Flipping Grand Bahama

Was there slavery on Grand Bahama? There is a hot box that says yes. Were their communities all over the island? Yes following the re-population brought by slavery, there were many communities and some have been moved according to developments. Was there a dreamer? Yes his name was Wallace Groves who fleeing from the United States decided to take on a lumber company in Abaco then moved it to Grand Bahama. Here is looked at the pines here and thought of not only the deforestation but what would be in its place. The Hawksbill Creek Agreement was the birth of that dream. What other dreams have their been? The Governments of The Bahamas had dreams for expansions through the Hawksbill Creek Agreement and they were birthed. But for about 40 years the dreams have ceased it seems. Who would responsible for a 20 year plan for this island? Who wants to join in a campaign to put together a plan to move it forward? I was part of a number of think tanks this week where entrepreneurs...

Grand Bahama morns the death of another stalwart as Sir Albert Miller passed away at 4:30 pm yesterday - Tuesday August 18, 2015. I recall years ago when the three heavies - Chairmen Sir Jack, Edward St. George and President Sir Albert of the Grand Bahama Port Authority were speaking at a function and they jokingly said they will be around until the end of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement in 2054. It was a good laugh, but it made me think.... what of the vision of Grand Bahama. This year both Sir Jack and Sir Albert died, but Sir Albert had retired some time before. As we say farewell to Sir Albert we do remember his life. According to his biography, he was born in Long Island on February 19, 1926. He joined the Royal Bahamas Police Force in 1943 and rose from detective corporal to deputy commissioner in 1968. He also acted as Commissioner of Police on five occasions. A former Co-chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd. and Group of Companies, Sir Albert was nam...

The prayer of Jabez from the Bible. Little is known of him but his prayer is being shared around the world. According to 1 Chronicles 4:9-10: Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. In this land of 40,000 people who are not economically able to sustain business, we need to enlarge our territory. If at first you don't succeed, then you definitely need to take stock, revise your plan and start again. So we want to bring back the magic to Freeport. The magic will never be the same but it can be better and last longer if we plan it right this time. How many are ready to stop complaining and do as Jabez did, pray and worked for and after the enlarging of his territory. It should be easier in this world of e-commerce but for The Bahamas there are a lot of restrictions. And a determined person would find ways ar...

It's  Monday morning. Time to get up and produce and this morning the amount of good news was unbelievable. I woke up to the words, "Welcome to a Bright New Day" from a friend. Then I went to Instagram where I read, "I go for what I want. No Excuses. Note to self" from notetoselfinsta. As I read more I came across this post by before5am ' Money isn't your problem. A lack of production, commitment and consistent improvement is your problem" and it got me thinking. It's going to be a great day with new opportunities open and money should not be the problem. But here is what I read as I continued to read their post. "Excuses? Not today... Not this morning... Definitely not this week! "Money isn't your problem! "That's a story you made up years ago to help you cope with the sad reality that you're simply not performing at a high enough level and that your level of production, commitment and consistent improv...

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 ...