Notice how the government gave $2 billion in concessions to Freeport and God knows how much (MORE) to Bah Mar and these people (Turnquest dem) were quiet like they were drinking crazy glue for days, Now the government gives small concessions that will benefit Bahamians and they mouth dripping with talks. The facts are that consecutive governments have been charging taxes on delapidated properties and uninhabitable properties for years on end and accumulating mass tax bills against these properties. No adjustment was made in consideration that any buildings on the property were vacant and could not be occupied. By rights the property should have been treated like vacant property and no property tax applied. In all fairness to Bahamians government must allow for corrections in the tax system. Otherwise these properties will eventually accumulate more arrears than the property is valued and even if the government takes a lien on the property it would not recover these amounts which would mean that the property sit idle and deliapidated, It brings down the value of other properties in the area. Then government attempts to take second or third generation heirs of the property to court? Is this fair, It is ridiculous! considering that the government made no efforts to collect the taxes while the property had value or before such large amount became in arrears? This is a good move to allow these properties to get redeveloped and to ease the burden on the persons inheiriting the properties to get relief. Government needs to continue the amenisty program until all properties get regularized and until it can determine persons who could not afford to pay as opposed to tax dodgers. Government may need to go even further and assist some owners of commercial properties that may no longer have income or insufficient income from those properties. They are giving away taxes 30 years into the future so why not assist struggling Bahamians to keep a roof over their heads. If foreigners investors (and Freeport were paying their fair share of taxes, then maybe the burden on local Bahamians would not be so heavy. And if Turnquest did not speak out against the foreign concessions, then he should applaud any effort to assist Bahamians.

Bahamians, especially those who live in New Providence, have become accustomed to crime and murder it has become a way of life so much so that hearing the latest murder or crime is no different from listening from the weather report. The good thing about the 'election' budget is that there is no outrageous spending, even though as election draws nearer there may be a tendency to over spend of misappropriate funds for more effective campaign spending. Government should seek towards eliminating property taxes on all first owner occupied homes in the Bahamas so that persons can at least leave one debt free asset to their heirs.

The reason why it is so difficult to run a legitimate business in this country. The foreign investors come here and get baskets full of concessions, politicians get peaks and perks and all kinds of under hand deals. And government workers are well paid and have job security. Persons who have no connections have to compete on this unlevel playing field. Then they are forced to pay all taxes and expenses related to the business.

Storm should be named today. It is expected to head up the US Eastern coast towards the Carolinas.

Persons out West are wondering if a web shop is invading their quiet, residential area. A building is going up using materials (steel framing) that is commonly used by a popular web shop in the West Ridge area. And concern is it may be a web shop. Say it ain't so.

Anything that cuts into youth unemployment and puts money in the hands of young people is a good move. This may be part of the the stimulus needed to get the economy moving forward. If Bah Mar does finally get open and brings new money into the economy then there can be economic relief for many struggling and long suffering Bahamians.

Just a few weeks ago the receivers for Bah Mar announced that there were some serious potential buyers interested in the property and that it will most likely be sold by September. Now the prime minister is saying the China bank, who repossessed the property, and China Construction Company, who could not complete the work in the first instance, have agreed to complete Bah Mar. So whom do you believe? Why the rush to complete a property that is being sold? Will the government then allow China Bank and/or China Construction to open and operate the property as an election ploy? Was this always the plot of the Chinese to stall Bah Mar then wrestle it away from Izmirilian, once they forced him to have a cash crisis? With the investment in the Pointe and Bah Mar and possibly another hotel property, will this give the Chinese too strong a foothold in the Bahamas and especially the tourist industry? The Lucayan property in Freeport is operated by Chinese but is up for sale (hint). If the bank has taken possession of Bah Mar and was in the process of finding a buyer, why the need for the government to get involved at this stage? If the deal involves all Chinese labor again, what is the benefit for Bahamians? If the Chinese are demanding and getting all Chinese labor to complete Bah Mar, how many Chinese work permits will they require to open and operate the property. Will any Bahamians get jobs at Bah Mar?

Persons posting to The Tribune should be aware that the site has a serious virus. It installs itself on your computer and steals all your emails . Apparently an attempt to identify posters. Had it removed several times but whenever you come back to the site it reinstalls.

Are WE there yet? notice how it took over three years for gas prices and your light bill to decrease after oil prices fell by over 60% on the world markets. But now every single increase in the price of oil pushing the prices upward! The price of gas has silently creeper up to $4.27 a gallon, almost overnight, as oil hit $49.00 a barrel. Who is benefitting? Who ripping off the Bahamian people? How come it take 3 years for the prices to go down but they going up overnight? They couldn't even buy my vote with Bah Mama (sic) eat about yours?

I was in BEC today and there was not a single customer in line. So I asked the cashier "where are all the customers?'. So her reply was, "chil'e dis how it been all week, even from last week it was slow. So now they (BEC) sendin dey people out to disconnect y'all." So don't be surprise if you go home and meet your light off for $300.00 or less. Thank you PLP!!! Thank you (bec) bpl!!! election soon come!