tried to encourage the bird to come in and be warm, the further away the bird went, until, finally it flew away all together.

This bothered the man extremely, and he couldn't say why. He thought of all the ways he could have tried to get the little bird to come in. He might have put out some seed or suet to lure it in. He might have left the door open and gone away, but then the house wouldn't have stayed warm and inviting for long. He thought of all kinds of things, but the only way he could think of that would have effectively gotten that little bird to come into the house would be if he could become a bird himself. Then he could have told the bird that the man wasn't so frightening, that he meant no harm. He could have led the way, showing the bird how to come in and where to get warm.

Just then his family arrived home, with the children all excited and singing merrily. And his wife asked him how his evening had been. He thought about it a moment and then he said, "Very good, indeed. A little bird came and told me a Christmas story about how God came to earth to be human like us, and to show us the way to heaven."