Black People Can Change The World, Yes We Can!

Is The Last Remaining Mangrove Wetland In Barbados Disappearing?

Submitted by Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary

In September, 2008, Sanctuary officials were surprised to discover two newly-hatched Eclectus parrot chicks. The parrot parents had hidden the eggs in the Gully Aviary, and hatched them in secrecy/GHNS

[Bridgetown, BARBADOS, May 6, 2010] A new environmental study sharply critical of the Government of Barbados shows the key Graeme Hall mangrove wetland is disappearing due to outside pollution and poor water quality.

The Graeme Hall wetland is the last remaining mangrove in Barbados – a red mangrove forest that has existed for no less than 1,300 years. It is the only wetland in Barbados recognized internationally under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar). It acts as a Caribbean flyway stop for migratory birds between North and South America.

The extensive 800 page study prepared for the Graeme Hall Nature Sanctuary by Environmental Engineering Consultants of Tampa, Florida shows the Sanctuary has suffered a 77 per cent reduction in salinity in the past ten years due to an inoperative government-run sluice gate. The huge reduction signals “an inevitable failure of the mangrove ecosystem” as freshwater flora and fauna take over.

Minister John Boyce It’s Time For YOU To Go!

Minister of Transport, Works and International Transport,

A reasonable period has elapsed in the opinion of BU to ask for the resignation of  Minister of Transport and Works John Boyce with immediate effect. The list of issues which fall under his preview that paint a picture of chaos in our transportation system is clearly evident. The fact that many of the outstanding issues which continue in his ministry have been outstanding for years is no excuse, the  PSV  problem springs to mind. While some Barbadians on the ground cite the problem created by PSVs maybe found in who own them, the problem  is more deep-rooted we know. The solution to the problem cries out for LEADERSHIP.

Minister Boyce you have had a good run and what can we say except to say, Good Riddance!

Kill The Fatted Calf, CAUSE I’M BACK!

Hartley Henry - DLP Political Strategist

Dear Registered Voter, it is my honor to inform you that I am back in Barbados and will be offering myself as a candidate once again in the next general elections. By now I am sure you are aware that I did not get the big job that I was hoping to land ‘Over-in-Away’.

I know I told you a few months ago that I was finished with politics and that you would not have been seeing me in the constituency any time soon. I know that my departure would have shocked and pained you because I had said several years ago that I loved and cared for you and that nothing would have torn us apart. But, that is the nature of politics!

The truth is it is one thing to be in politics while your party is in government but it is a totally different experience to be in politics and not even in Parliament. I frankly do not know how people like John Boyce, Dennis Lowe, George Hutson and even Freundel Stuart could have done it for all those years. The past two years have been a living hell for me, as it has been traumatic readjusting to civilian life. You simply do not get the respect you are entitled to, as an important person in society.

International Cricket Council (ICC) Boots Barbados Craft Vendors Out Of Kensington Oval At T20 2010

Kensington Oval Barbados

There is a situation which is brewing at Kensington Oval involving craft vendors. Today, an ICC lawyer before he could get a tan made all the craft vendors dismantle their stalls on the grounds that they were not permitted to sell craft items. This is after the Craft Vendors paid a contract fee to ICC some months ago, in order to secure a space to sell their craft and the money was taken, knowing that these people were going to sell craft. The vendors were allocated space by Kensington Oval but this morning as soon as they set up, the ICC lawyer came and ordered them to remove their craft and leave.

Apparently, the craft vendors were given the same contract as the food vendors. This is what happened at CWC 2007 as well, except that a separate negotiation went on for the craft; even though the contracts were the same. All that happened is that the criteria for the craft were inserted into the vendors contract… but all this happened long before the matches started.

This time around, ICC (through their legal representative) waited until the first day to tell the vendors they can’t sell craft. Douglas Trotman, Attorney-at-law, has taken up the case for the vendors. Up to late this evening, the vendors were still awaiting word of negotiations between their lawyer, ICC and Kensington.

Rastafari Is Not The Wanted Man!

Submitted by JUSTICE

Junior Christopher Worrell/ Advocate Newspaper

Is there Rastafari profiling in Barbados? The Royal Barbados Police Force has its work to accomplish. However, according to the democratic rule of law, when the actions of the State violate the constitutional rights of citizens, redress is due regardless of religious expression of the citizens.

More evidence of Rastafari profiling by the Royal Barbados Police Force was demonstrated in a public announcement concerning a man who is wanted for questioning in connection with serious criminal matters. This announcement, which is dated May 4, 2010 on the CBC Evening News and May 5, 2010 in the Barbados Advocate, unmistakably “profiles” this wanted man as “with Rastafarian hairstyle to shoulder length”. This is one general instance of Rastafari stigmatisation by a law enforcement agency.

The announcement categorically incites and perpetuates a suspicion on Rastafarians. There is no such thing as a Christian hairstyle, a Muslim hairstyle or a Police hairstyle! Why then does the Royal Barbados Police Force find it socially responsible to describe a wanted man as “with a Rastafarian hairstyle”?

Are Negative Bajan Attitudes Playing A Role In The Declining Tourism Industry

Submitted by Bajan Yankee

Last weekend I had diner with friends from Jamaica who explained what a horrible time they had while shopping in Bridgetown, to my surprise they explained how poor across the board service in stores was to them, as if their money had another value then that of other international patrons. I started off by dismissing the allegations but the very next day I read a nation news article, based on a study, which pointed to the same factor, “poor service”, as a key issue impacting the Barbados tourism industry.

With that said I have decided to get the BU perspective on this issue, more specifically is it ” fact or fiction “. I know that as a frequent visitor to other islands there is a completely different vibe given off by those in the service industries as compared to Barbados, “why” I’ve been forced to now ask myself.

CLICO’s Noose Draws Tighter

Submitted by Bajan Truth

TWO WEEKS OF DISCLOSURE AND DEBATE and not a word from Thompson only comments on Families First. Not a  word to allay the  fears of those 2400 policy-holders, the number of  policies sold since Aug., 2009. Any vendor in the market selling without a license would have felt the long arm of the law, not CLICO, Thompson’s financier.  No discipline on Estwick, when a review of the security tape would assist in establishing the veracity of the claims.  If a yout had a firearm and assaulted a citizen in the same manner he would be before the courts. THESE WERE THE CLAIMS OF MOTTLEY AT THE EAGLE HALL BLP MEETING ON SUNDAY NIGHT. Is Thompson running scared, hiding out, or has Hartley Henry advised him to lay low until it blows over because his political  capital is such that he can disrespect Bajans so. Or has HH advised him to lay low until another situation can be created or used as a distraction?

Standing at political meetings is not my speed, especially these BLP meetings long before an election is called.  My thought was what was the point of that strategy until a supporter indicated to me, that if you can’t get media coverage what else do you do. I got there late and was quite surprised to see the crowd at Eagle Hall. Wow BLP in a fighting mood. I am not good at estimating but don’t let Hartley Henry fool you, it was a crowd, like what you would find at a political meeting in the swing of things. Watching crowd reaction I realised that it was not made up of only BLP’s but had a mix of ordinary Barbadians and DEMS. They are easily recognisable by the non-responsiveness to partisan shots.  But by far the most non-BLP’s were ordinary Barbadians, who seemed to be concerned and wanted to hear what had happened and  get the other side of the story. They had very strong reactions to the revelations made during the meeting.

Here’s what they got from Dale Marshall: He stepped outside of parliamentary privilege and called Estwick’s bluff, and stated  Estwick drew a gun on me’.

Here’s what they got from Mia Mottley :

One Law For The Medes And Another For The Persians: The Johan Bjerkhamn Affair

Johan Bjerkhamn

On behalf of the BU household we express our deep sadness at the unfortunate death of 11 year old Luke Bjerkhamn. Luke  was allegedly shot by his father Johan Bjerkhamn a couple weeks ago at his father’s residence. This is a matter which BU has been reluctant to offer public comment in deference to the the grieving family. However, in light of the recent development that Johan Bjerkhamn evaded police questioning by waltzing out of Barbados on a private jet yesterday, we have been driven to comment on the matter.

Firstly, there is the erroneous position which has been propagated by the traditional media that Johan  Bjerkhamn has been under 24-hour police guard at the Bayview Hospital. Our source indicates it was his doctor who played a pivotal role to keep the police from questioning Johan  Bjerkhamn. It has been said that his doctor kept him heavily sedated. Keeping him in a drowsy state the doctor was able to feed the Police the story that Bjerkhamn was not medically fit to give a statement. Why the Royal Barbados Police Force would leave  Johan  Bjerkhamn unguarded at Bayview Hospital is highly questionable.

The breakdown in communication between Commissioner Dottin and his Deputy over the recent Movada Kartel Show merits probing questions about Dottin’s competence to manage the Police Force. We suggest had the alleged perpetrator of this incident been Black the statement would have been taken and the charge laid in quick time.

Trouble Brewing At Dodds Prison

One of the more controversial projects inherited by the Barbados government is the state-of-the-art prison project located at Dodds, St. Phillip. First it was tagged at one hundred million dollars, then two hundred million and in recent weeks the figure has jumped to seven hundred million. We couldn’t resist jumping on the seven hundred million band wagon! Yes BU is aware the seven hundred and forty nine million refers to the future cost of the prison which was built under a BOLT financing arrangement. Governor Delisle Worrell at his most recent press conference felt constrained to mention the impact the prison loan will have on the foreign reserves come every January for the next 22 years. Barbados under the current arrangement has to repay for the next 22 years $30 million dollars.

What has made the Dodds prison even more controversial is the fact it was built by VECO, an Alaskan based company which had a very murky reputation before it was sold. VECO had no track record of building prisons at the time the contract was awarded; in case you are wondering there is the  uncanny similarity to the ABC Highway contract which was awarded to 3S. The recent report in the press which fingered Minister Darcy Boyce as a key participant in the decision to award the VECO prison contract has added to the intrigue.

In all of the discussion about VECO and a seven hundred and forty nine million dollar prison, Barbadians appear to have forgotten the plight of the prison warders. Going back to the last administration the prison warders have expressed concerns with their conditions of employment. BU remembers prison boss John Nurse attempting to make some changes at the prison and the Prison Officers Association forced to request the legal services of Ralph Thorne to defend member’s interest. How can Barbados forget the inquiry into the burning down of Glendairy which again brought warder grievances to public light. We are into the mid-term of the current administration and the problems have not gone away.

According to BU sources the officers at the Barbados Prison Service feel marginalized by the administration and have turned to BU for help.

Here is what we know: