Make sure all the windows are closed in case Jack decides to Jump.

Another problem is custom officers have to manually move some entries from one department to another. Say, for example if an entry has to go to Valuation. Once the value is approved the entry should be sent to releasing section ( in the program). But when you get to the dock the officer will tell you they cannot release your goods because the entry is still in Valuations. Some officers may be nice enough of helpful enough to call Valuations and ask them to release the entry, but others will make you drive beck to customs and have you deal with them yourself. Inefficient and time consuming. Then they also want to tie in your drivers license and vehicle plate to your entry, claiming it is to ensure only the consigned is picking up the goods.

It seems that the person who wrote the program did another snow job on The Bahamas Government vis a vis The Customs Department. They changed up the entry presentation and added some fancy terms to make the programming appear new but it is less efficient and hence less effective. For example when an accountant is filing a vat return under the old system they can just pull the total vat off a completed entry. Now under the new system the accountant must get the vat on the goods, the vat on the processing fee, the vat on storage etc. so there may be five or six different vat charges but no total. And they require you to pay for your entry before it is checked by customs. If there is an error you have to pay $25 to make the amendment ( remember you already paid a processing fee. And if you overpaid on your entry, you will have to pay $75 to get a refund otherwise leave your money with customs until you have another shipment, then use it as a credit. This government seems determined to make everything in this country as faustrating as possible, as expensive as possible as inefficient as possible while they continue to borrow money in all quarters like drunken sailors and continue to squeeze the local economy by its testicles.

The next six months will be crucial to measure the performance of the Bahamian economy in light of at least three major economic shockwaves impacting on it. First the economy is still hemmorraging from the VAT hike to 12 percent. Many businesses sitill haven’t found their break even point and are still confused about the need to increase prices as it appears almost impossible to increase sales. Then there are the effects of Dorian. This is the most major catastrophe to hit the BaHaMas in modern. And not only will it adversely affect both governments revenue and expenditure, but many businesses will be directly or indirectly affected be the hurricane. Then as the BPL reduction bond takes effect. This will shrink the consumer disposable income even more and as consumers spend less businesses will also be affected. The first three months may be a launch cushion for the economy as hotels are expected to have a robust, if not booming season, due to the severe and bitter expected over the United States and also because of the thriving economy where there are signs of over employment. The true test will come in April /May when hotels go into their slow period and some hotel workers may be on reduced work days. Hopefully by then the government will have mass rebuilding efforts going on in Grand Bahama, Abaco and Ragged Island. A deployment of workers from New Providence will also help unemployment on this island. And if work begins on the down cruise power and other projects come on stream it can prevent the economy from taking a nose dive and plunging into a rrecession. Even then government must be cautious to not even utter a hint of additional taxes and may in fact have to offer tax reliefs and incentives to some businesses

So how do you sugar coat a 20 year saddle of debt, that will cost the average Bahamian household some $9,000.00, with a sugar coating by saying they will only be feeling the 'pain' for ten months? These politicians ain't real. And the danger of dragging out the loan for so long is that they equipment will be old and antiquated by the time this loan is paid off so another loan will be necessary to replace them.

P“*There’s a good opportunity for investors. We have so much liquidity in the banks and they can’t hold it all. Investors have to start moving money out of the banks and find some way to make funds available to finance projects and keep the momentum going forward.*

There are hundreds of millions of dollars sitting in banks earning zero interest. So this draw on these funds, while driving u interest rates will allow some who cannot invest abroad, to finally earn income on their capital.

The six million tourists visiting the country every year proves the ordinary American citizen is not into the US State Department and their prejudices against Bahamians. That fact that so many are kept safe and enjoy incident and crime free vacations confirm these advisories are baseless. More Bahamians are now being robbed or assaulted in Florida alone than the number of Americans that experience crime in The Bahamas.

Unfortunately, this may sound good on paper, but this fine will be passed on to the long-suffering consumers, who are now being saddled with BPL's ancient debt, among other things. The Bahamian consumer cannot win for losing. sad, very sad.

L

The latest missive repeats previous

> warnings to "exercise caution" at
> Arawak Cay's Fish Fry, especially at
> night, and for US citizens - who
> account for around 83 percent of this
> nation's tourist market - to avoid
> water sports and, especially, the jet
> ski industry. What goes unmentioned,
> though, is that virtually all visitors
> do not become victims of crime.
.

**Strong**It is patently obvious that America will continue to discriminate against Bahamians with it’s travel advisories that specifically target areas and operations done by Bahamians. This is despite little or no incidents of crime or violence occurring in these areas against visitors and millions of them return home safe and happy after an enjoyable stay in this country. No use ranting and raving against the dragon that can spit fire when she pleases and at whom she pleases. Instead use the efforts to ensure that all visitors are kept safe and continue to have a most enjoyable and incident free experience when they visit The Bahamas. Teach and train the people working in the industry, that it is their responsibility to keep their guests:customers safe and despite the invitation, temptation or opportunity, they are not allowed to fraternize with their customers, especially ones who may have been drinking. Even though many come looking for that special experience, do not mix business with pleasure. It is no longer ‘that kind of party.’**Strong**

Notice how conch poisoning disappears once the vendors follow the rules and do not wash the conch in sea water. And once you get it home, you rinse it again with salt and lime if you are making salad. Leafy veggies like lettuce present a different challenge because they can be contaminated in so many different areas of the food chain... from the growers to the packers to transport or in the food stores and even in your own kitchen or refrigerator.