NEWS --
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Two tiny French Caribbean islands officially broke away from Guadeloupe on Sunday, gaining partial financial and political autonomy.

St. Barts and St. Martin can now create or change laws related to local taxes, tourism, public transportation and other issues, according to a statement by the French government.

St. Barts — a popular retreat for the rich and famous — also gained jurisdiction over housing, construction, environmental and energy affairs, areas over which St. Martin will have autonomy in 2012.
About 35,000 people live on St. Martin and about 7,000 on St. Barts.


If St. Barts and St. Martin can do it, well so can Grand Bahama. Who the hell wants a government in Nassau that thinks the world revolves around New Providence.

As a proud Grand Bahama Islander, I say it is time for independence from the Bahamas. Freeport as its own country. Think of the possibilities.

Then Abaco would be next.

The Bahams will probably break up if we do not get with the programme and open up this economy and start doing things according to International standards. We are falling further behind every day because of the antiquated way that we do things, and the fact that it takes forever to get anything done, etc..

NEWS --
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Two tiny French Caribbean islands officially broke away from Guadeloupe on Sunday, gaining partial financial and political autonomy.
St. Barts and St. Martin can now create or change laws related to local taxes, tourism, public transportation and other issues, according to a statement by the French government.
St. Barts — a popular retreat for the rich and famous — also gained jurisdiction over housing, construction, environmental and energy affairs, areas over which St. Martin will have autonomy in 2012.
About 35,000 people live on St. Martin and about 7,000 on St. Barts.

If St. Barts and St. Martin can do it, well so can Grand Bahama. Who the hell wants a government in Nassau that thinks the world revolves around New Providence.
As a proud Grand Bahama Islander, I say it is time for independence from the Bahamas. Freeport as its own country. Think of the possibilities.


ur not scared that such actions could cuase a civil war?

Then Abaco would be next.


... harbour island right behind! its per capita income alone is the equivalent of a much larger island, given that it sends more than $10 million in room taxes alone to nassau each year.

NEWS --
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Two tiny French Caribbean islands officially broke away from Guadeloupe on Sunday, gaining partial financial and political autonomy.
St. Barts and St. Martin can now create or change laws related to local taxes, tourism, public transportation and other issues, according to a statement by the French government.
St. Barts — a popular retreat for the rich and famous — also gained jurisdiction over housing, construction, environmental and energy affairs, areas over which St. Martin will have autonomy in 2012.
About 35,000 people live on St. Martin and about 7,000 on St. Barts.

If St. Barts and St. Martin can do it, well so can Grand Bahama. Who the hell wants a government in Nassau that thinks the world revolves around New Providence.
As a proud Grand Bahama Islander, I say it is time for independence from the Bahamas. Freeport as its own country. Think of the possibilities.


I thought I was the only person who thought that way. Abaco and GB succeed, build our GB-Abaco bridge, and carry on. I have nagged for years that local government has to expand and decentralize Nassau. I think the tension has risen even more between GB, the FI's and Nassau when we talk about development. Things are built and pushed down most of the time without consideration from the government. Abaco survives and thrives more because of the willingness of the people to get things done and to create an enjoyable life rather than letting Nassau decide more of the direction for them. Same thing with Harbour Island and Spanish Wells.

Grand Bahama has a good position with what is has and where it is situated. Last time I looked we had a Per capital income higher than rest of the country. I'm sure that changed since that report. The real situation is two fold with the Port Authority and the Government. People while some agree that the Port Authority should back off a bit from regulations like business lisences...if not disolve all together, no one really wants the Port to go. they maintain the city to the standard that is now. If you took out the Port and replaced it with the systmes in the Islands, everything would fall apart. You can't upkeep Freeport with just $1million (the amount District of Freeport Council recieves up to last fiscal year), and without the rule of law the port provides (in respect to it's own policies most of the time) there would be chaos. The government is a whole different situation, especially with outside of Freeport. While the port might do one or two things out there, besides providing power, the people there either wait for "ther time" or move into Freeport eventually, or to Nassau.

Time will tell though. Bahamians on other islands have been weary of being overlooked, or being sold wholesale.

I thought I was the only person who thought that way. Abaco and GB succeed, build our GB-Abaco bridge, and carry on. I have nagged for years that local government has to expand and decentralize Nassau. I think the tension has risen even more between GB, the FI's and Nassau when we talk about development. Things are built and pushed down most of the time without consideration from the government. Abaco survives and thrives more because of the willingness of the people to get things done and to create an enjoyable life rather than letting Nassau decide more of the direction for them. Same thing with Harbour Island and Spanish Wells.
Grand Bahama has a good position with what is has and where it is situated. Last time I looked we had a Per capital income higher than rest of the country. I'm sure that changed since that report. The real situation is two fold with the Port Authority and the Government. People while some agree that the Port Authority should back off a bit from regulations like business lisences...if not disolve all together, no one really wants the Port to go. they maintain the city to the standard that is now. If you took out the Port and replaced it with the systmes in the Islands, everything would fall apart. You can't upkeep Freeport with just $1million (the amount District of Freeport Council recieves up to last fiscal year), and without the rule of law the port provides (in respect to it's own policies most of the time) there would be chaos. The government is a whole different situation, especially with outside of Freeport. While the port might do one or two things out there, besides providing power, the people there either wait for "ther time" or move into Freeport eventually, or to Nassau.
Time will tell though. Bahamians on other islands have been weary of being overlooked, or being sold wholesale.


well if yall feel that way yall can make it happen. however dont think for a second the gov of the bahamas is gonna say, "ok yall are free to do your thing."

so u know what that means yall would have to fight for it, meaning civil war.

well if yall feel that way yall can make it happen. however dont think for a second the gov of the bahamas is gonna say, "ok yall are free to do your thing."
so u know what that means yall would have to fight for it, meaning civil war.


The government in Nassau wouldn't have a choice if a plebiscite showed that say 75% of Grand Bahamians wanted to secede. It would happen democratically. The first thing that you do, is invite the UN to supervise the vote and ask a peace-keeper country like Canada to send the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to keep the peace like they try to do in Haiti.

Then you negotiate the terms of independence (the Central Bank of the Bahamas exchanging all of the Bahamian dollars for American ones -- and things like that).

If the RBDF did show up unannounced, well dems is so fat on peas 'n rice, that a handful of Eight Mile Rock homies would pound salt up dems azzes till they went home cryin' to their mammas. Civil war -- posh!

Then we have real fun, and dissolve the Port Authority and take back the land.

The government in Nassau wouldn't have a choice if a plebiscite showed that say 75% of Grand Bahamians wanted to secede. It would happen democratically. The first thing that you do, is invite the UN to supervise the vote and ask a peace-keeper country like Canada to send the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to keep the peace like they try to do in Haiti.


well when you put it that way, it is possible. i luaghed when you said ,"like they try to do in haiti." fornutantly if things should get to that point i think they would have an easier task keeping peace in grand bahama

do yal really think GB can make it on its own as a country when people are saying the economy is bad there?

if thats all it takes, are there people or a movement in GB trying to get a refurandom going to gather the necessary votes.



If the RBDF did show up unannounced, well dems is so fat on peas 'n rice, that a handful of Eight Mile Rock homies would pound salt up dems azzes till they went home cryin' to their mammas. Civil war -- posh!
Then we have real fun, and dissolve the Port Authority and take back the land.


this was the image in my head if they had to go to war over this.

also even though it would be possible to secede by votes, it is still possible that the government would not allow it to happen.

who knows. all i know is something like that would be very interesting to watch unfold. it would definitely be history in the making.

The government in Nassau wouldn't have a choice if a plebiscite showed that say 75% of Grand Bahamians wanted to secede. It would happen democratically. The first thing that you do, is invite the UN to supervise the vote and ask a peace-keeper country like Canada to send the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to keep the peace like they try to do in Haiti.
Then you negotiate the terms of independence (the Central Bank of the Bahamas exchanging all of the Bahamian dollars for American ones -- and things like that).
If the RBDF did show up unannounced, well dems is so fat on peas 'n rice, that a handful of Eight Mile Rock homies would pound salt up dems azzes till they went home cryin' to their mammas. Civil war -- posh!
Then we have real fun, and dissolve the Port Authority and take back the land.

GB is americanized, so invite the US .. dont need the canucks .. though they would be better than the french :D

Anyway I dont think you have a choice .. normally its a mixture of countries.

Besides, I dont ever see this happening, as GB needs the rest of the Bahamas more right now .. maybe when they get back on their feet.

So the idea would be complete autonomy?

I have to admit that I would rather not see the archipelago split, despite the incompetence of the central government here in Nassau. Bahamians are already dis-unified over politics, and something of this manner would just drive a further wedge between Bahamians.

Should GB, Abaco, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island decide to be independent, the ONLY reason Nassau would try to intervene, would be that they (Nassau) would find it difficult to survive without the revenue generated by the Islands mentioned.

Abaco alone puts well over one hundred million dollars in the treasury from Imports alone. When you factor in Real Property Tax, Gasoline Tax, etc., etc. the numbers really add up.

Geographically, GB and Abaco are a natural situation. Including SpW. and Briland would be a bit more of a challenge, but doable in my opinion. Together these 4 Islands would be an economic powerhouse.

Each Island would bring its own uniqueness to the Union. GB; the industrial giant with excellent port facilities, Banking and Insurance. Abaco; tourism, agriculture and fishing. Spanish Wells and Briland; tourism and fishing.

There would be opportunities for further development of Land in GB and AB.

The possibilities are endless, as the populations of each Island know how to get things done and are not afraid to take finincial risks.

Goooooooooooooo Northern Bahamas!! What shall we call this new alliance??
Suggestions...............??

Should GB, Abaco, Spanish Wells and Harbour Island decide to be independent, the ONLY reason Nassau would try to intervene, would be that they (Nassau) would find it difficult to survive without the revenue generated by the Islands mentioned.
Abaco alone puts well over one hundred million dollars in the treasury from Imports alone. When you factor in Real Property Tax, Gasoline Tax, etc., etc. the numbers really add up.
Geographically, GB and Abaco are a natural situation. Including SpW. and Briland would be a bit more of a challenge, but doable in my opinion. Together these 4 Islands would be an economic powerhouse.
Each Island would bring its own uniqueness to the Union. GB; the industrial giant with excellent port facilities, Banking and Insurance. Abaco; tourism, agriculture and fishing. Spanish Wells and Briland; tourism and fishing.
There would be opportunities for further development of Land in GB and AB.
The possibilities are endless, as the populations of each Island know how to get things done and are not afraid to take finincial risks.
Goooooooooooooo Northern Bahamas!! What shall we call this new alliance??
Suggestions...............??



"The Commonwealth of Bahamas Issues"

ur not scared that such actions could cuase a civil war?

With what, Conch shells, cutlass and bottles? LOL!

Nassau has been too greedy for too long. They have hogged up all the power and left all the Out Islands in the dung heap. Local Government? BAHHHHH!

As a Grand Bahamian, I think Freeport, Abaco, Bimini, Eleuthera AND Andros needs to show Nassau the door!


Get RID off the Port and put a Mayor and HIRED city manager in charge.

NEWS --
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico: Two tiny French Caribbean islands officially broke away from Guadeloupe on Sunday, gaining partial financial and political autonomy.
St. Barts and St. Martin can now create or change laws related to local taxes, tourism, public transportation and other issues, according to a statement by the French government.
St. Barts — a popular retreat for the rich and famous — also gained jurisdiction over housing, construction, environmental and energy affairs, areas over which St. Martin will have autonomy in 2012.
About 35,000 people live on St. Martin and about 7,000 on St. Barts.

If St. Barts and St. Martin can do it, well so can Grand Bahama. Who the hell wants a government in Nassau that thinks the world revolves around New Providence.
As a proud Grand Bahama Islander, I say it is time for independence from the Bahamas. Freeport as its own country. Think of the possibilities.


Yet, you want the coutry to come together.
:taped2:

Power hungry indeed.....Lurker you have hit an all time low. Trust me.
:tdown:
In any event, I would not like to see them break away, but, especially in the case of GB; they have a Freeport. In regards to Abaco, the established leadership has flourished.

The only reason to even CONSIDER breaking away, is to break away Bahamians from Bahamians, in addition to this, cause an immigration problem in the short term and maybe never to be reversed. Lastly, it would never ever be fully independent but rather a closer U.S. or U.K protectorate, paying tax to uncle Same either directly, or, indirectly.

For all intents and purposes, the BEST THING, would be for them to work within this commonwealth, regardless of the circumstance. The only reason that they would even consider breaking away, is for economic reasons. As I mentioned before, Abaco does not have an economic reason and GB, has a problem with the GBPA; something which was created for them to be autonomous from the rest of the Bahamas in any event.

The "small pocket" of people who want to even consider breaking away are; 1. the people who opposed independence in the first place and 2. the people who had control of a greater share of the economy, when the British had control over this country.

I need say no more on this.....aside from the issue that "we are supposed to be building this democracy, and the people it held under it's protection at independence. We did not to put them under universal coverage, for us to be blasted apart by a small minority, who cannot get over the fact that New Providence and the people who manage it, like any other capitol in the world, is the government centre."