Today In History: June 21

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – On this day in Bahamian history in 1907 – William Edward Armbrister, who was a member of the executive council and president of the legislative council, died at the age of 88.

Armbrister served in the House of Assembly for over twenty years. The local Historical Society notes his father John was a Loyalist who came to the colony after the American War of Independence. 

His grave is located in Western Cemetery on New Providence.

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Then fast forward to 2012, when Our News reported on claims of victimization at Urban Renewal. Nearly 100 workers in New Providence and Grand Bahama said they received their walking papers.

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A year later in 2013, then Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade expressed concern over the number of accused murderers walking the streets, even after police arrested them and were charged in court.

His concerns followed revelations by then National Security Minister the late Dr. Bernard Nottage that 354 people charged with murder were released on bail over a six-year period.

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In 2014 – construction on a $39 million dollar port got underway in North Abaco. At a groundbreaking ceremony then Works Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis said it would be built on nearly four dozen acres of land and include environmentally sustainable works.

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Then June 21st, 2015 – following the resignation of Fort Charlotte MP Dr. Andre Rollins from the Progressive Liberal Party, a number of Cabinet Ministers and PLP supporters came to the defense of the party and its leadership. Then Minister of State for Legal Affairs Damian Gomez was one of them.

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In 2016 – the man convicted of murdering businessman Kurt McCartney was sentenced to more than four decades in prison while his ex-girlfriend would got a fraction of that time behind bars. 

The former couple – Thorn Edwards and Lindera Curry – showed no emotion. 

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In 2017, the secret Baha Mar deal was unsealed. The Heads of Term signed on August 22nd, 2016 showed key concessions included the granting of up to 1200 work permits for China Construction America to complete the resort in addition to 30 work permits for all necessary staff of Perfect Luck Assets Limited – the special purchase vehicle. 

Former Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson was lead negotiator for the reconstructed deal. 

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In 2018, fired Hotel Corporation Chairman Frederick McAlpine fired back at Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis who told reporters his obligations under the Westminster system of governance, forced him to fire three MPs who voted against the VAT bill. 

McAlpine questioned what happened to that obligation when Dr. Minnis misled parliament on the real date the OBAN heads of agreement was signed. 

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Three years later in 2021, Dr. Minnis announcing several changes to the COVID-19 emergency orders including shortened curfew hours and additional perks for fully vaccinated individuals.

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And finally in 2022, Prime Minister Philip Davis wrapped up a full day of activities at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.

He was the featured guest at a major business forum but also found time to speak with the Bahamian media to discuss issues he intended to bring to the floor when he spoke.