Although somewhat upstaged by unforeseen contention, legislation that seeks to triple the ceiling of a “protected dwelling house” under the Rent Control Act was tabled in the Senate on Wednesday, clearing the way for Senate debate on that issue.
Legislation seeking to amend the Supreme Court and Professional Engineers Acts was also tabled by Government Leader in the Senate Dr. Marcus Bethel.
What began as an innocuous Senate session rapidly turned contentious, with Senate President Sharon Wilson and FNM Senator Carl Bethel once again locking horns over procedure, and Senator Bethel accusing President Wilson of censorship.
Senator Bethel had expressed concern about what he called the “unfortunate” television news coverage of the Senate’s session of April 19, during which three senators including Senator Bethel were embroiled in an argument concerning a newspaper article.
The senator cautioned that it was a dangerous thing if the television coverage of Senate proceedings was edited to not accurately reflect what occurred in the upper chamber and then aired. He asked President Wilson to investigate the matter.
Dr. Bethel interrupted, and asked him to wait until President Wilson had seen the footage as it aired, a suggestion Senator Bethel chose not to follow.
President Wilson then repeatedly denied Senator Bethel the opportunity to continue his remarks, insisting that he was “knowingly disregarding the rules of (the Senate regarding the proper manner in which presentations are to be made).”
“You cannot censor me in here!” Senator Bethel exclaimed.
The amendment to the Professional Engineers Act is aimed at extending the proposed length of service of the country’s first Professional Engineers Board to two years, and allowing for the Minister of Works to appoint persons to the first board.
The government is seeking to amend the Supreme Court Act by removing the requirement that when the title of Senior Justice is conferred upon two justices, one must be resident in Freeport and the other in Nassau.
The Rent Control amendment seeks to raise the ceiling on a “protected dwelling house” from $25,000 to $75,000.
Before Senator Bethel’s remarks, Senate Vice President Rev. C.B. Moss paid tribute to former Senate Chaplain Rev. Dr. Earl Francis, a much-respected clergyman who retired in 1999 after a 10-year stint as chaplain to the upper house. Rev. Moss thought it unlikely any future chaplain would serve the Senate for such a lengthy time again.
Among his accomplishments, Rev. Moss praised Rev. Francis as the first black member of the Bahamas Hotel Association, a former vice-president of the Bahamas Christian Council, and a founding member of the Bahamas Baptist Educational system.
The father of 13 children with his wife of 58 years Marjorie, Rev. Francis will soon celebrate his 42nd year as pastor of the storied First Baptist Church, a pillar of the Over-The-Hill community.
Rev. Moss called Rev. Francis “truly a great, great Bahamian.”
Senator Bethel also added his own plaudits to Rev. Moss’s tribute, noting that he was Rev. Francis’ former MP, and called for government to find some “more tangible way” to recognize the service Rev. Francis has given to the community.
By: Quincy Parker, The Bahama Journal
