From: Brian 
To: sandy@cutlass-become
Subject: Cat Island
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2001 15:51:48 -0500

Sandy,

I happened to see your web page today.......wow.  The only reason I saw the page was because I remembered the name Cutlass Bay from when my wife and I were on our honeymoon on Cat in Oct of '98.  I don't remember the name of the family's house we stayed in but it seemed it was the only property that wasn't owned by Fenandez Bay Village in Fenandez Bay.  The owner of the house, a somewhat popular person with the locals, had a heart attack and was receiving treatment in the States so his beach house was being rented out.
We had such a wonderful time (although the Ambrister fellow wasn't too friendly).   Apparently there was a feud between the Ambrister's and the family that owned the beach house so their guests were not treated as welcome.  No problem for us.....we were there to be alone anyway although by the end of the week, our waves and smiles broke through his thick skin.

We did have a problem finding fish to cook at the time and was told it was because the "fishermen weren't fishing".  Eventually we discovered that a bale was found and the "fishermen" were in Nassau reaping the spoils .Indeed, the Friday mail boat brought more than food and supplies that week .Brand new sports cars were now flying up and down the main road. 

The thing that gets me about your story is the good feeling we had about everyone we met on Cat (other than our paranoid neighbor).  We somewhat knew drugs were present, but never felt threatened in any way.  The smiles and waving seemed so spontaneous by everyone and living in South Florida, it was a refreshing change.

I'm shocked by the viciousness directed at you and Cutlass Bay.  It appears the final act of attempted murder and arson was the end result of a small utility fire of unknown origin.  It astounds me how things can escalate to the point of a life and death situation.   It also sounds like your American neighbor didn't want you there for some reason. 

As far as  the web page, I'm sure you're getting plenty of opinions regarding the content.  I can't possibly pretend to fully understand your emotions involved and judge whether it is right or wrong.  I will say when I checked the "Memories" section, all the pleasant feelings I had about "The Cat" surfaced.  Your resort appeared to be a special place for many a visitor as I'm sure it was for you. Good luck with your book and with the "new" Cutlass Bay Club wherever it may be.  That indeed may be the final piece of recovery for you all.

Best Regards,

Brian 

"Sandy's Answer"

Thank you for your kind words.  You are right.  Someone did not want us on Cat Island. The Drug Dealers.  I am afraid though, that we are not the only foreigners  that have been targets of violence on Cat Island. 
Cutlass Bay was special to us also as well as so many of the people on the island.  We also started off visiting Cat Island as tourists.  We thought we knew the island. 
Your visit came just after the arrival of the "Sand Money." That's how the islanders referred to the cocaine that floated up on the beach.  Although there had been many drug dealings in the past, this time was different.  Rather than just a few people, most of the men, had a little "Sand Money, and many women did also. 
If you were amazed at the cars arriving during your visit, you should see the new construction since October 1998.  The "Sand Money" went fast and the need for more easy money was a great temptation.  There are those that went back to their fishing, farming and other professions but the drug business was much more profitable so many more just planned the next drug deal.
Our particular problem stemmed from the son of a convicted drug dealer, who according to the DEA, has a conviction himself. 
The source of the Sand Money?  No one knows.  As for those who found it, several people were arrested for putting cocaine on an airplane headed to Nassau, but all charged in that incident were acquitted.  No other arrests were made. 
You, as a tourist were aware of the existence of drugs on the island.  Don't you think that the police and the "DEA" should have questioned the influx of cars arriving on the island?  Did you know that U.S. Immigration allows people listed as known drug dealers by the DEA into the U.S.? 
The book, "Sand Money," is about the people of Cat Island and the Cutlass Bay guests, whose names have been changed.  Sand Money explores the history of Cat Island's drug trade and the people involved.  Sand Money  is also about the August 1998 "Sand Money" arrival on the island, and how it affected Cutlass Bay and my husband and I.   
Shortly, I will be posting some pictures of new construction on Cat Island. to  www.cutlass-bay.com
Robby and I sincerely appreciate your e-mail.  The Bahamian Government must decide whether they want tourism or drugs.  The two cannot survive together.  We hope that attention drawn to the matter will  eventually result in arrest and conviction of the guilty and appropriate action by the Government.

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Hello Sandy and Robby, 

I was shocked to see your site today.  I have visited occasionally to dream about visiting your resort, but I guess no longer.  I hope that justice is served in this situation.  Since it happened in the Bahamas, I am assuming there is little the US will/can do?  I didn't get a sense of what's currently being done now, ex cept that you'll hopefully get a wide audience from the site and the book.  If enough people know about this, the US may get more involved than perhaps they're willing to right now.  Have you thought about a 20/20 style "investigative report" for TV?

I also noticed that you're now living in Tampa.  I am just south in Sarasota  My "better half" and I have thought of visiting Apollo Beach on the east coast of FL to try out a nude beach (we have never been to one, but I'm so anxious to go!).  I used to day dream of visiting there a few times, and then planning a honeymoon trip to Cutlass Bay when we are married.  I hope you are able to create a new paradise someday, and put this terrible situation behind you.  I will keep checking your site for details.

PS Please do not use my email or name on your site.  My family (and my customers, probably!) would not accept the beliefs I have about nudity.

"Sandy's Answer"

What a nice e mail, and of course I won't use your name on the web  page.  After reading your  letter  I can tell you would have made a  great Cutlass Bay guest.  As to what is being done now,  Nothing.  Those guilty of the crime  are still on Cat Island, living next door to Cutlass Bay.  

 I did have a meeting with Steve Otto, of the Tampa Tribune in October 1999; and gave him a complete file.  He was shocked and horrified and stated e was  going to do an article.  He later told my friend who introduced us that it was too big a story  for an article and he wanted to get the television  division to do a story. He wanted to send a camera crew etc. Of course that  never happened.   I gave him copies of all the letters to and from the  American Embassy in Nassau and other U.S. and Bahamian government officials.

The fact that we were begging for assistance before the arson and

attempted murder should have been a good story.  Much better I think than some to the stories that appear in his column.  I am going to send him a copy of this e-   mail, minus your name.

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