Turks & Caicos Weekly News

Weekly News Volume 26 | No. 04 | January 28 - February 3, 2012

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We must have say

on citizenship Islanders maintain that they must have control over immigration

– Successful round of consultations held in Provo PAGE 

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inside

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Former District Commissioner of Provo, Bill Archie Clare, makes an impassioned contribution during last evening’s consultations

Filipino town hall meeting ended before it began

A town hall meeting called by members of the Filipino committee to discuss the new Pathway... PAGE 

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Pensions not affected by $10m fund transfer

Governor defends CRP costs as “reasonable”

Governor Ric Todd, Tuesday at a press briefing, defended the costs incurred on the ...

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CASH to be transferred from the National Insurance Board (NIB) to the government will not come from the pension fund, the Governor’s Office has stressed.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

January 28 - February 3, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

NATIONAL

Governor defends CRP costs as “reasonable” – CRP’s Lawrence says budget is “modest”

BY VANESSA NARINE Governor Ric Todd, Tuesday at a press briefing, defended the costs incurred on the Civil Recovery Programme (CRP), saying the breakdown of the expenditures show costs that are “reasonable”– a fact disagreed with by a cross section of stakeholders.

However, Todd maintains that there is transparency in the entire process.

“People are clear on what they are getting for their money,” the Governor insisted.

Lawrence Harris, partner in charge with Edwards Wildman Palmer, the international firm undertaking the CRP here in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), contends that the budget is a “modest” one.

He added that the his firm was selected through a competitive bidding process and the costs incurred cover the fees of barristers who appear in court, travel and accommodation and other expense of team members who visit from time to time.

Harris pointed out that the firm does not have a team on-island to conduct work for the CRP; rather team members visit intermittently for court hearings or for evidence gathering.

“We charge on a time basis…our firm does not receive contingency fees,” Harris said.

He stressed that it is against the Code of Conduct of English lawyers to receive contingency fees.

“We have no share in the winnings,” Harris said, referring the monies that the TCI Government will recover at the end of the CRP.

Commercial Confidentiality When pressed for details of the budgets that will see these monies recovered, he refused to comment further, citing commercial confidentiality between his firm and its client, the TCI Government.

Grilled by journalists, who pointed out that the ‘client’ is spending tax payers money and must be accountable for those monies, Harris declined to comment further, other than to say that the overall budget for the CRP is public information – which is somewhere between US$3M and US$4M annually.

From left, Governor Ric Todd and Mr. Lawrence Harris, heading the CRP Team

It was also pointed out that the TCI people deserve information that a line item in the budget giving a overall total on expenditures, which

is not highly transparent.

Harris explained that the number of cases depend taken on by the firm depend of the request made by the

Government, as the client.

“Our budget depends on the number of cases we have,” he said.

The lawyer argued that the return on the investment made into the recovery is worth the investment.

“The potential recovery is many times over what is being spent,” he said.

Harris pointed out that the five largest claims that are being pursued could see some $50M being recovered as well as 1,200 acres of land returned to the Crown.

This civil recovery work pursues civil actions to recover land and damages where this course of action is more appropriate than criminal proceedings, and is a direct action from the publication of the report of the Commission of Inquiry headed by Sir Robin Auld and the suspension of parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution Order 2006.

Pensions not affected by $10m fund transfer – Governor’s Office CASH to be transferred from the National Insurance Board (NIB) to the government will not come from the pension fund, the Governor’s Office has stressed.

The $10m will instead come from the Employment Injury Benefits Branch (EIBB) which currently has a surplus of over $20m.

According to Neil Smith, spokesman for the Governor’s Office, regular payments should have been made to the government since 1992.

The cash would have been used to provide free medical care to residents affected by employment related injuries or occupational disease.

However payments were minimal and the Governor’s Office now estimates that the public purse is owed a massive $10m.

On Wednesday Mr Smith revealed

that a new law will be introduced to specifically deal with this issue.

The National Insurance Ordinance divides the NIB Fund into three benefit branches.

These are the Long Term Benefits Branch (LTBF) from which pensions are paid, the Short Term Benefits Branch (STBB) from which maternity and sickness benefits are paid, and the Employment Injury Benefits Branch (EIBB) from which injury, disablement and related benefits are paid.

Under the law, these three sub funds must operate independently of each other but are all managed by the NIB. Since 2009 the NIB has had a statutory obligation to transfer funds to the NHIB to compensate for medical services from employment injuries and occupational diseases.

However, inadequacies in medical

records over the past 20 years made it near impossible to establish precisely how much money the NIB owes.

A statement from NIB said: “Estimates of the likely cost of treating job related injuries and illnesses have been made on and range from $50,000 per year to over $500,000 per year.”

Meanwhile TCIG has estimated that the sum owed is at least $10m over a 17 year period.

Mr Smith said: “Instead of paying an appropriate amount to the public purse the NIB’s Employment Injury Branch has, since 1992, amassed a very significant $20m surplus.

“Much of this is money that should have been paid to TCIG.” The Advisory Council and the Consultative Forum have discussed the issue and informal consultations have taken place with representatives of the Advisory Council, the

Consultative Forum, the NHIB and the NIB. Wednesday’s statement reads: “It has not proved possible, despite repeated attempts, to reach agreement on the full amount owed since 1992. I very much regret this.

“Given this lack of agreement, and taking into account the NHIB actuarial advice and the NIB actuarial assessment that for 2010 alone Medical Care costs would have been US$568,000, I have had no alternative but to take a decision on how large the transfer should be.

“I have concluded that USD$10 million should now be made to the public purse to compensate government for the provision of medical care for employment related injuries since 1992.

“In this respect, I intend to make a law, the sole purpose of which is to ensure that this one time transfer can take place.”

Disagreement does not constitute lack of transparency – Governor Todd 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 Samantha Dash-Rigby – Court Cord Garrido-Lowe – Graphics/Production Editor Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams – Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@yahoo.com, tcweeklynews@gmail.com (Talk Back) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com

Governor Ric Todd maintains that all decisions as it related to the future of TCInvest have been transparent, adding that the lack of agreement by all stakeholders does not constitute lack of transparency.

In an invited comment on Tuesday, he made it clear that the actions taken have been in the interest of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) and its people.

When asked to respond to claims by the Agency’s Board of Directors that TCInvest had over $1M in cash and a healthy net asset position, the Governor maintained that the company’s liabilities were approaching $10 million.

He declined to comment further on the matter.

Justifying the decision to close the Agency, Todd had said that the accrued losses from TCInvest’s social lending strategies, although “laudable as an endeavour”, have left a widening financial deficit, which could well leave Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) with liabilities approaching $10 million if “action is not taken quickly”.

However, last week Chairman of the Board of Director, Mr. Mr. Oswald Simons, said, “An unbiased analysis of the Agency’s balance sheet will indicate that there is sufficient capacity to minimize the potential shortfall in the banking division if there is an orderly winding down of the

operation.”

The TCInvest debacle has seen the Interim Administration receiving much flack from different sections of society over its failure to develop the territory’s economy and encourage investment by focusing on possible reconstruction of the Agency, rather than closure.

TCInvest was set up in 1995 to promote business development both within the TCI and from outside investors. In its earlier years, it was instrumental in building the relationships, which encouraged new investments and entrepreneurs. The essential functions of TCInvest were inward investment, business licensing, small enterprise support and loans.

January 28 - February 3, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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NATIONAL

We must have say on citizenship

– Successful round of consultations held in Provo

Islanders maintain that they must have control over immigration

By Vanessa Narine Turks and Caicos Islanders, last evening, voiced their concerns and offered recommendations in hopes of influencing the immigration legislations at a public discourse on the Pathway to Citizenship.

The primary consensus by stakeholders was that influencing the country’s immigration laws is the first step to ensuring that TCI becomes the nation that Islanders want it to become; a country where Islanders maintain control and where the balance of economic and political power does remains with Islanders who will advance developments in the nation’s best interest.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, Ms. Clara Gardiner, and her team fielded questions from over 100 persons gathers at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex.

PNP, Mr. Clayton Greene, present at the meeting pointed out that there should be a quota on the number of people coming in to work in TCI, in the interest of leveling the playing

field to secure the future of youths.

Building on the point of the need for a quota to be agreed on, the opinion was proffered that the quota must meet the needs of TCI and, as explained by the Islander, there ought not to be a quota of 500 that is filled by 500 domestic workers when the country is in need of doctors.

It was also stressed that there needs to be regularization of the jobs that are available to foreign workers, to ensure that the local youth can be gainfully employed when they leave school.

Another concern raised were the number of years that work permits should be given to foreigner workers and the need for the various categories currently in place to be regularized.

A cause of disagreement was the large presence of Haitians, many of whom have been residing here for some two decades. While it was acknowledged that the Haitians, who have been here for 20 years ought to be considered differently, it was highlighted that regardless of how long they have been here, the fact is

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, Ms. Clara Gardiner, and her team fielded questions from over 100 persons gathers at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex.

that they came to TCI illegally.

Stakeholders at the Consultation called for a clamp down on the massive corrupt practices, particularly the need for a revamping of enforcement agencies, which include Customs, Immigration, Labour and the Police.

It was noted that the Cayman Islands, a larger country, has an immigration system that can be used as a model for TCI, as others can be, in an effort to improve and

modernize the local immigration system.

Several persons who spoke to the Weekly News concur that these discussions are major national issues and the consultations allow Islanders to take ownership of a significant piece of legislation that will guide the development of TCI. A major criticism voiced was that the concerns raised and recommendations made may not be given much credence at the end of the

day by the Interim Administration, however, stakeholders maintain that they will not stand by without having their say in the future of TCI, expressly as it is expected to return to democratic rule.

Facilitator, Ms. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, opined that having a legislation that guides the Pathway to Citizenship process should have been a milestone among the targets set out by Governor Ric Todd.

Filipino town hall meeting ended before it began

By Samantha Dash-Rigby A town hall meeting called by members of the Filipino committee to discuss the new Pathway to Citizenship was dissolved by a handful of TC Islanders who felt insulted that they were holding a separate meeting.

As residents gathered at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Centre Downtown to discuss the new Pathway to Citizenship in the TCI, members of the Filipino community gathered at the Grace Bay Sports Centre to have their meeting.

Dozens of Filipinos turned out to discuss their views and ask questions concerning the new pathway to status and how it will affect them.

A sprinkling of bewildered TC Islanders attended the meeting, all asking the same question: “Why are they holding a separate meeting?”

Member of the Consultative Forum Karen Delancy answered: “They (Filipinos) had asked for a meeting with members of the forum to explain to them what pathway to citizenship mean.

So, she agreed to chair the meeting since she was very knowledgeable about the process. She even asked John Lewis to be there because of his extensive knowledge and archive of the different laws governing the subject. Guerline Brutus, member of the Consultative Forum, was there as well.

The bleachers were almost full with Filipinos but three rows of seats on the rink at the front remained unoccupied.

At 7.30pm, all the TC Islanders walked onto the rink and sat in the chairs readying themselves for the meeting.

Delancy and those who were charged with fielding questions took up their position at the head table and all was ready for the meeting to convene.

There was only one hold up.

All the members of the Filipino Committee were seen huddled together some distance away.

Eventually Brutus joined them.

At that point a TC Islander turned up, grabbed the microphone, and began to air his views.

Filipinos ended their meeting and walked out as some TC Islanders voiced their concerns

He told the Filipinos that they should leave the decisions to TC Islanders since this is their country.

A section of the audience got up to leave but were urged by others to remain in their seats.

“If you love your country, if you love any country and if you like democracy you will realize that there are certain things that goes with democracy,” the TC Islander continued.

“Anytime you have a man who came here on a plane and then decide that he is going to vote for what happens in this country, something is wrong. It’s wrong, it’s wrong, it’s wrong.”

At that point, all the Filipinos got up and walked out as other TC Islanders shouted behind them, “Go Downtown”, referring to the other meeting going on at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Auditorium.

At that point everyone at the head table got up and left as well.

Some Filipinos spoke to the Weekly News saying: “We are here to meet, to exchange ideas. People are entitled to their own opinions so that’s their opinion”.

“The first thing I know is that the Filipinos gathered with their representatives to figure out some issues with regards to PRC and other concerns that they have,” another said.

“Other than that I don’t know what happened. Why should there be talks about anything else.

“I was surprised that there were other nationalities present.

“What happened was uncalled for.

We should all respect one another”, the man ended.

It was then talks surfaced that members of the Filipino Committee were displeased that TC Islanders sat in the seats at the front, since they were reserved for committee members.

“I am very disappointed to be snubbed like that because they (the Filipinos) had asked for a meeting,” Delancy stated.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

A Weekly News column that puts you on the spot for your opinions on the issues of the day

Meeting the milestones

GOVERNOR Todd has announced that “considerable progress” has been made with the eight milestones laid down by Minister Bellingham.

Do you believe they will be achieved soon?

Given that the milestones are met this year, there are other dynamics to consider, including election reform and rules for the political parties to live by.

Will the Governor be able to balance the budget? Will the political parties and their candidates be prepared in time to have an election this year? And will the trials including former politicians, due to begin next month, distract from the process?

A clear path needed

Unless clear and concise rules are laid down for elections and political funding, the Brits will be back again very soon!

The sooner the better for the trials. Let us get those people behind us as soon as possible and get on with the next bunch.

The trials will only bring to light the enormous mistakes made by previous politicians on both sides. Perhaps the next bunch will learn something from it all.

As to a balanced budget, please name me one country in the world that has actually achieved that in the past two years!

To make an absolute balanced budget happen here is next to impossible, especially with the British socialist anti-business and anti-development taxes and policies in place.

Little hope

I don’t see much hope in the candidates so far, which means I think we need much more time to prepare for elections.

New electoral boundaries, rules and oversight measures need to be in place before an election, as well.

Also, those ministers from the past who are responsible for this financial, moral quagmire need to be tried before any elections are held.

As for balancing the budget - if the British would put in place the means to collect all the customs duties, NIS and NHIB, hotel and restaurant taxes, that are currently owed, and if traffic had the time and will and resources to put out more tickets/fines for the ‘vehicular’ offenders, I think we could balance the budget by the deadline of 2013 with no problem.

That is assuming that SIPT and the recovery gang actually are able to recover more Crown land and the funds that were stolen from us.

Time will tell.

Certainly with the cost of doing business here now so very high, with new taxes, high work permit and PRC fees, we aren’t going to get too many eager entrepreneurs willing to come in and swell the greatly diminished ranks of the middle class, so why not collect the massive debt that is out here already?

If the Civil Service is reduced to a reasonable number of actually functioning personnel, I’ll bet we would manage.

Success a long way off

We believe that Governor Todd is a long way off from completing the milestones.

Electoral reform has not been touched.

There needs to be a formal voter registration process and voter registration cards that accurately reflect where the voter resides.

These cards will verify Belonger rights.

The census will indicate where the election boundaries have to be drawn but is just getting started.

Results have to be tabulated and the data base created. Since the census is being performed by and for a British bureaucracy we can only imagine how complicated they have made it.

Check for the results in November and no sooner. The more complicated they make it the less accurate it will be.

We need a system to assure that both political parties are represented at each polling place. When we last voted in 2007 all the workers at our polling station were known to be supporters of the incumbent PNP party.

Results were no surprise.

Possibly the most unachievable milestone is the need to be on the road to a balanced budget. Currently we are far from meeting the Wetherell-Gardiner-Jones dream budget for this fiscal year.

The new taxes are not working and the cost saving redundancies are years late. The reform of NHIP and the hospital mortgage has not been touched and is needed to fix the budget.

A sin tax on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products promises to raise government income and lower long term health needs but has yet to be put in place.

Governor Todd has said that prosecutions will continue during and after the election.

Having former politicians and their relatives and friends undergoing trial during the election has to taint the results.

We need to get the prosecution and appeals of all politicians behind us before election is scheduled.

The political parties are in a rush to have elections so they can get their cronies back on salary to feed at the governments table. We need patriots with a plan.

PNP is asking for unity to escape prosecution and the PDM will not consolidate support behind their own elected leader.

This has affected the last three PDM leaders.

First it was Taylor, then Seymour followed by Parnell. Now we are back to Taylor who was found unacceptable years ago.

Some current key PDM members were beneficiaries of the last corrupt government.

PDM has recently lost their voice and credibility.

PDM had eight years to study and put reforms in place and their failure resulted in the Grand Turk PDM losing out to the Caicos Island PNP in 2003 and 2007.

It was the PNP that for the third time messed up TCI. It was Taylor who failed to put land sale laws in place to prevent the mess.

Once an election has been completed, what authority will the new government have? Most probably little to none.

The wining party is doomed to one term. It appears that November 2013 will be a better date for elections if anything is left after the Brits get through.

sustainable the fiscal remedies currently being put in place turn out to be in the long run.

A joke

Pathetic

Progress on milestones in solely in their hands.

They are not serious about anything. We are a joke to the UK and the British here. Sad but true.

The milestones will only be met if they want it to. Many of the legislations can be passed overnight like other bills if they care to. The milestone to be met is the successful prosecution of former ministers.

There is no requirement to balance the budget but to put us on a path to a balanced budget.

We must remember former CFO Caroline Gardiner said we were there and three weeks later the new CFO Hugh Groves said we were in trouble.

I do not think the British can balance the budget because whilst they cut one place, they increase elsewhere.

For example, they let people go home who were making less than $200 a week and then they increase PS’s salaries, increase US’s salaries and their numbers and the cost of flights for the AG cannot be ignored plus other reckless decisions.

They move this milestone out of reach by their actions.

Political parties will pull themselves together in time for elections. I really wish they will show more leadership in getting this country ready.

I think it is wrong to run trials during an election period. (If they are afraid of persons who are under investigations running then let the Integrity Commission do its work.

Although then again I cannot understand how the Integrity Commission allowed some of these new PSs to pass them.)

The environment will be charged either way but I trust this will not delay elections because the British wants and enjoys the power of being the government but they do not want the responsibility of caring for their constituents, of being accountable to the people and of consulting them.

No choice

It is unfair to have criminal trials against leading political figures taking place parallel to elections but we cannot waste a day.

We need power returned to the people of this country in order to rescue this country.

Less than optimistic

Where the milestones rely on financial progress, balancing the budget, returning the TCI back to financial stability one cannot be so optimistic.

Political parties must see it at their main objective to live by and to contribute to election finance reforms.

One can easily see how the Republican debacle over Bain Capital and Freddie Mac in the US has led to US leaders being captive of their campaign finance donors.

Barack Obama’s decision to avoid “big money” meant that he was free to pursue affordable health care for all and there were no “NHIP like” scandals over there.

Yet owing to the fact that private donors bought the previous Government, campaign finance reforms are critical and must be implemented so that future TCI Governments cannot be bought again.

I am sure laws can be passed now debated and in time for any election in November 2012.

The trials are needed and ought be a distraction to a people ‘wanting to get their country back’.

Already it seems that taxes, trying to place the cost on the TCI, are a strategy to rile the public up so they could say the people do not want trials so ‘let’s leave and let our boys go’.

The TCI is a precious little gem and there are miles to go before they islands are taken back, let no time be lost in reaching the milestones and reducing taxes.

Absolutely pathetic. Reminds me of the childhood movie I saw with the Pied Piper blowing his flute and marching down the road with a sea of rats following to the tune as they launch themselves into the water.

Given the furore that transpired last time elections were delayed, I think Britain is determined to stage the ballot this year at any price.

They seem hell-bent on replenishing the treasury, regardless of the long-term costs to the country, which would lead one to believe they are keen to wash their hands of the territory as quickly as possible.

The government will have no choice but to balance the budget and local politicians are obviously keen to see a return to elected rule as soon as possible.

Some potential candidates may be implicated during the ongoing prosecution process but there will be enough who will not be in order for elections to take place successfully.

The main problems are likely to arise after elected rule when we start to see how

Unfair

Stop playing games

I believe that all the milestones with the exception of milestone four can be achieved soon.

Milestone four involves achieving a surplus continued 

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January 28 - February 3, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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NATIONAL

In AG alleged assault case –

Governor says investigations still ongoing Governor Ric Todd, questioned about progress in the case of the alleged altercation between local Attorney General (AG) Huw Shepheard and State Prosecutor Leonard Franklyn, said investigations are continuing.

Pressed by media operatives for an update, on Tuesday at a press briefing, he noted that his understanding is that at the end of which a report will be submitted to him.

However, he added that while he wants to see closure on the matter it is not the job of the Government to put pressure on the police to advance investigations on any case.

The Governor was reminded that he had promised the inclusion of an independent council to decide whether anyone will be charged, presumably an overseas body as has been done in the past.

At the mid-December press conference, the Governor said, “In these circumstances (where the AG is being investigated) we will arrange to have the police report, when it is completed, to be reviewed by an independent council.”

The routine procedure is that after police investigations are completed, the AG advises as to whether charges are laid.

Observers have been watching for developments in this case, now in its

sixth week, and are concerned as to whether this matter will share the fate of previous legal matter involving a high-ranking British official, who caused the death of a young girl on the island.

In 2009 and 2010, two similar incidents involving a local and a Brit made their way to the courts, but the two cases ended very differently.

Assistant Commissioner, Mr. David Thomas Ryder, was given a fine of $400 by Magistrate Clifton Warner early in 2009, after he appeared before the courts on the charge of driving without due care and attention – an incident where a 13-year-old Haitian girl was killed and others were injured.

Later in 2010, a 37-year-old local, Mr. Linden Pratt, stood trial for causing the death of Canadian Julio Caesar Peralta, in the vicinity of the Ianthe Pratt Primary School. He found guilty and remanded to prison for six months for causing death by dangerous driving.

The marked differences in the Ryder-Pratt cases are clear when compared. Pratt was in the wrong and was judged accordingly, however, in the case of Ryder the British Attorney General would not bring a timely prosecution against him; rather a private prosecution had to be brought.

continued

by March 2013.

I cannot see how this can be achieved within that time frame given our current deficit situation.

Quite frankly milestone four should not even be a prerequisite for elections as the UK themselves cannot balance their budget let alone achieve a surplus.

I do not foresee the Governor being able to balance the budget.

However, it is a violation of our rights to deny us elections and it should not be link to balancing a budget.

Ironically, the UK is trying to defend and protect other countries whose democratic rights are violated but at the same time, they are restricting or controlling our rights.

I think the political parties and the candidates should have been ready from a very long time ago.

In fact, they had too much time to get ready. If they are not ready, then they are very short sighted.

The running of the government by this interim

administration for the past two and a half years has given the political parties ample time to prepare for election.

After all, both the PNP and PDM have been requesting for an election date from last year and so I hope they are ready.

The trials may perhaps take a while but that should not interfere with our elections.

Deal with the former politicians but do not let that be in anyway delay our rights for a democratic election.

We are smarter than the British think we are. The problem is they have the power and they are abusing it and trying to control the outcome by setting all these milestones.

What if we do have a balanced budget by 2013, what happens if the subsequent years we have a deficit? What will happen then?

What if the politicians are found innocent and decide to run for political office, what will happen then? Will they implement further milestones?

Enough is enough. Stop playing games UK.

Governor Todd noted that it is not the job of the Government to put pressure on the police to advance investigations on any case

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirmed that Franklyn filed a complaint of assault

Attorney General (AG) Huw Shepheard and State Prosecutor Leonard Franklyn were involved in an alleged altercation

against the AG in the first week of December. Reports are that on Thursday, December 1, a loud vocal

altercation between Mr Shepheard and veteran prosecutor Leonard Franklyn turned physical.

Two new claims brought in the CRP

By Vanessa Narine Lawrence Harris, partner in charge with Edwards Wildman Palmer, the international firm undertaking the Civil Recovery Programme (CRP) here in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), disclosed that the CRP team is pursuing two new claims.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, the lawyer disclosed that two new claims are being pursued against Akita Holdings Limited and Holiday Resort Development Limited.

These, Harris said, is in addition to 30 individual recovery cases that have been undertaken and there are another 51 open cases that are ongoing.

To date, he said recoveries have yielded 900 acres of land returned to the Crown and some $2.4M in cash paid to the government, judgments to be paid and signed agreements for payments to be made.

“The recoveries are ongoing,” Harris said.

He noted that at the end of this week another 15 acres are expected to be recovered.

According to him, the majority of the civil cases are expected to be taken to court by the end of the year and, as such, the firm’s work should be done here by December, for the most part.

However, Harris pointed out that there may be a few small cases that go to court in 2013, adding that any appeals made may be taken over to the New Year also.

“The bulk of our work will be done by the end of the year,” he insisted.

Enforce Debtors’ jail is a thing of the past, still largely the case in the TCI, but Harris gave his assurance that all efforts will be made to ensure that

all rulings in civil claims cases are enforced.

He explained that the government can enforce the ruling by seizing the assets of someone who refused to honour the ruling or transfer land from the debtor by force, in the cases where crown land has to be returned to the TCI people.

Asked about possible jail sentences for defaulters, the lawyer noted that this debtor’s issue is a civil matter and persons will not be jailed, as could be the case with the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) investigations.

Governor Ric Todd, also at the

press briefing, was emphatic in his assurance that all efforts will be taken to ensure that judgments made in the civil cases are enforced and TCI’s assets are returned.

“We have no plans to put people in prison for not paying their claims… if judgment is made in a civil claim, the government will do everything in its power to enforce that claim,” Todd stressed.

There two ways in which civil recovery can take place, through a civil claim under the general law brought either by Edwards Wildman Palmer, or through a civil action under the Proceeds of Crime Ordinance brought by SIPT following a criminal investigation.

CSA, TCIG agree on review The Civil Service Association’s (CSA) and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) have agreed that a comprehensive review of the compensation, grading, performance and reward system should be undertaken.

The CSA’s executive team led

by Dr. Rufus Ewing, last Thursday (January 19th), met with TCIG’s team led by the Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Boyle.

According to a news release, the meeting addressed an array of issues concerning civil servants was discussed.

“After much negotiation, both parties agreed that a comprehensive review of the compensation, grading, performance and reward system should be undertaken. Included

in this review, will be issues associated with long service award/gratuity,” the statement said.

It added that it is also proposed that this review will commence on April 1st 2012, so as to allow sufficient time for both the CSA and TCIG to jointly find the expert services necessary to assist in this process.

The two parties have also agreed to jointly develop the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the review. The results of this review, which is estimated to conclude in six months, will be submitted to the CSA and TCIG. The Consultative Forum and Advisory Council will also be consulted, after which, recommendations will be made to the Governor.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

NATIONAL

Illegality in flipping of land circumstantial Crown land, the largest asset of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), is being returned to the people through recoveries made by the Civil Recovery Programme (CRP), and according to CRP’s Lawrence Harris, the illegality in flipping of land circumstantial The lawyer explained that there are different teams assessing the differences that constitute the illegality in flipping of land.

The outcome of this assessment, he noted at a press briefing on Tuesday, determines whether the action advisable is civil or criminal.

Harris, partner in charge with Edwards Wildman Palmer, the international firm undertaking the CRP, said, “We are instructed by the Government…whether it pursues

a civil claim or settles it up to the government’s discretion,” Harris said.

The lawyer added that claims can be brought if there is evidence to show that the transfer of Crown land was improperly made or an agreement made at the time of the transfer was breeched, for example the consensus that the person granted land would construct a road in that particular area.

“We have gone where the evidence has taken us,” he said.

Harris noted too that, regardless of a particular time-frame, the CRP is pursuing claims where there is sufficient evidence.

“Obviously the further back we go, the more difficult it is to produce evidence sufficient enough to bring a

claim,” He said.

Progressive National Party (PNP) leader, Mr. Clayton Greene, at a press briefing last week, pointed out that many people, some of them Englishmen, made millions trading in Turks and Caicos Islands Land and concessions that ought otherwise to have brought benefit to Turks and Caicos Islanders.

The latest to be arrested by the Special Investigative Prosecution Team (SIPT), he said, “All of a sudden when Turks and Caicos Islanders benefit it has…become criminal.”

Governor Ric Todd, also at the press briefing, said Crown Land in the future will be dealt with under the new Crown Land Policy, which is yet to be approved as legislation.

Only some payouts to be made to CLICO policyholders Not all policyholders with the embattled Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) can expect a payout, as only some monies are being reimbursed, after the company lost millions in failed investments.

According to a source close to the company’s local office, policyholders who made deposits but did not have their policy approved would benefit from a payout.

The Weekly News was made to understand that once the liquidation process is completed, local policyholders can expect to have their policies transferred to a new company.

CLICO now has to deal also with irate policyholders who, following the company’s collapse stopped paying premiums, and were told that if they did not continue sending payments to the Bahamas office they forfeited our right to recovering any funds and essentially lost everything.

These policyholders, who stand to loose thousands invested over the years, argue that they did not continue payments as they did were unable to contact persons directly about continuing payments.

Local CLICO agents have declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Weekly News.

wishes

Happy Birthday Davina HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the world’s most beautiful princess Davina Capron Davina you are special in every way and we thank God for you each and everyday, you came into our lives in such a special way and we love and cherish you on this your special day Birthday Greetings are coming from your mom and dad, aunts and uncles, all of your cousins especially Ernell, Erneisha, Ernequa, Ernair, Ernold,

Kavon and Kamara, your sister Shania in New York, godparents, grandparents and all those that love you We love you ViVi

Send your special occasion to: Weekly News, Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, PO Box 52, Providenciales or email to tcweeklynews@gmail.com. Free of Charge!

Please limit your messages to 150 words.

An ongoing Trinidadian Commission of Enquiry into the management of the collapsed company revealed that the group lost hundreds of millions, even as executives paid themselves super salaries, which, unfortunately, was to the detriment of policyholders and investors.

The Trinidad and Tobago’s government, early this month, established a $1.9 billion trust resolve the claims of policyholders who invested in the failed conglomerate.

The country’s Cabinet approved the transfer of 51.9 million shares in Republic Bank, which will fund payments to the policyholders in the conglomerate’s insurance divisions, according to the country’s Acting Prime Minister, Mr. Winston Dookeran.

There has been more talks of CLICO payouts in the Bahamas, where 149 former staff received some $2.6 million severance pay due to them following the company’s collapse. The payments were made by the Government, courtesy of the Ministry of Finance.

The CLICO (Bahamas) liquidator, Craig Gomez, the Baker Tilly Gomez accountant and partner, continues with efforts to transfer its insurance portfolio to Colina Insurance Ltd and sell its key asset, the Wellington Preserve real estate project in south Florida.

The company’s holdings once included banking, manufacturing and retail interests as well as the insurance subsidiaries CLICO and the British American Insurance Company. CL Financial was the largest private business conglomerate in the Caribbean, but a cash flow crisis led to the company’s near collapse and bailout by the government in January 2009.

Still time to become a Deputy Secretary

– Deadline extended until Monday RESIDENTS have been given an additional week to submit their applications for the post of Deputy Secretary.

The closing date for submissions is now midday on Monday (January 30).

TCIG made the decision to extend the deadline following last week’s announcement of five newly formed ministries.

The Deputy Secretary roles are important senior leadership positions which are hoped to transform the effectiveness and efficiency of the public service.

Chief Executive Patrick Boyle said: “In moving forward we wish to further empower Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Directors and all staff to make effective decisions, thereby liberating the Permanent Secretaries and our senior decision makers so they can truly focus on their strategic and managerial responsibilities.”

Several positions are up for grabs and successful applicants will be appointed to the most appropriate ministries.

All applicants must be TCI citizens or demonstrate strong

and permanent links with the islands.

Previous government experience is not a pre-requisite and applications are invited from anyone with relevant leadership and management experience.

Applications will be welcomed from current TCI civil servants with relevant experience, skills and potential without regard to current seniority.

Candidates must be creative and strategic thinkers, with real leadership ability as well as a relevant level of financial understanding.

They also need to be changeoriented, with a record of getting things done through people.

They will be persuasive communicators, orally and on paper, able to manage complex stakeholder relationships.

Above all they must be of unquestionable integrity, with the courage to insist on and exemplify the highest moral standards and behaviours.

Anyone interested in further details including how to apply can visit www.gov.tc or call 946 2801 ext 40106.

We are not bound to pay taxes, CRP’s Harris

Lawrence Harris, partner in charge with Edwards Wildman Palmer, the international firm undertaking the CRP here in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), contends that that he and the other lawyer from his firm admitted to the TCI Bar Association are not bound to pay taxes.

Harris was grilled, Tuesday at a press briefing, over not contributing to the NIP and NHIP schemes after working in the TCI for some two years now.

The lawyer countered that he and his associate from the firm were admitted to the local Bar with a special licence to function in matters related to the CRP cases, not to practice law locally.

According to him, it has been a well-established norm in circumstances like this for no tax deductions to be made from monies payable for services offered.

“We have no offers in TCI,” Harris stressed.

He made it clear that his functions

are executed through the Attorney General’s chambers and are limited to the CRP investigations and hearings.

“I do not pay insurance here…it is not illegal,” Harris said.

The lawyer argued that unlike the case where foreign lawyers are admitted to the local Bar to practice with local law firms, he and his associate are not here to practice laws and work on several cases; rather they have been contracted by the government to oversee the CRP. Harris reiterated that established procedures have been breeched as it relates to the functioning of his firm in TCI. However, it was pointed out to Harris that the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT), following allegations of corruption, are now investigating many ‘established procedures’ and other improper practices, as revealed by Sir Robin’s Report – the report based on which the CRP was established.

January 28 - February 3, 2012

& CrimeCourt

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

11 for Sufficiency hearings on Friday Eleven persons are expected to appear in court on Friday, February 3rd following a probe by the Special Investigative Prosecution Team (SIPT) into the wrong doings of the disbanded locally elected government.

Following an enquiry that reported a “high probability of systemic corruption” being perpetrated, allegedly in particular by the Island’s former Premier Michael Misick, several prominent officials have become targets of the SIPT’s investigations.

In court for the sufficiency hearings on Friday are:

• Former Hall; • Former Hall; • Former Boyce; • Former Been;

PNP minister Floyd

PNP minister Jeffery PNP minister Lillian PNP minister Samuel

• Floyd Hall’s wife, Lisa Hall; • Floyd Hall’s brother, Quinton Hall; • Lillian Boyce’s brother, Earlson Robinson; • Developer Richard Padgett; • Developer Jak Civre; • Jeffery Hall’s attorney, Melbourne Wilson; and • Thomas Chalmers ‘Chal’ Misick, brother of former Premier Michael Misick.

Attorney-at-law and leader of the PNP, Mr. Clayton Greene, who was arrested earlier this month, is expected to return to the SIPT offices on February 7th.

Greene was questioned under caution and, when asked, stated that, on the 7th, the possibilities are that he may be asked to come back, subjected to further questioning or charged.

To date 12 persons have been arrested and the 11 facing court charged.

9

Serious crime hits 15 in four days

By Samantha Dash AS THE occurrence of crime continues to decline in the TCI, police have responded to 15 reports of a serious nature in Providenciales and one in Grand Turk over the last four days, Inspector Calvin Chase revealed.

Two burglaries on the Leeward Highway, three in Blue Hills, one in Five Cays, one in Kew Town, one in Windward Road, one in Cooper Jack Bay Road, one in Discovery Bay, and two on Grace Bay Road.

There was one attempted burglary at South Dock, one in Grace Bay, and one aggravated burglary at Close Hall Road, Grand Turk.

The police have also made some arrests and laid several charges.

Inspector Chase confirmed that another male was taken into police custody on suspicion following the robbery outside of Royal Bank of Canada on January 13.

A man was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis in connection with a quantity of suspected cannabis seized at the Providenciales International Airport

on January 22.

He admitted to the charge and Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner granted him bail pending a probation report before sentencing.

A female was charged for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and another for wounding.

Jestina McPhee and Shellyann Fuller appeared in the Providenciales Magistrates’ Court on cross charges.

McPhee alleged that Fuller wounded her and Fuller alleged that McPhee assaulted her and caused her actual bodily harm.

Magistrate Warner dismissed the case under the Probationary Ordinance, therefore, a conviction will not be entered against them.

Two males were charged for burglary in connection with a report made on January 3.

In Grand Turk, a man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary in connection with a report made on January 4.

Timothy Pierre appeared in the Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court and was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to three burglaries committed in South

Caicos.

A male was charged for handling stolen goods in connection with a report made on November 7.

He was later released on police bail with a surety to appear in the Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court on January 31 to answer to the charge.

A male was arrested on suspicion of assault on a police officer but up to press time no charges had been laid.

Francois Del Rosario was arrested on suspicion of forgery and was later charged with uttering forged documents and possession of forged documents.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court on January 24.

However, the case could not go on because a Spanish translator was not present.

The court heard that Rosario lived in the TCI for 12 years and his last work permit expired in July 2011.

It was said that the accused forged a work permit and later uttered it to the police.

He was placed on $7,000 bail pending March 7 for trial.

Full knee replacements now being done in TCI

CHESHIRE Hall Medical Centre has introduced a ground breaking type of surgery in the TCI and already nine people have benefited from it.

Those suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, gouty, or lupus arthritis or any other knee wear and tear can now access on-island full knee replacement surgery at the hospital.

The hospital has already contracted Global MedChoices (GMCH), a global healthcare technology and health services brokerage firm, who sent down a team of five experts to the TCI on Sunday.

Among the group is orthopaedic surgeon and expert in knee reconstruction, sports medicine, and

arthroscopy, Dr James Bresch.

Dr Bresch has already performed six arthroplasties in Grand Turk, two in Providenciales and is scheduled to perform another on Friday.

Interhealth Canada chief executive Roger Cheesman said: “The provision of total knee replacement surgery within the TCI is another example of the efforts of many to bring on shore what had previously only been available overseas.

“This is a very cost efficient way of providing high calibre treatment to islanders and ensuring that the surgery is conducted in their homeland and close to family and friends.”

Man dies after dive

A FIFTY-five year-old French tourist became the latest casualty in the TCI following a diving accident off Providenciales on Thursday.

The man, who was a guest at the Club Med resort in Grace Bay, reportedly went out diving when shortly after 9.30am he encountered difficulties in the water.

He was brought to shore by boat and met by an ambulance,

with paramedics administering treatment throughout the journey to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre.

At the hospital, the man received intensive treatment by a team of doctors and nurses, but sadly, this proved unsuccessful.

Despite their efforts to save his life, the man succumbed shortly after 10am.

A post mortem will be held to determine the cause of death.

This milestone in the medical field is the first ever to be performed in the TCI, and Interhealth’s public relations officer Paul Baker disclosed that it will not be the only one.

Mr Baker revealed that plans are underway for other types of treatments to hit TCI’s spanking new hospital facility, including chemotherapy, spine surgery, and hip replacements.

“But it’s a lengthy process,” he said.

Mr Cheesman added: “The project has been in planning for some considerable time and has involved not just Interhealth and surgeons, Global MedChoices, but also the NHIP team and TCIG representatives.”

The knee replacement procedure lasts about one hour but the patient has to work hard for many weeks to regain their mobility and expel swelling and discomfort the surgery would have caused, Dr Bresch revealed.

A knee replacement is basically changing the surfaces of the knee that have become worn.

The surgeons will shave away a certain amount of the worn cartilage of the bone to create a surface to accept a new metal piece thereby creating a new hinge.

Therefore, where the thighbone is worn away they make a series of cuts to fit a metal cap on and on the top of

the shin bone, they make more cuts to accommodate a metal tray.

They then snap in a polyurethane plastic insert into that tray to form a very stable and smooth surface that does not have any nerve endings.

“After that we can guarantee that the patient will never have pain from arthritis again,” CEO of GMCH Collin Childress said.

However, the doctor stated that they may get pain around the knee because none of the muscles, tendons, arteries or ligaments will be changed.

Great grandfather McDonald ‘Mack’ Stubbs, of South Caicos was one of the patients lined up to receive full knee replacement.

Speaking to reporters from his hospital bed, the very optimistic 80-year-old said that he is expecting a brand new left knee after the surgery.

He explained that he damaged his knee 10 years ago when he fell down on a boat to South Caicos.

Over the years, the knee had deteriorated and now Stubbs can only walk short distances and stand for a little while.

“I am feeling more than confident,” he smiled.

Stubbs revealed that he was on a waiting list since March last year and has made five trips to the US for medical attention for his busted knee.

However, he never received any.

Dr Bresch revealed that the TCI was chosen by GMCH because of the brand new state of the art facilities.

“Brand new state of the art facilities in a Caribbean island are very unique,” he marvelled, “so we have the infrastructure and the nice new hospital as a backdrop.”

However, despite its state of the art facilities, the doctor spoke about sterilising challenges they faced on Grand Turk.

Equipment had to be sent back and forth from Providenciales for sterilisation.

Mr Childress said that the TCI was chosen because of its close proximity to the US. “Global Med Choices goal is to perform medical tourism,” he said.

“So in addition to helping out the local patients, we are anticipating bringing down our own patients as well,” he added, “to create an additional revenue stream for the hospital and the government.”

Global MedChoices’ participating programmes are strategically positioned to broker services to all major revenue generating segments of the medical tourism market.

As an offshore entity, they rotate surgeons into foreign surgery centres and hospitals within developing global healthcare markets that incentivise and subsidise foreign investment in the medical travel trade.

10

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

We welcome letters from all members of the public on a variety of topics.

The pathway to TCI citizenship Dear Editor, The way in which the interim administration is handling this serious and significant issue begs the question of there being a sinister plot afoot!

Putting information and requests on line may very well be one way to go, but in the normal scheme of things in the Turks and Caicos Islands context, is not the only way.

Even though people with internet access, as a percentage of our population is very high, it does not mean that we should rely solely on this medium for a response on this issue!

However, that does not take into account the way that the dialogue on most public policy changes takes place in this country!

The use of town hall style of debate has been the most preferred method employed by us.

The feedback is immediate and fleshing out of the issue becomes easier and one would see clearly in which direction public sentiment is trending.

The current questionnaire that is online is very convoluted and torturous.

While the information that it seeks to gather might be pertinent for some people of questionable motives, for the bulk of Turks and Caicos Islanders that is irrelevant!

If you listen to the sentiments that have been expressed in most informal settings, Turks and Caicos Islanders really and truly do not want to increase the ‘citizen’ population beyond a point where they have a handle on it.

There has been widespread condemnation of both political parties for expanding the categories to which persons can qualify for ‘Belonger’ status.

The area that most garnered the ire of the people was that of “contribution to the economic AND social development of the country”.

In many instances, persons with questionable economic and certainly no social contribution were seen to be given the status through this category.

Wendell Swann has always contended that those persons so granted such status should have them cancelled because they did not comply with the current law and regulation.

Persons who came here for purely economic reasons have an automatic right to citizenship - this makes a

total nonsense of the system.

Yes they should be free from immigration control, thus allowing them to come and go so that they can keep an

eye on their business.

They do not need to be Turks and Caicos Islanders to have that allowance granted them.

Do we need a general population increase? Yes! Do we need an increase in the Turks and Caicos Islander population? Yes again.

However, the two positions and not mutually exclusive, and one does not have to be dependent on the other as some people try to portend.

In that as Turks and Caicos Islanders we must be abundantly clear and do not let anyone foist on us something that is totally detrimental to our wellbeing and way of life.

We must resist the temptation of allowing persons coming here to reshape our profile for their own personal benefit that has one final result.

That result is the continued and relentless marginalisation of the indigenous Turks and Caicos Islander.

So our path to citizenship should be simple and succinct without being simplistic.

The playbook has already been written for us by a people that over time, we have looked up to for a significant number of years and their impact on our architectural environment are very evident, particularly in the salt islands of Grand Turk, Salt Cay and East Harbour (South Caicos).

The place of which I speak is none other than Bermuda! We have a lot of things in common.

We are small island states that have English as our official language; we are connected by waterways, causeways/ bridges and are part of the British Empire, to name a few.

In this conversation, it is our relationship with the Empire that gives me pause.

The Bermudians, over time, have fought tooth and nails to maintain control on who should be given Bermudian citizenship status.

It is “given to law-abiding non-Bermudians after they marry

LETTERS SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MAXIMUM OF 450 WORDS

Bermudians, live together locally and then wait 10 years”. PERIOD! Nothing more, nothing less!

You see, they have taken the position that they will guard the treasure of their citizenship, and dole it out to persons who have completely assimilated into their society over time by the one benchmark of marrying a Bermudian and living in country.

I will quote from an article by Keith Archibald Forbes: “Many British United Kingdom nationals and British Overseas Territory members live and work in Bermuda.

“Most are welcome but all are treated as foreigners. Britons - those from Great Briton or non-Bermudian British Overseas Territory members - do not have the same freedoms here in residing and working without restrictions as they have in Great Britain, Ireland and the rest of the European Economic Community.

“Britons visiting Bermuda on business or vacation or as professionals newcomers cannot get Bermudian citizenship or vote or buy real estate at the same price as Bermudians – unless they marry Bermudians and wait 10 years.

“Any children born here are not Bermudian unless one qualifying parent is a Bermudian, so they cannot apply for any local scholarships or grants for further education abroad, or work without a work permit, or operate their own business in Bermuda or reside without an appropriate residential certificate, or buy any property except the top five per cent in market and assessment valuation.

“Many Bermudians do not regard themselves as British – despite this being their only official nationality – but as Bermudians.”

That is so eye opening that it is not funny! We might not go down the route of restrictions on the purchasing of land at this point in time, but all else is the type of recipe that we should be following in this exercise that we should be embarking on with respect to persons coming here getting citizenship.

Don’t let them try to use the discrimination card! Every country’s policies towards immigration have some measure of discrimination assigned to it.

Race, creed and religion are some of the things that are universally not discriminate against.

It is important that as Turks and Caicos Islanders we do not allow,

particularly the infidels to tell us to do things that are clearly and totally not in our best interest.

Forbes went on to say that there were “some non-Bermudians residents with unblemished continuous residence that have been there for periods exceeding 20 and 30 years yet have not been given citizenship.

“It means that they are not allowed to vote, or register to vote, in any election after they become 18 years old, even when they have been model residents for years.

“Those in this category are mostly from the USA, Britain, Canada, Caribbean and Europe.”

We have a non-reciprocal arrangement with Britain like Bermuda, and should keep it that way!

“This one-sided arrangement was a British Government decision taken

without any referendum from the British people.”

We should not at this late stage bail them out!

I was having concerns as to how we should and could couch our position without being rude or disrespectful of those that come and live among us or make significant contribution to our economic wellbeing.

The Bermudian model clearly demonstrates how we as a people should proceed without fear or favour.

Let us therefore engage the process with the Bermudian model in mind and not let us be side tracked by the pettiness that would come from some who have their own interest at heart, but that may not necessarily be of mutual benefit to us!

Royal S Robinson

Clico catastrophe Dear Editor, I am baffled as to how in this day and age companies such as Clico get away with ‘highway robbery’.

Myself and many others paid for years into this insurance scheme in good faith to lose all that was invested with no possible return of any of our money.

I was under the impression based on promises of Kevin Higgins of the Financial Services Commission, that the Government body is responsible and will ensure that Turks and Caicos Policy holder’s interests were protected.

I guess in the end, a promise is always a comfort to a fool.

I personally went into this scheme investing thousands of dollars over the years, having been one of the first to sign up on the inception of the company.

I wanted my daughters to have a good education and trusted Clico to hold to their terms of agreement in seeing their futures realised.

When the company closed and there were no locally based agents to be found, only a typed written notice posted on the door with a forwarding number in the Bahamas for liquidators (who could never be reached).

I stopped paying. What was the sense in paying into a company

that no longer existed and had no contact personnel in this jurisdiction to check in with?

Now after years since the closure the liquidators return to tell us that we have nothing to look forward to; that if we didn’t continue payment by sending our funds to the Bahamas to unknown persons who could not be contacted directly, that we have forfeited our right to recovering any funds and essentially lost everything.

How can this be fair or just or legal? There seems to be something very wrong here and there is no one to look out for the interests of the people.

I pray for the day when we can have a return of elected government who is accountable to the people and who can see about our interests.

I am not aware of any input the interim administration has had on this issue, but they are too selfabsorbed in pleasing the British to look about the matters affecting the country.

God help us!

Euwonka Selver

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.

January 28 - February 3, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Letters

11

Gossip, lies and made up stories Dear Editor, There must be a response to Ryan Garland and others and their attempt to classify or spin the characters of the successful applicants for the position of Permanent Secretary.

The detractors are going too far and making up things on the appointees, professional powerful women, and a man in what now appears to be a woman’s world in government.

No country in the world can boast this kind of Amazonian leadership and persons like Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton would marvel at this kind of soft revolution taking place in TCI society with women taking the lead of our government bureaucracy.

The TCI must move beyond gossip, lies and made up stories.

Appointment by tenure has ended, and competition for the top job in government is now at international standards.

Formerly PSs were used to political advantage and to the country’s disadvantage.

There are some things that their detractors cannot deal with - the education, experience and dedication of those persons selected and despite the rumours these persons really

work hard on their jobs.

Now it is time for the detractors to come out and say with proof that successful applicants are not deserving of these selections.

The unfair and untrue allegations as to their character should be supported with evidence and supplied to the Integrity Commission.

If they were compromised they would have been apprehended by now.

Let us briefly look at these persons: As budget director, Anya Williams is diligent. There is no commission, no British advisor, no made up story, no lie that can contradict the fact that Anya Williams was good at her job.

The time for the TCI to be listening to lies should be over, especially rumours, ideas, notions that cannot be defended or proven.

Governor and interim government, you are screwing up taxes and the handling of the closure of TCInvest, but this appointment is a good one and because of the process of appointment.

She will make the TCI proud.

Clara Gardiner, a trained teacher, very educated, worked hard.

As PS for Immigration she is

cleaning up the immigration mess created by the former regime of Mike Misick in selling PRCs, work permits and Belongerships.

Leading on the immigration reform process, she is ensuring that more and more natives are working.

There is now a freeze on work permits reversing the sale of thousands of PRCs, Belongerships and work permits.

It is unfair to blame Clara Gardiner for the botched scholarship policy programme and the decision of PNP ministers to give public funds on scholarships to persons who cannot pass exams.

This cannot be the fault of Clara Gardiner.

Susan Malcolm is the victim of the fact that many of her detractors do not admit or understand that the public service is run by a Public Service Commission and not by the Permanent Secretary.

So she is blamed for decisions made by the commission but she remains qualified for the job.

As PS of the OPSM she tried to upgrade the civil service, leading on Vision 2012, a project to redevelop the public service.

Together, she and Mr Eugene Outounye had the public service on

the right footing.

As a leader she remains undaunted by the negative and unfounded attacks upon her.

Judith Campbell, like the others is an achiever with projects like the National Environment Centre and the Children’s Park on Lower Bight Road, Providenciales.

In Grand Turk she helped to improve the land registry and sped up the computerisation project.

She is now desperately trying to clean up the hospital mess left by the former government.

They spread many lies about her such as imminent SIPT arrests and now they say that she is the British as their star witness.

They overlook the facts, the power of the minister over the PS and how the ministers were free to do what they liked.

Wesley Clearveux, the one male in the mix.

All you need to do is to look at the environment department’s website, www.environment.tc, and see for yourself what major achievements he made there.

Wesley works hard, he goes beyond the call of duty, he is educated, but the post is blaming Wesley for what former ministers did

in the Chalk Sound National Park.

His record showed then and is showing now that he is doing a good job of policing the national parks, coming up with a fisheries policy, energy policy, dealing with global warming and climate change.

He is efficient and just look at the man’s track record.

He is now in a woman’s world because women are now ‘running things’.

Determine for yourself what he is doing. With Wesley and the girls, the country is in good hands.

Each day he is achieving and if the writers to the post want to overcome this, let them start achieving.

Too many of them are sitting down, not working, collecting government salary and writing to the post with lies and rumours It is time for the detractors to stop the lies rumours and gossip.

It’s been three years since the commission in 2009, don’t you think that if they had any evidence on the PSs that it would have come out by now?

If anyone has proof on these PS’s please bring the proof. Otherwise it is time they sit down.

Florida and beyond.

Andrew Rosindill continues to head the British TCI All Party Group, is close to Minister Bellingham and he will be back, possibly soon. Hopefully, he will find some friends to network with who embrace and understand what he is trying do for TCI and the other overseas territories. When

Minister Duncan was here, he met with the doctor who is trying to heal the self-inflicted wounds of his political party.

My grandson Andrew spent a summer in Middle Caicos to learn about the heart of TCI. I wonder who and where Andrew Rosindill will take to heart when he returns.

David Forbes

COMMENTARY

Celebrating Andrew

My youngest grandsons name is Andrew. He recently graduated from high school and is trying to decide on a career to follow.

This column is about another Andrew, however, Mr. Andrew Rosindill. Rosindill is one of TCI’s few genuine friends in London. Andrew has recently said something very significant: “The (remaining) overseas territories need elected representation in the British parliament.” Reason: They are still being handled like colonies.

200 years of a crumbling empire and finally, hope !

At the heart of this obsolete system are inept civil servants from Britain governing locally elected representatives. After the empire lost America, Canada, Australia and India you would think someone would have saw through the fog and the need for better governors and West Indian voices in parliament.

By David Tapfer The tiny island countries of the Eastern Caribbean becoming independent in the 70’s really made no sense except they were frustrated with the system. What Robin Auld called “systemic weakness” was not only in the TCI but is a basic British flaw. TCI politicians have ignored the flaw because they have the ethics of civil servants themselves or they manipulated the system for self-enrichment. I see no current evidence of change in that department.

Douglass Parnell and Andrew Rosindill, both visionaries had a

mutual respect thing going on. It was obvious when Andrew visited TCI and he told us he loved the color blue. The respect was again obvious when we visited London and met with Andrew’s All Party members.

The rub in Provo was the woman wearing a yellow ribbon, who took Andrew as an enemy, and got in his face as she had done with others.

We have thousands of young voters in the Caicos Islands and they are seeking employment. At some point, they will be voting for candidates they can identify with, someone who talks their language and who makes sense to them.

These young people are educated and well informed..

They and my grandson Andrew are trying to figure out their future.

They care about employment and their future. They will not be seeking careers in meaningless government employment, that era is past. If private industry jobs are not right here in the Caicos Islands, they will look over the rainbow to

12

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

NATIONAL

All TCI residents required to participate in 2012 census The 2012 population and housing census, which will count every person and house in the TCI officially, began Wednesday and Head of the Census team, Mr. Shirlen Forbes, has stressed that all residents of the TCI are required to participate in the census exercise.

“The Census Ordinance entrusts to the Census Officer the legal authority and responsibility to conduct the census. There is a fine or penalty for persons who do not cooperate with census officers.”

Forbes cautioned.

“During the census period, enumerators with easily recognizable census photo ID’s, will visit every household in the Turks and Caicos Islands. When visited, be sure to cooperate by responding to all the questions on the census questionnaire. If you are not visited please call or email the Statistical

Office,” he added.

“Ideally each adult in the household (18 years or older) should be interviewed. If this is not possible because persons are off island during the census period then any responsible adult will be interviewed provided that he/she knows all the required answers.”

Forbes assured residents that the information provided on the questionnaire will be held in the strictest confidence. This is guaranteed by the compulsory oath of secrecy taken by all census workers, for which any breech could lead to strong penalties.

According to a news release, months of preparatory work concluded on Monday (23rd January) when the census field workers, including enumerators, supervisors and interpreters, took their oath of

secrecy in separate ceremonies on Grand Turk and Providenciales. HE Governor Ric Todd administered the oath at the Providenciales ceremony.

The Census questionnaire will seek to capture information on the age, sex, religion, education, occupation and other important characteristics of each person. It also seeks to capture where a person lives in terms of type of housing and access to essential facilities.

Compilation and analysis of the census data should be completed

by April this year and will provide government with accurate and reliable statistical data to guide policy formulation.

The exercise is an essential step before setting up a Boundary Commission and compiling a new Electoral Register in preparation for new elections.

Villa Renaissance has won the Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice® 2012 award for the fourth year in a row

Villa Renaissance and Regent Grand get top honors The Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice® 2012 awards honor was been awarded to the Villa Renaissance for the fourth year in a row, as well as, for the second time, to the Regent Grand.

General Manager, HAB Management, Eoin O’Sullivanm said, “To be voted in at the number eight and eleven spots of the Top Hotels in the Caribbean is a marvelous achievement for our beautiful, boutique and beachfront hotels. Our staff has worked exceptionally hard since our resorts opened to provide a wonderful experience and excellence in value and service. We will continue to strive for the quality that has become expected of us, with our goal being to make sure we secure these awards for 2013.”

According to a news release, the hotels were ranked in the category of Top Hotels in the Caribbean for 2012.

The release added that this year’s awards were bigger than ever, with

3,943 properties globally being recognized with dedicated lists featured for 30 countries and eight regions worldwide.

The lists cover 19 new markets and expanded categories from ‘Top 10’ to ‘Top 25’ winners, providing more inspiration for travelers seeking remarkable properties around the world.

Now in its tenth year, the annual TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice® awards honor the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best – real travelers; and unlike other hotel awards programs, the winners are based on the opinions of millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions posted by the world’s largest travel community.

TripAdvisor® is the world’s largest travel site attracting more than 50 million unique monthly visitors. Their branded sites show more than 60 million reviews and opinions posted on their sites making it the largest travel community in the world.

Strengthening Primary Health Care in the TCI - Blue Hills Community Clinic

From left, Digcel CEO E.J. Saunders, Marketing Specialist Trina Adams with the winner Jerome Louissaint and HR Manger Donitta Bethel

Digicel’s one-millionth subscriber gets $1,000 and more Security guard Jerome Louissaint, yesterday, received $1,000 and a new blackberry torch phone from Digicel after being the one-millionth subscriber to the company’s All Pass promotion.

The promotion allows subscribers to make unlimited local Digicel to Digicel calls, calls for 100 minutes to Caribbean countries and 30 minutes to the United States for the cost of $2.50 a day.

A surprised Louissaint was pleased with the win and Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. E.J. Saunders, noted that the All Pass promotion has done well since its launch.

In keeping with the decisions of the Health Care Funding Challenge, the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS), disclosed that plans are being put in place for the opening of the Blue Hills Community Clinic in Providenciales in February 2012.

In a news release, the MOHSS noted that the Clinic will serve the Blue Hill Community, providing preventive, holistic and patient centered care. Initial services will include: Antenatal, Child Health and Family Practice Clinics along with various healthy lifestyles and health promotion programmes. There will also be home visits and community outreach.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Judith Campbell in welcoming the latest development said: “Primary Health Care is the cornerstone of a quality health care system. Improving access to care at

the primary health care level will prevent persons from waiting to go to the hospital when their health condition becomes more serious. As strengthening Primary Health Care is one of the essential pillars of the Health Care Renewal Strategy, the MOHHS is committed to ensuring that the Blue Hills Community Clinic is opened and that primary health care is accessible to all persons living in the TCI. We hope in future to provide additional services in line with the needs of the community. To this end, plans are in place to formulate Community Coalition Groups with all stakeholders, both public and private in order to provide a service which best fit the needs of the Blue Hills community.”

A list of services and clinic schedules is expected to be made available closer to next month’s opening date.

January 28 - February 3, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

13

NATIONAL

ALWAYS ECO: Staff from Big Blue celebrate the success of the company

BLUE BUDS: It’s all smiles as the team gather at Opus restaurant

Big Blue goes green at Eco Tourism Awards A NIGHT of celebration and achievement was in the air on Monday for the Big Blue eco-tourism company.

The prestigious event, held at Opus restaurant in Grace Bay, highlighted the importance of environmental education and was also the official launch of the Big Blue short film.

Members of local water sport and tourism companies, major stakeholders of the TCI Tourism sector, management of the main resorts, along with all of Big Blues partners from North Caicos and Middle Caicos were present.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of delicious canapés while discussing plans for the future of Big Blue and island life.

Phillip Shearer, of Big Blue Unlimited, said: “We are introducing a Martine Aptitude Programme into local high schools so that the students can develop awareness and hopefully develop a major interest into protecting their local environment

now and in their careers.

“We are raising awareness to support sustainable eco-tourism, if we do not look after our environment then it will soon be over for us all, we hope to protect and safe guard what we have here and now and for the future developments.”

Big Blue also took the time to praise and award long standing members of the community who have in their own way helped to protect the environment and promote sustainable eco-tourism.

Among the proud awardees were Cardinal Arthur, born in 1949 and schooled in Conch Bar on Middle Caicos.

Cardinal has vivid memories of hurricane Donna that ravaged the islands in 1960.

Like many islanders he left to find work in Freeport in the late sixties and returned in 1975.

He then made his living working the ocean off South Caicos and in construction on Grand Turk and later

on Providenciales.

In the 1990s Cardinal turned his hand to tourism and has been a leading ambassador for Middle Caicos ever since.

His knowledge of the islands is said to be unsurpassed and his stories and anecdotes are legendary.

Johnson Dee Thomson, a bush mechanic in the truest sense of the word, has been essential to the support of Big Blue’s remote and roving eco-tourism base in North Caicos for the last 12 years.

He keeps the bikes, kayaks, scooters and vehicles running and turning up with all in tow at the right place at the right time.

A special mention also went to Susan Butterfield who has built her own house, farmed her own land, brought up countless children in her household, including two of her own, and worked hard all of her life to make it happen.

She spent a number of years working as a chief in Freeport before coming back home to work at the

Prospect of Whitby.

A chance encounter in Kew back in 1999 and a brief discussion about providing lunches for riders on the then new North Caicos bike eco-tour has led to a decade long relationship with tourists visiting the Garden Island.

Since that day she has provided countless delicious meals and many interesting and worthwhile experiences for Big Blue guests and has become a key component of the award winning ‘Heart of the Islands Eco-tour’.

Weekly community & farmers’ market on The Turks and Caicos Islands Red Cross’s weekly community and farmer’s market is on and the Red Cross is encouraging all farmers and persons with locally sourced items to venture out this Saturday and every Saturday.

According to a news release, the market will be staged at the TCI Red Cross headquarters opposite Lime on the Leeward Highway in Providenciales from 10am to 2pm, where persons will be able to purchase freshly grown produce and locally sourced items.

Coordinators are calling for more farmers, and persons that make bake goods, delicious jams and other treats to get involved.

The release noted that as this is a community spirited initiative,

schools are also invited to bring their artwork, woodwork and crafts to make the event a real fun day for all.

“The Community & Farmers’ Market brings people together in a fun way that promotes a safe and healthy community environment.

You can meet the farmers, bakers, service providers along with shopping at our thrift store. Do arrive with your shopping bags, and save money on goods and services. Also, while there, learn more about the TCI Red Cross programmes, or register to become a TCI Red Cross Volunteer,” the statement said.

There is no registration fee, as participants set up the tents and tables and market their goods and services.

LIME’s lifetime winner, Nixon Dickenson (left), with staffers from LIME

Nixon Dickenson captures LIME’s Grand Prize in Lifetime Campaign Nixon Dickenson captured the grand prize in LIME’s Lifetime Campaign, the biggest winner among many customers, whose Christmas gift from LIME will keep on giving for the next 40 years.

According to a press statement from LIME, the holiday season saw 28 winners in the company’s Christmas of a Lifetime promotion, with six customers winning landline, eleven winning mobile and eleven getting a prize of internet service for forty years.

Dickenson is expected to get all

three services for next four decades.

When the members from Team LIME surprised him at his office in Grand Turk, He said, “Are you joking with me?” “Is this April Fools? Are you serious?” Nixon then said, “I am so elated to be the Grand Prize winner and I am so appreciative of the prizes.”

Mr. Drexwell Seymour said, “We are so happy to present all these winners with 40 years of service from LIME. This gives us a chance to help meet the needs of our customers in a meaningful way.”

Mr. Seymour added that, “We know that telecoms services are very important to the daily lives of our customers, and the family who will save on the internet bill could pay for music lessons, or extra classes.

That’s the value we deliver to our customers.”

Customers were entered into the competition by paying their bill in full and on time; topping up $10 or more; purchasing a product or service from LIME and by signing up for a service during the period.

14

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

NATIONAL

autism awareness

By Nicole Cox, a mother living with autism

Josiah, aged four

“Feelings, nothing more than feelings!”

From left, Principal Lloyd Fearon, PTA President Beatrice Beam, PR Rep Elanor Finfin and CHHS Students.

Clement Howell gets new Wellness Center Clement Howell, the largest government high school in the Turks & Caicos received a brand new Wellness Center this week all thanks to Beaches Resorts charitable arm, the Sandals Foundation.

The grand opening ceremony, which took place at the school ground, saw a large crowd including several Sandals Foundation volunteers, Principal Lloyd Fearon, Faculty and students of the school who all gathered to commemorate the momentous occasion with a ribbon cutting service followed by a cake and Ice Cream celebration.

At the opening, Lloyd Fearon, Principal of the High School, he said, “On behalf of the faculty and students of Clement Howell High School we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Beaches and the Sandals Foundation for their continuous support and for offering our school a state-of the-art Wellness Center.”

He added that the center will certainly help to improve the services offered at the school and ultimately enhance overall well-being of our students.

This is the second government school in Providenciales that the Sandals Foundation has taken under its wings since its launch in March 2009. Since its induction, the high school has seen several improvement projects, which included the renovation of the Samual Forbes building, post hurricane Irene

clean up, National Wellness week celebration and several other projects including the construction of the new Wellness Center.

PR Manager for Beaches and the Sandals Foundation, Elanor Finfin Krzanowski, explaining why the Wellness Center became a priority for the foundation, said, “We are excited to share this momentous occasion with students and faculty of the Clement Howell High School.

“When the Sandals Foundation adopted the school a year ago we conducted an audit to decide which project we would tackle first, at the end of our evaluation, we realized that High School was home to nearly 1,100 Students but did not have a wellness center, so it became our top priority to not only establish the health center but also maintain its overall operation.”

According to her, the Foundation remains committed to promoting the wellness of our Clement Howell Students as well as education while providing the best possible environment to empower our students.

The state-of-the-art Wellness Center comes equipped with a consultation area, a resting area which included two beds, a wheelchair, a fully furnished bathroom with a shower unit as well as lavish wall decors to compliment the room.

In addition to the center, the Sandals Foundation has already

drafted a 2012 curriculum aimed at enhancing the school. The first project on the 2012 agenda is to install a much needed water pump and provide CPR training for the 68 teachers at the school. Other projects will include a mentorship program and the implementation of a High school Breakfast feeding program for under privileged students.

Across the Caribbean the Sandals Foundation has adopted a total of 27 schools including Turks & Caicos based Clement Howell High and Enid Capron Primary. The foundation works closely to provide support and assistance to schools while working with parents, teachers and pupils of the community.

The Sandals Foundation, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, was created to continue and to expand upon the philanthropic work that Sandals Resorts International has undertaken. It is the culmination of three decades of dedication to playing a meaningful role in the lives of the communities where we operate across the Caribbean. The Sandals Foundation funds projects in three core areas: education, community and the environment.

One hundred percent of the monies contributed by the general public to the Sandals Foundation go directly to programs benefiting the Caribbean community. To learn more about the Sandals Foundation, visit online at www.sandalsfoundation.org

I

(Disclaimer: some of you are not going to like me very much after this entry!)

never really liked that song! But the title is so appropriate today! There are moments in the day that if you stop by Josiah’s therapy sessions we would look like a commercial for autism in its most sugary, cotton candy form! The sweet moments of discovery and cooperative learning would just make your heart melt right out of your chest…..then there are the other 6 hours and 45 minutes of our teaching day! Actually, military boot camp is much more akin to our touchy feely moments when in teaching mode. In fact, one of the biggest issues that many parents have with ABA is that the therapists often appear “cold” while in sessions and the children seem so “unhappy”. I would be unhappy too if all day long someone was making me do the exact opposite of EVERYTHING I want to do! Let’s revisit the hand washing situation.

Josiah reached a point where he literally burst into weeping as I was “modeling” washing his hands by guiding his own hands through the whole process. In a flat, monotone voice I sternly would give the directive and if he didn’t comply on the first time we went directly into modeling. The tears were flowing like a river and anyone would think he was in actual physical pain from the firm grip I held on him as we went through the procedure. A “mommy” might say, “Its not that serious, Nicole! He is obviously exhausted and you are just hurting his feelings! Let him try again later!” There are so many flaws in that thought process. It is vital in ABA that once the directive is given, the student learns that it must be followed.

Compliance is the first step to learning. And learning applies to more than just academics! Social skills, problem solving and creative thinking…all these are areas that challenge the child with autism. The challenge neurotypical children as well! They must be taught. They cannot be taught if the child won’t comply. So it must be demonstrated consistently and without dramatic emphasis that if you do not comply voluntarily, you will comply involuntarily with my assistance. Needless to say, this will not make the child “happy”!

Sounds cruel? Not as cruel as allowing compliance to be left up to a child with impaired judgment skills. What if coming when you call him doesn’t make him “happy” and a car is heading his direction? Sorry for the drama, but it is that real. One must decide to trust the process and know that respect, love and trust will be gained from your student or child if they learn that you set boundaries, goals and rules that do not bend for their own benefit. Now, let’s give the good news. The hallmark of ABA is that compliance is REWARDED! Positive reinforcement is the technical term, but all it means is that when you do what is required you receive what you like! This could be praise, hugs, tickles or Josiah’s favorite: Cheetos! But the point is that it must be something that motivates them to comply again because they love it that much. The earlier you begin this concept, the better received it will be and the more likely that the child will learn to love learning! Trust me, they will feel better then…and so will you!

For more information on autism email: DawnProgram@gmail.com Next Week: “Say That Again?”

January 28 - February 3, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

15

NATIONAL

this week

Friday, January 27 to Friday, February 3 Friday, January 27

Customer Service Manager, Daphne Penn, left front row, presents the cheque to Acting Operations Manager, Tammika Lall. From right is Police Commissioner Colin Farquhar.

Fortis TCI donates $2,000 to 911 Centre Fortis TCI, Wednesday, handed over $2,000 to support the Turks and Caicos 911 Emergency Communications, as part of its holiday donation tradition.

Customer Service Manager, Daphne Penn, in handing over the cheque noted that Fortis TCI recognized the need and was happy

to respond to it.

The TCI 911 Emergency Communications’ Acting Operations Manager, Tammika Lall, adding her bit, said the monies will assist in its street naming project that is currently ongoing.

“This way it will be easier for us to be able to respond to calls. It will

cut down the time that responses take,” she said.

Lall pointed out that there Providenciales has never been named prior to this undertaking.

Also present was Police Commissioner, Colin Farquhar, who in an invited comment noted his appreciation for the support.

2012 round for the Red Ribbon award open for nominations The United Nations and civil society partners have jointly announced a global call for nominations for the 2012 Red Ribbon Award.

The honour is intended to promote and support community organisations responding to the AIDS epidemic, a UNAIDS news release said.

It noted that the award, which will be presented at the XIX International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2012) in Washington DC in July 2012, will be given to ten (10) organisations that have shown outstanding community leadership and action on AIDS. In addition, each recipient of the award will receive a US$10 000 grant.

Awards will be given in the following five categories: • Prevention of sexual transmission • Prevention among people who use drugs • Treatment, care and support • Advocacy and human rights • Stopping new HIV infections in children and keeping mothers alive; women’s health.

The news release noted that

 Danny Buoy’s is Provo’s premier live music and sports destination, serving lunch and dinner daily from 11:30am.

It is the perfect place to escape from the heat and hang with friends, all in smoke free airconditioned comfort.

Happy Hour specials from 4-7pm Monday-Saturday

 Get into the weekend mood with the intense and electrifying Tae-Bo class at Graceway Sports Centre from 6pm to 7pm. Free for fitness members, $12 for non-members.

Visit www.gracewaysports. com for more information or call 442-6349.

 Craig Archibold gets the party started at the Regent Palms from 7pm on Friday nights with the sound of classic Caribbean and Motown tunes. Call 946-8666 for details

Highway in Providenciales, from 10am to 2pm.

Persons will be able to purchase freshly grown produce and locally sourced items.

For more information on the Weekly Community and Farmers’ Market call (649) 247-8911. With regard to the TCI Red Cross’ services or how you can volunteer or donate, contact our Provo office on (649) 941-8056 or email redcrossprovo@tciway.tc OR for Grand Turk call (649) 946-2761 or Email:tciredcross@tciway.tc  If you’re looking for a serene and relaxed way of starting your weekend, bring your yoga mat at Graceway Sports Centre every Saturday at 9am and let David Bowen lead you into the wonderful world of yoga!

Amazing fees for an amazing class! More info at 442-6348”  Mums and Tots Dance Party classes are held every Saturday at Graceway Sports Centrefor mothers and their little ones.

Mothers, bring your little ones to dance, jump, twist and shake! Children have fun learning movement basics to fun music and mums get a light exercise while spending quality time. Mums and Tots classes begin at 10am and cost just $10. Dads are welcome!

Call Shara Bowen on 244-1103 for more details.

Thursday, February 2  Weekly Foreign a Fare night every Thursday at the Bohio Dive Resort (Grand Turk) from 6:30 p.m.

Each week different dishes from a different region in the world.

Previous nights have included: Italian, Spanish, English, Indian, Chinese, Moroccan, South African and Thai.

For details, call 946-2135 or go to www.bohioresort.com946-2135

Friday, February 3

Saturday, January 28  The Weekly Community and Farmers’ Market organised

by TCI Red Cross is on at the organization’s headquarters, opposite Lime on the Leeward

The 2012 Red Ribbon round opens

representatives of each winning body will present the work of their organisation, their priorities, the challenges they faced and their approaches to community engagement in a dialogue space at the AIDS Conference in Washington.

Additional information regarding the Red Ribbon Award, the categories and criteria for selection, as well as the on-line nomination facility can be found online on the Red Ribbon Award website, www. redribbonaward.org.

 The Bowen Dance Academy is hosting a Zumba Fitness class for kids from grades 2 and up. The high-energy fitness class will show kids that exercising can be fun!

Bowen Dance Academy students pay $10 per class and $15 for non-students. Snacks and drinks provided. All participants are asked to bring a $3.00 donation for the OOH Uterine Cancer Alternative Therapy Fund.

Got an event you wish to advertise?

Call us on 946 4664 or email tcweeklynews@ gmail.com for a free listing.

Lifestyle...

16

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Mind, Body & Soul 

New year’s resolutions: why so many fail

Caribbean Psychological Services. #114 Neptune Plaza, Sandcastle Road, Grace Bay, Providenciales. Tel: (649)432-6956 – Joanne is a Registered Psychologist in Canada and in TCI. Joanne has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology. Joanne’s holds certificates in marriage counselling, crisis interventions, autism treatments, and play therapy.

Joanne is a board member on the Canadian Association for Child & Play Therapy. Joanne does assessments and counselling.)

Thyme Pepper Burgers

(Burger patties seasoned with nutmeg and cooked in a wonderful thyme and green pepper sauce. Serve with hot cooked rice.)

Ingredients: • 1 egg, beaten • 2 tablespoons milk • 3/4 cup soft bread crumbs • 3/4 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1 pound ground beef • 1/2 cup chopped onion • 1 cup beef broth • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce • 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme • 1 medium green bell pepper, cut into strips Directions: • In a large bowl, mix together the egg, milk, bread crumbs, salt and nutmeg. Add ground beef, and mix by hand until well blended. Shape into 4 patties. Place a skillet over medium heat. Add patties, and brown for 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet.

• Add onion to the skillet, and cook until tender but not browned. Drain off excess fat. Whisk together beef broth and flour. Pour into the skillet, and stir in Worcestershire sauce and thyme. Cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened. Return patties to the skillet, and add green peppers. Cover, and simmer until burgers are cooked through, about 5 minutes.

(Nutritional Information: Amount Per Serving Calories: 275; Total Fat: 15.4g; Cholesterol: 122mg.)

That time of the year has just passed again; the day so many individuals make commitments to change their behaviours, habits, and attitudes.

In the past, the typical New Year’s resolutions consisted of more exercising, less eating, less drinking, less smoking, and career changes.

One might think that with the increase of technological advances, today’s resolutions might be more focused on less texting, less Facebook, and less tweeting. However, several surveys have found that this is not the case. Physical fitness and improving our overall health continue to be the major theme for New Year’s resolutions. Increased travel and volunteerism are two newer areas of resolutions; whereas decreasing smoking and making career changes have fallen behind. The greater our sense of self-control is and the higher our level of self-esteem, the more resolutions we set for ourselves.

However, regardless of our perceived self-control and self-

Joanne Gobeil

Registered Psychologist

esteem, by the end of the month well over half of our commitments to change will have fallen to the waste side. Some people view their failure as being due to a lack of motivation whereas others view it because of low self-esteem. Most certainly, remembering those failed resolutions from the previous year also hinders us.

So how can we set ourselves up to achieve those New Year’s resolutions?

To begin with, the research shows that the more goals that we set for ourselves, the more likely we will be able to accomplish at least one of them, which makes a lot of sense.

The more diverse and well spread

our resolutions are, the more chances of success. It would also seemingly make sense to have our goals reflect what we have control over in our life.

If one of my resolutions is only half in my control and half in the control of a colleague, it is going to be a lot more difficult for me to acquire that goal.

It also is helpful to set a longterm goal and then several shortterm goals to aid in achieving the long-term goal. For example, if our goal is to lose 25 pounds, it is going to be beneficial if we have some short-term goals that will lead us to that long tern goal. In this instance, some of those short-term goals may

include going to the gym twice a week, walking the dog three times a week, eating fried food only once a week, etc. Meeting those shortterm goals will further ensure that we succeed in our resolutions. If we cannot meet the short expectations, then we will definitely not achieve the long-term goal.

Lastly, we also need to be able to hold ourselves accountable for achieving our resolutions and we need to believe in ourselves. Do not set a goal that you are hesitant about or a goal that you do not believe that you can achieve. Believe in yourself!

Best wishes for reaching all of those New Year’s resolutions.

fresh herb in a pint of hot water.

• Other conditions it has been credited with alleviating are sciatica, gout, headaches and rheumatic pain.

• In herbal medicine thyme is

commonly used in conjunction with other medicines.

• Thyme is said to aid digestion of fats, making it an excellent complement for any recipes using oils and fats.

health Tip 

Thyme – a must have When writing I count it more than a priviledge, to reflect on the goodness of the Lord, and so I must say thanks to the Almighty Creator, for his mercies that are new every morning towards me. Also, readers thanks to you for your attention to the ‘Cauliflower’ information that has been provided from research.

Ok, this week lets talk from research about a very often used herb, wait a minute readers, before we talk from research, I must give a brief history about my experience of watching ‘Mar’ Evers Gibson now deceased, she made sure this herb was included in her old fashion style of cooking, that herb is ‘THYME’.

I remember the okra soup & dough, dried conch, pigeon peas, and yellow corn grits, ‘YUMMY’.

Remember that special dish? Well, many of you might be a little too young to remember that? For those of you who know my ‘Mar’ as a

By Phillip Simmons multi-talented woman when she was alive. If you would, travell with me back to the early 80’s you who were familiar with her style of cooking.

Ok, let’s see what research has to say concerning ‘THYME’.

According to research: • Thyme has a history of use in treatment of Whooping Cough.

Up to 5oz of the fresh herb may be provided and mixed with syrup to provide a palitable preparation.

• It is reputed to get rid of phlegm and has been used to treat Catarrh, and Sore throat, and associated shortness of Breath, using an infusion made with 1 oz. of the

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Lifestyle...

GARDENING 

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

How does your garden grow

Love Vine Here in the Turks and Caicos Islands, a pale yellow or orange-yellow vine can be seen clinging to roadside bushes and trees. Locals call it “Love Vine” (Cuscuta) because of its ability to strangle the life out of its host. Having had much luck in the love department myself, I like to refer to it as “Hate Vine.” If this vine decides to take up residence in your yard, getting rid of it can be “Hell on Earth.” While we like to think of all living things as God’s creatures, I can only imagine the mood He was in when this plant was created.

Love vine starts its life as a green, thin-leafed plant, wholly selfsufficient with a rope-like stem. As it crawls along, it seeks a host plant or tree on which to climb and becomes a true parasite, giving up its green leaves and chlorophyll (mushrooms are the only other plant form not to produce chlorophyll), and receives its entire sustenance at the expense of the host it has attached itself to, eventually killing the host.

As it grows, it produces small flowers with clusters of seeds. When the host shrub is disturbed, the seeds fall to the ground and germinate, beginning the life cycle of yet another Love vine plant. The seeds also become airborne by way of wind and birds.

Among their various ecological effects, Cuscuta species act as vectors, though not exclusive vectors, for various plant diseases.

They may pass various fungi, viruses and other pathogens to host plants, or from one host plant to another.

Now, how to get rid of this plant?

I do not know of a foolproof method, although through experimentation, several local gardeners have come up with some basic measures. First, prune back the afflicted plant, but it is very important not to scatter the seed.

Carefully place branches in a plastic bag, picking up any pieces dropped, tie carefully and remove immediately from your yard.

Be sure to carefully remove the stems that have penetrated the bark.

Also, study the ground for any new green plants that have germinated and remove them by their root.

I have also found that a strong solution of nitrogen will cause the plant to “explode” by forcing it to produce chlorophyll. Either a strong solution of fertilizer or Round-Up in a spray bottle with a small nozzle will allow application to small areas.

If the solution happens to land on leaves, they will burn and drop off, but should not harm the roots of an afflicted shrub.

17

YOUR DIET

ASK TAMIKA

BY TAMIKA HANDFIELD

Tamika graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a Masters degree in Dietetics & Nutrition. She is a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and licensed to practice medical nutrition therapy in the state of Florida.

Email Tamika via tcweeklynews@gmail.com or tamikahandfield@yahoo.com with your healthy eating questions.

BY David Belanger - NATURE SPLENDOR For all your landscaping, installation or garden maintenance needs, please call or write for a free estimate: 332-3381 or naturesplendor@yahoo.com

Love vine starts its life as a green, thin-leafed plant, wholly self-sufficient with a rope-like stem.

The Love vine has proliferated throughout the Islands due mostly to hurricanes that have spread seeds with high winds. Try your best to identify Love vine in adjacent vacant lots and along roadsides bordering your property and eliminate as outlined. It takes constant vigilance

to identify new vines and remove as soon as possible to prevent injury to your trees and shrubs.

Perhaps “Love Vine” refers to bush medicine, because it is considerate as an aphrodisiac. As with most of the local remedies, the vine leaves are made into a tea.

Love vine receives its entire sustenance at the expense of the host it has attached itself to, eventually killing the host

Breakfast Myth Busters!!

We are still in the beginning of the year, so it’s still a good time to begin working on some healthy habits to take us through the rest of the year. This week we will shed some light on a few of the many myths that people have concerning breakfast. Breakfast is an important meal; however, many of us find it hard to fit it into our daily schedule. While some breakfast myths may be true, many are not.

Read on to see which ones are correct.

1. Skipping breakfast is a good way to lose weight—this is false.

Research shows that the exact opposite is true. While we are asleep, our body is using energy but only enough to supply the organs that keep us alive with energy. Eating a well-balanced breakfast helps to ‘kick start’ the body’s metabolism so that it can start burning calories. Breakfast, as the name suggests, breaks the overnight fast and gets us ready for the day. Persons who skip breakfast tend to overeat at later meals because they are now so hungry. So, this myth is false.

2. Most people have no time—no time in the morning is the top reason many people skip breakfast. However, you may not have to substitute beneficial nutrients in order to save time. Quick nutrient packed breakfast ideas such as high-fiber cereal with low-fat milk, whole grain bagels or English muffins, yogurt with fruit and lowfat granola, hard boiled eggs or even hot oatmeal can supply the needed carbohydrates, protein, fiber and calcium we need to get us going in the morning. Other ideas to get out of the house on time and have breakfast may include prepping the night before by setting out some boxes of cereal children can choose from, taking it with you or consider getting up 10-15 minutes earlier than usual.

3. People who eat breakfast usually live healthier lifestyles—this is definitely true! There is something about eating a good breakfast that makes you want to continue making healthy choices throughout the day. These people usually have more energy and are more physically active.

Breakfast does not have to be a grand expensive affair; all you need to do is a little bit of planning. This will help to minimize the stress surrounding breakfast in the mornings. Happy eating.

‘Like’ my page, ACCU Medical Nutrition—Nutrition in Demand, on Facebook and receive up to date nutrition information.

ACCU Medical Nutrition is based in Graceway IGA Plaza, Providenciales.

Call 946 8308, 242 3978 or 442 3978.

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Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

UK agrees to re-open air passenger tax talks THE UK has agreed to re-open the dialogue with Caribbean countries on issues relating to the Air Passenger Duty (APD) which is threatening the region’s tourism sector. The UK agreed “in the spirit of cooperation and in the context of the importance of tourism to the economic development of the Caribbean,” at this weekend’s forum to continue dialogue with a view to assisting the region in mitigating any deleterious effects the tax may have on its economies. At the end of the seventh UK-Caribbean Forum in Grenada the Caribbean and the United Kingdom have also agreed on a new strategic partnership to promote prosperity growth and development within both regions.

The partnership is reflected in a 31-point action plan (below) which was issued at the end of the twoday political dialogue on Sunday afternoon. The action plan outlines four major areas of cooperation: economic resilience, security, climate change and sustainable development and foreign policy.

According to a release from the FCO the Foreign Ministers agreed to build economic resilience

through development of practical mechanisms that will boost growth in investment, employment, production and trade opportunities that would benefit both regions. The UK agreed to support the efforts of the Caribbean in improving their food security through efficient production and distribution measures.

The Foreign Ministers also agreed to develop effective coordination mechanisms to help advance the fight against drugs and international crime as well as tackling pressing socio-political and security issues which threaten international peace and security.

In the area of climate change and sustainable development the UK noted that the Caribbean already had a very strong voice in the international community and is poised to “give value for money.”

Foreign Ministers agreed on the urgency of closing mitigation gaps to bring global temperatures well below 2oC. “When I became Foreign Secretary I was determined to reinvigorate the UK’s relationships with its partners across the Caribbean,” the Foreign Secretary William Hague said. “This

year’s Forum has afforded me my first opportunity to demonstrate this commitment in concrete terms, by hearing first hand the value of our relationships and how we can improve them.”

He noted that the UK and the Caribbean already work together on a broad range of issues such as counternarcotics operations and criminal justice and the UK has committed to increasing aid to the region by fifty per cent over the next four years “We want to strengthen and deepen our cooperation on these and other issues,” Hague added.

“Historically the UK and Caribbean have close ties, but there has been a sense on both sides that the relationship is not delivering. I now want to see a new era beginning, where both sides can share knowledge and expertise and which is characterised by stronger trade relations. This should be a modern partnership based on prosperity and cooperation, and we will continue to work towards this aim.”

Around one and a half million British tourists visited the Caribbean in 2010, and tourism is a key plank of the economy. (CNS)

Financier Allen Stanford denies fraud as trial begins A TEXAS financier has pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of fraud and money laundering on the first day of his trial in Houston, Texas.

Allen Stanford is accused of defrauding investors of $7bn (£4.5bn) through a Ponzi scheme out of his bank in the Caribbean island of Antigua.

But his defence team says that the 61-year-old never intended to defraud anyone.

If convicted, Mr Stanford could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison.

It is alleged that Mr Stanford used his investors’ funds to fuel an extravagant lifestyle that included owning houses and yachts, and sponsoring cricket matches.

Prosecutors say Stanford International Bank used the money raised from selling fraudulent certificates of deposit to pay off maturing contracts, and to support Mr Stanford’s other business ventures.

Among them were other banks, a brokerage that sold the certificates of deposit, an airline, cricket grounds and restaurants.

Prosecutors also say that Mr Stanford, as well as three of his

Investors have not recovered any of their money since Allen Stanford was arrested.

former executives, fabricated company documents and bribed officials in Antigua to cover up their illegal activities.

But Mr Stanford, who once had an estimated net worth of more than $2bn, argues that his businesses were legal.

His defence lawyers - the fifth legal team to represent him since he was indicted - say that Mr Stanford’s investors would have been paid if his companies had not been seized by the authorities.

They say investors only lost their money once the US government seized his businesses, destroying

their value.

He has been held in custody for two and a half years because of fears he would attempt to flee. The trial is expected to last around six weeks.

Three other former executives are also awaiting trial in Antigua and face charges from the US Securities and Exchange Commission in Dallas, Texas.

Mr Stanford once landed in a helicopter at Lord’s cricket ground in London and secured a lucrative series of matches between the England team and his Stanford superstars. (BBC)

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Ingraham moves to ease overseas voting PRIME Minister Hubert Ingraham on Tuesday introduced amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act to make voting in the upcoming general elections more straightforward for Bahamians overseas.

Mr Ingraham said the amendments seek to clarify provisions relating to the registration and enrollment of overseas voters, including students at foreign schools, the staff of Bahamian embassies, high commissions and other foreign missions.

Public officers on official duty outside the country and Bahamas Maritime Authority staff will also be eligible to vote outside the country once the amendments are passed.

Mr Ingraham said that as the process is in its beginning stages, overseas voting will only be available to those who qualify in Miami, Atlanta, Washington, New York, London, Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad.

The amendments seek to empower the parliamentary commissioner

Hubert Ingraham

to appoint a public officer from each embassy, high commission, foreign mission or someone from the Parliamentary Registration Department, to act as the presiding officer in each overseas polling location.

Mr Ingraham said the government is determined to pass amendments that will allow independent observers to watch the Bahamian election process. (Tribune242.com)

UK MPs call for Cayman closure A GROUP of UK members of parliament has proposed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons in an effort to close down tax havens, including the Cayman Islands. Led by the Labour member for Leyton and Wanstead and former Treasury Select Committee member, John Cryer, the motion calls on the UK government to introduce urgent legislation to help close tax havens and increase transparency “so that the very richest pay their fair share of tax”. In the wake of revelations about US presidential hopeful Mitt Romney’s finances, Cryer and his Commons colleagues say they are alarmed by his use of the Cayman Islands, a UK territory, to avoid paying tax.

“As a former member of the Treasury Select Committee, I think it is a disgrace that the Cayman Islands, a tax haven, can enable wealthy corporations and individuals such as Mitt Romney and others in the wealthiest 1% to avoid tax and still be cloaked in secrecy,” Cryer said in an interview with the UK based political blog, Left Foot Forward. “Meanwhile all across the western world, hard-working people are seeing their living standards and take-home pay stagnate or reduced,” the opposition member stated.

The motion, which is being supported by several other labour MPs, including Austin Mitchell and Teresa Pearce, points to the OECD and G20’s position that the use of tax havens by wealthy corporations fuelled the global economic crisis

and points to concerns about the continued use of tax havens by the top 1% in the US and UK to avoid paying the correct tax in their own country.

It calls on the UK Government to introduce legislation to close tax havens and increase transparency, which the motion claims would see the richest pay their fair share of tax in their respective countries and enable governments worldwide to invest more in jobs and growth.

Cayman Finance’s UK advisor criticised Cryer’s position and accused him of jumping on the anti Mitt Romney bandwagon.

“Mr Cryer is clearly unaware that Cayman Islands laws encourage full tax cooperation with US and UK authorities. Cayman’s positive moves on transparency have been recognised by the OECD Global Forum which focuses on tax information exchange,” Jack Irving said.

He said that Cryer, despite having been a member of the UK Treasury Select Committee, had confused his own financial issues (as exposed by the Daily Telegraph in a series on MPs’ expenses scandal) which, he said, may explain why Cryer “can’t grasp how the Cayman Islands operates”.

The Telegraph found that in 2004 Cryer and his mother, Anne Cryer, who were both MPs, claimed parliamentary allowances while designating the same flat as their second home. The flat was owned by other members of their family.

(CNS)

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Region’s sustainable tourism to focus on pristine of natural resources THE CARIBBEAN’S tourism planners, policymakers and stakeholders will receive valuable guidance on how to sustain the region’s resources in the context of climate change, at the Caribbean’s premier sustainable tourism gathering in April.

The 13th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism (STC-13) - to be held in Guyana from 15 to 18 April will focus on effective ways to monitor and manage the use of the region’s natural resources to limit depletion while maximizing the socio-economic benefits of tourism.

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), which organizes the conference, has chosen as its theme, Keeping the Right Balance: Sustaining our Resources. The CTO explains that because the natural environment – including coastal areas, coral reefs, wetlands, mountains, volcanoes, terrestrial and marine biodiversity, as well as the national and marine parks – serves as a major tourism pull, it’s imperative that action is taken to sustain these resources.

“The theme of STC-13 will therefore highlight best practices in how this requirement can be fulfilled in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts within the Caribbean and beyond. It will also provide valuable guidance on investing in, developing and marketing sustainable tourism products that can assist in sustaining our resources,” said Gail Henry, the CTO’s sustainable tourism product specialist.

The conference, which will be held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, is being organized in collaboration with the Guyana Tourism Authority.

The CTO, along with the GTA and industry partners, is finalizing the conference programme which will include a mix of panel discussions and workshops with presentations from leading local, regional and international tourism experts and practitioners.

Informative and exciting study tours to attraction-packed sites, including the majestic Kaieteur Falls, will expose delegates to the rich history, local culture and scenic beauty of Guyana.

More victims in Guyana’s Islamic sex case The Muslim scholar was Tuesday rearrested after five more boys alleged that he sexually assaulted them, police said.

East Coast Demerara Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Ramnarine confirmed that a total of nine boys including four brothers have leveled the accusations against the Mufti.

“The eminent scholar has been arrested after five more boys came forward and made allegations against him,” he told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves. com).

Earlier Tuesday, Police Chief of Criminal Investigations, Assistant Commissioner, Seelall Persaud had confirmed that medical examinations conducted on one of two boys at that time had confirmed that he was sexually assaulted.

Up to late Tuesday, police did not divulge details about whether the three others were similarly sexually assaulted.

The scandal broke last week when the mother of four sons was

approached by an official of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) and told of the allegations against the Mufti (Muslim scholar).

The alleged instances of sexual assault took place at a Mosque based in Section D, Turkeyen between December 2011 and January 2012.

Prior to the Mufti’s arrest, he had been placed on station bail and asked to report periodically.

He has been sent on leave pending the outcome of the investigation and prosecution.

Police are yet to dispatch a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice. Authorities have 45 days within which to compile evidence before seeking a committal before a magistrate.

Earlier Tuesday, the rights organisation- Red Thread- picketed the Ministry of Human Services, urging that swift action be taken against the accused. The organisation is worried that the man could tamper with the victims, their parents or other associates. (Demerara Waves)

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UN police in Haiti accused of sexual abuse THE UNITED Nations says it is investigating two alleged cases of sexual exploitation of children by UN staff in Haiti.

UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said one of the cases involved UN police in the capital, Port-au-Prince, the other allegedly happened in Gonaives.

He did not give the nationality of the UN police suspected.

The allegations come just four months after Uruguayan peacekeepers were recalled after being accused of rape.

“The UN Secretariat regrets to confirm that, on 16 January 2012, the UN mission in Haiti, Minustah, alerted headquarters about two allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors in Haiti,” Mr Nesirky said.

The suspected officers have been removed from their duties while the investigation is under way.

Mr Nesirky said the UN was “outraged” by the allegations and would take its responsibility to deal with them very seriously.

STRING OF ALLEGATIONS In September, Uruguay ordered the recall of several of its peacekeepers from Haiti, amid allegations that they were involved in the sexual

United Nations Peace Keepers are not as trustworthy as they use to be according to many locals in Haiti.

assault of a young local man.

The abuse was alleged to have taken place at a UN base.

UN peacekeepers have also been blamed for starting a deadly cholera epidemic in Haiti in 2011.

Last year, clashes broke out at several protests with Haitians demanding the total withdrawal of UN troops and police from the country.

The UN force first arrived in Haiti

in 2004 to deal with the instability which followed the ousting of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

Its mandate was extended after the devastating earthquake which struck Haiti in January 2010.

In October 2011, the UN Security Council agreed to withdraw around 3,000 troops and police from its mission in Haiti, returning the numbers to what they were before the quake. (BBC)

McCartney issues national debate call in the Bahamas

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance leader Branville McCartney has issued a formal request for a debate with the leaders of both major political parties - warning that their refusal would go against public demand.

In the letter addressed to Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, Mr McCartney said the forum would signal commitment to accountable governance and was critical to the strengthening of democracy.

“Too many of the troubles we now face stem from decisions made behind closed doors, regulations removed when no one was looking, or reckless actions taken while authorities turned a blind eye,” the letter stated.

“Our country is strongest when our elected leaders are accessible and accountable to its citizens, explaining their decisions and answering tough questions.”

Perry Christie, Progressive Liberal Party leader, and Mr McCartney have agreed to participate in a televised public debate ahead of this year’s general election, where they will be vying to be the country’s next Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham neither rejected nor accepted the idea of a debate when asked by The Tribune earlier this month.

Leader of the Democratic National Alliance Branville McCartney said the debate is the will of the people.

Mr Ingraham said: “I don’t talk foolishness. I debate every day.”

In the letter dated January 17, the party called for participation in a “Leadership Debate”, with the terms of the forum to be determined collectively.

According to party chairman Mark Humes, there has been no response from Mr Ingraham, or the Free National Movement, concerning the request.

The letter added: “The time has come for our democracy to evolve beyond the flash and lights of

rallies, and embrace the substantive exchange of ideas.

“Your refusal to participate will demonstrate a complete disregard of Bahamians’ public demand for this forum, and an overall disrespect of true democratic process.”

A debate featuring former Prime Minister Christie pitted against the current Prime Minister and Prime Minister-hopeful Branville McCartney would be a significant milestone in politics, as it would be the first of its kind.

The second debate to ever take place in this country came on the eve of the February 16, 2010, byelections in the Elizabeth Estates constituency.

The debate saw participation from four of five candidates contesting Malcolm Adderley’s vacated seat in early January of that year. PLP’s Ryan Pinder, who participated in that debate, went on to win the byelections with a narrow victory over FNM Senator Dr Duane Sands, who was noticeably absent.

DNA’s Rodney Moncur, FNM’s Cassius Stuart and PLP’s Andre Rollins - all aligned with smaller parties at that time - were the other participants in the debate.

(Tribune242.com)

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

One source close to Heidi Klum and Seal said, “I believe they were madly in love.”

Why Heidi and Seal put on a ‘perfect couple’ front

AS SEAL opens up about his split from Heidi Klum and details about their fight-filled trip to Aspen emerge, friends of the couple reveal that the couple took great pains to hide the cracks in what seemed to be a storybook romance.

“They were just really great at keeping it private and putting on that ‘perfect couple’ front that everyone expected,” says a Klum pal. But “it’s actually been about six months that they’ve been working through some issues.”

“It was a crazy love affair with highs and lows,” says a source close to the couple, known for their overthe-top romantic gestures and lavish anniversary parties. “Most people can’t sustain the highs when they’re that extreme.”

January 28 - February 3, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Oprah a ‘proud momma’ as first Academy students graduate SURROUNDED by the white-clad students of her all-girls academy, Oprah Winfrey is glowing with pride.

And just like many mothers at a graduation ceremony, the talk show queen cannot hold back the tears as the girls she calls her daughters stroll across the stage to accept their diplomas.

“I am one proud mama and for once I think I know what that feels like for real,” Winfrey told CNN before the graduation of the first class of her South Africa-based school last week. “It feels like a real sense of accomplishment -- it is a triumph indeed, considering where all these girls have come from.”

The famous TV presenter had every reason to be jubilant: back in 2007, she had personally handpicked all these students as she established the $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for

Girls to provide world-class high school education to underprivileged children from South Africa and teach them leadership skills.

Five years later, the 71 graduates of the class of 2011 -- all highachieving young girls that had experienced poverty and personal trauma such as violence, molestation, or loss of a parent -- have all been accepted to continue their studies at universities in South Africa and the United States.

“When I look at them, I see where they’ve been, I see where they’ve come from. I know how hard it is to come up from nowhere and nothing and have almost no support and to have suffered, not one or two but on average five, six traumas by the time you actually get in this school,” said Winfrey.

“And now 100% of this class has been accepted into colleges, 10%

Oprah Winfrey handpicked the underprivileged girls in 2007 when she commissioned the $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls.

going to the United States, I mean, that’s pretty incredible.”

Prior to the graduation, the girls received intensive financial planning counseling and assistance to help them with life beyond the academy, school officials say. A mentoring

program has also been put in place to offer them advice during university.

Overall, the boarding school, which spans 52 acres in the small town of Henley-on-Klip near Johannesburg, accommodates some 400 South African girls of any race, color or origin

aged 12-18. The students are offered free tuition, uniforms and meals and have access to the academy’s stateof-the-art facilities, which include modern classrooms, computers labs, sport fields and a 10,000 volume library. (CNN)

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Oscars: Hugo has 11 nominations, The Artist has 10 MARTIN Scorsese’s 3D epic adventure film Hugo leads the charge at this year’s Academy Awards with 11 nods, including best film and director.

French comedy The Artist is up for 10 awards, including best film, director, actor and supporting actress.

Meryl Streep receives her 17th Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, while George Clooney and Brad Pitt are up for best actor.

The winners will be announced in Los Angeles on 26 February.

Seven other films are in competition for the best picture prize alongside The Artist and Hugo.

They are War Horse, Moneyball, The Tree Of Life, Midnight In Paris, The Help, The Descendants, and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

Both Hugo and The Artist are love-letters to cinema and reflect an appreciation for the silent era.

Scorsese’s movie is a heartwarming family tale about an orphaned boy living in a French railway station.

The Artist tells the story of an actor put out of work by the advent of the “talkies”.

Michel Hazanavicius received

nods for writing and directing the comedy, while his wife Berenice Bejo was named in the best supporting actress category.

Bejo said she was “overjoyed and filled with happiness” after hearing of the nominations, while Hazanavicius said the film’s impressive tally of nominations was “far beyond what I ever imagined”.

Jean Dujardin, who stars in the film, will compete for best actor along with George Clooney (The Descendants), Demian Bichir (A Better Life), Brad Pitt (Moneyball) and British actor Gary Oldman (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy).

It is Oldman’s first nomination, after more than 30 years on the big screen.

Streep, who is up for best actress, already had more Oscar nominations than any other actor before the Academy announced its 2012 shortlist.

She has now pulled further ahead from Katharine Hepburn and Jack Nicholson, who have 12 nods each and are in second place.

The 62-year-old has won twice, for Kramer vs Kramer and Sophie’s Choice.

Other contenders in this year’s best actress category are Glenn Close (Albert Nobbs), Viola Davis (The

In a blog post titled “Black Fashion Power,” French Elle managed to insult American blacks as a whole while offering lefthanded compliments to the First Lady Michelle Obama.

French Fashion writer says Obamas finally teaching African Americans how to dress WHEN it comes to commenting on the Obamas and African-Americans, French Elle needs to fermez la bouche!

In an blog post titled “Black Fashion Power,” writer Nathalie Dolivo managed to insult American blacks as a whole while offering left-handed compliments to the First Lady Michelle Obama for taking on the Jackie O role in a “jazzy” way.

The writer imagines that the Obamas are the first to bring true style to African-Americans.

“In this America led for the first

time a black president, the chic has become a plausible option for a community so far pegged to its codes [of] streetwear,” she wrote.

Things get even more baffling when she dubs the Obamas the “black-geoisie” who dress “white” but still maintain their ‘blackness” with symbols.

“There is always a classic twist, with a bourgeois ethnic reference (a batik-printed turban/robe, a shell necklace, a ‘créole de rappeur’) that recalls the roots,” she said.

Help), Rooney Mara (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Michelle Williams (My Week With Marilyn).

Woody Allen picked up a best director nomination for his 41st movie Midnight In Paris. His competition comes from Scorsese, Hazanavicius, Terrence Malick (The Tree Of Life) and Alexander Payne (The Descendants). (BBC)

Asa Butterfield and Sir Ben Kingsley in a scene from Martin Scorsese’s Hugo.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

January 28 - February 3, 2012

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World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

State of the Union: Obama calls for end to inequality US PRESIDENT Barack Obama has attacked income inequality, using his third State of the Union speech to set the tone for his re-election bid.

Mr Obama emphasised the importance of an economy that works for everyone, in the nationally televised address to Congress.

The speech saw a renewed call for higher taxes on the wealthy, something Republicans strongly oppose.

The US economy is on the mend, but unemployment remains high at 8.5%.

The annual State of the Union address - one of the most keenly watched events in US politics - traditionally includes policy prescriptions from the White House for the upcoming year.

Mr Obama will now take the themes of Tuesday night’s speech on the road, spending three days visiting manufacturing companies and higher education institutions in five states all seen as important in November’s election.

‘RECLAIM AMERICAN VALUES’ President Obama’s speech on Tuesday in the Republicandominated House of Representatives was delivered with an eye on November’s presidential election, when he will seek another four years

President Barack Obama renewed call for higher taxes on the wealthy.

in office.

He said: “We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by.

“Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules.

“What’s at stake are not Democratic values or Republican values, but American values. We have to reclaim them.”

Mr Obama said the economy was bouncing back from the 2007-09

recession.

He sounded a warning to his conservative opponents, as he added: “I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place.”

Mr Obama also made a renewed call for his Buffett Rule - a principle that millionaires should not pay a lower tax rate than typical workers.

The idea is named after billionaire investor Warren Buffett, who famously complained that his secretary pays a higher rate of tax than he does.

Mr Buffett’s secretary, Debbie Bosanek, watched the speech alongside First Lady Michelle Obama from the gallery.

Pledging no tax increases for those earning under $250,000 (£160,000), Mr Obama said: “If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30% in taxes.”

“Now, you can call this class warfare all you want,” he added.

“But asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense.”

Republicans have repeatedly rejected Mr Obama’s call for higher taxes on the wealthy and accuse him of resorting to class warfare to get elected again. (BBC)

Baby found with mouse in mouth at daycare in New Jersey A NEWARK mom has yanked her 8-month-old daughter from a local daycare center and is slamming the centre’s staff as too lax after her tot was reportedly found with a dead mouse stuffed in her mouth.

Britanny Barba told ABC 7 News that her baby girl, Alanah, was ill for hours after her mother-in-law, a volunteer at the Donald K Tucker Childcare, discovered the child with the rodent in her mouth on Friday.

“Lately she’s been vomiting.

Everything she’s eaten, she’s throwing it back up,” Barba said.

“Who was watching her?”

The executive director of the center, Kiburi Tucker, apologised for the incident, saying staff members he spoke to told him the child must have gobbled up the vermin when teachers weren’t looking.

“This was an isolated incident, a very unfortunate incident, and it really hurt me. I was up all night about this because it could have been my child,” Tucker, a father of five, told ABC 7.

Tucker said he called the state health department to the center

First Minister Alex Salmond sets out details of the consultation on the Scottish independence referendum.

Scottish independence: Alex Salmond outlines referendum question SCOTLAND’S First Minister Alex Salmond has set out the question he intends to ask voters in a referendum on Scottish independence.

The SNP leader said Scots would be asked: “Do you agree that Scotland should be an independent country?” in a ballot which he wants to hold in 2014.

But a consultation launched by Mr Salmond asks if voters favour a second question on more Holyrood powers.

He said the referendum could be regulated by the Electoral Commission.

In a statement to MSPs, Mr Salmond described the question as “short, straightforward and clear”.

He said the decision would be the most important made by the people of Scotland in 300 years.

For that reason, he said, it was important that the vote - which is expected to cost about £10m should meet “the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety”.

Mr Salmond told the Scottish parliament: “The referendum will be held in autumn 2014 on the same terms as any Scottish election, to the same standards and with the same guarantee of fairness. We will decide our future in a vote which is beyond challenge or doubt.

“Our nation is blessed with national resources, bright people and a strong society. We have an independent education system, legal system and NHS. They are respected

worldwide. I believe that if we connect the wealth of our land to the wellbeing of our people, we can create a better country.”

The first minister said Scotland was currently limited in what it could do to create jobs, grow the economy and help the vulnerable.

“To achieve this we shouldn’t have a constitution that restrains us, but one which frees us to build a better society,” he said.

“It is our future and our choice.”

The public consultation paper Your Scotland Your Referendum seeks views on what the ballot paper should say, what spending limits should be set and how the referendum should be managed and regulated.

Mr Salmond said eligibility to vote in the referendum would be determined by residency, telling MSPs: “The people who live and work in Scotland are best placed to decide its future.”

However, the first minister said the Scottish government proposed extending the franchise to allow 16 and 17-year-olds to vote.

“If a 16-year-old in Scotland can register to join the Army, get married and pay taxes, surely he or she should be able to have a say in this country’s constitutional future?,” he said.

“Scotland’s journey, our home rule journey, is clearly part of a bigger international trend. After all, independence is what we seek as individuals - whether it is buying our first car or our first home.”

Five police officers ambushed in Mexico Newark mom Brittany Barba pulled her 8-month daughter, Alanah, from a local day care center after the tot was found with a mouse in her mouth, according to a local report.

for advice on how to fight the pest problem, and promised that an exterminator would now visit the center twice a month, rather than once a month.

Despite the stepped up efforts, Barba said she wouldn’t trust the

daycare to look after her child.

“They need to watch the kids more,” she said.

A doctor at a local ER said little Alanah wasn’t injured in the incident, ABC 7 reported. (NYDailynews. com)

FIVE Mexican police officers and one civilian were killed in a shootout in a town southeast of Mexico City, the state-run Notimex news agency reported, citing officials.

The state of Mexico’s Public Security Secretariat said that the policemen were traveling in two squad cars in the town of Ixtapaluca Monday when

several men inside a “taxi-type” vehicle ambushed them, Notimex reported.

Four officers were shot dead inside their vehicles. Two other bodies were found on the street -- one, an officer, and another a civilian, the agency reported.

A second civilian was injured and transported to the hospital.

(CNN)

January 28 - February 3, 2012

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

US marine in unarmed Iraqis death case ‘should serve no time’ A US MARINE who admitted charges linked to the killing of 24 unarmed Iraqi civilians in 2005 should face no time in detention, a judge has recommended.

The decision by the judge at Camp Pendleton, California, must be approved by the commander of the Marine Corps Forces Central Command.

Sgt Frank Wuterich faced a maximum of three months after admitting dereliction of duty in a plea deal.

He was one of eight marines charged over the killings at Haditha.

The charges against six were dropped or dismissed, and one was acquitted.

Military judge Lt Col David Jones said his hands had been tied by the terms of the plea agreement.

However, he said he would recommend that Wuterich’s rank be reduced to private.

The judge said he had decided not to dock the marine’s pay because Wuterich is divorced with sole custody of his three young children.

Prosecutors had asked that Wuterich receive the maximum sentence of three months confinement, reduction in rank and forfeiture of two-thirds of his pay.

‘HORRIFIC RESULT’ Wuterich’s guilty plea ended the trial at Camp Pendleton nearly seven years after the killings.

Prosecutors had argued that on the day of the killings Wuterich lost control after seeing a friend blown

Sgt Frank Wuterich was one of eight marines initially charged over the killings of 24 innocent civilians, including a man in a wheel chair. The charges against six marines were dropped or dismissed, and one was acquitted.

apart by a bomb, before leading the soldiers under his command on a rampage.

They said his decision to send his squad to attack nearby homes went against his training.

“That is a horrific result from that derelict order of shooting first, ask questions later,” Lt Col Sean Sullivan told the court.

Among the dead were women, children and elderly people, including a man in a wheelchair.

His former squad members testified during the hearings that they were not fired upon nor did they find any weapons at the scene of the killings.

Turkey blasts French passage of genocide law TURKEY is reacting angrily Tuesday to the French Senate’s approval of a law criminalizing the denial of genocide, including that of the Armenians at the end of the Ottoman Empire.

“Guillotine to History” and “Guillotine to Thought,” blared the front pages of two Turkish newspapers.

“He massacred democracy,” announced another newspaper, Hurriyet, next to a frontpage photo of French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

In the run-up to Monday’s latenight vote in the French Senate, the Turkish government made no secret it was vehemently opposed to the French law, warning it could cause permanent harm to Franco-Turkish relations.

The Turkish foreign ministry put out a pre-dawn statement condemning the law Tuesday. Later, however, Turkey’s hot-tempered prime minister surprised some observers, when he called for a “period of patience” in a televised speech.

“A mistake was made... history cannot be judged or written by parliaments,” said Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in remarks before lawmakers from his ruling political party.

Denouncing the French law as racist and a “massacre of freedom of thought,” Erdogan added, “We have not lost our hope yet that this mistake can be corrected.”

The Turkish leader said his government would lobby for a petition of 60 French lawmaker signatures to block the law in France’s Constitutional Council.

According to the French legislation, “those who have publicly denied or trivialized crimes of genocide,” can face a year in prison and/or a 45,000-euro fine.

The law does not specifically mention the World War I massacre of hundreds of thousands of ethnic Armenians by Ottoman Turks. But most of the seven-hour debate in the French Senate Monday focused on the memory of the Armenian genocide.

27

Chavez still battling cancer, Spanish newspaper says CANCER has spread in Hugo Chavez’s colon, spine and bones, and the Venezuelan president could have only nine months to live, Spain’s ABC newspaper reported Monday, citing medical records provided by unidentified intelligence sources.

“His health appears to be deteriorating at a more rapid pace.

Clearly there has been metastasis in the bones and the spine,” the ABC report says, citing what it said were doctors’ observations after medical tests December 30.

The newspaper did not divulge its sources or detail how it checked the information’s accuracy, and CNN was unable to verify the report. An official in Venezuela’s information ministry said the newspaper’s report was invalid and the government would not comment on its contents.

In June, Chavez said doctors in Cuba had removed a cancerous tumor from his body but did not specify what type of cancer it was.

He announced in October that treatment had cured him of cancer, but the government has released few details about his health.

“There are no malignant cells in this body. They don’t exist,” Chavez, 57, said at the time.

The ABC newspaper report details what it says are doctors’ differing estimates of Chavez’s life expectancy during the course of his treatment.

According to ABC, in June doctors diagnosed Chavez with prostate cancer but said he could live for five years or more with treatment.

In late October, ABC says, the

Last year, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez went to Cuba for cancer treatments.

president’s medical team said the number of cancerous cells in his bone marrow had increased. In late December, according to the newspaper, doctors said they had found a tumor in Chavez’s colon.

The president was refusing a more intense recommended treatment and could have only nine months to live, ABC says, citing medical records.

Citing a January 12 medical report, ABC says Chavez was receiving “increasing doses of painkillers and stimulants that have helped him give the impression that he is stabilising and have given him a high level of visibility.”

Emili Blasco, author of the article and the newspaper’s Washington correspondent, defended the story in an interview with CNN en Español on Monday night.

He called the report “reliable,” and stressed that his paper has no agenda.

A lawmaker from Chavez’s United Socialist Party of Venezuela mocked the newspaper report’s claims, which come at the start of a politically-important year for the Venezuelan president.

Chavez has pledged to run for re-election in 2012, dismissing speculation that his illness would force him out of politics.

“We have laughed a lot about this because they insist, but they are seeing a Chavez that is active, that is working, that is in front of the government, of the party, of the fight, of the problems of the people and who is demonstrating that he is healthy,” lawmaker Aristobulo Isturiz said at a news conference broadcast on state television. (CNN)

Woman paid $3,100 after cops ruin her marijuana plants THIS WAS a bust and buy operation.

Officials in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the US were forced to pay a medical marijuana patient $3,100 after police destroyed her pot crop.

“You can’t just go into somebody’s house, and destroy their property, and come back and say, ‘Oops, my bad,’” Toni Armijo told KOAT-TV after the settlement.

The woman said she was considering further legal action against the town over the weedwhacking officers.

The incident occurred in August 2010, when a neighbor of Armijo — concerned that the woman was suicidal — asked police to check on her.

Cops arrived to find the woman was gone. But her marijuana plants were front and centre inside the house, sprouting beneath a grow light.

The officers pulled the pot from her pots and held the weed as evidence. By the time Armijo convinced police that she was

The woman who was licensed to grow marijuana had several plants in her house.

licensed to grow medical marijuana, her crop — stuffed inside a paper bag — was ruined.

“Everything was gone,” she told the television station. “It was complete destruction.”

Albuquerque city Risk Manager

Peter Ennen said it was a routine settlement distinguished only by the drug element.

“It’s something out of the ordinary that it’s a claim for medical marijuana plants,” Ennen told KOAT-TV. (NyDailynews.com)

Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate J.I.D. BARBER SHOP/ PARADISE INN Is looking to fill the following positions:

Nail Technician

Hairdressers

Bartender

Waitress

Must be able to work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour resumes can be dropped off at J.I.D. BARBER 6134

Classifieds TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Is looking to fill the following positions:

• Cleaners • Maids • Life guard • Masseuse • Beach/ Pool Attendants • Bartenders • Front Desk Manager • Part-time & live-in positions available immediately

1.3 Acres Of Land Ocean Drive, Turtle Tail Semi-Hilltop

Please deliver resume with salary expectations to Front Desk by February 4th, 2012 preference will be given to qualified Belongers 6100

Store manager @Experience @ required of the same for 7 years in jewelry, watches, perfumes, clothing, souvenirs. @Willing @ to work on Sundays and holidays.

6180

contact: 241-5564

ATLANTIC CONSTRUCTION is looking for a

week salary $5.50 per hour must have at least 4 years experience in all hair care needs.

Labourer To work 6 days per week. Salary $5.00 per hour.

Contact: 345-9911

FOR SALE

Providenciales Turks & Caicos islands Telephone: 946-5754/241-7734

Missick Skin Care & Beauty Aid is looking for a

Domestic

Carpenter worker Position:

6147

Cosmetologist To work 6 days per

CONTACT: 231-3788

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

STUDIO APARTMENT FOR RENT $650.00 per month Gated Community Furnished

Contact: 231-3788 Nature Splendor Ltd. Is looking for 4

Gardeners with the following skills:

Please contact Ms. Pramila Patel @332-4101 Is looking for a

$300,000 o.n.o.

Leslie Watts

Position available for

DEBBIE DELANCY

January 28 - February 3, 2012

FAST SALE

GRACE BAY SUITES

6181

To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

Salary $8.00 per hour Only Turks Islanders need to apply 6148

contact: 242-9472

W.C. SECURITY

LOUIDERS JEANS

Is looking for a

Security

Officer To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 231-0242

• Landscaping installation • Garden maintenance • Salary $7.00 per hour Qualify person please submit application to:

The Director

P.O. Box 417, Providenciales, TCI

6150

6133

Is seeking a

6138

28

MESSENGER BAPTIST CHURCH Five Cays, Providenciales Phone: 241-3609/341-3051

Watchman/ Labourer To work in the yard salary starting at $5.00 per hour must be able to work 5 days per week.

Contact: 344-9516

6142

MAISHA & TRACEY EWING Is looking for a

DOMESTIC Domestic WORKER Workers Salary $5.00 per hour.

Only Turks Islanders need to apply. 6154

To work 5 days a week.

Salary $5.00 per hour.

Contact: 243-3174 or 241-3206 6156

Construction scaffold and roof tiles for sale CONTACT: 431-1591 OR 231-3788

January 28 - February 3, 2012 PHONE: (649) 946-4664 EDWARD WATKINS Is looking for a

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

29

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

ESTEL PLUMBING

Is looking for a

GEE HANDFIELD

Is looking for a

FAX: (649) 946-4661

Job vacancy at the National Trust

Labourer LABOuRER Labourer To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour Belonger will be given first preference.

contact: 241-0397

6183

contact: 343-1205

6182

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

To work 3 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 243-9688

6177

NEEDED FOR DIVE OPERATION Experienced PADI Dive Instructor & PADI Divemaster • Must have valid insurance & certification • Must have a good personality to work around people • Must have mechanical maintenance experience • Flexible hours a must- Holidays & Sundays Required

Please contact Donna at Caicos Adventures: 941-3346 for interview All applications must be submitted by February 10th, 2012 Salary starts at $350.00 per week

Schools Liaison Officer The Turks & Caicos National Trust is looking to add a dynamic and experienced Schools Liaison Officer to be part of the team.

The role will suit a person who seeks to be involved in sourcing, establishing and developing sustainable links with the different sectors of the community.

The key role in this position is working with local schools, establishments and organizations to help carry out the Education & Public Awareness functions of the Trust.

Requirements: • Degree in Primary Education with at least 2 years teaching experience • Computer literate – proficient in Photoshop, Word, Excel and Publisher • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Enthusiastic about the role young people can play in the preservation of the country’s heritage • Team player The successful candidate must be extremely organised, efficient and self motivated. The nature of our organization is dynamic so you will need to be flexible and able to effectively deal with changes in business needs as they arise.

If you love working in a team environment and thrive on communicating with a variety of people then perhaps, this may be the job for you.

Apply now by sending your resume and cover letter to tc.nattrust@yahoo.com or inquire at the Turks & Caicos National Trust office in Town Centre Mall, Downtown, Providenciales from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

6188

6151

30

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

WANTED

labourers

Who will be responsible for the daily maintenance of the building, stocking of the shelves and any other duties that may be assigned to you.

This individual must posses the following: • Adequate tools to perform his duties • Must be able to work with little or no supervision • Must be computer literate • Must be able to work weekends • Must posses a valid drivers license Please submit all application between the hours of 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday)

Bayview Motors Ltd. P.O. Box 619.

Leeward Highway, Providenciales

MISICK AND STANBROOK

6178

contact: 232-7317

@@The successful Candidate must have at least twelve years experience in a range of complex commercial matters. @@Salary range $90,000 to $108,000 commensurate with experience @@Closing date for applications: March 28th, 2011

Maintenance/Handyman Applicant must be able to drive, able to complete minor repairs and construction projects. Own transportation a plus. $5.00 per hr

Applicants should please send detailed CV with the names of two referees to Deveraux Malcolm, Misick and Stanbrook, via fax (649) 946 4734 or e-mail to info@misickstanbrook.tc.

Contact: 246-4556 or 342-7222

6192

Coxco Construction Ltd Coxco Construction Ltd. have the following positions available for suitably qualified Belongers with building experience on high end commercial and resort hotel building projects.

VACANCY Looking for suitable qualified person to fill the following positions:

Who should have a minimum of 20 years supervisory experience on a large commercial project and be able to effectively manage labour of different nationalities. Must be able to read drawings and be conversant in the use of basic surveying instruments. Ideally the candidate with be conversant in Creole and Spanish in addition to English. Salary range 40k to 55k depending on experience.

Construction Worker-Supervisor Who should be time served joiners with at least 15 years experience working with tropical hardwoods to achieve the very highest standards of finish. Must be willing to undertake a test to ascertain ability to work to the highest standards. Hourly rate $14 per hour.

Labourers

2 Farmers

Salary $5.00 per hour

• Cook

1 Steel Man

Salary must commensurate with qualifications

Salary $8.00 per hour Interested persons can

Catch The Wave

TIKI HUT

2 Labourers

Salary $5.00 per hour

Upstairs Bar & Grill

contact: 242-0439

CHARLES TIPTON

Is looking for a

Is looking for a

Is looking to fill the following positions:

1 Domestic Worker

• Kitchen Helper • Waitress

Resumes can be faxed to 941-3425 and the Labour Department, Providenciales as soon as possible

TERRENCE TAYLOR

Salary $6.00 per hour

Hole in the Wall Restaurant

Supervisor

6184

Applicant must have pleasant disposition, able to solve and/or work through problems related to guest(s) or property. Working geographical knowledge of popular island locations including restaurants and hotels.

Applicant must be able to maintain the highest form of discretion and professionalism, computer literate and well spoken. Must be able to work weekends and holidays.

COMMERCIAL ATTORNEY

per week salary $6.00 per hour.

contact: 243-5138

Property Manager/ Concierge

is seeking to fill the following position:

Labourers To work 5 days

6190

To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour

6189

6179

Labourer

6187

Serious inquirers should contact:

Is looking a

Is looking for a

Is currently looking to employ 4

To attend and care for properties in Providenciales and Grand Turk.

Must have a Pastoral reference.

Salary $5.00 per hour Bishop Clarence N. Williams Downtown, P.O. Box 685 Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands

JESSICA CAMPBELL

BAYVIEW MOTORS

1 Gardener/ Handyman

LEW & JAN CONSTRUCTION NORTH CAICOS

FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

6191

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Is looking for a

Who must be responsive and committed to hard work Hourly rate $5.50

Truck Driver

6155

Contact: 941-5341

6185

Apply to Mervin Cox at Coxco Construction Ltd., Cherokee Road, Telephone 946-5754, Fax 946-5166

per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 941-3047

Labourer To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 244-7929

6195

Cleaner Handyman To work 6 days To work 6 days per week. Salary $5.00 per hour.

All salaried persons must be ‘hands on’ and be willing to work long hours, weekends and public holidays to meet project objectives.

6193

Applicant must have a valid Turks & Caicos driver’s license. Must be able to operate forklift. Willing to pickup workers and drop to site, pickup incoming cargo from freight forwarders and purchases from on Island suppliers/ vendors. Deliver goods to site and off load manually or with forklift. Clean, inspect and service trucks as needed. MUST BE A TEAM PLAYER. Hourly rate $8 per hour.

January 28 - February 3, 2012 PHONE: (649) 946-4664

LABOURER

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

WANTED FOREMAN

Busy warehouse facility requires a Laborer for general cleaning and maintenance salary: starting $5.00 per hour for 40 hour work week Contact: Cargo Express 70 south Dock Road.

COSMETOLOGIST – 5 days at $7.00.00 per hour Please contact Stewart Howard @ 941-5028 JACQUELINE SMITH Is looking to fill the following positions:

Is looking for 2

6212

Contact: 243-4214

6211

Must be able to work 6 days per week Salary $5.00 per hour.

To work 4 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

6210

Job Requirements & Responsibilities:

LATINO’S CONSTRUCTION

• Responsible for overall management of product distribution and revenue of sales • Oversee the day to day management of wholesale department personnel to maximize sale productivity • Oversees and manages the Supermarket growing wholesale accounts • At least five (5) years Sales or Marketing experience.

• Five (5) years Chef Experience.

• Good knowledge of wholesale foods, liquor, wines and beers.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Competence in the use of Microsoft Word and Excel.

• Good negotiation and interpersonal skills.

• Must have a personal vehicle and a valid Driver’s License.

• Must have pervious managerial experienced working in a supermarket retail environment • Applicant will be required to work weekends and holidays

Is looking to fill the following positions:

Barber Hair Braider Domestic Worker

Farmers

Wholesale Food & Sales Manager

Carpenter

– salary $8.00 per hour

Secretary

– salary $5.00 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week.

Contact: 347-0779

6213

EMMA SELVER

FAX: (649) 946-4661

Graceway IGA Supermarket is seeking suitable qualified applicants to fill the listed positions:-

– 5 days a week at $7.00 per hour

Fax: 941-5525 or leave applications at front desk Application deadline: february 4, 2012 6104

31

vacancies

An Individual is needed for the following:

NEEDED

contact: 241-8729

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Salary range: $36,000.00 - $42,000.00 annually.

General Manager Summary of Duties

Kwatcha Holdings is seeking applicants to fill the position of an

ACCOUNTANT Requirements/Duties:

Required Specifications and qualifications

• Over ten (10) years experience in supermarket retail and wholesale management with a minimum of five (5) years in a senior management position to include management of individual departments.

• Experience in company expansion projects with the ability to lead and develop new store concept, design, layout, format and operations.

• Proficient in the understanding of retail and wholesale accounting and good business practices related to documentation and record keeping.

• Strong current product knowledge of the retail industry and a proven record in the ability to achieve the budgeted financial and operating results, including sales, profitability, and wage percentage.

• Experience managing and developing the human resources activities, maintain and develop organizational culture, values and reputation in market and with all staff, customers, suppliers, partners and governmental bodies.

• Must have the ability to identify, develop and direct the implementation of business strategy and report to shareholders on organizational plans, financial disclosure and operational performance.

• Ability to work extended hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

1. CPA/ACA qualified with a minimum of five years experience in management accounting.

2. Budgeting, management accounts, preparation of consolidated financial statements.

3. Process Re-engineering Project experience 4. Development Accounting.

5. Knowledge of international accounting standards 6. Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with diverse audience.

7. Attention to detail and flexibility to manage multiple projects Salary ranges from $48,000.00 – $55,000.00/annum.

Qualified applicants are kindly requested to send applications before February 16th 2012

Salary rate will commensurate with experience and ranges from $60, 000.00 $72,000.00

To the attention of:

Edith Cox Group Finance Director Graceway House, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

The position is responsible for the management of all aspects of Graceway Gourmet Supermarket. This includes providing leadership and motivation to promote the consistent execution of standard practices, policies and procedures. Setting the tone and leading the stores culture/environment to ensure success in all aspects of customer service, profitability, operations, people development, merchandise presentation and merchandise assortment.

Deadline for submission of applicants is February 12th 2012

Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracewayiga.com 6197

Please note: only short-list applicants will be contacted to attend interviews

6196

32

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

January 28 - February 3, 2012 FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

Kite Board Instructor needed Send CV or Resume to info@kiteprovo.com or nautiquesports@tciway.tc. Or call 431 6890

@@Must be hardworking, honest and reliable @@Must have knowledge of kitchen work @@Salary will be based on experience

Applicant must: - Have excellent customer service skills (Minimum of five years customer service experience) - Possess a positive attitude and disciplined work ethics - Be trustworthy, punctual and reliable - Be able to work with minimal supervision - Ability to achieve goals as outlined by management - Be available to work flexible hours, weekends and holidays - Be familiar with counterpoint system

A. Chan Jon Chu, Town Center Mall, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. Telephone (649) 231-1729

6145

Two positions available on North Caicos for a

Carpenter/ Handyman

needed Applicant must be hard working, honest and reliable. Must be willing to commute to Pine Cay 5 days a week.

6206

Contact: 946-5278

@@Must be very trust worthy and reliable @@Applicant must be of excellent character and work ethics. @@Be able to work independently. @@Be willing to work flexible hours

Kindly respond to:

Caicos CafĂŠ Bar & Grill

KITCHEN HELPER

Sales Clerk

6153

Must be IKO and PASA certified and have 5 years experience in teaching students. Must be computer literate. Experience in hospitality is necessary. Life saving techniques recommended. Command of Languages are beneficial. Belongers need only apply.

Domestic Helper

Please send applications to Savory & Co., Town Centre Building, Providenciales, 946-4602� 6139

Turks and Caicos Islanders needed To fill restaurant positions

1 Labourer 1 Cook 1 Dishwasher

Must be hard-working, dependable and trustworthy. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends and holidays. References and stable work history required. Salary $5.00 per hour.

To apply, contact Bridgette Thomas at 649-332-2565.

6139

Pump Attendant

Labourer

Contact: 231-5164 for more information 6135

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

POSTIONS AVAILABLE Grand Turk Cruise Center LTD is currently seeking qualified applicants to fill the following position:

Carpenter @@ Applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in both rough and finish carpentry and be familiar with the safe and efficient operation of most commonly used power tools. @@ Shape or cut materials to specific measurements using hand tools, machines or power saw. @@ Interpret sketches or basic plans to prepare project layouts and determine dimensions and materials required. @@ Build and repair wooden bridges and buildings. @@ Build or repair fixtures and fittings used in buildings. @@ Erect scaffolding and ladders for assembling structures above ground. @@ Repair or replace damaged or defective parts or sections of structures using hand tools. @@ Finish surfaces of woodwork or wallboard in buildings using paint, hand tools and paneling. @@ Inspect ceiling, floor tile, wall coverings, siding, glass or woodwork to detect broken or damaged structures. @@ Knowledge of plumbing and/or masonry would be an asset.

Applicants must be willing to work nights, weekends and holidays. Must be able to lift min. of 50lbs, speak English and able to work well as part of a culturally diverse team.

SALARY / WAGES BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE.

Interested persons should contact: GTCC Human Resources Fax: (649) 946-1041 or E-Mail: admin@grandturkcc.com

6140

January 28 - February 3, 2012 PHONE: (649) 946-4664

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES North Caicos is looking for a

Is looking to hire

2 Painters

Is seeking suitable qualified applicants to fill for the following positions:

Applicant must have at least 5 years painting experience, be able to work on weekends as needed. Tasks are not limited to painting only required to assist in other areas of construction sites including cleaning up must be able to work with little or no supervision Salary $6.00 per hour

Labourer To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

Contact: 246-4769

6205

Deadline for application is February 23, 2012

(3) Labourers / Gardeners

6194

Contact: 649-231-6089 or fax: 649-946-4084

Core Resources Ltd.

DRIVER NEEDED

The Director Suzie Turn Plaza Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands All applications must be sent by January 31st, 2012 to coreresources@gmail.com Persons selected for interview will be contacted by February 6th, 2012 Contact: 649-946-5387

6203

Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty

Seeking Real Estate Sales Associate

• Minimum 3 years experience in landscape maintenance • Responsible for weeding, pruning, trimming all plants on property, sweeping walkways, • Cleaning windows, restrooms and removing of trash and solid waste • Must have good knowledge of gardening techniques and ability to apply pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers properly • Responsible for the upkeep and general look/maintenance of entire grounds • Ability to maintain and repair irrigation systems • Willingness to perform numerous laborious tasks, heavy lifting involved • Willingness to perform all other tasks in relation to general cleaning and or labor • Self motivated and industrious applicants need only apply

(2) Refrigeration Technicians 5 years experience in industrial refrigeration for supermarket storage as well as commercial air conditioning systems. Must hold certificates for both • Experience in repair and diagnostics’ of digital scales and scanning equipment • Technical knowledge in plumbing, electrical and mechanical works, certificates preferred • Installation of new equipment including gas fitting, ability to repair all supermarket equipment • Supervision and development of daily routines of maintenance staff • Development and production of maintenance budgets, including parts and equipment orders • Development and implementation of preventative maintenance schedules • Ability to complete tasks swiftly, problem solving skills a must • Experience in the supermarket maintenance industry preferred • Required to be on call 24 hours Salary: $18,000 per year

Diagnostic - Hydraulic Mechanic

• Fostering good relations with companies in the real estate business and their employees and agents • Participate as a practicing member of the Turks & Caicos Real Estate Association (TCREA) • Keeping proper and organized records of activities and of the properties with which you are associated with • Sales and listing reports • Required to work after hours and weekends as necessary

Qualifications and Responsibilities: • Ten years of successful mechanical repairman experience of a comparable industrial setting.

• Knowledgeable and capable of performing basic welding techniques including out-of-position angles and various fabrication welding.

• Ability to read, understand and apply information from technical manuals, prints, and schematics for trouble shooting and repair.

• Technical College Diploma Hydraulic Mechanic.

• Working knowledge of Computer based record keeping and planning/ scheduling.

• Perform maintenance on fork lifts, pallet jacks, garbage compactors and other equipment • Perform maintenance, troubleshoot and repair hydraulic, electrical and pneumatic systems.

• Willing and able to work weekends, holidays, rotating shifts and both scheduled and unscheduled overtime at a 24 hour/day, 7 day/week, 365 day/ year operation. Must be able to work with minimal supervision.

Applicant Requirements • A minimum of 7 years in Real Estate Sales • Business Degree from a recognized University • Sales Training Courses • Multi Language Skills an asset • Microsoft Computer application knowledge

Salary $18, 000 to $20,000 per annum.

Closing date for applications is February 16th 2012

Interested persons may apply to the Director of Finance Premier Contracting Services Ltd • Graceway House Leeward Highway • Providenciales • Turks & Caicos Islands

Commission Based Remuneration – Application Closing Date – February 15th, 2012.

Please submit CV to: Joe Zahm, Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty, P.O. BOX 279, Venture House, Providenciales, Telephone: 649-946-4474 or Fax: 649-946-4433

Qualification and Responsibilities includes

Salary: $7.00 per hour

Application are invited from suitably qualified and experienced person for a fulltime position as Delivery Driver • Must have a valid driver’s license • Must be able to work on weekends and public holidays Applications with copies of qualifications, two character references, a police record and a testimonial from the most recent place of work must be sent to:

Responsibilities Include • Assist clients in the sale, purchase, letting or leasing of real estate • Introducing new clients and promoting real estate sales and new listings • Promptly notifying the Employer of the particulars of any new listing secured by the Employee, and of any potential listing or potential buyer coming to his/her attention • Performing such administrative functions as the Manager or acting Manager for the time being of the Employer (“the Manager”) may from time to time assign to the Employee • Participating in such meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, events and functions connected with real estate • Assisting in the preparation and publication or promotional material and media

FAX: (649) 946-4661

PREMIER CONTRACTING SERVICES LTD.

AGNES SWANN

SOUTHERN CONSTRUCTION LTD.

33

6200

Please note: only short-list applicants will be contacted to attend interview

6198

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES Providenciales Turks & Caicos islands Telephone: 231-4519

WANTED

Experienced Parasail Trainer needed for new water sports operation on Grand Turk Detailed knowledge of parasail business, including all aspects of safety, sail deployment, mechanical operations and international compliance. Successful candidate will possess ability to market, communicate services to prospective clients, keep detailed records, have a firm grasp of computers, software, including: adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Excel Spreadsheets, Ms Word

FLOWER GIRL

6149

FILLIPINA’S BAR Is looking for

To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 341-7733

GUSTARVUS FRANCIS Is looking for a

domestic workers

Labourer To work 5 days

contact: 941-7700

contact: 241-6040

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

per week salary $5.00 per hour.

BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

Flower CoOrdinatoR

Contact: 231-3788

Is looking for 2

Is looking for a

Salary $5.00 per hour. Only Turks Islanders need to apply.

Is looking for a

• Must know different kinds of flowers • Must know how to treat flowers • Must know how to arrange and take care of flowers

WINSONG RESORT

Labourer Labourer 6132

Please send detailed resume to: gtwatersports@gmail.com

QUEEN OF THE SEA RESTAURANT

6137

PARASAIL TRAINER

J & W Construction

6141

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

January 28 - February 3, 2012

6159

34

2 Waitresses To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 346-7354

6131

One (1) Gardener

For general yard work and maintaining of the grounds of the owner’s property

Two (2) Labourers

Applicant must be physical, able-bodied individuals capable of lifting heavy loads and working with cement.

Wages: from $6.00 per hour

One (1) Chief Financial Officer

IMMEDIATE OPENING FOR

EVENT COORDINATOR

The CFO will be responsible for the overall management of the company’s financial and accounting requirements and assist with Human Resources, particularly where it relates to the staffing of the Finance Department. @@ A bachelor’s degree in accounting, with coursework in business law is required.

(CMA preferred) @@ Minimum of 8 years professional experience @@ Experience in Internal Control, Finance & Accounting @@ Must have experience with recurring revenue business model and knowledge of FASB/GAAP reporting requirements with regard to deferred revenue. @@ Experience as a senior manager in a rapidly growing company @@ Proven ability to maintain credibility and confidence level with bank and/or vendors/suppliers @@ The applicant is able to demonstrated knowledge and experience in establishing and working with staff benefits, including staff investments and savings schemes. @@ Experience with selection and implementation of accounting and billing systems @@ Experience negotiating and managing business contracts and compliance with customer privacy law @@ Experience in multiple company/location environment @@ Must a have solid knowledge of Excel and/or Lotus 123 and ability to do complex forecasting. @@ Knowledge of QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions/QuickBooks would be an asset.

The successful candidate will provide administrative support to the Events Team, and will serve as the key liaison between clients, food and beverage and other departments, and external vendors. This individual must be able to multi task and must be available to work a flexible schedule to coordinate all event day activities for weddings, banquets and other special events. You must be highly personable, energetic and have a passion for serving others. To be successful in this role, you must meet the following requirements: • Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline plus 2 years of event planning or project management experience • Exceptional organization skills with great attention to detail • Deadline-oriented with the ability to see a project through from inception to completion • Excellent spoken and written communication skills • Strong command of the English language; second language is an asset • Outstanding interpersonal skills with an extraordinary ability to remain calm and pleasant under the most adverse circumstances • Must be confident, polished, and professional in presentation and demeanor • Strong PC skills including Word, Excel and PowerPoint; Working knowledge of Visual One is essential • Strong references and a clean background required

Emoluments based on qualifications and experience.

Please submit cover letter with CV to Butterfield Gold Ltd., Admin & Finance Dept., Town Centre Mall, Providenciales or by fax to 649 941 5777

If you meet the qualifications above, we are anxious to meet with you. For immediate consideration, apply in writing or by phone to:

Bridgette Thomas BNC Consulting Group, Ltd E-mail: bthomas@bnccgroup.com Phone: 649-332-2565 CLOSING DATE – JANUARY 31, 2012

Butterfield Gold

Submit applications to by February 1, 2012 to:

6144

Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211

6146

January 28 - February 3, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664 GLOBAL SERVICES Is looking to fill the following positions:

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

WARD CONSULTANCY

B.E.S.T. INSTITUTE

Acting on behalf of our clients: Complete Construction, Grace Bay Club, After 5 and Carl Jolly

Is looking for a

Is looking to fill the following positions

Cook

Carpenter

– $5.00 per hour

@ $8.00 per hour 7-5pm

Cleaner

2 Labourers

Worker

Catering Supervisor @ $9.50 per hour

Cottage Technician – $7.00 per hour

Room Attendant

Contact: 649-332-5533

6204

@ $5.50 per hour shift work 6186

Contact: 331-1809

Domestic

@ $5.00 per hour 7-5pm

– $5.00 per hour Seamstress $4.50 per hour

35

To work 5 days per week salary negotiable contact: 941-4802 deadline February 17th, 2012

6208

SPA TROPIQUE Is looking for a

Part-Time Assistant to the owner Duties will include but are not limited to: Answering telephone, running errands, inventory, supporting staff, office clerical work, must have own vehicle with clean drivers license, able to work weekends and holidays and nights where needed, applicants must be fluent in speaking, reading and writing English have excellent phone and customer service skills, be willing to learn and absolutely be a hard worker.

Please do not apply unless you have all of the above requirements.

Email resumes to: meryl@spatropique.com Salary commensurate with experience

6207

Positions Available A beachfront Estate on Providenciales is inviting applications for the following positions:

FAX: (649) 946-4661

TCI Waste Disposal

job vacancies Solid Waste Collector/Driver

TCI Waste Disposal Services Ltd is seeking suitable qualified applicants to fill the listed positions as follows:

Operations Manager Main Duties Responsibilities: • Improve the operational systems, processes and policies.

• Manage operational logistics, route planning, maintenance schedules.

• Liaise with customers over projects and ensure services are provided in a timely fashion.

• Oversee overall financial management, planning, systems and controls.

• Manage day to day processing of accounts receivable and payable using QuickBooks, producing reports as requested.

• Payroll management • Contribute to short and long-term organizational planning and strategy.

Skills required: • Experience in waste management operations.

• Strong background and work experience in Finance.

• Excellent computer skills and proficient in excel, word, outlook, and access.

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.

• 3 plus years experience in bookkeeping.

• Knowledge and experience in organizational effectiveness and operations management implementing best practices.

• Demonstrated leadership and vision in managing staff groups and major projects or initiatives.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style.

• Budget development and oversight experience.

• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.

• High comfort level working in a diverse environment.

Salary will be compensated base on experience and qualification

Marketing Manager

Sommelier

• Knowledge and Skills: • Must have extensive knowledge of fine wines and will be required to assist the Chef.

• Requirements: Prior work experience in luxury villas; possess a clean driver’s license and will be required to live on property. Salary range is: $12000.00 per annum.

Live in Housekeeper

The applicant must have prior experience as a Housekeeper and will be required to live on property. Salary payable is: $12,000.00 per annum Submit applications by February 14th, 2012 to:

Misick & Stanbrook Leeward Highway Providenciales Tel: 946-4732 Fax 946-4734 Email info@misickstanbrook.tc

Responsible for developing and maintaining marketing strategies. Evaluates customer research, market conditions, competitor data and implements marketing plan changes as needed. Oversees all marketing, advertising and promotional staff and activities.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: • Develops annual marketing plan, which will focus on meeting organizational objectives.

• Manage the marketing budget.

• Manage all aspects of print production, receipt and distribution.

• Manage frequent, timely and positive media coverage.

• Specifying market requirements for current and future products by conducting market research supported by on-going visits to customers and non-customers.

Skills required: • Experience in all aspects of developing and maintaining marketing strategies to meet organizational objectives • Strong communication, excellent written presentation, oral communications and interpersonal skills.

• Strong leadership skills, be able to motivate and influence others.

• Individual must be able to think creatively and strategically and have excellent judgment.

• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards.

• Excellent people manager, open to direction and collaborative work style and commitment to get the job done.

• High comfort level working in a diverse environment.

Salary will be compensated base on experience and qualification

6202

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

Closing date for application is: February 16th 2012 PLEASE SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO

TCI Waste Disposal Blue Hills Back road Providenciales Turks and Caicos Please note: only short-listed applicants will be contacted to attend interview 6199

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

EDLINE CESAR

El Tiempo Bar & Lounge

Is looking for a

Bar Lady / Bartender

contact: 247-4588

6167

To work 3 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

@@To service people and to attend bar @@Persons interested must be friendly and have good customer service skills @@Must have some experience in commercial bartending @@Salary negotiable depending on level of experience

Please fax resumes: 649-941-7626

Is looking to fill the following positions:

Mechanic Is looking for a

• Must have a valid drivers license from A-H • Must be able to work holiday and weekends • Must be able to understand computer systems and programs • Ability to speak French a plus

Nail Technician Hairdresser Must be willing to

Applicants must contact:

649-946-5919 6162

FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION TITLE 60904/128 LEEWARD GOING THOUGH, PROVIDENCIALES

Monday – Saturday 7:45-5:00pm. Pay set @ $13.00 per hour

work 6 days per week.

Salary $5.00 per hour

Contact: 242-4006

COLOMBIAN EMERALDS INTERNATIONAL Colombian Emeralds International, “The World’s Foremost Emerald Jeweller” with over 50 stores worldwide has exciting career opportunities.

Sales Associates

• Retail Jewelry Sales Experience • Excellent Customer Care Focus • Teamwork and ability to meet company objectives • Trustworthy, dependable & willing to work flexible hours including weekends and holidays • Ability to achieve goals as outlined by management

• A 0.62 ACRE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING LOT IN A QUIET SECTION OF LEEWARD LOCATED JUST OFF PRINCE OF WALES ROAD ON SEAGULL ALLEY WITH APPROXIMATELY 100 FT. OF ROAD FRONTAGE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF PELICAN BEACH. POWER AND WATER SUPPLY AVAILABLE TO LOT LINE. • PROPERTY OF ANTONIA ZENDBIA KEMP • THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT THE OFFICES OF TWA, MARCELIN, WOLF, CHANCERY COURT, 1276 LEEWARD HIGHWAY, PROVIDENCIALES AT 10:00 A.M. ON FRIDAY MARCH 2, 2012.

FOR FURTHER PARTICULARS PLEASE CONTACT TWA, MARCELIN, WOLF AT: tmw@tmwlaw.tc reference “Auction” or call 649-946-4261

Gigi’s Beauty Salon & Spa

EXPRESS EQUIPMENT LTD

Requires a qualified

domestic worker

FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

6163

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

January 28 - February 3, 2012

6165

36

Forward your CV and covering letter by e-mail to:

6209

Job Vacancy At the National Trust

Tour Guide

NORDICA DELL Colombian Emeralds International Beaches Resort, Turks & Caicos Islands Fax: 1-649-941-2333 (NO PHONE CALLS)

6161

The Somerset on Grace Bay is seeking a suitable qualified Belongers who possess the requirements listed are encouraged to apply. Ideal candidates should possess luxury resort experience, be professional in attitude and demeanor and must read and speak English fluently.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN

The Turks & Caicos National Trust is seeking qualified individuals to fill the position of Tour Guide.

This position requires conducting tours to groups or individual visitors at various sites managed by the Turks & Caicos National Trust; interpreting in a clear and interesting way to inform the visitors about our cultural, historical and natural heritage.

Responsibilities: • Replace washers, faucets and seals on malfunctioning plumbing equipments • Repair leaky faucets and clean clogged drains • Perform a wide variety of general building maintenance repairs and services • Assist as directed in the operation and maintenance of mechanical systems such as: plumbing, ventilating, air conditioning, steam system, automatic temperature control, electrical and pool filtration as needed • Perform preventive maintenance procedures in a manner responsive to guest satisfaction

Requirements: • Must be trained and certified by an accredited school in the following areas: Plumbing/Electrical/Mechanical and A/C related trades • Must be a team player with a desire to deliver excellent customer service to our guest • Must have clear English communications skills (written or oral) • Must have at least 5 years in plumbing, wood finishing, painting, A.C repairs, and carpentry

Requirements: • Must be at least a Community College Graduate; certificate in TCI Studies Course is an asset • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to think independently and follow through effectively • Ability to apply a logical problem solving approach to resolving customer problems and inquiries • Ability to operate a boat is an advantage; must be holder of a valid TCI driver’s license If you are a mature, highly motivated, organised, outgoing and adventurous person with excellent communication and leadership skills, we want to speak with you!

Apply now by sending your resume and cover letter to tc.nattrust@yahoo. com or inquire at the Turks & Caicos National Trust office in Town Centre Mall, Downtown, Providenciales from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Salary for this position will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Qualified Belonger candidates are requested to submit a CV by e-mail to:

Aleisa Musgrove Strata Operations Manager The Somerset Resort on Grace Bay amusgrove@thesomerset.com

Apply now by sending your resume and cover letter to tc.nattrust@yahoo. com or inquire at the Turks & Caicos National Trust office in Town Centre Mall, Downtown, Providenciales from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

6152

Submissions for this job position should be received no later than February 20, 2012

6158

January 28 - February 3, 2012 PHONE: (649) 946-4664

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

37 FAX: (649) 946-4661

BELLA LUNA required with references PIZZA CHEF Salary $500.00 per week • Must have knowledge of Neapolitan style pizza • Must know preparation with short and long rising dough’s • Must have experience with Fire Deck Stone Pizza oven • Must be able to work weekend, nights and holidays • Must speak, read and write English • Minimum 5 years experience

COOK

Government Vacancy

needed with pizza experience • Must be able to work weekend, nights and holidays • Must speak, read and write English • Minimum of 3 years experience required with references Salary $6.00 per hour

Submit resumes to P.O. Box 543 or deliver resumes to restaurant Monday-Friday 10:00am-4:00pm Deadline for application is February 10th, 2012 6170

POSITION AVAILABLE 17TH MARCH, 2012

Housekeeper

• Who also has experience in assisting Cosmetologists (hair styling, manicure, pedicure, etc).

• Wages $250 per week plus commission scheme.

• The Successful applicant must be a team player and highly motivated to excel.

For an interview or appointment phone Sandy Lightbourne at 946-8212 Mon to Fri between hrs of 10am and 5pm. Resumes and references required.

HEAD OF STRATEGIC POLICY AND PLANNING UNIT/CHIEF ECONOMIST SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: An exciting opportunity awaits you in the Turks & Caicos Islands Government Service for the post of Head of Strategic Policy and Planning Unit (SPPU)/Chief Economist.

Key Responsibilities 1. Manage the establishment and operation of the new Strategic Policy and Planning Unit (SPPU).

2. Overview the production, execution and review of a new National Development Plan (NDP).

3. Lead the review and execution of the Government’s economic and fiscal policy, where appropriate linking this to the production of the NDP. 4. Work with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on forward fiscal planning and appraisal.

5. Hold responsibility for the formation, design, execution and review of the capital budget, both domestic and donor funded.

6. Overview the design and execution of an appropriate statistical programme.

7. Lead the provision of economic advice to the Governor’s Office, and to other Govt.

Departments, as appropriate.

8. Hold responsibility for a small specialist Private Sector and Public Bodies Relations Unit (PSPBRU) regarding current and proposed foreign investors and publically owned and regulated bodies, together with the promotion of domestic business activity.

Nature and Span of Authority

Applications would be considered from Belongers only and must be received by 3rd February, 2012

1. The post-holder would report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), except on fiscal matters, when he/she would report to the CEO through the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Required Experience and Skills 1. A Masters degree in Economics or its equivalent in a related subject area.

2. At least eight (8) years experience working as an economist in the public sector, preferably in a national planning office, and in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

3. An excellent range of communication skills.

4. Some experience in public finance.

5. Commercial experience and/or involvement in private sector development would be useful.

POSITION AVAILABLE

Specific Tasks

Is seeking suitably qualified Belongers to fill the position outlined below. Ideal candidate must possess luxury resort experience, a professional, outgoing and friendly demeanor, and a strong command of the English language (oral and written). Salary is based on experience and qualifications.

1. The central co-ordination of the development planning process.

2. Undertake and supervise a programme of fiscal analysis at both macro and micro levels.

3. In co-operation with the MOF, and in liaison with the NDP process, the management of the formulation and execution of the development budget.

4. In close co-operation with the MOF, review the efficiency and effectiveness of elements of the tax collection machinery and components of public expenditure.

5. Support the assessment of requests from the private and parastatal sectors for Govt support, co-ordinating the public sector response to these requests.

6. Manage the prioritisation of data collection and the execution of an agreed programme of data collection, analysis and presentation.

7. In support of item 1 above, facilitate the evolution of specific priority items of public policy.

8. Lead the provision of economic advice to the most senior elements of the administration and, where appropriate, to other Depts. of the Govt.

Air Conditioning/ Refrigeration Technician Qualification and knowledge of electrical and plumbing is a must for this position Requirements: • Minimum of 5 years experience with a full service hotel and a condo hotel resort property minimum of 100 rooms • Technical certificate in heating and air conditioning components • Ability to lift 50lbs • Self starter with the ability to implement and carry out role with little or no supervision • Must be computer literate in Microsoft word, Excel and Outlook • Ability to install, repair and maintain air conditioning units • Ability to install, repair and maintain refrigeration components • Possess extensive experience in preventative maintenance techniques

SALARY $75,000.00 PER ANNUM For persons recruited outside the Turks and Islands, a two (2) year contract is offered. Other benefits offered in addition to basic salary include a Housing allowance of $1200.00 per month and end-of-contract gratuity of 15% of salary; return passage for family of up to two children under the age of sixteen (16) years, as well as duty free concession on the shipment of personal effects imported within six (6) months of appointment.

For more information on the Job Description, please contact the Office of the Public Service Management Telephone 649-946-2801 Extension: 10318, Facsimile: 649-946-1582, E-mail: recruitment@gov.tc . All resumes should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Public Service Management, Church Folly, Grand Turk. Resumes must include applicants current contact information and be accompanied by two letters of reference and a police certificate. Serving Officers should apply through their Heads of Department.

Closing Date: January 30th, 2012

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 24th February, 2012

Suitably qualified candidates should apply in writing or by phone to the following:

ONLY SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED 6166

Bridgette Thomas, BNC Consulting Group, Ltd website: www.bnccgroup.com email: bthomas@bnccgroup.com. phone: 649-332-2565

THE ABOVE JOB DESCRIPTION MAY BE SUBJECT TO SOME AMMENDMENT PRIOR TO APPOINTMENT 6164

38

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664 GABRIEL PARKER

January 28 - February 3, 2012

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

FAX: (649) 946-4661

HOWELL INTERNATION BEAUTY SALON

Is looking for a

Is looking for a

Cosmetologist To work 6 days

Domestic Worker 6169

To work 6 days per week salary $5.50 per hour. contact: 243-8574

per week. Salary $5.00 per hour.

Contact: 649-231-6299 6168

Misick’s Gas Station

BCS

Is looking for a

Acting on behalf of our clients: Footprints on the Beach, Theresa Joann Ingham, Jean Garcon, Shereen Prosper is looking to fill the following positions:

3 Domestic Workers – salary $5.00 per hour

Handyman

1 Mason

To work 5 days per week. Salary $5.00 per hour.

6171

Contact: 946-1617

– salary $8.00 per hour

Must be able to work 6 days per week Send resumes to branitz@yahoo.com or contact: 241-1228 6173

Vino Tiempo Wine Bar, Lounge & Cigar Garden Is currently seeking the following positions:

Waitress

• Minimum 4 years of food and beverage experience in fine dining.

• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Knowledgeable on Aldelo software systems.

• Must have extensive knowledge of wines from around the world.

• Must have extensive experience in fine wine service and execution.

• Must work well under pressure and be able to handle long hours.

• A friendly and professional demeanor must be a team player • Must be available to work on weekends and holidays

Dishwasher

• Minimum 2 years of experience • Willingness to work late hours, weekends and holidays • Hard working team player with excellent people skills • Must have general cleaning knowledge and working with chemicals • Includes cleaning of common areas, bathrooms, kitchen equipment- supplies must have previous kitchen experience Positions above requires working long hours, nights, days, public holidays and weekends .

Salary range based on experience.

For more information please contact Vino Tiempo Wine Bar, Lounge & Cigar Garden. 649 946 8466

Position Available

Accounting Officer Position Description

Candidate is responsible for performing detailed transactional accounting functions of Caribbean Energy Distributors Limited and maintaining the General Ledger, in particular weekly reconciliation of the Inventory and Accounts Receivable subsidiary ledgers.

He or she is accountable to the Financial Controller and President/CEO for implementing and maintaining a system of internal controls that will ensure that company assets are adequately safeguarded and that all financial reporting is prepared in compliance with all financial policies.

Reports to: Financial Controller Detailed Duties and Responsibilities

1) Primary responsibility is to perform daily Revenue Accounting functions which encompass entering of sales dockets and posting of cash receipts.

2) Perform monthly close-out procedures as guided by the

Financial Controller.

3) Prepare weekly reconciliations for Inventory and Accounts Receivable subsidiary ledgers.

4) Assist with analyzing sales and inventory month-end reports and report on variances and/or suggestions.

5) Track fuel inventory on a daily basis utilizing spreadsheets and compare against the detailed inventory reports per the accounting software.

6) Process and submit TCIG Customs import entries.

7) Track all company assets for import, export and maintenance purposes. Coordinating scheduled and unscheduled maintenance with third party providers.

8) Filing all documents relating to the company.

9) Performing all required errands on the company’s behalf (to clients, banks, post office, customs, etc.).

10) Issue sales orders for lubricants to walk-in customers.

11) Other projects as assigned.

Essential Requirements

1) Associate or Bachelor degree in Business Administration

or Accounting.

Thorough understanding of accounting theory.

2+ years basic accounting experience.

Highly detail oriented and organized in work.

Ability to meet assigned deadlines.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a customer service focus.

7) Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction from manager to accomplish objectives.

8) Proficiency with email and Microsoft Office applications.

9) Ability to adapt to use various accounting packages.

10) Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, and external agencies to maximize performance, creativity, problem solving, and results.

11) Must possess a valid Turks & Caicos driver’s licence and capable of operating a vehicle with a manual transmission.

2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

Only Belongers need to apply for this position.

Salary Range is US$ 25,000.00 to US$ 30,000.00 based on documented experience.

Closing date for applications is January 31st, 2012.

Submit curriculum vitae and reference letters via e-mail to: bklightbourne@caribbean-energy.com 6173

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Sports International

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

39

Mourinho criticises Barcelona referee after Real Madrid exit JOSE Mourinho has claimed that some of his Real Madrid players believe it is “impossible to win” at Barcelona’s Nou Camp following their Copa del Rey exit.

Despite fighting back from two down to draw 2-2 on the night, his side lost the quarter-final 4-3 on aggregate.

Eight yellows were given to Real,

including two to Sergio Ramos - the 13th dismissal of his Bernabeu career.

In apparent criticism of the referee, Mourinho said: “I heard [some players] say it was impossible to win here.”

Real, who have won only one of the last 14 El Clasico encounters against Barca, dominated the first half but found themselves a goal

Trinidad & Tobago win Caribbean T20 final DEFENDING champions Trinidad & Tobago claimed the Caribbean Twenty20 cricket title on Sunday as effervescent West Indies all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard inspired an emphatic 70-run victory over Jamaica in the final.

Bravo hit a top score of 49 at Kensington Oval, while Pollard blasted an unbeaten 39 off 13

balls as Trinidad & Tobago amassed 168-6 off 20 overs.

Leg-spinner Odean Brown led the Jamaicans with 3-22.

Jamaica lost two early wickets and their pursuit never gained momentum as they limped to 105-5 off 20 overs.

Carlton Baugh’s unbeaten 39 came with the result virtually sealed. (TimesofIndia)

W SW

turks & caicos

down at the break - 3-1 on aggregate - after Lionel Messi danced through their defence to find Pedro.

And things got worse for the visitors when Dani Alves’s fierce drive into the top corner earned the hosts a three-goal cushion.

But strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema meant Real only needed one more goal to complete a stunning comeback.

But Madrid could not find a way back and Mourinho - whose future at the Spanish giants has been called into question after he was jeered by fans last week for playing too defensively in the home leg - denied he had got his tactics wrong.

“No,” he replied when asked whether he had made a mistake.

“We played a good game, the players played a very good game. We came here looking to win. We knew we were behind, we were motivated, wanted to win.”

But Mourinho questioned whether visiting sides got their fair share of refereeing decisions at the Nou Camp.

Mourinho consoles Ramos after the defender’s red card

“I have played here with Chelsea, Inter [Milan] and Madrid various times and this is nothing new,” he said.

“I will congratulate Barcelona for what they did at the Bernabeu last week but not for the qualification.”

Defender Alvaro Arbeloa agreed with his manager about the referee’s performance, saying: “We were much better than Barcelona, we had a lot of opportunities but the referee lost it in the little details. We would have preferred it if the cards had been more evenly distributed.”

But Barcelona defender Gerard Pique said Real were lucky not to have had another man dismissed.

He said: “The referee made

WOMEN SUPPORTING WOMEN TCI

Calling All Women Of the Turks & Caicos Islands

To Travail In Prayer For Our Nation

4th February 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at The Tropicana Auditorium, located in The Bight

Also, calling for all singers & worshippers!

Jeremiah 9:17-21 “Consider and call for the wailing women, that they may come; and send for skillful wailing women, that they may come.

Let them make haste and take up a wailing for us, ….. for Death has come through our windows…..to kill off the children……….and the young men – no longer on the streets!”

“Ordinary women doing extra ordinary service for the master!”

mistakes in all senses, but he did the best he could. [Lassana] Diarra’s play [in which he hacked Lionel Messi down having already been booked] was a clear sending-off.”

His manager, Pep Guardiola, did not want to be drawn on that, but admitted he was relieved to have reached the semi-finals.

“Madrid is a great team and because of that this victory has great merit,” he said. “Madrid played very well, but over the 180 minutes we were deserving winners. They played without pressure, because they knew they had nothing to lose.

“It is more difficult to beat Real Madrid every time we play them and that is why we are so happy.” (BBC)

40

Sports International

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

January 28 - February 3, 2012

McIlroy will relish his duels with Woods

U.S. OPEN champion Rory McIlroy is relishing the chance to lock horns with 14-time major winner Tiger Woods and world number one Luke Donald.

McIlroy, world number three, will get a ringside view of Woods’ start to the 2012 season in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship which started on Thursday, as he bids to recapture the form that saw him spend 623 consecutive weeks as the sport’s best player between 2005 and 2010.

The Northern Irishman will also be alongside Donald, who finished top of the money list on both the European and U.S Tour last year.

McIlroy saw his own star rise in 2011, capturing his first major title at the U.S. Open, and he admits he can’t wait to test himself against two of the biggest stars in the modern game.

After joking at a press conference that the draw was “not exactly low profile,” McIlroy added: “It will definitely get the juices flowing.

“There are not many tournaments where you get really excited about a Thursday or a Friday, but this is one of these times.”

McIlroy admits idolising Woods as a youngster and says he felt more than a little trepidation when he came face-to-face with the 36-year-

The Los Angles Lakers are worth $900 million.

Lakers back as most valuable franchise

Rory McIlroy (right) said he idolised Tiger Woods as a youngster.

old for the first time.

He explained: “The first time you play with him -- you’ve watched this guy your whole life, winning majors and doing things that no-one thought was possible -- so you are going to be awestruck.

“I suppose once I got to spend a little time with him and maybe have lunch with him a few times and everything, you can sort of break the barrier down a little bit and it’s fine from there. I feel quite comfortable being around him.”

Woods has been struggling for form ever since 2009 when a sex scandal engulfed him, and though he suffered an injury-hit 2011, he won his first tournament in two years at

the Chevron World Challenge in November.

McIlroy practiced with Woods on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s opening round and says his rival is still a force to be reckoned with.

“He still is the face of golf,” McIlroy said. “He set the benchmark for a lot of guys – no one may play the way he did in 2001. He’s still the main attraction in 2012.

“I see him contending again in majors. I practiced with him and he looked in good shape. He seems determined and looks at full fitness.

“It can only be good for the game. Hopefully I can get in the mix with him down the stretch on a few Sundays.” (BBC)

Kobe tops NBA earning list Apparently the Kobe System has taken him beyond success. You’re welcome.

As part of their NBA financial breakdown on Wednesday, Forbes Magazine named the top earners in the NBA, based on both salary and endorsements. Not shockingly (and to the delight of ex-wife Vanessa), Kobe Bryant tops the list at $53.2 million last year.

Kobe made half of that in salary, $25 million as the highest paid player in the NBA, but that’s not where the real money is.

While the NBA lockout angered fans and threatened the 2011-12 season this fall, Kobe Bryant toured Europe to promote Nike and the game that made him a global icon….

The story is the same in Asia. Bryant is the most revered athlete in China as a five-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and the heir apparent to the high-flying Michael Jordan.

He makes annual pilgrimages to China in support of Nike.

The rest of your top 10 earners: LeBron James ($49 million), Dwight Howard ($28.9 million), Dwyane Wade ($27.7 million), Carmelo

WHILE the New York Knicks were wallowing in the ditch built

by Isiah Thomas, the Los Angeles Lakers moved past them on Forbes Magazine’s list of the most valuable NBA franchises. When the Knicks got their act together the past year or so (relatively, at least) they vaulted back to the top of the list.

But the Lakers got a massive new cable deal and are back on top.

The Lakers are worth $900 million

by Forbes estimates, up 40 percent year over year. What moved them into the top spot was a new local television deal with Time Warner Cable to broadcast their games, one that reportedly will pay the Buss family franchise nearly $200 million a year for 20 years (for comparison, the entire Milwaukee franchise is estimated at $268 million). Even with the new league revenue sharing rules, the Lakers will be rich.

The Knicks are not hurting, worth an estimated $790 million, up 19

percent over last season. They have a renovated Madison Square Garden where they jacked up ticket prices 49 percent for this season, just to help that bottom line. Which is working, the Knicks turned a league best $75 million profit last year, Forbes estimates.

The rest of your top five are: Chicago Bulls ($600 million), Dallas Mavericks ($479 million) and the Boston Celtics ($482 million.).

The Heat are sixth ($457 million), once again finishing behind the Mavericks.

At the other end of the scale are your bottom five: The Charlotte Bobcats ($272 million), Minnesota Timberwolves ($272 million), Atlanta Hawks ($270 million), Memphis Grizzlies ($269 million) and the Milwaukee Bucks ($268 million).

That disparity of wealth played into the lockout and is only getting worse, Forbes notes. (Bleacher report)

Rafael Nadal battled from behind to defeat arch rival Roger Federer.

Nadal overcomes Federer in semifinal Kobe Bryant earned 53.2 million last year in both salary and endorsements.

Anthony ($26.5 million), Amare Stoudemire ($26.2 million), Kevin Garnett ($26.2 million), Kevin

Durant ($24.5 million), Tim Duncan ($23.3 million) and Chris Paul ($22.4 million) (Pro basketball talk.com)

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal battled from behind to win another epic clash with his great rival Roger Federer on Thursday and earn a place in the Australian Open final.

The Spaniard triumphed 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 in three hours and 42 minutes as he set up a clash with either defending champion Novak Djokovic or British fourth seed Andy Murray, who meet in Friday’s second

semifinal.

Nadal, seeking his 11th grand slam title, extended his winning record over Swiss third seed Federer to 18-9 -- and 8-2 in major tournaments.

Federer, who has a record 16 grand slam titles to his name, saved a match point but was unable to repeat the form that had seen the 30-yearold not drop a set in his previous five matches in Melbourne. (CNN)

January 28 - February 3, 2012

Sports National

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Provo Hockey League:

Hurricanes suffer big losses THE COCO Bistro Lightning humbled the Saunders and Co. Hurricanes with a 10-1 trouncing before The Pearls Residences at Gracebay Beach Ltd Sharks bullied them to a 7-1 defeat in the latest round of the Provo Hockey League (PHL) Bantam Division.

At the Graceway Sports Centre Ricaldo Valcin scored three goals and made an assist, while Javiera Bovell scored two goals and made three assists to give the Lightning their win. Jack Small and Javed Shearer (also one assist) added two goals, while Jaime Gray netted a goal and Zarek Swann made an assist. For the Hurricanes Sebastian Turbyfield scored the lone goal, he was assisted

by Liam Delancy.

Against the Sharks, Delancy was on target for his team’s single strike.

Cole Nickson led the winner’s attack with three goals and an assist, while Orrin Campbell scored twice and made an assist. Darius Coackley Jr and Kyle Cox added the other two goals.

The Midget Division had two close encounters with the J&W Construction Flames edging out the Carib Gaming Panthers 10-9, before the losing team drew 9-9 with the Twa Marcelin Wolf Pirates.

Quinn Higgs continued his aggressive scoring for the Flames with five successful strikes and one assist, while Kennon Higgs had two goals and two assists.

Clayton Bennett added two goals,

Ready for action

WELCOME back to TCI soccer.

New season means new kit. And what a kit we have this year.

What do you think? The Regent Village have sponsored the new kit which comes from Admiral.

My dad remembers Admiral from the old days. He told me they made the kit England wore when they went out of the World Cup to Poland many years ago. Poland had a clown in goal and somehow England lost. Hopefully the kit will be lucky this time round.

My team mates have been getting back into soccer mode

which means eating right and training regularly. I like to eat. I am often asked what I eat before a big game. My pre-match meal is a bowl of Cheerios if the game is in the morning or a plate of pasta with cheese if its in the afternoon.

I drink lots of water before a game and have a few Gatorades or Capri Suns afterwards.

Now if I fancy a good dinner and I have enough money in my piggy bank I splash out on a 5 chilli thai curry from JP and Nancy’s Thai Orchid. It’s not cheap but it’s really good. See you next week.

Charlie is ready for the new season.

while there were one goal and one assist for Justin Hagan, two assists for Kit Griffiths and one assist for Wellington Williams.

Rajhan Munning led the Panthers with five goals and two assists while Christian Robinson and Serena Delancy scored two goals each.

Robinson, LJ Outten and Luke Ryan all had one assist each.

Munning scored another five goals in the second game, while Robinson had three goals and one

assist; LJ Outten finished with one goal and one assist; Luke Ryan and Patrick Musgrove two assists each and Jeffrey Been one assist.

For the Pirates Miguel Malcolm had five goals and four assists while Gabriel Diotte-Joly added four goals and four assists.

In the Mini Division the Sailrock Lobsters defeated the Gracebay Car Rentals and Sales Owls 5-4 before they lost 3-6 to the Gansevoort Gators.

In the victory it was all Joe Canham with five successful strikes.

For the Owls Dylan Brubaker scored twice while there was one goal each for Jayden Fuller and Gabriel Osmond.

Against the Gators Canham scored twice, while Spencer Weldon added the third and Khalid Fulford made an assist. Dylan Ayer scored five goals to go with an assist while Zachary Scholar made a goal and two assists and Oliver French one assist.

WIV Provo Premier League:

AFC Academy record come-from-behind victory THE AFC Academy had to battle from a goal down to defeat a pumped up HAB FC 3-2 in the opening game of the WIV Provo Premier League at the Academy Football ground last weekend.

The new HAB team, despite having never played together for a full 90 minutes, managed to get on top in the first half with the Academy not being able to really get going. After a number of chances for HAB going begging, a controversial penalty was awarded to HAB which the evergreen Dukens Dorisca duly converted.

The second half was more even, but HAB then lost their defender and Captain Tienne Jacque after a brave challenge to head a low ball resulted in a head injury. This unsettled HAB somewhat and they lost some shape which gave the Academy opportunity to capitalise on their youth and pace using several long balls over the top.

A special mention must go to the Academy goalkeeper who made a great (and maybe match winning) save to stop HAB going two goals up and being in an unassailable position. However, after this Fred Dorvil equalised for the Academy with a good finish, but HAB recovered their composure and continued to threaten resulting in Dukens putting them 2-1 up after one of a number of good moves.

The Academy hit back with Dorvil fashioning another good goal to set up the game for a finale. In the end the spoils were taken by the Academy after a penalty was awarded to them and Dorvil converted. Both sides did well and deserved something out of the game. In the words of Ian Hurdle, Coach of the Academy, “I still do not know how we won the game because we basically played the first half with half a team”.

In the second game the relatively new Pedagogue FC lost to the SWA Sharks 3-5. The established Sharks have new coaching members in Collis & Hassan and a number of youths after some good work on player recruitment in the off season.

Alex Cranston has also done well to create a team with a base of teachers with the addition of a number of Beaches players and others.

The game was fairly even initially with neither team too threatened until good work from the Pedagogue caused a goalmouth scramble and the ball somehow ended up in the net via Sharks’ keeper, Alex Paul. After this, the Sharks fought back and started creating good chances via the midfield of Paul Collis and Chris Bryan and in particular some good wing play by Xavier Gili and Ralph Pierre using the pace and movement of Rey Garcia and Stevens Derilien. This paid off with a goal for Garcia and another towards the

end of the half for Derilien. The Sharks’ defence looked fairly solid at this point, although Pedagogue did force a couple of saves but the Sharks went into the break on top with a 2-1 lead.

The second half saw both teams doing well, although the excellent Derilien shone and scored the next two goals for the Sharks with two good finishes. After this, the Sharks started to tire and Pedagogue began to use some of their experience to carve out some chances which resulted in a fine Ricky Villa-esque one man dribbled goal from Ian Chang and another from Kevin Brown to leave a nervy finish for the Sharks with the new centre back pairing of Marlon Davidson and Marc Fenelus coming under a little pressure and showing that work is required on the communication at the back. Both sides brought on substitutes and in the end Derilien scored his fourth goal of the match to seal the points for the Sharks.

Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka to clash in Australian Open final MARIA Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka will contest the women’s final at the Australian Open after coming through tough semi-final encounters.

Sharapova secured a gruelling 6-3 3-6 6-4 win over Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova in a match lasting two hours.

Azarenka, from Belarus, beat defending champion Kim Clijsters 6-4 1-6 6-3 in a thrilling see-saw battle.

The final is on Saturday at the Rod Laver Arena (0830 GMT),

with the winner also becoming the world number one.

Caroline Wozniacki, who has occupied top spot in the rankings since February, fell in the quarter-finals to Clijsters, ensuring that there will be a new name at the top of the women’s game when the statistics are revised in the wake of the final.

Third seed Azarenka is bidding to win her first Grand Slam, while Sharapova will hope to claim a fourth major title. (BBC)

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January 28 - February 3, 2012

Williams hoping to qualify for Team Britain at London Olympics THE Caribbean’s U-20 200 metres champion Delano Williams might still be a teenager, but he feels ready for the biggest stage of competition.

The Munro College sixth former is attempting to acquire a British Passport so that he can take part in the home team’s time trials (June) for this year’s London Olympics.

Since TCI is not a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) the speedster has little or no option if he wants to qualify for the July/August Games. A number of TCI officials have been trying to

get the IOC to recognise this British territory as a legitimate sporting nation, and they have become more vocal since we won two gold medals at last year’s CARIFTA Games (Domanique Missick high jump and Williams’s 200M) and bronze at the last Junior Commonwealth Games (long jump Ifeanyi Otuonye), but to date no changes have been made.

The 18-year-old pointed out that Mrs. Rita Gardiner, who is the head of the Turks and Caicos Islands Commonwealth Games Association, has been working hard on getting the

Michael Williams fends off Eduardo Villaneave during a practice game for the new season.

Delano Williams ran a split of 45.7 seconds last year in the 4X400M, a time which impressed the athletic world.

passport. “Mrs. Gardiner is doing an excellent job on this matter; she is making it happen too. I would like to thank her and all the other people who are helping her to get me in the Olympics.”

Although he is in his comfort zone in the 200M, Williams is a

capable 100M and 400M sprinter.

He split 45.7 seconds last year during a 4X400M race for his Jamaican school, a world class time for a teenage boy. In Usain Bolt’s last Jamaican High School Championships in 2003 he broke the 400M record with a time of 45.30s a

“blink” more than what Williams ran in his fifth form year during the relay.

As it stands right now Williams is not sure about the races he will compete in, his main focus is just getting a chance to be a part of the trials—an event which he is physically and psychological ready for.

The junior ‘ruggers’ in their new gear.

Junior rugby moves into high gear LOCAL junior rugby players will now compete at the U-19, U-15 and ‘Mini’ age division levels as the Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union (TCIRFU) advances its developmental programmes on the island chain.

Last season the boys were just grouped as juniors and minis.

The Union recently launched their Boys’ Spring League with beach rugby matches and a BBQ. Tourists and residents were on hand to witness many of the players from the U-19 and U-15 divisions taking part

in a number of highly competitive matches at the Children’s Park in the Bight. Reuben Adams and Eduardo Villaneava landed some big hits while Michael Williams and Cardashio Williams crossed for a number of impressive tries.

Director of Rugby Seán O’Neill is excited to start the new season: “It’s great to have the boys’ season under way after the Christmas break. Last year we had a number of the junior players step up to play in the competitive senior match in December and they played very well.

We are looking forward to developing more talent so these players can go on to represent the Turks and Caicos on a national level.”

The six junior rugby teams are: The North Caicos Knights – sponsored by “Guardian International Insurance”; The Bears - sponsored by “BCQS”; The Lions – sponsored by “CIBC First Caribbean Bank”; The Storm – sponsored by “Scotiabank”; The South Caicos Sharks - sponsored by “Sailrock” and The Warriors sponsored by “The Vix”.

O’Neill recently highlighted the

success of the junior programmes, especially the introduction of girls’ rugby, last year, under the tutelage of Sandra Shaw and president of the TCIRFU Keith Burant and the establishment of a competitive team in North Caicos which already has future star potential.

The hard-working director also praised the coaches for showing a high level of commitment and discipline last season.

NEXT LEVEL The TCIRFU Captain Blair Mason

said that: “Having won the Shield at the North America and Caribbean Sevens last year it has given all of us a taste of what we can achieve and these are the young guys who can take rugby to the next level in the Turks and Caicos.”

Training takes place on Saturdays at the Meridian Field at 10am. Age grades include from Under 12s, Under 15s and Under 19s. For more information please contact pro@rugby.tc or director@ rugby.tc; new players are always welcomed.

January 28 - February 3, 2012

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