Canard Levi Bethel
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The Grand Bahama Regatta and Homecoming Committee, headed up by Chervita
Campbell, and former Chief Councillor of City of Freeport Council is
working hard to delivery another great sport and cultural experience.
This year's regatta set for July 28 - 30 at Taino Beach will honour retired undersecretary of the Bahamas Public Service, Canard Levi Bethel.
Mr. Bethel obtained his early education at the K-10 All Age School in Long Bays Cays South Andros. He was born and grew up in the settlement of High Rock, South Andros. He started 46 years in the Bahamas Public Service as pupil teacher at the K-10 All Age School. He graduated from The Teachers College of The Bahamas in 1968 and subsequently Principal of All Age Schools in:
- Sweetings Cay School, Grand Bahama
- The Pigeon Creek School, San Salvador
- The Arthurs Town School, Cat Island
- The Stanyard Creek School, Central Andros
He served as Family Island Commissioner from 1974 to 1995 in seven (7) family of islands from Bimini in the northwest to Inagua in the south. His next post was Deputy Parliamentary Commissioner for the northwest Bahamas domiciled in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
In 2004 he was appointed the first Undersecretary to serve in The Family of Islands (Outside Nassau) this post was as head of the Public Service for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister. Which he held from 2004 until retirement in 2008. There he completed 46 years in Public Service.
Mr. Bethel had an extensive involvement in culture and community development throughout The Bahamas:
- He established Fire Brigades in North Andros and Bimini
- Rebuilt Straw Market in Exuma and Harbour Island
- Started Junkanoo Parade competition in South Andros, North Andros, Exuma, and Inagua
- Lead a Junkanoo Contingent to St. Augustine, Fl. for participation in the ‘Easter Parade’ there and won first prize (Mr. Bethel had previously established a Sister-City relationship with St. Augustine through The Chamber of Commerce which he established in Exuma)
He was head of the organizing committee of The Farmers Cay and Barry Tarry Regattas. With support of Kiwanis Club of Long Island (of which he was a member) and the community Mr. Bethel built the Long Island Community Centre and also was the sole project manager for the construction of the building.
Mr. Bethel operates ‘Carnard’s Gallery’ in Freeport. He builds models of all Bahamian sailboats inclusive of dinghy’s, sloops, and schooners. In retirement he is building 12 feet Bahamian racing dinghy – sloops through his gallery. He is also farming in Andros (hometown) with emphasis on Persian and Key Limes.
