December 11, 2006
FNMs Confident Of Win In Grand Bahama
By Rogan M. Smith
A former Free National Movement (FNM) cabinet minister has predicted a sweeping win for his party – forecasting a six-seat victory in Grand Bahama.
Former Pineridge MP C.A. Smith, who had served in parliament for more than 20 years until he lost his seat in the 2002 general election to PLP candidate Ann Percentie, said the FNM has already begun counting seats it knows it will win.
For many years the FNM has held a firm grip on Grand Bahama, with many political pundits dubbing it "FNM city." However, that wasn’t enough to secure a victory in 2002.
"We have six seats and we will win the six in Grand Bahama. We can count the six as we begin in the north to count the numbers that would make up the government," Mr. Smith said.
Mr. Smith was speaking to Love 97’s "Issues of the Day" host Mike Smith during an FNM rally in Grand Bahama on Friday night.
FNM candidate Kwasi Thompson will run in Mr. Smith’s former constituency in the upcoming general election.
Mr. Smith said he feels confident that the FNM will be returned to power now that former Prime Minister and FNM Leader, Hubert Ingraham is back at the helm.
"In 1992 when the nation required a leader to rescue it, Hubert Ingraham came along and did it. In 1992 when our country’s good name all over the world was sullied, when unemployment was high, when jobs were almost difficult to find, Hubert came and he provided the opportunity for so many Bahamians. He did it before and he can do it again," he said.
According to the former MP, FNM members have healed past party divisions.
"Like in any family we have had some family squabbles, but all of that is behind us. The important thing is that the six candidates have been named," he said.
"Those aspirants have now joined in ensuring that those candidates are elected. The purpose of this election is to make sure that every FNM gets out and votes for the FNM candidates. Of course we’re going to expect that those persons sitting on the sidelines, who have watched what the PLP has not done will come and vote for the FNM."
The FNM has already announced its Grand Bahama candidates: incumbent Kenneth Russell in High Rock; incumbent Neko Grant in Lucaya; Kwasi Thompson in Pineridge; Zhivargo Laing in Marco City; Vernae Grant in Eight Mile Rock and David Wallace in West End Bimini.
On Friday night, Mr. Laing said Grand Bahamians have suffered for almost five years under Prime Minister Perry Christie’s "misadministration."
Mr. Laing, who had originally said that he would sit out the 2007 general election, is considered by many to be one of the strongest candidates in the FNM arsenal.
He said he decided to return to frontline politics because he could no longer subdue his passion.
"You know the PLP isn’t happy about that, so when you hear them say all sorts of nasty stuff about me, it’s because they are scared. Those who were on cruise control, now have to gear up," he said.
"Sadly, things in Freeport and Grand Bahama have been terrible over the last four years under this Christie misadministration. I don’t need to tell you that because you hear, see and feel that every day for yourselves. Things are so bad that even unemployment dropping isn’t good news for Grand Bahama."
According to the Department of Statistics, unemployment in Grand Bahama fell from 11 percent in 2005 to 8.3 percent in 2006, but government statisticians explained that the number of "discouraged workers" (or people who are jobless but are so frustrated in their search for work they have given up) has increased.
"Yes, it’s down, but for all the wrong reasons. Many Grand Bahamians have left home looking for work and many who stay have become so discouraged that they’ve stopped looking altogether," Mr. Laing said.
"The young people speak to me about the joblessness in Grand Bahama. They know that the Christie misadministration has failed Freeport and Grand Bahama."
Mr. Laing claimed that during the FNM’s first term in office, it created more than 4,200 jobs in Grand Bahama. He said the PLP has only created 1,160 jobs to date.
"When Mr. Christie came to office, there were only 1,610 unemployed persons in Grand Bahama. Today there are more than 2,300 people unemployed, more than 70 percent higher than there was," he said.
"The Department of Statistics says that the unemployment rate is 8.3 percent," he said.
Mr. Laing then claimed, "Joblessness in Freeport is 16 percent and among young people, it’s as high as 40 percent."
He said too many hotel workers are only working one to two days a week for "meager" salaries.
"Occupancy rates in hotels are a low 30 percent. While they struggle, the Minister of Tourism [Obie Wilchcombe] – the sweet talking Willy man – says that he will not promote Grand Bahama’s tourism because we do not have enough rooms," he said.
"He cannot fill the rooms we’ve got, but he wants to add more rooms before he starts promoting Grand Bahama. If that’s not backwards, I don’t know what backwards is."
Mr. Laing said the Progressive Liberal Party has still not delivered on its promise to secure a buyer for the Royal Oasis Resort in Grand Bahama. As a result, thousands of workers remain unemployed, he said.
The resort was closed after it was damaged in Hurricane Frances in 2002. The resort’s mortgagee, Lehman Brothers, signed a deal with World Investments Holdings many weeks ago, but the sale deal has yet to close.
According to Mr. Laing, Grand Bahamian contractors still struggle to secure jobs and have complained that they are being victimized.
"They tell us that if their politics isn’t right, which means, if they’re not PLP, they have little chance to get jobs at all. Those that manage to get something tell me that it takes a very long time before they get paid," he said.
Mr. Laing also touched on the recent controversy involving Immigration Minister Shane Gibson, and the approval of the permanent residency application for American celebrity Anna Nicole Smith.
"We have young, so-called stateless people born in this country to foreign parents who only know Grand Bahama and the Bahamas as home who tell us that while they cannot hear from Immigration in years Anna Nicole could hear from Immigration in a matter of days," he said.
"All I can say is what a friend she has in Shane."
Mr. Laing continued to tear apart the government for what he said has been a "lack of governance" in Grand Bahama.
He said schoolchildren are losing learning hours because the PLP government has failed to execute simple repairs in time for school openings, and he claimed students have to suffer unnecessary overcrowding because the government has refused to build additional schools.
"High school graduates face a grim situation when they leave school because jobs are limited and higher education opportunities are inaccessible because of financial hardship," he said.
Mr. Laing predicted that investments would flow freely in Grand Bahama under an FNM government, and he added that Grand Bahamians would once again have access to well paying jobs.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Bahamas Approves Expansion of Atlantis
May 27, 2003
Bahamas Approves Expansion of Atlantis
When the work is done, the resort is to have 3,500 rooms and employ at least 8,000 people.
By ROGAN M. SMITH
Associated Press Writer
NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) - An island resort that bills itself as the largest of its kind is about to grow even bigger.
A U.S.-based developer signed a deal with the Bahamas' government Monday clearing the way for a $600 million expansion of the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, which already has more than 2,300 rooms.
When the work is done, the resort is to have 3,500 rooms and employ at least 8,000 people.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, who signed the agreement pledging airport improvements and other concessions, said the impact on the economy will be "enormous and far-reaching."
The expansion of Atlantis will increase the total investment of Kerzner International Ltd. to US$1.7 billion, the company said.
Work on the expansion is expected to start before the end of the year be completed by 2007.
The resort already features three interconnected towers and a 7-acre swimming lagoon.
In addition to the new rooms, the resort plans 20,000 square feet of new retail space, 50,000 square feet of convention facilities, four new restaurants, an expanded water park with a new swim-with-dolphins attraction and 120 new timeshare suites along Nassau Harbor.
"The scale of what we have been negotiating over the past several months for our company is extraordinarily historic and clearly demonstrates that we have confidence in the Bahamas," said Butch Kerzner, president of Kerzner International.
The company, which lists its main office in Plantation, Florida, is choosing to expand as much of the Caribbean struggles to win back tourist business following a downturn prompted by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the war in Iraq.
"Booking patterns have now returned to normal levels following the end of this war," Kerzner said in a written statement.
The government has agreed to operate fire and ambulance facilities on Paradise Island, located just off the capital of Nassau.
The Bahamas also agreed to extend casino tax concessions that the company already enjoys for 11 more years, and to exempt construction materials from some import duties.
Kerzner International, which develops and operates casinos and hotels, currently manages nine resort hotels in Mexico, the Maldives, Dubai, Mauritius and the Bahamas.
Bahamas Approves Expansion of Atlantis
When the work is done, the resort is to have 3,500 rooms and employ at least 8,000 people.
By ROGAN M. SMITH
Associated Press Writer
NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) - An island resort that bills itself as the largest of its kind is about to grow even bigger.
A U.S.-based developer signed a deal with the Bahamas' government Monday clearing the way for a $600 million expansion of the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, which already has more than 2,300 rooms.
When the work is done, the resort is to have 3,500 rooms and employ at least 8,000 people.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, who signed the agreement pledging airport improvements and other concessions, said the impact on the economy will be "enormous and far-reaching."
The expansion of Atlantis will increase the total investment of Kerzner International Ltd. to US$1.7 billion, the company said.
Work on the expansion is expected to start before the end of the year be completed by 2007.
The resort already features three interconnected towers and a 7-acre swimming lagoon.
In addition to the new rooms, the resort plans 20,000 square feet of new retail space, 50,000 square feet of convention facilities, four new restaurants, an expanded water park with a new swim-with-dolphins attraction and 120 new timeshare suites along Nassau Harbor.
"The scale of what we have been negotiating over the past several months for our company is extraordinarily historic and clearly demonstrates that we have confidence in the Bahamas," said Butch Kerzner, president of Kerzner International.
The company, which lists its main office in Plantation, Florida, is choosing to expand as much of the Caribbean struggles to win back tourist business following a downturn prompted by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the war in Iraq.
"Booking patterns have now returned to normal levels following the end of this war," Kerzner said in a written statement.
The government has agreed to operate fire and ambulance facilities on Paradise Island, located just off the capital of Nassau.
The Bahamas also agreed to extend casino tax concessions that the company already enjoys for 11 more years, and to exempt construction materials from some import duties.
Kerzner International, which develops and operates casinos and hotels, currently manages nine resort hotels in Mexico, the Maldives, Dubai, Mauritius and the Bahamas.
Pilot In Aaliyah Crash Used Cocaine
July 16, 2002
Pilot in Aaliyah Crash Used Cocaine
By ROGAN M. SMITH
Associated Press Writer
The pilot of the small plane that crashed in the Bahamas last year — killing 22-year-old singer and actress Aaliyah, himself and seven others — had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his body, aviation officials said Tuesday.
An autopsy performed on Luis Antonio Morales Blanes' body revealed cocaine in his urine and traces of alcohol in his stomach, the Bahamas Department of Civil Aviation said in a statement.
The autopsy findings were released for the first time Tuesday along with the crash investigation report.
Authorities are investigating how the substances might have affected the pilot at the time of the August crash. Morales, 30, was sentenced to three years probation on charges of crack cocaine possession 12 days before the crash.
Aaliyah, who was already a two-time Grammy nominee for best female R&B vocalist, was leaving the Bahamas following a video shoot when the Cessna 402-B crashed during takeoff. All nine people aboard died.
The aviation department also said Tuesday the aircraft may not have undergone fuel-pump wiring modifications required in August 1988. Unidentified particles and corrosion found in the fuel filters were "indications that routine maintenance was not being performed," the statement said.
The investigative committee has not yet been able to talk to the plane's owner of the airplane, or inspect the engine or aircraft log books, which would show maintenance, it said.
The twin-engine plane was also at least 700 pounds overweight, investigators have said. Although nine people were on board, the plane is certified to carry up to eight including the pilot.
Inspection of the plane's engine, airframe, propeller and fuel system, however, has shown no cause for malfunction, authorities said Tuesday.
In May, the parents of Aaliyah filed a lawsuit against Virgin Records, alleging that negligence and recklessness caused the plane crash.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of Diane and Michael Haughton, also named several video production companies and Blackhawk International Airways, the company that operated the plane.
Neither Blackhawk nor Skystream, the plane's registered owner, had a permit to operate commercial charter flights in the Bahamas, investigators said.
Blackhawk officials couldn't be reached for comment.
Pilot in Aaliyah Crash Used Cocaine
By ROGAN M. SMITH
Associated Press Writer
The pilot of the small plane that crashed in the Bahamas last year — killing 22-year-old singer and actress Aaliyah, himself and seven others — had traces of cocaine and alcohol in his body, aviation officials said Tuesday.
An autopsy performed on Luis Antonio Morales Blanes' body revealed cocaine in his urine and traces of alcohol in his stomach, the Bahamas Department of Civil Aviation said in a statement.
The autopsy findings were released for the first time Tuesday along with the crash investigation report.
Authorities are investigating how the substances might have affected the pilot at the time of the August crash. Morales, 30, was sentenced to three years probation on charges of crack cocaine possession 12 days before the crash.
Aaliyah, who was already a two-time Grammy nominee for best female R&B vocalist, was leaving the Bahamas following a video shoot when the Cessna 402-B crashed during takeoff. All nine people aboard died.
The aviation department also said Tuesday the aircraft may not have undergone fuel-pump wiring modifications required in August 1988. Unidentified particles and corrosion found in the fuel filters were "indications that routine maintenance was not being performed," the statement said.
The investigative committee has not yet been able to talk to the plane's owner of the airplane, or inspect the engine or aircraft log books, which would show maintenance, it said.
The twin-engine plane was also at least 700 pounds overweight, investigators have said. Although nine people were on board, the plane is certified to carry up to eight including the pilot.
Inspection of the plane's engine, airframe, propeller and fuel system, however, has shown no cause for malfunction, authorities said Tuesday.
In May, the parents of Aaliyah filed a lawsuit against Virgin Records, alleging that negligence and recklessness caused the plane crash.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of Diane and Michael Haughton, also named several video production companies and Blackhawk International Airways, the company that operated the plane.
Neither Blackhawk nor Skystream, the plane's registered owner, had a permit to operate commercial charter flights in the Bahamas, investigators said.
Blackhawk officials couldn't be reached for comment.
Gibson Paternity Suit Dismissed
November 28, 2006
Gibson Paternity Suit Dismissed
By Rogan M. Smith
The paternity suit filed against embattled Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson was dismissed Monday, bringing to an end weeks of fighting.
It appears that Mr. Gibson and Dameka Jones, the woman who claims that the Kennedy MP fathered her five-year-old son, have settled the matter.
However, both sides are remaining mum on the details of that settlement.
Mr. Gibson’s attorney, Wayne Munroe said, "The summons has been dismissed. That is the end publicly of a matter that should have been private and that is all we intend to say about it."
Ms. Jones, flanked by her attorney Bobbi Cooke-McIver, left the Bank Lane courtroom followed by Mr. Munroe and Mr. Gibson.
Earlier, Magistrate Roger Gomez asked the media to leave the courtroom so that both parties could engage in private talks.
Although both parties were pressed by the media to reveal the details of discussions, they refused.
No one would reveal whether a financial settlement had been reached.
Since the onslaught of this suit, Mr. Gibson has vehemently denied that he was the father of Ms. Jones’ child.
In weeks that followed, Mr. Munroe advised his client against taking a paternity test, even though such a move could have excluded him as the possible father of the five-year-old.
To date Mr. Gibson has not confirmed whether he had a relationship with Ms. Jones.
Ms. Jones lamented to the media that Mr. Gibson had never financially supported her son.
Just two weeks ago, Mr. Gibson found himself entangled in allegations of an alleged death threat against Ms. Jones.
Mr. Gibson had also filed a complaint against Ms. Jones, alleging that she was harassing him and insisted that he needed court protection.
A warrant was subsequently issued for Ms. Jones’ arrest. However, that has since been recalled.
When phoned on Monday, Mrs. Cooke-McIver said that she was not allowed to comment on the matter.
Gibson Paternity Suit Dismissed
By Rogan M. Smith
The paternity suit filed against embattled Kennedy MP Kenyatta Gibson was dismissed Monday, bringing to an end weeks of fighting.
It appears that Mr. Gibson and Dameka Jones, the woman who claims that the Kennedy MP fathered her five-year-old son, have settled the matter.
However, both sides are remaining mum on the details of that settlement.
Mr. Gibson’s attorney, Wayne Munroe said, "The summons has been dismissed. That is the end publicly of a matter that should have been private and that is all we intend to say about it."
Ms. Jones, flanked by her attorney Bobbi Cooke-McIver, left the Bank Lane courtroom followed by Mr. Munroe and Mr. Gibson.
Earlier, Magistrate Roger Gomez asked the media to leave the courtroom so that both parties could engage in private talks.
Although both parties were pressed by the media to reveal the details of discussions, they refused.
No one would reveal whether a financial settlement had been reached.
Since the onslaught of this suit, Mr. Gibson has vehemently denied that he was the father of Ms. Jones’ child.
In weeks that followed, Mr. Munroe advised his client against taking a paternity test, even though such a move could have excluded him as the possible father of the five-year-old.
To date Mr. Gibson has not confirmed whether he had a relationship with Ms. Jones.
Ms. Jones lamented to the media that Mr. Gibson had never financially supported her son.
Just two weeks ago, Mr. Gibson found himself entangled in allegations of an alleged death threat against Ms. Jones.
Mr. Gibson had also filed a complaint against Ms. Jones, alleging that she was harassing him and insisted that he needed court protection.
A warrant was subsequently issued for Ms. Jones’ arrest. However, that has since been recalled.
When phoned on Monday, Mrs. Cooke-McIver said that she was not allowed to comment on the matter.
Some Bahamians Not Interested In Voting
February 5, 2007
Some Eligible Voters Have No Interest In Voting:
By Rogan M. Smith
Nassau, Bahamas:
Political candidates in the upcoming general election have their work cut out for them. Some potential voters say they aren’t interested in voting and say they have no intention of even registering.
On Thursday night, Prime Minister Perry Christie made a public plea for eligible Bahamians to register, but not everyone who is eligible plans to do so.
"I don’t want to vote. Everyone has a right to, but I just don’t want to. That’s my right, too," one potential voter said. "I don’t think there’s anything that a politician can do to get me to vote."
Sherika Christie said she hasn’t had the time to register.
"I’ll probably do it on my day off. I was just not interested in voting," she said.
"I wasn’t going to do it this year. I’m just not feeling it. I don’t feel like the government is doing anything in my area. I live in Kemp Road."
Another man said he hasn’t registered yet, but he will before the register closes.
"I haven’t voted yet. There’s really no rush. I’ll probably do that before March," he said.
"No, I haven’t voted yet, but I will soon."
Another man said Bahamian voters are disillusioned and he has "no interest" in voting.
"Why should I vote? What’s the point? I was working before the election and I’ll probably work after it," he said.
"I’m not a voter and I will not register."
But there are approximately 110,000 people who have already registered, according to Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel.
Many of them registered months ago.
Patsy Newbold, a nurse at Princess Margaret Hospital, said she immediately registered once she heard the registry was open.
"I believe I have a voice and as soon as I heard the register was open I went over to the post office building [and registered]. I’m a citizen and I want to make my voice heard and I feel that one of the ways I can do that is by voting, and so I registered so I’m ready to go," she said.
"I feel that we as a people in this country are very reactive. When deadlines are set it mobilizes people. So I’m quite sure if they were to do a compilation of persons who are registered between the time of that announcement you would see an increase. They will register and they will vote."
Darrell Gray said he registered late last year.
"I registered in November. I didn’t want to wait for the last minute," he said.
Carl Braynen said he registered a year ago.
"That’s my duty as a citizen of the Bahamas. I’m ready for election any day now," he said.
"I’m a proactive person. I like to be involved in a responsible way. As a citizen I feel that one should at least register.
Prime Minister Christie announced that the current register will close on Monday, March 12.
While the current register closes on March 12, Mr. Bethel explained that voter registration will continue on the new register, but he said voter registration will stop immediately once the governor general issues election writs.
Mr. Bethel explained that there will be no notice revealing when the writs will be issued, hence the importance of getting registered by March 12.
Officials are trying to get another 50,000 Bahamians registered.
Some Eligible Voters Have No Interest In Voting:
By Rogan M. Smith
Nassau, Bahamas:
Political candidates in the upcoming general election have their work cut out for them. Some potential voters say they aren’t interested in voting and say they have no intention of even registering.
On Thursday night, Prime Minister Perry Christie made a public plea for eligible Bahamians to register, but not everyone who is eligible plans to do so.
"I don’t want to vote. Everyone has a right to, but I just don’t want to. That’s my right, too," one potential voter said. "I don’t think there’s anything that a politician can do to get me to vote."
Sherika Christie said she hasn’t had the time to register.
"I’ll probably do it on my day off. I was just not interested in voting," she said.
"I wasn’t going to do it this year. I’m just not feeling it. I don’t feel like the government is doing anything in my area. I live in Kemp Road."
Another man said he hasn’t registered yet, but he will before the register closes.
"I haven’t voted yet. There’s really no rush. I’ll probably do that before March," he said.
"No, I haven’t voted yet, but I will soon."
Another man said Bahamian voters are disillusioned and he has "no interest" in voting.
"Why should I vote? What’s the point? I was working before the election and I’ll probably work after it," he said.
"I’m not a voter and I will not register."
But there are approximately 110,000 people who have already registered, according to Parliamentary Commissioner Errol Bethel.
Many of them registered months ago.
Patsy Newbold, a nurse at Princess Margaret Hospital, said she immediately registered once she heard the registry was open.
"I believe I have a voice and as soon as I heard the register was open I went over to the post office building [and registered]. I’m a citizen and I want to make my voice heard and I feel that one of the ways I can do that is by voting, and so I registered so I’m ready to go," she said.
"I feel that we as a people in this country are very reactive. When deadlines are set it mobilizes people. So I’m quite sure if they were to do a compilation of persons who are registered between the time of that announcement you would see an increase. They will register and they will vote."
Darrell Gray said he registered late last year.
"I registered in November. I didn’t want to wait for the last minute," he said.
Carl Braynen said he registered a year ago.
"That’s my duty as a citizen of the Bahamas. I’m ready for election any day now," he said.
"I’m a proactive person. I like to be involved in a responsible way. As a citizen I feel that one should at least register.
Prime Minister Christie announced that the current register will close on Monday, March 12.
While the current register closes on March 12, Mr. Bethel explained that voter registration will continue on the new register, but he said voter registration will stop immediately once the governor general issues election writs.
Mr. Bethel explained that there will be no notice revealing when the writs will be issued, hence the importance of getting registered by March 12.
Officials are trying to get another 50,000 Bahamians registered.
JCN TV Will Be CNN Of The Region
January 29, 2007
JCN Television Prepares To Hit Airwaves
By Rogan M. Smith
Media magnate and Chief Executive Officer of Jones Communications Network Wendall Jones said recently his company’s new television station, JCN Television, will easily be the CNN of the region when it hits the airwaves March 15.
Mr. Jones said the TV station will be free from political interference and will operate on a world-class scale.
JCN Television represents the third leg in Mr. Jones’ media enterprise, which also includes the Bahama Journal and Love 97 FM. Programming will air on channel 14.
JCN Television will be unlike any other local television facility in the market, according to Mr. Jones, who said he wants to set a new standard of excellence in television broadcasting in the Bahamas.
Mr. Jones attributed his company’s success to his highly trained news team, which he said is responsible for transforming the company into the tour de force that it is today.
He said his media empire has enjoyed tremendous success over the years thanks to the staff and said he feels confident that its success will carry over to television.
"I believe that the success that we have enjoyed over the years is due to the kind of employees that I have been able to surround myself with. It’s not just Wendall Jones; it is the hardworking staff of this company – whether they are in programming or in news or management. They have made JCN what it is today," he said.
"And it is through this quest for excellence that successive governments have seen what we have been able to do and extended us the licenses to do what we are doing. So, I’m just the leader setting the vision and ensuring that people follow certain guidelines to achieve the vision that we have set for the company. We have a good idea of what the vision is for television and I believe people in the company have bought into the vision. With that kind of support behind me I believe the world is our oyster."
Mr. Jones boasted that there is no other media company in the country like Jones Communications in terms of dynamics and quality programming.
"It’s the talent that we use on television that will make the difference. We are subscribing to a high level of production. Mediocrity will not be a part of JCN Television," he said.
"We’re dealing with separate entities. Radio is what you hear; television is what you see. So, we are going to ensure that what you see is just as good or better than what you hear on Love 97. We have the talent here to make that happen," he said.
JCN Television Prepares To Hit Airwaves
By Rogan M. Smith
Media magnate and Chief Executive Officer of Jones Communications Network Wendall Jones said recently his company’s new television station, JCN Television, will easily be the CNN of the region when it hits the airwaves March 15.
Mr. Jones said the TV station will be free from political interference and will operate on a world-class scale.
JCN Television represents the third leg in Mr. Jones’ media enterprise, which also includes the Bahama Journal and Love 97 FM. Programming will air on channel 14.
JCN Television will be unlike any other local television facility in the market, according to Mr. Jones, who said he wants to set a new standard of excellence in television broadcasting in the Bahamas.
Mr. Jones attributed his company’s success to his highly trained news team, which he said is responsible for transforming the company into the tour de force that it is today.
He said his media empire has enjoyed tremendous success over the years thanks to the staff and said he feels confident that its success will carry over to television.
"I believe that the success that we have enjoyed over the years is due to the kind of employees that I have been able to surround myself with. It’s not just Wendall Jones; it is the hardworking staff of this company – whether they are in programming or in news or management. They have made JCN what it is today," he said.
"And it is through this quest for excellence that successive governments have seen what we have been able to do and extended us the licenses to do what we are doing. So, I’m just the leader setting the vision and ensuring that people follow certain guidelines to achieve the vision that we have set for the company. We have a good idea of what the vision is for television and I believe people in the company have bought into the vision. With that kind of support behind me I believe the world is our oyster."
Mr. Jones boasted that there is no other media company in the country like Jones Communications in terms of dynamics and quality programming.
"It’s the talent that we use on television that will make the difference. We are subscribing to a high level of production. Mediocrity will not be a part of JCN Television," he said.
"We’re dealing with separate entities. Radio is what you hear; television is what you see. So, we are going to ensure that what you see is just as good or better than what you hear on Love 97. We have the talent here to make that happen," he said.
Anglican Church At Crossroads Over Gay Bishop
January 16, 2007
Anglican Church At Crossroads Over Gay Bishop
By Rogan M. Smith
The Anglican Church is still at a "crossroads" and could split as the bitter debate rages on about how to resolve the issue of ordaining homosexual clergy, according to Archbishop Drexel Gomez.
Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez speaks with reporters on Monday.On Monday, Archbishop Gomez said the consecration of a practicing homosexual in the United States three years ago is still threatening to tear the church apart.
He was speaking during a press conference at the Anglican Diocese in Nassau.
Anglican leaders from around the globe are in the capital this week to try and heal the rifts caused by the appointment of gay bishop, Gene Robinson.
Mr. Robinson’s appointment as bishop of New Hampshire brought an angry reaction from conservatives and religious leaders in the US and all over the world who warned that the church could split.
Archbishop Gomez was appointed late last year by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams to head an Anglican Covenant to examine the fallout in the Anglican Communion.
The archbishop said the Covenant Design Group (CDG) will examine ways in which the member churches in the Anglican Communion could meet as member churches of the worldwide communion and agree to be committed and accountable to one other.
"This is a pivotal moment for the Anglican Communion and that’s why the Archbishop has appointed this group because we cannot continue to drift along as we have been doing, and we’ve had one crisis over homosexuality," he said.
"There is a possibility that we could be faced with another crisis shortly in the communion that will emanate from a group in Australia. There’s a group there that is talking about having lay people presiding at the Eucharist. That’s becoming an issue that’s being talked about more and more and if it does it will present the communion with a serious theological and pastoral issue. Our problem in the communion today is we have no existing mechanism for automatically dealing with these issues."
Archbishop Gomez said the decision to consecrate a gay bishop has brought with it dire consequences.
"We have already lost some members in the United States. I think we have lost some in England, but the greatest threat is North America and Canada unquestionably," he said.
"Our hope is that we can avoid a split, because even if we end up with two kinds of subgroups the question is how do they relate to one another?"
Archbishop Gomez said many leaders have suggested that the Anglican Church devise a model that would allow the church to make accommodations for subgroups, however it has not been explored as yet.
The Archbishop said his position is very clear about where he stands on the homosexuality issue.
"My position is that God, in his wisdom, determined that the human race is made up of male and female persons and that they complement each other. The teaching of the Bible is the coming together of man and woman [and that] constitutes marriage in the biblical pattern. Any other provision will be contrary to the biblical tradition," he said.
The Anglican Church has traditionally tolerated a wide spectrum of beliefs, and its communion includes about 80 million people worldwide.
Archbishop Gomez said theologians continue to press for the church to accept marriage between homosexuals. They want the church to change its biblical premise that only a man and woman can be married. Instead they want the church to accept that any two people who love one another may marry.
"I couldn’t accept that because it is contrary to the teaching of scripture. What is interesting is that no one disputes that in every instance in the Bible in which sexuality is mentioned, homosexual practice is always a negative. It’s never commended in the Bible and even those who are trying to change the anthropology have to admit that the text does not support it. So, they find ways of reinterpreting the text," he said.
"Scholars will always find some linguistic way of getting behind the text to make it imply something else."
Anglican Church At Crossroads Over Gay Bishop
By Rogan M. Smith
The Anglican Church is still at a "crossroads" and could split as the bitter debate rages on about how to resolve the issue of ordaining homosexual clergy, according to Archbishop Drexel Gomez.
Anglican Archbishop Drexel Gomez speaks with reporters on Monday.On Monday, Archbishop Gomez said the consecration of a practicing homosexual in the United States three years ago is still threatening to tear the church apart.
He was speaking during a press conference at the Anglican Diocese in Nassau.
Anglican leaders from around the globe are in the capital this week to try and heal the rifts caused by the appointment of gay bishop, Gene Robinson.
Mr. Robinson’s appointment as bishop of New Hampshire brought an angry reaction from conservatives and religious leaders in the US and all over the world who warned that the church could split.
Archbishop Gomez was appointed late last year by the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams to head an Anglican Covenant to examine the fallout in the Anglican Communion.
The archbishop said the Covenant Design Group (CDG) will examine ways in which the member churches in the Anglican Communion could meet as member churches of the worldwide communion and agree to be committed and accountable to one other.
"This is a pivotal moment for the Anglican Communion and that’s why the Archbishop has appointed this group because we cannot continue to drift along as we have been doing, and we’ve had one crisis over homosexuality," he said.
"There is a possibility that we could be faced with another crisis shortly in the communion that will emanate from a group in Australia. There’s a group there that is talking about having lay people presiding at the Eucharist. That’s becoming an issue that’s being talked about more and more and if it does it will present the communion with a serious theological and pastoral issue. Our problem in the communion today is we have no existing mechanism for automatically dealing with these issues."
Archbishop Gomez said the decision to consecrate a gay bishop has brought with it dire consequences.
"We have already lost some members in the United States. I think we have lost some in England, but the greatest threat is North America and Canada unquestionably," he said.
"Our hope is that we can avoid a split, because even if we end up with two kinds of subgroups the question is how do they relate to one another?"
Archbishop Gomez said many leaders have suggested that the Anglican Church devise a model that would allow the church to make accommodations for subgroups, however it has not been explored as yet.
The Archbishop said his position is very clear about where he stands on the homosexuality issue.
"My position is that God, in his wisdom, determined that the human race is made up of male and female persons and that they complement each other. The teaching of the Bible is the coming together of man and woman [and that] constitutes marriage in the biblical pattern. Any other provision will be contrary to the biblical tradition," he said.
The Anglican Church has traditionally tolerated a wide spectrum of beliefs, and its communion includes about 80 million people worldwide.
Archbishop Gomez said theologians continue to press for the church to accept marriage between homosexuals. They want the church to change its biblical premise that only a man and woman can be married. Instead they want the church to accept that any two people who love one another may marry.
"I couldn’t accept that because it is contrary to the teaching of scripture. What is interesting is that no one disputes that in every instance in the Bible in which sexuality is mentioned, homosexual practice is always a negative. It’s never commended in the Bible and even those who are trying to change the anthropology have to admit that the text does not support it. So, they find ways of reinterpreting the text," he said.
"Scholars will always find some linguistic way of getting behind the text to make it imply something else."
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