Nygard defies Supreme Court once again

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In the face of two applications to commit him to prison for contempt, the controversial fashion designer continues to insult the judiciary and act as if he is  above the law.

New evidence has emerged showing that Peter Nygard has once again defied the Supreme Court of The Bahamas, aggressively dredging the seabed off his property despite having already been accused of contempt for similar actions on two previous occasions.

The controversial designer has been under an injunction ordering him not to dredge since 2013, when leading Bahamian environmental group Save The Bays (STB) launched judicial review proceedings citing years of unauthorized construction and serious damage to the surrounding environment.

“Three strikes, and Peter Nygard is out,” said STB legal director Fred Smith. “We can only conclude that this man believes he is a law unto himself and can spit in the face of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas whenever he chooses.

 “Just days after the judge visited his property in an effort to see for herself the site of the last alleged infraction, he is at it again, aggressively dredging the seabed and Crown Land— which belongs not to him- but to every citizen of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

“He is acting in blatant defiance of our laws, making a mockery of our sovereignty and spitting in the face of our judicial process. He simply must be stopped.”

WATERKEEPERS AND STB LEAD YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL ADVENTURE

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Camp Eco-Explorer – Kids Version taught 12 Grand Bahama youngsters to appreciate the environment and motivated them to do all they can to protect it

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – The word ‘environment’ means a whole lot more to a group of Grand Bahama students now that they’ve completed the first ever Kids Version of Eco Explorer Camp!

Camp Eco-Explorer – Kids Version, a seven-day camp sponsored by Waterkeepers Bahamas and Save the Bays, was organized to get youngsters excited about their eco-systems and impress upon them how important it is to take care of our natural resources.

“Our facilitators had the experience of working with teenagers over the past three years and became painfully aware at times of the lack of knowledge about and appreciation for our wonderful, rich and precious environment.  It became obvious that a great deal of work has to be done to enlighten our youth about our natural treasures,” said STB chairman Joseph Darville.

The theme for the week was ‘Protect. Preserve. Lead’ and students learned about pine forests, composting, recycling, mangroves, caves, the water cycle, weather, and climate change.

Rashema Ingraham, executive director of Waterkeepers Bahamas, says her organization focuses on ensuring swimmable, fishable, drinkable water for all.  “We are adamant about giving each Bahamian an opportunity to connect with the water, either for enjoyment or to ensure it is safe.  Programs like the Eco Explorer Camp gives campers opportunities to really understand why and how all species of the Earth depend on clean water,” she said.

When they were done in the classroom, they headed to the great outdoors to see first-hand just what they were learning about.

There was no shortage of outdoor fun! Field trips to the Rand Nature Centre, Garden of the Groves, Lucayan National Park, GB Meteorology Office, and Fortune beach brought out the true explorers in each student.

They were supplied with binoculars, magnifying glasses and even snorkeling gear to help them really get into the role of the scientist or the observer.

According to Darville, the program was very ambitious. “The content was challenging and demanded a level of attention and involvement commensurate with and beyond their age. However, with due diligence and encouragement, seasoned with a lot of patience, the facilitators were able to implant in those young minds and spirits an awesome regard and respect of our precious environment”, he said.

KB Brings Back Hit Tune Calling for ‘True Freedom of Information Act’

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The Bahamas number one rake ‘n scrape artist Kirkland ‘KB’ Bodie is lending his voice to the growing chorus of organizations calling for a ‘true’ freedom of information act, declaring the united effort to push for transparency and accountability from government is unlike any movement he has ever witnessed.

“This is unprecedented – to have 17 groups coming together from environmental organizations like Save The Bays to business organizations like the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and the Retailers Federation to The Bahamas Press Club and civic voices like Organization for Responsible Governance and Citizens for a Better Bahamas – all united for a single cause, freedom of information. That’s thousands and thousands, maybe tens of thousands of people represented, demanding that government finally pass legislation that establishes the people’s right to know the people’s business,” said Bodie, who for the past three years has written, performed and produced powerful and popular music with a message. Much of his music has been in conjunction with efforts by Save The Bays, which hosted the first rally for Freedom of Information in 2014. “When I saw the list of who’s supporting a true freedom of information act, not a political tool, but an act with real teeth, I resurrected the first freedom of information song that I recorded for that first rally in Rawson Square and re-released it last week.”

The chorus, said the star, says in plain language what community and civic leaders have put in “far more elaborate and eloquent terms” in communications to government. “A freedom of information act will get the country back on track, show us every contract sign, where every nickel, every dime, make sure our business straight, money going in da right place, country running way too slack, freedom of information act.”