FROM left, Mike Laroda, Minister of State for the Office of the Prime Minister; Senator Michael Halikitis, Minister of Economic Affairs; John HW Pinder, II, MP for Central and South Abaco; JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Minister of Transport and Housing; US Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts; Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis; Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Education, Technical and Vocational Training; Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health and Wellness; and Kirk Cornish, MP for North Abaco.
THE United States is partnering with the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society and the Elbow Reef Foundation to restore the iconic Elbow Reef Lighthouse in Hope Town, Abaco.
On Friday, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, US Embassy Nassau Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts, other US and Bahamian government officials and stakeholders gathered on the lawn in front of the lighthouse to inaugurate the Elbow Reef Lighthouse Restoration project.
The project is made possible by a grant from the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) worth over $472,000 dollars.
The US is partnering with the two aforementioned organisations through the AFCP.
The historic landmark has stood on Elbow Cay for 158 years. Regular weathering and wear, compounded by the devastating force of Hurricane Dorian in 2019, have taken a toll on this cultural treasure. The grant will help fund repairs to the interior original slate floors, the sophisticated fresnel lens that focuses a beam of light visible for up to 23 nautical miles, and restoration and re-painting of the iconic red-and-white candy-coloured exterior.
“Lighthouses offer hope... filled with the knowledge that some other human soul, people we may never meet, have invested so heavily to protect the journeys, and lives, and well-being of strangers,” Mr Davis said.
He noted that the lighthouse keeper’s labour to protect others “speaks to a profound sense of humanity. They are hopeful examples of the best in us.”
For her part, Ms Pitts reminded the audience of gathered dignitaries to “remember that this is an important historic marker... of our shared human history.”
The restoration of the lighthouse is yet another dimension of the enduring friendship between The Bahamas and the United States, and honours the architecture, history, and culture of The Bahamas, and supports Bahamian livelihoods, a press release from the US Embassy said.
Restoration will not only help preserve a historic landmark, it will also continue to strengthen tourism and economic activity in an area devastated first by Hurricane Dorian, and then by the COVID-19 pandemic, the embassy said.
The Elbow Reef Lighthouse Society and the Elbow Reef Foundation will implement the nearly half-million AFCP grant and oversee the restoration project.
Constructed in 1863, the iconic red-and-white Elbow Reef Lighthouse is the last of its kind left in the world.
Comments
Bonefishpete 2 years, 9 months ago
Hole In The Wall Lighthouse could use a few dollars too.
JackArawak 2 years, 9 months ago
@Bonefish. If we had real local government and we (Abaco) were allowed to keep a fixed percentage of the taxes we produce, we would have money for Hole in the Wall. As it is we send all of our money to Nassau then hold our hands out for the pittance they give us. It’s not democracy it’s a form of colonial communism where all the money Abaconians work for is distributed to others. It’s not going to change.
ForeverDreamer 2 years, 9 months ago
What data do you have to suggest Abaco produces more revenues than it received in government funding of infrastructure, administration, etc?
Perhaps if Abaco and frankly any family island would be transparent with each other to put together their estimated economic impact, they would seem reasonable. However, these conversations tend to end with person's insinuating others "don't know the type of money we produce" to imply something significantly disproportionately higher then their budget share.
Another suggestion could be to pressure the government to provide funding sources and expenditure comparatives per regional area. This probably would not be supported by many islands, as this could reduce for some. This is possible for areas government spends for tourism promotion or facilitation versus economic results being lower than expected.
LastManStanding 2 years, 9 months ago
It is a fact that Abaco was the second largest revenue generator for the Treasury prior to Dorian, go ask the government for the statistics if you think we are lying. Communities like Treasure Cay, Hope Town/Elbow Cay, Guana, Green Turtle, and more are filled with second homeowners paying property taxes on multi million dollar properties. This is not even mentioning Baker's Bay and the resorts that attract a multitude of visitors every year, or the real estate industry where the government collects millions in stamp tax and VAT from lawyers and realtors. Abaco is GROSSLY undercompensated even for the amount of money that it sends to the Treasury even post-Dorian. It would have been much better off going independent.
Dawes 2 years, 9 months ago
But you still have not said how much Abaco gets back from Nassau. The schools, roads, docks, clinics, airport, BPL ( i think that plant was $200 million which even at the top rate of Real property would be 3,333 homes). Sure Abaco brings more in then others, but is it a net beneficiary or a contributor?
LastManStanding 2 years, 9 months ago
I agree with you in principal that you have to look at all aspects of a situation, but we on Abaco have never had properly functioning infrastructure (pre or post-Dorian).
I give this government credit that the power and water interruptions have not been as severe in the past month or two, but prior to that they were a nearly daily occurrence. It took my community about a year and a half after Dorian to have running water again. I had to bathe out of a bucket and tote water in containers prior to that. It wasn't just post-Dorian either, the central government failed at basic utilities for decades prior to that. Power and water have been going off since I was a young child.
None of the above even considers how cruelly Abaco was treated in the aftermath of Dorian by the cursed Minnis government. The first people to find my family were the Dutch, the RBDF never bothered to come looking. Lawlessness was the norm for a very long time, you could just take anything you want without repercussions.
I agree with the basis of your argument that there are a lot of things to consider, but the central government has mistreated and abused Abaco for a very long time. I get that all the islands have to pitch in together as a nation, but the central government has not held up their end of the bargain when it comes to Abaco for the majority of our existence. I truly believe that our island would have been better off as an independent nation as opposed to relying on the central government for our existence. Local government is a complete waste of time if we still have to beg Nassau for all of our funding anyways.
ForeverDreamer 2 years, 9 months ago
My question as to the financial results of these islands was not* meant to inflame or to belittle. I hope this was not assumed from my original reply. I simply wanted to know how do people know that they are not actually getting a fair share without anecdotally mentioning property taxes being HIGH in some areas based on land value and new buyers. I have inquired in the past for a client analysis for economic activity by island but was never able to receive the data for many reasons provided by local authorities inclusive of Inland Revenue and other agencies.
I ask if you have the information but you mentioned I can ask, so I mention I have asked not received. Perhaps you may make greater headway? I would be interested and I feel it would serve your concerns and the people of Abaco if that information is obtained. Information is the first tool of a reasonable argument about benefits of taxation of a community that perceives it is being short changed.
LastManStanding 2 years, 9 months ago
The only solution is for Abaco to go independent. Nothing will ever change otherwise.
Sickened 2 years, 9 months ago
I thought it was Elbow Cay not Elbow Reef?
DDK 2 years, 9 months ago
Masks for thee but not for we??
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