New Providence used to have three very prominent and distinct ridges running from east to west before The Symonette Family decided to get into the business of selling land fill. These ridges now have gaping gaps everywhere notwithstanding that their importance to the island's water table in many areas was well known. The Symonette Family have apparently decided Andros is not ripe for the pickens given that the Minnis led FNM government is so desperate to show and lay claim to any kind of economic activity even if it's the worst possible kind from an environmental standpoint. The Tribune of course will dutifully walk the plank as it has always done for The Symonette Family.

The Symonette Family ?

You'd be smart to brush up on your Bahamian history a tad

I suspect most of you are probably too young to know most things about The Symonette Family.

"*here is a process – and that process includes protections for the environment.*"

No there isn't and no it doesn't.

Anyone who believe private discussions haven't been going on before these proposals were submitted is fooling themselves.

If the public hadn't gotten wind if these proposals we would have had another Oban moment right in time for a grand announcement in the budget. Minnis proclaiming he has to save us again from being like Haiti. Then it's off to the family islands to tell old grannies how they'll be able to sell coconut tart to all the construction workers.

The next classic move is, *we've discussed this long enough time to move and get the economy going*, banging on the desks, Andros sold. Nope, there's not the kind of process you're referring to. Ask those people in Eleuthera sleeping in the we love Disney t-shirts.

So do you think they had “discussions” with local govt who were the first step on the totem pole...if so then should we also be mad at our local govt representatives - if you live outside Nassau. Who clearly play roles in these decisions, low level though they may be.

Sometimes I go on instinct, sometimes I go on what makes sense. When the rich investor comes into the country they don't know anyone. Their contact is the advisor at the bank, the lawyer or the accountant or maybe another rich friend. I am going to bet that none of those people would suggest to a billionaire, you need to go talk to the local council. They get a *do not stop at Go* card and are driven straight to the PM'S office. Those discussions are informal, it may be with representatives from the PM'S office not the PM himself but with weight of the office. Those persons then advise the investor, for thus to move forward you need to submit your proposal to the local council. Once you do that we can do XYZ. The local council may get a call from the PM or his rep, *"approve this asap*"...That is what I believe. I could be completely wrong. I'm nowhere near the boardrooms.

What do we do with the Symonettes, Holoweskos and Wilsons? After all, they're Bahamian too... (add into that Flowers and Sebas). They should have an opportunity to invest their monies, but how do we balance that against giving regular Bahamians access, an opportunity and a hand up and prevent a single *giantopoly* owning the entire country?

My suggestion would be that these families, with intention, pour part of their wealth into a pool to assist Bahamian entrepreneurs. Not through the sbdc, it's clear that's become a political PR machine. They could actually dwarf the sbdc and spur real innovation in the country. They could be like the Sharks, no pun intented, on Shark Tank. A group of rich self made men and women using their own money to help others launch their businesses. I think if they did something like that people would look on them more favourably. They might also look to take an active role in mentoring Bahamians.

They have the global contacts to get a professional set of judges/advisors running an efficient operation. They could even put a 5 year limit on the program. The one thing they need to avoid is a rush of the advisors running from the sbdc to bring the same level of dullness to the new program.

My suggestion, they're free to do what they want with their money.

Interesting proposal. Did you ever listen to the Holowesko story during the referendum campaign. Your right they are Bahamians, Pyfroms. The govt refused to give their father citizenship, I suppose for political reasons. I imagine lots of persons have that story. I only bring it up to pose a human question, not that they feel that way, would you give a rat’s ass about giving ppl “hand up” to persons who seemed to have politicized, intentional politicized, and attacked everything about your name, family, life.

Similar arguments might be applied to the numbers ppl, or a myriad of ppl. We hate them one day, we love them next. Success breeds contempt in this country - unless you giving out money and things. Wilson had an interview that was covered in the Nassau guardian interesting read. He identified a few things relative to what you are talking about. He actually thought the sbd was a good step. He also pointed out that we have some socio economic practices that we, Bahamians, also haVe to individually address: we don’t save money, our Labour/workforce is unproductive and inefficient. Also, we needed land reform.

"*would you give a rat’s ass about giving ppl “hand up” to persons who seemed to have politicized, intentional politicized, and attacked everything about your name, family, life.*"

You are precisely right. 100%. Why would you care? The natural tendency is to get back at or watch such people suffer for what they did to you. Everybody has to battle this tendency and for some of us it's over 5 dollars much less 500 million. I don't know any of these people personally but it would be great if they had such feelings if they were able to overcome and help anyway.

*But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you*

a very very hard thing but we're asked to do it.

Again, I didn't live their struggles or make their money. They can do as they like with their money.

not through the sbdc. It's a political machine subject to the same issues as every govt agency.

Why should anyone ask Carlton Bowleg anything.. This guy is the biggest criminal around and an MP.. He just wants to get his hand in the cookie jar before anyone else beats him to it ..