Ironvelvet 12 years, 9 months ago on $20,000 donation handed to urban renewal
$20,000 donation handed to urban renewal
Ummm to all of you clearly talking about me. I never said that the workers didn't work when they WERE employed. I guess some of you missed reading comprehension. To put it plainly for those that need literal interpretation: The government has not employed them because there has been no monies in order to pay them to do work! Therefore, I see no sense in giving money to buy instruments for a program when there is no money to pay the worker that does show up to do his job! As far as my reference to the Urban Renewal program being dead, it is dead, it has not been in practice in who knows how long.
Its nice that Mr. and Mrs. Wells want to give money and yes I am criticizing the use of the funds because it is ridiculous to purchase instruments when there are still abandoned buildings, abandoned cars lining the streets, and not enough public health/social programs to uplift communities.
You are all welcome to disagree, but I stand by my original comment and the sentiment/reason for it as outlined by this comment.
jo 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
I haven't read through all of the comments yet but to those who are concerned over what the tourists think, many of them have been praising the Bahamian government and saying that the US government needs to do the same as well. Just check out the comments from this article:
jo 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
Thank you for telling us what really happened because what was reported sounded like something from Law & Order
divestream 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
Ask yourself these questions???
Who win by putting the Government on Blast? They do!!They want to renew her work permit using any tactics possible but there are many Bahamians at that facility who can do her job that deserve her position.
Is she really the TOP trainer?? No!!!She is one of 13 TOP trainers there there are over 80 trainers on staff . She is not above any of the other top trainers there at the facility. SOOO PLEASE STOP SAYING THAT
Was guest around when they(immigration) came?? No they were no where around as she was in the back where the birds are kept, she doesn't even participate in sealions interaction any more. We found this article to be so funny when we read this because Atlantis is making up lies upon lies
banker 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
@Stapedius -- unfortunately there is nothing else except tourism. The entire focus is to attract direct foreign investment in creating mega resorts. With little else in the way of employment for a burgeoning, unskilled population, there is no other hope but tourism. If there were some long term planning in economic diversification, there would be hope. However the only way to get elected in this country is by short term promises that counter the long term common good. Can you imagine a political party saying "We have a recover plan but it will take 10 years and millions of dollars. We have to retrain a majority of the population, and until then, there will be nothing but blood, sweat and tears?". Another party would come along and say "I will pay your rent for month, give you a ham, turkey and tee shirt, and free booze at the constituency office if you wote for me." Who do you think will win?
Stapedius 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
I understand your frustration. Bahamians are so afraid to be who we are and we always find ourselves pandering to tourist. I really don't see what the big shock is about. We mull and ruminate over these things too much in the Bahamas. The right way, the wrong way blah, blah blah. Funny, I don't hear the same outrage when Cubans and Haitians are being packed in a bus far away from the prisitine pools of Atlantis. Oh but I forgot, we view them as people without skills or relevance. Bahamians are truly mentally screwed up. You should have a read of France Fanon. He clearly explains how the tourist industry can erode the national drive and focus of a country. We always pander to the tourist and can never give ourselves credit for anything. What a messed up commentary in our 40th year as a nation.
TheObjectiveVoice 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
When I read the article, I was sure that it did not go down like that. Just because my common sense would say that officers would not just show up at Atlantis like that without some kind of directive from their supervisor or O/C. Plus, despite what people are saying about police these days, let's give them some credit. I don't think they would have done that on the Atlantis property and in front of tourists. I was waiting for someone who actually was there to come forward and give the real story. Let's give our people some credit.
divestream 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
For those that are truly interested in knowing ..this whole story is bogus she is not the head trainer for the sea-lions. she is only a manager... Secondly there was no interaction when they escorted her out out the property.. she was not in hand cuffed they simply walked behind her... She was allowed to call for her supervisors but both of them refused to respond to her call over the radio. You say in this article she is highly sought after one of the top trainers in this field well I have to dis agree she was taught everything she knows about Sea-lion training from these same Bahamians that You (Bahamians), my people didnt even know that we had. The Government has the right to deny any and all work permits when there are qualified Bahamians, Yes, even at Atlantis that can obtain this position that they are keeping for her. This very same expatiate who we are all defending in these comments left the country earlier this month and was so afraid that she would be detained came in the country under false pretenses saying that she is a visitor to the county when questioned by immigration at the airport.... So MY PEOPLE please know the fact before defending nonsense and just running off at the mouth about being disgusted. I have copy of resumes for Bahamian sea lion and dolphin trainers some with over 20 years experience. Yes Bahamas Bahamian dolphin and sea lion trainers. WOW shocker. Atlantis will continue to sell all the dreams in the world because they want to make sure the money our country is making stay out of it by making the expat look like the victim but it is all lies
concernedcitizen 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
what amazes me most is that both Atlantis and Bahamar would say they both need permits for waiters /painters etc ..As both of these are capatalist companies that have to ansrew to share holders and directors it really says something about our workforce if they are willing to shell out 10,000 per worker for permits ..IF Bahamar needs 200 hundred permits thats 2 million dollars ,well at least the treasury gets something and money comes in ,,Believe me apart from the show and fooling w/ sea lion trainers the big investors will get all the permits they need to function ..
hj 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
Nobody suggests that illegal immigrants should stay,just because they may work for a large company. The fact that the lady was set free shows that a mistake was made. A mistake that could have been easily avoided if some people knew how to do their jobs. Also whether we like it or not we depend on tourists. So even if she was illegal,i am sure they could find a way to arrest her without putting on a show that at the end made them look like fools.
SP 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
@Banker - Please note the difference between bending over backwards and bending over forwards....Nuff said!
MartGM 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
Best line of this entire thread goes to "Banker" for: "You may be behind Mr. Mitchell, but it would be ill advised to be in the reciprocal situation."
pilgrimagerock 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
There is a right and wrong way in how you treat foreign workers. The commonwealth of the Bahamas is a tourist destination and regardless of the foreigner’s standings, we must treat them with respect. Our bread and butter depend on it.
banker 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
@SP -- true bahamians will soon be eating pigeons and coconuts again. You do not scare tourists away, which puts bread and butter on the table of 75% of Bahamians. You may be behind Mr. Mitchell, but it would be ill advised to be in the reciprocal situation.
Ironvelvet 12 years, 9 months ago on $20,000 donation handed to urban renewal
$20,000 donation handed to urban renewal
We continue to wonder why they is a mismanagement of funds. $20,000..."the majority of which will be used to buy musical instruments for the Urban Renewal Band?!!!" What kind of foolishness is this? They had to shut down Urban Renewal because they didn't have the funds to pay workers/equipment to do the work, but they now have money to make sure the workers can whistle while they DON'T work?!
Mr. Wells, I can assure you someone like myself will not donate monies to be used as such. Is this what you allocated your money to, a band? They must want to make funeral music for the dead Urban Renewal program.
concernedcitizen 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
why do you begin your post with name calling ??
akbar 12 years, 9 months ago on Stunned reaction to Immigration
Stunned reaction to Immigration
To add to it Customs and Immigration duty is to Protect Our Sovereignty they have certain powers which include the removal of illegals any time and anywhere. Whether it be the Haitian worker who mowing my grass (private property) or a sea lion trainer at Atlantis (private property). Furthermore if her application is in appeal just like Haitian and Jamaican migrant workers she should be deported until her appeal process is done. Furthermore Atlantis should be brought before the courts for aiding and abetting illegal workers. They law don't just apply in South Beach, last time I check Paradise Island was in the Bahamas therefore they too must abide by the Laws of Bahamas.
divestream 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
picture this scenario :Days upon days you would see a black man walk out and is asked to open his bag over and repeatedly by security but a white man drives in or out in he is automatically accepted but no one saw the gun that he brought with him.
divestream 12 years, 9 months ago on Shock over immigration staff swoop
Shock over immigration staff swoop
REALLY senior trainers only work 1 program a day look who is throwing up the smoke screen now. This sounds like another "Atlantis" statement. When you say 3 senior staff is there any Bahamians above all the expats or are they above them and is there anyone in this country who can do their job?? So the plot to give a promotion to this individual when there are qualified Bahamians is this going to happen. How do we give promotion to expats?? We talk about money. Thats a laugh. Now you are saying that the other Bahamian trainers make more than her??? I think not. In the US what is the starting salary for trainers WITH degrees?? No wonder we come running to the Bahamas when Atlantis pay triple to the expat. This is really a good read for a good laugh. Thanks for being so entertaining@ c_h_e_e_k_i_e
jo 12 years, 9 months ago on $20,000 donation handed to urban renewal
$20,000 donation handed to urban renewal
I understood exactly what you were saying so I'm not sure why everyone else is reading it as some kind of harsh unnecessary criticism. I equate it to giving someone a large sum of money and instead of them using it to pay bills, they go buy a new flat screen tv. If Mr. & Mrs. Wells wanted their donation to go towards buying instruments for the band, then I don't understand how this is supposed to " help build the Urban Renewal foundation" as Mr. Wells is being quoted as saying. For the majority of the funds to go towards instruments is indeed a mismanagement of funds and it says to me that their priorities are in the wrong place.