How does it sound like buying votes? That comment has me lost. Is it hard to believe that a government might actually be trying to help its citizenry?

I bet that had the government not initiated any assistance there would be a reverse in these comments. Lambasting the government for not being caring enough to assist.

While the reality is that the funding has to come from somewhere I find it rather childish that everything that Tal and Birdie posts has to do with "Red Shirts" or "Minnis". I would opine instead of implementing the new fees just yet, present a plan to enforce and collect the existing fees first. After the first year, it should provide an idea as to the amount of funds that can be generated. Once that is done, then you can amend the fee structure and if still needed introduce additional fees that may be warranted.
In order for us to begin to reduce the current deficit, we have to start collecting fees and taxes from every citizen. Despite the public outcry it has to be done and it has to start somewhere if we ever plan to get any where as a country. One day the sheeple will see that its not political, it's actually just business.

I don't understand some of the political trolling that goes on. The hotel has been partially closed for some time now. It didn't begin under the current administration. While I cannot recall if it was under the previous FNM government, I can recall that there has been issues regarding its operation under the previous government. Now that the current administration is trying to get the hotel sold there is still outcry. What do we want, is our political trolling more important that the unemployed currently in Grand Bahama? Previously we should all be aware that the former government was paying a portion of the salaries of those employed as a means of keeping the hotel opened but that obviously could have only gone on so long. Getting the hotel sold will be a first step in bringing some life back to GB but along with that has to be a decrease in fees and ports of entry. It is incomprehensible that the cost to travel to the island closest to the USA is the more expensive than the cost to travel to New Providence.

The fact that this building was constructed and no monies allocated to furnish he building is a serious sign of incompetency regardless of whichever government was in power.

Wow! No comment but Birdie Strachan, or Tal Russell. I wonder why?

“We believe as the church we are mandated to do that which is necessary to strengthen God-ordained marriages,” Bishop Fernander said, “to put those marriages in a position that they will never have to go before the courts, never have to fall into these categories if it is that the church can help in that regard.”

Here is an idea to the church, how about you guys stop trying to build the biggest building and instead start a KYC movement. Know your customer (sorry, it's not congregation). Focus on the quality and stop being driven by quantity.

I just had an epiphany ( a blinding realization) , I the church would get back to knowing the members (who they are and where they come from), really get back to being in touch with people you know, actually doing GODs work, then maybe they wouldn't have to address issues like marital rape or all the other "ills" of society

While I would welcome any new plans for Grand Bahama, it would have been a better read had some examples of processes to be removed were explained. This article is simply just vague, give me something to think about please. What blocks are being removed, how will the removal assist new/prospective business owners? Also, why are there always these subtle attacks at the former governing party? There is no need to bring them into your future plans, and vilifying them only distracts from the message that you're trying to send.

As for birdiestrachan...the constant attack on anything posted regarding the current government has really gotten very old, very quick. I cannot fathom the hate in your heart that for every instance that is published, that you can be so quick to berate. Can you find some solution that you can present for once? The people that take time to keep abreast with the local news deserve better than what you give.

I would like to see her response to the questions asked.

Yet still the government borrows 20 million again? What is the point in collecting VAT and "reducing' the debt if we still go right back and incur additional debt?

So he's saying that once these "experts" come in and explain VAT to us then the government (meaning him) will have an opinion! What the hell is going on in this country? How can you as the PM say that this will be enacted for July 2014 and you do not have an opinion on it?
This ship is sinking fast.