Distinguished Toastmasters Leonardo Burrows, Division I, Asst. Governor, Marketing/ Membership, and Andrew Albury, Immediate Past Division I Governor, talk about Toastmasters in the Bahamas and internationally. The nearly 90-year old organization – with clubs in 122 countries – has been in the Bahamas for about 50 years, and teaches public speaking and leadership skills. For more information log on to www.toastmasters.org

With more PLP MPs saying they can’t support the discriminatory aspects of the proposed Gaming Bill, and the surprise announcement of the delay in the start of debate on the legislation, listeners share their views on what they believe is really going on here. Many of them are calling for the government to deal with all aspects of gambling in the country – casino, lottery and numbers gaming – once and for all.

We also discuss the breaking news about an early morning triple shooting/double homicide. And news that the Teachers Union is now on a work-to-rule.

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.

The National Education Census is underway. Leja Burrows, Senior Education Officer with the Ministry of Education’s Early Childhood Unit, and Dr. Willard Barr, Acting Director with the Education, Planning and Research Unit, tell us the census will allow the ministry to collect information from all public and private schools (and those in home schools) about student enrollment and staffing. The information will then be compiled into a Educational Statistical Digest, which will help in the formation of education policy. The census runs from November 1 through 29.

“In The News”, with a spike in the number of traffic fatalities in the country so far this year compared to last, we discuss the wanton disregard for traffic laws and regulations exhibited by so many motorists (and even pedestrians) in the country.
And we get reaction to the Coconut Grove Business League being granted permission to take its case to the Privy Council, to challenge the government’s decision to change the traffic direction and flow on Baillou Hill Road and Market Street.
Plus, cocaine seizures are up throughout the Caribbean, as officials are noticing an increase in drug trafficking throughout the region this year, according to the Associated Press. Officials believe the return to trafficking through the islands – at levels not seen since the early 1990s – is being spurred by Mexico’s violent drug war, which is making it less viable as a transshipment option.
We discuss the ramifications for the Bahamas, which has also seen marked increases in cocaine and marijuana seizures this year.

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:

Gaming Board Chairman Dr. Andre Rollins says the government should be looking at taxing web shops, and that this would allow Value-Added Tax to be phased in at a lower rate than the proposed 15 percent. Speaking about the Gaming Bill before Parliament, Rollins said it “makes no sense” to modernize the gaming industry for foreigners while Bahamians out. He tells The Nassau Guardian, “Believe in Bahamians must be more than a convenient political slogan.” We get reaction to his surprising comments.

We are shocked that nearly one year following January’s Gambling Referendum, we still find ourselves discussing web-shops and casino gambling. And further contributing to that sense of déjà vu, the fact that the promised Value-Added Tax legislation and regulation details have still not been revealed ahead of the July 2014 implementation date, much like the non-existent education campaign that had been promised prior to that January poll.

Plus, we have our “Quote of the Week”.

(An island-wide power outage interrupted the recording of today’s show, and portions of the program were lost)

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.

VAT WEEK: Bahamas VAT Implementation Team Coordinator Ishmael Lightbourne and Consultant Pauline Peters discuss the impact of Value-Added Tax in the region, and explain some of the terms like “zero rated” and “VAT exempt”.
They also reveal new details on VAT in The Bahamas, including that commercial rent will be vatable. They feel confident that with the planned aggressive public education campaign, the country will be ready for VAT by July 1, 2014.
We also get their reaction to a surprisingly negative radio ad, sponsored by the DNA, proclaiming that VAT will have dire consequences for The Bahamas.

BEC Executive Chairman Leslie Miller says corporation employees have been “double dipping” on sick pay – getting their full BEC salaries while still claiming one third of their salaries from NIB.
But Electrical Workers Union President Stephano Greene says this is not illegal, and is threatening to take legal action if BEC moves to adjust benefits without union approval. Listeners have mixed views on these developments.

Plus, our VAT inspired “Song of the Week”.

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.

VAT WEEK: Financial Secretary John Rolle gives a comprehensive explanation on the need for Value-Added Tax, and why, at this time, this might be the right way to go for a country in need of serious taxation reform. While Rolle says the legislation governing VAT in the country is still a few weeks away, he says the July 2014 implementation date is still doable. We also discuss some of the expected “vatable” goods and services, and the impact on businesses in the country.

“In The News”, reaction to the life sentences handed down yesterday for three men convicted of the 1999 murder of Police Constable Jimmy Ambrose. And listeners give their views to Prime Minister Perry Christie denying that flamboyant Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard “initiated and helped to write the stem cell legislation” [as per Nygard], which was eventually adopted in to law by The Bahamas.
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.