There is much to admire in Mr. Gomez' discussion points that I simply have to say "I concur".

Probably the greatest disaster from these commercial banks is that their policies stifle small business' growth and development. Although the insane "Red Tape" that successive Bahamian governments have tied up businesses with have been equally bad. So unfortunately it's probably a pipe dream to expect a government agency (the Central Bank) to rescue us from this morass.

Sorry, but that requires a referendum...and we've not shown the level of maturity to fix that (and other constitutional problems). In fact the previous HA government tried to increase the retirement age of justices in the early 2,000's, but that turned into a political "football" and was botched...

Agree though that Dame Anita represents a great example of why we'd want to increase the judges' retirement age so that professionals like her could be coaxed to soldier on.

While government is at it they can reduce and rationalize Custom Duty charges also!

I wish you all the best Mr. Sears!

You would be a breath of fresh air, especially if you clean house of many of those long "stealing" members of parliament, who've enriched themselves from the Public Purse to the extent that even they are too embarrassed to "declare" their ill gotten assets...sad!

BPL like BEC and the political hacks that are responsible for you..."you're fired!"

Dillytree, you've raised some very important points that I can't take issue with, that's why it's important to obtain wide consultation with all the stakeholders, including local anglers. So keep agitating so that your goods points will be heard and included.

During a recent conversation with a Family Island fishing guide I was told that many visiting anglers now-a-days simply put the coordinates of a good fishing site into their GPS and have no need to call on a local guide again...

Clearly we need to regulate our sports fishing industry both to protect those who make a living in it and to conserve this very important resource. Hopefully these new regulations can protect them both.

Fishing licenses are ubiquitous in many parts of the world, including Europe and North America where so many of our "visitors" originate. It's not too much to ask that they respect the environment and our Bahamian way of life. I suspect most should have no problem complying.

There are always two sides to any issue and when there is lack of transparency or wide consultation it fuels these kinds of rhetoric on both sides. It's not too late to clear this up so we can get on with the business of making it "Better in the..."

Mr. Myers raises some very important issues that should be addressed urgently. Sadly, it seems that none of our political parties see the value of fiscal responsibility or the need for a government hiring freeze. Government salaries pale in comparison to the private sector in the midrange to high end, but outperform many private jobs on the low end, usually exceeding the $12,000/ annum figure. NIB, pension contributions, delinquency and other Human Resource inefficiencies increase these figures even more.

We need policies that encourage entrepreneurship and private sector job creation while phasing out redundant government employment. Government hiring should be restricted to replacing required slots and creating a public sector workforce with Customer Service as important a function as doing the people's business. Among other things Civil "Servants" need to understand that good customer service would improve revenue collection. Bahamians are a very heavily taxed population, we deserve better service and a government that spends within its limited budget. That includes not creating millionaires of our political class or their friends and families.

As the political season heats up it would be good to hear more serious discussions about:
1. Ways to encourage private sector development through reduced tariffs (widespread reductions to Customs Duties could be a start), reducing Red Tape in establishing and maintaining a business and other entrepreneurship development.
2. All new government employees should be enrolled in local private sector pension plans with both employee and employer contributions.
3. A government in more of a "standards" and "regulatory" role, rather that the largest employer in the nation! I hope I live to see the day.

"Mr Cooper said the Bahamas Immigration Department is considering bringing charges against the group and homeowner in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court".

You're kidding me, right?!!!

I'm all for "proper attire", though one always wonders by whose definition? While we need to respect the process and not expose ourselves on the photo, it's silly to say that the photographer can't zone their lens on "the shoulders up" face shot. Their is no law that specifies the code of dress for voter registration and being a country of laws (supposedly) the Parlimentary Office can't go around "making things up"!

Seems like many government works, including those at Customs and just about every department that placed those one way windows, have too much autonomy to decide on policy. Whose running the show in government these days? We need leadership, compassion and common sense...something sorely lacking right now.