News

Bahamas Prime Minister The Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie Pays Tribute To Sir Albert Miller

Published

11 years ago

September 2, 2015

Nassau, 01 Sept 2015 – I begin by renewing my condolences, and the condolences of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, to Lady Miller and the entire family of the great Bahamian whose passing we mourn today, even as we celebrate his life; a life that was blessed with the gift of long years and marked by devoted service to his country, to his family, and to the institutions, both public and private, that he served so ably and so loyally during his long and fruitful life.

The word “great” is one that we tend to overuse in speaking of the dead. In the case of Sir Albert Miller, however, we stand on the surest and most certain of foundations when we characterize him, as I unhesitatingly do today, as a truly great man and an authentically great Bahamian.

And it would do us all well today to reflect on the personal ingredients that went into making Sir Albert the great man and the great Bahamian that he indubitably was.

To begin with, Sir Albert was a man of character; a man of courage and conviction; a man of talent and ability; of dedication and of discipline; of generosity and of kindness; of loyalty and of service.

And Sir Albert applied these abundant resources of his being in a way that not only earned for himself great personal success in multiple sphere of endeavours; but they also earned him the appreciation, the admiration, and the gratitude of so many persons from so many different walks of life, particularly those who were helped by him in one way or another over the years.

In some instances, the help that Sir Albert provided was direct. Mindful, as he always was, of his own humble beginnings in Long Island and equally mindful of those thoughtful and compassionate persons who had helped him in his own personal development, especially after he had moved to Nassau in his teens, Sir Albert was always keen to extend a helping hand to those who needed it, especially young and promising Bahamians who were without financial resources to further their education or to launch their careers.

Sir Albert helped many such persons over the course of his life, especially in the latter part of his life when his own material blessings had grown considerably. He never hogged his wealth. Instead he saw to it that not only was his family generously provided for but that so many others, especially here in Grand Bahama, would be able to share in the fruits of his material blessings as well.

More often than not, however, we never heard of such generosity. Seldom did we know when Sir Albert extended a helping hand. Most of it he did anonymously, without fuss or fanfare, seeking neither recognition nor reward for doing the good that he was doing.

And so, whether it was extending help through the church or through some other institution or agency, or doing it more directly, Sir Albert never sought anything in return. The personal satisfaction of knowing that he was using his material resources to be of help to those in need was quite enough for him. It was not something he felt any need to crow about.

But Sir Albert helped others in less tangible ways as well. He did so not with money but by the power of his personal example. He was a born leader who, throughout his life, inspired so many others simply by exhibiting the same qualities of greatness that I ascribed to him earlier: his enormous courage; his skill and talent; his disciplined approach to work; his absolute dedication; his loyalty and of sense of service, especially patriotic service.

These qualities were deeply embedded in Sir Albert’s being. They were an integral part of who he was. And one could not help but be impressed and inspired by the Albert Miller who possessed them.

These qualities were as much in evidence during the first part of Albert Miller’s adult life when he was climbing the ranks of the Royal Bahamas Police Force as they were in the second part of his life when he was distinguishing himself as one of the leaders of the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the City of Freeport. He didn’t re-manufacture himself when he moved into these new roles in Grand Bahama. Instead he was able to call upon the same resources of personality, the same reservoir of talent, that had been so central to his outstanding success as a police officer in his earlier years.

And so, just as he had risen steadily through the ranks from the lowly position of Constable in his teens to the exalted post of Deputy Commissioner while in late 30’s, Albert Miller was subsequently able to climb the ranks of the Grand Bahama Port Authority to attain one higher post after another, culminating in his appointment as President and later as Co-Chairman.

In climbing the ladder of success, first in law enforcement and then later in the boardrooms of commerce and city-planning, Sir Albert demonstrated a consistency of high purpose and dedication, and a level of skill and ability that were truly inspirational to behold. He was a man of action. A man of purpose. A man who never settled for second best. A man who never asked others to make sacrifices or to do things that he himself was not prepared to do. He led by example.

And it was because he was that kind of man that Sir Albert Miller is justly remembered today as a true and enduring inspiration to those who worked under him or alongside him as well as those in the wider community who marked the manner of the man and drew inspiration from what they saw.

One of the really remarkable things about Sir Albert Miller’s life was how the first part of his life as a policeman was as impressive as the second part when, as fate would have it, he ended up in a vastly different career as a businessman and city leader – a kind of unofficial mayor even for the nation’s second city.

Most men who achieve great things in life do it in only one sphere. In the case of Sir Albert, however, he had the uncommon distinction of achieving greatness in two completely different spheres of human endeavour, one after the other.

I need not recall today the great contributions that Sir Albert made in these two different spheres of his adult life because I have already had occasion to do so in my official statement following his passing and also because others have spoken so eloquently to it already as well.

However, it would be remiss of me as Prime Minister if I did not on this solemn occasion express the gratitude of the government and people of The Bahamas for the uniformly exemplary and profoundly important contributions that Albert Miller made over the course of decades to help keep the people of The Bahamas safe from crime.

His courageous and unfailing dedication to policing was as extraordinary as the skills and talents he brought to the job. I have no hesitation whatsoever in saying that it was because of Bahamians like Albert Miller that the foundations of the Royal Bahamas Police Force were as securely established as they were.

Indeed the outstanding police officers of today rest upon the shoulders of legendary predecessors like Albert Miller. He was a policeman’s policeman, a mentor and role model of the first order. The generations of police officers that have since followed in his footsteps are therefore deeply indebted to him for the standard that he and others of his own generation set for them to emulate.

But it’s not just police officers. It is the nation as a whole that is in debt to Sir Albert for all of the personal risks and sacrifices he undertook in the service of the Bahamian people as a law enforcement leader extraordinaire; and for the fearless, incorruptible and expert manner in which he went about protecting the Bahamian people from lawless elements within our borders. He was one of the best. He really was!

For that I extend the sincere thanks of a grateful nation.

I also extend the thanks of the nation for Sir Albert’s second major area of achievement as a leading figure in the development of the modern city of Freeport in the post-Groves era. Sir Albert brought a uniquely Bahamian balance to the otherwise expatriate-heavy leadership of the Port. This was of invaluable help to the Port in re-setting the ship on the right course and in charting the way forward, taking due account of national sensibilities and popular expectations.

Sir Albert sensed these things almost intuitively, and being the man of superb judgment and intelligent insight that he was, he was able to exert great influence over the owners of the GBPA in crafting new and more relevant policies aimed at promoting economic growth and urban development for the good of all.

Sir Albert’s achievements in that regard cannot be underestimated. They represent yet another pillar upon which his legacy stands.

Finally, it would also be remiss of me if I did not again acknowledge how personally indebted I am to Sir Albert for all the wise counsel he so unselfishly gave me over the years.

Although I should have expected no less from the fellow Valley Boy that he was, I was always very grateful – and I still am – for how unfailingly generous Sir Albert always was in giving me sound and sensible advice, and for sharing with me his profound insights into so many different national challenges we face.

I greatly value the moments we shared in that vein just as I greatly value the gift of his friendship.

I close with these words:

Many years ago, one of the more colourful and controversial public figures in American history, the former Vice-president, Aaron Burr, had occasion to use a phrase that has special relevance, I think, to the great man we pay homage to today.

Burr was giving praise to a group of heroic men. In doing so, he described them as “the best blood of the country”. He was moved to describe them so not because of the nobility of their lineage but because of the courageous and patriotic service they had given and the excellent work they had done.

That phrase rings true today as well for Sir Albert Miller’s life, in all its fullness, reveals that there also flowed within him “the best blood of the country”.

And we are all the better for it.

May he rest in peace.

Related Topics:christie perry sir albert miller

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Beaches Turks & Caicos gives Enid Capron Primary a pre-term facelift

Published

1 day ago

October 10, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands: — Beaches Turks and Caicos has refreshed the grounds of Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays, Providenciales, ahead of the new school year, with a landscaping team from the resort, pruning and cutting back overgrown branches to give the campus a cleaner, safer look.

The project focused on the school’s exterior plantings, where tangled growth had begun to encroach on walkways and outdoor learning areas. The team spent time trimming hedges, thinning dense shrubs and removing deadwood to improve sightlines and airflow around the buildings.

Assistant Landscaping Manager, Kemar Jones said the work at Enid Capron is a regular priority for the department, which views community giving as a core part of its mandate. He noted that supporting local schools, particularly through hands-on environmental work, has long been a focus area for his team.

Jones, said the effort reflects the group’s wider commitment to the islands. “As a team, our goal is to give back to our communities and especially providing support for the environment and education,” Jones noted. “The team is always ready to share our skills with making the school environment more comfortable for our students and teachers.”

General Manager Deryk Meany framed the project as part of Beaches’ broader approach to working alongside the community beyond the resort gates. “At Beaches Turks and Caicos, we operate as a team not only within the confines of the resort but also with our communities,” Meany added. “Being able to share our varied skills is always our main focus. Providing a comfortable learning environment allows for a greater relationship with our educational collaborators.”

He added that the resort seeks opportunities to support range of school-based initiatives, from environmental and leadership clubs to creative programmes.

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Hon. Rachel Taylor described the landscaping mission as a continuation of a long-standing relationship between the Ministry and Beaches Turks and Caicos. “This mission from our major private sector supporter, Beaches Turks and Caicos is a long standing activity,” Taylor said. “At Enid Capron Primary School, we are treated as family. Once we reach out to the resort, they have always responded in a positive way.”

Hon. Taylor said the support is particularly valuable in the areas of education and community development, where consistent private-sector engagement can amplify government efforts.

Nelene Swann, vice principal at Enid Capron Primary welcomed the refreshed grounds as a boost to morale before classes resume. “This is what true collaboration looks like,” she noted. “This is more than a facelift for the school. The team from Beaches Turks and Caicos has shown true commitment in adding to this learning environment for our students and teachers.”

She said the improved landscaping contributes to a more comfortable and inviting campus for all stakeholders. “This is a good way to start the new school year. This facelift will certainly make the facilities here at the school more appealing to our students, teachers and parents.

Health

Cleveland Clinic First in Ohio to Perform Robotic Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy

Published

6 days ago

October 5, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Health system is among only a handful in the U.S. to offer the minimally invasive robotic procedure Cleveland Clinic is among the first hospitals in the country – and the first in Ohio – to perform a robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy procedure, following recent clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Stephanie Valente, D.O., and a surgical team recently performed the first robotic nipple-sparing mastectomy with immediate breast cancer reconstruction at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital. The procedure offers a new minimally invasive approach to breast cancer surgery and risk-reducing mastectomy for patients at elevated risk.

This milestone places Cleveland Clinic among a select group of centers nationwide offering the advanced technology and brings one of the newest innovations in breast cancer surgery to patients in Northeast Ohio.

“This robotic approach offers greater precision through a much smaller incision, which can mean less visible scarring and faster recovery,” said Dr. Valente, director of the Cleveland Clinic Breast Surgery Fellowship Program and director of the West Region Multidisciplinary Breast Program. “Compared with the traditional procedure, which requires a larger incision, this approach can improve cosmetic outcomes, preserve the skin and nipple, and support a more natural appearance after surgery.”

During the procedure, surgeons use a 3D camera and robotic instruments inserted through a small incision of one inch, typically hidden along the side of the breast rather than across the underside, to remove breast tissue while preserving the nipple, areola and skin. The robotic platform, the da Vinci SP Surgical System, provides enhanced visualization and precision while minimizing disruption to the overlying skin.

Robotic surgery gives the surgeon better visualization of the operative field in what is typically a technically challenging procedure. This enhanced view can improve nerve identification and preservation, reduce blood loss and allow surgeons to perform the same oncologic operation through a one-inch incision rather than the traditional five-inch open incision.

The robotic approach removes the same breast tissue as a conventional mastectomy, while changing how the surgeon accesses the breast. For some patients, breast reconstruction can be performed during the same operation.

This approach is designed to reduce scarring, enhance cosmetic outcomes, preserve the natural skin envelope and nipple, improve sensation and accelerate recovery. For some patients, the less visible incision may also support confidence and body image after surgery. The procedure further expands Cleveland Clinic’s minimally invasive breast surgery options, which include endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy.

“As a field, we haven’t had many new options for patients with breast surgery for a decade now, so we are pleased to now have these minimally invasive procedures available for our patients,” said Dr. Valente. “Innovations like this support a more patient-centered experience as they allow us to address both the physical and emotional realities of breast cancer.”

News

Invest Turks and Caicos Officially Opened Caya Hico Collective, Grand Turk MSME Storefront

Published

1 week ago

October 2, 2026

Deandrea Hamilton

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 2^ndOctober 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos officially opened Caya Hico Collective, the Grand Turk MSME Storefront, on Friday, September 18, 2026, marking a significant milestone in the Agency’s ongoing efforts to support local entrepreneurs, expand access to market opportunities, and strengthen the small business ecosystem.

Caya Hico Collective has been established as a dedicated retail space to showcase and sell locally made products, initially featuring entrepreneurs participating in the MSME Programme. As the initiative develops, there are plans to expand participation to include other small businesses producing locally made goods, including those not directly supported under the Programme. The storefront will provide local businesses with greater exposure and direct access to both residents and the thousands of visitors who arrive in Grand Turk each year creating stronger linkages between local entrepreneurs and the tourism economy. The store currently features fourteen (14) inaugural vendors, representing a diverse selection of local businesses and products from across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“This storefront represents a practical and meaningful step in supporting our MSMEs by providing access to market, one of the most critical components of business growth. It is a space where local talent, creativity and entrepreneurship can be showcased, supported and connected with new customers.”

A Name Chosen by Grand Turk’s Youth

The name Caya Hico Collective was selected through the Grand Turk MSME Storefront Naming Competition, an initiative conducted in partnership with H.J. Robinson High School. Students were invited to propose an original name that reflected Grand Turk’s identity, culture and heritage while also being suitable for a storefront showcasing locally made products.

Following an independent judging process, Mauvarii Selver was selected as the competition winner for the submission Caya Hico Collective.

The name was recognised for its cultural and historical significance, distinctiveness and strong storytelling potential. “Caya Hico” is derived from the Lucayan term meaning “string of islands,” reflecting the archipelagic identity and heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The use of “Collective” further reflects the purpose of the storefront: bringing together products from multiple local entrepreneurs under one shared retail platform. Together, the name Caya Hico Collective connects the Islands’ heritage with the initiative’s vision of bringing local businesses, products and creativity together in one space.

The naming competition provided students with an opportunity to participate directly in a real-world branding exercise and contribute to an initiative that will form part of Grand Turk’s commercial and tourism landscape.

Mauvarii was formally recognised during the opening ceremony, alongside the other students who participated in the naming competition, the inaugural MSME vendors, and key stakeholders whose contributions supported the successful development and opening of the storefront.

Angela Musgrove, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Turks and Caicos, added:

“Caya Hico Collective is more than a retail space. It reflects our continued focus on strengthening linkages between local businesses and the tourism sector, creating more opportunities for MSMEs to reach visitors, increasing sales and participate more fully in the tourism economy. At the same time, it gives visitors greater access to authentic products that reflect the creativity and culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Supporting Local Enterprise and Tourism Linkages

Caya Hico Collective is expected to serve as an important platform for local entrepreneurs by increasing the visibility of locally produced goods, creating additional sales opportunities and providing visitors with greater access to authentic products from the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Through the storefront, Invest Turks and Caicos aims to encourage residents and visitors alike to discover, purchase and support locally made products, while creating a stronger connection between entrepreneurship, culture and the visitor experience in Grand Turk. The initiative is intended to increase opportunities for local businesses to benefit from tourism activity by connecting visitors directly with locally made products that showcase the creativity and talent of entrepreneurs across the Turks and Caicos Islands. This forms part of Invest Turks and Caicos’ broader commitment to promoting economic diversification, sustainable business development and stronger linkages between local enterprises and the tourism sector.