January: New Government takes shape

The new OBA government was announced, with a mix of political veterans plus some new faces. Premier Craig Cannonier’s ministers were: Bob Richards, Finance; Grant Gibbons, Economic Development; Shawn Crockwell, Tourism & Transport; Mark Pettingill, Attorney General; Michael Dunkley, Public Safety; Michael Fahy, Home Affairs; Nalton Brangman, Education; Sylvan Richards, Environment & Planning; Wayne Scott, Community & Cultural Development; Trevor Moniz, Public Works; Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Health & Seniors; and Leah Scott, Minister Without Portfolio. 

Double murder at Belvin’s 

The island was rocked by a double murder in a neighbourhood grocery store.

Haile Outerbridge, 34, and Ricco Furbert, 25, were shot dead at Belvin’s Variety on Happy Valley Road, Pembroke.

The gunman entered the store wearing a full-face black helmet and blue rainsuit, and opened fire. Mr Outerbridge, a reggae singer and football coach, and Mr Furbert, a footballer, ran to the back of the store to escape but were cornered in a storeroom.

Two men were arrested in connection with the incident but to date no one has been charged with the killings. 

East end hazard is shut down 

Airport bosses were forced to shut down an industrial estate bordering the runway.

The Bermuda Sun revealed Gate 1 had become such an eyesore, the clean-up was expected to run into tens of thousands of dollars.

The area was plagued with illegal dumping and squatters, plus hazardous waste such as rusting vehicles and discarded machinery, all left to rot.

 Up to a dozen small businesses leasing plots were forced to relocate with the closure. 

Island’s birthrate plummets

The Sun revealed a dramatic drop in the island’s birthrate.

New arrivals at the hospital were down 25 per cent from four years ago, according to statistics.

The recession and fewer guest workers were seen as factors, but experts said fewer teenage pregnancies due to better sex education was also a cause. 

A yacht to ‘eclipse’ all others

The world’s biggest private yacht arrived in Bermuda.

The Eclipse, owned by Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich, glided into St George’s and then Hamilton.

The James Bond-style ‘super yacht’ had helicopter pads, swimming pools, a mini-submarine and a missile defence system. 

Chewstick celebrates 10 years of music, the arts and culture 

The Chewstick Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary with a musical charting the milestones in its history.

The two-hour production, The Story of Chewstick, 10th Anniversary Musical, was performed at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for Performing Arts, CedarBridge Academy, and featured 20 musicians, actors and performers.

Chewstick — a cultural arts charity — nurtures and showcases Bermudian talent both on the island and overseas. It also stages some of the island’s best parties, such as the annual BeachFest at Cup Match. 

Scott’s anti-corruption drive

Former PLP Premier Alex Scott called on the leaders of both the OBA and PLP to throw their weight behind his plan for an Untouchables-style anti-corruption team.

Mr Scott prepared a draft act highlighting the need to set up an independent, five-strong commission to keep the island’s corridors of power free from
corruption. 

February>>