The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

At the outset I would like to commend the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) for extending an olive branch to Mr William Del Zotto and his family. Their importance to Grand Bahama cannot be overstated. I am relieved that the principals at the GBPA appreciate the urgency in saving the jobs of 130 Grand Bahamians at a time when employment opportunities are scarce on the island. Gold Rock Concrete could play a pivotal role in the resurgence of the so-called Magic City.

Whatever magic Freeport was alleged to have had, it has worn off considerably over the past two decades; and contrary to my original assertion as to the reasons for this steep decline, Hurricanes Francis and Jeanne were not the sole reason for it.

In fact, many Grand Bahamians seem to be unaware of the massive role the Seminole Tribe of Florida indirectly played in bringing about the collapse of Freeport.

Ironically, the event I am referring to would occur in 2004, which was the same year Francis and Jeanne devastated Grand Bahama. I am talking about the legalisation of casino gambling in Florida. The Seminole Tribe owns six casinos on their reservations in Florida: Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, Seminole Casino Hotel Immokalee, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood, Seminole Casino Brighton and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood. The Seminole Tribe also owns six more casinos in other US states, Dominican Republic and Canada; in addition to restaurants in 70 countries. The current Seminole population in the six reservations is about 2,000.

According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the Seminole Tribe is of Creek origin, who speak the Muskogean language. They had migrated from Georgia into Northern Florida during the 18th century. The world Seminole is derived from the Creek word Simanó-li, which means either “separatist,” or “runaway.” Joined by Africans, African-Americans and American Indians, the Seminole Tribe would engage the White colonisers in the Seminole Wars of 1817-18; 1835-42 and 1855-57. Many of the Seminole Indians would eventually surrender to the US armed forces. These would subsequently be relocated to Oklahoma. The 300 who remained in Florida are the ancestors of the ones who regained 80,000 acres of land from the US government during the first half of the 20th century.

In 1957, the federal government would formally recognise the Seminole Tribe. Two years before this landmark achievement for the Seminole Tribe, Wallace Groves and the nascent United Bahamian Party administration would sign the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which led to the birth of Freeport City. The illegality of casino gambling in Florida would prove to be a boon for Grand Bahama, especially its flagship resort, the Princess Resort and Casino, which would become the Royal Oasis Resort and Casino. Grand Bahamians would recall the cheap junket flights to Florida -- an incentive given to staff members of the resort.

High rollers and their families and entourage from South and Central Florida would frequent Freeport by the thousands in order to gamble. Millions were dumped into the economy. The economic spin-offs from the Princess Resort in Freeport were obvious. Thousands benefitted either directly or indirectly.

The Princess Resort and Casino produced hundreds of middle-class earners, who built nice homes in affluent neighbourhoods. Many of them were able to afford private schooling and university education for their children.

When Florida voted to regulate casino gambling in 2004, that would sound the death knell for Freeport and Grand Bahama -- and the islands middle-class.

In fact, the day that that ominous legislation was passed in 2004 would be the day Freeport and Grand Bahama died, at the risk of appearing to be repetitive. That was 18 years ago, and the results of the Seminole Tribe setting up casinos throughout Florida continue to have a devastating impact on Freeport. From my vantage point, nothing has been done to counter this. I could be wrong.

Still, if Abaco, New Providence, Bimini, Eleuthera, Exuma, Andros and San Salvador can thrive in the hospitality industry, then I believe that Grand Bahama can thrive also, even with the existence of the Seminole Tribe of Florida operating a successful casino empire next door.

KEVIN EVANS

Freeport, Grand Bahama

August 17, 2022.