Today in History: August 14

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THE BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history – In 2012, former Cabinet Minister and then Chairman of the Free National Movement Charles Maynard died in North Abaco. He was 42.

At the time of his death, Maynard was campaigning for the upcoming by-election in that constituency after the the resignation and retirement of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham who held the seat.

Maynard reportedly suffered a heart attack after a campaign event and was rushed to the Treasure Cay Clinic.

Then in 2013 was the ground breaking of the Genting Group’s phase two expansion of resort’s World on Bimini.

Work had officially begun on the project which then Prime Minister Perry Christie touted for the creation of more than 100 construction jobs and an additional 350 permanent jobs.

The new phase includes a 350-room luxury marina hotel. An agreement to finalize components of a detailed master plan for Bimini was also signed.

Then August 14th, 2018, it was revealed the entire Bahamas Power and Light board had been dismissed.

Then Union President Paul Maynard confirmed the firings to Our News after a meeting with senior officials.

It was later reported the board was fired from the board after then Minister of Works Desmond Bannister claimed board members had clashed on almost every critical issue, which was at great cost to BPL.

The board was chaired by Darnell Osborne at the time, who along with two other ousted directors went on to sue BPL and the government for unfair and wrongful dismissal.

In July 2022, it was announced the government agreed to settle the case.

Two years later in 2020 there were 1,119 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Health officials reported there were 946 active cases at the time with 138 recovered.

There were also 17 total deaths while 8 others were still under investigation.

Finally in 2021, was news of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti that struck 120 km west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Over 2,200 people were killed in the disaster and more than 12,000 injured.

Widespread tsunami warnings were issued throughout the Caribbean, with waves up to 10 feet high initially expected to hit Port-au-Prince.

The tsunami warning was later rescinded.