Inter-Island Communication News Brief – July 9, 2019

According to a report from McKoy’s News a Jamaican outlet quote, “The St. James Parish Court has deferred sentencing for Zharrin Simmons, the Bermudian born British woman who was nabbed at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay with more than 40 pounds of marijuana.

“The 22-year-old tattoo artist of a London address in England, made a brief appearance before the St. James Parish Court on Tuesday, July 2 to face charges of possession of, dealing in and attempting to export ganja.

“Sentencing was postponed on Tuesday as the court is awaiting the defendant’s criminal records as well as her antecedents. She will remain behind bars until July 9.

“According to reports, on May 28 this year about 4:30 p.m., Simmons was preparing to board a flight bound for Manchester, England when a sniffer dog alerted the police to a black suitcase she had checked in earlier.

“During a search of the piece of luggage, 42 pounds of ganja was found. She was arrested and charged.”

“A regrettable lack of co-operation has deprived the people of Bermuda of the full truth of what led to the events of that terrible day”, this from Premier David Burt on the Report of the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee Examining the Events of the December 2nd 2016 incident at the House of Assembly. Premier Burt also shared quote, “It is disturbing to learn that the Police who we rely upon to enforce the laws of the land disregarded the law and failed to appear before the Committee. The Report speaks to serious differences in reported accounts of that day which could only be resolved by the Police giving testimony like so many others did.”

“The shocking sub-text of the Report describes a Government out of touch with the people, deliberately isolated from the advice of senior civil servants and engaged in clandestine discussions which seem to have led to these events. As the Report says: ‘It was the reaction by the decision-makers to the protest which resulted in the disastrous events of the day.’

“This is a bipartisan Report and the Government is considering the recommendations made by the Committee. The Chairman and the Committee Members deserve our thanks for the work they completed in difficult circumstances.”

Congratulations to Kiara Virgil Wainwright and Madison Sidney Virgil Quig, the recipients of the Chubb Charitable Foundation – Bermuda’s Bermuda College Education Award and Robert Clements Scholarship recipients. A spokesperson said, “Kiara Virgil-Wainwright, a recent graduate of Berkeley Institute and Bermuda College, through the Dual Enrolment Programme, has been selected as the 2019 Bermuda College Education Award recipient. Kiara is entering her junior year at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia where she will be completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting. “The articulation agreement between Bermuda College and Georgia State has allowed Kiara to jump directly into the third year of her undergraduate. As a result, Kiara has completed two years of her Bachelor’s degree, received her high school diploma, and attained her Associates Degree.

The spokesperson said, “Madison Sidney Virgil Quig, a Bermuda High School [BHS] graduate was selected as the recipient of the 2019 Robert Clements Scholarship, in the award’s twenty-fourth anniversary year. She is entering her freshman year this fall at Stanford University.

“During her time at Bermuda High School, Madison received many academic awards and honours. She was specifically recognized for achieving the highest International General Certificate of Secondary Education [IGCSE] results in school and island wide.

A new framework of incentives generated by our hosting of the 35th America’s Cup that will make it easier for superyachts to cruise and charter in Bermuda waters is a boon to our overall tourism product. This from the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA], with a spokesperson sharing quote: “The legislation, tabled Friday in Bermuda’s House of Assembly, defines superyachts as leisure vessels measuring 24 metres [78 feet] or more, and establishes governance enhancements aimed at making Bermuda a cruising destination.

“The “Superyachts and Other Vessels [Miscellaneous] Act 2019” updates several related acts, setting new allowances based on size for superyachts to acquire cruising and charter permits and stay in Bermuda without penalty during transit for bunkering and provisioning.

“The bill also allows Bermuda residents to bring vessels into the island for six months or less free of duty.”

Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Kevin Dallas said quote “We welcome this legislation, particularly because it drives fresh opportunities to our stakeholders and partners, including Bermudian entrepreneurs who will service this high-end tourism sector as it grows”.