Local Opportunities- Assignment 5A

1. Beware Sea Swells From Florence
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2018/sep/10/beware-sea-swells-from-florence/

It’s hurricane season and there are currently three storms in the Atlantic. Despite not hitting the Bahamas directly, their impact might still be felt. Large swells are predicted for the northwest Bahamian islands as these storms, particularly Florence, pass by.

The problem is the damage these swells can cause on coastal areas including beach erosion and property damage.

These swells will affect home and business owners with properties on the coast. They can also affect roads close to the coast, which will impact commuters, business owners and schools, both directly and indirectly. (i.e road blocked, so have to take different route, which makes you late…etc).

2. Feces-filled sewage flooded the streets. The city did nothing for 10 days, records show.

Read more here: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-gardens/article217790205.html#storylink=cpy

After an equipment malfunction, raw sewage was pumped into the streets of Opa-locka, Florida. It mixed with already existing stagnant water and left unattended for ten days. Residents were moving in and around the water, unaware of the fecal matter within it. This is not the first time the system has malfunctioned, as it is old and needs to be replaced or updated. Residents are angry because they feel like officials are ignoring the problem.

Raw sewage has huge health implications associated with human exposure, including increased risk of dysentary and E. coli. The problem is an old sewage system that needs to be replaced.

Many people are affected by this issue. Residents who have to commute through areas impacted, business owners with water damaging their property and city officials who might not have the money or power to implement a lasting solution.

3. BTC Again Plagued by Copper Theft
http://thefreeportnews.com/news/btc-plagued-copper-theft/

People have been stealing copper lines, which connect internet, television and phone services to homes. It takes 42 days for the connections to be replaced and services restored. Over 600 BTC subscribers have been impacted in one area and it takes a lot of resources, both financial and time, to repair and restore service to paying customers. The theft is happening due to the value of copper and officials are reporting $10,000 -$20,000 worth of stolen copper.

The problem is theft of copper lines which causes those in the area to lose their internet, television and phone lines.

BTC, which is the company providing the services, is experiencing a financial loss, unhappy customers and time allocated for repair rather than other necessary services. Customers are experiencing loss of services they are paying for and possibly rely on. If you are someone who runs an internet business from your home, this is a huge issue and could have a devastating affect on your livelihood.

4. BNT asks for Bahamians to stand for protection of Lighthouse Point
http://thefreeportnews.com/news/bnt-asks-bahamians-stand-protection-lighthouse-point/

Disney Cruise Lines is pushing to establish a cruise port and private facility ( for cruise ship guests only) in Lighthouse Point, Eleuthera. This pristine area has yet to be developed and residents, along with local NGOs, want to keep it this way. The Bahamas National Trust wants to see the area established as a national park where both locals and visitors can experience the natural beauty of the island. A modified plan, using a different section of the area, has been proposed from the cruise ship company, but the BNT does not believe this will allow for the requested preservation of the region.

Cruise ship companies want private destinations for their guests and often this means developing remote and pristine areas. Locals and NGOs want this area to be protected and preserved, rather than developed. The cruise lines and Bahamian government will benefit, but locals and local businesses will lose out.

Those living on the island will have the biggest problem as the building of a cruise port is highly invasive and will definitely have a negative impact on the environment. Coastal development and dredging will likely occur, which will affect local fisherman or those who run eco tours. Locals will also be restricted from accessing the area and will have to deal with the influx of additional people, additional pollution and environmental impact. Despite an increase in amount of visitors to the island, those visitors will only go to the area Disney has created for them, so the local economy does not see any benefit. The presence of a cruise ship will no doubt increase the amount of trash and pollution in the area, which will need to be dealt with at the local level.

5. Fly Infestation On The Rise From South Bimini Dump
http://www.tribune242.com/news/2016/apr/06/fly-infestation-rise-south-bimini-dump/

The landfill on the island is not being properly managed which is leading to an increased infestation of flies. The trash is not being buried or burned, so it is exposed and attracting millions of flies. The flies are spreading around the island and bothering locals and visitors.

The increased population of flies means they are in homes and on people when they are outside, particularly when eating or cooking outside. This increases the potential for exposure to health risks.

Locals and visitors are dealing with the issue. Businesses, especially restaurants with outdoor dinning areas, suffer because people do not want flies all over their food when they are trying to eat. Tourists do not want to visit a place with loads of flies, so all businesses and owners relying on tourists, suffer. Locals have to deal with the problem every day.