Members of the Judiciary in Grand Bahama came together yesterday to bid a special farewell to one of their own, Justice Stephen Isaacs, who after four years of devoted service to the Freeport community is being relocated back to New Providence.
His tenure, which lasted significantly longer than that of those that came before him, was a welcomed change for Grand Bahama.
"It is not that I changed anything, but my sitting continuously for four years was a little different from the norm because before I came, I think there was about 10 judges in eight years," he said.
Escorted by his wife, Justice Isaacs was treated like royalty and was cheered on like a hero as he was led to a seat at the head table of a plush banquet held at the Supreme Court in his honour yesterday
Attorneys, magistrates and community leaders joined numerous family, friends and court staff to salute the soft spoken husband and father of two.
In a hail of tributes, those in attendance were taken on a journey by a number of Isaacs' colleagues, who shared tales of his valuable and selfless contributions made during his tenure.
Following a barrage of kind words, gestures, and tributes, a soft spoken Isaacs was speechless when he stepped behind the podium to say thank you.
Humble in his hour of praise, Justice Isaacs took his accolades in stride.
With nearly eight years of judicial work behind him when he came to Grand Bahama in September 2002, Justice Isaacs explained that his tenure here has given him a wealth of experience that he will take with him wherever he goes.
"It opened my eyes to a lot of things, particularly those more serious matters that would occur between individuals," he said. "My judicial work at the Registrar prior to that was confined to chamber applications at the senior court level but as a Judge, you sat in on some of the cases particularly murder cases and those are the more intense kinds of experiences that a judge can have."
He explained that as a judge, he had to make every effort to remain impartial and balanced, "you have to see both sides and try to find what is the just solution according to the law.
"I've developed a good rapport with any number of lawyers and persons in the community and even in the church I attend."
Reflecting on his time living and working in Grand Bahama, he said that during that period of his career, he has touched many lives on the civil side as well as the criminal side.
"I have lots of memories of my time here in Grand Bahama that will go with me," he said. "When I first came here I didn't know many people, but today often times people would see me out and give me a smile and it is quite welcomed."
He did not reveal when he would be leaving for the capital, but Isaacs is expected to take a leave in September when his vacation begins.
The honourable justice noted that this is not a farewell to his career, but rather his location.
"I'm still a judge for the Supreme Court, I'm only being reassigned," he said, adding that his new duties would be confined to public and probate law.
By ANGELO ARMBRISTER, Freeport News Reporter
