TCWN January 4 - 10, 2020

Weekly News Volume 34 | No. 01 | January 4-10, 2020

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Person of the Year

BLYTHE CLARE TOURISM’S LEADING LIGHT

The Tourist Board’s training manager talks passionately about her country, its mainstay and people PAGE  5

‘CHUCK’ MUSGROVE TO SUE PREMIER FOR ALLEGED FALSE STATEMENTS PAGE  4

REPEAL STATUS BILL - PNP LEADER URGES PAGE  9

HUNDREDS ATTEND PREMIER’S FUNFILLED CHRISTMAS PARTIES PAGE  16

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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‘Chuck’ Musgrove to sue premier for alleged false statements BY DELANA ISLES PNP 2020 hopeful and owner of Jaca TCI said he will be suing Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson for alleged false statements she made about his company to the press. The issue surrounds the recently commissioned Bottle Creek Clinic in North Caicos, which was in the making for a number of years, and why it took so long for construction to be completed. In the December 20-27 issue of The Sun newspaper, solicited comments from the premier revealed that she held Musgrove and his company, which was contracted for the project, solely responsible for the delay. But the PNP Electoral District Four representative has a completely different take on what occurred, has taken umbrage at the accusation, and now intends to sue for reputational damage. “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you all that the accusations made against me and my company, Jaca TCI Ltd by the premier in the December 20-27 issue, volume 15 – No. 50 of the Sun Newspaper, are completely and utterly incorrect. “Unfortunately, I can only say that either your team did not advise you of the facts or you have intentionally released false information,” Musgrove wrote in a press statement released on December 20 via his party’s Facebook page. “It gives me no pleasure in

bringing to light the factual events which occurred during the Bottle Creek Clinic project, but it is imperative that the people of Bottle Creek and the entire Turks and Caicos Islands know the truth. “Madam premier, you stated: ‘The Bottle Creek Clinic was a fight from (the time) we got elected.’ “I’m confused about this statement. I can provide numerous emails to the contrary.” He stated that in fact several government departments can attest to all the emails he sent requesting to begin the project. “The Honorable Derek Taylor’s intervention was done at the request of my colleague Jeff Lee on behalf of Jaca TCI Ltd. “Madam premier, the budget for the Bottle Creek Clinic was $1.8 million. My initial bid came in a little over that, I was asked to come within the budget and to do value engineering and show savings on the project. “I then came in with a price of a little over $1.5 million. Recommencement of work after negotiations was $68,000, which led to me creating savings of over $140,000. “The Bottle Creek Clinic came in below budget and still as a state of the art clinic for the people of Bottle Creek.” Musgrove stated that based on the comments made by the premier to the newspaper - in which she is quoted as stating the price of the project had in

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Olivia Rose - Senior Reporter Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams - Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com Follow us on: Facebook: facebook.com/tcweeklynews Twitter: twitter.com/tcweeklynews1

fact doubled - she must be confused with another project. “I think you are confusing this project with the promenade, where you and your team had to shuffle figures around to find monies near or around the amount of $900,000. “Madam premier please explain to the people of North and Middle Caicos and the entire Turks and Caicos Islands, why that project had doubled. One can only assume why.” He further clarified that the ditch he is being accused of not digging, was outside his scope of work, and outside the scope of the bid. “This ditch was something FortisTCI asked for which would allow them to upgrade per their masterplan for that area. “Your EMS Department asked for quotes from a few persons. I ended up with it two weeks ago. “You also mention that the

PNP candidate for Electoral District Four, Arlington ‘Chuck’ Musgrove

temporary power had to be sourced. Madam premier, two days before your so call opening of the Bottle Creek Clinic, to save face for my friend Ralph Higgs, not you, I personally went and turn on that power in my name.” Musgrove said he went out of his way in this area because “twin island” people are their brother’s keepers and “what affects Ralph affects me and the entire community

of North and Middle Caicos”. He thereby called on the premier to tell the truth surrounding the project, as he claimed everything contained in the article was lies. “In an effort to clear my name, my company name and receive a public apology, I have decided to take this matter to court, where everything, all factual details will come out. As all information presented by you in that article is false,” Musgrove stated.

Police nab dive bar robbers on the spot TWO gunmen who carried out a brazen robbery at Jimmy’s Dive Bar in Providenciales are in police custody after being apprehended at the scene of the crime. Robert Jackson and Roberto Robinson have been charged with robbery and have been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk. Another man, Ricardo Forbes, has been charged with conspiracy to rob and was released on $25,000 bail. According to the police press office, at about 10.18pm on Thursday, December 19, officers were dispatched following reports of a robbery in progress. Two armed men had entered the bar in Central Square on Leeward Highway and demanded money and other valuables from the bartender and a customer. The robbers were wearing black and had concealed their identities with white cloths draped around their faces. After stealing $800 and a watch, they fled on foot to the back of Central Square but arriving officers gave chase through bushes and apprehended the men. “The two men, a 38-year-old, and a 20-year-old [are] expected to be charged soon,” the police statement said at the time. “Investigations also revealed that a third person, a 40-year-old man, is involved in this incident; he is also in police custody.” As news of the robbery made the rounds on social media, it was

Jimmy’s Dive Bar in Central Square, Providenciales, was the scene of a robbery

disclosed that one of the men arrested was an ex-convict who served time for a similar incident some years ago. The ex-con was later confirmed as Robert ‘Black’ Jackson, who went on an explosive social media rant in 2019 complaining that he would revisit his criminal past if he did not receive gainful employment. Owner of the restaurant and bar, Jimmy Ardavany helped to identify the robber in a Facebook post following the incident. He wrote: “Robert ‘Black’ Jackson robbed my restaurant last night of 800 bucks then promptly got shot by the police. “…Just heard the second one is caught already. For a country with a terrible track record of catching criminals it seems things are turning around.” In a statement on December 20, Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams praised the work of the officers in quickly apprehending the suspects.

He said: “Within an hour, the suspects involved in the robbery were in custody, thanks to the professional and diligent work of our officers. “Their willingness to do their jobs - and that is from the 911 operators, the Silver Commander and the full team of patrol units who responded expeditiously. “We have recently updated our patrol strategy in order to properly manage criminal activities. “You will certainly see more officers and patrols throughout the various communities along with other operational tactics over the holiday period. “Those who choose to engage in criminal activities should expect nothing less than decisive action,” Adams noted. Jimmy’s Dive Bar was previously located at Ports of Calls in Grace Bay and reopened at its new location earlier this year.

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

Person of the Year

Blythe Clare TOURISM’S LEADING LIGHT BY GEMMA HANDY IF ENERGY quotas were dished out like peas ‘n’ rice, Blythe Clare would have several portions to spare. Not only is she well-prepared for interview with a cache of pre-planned answers to possible questions, she’s immaculate from head to toe and wearing a luminous smile, despite some telltale signs of winter flu. It’s unlikely a suggestion she take a day’s respite would elicit anything approaching concurrence – and so it is we find ourselves seated around a small table in the Tourist Board’s kitchen, as she proffers a detailed account of her working life that began in a sleepy South Caicos street, snaked its way around the region, took a couple of unexpected detours, and wound up back on home soil with a pivotal role at the heart of the nation’s most valuable industry. Clare has dedicated the thick end of two decades to enhancing the TCI’s tourism product - and ensuring native Islanders take their rightful place as its advocates and beneficiaries. Her smile grows broader still when asked for a reaction to being named the Weekly News’ Person of the Year 2019. The plaudit is the crowning glory on a year in which her protégé Danae Dennie emerged victorious as the Caribbean’s Junior Tourism Minister, and was expected to see a surge on the country’s record high 2018 visitor arrival numbers to boot. “I am grateful to have been chosen; I must have done something good,” she enthuses. “And I will continue to make my contribution because I love what I do.” Clare’s personal mantra – “passion drives productivity” – is a thread that runs through each of her endeavours. That passion is palpable in her voluble diction and the expressive way she uses her arms to emulate a point. Her statuesque frame and nononsense demeanour are offset by a knack for chatting with an openness that’s both companionable and sincere. The latter has served her well as training manager for the TCI Tourist Board where, as its longest-serving employee, her steely guidance and words of wisdom and encouragement have been invaluable to its team of seven staff. But it’s outside the confines of the office where her talents have shone the brightest and galvanised the Islands’ mainstay by ensuring those

We have to ensure first class service – and not just to visitors but to our own people too who serve and cater to its millionplus annual holidaymakers are fully prepped for the task. “We have a beautiful country and beautiful people but we have to raise the levels of customer service,” Clare says. “Tourists are still not getting a ‘hello, how are you’ across the board. “We have to ensure first class service – and not just to visitors but to our own people too.” Over the years, Clare has coached general managers at some of the TCI’s biggest resorts, apprising them of everything from the Islands’ history and culture to its endemic flora and fauna. Her customer service-orientated programmes are tailored to suit any company or organisation. As the initial point of contact with international visitors, taxi drivers are mandated to complete the TIDES (Together Individuals Delivering Excellent Service) course. “I tell cab drivers they are our ambassadors, they are the first to interact with guests, and we have to be the best we can be to build our brand. “Designing and holding each course is a lot of work but the feedback is great,” she continues. “The key is knowing how to motivate and get participants interested.” More than 500 Beaches TCI employees were among the latest to benefit from her ‘Know your Turks and Caicos’ seminar. “A lot of resort staff are expats so it’s wonderful to have the opportunity to share accurate information about our country. “After the Beaches event, several of them came up and said thanks. It’s really a joy to know you’ve impacted someone’s life in a positive way,” she says. A REGIONAL WIN October saw what was arguably Clare’s biggest success of all. Danae

Dennie’s triumph at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s annual contest to appoint a junior minister to act as an ambassador for the region was the culmination of 11 months’ CONTINUED 

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Blythe Clare: On a crusade to ensure a first-class experience for TCI’s million-plus annual tourists

Flying the flag for the TCI at Carifesta 2019 in Trinidad: From left, Ludwina Fulford, Ryesha Higgs and Blythe Clare

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Person of the Year

Blythe Clare meticulous coaching. The 15-year-old HJ Robinson High School pupil went head to head with 13 other competitors, delivering a powerful presentation at the event staged at Antigua and Barbuda’s parliament building. Her flawlessly-delivered suggestions on improving the sector through various initiatives including a visitor satisfaction app struck a chord with judges. “We were elated,” Clare says. “When they announced the winner I jumped up and said ‘finally!’ I’ve been training kids for this competition for 16 years. This was a first win for TCI and a first win for me too. “Our students usually do well and we have had a placing before but never a win. We work so hard training those boys and girls and to finally win was a real sense of accomplishment.” Selecting a competitor to represent the country follows a national level contest open to schools across the TCI. “It helps prepare our youngsters for the future in public speaking and being able to think on their feet. “From day one I read the successful contestant the riot act and list the requirements needed. I tell them, you are already our winner, now go out there and make us proud,” Clare says. “Two days before the finals, Danae stumbled in practice. I told her you have 48 hours to know that speech by heart – and it must come from the heart. “Some regional candidates have notes which they glance at but I won’t let mine do that. They have to know it word for word and it has to sound like a conversation. “Thankfully, Danae is a very disciplined young girl. Her win has motivated us and given me extra zeal.” The yearly competition is just one of the ways Clare seeks to “get kids fired up about tourism”. She has introduced tourism clubs at local schools across the archipelago and conducts regular seminars too. “It’s to create a buzz, to let the children know tourism is our mainstay and we have to be part and parcel of that. “We have a number of expat workers here but when visitors come they want to see and hear us,” she explains. CIVIC DUTY Clare’s strong sense of civic duty was instilled at a young age as the eldest daughter of eight siblings. “Being the first daughter comes with responsibility; I learned the value of hard work and commitment through caring for my three little sisters. It moulded me into the person I am today. “I also learned to remain humble

and always be respectful,” she says. The Clare name is well-known in South Caicos; esteemed historian and retired public servant Bill Clare is Clare’s eldest brother. The family home’s close proximity to the Oddfellows Lodge on the corner of Market Street meant it was frequently awash with guests when Clare was a child. “My mother was a homemaker, she loved cooking and she shared that with the entire neighbourhood,” Clare smiles. “There would often be 20 loaves in the kitchen and I would be tasked with taking them to everyone. “My father used to say she gave away a lot but it taught us about sharing.” One of Clare’s most monumental life lessons would come in the late 1970s, following her studies at South Caicos’ Pearson High School and, later, an Adventist school in Jamaica. Her training at UWI’s School of Nursing came to an abrupt halt two years in when political uprising in Kingston sparked riots. “Coming from South Caicos I wasn’t used to that, so I packed up and quit – much to my father’s displeasure. He had been paying for me to study and he told me I was now on my own.” A weaker character may have been crushed. For Clare, it merely strengthened her resolve to succeed on her own. “I said I will prove you wrong; I am in charge of my education,” she remembers. Her application for a government scholarship was approved and in 1981 she graduated from Antigua State College with a teacher training diploma. Clare did return to Jamaica, complementing her studies at the College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST). Tragedy struck during her final month – and in the middle of exams. The fact that she passed despite the sudden loss of her mother to a stroke is testament to Clare’s steadfast determination to prosper regardless of adversity. Stints teaching at various schools in Jamaica ensued before she brought her skills back home to Pearson High School. The need to make a difference and aid in the country’s development manifested in her acquiring a business education room to help fellow Islanders get ahead. These days, she counts some of South Caicos’ most prominent residents among her erstwhile students, including illustrious businessman Drexwell Seymour and former government minister McAllister Hanchell. Life would change again in 1992 with the arrival of her twin daughters, TeAnn and TeAndra.

Training a new generation of ambassadors with the Clement Howell High School tourism club

Blythe Clare with twin daughters TeAnn (centre) and TeAndra

“As a single mother, my focus became educating my own kids. But I still taught evening classes in my garage with my babies in a stroller,” she grins. At the end of 2000, she left teaching to devote her attention to her girls. It would not be long, however, before an opportunity of a different kind arose. JOINING THE BOARD Accepting a job at the Tourist Board as a training officer in 2001 followed “a lot of convincing” by the organisation’s chiefs. Tourism was emerging as a major industry for the nation and Clare was deemed ideal to help take it to the next level. Her own training for the role took her to the Bahamas and the US to further bolster her skills. Today, Clare’s charitable ventures keep her just as active as her salaried post. As a founding member of the Soroptimist Club, that has involved working with women and girls, most notably through a mentoring programme for vulnerable children. One of Clare’s proudest moments is watching the young Haitian girl

she had taken under her wing eight years earlier graduate from Clement Howell High School. “I promised her I would take care of her and I did. For me, the mentoring programme was personal, it gave me great satisfaction. “She’s a smart girl and she’s now doing very well working at a resort in Providenciales,” she says. In addition to TeAnn and TeAndra, Clare has an adopted son too. She has taken care of Kenval Hamilton, now in his 30s and working as a hotel concierge, since he was five days old. Her family, along with her Anglican faith, are among her greatest joys and account for the biggest part of her limited downtime. Both daughters are employed by FortisTCI; TeAnn recently graduated from a Master’s degree in development economics, while TeAndra is said to be TCI’s first female mechanical engineer. Clare’s favourite pastime of all is spending time with her grandchildren; Kenval’s two youngsters aged eight and five. In January 2018, her long service to the education field was officially recognised with a medal

at the National Honours and Awards Ceremony. “You can’t just be here on Earth and not have a purpose,” she says simply. “We all have a role to play. Work for me has valley experiences and mountaintops but it’s how you weather the storms that counts,” she muses. “You have to surround yourself with people who share your vision and your dreams. I am the kind of person who has to keep going. We have to be dedicated and committed.” Clare’s habit of making the most laborious tasks look easy bely the qualities at the core of it all: an inherent devotion to country and a desire to see it flourish. “I will continue to make sure our people are trained and can take advantage of the opportunities we have in the Turks and Caicos,” she adds staunchly. “What I love most of all is making a difference in people’s lives and seeing behaviour change as a result of my training. “I always tell my young girls, dream big and you can do anything.”

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Hundreds of Haitian migrants detained over festive season BY OLIVIA ROSE ONE hundred and eighty-seven Haitian migrants were rescued from a small boat just 17 miles southwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands on December 20. Multiple agencies including the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), Royal TCI Police Force and the US Coast Guard cutter Seneca crew apprehended the passengers. In a statement on December 21, US Coast Guard officials said a helicopter crew deployed to Great Inagua, Bahamas, spotted the 30-foot vessel carrying the men and women. Watchstanders and the Coast Guard liaison officer for the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands coordinated a joint response. The Seneca crew and a Her Majesty’s Bahamian Ship crew arrived and helped the 187 people to embark the two ships, the US Coast Guart statement said. The Seneca crew took 86 people and the Bahamian ship took 100 people. The Seneca crew then destroyed the visiting vessel because it posed a hazard to navigation. “Safety at sea is our number one priority and we are always grateful to work with our international partner agencies to save lives,” Lieutenant Commander Justin Matejk said. He added: “This case involved 187 people on a 30-foot boat with no safety or communication equipment. “That’s over 100 lives travelling in an unpredictable, unforgiving environment with no safety net. Without our intervention, many people could’ve been injured or worse.” According to a statement from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, 100 Haitian migrants were handed over to Bahamas immigration officials. The remaining 86 passengers were handed over to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Marine Branch Unit at 10am on December 21. They were taken to the South Dock Port for processing by TCI immigration officials. In a separate incident, at about 8am on Saturday, December 21, illegal migrants were seen in the Highland Estate and Chalk Sound. Police and immigration officers were subsequently dispatched and were able to intercept a white truck transporting five Haitian migrants. The migrants were taken to the Detention Centre for processing and the driver of the white truck was arrested for harbouring. At about 10am, three additional Haitian migrants were arrested along Millennium Highway, Blue Hills, police spokeswoman Takara Bain said.

TCI and Bahamian police forces transfer the passengers to shore (Photo by US Coast Guard)

In a third report, Marine Branch and immigration officers captured 69 Haitian migrants on West Caicos on December 21, after investigations revealed that an illegal vessel had ran aground. The migrants were transported to the South Dock Port for processing. Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams said: “There is a vast amount of good work occurring as a result of the OPBAT initiative. This is evident through the event overnight.” He said the initiative has been proven to be beneficial since its inception and has become a virtual necessity in the fight against human trafficking and or the transport of illicit drugs and firearms. “We therefore look forward to the continued strengthening of this trilateral partnership. “I also wish to thank all local law enforcement partners that are currently assisting with ongoing operations on Providenciales and West Caicos.” Acting Governor Anya Williams added: “We are grateful to the US Coast Guard, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and Turks and Caicos Islands Immigration Department for their work overnight in the interception of a sloop carrying over 180 individuals and their work on the ground to apprehend persons that landed on two separate locations. “The joined-up approach of these agencies must be commended as we

remain vigilant in the protection of our borders and in apprehending persons that illegally enter our shores.”

Anyone who may have information on these incidents can call 911, the Chalk Sound Police

Under the tree

Station at 338-5901 or 941-8082 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477.

By Benneth Williams

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Youths urged to speak out against gun violence in memorial competition BY OLIVIA ROSE YOUTHS across the country are being urged to participate in a spoken word, written poetry and song writing competition on how gun violence is affecting their lives. The competition is aimed at raising awareness on the appalling surge in gun violence across the territory and its effects on the populace. The challenge is being organised by Lucy Mott Lee in memorial of her godson Jefferson Seide. The 27-year-old father of two was brutally murdered outside his home during a robbery on October 13, 2019. Seide, a beloved bartender, was targeted by the robbers who trailed him from the ‘In the Pink’ cancer awareness event. As the young husband and father of two was about to enter his Blue Hills home, three masked men pounced on him and demanded money. Seide, who refused the gunmen when they requested cash, was fatally shot at about 2.46am. No arrests have been made in connection with his murder to date. Mott Lee told the Weekly News that it is time for the voice of youths to be heard on this scourge that continues to plague the nation. She said: “This is my country and it is breaking my heart to see where we are going. The youth are the future and now is the time for them to speak up and be heard. “I am doing this in honour of my godson Jefferson Seide who was murdered, shot dead on October 13, and for every other family who has suffered this unspeakable pain.” Mott Lee said: “Somebody has to take a stand up and speak out. Speak out about the gun violence that is ravaging our country. “I’ve been told that the situation is hopeless, but I hold hope for us all.” She explained that she comes from a long line of activists. “Lucretia Mott fought for the vote for women in the 1800s, my aunt worked with Margaret Sanger on her campaign for free access to birth control in the 1920s, and my mother campaigned for clean food and early childhood education. “I cannot remain silent,” she said. She called on residents to be courageous enough to speak out against the incessant crime that is quickly eroding the country’s “peaceful” reputation. “I want you, all of you, to wake

Deceased Jefferson Seide and his daughter in happier times

up and see what is happening to our beautiful by nature country. “Gun violence is violating your rights, our rights to live in a safe peaceful and prosperous environment it is violating your right to a future because as we all know tourism is the mainstay of our economy. “Whoever is doing this who is jeopardising your future, it ain’t the old people nor is it to school children. “Brothers and sisters, are making terrible choices, choices that have consequences and repercussions they never considered. “Imagine having the death of another person on your conscience forever and knowing the pain that you have caused all the people who loved that person whose life you stole. “I want to hear your voices, the voices of those whose lives are impacted by this scourge. “Stand up! Speak up for your rights. It is your future. Let everyone hear the children’s voices throughout the land,” Mott Lee implored.

COMPETITION CRITERIA The theme of the Jefferson Seide memorial competition is: ‘How gun violence is affecting my life, violating our rights to a safe environment and jeopardising our future livelihoods.’ Participants are encouraged to write in the language (English, Creole, Spanish) in which they are most comfortable. All entries will be translated into the other two languages to capture a wider audience. All entries must be submitted in written form, with spoken word clips, written poetry and recorded songs or videos welcome. There is a time limit of five minutes for spoken word and songs and 750 words maximum for written poetry. They should be submitted to maisoncreole@icloud.com by January 6. Prizes will be awarded on January 15. At least $2,300 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the winners.

January 4-10, 2020

CABINET MEETING SUMMARY A NEW Labour Tribunal president, a boutique resort and visa conditions for Venezuelans were all discussed at the latest meeting of the Cabinet. Governor Nigel Dakin chaired the 31st meeting on Wednesday, December 18, at the Hilly Ewing Building in Providenciales. All ministers were in attendance. At this meeting Cabinet: -Approved a development agreement between BELB East Development and the TCI Government for the construction of beach cottages and a boutique resort on Beach Enclave, Providenciales. -Approved a development agreement between Windward Long Bay and the TCI Government for the construction of a mixture of ocean homes, lagoon villas, boat houses and condominiums on Long Bay, Providenciales and further action for TCI Government. -Approved the appointment of Mary Doreen Quelch-Missick as president of the Labour Tribunal for a period three years with effect from January 1, 2020, and further action to handle outstanding applications. -Welcomed and discussed a Criminal Justice Stakeholder’s Group Strategic Plan and Action Plan 2020-2023. -Approved a paper setting out pre-emptive visa conditions for Venezuelan nationals and discussed the need for the minister of immigration to review the ministry’s 2018 policy on Venezuelans in response to the recent update to the UNHRC Guidance Note on the Outflow of Venezuelans. -Approved a 99-year lease to Desarrollos Hotelsco Turks and Caicos for Crown land parcels 60905/214, 215 and 60906/227 on Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. -Approved for Crown land parcel 60003/231 at northwest and north central Providenciales to go out to tender for the development of a public cemetery. -Approved for Crown land parcel 61113/341 in Providenciales to go out to tender. -Approved a request from the Airports Authority to reallocate existing funds of $250,000 from within its FY 2019-2020 capital budget. -Approved a variation to the terms of a lease of Crown land parcels 20313/22, 23 and 24 on South Caicos offered to Fortis TCI in accordance with the 1986 Take Over Agreement. -Approved a three-year lease for accommodation in Providenciales for Governor Nigel Dakin with effect from January 1, 2020. -Welcomed an information paper on the stony coral disease and discussed in-depth the need for urgent decision on recommended treatments to the disease. -Informed of waivers granted for the quarter July to September 2019 under the Public Procurement ordinance, Section 21. -Agreed on amendments required to the proposed Notary Public Bill for consideration by Cabinet early in the New Year. -Discussed in-depth a paper on the FortisTCI rate variation application and agreed on next steps early in the New Year. -Noted a draft Population Policy report dated December 2019. -Approved an application from Jamal Williams for a licence to use the parking lot at the Lighthouse on Grand Turk to host an annual Christmas event. -Approved planning application PR 12606 by Emerald Point to remove and replace three existing T-head groynes with a single terminal groyne in Leeward Marina, Providenciales. -Approved a request from the Integrity Commission to reallocate existing funds of $170,000 from within its FY 2019-2020 budget. -Approved a lease agreement of the Franklyn Missick buildings on Grand Turk for a period of two years for use by the Ministry of Education. -Were informed of issues affecting the ferry service between Providenciales and Parrot Cay and agreed urgent action required. -Discussed the issue of fires at the municipal waste facility on Providenciales and urgent action required.

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

Repeal Status Bill - PNP leader urges BY DELANA ISLES PNP leader C Washington Misick has called on the PDM Government to repeal the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance and all other supporting legislation. The call came during the last sitting of the House of Assembly on December 18, during which an amendment to the principal ordinance was debated. The bill seeks to amend the Turks and Caicos Islander Status (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 to make provisions to validate applications made in 2018 and to allow them to be considered along with the applications made in 2016 and 2017. The PNP leader, who is also the leader of the Opposition, presented arguments to the effect that should the bill be passed, legislators run the risk of making Islanders “extinct”. He is therefore, now calling for a repeal of the legislation his Government - led by Dr Rufus Ewing - had passed through the House in 2016, and into law. “Let today be the great wakeup-call for political maturity in our Turks and Caicos Islands and let the PNP and the PDM resolve to become co-responsible for a future that generations yet unborn can be proud of. “Let us repeal the existing ordinances and with the benefit of hindsight over the last almost four years go back to the drawing board to come up with new legislation on terms that will better protect the long-term interest of heritage Turks and Caicos Islanders.” Hon. Misick said it should now be clear to every Islander that the country is heading in the wrong direction with regard to this matter. “We have lost control of our heritage and yet we continue to buy into dependency theories that require us to exchange our rights for the phantom benefits of trickle-down economics. “I cannot under any circumstances support this bill. “The consequences of the operationalisation of this bill contrast and contradict the 2040 vision document that has had the input of both political parties and the public,” the PNP leader stated. He also reiterated the position voiced by the PNP last year, when a list of over 160 expatriates applying for Belongership was first exposed by his brother the former premier Michael Misick. “The PNP takes the position that the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance in its current form should not be implemented. “This is a position that we have not come to lightly given that the

ordinance was passed while we were in government. “Five years, however, is a long time and during those five years, despite economic growth and development, indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders have become more marginalised than ever before.” Hon. Misick added that the grant of Turks and Caicos Islanders Status must be reconsidered, bearing in mind the prevailing anxiety and confusion surrounding the matter. “Under the circumstances there must be a wide-ranging public consultation as to who should enjoy the cherished status of being a Turks and Caicos Islander.” He stated that the public is justifiably dismayed by the recent publication of the list of nearly 200 persons to potentially be granted Islander Status in a single swift act. Adding that, while as leader of the Opposition, he has, as the ordinance required him to do, recommended to the governor the names of two persons to be appointed to the TCI Islander Status Commission. He stated that on reflection, the commission is not presently equipped to carry out a comprehensive examination of the applications for the grant of TCI Islander Status in order to make recommendations to the governor. The party leader is now calling on the PDM Government to stand with them in repealing the ordinances. “For those persons who have applied for Islander status, you have nothing to fear. You are aware that the status as a PRC holder and or a BOTC you have every right to be here and that will not change,” Hon. Misick assured. “The PNP believes that we cannot and should not bow to the pressure of special interest or accept the recommendations of external consultants when it comes to the issue of status in these islands - to do so will be to condemn us to shark infected red ocean where we will continue to be eaten. “The governor was emphatic that he would care, listen and serve. His priorities in coming here he says was disaster preparedness, national security and crime. “The reality on the ground belies that promise and clearly lines up with the agenda of the UK to broaden the franchise and change the definition of the traditional family,” the Opposition leader emphasised. THE AMENDMENT BILL An explanatory note in the recently debated bill, states the following: “In 2018, the Turks and Caicos Islander Status Ordinance was amended and a special provision was inserted to validate and allow for applications

made in 2016 and 2017 to be considered by the commission once CONTINUED 

13

PNP Leader and Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Washington Misick

Salvation Army donates food and gifts TCI’s Salvation Army donated food parcels and gifts to residents throughout Providenciales over the festive period. The donations for the outreach programme were made possible thanks to the generous support of the public and business community.

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10 OPINIONS

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Save something! FINANCIAL TIP NUMBER FOUR:

SOME of you may be getting Christmas bonuses, some of you may be getting an increase in salary and some of you may not be getting any additional compensation at all. Whatever category you find yourself in, make a sacrifice and save something. Some of you may be asking how can I save I am not even making enough to cover my expenses? As you approach 2020, adopt a new attitude when it comes to your finances by implementing a savings plan and making significant sacrifices. THE $1 A DAY CHALLENGE Here is the challenge for 2020. At the end of each day put aside $1 in an envelope. At the end of January you would have accumulated $31. Deposit that $31 dollars in the bank. Do this for the rest of the year and you would have $365 a year. Assuming there is no interest on it, you would have $3,650 in 10 years and $18,250 in 50 years. Imagine now getting interest on your $1 a day savings. If you earn two percent interest, your savings would be $4,250 at end of 10 years and $31,357 at the end of 50 years. While this is not a lot of money and will not make you a millionaire,

it is better than nothing. Too many people do not have anything at all and $1 day will allow you to have something. Therefore, I encourage you to try this for yourself and your children. Once you are comfortable with saving $1 a day, increase it to $2 a day then $5 a day and then whatever you need to reach your savings goals. THE SACRIFICES In order to save something, it will require you to make some sacrifices and have some control. Too many times, we spend money just to buy a soda on a daily basis. Soda is not good for you anyway, so why don’t you use that $1 and put it in your savings envelope. Almost every day we are eating out for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Try buying the ingredients and make these items at home. Compare to what you pay for dining out and see if you are saving anything. If you are saving, then discontinue eating out daily and put that extra money into a savings envelope. Take your lunch to work. If you insist on eating out, then buy a small lunch rather than buying a large lunch. Even if you buy a large lunch, split it with your co-worker or spouse to

save something. Drink water for your drink. I believe most of the workplaces have complimentary water for you. This can save you a $1 as well. After all water is important for your diet. When it comes to clothing, make a sacrifice in 2020, don’t purchase any new clothing. Examine what you have in stock and do a mix and match in your dressing outfits. I know sometimes the airlines provide some good deals on travel, don’t fall for it. Forgo those trips and put aside some funds for savings. Finally, you may want to consider putting your children in a public school and put money in savings account towards their college funds. I know the cost of living is high, people are living from paycheque to paycheque and some people are not even working so it is a challenge trying to save something. However, you can start small even if it is only $1 a day. I really believe we can all save a $1 day. You may be employed today but unemployed tomorrow. You may be well today and sick tomorrow. The economy may be booming today but slowed down tomorrow. You never know what tomorrow may bring so let us try to save something.

The biggie

DREXWELL SEYMOUR

Drexwell Seymour is a certified public accountant and is the managing partner for HLB TCI. His favourite hobby, however, is writing. He has a personal website, www.drexwellseymour. com, where all of his writings are posted. He also has a YouTube channel where you can find inspirational videos. Drexwell has a BA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance.

We welcome letters from all members of the public on a variety of topics Please note that all submissions are subject to editing in keeping with defamation laws and newspaper style. Letters should be accompanied by the author’s full name, location and phone number. Names will be withheld if requested.

Send letters to tcweeklynews@gmail.com

COMMENTARY

THE WORLD is a mess at the present time. Our problems in the TCI may seem big to us but based on the world’s potential blow up they are small. The trial - will it ever end? After all these years and millions spent, it is doubtful. Then there are the millions we spend on healthcare and our little power grid. Interesting is we are about to pay off the debt. What debt? Washy claimed he had paid off the debt three years ago. Lurking in the hidden arsenals of the United States, the UK, Russia, France, India, China,

Pakistan and other countries are mega tonnes of nuclear bombs. Trillions of dollars were spent developing these terrible weapons. Trillions! The trillions were spent with the belief they will never be used. Perhaps they will eventually be dismantled and the components used to generate electricity. I hope so. None of the present governments want to back off one notch. Therefore, we continue to sit on this huge doomsday machine. Until the day when some angry somebody somewhere in a silo pushes the red button. Some believe the world started

with a big bang. Maybe God will let it happen again. We should all be worried about the human condition. One USA party wants to expand its pro-abortion stance. Lay the newborn on a nearby table where it can be killed. They have murdered tens of millions without this new idea. This is just another method of birth control say some. Regular birth control is now very reliable so why is abortion necessary to control population. The same political party favours uncontrolled immigration. Nuts! The problem is the human race is expanding itself too fast. That

BY DAVID TAPFER

David is a retired mobile hydraulic engineer and business executive. He has been married to Middle Caicos native Yvette Robinson Tapfer for 30 years and has lived in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, since 2002. David formerly served as branch chairman of the PDM from 2008 to 2011

is why God gave us reliable birth (conception) control. Use it people! What can the peoples of the world do together for the benefit of everyone? Dream about this idea. Instead of investing one more dollar in bombs why not get together to cure the diseases all people suffer. If we can develop A bombs and H bombs why can’t we cure cancer? If Russian and American scientists can work together way up in space why not work together to cure cancer and other health issues.

If we can design and build the bombers of today its certain that we can find out why some people have sugar diabetes and some don’t. Once we start working together to cure high blood pressure maybe the race to build a bigger bomb will end. God help us. Maybe we could build causeways to join our islands. Britain and France are now joined under the sea. Maybe just maybe we could finish a trial. That would be a biggie!

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

OPINIONS 11

THE VIEW FROM EUROPE

Implementation – a Christmas message for the Caribbean? TAKEN at face value, the outcome of Britain’s December 12 general election could not have been clearer. The substantial parliamentary majority obtained by the country’s Conservative Party guarantees that the UK will leave the European Union in January and seek to negotiate a new trade and regulatory relationship by the end of 2020. Since any new EU-UK free trade arrangement will have to be achieved over a period of months, the outcome can only be either a deal on trade in goods alone or that Britain departs at the end of next year with no deal: an outcome that would create a high WTO MFN tariff wall between the EU and the UK. Any such deal would not address trade in services which presently make up 58.5 percent of the UK’s exports, about half of which are to the EU27, or the regulatory alignments that the EU is seeking or other important bilateral matters unrelated to trade. Some believe that the UK’s decision to time limit the negotiations by law so that they must end by December 2020 is a negotiating ploy aimed at focussing the minds of European Commission negotiators and EU member states. Others contend that it is a first demonstration of the British prime minister Boris Johnson’s intention to fundamentally change government’s approach to the content and delivery of all that it has promised. The indications are that the latter view is the more likely and that Brexit is far from being the whole story. It is likely that the UK election will introduce far reaching structural reforms that will change Britain’s complacent model of government in ways that distance it from the largely unmodified system of governance it bequeathed to the Anglophone Caribbean. This is because Britain’s new majority Conservative government appears prepared to take an iconoclastic approach to a system crying out for reform. On trade generally, senior members of the Conservative Party who are likely to be responsible for negotiating all future trade arrangements are interested in an alternative approach to the basis on which such arrangements are agreed. Speaking recently to the BBC, Michael Gove, the minister who is widely expected to take charge of Brexit and all other trade negotiations, made clear in a little noticed interview his thinking on a future trade relationship with the EU centred not on ‘dynamic alignment’

BY DAVID JESSOP

David Jessop is a consultant to the Caribbean Council. He has worked on Caribbean issues for over 40 years. David is the editor of Caribbean Insight and Cuba Briefing publications. He can be contacted at david.jessop@caribbeancouncil.org

as but on ‘loose alignment’, a concept that implies the UK will compete more directly with its neighbours by varying its regulatory environment. More significantly still, Mr Gove expressed a deep interest in the international debate about how trade deals are negotiated, suggesting that in future they should take place based on ‘outcome-based equivalence’ rather than as at present, the harmonisation of trade regimes. It is a view that would explain the Conservative government’s disinterest in regulatory alignment, its emphasis on competition, and for example the promise of free ports located in the forgotten workingclass constituencies in Britain’s northeast that have for the first time ever elected a Conservative to Parliament. For anyone who wants to truly understand the radical changes being considered to the UK’s tired and often unresponsive political and administrative establishment, they

should take notice of the messaging coming out of Downing Street. Taken together it suggests a large number of ministers being replaced in February by figures who can drive change; a different approach to cabinet government involving reportedly mini-cabinets specific to certain issues; making more regionally representative the upper house, the House of Lords; the rationalisation of ministries by objective; a ‘fit-for-purpose’ integrated defence, security, foreign policy and development review; recasting the culture of the civil service, in part bringing in external experts with science-based skills; and a results oriented approach that would see failing civils servants removed. The objective is to deliver structural and cultural change and to radically transform the delivery of government. For anyone who wants a deeper understanding where this thinking

is coming from it is worth reading some of the online postings outlined by prime minister Johnson’s chief special adviser Dominic Cummings. Mr Cummings, who is best described as a brilliant, politically and verbally aggressive maverick who masterminded Vote Leave’s Brexit strategy in 2016, sits at the heart of Mr Johnson’s political office, providing strategic advice and direction, but is not a member of any political party. A general flavour of his thinking can be seen in his 2014, 38 page ‘manifesto’ ‘The Hollow Men II Some reflections on Westminster and Whitehall dysfunction’, a document as significant in the context of modern political thinking as Tony Blair’s 1998 paper on the Third Way, which came to influence many Caribbean politicians. “Can we change course? There is a widespread befuddled defeatism that nothing much in Westminster can really change and most people inside the Whitehall system think major change is impossible even if it were necessary. This is wrong. Change is possible. “We do not have to live with the permanent omnishambles that we have become acclimatised to. “Monnet created the EU by exploiting crises – sometimes nothing happens in decades, and sometimes decades happen in weeks.

Big changes are possible if people are prepared,” Mr Cummings wrote. Under other circumstances much of what Mr Cummings suggests might have been better located within a modernised, forwardlooking British Labour Party. His thinking mixes a marketoriented approach with state intervention and social justice, actioned in ways that touch ordinary people’s lives and ends establishment group think. As such his views represent a considered response to populism and inequality, have a strong intellectual underpinning and if achievable, could deliver on social policies in ways that draw in sceptical middleclass voters in urban areas. All this could come to nothing if the UK political class and establishment close ranks and find ways to maintain their privilege. What, however, is different this time is that Mr Johnson and his newly elected cohort of MPs must deliver rapidly what they have promised to the neglected communities that voted for him, if he is to have more than one term in office. In a region plagued by implementation deficits and bureaucratic inaction, the Caribbean should set aside any residual prejudice and observe closely the impact or otherwise of Mr Johnson’s reforms.

Santa does not exist and neither does local governance WHEN the PDM won election in the Turks and Caicos Islands I wrote an article shortly thereafter stating that the British had won. Today, years later, that is so starkly apparent that even a blind man can see it. As this year comes to a close and elections are looming right around the corner, we can look at this bold observation and see if any of it has merit. But before looking at this it should be noted that in a recent conversation with a long time serious TCI Government civil servant I pointed out to them that at the beginning of the PDM with JAGS McCartney the party understood that they had to keep the British at a distance as these so-called ‘overseers’, but actually

BY BEN ROBERTS

Ben is a Turks and Caicos Islander living in Maryland, USA, and published author of ‘Jackals of Samarra’. He is also a founding member of the NGO Turks and Caicos Forum. Ben can be contacted at grandt730@aol.com.

colonial ‘foxes in the henhouse’, in no way had as priority the interests of the TCI and its people. In fact, this is what made them so appealing to the majority of the population, both young and old. I added that for the most part this party kept true to this way of being, in its local governance. That is until this current Government.

This civil servant, not strongly allied to any party in the TCI, could not wait until I was done making my point and strongly agreed that this was exactly the case. They should know. They have served with both party Governments over the years. To see the TCI Government and PDM party leader Sharlene

Cartwright Robinson and her ministers govern the territory is to see what JAGS McCartney and his party did not do. They are so impotent, hand in glove and ‘Yes massa’ with the British that they, the Brits, are probably bewildered by the luck and ease with which they can advance their sly fox agenda. Of course, at the same time, if JAGS McCartney could venture from his place of rest and see what is unfolding today in his beloved home, he would be most disappointed and likely say: “This is what those guys and me on that truck struggled for? Is this only as far as you got? “You are just out the gate, when CONTINUED 

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Hospital patient delighted with his $400 cash gift from Jai’s

January 4-10, 2020

Patients were selected based on special criteria which covered medical and personal circumstances

Hospital patients get surprise cash gifts ACUTE care inpatients on the general wards at TCI Hospital each received a surprise Christmas gift of $400 thanks to jewellery store Jai’s. Patients were selected by clinical leaders based on special criteria which covered their medical and personal circumstances. The eight recipients were De Vera

Jose, 66, Daniel Kerns, 69, Elizabeth Mckenzie, 64, Ella Miller, 91, Beverly Fulford, 67, Stanley Stubbs, 81, Philip Lewis, 65, and Jasmin Moreau, 51. Seven of the inpatients were based at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Providenciales and a single inpatient at Cockburn Town Medical Centre in Grand Turk.

The group comprised of people from all walks of life, medical challenges, nationalities and personal circumstances. Jai’s donated a total of $4,000 $3,200 in the cash giveaways and the remaining $800 along with an additional $1,000 from another donor will be go to non-acute care inpatients.

The initiative will be entitled ‘Operation Gratitude Part II’ and is scheduled for early 2020. Interhealth Canada, the facility’s private healthcare management company, distributed the donations to patient rooms on December 20. Nikira John, Interhealth Canada public relations and marketing

manager, was joined by chief executive officer Daniel Carriere and Manish Lalwani from Jai’s. A press release from the company on December 25 said it was grateful to Jai’s for the partnership and generous initiative. “The cash recipients were elated and expressed appreciation for the kind-hearted gesture.”

Jamaica’s Heart Trust NTA to help develop trade school BY OLIVIA ROSE A TEAM from Jamaica’s Heart Trust National Training Agency recently visited the Turks and Caicos Islands to assist in the development and launch of the territory’s first trade school. The visiting delegation met with local education officials to discuss technical vocational education and training in the TCI at the Office of the Premier on Tuesday, December 10. Joining the discussion were Hon. Karen Malcolm, Minister of Education, Youth, Culture, Social and Library Services, Amin McCartney, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, and education officer Talia Thomas. The Human Employment and Resource Training Trust (Heart) NTA is the leading provider of vocational training in Jamaica. The agency specialises in human capital development with a mandate

to impact every major industry and community in Jamaica through volunteerism, mentorship and adult literacy. It teaches practical, competencybased training which empowers trainees to transition seamlessly into the workforce. These are just some of the tenants the Ministry of Education is looking to adopt and implement at the trade school. In July, following the completion of a National Skills Audit and a youth listening tour, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson announced the establishment of a trade school. The premier, during the swearingin of Governor Nigel Dakin on July 15, said a national trade school is critical in bridging the unemployment gap. She said would cater to “the urgent need for the upskilling of our people in non-traditional areas

A team from Jamaica’s Heart Trust met with the premier and education officials to discuss the territory’s first trade school

and critical skills for our economy especially among our youth”. “A building has been recently purchased for the first phase of this school and this is a major priority for my Government,” the premier

added. The trade school will offer a wide range of institution-based training courses including commercial food preparation, early childhood development, electrical installation,

plumbing, computer repairs, motor vehicle engine systems, tourism training and more. It is a major flagship project of the People’s Democratic Movement Government.

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS 13

National Academic Awards recognises outstanding students BY OLIVIA ROSE SCORES of graduates from both public and private secondary schools across the TCI were awarded for their excellent performances during 2019 external examinations. A whopping 131 students received accolades on December 13 at the 23rd annual National Academic Awards Ceremony for passing the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations. The ceremony was held at Wesley Methodist School in keeping with the Ministry of Education’s established practice that the school which fields the top performing student nationally hosts the ceremony. All students honoured at the event met the minimum criteria of attaining five passes (grades I to III or A to C) - English language and mathematics were compulsory. The theme for the ceremony was ‘Youths: An indomitable force in diversity’. Students honoured this year were drawn from the British West Indies Collegiate (BWIC), Clement Howell High School (CHHS), Helena J Robinson High school (HJRHS), Marjorie Basden High School (MBHS), Raymond Gardiner High School (RGHS), TCI Middle School (TCIMS) and Wesley Methodist School (WMS). Students were recognised in batches based on five categories. Category one focused on students passing five to nine subjects after sitting the examinations. Ninetyseven students from nine schools were awarded in this presentation.

Students from TCI secondary schools recognised for their academic achievement

Category two focused on students passing 10 or more subjects. Thirty students from six schools were awarded in this presentation. In category three students were recognised for acing English language and mathematics. Students recognised in this presentation received a General I or II or an A or B only. Category four saw students honoured for top performances by discipline. In this presentation students recognised earned the best grades according to subjects within humanities, technical and vocational

studies, foreign languages, business, science, and hospitality. The following students were recognised in the various disciplines. Business - Llewvandra Basden (HJRHS), Dashante Lightbourne (WMS) and Roshanti Williams (HJRHS). Humanities - Wendana Rolle (TCIMS), Anthonique Asamoah (WMS) and Rianna Douglas (WMS). Technical vocational studies Danarissa Forbes (CHHS). Science - Zobreann Brown (BWIC), Asia Fernandez (BWIC), Ricardo Joasilus (MHS), Belandy Joseph (MBHS), Asher Smith

(TCIMS) and Charabelle Handfield (WMS). Foreign language - Ricardo Joasilus (WMS). Hospitality - Sherlley Baxes (HJRHS). In this presentation, the best performing students from schools with the Career Development Programme were recognised. HJ Robinson and Raymond Gardiner presented Anddy Lantigua (HJRHS) and Zarran Forbes (RGHS) for this category. Students from the TCI that make it onto CXC’s Regional Merit Lists were also recognised for their

outstanding achievement. Every year at the culmination of the examination process CXC produces a list of the 10 best performing students for each subject offered across the region. In 2019 two students from the TCI made it onto a list. Olimeisha Williams of HJRHS tied for sixth place out of 5,129 entries for the subject family and resource management while Teandra Ewing of CHHS tied for fifth place in Caribbean History out of 9,135 entries. The final presentation recognised the overall top performing students for the country. Normally three students are selected but this year the ministry acknowledged two students due to a lack of adherence to the criteria. The criteria for this category stipulates that: “A student must be a Turks and Caicos Islander and the subjects attained must be earned in one examination sitting. “With respect to the subjects earned, students must earn a minimum of eight subjects with a General I or IGCSE A, those subjects must include English language, mathematics, one science subject, one humanities subject, information technology and a foreign language.” The top performing students are provided a scholarship from the Government and this is supplemented with prizes from sponsors. This year the Sandals Foundation provided laptops for the students. Leshante Cox (MBHS) the secondplace awardee received a cash prize from CIBC First Caribbean Bank and the first-place student Charabelle Handfield (WMS) received a cash prize from Nagico Insurance.

Bids welcome for North Caicos Channel dredging project DREDGING of the North Caicos Channel will go ahead as soon as a tender offer has been accepted, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson has revealed. The project will be released for tender imminently, she explained in a statement on December 19. “I wish to invite persons to bid for this critical job,” the premier said. Dredging of the channel is crucial to maintaining a deep enough passage for vessels to safely pass through - especially during periods of low tide.

“Shortly after coming to office, the matter of dredging the North Caicos Channel was brought to my attention,” Cartwright Robinson explained. This matter, through the Ports Authority was expressed to the Planning Department. However, the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources stipulated that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had to be carried out prior to any works. “It is important to note that though maintenance dredging had been allowed over the years prior,

Dredging of North Caicos Channel is crucial to maintaining a passage for vessels to safely pass through

this new condition to carry out an EIA was imposed and the Ports Authority and Government were required to meet it for dredging works to be done.”

She went on to reveal that the environmental study has been completed and all paperwork was submitted for passage through the procurement system in October this

year. “I am informed that once completed, the dredging works will allow for maintenance dredging over the life of the EIA.”

14 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 4-10, 2020

Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson hosted a series of Christmas parties for the public across the TCI

Hundreds attend premier’s fun-filled Christmas parties PREMIER Sharlene Cartwright Robinson hosted a series of fun and festive Christmas parties for the public during the month of December. The annual tradition saw hundreds of people of all ages show up in their festive finery to celebrate with the territory’s leader. The first took place on December 9 at the Sports Complex in South

Caicos from 6pm to 10pm. “It was a pleasure to start the Christmas holiday celebrations with you South Caicos,” Cartwright Robinson said following the event. On December 16, the day started off with a Christmas luncheon with residents of Middle Caicos. An afternoon party with fun fair was then held at the District Commissioner’s Office parking lot

in North Caicos from 2pm. “It was a pleasure to celebrate with you North and Middle Caicos,” the premier wrote on her Facebook page. On December 19, the premier celebrated with young residents of Providenciales during the kids’ party at the Downtown Ballpark from 1pm to 6pm. She then joined scores of adult

partygoers at Ports of Call, Grace Bay, from 6pm. The annual Christmas party tour concluded with a Christmas lunch in Salt Cay followed by a full day of Christmas fun at her residence in Grand Turk. The winners of the Grand Turk Christmas Lighting Competition were presented prizes courtesy of the Office of the Premier, Local

Government and Community Affairs. “A special thanks to the sponsors who donated prizes. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the participants and the Grand Turk community,” the premier said. “It was great celebrating with you Grand Turk and Salt Cay and certainly an enjoyable few weeks spreading Christmas cheer around the Islands.”

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

The 15th edition of Destination Turks and Caicos has been revamped

The creative members behind the guide are all based in the TCI

Tourist guide launched with fresh new look THE TCI’s premier go-to tourist guide was unveiled this week with a contemporary new look and a message throughout of tourism sustainability. The 15th edition of Destination Turks and Caicos has transformed from a traditional coffee-table design to a luxury publication. And this year the creative members behind the guide are all based in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) unveiled the cover of its magazine at Hawksbill Villa in Providenciales. Karen Whitt, director of marketing for the TCHTA, played a key role in the decision to take a new approach to the annual publication. “We are so excited about the new contemporary look that Destination

Turks and Caicos now has,” she said in a press release on January 2. “It has always been the goal of the organisation to not only produce a publication that represents the luxury of our destination, but we also wanted to create a keepsake piece with rich imagery of the islands and the wonderful stories that accompany them. “While we are excited about the new look, we are equally excited about sharing how TCHTA members are promoting environmentally friendly practices.” In addition to the change in style, the message has been updated to reflect issues such as sustainable tourism practices. The guide showcases efforts taken by TCHTA members to benefit their local communities and the tourism industry, all set to the backdrop of

stunning TCI imagery. CREATIVE TEAM Since 2005 the publication has been outsourced and this year the TCHTA has taken the creative lead by managing the magazine in-house. The organisation partnered with TCI’s Erin Patrick of EP Designs and Dominique Rolle of Caya Hico Media who served as creative directors for the publication. Patrick said she was honoured to have been asked to work with the TCHTA on the 15th edition of Destination Turks and Caicos Islands. “My aim is to allow the essence of these islands to radiate from each page. This publication encompasses everything we cherish in this paradise we call home.” Rolle added that the guide is iconic

to the TCI and has for many years provided a platform for the best in local photographers to display their craft and appreciation for the Islands. “I’m honoured to see it continue in its 15th year and evolve into a premier luxury magazine with content dedicated to the country I love and the people working to preserve its future.” The magazine cover features a modern, clean look with a classic gold bold typeface and a single image. The instalment in Dominique Rolle’s ‘Flora’ collection showcases the lush vegetation and plant life of the TCI. TCHTA’s CEO Stacy Cox said: “This was truly a labour of love for us. From the pictures to the stories and the messages, every part of this publication was designed to pique

your interest while deepening your connection with our ‘beautiful by nature’ Islands.” She added: “We are thoroughly impressed with the outcome, and all of this would not have been possible without the contribution of writing content from Dominique Rolle and Sonia Simmons, the impeccable job done by editors Nicholette Thomas and Sonia Simmons, the vibrant imagery provided by our member photographers Brilliant Studios, Caya Hico Media, Philip Shearer of Big Blue Collective, Paradise Photography and Visit Turks and Caicos, and the unwavering support of our executive board and members. “And for this, we say thank you. Thank you for helping the TCHTA transform Destination Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Resort manager wins leadership award

Tanya Swann was given the Sandi McCoy Award recognising excellence in sales department leadership

SALES manager Tanya Swann has received an international award for her work at Beaches Turks and Caicos. The recently promoted director of sales, groups and conventions in the TCI’s largest resort was given the Sandi McCoy Award recognising excellence in sales department leadership. The accolade was awarded at the Sandals Global Sales Conference hosted by Unique Vacations at Beaches Turks and Caicos from October 11 to 14. She was one of several sales managers awarded at the event which recognises the best in sales and marketing for Sandals in the Americas. “I felt happy, elated and blessed

to have been recognised for such an esteemed award,” she said. “I am indeed proud to be chosen and honoured for such.” Swann began working with Beaches Resorts in April 2004 as secretary for food and beverage. “Her tenacity and excellent work ethics led to a promotion as executive administrator to the general manager,” a resort press release said on December 31. Swann joined the sales department as an administrative assistant and from there she was promoted to senior sales executive, sales manager and then her current role. She credits her rise within the company to mentorship and a willingness to learn and to tackle new challenges.

“In each position that I have worked in at Beaches Turks and Caicos I was given the opportunity, not just by management but also by the potential and success which they saw in me. “Just like everything in life, sometimes it was not easy but it was worth it because it got me where I am today. “What I have already done and what I will continue to do will determine where my next level of success will be.” Over the years Swann has been a key lead in selling the Beaches Turks and Caicos brand to international partners. She has spoken at road shows, sales blitzes and promotional events across the United States.

Swann works closely with travel agents, airline representative s and business development managers to promote the brand and the destination to new and existing customers. In her role she also spearheads bookings and logistics for major resort and group-wide signature events such as Global Sales, Star Awards, World Travel Awards, and FAM trips. “Sometimes no matter how rough and challenging our lives may be, we must always take a moment and be proud of ourselves no matter what,” she said. “God is indeed a good God, a faithful God and he allows us to be recognised when the time is right and not before as his timing is always the right one and the on time one.”

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

The ramp will allow for better trade and travel between Grand Turk and Salt Cay

NEWS 17

The ribbon was cut at the opening of the million-dollar ramp on December 19

Roll on roll off ramp opened in Grand Turk A NEW million-dollar ramp which will allow boats to safely and efficiently load and offload wheeled cargo has been built at the Grand Turk Port. The roll on roll off or ‘RoRo’ ramp will allow for better trade and travel between Grand Turk and Salt Cay. Almaida Wilson, the District Commissioner of Salt Cay, performed the ceremonial ribbon cutting at the opening of the ramp on

December 19. She was joined by Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson as Minister of Finance, Investment and Trade with responsibility for the Ports Authority. During the ceremony, the premier said: “This project nearing a million dollars in cost, is part of an overall strategic approach to develop the ports system throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. No island will be left behind.”

She added: “I am thrilled that my Government was able to deliver on such projects; those that enhance and impact the lives of Turks and Caicos Islanders for the better.” The new ramp is elevated and features a sturdy step for people to use during its operation which replaces a steep metal ladder that boating passengers previously used. The project was budgeted in 2018 and went out for tender

The workshop taught youngsters the importance of recycling, re-using and restoring

and “after overcoming several challenges” was completed this year, a press release from the Premier’s Office said. Also attending the event were Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Derek Taylor, Chairman of the Ports Authority, Urban Jason Francis, and Acting Director of the Ports Authority, Delton Jones. Salt Cay and Grand Turk residents, personnel from the Ports

Authority and key stakeholders joined the attendees. Roll on roll off boats are designed to carry wheeled cargo such as cars, trucks or trailers that can be driven off the vessel on their own. This is in contrast to lift on lift off boats which use a crane to load and unload cargo. The roll on roll off ramps allow the vehicles to be transported on and off the vessel when in port.

Children create treasures out of unwanted items at Turks Head Inne in Grand Turk

Kids upcycle to create festive goodies CHILDREN in Grand Turk learnt how to ‘upcycle’ as they created Christmas gifts for their family and friends out of unwanted items. The Youth Department’s first annual ‘Sustainable Christmas’ workshop taught youngsters the importance of recycling, re-using and restoring to help the environment.

Members of the Grand Turk community supported the activity by donating old cans, baby food containers and a t-shirt which participants made into canisters, planters or reusable bags. The workshop was held at Turks Head Inne on Duke Street on December 18 and led by Anya Pratt

and Nixon Dickenson. “Seeing the kids connect the dots as to how upcycling in our environment can go along way has truly been enlightening,” Pratt said in a press release on December 20. There were three stations at the workshop – the Earth Station, where the children made planters, the Water

Station where they made reusable bags and the Dream Station where they made containers to hold goals and dreams for 2020. Invited guests from Deep Blue Charters led a demonstration on what happens when plastic bags enter the world’s waters. Also supporting the event were the

TCI Red Cross, Willique, Sandbar Restaurant and community volunteers. Youth Director Jasmin Parker said: “The youth is our future. It is our best practice to inform and educate them on aspects in the world, their environment changes quickly and having them well equipped is a major key.”

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Positive action needed to stop crime wave Dear Editor, Many years ago, in a letter to this newspaper I suggested that if the British government insisted on controlling the Royal Turks and Caicos Police Force it needed to be sure that it was properly funded and trained so that it could carry out its task. I also suggested that when British MPs visited these Islands, in addition to sharing cocktails with the great and the good at Beaches, they should pay an unscheduled visit to the main police station, then located on Old Airport Road, to see first hand the dreadful conditions under which the police force worked. The British government did less than the minimum required and this is mainly the reason for the problems we face today. Unfortunately, nobody in the UK, whether in authority or a citizen, has any interest in the crime rate in the Turks and Caicos Islands. We can merely request help through the governor with no leverage to ensure that assistance is

provided. If the police force was under local government control, there might not be immediate improvement as few government departments here are efficient, but there would certainly be some action as otherwise the politicians would know they would quickly be voted out of office. Contrary to what most Turks Islanders believe, the UK would dearly like to be rid of these Islands which they regard as a constant problem. If we are to remain as a British dependent territory, which might not be in the interests of local politicians and the wannabe politicians, but would certainly be in the best interests of ordinary citizens, the UK must accept its responsibilities to these Islands and honour its commitments. The best way forward is for the British and local Government to work together to find a solution. The local Government and members of the Opposition together need to pester the governor on

a daily basis so that the UK government is fully aware of the serious problem here and what they propose as a solution. It is the British government’s responsibility and they need to address it. If no action is forthcoming we can inform the world agencies of our problems, who in this anti colonial era, will, I am sure, offer support. No British government likes to be embarrassed. We are basically a nation that lives off the tourism industry. Tourists can go anywhere. When they visit these islands, they need to be certain that they are not going to be molested; robbed or murdered. We are beginning to develop that kind of reputation as a nation. The bandits who have for so long robbed individuals and establishments do so without any fear of being apprehended or punished for their crimes. This has to end quickly or we will soon become the paradise which tourists used to visit.

Positive business community partnerships Dear Editor, As we boldly step into the year 2020, a new decade, with renewed hope and energy for the year ahead with all its possibilities, let us take the time to reflect on 2019. While we all know that 2019 hasn’t been without its societal challenges, I would like to end the year highlighting two refreshing experiences that I have had in the last several weeks. These two experiences add to my hope and excitement for the future of the Turks and Caicos Islands. On a recent trip to South Caicos, I was booked to travel with InterCaribbean Airways. To my surprise as we walked the tarmac, we were escorted to a Caicos Express Airways aeroplane. While airline partnerships and

associations may be common place in many countries, I was pleased to see such cooperation between our local airlines. This may not be a big deal to some, but it was a big deal to me and left me feeling hopeful about

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Send letters to tcweeklynews@gmail.com

business community partnerships that focus on common goals to building an even stronger Turks and Caicos Islands. The second occurrence happened when I recently attended a funeral in North Caicos. The vehicle that was rented by my colleague was owned by a company that was once three individual rental car companies. This triad of companies, all with local principles in their early 30s, merged and now own approximately 65 percent of the rental car fleet in the North and Middle Caicos market. Wow! What a powerhouse. I rarely hear about partnerships amongst our companies but am happy to see when it does happen. I leave these final words with you as we journey through 2020 together. It is my wish that we are all positioned to help our people excel through leadership, integrity, fellowship and education to possess our wealth, economy and resources. Hope, life, power. Happy new year! Jamell Robinson, PNP All Island Candidate, Providenciales

Sadly, I do not see the local police force solving our problem without outside help. It makes little sense to me to bring in commissioners from overseas. The force needs improving from the bottom up not from the top down. My suggestion would be for the UK to second three or four experienced officers on a permanent basis which would give the police some backbone and convince the public that an effort to solve the problem was being made. We, the public, have to play our part. Some people in the community know who are committing these crimes but are afraid to go to the police because they do not trust them. This has to change. The police too have to realise that they are the servants of the public, not their oppressors. Unfortunately, to address the problem will, as usual, cost money. I offer two suggestions. If the UK insists on giving 0.7 percent of its income annually in foreign aid, perhaps the Foreign Office might consider giving a minuscule amount of this to their overseas fellow citizens to put an end to their present crime wave. It would be a better expenditure of money than normal foreign aid where very little gets to the people who need it and much goes on the obscene salaries of the CEOs of organisations distributing this aid. A more controversial source of funds would be to use some of

the vast amount being spent on the lawyers engaged in the latest Commission of Inquiry trials. This has long been a farce. I would respectfully suggest that the lawyers, who have been prosecuting those accused of emptying the Treasury and bankrupting these Islands, without any convictions over a long time period are in the wrong profession. Perhaps no one is interested in reaching a conclusion. Lawyers on both sides seem quite happy for these trials to go on forever as long as they remain funded and why not? Who would say no to a semipermanent paid holiday in the Caribbean? Long term residents might recall the results of an earlier Commission of Inquiry again held at considerable expense. There was a judgement saying that certain honourable members would not be allowed to hold high office again. Within several months one of those same honourable members was chief minister and the British government did nothing. Sadly, I foresee a similar outcome in this latest commission. In all of this, one thing is certain, unless positive action is taken to stop the present crime wave sweeping these Islands we are all looking at a dismal future. Yours sincerely, B B Wigglesworth, Leeward, Providenciales

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I thought you would be a speck so far down the road that I would hardly be able to make you out.” It is that bad. Though I do not presume to know exactly what this man would say, I engaged McCartney enough to have some idea of what his thoughts might be. The revelation, above all, that really revealed the PDM being in the wilderness was when leader Cartwright Robinson tasked Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles with going to parliament and making a case that the statutory boards, run by TC Islanders, should be dissolved and taken over by the governor - a white man from across the Atlantic in Britain with nothing socially, culturally or morally in

common with the peoples of the TCI. Can anyone in the territory, irrespective of which party they support, imagine JAGS McCartney and the party of his day embarking on such an agenda? It must be noted that just prior to this, said governor had tinkered with the constitution to boost Cartwright Robinson’s governing portfolio with control over a number of local government entities, making her essentially the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker of TCI local governance. How sad. Mind you this is not hearsay. This is all in print after investigative journalism of the matter by the TC Weekly News.

January 4-10, 2020

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

The new District Commissioner’s Office in Salt Cay is looking fresh

Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson cuts the ribbon on the upgraded facility

Salt Cay’s District Commissioner Almaida Wilson receives the keys for the building

The inside of the office is freshly painted and fully equipped

Salt Cay DC’s Office reopened after extensive repairs THE DISTRICT Commissioner’s Office in Salt Cay – struck by three hurricanes over nine years - has finally been repaired and upgraded and is ready for business. The building was first damaged in 2008 when category four hurricane Ike hit the TCI, and then again nine years later by hurricanes Irma and Maria. On Friday, December 20, members of the Government visited the island as Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson cut the ribbon on the refreshed facility. “I am elated for this project to be completed. An upgrade for Salt Cay is long overdue,” she said. “This office is the face of Government on these islands and today it is sending the right message.” Also attending the event were Deputy Speaker of the House Hon. Derek Taylor, Minister of Education Hon. Karen Malcolm, and Executive Director for the Office of the Premier, Ronlee James. Hon. Edwin Astwood, MP for Grand Turk South and Salt Cay, brought remarks during the brief ceremony.

“Everything happens in its time and now it is Salt Cay’s time,” he said. “This office is only the start. “Through the newly built and resilient building, we will be able to connect residents of Salt Cay and the District Commissioner’s Office with persons on other islands. “With a stable internet connect we will be able to offer residents a chance to teleconference with specialist doctors, business partners and the district commissioner and staff will be able to attend district administration meetings without the hassle of leaving the island. “We are bringing technology to the people of Salt Cay not to overpower the natural aesthetic and uniqueness of the island but to enhance and strengthen their reach and connectivity.” The premier, as the Minister with responsibility for District Administration under the Office of the Premier, Local Government and Community Affairs, spoke of further works. “My Government is committed to enhancing the lives of those that live on the island, hence, the redevelopment

and expansion of the airport runway, the upgrade to the Grand Turk Port to strengthen travel by boat into and out of Salt Cay, and now the newly constructed DC’s Office - all to ensure residents of Salt Cay feel like they are a crucial part of this ‘beautiful by

nature’ archipelago and connected to the rest of the world. “Salt Cay is a very unique island with a lot to offer and we must ensure as a government that they have the infrastructure, technology and financial investment to grow as

the residents’ desire, and develop as with the rest of the Turks and Caicos Islands.” The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Band provided music for the soft opening of the office.

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appointed. “The expectation was the commission would be appointed immediately to consider the applications. “The secretary of the commission was also expected to be appointed in the same year. However, both the secretary and the commission were not appointed until this year (2019). “The secretary has been appointed and has started the

work of the commission, and the commission has been appointed to commence business on January 1, 2020. “The amendment to the transitional provisions made in 2018 would allow the 2018 applications to be considered legally along with the other applications. “The expectation is that the commission will consider all applications before them, including the 2019 applications

which are within the timelines of the principal ordinance.” While the date for the commencement of consideration of the applications by the committee has passed - January 1 - the amendment bill is currently still in the debate stage in the House of Assembly. Discussions on the bill from both the Opposition benches and the Government will continue on Monday, January 6.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 4-10, 2020

TCI student wins university entrepreneurship competition A TWENTY-three-year-old TC Islander was a key member of the team that won the University of Waterloo’s Hult Prize finals. Gabriel Saunders and his team ‘Decomp’ walked away with the top prize in the social entrepreneurship competition this December. “We’re extremely proud to have won the Hult Prize at University of Waterloo finals, but this is just the beginning,” said Saunders. “Teams from University of Waterloo have done extremely well at this competition. In the past three years, two teams from our university have made it to the finals. “We want to be the first University of Waterloo team to win it all.” On December 3, the University of Waterloo Hult Prize finals was hosted at the Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business. Eight teams pitched their ventures that aligned with this year’s social challenge, ‘Building start-ups that have a positive impact on our planet with every dollar earned’. The judges heard pitches on ideas such as ‘leatherless’ leather created using bacteria, artificial intelligence sorting bins, and reusable and antimicrobial menstrual pads. Decomp, which is comprised of four members who have specialised in different areas – Gabriel Saunders (marketing), Alison Purdon (global development), Caleb Turpin-Quaye (finance), and Samuel Abdelshahid (engineering) – pitched their solution to combat global plastic pollution. “Since 1950, humans have produced 8.3 billion metric tonnes of plastic – of which most becomes waste,” Saunders explained in a press release on December 19. “Plastic waste takes 400 to 1,000 years to degrade and while sitting in landfills, it emits harmful greenhouse gases.” Decomp identified microbes – both fungi and bacteria – that are able to consume different types of plastics in six to eight weeks. The group will be using bioreactor technology to control temperature, pH, and humidity levels to optimise the growing conditions of the microbes. “Plastics will be sorted, shredded, and placed into the bioreactors to be degraded by the microbes,” he added. Decomp was awarded the first place prize – winning $3,000 for research and development, as well as having their travel expenses to the regional round covered. As a result of winning their oncampus Hult Prize finals, Decomp has a guaranteed spot at the regional summit of their choice. The top 50 teams from the regional

Team Decomp is Samuel Abdelshahid, Alison Purdon, Caleb Turpin-Quaye and Gabriel Saunders

summits will spend six weeks at the Hult Prize Accelerator in Boston to learn from a global ecosystem of business leaders, mentors, investors, and corporate partners. Following this, six teams will be chosen to pitch their social ventures at the Hult Prize finals, which will be hosted at the United Nations’ headquarters in New York City.

The Hult Prize is the largest student entrepreneurship competition in the world. Each September, former president Bill Clinton announces a social challenge topic. Thousands of post-secondary students from universities around the world form teams and create social enterprises to tackle the challenge and compete for the

grand prize of $1 million in startup funding. Gabriel Saunders is a Master of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MBET) student at the University of Waterloo, as well as a student entrepreneurship coach for Concept – the university’s preincubator programme. Gabriel attended The Ashcroft School (now The International

School of the TCI) and British West Indies Collegiate (BWIC) in Providenciales. He graduated from Trinity College School in Port Hope, Canada. He is the proud son of E Jay and Drani Saunders. Decomp’s pitch at the Hult Prize at University of Waterloo finals is available to view at http://bit.do/ uwhultfinals

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Marie Ange Sylvain with baby girl Steliah Andreka Pierre and partner

Ah-Marri Ryland at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre and mum Takera Francis

These beautiful twin boys were delivered to mum Tanesha Gray

Four healthy babies delivered on Christmas Day FOUR babies - including twin boys - were delivered in the Turks and Caicos Islands on Christmas Day. The first arrival was a baby girl who was delivered by mum Marie Ange Sylvain at Cockburn Town Medical Centre in Grand Turk. Little Steliah Andreka Pierre was born at 4.22am and weighed 2.7 kilograms and was 45 centimetres in length. Twin boys were then delivered less than minutes apart at 7.19am and 7.21am at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre in Providenciales to mother Tanesha Gray. The first twin weighed 1.61 kilograms and was 41 centimetres

in length. His brother weighed 2.21 kilograms and was 48 centimetres long. The names of the twins are still under deliberation. The maternity team in Providenciales delivered another baby boy named Ah-Marri Ryland during the afternoon hours at 4.26pm to mother Takera Francis. Ah-Marri weighed 3.45 kilograms and was 52 centimetres in length at birth. According to Francis, her son’s name means “forever beautiful”. Mikette Been, chief of clinical services at TCI Hospital, said: “During this festive season, I would

like to congratulate the proud parents on the birth of their new-borns. “These latest additions to your families are a blessing; new life is the greatest gift that can be offered during the holiday season. “We wish you all the best in continuing your motherhood journey.” The mothers were not expecting to deliver during the Christmas season, but their little ones were adamant to make an earlier arrival. In keeping with the annual tradition, the mothers across both medical centres received a gift bathtub with infant-care items courtesy of InterHealth Canada.

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Year in review JANUARY

TCI added to Dutch tax haven blacklist

North Caicos school named TCI’s cleanest

January 4-10, 2020

2019

Resorts International said the decision was not related to any outstanding tax debt.

The Dutch government added the Turks and Caicos Islands and 15 other countries to a tax haven blacklist. The jurisdictions listed have no corporation tax or a corporation tax rate of less than nine percent, a press release from the Government of the Netherlands stated.

‘Don’t work with the new DPP’ says angered PNP member

George Lightbourne

New DPP boss, Eugene Otuonye

The appointment of former TCI Integrity Commission boss as the territory’s new Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) angered one Opposition member. On January 3, George Lightbourne, PNP elected member for Grand Turk North, launched a scathing attack on the appointment of the Nigerian lawyer, calling on local employees attached to the Office of the DPP not to work along with the new non-local appointee.

Family all-inclusive resort Beaches Turks and Caicos Staff and pupils at Charles Hubert James Primary School are presented with a cheque

Charles Hubert James Primary School in North Caicos was awarded $1,000 after being selected as the territory’s cleanest public primary school. The Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board launched the ‘Cleanest School Competition’ during Tourism Environmental Awareness Month in November 2018, with the aim to find the cleanest Government primary schools in Providenciales, Middle Caicos and North Caicos. Each school was judged on 13 criteria in the five areas of entrance, buildings, bathrooms, grounds and classrooms.

Prisoners riot over non-attendance at court

A violent three-hour riot broke out at Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk on January 24, with disgruntled prisoners expressing upset at not be taken to their court hearings. Inmates had been urged to attend court via video link and repeatedly remanded for offences due to a lack of funding for air travel to Providenciales to attend their trials and other hearings. The issue came to a head when three defendants whose convictions were quashed by the Court of Appeal were slated to begin their retrial on January 21, but their trials did not commence as planned. Frustrated prisoners then staged a violent protest in the facility, leaving broken cameras, televisions, microwaves, mops and brooms, tables and other items in their wake.

Human rights chiefs’ stark dump smoke warning

FEBRUARY

Connolly hopes to make a difference as a PNP member Children were sent home from school after complaining of feeling unwell

Criminal matters held steady in 2018, while civil suits continued to decline

In 2018 there were 63 criminal cases filed in the local courts, the same as the previous year, but there was a sharp decline in civil suits. This was revealed by Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale during her overview of the criminal and civil courts. In addition to the 63 filed cases, 22 additional ones were added to the court’s roster for trial in 2018. Those additional cases were brought forward from the year before and some were sent back to the Supreme Court for retrial.

The Caribbean resort chain declared that it was, in fact, owed “many millions of dollars” by the TCI Government. The statement said that the Government had acknowledged the “injustice” and had undertaken to remedy the “egregious wrong” but, in spite of assurances had been unable to do so for over two years.

New member of the Progressive National Party, Hon. elected member Josephine Connolly

The second highest vote getter in the 2016 general elections and former Government minister threw her lot in with the Opposition PNP party in hopes of making a tangible difference. In March 2018, Connolly officially announced her exit from the PDM party after a disagreement with the Government saw her being stripped of her ministerial post at the education ministry. Shortly after she officially crossed the floor as an independent member. During a House of Assembly on January 28, Connolly announced her new membership to the PNP, stating that she had hoped to make a difference as an independent candidate, but in the ensuing months that hope proved difficult to achieve.

Beaches announces it will close in 2021

On January 29, Beaches Turks and Caicos announced that it would be closing the huge family resort in January 2021 “until further notice”. In a statement issued on the matter, parent company Sandals

Choking fumes from Providenciales’ dire dumpsite forced children to be sent home from school in February – as human rights chiefs warned of “lethal” health impacts from chronic ongoing blazes. Pupils at TCIPS Comprehensive High School in Academy Drive reported feeling unwell due to pungent smoke which Government officials blamed on arson. The latest infernos, which simmered for several days sending plumes of noxious smog over nearby housing estates, once again caused misery for local residents. The two Priton Homes developments – where dozens of families with young children live – are particularly susceptible to the impact of the fires.

Vogue Italia features local fine arts photographer

Creative Dominique Rolle is a man of many talents

Multi-talented Bahamian and Turks and Caicos Islands native Dominique Rolle captured the interest and uncanny eye of

January 4-10, 2020

Year in review 2019 editors of Vogue Italia with his Flora - Plants of the Turks and Caicos collection. Recognising his amazing talent for transforming photography into fine art, the international magazine immediately snapped up his ‘Banana Punk’ image - one of the many stunning images from his Flora collection - for publication among their pages.

TCI and the Bahamas to develop MOU on border control

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

The tough stance from Border Control Minister Hon. Sean Astwood came on the heels of a temporary halt on deportations to Haiti from the Bahamas, which was also fending off a deluge of undocumented migrants. Minister Astwood told the Weekly News there were “no plans” for the TCI to follow suit. Deadly protests that began on February 7 and saw violent street clashes with police, cars torched and roads blocked appeared to ease off on February 19.

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TCI attorney questioned in Argentine money laundering case

MARCH

UK lacks ‘moral authority’ to force gay marriage

Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson and Deputy Premier Sean Astwood flanked by members of the Bahamian delegation

Cooperation on border control efforts, intelligence sharing and training were just some of the commitments made by high level Bahamian and TCI delegations. Representing the Bahamas during the January 24 to 26 meetings in Providenciales were Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Darren A Henfield, Ambassador Captain Godfrey Rolle (retired) of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Lieutenant Commander Floyd Moxey of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Loren Klein, legal consultant at the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs, and Michael Guy, foreign services officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

‘Legalise gay marriage’ - UK report

Same-sex marriage could become legal in the TCI and other British territories if London adopts advice from its Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) and forces a legislative change. The long-awaited report from the FAC, which scrutinised the UK’s governance of its OTs, urged the British government to “step in” as it did in 2001 when it decriminalised homosexuality in resistant territories. Among the 48 pages of findings and recommendations – released on February 21 – there was also a demand for speedy implementation of public registers of beneficial ownership. And a condemnation of Belongership status as “wrong” because it denies legally-resident OT and UK citizens “the right to vote and hold elected office”. “The government should set a date by which it expects all OTs to have legalised same-sex marriage. “If that deadline is not met, the government should intervene through legislation or an Order in Council,” the report stated.

No reprieve for Haitian migrants fleeing turmoil

Britain is in a “weak position” for demanding its territories adopt same-sex marriage while it remains illegal within the UK, international human rights chiefs said. Amnesty International said London lacked the “moral authority” to force change as long as gay marriage is still banned in Northern Ireland.

Premier promises to fight UK’s gay marriage recommendations

“We cannot and must not allow other’s cultures and values to be forced on us and neither will we accept the unbridled influx of British citizens to be added to our voting population.” This was the response of Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson on February 22 following the release of a Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC) report.

Washington Misick returned as PNP leader

Lawyer Peter Karam of Karam, Missick and Traube

Canadian national and local attorney Peter Karam was first questioned in March 2019 about his alleged role in a money laundering scheme from Argentina to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The case involves the sale of 16 US properties owned by the late Daniel Muñoz, his wife Carolina Pochetti and his presumptive partners, and their re-investment in the Turks and Caicos Islands in which Karam is alleged to have played a part.

TCI bank linked to cash scam

A bank in the Turks and Caicos Islands was named in Argentine investigations into the laundering of millions of dollars by the late Daniel Muñoz. That was according to online news agency in Argentina, Infobae, whose Omar Lavieri reported on the matter on March 25. The journalist said investigators were seeking more information from the bank in order to track a transfer of $2.5 million to the TCI, confessed to by Muñoz’s widow Carolina Pochetti.

APRIL

Scotiabank’s Caribbean retreat could have ‘anti-competitive’ impact

Newly elected PNP Leader, Washington Misick

In a surprising move, interim ‘retiring’ leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP) Washington Misick, who for two years denied he would be contesting the leadership of the party, was elected as leader. He received 88 of the votes, while the other three candidates Ricardo Donhue Gardiner, Reverend John Malcolm and Hon. George Lightbourne received 21, 19 and zero, respectively.

Scotiabank’s exit from nine Caribbean countries continued to ignite controversy with a regional body suggesting the move could have anti-competitive effects. The Canadian firm’s scaling back of operations across much of the Caribbean – where it has done business for 130 years – saw the closure of TCI’s Grace Bay and Grand Turk branches last year. Scotiabank’s intended sale of assets in a $123 million deal with Trinidad-based Republic Bank has been under scrutiny since December 2018 by Caricom’s Competition Commission.

14 dead, 14 survive after perilous sea journey from Haiti

Beaches responds with ‘no deal’ to tax penalty break

Eighteen undocumented migrants were held in the South Dock Detention Centre as of Wednesday night

Deportations of illegal Haitian migrants from the TCI were set to continue despite ongoing turmoil in the embattled neighbouring nation.

Despite being offered a $76 million tax penalty write off, Beaches Resort and Spa responded that it was still going ahead with its lawsuit against the Government for alleged overpaid taxes. On March 14, the resort company released an official statement to the press declaring its intention to pursue its lawsuit and reclaim money it believes is owed. The news came close on the heels of Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson’s House of Assembly announcement that she would be granting the company and several others in the TCI an amnesty to pay owed taxes and write off of the interest/penalties.

Some of the survivors of the Haitian boat incident in which 14 people perished

Rescue workers spent all of March 31 scouring the waters around West Caicos for survivors of a deadly boat excursion

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Year in review 2019 from Haiti. Tragedy struck at about 8am when a twin-engine outboard boat (sloop) smuggling several undocumented migrants from Haiti capsized in the shark infested waters. The Royal TCI Police (RTCIPF) Marine Branch and the US Coast Guard joined forces to rescue 14 people, while tragically 14 dead bodies were recovered from the water by the time the search was called off.

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either. The comments were contained in a long-awaited official response – issued on May 13.

Dellis Cay up for auction

‘There is no case to answer’ - SIPT defence lawyers Cruise ships are blamed for much of the plastic that washes up on beaches, like this one on pristine East Caicos (Photo courtesy Kathleen Wood)

The world’s largest cruise line said it has never dumped sewage within 12 miles of TCI’s shore – as set out under local law – but the controversy reignited serious questions about the impact of the behemoth vessels on the Islands’ precious marine environment.

Dellis Cay – the scene of what was once tipped to be the largest development in the hemisphere and an architectural masterpiece – was set to go under the hammer at public auction. The long abandoned scheme with its half-constructed buildings has been a blight on the landscape since it went into receivership in 2009. But while news of its potential sale was welcomed by some, the developer from whom the land was seized reacted with fury and pledged to sue both the chargee and the TCI Government (TCIG).

JUNE

Killer coral disease hits TCI

MAY Queen’s Counsel Jerome Lynch represents McAllister Hanchell

Defence lawyers in the SIPT trial of former Government ministers argued that there was no case for them to answer, as the prosecution had not credibly proven any of its charges. In April, Hanchell’s legal team - led by Jerome Lynch QC, junior counsel Peter Meleney and instructing attorney Mark Fulford - presented their case to the judge. Lynch contended that the Crown’s case relies in many respects on inferences they have asked the court to draw from circumstantial evidence.

Police Constable Mauquency Carter laid to rest

Beaches guests ‘owed millions’ in overcharged taxes, lawyer claims

Hundreds of holidaymakers who feared they were overcharged by the TCI’s biggest resort came forward to join a potential class action which lawyers said could see the company forced to fork out millions in compensation. A decades-long “sweetheart deal” between Beaches and the TCI Government entitled the resort to a 40 percent concession on accommodation tax levied on local hotels. But despite only paying the Government a rate just over seven percent, Beaches added the full standard 12 percent onto guests’ bills, a US lawyer claimed.

$1.5 million ‘George Brown’ Post Office opens

Stony coral tissue loss disease typically appears like small patches of white exposed skeleton.

A devastating disease that wreaked havoc on Florida’s coral reefs due to its unprecedented scale and mortality rate made its way to the TCI. Experts told the Weekly News they were “very concerned” about sightings of stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) near the southern tip of West Caicos. TC Reef Fund (TCRF) volunteers carrying out survey work in the area reported evidence of the ailment, which typically appears like small patches of white exposed skeleton. The illness destroys the soft tissue of many species of hard coral, often killing them within weeks of becoming infected.

‘We would never do that’ - FortisTCI

The late cop is hailed as an exceptional man and cop by many

Mauquency Mauriceson Carter - trusted cop, father, friend and model citizen to many people in the territory - was laid to rest. On April 13, family, friends and members of the public were given the opportunity to say their goodbyes to Carter, Police Constable 223, during a home-going public service and viewing at the police barracks in Providenciales.

Carnival admits pollution while on probation

Carnival Corporation, which ferries thousands of cruise visitors to Grand Turk each week, came under fire for a catalogue of environmental crimes outlined in an alarming report. A 205-page legal document laid bare hundreds of offences – including illegally dumping almost half a million gallons of treated sewage in Bahamian waters in a single month. And all while on probation for a previous charge of discharging oily waste into the ocean and lying about it to regulators.

The new state-of-the-art Post Office in Downtown Providenciales

A brand new state-of-the-art Post Office in Downtown Providenciales officially opened for business. The strikingly impressive facility was declared open at a well-attended ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 7. The modern structure cost $1.5 million and was hailed as a major step forward by the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Government.

Gay marriage and Belongership rights ‘not for us to decide’ - UK

Britain will not force its territories to enact same-sex marriage laws – or extend voting and office-holding rights to resident Brits – after flatly rebuffing controversial recommendations posed by a parliamentary committee. The Theresa May-led government said both subjects were matters for territory governments to decide and legislate on, and that it had no plans to publish timetables for action on

The boss of Fortis Turks and Caicos Islands said he wanted residents to rest assured that the utilities company is professional, competent and compassionate. The assurance came in response to a question posed to the utility company’s chief executive officer Eddinton Powell following residents’ concerns that the frequent power outages may have something to do with the Government’s denial of the company’s request for rate increase. “Anybody who says that does not know this company, does know not this management team, does not know the 170 people that work for this company,” he said.

US financier – and Prince fan – buys Turtle Tail property for $10.8 million

The new owner plans to retain the iconic star’s purple driveway

January 4-10, 2020

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Year in review 2019

Total crime drops while murders and gun offences soar

Providenciales’ luxury holiday rental market received a highprofile boost with the addition of legendary singer Prince’s plush coastal estate. Well-heeled fans of the late ‘Purple Rain’ star are now able to book the sensational six-bedroom home in Turtle Tail for exclusive vacations after it was snapped up by a millionaire investor. Tom Barnes, CEO of a US private equity and investment firm, bought the property for $10.8 million through Turks and Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty.

JULY

Lawyer Peter Karam arrested for conspiracy and money laundering

Embattled attorney Peter Karam was arrested ahead of a potential extradition to Argentina to stand trial on charges of conspiracy and money laundering. The Weekly News was reliably informed of the new development shortly after Karam was arrested on July 2 and taken to the Magistrate’s Court. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Tanya LobbanJackson with his attorney and was granted bail in the amount of $700,000 with two sureties.

Governor bids farewell after ‘eventful’ three years

Governor John Freeman will bid farewell to the TCI after an “eventful” three years which included a general election, two major hurricanes and a probe by Britain which reignited talks of independence. In an exclusive interview with the Weekly News, he spoke of a bright future ahead for the Islands and its “resilient and talented people”, and said he was truly grateful for the warmth extended to both himself and wife Corinna.

Nigel Dakin sworn-in as the 15th governor of the TCI

Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said the force had seen a continued drop in crime overall during the first quarter - but murder and firearm offences had dramatically increased. Botting in a statement issued on August 13 said the total amount of crime in the territory had decreased compared to the same period (April 2019 to June 2019) the previous year. “We have achieved a reduction of 75 crimes when compared to 2018 where 580 crimes were reported, with 505 crimes reported during the same period this year. Bahamian music legend Sly Roker was gunned down in his home in Turks and Caicos Islands by unknown assailant(s)

When they arrived, they found that Roker had been shot. He was immediately transported to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre where he succumbed to his injuries at 4.43am.

TCI has a new top cop

Former deputy commissioner Trevor Botting was officially sworn in as the new Commissioner of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. The veteran officer with over 36 years’ experience, pledged to work vigorously to fulfil the mandate of the force, to root out corruption and rebuild and regain public trust. Botting was officially sworn-in to his new post at a change of command ceremony the Ethel Ingram training facility in Providenciales on July 26.

AUGUST

SIPT Judge rules enough evidence to continue trial

Trials of corruption-accused former premier Michael Misick and ex-ministers continued on following a court ruling that prosecutors showed sufficient evidence of their alleged misdeeds. Defence attorneys for the five one-time politicians and four additional defendants had hoped to convince Supreme Court Judge Paul Harrison to throw the trials out claiming prosecutors had failed to substantiate their case. But Judge Harrison ruled there was a “case to answer” for all 16 counts – which include receiving bribes from wealthy developers and defrauding the Islands of vast sums of money – citing various legal precedents for each.

Ritz-Carlton ‘raises the bar’ for TCI

Governor Nigel Dakin takes the Oath of Allegiance at his official swearing-in ceremony

Nigel John Dakin officially took his place as the 15th Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands, christening a new era of preservation and improvement. The highly anticipated swearing-in ceremony was observed on July 15 with much pomp and ceremony at HJ Robinson High School, North Back Salina in Grand Turk.

Bahamian music legend Sly Roker murdered

Police went on the hunt for the person or people responsible for the death of beloved TCI-based Bahamian musician Sylvester ‘Sly’ Roker. At about 3am on July 17 police and emergency personnel were called to the scene of a crime by concerned residents in Bay Road, Blue Hills.

CONTINUED

National Population Policy to help fight poverty, inequality and social injustice

Consultancy work for a National Population Policy aimed at improving the quality of life of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands was underway. The Government through the Ministry of Immigration, Citizenship, Labour and Employment Services began the process of developing the policy which will direct its future actions. When completed, it will assist the Government in addressing challenges and gaps affecting the population, a press release on August 20 said.

Sunday morning arsonist strikes again in Grand Turk

Firefighters had to extinguish another set of fires in Grand Turk on August 25 as police continued to look for the culprits. The first was at Dave’s Garage where a one-level concrete structure and a number of cars were engulfed in flames at about 1.53am while the residents were away. In the second incident, at 6.53am flames took over the abandoned old clinic along Duncumbs Alley which formerly housed the Ministry of Health. On August 11, firefighters in Grand Turk were called out twice after a car and a two-storey building caught alight in suspicious circumstances.

SEPTEMBER

Hurricane Dorian leaves ‘apocalyptic’ destruction in the Bahamas – Death toll rises to 23

Love it or loathe it, construction on the 12-storey Ritz-Carlton resort set to dominate the Grace Bay skyline continued full steam ahead with dozens of the beach condos already sold. The 10.5-acre development – the highest in the TCI – already dwarfs the adjacent Seven Stars resort which had held the accolade for more than a decade.

Airport reopens following firefighter strike

Providenciales International Airport had to shut its doors when firefighters went on strike over staffing, safety and training concerns. However, the facility was back up and running after the TCI Airports Authority (TCIAA) and Governor Nigel Dakin promised to meet with the emergency personnel. In an Instagram post on August 14, Governor Dakin explained: “Trust broke down between the firefighters and the airport authority last week. The airport closed. Not good. “Part of the agreement to reopen the airport last Friday - and to do so quickly and fully staffed - was that I’d chair a meeting today between the authority and the firefighters to facilitate the right sort of conversation.”

A man searches through hurricane debris for trapped victims

Category five mega-storm Dorian bulldozed the north-eastern Bahamas completely decimating islands and plunging the island-nation into a humanitarian crisis. The storm struck the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama on September 1 and lingered over the tropical region for more than 36 hours. The hurricane’s ferocious winds and murky brown floodwaters destroyed thousands of homes, uprooted trees, crippled hospitals, ripped apart airports and trapped people in ceiling rafters.

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Year in review 2019 Inquiry approves hike in power prices

An inquiry into the cost of supplying electricity concluded that a 6.8 percent increase in charges was reasonable - and it remained down to the Government to decide if it would approve it. Arbitrator J Paul Morgan completed his 10-week investigation into power prices in the TCI. A report was submitted to Governor Nigel Dakin recommending that FortisTCI be granted the full 6.8 percent increase the power company previously requested.

British tourist, 71, killed during home invasion

Two masked burglars shot and killed a 71-year-old British holidaymaker during a home invasion in Cooper Jack, Providenciales. The victim was visiting a friend, an SIPT defence lawyer working in the Turks and Caicos Islands, when he was murdered on September 3. Police reported that the two masked men, armed with guns, entered the home in the residential area and demanded money from the two occupants sometime around 11pm.

Special police unit being formed to take down gun offenders

Top law enforcement officials began assembling a special team of police detectives devoted to targeting violent gun offenders. On September 10, Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting told the media that the specialist ‘Gun Crime Team’ was being formed to bring a dedicated and sharp focus on gun crime and those who are committing gun related offences.

Plane loaded with Caribbean dignitaries drops to avoid mid-air collision

A Bahamasair plane carrying Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson and other Caribbean leaders was involved in a “near miss” incident in Bahamas air space. The aircraft, chock full of regional dignitaries, was en route to Abaco on September 6 to allow them to assess hurricane Dorian’s damage and subsequent relief efforts.

PNP selects 15 representatives for next general elections

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Independent force to investigate after man shot dead by police

CONTINUED

Lightbourne revealed to the Weekly News that he was forced to take this action after all previous attempts to gain a “fruitful audience with the PNP party were rejected and my demands for a fair process were in some cases completely ignored”. The two-time elected representative for Grand Turk North filed a civil suit on October 8 in Grand Turk Supreme Court.

Major redesign of Providenciales International Airport unveiled

Daniel Been was shot and killed by police on Wednesday

An independent police force was set to be called in to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of a man by a police officer. Daniel Been was shot dead in Bassy Yard in Five Cays, Providenciales, at about 3.20pm on September 18. According to a police press statement, officers were responding to a report of an incident in the vicinity when they met Been.

PNP is not being sued right now, deputy leader says

The Progressive National Party (PNP) is not being sued by any of its members. This message that was conveyed to the public on September 18 by Deputy Leader of the party E Jay Saunders during a press conference at Progress House in Providenciales. Saunders insisted that no litigation has been filed against party. The deputy leader was referring to threats of a lawsuit made by the PNP’s sitting member of parliament Hon. George Lightbourne in early September.

OCTOBER

Former premier leaks list of Islander status applications

A FOUR-page list purporting to contain the names of applicants for Islander status was leaked to the public by ex-premier and corruption accused Michael Misick. In a press release accompanying the list on October 3, Misick blasted Governor Nigel Dakin for assumed malfeasance. The former leader accused him of “sneakily” attempting to steal the territory’s democracy by appointing the long-awaited TC Islander Status Commission to debate applications.

Lightbourne files suit against PNP, party leader and secretary general

Rendering of the proposed new control tower and combined services building at Providenciales International Airport

A complete redesign of Providenciales International Airport (PLS) is currently in the beginning stages for the TCI Airports Authority. The Weekly News spoke with chief executive officer John Smith, who confirmed the news of the facility’s overhaul. The Providenciales airport will see a new control tower and combined services building being erected.

‘We’re very scared’ - Provo business owners and residents

A series of armed robberies struck fear into the hearts of Providenciales business owners, with many saying they are terrified they could become the next victim. In a disturbing trend, several businesses have been held up by armed bandits during brazen attacks. Thieves raided a bar, an office and a salon, and one man was shot as he was robbed while taking a ride in a car. Gunmen shot and killed a bartender at his residence and shortly after invaded the home of an immigration officer.

Back-up arrives for TCI police fighting violent crime wave

A crime-busting trio of Bermudian detectives hoping to stem the terrifying spate of murders and gun offences arrived in the TCI. The team brought welcome investigative skills and expertise in gang-related violence – and were on a mission to remove illegal firearms from Provo’s streets, Bermuda’s Commissioner of Police Stephen Corbishley told the Weekly News.

Air traffic controllers to be awarded pay increases, says premier The PNP’s chosen candidates are ready for elections 2020

Among the 15 members of the Progressive National Party (PNP) vying for office in the next elections, seven of them are new to the local political arena. The names of the recent party appointments were announced during a press briefing at Progress House on September 18. The new electoral candidates are Otis ‘Chuck’ Morris, Matthew ‘Jay’ Stubbs and Randy Howell, all three of whom won their constituency votes.

PNP elected representative George Lightbourne

Hon. George Lightbourne made good on his promise to sue the Progressive National Party (PNP), its leader and the PNP secretary general for breaching the party’s constitution.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) began the process of increasing the salaries and improving working conditions of air traffic controllers (ATCs). The decision, announced by the premier on October 30, came five days after disgruntled air traffic controllers at Providenciales International Airport downed tools and reported sick to protest what they described as management’s blatant disregard for their services and livelihood. The workers said the nature of their job is “arduous” and condemned the unfavourable work conditions, revealing that they are currently understaffed and underpaid.

January 4-10, 2020

Year in review 2019 NOVEMBER

Tourism minister innocent of code of conduct violation

International Bank. GNB Financial Group planned to buy 66.73 percent of FirstCaribbean shares from CIBC, leaving Canada’s fifthlargest lender with about a 25 percent stake in the Barbadosbased bank.

Major plans to grow TCI economy outlined in throne speech

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ralph Higgs

An Integrity Commission panel found that Hon. Ralph Higgs, Minister of Tourism, had not contravened the Code of Conduct for Persons in Public Life. A claim was filed against Higgs by PNP elected member for the Bight, Porscha Stubbs-Smith in May 2017, and was finally addressed on November 5 by the watchdog body. The former tourism minister called for Hon. Higgs to resign over his involvement in the Silver Palms Hotel and Promenade project, located in Bottle Creek, North Caicos.

Threats made against SIPT judge

Following months of delays in the anticipated resumption of the SIPT trial, the court received two startling news bulletins when the trial finally convened on November 11. First, Jamaican appointed jurist Paul Harrison informed the court that he was advised by the Jamaican police and the TCI authorities, that threats had been made against him. Another surprise announcement came from the lawyer for chief defendant Michael Misick. Senior counsel Reginald Armour informed the court that his client would no longer be taking the witness stand.

Governor Nigel Dakin delivered the throne speech with a recap of the economic recovery of the territory and an outline of the Government’s near and distant future plans. The speech was delivered during the opening of the first meeting of the third session of the 11th legislation of the House of Assembly on November 18 in Grand Turk. According to the Governor the TCI will continue the pursuit of restoring investor confidence and establishing a jobcreating investment magnet where people can do business in an investor-friendly environment.

Sandals tax fraud case thrown out of US court

Sandals won the first stage in its battle against a multi-million dollar lawsuit which claims thousands of holidaymakers at Beaches TCI and other resorts were overcharged for their vacations. On November 19, a Florida Federal Court dismissed the tax fraud claim against the company, saying it should instead be heard in the TCI where Beaches TCI is domiciled.

Corruption trial adjourned after defence attorney collapses

Chief Justice to leave TCI and return to Cayman bench QC Earl Witter fainted at the Supreme Court in Providenciales

The defence attorney representing former deputy premier and finance minister Floyd Hall collapsed while examining his client during the SIPT trial on November 25. Queen’s Counsel Earl Witter was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for urgent medical attention after he fainted at the Supreme Court in Providenciales. Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay-Hale

Margaret Ramsay-Hale stepped down as Chief Justice in the TCI to return to the Cayman Islands after being appointed a judge of the Grand Court in that territory. Acting Governor Anya Williams announced the CJ’s resignation in a statement on November 12. Ramsay-Hale secured the new posting following her successful application to the Judicial and Legal Services Commission in the Cayman Islands.

CIBC FirstCaribbean majority interest sold

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) sold twothirds of its FirstCaribbean banking unit to a company run by Colombian billionaire Jaime Gilinski for $797 million. The bank confirmed on November 8 that an agreement had been reached with GNB Financial Group on the purchase of a portion of CIBC’s shares in its Caribbean entity - FirstCaribbean

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

TC Film Festival draws huge support from international crowd The inaugural Turks and Caicos Film Festival was a huge success with residents, visitors and even international celebrities showing up to support the three days of screenings. The biggest day for the event was definitely the Saturday when local film ‘The Emperor Swims’ produced by Caya Hico Media was shown. The film, a true product of Turks and Caicos Islands, was written, produced and directed by Dominique Rolle and edited by LeMens Welch. The Caya Hico production won ‘best short film’ for its 20-minute romantic comedy.

DECEMBER

CONTINUED

Government in talks with Amazon to introduce direct shipping

Shoppers in the TCI may soon have access to direct shipping services from one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. The Government recently engaged with ARG Global, an e-commerce provider for Amazon, to discuss shipping items directly to the territory.

Chief justice hears Lightbourne’s case against PNP

PNP elected representative Hon. George Lightbourne planned to write to his party in order to reach a mutually beneficial solution to alleged breaches to the party’s constitution. The recommendation of further discussion between members was handed down by Chief Justice Margaret RamsayHale following a court hearing on the matter on November 28.

Former finance minister Floyd Hall gives testimony in SIPT trial

Floyd Hall, former deputy premier and minister of finance, went back in the witness box in the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) trial. Hall first took the stand in November when the trial resumed following an extended break to allow former premier Michael Misick to be prepared to testify on his own behalf.

TCI to build its own military regiment

The Turks and Caicos Islands is taking its first step towards having its own armed defence force. The revelation that the UK has agreed to help the TCI develop its own military regiment was made by Governor Nigel Dakin in a post on Instagram on December 3. Governor Dakin said the move towards a reservist defence unit had been under discussion by Britain and TCI for some time, with an aim to improve security and disaster management.

TCI records 13th murder for the year

The murder count landed on a record 13 for the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a fatal shooting in Providenciales. Kino Williams also known as ‘Chucky’ was named as the victim. At about 8.30pm on December 11, residents reported hearing multiple gunshots in the vicinity of the Bight which followed shortly after with a vehicular accident.

A debt-free TCI is on the horizon

In just one year, the Turks and Caicos Islands could be debt free, that is, if the Government pays off the entire $3.75 million that is owed on the debt portfolio. Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson made the revelation during her presentation of the Fiscal and Strategic Policy Statement (FSPS) to the House of Assembly on December 17. “Our debt portfolio has been reduced to $3.75 million and we intend to repay $2.4 million in 2020/2021,” she said.

Premier calls recent violent crimes ‘acts of terrorism’

The TCI’s recent violent crimes can only be termed as acts of terrorism for which serious consequences must follow, Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson warned this week. The leader made these strong remarks in a statement issued on December 19. Cartwright Robinson made it clear that the Government has a zero-tolerance approach to senseless gun violence and said “stiffer penalties” will be handed out to culprits.

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Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 4-10, 2020

Happy New Year: Mariah Carey is now first to score No. 1 hits in four decades CHRISTMAS is long behind but its queen is ringing in the new year on top. Literally. Mariah Carey’s holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” stays atop the Billboard Hot 100 for a third consecutive week (for the new chart dated Jan. 4, 2020). According to the music industry bible, the new position makes Carey the first artist ever to hit No. 1 on the Hot 100 in four different decades. There are only eight music acts — Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Janet Jackson, Madonna, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and Usher — who’ve hit No. 1 in three different decades, but the success of Carey’s 1994 hit has propelled her to a whole other level. [More Snyde] Music industry aficionado Ben Merlis chronicles the rise and fall of influential hip-hop label Cold Chillin’ Records » The Christmas classic is the topselling diva’s 19th number-one hit, giving her the most among all solo artists. Only The Beatles have achieved more, with 20 chart-toppers. Also, Carey makes more history as part of a history-making top four

Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies play the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in The Crown season three.

Netflix UK reveals top 10 shows of 2019 - but The Crown misses out Mariah Carey’s holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas Is You” stays atop the Billboard Hot 100 for a third consecutive week.

on the Hot 100 this week: All four songs are Christmas tunes. Not only that, but they’re all Christmas songs that were released decades earlier. Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” from 1958 is No. 2 and at No. 3 comes Bobby Helms’ 1957 classic “Jingle Bell Rock.” Burl Ives’ “A Holly Jolly

Christmas” (from 1964) was No. 4. Billboard noted that that for many years, holiday songs weren’t eligible to chart on the Hot 100. In recent years, rules have changed, and strong streaming performances by holiday hits have been a boon for seasonal classics. (NYDailynews)

Spacey reaches non-financial dismissal pact with son of late masseur who sued for sexual battery KEVIN Spacey has reached a nonfinancial agreement to dismiss the sexual battery lawsuit filed by a John Doe masseur who died earlier this year. “There was no money paid,” Spacey’s lawyer Jennifer Keller told the Daily News Tuesday. “The plaintiff decided to dismiss the case, and we stipulated to the dismissal in order to speed it up,” Keller said. The actor and the late masseur’s son filed joint paperwork in the court case Monday saying the parties agreed to the dismissal with prejudice, meaning the claim can’t be brought again. The joint agreement submitted to a federal court judge in Los Angeles said “each party (will) bear his or its own attorneys’ fees and costs.” The recently deceased masseur filed his lawsuit in 2018, claiming Spacey sexually assaulted him during a massage at a private Malibu residence in October 2016. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, but prosecutors announced two months ago they declined to file any criminal charges. “The victim, a masseur, alleged

Kevin Spacey got good news in court.

that he was sexually assaulted by the suspect while he was providing massage services at a residence in Malibu,” the worksheet obtained by The News said. “During the course of the investigation, the victim passed away. The sexual assault allegations cannot be proved without the participation of the victim. Thus, the case was declined,” the paperwork said. Before his death, the massage therapist claimed Spacey grabbed

his hand during the massage and pulled it toward his crotch to force a sex act. Spacey, 60, has been accused of sexual misconduct by multiple men since his first public accuser, “Star Trek” actor Anthony Rapp, stepped forward with allegations in 2017. In July, Massachusetts prosecutors dropped a criminal case claiming the “House of Cards” actor groped an 18-year-old man at a Nantucket bar in 2016 because the accuser stopped cooperating. (NYDailynews)

ROYAL TV drama The Crown has failed to make Netflix UK’s top 10 list of its most popular releases of 2019. The streaming giant’s top 10 includes Martin Scorsese film The Irishman, Stranger Things 3 and After Life. The top spot went to Netflix’s documentary about the disappearance of three-year-old Madeleine McCann in 2007. But series three of The Crown did not make the list, despite being nominated for a raft of Golden Globe awards. Peter Morgan’s third season will be up for best television drama series at next week’s coveted Hollywood awards ceremony, while Olivia Colman and Tobias Menzies - who have taken over as the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh - are up for best actress and actor respectively. Helena Bonham Carter rounds off the show’s nominations with a nod in the best supporting actress category for playing Princess Margaret. Netflix’s top 10 most popular releases of 2019 in the UK 1. The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann 2. 6 Underground 3. Murder Mystery 4. The Witcher

5. The Irishman 6. After Life 7. Stranger Things 3 8. Our Planet 9. Sex Education 10. Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes: Limited Series The list is thought to be based on the number of UK accounts that have watched at least two minutes of a title during its first 28 days on release this year. Netflix does not usually release exact numbers. But in July, the streamer did release the figures for the third instalment of Stranger Things after it broke the service’s record, with more than 40 million households around the world watching the show in its first four days. Ricky Gervais’s latest effort After Life appeared to have had more enduring appeal in the UK, listed as the second most popular series release this year behind US fantasy show The Witcher. Responding to the news, Gervais wrote on Twitter that he “still can’t quite believe” his show, about the emotional journey of a grieving husband and journalist, beat the latest edition of Millie Bobby Brown and co’s slick sci-fi horror series and US psychological thriller show You. (BBC)

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Entertainment Bobbi Kristina Brown’s Ex-Boyfriend Nick Gordon Dies at 30 from Drug Overdose NICK Gordon, the ex-boyfriend of Bobbi Kristina Brown, has died. He was 30. Gordon’s brother, Jack Walker Jr., confirms to PEOPLE that Gordon died Wednesday in Florida following a drug overdose. “We are devastated by the loss of my beautiful brother,” Walker Jr. tells PEOPLE in a statement. “He leaves a void in the hearts of my family and his friends. Nick’s battle in life was not an easy one. I will be forever grateful that my God afforded a small moment at the very end of Nick’s life, and I was able to hold his hand as he journeyed on.” In response to Gordon’s death, Gordon’s lawyer Joe S. Habachy tells PEOPLE, “My heart is heavy today after learning that my long time client Nick Gordon died at the young age of thirty.” “While I cannot speak to the specific circumstances of his death, I can say that it’s been truly heartbreaking to have witnessed first hand the total devastation that drug addiction has wreaked upon a group of young friends, all of whom were loved and had immense potential,” Habachy adds. “Despite all of the incredible

challenges Nick faced over the last few years I can honestly say that he worked hard to hold his head up and stay sober and that he genuinely wanted a happy healthy life with his family more than anything else,” Habachy continues. “My heart goes out to the family and friends Nick leaves behind and to any other families dealing with the losses and heartache caused by drugs.” Sources told The Daily Mail that Gordon had suffered a number of heart attacks on New Year’s Day and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit at Altamonte Springs Hospital, where he eventually died. Walker Jr. expressed his heartbreak on Facebook shortly after the devastating news, first writing “GOD WHY I DID I HAVE TO LOSE MY BROTHER ON NEW YEARS” and “All I can do is cry.” He went on in a separate post: “I love you so much big brother I hope you heard me talking to you at your bedside you are with me and I can feel it I love you I love you I love you watch over me and your nieces.” “S— wasn’t suppose to go like this … you were [my] best friend and I never in a million years thought I’d be writing this for my ACE I was

there through every step we all love you no matter what and we’ll all stay strong for you , New Years didn’t have to start like this and you just told me you HAD to see me for New Years but I’m blessed I got to talk to you last night you will forever be my best friend nobody will ever take your place.” Gordon’s sudden death comes three years after he was found liable in the wrongful death case of Whitney Houston‘s daughter, Brown. The 22-year-old was found unconscious and unresponsive with drugs in her system in the bathtub of the Georgia townhouse she shared with Gordon in early 2015. As a result of the case decision, Gordon was ordered by a judge to pay $36 million to her estate. In recent years, Gordon found himself entangled in legal drama after his girlfriend Laura Leal accused him of a physical altercation. According to a March 2018 arrest report obtained by PEOPLE, Leal had told authorities that her boyfriend struck her in the face while she was driving, adding that he also pulled her hair and “stated to her that he should make her wreck the vehicle.”

Bobbi Kristina Brown and Nick Gordon.

Dracula: Critics applaud ‘energetic and fun’ revival of vampire classic THE BBC’s new take on Dracula is a hit with critics, one of whom says it is “the meatiest, goriest, most energetic and fun version” she has ever seen. “Previous versions now look anaemic,” writes The Times’ Carol Midgley. The Mail’s reviewer hailed “a Dracula to delight horror movie fans of all stripes” in his five-star writeup. The Telegraph’s reviewer, meanwhile, praised Danish actor Claes Bang for his “witty, outrageous and thrilling” portrayal of Bram Stoker’s vampire. “It might not have been faithful to the original, but it was a scream,” writes the paper’s Anita Singh. The BBC One mini-series has been written and created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, the duo behind the award-winning Sherlock. It began on New Year’s Day with a 90-minute instalment, with two more episodes to follow on Thursday and Friday. The first episode saw Bang’s Transylvanian count, rejuvenated by blood extracted from lawyer Jonathan Harker, cross swords with a formidable nun. The Guardian’s Lucy Mangan

Picasso’s Bust of a Woman has been taken off the Tate Modern’s walls.

Picasso painting attacked at Tate Modern Danish actor Claes Bang plays Bram Stoker’s Transylvanian vampire.

called Dolly Wells’s Sister Agatha “the best nun of all time” while praising the “wolfish charm and diabolic spirit” of Bang’s performance. “BBC One’s new Dracula is a pure and joyous BELTER,” she writes, describing the drama as “not just a treat but a tribute”. The Mirror’s Ian Hyland agrees, calling the show “hilarious and exhilarating” while conceding it “won’t have pleased everyone”. According to The Independent’s Ed Cumming, the drama “keeps the novel’s more macabre attractions,

adds fresh wit and energy, and only occasionally drags”. Yet Metro’s Keith Watson was less impressed, describing it as a “fitfully entertaining misfire” that “felt naggingly like [a case of] style over substance”. Moffat and Gatiss worked on Doctor Who and Sherlock before turning to Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel. And there was a nod to Sherlock in the first instalment of Dracula, which saw Sister Agatha refer to “a detective acquaintance in London”.

A MAN has been charged with criminal damage after a £20m Picasso painting was attacked at the Tate Modern art gallery in London on Saturday. The venue has taken the artist’s 1944 painting Bust of a Woman off display while the damage is assessed. It was reported to have been ripped. Shakeel Massey, 20, from north London, appeared at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court. He has been remanded in custody until a pre-trial hearing on 30 January. According to Tate, the artwork depicts Picasso’s lover Dora Maar and was painted in Paris in May 1944, during

the final months of the Nazi occupation. The gallery gave no details about its condition. A spokesperson said: “The work of art is with our conservation team for expert assessment. Tate Modern remains open.” A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: “Detectives investigating an incident of criminal damage at the Tate Modern, Bankside, on Saturday, 28 December have charged a man.” Mr Massey, of High Road, NW10, was denied bail at Monday’s hearing and is due to attend the pre-trial hearing at Inner London Crown Court on 30 January. (BBC)

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Science & Technology ‘Man on the Moon’ moment – 2019’s big breakthroughs in medical science IT has been a remarkable year of promise in medical science - from inventing ways of treating the untreatable to reversing paralysis and keeping the brain alive after death. “It was like [being the] first man on the Moon,” said 30-year-old Thibault. He was describing the moment he was able to take his first steps since being paralysed in a fall two years ago. He can now move all four of his paralysed limbs with a mindcontrolled exoskeleton suit. His movements, particularly walking, are far from perfect and the robo-suit is being used only in the lab. But researchers say the approach could one day improve patients’ quality of life. Meanwhile, nerves inside paralysed people’s bodies have been “rewired” to give movement to their arms and hands. Patients in Australia can now feed themselves, put on make-up, turn a key, handle money and type at a computer. Mila Makovec’s doctors have performed a seemingly impossible feat - a girl with a deadly brain disease has been given a unique drug that was invented from scratch just for her and all in less than a year. She was diagnosed with fatal and untreatable Batten disease. The eight-year-old’s medical team in Boston performed whole-genome sequencing - a detailed interrogation - on Mila’s DNA, her genetic code, and uncovered a unique mutation that was causing her disease. Having seen the fault, the researchers thought it might be possible to treat it. They designed a drug, tested it on Mila’s cells and on animals in the laboratory and won approval to use it from the US Food and Drug Administration. Drugs normally take about a decade and a half to get from the laboratory, go through clinical trials and get to patients. The US team got there in a year. Mila is now having far fewer seizures, although she is not cured. GENE-SILENCING DRUGS ARRIVE A new class of medicine - called gene silencing - has shown its ability to reverse previously untreatable diseases. A gene is part of our DNA that contains the blueprint for making proteins, such as hormones, enzymes or raw building materials. But our DNA is locked away inside a cell’s nucleus and kept apart from a cell’s protein-making factories.

months. It has been an extraordinary and rapid transformation in care. A FIRST DRUG TO SLOW DEMENTIA? A US pharmaceutical company says it has developed the first drug to slow Alzheimer’s disease. The drug, called aducanumab, is an antibody that clears toxic proteins that build up in the brain. The announcement in October was a massive surprise, as the firm Biogen had written off the drug in only March this year. Then it reviewed the evidence to show that those taking the highest dose did benefit and retained more memory and language ability and were better at day-to-day tasks such as cleaning, shopping and doing laundry. If the drug is approved, which is not guaranteed, it would be one of the most significant moments in modern medicine. PIG BRAINS PARTIALLY REVIVED FOUR HOURS AFTER DEATH The line between life and death Thibault was able to move his arms and legs when in the exoskeleton. became fuzzy in 2019. Pig brains were partially revived four hours after the animals were So our bodies use a short strand having a resurgence due to the rise slaughtered. of genetic code, called messenger of superbugs that are resistant to The study showed the death of RNA, to bridge the gap and carry the antibiotics. brain cells could be halted and that instructions. Isabelle’s case could be the first of some connections in the brain were Gene-silencing drugs kill the many. restored. messenger. The feat was performed by Sue Burrell no longer has bouts A NEW APPROACH TO rhythmically pumping a synthetic of severe pain caused by her acute CANCER blood around the decapitated brains. intermittent porphyria. Charlotte Stevenson, a two-yearThe surprise findings challenge And Vincent and Neil Nicholas are old from Belfast, was one of the the idea that the brain goes into both taking gene silencing medicines first patients to benefit from a irreversible decline within minutes for a disease called amyloidosis. “revolutionary” new class of cancer of the blood supply being cut off drugs. and could lead to new treatments for VIRUSES TO THE RESCUE Tumour-agnostic drugs do not brain damage and disorders. Isabelle Carnell Holdaway’s life was care where the cancer is growing in However, there were no signals saved by an experimental cocktail of the body as long as it has a specific from the brain that would indicate viruses. genetic abnormality inside. awareness or consciousness. The teenager’s body was being The first, called larotrectinib, has attacked by deadly and seemingly been approved for use across Europe. A NEW TOOL TO untreatable bacteria and she was It is designed to target tumours MANIPULATE DNA given less than a 1% chance of with a genetic abnormality known as A new way of editing the code of life survival. an NTRK gene fusion. could correct 89% of the errors in She had big, black, festering They can be found in Charlotte’s DNA that cause disease. lesions forming on her skin where sarcoma as well as some brain, The technology, called prime the infection was taking hold. kidney, thyroid and other cancers. editing, has been described as a And she ended up in intensive care Meanwhile, cancer “genetic word processor” able to when her liver started failing, with immunotherapy has reached a huge accurately re-write the genetic code. large colonies of bacteria forming in milestone. It is a bit like pressing Ctrl-F her body. The medicine uses a patient’s own to find the bit of text you want to But doctors at Great Ormond immune system to fight cancer and change, then pressing Ctrl-C and Street Hospital attempted an untested is a story we have followed closely. Ctrl-V to copy over the new text (or “phage therapy”, which uses viruses Now more than half of patients the command key if you’re a Mac to infect and kill bacteria. are surviving a deadly skin cancer user). Phage-therapy never became (melanoma) that was considered There are some 75,000 different mainstream medicine and the field untreatable just a decade ago. mutations that can cause disease in was eclipsed by the discovery of Ten years ago just one in 20 people and the researchers say prime antibiotics, which are much easier patients would live for five years editing can fix nearly nine in 10 of to use. after being diagnosed with latethem. But now phage-therapy is stage melanoma. Most would die in It has already been used to correct

damaging mutations in the lab, including those that cause sickle cell anaemia and Tay-Sachs disease (a rare and fatal nerve condition). GIVING PEOPLE A VOICE AGAIN Scientists have developed a brain implant that can read people’s minds and turn their thoughts to speech. First an electrode is implanted in the brain to pick up the electrical signals that manoeuvre the lips, tongue, voice box and jaw. Then powerful computing is used to simulate how the movements in the mouth and throat would form different sounds. This results in synthesised speech (not perfect) coming out of a “virtual vocal tract”. OTHER THINGS THAT CAUGHT OUR EYE: * Researchers have produced unprecedented images of a baby’s heart while it is still inside the womb. * Measles has a devastating impact on the body’s immune system that could make it harder to fight infections for years. * The origins of the eating disorder anorexia nervosa are in both the mind and the body, with changes hardwired into some people’s DNA altering the way they processed fats and sugars. * The ultimate limit of human endurance has been worked out by scientists analysing a 3,000-mile run, the Tour de France and other elite events. * A diet rich in bananas, chickpeas and peanuts can boost good gut bacteria to help malnourished children grow. * People keep making new brain cells throughout their lives (well at least until the age of 97), according to a study on human brains. * A “pumping” patch containing millions of living, beating stem cells could help repair the damage caused by a heart attack. * A fungus - genetically enhanced to produce spider toxin - can rapidly kill huge numbers of the mosquitoes that spread malaria. * Supercooling human livers to -4C triples the time they can be kept before transplant compared with putting them on ice. * It may not come as a surprise, but the food we eat is putting 11 million of us into an early grave each year. * Scientists have taken cancer apart piece by piece to reveal its weaknesses, and come up with new ideas for treatment. * Nearly everyone can lower their risk of dementia by up to a third, even if it runs in the family, by living a healthy lifestyle. (BBC)

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Science & Technology Earthshot Prize: William and Kate launch prize to ‘repair the Earth’

The scheme to ban private cars aims to cut pollution and congestion.

York to ban cars from city centre

PRIVATE cars are to be banned from York’s medieval city centre by 2023, under plans approved by councillors. The City of York Council wants an end to “non-essential” car journeys within the city walls. The authority, which is run by the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, wants to make the city carbon neutral by 2030 - 20 years ahead of the UK government’s net zero target. It said those who rely on cars, such as disabled residents, would be exempt. The idea was proposed by Labour councillor Johnny Crawshaw but received support from a majority of councillors, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “People’s first response might be to be a bit anxious about what we’re

proposing,” Mr Crawshaw said. “That doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do. The public mood is changing, particularly in relation to climate change.” York is not the first UK city to consider some form of ban on cars - Bristol recently approved plans to bar diesel cars from entering parts of the city centre. Mr Crashaw said it was not about preventing visitors and residents from accessing the city centre, but to do with improving air quality and cutting congestion. Reducing the number of cars in the city centre would mean faster and more reliable public transport from the suburbs and villages and would make cycling safer, he said.

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have announced a global prize to tackle climate issues, pledging “a decade of action to repair the Earth”. Five winners will receive the Earthshot Prize every year between 2021 and 2030. The cash prize will be for individuals or organisations who come up with solutions to environmental problems. Prince William said the world faces a “stark choice” to continue “irreparably” damaging the planet or “lead, innovate and problem-solve”. The announcement was made in a video narrated by Sir David Attenborough posted on social media. The veteran broadcaster and naturalist said the prize would go to “visionaries rewarded over the next decade for responding to the great challenges of our time”. The prize is set to launch officially later in 2020 - a year that will also see the Convention on Biodiversity in China in February and the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November. A series of challenges will be announced, aimed at finding at least 50 solutions to the “world’s greatest problems” including climate change and air pollution. More than 60 organisations and experts were consulted in the development the prize. It will initially be run by The

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited a melting glacier in Pakistan in October.

Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, but could become an independent organisation. Kensington Palace said it would be supported by philanthropists and organisations. The prize’s name is inspired by former US President John F Kennedy’s “Moonshot” - when he set a goal in 1961 to land American astronauts on the Moon before the end of the decade. The duke said: “The earth is at a tipping point and we face a stark choice: either we continue as we are and irreparably damage our planet or we remember our unique power as human beings and our continual

ability to lead, innovate and problemsolve.” The royal couple had trailed the announcement with a cryptic tweet on Monday, which read: “Stay tuned for our first announcement of 2020 very shortly...” It is the latest in a string of public statements that the duke has made on environmental problems this year. In October, he called for more education and political action to tackle climate change, as he and the duchess visited a melting glacier in Pakistan. He has also previously collaborated with Sir David, interviewing him at the World Economic Forum in January.

Smokers past and present ‘live in more pain’ PEOPLE who smoke, and even those who have given up, report living in more pain than those who have never picked up the habit, a report suggests. The findings are based on an analysis of data from more than 220,000 people conducted by UCL. The researchers say the reason why is unknown, but could include smoking causing permanent changes in the body. The anti-smoking campaign group Ash said the findings should not come as a surprise given the dangers of smoking. Scientists were analysing data from a set of online experiments in the BBC Lab UK Study, in which people took part between 2009 and 2013. They were sorted into three categories: § never smoked daily § used to smoke daily § or currently smoke daily They were asked how much pain they lived in and this was converted into a scale from zero to 100. Higher scores meant more pain.

Current and former smokers scored about one to two points higher than those who had never smoked, the study in the journal Addictive Behaviors showed. In other words, smoking was linked to living in more pain - even after quitting. “The key finding is the former smokers still see that effect of elevated pain,” one of the UCL researchers, Dr Olga Perski, told the BBC. She added: “It is a very large data set. We’ve got a good sample, so we can be fairly confident there is something going on here. “But we can’t say whether that’s clinically meaningful,” And Dr Perski said the most surprising finding was that the higher levels of pain were found in the youngest ages groups (aged 16 to 34). There is no definitive explanation for why this effect might exist. One proposed idea is that some of the thousands of chemicals in tobacco smoke may lead to permanent tissue

One proposed reason is that some of the thousands of chemicals in tobacco smoke may lead to permanent tissue damage, resulting in pain.

damage, resulting in pain. Another is that smoking could have a lasting effect on the body’s hormonal systems. This suggestion specifically centres around the hypothalamic-

pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA-axis), which is involved in how we respond to pain. If the HPA-axis is knocked out of balance then it could lead to people feeling more pain. But there remains the possibility

that smoking is the symptom and not the cause. For example, studies have linked the neurotic personality trait to feeling more intense pain and a higher risk of smoking. So is could be that, on average, the type of person who is more likely to report having more pain is also the type of person who is more likely to start smoking. “This is certainly an issue that needs looking into,” said Dr Perski. However, she said the latest study fitted in with previous research linking smoking with chronic pain and with back pain. “Even if you quit after regular smoking, that could potentially have lasting effects on pain, it is a really good incentive to quit as soon as possible,” Dr Perski told the BBC. Ash chief executive Deborah Arnott said: “The proof that smoking caused lung cancer was discovered in the 1950s. Over the years since then the evidence has grown that almost every medical condition can be caused, or made worse by, smoking.

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Regional News Bahamas: 80 test positive for TB exposure in Dorian shelters MORE than 340 people living in two shelters for Hurricane Dorian victims have been screened for tuberculosis 80 of them with positive skin tests, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands this week. Those with the positive skin tests are in the process of further screening through chest x-rays. Earlier this month, a student living in the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium tested positive for an active case of tuberculosis and was admitted to hospital for treatment. Officials have also screened people at the Bahamas Academy Gymnasium shelter on Wulff Road and plan to continue to effort. “It does not mean they were exposed to tuberculosis from this particular person,” Dr Sands said of the situation. “The next step in screening would be a chest x-ray. If the chest x-ray is normal then they would be considered as an exposure they would receive what we call prophylaxis if they’re not infectious and they go about their business. They do not count as an active case of tuberculosis. “If the chest x-ray is abnormal then we determine if they are abnormal because of cancer, abnormal because

Hurricane Dorian destroyed countless homes, which forced many persons into shelters.

Last year’s road accidents resulted in 432 deaths in Jamaica.

of pneumonia, abnormal because of tuberculosis and they would require further testing most likely in hospital.” However the minister noted that the Bahamas had one of the lowest incidents of the disease. “We have an aggressive public health protocol towards the eradication and management of tuberculosis exposure. So every time we have a case we go through this.

Jamaica: 2019 tailgates record crash fatalities of 1993

“We go to the churches. We go to the schools that the index case would have been. We go into their homes. We go into their communities and we test everybody so that we could avoid the spread of tuberculosis.” “So these 80 persons who have been screened now require secondary screening and if the test x-ray comes out suspicious or positive or something’s wrong with it then we go to the next level,” he added.

App launched to allow consumers in Jamaica to compare prices of products across the island THE Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) has launched a new mobile app which will allow consumers to compare prices on their phones for products being sold across the island at businesses registered with the government agency. The CAC Jamaica App can be downloaded through the Google Play Store. Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green, said the app would revolutionize how consumers shop around for the best prices across the island for petrol, basic food items, hardware items, household items, and others. After selecting items being sold in Jamaica, the app will connect to the Google Maps app in smartphones, and the virtual voice assistant will direct consumers to stores and supermarkets where the selected items are being sold. There is a shopping list segment on the app, where users can select items they want to purchase and check their total charge before going into the store to make purchases. The app will also send alerts of product recalls, and information on

The CAC Jamaica App can be downloaded through the Google Play Store.

laws and regulations that govern consumer issues in Jamaica. “This will allow consumers to reach the Consumer Affairs Commission in a fast [and] efficient way and log their complaints [about products and services they are not satisfied with], but more importantly, to find out necessary information,” Green said. “The reality is that we are now

in a digital age, and for most of us, all the things that we have wanted to do, which includes online shopping based on geographical location, we can now do it literally at our fingertips. We have to ensure that the Consumer Affairs Commission and other government agencies bring their services to the fingertips of our people.”

ROAD safety campaigner Kenute Hare is hoping that Jamaica will be able to reverse the massive spike in fatalities from vehicular crashes in 2019, which saw 432 deaths recorded up to Tuesday morning. The figure is 43 more than the tally for 2018 and just two shy of the historic 434 road deaths recorded in 1993. Hare, the director of the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport and Mining, said future generations will have a greater role to play in reducing fatal accidents on the nation’s roads. “It takes at least three generations to change a culture, so we are sowing the seeds now with our children,” he said recently. “We intend to have them be the catalysts of change because we recognise that the adults have not been doing a good job. They are killing themselves and children on the road.” Hare emphasised that his unit was banking on the children of today to try to achieve its elusive target of under 300 road fatalities in a year, which the country has achieved only once since 2003 with 260 fatalities in 2012. “It is on us to ensure that the next generation doesn’t come up and do these bad things,” he added. He indicated that a greater push will be made through social-media campaigns and traditional media, as well as community outreach, to get motorists to buy into the road-safety

message. As of Tuesday morning, 374 males were recorded as perishing in crashes since January 2019, compared to 58 females. Saturdays overtook Sundays (2018) to become the deadliest day on the roads in 2019, accounting for 83 fatalities from 75 fatal crashes. The month of April was the most deadly, with 47 fatalities from 44 fatal crashes. St Ann (47) also surged ahead in 2019 as the parish with the most fatalities, passing Westmoreland (44), which recorded the most motorcycle-related deaths (23). Of note, too, is that for two years in a row, motorcyclists have led in the category of fatalities with 132 deaths in 2019 compared to 100 in 2018. Hare pointed out that the Road Safety Unit has been making use of the “treasure trove of critical information” gleaned from motor vehicle black boxes as it looks to strengthen its message. He is appealing to motorists to be more cautious in 2020. “One of the things we would like for persons to do is to think about the family. Think about your children, your husband, your wife, your cousin. Think about the family structure, the workplace and your community that will be affected by your death or injury in a motor vehicle accident,” he said. (Jamaica Gleaner)

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Cayman Premier says Port and samesex marriage among 2020 challenges IN HIS New Year message to the Cayman Islands, Premier Alden McLaughlin acknowledged that issues of the cruise port dock and same-sex marriage will be challenging ones for his government in 2020. He said both were “important constitutional matters to be settled in early 2020”, with the Legislative Assembly turning its attention to same-sex partnerships and the courts considering a judicial review on the people-initiated referendum on the cruise berthing and cargo port project. “Both issues have proven to be divisive ones and I hope that, whatever the outcome on each, that we all accept the decisions and come together as Caymanians and residents,” he said. While lauding Cayman’s growing economy, stating that Caymanian unemployment, at 4.5%, fell to its lowest level in a decade in 2019, the premier said such success brings its own challenges, including Cayman’s ongoing “traffic woes”. He said the National Roads Authority would be working to reduce congestion and “smooth traffic flows at critical junctions and to increase capacity”. He added that the government would be considering an “improved, fit-for-purpose” public transport system that would negate the need for the growing number of cars on local roads. He said it was up to the government, businesses and individuals to maintain Cayman’s economic prosperity, “and, in so doing, we will protect our progress as a country, our political and financial stability and our social cohesion that is so important. All of this has been hard won over many decades and can be easily lost, should we take it for granted”. On Monday, the Cayman Islands Human Rights Commission called on the Cayman Islands government to expeditiously meet its obligations under the Bill of Rights as set out by the Cayman Islands Court of Appeal ruling on same-sex marriage last month. “This topic continues to be an emotive one for our community, however a fundamental principle is that the Constitution will respect, and will protect, the rights of the minority even if the majority will not,” the commission stated. In his new year’s message, Premier McLaughlin did not set out a timeline for precisely when the government would address the issue, but said it was important for “us as legislators to determine the best way forward for our islands and find a solution that works for Caymanians”. He added, “If we abrogate our responsibility to do so, we must

PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell said that there was “no objective evidence” to support giving the awards.

Premier Alden McLaughlin said both were “important constitutional matters to be settled in early 2020”.

accept that the United Kingdom will legislate for these islands as the Court of Appeal has suggested they do. That would be the worst possible result for these islands, not just with regard to same-sex partnerships, but more generally.” McLaughlin said he remained confident that the cruise berthing and cargo dock was supported by “most Caymanians”, stating that if electors vote to go ahead with the dock, then government would move the project forward. However, he said, if he were wrong and the majority of the electorate vote against the dock, government would accept the result and halt the project. He added, “If the no vote fails to reach the required threshold [of more than 50% of the entire electorate], I call on those opposing the government’s case to accept the result for the project to go ahead. This does not mean that the day after the referendum, there will be dredging in George Town Harbour.” He said work would continue to determine how best to mitigate environmental concerns. In 2020, the premier said, the

government would also be offering more support to the vulnerable members of the community, by granting more financial assistance to retired civil servants, seafarers and pensioners from January. The monthly income for those individuals would increase from $750 a month to $850 a month, he said, with further increases to be introduced in January 2021. Also this month, civil servants will see a 5% cost-of-living salary increase, which the premier said would also spur private sector companies to stimulate wage growth. McLaughlin said 2020 would also see the extension of a government scheme for Caymanian first-time home buyers, which exempts the first $400,000 of the purchase price from stamp duty. The premier said capping of the George Town landfill would begin in 2020, describing it as a first step in ending Cayman’s “unsustainable reliance”. He added that Cayman would see increased recycling and the introduction of a waste-to-energy programme. (Cayman Compass)

Mitchell hits out at ‘shameless partisanship’ over Kelly, Culmer honours PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell said the Official Opposition disagrees with the selection of former Olympian Godfrey Kelly and Free National Movement chairman Carl Culmer for Queen Elizabeth’s 2020 New Year’s Honours. In a statement Mr Mitchell said the nomination of these two men displayed a government that is driven by “shameless partisanship” since there was “no objective evidence” to support their awards. “It appears that Mr Culmer is being rewarded by the prime minister for his very harmful brand of personal political attacks, diatribe and invective while unwittingly providing political cover and justification for every corrupt misdeed by this FNM administration,” the statement read. Mr Mitchell also questioned the selection of Mr Kelly for the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG).

“The knighthood for Godfrey Kelly is a continued and studied attempt to rewrite Bahamian history. This is the man who presided as Minister of Education in the last ignoble UBP administration and was responsible for the education policies that retarded the country’s growth and national development, under educating the black majority in the country. What has he done since then to make national amends?” Further claiming the FNM administration is known for attempting to rewrite history he added: “People will remember the FNM making Sir Roland Symonette, the former premier, a national hero, a man who opposed the creation of the nation. The FNM continues to debase and devalue our national patrimony.” He insisted that history should not be rewritten and urged the government to “cease trying to make right what was wrong.” (Tribune242)

BVI government denies plan to replace US Dollar with national cryptocurrency THE British Virgin Islands (BVI) government has dismissed local and international media reports that it will replace the United States (US) dollar as the territory’s official currency with a national cryptocurrency. It says while it does embrace innovation, replacing the US dollar – which it adopted as its currency in 1959 – is not an option. A blockchain startup, LIFELabs, recently announced a collaboration

with the government on the development of BVI-LIFE, a digital currency which would be pegged to the US dollar. In reporting on it, some international media suggested that the cryptocurrency would replace the US dollar. However, the government issued a statement, insisting that “contrary to those media reports, the Government of the Virgin Islands is not in the process of

developing or launching its own national cryptocurrency, neither by itself nor in partnership with any other entity, to replace the US dollar with a digital currency”. “The British Virgin Islands… have made no commitments to replace it as the official currency in any form,” he added. The government said it is positioning the BVI as a hub for digital technology, innovation and

entrepreneurship, and in this regard, it has sought to create a welcoming and enabling environment for doing business. It added that it has been receiving proposals and expressions of interest from numerous international firms that would like to make the territory their base of operations, or simply to trade and offer their services in the territory. One such company, it said, is LifeLabs.io.

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Haiti cries for help as climate change is compared to an act of violence against the island nation HAITI’S Environment Minister Joseph Jouthe has compared the climate emergency to a violent act and appealed to the international community for help to fight climate change. “Climate change is a very big terror in Haiti. It’s very hard for us to deal with climate change,” Jouthe told IPS on the margins of the United Nations climate summit, the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25), in Madrid, Spain. “Haiti is not responsible for what’s going on with climate change but we are suffering from it. We want better treatment from the international community.” Jouthe said Haiti remains committed to strengthening its resilience to climate shocks and to contributing to the global effort to mitigate the phenomenon. Haiti is pursuing a four-fold objective in relation to climate change: promoting, at the level of all sectors and other ministries, a climate-smart national development; creating a coherent response framework for country directions and actions to address the impacts of climate change; promoting education on the environment and climate change as a real strategic lever to promote the emergence of environmental and climatic citizenship; and putting in place a reliable measurement, reporting and verification system that can feed into the iterative planning processes of national climate change initiatives.

Haiti is severely affected by climate change.

But Jouthe said the country simply cannot achieve these targets without financial help. “In Haiti all the indicators are red. We have many projects but as you may know [The Caribbean Community] CARICOM doesn’t have enough funding to build projects,” he said. Patrice Cineus, a young Haitian living in Quebec, said access to funding has been a perennial problem for Haiti. But he believes Haiti is partly to blame for the seeming lack of inability to quickly receive financial help. “Haiti, my country needs to build evidence-based policies, and this will make it easier to attract help

from the international community,” Cineus told IPS. “If we don’t have strong policies, it’s not possible. We need research within the country. We need innovative programmes within the country and then we can look for financial support and technical support. “We cannot have access to funding because the projects we are submitting are not well done. We don’t use scientific data to build them. They are not done professionally,” he added. Cineus’ theory appears to be substantiated by the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre

(CCCCC), which helps CARICOM member states address the issue of adaptation and climate change. The centre’s Executive Director Dr Kenrick Leslie said since 2016, under an Italian programme, it is required to develop projects that would help countries adapt to different areas of climate change. “One of the areas that we have been considering, and we spoke with Haiti, is to build resilience in terms of schools and shelters that can be used in the case of a disaster. “Funds have been approved but, unfortunately, unlike the other member states where we have already implemented at least one,

and some cases two, projects, we have not been able to get the projects in Haiti off the ground,” Leslie told IPS. “Each time they have identified an area, when we go there the site is not a suitable site and then we have to start the process again.” While Haiti waits for funding, Dr Kénel Délusca, current head of mission of a technical assistance project, AP3C, of the Ministry of Environment and Environment and the European Union, said the country remains one of the world’s most vulnerable to climate change. Scientists say extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods and droughts will become worse as the planet warms, and Island nations like Haiti are expected to be among the hardest hit by those and other impacts of a changing climate, like shoreline erosion. “The marine environment is extremely important to the Haitian people. There are more than 8 million people living in coastal communities in Haiti,” Délusca told IPS. “There are more or less 50,000 families whose activities are based on these specific ecosystems. In other words, this is a very important ecosystem for Haiti and different levels – at the economic level, at the cultural level, at the social level.” Haiti is divided into 10 departments, and Délusca said nine of them are coastal. Additionally, he said the big cities of Haiti are all located within the coastal zone.

Bahamas: Bishop Hanchell denounces marijuana decriminalisation BISHOP Walter Hanchell has denounced marijuana decriminalisation, saying it will cause moral destruction, a spike in criminal activity and greater social ills. “The decriminalisation of marijuana and legalisation for medicinal use is all about the mighty dollar, money,” he said in a statement by Citizens for Justice Bahamas. It is not clear how many people are a part of the group. “Marijuana is a mind-altering drug and not food or a product to be sold in our stores. Proponents for the legalisation of recreational marijuana have been sharing their version while advocates wait in the wings to invest in their pot shops. The government is looking at income that may be derived from taxes on this drug.” Bishop Hanchell wants a national education programme on marijuana “before the findings for the Bahamas National Commission

on Marijuana’s Report is debated in Parliament”. The BNCM recommends decriminalisation of up to one ounce of marijuana, according to its draft preliminary report leaked to the media. As part of its work, the BNCM surveyed Bahamians’ views through several town-hall meetings. Nonetheless, Bishop Hanchell said: “We will not allow the government to ram this down our throats as was done by the former PLP administration after losing the gambling referendum. It is our request that the government of the Bahamas conduct widespread public consultation and nationally broadcasted town meetings in each constituency. Speakers will debate the pros and cons of marijuana use. The views of the people should be heard before parliamentarians begin debate in the House of Assembly.” Bishop Hanchell said he is awaiting the position and

Bishop Walter Hanchell wants a national education programme on marijuana “before the findings for the Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana’s Report is debated in Parliament”.

recommendations of the Bahamas Christian Council on this matter.

Council president Bishop Delton Fernander said Monday he will

refrain from commenting until the official report of the marijuana commission is released. “Everything America and Europe does, our leaders somehow believe that they are obligated to follow,” Bishop Hanchell said. “They have no vision for a prosperous, godly and safe Bahamas. We do not need to follow the crowd, nor should we as a nation allow ourselves to be bullied or intimidated by the United Nations, the European Union, the United States of America or any of their agencies. The Bahamas must truly remain a sovereign nation under God and different from other nations.” “What the Bahamas needs now more than anything else are leaders who care and have a heart for the people. We need leaders who are smart enough to understand that they are servants of the people and not their masters. May God give us wise, humble and caring leaders with courage and integrity in the church and in government.” (Tribune242)

38

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 4-10, 2020

World News Boris Johnson: Brexit will mark ‘new chapter’ for UK, says PM

THE UK is on the verge of a “new chapter” in its history, Boris Johnson has said, as he promised to “finish the job” by delivering Brexit within weeks. In his new year message, the prime minister said he hoped the country would “move forward united” after it leaves the EU on 31 January. He vowed to govern “for everyone”, not just those who backed him at the polls. And he said he wanted more prosperity and fairer opportunity to be the hallmarks of a “remarkable” new decade. Boosting resources for the NHS, improving the UK’s infrastructure, tackling violent crime and protecting the environment were among his government’s other main priorities for the year ahead, he said. Mr Johnson, who is currently on holiday in the Caribbean, said the “first item on his agenda” when he returned was delivering on the mandate of the people and taking the UK out of the EU. He said: “We can start a new chapter in the history of our country, in which we come together and move forward united, unleashing the enormous potential of the British people.” The Conservatives’ resounding election victory on 12 December had “driven an electoral bulldozer” through the deadlock in Parliament, he said, and offered a way out of the “division, rancour and uncertainty”

In his new year message, the prime minister said he hoped the country would “move forward united” after it leaves the EU on 31 January.

surrounding the Brexit debate since the 2016 referendum vote. Legislation to ratify the withdrawal agreement with the EU easily cleared its first hurdle before Christmas, when MPs backed it by a majority of 124. DEAL ‘IN THE MICROWAVE’ With an 80-seat Conservative majority in the Commons, the remaining stages of the bill are expected to be completed quickly in January in time, the PM said, to “get Brexit done before the end of this month”.

“That oven-ready deal I talked about so much during the election campaign has already had its plastic covering pierced and been placed in the microwave,” he said. While the UK is set to leave the EU’s institutions at 23.00 GMT on 31 January, negotiations over its future economic relationship with the 27-member bloc have yet to begin, with experts saying they will be far tougher than those over the terms of the UK’s exit. Mr Johnson has set himself a deadline of completing an ambitious trade deal by the end of 2020, when

the 11-month transition period agreed by the two sides ends. Many leading EU figures have cast doubt upon the tight timetable and questioned the PM’s ruling out of any extension. Mr Johnson has pledged to put public services at the heart of a One Nation agenda, promising billions of extra investment for the NHS in the next four years and levelling up schools funding across England. Ahead of what is traditionally the most difficult time of the year for the health service, Mr Johnson insisted it was his “top priority” and his ambition was to provide “state of the art” healthcare which remained free at the point of use. “The loudest message I heard during the election campaign is that people expect us - expect me - to protect and improve the NHS.” ‘PRIME MINISTER FOR EVERYONE’ He said he aimed to deliver a “people’s government”. “I am acutely aware that there are millions of people who did not vote for me and were disappointed by the result,” he said. “If you are one of them, I want to reassure you that I will be a prime minister for everyone, not just those who voted for me. I know that you love this country no less, simply because you voted for another party or wanted to Remain.” Mr Johnson, who a year ago was languishing on the backbenches after

quitting Theresa May’s government, is said to be planning a major cabinet reshuffle and departmental reorganisation after the UK leaves the EU. He has also signalled that infrastructure and science will be at the heart of a Budget in March, with the aim of making the UK “an engine for the ideas of the future”. He said he wanted to “make the 2020s a decade of prosperity and opportunity” with a “fantastically exciting agenda”. ‘MITIGATE THE WORST’ In his new year message, Jeremy Corbyn has insisted Labour will remain the “resistance” to Boris Johnson’s government despite their heavy defeat while the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon said leaving the EU was a source of “deep regret” for many Scots and her government would do all it could to “mitigate the worst impacts”. Elsewhere, Nigel Farage has said he is in no rush to make any decision about the Brexit Party’s future. He told supporters that the party had “changed politics for good”, despite failing to elect any MPs after it decided not to field candidates in more than 300 Conservative-held seats. “Don’t let anyone tell you that we have not succeeded in our main goals,” he wrote in an email. “We are now assessing thoughts and ideas as to what our next steps might be.” (BBC)

Australia fires: Angry residents berate PM Morrison in blaze-ravaged town AUSTRALIA’S PM Scott Morrison had to cut short a visit to a town ravaged by fire after angry locals heckled him over the government’s response. Locals said he had done very little to help Cobargo in New South Wales (NSW), where two people died earlier this week and many lost their homes. The PM said he was “not surprised people are feeling very raw”. NSW’s premier has declared a week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating bushfire threat. Since September, bushfires have killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes across NSW and neighbouring Victoria. At least 17 people remain missing after fires this week alone. Thousands of people are already fleeing a vast “tourist leave zone” in NSW, with supplies running low in

some cut-off towns. It’s been called “the largest relocation out of the region ever”. Troops are also preparing to evacuate some of the 4,000 people trapped by fires in Victoria. Mr Morrison was approached as he visited Cobargo, near the coast in southern NSW. “How come we only had four trucks to defend our town? Because our town doesn’t have a lot of money but we have hearts of gold, prime minister,” one woman called out. Others joined in as Mr Morrison turned away, calling him “an idiot” and saying he was not welcome. “You won’t be getting any votes down here, buddy. No Liberal [party] votes - you’re out, son,” heckled one man. “What about the people who are dead, prime minister? What about the people who have nowhere to live?” the woman asked Mr Morrison as he

Two people died after fires swept through Cobargo this week.

was ushered away. Responding later to the hostile reception, Mr Morrison told the ABC broadcaster: “I understand the very strong feelings people have, they’ve

lost everything, and there are still some very dangerous days ahead. “My job is to ensure that we steady things through these very difficult days and support the states in the

response that they are providing.” Mr Morrison has also been criticised for his climate change policies. He insisted that Australia was meeting the challenge “better than most countries” and fulfilling international targets. But opposition Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the government was not doing enough. “Here’s the contradiction in the government’s position - they say, ‘Oh, well, we’re just 1.3% of [global] emissions, therefore we don’t have a responsibility to act, it won’t really make a difference’,” he said. “But the truth is that, if everyone says that, of course, no-one will act.” Mr Morrison had earlier been criticised for going on holiday to Hawaii as the bushfire crisis worsened. The rising public anger at his absence eventually forced him to cut that trip short. (BBC)

January 4-10, 2020

39

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

World News

Carlos Ghosn: Interpol issues ‘red notice’ for Nissan ex-boss’s arrest

Gary McLaren, pictured celebrating with his Thai fiancee, Jasmine.

British man killed by firework in Thailand A BRITISH man has been killed in an accident with a firework at a New Year’s Eve party in Thailand, local police have said. Gary McLaren, from Northamptonshire, died when a firework he was trying to light exploded in the seaside town of Pattaya. The 50-year-old died at the scene, just after midnight. A Foreign Office spokeswoman said they were supporting the family of a British man who died in Thailand. Lt Col Somboon Uasamanmaitree of the Thai Tourist Police said: “Around midnight, Mr

McLaren attempted to light up a large firework but it failed to go off at first. After that, it suddenly exploded and killed him at the scene.” Police said Mr McLaren, who was originally from Corby in Northamptonshire, had visited Thailand before and arrived a few days before New Year’s Eve. According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr McLaren worked in a technical role for the International RoadRacing Teams Association. He previously spent 11 years working for the Suzuki MotoGP team, who tweeted they were “shocked and sad” to learn of his death. (BBC)

LEBANON has received a “red notice” from Interpol for the arrest of fugitive ex-Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn. The request was received by Lebanon’s internal security forces on Thursday and is yet to be referred to the judiciary, Reuters news agency reports. Mr Ghosn, who was facing trial in Japan for alleged financial misconduct, arrived in Beirut on New Year’s Eve. The private jet on which he escaped reportedly landed in Istanbul first, prompting an investigation by Turkey. According to Turkish media, seven arrests have been made in connection with the case - four pilots, a cargo company manager and two airport workers. An Interpol “red notice” is a request to police across the world to provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender or other similar legal action. However, Lebanon has no extradition treaty with Japan. The businessman holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenship, and has made extensive investments in banking and real estate in Lebanon. France has said it will not extradite him if he arrives in the country. Mr Ghosn had posted 1bn yen (£6.8m; $8.9m) in bail in Japan last April, ahead of his trial. He said on his arrival in Lebanon he had “escaped injustice and political persecution”.

Ghosn was released on bail last April and reportedly spent months planning his escape.

On Thursday Mr Ghosn said media speculation that his wife had played a role in his escape was “inaccurate and false”, adding: “I alone arranged for my departure.” Meanwhile, two Lebanese lawyers lodged a criminal complaint against Mr Ghosn for visiting Israel in January 2008, the National News Agency reported. They argued he had defied a ban on nationals entering Israel, with which Lebanon is still technically at war. It is now up to Lebanon’s public prosecutor’s office to decide whether to uphold the complaint. According to Turkish media, Mr Ghosn’s private jet landed at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport at 05:30 (02:30 GMT) on Monday, having

flown from Japan’s Kansai airport in Osaka. The Hurriyet news website quoted interior ministry officials as saying that Turkish border police had not been told Mr Ghosn was on the plane and he had not been registered as entering or leaving the country. However, there has been no official comment on the case. French Finance Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher said Mr Ghosn “should not have absconded from the Japanese justice system”, but added: “France never extradites its nationals.” Mr Ghosn, who was also boss of French car-maker Renault, has been under investigation in France but no charges have been laid.

US election 2020: Julian Castro ends White House campaign DEMOCRATIC presidential hopeful Julian Castro has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House. Barack Obama’s ex-housing secretary, who was the only Latino in the race, said in a tweet: “I’ve determined that it simply isn’t our time.” “I’m not done fighting,” the 45 year old added. His exit leaves 14 Democrats campaigning for this year’s presidential election. The White House race begins in earnest next month with the Iowa caucuses. The remaining Democrats will battle it out in a series of state-bystate votes nationwide before the eventual winner is crowned at the party convention in July. He or she is expected to face President Donald Trump, a Republican, in November’s presidential election. The grandson of a Mexican immigrant, Mr Castro had struggled to raise money for what was seen as a long-shot bid.

He ran as a proud and passionate liberal, advocating for the decriminalisation of border crossings by undocumented migrants into the United States. In September, he was accused of tossing an ageist gibe at Democratic front-runner Joe Biden during a televised debate in Texas when he accused the 77-year-old former US vice-president of being forgetful. Mr Castro’s former Democratic rivals tweeted magnanimous messages for him on Thursday, including Mr Biden. He praised the “grace and heart” of his onetime antagonist’s campaign. Most of the Democratic candidates are male and white, which is provoking online criticism for a party that prides itself on diversity. Asian-American Andrew Yang was the only minority candidate to appear beside six others in the most recent TV debate last month. Two other remaining candidates are African-American - Cory Booker and Deval Patrick - though they are

Julian Castro, Barack Obama’s ex-housing secretary, was the only Latino in the race.

polling near the bottom of the field. Mr Castro’s exit comes on the day that leading Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders’ campaign announced it had raised $34.5m (£26.2m) since he suffered a heart

attack in October. The haul surpasses Mr Sanders’ previous quarterly totals and was the highest of any Democrat in this election cycle. But the Vermont senator and self-

described democratic socialist’s war chest was eclipsed by Mr Trump, whose campaign said it drew in $46m, smashing its previous 2020 quarterly fundraising record. In addition to the latest totals, the Sanders campaign announced on Thursday that more than five million individual people had donated. His best month was December when 1.8m donations were made, with an average amount of $18.53. Mr Biden and another Democratic front-runner, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, have not yet reported their fundraising totals, which is usually not a promising sign. But the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, who has soared from relative anonymity to become one of the party’s brightest stars, pulled in $24.7m in the last quarter. Mr Yang - a quirky entrepreneur who has never held political office raised an impressive $16.5m in the past three months. (BBC)

40

JOB LISTINGS SERVICES AUTO SALES REAL ESTATE

Classifieds TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 4-10, 2020

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

FLOWER GIRL

WANTED URGENTLY

FLORAL DESIGNER

Must have thorough knowledge in the floral business with 3-5 years experience.

Call: 231-3788

GET LEGAL HELP ON YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM

DELIVERY BOY

CALL OR EMAIL US AT

We are in need of a young man to deliver bills, pick up checks and distribute newspapers. Must be honest and have a clean driver’s license.

duncansonlaw@gmail.com duncansonlaw.office@gmail.com 649-941-4444/ 649-245-1314/649-348-5744 DUNCANSON & CO BARRISTERS & ATTORNEYS 16121

Contact the Publisher at tcweeklynews@gmail.com

ADELYN JOHNSON Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking a

LIVE IN MAID

• General chores such as cleaning, laundry, preparing meals, personal care, assist with bathing etc., any other chores if and when necessary. • Must be willing to work 5-6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 242-1790

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19965

ANGELA HIGGS West Road, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

• Manual Labour, minor maintenance and repairs. • Must be willing to work 5-6 days per week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

• Follow blueprints and building plans. Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $8 hourly CONTACT: 941-5626

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19935

G.M. MECHANIC SHOP

#9 Kitch Building, Old Airport Road, Providenciales Is seeking a

MECHANIC

• Keeps equipment available for use by inspecting and testing vehicles; completing preventive maintenance such as, engine tune-ups, oil changes, tire rotation and changes, wheel balancing, replacing filters. • 5 days a week. Salary: $300 weekly

CONTACT: 3464698 OR 242-2824

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19959

is currently looking to employ a

LABOURER • Who will be responsible for the daily maintenance of the building and its surroundings. • Must be able to drive a range of vehicles including buses, must be courteous at all time. • Must have excellent customs service skills. • Salary $10.00 hour • All applicants must possess a valid

CONTACT: 347-5954

DAIN CONSTRUCTION

driver’s license • Willing to work with little or no supervision • Must be willing to work weekends and holidays • Must be able to drive a manual vehicle. • Belongers or PRC holders preferred This position is currently held by a work permit holder.

Please email all application to syrmondg@bayviewmotors.com Bayview Motors Ltd, P.O Box 619, Leeward Highway, Providenciales

GILLEY’S CAFÉ

WAITRESS

• Make sure your station is clean and orderly at all times • Must be willing to work 6 days per week or if and when needed • Any other duties assigned by management Salary $6.50 per hour

Contact: 649-946-4472 or email gilleyscafe@tciway.tc This position is for work permit renewal Belongers are encouraged to submit a copy of their resume to the Labor Department

GUSTAVUS FRANCIS

#49 HORIZON CLOSE,BLUE MOUNTAIN, PROVIDENCIALES

LABOURER

Duties: clean around the yard and minor repairs around the house Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 649-241-6040 OR EMAIL: POOHBEAR_2314@ HOTMAIL.COM This position is for work permit renewal qualified Belongers are asked to submit a copy of their resume to The Labour Department

19977

CONTACT: 244-8389

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19934

SALES EXECUTIVES

• Lead a dynamic sales team to further grow and develop a highly demanding lending portfolio • Lead marketing initiatives in the existing and new markets • Create and execute effective sales strategies that will grow the business to meet/exceeding business targets • Work with/through the collections team to risks is minimized and/or alleviated

• Carry-out operational mandates as required • Provide relevant management reports and returns to the Senior Manager/Director as required • Provide overall provisions of support to Senior Management

COLELECTIONS EXPERTS

• Lead a demanding portfolio, highly organized and aggressive in acting swiftly on matters to ensure payment resolution.

All candidates must possess minimum 5 years supervisory and/or management experience in the field of Sales, Marketing, Risk Management & Account Resolution. Excellent written, Microsoft Office Suits capabilities. Persons interested in an interview should send their CVs to Senior Manager, Global Capital Ltd, @carmen70s@hotmail.com no later than January 10th, 2020.

INGRID SIMONS

MASON

Repairs, maintains and alters buildings, retaining walls and other brick or stone edifices. Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters Salary: $7 hourly

CONTACT: 331-0686

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19961

MAID TO CLEAN

BUTLER

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: • Welcome and acknowledge all guests

CASHIER

• Greets customers, receive payment, Issue receipts, and change due to customers. Count money in cash drawers to ensure that amounts are correct. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $7 per hour

TOM LIGHTBOURNE DR., BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

Blue Hills, Providenciales, Cell: 2316858, Email shagroup@gmail.com

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: • +5 years of experience in Hotel/Restaurant Management with VIP Guests and Tailored Services • Butler Certification or Degree in Hotel/ Restaurant Management • Must be fluent in English and have great communication skills • Must speak French and Spanish • Must be available to work weekends, nights and holidays.

#45 Industrial Drive, Unit #2 & #4, Providenciales

SEEKING EXPERIENCED AND QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

AIRPORT TERMINAL. Is seeking to hire:-

DUTIES INCLUDES: • Taking orders and serving Customers in a friendly manner • Ensure orders are taken correctly and customers are happy • Check on customers to make sure everything is okay while dining

CC THIS & THAT TIRE VARIETY STORE LTD.

BAYVIEW MOTORS

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19963

#18 Palm Plaza, Airport Road, Unit #8, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

CARPENTER

CLASSIFIEDS 41

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

according to company standards; anticipate and address guests’ service needs; assist individuals with disabilities; thank guests with genuine appreciation • Supply guests with directions and information regarding property and local areas of interest. • Identify and anticipate Guests’ needs and ensure personalized service is provided • Provide Food and Beverage Services as required • Assist with any plans or arrangements the guest intends to make during their stay Salary: $9 hourly

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

19922

Is seeking to fulfill the following position of a

FRONT OFFICE MANAGER The Front Office Manager will have overall responsibility for supervising Guest Service Agents, Night Auditors, and Bell staff to ensure guests satisfaction. The successful candidate will be required to provide a courteous, professional, efficient and flexible service at all times, following East Bay Resort Standards of Performance; 1. To have a full working knowledge and capability to supervise, correct and demonstrate all duties and tasks in the assigned Place of Work to the standard set. 2. To meet and greet guests at South Caicos Airport on arrival, and accompany guests to the resort. 3. To be fully conversant with all services and facilities offered by the hotel. 4. To perform opening and closing procedures established for the Place of Work as assigned. 5. To have a thorough understanding and knowledge of all Rooms related service and product and the ability to up sell alternatives. 6. To ensure that the Place of Work and surrounding area is kept clean and organized at all times. To monitor operating supplies and reduce spoilage and wastage. 7. To handle guest enquiries in a courteous and efficient manner and report guest complaints or problems to supervisors if no immediate solution can be found and assure follow up with guests. This positon require a minimum of 5 years’ experience and a certificate or degree in the respected field is a plus. All Applicants must be prepared to live full time in South Caicos, beginning salary commensurate with experience.

Interested applicants should submit their resume with qualifications and experience to: info@saunders.tc and the TCI Employment Services and Labour Department. This positions is currently vacant.

19968

January 4-10, 2020

42 CLASSIFIEDS SHERMAN MISSICK Over Back, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

• Minor maintenance, manual Labour and repairs. • Must be willing to work 5-6 days a week Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 247-7701

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19962

THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH OF GOD #192 UNCLE JOHNS WAY, FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ a

PASTOR

• Provide spiritual leadership to members of a church. Preparing weekly sermons, preaching and conducting worship services. Interpret biblical scripture for the congregation. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $325 weekly

CONTACT: 243-5844

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19333

SAFAITE L. PIERRE Hillgrove St., South Caicos Is seeking to employ a

DIVER

• Diving and catching fish. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $7 hourly

RACQUEL LEVY Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

CARETAKER • Caring for two elderly

persons, general house cleaning, laundry, preparing meals, bathing etc., any other chores if and when necessary. • Must be willing to work 5-6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 341-908

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

19957

CONTACT: 341-0355

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19964

THE GRANDVIEW ON GRACE BAY The Proprietors Strata Plan#38 #2 Grand Court, Box 845, Providenciales: for position held by work permit holder.

1 MAINTENANCE & LANDSCAPE SUPERVISOR/MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDES: • Install/maintain irrigation system • All aspects of plant installation and care. • Building Maintenance/ grounds keeping • Pool maintenance

NEEDED SKILLS: • Experience in Ms. Excel/ Google Docs. • 5+ years Pool/Spa maintenance. • Good working knowledge of Chroma Glass Septic system. • 5+ years working with pesticides.

To Work 7hrs/day six(6) days a week. Minimum 10 years’ experience in this field. Annual salary - $21,00-$24,000

TROPICAL PALMS VILLA MANAGEMENT

VALMA VIRGIL

North Caicos, Bottle Creek Is seeking a

OXFORD CLOSE, COOPER JACK BAY, PROVIDENCIALES. Is seeking for a

LIVE IN CARETAKER

CLEANER/ DOMESTIC WORKER FOR VILLAS

Help 2 elderly people get dressed, eat, bathe and complete light housekeeping duties, such as dishes or folding laundry. Plan, prepare and monitor meals. Run errands, remind patients of medications. Salary: $1200 monthly

Duties includes: cleaning, washing, making beds etc. Need to be able to work 6 days per week. Salary $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 231-6060

19980

This is for a first-time work permit holder but Turks & Caicos Islanders are encouraged to submit a copy of their resume to the Labor Department or info@tropicalpalmsvillatci.com Deadline for applicants is January 15th, 2020

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19967

R&C SNACK BAR

NANCIE CAMPBELL-JOSEPH

MBA CONSTRUCTION

2 BARMAIDS - $6.50 HOURLY • Taking food orders, serving customers.

BABYSITTER

– $8.00 PER HOUR

#100 Walter Cox Street, Providenciales

BARTENDER - $6.50 HOURLY

• Uphold customer service • Maintain Bar

GARDENER - $6.50 HOURLY

Soil cultivation, digging, forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting

CONTACT: 241-6307

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board position is currently held by a work permit holder

19940

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

#17A Robinson Street, New Subdivision, Five Cays Is seeking to employ a

• Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary. • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 341-2779

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19941

#58 Tompa Ave., Blue Hills, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

MASON

PURE BLISS MASSAGE

LABOURER

Perform therapeutic massages of soft tissues and joints. Massage and knead muscles and soft tissues of the body to provide treatment for medical conditions, injuries, or wellness maintenance. Salary: $7 hourly

• Discharge and Backload all vessels • Mooring and Unmooring of all vessels • Carry out all other duties as directed by the Supervisor. Salary: $12.63 hourly

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19929

#21 CELESTRIAL CIRCLE, BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

Washing the vehicles and keeping the property clean at all times Salary: $6.25 per week Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT: 241-8434

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder.

MASSAGE THERAPIST

CONTACT: 343-8536

19960

Port Administration Building, P.O. Box 427, South Dock Is seeking to employ a

STEVEDORE

CONTACT: 649-9418975/9418890/9418891

CONSTRUCTION LABOURER

Is seeking to employ a

(construction labourer consists of performing tasks involving physical labour at building sites, laying blocks, heavy construction projects and demotion sites) • Able to work with little or no supervision, be physically fit, dependable and hard working. • Must be self motivated and able to understand, write and speak English fluently. Salary :$8.50 per hour.

HANDYMAN

Fix pipes, paint areas around the house, and clean the yard. Salary: $300.00 per week

CONTACT: 341-6644

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19966

A JOB VACANCY EXIST FOR A

DOMESTIC WORKER

All experienced and interested individuals can send inquiries to:

Smith And Son Construction 475 Millennium highway, Blue Hills, Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands, Tel: (649) 342-5757 Email: nate0310@gmail.com

A1 PREMIUM CLEANING SERVICES #8 Stingray Street, Glass Shack, Providenciales. Is seeking

2 CLEANERS

who duties would include basic housekeeping and child care. Remuneration is $7.50 per hour and work days are Mondays to Fridays from 1pm to 5pm.

• Upholstery cleaning, cleaning mattresses, floors carpets and pressure cleaning. • Must be willing to work 5-6 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

For more information and to arrange an appointment, kindly contact Yaa McCartney, PO Box 54, Palm Grove, Grand Turk and telephone number 946-2067.

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19952

KELCI TALBOT

CONTACT: 343-4902

19987

KAREN ALTHEA MYERS

Leeside Avenue #83A, Long Bay, Providenciales Is seeking a

#86 Kakeka Street, Grace Bay Hills, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

DOMESTIC WORKER

Repairs, maintains and alters buildings, retaining walls and other brick or stone edifices. Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/ or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19986

#5 Blue Hills, Providenciales Is seeking a

STANFORD FORBES

JUBA SOUND, LEEWARD HIGHWAY

• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames. Cares for garden. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 242-3450

PROVO STEVEDORING

R&R MOTOR SALES AND RENTALS

CONTACT: 332-3022

19942

To clean and cook and to wash or the family and guess of the home. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 649-232-799

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19944

19554

ANTHONY’S MUSIC Ball Park Lane, Downtown, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

SALES CLERK

To promote the music business and to also keep stock and reorder inventory that has been sold. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 649-341-1021

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

19938

K&T DISPOSABLE SERVICES/ KK&T AUTO RENTAL SERVICES #49 Industrial Park by pass Chalk Sound, Providenciales Is seeking

3 LABOURERS – $7 HOURLY

• Cleaning the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week.

CONTACT: 346-1153

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

19951

January 4-10, 2020

CLASSIFIEDS 43

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CARIBBEAN CONSTRUCTION David’s Auto parts building Industrial park, Providenciales. 331-3017

MASON

Smooth out concrete in segments to ensure the concrete poured in level. Arrange the concrete forms. Rub cement in with sponge-rubber float or burlap. Salary: $8.00 per hour.

Renewal & first time Belonger will be given first preference 19972 MERISIER PIERRE

Airport Road, South Caicos Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other house work. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 342-9780

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19931

ARTHUR PARKER North Side, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other house work. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 341-4710

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19943

ISLAND FRESH PRODUCE COMPANY LTD.

South Dock Road, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

FARMER

• Cleaning, tractor driving, general handiwork, tending to livestock, ploughing, planting and harvesting crops. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 431-0645

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

19887

CHURCH OF GOD ABUNDANT LIFE Up the hill, Kew Town Providenciales, 241-0452

DOMESTIC WORKER

Clean inside the church, clean bathrooms, replace tissue, wipe furniture and equipment, clean door frames and windows, take out trash, water plants. Salary starts at $6.25 per hour.

Renewal, Belonger will be given first preference.

19974

ELNA JOSEPH

# 16 Claudette Gibson Apt. Kew Town, airport road Providenciales. 345-4363

BABYSITTER

Care for my children, supervise while am at work, maintain the house clean, wash dishes, clean dining & living room, wash and iron. Salary starts at $6.25 per hour. First time, Belonger will be given first preference.

19970

11 Dilly Way, Long Bay

BABYSITTER

the spread of germs. • Dress children and assist them with their snacks, drinks and meals as needed. • Ensure the maintenance of personal hygiene is kept. • Must be able to work shifts, weekends and holidays. Salary is $6.25 per hour

Email: kirshanacartwright@gmail.com Contact: 649-347-8673

Position currently held by a work permit holder. Interested applicants can apply by email or resumes can also be dropped off to the employment center. No later than end of day Monday 13th, 2020. 19958

ASHWOOD HALL

DA CONCH SHACK

LABOURER

FRUIT CAPTAIN

Conch Bar, Middle Caicos Is seeking to employ a

• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames. Cares for garden. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly CONTACT: 231-1620

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19945

GRACEWAY SPORTS CENTRE

• Oversee day to day activities in the restaurant. • Quality checks on customers. • Order food and beverages for the restaurant. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $500 weekly

CONTACT: 946-8877

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19947

ERIKA BERNABEL WILLIAMS

#56 WALTER COX DRIVE, KEW TOWN Is seeking to employ a

FULL TIME SQUASH INSTRUCTOR

DOMESTIC WORKER

Contact: 649-442-6348 Email: info@gracewaysports.com Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board work permit renewal

19936

LABOURER

His responsibilities are pick up years waste and collect leaves, clean the yard with sweeper, lift garbage bags and cans into garbage truck, pick up yard waste and tree limbs, repair broken furniture and assist with other work when needed. SALARY: 6.25 per hour TYPE OF APPLICATION: Renewal, this position is currently held by a work permit holder 19976

#38 South Dock Road, Five Cays. Is seeking a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other house work. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 344-7416

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19932

51 Bay Road, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a

Luker Lane (Behind IGA Supermarket), Providenciales Is seeking a

• Must be internationally certified and have extensive experience in running and developing junior and adult programs. • Will give daily group and private squash lessons and manage the squash department. Remuneration is commensurate with certifications and experience

Bay Road, Blue Hills Providenciales, 333-8436

JOVAR CONSTRUCTION

KIRSHANA CARTWRIGHT

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: • Keep the play area safe and free from hazards while monitoring children consistently throughout the day. • Sanitize play equipment, games and toys on a regular basis to keep them safe and attractive while minimizing

FINBAR GRANT

• Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other house work. • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 345-8242

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19928

GISELLE M. WILLIAMS 36A New sub-division Five Cays,348-4999

LABOURER

LIFE CHANGING PLAZA New airport road, Providenciales. 331-9828

CLEANER

His responsibilities are pick up years waste and collect leaves, clean the yard with sweeper, lift garbage bags and cans into garbage truck, pick up yard waste and tree limbs, repair broken furniture and assist with other work when needed. Salary starts at $6.25 per hour.

Clean the store every morning, upheld safe and clean working environment, clean customers bathroom, replace tissue, remove trash from the store and bathroom, assisting owner when needed. Salary starts at $6.25 per hour.

Renewal, Belonger will be given first preference.

Renewal, Belonger will be given first preference.

J&G MAINTENANCE SERVICES

VHT RADIO STATION

19971

#35 Lignum Vitae Drive, Long Bay Beach, Long Bay Is seeking to employ a

CLEANER

• Cleaning guest house, laundry and etc. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 3423163 OR 245-2992

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19930

19973

Metellus Plaza, Bay road Providenciales, 442-2222

DOMESTIC WORKER

Clean the radio station throughout the day, clean customer bathroom, replace tissue, wipe furniture and equipment, clean door frames and windows, take out trash, water plants. Salary starts at $6.25 per hour.

Renewal, Belonger will be given first preference.

SPENCE SECURITY & INVESTIGATION SERVICES, LTD The leading and trusted security company in TCI is in need of personnel to fill the following position for our expansion.

SECURITY SUPERVISOR QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 5 direct years security supervisor experience • Must process a college degree • Computer skilled in word, excel, access, outlook and PowerPoint • Must have basic security certification certificates in personal safety and other proven security course training certificate • Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills (English) • Can follow instructions and write comprehensive reports • Possess valid driver’s license Must be an excellent team-player Salary starts from $2,000.00 to $2,500.00 Per Month

SECURITY OFFICER QUALIFICATIONS:

• Should have minimum of 3 years military/police experience or 4 years security officer experience • Mush process a security training certificate • Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills (English)

• Can follow instructions and write comprehensive reports • Must have clean criminal record • A valid TCI Driver’s License is an asset Salary starts @ $7.00 per hour

ACCOUNT ASSISTANT QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 10 years related experience • Must process a degree in business administration and a degree in accountant • Minimum of 10 years in accounts programs such as QuickBooks • Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills (English) • Possess valid driver’s license • Must be an excellent team-player Salary starts from $3,000.00 to 3,500.00 per Month REQUIREMENTS: • Comprehensive resume’ w/ 2 ID photo • Employment certificates from previous employers Training certificates; Police record & fingerprints

19975

44 CLASSIFIEDS

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

S&G CONTRACTING CO. #21 Grace Bay Road, Leeward, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

CARPENTER

Turks and Caicos Airports Authority is accepting applications for the following position:

• Follow blueprints and building plans. Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials. • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $8 hourly

AIRPORT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19946

JOB VACANCY GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer;

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) directs the marketing, airport development, planning and engineering, community and public relations, administrative, financial matters, procurement, budgeting and legal staff in fulfilling the mission of the Airport Authority. Provides 24-hour management and control of Authority facilities and operations to ensure the safe, efficient, secure and continuous operational use of runways, taxiways, terminal buildings and ramp. • In addition to being the TCIAA primary representative to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA/Regulators), the Chief Executive Officer acts as the lead point of contact with the Government, Board, and Local officials. Such collaboration is particularly critical in recognizing the airport’s impact on future economic development initiatives and long-term modernization and expansion of its facilities and services. • The Chief Executive Officer oversees a workforce of over 350 employees engaged in the operational, security, fire services, air traffic control, administration, budgetary, maintenance, commercial and design and construction activities on-site at the Airports. The workforce may consist of both public and private sector employees. • The Chief Executive Officer facilitates monthly board meetings with the Airports Authority Board of Directors and guides staff in preparing and presenting agenda items for approval. Administrative duties include overseeing relations with airlines, concessionaires and airport tenants. Facilitating the preparation of contracts, and reviews and offers guidance in the preparation of the annual budget.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervising the Airports Authority executive staff, including the Airport Manager, Terminal and Marketing Manager, Fire Services Manager, Security Manager, Safety Management Manager, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operations Officer, Human Resources, Training and Development Manager, Air Traffic Services Manager, Engineer and Maintenance Manager and other employed staff and consultants engaged in the operation and support of the Airports Authority; • Working directly with the airline industry to ensure maximum options for the flying public, Representing the Authority with the public, airlines, and other members of the community and government agencies; • Leading the development of the Airport’s economic planning activities in support and in collaboration with regional business leaders and elected officials to ensure maximum coordinated planning and implementation; • Maintaining membership with relevant International Associations; representing the organization and

attending conferences, workshops, and meetings to keep abreast of current information and developments in the field of aviation and airport development; • Obtaining and providing timely financial and operational updates to the TCIAA Board; • Directing the oversight of FBOs and all areas of its operations and areas of responsibility which include, but is not limited to, fuel farm operations, aircraft fueling, security, handling of aircraft; • Working in conjunction with the ASSI, TCICAA and law enforcement to assure the safety and security of the passengers, all airport employees and visitors of the Airport.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Demonstrate leadership and management ability to lead, motivate and develop a diverse team of staff. Experienced in management of public facilities and employees. • Familiarity with ICAO, OTAR, IATA, and Turks and Caicos Islands transportation and aviation rules and regulations, including Public Procurement Ordinance, Employment Ordinance, procedures, and agreements. • Highly ethical, resourceful, and demonstrate good judgement and personal leadership; Comprehensive knowledge of public finance market practices for funding major capital projects; • An experienced multitasker with the ability to plan and direct all aspects of large-scale projects through planning, financing, and construction phases with demonstrated success completing projects on schedule and within budget. • A skilled communicator who has the ability to present complex written and oral reports clearly and concisely with the ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with various stakeholders.

QUALIFICATIONS/ SKILLS/ EXPERIENCE:

• Graduates from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree in Business Administration, aviation, engineering, or a closely related field/ discipline. Preference will be given to Master’s Degree holders, but Bachelor’s Degree holders who demonstrate significant and relevant experience will also be considered. • Ten-years of post‐graduation experience in the management and leadership of a large, complex organization or Operations Department (preferably a minimum of five years in an organization with airport or transportation components). • Preference will be given to those applicants who hold the Accredited Airport Executive qualification (AAE) or Accredited Airport Certified Manager (CM) qualification and applicants with multi-disciplined aviation experience. • Salary: $140,000 - $190,000 per annum with additional benefits.

Interested persons must submit cover letter, resumes and references no later than close of business on January 15th 2020 to The Chairman of the Board Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, Care of HR Manager, Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority, Providenciales International Airport, Turks and Caicos Islands hrrecruitment@tciairports.com

CONTACT: 331-8705

UYLSSE JEAN DELUIS #14B BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames. Cares for garden. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 347-3520

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19939

SALON DAY SPA MIA

#8 Rigby Hill, Five Cays. Is seeking a

HAIR DRESSER - $7 HOURLY

Shampooing, cutting, and styling hair, provide hair treatments, including deep conditioning, permanents, hair coloring, and weaving.

NAIL TECHNICIAN - $7 HOURLY

Basic manicures, artificial nails, gel nails, hand massages, nail fills, nail repair, and nail polishing. Pedicures and the application of acrylic toenails.

CONTACT: 247-8600 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19981

TECH LOGIC ICT SOLUTIONS #12 PLATINUM STREET, WHEELAND, PROVIDENCIALES. IS SEEKING AN

Electronic Technician

• Minimum 10 years working in IT specifically with IP networks, servers and desktop. • Strong Microsoft client and server OS skills including Active directory, DNS & DHCP. • Experience in Hotel Property management and Electronic systems. Salary: $3,500 per month

CONTACT: 649-331-7020

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19949

TECH LOGIC ICT SOLUTIONS #12 PLATINUM STREET, WHEELAND, PROVIDENCIALES. IS SEEKING A

Service Technician

• Minimum 10 years working in IT specifically with IP networks, servers and desktop. • Strong Microsoft client and server OS skills including Active directory, DNS & DHCP. • Experience in Hotel Property management and Electronic systems. • Installation of conduct and cabling for various projects. Salary: $3,500 per month

CONTACT: 649-331-7020

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board

19950

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

MERCILENE JOSEPH #31 Snake Hill Ave, After Rodney Adams, Blue Hills

MASON

• Repairs, maintains and alters buildings, retaining walls and other brick or stone edifices. Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $7 hourly

CONTACT: 346-6920

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19906

MILOURDES AMILCAR 183 Back Road, Blue Hills Is seeking a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Main responsibility will be taking care of a young baby, she must first and foremost love children, be kind, loving and caring. • Will be required to work 6 days per week. • Time will be schedule by employer. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 245-1169

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board

19899

CORAL GARDENS MANAGEMENT CO LTD

whose address is Penn’s Rd, Lower Bight, Providenciales, is seeking suitable qualified Belongers to fill the positions of

HOUSEKEEPER • Provides courteous and professional service at all times. • Ensure that all guestrooms are cleaned to the established standards. • Ensure that the facilities are kept clean and orderly in line with the resort standard of cleanliness.

• Reports for duty punctually wearing the correct uniform and name tag at all times. • Laundry

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of housekeeping experience. • Must be able to work weekend and holidays. Salary: $8.00 per hr.

Qualified Belonger candidates with a clean police record are requested to submit a CV by e-mail to:

Marsha Blanche, email: marsha@misickstanbrook.tc | Tel.: 946-4732 Applications should be received no later than January 03, 2020.

MONROE N. FORBES JR 354 Ruby Crest Road, Millennium Highway Is seeking to employ a

MYSTIQUE CAR RENTAL & TOURS #72 Airport Road, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other house work. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 244-4047

VEHICLE PREP WORKER

• Clean inside the car and shampoo the outside of the car. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19897

CONTACT: 941-3910

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19879

SERVICES BY EA

NURSERY MANAGER

Applicant must have knowledge of finance, accounting, cash flow projection and proficient in using POS systems for landscape, chemical and fertilization inventory. Ability to analyze financial data and prepare automated financial reports, statements and projections. Work requires professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to deal with customers and suppliers. Salary is approximately $600/week and willing to work long hours, weekend and holiday if needed. Preference will be given to applicants who completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Finance or Business Administration. Excellent reference from previous employers a must. Interested applicants including Islanders/ Belongers can send applications to Services by EA by email to mary@eagrouptci.com. Successful applicants will be notified by phone for interview. This position is currently held by a work permit holder.

SHELLA ALPHONSE Breezy Hill, South Dock, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Cleaning, mopping, dusting, sweeping and other work needed. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

Contact: 345-1704 or 242-2779

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19871

TRAVIS SIMONS #2 LONG BAY BEACH DRIVE, LONG BAY Is seeking to employ a

MAINTENANCE WORKER

fix and maintain mechanical equipment, buildings, and machines. Tasks include plumbing work, painting, flooring repair and upkeep, electrical repairs and heating and air conditioning system Salary: $7 hourly

CONTACT: 442-0820

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19904

19870

VACANCIES Acting on behalf of

WMW CONSTRUCTION #11 Shrub Cl, Blue Hills

MASON - $9-12 HOURLY

Plaster, put blocks, etc. Contact: 241-4693/345-6293

PATRICK JOSEPH

31 Shoe Lane, Leeward Highway

DOMESTIC WORKER $6.25 HOURLY Take care of children, clean, cook, etc. Contact: 347-2093 Email: Darling86@hotmail. com

Holders are currently held by work permit holders Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19891

MARIE R.A MISSICK Residence, Five Cays Is seeking a

LABOURER

• Clean yard and minor maintenance. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

This position is held by a work permit holder

RESPONSIBILITIES:

CLASSIFIEDS 45

19874

ODINOR FRANCOIS #205 Venetian Road, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

MAINTENANCE WORKER

• Clean the garden, electricity and plumbing work. • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $8 hourly

CONTACT: 341-1861

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19883

CONTACT: 344-3710

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19882 ROBERT NIXON’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE Timber Crest, Kew Town Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

• Keeping store surroundings and removal of debris daily. • Applicant must be honest, reliable and willing to work. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 232-5923

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19885

MARIE C.P.L WILLIAMS

House #10 Unit #4 Blue Hills, Millennium Highway Is seeking to employ a

CARETAKER

• Light housekeeping duties, such as dishes or folding laundry. Plan, prepare and monitor meals. Run errands. • To work 6 days a week Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 346-8047

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19860

SAMMUEL EMMANUEL HALL Kew, North Caicos Is seeking to employ a

BABYSITTER

• Ensuring a safe environment, preparing and giving meals, bathing and dressing children, administering medicine, doing housework, and disciplining children when necessary. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 241-0836

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19884

STABLE HAND WANTED • Applicant must have a minimum of 10 years experience in all aspects of stable maintenance. This includes: Riding and horse handling (training, grooming, tacking up, cleaning tack, cleaning stalls, and lunging), Understanding of Equine Nutrition, basic hoof care and basic equine vet health care. Teaching adults and children (mainly tourists) basic riding skills • Must have experience in breaking and training young horses • Must be able to guide and supervise inexperienced riders on trail rides. Must have valid driver’s license, must have high school diploma.. Must weigh less than 155 pounds. Must speak English fluently a second language an asset. Applicant must have basic computer skills. Further computer experience is an asset. Will work weekends and holidays. Starting pay is $550 per week.

If interested please email resume to provoponiestci@ gmail.com or call 649-241-6350.

19864

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Domestic Worker consists of cleaning and Laundry • Able to work with little or no supervision, be physically fit, dependable and hard working. • Must be self-motivated and able to understand, write and speak English fluently. Salary: $250.00 per week. Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board All experienced and interested individuals can send inquiries to: Kayonn Missick-Simm 78 Marby Drive Juba Sound, Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 231-7399 Email: kayonnmissick45@gmail.com

KAREN MISSICK Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other house work. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 231-7489

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19873

KAMELA RIGBY Back Road, Blue Hills, Millennium Highway Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Cleaning the house and babysitting. • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $300 weekly

CONTACT: 649244-2882

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder

#151 Benson Rigby Apt, South Dock Road Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Cleaning and laundry. • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 341-8585 Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19927

CHARLIE’S DEPOT

CONTACT: 941-4202

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder

BUTLER

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• +5 years of experience in Hotel/Restaurant Management with VIP Guests and Tailored Services • Butler Certification or Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management • Must be fluent in English and have great communication skills • Must speak French and Spanish

SUPERIOR LAUNDROMAT

extractors, condensers, pumps, blowers, presses and other laundry equipment. • Repairs or replace parts, using hand tools and measuring instruments. Salary: $12 hourly

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Welcome and acknowledge all guests according to company standards; anticipate and address guests’ service needs; assist individuals with disabilities; thank guests with genuine appreciation

CONSTRUCTION LABOURER

• Supply guests with directions and information regarding property and local areas of interest. • Identify and anticipate Guests’ needs and ensure personalized service is provided • Provide Food and Beverage Services as required • Assist with any plans or arrangements the guest intends to make during their stay Salary: $9 hourly

PROVO TURTLE DIVERS

#26 AVIATION DRIVE, SOUTH SIDE PLAZA Is seeking a

• To work 6 days a week. • Perform routine machine maintenance and troubleshooting. • Repair plumbing, electrical. • Repairs and maintains washers, driers,

• Must be available to work weekends, nights and holidays.

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

19921

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRMAN

BLUE HILLS CLOSE MILLENNIUM HIGHWAY 331-1067

Blue hills, Providenciales. Cell: 2316858. Email shagroup@gmail.com

SALES SPECIALIST

• Receive payment by cash, checks and credit cards, Issue receipts, and change due to customers. Count money in cash drawers to ensure that amounts are correct. • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

ERB CONSTRUCTION

MAID TO CLEAN

#27 Aviation Road

19922

BENSON E. RIGBY

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

QUALIFIED PADI/NAUI SCUBA INSTRUCTORS NEEDED Successful candidate will be a PADI MSDT with current membership and insurance, resort operations experience including advanced level instruction, dive accident management, compressor maintenance, equipment, engine maintenance and repair. Captain’s license and STCW95 qualification preferred, or applicant must be willing to train. This position is currently filled by a work permit holder. Qualified Belongers are encourage to apply.

CONTACT: 649-231-6318

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19905

This is a tourism related job and will include all aspects of the company’s daily routine including but not limited to, teaching all levels of instruction, guiding dives, boat and vehicle operations and working the front office. The work schedule will include weekends, public holidays and occasional night dives. Starting Salary $390 - $510 per week based on experience and qualifications.

Contact David Volkert at 946-4232 or info@provoturtledivers.com Positions available starting Feb 28, 2020. Please submit applications before January 20, 2020. 17B Turtle Cove Landing, Provo 19923

LAND FOR SALE 1.3 ACRE LAND ON OCEAN DRIVE, TURTLE TAIL WITH ELEVATION CALL 1-649-231-3788 FOR MORE INFO.

GATHER & GRAZE - CHEF Nutritional and menu planning, purchasing, budgeting and inventory management, food preparation, table presentation and occasional supervision of other service providers and staff for a residential property in Providenciales. Must be willing and able to work all days and shifts as set by Employer including holidays, weekends and split shifts, traveling extensively with employer for long periods away from Providenciales. Formal culinary degree from a recognized institution and minimum 6 years’ experience, excellent interpersonal and English communication skills, ability to stand for long periods of time and carry up to 45 lbs, must be non-smoker, have clean police record, driver’s license, own vehicle, ability to travel visa-free. Salary commensurate with experience, qualifications, quality and taste of food preparation but most importantly personality fit with family. Belongers only need apply. SEND APPLICATIONS TO

Savory & Co. Unit F205 Regent Village West, Grace Bay Email karensavory@savory-co.com • Fax 946-4848. Applicants who are Islanders are invited to send a copy of their application to the Immigration Board 19918

Removed rubble, dirt, and hazardous waste from construction site, performed post-construction site cleanup and executed building cleaning activities, operated cleaning equipment and utilized cleaning materials. Salary: $7.00 per hour. Renewal & first time Belonger will be given first preference. 19924

HUDSON GARDINER Whitby, North Caicos 243-7375

LABOUR

His responsibilities are pick up years waste and collect leaves, clean the yard with sweeper, lift garbage bags and cans into garbage truck, pick up yard waste and tree limbs, repair broken furniture and assist with other work when needed. Salary starts at $6.25 per hour. RENEWAL, BELONGER WILL BE GIVEN FIRST PREFERENCE

D&B AUTO LTD

Shamrack Plaza, Industrial Park, Providenciales

AUTO MECHANIC • At least 6 years or more experience as an Auto Mechanic. • Must be able to perform all vehicle diagnostics and updates using diagnostics equipment. • Able to maintain vehicle functional condition by listening to customers/ operator complaints, conduct inspections, repair engine failures, repair mechanical and electrical system malfunctions and replace parts and components according to manufacturer standards specifically on Japanese vehicle. • Keeps shop equipment operating by following operating instructions, troubleshooting breakdowns, maintaining supplies and perform preventive maintenance. • Must hold a valid driver license with a clean, insurable, driving record, must be able to drive manual and automatic transmissions. • Knowledge of tools and equipment required to conduct all repairs. • Basic wage is $9.00 per hour.

AUTO MECHANIC/AUTO BODY HELPER • • • • •

Must have six months of prior work experience Assist Head Mechanic in servicing and repairing customer cars. Must be able to work flexible hours. Able to use cleaning devices/equipment for washing vehicles. Knowledgeable on basic auto maintenance and repair and has ability to perform such tasks as prescribed. • Able to assist in performing maintenance and repair of different variety of Japanese Vehicle. • Assist to restore, refinish and replacing vehicle bodies and frames. • Basic wage is $7.00 per hour

Tel: (649)941-8438 | Email: dnbautoparts@tciway.tc Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. These positions are currently held by work permit holders 19926

19925

46 CLASSIFIEDS

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

MARCELIN JEAN-GUY

#68 Lower Bight, Providenciales Is seeking a

HOUSEKEEPER

• Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing. Ensuring all rooms are cared for and inspected according to standards. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 241-7907

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

19895

KENDRA HALL

LOFTON ELLIS

Long Bay Hills, Long Bay Is seeking to employ a

HANDYMAN

• fixing plumbing systems, providing repair guidance, cleaning and remodeling community spaces, and performing repair assessments. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

CONTACT: 244-4813

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19881

#39 BIRD ROCK STREET, LONG BAY Is seeking to employ a

HOUSEKEEPER/ NANNY

Performing a variety of cleaning activities such as sweeping, mopping, dusting and polishing. Ensuring all rooms are cared for and inspected according to standards. Watch children. Salary: $6.50 per hour

QUALIFICATIONS

teaching qualification and should have at least two years’ experience working as a ski or wake board teacher, working with young children. Holding a Boat Captain’s license would be a bonus. The advertised position is a new position due to company expansion. We invite prospective applicants who are Turks Islanders to send copies of their applications to Okeanos Charters and to The Immigration Board.

Please send full CV, letter of application, teaching certificates and police check to Joshua Williams at jw@okeanoscharters.com | Tel: 649 333 6328. Website: www.okeanoscharters.com 19849

T HOLDINGS LTD

SIBONNÉ BEACH HOTEL

Unit #106 Ocean Club Plaza, Grace Bay Is seeking a

#2 LOWER BIGHT ROAD, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales. Is seeking to employ a

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

LABOURER

• Set up equipment, run lines for power tools, erect scaffolding, lay out tools, mixing concrete, hand tools to workers, and cleaning work site. • To work 6 days per week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

• Do maintenance on site for rooms and property • Work 6 days weekly. Salary: $8.00+ hourly CONTACT: ADMIN@SIBONNE.COM

CONTACT: 231-4336

19886

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is for a first time applicant.

GSE MECHANIC JOB DESCRIPTION:

WAKE BOARD AND WATER SKI TEACHER

Applicants should hold a BWSW (British Water Skiing and Wakeboarding) or similar water sport

TCA Handling Flight Services Ground Handlers for American Airlines and JetBlue is currently seeking qualified individual to fill the following position.

CONTACT: 231-7242

OKEANOS CHARTERS

RESPONSIBILITIES:

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19892

102 Turtle Creek Drive, Discovery Bay, Providenciales. Is looking for a

• Teach individual children and adults wake boarding and water skiing • Run water sports camps after school, weekends, and during school holidays Salary ranges commensurate with experience, and qualifications, from $36,000 per annum (based on 40 hours per week).

NEWS 47

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19861

• Inspect, maintain, and modify ground equipment. • Service equipment with fuel, water, oil, hydraulic fluid, and compressed air. • Responsible for repairs and maintenance of all ground support equipment including, but not limited to, Tugs, Belt loaders, Push backs Conveyors, Ground power units, Air start units, air-condition units, Baggage carts, motorized/ manual Air stairs, Turbo way and Golf carts. • Inspects ground support equipment and their components for the purpose of ensuring safety and identifying necessary repairs and providing an ongoing program of preventative maintenance • Responds to emergency calls for ground support equipment assistance. • Troubleshoot, repair, overhaul, and modify ground equipment. • Diagnose problems using test equipment and applicable manuals. • Remove, test, repair or replace components and accessories such as carburetors, governors, air and oil cleaners, ignition points and auditory sensors. • Check and adjust tolerance of valves, bearings, cams, clutches, and drive shafts. • Operate and test ground equipment for performance assessment. • Replace bearings, bushings, shafts, end plates, brushes, springs, coils, armatures, push rods, valves, manifolds, tubing, hose, and wiring as required. • Follow company safety policies and procedures. • Other mechanical duties as assigned. • Create and maintain daily, quarterly and annual service maintenance records. • Maintains tools and equipment for the purpose of ensuring the availability of items in safe operating conditions. • Identify and sources specialized components and tools. • Prepare and maintain an effective preventative maintenance programme and spare parts inventory. • Document daily, quarterly and annual preventative maintenance.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• • • • • • • • • •

SERVICES BY EA

NURSERY COORDINATOR

Salary Scale: $36,000.00 to $42,000.00 per annum based on qualification and experience

(ADMINISTRATION)

Applicants must possess a minimum of 10 years of management experience, with knowledge and experience in producing accurate and organized records ranging from stock inventory in various businesses and maintaining and processing employee status cards. Must be proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and QuickBooks. The candidate must have a proven record of working independently, be highly organized, and maintain deadline. Some holidays and weekend hours may be required to fulfill deadlines. Salary commensurate on experience.

Interested applicants including Islanders/ Belongers can bring all applications to Services By EA Ltd. Located at #65 Beechwood Road, Grace Bay, Providenciales or e-mail to mary@eagrouptci.com. Successful applicants will be notified by phone for interview. This positions is currently held by work permit holders.

Must have a Degree and/or a Level (3) Diploma in Vehicle Repairs Must have at least six (6) years’ experience in automotive Must be able to conduct apprenticeship programme Must possess a valid driver’s license Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed. Ability to operate equipment used in semiskilled trades, power and hand tools, etc. Skill in effective oral and written communication. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Suite. Must be able to work long hours, weekends and public holidays. Must be accessible in the case of emergency.

19869

The Human Resources Manager TCA Handling Flight Services Town Centre Mall Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI and should reach no later than December 30, 2019, for further information/ appointment you can contact us at Tele:649-941-5969 or email hr@ tcahandling.com.

19877

48 CLASSIFIEDS A TASTE OF ITALY U9 PROVO STORAGE, PROVIDENCIALES TEL: 941-7331/339-8018

ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT MANAGER

Well verse in preparation of Financial Statements, variance analysis cash and bank rec. PPC literacy (MS office, QB, Cost guard & POS) is a MUST. At least 6 years’ experience in Pizza-Pizza restaurant or flour industry in a supervisory capacity. Salary: $2,500 monthly

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board Work permit renewal No later than Jan 15, 2020

19896

BLUE HILLS CONSTRUCTION Bay Road, Blue Hills Is seeking to employ a

MASON

• Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/ or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters • To work 6 days a week. Salary: $12 hourly

CONTACT: 331-3887

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19911

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS EASY WAY EMPLOYMENT Acting on behalf of

TANISSAINT & ABDON CONSTRUCTION FIVE Cays, subdivision 3411977/ 241-4732

MASON

Repairs, maintains and alters buildings, retaining walls and other brick or stone edifices. Mixes mortar; lays bricks and stones and/or concrete sidewalks; makes and repairs steps and plasters Salary: $6.25 hourly

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board

SHAUDLEY GARDINER

SAVED BY GRACE STORE

30 HORSE LANE DRIVE LEEWARD HIGHWAY 241-3896

#13 MARY JANE LANE, BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

CLEANER

Clean the store every morning, upheld safe and clean working environment, clean customers bathroom, replace tissue, remove trash from the store and bathroom, assisting owner when needed. Salary starts at $6.25 per hour.

Clean around yard, help lifting heavy items. Trim trees, cut trees. Salary: $7 hourly

CONTACT: 649-241-2950

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board This position is currently held by a work permit holder

Renewal, Belonger will be given first preference.

19910

19916

OBED CONSTRUCTION Sisal Road, Long Bay #61

STEEL MAN - $8 HOURLY

Cut, position, and bolt down steel bars to reinforce concrete. Make, weld, and cut structural metal.

Carpenter - $8 hourly

OFFICE MANAGER GRAND TURK OFFICE

POSITION SUMMARY:

The National Health Insurance Board with responsibility for the coordination of local and international financing of health care services in the Turks and Caicos Islands, is seeking a dynamic and transformational leader to fill the position of Office Manager in Grand Turk. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the delivery of administrative health care, financing and administrative services to the population of Grand Turk in line with the Corporate Plan of the NHIP.

Follow blueprints and building plans. Install windows, moldings and etc. Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials

Painter - $8 hourly

Apply paints, stains, and coatings to interior and exterior walls, new buildings, homes, offices and other structural surfaces.

Labourer - $6.50 hourly

Set up equipment, run lines for power tools, erect scaffolding, lay out tools, set up forms for the pouring of concrete foundations, and even hand tools to workers, clean worksite, and take down bracing and scaffolding.

CONTACT: 343-1420

BELONGERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SEND A COPY OF THEIR RESUME TO THE LABOUR BOARD 19919

KK&T’S AUTO RENTAL SERVICES #49 Industrial Park, By pass Five Cays Road Is seeking to employ a

STEEL LAYER

• Lay steel. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $10 hourly

CONTACT: 247-2390

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19920

THE HELP DESK Act on behalf of its client:

D & U LANDSCAPING

Shipwreck Lane, Long Bay, Providenciales 341-2758

LABOURER

Salary $6.25 per hour planting trees, digging, lifting, pruning. All positions are currently held by work permit holders. QUALIFIED BELONGERS MAY APPLY WITH LABOUR DEPARTMENT. 19917

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

▪ Manage the client registration and compliance activities of the NHIP in Grand Turk ▪ Carry out compliance audits within Grand Turk to ensure that all potential registrants are registered, and that timely remittance of statutory deductions are transferred to the NHIP ▪ Manage the customer service and complaint mechanisms ▪ Collaborate with internal departments on IT, Accounting, Patient Care matters. ▪ Collaborates with IT department on all office equipment. ▪ Manages relationships with vendors, service providers and landlord; ensures that all items are invoiced and paid on time. ▪ Develop KPIs for line staff in line with the organizational strategic plan. ▪ Adheres to all NHIB codes, rules and regulations. ▪ Performs other related duties as assigned.

SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS

▪ Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Health Administration, Finance or related fields ▪ Minimum of six (6) years of experience in a senior management position within the insurance/healthcare field. ▪ Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritise work ▪ Attention to detail and problem-solving skills ▪ Excellent written and verbal communication skills ▪ Strong organizational and planning skills ▪ Proficient in MS Office Salary: Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. $43,000 to $52,152 annum year. All Applications should be addressed to:

Sheena Smith-Yip National Health Insurance Board Salt Mills Plaza, Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies Email: recruitment@tcinhip.tc Please ensure the application clearly demonstrates how you meet the noted qualifications as applicants will be screened based on the information provided. We would like to thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted. Applicants who applied for any of the above listed positions, do not have to reapply. After submitting application to National Health Insurance Board Human Resource department, Qualified Belongers may also submit a copy of their applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Immigration Board. Deadline for submission is January 4, 2020

T&W AUTO

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS E & V CONSTRUCTION

Breezy Brae, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER Duties: To clean and Maintain premises by raking And cleaning windows and Doors. SALARY: $6.50 per hour.

CONTACT: 242-1358 Belongers are encouraged To send a copy of their Resume to the Labour Board. This is first time work permit application.

19913

SERENITY SALON & DAY SPA

Harbour House, Pond Street Grand Turk. Is seeking to employ

2 SALON HELPERS

Duties: Washing Braiding, Weaving, Relaxing, grooming And maintenance, cutting And trimming and styling. Salary: $6.50 per hour.

CONTACT: 232-6296

Belongers are asked to send A copy of their resume to The Labour Board. These positions Are held by work permit holder. 19915

23 Silverado Road, South Dock, Providenciales

MECHANIC - $9 HOURLY

Service and fix vehicles at the mechanic shop on a daily basis. To work five-days per week.

CAR BODY REPAIR - $9 HOURLY

Panel beating and spraying - General repair of vehicles. To work five-days per week. Interested candidate may contact the employer at 342 4950 regarding employment. All application must be submitted through the Labour Department. Belongers are encourage to apply 19854

KIRK A. FORBES

Breezy Brae, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

MASON

Duties: To mix mortar, lay Bricks and stone, form and pour concrete Salary: $10.00 per hour.

CONTACT: 431-2640 Belongers are asked to send A copy of their resume to The Labour Board. This is a first time work permit application.

19912

A&P CONSTRUCTION

24B Spring Water Street, Blue Hills, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

MASON

AMBER STYLE

#134 South Dock Road, Providenciales

HAIRDRESSER - $6.50 HOURLY

Washing and styling hair.

• Masonry Work. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $7 hourly

COSMETOLOGIST - $9 HOURLY Shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and etc.

CONTACT: 347-8726

NAIL TECHNICIAN - $6.50 HOURLY

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19898

Polishing nails.

CONTACT: 343-0592

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board 19857

SARA WILLIAMS OVER BACK, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER Duties: To clean and Maintain premises by raking And cleaning yard disposing of Refuse, cleaning windows and doors. SALARY: $6.50 per hour.

CONTACT: 232-1471

Belongers are encouraged To send a copy of their Resume to the Labour Board. This is a first time work permit application.

19862

CASABLANCA CASINO

DICE DEALER

All candidate should have at least 2-3 years’ experience in the same field, excellent full knowledge of all casino table games and excellent knowledge of dice table games. Job summary: carry out specific tasks in the gaming operation to the highest standard efficiency and customer service, in accordance with gaming policies and procedures laid down by the company and gaming laws. Salary: $14 hourly Candidates must be willing to work on weekends, dayshift- night shift and holidays

Please drop off CV’s at the Casablanca casino 226 Grace Bay Road, Grace Bay, Providenciales address to HR or email at casablancacasino1@gmail.com Tel: 941-3737 Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. Position held by work permit holder

LIGHTHOUSE ROAD, GRAND TURK

DOMESTIC WORKER

Gender: Female Duties: General House hold chores Hours: Minimum of 16 hours per day to maximum 38 Wages: $6.25 per hour Days off: Sundays Applicants: Turks Islanders need only apply

DJIMY ANTENOR #39 THE BIGHT, PROVIDENCIALES Is seeking to employ a

ELBERT’S CLEANING SERVICE

LABOURER - $280 WEEKLY To load and unload trucks. Assist with heavy lifting.

CONTACT: 343-6204

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board19902

LABOURER

CONTACT: 232-4554

EASY WAY EMPLOYMENT #5 Millennium Estate, Millennium Highway

#3 BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

CONTACT: 343-2261

THIS POSITION IS FOR A FIRST TIME APPLICANT CONTACT: 231-7035 19863

NOEL TRUCK DELIVERY

DAPHNE VARIETY STORE

Washing dishes, cleaning and etc. Salary: $6.25 hourly Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19900

ACTING ON BEHALF OF

19349

• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames. • Must be willing to work 5 days a week. Salary: $7 hourly

HELPER

WHITBY, NORTH CAICOS Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

• Cleaning outside the property with sweeper, pick up yard waste and collect leaves, dispose of trash, clean windows, door frames. • Mon-Fri 7am-5pm Salary: $6.75 hourly

CONTACT: 2437785 OR 341-1683

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19890

ANITA SIMONS

ARNOLD SIMMONS

Back Salina, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Sweeping the house, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, laundering sheets, towels and personal clothing and other house work. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $6.50 hourly

Apt #1, Building #59 Black Crow Norway and Five Cays, Kew Town, Providenciales Is seeking to employ a

TILE LAYER • Install materials on floors, walls, ceilings, countertops, patios, and roof decks. Level the surface to be tiled with a layer of mortar or plywood. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $8 hourly

CONTACT: 245-4898

CONTACT: 231-6028

Belongers are encouraged to apply to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19859

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19872

C&S PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD

Is looking for the following Full Time Position

DOROTHY CLARKE

CLASSIFIEDS 49

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder 19888

ER CONSTRUCTION

#11 Mack Close, Cooper Jack Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER $6.25 HOURLY Sweeping, mopping the floor, clean bathrooms, toilets, kitchen, living room, and other work.

PAINTER - $8 HOURLY

Apply paints, stains, and coatings to interior and exterior walls, new buildings, homes, offices and other structural surfaces.

RENEWAL. CONTACT: 333-1199

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19880

#1 DAVIE BIGHT ROAD, BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

• Cleaning, vacuuming, dusting, and etc. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 346-2006

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19867

CLASS FASHION CLOTHING STORE New Subdivision, Five Cays Is seeking to employ a

SALES PERSON

• Watch the store. • Must be willing to work 6 days a week. Salary: $7 hourly

CONTACT: 341-7518

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board19858

Pillory Beach, Grand Turk

BARTENDER

• *minimum 3 years experience in a full service bar • *fluent in English - verbal and written - Spanish is an asset • *pleasant personality a must • *excellent mathematical skills • *ability to mix Bohio specialty cocktails • *ability to open and serve bottle of wine • *cleaning and organization of all areas of bar

• *re-stocking of fridges and inventory bar daily • *must be able to open bottles of wine • *ensure proper cash handling - open and closing duties • *working hours Monday Sunday including holidays, based on scheduled shift *must be available to start at 6 am , hours based on weekly schedule

WAGE: $6.25 PER HOUR THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

CUTTING EDGE LANDSCAPING AND DESIGNS 756 Leeward Highway Is seeking to employ a

19866

January 4-10, 2020

D&D CONTRACTING 2nd Floor #2 Olympic Plaza, Five Cays Road Is seeking to employ a

GARDENER

• Soil cultivation, digging, forking, mulching, watering, raking, weeding, edging, pruning, seed sowing, bed preparation and planting. • To work 5 days a week. Salary: $7.50 hourly CONTACT: 333-2621

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19868

ELECTRICIAN

Install wires and electrical work on buildings. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 246-2226

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19889

FIBERWORKS

FITZROY HOLDINGS LTD

The successful candidates must be able to: • Install and maintain fiber, copper and COAX cables according to plan. • Perform low-loss fiber splicing and cable jointing. • Perform preventative maintenance and ensure that proper standards are followed. Salary is $12.00 per hour (negotiable), 5 or 6 days per week depending on workload Renewal work permit . qualified Belongers can submit a copy of their resume to the Labor Department

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Requires 2 Fiber Technicians

Applicants should submit a resume to: Director of Fiberworks #46 Stingray Street, Cooper Jack Bay Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands Email: claytonfw@gmail.com contact: 333-0980

#1 PROVO PLAZA, LEEWARD HIGHWAY Is seeking to employ a

Part time position requiring occasional weekend work and variable hours. Applicant will have at least 5 year pqe management background, ability to prepare payroll and administer day to day operations. Must have own vehicle. Salary: $6.25 hourly

CONTACT: 946-4344

19903

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board 19901

50 CLASSIFIEDS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

JOB ADVERTISEMENT Wymara Resort and Villas is a contemporary luxury full-service boutique resort on Grace Bay Beach. We are looking for driven and energetic professionals with Five Star experience and who are committed to achieving excellence by ensuring Five Star standards and services are continuously delivered.

Server/Team Leader

Ensure the highest levels of professionalism are maintained in providing our customers consistent service quality. Ensure the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of Stelle Restaurant and Stelle Bar and Zest Restaurant. Perform major tasks that affect the overall operation of the restaurant.

EXPERIENCE:

2-4 Experience in Supervisory role or similar; degree from an accredited degree in Food and Beverage, Hospitality, or related major. Minimum 5 years’ experience as F&B Server from 5 Star Level Luxury Resort, proven knowledge and ability to lead and direct guests dining experience. Fluent in English, both verbal and written. Ability to investigate and solve guest complaints, follow up and meet/exceed guest expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5 years’ experience in the food and beverage, culinary and event. • High energy leader with 2 years’ experience in leading a successful fine dining a la carte restaurant, preferably in hotel environment. • Excellent communication, coaching and leadership skills. • Must be computer literate; must be proficient in Micros and Microsoft Suite • Must have the stamina to work long hours due to Operation’s needs. • Good organizational skills for dealing with diverse duties and staff. • Knowledge of varying brands and quality of liquors. • Ability to read, interpret and demonstrate the preparation of drink recipes. • Ability to train newly recruited staff members • Possess knowledgeable of daily food and beverage operations to schedule staff according to hotel occupancy. • Maintain a good relationship with vendors of Stelle restaurant

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Liaise closely with the Restaurant Manager and Assistant Manager while playing an active role in delivering service and guest satisfaction. • Ensuring all policies and standards are maintained with the object being to maximize profitability with sales of food and beverage products. • Maintain correct safety and security procedures as required and ensure all staff are aware of these procedures in their specific work areas. • Supervise the maintenance and cleanliness of the restaurant • Assume responsibility for any matters within the restaurant which may arise during the service period and solve them in the most appropriate and effective way with an emphasis on safety and customer service/ satisfaction

• Actively participate in all rostered and on the job training sessions. Training that falls on your day off or outside of your rostered hours. • Work with the Restaurant Manager maximize outlet productivity to meet set targets whilst adhering to and enforcing rostering/award legislation • Work with the Restaurant Manager to control food, beverage, operating equipment and linen item par stocks, and authorize requisitions and transfers. Compensation: $6.70 per hour

Spa Therapist

The Spa Therapist professional massage and body treatments to our guests. They must have a thorough knowledge of numerous massage modalities, possess a general understanding of body treatments and be willing to train in our spa’s specific massage and body treatment offerings. They must possess excellent communication skills and be able to learn the product and service knowledge necessary to effectively provide wellness solutions to meet the needs of our guests.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must hold CIDESCO or CIBTAC certification. Previous knowledge of SPASOFT/ SALONIRIS and Booker software is preferred. • Must be a graduate from an accredited university with extensive experience of at least 5 years with a reputed hotel/ chain or a luxury/Boutique Spa in massage, face therapy and nails. • Must have advanced knowle0dge of holistic therapy such as Reiki, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, lymphatic drainage, reflexology, bamboo therapy concepts that relate to the wellbeing of all guests in a spa environment. • Must be certified esthetician and massage therapist. • Must have good communication skills, flexibility to work hospitality shifts, PC skills, be a Team Player, self-motivated, punctual, professional. • Must speak and read English. Preferred with Asian/Gulf countries work experience. • Fluency in MS office specially Microsoft excel, outlook. • Ensure all clients are aware of their spa itinerary. • Escort clients to changing rooms and explain in depth how to fill out their client record card. • Duty of care to ensure the health and safety of themselves and other colleagues • Provides exceptional customer service to clients so that their experience is memorable. Focuses on driving productivity by leveraging strong front office management skills while maintaining strong working relationship with all team members and clients.

*Room Attendant

Report directly to the Assist Director of Housekeeping. Responsible for the overall cleanliness of assigned rooms/suites and provide a pleasant, comfortable experience for guest. Reports maintenance deficiencies in order to maintain rooms/suites in compliance with standards. Compensation: $6.25 per hour *Cook: The Cook is assigned to be directly responsible for one or more outlets or production areas in the following categories: production, alternative restaurants, buffets, or main galley. The Cook should expect to be rotated into different areas with or without advance notice in regards business demands and career development. Must have 2-3 years’ experience as kitchen helper or cook in luxury hotel or fine dining restaurant. Able to speak & read English, follow directions consistently, good attendance, good hygiene, likes to cook. Compensation: $15k - $20k per annum

*Sous Chef

Report directly to the Executive Chef. The position is responsible for assisting kitchen personnel and all related culinary activities; assist in the estimate food consumption and requisition or purchase food; assist in the selection and developing of recipes; assist in establishing presentation technique and quality standards; assist in planning and pricing menus; ensure proper equipment operation/maintenance and ensure proper safety and sanitation in the kitchen. Must have the ability to work in a diverse environment with focus on client and customer services are essential to success in this role. The ideal candidate should possess an associate degree or related culinary degree with two or more years of industry and culinary management experience. Compensation: $20k $36k per annum

*Chef De Partie

The Chef de Partie is a direct link between the Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, sous chef and his/her assigned production areas and outlets. His primary responsibilities are to ensure all communication, standards, policies, and expectations are communicated to his/her team and then executed flawlessly. The Chef de Partie enables his/her team by ensuring equipment and sanitation standards are always met, supplies and inventories are readily available, expectations are communicated, recipes are current, and training is on-going. He or She is expected to be a “hands-on” supervisor who leads his/her team by example. The Chef de Partie is assigned to be directly responsible for one or more outlets or production areas in the following categories: production, alternative restaurants, buffets, or main galley. The Chef de Partie should expect to be rotated into different areas with or without advance notice in regards business demands and career development. Compensation: $20k - $25k per annum

Interested applicants can contact our Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm on (649)941-7555. E- Mail cover letter outlining your interest and supporting experience in a particular position along with your Resume or C.V. to hr@wymara.com

January 4-10, 2020

WARD’S CONSULTANCY ACTING ON BEHALF OF OUR CLIENT AFTER 5

Turtle cove, providenciales 232-3483

CATERING SUPERVISOR

Provide customer services, plan menu and order supplies Salary $20.00 per hour

Cecelia Saintil

Kingston David Yard#6 Providenciales 244-6216

BABYSITTER

doing simple meal and snack, cleaning up areas. salary $6.25 per hour Belonger are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the labour board. These position is currently held by work permit holder 19908

SING A SONG VILLA BRISTOL HILL, VENETIAN ROAD #15 Is seeking to employ a

CARPENTER

• Must have 5 years’ experience. • Must be able to follow plans (blueprints) install fixtures, cabinets, hang doors and windows. Salary: $9 hourly

CONTACT: 649-941-3886

Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held by a work permit holder Application Deadline January 1st, 2020 19909

DAVID COESTER

35 NINA LANE, LEEWARD, PROVIDENCIALES Seeking a

YARD HELPER

• must be able to work 6 days a week and on holidays, must be able to speak and understand the English language. • Yard Help clean up premises of the employer. Monthly salary $1200. Belongers are encouraged to send a copy of their resume to the Labour Board Interested persons please contact telephone number 232-1643 email address swiftdelivery@ tciway.tc. renewal work permit 19894

ZOOM ZOOM TOURS

Breezy Brae, Grand Turk Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER

Duties: To clean vehicles after Tours, assist customers and maintain premises. SALARY: $6.50 per hour.

CONTACT: 2459136/247-9212

Belongers are encouraged To send a copy of their Resume to the Labour Board. This position is currently held By a work permit holder. 19914

January 4-10, 2020

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS 51

TCI EDUCATION FOUNDATION INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POST (ACADEMIC YEAR 2019-20)

TEACHER OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (NEW)

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

The successful candidate will have at least a bachelor’s degree, a teaching qualification, and recent experience teaching the British National Curriculum either in the UK or at an international school of repute, as part of a curriculum leading to Cambridge (I)GCSE and A-Level, or International Baccalaureate.

Looking for a challenging and rewarding career? Looking for a career change? Looking for a new and exciting adventure? Looking to work with an organisation that believes in staff training and development? Well look no further as TCA Handling Flight Services Ground Handlers for American Airlines and JetBlue is currently seeking qualified Belongers to fill the following vacant positions.

The teacher’s duties will include lesson preparation, teaching, assessment, recording and reporting. The candidate should be competent in the various applications of ICT in lessons. A willingness to be a form tutor, and the ability to contribute diversely and generously to the school’s extra-curricular programme, sometimes on weekends, is also expected.

Customer Service Agents/Ticket Agent JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Responsible for providing Legendary Customer Service to people desiring to travel, by determining and recommending the service that meets the Customers’ needs. • Finalizes sales of contracted Airlines flights, confirms reservations, and provides information regarding ticket purchase and other special services. • Answers Customer inquiries regarding flight arrivals, delays, cancellations, flight irregularities, facilities, and other general information. • May be assigned to specialized duties such as aircraft grooming, assisting and/or lifting disable passengers on or off aircraft. • Utilizes computerized reservations system including a computerized video display terminal and keyboard on a constant basis to book reservations and retrieve information on flights and schedules.

Starting salary $3200 gross per month, commensurate with qualifications, experience, and additional responsibilities. CV, letter of application, and names of two referees to:

The Principal, British West Indies Collegiate, PO Box 338, 51 Venetian Road Providenciales Email: principal@bwic.tc

REQUIREMENTS:

Suitable candidates will be called for interview. TCI Islanders are invited to send copies of their application to the Labour Board. 19878

• Warm and friendly personality • Computer skills and knowledge of Microsoft Suite • Must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs • Must have strong verbal and written communication skills. • Must have a clean Police Record • Must be able to travel regional and internationally • Must be able to work weekends and Public holidays Salary Scale: $8.50 per hour.

TCI MARBLE AND GRANITE LTD.

6B MECHANICAL CRES, RONY ELLIE BUILDING, COOPER JACK PROVIDENCIALES TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

Ramp Agents JOB DESCRIPTION:

POSITION

ASSISTANT MANAGER In search of a skilled person to work in communications and sales Starting Salary $15.00 per hour

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to communicate, liaise, and negotiate internally and externally using appropriate methods to facilitate the development of profitable business and sustainable relationships • Strong understanding of Microsoft Office applications and ability to troubleshoot/diagnose computer and network issues • 5+ years project management experience • 5+ years managing and executing marketing plans • 5+ years experience in legal contract drafting and negotiation • 5+ years experience in troubleshooting computer hardware/software issues • 10+ years sales experience • 10+ years experience management, training, and recruiting staff according to company policies and employment laws, ensuring relevant HR procedures are followed

• Loading and unloading aircrafts in accordance with the instructions of the crew chief. • To ensure that all bags are accounted for by the triple A system or any other system that the company may be using. • The unloading and clean-up of any kind of waste from the aircraft. • Help in the lifting of passengers that is immobilize, up and down the aircraft ensuring a safe path at all times. • Able to work nights, weekends, holiday and varying schedules. • Marshall aircraft on the ramp (e.g. directing assisting and parking all arriving, departing and towed aircraft). • Observe safe ground-handling procedures and maintenance of ground service equipment including the performance of equipment checks. • Comply with all safety procedures and airline policies. • Assist in ramp set up and storage of equipment and baggage. • Service aircraft as needed (e.g. aircraft lavatories, potable water and any commissary items). • Constantly communicate with flight crew personnel and other ground personnel.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Warm and friendly personality • Must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs • Must have a clean Police Record • Must have a valid Turks & Caicos Driver’s license Salary Scale: $8.50 per hour.

Applicants will be required to pass a written skills test and show proficiency and understanding of the construction field.

Application giving full details of qualifications and experience should be addressed to:

Please email resumes to accounts@tcimarbleandgranite.com or inquire in person.

The Human Resources Manager TCA Handling Ltd. Town Centre Mall, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI

POSITION IS BEING ADVERTISED FOR A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. APPLICATIONS FOR QUALIFIED TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED. 19875

and should reach no later than deadline date goes here, for further information/appointment you can contact us at Tele:649-941-5969/941-5353 and/or email hr@tcahandling.com. 19876

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Sports Interational

David Stern: Former NBA commissioner dies aged 77 DAVID Stern, the former commissioner of the US National Basketball Association (NBA), has died at the age of 77. He had been in a serious condition after suffering a brain haemorrhage in December. Stern was the NBA’s longest-serving commissioner, holding the job for 30 years until retiring in February 2014. He is credited with massively increasing the sport’s revenues and popularity at home and abroad during his tenure. “Because of David, the NBA is a truly global brand making him not only one of the greatest sports commissioners of all time but also one of the most influential business leaders of his generation,” his

successor, Adam Silver, said in a statement. “Every member of the NBA family is the beneficiary of David’s vision, generosity and inspiration.” Stern took over the NBA in February 1984. Basketball then drew in smaller television audiences and less money than other US sports like baseball and American football. But during his time in charge he helped build the NBA’s profile with a focus on its star players - making people like Michael Jordan household names around the world. Seven new teams joined the league during his three decades in charge, including two in Canada. One of these - the Toronto Raptors - won

David Stern helped boost basketball’s popularity domestically and internationally.

their first NBA title in June. He also oversaw the creation of the Women’s NBA in 1997. By the time Stern handed control of the NBA over to his deputy Adam Silver in February 2014 - thirty years to the day after taking the job more than 200 countries were broadcasting US basketball games. Last season was the sixth in which more than 100 international stars played in

law firm which represented the league in the 1960s. He became the NBA’s general counsel in 1978 and executive vice president in 1980, before taking the top

role four years later. Stern died in hospital in Manhattan surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Dianne and two sons, Eric and Andrew. (BBC)

SERVICES BY EA

NURSERY COORDINATOR

Applicant must have knowledge of finance, accounting, cash flow projection and proficient in using POS systems for landscape, chemical and fertilization inventory. Ability to analyze financial data and prepare automated financial reports, statements and projections. Work requires professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to deal with customers and suppliers. Salary is approximately $600/week and willing to work long hours, weekend and holiday if needed. Preference will be given to applicants who completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Finance or Business Administration. Excellent reference from previous employers a must.

KUBERA LIMITED DBA GOLDSMITH

Jeweler - $2,000 monthly

Must be able to repair clasps and links on Gold and Silver Jewelry. Must be able to identify precious and semi-precious gems and metals. To work 6-days per week.

Store Clerk - $1,250 monthly

Must be able to provide assistance to customers and handle various duties such as operating the cash register, greeting customers, helping people locate products, doing paper work, stocking shelves, and maintaining the store clean and organized.

Care Giver - $1,250 monthly

Duties: Taking care of elderly person in a wheelchair, general cleaning, and other related chores. Position is currently held by a work permit holder.

Sales Manager - $2,000 monthly

Interested applicants including Islanders/ Belongers can send applications to Services by EA by email to mary@eagrouptci.com. Successful applicants will be notified by phone for interview. This position is currently held by a work permit holder. 19870

LAND FOR SALE 1.3 ACRE LAND ON OCEAN DRIVE, TURTLE TAIL WITH ELEVATION

Must be able to achieve growth and hit sales team. Designing and implementing a strategic sales plan that expands company’s customer base.

These positions are currently held by work permit holders Belongers can drop off resume to the store Providenciales: Central Square and The Regent Village Grand Turk: Goldsmith Building Front Street Tel: 649 946 4100. Email: kubera@tciway.tc Aplicants can also submit copies to the Labour Board

the NBA. Born in 1942 in New York, he attended Columbia Law School and first became affiliated with the NBA through work for a prominent

CALL 1-649-231-3788 FOR MORE INFO. 16826

January 4-10, 2020

Sports Interational

53

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Li Tie (centre) had a four-year spell at Everton under David Moyes.

China appoint ex-Everton midfielder Li Tie as head coach FORMER Everton midfielder Li Tie has been appointed as China head coach. The 42-year-old succeeds Italian Marcello Lippi, who quit the job for a second time in November after a 2-1 defeat by Syria in a 2022 World Cup qualifier. Li made 92 appearances for China and played at the 2002 World Cup. He initially joined Everton on loan in 2002 and featured in 40 matches under then manager David Moyes, before

a move to Sheffield United in 2006. Li played just one game for the Blades before returning to China in 2008. After retiring from playing in 2011, Li was the assistant coach of Guangzhou Evergrande and China, before taking over at Hebei Fortune and then Wuhan Zall. Most recently, he led a China reserve side to the East Asian Championships in South Korea in December. (BBC)

Paul Pogba has made just two substitute appearances for Manchester United since the end of September.

Paul Pogba: Man Utd midfielder to have operation on ankle injury MANCHESTER United’s Paul Pogba needs an operation on an ankle injury and is set to be out for “three or four weeks”, says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Pogba was not in the United squad for the New Year’s Day defeat at Arsenal. The France midfielder, 26, only made his comeback last month from an ankle problem that had kept him out since the

NOTICE OF APPLICATION CONVERSION OF PROVISIONAL TO ABSOLUTE TITLE Section 29 of the Registered Land Ordinance 1967

TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Section 29 of the Registered Land Ordinance an application has been made by MARVA MAXCINE WILLIAMS, the personal representative of estate LOUIS HARTWELL FRANCIS for the conversion of provisional title into absolute title for land more specifically described below.

DESCRIPTION OF LAND

All that parcel of land part of CENTRAL on the land of GRAND TURK in the Turks & Caicos Islands recorded on the Land Register with Block/ parcel No. 10303/63 containing .07 acres FURTHER take notice that I Brandie Anderson-Stewart on being satisfied that the applicant has acquired an absolute title may allow the conversion of the title classification to absolute. Written objections and/or responses to the application for the conversion of title should be submitted no later than thirty (30) days from the date of this Notice to:

end of September. “We’ve had scans and it’s nothing major, but it’s something that has to be dealt with,” said Solskjaer. “He’s been advised to do it [the operation] as soon as and we will probably do it as soon as, so he will be out for three or four weeks. “It’s a big blow because Paul is out now and Scott

[McTominay] is also injured he is out for a few months. “We just hope that Paul can come back in a month-ish. But if Fred and Nemanja [Matic] played like they did today I will be happy.” Pogba has played only eight times this season after having surgery in the autumn to correct another ankle injury. His comeback was then

delayed by illness, meaning he did not resume training until mid-December. The former Juventus midfielder made substitute appearances against Watford and Newcastle before being rested for Saturday’s Premier League win at Burnley. Solskjaer said last month that Pogba would not be sold in January. (BBC)

REGISTERED LAND ORDINANCE, CAP 9.01

NOTICE LOST LAND CERTIFICATE TITLE NUMBER 10303/63

SECTION CENTRAL

ISLAND GRAND TURK

Whereas, MARVA MAXCINE WILLIAMS of 2000 Broadleaf Lane, Power Springs, Georgia 30127-7032 USA as personal representative of LOUIS HARTWELL FRANCIS (deceased) has declared that the Land Certificate for the above mentioned title number(s) issued in the name of LOUIS HARTWELL FRANCIS was inadvertently mislaid and cannot be found. Take notice that I, Brandie Anderson- Stewart, Registrar of Lands, shall issue a new land certificate for the said title six weeks of the date of the first publication of this Notice in a local newspaper and the Gazette. Dated this 6th day of December 2019.

BRANDIE N. ANDERSON REGISTRAR OF LANDS SUITES 3 & 4 WINDMILLS PLAZA, GRAND TURK, TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS EMAIL: bnanderson@gov.tc Dated this 5th day of December, 2019

Signed ....................................................................................... REGISTRAR OF LANDS WITNESSED: ............................................................................

197933

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Peter Wright is the first Scottish winner of the PDC World Championship since Gary Anderson in 2016.

Wright beats Gerwen to win first PDC Darts Championship title Shelly-Ann FraserPryce plans Tokyo Olympics 100m & 200m sprint double Fraser-Pryce confirmed last month that Tokyo would be her final Olympics.

SCOTSMAN Peter Wright captured his first PDC World Championship title with a superb 7-3 win over 2019 champion Michael van Gerwen at Alexandra Palace. The 49-year-old lost 7-4 to Van Gerwen in the 2014 final and had previously lost 10 of his 11 major finals. But Wright raced into a 2-0 lead and with the three-time champion missing doubles, built a 6-3 advantage. Seventh seed Wright, who survived a sudden-death shootout in round two, is the second oldest winner of the event. Phil Taylor won the last of his 16 world titles aged 53 in 2013. “Champion of the world sounds amazing. You should never give up, it doesn’t matter how many times you get beaten,” an emotional Wright told Sky Sports. “I couldn’t believe that first dart [for the match] didn’t go in, or the

second one - and I thought ‘don’t do it again’ but I’ve done it.” Van Gerwen had a slightly higher average than Wright - 102.88 to 102.79 - but landed only 40% of his doubles against 53% from the champion. In his fifth world final and seeking his third crown in the past four years, 30-year-old Dutchman Van Gerwen was eyeing a 60th win in his 79th encounter with Wright and an eighth successive major final victory over the colourful Scot. Both players came into the final with a 44% doubles success rate but Wright missed three darts for the opening leg, although his consistency soon sealed the first set after Van Gerwen clipped the wire of the bullseye with his attempt at a 170 finish in the decider. Averaging 105.02, Wright raced through the next set 3-1, before the champion needed only 37 darts to take the third 3-0.

Van Gerwen levelled the match at 2-2 after Wright missed his favourite double top that would have given him a two-set lead again. But Van Gerwen, who won all six of his major finals in 2019, was in arrears at the interval as Wright recorded a 10-dart finish and then saw the Dutchman squander six darts for the next leg. With Van Gerwen continuing to miss the doubles, Wright duly moved two sets clear again, taking the sixth 3-0 and soon led by two for the third time at 5-3. Both players missed two darts to win the ninth set but Wright eventually claimed it to move within one set of the title. Van Gerwen missed double 12 for the first nine-dart finish of the tournament and he was soon to miss out on the overall prize as well as the assured Wright sank double 10 at the third time of asking to land the sport’s biggest prize. (BBC)

JAMAICAN sprint star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce will also run in the 200m when she defends her Olympic 100m title in Tokyo next year. It is set to be the final Olympics for Fraser-Pryce, who will be 33 on Friday. “I will be doubling up definitely,” she was quoted as saying in Kingston by website Inside the Games. “Last year [season] I really wanted to attempt the double but my coach had other plans so I just worked with

that plan. He knows best.” Fraser-Pryce’s Olympic best at 200m was a silver medal at London 2012, although she did triumph at that distance in this year’s Pan American Games. Her main rivals in the 200m in Tokyo will include Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, who is fresh from winning gold at that distance in the recent World Championships in Doha - but took 100m silver behind Fraser-Pryce at the same championships. (BBC)

Brisbane International: Maria Sharapova handed wildcard RUSSIA’S Maria Sharapova will compete at the Brisbane International in January after receiving a wildcard. The 32-year-old former world number one played just 15 matches in 2019 because of a long-term shoulder injury. Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova last played a competitive match in the first round of the US Open in August. “Brisbane, I’ve missed you and I’m so excited to be starting off my year 2020 at your tournament, in your city,” Sharapova said in a social media video. I’ve missed the fans, I’ve

missed the event so much, and I am so looking forward to seeing everyone.” Also set to compete at the event, which runs from 6 to 12 January, is defending champion Karolina Pliskova, world number one Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka. The tournament is seen as a warmup for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open in Melbourne, which starts on 20 January. With her ranking of 133 in the world, Sharapova will need a wildcard to gain direct entry to the main draw of the Australian Open - a tournament she won in 2008.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova entered just eight WTA tournaments in 2019.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Medinah, Woods and Olympic gold - 10 highlights of the golfing decade It was a decade in golf that saw epic team wins by the widest and narrowest of margins, accompanied by historic comebacks and stellar individual performances, with many coming from UK players. Here is our chance to reflect on those past 10 years, a fascinating period during which there was plenty of room for golfing magic, madness and mutiny - and that was just Phil Mickelson! Looking for a little bit of everything, here are my top 10 moments in golf from the past decade. Share your own favourites in the comments section. MEDINAH RYDER CUP 2012 The match that became a miracle in the Chicago suburbs, as Europe triumphed from 10-4 down. Inspired by the indomitable Ian Poulter, Europe summoned the spirit of Seve Ballesteros in the first Ryder Cup since the Spanish legend’s untimely passing. Still trailing 10-6 going into the singles, final day heroics from the likes of Poulter, Luke Donald, Paul Lawrie, Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Lee Westwood and a nerveless Martin Kaymer created a most unlikely victory. It was one of the greatest Ryder Cups. SOLHEIM CUP 2013 COLORADO GOLF CLUB Led by Liselotte Neumann, Europe’s women headed to Denver seeking a first win in the United States. They achieved it in record style, winning 18-10 - the largest Solheim Cup winning margin. At just 17, Charley Hull made a stunning debut thrashing the much-vaunted Paula Creamer 5&4 in the singles. Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall was the first player from either team to win all five points. Having upset the odds to win in Ireland two years earlier, Europe retained the trophy for the first time. GOLDEN GLORY FOR ROSE AND PARK IN RIO 2016 No-one embraced golf’s return to the Olympics more than Justin Rose. While many of his contemporaries used worries about the Zika virus to swerve the Games, the Englishman spoke of how his gymnast wife would never forgive him if he refused the chance of being an Olympian. Rose beat Henrik Stenson to gold, and Inbee Park fittingly dominated the women’s event. She claimed gold having won six of her seven majors in this decade. It is a cliche, but golf was the biggest winner, proving popular with the Rio crowds and the International Olympic Committee.

Phil Mickelson’s moment of madness, Justin Rose’s Olympic gold and Europe’s 2013 Solheim Cup victory all make the top 10.

All the top players will compete in Tokyo 2020. STENSON WINS THE OPEN AT ROYAL TROON 2016 There are so many Open memories from the decade - Shane Lowry’s tumultuous triumph as the championship magnificently returned to Royal Portrush being right up there. But the best golf I witnessed came with Henrik Stenson fending off Phil Mickelson with a final-round 63 to finish 20 under par at Troon in 2016. It was an exceptional dual that fluctuated throughout the final weekend. The American runner-up fired a brilliant 65 yet went backwards, losing by three strokes. Mickelson was still an astonishing 11 shots ahead of JB Holmes in third place. MICKELSON ON THE MOVE AT SHINNECOCK HILLS 2018 Despite winning the 2013 Open, three years after collecting his third Masters green jacket, and possessing oodles of charm and PR savvy, Phil Mickelson somehow became golf’s most controversial character of the decade. He unceremoniously shoved captain Tom Watson under the proverbial bus after Ryder Cup defeat at Gleneagles in 2014. The man known as ‘Lefty’ starred in a grubby photo shoot for “The Match”,

a $9m shoot out with Tiger Woods that no-one seemed to like. And the most jaw-dropping moment came at the Shinnecock US Open last year when he jogged after his ball and intentionally hit it back towards the hole while it was still moving on the 13th green. He received a two-shot penalty but how he was not thrown out of the championship remains a mystery. GIMMEGATE PROMPTS US FIGHTBACK IN 2015 Suzann Pettersen unwittingly inspired a US Solheim Cup fightback in Germany by failing to concede a short putt to Alison Lee. The American missed her attempt to win the 17th and picked up her ball thinking the half had been given by Pettersen and partner Charley Hull. Neither European had made the concession and claimed the hole. It might have helped them on the scoreboard but it cost the moral high ground. It also fired up the US team and they stormed back from 10-6 down in the singles to regain the trophy. Four years later Pettersen atoned in style. Playing as wildcard selection, she secured Europe’s win with the final putt at Gleneagles and then announced her retirement. DONALD GOES TO WORLD NUMBER ONE IN 2011

It was a decent decade for home golf, typified by Luke Donald succeeding Lee Westwood as world number one by beating him in a play-off for the 2011 PGA Championship at Wentworth. With a razor-sharp short game, Donald spent 56 weeks at the top of the standings - the fourth longest reign of the decade. Four UK golfers topped the charts; Westwood (22 weeks), Rory McIlroy (95 weeks) and Justin Rose (13 weeks). McIlroy won the joint highest number of men’s majors in the decade (four). There were also major wins for Rose (2013 US Open), Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open), Darren Clarke (2011 Open) and Danny Willett (2016 Masters).

told us afterwards.

HALL WINS WOMEN’S BRITISH OPEN 2018 Georgia Hall’s epic victory in the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham was an unforgettable triumph. The 22-year-old came from a stroke behind to beat Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum by two strokes with a five-under-par closing round. Huge crowds followed Hall’s every move, inspiring a brilliant display on the famous Lancashire links. As soon as victory was completed, she leapt into the arms of her father, who caddied for her that week. “We’ve been dreaming about this since she was seven years old,” dad Wayne

WOODS WINS 2019 MASTERS Impossible to ignore. Tiger Woods capped the decade by winning his first major for 11 years. As he turns 44, he can reflect on last April’s stirring Masters victory for its redemptive qualities. It also means, fitness permitting, he still has a chance of overhauling Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major victories. Woods needs just three more. It is worth remembering that despite missing a dozen majors in an injury-hit decade, he still spent more weeks at world number one (103) than any other male player. (BBC)

SPIETH WINS 2017 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP The most breathtakingly ruthless and devastating spell of golf came from Jordan Spieth to leave Matt Kuchar trailing in his wake at Royal Birkdale. Spieth was wobbling as his drive flew into the practice ground to the right of the 13th hole. Somehow he conjured an unlikely bogey before the fireworks truly started. He nearly holed in one at the par-three 14th and eagled the 15th before adding birdies at the next two holes. Kuchar did nothing wrong yet rapidly faded from contention and Spieth claimed the third major of his young career.

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SPORTS YEAR IN REVIEW Sports made a number of positive steps in 2019 after a below par 2018 due to the destructive hurricanes of the previous year. A few teams, including the National Men’s Rugby side and the Senior Men’s Football team, were exceptional. The TCIFA also re-focused their energies on the fundamentals of the game and hired several competent regional coaches, who joined the impressive Women’s Football Director Yunelsis Rodriguez-Baez. Jamaica National U17 and U20 coach, Andrew Edwards was appointed as the new Technical Director of the FA, with

fellow countrymen Omar Edwards (former Head Coach of Jamaica’s Tivoli Gardens Football Club) and Aaron Lawrence (former Head coach of Jamaica’s Sandals South Coast Football Club) at his side. Yanique Haye-Smith was a standout in track and field after breaking several records in her first legitimate year of competition for the TCI, while there were other individual performances that defined the year and showed upward movement in sports. Rohan Shearer won TCI’s first ever medal at CARIFTA in swimming, while Wikenson Fenelon won gold in the Decathlon at

the 2019 Jamaica Champs. A number of athletes also took their educational to the next level, including national sailor Grace Mann, who started Jacksonville University, basketball player Dwaine Simons at the University of Rio Grande in Ohio among others. Director of Sports Jarrett Forbes was also pro-active in his approach to sports and his Department of Sports collaborated with a number of sporting associations to enhance their overall development.

JANUARY January started with young teen golfing sensation Brooke Rivers breaking the Provo Golf Club red tees record with a four under par 68. The then 13-year-old went on to win the annual President’s Championships with Craig James. National football captain Billy Forbes also returned to the San Antonio FC in January of 2019, that stint was however short-lived. In track and field, national athlete Rebecca Bernadin, who had an excellent year at the St. Jago High School in Jamaica, was able to break a 40-year-old 1500M national record. Competing at the Wint McKenly Track and Field Classics, the then 18-year-old clocked a time of 4:54.54, which erased Beatrice Delancy’s Commonwealth Games run of 5:06.60, which was done in Edmonton, Canada in 1978. In terms of team events, the Clement Howell High School defeated a spirited Wesley Methodist team after staging a comeback in the final of the High School Softball Championships in the first month of last year.

Rebecca Bernadin is now the first female Turks Islander to run the 1500M under five minutes.

Brooke Rivers (right) has been a dominant force in TCI golf.

PART ONE

The Clement Howell Eagles won the 2019 School Softball championships.

January 4-10, 2020

Sports National

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From L to R: Cyclists Kavin Ewing, Shanwell Gardiner, Sean Rodgers, Tyrone Bishop and Kenneth Grant were outstanding in the Bahamas.

Yanique Haye-Smith rewrote the track and field history books in 2019.

FEBRUARY

TCI U11 Boys and coaching team with the trophy.

The Clement Howell High School Eagles retained their Inter-high Track and Field title.

A five-member cycling team kicked off February with a dominant performance in the Tour of Grand Bahama. All members of team TCI returned with trophies or medals. Sean Rodgers finished as the overall winner after a dominant performance in the first leg of the three-stage race, while he also won the Elite category. President of the TCI Cycling Federation Shanwell Gardiner finished first in the Masters Category One, while Kavin Ewing finished just behind him. Meanwhile Kenneth Grant finished in first place in the Masters Category Two, while Tyrone Bishop, who competed in the Elite Category, won the second race—a 20-mile circuit event. Yanique Haye-Smith, who got the green light to compete for the TCI in late 2018, had a dominant season on the track. In February, she exploded and marked her name. First, she broke the national indoor 400M record with her season opener. She clocked 53.71s at the Ocean Breeze track meet in NY to beat Akia Guerrier’s 2018 record of 55.87s. A few weeks later, the 29-year-old broke that 400M record with a new time of 52.72s at Boston University. She also broke Gurrier’s 2017 200M record of 24.7s with a new time of 23.7s. Haye-Smith was not the only record breaker in February; Bernadin also continued her dominance in the middle distance events. She broke her 1500M and set a new record in the 3000M. The 18-year-old, running at Central Champs, four minutes and 50 seconds in the 1500M, over four seconds faster than her 4:54.54 record in January. In the 3000M, she broke Shanrika Williams’s 2007 CARIFTA Games record of 10.59.56, with a time 10.49, which was 10 seconds faster. Kristoff Malcolm also helped his school, the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles, to championship honours in the Southern Collegiate Hockey Conference D3 Championships in February. Meanwhile, the TCIFA U11 Boys team battled their way to a second place finish in the bronze division of the Weston Cup and Showcase in Florida, which is one of the top15 youth football tournaments in the US.

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Sonia Fulford retains her seat on the CONCACAF Council in March’s elections.

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 4-10, 2020

The Meridian Marauders won the 2019 Graham Thompson Tag Spring League in March.

MARCH THE Clement Howell High School dominated the Inter High School National Track and Field Championships by registering a 128 points victory at the National Stadium in early March. Long Bay High placed second with 516 points, HJ Robinson third on 403 point, Marjorie Basden fourth on 392 points and Raymond Gardiner fifth on 329 points. In football, late goals by TCI’s captain Billy Forbes and substitute player Fred Dorvil propelled the Turks and Caicos Islands senior national team to a 2-2 draw in their clash against BVI in the Qualifying Phase of the CONCACAF Nations League, in Anguilla. Off the field TCIFA’s president Sonia Fulford easily whipped Jeaninne Wong-Loi-Sing of Bonaire 34-7 to retain her seat at the 34th Ordinary Congress of the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF), which held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Prior to the election, Fulford was co-opted to the CONCACAF Council in 2013 and subsequently elected by Congress in 2015 as the first female to hold a position (with voting rights) on the CONCACAF Council. In rugby, the Meridian Marauders won the Graham Thompson Tag Rugby League Spring final with a 12-11 win over the Jolly Ranchers. The event which was held at the Meridian field saw Ranchers stage a comeback with tries from Emma Parlee and Ben Gearing, but earlier tries from Gareth Butler and president of the TCIRFU Keith Burant proved decisive. Tipsy Turtles finished third owing to a walk over victory against Crossfit Wahoos who did not show in protest from losing the semi-final to the Jolly Ranchers. Meanwhile, the Twa Marcelin Wolf Lightning, the WB Financial Penguins and the Villa del Mar Flyers were crowned champions of the Provo Hockey League in late March. In the Novice Division final at the Graceway Sports Centre in Providenciales, two goals from Zachary Wells propelled the Wolf Lightning to a 3-2 win over the Temple Financial Canucks. In the Bantam Division final, Max Scholar led the Penguins to a 5-3 win over the Kvanar Oilers, while in the Midget Division final, Carson Greatrex fired in four goals to lead the Flyers to a 6-2 win over the Projetech Pirates. The Lightning edged the Temple Financial Canucks in the PHL Novice Division final in late March.

January 4-10, 2020

Sports National

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

APRIL In April, the Oseta Jolly Jaguars defended their Inter-Primary School National Track and Field Championships title four years after winning in 2015. Twenty schools and the SNAP Centre athletes competed in the two-day event. After two amazing days of competition, Oseta Jolly finished with 321 points, ahead of Ianthe Pratt Primary’s 303 points. Enid Capron Primary finished third with 258 points, while Ona Glinton Primary School placed fourth with 242 points and Iris Stubb Primary fifth on 122 points. Staying in track and field, national athlete Wikenson Fenelon finished with three records after an impressive performance at the 109th ISSA/ GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships at the National Stadium in Jamaica. The Jamaica College student broke two individual records and his own national record, which saw him winning gold in the Decathlon (ten grueling events). Haye-Smith also had an impressive April. In two weeks, she broke two national records, finished on the podium twice and powered herself to an IAAF top-three world ranking, which earned her a qualification spot in the 400M hurdles at the World Championships, which was held later in the year. In basketball, Provo based team, the HAB Sonics Basketball Club, won their first ever title in the capital when they played in the 2019 Grand Turk Basketball Showcase Tournament in April. The club, which had shown tremendous improvements, won all four of their games. Lead player Jessy Maximin won the Most Valuable Player and the Most Rebound awards, while Lofton Seymour won the Most Assists Award and Darly Francois the Most Steals Award. (Continue next week)

Wikenson Fenelon won the Decathlon competition at Champs in April.

The WB Financial Penguins registered a 5-3 win over the Kvanar Oilers in the Bantam final of the PHL.

The Flyers were the 2019 Midget Division champions.

The young athletes in the Inter-Primary School competition showed a lot of heart.

The HAB Sonics Basketball Club won the Grand Turk Basketball Showcase tournament in April.

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January 4-10, 2020