It doesn't take a genius to put one plus one. No electricity on a well-paid-for vacation WILL and DOES drive tourists away. People will put up with minor inconveniences such as airlines that can't keep to schedule, airports that are below substandard and costs that are above many competing destinations. What they will not put up with is lack of the bare necessities of electricity and the resulting loss of water in many locations when there is no electric. If only this country invested in basic infrastructure.

Perhaps someone could explain why Bimini needs an $80 million airport to service the three or four weekly Silver flights and the twice-daily flights to Nassau via Western Air? The airports in North Eleuthera and Marsh Harbour service numbers many-fold larger. (Both have non-stop daily service to Delta's hub in Atlanta and American's hubs in Charlotte and Miami) on 70+ seat jets). I am sure that MHH and ELH have higher passenger numbers in a month than Bimini has in a year! Yet, these combined airport projects are budgeted less than Bimini's airport ($10 million and $65 million, respectively). And quite frankly, Bimini doesn't have the infrastructure and land mass to accommodate those who are visiting currently via cruise ship. This airport is brought to us by the same geniuses who thought that a cruise port and a 1000 room hotel/condo project was a good idea for Bimini. Why not budget $10 to $15 million for a medium size airport that could adequately service Bimini's needs?

First, let me say that I think U.S. medical care is far superior to rationed socialized medicine in my opinion.
Regarding your letter, the major flaw is your reliance on statistics provided by the Chinese Communist Party regarding the numbers of infected and deaths. There is substantial evidence that the numbers they have provided are mere fairy tales. It is China's authoritarian state that suppressed reportage of the initial outbreak and, in cahoots with the World Health Organization, downplayed the severity of the outbreak. These officials allowed the festivities in Wuhan to go on unhindered and spread the virus throughout the world. The U.S., and by proxy, The Bahamas and the entire Caribbean would most likely not be in this predicament if China had addressed the issue at its onset.
I also agree that there must be solutions short of shutting down the entire economy of a nation. Unfortunately for us in The Bahamas, that decision was made by other governments. Our reliance on tourism means that those decisions will continue to be made by others for the foreseeable future.

Oh, yeah. And keep in mind that these reports were all published based upon dredging estimates that we find out now have been quadrupled. BEST says the 200,000 cubic yards was going to be a disaster. Now they want to excavate four times the sea bed, create four times the havoc...and our government says nothing except...go ahead! Damn shame and a disgrace!

The government of the Bahamas is a disgrace! Document after documents shows how the P.M. and almost every aspect of government has FAILED to protect Bimini from environmental Armageddon. Shame on the government! People who supposed to be representing us, just filling their pockets and saying "the hell with Bimini." No intelligent human being could look at impact here and sign off on this. Rise up, people of the Bahamas. "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not gonna take it anymore!"

Ever been to Bimini? For the tourist it is all about the water, the fishing, the diving. Destroy that...then what? Think they gonna come to gamble? Florida has more gambling options than Vegas. BTW, 99% of the "more money" is going into Genting's pocket (and some well connected politicians I suspect). You're going to sell your birthright for a dollar today? And you wonder why they think we Bahamians are stupid...then take advantage of us

Let's the fools speak! Everyone deserves an opinion...even the ignorant!

Hey Birdie,
You made the point. "Allow THEM to be the ones to choose what is good for them and not outsiders..." like Perry Christie and Obie Wilchcombe. The people of Bimini have not been consulted. Their wishes have not been considered. EVERY decision made on this project was made PRIOR to the population and even local government on Bimini even being informed. In about three months, everything was smoothed into place. Any where else in the world, this would have taken YEARS of environmental study and recommendations. But here in the Bahamas, gubmen say erryting good in three months! Three months for a project that will radically alter the ecology and character of Bimini! Day ain't even tell nobody till erryting was in already place. The government of the Bahamas has a long history of deciding in Nassau what is good for the rest of the Bahamas without so much as cursory consultation with those involved. PLP or FNM...these bums need to go. Or, as I always say...you get what you vote for.

When the top heads of Bahamian government give a major worldwide concern the go ahead for anything you want to do...they will do so! This is nothing new in the Bahamas. Every change at Lyon's place, since Rockwell owned it, has been made expressly without the approval or even knowledge of the local population. Remember that they razed "the pines" in three days and no one knew it was coming. The property then sat barren and unused for almost 10 years. How silly that we elect "representatives" (a word that implies those elected will represent out interests), who do not consult or seek any sort of consensus from those they represent. Shame on this worldwide conglomerate for destroying Bimini. But even greater shame on us as Bahamians for allowing it!

"Full of idiots." ?? You are being waaaaay too kind!