The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Staff Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

LIMOUSINE drivers yesterday elected new executives for their association in a bid to increase their visibility in the industry. President elect Ellington Ferguson said the new team will move immediately to restructure the organisation, which he felt had grossly under-represented its some 200 members thus far.

Outgoing president Kendal Culmer said that while he took issue with the process, he will not contest the results.

Mr Ferguson said: “We are going to change a lot of stuff as we look to restructure the association and reorganise it.

“The limousine industry has been under-represented and so we will look to create a space at the table for the Limousine Association of the Bahamas, as are the Tour Association of the Bahamas and Taxi Cab Union. We want to bring this group to the fore of the industry and make sure that those that have invested in the luxury side of the business have a real play in what happens in the industry.”

One task on the agenda is to set a proper fee structure for membership, according to Mr Ferguson, who said close to 80 persons participated in yesterday’s vote.

Wayne Missick was elected as Vice President, Joycelyn Moxey was unchallenged as Secretary and Kenley Charity was elected as Assistant Secretary. Jackson Russell and Aaron Nixon tied in the vote for Treasurer, according to Mr Ferguson, who said they may go into a run-off with the loser taking the assistant treasurer post.

The election was administered by the drivers under the supervision of a representative from the Nassau Airport Development company, according to Mr Ferguson, who expressed confidence that his team would be successful in their bid to continue as the official bargaining agent for luxury taxis.

Mr Ferguson said the association’s legal counsel will file for Ministry of Labour recognition today.

Mr Culmer said: “I guess they set it up so it must have been fair to them. I didn’t participate so the question of being fair or unfair does not arise.

“I do take issue with the process, I’m a citizen of the Bahamas, I am a bona fide licensee in a public service vehicle and I will make sure do what I can to make sure that I’m able to function fairly. And as a result of that there are others who will benefit from what I do, but I will not cease in my efforts to make this a better way of making a living.

“I didn’t contest today, and my advice to them is do what you think you should do and move on.”