The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville encouraged a visiting group from Greenville County, South Carolina to create stronger ties with Grand Bahama.

Fred Payne, planning and development chairman of Greenville County, answered this call by presenting the minister with a proclamation declaring September 12-13 Bahamas-American Friendship Days in his county, which he said will promote goodwill and fellowship between the two communities.

He was among a group of Ruritan National participants that sailed from Charleston on a Ruritan Foundation Fellowship Cruise to the Bahamas, visiting Nassau and Freeport on September 12-13.

In the proclamation, it was noted that Greenville and the Bahamas have a similar population size, history and focus on tourism.

Each has a total population of about 400,000, while King Charles II granted both communities to eight English Lords Proprietors along with the right to trade, tax, appoint governors and administer the lands under charters granted in 1663 for the Carolinas and in 1670 for the Bahamas.

It was also noted that Greenville and Freeport are important centres for international business, tourism and commerce.

Councillor Payne said the potential exists to increase tourism, trade, investment and cultural ties between Greenville and Freeport.

Minister Darville extended a warm welcome to the Ruritan National Foundation on behalf of the government.

“The Bahamas government and the Bahamian people truly appreciate your visit to our islands and are grateful that you have taken this opportunity to fellowship amongst yourselves in our beautiful islands, interacting with our people and experiencing first hand our heritage and culture,” he said.

Dr Darville said the Ruritan service club – with 30,000 members – shares common goals with the government: to enrich the lives and livelihood of the public, and build a better nation through good will, education, and community service.

He noted that the government has launched Urban Renewal 2.0, which is geared towards renewing communities, increasing public safety and enhancing the lives of young people through vocational and technical training and educational programmes.