VOLUME 13 ISSUE 47

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

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HOTEL SCHOOL FOR TCI

By Allie Capron

T

he long-awaited and much needed hotel and hospitality trade school is about to become a reality in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

After three years of careful deliberation between the country’s educational and economic authorities, the Turks and Caicos International University School of Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration (TCIU) is on track to open its doors in September 2018.

The institution has been granted a provision licence by government and has garnered the full support of the Progressive National Party (PNP) and the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM).

TCIU will offer hands-on, craft-based learning to its students, presenting them with the opportunity to apply their lessons to real-world scenarios and hone their skills.

The school’s courses will allow for advancement in various areas of the hotel and travel business, including event and leisure management, tourism management, technical support, logistics, finance and more.

Nikheel Advani, Chief Operating Officer and Principal of Grace Bay Resorts, is one of the key local figures spearheading the project. He highlighted the crucial need for a means of creating upward mobility in the TCI workforce, noting that many locals are able to ascend to middle management only to find that senior management is beyond their reach due to lack of qualifications.

“This is training to be a leader or a manager, not just a dishwasher, not just a server,” Advani told The SUN. “We want to help people find careers in the hotel business. What’s going to happen when Ritz Carlton comes through, and when The W comes through, an when Rock House comes through? What’s going to happen when all these new projects are up and running? There’s going to be so many new positions that need to be filled! Ritz Carlton needs 500 to 700 people, The W needs 300 to 400 people, Rock House needs 100 to 200 people; all of the various villas will

THANK YOU

T

CIBC FirstCaribbean donates $15,000 to TCI National Cancer Society

he National Cancer Society of the Turks and Caicos Islands recently received a major financial boost to aid in its life-saving work. The society was presented with a cheque for $15,000, this year’s proceeds from the annual Walk for the Cure cancer awareness and fundraising campaign of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.

The funds were presented to Rosemary Jolly, the President of the

take on hundreds of people as well. So, overall, about 1,500 people are going to be needed in the next 5 to 10 years to run these hotels. Where are these workers going to come from? Preferably, they’ll come from right at home. In order to make that possible, we need to train a lot more of our people to be ready for it.

We must train our own people to lead.

Our people have the abilities; they just need the training and the exposure.”

Advani is one of four partners at the head of TCIU. The others include Hon. Galmo Williams (former TCI Premier), Kirk Spahn (Vice Chairman

National Cancer Society by Mr. Larry Lawrence, Country Head for CIBC FirstCaribbean in TCI, during a brief presentation ceremony recently at CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Grace Bay branch in Salt Mills Plaza on Wednesday December 13th.

These funds will go towards promoting and heightening the awareness of Caner in Turks and Caicos and go towards assisting cancer patients

throughout the Turks and Caicos, in every Island of the TCI.

Pictured here are Mrs. Rosemary Jolly, President of the National Cancer Society, Mr. Larry Lawrence, Country Head for CIBC FirstCaribbean in TCI and Protocol Officer, for the National Cancer Society Mrs. Elena Patrick. (See Page 2 for more details)

of the world-renowned Dwight Schools) two-year program that ends with and Harsha Chanrai (CEO of Saira the reception of the ICL Hospitality Hospitality, an organisation that Leadership Diploma (accredited by the creates hospitality schools for less- prestigious Dwight School in New York privileged locals living in thriving hotel City). markets).

This first year will allow the

Advani said $850,000 will be school’s directing board to determine required to run the school for its first which methods are most effective, two years. Fundraising initiatives Advani explained. After this point, continue to be carried out meet this TCIU will continue to grow. The target. intention is to develop the school into

The September 2018 intake an expansive university, teaching a will consist of 20 fully-sponsored multitude of trades, offering accredited local students who will take part in Bachelor’s degrees and managing a the Inaugural Academic Program, a student population of as many as 600.

Continued on Page 2

Thanks a million to FLOW for keeping us continuously connected throughout Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Your staff proved yet again that you’re the most reliable, caring, trustworthy telecommunications network and provider in the Turks and Caicos.

From Management of Turks and Caicos SUN, Airport Hotel, Occasions Ballroom

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

HOTEL SCHOOL FOR TCI

“Our goal is to have the so it’s in line with what’s going on in best hotel training program within our economy. It will make them very the Caribbean in the next five to ten marketable.” years,” Advani explained. “We want Turks and Caicos Hotel and to be rated in the world and we know Tourism Association (TCHTA) will be we can do this because we’ve done it the guiding principal and the strategic with our resorts. What’s going to make force for TCUI. All hotels are members this school different is that we will pay of the TCHTA so university partners close attention to the luxury aspect of feel that having the TCHTA showing the tourism market. We will provide leadership within the school will be training in the management of luxury very valuable. villas, boats and condominiums. That Stacy Cox, Executive Director aspect of luxury hotel management is of the TCHTA, spoke on the usefulness very important. Most people will train of their collaboration with education. you in basic hotel management and “We want to have a holistic approach to then you have to learn the luxury part the industry and develop a culture of on the job.” training in the Turks and Caicos which

He added: “We will focus on I don’t believe that we have yet. So, in the luxury so we can provide cutting addition to the school, the TCHTA as a edge ideas and support in this area. subset in 2018 is going to embark on a We are also going to focus on is the lot of other training opportunities that condo-hotel model. That’s something will run alongside the school. We’re too that’s unique in the Caribbean and it’s far in the industry. The infrastructure been growing all around. There are has outgrown the human resources new projects in the Cayman Islands available on the island. So that’s going that are condo-hotels, many projects to be our key focus for next year and in St. Kitts that are condo-hotels and several years to come,” said Cox. the new BahaMar in The Bahamas TCIU also intends to offer is a condo-hotel. Many hoteliers are Executive Education courses. These trained on the hotel side but not on the are elective classes that focus on luxury condominium side. We want specific aspects of management, to have classes that specialize in that providing students with extra training

Nikheel Advani and Stacy Cox they can use on the job and/or credits that they can carry on to other institutions in their education journey.

“We get a lot of feedback that certain workers want to move up within their fields. For instance, assistant housekeepers who have grown within the business who’ve never really had an education want to become housekeepers but they need budgeting and scheduling training.

Through our Executive Education program, they can join a class and get the credits and training they need to make that move. That’s a very important part of our system.”

TCIU aims to compliment the TCI Community College. Both institutions will work together where possible through sharing resources, professors and guest lecturers.

CIBC FirstCaribbean presents $15,000 cheque to TCI national Cancer Society

By Todeline Defralien

The National Cancer Society of the Turks and Caicos Islands recently got a major financial boost to aid in its life-saving work.

The Society was presented with a cheque for $15,000, this year’s proceeds from the annual Walk for the Cure cancer awareness and fundraising campaign of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.

The funds were presented to Rosemary Jolly, the President of the National Cancer Society, during a brief presentation ceremony recently at CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Grace Bay branch in Salt Mills Plaza on Wednesday December 13th.

Employees of the bank pooled their efforts, time, and resources to host several fundraising initiatives to get the campaign started, including monthly bake sales from June to October. On the last Friday of each month, they baked sweet treats from scratch to sell to clients, donating the funds collected to the cause. Clients

were also invited to donate through “Thanks to FirstCaribbean Bank coin bottle drives at various branches. for every year and thanks to our Larry Lawrence, Country Head for corporate sponsors for continuing CIBC FirstCaribbean in TCI, thanked the support. I am really amazed the bank’s staff, clients, community because after such a devastating members and local and regional experience in the Turks and Caicos corporate sponsors including CBMS, Island that FirstCaribbean was able Ocean Club Resorts, Fortis TCI, to give us anything. I didn’t have Olympic Construction Ltd, Sandals any expectations after hurricanes Resorts, VISA International, FLOW, Irma and Maria, but it speaks to the and TATA Consultancy Services, commitment of FirstCaribbean to the for their contributions to this year’s cause. Over the last six weeks we have had six/seven persons whether campaign.

“We received so much support just diagnosed or diagnosed sometime from everyone who we invited to ago but have just reached out to us participate in our Walk for the Cure for support, so our work continues initiative this year. We’re extremely and our commitment continues.” stressed that grateful for the immense support Jolly that we received; especially in light contributions like this really puts of the two major hurricanes that we them in a better position to help experienced recently that we’re still those who are counting so much on recovering from. I’m especially proud the Cancer Society. of the unceasing efforts of our staff “These funds will go towards members who go to great lengths promoting and heightening the to ensure that this campaign is a awareness of Caner in Turks and Caicos and go towards assisting success each year,” he said.

Rosemary Jolly, President cancer patients throughout the Turks of the National Cancer Society said, and Caicos, in every Island of Turks

and Caicos where there is a person who is diagnosed with cancer and we know of them, we will assist in some way. We have a number of patients in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic that we are assisting. We have patients right here who don’t have that family support and count on us for the assistance. Additionally these funds also service our Palliative care initiative; we have a number of hospital type equipments that we also have purchased to help assists our Palliative care patients,” Jolly stated.

Walk for the Cure was launched by CIBC FirstCaribbean in 2012 as a regional version of CIBC’s annual Run for the Cure cancer fundraising initiative. In ensuing years the bank has raised close to $60,000 in Turks and Caicos and over USD $1.3 million across the Caribbean. All proceeds are donated to cancer charities in the countries where CIBC FirstCaribbean operates.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

Beaches TCI opens after 10-week closure

At 9:30am on Thursday, to feel at home and to know that they December 14th Beaches Turks and are home, our entertainment team Caicos Resort- the Caribbean’s is all about making our new and Luxury-Included® vacation for returning guests feel welcomed and everyone and family-focused brand showing them that we’re glad they’ve officially opened its doors to welcome decided to choose us again.” guests and staff after a 10 week Meanwhile, the hotel’s closure to facilitate post-hurricane management team emphasized repairs due to damages sustained the involvement of the hotel’s staff from Hurricane Irma. in getting the resort to this stage,

“We know how important highlighting how many of them vacation time is and so we’re just worked tediously to undertake the delighted that Beaches Turks & needed renovations.

Caicos is not only reopening its doors Managing Director Donald ahead of pace, but we’ve introduced Dagenais commented; “We are happy some amazing new features making to be opening our doors to guests this award-winning resort better than once again, something that wouldn’t ever,” said Gordon “Butch” Stewart, be possible in such a timely manner Founder and Chairman of Sandals without the assistance of our resilient Resorts International. “The entire staff. While many of our employees resort has been refreshed and our were faced with personal issues of staff is eagerly awaiting the arrival of their own after the passing of such a our guests.” disastrous storm, it is their presence,

Emphasizing ‘better than their commitment, their dedication ever’ the resort opened after months and their support that led us to this of massive renovations as the entire day. Words cannot express our level property was refurbished, driveways of gratitude and today we are open repaved, foyers redesigned and rooms better than ever.” redecorated.

Despite the hotel’s closure,

The first group of guests was staff members received 55% of their welcomed to the property with much salaries throughout the duration, fanfare by the resort’s management the hotel hosted its annual Staff team, concierge and entertainment Christmas Party, will be hosting a department to music and live Kids Christmas Party for children characters set on the backdrop of of employees and the hotel’s glaring decorations to ring in the management team has committed to holiday season. providing bonuses to all employees

David Ellis Director of this holiday season. Dagenais noted, Entertainment said, “Here at Beaches “this was our way of saying thank you.’

Turks and Caicos, we want our guests Leading up to the reopening, the

Training Department conducted a three week re-orientation exercise for the hotel’s 1,900 employees with the energetic Dr. Phillip Brown, Regional Training Director for Sandals Resorts International as facilitator to ensure that guest standards are upheld.

Julianna Musgrove Training Manager noted, “All of our team members were required to take part in this training where they were informed on best company practices, and received refresher training courses on their respective areas.

We are confident that our team members are ready to take on the new challenges that the new season will bring and that they are committed to providing guests with more than he or she expects.”

Meanwhile the excited was also seen on the faces of beaming team members. Donell Williams Concierge Agent at BTC said; “I’m really excited to get back into the groove of things here at Beaches Turks and Caicos. We had a difficult few weeks seeing what the hurricane did to the resort and

what the storm did to our livelihoods but today I am excited to be here and to see my old guests and work with some new ones.”

Besides renovations, Beaches TCI has also rolled out new features to its 5-Star Global Gourmet™ offerings to include Beaches’ first Indian restaurant, Bombay Club, bringing the total number of restaurants to 21, two brand new food trucks at the waterpark – from Mr. Mac, serving mac & cheese and Curls ‘n Swirls for a taste of the island’s most delicious ice cream.

Families will also have the opportunity to take part in new culinary adventures happening every night, such as a fish fry on Wednesdays and weekly beach parties featuring live entertainment and cuisines from around the world.

Additionally, accommodations across all five of the resort’s villages have been improved and the lobbies and public areas have new finishing touches. Accommodations start at $333 per adult/per night.

SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED The successful applicant should possess a sound knowledge of the Insurance Core Principles and requirements of international standard setters such as the IAIS, CAIR, GIICS. Sound understanding of insurance business and practices. Sound knowledge of international financial reporting standards, such as IFRS or USGAAP.

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION

A good knowledge of auditing, financial management, corporate governance and risk management principles.

Good knowledge of statistics and economic principles. Good knowledge relevant reporting formats.

The Financial Services Commission, the regulator of financial services business in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is seeking suitably qualified applicants.

A good knowledge of relevant computer packages and the use of such technologies in the financial services industry.

Job Title: Director of Insurance.

Location: Providenciales Salary: Grade 3 The holder of this office has operational responsibility for the management of the Insurance Department, which is responsible for the licensing and regulation of insurance companies and intermediaries in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Department has as its primary focus the stability, safety, integrity and efficiency of the insurance sector.

The successful applicant will be required to lead a rigorous onsite and offsite supervision regime and to advise on an appropriate legislative and regulatory framework for insurance supervision in the islands. The office holder will also be expected to travel internationally to represent the Commission and the jurisdiction, and to speak on financial services regulation in The Islands.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE The successful applicant should possess a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Regulation or related discipline, or equivalent professional qualification in insurance or accounting. Regulatory experience should include at least eight years in a supervisory position in the field of insurance, of which at least four must be in a managerial position.

OTHER APPLICABLE INFORMATION The primary location of the office is in Providenciales but the holder of the office may be required to visit the Grand Turk office from time to time.

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Applications should be emailed to Administration@tcifsc. tc no later than January 3, 2018. The response must state clearly “Application for Director of Insurance” A copy can be sent to the Employment Services Department.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

New wallet-size immigrant ID cards

Immigrants living and working in the Turks and Caicos Islands will soon be the holders of plastic identification status cards as proof of their legality in the country, as another milestone in the long journey to overhaul the Ministry of Border Control and Employment is reached.

A Government press statement said this initiative was one of the more critical areas of focus for the Ministry as a measure in combating the expansive circulation of forged government documents among immigrant workers and residents locally.

“As promised by the Deputy Premier, Hon. Sean R. Astwood in his August 2017 ministerial speech in the House of Assembly, the Ministry has now moved to a more secure and controlled form of status documents that will limit the opportunities for replication and circumvention of the system,” the release said.

The new ID cards will be utilized

for both labour and immigration products, as they are set to replace the familiar paper cards for Work Permits, Freelance Permits, Permanent Residence, Residents Permits and Homeowners Permits. Additionally, there will now be cards issued for persons endorsed on the different products.

The initiative, which was approved through amendments to the 2016 Immigration Regulations during the November 15th meeting of Cabinet, improves the security of the government issued ID, provides a convenient way to carry proof of status, and facilitates proof of identity for endorsed individuals. On December 1st the departments commenced training and are conducting familiarization exercises internally, with stakeholders and with the general public. This process will continue over the upcoming weeks.

The Ministry aims to have the paper cards out of circulation by the end of 2018 and will commence distribution of the new cards by January 15, 2018.

A sample of the new immigrant ID cards

Notice of upcoming road improvement works

The general public is hereby advised of upcoming Road Improvement Works on Providenciales, from midDecember 2017 to May 2018 (5 months).

Project Details: Road Improvement Works (including road surfacing, drainage works and new sidewalks).

Location: Walter

Cox Drive, Black Crow Road, Millennium Highway.

Start Date and Duration: Works start mid December 2017 and will continue for a period of 5 months.

Please drive safely and be aware of workers carrying out roadworks.

Suggested alternative routes will be announced as required.

Is seeking suitable applicants for the following positions: •Cashiers •Grocery Pickers / Van Loaders •Deli Clerks •Deli Cook •Wholesale Late Night Order Filler / Pickers •Delivery Drivers – Must have “B” Class Driver’s License Requirements: •Must be friendly, hardworking and honest •Must have a clean Police Record •Must be able to work in hot / cold environment •Must be willing to work weekends and holidays •High school education preferred Only persons with TCI status requiring no work permits need apply for these positions

Scholarship/Grant applications process extended to 30th April, 2018 The Ministry of Education is (Plumbing, Electricity, Construction, hereby reminding the public that Auto Mechanics etc.) applications for scholarships for · Turks and Caicos Islands further study – from 2018/19 are Community College – Associate and being accepted until April 30th 2018 Bachelor Degree programmes . In accordance with the Scholarship For more detailed information with Policy, the Scholarship Committee respect to priority areas, approved will award scholarships to successful institutions, criteria for approved applicants in the following areas: institutions and eligibility please see · Education attached. Also attached is the revised · Youth Development Work application form and explanatory · Technical Vocational Education note.

Mrs. Kordell CampbellForbes Principal acting of the Long Bay High School has many reasons to be a proud Turks and Caicos Islander.

Not only has she recently completed her Masters studies in Educational Administration with Distinction; having received 9 A’s out of 10 courses but she has also received an A grade in her dissertation “Parental Perception on Factors Contributing to Student Underachievement’’.

This week Mrs. Campbell-Forbes learned that her outstanding performance in the two (2) years online program made her the recipient of the prestigious Education Research Award, for the student with outstanding performance in the program, from the Office of Research and Education. Mrs. Campbell-Forbes is set to travel to Jamaica to receive the award sometime next year.

Mrs. Campbell-Forbes has been an educator for the past eleven (11) years and her passion and dedication to the development of education in her country is attributed to her first teacher and grand-aunt the late Mrs. Jessie Campbell. She gives all glory to her heavenly Father for what he has been doing in her life and the favour that He has bestowed upon her. She is also grateful for the love and support of her family and many mentors who continue to provide her with the support she needs to excel in her professional career.

Mrs. Campbell-Forbes is the wife of fellow educator Sensei Charles Forbes and the daughter of Ms. Comonseta Campbell, principal of the Charles Hubert James Primary School in Kew, North Caicos, and like her mother she is dedicated to empowering the children of the Turks and Caicos Islands through a sound education, based on research and practice.

Salary ranges from $7.25 to $9.00 per hour

The entire Campbell and Higgs family offer congratulations to their shining star and wish her only the best that God has to offer.

Interested applicants can visit our HR Office located, Leeward Highway, to complete an in-house employment application.

Mrs. Campbell-Forbes dedicates her accomplishments to the memory of her beloved grandfather, the late Deacon Daniel Emanuel Campbell of Sandy Point, North Caicos.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

TCI needs better strategy for traffic direction, says Sgt. Mitchell

By Allie Capron

The Turks and Caicos Islands urgently needs a better strategy for traffic direction, says Sergeant Damien Mitchell, the recently appointed Head of Traffic in the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

Sgt. Mitchell highlighted issues with the design of roads as a reason for the awkward and hazardous flow of traffic, noting that the transport routes were constructed with a smaller driving population in mind.

“The roads aren’t exactly designed to accommodate the increasing volume of cars,” Sgt. Mitchell said. “Basically, there are more cars on the road than the roads were built to handle. So what we need is a better strategy for traffic direction. We are currently discussing how we can alleviate the volume of traffic during rush hours and the consensus is that we need new roads.

We need alternative routes. We have a very limited number of roads to take us to certain places. Plus, we

have is an influx of vehicles. That’s what’s causing the problem. There are certain times where we simply cannot avoid congestion, particularly during the school rush. Obviously, we cannot change the road system so what we’re focusing on now is showing people that there are other routes they can use.”

Sgt. Mitchell noted that most daily traffic flows from Downtown to Leeward Highway and vice versa and there aren’t many alternatives to this route, so traffic congestion at specific times is inevitable on these roads.

“One of the problem areas I’ve witnessed is at the round-a-bout at the intersection of Millennium Highway and Leeward Highway as well as the round-a-bout as Suzie Turn. Traffic often builds up there because the cars coming from secondary roads aren’t stopping. They keep pushing out which slows everyone else down and causes a build-up. For Millennium Highway, we’re currently thinking up a strategy to lessen the volume of cars coming from Parade Avenue in order to allow vehicles coming from Millennium Highway to have a smooth, unobstructed flow onto Leeward

Highway,” he added.

Sgt. Mitchell revealed that a project that will properly assist with the traffic build-up is in the works in co-ordination with government and road safety agencies. Meantime, he encourages drivers to make use of secondary routes across the island, adding that traffic officers are currently informing drivers of alternative routes through public outreach.

“These alternative roads are not exactly public roads but the public has access to them. We’re trying to establish communication with the Ministry of Works to see if we can smooth out the alternative roads so people won’t be discouraged from driving on them. For example, there was a road in Blue Hills that led into Thompson Cove. That road was cut off. If that road is re-opened on a time limited basis, it would alleviate some of the traffic there during rush hour.

We’re very much interested in creating secondary routes for traffic. That’s our focus,” Sgt. Mitchell said.

Mitchell also stated that increased police presence would help to regulate the flow of traffic and make

Sgt. Damien Mitchell, RTCIPF Head of Traffic a difference in reckless driving.

“However, from a policing point of view, we are very understaffed.

We would need many more officers on hand in order to have adequate law enforcement on the roads to ensure that everyone follows the rules,” he said.

It is not uncommon to see highway in Providenciales backed up with traffic during the morning and afternoon rush. In their haste to get to their destinations, some drivers behave recklessly by speeding, making dangerous turns and squeezing onto crowded highways. These hasty moves not only obstruct the flow of traffic and frustrate other drivers; they also increase the risk of accidents.

Turks & Caicos National Trust wins CTO’s Heritage Protection Award

The Turks & Caicos National Trust (TCNT) won a major regional award - the Heritage Protection Award - at the recently concluded 2017 Caribbean Sustainable Awards, hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) during the Climate Smart Sustainable Tourism Forum. The award ceremony was held at the Ocean Terrace Inn, St. Kitts & Nevis on Wednesday, 13th December 2017.

The TCNT received the highest award for Heritage Protection for making significant contributions to

protect and promote the heritage (cultural, built, natural, and intangible) of the Turks & Caicos Islands. The National Trust was recognized for its contribution to heritage protection through the following initiatives: · Efforts to pass on cultural and intangible heritage traditions and skills to younger generations · Documentation and/or copyrighting of local heritage related materials

·Educating visitors on local heritage and local stakeholders, including the media · Sustainable financing of local heritage conservation ·Engagement of local communities, public, NGO and/or private sector entities in preserving and promoting local heritage ·Communicating actions to local stakeholders, including the media

Royal West Indies Resort

ROYAL WEST INDIES RESORT, is looking for motivated proactive individuals to join its ‘Resort Team’ and contribute to this growing Condominium Resort. Candidates MUST want to actively participate in creating an excellent and professional guest experience.

Chukka Caribbean Adventures (TCI) Ltd is about playtime! It’s about fun, laughter and a passion for life.

Every single member of the CHUKKA team in Jamaica, Belize and Turks & Caicos contributes to helping their guests play; they get to wow them at every turn with all that the Caribbean has to offer.

•MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN •PROPERTY SERVICES •HOUSEKEEPERS •GARDENER •LABOURER

Chukka is always looking for new talent to add to our dynamic team.

All successful applicants must: • Be at least 21 years old.

• Be well spoken in English.

• Possess Posse excellent interpersonal & written communication skills.

• Trustworthy & Reliable disposition with a clean criminal record.

• Positive & disciplined work attitude in a customer service oriented business.

• Must be willing and able to work work flexible hours, including weekends, public holidays as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedules and/or reasonable needs of the business.

See below opportunities currently available in the Turks & Caicos Islands:

TOUR DISPATCHER • •

bubbly personality Posses a an outgoing very v sonality and passion for interacting with and meeting new people Willing to work outdoors No experiencee needed! Training provided.

• • • • •

Have some experience working within within a customer service or sales environment Fair understanding anding of how to use a computer and computer applications Willing to work outdoors Posses an outgoing oing and pleasant personality Training provided. provided

• • • •

Posses basic knowledge about boats and boat operations Training raining or certification in Lifeguard/CPR is a PLUS! Enjoy marine environment and have a passion for interacting people.

Training provided. provided

•

PHOTOGRAPHER GUIDE

BOAT CREW TOUR GUIDE

Applications along with CVs/ Resume’ can be submitted via Email to: gtadmin@chukka.com,, please place the desired position in the subject line or deliver to the below gtadmin@chukka.com address: CHUKKA HUMAN RESOURCES CHUKKA CARIBBEAN ADVENTURES (TCI) LTD South Base Lyndon Gardiner Boulevard Grand Turk, TCI

Requirements: •MUST speak English and the ability to write and read English •Ability to maintain pools and hot tub chemicals and maintenance issues related to same •Fit and able for heavy lifting •Personality suited for the hotel industry •Must be customer friendly •Willing to work split shifts, holidays and weekends.

•Knowledge of waste water treatment plants •Knowledge of Commercial Laundry Equipment including propane systems •Air Conditioning systems, Fire Alarm systems, Domestic Water systems including Water Heaters •Irrigation systems •Greet and escort guests to room •Monthly housekeeping inventory •Daily replenishment of room items and restocking of closets •Daily cleaning of buildings •Ensure that all lobbies and public facilities are kept in a neat and clean condition, such as rooms, hallways and restrooms.

•Sweeps, mops, scrubs and polishes floors, remove trash collected by attendants and collects linen and other supplies from floor linen closets.

•Promotes a positive image of the property to guests and owners.

•Must be able to work on weekends and public holidays •Performs routine duties in cleaning and servicing of guest rooms under supervision of housekeeping supervisor.

•Prepares and cleans guests’ rooms by making beds, cleaning kitchen areas, bathrooms, floors, corridors, furniture and appliances.

•Removal of trash and dirty linen from rooms.

• Responsible for spring cleaning of their area as per schedule.

Wages $6.50/hour All resumes and applications must be forwarded to: Royal West Indies Resort P.O. Box 482, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands You may also fax to: (649)946-5008

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Luxury SUVs no threat to regular taxis

By Todeline Defralien

Luxury taxis are increasingly becoming very popular in the TCI especially at the Providenciales International Airport as more guests want the luxury of high end transportation services when they visit the TCI, but they pose no threat to the Taxi Association in TCI, says Romeo Rondell Higgs, President of the Taxi Association.

In an interview with the SUN Romeo Rondell Higgs who is better known as Ron Higgs said, “They don’t pose any threats to us. There’s some rumblings that they are doing taxi jobs with their plates, which if it’s true, it’s wrong because they have those specific plates for a specific reason to do a specific kind of job.

However I would say that I feel for those luxury taxi drivers who have to do that just for the sake of survival and why is that, because the industry is unregulated. There are regulations but they are not enforced so what is

the point of having them.”

He added: “In all honestly, the SUV’s which we call them does find themselves somewhat in the same predicament as we do, they don’t have the numbers like we do, but they still find themselves having to compete with lowering their prices just to get a job. I think that a lot of that has to do with the fact that the Road Traffic Department is not doing what it needs to do to ensure that some of the things that are happening do not happen.” he added.

Higgs said he had a number of meetings with CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority, John Smith and terminal manager Mrs. Lavern Reynolds to discuss ways to enhance or correct the wrongs that are affecting the taxi business.

Higgs who has been driving taxis for over three years added that it’s not about not having the solutions; it’s putting them into practice.

“What I want to do after being around two former Presidents

of the Taxi Association is to bring a different approach. I don’t want to be combative or all in your face. I want to be respectful. I want to be able to sit down and learn and share, because I think that that is very important. I don’t want persons in authority to take my willingness to learn and to take what I consider more positive and respectful approach as a sign of weakness and I think at this point that’s where we are,” he explained.

Higgs said he is very familiar with 99% of the taxi drivers and the issues that they face, some of which are “self-inflicted”.

He continued: “I’ve said that to them when I was campaigning to become the President. I believe that success has to start with truth. If you don’t recognise your problem, then you will never think about changing it or trying to fix it, and I talk to them about some of the self-inflicted wounds and I am encouraged that many of them are listening. At the end of the day, these are still men

Romeo Rondell Higgs and women who have responsibilities, who have families, who have bills, and when they feel like advantage is being taken of them they’re going to retaliate and sometimes it might be in a positive way and sometimes it might not be.”

Plans for TCHTA Maskanoo 2017 in full effect

Heart-pounding drums, whistles, horns and cow bells will bring the best of TCI’s cultural heritage to life along the Grace Bay strip on Boxing Day, December 26, as the Turks & Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) prepares for Maskanoo 2017.

Now in its ninth year, the annual street festival is one of the best ways for tourists and locals alike to experience the culture and heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands. The festivities will kick-

off at 3PM until midnight with local artisans and food vendors lining the street around the Saltmills Plaza and Regent Village shopping area.

Patrons will enjoy a cultural parade directed by Mr. David Bowen showcasing locallymade costumes, and entertainment by the Harbour Heights Band, all building up to the touted return of the 90s hit-makers; the Sagittarius Band.

Organizers have also added a TCHTA Maskanoo Fun Run, a pre-event slated for Saturday,

December 23rd at 6AM. Runners are encouraged to wear a fun mask during the event, provided upon registration with the TCHTA. There is a $15 registration fee, with part proceeds to aid the rebuilding efforts at the Oseta Jolly Primary School.

For more information regarding Maskanoo 2017 or to register for the TCHTA Maskanoo Fun Run, kindly contact the TCHTA via telephone at (649) 941-5787 or email nicholette@turksandcaicoshta. com.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SALES FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) Ltd as Chargee pursuant to the Registered Land Ordinance hereby gives Notice that it will cause to be sold by Public Auction the following scheduled properties outside the offices of Miller Simons O’Sullivan, Regent House West, Regent Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales at 10:00 a.m. on 18 December 2017.

1.Title No. 60715/210, Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales Registered Proprietor: Lincoln Hudson Ferreira Comprising a 0.54 acre canal-front parcel of bare land containing dense indigenous bush and mature trees.

Any and all potential bidders will be required to produce one (1) valid form of identification to Miller Simons O’Sullivan on the day of the Auction.

Draft Terms and Conditions of Sale and the draft Agreements for Sale are available upon demand prior to the Auction.

Any and all Successful bidders will be required to pay a ten (10%) per cent deposit upon a successful bid before close of business on the day of the Auction. Any and all successful bidders will also have to pay Auction legal fees in the sum of Seven Hundred and Fifty Dollars (US$750.00).

CAICOS DREAM TOURS Is currently seeking:

A Trainee Operator Requirements: Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and /or Communications At least 5 years experience in business administration and tour operations Must be an effective communicator both written and oral Computer literate and knowledgeable of various communication systems Compensation: Based on qualifications and ability $1,500.00 – $1,800.00 Having worked in a boat tour operation or a similar business will be an asset Belongers only need to apply Contact: 649 321-7274

WANTED: PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor Applicants Must Possess: •PADI OWSI(or higher) Certification •Mechanical skills/background •Small boat handling and STCW/or boat captain’s licence •5 or more years experience in diving industry •Fluent English Starting Pay $1200/month Three month probationary period applies All interested applicants possessing these skills are encouraged to apply. Please send resume via email to info@grandturkscuba.com

Page 8

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

Report from December 8th Cabinet meeting His Excellency the Governor, Dr John Freeman, chaired the meeting of the Cabinet on Friday, December 8th, 2017, at the N J S Francis Building in Grand Turk.

All Ministers were present except the Hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Planning.

At this meeting Cabinet:

•Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the draft Companies Ordinance (Amendment of Schedules) (No.2) Order 2017 for forwarding to the House of Assembly for approval;

•Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve amendments to Section 8 of the Customs (Times of Attendance of Officers and Officers’ Fees) Regulations to reflect the full recovery of costs of customs officers working at TCI customs sheds;

• Noted the legislative agenda for the period December 2017 – June 2018;

• Advised His Excellency the Governor to approve the government’s climate change policy statement;

•Received an information paper prepared by the Director of Ports on a variation in tariff in the stevedoring contract which entered into force on 1 April 2008;

•Approved a MSME concession order to the company Ocean Breeze Laboratories to purchase equipment for its janitorial products business in Providenciales;

•Approved a MSME concession

• Advised His Excellency the order to the company Been’s Welding Governor to approve the re-appointment to purchase equipment for the re- of Mrs Beatrice Fulford as a member of establishment of a welding and the Labour Tribunal for a period of 2 fabrication business in Providenciales; years with effect from 8 December 2017;

• Approved a MSME concession order to the company Flamingo’s • Approved a proposal for the Nest to purchase equipment for the construction of a new library facility for establishment of a vacation rental in the H J Robinson High School on Grand North Caicos subject to a re-inspection Turk to be sponsored and funded by Mr being carried by the Tourist Board Franklyn Misick; and the property meeting the required

•Advised His Excellency the standard; Governor to approve the Fisheries

• Approved in principle the Protection (Amendment) Regulations amended draft Agriculture Policy Paper 2017 Regulations relating to the quota governing agricultural development in for the export of conch; TCI subject to an implementation plan

•Approved an amendment to the being developed and approved; Tourist Accommodations Ordinance 1979

•Advised His Excellency the to align Section 2 (a) of the Ordinance Governor to approve the drafting of the with Section 3(1) of the Tourism Tax Tobacco Control (Amendment) Bill 2017 Ordinance; for forwarding in due course to the House

• Advised His Excellency of Assembly for approval; the Governor to grant an exemption

•Approved in principle the from Section 12 (1) of the Immigration National School Nutrition and Physical Ordinance to permit the entry into Fitness Policy Paper and the National TCI of teams from Nokia and Ericsson School Nutrition Guidelines for TCI Corporations to assist with the subject to an implementation plan being restoration of FLOW’s inter-island developed and approved; microwave link between Providenciales

•Advised His Excellency the and Grand Turk which was damaged Governor to approve the appointment of following the passage of hurricanes Irma Mr Eric Lightbourne as a member of the and Maria; Prison Visiting Committee in accordance

•Received an up-date from the with Section 44 of the Prisons Ordinance; Hon. Premier on applications received

• Advised His Excellency the for outstanding payments for services Governor to approve the appointment provided after the hurricanes to be met of Mrs Carmella Bain as a member of from the contingency fund; the Radio Turks and Caicos Board of

• Received a briefing from the Governors in accordance with Section Hon. Premier on her attendance at the 3(1) of the Radio Turks and Caicos Joint Ministerial Council in London; Ordinance;

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite#5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 339-5879 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Todeline Defralien Reporter

The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd. We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

graduate semester hours in the area being applied for, from an accredited and recognized institution plus a Teaching Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma and no less than three years post qualification teaching experience. A Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of a second class honors or other postgraduate qualifications, teaching certificate/Diploma and experience in teaching at Tertiary level may be considered.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the following full-time lecturing positions at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College for the semester commencing February 19, 2018:.

Faculty of Business Administration (BSA): 1 position: Management/Human Resource Management Faculty of Education and Training (EDT): 1 position: Early Childhood Education Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education (TVE): 1 position: Architectural/Building Design Technology/Civil Engineering/Automotive Engineering Tech Lecturers are required to teach across different academic levels from the G.C.E. Advanced level, Caribbean Advanced Proficiency and up to the Associate and Bachelor Degree levels. Multi-disciplinary candidates are particularly encouraged to apply for these positions.

The ideal candidate must have knowledge and skills obtained through collegiate preparation resulting in a Master’s degree (Doctorate preferred) which must include eighteen (18)

Salary is in the scale: Level I: US$27,399.90 – $39,102.30 per annum.

Level II: US$40,210 – $43,488.40 per annum.

Entry point will depend on qualifications and experience. In the case of staff recruited from overseas, appointment is on contractual terms for an initial period of two years. A gratuity is payable at the end of satisfactory contractual service at the rate of 10% of salary drawn during the period of service. A housing allowance is payable at existing rates.

Applications with copies of qualifications (including official transcripts), two character references, a police record and a recent testimonial from current place of employment should be sent to the: PRESIDENT, TCI COMMUNITY COLLEGE, P.O. BOX 236, LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS to reach not later than 23rd December, 2017. Where possible, applicants should e-mail their applications.

EMAIL tcicomc@tciway.tc president@tcicc.edu.tc dean@tcicc.edu.tc We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only persons selected for interview will be contacted.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

Flow and Sailrock partner to spread Christmas joy to the Senior Citizens in the community of South Caicos

Bringing an end to the annual sister-island Christmas Tour, Flow and Sailrock Resortjoined forces in an effort to spread Christmas joy to the Senior Citizens in the community of South Caicos.

“Each year we make it our mandate to visit the islands to serve and spread joy to the seniors around the Turks and Caicos demonstrating our company’s mission to Connect Communities and Transform Lives.

This year after the devastation caused by the recent hurricanes, we thought it even more necessary to continue in our mission,” remarked Flow Country Manager, Delleriece Hall.

This year’s event, hosted at the Sunset and Beach Hotel Lounge and sponsored by Sailrock, overlooked the picturesque landscape surrounding the communities of South

Caicos, accommodating nearly 50 senior citizens.

The seniors were dressed in the most gorgeous attire, in good spirits, sharing their wonderful testimonies of grace and resilience, and expressing thanks to Flow and Sailrock.

The team from Flow and Sailrock led in Christmas carols, served a well-deserved Christmas dinner, and delivered many wonderful local handmade organic scented gifts to the seniors present and those that are shut in throughout the community, prepared by TC Island Organics. A special visit was also made to the Wellness Centre to deliver gifts and goodies to the seniors in their care.

“At Sailrock one of our core values is Community Development. It was a joy to see seniors having a good time, dancing. Especially, after having

weathered two major hurricanes during 2017. Sailrock is committed to the community development of South Caicos and looks forward to partnering with Flow in future activities,” remarked Keno Forbes, Consultant, Sailrock.

Over $1000 worth of top up credit was presented courtesy of Flow Country Manager to the best dressed nominees who paraded through the room modelling their Christmas-best, the eldest male and female in the room, the senior with the most children, and the students of the Marjorie Basden High School band who performed exceptionally well.

Former member of parliament, Hon. Norman Saunders, reminded those in attendance during his remarks that, “We give all our affection to things that we have bought

and we cherish – material things. The hurricanes reminded us that these things come and go, but the thing that really last is life and our love for one another, and Christ in our lives.”

Also in attendance were past and present members and Presidents of the Soroptimist Club of South Caicos, and District Commissioner for South Caicos and her husband, Mr. and Mrs Rodney & Yvette Cox, expressing many thanks to Flow& Sailrock for their heart felt contribution to the community in a time and during the season when it is most needed.

On behalf of Flow Turks and Caicos Islands, and Sailrock, we would like to take this opportunity to wish the residents and senior citizens of the community of South Caicos, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

© 2017 Pandora Jewelry, LLC • All rights reserved

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

Eldest son of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse visits TCI

By Todeline Defralien

Joverlein Moïse, the eldest son of Hon. Jovenel Moïse, President of the first black Republic, Haiti, made a special visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where he spoke with many in the Haitian community.

The 25-year-old young agrocontractor landed in TCI on Sunday December 3rd and departed on Wednesday December 6th.

Upon his visit, Moïse meet with Haitian church leaders in the community to have a better understanding of how Haitians are living in the TCI.

In an exclusive interview with the SUN, Moïse, who studied Sociology at the University of L’UQAM L’ University Montreal Québec in Canada, and started working since 2014/2015 with his father, said he loves learning and believes that “the purpose of existence is not just being, but doing, creating”.

He added: “I am a type of person that wants to show others how to live. I mostly think about Haiti and how we can develop the country with other avenues in the way of new businesses and politics but mostly entrepreneurship.”

He said the relationship between the TCI and Haiti is not the best, but it is being worked on, adding that although he does not fully know the systems of the TCI, he understands that the people of this country have

contributed to the development of Haitians living in TCI and those living in Haiti.

“When someone leaves their country to travel to another country it isn’t something simple and it’s not just something that Haitians do, but other nationalities as well. Most people see Haitians as people who come in boats, people who come to work for a low salary, but there are a lot of Haitians who just choose to be here in TCI to help themselves and their kids to live a better life,” he said.

As an entrepreneur, Moïse stated that he wants to enhance the quality of Haiti’s agriculture, innovate and try to do things that have never been done before with that sector.

“I want agriculture to open up to the world and not just for locals to consume the food,” he added. “I want agriculture for everyone to make a profit where ever you are in the world.

It’s not just agriculture, but also other businesses that we would like to create, innovate and this is something that is very important to me and my father.

We are fighting with systems that were here before us but we are moving forward well. We’re leading the path for generations that will come behind us who will do extraordinary things as well. I wish to enhance the quality of our agricultural commodities and the adequacy of our packaging facilities.”

He continued: “We must reclaim the image of Haiti that is sent abroad. The world needs to know who we really are.

The freedom fights we fought, and won with, and for all of humanity have to be acknowledged. They must realize what we have done and what we can do as a people. I aspire to reaching these objectives through the BOUJONNEN (to come into bud) foundation. It’s a social project of mine which sole goal is to accompany the Haitian youth in their endeavors. I believe all major Haitian undertakings will, and can, only succeed with the integration of the new generation in the social and economic fabric of the country.”

According to Moïse, to make this possible, an education system worthy of that name needs to be in place for all young dreamers. In the near future he hopes to see this progressive thinking turn into a national movement.

He continued: “I mostly see life as today is yours and tomorrow is for someone else. In these predictions I don’t see myself, and I see my country and its young people. In five to ten years I see that we will have a country that will grow politically, economically and begin to open doors so that investors can invest in our country. I see the young people believing that when they study they will be able to use that knowledge and apply it and we will also begin to see a political system that the young generation will agree with. That is my prediction for five, ten and fifteen years.”

Meantime Moïse noted that he is young and have a lot to learn,

Joverlein Moïse adding that he cannot compare himself to his father who has 25 years experience, which he doesn’t have.

He believes that knowledge will take time and after he has that, he will then decide if he will choose to get into politics.

Moïse said he enjoyed his stay in the Turks and Caicos Islands and thanked everyone who made this visit one to remember. He is looking forward to coming back very soon.

Crime, punishment and resolution

Although heinous crimes have shown a downward trend, one is still to many.

Nevertheless, let’s give kudos to the leadership team of our local law enforcement department for a job well done.

The recent growing trend threatens the fabric of our society. It’s time to acknowledge that these are not isolated or disconnected incidents, but symptoms of a sickness that is griping our culture while we’re busy pretending that it’s surreal and blaming the illegals. What directly impacts this is the breakdown of the family structure and the decline in morality which in the past was the driving force in decision making and how we governed our lives.

The most effective way to tackle this problem is focusing on the root cause and then developing strategies around that. We are a God fearing nation, a destination of choice for many seeking peace and tranquillity. Therefore, we can’t stand by idle, we have to take a stand. One also needs to remember that we are still a developing nation and can no longer let down our guards.

Inevitably, these factors will attract undesirable elements seeking refuge and a quick buck. Old

laws relative to crime and punishment must be revised and adopted making it less attractive to criminal behavior. Risk verses reward and capture is what these criminals thrive on. As a concern citizen of this great country who spent 30 plus years oversees fighting crime, alongside law enforcement in the United States, I oblige every citizen to support local law enforcement efforts to curb this trend quickly as our lives and the lives of our future generation depends on it. Taking a holistic approach to crime prevention is what’s needed. Below are some suggestions for anyone listening.

E. Incentives should be offered for reporting anymous crimes.

F. Law enforcement need Segways not SUVs for residential road patrol.

G. We need to develop a community crime watch program focusing on one community at a time.

A. We need stronger community policing.

H. Government needs to provide all branches of law enforcement the needed resources to prevent and fight crime.(Pariculary) Fisheries Dept.

B. We need closer monitoring and background checks done on Criminals who were deported back to this country.

I. Stronger broader control; (i.e) thorough search and monitoring of ships entering our ports.

C. We need Trade schools for our youth to maximize talent.

D. We need Summer programs for our youth and at risk kids.

Respectfully submitted, Ed Forbes Owner/Exclusive Escapes Tours Grand Turk

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 13

LOCAL NEWS

Hartling Group triple-crown in top 10 TCI Resorts to visit now

By Todeline Defralien

Turks and Caicos is one of those rarefied destinations in the Caribbean, and that’s in large part due to the sheer number of top-level Turks and Caicos resorts.

It’s a destination where the pace is just a bit more relaxed, the beach is just a bit more beautiful and the ambience is just a bit more chic. It all adds up to an effortlessly chic but unmistakably relaxed destination.

The Hartling Group which consists of The Shore Club, The Sands and The Palms has recently triplecrown in the top 10 resorts to visit in TCI now according to a report made

by Caribbean Journal. The Hartling group made a name for themselves as their Resorts not only been named top Resort to visit in the TCI, but also won second and third place.

Karen Whitt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of The Hartling Group Turks and Caicos told the SUN that given the standard of all other resorts in Turks and Caicos Islands, to say that they are honored is an understatement. Their entire team is delighted, proud and humbled that they have been recognized in such a great way.

“We were certainly not expecting this and had no idea it was even being released. As you can imagine, it was a fabulous day when the news spread throughout our organization about this amazing

accolade.”

She added, “Behind every great resort is a team of professionals who are the heartbeat of all the greatness in the hospitality industry. We believe we employ one of the most dynamic and strongest management teams in the Caribbean and we recognize that to be successful it takes a concentrated effort and cohesion of all staff working together. After all, we are trying to meet the expectations and demands of the most discerning guests, and it takes a very special team of individuals to execute this on all levels.”

Whitt noted that the Hartling Group Resorts are led by a strong group philosophy of providing magical moments to their guests, and ensuring seamless processes at all of their facilities.

“There are so many common threads throughout our organization, and this starts with our CEO, Mr. Stan Hartling who has set the tone for greatness through his vision, leadership, innovation and determination and consistency of impeccable building standards at all three resorts. Stan has dedicated himself to creating resort developments that are carefully thought out and built not with just the best materials and expert construction teams, but with the heart and soul that is so uniquely Stan Hartling.”

“In 2015, our group embarked on a very ambitious Service Culture training program, which was created in collaboration with our team and

Karen Whitt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of The Hartling Group Turks and Caicos a top training consultant in the hospitality industry.

This Service Culture concept is a way of delivering exceptional service standards at all 3 resorts, and was specifically tailored for Hartling Group resorts and all of our team members, including our leaders. The principles of the Service Culture program are simple but the orientation and training are intense, and the results have been amazing as we have seen our guest satisfaction scores soar. This program is led by our

incredible Human Resources Director Tiersa Hall and her team. The response and participation of all staff have been nothing short of remarkable. They do it because they want to be great. They want to win. They want to be proud of themselves and to have others proud of them,” The Vice President of Sales and Marketing explained to the SUN.

Whitt acknowledged all the resorts who were recognized in the report and all other resorts and hospitality providers in the islands including those outside of Providenciales.

“Turks and Caicos is a special place with so much to offer the world, incredible diversity and a unique collection of sought after vacation experiences and memories for a lifetime.

It is this combination of beautiful by nature flora and fauna that keeps the Turks and Caicos Islands on top in the Caribbean region,” she ended.

Stated in the report, Caribbean Journal top10 favorite Turks and Caicos resorts right now were: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

The Shore Club The Sands The Palms Point Grace Amanyara Grace Bay Club Gansevoort Turks and Caicos The Meridian Club Blue Haven Resort Ocean Club

Grace Bay Club Announces Staff Promotions

Lindy Rigby

Llana Ewing

Roger Harvey

Janice Guillaume

Kiandra Williams

Bobby Chambers

Kennisha Grant

Dominique Forbes

Grace Bay Club is pleased to announce the following promotions:

Dominique Forbes – Night Auditor to Staff Accountant

Lindy Rigby – Executive Housekeeper to Director of Guest Services

Bobby Chambers – Guest Services Operator to Personal Concierge

Llana Ewing – Assistant Executive Housekeeper to Executive Housekeeper

Janice Guillaume – Guest Services Agent to Reservations Agent

Roger Harvey – Marketing and Design Coordinator to Marketing Manager

Kiandra Williams – Guest Services Operator to Guest Services Agent

Rene Georges – Bartender to Bar Supervisor

Kennisha Grant – Guest Services Operator to Guest Services Agents

Delthia Russell, Assistant Director of Human Resources said, “At Grace Bay Club we provide our employees with opportunities for growth and development within the organization. We have a strong focus on training and creating opportunities for upward mobility. We believe in promotion from within as evident by the number of promotions within the past year. We are proud of the achievements of our team members and congratulate them on their promotions.”

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

Santa helps to deliver books to schools on South

Taking time out from his busy pre-Christmas preparations last week, Santa was welcomed with smiles and cheers as he helped deliver 12 boxes of books from Provo Primary School to the children of Calvary Christian School and Iris Stubbs on South Caicos.

The children of Provo Primary School collected the books when they were sad to hear that many of the schools’ books had been damaged by the Hurricanes, Irma and Maria. The children looked on their own bookshelves and donated books that they had enjoyed and thought others would too. When Santa heard about their kindness,

he was happy to help them deliver took gifts to the schools that the them to the schools. children had made for the children

The delivery is part of - a super selection of messages and an on-going pen pal outreach information books to share, art programme between Provo Primary activities for the children to complete and the two schools. The children and toy planes and Math games for of Provo Primary wanted to help them to play with, together with other children that, like them, had much appreciate supplies. experienced the storms - to offer a The hospitality and hand of friendship from one school responses from the students to another – children supporting and teachers from both Calvary children. Thanks to Miss Laranda Christian School and Iris Stubbs Parker, a current Provo Primary Primary has been wonderful. They teacher and former student of both were delighted to receive all the the two schools, connections were thoughtful and creative gifts and enjoyed talking, working and made with the schools on South.

In a previous visit, the playing together with the children Provo Primary School Councilors from Provo Primary. In return,

the Calvary Christian School has since created gifts for the children of Provo Primary School, which too were much appreciated.

All flights to and from South have been generously donated by the Sailrock Resort on South Caicos who have been keen to help support the programme, and it has been wonderful that both Inter-Caribbean and Caicos Express Airways have been happy to accommodate all the extra luggage on their flights.

All schools hope that they can keep this line of communication open and continue to forge future friendships and connections throughout the year.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 15

LOCAL NEWS

New paint supply business opens in TCI

By Todeline Defralien

Although the Turks and Caicos Islands have recently experienced two major hurricanes, that didn’t stop a new family from leaving their home town to start a new business, Grace Bay Paint and Supply Ltd, in the country.

Dylan and Tara Czarnecki who relocated to Providenciales from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada overlooked the damages and decided to start their brand new business in the TCI. Grace Bay Paint and Supply Ltd officially opened its doors on Monday December 11th on the Leeward Highway.

Dylan and Tara decided to move to the Turks and Caicos Islands after visiting several times and falling in love with the beautiful landscape and remarkable people.

“We had our scheduled departure date on September 7th, the day of Irma that was actually our flight from Miami to Turks and Caicos and those were canceled, then we rescheduled everything and re-planned our entire trip and we got cancelled again because of

hurricane Maria,” said Dylan Czarnecki. “At that point we were still very determined to get here to start this business and do what we started to do. I came from the building industry from a background with construction and my wife was a teacher back in Canada, but we had an opportunity to open this franchise and to partner with Todd Foss in his operations here sort of like a sister company.”

Czarnecki noted that this was an opportunity that he and his wife wanted to take and they worked with Sherwin Williams to help them open up this new franchise and bring a new type of product and a new type of company to TCI.

He added: “It brings a new professional line of paint products to the island which the island hasn’t seen before. Sherwin Williams is a 150 year old company that is well known and respected throughout North America and the Caribbean and also with our company it’s not just the product, it’s the service provided and we focus on customer service. We also focus on making sure that our customers’ needs are meet and it’s also a big part of just being a part of the community.”

Czarnecki who has been vacationing here for over ten years with his wife told the SUN he and his wife wanted to have an adventurous portion of their life and they wanted to move somewhere and try something new.

“We have been vacationing here for over ten years and we fell in love with the people, the landscape, the beaches and we decided that this is where we want to build our new life. We got the opportunity to move and invest and we decided to take it. We arrived on island September 25th a few days after hurricane Maria and started setting up shop, started getting construction progress happening. We’ve endured to the time of the hurricanes and through the recovery efforts. When we first arrived on island we went and did some Salvation Army food deliveries within the different communities, went to Five Cays and dropped off food and supplied for those people. We tried to help with the recovery efforts as much as we could and we want to be a big part of the community when we’re here,” he explained.

Czarnecki said that as good ethical business

GENERAL MANAGER POSITION Applications are invited for the General Manager position at a Turks & Caicos Islands FBO. An individual with leadership, customer relations, and results focused abilities is required to oversee all aspects of the FBO operations.

Responsibilities will include: •Providing a safe and secure working environment for both customers and employees •Selling services and fuel to general aviation and commercial aviation customers •Procuring and managing fuel and other inventory •Overseeing operation and maintenance of equipment •Developing and executing on annual and long-term business plans, including responsibility for sales, expenses and capital expenditures •Ensuring that National & International regulations and safety procedures are maintained

Dylan and Tara Czarnecki pictured outside of their newly opened Grace Bay Paint Supplies store practice they want to make employment.” sure that they’re giving back Czarnecki stressed to the community as much as that they are very happy to be they can and when they can. in the TCI and they hope that A d d i t i o n a l l y , people can come and see their Czarnecki stated that with store and experience their the opening of their new services and their product business it will provide more line to see what they have to job opportunities for young offer and give them a chance. locals in the Turks and Caicos Grace Bay Paint and Islands.

Supply Ltd. is also a proud

“We want to employ partner with the fun, friendly local TCI people to help us people at Grace Bay Car with our operations and Rentals and Sales Ltd. and help us expand and grow. Automotive Art. We want to look at some These companies training programs for young not only share the same entrepreneurs to help them business location, on Leeward grow and succeed in business; Highway, but they also share we want to find some of the same business philosophy those young TCI people who and dedication to customer are looking to start maybe service. The same higha painting business or other quality customer service that businesses and we want to do you have come to expect from things like micro financing, Grace Bay Car Rentals and training and education to help Sales Ltd. and Automotive them grow and help them Art, can now be found at the build their careers or to be an newly opened local paint employee for us in our store to supplier, Grace Bay Paint and give them an opportunity for Supply Ltd.

Anne

December 24th 8:50am

You’ve made our home wonderful December 24th 9:00am

Joel

I’m with you for Christmas

Received

Essential criteria for this position: •Superior industry knowledge of general aviation and commercial aviation •Proven experience in managing an FBO •Minimum of 10 years’ experience as a General Manager selling services and fuel to both general aviation and commercial aviation customers •Proven track record in controlling all aspects of the business including line operations and facility management •Track record in preparing and managing operating budgets for an FBO •An excellent track record in aviation safety monitoring and training •Verifiable track record of excellent customer service skills •Proven experience in managing fuel inventory •Strong experience in dealing with Regulatory Authorities •Be willing to work extended and anti-social hours •Experienced in reporting to shareholders and Board of Directors Remuneration for this position is commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should send a detailed CV to hr@ blueheronfbo.com. All enquiries must also be sent to the Labour Board, Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

MoneyGram, the Globe and Bringing You Closer are marks of MoneyGram. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. © 2017 MoneyGram.

17-03611

Page 16

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

The Liquid Facelift

By Dr. Marsha Barnett

Ever thought about losing the wrinkles over your forehead or may erasing your crow’s feet? What about the lines between the nose and mouth that shows up every time you smile?

Decades ago, the only option that truly excited was a facelift, under a surgeon’s knife, with the attendant medical and surgical risks and of course the downtime and cost associated with the procedure.

Over the past decade or so, the term “liquid facelift’ has been coined to describe the anti-aging effects of aesthetic procedures that can be done in an office setting. Not only is there no downtime required, but the health risks and costs are much lower.

Additionally, these procedures can be done at an earlier age when the effects of aging begin to show. No longer do you have to wait until you at the stage where you need a surgical facelift, to erase the effects of time.

What is a Liquid Facelift?

As we age, the face begins to lose collagen and elastin which contributes to sagging facial features.

The loss of facial volume and elasticity also leads to the formation of wrinkles, lines and folds. Of course, the effects of gravity, daily sun exposure, stress, diet, genetics and habits such as smoking play a role in the aging process as well.

A Liquid Facelift is a technique for injecting advanced dermal fillers, such

as Juvederm to lift and contour facial features. It can be used to reduce creases, lines and folds, reduce dark circles under the eyes, give a gentle lift of facial features, lift jowls, restore the natural, curved facial contours and achieve a more youthful, energetic and rested look.

Most fillers are comprised of natural substances such as hyaluronic acid which is produced by the body.

Precisely placed, the dermal fillers can be used to lift or contour any number of facial features. In general, dermal fillers replace lost volume in the face and help the body regenerate its own collagen.

Botox can used in conjunction with the dermal fillers. With the passage of time and the use of our facial muscles to gesticulate, frown, squint in the sun and even laugh, the muscles underneath our skin become more developed leading to lines on the face even when our face is at rest.

Botox is able to relax these muscles, thereby diminishing wrinkles and lines in the face. Using Botox in combination with fillers for example to relax the muscles around the mouth in a smoker, thereby erasing fine lines but also filling the volume lost in the area by the breakdown of collagen, can greatly enhance the youthfulness of the face.

Are There any Side Effects?

Although the injectables are safe, all things come with possible side

ACCOUNTANT

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE Applications are invited from suited qualified and experienced persons for the Post of Accountant at the TCI Community College in Grand Turk.

The Accountant has overall responsibility for astute financial management of the accounting, finance, budgeting, forecasting, cost recovery and scenario planning of the College and performing the necessary functions as are related to these areas.

The Accountant supervises the Bursar and is directly responsible to the President.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: a) Developing and implementing proper procedures to properly record and maintain accurate records of the financial transactions of the College. b) Accurate maintenance of the accounting records of the College with full utilization of appropriate computer software. c) Preparing and submitting to the President and the Board of Governors, monthly quarterly and annually, reports on the financial statements and analyses of all aspects of the financial activities of the College including fully reconciled financial statement and variance reports for use by the College. d) Ensuring proper maintenance of procedures for student billing and fee income, to ensure that income is properly controlled and students charged the appropriate fees. e) Supervision of the Bursar are: •Data entry •Fee collection and deposit •Receipt and sale of books •Monthly bank account reconciliation •Preparation of Purchase Orders and payment vouchers f) Responsible for payroll g) Ensuring that Inventory and fixed assets are properly

effects or complications. Years ago, some persons had allergic reactions to fillers, but this is no longer the case as the usual substances injected are naturally occurring in the body.

Of course, there may be mild pain and discomfort when being injected but this is minimal as needles used are relatively small especially when administering Botox. There is a risk of bruising and swelling at the injection sites and scarcely, Botox injections may cause issues such as reversible drooping of the eyelids.

How Long Will The Effects Last?

The cost of these procedures depends on the areas to the treated and how much product will be used. As Botox is many times sold by the units used and a filler, by the syringe, the greater the scope of work and products injected, the greater the cost.

The effects of the injectables will typically last from one to two years, depending on the products used and the facial area treated. Because the Dr. Marsha barnett body is able to break down the fillers and the muscles and nerve endings of that they have done anything. As the muscle are able to recover from the with any cosmetic medical procedure, relaxant effect of Botox, subsequent results vary from patient to patient. sessions will be required to maintain the appearance. *Dr. Marsha Barnett is a general

Results from aesthetic practitioner who also specializes procedures can range from subtle to in dermatology. For questions astonishing. It is common for patients or comments, please contact at who have had these procedures to say drmarshabarnett@gmail.com or at that they receive compliments on their Associated Medical Practices - 946appearance without others knowing 4242.

recorded. h) Interaction with the Registrar and other Department of the College to ensure appropriate recording of student financial information. i) Ensuring that effective use is made of the available computerized technology to facilitate appropriate report for effective management decision. j) Other reasonably related duties, which may be assigned from time to time by the President for the efficient functioning of the College.

EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS: 1. Must possess at least a first degree or professional qualification from an internationally recognized and accredited institution.

2. A minimum of two (2) years working experience as an Accountant or in a related field.

3. Must be computer literate and have a sound, working knowledge of computerized accounting software including QuickBooks Pro. 4. Must be confidential, competent, tactful, honest, and vigilant at all times.

5. Must demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of the job.

Salary is in the scale: US$38,875.20 – 46,029.00 per annum.

Application giving full details of qualifications and experience, recommendation from current place of employment, character reference, as well as a current police record should reach The President, TCI Community College, PO Box 236, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, on or before the 23rd December, 2017.

Applications may be hand delivered or emailed to tcicomc@tciway.tc OR president@tcicc.edu.tc

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 17

LOCAL NEWS

HIRTAC donates $20,000 to Horse Stable Beach Project

By Todeline Defralien

Hurricane Irma Relief Turks and Caicos (HIRTAC) which is a nonprofit relief initiative is kick-starting their campaign with an initial grant of $20,000 to assist in the development of the Horse Stable Beach project in North Caicos.

HIRTAC is working alongside Raymond Gardiner High School students to help establish and advise on the works. HIRTAC is committed to realizing their vision for a resilient, celebrated site that seizes the full potential of its location.

This integral landmark not only hosts civic and social functions, such as the annual Rake n’ Scrape, Season Jam, pageants, recitals, graduations and meetings among others, but is also a very popular tourist destination. Though since the passing of Irma and Maria, it has been forced to close. This has already led to two major community functions being affected.

Raymond Gardiner High School students Briann Gardiner (5th Form) and Astacio Ariza (4th Form), together with their fourth and fifth form peers, are championing the repairs and refurbishment of their community facility at Horse Stable Beach.

North Caicos D.C. Cynclair Musgrove said she is grateful for such a generous donation because it has many positive effects on their students (future leaders), parents, teachers and the community. Furthermore, the daily visitors to Horse Stable Beach will benefit from the rebuilding of this popular stop.

Laure-Astrid Wigglesworth Chairman for HIRTAC said, “The HIRTAC team are incredibly excited to be working with such exemplary individuals. For anyone wanting to make a difference in their community and champion this type of project, it would be commendable; but for this to have been spearheaded by fourth and fifth form pupils at RGHS, it is extraordinary. Not only does this project offer an improved facility, but

also a meaningful learning experience for these students and a wonderful opportunity for the TCI community to come together. Co-Chair, Kate Slattery, helps coordinate and develop design education programmes in the U.K. with schools and young people. In her experience, this is the first instance she has seen students instigate and bring a project idea forward; to say her and her London colleagues were blownaway by Briann & Astacio’s initiative would be an understatement.”

She added: “This is the students’ project, so part of this experience is for them to liaise with contractors in this early phase to develop the construction programme. We have a network of expertise and support to offer them during this process. It is the hope that the community will rally behind them with donations, as well as with government contributions, in order to allow them to commence the works in the first quarter of next year.”

HIRTAC are in talks for a high-profile event and silent auction in London due to take place in early 2018. They are also interested in hosting a fundraising event in the TCI in the first half of 2018 to raise local awareness as well as additional monetary sponsorship.

Wigglesworth noted that the North Caicos Team has some great ideas for the event and they would welcome any form of community involvement as well as contributions for auctions or sponsorship.

Briann Gardiner (5th Form) student at the Raymond Gardiner High School stated that he has been living in North Caicos for his entire life, 16 years, and as he grew, he began to realize the extreme lack of interest in building communities and encouraging the youth in ways other than motivational talks, which nowadays don’t do much for most students.

“What inspired me to generate the idea of repairing the complex are: I wish to draw the residents of North Caicos closer to each other, building strong bonds between each community, I’ve realized that if you want something done, you must do it yourself and not

The entire group of students which have been involved with the project

Briann Gardiner and Astacio Ariza pictured here together wait for others to do it for you and I want to be a nation builder, starting from my island home.”

“I want to encourage and inspire the youth of North Caicos. This Bread Basket of the Turks and Caicos Islands is filled with youth from many corners of Earth each bearing a special talent and/or skill; therefore, I wish to provide them with a way to develop and build on what they have rather than let it go to waste,” he said.

Hurricane Irma Relief Turks and Caicos (HIRTAC) will be running a series of community-engagement programmes with local practices and individuals to develop not only the students’ proposal for the site, but also to offer design education outreach. The team believes it is important to not only help restore this facility to beyond its former glory, but to also engage and empower this community.

In addition to having assisted in the short term with coordinating emergency relief efforts, HIRTAC’s

long term goal is to invest the funds raised post-Hurricane Irma in rebuilding opportunities for the youth of the local communities in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

HIRTAC is a non-profit relief initiative, founded by UK-based Turks and Caicos Islanders and past residents. HIRTAC works to harness the transition from urgent relief to long-term rebuilding.

With official assessments totaling repairs at over $130k, HIRTAC encourages individuals or businesses to get in touch because any type of contribution or support they can offer would make the world of difference. Individuals and businesses can get involved by contacting hurricaneirmateamUK@gmail.com or visiting www.hirtac.org.

HIRTAC will be announcing developments with their project along the way & opportunities to get the communities sleeves rolled up in 2018.

Horse Stable Beach complex taken in November 2017

Page 18

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

Flow Customers to Select the next “Flow People’s Choice Award” Which top Caribbean television series concept will claim the Flow People’s Choice Awards selected from this year’s CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI) program? That is the question that is top of mind as Flow customers across the region add their voices to the selection process. There are only 10 voting days left and there is still time for customers to cast their vote.

Voting began on November 3rd, 2017 to determine which of four original television series concepts, is the viewer’s top favourite show to watch. The show with the highest number of votes will be crowned the top viewer choice award and wins a $2,500 USD prize. Customers can vote online HERE at: http://caribbeantalestv.com/flows-people-choice-awards2017-edition/

To cast your vote, make sure to watch the trailers and choose one of the four (4) shortlisted television series featured below:

1.Lexo Street by Trinidad’s Roger Alexis, the well-known creator of the beloved puppet “Santana” and other characters. His submission is a no-holds barred comedic dramatization of life on Lexo Street.

2.Inframundo described as not for the faint-hearted is an adventurous, unpredictable and full of mystery film

project produced by Leticia Jones from the Dominican Republic.

3.Life or Death by Cristobal Krusen of Belize chronicles the twists and turns of a scandal-ridden presidential election in the small country of Costaguana as a son fights to save his father’s legacy.

4.The Agency by Paul O’Beale and Rick Elgood of Jamaica highlights the life and times of Ellen Thompson, a Jamaican single mother, who opens up her own agency to recruit and train rising entertainment stars.

Flow customers will have the exclusive opportunity to see these pilots aired on the Flow 1 network across the region late 2018/2019. By casting your vote, you let us know the type of original Caribbean programming you want to see. The announcement of the 2017 Flow People’s Choice Award winner is scheduled for December 18th, 2017.

John Reid, CEO of C&W Communications, the operator of Flow said, “This is Flow’s second year as lead sponsor of Caribbean Tales and we are proud of our continuously strengthening association. We are huge advocates of fostering an enabling environment for filmmakers in the region and across the Caribbean diaspora and we are intent on delivering high-quality, original

CHIEF STEWARD Looking for a fulltime live-in Chief Steward for a large private family villa on Providenciales Job duties to include the following: •Procure all groceries and cleaning supplies •Assist with supervision and training of other family household staff •Responsible for establishing and maintaining high sanitation standards for the entire Villa •Responsible for the maintenance and the cleanest of all villa equipment •To set standards for cleaning procedures and store keeping in line with villa policies •Responsible for ensuring that villa is free of pest at all times •Control and keep record of all breakages •Responsible for administration and the disposal of the waste Requirements: •Must be willing to work long hours and all weather conditions •May be required to work up to 72hrs in any given week •Must have knowledge of kitchen equipment maintenance •Must have at least five years’ Labourer or Steward experience •Applicant must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English as well as computer proficiency Salary based on experience, commencing at $2,500 per month.

Required to work six days a week.

All suitably qualified TC Islanders are requested to submit resumes/ portfolios to PO Box 560, Regent House West, Regent Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales, TCI or send by fax to 946 4663.

Prospective TC Islander applicants are also free to lodge a copy of their applications with the Labour Board.

Caribbean content which is relevant, CaribbeanTales is a group of relatable and appeals to our audiences.” companies that produces, markets, Reid also said, “By giving our and sells Caribbean-themed film and Caribbean customers the ability to vote television content for global audiences. for their favourite television series and It includes CaribbeanTalesInc a producer through the Flow Caribbean registered Charity based in Toronto, People’s Choice Award we have Canada; the Caribbean-Tales created a win-win opportunity for both International Film Festival (CTFF) film-makers and viewers – a highly that produces events around the interactive way for our customers to world; the renowned CaribbeanTales help select the Caribbean content that Incubator Program, a development and they really want to watch on TV and production hub for original Caribbean also support for the development of the content; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Caribbean film industry.”

Distribution (CTWD), the largest full Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO service distribution entity dedicated to of Caribbean Tales said, “We’re the monetisation of Caribbean content; delighted to be in partnership with CaribbeanTalesFlix, our production Flow with this amazing initiative to arm, and CaribbeanTales-TV, a video create original television programming on demand platform. for our region. The People’s Choice About C&W Communications Award is a great interactive tool to C&W is a full-service measure the appeal of our original communications and entertainment programming. With this initiative, as provider that delivers market-leading well as the recent airing of the reality video, broadband, telephony and mobile program “Me on My TV”, showing the services to consumers in 18 countries. filmmakers’ journey to our “Big Pitch” Through its business division, C&W in Toronto, Canada, we are proud of our provides data center hosting, domestic collaborative efforts to bring the next and international managed network generation of Caribbean filmmakers to services, and customized IT service Flow’s audiences.” solutions, utilizing cloud technology to serve business and government –ENDS – customers.

C&W also operates a state-ofAbout THE CARIBBEANTALES the-art submarine fiber network – the MEDIA GROUP: most extensive in the region.

MARKETING CO-ORDINATOR

interCaribbean Airways seeks a talented Marketing Coordinator to join our commercial team at a fast-growing Caribbean Airline.

You will lead the Marketing of interCaribbean Airways and directly contribute to the delivery of the revenue targets by developing, planning and implementing marketing communications strategies in current and new markets.

JOB DESCRIPTION Role accountabilities include: Create and develop a comprehensive Marketing plan to actively promote brand awareness in line with overall commercial business objectives.

The management of all aspects of the commercial marketing in off-line and online mediums.

Be a brand ambassador in ensuring that all communications channels such a print, radio, tv continue a brand standard as set forth by the company.

Define and execute multi-channel marketing and strategies to deliver growth and meet revenue targets by identifying marketing opportunities to meet customer requirements, and targeting new customers and maximizing existing customer relationships.

Establish, maintain and optimize the marketing budget spend to ensure objectives are met.

Plan, budget and execute all branding activities, both ATL & BTL including social media, events and digital marketing, as well as tactical campaigns both online and offline.

Observe and comply with all procurement, finance and contractual policies and procedures and ensure the marketing team is compliant with company requirements.

Work with Finance to ensure marketing expenditure is in line with marketing plan and company approval, ensure new vendor setup, purchase order or media buys are approved and work with accounting for ensuring vendors are paid on time and marketing expenses are accrued.

Experience Required: To be succeed in this role, you will need a degree in Marketing or Communications and or a minimum of five years of experience in a similar role. Ideally you will have airline experience.

You will need strong above and below the line Marketing skills and a good working knowledge of e-Commerce, PR and social media. You will need proven experience in managing successful relationships with stakeholders and business partners. Key to your success is knowledge and experience in development and implementing strategic marketing plans.

Be able to efficiently communicate in a second language (Spanish or French) to meet the territorial coverage of the airline operating area. Send Resume to HR@intercaribbean.com.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 19

including contract review, progress payments, construction status and closing updates, and responding to buyer comments, questions and concerns; serve as Sailrock’s primary point of contact for all aspects of buyer communications;being present at the sales office during times consistent with the hours of other real estate brokerage offices;and promote Sailrock to the Turks & Caicos brokerage community via networking, office presentation, special events and site visits

SAILROCK DEVELOPMENT LIMITED is seeking a qualified candidate for DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND SALES. This role’s key responsibilities include driving sales and marketing efforts to generate revenue, create project growth, and foster meaningful relationships with the local brokerage community, prominent local figures, and existing clients as follows: Management Responsibilities:Oversee sales office operations – it is anticipated that the sales office will be open 6 days a week;recruit and hire a sales office administrator/sales assistant who can provide administrative and sales support (this resource must be capable of manning the sales office at times when Director of Marketing and Sales is conducting on-island tours);provide direction to sales office administrator relating to required support functions to the sales organization;and offer training for required sales assistance tasks Marketing Responsibilities:Work with Marketing Manager to ensure that marketing strategies and programs are effectively positioning Sailrock; assist with the cultivation of content to be used on social media platforms daily; provide details relating to competitive projects and properties, both locally and internationally; offer feedback relating to prospect tastes and trends; and assist with the development of price modeling for current and future offerings Sales Responsibilities:Identify sales opportunities and assess available options for those opportunities;qualify new prospects and coordinate South Caicos visits accordingly to tour target properties with prospects;employ sound strategies to gain prospect commitment and close business opportunities;liaise with our local attorney’s and guide buyers through required contractual steps of the real estate transaction,

“REGENT GRAND MANAGEMENT LTD”

Seeks motivated proactive individuals to join its REGENT GRAND ‘resort team’ and contribute to this growing beachfront boutique luxury property.

Candidates MUST want to actively participate in creating an excellent and professional guest experience.

PUBLIC AREA ATTENDANT •Candidate will be responsible to ensure the highest level of cleanliness and safety in all public and back of house areas of the resort •Ensure that all lobbies and public facilities are kept in a neat and clean condition, such as rooms, hallways and restrooms.

•Sweeps, mops, scrubs and polishes floors, remove trash collected by attendants and collects linen and other supplies from floor linen closets.

•Promotes a positive image of the property to guests and owners.

•Must be responsible for spring cleaning of their area as per schedule.

Must be pleasant, honest and friendly; must have a good command of written and verbal communication.

•Fit and able for heavy lifting •Willing to work split shifts, holidays and weekends

Wages: $6.50 per hour HOUSEKEEPER •Performs routine duties in cleaning and servicing of guest rooms under supervision of housekeeping supervisor.

•Prepares and cleans guests’ rooms by making beds, cleaning kitchen areas, bathrooms, floors, corridors, furniture and appliances.

•Removal of trash and dirty linen from rooms.

• Responsible for spring cleaning of their area as per schedule.

•Provide turndown services as required and replenishes guestroom and bath supplies.

• Promotes a positive image of the property to guests and owners. Must be pleasant, honest, friendly and should also able to address guest requests and problems.

•Willing to work split shifts, holidays and weekends Wages: $6.25 per hour LAUNDRY ATTENDANT •Operate equipment necessary to sort, weigh, wash, dry, iron and fold Resort linen also beach and Pool towels •Maintain proper documentation of linen rotating through the laundry and results from special stain treating •Maintain an acceptable state of cleanliness and organization throughout the entire work area

Create marketing relationships with out-of-market groups or agencies to promote and sell Sailrock to overseas investors; weekly sales updates reporting new prospects, prospect development and sales projections; utilize CRM for prospecting and sales pipeline management;maintain relationships with local lending institutions to offer viable purchase financing options;and develop and promote referral program.

In addition, the applicant will be responsible to prepare and give extensive guided tours of South Caicos and Sailrock to agents, industry professionals, potential purchasers, investors and key stakeholders.

Applicant must be willing to work long hours including weekends and holidays and travel frequently on short notice and spend significant time on South Caicos. Applicant will have a minimum of 10 years’ experience in marketing and sales working directly for development companies, preferably with experience in Caribbean and out island developments, and have extensive experience in developing sales and marketing strategies for all types of development including land, villa, master planned and both condominium and hotel condominium product.

Applicant will also have a minimum of 10 years’ experience as a licensed real estate broker.In addition to the above qualifications, applicants must have strong verbal and written communication skills and be highly organized. Candidates must be able to work well independently and in a team environment, exhibit a positive attitude and an outgoing professional manner.

Salary range:$70,000-$100,000 base + commission plan yearly Please submit applications to Scott Hoskins c/o Matthew Bywater: Drop Off: W104 Venture House, Grace Bay, Providenciales Fax: (312) 376-2056 Email: SHoskins@cmkrealty.com Interested Turks and Caicos Islands must also submit copies of their application to the TCI Labour Board.

•Record and report linen left on Buildings and delivery to closets •Perform general cleaning tasks of Staff Break Area and Restroom •Respond and execute special guest requests Wages: $6.25 per hour SECURITY •Responsible for patrolling resort facility on foot and create a general security/public safety presence to deter inappropriate activity.

•Answers radio calls from other departments with requests for assistance, and respond to emergency situations involving guests, owners and employees.

• Interact with guests of the resort to provide customer service and assistance when needed.

•Participate in briefings with heads of departments and assist with internal investigations relating to sensitive security matters involving guests and resort employees.

•Assist other departments as needed regarding safety and security matters.

•Fit and able for heavy lifting •Willing to work split shifts, holidays and weekends Wages: $7.15 per hour Requirements: Should have four years or more experience in the Public Area, Housekeeping, laundry and Security Department of a resort. Should be able to work cohesively with co-workers as part of a team. Must be able to read and write in English and understand verbal and written instructions.

These positions are currently held by work permit holders Prospective & qualified applicants who are Turks & Caicos Islanders can send copies of their applications and resumes to the email address noted below or to the Labour Board.

Applications will be accepted up to December 13th, 2016 Please forward resumes to: Email: rosemary @ rwimgt.com Regent Grand Management Ltd. c/o Regent Street TKCA 1ZZ Grace Bay, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 941-7770

Page 20

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

CELEBRATING WHAT LIGHTS US UP

During this season of peace, joy and goodwill, some of the most important gifts will not be wrapped under a tree.

They are present in the many little things that light up our lives, every day of the year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

www.fortistci.com | 649-946-4313

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 21

Holiday office hours

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

The management and staff at Colonial extend sincere season’s best wishes to you, your family and your friends.

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS

Early closing: 22nd December - noon 29th December - noon

Call 232-3195 or visit www.cgigroup.com

COLONIAL INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED

Suite 3D-A, Courtyard Plaza, Leeward Highway, Providenciales Tel. (649) 232 3195 www.cgigroup.com A member of Colonial Group International Ltd. insurance, health, pensions, life

cgigrp

lb lb

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Page 22 DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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Jack Frost Sugar ar

2/

5 lb bag

2/

Fabulous All Purpose Cleaner

56 oz

18

2/

Hi-C Variety

40 ct

2/

6

128 oz

Hawaiian ii Punch

Niagara Drinking Water

24 pk/.5 ltr btls

2/

00

48 oz btl

Wesson Vegetable or Canola Oil

10 4

2/

Kellogg’s Cereal

21.5 oz box, Corn Pops, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks or Frosted Flakes

5

4/

Chicken of the Sea Tuna

5 oz can In Water

4 lb bag

2/

6

Libby’s Corned Beef

00

10

Riceland Rice

20 lb bag

grocery ocery department

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017 Page 23

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

F

FLOW SENIOR CIT CHRISTMAS TOUR

low tours the Sister Islands to spread Christmas 14December 2017 – The Annual Flow Senior Joy to Senior Citizens!

Citizen’s Christmas Tour commenced in the

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos – Nation’s Capital on Tuesday, Dec 12, and ended in

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

LOCAL NEWS

TIZENS R 2017!

Providenciales on Friday, Dec 14, reaching nearly 500 senior citizens throughout the islands as we approach the most anticipated holiday of the year.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

Desmond Brooks In Grand Turk Is seeking a Labourer To work 6 days per week Salary $6.25 per hour Please Contact: 242-8600

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

JOHNNY PIERRE Is seeking a FISHERMAN Must be on call Salary $300.00 per week Please Contact: 344-3288

Akeem Construction, Squeaky Clean, Jam City

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Looking for Labourers, Cleaners, Domestic Workers, Carpenters, Electricians, Handymen Location – Provo Salary $6.50 an hour Please Contact: 247-1985

Sky Farm, SDMGC Looking for Labourers, Cleaner, Farmers, Domestic Workers, Carpenters, Electricians, Handymen Location – Provo Salary $6.50 an hour Please Contact: 247-1985

NEW STYLE CONSTRUCTION

VICIOUS CUTS BARBER SHOP

JOANEL CHARLES

KIMBERLEY HARVEY

TROPICAL BLUE LINE

IS SEEKING A CLEANER TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 342-5316

NEEDS A DOMESTIC WORKER GRAND TURK SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK PLEASE CONTACT: 431-7116

IS SEEKING A LABOURER TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $6.50 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 347-3638

I SEEKING A HOUSEMAID TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 342-5316

IS SEEKING 6 PAINTERS TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY: $8.00 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 247-1000

#304138

#304140

#304140

For All you advertising needs contact TCISUN at 339-5879 Or email – sun@suntci.com For All you advertising needs contact TCISUN at 339-5879 Or email – sun@suntci.com

ELITE EDUCATION SYS HIGH SCHOOL IS SEEKING 3 TEACHERS SALARY $1,500 PER MONTH 2 CLEANERS SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR 2 TUCK-SHOP CLERKS SALARY $1,200 PER MONTH CONTACT # 245-8334

Tumble Totz

Is seeking a Teacher Assistant To work 5 days per week Salary - Negotiable Please Contact: 231-0013

CLYDE GLINTON

W&J Fashion Store

Is seeking 1 Labourer To work 6 days a week Salary $6.50 an hour Please Contact: 341-4186

Is seeking a Retail Personnel To work 6 days per week Salary $6.25 per hour Please Contact: 344-5969

#304132

#304136

FRANCISCA FRANCIS

JAMESLY PROSPER BARBER SHOP

LUXURY CUTS AND BRAIDS

IS SEEKING A BABYSITTER TO WORK 6 DAY PER WEEK SALARY $400.00 PER MONTH PLEASE CONTACT: 241-1710

IS SEEKING ONE BARBER TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $6.50 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 342-5316

IS SEEKING A COSMETOLOGIST TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR CONTACT# 241-2550

NOTICE

AMERICLEAN DRY CLEANERS

I Adeline Pierre state that my permanent residence card is lost, if anyone finds it, please bring to me the holder. If anyone other than myself is caught using it will be prosecuted.

JAMES FULFORD

IS URGENTLY IN NEED OF 2 LAUNDERERS SALARY: NEGOTIABLE CONTACT: 246-9066 OR 231-0047

NEEDS A DOMESTIC WORKER IN GRAND TURK SALARY $6.25 PER HOUR TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK PLEASE CONTACT: 241-2560

SRF CONSTRUCTION

WANTED

ACCU DIAGNOSTICS

IS SEEKING A PLS/STEELMAN TO WORK 4 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $9.00 PER HOUR PLEASE CONTACT: 247-9445

One Labourer To work in North Caicos 6 days per week Duties includes, mowing the lawn, assisting with maintenance of building, and other unskilled task Salary: $6.50 per hour Contact: 231-0005

IS SEEKING A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER SALARY IS NEGOTIABLE INTERESTED PERSONS MAY CONTACT US AT 649-946-8308 REGARDING EMPLOYMENT

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

IMMEDIATE OPENING EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT MANAGER* Job Summary: Functions as the Strategic Business Leader of the resorts’ Front Office, Spa, Youth Program and Retail operations and serves as General Manager as needed. Position oversees the development and implementation of departmental strategies and ensures implementation of the brand service strategy and brand initiatives throughout the operation. The position operation meet the brand’s target customer needs, ensures employee satisfaction, focuses on growing revenues and maximizes the financial performance of each department.

Requirements: •8-10 years of management experience in internationally branded luxury hotels/resort including at least 2 years at Executive Committee Level •In depth knowledge of front office, spa, youth program, and retail •Knowledge of all hotel operations to act as leader of any department when necessary •Knowledge of governmental regulations and safety standards (OSHA, EPA, ADA, CFC, NFPA) •Strong organization skills •Ability to effectively manage labor productivity •Financial management skills e.g., ability to analyze P&L statements, develop operating budgets, forecasting and capital expenditure planning •Ability to use standard software applications and hotel systems – Opera (Fidelio), Micros.

•Strategic planning skills •Ability to evaluate business trends, determine applicability to customer profile and modify business strategies accordingly •Ability to take constructive action without relying on directions from others •Ability to network and build relationships to grow the business •Strong problem-solving skills; encourages new innovative solutions when appropriate •Strong communication skills (verbal, listening, writing) •Must be willing and available to work all shifts and days Salary $60,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience International Procurement Manager* Requirements: •5+ years experience in international purchasing in a luxury hospitality environment; while negotiating domestic and international contracts, increasing total quality of the goods, and fully organizing proper container shipments.

•Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience.

•Must be Computer literate, Microsoft Office, MXP, etc.

•Must have advanced knowledge of Food & Beverage quality standards, health compliances and specifications.

•Must have product knowledge of food, beverage and hotel consumable/ durable items.

•Knowledge of Marine Exchange Procurement is an advantage.

•Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English, with additional other language is an advantage.

•Flexible, ability to work independently and under pressure.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts.

Duties include: •Forecast procurement needs based on historical data and analysis.

•Maintain procurement management database.

•Upgrade regularly Marine Exchange Procurement software.

•Liaise with brokers and support customs clearances.

•Liaise with Accounts Payable Department to ensure accurate and timely payment of invoices •Monitor inventory control and spending in order to make recommendations and identify areas for possible savings.

•Conduct physical inventories of the storerooms and prepare requisitions for all departments to bring items up to par stock levels.

•Supervising and training of Purchasing and Warehouse employees.

Starting salary $40,000 not including service charge.

BUTLER The butler will provide the highest of penthouse service to our guests.

The Butler’s primary goal is to create an ambiance of superior luxury by anticipating each individual guest’s needs.. This is accomplished through moments of surprise and delight that our guest would never have experienced before. Also ensure guest familiarities to frequent guests visiting the hotel.

Requirements: •Minimum of 3 years experience in food and beverage fine dining as a personal Butler •Must possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and written •Strong knowledge of a variety of cuisines and wines/beverages •Must possess local knowledge in order to respond to all inquires from guest, such as restaurants information •Must posses basic computational ability •Must posses basic computer skills

•Must be able to follow through all the guest requests and communicate them to the appropriate departments and management in an efficient manner •Must be have attention to details second to none ability, superior interpersonal skills and desire to provide exceptional service to our guest •Must be able to stand and exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours in length •Must be able to exert well-paced, ability to reach other departments and locations in a timely manner •Must be able to exert well-paced ability in limited space •Must be able to bend, stoop, squat and stretch to fulfill cleaning tasks.

•Must be able to bend and squat and lift up to 25 lbs •Must be able to push and pull equipment weighing up to 75 lbs •Requires grasping, writing, standing, sitting, walking, repetitive motions.

Bending, climbing, listening and hearing ability and visual acuity.

•Requires manual dexterity to use and operate all necessary equipment •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.25 per hour SERVER* Purpose: Responsible for creating memorable, luxury dining experiences for guests, ensuring all guests are promptly, courteously and knowledgeably attended in accordance with all food & beverage department and resort standards.

Areas of Responsibility: •Complete opening and/or closing duties as required by shift, in accordance with established procedures and standards; ensure adequate supplies of all beverage, food and service items for shift.

•Maintain positive personal presence with body language and demeanor, complying with all hotel and department grooming and dress code standards.

•Greet all guests in a timely and courteous manner, offering a warm welcome, offering service and establishing correct ambiance and tone for the dining experience.

•Take and serve food and beverage orders knowledgeably and accurately.

•Up sell food and beverage items to maximize revenue.

•Serve all food and beverage in accordance with all standards of service; provide continuous, attentive service maintaining positive guest interactions and experiences.

•Use knowledge of guest and name to ensure a high level of guest recognition and personalized service.

•Maintain cleanliness and ambiance of guest areas throughout shift.

•Ensure guest checks are accurate and all revenue is collected and properly recorded.

•Attend all daily briefings, meetings and training as required.

•In addition, other duties as may be requested or required by department or other manager.

Requirements: •Minimum 1 year experience in a hotel restaurant preferably in a luxury hotel •Accuracy and attention to detail •Able to stand for long periods •Able to lift 50 pounds •Good written and spoken communication skills •Able to use computer systems accurately and efficiently •Must be organized be organized and detail oriented •Able to handle a fast paced environment and be able to work under pressure •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.25 per hour not including service charge and tips.

SPA THERAPIST/TECHNICIAN * Requirements: •Diploma in massage therapy or equivalent.

•Prior experience in a 5-star luxury environment.

•Extensive knowledge of Eastern style massage, wraps, facials and other treatments.

•Proficiency in English.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: •Providing spa treatments to resort guests and day spa guests.

•Maximize the revenue of the department through massage and retail product sales.

•In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be “required to perform a combination of support functions •Starting salary $6.25 per hour not including service charge, commission POOL AND BEACH ATTENDANT* Requirements: •Must be able to work in all outdoor element, rain, sun, etc. as required •Must be able to work long hours on feet •Must be able to lift 30lbs or more •Must be trained and certified in CPR, First Aid. •Life guard experience is a plus

*POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to shaquarse.been@thepalmstc.com, no later than end of day Saturday, December 23rd, 2017.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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IMMEDIATE OPENING •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: •Creating a luxury guest experience through delivery of high level service for all pool and beach services Starting salary $6.25 per hour not including service charge.

ROOM ATTENDANT * Requirements: •Ability to work with heavy cleaning machinery.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties include: •Ensuring that standards of cleanliness and organization are met at all times in assigned areas.

• Responsibility for care and maintenance of all equipment and machinery •Restock linens and amenities on carts •Run needed items to guest floors •Assist housekeepers as required Starting salary $6.25 not including service charge GARDENER Duties Include: •Take on special landscaping or planting projects as deemed necessary by the Landscaping manager.

•Mow the lawns, prune the bushes and trees , edges the walkways and give the grounds a manicured look •Operate equipment to keep all of the walkways and buildings entrances cleared and safe •Collaborate with maintenance team to make sure the grounds and the building are always properly cared for •Perform regular maintenance and minor repairs on the lawn care equipment and tools •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts including Saturdays and Sundays Salary $6.25 an hour not including service charge.

LABOURER* Duties Include: •General laborer duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager.

•Willingness to work varying schedules, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays.

Salary $6.25 an hour not including service charge.

HVAC TECHNICIAN* The chosen candidate must be a licensed/certified refrigeration technician with knowledge of different types of refrigerant including R22, 134A and 404A. Must have experience maintaining and repairing low temperature refrigeration, walk-in freezers and coolers, ice machines and direct expansion air conditioning systems.

Duties Include: •Perform scheduled preventative maintenance and corrective repair on all refrigeration equipment.

•Upgrading equipment as required.

•Maintaining inventory of parts needed for designated equipment to avoid down time.

Starting salary $7.00- $9.00 per hour plus service charge.

UPHOLSTERER/PAINTER* The Upholsterer is responsible for repairing wood and rebuilding upholstered furniture, using hand tools with a wide knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.

The key responsibilities are: •Operate sewing machine to seam cushions and join various sections of covering materials •Repair seats, sofas, curtains, carpet and mattresses •Gather and assemble specified upholstery materials and accessories for upholstered furniture •Ensure that the upholstery workshop is tidy and clean •Keep inventory record of the stored upholstery items •Maintain machines and equipments in good condition at all times •Maintain upholstery in all outlets, lobby, corridor and guestrooms •Organize and take inventory of all fabric materials and sewing accessories •Ensure that the fabric materials that used in making the upholstery is correct •Assume duties and task assigned by Superiors •Also, responsible for resorting and painting furniture pieces; and •Must have knowledge of paint products and blending techniques.

Education, Qualifications & Experiences The Candidate should ideally have a technical education in upholstery with at least 5 years previous experiences in a similar upholstering role. Experience as an upholsterer in housekeeping or in a hotel and a good command of English

is considered an advantage.

Knowledge & Competencies The ideal candidate will be a friendly, caring, dedicated individual with good cross cultural sensitivity and the capability to identify priorities with a willingness to put in an extra effort and time when required. You will work well under pressure in a fast paced environment and enjoy working with a multi-cultural team and guests alike, while possessing following additional competencies: Understanding the Job Taking Responsibility Recognizing Differences Customer Focus Adaptability Teamwork Starting salary $9.00 per hour EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER* Requirements: • Must have minimum 10-12 years experience asan executive housekeeper in branded luxury hotel/resort • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Must have knowledge of Opera (Fidelio) hotel operating system • Must have knowledge of laundry operations • Must have experience managing large Department (50 or more employees) • Ability to train coach and counsel staff • Ability to determine appropriate staffing levels based on anticipated business, and create staffing schedules which optimize the balance between desired profitability, and guest demands • Thorough understanding of the elements and components of luxury services, set-ups and supplies • Must have financial knowledge and ability to Analyze P & L statements, develop operating budgets, forecasting and capital expenditure planning • Must have advanced knowledge of standard software applications • Good communication and relationship building skills to interact effectively with managers and unit owners.

• Must be able and willing to work all shifts and days Duties Include: • Develops and implements business strategies for the housekeeping department •Develops annual operating and capital expenditures budget for department •Directing the operation of the housekeeping department including guest rooms and public space areas and overseeing management staff •Inspecting back-of-the house areas continually and adjusts operations accordingly •Oversees inventory, purchasing, disbursement, cost control for all linens, cleaning supplies and guest room supplies • Adheres to brand marketing, sales and quality standards • Coordinates room availability with the Front Office Manager and room maintenance with Director of Engineering Starting salary $40,000-$60,000 per annum not including service charge.

HEAD CHEF* Requirements: •3 to 5 years culinary experience in a full service, fine dining establishment as Head Chef •Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience •Must have strong knowledge of kitchen inventory and ordering process, staffing, expediting and ability to supervise the staff and kitchen operations under the direction of the Executive Chef •Excellent culinary technique and ability to work the line during all meal periods •Exceptional customer service orientation, complying with company service culture Duties Include: • Recruit and select qualified candidates, provide training and communication performance expectations • Coordinate the inventory, purchasing and disbursement of all supplies with the purchasing manager • Inspect and ensures the proper set up and readiness of each item on menus • Supervise daily food preparation for assigned areas.

• Ensure that the level of quality, portion control, and plate presentation is adhered to consistently • Work closely with staff to exceed guest expectations • Maintain product consistency by conducting inspecting or seasonings, portion and appearance of food.

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

*POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to shaquarse.been@thepalmstc.com, no later than end of day Saturday, December 23rd, 2017.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

IMMEDIATE OPENING STEWARDING TRAINEE MANAGER Requirements: • Looking for a bright, ambitious and focused person who wants to grow in the field of stewarding.

• Must have a passion or interest in working in the Kitchens, equipment, food productions, sanitation, hygiene and safety.

• Must be willing to work late evenings beyond midnight as major banqueting events and functions require. Must be willing and able to assist in organizing and delegating large banquet functions.

• Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts including Saturdays and Sundays.

Duties Include: • Ensures the maintenance of clean, sanitized Kitchen by supervising steward personnel • Issuing cleaning supplies to stewards, checking Usage and making adjustments • Ensuring that kitchen floors and Walk-ins are clean • Monitoring cafeteria and provide assistance to Kitchen personnel during set-up and clean-up Working with the Food & Beverage Director banquet orders • Conducting regular inventory of and ensuring Proper amounts china, dishes etc. are available • Assisting in ensuring the training of and proper use daily of all safety, hygiene and sanitation CHIEF ENGINEER* Requirements: •Minimum of 7 years previous experience as Chief Engineer/Director of Engineering with experience in luxury resort •Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience •Thorough understanding of plumbing, electrical, HVAC and deep refrigeration with ability to quickly evaluate problems and decide on a plan of action •Experienced with waste water treatment plant •Understanding of all concepts behind landscape and grounds maintenance •Experience developing and implementing effective preventive maintenance programs •Knowledge of Opera system is also a definite plus •Must be able to work all days and shifts Duties Include: •Supervising/managing/overseeing maintenance and engineering departments as well as landscaping •Maintaining and refining preventive maintenance program •Develop and monitor annual operating , Capex and project budgets •Serve as project manager for renovation/upgrade projects including sourcing, vendors and establishing schedules and budgets Starting salary $50,000.00 per annum.

DEMI CHEF DE PARTIE* Requirements: •Minimum 3 years cooking experience in a luxury hotel environment.

•Proven experience in various sections of the kitchen.

•Accuracy and attention to detail.

•Able to stand for long periods of time.

•Able to carry up to 20kgs.

•Able to handle a fast paced environment and be able to work under pressure.

•Must be organized and detailed oriented.

•Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.

•Tertiary culinary qualification preferred.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: •Assist with ensuring mis-en-place is set for all stations of outlet kitchen.

•Ability to read recipes, check food presentations and displays with precision.

•Assist with checking the quality of the product to ensure the standards for food service are maintained.

•Show precision cuts and knife use.

•Demonstrate ability to cook meat, fish and vegetables with the correct

method and temperature.

•Ensure the correct rotation and storage of products for quality selection.

•Assist with ensuring the Kitchen is kept clean and sanitary.

•Follow directions from the Executive Sous Chef or other Kitchen management with accuracy.

•Communicate any defects in kitchen equipment to the Executive Sous Chef.

•In addition, other duties as may be required as directed by your Manager.

Starting salary $7 per hour not including service charge PASTRY CHEF* Requirements: •Must have previously worked as a pastry chef for a minimum of 5 years in a luxury Resort.

•Demonstrate understanding of the technical skills for assigned area (all kitchen work stations).

•Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience.

•Experience with, and are comfortable preparing a variety of different pastries in a fine dining environment.

•Understand the importance of consistency.

•Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safety requirements.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts.

Duties include: •Assists in creating and developing dishes for the pastry department •Ensures the highest quality of product within cost constraints by participating in the preparation of baked goods, pastries, desserts, ice carvings and show pieces •Assists in creating daily specials and signature desserts •Assist in producing the production of all pastry items, ensuring the right quantity and the highest standards of quality •Maintenance of pastry equipment •Requisition food with necessary approvals according to policy Starting salary $6.25 an hour not including service charge.

COOK* Requirements: •Experience with, and comfortable preparing a variety of different cuisines in a fine dining environment •Understand the importance of consistency •Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safety Duties Include: •Prepare all food items according to recipe cards and correct handling procedures.

•Maintain highest quality and appearance of all foods sent from the kitchen and make sure plates are clean and appetizing.

•Maintain orderly and clean refrigerators and work areas.

•Rotate all foods and correctly fill out production charts.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.25 per hour not including service charge.

KITCHEN STEWARD Duties Include: •Clean & sanitize all areas of the kitchen •Operate dishwashing machine in a safe, accident free manner •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.25 per hour not including service charge.

•standards of cleanliness and organization are met at all times in assigned areas.

• Responsibility for care and maintenance of all equipment and machinery •Restock linens and amenities on carts •Run needed items to guest floors •Assist housekeepers as required Starting salary $6.25 not including service charge.

*POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to shaquarse.been@thepalmstc.com, no later than end of day Saturday, December 23rd, 2017.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

CARIBBEAN WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

NEWS NEWS Jamaica surpasses 2016 murder toll

KINGSTON, Jamaica – A total of 1, 500 people have been murdered in Jamaica so far this year, including 51 children, according to figures released by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Periodic Serious and Violence Review.

Last year, 1,350 people were murdered here.

The figures show that nearly 1,400 men have been murdered here since January with many households now without a father or a male figure.

According to the JCF figures, 1,350 males have so far been killed this year due to violence.

The data also revealed that between 2013 and this year 5,328 men have been murdered in Jamaica, while 569 women and 236 children died violently during the four year period.

The figures show that 51 children have been murdered this year, as compared with 37 last year.

The JCF figures show that guns have been used in 82 per cent of the killings here, with 1,228 people have been killed by the gun; 106 by knife; 44 by machete and 113 by other implements.

Meanwhile, two people were shot and killed after gunmen opened fire during a funeral service at a church in East Kingston Sunday.

The gunmen shot at least nine people.

Media reports said that three armed men arrived at the Kings Chapel on Sunday and opened fire at persons standing in the church yard.

There are reports one of the gunmen was held and severely beaten by residents and is now under police guard at hospital.

The mourners were attending the funeral service for Romaine White, otherwise called “Boisey”, who was fatally stabbed in the capital on November 29.

No one has been held for his murder.

Captive insurance adds $100 million to Cayman’s economy Cayman’s captive insurance industry generated US$100 million for the islands’ economy in 2016, according to an economic impact survey by the Insurance Managers Association of Cayman.

“Over the summer our research and development committee conducted research on precisely how the captive insurance industry benefits the Cayman Islands,” said IMAC Chair Erin Brosnihan.

“We are now very pleased to share these positive results with the government and local community.”

According to the Cayman Compass, IMAC’s economic survey reported that the captive industry generated US$72 million in revenue for Cayman’s service providers, and currently provides employment for approximately 300 staff, of which nearly half are Caymanian.

The Cayman Islands government and its regulatory bodies also saw a significant contribution from the industry, with US$11 million in fees paid

to the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority and Registrar of Companies.

The third quarter results from the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority show Cayman’s insurance sector accounted for $12.4 billion in premiums written and $61 billion in assets under management.

“We’re delighted with 2017 results so far, and are projecting total premiums to rise to around $16 billion by year end,” said Ms. Brosnihan.

The outlook for captive formations is equally optimistic.

Adrian Lynch, marketing committee chair of the Insurance Managers Association of Cayman, predicts captive formations similar to this year, if not greater in 2018.

“We are beginning to see a hardening in reinsurance rates, which means clients will revisit their captives in terms of their deductible spend and the attachment of their reinsurance.

A hard market in 2018 will mean a greater number of formations for Cayman,” he said.

In addition to industry and government revenue, the insurance industry also contributes to Cayman’s tourism sector.

“Captive business conducted in Cayman generated US$16 million for the hospitality industry,” Ms. Brosnihan said.

The Cayman Captive Forum, the world’s largest captive insurance conference, hosted by IMAC, is one of the factors as it attracts more than 1,400 delegates each November.

The Cayman Captive Forum also assists with the funding of IMAC’s Scholarship Foundation.

Since inception the Foundation generated US$3.4 million from donations and surpluses from the Cayman Captive Forum.

So far, the Foundation has helped 42 young Caymanians achieve higher education.

In addition, IMAC provides philanthropic assistance to the Cayman HospiceCare, the Cayman Islands Crisis Center and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.

Jamaica is an international icon of the turnaround economy, says Adam Stewart

Bahamas ‘Must Reengineer Economy Faster Than Ever’

“Jamaica is in a very, very special place,” according to Jamaica Observer Deputy Chairman and CEO Adam Stewart,

THE Bahamas faces having to “substantially who was speaking on the future of reengineer its economy at a much faster pace than business in Jamaica in his adresss ever before” to escape global ‘blacklists’, a prominent at the 20th staging of the Jamaica QC warned yesterday.

Observer Business Leader Award

Brian Moree QC, senior partner at McKinney, at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Bancroft & Hughes, told Tribune Business that this New Kingston on Sunday. nation’s response to the European Union/OECD “In 45 years we have not initiatives in 2018 “will determine the future of the seen the confluence of events that’s economy” for possibly the next 20 years. taking place right now across

He agreed that compliance with the likes the business sector in Jamaica... of the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation inflation rate at four per cent, and Development’s (OECD) Base Erosion and unemployment at 11.3 per cent Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative would require “a (the lowest it has been since 2007), serious recalibration” of the Bahamas’ tax structure, long-term interest rates at eight especially given the current absence of a corporate per cent and below, the creation of income tax.

35,000 jobs in the last 12 months,

And, echoing comments by the Attorney and 55,000 since Mr Shaw and his General, Mr Moree said the Bahamas’ exchange Government took over...” control regime and other ‘walls’ that separate its For him, Jamaica is domestic and ‘offshore’ economies would likely need ideally poised as a leader in the to be reworked to meet EU/OECD demands.

Caribbean and an “international

“Recent developments have confirmed icon of the turnaround economy”. that we in the Bahamas are currently in an “In my nine years I’ve extremely important era which has the potential never been to more Caribbean to substantially re-engineer the economy of this islands where people are asking country with regard to fundamental matters such as us about what is going on in methods of taxation, types of taxation, the exchange Jamaica… Jamaica has become control regime, and the current disparity between the international icon of the domestic business and international business,” the turnaround economy. The country noted QC told Tribune Business. that is doing all of the right things

“And it is apparent that not only is there at the right time.” likely to be significant reform, but the pace of the While acknowledging reform will be much faster than in the past. We the great leaders present, he are currently dealing with the Common Reporting emphasised the role of Jamaican Standard (CRS), which is a major initiative, and we businesses and their cooperation will have to deal with the BEPS initiative, which will with Government in getting the involve a serious recalibration of our tax platform. nation to continue to move and

Jamaica Observer Deputy Chairman and CEO Adam Stewart grow in strength.

“We all know that one hand cannot clap; we cannot do it without the Government’s support and they cannot do it without the business community.

And today we are recognising some champions — hospitality, investment banking, commercial banking, the stock exchange, the list goes on and on.”

Stewart encouraged the audience of business people in attendance to aim to inspire confidence in the upcoming generation as it is their responsibility do so. He also expressed his confidence in the current trajectory the country is taking.

“It is your job, my job, all of our jobs, to inspire confidence in the next generation…and we are seeing more Jamaicans come home than we have had in the last 25 years. Our foreign exchange reserves are at US$3 billion today.

There is a confluence of events — we must know the statistics, we must invest in our country… I’m a believer that we are heading in the right direction.

“Let us inspire that confidence that Jamaica has been waiting on since, quite literally, 1962.”

Many of Jamaica’s top movers and shakers in business were among the hundreds who turned out for the awards event at which the top 12 CEOs of some of Jamaica’s premier companies were honoured for their outstanding service and contribution to Jamaica.

Richard Byles, chairman and former CEO of Sagicor Group, took home the coveted award from amongst the 12 other equally exceptional nominees — Gary Peart, CEO, Mayberry Investments; Don Wehby, CEO, GraceKennedy Group; Earl Jarrett, CEO, Jamaica National Group; Odetta Rockhead-Kerr, country head of Sutherland Global; Josef Fortsmayr, managing director, Round Hill Hotel; Marlene StreetForrest, managing director, Jamaica Stock Exchange; Peter Moses, retired head of Citibank in Jamaica, Christopher Williams, president and CEO of PROVEN; Patrick Hylton, CEO of NCB Group; Jeffrey Hall, CEO, Jamaica Producers Group; and Sharon Donaldson, managing director, General Accident Insurance Co Ja Ltd.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Barbados tourism arrivals on track for another record year Barbadian hoteliers are already salivating over the prospect of a bumper tourism yield next year, as they relish what is expected to be another record year in 2017.

The Barbados Today reported that there was no mention today of the vexing sewage problem on the south coast and its possible impact on the industry as the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) announced increases in both stay over and cruise arrivals, as well as hotel occupancy.

Chief Executive Officer Rudy Grant told the association’s fourth quarterly meeting at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre this afternoon that the island welcomed 31,916 more air passengers between January and October this year, than it did for the corresponding period last year, a 6.46 per cent increase.

At the same time, cruise arrivals and calls both grew by over 18 per cent, while hotel occupancy rates clawed back from a five per cent drop during the first quarter of this year to register a 1.7 per cent rise.

Grant said growth was achieved despite some challenges, which he did not list. And he predicted even better days ahead next year.

“Despite the challenges we had to confront and of course, challenges [that] lie ahead of us, we are very confident that our performance in 2018 will be better than the performance in 2017,” the chief executive officer projected.

The tourism belt on the south coast has been plagued by perennial sewage problems dating back more than a year, as raw faeces can often be seen floating on the road, particularly after heavy rainfall.

This has made it uncomfortable for residents and those traversing the area, as well as businesses and visitors.

It was just last week that some tourists complained to Barbados TODAY about the problem and demanded that signs be planted in affected areas to warn unsuspecting pedestrians of the effluent flowing onto the streets.

This sparked further fears that tourists would begin to avoid Barbados, dealing a debilitating blow to the all-important tourism industry.

Chief Executive Officer Barbados of Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA)Rudy Grant

However, while imploring the Barbados Water Authority to urgently fix the problem, the BHTA today presented a more optimistic view, including projections of a further increase in occupancy next year.

Delivering the administrative report, Grant said 533,296 tourists visited the island during the first ten months of the year, putting it on track to shatter last year’s record 610,000 arrivals.

In 2015, the island welcomed 592,000 visitors.

There was reason to celebrate the performance of the United States market, which recorded a 14.2 per cent increase, and Canada, which grew by 9.86 per cent.

However, Barbados’ perennial primary market, the United Kingdom, showed little signs of progress, with a mere 0.7 per cent increase, with only Germany, which was down by 7.5 per cent, performing worse among the European markets.

In the Caribbean, the numbers from Trinidad and Tobago were positive, with that market registering 7.3 per cent growth, while the rest of the region also performed well, with arrivals up by 4.9 per cent.

The same could not be said for Brazil, however, which sank precipitously by 58.3 per cent, falling from 2,778 visitors in 2016 to 1,159 this year.

Despite the strong performance, including the 1.7 per cent increase in occupancy, BHTA member hotels had little celebrate

in terms of room rates, with the average daily rate, lumbering to a near invisible 0.9 per cent increase.

The rise in occupancy was a major reversal from the first quarter drop of five per cent.

When Grant presented the numbers in late April he blamed the decline on “adverse factors” such as Brexit and rising interest rates in the US. He also said then that holidaymakers who normally visited here in the winter were opting for summer holidays instead because of the lower and more affordable hotel rates. Hence, he had predicted higher hotel occupancies this summer.

And while the BHTA chief executive did not provide an analysis of the numbers, this would likely explain why the increases in arrivals and occupancy were not reflected in the average daily rates.

Meanwhile, Grant also announced “admirable” performances by the cruise sector, with the number of passenger visits rising steeply by 18.2 per cent, outdone only slightly by cruise calls, which vaulted by 18.9 per cent.

This means Barbados welcomed 483,711 cruise passengers from 339 cruise calls during the first ten months of this year, compared to 409,346 from 285 calls in the same period last year.

Despite the favourable numbers, the former parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism said there was reason to be concerned, particularly with the processing of passengers when they land here.

Grant did not go into details, but he warned that first impressions could be lasting.

“While we are very satisfied and happy with the increasing numbers, we continue to be concerned with the passenger facilitation [process] when persons arrive at the Grantley Adams International Airport. There have been some improvements but we need to do better. The first experience people have when they come to Barbados is the experience through the airport,” he cautioned.

Grant did not reveal how much visitors to the island spent during the period under review, but he said the luxury market continued to witness an increase in business, following a brief period of decline.

$18 million to improve the quality of basic education in Haiti `The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has announced a USD18 million (mn) project to improve the quality of, and access to, basic education in Haiti for 68,000 students, particularly those who live in poor and vulnerable communities.

It is part of a wider programme of support for the enhancement of basic education

in Haiti. The components of the CDB project are aligned with those of the World Bank, which is the primary financer of the programme.

“CDB is pleased to partner with the Government of Haiti and the World Bank to improve access to basic education for Haitians. This project has the potential to unlock the creative,

innovative, and income-earning potential of a new generation. In the short term, these investments can have positive, direct impacts on social inclusion and income distribution in Haiti, and could set the country on a path to sustainable development driven by education,” said Daniel Best, Director of Projects, CDB.

Jamaica is an international icon of the turnaround economy, says Adam Stewart

“Jamaica is in a very, very special place,” according to Jamaica Observer Deputy Chairman and CEO Adam Stewart, who was speaking on the future of business in Jamaica in his adresss at the 20th staging of the Jamaica Observer Business Leader Award at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Sunday.

“In 45 years we have not seen the confluence of events that’s taking place right now across the business sector in Jamaica... inflation rate at four per cent, unemployment at 11.3 per cent (the lowest it has been since 2007), long-term interest rates at eight per cent and below, the creation of 35,000 jobs in the last 12 months, and 55,000 since Mr Shaw and his Government took over...”

For him, Jamaica is ideally poised as a leader in the Caribbean and an “international icon of the turnaround economy”.

“In my nine years I’ve never been to more Caribbean islands where people are asking us about what is going on in Jamaica… Jamaica has become the international icon of the turnaround economy.

The country that is doing all of the right things at the right time.”

While acknowledging the great leaders present, he emphasised the role of Jamaican businesses and their cooperation with Government in getting the nation to continue to move and grow in strength.

“We all know that one hand cannot clap; we cannot do it without the Government’s support and they cannot do it without the business community.

And today we are recognising some champions — hospitality, investment banking, commercial banking, the stock exchange, the list goes on and on.”

Stewart encouraged the audience of business people in attendance to aim to inspire confidence in the upcoming generation as it is their responsibility do so. He also expressed his confidence in the current trajectory the country is taking.

“It is your job, my job, all of our jobs, to inspire confidence in the next generation…and we are seeing more Jamaicans come home than we have had in the last 25 years. Our foreign exchange reserves are at US$3 billion today. There is a confluence of events — we must know the statistics, we must invest in our country… I’m a believer that we are heading in the right direction.

“Let us inspire that confidence that Jamaica has been waiting on since, quite literally, 1962.”

Many of Jamaica’s top movers and shakers in business were among the hundreds who turned out for the awards event at which the top 12 CEOs of some of Jamaica’s premier companies were honoured for their outstanding service and contribution to Jamaica.

Richard Byles, chairman and former CEO of Sagicor Group, took home the coveted award from amongst the 12 other equally exceptional nominees — Gary Peart, CEO, Mayberry Investments; Don Wehby, CEO, GraceKennedy Group; Earl Jarrett, CEO, Jamaica National Group; Odetta RockheadKerr, country head of Sutherland Global; Josef Fortsmayr, managing director, Round Hill Hotel; Marlene Street-Forrest, managing director, Jamaica Stock Exchange; Peter Moses, retired head of Citibank in Jamaica, Christopher Williams, president and CEO of PROVEN; Patrick Hylton, CEO of NCB Group; Jeffrey Hall, CEO, Jamaica Producers Group; and Sharon Donaldson, managing director, General Accident Insurance Co Ja Ltd.

Throughout the event, the quality of this year’s nominees was continually highlighted. Hence why, according to Award Selection Committee Chairman Moses Jackson, it was such a difficult task selecting this year’s winner.

“Who we have assembled here tonight, these are the custodians of business, they are the fiduciaries in the pantheon of entrepreneurism, they occupy a perch just below the ownership class. They stand in the shoes of the very owners themselves… so we salute them, because this is the group of individuals who are patrolling the market for opportinities; these are the group of people who have a keen pair of eyes for trends in the global market to position their companies to take advantage of emergent opportunities and to be ahead of the curve when challenges arrive…” said Jackson.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

CDB approves $76 million to boost development results in St. Kitts and Nevis

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has announced a programme of assistance of USD76.2 million for St. Kitts and Nevis over the period 2017 to 2021. Today, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved the new strategy, which will support economic and social development, environmental protection and infrastructure enhancement.

“This programme will support the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis in maximising its development potential. It is designed to help the country diversify its economy and increase its exports, while addressing challenges related to skills and productivity, competitiveness, social issues, gender and climate change,” said Dr. Justin Ram, Director of Economics, CDB. “The Strategy outlines how CDB will engage with St. Kitts and Nevis over the fouryear period, and focuses on delivering

sustainable development results for the country and its people,” he added.

The proposed programme of assistance is built on three pillars.

1.Economic development and enhanced livelihoods: The Country Strategy is designed to achieve improved macroeconomic and fiscal stability; increased productivity; competitiveness and economic diversification; and improved governance through reforms in areas such as project implementation capacity and procurement.

2.Inclusive social development: The assistance programme will support enhanced education outcomes; closing the gender gap and increasing gender equality; and better protections for the most vulnerable groups in St. Kitts and Nevis.

3.Environmental protection and infrastructure enhancement:

Interventions delivered under the Country Strategy will seek to strengthen environmental management and climate-resilient infrastructure, including sea defences, roads, slopes, water and drainage systems, and energy infrastructure.

The Country Strategy is a joint collaboration between the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis and CDB. The Bank consulted with stakeholders, including Government officials and development partners, emphasising country ownership of the proposed programme of assistance. Salient issues that emerged during these discussions, including urgent sector priorities and ongoing interventions supported by other development partners, have been taken into account.

The approved Country Strategy for St. Kitts and Nevis draws on lessons learnt and experiences from

the implementation of the previous Strategy (2013 to 2016). It has builtin flexibility to allow for changes in socioeconomic circumstances, as well as changes in strategic priorities of the country; will maximise the use of concessional funding as much as possible; and prioritise strong, active donor coordination to improve development results.

The Country Strategy includes a mix of finance for capital projects and technical assistance.

Individual projects will be appraised

by CDB and, if deemed to be viable, will then be presented to the Board of Directors for approval, following which disbursements will commence.

The 2017-2021 Country Strategy for St. Kitts and Nevis aligns with CDB’s strategic objectives of supporting inclusive and sustainable growth and development, and promoting good governance.

Caribbean leaders launch ambitious plan to create the world’s first “climate-smart zone”

Recent hurricanes have left unprecedented devastation across the Caribbean and it is a traumatic time for all those who live in the region. Whole communities and towns have been decimated, and the global community needs to act quickly and give generously to relieve suffering and help to rebuild.

Alongside the on-going

emergency response, Caribbean leaders today announced the launch of a new public-private coalition to create the world’s first “climate-smart zone”. The Caribbean Climate-Smart Coalition aims to find a way to break through the systemic obstacles that stop finance flowing to climate-smart investments. With the right domestic and international reforms, the world

can step up – and help unleash the means to catalyse an ambitious US $8 billion investment plan to bring greater energy and infrastructure resilience to 3.2 million Caribbean households.

This would help Caribbean islands to eliminate their costly dependency on fossil fuels so that they can meet close to 100% percent of their energy needs from renewable sources, and

to embed resilience into communities and livelihoods to realise the bold ambitions of all Caribbean people.

The announcement came at the One Planet Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to review progress made on the Paris Agreement adopted by global governments two years ago today.

Cable & Wireless CEO John Reid to step down Cable & Wireless Communications(“C&W”) announced that John Reid will step down from the position of CEO in early 2018. An announcement on C&W’s incoming CEO will be made in due course, and until that time, Reid will remain in the post and will support the transition to new leadership.

Mike Fries, CEO of Liberty Global, parent company of C&W said: “John has been an exceptional leader for us, steering Cable & Wireless through significant changes and transformation; we have valued John’s dedication and energy and wish him the very best for the future.”

Reid has been an industry leader for more than 29 years in Canada and for the past 13 years across the Caribbean and Latin America.

At Columbus Communications and then with the merger with Cable & Wireless, Reid played a key role in building the region’s leading full service communications and entertainment provider.

Most recently, John was also instrumental in the integration of C&W with Liberty Global, which is due to deliver $150m in synergies, as

Gunrelated crimes up in Barbados

well as readying the company to be part of Liberty Global’s Latin America and Caribbean operation, which is due to be split-off next month. During his tenure at C&W, Reid has driven the transformation of the business to focus on delivering an unparalleled customer experience leading to improved performance and efficiency, as well as the implementation of growth strategies for the Company’s mobile, residential, business and wholesale segments. In October 2016, Reid was recognized by leading intelligence source, Global Telecom Business, as one of the top five leaders from the Caribbean and Latin America in GTB’s Power 100.

Commenting, Reid said: “It has been a great privilege to lead C&W through the integration with Columbus and more recently with Liberty Global. With the planned split-off of Liberty Latin America, now is the right time to let new leadership take the business through its exciting next chapter. I am proud of what we have achieved during my tenure; with our focus on delivering an unparalleled customer experience starting to translate into performance

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Barbados police say there has been a significant increase in gun -elated crimes on the island this year as compared with 2016 but said new policing strategy has led to law enforcement officials seizing an increased number of illegal guns.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police responsible for crime, Colvin Bishop, told reporters that at the end of November, there had been a 57 per cent increase in gun-related crimes when compared to the same period last year.

He said 318 criminal offences

momentum, and a talented new leadership team in place, C&W is ready for its next phase of growth.”

C&W is a full service communications and entertainment provider that delivers marketleading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in 18 countries. Through its business division, C&W provides data center hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customized IT service solutions, utilizing cloud technology to serve business and government customers.

C&W also operates a state-ofthe-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region.

Liberty Global is the world’s largest international TV and broadband company, with operations in more than 30 countries across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

We invest in the infrastructure that empowers our customers to make the most of the digital revolution. Our scale and commitment to innovation enable us to develop market-leading products delivered through nextgeneration networks that connect our over 24 million customers who

were committed with the use of firearms as compared with 202 for the same period last year and that the gun was a weapon of choice in the commission of offences such as murder, aggravated burglary, endangering life, robbery and assault with intent to rob.

Police figures show that of the 28 murders committed so far this year, 22 were gun-related.

Bishop told reporters that there had been a 28 per cent increase in the number of illegal guns seized so far this year, and a 15 per cent rise in the number of cases brought before the courts as a

subscribe to over 50 million television, broadband internet and telephony services. We also serve over 10 million mobile subscribers and offer WiFi service across 10 million access points.

Liberty Global’s businesses are comprised of two stocks: the Liberty Global Group (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and LBTYK) for our European operations, and the LiLAC Group (NASDAQ: LILA and LILAK, OTC Link: LILAB), which consists of our operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

result of stepped up anti-gun operations and recent tours of troubled communities.

Most of the illegal guns were imported into the island.

“This year our policing strategy to combat the use and possession of illegal firearms has been built on four planks: namely interdiction, enforcement, prosecution and education. Our efforts to prosecute persons for firearms has resulted, thus far, with 153 firearmsrelated offences being placed before the law courts compared with 133 for the year 2016.

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WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

NEWS

Russia’s Putin, on track for easy re-election

MOSCOW Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he faced no credible high-profile political opponents as he prepared to run for re-election in March, but would work to try to create a more balanced political system.

Putin, whom critics have accused of using state TV, the courts and the police to demonize and marginalize the liberal opposition, said earlier this month he would run for re-election in March 2018 - a contest he seems sure to win comfortably and extend his grip on power into a third decade.

But in a sign the former KGB officer is keen to strengthen his role as a father of the nation figure rather than as a party political figure, Putin said he planned to run as an independent candidate and garner support from more than one party.

The ruling United Russia party has traditionally backed Putin and is likely to do so again this time, but Putin clearly wants to generate a higher turnout by styling himself as someone who is above the often grubby fray of Russian party politics.

Putin said it was too early to set out his electoral program, but named priority issues, aside from helping forge what he called a flexible political system, as nurturing a high-tech economy, improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, productivity and increasing people’s real incomes.

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during his annual end-of-year news conference in Moscow, Russia, December 14, 2017.

Putin, 65, has been in power, either as president or prime minister, since 2000, longer than veteran Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and outstripped only by dictator Josef Stalin.

With an approval rating of around 80 percent if, as expected, he wins what would be a fourth presidential term, he will be eligible to serve another six years until 2024, when he turns 72.

Putin said he was aware he faced no real competition.

“The political environment, like the economic environment, needs to be competitive,” Putin told an audience of more than 1,600 Russian and foreign reporters gathered in a Moscow conference hall for his annual news conference.

“I will strive for us to have a balanced political system.”

He said he regretted the

lack of competition, but accused his political opponents of failing to come up with any positive ideas to tackle Russia’s problems.

“It’s important not to just make noise on public squares and speak about the regime,” said Putin.

“It’s important to propose something to make things better.

But when you start to compare what the leaders of the opposition are proposing, especially the leaders of the non-systemic (liberal) opposition, there are a lot of problems.”

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who is unlikely to be allowed to run against Putin due to what he says is a trumped up criminal conviction, posted an instant riposte on social media.

He said he had launched his own program this week but accused Putin of doing his best to ignore it.

Record number of Americans to travel during Christmas holiday

NEW YORK - U.S. travelers will hit the roads, rails and skies this Christmas holiday in their largest numbers on record, lured by cheap plane tickets and a growing economy, the nation’s largest motor advocacy group said on Thursday.

Roughly 107.3 million Americans will journey 50 miles (80 km) or more from home during Dec. 23 through Jan. 1, a 3.1 percent increase from a year earlier and the most ever That would be the sixth consecutive record high for the holiday season, the Heathrow, Florida-based organization said.

“More expensive gas prices are not swaying holiday revelers to stay home,” AAA Senior Vice President Bill Sutherland said. ”We’ve seen the strong economy and growing consumer confidence fuel holiday travel all year long.”

The largest share of travel, roughly 90.7 percent, will be on U.S. roads. Energy traders watch this activity closely because it accounts for 10 percent of global oil demand.

U.S. motor trips will rise to 97.3 million for this holiday season, the seventh consecutive annual increase, AAA said.

`The group expects air travel to grow by 4.1 percent to 6.4 million trips, the highest since 2004 as passengers take advantage of lower ticket prices.

Air travel now accounts now for 5.9 percent of all travel, following four consecutive years of share increases, AAA said.

For 2017, motorists are on pace to break the record for most vehicle miles driven on U.S. roads, helping spur potential record demand for gasoline.

Death announcement of Cecelia Walkin-Pierre 29/07/1954

28/11/2017

C

ecelia was the adoptive daughter of Fuller and Clementina Walkin of Blue Hills. Originally from Haiti, TCI has been her home since the age of 14. She was a loving and happy person, always giving her last to anyone in need. She is survived by Four children: Annis Walkin, Johnson Brutus, Guilaine Brutus and Lesly Junior Pierre. She was blessed with nine grandchildren and five great grand.

She saw the good in everyone, always acted diplomatically in all matters.

A memorial will be held to celebrate her life on the 28th of December at 6pm in the Jericho Baptist church, lower Bight Provo.

If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Guilaine Brutus on 243-6418. thank you for all the love and support.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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WORLD NEWS

U.S. jets fire flares to warn Russian jets in Syria

Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May arrives to attend the European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2017

WASHINGTON - Two U.S. F-22 fighter aircraft fired warning flares on Wednesday after two Russian Su-25 jets entered an agreed upon deconfliction area in airspace east of the Euphrates river in Syria, the U.S. military said.

Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman, said the F-22 aircraft were providing air cover to partnered ground forces when the Russian jets came into airspace near Albu Kamal. The incident lasted for about 40 minutes and coalition officials contacted the Russians through a communication link to avoid a miscalculation.

At one point, Pahon said, a Russian jet came close enough that one of the F-22 aircraft had to “aggressively maneuver to avoid a midair collision.”

U.S. officials have said that as the battlefield against Islamic State shrinks, they expect Russian and U.S. aircraft to be in closer proximity.

Since early November, Russian jets have flown east of the Euphrates river in the deconflicted airspace about six to eight times a day, according to the U.S. military.

“It’s become increasingly tough for our pilots to discern whether Russian pilots’ actions are deliberate or if these are just honest mistakes,” Pahon said.

“The Coalition’s greatest concern is that we could shoot down a Russian aircraft because its actions are seen as a threat to our air or ground forces,” he added.

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has said the U.S. military will fight Islamic State in Syria “as long as they want to fight,” describing a longer-term role for U.S. troops after the insurgents lose all of the territory they control.

Homegrown attacks rising worry in U.S. as Islamic State weakens abroad

overseas now have access into our local communities to target and recruit our citizens.”

National security analysts generally divide such perpetrators into three broad categories.

Some attackers act at the direction of a group, like the Islamic State-backed militants who carried out coordinated attacks in Paris in 2015, killing 130; others have some limited contact with an organization but act largely on their own. A third type has no communication with FILE PHOTO: A New York City Police (NYPD) officer stands in the subway a group but engage in violence corridor, at the New York Port Authority subway station near the site of an after being radicalized by online attempted detonation the day before, in New York City, U.S. December 12, propaganda.

2017.

It is easier for trained,

NEW YORK - The Program on Extremism at George battle-hardened ISIS fighters to online video’s message was clear: Washington University, where travel from the Middle East to Supporters of Islamic State who Hughes is deputy director.

Europe than for them to reach the could not travel overseas to join The United States has United States. That helps explain the militant group should carry seen 19 attacks perpetrated by why U.S. attacks have largely been out attacks wherever they were in Islamic State-inspired people since the work of “self-made” terrorists, the United States or Europe. the group declared a “caliphate” in said Brandeis University professor

Bangladeshi immigrant June 2014 after capturing broad and radicalization expert Jytte Akayed Ullah, 27, followed those swaths of Iraq and Syria. Of those, Klausen. instructions on Monday when 12 occurred in 2016 and 2017, “In these recent cases, he tried to set off a homemade almost twice as many as in the we’ve seen very few indications bomb in one of New York’s busiest two preceding years. that there was any type of direct commuter hubs, in an attack “You’re going to see training,” Klausen said. that illustrates the difficulty of continued numbers of plots and, Self-directed perpetrators stopping “do-it-yourself” attacks unfortunately, attacks,” Hughes are the hardest for investigators by radicals who act alone. said. to identify. Their ranks appear

While harder to stop than Ullah began immersing to include Ullah, as well as two attacks coordinated by multiple himself in Islamic State other recent New York attackers: people - whose communications propaganda as early as 2014, Ahmad Rahimi, the man who may be more easily monitored by three years after he arrived in the injured 30 with a homemade bomb law enforcement or intelligence United States as a legal immigrant, in Manhattan in September 2016, agencies - they also tend to do less according to federal prosecutors and Sayfullo Saipov, the Uzbek damage. Ullah was the person who charged him with terrorism immigrant accused of killing eight most seriously wounded when his offenses. They said in court papers by speeding a rental truck down a bomb ignited but did not detonate that Ullah’s computer records bike lane in October. in an underground passageway showed that he viewed ISIS videos While that type of attacker linking the Port Authority Bus urging supporters of the group to typically is less destructive, Terminal and the Times Square launch attacks where they lived. there are important exceptions. subway statin; three others Experts said the success Oklahoma City bomber Timothy sustained lesser injuries. of Western allies in retaking most McVeigh and Terry Nichols killed

“They tend to be less of Islamic State’s territory could 168 people, and Omar Mateen organized and less deadly,” said inspire more attacks out of anger gunned down 49 people at a gay Seamus Hughes, a former adviser or vengeance. nightclub in Orlando last year. at the U.S. government’s National

“No group has been as “A single individual or two Counterterrorism Center. “That’s successful at drawing people into can still create a lot of damage,” because you’re dealing with more, its perverse ideology as ISIS,” said Max Abrahms, a professor for lack of a better word, amateurs.” Federal Bureau of Investigation at Northeastern University who The do-it-yourself style of attack Director Christopher Wray said in studies terrorism. “But they’re not is on the rise in the United States, congressional testimony last week. able to wage sustained terrorist according to research by the “Through the internet, terrorists campaigns.”

After London setback, May wins Brexit cheer in Brussels

BRUSSELS - British Prime Minister Theresa May made clear her desire on Thursday to move Brexit talks forward to a discussion of a future trade relationship at a dinner with EU leaders who applauded her for progress made so far.

A day after she suffered a defeat in parliament over her blueprint for quitting the EU, May told her peers at a summit in Brussels that she was on course to deliver Brexit and urged them to speed up the talks to unravel more than 40 years of union.

Offering her reassurance that they will endorse on Friday the launch of a second phase of negotiations on a free trade pact and an initial transition period, leaders responded to May’s remarks by a brief round

of applause before she was to leave “sufficient progress” that will enable the summit to allow them to discuss leaders to accept opening the next phase of talks.

Brexit without her.

A British government official Summit chair Donald Tusk said the prime minister made “no will call May on Friday to update her secret of wanting to move on to the after leaders have discussed their next phase and to approaching it with next moves on Brexit. ambition and creativity”.

May, weakened after losing

“I believe this is in the best her Conservative Party’s majority in interests of the UK and the European a June election, has so far carried her Union,” she told the leaders over divided government and party with a dinner of roasted langoustine her as she negotiated the first phase and capon chicken. “A particular of talks on how much Britain should priority should be agreement on the pay to leave the EU, the border with implementation period so we can bring Ireland and the status of EU citizens greater certainty to businesses in the in Britain.

But the second, more decisive UK and across the 27,” she added.

Officials said German phase, of the negotiations will further Chancellor Angela Merkel test her authority by exposing the deep congratulated May on bringing the rifts among her top team of ministers, negotiations last week to the stage of or cabinet, over what Britain should

become after Brexit.

Acknowledging tough talks ahead, Tusk warned them that only the unity they had displayed so far would deliver a good deal on trade -an issue on which the member states have different interests: “I have no doubt that the real test of our unity will be the second phase of Brexit talks,” he told reporters.

May’s team was upbeat.

“Look at what’s been achieved so far. The deal on phase one which many commentators said couldn’t be done, has been done,” the British government official said.

“Look at the language from the other European leaders today ...

All the signals from them are that they are looking forward to continue to negotiate with the prime minister.”

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

WORLD NEWS

As Republican tax vote nears, more senators waver

WASHINGTON - President increasingly toward benefiting Donald Trump’s drive to win passage businesses and wealthy taxpayers, of a sweeping Republican tax bill a trend that aides were saying in the U.S. Congress hit potential privately is a growing concern for obstacles on Thursday as two more some lawmakers.

Provisions for offsetting the Republican senators insisted on changes, joining a list of lawmakers revenue costs of last-minute changes whose support is uncertain. also were becoming worrisomely

Florida’s Marco Rubio, a unclear, they said. former presidential contender, told After resisting demands for weeks to reporters on Capitol Hill that if cut the top income tax rate for the the bill’s proposed refundability to richest taxpayers, the bill’s authors taxpayers of the child tax credit is did agree in recent days to lower it to not expanded, “I‘m a no ... It has to 37 percent from 39.6 percent. be higher than $1,100.”

“My concern is that if you

Rubio and Mike Lee of Utah found the money to lower the top rate are in talks with other senators ... you can’t find a little bit to at least about expanding child tax credit somewhat increase the refundable refundability, said Conn Carroll, portion” of the child credit? Rubio a Lee spokesman. Lee is now said.

White House spokeswoman “undecided on the tax bill as currently written,” Carroll said in a telephone Sarah Sanders said the White House will continue to work with Rubio on interview.

The child tax credit now in the child tax credit. the U.S. tax code is meant to lower The headline feature of the the tax bills of working families with bill is a deep cut to 21 percent from children.

35 percent of the corporate income As the fast-moving Republican tax tax rate, a step that corporate tax package has evolved, it has tilted lobbyists have been pursuing for

many years.

Orrin Hatch, chairman of the Senate tax committee and one of the bill’s chief authors, said the Senate would probably vote on a final Senate-House measure on Monday.

He said he hoped Rubio’s concerns could be addressed. “He’s important to us,” Hatch said. “I don’t know what leadership wants to do on that. It’s a problem, no question.”

The Senate approved a wide-ranging tax bill of its own on Dec. 2 by a vote of 51-49. Senator Bob Corker was the only Republican to join all 46 Senate Democrats and two independents in voting against the bill.

SIGNED BEFORE CHRISTMAS?

Earlier, the House of Representatives had approved its own tax legislation. In recent days negotiators from both chambers have been scrambling to reconcile the two bills, changing specific parts on the fly to lock in enough votes to pass it.

Trump has said he wants a final bill on his desk for enactment before Christmas. If it is enacted,

Nephews of Venezuela’s first lady sentenced to 18 years in U.S. drug case

NEW YORK - Two nephews of Venezuela’s first lady were sentenced to 18 years in prison on Thursday following their convictions in New York on U.S. drug trafficking charges.

U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty sentenced the two men, Franqui Francisco Flores de Freitas, 32, and Efrain Antonio Campo Flores, 31, at a hearing in federal court in Manhattan. The two are cousins, both nephews of Cilia Flores, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s wife.

Lawyers for both defendants had asked for a shorter sentence of 10 years, while prosecutors had sought 30. Crotty said 30 years would be excessive, noting that Flores de Freitas and Campo Flores had no previous FILE PHOTO: Efrain Antonio Campo Flores (2nd from L) and Franqui Francisco criminal history.

Flores de Freitas stand with law enforcement officers in this November 12,

“What moves me is that 2015 photo after their arrest in Port Au Prince, Haiti. U.S. Mr. Campo Flores and Mr. Flores de Freitas were perhaps not the had no immediate comments after only “bungling discussions of a most astute drug dealers who ever the sentencing. drug plot that could never actually existed,” he said. “They were in Flores de Freitas and have been executed.” over their heads.”

Campo Flores were arrested in Days after the conviction,

Both cousins spoke briefly Haiti in November 2015 in a U.S. Maduro blasted the case in a before being sentenced.

Drug Enforcement Administration speech as an instance of “U.S.

“I know that I have made sting operation. Prosecutors said imperialism.”

Maduro has very serious mistakes in this case,” in a court filing they tried to frequently cast U.S. accusations Campo Flores said, going on to make $20 million through drug of drug trafficking as a pretext for apologize to his wife and children. trafficking to help keep their meddling in Venezuela and trying “I’ve always been a good person,” family in power. to topple him.

Flores de Freitas said. “Even in Campo Flores and Under Maduro, oiljail I tried to help those who were Flores de Freitas were convicted producing Venezuela has fallen in a worse psychological situation in November 2016 by a jury of into an economic and political than I find myself in.” He asked conspiring to import cocaine into crisis in which more than 120 that the judge allow him to return the United States. people have died in four months to Venezuela soon to be near his Lawyers for the two men of protests. The United States son. said in a court filing earlier this announced new sanctions against

Lawyers for the two men year that prosecutors had proven Maduro’s government in July.

the bill would be the first major legislative achievement for Trump and the Republicans since he took office in January.

Corker, a leading Republican fiscal hawk, reiterated that his concerns about the bill’s expansion of the federal deficit have not been addressed.

Independent and nonpartisan tax analysts have estimated that the bill will expand the $20 trillion national debt by at least $1 trillion in the next 10 years.

Moderate Senator Susan Collins also has been non-committal on the bill, in part out of concern about its provision to repeal an Obamacare federal fine imposed on Americans who do not buy health insurance.

The Senate vote outlook has been further muddled by Senator John McCain’s admission to the hospital for treatment for side effects of cancer therapy. His office said he “looks forward to returning to work as soon as possible.”

Four French schoolchildren killed as train plows into bus

PARIS - Four adolescents were killed when a train smashed into a school bus on a level crossing outside the town of Perpignan in southwestern France on Thursday.

Images from the scene showed the bus split in two, with a long line of emergency vehicles on an approach to the crossing.

Another 20 people were injured in the crash, 11 of them seriously, according to French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who traveled immediately to the scene. Most of the injured were schoolchildren aboard the bus, aged 13-17.

Philippe told reporters the authorities were focused on getting accurate information to families, a process “made difficult by the question of identification of those who have died and some of the injured.”

A crisis coordination center has been set up at Millas town hall on Perpignan’s western outskirts, about 850 kilometers (530 miles) from Paris. According to local media reports, the bus was transporting pupils from the town’s Christian Bourquin college.

“All my thoughts (are with) the victims and their families,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on Twitter.

The causes of the crash are unknown, pending a full investigation, officials said. The bus and train drivers both survived and will be interviewed by police.

The train was carrying 25 passengers and traveling at 80 kmh, the regulatory speed for the section of track where the collision occurred, a spokeswoman for the national SNCF railway told Reuters. Three train passengers sustained relatively minor injuries, according to the interior ministry.

Witnesses had reported that the barriers of the crossing were down at the moment of impact, the SNCF spokeswoman said, adding that all such preliminary information was “subject to confirmation” by investigators.

France has suffered several serious rail accidents in recent decades. One of the deadliest was in 1988, when a commuter train heading into Paris’ Gare de Lyon crashed into a stationary train, killing 56 people, after its brakes failed.

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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WORLD NEWS

New York woman charged with laundering money to help Islamic State

U.S. prosecutors said Thursday that they had charged a Long Island, New York woman with laundering more than $85,000 in fraudulently obtained money through Bitcoin to help Islamic State.

Zoobia Shahnaz, 27, was arrested Wednesday on charges of bank fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, the office of Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget Rohde in Brooklyn

announced.

Shahnaz pleaded not guilty on Thursday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen Tomlinson in Central Islip, New York, according to John Marzulli, a spokesman for Rohde’s office.

A lawyer for Shahnaz, Steve Zissou, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Prosecutors said that between March and July of this

year, Shahnaz obtained a loan and multiple credit cards by making false representations to financial institutions, and used them to buy Bitcoin.

They said she then laundered the money through illicit transactions involving shell companies in Pakistan, China and Turkey with the ultimate goal of using the money to benefit Islamic

Nigerian man pleads guilty to taking part in global email scams

NEW YORK - A Nigerian man was sentenced to three years and five months in prison by a U.S. judge on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to taking part in email scams to defraud thousands of victims around the world of millions of dollars, U.S. prosecutors said.

David Chukwuneke Adindu, 30, was sentenced U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty in Manhattan, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Joon Kim in Manhattan.

Prosecutors said in a court filing Tuesday that Adindu tricked victims into wiring more than $25 million into bank accounts he opened in China, where they said the funds would be difficult for victims in the United States to recover.

Gary Conroy, a lawyer for Adindu, said Adindu’s role

consisted mostly of setting up bank accounts in China and Hong Kong. He noted that the sentence was substantially less than the 97 to 121 months called for by federal guidelines.

“I think the judge accurately assessed his relatively minor role in this conspiracy,” Conroy said.

Adindu defrauded his victims by impersonating executives or vendors of companies, prosecutors said, directing employees of those companies to make large wire transfers. Such scams are known as “business email compromise.”

Prosecutors said in Tuesday’s court submission that the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation has found that business email compromise scammers often use Chinese bank accounts.

Adindu was arrested

at a Houston airport last year. Prosecutors said in an indictment that Adindu, who during the period in question resided in both Guangzhou, China, and Lagos, Nigeria, worked with others to carry out business email compromise scams from 2014 to 2016.

Prosecutors said the scammers’ targets included an unnamed New York investment firm, where an employee received an email claiming in June 2015 to be from an investment adviser at another firm asking for a $25,200 wire transfer.

The employee later learned the email was not actually sent by that adviser and as a result did not comply with a second wire transfer request for $75,100, according to the indictment.

Hamas will reverse Trump’s Jerusalem move

GAZA - Tens of thousands of Palestinians including hundreds of gunmen rallied in Gaza on Thursday to mark the 30th anniversary of Hamas’s founding and its chief vowed to reverse U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Earlier in the day, Israel shut its border crossings with Gaza in response to daily rocket fire from the Hamas-ruled enclave since Trump’s announcement on Dec. 6, which stirred anger across the Arab and Muslim world and concern among Washington’s European allies as well as Russia.

“We will knock down Trump’s decision. No superpower is capable of offering Jerusalem

to Israel, there is no Israel that it should have a capital named Jerusalem. Our souls, our blood, our sons and our homes are a sacrifice for Jerusalem,” Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh told the rally in Gaza City.

With gunmen from other Palestinian militant groups showing support for Hamas, Haniyeh added, “We are marching towards Jerusalem, sacrificing millions of martyrs along the way,” and the crowd repeated his chants.

Israeli aircraft struck three Hamas facilities before dawn after the latest rocket salvo, Israel’s military said. It said it targeted training camps and weapons storage compounds.

Hamas usually evacuates such facilities when border tensions rise.

Two of the rockets fired by militants were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system and a third exploded in an open area of southern Israel. There were no reports of casualties on either side of the frontier.

The military said in a statement that “due to the security events and in accordance with security assessments”, Kerem Shalom crossing - the main passage point for goods entering Gaza - and the Erez pedestrian crossing would be shut as of Thursday. It did not say how long the closure would last.

State.

In July, prosecutors said, Shahnaz sought to travel to Syria, but was stopped and questioned by law enforcement at John F. Kennedy International Airport when she tried to board a flight to Islamabad, Pakistan.

The most serious charge, bank fraud, carries 30 years in prison, according to Rohde’s office.

Bitcoin fever exposes crypto-market frailties

LONDON/NEW YORK - As bitcoin raced to another record high on Tuesday, one of the biggest providers of digital currency wallets, Coinbase, went down under the weight of traffic, leaving many of its more than 10 million customers unable to access their funds.

At the same time, Bitfinex, the world’s biggest bitcoin exchange by trading volume, said it was under a heavy denialof-service (DDoS) attack, meaning its servers had been intentionally flooded with junk online requests, taking down its website and crippling its services.

The latest outages show how the market infrastructure for an immature and volatile instrument that millions of investors have piled into may be illequipped to cope with sudden shifts in demand, which is worrying some investors.

During a particularly volatile period of trading on Dec. 7, bitcoin surged from below $16,000 to $19,500 in less than an hour on Coinbase’s exchange GDAX, while it was changing hands at less than $16,000 on another, Bitstamp.

As trading volume surged, GDAX and Coinbase went down at least 10 times because of “record-high traffic”, Coinbase said.

“More people are engaging with our platform than ever and that bodes well for the future of the digital currency.

At the same time, it does create extreme volatility and stress on our systems,” the company’s director of business operations, David Farmer, said.

“We can confirm that there has been no unusual or suspicious activity. All we know right now is that there is a large amount of traffic,” he told Reuters.

itfinex said it had been under a sustained DDoS attack since last week.

“While last week the platform traded continuously, to effectively perform emergency maintenance, we took the website down for a brief time today (Tuesday) to mitigate further issues for customers,” a spokesman said.

“We are constantly improving our systems to ensure that we’re able to both accommodate the immense volume of trading that occurs on our platform while also fending off sustained DDoS attacks,” he said.

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DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

WORLD NEWS

Childhood obesity climbing with media use

Children’s waistlines have been expanding in lock step with the amount of time they spend with televisions, computers, smartphones and tablets, European doctors say.

In the past 25 years, obesity rates have climbed rapidly among European children and teens, according to a consensus statement from the European Academy of Pediatrics and the European Childhood Obesity Group published in Acta Paediatrica.

Roughly one in five kids and teens in Europe are overweight or obese, according to a 2017 World Health Organization study, the authors note.

Today, 97 percent of European households have a TV in their home, 72 percent have a computer, 68 percent have internet access and 91 percent have mobile phones, according to the statement.

This has spurred a surge in screen time, contributing to inadequate sleep, worse eating habits and less exercise - all of which can make it easy for children to become overweight, the statement authors argue.

“Mass media has been statement also notes. Kids also tend in Lebanon, New Hampshire, who shown to have a broad effect on to consume a large portion of their wasn’t involved in the statement. children’s health and can affect them daily calories while watching TV, “Limit media time each day, physiologically and have an impact when ads may influence their food no media in the bedroom and ensure on their socio-cultural functioning choices. the media children are exposed to and psychological wellbeing,” said The fix is more vigilance, is high quality,” Emond said by senior author of the statement, Dr. the authors argue. email. “Regarding social media, Adamos Hadjipanayis, a researcher “When their TV time goes parents should have access to their at European University Cyprus in down, so does their (weight),” said children’s social media sites and Nicosia and secretary general of the Dr. David Hill, chair, American monitor their children’s interaction European Academy of Pediatrics.

Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council with social media - that has benefits

“There is evidence of a strong on Communications and Media and beyond promoting a healthy weight.” link between obesity levels across a researcher at the University of Parents of children who are European countries and childhood North Carolina School of Medicine already spending hours a day online media exposure,” Hadjipanayis said in Chapel Hill. and watching various screens may by email.

“Food advertising seems to drive want to cut back media use gradually

Parents are part of the this relationship, as opposed to to make changes more effective, problem, Hadjipanayis and decreased activity. Sleep is also a said Erica Kenney, a researcher at colleagues argue. major concern,” Hill, who wasn’t the Harvard T.H. Chan School of

Even as children’s screen involved in the statement, said by Public Health in Boston who wasn’t time rises, parents demonstrate email. “Screen media before bedtime involved in the statement. little awareness about what their interfere with sleep quality and “If parents find that their kids do online or how much time they duration, and poor sleep contributes kids are using media for something spend with tablets, smartphones to obesity.” like 7 hours a day or more, which and computers, the statement The APP has tips for parents seems pretty typical . . . , trying all emphasizes. on managing media online, Hill said of a sudden to get that down to 2

Food advertising is another (bit.ly/2epneyO). hours a day is probably not going to problem, because it can convince Common sense should be successful,” Kenney said by email. kids to crave and demand more prevail, said Dr. Jennifer Emond, “Gradually implementing rules to junk food and make them less likely a researcher at the Geisel School help kids cut down on their use is to eat their fruits and veggies, the of Medicine at Dartmouth College probably going to work better.”

VACANCY- MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR- GRAND TURK Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified individuals for the position of Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor FortisTCI, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands.  Responsible for detailed supervision of subordinate employees, who perform mechanical maintenance work activities at FortisTCI generating facilities.  Under the direction of the Director of GDT Operations and/or his designate, the Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor will assist in the installation and maintenance of diesel engines and mechanical auxiliary equipment in a manner that will ensure reliable operation of these assets, as per design specifications.  Assign and supervise the day to day activities of assigned staff, enforce safety, discipline, environmental responsibility and ensure that staff utilizes proper techniques in the execution of assigned duties.  The Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor must understand and commit to the corporate vision, and successfully gain the support of subordinate employees and implement of that vision.

MAIN DUTIES Key Responsibilities:  Supervise and mentor a knowledgeable and motivated plant work force. This includes the use of progressive discipline methods when required.  Plan weekly maintenance schedules, assign work activity and provide work instructions for Mechanical Technicians based on monthly and annual work plans as directed by Director of GDT Operations and/or his designate.  Ensure a high degree of familiarity and profound knowledge of specifications, fundamental operating concepts and operating, required tooling and maintenance manuals and procedures for all plant production assets and equipment.  Effectively supervise day to day work of Mechanical Technicians with particular regard to safety, efficiency and functionality of the plant.  Evaluate Mechanical Technicians’ performance to ensure quality operations.

Efficiently and effectively evaluate all subordinate staff during the performance appraisal processes and mid-year reviews.  Conduct on the job training in day to day work with subordinate staff as and when required in carrying out effective preventative and corrective repairs to plant mechanical equipment and other company assets in a manner consistent with equipment manufacturer’s specification.  Prepare failures analysis report for generation plant equipment and advice Director of GDT Operations and/or his designate in a timely manner when spare parts, tools or other maintenance equipment need to be ordered.  Conduct proper job planning for mechanical maintenance work to ensure all spares parts, tools and adequate manpower is available well in advance of works being carried out; ensure adherence to maintenance procedures and submit relevant maintenance reports to Director of GDT Operations.  Assist in the preparation of annual work plans and capital maintenance budgets for the mechanical section as assigned and directed.  Conduct testing and troubleshooting of plant equipment in mechanical aspects of the plant and train subordinate mechanical personnel to competently perform these functions.  As and when required perform the duties of senior mechanical technician in carrying out effective preventative and corrective repairs to plant mechanical equipment and other company assets in a manner consistent with equipment manufacturer’s specification.  Be familiar with and adhere to all Company policies and procedures (including those established by past practice) relating to the position and to observe and enforce compliance of subordinate employees to these policies and procedures.

 Plan and conduct work in a manner consistent with the company’s commitment to the environment and ensure that subordinate employees are likewise in compliance.  Be familiar with and adhere to the safety and operating procedures of the company and ensure that all personnel in the department follow these procedures.  Maintain and ensure the accuracy of statistical records of plant operations and maintenance activities as required by the company.  Provide calm and competent leadership in response to plant emergencies in a manner that inspires others to do likewise.  Be professional in dress and demeanor as befits the position of management personnel and ensure that a good public image of FortisTCI is maintained at all times.  Perform other duties as may be assigned and/or required by Plant Operations contingencies from time to time.

DUTIES  Prepare weekly, monthly and annual maintenance schedules and provide work instructions.  Prepare job plans for maintenance work, submit maintenance reports and detailed failure analysis reports.  Execute preventative and corrective maintenance to ensure high equipment availability.  Any other related duty as assigned from time to time by Plant Production Manager.

ACADEMIC/TECHNICAL/MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS  Diploma in Mechanical Technology-Power option (3 year programs) or Technical certification in the trades equivalent to the City and Guilds of London Institute  Extensive experience trouble shooting Caterpillar Generator sets  15 to 20 years’ experience in operations, installation and maintenance of rotating machinery in a power plant operations setting.  A minimum of 5 years’ experience at a supervisory level in a power plant setting.  A high degree of familiarity and competence in diesel engine theory and operations, extensive experience trouble shooting Caterpillar generator sets and rotary equipment; mechanical repair tooling and the ability to train others.  Familiarity with and competency in the use of computers and standard computing software programs.

Abilities/Skills/Experience  Above average analytical skills in math and electrical theories  Excellence in interpretation of engineering drawings and manuals  Professional competency in written and oral communication skills in English  Good man management and communication skills.  Experience in working under utility emergency response condition  Experience in installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of large generation units.  Ability to function effectively under emergency situations and thinks clearly and effective and deliver within deadlines and to work under pressure  Self-motivated, solution oriented and positive in outlook  Team player Compensation is commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is Tuesday December 19, 2017 to: Mr. Avi Adams Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com and aadams@fortistci.com

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 41

CONDO FOR RENT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the following fulltime lecturing positions at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College for the semester commencing February 19, 2018:.

One-bedroom, fully-furnished apartment for rent in Turtle Cove condominium.

Security, swimming pool and gym facilities.

Faculty of Humanities and Fine Arts: 1 position: Law/Sociology/Psychology

$2,750 per month.

Lecturers are required to teach across different academic levels from the G.C.E. Advanced level, Caribbean Advanced Proficiency and up to the Associate and Bachelor Degree levels.

Multi-disciplinary candidates are particularly encouraged to apply for these positions.

Rent does not include utilities.

The ideal candidate must have knowledge and skills obtained through collegiate preparation resulting in a Master’s degree (Doctorate preferred) which must include eighteen (18) graduate semester hours in the area being applied for, from an accredited and recognized institution plus a Teaching Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma and no less than three years post qualification teaching experience. A Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of a second class honors or other postgraduate qualifications, teaching certificate/Diploma and experience in teaching at Tertiary level may be considered.

Salary is in the scale: Level I: US$27,399.90 – $39,102.30 per annum.

Level II: US$40,210 – $43,488.40 per annum.

Entry point will depend on qualifications and experience. In the case of staff recruited from overseas, appointment is on contractual terms for an initial period of two years. A gratuity is payable at the end of satisfactory contractual service at the rate of 10% of salary drawn during the period of service. A housing allowance is payable at existing rates.

Applications with copies of qualifications (including official transcripts), two character references, a police record and a recent testimonial from current place of employment should be sent to the: PRESIDENT, TCI COMMUNITY COLLEGE, P.O. BOX 236, GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS to reach not later than 30th December, 2017. Where possible, applicants should e-mail their applications.

EMAIL tcicomc@tciway.tc president@tcicc.edu.tc dean@tcicc.edu.tc We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only persons selected for interview will be contacted.

GOVERNMENT VACANCIES – (APPLICATION DEADLINE: 22nd DECEMBER 2017) Job Title: Director of Maritime - CFB6-01 DEPARTMENT: Maritime Department LOCATION: Providenciales Salary: Grade 9 - $59,552.50 per annum JOB SUMMARY The post is a senior management position mandated to oversee the efficient enforcement of applicable maritime laws and proper implementation of the duties and responsibilities of the Department; to conduct policy review and analyses, and to propose appropriate legislative action; to perform SWOT analyses and strategic planning to address both short and long-term issues and challenges of the Department.

Job Title: Junior Conservation Officer - CFB602 DEPARTMENT: Maritime Department LOCATION: Providenciales SALARY: Grade 4 - $21,935.00 JOB SUMMARY This post supports the Conservation Officers who are responsible for the enforcement of pertinent environmental laws and maritime laws in TCI; involve in all conservation activities; maintain parks infrastructures; and keep all dive equipment and field tools in proper conditions.

JOB TITLE: 03

Senior Administrative Officer - KHB6-

Email enquiries: rocommunications@gmail.com

SALT CAY DIVERS

IS SEEKING Kitchen helper •Must have training as an assistant to a cook for food preparation.

•Must live and work in Salt Cay willing to work evenings and weekends.

Labourer •Be willing to live and work in Salt Cay able to swim, speak English experienced working in the tourist industry.

Certified PADI Dive instructor •Must have 5 years teaching scuba diving and working in the Tourism industry.

•Must be willing to live and work in Salt Cay •Please Call Debbie at 3432157

DEPARTMENT: Health Regulatory Authority LOCATION: Providenciales SALARY: Grade 6 -$33,415.00 per annum plus allowances JOB SUMMARY: This is a senior administrative position, which has responsibility for the smooth operation of administrative functions in the office and provides support in resource management of finances, human resources, facilities and purchasing.

JOB TITLE: JCB6-04 DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:

Assistant Revenue Commissioner – Legal – Revenue Control Unit Grand Turk Grade 8 - $51,147.50 per annum

JOB SUMMARY The incumbent will work in collaboration with the Commissioner of Revenue to implement revenue control policies, Ensure that the Various Revenue Ordinances and Regulations are strictly adhered to and undertake the day to day interpretation of the Revenue Ordinance and Regulations that falls under the remit of the Revenue Unit.

For more details regarding this position, kindly refer to the attached documents or visit www.gov.tc.

Please ensure that all applications submitted by email clearly states the Job Title in the subject line of the email and all applications received via hard copy is clearly marked with the Job Title.

Page 42

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

BUSINESS &

TECHNOLOGY

Disney to buy Fox film, TV businesses for $52 billion

Walt Disney Co has struck a deal to buy film, television and international businesses from Rupert Murdoch’s Twenty-First Century Fox Inc for $52.4 billion in stock, giving the world’s largest entertainment company an arsenal of shows and movies to combat growing digital rivals Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc.

The deal brings to a close more than half a century of expansion

by Murdoch, 86, who turned a single Australian newspaper he inherited from his father at the age of 21 into one of the world’s most important global news and film conglomerates.

The new, slimmed down Fox will focus on TV news and sport.

Shares of Fox, which have surged more than 30 percent since talk of the deal surfaced in early November, climbed 3.2 percent in early trading.

Disney shares edged slightly higher after the company said it expects to buy up to $20 billion of its own shares to offset dilution from the all-stock deal.

Fox stockholders will receive 0.2745 Disney shares for each share held and will end up owning about a quarter of

Disney. models to compete with digital, online March he was committed to leaving

Under the deal, expected competitors such as Netflix, Google the company in July 2019. If Iger sees to close in 12 to 18 months, Disney and Amazon,” said Nick Jones, partner out his new term, that would rule out acquires 21st Century Fox’s film and head of technology at Cavendish a presidential bid in 2020, which had and television studios, its cable Corporate Finance. “(It) helps Disney been the subject of some speculation. entertainment networks and dramatically reduce its reliance on “This gives us the ability to international TV businesses. traditional television, a business that marry the great content of Fox with

The Fox deal brings marquee has declined over the last two decades.” the great content of Disney, it gives us franchises like “Avatar” and “The ‘NEW’ FOX a much larger international footprint, Simpsons” inside the Mouse House, Immediately before the and it enables us to use cutting-edge on top of Iger’s previous purchases, acquisition, Fox will separate the Fox technology to reach consumers in far including Pixar Animation Studios, Broadcasting network and stations, more compelling ways,” Iger told ABC’s Marvel Entertainment and “Star Fox News Channel, Fox Business “Good Morning America” program.

Wars” producer Lucasfilm.

Network, its sports channels FS1, FS2 Iger said new technology would

Disney’s global footprint and the Big Ten Network, into a newly be necessary to meet the demands of also expands with the acquisition of listed company that it will spin off to viewers who want to access content Fox’s international satellite assets, its shareholders. anytime. Direct-to-consumer service is including Star TV network in India “This will be a growth company, a top company priority, he added. and a stake in European pay-TV centered on live news and sports Disney has been struggling to provider Sky Plc. brands and the strength of the Fox bolster its TV business as cancellation The new pipeline of shows and movies network,” 21st Century Fox Executive of cable subscriptions is pressuring its will help Disney battle technology Chairman Murdoch told investors. He biggest network, sports channel ESPN. companies spending billions of dollars said Fox was not retreating, rather The company plans to launch its on programming shown online that “pivoting at a pivotal moment.” own streaming service in 2019, a is siphoning audiences away from Disney Chief Executive calculated gamble that it can generate traditional TV networks.

Bob Iger, 66, will extend his tenure more profit in the long run from its

“The deal illustrates the through the end of 2021 to oversee the own subscription service rather than huge strategic challenge traditional integration of the Fox businesses. He renting out movies to services like media companies face and how they has already postponed his retirement Netflix. need to reinvent their business from Disney three times, saying in

Amazon to start selling Apple TV, Google Chromecast

Amazon.com Inc will start selling Google Chromecast and Apple TV, which compete against its Fire TV, on its online store, an Amazon spokeswoman told Reuters on Thursday.

The online giant had removed the video-streaming devices from its website in

2015. The company had then explained the move by saying it wanted to avoid confusing customers who might expect its Prime Video service to be available on devices sold by Amazon.

Alphabet Inc’s Google said last week it would block YouTube from Amazon’s Echo and

Fire TV devices.

However, Apple said last week Prime Video would come to Apple TV, mending its ties with the e-commerce giant.

CNET first reported the return of Apple TV and Google Chromecast devices to Amazon’s platform.

Britain urged to prosecute social media firms over online abuse

LONDON - Social media companies should face prosecution for failing to remove racist and extremist material from their websites, according to a report by an influential committee.

Prime Minister Theresa May’s ethics watchdog recommends introducing laws to shift the liability for illegal content onto social media firms and calls for them to do more to take down intimidatory content.

Social media companies currently do not have liability for the content on their sites, even when it is illegal, the report by the Committee on Standards in Public Life said.

The recommendations form part of the conclusions of an inquiry into intimidation experienced by parliamentary candidates in an election campaign this year.

“The widespread use of social media has been the most significant factor accelerating and enabling

A picture illustration shows a Facebook logo reflected in a person’s eye, in Zenica, March 13, 2015 intimidatory behavior in recent years,” the report said.

“The committee is deeply concerned about the limited

engagement of the social media companies in tackling these issues.”

While the report said intimidation in public life is an old problem, the scale and intensity of intimidation is now posing a threat to Britain’s democracy.

The report found that women, ethnic minorities and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political candidates are disproportionately likely to be the targets of intimidation.

The committee heard how racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic and anti-Semitic abuse is putting off some candidates from standing for public office.

Platforms such as Twitter, YouTube and Facebook are criticized for failing to remove abusive material posted online even after they were notified.

The committee said it was “surprised and concerned” Google, Facebook and Twitter do not collect

data on the material they take down.

“The companies’ failure to collect this data seems extraordinary given that they thrive on data collection,” the report said. “It would appear to demonstrate that they do not prioritize addressing this issue of online intimidation.”

Twitter said in a statement it has announced several updates to its platform aimed at cutting down on abusive content and it is taking action on 10 times the number of abusive accounts every day compared to the same time last year.

YouTube declined to comment, while Facebook did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Many politicians have become more vocal about the abuse they face after Labour’s Jo Cox, a 41-year-old mother of two young children, was shot and repeatedly stabbed a week before Britain’s Brexit referendum last year.

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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS

Uber’s London Manhattan luxury condo sales skew apartment prices license appeal to be

NEW YORK - A boom in newly built luxury apartments in Manhattan has skewed prices for the overall residential real estate market in the borough and masked a sharp drop in transaction volume over the past five years, a property report on Wednesday showed.

The number of apartment sales priced above $10 million has doubled since 2013 when the postcrisis recovery was fully in swing, CityRealty’s 2017 Year-End Manhattan Market Report said.

The number of units that sold for less than $1 million plunged by FILE PHOTO: The building known as 432 Park Avenue rises above the 35 percent over that period, the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S. on November 2, 2016 report said.

The super wealthy have decade ago, Warshawer said. million, respectively. tilted condo prices in Manhattan, “As prices have risen, less The median sales price of marking a dramatic change from of the market share is comprised high-end apartments edged higher the pre-crisis building boom, said of cheaper units,” she said. in 2017, but the closely watched Gabby Warshawer, director of In 2013, 7,787 units were average square-foot price slid a research at the CityRealty real sold for under $1 million for a total bit for condos as prices leveled off estate listings and data website. $4.7 billion in sales. This year is after years of heady growth, the

During the mid-2000s, projected to end with 5,040 units report said. developers constructed a record sold at under $1 million for $3.4 While the average number of new condo units in billion in sales. and median sales price for all Manhattan but prices were Units sold at 432 residential units has jumped since generally not higher than the Park Avenue, a 96-story tower 2007 by 61 percent to $2.2 million average for existing condos, she marketed by developers as the and 44 percent to $1.2 million, said. tallest residential building in respectively, transaction volume

In the past five years, the Americas, garnered the most is off 30 percent from peak activity however, Manhattan has seen number of sales in a listing of a decade ago, CityRealty said. a different kind of development the 25 highest-priced condos, CityRealty examined boom. Prices for these units are CityRealty said. sales registrations from the city’s higher than they ever were before The two highest priced Department of Finance. Much of but the number of units built and sales were also at 432 Park Harlem and nearby areas were sold is way off levels achieved a Avenue for $65.7 million and $65.2 excluded because its market size.

Hackers halt plant operations in watershed cyber attack

Hackers likely working for a nation-state recently invaded the safety system of a critical infrastructure facility in a watershed attack that halted plant operations, according to cyber investigators and the firm whose software was targeted.

FireEye Inc disclosed the incident on Thursday, saying it targeted Triconex industrial safety technology from Schneider Electric SE.

Schneider confirmed that the incident had occurred and that it had issued a security alert to customers of the technology, FILE PHOTO: The FireEye logo is seen outside the company’s offices in which cyber experts said is widely Milpitas, California, U.S. December 29, 2014 used in the energy industry, an industrial plant, which could shutdown system, then sought including at nuclear facilities, prevent plants from identifying to reprogram controllers used to and oil and gas plants. and halting destructive attacks identify potential safety issues.

FireEye and Schneider on those facilities, they said.

During that incident, some of declined to identify the victim, The attack demonstrates the controllers entered a fail industry or location of the attack. that plant safety systems safe mode, which caused related Cyber-security company Dragos “could be fooled to indicate that processes to shut down and said it targeted an organization everything is okay” when hackers caused the plant to identify the in the Middle East, while a second are potentially damaging a plant attack, FireEye said. firm, CyberX, said it believe the in the background, said Galina FireEye believes the victim was in Saudi Arabia.

Antova, co-founder of cyber- attacker’s actions inadvertently

It marks the first report security firm Claroty. caused the shutdown while of a safety system breach at “This is a watershed,” probing the system to learn an industrial plant by hackers, said Sergio Caltagirone, head of how it worked, Scali said. The who have in recent years placed threat intelligence with Dragos. attackers were likely conducting increasing attention on hacking “Others will eventually catch up reconnaissance to learn how they into utilities, factories and other and try to copy this kind of attack.” could modify safety systems so types of critical infrastructure, In the incident, hackers they would not operate in the cyber experts said. used sophisticated malware event that the hackers intended

Such attacks could allow to take remote control of a to launch an attack that disrupted hackers to shut down safety workstation running a Schneider or damaged the plant, he said. systems in advance of attacking Electric Triconex Tricon safety

heard next year

LONDON - Uber will defend its right to operate in London in court next year after the app was deemed unfit to run a taxi service and stripped of its license in its most important European market.

Regulator Transport for London (TfL) shocked the Silicon Valley firm by rejecting its license renewal bid in September, citing its approach to reporting serious criminal offences and background checks on drivers.

Uber’s 40,000 drivers, representing around one in three of all private hire vehicles on the British capital’s roads, can continue to take passengers until the appeals process is exhausted, which could take years.

The legal battle pitches one of the world’s richest cities against a tech giant known for its forays into new markets around the world that have prompted bans, restrictions and protests, including by drivers of London’s famous black cabs.

At a case management hearing on Monday, the chief magistrate at Westminster Magistrates’ Court Emma Arbuthnot said she hoped to hear the appeal over five days from April 30, although the start date could be pushed back due to scheduling clashes.

Further hearings will take place next week to decide whether the GMB trade union and the London Taxi Drivers’ Association can participate in the case.

Months of further legal wrangling are likely unless the app, valued at around $70 billion with investors including Goldman Sachs (GS.N), can come to a new arrangement with the regulator.

Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi has apologized to Londoners and met TfL Commissioner Mike Brown in October for what both sides described as constructive talks.

Brown told Reuters in November that “there are some discussions going on to make sure they are compliant.”

“We continue having constructive discussions with Transport for London in order to resolve this,” an Uber spokesman said ahead of Monday’s hearing.

“As our new CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has said, we are determined to make things right.”

Losing its London license was just one of many blows to Uber this year as a stream of executives left amid controversies involving allegations of sexual harassment and issues surrounding data privacy and business practices.

In Britain, Uber is looking to appoint a new boss after Jo Bertram announced her departure less than two weeks after London’s decision.

It also faces potential problems in the northern English city of Sheffield where its license has been suspended and in Brighton, southern England, where local officials extended the firm’s license for only six months to give them more time to consider the outcome of the dispute in London.

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WORLD

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 16TH, 2017 – DECEMBER 23RD, 2017

SPORTS

Contracted West Indies player set for pay raise

West Indies players will be offered more flexible and enhanced contracts, including exclusive retainers for Test and limited-overs cricket, according to a new Cricket West Indies policy. The highest-paid category will be for players who feature in Tests and ODIs, with a maximum retainer of over US $300,000 including match fees. The four-man selection panel, led

by Courtney Browne, has shortlisted players for every category, which is expected to be made public soon.

The new contract policy is one of CWI CEO Johnny Grave’s visions for the board, along with the previouslyannounced amnesty. The policy has three levels, and will initially last for nine months. The new contracts will be offered on July 1, 2018, at the same time as the domestic retainer contracts.

The contracts have been split into three categories. Category A will comprise players who play predominantly Tests and ODIs. Category B will be for only Test players, while Category C will cover players featuring in only ODIs and T20s.

ESPNcricinfo understands six players have been offered first batch of white-ball contracts (Category C): Carlos Brathwaite, Jason Mohammed, Evin Lewis, Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse and Kesrick Williams.

According to Grave, CWI will keep player remuneration private and confidential. He also highlighted that a player contracted in Category A can earn over US $300,000, independent of domestic T20 deals, while players in other contract categories will also stand to earn six-figure retainers.

ESPNcricinfo believes the dollar value of the new retainers are more than double the previous highestearning contracts that have been

offered to players in the past three years following the abandoned 2014 tour to India.

Under the previous contract arrangement, players were contracted for one year only. A category A contract was worth US $140,000, Category B US $120,000 and Category C US $100,000, with highly reduced match retainers that were redirected to pay domestic players in the revamped Professional Cricket League.

Although CWI has not confirmed this, it is understood that individual match fees for ODIs and T20s (reduced after the 2014 abandonment to US $2500 and US $1500), will now be US $5000 and US $2500 per match respectively.

Grave said that another significant decision CWI was taking was extending the existing Memorandum of Understanding with the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) by another year. “The first thing we did was extend the CWIWIPA MoU by one year until the end of the 2019 World Cup cycle”, Grave told ESPNcricinfo. “While the overall aim was to create flexible contracts, when I realised the MoU was ending in 2018, but yet our television and sponsorship deals were ending in 2019, it made sense to extend it and link our major revenues with WIPA.”

Grave further explained why only six players received Category C contracts, highlighting they were solely chosen by the selection panel. “I create paper work and numbers, selectors chose those to award contracts. Jimmy (Jimmy Adams, CWI director of cricket) and I weren’t involved in that.

“However the logic behind those is - Carlos, although he is not in ODI team, is our T20 captain, Jason

view of the selectors that both Pollard and Narine have to show form in the Regional Super50 one-day competition to regain selection in the ODI team.

If they play that tournament and perform I don’t see why they wouldn’t get recalled.

“Obviously post amnesty, Gayle and Marlon played in England, if we had won the series and they had made lots of runs, they probably would have got contracts. So I think the selectors want to see them in New Zealand, Super50 and World Cup Qualifiers, but I suspect at some stage in 2018 they will get contracts given the new system,” Grave said.

Grave is currently in Auckland to meet the West Indies players to Joel Garner presents Sunil Ambris with his explain the details of the various Test cap contracts and address their concerns.

[Mohammed] is the ODI vice-captain Both Grave and Adams agreed with and Nurse has performed well this year the selectors that the main priority in limited-overs cricket. Evin, Rovman is for West Indies to qualify for the and Kesrick are upcoming players. We 2019 World Cup, and players will need want to offer incentives to want to play to commit to that task ahead of T20 and be loyal to West Indies and not tournaments like the Big Bash League T20s leagues, which, for good reason, and the Pakistan Super League. The are already after their talents.”

Big Bash League starts from December

None of West Indies’ high- 19 and runs till February 4. The PSL profile players have been offered will begin from February 22. contracts yet. Chris Gayle, Sunil The Regional Super50 falls Narine, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, between the BBL and the PSL - from Darren Bravo, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon January 31 to February 24, ending a Samuels, Samuel Badree and Darren week before the World Cup Qualifiers, Sammy will all be offered pro-rata scheduled to begin on March 2. contracts based on their performances Grave said CWI will be in the upcoming series in the short as flexible as possible in allowing term. players to play T20 Leagues, but

“Sammy and Bravos don’t play the priority must be to play for West for West Indies at the moment, so we Indies. “Considering the importance can’t offer contracts to people who are of Qualifiers right now, that will take not in the team,” Grave said. “Pollard, priority over a player’s individual needs, Narine and Badree are only in the T20 so I’d imagine if players seriously want team, (and) white-ball contracts are for to be part of World Cup plans they will those who play ODIs and T20s. It’s a play Super50.”

LeBron James joining the Lakers in 2018 considered ‘a long shot’

Golf fans no longer be able to call in possible rules violations

isn’t without basis. But as of now, it’s also a long shot, according to league sources.

This should be a given, since the Lakers are nowhere close to fielding a roster that can help LeBron reach his stated goal of chasing Michael Jordan’s six championship rings. The 22-and-under crowd of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma may one day develop into the type of team that could complement James, but he turns 33 years old later this month, and he can’t afford to wait that long.

Yet, LeBron has remained non-committal to Cleveland, saying on media day that he will address his future in the summer, leaving the Cavaliers to straddle the line between building for now and later.

“LeBron is focused on this season and winning a championship,” LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, reiterated to ESPN. com. “At the appropriate time, we will explore all the options. Now is

Golf fans will no longer be able to call in or email possible rules violations they witness while watching broadcasts of tournaments on television.

The golf governing bodies announced Monday that beginning Jan. 1, such information will not be considered in administering the rules of golf, according to a joint announcement made by the United States Golf Association and R&A.

The PGA Tour, LPGA Tour, European PGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and the PGA of America are on board with the decision. As part of the new rule, all have agreed to assign one or more officials to monitor the video broadcast of a competition to help identify rules issues.

In addition, the USGA and R&A have approved the adoption of a local rule, also starting Jan. 1, that eliminates the additional 2-stroke penalty for failing to include a penalty on the scorecard when the player was unaware of the infraction. That penalty will permanently be removed when a modernization of the Rules of Golf takes place on Jan. 1, 2019.

The viewer call-in issue has been a hot topic in the game for years. The governing bodies have always maintained that information gathered from anywhere to properly administer the rules -- there are not typically rules officials with every group -- was fair game.

Reports of LeBron James’ interest in signing with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 began circulating soon after his Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals in June, with Adrian Wojnarowski reporting that rival executives believe the four-time MVP is “likely” headed for L.A.

Those rumors were only fueled by LeBron’s TV and movie production interests, his attendance at a Lakers summer league game, a tour through an L.A. private school with his wife, the purchase of a second home in Brentwood, happy birthday messages to Lakers president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and rookie Lonzo Ball, and his agent sitting courtside with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss.

But cool your jets, NBA conspiracy theorists, say ESPN. com’s Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst:

So imagining James’ last act coming in purple and gold

not the time.”

And these are the Lakers, the team that added Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain in their primes. They have the salary cap space to offer LeBron the max contract that he will reportedly demand (a luxury other suitors, like the Houston Rockets, do not have right now).

If the Lakers can off-load the $30 million-plus owed to Luol Deng and Jordan Clarkson for the next two years, they will have the room to make L.A. an even more attractive destination. Adding both James and Paul George remains a possibility, and their young stars would be awfully attractive trade bait should Johnson and Lakers GM Rob Pelinka want to add veteran talent around an aging superstar.

“Long shot”?

Sure.

Impossible? Nope. Welcome to the speculation that is another LeBron free agency.

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WORLD SPORTS

Commissioner Goodell to retire at end of contract in 2024

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who signed a five-year contract extension last week, intends to retire at the completion of his new deal in 2024.

Spokesman Joe Lockhart, the NFL’s executive vice president of communications and public affairs, confirmed at league winter meeting in Irving, Texas, on Wednesday.

“The commissioner has been clear he views this as his final contract,” Lockhart said.

The 58-year-old Goodell plans to work with NFL owners to identify and have his successor in place by the time he steps away in seven

years, Lockhart said.

Goodell signed the extension, which runs through March 2024, last Wednesday.

His annual compensation will be under $10 million, but the yearly pay could hit $40 million if he reaches incentives, most of which are tied to the league’s overall revenue, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.

According to ESPN, the fiveyear deal could be worth twice as much annually as the first 10 years that Goodell was commissioner, during which he made $212.5 million.

Goodell has earned more than $200 million since he was

elected NFL commissioner in 2006, succeeding Paul Tagliabue. Goodell first joined the league as an intern back in 1982.

Goodell’s new deal had been a contentious issue throughout the 2017 season. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently threatened to sue the NFL if the extension was approved before rescinding that threat.

Goodell’s extension would keep him in place through the league’s negotiations for its next collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union and its next FILE PHOTO: Commissioner of the NFL Roger Goodell at an event in Manhattan set of television contracts.

Serena hints at return, says ‘be excited’ A m e r i c a n Serena Williams dropped a large hint that she could soon be back on court competing when she posted an Instagram photo of a pair of dazzling gold and white tennis shoes.

Williams, who won her 23rd grand slam singles title at last year’s Australian Open before taking time out to have her first child, has entered next month’s tournament in Melbourne.

“Be excited.

Be very excited...” the 36-year-old said in the post which attracted 135,000 likes in the space of an hour.

W i l l i a m s gave birth to Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. in September and was married to Alexis Ohanian last month.

Few female players have won grand slams after taking a break to start a family, although Kim Clijsters won the 2009 U.S. Open in her third tournament back after having a daughter.

Australians Evonne Goolagong and Margaret Court also managed it. Court’s 24 grand slam singles titles remains a record although only 11 of them were in the professional era.

Oscar Pistorius suffers bruise in prison fight

Sept 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Serena Williams of the USA hits to Vania King of USA (not pictured) on day four of the 2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Cardinals’ coach unsure if running back Peterson will play again this season

A r i z o n a Cardinals coach Bruce Arians says he has “no idea” whether veteran running back Adrian Peterson will play again this season.

Peterson has missed the past two games with a neck injury and seems likely to miss Sunday’s matchup against the Washington Redskins.

The 32-yearold rusher was acquired by the Cardinals in a trade with New Orleans in October but has shown only flashes of the explosiveness that made him a seven-times Pro Bowler with the Minnesota Vikings.

FILE PHOTO: South African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius leaves the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, October 15, 2014

JOHANNESBURG - Jailed South African track star Oscar Pistorius suffered a bruise in a fight with another inmate over the use of a phone in prison where he is serving a sentence for murdering his girlfriend, a prison spokesman said on Tuesday.

Fellow prisoners were angered by a long phone call he made and it led to a fight, local media reported.

“Oscar sustained a minor bruise. It was so minor it didn’t need any form of treatment,” said Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesman at the Department of Correctional Services. He said authorities were investigating last Wednesday’s incident.

Pistorius is serving 13 years and five months after the Supreme Court last month more than doubled his sentence for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013.

Pistorius won six Paralympic gold medals and was known as the “Blade Runner” for his use of carbon-fiber prosthetics.

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