Skip to main content

Land dispute erupts among ultra-wealthy in Bahamas

By WTOP Staff

ALISON LOWE
Associated Press

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — A land development dispute between some of the world’s wealthiest people in one of the world’s most exclusive communities has escalated on a small island in the Bahamas.

More than 100 people, including actor Sean Connery and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Nicholas Brady, have filed a legal complaint against the Bahamian government over an effort by eccentric fashion mogul Peter Nygard to redevelop his Mayan-themed compound in the Lyford Cay community.

The complaint was filed Monday and accuses the government of lacking transparency during a public consultation period as Nygard seeks to rebuild his 150,000-square-foot (13,935-square-meter) complex in the exclusive community at the western tip of New Providence island, home to the capital of Nassau.

A Nygard spokesman did not return messages for comment.

The complex, heavily damaged in a 2009 fire that authorities say was accidental, had been featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and on “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.” Visitors to the compound before the fire included former U.S. President George Bush, actor Robert DeNiro and late singer Michael Jackson.

Those who filed the complaint accuse the government of withholding public records related to work on Nygard’s compound. They also say Nygard, owner of Canada’s largest apparel company, previously caused significant environmental damage during continuing renovations that they say occurred without the required permits.

In addition to redeveloping his compound, known as Nygard Cay, Nygard is seeking to develop and gain access to land surrounding his property, prompting an outcry from other residents.

The complaint they filed seeks a judicial review of the process, and the Bahamas’ Supreme Court is expected to soon review the lawsuits to determine if they can proceed to the next stage.

Brady, the former U.S. treasury secretary, told The Associated Press in a phone interview Monday that he has been traveling to the island since 1949.

“I’m a strong believer in the rule of law,” he said. “As I understand it, Crown land is Crown land, and I don’t think it’s meant to be tinkered with.”

Other people who joined the complaint include billionaire U.S. hedge fund manager Louis Bacon; businessman and philanthropist Sir Christopher Ondaatje; and Sarkis Izmirlian, chairman and CEO of Baha Mar, a $3.5 billion mega resort under construction on the island.

Local environmental group Save the Bays also filed a similar complaint, accusing Nygard of building structures it believes is blocking the natural flow of sand onto nearby Clifton Bay beach, which was made famous in the James Bond movie “Thunderball.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote