RADIO ABACO NEWS

June 2001 Table of Contents

RADIO ABACO NEWS

Let There be Light: The Bahamas Electricity Corporation has assessed the lighting conditions in the tourist strip in Marsh Harbour and lights will be placed on all the poles in the heavily trafficked area.

Crossing Beach Dilemma: The Central Abaco District Council discussed the use of Crossing Beach near the Ferry Dock in Marsh Harbour as a venue for parties and fund raisers. Nearby residents have complained that cars park on their lawns, beer bottles are thrown onto their property and very loud music is played. Dissenters the public for parties and fund raisers long before any houses were built in the area. The matter is still under review.

Get Registered: Member of Parliament for South Abaco Robert Sweeting urged all prospective voters on Abaco to register as soon as possible as the next general election could be less than a year away. "It might come in June or August of this year or maybe January next year." He noted that those citizens due to vote for the first time and those who have relocated should not procrastinate. He also added that the present constituency boundaries would not be changed.

Beware Pink Hibiscus Mealybug: The public on Abaco has been alerted by the Department of Agriculture to the danger of the Pink Hibiscus Mealybug which has been detected in the Marathon district of New Providence. Special wasps have been imported to prey on the bug. The Pink Hibiscus Mealybug can be seen with the naked eye and attacks ornamentals and fruit trees. It attacks leaves, stems and buds. The Department urges the public to report any plants they suspect may be contaminated at 367-2240.

Abaco Girl is Tops! Juanyette Stuart left Abaco Central High School four years ago as Head Girl and Valedictorian. She received a full four-year scholarship from Florida Memorial College. She graduated in May with a degree in Accountancy and once again was the Valedictorian of over 300 graduating students with a GPA of 3.9. Acc her two years to adjust to life away from home. She gave credit for her success to strict discipline of her mother, Kathy Jones. She also gave particular thanks to her high school teachers Nadeen Beneby, Jennifer Clarke, Karen Butler and Huel Moss, all of whom stayed after school hours to help her. "It wasn't easy, but it was worth it," said Juanyette.

Industrial Park: The Central Abaco District Council made strong representations to the Department of Lands and Surveys for an industrial park to be established on S C Bootle Highway between BEC and Kipco. The individual sites would be used by auto mechanics and other artisans. A number of applications were approved and six were rejected.

Illegal Immigrants: Immigration officers continue their vigilance against illegal immigrants. On 16th May Chief Immigration Officer Ferguson along with other officers and members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force apprehended 13 suspects in the Crossing Beach area waiting to get on ferry boats to the Cays. Six of them were immediately dispatched to Nassau for repatriation to Haiti.

Another Highway Accident: The amazing number of accidents occurring on the highway between Treasure Cay and the Airport continued on 20th May when Fisheries Officer Carrol Laing crashed his government truck near Andy's Garage at about 11 pm. He suffered head and hip injuries and was flown to Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau.

Yacht Blaze: A $2 million Viking yacht caught fire in Treasure Cay Marina on 23rd May and had to be untied and towed to a nearby beach to burn out. The boat's captain Tom Gardy was making engine repairs when he smelled smoke coming from the forward cabins of For My Girls. One of the first people on the scene was Joss Konsten, General Manager of Treasure Cay Ltd. Police are investigating.

More Illegal Immigrants: Police and Immigration officers responded to calls from Sandy Point that a group of illegal Haitian immigrants had been spotted in the vicinity. Indeed, initial reports said that dead bodies had been seen in the sea. According to ASP Russell, three Haitians were apprehended walking in the area o possessions were wet and each had about $600 in US currency. They said they had hiked a ride to visit friends in Sandy Point. Next day police and Immigration found more illegal immigrants trying to board the Little Abaco Ferry at Crown Haven, which goes to McLeans Town, Grand Bahama. Eight persons were apprehended but many others ran into the bush and escaped. Three other men were held in custody who had Bahamian status. One of them confessed that he had recently returned to Abaco after serving time in a US gaol. The transportation of illegal immigrants from The Bahamas to Florida is a pressing problem for Police and Immigration officers at the moment.

How Low Can You Go? The Township Committee of Marsh Harbour and Spring City have been working hard to beautify the Airport roundabout in Marsh Harbour. Many plants have been added to the circle to make a good impression on new arrivals to Abaco. During the night of 23rd May a dozen Bougainvillea plants were dug up and disappeared. Town Committee chairman Yvonne Key expressed deep disappointment that such an act could take place.

May 2001 Table of Contents