Weekly News Volume 28 | No. 36 | September 6 - 12, 2014
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Turks and Caicos
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East Caicos cruise port
A new deep water port is set to be built in East Caicos allowing a second point of access for cruise ships in the TCI.
Authorities intercept illegal Haitian immigration 5 attempt PAGE 9
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The 60 men and 22 women were handed over to immigration officials at the detention centre
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PDM explains vote down of National Honours and Awards Bill
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Grand Turk to get a multimillion dollar makeover
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TCI MultiCultural Festival unites hundreds PAGE 22
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
PDM accuses minister of changing Immigration Bill ON Thursday (August 28), the Immigration Bill 2014 was read for the first time in the House of Assembly and parliamentary debate on the proposed ordinance is expected to follow sometime soon. But the Opposition is not pleased with the current document and has levelled accusations that changes have been made since the public was last consulted.
Consequently, the party wants it to go back out for public discussion before it is debated in the house. On Thursday (September 4) Opposition Leader Sharlene Cartwright Robinson told the Weekly News that since the extensive consultations and the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission when the bill was first put to the public, changes
No serious injuries after car flips on highway A CAR careered off the road and flipped onto its back after it was bumped from behind on Wednesday morning (September 3). Luckily no one was seriously injured in the incident opposite Do It Centre (Building Materials) on Leeward Highway in Providenciales. Emergency services were called to the scene of the collision at about 10.15am after the silver Honda Sabre clipped the brown Toyota Corolla. Firefighters, police and the
ambulance service attended and the driver of the upturned car was taken to hospital with minor injuries. A spokesperson for Cheshire Hall Medical Centre said: “On Wednesday September 3 at approximately 10.53am, one female arrived via ambulance to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre following a vehicular accident on the Leeward Highway. “The lady was seen and examined by our medical team, was found to be in stable condition and since has been released.”
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 Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Daisy Handfield - Staff Reporter Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) 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
have been made that were never in the public domain. This is evidenced in the bill now before the assembly, she said. “We had consultation on this in 2004; very extensive consultation, I served on the committee (Immigration Review Commission) as well as the Deputy Leader and it was really comprehensive.” She said the areas addressed looked at the administrative functions and systems and the law itself, and that the party had made in depth recommendations, none of which were taken into account. “One of my main criticisms is that the current minister (Don Hue Gardiner) was the chair of that committee - a body of ten to 12 of us. “We travelled to various Caribbean islands, and we came back and we decided that Cayman Islands was one of the best models that we can pattern our immigration system after.” She said recommendations were made, and more consultations were held and the views gathered endorsed the work of the Blue
Ribbon Commission. “Now we have the minister who was the chairman then; he’s now in the chair to effect the bill and there are changes, there are provisions in the bill that are completely different from what was asked for by the people and the recommendations by the Blue Ribbon Commission,” the party leader stated. She said that if Gardiner wants to include these changes, then he has to go back to the people with them. One of the more glaring changes Cartwright Robinson said is the grant and right of citizenship, which sets out who gets it by right and how persons can get it by grant. “It is very different from what the people said – in one of the last consultations people had said that they only wanted it by marriage. “And now while I do not agree with that I believe we still have to go out and speak to the people of the TCI. “We have a very small population and quite frankly to only want to grow it by natural birth, by children of Belongers, or by marriage is
something we want to rethink.” She added that the Government has to put together some kind of a design as to how they want to grow the country and then take it to the people. The party leader said she, and other members, hope to get around and talk to the people some more about the bill leading up to the next sitting of the House of Assembly on September 22. On that date, it is expected (evidenced by the Order Paper) that the bill will be read a second time, sent for debate, then scrutiny in the committee stage, before being read a third time and subsequently passed. “We are hoping that the Government will find some official way to measure the people’s responses,” she stated. The purpose of the bill is to make new provision for the acquisition of Islander status in the TCI, for the control of entry to the Islands, for employment and carrying on business of people who are not Islanders and to make provision for claiming asylum by refugees. (DI)
‘Washy’ berates residents on nasty surroundings – Said it is not Gov’t’s job to keep yards clean IN LIGHT of recent pronouncements by the Opposition that the TCI’s ‘beautiful by nature’ brand is falling by the wayside, Minister of Finance Washington Misick, while not denying this observation, has stated that residents need to do their part. During the House of Assembly meeting on August 28, the minister expressed his disgust with the lack of care and respect for the surroundings some residents are displaying. His statements came as the TCI was still grappling with the after effects of tropical storm Cristobal. “Yes I am the finance minister, but it’s not my responsibility to keep people’s front yards and backyards clean, or their lawns or their roads in front of their homes. “Or the back lots where they go to dump garbage instead of taking it to the dump or paying what they need to pay in order to have it collected.” Misick emphatically stated that neither he nor his Government will be taking responsibility for that. “That is not my job. And I think this whole idea of depending on Government for everything has to change,” he added. His statements came just over a month after Sean Astwood, Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM), accused the PNP Government of disgracing the TCI brand. Astwood was at the time bemoaning the budgetary allocation of $1.5 million for 2014/2015 for waste disposal services, which he
Minister of Finance, Washington Misick’
said is not enough. “I believe that if a person were to look around today and had to come up with a slogan they would find it almost impossible to create that very same one [Beautiful by Nature]. “I am talking about how dirty our beautiful country has become and even worse that this Government seems blind or don’t care what experience our visitors are having,” he said at the time. On Thursday (September 4), the Deputy Leader told the Weekly News that he is glad that the minister has finally accepted that something needs to be done, but he cannot say that Government does not have a part to play. “I agree that Government is not responsible for people’s yards, but we have been asking the Government to step up on compliance of the law, which already exists. “They are to ensure that people are supposed to keep their yards clean
and to prevent illegal dumping,” Astwood said. He said that the Government should put measures in place to ensure that people comply with the laws. “That is what we have been calling on them to step up on from day one. “So it is good that he finally agreed that it is an issue that has to be addressed, but he is missing the point that Government does not have a responsibility in all of this to ensure that people obey the law,” the Deputy Leader stated. Astwood maintains that more money needs to be allocated on a yearly basis to keep the TCI clean. While both the minister and the PDM member have expressed differing views on where the responsibility for keeping the surroundings clean lies, residents can and should play a part in keeping their communities clean and litter free. Several TCI residents have recently posted photos of themselves on social media collecting rubbish from public areas. Inspired by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge - which has sparked worldwide interest and raised millions of dollars – the Trash Bucket Challenge is becoming a new craze. Participants are required to nominate three other people to pick up a bucket of trash from around their surroundings within 24 hours. (DI)
September 6 - 12, 2014
NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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Second cruise port to open in TCI – Minister of Finance urges public input A NEW deep water port is set to be built in East Caicos allowing a second point of access for cruise ships in the TCI. Cash from a multi-million dollar European Union fund for development will go towards construction of the facility - details of which have yet to be finalised. Minister of Finance Washington Misick made the announcement during his address to the House of Assembly last week. He explained that the cruise industry is extremely lucrative, and revealed that the Grand Turk Cruise Centre is likely to welcome a record breaking one million passengers this year. “Our Government recognises the importance of our ports, cruise development and the economic development potential of the cruise tourism industry,” he said. Last December Misick announced that the Government had secured $19 million from the European
Union Development Fund (EDF), to be disbursed over a two to three year period beginning in 2016. The money would be spent on the expansion of the transportation sector, he said, but offered no further details. However last Thursday (September 28) the minister declared it would go “specifically to the development of a deep water port that will be strategically located to include a second cruise port.” He said that this will increase Government revenue from this subsector, and allow small and medium enterprises to tap into new opportunities that these ventures provide. Misick went on to say that he welcomes public-private dialogue on issues regarding the ports, cruise industry and potential initiatives in any of the sectors. “I encouraged further engagement between Government, the private sector and even academia.
“As an aside, perhaps there could be specific curriculum offerings that are geared at tooling and retooling persons to maximise their potential in cruise tourism; by extension this broaden the skillset of the wider tourism sector.” Last September during an infrastructure summit in Miami Premier Rufus Ewing spoke of proposals to build a “mega port” in East Caicos. He described a cruise port, cargo port and yacht port with resort facilities, duty free shopping and other tourist attractions. The potential would be there to benefit from shipments coming from Canada and the USA to the Caribbean and South America and likewise from Europe, he said. He added that cruise companies could have routes beginning in East Caicos as a major hub. Ewing also confirmed that cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean had already expressed
interest in using the port. In his address to the House of Assembly in January Governor Peter Beckingham spoke briefly of the deep water port in East Caicos. “We will continue to develop the necessary policies, and will request proposals to facilitate both the development of a deep water port on East Caicos and the linking of the Caicos Islands,” he said. “These initiatives will all result in significant long term economic growth and diversification, job creation and a lowering of the cost of living.” Meanwhile Sotheby’s website is currently advertising 1,407 acres of land on East Caicos for $42 million. The blurb reads: “Turks and Caicos Premier Dr Rufus Ewing has recently emphasised his Government’s commitment to work with investors to develop the east coast of East Caicos as a deep water shipping port, cruise ship port and deep water yacht basin.
“While TCI Government is developing its criteria for requests for proposals, consistent with their development study, it continues to attract strong interest in the proposed world class project by investors worldwide, including China and Russia. “As the western neighbour to the proposed development project, the subject parcel represents a highly unique and timely opportunity to control what is by far the largest fee simple parcel available on East Caicos, with 1,407 acres, over 12,000 pristine feet of beach front with gently sloping ridge and water to water coverage, at a compelling value, before the proposed development plans are formally announced and underway.” The European Union has identified a total of $298 million (€229 million) for overseas territories for the EDF 11, with $19 million being awarded to the TCI, $24 million to Montserrat and $18 million to Anguilla, among other UK overseas territories. (RB)
Authorities intercept illegal Haitian immigration attempt A SLOOP carrying 82 Haitian immigrants was intercepted by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force on Monday (September 1). The illegal vessel was brought to port at South Dock in Providenciales at 10am that morning. It was captured following a report passed to the police by immigration staff at the Government’s coastal radar station. The 60 males and 22 females were handed over to immigration officials at the detention centre. After processing they were repatriated to Haiti. Two of the group were sent to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for treatment - one due to extreme
fatigue and another for a laceration to their leg sustained when they tried to jump overboard and escape the authorities. Ricardo DonHue Gardiner, Minister for Border Control and Labour, said in a press release on Monday: “I urge the Haitian authorities to stop these attempts at illegal migration from their shores to the Turks and Caicos Islands. “Not only is it extremely dangerous for those concerned, this vessel was taking on water when we caught it, but it is a disproportionate burden on the resources of this country. “I commend all of our responders and agencies for their hard work and
commitment to duty.” The communities of the Turks and Caicos Islands are encouraged to contact law enforcement with any information concerning the whereabouts of any illegal migrants or on pending sloop arrivals. The police can be contacted anonymously on 911 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www. crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of CrimeStoppers Turks and Caicos. CrimeStoppers tips are received in the USA.
Two of the group were sent to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre for treatment
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
A Weekly News column that puts you on the spot for your opinions on the issues of the day
Police force probe LAST week Premier Rufus Ewing said that the “successes and failure” of the Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar are set to be objectively assessed. This will take place as part of a review of the police force which the Premier has asked Governor Peter Beckingham to conduct. Do you think that a review of the Commissioner and force is necessary?
Independent please
Yes, but must be done independently of the Government or the Governor. How can one ask the boss to investigate himself? This defeats the purpose and must be conducted by third party in order to get a true assessment. If they insist that the Governor must conduct the assessment then use the money to help get rid of the mosquitoes that is about to eat us alive. Money and resources would be better spent.
Crime rate
Yes a review is necessary having regards for: Discontentment within the force about the Commissioner’s abilities and leadership. The rate, or lack thereof, at which crime is solved. A myriad of other problems that keep appearing in the press.
System problems
Something has to happen. I don't know if it is the Commissioner of Police. If he doesn’t
recommend and implement the changes, then he may be at fault. Something is very wrong here. Can’t solve one criminal problem, murders. Is it because the police are not trained? Is it because these positions are filled with people who think that they are on a vacation? Something is very, very wrong with this system and organisation.
Favouritism
A probe is absolutely necessary. I know of at least one Canadian female who was caught with cocaine and marijuana on her possession and never went to court, never paid a fine and was simply released. It appears as if the fact that she as white or Canadian played a role in her release. I’m sure had it been a local they would have had to face the music.
Well laid trap
No, you do not investigate the police, it is believed that the police investigate you! Yes, for want in the worst/best arrangements, when it is like the fox watching the hen-house!
Or as they will say here in America: “Fishermen do not call their fish stink, if they want to sell it!” Or can I now sell you the Brooklyn Bridge or the Mississippi River. Please do not be fooled. The Commissioner of Police for want, is the country’s chief police, who is empowered to prevent, apprehend persons who have or about to commit a crimes. And no, it will be like egg on the Governor’s face, after all, the Commissioner reports to the Governor, and indeed the Governor is ultimately responsible. So will he, the Governor, ridicule his own leadership? No hardly, and the Premier Ewing very well knows that, in setting his trap. Now that the trap is well laid, will the Governor bite and be ensnared?
We are now approaching six years since a Commission of Inquiry stunned the country and not one minister has been tried in open court. Only the outsider developers who brought their money to the TCI have been tried and fined. Instead after bilking the people out of millions and wrecking TCI we continue to allow delays. We need genuine investigations of the Hallled police force who refused to charge the former Premier. We need to check into the Fortis contract, the InterHealth Canada contract, the Provo Stevedoring contract and each and everything the PNP has done.
Nonsense
Rufus Ewing may be right on this one and as he says, let history be the judge. It is rather pathetic that the TCI has gone from having local Commissioners of Police and now we had to go back to Canada for a Commissioner. Could we not have scanned the Caribbean region better? Were there not any local cops whom we could trust to watch things? The review request by the Premier should examine these compelling social, policy and law enforcement issues. How is it that we can no longer train or groom a TC Islander over the years to reach the top cop’s position? Can we institute ongoing training for officers in public law, police law, community relations, police procedure and forensic sciences? Many cases are thrown out because of a lack of training and ongoing study by officers. The Government must budget for more training, more exposure for officers and to develop programmes to deepen professionalism amongst officers. Let the review really and seriously address these issues.
For years the people have been asking for an independent audit of the Premier approved no bid hospital Chinese worker building contract and the sign off to the InterHealth contract. The stall will last as long as this Government and possibly beyond. Why believe that an investigation of the police and their investigators will be meaningful. Farquhar and the Integrity Commission do and did nothing and that is the problem. The election officials never investigated the by-election results or the slim margin victories. This nonsense is another waste of our dollars.
Real answers
Absolutely! There has been too much infighting. Let’s get some real answers instead of rumours and innuendo! This will pave the way for a more positive and productive police department.
Check contracts
Investigation of the police? This is a joke.
E Jay Saunders to step down from post of Digicel CEO CEO of Digicel TCI, E Jay Saunders has confirmed that at the end of October he will be leaving his post at the telecommunications company. Saunders, who also serves as the CEO of WIV, told the Weekly News that when he initially joined Digicel his goal was to stick with the company for five years, but he ended up staying for over nine years. He said that there are still personal goals that he wants to accomplish in his life, aside from working at the company. “I have some other things I want to do; I want to invest in myself,” he explained. “I have ideas that I want to roll out and turn into business. I feel like now is the best time to do that.” Although his plans are still in their early stages, he said that he will be creating his own intellectual property.
E Jay Saunders CEO of Digicel and WIV
“I am a computer programmer, so more than likely I will be into the software application field.” He still remains a shareholder in the
telecommunications company. “It is an emotional move because I created it from the beginning, from no customers, no revenue to where now we are number one in the market. “Sometimes you have to roll the dice on yourself and take a chance, and it is best to do it when the company is in a good position instead of when the company isn’t.” Digicel Group Limited is a leading global telecommunications provider with operations in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After almost 13 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over $5 billion worldwide. Digicel runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets and has set up Digicel Foundations in Jamaica, Haiti, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.
Address issues
Quality assurance
This is a fairly obvious question and answer. All Government departments, including the police, should be conducting reviews from time to time as part of their quality assurance process.
Just puppets
Let’s be honest; the police are like a puppet on the strings of a very broken judicial system, which grants them very selective and limited powers of investigation and prosecution. So when I go to the police with clear major criminal activity, many times they say: “We agree with you, that is criminal, but unfortunately we are not able to take any action against that person or in that situation.”
Become a contributor Want to become a contributor or have a suggestion for a Talk Back topic for us? What questions do you think we should be putting to the public? And what are your thoughts on it? Call our news team on 946 4664 or email tcweeklynews@gmail.com
September 6 - 12, 2014
NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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AG to appeal to Privy Council in Clyde Robinson, ex-wife land flipping case THE LEGAL battles of former Director of Planning, Clyde Robinson and his ex-wife Susannah Bishop are not over just yet. The Attorney General Chambers is taking steps to move to the Privy Council to recover the $1.5 million that the couple acquired from an alleged land flipping deal. Last May, the Court of Appeal denied the Crown’s application for an extension of time to appeal the November 2013 Supreme Court decision, which was in favour of Robinson and Bishop. But on the new list of cases to be heard at this session of the Appeal Court, which began on August 25, the Crown will be making representation before the three
justices for leave to appeal to the Privy Council. The case was set to be heard this past Monday (September 1), but has been delayed due to the tropical storm last week and the on-going and lengthy appeal brought by Michael Misick and co-defendants in the corruption case. On May 8 this year, the Court of Appeal denied the Crown more time to serve their documents to the defence and the court in the Robinson case, after failing to do so in the stipulated time. The Supreme Court judgment was given in November last year and the Crown had 28 days after this to file an appeal. The Court of Appeal Ordinance
Former Director of Planning, Clyde Robinson
Cruise ship tourists triple in eight years MORE than one million cruise ship passengers are set to arrive at Grand Turk Cruise Centre this year. The figure is a staggering three and a half times more than in 2006 when just 300,000 tourists visited the country by sea. Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, Washington Misick, made the announcement during his House of Assembly address last Thursday (August 28). “Since we last met in this honourable house, our efforts have been directed towards, among other things, reviewing the status of the cruise tourism industry within the TCI,” he told parliament. “Our Government recognises the importance of our ports, cruise development and the economic development potential of the cruise tourism industry.” He explained that opportunities emanate from the purchasing power of cruise passengers and crew. The cruise business also creates shore-side jobs in cruise line administration, marketing and tour operations, leads to procurement of goods and services necessary for cruise operations, and results in expenditures by the cruise lines for port services and maintenance. “As you may be aware, the cruise shipping industry has been the fastest growing segment of the travel industry worldwide with annual growth rates of 8.4 percent since 1980 (Brida and Aguirre, 2008),” Misick said. “The Caribbean region has long been touted as the most preferred cruise destination and although not technically a part of the Caribbean, the TCI has had its share of successes in this industry too.
“I am pleased to report that over one million passengers and another four hundred thousand in crew are expected to dock at the Grand Turk Cruise Centre in 2014 compared with circa 300,000 in 2006.” He said that based on these preliminary statistics, the TCI remains an attractive destination for both regional and international tourists and the cruise centre is an economic engine for Grand Turk and Salt Cay. However the Finance Minister went on to say that the cruise industry is not immune to its challenges. “The Government recognises that business cycles have shortened in recent times and that continuous and sustained improvement is necessary to remain competitive in this industry.” He said that the opening of a new cruise port at Amber Cove, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic in 2015 will affect the local industry. “The TCI therefore has to be at least proactive and more so, innovative in enhancing its product by providing new and different attractions for cruise passengers.” He also stressed that big businesses can benefit more than small and medium sized businesses operating around the cruise port. And as a result the Government will “continue its thrust” to put in place a series of measures to enhance support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “These measures are aimed at helping them to overcome some of the key challenges that they are facing in the short-term and providing assistance for SMEs to transform their businesses, restructure and achieve sustained quality growth in
the long-run,” Misick explained. The Grand Turk Cruise Centre is a beach front cruise facility nestled among nearly 18 acres of landscaped grounds. It features a purpose-built, twoberth cruise ship pier. There are no restrictions on length and the depth alongside is 33 feet. (RB)
reads that an appellant has 28 days to file an appeal in a civil case. When the judgement was handed down last year, the then acting Attorney General, Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles had only stated that the Crown was considering appealing. But the actual appeal was filed too late. During the trial before Judge Margaret Ramsay-Hale, the Crown alleged that Robinson acquired land in Long Bay Hills for $70,000 then transferred it to his former wife. She then sold it for $1.5 million to Wawa Co Ltd, a company owned by Stan Hartling, to be used as part of the Shore Club Development. In her judgement, the judge found that the Crown, represented by David Phillips QC with the Civil Recovery Team, did not prove its case of knowing receipt and/ or dishonest assistance, breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, fraudulent representation/deceit and another claim for stamp duty. However she found that former Minister of Natural Resources, McAllister Hanchell, in directing an out-of-date valuation, breached his fiduciary duties to the Crown. Ramsay-Hale decided that there is nothing about the price for which Robinson was offered the land that should have alerted him that its valuation was wrong, or that the minister had breached his fiduciary duty and directed the use of an out of date valuation.
Under the tree
She said that the fact that after Robinson accepted the offer from the Government, he discovered from a private valuation that the land was potentially worth more cannot make it unconscionable for him to retain the benefit. She said this was not enough to put him on notice that the minister or the chief valuation officer at the time were acting dishonestly. On the claim that he breached his fiduciary duty to the Crown in his position as Director of Planning, the judge was not persuaded that Robinson owed the Crown any relevant fiduciary duty. Ramsay-Hale said Robinson was not required to pursue his employer’s interests at the expense of his own and disclose that he had received a greater valuation for the land than what was offered to him. The Crown’s alternative case of dishonest assistance against Robinson’s ex-wife was also thrown out. The Crown alleged that Bishop assisted her ex-husband in breaching his fiduciary duties by failing to make enquiries into circumstances in which such enquires ought to have been made. And that given her knowledge of Robinson’s breach of duty, her participation in the transactions relating to the land was dishonest. Ramsay-Hale determined that a failure to make inquiries is insufficient to find a claim of dishonest assistance. (DI)
By Benneth Williams
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NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
Grand Turk to get a multimillion dollar makeover MILLIONS of dollars will be spent on improving the infrastructure of Grand Turk, thanks to a publicprivate fund. A new seafood market, cultural market, parks and a zoo will be built on the island and numerous renovation projects are set to take place. Dozens of projects are in the planning stages, six of which have already been approved by Cabinet and are set to begin imminently. Cash will come from the Infrastructure Improvement Account which has been created by the Government and Carnival Corporation – operators of the Grand Turk Cruise Centre. Since the centre opened in 2006 they have both given a percentage of their passenger tax allocation to the fund. The tax is currently $14 per tourist, a quarter of which ($3.50) goes to the Government while 75 percent ($11.50) goes to Carnival. The Government then pays $0.75 from their allocation to the Infrastructure Improvement Account and Carnival pays $1.50. To date more than $10.1 million has been gathered for the fund $5.9 million has either been used or assigned to ongoing projects, and $4.2 million is still left to be used. In Cabinet last November Minister of Finance Washington Misick and Minister of Government Support Services George Lightbourne said they would work with the Grand Turk community to identify qualifying projects. Then this July, Cabinet considered a report from Lightbourne setting out proposals for more than 20 infrastructure projects. Members prioritised six for consideration by Carnival. During his speech to the House of Assembly last Thursday (August 28) Misick said that work is expected to begin soon. “I am elated to report to this honourable house that the long anticipated work on the projects is expected to begin this calendar year, depending on further assessment of what is needed and refinement of plans.” Lightbourne listed details of the projects in his budget speech to the House of Assembly in July. He said they will “aesthetically enhance the island of Grand Turk
while at the same time providing jobs for many persons in need of employment on the island.” (RB)
Grand Turk revival plans ►
AMONG the projects that the Ministry of Government Support Services has listed for consideration as part of the Infrastructure Improvement Account allocation are: GRAND TURK MASTER PLAN Previously, Carnival Corporation requested and received approval from the Government for the designation of a historic district in Grand Turk. The identified area started at the Osprey Hotel corner and ended at the former Cow House corner. It was agreed that a tender would be issued requesting qualified companies to submit bids for the preparation of a master plan to facilitate its development. The tender was issued, bids were received, but no selection was made. During a recent meeting between the Government and Carnival Corporation representatives, both parties reconfirmed their support for this project. They agreed that the opportunity should be taken to have a master plan developed for the entire island of Grand Turk that would include the proposed district. It was further agreed that immediately a request for proposal be prepared (with the assistance of all relevant Government departments) and tendered. SEAFOOD MARKET – WEST ROAD The creation of a seafood market is a current project which was initially proposed to be worked on in two phases due to a lack of funding. However, with assistance from the Infrastructure Improvement Account, this project can be completed in one phase within the next few months for the start of the new tourist season. This project will represent a prime attraction for tourists seeking fresh local foods - fried fish, conch salad, conch fritters and more in the town area that is in a clean comfortable environment with proper restroom and sanitation facilities for visitors.
Cash for the improvements to Grand Turk will come from the Infrastructure Improvement Account
RESTORATION OF NJS FRANCIS BALL PARK The intent of this project is to refurbish the existing building, construct additional bleachers, create a children’s play area, add covered spaces and enclose the entire site. The plan includes an extension of land space for the proposed children’s area. It is also envisioned that the venue will be used for cultural shows, a fish fry and local basketball tournaments. CONSTRUCTION OF CULTURAL MARKET The Government has received several complaints from Carnival Corporation about independent vendors operating on the beach in front of the cruise port. In an effort to address the situation and encourage the development and continuous growth of the small and medium enterprise sector, the Government gave approval for the Attorney General Chambers to identify the process by which the Government can cancel the commercial land lease on parcel 105/29 South Suburbs. On the completion of the TCIG reacquiring the land, this will be used for the construction of a vendors’ facility and cultural market. Due to the size of the land (2.31 acres) there will be sufficient space to accommodate additional commercial structures on a lease basis. This project will include conceptual designs, construction plans and the construction of the facility. RESURFACING OF ROADWAYS Resurfacing of Front Street from Lime to the Carnival Welcome Centre, Crab Tree Park Corner to Lighthouse Road, and Town Tigers Bar to Bohio Dive Resort. These high-trafficked areas, which are part of the major tourist route, are in much need of repairs. The quality of the ride along
these areas gravely takes away from visitor experience and the image of the destination. Commencement of works is dependent on recommendations from master plan consultancy. CLEANING OF SOUTH BASE GOVERNMENT COMPOUND Most of the buildings on the compound have not been maintained over the years and have to be demolished. A study will be conducted to assess the structural soundness of all buildings to ascertain whether or not any buildings should be demolished or renovated. As a part of the master plan, it will be required for consultants to examine ways in which the site can be best used. REPAIRS TO SEAWALL FRONT STREET Over the years, natural wear and tear and the harsh environment has caused grave erosion of the seawall resulting in the undermining of land in some areas due to the constant beating and washing away by the rough seas. Ultimately, this results in a threat to the safety of residents and visitors alike and an anaesthetic appearance. Due to the length of the wall and the potential costs involved, this project will have to be done in phases. RESTORATION OF CRAB TREE CORNER PARK As a result of the effects of hurricane Ike, the lack of regular maintenance and vandalism, the park is in a state of disrepair. This project will address the repairing and renovation of the park’s structures and ensure proper landscaping as the site is along a major tourist route. STREET SIGNAGE Due to devastation of hurricane Ike, street signs throughout the town area were destroyed.
In an effort to ensure that visitors, residents and emergency officials can identify locations, in accordance with Government regulations, this project will form a basis for 911 identification system. The second phase of this project will include directional signage. ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ANIMAL ZOO/SANCTUARY This project proposes control measures for large wild animals by housing these animals in the Over Island area. The animals pose threats is several ways - road safety to all motorists, particularly visitors who are unfamiliar with the island, environmental health as they defecate on streets, and overall destination image as the TCI strives to become a high-end tourist destination. OLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING The Old Legislative Council Building and the Old Ministry Buildings are two historic buildings located in the Government compound on Front Street. The former building suffered some fire damage a few years back and no repairs were done since then. Due to the lack of funds, the Government had not been able to renovate nor maintain these buildings and thus left them in a neglected state. The TCIG is looking at the possibility of restoring these buildings to their original historic value for the purpose of philatelic museum and commercial space or Government offices. If used as commercial spaces, the Government will benefit from income derived from rentals. If used as public offices, it will benefit from rent that would have otherwise been paid in lease agreements. However, structural assessment must be done to evaluate the structural continued
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September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
NEWS
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PDM explains vote down of National Honours and Awards Bill
ON AUGUST 28, Opposition members along with the two Governor’s appointed members voted not to allow the National Honours and Awards (Amendment) Bill 2014 to go through all three readings and passed on the same day. This move was not received well by Premier Rufus Ewing, who moved the bill in the House of Assembly in Grand Turk. Expressing his disappointment in the house, he stated: “That bill was critical and very important in us moving forward in starting to bestow the various honours on our people, recognising them for their contribution to our nation.” But Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson has urged people not to be fooled by the Premier’s pronouncements that the bill being passed last week would have allow the awards to be bestowed on October 13. “I think a lot of people don’t appreciate what happened with the National Honours and Awards Bill; the standing orders said that money bills alone automatically go to three readings – like the budget and
supplementary appropriations. “And you would not normally see others unless there is an emergency – like anti-terrorism, or anything that requires us to meet some international standard. We allow those to go the full three readings.” She added that the members were taken aback when they saw the National Honours and Awards Bill to go through three readings, because it is not urgent nor is it a money bill. “We had only been given it in time for the meeting, so we were not even consulted on the contents of it, neither were the people of the Turks and Caicos. “We were blown away that it was even on the agenda, so we didn’t know it was coming, we knew it was in the legislative agenda but not which week it was coming,” the party leader added. She said they had hoped the Premier would revisit the bill, as the Standing Orders require a break between the first and second reading, all in the interest of having further consultation and dialogue. She said that is what the vote down was about.
Grand Turk to get a multimillion dollar makeover continued from
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soundness before proceeding with this initiative. OLD COURTHOUSE This historic building was formerly a courthouse and Chief Minister’s Office. Due to the lack of funds, the Government had not been able to renovate nor maintain this building and thus left it in a neglected state. It is looking at the possibility of restoring these buildings to their original historic value for the purpose of philatelic museum and commercial space or Government offices. A structural assessment must be done to evaluate the structural soundness. UPGRADING OF WEST ROAD BALL PARK The Columbus Park signifies the approximate vicinity of Columbus’ landfall in 1492. This project proposes to replace the replicas of the Taino huts. This site could possibly be used as a stop on the tourist route. UPGRADE OF EMANCIPATION SQUARE The upgrade of the Emancipation Square includes minor cosmetic
improvements such as repainting columns, restoration of the clock, and installation of an ‘Emancipation Square’ sign. It was further suggested that the TCI flag and the British flag be posted at the square and arrangements made with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) to perform the routine duty of raising and lowering of flags. EXTENSION OF DOWNTOWN WALKWAYS The project proposes an extension of the existing walkway system in the Downtown area in particular west of Cee’s Supermarket to corner of the old HM Prison and west of the Office of Public Service Commission to the former R&R Mini Mart. RESTORATION OF WINDMILLS DOWNTOWN It is important that key natural resources such as the salinas can be preserved and careful efforts be undertaken to replicate elements of the country’s salt history such as the Windmills and pond trenches. NORTH AND SOUTH WELLS This proposal was submitted by the TCI National Trust and approved continued from
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Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson
“It is a bill in consultation process; and while a lot of persons say we didn’t pass the bill and the Premier made a statement that they had intended to give awards during the National Heritage Day in October. “By virtue of provisions in the bill they wouldn’t have been able to do that.” She advised that the bill calls for three months to allow citizens to make recommendations, and another six weeks to be Gazetted. ‘
As such, there was no need to rush through something as important as national honours, she added. She added that the Government accusing the Opposition of causing them to be off track is wrong because the bill does not allow what they wanted to do. For something like national honours, they really should hear from the people, Cartwright Robinson said. “We shouldn’t be in the house taking the bill apart. We should at least be able to go in there with something that we can work with.” The bill amends the principal ordinance in order to provide a revised list of national honours and awards. AWARDS The Order of National Hero - this honour may be granted to a Turks and Caicos Islander who has given distinguished and meritorious service to the Islands and the people of the Islands. The Order of Turks and Caicos Islands - this order may be granted
to a TC Islander who has served with distinction in any field of discipline. The Patriotic Award - this is to be awarded to a TC Islander who has demonstrated a keen sense of national consciousness and rendered exceptional service to the Islands and the people of the Islands. The Meritorious Service Medal - this is to be bestowed on a TC Islander who has given sacrificial and meritorious service in a field of service that is inherently challenging; or has performed a bravery or humane act at home or abroad. The Long Service Medal - this medal may be granted to a TC Islander who has given outstanding and exemplary public service to the Islands and its people for a period of 20 years. And the National Young Achiever’s Medal - this medal may be granted to a resident of the Islands between the ages of 12 and 25 years who has performed exceptionally well in the areas of culture, literature, performing arts or sports on a national, regional or international level. (DI)
Cruise centre development costs to be recouped 17 years early THE GOVERNMENT is set to rake in an extra $4 million per year from cruise ship passengers when the Grand Turk Cruise Centre development costs are paid off in just four years’ time. Since it opened in 2006 a percentage of the passenger fees have gone to developers and operators Carnival Corporation. According to a development agreement with the Government signed in 2003 this allows them to recoup the costs of building the immense facility on lease hold Crown land. The date of full repayment of the $54.3 million was expected to be 2035 but the booming industry means that it will now take place 17 years earlier than anticipated. Minister of Finance Washington Misick described the achievement as a “tour de force” during his House of Assembly address last week. He explained that passenger tax is currently $14 per tourist, a quarter of which ($3.50) goes to the Government while 75 percent ($11.50) goes to Carnival. When the recovery date is reached in 2018 more than half of the fees will go to public coffers, while the rest will go to Carnival. Including a planned $1 rise
in passenger tax to $15, this will mean that the Government will receive at least $7.50 per person. If the TCI cruise industry continues to reap the same successes and welcomes one million passengers a year, this will see the Government gain an extra $4 million. Misick said that Government officials met with representatives of the Grand Turk Cruise Centre (GTCC) a few weeks ago. “I am also pleased to report that coming out of our meetings with the GTCC we were made aware of the acceleration in the recouping of invested funds by the developer. “That is to say, that at current port revenue levels, it is anticipated that the recovery date or the payback period which was initially projected to culminate in December 31, 2035, will be December 31, 2018.” He explained that in order to offset investment expenditure, it was agreed in December 2003, that the passenger fees collected would be split at a ratio of 75/25 in respect of the developer and the TCI Government until the repayment of the outlay of funds. “If it is anticipated that the loan will be repaid by December 2018, this means that the recovery date is
expected to be brought forward by some 17 years. “This is a tour de force by any standard and one to be commended.” He said that an increase in passenger tax will be implemented “with immediate effect” if approved. A $1 or seven percent increase is being proposed that will take it to $15. The Government will then receive $3.75 per passenger arrival which will increase to at least $7.50 in 2018. Chris Cradduck, spokesperson for Carnival Corporation, said: “The Grand Turk Cruise Center was developed by Carnival Corporation after executing a development agreement with Government. “Carnival Corporation funded and oversaw the construction for the development of the Grand Turk Cruise Centre and operates the port today. “The Grand Turk Cruise Centre is on Crown land, and Carnival Corporation secured the usage rights to build and operate the cruise port as part of the development agreement.” Minister of Finance Washington Misick was unavailable to clarify details of the development agreement. (RB)
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September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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.
Our duty to join the development debate Dear Editor, I understand that the elected Government is currently considering amending planning restrictions. In a recent consultation held for “key stakeholders” it was revealed that developers have approached the ministers with proposals for buildings between 10 and 18 storeys. There also seems to be interest in moving from condo style to hotel room developments, which is why the Government is considering increasing the density restriction from 24 rooms per acre to at least 40 rooms per acre. The Government is obviously trying to stimulate and grow our economy - while I would love to see the Islands develop and generate more money for our public schools, infrastructure and healthcare, I passionately believe that we need to develop in a way that is going to be sustainable in the long-run. We need to protect our resources and the brand that we have built for our tourism industry. Interestingly, the opening line on our Tourist Board’s website boasts “… our famous stretches of uncrowded beaches and vibrant coral reefs”. If we are considering making any changes to our building restrictions
then there are some serious effects that need to be taken into account. I would like to raise a few issues that should be considered - governance, actual employment opportunities, social effects, already strained facilities, aesthetics, environmental impact, physical beach capacity, and the effect on TCI’s distinctiveness (which affects tourism). It is our duty to ensure that it is our elected representatives (both present and future) who determine how we develop TCI and not the developers who are looking to make profits and take those profits out of the Islands. The Government needs to be strong and stand up for our best interests. Will these developments realistically create many more job opportunities for Turks and Caicos Islanders? What will 14 storey buildings look like among our existing landscape, which mostly consists of three to five storeys? Will TCI be forced into a noman’s land, unable to compete with other high-density destinations and no longer able to cater to the highend low-density market? I also have concerns about the already strained police and
emergency services, electricity supply, sewage and drainage, and where the money brought in will be allocated, but that is another discussion in itself. Suggestions that have been raised include, zoning, increased setbacks, independent Environment Impact Assessments, higher density developments to be restricted to certain heights, for example developers are able to cater to the new market but without the risk of overcrowding. There have also been discussions about creating a National Physical Development Plan, but in order to be successful it needs the support of the Government and the people. It is a good sign that our Governor Peter Beckingham has also encouraged the debate this week. I am keen to know what other voters and residents think about this issue and so I look forward hearing the discussion. See Facebook page ‘What is the long-term physical development plan for TCI?’ Karen Savory (born and bred in TCI) Grace Bay, Providenciales
A warm welcome to the school year – Open letter to TCI’s students
“He who opens a school door, closes a prison,” Victor Hugo. It is a true saying that the richest resource of a nation is its people. I venture further to say that the most valuable asset of a people, apart from their spiritual strength, is their education. Our strength has been tested over the past weeks as some of our islands experienced mass flooding from tropical storm Cristobal. As a result, our Government schools remain closed for another week. But for those schools that will open as scheduled, I take this opportunity to extend a warm welcome for the new school year. Education gives you a good start in life. It gives you a chance to open your minds because anything you can learn expands the mind. It will also make a difference to your future. Above all, it is about your personal development. It is up to you whether or how you will make the journey. As the saying goes, “The mind is like the stomach. It is not how much
you put into it but how much it digests.” So, I urge you students to work hard this school year. Take optimum advantage of all the opportunities that are available to you. You are the future of this country and the future Turks and Caicos will need the skills you are acquiring. It is our job as members of the legislature to provide you with the educational tools and infrastructure so that you can fulfil your God-given potential. Therefore, on behalf of the Opposition and the wider Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), I would like to extend words of welcome and support for all the returning and new students to all schools in the Turks and Caicos Islands. I wish also to welcome all returning and new teachers as well as returning and newly appointed principals and vice principals. Josephine Connolly, Shadow Minister for Education Peoples’ Democratic Movement
COMMENTARY
It’s all unbelievable
IN MY opinion the last 11 years have brought to today’s world the type of decisions seen before WWII when a world economic depression not only depressed people’s incomes but also leaders’ judgment. Anyone reading Nazi Hitler’s book, Mein Kampf, understood his terrorist plans laid out. Nevertheless British Prime Minister Chamberlain said Hitler was a man he could trust. The Islamic terrorists have been spelling out their goal of world and religious conquest but today’s leaders just now don’t know how to deal with these terrorists. Unbelievable! Unbelievable is that somehow we allowed the relatives of the group which brought us a Commission of Inquiry to worm
their way back into the Government. Our financial minister with a long record of failure now taxes bicycle rentals! Ask yourself if you believe that this bike rent tax will produce the salary for one PNP minister for one month? We hear about a new high school for Provo but the walls are crumbling and the ceiling collapsing without repairs at overcrowded Clement Howell. Maybe our Minister of Education would donate one month’s salary for repairs. We believe if she would, we might tolerate just one of her prolonged ministerial statements! Our police chief has given up years after he was hired by Governor Wetherell who believed another Canadian would solve our crime problems. When we tripped over the
SPACE IS LIMITED!
unannounced, unattended police town hall meeting in Middle Caicos we interviewed Commissioner Farquhar. We found him to be a reasonable and interesting fellow. However did he, when hired, have the skills of Sherlock Holmes to solve any of the accumulated homicide cases? We believe we all now know the answer to that question. Who is responsible for the flooding of the Caicos islands’ roads? Obviously it is the same party who borrowed the money to grade and pave the roads. Did they ever hear about drainage? Did the people believe they now have to pay for these undrained flooded roads? One of the PNP junior pundits believes punishing imported workers with increasing work permit costs
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 25 years and has lived in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, since 2002. David formerly served as branch chairman of the PDM from 2008 to 2011
would provide more TCI jobs. Will this actually cause more population and economic downturn because of another flawed PNP policy? Several of my brother and sister in laws, natives all, joined thousands of TC Islanders who immigrated to the USA and Bahamas, never to return. One who stayed behind was not elected despite his former record of achievement. Did work permit
holders cause these problems? Global warming is happening in California while global cooling is happening in eastern USA. Government leaders believe they can predict the weather for the next 50 years while meteorologists don’t know if it will rain tomorrow. In my opinion, all unbelievable!
Please keep your letters to a maximum of 450 words or we may not be able publish it.
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
NEWS 11
FortisTCI attains BBB credit rating THE OUTLOOK is stable for the country’s only power provider after it was awarded a BBB corporate credit rating this week. Independent ratings agency Standard and Poor’s allocated the grade to FortisTCI after a rigorous diagnostic and assessment process. Eddinton Powell, company president and chief executive officer, described it as a “milestone
achievement”. “For any Caribbean company to achieve such a rating, especially on its initial application, is a significant accomplishment.” He went on to say that the investment grade rating will allow the company to gain access to regional and international capital markets and attain long-term favourable sources of funding.
continued
You are the future – Open letter to TCI’s students and teachers On Monday, September 1, schools across the country open their doors for the new school year. Coming on the heels of tropical storm Cristobal, many premises are not in the optimum conditions. Some, namely the Government schools, will remain closed until the environment is better suited for learning to take place. As new staff and students join our educational institutions, I wish to greet you with a sense of optimism. Each year, you are forced to deal with less than stellar conditions but time and time again you rise to the occasion. On that note, I pause to
congratulate those who have recently passed through the ranks, especially those who achieved distinction, merit and all other accolades. I implore you to maintain that excellence in your quest for higher education or whatever your next phase may be. Your success is the country’s success. You are the future. For those who are back for another year, I wish you God’s speed. Stay focused; stay committed. Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Leader of the Opposition The Peoples’ Democratic Movement
Praise for medical centres Dear Editor, While in the TCI for a week I had contact with Inter Island Medical Services. I was very impressed with the staff, especially Dr Joanna Bowden and registered nurse Ruth Parsons. Both were extremely proficient medically, providing additional testing when required. The facilities in this medical centre allow for many areas of testing which are not normally available in medical centres, making it possible for tourists to be treated promptly and, in most
cases, avoid an additional trip to the hospital. Dr Bowden and nurse Ruth Parsons also have outstanding people skills which adds to the comfort of tourists, most of whom are unfamiliar with the exceptional services this island has to offer. Hats off to Dr Joanna and nurse Ruth! Carole Perz, Owner of a condominium in Ocean Club West, Grace Bay, Providenciales
“The electrical utility is one of the most capital intensive industries in the world, and requires significant and continuous financial injection.” Standard and Poor’s issued a press release on Wednesday (September 3) highlighting the long-term corporate credit rating of BBB. It stated: “The rating reflects what we view as the company’s ‘satisfactory’ business risk profile and ‘significant’ financial risk profile. “In addition, we expect there will be no material adverse changes to the operating licence, which expires in 2036. “Despite the lack of full transparency and the risk of political
intervention associated with the current regulatory structure we do not expect any adverse regulatory rulings or Government interference.” Speaking abvout FortisTCI’s risk profile Standard and Poor’s said: “We believe the company has a significant financial risk profile. “Its adjusted funds from operations (AFFO)-to-debt ratio is 16.15 percent. The base case scenario forecast AFFOto-debt during our two-year outlook horizon is 17 to 21 percent. “We attribute this improvement to an expected $10 million equity inject from parent Fortis Inc, a surge in Government infrastructure spending and commercial capital expenditures
(resulting in additional demand for electricity), and improved margins from the use of more fuel efficient diesel power generators.” The press release added: “An upgrade would require a meaningful improvement to the transparency, consistency and tariff structure of the regulatory regime. “Sustained improvement to FTCI’s financial risk profile, specifically AFFO-to-debt of 23 to 25 percent on a sustained basis, could also lead to an upgrade.” The official application was filed in July, which was followed by a rigorous diagnostic and assessment process.
Grand Turk to get a multi-million ... continued from
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previously, however the works were never carried out as the proposal required additional information. The National Trust will work with the Infrastructure Improvement Account project officer and EMS to finalise the proposal and commence with the works. SUNSET CABANA As a result of the lack of regular maintenance and vandalism, the park on Close Haul Road, Palm Grove, is in need repairs. This project will address repairing the park’s structures and ensuring proper landscaping as the site is along a major tourist route and can be used as a stop. MIDDLE STREET WALL REBUILDING In an effort to enhance the town area of Grand Turk, it was agreed that the property walls along Middle Street would be renovated or rebuilt where necessary and cobblestone paving installed. It is acknowledged that this area falls within the proposed historic district that will be included in a master plan for Grand Turk. Presently, the Attorney General Chambers is preparing an agreement to be entered into by the Government and the property owners along Middle Street giving their approval
for the wall works along Middle Street only and indemnifying the Government from any liability. WELCOME CACTUS PARK This project proposed an erection of a dual-purpose directional/ informational sign replicating a Turks Head cactus approximately eight to nine feet high and six feet wide. The location identified for this erection is the vacant lot northwest of entrance to JAGS McCartney International Airport. This sign would welcome visitors arriving to the island and also say “Come Back Soon” on opposite side. This project further suggests the replacement of the John Glenn memorial with that of the bust of Jags McCartney, and further that the John Glenn memorial is relocated to a more appropriate location. KELLY’S HOUSE REPAIRS Due to a fire and the devastation of hurricane Ike, Kelly’s House requires major repair works to return it to its’ original state. In the first phase, it is proposed that building be repaired, the golf course be landscaped and/ or redesigned if necessary and the tennis court rebuilt. The completion of this project will greatly enhance the recreational lives of the Grand Turk community and add to the product offering for
cruise ship tourists. Phase two will include Governor’s Beach, North Park, which will be a low impact children’s park (similar to the one on the Lower Bright Road in Providenciales). It will be created on the land area west of Kelly’s House but will need the support and approval of the Governor if the land is part of the Waterloo property. GOVERNOR’S BEACH CABANAS In the past the then DECR, undertook a cabana building project to provide facilities for local businesses. Unfortunately, the cabanas at Governor’s Beach were not completed. Presently a local contractor and businessman have submitted a request for funding from the Infrastructure Improvement Account to facilitate the completion of the project. The completion of the project will enhance the environment at Governor’s Beach and provide accommodation that local businesses can lease or rent to conduct their business. REPAIRS TO OLD SALT HOUSE Minor damages due to hurricane Ike are evident, and in particular one of the windmills has to be replaced.
12 NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
Gov’t forks out $45,000 on anti-mosquito chemicals SWARMS of mosquitos have caused havoc across the country this week after flood waters provided them with the perfect breeding habitat. The tiny biting insects are a huge concern for public health as many carry the debilitating diseases of dengue and chikungunya. But the Government has fought back, fogging the most highly affected areas with thousands of dollars of anti-mosquito chemicals. A spokesperson for the Governor’s Office explained on Wednesday (September 3): “In regards to anti mosquito fogging the Environmental Health Department has advised that fogging has already commenced in Middle Caicos, North Caicos and in Long Bay and Leeward coming down to Richmond Hills. “The areas of Chalk Sound and Downtown Providenciales will be fogged tonight and it is expected that this work will continue over the course of the next two weeks.” They went on to say that $45,000 of extra anti-mosquito chemicals have been bought for this purpose. On Tuesday (September 2) the Ministry of Health and Human Services said it is continuing efforts to prevent further spread of dengue and chikungunya through public education. Among the advice was to shut windows and use air conditioning or window and door screens, use mosquito repellents on exposed skin, and wear long-sleeved shirts and
long pants. People should also properly dispose of any old tires, clear roof gutters of debris, clean pet water and food dishes regularly, monitor and empty children’s toys left out in the yard and repair leaky outdoor faucets. Canoes and boats should be turned over or covered, people should avoid water collecting on their pool covers, empty water collected in tarps around the yard or on piles of wood and plug tree holes. Flower pots, vases, bottles, barrels, buckets, open cesspits, tanks, overturned garbage can lids can all collect water and breed mosquitoes. Where there are large bodies of standing water, residents can notify the Environmental Health Department so that they can treat them on 338-5062 in Providenciales or 338-2143 in Grand Turk. Mosquito-borne virus chikungunya arrived in the Caribbean when it was identified in Saint Martin in December 2013. It has since spread to 24 other countries and territories in the region including the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and arrived in the TCI in June. According to the Pan American Health Organisation close to 580,000 cases are suspected while more than 5,600 have been confirmed across Caribbean islands – including 10 from the TCI. However scores of suspected cases
have been treated in the country’s hospitals since the outbreak. Symptoms of chikungunya appear between four and seven days after someone has been bitten by an infected mosquito and include fever, joint pain, rashes, headache, nausea and fatigue. They can last for a few days however joint pain may persist for much longer. Severe cases of chikungunya requiring hospitalisation are rare. According to the Pan American Health Organisation 39 cases of dengue have also been confirmed in the TCI so far this year – with many more suspected cases. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash that is similar to measles. In a small proportion of cases the disease develops into the lifethreatening dengue haemorrhagic fever, resulting in bleeding, low levels of blood platelets and blood plasma leakage, or into dengue shock syndrome, where dangerously low blood pressure occurs. Treatment of acute dengue is supportive, using either oral or intravenous rehydration for mild or moderate disease, and intravenous fluids and blood transfusion for more severe cases. Residents who suspect they may be suffering from either disease should visit their health practitioner immediately. (RB)
Training boost for Integrity Commission A LEADING member of TCI’s Integrity Commission took part in a week long training and development visit to the United Kingdom last week. Deputy director Richard Been, returned to the TCI on Monday (September 1) following the Governor’s Office funded attachment to the UK’s Electoral Commission. It also included a visit to the UK’s Committee on Standards in Public Life, sought to build working relationships between UK and TCI bodies and to familiarise the deputy director with the processes that the UK employs to govern and monitor the financing of political parties. Been said: “It was fascinating to be able to spend time with the Electoral Commission’s officials in the run-up to the Scottish referendum on independence on September 18. “I will be looking to apply what I learned during my visit to my work for the Integrity Commission as we strive towards ensuring TCI is a regional model of political transparency and accountability.” Been’s programme, which was split between London and Edinburgh, included numerous meetings with officials that focused on how the
Richard Been, deputy director of the Integrity Commission
Electoral Commission could assist the Integrity Commission in carrying out its mandate. He also had the opportunity to observe the live monitoring and checking of proposed political expenditure carried out by the Electoral Commission, and met with both the Electoral Commissioner for Scotland and the head of election team for the Scottish Government. Patrick Boyle, deputy head of
mission at the Governor’s Office, said: “I’m very pleased that we have once again been able to fund capacity building activities that will be of real benefit to the TCI. “The UK’s commitment to good governance in the Islands continues, and the Integrity Commission plays a key role in achieving this locally. “I hope Mr Been’s visit will herald the beginning of a strong working relationship with the UK’s Electoral Commission.” The Integrity Commission of the TCI is charged with oversight of the Political Activities Ordinance of the Islands. This governs the activities of political parties and independent candidates during the four year cycle of elections, and particularly the 12 month period prior to a general election. The ordinance draws in fair measure from its counterpart legislation in the UK, and specifies donation and spending limits as well as who can or cannot donate to a political party. It also defines the enforcement powers and sanctions which can be implemented if there is a breach by any of the political parties.
The International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands formerly known as The Ashcroft School unveils its new name
Upgrades were made over the summer break with the support of Waterloo Investment Holdings Ltd (WIHL) and the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Ashcroft School renamed The International School of the TCI BY DAISY HANDFIELD THE ASHCROFT school has been renamed the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands to reflect on the diversity of its students. On Wednesday (September 3) faculty members held a ceremony on the school grounds in Leeward in Providenciales to unveil the new school sign, and to speak on some changes made to the curriculum and on the increase of school equipment. The school has now incorporated an internationally accredited curriculum for the 2014 to 2015 academic year. Other upgrades include a new musical garden, new teachers, renovation work and painting of buildings. These upgrades were made over the summer break with the support of Waterloo Investment Holdings Ltd (WIHL) and the school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA). President of the PTA Zaneta Adderley-Burton said that the scholars’ parents are extremely excited about the enhancements and the New Year. “Daily school life, as well as the quality of education have been raised to a new level. “We look forward to continue our work with the school’s administration and the Board of Trustees.”
The primary school educates children between the ages of two and 11 starting from preschool through to grade six. In the coming school year, 106 children from 19 different nations will be learning and experiencing a diverse education. Aside from infrastructural and curriculum changes, the school introduced the new principal Katie Hinks who served as a teacher at the school for seven years. Hinks said that WHIL and the PTA has supported them tremendously in sowing the seeds of a new vision for The International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands. “We are proud that with all these improvements the school is in an excellent position to provide education at a standard that is competitive with leading primary schools all over the world.” Stewart Howard, managing director of the British Caribbean Bank and a trustee of the school, added: “The International School provides an essential building block to support the educational needs of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and particularly in the Leeward community.” The event was attended by Minister of Education Akierra Missick, parents and other supporters.
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Tropical storm Cristobal dropped 14 inches of rain on the Turks and Caicos Islands
NEWS 13
Acting Governor Anya Williams and the Premier called a National Disaster Committee meeting to discuss the country’s ongoing recovery works
Flood recovery costs Government $250,000 A QUARTER of a million dollars has been spent on flood recovery efforts so far, according to a Government spokesperson. The cash went towards the rental of heavy equipment, the creation of the new access route, the construction of five new additional wells and antimosquito chemicals. And it was money well spent as the country is “bouncing back from these floods,” Premier Rufus Ewing said in a press release on Tuesday (September 2). “The efforts of everyone involved are very much appreciated - lots of people have been working very hard to help return things back to normal as soon as we can. “The good news coming out of this situation is that the Turks and Caicos can successfully deal with adversity, and I am sure that this experience will help ensure that we are even better prepared for whatever might come our way in the future.” Tropical storm Cristobal passed over the Turks and Caicos Islands from Saturday (August 23) to Monday (August 25) dropping
Pumps in Providenciales are now being mobilised to assist private residents
14 inches of rain on the low lying country. Providenciales suffered from some extensive flooding but North Caicos was the worst hit with water reaching several feet in places, cutting off road access. Flights were grounded for two days due to the weather conditions,
offices and banks were closed and Providenciales residents experienced a four hour power blackout. This Tuesday Acting Governor Anya Williams and the Premier called a National Disaster Committee meeting to discuss the country’s ongoing recovery works and future plans.
They were joined by Government ministers, and representatives from the Governor’s Office, Office of the Premier, Attorney General’s Chambers, DDME, police force, and Government departments. The meeting revealed that all major roadways in Providenciales have now been cleared, with pumps now being mobilised to assist private residents. Government workers began clearing debris from the main highway on Tuesday, with the work due to have been completed on Wednesday. In North Caicos major roadways in Bottle Creek have been cleared and in addition to a new access route having been created in Kew, a trench has been put in place to allow drainage off the old existing road. Damage assessment teams have been mobilised to the various affected areas on both North Caicos and Providenciales and will be assessing damages that are still in place. The meeting also noted that in comparison to the flooding in North
Caicos in 1995, when recovery took over month, all major recovery efforts have been concluded this time in one week. The Acting Governor said: “The positive way that our residents, civil servants and the private sector have come together to successfully deal with adversity is quite remarkable. “Of particular note was the Rotary Club of North Caicos who paid for two pumps and hoses on that island, and the developers behind the Shore Club helping out in the Leeward and Long Bay areas. “Their efforts are greatly appreciated.” The Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) has urged all residents to report all damage caused by Cristobal in order that the full impact of the storm can be recorded. DDME Director Virginia Clerveaux said on Monday (September 1): “With a continued increase in manpower and equipment, the recovery process is expected to be completed in approximately one week.” (RB)
Previous police probes have been ignored, says Opposition Leader “IT’S AN absolute nonsense to conduct another review when you didn’t pay any attention to the one that was recently done.” Leader of the Opposition Sharlene Cartwright Robinson told the Weekly News this week that she welcomes a probe into the police force but history tells her to expect no results. She spoke out a week after Premier Rufus Ewing announced that he had asked Governor Peter Beckingham to conduct a thorough review of the police force. It comes as Commissioner of Police Colin Farquhar enters the final seven months of his tenure
before he retires from policing next March. Cartwright Robinson said that an investigation into the force previously took place about five years ago, but the results are just “sitting on a shelf”. “It was relevant information but nothing happened. So to keep doing reviews and them being shelved is a nonsense.” She said that rather than beginning a new investigation the old document should be looked at. “See what was recommended then, see if it is still relevant.” According to Ewing a thorough review of the actions and inactions
of Commissioner of Police will take place as part of the review. The Opposition Leader, who has consistently called for the removal of the top cop, said: “We have not abandoned our position; we believe that the Commissioner of Police has failed in many respects. “We believe that even now as his time is winding down that certain decisions that have to be made shouldn’t be made by someone that is leaving a particular post. “The incoming Commissioner of Police should be afforded the opportunity to make a lot of the decisions that have been outstanding
for the past three years.” Cartwright Robinson said that she hopes the new Commissioner has a different relationship with people and fosters unity within the force. “I would like for the incoming Commissioner to see what his predecessor did or didn’t do and from there spring board. “I just hope for some sort of change.” Farquhar was appointed as the Commissioner of Police of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police on March 11, 2011. Throughout his two term stint, fingers have been pointed at the
head of the force as crime rates hit new highs and arrests fail to be made following several high profile incidents. Huge departmental investments, an increased police presence and more active community involvement have done little to curb a torrent of criticism. The leading police officer has over 31 years of policing and leadership experience in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the United Nations, focusing on the development and implementation of comprehensive strategies associated to community safety, international peace and security. (RB)
14 NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Miss Turks and Caicos Universe Shanice Williams takes ‘selfie’ with one of the students
September 6 - 12, 2014
More than 700 backpacks equipped with school supplies were given away to students
Hundreds of students equipped for new school year BY DAISY HANDFIELD DIGICEL along with its sister company WIV sponsored the ninth annual Back to School event held at the Alice and Alice Plaza in Providenciales. On Sunday (August 31), children whose parents find it difficult to provide them with some of the basic essentials for school, had the opportunity to receive them for free during the event. More than 700 backpacks were given away to the children and more than 50 young boys’ hair were cut, ensuring that they went back to school looking fresh and clean. Trina Adams, marketing specialist for Digicel, said that the staff were extremely pleased with the outcome of the event.
“It was definitely a success. Digicel and WIV would like to say a big thank you to Pastor Dean and Alice and Alice for allowing us to be a part of their vision and to give back to the community. “We look forward to partnering with them next year.” Hundreds of children attended the event and enjoyed an exciting evening of gospel music and performances. Shanice Williams, Digicel brand ambassador and Miss Turks and Caicos Universe, local fashion designer Kazz Forbes, and celebrity chef Nik of Crackpot Kitchen, were there to lend their support to the effort and assist in handing out supplies. They also used the opportunity to interact and provide advice to the
Church to host drug awareness session SAINT Monica’s Anglican Church in Providenciales will be hosting a drug awareness and education session as part of an ongoing series. On Monday (September 8) at 6pm the Drug Prevention Foundation will be present at the Leeward Highway church speaking on various subjects that affect not only adults, but the youth in the TCI society. Jamell Robinson, awareness and education coordinator for the Saint Monica Church, said that in previous sessions they have discussed topics such
as the role of the church in youth development, health and financial management, violence in the TCI and taxes. Robinson said that this event is held every month that has five Sundays in it. “Some people are not aware of the various issues that are happening in the community. “We want to give them good information so that they can make a difference in our society.” He said that the doors are open to everyone in the community. (DH)
young people on staying focused and giving their best in the classroom. Digicel Group Limited is a leading global telecommunications provider with operations in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. After almost 13 years of operation, total investment to date stands at over $5 billion worldwide.
Hundreds of students enjoyed gospel music and live performances
Three new senior appointees for Finance Ministry THE FOCUS and investment strategies of the ministry of finance, trade and investment has been further strengthened with the recruitment of a new deputy secretary, assistant commissioner of revenue (legal) and director of computer information technology. Minister of Finance Washington Misick made the announcement during the last sitting of the House of Assembly on Thursday, August 28. Shonia Thomas-Been is the new deputy secretary of the ministry with responsibilities for overseeing the organisational development of the Investment Unit and its related functions. Commenting on the new appointment, Misick said: “I believe that with this recruitment, both the depth and scope of the ministry is enhanced. “I am confident that the new team will give the Ministry of Finance the focus and capacity
to really drive forward our strategies.” Thomas-Been has approximately two decades of experience in various areas of the financial industry including pension fund management, investments - with in depth knowledge of securities and instruments of First World capital market. She also brings a wealth of experience to the job in the area of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) - a major focus of the ministry in this and coming years. Thomas-Been’s past career direction centred on understanding the critical success factor of entrepreneurs, specifically SMEs. The minister noted these skills complement those that already exist in the ministry. Nasiya Missick is the newly appointed assistant commissioner of revenue (legal). Missick has approximately six
years of experience in commercial and civil areas of law. According to the minister, the new assistant commissioner has already commenced review on various ordinances. “The assistant commissioner will be responsible for ensuring that the revenue ordinances are adhered to, advise on legal issues within the Revenue Unit, as well as researching and analysing the various tax issues,” the minister added. The third appointee is Andre Mills, director of computer information technology unit. Mills is responsible for overseeing the contract that Government has with Digicel, the minister advised. He will also assist in the restructuring of the unit, as well as enhancing and managing the operations of the technological capabilities of the Government. (DI)
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
NEWS 15
Governor calls for public input in development debate
NEW hotels and resorts will undoubtedly boost job opportunities, but care must be taken when deciding what development to welcome to the country. That was the message from Governor Peter Beckingham in his monthly blog on the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s webpage. He urged the public to get involved in deciding the future of their county, in his latest entry on Monday (September 1) entitled ‘Keeping TCI as a destination of choice’. “Decisions we make today will have a profound influence on the islands’ future prosperity,” he wrote. Beckingham began this week’s blog by talking about the recently announced increase in tourist arrivals
to the destination by 35 percent in the first half of 2014. A combined total of 676,937 visitors were welcomed to the destination from January 1 to June 30 including 199,347 stop-over visitors and 477,590 visitors arriving by cruise ship. This accounts for a 25 percent increase in stop overs and a massive 40 percent increase in cruise ship arrivals compared to the same period in 2013. “The trick for all of us will be to work out why we have benefitted from that extraordinary increase, and how we can maintain it,” Beckingham blogged. He went on to say the quality of the product is key and it is something that is both admired and appreciated by visitors.
“We are faced with some big decisions” – Governor Peter Beckingham
“As I saw recently with the rapid development of the Shore Club on
Members of Providenciales Rotary Club during the presentation of pumps to DDME
Long Bay, new developments offer an important, fast way of providing jobs for locals. “But we also need to consider the longer term impact of new, higher buildings on our attraction as an upmarket tourist destination. “I can’t believe many US visitors will find some of the new high rise developments in Nassau appealing if they are looking for pretty beaches.” He said that the country is faced with some big decisions, especially about increasing the height of new builds, and added that he is pleased that the Government is planning public consultations before any decisions are made. “The extraordinary figures for the first six months of this year certainly suggest our product
is hitting the right spots with a demanding market, which has lots of choice. “Everyone involved in tourism in Turks and Caicos – which is the large majority of the working population, and their children- should contribute to the debate, and let their elected Government and the opposition, have their views about how they want to see the country develop in the next 20 years. “Decisions we make today will have a profound influence on the islands’ future prosperity.” The blog in its entirety can be found at http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/ peterbeckingham/. A Facebook group entitled ‘What is the future of TCI development?’ is available for those who wish to discuss their views in a public forum.
Two new pumps donated to DDME by the Rotary Club of Providenciales to assist with pumping of water
Rotarians donate pumps to assist with water removal THE ROTARY Club of Providenciales donated two water pumps to the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies (DDME) to assist with the removal of water on North and Middle Caicos. The presentation was made by Providenciales Rotarians to DDME
officials on Tuesday (September 2) at the Providenciales branch on the Leeward Highway. The recent tropical storm Cristobal caused the most damage on the islands of North and Middle Caicos, making it impossible for some residents to leave their homes due to the extensive flooding.
Bloneva Greene, president of the Rotary Club of Providenciales, said that when team members heard about the situation in Kew, people not being able to access the road, the club responded. “I am very proud and happy that we were able to do so,” she said. “We want to show the community
of North Caicos and Middle Caicos that we really care and we want to make a difference. “I just hope that other persons in the public will step forward and do their part as Rotary has done.” Greene said that they also have a team of Rotarians in North Caicos,
spearheaded by Wilbert Forbes, who have been assisting in North Caicos and working really closely with them. Members of DDME visited the island of North Caicos on Thursday (September 4) to speed up the process of the removal of the water. (DH)
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
Photos of Trash Bucket Challenge participants are popping up all over Facbook
Social media challenge boosts country pride A NEW craze is sweeping social media that is both fun and great for the country’s environment. The Trash Bucket Challenge asks participants to collect a bucket full of rubbish from TCI’s roads, bush or beaches and post a photo of themselves and the trash online. They then have to select three friends and ask them to continue the challenge within 24 hours. Eco activist Lynn Robinson from Providenciales who launched the game
in the TCI hopes that it will encourage people to be more conscious of their environment. She explained that it began in Hawaii as an alternative to the popular Ice Bucket Challenge which has raised millions of dollars for the ALS Association. But instead of raising cash, the object of the Trash Bucket Challenge is to raise global awareness about the amount of rubbish in oceans, beaches, roadsides and parks.
“Hopefully it will encourage more people to look closer at their surroundings and have a pride in keeping the area clean and free from trash,” Robinson said. “I hope it will also encourage people to dispose of their trash correctly instead of leaving it behind after a visit to the beach or throwing out of their car windows. “And lastly I hope it will encourage people to reduce the amount of single use plastic that they use every day such as bottles, bags, straws etc and think about using reusable
bottles and bags instead.” Anyone can take part in the challenge even if they have not been nominated. They just need to write the rules of the challenge alongside their photo and tag three friends. Robinson has lived in the Turks and Caicos Islands for 12 years and works at Big Blue as a diving instructor, eco guide and boat captain. She writes a fortnightly environmental column for the Weekly News. (RB)
September 6 - 12, 2014
NEWS 17
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Gov’t praises private sector support “WE ARE very grateful to our private sector partners for their contribution and assistance over the past two years.” Director of Education Edgar Howell praised supporters of local education during a meeting at the Department of Education in Providenciales last month. “It is important for us to maintain relationships with them and educate them about some of the critical needs
of our students and how our partner organisations can continue to support and invest in our young people and their communities.” Representatives from FortisTCI, the Grace Bay Foundation and the Sandals Foundation joined officials from the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Services. According to a press release from the Government on Friday (August 29) the session was called to discuss
ways to strengthen the partnerships and address challenges. “It provided an opportunity to say thanks to partners for all the assistance with providing supplies and equipment and assisting with financial support,” the release read. Currently the Annual Primary School Science Fair and Science Quiz is sponsored by FortisTCI. Clement Howell High School
in Blue Hills will soon have a new lunch shed thanks to the Sandals Foundation. The organisation is also responsible for training and certification of special education teachers in 2013, and contributing to the New Beginnings School and Enid Capron Primary School. Currently the Government is looking for the private sector to assist with future projects such as
the library at the Oseta Jolly Primary School, the sick bay at the Enid Capron Primary School and training of members of the student council at Clement Howell High School. The Grace Bay Foundation has agreed to provide backpacks to students in Government schools in South Caicos, North Caicos and the Ianthe Pratt Primary School in Providenciales as a part of their annual back to school programme.
The Towers of Babel Art is our language
For more information email towersofbabel101@gmail.com or visit www.towersofbabel.weebly.com
Blank thoughts By Bianca Garland
Representatives from the private sector joined Government officials at the recent meeting
Parliamentary clerk gets overseas training THE CLERK to the House of Assembly in Grand Turk recently attended a two-day Parliamentary Staff Development Workshop hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). Tracey Parker’s attendance at the event, held on August 12 to 14 in Belize, was funded by the Governor’s Office Jubilee Fund. Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the Civil Service, said: “The greatest asset of any civil service is its staff, and I’m pleased that the Governor’s Office has been able to assist our clerk to the house in her continued professional development. “Being able to draw on the expertise and resources of the CPA
is extremely beneficial to TCI, and I look forward to the Islands’ relationship with the association continuing to thrive.” The CPA was established over nine decades ago to connect, develop, promote and support parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. It regularly hosts regional and international seminars for its 17,000 members, assisting them with their professional development and giving them an opportunity to keep abreast of the latest developments. The Belize workshop focused on a number of core skills
Attendees at the Parliamentary Staff Development Workshop in Belize
required by parliamentary staff to carry out their duties, including research services and information technology, effective committees, the administration and funding of parliament and engaging civil society and the media. The Governor’s Office Jubilee Fund supports capacity building activities for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and has disbursed more than $125,000 of funding over the last three years. Projects supported have included international and regional secondments for TCIG staff members, the provision of worldclass training and the support of numerous environmental protection projects.
An out of body experience is defined to be breath takingLiterally- and as my Soul lied lifeless I found myself gasping for air Stripped of my soul I cleansed myself in all things that are true Soaking my heart in the waters of Jerusalem Scrubbing my mind with proverbs rinsing it in psalms My thirst for happiness I quenched with teachings from a Buddhist Lost in her I find myself in love Kneeling I sang praises to Allah While receiving communionBreaking the bread and sipping the wine I honoured Christ Meditating with Gandhi Fasting with King Selassie I Knowledge was nourishing my soul Learning became essentialIn my quest to keep my soul alive-coming to the understanding Nirvana and Heaven are one in the samePeacePiecing life’s puzzle In efforts to obtain peacePeace to conflicting thoughts and restoring peace in one’s heartPeaceDining with philosophers before my time-one leaned over and whispered “Never allow the things that matter most to be at the mercy of those that matter least” It was then that I wrote a peace treaty between mind body heart and soulMy heart signed beating
at a pace my mind could understand My mind initialled clarity My body simply back flipped on the dotted line- energy it yearned was gifted through mind and heart settling My soul now revived refuses to relive a life of imprisonment and did not sign but promised, To keep the peaceThe treaty simply read: Spirituality isn’t found in books written by dead menGod is everything- God is life… God is death…God is sight… God is sound God is real… Heaven is here on earth…and so is hell…God is Heaven…God is hell God is lips parting to meet the tangle of tongues…God is also the pain attached at the end of harsh words by that same tongue God is that deafening silence after a mother buries a child… God is the umbilical cord that proud father cuts God is life…Life is God God is everything Déjà vu is the sensation after realising you are where you are supposed to be…to feel as if you’ve been here before should resonate purpose God is purposeYour reason to live is purpose Peace is fulfilling purpose As silly as it may sound we are all created with one purpose… To live to love to hurt to learn to teach…to give back to mother earth… And in the end from her is where we came and to her we will return.
Lifestyle... 18
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
GARDENING
How does your garden grow
Bottle palm THE BOTTLE palm, aptly named for its uniquely shaped trunk, is happiest in the warmer areas of the Turks and Caicos Islands. This palm is an outstanding accent palm for tropical garden beds or sheltered entry areas. Its small size and striking appearance enhance formal or eclectic landscapes. The fronds are few but long and graceful. And the crown shaft (the area above the trunk) and leaf stems (petioles) have an attractive reddish colour that fades as the palm slowly matures. Most often seen as a single specimen, bottle palms are also available as novel, eye-catching
multi-trunk specimens, usually with two or three trunks. Contrary to popular belief, the swollen trunk of this mini palm tree is not for water storage. Though it can be moderately drought-tolerant once it’s established, this palm does need regular irrigation during dry spells. Bottles are slow growing palms that could end up about 10 feet at maturity, but maturity takes many, many years. Most specimens in the landscape average only five to seven feet tall. Bottles palms like full to part sun locations. They can be used in partial shade as well, but if
Weekly Recipe Katherine Withers Green, 27, is a mum of one 15-monthold avid pasta lover. She knows from experience that finding meals that are nutritious, quick and easy to make, and that can be frozen for a later date is tough. These recipes are aimed at mothers looking to make the transition from baby food to ‘real’ food.
there’s too much shade the crown shaft will grow elongated and lean toward the light, turning unique into just plain ugly. These palms are highly salttolerant making them ideal for coastal plantings. Plant in an area where the soil drains well, like a beach environment. This palm does not like an overly wet area. Add top soil to the hole when you plant. Bottles aren’t self-cleaning but, due to their slow growth rate, you’ll rarely have to trim off an old frond. This is not a hungry palm, so fertilising with a slow-release granular three times a year, once a season in spring, summer and autumn is more than enough. Bottles are fairly drought tolerant once established though a regular
BY DENIS Belanger - NATURE SPLENDOR
Denis is a passionate landscape architect who enjoys the creative process and his clients’ joy when projects come to life. Contact Denis at Nature Splendor for your landscaping, installation or garden maintenance needs. For more information call 332-3381 or email denis@naturesplendor.net.
watering keeps them looking their best, and because of the slow growth rate it’ll take an entire season to produce and grow beautiful the next three or four fronds. The limited number of fronds keeps them from competing with one another, so these palms can be planted in groups or in a line as close as four to six feet apart. But come out from the house at least six feet to prevent the fronds from touching the wall. Multi-trunk bottles should be
YOUR DIET Tamika has a Master’s Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University and is a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association (ADA). She is currently executive director of Nutrition in Demand, a non-profit aimed at increasing awareness to health and healthy eating. For more information email tamikahandfield@yahoo.com or visit www.nutritionindemand.com. Call 242-3978 or 442-3978.
positioned well away from any structure, since their swollen bases keep the trunks fanned out fairly far apart. This is an excellent container palm since it grows so slowly. Landscape uses for bottle palm include, specimen for small to large garden beds, in the centre of a circular drive, lining a drive or walk, at the entry - as long as there’s enough space for fronds to spread out, in the pool cage planter or as a container plant for a sunny patio.
BY TAMIKA HANDFIELD
Lunch box nutrition Kids Fruity Chicken Curry Simple to make, but with a delicious mild, fruity curry chicken flavour. If you like you could add some baby sweetcorn. Its great served with papadams and fluffy white rice. INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp vegetable oil • 1 onion peeled and chopped • 1 garlic clove, crushed • 1 small carrot cut into matchsticks • 1 medium apple, peeled and thinly sliced • 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite sized chunks • 1 tbsp korma curry paste • ½ tbsp mango chutney • 1 tbsp tomato puree • 100g frozen peas • 150 ml coconut milk • 1 chicken stock cube dissolved in
150 ml boiling water METHOD • Heat the oil in a wok or frying pan and sauté the onion and carrot for three minutes. • Add the garlic and sauté for half a minute. • Add the apple and stir fry for three minutes. • Add the chicken and stir fry for four minutes • Add the korma curry paste, mango chutney, tomato puree, frozen peas, coconut milk and chicken stock and simmer for about 10 minutes. • Serve and enjoy! • Suitable for the whole family. Can be frozen.
A VERY common question I get is: “What can I pack for my child’s lunch?” Some parents are very aware of the importance of packing a nutritionally sound lunch for their school age children, but just may not know exactly what makes up a healthy lunch. A good place to start would be to become familiar with the food groups. There are five main food groups and they are: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein (meats and beans) and dairy. Including foods from all of the food groups on a regular basis will ensure your growing child gets all of the necessary nutrients needed for optimum growth and development. Let’s take a closer look at each group. Fruits - this is probably the most accepted food group. There are a variety of options that can be included in your child’s lunchbox as well. You can choose fresh, canned or dried fruit. However, if you choose
canned, ensure it is not canned in any kind of syrup - heavy or light. It is only sugar. Dried fruit are also a concentrated source of sugar and should only be used as a treat. Vegetables - in my opinion, they are almost the complete opposite of fruits in that children tend to not like vegetables as much. There are some popular ones like carrots, corn and broccoli but there are many more veggies out there. You can cut up crisp veggies, like cucumber or sweet peppers, into cubes or fun shapes and have a non-fat or low-fat dip such as ranch or hummus (pureed chickpeas) as an accompaniment. You may also want to incorporate more veggies into your child’s favourite dish. For example, if you child is an avid noodle eater, add some frozen broccoli, corn and sweet peas to it. You’ve made it prettier and more nutritious. If all else fails, puree the vegetable and hide in another food. I know,
it’s bribery and I don’t like to use it but drastic situations call for drastic measures. Grains - these are the main part of your child’s lunch box. There are a variety of grains - wheat, rice, corn, oats and more. Grains such as whole wheat bread, tortillas, fruit or vegetable muffins, pita bread, flat bread, bagels and waffles are all good sources of fibre. Children may tire of sandwiches, but try making pinwheels with tortilla or wraps or veggie pizza on a bagel. Protein - a good complement to the grains. Include lean sources of proteins like chicken, turkey, egg and tuna. Some cold cuts would work as well; just stay away from the higher fat options such as salami, bologna and pepperoni. There are also vegetarian sources of protein: peas and beans, nuts and nut butter like peanut butter. Try to have fun with it and change the lunch routine up often.
September 6 - 12, 2014
Lifestyle... FASHION AND BEAUTY
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
By Easher Parker
Easher is a Turks and Caicos Islands native with a natural talent for writing and a love for all things beauty and style. If you have any questions or suggestions for a topic email easherparker@gmail.com. To find out more visit itseasher.com or follow twitter or Instagram @itseasher for fab instant updates.
Taming Lady Danger WHO is Lady Danger? Just a spicy name for one of my favourite matte lip shades. Since figuring out how to get her to lay flawlessly, I have been reaching for it a lot more. It’s a great go-to colour if you’re looking to start or add to your collection, especially if you already know how to work the matte finish. Those who don’t would appreciate this read. Previously, I was a little baffled by this stellar shade. I was taking all the necessary steps for a smooth lipstick application which worked to an extent. My trouble was getting it to last longer and doing away with blotchiness. I would make sure to exfoliate which is a great way to achieving baby soft lips. Hence your lip colour gliding on so easily. Additionally I would add plenty of moisture to ensure that Lady Danger remained fresh. This is essential when wearing matte lip colours because matte is a finish that tends to dry out the lips. Otherwise you will see the undesirable result of a cakey effect. So where were my errors? One of them was post moisturising. I would begin with the application of primer, liner and finally my lip colour. With matte lipsticks, liner is not quite necessary because of its already drying nature. However, purging liner is optional as it does serve a very good purpose of preventing colour bleeding. For me, Lady Danger did well without it. My second error was the type of lip moisturiser I was using. It’s a great lip moisturiser however I will not mention which brand. Sadly, it was just not good enough for Lady Danger. It was an oil based lip balm that had a light but creamy consistency. What happens when you dust powder over oil? It just sits and eventually gets doughy, clumpy and messy. Whereas water would absorb the powdery grain beautifully. That is, if you have enough of it. Water equals moisture which is the key for this type of lipstick. Oil works more like a barrier. Luckily I always keep at least two different moisturisers on hand so I was able swap and save. Ladies, please consider Blistex’s Medicated Lip Ointment as one of the ideal choices for lip prep. It’s great for any type of lipstick application. The product is light and free of oiliness. I applied that and a tinge of primer and skipped the liner. I also avoided rubbing my lips together. Remember, matte lip colours are not designed like the soft, creamy sheer shades. I stipple on the colour starting from the centre working downward. Once applied or ‘laid’ as I like to call it, a matte lipstick can be elegant and ever so gorgeous. Don’t hesitate to share your looks with me. Simply tag @itseasher to find me on Instagram or Twitter!
The Dentist and you Mark Osmond BDS (Lond) LDS RCS (Eng). Mark Osmond Dental Clinic - (649) 432 3777, drmosmond@gmail.com or Find us on Facebook
By Dr Mark Osmond
Coffee, wine and your teeth COFFEE and wine are beverages that many of us enjoy every day, or - for some of us - even more frequently! For a long while medics have debated the potential health risks and benefits of both of these substances, often coming to very different and even contradictory conclusions. Focusing particularly on the dental aspect here, there have recently been a couple of studies on the impact of both of these drinks on teeth. ‘Dentistry Today’ has recently released a study which demonstrates the low understanding of the negative impact of certain alcoholic drinks on teeth with only 16 percent of people saying they are concerned with oral health implications when drinking alcohol. The majority of alcoholic drinks contain either high levels of sugar or high levels of acid. Whether it is the acid directly attacking the teeth or the sugar which turns into acid in the mouth attacking the teeth, the result is the same: tooth erosion and decay. Sparkling wines or champagne are
(unfortunately for some!) the worst offenders due to both the naturally occurring higher acid levels of the grape and also the carbonation process. Therefore from a dental perspective I would recommend a flat drink rather than a fizzy drink one (although my wife still has yet to be convinced!). Acidic drinks are a major problem for teeth during the summer, when people are more likely to drink acidic fruit punches or attend celebrations where they will drink champagne. Drinking water between drinks may help to curb the adverse effects of acidic alcoholic drinks. There are many drinks - including red wine or port - that stain teeth. Coffee-based cocktails or spirits mixed with dark juices also have the same negative impact on teeth. It’s essential to brush thoroughly after consuming these beverages although not immediately. Dentist’s recommend a wait of 30 minutes after an acidic drink before brushing, so that any enamel softened by the acid has had a chance to re-mineralise in the
saliva and so the abrasive action of the toothbrush and paste does not remove the softened enamel. Coffee, however, may have an unintended benefit. Researchers recently determined that drinking coffee could lower the risk of gum disease. A research team at Boston University’s Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine conducted the study. Their research indicated that coffee did not have a negative impact on periodontal health. The study appeared in the August issue of the Journal of Periodontology. The study also showed that drinking coffee regularly had a minimal impact on the number of teeth affected by bone loss. To compile the data a group of more of than 1,100 of adult males ages 26 to 84 were studied. This study was the first of its kind to explore the possible periodontal impact of drinking coffee. Remember adding sugar to your coffee will however increase the chances of tooth decay.
POLICE SAFETY TIPS
How to burglar-proof a window air conditioner A STURDY lock will discourage a timid burglar and at least make a bold one work harder. The ultimate frustration for the burglar is the double-cylinder dead lock which must be opened by a key from either side, making it difficult for a hidden burglar to get out of the building. In addition to locks, a bar can be used on the rear door, a favourite entry point for burglars. Bars over windows and other openings can also frustrate any unauthorised entrance. Records should be kept on key distribution and that employees should be required to turn in their keys when they leave the business. Having a master key or one key for both outside doors and inside offices is convenient, but makes burglary a simple matter. It’s a good idea to code keys so only the employees know which locks they fit. Burglar alarms are perhaps the most obvious means of burglar protection. The silent central-station alarm gives the best protection. This type goes off at a private protection agency, unknown to the burglar who continues working,
By Audley Astwood Audley, a former police detective and broadcaster, is currently the press officer for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. His main focus is on crime prevention and community policing. For more information call 941-4448 or visit www.tcipolice.tc.
reassured by the quiet. The cheaper building-type local alarm system - which wakes the entire neighbourhood and alerts the burglar, as well - is preferable to no alarm at all. At least it may scare off the thief before he’s completed the job. Providing a lot of light, both inside and outside, usually is effective. Have each entrance point, including windows and large vents, flooded with light will discourage all but the most highly motivated burglar and will force any burglar to work quickly. It’s advisable to arrange indoor lighting so anyone on the inside can be spotted by police patrolling the area. It’s best that window displays not block the view from the street. No matter the weight or shape, safes can be bolted to the building and placed near the front of the store so suspicious activity would be visible from the street at night.
Since burglars can’t take what isn’t there, prudent managers will leave the safe as empty as possible banking excess cash at night. It’s also a good idea to equip safes with silent alarms. Burglar-resistant glass, a sandwich of plastic between two sheets of glass, thwarts access to displays and the building itself. It can be broken, but will be difficult to do so. All these hints can help prevent burglaries, but common sense precautions must also be used. For instance, having all the windows barred will be useless if a skylight is left open or an employee is careless with his or her keys. Only by applying all these prevention techniques can the business owner be assured the thief’s profits don’t become the owner’s loss.
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Regional News
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Caribbean must brace for “full impact” of Chikungunya – CARPHA THE Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is warning the Caribbean to be prepared for the “full impact” of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus eight months after the first case was detected. CARPHA executive director Dr. James Hospedales told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that almost all Caribbean Community (CARICCOM) countries have now reported cases of the virus. “There are a total of over 9,000 confirmed cases. There is an estimate in excess of 600,000 cases in total, most of those being from the bigger countries like the Dominican Republic and Haiti with 37 deaths in total. “So it continues to spread, we will have an expert consultation next month to look at all the plans and also to see how we better inform and protect people and protect the economy of the region,” Dr. Hospedales told CMC. HE SAID Caribbean governments were making a “valiant effort” in
dealing with the virus, adding “what we have been doing has not been sufficient and the increase of dengue that we have seen in the last years is a marker that what we are doing is not working as well as it ought to work. “That’s partly why we are having this experts meeting next month to look at what’s new in terms of the science and how can we better educate people and how can we deal with the mosquitoes that are so prevalent,” he added. Chikungunya is a viral disease, carried mainly by the aedes aegypti mosquito and causes a dengue-like sickness. Symptoms include a sudden high fever, severe pain in the wrists, ankles or knuckles, muscle pain, headache, nausea, and rash. Joint pain and stiffness are more common with chikungunya than with dengue. The symptoms appear between four to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito. The majority of clinical signs and symptoms last
three to 10 days, but joint pain may persist longer. Severe cases requiring hospitalisation are rare. Last December, CARPHA said it was working closely with the French and Dutch authorities after the region recorded its first ever case of chikungunya and the Trinidadbased agency said it had received notification of 10 confirmed cases of locally acquired chikungunya virus infection on the French side of the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. Dr. Hospedales told CMC that with a population of 17 million people, the region is still in the early stages of the virus, warning “the full bloom of chikungunya virus is yet to come. “.I am saying because everybody in this part of the world and there is no resistance to this virus and we have an abundance of the vector and we have a lot of movement. In six months it has moved to all the islands and we can expect further increases in levels of cases becased on what has happened elsewhere in the world
There is an estimate in excess of 600,000 cases in total across the region.
where in some countries you find a 30 per cent attack rate of the entire population within a year or so. “So (adhere) to the message that all the governments have been putting out to reduce the breeding of mosquitoes around the home and very importantly for somebody who thinks they have chikungunya… that they take measures to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes to avoid
spreading it to their families and neighbours”. He said those persons should stay under a mosquito net for the few days they are sick, use insect repellent people and destroy any breeding around the house as well as spraying inside the house to knock down any female mosquito that may have bitten the person who is infected. (CMC)
Moody’s lowers the Bahamas’ credit rating THE Bahamas’ sovereign credit rating was cut to just two notches above “junk” status this week, as a leading Wall Street agency reacted to this nation’s “subdued economic growth” and continued fiscal weakness. Adding to the fiscal reform impetus, Moody’s slashed the Government’s “issuer” and “unsecured” credit ratings by one place, from Baa1 to Baa2. But, on the positive side, it effectively gave a “vote of confidence” in the Government’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) and fiscal reform plans, citing an expected improvement in the Government’s finances as the reason for upgrading its outlook on the Bahamas from “negative” to “stable”. However, the latest downgrade is merely another signal that the Bahamas cannot afford to delay on fiscal and tax reform, and that it must execute properly to hit the targeted fiscal deficit/national debt reductions it is ultimately projecting. And Moody’s action on Tuesday reinforces that the outside world, especially investors and the international capital markets, are watching the Christie administration’s progress and actions closely. Explaining the rationale for the downgrade to Baa2, which brings its Bahamas’ sovereign rating into line with its fellow rating agency, Standard & Poor’s (S&P), Moody’s said “key drivers” were the continued deterioration in the
Government’s financial position and the weak economic growth that had exacerbated this. It added that the Bahamas’ “debt and interest burdens that now exceed those of most Baa-rated peers”. “The first key driver for today’s rating action is related to the weakening of the Bahamian government’s fiscal strength, as reflected by the significant increase in the sovereign’s debt and interest burdens,” Moody’s said. “The Government’s debt-to-GDP ratio has increased from 31.7 per cent in 2007 to 59 per cent in 2013, and Moody’s expects it to peak in 2015. At this level, it is almost 20 percentage points above the median for Baa-rated sovereigns (39.5 per cent in 2013).” Moody’s added that interest (debt servicing) payments now consumed 14 per cent of government revenues, compared to 9.3 per cent in 2007, leaving it with little room to deal with unexpected fiscal or economic shocks in the future. “The second key driver is the weak economic recovery,” Moody’s said. “Following a recession in 2008-2009, the Bahamian economy has averaged annual growth of just 1.1 per cent in the four years through 2013. “The economy’s underperformance has negatively affected government revenues, and it has also led to higher current and capital expenditures by the Government in order to support the economy.
“As a consequence, the fiscal deficit widened to 6.3 per cent of GDP in fiscal 2012-2013. While Moody’s estimates that the deficit narrowed to 5.4 per cent in fiscal 2013-2014, this shortfall is still more than double the median for similarly rated peers.” The upshot of all this is that the Bahamas’ credit worthiness has taken a further hit, and this will further increase this nation’s borrowing (interest rate) costs in the international capital markets. This increasing burden will also suck more money away from essential public services in the Bahamas, while the downgrade is also not a signal that this nation wants to send to existing and potential foreign investors – due to the questions raised about fiscal prudence. The Government’s US consultants on fiscal reform warned that further downgrades could “increase the risk of a more dramatic cutoff from external financing.” Compass Lexecon, in its May 2014 report, said: “While the Bahamas does have credibility based on its history, there is a danger of that dissipating, and the Bahamas should take action not just to put forward a plan to achieve long-term fiscal sustainability, but also to do what it can to bolster the credibility of that plan.” But Moody’s was yesterday more positive on the Bahamas’ medium and long-term fiscal and economic growth prospects, as shown by its upgraded “outlook”.
“The stable outlook reflects Moody’s expectation that the medium-term fiscal consolidation plan will contain the government’s debt burden in fiscal 2015, and afterwards lead to a gradual reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio,” the rating agency said. “The rating outlook also envisages that real GDP growth will strengthen somewhat to 2-2.5 per cent in 2015, owing in large part to the ongoing recovery in economic growth in the US, which is closely correlated with tourist arrivals in the Bahamas. “Key elements of the fiscal stabilisation plan include expenditure controls that seek to increase the efficiency of public spending. In addition, government intends to introduce a 7.5 per cent VAT in 2015. “Nonetheless, even with an effective implementation of fiscal reforms, the Bahamas’ debt and interest burdens will remain at levels significantly weaker than most Baa rating peers over the next two years at least, and over the medium term as well.” In response to the Moody’s action, the Ministry of Finance last night stressed that the Bahamas had retained its investment grade rating, and talked up the improved outlook. “The ratings agency rightly expresses confidence that the current programme of reforms to boost revenues, and to control expenditure and increase the efficiency of spending, will yield positive results,” the Ministry said.
“These reforms are indeed expected to have the intended outcome of reducing the deficit and supporting a ‘gradual reduction’ in the Government’s debt burden over the coming years. “As Moody’s expectations underscore, on this course of action the Bahamian economy should strengthen, despite worries to the contrary in some quarters about the merits of the fiscal plan. The Government of the Bahamas must persevere with these reforms.” Moody’s said the Bahamas’ debt and fiscal ratios would have to improve and come into line with Baa-rated peers for its credit rating to improve, with a reduction in “contingent liabilities stemming from loss-making public sector corporations” such as Bahamasair and the Water & Sewerage Corporation also cited as a positive. “Downward pressure on the Bahamas’ rating could arise if the economy underperformed and negatively impacted government revenues, thus complicating the fiscal consolidation process,” Moody’s added. “An expansion of public spending that would hinder consolidation efforts would also be credit negative. In addition, the crystallisation of contingent liabilities from debt held by public sector corporations that required government intervention would result in a loss of creditworthiness for the sovereign.” (Tribune242)
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Regional News
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Cayman Islands shaken by earthquake THE Cayman Islands was lightly shaken by a 5.1-magnitude earthquake off the British Overseas Territory’s southern coast on Wednesday morning. The quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres, occurred at around 5:01 AM local time. The quake’s epicentre was about 35 kilometres south of George Town and about 45 kilometres south of West Bay in
the Cayman Islands. It was about 344 kilometres south-southwest of Trinidad, Cuba. There were reports of shaking across the territory, from Bodden Town to George Town to West Bay. There have been several quakes in the area of the Cayman Islands in recent months of similar magnitudes. (Caribjournal)
Cayman has one of highest life expectancies in world DESPITE what may appear to be a declining quality of life for many people in the Cayman Islands over the last few years, figures released by the Economics and Statistics Offices revealed that Caymanians are one of the longest lived groups of people in the world. With an average life expectancy of 82.3 years for both sexes, baby boys born today can expect to live to almost 80 years old while girls almost 85 years old. The longevity of the population is down to a number of factors, including quality health care but also a high standard of living. However, given the well documented problems facing Cayman’s private sector as well as public sector pensions, long post retirement life may present a significant problem for future governments. The 2013 Compendium of Statistics released by the Economics and Statistics Office shows last month shows that men in Cayman are now expected to live 79.8 years and females 84.7 years. “Figures on life expectancy
are required data for pension and insurance purposes, particularly in calculating expected retirement benefits,” said Marco Archer, the minister for Finance and Economic Development. “Life expectancy is also generally used as a ‘quality of life’ indicator – this is expected to be higher the more developed a country is.” According to a World Health Organization, the highest life expectancy for a country as of 2013 was Monaco, where people on average can expect to live until they are 87.2 years – women there can expect to live to 89 years old and men more than 85. Using the WHO figures, Cayman is ranked 14th on a par with France from the 222 nations ranked. Cayman outstrips all its Caribbean neighbours as well as the USA, which is ranked 34th with an average expectation of 79.8 years, as well as the United Kingdom, which is down in 28th place with an expected life span of 79.5 for men and 82.5 for women.
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Bahamas: Dr. Munroe refers to homosexuality as a “massive deception” RELIGIOUS leader Dr Myles Munroe has fiercely condemned homosexuality in the wake of a recent gay pride celebration in Grand Bahama, referring to it as a “massive deception…dismantling the very core of the natural existence of humanity.” In a lengthy press statement released on Saturday, the prominent author and pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) suggested that forces are deceptively working to convince people that homosexuality is normal. His statement came days after The Tribune reported that four-day gay pride celebrations kicked off on Friday at an all-inclusive resort on eastern Grand Bahama. His denouncement of the events marked the first public criticism of the celebrations from a major public figure. As for the event in east Grand Bahama, Dr Munroe said the issue must be addressed from a position that goes beyond religion. He questioned what role government and tourism officials may have had in furthering the event and noted that the celebrations attracted the international press. “In the guise of ‘civil rights’ and ‘human rights’ the LGBT minority community have decided to ‘celebrate’ the civility of their very uniquely chosen lifestyle and sexual preference publicly,” he said. “I am not sure what their mission or goals are in this effort but obviously they have received enough incentive and motivation to attempt something that 90 per cent of the Bahamas and Bahamians consider unacceptable and violates their collective convictions, moral standing and values. “I am not sure what role is being played by government, the Ministry of Tourism, or other parties that may have provided, if any, the
In a lengthy press statement released on Saturday, the prominent author and pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) suggested that forces are deceptively working to convince people that homosexuality is normal.
incentive for this defiant social act, but I believe this must be addressed from the perspective not from any religious position, but rather from the concern for our very small fragile social fabric being held together by values and moral standards that provide the framework for a healthy Bahamian society.” Frequently dismissing homosexuality as unnatural, Mr Munroe warned that gay activists are appropriating the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s to advance their agenda. He said any comparison of the oppression gays face to the racism blacks faced before the Civil Rights Era is “illogical” and “dishonest.” “I have with great disappointment stood on the balcony of history and watched with horror and shock the highjacking and raping of what we have come to know as the Civil Rights Movements,” he said. “What made it more distressing was to see many individuals who were actively
involved in these historic resistance movements abandoning the sacrifice of many who died for the noble causes of human dignity for the majority who were being abused, to use their blood to cover the demands of minority sectors of society to justify and civilise their selfish and unnatural preferences. “I myself tasted the negative impact of civil oppression by a regime that devalued my humanity, but this was not because of a lifestyle I chose, or a behaviour that was by orientation, or a disposition preferred, but rather a reality that was ‘natural.’ I was a victim of my inherent pigmentation. I was born black and had no choice in the matter. In the Bahamas I and my family along with the majority of the Bahamian population were discriminated against, devalued as humans, disfranchised, and oppressed by a minority regime. “I have with all my logic sought to understand but still cannot equate the philosophy, ideology or purpose for the Civil Rights Movements with the agenda of the homosexual LGBT community. I think the attempt to equate the historical Civil Rights Movements with the demands for the right to dignify, glorify and accept as normal the practice of a lifestyle that could render the human race for which they sacrificed extinct is illogical, dishonest, and is the abuse of the blood and imprisonment of many. It’s a highjacking of the gains paid for by the blood of honourable men and women for an unnatural human-destroying behaviour.” In a recent interview with The Tribune about the event, organiser Victor Rollins underscored the critical need for outreach and empowerment within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community.
Tourist wins settlement after “nightmare” holiday in DR
Haiti Opens tourism promotion office in DR WHILE attracting visitors from the United States and Canada will be crucial for Haiti’s tourism hopes, the country is also looking for travelers closer to home. Haiti’s government has officially inaugurated its first-ever tourism promotion office in the Dominican Republic. The initiative is part of a cooperation agreement signed between Haiti and the Dominican Republic during highlevel talks in May. While Haiti could face challenges courting tourists from a country with which it has not always had sterling relations, Haiti Tourism
Minister Stephanie Villedrouin said perception played a large role, and that the neighbouring Dominican Republic was an “important market.” “Due to a lack of information, Dominicans believe that Haiti is a dangerous place,” she said after the opening. “But Haiti is not among the countries with problems of insecurity in the Caribbean,” she said, pointing to regional crime figures released last year. The new office is located at the Bella Vista Mall on Avenue Romulo Belancourt in the Dominican Republic’s capital, Santo Domingo.
IN OCTOBER 2009, a British tourist’s dream holiday in the Dominican Republic turned into a nightmare when he fell seriously ill just five days into a two-week stay at the four-star Bahia Principe Hotel in San Juan. Mark Bidwell, a builder from Bristol, suffered diarrhoea, abdominal pain and lethargy during what was intended to be a relaxing getaway with his pregnant partner Nicola Greathurst before the birth of their first child. Bidwell, 33, also experienced weight loss as a result of falling ill at the four-star hotel, and claims he is suffering ongoing health problems. According to Bidwell: “The holiday was a nightmare for both of us. The food was awful and we have both been put off travelling to the
Dominican Republic ever again. “I regret ever staying at the hotel. It was a terrible experience for us and I am still suffering the consequences today as I am still experiencing ongoing symptoms. “I feel as though my life has completely changed and it will never be the same again,” he added. Bidwell sued tour operator Thomas Cook, and last week, a fortnight before the case was to go to trial, a £20,000 pay out was agreed. Ms Greathurst received a sum of money from Thomas Cook at an earlier date. It appears that the young British couple do not represent an isolated incident, with Irwin Mitchell, the law firm that represented them, having now secured in excess of £5.5million in settlements for vacationers who have stayed at the hotel since 2007.
Spokesman for the law firm Amandeep Dhillon said: “We are pleased that Mark’s case has been settled and that both of them can now move forward and put their awful experience behind them. “Sadly, we have had a long history of having to take legal action due to illness at this hotel. “This was meant to be a relaxing luxurious holiday for the couple before the arrival of their baby, and they had worked hard to save for it, but instead Mark fell badly ill and they were unable to enjoy the facilities the resort had to offer. “Severe gastric illness can lead to long-term health problems and it is essential that the appropriate health and safety guidelines are followed to prevent illness to guests at hotels wherever they may be in the world.” (Caribbean360)
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Entertainment
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
TCI MultiCultural Festival unites hundreds BY DAISY HANDFIELD
THE TURKS and Caicos Islands is opening its doors to an annual TCI Multi-Cultural Festival geared at displaying the diversity in culture of the Islands. On Saturday (August 30) more than 200 people made their way to the Providenciales National Stadium to enjoy the different food and music that nationalities living in the TCI had to offer. The event kick started with a float parade – several different nationalities represented their countries, parading down Leeward Highway from Kishco straight to the TCI National Stadium. At the stadium there were live performances by international soca artists KES the Band and Kerwin Du Bois, along with TCI’s
very own V6 Band Boys, Haitian band OBSTAK, Beaches Dancers, Filipino Dance Group and music by DJ Shakes. Event coordinator Owenta Coleby said that the idea derived from living in the TCI among the different cultures and the different communities that reside in the Islands. She said that they thought about it for a while and realised that it was time for them to help bridge the gap between the different nationalities. “We just wanted to put off an event to bring all of the communities together on one strip, to one event.” She confessed that they did not meet their numbers but they were able to pay all of their expenses and set a foundation for next year.
Coleby told the Weekly News that if she was to think of some changes for next year, it would definitely be the timing of the year and a reduction in price from $50 ($75 at the door) to accommodate all classes. “It is an event where you don’t have to be ashamed, you can bring your flag. “Nobody will look down on you on that particular day when you come out and wave your flag.” They will also be turning to more companies, including Government entities for sponsorship for next year’s event. She thanked all of the sponsors and everyone who collaborated in the initiative. The company that put on the event, Couture Events Management, is managed by Coleby and her sisters.
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September 6 - 12, 2014
Entertainment
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Dawson: ‘I was a virgin until I was 20!’
Dawson said she ‘wanted to be the first person in my family to go to college,’ but was discovered for her first acting role at 15.
ROSARIO Dawson may exude confidence and sex appeal now, but she was never a “horny teenager” early on in life. “I was an awkward teenager,” she confessed in the September issue of Cosmopolitan for Latinas. “I went stag to my prom. I was a virgin until I was 20 years old!” The 35-year-old actress is currently starring as a sexy dominatrix in “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.” Still, her focus as a young woman was anything but being dominate in bed. “My mother was raising five kids on her own,” she told the mag. “I wasn’t just going to sit back and be a horny teenager and continue some cycle of teenage pregnancy -- I wanted more opportunities.”
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Learning from her own mother, who was a teen mom, Dawson’s perspective on life centered on running with the opportunities that presented themselves. I wanted to be the first person in my family to go to college,” she said of her educational goals. Those aspirations were interrupted when she was discovered by filmmaker Larry Clark while sitting on her stoop in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1995 at the age of 15 and asked to star in his movie “Kids.” “I was nervous because I was, like, surrounded by starving artists who all had regular jobs because they couldn’t live off their art,” she recalled. “I asked myself, ‘Why would you go down that path?’”
Jamison’s fellow band members are “shocked and saddened”.
Survivor singer Jimi Jamison dies aged 63 JIMI Jamison, the lead singer for US rock band Survivor, who sang the theme tune for hit TV series Baywatch, has died aged 63. Jamison, who joined the band in 1984 and co-wrote the Baywatch theme I’m Always Here, was described by the band as “our brother”. They said on their Facebook page: “The entire Survivor family is very shocked and saddened. “Our thoughts, love and prayers go out to his family and friends.” The band are best known for their 1982 hit The Eye of the Tiger which pre-dated Jamison joining
the group. Survivor’s album Vital Signs was released after he joined. It achieved multi-platinum status with a string of hit singles including I Can’t Hold Back, High on You and The Search is Over. While the band continued to tour worldwide, they took time out to record The Moment of Truth, the theme tune to 1984 film The Karate Kid, and Burning Heart, the title track for 1985’s Rocky IV. In 1988 Survivor released their seventh album, Too Hot To Sleep, after which the band decided to take a break to pursue solo projects.
Apple confirms accounts compromised but denies security breach APPLE has confirmed that some celebrities’ iCloud accounts were broken into, but says it has found no evidence that this was caused by a breach of its security systems. Instead, the firm suggests perpetrators carried out their thefts by deducing victims’ log-in credentials. The statement follows the online publication of intimate pictures of about 20 personalities. Actress Jennifer Lawrence has confirmed a leaked topless photo of her was real. There had been speculation that the images were obtained due to a vulnerability in software that allows users to locate missing iPhones, since it had allowed unlimited password guesses. But Apple has indicated that this was not the case. “We wanted to provide an update to our investigation into the theft of photos of certain celebrities,” said the firm in a statement. “When we learned of the theft, we were outraged and immediately mobilised Apple’s engineers to discover the source. “Our customers’ privacy and
Hollywood mega star Jennifer Lawrence is among the victims of the hacker/s.
security are of utmost importance to us. “After more than 40 hours of investigation, we have discovered that certain celebrity accounts were compromised by a very targeted attack on user names, passwords and security questions, a practice that has become all too common on the internet.
September 6 - 12, 2014
Entertainment
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Comedian Joan Rivers dies aged 81
Sofia Vergara earned an estimated $37M last year.
Vergara tops Forbes’ list as highest paid TV actress FOR the third consecutive year, Colombian actress Sofia Vergara, one of the stars of the hit ABC comedy “Modern Family,” is the highest paid actress on U.S. television, with estimated earnings of $37 million, Forbes magazine said on Wednesday. Like last year, Vergara, who earns $325,000 for each episode of “Modern Family,” outpaced Mariska Hargitay, the Emmywinning star of NBC’s “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” who came in second with $13 million. Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, 28, of CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory,” came in third, with $11 million.
“At 42, the ‘Modern Family’ star continues her streak in large part due to her business savvy,” said Forbes. In addition to her TV work, Vergara has endorsement deals with beverage, cosmetic, clothing and other companies. She also co-founded Latin World Entertainment, a talent, management and entertainment marketing firm. Hargitay, the 50-year-old star of the longest-running drama series currently on TV, earns $450,000 per episode and bulks up her earning through syndication profits.
Tom Hanks has starred in films such as Forrest Gump and Saving Private Ryan.
Hanks, Sting among Kennedy Center honourees TOM Hanks and Sting were among the honourees selected Thursday to receive the 37th annual Kennedy Center Honours. The list consists of Hanks, the twotime Oscar-winning actor known for such films as “Forrest Gump” and “Saving Private Ryan”; Sting, the former Police frontman whose new musical, “The Last Ship,” will open on Broadway this fall; and Al Green, the Memphis soul singer whose hits include “Let’s Stay Together,” “Love and Happiness” and “Tired of Being Alone.”
Also being honoured: comedian and actress Lily Tomlin, whose career includes the TV show “Laugh-In,” the film “9 to 5” and the stage show “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe”; and ballerina Patricia McBride. “The Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals who have spent their lives elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world,” said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein in a press release announcing the honors.
COMEDIAN and TV host Joan Rivers has died, her daughter has said. Rivers, 81, had been on life support in Mount Sinai Hospital since having a cardiac arrest in New York last week. In a statement, her daughter Melissa said she died surrounded by family and friends, and she thanked hospital staff for their “amazing care”. The comedian, best known for her lacerating wit, stopped breathing during a procedure on her vocal chords at an outpatient clinic last Thursday. “My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh,” said Melissa Rivers. “Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.” The actress and stand-up comedian is well known for her legendary putdowns and has more recently turned her razor-sharp tongue on the red carpet’s worst dressed celebrities, hosting the E! network’s Fashion
Comedian Joan Rivers stopped breathing during a procedure on her vocal chords at an outpatient clinic last Thursday.
Police. Both Rivers and her daughter have appeared together in reality TV show Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best? She was born Joan Alexandra
Molinsky in Brooklyn, New York, to a family of Jewish immigrants who had fled the Russian revolution. Her big break came in 1965 when she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. (BBC)
London Grammar and Arctic Monkeys win at the AIM Awards LONDON Grammar, Arctic Monkeys, Twin Atlantic and Sophie Ellis-Bextor were among the artists celebrated at the AIM Independent Music Awards. Arctic Monkeys picked up album of the year for AM, while their record label Domino won label of the year. London Grammar won two of the four awards they’d been nominated for, including breakthrough of the year. Singer Hannah Reid told the BBC it felt “really special”, adding “it really has happened quite quickly, it’s amazing.” The group have enjoyed success with their debut album If You Wait, winning an Ivor Novello Award earlier this year. London Grammar’s second prize of the night was for most played new independent act but keyboardist and percussionist Dot Major was missing from the stage as they collected their plastic robot trophy. “I didn’t think we were up for that award, so I went to the toilet,” he admitted sheepishly as he appeared in the press room. “When I got back to the table I noticed both Dan and Hannah weren’t there and I thought, ‘either they’ve both gone to the toilet, or we’ve won an award’.” ‘A PRIVILEGE’ Martin Mills, who founded The Beggars Group of labels and has nurtured artists including White
Double winners London Grammar are Dan Rothman, Hannah Reid and Dot Major.
Stripes, The Charlatans and The Prodigy was honoured with the Pioneer Award, celebrating his four decades in the industry. “It means a lot because it is the respect of your peers,” he said, after one of his current favourite acts Daughter closed the ceremony with a special performance in his honour. “From Jack White to Cat Power to Kim Deal, the list goes on and it’s a privilege to have been able to have done that. It is an amazing list when you look at it and I like to think in a way it’s self perpetuating,” said Mills. “If you do things that artists see as great then great new artists come to you. As long as we manage to not put out boring and banal music, as long
as we continue doing great things, people will come to us to do great things.” On stage his speech gave way to a special surprise award, which Mills presented to Alison Wenham, AIM’s chairman and CEO - without whom he said “all of this would not be here”. Twin Atlantic were awarded independent track of the year for Heart and Soul, having opened the ceremony with a specially pareddown acoustic set. Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip won the independent video of the year award for You Will See Me, just days before their final gig together at this weekend’s Bestival on the Isle of Wight. (BBC)
28
World News
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
Scotland’s independence closer than ever – Opines First Minister Salmond SCOTTISH independence is “closer than it’s ever been”, First Minister Alex Salmond has said. Mr Salmond spoke to the BBC as polls suggested a narrowing of the gap between the Yes and No campaigns. He said people who had never engaged with politics were becoming involved, calling it “a democratic sensation”. The UK government said it would continue to make the “strong, clear argument” that Scotland could have “the best of both worlds” in the UK. On 18 September, voters in Scotland will be asked the referendum question: “Should Scotland be an independent country?” Speaking to the BBC’s political editor, Nick Robinson, Mr Salmond said: “Independence is obviously closer than it’s ever been but it’s not about the opinion polls. “What’s happening is in the streets, the communities, the church halls, the village halls around Scotland.” We’ve so far had 81 opinion polls that have posed the question, “should Scotland be an independent country”, since the question that’s to appear on the ballot paper was settled back in February of last year. Of those polls, 80 have put the “No” side ahead, and that’s the reason why the “No” side, according to the bookies, are the odds-on favourites to win. That said, however, the polls have
Alex Salmond feels that despite “no” votes still ahead in the polls, the “yes” vote for independence have been increasing in recent time.
consistently disagreed with each other about how far the “No” side are ahead, and some have said it’s around 45,46,47% for the “Yes” side. Other polls have tended to suggest it’s around 40,41,42% for “Yes”, and looks as though it’s all over. The second health warning is that the more recent polls over the last two or three weeks or so have been suggesting that perhaps the “Yes” side have been making further progress. Certainly, “No” are still ahead, but it looks as though the “Yes” side may have gained some momentum in the last two or three weeks. I think that’s undoubtedly the reason why, in this last fortnight, both sides are going to fight this campaign very hard indeed - because the “No” side now can’t be sure of winning and the “Yes” side still have hope that they can pull it off.
Scotland’s first minister claimed the referendum campaign was “a wonderfully engaging, empowering experience with some of our fellow citizens, some of whom have never given a stuff about any politician or any political party but are engaging in this process, queuing to register to vote. “This is a democratic sensation we’re having.” And he claimed that if Scots did not take the “opportunity” of independence they could face “the biggest hangover in history”. The first minister’s comments came on the final day of voter registration before the referendum. Local registration centres have reported receiving thousands of applications as the deadline approached. Prime Minister David Cameron’s official spokesman said opinion polls would not make the UK government change its strategy. “We have confidence in the argument that the government and others are making,” he said. “We have always said from the outset that there is no room for complacency. “The only poll that matters is the referendum itself.” He added: “We have a strong, clear argument we can be confident in. “The people of Scotland can have the best of both worlds and the message from the UK government, and from Wales and Northern Ireland, is: we want you to stay. “We have got a strong, clear message and we need to keep making it.” (BBC)
The outbreak has brought cases to five countries in West Africa.
Ebola death toll passes 1,900, says WHO The World Health Organisation (WHO) says more than 1,900 people have now died in West Africa’s Ebola outbreak. WHO head Margaret Chan said there were 3,500 confirmed or probable cases in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. “The outbreaks are racing ahead of the control efforts in these countries,” she said. On Thursday the WHO is holding a meeting to examine the most promising treatments and to discuss how to fast track their testing and production. Disease control experts, medical researchers, officials from affected countries, and specialists in medical ethics will all be represented at the meeting in Geneva. The WHO has previously warned that more than 20,000 people could be infected before the outbreak of the virus is brought under control. Ms Chan described the outbreak as “the largest and most severe and most complex we have ever seen”. “No one, even outbreak
responders with experience dating back to 1976, to 1995, people that were directly involved with those outbreaks, none of them have ever seen anything like it,” she said. Forty per cent of the deaths have occurred in three weeks leading up to 3 September, the WHO says. On Wednesday Nigeria reported two further cases in the city of Port Harcourt. There had previously only been one case outside the city of Lagos, where five people have died from the virus. “The outbreak of Ebola virus disease in Port Harcourt has the potential to grow larger and spread faster than the one in Lagos,” the WHO warned. Also on Wednesday, the first British person to contract Ebola during the outbreak was discharged from hospital after making a full recovery. On Tuesday medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres warned that a global military intervention was needed to combat the outbreak.
Vice President Biden: ‘We will follow (ISIS) to the gates of hell’ US Vice President Biden vowed Wednesday that America will hunt ISIS “barbarians” to the “gates of hell,” a day after the vicious jihadist group revealed it beheaded U.S. journalist Steven Sotloff. Speaking at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, a fiery Biden put ISIS on notice that “when people harm Americans, we don’t retreat, we don’t forget.” “They should know we will follow them to the gates of hell until they are brought to justice,” said Biden, his voice rising, “because hell is where they will reside! Hell is where they will reside!” “We came back after 9/11,” Biden said. “We dusted ourselves off and we made sure that Osama Bin Laden would never, ever again threaten the American people.” President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron also
condemned Sotloff’s murder. The two leaders used similar language as they both spoke of the need to build an international coalition to — in Obama’s words — “degrade and destroy” the jihadist monsters. Cameron also braced his country for the possibility that ISIS could soon kill a British hostage, David Haines, whom the terror group has identified as its next potential victim. “I think what has happened to the two hostages so far and what may happen again in the future is utterly abhorrent and barbaric,” Cameron said in London. “These people need to understand we will not waver in the our aim of defeating terrorism.” Sotloff, 31, who freelanced for Time and Foreign Policy magazines, appeared in an ISIS video distributed Tuesday that showed him before and
Following the brutal beheading of another American journalist, Steven Sotloff, President Obama said the U.S. will build a coalition to fight ISIS.
after his beheading. It was similar to an ISIS video posted online two weeks that documented the brutal
butchering of U.S. hostage James Foley. A spokesman for the Sotloff family, Barak Barfi, described the slain journalist on Wednesday as someone who “tried to find good concealed in a world of darkness, and if it did not exist he tried to create it.” “Steve had a gentle soul that this world will live without, but his spirit will endure in our hearts,” Barfi added. In a visit to Estonia on the eve of a crucial NATO summit in Wales, Obama spoke more forcefully than during his much-criticized press conference last week, when he said he was still developing a strategy to deal with the ISIS threat. “Our objective is clear, and that is: degrade and destroy ISIL so that it’s no longer a threat, not just to Iraq but also to the region and to the
United States,” he said Wednesday, using another acronym for the jihadi group. We will not be intimidated,” the President said. “Their horrific acts only unite us as a country and stiffen our resolve to take the fight against these terrorists.” He said that “those who make the mistake of harming Americans will learn that we will not forget, and that our reach is long and that justice will be served.” But he still shied away from saying he’d order aerial strikes on ISIS training camps or other sanctuaries the group uses in Syria. He said the goal is to make sure that ISIS “is not an ongoing threat to the region.” That means, he said, that it would be “degraded to the point where it is no longer the kind of factor that we’ve seen it being over the last few months.” (NYdailynews)
September 6 - 12, 2014
World News
29
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Israel slammed for West NATO leaders to meet Ukraine’s Bank land expropriation president ahead of summit ISRAEL came under fire Monday for claiming close to 1,000 acres of land in the Palestinian West Bank. Israel announced Sunday that the land in and around the Wadi Fukin valley, would become “state land,” clearing the way for the development of a new Israeli settlement. The affected land lies near Bethlehem and close to Bitar Ilit -- one of the biggest Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Farmers in the area have 45 days to appeal Israel’s decision to claim the land. “The seizure of such a large swathe of land risks paving the way for further settlement activity, which -- as the United Nations has reiterated on many occasions -- is illegal under international law and runs totally counter to the pursuit of a two-state solution,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement Monday. UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond issued a similar statement, criticising the move. “This is a particularly ill-judged decision that comes at a time when the priority must be to build on the cease-fire in Gaza. It will do serious damage to Israel’s standing in the international community,” he said. “Our position on settlements is clear: they are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace and take us further away from a two state
solution at a time when negotiations to achieve this objective urgently need to be resumed.” Hammond said efforts should be focused on securing a durable ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace. “We strongly urge the government of Israel to reverse this decision,” he said. Israeli officials told CNN the expropriation was linked to the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teenagers who disappeared from the West Bank settlement of Gush Etzion in June. Tensions between Israel and Hamas ratcheted up after the teens’ bodies were found June 30. Both sides last week agreed to an open-ended cease-fire following more than seven weeks of heavy fighting. Hamas has said the teens were abducted by Hamas militants who did not inform the group’s leadership about their operation. The Israeli Civil Administration, which rules over Palestinians in Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank, has posted “no trespassing” signs in the valley. Farmer Mahmoud Mifrah, 66, told CNN he had grown vegetables and olives in Wadi Fukin for 42 years and did not see why he should suffer the consequences of others’ crimes. “We are the neighbours of the Israeli people,” Mifrah said. “We share water and air and everything. We have to find a way to live together.”
Man files lawsuit against job over racist acts – including having to use toilet paper with Obama’s face on it A FORMER employee at an Alabama company has outlined numerous instances of racist treatment in a federal lawsuit, which includes being called the N-word, being forced to learn facts about the Confederacy and given toilet paper with President Barack Obama’s face on it. The lawsuit was filed against Wyle Corp’s CAS Inc. in Huntsville, reports AL.com. Former employee Willie Frank Tuck details other racist behavior, including a noose and pictures of Ku Klux Klan members being placed near his desk, and a picture of a black man being lynched was placed on his windshield. Tuck, who is black, worked as a logistics warehouse technician and states in the July lawsuit he was fired because he is black and
as retaliation for his complaints of the company’s racist practices, the website reported. The defense contracting company, which provides services for the U.S. Department of Defense, declined to comment to the website about the allegations. Other allegations include racist jokes, referring to the president with the N-word and employees telling Tuck Martin Luther King was “nothing more than a troublemaker.” But when the behavior was reported, Tuck was disciplined and told to attend anger management classes. He also wrote in the lawsuit that he reported colleagues stole government property, and sold it to junkyards and over the Internet, but the company did not take action. (NYDailynews)
WORLD leaders are due to meet Ukraine’s president before the NATO summit gets under way in Wales. President Petro Poroshenko will update US and EU leaders after discussions with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. France has ramped up the pressure on Mr Putin by axing its contract to deliver two navy assault ships to Russia. The two-day Nato summit is expected to be dominated by the crisis in Ukraine, but leaders will also discuss the rise of Islamic State, and Afghanistan. Mr Poroshenko will brief UK PM David Cameron, US President Barack Obama and the leaders of France, Italy and Germany, in what correspondents say is a clear show of support to Ukraine’s leader. On Wednesday, President Poroshenko said he had agreed a “ceasefire process” during telephone talks with Mr Putin, who said he hoped a peace deal could be reached when rebels meet envoys from both states on Friday. But in an interview with the BBC, Nato chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said the ceasefire plan floated by Mr Putin was “insincere”. “I think the bottom line is that the Russians are not sincerely interested in a ceasefire. They continue to destabilize Eastern Ukraine,” he said. The BBC’s Bridget Kendall says
Russia’s apparent growing involvement in the crisis in Ukraine is set to dominate discussions at the summit.
the summit is Nato’s most important for decades, with its leaders faced to ask if the alliance is really equipped to deal with 21st century challenges. The alliance is expected to approve plans to create a rapid response force composed of several thousand troops from member states, able to deploy within 48 hours. European leaders are also set to discuss a new round of tougher economic sanctions on Russia. French President Francois Hollande signalled a toughening of European policy towards Russia on Wednesday by cancelling a military deal worth 1.2bn euros ($1.6bn; £0.95bn). Mr Hollande’s office blamed Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine
when it announced it was halting the delivery of the first of two Mistral navy assault ships. President Obama has urged Nato members to send an unmistakable message of support to Ukraine in the face of what he called “brazen aggression” by Russia. Speaking in Estonia while en route to the Wales summit, he said the vision of a peaceful and united Europe was threatened by Moscow’s attempt to re-draw borders “at the barrel of a gun”. Shortly after Mr Obama’s comments, the Pentagon announced that the US was sending about 200 troops to Ukraine to take part in military exercises later this month in a show of solidarity.
Corruption ‘impoverishes and kills millions’ AN estimated $1tn (£600bn) a year is being taken out of poor countries and millions of lives are lost because of corruption, according to campaigners. A report by the anti-poverty organisation One says much of the progress made over the past two decades in tackling extreme poverty has been put at risk by corruption and crime. Corrupt activities include the use of phantom firms and money laundering. The report blames corruption for 3.6 million deaths every year. If action were taken to end secrecy that allows corruption to thrive - and if the recovered revenues were invested in health - the group calculates that many deaths could be prevented in low-income countries. One describes its findings as a “trillion dollar scandal”. “Corruption inhibits private investment, reduces economic growth, increases the cost of doing business and can lead to political instability,” the report says. “But in developing countries, corruption is a killer. When governments are deprived of their
Corruption is overshadowing natural disasters and disease as the scourge of poor countries, the report says.
own resources to invest in health care, food security or essential infrastructure, it costs lives and the biggest toll is on children.” The report says that if corruption was eradicated in sub-Saharan Africa: Education would be provided to an additional 10 million children per year Money would be available to pay for an additional 500,000 primary
school teachers Antiretroviral drugs for more than 11 million people with HIV/Aids would be provided One is urging G-20 leaders meeting in Australia in November to take various measures to tackle the problem including making information public about who owns companies and trusts to prevent them being used to launder money and conceal the identity of criminals.
30
Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate
Brama Kumaris
Raja Yoga
Classifieds
Meditation Centre Turks and Caicos Islands
Telephone 946-4760 & 332-4101
www.bkwsu.com Email: bkpadma@bkwsutci.com
FOR SALE
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
946-4664 Fax: 946-4661
Email: tcnews@tciway.tc
Website: tcweeklynews.com
FLOWER GIRL
Is looking for a Part-time
delivery driver With own transportation who is interested in making extra cash.
Contact: 231-3788
Construction scaffold and roof tiles for sale CONTACT: 431-1591 OR 231-3788
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
CLASSIFIEDS 31
PRICED FOR Amazing Value! QUICK SALE Lot for Sale
Beautiful hillside, water front lot in Paw Paw Joe, North Caicos South
$50,000
(or nearest offer) Also additional seven acres plus in Kerr Mount (inland) contact Veronica at 1-242-327-8011 or 1-649-232-3508, (242) 676-3592
In Gated/Planned Community in Long Bay. Flamingo Crossing lot comes with full set of House Plans, all underground utilities, etc.
$49,999 o.b.o. Call 231-3788
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! The largest readership in the Turks & Caicos
PRICE SLASHED
PRICE SLASHED $175,000 FOR QUICK SALE
$180,000 CASH! House and ½ Acre land Richmond Hill 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath Fully furnished
Call: 231-3788
32 CLASSIFIEDS
Is looking for a
Masseuse REQUIRED FOR RESORT PROPERTY
Stain Remover To work 5 days per week salary $6.50 per hour.
10326
contact: 346-3907
• Must have certificate/ diploma in Massage Therapy • Must be willing to work evenings and weekends • Must be honest, hardworking and reliable • Ability to read, write and communicate in English • Salary $7.00 per hour
Email to: alliedmanagement@ usa.net or 946-5866
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
Allied Management Services
ALPHA OMEGA Is looking for a
Is seeking a qualified
Technician To provide technical support within the properties it manages interested person can email resumes to: alliedmanagement@ usa.net
sales person To work 5 days
per week salary $5.50 per hour contact: 344-6661
10337
10336
Island Watersports/Paddleboard Provo
the largest readership in the turks & caicos
Is seeking to hire a
Stand-up Paddleboard Yoga Instructor
1) DIVE INSTRUCTORS
Looking for SCUBA Diving instructors with experience in the Turks and Caicos Islands dive industry to conduct dive courses, lead dives and snorkel trips, and assist on other eco-adventure activities at Big Blue. Applicants must be a current PADI dive instructors and have the skills and personality for sales, reservations, & public relations. Starting salary of approximately $1800 per month. Please drop resume and cover letter to Big Blue at the Leeward Marina between the hours of 8am to 5pm or e-mail to info@bigblueunlimited.com. You will be contacted for an interview if required and the deadline for applications is 30th Sept 2014. Positions start in November 2014.
2) KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTORS
PASA or IKO Kite boarding Instructor(s) required to provide kite instruction, lead kite board excursions, and conduct all required kite equipment maintenance. Base salary of approximately $1800 per month, 6-days per week for a minimum of 6hrs per day. Only experienced and qualified instructors need apply. Send resumes to info@ bigblueunlimited.com The deadline for applications is 30th Sept 2014. Positions start in November 2014.
3) MARINE BIOLOGISTS / ECO-TOUR GUIDES
Looking for persons with experience and qualifications in the field of Marine Biology to join Big Blue’s team of eco-tour guides and dive instructors. Applicants must have experience in tropical waters and be able to lead educational kayak, paddleboard, snorkel and sightseeing eco-adventures. Applicants must have a first aid and CPR certificate and have the personality for sales, public relations and education. Applicants with boat driving experience, and STCW’95/TCI boat captain’s license preferred and will enjoy a better salary. Starting salary of approximately $1800 per month. Please drop resume and cover letter to Big Blue at the Leeward Marina between the hours of 8am to 5pm or e-mail to info@bigblueunlimited.com You will be contacted for an interview if required and the deadline for applications is 31st October 2014. Positions start in late 2014 or early 2015.
to lead guests in group sessions of yoga on water. Instructors must be proficient at paddling, teaching, yoga, group management, rescue and technical knowledge in yoga. REQUIREMENTS: • Successful completion of Flat-water Instructor School • Must have previous stand-up paddleboard experience. • Ability to paddle in 10-knot winds and 2-ft waves. • Must be a registered 200-hour Yoga Teacher or have equivalent experience. • You must have current CPR (Adult and Child), AED and Basic First Aid Certifications. You must be able work weekdays, weekends, some evenings and holidays. Qualified candidates will be invited to take part in an interview. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. If interested, please apply to Douglas Camozzi via delivery to Island Watersports’ shop in Gracebay. Belonger’s preferred.
The successful applicant must have the following: • Associate degree in construction (with Structures & Building subjects) • AutoCAD Training certificate, (test may be requested). • 10 (ten) years’ experience in the construction industry. • Min 5 years TCI experience in structural engineering field. • Experience of Engineering & Construction throughout the Caribbean. • Strong detailing skills are essential.
Knowledge of reinforced concrete, composite construction, use of timber and steel also required. • Ability to read & Interpret MEP Drawings. • Computer skills (MS office excel & word, photo editing, etc), and General IT awareness, (test may be requested). • All applicants must be capable of working unsupervised to achieve target deadlines. • English Skills (Written & speaking) are essential. Candidates are required to directly liaise with clients, design teams & Contractors.
Contact information: please send resume via e-mail: info@bowdens.tc, include mailing address, e-mail address and phone number. Please include references with contact information & details of relationship. Deadline for applications is 5th Aug, 2014. Only Applicants with all minimum requirements will be interviewed. 10314
BARBARA ADAMS IS LOOKING FOR
FLOWER GIRL
Wanted urgently
Floral Designer
4) SALES PERSON
Looking for a sales person to work in a thriving Tourism Adventure Company. The applicant must have a minimum of 3-years of experience with sales & reservations in the tourism industry and have superior PR, computer, and organizational skills. Applicants that are able to speak and write French will be considered first. All applicants must be presentable, articulate, and be able to work long and flexible hours under pressure. Weekends mandatory. Starting salary of $1500 per month plus sales commissions. Please drop resume and cover letter to Big Blue at the Leeward Marina between the hours of 8am to 5pm or e-mail to info@bigblueunlimited.com. You will be contacted for an interview if required and the deadline for applications is 31st October 2014. Positions start in late 2014 or early 2015.
10334
10318
Engineering AutoCAD Technician
LABOuRER SALARY: $5.00 / HOUR
CONTACT: 244 8820
10344
A G CONSTRUCTION
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Must have thorough knowledge in the floral business with 3-5 years experience.
Call: 231-3788
10327
Salary $5.50 per hour contact: 241-5922
Is looking for a
Is looking for a
IS LOOKING FOR
REQUIRED FOR A BUSY DIVE SHOP
Nail
Missionary To work 7 days
Technician
contact: 343-4618
contact: 345-8282
per week salary negotiable.
EXPERIENCE SCUBA INSTRUCTOR
CLASSIFIEDS 33 DR. ANNIEST HAMILTON GARNET JOLLY
to work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.
Must be willing to work 6 days per week including weekends and public holidays Salary based on experience and qualifications Please contact: 946-5029 10331
Is looking for a live-In
Caretaker LABOURER To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.
contact: 342-1465
SALARY: $5.00 / HOUR
CONTACT: 231-2307
10345
Air Condition Helper
DBELLE BEAUTY SALON
10328
Seeks to employ an
CHURCH OF GOD OF PROPHECY
10335
C & S PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
10339
September 6 - 12, 2014
COCO BISTRO RESTAURANT in Grace Bay is looking for a
and weekends including holidays • Be a team leader and work well under pressure • This is a hands on job • $30,000/ annum Applicants must be able to understand and speak English, physically fit, dependable and hardworking
All resumes/Cv’s letters of reference along with a clean police record must be forwarded to fax: 649-946-5368
10330
COCO BISTRO RESTAURANT In Grace Bay is looking for a
Head Chef
• Must have the following qualifications: • At least 10 years experience in an upmarket restaurant • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Publisher • Culinary Degree • Willing to work on the line daily and do any job required • Must be able to work 6 days per week
including nights and holidays • Be a team leader and work well under pressure • This is a hands on job • $40,000/annum Applicants must be able to understand and speak English, physically fit and hard working
All resumes/ Cv’s , letters of reference along with a clean police record must be forwarded to fax: 649-946-5368 Belongers Only need apply Please reply by September 15th, 2014 10329
PM INDUSTRIAL GAS LTD. TCI Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following positions:
PLANT WORKER & DELIVERY DRIVER Requirements include: • Relevant experience • A clean police record • Group 3 driver’s license • Successful drug screen • Excellent health and mobility allowing for the handling and delivery of heavy cylinders at least a high school diploma • Customer service skills • Industrial or auto mechanical repair
and maintenance experience or knowledge • Experience with retail and front-line sales • Working experience and proficiency in QuickBooks • Inventory control would also be an asset and at least 1 year experience in proper handling of hazardous materials Starting wage $5.00 per hour
Applications comprising of a letter, resume, reference, police record, drug test, etc. should be sent to: PMI GAS LTD, P.O. Box 1026, Providenciales, South Dock Road, 649-242-9094
10323
Chef De Cuisine Education and Training:
• Post secondary degree in Culinary Arts or industry equivalent experience with at least 8 years experience working as a Chef De Cuisine or Executive Chef • Fully functional on computer with a full knowledge of Excel, MS-Word and Quickbooks and Micros • Deep understanding of menu planning complete with cost analysis, portioning and design. • Full knowledge of a broad range of inventory control measures with the ability to develop and execute. • Detailed understanding of all staffing requirements and all paperwork associated with it including work permits and National Insurance. • Fluent in English both written and oral with a fundamental understanding of French and Spanish • First Aid Training
Skill Requirements:
• Extensive experience in the preparation and execution of Mexican and Tex Mex cuisine • Plan and execute special events on or off premise for a diverse clientele. • Precise knife skills • Execute a large variety of desserts from scratch including cakes, custards, mousses, ice creams, sorbets, and gelatin stabilized desserts • Execute naturally leavened breads and breakfast pastry from scratch • Produce all breakfast, lunch and dinner items with expert precision. • Cook entire menu on the line during service, including meats to temperature specifications. • Prepare and execute a variety of specials utilizing seasonality and quality as the catalyst • Be versed in a large variety of cooking techniques to include: braising, sautéing, frying, steaming, poaching, soup making and the Mother Sauces. • Develop and cost recipes to accurately reflect the long term goals of Somewhere Café and Lounge • Execute a proper sanitation procedure to insure that high quality food is served that accurately represents the Café • Receive food orders from various vendors, checking for quality and pricing. • Implement training of kitchen staff to encourage growth and success in a positive environment. • Must have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to both engage staff and guests in conversation • Must be a natural leader with the ability to lead by example, demonstrating at any moment the willingness and ability to do the job of any of those working with and/or under him/her. • Mediatory and conflict resolution skills with the ability to recognize potential problems in advance. • Must be able to co-ordinate schedule requirements for a large staff • Must be able to keep detailed records of all employees up to date. • Demonstrates the ability to multi-task under extreme pressure. • Strong mathematical skills as it applies to accounting, budgeting, menu costing and recipe conversions • Execute weekly and monthly inventory of items with a focus on budgeting, cost analysis and planning • Maintain a positive environment in the kitchen to encourage growth and diversity within the workplace • Be able to stand on ones feet for extended hours, and be comfortable lifting 50 pounds without physical restrictions. • Be available to work holidays and weekends with a flexible schedule. Belongers given Preference Salary Commensurate with Experience
Send CV, References, residency status to: chefamy@ somewherecafeandlounge.com to be considered.
10320
COOK
• Must have the following qualifications: • At least 6 years experience in an up market restaurant • Proficient with Microsoft Excel and Publisher • Culinary Degree • Willing to work on the line daily and do any job required • Must be able to work 6 days/nights
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
GRANTS PETROLEUM
Is looking for a
Pump live-In is looking for a
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS GOVERNMENT
VACANCIES The following vacancies currently exist within the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service:
Estate Supervisor – Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $27,480
per annum The Estate Supervisor has specific responsibility for technical development of the merging Estate Strategy, with emphasis on technical inspections plus the production of technical specifications associated with improvement programmes.
Primary Teacher
– Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $27,840 - $31,020 per annum This is a professional position which has responsibility for the instruction and supervision of students in primary schools.
Civil Supervisor
– Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $23,400 per annum The Civil Supervisor is responsible for the day to day supervision of direct labour and contracted maintenance works relating to airports, docks, marine and road works.
Electrical Supervisor – Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $23,400
per annum The Electrical Supervisor is responsible include the day to day supervision of direct labour and contracted maintenance works relating to electrical services in government buildings.
Clerk of Works
– Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $26,940 per annum The Clerk of Works is responsible for the day to day monitoring of Government architectural and civil works across the islands. He/she is required to oversee and monitor their construction, and to conduct daily inspections to ensure quality assurance and quality controls procedures are maintained.
Heavy Equipment Operator – Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $10.20 per hour
WINKY’S CATERING
Y.A.3.B CONSULTANCY
Street/Beach Cleaner – Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014)
Salary: $6.10 per hour The post holder is responsible for the cleaning of the streets and/or beaches, as assigned, of debris and any other waste and dispose of debris properly or as instructed. Interested persons are asked to visit www.gov.tc for job details and the application procedure.
Dental Surgeon
– Grand Turk (Deadline: August 25, 2014) Salary: $44,400 per annum The Dental Surgeon serves as a general dental practitioner responsible for diagnosing and treating patients, and managing and leading a dental team in providing dental services. He/ she is also responsible for comprehensive dental care for the Islands and will oversee the operation of the government dental clinic on Grand Turk at the Hospitals.
Information Technology Teacher – Grand Turk (Deadline: August 27, 2014)
Salary: $27,840 - $31,020 per annum This is a professional position which has responsibility for the instruction and supervision of students in primary schools.
Business Studies Teacher – Grand Turk (Deadline: August 27, 2014)
Salary: $27,840 - $31,020 per annum This is a specialist position which has unit level responsibility for the teaching of one or more of the school’s curriculum subjects to students.
Senior Internal Auditor (Financial and Operational Audits) – Grand Turk (Deadline: September 1, 2014)
Salary: $31,680 - $35,880 per annum The successful candidate will be accountable to the Chief Internal Auditor through the Audit Manager and have responsibility for developing the strategy for financial and operational audits and taking lead responsibility for these audits as part of the approved annual internal audit plan.
Interested persons are asked to visit www.gov.tc for job details and the application procedure.
10340
Acting on behalf of our clients is looking to fill the following positions:
Is looking for a
Robust
Tile Layer $7
kitchen helper to work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour
JR CONSTRUCTION
Carpenter $7 Tile Layer $7 Painter $7 M.B.A. CONSTRUCTION
Gardener $6
contact: 343-0577
Contact: 344-4540
LATINO’S CONSTRUCTION
LEW & JAN CONSTRUCTION
10308
Assistant Water Engineer
– Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $31,680 per annum The Assistant Water Engineer is responsible for operational planning, preparation of design drawings and specifications, calculations, as well as directing the work efforts of junior level staff to execute daily functions.
To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour. contact: 946-8308
Labourer
– South Caicos (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $6.10 per hour The post holder's responsibilities include providing labour / assistance in all aspects of Public Works Department Maintenance.
Nanny
Must work weekends Salary $5.25 per hour Please respond to P.O. Box 477, Providenciales 10324
is looking to fill the following positions:
10316
Is looking for a
5 Helpers
Salary $6.00 per hour
Painter
Tile Man
Salary $8.00 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week
To work 6 days per week salary $10.00 per hour.
Contact: 332-0771
contact: 232-7317
SID PRESCOTT ROBINSON
WARDS CONSULTANCY
10321
per annum The Human Resources Manager will be responsible for a range of Human Resource functions inclusive of recruitment, employee/industrial relations, policy formulation and implementation, organizational and succession planning, performance management, reward and recognition, job evaluation and salary structures and human resource information systems. He/she guides and manages the overall implementation of Human Resources services, policies, and programs across the Public Sector.
The job holder is responsible for operations of Public Works Department Heavy Machinery to assist in civil, building and cleaning works as instructed by his / her superiors. This work includes the operation of the backhoe loader / street sweeper / tractors and operation of the pump house pumps.
Attendant
IS LOOKING FOR
LABOURER SALARY:
$5.00 / HOUR
CONTACT: 231-2621
10346
Human Resource Manager – Grand Turk (Deadline: September 5, 2014) Salary: $51,300
IMMACULA C. DOR
10305
34 CLASSIFIEDS
Acting on behalf of our clients: Vila Del Mar, J & W Construction is looking for the following persons:
Housekeeper Carpenter
Salary $5-$8 per hour.
Contact: 345-7512
10354
September 6 - 12, 2014
CLASSIFIEDS 35
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
HERZOG CARIBBEAN LTD. is seeking to employ a
ASPHALT LUTE OPERATOR Responsibilities • Help with basic job layout • Ensure uniform thickness of mat in accordance with job specs • Operate other construction equipment • Assist Forman in various construction activities Qualifications • Minimum 3 years asphalt crew experience • Must have own vehicle to travel to work
Skills • Able to recognize drainage issues • Good physical strength • Good physical stamina • Good manual dexterity • Great attention to detail • Works well as part of a team Compensation • Based on Experience Position Type • Full-Time
Please submit applications to main office at C 5-6 Caribbean Place, Leeward Highway, Providenciales TCI.10334
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
SALES!!!
Due to change of season we are selling lots of items at discount prices. Towels, curtains, bathroom sets, bathroom coordinates, napkins, cups and glasses, canisters, mixing bowls, serving trays and much more for your house. DUNCANSON & CO. Barristers & Attorneys
the largest readership in the turks & caicos
PUBLIC NOTICE
CHAMPIONS FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE An affiliate of A Touch of Love Ministries International Center
Accepting Applications
DUNCANSON & CO. Barristers & Attorneys are pleased to announce the re-opening of our Leeward Highway Office for ongoing legal services to the public. We are located in our own building across the street from the Supreme Court complex, next door to the offices of TC Weekly News and between that and the St. Monica's Anglican Church. We specialize in:
Positions Needed:
(1) Monitor/Teacher’s Assistant (1) General Studies Teacher Monitor/Teacher’s Assistant Duties Include:
To assist the Supervisor/Teacher in the general operation of Learning Center as set out in the Accelerated Christian Education’s Procedure Manual. He/She must be discreet, steady, thorough, peaceful and efficient; consistently and diligently supporting the Supervisor/ Teacher in the Learning Center.
General Studies Teacher Qualifications:
Bachelors/Masters degree from reputable institution; Minimum of 5-7 years teaching experience in primary and/or secondary education. Experience with Christian education curriculum
Requirements:
Qualified applicants for both positions must be a born-again Christian, active in their church, known to their Pastor and believe in the work of the Holy Spirit; Must be of good moral character and reputation; Must have excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt to a flexible working environment; Must be enthusiastic and creative with an excellent work ethic, and a willingness to build character and Christian values in students Please submit resume and three references with telephone numbers and addresses including one from current Pastor. Salaries will be based on qualification and experience. No phone calls
Telephone: (649) 941-4444 Telefax: (649) 941-4235 Cellphone: (649) 245-1314 email: berynd@yahoo.com DUNCANSON & CO. Barristers & Attorneys
PO Box 52, Cheshire House East 1315A Leeward Highway, Providenciales
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
Applications should be addressed to:
Attn: Executive Board Champions for Christ International School of Excellence P.O. Box 751 Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI Or you may email: championsforchristtci@gmail.com or Fax: 1-877-580-8743
• Civil Litigation (Particular competencies: Judicial Review and other claims against TCI Government/Departments, Mareva and other Injunctions, Land, Trust & Bank disputes) • Property Matters, Planning Department & Development Issues • Business Law • Immigration • Labour Disputes
10313
the largest readership in the turks & caicos
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
R & B TIRES & AUTO ZONE
K. KIDIK
IS LOOKING FOR
Acting on behalf of our clients: Williams Construction Painter $10.00 per hour Laborer $6.50 per hour Native Arts & Craft Specialty Store/ Louis Charles Labourer $5.50 per hour
is looking for a
1 LABOURER
Carrington Williams Domestic Worker $5.50 per hour
10310
Contact: 347-6642 CARIBBEAN CONSTRUCTION
CONTACT: 432-6633
10347
TO WORK 5 DAYS / WEEK. SALARY: $5.00 / HOUR
Mr. & Mrs. St. Jules Jasmin/ Sylphise Joseph Jasmin Laborer $5.50 per hour
CAICOS EXPRESS AIRWAYS LTD. Requires a PILOT with the following minimum qualifications:
Tire Repairman Must work weekends Salary $5.00 per hour Send resume to P.O. Box 477, Providenciales
DOLPHIN’S SPORTS BAR AND RESTAURANT
is looking for a
Domestic kitchen Worker helper
per week salary $8.00 per hour.
contact: 347-6709
10317
10311
contact: 342-3017
To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.
To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.
contact: 431-6163
10319
Carpenter To work 5 days
• Should be between 25 – 40 years old • Salary commensurate with experience • Must be willing to work weekends and holidays Please fax resumes to (649) 941 3864 or email to info@ caicosexpressairways.com
Deadline for receiving resumes is Monday, 12th September 2014
BELONGERS NEED ONLY APPLY
10312
Private Chef
LUCY MOTT
Is looking for a
Is looking for a Professional
• Total time 1200 hours minimum • 600 hours multi-engine • 200 hours on Type C402 • License: Commercial Pilot • Multi-engine and Instrument ratings • Radiotelephone license • First Class medical certificate
10325
C & J CONSULTANCY SERVICES
September 6 - 12, 2014
Sunny Reef Ltd
Business Coordinator 3-5 years experience in a upscale restaurant, must be hardworking, dependable with a passion for hospitality. Ability to demonstrate planning, organizational and implementation skills for the successful completion of goals by a specific due date. Qualifications in hospitality and restaurant is necessary.
A luxury villa is currently seeking a private chef to cater for high-end guests. The successful applicant should have the following skills: • 7 years experience as a Villa chef or running a commercial kitchen for a caterer or highend fine dining restaurant or hotel • Knowledge of commercial level food prep safety and hygiene • Menu planning and costing, including preparation and printing • Ability to manage other chefs and servers • Ability to match and select wines to complement menu • Fluent in English (written and verbal) • Able to communicate in Spanish/Creole with other staff • Able to cater weddings, cocktail parties and special events • Excellent variety of menus of worldwide cuisine including desserts, pastries, hors d’oeuvres and chocolates Additionally, the position requires: • Working long hours (breakfast, lunch & dinner), public holidays, weekends and back to back rentals • Shopping for food and beverage supplies • Maintaining an inventory and billing clients for supplies and services • Clean driving and police record, own insured car • Ability to maintain complete confidentiality about guest identity Salary $3,000 per month Only Belonger need apply. Application should be submitted by September 20th, 2014 either by email to: markpankhurst@hotmail.com or by post to Stargazer Villa, P.O. Box 196, Providenciales.
Please include a current resume and a few sample menus of dinner entrees of items you regularly prepare. Also include a contact email address and phone number.
Salaries are based on experience and qualifications. ALL qualified applicants are kindly requested to respond to the following address below: Sunny Reef Ltd, PO. Box 811, Providenciales. 10342
Tiki Hut Bar and Grill
Chef looking for a
10333
36 CLASSIFIEDS
NOTICE Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 1990 An application registered PR: 11984 for the development of a building with SIX OFFICES/ STORAGE (6) SPACES have been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Detail Development Permission by BEEN MEP CO. LTD.
;;Belonger only need apply. ;;Seeking Well Trained Chef’s with a remarkable attitude and at least 7 years experience in restaurant and kitchen management. ;;Applicants must be organized, skilled in technique, knowledgeable in food costs and running a budget. Must have certification in food safety and sanitation, as well as a University Degree. ;;Someone with a creative mind and experience in casual Caribbean and American dining a plus. ;; Able to work weekends, nights and holidays during high season. ;; Fluent in English with a secondary language of Spanish or French. ;;Salary to commensurate with Experience. 10332
The location is PARCEL 60716/75, which is in the Cheshire Hall Area of Providenciales. Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Downtown, Town Center Mall, Providenciales, within twenty-eight (28) days of publication of this notice. Respectfully 10351
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
ISLAND SOLUTIONS
C & J EMPLOYMENT
CLASSIFIEDS 37
JUDY MINI BAR
Acting on behalf of our clients: St. Jean Shop, Roadside
IS LOOKING FOR
Is looking for
Mason
Labourers – $5
Salary: $6.50 / hour
1 CASHIER – $6.00 PER HOUR
Labourer 1 BARTENDER Salary: $5.00 / hour
Contact: 347-2093
Contact: 346-5064
– $7.00 PER HOUR
CONTACT: 2416431
10348
10315
– $5.00 per hour
10343
Domestic Worker
Are you a high performing, result driven Professional? If so, we would like to speak with you to join our dynamic team in the capacity of:
Delivery Coordinator (Based in Turks and Caicos)
Applications are invited from individuals with a solid background to assist in the planning and coordinating of delivery activities within Managed Services Operations (MSO) team.
Unit G203, 2ND Floor , Regent Village West, Grace Bay, P.O Box 641, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands Cell: 649 331-3890 Tel: 649 946-8504 Fax: 649 946 8506 Email: bsd@tciway.tc
Main Accountabilities are:
Building Services Design Ltd. is currently seeking suitably qualified individuals to fill the following positions.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER The successful applicant must be a member of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and competent in the design of HVAC systems: Duties shall include preparation of standard detail drawings including sections and isometrics of various mechanical services such as HVAC, plumbing, sanitary, sprinkler systems, swimming pools etc. using Auto CAD software.
ELECTRICAL DESIGN ENGINEER The successful applicant must be competent in the design of electrical systems: Power generation and distribution of power supply, performing electrical calculations, sizing equipment and performing computer analysis of alternate systems; must also be competent in the design of fire alarm systems and communication systems using the latest Auto Cad software. All applicants must be familiar with USA Codes and Regulations and should be a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) All applicants must have extensive experience in the installation of, including testing and commissioning of the electrical and mechanical services. Applicants should have a minimum of 5 (five) years experience and a proven design track record on projects for condominium complexes, hotels, commercial and industrial facilities and residential dwellings. It is essential that all applicants must have a degree in his/her field obtained from a recognized University and registered with his/her respective Engineering Council/ Commission. The successful applicants must have the technical experience for solving design solutions and can work unsupervised in the preparation and issuing of mechanical and electrical design drawings. All applications will be considered from suitably qualified candidates who should forward a copy of their resume including relevant experience to the email/fax address below. Deadline for Application is September 12th , 2014
Please fax your application to: 649-946-8506 – Building Services Design Ltd. Email: accounts@bsd.tc
• Proactively support activities to ensure that priorities in the MSO are aligned to business needs and ensure effective participation. • Monitor the day-day activities and deliverables within the LIME/Ericsson work stream. • Work with the Manager-MSO to translate the MSC service deliverables into operational input. • Build effective and efficient liaisons within the LIME/Ericsson work stream, e.g. team members, Ericsson counterparts and other internal stakeholders. • Maintain adherence to all established and agreed processes, SLAs and Working Level Agreements (WLAs); reporting all non-compliance to the appropriate person. • Provide timely follow-up with internal stakeholders when SLAs are at risk of being missed. • Work closely with the Manager-MSO to develop project schedules, process flows and timelines; delegating tasks to relevant individuals to meet deliverables. • Monitor and provide updates on the status of outstanding issues, process improvements. • Work closely with the Ericsson counterpart on service delivery topics and look to identify ways to improve processing and delivery of service across the work stream. • Track and monitor change progress; escalating issues to appropriate stakeholder Minimum Experience and Qualifications:
• BSc in Electrical Engineering or relevant Telecommunication discipline • Diplomas Management/Business Administration or related field • 5 to 7 years’ experience in the telecoms industry in a service delivery or operations capacity. • Project Management experience • Knowledge of commercial terms of trade • Understanding of dealer and company parts systems and procedures • Strong knowledge of recognised project management methodologies • Knowledge of JOS/SAP • Microsoft Office Suite • Strong technical skills/background
To explore this exciting career opportunity please send your application and resume no later than September 12, 2014 to recruit@lime.com or fax to: 1-876-920-9336
Or mail to: P.O Box 641 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Please copy application to: Labour Commissioner Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands
The successful candidate will maintain on-going and effective delivery of day-today relationships with the external point of contact and LIME internal partners
10304
MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE SUPERVISORS X 2
Applicant Must: • Perform regular preventative maintenance on appliances, electronic & mechanical systems, security door systems • Must have knowledge on operating and maintaining pool systems • Repair and replace all mechanical and electrical systems to ensure smooth operations • Maintain parts inventory for all mechanical and electrical equipment • Have 10+ years of experience with refrigeration and air conditioning systems • Able to repair, replace plumbing fixtures to full operational status • Able to repair, replace irrigation and sewage systems • Must have the ability to troubleshoot, maintain organized and detailed logs of activities, report to management with budgeting details to ensure that properties run smoothly • Be willing to be on call 24/7, when the need arises • Willing to work evenings, weekends and on holidays • Have a BSC degree in industrial technology and equipment • Have a good grasp of the English language
BUILDING MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR
Applicant must have: • Min. 20 yrs experience with Royal Building Systems ™ (single/multi storey) • Min. 15 yrs experience in all aspects of custom home building • Experienced in all aspects of job costing, material ordering, site coordination and scheduling with other trades • Possess excellent roof framing, rough and finished carpentry skills • Willingness to work long hours and weekends under a tight schedule • Is computer literate, Word and Excel an asset • Salary is based on experience
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SUPERVISORS X 2
Applicant must: • Propagate and plant landscape stock • Full knowledge of pest control and pesticides • Ability to prepare schedules to achieve long range goals • Provide learning workshops for staff and guests • Maintenance of regular landscaping and irrigation systems • Exterior cleaning of buildings, walkways and driveway • Has a good grasp of the English language • Willingness to work long hours and weekends under a tight schedule • Knowledgeable of indigenous and tropical plants • Applicant must hold a BSA
BUILDING MAINTENANCE ASSISTANTS x 2
Applicant must have: • Knowledge in building maintenance • Knowledge in structural repairs under the supervision of the Building Maintenance Supervisor • Should possess a certain level of handyman skills • Ability to perform routine and extensive preventative maintenance and repair procedures under the direction of the Building Maintenance Supervisor • Must be pleasant and have a good working comprehension of the English language • Willingness to work long hours and weekends under a tight schedule.
Applicant must have: • Minimum 3-5 years experience • Must hold a Degree in Business Administration from an Accredited University • Must possess a Chartered Accountant Designation • Plan and direct the functions of administration and planning of the Accounting Department to meet the daily needs of the operation; • Prepare monthly financial statements • Prepare annual budget and any other financial reports that may be required
• Maintain adequate systems of internal control to effectively safeguard the assets of the Company and to assure that all transactions are properly reflected in the books and records of the resort • Must be willing to work long hours and weekends when the need arises
ROOM ATTENDANTS X 4
Applicant Must: • Job-related experience an asset • Read and write English fluently (additional languages spoken would be an asset • Be neat, professional and well groomed • Possess good organizational /time management skills • Be a self motivator - work with little supervision • Be able to work in a fast paced environment • Be able to stand for extended periods of time • Must be in good physical condition, frequent pushing, pulling, reaching, stooping, handling and gripping is required • Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds (lifting above the shoulder is also required) • Ability to relate well to Hotel guests and employees • Guest-service oriented; Team player • High initiative/Self-starter; • Good communication skills • Professional in demeanor and presentation • Personable, enthusiastic, self-motivated and able to work independently • Ability to learn quickly. • Observant, discriminating and detail-oriented • Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and request clarification when needed • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills. • Positive attitude and outgoing personality is essential • Service guest rooms daily in accordance with hotel procedures, stocking rooms with required inventory, and replacing bed linens and replenishing guest room supplies.
GUEST KEEPING AGENTS x 4
Applicant must have: • Degree with hospitality focus preferred. • Minimum 2 years previous front desk experience required. • Experience with Property Management System. • Ability to work in a fast pace environment. • Outstanding flexibility; must be able to work under stress and pressure and reflect at all times, even under difficult conditions, a positive can-do attitude and the best image of the hotel. • Ability to effectively deal with internal and external customers, some of whom willrequire high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy to defuse anger, collect accurateinformation and resolve conflicts. • Experience in a luxury property of comparable size preferred. • Must be able to deal correctly with confidential information and must be discrete • Must be well groomed and maintain impeccable hygiene standards • Extensive walking required and ability to stand on feet for a long time • Hours may vary based upon organizational needs and operational demands. • Strong leadership skills • Able to fulfill all required tasks required to perform the required duties of his/her shift • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English • Fluency in a second language an asset • Willingness to work any shift as needed, and on the spur of the moment
Grounds Maintenance Laborers X 6
• No Formal Education Required • Must be pleasant and have a good working comprehension of the English language • Performs custodial duties such as sweeping and raking of the grounds, garbage removal, and ensures that grounds are kept up to the hotel standards. • Willingness to work long hours included weekend and holidays All salary are base on experiences and qualification Belonger needed to apply only.
Contact: Omar McKenzie Equinox Villas and Apartments Phone: 649-433-0040 or 649-941-3121 Email: omckenzie@venetainridgevillas.com
Deep sea ‘mushroom’ may be new branch of life A MUSHROOM-shaped sea animal discovered off the Australian coast has defied classification in the tree of life. A team of scientists at the University of Copenhagen says the tiny organism does not fit into any of the known subdivisions of the animal kingdom. Such a situation has occurred only a handful of times in the last 100 years. The organisms, which were originally collected in 1986, are described in the academic journal Plos One. The authors of the article note several similarities with
A team of scientists at the University of Copenhagen says the tiny organism does not fit into any of the known subdivisions of the animal kingdom.
T C INDUSTRIAL SERICES LTD.
TIKI HUT
the bizarre and enigmatic soft-bodied life forms that lived between 635 and 540 million years ago - the span of Earth history known as the Ediacaran Period.
Is looking for a
Is looking for a
Paint Specialist
Bar Supervisor/
Contact: 231-1205
Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour. Contact: 941-5341
Manager
Must be skilled in Wallpaper, Venetian Plaster, Inter/Exterior stucco finish, Color mixing. Must be willing to work 6 days per week Salary $600.00 per week
10356
Equinox Villas and Apartments arelooking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outstanding professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their style is must be one that balances a commitment to people which will provide an extraordinary guest experience. Must be prepared to be accountable for responsibilities and the quality of their performance.
BOOKKEEPER
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
10355
LANDSCAPING DESIGNER Applications must possess a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience, with knowledge on plants/chemicals and fertilizer sprays Free hand drawing CAD, Tropical & desert landscaping knowledge Commercial/resort landscape design management. Commercial/residential irrigation & drainage design & implementation, Commercial/residential native ecological design and conservation Applicants is expected to work outdoors, holidays and weekends with flexible schedule Belongers given preference Salary commensurate with experience Please drop all applications to: Trail Enterprises Ltd, Unit J101, The Regent Village, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands or email to: info@trail.tc.
10352
Caribbean Place Owners Association
Gardener The position is for a
To work 5 days a week and the salary is $400.00 per week.
The contact number is 941-3082
10350
38
September 6 - 12, 2014
39
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Science & Technology
Cancer deaths can be halved by daily mile-long walks – study YET another study has shown the health benefits of physical activity, with
new research indicating that cancer patients can cut their risk of dying by up to half
Based on walking one mile daily at a moderate pace of three miles per hour, the study revealed that patients diagnosed with breast and prostate cancers could cut their risk of death by up to 40 percent, while for those with bowel cancer, doubling the distance could halve the risk of dying.
by walking just one mile a day. Based on walking one mile daily at a moderate pace of three miles per hour, the study revealed that patients diagnosed with breast and prostate cancers could cut their risk of death by up to 40 percent, while for those with bowel cancer, doubling the distance could halve the risk of dying. Physical activity can also reduce the impact of some debilitating side effects of cancer treatment – including anxiety, depression, fatigue, impaired mobility and weight changes – according to research by Walking for Health, a network of walking groups run by Britain’s Macmillan Cancer Support and the Ramblers. “Today’s research highlights the very simple reality – walking can save lives,” said Ciarán Devane, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support. “We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to what is a very simple and obvious
walking, as a standard part of cancer recovery.” The beneficial effect of exercise is thought to go further
than just weight control, which cuts down on the amount of cancer-promoting hormones produced by body fat.
NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. of Cherokee Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
1. Parcel 61113/57 Long Bay Hills, Providenciales.
Three story with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, dining room and laundry room on the main floor. Second level with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and living room. Third level has one bedroom, one bathroom and a kitchen on approx. 0.49 acre. Registered Proprietor: Shunaven Selver
2. Parcel 60400/101 Chalksound, Providenciales.
Single storey with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen, living /dining room and laundry room on approx. 0.63 acre. Registered Proprietor: Delthia Felicia Francene Russell
3. Parcel 60811/17 The Bight and Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales.
Single storey with two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen and living/dining room on approx. 0.28 acre. Registered Proprietor: Kirkley George Rigby
4. Parcel 60807/170 & 171 The Bight and Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales.
DISCOUNT LIQUORS AND WINE CELLAR Is looking for:
Sales & Marketing Representative
Single storey with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen, living/dining room and laundry room on approx. 0.26 acre. Registered Proprietor: Thoshena Terrell Adderley
5. Parcel 50500/255 Whitby Cove, North Caicos.
Unfinished single storey with four one-bedroom apartments with bathroom, kitchen and living/dining room on approx. 0.27 acre. Registered Proprietor: Paul Anthony Gardiner
6. Parcel 60003/34 North West and North Central, Providenciales.
Description of position: • Promote all products carried at our wholesale and retail operation • Help customers make selections by building customer confident and offering suggestions and opinions • Maintain a complete sales history and purchase pattern of our wholesale customers • Establish customer sales objectives by forecasting and developing annual sales quota • Coordinate and assist in devising and implementing various sales and marketing strategies for The Wine Cellar retail and wholesale divisions, along with similar programs for all other affiliated business within the group • Provide regular SWOT analysis reports to management on the progress or detriments of each account in order to determine appropriate strategies for account success • Assist Operations Manager in setting up proper inventory purchasing cycles in an effort to maximize the use of the business cash flow • Maintain customer sales volumes, product mix and selling price by keeping current with supply and demand changing trends, economic indicators and competitors • A minimum of 5 years in Sales and Marketing in the beverage industry • Assist the Operation Manager and co-workers in all other areas deemed necessary Salary commensurate with experience
Phase one of the Priton Homes: two bedrooms, one bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, living/dining area on 0.25 acre. Registered Proprietors: Leighton Cailo Green and Vanessa Pauline Green
7. Parcel 60807/172 & 173 The Bight and Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales.
Two storey apartment building, main level with two one- bedroom apartments with kitchen and living room and second level with one two-bedroom, two bathroom, kitchen and living room on approx. 1.00 acre. Registered Proprietors: Jacqueline Edna Brown and Latasha Makalia Delancy
8. Parcel 60900/187 Leeward Going Through, Providenciales.
Single storey with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, kitchen and living/dining room and two one- bedroom guesthouses with bathroom, kitchen and living/dining room on 0.65 acre. Registered Proprietor: Jacqueline Edna Brown
9. Parcel 51212/24 Bottle Creek Central, North Caicos.
Vacant lot on King’s Road, approx. 0.74 acre overlooking Bottle Creek. Registered Proprietor: Wilbert Ebenezer Handfield The auction will be held at the offices of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, Grace Bay Branch, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday the 19th day of September 2014. A reserve price will be fixed on all parcels. A deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids.
Applications must be submitted to:
Discount Liquors and Wine Cellar Email: discount@tciway.tc or fax: 649-946-4871 NO TELEPHONE CALLS PLEASE
solution. Physical activity is a wonder drug and health care professionals must prescribe physical activity, such as
10351
40
September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Science & Technology
Electronic nose ‘sniffs faeces to detect infection’ SNIFFING faeces with an “electronic nose” can detect strains of bacteria that can
cause deadly infections, say UK researchers. The tool was able to
IT Technician Requirements: • Minimum of 3 years experience as an IT Technician • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Must have experience working with Opera and Visual One, Mitel Phone System, Cisco CCTV System, Fiber Optic Music System (fiber optic), Micros, Data Works and Premier Spa • Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to diagnose and resolve hardware and software problems for all systems, and document tracks and reports on deficiencies, progress and follow-up • Must read, speak and write English fluently • Must be able to work all days and shifts and be on call for emergency service request Duties Include: • Providing routine maintenance of hardware, software and systems • Installing/configuring computers/telephones and point of sales equipment and other systems equipment. • Installing, maintaining and repairing wifi system equipment • Installing/maintaining/repairing CCTV System • Repairing/upgrading hardware and software. • Troubleshooting printers/scanners/copiers. • Maintaining inventory of equipment and supplies. • Maintaining server room(s) and ensuring proper security for such. • Completing system backups according to required schedule. • Providing infrastructure support: • Installing cabling • Researching, learning and evaluating new software and hardware • Documenting and maintaining record keeping for all systems Starting salary $32K, Negotiable, not including service charge. – Commensurate with Experience, Training & Education.
Dining Room Supervisor Requirements: • 3 year experience as a restaurant supervisor working in a branded luxury resort • Post secondary graduate or equivalent qualification by experience
sniff out different types of Clostridium difficile based on the stinky chemicals they
released. The team at the University of Leicester say the findings
Duties: • Supervises the operation of assigned restaurants and/or lounges • Coordinates the set-up of restaurant and lounge areas in accordance with Regent’s standards • Confirms daily specials and new menu additions with the Executive Chef • Oversees the food and beverage service provided in assigned outlet; coaches employees on effective service and food presentation techniques • Inspects assigned restaurants and lounge areas on an on-going basis and takes appropriate steps to ensure facilities meet or exceed resort standards at all times • Conducts daily pre-shift meetings to discuss specials, house count, reservations and new menu items • Takes over the responsibilities of the manager during his/ her absence • feedback to the employee and department manager on the employee’s performance • Provide employees with the information and tools needed to perform their job effectively • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts
could be useful for screening patients in hospital. The study was published in the journal Metabolomics. Electronic noses are already being investigated for cancer, by looking for the unique smell of the chemicals produced by a lung or breast tumour. The team in Leicester investigated whether different strains of C. difficile, some of which cause disease, had a different chemistry that could be detected by the e-nose. They showed that different levels of methanol, sulphur compounds and others were produced by the 10 different strains tested in the study. SCREENING One of the research team, Prof Paul Monks, told the BBC: “By smelling different strains of C. difficile we could tell which are good and which are potentially bad, which leads to the question, ‘Can you screen patients?’ “We’ve shown it is possible to do it in the lab the next thing we need to do is in bedpans. We can [put
the e-nose] on the side of bedpan washers as you start the cycle, sniff it and then say, ‘You may want to look at that patient’.” In 2012 there were 1,646 deaths involving C. difficile infection in England and Wales. The electronic nose uses a device that can measure the mass of thousands of chemicals every second, called a mass spectrometer. A recording of each chemical present in a sample acts like a fingerprint. As well as being able to identify which strain of bacterial species is present, the researchers believe understanding more about the chemistry of bacteria could help understand why some cause disease and others do not. Dr Martha Clokie, from the university’s department of microbiology, said: “Current tests for C. difficile don’t generally give strain information - this test could allow doctors to see what strain was causing the illness and allow doctors to tailor their treatment.” (BBC)
Starting salary $8.50 per hour, not including service charge and tips.
Storeroom Clerk Requirements: • Customer services skills • 2 years experience work as a storeroom clerk • Must be able to work all days and shift Duties Include: • maintain the storeroom by properly storing all food, beverage and consumable goods in pre-designated areas with proper rotation • Maintains proper storage of all food goods in their predesignated areas • Keep storerooms organized and clean for proper storage • Maintain cleanliness of storerooms daily • Maintains and clean delivery truck • Deliver in-house requisitions to each department location and ensures that requisition is signed by the receiver. • Ensures that requisition signed by the receiver is given to Purchasing Director and Purchasing Assistant. • Keep close communication with Purchasing Assistant and Purchasing director on slow moving and non moving items in the warehouse • Collection of goods from Customs when necessary Starting salary $7.50 per hour not including service charge and tips.
Interested applicants should apply to Regent Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to marjorie.dorsett@regenthotels. com, no later than end of day Friday, September 5th, 2014.
Overtime the brain might prefer healthier food.
Brain ‘can be trained to prefer healthy food’ THE brain can be trained to prefer healthy food over unhealthy high-calorie foods, using a diet which does not leave people hungry, suggests a study from the US. Scientists from Tufts University say food addictions can be changed in this way even if they are wellestablished. They scanned the addiction centre in the brains of a small group of men and women. The results showed
increased cravings for healthy lower-calorie foods. Prof Susan B Roberts, senior study author and behavioural nutrition scientist at the Boston university, said: “We don’t start out in life loving French fries and hating, for example, wholewheat pasta. “This conditioning happens over time in response to eating - repeatedly - what is out there in the toxic food environment.”
September 6 - 12, 2014
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Sports Interational
Murray said he was: “ a little bit disappointed, to be honest, because I did train very hard.”
Argentina ended Germany’s 18 match undefeated run.
Djokovic had physical Di Maria inspired edge-Murray Argentina beat Germany BRITAIN’S Andy Murray said he was disappointed that Novak Djokovic proved physically stronger in their US Open quarter-final. The 27-year-old lost 7-6 (7-1) 6-7 (1-7) 6-2 6-4 over three hours and 32 minutes at Flushing Meadows. “I thought physically he was better than me in the end,” said Murray, the eighth seed. “I was a little bit disappointed, to be honest, because I did train very hard.” Murray carried out a training block with his support team in Florida after a disappointing quarterfinal defeat at Wimbledon in July. “You do the work for these matches, so I would have liked to have felt a little bit better towards the end,” said the Scot. Djokovic, 27, also felt he had an advantage when he faces Murray in Grand Slam matches over the best of five sets. “I get the feeling that if I get to stay with him and work, and not get too loose and too frustrated with points, and not allow him to get into a big lead, I feel like there is a point where I have that edge physically,” said the Serb. “That’s what I try to always focus on and it paid off tonight.” Murray, who underwent back surgery following last year’s US Open and missed the final months of the 2013 season, described playing Djokovic as extremely demanding. The Briton has made at least the quarter-finals of all four Grand
Slams this year, but found the world number one a step too far. “Maybe I haven’t played enough matches at that level this year,” he said. “It’s obviously different playing at that level, playing against the number one in the world. And the way that we play against each other, it’s just an extremely physical match. Murray said that in games against other players, for example Roger Federer, the points come quicker and it is not as demanding. He added: “When me and Novak play against each other, you obviously see very tight, long rallies. Both of us do a lot of running. “Maybe I’ll gain a lot from playing a match like today, because it doesn’t matter how much training you do, when you get on the match court it’s different. “I can’t practise with the best player in the world, so it’s tough to practise at that intensity.” Murray needed treatment from the trainer in the fourth set but played down the issue. “I got stiff in my hips and my back towards the end of the third set,” he said. “I don’t know exactly why. I’m certainly not injured. I didn’t hurt anything. “It was just fatigue I think and I stiffened up towards the end of the third set.” Murray now faces a challenge to qualify for the ATP Finals in London, as he stands ninth in the race, with the top eight making the cut. (BBC)
Novak Djokovic also felt he had an advantage when he faces Murray in Grand Slam matches over the best of five sets.
NEW Manchester United signing Angel Di Maria set up three goals and scored another as Argentina beat world champions Germany in Dusseldorf. Di Maria, a £59.7m capture, provided a delightful pass for Sergio Aguero to fire the South American side ahead. Tottenham’s Erik Lamela doubled the lead with a volley before Swansea’s Federico Fernandez made it 3-0. Di Maria made it 4-0 before Chelsea’s Andre Schurrle and an own goal by Fernandez reduced the deficit. Only four members of the Germany starting XI when the two sides met in the World Cup final 52 days earlier started the friendly, as Argentina gained a modicum of revenge for the narrow 1-0 defeat in July. Mario Gomez, who missed the World Cup because of injury, wasted three chances for the hosts and
received some boos from the home fans when his best opportunity on the stroke of half-time went begging. By then, Germany were already two goals down because of the vision and precision of Di Maria. In the 20th minute, he curled a cross in behind the Germany defence with the outside of his left boot, serving the ball on a plate for Aguero to lift it into the roof of the net from point-blank range. Five minutes before the break, Di Maria, who missed the World Cup final through injury, got to the byeline and lifted the ball back for Lamela to place perfectly into the top left-hand corner with a side-footed volley. It became 3-0 for Argentina almost immediately in the second half when Swansea’s Fernandez arrived to head Di Maria’s cross past Germany’s substitute goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller. Three minutes later, Di Maria
crowned his excellent personal performance with a goal, racing in from the right before dinking the ball delicately past the onrushing Weidenfeller. Germany grabbed a consolation moments later through Schurrle, while Marco Reus hit a post before Mario Gotze’s wayward effort was deflected into his own goal by Fernandez to bring the hosts back to within two goals. GERMANY MANAGER JOACHIM LOW: “We would have beaten Argentina in the final on July 13 even if Di Maria had been playing. “He couldn’t have beaten us on that day.” ARGENTINA MANAGER GERARDO MARTINO: “Di Maria is one of the best four or five players in the world and so his performance didn’t surprise me. “His absence {in the World Cup final] was noticeable.” (BBC)
Mayweather won’t fight Pacquiao unless he signs with Mayweather Promotions LATE last week, seemingly out of nowhere, boxing promoter Bob Arum came out and revealed that Showtime/CBS and HBO are currently talking about the possibility of holding not one but two Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao fights in 2015. It appears as though both sides want to get a deal done and are motivated to make a match between the two fighters happen. But despite that, you probably shouldn’t get too excited about the idea of a Mayweather/Pacquiao fight, because it sounds like it’s still a bit of a longshot. Last night, Mayweather held a media event at his gym in Las Vegas to promote his September 13 fight against Marcos Maidana. During it, Black Sports Online writer Kel Dansby asked him about the chances of a fight between him and Pacquiao actually taking place.
Despite the recent speculations a fight between two of the best names in boxing Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao might never materialise.
And Mayweather didn’t sound like a guy who was ready to fight Pacquiao. In fact, he said that the only way he’ll agree to a fight with him is if Pacquiao agrees to sign with Mayweather Promotions. And that will make a fight between the two boxers very unlikely. Pacquiao is currently signed with Arum’s Top Rank through December
2016. So if Mayweather is 100 percent unwilling to budge from his requirement, it would be impossible for anyone to make a Mayweather/ Pacquiao fight happen. Watch Mayweather respond to BSO’s question about fighting Pacquiao in the clip below. Are you surprised by his response? (Complex.com)
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Sports Interational
Hamilton & Rosberg not a team - Mark Webber FORMER Formula 1 driver Mark Webber has questioned whether Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg can remain team-mates at Mercedes. The simmering tension between the title contenders became public when they collided at the Belgian Grand Prix. Webber, who had a bitter intrateam fight with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, said: “It’s going to be interesting, not just for the rest of the year. “At the moment it’s not a team. Is it OK to have them together in 2015?” He added: “It looks like the drivers are doing their own thing. Can they drive together in the future?” Webber, who quit F1 at the end of last season for a career in endurance racing, said Mercedes were in a “very difficult situation where the drivers are not enjoying a good relationship”. Talking to Red Bull sports show Sport und Talk, the Australian added that he was not sure whether Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff and the team’s non-executive chairman Niki Lauda would be able to solve the situation. “The thing is, who is now going to try to put this back together?” Webber said. “Is it the people who pay Niki’s and Toto’s wages? “Because at the end of the day, if the drivers are not listening to these guys, do they have to say ‘Lewis and
Colombian Radamel Falcao stole most of the headlines on the final day of the transfer window after joining English Premier League club Manchester United on loan from French club Monaco. The collision effectively ended Hamilton’s chances of getting anything out of the race.
Nico, you go chat to the big guys at Mercedes, because they’re paying you guys to get the job done in a team environment’?” Webber questioned Rosberg’s motivation in the incident, which occurred when the Mercedes drivers were contesting the lead on lap two at Spa-Francorchamps on Sunday. The collision left Briton Hamilton with a puncture that ultimately ended his race and Rosberg with a damaged front wing from which he fought back to gain second place behind Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo. “Well, it’s... a passing move,” Webber said. “Nico is trying to have a look on the outside, but it’s Lewis’s corner. “At this point [just before the contact] Nico knows he has no chance to get the move done. It’s strange that he tried to come in so tight behind Lewis. “That was a little bit
uncharacteristic of Nico - not normally his style, but he made contact. “It wouldn’t have been a big deal at all. It would have been nothing if there was no puncture, but the puncture changed the whole race. In the end both of their races were in trouble.” The result leaves Rosberg 29 points ahead of Hamilton in the championship with 200 still available in the remaining seven races. Ricciardo’s second win in succession means he is only 36 points behind Hamilton, but Webber played down the chances of the Australian challenging for the title. “Mercedes will really need to implode for Daniel to take the championship,” Webber said. He added that Rosberg and Hamilton would be focusing only on their own private battle at the next race in Monza on 5-7 September.
Ferrer, Sharapova stunned in U.S. Open FOURTH seed David Ferrer was sent crashing out of the U.S. Open by Frenchman Gilles Simon on Sunday, becoming the biggest men’s scalp to be taken so far during the final grand slam of the tennis season, while former women’s champion Maria Sharapova also exited. In oppressively humid conditions at Flushing Meadows, Simon and Ferrer traded the first two sets 6-3 before Simon found another level to wrap up the final two sets 6-1 6-3. The 26th seed took advantage of some sloppy play by Ferrer, who made 52 unforced errors and appeared to be struggling physically with the heat in the third-round tie. It was a timely victory for Simon, who had lost five of his past six meetings against the Spaniard. “He destroyed me five times before,” Simon said after the match. “I just tried to stay loose and relaxed and enjoy myself on court. But I am tired. The weather forecast said it would be cooler today but it didn’t feel like it. We ran so much and I am happy to finish in four sets
Maria Sharapova, the 2006 champion, was knocked out of the U.S .Open Sunday.
because I knew that against David it would be really hard in the fifth.” Meanwhile former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki put a nightmare 2014 firmly behind her by knocking out five-time grand slam winner Sharapova 6-4 2-6 6-2 and book her place in the quarterfinals. French Open champion Sharapova was the strong favorite at the Arthur
Ashe Stadium, but the Dane dug deep to win the third set and give her a great chance of winning her first grand slam. “She made me hit a lot of balls,” Sharapova told reporters. “That’s always been her strength. But she did extremely well today. She’s a great retriever, especially in these types of conditions. I just felt like I maybe went for a little too much.” (CNN)
Radamel Falcao seals loan move to Manchester United THEY may be winless in competitive fixtures so far this season, but Manchester United scored a victory of sorts on European football’s transfer deadline day. United secured the services of the highly rated Colombian striker Radamel Falcao on a year-long loan from Monaco -- reported to be worth £6 million ($9.9 million), according to British media -- as part of a frantic finish. The window closed at midnight (CET) Monday, but United was granted an extension to complete the deal. Two of its English Premier League rivals, Arsenal and Manchester City, had reportedly been prepared to pay £55 million ($92 million) to sign Falcao, but Louis van Gaal’s side won the race for the former Atletico Madrid forward’s signature.
PERMANENT DEAL The pact includes an option to buy the player outright at the end of the loan spell. “I am delighted to be joining Manchester United on loan this season. Manchester United is the biggest club in the world and is clearly determined to get back to the top,” Falcao told the club’s Website. “I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal and contributing to the team’s success at this very exciting period in the club’s history.” Falcao has a superb goals-togames ratio. In two seasons at Portuguese side Porto he scored 41 times in 51 appearances before joining Atletico in 2011, where he netted 52 times in 68 matches. I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal and contributing to the team’s success at this very exciting period in the club’s history. Radamel Falcao Last season at Monaco was proving equally fertile with 11 goals in 20 matches before a knee injury sustained in January ruled the 28-year-old out of action for the rest of the season and the World Cup in Brazil.
Falcao has since returned, playing in Monaco’s pre-season friendlies last month, and will strengthen United’s attacking options, which already include England international Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. The latter helped guide the Netherlands to the semifinals in Brazil this summer. Falcao follows Angel Di Maria through the doors at Old Trafford -- the Argentine winger signed from Real Madrid for a British record fee of £59.7 million ($98.7 million) last month. Dutch defender Daley Blind joined the 20-time English champions from Ajax, but some familiar names, especially strikers, headed for the exit. Javier Hernandez has joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan while fellow striker Danny Welbeck moved to Arsenal for an undisclosed fee on a long-term deal -- though the London club said the transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory formalities Shinji Kagawa is returning to the Bundesliga where he will rejoin his former club Borussia Dortmund. The Japanese midfielder joined United in 2012 and rarely featured, scoring six goals in 57 appearances. Hernandez arrived at Old Trafford in 2010, scoring 59 goals in 159 appearances and winning two English Premier League titles, but has fallen out of favor in the past two seasons. A statement posted on the official Real Madrid website said that the club also have the option to buy the 26-year-old at the end of the loan spell. Elsewhere, current EPL leaders Chelsea have offloaded Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel to AC Milan on a season-long loan. Van Ginkel joined the West Londoners from Vitesse Arnhem last summer for £8 million ($13.3 million), but his first team opportunities have been limited to just four appearances. The 21-year-old follows Fernando Torres from Stamford Bridge to the San Siro -- the Spanish striker agreed a two-year loan deal at the weekend. (CNN)
September 6 - 12, 2014
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Team USA defeats Czech Republic as Klinsmann eyes 2018 World Cup
Hidekichi Miyazaki holds the 100-meter world record for runners over the age of 100 at 29.83 seconds.
Inspiring 103-year-old sprinter challenges Usain Bolt to a race 103-year-old Japanese sprinter Hidekichi Miyazaki ran a 38.35-second 100-metre-dash in Kyoto, and then issued a challenge to the fastest man on Earth. Miyazaki, who started running at the age of 92, is the fastest centenarian in the world, and his nickname is the “Golden Bolt.” “I’d love to race Bolt…. I’m keeping the dream alive. I try
to stay in top shape and stay disciplined and healthy. That’s important for everyone – even Usain Bolt.” Miyazaki holds the 100-meter world record for runners over the age of 100 at 29.83 seconds. Bolt, meanwhile, holds the overall 100-metre world record at 9.58 seconds — so Miyazaki might need a bit of a head start. (USAToday)
LOOK out Russia -- Team USA is coming. The World Cup may be four years away but coach Jurgen Klinsmann is already planning his team’s path to the semifinals. A painful defeat in the last-16 by Belgium in Brazil might have ended the U.S. dream but it has only served to further Klinsmann’s ambitions. A 1-0 friendly win over the Czech Republic in Prague courtesy of Alejandro Bedoya’s strike gave Team USA a winning return to action but Klinsmann is already looking into the future. “It was possible to get into the quarterfinal, Klinsmann told NBC. “It was even possible to get into the semifinal in Brazil for us which nobody would probably believed. But this is how I looked at it. “And this is our goal going toward Russia -- not to stop at the Round of 16 and not to stop at the quarterfinals. “To say clearly we have four years to prepare this cycle and our goal is to go into a semifinal in a World Cup and that means a lot of work, a lot of competition and a lot of grind.” The achievements of Klinsmann’s men at the World Cup has increased expectation and justifiably so. This U.S. team is a side which commands respect given its quality and improvement over the past couple of years. Deprived of goalkeeper Tim Howard, who has taken a year-long sabbatical from the national side to
Team USA star Mix Diskerud goes up against Tomas Rosicky of the Czech Republic during the friendly clash in Prague.
spend more time with his family, Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan was given the opportunity to shine. It’s a difficult job for Guzan given the hero status Howard acquired following the team’s performances in Brazil. So impressive was Howard that he became a national celebrity with President Obama calling him directly from the White House to offer his congratulations following the 2-1 defeat by Belgium. Howard, boasting one of the most exquisite beards in football, pulled off a record 16 saves against the Belgians leading to Obama even joking he should make the goalkeeper the nation’s Secretary of Defense. But with Howard absent along
with Clint Dempsey, the man known as ‘Captain America’ during the tournament, Klinsmann gave a chance to a number of other players. In a first half which meandered without much drama, it was the home side which should have taken the lead just after the half hour mark. A rapid counter attack ripped through the U.S. midfield and Tomas Rosicky crossed to the far post only for Vladimir Darida to slide his effort wide of the far post. That miss was to prove costly as just before the interval, the visiting team stuck the first blow. A dreadful error by Darida allowed Mix Diskerud to run through on goal and when his effort was saved, Bedoya netted the rebound.
Bolt wows Bangalore crowd in cricket contest with Yuvraj Singh South Korean players hold coach Sang Hoon-hwang after winning the championship baseball game against Chicago at the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania. South Korea won 8-4.
South Korea defeats Chicago to win Little League World Series title SOUTH Korea held off a late rally by Chicago to win a third title in the Little League World Series. Despite letting up three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, South Korea was able to seal the 8-4 victory. The country also won backto-back titles in 1984 and 1985. Hwang Jae-yeong and Jeon Jinwoo drove in two runs apiece and Choi Hae-chan hit a solo home run. “We know the time difference and that a lot of people were cheering for us,” manager Jong Wook-park told The Associated Press. “We appreciate the people back in Korea. I told the kids that in a speech.” Thanks to a four-run sixth inning, South Korea led 8-1 at one point.
The Jackie Robinson West squad -- composed entirely of young African-Americans -- nearly staged an improbable rally at the end of the game. “We’re the best team in the nation and the second best team in the world -- you can’t have anything better than that,” Chicago pitcher and infielder Marquis Jackson told ESPN. Chicago sealed its spot in the title game after topping Las Vegas in the U.S. title game on Saturday. The Jackie Robinson squad entered its own contest Saturday as the underdog -- its foe, Las Vegas, had beaten every team it faced -including Chicago, which it crushed by a 13-2 score.
SPRINT superstar Usain Bolt on Tuesday wowed his Indian fans in his trademark style in a brief exhibition cricket contest against Yuvraj Singh in his maiden trip to the country. Bolt showcased his cricketing talent in front of an enthusiastic 6000-odd crowd who turned up at the Chinnaswamy Stadium to have a glimpse of the ‘fastest man on earth’ as his team beat Yuvraj-led side in seven-a-side cricket match. Team Bolt clinched a thrilling last-ball victory over Team Yuvraj in the match which had four overs for each team. The Jamaican, the first man to win six Olympic sprint gold medals, blasted his way to a 19-ball 45, studded with five sixes including three off Yuvraj, as his team chased down the 59-run target in the last ball off the match. Though the crowd was small by the standard of a Bolt event, the spectators showed their enthusiasm as they cheered at every shot the showman from Jamaica made, though the contest was meant
Usain Bolt who is no stranger to the game of cricket made a 19-ball 45 in the exhibition game.
for entertainment and not for any cricketing ability. Yuvraj though had his ‘sweet revenge’ as he ‘defeated’ Bolt in the 100 meter sprint on the track, which culminated the spectacular event which was played in an electrifying atmosphere. Bolt, who holds both the world
records of 100m and 200m, ‘allowed’ Yuvraj to win the race. As he went past the finishing line, Yuvraj celebrated the ‘victory’ in mobot-style which Bolt had done during 2012 London Olympics by imitating celebrated British long distance runner Mo Farah.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
Josh for Sports
Let’s try to get TCI in the 2016 Olympics THE Bible says that in the last days young men shall see visions and that old men shall dream dreams. Alas the dream that constantly dominates my night vision seems to be elusive, but one is limited only by the scope of one’s imaginations. Thirty seven years ago I had a vision of the TCI competing in the Olympic Games. We only needed international memberships in a further two sports to be able to create a national Olympic Association, apply for membership in the IOC and become eligible to compete in the Olympic Games. After eight months we had world memberships in athletics, rifle shooting and weightlifting. After I left the TCI no one took up the task. From 1978-1996 the persons left behind did nothing to further our IOC membership cause.
DISCRIMINATION This restriction from competing at the global stage is contrary to the universal declaration of human rights embedded in the charter of the UN.
By Joshua Gardiner
It we had been more proactive we could have been competing at the Olympics. It is my understanding that no other non-independent country would be permitted to enter the IOC as members. Actually there a dozen non-independent countries in the world with a total population of about two million people.
Bethany Baptist Church finished as the top regular season team.
MY VISION/DREAM I envision that the TCI and others desirous non-independent countries participate in Brazil in 2016. TIME IS AGAINST US However, time is working against us. We have less than two years to work. We, in the TCI need to create an Olympic Association with all of the national associations that have world membership in their respective sports. This will be easier for sports that are in good standing with their world governing bodies. Co-incidentally I’ve been told that
the TCAAA has not been in a good standing with the IAAF and thus might not qualify for membership in a perspective TCI Olympic Association. Furthermore the ineffective TCI CGA carries no weight in such a body. THE WAY FORWARD My vision is that only the presidents of each qualifying body is eligible for membership into this Olympic Association. The power players: 1. The TCIFA president Sonia “Superwoman” Bien-Aime would take the initiative in this endeavor by utilising her position as FIFA’s most powerful woman in the Northern Hemisphere. She definitely would receive ears of the IOC executives. Some other vital
players would be the presidents of the TCI rugby, basketball and softball associations, who have had impressive track records. Furthermore the national director of sports would be among the cofounders based on the work that she has done in this direction. CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE IOC All the other relevant countries need to file a class action suit against the IOC. Someone has to take the initiative and the time is now. Next week I hope to do a special on rugby in the TCI, including an upbeat expose on Turbyfield’s contribution to the national sport of rugby and roller hockey. Until then, love Josh
St. Monica Anglican Church will hope to repeat their 2013 performance.
Provo Church Co-Ed Softball League:
Confident Bethany now favourites FORMER champions Bethany Baptist Church would be the team to beat in the 2014 Playoffs of the Provo Church Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball League which starts next Monday at the National Stadium. The best-in-three Playoff series will see the number one regular season team Bethany Baptist play the number four seed Roman Catholic Church. The new comers performed admirably to make it this
far. At different times during the regular season the Roman Catholic side looked really good. Defending champions St. Monica Anglican Church (the second best team in the regular season) are also expected to bring their ‘A’ game when they tackle the number three team Jericho Baptist Church. Games were initially set for next Monday (September 8),
next Thursday and the following Monday (if necessary), but officials have brought forward the second set of games to next Tuesday. Entrance fee: adults $2, children $1. Snacks and drinks will be on sale. PLAYOFF SCHEDULE:
Monday September 8, 2014, 6.30pm - 8pm
Bethany Baptist Church Vs. Roman Catholic Church Monday September 8, 2014, 8.15pm - 9.45pm St Monica’s Anglican Church Vs. Jericho Baptist Church Tuesday Sept 9, 2014 6:30pm 8pm Jericho Baptist Church Vs. St Monica’s Anglican Church Tuesday Sept 9, 2014 8.15pm – 9.45pm
Roman Catholic Church Vs. Bethany Baptist Church
IF NECESSARY
Monday September 15, 2014 6.30pm – 8pm Bethany Baptist Church Vs. Roman Catholic Church Monday September 15, 2014 8.15pm – 9.45pm St Monica’s Anglican Church Vs. Jericho Baptist Church
September 6 - 12, 2014
Sports National
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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Williams returns to coach Harrison
– Will still run for Racers TCI sprint sensation Delano Williams has decided to return to his boyhood coach Neil Harrison, who is now the new coach of the Kingston College team. In making this move, the former junior 200M gold medallist will give up the services of Racers Track Club coach Glen Mills (who is touted as one of the best coaches in the world). Mills is coach to the the fastest man in the world Usain Bolt and the “Beast” Yohan Blake among a number of reputable sprinters. Despite switching coaches, the UWI student Williams will still be a part of Racers. Williams has had a successful
tenure under Harrison with a junior career that catapulted him as a future star. “I believe in Coach Harrison, because he brought me to where I am today,” Williams told the Weekly News. FATHER FIGURE Coach Harrison is actually responsible for Williams’s career and the bond between the two has been great throughout the years. ‘It’s not just the coaching, but it’s the support I got from him (Harrison).” “It was only right to go back to him. I trust him and he’s my father figure, so I know what it takes to be on top of
Delano Williams and Coach Neil Harrison have re-united.
things and do my best.” Under Harrison, the former Munro College student Williams became the only non-Jamaican to claim the ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletic Championships (Champs) double sprint title. The TCI 100M and 200M record holder who switched allegiances to Great Britain in June last year feels this new move will boost his career.
“He knows my capabilities and knows what I stand for, so I made the switch to ensure my career stays on top of things.” ALREADY IN ACTION Williams says that the pair has tweaked the training plan from his junior years. “Mr. Harrison is focusing on my strength and background training, which is the
Outgoing rugby captain calls tenure a “privilege” SEAN O’Neill who decided to step down as captain of the senior rugby team in the TCI has called his tenure at the helm a “privilege”. O’Neill remembered the growth of the team in his last media comments prior to the voting in of a new captain on Thursday at the TCIRFU AGM and elections of office bearers. “It’s been a privilege over the past two years to captain the TCI. We have gone out into uncharted waters and I think we have done very well.” RUBBING SHOULDERS O’Neil pointed out that during the last few years rugby has continued its growth.
“We’ve had 40 people take the field for international matches, nine of them being U19 players. We’ve been able to test ourselves, against everyone in the region, from Canada and Mexico to The Bahamas and the BVI. I’m disappointed that we didn’t get a win in any of our 15s games this year, but we were very close and that experience will stand to the team in the future. The quality of rugby we have played has improved, but we will need to keep working at it in order to remain competitive.” GREAT MOMENTS As captain O’Neil had a number of
memorable moments, but one of the highlights of his captaincy was “the great camaraderie between the men’s team and the women’s team” at the Sevens in the Cayman Islands last year. “It was great to go out onto the pitch with that support and I hope the women felt the same. I was also incredibly proud of how the guys played down in Jamaica. We weren’t given much of a chance in Ewarton and everyone on the field played their hearts out.” “Thanks to all the players and everyone for their support over the past two years and I am sure we will continue to see success.”
Former captain Sean O’Neill played his part well over the last two years.
key to my season. He’s working and focusing on the parts that will help me run faster.” On Monday (September 1) Williams began training (he will train for six days per week), and he was elated. “I’m so sore!! I feel like my Munro days.” Williams said that Mills was okay with his decision and that the move has not soured any relationships.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014
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September 6 - 12, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
September 6 - 12, 2014