We have a passionate discussion about the current state of the music industry in The Bahamas. Entertainers Freddie Munnings Jr. and Plati (with the Plati Dread band) debate the apparent decline in the support for music from Bahamians, even though more people seem to be involved in and putting out music locally. We also discuss the controversial issue of attaching “labels” to Bahamian music, and how this practice continues to stifle growth, especially when the music does not fit into traditional Bahamian music genres.
For the second straight year, Plati’s band is competing in the upcoming 2nd annual Global Battle of The Bands Bahamas Festival. He says events like this go a long way in encouraging the support and growth of live music entertainment. GBOB Bahamas Organizer Ricardo Berris (pictured centre) says Bahamians can see firsthand the extent of the musical talent in the country, November 30 at the Botanical Gardens, beginning at 3pm.

“In The News”, more reaction to the draft VAT legislation leaked in yesterday’s Nassau Guardian. State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis is telling The Tribune that this version of the Bill is out of date. But he wouldn’t say which sections have been changed.
Nevertheless, we discuss more of the provisions of the draft Bill, including the proposed penalties for tax evasion and non-compliance, and the requirement that shops will have to post prices for goods before VAT is applied and where VAT is applied.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

National Insurance Board Public Relations Manager Pandora Butler separates fact from fiction about sick pay benefits – a hot-button issue in light of the bitter ongoing spat between BEC and its unions.
Butler says while NIB is designed to supplement lost or diminished wages during sick leave, the NIB Act allows an employer to provide benefits that are better than what is legally required. That includes, for example, allowing employees to collect their full salaries while claiming their NIB benefits.
Butler also discusses other concerns, including non-compliance by employers, the need for a national pension scheme, the unemployment benefit claims process, and the impact increased life-expectancy will likely have on the Fund.

“Swan Song of the Flamingo” is the new exhibit opening next week at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas. Described as “a multidisciplinary collaborative exhibition with a variety of participants”, the show is the brainchild of artist Kishan Munroe, and will examine the tragedy of the sinking of the HMBS Flamingo in 1980. NAGB Curator Amanda Coulson and poet/writer Sonia Farmer, who is one of the collaborators, share their views on the project.
The official opening, which is open to the public, is set for Thursday, November 21, 6-10pm at the Gallery on West & West Hill Street. For more information, log on to www.NAGB.org.bs

“In The News”, the legislation and regulations for Value-Added Tax are revealed. We discuss the long list of professions and services that will likely be subject to VAT, and some of those that would be exempt. We also discuss government estimates that the cost of living would only increase by 5 to 6 percent.
Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! <a href=”http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969″ title=”Morning Blend on Guardian Radio 96.9″>http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969</a> Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Both presidents of BEC’s trade unions join us to discuss the controversial sick pay benefits at the electricity corporation. Electrical Workers Union President Stephano Greene and Electrical Utility Managerial Union President Clinton Minnis say the provisions, which allow employees to collect their full salaries when on sick leave while still receiving one-third their salary from National Insurance, have been in place for more than two decades now, and cannot unilaterally be changed by anyone without consultation and agreement.
Executive Chairman Leslie Miller says this is “double dipping”, and that the policy has to and will come to an end, as the corporation paid out more than $3 million in sick pay between Sept. 2012 and Sept. 2013.
The union leaders have a lot to say about the Executive Chairman too!
Male-female “relationships” will be the focus of the new Guardian Radio show, “Your Voice”. Hosted by Nikki Burrows along with Kwesi Smith, the show premieres Tuesday (Nov. 12) at 1:15pm [following the 1pm news], and will air each week at that time. The first show examines, “What’s the difference between ‘dating’ and ‘being in a relationship’?” For more info, check out Facebook.com/nikki969fm.

And “In The News”, will the implementation of Value-Added Tax impact the first of the planned constitutional referenda, and vice versa? Both are slated for next summer – June for the referendum, July for VAT. With calls coming for one (or both) to be postponed, State Minister for Finance Michael Halkitis says he believes “the Bahamian people can deal with more than one issue simultaneously”, and that the education campaigns for both with happen at the same time, with the VAT education process being accelerated this week. We get reaction from listeners.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Today on MORNING BLEND:

Why are Bahamians so angry? Dr. Marilyn Simmons-Bowe says chief among the reasons are insecurity, anxiety and also boredom. And alcohol and drug use and abuse does not help the situation. She gives tips on managing the anger.
Contact Dr. Marilyn at achievementemotions@gmail.comor visit Facebook.com/AchievementEmotions

“In The News”, both of BEC’s unions say they are going to up the ante on Executive Chairman Leslie Miller. The Managerial Union and the Electrical Workers Union are coming together to fight Miller’s attempts to stop employees from being able to claim full salary from BEC during sick leave, and still get one-third of salary from NIB. The unions say these benefits are part of their industrial agreements. Now, with concerns that industrial action could impact power generation and electrical supplies, we get reaction to this latest development in a year filled with much drama and chaos at the electricity corporation.

Plus, Value-Added Tax, numbers gaming in web-shops, casino gambling, and taxation are all increasingly being discussed in the same breath these days. And with Prime Minister Christie’s suggestion this week that VAT is coming about because of the defeat of January’s Gambling Referendum, we discuss the unusual statements being made by more and more politicians, businessmen and even religious leaders – particularly statements suggesting that numbers gambling is not going anywhere, and that we should tax web-shops, even though gambling in these entities is supposed to be illegal. So what exactly is going on here?

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.

Today on MORNING BLEND:

We discuss the problems with domestic violence and abuse in the country, and the challenges dealing with a cultural mindset that almost seems to support aggressively physical behaviors from not only men, but also women. To bring awareness and spark debate about these issues, Zonta International is promoting its worldwide “Zonta Says No to Domestic Violence” initiative. Zonta’s Bahamas Chapters are also part of the campaign, which includes “16 Days of Activism”. A series of events is planned, including international “Zonta Says No Day” on November 25. Kenris Longley and Cherrylee Pinder tell us that on that date everyone is being encouraged to wear orange clothing and “Zonta Says No” ribbons and wristbands. For more information, email zonta@gmail.com.

“Believe in ZERO” is the global slogan for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The aim is for “zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination, zero AIDS related deaths”. The Bahamas AIDS Foundation is at the forefront of the fight here in this country. President Lady Camille Barnett (pictured 2nd from right) updates us on the work of the Foundation, and the ongoing struggles with HIV/AIDS awareness and education. Aramie Ford gives us details on the Foundation’s main annual fundraiser, the Red Ribbon Ball – now in its 20th year. The black-tie event is slated for November 16 at 7pm at the Grand Ballroom at Atlantis. Tickets $250.

And “In The News”, Prime Minister Perry Christie says the government may consider delaying the July 2014 implementation of Value-Added Tax, if it’s not satisfied that businesses are ready and the public properly educated. Mr. Christie also suggested that VAT has come about because of the defeat of the Gambling Referendum back in January. These comments spark a lot of discussion.
Listeners also have a lot to say about the PM’s comments about Gaming Board Chairman Dr. Andre Rollins, who this week was highly critical of the govt.’s proposed Gaming Bill. The prime minister says Rollins has “placed himself in a difficult position” because “he would have to play a key role in helping to administer the bill”. We get views on what this means for Rollins’ political future.
Plus, the latest on the widespread threats of industrial action from various unions throughout the country.

Be sure to follow Dwight on twitter @MorningBlend969 and check out our new Facebook page! http://facebook.com/MorningBlend969 Also contact us via email at morningblend@nasguard.com and call in to the studio 323-6232 | 323-8160.