The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

Let me start off by saying that I see absolutely nothing wrong with the Honourable Cornelius Alvin Smith being appointed to the august position of Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Having ‘known’ CA for decades, at a distance, I have no doubt that as a seasoned former politician; member of parliament and the cabinet along with his stellar post political career as a diplomat, he will do the people of The Bahamas proud.

Yes, he may have been “out of order” for blurting out his upcoming appointment but we are all only human and in the exuberance of the moment we tend to say things that might be premature. Most of us are able to recall when the MP for South Andros gleefully shouted ‘Pleasant Free’ !! He was hauled before the Supreme Court and obliged to issue an apology in open court for what might have been seen as ‘contempt of court’. So, I attach little weight to the gaffe by the incoming Governor General. How this could or should affect his elevation is beyond the pale.

Again, with the appointment in short order of the Hon Brian Moree, QC, being appointed Chief Justice of our wonderful nation, I see nothing wrong with the same. Of course, I would have done the selection and appointment ‘differently’ but Moree is the epitome, in my view, of what a Chief Justice should bring to the substantive office. Brian, if I may, is a life long friend and back in the day, fellow law student. He has always been passionate about the law and is a brilliant jurist, par excellence.

Brian is a solid family man; a devout Christian, to my personal knowledge; information and belief. As the former Senior Partner and Head of Chambers at Messrs McKinney; Bancroft & Hughes, he lead that firm in becoming the premier law firm in the nation. Having served before as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court and assorted financial regulatory bodies, under successive governments, Moree is ‘the man’ for these times. Mrs Vera Watkins, God bless her soul, is also a great woman of the law and should be appropriately recognised for her stellar services to a grateful nation.

Relative to Acting Commissioner of Police, Paul Rolle, I also know him and predicted to him on one of my talk shows, years ago, that he was destined to be elevated to the top of the greasy pole as a police officer. I have always been partial to him and make no apologies about it. I would have preferred to have seen my friends Clayton Fernander; Ken Strachan and Emerick Seymour treated with a bit more respect and protocol, but that is now water under the bridge.

I would also like to see Dr Chaswell Hanna, the current Commandant at the Police Training Collage elevated to headquarters as an Assistant Commissioner as soon as a vacancy is available. In conclusion, the above appointments are good ones but, really, the government’s communications gurus need to go back to school. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau

June 9, 2019