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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
FEBRUARY 24TH, 2018 – MARCH 3RD, 2018
LOCAL NEWS
DRIVER’S LICENCE SHORTAGE
Continued from Page 1 They need to tighten up. Maybe bring the materials here so they can make the plates on island and shorten the wait time. It takes too long to get everything straightened out. Even when I was trying to get a new driver’s license, I had to wait about 2 months. Something really needs to be done about the process.” The SUN understands that the plates are manufactured in the United States and it takes around 3 to 4 weeks from them to arrive on island once an order is placed. Furthermore, the unavailability of licence plates is
considered to be an aid to some persons who wish to carry out criminal activities as they can use the widespread shortage as an opportunity to move around in vehicles without identification, blending in with the crowd of other unplated vehicles. Using a vehicle without proper identification is a criminal offense which carries a fine of $300. Turks and Caicos law states that an identification plate of such size, shape and character as may be prescribed and bearing the registration number of the motor vehicle in letters and figures shall
be fixed and at all times exhibited on the back of the motor vehicle in the manner and position prescribed. If a motor vehicle does not have affixed to it an identification plate, this fact shall be regarded as prima facie evidence that the vehicle has not been registered and any police officer may detain that vehicle until enquiries have been made. Where a license or identification plate is lost, destroyed or rendered illegible, the owner of the motor vehicle shall obtain from the Director a replacement license or identification plate.
The onus of proving that a motor vehicle has been licensed rests upon the owner of the vehicle. Police Public Relations Officer Takara Bain said Section 42, 50 (a) (b) (c) gives the Police powers to conduct traffic checks. “Section 42 is an arrestable offence. The Public is reminded that once a driver can prove he or she has an up to date vehicle registration, along with vehicle insurance, a ticket will not be issued. The public is hereby reminded to have these documents updated and present, within their vehicles at all times, in the event of a routine traffic stop.”
Andrew Mitchell and DPP threaten to sue The SUN newspaper Continued from Page 1 I now quite understand why known as Boy George, nor has such a people say that Tony Gruchot, who name even been attributed to him”. is a not a top-tier lawyer, is often Commenting on this, Boyce: confused about which bar table he is “It’s a well-established fact in the sitting at.” Turks and Caicos Islands, especially Gruchot, who was recently appointed in Providenciales, that Mr. Andrew as an acting magistrate for a short Mitchell is often referred to as Boy period, said that his client reserves George. He is called Boy George in the right to refer this matter to the the bars and restaurants he visits Supreme Court for “injunctive relief and I’ve heard him being called Boy to prevent the electronic publication George around the courts. It’s really of the edition of the newspaper which not Mitchell’s fault or mine, if people carried the article”. The article is now say he resembles Boy George who is available online. such a talented British music icon.” In the letter, Gruchot said his client “has not had ANY parties at DPP INTERVENES ON Yacht Club or indeed anywhere else, MITCHELL’s BEHALF nor has he associated with people of questionable character or sexual Meantime, in her February orientation, whatever that is supposed 21st letter in which she threatened to to mean”. sue The SUN, DPP Jillian Williams In response, Boyce said: said that “an assertion that he (Mr. “What an unbelievable lie! I invite Mitchell) is known as Boy George (is) and challenge Mr. Gruchot and Mr. something which is wholly untrue Mitchell to put this matter in court and was published by you with where more details about parties and the apparent intention of raising a other things will surely be revealed.” homophobic reaction to Mr. Mitchell The attorney also said and thereby attempting to generate a Mitchell “is not and has never been backlash against him”.
She added: “The potential Prosecutions to intimidate and harass effect of these defamatory and me as a journalist and to obstruct libelous statements in the article me from exercising my democratic is to undermine the integrity of the and constitutional rights of freedom trial process and the standing of of expression. Permit me to say that the prosecution. Such publication is since your note also strikes at the capable of amount to a contempt of heart of freedom of the Press, I will court in those circumstances and even be immediately be informing, and an attempt to undermine or pervert actively engaging the support of, the course of justice...It has the various regional and international potential to have a serious deleterious media organisations about your impact on Mr. Mitchell’s personal, approach to this matter and the family and professional life, let alone full contents of your letter, which the integrity of the trial in the region. common courtesy would not allow me Additionally, another effect is that to describe as contemptibly imbecilic. parties who are interested in doing Likewise, you can do whatever you business in the Turks and Caicos choose with it.” Islands will be deterred from doing so.” The SUN publisher told In his response to the DPP, Boyce Williams there will be no apology or said he found her letter “particularly retraction. inappropriate, highly inflammatory, “If you and others are void of logic and deficient in law”. sufficiently satisfied that there has “It has been a while since I been a breach of criminal or civil have seen such frivolous and puerile law, you are of course free to take correspondence emanating from such the matter before the courts of the high office,” Boyce said. Turks and Caicos Islands where the He added: “There is no doubt truth will be ventilated along with a in mind that you are using the powers vigorous defence that will perhaps be of your office as Director of Public beyond your imagination,” he added.
$100 million Turtle Cove Resort to break ground in July By Todeline Defralien Construction of the $100 million hotel and marina project in Turtle Cove, Providenciales, is expected to start in July 2018. That’s according to Sam Hunt, of NW Hamilton Real Estate, agents for the ultra-modern property, Turks Cay Resort & Marina. Developer for the six Star Resort is Co-owner of the Gansevoort Hotel Group, prominent New York real estate developer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Arik Kislin. In an interview with The SUN, Hunt said sales of the property have been quite encouraging, even before construction has started. He added: “It’s going to basically be built in two phases. Phase one is going to be the main hotel area which is on the main beach in Turtle Cove area and we’re due to break ground according to plan in the end of June, beginning of July of this year. We started doing presales sixeight weeks ago both here on island at our sales office in Grace Bay and also internationally through Savills in London and we’ve been getting a lot of interest so far, already having two reservation bonds on two studio units. We’ve got about 6-7 people interested in other units who we are in discussions with.” Hunt told The SUN that
construction for this project is looking to complete within two years according to the developer and construction guys. The Resort will consist of studio units, one bed room units, two bedroom units, cabanas, swimming pools, four restaurants, bars, spa area, penthouses, 55 seat IMAX cinema and a multipurpose sports facility which will be computerized. “The constructions guys and developer are saying two years is the time frame for this resort to be completed, phase one is a six story hotel and marina complex mainly hotel on the front side. In the complex we have a mixture of studio units, one bedroom units. In phase one for the hotel side we have four six story condo complex building g on the beach side and then we’ve got one on the corner of the cannel and then one on the actual cannel itself,” he explained He said the front side will be all beach front cabanas, swimming pools, high-end luxury resort living and then we will have a main building which will be reception. “We have four restaurants, a number of bars, a large spa area, a 55 seat IMAX cinema and a multipurpose sports facility which is quite unique for the islands because it’s computerized so if you want a tennis court you can type in tennis court and the line will change from a basketball pitch electronically to a tennis court. This
Sam Hunt, of NW Hamilton Real Estate building will be an adult only building with adult swimming pools and on top because the developer is trying to bring in people who work in luxury living, so to make it unique and to help with advertising and marketing, this whole of the fifth floor and the whole of the sixth floor will which is basically 11,000 sq ft of penthouses is going to be unlike anything that has been here before,” he explained. In addition, Hunt stated that the beach is going to be rejuvenated and probably going to go out another 60 ft so that it will make it (the Resort) look a bit more luxurious and exclusive. Hunt also gave an idea of the price range to purchase one of these highend suites, he said, “People can get an entry level at $600,000 and they can
go all the way up to one of the 5,000 sq ft penthouses for $5.95 million. I think that the good thing about the prices is after obviously buying the property, you can make income from it in the long term even if you’re not using it.” Additionally, Hunt expressed that the developer Mr. Kislin who has been visiting the TCI for over 10 years purchased the land keeping in mind that he knew that the Turks and Caicos Islands obviously have a lot of opportunities. “When he bought this land he bought it with the idea of bringing in another hotel and this has been an idea of his for quite a while. With him buying this land and always having the foresight to develop it, he wants to make it luxurious and high-end.” Hunt said this project will be very beneficial to the Turks and Caicos Islands by creating numerous jobs opportunities for locals. “This is kind of promoting the tourism side of the island, obviously when it gets to a construction point of view I’m sure that this is going to be good for the country. This is probably one of the biggest projects that have ever been built in the Turks and Caicos and after the construction begins the most important thing is that there will be a need for a large amount of people to run and operate the hotel. It will be a lot of opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders to get jobs,” he ended.