By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Campaigners hailed yesterday’s clean-up and removal of multiple business billboard advertisements at Fort Montagu Park, but warned: “We have to see it through to its total restoration.”

Loretta Butler-Turner, who helped drive the location’s restoration and clean-up when she was the area’s MP between 2007 and 2012, told Tribune Business she had personally witnessed staff from the Beaches and Parks Authority - including its executive chairman, McKell Bonaby - on-site yesterday taking down many of the billboards that had provoked alarm about the commercial takeover of a dedicated public space.

Revealing that she stopped and spoke with both Mr Bonaby and other Authority staff, the ex-MP and Cabinet minister said she was informed that “this is more than Fort Montagu” as the agency is also dealing with unauthorised, excessive signage in areas such as Saunders Beach as well as other areas throughout New Providence.

Meanwhile Bruce Raine, founder of International Private Banking Systems (IPBS), the Bahamas-based financial services software developer, who launched a petition that gained more than 400 signatures demanding that the Fort Montagu signage be removed, told this newspaper his wife “didn’t know where she was” when driving along East Bay Street after many of the billboards had been removed.

Estimating that the number of ‘offending’ signs has been cut by almost two-thirds, from around 17 to six, he urged that the authorities now move rapidly to address Fort Montagu’s other woes including the presence of bar/restaurant, food and beverage and souvenir vendors, and whether these persons have the necessary permissions to be there plus the relevant Business Licence, food handling and other permits.

Also identified by Mr Raine and other advocates is the issue involving the free use of Montagu’s public dock by tour boat operators for commercial gain without seemingly contributing to the Public Treasury, plus the traffic congestion and loss of parking spaces for members of the public that results.

Public docks come under the regulatory scrutiny of the Port Department, rather than the Beaches and Parks Authority, and Mrs Butler-Turner said she hopes to discuss the matter with Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright, its controller, when she returns to work today as his office is located close to hers.

“I got a call from somebody who told me the signs were being taken down and I was driving by to see for myself,” the former Montagu MP said. “The Beaches and Parks officials who were there, I spoke with them, and they did confirm they are removing them but, funnily enough there was a brand new one out there promoting a company for putting up billboards and signs. It’s crazy.

“I can’t say for sure, but quite a few [were removed]. The first two were still there as you head east, but then there was a big gap where there are no signs there. More than half of them are gone. I did have an opportunity to speak with Mr Bonaby and I did ask him again whether or not they will be addressing the businesses that are present.

“I saw him and asked Mr Bonaby if all of that is going to be addressed. He’s very cautious in his promises but he did tell me they are trying to address all of the issues.” Mrs Butler-Turner said she had been contacted by a current Cabinet minister, who she declined to name, saying they were in “full agreement” with the concerns she voiced in Tribune Business on Monday about the over-commercial exploitation at Fort Montagu.

“I said that if any support can be given it would be truly appreciated,” Mrs Butler-Turner said of the Government’s position. “It’s not just Parks and Beaches. The dock comes under the Port Department. I really would like to speak with Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright. His office is right behind mine, and hopefully tomorrow [today] when I am back to work I will try to speak with him.”

As for the signage removal and clean-up that she witnessed, Mrs Butler-Turner said: “It was such a pleasure to see that they really seemed to be excited to be doing it. The persons I spoke with said: ‘Mrs Butler-Turner, it’s not just Montagu that we’re dealing with’. They’re doing signage on Saunders Beach. This is more than Montagu.

“This shows that with advocacy and support from the community we can actually get things done in a constructive way. It’s not just me; it’s Bruce and many other persons agitating and advocating. It’s really a good thing to see them moving, and I’m hoping we can see it through to it’s total restoration. That, for me, would be the best thing ever.

“Even driving through today, seeing both Bahamians and tourists enjoying the beach, that was so lovely. People are out there at all hours of the day, but there’s no parking if we have businesses taking up all the space.”

Voicing similar sentiments, Mr Raine told Tribune Business: “My wife didn’t know about it being cleaned up. She went past and didn’t know where she was. The thing just got crazy, and the people opposed to it are a real mixed group who are truly apolitical. People on both sides of the aisle got together and got things moving.

“I think it went from 17 signs down to six. I guess those remaining have paid their tent for however long. This can’t happen. They’ve [Beaches and Parks Authority] got to do it island-wide. Montagu is not the only place that’s been defaced. It’s everywhere. I drove out west yesterday, and on every corner they have these things. It’s like Fort Montagu; you go around the corner and there are 20 signs.

“Hopefully we can keep moving this thing forward and keep the pressure on.” Mr Raine said addressing the presence of multiple businesses and vendors in the Fort Montagu park public space, as well as the use of the public dock by commercial tour operators and lack of parking that results, remains a “priority” for nearby residents and the community.

“The executive chairman was there himself leading the charge of cleaning the island up,” he added of Mr Bonaby. “It’s been a real united effort, but the whole island needs to be cleaned up. It’s really a dump. We don’t deserve that.”

Mrs Butler-Turner, though, said she was unsure if the companies behind the billboards are paying any rent or fees to the Beaches and Parks Authority for the privilege. She added that she had been informed that all they have to do before erecting their signage is obtain written permission to do so.

And the former MP also questioned why companies are resorting to billboards over what she believes are more effective advertising methods - such as paying jitney and/or taxi owners to wrap their vehicles in promotional material. Through such methods, Mrs Butler-Turner said Bahamian companies will have mobile advertisements that are seen by far more persons than just stationary billboards.

“There are so many ways that you can do it without being an eyesore or visual pollutant,” she said. “This would definitely be my suggestion.” Mr Bonaby did not respond to a Tribune Business message seeking comment before press time last night.