Looks like another lovely day - this evening we have the appetiser pot luck gathering by the pool and maybe we'll be using the two new banquet tables that the Hobby Shop Group have donated to CBH for use by all the Owners. Thank you to George Turner and the group for thinking of us.
The boardwalk cement path has been laid already and I expect the tiler is ready at hand to finish the job. It will make that small seating area so much more attractive as we come and go to the pool.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Well done the Board.
Yes - really! Today the Board has emailed Owners/Shareholders the 'official' Forum report of last week when Mark Hardy was in attendance answering financial questions prior to the AGM. This is a great step forward for the Board and the first time they have circulated everyone online with up to date information almost as it happens. This is good as far as I am concerned and, I imagine, others will feel the same way too. I hope the Board continues to communicate the reports of the Forums as these reports are important.
Less important in many ways, but another really significant improvement will be the removal of the old, glue stained tiles leading to the beach from Buildings 1 and 2. The old tiles have gone already, and the forms are set up for laying a proper surface and decoration. I saw Phil G with camera in hand taking photos of the progress, so I wonder if the Board is considering an 'official' web site again too? Watch this space........
Less important in many ways, but another really significant improvement will be the removal of the old, glue stained tiles leading to the beach from Buildings 1 and 2. The old tiles have gone already, and the forms are set up for laying a proper surface and decoration. I saw Phil G with camera in hand taking photos of the progress, so I wonder if the Board is considering an 'official' web site again too? Watch this space........
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Minutes and minutiae
Truly beautiful day today - the ocean looks so inviting. Something must be happening down on the corner of Royal Palm as all the neglected palm trees on the corner have had their dead thatch skirts removed and the trunks are a lovely reddish brown in the sunlight - they look cared for at last and, until the sun fades the colour, they look great.
I had the question of the relevance of the hotel bond explained to me the other day. If the hotel imports goods for use in the common areas, then under the Hotel Encouragement Act, customs duty will be refunded. Whichever of the companies involved with CBH holds the license, (CB Management Co Ltd and/or CB Service Co Ltd and/or Kenilworth Ltd) as a licensee of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, that company can import goods duty free for utilisation in the common areas under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement. Take your pick, I guess.
The Board Minutes have now been circulated and the Board have found a way to streamline all the paperwork - they have only had one meeting, begun on January 14th, 2007 and it has never finished. As it continued through last year's AGM, I guess it continues through this year's too. Luckily no Board member has ever dissented from the majority and if anyone has forgotten anything it doesn't matter as 'in the event that some actions or decisions have been omitted, they are also approved by the Board.' This procedure solves a lot of potential problems eh?
I wonder if the list of elected Board members up on the lobby easel is written according to the number of votes they received? I also wonder why we do not have all of the candidates results listed as they were last year.
This is a great day to enjoy!
I had the question of the relevance of the hotel bond explained to me the other day. If the hotel imports goods for use in the common areas, then under the Hotel Encouragement Act, customs duty will be refunded. Whichever of the companies involved with CBH holds the license, (CB Management Co Ltd and/or CB Service Co Ltd and/or Kenilworth Ltd) as a licensee of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, that company can import goods duty free for utilisation in the common areas under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement. Take your pick, I guess.
The Board Minutes have now been circulated and the Board have found a way to streamline all the paperwork - they have only had one meeting, begun on January 14th, 2007 and it has never finished. As it continued through last year's AGM, I guess it continues through this year's too. Luckily no Board member has ever dissented from the majority and if anyone has forgotten anything it doesn't matter as 'in the event that some actions or decisions have been omitted, they are also approved by the Board.' This procedure solves a lot of potential problems eh?
I wonder if the list of elected Board members up on the lobby easel is written according to the number of votes they received? I also wonder why we do not have all of the candidates results listed as they were last year.
This is a great day to enjoy!
Monday, January 28, 2008
Another get-together planned
January 31st, 5pm at the poolside with music too I am told. Bring some food and drink and some dollars for the draw.....everyone is invited so I hope we can all meet up with some of our regular guests who come and stay during the season as well as Owners.
Today is another beautiful day - cool early this morning but just right for a swim right now. Bet those Owners down for the AGM and already flying back to the cold hard north are flying off with a few backward glances and wishing........
Today is another beautiful day - cool early this morning but just right for a swim right now. Bet those Owners down for the AGM and already flying back to the cold hard north are flying off with a few backward glances and wishing........
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Auditors and the Law
For information only: Owners may find this of interest.
Website: www.bica.bsP.O. Box N-7037 PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTE: The Public Accountants Act, 1991 empowers the Council ofThe Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (“The Institute”) to issue licences to persons qualified as Public Accountants in The Bahamas.The Act stipulates that “no person shall hold himself out as a public accountant or engage in public practice unless he is the holderof a valid licence” Any person who contravenes this provision is guilty ofan offense and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine, imprisonment orboth. Only persons licenced by the Institute areeligible to perform auditing services and issue writtenopinions, reports and certificates concerning financial statements ordata for the purpose of enhancing the credibility of the statementor data. Public Notice is hereby given that only persons listed below have beenLicenced by the Institute to practice as public accountants until31 December 2007. Persons excluded from this list should neitherhold themselves out as public accountants nor engage in such practice.Persons who do so will be subject to prosecution.
Website: www.bica.bsP.O. Box N-7037 PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTE: The Public Accountants Act, 1991 empowers the Council ofThe Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (“The Institute”) to issue licences to persons qualified as Public Accountants in The Bahamas.The Act stipulates that “no person shall hold himself out as a public accountant or engage in public practice unless he is the holderof a valid licence” Any person who contravenes this provision is guilty ofan offense and is liable, on summary conviction, to a fine, imprisonment orboth. Only persons licenced by the Institute areeligible to perform auditing services and issue writtenopinions, reports and certificates concerning financial statements ordata for the purpose of enhancing the credibility of the statementor data. Public Notice is hereby given that only persons listed below have beenLicenced by the Institute to practice as public accountants until31 December 2007. Persons excluded from this list should neitherhold themselves out as public accountants nor engage in such practice.Persons who do so will be subject to prosecution.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Voting - your new Board
Well, it is now very late and just back from the lobby party.
All the Board recommended candidates succeeded in getting elected - that means Bruno Rufa, Phil Galiano, Richard Morandini, Jacques Delorme, David Salvisburg, Lorna Taylor and Mark Lampf are your Board of Directors for 2008.
I hear that the 3 1/2 hour AGM was lively and the President informed the AGM that he intends to action me in order to close down this blog. The Board believes that this blog serves no other purpose but to divide the CBH community. I, of course, disagree as I firmly believe that every Owner should have access to information available and if they have views, be able to express them. If that means that they only feel able to do that without putting their name to their comments, so be it!
As I was not at the meeting I cannot give a personal assessment or a report of the meeting. I do not know who was taking the official minutes at the AGM but I do know that all of the 2007 Minutes of the Board Meetings are not yet ready, but may be circulated soon. I also know that the Financial Statements are in limbo until the problem of a certified auditor is resolved.
Finally, the lobby party was great, lots of liquid and the food was hot, spicy and plentiful. We all had a good time.
All the Board recommended candidates succeeded in getting elected - that means Bruno Rufa, Phil Galiano, Richard Morandini, Jacques Delorme, David Salvisburg, Lorna Taylor and Mark Lampf are your Board of Directors for 2008.
I hear that the 3 1/2 hour AGM was lively and the President informed the AGM that he intends to action me in order to close down this blog. The Board believes that this blog serves no other purpose but to divide the CBH community. I, of course, disagree as I firmly believe that every Owner should have access to information available and if they have views, be able to express them. If that means that they only feel able to do that without putting their name to their comments, so be it!
As I was not at the meeting I cannot give a personal assessment or a report of the meeting. I do not know who was taking the official minutes at the AGM but I do know that all of the 2007 Minutes of the Board Meetings are not yet ready, but may be circulated soon. I also know that the Financial Statements are in limbo until the problem of a certified auditor is resolved.
Finally, the lobby party was great, lots of liquid and the food was hot, spicy and plentiful. We all had a good time.
Message from Donald Pecora
I have just received this - unfortunately it is a little out of time but still worth posting. Pat
This is Donald Pecora, Unit 1503, a prospective candidate for the Board of Directors at Coral Beach. Liz and I originally intended to return to Coral Beach for the AGM and the Elections. This is no longer possible due to circumstances beyond our and control.
I spoke with Jennifer Campbell earlier this week who informed me that I do not have to be present to run for the ‘Board’ though regrettably now we will not even be able to vote ourselves.
I am writing this letter in my absence, hoping to answer questions you may have about me as well as clarify my positions.
To be quite honest, I have ambivalent feelings about being a board member. Our primary purpose has been to enjoy our time at Coral Beach as much a possible. We like to be involved and give back to the community and this beautiful country we have chosen as a second home. I would like Coral Beach to be an environment that adds to the quality of life in a relaxed, friendly, caring ‘no worries’ island style way. I question whether it is possible to do that and be on the board of directors.
For whatever reasons, Coral Beach seems to have lost many of the qualities I mentioned, and so I felt compelled to ‘step up to the plate’ and see what I could do to help.
I believe Honesty is always the best policy because then there is always only one answer.
I have also found that when things just don’t seem to make sense it is wise to look for the financial motivations.
I see a fourth building as objectionable because it will take away from all of the existing units.
I see a resolution to the Pool Bar as an essential component of us all enjoying our time at the beach. While I consider Charmaine a friend, I feel the past should be put behind us and we should seek a new manager.
I am not in favor of a union and have no knowledge of or deals with past employees.
I feel a certain amount of rentals at C.B. is desirable because it brings fresh faces and potential new buyers for units that are for sale. I do not like the idea of time shares and I have experience with this form of ownership. It may appear financially attractive in the short term, especially if you own multiple units, however in the long term it brings too many problems to be desirable and we would lose one of our best attributes, a community atmosphere of caring friends.
I believe there should be a short term and long term planning. In the short term, a sound building without leaks and a sound financial budget with adequate reserves for replacements should be a priority. In the long term we should all be dreaming of what we would like to see to make Coral Beach achieve its full potential given its outstanding resources.
If elected I will commit myself for at least one year to the well being of Coral Beach and would encourage participation from the wealth of resources of it’s owners. I have too may other interests in my retirement to imagine wanting to do this job for more than a year. Besides, if it is ‘everyone’s’ plan the next board is there primarily to implement it and bring fresh ideas. I would hope that the atmosphere at Coral Beach would change into one where a new group of volunteers would be eager to participate and contribute.
Sincerely,
Donald Pecora
This is Donald Pecora, Unit 1503, a prospective candidate for the Board of Directors at Coral Beach. Liz and I originally intended to return to Coral Beach for the AGM and the Elections. This is no longer possible due to circumstances beyond our and control.
I spoke with Jennifer Campbell earlier this week who informed me that I do not have to be present to run for the ‘Board’ though regrettably now we will not even be able to vote ourselves.
I am writing this letter in my absence, hoping to answer questions you may have about me as well as clarify my positions.
To be quite honest, I have ambivalent feelings about being a board member. Our primary purpose has been to enjoy our time at Coral Beach as much a possible. We like to be involved and give back to the community and this beautiful country we have chosen as a second home. I would like Coral Beach to be an environment that adds to the quality of life in a relaxed, friendly, caring ‘no worries’ island style way. I question whether it is possible to do that and be on the board of directors.
For whatever reasons, Coral Beach seems to have lost many of the qualities I mentioned, and so I felt compelled to ‘step up to the plate’ and see what I could do to help.
I believe Honesty is always the best policy because then there is always only one answer.
I have also found that when things just don’t seem to make sense it is wise to look for the financial motivations.
I see a fourth building as objectionable because it will take away from all of the existing units.
I see a resolution to the Pool Bar as an essential component of us all enjoying our time at the beach. While I consider Charmaine a friend, I feel the past should be put behind us and we should seek a new manager.
I am not in favor of a union and have no knowledge of or deals with past employees.
I feel a certain amount of rentals at C.B. is desirable because it brings fresh faces and potential new buyers for units that are for sale. I do not like the idea of time shares and I have experience with this form of ownership. It may appear financially attractive in the short term, especially if you own multiple units, however in the long term it brings too many problems to be desirable and we would lose one of our best attributes, a community atmosphere of caring friends.
I believe there should be a short term and long term planning. In the short term, a sound building without leaks and a sound financial budget with adequate reserves for replacements should be a priority. In the long term we should all be dreaming of what we would like to see to make Coral Beach achieve its full potential given its outstanding resources.
If elected I will commit myself for at least one year to the well being of Coral Beach and would encourage participation from the wealth of resources of it’s owners. I have too may other interests in my retirement to imagine wanting to do this job for more than a year. Besides, if it is ‘everyone’s’ plan the next board is there primarily to implement it and bring fresh ideas. I would hope that the atmosphere at Coral Beach would change into one where a new group of volunteers would be eager to participate and contribute.
Sincerely,
Donald Pecora
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Owners Financial Forum
Well, phew! We finished the Forum at 7.45 pm and not before time as it was getting pretty stuffy in the Conference Room. Happily the format was much more amenable than usual as Lorna Taylor took over the Chair (most of the time) and managed to keep order. She only had to whistle to get attention once or twice - in the face of a small group of loudly chattering folk at the back of the room. The other major excitement was a loud altercation in the lobby right outside the door, and it was sufficently noisy that it interfered with the smooth flow of the meeting. No doubt we shall hear details around the pool tomorrow - but there was no blood on the floor as we left.
I am now about to start to write a summary for Owners that I will send via email as soon as I have cleared the facts with Mark Hardy, as almost all the meeting focused on the Financial Statements. The other items of note are that the Minutes of the 2007 Board Meeting will be available tomorrow at the front desk and Owners will be able to check the status of their accounts at the Front Desk as Mark Hardy will be backing up the books from his home computer every two or three days.
There were over 60 Owners at the meeting and many of them looked like they had enjoyed a great day on the beach - it was just lovely today. Now all we need to find out is exactly WHEN the AGM is taking place - so I hope everyone has kept Saturday clear.........meantime enjoy Friday in the sun - it's going to be another super day.
I am now about to start to write a summary for Owners that I will send via email as soon as I have cleared the facts with Mark Hardy, as almost all the meeting focused on the Financial Statements. The other items of note are that the Minutes of the 2007 Board Meeting will be available tomorrow at the front desk and Owners will be able to check the status of their accounts at the Front Desk as Mark Hardy will be backing up the books from his home computer every two or three days.
There were over 60 Owners at the meeting and many of them looked like they had enjoyed a great day on the beach - it was just lovely today. Now all we need to find out is exactly WHEN the AGM is taking place - so I hope everyone has kept Saturday clear.........meantime enjoy Friday in the sun - it's going to be another super day.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Letter from Charmaine Thompson
I have just had a phone call from Charmaine Thompson, ex-lessee of the Pool Bar, who wishes to clear up a rumour that has found its way to her. I quote from her directly:
"Hi Pat and Everyone,
I find myself once again having to defend my character. I must respond to allegations and rumours being spread about by the Chariman of Coral Beach Hotel Hotel, Mr. Bruno Rufa.
I have not, nor am I aware of, nor have I had any part in organising any supposed protest that it is rumoured I have been arranging for the day of the Coral Beach Hotel AGM.
I would greatly appreciate these slanderous and trouble-making rumours being stopped as they cause conflict and do not help to uplift anyone.
Thank you
Charmaine Thompson"
"Hi Pat and Everyone,
I find myself once again having to defend my character. I must respond to allegations and rumours being spread about by the Chariman of Coral Beach Hotel Hotel, Mr. Bruno Rufa.
I have not, nor am I aware of, nor have I had any part in organising any supposed protest that it is rumoured I have been arranging for the day of the Coral Beach Hotel AGM.
I would greatly appreciate these slanderous and trouble-making rumours being stopped as they cause conflict and do not help to uplift anyone.
Thank you
Charmaine Thompson"
Owners Forum
You'll have the chance to discuss the Financials tomorrow with the Board - and Mark Hardy I believe - at 6pm in the Conference Room, so have your questions ready.
Financials ready!
Lovely morning, sunny and humid but no wind, so my guess is that most Owners will find themselves by the pool today for the first time in a few days (except for the truly hardy!) .
The Front Desk is piled high with the Financial Reports from Coral Beach Management Co. Ltd. and Kenilworth Ltd. so collect your copies and, while you are sunbathing, you can study it in comfort.
Just a reminder that the Minutes of previous AGM's are available on the 'archive' website www.coral-beach-hotel.com and I recommend you read the Minutes from 2005 and 2006 plus 2007, as together they give a really good overall picture of the Owners response to problems caused by the three hurricanes in 2004/5.
Have a great one.
The Front Desk is piled high with the Financial Reports from Coral Beach Management Co. Ltd. and Kenilworth Ltd. so collect your copies and, while you are sunbathing, you can study it in comfort.
Just a reminder that the Minutes of previous AGM's are available on the 'archive' website www.coral-beach-hotel.com and I recommend you read the Minutes from 2005 and 2006 plus 2007, as together they give a really good overall picture of the Owners response to problems caused by the three hurricanes in 2004/5.
Have a great one.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
More golf!
Nice day today - at last the cold front is moving by, still a tad breezy though.
Just another quick reminder to double check your December accounts as I hear that payments will be accepted until Jan 24th! Don't get caught out by an unexpected billing to those accounts - I hear some charges have been added as the books were being finalised after the December statements went out. And don't forget that the latest proxy is the one that counts, just in case you are having second, or third, thoughts.
The Coral Beach Fortune Hills Invitational Scramble will be taking place on February 29th 2008 - I wonder if it has ever been played on that day of the month before? Anyway, check in time is 8.00am and start at 8.30am. The cost - which includes lunch - is $36 for Members of the Club and $60 for non-Members. Players will have got their eye in after the GBAWC match the week before......
Just another quick reminder to double check your December accounts as I hear that payments will be accepted until Jan 24th! Don't get caught out by an unexpected billing to those accounts - I hear some charges have been added as the books were being finalised after the December statements went out. And don't forget that the latest proxy is the one that counts, just in case you are having second, or third, thoughts.
The Coral Beach Fortune Hills Invitational Scramble will be taking place on February 29th 2008 - I wonder if it has ever been played on that day of the month before? Anyway, check in time is 8.00am and start at 8.30am. The cost - which includes lunch - is $36 for Members of the Club and $60 for non-Members. Players will have got their eye in after the GBAWC match the week before......
Monday, January 21, 2008
Double check your accounts if you want to be sure!
Cool and slightly damp this morning - so grey and dark that I woke up at 7am thinking it was still 4am. One would never know that the excitment of the AGM approaches, it is so quiet. Mind you the Island builders have had a busy time recently along Royal Palm and some of the side roads: houses are being built, knocked down and rebuilt and renovated. The area is starting to look so much better now, so all CBH needs is its 'outside' facing facades to be completed and we'll measure up to our neighbours.
Only a few more days to go to the AGM. Owners will recall that accounts had to be cleared by December 31st to ensure one's voting rights - it is really important to double check your accounts with the office, if you haven't already. You won't want to be surprised by being disenfranchised by some small addition to the accounts during the month.
More Owners are arriving but with the cooler weather of the past few days there hasn't been much chance to meet around the pool. But some Owners have been busy arranging the Coral Beach Golf Invitational - more news of that to follow too.....
Only a few more days to go to the AGM. Owners will recall that accounts had to be cleared by December 31st to ensure one's voting rights - it is really important to double check your accounts with the office, if you haven't already. You won't want to be surprised by being disenfranchised by some small addition to the accounts during the month.
More Owners are arriving but with the cooler weather of the past few days there hasn't been much chance to meet around the pool. But some Owners have been busy arranging the Coral Beach Golf Invitational - more news of that to follow too.....
Friday, January 18, 2008
Long awaited legal opinions and other stuff
Regular readers of the blog will know that on October 11th 2007 Geoff and I went to see the CBH legal counsel to ask for her opinions on certain CBH matters (re nomination procedures/ independent oversight of elections/secret ballot/holding of proxies; accounts; and did the President act ultra vires in closing the Pool Bar in March 2006?).
At the Owners Forum on 28th December 2007 the President confirmed that the Board was in receipt of Legal Counsel's written opinions and yesterday a copy of the letter was given to an Owner. It was dated December 4th 2007.
Of the questions asked by Owners, rather than the Board, Legal Counsel has rendered in the space of about 100 words one opinion, ( re bankruptcy), two requests that rules should be adhered to ( re accounts), one clarification (re reversal of a previous Boards decision) and an opt out (re proxy form). Most of the questions that Geoff put to Legal Counsel have not been addressed at all, and Geoff has been forced to pay $300 for time spent with Ms Dennison via his CBH accounts (if he wants to vote!). I also know that another Owner has paid $450 to Ms Dennison and I wait to hear if that owner's questions were answered in this December 4th 2007 letter. You will be glad to know that the webmaster has already posted it in full on the 'archive' site www.coral-beach-hotel.com under 'misc docs'.
The bulk of the 16 page letter is made up of quotes from various legal documents and the major focus is on how the Board should proceed in the matter of multiple ownership of units and short term rentals of multiple units. Certificates, Permits and the possibility of the Investment Board voiding permission for a purchase for investment purchases are the matters of concern raised by the CBH Board.
Today's Freeport News has another article about Coral Beach Hotel and a meeting of some Owners with Minister Turnquest in Freeport last Sunday. The headline states "Coral Beach owners claim meeting with Minster Turnquest was useless". I expect it will be posted on the 'archive' site at some point as the other newspaper articles have been too.
On a much happier note, I see the regular Friday morning bridge players are strategising right now - a good crowd too. More time devoted to playing bridge is also offered to us all - from January through to end of April, Kay Voller (apt 2611, 373-2395) and Kay Cox (apt 1408, 373- 8556) are arranging tables (in advance) for Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm-10pm. Give them a call and sign up.....
And the 5th Annual Home Centre Classic 'shotguns' off at the Our Lucaya Reef Course at noon on 23rd February. The Grand Bahama American Womens Club holds this as their main fund raiser for the year towards their Youth Scholarship and Philanthropic Funds. There will be a pre-event putting competition. Teams will be made up after registration by the Our Lucaya Reef Golf staff: team play (blind draw) or scramble (4 per scramble). Compete for "longest drive" and "closest to the pin" - and Mulligans and Gimmies will be sold (????? I have NO idea!)
Anyway, pre-registration costs $65 at the Home Centre starting February 1st and $75 on February 22nd during Happy Hour (5-7pm) at the Our Lucaya Reef Clubhouse. The awards party will be held immediately after the competition at the Reef Club patio.
That's it for now - was blustery yesterday and still too windy for parasailing right now - but the sun is shining and it is warm.
At the Owners Forum on 28th December 2007 the President confirmed that the Board was in receipt of Legal Counsel's written opinions and yesterday a copy of the letter was given to an Owner. It was dated December 4th 2007.
Of the questions asked by Owners, rather than the Board, Legal Counsel has rendered in the space of about 100 words one opinion, ( re bankruptcy), two requests that rules should be adhered to ( re accounts), one clarification (re reversal of a previous Boards decision) and an opt out (re proxy form). Most of the questions that Geoff put to Legal Counsel have not been addressed at all, and Geoff has been forced to pay $300 for time spent with Ms Dennison via his CBH accounts (if he wants to vote!). I also know that another Owner has paid $450 to Ms Dennison and I wait to hear if that owner's questions were answered in this December 4th 2007 letter. You will be glad to know that the webmaster has already posted it in full on the 'archive' site www.coral-beach-hotel.com under 'misc docs'.
The bulk of the 16 page letter is made up of quotes from various legal documents and the major focus is on how the Board should proceed in the matter of multiple ownership of units and short term rentals of multiple units. Certificates, Permits and the possibility of the Investment Board voiding permission for a purchase for investment purchases are the matters of concern raised by the CBH Board.
Today's Freeport News has another article about Coral Beach Hotel and a meeting of some Owners with Minister Turnquest in Freeport last Sunday. The headline states "Coral Beach owners claim meeting with Minster Turnquest was useless". I expect it will be posted on the 'archive' site at some point as the other newspaper articles have been too.
On a much happier note, I see the regular Friday morning bridge players are strategising right now - a good crowd too. More time devoted to playing bridge is also offered to us all - from January through to end of April, Kay Voller (apt 2611, 373-2395) and Kay Cox (apt 1408, 373- 8556) are arranging tables (in advance) for Wednesday evenings from 7.30pm-10pm. Give them a call and sign up.....
And the 5th Annual Home Centre Classic 'shotguns' off at the Our Lucaya Reef Course at noon on 23rd February. The Grand Bahama American Womens Club holds this as their main fund raiser for the year towards their Youth Scholarship and Philanthropic Funds. There will be a pre-event putting competition. Teams will be made up after registration by the Our Lucaya Reef Golf staff: team play (blind draw) or scramble (4 per scramble). Compete for "longest drive" and "closest to the pin" - and Mulligans and Gimmies will be sold (????? I have NO idea!)
Anyway, pre-registration costs $65 at the Home Centre starting February 1st and $75 on February 22nd during Happy Hour (5-7pm) at the Our Lucaya Reef Clubhouse. The awards party will be held immediately after the competition at the Reef Club patio.
That's it for now - was blustery yesterday and still too windy for parasailing right now - but the sun is shining and it is warm.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Gullywash maybe???
Great day again today - the ocean like a millpond and felt nicely refreshing, as did the pool. A few sunbathers were out on the beach too. Miguel was busy trimming and cleaning up one of the tall palms and harvesting the coconuts. I saw one lucky Owner walk away with one for his sundowner this evening - bring on the rum and carnation milk I say!
A couple of notices - the flea market will take place on February 9th - Wilma Turner is organising tables etc. so it's time to sort out storage areas and odd cupboards and re-cycle stuff you no longer need.
The American Womens' Club are holding their shotgun start Golf Match on February 23rd - I'll post more details soon.
A couple of notices - the flea market will take place on February 9th - Wilma Turner is organising tables etc. so it's time to sort out storage areas and odd cupboards and re-cycle stuff you no longer need.
The American Womens' Club are holding their shotgun start Golf Match on February 23rd - I'll post more details soon.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
It IS better in the Bahamas
Beautiful weather right now and another wonderful morning - will definitely be going for a swim today even though I expect the ocean temp to be down to about 72f and the pool about 70f - doesn't seem to faze the youngsters on vacation here though. A few more Owners are checking in now but the complex is still remarkably quiet for this time of year. Workmen fixing up various units, though, are keeping the elevators busy!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
More useful information for Owners
The 'archive' web site continues to add to the body of documentation of interest to Coral Beach Hotel Owners. The full resumes, including photos, of the 'other' 5 candidates are now available. Under 'governing documents' Owners can find their share holdings listed as well as the unit entitlements used to assess maintenance charges. www.coral-beach-hotel.com is your link.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
An Owner asks for an answer
Again I have been asked to place this letter from an Owner prominently:
"To the Board of Directors
A Bahamian male goes on national television accusing Bruno Rufa of threatening to murder his entire family.
The Board of Directors should address this issue and report to all of the shareholders immediately.
Failure to do so gives credence."
There are many serious questions being raised by Owners but of course by now you will know that the 'official plank' of whichever Board candidates are standing are unlikely to respond to any of them, except for Mark Lampf who is steadily holding out as a Board recommended candidate who dares to reply.
Nevertheless, it is another great morning - I hope you find time to check the archive website and read the timeshare documents - plus I understand that the full resumes including photos of the other candidates will be available: Steve Toth, Susan Roche, Tyrone Anderson, Donald Pecora and Mark Lampf.
"To the Board of Directors
A Bahamian male goes on national television accusing Bruno Rufa of threatening to murder his entire family.
The Board of Directors should address this issue and report to all of the shareholders immediately.
Failure to do so gives credence."
There are many serious questions being raised by Owners but of course by now you will know that the 'official plank' of whichever Board candidates are standing are unlikely to respond to any of them, except for Mark Lampf who is steadily holding out as a Board recommended candidate who dares to reply.
Nevertheless, it is another great morning - I hope you find time to check the archive website and read the timeshare documents - plus I understand that the full resumes including photos of the other candidates will be available: Steve Toth, Susan Roche, Tyrone Anderson, Donald Pecora and Mark Lampf.
Monday, January 7, 2008
2006 Election Count - Votes & Proxies
Brian Costello has asked me to post this prominently.
2006 Proxy Vote Counting.
This is in response to the posting that included: "I now believe our attention should focus on the Proxy/Votes and process" 3.) I would ask that an accounting of votes that were disallowed and for what reason be required (large discrepancy/questions in last years voting and count).
I was included in the group led by Mr. Don Engle to count the 2006 Proxies. I can tell you with definite knowledge that those proxies were counted, recounted, reviewed by our counting partner, and audited with running tape twice. You read that correctly, we ran the tapes twice and they were also reviewed and stapled to the stack of proxies for future auditing use if needed.
If you recall we went to the room about 1:00pm and exited to give the results after 6:30pm. The proxy counting process in 2006 was thorough and honest. If you would like to be included in the process this year ask the front office for information on the process and volunteer.
Brian Costello # 1512 bahamabri@coralwave.com
2006 Proxy Vote Counting.
This is in response to the posting that included: "I now believe our attention should focus on the Proxy/Votes and process" 3.) I would ask that an accounting of votes that were disallowed and for what reason be required (large discrepancy/questions in last years voting and count).
I was included in the group led by Mr. Don Engle to count the 2006 Proxies. I can tell you with definite knowledge that those proxies were counted, recounted, reviewed by our counting partner, and audited with running tape twice. You read that correctly, we ran the tapes twice and they were also reviewed and stapled to the stack of proxies for future auditing use if needed.
If you recall we went to the room about 1:00pm and exited to give the results after 6:30pm. The proxy counting process in 2006 was thorough and honest. If you would like to be included in the process this year ask the front office for information on the process and volunteer.
Brian Costello # 1512 bahamabri@coralwave.com
Clarification regarding possible candidates
I have been asked to post this from an Owner:
Question to the candidates Mark Lampf and Richard Morandini (who was not at the Owners Forum on Dec. 28th 07 and not referred to at all by the President during that Forum)
I quote from the "Owner's Forum" report :
"The Board will also be recommending Mark Lampf as a Board Member as he has needed expertise and who, together with Tom Reichman, had had their offers to help rebuffed by the Board last year as BR sought to protect them from the abuse that comes with taking on the task of Board member."
Are you running for the 2008 BOD?
Can you clarify your position?
Thanks to both candidates.
Question to the candidates Mark Lampf and Richard Morandini (who was not at the Owners Forum on Dec. 28th 07 and not referred to at all by the President during that Forum)
I quote from the "Owner's Forum" report :
"The Board will also be recommending Mark Lampf as a Board Member as he has needed expertise and who, together with Tom Reichman, had had their offers to help rebuffed by the Board last year as BR sought to protect them from the abuse that comes with taking on the task of Board member."
Are you running for the 2008 BOD?
Can you clarify your position?
Thanks to both candidates.
Great music but no junkanoo
Just to say that the pot luck supper was enjoyed by the group that showed up - and made even better by the musical group that Jacques had organised with their steel pans and guitars - plus a good singer. I would post a photo but - I lost my camera. If anyone has it, they will see just how entertaining the band looked. I didn't make it to the junkanoo but the results are already out today - and the Classic Dancers beat out the Swingers yet again....and they all seem to have accpeted the results - down in Nassau they are still arguing over the Boxing Day junkanoo results there!
BOD's Maneouvre's - One Owner's View
An interesting message in my in-box today - and worthy of sharing with you I think.
" Ted, thank you for digging into these outrageous legal fees. The only people getting the advantage with these PAID fees are:
1. the corporate attorney
2. the BOD members being supported by the opinions and actions
3. any large shareholder whose interests are in-line with the BOD President.
People, please wake up and smell the scalding hot "Maple" java being thrown in your face! The elected President of YOUR organization is using his position to better his personal wealth and well being. He is also using all of Coral Beach contacts and assets to further his endeavors:
1. Corporate attorney
2. Coral Beach property:truck, electronic office equipment, telephone and wire service, mailing service, contractors on his soon to be double unit penthouse,
3. Large shareholders-his friend and backer of the Queens Highway store.
4. Potential TIMESHARE corporate conversion with 50.1% ownership. This is a REAL possibility. A TIMESHARE organization would enable Bruno to SELL 50 out of 52 weeks (2 kept for repairs & maintenance) a year for possibly 10,000 each, and after the timeshare period expires (20 something plus years) the units revert back to him.
5. Condo unit purchases and transfers: how many units does he really own now? Is it three or four with Sandra? Or many more that have not cleared the registry in Nassau or been recorded and told to the owners.
6. He buys units for 52 or 55K from Coral Beach, remodels them and then nets approximately $400,000 to $500,000 PER UNIT after selling the units via a management office of a local businessman.
7. This is not far fetched. All he needs is to control 50.1 % units of entitlement.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE----TALK to the people at CB who OWNED at SILVER REEF just down the beach!! ie. Frank B.
PLEASE WAKE UP AND SMELL THE "MAPLE" COFFEE before it BURNS and SCARS YOU and your hard earned RETIREMENT... "
Posted anonymously of course -
But I have a question here - so what if CBH becomes a time share? Doesn't that mean we can all make $400,000 +, or are only certain owners allowed to join in the fun? What happens to those who don't want to join in? After all the fuss and bother with the rental group last year and the resulting drop in the number of Owners renting their units even intermittently, how can the BOD suddenly want to see hundreds of 'outsiders' wandering around the place all year? On top of that, the general reputation of time share investments is negative anyway and surely any potential investor looking at a unit at CBH will notice the run down interiors and the still-hurricane damaged airways, the stained ceiling tiles in the lobbies, the peeling plaster around the hallways too. Can someone explain all this to me?
" Ted, thank you for digging into these outrageous legal fees. The only people getting the advantage with these PAID fees are:
1. the corporate attorney
2. the BOD members being supported by the opinions and actions
3. any large shareholder whose interests are in-line with the BOD President.
People, please wake up and smell the scalding hot "Maple" java being thrown in your face! The elected President of YOUR organization is using his position to better his personal wealth and well being. He is also using all of Coral Beach contacts and assets to further his endeavors:
1. Corporate attorney
2. Coral Beach property:truck, electronic office equipment, telephone and wire service, mailing service, contractors on his soon to be double unit penthouse,
3. Large shareholders-his friend and backer of the Queens Highway store.
4. Potential TIMESHARE corporate conversion with 50.1% ownership. This is a REAL possibility. A TIMESHARE organization would enable Bruno to SELL 50 out of 52 weeks (2 kept for repairs & maintenance) a year for possibly 10,000 each, and after the timeshare period expires (20 something plus years) the units revert back to him.
5. Condo unit purchases and transfers: how many units does he really own now? Is it three or four with Sandra? Or many more that have not cleared the registry in Nassau or been recorded and told to the owners.
6. He buys units for 52 or 55K from Coral Beach, remodels them and then nets approximately $400,000 to $500,000 PER UNIT after selling the units via a management office of a local businessman.
7. This is not far fetched. All he needs is to control 50.1 % units of entitlement.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE----TALK to the people at CB who OWNED at SILVER REEF just down the beach!! ie. Frank B.
PLEASE WAKE UP AND SMELL THE "MAPLE" COFFEE before it BURNS and SCARS YOU and your hard earned RETIREMENT... "
Posted anonymously of course -
But I have a question here - so what if CBH becomes a time share? Doesn't that mean we can all make $400,000 +, or are only certain owners allowed to join in the fun? What happens to those who don't want to join in? After all the fuss and bother with the rental group last year and the resulting drop in the number of Owners renting their units even intermittently, how can the BOD suddenly want to see hundreds of 'outsiders' wandering around the place all year? On top of that, the general reputation of time share investments is negative anyway and surely any potential investor looking at a unit at CBH will notice the run down interiors and the still-hurricane damaged airways, the stained ceiling tiles in the lobbies, the peeling plaster around the hallways too. Can someone explain all this to me?
Legal Fees & Board's Election Guidance by Ted
Reference Owner’s Forum December 28, 2007.
Mr. Rufa advised that legal fees to date to pursue the Blackbeard’s Bar dispute were $2,000. That is a curious statistic in light of the fact that Legal Fees spent by Rufa Board’s total $126,496!
The breakdown taken from financial statements is as follows:
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JULY 31st
AMOUNT SPENT
2004-2005 18,322
2005-2006 36,236
2006-2007 51,529 (+ Awards 4,544?)
2007-Nov 07 8,553
O/S Legal Accts Pay 11,856.08
Were these expenditures necessary and smart? Why was it necessary to spend $126,496. on legal fees??
Response to ALL OWNERS Ms. Beth Stengel COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
I agree, In my view, it is absolutely improper and unfair to other volunteers. Additionally, owners ought to be concerned about the fact that, Mr. Rufa does not “walk the talk.”
In Mr. Rufa’s spiels, he professes strict adherence to the governing documents but in actual practice ignores them, manipulates them or misinterprets them. Please consider:
The Coral Beach Governance Guidelines clearly state that a Nominations Committee be established early, by March if possible. The structure of that committee is defined. It is specified that it have no directors. The reasoning for this of course is obvious. WE DO NOT HAVE A NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE. WHY?
It is a legal requirement to produce and publish minutes of meetings. This Board under Mr. Rufa’s leadership does not. Why?
I mean no offence to Mr. Hardy but having the current Accountant / Bookkeeper also act as auditor is really improper and inadequate separation of duties. It is stretching a point to say that he was not the bookkeeper during the audited period which I have accepted reluctantly. As someone wisely commented, “it is like going to the same physician for a second opinion.” Why?
Owners have the right to inspect the accounts as clearly specified in the governing documents yet this Board and Mr. Rufa in particular does not allow it. Why?
I have recently learned that Coral Beach Management Ltd have not paid our bills. This is a prime responsibility of the Board as directed by the governing documents. We have an outstanding Accounts Payable of $11,856.08 with Callenders & Co. Why does this Board embarrass owners by not paying our bills?
Just a closing thought paraphrased from the USA Presidential Campaign which I think is applicable to Mr. Rufa and the Board (who is culpable because they allow it) is: “Owners are told what they want to hear not what they need to know.”
Ted Mulvihill
3603
Mr. Rufa advised that legal fees to date to pursue the Blackbeard’s Bar dispute were $2,000. That is a curious statistic in light of the fact that Legal Fees spent by Rufa Board’s total $126,496!
The breakdown taken from financial statements is as follows:
FISCAL YEAR ENDING JULY 31st
AMOUNT SPENT
2004-2005 18,322
2005-2006 36,236
2006-2007 51,529 (+ Awards 4,544?)
2007-Nov 07 8,553
O/S Legal Accts Pay 11,856.08
Were these expenditures necessary and smart? Why was it necessary to spend $126,496. on legal fees??
Response to ALL OWNERS Ms. Beth Stengel COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
I agree, In my view, it is absolutely improper and unfair to other volunteers. Additionally, owners ought to be concerned about the fact that, Mr. Rufa does not “walk the talk.”
In Mr. Rufa’s spiels, he professes strict adherence to the governing documents but in actual practice ignores them, manipulates them or misinterprets them. Please consider:
The Coral Beach Governance Guidelines clearly state that a Nominations Committee be established early, by March if possible. The structure of that committee is defined. It is specified that it have no directors. The reasoning for this of course is obvious. WE DO NOT HAVE A NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE. WHY?
It is a legal requirement to produce and publish minutes of meetings. This Board under Mr. Rufa’s leadership does not. Why?
I mean no offence to Mr. Hardy but having the current Accountant / Bookkeeper also act as auditor is really improper and inadequate separation of duties. It is stretching a point to say that he was not the bookkeeper during the audited period which I have accepted reluctantly. As someone wisely commented, “it is like going to the same physician for a second opinion.” Why?
Owners have the right to inspect the accounts as clearly specified in the governing documents yet this Board and Mr. Rufa in particular does not allow it. Why?
I have recently learned that Coral Beach Management Ltd have not paid our bills. This is a prime responsibility of the Board as directed by the governing documents. We have an outstanding Accounts Payable of $11,856.08 with Callenders & Co. Why does this Board embarrass owners by not paying our bills?
Just a closing thought paraphrased from the USA Presidential Campaign which I think is applicable to Mr. Rufa and the Board (who is culpable because they allow it) is: “Owners are told what they want to hear not what they need to know.”
Ted Mulvihill
3603
Saturday, January 5, 2008
More newspaper print today!
Yes, again! Today's Freeport News headlines the demonstration held outside the Bahamas Immigration offices yesterday. I understand that all the newspaper reports are already published on the 'archive' website www.coral.beach.hotel.com.
Unfortunately I cannot sort out how to help the Owner who would like to be linked to ZNS to watch yesterday evenings TV news programme - far too technical for me I'm afraid.
Noting the concerns expressed by an Owner who says that she has been approached for her proxy, I will add to those concerns I'm sure when I raise the question of how many Owners responded to the request by the Board in mid-year for full information about their Deeds of Title and the attorney's who had dealt with their purchases. This I find very odd as properly transferred ownership of property is a matter of public record and held at the Registrar General's Office.
I feel I must respond to the Toronto dig - and repeat today's comment from another Owner who said that Toronto is a big city. Canada is a huge country and Canadians from every Province have brought much benefit to the Coral Beach community over many years, and long may they continue to do so! That said, we're off to the potluck supper - being organised by at least two Canadian Owners eh?
Unfortunately I cannot sort out how to help the Owner who would like to be linked to ZNS to watch yesterday evenings TV news programme - far too technical for me I'm afraid.
Noting the concerns expressed by an Owner who says that she has been approached for her proxy, I will add to those concerns I'm sure when I raise the question of how many Owners responded to the request by the Board in mid-year for full information about their Deeds of Title and the attorney's who had dealt with their purchases. This I find very odd as properly transferred ownership of property is a matter of public record and held at the Registrar General's Office.
I feel I must respond to the Toronto dig - and repeat today's comment from another Owner who said that Toronto is a big city. Canada is a huge country and Canadians from every Province have brought much benefit to the Coral Beach community over many years, and long may they continue to do so! That said, we're off to the potluck supper - being organised by at least two Canadian Owners eh?
Friday, January 4, 2008
Coral Beach Hotel headlines the national news
This evening the main news item on ZNS covered a demonstration outside the Bahamas Immigration offices in Downtown, Freeport held in response to the official position published in the Freeport News this week regarding Bruno Rufa's 'supervised departure' in September and his recent return to the Island.
Whatever point of view one takes on this matter, this publicity is bad news for the Coral Beach community. How good it would be to return to the times when we could do the electric slide under the stars by the Pool Bar on a Thursday evening with no thought of taking sides if we mixed with one group rather than another.
Whatever point of view one takes on this matter, this publicity is bad news for the Coral Beach community. How good it would be to return to the times when we could do the electric slide under the stars by the Pool Bar on a Thursday evening with no thought of taking sides if we mixed with one group rather than another.
Bits and pieces
The pot luck supper has been postponed until tomorrow, Saturday, same time - 5pm and same place - Pool Deck. Hopefully the temperature will have risen a bit - it certainly has been cool for the past two days. Of course this does mean that the supper will clash with the junkanoo - but maybe few Owners had intended braving the noise and crowds anyway!
I have spoken to the Manager and asked her to confirm the arrangements regarding Owners and their non-renting guests in light of the President's directions at the Owners Forum last week. (Sent to Owners on email)
1. Owners and their non-renting guests do not have to pay any registration fees on check-in.
2. Owners who have completed the form advising the Front Desk of a friend's arrival have had those forms approved without any fees being applied.
3. Owners who are in the "Rental Group" are usually charged $62.50. (A studio is assessed as raising $500 per week rental thereby incurring a charge of $125 being the 25% fee mentioned in the Articles. The Board introduced the 50% reduction of that $125 for prompt payment) It is yet to be seen if an Owner in the "Rental Group" can offer their units to friends under the same arrangement as "non-renters".
There is some uncertainty expressed by the Manager as she has not had 'official' notification of these arrangements yet, and is relying on the Owners Forum report for her guidance at this stage and is forwarding the forms to Board Members for their approval.
The cost of laundry tokens has gone up - aaah.... inflation bites - they now cost $1.30 each.
Yesterday's Freeport News had a response from the Bahama Immigration Department on the front page - you can read it for yourself on www.freeport.nassauguardian.net . In light of that report I have a question: When is a deportation not a deportation? When it is a supervised departure of course.
I have spoken to the Manager and asked her to confirm the arrangements regarding Owners and their non-renting guests in light of the President's directions at the Owners Forum last week. (Sent to Owners on email)
1. Owners and their non-renting guests do not have to pay any registration fees on check-in.
2. Owners who have completed the form advising the Front Desk of a friend's arrival have had those forms approved without any fees being applied.
3. Owners who are in the "Rental Group" are usually charged $62.50. (A studio is assessed as raising $500 per week rental thereby incurring a charge of $125 being the 25% fee mentioned in the Articles. The Board introduced the 50% reduction of that $125 for prompt payment) It is yet to be seen if an Owner in the "Rental Group" can offer their units to friends under the same arrangement as "non-renters".
There is some uncertainty expressed by the Manager as she has not had 'official' notification of these arrangements yet, and is relying on the Owners Forum report for her guidance at this stage and is forwarding the forms to Board Members for their approval.
The cost of laundry tokens has gone up - aaah.... inflation bites - they now cost $1.30 each.
Yesterday's Freeport News had a response from the Bahama Immigration Department on the front page - you can read it for yourself on www.freeport.nassauguardian.net . In light of that report I have a question: When is a deportation not a deportation? When it is a supervised departure of course.
Owner's Letter to Authorities regarding Bahamas Immigration
This letter has been forwarded to me and I have been asked to post it anonymously:
The Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham
Office of The Prime Minister
Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Centre
Cable Beach
P. O. Box N 3217
Nassau, N.P.,
The Bahamas
January 4, 2008
RE: Bahamas Immigration Issues
Dear Mr. Ingraham,
I'm saddened to think that the new party in power, the FNM, would allow a Canadian tourist to start a scandal within the Department of Immigration. I imagine that you held meetings with all of your new cabinet members after the election last May and instructed them to take NO ACTION that could be conceived as unethical during your administration--for the sake of the Prime Minister's Office, theFree National Movement party and all the citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
This turn of events concerning Mr. Rufa on Grand Bahama is especially troubling considering that only last year the PLP had it's own scandal with Mr. Shane Gibson, Head of Immigration who was forced to resign. His scandal permanently scarred the Progressive Liberal Party and involved a paltry $10,000 payment and alleged sex in exchange for 'Permanent Residency' with the since deceased Anna Nicole Smith.
Thus, this whole event concerning Mr. Rufa begs to question
1. the control you have over the Department of Immigration and
2. whether there is a battle going on between thecapital of Nassau Immigration office and the local branch in Freeport.
If such is the case I beg thatyou take swift, forceful and punishable action to squash any power plays being perpetrated in the Freeport office for special treatment to anybody - including Canadian nationals and prominent Freeport businessmen who may have back-door connections with government in Nassau.
This beautiful and young archipelago of a nation is filled with very smart and talented people and I trust that those in power will act in an ethical and religious manner and investigate this matter to the fullest extent of the law.
Prime Minister Ingraham, I believe you to be very deserving of the title including "Honorable", for you have made the people of Pine Ridge, Cooper's Town and all of this nation proud. You are an example of integrity for all Bahamians to follow. I ask you personally to have your Office review the files in this case, review the numerous complaints filed against this person and please send a representative from your office to Grand Bahama to talk with the ex-employees and people who have been so negatively affected by this event.
GODSPEED in your investigation
CC: The Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham , Office of The Prime Minister Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Centre, Cable Beach , P. O. Box N 3217, Nassau, N.P.,
The Bahamas info@opm.gov.bs 242 - 327-5826/7/8 242 - 327-5806
Sen. The Hon. Elma E. Campbell Minister of State for Immigration
Department of Immigration, Churchill Building,3rd Floor, P. O. Box N-3217 Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
ELMACAMPBELL@BAHAMAS.GOV.BS 242 - 356-6792/3 242 - 356-6087
Chief Justice, The Honourable Sir Burton Hall
The Freeport News, K-Nancoo-Russell
The Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham
Office of The Prime Minister
Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Centre
Cable Beach
P. O. Box N 3217
Nassau, N.P.,
The Bahamas
January 4, 2008
RE: Bahamas Immigration Issues
Dear Mr. Ingraham,
I'm saddened to think that the new party in power, the FNM, would allow a Canadian tourist to start a scandal within the Department of Immigration. I imagine that you held meetings with all of your new cabinet members after the election last May and instructed them to take NO ACTION that could be conceived as unethical during your administration--for the sake of the Prime Minister's Office, theFree National Movement party and all the citizens of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
This turn of events concerning Mr. Rufa on Grand Bahama is especially troubling considering that only last year the PLP had it's own scandal with Mr. Shane Gibson, Head of Immigration who was forced to resign. His scandal permanently scarred the Progressive Liberal Party and involved a paltry $10,000 payment and alleged sex in exchange for 'Permanent Residency' with the since deceased Anna Nicole Smith.
Thus, this whole event concerning Mr. Rufa begs to question
1. the control you have over the Department of Immigration and
2. whether there is a battle going on between thecapital of Nassau Immigration office and the local branch in Freeport.
If such is the case I beg thatyou take swift, forceful and punishable action to squash any power plays being perpetrated in the Freeport office for special treatment to anybody - including Canadian nationals and prominent Freeport businessmen who may have back-door connections with government in Nassau.
This beautiful and young archipelago of a nation is filled with very smart and talented people and I trust that those in power will act in an ethical and religious manner and investigate this matter to the fullest extent of the law.
Prime Minister Ingraham, I believe you to be very deserving of the title including "Honorable", for you have made the people of Pine Ridge, Cooper's Town and all of this nation proud. You are an example of integrity for all Bahamians to follow. I ask you personally to have your Office review the files in this case, review the numerous complaints filed against this person and please send a representative from your office to Grand Bahama to talk with the ex-employees and people who have been so negatively affected by this event.
GODSPEED in your investigation
CC: The Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham , Office of The Prime Minister Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Centre, Cable Beach , P. O. Box N 3217, Nassau, N.P.,
The Bahamas info@opm.gov.bs 242 - 327-5826/7/8 242 - 327-5806
Sen. The Hon. Elma E. Campbell Minister of State for Immigration
Department of Immigration, Churchill Building,3rd Floor, P. O. Box N-3217 Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
ELMACAMPBELL@BAHAMAS.GOV.BS 242 - 356-6792/3 242 - 356-6087
Chief Justice, The Honourable Sir Burton Hall
The Freeport News, K-Nancoo-Russell
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Welcome to New Owners
This is just the right point of the year to welcome new Owners into the Coral Beach Hotel community - we hope that they will all enjoy the time they spend here, on the most beautiful beach in the world:
Abate & Marsala in 3326
Don Best and Pat Kachur in 2315
Francesco & Rosemary Bruno in 3211
D. Ceci in 2507
Orazio & Eugenia DeCiantis in 2518
Christopher & Ann Diebold in 2111
Karen & Dominic Faro in 2115
Rita Landy in 2308
Yvonne Malbasha in 2215
Michael Montgomery in 2603
Richard & Yolanda Morandini in 2501
Dennis & Sandra Neilson in 2512
Jean Marie Paquet in 2406
Stephen & Nicolle Pierre in 1602
Bruno Rufa & Sandra Georgiou in 2411
Bruno Rufa & Sandra Georgiou in 3311
David & Nancy Salvisburgh in 2305
Pierre Valour in 3204
Michael & Victoria Waltz in 1401
As far as I know, these are the new Owners this year. If I have made errors or omissions please let me know and I will rectify.
Abate & Marsala in 3326
Don Best and Pat Kachur in 2315
Francesco & Rosemary Bruno in 3211
D. Ceci in 2507
Orazio & Eugenia DeCiantis in 2518
Christopher & Ann Diebold in 2111
Karen & Dominic Faro in 2115
Rita Landy in 2308
Yvonne Malbasha in 2215
Michael Montgomery in 2603
Richard & Yolanda Morandini in 2501
Dennis & Sandra Neilson in 2512
Jean Marie Paquet in 2406
Stephen & Nicolle Pierre in 1602
Bruno Rufa & Sandra Georgiou in 2411
Bruno Rufa & Sandra Georgiou in 3311
David & Nancy Salvisburgh in 2305
Pierre Valour in 3204
Michael & Victoria Waltz in 1401
As far as I know, these are the new Owners this year. If I have made errors or omissions please let me know and I will rectify.
No junkanoo!!!!!! at least, not until Saturday.....
Well, we had a rip snortin' New Year's Eve - the fireworks were grand, although obviously my attempts at photographing them were not....but with news of a change of weather (rain and maybe 60f) the carnival has been postponed until Saturday - question is whether a) the shack rats were not yet ready or b) whether everyone wanted to party all night and sleep all Sunday or c) (most likely) the organisers hadn't sorted themselves out yet! Either way, it all happens on Saturday and by then the weather will have warmed up again.Coral Beach Hotel made the front page of the Freeport News again - see http://freeport.nassauguardian.net if you want to see it all for yourself but, in essence, the headlines are about B. Rufa being back and raising questions of Bahamas Immigration in Freeport.
As I have mentioned before, the 'archive' web site [devoted to official documents available to Owners throughout the many years of CBH's existence] is expanding almost daily with some really interesting stuff - I read the "History of Coral Beach" dating from 1970 and found that fascinating, especially as I was living here at the time. For those new Owners who maybe haven't discovered it yet, bookmark www.coral-beach-hotel.com and check it out! Let me also remind Owners that comments are being added to this blog all the time and are often attached to older postings - maybe of two or so weeks ago, so it is always worthwhile just going back to check.
Today I will forgo a dip in the ocean and pool, but yesterday the ocean was 76f and it was 74f in the pool and it was hot enough for us to put the aircon on during the morning as humidity was up over 85% - today is much more pleasant, if you are out of the wind! I guess the potluck supper tomorrow evening may be moved to the Lobby - but we shall see. This weather is nothing if not changeable.
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