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Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Any Closings at Bimini Bay Resort Yet?

Posted by: Bill
Host: 69-163-186-199.atlsfl.adelphia.net
IP #: 69.163.186.199
E-mail: <bertram25@worldnet.att.net>
Date Posted: August 06, 2004 at 07:37:39
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Any Closings at Bimini Bay Resort Yet?

Message:

I encourage any and all potential investors in Bimini Bay to look beyond Prime
Minister Perry Christie's rhetoric and do your own research both on the web and
on the ground in Bimini, particularly as it relates to the true nature of the
environmental degradation, construction techniques (you may consider quietly
bringing in your own independent construction expert to assess the erosion
potential, settling factor on all of that fill Capo's dredged from the bay and
actual construction), Capo's employment policies (almost all of the "100
employees" mentioned by Perry Christie are cheap foreign labor, not Bahamians),
Capo's track record in the states and the Bahamas (starting with court
records), how the Bimini natives really feel about it all, INDEPENDENT
scientific studies etc. etc. Also, if you look around Alicetown you may find
former Capo employees who are hanging around only because he has still not paid
them. The word is out in Alicetown that Capo is way in arrears on pay to at
least some of his employees; what percentage I can't say. Christie's comments
bear little resemblance to the reality.

I'm assuming that the "personal agenda" comment was directed at me and those of
us who know the truth about Bimini Bay. Our "agenda" is that Capo act
responsibly to all parties affected - Bimini natives, investors, Bahamian
natural resources and the environment in general. We don't ask you to take our
word for anything, only that you DON'T take Capo's, Bimini Bay representatives'
or the current government's statements at face value. Christie's government
has taken a "give the developers anything they want" attitude and many
Biminites feel betrayed as was evidenced at a meeting in Alicetowen this week,
much of which was videotaped. As for the environment, the "scaled back"
project simply means that a 5 megaton disaster has been reduced to a 4 megaton
disaster. Stamping "environmentally sound" on this project is simply that: a
stamp. As of today Capo's backhoes continue to dig up the bay and, in spite of
his promises to surround the site with effective siltation booms, mud continues
to spread with the tide choking out the plants, crustaceans and fish of the
Bimini Lagoon and North Sound (photographed and videotaped). It's getting
harder to document what Capo's doing because he's closed the gate to the
property and has goons quiz people trying to get on the site. The natives know
that he wants to keep them from seeing the destructive results of his work and
have said so. A big question that still no one has answered publicy is who
truly owns the land Capo has created by taking publicly owned fill from the
seafloor and building land on publicly owned seafloor.

.......and there is so much more to know

It's your money.

Bill



: I found the following at http://www.investbahamas.org/news.php?nid=2005
:
: Pretty encouraging, despite others attempts to pursue their own pesonal
agenda
: in this forum.
:
:
: Remarks By Prime Minister Perry G. Christie At The Signing Of The Amended
Heads
: Of Agreement For The Rav Bahamas Ltd. Bimini Bay Development.
:
: NASSAU, Bahamas - Wednesday, June 9th, 2004
:
: It has been a long-known fact, one that Bahamians are only too proud to
: proclaim, that the Islands of Bimini are truly precious gems in the
bejewelled
: collection of islands that comprise our blessed country. History reveals that
: many great men have either retreated to its shores for literary and artistic
: inspiration or trekked through its mysterious environs in search of eternal
: restoration. It has even been rumoured that deep within the exquisite
fragility
: of these islands lies evidence of previous great civilizations, which
continue
: to capture the world’s imagination. In current times, the “Big Game Fishing
: Capital of The World” continues to attract travellers from near and far, in
: search of thrilling sport adventures, unparalleled relaxation and the
pristine
: wonders offered by nature.
:
: As today’s event demonstrates, Bimini has also evolved into a destination for
: significant sustained investment, reflecting the confidence in the islands’
: natural charm and the continually stable investment environment that our
: country has worked so diligently to develop and sustain. In keeping with the
: spirit of partnership made tangible through the execution of an impressive
: number of development agreements since the commencement of my administration,
I
: take great pride in bearing witness to the culmination, today of the diligent
: efforts made by the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Rav
: Bahamas Limited, developers of the Bimini Bay Resort, to reach an agreement
on
: the continued progression of that development in North Bimini on a reduced
: scale that will be manageable, viable, architecturally and aesthetically
: pleasant and environmentally sound.
:
: This amended agreement between the Government and Rav Bahamas represents a
: significant improvement on certain provisions of the previous agreement made
: between both parties. The signing today represents the fulfilment of a
: commitment made by my Government when it first assumed office, that we would
: work assiduously to reach an agreement with the Developer and to foster a
sense
: of mutual responsibility and respect, that would guarantee the continued
: implementation of a world-class resort and allow both parties to achieve
: important objectives, while at the same time promoting and protecting the
long-
: term public interest.
:
: In the execution of the development, Mr. Gerardo Capo and his fine team
commit
: to upholding the provisions of the previous agreement that would ensure the
: utilization of Bahamian suppliers of quality goods and materials, including
: farm and marine produce; the promotion of Bahamian art and local culture;
and,
: importantly, there is the continued assurance that opportunities for
enterprise
: will be made available to Bahamians in the operation of retail shops, water
: sports, entertainment attractions and other ventures that will add to the
: resort’s appeal and allure.
:
: Today’s amended agreement seeks to add significantly to the economic and
social
: landscape of Bimini, as it re-affirms the Developer’s commitment to carrying
: out a first-class resort development that will provide meaningful avenues
: through which Bahamians in general, and Biminites in particular, will be able
: to enjoy an improved way of life.
:
: Over the course of the next four to five years, Phase One of the Bimini Bay
: Resort development will include a $70 Million investment in a world class,
400-
: room hotel and an appropriate casino, featuring a magnificent marina, docking
: facilities and associated amenities, capable of accommodating mega-yachts and
: other pleasure vessels. An upscale residential subdivision will offer estate
: homes, condominiums and timeshare units with spectacular ocean and resort
: views. An equally impressive 18-hole championship golf course is planned,
: designed by world-renowned golf course specialists Robert Trent Jones.
: Additionally, a vibrant commercial centre with shops and restaurants, as well
: as a straw and craft market are all planned elements of the diverse mix of
: features that this development will doubtless have to offer.
:
: I am encouraged to learn that Rav Bahamas has already commenced vertical
: construction of the residential component of the development, currently
: employing over 100 persons and is ahead of schedule toward the completion of
: Phase One. Upon completion of this first phase, the resort is expected to
: employ some 300 Bahamians in various positions. To ensure that this need is
: fulfilled and that employment levels are sustained, Rav Bahamas has committed
: to implementing on-the-job multidisciplinary training and apprenticeship
: programmes, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the
: Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. Further, for this and future
phases
: of the development, there is to be employment of local architects,
contractors,
: engineers and other design and construction professionals.
:
: Additionally, through the coalescence of technically competent advisers on
both
: sides, we, both the Government and the Developer have undertaken to gain a
: greater appreciation for the sensitivity and uniqueness of the environmental
: habitat of North Bimini, and where possible, to protect the natural resources
: of that area. As such, we have seen to the creation of a mechanism by which
the
: Developer will provide the Government on a regular basis with Environmental
: Impact Studies and Environmental Management Plans specifically designed to
: govern future development activities and to make certain that mitigation
: measures are established for the preservation of the environmental integrity
of
: North Bimini.
:
: The Government and the Developer have also recognized the fragility of the
: marine and ecological habitats of North Bimini, and have agreed that in the
: development of those areas deemed to be the most sensitive, there will be a
: mutual agreement on the type of development to be undertaken. This agreement,
: in particular is most significant, as it demonstrates this Developer’s
: commitment to involve the Government in determining how best to proceed with
: future stages of the development. I speak on behalf of the Government when I
: say that we certainly look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership.
:
: My Government is further encouraged by the Developer’s commitment to make a
: significant social contribution to the people of Bimini, through the
: construction of a primary school for 250 children, the provision of a fire
: truck and pertinent equipment and by endeavouring to assist in the
: beautification and clean-up of North Bimini. One can only imagine the long-
term
: positive effects that such efforts of goodwill will have on the citizenry of
: those islands. Already, the people of North Bimini have begun to benefit from
: the water-production capabilities of the Bimini Bay development, as potable
: water has now been made available, in conjunction with the Water and Sewerage
: Corporation, through the state-of-the-art reverse osmosis plant on site. I
wish
: to take this opportunity to express the deepest appreciation of my Government
: to Mr. Gerardo Capo, a well known Florida developer for this major investment
: and generous contributions towards the betterment of the Bimini community.
:
: In recognition of the expected increase in air travel to Bimini as a result
of
: this development and the ever-evolving challenges of the current geopolitical
: and security climate, I wish to take this opportunity to mention my
: Government’s commitment to upgrade to Federal Aviation Authority and
: international standards, the South Bimini Airport. The Government also
intends
: to move deliberately toward the fulfilment of the agreement to upgrade the
road
: system on North Bimini, for improved vehicular traffic and access to the
: resort. Coupled with the Developer’s agreement to designate the development a
: golf cart community, we would have achieved a marked improvement to the
quality
: of life of those individuals who reside on and visit that island.
:
: I would wish to conclude by saying that the achievement of this amended Heads
: of Agreement represents a triumph over seemingly insurmountable challenges.
:
: ---

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Any Closings at Bimini Bay Resort Yet? - Ginger 8-06-04