Volume 8 Issue 30

WILD DOGS JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

VOLUME 8 No. 30

$1.00

KILL WOMAN Website: www.suntci.com

Email: sun@suntci.com

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

The mauling to death of a mother of three by a pack of wild dogs on Tuesday night in North Caicos has triggered widespread, shock, outrage, disbelief and anger, not only on that island but the entire country.

The chewed-up body of the Mary Craig, 48, was found along Hollywood Bay Beach in Whitby, North Caicos at about 10 a.m., on Wednesday morning by residents of the community and the police. The woman was said to have gone missing from the night before, and a search in the community turned up her lifeless body on the beach.

One of the dogs said to have been among the pack was captured and later put to death by an angry mob, armed with machetes, sticks and clubs as they searched for the killer dogs. The slaughtered dog was on display in the community for most of the day on Wednesday.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, who are presently investigating an incident, are warning residents on that

GOVERNOR SAYS SKIP LIED READ MORE ON PG 8

Tel: 649-946-8542

Fax: 649-941-3281

island to take all necessary precautions to safeguard themselves against being The deceased woman’s husband George Craig, 50, was devastated on learning that the body on the beach was that of his wife of 22 years.

“I can’t take that no more, man. Why she had to leave me and the three children like that?” he asked rhetorically, while speaking to PTV. “She is my wife. We have been married for 22 years.”

Craig said that it was within character for her to leave the house on evening strolls on the beach, but this time he was concerned when she did not turn up the usual time.

“Yesterday evening round about 6 o’clock, my wife went for an evening walk, like she always did. After I didn’t see her come back, I asked the children ‘what happen? I haven’t seen your mommy in the house. (And) they said ‘mommy hasn’t come back yet’,” Craig said.

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HOSPITALS AND VAT DISCUSSED IN UK PARLIAMENT READ MORE ON PG 10

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Mary Craig

TWO-YEAR-OLD CANADIAN BABY DROWNS IN POOL READ MORE ON PG 8

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

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Wild dogs kill woman ...Cont’d

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Realizing that his wife did not return to the house that night, Craig said that he set out on a midmorning search for her, and what he found was heartache that he would follow him for a long time.

“We went on the beach to start looking to see if she was on the beach. We came to find out that some police officers were out there shooting some stray dogs. The officers saw this body there lying down, but they didn’t know exactly whose body it was. And when I went on the beach and approached the police officers and asked him, (is) this my wife? And he said, ‘yeah, George, this is your wife’.

“She was found with no clothes on. Her clothes were missing off of her, and she was bitten all up; it was terrible to see how she looked. It looked very, very bad. I couldn’t believe this was my wife when I saw how the dogs bit up on her arms, legs and he ears.

That was very sad,” Craig lamented.

Between Sunday, July 22, and Tuesday, three other people, including a female Pennsylvania tourist, who went on that island hours after coming to the Turks and Caicos Islands, were attacked by the wild pack. All the attacks, The SUN was told, had caused significant injuries.

At press time the Tactical Team from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force was in the area to assist in ridding that island of the dangerous animals.

Department of Agriculture personnel from Providenciales and Grand Turk were also deployed on that island, to join locally- based colleagues, including the Director of Agriculture and the Chief Veterinarian. And in respond to the frequent attacks by the dogs, the Department of Agriculture has

somewhere in the community. They are also encouraged to wear brightly coloured clothing when walking on roads and beaches.

Among other precautionary measure to exercise are: • Try not to appear threatening to dog (do not stare at the dog, do not smile to show your teeth and stand at angle to the dog); • Do not display fear or weakness. Never turn your back to a dog and run away. A dog's natural instinct will be to chase and catch you; • Shield yourself! If the dog does attack, "feed" him your jacket, shirt, purse, bicycle, umbrella or anything that you can put between yourself and the dog; • Whenever possible seek higher ground if an attack seems imminent (for example, climbing a tree or mounting a fence); • If attacked, and you fall, curl up in a ball and protect your face, neck, and head; and • Never approach a barking, snarling, sleeping, eating, or nursing dog.

Susan Malcolm, Permanent Secretary, Ministry A resident parades the captured dog, which was said to have been among the wild pack that fatally attacked Mary Craig. The dog was for Environment and Home Affairs, in a statement later put to death. said: ”As a precaution, we urge all residents to avoid the known areas where feral dogs are known to embarked on a trapping exercise. frequent. Please limit night walks on the beach and if The authorities are, in the meantime, asking the necessary whenever you go out to do so in a group. general public to stay off the beach area between Residents are also advised that if you must cross these Pelican to Prospect, especially at nights, until further areas, arm yourselves with sticks or some other notice. Persons are also asked to exercise extreme implement to effectively fend off the feral dogs. caution when they see pack of dogs travelling, and to “The Department also strongly suggests that call 911 when the dogs begin to act aggressively. elderly persons and children avoid these areas or be They encourage individuals to carry a stick in the accompanied by people who could offer protection. event of a feral dog attack. Group walking is highly Dogs in packs tend to roam at nights; extra precaution recommended, while persons must others when going is urged especially from dusk until dawn.”

Simons accuses “Skip” of playing chicken with TCI future

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Carlos Simons, Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement is accusing Oswald Skippings, Leader of the Progressive National Party (PDM) of fiddling with the country’s future by refusing to accept an invitation by the British Government to travel to London and hold tripartite talks with that Government and his PNP Counterpart, Dr. Rufus Ewing.

Earlier this month, an invitation was issued to the heads of both parties to attend talks in London on issues relating to the Turks and Caicos and also possibly attending the Olympics. Ewing, who accepted the invitation is now in the UK, but Skippings, who issued news released this week, said he decided to snub the visit on the basis of receiving his travel itinerary late.

The release read in part: “The Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement, Mr. Oswald Skippings has declined an invitation by Her Majesty’s Government to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. This decision was made after receiving his travel itinerary less than 24 hours prior to departure time for London.

“While the Leader was looking forward to using this visit to meet with certain UK officials to discuss matters of importance to our people and country, he was of the feeling that the late

PNP Deputy Leader Carlos Simons is flanked by (from left) Wayne “Major” Garland, Gordon Burton, Petagay Blake and Trevor Cooke.

itinerary was both unprofessional and unacceptable.

“Mr. Skippings subsequently informed officials from the governor’s office that he would make arrangements in the not too distant future for him and a PDM delegation to meet with UK ministers of government and begin dialogue as to the way forward for the TCI, dealing with the critical issues that are affecting the Islands as well as post elections issues.”

But speaking at a news conference on Thursday, July 27, Simons said that skippings was apparently engaging in a game of chicken with the future of the

TCI, by not making the trip. He said that fruitful results could have arrived from talks in the event that the PDM leader had taken up the invitation, as the British Government would conclude that both leaders were on the same page.

However, he said Skippings apparently did not see the necessity of the meetings.

Among the matters that Simons said were up for discussions were the FCO Legislation and the passing of VAT into law.

“It is unfortunate that the leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement chose to pass up the opportunity to participate in these important talks. We

in the Progressive National Party however will not play chicken with the vital interests of the people of TCI. “The primary motivator for our leader going to London on this occasion is to address these very important issues that I have mentioned with the British Government Ministers. And it is a unique opportunity for us, as a party, to meet British Government Ministers on their own territory, look them directly in the eye, and tell them what is it that we do not like about things the Chief Financial Officer Legislation, VAT and other issues, which are critical to the long term interest of the people of the TCI. Simons said that the invitation included attending the Olympic Games, but not primarily for that purpose, which was why Dr. Ewing took up the offer.

“The Olympic Games happen, as far as we are concerned, at the same time, but the primary focus of Dr. Ewing is addressing these matters. What I am saying is, it is the opportunity to discuss these issues with these ministers, and also to meet other Overseas Territories leaders. That was the primary motivation in Dr. Ewing accepting the invitation, and we think that was the responsible thing to do,” Simons said.

The PNP Deputy Leader pointed out that the itinerary was issued to Dr. Ewing several days before the date of departure, hinting that the PDM Leader could have received his invite at the same time.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

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Boundaries Commission says 12 seats would be more appropriate for Turks and Caicos Islands The Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) says the Turks and Caicos Islands should have at least 12 seats.

In its draft report which was dated July 20th, 2012, the EBC, which comprises chairperson Tremmaine Swann-Harvey, Madame Justice Margaret RamsayHale and Carl Simmons, stated: “A total of ten (10) Electoral Districts is not reflective of the specific geographical features of the Turks and Caicos Islands. A figure of at least 12 Electoral Districts would be more appropriate thereby allowing each island to have at least one representative in the House of Assembly.”

The Commission also recommends that in future neutral names be adopted to demarcate the Electoral Boundaries.

“For instance, there was great debate generated in what is the public perception of what areas are known as The Bight and what area is known traditionally as Blue Hills vs Wheeland and public reaction on the redefining of boundary lines in these areas that infringe the traditional separations. Having neutral names for the Electoral Districts would eliminate this issue if in future the boundary lines in these and any other area needs to be redrawn but conflicts with what an area is traditionally accepted as. The Electoral Districts and Enumeration Districts should so far as possible confirm with each other to make this exercise easier in future with shared data between the bodies.”

The Commission said it is cognizant that it must create a total of ten (10) Electoral Districts by eliminating five (5) from the existing fifteen (15) Electoral Districts and that each of these ten (10) Electoral Districts must have an approximately equal number of registered electors.

The total voter population of 6,690 has been divided by ten for a total of ten Electoral Districts.

Therefore the total number of voters in each Electoral District should ideally be 669 (6,690/10 = 669).

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite # 5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-8542/ (649) 241-1510 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com

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Accordingly the Commission adopted the following approach to determining recommendations for ten new Electoral Districts: The Commission acknowledges that due to differences in voter population distribution across the Islands5 and the geographical layout of the Islands it is impossible to achieve the ideal number of 669 voters in each Electoral District. The use of the phrase “so far as is reasonably practicable” in section 4 (2) of the Order gives latitude and leeway to the Commission in determining the voter population in each Electoral District and therefore the Commission has made allowance for a 10% variation above and below the ideal number of registered voters for each district. Therefore, the total number of registered voters in each district should fall between 602(lower range) and 736(upper range).

There are some instances where the Commission has had to depart from the equality principle and create districts which have a voter population which does not fit within the 10% variation range because the peculiar geography of the Islands makes it impractical to merge certain Electoral Districts across Islands. Specific cases include Five Cays in Providenciales and South Caicos which will be reviewed in greater depth later in the report.

The Commission has determined that based on the voter population figures and concentration of voter population in Providenciales, no Electoral Districts should be eliminated in Providenciales and that the present six (The Bight, Long Bay, Cheshire Hall, Richmond Hill, Blue Hills and Five Cays) should be redrawn and redefined where necessary.

The Commission has made provision for those Islands that do not currently have a voter population to be included within an Electoral District, as it is foreseeable that the populations in these Islands may increase. Examples are West Caicos and East Caicos.

The Commission therefore thought it prudent to include them in an Electoral District notwithstanding the present absence of voters. The Commission acknowledges that as at the date of this report (July 20th 2012) the Elections office is still in the process of confirming the accuracy of the voter population data and that the final result may have an impact on these recommendations. This will be addressed prior to the publication of the final report.

GRAND TURK AND SALT CAY` A total voter population of 1,620 resides in Grand Turk. The Commission considered that as it is the capital ideally there should be three electoral districts in Grand Turk. However the Commission is constrained by the need to eliminate 5 Electoral Districts and has therefore determined that, based on the voter population, Grand Turk should be divided into two Electoral Districts.

The number of registered voters in Grand Turk of 1,620 voters easily lends itself into division into two Electoral Districts for a total of 810 voters per district. Although this number is slightly outside of the 10% variance for voter population per Electoral District, the Commission regards this as justifiable since the two Electoral Districts within Grand Turk would be well balanced, whereas to create three Electoral Districts would mean that the number of registered voters per Electoral District would fall below the ideal range.

Salt Cay has traditionally been included within the South Back Salina Electoral District because of the size of its population, strong links of transportation and communication that exist between the two districts, as well as its proximity to South

Back Salina and their shared community interests.

The Commission considered that for these reasons, Salt Cay should remain linked to Grand Turk. The Commission noted that the current voter population for Salt Cay is 37 voters, a number which is already included in the voter number for South Backsalina.

The Commission reviewed maps of the current boundaries of Overback, West Road, North Back Salina and South Backsalina and determined that the two northern Electoral Districts (West Road and Overback) could easily be merged to create one Electoral District and the two southern Electoral Districts (North Back Salina and South Back Salina) could easily be merged to create the second Electoral District.

SOUTH CAICOS A total voter population of 318 resides in South Caicos (South Caicos North 183, South Caicos South 135). This represents a decrease in voters in South Caicos since the last electoral list was published in 2007 (547). The Commission considered it prudent to adjust the boundaries to create one Electoral District in South Caicos. The current number of voters does not justify more than one constituency.

Moreover, although there may exist an emotional attachment to having two electoral districts in South Caicos, there are no geographical or communication constraints or any other limitation that would prevent the merging of the existing two Electoral Districts into one.

Notwithstanding the absence of a population in East Caicos, the Commission decided that due to its geographical proximity to South Caicos, East Caicos should be included in the South Caicos Electoral District as would Little Ambergris Cay and Big Ambergris Cay. Should the voter populations of East Caicos or Little and Big Ambergris Cay increase, a future Commission may consider creating separate Electoral Districts for each island. Given the present size of the population, however, the Commission recommends that South Caicos, East Caicos, Little and Big Ambergris Cays together be the new Electoral District 3.

The Commission acknowledges that the voter population for this new Electoral District falls below the ideal figure of 669 and also below the 10% variance range, but as a matter of practicality and geography, South Caicos cannot be linked with any other Electoral District.

MIDDLE CAICOS AND NORTH CAICOS Middle Caicos has a registered voter population of 56 persons which represents a decrease since 2007 (190). The voter population in North Caicos has also decreased since 2007 (725) for a current total of 416.

Both of these numbers fall below the lower range of the ideal number of registered voters per Electoral District as set out previously.

The Commission acknowledges from the 2006 Electoral Boundaries Commission report that the community of Middle Caicos and the communities in North Caicos are historically distinct communities with entrenched generational attitudes separating communities, and that there have been communication, geographical and transportation difficulties that did not justify adjustment of the boundaries. However, the Commission is of the view that given the low voter population in the existing Electoral Districts an elimination of Electoral Districts is required. The Commission also notes that the communication and transportation difficulties identified in the 2006 Commission report have been ameliorated by virtue of the Causeway linking North and Middle Caicos.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Boundaries Commission ...Cont’d While there is no voter population data for Parrot Cay and neighboring Cays, the Commission determined that due to their proximity to and links to North Caicos, these islands can be subsumed within the North Caicos Electoral District.

The Commission therefore recommends that Middle and North Caicos and Parrot Cay and the neighbouring cays be joined as one Electoral District comprising Electoral District 4.

The Commission acknowledges that even when the Electoral Districts of Middle and North Caicos and Parrot Cay are combined, the voter population falls below the ideal figure of 669 and below the lower range of 602. However as a matter of practicality and geography, these islands cannot be linked with any other Electoral District.

PROVIDENCIALES As has already been set out earlier in this report, the voting population of Providenciales has increased since the last electoral list was published with the current voter population being 4,280. Due to Providenciales hosting more than half of the total TCI voter population, the Commission has determined that the current number of six Electoral Districts in Providenciales should be retained.

However, the Commission notes that the current distribution of voters in the Electoral Districts in Providenciales is unbalanced, with a great variation in the size of the voter population between Electoral Districts as shown below: District 10 The Bight, Providenciales 831 District 11 Blue Hills 1393 District 12 Five Cays 796 District 13 Cheshire Hall 546 District 14 Richmond Hill 122 District 15 Long Bay Hills 592 In order to address this unequal distribution of voters per Electoral District, the Commission recommends the following: 1. The Blue Hills Electoral District is divided to create an additional Electoral District; 2. Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill be combined to create a single Electoral District; 3. The disparity in voter population across the new Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill Electoral District (see 2 above), The Bight and Long Bay Hills Electoral Districts be addressed by redefining and redrawing the boundaries of these three Electoral Districts.

4. Due to its geographic layout, the Five Cays Electoral District should remain as is.

Blue Hills Blue Hills represents the largest area of population growth in Providenciales. The voter

population in Blue Hills has grown from 882 in 2007 to 1,393 in 2012. The Commission noted that this figure is less than the total Grand Turk voter population by only 227. The Commission therefore considered it necessary to create two Electoral Districts which would have fairly equal voter populations. The new Electoral Districts would be the Wheeland district by which name the area is locally known and the traditional Blue Hills district.

The voter population of the Cheshire Hall Electoral District is 546. The voter population of the Richmond Hill Electoral District is 122. The Commission acknowledges that in 2006 the voter population within this area necessitated dividing what was one Electoral District into two. However given the decrease in population in the two Electoral Districts the Commission recommends that they be once again merged into a single Electoral District known as Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill.

The Commission also recommends that the unpopulated West Caicos be subsumed within the Wheeland Electoral District due to its proximity. A future Commission may wish to review this in the event West Caicos becomes populated.

Cheshire Hall; Richmond Hill Even with the merging of Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill Electoral Districts as discussed above, there still exists a disparity in the number of voters in the new Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill (668), The Bight (831) and Long Bay (592) Electoral Districts. To achieve equality of voter population as far as reasonably practicable between Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, The Bight and Long Bay Hills, the Commission considers it expedient to Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill has long been regarded as a single geographic area and is so described in all Lands and Survey maps and Land Registry title documents. The new Electoral District of Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill will reflect that fact.

The Bight and Long Bay Hills The voter population in The Bight has increased since the last voter population data was published in 2007 (698 in 2007). With a current total of 831 registered voters, this number falls outside the ideal range for Electoral Districts and therefore requires adjustment. Based on the population data available to the Commission, it is evident to the Commission that the growth in voter population in the Bight is attributable to the growth of the voter population in Leeward, particularly the Leeward Palms subdivision.

The voter population in Long Bay Hills is 592.

This number falls outside the ideal range for Electoral Districts and therefore requires adjustment.

Given the voter population data in these two Electoral Districts, the Commission recommends that in order to achieve equality of voter population between the two, the two Electoral Districts should be redefined by relinquishing the current demarcation of these boundary lines by reference to the Leeward Highway and merging and dividing the two Electoral Districts across the Leeward Highway with the dividing line between the two Electoral Districts running North to South. The Commission acknowledges that there may exist an attachment to the Leeward Highway as the boundary demarcation between the two Electoral Districts, however there are no geographical, communication constraints or any other limitation that would prevent the merging of the existing two Electoral Districts across the Leeward Highway in the manner suggested. It is not without precedent, as the existing boundaries of the Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill Electoral Districts runs across the Leeward Highway. The Commission therefore recommends that the two redrawn Electoral Districts comprising the Bight and Long Bay Hills be designated Electoral District 5: Leeward and Electoral District 6: The Bight.

The Commission is of the view that these new boundary demarcations will achieve the necessary balance in voter population across the Districts. The islands of Pine Cay, Little Water Cay and East Cays including Dellis Cay have traditionally been linked to the eastern end of Providenciales. The voter population in these islands is nil and therefore the Commission recommends they remain subsumed with the eastern end of Providenciales in the new Leeward Electoral District. A later Commission can review this should the populations in these cays grow and the need arises to revisit them as separate Electoral Districts.

The Commission is of the view that adjusting and redefining the boundaries as recommended above and creating the new Electoral Districts of Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, The Bight and Leeward would effectively remedy the current disparity in voter population.

Five Cays The Commission is of the view that due to its geographical layout and isolation from the remainder of the Island, it is impractical to try to alter the boundaries of the Five Cays Electoral District. The Commission recommends therefore that, notwithstanding the fact that the voter population of 796 exceeds the ideal number of registered voters, given the geographic features which limits the possible combinations of districts in Five Cays, the Electoral District of Five Cays should remain as is.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

Governor suggests that PDM leader Oswald Skippings lied about UK trip Governor Ric Todd has suggested that People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader Oswald Skippings was not truthful about the reasons why he did not attend the trip to London to attend the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games and meet British officials.

A press release from the PDM said Skippings has declined an invitation

by Her Majesty’s Government to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games “after receiving his travel itinerary less than 24 hours prior to departure time for London”.

The release stated: “While the Leader was looking forward to using this visit to meet with certain UK officials to discuss matters of importance to our people and country, he was of the feeling that the late itinerary was both unprofessional and unacceptable.

Mr. Skippings subsequently informed officials from the governor’s office that he would make arrangements in the not too distant future for him and a PDM delegation to meet with UK ministers of government and begin dialogue as to the way forward for the TCI, dealing with the critical issues that are affecting the Islands as well as post elections issues.”

It added: “The Party leader expressed no regrets in missing the Official Opening of the Olympic Games on July 27th, but emphasized the importance of meeting with British Parliamentarians. However, he would

proceed to do so at a more appropriate time when there would be no major national distractions such as the Olympic Games.”

However, in a “factual rebuttal” issued by his spokesman Neil Smith, the Governor said: “I very much regret having to publicly correct Mr Skippings’ version of events issued yesterday, but I cannot remain silent when a public figure tries to discredit the Governor’s Office in this way,” said Governor Todd. My staff, together with colleagues in the UK, put together a full programme which would have seen the leaders of the PDM and PNP join other world and Caribbean leaders at the London 2012 Olympic opening ceremony on Friday, before going on to meet with the UK politicians and officials that they will work with now and after the November election. I note that our simultaneous communications with the PNP led to a successful outcome, and do not understand, therefore, why the PDM’s internal communications failed on this occasion.”

The Governor then gave the following dates of communication between the Governor’s Office and Oswald Skippings.

• Thursday, 4 July – invitation issued to both political parties from UK Foreign Secretary William Hague (copy attached) • Sunday 8 July – E-mail from Sharleen Cartwright Robinson acknowledged the invitation.

Mystery surrounds death of US lawyer in Turks and Caicos Friends of a Charlotte attorney say they are asking the U.S. State Department for help in determining what caused the death of Jeffrey Trent earlier this week in the Caribbean.

Trent, a partner in the law firm FrickTrent, PLLC, was found dead Sunday or Monday in the Turks & Caicos Islands, where he was vacationing.

In a statement issued Thursday, Tracy Frick, the other partner in the firm, said friends “are still unclear of the exact details of this tragic event.”

Frick added, “We have been unable to obtain any details from the local authorities in the Turks & Caicos, but we are hoping that the State Department will intervene and come to our assistance to answer Jeffrey Trent the critical questions of the circumstances.”

A police department employee who answered the phone Friday morning on Grand Turk Island said he had no information about Trent’s death. The island chain’s police department Facebook page had no news about the death or an investigation.

Trent was a Virginia native who received a bachelors degree from Lynchburg (Va.) College and his law degree from Wake Forest University. He worked in the investment industry before entering law and was a senior attorney in the North Carolina office of Trey Inman & Associates, before launching his own firm.

Frick said Trent enjoyed travel.

“Jeff was doing what he loved most -- vacationing and experiencing new places and cultures around the world,” she said.

FrickTrent PLLC is based in Charlotte but has offices in Fort Mill and Rock Hill.

(Article from Charlotte Observer)

Governor Ric Todd

• Monday 9 July – Reply copied to Sharleen Cartwright Robinson providing further information on the initial programme.

• Tuesday 10 July – E-mail from Governor’s Office to Oswald Skippings confirming dates of visit and requesting passport details etc., to allow flights to be booked. Mr Skippings provided these by return the same day.

• Monday 16 July – E-mail from Governor’s Office to Oswald Skippings asking if he had any special dietary requirements. Reply received the same day from Mr Skippings.

• Thursday 19 July – Draft programme sent to Mr Skippings.

• Monday 23 July – Joining Instructions for Olympic Opening

Ceremony sent to Mr Skippings.

Separately in a meeting with Governor, Mr Skippings mentions that he hasn’t seen a programme for the Olympic Ceremony. Joining instructions were reissued and copied to Lyndon Hall to ensure receipt.

• Tuesday 24 July – Joining Instructions re-sent to Lyndon Hall to ensure receipt. Email from Sharleen Cartwright Robinson claiming insufficient information provided and therefore, declining the visit. E-tickets e-mailed to Skippings and to Lyndon Hall. Tuesday 24 July at 12.45 – Final programme e-mailed to Skippings.

• Wed 25 July – E-mail Sharleen Cartwright Robinson stating that we had managed to get her provisional flight and accommodation bookings if she wished to accompany Mr Skippings. Confirmation from Lyndon Hall that Skippings would not be travelling to London.

In a separate press release, leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP) Dr. Rufus Ewing also noted that both political leaders had agreed to attend the London meetings.

Ewing stated: “The original invitation extended to leaders of both parties first came in the form of an invitation to attend the Olympic Opening Ceremony. Both leaders later accepted invitations after the FCO indicated that an official agenda enabling discussion and dialogue with the above-referenced officials was added to the schedule.”

Two-year-old Canadian toddler dies in pool at a villa Emergency services were called to an address on Cherokee Road, Providenciales, just before 9am on Sunday July 22nd, after a two-yearold girl was discovered face down in the swimming pool.

According to police, at the time the residence was being occupied by a family which had just arrived on July 21st, for a vacation.

Family members and paramedics administered CPR before the child was rushed to the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre by ambulance for further treatment.

Sadly the toddler who was visiting with family from Canada was pronounced dead by doctors at 9.41am.

A police investigation is taking place although at this time there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.

"This is a truly shocking tragedy and at this terrible time our thoughts and prays are with the family affected”, an RTCI Police spokesman said.

"Due to the nature of the investigation we are unable to give any further details at this time.”

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Salary: $6 per hour Interested persons please contact: 946-8550

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

New Immigration law changes criteria to become a Turks and Caicos Islands Belonger The Turks and Caicos Islands has passed new Immigration laws, the major plank of which is a drastic change in the criteria for getting Belongership in this British Overseas Territory.

The main changes to the law are in Section 3 of the Immigration Ordinance, which sets out the ways in which a person becomes a Belonger. In line with the majority of the responses to the consultation, from August 13th, the only ways to become a Belonger will be by birth, descent, adoption, by being married for ten years to a Belonger (other than a Belonger by marriage), or by being the dependent child of someone who becomes a Belonger by marriage. It will no longer be possible for the child of a non-Belonger who marries a Belonger to acquire Belonger status as soon as the marriage takes place, as a stepchild.

There will be no provision for Belonger status to be granted in any other circumstances.

It will be the responsibility of an elected Government to bring forward an Ordinance which provides for Turks and

Caicos Islander Status to be granted if certain conditions are met. This is a requirement of the Constitution, which also sets out the minimum conditions to be included in that Ordinance.

Governor Ric Todd signed the Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations 2012 into law on Monday, July 23rd 2012, giving effect to the main messages received in the recent territorywide consultation on the pathway to citizenship.

Most of the provisions will come into law on 13th August 2012, but the new rules on Permanent Residence Certificates will come into law on September 10th, 2012, which is when the current moratorium on new applications for Permanent Residence Certificates (PRC) will be lifted.

The policy and legislation were debated by the Advisory Council on 30 May and 22 June and considered by the Consultative Forum in closed session on June 25th, and in open session on June 27th, when the legislation met with unanimous support, subject to some

changes of detail (mainly affecting the new residence permits, and fees) which had been raised in the thorough debate.

Other changes to the Immigration Ordinance include: •It will be possible for Belonger status which was bestowed under the previous law to be revoked, where the Belonger is convicted of a serious criminal offence and is not resident in the Islands. This will only apply to those who had Belonger status granted for "an outstanding contribution to the economic and social development of the Islands".

•It will no longer be solely the responsibility of a Belonger to prove their status day to day: all Belongers will be able to obtain a National Turks and Caicos Islander Status Card which will be lawful evidence of their status. Cards are being issued free of charge to those who applied as part of the current exercise linked to the electoral register, but the new regulations provide for a fee of $50 in future.

•There will be a new criminal offence of marrying in order to gain immigration advantage, with a penalty of up to two years' imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. This is aimed at so called "marriages of convenience" and would apply both to the person gaining immigration advantage and to the Belonger who is marrying them in order to allow them to do so.

•The law is being clarified to confirm that Belongers, PRC holders and British overseas territories citizens by virtue of a connection with the Islands, ie TCI passport holders, are free to enter, reside, and work in the Territory, and cannot be excluded from or deported from the Territory.

Amendments to the Immigration Regulations include: •Amendments to Schedule 3, to provide for a new, long-term residence permit for investors. From 13th August, it will be possible for someone who has invested $500,000 or more in Providenciales or West Caicos, or $250,000 or more in Grand Turk or the family Islands, to obtain a residence permit for up to ten years.

•The fee for a residence permit for the spouse of a Belonger will be increased to the equivalent of an annual rate of $300; it will be possible for such a

permit to be issued for up to 11 years; and there will be provision for dependent children to be endorsed on the permit for $150 per child.

•Amendments to Schedule 2, which applies to permanent residence. From 10th September the Ministry will accept new applications for PRC under new, standardised rules. People will qualify for PRC if they meet the general requirements, and have held a work permit, other than as an unskilled worker; or a residence permit; or have been in the Islands under Section 9, ie as a Government worker for ten years or more. Anyone who has held a work permit as an unskilled worker for ten years or more by 10th September 2012 will also be able to qualify, but time spent as an unskilled worker will not in future be able to lead to PRC. [The fees for all these PRCs will be $10,000.]

•PRC will also be available to young people who have been endorsed on their parents' PRC when they turn 18; to young people who arrived in the Islands before the age of five and have been through primary and secondary education here before 10th September 2012; and to people who have been married to a Belonger for five years or more, where the Belonger spouse has died. The fees for these PRCs will be $5,0000.

•Apart from those who qualify on the basis of having been a residence permit holder, PRC holders will have unrestricted permission to work. The provision in Schedule 8 for an "anniversary" fee to be required of a PRC holder with limited permission to work, which has never been consistently applied, has accordingly been removed.

This responds to points raised in the consultation.

•All applicants for PRC will need to provide evidence that they have a sound knowledge of the English language and of the Islands. The TCI Community College will be involved with the arrangements for tuition and testing: more details of this policy will be issued in advance.

Separately from this legislation, the Ministry will be bringing forward new British Nationality Fees regulations shortly, to increase naturalisation fees to $1000 and registration fees to $500.

CALL 946-8542 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Page 10

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

TCI hospitals and VAT raised in House of Commons and House of Lords

BY HAYDEN BOYCE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Two of the most controversial subjects in the Turks and Caicos Islands were recently raised in the House of Commons and the House of Lords in the United Kingdom (UK).

On July 6th, 2012, MP Andrew Rosindell asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has committed to pay Interhealth Canada under the terms of the 2008 contract with Interhealth Canada.

Mr Henry Bellingham replied: “The contract with Interhealth Canada is a matter for the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Government. In a public statement on health care funding in October last year, the TCI Government gave the figure for the total annual cost of health care as approximately US$ 61.5 million, of which US$ 44 million is paid to Interhealth Canada for infrastructure and clinical costs.”

Rosindell also asked Bellingham what recent discussions he has had with Interhealth Canada on the refinancing of its contract with the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Bellingham stated: “The contract with Interhealth Canada is a matter for the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). They held discussions with Interhealth Canada in October last year.

The TCI Government commissioned an independent review

Lord Jones of Cheltenham

of the hospital financing arrangements which recommended against pursuing a refinancing option. The TCI Government continues to explore opportunities to deliver greater value for money from the hospital contracts.”

On July 5th in the House of Lords, Lord Jones of Cheltenham asked Her Majesty's Government what consultation they have undertaken on the proposal to introduce value added tax in the Turks and Caicos Islands; what has been the response to that consultation; and what further consultation is planned.

Lord Howell of Guildford replied: “The introduction of value added tax (VAT) is a decision for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. A decision to introduce VAT was announced in the 2011-12 budget statement. This decision was based on thorough

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research and an assessment that VAT would offer a simpler, equitable and stable revenue source. A Green Paper on VAT implementation was published in May and consultation is underway on this. VAT will be implemented from 1 April 2013.”

Lord Jones of Cheltenham also asked Her Majesty's Government how many submissions have been received from residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands regarding the proposal to introduce value added tax; how many public meetings have taken place to allow islanders to express their views; and whether any changes to the original proposals are being considered following those meetings.

He received the exact answer from Lord Howell of Guildford, who stated: “The introduction of value added tax (VAT) is a decision for the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. A decision to introduce VAT was announced in the 2011-12 budget statement. This decision was based on thorough research and an assessment that VAT would offer a simpler, equitable and stable revenue source. A Green Paper on VAT implementation was published in May

and consultation is underway on this.

VAT will be implemented from 1 April 2013.”

Lord Jones of Cheltenham also asked Her Majesty's Government what is the status of loans they have granted to the Turks and Caicos Islands; what value of loans is guaranteed; and when they expect that the islands will be in a position to start repaying those loans.

Baroness Northover replied: “DfID currently has no outstanding loans to the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). TCI currently holds £119 million in debt guaranteed by Her Majesty's Government. Of this, £4 million is due to be repaid in July 2012. The remaining £115 million is due to be repaid in its entirety in February 2016.

By building a track record of sound financial management and a significant cash reserve, we expect at this point the TCI Government to refinance their debts without a UK guarantee. The chief financial officer ordinance enables the UK Government to retain sufficient control over the public finances and so protect the interests of the UK as loan guarantor.”

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 11

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

TCI to host 2012 World Travel Awards The international tourism spotlight will once again be turned on the Turks & Caicos Islands when it hosts the World Travel Awards (WTA) – regarded as Oscars of the travel industry - on September 14, 2012.

WTA’s Caribbean & the Americas Ceremony 2012 will take place at Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa. Decision-makers from leading travel organisations across the Caribbean and Americas are scheduled to attend the gala evening.

The red-carpet ceremony will include a gourmet dinner, top entertainment, as well as the presentation of the coveted awards.

The World Travel Awards was launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognise excellence in the global travel and tourism industry, and is now regarded as the very highest achievement that a product could hope to receive.

The TCI has been entered a number o f categories including the Caribbean’s Leading Beach – Grace Bay Beach - which it won last year. The TCI is pitted against several of other leading regional tourism spots in the category of Caribbean’s Leading Destination. The TCI is also in the running for the Caribbean’s Leading Honeymoon Destination.

TCI is also entered in the

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Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel, that category is represented by The Veranda Resort. Grand Turks is entered in the category of Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination, while the Grand Turk Cruise Centre will be jostling for the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Port.

Beaches TCI will be seeking to retain its title as the Caribbean’s Leading Family All Inclusive Resort.

The Regent Palms and Parrot Cay are the standard-bearers in the Caribbean’s Leading Hotel category. The Estates at Grace Bay (Grace Bay Club) and the Veranda Resort are the TCI

representatives in the Caribbean's Leading Hotel & Residences category.

The Amanyara Villas and the Parrot Cay Residences will represent the TCI in the Caribbean's Leading Luxury Villa category. Pine Cay, for the first time has been entered into the category of Caribbean's Leading Private Island.

Grace Bay Club, Parrot Cay and the Regent Palms will challenge 26 other resorts for the Caribbean's Leading Resort. Parrot Cay and the Regent Palms have made it in the category of Caribbean's Leading Spa Resort.

Grace Bay Penthouse Suite, Grace Bay Club; the Penthouse Three Bedroom Ocean Front at The Regent Palms; and Presidential Suite at The Somerset are the TCI representatives in the Caribbean's Leading Suite category.

The Turks & Caicos Tourist Board is also placed in the Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board category.

Graham E Cooke, President and Founder, WTA, was quoted on site’s page as saying: “We are delighted to be hosting our Caribbean & The Americas Ceremony 2012 in Turks & Caicos, a paradise destination currently enjoying a surge in tourism arrivals. The nation is entering an exciting new chapter in its history, and tourism will play an even greater role in its economic evolution.”

Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism, Turks & Caicos Tourist Board was also quoted by the website as saying: “The Turks & Caicos Islands are indeed very proud to once again be the host country for WTA. These awards recognize the best in the travel industry while also celebrating the rich diversity of the nominees: their culture, heritage and people. Turks & Caicos Tourist Board welcomes WTA back to our beautiful shores where memories will be made for a lifetime, the hospitality and spirit of the people will forever be etched in the history of such an esteemed group of nominees.

“Our destination is poised for success as the global economic recovery begins to take shape and with WTA taking place here, it signifies to the world that the Turks & Caicos Islands is open for business, ready to provide a unique travel experience for all.”

The Caribbean & the Americas Ceremony 2012 marks the second leg of WTA’s Grand Tour, a global search for the world’s leading travel brands, which also includes regional heats in Dubai, Nairobi, Singapore and The Algarve. The winners of these legs will then go head-to-head at WTA’s Grand Final, which takes place at The Oberoi, Gurgaon, New Delhi, India on December 12, 2012.

GOVERNMENT VACANCY ACCOUNTS OFFICER/CASHIER (Provo) JOB TITLE:

SUMMARY OVERVIEW An exciting opportunity awaits you in the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Service for the post of Accounts Officer/Cashier in the Accountant General’s Department, Ministry of Finance. The post holder will be in an administrative/supportive position with first level responsibility for the effective management and collection of revenue.

The position requires that the incumbent provide service to the customers of TCIG in the receiving of revenue, responding to the queries and where required issuing payment to suppliers. He/She will also provide impartial, accurate and timely advice when requested by the Assistant Account General, Transaction Accounting.

SUMMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent duties in relation to Cashier, Transaction Accounting Unit, to ensure high standards are maintained at all times, includes: • Provide an effective cash handling service and abide by the Financial Instructions at all times • Manage the collection of revenue, in particular Record all receipts, lodgments in an accurate manner Carry our the end of day cash count and depositing of collections with the bank Ensure that all collections are reconciled daily Safeguarding of cash collections at all times Ensuring that collections are made in accordance with the TCIG’s cheque exemption list Entering of invoices into Smartstream Reconciling outstanding vendor accounts • Manage the payment of suppliers, in particular: Issuing supplier cheques and ensuring appropriate authority to collect payment is received Preparing of statements for cheques that are to the distributed to banks

• Provide customer service to the TCI Government customers ensuring a quality level of service is maintained at all times • Required to fulfill such other duties the Head Cashier/Revenue Officer may determine that are consistent with the discharge of the Department’s overall duties and responsibilities QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The successful candidate must possess a College Certificate/Diploma in Secretarial Science or the equivalent in Accounting with at least two (2) years hands-on experience. In addition to the basic entry qualification requires specialized training in:-Communications, Computer literacy and familiarity with accounting software packages and Basic Human relations’ skills.

The job also requires the candidate to have interpersonal skills and knowledge in the revenue collection processes. The officer must be able to efficiently utilize financial accounting systems and assist with the development of the strategic and corporate plans for the Treasury Department. He/She must also have good oral and report writing skills.

SALARY T16 – T21 $21,060 – $22,660 PER ANNUM For more information on the Job Description, please contact the Human Resource Management Directorate Telephone 649-946-2801 Extension: 10321, Facsimile: 649-946-1582, E-mail: recruitment@gov.tc . All resumes should be addressed to Mr. Mark Greenway, Director (Acting) of the Human Resource Management Directorate, 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.

BELONGERS ONLY NEED APPLY. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 3rd August, 2012 ONLY SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED

Page 12

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

PDM unveils At-Large candidates

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Successful business woman Josephine Connolly is the only notable surprise in the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) slate of At Large candidates that the party intends to field in the November 9, 2012 general elections against rivals the Progressive National Party (PNP).

The five candidates were unveiled at party headquarters downtown Providenciales on Monday, July 23 before a vociferous bunch of party loyalist.

The At Large Candidates are Leader of the party Oswald Skippings, Deputy Leader Sharlene CartwrightRobinson, former chief minister Derek Taylor and former government minister Sam Harvey. Skippings, Cartwright Robinson and Taylor had long expressed interest in running as At Large candidates, while it was touted that Harvey could be a candidate for the upcoming elections, but did not state whether it would be At Large or in a constituency.

The outspoken Connolly, who is the owner of Tropical Auto Rentals and radio station 88 JAMS FM, is believed by a number of party sympathizers on hand, to be a fillip for the party chances at the polls while at the same time could pose as a bane to the PNP’s efforts to retake parliament.

Connolly, after being invited to the podium, rebuffed possible insinuation of ever been a PNP backer, rather saying that the PDM was the Turks and Caicos Islands’ best bet to chisel the country from the current economic

The PDM At Large Candidates (from left) Sam Harvey, Josephine Connolly, Leader Oswald Skippings, Deputy Leader Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson and former chief minister Derek Taylor

abyss.

“I am here tonight to sign up for duty as a committed Turks and Caicos Islander. I may be relatively new to some of you in the political arena, while others may assume that I was a member of the PNP. However, it is important that I publicly declare that I was never a member of the PNP nor the PDM party in the previous election years.

“Tonight, I am extremely proud to inform you that, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, that I am now a proud member of the Peoples Democratic Movement,” Connolly said, to deafening cheers from the packed room.

Connolly said that she was convinced that the People’s Democratic Movement was the more capable party to return prosperity to the country.

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“I may be the new lady on the block as far as politics is concerned but I know the agenda of the PDM party that it is the best solution for this country. I believe that we have a unique opportunity to shape politics in these islands. We have an opportunity for a new start, and the PDM leadership team will deliver that new start,” she asserted.

Connolly also stressed that the PDM was an inclusive party, saying also that it was geared to encompass anyone willing to become part of it.

Connolly pledged to the energized gathering that leading up to the election day, she would roll up her sleeve and

put her shoulder to the wheel to ensure a PDM victory.

In the meantime Skippings believed that the PDM At Large team will land all five seats in favour of that party, asserting that, as best as the PNP may try, it would not be able to field a slate of candidates that could come anywhere near the bunch that his party has put together.

For the PNP, there are three known persons who have expressed an interest to run At Large. They are party leader Dr. Rufus Ewing, Deputy Leader and Queen’s Counsel attorney Carlos Simons and clergyman Rev. Dr. Conrad Howell.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 13

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

TC Islanders do not want a low-tax economy, says Governor

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Governor Ric Todd told a post Advisory Council news conference that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands do not want to live in a low taxation economy, which he said was based on his many interactions with them.

The governor’s revelation came while addressing journalists at the post Advisory Council Meeting on Wednesday at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergency in Providenciales on Wednesday, July 25.

He was addressing the passing of the controversial Value Added Tax (VAT) into law, and the concerns by especially members of the business community, that the tax could send prices spiraling.

Insisting that VAT would bring about fairness in tax collection, since it would now encompass those who once walked away with big bucks without having to pay any form of taxes, Governor Todd revealed that the current tax code remained a concern

for members of the public, who wanted fairness.

“There are some very fundamental choices here on how much money the government spends and what services people want. My sense, having been here in a year, is that the people of the TCI do not want to live in low taxation economy. And part of the discussion about VAT is the number of people who said they don’t want any more taxes, they want cut.

Well, though that is a perfectly rational argument, those who said they want lower taxes, as night follows day, they have to accept lower public spending.

“My sense, for being nearly a year here, is, the people of the TCI want to have a pretty good level of public services and that requires tax income,” Governor Todd reiterated.

Governor Todd said that at the moment the revenues come mainly from customs duty, excise, licenses and permits. He said that under VAT, tax collection would be fairer, since it would widen the tax rake.

“VAT is a tax on consumption and you aim to have a broader but lower basis to tax across the board,” he said.

In the meantime, Governor Todd

said that the TCI was saddled with many needs, and those who believed that country did not need to raise taxes in order to raise revenue, to tackle the myriad of problems were not being honest.

And while some in the public sphere were being adamant that they would exhaust every legal avenue to repeal VAT, Governor Todd said the law would not change. The governor also insisted that enough discussions were held regarding VAT since the idea was first introduced to the TCI in 2005.

The law which Governor Todd said was being made available in the Gazette, included provisions of a number of concerns raised by sections of the society, including the Hotel and Tourism Association and some condominium owners. He said concerns that were raised regarding how effective VAT would be, were put to rest.

“There are some people on the Islands who don’t think VAT should be

introduced, and there is a range of reasons for that. There are genuine concerns about VAT, for example, people are concerned that prices in the shops for the ordinary man and woman would rise; people are worried about whether or not TCIG has the capacity to implement VAT. “I think we were able to answer both of those concerns. Firstly, by setting up the new VAT Unit to increase the number of compliance officers, we are investing in the IT system and we are working closely with (CARTAC) (Caribbean Technical Assistance Center) - the regional experts on VAT. “VAT is introduced successfully in places like Barbados and in St. Lucia.

I think that VAT is, as far as any tax, good, fair and sustainable. There are people who are opposed to VAT, and they are maintaining their opposition.

Some people would rather discuss its principle rather than its implementation,” Governor Todd said.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Scorn poured on VAT during Provo meeting

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

The Turks and Caicos Independent Business Council (TCIBC) made another push to force a Value Added Tax about face by the Interim Administration by staging what it referred to as an educational town hall meeting at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex in Providenciales on Tuesday evening, July 24.

The event, which was convened to educate persons on how the impending taxation would affect them at the cash register, saw a number of business individuals taking the mike to speak of the evils of VAT, even showing a video on how the people of St. Kitts and Nevis complaining that the consumption tax had plummeted their standard of living.

The speakers of the event included leaders of both political parties – Oswald Skippings of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and Rufus Ewing of the Progressive National Party (PNP); LIME’s Country Manager Drexwell Seymour, who also chaired the event;

A section of the VAT meeting at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Complex (VAT meeting)

Stacy Cox, Executive of Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association; Edith Cox, CFO of the Graceway Group; Ken Adams, owner of the Do It Centre; economist Gilbert Morris; medical practitioner Sam Slattery; and Nick Haywood of Price WaterhouseCoopers.

Haywood told the gathering that VAT would be slapped onto more

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items than most people originally expected, since it is a consumption tax, and as a result, consumers should brace themselves for a significant rise in prices. He said that prices on most zero-rated items would not go down, because they were already exempted from taxes.

Haywood said that the cost of imports would not be reduced as a result of the VAT application, and businesses were concerned that consumers would begin to buy less, as they may not afford to cough up more funds to pay for the increased goods.

Haywood added that small businesses would not be able to claim VAT after they had paid to purchase some goods, which he said meant that those enterprises would have higher expenses. He said the current tax code was simple and should not be fiddled with, while VAT would be difficult to police.

For his part, Adams reiterated the difficulty consumers would have when VAT comes into effect on April 1, next year. He said that freight charges would still apply on the goods that his company would bring in, VAT would then be applied, and those charges would be passed on to the consumers, thereby jacking up prices.

Stacy Cox said that since the TCI was a low tax destination, the imposition of VAT would change the way tourism operates in the TCI. In the meantime, Morris said that government should have done a more in-depth study of VAT before

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

implementing it, as they would have gotten a better idea of its benefits and pitfalls. He said that the basis on which the tax was passed into law was not sound. According to him, most of the Caribbean countries which implemented VAT were force to make upward adjustments, since the collection proved unsustainable.

Morris even made reference to the UK, where VAT started at single digit and was now at about 20 percent. He said such a situation would devastate the TCI. Slattery noted that while VAT would not be charged on medical services, it would apply to office supplies, which would mean that private medical practitioners would operate at a loss because they would not be able to reclaim the money paid on VAT for purchasing those supplies.

Meanwhile, Edith Cox said that food items which were once duty free would now attract VAT of up to 13 percent because there has been no provision for reduction in cost. She said fish, sugar and propane could, however, see a reduction in VAT. She said one of the reasons duty was so high on fish was to protect the local fishing industry. She pointed out that chicken, which was zero rated, would now attract tax of up to 13 percent.

Conrad Howell, in the meantime, declared that with the introduction of VAT, the Interim Administration was placing the next elected government in a very compromising position, since it would be the finance minister of the party that won the November 9 election, would have to implement the tax, while it was no secret that both political parties vehemently opposed its imposition.

Howell argued that VAT was risky could fetch less revenue for the Government, which would then be forced to implement other revenuegenerating measures such as an increase in taxation.

Ewing, also denounced VAT, saying that it was unjust, and would be mounted on the backs of the ordinary man, whom he said, at this stage, was already experiencing hardship, telling the gathering that VAT could stifle growth. He argued that the government should stick to the current tax code which is simple and easier understood by everyone.

Skippings noted that VAT was a bad idea and not the answer to the economic stability of the Turks and Caicos Islands, while urging members of the public should to reject it. According to him, Government was contradicting himself over the implementation of VAT, since the minister responsible for the TCI told parliament that the tax’s implementation was up to the Turks and Caicos people, and it was no secret that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands was totally against.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 15

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Government clueless on VAT answers – Clive Stanbrook

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Government forced Value Added Tax (VAT) into law because it is terrified to debate the public and business community and afraid that if left until after the November Elections, the incoming government might disregard it.

This is the view of Clive Stanbrook, Chairman for the Turks and Caicos Independent Business Council (TCIBC), which held a news conference at Project House on Thursday, July 19th, hours after Government signed the tax into law.

The press conference was two-fold – to reiterate the body’s stance on the imminent implementation of the tax and to announce a town hall meeting for Tuesday, July 24, to education the populace on the true nature of VAT and the devastating effect it could have on especially the middle to lower payscale consumers.

According to Stanbrook, since the tax would come on stream come April 1, next year, Government could have sought further consultations to get a clearer picture how it would impact the income of the regular people.

“The Interim Administration did have to put this tax in immediately.

You have to ask yourself ‘Why did they rush it through the Advisory Council? Why did they rush it through the Consultative Forum? Why is it

From left – Sam Slattery, Stacy Cox, Drexwell Seymour, Clive Stanbrook and Simon Hutelings

now supposedly implemented? And why do none of us has a copy?’ The answer is they haven’t finished it… that’s the answer, they have not finished it for the first session; they have not finished it for the second session.

“The people who supposedly approved it didn’t know what they were approving. At the Forum, somebody said, ‘oh well, we must trust our superiors’. What are these people there for? They are not there to trust their superiors. They are there to scrutinize the legislation. What they have done is they rush all this through.

“And the question is why? And the answer is not because, ‘oh we want to get it through before its

implementation’; Its implementation is not before April next year. The answer is, they have got to get it through before a democratically-elected government gets in. So they are rushing to avoid a democratic mandate for the measure.

But they are also rushing, because I don’t think they wanted to carry on with a debate, which they were already losing, and which they thought they were never going to get public support for,” Stanbrook said.

According to Stanbrook, the Interim Administration might have been under the impression that once Value Added Tax is passed into law, those agitating against it would veer off into silence. But he stressed that the group would not be kept quiet on the

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matter because it was critical that the people know the impact that its implantation could have on their pockets when it comes into effect.

For his part, Stanbrook said that his organization would explore the possibility of having the tax repealed even though stressing that it would be a tall order judging from the way it was drafted.

For his part, member of the body, medical doctor Sam Slattery, said that the whole country was kept in the dark from learning about the tax, as government kept the document close to its chest up until recently when their implementation plan was too far gone for the country to have any real input.

“Even under the broad and farreaching powers of the Governor, there was supposed to be a process that should have been followed, and I am not entirely sure that that was followed.

One of my personal concerns was that, it has been put out by the government that there was wide consultation. But I think that might be a bit disingenuous because a lot of people think this (VAT) wasn’t a very good idea,” Slattery said.

In the meantime, Head of LIME TCI, Drexwell Seymour, vowed that even though Government had pushed through VAT into law, their spirit was not dampened. He stressed that they would be using their opposition to the tax as an example that would grab government’s attention and make it more engaging in the future.

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Page 16

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

Many 2007 electors were bogus, says Oswald Skippings

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Though conceding that the number of persons, who appeared on the newly released preliminary voters list for the November 9 general elections, was too small to count as a true representation of the country’s population, Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Leader Oswald Skippings said that a number of individuals who voted last time should not have been granted such privilege.

The electoral role, which was published earlier this bore 6,884 verified voters, which has been significantly lower than the 2007 number. The Election Office said an additional 455 cases was pending due to insufficient supporting materials by the applicants.

Approximately 7,644 persons applied for TC Islander Status Cards through the joint Ministry of Border Control/Election Office registration process, which ended on 29 June. Of these 7,063 were confirmed as TC Islanders; 126 persons were ineligible.

PDM Leader Oswald Skippings

Skippings, who was fielding questions from members of the media after the presentation of the party’s five At Large candidates at the party headquarters downtown Providenciales on Monday, July 23, made a thinly-veiled swipe at the former Michael Misick administration for wantonly inking Belonger stamps in passports of the undeserving, allowing them to cast ballots in the

Career Opportunities: Grace Bay Club is looking for candidates that have the

requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their management style is one that balances a commitment to people and their development with business/financial accountability and delivers an exceptional guest experience

ASSISTANT MANAGER OF SPECIAL PROJECTS AND PROCUREMENT

Requirements: • Knowledge of the installation and maintenance of Saflok Door Locking systems • Specific engineering experience related to water treatment plants, swimming pool equipment, irrigation, lighting systems • Must have existing relationships with product suppliers in India, China and other Asian countries with knowledge of Indian languages helpful (Hindi, etc) • Project management experience including managing construction labor, contractors, engineers and architects • Minimum of 5 years experience in procurement and managing refurbishment budgets • Understanding and Experience of Strata Management • Diploma in International Hospitality Management • Computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Opera,CAD)

Responsibilities • Planning and managing all capital expenditure projects as decided by the hotel owner, including setting out and managing budgets, procurement, purchasing and installation where necessary of furniture, equipment and other items for the hotel, negotiations with subcontractors, management of labor and equipment companies.

• Negotiating with international suppliers, including existing key suppliers in India, China and other Asian countries.

• Assisting the hotel Engineering department with procurement needs, and repairs when necessary to systems installed in the hotel rooms, restaurant, kitchens, swimming pools and all other areas of the propertyKnowledge of the installation and maintenance of Saflok Door Locking systems Qualified Belongers need only to apply Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

GROUP EXECUTIVE CHEF/FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR

(Chef N B) to be responsible for overall Food & Beverage and Culinary Operations for

2007 general election.

He however, floored the breaks on saying whether or not such a measure influenced the outcome of the poll, rather saying that he believed both the PDM and the PNP may have benefited from the scheme.

“Well it (both party benefited from unlawful voting) is possibility. I can say for the PDM that we did not deliberately go and register people who were not qualified to vote. I can say for the PDM that we didn’t stamp into people’s passports, Belongers, who were not Belongers,” Skippings charged.

This statement evoked thunderous applause from the packed party headquarters.

Responding to whether or not he believed the official voting population was a true representation of the country, Skippings noted: “Not necessarily. There are two problems actually; there is a problem where people who voted previously weren’t really qualified to vote. There is also a problem with people who are qualified are not registered.

“And so all this would come out in the wash when we do claims and

objections, because standing here, each and every one of us can come up with a few names, who should have been registered or not. So that would come up. We have not yet seen the results of the census, and that would give us a clearer indication as to where we should be.”

In the meantime, Skippings said that he was not averse to the new proposed redrafting of the electoral boundaries, stressing though, that he would have loved to see Middle Caicos and North Caicos each retaining their own individual constituencies.

“However, that did not happen. So we have candidates standing by, willing, ready and able to fill each and every one of those constituencies, and we already filled the five At Large, so we are on a roll,” a confidentlysounding Skippings said.

Speaking directly to his selection of At Large candidates, Skippings said: “Well, the PDM decided that we are not half stepping. We are going to do it right, and we are going to do it so good that it is going to be the best and nobody is going to do it better.”

Grace Bay Resorts by overseeing concepts for front and back of the house operations, creating the total guest experience. The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in achieving food and beverage revenues, profit and guest satisfaction goals by developing and implementing menu designs and concepts that are current with international and local trends, ensuring that the Grace Bay Club and Veranda Resorts are culinary destinations.

The successful candidate must meet the following qualifications and experience: • 10+ years experience in a Senior Culinary Role, either as Executive Chef or Culinary Director • Extensive culinary skills, with exposure and intimate knowledge of international cuisines and food trends.

• International Hotel and Restaurant experience, a must.

• Caribbean experience considered a definite plus.

• As an Executive Committee member, work closely with the company’s senior management team to develop and implement strategies for food and beverage and kitchen operations that support achievement of the company’s goals.

• Oversees the inventory, purchasing and disbursement of all supplies, while maintaining strong P&L statements.

• Extensive experience overseeing multiple food and beverage units simultaneously, while driving revenue.

• Ability to ‘think outside the box’ as it relates to menu design, concepts, trends and culinary events.

• Ability to create the “WOW” factor for entertaining VIP guests.

• Demonstrated experience overseeing and developing exceptional Front and Back of House teams to meet and exceed guest expectation, revenue generation and employee satisfaction.

• Ideal candidate will be a “strategic thinker”, skilled at identifying company development opportunities as it relates to overall food and beverage strategies and growth of the Brand.

• New Hotel opening experience considered a definite asset.

Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than August 3, 2012 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1050 Email: veronica.clare@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

TCI Baptist Youth in Jamaica Twenty youths and youth Leaders from TCI Baptist Union Churches traveled to Jamaica for the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship 9th Youth Festival. This Festival is being held from July 25th to July 29th, 2012 under the Them "Sold Out: Fully His". This Festival happens every three years and was last held in the Bahamas in 2009. TCI enjoyed a representation of 42 strong.

The delegation is again led by Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, Director of the TCI Baptist Union's Youth Department and CBF Youth Department's Northern Youth Director. Robinson said, "We will be leading and participating in a number of the activities on the programme including leading family groups, Bible Studies and Workshops. The delegates will participate in the Festival Choir and showcase TCI Culture. We are half the size of our delegation that attended three years ago, but we will represent God, our Union and our country well.”

She noted that of great excitement this time for TCI's delegation is the fact that for the first time a TCI Pastor would be conducting the daily Bible Studies. Rev Pedro Williams, Immediate Past President for the Baptist Union of Churches has been charged with this responsibility.

"We are proud of this opportunity to have TCI showcased in this manner. I know that Rev Williams will connect with the hundreds of delegates and they will be blessed,” Cartwright said. he Festival will conclude on Sunday and Robinson's three year Directorship would end, but she has been officially nominated for President and expects to be named into this office during the Closing Ceremony.

Page 17

LOCAL NEWS

Barbers

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GOVERNMENT VACANCY JOB TITLE:

CASHIER (South Caicos)

SUMMARY OVERVIEW An exciting opportunity awaits you in the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Service for the post of Cashier in the Accountant General’s Department, Ministry of Finance. The post holder will be in an administrative/supportive position with first level responsibility for the effective management and collection of revenue. The position requires that the incumbent provide service to the customers of TCIG in the receiving of revenue, responding to queries and where required issuing payments to suppliers. He/She will provide impartial, accurate and timely advice when requested by the Assistant Accountant General, Transaction Accounting.

SUMMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent duties in relation to Cashier, Transaction Accounting Unit, to ensure high standards are maintained at all times, includes: • Provide an effective cash handling service and abide by the Financial Instructions at all times • Manage the collection of revenue, in particular Record all receipts, lodgments in an accurate manner Carry our the end of day cash count and depositing of collections with the bank Ensure that all collections are reconciled daily Safeguarding of cash collections at all times Ensuring that collections are made in accordance with the TCIG’s cheque exemption list • Manage the payment of suppliers, in particular: Issuing supplier cheques and ensuring appropriate authority to collect payment is received Preparing of statements for cheques that are to the distributed to banks

• Provide customer service to the TCI Government customers ensuring a quality level of service is maintained at all times • Required to fulfill such other duties the Head Cashier/Revenue Officer may determine that are consistent with the discharge of the Department’s overall duties and responsibilities QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate must possess a College Certificate/Diploma in Secretarial Science or the equivalent in Accounting with at least two (2) years hands-on experience. In addition to the basic entry qualification requires specialized training in:-Communications, Computer literacy and familiarity with accounting software packages and Basic Human relations’ skills.

The job also requires the candidate to have interpersonal skills and knowledge in the revenue collection processes. The officer must be able to efficiently utilize financial accounting systems and assist with the development of the strategic and corporate plans for the Treasury Department. He/She must also have good oral and report writing skills.

SALARY T1 – T9 $14,148 – 16,740 PER ANNUM For more information on the Job Description, please contact the Human Resource Management Directorate Telephone 649-946-2801 Extension: 10321, Facsimile: 649-946-1582, E-mail: recruitment@gov.tc . All resumes should be addressed to Mr. Mark Greenway, Director (Acting) of the Human Resource Management Directorate, 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. BELONGERS ONLY NEED APPLY. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 3rd August, 2012

ONLY SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED

Page 18

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

VAT opposition is to maintain duty-free business concessions, says eo Durham

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Recently resigned member of the Advisory Council, Theo Durham believes that the main reason behind some local business operators so vociferous against the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) is because they are fighting to protect their decades-old duty-free concessions.

In an interview with The SUN, Durham said that for a number of years businesses in the Grace Bay area had been receiving duty-free concessions on a number of goods and services.

Those businesses, he said, are now fearful that those exemptions would disappear when VAT comes into play, and so, in a bid to protect those interests, they have been on the hustle to have the consumption tax scrapped.

“Many of the big businesses in the Grace Bay area have benefitted tremendously from duty-free exemptions, some of them to the period of 25 years. The public don’t know this, they don’t know that those agreements said because they are closed just like the hospital deal; nobody knows what it said, and they have got all of these expenses that they have got to pay. And people want to enjoy it, so somebody else has decided,

Theo Durham

well, if you want to have it, you have got to pay for it,” Durham said.

While stating that the Interim Administrator was doing a bad job at selling VAT, Durham emphasized that similar taxation existed in other parts of the world and was working well in terms of maintaining a steady revenue stream in order to sustain their civil service and to bankroll capital projects.

According to the former Advisory Council member, if people find the TCI too difficult to do business, they were best advised to move to a place where the environment suits them better.

“VAT is in other parts of the world

and didn’t kill the people there, and it seems like everybody was making noise about the VAT in countries where VAT is now present. So, I don’t have an issue with it, if they (business operators in TCI) can’t cope with VAT here, then, go to a county that doesn’t pay VAT. “That is simply my view, it doesn’t mean that it would be the view that would get carried, but I personally don’t have a big issue with it (VAT) (because) it is another course of doing business here; if it gets too difficult to do business in the Turks and Caicos, people would pack up and go to a place where they can do business at a cheaper rate, people do that all the time,” Durham reiterated.

In the meantime, Durham was of the view that enough was not being done to educate the populace on the soon-to-be-implemented tax. He believed that it would be a better sell had government effectively told the public what was behind its implementation and the benefits and pitfalls of introducing it and not introducing it.

“Just no thought have been given to it; it is just somebody decided, ‘oh, this is what we needed to do and we are going to do it’, and I think that is the annoying part,” Durham argued.

He said that with the introduction of VAT, all business enterprises and professionals in the TCI – some of

whom did not pay taxes on their services - would have to be more accountable, since they would not be collecting tax from clients on behalf of government, and so their mode of operation would have to be more closely gauged.

“And it is going to cause a lot of businesses to operate differently in terms of keeping proper financial record, and so, we won’t be able to think the way we usually do. From what I gather, the import duty would be reduced on certain items, and VAT would capture from professional people anywhere from accounts, lawyers, surveyors or doctors; anybody doing any kind of business is going to have to have to pay that service charge.

That is where the additional financial burden comes on the society, but if we got to have money to do things, or you squandered the resources and money that you have, you need money to pay the bills.

“I think that people are a little bit overacting to it, but I understand it, because it is being forced on the public as opposed to listening and trying to find a middle ground and say ‘we will delay this (VAT) for a certain time or we will start at this rate or we will include only certain businesses who has been exempted from paying importing duties,” Durham reasoned.

GOVERNMENT VACANCY NATIONAL ASSESSMENT TEAM COORDINATOR (NAT COORDINATOR) JOB TITLE:

SUMMARY OVERVIEW An exciting opportunity awaits you in Turks and Caicos Islands for the position of the National Assessment Team Coordinator.

This position has responsibility for planning and coordinating the NAT (National Assessment Team) and all aspects of the CPA (Country Poverty Assessment). The incumbent is required to work with the TOC (Team of Consultants) in developing the survey instruments or adapting existing survey instruments for the SLC (Survey of Living Conditions) and coordinating NAT activities with those of the TCI Development Strategy (TICDS).

He/She should also hold regular meetings with the NAT, the TOC and staff working on the TCIDS to discuss developments with regards to the CPA. In liaising with the TOC the NAT Coordinator should ensure that all cultural and other social aspects are adequately accounted for in the CPA and thus provide the TOC with the necessary documents on national social and economic policy considerations, including relevant national, sector and Ministry and Departmental plans, special reports and relevant legislation. The incumbent is also responsible for organizing and participating in community and national workshops and consultations to review the draft and final CPA reports and to assist in the formulation of a poverty reduction programme for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate must possess a Bachelors Degree in a social science discipline. The individual must be familiar with social welfare policies in the Turks and Caicos Islands and should have worked in the area of social development and, or statistics for at least (8) eight years. The experience should include social sector management, project management, and quality control, and the candidate should have good written, verbal communication and computer skills. The successful candidate is required to be proficient in Microsoft Office as well as other software packages. The incumbent must also be knowledgeable about the laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands that relates to social welfare. He or she must have good interviewing, interpersonal and human relation skills and excellent management.

SALARY: $2,400 per month for the duration of the assignment that is six (6) months.

For more information on the Job Description please contact the Human Resources Directorate, telephone 649-946-2801, Extension: 10318 E-mail: recruitment@gov.tc All resumes with contact information and two letters of reference and a police certificate should be addressed to the Acting Human Resource Director, Human Resource Management Directorate, Church Folly, Grand Turk. Facsimile: 946-1582 Email: recruitment@gov.tc APPLICATION DEADLINE: 3rd August, 2012 ONLY SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 19

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

PNP Team Meets with TCI Tourist Board's UK Office

BY ROYAL ROBINSON SUN CONTRIBUTOR

The Progressive National Party Team consisting of Leader, Dr Rufus Ewing and NEC Member, Mr Royal Robinson met with the TCI Tourist Board's UK Office staff member, Ms. Vivienne Williams on Friday July 27, 2012 during their official UK visit.

During the hour long meeting the mandate, scope of work and funding of the Tourist Board's UK Office was discussed.

The TCI Tourist Board's UK Office was subjected to a 25% budget cut and had a down sizing and relocation of its office from Victoria Street to 83 Baker Street. The office staff however, is trying to cope with the limited resources allocated to market the TCI in Europe as the number one Caribbean

Mr Royal Robinson, Ms. Vivienne Williams and Dr Rufus Ewing

VACANCIES RECREATION MANAGER

Main Duties • To report directly to the Guest Service Manager and to act in the absent of the former.

• To be responsible for the daily operation of the entire recreation department, which includes water sports, powerboats maintenance and cleanliness of all water sports excursion boats.

• To manage a team of recreation staff, plan and work closely with the Guest Services department in coordination with daily activities such as windsurfing, catamaran sailing.

• To be responsible for staff time sheets and work schedule.

• Responsible for gymnasium and maintenance of all equipments • Must be a strong swimmer and physically fit.

• Be responsible for event planning for the Recreation Department • Plan and/or lead tours through our remote swamp and exotic mangroves.

• Proven ability aimed at continuing to help conserving the environment.

• Organizing environmental and wildlife conservation and awareness events i.e. tree planting, wildlife Qualification and Experience: • Proper communication and Marketing skills • At least 5 yrs experience as a Recreation Water Sports Manager and Ecotourism expert • At least a diploma in Hotel Management • Exceptional organizational skills • Team player • Maintain an efficient and effective administrative system in the department.

• Understand department’s policies and procedures and work with your line manager to ensure all manuals are up-to-date.

• Have proven knowledge and experience in the field of Ecotourism.

• Be knowledgeable and entertaining, and be able to transform hard science and ancient history into accessible, interesting talks.

Successful Applicants will also work long hours, weekends and Public holidays and will be required to reside on Parrot Cay.

destination in addition to to providing consulate type services to TCI students and others parties interested in the TCI as a destination.

What is quite evident is that the TCI needs a face in Europe and the Tourist Board UK Office is not sufficiently funded to effectively market TCI in Europe.

Whilst the TCI Tourist Board UK Office has been downsized the TCI Desk at the FCO has been supersized to carry out some of the Consulate and protocol functions once conducted by the TCI Tourist Board's UK Office.

These anomalies and deficiencies must be corrected so that we can effectively and efficiently market TCI to the World and provide assistance to Turks and Caicos Islanders in Europe.

Tourism is our business so let us invest in our number one industry and safeguard our future.

OTHER MANAGERIAL POSITIONS • Financial Controller • Asst .Spa Manager • Chief Steward/ Stewarding Manager • Executive Pastry Chef • Bar Manager • Asst. IT Manager • Asst. AC Manager • ISLAND INTEGRITY OPERATION MANAGER • Boating and Logistics Manager

Kindly contact the Human Resources Department for an in-depth detailed copy of the job description for the above positions.

LINE POSITIONS:

Security Officer Commis Chef Chef de Partie Junior Sous Chef Head Baker Line Cook Wood Carver Osmosis Plant Operator Turndown Attendant Recreation Attendant Water Sports Instructor Food & Beverage Server Boat Engineer Spa Attendant Supervisor Spa Therapist Spa Attendant

Massage Therapist Night Spa Receptionist Yoga Teacher Pilates and Fitness Teacher Maintenance Technician A/C Refrigeration Technician Water Sports Instructor Gardeners Canteen Cook Kitchen Stewards Laundry Attendants Room Attendants Private Estates Attendant AC Technician Resort Butler Task force Butlers Spa Supervisor

Salaries for these positions will be paid based on qualification and experience. Please note that all application must be submitted with a valid Police Record, two reference letters from previous employers or a notary public and current educational certificates.

Only suitable Qualify Candidates will be contacted for an interview.

All Curriculum Vitae’ should be forwarded to the Human Resources Department at the following address: Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala P.O. Box 164 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Ph: (649) 946 7788, Fax: (649) 946 7749 Email: yolander.forbes@parrotcay.como.bz or joel.richards@parrotcay.como.bz

Page 20

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

English, French Missionaries bring drug awareness to TCI students

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Peter and Susan Kingston have virtually travelled the world as missionaries helping the needy and bringing awareness on issues affecting ever day life to the people with whom they interact on the different continents.

For the past seven years they have been coming to the Caribbean three months each year, sharing their expertise and educating especially the young on a number of issues relating to socialization.

Peter, who is British and Susan, a French National, recently arrived in the TCI, and with the blessing of the Education Department, visited a number of schools to conduct their programmes. Among the institution visited were the Clement Howell High School, Oseta Jolly Primary, Ianthe Pratt Primary and Precious Treasure.

“When we go to the schools we talk about our own experiences, smoking and drugs. As teenagers we were into that (drug usage), especially me,” Peter noted. “We also show DVDs - one is about smoking and the other is about the common drugs. The idea is to make it a preventative programme, by trying to show the dangers of drugs and help the students to make wise decisions and not go down that path.”

He continued: “Being missionaries is our calling. We are Christians, we are not from one particular church, we inter-denominational, but we feel a conviction, a compulsion to go into the entire world and preach the gospel, and at the same to time, to do useful things that are beneficial to the countries we go to.

“When we came to the Caribbean, we had a number of school programmes on different subjects. People asked us if we had anything on the subject of drugs, and so we started to research it more and find some good materials. So, now it is like our main programme in the Caribbean.”

Peter said that the Caribbean, based on the geographical location, was being used as a transshipment point between South America and the United States, and so, it has become a problem here since some of those drugs found their way onto our streets.

“I don’t think it is the Caribbean’s fault, because the drugs come up from South America, and the big US market is there. The boats and the planes have been passing through for years and years, and then it (drugs) got into the colleges, the high schools, and even the primary schools. That is pretty much how it is all through the Caribbean,” Peter said.

In the meantime, Susan Kingston

Students at Ianthe Pratt react to a video shown by the missionaries relating to drugs

Peter Kingston addresses students at the Clement Howell High School

places in Africa.

Before visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands, the two went to St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, St. Maarten, Dominica, Anguilla and the Bahamas.

They revealed that their work did not include salary, instead telling The SUN that they travel around the world and acquired accommodation and meals “by faith”.

“People may interest to know that we don’t get any salary for our work, we live completely by faith. The last salary I got was 1984, so when we come to a new country we usually pray that God will supply the hotel for free and meals for free, at least one main meal a day. So we stayed in hotels throughout the Bahamas for two months, we didn’t pay not even one dollar for accommodation.

“When we came here, we stayed with a friend of a friend in Wheeland for three nights, and during that time the persons who we stayed with, said ‘I have got a friend who is going away and the house is empty, so they need someone to look after the house’. So we are house-sitting for a couple of weeks,” Peter Kingston said.

“We usually stay in hotels wherever we go. We usually go and ask for the director, explain our work, and ask if he could donate a room for one week, which is not always easy, but we usually succeed,” Susan Kingston said.

Before departing the TCI, the missionary duo planned on visiting Grand Turk to meet with students attending summer school, as the regular schools are now on holiday. When they leave the TCI, they will return to Fiji, where they have been working for the past 11 years.

Both run a charity in Fiji called Pacific Outreach (www.pacificoutreach.com), through which they donate books, clothing and other critical items to needy Fijian children.

Joseph Skippings

Missionaries Peter and Susan Kingston interact with Oseta Jolly Primary School students

said that they received positive responses from students of the schools visited here. She said that for the most part, students were receptive and asked a great deal of questions on the topics that they taught.

The two visit between five and

seven countries per year, including about three in the Caribbean. They came here from the Bahamas and were expecting to stay one month. Among the countries visited so far outside the Caribbean are Thailand, Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal, India, Bosnia, and number of

Seeks one labourer $120 per week 6 hours per day Tel: 242-7371

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

Page 21

LOCAL NEWS

NIB takes more persons to court The following persons appear in the Magistrate’s Courts in Providenciales on 24th July 2012.

Providenciales 1. Kerry Monson of Providenciales appeared in the Magistrate Court Sitting at Providenciales before Chief Magistrate Mr. Clifton Warner on 24th July, 2012, for failing to pay contributions and additional charges as an employer during the period February 2007 to March 2012, in the amount of 51,120.14 Mr. Monson pleaded guilty to one complaint for failing to pay contributions as an employer, in the amount of$12,609.60. And not guilty to one complaint for failing to pay the additional charge as an employer, in the amount of $38,510.54.

Mr. Monson was ordered to pay a fine of $100.00 on the criminal debt to be paid forthwith. He was also ordered to pay the amount of $12,609.60, by the 30th September 2012.

The matter was adjourned to 11th October 2012 for trial.

2. Carlton Higgs of Providenciales appear in the Magistrate Court Sitting at Providenciales before Chief Magistrate Mr. Clifton Warner, on Tuesday 24th July 2012, for failing to pay contributions and additional charges as an employer and Self Employed Person during the period of July 2009 to May 2012, in the

amount of $3,779.43. Mr. Higgs pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The matter was adjourned to 11th October for Mentioned.

3. On Tuesday July 24th 2012 Carlton Higgs of Club Sodax appeared in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to a Distress Warrant filed by the National Insurance Board for the levying of $27,571.18. The matter was adjourned for October 11th 2012.

4. On Tuesday July 24th 2012 Wayne Higgs and Terrence Astwood of BAT Security Services appeared in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to a Distress Warrant filed by the National Insurance Board for the levying of $7,000.00. The matter was adjourned for December 3rd 2012 pending settlement.

5. On Tuesday July 24th 2012 Joanne and Manuel Hernandez of Hernandez Construction appeared in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to a Distress Warrant filed by the National Insurance Board for the levying of $43,180.80. The matter was adjourned for October 11th 2012 pending settlement.

6. On Tuesday July 24th 2012 Wandle Ingham of Dove Security Services was summoned to appear in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to

complaints filed by the National Insurance Board for failing to pay NIB contributions and additional charges as an employer and self-employed person in the amount of $22,469.92. Mr. Ingham’ failed to appear, and as a result the court issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

7. On Tuesday July 24th 2012 Dwayne and Denver Pratt of Crystal Pools Services appeared in the Providenciales Magistrate’s Court to answer to a Distress Warrant filed by the National Insurance Board for the levying of $21,005.64. The matter was adjourned for October 11th 2012 pending settlement.

8. On Tuesday July 24th 2012 Dwayne and Denver Pratt of Crystal Pools Services pleaded guilty to four complaints filed by the National Insurance Board for failing to pay NIB contributions and additional charges as an employer in the amount of $11,000.00. The matter was adjourned for October 11th 2012 pending settlement.

9. On Tuesday July 24th 2012 Denver Pratt of Crystal Pools Services pleaded guilty to two complaints filed by the National Insurance Board for failing to pay NIB contributions and additional charges as a self-employed person in the amount of $9,000.00. The matter was adjourned for October 11th 2012 pending settlement.

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‘Dark Knight Rises’ to help victims of Colorado theater shooting Warner Bros. Pictures, the studio that produced “The Dark Knight Rises,” will make a “substantial” donation to a fund that supports charities helping the victims of the theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., during a screening of the film, a studio representative and a spokesman for Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said tonight.

Twelve people were killed and 58 wounded early Friday morning when a gunman walked into a soldout midnight showing of the latest Batman film in Aurora and opened fire.

The Hollywood Reporter quoted sources as saying

the studio’s donation to Colorado’s Community First Foundation would be “substantial,” though they would not name a specific amount. Both the studio and the Colorado governor’s office confirmed the report to ABC News.

Hickenlooper’s office said there would be an official announcement of the studio’s donation on Tuesday morning.

Despite the mass shooting, “The Dark Knight Rises” took in about $162 million in North America over the weekend.

Warner Bros. had announced it would hold off

reporting the film’s opening grosses until Monday, but the information was leaked to several media outlets Sunday.

“Out of respect for the victims and their families, Warner Bros. Pictures will not be reporting box office numbers for ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ throughout the weekend,” the studio said in a statement to ABC News.

Warner Bros. also removed the trailer for the Ryan Gosling film, “Gangster Squad,” which featured a movie theater shooting scene, from screenings of “The Dark Knight Rises.” The studio pulled some TV ads for the Batman film, according to Bloomberg News.

TJ Jackson given temporary guardianship over Michael Jackson's children TJ Jackson, the 34-year-old son of Michael Jackson's older brother Tito, has been named the temporary guardian of the pop icon's three children. A California judge today also ordered the children not to leave the state.

The judge suspended Katherine Jackson as guardian of Paris Michael, Prince Michael and Prince Michael II at an emergency hearing, saying she is being prevented from acting as a guardian by acts of a third party.

"There are only three words I want to say: Always kids first," TJ Jackson said outside the court.

When asked whether he wanted Katherine Jackson home, he said, "That, too."

He was watching the children - his cousins -- in Katherine Jackson's absence.

TJ, named Tito after his father, is close to the kids and is married with children of his own. Now in a band with his two brothers, TJ was once Kim Kardashian's high school sweetheart.

The judge ordered that singer Diana Ross, whom Michael Jackson named as a backup guardian in his will, receive notice of the decision within 48 hours.

Debbie Rowe, the mother of Paris Michael and Prince Michael, must receive notice as well. Rowe is not named in Michael Jackson's will.

The judge ordered another hearing to take place in 30 days.

Katherine Jackson called her grandchildren late Tuesday night, ending a days-long silence that culminated in the appointment of a temporary guardian for her three grandchildren.

In court, TJ Jackson said his grandmother sounded "strange" during the call. "The way it sounded, I never heard her talk like

William Balfour (R) was married to Hudson's sister Julia

The children L-R: Banket Jackson, Prince Jackson and Paris Jackson

that."

He added that "some words sounded slurred" and said "I never heard her use some phrases."

As of Wednesday morning, Katherine Jackson, 82, was in Tucson, Ariz., where she has been staying with relatives. Her children Janet and Jermaine Jackson were also in Tucson. She is expected to return to Los Angeles today.

If Katherine Jackson returns to California and re-establishes regular communications with the children, she will resume guardianship over them. Outside court, Perry Sanders, Katherine Jackson's estate attorney, described the situation as a "giant misunderstanding."

But Sanders' view conflicts with that of Sandra Ribera, Katherine Jackson's family attorney, who said in court that she has "reason to believe Ms. Jackson is being held against her will."

TJ Jackson's attorney Charles Schultz described Katherine Jackson's stay in Arizona as "similar to when a parent goes on vacation and leaves the children with a babysitter."

Sanders traveled to Tucson Tuesday night to meet with Janet and Jermaine Jackson and check on Katherine Jackson's condition. He was assured by people staying with her that she was OK, but did not see her.

"I think you have a bunch of people who have a lot of different ideas about what should happen with their mother in this situation," Sanders said. "It's a complex family dynamic."

Sanders described the place where Katherine Jackson stayed in Arizona as "a top-notch facility that one would go to to decompress and drop your blood pressure."

"It's a real, high-end, spa resort," he added, noting, "They won't allow anybody to use phones in certain parts of that facility."

Joe Jackson, Katherine Jackson's estranged husband and the Jackson family matriarch, returned to Los Angeles today. He had been conspicuously absent since Katherine Jackson was reported missing last weekend, but a source confirmed to ABC News that he's now "getting more involved in this mess."

Jennifer Hudson family killer gets life in prison CHICAGO -- Jennifer Hudson was in a Chicago courtroom Tuesday for the sentencing of her former brother-in-law for killing her mother, brother and nephew.

William Balfour, who was married to Hudson's sister Julia, was found guilty in May of three counts of first-degree murder, as well as aggravated kidnapping, home invasion, residential burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle in the shooting deaths of members of the Hudson sisters' family.

Prosecutors argued Balfour, now 31, shot his victims to death in 2008 in a jealous rage because Julia had left him and was dating someone new.

Judge Charles Burns first denied Balfour's motion for a new trial, then sentenced him to three consecutive life terms in prison for his crimes, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

Balfour, who did not testify at his trial, expressed remorse, particularly for killing Julia's 7-year-old son, Julian, before he was sentenced.

"My deepest sympathies to Julian King. I loved him. I still love him," the Sun-Times quoted Balfour as saying as he also offered "condolences and prayers" to Hudson's family.

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Mariah Carey to judge American Idol Mariah Carey is joining the judge’s table of “American Idol.”

Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly announced the new addition to the “Idol” team at a Television Critics Association press conference today. In a statement released by Fox, Carey said, “it’s going to be fun and rewarding to help find new talent and give back with ‘American Idol.’ … I can’t wait to channel my creative energy as a part of this show which is a massive global phenomenon.”

“We are proud to have one of the world’s greatest-ever female singers Maria Carey join our show,” “Idol” creator and executive producer Simon Fuller said in a statement. “Mariah defines the word ‘Idol’ and will inspire every singer that has the honor of performing in front of her.”

The 5-time Grammy winner isn’t sidelining her recording career for the show. She’s currently working on her new album and its first single, “Triumphant,” set for release early next month.

Former “Idol” judges Jennifer Lopez and Stephen Tyler announced they were leaving the reality show earlier this month. Both judged for two seasons. Randy Jackson, who’s been judging the competition from the start, remains on the panel.

Oprah Winfrey faces backlash from Indian viewers Oprah Winfrey is facing a barrage of criticism from disappointed Indian viewers who say she resorted to "sterotypes and cliches" in the episode of her show "Oprah's Next Chapter" dealing with her visit to the subcontinent.

"Watching the Oprah in India thing on TLC and getting more and more irritated by the minute," one viewer in India tweeted.

The two-part episode, which aired in India this weekend, depicts Winfrey's first visit to the country, featuring lavish parties with Bollywood stars and Indian royalty, a visit to a Mumbai slum and a sari fitting with a top designer. The episode opens with shots of crowded roads filled with painted elephants, snake charmers and cows roaming the streets.

"It's all the stereotypes and all the clichés the West has, between the elephants and the palaces and the snake charmers and cows," Aseem Chhabra, a freelance journalist and columnist for the Mumbai Mirror, told ABC News. "That exists in India, but it's this imagery of India that some people seem to have, and I think I expected a lot more from somebody like Oprah Winfrey."

A spokeswoman for Harpo, the company that produces "Oprah's Next Chapter," said in a statement, "The intention of the program was to explore the beautiful culture and spirit of the country. We enjoyed the time we spent there and were touched by the people who so generously shared their stories for the show."

Chhabra was not alone in his skepticism, however.

"Myopic, unaware, ignorant and gauche. This was Middle America at its best worst," a review of the show on Firstpost.com, an online news site based in Mumbai, said.

Indian viewers were perhaps most outraged by a scene in which Winfrey tells an Indian family during dinner, "I heard some Indian people eat with their hands still."

After being advised to eat with only her right hand, she uses both.

"Oprah, your comment about eating with the hand is really not that big a deal to us; we are used to gross Western ignorance regarding our ancient country," according to "An open letter to Oprah Winfrey from an Indian who eats with her hand" on the CNN-IBN website.

"But as a responsible public figure about to air a show that will be beamed across the world, you should have done your homework. Using our hands to eat is a well established tradition and a fact none of us are ashamed of. Our economic distinction has nothing to do with it. A millionaire here eats the same way a pauper does. You have been to Asian nations. You should know that."

Another polarizing scene is when Winfrey visits the Hedges, a family of five living in a 10-by-10-foot room in a slum in Mumbai.

"When I stepped in the door I was thinking, 'OK, where is the house? Where's the rest of the house?' And then I realized I was already in it," Winfrey says in the episode.

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entertainment

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Marketing and Sales Manager Job Title:

Position Type : Full Time Job Purpose: Accomplishes business development activities by researching and developing marketing opportunities and plans; implementing sales plans; managing staff.

Duties: • P&L responsibility for WIV Media - a greenfield in-house ad agency.

• Accomplishes marketing and sales human resource objectives by recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, assigning, scheduling, coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; communicating job expectations; planning, monitoring, appraising, and reviewing job contributions; planning and reviewing compensation actions; enforcing policies and procedures.

• Achieves marketing and sales operational objectives by contributing marketing and sales information and recommendations to strategic plans and reviews; preparing and completing action plans; implementing production, productivity, quality, and customer-service standards; resolving problems; completing audits; identifying trends; determining system improvements; implementing change.

• Meets marketing and sales financial objectives by forecasting requirements; preparing an annual budget; scheduling expenditures; analyzing variances; initiating corrective actions.

• Determines annual and gross-profit plans by forecasting and developing annual sales quotas for regions; projecting expected sales volume and profit for existing and new products; analyzing trends and results; establishing pricing strategies; recommending selling prices; monitoring costs, competition, supply, and demand.

• Accomplishes marketing and sales objectives by planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating advertising, merchandising, and trade promotion programs; developing field sales action plans.

• Identifies marketing opportunities by identifying consumer

POSITION AVAILABLE

The Salvation Army Turks and Caicos Islands is seeking to fill the position of

CORPS AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

The Corps and Development Officer is The Salvation Army’s principal officer in the Turks and Caicos Islands, under the administration of The Salvation Army Bahamas & Turks and Caicos Headquarters, located in Nassau, Bahamas.

Candidates for the Position:

• Must be a commissioned and ordained officer of The Salvation Army.

• Subscribe to the Mission, objectives and values of The Salvation Army as international religious and charitable organization; • Must have a minimum of ten years experience in Salvation Army ministry and service, including pastoral, administrative, program, community development and social services functions; • Should have excellent multitasking, interpersonal, organizational and negotiation skills; • Should have excellent oral and written communication skills, with a high level of detail orientation; • Should be highly proficient in the use the Microsoft Office and Lotus Notes Suites.

Essential Functions Include: • Under the regional administrative teams, continue to develop and manage all programs, services, ministries and functions of The Salvation Army in TCI; • Undertaking advanced pastoral, business and administrative duties and functions; • Plan, develop and manage community, funding and capital development projects; • Liaise with regional and international office and personnel; Persons desiring to apply for the position can do so by emailing a letter of application and a full resume which lists two contacts for references. The letter should be addressed to The Divisional Commander and emailed to salarmy@coralwave.com by July 20, 2012.

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

requirements; defining market, competitor's share, and competitor's strengths and weaknesses; forecasting projected business; establishing targeted market share.

• Improves product marketability and profitability by researching, identifying, and capitalizing on market opportunities; improving product packaging; coordinating new product development.

• Sustains rapport with key accounts by making periodic visits; exploring specific needs; anticipating new opportunities.

• Provides information by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing data and trends.

• Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential.

• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.

• Accomplishes marketing and organization mission by completing related results as needed.

Skills/Qualifications: Financial Planning and Strategy, Marketing Concepts, Positioning, People Management, Territory Management, Sales Planning, Competitive Analysis, Understanding the Customer, Product Development, Client Relationships, Creative Services Protects organization's value by keeping information confidential.

Education: Candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Business Administration or related major. A Master’s degree or MBA is highly desirable.

Reports: Position reports to Chief Operating Officer. The position will have direct Sales Associate reports.

Salary: $37,000.00 – $44,000.00 per annum Interested candidates should submit a completed resume and cover letter to: WIV Cable P O Box 679 Tower Plaza, Leeward Highway Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands administrator@wiv.tc No phone calls please

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FUN & GAMES

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HIGHLIGHTS

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

• Jamaica records decline in murders • Dominican gold mine finished

Former Bahamian PM Hubert Ingraham walks out of House of Assembly and refuses to deliver farewell speech Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham on Wednesday condemned the actions of the Speaker of the House as “bogus” and politically motivated after he was denied the opportunity to address the House of Assembly as a resigning member, an agreement he claimed to have made with the Speaker.

According to the Nassau Tribune newspaper, Mr Ingraham gathered his papers and quietly left for the “final time” after he learned that his farewell address would not be the first item on the parliamentary agenda according to House rules concerning resigning members.

I’m disappointed but that’s the reality. I’m out, they’re in,” Mr Ingraham said.

“I expected it. The Speaker agreed with me that I would be able to speak.

The speaker is unable to live up to that deal.”

While House Speaker Dr Kendal Major and PLP Leader Perry Christie have denied collusion on the matter, both have also insisted that Mr

Ingraham was not denied a chance to address the nation, he was just put further down on the House’s agenda.

Dr Major said that while he granted Mr Ingraham the opportunity to make a statement concerning his “apparent resignation”, he did not consider the letter submitted by the North Abaco MP last week to be an actual resignation, but a “promissory note” as it does not become effective until August 31.

“As I read the letter, the letter states that the distinguished member for North Abaco will resign on the 31st of August,” Dr Major said. “That being the case the House has several other opportunities to meet and so in the view of the rules and the precedents that were set according to the rules we had no reason to change what we were doing.

“The agreement that I made is that the honourable member will speak on the sitting of parliament,” Dr Major said.

“I did not lead him to believe that (he would speak first), I indicated to

Cuba celebrates 59th anniversary of National Rebellion Day HAVANA -- Cuban leader Raul Castro on Thursday chaired the 59th anniversary of the National Rebellion Day held in the eastern city of Guantanamo.

The public national meeting commemorated an assault on July 26, 1953, when former Cuban leader Fidel Castro and more than a hundred young guerrillas attacked the Moncada Barracks, then the country's second most important military base, in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba.

The young guerrillas raided the military base during the Santiago canival, but their attack failed and many of them were killed.

Among the survivors were Fidel Castro and his brother Raul Castro. They were jailed, but were freed 22 months later in an amnesty.

The rebellious action is widely accepted as the beginning of the Cuban Revolution, which eventually ousted dictator Fulgencio Batista and initiated the socialist period of Cuba.

him in our brief moment of communication that he will be given an opportunity to speak.”

Further clarifying his position at the opening of parliament yesterday, Dr Major said: “I will however allow, through agreement with both sides to make a personal statement at Item J of the Order of Business that speaks to motion for leave of absence, leave to resign seats and new writs, which were the procedure followed in 1994 when the former Member for Montagu, Sir Orville Turnquest, resigned his House seat.”

After hearing the Speaker’s remarks shortly after 10am, Mr Ingraham hastily gathered his belongings and left parliament where he was met on the outside by scores of supporters and naysayers who condemned the fact that the country’s second prime minister would not deliver his highly anticipated speech, formally concluding his tenure of public service.

Mr Ingraham added: “I’m not going to give a farewell speech, that’s

Hubert Ingraham

the last time I’ll go in the House of Assembly, that’s my final time.”

“Thank you very much to the people of North Abaco who elected me eight times. To the people of The Bahamas, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in office. I did the best I could for as long as I could, and now that my time has come to go I’m happy to go and I thank The Bahamas very much.”

Belize moves to decriminalise possession of small quantities of marijuana BELMOPAN, Belize – The Belize government is exploring the possibility of decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana by residents of this Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.

A statement issued by the Ministry of National Security said that a special committee has been appointed to receive comments and suggestions from the general public, and to further inform government on proceeding to introduce legislation to parliament that relax Belize’s illicit drugs laws to would allow Belizeans to possess up to 10 grams of marijuana without being subjected to legal prosecution.

Currently, the laws of Belize make it illegal to possession marijuana in any amount, an offence punishable by a fine of up to BZ$50,000 (One Belize dollar=US$0.51 cents) and the possibility of being incarcerated for a period of up to three years.

Magistrates also have the option to both fine and confine a person fund guilty of marijuana possession.

If the special committee finds majority support from the people of Belize and recommends the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana to government, the official statements says that persons caught with 10 grams of marijuana, also known as ganja or weed, will be subjected to fines and mandatory drug education; but no jail time.

According to the government-issued statement, the justification for the proposed decriminalization of marijuana here is to help free up the criminal justice system which it describes as being “cluttered” by cases of persons being arrested and charged for even the possession of a single stick of marijuana.

It will also ease the burden on Belize’s prison system which is bursting at the seams with “a marginalized segment of our population.

“The added impact of a permanent criminal record further disadvantages this already marginalized group as it establishes a barrier against meaningful employment,” the statement said, adding that “the proposal is not to legalize the offence thereby purging it of all its penalties; it is merely to reduce and regulate.”

Recognizing that the mere announcement of the proposal to decriminalize small quantities of marijuana is “a sensitive issue” the statement said that the views of “all interested groups and individuals” will be crucial to a final decision being made.

The time frame for the submission of comments and views from the general public is limited with Friday, July 20 is the deadline for the submission of opinions to the committee chaired by the former minister of police and public safety, Douglas Singh.

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JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

CARIBBEAN NEWS

Caribbean hoteliers back CARICOM chairman on UK Air Passenger Duty Tax NEW YORK – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has thrown its support behind Caribbean Community (CARICOM) chairman, St Lucia Prime Minister Dr Kenny Anthony, on the controversial United Kingdom’s Air Passenger Duty (APD).

Anthony has written Britain’s Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne complaining that the tax has detrimental effects on the entire Caribbean.

“The CHTA welcomes the news that Prime Minister Anthony has written to the British chancellor about the negative impact of APD on the Caribbean,” said CHTA President Richard Doumeng, in a statement.

“The fact that the prime minister, who is also the Chairman of the Caribbean Community, has written to the UK government on this issue demonstrates the seriousness with which the Caribbean region takes this issue and the severe impact that the duty is having on the Caribbean,” he added.

Doumeng said APD is “a significant threat” to the sustainability and growth of Caribbean tourism.

In his letter to Osborne, Anthony wrote that the Caribbean understands the fiscal challenge faced by the UK in respect of raising revenue, but added that it does “not believe that APD should be imposed unfairly, or at the expense of the Caribbean economy and

Dr Kenny Anthony

1,373, 600, but, in 2010, it had declined to 1,103,400, a decrease of 270,200 visitors representing a major economic loss.

In citing the case of St. Lucia, Anthony said visitor arrivals from the UK declined every year for the past three years.

In 2010, he said tourist arrivals fell 19.4 per cent below the 2008 level, and, in 2011, it registered 14.4 per cent less, compared to 2008.

“This decline in arrivals is exacerbated by a further reduction in on-island expenditure as the tax has had a negative impact on a traveler’s budget, resulting in reduced economic

benefit to the country,” he said.

“Indications are that tourism receipts associated with these declining numbers in the last three years have fallen on average more than 25 per cent below the 2008 level,” the CARICOM chairman said.

Since 2008, the Caribbean and its community in the UK have consistently sought to raise the issue of APD at all levels of the British government and with the UK Parliament, making clear that the Caribbean requires parity in banding with the US and that APD is a political issue for the Caribbean and the Caribbean Diaspora in the UK.

our community in the UK”.

“Our data shows the negative effect that APD is having in this respect and how its hampered our ability to obtain the greatest benefit from our most valuable export industry,” Anthony said.

“It also has a significant financial impact on the UK companies, large and small, with which we partner and for whom the Caribbean has been a major market,” he added.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) published a report in May 2012 confirming the significant value of travel and tourism to jobs and growth in the UK and the damaging effect of Air Passenger Duty to the industry.

According to CTO data, UK visitor market to the Caribbean in 2007 was at

More murders, but Jamaica records decline in major crimes so far this year KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica has recorded a 2.3 per cent increase in murders during the first seven months of this year as compared with same period last year, but the island registered a 13.3 per cent decline in major crimes during the same period, according to figures released by Police Commissioner Owen Ellington.

“Using the year 2009 as a benchmark, this year’s crime situation represents a significant improvement in the serious crimes and security environment, a continuation of gains being made by the security forces in the relentless fight against organised crime and gangs,” Ellington said in a statement issued here late on Monday night.

He said that as at July 21, murders stood at 614 compared to 598 in 2011; 905 in 2010 and 864 in 2009.

The number of shootings reported to the police stood at 623 during the first seven months, compared to 725 in 2011; 914 in 2010 and 897 in 2009.

“So while murders in 2012 are 16 or 2.3 per cent above 2011, there is an overall decline of 86 or seven per cent in serious violent crimes of murder and shooting in 2012 compared to 2011.

There is an overall decline of 523 or 13.3 per cent in major crimes.

The Police Commissioner said that while the crime figures were encouraging, they fall short of targets swet for 2012.

“We are committed to achieving those targets. Our country and fellow citizens deserve a peaceful, safe and confident environment in which to live, work, conduct business and raise families,” Ellington said in the statement.

Earlier this month, National Security Minister Peter Bunting said that government would be implementing a special communications programme aimed at changing the pervasive and counter-productive “informa fi dead” culture.

He told Parliament that a change in the culture and the mind-set of some citizens is critical to the success of the fight against crime and violence.

“Jamaica is victim to a pervasive sub-culture of violence, lawlessness and disregard for authority. No policing tactic or government strategy will be successful without a serious improvement in the police/citizen relationship and the ‘buy-in’ of every citizen,” he stated.

In 2005, Jamaica had a record high of 1,674 murders.

HAB LIMITED HAB Limited is seeking an experienced, professionally qualified Accountant as Group Financial Controller. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

GROUP FINANCIAL CONTROLLER

Reporting to the CEO and Board of Directors, the individual will be responsible for preparing management reports as necessary and ensuring the finance department fulfils its responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner.

Requirements • Must have at least ten years experience in the preparation of management accounts and international multi-currency consolidated accounts, budgeting, cash flow forecasts and financial analysis/reporting.

• Must have ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualification.

• Must be proficient in MS Office applications, Quickbooks, ProShopKeeper and Visual One resort management software.

• Must have a strong understanding of IFRS, ISAs, UK GAAP and UK corporation tax legislation.

• Must have a good understanding of property development, resort/strata accounting, golf course and engineering/utility operations.

The remuneration for this position is circa $100,000 p.a. and is commensurate with experience.

Contact Veronica Rigby via email by July 31, 2012 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Suitable applicants will be contacted by email or telephoned to schedule an interview. Belongers preferred.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

US agency requests millions for Caribbean drone operations WASHINGTON – The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has asked the US federal government for 5.8 million US dollars to operate unmanned surveillance drones in the Caribbean theatre of Washington’s war on drugs.

The CBP, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said it hopes that the drones will be able to spot semi-submersible submarines and night-time fast boat trips used by drug traffickers to transport cocaine and other drugs from Central America to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and other Caribbean islands.

Officials said the unmanned aircraft in the Caribbean will not be armed, but will be able to spot drug traffickers and then report back to a

command centre, which will alert the Coast Guard, Navy or authorities from Caribbean or Central American nations to take action.

After quietly testing the programme in the Bahamas for the last 18 months, the DHS said it plans to start unmanned surveillance flights into the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico in a move that would more than double miles now covered by the department’s fleet of nine surveillance drones.

Prior technologies in the area have failed to meet the surveillance requirements, officials said.

US officials said while they have apprehended five semi-submersibles in the region, it is only a small number of those they believe travel through Caribbean waters.

“There is a lot more going on in the

Huge Dominican gold mine essentially finished The CEO of the world's largest gold company says production will start in August at the huge Pueblo Viejo mine in the Dominican Republic.

Barrick Gold Corp. CEO Jamie Sokalsky says Pueblo Viejo is "essentially complete" after an investment of about $3.8 billion.

He told analysts and investors on a conference call Thursday that Pueblo Viejo is expected to produce up to 125,000 ounces of gold this year and to reach full production in 2013.

Pueblo Viejo is a joint venture of Toronto-based Barrick and Goldcorp Inc. of Vancouver. It is expected to be among the world's most productive gold mines. It's the largest private investment ever in the Dominican Republic.

The project is operating at the site of a former state-owned mine that caused extensive environmental damage.

deep Caribbean, and we would like to know more,” said the CBP, disclosing that the drones may be temporarily based out of Puerto Rico, where there has been a record rise in crime recently, or the Dominican Republic.

The CBP said drone operations in the Caribbean will be launched out of a new control station in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Patrols in the Gulf of Mexico will be controlled from Corpus Christi, Texas.

The CBP’s request comes as Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, along with other highranking US officials, travelled to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to discuss combating drug trafficking with local officials.

“DHS is partnering with Caribbean nations to enhance border security in

the region through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI),” said the DHS in a statement.

“DHS is conducting border security training in conjunction with CBSI to increase partner nation capacity to secure their borders,” it added.

“US Customs and Border Protection constantly monitors activity and trends of Transnational Criminal Organizations and works closely with other federal, state, local, tribal and international partners to combat smuggling in the source and transit zones,” the CBP said.

“This is an example of a binational, multi-agency, lawenforcement approach to address drug smuggling in the Caribbean,” it added.

ree killed in riot over increased electricity rates in Guyana GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The atmosphere remains tense in the Guyana mining town of Linden following a violent clash between police and protesters on Wednesday evening that left three dead and many injured.

The carnage came amidst protests stemming from the government's introduction of higher electricity rates in the town of about 30,000 people. Residents are contending they cannot afford the hike at this time, and some businesses temporarily shut down in sympathy.

Protesters used old vehicles and other debris to block the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge, a major artery to the mining interior, from mid-morning on Wednesday until they clashed with police around 6:00pm.

Police resorted to firing rubber pellets at the demonstrators after tear gas failed to disperse a group that had occupied the bridge all day.

Eyewitnesses said the tear gas volleys fell short of the crowd, since they were fired from the vicinity of the Linden Hospital Complex, and protesters retaliated by pelting the police with bottles. At least six persons were said to have been seriously injured in the melee, while several more escaped with minor injuries.

Regional Administrative Chairman Sharma Solomon said on Wednesday night that three males were killed including a handicapped child.

Sharma accused the police of using both live rounds and rubber pellets on the protesters and described the situation in Linden Wednesday evening as “pandemonium.”

“Dozens of persons have been injured,” he declared.

There were also reports of several buildings on fire including the General Office which houses the offices of Linden Electricity Company CEO Horace James and the finance area where Lindeners usually pay their electricity bills.

Mackenzie, on the eastern bank of the Demerara River, was reportedly plunged into a blackout, but the cause is not clear. The Linden Utility Cooperatives Society Limited (LUSCL) turned off its supply to residents of Wismar on the western side of the river for most of the day.

Up to Thursday, protesters were still congregating in the area of the bridge in what was described as a “tense standoff” with police and defence force personnel.

Some temporary residents and foreign nationals are said to be leaving the south-western Guyana bauxite mining town.

Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar says an investigation into the matter will be opened once calm has been restored.

COMMERCIAL LAWYER Griffiths & Partners are looking for a senior Commercial Lawyer with significant experience (10 to 15 years) dealing with commercial and property/development work.

Must have relevant professional qualifications, be admitted to practice in the Turks and Caicos Islands (or eligible for admission) or admitted in a common law jurisdiction. The applicant must have worked in practice as a senior lawyer or at partner level, preferably with an international law firm. Recent experience should include commercial law advice, property finance work, and development, construction and investment schemes.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Closing date for application: 9th August, 2012 Apply with Curriculum Vitae to: Griffiths & Partners P.O. Box 143 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Email: recruitment@griffithsandpartneres.com Fax: 649-941-8251

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HIGHLIGHTS

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• China charges wife of ousted party leader in Briton’s death • US economy's growth rate slows in 2nd quarter

UK economy back in recession LONDON- Britain's economy shrank far more than expected in the second quarter of 2012, battered by everything from an extra day's holiday to budget austerity and the neighbouring euro zone crisis.

Finance minister George Osborne said the country had "deep-rooted economic problems".

The Office for National Statistics said Britain's gross domestic product fell 0.7 percent in the second quarter, the sharpest fall since early 2009 and a bigger drop than any of the economists surveyed in a Reuters poll last week had expected.

The figures confirmed that Britain is mired in its second recession since the financial crisis, with the economy shrinking for a third consecutive quarter.

It will add pressure on Osborne to get the economy growing again after a crisis that has left many Britons poorer as rising prices and higher taxes ate up meagre wage increases.

Sterling hit its lowest in nearly two weeks against the dollar after the data, and government bond prices rallied on speculation that the Bank of England may have to provide more economic stimulus than expected.

Earlier this month the BoE has announced another 50 billion pound programme of gilt purchases with newly created money to soften a grim economic outlook, but Wednesday's data is likely to add to market speculation that it may cut interest rates later this year.

"This is terrible data. Frankly there's nothing good that comes out of these numbers at all," said

Peter Dixon, an economist at Commerzbank.

"The economy looks to be badly holed below the water line at this stage. It's a far worse period of activity than we'd expected."

Economists had been expecting an extra public holiday to mark Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee to reduce output by around 0.5 percent, so the latest figures suggest the economy is also contracting on an underlying basis.

The ONS said it was too early to provide an estimate of the Jubilee effect, but warned that this and very wet weather added "uncertainty" to its calculation of economic activity towards the end of the quarter.

Output in Britain's service sector -- which makes up more than three quarters of GDP -- contracted by 0.1 percent in the second quarter after growing 0.2 percent in Q1 2012.

Industrial output was 1.3 percent lower, while construction -- which accounts for less than 8 percent of GDP -- contracted by 5.2 percent, its biggest drop since the first quarter of 2009.

Overall second-quarter GDP was 0.8 percent lower than a year earlier, the biggest decline since the last three months of 2009.

Before Wednesday's data, most economists expected a return to growth in the third quarter, as the London Olympics offer a one-off boost through ticket sales and visitors spending.

And some argue that increasing employment levels suggest the economy is healthier than the

headline GDP figures suggest.

But the overall outlook is poor. Last week the International Monetary Fund slashed its growth forecast for Britain by more than those for any other advanced economy, and warned the government and BoE that they will need to rethink their approach if the economy fails to pick up by early next year.

Eliminating Britain's structural budget deficit over the next five years is the central political goal of Britain's coalition of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, but the opposition Labour Party says the pace is too rapid.

Over the past month the coalition and BoE have announced several measures to ease the flow of credit to households and businesses, as the euro zone debt crisis saps demand in Britain's major export markets.

But for now, any change to the fiscal austerity programme is opposed both by finance minister George Osborne and BoE Governor Mervyn King, who fear it could trigger a loss of confidence in Britain's commitment to long-term deficit reduction.

"We're dealing with our debts at home and the debt crisis abroad. We've made progress over the last two years in cutting the deficit by 25 percent and businesses have created over 800,000 new jobs," Osborne said in a statement.

"But given what's happening in the world we need a relentless focus on the economy and recent announcements on infrastructure and lending show that's exactly what we're doing."

Massacre is imminent in Syria President Bashar al-Assad's artillery pounded rebel-held areas around Aleppo on Friday, preparing the ground for an onslaught on Syria's biggest city where the United States has said it fears a "massacre" may be imminent.

Opposition sources said the shelling, which follows intensive ground and air bombardment of the city itself, was an attempt to stop fighters from resupplying rebel units inside Aleppo.

"They are shelling at random to instill a state of terror," said Anwar Abu Ahed, a rebel commander outside the city.

The battle for Aleppo, a major power centre that is home to 2.5 million people, is being seen as a potentially game changing turning point in the 16month uprising against Assad that could It is being contended that the conflict in Syria, that has already sparked turmoil in Lebanon and Turkey, give one side an edge in a conflict could affect the entire Middle East. where both the rebels and the government have struggled to gain the to come amid fears that its own what the regime appears to be lining up upper hand. sectarian tensions could spill across its for," Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman A rebel commander said insurgents porous borders. for the State Department, said. had attacked a convoy of Syrian army The U.S. State Department said As the remaining residents of tanks heading towards the city, as the credible reports of tank columns Aleppo braced themselves for more government continued to redeploy moving on Aleppo, along with air bloodshed, General Robert Mood, the forces from other parts of the country to strikes by helicopters and fixed-wing outgoing head of the U.N. monitoring bolster its forces there. aircraft, represented a serious escalation mission, told Reuters he thought The fate of Syria itself - an of Assad's efforts to crush his Assad's days in power were numbered. ethnically fragmented nation of 22 opponents.

"In my opinion it is only a matter of million people - is likely to determine "This is the concern: that we will time before a regime that is using such the future of the wider region for years see a massacre in Aleppo, and that's heavy military power and

disproportional violence against the civilian population is going to fall," the Norwegian general, who left Damascus on July 19, said.

Navay Pillay, the United Nations human rights chief, said a pattern had emerged as Assad's forces resorted to shelling, tank fire and door-to-door searches.

"All this, taken along with the reported build-up of forces in and around Aleppo, bodes ill for the people of that city," Pillay said in statement.

Government troops stationed on the outskirts of the city unleashed barrages of heavy-caliber mortar rounds on its western neighborhoods, while Russianbuilt MI-25 helicopter gunships struck in the east, opposition activists in the city said.

The heavy fighting follows an audacious bomb attack that killed four of Assad's closest lieutenants in Damascus on July 18, a development that led some analysts to speculate that the government's grip was slipping.

With U.N. Security Council resolutions for sanctions against Syria vetoed by Russia and China for a third time last week, the United States has said it is stepping up assistance to Syria's fractured opposition, though it remains limited to non-lethal supplies such as communications gear and medical equipment.

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Facebook revenue growth skids as shares plunge Facebook Inc reported a drastic slowdown in revenue growth and failed to offer financial forecasts to quell fears about its ability to boost advertising growth, sending its shares plummeting to a record low.

In its inaugural earnings report since becoming the first American company to debut with a value of more than $100 billion, Facebook reported revenue increased 32 percent in the second quarter to $1.18 billion, in line with average forecasts.

But it offered no outlook for the current period as some investors had hoped.

Shares of Facebook, which has shed a third of its value since its haphazard May debut at $38, hit below $24 in frenzied after-hours trading.

Mark Zuckerberg, the 28-year-old Chief Executive who created Facebook in his Harvard dorm room, said that the company was seeing encouraging results from newlyintroduced advertising services and that Facebook now has a "clear path" to building a strong mobile business.

Facebook has raced through eight years of break-neck growth that was to have culminated with its May comingout party.

New report claims US $21 trillion hidden from taxman in Caribbean offshore accounts NEW YORK – A new report says the wealthiest people in the world have exploited loopholes in international tax rules, evading the taxman and sheltering US $21 trillion or more in offshore accounts in the Caribbean and other places.

The report, released here by the economic transparency group, Tax Justice Network, titled “The Price of Offshore Revisited,” noted that between US $21 trillion and US$32 trillion could be hidden in tax havens in countries like Switzerland and the Cayman Islands.

The report said that about US$10 trillion stashed away in off-shore accounts is owned by only 92,000 people, or 0.001 per cent of the world’s population, “These estimates reveal a staggering failure: inequality is much, much worse than official statistics show,” said John Christensen of the Tax Justice Network.

“People on the street have no illusions about how unfair the situation has become,” he added.

The report notes that private banks and investment firms have enabled these wealthy individuals and corporations to take advantage of loopholes and gaps in cross-border tax rules.

Tax Justice Network said almost every country has suffered from the billions of dollars in lost tax revenue, adding that sub-Saharan Africa and oil producing states like Saudi Arabia have been especially hard hit.

In some cases, the total worth of these hidden assets far exceeds the international debts owed by these countries, Tax Justice Network said, noting that it compiled the report using thousands of data and sources, including information from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The report said: “It is important

to emphasize several structural facts about the offshore industry, as we work on our estimates. First, t is important to distinguish between the intermediary havens which act as conduits for wealth and destination havens where private wealth ultimately ends up. We typically associate offshore legal entities like shell companies, asset protection trusts, captive insurance companies, and haven banks with the conventional list of offshore havens (or Treasure Islands) found on, say, early 2000s OECD blacklists: sultry, dodgy tropical islands like Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Nauru, St. Kitts, Antigua, and Tortola; or the European bolt holes such as Switzerland, the Channel Islands, Monaco, Cyprus, Gibraltar, and Liechtenstein. These 80---odd front--line havens, most of which are offshore by anyone’s definition, collectively provide a home to over 60 million people, and over 3.5 million paper companies, thousands of shell banks and insurance companies, more than half of the world’s registered commercial ships above 100 tons, and tens of thousands of shell subsidiaries for the world’s largest banks, accounting firms, and energy, software, drug, and defense companies. In the 1970s---90s, as multinational corporations (MNCs), banks, investors, and a variety of First and Third World scalawags demanded haven services, the elites in these tiny ersatz states discovered they could make a darn good living simply by turning a blind eye. Their numbers roughly tripled during these years.”

Instead, its share price has headed south as investors questioned its valuation of more than 50 times earnings, and its longer-term ability to sustain growth with users migrating to mobile devices.

Monthly active users grew to 955 million at the end of the second quarter, up from 901 million at the end of March. But mobile monthly active users surged 67 percent year-on-year to 543 million users, adding further pressure on Facebook's business, which only recently began to offer limited forms of mobile advertising.

"They beat, but the Street was looking for more and that's why I think shares turned lower after an initial bounce," said Michael Matousek, a senior trader at U.S. Global Investors Inc, which manages about $3 billion.

"The big question with the stock is how it will monetize its billion or so users. A lot of people think they can't convert those users to money.

"It doesn't look good with this new information out there. I don't want to say the story is broken, but the story is kind of broken."

The company said that its capital expenditures more than tripled to $413 million in the second quarter.

Facebook's growth rate in the second quarter was the slowest since the first three months of 2011, when it began disclosing that information.

In past years, it has steadily

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

challenged established Web powers Google Inc and Yahoo for consumers' online time and advertising revenue.

Now, as mobile devices like smartphones and tablets penetrate deeper into consumer markets, the company is struggling to drive advertising revenue off them.

"The fact that there's no guidance in the press release likely has people concerned about the achievability of people's full year expectations," said BTIG analyst Richard Greenfield.

"Growth is clearly slowing on both the user and revenue basis, and without guidance to make people believe it's growing, you have a large part of investor fear."

Facebook Finance Chief David Ebersman told Reuters in an interview mobile represented a great opportunity for Facebook in the long run.

On Wednesday, social games leader Zynga - which accounts for over a 10th of Facebook's revenue and faces the same challenge of earning off mobile users - stunned investors after slashing its 2012 earnings forecasts.

That helped wipe 9 percent off Facebook's value during regular trading on Thursday.

Zynga and Facebook were among a bevy of hot tech prospects that went public in 2011 on the back of renewed dot-com mania gripping Wall Street.

They, along with fellow 2011 debutante Groupon Inc, have since gone into a tailspin.

On Thursday, Facebook posted a net loss of $157 million, or 8 cents a share, in the second quarter after taking hefty stock compensation charges related to its IPO. That compared to net income of $240 million, or 11 cents, in the year-ago quarter.

IMF says China’s economy on path for soft landing WASHINGTON -- China's economy may be undergoing a soft landing despite growing global headwinds, and China is well placed to respond to possible deterioration of external environment, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in a report.

"The economy has been slowing partly as a result of policy action to moderate growth to a more sustainable pace, but a worsening of the euro area crisis poses a key risk to the outlook," the institution said in its annual Article IV Consultation Staff Report for China.

The IMF estimated China's economic growth would slow down to about 8 percent this year and then rise slightly to 8.5 percent in 2013.

Without further shocks to agricultural supply, China's inflation is expected to stay in the range of 3-3.5 percent this year and fall to 2.5-3 percent in 2013.

China's macroeconomic policies are geared to slowing growth to a more sustainable pace, and continue to be adjusted in line with evolving conditions, the Fund said.

It considered China's current fiscal stance as "appropriate" and monetary policy "consistent" with its economic objectives.

According to the report, China's current account surplus declined from a peak of 10.1 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2007 to 2.8 percent last year, which the Fund said reflected primarily a reduction in the trade surplus and had positive spillovers to the global economy.

IMF executive directors agreed that the key challenges for China's policymakers in the period ahead is to achieve a soft landing for the economy while pushing ahead reforms for a more balanced and sustainable expansion.

Markus Rodlauder, deputy director of the IMF's Asia Pacific Department, told reporters in Washington that China now faces dual challenges -- the "longer-term need to continue transforming the economy," and the short-term urgency to manage the slowing down.

Rodlauder said the slowing down in China's growth, which was initially resulted from government policy adjusting, has been compounded by the darkening global economic prospects caused by renewed tension in the euro area.

In the event of a worsening of the external outlook, China has ample room to respond forcefully, using fiscal policy as the main line of defense and with emphasis on measures that support its medium-term reform objectives, said the Fund.

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JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012 JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

WORLD NEWS

Come and join our winning team!!!

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages and Spa, the only 6 Diamond all inclusive property in the Caribbean is inviting applications from suitably qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders for the following vacant positions.

Applicants must have a clean police record and a good command of the English language both written and spoken. In addition candidates must be able to work nights, public holidays and week-ends.

The Resort thanks everyone for their interest in advance and advises that only short listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

The Administrative Department requires:

Zone Manager Executive Assistant Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in F&B, Rooms Division and operations • Experience in managing a boutique hotel or an operation encompassing rooms, restaurant and environs

Rooms Division Department Requires: Executive Housekeeper Assistant Executive Housekeeper Requirements include but are not limited to: • Schedules staff according to forecasted occupancy and maintains productivity standards.

• Oversee the financial processes of budgeting, purchasing, payroll and inventory control.

• Maintain quality standards to ensure the highest level of cleanliness • Maintain all safety and security policies.

Minimum of 3 years housekeeping management The Food and Beverage Department requires:

Food and Beverage Manager Restaurant Manager Italian Restaurant Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in managing multiple Restaurant outlets with seating of over 200 • Five (5) years relevant experience in Fine Dining, Al La Carte and Buffet The Human Resources Department requires:

Training Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Qualified to teach English Butler Program to certification • Knowledge of Food and beverage, Front office, Concierge (this is not exhaustive) • Ability to design training programs The Weddings Department requires: Weddings Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience managing multiple wedding retail outlets • Proven sales track record in Weddings exceeding sales targets • Ability to up and cross sell • Over 3 years managing a wedding portfolio Bar Department requires:

Bar/Beverage Manager Assistant Bar/Beverage Manager Requirements include but are not limited

to: • Three years managing more than 10 bars and their inventory o Excellent customer service skills • Knowledge of wines Spa Department requires:

Spa Manager Assistant Spa Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Knowledge or certification in Dermalogica Brand an assist • Ability to sell service and product • Ability to meet targets and sales quotas The salary for the positions listed above ranges from $25,000 to $65,000 per annum.

The Kitchen Department requires:

Executive Sous Chef Specialty Restaurant Chef Executive Pastry Chef Assistant Executive Pastry Chef Sous chef Chef Requirements include but are not limited to: • To create recipes and production methods, as well as compile new banquets methods when required.

• Oversee the training and development of staff.

The Watersports Department requires:

Dive shop Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience managing a Dive shop operation • Ability to up and cross sell • PADI certification to dive • PADI certification to teach instructors • First Aid Certification

The Kids Kamp Department requires:

Pirates Island Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: o Experience in running a teens and tweens program. o Professional designation in a related children development program o Over 3 years managing a children’s operation

Rooms Division Department Requires: Concierge Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Three years managing or assisting with the management of two or more Concierge desk • Excellent customer service skills • Ability to multitask and give the guest more than he or she expects

Front Office Manager Assistant Front Office Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: o Three years managing two or more Concierge desk o Excellent customer service skills o Ability to multitask and give the guest more than he or she expects Laundry Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: o Physically fit o Previous experience in commercial Laundry an assist

Information Technology Department requires:

Information Systems Manager Requirements include but are not limited to: • Knowledge of a PBX system • A recognized IT professional qualification such as Degree/Advanced Diploma in IT or Computer Science & Technology • Due to the physical layout of the property, applicants should be in good physical condition.

The Administrative Department requires:

Director of Guest Services Requirements include but are not limited to: • Experience in solving guest concerns to resolution including compensation • Knowledge of and a ability to interact with Rooms, Kitchen, Dining Room (this list is not exhaustive) • Five (5) years relevant experience The salary for the positions listed above ranges from $25,000 to $65,000 per annum

Applications giving full details of qualifications and experience should be sent to: mmvaughn@grp.sandals.com or Fax to: 941-4870 Attn: M McCleanVaughn The Human Resources Department Beaches Turks and Caicos P.O. Box 186 Lower Bight Road and

The Labour Commissioner Labour Department Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands and should reach not later than August 4th 2012. Otherwise, please call anytime for an appointment tel # 649-946-8000 ext 4138

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US economy's growth rate slows in 2nd quarter Economic growth slowed as expected in the second quarter as consumers spent at their slowest pace in a year, increasing pressure on policymakers to do more to bolster the recovery.

Gross domestic product expanded at a 1.5 percent annual rate between April and June, the weakest pace of growth since the third quarter of 2011, the Commerce Department said on Friday.

First-quarter growth was revised up to a 2.0 percent pace from the previously reported 1.9 percent. Output for the fourth quarter was raised to a 4.1 percent rate from 3.0 percent.

"This is the sign...that policymakers must act to provide more support to the economy if they want it to grow fast enough to start putting sustained downward pressure on today's still toohigh unemployment rate," said Josh

Bivens, research and policy director at the Economic Policy Institute.

The ailing economy could cost President Barack Obama a second term in office when Americans vote in November.

The expansion following the 200709 recession is the slowest since the 1980-81 period and the recession itself was the deepest in the post-war period, annual revisions to the data confirmed.

The weak second-quarter reading, which was in line with economists' expectations, could raise expectations of a third round of bond purchases, also known as quantitative easing, by the Federal Reserve.

No major policy announcement is expected at the Fed's two-day meeting next week, but many economists now say the central bank could move when policymakers gather on September 12-13.

China charges wife of ousted party leader in Briton’s death

British businessman Neil Heywood and Gu Kailai, wife of China's former Chongqing Municipality Communist Party Secretary Bo Xilai

BEIJING — Gu Kailai, the wife of the disgraced political leader Bo Xilai, has been charged with the intentional homicide of a British businessman, a crime that triggered China’s most serious political crisis in decades, the state media reported Thursday evening. The official Xinhua news agency published a brief dispatch announcing that Ms. Gu and an aide employed by the family had been formally charged in the poisoning death of Neil Heywood, the 41year-old Briton whose body was found in November in a hotel in Chongqing, the municipality in southwest China led

by Mr. Bo until he was deposed by Communist Party leaders.

Although the announcement repeated earlier accusations that tied the murder of Mr. Heywood to “a conflict over economic interests,” it added fresh detail, saying that Ms. Gu committed the crime in order to protect her son, Bo Guagua.

The article did not mention Mr. Bo’s full name, suggesting prosecutors have decided not to implicate him in the crime.

The announcement said no trial date had been set.

The authorities in Chongqing originally attributed Mr. Heywood’s death to excessive drinking, but a scandal unfolded after Wang Lijun, the city’s police chief and a trusted associate of the elder Mr. Bo, sought refuge in the American consulate in Chengdu, a city not far from Chongqing.

Mr. Wang stayed overnight, reportedly revealing details of the crime to consular officials. Mr. Wang, who was said to be fearful of Mr. Bo’s wrath, left the consulate in the custody of officials from Beijing. He remains in custody.

The economy has been hit by worries of deep government spending cuts and higher taxes scheduled to kick in at the start of 2013, as well as troubles from the debt crisis in Europe.

The biggest factor weighing on the recovery is fear that politicians in Washington would be unable to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff at the turn of the year, economists said.

Recent economic data ranging from employment to manufacturing suggest limited scope for growth to bounce back in the third quarter.

Much of the slowdown in growth in the second quarter was caused by a softening in consumer spending as Americans eased off on automobile purchases due to tepid job and income growth.

Consumer spending, which makes up about 70 percent of economic

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

activity, increased at a 1.5 percent rate, a step down from the 2.4 percent pace logged in the previous three months.

Consumer spending was the weakest in a year. Much of that reflected a drop in spending on longlasting goods such as automobiles, which had buoyed consumption in the prior period.

But there was some silver lining, with spending on services rising at a 1.9 percent rate, stepping up from 1.3 percent.

Labor market weakness, marked by three straight months of job growth at less than 100,000 jobs per month, remains a major constraint to spending.

The unemployment rate was 8.2 percent in June.

The economy needs to grow at a rate of between 2 percent and 2.5 percent to keep the unemployment rate stable.

In the second quarter, cautious Americans opted to save for a rainy day, pushing the saving rate up to 4 percent from 3.6 percent in the first three months of the year, the highest in a year.

Skype denies police surveillance policy change Microsoft's online message, phone and video chat service Skype has denied making changes to its system "in order to provide law officers greater access" to its members' conversations.

It follows reports suggesting infrastructure upgrades had made it easier to hand on users' chat data.

Skype has now posted a blog saying the changes were made solely to improve user experience and reliability.

But it added it would pass on messages to law enforcement when "appropriate".

'Wiretap' patent Concern about Microsoft's intentions were first raised over a year ago after the Conceivablytech blog revealed the firm had filed a US patent for Legal Intercept - a technology "capable of silently copying the communication between at least two entities" on Voip (voice over internet protocol) calls.

It specifically made reference to "Skype and Skype-like applications" despite being filed in 2009, 17 months before Microsoft paid $8.5bn (£5.4bn) to take over the service.

In May 2012 the issue was revived after security researcher Kostya Kortchinsky blogged that the firm had changed its "supernode" policy.

While in the past Skype had relied on users with high-spec systems to help its members' computers locate each other when a call was made, the firm had now switched to a system in which all such connections were made using in-house servers.

This prompted posts on some blogs linking the the move to the earlier surveillance patent which were then followed up by the news site Extreme Tech.

Reports in the mainstream media including articles by Forbes, and The Washington Post followed.

The latter said industry and government officials had told it that Skype "has expanded its co-operation with law enforcement authorities to make online chats and other user information available to police".

It said its sources had spoken to it "on the condition of anonymity".

Peer-to-peer calls Skype's blog post said it was "false" to believe the changes it had made allowed it to monitor and record audio and video calls.

It said that while its servers helped members locate each other and maintain quality, the actual call data usually bypassed its equipment going directly from one users' equipment to another.

"Skype to Skype calls do not flow though our data centres and the 'supernodes' are not involved in passing media (audio or video) between Skype clients," wrote Mark Gillett, the firm's chief development and operations officer.

But he added that group calls including more than two parties were an exception, "where a server aggregates the media streams (video) from multiple clients and routes this to clients that might not otherwise have enough bandwidth to establish connections to all our partners".

Instant messages The Washington Post article had focused on written instant messages, rather than video/audio calls.

Mr Gillett denied Skype's moves had been designed to "facilitate law enforcement" but he did acknowledge the company would give the authorities access to messages if "a law enforcement entity follows the appropriate procedures" and the procedure was "technically feasible".

His post suggested it would be possible to pass on messages in some instances.

"In order to provide for the delivery and synchronisation of instant messages across multiple devices, and in order to manage the delivery of messages between clients situated behind some firewalls which prevent direct connections between clients, some messages are stored temporarily on our (Skype/Microsoft) servers for immediate or later delivery to a user," he wrote.

Skype's privacy policy acknowledges "IM messages are currently stored for a maximum of 30 days unless otherwise permitted or required by law".

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Murdoch hacking scandal results in eight people charged Paul McCartney was considered fair game. So was his estranged wife Heather Mills. So was Jude Law and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

After more than a year in the headlines, eight of Rupert Murdoch's reporters and editors in Britain have been charged with hacking the voicemails of more than 600 people over a five year period in search of sensational stories for Murdoch's now-

shuttered tabloid The News of the World.

"There is sufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction in relation to one or more offenses," said Crown Prosecutor Alison Levitt at a news conference.

Among those charged are Andy Coulson, former aide to Britain's prime minister and ex-editor of the New of the World and Rebekah Brooks, Murdoch's

Obama warns Syria against using chemical weapons WASHINGTON -- U.S. President Barack Obama warned the Syrian government against using chemical weapons in its intensifying conflict with the rebels.

"Given the regime's stockpiles of chemical weapons, we will continue to make it clear to al-Assad and those around him that the world is watching," the president told a gathering of U.S. veterans at the western state of Nevada, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

As the conflict in the Middle East country has entered its 17th month and fighting has raged for days in the capital city of Damascus and Aleppo, Syria's second largest city, there are increasing concern in Washington over the chemical weapons stockpiled in the country. U.S. officials have urged the Syrian government to secure the stockpiles.

"And that they will be held accountable by the international community and the United States should they make the tragic mistake of using those weapons," Obama warned.

Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons, which Western powers believe is one of the world's largest, is believed to include sarin nerve agent, mustard gas and cyanide.

The chemical or germ weapons would never be used in the ongoing conflict with the opposition forces, except in the case of " external aggression", the Syrian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

Washington has been mounting "a secret but limited" effort to speed the fall of al-Assad without using force by blocking arms and oil shipments from Iran, a staunch ally of Syria, and by passing intelligence to front-line allies, the Wall Street Journal reported.

_____________ Ghana party nominates Interim President to run Leaders of Ghana's governing party say they have nominated the country's interim president to replace their late leader on the ticket.

President John Atta Mills died Tuesday at the age of 68, five months before he was due to run for re-election. Hours later, Vice President John Mahama took the oath of office.

Ghana Information minister Fritz Baffour said Thursday that the ruling party now has nominated Mahama for the presidential ticket, though the choice still needs final approval.

The governing party's candidate will face Nana AkufoAddo, who won nearly 50 percent of the vote in 2008, the closest election in Ghana's history.

Analysts say the two leading parties remain evenly matched, setting the stage for another razor-thin vote in Ghana.

trusted head of British operations.

The story exploded here in Britain last year when it was revealed that the News of the World had hacked the phone of missing schoolgirl Milly Dowler and reported on the desperate messages left by her parents. When her family noticed that voicemails were being deleted from her phone, they were convinced she was alive.

In fact she had been murdered and

the messages had been deleted by the tabloid to make room for new messages.

That revelation revolted the entire country and sparked what has been the decline of Murdoch's global media empire.

In a statement today Rebekah Brooks denied the accusations saying she was "distressed and angry" at prosecutors' decision to charge her.

Turkey won’t tolerate Kurdish entity in Syria ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey will not tolerate the creation of a Kurdish-run region in Syria, its prime minister said Thursday following reports that Kurdish rebels and a Syrian Kurdish political party had taken control of five cities along the Syrian-Turkish border.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's comments underscored Turkey's concern that the creation of a Kurdish authority in the north of Syria could provide a sanctuary to Turkey's own Kurdish separatists, who took up arms against the state in 1984. The Kurdish rebels already use northern Iraq as a springboard for attacks in Turkey.

The prime minister said Turkey's military is closely monitoring the developments. He warned the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which is fighting for self-rule in Turkey's southeast, and the Democratic Union Party of Syria, known as the PYD, to avoid any attempt at collaboration.

Otherwise, "it would not be possible for us to tolerate and watch this," Erdogan told reporters before departing to London for the

opening of the 2012 Olympic Games. "No one should attempt to provoke us. If a step needs to be taken against the (PKK) we would not hesitate to take it."

The conflict between Turkey's Kurdish rebels and the government has killed tens of thousands of people over the past 28 years.

Kurds also make up substantial portions of the population in the neighboring countries of Syria, Iran and Iraq.

Erdogan said Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu would meet officials from Iraq's Kurdish regional government next week to relay Turkey's concerns over the PKK taking up positions along the border with violence-torn Syria and to urge Iraqi Kurds not to support a Kurdish-run region in Syria.

Erdogan said Davutoglu would tell Kurdish officials in northern Iraq, "We have trust in you, but please do not be a party to any wrong moves."

Israel will do everything possible to stop nuclear Iran JERUSALEM -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has warned that his country is "committed to doing everything it can in order to stop Iran from going nuclear," according to a statement Xinhua obtained Thursday.

In an address to graduates of the army's National Security College on Wednesday, Barak said he is "fully aware of the difficulties and complexities involved in preventing Iran from attaining nuclear weapons."

Israel is facing "difficult and fateful decisions" in weighing methods of thwarting what many in the West believe is a clandestine Iranian nuclear weaponization program, Barak said.

Iranian officials contend that their program has only peaceful and medical goals.

However, Barak said that "having to deal with the challenge" of an Iran possessing nuclear bombs "would be many times more complex, dangerous and costly, both in terms of human life and in terms of resources, than a preemptive strike."

The remarks by the Israeli leaders come on the heels of recent statements by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that "There are currently 11,000 centrifuges active in enrichment facilities," 1,000 more than previously known by the International Atomic Energy Agency, according to a report in May. The Iranian president made the statements during talks with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Teheran officials, according to The Jerusalem Post.

"They (the West) explicitly say they need to increase pressures, tighten sanctions to force Iranian authorities to reconsider their calculations," Khamenei said in comments broadcast on state television, "But a look at the facts leads us not only to avoid reconsidering our calculations, but to move on our intended path with greater confidence."

Barak, however, asserted that "the Iranians are determined to continue deceiving the entire world, in order to achieve nuclear weapons. Whoever wants proof just need to look at the talks over the last few months, including the most recent talks in Moscow," calling Iran's nuclear program "a unique challenge" to Israel, one "with the potential to develop into an existential threat."

Barak said Israel would remain responsible for its own security, rather than depending on other states, such as the United States.

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WORLD NEWS

Nearly 40 percent of US births unintended About 37 percent of births in the United States are the result of unintended pregnancies, a proportion that has remained fairly steady since 1982, according to new research from the National Center for Health Statistics, a branch of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The numbers are not surprising to many doctors and researchers, and many said it's discouraging that they have not improved in three decades.

"Trying to prevent unintended births is sort of an increasingly difficult task," said William Mosher, a statistician at NCHS and the study's lead author.

Researchers interviewed more than 12,000 women from 2006 to 2010 who had given birth to live babies. Their findings showed changes in who is giving birth in the United States, planned or not: In 1982, white, married women accounted for 66 percent of births in the United States; today, that group accounts for 43 percent of total births.

But the findings also portrayed sharp demographic contrasts in women who have untended pregnancies: About 23 percent of married women had an unintended

pregnancy, compared with 50 percent of unmarried women who were living with their baby's father and 67 percent of unmarried women not living with the baby's father.

Nearly 77 percent of teens' pregnancies were unintended, compared with 50 percent of women ages 20 to 24 and 25 percent of women ages 25 to 44.

Almost 17 percent of women with a college degree had unintended pregnancies, compared with 41 percent of women without a high school diploma.

Nearly 54 percent of black women reported an unintended pregnancy, compared with 43 percent of Hispanic women and about 31 percent of white women.

"These are staggering statistics," said Sheryl Kingsberg, a professor of reproductive biology and psychiatry at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, who was not involved in the study. "Here we are with various means of effective birth control at our fingertips, but it's not reaching the population that needs it the most."

Previous studies have found that about half of unintended births come from ineffective use of contraception -- not wearing a condom or inappropriately taking birth control

PROVO GOLF CLUB Provo Golf Club is seeking a suitably qualified individual to fill the following opening. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be considered.

GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • Plan and schedule maintenance processes and procedures.

• Instruct, train and direct staff in golf course maintenance.

• Oversees fertilizer, chemical and pesticide applications.

• Run irrigation systems, including daily setup and maintenance.

• Proven organizational skills to maintain accurate records of all processes.

• Responsible for the safe operation, storage and effective use of all equipment.

• Responsible for the proper use, storage and preservation of all associated materials, supplies and assigned equipment.

REQUIREMENTS • Must have a Bachelor’s degree or Associate degree in Agronomy or Horticulture plus a minimum of six years experience on a golf course with three years experience as an Assistant Golf Superintendent.

• Must have at least a Class C Membership with the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA).

• Must have advance knowledge of agronomy and turf grass management practices.

• Require extensive knowledge of golf course maintenance.

• Requires knowledge of landscape construction and materials.

• Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.

• Strong computer skills using Microsoft Word and Excel • Must have a thorough understanding of the game of golf.

The salary range for this position is $60,000 - $80,000 per annum, commensurate with experience, training and qualification. Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by July 30, 2012 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only persons selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

pills, for example. Others simply don't use contraception at all.

Some doctors say a lack of education about and access to contraception through the health care system are the prohibiting factors driving those behaviors for many women, especially teens and women with lower incomes and education.

In the current study, more than one-third of women who had unintended births reported that they didn't think they could get pregnant.

Mosher said that points to a serious sex education problem among American women.

"Basically what that suggests is that many women think that because they have not used a method and have not gotten pregnant in two or three or four acts of intercourse that they're sterile. And of course, that's not how it works," he said.

The rates of unintended pregnancies have persisted even as new, more advanced contraceptive methods have been developed -things like intrauterine devices, vaginal rings and implants that don't require remembering to take a pill every day. But those methods are more expensive than other types of birth control, and many women simply may not be aware that they exist.

Oakland police radios failed during Obama visit A major portion of Oakland's yearold police radio system failed during President Barack Obama's visit to the city this week, in one what one lieutenant described as a "train wreck."

Many of the 100 Oakland officers assigned to handle presidential security were unable to communicate with the Police Department dispatch center for a time during Monday's presidential fundraiser at the Fox Theater.

Lt. Fred Mestas says that lasted about 30 minutes. He called the situation a "train wreck."

The radios failed altogether shortly after the president left.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/MHT1bB) the officers were unable to communicate as protesters roamed Oakland streets.

The radio system has been plagued by breakdowns and dead zones that have left officers' digital radios prone to blackouts across the city and in most commercial buildings.

Graceway IGA Supermarket

Wine Specialist

is looking to fill the following positions:

Job Summary: This position is responsible to promote and demonstrate fine wine knowledge throughout the island to increase sales among high profile local restaurants and retail accounts / customers while including managing logistics of wine shipments and consolidations in various wine worldwide countries.

Requirements include: • Extensive education in wine studies is essential • Experience in whole sale distribution and retail of wines and spirits is essential • At least 5 – 7 years experience in international procurement of wines and spirits including working at the consulting level with large distributors is required • Previous years of retail, grocery management experience will be an added plus • Must be able to show strong background and understanding of French, Spanish and Italian wines

Domestic Worker X 1

Pay will commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Applicant must be willing to work holidays and weekends Salary is $6.50 per hour Deadline for submission of applicants is July 31st 2012 Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracewayiga.com Please Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted to attend interviews.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Immediate opening

DINING ROOM MANGER

The Dining Room Manager will oversee the daily operation of P23 fine dining restaurant; Plunge casual outdoor restaurant and bar, Green Flamingo bar and In-room Dining.

Requirements: • Minimum of 6 years management experience in food and beverage, including fine dining • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience • Strong knowledge of a variety of cuisines and wines/beverages • Strong understanding and proven track record of operational controls and sales • Proven ability to train and develop team members • Ability to take initiative while working effectively in a team environment • Excellent organizational skills • Passion for luxury food and beverage service; positive and cheerful attitude with high energy • Computer skills (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) plus knowledge of POS systems • Must be able to work all shifts and days Duties include: • Supervises, trains and coaches staff to meet Regent standard of luxury and ensure Regent Experience for guests.

• Participates in development of business strategies for food & beverage outlets aligned with business objectives for maximizing revenue and guest satisfaction.

• Participates in development of budgets and monitors status regularly to ensure achievement of financial targets.

• Assists in developing and implementing marketing and promotions to increase business and revenue.

• Works closely with culinary team to create and implement menus consistent with guest expectations and Regent standards of luxury and quality.

Starting salary $20,000 per annum not including service charge

WASTE WATER PLANT

Requirements: • Minimum 2 years prior experience in the Waste Water plant of a luxury hotel property.

• Knowledge of water testing and reading sample results.

• Proficiency with hospitality operating systems.

• Strong organizational and time management discipline with ability to multi-task.

• Solid judgment and ability to resolve conflicts effectively.

• Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Take water samples and provide testing for sediment amount, chlorine and ph.

• Ability to make adjustments to the plant equipment pending outcome of testing results.

• Washing down of all floats, sidewalks, equipment and railings on a daily basis.

• The technician will also be required to fill the chlorine feeder with the proper amount of tablets as needed.

• Responsible to do all checks and repairs on plant equipment to include air compressors, pumps and filter equipment.

• Ensure that proper backwashing is done on a regular basis or as needed.

• Required to legibly record all discrepancies and testing information on a daily record log.

Starting salary $7.50 per hour not including service charge

RESTAURANT SUPERVISOR

Requirements: • 3 year experience as a restaurant supervisor working in a branded luxury resort • Post secondary graduate or equivalent qualification by experience Duties: • Supervises the operation of assigned restaurants and/or lounges • Coordinates the set-up of restaurant and lounge areas in accordance with Regent’s standards • Confirms daily specials and new menu additions with the

EXECUTIVE CHEF • Oversees the food and beverage service provided in assigned outlet; coaches employees on effective service and food presentation techniques • Inspects assigned restaurants and lounge areas on an ongoing basis and takes appropriate steps to ensure facilities meet or exceed resort standards at all times • Conducts daily pre-shift meetings to discuss specials, house count, reservations and new menu items • Takes over the responsibilities of the manager during his/her absence • feedback to the employee and department manager on the employee’s performance • Provide employees with the information and tools needed to perform their job effectively • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary 8.50 per hour, not including service charge and tips

Provo Water Company Limited is seeking a Qualified Chartered Engineer to fill the position of

Head of Engineering

Position Summary The Head of Engineering Department of Provo Water Company shall manage, supervise and oversee the over-all technical operation of the company’s water distribution system including but not limited to the development of piping structural plans and the subsequent implementation thereof. This includes the following duties and responsibilities: Description of Duties • Designing of overall water distribution schemes and associated structures such as pumping stations, pipe works and earthworks where necessary.

• Formulations of technical policies governing operational procedures in the building, renovation and expansion of the water distribution infrastructures and the proper utilization of material resources; • Development and maintenance of standards and practices for water installation and engineering practices within the company; • Transacts and negotiates with consulting engineers, government departments, others utilities, contractors and suppliers on works required by the company or as solicited by any government or private entity for the best interest of PWC; • Organizes work activities within the engineering department and delegate task among engineering staff in accordance with the level of importance and priorities as required in the distribution and maintenance; • Set up and maintain a data base that will consolidate all generated technical and administrative data from the engineering and distribution that will serve as primary source of information and reference in PWC’s future undertakings; • Carry out and implement all other activities for the engineering department as mandated and required by the Managing Director which includes among others the following: • Design of capital works, preparation of drawings and contract documents • Provision of standard specification for all material requirement in the distribution works • Implement health and safety, safe working procedures within the engineering and distribution department • Gathers data of meter readings for use in the billing and technical analysis • Conducts investigative and analysis works arising from technical complaints

JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

COSMETOLOGIST

Requirements: • Prior experience working as a Cosmetologist in the spa department in a luxury resort • Excellent communication skills • Ability to understand the guest, internal and external, and meet and exceed the needs of both the guest and the company • Ability to provide genuine service through actions that display self-confidence, grace and courtesy to guests and colleagues • Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: • Provides consistent professional hair treatments in accordance with spa protocols and accepted certification practices • Complete knowledge and understanding of all services and products while educating guests in these areas • Possess and maintain knowledge of current hairstyles and trends • Assist in inventory • Upholding the standards of sanitation and sterilization as directed by law and the spa’s policies and procedures • Performing prep work and properly cleaning and restocking work area as required • Must be able and willing to work all day and shifts Starting salary $5.50 per hour not including service charge and tips

HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR

Requirements: • Must have minimum 2 years experience as a housekeeping supervisor in luxury hotel/resort • Must have direct knowledge of housekeeping cleaning, processes and procedures, computer PMS systems, and telephone etiquette.

• Must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

• Must be able to handle multiple buildings, floors, and guest requests.

• Must posses high communication, handle guest complaints and procedures to resolve.

• Must be a team player and team oriented. Must be highly organized, engaged with employees, guests and owners.

Must have excellent time management and communication skills.

• Must be able to work in an open air environment, and have flexible scheduling. Must be able to multi-task and accomplish assignment on time.

• Must be able and willing to work all shifts Starting salary $8.50 per hour not including service charge Interested applicants should apply to Regent Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to marjorie.dorsett@regenthotels.com no later than Friday, August 10, 2012.

• Carry out land surveys for distribution requirement or in drawing out quotations • Coordinates main testing, flushing and sterilization function • Formulates leak detection plans and activities • Updates the mainlaying programmes • Prepares reports and technical information as required by the Managing Director • Attends meeting and seminar for the furtherance and upliftment of engineering operation • Supervises and controls all other technical activities as delegated by the Managing Director.

Performs all other delegated functions from the Managing Director that is in line with engineering works and in consonance with the existing rules, policies and standards of Provo Water Company.

Education Successful applicant requires an accredited bachelor's degree in civil engineering. A post-graduate degree in civil engineering or water related field is preferred. Relevant professional qualification is required.

Desired Experience Applicant must have 7 to 10 years of progressive civil engineering experience, including previous supervisory duties. Experience in water supply utility environment is a must. Candidate should have a strong analytical background with a proven record of achievement.

Salary Salary starts at $63,000 p.a. plus benefits Deadline All applications (inclusive of cover letter, CV & copies of qualifications) must be submitted by 1st August 2012 to: Managing Director PO Box 39 Provo Water Company Limited Grace Bay Road Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands provowater@tciway.tc

Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified

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HIGHLIGHTS

RREAD MORE ON PAGE 42

Oliver Smith gets National B Coaching Soccer license Oliver Smith, the newly elected Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association’s (TCIFA) Second Vice President – recently completed his United States Soccer Federation National “B” Coaching License – and was successful.

Smith, an attorney by profession and coach of the U14 Centre of Excellence Squad – took the nine-day course last month with assistance from the Association. The National “B” License Course is designed to introduce concepts that are targeted toward coaching players age 16 to college level. The National “B”

Dolphins turn back Sharks The Dolphins looked like a team out for revenge when they took the first game of the Grand Turk Cricket Association second 5 game series of matches with an 86 runs victory against the Sharks.

Played at the Parade Ground on Saturday June 9th, The Dolphins, determined to redeem themselves scored 218 off 18 overs; Earl Henry the new captain of the Dolphins scored an unbeaten 88 to lead the scoring.

This inning included 13 fours.

Jeremy Jones scored 43 which included 7 fours and 1 six to be the next highest scorer. Harry Chandwani scored 42 which included 9 fours.

Errion Charles was the most successful bowler for the Sharks taking three wickets for 48 runs from four overs.

In their chase the Sharks looked threatening, however could eventually only manage 132 runs. Leading scorers in this chase were Oscar Black with 38, Michael Baptiste with 24 and Charles with 22. Zaheer Mohamed and Jay Seecharam were the leading wicket takers with two wickets each.

The Dolphins now have 8 points from this win. The series continues next Saturday at the same venue.

License focuses on recognizing the principles of the game and its technical applications in 11v11 game situations.

During the course, Smith and his counterparts learned to teach and implement these principles through functional training sessions leading up to the 11v11 game. Additionally, the course is geared towards helping candidates get a better understanding of the responsibilities of coaching at advanced levels, along with preparing those coaches who wish to pursue the National “A” License.

“I am now just one step away from obtaining the highest coaching license offered by the US Soccer Federation and one which is recognized by FIFA as being on par with the top licenses offered

by UEAFA and other confederations,” said the 2nd Vice President, adding: “I would like to thank the TCIFA for the generous assistance it provided to me in pursuing this rather hectic and involved course. It is my hope and intention to use what I have learnt in furthering the development of football locally.”

Oliver Smith

Provo defeated Grand Turk in exhibition cricket game Provo Cricket team gained bragging rights after outplaying Grand Turk Cricket team on the Parade Ground on Saturday July 21st.

The game started shortly after 10am after the first ball was bowled by one of Grand Turk’s old cricket stalwarts Mr. Maurice Hanchell.

Batting first Provo team scored 187 which hard-hitting batsman Ira Baptiste, batting at number 7, making 59. He gained ample support from Kevaung Brown who scored 34 and Gareth Butler and Douglas Brown also chipped in with

21 and 20 respectively.

Best of the Grand Turk bowlers was Howard Dickenson who took 2 for 14 from 4 overs.

In their turn at the crease, Grand Turk could only muster 70 runs, which included 18 extras. This proved to be the top score. Earl Henry was the other scorer in double figure with 11. The damage to the Grand Turk team was done by MVP Kevaugn Brown who bowled at lively pace to claim 4 wickets. Damian St.Ange took 2 wickets from 3 overs.

A return match is planned for the latter part of the year.

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accordingly to promote the goodwill and team spirit essential to the smooth operation of the hotel.

VACANCIES

Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala have vacancies for the following positions: Managerial Position:

HOTEL GENERAL MANAGER

We are looking for a highly self motivated professional who possesses a keen interest in hospitality with the ability to effectively manage a well established Luxurious Five Star Resort.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Effective running of the day- to -day operation of the hotel while ensuring that all cost effective measures are enforced.

• Maintain a positive and professional work attitude towards all employees and Guest.

• Attending to the needs of all internal and external guests with a drive to meet and exceed expectations as well as providing top quality services to all guests while achieving guest satisfaction.

• Efficiently manage all aspects of the hotel operation.

• Develop and enforce new rules and policies as the need arise.

• Analyzed and prepare operating and capital expense budgets for the hotel when necessary.

• Maintain confidentiality at all times with a view of protecting the resort and its customers.

• Look after the up keeping and maintenance of the entire resort and its Assets.

Qualification and Experience:

The successful candidate must have:

• Previous General Manager experience • At least a Master Degree in Hospitality or Hotel Management • Proven Multi Island and European Training Experience • Strong F & B capabilities and a minimum of 10 years Luxurious Hotel Experience • Ability to function effectively in a multi cultural environment • Excellent communication, organizational and decision making skills.

• Excellent Computer skills.

• The ability to maximize profit while cutting operational cost on a daily basis • Must live on property and be willing to work long hours including Public Holidays and weekends.

RESERVATION MANAGER

This position requires an experience person with and extensive background knowledge of sales strategies to maximize occupancy and room revenue.

Duties are as follows:

• Assuring first-rate service levels are extended throughout the reservations process.

• Developing, implementing, monitoring and controlling sales strategies.

• Conducting sales strategy meetings to ensure the maximize occupancy and room revenue.

• Ensuring that each decision is the best one possible to guarantee the highest revenues for the Hotel.

• Load and maintain appropriate and correct rates and room inventory in all systems including the PMS, CRS and 3rd party sites.

• Quote rates for sales managers based on Hotel’s revenue strategies within a timely manner.

• Prepare weekly and monthly occupancy forecasts Job Requirements:

• He/She must hold a four year college degree in sales or equivalent experience preferred.

• He/she must be creative and independently motivated • He/she must have excellent sales techniques • Excellent communication Skills both written and verbal FRONT DESK MANAGER:

To provide efficient and courteous service to each customer and maximize revenues by directing and coordinating the activities of the department in accordance with the standards of Parrot Cay Resort.

To act as the direct representative of the Front Office Department and to act

Duties and Responsibilities: Achieves customer satisfaction and room revenue goals by supervising the Front Office operation: • Ensures that the Front Desk is staffed appropriately by utilizing business forecasts to scheduled employees.

• Oversees and participates in the prompt and courteous check –in and checkout of customers.

• Addresses questions or problems pertaining to customer room accommodations and rates.

• Aids in planning for meetings and special events by meeting with individual customers and conventions representatives.

• Reports resolve and take appropriate action on guest complaints or problems to ensure good guest relations and safeguard of Hotel’s interest; represents the hotel in contact with the general public.

• Greets all arriving VIP’s, is visible and in contact with guests in public relations capacity.

• Handles all emergencies, guest and employee accidents, coordinates with appropriate departments, services and notifies management.

• Prepares reports and to develop a more informative database for applicable decision-making.

• Assists in preparation of annual budget; assures department operates within approved budget.

• Revises daily forecast whenever status changes and informed department heads as necessary.

• Coordinates billing with the Accounting Department • Conduct regular inspections of guest rooms, service areas, public areas and function rooms and communicates any deficiencies to the appropriate department so corrective action can be taken.

• Responds to positive and negative comments expressed in comment cards and develop strategies to improve comment card results.

Qualification and Experience

• Successful candidate is required to have exceptional leadership skills and motivation techniques • Be able to maximize employee productivity and satisfaction.

• Must be able to provide on the job training to qualified employees to maximized performance for their position.

• At least five years five star Resort experience as a Front Desk Manager.

• At least a Bachelors Degree in Hospitality or Business or experience of equal value

Successful Applicant will require working long hours, weekends and public holidays and must be willing to reside on Parrot Cay. ROOM SERVICE MANAGER: Qualification and Experience

At least 7 yrs international five star resorts experience.

Must be Computer Literate Must have knowledge of international wines and beverage with a background in food cuisine.

Be able to Manage the entire Room Services Department and operations, such as revenues, cost control, to ensures and maintain high standards services at all times, minimize complaints and must have excellent leadership qualities.

Responsibilities: • Duties includes training of Room Service/Mini bar staffs and assists in supervision of restaurant manning as needed • Follow up on checklist on arrivals, in house guest and departures • Ensures that all guest billing are accurate and charge accordingly • Stock taking and ordering of all Mini bar items • Conducts daily briefings and organize monthly meetings with all room Service staffs with all room Services staffs • Prepares the schedule accordingly with emphasis on individual strength • Handle all guest complaints and ensure guest satisfaction is met Successful candidate will work long hours including weekends and Public holidays.

You will be required to reside on Parrot Cay. HOTEL MANAGER: Main Duties Responsible for all day-to-day hotel operation, customer care and satisfaction, responsible for all aspects of the Hotel operations, organize staff coordination between the various hotel operations, enforcement of hotel rules and discipline, preparation of annual operating and capital expense budgets for the hotel.

Qualification and Experience: • Candidate must have minimum of 10 years experience in 5 Star resort Hotels, • Strong organizational skills, • Ability to handle multiple priorities with quick decision making excellent communication skills, • Experience in Fidelio and Micros computer systems, customer service oriented, profitability control, willing to work long hours including weekends and holidays.

• Must reside on Parrot Cay

Only suitable Qualify Candidates will be contacted for an interview.

All Curriculum Vitae’ should be forwarded to the Human Resources Department at the following address: Parrot Cay Resort and COMO Shambhala P.O. Box 164 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Ph: (649) 946 7788, Fax: (649) 946 7749 Email: yolander.forbes@parrotcay.como.bz or joel.richards@parrotcay.como.bz

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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JULY 28TH - AUGUST 4TH, 2012

"I wouldn't bet against Bolt," said Michael Frater, captain of Jamaica's Olympic team, and a key member (alongside Bolt) of Jamaica's world record-breaking 4x100m teams.

"He (Bolt) is a special athlete."

READ MORE BELOW

Usain Bolt will be fully fit for London 2012 The Jamaica track team doctor Winston Dawes expects Usain Bolt to be in prime shape to defend his three Olympic titles.

Bolt has been struggling with niggling leg and back problems in recent weeks which have translated themselves into some relatively poor times, while he was also beaten by Yohan Blake in the 100 metres and 200m at the Olympic trials.

Dawes, however, is confident the world record holder Bolt will be in peak condition as he attempts to retain both titles as well as helping Jamaica keep their 4x100m crown.

"He's back fully," Dawes said. "He has been training very, very hard and his performance is on track.

"We expect he'll be fully fit by the time the Olympics come around. He had some slight cramps [in his legs].

He had had an accident before, so that might have shaken him up a little."

Bolt was unharmed in a minor road accident in Jamaica last month.

Dawes believes sprint rivals Bolt and Blake could reach new heights in London. He told BBC Sport: "Both of them are at the top of their game. If the conditions are ideal, then we are going to see something fantastic. We may see records go.

"They are 100% fit and 100% raring to go. They are mentally fit and

they are going to be going all out."

Fitness concerns, an early morning car crash and losing over both the 100 and 200m to the same Jamaican rival have raised serious doubts about Usain Bolt's ability to defend his Olympic sprint titles.

The 25-year-old transformed the world of athletics when he scorched to victory in both sprint events at the Beijing Games in then-world record times.

Bolt, who is due to hold his first pre-Olympic press conference at 5:00pm (1600 GMT) in London on Thursday, bettered his Olympic form at the 2009 Berlin worlds, setting current world records in the 100 and 200m of 9.58 and 19.19sec.

But a sensational false start in Daegu last August saw him cede his world 100m crown to compatriot Yohan Blake, who recently eclipsed Bolt in the Jamaican Olympic trials, notably inflicting on his training partner a first loss over 200m in more than four years.

Bolt, standing 1.96m (6'5") tall, has also struggled with leg and back problems in recent weeks, but Jamaican team doctor Winston Dawes said he expects Bolt to be in prime shape by the time track and field events start on August 3.

"He's back fully. He has been

training very, very hard and his performance is on track," Dawes told the BBC on Wednesday.

"We expect he'll be fully fit by the time the Olympics come around. He had some slight cramps in his legs. He had had an accident before, so that might have shaken him up a little."

Bolt walked away from that onevehicle accident reportedly uninjured, but Jamaican police were left waiting to hear from the triple Olympic sprint champion after he provided what they said was a "sketchy" statement.

Bolt had at least passed a breathalyser test to prove he was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash that left his BMW sports car damaged.

Back on the track, the accident followed his slowest 100m in three years at Ostrava in May, and after being beaten by Blake in the Jamaican trials, Bolt withdrew from the Monaco Diamond League meeting citing a "slight problem".

That sparked intense injury speculation and talk that the world's fastest man, and athletics' hottest property, was "fallible".

Realistically, a Bolt carrying a nagging back problem is fallible only when it comes to a handful of sprinters capable of running sub-9.90sec times in the 100m.

Usain Bolt

"I wouldn't bet against Bolt," said Michael Frater, captain of Jamaica's Olympic team, and a key member (alongside Bolt) of Jamaica's world record-breaking 4x100m teams, both in Beijing and Daegu with times of 37.10 and 37.04sec respectively.

"He (Bolt) is a special athlete."

Bolt was a disappointing no-show at the Team Jamaica open day at their training base in Birmingham.

Another absence from the showboating Bolt in the British capital will have Olympic organisers, sponsors and fans alike quaking in their boots.

Not offering glad tidings was the horse part-owned by Prince Harry and named "Usain Colt" in tribute to Bolt.

The three-year-old thoroughbred and favourite, made a disappointing appearance at Sandown Park on Wednesday, only managing fifth.

Haiti’s Olympic team in London isn’t very Haitian Four of Haiti's five Olympians at the London Games have something in common _ they're not from Haiti.

With millions of Haitians living on $2 a day or less and hundreds of thousands of people rendered homeless by a devastating earthquake two years ago, the country struggles to produce world-class athletes.

But those with Haitian links are still eager to represent the small Caribbean country.

"I still feel Haitian even if I wasn't born there," 21-year-old sprinter Marlena Wesh said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Wesh, who will run in the 200 and 400-meter races at the Olympics, grew up in Virginia and is a senior at Clemson University. Her parents are from Haiti.

Besides having family ties to Haiti, the four foreign-born Olympians will be competing in track and field, including the former college roommate of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

Samyr Laine, a 28-year-old triple jumper, is from New York and roomed with Zuckerberg at Harvard.

He was the 14th person to sign up for Zuckerberg's social networking site.

Laine recently graduated from Georgetown Law School but hopes to use the attention generated by the Olympics to form a nonprofit group called the Jump for Haiti Foundation, a sports program that would try to produce future Olympic athletes from the country

through camps and clinics. The goal is to have future teams made up of athletes who were born and raised in Haiti.

Laine said he plans to call on his friends, including his roommate-turned-billionaire, to donate a few dollars.

"I hope they see the merits of my cause," Laine said. "I will definitely try to reach out to Mark as well."

Moise Joseph, a 30-year-old 800-meter runner, and Jeffrey Julmis, a 28-year-old 100-meter hurdler, are also in the team. Haiti's lone homegrown Olympian is Linouse Desravine, a 21-year-old judoka.

There's nothing unusual about athletes from multiethnic nations like the United States or Britain representing other countries. But what may be surprising to some is that Haiti, which seems to lurch from one calamity to another, is being represented in London at all.

The country does pose unusual challenges for athletes. Three of the country's five competitive running tracks are home to thousands of people in tents and shanties who were displaced by the January 2010 earthquake. The office of the Haitian Olympic Committee overlooks a hillside shantytown and has a budget of only $400,000. The U.S. Olympic Committee's budget is about $170 million.

"Our daily struggle in the Olympic committee

here is finding funds," said Alain Jean-Pierre, the body's secretary general.

Haiti first competed at the 1900 Paris Olympics, and won its first medal in the same city at the 1924 Games when it took bronze in the team rifle competition.

The country's only individual medal was a silver won by Silvio Cator in the men's long jump at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics. Cator today is remembered with pride and the national stadium in downtown Port-au-Prince is named after him.

Another notable Olympian from Haiti was marathon runner Dieudonne Lamothe, the first from his country to compete in four Olympics.

More medals in London will be tough.

"I don't think so but I think we'll have two athletes in the finals," Jean-Pierre said.

Frederic Charles, a 29-year-old computer technician and the half brother of Olympic runner Joseph, will be among those watching and waiting for Haiti to succeed.

Charles once lived in one of the hundred displacement camps but recently moved into a studio in Port-au-Prince. Above a collection of old desktop computers, the four walls bear posters of a uniformwearing Joseph sprinting in races.

"He's running for Haiti," Charles said, "so that someone can think about Haiti."

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HIGHLIGHTS Banned Greek triple jumper bitter and upset after racist tweet gets her kicked out of Olympics

Dwight Howard still wants trade Dwight Howard reiterated to Orlando Magic general manager Rob Hennigan during a meeting Wednesday in Los Angeles that he still wants to be traded and will leave as a free agent after next season.

The Magic considered the meeting an opportunity to check in with Howard and brief him on their plans going forward, league sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard The Los Angeles Lakers would seem to be a team that has moved on with their business as the Magic pulled back on trade talks involving Howard.

The Lakers introduced new forward Antawn Jamison on Wednesday, announced the re-signing of forward Jordan Hill and have had preliminary discussions about an extension for center Andrew Bynum.

While Orlando regroups to assess its options on Howard, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said as far as he's concerned, the door remains open for the team to make an impact trade.

"Typically it slows down in August, but the brakes are never on," Kupchak said coyly.

The Lakers' position on Howard

Dwight Howard

has remained relatively unchanged for the past few months, league sources familiar with the situation have told ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Lakers always have been willing to trade for Howard without assurances he'd resign with them after the season, believing that once Howard experienced a championship culture, he would want to stay.

However, the Lakers also remain

unwilling to take back burdensome contracts from Orlando that would subject them to the most punitive luxury-tax penalties under the new collective bargaining agreement, according to sources.

The Lakers also lost the ability to include future first-round draft choices after including their 2013 and 2015 first-round picks in a sign-and-trade with Phoenix for Steve Nash earlier this month.

Although the pace of the talks has frustrated executives and hamstrung business around the league, the Lakers seem to have found a way of remaining open to a trade for Howard while still going about their business.

Kupchak said Wednesday he's had "positive and productive" conversations with Bynum's agent in recent days.

Under the terms of the new CBA, Bynum would be eligible to sign a three-year extension before the start of the season. Or he could play out this season, become an unrestricted free agent and sign for four years with another club or re-sign with the Lakers for five years.

"You can argue both sides,"

Kupchak said when asked whether he had developed a sense of Bynum's thinking on the issue. "The risks associated with playing out a contract versus bird in hand. That's something each player or representative weighs and evaluates on their own.

"I remember when I signed with the Lakers. I was coming off two back surgeries and I know what I told my agent. So you can argue it either way.

If you feel you're never going to get hurt and you're healthy, God's in your corner. You can take a risk and become a free agent and deal with all of the abundancies of free agency.

Everybody evaluates that differently. I know how I looked at it."

Bynum has been plagued by injuries throughout his career. This was the first year he's made it through a full season without a significant injury.

When reached by ESPNLosAngeles.com Wednesday afternoon, Bynum's agent, David Lee, said he wasn't sure which direction Bynum was leaning, and denied he'd had any substantive conversations with Kupchak about an extension.

Report: Penn State faced 4-year 'death penalty' Penn State faced a multiyear shutdown of its football program had it not agreed with the sanctions imposed by the NCAA earlier this week, university President Rodney Erickson told ESPN. The football program at Penn State faced a fouryear "death penalty," a complete cessation of football activities, Erickson said, according to the ESPN report, as well as fines well in excess of the $60 million levied.

The four-year death penalty option was confirmed

by NCAA President Mark Emmert, who said in a separate interview with ESPN that what the network termed "a core group of NCAA school presidents" had agreed on the unprecedented sanctions.

Once Penn State learned of the NCAA intentions, school officials engaged in five days of secret discussions with the NCAA that resulted in the penalties announced Monday, ESPN reported. Those include the record $60 million fine, a four-year postseason ban, a four-year reduction in football scholarships and five years of probation. Penn State also was forced to vacate its football victories since 1998, including 111 by the late coach Joe Paterno.

Penn State's board of trustees was not involved in those negotiations, and some members had expressed anger at not being allowed a vote on whether to approve the agreement with the NCAA, according to ESPN. But in a statement Wednesday night, the board said based on the alternative, it would abide by the agreement.

"The Board finds the punitive sanctions difficult and the process with the NCAA unfortunate. But as we understand it, the alternatives were worse as confirmed

by NCAA President Mark Emmert’s recent statement that Penn State was likely facing a multiyear death

sentence. The University and Board resolve to move forward together to recognize the historical excellence in Penn State’s academic and athletic programs. We anticipate and look forward to demonstrating our outstanding performance in complying with the sanctions," the statement said.

If Penn State’s leaders had not taken the actions they did, “I don’t know what the outcome would have been, but I suspect it would have been significantly worse,” Emmert said in an ESPN interview.

Erickson told ESPN that a four-year ban on football could have had a devastating effect beyond football, which is the economic engine of the athletic department.

"I think it is not only best for our football program but best for our entire set of sports and intercollegiate athletes to be able to continue on and have the opportunity to play in that stadium and participate," ESPN quoted Erickson as saying.

The sanctions are part of the continued fallout from the child sex abuse scandal involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who was convicted in late June of 45 of the 48 counts he faced involving 10 young victims.

The NCAA action follows an independent investigation led by former FBI Director Louis Freeh, whose report held Paterno and other top Penn State officials responsible for failing to stop the abuse beginning in 1998.

Paterno, who coached at Penn State for 46 years, was fired after Sandusky's arrest in November. He died in January. Graham Spanier, then the school's president, was also let go. Two other former university officials face criminal charges related to their alleged

failure to report incidents regarding Sandusky's crimes to authorities.

The NCAA has used the "death penalty" on football only once, shutting down the program at Southern Methodist University in 1987 for violations of NCAA rules. The school also canceled its 1988 season and suffered two decades of losing seasons. hat was not something Penn State officials wanted to endure.

"I want to play football, and I want to play football on television," Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien said in an ESPN interview.

"Both of those things are possible under the sanctions," ESPN quoted Erickson as saying.

A group of Penn State players on Wednesday pledged to stick with the university, calling the sanctions, which allow transfers to other universities without penalty, an "opportunity."

"As a team, we don’t see this as a punishment, this is an opportunity; this is the greatest opportunity a Penn Stater could ever be given," senior running back Michael Zordich said in front of a group of players gathered outside the school's football facility. "We have an obligation to Penn State, and we have the ability to fight for not just a team, not just a program, but an entire university and every man that wore the blue and white on that gridiron before us."

Senior linebacker Michael Mauti said the sanction give the current players "an opportunity to create our own legacy."

"This program was not built by one man, and this program sure as hell is not going to get torn down by one man," Mauti said. "No sanction, no politician is ever going to take away what we got here."