(Nassau, Bahamas) – In a letter addressed to the the Bahamas’ Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA), the reality of many Bahamians in Eleuthera without access to basic cable service has been outlined. The letter points out that even as Chris Brown, a Golden Knight of the 2012 London Olympics was on the track, his home town of Wemyss Bight in South Eleuthera was unable to watch the event on television. It was a similar fate for several homes and businesses in the expanding suburbs of Governor’s Harbour, where a three minute drive along the main road north of the town center, leads into a populated area also not serviced by Cable Bahamas.

The letter written on behalf of the people of Wemyss Bight is printed below:

Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA)
UBS Annex Building
East Bay Street
P.O Box N 4860
Nassau, Bahamas

RE: Cable Bahamas Proposed Increase

To Whom It May Concern,

The Bahamas is an archipelago of islands on which many Bahamians live. We work on one and travel to Family Islands; in instances our ‘hometowns’ on weekends, holidays, to funerals, weddings, anniversaries, etc. Travel may occur several of them per year. As BAHAMIANS we expect the same services when we travel to these islands. This is not the case! We who live in New Providence have families and friends on these islands and should speak out on their behalf.

Cable Bahamas has not lived up to their commitments and we who pay (I am sure) would not have a problem paying 27% when ALL BAHAMIANS are treated fairly. How could you come to us for an increase when our children on some family islands, the future of our country can not get the same opportunities as their peers in the capital or other islands. Yes, they need to use the internet like any other Bahamians. Who are looking out for THEM? Please URCA before you make any decisions on this increase for Cable Bahamas, make sure every school aged Bahamian student has access to cable – especially the internet.
 
One of the Golden Knights, Chris Brown is from the settlement of Wemys’s Bight, Eleuthera with over sixty homes averaging four persons residing in each house.  Families and friends were not able to watch him on the world stage due to the lack of a simple necessity of cable television. Please URCA do NOT let another person become famous from any other family island and Cable Bahamas gets a thumbs down.
 
I am writing on behalf of the people of Wemys’s Bight, South Eleuthera

Mildred S. Young
 
PS. Community meetings are scheduled for many of the major family islands, but none for the ‘Island of FREEDOM’!

Cc:     Prime Minister,  Hon. Perry G. Christie
Hon. Damian Gomez, MP for Central & South Eleuthera/Minister of State in Legal Affairs
Hon.  Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister of Education, Science & Technology
Margaret Symonette, Island Administrator Central Eleuthera