Hannes Babak is no-one's employee. His father came to the island long before 1974, at the behest of Edward St George and Sir Jack. Vastly wealthy, he has given a lot of time and money into various organizations on the island and has done well since taking over the business and expanding it. His name was being mentioned on Thursday night in a couple of places I go to....it seems he has the right idea for Freeport- and of course-what's good for Freeport will be good for him...

Very true, and thats what Im uncomfortable about in part. It wouldnt be the first time someone used their position to boost up their own personal interests, but because Freeport and Grand Bahama is in the throws of a recession the likes of which not seen since the 80's I would venture to say...the LAST thing Freeport needs is a CEO who will be looking to get him and all his friends and business partners straight.

It will be interesting to hear just what his ideas for Freeport are.

the LAST thing Freeport needs is a CEO who will be looking to get him and all his friends and business partners straight.

...and that is wrong! its no different than the Bahamian govt and the corrupted practices...man in a first world country this wouldnt be tolerated...where is our Justice Department's!!!! our SEC!!!!!

sadly you will see in time...


Help me out I would like to know. I thought FNMs liked James Smith, at least you did 4 years ago. Why the change of heart?


Could the disgrace be that his calculations bear out The Prime Minister's claims of the economy being on the rebound after The FNM left it in the gutter. It is something when a person does their job and is shot down for it. James Smith was touted as the second coming by FNMs just 4 years ago and now you are calling him disgraced, how quickly politics can turn the fickle against you.

Help me out I would like to know. I thought FNMs liked James Smith, at least you did 4 years ago. Why the change of heart?
Could the disgrace be that his calculations bear out The Prime Minister's claims of the economy being on the rebound after The FNM left it in the gutter. It is something when a person does their job and is shot down for it. James Smith was touted as the second coming by FNMs just 4 years ago and now you are calling him disgraced, how quickly politics can turn the fickle against you.

I am not an FNM...but I can see how the FNM thought he was a good choice to be "appointed" Minister of State over at Finance...he was the Central Bank governor for christ sake...what happened from then until now is something I just dont get...Mr. Francis' fate is nothing like his...he is no pushover! dont make this thread about James Smith or your partisan defense...

Francis caused that on himself.
He was damaged good before he went to FPO and certainly tainted when he was forced to get out of the Central bank.
Maybe this time, he was probably found out to be a know nothing appointee and people got fed up.
Not everyone in this town goes for the crony.
:hammer:


I like Julian. He seems intelligent and careful. My meetings with him have been courteous and helpful.

I say let Barry Malcolm step up to the plate. He'd do a good job, for sure.

I say let Barry Malcolm step up to the plate. He'd do a good job, for sure.

Edward those certainly didnt think so..which is why he still is where he is at there now after all this time. And ofcourse as a more minor point atleast in his case, his politics at the moment aint right.

Remember, the GBPA's success hinges on government approval of capital intesnsive projects, etc...so the GBPA (under Edward anyway) put people in strategic positions who support the government of the day. So Barry wasnt gonna make it, not right now - even if he could do the job. And its why Alfred Gray (PLP stalwart) was made President of the Port last year.

At Edward's funeral, Sir Jack said that as elections rolled around, he would always ask Edward "so, who do you think will win?" And Edward would say something to the effect of "the ones who always win..US!"

Meaning no matter what, he would make sure they got what they needed by promoting who they needed to to get it.

I say let Barry Malcolm step up to the plate. He'd do a good job, for sure.


Barry Malcolm is a glorified follower. In my opinion he could never lead.
He fouls up stuff, and thats not just from me but from people that really see him in action.

I am well aware of theLate St. George and Sir Hayward's political followings and about Mr. Haywards distance from the people who lives there (when was the last time yuo saw Sir.Hayward, even on T.V.?) so its not a suprise, but in my opinion, theres nothing we can quite do about anything that goes on in the Port Authority. The new guy just might be what we need....someone who has put money in Freeport so he is sure not to up and leave like Mr.Francis did.

I'm sad to see Francis go, perhaps his brilliant plan was contrary to "the master plan" that Mr. Groves and other have been using since the conception of Freeport. You can't hae a man who wont walk the line. Freeport has always been a mixed city, some may have wanted to see another Bahamian, but I dont see another eligible one around, and like I said, poor Barry is a glorified follower....put him in charge and you'll see Freeport break!!! The new guy just might be what we need....someone who has put money in Freeport so he is sure not to up and leave like Mr.Francis did. I dont know any intrapersonal things that the others here assume to know, but all you can do is whatch. The people there knows what needs to happen for Freeport to develop, and remember this is also a business, what happened was a business decision, not a moral/ethical decision that expect a government to make, to do that would criple the business....so saying that...I hope the best of luck.

Barry Malcolm is a glorified follower. In my opinion he could never lead.
He fouls up stuff, and thats not just from me but from people that really see him in action.
I am well aware of theLate St. George and Sir Hayward's political followings and about Mr. Haywards distance from the people who lives there (when was the last time yuo saw Sir.Hayward, even on T.V.?) so its not a suprise, but in my opinion, theres nothing we can quite do about anything that goes on in the Port Authority. The new guy just might be what we need....someone who has put money in Freeport so he is sure not to up and leave like Mr.Francis did.
I'm sad to see Francis go, perhaps his brilliant plan was contrary to "the master plan" that Mr. Groves and other have been using since the conception of Freeport. You can't hae a man who wont walk the line. Freeport has always been a mixed city, some may have wanted to see another Bahamian, but I dont see another eligible one around, and like I said, poor Barry is a glorified follower....put him in charge and you'll see Freeport break!!! The new guy just might be what we need....someone who has put money in Freeport so he is sure not to up and leave like Mr.Francis did. I dont know any intrapersonal things that the others here assume to know, but all you can do is whatch. The people there knows what needs to happen for Freeport to develop, and remember this is also a business, what happened was a business decision, not a moral/ethical decision that expect a government to make, to do that would criple the business....so saying that...I hope the best of luck.

coming from an outsider tot he freeport experience and being independent of some sorts I an say that the world is a different place as in 1954 or Wallace Groves era...plans have to evolve with the business climate of today...you have to evolve with the times or get left behind...Mr. Francis understands this and I think some folks were too just boned-headed and are afraid of change, that's why he left resigned was kicked out whatever anyone wants to say...I wish freeport & the people of GB the best...

If Mr. Francis knew then what he knows now I seriously doubt he would have ever took the job, who wants to deal with foolishness...Like I said this is divine intervention, God has a plan for this great Bahamian...great things!sometime you have to experience failure and disappointment to catch yourself and start anew, getting your game face in full effect...Im praying for him...he'll be fine...God got his back!

Freeport was built on the master plan since the city started. It continues to do so today despite the natural disasters. Everything that is there (save a few things) were supposed to be there. If there needs to be change it will be a very controled one. But one thing with the GBPA, you don't change the master plan. Change the plan haphazardly..ok..radically, and Freeport will not be Freeport.

Freeport was built on the master plan since the city started. It continues to do so today despite the natural disasters. Everything that is there (save a few things) were supposed to be there. If there needs to be change it will be a very controled one. But one thing with the GBPA, you don't change the master plan. Change the plan haphazardly, and Freeport will not be Freeport.

so what happens in 2054? cant control that...The Bahamian govt will be corruption bribe and victimisation free then ;)

it would be the supreme irony if Mr. Francis was some integral "figurehead" in govt with so much power come time in 2015 for "negotiations"...hmmmmm 9 years isnt that far away ;)

stop it...this is the same thing with the Johnnie Cochran affair...character assasinating when you have no idea what the hell your talking about!


Do you want me to get the "infamous" tapes of the central bank parties?
Or do you want the story of the one legged lady, and the things she has to say about Mr Francis?
Both stories and evidence made available by the source newspaper!
Which one would you prefer?
:taped2:
Both are notorious as the peanut buter tapes of Sean Isaacs, and the Colin Wells drama!
LOL....
I would not believe it , if I did not see it myself.
Despicable it was....makes anything the Bishop said or done look tame.
:eek:

Both are notorious as the peanut buter tapes of Sean Isaacs,
:eek: you seen the tape! I wanna see the tape...show me the tape!

:eek: you seen the tape! I wanna see the tape...show me the tape!


I know a peanut butter girl personally...
As well as some of her cohorts somewhat.

They would do a potcake if it had money.
:taped2:

This whole thing could just be about business. Ever stop to think that maybe either Hayward or the St. George family are planning to get out and needed someone with large local cash to buy them out.
When Freeport was a small community it was easily controlled remember that the port takes care of everything water, trash, power and all of the infrastructure, but most of this was put in over 50 yeas ago, it is getting old and it is costing more to maintain.
Also Freeport is becoming a large city and it is becoming more of a challenge to run. We see it every day where there is becoming a definitive distinction between basic human rights as to corporate strategy. Or are the current owners just tired of playing the political games?
If I were Babak and was given the opportunity I would take it but for that kind of money I would like to have some control over my return.