EDITOR, The Tribune.
My name is Bianca Smith and I am an eighteen-year-old Bahamian student, studying in an international school abroad and I am the daughter of Mr Toby Smith, the future lighthouse keeper for Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club.
I am completely and utterly ashamed of the way that my dad has been treated over the past eight years at the hands of various government offices.
You are someone that should be a leading example and a role model for Bahamian children. However, how am I supposed to want to come back and live in the Bahamas if I am constantly seeing examples of ambitious Bahamians being stopped and instead foreign entities are benefitting from what is rightfully ours? Many of my friends also do not want to come back home and create their lives because it is frustrating that the government seems to have ulterior motives other than helping and promoting Bahamians to follow their dreams. Foreign million-dollar companies should not be prioritised over Bahamians.
I think that it is unfair that my dad has been trying for so long to restore the Paradise Island Lighthouse and create a beach club which will only benefit people, including Bahamians. My dad has been an active member of society, including restoring Steve Burrows’ conch shell and pigeon, creating Ringo the Flamingo, participating in countless beach and city clean ups and being an active member in hurricane relief efforts. My dad is a very kind and compassionate man who for as long as I can remember has told me that I can accomplish anything that I set my mind to. He has been resilient and enforced his message to me and the government that he does not give up. I think that he is setting a very positive example for me and various other people who have been a part of this dream.
I am a person who stands up for what she believes in, for example, on February 28th, 2020 I went to a climate change protest in Bristol where Greta Thunberg was. I marched to raise awareness about climate change. I was also elected as a leader for the upcoming International Women’s day because I am very vocal about my beliefs on equal rights and fair treatment of all individuals. My belief in expressing myself has led me to write this letter to you as I am in awe at how discouraging the government has been towards my dad’s project. I think that this is a great opportunity for Bahamians, tourists and nature to co-exist.
I am also very familiar with my dad’s plans for the Lighthouse and Beach club, as I have seen him try every day to achieve his dreams. He has also made sure to teach me about business and the economic side of things. I am fully prepared to carry on his legacy and help him in this project. I think that my dad’s project will be nothing but beneficial for everyone concerned. I hope that the government will do the right thing and support my father who has been resiliently trying to create something positive for the past eight years.
BIANCA SMITH
Nassau,
March 2, 2020.
Comments
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 1 month ago
Toby is a very good man. RCCL should be told no and Toby should be given the opportunity. Simple....
birdiestrachan 4 years, 1 month ago
Shame on this FNM Government for sure. If Mr: Smith has a signed contract. the Government can not change it.
They should have learned a valuable lesson from Hutchison. Our Lucaya consisted of three different properties. Thanks to the FNM Papa they all became one.
Hutchison has taken doc and co. to the dump and left them there. And they talk about egg on the face.? Truth is they have no shame ad do not know what is right or wrong lost in a wilderness of confusion the whole crew.
hrysippus 4 years, 1 month ago
I wonder if Mr. Smith has the financial resources to develop the land. The cruise ship line has reportedly spent $150 million so far and they have not even built anything or hired anyone yet. Is this theBahamian Entitlement mentality at play yet again?
proudloudandfnm 4 years, 1 month ago
Toby has the lease, he has the land and with the land can get financing. He should be allowed to pursue financing, if he fails then government can give it to someone else. But while he is pursuing what he needs the land is his and the cruise line should be told to go away until he either gets it or doesn't....
jamaicaproud 4 years, 1 month ago
It's sometimes problematic when young adults get involved in these matters as like that Greta who is being used as a pawn, these young people like to dash heat, but cry abuse when people respond.
All I suspect is this, you don't really believe in rights for all do you? At least not equal rights. There you are living in a foreign land threatening to grab their opportunities, while you want your dad to be handed opportunities simply because....... Hi figure.
joeblow 4 years, 1 month ago
… at least she would have entered that land LEGALLY and would have paid for her upkeep while there instead of mooching off taxpayers, paying corrupt officials for false documentation etc. like some other immigrant groups do!!
themessenger 4 years, 1 month ago
Obviously, neither of you know Mr. Smith or of the effort he has put into this community including this project over many years. The fact that the government originally granted approval in principle for him to sign off on and return to them would indicate that he has the financial backing to proceed. Of course, this was before the mega-money of the cruise industry caused our politicians to get all big eye. As for Ms. Bianca living in a foreign land trying to grab an opportunity, she is making the best of her father's hard work and sacrifice, he's a single parent, to further her education and make something of her life, which is more than I can say for the majority that lives in this country, and why ignorance continues to stalk this land from top to bottom.
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