Tuesday, September 28, 2004   Navigate Back To main page

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Brutal Vehicular Death leaves its calling card again

 

Last night on the streets of Tarpum Bay another man lost his fight for life due to a hit and run accident. Dead is Bertram ? Called Nyah Bingae. Bertram while making his way to his sleeping place in the eastern section known as Moss town was hit and dragged brutally by reportedly a white loud noise vehicle which dragged him to his death some four hundred feet. Apparently no one actually witnessed the accident and arrived on the scene too late to notice the identity of the vehicle. Bertram is the second victim in five years to be hit and killed by a vehicle at night time. You will recall that almost six month this same man, Bertram was hit and sustained a broken leg in a night time vehicular incident top of the hill Bernard’s hill, Tarpum Bay.

 

These hit and run accidents happen occasionally in our environment since people are not so vigilant and on the scene at such accidents. Because of our sparse police intervention they can get away with such crimes. It is dangerous now to walk alone unattended at night unfortunately.

 

In the past another accident of this nature occurred in Deep Creek when a man was ran over and killed outside of the settlement. No one was caught and prosecuted in that case. Another such case occurred some five years ago when a Tarpum Bay resident was killed while walking home in a remote area after a late night party. No one was again prosecuted and caught in that incident.

 

Perhaps we now need remote cameras in these areas. Although we have several policemen living in the community none of them is on routing patrol at that time. Their regular patrols might cause a cease of this type of activity. Why are there no routine night time patrols by the police in Tarpum Bay?

 

Influences in Eleutherian Education

 

I have sat and thought often over the years about my early childhood and my education here growing up in Eleuthera. What comes as a conclusion of that is the fact that there are some influences that have remained with me even up until today. From a literary point of view I remember about three stories from my childhood education at Tarpum Bay primary school and am convinced that these stories have influenced me, consciously or sub consciously in many ways since that early time.

 

These stories that abide with me even until today are, Paradise lost, the Carribean version not Milton, The Pearl, which I’ve learnt recently was written by John Steinbeck and The Merchant of Venice, a story and play by the great English sensation Shake Speare. These three stories have influenced me in many ways and soothed me in their memory throughout my life and since my high school education.

 

My English teacher in Primary School, Mrs. Merlene Clark made great reading and a thorough education of the great stories, The Pearl and Paradise Lost. She perhaps followed the curriculum at the time or chose these books independently but she chose right in my opinion some of the most memorable and well written stories and authors of the time. I couldn’t know this then but it revisits me now as I go along myself writing some of the best Bahamian stories as I am able to muster in my own vision. Memories of the past come back to me as I think about those days in the classroom under the influence of nothing but great stories as she read. We didn’t have Television then. My parents only purchased a television when I was a teen ager and time was limited to not more than several hours a week and even then the reception of the Miami based television stations was impossible and only came in during the best weather seasons of the summer. So my dependence on these stories read to me was an important influence and an entertaiment of that day. And perhaps that why they are so memorable and sweet to me up until this day. Juan the pearl diver, his father and mother having found this gigantic pearl is memorable. Paradise lost, the story of a Caribbean educated teacher emigrating to Toronto Canada in search of a life and an education there is so memorable and brings back to me the memories of such great story telling by these teachers of mine in Primary school.

 

Then in High school, Mr. Ron Goertzen, the Canadian motorcycle rider with such knowledgeable of poetry and literature. He taught us literature during high school at Windermere high. His love of reading and reciting poetry to us for hours on end in the classroom brought an entirely new approach in teaching to me. The pleasure of reading and being read to the stories of Shake Speare and the other great stories. The Merchant of Venice, A man for all seasons, still one of the most memorable stories I’ve ever came across since then and Ron Goertzen had the good taste to bring them into our lives. Again, no television just plain reading and understanding. Aside from the scholastic testing these time are some of the most memorable occasions in my entire years of education. Yes the elements of story and the influences of education in Eleuthera are still important and foremost in my mind. These teachers are some of the great orators of our child hood education and story time.

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 28, 2004  

Weather:

Another typical day of summer weather here in Eleuthera. The skies are bright and open with only occasional scattered clouds. There is a 45% chance of rain today. Weather has gotten back to normal after the flurry of recent hurricanes. The high today is expected to reach up into the low 90’s with a high tonight of around 78 degrees.

 

While the weather has gotten back to normal the seas are still muddy from the turbulence occurring during Frances, Jeanne and Ivan.

 

Enjoy our Eleuthera weather today.

 

News, Articles and Poetry:

 

Work on our major highway, Queens Highway continues today. The company, Symonettes enterprises have reached as far as Tarpum Bay. They are expected to have completed Tarpum Bay and Rock Sound roads by the end of the week.

 

The company is leaving behind them a beautifully paved wider highway than the previous. The new road will serve to cause more pleasant driving on the island while reducing the amount of potential traffic accidents due to road congestion.  Almost four extra feet of new roadway is added to the side of the main highway on Eleuthera.

 

Its great. It makes for better scenery while being new especially and in addition to the new highway a beautification process was undertaken in Rock Sound. What they did was clear a section of bushy area allowing a beautiful view of the Caribbean sea and Eleuthera Sound while driving south of Rock Sound. This new area is impressive. A complete view of the harbour mouth of Rock Sound harbour is seen as one makes his way from Rock Sound to Green Castle. The effect is a wonderful new addition to the scenic driving in Eleuthera. The island will benefit from this type of design. It has the overall effect of enhancing the island roadways adding additional unexpected beautiful vistas where there were none previously.

 

Enjoy your scenic driving along the island of Eleuthera today.

 

Fishing Report:

Fishing has resumed in Tarpum Bay. Most of the fishing however is limited still to the Atlantic ocean side of the island; the eastern side of the island. Lots of lobster and grouper is still being harvested at this time. Although there is not an abundance of tourist to purchase the products at this time locals are selling the harvest to resellers and whole salers of the fish commodities.

 

So you can get your fresh fish supplies once again from the docks in Tarpum Bay and other villages on the island.

 

More Daily News From Tarpum Bay Today, Tomorrow.

 

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Sunday, September 26, 2004    

Weather:

A typical summer day in Eleuthera today. A nice calm Sunday afternoon with a high of 89 degrees. The sky is partially overcast. There is no rain expected today. Eleuthera is mostly back to the norm after hurricane Francis. Not much damage to report only hope and thankful hearts to the survivors of yet another violent storm.

 

Enjoy our Eleuthera weather today.

 

News, Articles and Poetry:

 

The Color Of Love

 

I see the world in a brilliant light

Neither black, neither white

Many spirits all of them good

Jovial delightment in a mood

Glory calls me from the past

The hue of love is meant to last

I study stronger brave and true

To heal the hurt that comes to you

I’ll be stronger yet this time

Prepared for jagged peace of Mind

Although we descended from the slave

That color of dogma sent to grave

The new desire, a brilliant light

Love Is neither black or white

A sense of forgiveness quick to give

A sense of belonging to all that live

Live for the better, strong and true

My sense of enlightenment also belongs to you.

 

Saturday, September 25, 2004    

Weather:

Thank God for his blessings in the weather had during the hurricane Jeanne. Eleuthera came out of the experience quite unscathed. Winds are still high about 30-40 Mph but quite harmless. A significant amount of rain fell during the night and on into the morning. Today the temperature is a cool 85 degrees Fahrenheit with completely overcast skies. Additional rain is expected to fall later this afternoon or tonight.

 

The weather in Eleuthera today is quite typical for tropical storm conditions. One result of hurricane Jeanne was the loss of much of the beachfront. The surging seas carried out most of the local community beach. It may be a long time until that is replaced by natural wave activity.

 

Enjoy our Eleuthera weather today.

 

News, Articles and Poetry:

 

Hurricane Jeanne is in the news today. The storm continues to do significant damage to the North West Caribbean. Islands like Abaco, Grand Bahama, The Berry Islands and Bimini should sustain significant amounts of water damage and other structural damage as a result of the 115-mile per hour winds they are sustaining right now.

 

Eleuthera was spared this time since we received only tropical storm conditions and not the direct eye of the storm this time. The experience was nonetheless scary, as we didn’t know what to expect from this unpredictable hurricane.  In comparison this was a Sunday afternoon ride as compared to Ivan.

 

Hopefully we will be spared further contact with hurricanes this year. No one knows.

 

Friday, September 24, 2004 

Weather:

Today in Eleuthera the weather is cool and pleasant with a sight increase in wind activity. The winds are gusting occasionally up to 25 miles per hour as we approach the coming of Hurricane Jeanne.  The temperature at this moment is 88 degrees with totally overcast skies. There has been a small amount of rain this morning.

 

As the hurricane approaches residents of Eleuthera continue to prepare. Protection was largely kept in place since hurricane Frances passed through. 

There is still some preparation to do.

 

Enjoy our cool Eleuthera weather today.

 

News, Articles and Poetry:

 

For those of you interested in Junkanoo and the development of it. Here is a nice letter which we received that announces a significant development in Junkanoo,  in the Bahamas. Its exact impact on the Island of Eleuthera and the Family Islands is not known specifically right now but we will inquire.  Stay tuned.

 

Good Morning,

In December 2003, the Junkanooers were challenged  by the Government of The Bahamas to assume more responsibilities for the future development and management of Junkanoo and the major parades. Responding to this challenge, Junkanoo individuals and leaders throughout New Providence banded together to form the Junkanoo Corporation of The Bahamas (JCB).
 

At present, all Junkanoo groups and the individual  participants are working to achieve  the  JCB's major objectives of developing , preserving  and managing Junkanoo  through  its collective expression of our cultural heritage  while fostering  community camaraderie and enhancement.

It is intended that the JCB will become  a fully constitutionalized entity with each Junkanoo group investing equal resources resulting in one share per group, while the individual  participants combining as one share. The JCB, along with the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture have  agreed that the full acquisition of Junkanoo will  be realized over a gradual process and its efforts for the upcoming Boxing Day 2004 and New Year's Day 2005 parades will be a joint effort.

 

As a result, the JCB  and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture are  inviting all residents and Bahamians alike to apply for the positions of judges, marshals and other Parade officials as it embarks upon this historical era in Junkanoo. Interested persons are invited to contact the JCB's temporary offices at Morro Castle , Dean's Lane at telephone numbers 356-2691/2, or via post mail at the official mailbox, P.O. Box SB-50811 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Should you need further clarity or if you are willing to assist, please feel free to contact any of the following JCB or Ministry of Youth Executives:

Arthur Gibson, Acting Chairman at 393-8192
Leslie Johnson, Acting Vice Chairman at 393-8415
Vincent King, Acting Treasurer at 502-0800
Dr. Emmanuel Francis, Acting Secretary at 393-7772
Kishlane O'Brien, Acting Assistant Secretary and Acting Pre-Judging Chair at 302-8873
Brian Adderley, Acting Parades Chair  - Unavailable
Silbert Ferguson, Acting Rules Chair at 327-6200
or
Carl Brennen, DPS Ministry of Youth at 502-0610 

Finally, attached is a sample of the official application for distribution. 

 

 
Thanks  and warm regards,
Kishlane O'Brien

Acting Assistant Secretary 
 
Response from Tarpum Bay Today

 

Mrs. O'Brien,

I thank you for your expressive information concerning the further formation and progression of our most cherished and important cultural parade in the country. Junkanoo has continued to evolve to be, in my estimation, the most exciting, artistic cultural parade in the Caribbean if not the western hemisphere. I fully support your efforts to make the festival a more meaningful one which may eventually lead to the leading participants reaping some of the rewards of their labour.

 

However as a private citizen of the village of Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera I am sternly set against our continued inclusion of the government in all of our affairs especially the cultural ones like Junkanoo. Junkanoo is an important national resource which should be privatized to the fullest extent in my opinion in order to do as I suggested above, have the artists involved in the very hard work of design and organization reap the little rewards which eminate out of the heavily financed process.

 

No government of the Bahamas should seek further inclusion into our very private lives as they continue in this modern age of free speech and freedom, to do.

 

Perhaps in your formation of the JCB you are making progress but I continue to be concerned about the individual artist. I am an artist myself, a writer of freelance Novels and Poetry. I would not want a government organization to corale us and benefit from the massive amounts of work involved. This work is similar to Junkanoo where the artist works for months at a time to produce on beautiful body of work.

 

We must divest ourselves from the control and involvement of government interests. Government is not an innocent participant in any of their involvements. They continue to work very hard at promoting their own private political agenda while under the bountiful influence and at the expense of our own public treasury. That is my concern.

 

We must as free individuals in this economy of the Bahamas continue to promote our wish for a more secure freedom independent of political processes and advantages.

 

I would wish you most success in your endeavor and hope that in the end the best possible comes out of your collaboration.

 

You may find my novels and writings online at www.tarpumbay.com. Tarpum Bay Today is my own personal website where I share daily news and information with persons local and international who have a great love and concern especially for the island of Eleuthera. I encourage you to visit the site and critique the elements you find there. My novels can also be found at www.amazon.com and www.bn.com

 

Thank you,

George Major

Freelance author

Tarpum Bay,

Eleuthera,

Bahamas

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 21, 2004    

News, Articles and Poetry:

Some commentary by a faithful reader of Tarpum Bay Today. Read and send us your commentary and your regards to this essential issue of dialogue concerning the Bahama Islands and Eleuthera.

Dear Tarpum Bay Today,

I read with great interest your article regarding what you describe as the financially dis-proportionate treatment of the Out-islanders by the government.

Unfortunately, it is a natural and understandable progression (or regression depending on your perspective) of any democracy and capitalistic system. Financial investment gravitates towards were the people and jobs are and visa versa.

While I personally sympathise with your perspective, how would any government or national population ever reasonably expect 85% of the country’s population to support a significant proportion of capital expenditure to be distributed to 15% of the country’s population?

I suspect you would respond as I would if I were in your shoes: that not increasing investment in the Out-islands is short-sighted. Unfortunately that’s the nature of governments, and most businesses. Something which is nothing more than a direct consequence of the human condition: people having short-term memories and being self-serving, i.e. “what’s in it for me”.

I note that since I originally travelled to Eleuthera in the early 70’s, the population of Nassau has literally exploded. I can’t imagine how crowded it must be, perhaps like Jakarta, or some other Asian cities I’m familiar with. However, there are trade-offs to everything in life. I doubt you would want Eleuthera to become another Nassau, which had as its social core and conscience only one thing: the almighty dollar --- and that was 35 years ago!

The breakdown of the social fabric which you describe occurring in Eleuthera is unfortunately global and I doubt it will revert back during my lifetime. However I can, as hopefully you will, gain strength and confidence in knowing there are pockets of people throughout the world where individuals are beginning to place “quality of life” before “quantity in life”.

I wonder how many people on the Eleuthera Newsgroup web site who extol the virtues of the Eleuthera, its people and experience would be prepared to in mass sell their homes and/or businesses in the US and shift to Eleuthera? It would undoubtedly lead to an economic revival. We both know the answer to that and the reasons why it won’t happen: the human condition of people being self-serving, i.e. “what’s in it for me” as well as the seemingly endless quest today to “have your cake and eat it too”.

Had I decided to stay in the US and not travel the world as I have, I am more than confident I would easily be a millionaire. I selected ‘REAL quality of life’ over ‘quantity in life’. I have friends who are millionaires who describe me as ‘richer in experience’ than themselves …. and I smile.

The reality George is most people talk the talk, but rarely do they walk it and take the required road less travelled. Consequently governments, and the businesses which keep them in power, behave in predictable ways that reflects nothing more than human nature.

I’m going to post this on the News group web site. I suspect we both know the reaction it will receive……

Regards

Bill

Our Response at Tarpum Bay Today:

Bill,

Thank you for taking the time to weigh in on the matter of the socio-economic state of Eleuthera and the Bahamas. This is a part of the picture I see and wish some change for in my existence. I perhaps wish for a miracle but every great movement has its beginning as I attempt to prick the conscience and the good sense of our government and other influential members with some effect on them.

 

I am disheartened mostly by the decay in the social structure. The security and stability of our Out Island communities have been rocked so substantially in the not so distant past that we must take some measurement of change into account in my estimation.

 

There have been some suggestions and announcements targeted at our economic growth this year and in the few years to come. These economic changes are very positive but are suspect because of their idealistic nature. I suspect that not many of them will survive since they include at their core a financial committment directly toward the local population as a part of their promise and maintainence of the island.

 

Its just that as these grandiose announcements by government are being made, I see us slipping further and further behind socially. I fear that where we might end up in the end if we are not prudent and responsible when it comes to our solution for the entire Bahamas is a further proclaimed thirld world country.

 

Bringing the entire country up to a central level of infrastructure is one of the things I hope for. Unlike the past I hope to see the government of the Bahamas see the wisdom in developing each of the major Out Islands of the Bahamas equivocally in order to give choice to the many who feel necessarily trapped in the crowded city of Nassau. This is about longterm financial planning not unlike a boy who plans to become a man. He eventually arrives at his destination in most cases when human nature rights itself and he becomes a responsible, informed man.

 

Some insight into the restructuring of our Out Island landscapes as a choice location for Nassauvians unwilling to support their present substandard social environment is the necessary part of my own personal plan for the Bahamas as a whole. Life is about making the right choices and reaping the rich benefits of having made the right choice. The Bahamas has a future to look forward to. How we percieve and effect the outcome is what is at the heart of my own contention. We can come out of this as a massively well developed country as a whole.

 

We must continue to plan positively for the entire movement of the entire country of Bahamians. The Out Islands have the potential in this light to play a major role in the development of the entire country. There are a limited number of right choices to be made. Perhaps I may be able to inspire some spark of equivocal investment policy and some dispersement of the faithful Out Island inhabitants and government officials of Nassau.

 

I agree its a long shot but I have always been a dreamer and it hasn't turned out all bad. I feel the impulse to share my thoughts and future plans for Bahamians instead of hiding them. They may eventually get us somewhere. Right now elements like political bias and economic/political privilege hinders us most. Small favoritism and these other short comings are analogous of most of the black third world nations of the world. I just have a much brighter expectation of our leaders and political groups. Their heads are still buried in the economics of Nassau alone. They do not have a master plan or an insight for this type of overall national equality for Bahamians.

Please write us and weigh in on this issue.

More Daily News from Tarpum Bay Today Tomorrow.