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NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS NEWS EXPRESS
April 16 - 22, 2013
New revenue measures will not News Express be effective April 1, Premier Editorial Turks and Caicos
The time has come
I
t is said that there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. So when we felt the birth pains of a newspaper for the Turks & Caicos Islands thirty-one years ago, even though we welcomed the excitement of a new attempt, we were fearful of the graveyard of failed attempts by so many before us whose bones we would have to walk through in order to reach the pinnacle of our success . You see, when we decided to publish a newspaper for the TCI there had been at least a dozen attempts by bright and well-heeled individuals, who all fell by the wayside. Why we succeeded, only God knows. But we can tell you this: the road was not easy. The year was July 7, 1982 when the first issue of the Turks & Caicos News (now the Weekly News) rolled off the presses in Hialeah, Florida and hit the streets of Grand Turk. Grand Turk was all that mattered back then, so it took longer to reach the other islands. But the timely arrival of the Turks & Caicos News was the fulfillment of a dream by a native son who had worked in publishing all his life; who had promised himself to return home one day to produce the first professional newspaper for his homeland. And even though the fledgling economy back then could hardly support a 12-page tabloid, its founder and publisher believed that the day would come when the Turks & Caicos would be able to support its own newspaper, as the TCI grew to take its place among the region, where democracy deepened because of the embrace of a free press, freedom of speech and information technology. Thirty-one years later we are attempting to expand that vision. That original dream of providing a weekly voice for the expression of views, opinions and ideas has not waned or weakened. In fact, we have strengthened our commitment to better serve you through this medium. Hence this new edition. The News Express will not replace nor compete with the Weekly News; it will complement it. We have learned through thirty-odd years of publishing that most news events in the Islands tend to happen on the weekend. We have long felt the need to expand our coverage of weekend events and to increase the service for our advertisers and readers, but resources did not allow. Now is the time, we feel, to make this move. And we hope that just as you have supported us over years through advertising and readership, you will continue to help us keep this dream alive as we look forward to the next thirty-one years. We hope you enjoy this new edition. Published by Duncanson Publications Ltd. Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson – Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Vanessa Narine - Senior Reporter Faizool Deo – Sports Cord Garrido-Lowe – Graphics/Production Editor Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams – Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@yahoo.com, tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com
PREMIER, Dr. Rufus Ewing said the delay in the passage of the 20132014 Budget has no influence on revenue collections. Adding further clarification, he explained that the new revenue measures, which will be introduced as alternatives to Value Added Tax (VAT), will not be backdated. At a press conference last Friday (April 12), the Premier was asked about the opportunity cost lost when it came to revenue collection, given that the passing of 2013-2014 Budget has been delayed. and, if was passed on scheduled, would have seen the new revenue measures being effective earlier than it will now be with the delay. He explained that the latest delay in finalising the Fiscal and Strategic and Policy Statement
(FSPS) was due to revisions in the area of revenues, where additional financial commitments had to be made. The FSPS has to be approved by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) before the new budget can be finalised and debated and passed in the House of Assembly. Till then, business is as normal. Ewing pointed out that April 1 is the beginning of the 201320147 financial year, with Government accounts will reflect the same, and revenues are being collected in the new financial year as per normal. Cabinet met last Wednesday (April 10) and examined in detail the latest version of the FSPS prepared by the Ministry of Finance, which included revised estimates for expected revenues from existing
sources. Cabinet also discussed options for further tax increases necessary to ensure the expenditure plans for 2013/14 and subsequent years are robust and sustainable. These included the legislative and administrative changes required to broaden accommodation tax to other tourist related services, a flat rate property tax and a professional service tax with a view to these measures coming into effect from 1 October 2013. Other tax raising options were considered and is expected to be examined in more detail by the Ministry of Finance during April. The budget is expected to be placed before the House of Assembly in June, according to the Finance Minister, Washington Misick. (VANESSA NARINE)
Leeward dredging application still with Planning Department BY VANESSA NARINE THE LEEWARD dredging debacle is at a standstill as the application for work remains in the hands of the Planning Department. There is strong opposition from local stakeholders on the controversial issue who insist that Blue Haven Marina and Resort not dredge the Leeward channel, least it affect marine life in the area. Asked for an update, Premier, Dr. Rufus Ewing, said he is awaiting a report from the department. At a press conference last Friday (April 12), Ewing said the report will be sent to the Governor first before a decision is reached. The Premier stressed that currently the laws in the Turks and Caicos Islands prevent dredging in a protected national park. To that end, he said if the Leeward development is one that the Government wants to move ahead with, it will require a change in legislation. If that is the case, he said, the matter will go to the House of Assembly where the people’s elected representatives will debate the future of the development. Asked how heavily public opinion would weigh on his Government’s decision to approve the Leeward Development and take the matter to the House of Assembly, Ewing said any move forward on the matter will be decided by the House. A source inside the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) indicated that a few board members in the Planning Department are not in favour of the dredging. However, whether this is the position of the entire board is left to
An impression of Blue Haven Marina and Resort’s facility come summer 2013
be seen. The developers, Blue Haven Marina and Resort, appear confident that the application will be approved, in light of the fact that the company is sticking to its announcement late last year that by summer 2013 it will be able to cater to yachts up to 180 feet. According to a report by Sarah Bensimon for ‘All at Sea Caribbean,’ Blue Haven Marina and Resort intends to make its summer 2013 idea a possibility through “plans for maintenance dredging” that will bring its capacity to 12 feet, which is projected to be completed by winter 2013. Once completed, Blue Haven Marina and Resort is expected to offer 51 berths for yachts up to 180 feet, initially with a max draft of 5.5 feet; marina concierge that will cater to crews and guests with exclusive itineraries and planned activities; and highly secure marina docks to ensure privacy, among others. Bensimon’s report said: “The marina, an integral part of the Blue Haven Marina and Resort, is surrounded by nearly 20 acres of
waterfront land on the exquisite northeast coast of the island. “Marina guests will have full access to the resort, including a hotel boasting a gym, private beach and an infinity-edge swimming pool with lounge decks for entertainment. “Also on property will be several restaurants, bars as well as an array of water sport activities and day charters – both sail and sport fishing. “Nearly complete, the marina has nearly 6,000 linear feet of dockage and is constructed of 15-foot-wide concrete floating docks. “Conveniences such as on-site customs and immigration services and a marina operations center will feature a lounge for captains and crews, as well as showers, a chart room and a crew work room. “The offerings will be topped off by an exclusive concierge for marina customers ready to organise activities, excursions, rental vehicles, restaurant reservations and more. “Top-notch provisioning with the capability to bring almost anything to the island will be readily available to mega-yacht crews and their guests. “Boasting the third-largest coral barrier reef system in the world, the islands are renowned for the finest of tropical beaches….” On the question of who owns or manages Blue Haven Marina and Resort there is much speculation. Attempts made by the Weekly News to contact a person in authority at Blue Haven proved futile. According to the September 6 to 13 edition of the Sun, Blue Haven Marina and Resort was initially the Leeward Marina, which was once owned by Lord Michael Ashcroft.