Comrade Tal, I know a lot about Freeport. Wallace Groves dug the Grand Lucayan Waterway to sell waterfront lots to anyone who wanted one and who could afford it. For a time bus loads of tourists were taken on tours so they could see the waterfront lots in the Grand Lucayan Waterway development. Many were signed up on the spot with a down payment paid by credit card. The revenue from the sale of these lots was an important revenue stream for the G.B.Development Co.
Even though Groves was, quite rightly, prevented from completing his vision of a Freeport filled with 250,000 expats, nevertheless the waterfront lots he built are still there as an asset for the future development of Freeport.
I don't consider Freeport a failure; just a Sleeping Beauty waiting for the next Wallace Groves to finish what he started. Don't tell me that Chinese investors have not considered/tried to purchase GB Devco and the GB Port Authority. Maybe, with this government's help, we will soon see the chinafication of Freeport. BIG commissions in that deal!!!
As far as Freeport is concerned, " The Magic City" is currently " The Sleeping City". Its' still there though, with all those foreign built roads, Harbour, airport, schools, churches and houses. Sadly Mr. Groves, and both Mr. Haywards have passed away. So Freeport sleeps, waiting for another super-rich visionary to pick up the pieces and breath new life and new dollars into this once great city. Question is will this New Freeport Visionary be a native Bahamian or will it be another pesky foreigner???
As regards Carnival 2015, I'm just waiting to see who got what, especially Mr. Major!
As far as Baha Mar is concerned, developments in The Bahamas are never easy; the development process is always full of lumps and bumps along the way. The bigger the development the bigger the lumps and bumps, so what we are seeing with Baha Mar should be no surprise.
However, we wait to see whether or not wiser heads prevail and meanwhile, all true, true, Bahamians must hope and pray that egos are set aside and wise choices are made to get this essential project back on track; hopefully with Sarkis Izmirlian still at the helm.
Trouble is so many big ego are so puffed up because far too much has been said in anger in the press and in TV interviews. How, now, are differences ever to be resolved? Who will be big enough to apologise for the hurt feelings they have caused or for the mistakes they have made?
How does The Bahamas Government admit they were wrong to start the involuntary winding up move?
How does the PM say he was wrong to question Sarkis' mental state?
How does Sarkis step back and moderate some of his statements, especially those concerning the outcome of the next election?
How does Big Bad Brad ever again get his clothes washed at Super-wash?
Will Brent ever come out from " under the rock" that Fred sent him to?
Will CCA ever admit that they did some crappy work?
How will our Chinese friends save face now the World sees their signature development project in the Western Hemisphere stuck in limbo?
" The British left the Bahamas no better off than when they arrived??"... Now I KNOW you aren't playing with a full deck!!
How about the infrastructure the British left behind (roads, docks, airports, telephone service) for starters? What about a postal service that worked, a legal system that was considered fair and just, what about a Police Force that that was not corrupt, what about an education system that turned out the first few waves of Bahamian Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Teachers, Lawyers, Judges, Journalists, Engineers, Customs Officers, Immigration Officers, and Policemen?
What about Mr. Wallace Groves, Mr. Charles Hayward, and Sir Jack Hayward? What was it they left behind? Oh Yes ....I remember! Freeport!!!
Likewise, when all the dust has settled, all of the HooHa has ceased and when all of the bruised feelings and dented egos have healed, when Baha Mar is finally opened, I hope you get invited to the official opening ceremony and then perhaps, with your Bahamian Pride bursting, you will finally get it and realize that Mr. Sarkis Izmirlian is not such a bad guy after all!! Perhaps he might even let you sit on his dock!!!!
Banker your comments are extreme! How did the present government get elected.? Have we, or have we not, got the Government we deserve? (With Branville McCartney's help, of course!) and If so, how can we the people ensure that we deserve better in time for the next election?
How can we move from a House of Assembly filled with career politicians who for the most part seem to serve in order to gain financially, to a House of Assembly filled with Statesmen and Stateswomen who run for election because of their desire to serve the Bahamian people and contribute to the orderly development of our country?
Don't put words in my mouth! Absolutely, Bahamian politics is our own business and no foreigner should meddle in it. However, we live in a Global Village and as a country rely heavily on the goodwill of "foreigners".
Tourism, an industry dependent on foreigners generates 70% of our country's income. Almost all of the major developments in The Bahamas over the last 100 years have been funded by overseas investors.
The future development of The Bahamas will continue to rely heavily on outside investment for many years and a healthy measure of respect should be shown to our overseas partners as our country continues to grow and prosper.
National pride and being fiercely supportive of Bahamian interests will make our country prosper, xenophobia and ungraciousness shown towards our overseas partners will hold us back.
Wideawake says...
really? You read the Immigration Act and you know exactly how you can shut Sarkis up!!! You obviously really, really do know your job!!
On Mitchell to Sarkis: Conform or leave
Posted 4 August 2015, 1:56 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
Comrade Tal, I know a lot about Freeport. Wallace Groves dug the Grand Lucayan Waterway to sell waterfront lots to anyone who wanted one and who could afford it. For a time bus loads of tourists were taken on tours so they could see the waterfront lots in the Grand Lucayan Waterway development. Many were signed up on the spot with a down payment paid by credit card. The revenue from the sale of these lots was an important revenue stream for the G.B.Development Co.
Even though Groves was, quite rightly, prevented from completing his vision of a Freeport filled with 250,000 expats, nevertheless the waterfront lots he built are still there as an asset for the future development of Freeport.
I don't consider Freeport a failure; just a Sleeping Beauty waiting for the next Wallace Groves to finish what he started. Don't tell me that Chinese investors have not considered/tried to purchase GB Devco and the GB Port Authority. Maybe, with this government's help, we will soon see the chinafication of Freeport. BIG commissions in that deal!!!
On Govt says Baha Mar statement 'misleading'
Posted 3 August 2015, 6:14 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
Is this the chinafication of The Bahamas???
On Agreement of co-operation signed between BAMSI and Ocean University of China
Posted 3 August 2015, 5:37 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
Could this be Chinafication ??
On Mitchell: ‘Single investor’ posing existential threat to governance
Posted 3 August 2015, 5:23 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
As far as Freeport is concerned, " The Magic City" is currently " The Sleeping City". Its' still there though, with all those foreign built roads, Harbour, airport, schools, churches and houses. Sadly Mr. Groves, and both Mr. Haywards have passed away. So Freeport sleeps, waiting for another super-rich visionary to pick up the pieces and breath new life and new dollars into this once great city. Question is will this New Freeport Visionary be a native Bahamian or will it be another pesky foreigner???
On Govt says Baha Mar statement 'misleading'
Posted 3 August 2015, 5:13 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
As regards Carnival 2015, I'm just waiting to see who got what, especially Mr. Major!
As far as Baha Mar is concerned, developments in The Bahamas are never easy; the development process is always full of lumps and bumps along the way. The bigger the development the bigger the lumps and bumps, so what we are seeing with Baha Mar should be no surprise.
However, we wait to see whether or not wiser heads prevail and meanwhile, all true, true, Bahamians must hope and pray that egos are set aside and wise choices are made to get this essential project back on track; hopefully with Sarkis Izmirlian still at the helm.
On Govt says Baha Mar statement 'misleading'
Posted 3 August 2015, 5:05 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
Trouble is so many big ego are so puffed up because far too much has been said in anger in the press and in TV interviews. How, now, are differences ever to be resolved? Who will be big enough to apologise for the hurt feelings they have caused or for the mistakes they have made?
How does The Bahamas Government admit they were wrong to start the involuntary winding up move?
How does the PM say he was wrong to question Sarkis' mental state?
How does Sarkis step back and moderate some of his statements, especially those concerning the outcome of the next election?
How does Big Bad Brad ever again get his clothes washed at Super-wash?
Will Brent ever come out from " under the rock" that Fred sent him to?
Will CCA ever admit that they did some crappy work?
How will our Chinese friends save face now the World sees their signature development project in the Western Hemisphere stuck in limbo?
On Baha Mar petition ruling put off to Aug 19 after CCA objects to liquidators
Posted 3 August 2015, 4:48 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
Really Comrade Tal!
" The British left the Bahamas no better off than when they arrived??"... Now I KNOW you aren't playing with a full deck!!
How about the infrastructure the British left behind (roads, docks, airports, telephone service) for starters? What about a postal service that worked, a legal system that was considered fair and just, what about a Police Force that that was not corrupt, what about an education system that turned out the first few waves of Bahamian Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Teachers, Lawyers, Judges, Journalists, Engineers, Customs Officers, Immigration Officers, and Policemen?
What about Mr. Wallace Groves, Mr. Charles Hayward, and Sir Jack Hayward? What was it they left behind? Oh Yes ....I remember! Freeport!!!
Likewise, when all the dust has settled, all of the HooHa has ceased and when all of the bruised feelings and dented egos have healed, when Baha Mar is finally opened, I hope you get invited to the official opening ceremony and then perhaps, with your Bahamian Pride bursting, you will finally get it and realize that Mr. Sarkis Izmirlian is not such a bad guy after all!! Perhaps he might even let you sit on his dock!!!!
On Govt says Baha Mar statement 'misleading'
Posted 3 August 2015, 4:11 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
Banker your comments are extreme! How did the present government get elected.? Have we, or have we not, got the Government we deserve? (With Branville McCartney's help, of course!) and If so, how can we the people ensure that we deserve better in time for the next election?
How can we move from a House of Assembly filled with career politicians who for the most part seem to serve in order to gain financially, to a House of Assembly filled with Statesmen and Stateswomen who run for election because of their desire to serve the Bahamian people and contribute to the orderly development of our country?
On Baha Mar petition ruling put off to Aug 19 after CCA objects to liquidators
Posted 2 August 2015, 4:03 p.m. Suggest removal
Wideawake says...
Don't put words in my mouth! Absolutely, Bahamian politics is our own business and no foreigner should meddle in it. However, we live in a Global Village and as a country rely heavily on the goodwill of "foreigners".
Tourism, an industry dependent on foreigners generates 70% of our country's income. Almost all of the major developments in The Bahamas over the last 100 years have been funded by overseas investors.
The future development of The Bahamas will continue to rely heavily on outside investment for many years and a healthy measure of respect should be shown to our overseas partners as our country continues to grow and prosper.
National pride and being fiercely supportive of Bahamian interests will make our country prosper, xenophobia and ungraciousness shown towards our overseas partners will hold us back.
On Govt says Baha Mar statement 'misleading'
Posted 2 August 2015, 3:17 p.m. Suggest removal