One factual correction to this story.. the FAA may have been controlling the airspace since 1952, but Overflight fees only became a reality after 2000 although the FAA tried to implement in the late 90s but it got knocked down by the US Courts a few times on appeal from foreign carriers before finally standing up to legal scrutiny after 2000. So it is perhaps more accurate to suggest they have been collecting fees for maybe 15 years. Further, they were only collecting for services rendered bearing in mind its their investment in radar and communication systems and search and rescue services from US taxpayer dollars so it doesn't seem unreasonable under the circumstances that a few would be levied by non-contributors until another arranged is agreed, such as is now happening between the two governments.

how quickly the tide can change in politics... LBT and Co. miscalculated when they overthrew Minnis. that in and of itself does not make her a bad politician, simply a strategic miscalculation. There wasn't a single grumble from LI folk over the last 5 years until now, and certainly i didn't hear any after the hurricane when she was out front trying to help her constituents.. like the song says, 'they smile in your face, but all the time they want to take your place, the backstabbers'...

I don't know why these politicians always try to play the victim card on those rare occasions when the newspapers do their job and reveal the fleecing of the Bahamian taxpayers. FACT remains he was absent 50% of the time the house met. There can be no credible excuse for that unless he was hospitalized. Newspapers in the Bahamas tend not to investigate and 'call people out' probably for fear of retribution. We need more investigative reporting and less regurgitation of propaganda. 220 meetings over 5 years is just barely more than 1 years work for the average worker, so 5 years pay for 1 years work is a good deal and then to not even show up for half of that, essentially Mr. Curry got paid for 5 years and worked 6 months as an MP. As for his story that you need not be present in the House to represent the people, then why should anyone turn up at House meetings? Present the bills by email, and let them vote online and knock the House down and build a restaurant..

this sudden ability to complete on time and up to standard provides a very convincing argument that CCA by foot-dragging and quality of work intended to frustrate Izmirilian to force him out.

spot on Craig.. The Bahamas following as usual. i'm not sure Gibson's comparison is so simple. our dollar worth 2 in Barbados and about 120 J$ so whats the comparative value compared to the wage levels for example? a holiday in the named destinations paid for in US dollars or equivalent but salaries and benefits paid to staff in local currency... ultimately, pay and benefits are what an employer can afford thats why for example the head of COB does not get same compensation as head of Harvard...

one of the millions of things wrong with our budget system is gov't never really explains how they will fund expenditure. my theory is that most likely each ministry adds an arbitrary % to prior years budget and say this is what we expect to spend/receive. i wonder if Hartnell or some apprentice would analyse prior year budgets and assess predictions against reality? the slop bucket consolidated budget process is the gold standard for 3rd world so called developing countries, if you want to avoid specifics and scrutiny..

the PLP as usual forget our principal employers, hotels, and presumably those workers for whom this legislation was likely crafted, operate in a very crowded and competitive environment outside our borders where laws in many cases are not as onerous. how will already overpriced bahamian resorts compete? now more than ever, employerd will be encouraged to minimize hiring and to turn over the staff every few years to mitigate this burden...

one less inflated ego.. goodbye and good riddance..

the westminister system of gov't presupposes certain qualities and individual characteristics including honour and integrity ... enough said *.

our politicians have an eviable job.. except for Ministers, its parttime, mostly once a week with many 'breaks', pensionable and with no accountability. in other words, easy money. as for absences, i stand to be corrected but in my lifetime i wud think Pindling is the Guiness book of World Records holder for least appearances in the House during his career... with matters of substance rarely discussed, why bother anyway?