Flipping Grand Bahama

Sixty years after the signing of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, the original signatories are dead. The man with the vision for Freeport was the first to go and apparently his vision with him. It was a vision for a thriving community based on the Hawksbill Creek and the formation of a harbour. As was the rush for gold there was a rush to this island during 1950s to 70s of people looking for another home that offered an ability to make a new life for their families. This was short lived and many had to return to homes they were hoping to forget or other places where there communities were more welcoming. During the first ten years of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, the Government of The Bahamas kept a keen eye on what the Grand Bahama Port Authority was doing and made several demands in writing to steer the ship not only for a better Freeport, but a better Bahamas. After 1965, there seems to be a lack to Government involvement in the public arena until 1993 when a new amendment ...

There are a number of organizations, civic organizations and caring groups in Grand Bahama at present and many of them are overlooked for the great things they are doing. Just a few years ago, a family decided that they were tired of all the garbage indiscriminately dumped around. Catherine MacLeay said following the annual brush fires she and her family were tired to complaining about all the glass bottles and trash that can be seen in the bushes off the road on her way to and from home. So along with other friends they began a weekly weekend clean up and all who wanted to come out and supported. The momentum was great but as with a number of things, it died off after a time. The discouragement of such a project is that lack of respect by others who just continue to litter. Twice a year the Sustainable Tourism Committee conducts beach clean-ups gathering over 10 huge bags per beach every time. The trash is from the sea as well as from parties held and garbage left. But worst o...

A new week with new ideas and new dreams. Over the past year I have come to find out about a number of great things that are happening in Grand Bahama that brings hope. One of them I heard about from a friend about two weeks ago and got to see a flier about it this weekend - it is the Crossreach. This outreach is headed by the Presbyterian Church with a goal to taking food items and clothing to those less fortune, especially in the outlying settlements. Two weeks ago that group was in Eight Mile Rock area handing out parcels. Im told that they use donations to the church to pass them out. Now for years I have been dropping off stuff to the Salvation Army and the Red Cross alternately. My concerns had been that I did not feel my clothes should be resold, but I do understand the concept of reselling to keep the center open.... I'm really comfortable with the idea of the Crossreach because it also encourages people to accompany them to the areas to help others. In May ...