VAT WEEK: Small Business Consultant and Advocate Mark A. Turnquest is urging the government to seriously consider pushing the implementation of Value-Added Tax back one year to July 2015. He shares his views on the impact VAT will have on small business in the country, and highlights the fact that a lack of firm and clear answers and information from the government has led to rampant speculation about exactly what will happen after July 2014.

“In The News”, convicted child killer Kofhe Goodman has been sentenced to death for the 2011 murder of 11-year old Marco Archer. We get reaction to this, and to word that Defence Attorney Geoffrey Farquharson intends to appeal the ruling.
Also, PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts, once again, says the government should immediately amend the discriminatory elements of the Gaming Bill.
And Peter Nygard has a new video! And this time, he’s saying he “initiated and helped to write the stem cell legislation” which was eventually adopted into law in 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.

VAT WEEK: A report commissioned by the Nassau Institute concluded that, “The negative effects of VAT adoption, in the current economic climate, may force the Bahamian economy into further decline. VAT adoption, rather than restoring the economic foundation of the Bahamas through deficit and debt reduction, would only raise additional economic concerns.”
Representative Rick Lowe discusses his concerns about Value Added Tax, and his suggestion that the government focus more on cutting expenditure and waste, than increased taxation.
For more information about the Nassau Institute, and to read “The Economic Consequence of the Value-Added Tax for the Bahamas August 2013” Report, log on to www.nassauinstitute.org

“In The News”, Prime Minister Christie says the economy has “turned the corner”, and that the country is on the cusp of a boost in employment. He made the announcement at the signing at the agreement for the $90million expansion of Club Med in San Salvador. We discuss.
And following last night’s 2nd National Crime Forum, we discuss whether this is actually achieving the goals the government had set out, and try to determine exactly what those goals are.

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.

Our “VAT Week” gets off to an awkward start, as our first guest, Financial Secretary with the Ministry of Finance, John Rolle, fails to show up. (Rolle has apologized, and has agreed to appear later in the week).
Instead, listeners share their views and fears about VAT, the lack of information from the government, and about what many feel is the impractical July 2014 timeline for the implementation of the new taxation regime.

“In The News”, the Government confirms there has been at least one case involving flesh-eating bacteria here in The Bahamas. Finally, after weeks of rumours and speculation about whether there had been any incidents, Minister of Health Dr. Perry Gomez says the victim had recently been pigeon hunting in Andros, and he warns individuals with open wounds from going into areas with brackish water. Reports suggest that victim had to have his leg amputated.
And the latest in the Police Staff Association vs. the Government and the overtime compensation saga. Both the PSA, and now the FNM, are responding to State Minister of National Security Keith Bell’s comments that the association is a “tool” of the FNM.

And we have our “QUOTE 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.

Nearly half the residents of Inagua have been plunged into darkness after BEC conducted mass disconnections on the island in The Bahamas |The Bahamas National Trust outlines concerns about the latest developments on Bimini| Community in shock following the murder of businessman Kurt McCartney of Wilmac’s Pharmacies, and brother of DNA Leader Branville McCartney|

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 unemployment rate in The Bahamas is up to 16.2%, according to the latest Department of Statistics report. On Grand Bahama, the rate is 19.5%, up from 18%. Statistician Cypreanna Winters, responsible for the Department’s Labour Force Survey, suggests the numbers may be inflated because formerly “discouraged workers” have decided to re-enter the labour force. We discuss all the numbers.

And JBLN-the Junior Baseball League of Nassau- will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. President Julian Brown, Chairman Jeff Albury, and Assistant Chairman Terran Rodgers, talk about the joys of youth baseball, the structure of JBLN, and the opportunities for not just boys, but girls as well, now that there is a softball program. The non-profit, 100% volunteer organization is in the middle of its registration drive. That ends this Saturday morning.
To register, and for more information, log on to www.jblnbaseball.com

And “In The News”, $251,888.25: that’s what Prime Minister Perry Christie says the government paid to foreign consultants ahead of January’s gaming referendum. He says the bill was lower because local casino operators contributed $100,000.
Also, the Prime Minister says he will be guided by next week’s highly anticipated debate on the controversial (and potentially discriminatory) Gaming Bill, and that all MPs’ points of views will be heard.

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.