Volume 8 Issue 40

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

Election results will be delayed -Cont’d CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Last week some members of the public were beginning to express concern that the At Large results would not be available until about three days after. But Lewis debunks such allegations, saying that while the At Large result would not be available on the same night with the constituency results, by the following morning, the country should know which party would form the next government.

“All the ballots – the district and the At Large ballots will be counted at each polling station. The results of each polling station would be sent to the returning officer in Grand Turk – the central location. But you know how small the islands are – everybody would know who wins (on the same day). But it wouldn’t be made official until after the tabulation is made by the returning officer in Grand Turk at the central location. He would make this official.

“If someone said they need a recount, it would be done in Grand Turk at the central location. All the ballots for the At Large constituencies would be brought to Grand Turk the following morning.

The returning officers for the constituencies would not be able to

give the results for the At Large on that night, so it would not be official until it is giving by the returning officer that is appointed for that purpose,” Lewis said.

Addressing the constituency results, Lewis said: “You will know the results because they are going to call from the constituencies, and they (Election Office) would be able to tabulate everybody’s votes, and it would be made official by the returning officer that we have appointed.”

However, in response, Dr. Rufus Ewing, Leader for the Progressive National Party (PNP), told The SUN that his understanding was that both the constituency and the At-Large ballots would be counted and declared on the same night, saying that anything to the contrary would be opposed.

“My understanding is that all of the At-Large ballots and the constituency ballots would be counted at the same time in the constituency, and the results of both would be known on the night, but the At Large results would not be final until the following day, but you would have a preliminary from that night. If there is anything to the contrary, I will not be in support of it at all,” Ewing said.

For his part, Chairman for the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) Lynden Hall, said that the leadership of the PDM and the Governor’s Office had been working to arrive at an amicable conclusion and that talks were still taking place.

“The leadership has had dialogue with the governor as it relates to the results forthcoming, so obviously there is still some final details that the governor has promised to disclosed to us, so until we get that information, I would be able to comment on it. But it is understood that after elections on November the 9th, we would get those results as soon as possible.

“You can imagine, we are as anxious as anyone, to get the results soon after the elections, but you may aware, we are not in control of that. So, we can only rely on the governor’s answers to those questions, and as soon as he can give us something definite, we can comment on it,” Three parties – the Progressive National Party (PNP), the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and the People Progressive National Party (PPP) as well as a handful of independence are contesting the November 9 elections.

Meantime, Lewis said there will be a voter education programme for the Turks and Caicos general election.

“There is a new voting process for this election with each voter receiving two ballot papers when they enter the polling station on 09 November,” said Lewis.

“The first white ballot paper will list all of the candidates for that single electoral district in which that voter is registered. The voter should mark a single X next to the candidate that they want to win.

“The second green ballot paper will list all of the All Island or ‘at large’ candidates for the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. The voter should mark an X next to a maximum of five candidates that they would like to become Assembly Members.

“To be clear, they can mark five or less than five candidates on the green paper, but if they mark six or more they will spoil their ballot paper and their vote for at large candidates will not be counted, unless that paper is destroyed by the presiding officer and a new ballot paper completed correctly.”

There are ten electoral districts across the Turks and Caicos Islands: Grand Turk North (former West Road and Overback); Grand Turk South (North and Back Salina and Salt Cay); South Caicos, East Caicos, Little and Ambergris Cay; Middle and North Caicos and Parrot Cay; Leeward, Providenciales, Pine Cay, Little and

CALL 946-8542 FOR MORE INFORMATION

Big Water Cays and East Cays, including Dellis Cay; The Bight, Providenciales; Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill Providenciales; Blue Hills, Providenciales; Five Cays, Providenciales; Wheeland and North West and North Central Providenciales and West Caicos.

• A notice giving details of all polling stations will be published after the final nomination of electoral candidates’ on 25 Oct. • Polling stations will be open from 7am and 7pm on 9 Nov. No voters maybe admitted to a polling station after 7pm.

• Photo ID must be taken to the polling stations – TC Islander Status Card, passport, NIB card or driver’s licence. If you do not have these take your birth certificate.

• Only persons registered at that polling station may vote there.

• Each voter will receive two ballot papers, a white one for that electoral district and green one for the All Islands District (the at large candidates).

• All candidates’ names will be listed alphabetically on both papers.

Their party symbols will be beside their names. Any independent candidate who does not have a party symbol will have the letters ‘IND’ shown against their name.

• All Ballot Papers will be marked by the Presiding Officer to show that they are genuine ballot papers.

• Presiding officers will show voters how to make their votes on the papers and how to fold their papers so that no-one can see how they voted.

• There are two ballot boxes – one for the white papers for the Electoral District candidates and one for the green All Island candidates.

Counting the votes: • The votes will be counted at each polling station after it has closed. There will be a separate count for the Electoral District and the All Island votes.

• After the All Islands ballot papers have been counted at each polling station, the papers and the result will be transported to Grand Turk for the final calculation by the returning officer there.

• The candidate who obtains the most votes in each electoral district is elected as a member of the House of Assembly.

• The five candidates who obtain the most votes on the All Islands district will similarly be elected as members of the House of Assembly.

• The official results for each of the districts and the All Island District will be published in the Gazette.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

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LOCAL NEWS

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LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Restricted Government document raises concerns about TCI national debt

BY HAYDEN BOYCE PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

A restricted document which has been obtained by local media has shown that the British Government and Interim Government are gravely concerned about Turks and Caicos Islands’ national debt.

The confidential report also showed that the TCIG and British Government are being less than transparent with residents of the Turks and Caicos Islands about the state of the country’s finances. In addition, the document clearly illustrates an element of political gamesmanship on the part of the British Government, who seems to be literally planning to toy with the next elected government.

TCI Fiscal Framework Document, was sent to Tim Colley of the Foreign and Commonwealth office, Ian McKendry of the Department for International Development and Overseas Minister Mark Simmonds and MP Alan Duncan from Richard Holmwood of the FCO and Simon Stevens from DFID. The major elements of the report are outlined below: 1. Agreement of a Fiscal Framework Document, which among other things sets out the long term debt ceiling. It is similar to a Framework for Fiscal Responsibility found in other OTs. The TCI Document has legal force under the new Public Financial Management (PFM) Law. Following the elections the new government may seek to negotiate an amended Fiscal Framework Document.

2. The Framework Document needs to be agreed before the start of the election Purdah period on 15 October The new Constitution and the current PFM law require the TCI Government to agree a Framework Document for financial management. A draft is attached at Annex A. Among other things this sets out the long term debt ceiling agreed between the Secretary of State and TCIG. This is important for managing the UK’s long term contingent liability.

3. The Governor plans to sign the Framework Document into law early next week (w/b 1 Oct), provided Ministers are content with the approach.

4. The contents of the document build on the longstanding FCO borrowing guidelines for OTs and the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR), which has been agreed with the Cayman Islands and the Protocols for Effective Financial Management (PEFM), which has been agreed with BVI. The provisions mirror these documents but will have immediate legal force.

5. The Framework Document covers the following subject areas: i. Broad principles of good financial management, including transparency, accountability risk management and measurement. ii. Standardised borrowing limits (FCO borrowing guidelines), which are specified as needing to be complied with by a certain date. (a) Net debt must be less than 80 per cent of revenue; (b) debt service must be less than 10 per cent of revenue; and (c) Liquid assets must be greater than 90 days of expenditure. iii. Prepare a National Economic Plan. iv. Capital project procurement. v. Partnership with the UK, including exchange of public finance information with the UK. 6. Under the new Constitution the

elected government may choose, after consultation to bring forward a further Framework Document, which must be agreed by the Secretary of State.

Putting in place a Framework Document now therefore sets an important benchmark. The standards and thresholds for good financial management will be clear and will not be able to be superseded by a further Framework Document written by a new administration until the Secretary of State gives approval.

7. The Framework Document proposed by the interim administration also contains transitional provisions to give time for TCIG to comply with the FCO’s borrowing limits. These are set out in Annex D. While TCIG is in breach the Secretary of State will need to approve TCIG’s fiscal plans each year before they can be assented to.

This requirement is in addition to the provisions set out in the PFM Ordinance and CFO Ordinance for the Governor and CFO to retain control of the public finances. The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ordinance gives the CFO the power and authority to ensure compliance with this document.

POLICY CHOICES AND ARGUMENT 8. It is not realistic for TCIG to comply with the FCO’s borrowing limits by the end of the fiscal year 2015/16 (i.e.

March 2016). Outstanding public sector debt is currently in excess of US$300m or more than 150 per cent of revenue . This includes the sum for which DFID holds a guarantee (currently US$179m) and also includes the debt of Statutory Authorities and Government Companies (SAGCs), which currently stands at around US$130m, but is expected to be around US$120m by March 2016, the most significant component of which is the hospital debt. These amounts are embedded in PFI contracts and since they are obligations to pay future contracted amounts they are regarded as debt under the FCO’s standardised debt definitions across OTs (this is consistent with the UK’s own debt calculation). They have not, however, featured hitherto in TCIG’s calculation of its own debt – with the whole annual payments instead passing through the operating account and so depressing the reported annual balances.

9. The interim administration has worked hard to examine whether the hospitals contract can be unwound or whether the more expensive layers of debt can be refinanced. These efforts have thus far been unsuccessful. We anticipate, however, given the unpopularity of the contract (which was signed by the previous PNP led administration), that a new administration may choose to continue this work – although we doubt it would result in any significant savings.

10. Notwithstanding the likely continued breach of the borrowing limits when the DFID guarantee expires in March 2016, it is not yet possible to say whether TCIG will be able to finance its outstanding borrowing at this point independently and on a sustainable basis - even if it continues to run budget surpluses.

While we expect significant headway will have been made in the next three years, whether TCIG can refinance itself independently and on a sustainable basis will be contingent on a number of factors, including: i. The actual amount of debt

outstanding at that time; ii. the conduct of local politicians, including the TCIG’s track record of sound financial management and generation of fiscal surpluses; iii. the state of the international financial sector at the time; iv. the outlook for the TCI economy; and, v. the degree of confidence in the UK’s implicit backing and financial controls in TCI. 11. We have spoken to Scotia Bank about the likelihood of refinancing the debt without our guarantee at that point. They were unable to make any commitments, due to the factors above, but agreed that a core government debt refinancing need of around $100 million might, prima facie, be feasible.

OPTIONS 12. A decision is required as to what compliance target date to set.

Option i) Meet standard borrowing limits by March 2016 13. Approving the Framework Document in its current form could help keep the pressure on any new administration to continue to reduce debt. This date also aligns with DFID’s debt guarantee expiry date and could therefore also offset debate locally about whether it is realistic for DFID to withdraw its debt guarantee by March 2016.

14. However, while this alignment makes it superficially attractive it is not realistically achievable and therefore leaves the UK open to an accusation of imposing an unrealistic burden. This could serve to undermine the credibility of the wider public financial management framework that has been established by the interim administration.

15. That said, we cannot yet fully foresee TCIG’s financial circumstances in March 2016 to determine with sufficient probability whether TCIG will be able to refinance itself independently and sustainably at that time. It may therefore be practical to harness the Framework Document as a lever for giving reasonable concessions during negotiations on financial support at a later date.

16. If we were to do this there would be a case for acknowledging privately in the UK government that: i.

These compliance dates will need to be renegotiated with a future political government, possibly at the same time as negotiations on any future financial support were to take place. ii.

On the balance of risks it would be better to avoid opening debate locally on whether DFID’s debt guarantee expiry date will coincide with TCIG being able to refinance itself sustainably.

In the interim maintaining this target could help put pressure on the new government to manage finances prudently.

Option ii) Set dual compliance targets for borrowing limits 17.

The Framework Document could include two compliance dates: an interim one and a final one. The first target would be for entire net public sector debt to be 110 per cent by March 2016 and the second for the entire net public sector debt (i.e. including the sizable hospital contract) 80 per cent by 2018/19.

These both remain challenging targets and would serve to keep the pressure on the new

administration as well as being useful negotiating levers at a later stage. The first target requires around US$75m of debt to be paid off in the next 3 years.

We anticipate that much of this could be achieved with forthcoming windfalls from asset recoveries and tax windfalls from new developments. The second target would require a further US$55m to be paid off between March 2016 and March 2019.

18. This could have the effect of highlighting that because of the hospital contract in particular, TCIG would continue to be in breach of the borrowing limits (limits consistent with those in place in other OTs), for nearly a decade. This honest reality may be politically very hard for TC Islanders to swallow. Being in breach of the guidelines means that the UK will play a significant role in TCIG’s finances during that time. The main consequence of this is to place a higher constraint on the level of capital expenditure than is desired locally, in what remains an emerging economy.

This is a legacy from the previous PNP administration.

19. The intermediate target has been set keeping in mind the aforementioned discussions with Scotia Bank (paragraph 12 above). The prospective gain for TCIG of meeting the intermediate target could be improved prospects for a return to independent and sustainable financing. When the intermediate target is met the Transitional Provisions in Annex D (e.g. that the UK must agree TCIG’s Budget) will continue to hold until the borrowing limits are met.

Option iii) Do nothing – negotiate a Fiscal Framework Document from scratch with an elected government.

20. Firstly, negotiating a new Framework Document from scratch with a political government without an existing benchmark in place could be challenging and would mean in the interim that there would be no explicit debt reduction target in place.

21. Secondly, removing a compliance date from the transitional provisions (Annex D) would effectively leave TCIG with no target for compliance and undermine the borrowing limits by giving them much reduced legal power.

22.

While the TCI Advisory Council has been supportive of the Framework Document, a newly elected government may see it as a gesture of goodwill from the UK to allow them to develop a Framework Document from scratch. This could, however, unnecessarily risk good governance of the public finances.

RECOMMENDATION 23. We recommend option (ii). This would on the balance of risks provide a more realistic and achievable target for debt reduction. Furthermore, we believe that adopting a dual target would reduce the risk of provoking debate about how realistic it is for DFID to withdraw financial support in March 2016 as well as reduce the risks of providing fuel to local rhetoric about the reasonableness of the tight fiscal policy put in place by the interim administration, which could undermine the wider financial framework.

AGREED BY / DISSENTING VIEWS 24. Agreed by – DFID, Governor.

Ricchard Holmwood, Economic Advisor, FCO Simon Stevens, Programme Leader, DFID

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LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

THE POROUS POLICE STATE, CALLED TCI The task force that was put together to assist in rounding up It is just amazing that the illegal persons has been British, in the guise of the disbanded, and nothing done to Interim Administration, under take up that slack. Our borders the Constitution who are are just as porous as a sieve, and responsible for our national there is absolutely nothing security, both internal and being done to change the external can be so lax in dynamics of that situation. We carrying out that responsibility. cannot screen these people and that are a threat to our health, Never during any period of and a drain on our social elected government have we services. been so overrun by illegal We are a tourist immigration and the influx of destination. We cannot afford to drugs into our country. It seems have another outbreak of that these people are hell bent on ROYAL ROBINSON disease in our country. The staff destroying every fiber that would CONTRIBUTER of Environmental Health has make us a country that we can be been cut drastically, there is no proud of and free to live and work in. they have refused to install the radar system proper surveillance unit, and so we are left exposed and vulnerable. These people do not give a hoot about for a very long time.

It was just sitting there like the horse that lost his us. As long as they can go freely on our beaches and shoes for the want of a tack. Now in the dying throes suck up our sunshine at our expense, then all is fine of their days at the direct helm, they are putting it out and dandy by them. This nonsense cannot be allowed there that the system is up and running perfectly, but to continue to happen.

Prize the blind man from Wheeland must be able by the amount of illegal boats that escape detection, to see that these people have no respect for freedom something is definitely wrong!

We, as a people cannot turn a blind eye to what is of speech as they claim to have. Let us look at how going on. These people are allowing our population they have operated with respect to Radio Turks and to be expanded in such a haphazard manner that we Caicos, the one communications link that reaches the do not have a clue as to who are living amongst us. length and breadth of this country.

There was a very popular show called “Cross This is an enlargement of the franchise by deception.

These people get here, disappear into the various Talk” hosted by Mrs. Cartwright-Robinson, with communities and we seem helpless in getting them guests Herbert Been and Royal Robinson. From all back to the countries from which they came. This is the reviews, this show was helpful and enlightening to the people of this country. The topics discussed not good for us.

They are putting an inordinate strain on our were topical and very informative by all accounts. meager resources, which will make it impossible for With two personalities such as Herbert and I, the full us to be able to address the crying needs of our people, gamut of politics and the relationship to our people because we have to be putting money towards people had to be discussed. But in order to put things in that we definitely did not cater for. Then, after they context, of course we were both critical of the Interim have been here a while, you would have the Human Administration to varying degrees.

Although the people were informed by the Rights Commissioner, saying that we have to leave them alone because we cannot break the various healthy debate by persons on either side of the International Conventions. Who is going to pay for all political spectrum, these guys did not want any of that. of this foolishness? No one but us, the people of the In hindsight, it now seems as if they wanted an entity Turks and Caicos Islands will be adversely affected like the PPP to get into the act. So what happen, they concocted some hairy fairy story and our show was by this laxity!

by Royal S. Robinson, MBE

EDITORIAL CARTOON

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

Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Senior Editor: Vivian Tyson Journalist/Web Designer: Patrina Moore-Pierre Graphics Editor: Joleen Grant Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Distribution Manger: Kelano Howell Advertising and Marketing ManagerPatrina Moore-Pierre The Turks and Caicos SUN is a subsidiary of The SUN Media Group Ltd. We are committed to excellence in journalism, educating and informing our readers, serving and satisfying our advertisers and assisting in the overall development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

canned. So they said until some restructuring could take place. The shoe would be suspended. We saw what type of restructuring took place. The administration of the station was taken from a statutory body and placed under the arm of the CEO. It is very interesting to now see that, having taken the station under its wings, the Interim Administration has been flexing its muscles! For shows like “Expressions”, they want to know two weeks in advance who the guests are and they want to have vetting privilege with respect to the questions to be asked. These people want to control every aspect of our lives. They are getting into things that do not concern them and they are making a botch job of it.

When I saw recently that they are seeking to hire staff that the politicians would need, without the input of the politicians, I have to say that these people are overreaching in the dying moments of their glory days. It might be right and proper that the financial allocation for such persons be made, but it is damn right out of their place to choose such a sensitive politically appointed person for the Minister of Premier!

From listening to a comment by the host of the show Expressions who seemed to have said that it not right for them to be delving into such detail, I now understand that she was put on administrative leave.

These people must think that we live in a police state and they should dictate our every move.

This foolishness is coming from persons who say they come from the mother country which is the cradle of democracy. I thought that our Constitution, as constrictive as it is in some areas, gave us the freedom to express ourselves. Can someone tell me when that part was suspended? These people are operating on a fly by night principle. Whatever they think of in the dark of night, they want to try it on for size in broad day light and expect us to just swallow it, hook, line and sinker. They are making it difficult for us to exist here and one day the silver cord will be broken and we will be free from this bondage.

Deal with what the Constitution says you are responsible for. You are taking on your plate too much and doing effectively nothing beneficial with it. Just remember, on day the greedy child will get choked!

Royal Robinson was a former Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance and Health in the Progressive National Party (PNP) Administration.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Dolphin Cove to invest $3million in tourist attraction at Cooper Jack Bay One of the Caribbean’s leading tourism brands, Dolphin Cove, has revealed ambitious plans to open its fifth ‘swim with the dolphins’ park in the Cooper Jack area of Providenciales.

If approved, it plans to open the $3million world class visitor attraction in Spring 2013.

Dolphin Cove Jamaica picked up the top award as the Caribbean’s leading adventure excursion operator at the World Travel Awards ceremony which was held in the Turks and Caicos.

The project has been granted a business licence by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, but it still required to complete all of the necessary planning and environmental impact studies.

The company is in ongoing discussions with Department of Agriculture’s Environmental and Maritime Affairs officials to ensure that it complies with planning and the highest welfare standards. The company is seeking to lease Crown Land.

Dolphin Cove already operates to the animal welfare standards required in the United States relating to marine mammals in captivity. During 12 successful years of operation, Dolphin Cove Jamaica has also demonstrated a strong contribution to dolphin educational and conservation programmes. It is now seeking to extend this world class service and unforgettable experience of interacting with these amazing marine mammals to the Turks and

Caicos Islands.

Governor Ric Todd said this is potentially a very exciting development for the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it is further confirmation of what we already know – that the Turks and Caicos Islands is a very attractive place in which to do business.

Todd said the TCI economy is in good shape, adding that Gross Domestic Product was over 4% last year, and was the envy of many nations around the world.

Todd said: “Although, clearly still subject to a number of permissions, we believe that the Dolphin Cove development would significantly complement the tourism offer here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Other recent investment

activity in the Turks and Caicos Islands includes: Fuel supply firm Rubis investing $20m in the Territory, the expansion of the world class Amanyara resort following their leasing of additional Crown Land, Beaches conducted a $4m refurbishment and maintenance programme, an $8.4m investment by the GU-Med medical school, $10m being invested in upgrading Providenciales International Airport, a new $15m private aircraft facility is being built at the airport, Communications giant Digicel investing $8m in its infrastructure here, a new $10m Chevrolet dealership, the opening of the Santa Maria Gaming Parlour, Grand Turk and the opening of Cuban Crafters, Providenciales

VAT will cost TCI families $5,400 annually The TCIG interim administration has stated VAT will be revenue neutral, according to the Turks and Caicos Islands Independent Business Council.

A press statement issued by TCIB member Keith Burant said: “That (the statement that VAT will be revenue neutral) is not true as the CFO plans to

pay down the $260 million debt over 5 years. However, that is another topic.

Assuming VAT is tax neutral and the government revenues will remain roughly constant with 2012 figures the implementation of VAT will shift $40 million of tax from the resort sector to the residents of the TCI. When TCIG talks about revenue stability this is really a spin to mean tax the local residents.”

Burant added: “ The civil servants from Britain that are dictating current fiscal policy have been told by Whitehall implement VAT so we can get out from underneath the DFID loan guarantee. They just like Brian Hogan, who implemented NHIP, do not care about the long term implications to the residents of the TCI. They will have left the TCI leaving the residents to pay the bill for Ricardo Fulford Consultant Services on behalf of his clients:

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their incompetence.”

The TCIBC member said that if VAT is implemented the resorts will be allowed to claim back all the VAT inputs against their 11% VAT charge on hotel bills.

“Currently the resorts cannot do this. Consequently the TCIG will receive about $40 million less in revenue from the tourists visiting our shores. There are approximately 30,000 residents in the TCI. If you divide $40million by 30,000 residents the cost is $1,333.33 for each man, woman and child residing in the TCI. This tax burden is the yearly cost of VAT for each resident in the TCI. A family of four will pay $5,400.00 more than they are currently paying.

This is what the TCIG means by revenue stabilization. It means taxing the residents more.”

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Lee Ingham is new Community College President

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Experienced educator Lee Ingram has been appointed President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, beating out four other competitors, including three locals for the position.

Ingham succeeded Rev. Dr.Julia Williams who served the institution for many years.

Originally from Grand Turk, Ingham, who began his tour of duty on September 1, was officially introduced to the public during a news conference hosted by Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Community College, Dr. Carlton Mills, on Thursday (October 4), at the Providenciales campus.

“My role basically is to develop the institution; to improve on what it is that we have already. We have limited offerings, and given the fact that I have a little bit of experience in higher education, I think I have some idea where is it that we want to go, and how is it that we should be able to get there.

“So my job, basically, is to develop the institution, to bring on quality programmes, and to make sure that what we are offering here is something that is consistent with what is being offered in most colleges and universities, so that, in the meantime our students can go away and have their credits from here transferred to other institutions,” Ingham said.

Having put the topography of the community college’s operation into perspective, Ingram blamed a lack of finance for the institution not having the required number of programmes so

From left – Dr. Carlton Mills, Lee Ingham and Samuel Forbes, Principal for the Community College – Provo Campus

as to widen the scope of academic delivery.

“Perhaps one of the reasons we don’t have as many programmes is that the resources are not there. I think that if we are going to develop the institution we are going to need some serious financial input. And with the coming of the new governing, I understand that there might be some restriction on it (funding for the college), but I believe we should focus on education,” Ingham said.

In the meantime, Ingram said that the community college was serving is purpose to a certain level, since it was already enabling students to attend colleges overseas by virtue of them transferring their credits after finishing there.

“What I see myself doing is to have more collaborations with more institutions; institutions that I know in the United States and other institutions in other countries as well…I think that

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is the key right, given the fact that we are a community college we can only go so far,” he said.

In the meantime, Dr. Mills said that based on the quality of the Associated Degrees offered by the community, students received advanced placements after being accepted by UK universities, including University of Leeds and University of Manchester.

He said students were also getting advanced placements at some of Florida’s top universities such as FIU and Florida State University.

Dr. Mills also said that some of the

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

programmes offered at the community college are credited by the University of the West Indies. He however, said that not many local students were taking up places at the regional universities, including the UWI and UTech.

Mills said that ways were being devised to make the TCI Community become more financially stable, one of which to compel persons applying for Permanent Residency Status (PRC) to undergo TCI studies at the College.

“One of our goals also is to make the institution more financially stable and more financially self sufficient.

One way in which we are doing this – and we are happy to have worked with the ministry of Border Control and Labour - is to now, all persons – nonBelongers – applying for PRC will have to do TCI studies. If you are going to come and live among us, you must know about us.

“My only disappointment with that, and we stress this, as board members, it should also extended to persons on work permits, particularly in our hospitality industry, where individual guests come in and ask question about Turks and Caicos, and those persons, especially in front office and concierge need to know about the Turks and Caicos.

“But I am hoping that we introduce that shortly. We feel that this should help to bring some income to the community college, and with this income, we would be able to decide on fulfilling some of the goals and objectives community college,” Dr. Mills said.

VACANCY NOTICE

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE OFFICER (Providenciales) Part time 30 hours a week The Red Cross is looking for a part time experienced Administration and Finance Officer who will be responsible for ensuring the fluent financial and administration management of the TCI Red Cross in relation to the overall TCI Red Cross at a national level, along with providing support to the Provo office, it’s programmes and the overall management of the financial systems.

Qualifications • Working knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel) • Financial Software (Quick books) • Seven plus years of finance experience • Three plus years in basic administration Experience in the Red Cross or another humanitarian organization would be an asset.

The successful candidate will also be sensitive to diversity, able to work cross-culturally and adhere to the Red Cross principles throughout daily responsibilities as well as working with the most vulnerable in the community. You will be required to provide support and work in Disaster Response.

For the full job description and an application form, please contact our Provo office on 941.8056 redcrossprovo@tciway.tc Deadline for applications is 20th October 2012.

Belongers only need apply.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 9

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Commonwealth Observer Team to monitor November 9th elections An eight-member observer team from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association will visit the Turks and Caicos Islands to monitor the November 9th elections that will return the country to self-rule.

The Election Observer Team members are: Mr Gasper Jn Baptiste, Deputy Chief Elections officer, St Lucia; Hon Joe Bossano MP, Minister for Enterprise Training and Employment, Gibraltar; Mr Thomas Doherty MP, UK Parliament; Mr James Duddridge MP, UK Parliament; Mr Sherlyn Hall, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Parliamentary Registration Department, The Bahamas; Mr Keith Lowenfield, Assistant Chief Election Monitor,

Guyana; Rev. Lowenfield, Assistant Chief Election Monitor, Jamaica and Ms Juliette Penn, Election Commissioner, BVI. The Election Observer Mission will be in the Turks and Caicos Islands from 6-12 Nov 2012 and present its report to the Governor before departure.

During a busy programme on polling day, Fri, 9 Nov, the team will cover seventeen polling stations on Grand Turk, Providenciales, South Caicos, Salt Cay, North and Middle Caicos.

The team has now been selected, in coordination with the Association of Caribbean Electoral Organisations (ACEO), and will include Members from the UK Parliament and the Parliament of

Gibraltar together with observers from BVI, The Bahamas, Guyana, Jamaica and St Lucia.

“Applying the highest international standards has been crucial to the reforms and changes that have been brought about over the last three years,” said Governor Todd. “It is a logical extension of this process to make sure that we show the world that we can meet and exceed the highest standard of conduct through this election monitoring team’s judgement, conclusions and report.”

The monitoring team will be invited to meet the Turks and Caicos media on Wed, 7 Nov 2012.

Further details of this will be confirmed in due course.

Rochelle ompson appointed Marketing Officer with TCIG’s Investment Unit Rochelle Thompson has been appointed as Marketing Officer within the Investment Unit in Providenciales as part of the Government’s commitment to market the Turks and Caicos Islands and attracting investment both internal and external.

As Marketing Officer of the Investment Unit, Thompson, who assumed the role on September 3, 2012, will support the development and

success of the unit through action oriented marketing activities to encourage continued growth of foreign investment into the country and through the promotion of Investment, Trade and business policies.

This appointment comes on the heels of the announcement of the new Investment Policy last week.

A Government press release stated: “We believe that that this position will serve the Turks and Caicos Islands well

domestically as well as internationally as the Turks and Caicos Islands is open for business. It has a great deal to offer and the Turks and Caicos Government is determined to do all in its power to secure investment that develops the economy and provides sustainable prosperity for the people of these islands.”

Thompson has worked in the financial services industry in the Turks and Caicos Islands for over 20 years.

She has a strong background in Credit, Sales, Marketing Campaign Promotions and Implementation, Compliance, Antimoney Laundering and Risk Assessments just to name a few.

Mrs. Thompson has a strong record for meeting business objectives and delivering strategic results. In 2007 Mrs. Thompson became Branch Manager for

Rochelle Thompson

the Scotiabank branch in Grace Bay and after serving 19 years with Scotiabank In 2009 she assume the role as Senior Vice President with the International Banking Group.

MANOUCHECA MORLEY Is looking for

Cleaner/Domestic Worker Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 241-6832

UNITED CONSULTANT IMMIGRATION SERVICE Old Airport Road, Tel: 649-346-7875

On behalf of his clients: Island Home Development, Mep Solution TCI Ltd, Glenny’s Mini-Market,Bon Appetit Rest Computer plus, Heavy Construction, Beauty Salon

• Project Superintendent ($45,000 per year) • Supervisor ($36,000 per year) • Carpenter ($27,000 per year) • Plumber ($6.00 p/h) • Green Keeper ($5.00 p/h) • Sales Person/Sales Clerk ($5.00 p/h) • Cashier ($5.00 p/h) • Nail Technician ($5.00 p/h) • Hair Styling/Hair Dresser ($5.00 p/h)

ONE BABYSITTER NEEDED Wanted

Applicant must be caring, honest and reliable Salary $5 per hour Please contact: 343-5087

Page 10

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

US Embassy opens consular agency in Grace Bay The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and its United States counterparts are hailing the official opening of the United States Consular Agency in Grace Bay as a further strengthening of the longstanding alliance that both countries share.

The agency opened on Monday, October 1, and among the individuals in attendance were Governor Ric Todd and the Charge’ D’ Affaires (deputy ambassador) at the US Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas, John W. Dinkelman.

Governor Todd, speaking at the event, said that the opening of the agency was a demonstration of the close relationship between the US and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Explaining the role of a consular agency, Dinkelman said: “A consular agency’s purpose is to assist citizens who find themselves in harm’s way.

And what we have noticed over the past few years is, as the number of American (visitors to the TCI) continues to grow, who come and visit this beautiful country, unfortunately, many of them find themselves have been having problems, either having accidents, getting arrested and Heaven forbid, even dying, unfortunately here in paradise. And those people and their

TCI Governor Damian Ric Todd (second left) and John Dinkelman, Charge’ D’ Affaires for the US embassy in Nassau, Bahamas cut the ribbon to signal the official opening of the consular agency in Grace Bay, Providenciales. Looking on at left is Commissioner of Police, Colin Farquar and at right Rear Admiral William Baumgartner.

families need assistance here on the ground, right where the issue is. And that, of course, is why we have the agency here.”

Dinkelman said that the agency, which will have one staff member, was opened to assist Americans visiting or living in the TCI in the event that they run into problems, which would require such service. He

explained that non-nationals wishing to acquire visas would still be required to visit the United States Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas.

“Because the laws of the United States require interview and processing face to face with an actual consul. So the consular district of the Turks and Caicos still belongs to the American Embassy in Nassau,” he said.

Governor Todd said that the opening of the office bore tremendous significance not only to the US but also the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Buildings are symbols and personal spaces. What this building shows is the depth and the strength of the relationship between the TCI and the United States of America. These islands are very open for tourists. We welcome visitors; we expect that next year, we have some seven hundred thousand American visitors here. We expect another seven hundred thousand at our cruise centre in Grand Turk.

It (opening of consular agency) is also a symbol of the relationship that we have with the United States Coast Guard. The US Coast Guard is a valuable partner in our work to protect our own borders, and after this event we will visit the Radar Station, which

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

is an asset not just to the TCI in working against illegal migration to protecting our waters. It also something we contribute to the wider regional effort, to make this region – these waters – safe for tourists, for visitors and shipping,” Governor Todd said.

For his part, Rear Admiral William Baumgartner, Commander for the Seventh Coast Guard District (Southeast United States and the Caribbean basin), since the United States Coast Guard has been working very closely with the TCI, any opportunity to forge closer alliance would be welcomed.

“I am particularly glad that I could come here for the opening of the consular agency. It does symbolize the tie, the connection the United States has with the Turks and Caicos Islands, and it is also a good way for us to serve US citizens that are here,” Baumgarter said.

He said that the antidrug/arms/human trafficking alliance called Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), which was made up of teams from the three countries has had tremendous success.

“We have joint teams from those three countries. The United States Coast Guard provides helicopters, and right now we have a helicopter at any given time in Providenciales , we have another one in the Bahamas in Andros Island, and they work together with Drug Enforcement Administration and police teams, so that, if a drug smuggler coming in the area, we can follow them, target them and take them down. It doesn’t make any difference on whether they are coming by boat or aircraft, we are ready for them and we can do that,” Baumgartner said.

In the meantime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, Clara Gardiner, said that the opening of the consular agency would make the process of assisting Americans with problems locally, smoother.

“There were persons who might have found themselves ill, might have died, unfortunately, and who would have needed to have some access to assist from the United States Government. So by having the consular agency here would provide on-the-spot support for them. I don’t know if you can say, it would remove the challenges, but what it would do is create a smoother working relationship in terms of processes,” Gardiner said.

InterIsland Aviation Services Group is seeking: TWO STORES CLERK

Must have 5-10 years of experience In aviation stores inventory, purchasing and proof there of.

Salary commensurate with experience.

This positions require the following: • Excellent command of the English language – reading, writing and speaking.

• Good communication skills and team player • Detail oriented & organized individual • Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and Holidays.

• Clean police record • Able to work under pressure Belongers need only apply.

Interested applicants should apply to HR@flyairtc.com or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040.

No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 11

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Conch Farm formally files $100million law suit against TCIG Trade Wind Industries, which owns the Conch Farm, has formally filed a multi-million law suit against Governor Ric Todd and the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

In court documents obtained

by The SUN, the Conch Farm owner is claiming damages in respect of the TCIG’s wrongful conduct in respect of the following:a. Breaches of Leases dated 26 November 1985 and 23 February 1988 made between the Trade Winds and the Governor. The breaches complained of relate to the construction, in breach of the terms of both leases, of two marinas, namely Walkin Marina and Leeward Marina on land adjacent to the land leased by the Crown to the Plaintiff. Trade Winds Industries quantifies the damage it has suffered by reason of the aforementioned breaches as the

loss of value of its land: no mariculture establishment would have chosen to locate itself by a marina with the risk of fuel pollution and continuing dredging.

Further, the close proximity of these two marinas render the Conch Farm an unattractive investment possibility: the Conch Farm cannot quantify the risk of pollution and damage from dredging and therefore seeks a permanent injunction preventing dredging in the future and an indemnity from TCIG in the event of pollution. b. Breaches of the aforementioned leases, nuisance and/or negligence caused or permitted by the Governor and TCIG in permitting silt and sediment from the dredging of Leeward to destroy the Conch Farm’s entire stock of 4 million conch. The grant of permission to dredge was unlawful. Conch Farm relies on the

opinion of the Crown’s legal advisor on 21 May 2008; the revocation of the Permission to dredge by the Physical Planning Board; and the decision of the Chief Justice on 20 August 2008 whereby he quashed the unlawfully granted Permission.

Conch Farm quantifies the damage caused by the dredging unlawfully permitted by the TCIG and the Governor as $4,000,000. c. Breach of the Development Agreement dated 28 May 2010, as amended in writing, made between the Trade Winds and the Governor and TCIG whereby the they failed to issue a Development Order in the terms of those contained in the Development Agreement and further failed to honour the amendments to the Development Agreement dated 28 May 2010 as subsequently agreed by the Defendants, by Governor Wetherell and the Governor’s

Chief Economic Advisor, Brian Titley. The Plaintiff quantifies the damage caused by the Defendants’ breaches of the Development Agreement as amended at $80 million. This is the Plaintiff’s loss of being deprived of the fish farm business as agreed by the Defendants in the Development Agreement as amended. d. Malicious falsehoods by the Governor and/or on behalf of the TCIG made maliciously or recklessly in statements published between about 21 and 24 August 2012. As a result of the Governor’s malicious falsehoods published, inter alia, on and after 21 August 2012, the Conch Farm’s financiers believed that they had been misled and withdrew their support for the fish farm business; the TCIG have irretrievably damaged Conch Farm’s prospects to raise further funds from another financier.

Conch Farm quantifies its loss at $80 million as set out above.

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd., The Temple Financial Centre, Providenciales HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that it will cause to be sold by public auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks & Caicos Islands:

1. Parcel No.20502/212, Ambergris & Fish Cay, Turks & Caicos Islands. This property Comprises of private residential land only. The property is an oceanfront lot located on the private island of Ambergris. Registered Proprietors: Jarrod Scott Benton & Sarah Jane Benton.

2. Parcel No.60602/133, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. The property comprises of approximately 1 Acre of Land over looking the Providenciales International Airport. Registered Proprietor: Gilbert Fitzroy Selver 3. Parcel No.60717/99, Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands This is an Ocean view, lake front property with direct views of the south shore via Turtle Lake. This property is approximately 1 acre and is situated approximately 40 feet above sea level, with direct access to the Venetian Road and Leeward Highway.

Registered Proprietor: Distinctive Properties Ltd. 4. Parcel No.60504/121, Blue Hills & Stamer Run, Providenciales. This property Comprises of two apartment buildings, a single storey building and a two storey building with approximately 8 units in total. Registered

Proprietor: Wellington Walkin The auction will be held at 11:45 a.m. Friday 12th October 2012 at the offices of Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd., Temple Financial Centre, Leeward Highway, Providenciales. Conditions of sale may be obtained from Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd., The Temple Financial Centre, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, telephone (649) 946-5293, fax (649) 946-5289.

Interested persons may bid by way of sealed tender delivered not later than 4:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11, 2012 addressed to Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd., Temple Financial Centre, Leeward Highway, Providenciales clearly marked “ AUCTION BIDOCTOBER October 12TH 2012.” Should the bid meet the reserve price and constitute the highest offer, the property will be considered sold to the person making the bid. Note that a 10% deposit is required immediately from the successful bidder at the auction.

Note that Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd. accepts no responsibility in respect of the receipt or otherwise of sealed bids and prospective purchasers are encouraged to ensure safe delivery of sealed bids to Temple Mortgage Corporation Ltd. in good time and further to attend at the auction to ensure that the bid is properly made.

Page 12

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

Last Advisory Council meeting held The last Turks and Caicos Islands’ Advisory Council meeting took place in Grand Turk on Wednesday October 3rd, 2012.

It ended with His Excellency the Governor officially thanking its members – past and present – for everything that they have done for their country and expert counsel to him personally as leader of the Interim Administration.

“I know that I speak also on behalf of Governor Wetherall in thanking all the men and women of the Advisory Council for their exemplary service which they have given with honour and dedication,” said Governor Ric Todd. “On behalf of the people of the Turks and Ciacos Islands, I would like to simply say a heartfelt thank you.”

The Advisory Council was instituted in 2009 to “contribute to the good governance and sustainable development of TCI and promote the principles of transparency and accountability in public life”.

It has acted as a “cabinet” where the Governor could discuss issues in confidence, take advice and gauge local opinion on key matters. It included the TCIG Chief Executive, Attorney General, Permanent Secretary Finance, and up to seven other ‘nominated members’ appointed

by the Governor, of whom at least five shall be Turks and Caicos Islanders.

“The most significant subject of discussion today was the Turks and Caicos Fiscal Framework document,” added Governor Todd. “During my inauguration speech last year, I said that I had set three personal goals for my time here as Governor: to continue to make progress against the milestones, to increase Government transparency and to support economic growth. It is only fitting, therefore, that the very last Advisory Council meeting tackles regulations which ensure continued delivery against all three of these objectives.”

The Fiscal Framework aims to build on the longstanding UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office borrowing guidelines for its Overseas Territories and the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility (FFR). It covers the following subject areas: • Broad principles of good financial management, including transparency, accountability risk management and measurement.

• Standardised borrowing limits (FCO borrowing guidelines), which are specified as needing to be complied with by a certain date. (a) Net debt must be less than 80 per cent of revenue; (b) debt service must be less than 10 per cent of revenue; and (c)

Caicos Television Holding Ltd

MAINTENANCE & CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR

(ACTIVATING, DESIGNING, SPLICING, ENGINEERING & TROUBLE SHOOTING) Primary objectives of the Job Duties: Utilize Computer Aided Design software to design plant extension and system rebuilds/upgrade projects. Prepare cost estimates for minor and major plant extensions. Activate and trouble shoot nodes, trouble shoot and correct internet system problems, splice and maintain the Fiber Optic system when necessary. Act as the company’s primary liaison with Residential, Commercial and Multi Dwelling Unit construction developers.

Roles and Responsibilities: • Understand and follow all company safety standard and practices including but not limited to: vehicles safety, proper placement of traffic signs and cones. Understand and follows accident reporting procedures.

Understand and follows applicable Electric Safety Code rules and regulations • Have the ability to troubleshoot and maintain head-end equipment (fiber optic lasers, fiber optic splitters, modulators and RF combination network).

• Supervise and train field technicians • Have the ability to read and interpret, organize, update and maintain complete set(s) of system prints • Related to repairs to optimize system faults when necessary.

• Utilize Signal Level Dsam-3600b meters w/voip/Web Browser and path track field view • Must be willing and able to handle special projects • Perform all job functions with the appropriate safety measures

Liquid assets must be greater than 90 days of expenditure.

• Prepare a National Economic Plan.

• Capital project procurement.

• Partnership with the UK, including exchange of public finance information with the UK. Under the new Constitution the new elected government of the Turks and Caicos may choose, after consultation to bring forward a further Framework Document, which must be agreed by the UK Secretary of State.

The standards and thresholds for good financial management will be clear and will not be able to be superseded by a further Framework Document written by a new administration until the Secretary of State gives his approval.

Present members of the Advisory

Council: Doreen Quelch-Missick, attorney and Human Rights Commissioner, Clayton Thomas, hotel executive; John Smith, CEO Turks and Caicos Airports Authority; Patrick Boyle, Chief Executive Officer, TCI Government; Huw Shepheard, Attorney General; Anya Williams, Ministry of Finance; Hugh McGarelGroves CFO. Prrevious Members of the Advisory Council include: Joseph Connolly, managing director of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Edith Cox, Chief Financial Officer of IGA Supermarket, Theo Durham, civil engineer, Eugene Otueyne, Director Turks and Caicos Integrity Commission, Carlton Mills, Academic, Teacher and former TCI Minister for Education and CEOs and CFOs.

T & C MINIATURE GOLF 2 KITCHEN HELPERS 1 WAITRESS 1 LABOURER WORKER Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 941-4653

• Must be capable of carrying heavy equipment and climbing 32ft ladders • Must be able to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays • Have a valid driver’s license and the ability to operate large vehicles in a safe manner • Liaise with Express High speed internet-TCT to troubleshoot internet problems • Inspect, test and repair cable and fiber equipment at WIV various locations.

• Verify that repairs are made to the satisfaction of the customers’ and meet company’s standards.

• Determine the serviceability of residences deemed not serviceable according to the company’s billing database. Communicate the status of serviceability to the customer service department.

• Prepare costs estimates if construction is necessary to service a residence or commercial establishment • Responsible for the coordination of design information exchange and timeliness of construction activities between WIV and developers to ensure construction projects are designed and completed within a timely manner and within established cost guidelines.

• Prepare bill of materials for supplies and materials required for construction related projects • Communicate with and assist field technicians with revisions to strand and design maps of existing cable facilities • Drive company vehicle and ensure vehicle is properly maintained • Perform other duties in keeping with the position Qualifications and requirements: Education: BSc in Electronics or equivalent Experience: Seven years experience related experience and /or training • Must have experience in general drafting and the ability to use tools, Instruments, and materials normally used in such activities.

• Must have extensive knowledge of equipment characteristics, capabilities and limitations. Must have the ability to make sketched diagrams accurately.

Contact: TCT Limited/Express High Speed Internet P.O. Box 679 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands administrator@wiv.tc or Fax: 649-946-4790 No phone calls please

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 13

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Major contract signed for new water plant in Grand Turk The $890,000 contract promised in this year’s budget for a new salt water reverse osmosis (SWRO) water production plant on Grand Turk was signed by His Excellency Governor Ric Todd on Tuesday October 2nd, 2012.

The production capacity of the new SWRO plant alone will be 300,000 gallons per day, more than the existing 250,000 gallons currently produced on the island each day. Water demand on Grand Turk is around 350,000 gallons per day.

“The replacement of the outdated plant on Grand Turk was clearly long overdue,” said Governor Ric Todd. “This is why it was identified in the Budget process this year as one of the key infrastructure projects for this financial year, alongside the refurbishment of roads and schools. It is almost miraculous that the water engineers on Grand Turk that they have been able to keep the plant that they have operational for so long,” said Governor Ric Todd.

“I am also pleased to say that the situation on Salt Cay has also stabilised.

The plant there has been operating steadily now for some time. The same budget process that identified the funds to replace the plant on Grand Turk this year has also planned to replace the plant on Slat Cay too. The situation there has improved considerably we have a sound plan for it to be remedied permanently as a priority next Spring.”

When the project is commissioned, some of the expected benefits will include: More efficient and modernized operating system; increased production capacity; improved level of service throughout Grand Turk; and increased

continuity of service throughout Grand Turk.

The two existing reverse osmosis plants on the Island will be full repaired and maintained to act as a back-up to the new plant.

According to a Government press release, Governor Todd’s signature confirms the contract between the Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Matrix – a division of Aqua Chem, Inc.,

LIME customer Shauna-Mae Hall walked away with a whopping $5,000 as the grand prize in that telecoms company’s summer promotion which ended last week.

Customers became eligible to have been the running for the $5,000 grand prize by topping up $20 or more, paying their bills on time or in full, activating the Talk 24 Plus plan or if they signing up for a new ADSL. An elated Hall said that the winning was courtesy of intense prayer that she offered to God, leading up to the presentation, which took place at LIME’s corporate office last week. Hall told reporters that she felt that she would be the winner, explaining that when Rachel Harvey, LIME’s Communications Officer called her and told her that she Country Manager for LIME, Drexwell Seymour (left) and Miss Body was in the mix for the grand prize, her response was, “well, Beautiful, Latoya Pinder (right), presents the winning cheque for $5,000 to I am praying”. She explained further that at the time of Shauna-Mae Hall, who won the Lime summer promotion.

LIME’s call, she was on a fast.

“To God be the glory, great things He has done. I have substandard services nor would we devalue the proven God before, and this is not the time to not prove telecommunications market by engaging in a price war. We God. There is an open heaven, and when there is an open will provide you with the best value. We are currently upgrading our existing network to improve our voice heaven, anything and everything can happen,” Hall said.

Asked what she would do with the cash, the elated Hall quality, improve coverage and faster data. In addition, we said: “Well, I have to give back to God what is rightfully are increasing our microwave link by 600 percent, which in turn, would provide our customers with faster internet his, and then we just go from there.”

In the meantime, Drexwell Seymour, Country Manager and data speed on both the fixed line and the mobile for LIME, told the gathering that his company would services,” Seymour said.

He told the gathering that LIME would launch its 4G continue to provide reliability and consistency in service.

“We will not take shortcuts to provide you with network before year-end.

BARTENTER SEEK

Salary $5.00 per hour Must be able to work long hours and public holidays Contact 441-1686

ONE LABOURER

To work five days per week 8:00am to 5:00pm Tel: 441-4402

2013. The project will be managed by the Water Undertaking and Project Management Division of the Public Works Department.

Additionally, the Government recognises the need for a new permanent building to house the existing and new SWRO plants to prevent deterioration of the units. This will be tendered separately and in addition to acquiring the new plant over the next few weeks.

Praying woman is LIME’s $5,000 winner

JIMMY’S DIVE BAR

PIONEER CLEANERS LTD SEEKS

of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Under the contract terms, Matrix will design, supply, install and commission a new salt water reverse osmosis (SWRO) plant for the Water Undertaking of Public Works Department, Grand Turk.

The project is a turnkey contract, with a completion time of 19 weeks from the date the first advance payment is issued on 12 Oct 2012. This will see the works completed by the end of February

PRICE CLUB Looking for ONE BUTCHER

Salary $5.00 per hour Contact: 432-7689

INTERISLAND AVIATION SERVICES GROUP is seeking

ONE CERTIFIED DISPATCHERS:

Must have 5 years experience in navigation facilities over airline routes and at airports as well as the take off. Must be competent in airline communication and meteorology.

Experience with monitoring, analyzing and/or calculating various flight factors such as weather reports, runway performance and weight balance issues.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Position require the following: Excellent command of the English language – reading, writing and speaking.

Good communication skills and team player Detail oriented & organized individual Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and Holidays.

Clean police record Able to work under pressure Belongers need only apply.

Interested person should apply to HR@flyairtc.com or via fax to HR Department 649-946-4040.

No phone calls please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview.

Page 14

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

Police Headquarters in Provo move to old Community College building

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Headquarters on Providenciales has been relocated to the former Provo Campus of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College after months of planning.

The new location, which is just next door from its old location Williams’ Plaza,which is owned by Gordon “Soley” Williams, on Old Airport Road, is said to be more spacious and would be able to host a number of units, which up to last Friday, September 28, were splintered across the island.

The moving process began at the latter part of September, and it is expected that by the end of this week, all the departments on that island should be in one place. The SUN understands that the move would also affect the Chalk Sound Police Station, as the entire upper floor of the two-storey building has been left vacant.

Among the departments that would be under one roof are at the new location are: Office of the Commissioner, Deputy and Assistant Commissioner for Operations; Professional Integrity Unit; Criminal Investigations; Financial Crimes Unit; Information Technology; Joint Intelligence Unit; Scene of crimes; fingerprint analysis; Tactical Unit; Traffic Department; 911; and Police Records.

New Police Headquarters

The move is seen both as an efficiency and cost-cutting measure for the government. Earlier this year, a number of other government agencies across the country were relocated to either to government buildings or removed to locations that could accommodate a number of offices, while at the same time lessen expenses.

Commissioner of Police Colin Farquar said that the new Providenciales Headquarters would focus more on operations of the overall force, while the headquarters in the country’s capital Grand Turk would be focused on human resources and finance.

“The great thing about the (former) community college (building) – our new headquarters – is that we will be consolidating quite a few of those

COOK

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD.

MAIN DUTIES Prepare food items of consistent quality in accordance with production requirements and quality standards while maintaining a safe sanitary work environment. Start prep work on food items needed for the menu of the day. Organize all of the various prep items needed from different areas to ensure that all items are in place and ready for service. Inform the Executive Chef of any shortage of supplies that need restocking before items completely run out.

REQUIREMENTS Applicants must have a minimum of three-year culinary experience working in a restaurant. Comprehend and follow recipes and cooking techniques. Must have thorough knowledge and understanding of food service sanitation standards. Thorough knowledge and understanding of standard kitchen equipment and its use. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours). Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. Applicants must be detail oriented, must be hardworking and a team player. Work with minimal supervision.

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by October 22, 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.

departments together. We have moved the different office spaces into one location. I think it would help with our team-building; it would make us a more effective and more efficient working together.

“And from a management perspective, it would make it so much easier when everybody is collocated, and when you collocate you could reduce some rents, maybe you could reduce some electricity costs, so it is just about finding efficiencies. One of the difficulties is having people on different islands. It is quite a challenge, but we are advancing a lot of what we are doing now, and a lot of it has to do with teambuilding. It (new location) allows better communication from each department, especially from senior management.

Open forum meetings, we would all be able to have those more often,” Commissioner Farquar said.

He added “We have more people over here (Provo). Our IT Department actually does more work in Providenciales more than Grand Turk.

So it just makes sense to have our IT Programme here. We will not be focusing on one island than the other. It is about maximizing our office space.

Because of the space in the (old) community college (building), it would give us a little more room for our conference room. So now we would be able to have our senior management team meeting, the ones we used to have once every three months, where we fly people in; now we will be able to have them once a month.”

The commissioner said that the government was looking at a five-year lease for the new location.

“We are looking at a five-year lease there. The government usually has a three-year lease, but with Chalk Sound, we entered into a five-year lease. It about having a long term strategy plan, but also, even after two years if you wanted to move it takes another year or so to finalize the lease and everything.

So five years for the police is short term in a lot of ways,” Commissioner Farquar said.

He also indicated that before the end of October, the Grand Turk Division would undergo similar changes.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

Armed Robbery on Airport Road Two masked men entered JC Walkin Restaurant and Bar located on the Airport Road around 10:00pm on Providenciales, Thursday night October 4th2012, where they struck customers and workers with a handgun and demanded cash.

Frightened customers and workers were forced to hand over a small some of cash in cash and a cell phone before the robbers escaped in a southerly direction.

Both robbers are described to be slim built, (5ft 4inches and 5ft 8inches) and of dark complexion.

No shots were fired during this incident, however minor injuries were sustained.

Anyone who may have heard or seen anything is asked to call the police at 911 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-8477. Tips can also be left in English, French or Spanish at www.crimestoppers.tc or by becoming a friend of Crimestoppers TCI on Facebook. __________________________________________________________

Man Sentenced to prison for raping old woman A 35-year-old male plead guilty in the Supreme Court In Grand Turk, on October 4th 2012, and was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment with a recommendation for deportation after serving time for raping a 71-year-old woman.

Olonieu Garcon an illegal Haitian national who has been living on Providenciales since 2005 committed the offence during the early morning of Monday, 20 June 2011. He forced his way into the home of the victim with a cutlass demanding money. Due to overwhelming evidence heard by Chief Justice Goldberg, the plea was accepted.

Mrs. Angela Brooks and Inspector Irene Butterfield represented the Crown.

HAB MANAGEMENT LTD

HAB Management Limited is seeking a suitably qualified individuals to fill the following opening:

WAITRESS/WAITER

MAIN DUTIES Applicants will be required to greet and take food and beverages orders from restaurant guest, serve the orders and accommodate guest requests.

Applicants will be required to serve guests’ promptly and according to established restaurant standards, policies and procedures.

REQUIREMENTS Must have a minimum of three years experience working in a restaurant. Must have a strong working knowledge of dining room procedures, policies and EPOS System. Applicants must be a customer service advocate, maintaining a high level of customer service standards. Maintain a friendly, cheerful and courteous demeanor at all times. Perform other duties as assigned, requested or deemed necessary by management. Applicants must be willing to work varied shifts, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays as required by management. Applicants will be required to work on a full time basis. Must be able to walk, stand or stoop for the duration of shift (at least 8 hours).

Applicants must be able to understand/speak/read/write English proficiently. All applicants must be hardworking team players. Wages for this position is commensurate with experience and training. Wages starts at $6.00 per hour.

Interested applicants should contact Veronica Rigby via email by October 22, 2012 at ronnie@habgroup.com or by fax 649-946-5191. Only candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be contacted by email or telephone to schedule an interview.

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LOCAL NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Leeward Marina changes its name to Blue Haven Marina; set to open in Summer 2013 The controversial Leeward Marina in Providenciales which was once owned by Lord Michael Ashcrot has changed its name to Blue Haven Marina and has announced a set of ambitious plans to open next summer despite legal efforts to block dredging in the marina.

Blue Marina’s website said the facility is “ideally located” in Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos Islands, and that Blue Haven Marina has just joined the IGY network. Slated to open in the summer of 2013 to yachts up to 180 feet and initially a max draft of 5.5, plans for maintenance dredging will bring its capacity back to the original 12 feet projected by winter 2013. Located 575 miles southeast of Miami, Blue Haven Marina is the ideal gateway to the Caribbean.

The marina, an integral part of the Blue Haven Marina and Resort, is surrounded by nearly 20 acres of waterfront land on the exquisite northeast coast of the island. Marina guests will have full access to the resort, including a hotel boasting a gym, private beach and an infinity-edge swimming pool with lounge decks for entertainment. Also on property will be several restaurants, bars as well as an array of watersport activities and day charters – both sail and sportfish.

Nearly complete, the marina has nearly 6,000 linear feet of dockage and is constructed of 15-foot-wide concrete floating docks. Conveniences such as on-site customs and immigration services and a marina operations center will feature a lounge for captains and crews, as well as showers, a chart room and a crew work room. The offerings will be topped off by an exclusive concierge for marina customers ready to organize activities, excursions, rental vehicles, restaurant reservations and more. Top-notch provisioning with the capability to bring almost anything to the island will be readily available to megayacht crews and their guests.

The website added: “Boasting the third-largest coral barrier reef system in the world, the islands are renowned for the finest of tropical beaches. Turks & Caicos Islands’ fine-sand alabaster Grace Bay Beach is consistently voted one of the world’s Top 10 beaches by Condé Nast

Traveler. Some of the best bottom fishing is in the TCI waters, including access to many species of grouper and snapper, among others. Blue Haven Marina is located on the Northeastern tip of Providenciales, only minutes away from Provo Golf Club, shopping, and more restaurants and bars. Surrounding deserted islands are easily accessible from the marina.”

Bert Fowles, Vice President of marketing for IGY Marinas says, “The addition of Blue Haven marina expands the reach of the network to the northern Caribbean, creating the perfect route for our customers along the way down from the northeast or coming from Florida down to the central and southern islands. Our guests will soon have access to a magnificent facility, right on par with IGY standards of great service and amenities for captains and crew.”

Marina highlights include: • Hassle-free berthing in the Turks & Caicos Islands • 51 berths for yachts up to 180 feet, initially with a max draft of 5.5 feet • Maintenance dredging complete in winter 2013 for a total depth of 12 feet • Blue Haven Resort amenities available to marina guests • Twenty minutes to international airport (75 mins from Miami; 3-hr flight from NYC) • Official currency is US dollar; official language is English • Marina concierge will cater to crews and guests with exclusive itineraries and planned activities • Highly secured marina docks to ensure privacy • Marina Operations Center featuring first-class crew and captains’ facilities By joining the IGY Marinas network, Blue Haven Marina guests may be privy to a host of benefits, including the IGY Anchor Club, the marina loyalty program where captains and owners accumulate and redeem points for dockage. Other network-wide dockage programs include the Caribbean Anchor Pass, where vessels can roam the IGY network for one upfront discounted price as well as the HomePort Program, a semi-permanent option for yachts looking for longer term dockage.

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

Rotary doles out more dictionaries The Rotary Club of Providenciales resumed its Third Grade Dictionary Distribution exercise with the doling out of hundreds of the educational materials to a number of schools across Providenciales.

Last week, the club visited several schools on Providenciales with the intention of more of those exercises this week.

The media caught up with club members at the Enid Capron Primary School in Five Cays where their actions once again, this year, put on bright smiles on the faces of dozens of third graders.

Carl Isaac, President for the Rotary Club of Providenciales said that the donation exercise was in its third year, and each year the effort of benevolence took a higher tier, since the recipient schools anticipated the gifts. He said the dictionary project was started out in District 7020, which included all the southern Caribbean islands within the Rotary family.

“This is our third year of doing it, so we are very happy to continue the trend, because if it is one thing you can say about this effort is that the schools are really looking towards us coming every year. No school has been singled out, is it all third graders whether public or private. The dictionaries are actually purchased from an organization that has close affiliation with the Rotary Club of Providenciales of Providenciales and in the Caribbean as well,” Isaac said.

According to Isaac, one of the main sources of funding for the Rotary Club of Providenciales is its on-going Pot of Gold Raffle, which the grand prize is $10,000.

The drawing for that event takes place each year at the Conch Festival.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Police, US Coast Guard upbeat on radar station installation Both the local authorities as well as the United States Coast Guard are optimistic that the new Radar Station in South Dock would, Providenciales would effectively address the number of illegal activities on our waters including illegal migration from which the country has been adversely affected.

United States Coast Guard Commander, Loui Parks, who is also Director of Aviation Operations for Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) and Commissioner of Police Colin Farquar were upbeat that the new system would allow the authorities to better able to increase detection as oppose to recent past.

According to Parks, whereas there was not a system in place to monitor, especially the south of Providenciales – the busiest maritime area in the country – the new radar station would now ensure that those problems are addressed.

“This new tool gives the government of the Turks and Caicos and all of its partners, including the US Coast Guard, a great opportunity to take a look and have a persistent stare at vessel traffic in the area. I think we can leverage this new technology, infuse it into existing partnerships and work with the aviation component of OPBAT, and use that to really become more effective at fighting the illegal migration challenge that we have,” Commander Parks said.

For his part, Commissioner Farquar said that while illegal migration was a big problem in the TCI, drugs and firearms were also a huge concern for the country, which he noted all seemed to have

emanated from the south, with the intention of heading north to the United States and Canada.

“So, it is about focusing our efforts and be more concentrated on what we need to do in certain areas, because it is no use putting in a marine division and have a vessel out in the middle of the ocean without any strategic plan about what they are going to do. So, this (radar station) will allow us to do a little more strategic planning on where we are going to deploy our resources.

“If you have high risk areas or certain areas of the committee, then that is where you put more police and the same with

marine. If we know that a lot of vessels are coming from the south east area, then that is where we can focus,” Commissioner Farquar said.

In the meantime, Commissioner Farquar told The SUN now that it is expected that more suspicious activities would be detected within our waters, the marine police was prepared to make the appropriate responses.

“The requirement of the police is to be the response of the radar. If the coastal radar identifies certain targets and need to be checked, then that is the responsibility of the police. But that has to be done in partnership with immigration and

customs, because maybe it is just a vessel coming in and just doesn’t want to clear its goods; so it is not necessarily and drugs, crime and migrants, which is more of a concern for the police, but on a customs perspective it is revenuegeneration for the government,” Commissioner Farquar pointed out.

He said in the case of vessels entering the country with goods but trying to evade customs, the police would still be required to respond.

“We still have to respond because at the time they (radar operators) may contact the vessel to stop or identify itself, and because it doesn’t, then the radar operator wouldn’t know why they are not responding, and so, that is why we need to respond. And if it appears to be more of a customs situation, then we would invite them along with us. But those are the partnerships that we are still working on developing,” Commissioner Farquar noted.

Donhue Basset says he doesn’t have AIDS! A number of TCI men are lately being forced to here. I did my tests, and as you can see right publicly declare that they are not infected with there I am good, and I just want people to the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, after mischievous know that. I have done about 10 of these tests persons in the community are said to be already, so there is nothing left for me to do spreading rumours to that effect. now. You can imagine how someone with The latest person is Donhue Bassett, who AIDS feels; so you can imagine how claimed that the rumours against him were more of someone who doesn’t have it and is being a sour grapes action than anything else. According targeted would feel, especially in a small to him, the false accusations were being spread by a community where everyone knows a former acquaintance. person…that aint right,” Bassett lamented.

“I don’t think someone should spread such From reports received, spreading rumours around. If somebody don’t like you, then rumours that someone has the AIDS virus, Donhue Basset somebody just don’t like you. It is best that you which has been increasing, stemmed move on and don’t spread rumours. A lot of people may primarily from broken relationships. get turned down, everybody can’t be loved. So if a Last week, owner of the popular Sweet T’s Chicken, relationship was broken up and you get hurt, that doesn’t Keith Cielo, posted an advert in The SUN with his mean that you go and spread rumours around on people. certificate of health, proving that he was not infected with “So I just want people to know that everything is a go the disease, as he said was rumoured earlier.

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LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

Illegally-imported plants will be seized and destroyed

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Fearing that the increased illegal importation of plants entering the Turks and Caicos Islands could carry diseases and pests, and therefore further threatening our native plants and agricultural products, the Turks and Caicos Islands Government has immediately embarked on a campaign to seize and destroy all illegally-imported plants.

As a result, the Department of Agriculture, in a statement, said that agricultural products including fruits, vegetable and plant cuttings that are imported without a valid import permit from that entity, will be seized and destroyed in accordance with internationally accepted standards and practices as part what it termed ‘biosecurity security’.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, some of the pests and diseases that it is trying to prevent from entering our shores, such as the citrus greening disease, were already impacting the productivity of the Florida and Jamaican Citrus industries.

The government said that the impact caused by the diseases and pest can be extremely costly to control or eradicate, since they have the potential to destroy plants at an alarming rate

and could wipe out entire agricultural industries.

“This follows the introduction of strict Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) at all ports of entry in the TCI by the Department of Agriculture in association with the Customs Department. The measures have been introduced to prevent the unintentional introduction of pests and diseases by importers and airline passengers who return to the TCI with fruits, vegetables and plant cuttings from their visits overseas.

“TCIG has no intention of stifling one’s intention to partake in traditional meals and treats; however the Department of Agriculture must take seriously potential threats posed by the introduction of harmful plant pests and diseases. The Caribbean Region, including some of our nearest neighbours Haiti, Jamaica and Dominican Republic is grappling with the invasion of many alien plant pests (Bacteria, Viruses, Insects, Gastropods) which is impacting the economic viability of their agricultural sectors,” parts of the statement said.

The statement further indicated that as government embarked on developing local agriculture, it was imperative that controls are put in place to mitigate the possible impacts of plant pests and diseases on the local economy.

“It may not be possible to see or

CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

InterHealth Canada (TCI) Ltd wishes to appoint a senior level healthcare professional to the post of Chief of Administrative Support. Reporting to the CEO, the post holder will be responsible for a variety of administrative support functions including Human Resources, Purchasing, Health Records & Statistics, IM&T, BME and some reception / Clerical staff.

The successful candidate will ideally have the following background and attributes: • Extensive experience in an acute care hospital at senior manager level.

• Management of services within a clinical setting, either as a direct clinical manager or as a directorate manager.

• A comprehensive understanding of health records and the international norms around the management and security of such records.

• Experience at manager level of purchasing processes although not necessarily of management of a purchasing department.

• A solid understanding of the needs of human resource management • Experience in change management in dynamic environments • Ability to analyse complex information and write logical and lucid reports.

• Numerate and literate, you will also be a competent user of the basic Microsoft Office software.

The post holder would preferably be educated to at least first degree (Bachelors) standard and a post graduate qualification would be an advantage. Experience will count as much as formal qualification and a non-degree clinical qualification (i.e.

RGN or similar) would be a suitable alternative to a first degree

Applications are invited from appropriately qualified and experienced candidates. All applications must be by e-mail and include a full curriculum vitae and cover letter.

Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Applications to llawrence@interhealthcanada.tc Closing date12th October 2012.

indentify vectors with the naked eyes; therefore the general public is being advised that anyone who wishes to import agricultural articles (fruits, vegetables, plants etc.) must apply and obtain an import permit before the items are shipped.

“An import permit is free of charge and granted to an applicant after he/she satisfies the conditions for importing agricultural materials into the Turks and Caicos Islands,” the statement

further noted.

The government said that the practice to seize and destroy agricultural products has been internationally applied since 1952 under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measure (ISPM), which has adopted and actively implemented by 176 countries, including North America and the Wider Caribbean region.

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LOCAL NEWS

Setting the direction of young persons detained in Her Majesty’s Prison The Human Rights Commission in its continued efforts to provide support for the Young Offenders have partnered with Superintendent and Staff of HMP and have developed a relationship to ensure that the needs of the Young Offenders are being met.

The HRC is pleased with the relationship forged to include the Visiting Committee and values the contributions that are being made to ensuring that the welfare of the children are being looked after.

It is clear that young persons in custody is a concern to Society, families and support groups and a focus of developing strategies to ensure that whilst in custody we can work together to enhance the experiences and learning of these young persons. The Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs together with Key stakeholders are active in developing programmes that can support rehabilative and pro social experiences.

The Prison held a Family day for the Juveniles in custody on the 15th September. Ms Doreen Quelch Missick, Human Right Commissioner was instrumental in linking in with the

Mrs. Quelch-Missick and CAPAA supplied ‘goody bags” that included snacks, items of clothing and toiletries and board games. Attending to support the event were Mr Leo Selver and Ms Peggy Bean from the Prison Visiting Committee. Ms Annette Joseph Director of Social Development.

Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Association (CAPAA) to make a day to remember for the young people and their Families. Ms Quelch Missick together with Sail Provo, the Prison and Ms Cartwright Robinson sponsored travel for Families. Mrs Quelch-Missick, Sister Peggy Been, Family members and CAPAA provided food and drink for the Boys and their Families. The prison would

THE IP/VAS MANAGER

JOB PROFILE

Primary Objective of the Job: The IP/VAS Manager will be responsible for the real-time management of all VAS and IP based networks which support the technical operations and services of Digicel TCI. They will assist in the design and implementation of all new Packet Core, Charging System and IP based systems, ensuring adherence to Group IP network security standards and policies. They will provide first-line identification and resolution of faults, and ensure that all required documentation is maintained in a timely basis.

Main Duties & Responsibilities: • Responsible for the design, installation and support of all Packet Core and IP based systems to support the technical operations of the business.

• Design IP Numbering an addressing schemes, Development, Configuration and Implementation of IP based systems • Perform dimensioning and capacity planning of IP network • Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all Packet Core systems which include, Ericsson SGSN-MME, Ericsson Mobile Packet Backbone Network (MPBN).

• Responsible for operation and maintenance of all VAS Ericsson Charging Systems including Ericsson Charging Control Node (CCN), Service Data Point (SDP), Account Information and Refill (AIR) • Responsible for all IP based systems, which include Cisco network devices (Routers and Switches), SUN Solaris/Linux servers, Checkpoint Firewalls and Above Security IDS to ensure their high availability.

• Responsible for the operation and maintenance of all IP based services, including Checkpoint firewall policy management, IP traffic management utilising VLANs and routing protocols (MPLS, BGP, RIP, OSPF, EIGRP), also DNS, Microsoft Forefront 2010 and NTP applications.

• Perform all required software and hardware upgrades for above mentioned systems and services • Provide on-call support for after hour outages & planned works, including creation and submission of required forms • Develop and schedule preventative and corrective maintenance policies and procedures, such as regular backups, spares inventory, to ensure high availability of

also like to acknowledge the involvement of the Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Association (CAPAA), Namely Larissa Farrin and Euwonka Selver who have pledge their organization’s support for future activities with children in prison.

Thanks to the Prison Staff A/ASP Jennings and A/S Lewis and the prison cooks who helped to prepare the food.

The day commenced with the

preparation of food and introduction of Games. Some of the parents in attendance showed their teaching skills and encouraged creative group participation. The Parents had a good opportunity to visit and share some time with their children, the event went extremely well and received positive responses from all of those who attended.

Her Majesty’s Prison also takes the Juveniles on a Monthly water Skill session with ‘Smitty’ from Grand Turk Diving. These sessions are enjoyed by the young persons and allow them to gain responsibility and confidence in the water. Key in measures to enhance the routines of the Juveniles is making activities available. The Prison was never constructed or designed to hold young Offenders, therefore exploring activities that allow young persons to interact, have good behaviour rewarded and show that there is always good positive choices that can be made. The Prison would like to warmly thank both Smitty and Chris from Grand Turk diving for their community spirit and their commitment to helping our young persons.

all VAS and IP based systems.

• Manage and Support Veraz I-Gate equipment.

• Ensure that Digicel TCI continue to operate on secure local and wide area networks with the implementation of VPN technologies and firewall policy management • Provide proactive support of WAN data and voice links (VSAT, leased lines) to provide 100% availability of all IP services, including VoIP, ITP (SS7 over IP) and internet, and to ensure continued connectivity to other Digicel locations and external parties • Ensure adherence with IP Security Group (Jamaica) standards and policies as they relate to new and existing LAN and WAN network infrastructure, IP traffic, and network configuration procedures • Ensure that network metrics are closely monitored and captured so as to provide proactive network management, as well as regular feedback on network performance in the form of reports to management • Provide IP Support to other departments and external parties as required Academic qualifications and experience required for the job • 4-5 years’ experience in VAS administration and IP based network design, implementation and administration • CCNA and Microsoft MCSE certification and Solid hands on experience with Cisco devices • In-depth knowledge of switching, routing, LAN and WAN technologies • Hands on experience with UNIX and/or Linux systems to support applications Splat and Solaris.

• Design, implementation and operational knowledge of network security (VPN, firewall management, intrusion detection) • Minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Computer Sciences or equivalent field • Knowledge of Intelligent network setup and operation.

• Knowledge of CAMEL and roaming configuration

Functional Skills: • Ability to work unsupervised and handle multiple priority assignments simultaneously • Good team player with excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills • Possess first rate organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage responsibilities in a high pressure environment • Demonstrated ability to work in cross-functional teams • Ability to meet deadlines while paying attention to detail • High degree of initiative and creativity Interested Applicants should forward their resumes to hrtci@digicelgroup.com before September 30, 2012

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LOCAL NEWS

New Telephone Numbers ADVT.pdf

1

10/4/12

9:40 AM

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OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

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OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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Chris Brown dumps girlfriend for 'friendship' with Rihanna Chris Brown has confronted wide speculation about the status of his relationship with Rihanna by dumping girlfriend Karrueche Tran.

That's one way to, uh, clarify what's been happening with Brown and RiRi, as months and months of increased time spent together — and finally a reported makeout session in New York on Monday — have had fans and the industry buzzing.

"I have decided to be single to focus on my career," Brown said in a statement via his publicist (CNN noted his thoughts came unsolicited).

"I love Karrueche very much, but I don't want to see her hurt over my

friendship with Rihanna. I'd rather be single, allowing us to both be happy in our lives."

That Brown would categorize himself and Rihanna as friends is something of a corroboration. When she sat down with Oprah in August, Rihanna confessed she still loved Breezy, but said they were only pals thanks to his relationship with Karrueche.

That's no longer an issue.

"Bye baby," Tran, a model, said simply in a Wednesdaytweet.

Following Monday's kissing incident, which allegedly went down at Manhattan nightclub Griffin, Brown and Rihanna attended a Jay-Z concert Tuesday at

Hotel Risk Assessment & Business Continuity Specialist We are looking for a highly self-motivated individual who has professional experience in Asset Protection, Risk Management and Emergency Management skills within a Five Star Resort environment.

Qualification and Experience: • Degree from a recognized university or an equivalent professional qualification • At least 8 years of professional experience • Proven ability and experience in conducting training is an asset • Experience in Hotel Security Management, knowledge of Canine Handling and security training will be an Asset. International certifications in these fields will be highly desirable.

• Proven knowledge of investigation procedures and international terrorist activity • Knowledge of current security technology and security audits/surveys • Knowledge of Security processes and procedures • Knowledge of Emergency Management principles • Knowledge of International Hotel Security Standards • Experience in preparation for and managing medical and fire response emergencies • Exercise good judgment, proper planning with strong leadership capabilities Duties and Responsibilities: • Be responsible providing safety and security assessment and training to Resort Property • To provide asset risk management assessment as requested.

• Responsible for providing Emergency Management and response planning programs for Five star resorts.

• Provide security training in all areas regarding investigations, incident/scene preservation, proper patrolling, canine Handling and report writing.

• Provide adequate emergency response plans and procedures appropriate professional responses to all emergencies including but not limited to natural disasters, medical and fire emergencies.

• Be willing to accept any other duties assigned to you by the Company Director.

• To provide regular written and verbal reports to the Company Director as and when required.

Deadline for submission of applications is October 19th, 2012.

Kindly submit applications stating qualifications and work experience to: Managing Director Dynasty Management Email address: tcidynastymanagement@gmail.com

Rihanna and Brown parted ways after a violent confrontation in 2009 that left Rihanna bruised and battered

Brooklyn's just-openedBarclays Center.

Fan photographs of the outing saw Brown wrapping his arm around Rihanna's chair, not touching in the pictures but certainly not far apart.

Brown is still on probation from his

2009 assault of the "Umbrella" singer, an incident that left her face considerably bruised, ended their public romance and continues to inspire criticism of both young stars over their enduring friendship.

Tyson’s visa cancelled for New Zealand trip Mike Tyson's visa was cancelled just a day after it had been approved for a trip he had slated for New Zealand.

He was set to perform his one-man show there, but the decision to grant him a visa was overturned. Tuesday, Oct. 2 his promoter says he's not giving up on this one quite yet.

Mike Tyson's visa cancellation came after the Life Education Trust withdrew its support for the visit.

Tyson, who spent time in jail after a 1992 rape conviction, was granted a special visa but the Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson overturned the decision to allow him into the country. The Life Education Trust had endorsed his visit, but The New Zealand Herald shares the letter of support was written by a volunteer who did not have the authority to do such a thing.

Max Markson, the promoter behind the visit, says he's hoping to get the visa reissued. He shared, “It would be a tragedy if Mike Tyson could not come to New Zealand to do his show.” He adds, “We'll see if we can get a visa issued again. They've issued it once, hopefully it might be issued again.”

Markson has

previously arranged New Zealand appearances by President Clinton and Tony Blair, so he's got some experience in making big appearances happen. Tickets to the event are still on sale and platinum tickets are priced at $395.

Mike Tyson was due to arrive in New Zealand Nov. 15. Some say that he has done his time and reformed himself, so the conviction from 20 years ago should not impact his ability to get a visa. New Zealand bans anyone from obtaining a visa if they have served prison sentences of five years or more. Tyson served three years of a six-year sentence for his 1992 conviction. The visit by Tyson has been in the New Zealand media for weeks, and Prime Minister John Key opposed granting the visa.

Prior to the news that Tyson's visa was cancelled, he mentioned he was looking forward to the trip. He shared, “Fortunately, I am coming to New Zealand and there's nothing they can do about it and I'm so sorry, I'm sorry they feel disappointed and I'm just living my life.” So far Tyson hasn't commented publicly on the visa cancellation.

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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HIGHLIGHTS

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• Growth in Jamaica stunted by crime • Court reserves judgement in matter involving Jamaica Prime Minister READ MORE ON PAGE 32

High-ranking members of Grenada ruling party expelled ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada - The internal strife within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) continue to result in political casualties as seven members of the ruling party, including General Secretary Peter David and trade unionist Chester Humphrey, were expelled at yesterday’s (September 30) annual convention in the eastern parish of St Andrew’s.

The other high-ranking members who the convention voted overwhelmingly to expel were, former cabinet ministers Joseph Gilbert, Karl Hood, Arley Gill, Glynnis Roberts, and disciplinary committee member Siddiqui Sylvester.

Former Government Minister Phinsley St Louis reportedly moved a motion for the party delegates to expel the seven members, who are all known supporters of David.

David, who had been general secretary for more than a decade, had

announced early in September that he would not be seeking reelection to the NDC executive. The former tourism minister, who resigned in April, is a parliamentary backbencher and member of parliament (MP) for the town of St. George.

The expulsions were the highlight of a dramatic gathering of the party faithful as acting party chairman, Stanford Simon, was also thrown out of the convention, after executive member Vincent Roberts moved a motion calling for his expulsion.

Former environment minister Roberts was the most recent minister in the Tillman Thomas cabinet to resign from her position, following paths set

by Hood the former foreign affairs minister and David.

Gilbert was fired for writing to American investors promising them a casino license without cabinet’s

approval while Gill was sacked in the aftermath of David’s resignation.

When Roberts resigned on September 20 she told a meeting of her constituents that she has never questioned the Prime Minister’s character, “only his leadership choices’’.

However, Prime Minister Thomas, who is also leader of the NDC, has said that problems besetting the government and party have nothing to do with his leadership.

In an interview on September 26 with the Government Information Service, blamed the troubles on an alleged power struggle and “an attempt to take over the party’’.

The situation has “nothing to do with leadership,’’ he insisted. Had there been a team that was “cohesive and focused,’’ the government would have done much better in the four years it

Haiti plastics ban gets mixed reaction from cost-conscious poor PORT-AU-PRINCE - Haiti imposed a ban on plastic and foam food containers as well as black polyethylene bags on Monday, amid concern that the country's poorest consumers would not be able to afford the substitutes.

The ban is the first in a series of government measures aiming to help the environment of the poorest country in the hemisphere. A broader prohibition on plastic and petroleum-based products in the Caribbean country could be combined with the eventual local production of biodegradable alternatives.

Clogged canals and roadside drains, as well as mountains of trash at street corners made up mostly of discarded plastic products, have been part of the landscape in the Haitian capital for the last decade.

"Look at the number of containers that arrive in this country, with their negative effects," Jean Vilmond Hilaire, Haiti's Environment Minister, told Reuters in an interview.

"If we launch a local industry that can manufacture these containers with our own agricultural waste, that would be best."

The ban follows a global trend that has seen a number of major cities impose plastic bag restrictions, as well as some poor countries like Rwanda and Bangladesh.

But switching to potentially more expensive biodegradable bags and containers might further inflame consumers. Protests in recent weeks throughout the country of 10 million, including one on September 30 in the capital, have blasted the government for high prices.

The first batch of eco-friendly containers arrived in Haiti two weeks ago, imported from the United States, and Hilaire keeps a small stack of them next to his desk. "These are made from agricultural waste," he said, holding up a light brown, hinged clamshell food container.

Although the ban went into effect Oct 1, Hilaire said there will be a three-month grace period. A feasibility study,

funded by the government of France, will be conducted over the next month to examine the possibility of locally producing biodegradable food containers.

The announcement of the new policy in August created confusion over what kinds of plastic bags would be banned.

Fears that small, clear plastic bags used to distribute drinking water — the most widespread method of purchasing drinking water on the street — triggered protests.

The ban forbids use of black polyethylene bags, which are made from recycled materials and are popular with street market vendors and their consumers.

Slightly more expensive opaque white plastic bags, stamped with red smiley faces and imported from China, are not being banned.

A few blocks away from Hilaire's Port-au-Prince office, Suzette Gay, 56, spooned rice and meat onto a plastic foam plate for a waiting customer. "I heard they were going to make us change because these plates don't break down," she said.

Gay pays about 30 gourds, or 75 U.S. cents for a package of 25 polystyrene plates. If the government provides her with environmentally friendly plates at no extra cost, she said she'll switch. Otherwise, she said, "I'm not changing."

Stephen Italien, 24, who lives in the La Difference section of the Cite Soleil slum in the capital, said a nearby canal is constantly clogged with polystyrene and plastic containers and bags despite regular community-driven clean-up efforts.

"Every time it rains, more garbage floods in," said Italien who supports the plastics ban. "We hope that people respect it, and that the measure stays, because that is what bothers us the most."

has been in office, the prime minister added.

According to the grenadabroadcast.com website, the expulsions were a response by supporters of Thomas to an offensive launched by David to capture control of the executive of the party.

The officers elected to the NDC’s executive yesterday include Education Minister Franka Bernardine, who is the new Chairman.

“It’s a new day for us in NDC,’’ Bernardine said at a rally that followed a morning closed-door session that included the election of officers.

Former NDC general secretary and businessman Kent Joseph is the new Deputy Chairman.

St Louis is one of two trustees while Information Minister Glen Noel has replaced Gill as Public Relations Officer.

Spain remains Cuba’s largest European source of foreign direct investment HAVANA, Cuba – Business people from Cuba and Spain are meeting in Havana today to assess new business projects that could increase investment flows between the two Spanish-speaking nations.

Official sources report that, in 2011, Spain was among the main trading partners of Cuba, after Venezuela and China.

Madrid officials have established Spain as the first European investor in Cuba, with more than US $1.5 billion dollars received annually and indications that number could grow in the near future.

Despite the current economic and social turmoil in Spain, organisers of the 18th Business Cooperation Committee between the two countries remain optimistic that entrepreneurs from Cuba and Spain will find new mutual business opportunities for 2012-2013.

According to the program for the day, representatives of both delegations will give lectures about the updating of the Cuban economic model and the prospects for the Spanish economy in the current crisis.

José Antonio Vicente, director of the Zaragoza Fair, will provide details of the Biotechnology Fair to be held in Spain from October 9th through the 11th this year and explain the sector priorities for the Iberian nation.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

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CARICOM members may join Jamaica in Myrie suit vs Barbados PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Far from succeeding in containing the lawsuit filed by Jamaican Shanique Myrie, the Barbados Government now faces the possibility of an expansion of the suit which may extend to other CARICOM member states in addition to Jamaica.

In spite of Barbados’ objections, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has not only granted the Jamaica government leave to join in Myrie’s suit, but has extended the option for other interested regional states to get involved as well.

The grouping and individual

member states have until the end of October to indicate their interest.

The CCJ’s decision was handed down last Thursday, a week after hearing an application from the Jamaica government to become a party in the case.

Shanique Myrie claims that she was indecently assaulted and verbally abused

by Immigration officers at Barbados’ Grantley Adams International Airport and wrongfully refused entry into the country on March 14, 2011.

Kingston wanted to get involved in the case on the grounds that it had an

Court reserves judgement in matter involving Jamaica Prime Minister KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Constitutional Court has reserved judgment in a case where attorneys representing Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller say she should be granted immunity from testifying in the matter regarding the financial contribution made by a Dutch company to the ruling People’s National party (PNP) in 2007.

Both the prosecution and defence lawyers ended their arguments on Monday and the Court has indicated it would issue its judgement at a later stage.

The lawyers for Prime Minister Simpson Jamaica Prime Minister Miller raised the issue of immunity last week after Portia Simpson Miller the Dutch authorities sought to have her give a statement in the matter relating to the donations made by the oil lifting firm, Trafigura Beheer.

Simpson Miller’s attorneys are stoutly opposed to the request by the Dutch authorities for her to give a statement about the US$300, 000 given to the PNP

by Trafigura in 2007 during the political campaign.

PNP Chairman Robert Pickersgill, Energy Minister Phillip Paulwell, former parliamentarian Colin Campbell and businessman Norton Hinds are the other persons challenging the application.

However, the prosecution argued that there are no constitutional rights to be breached since the five officials are not suspects.

Trafigura had an oil-lifting contract with the Jamaican government at the time the donation was made and the issue came to light when then Opposition Leader Bruce Golding accused Trafigura of illegally making the donation.

Campbell, who was the PNP’s general secretary, resigned after he was implicated in the transaction.

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interest in ensuring respect for the rights and benefits of its citizens and other CARICOM nationals under the Revised Treaty Of Chaguaramas.

According to a statement issued by the court on Thursday: “The CCJ granted the government of Jamaica leave to intervene in the proceedings of Shanique Myrie vs The Government of Barbados and directed the Registrar of the CCJ to serve on Jamaica copies of all documents that had been served on the parties.

“The CCJ also directed its Registrar to distribute copies of the

abovementioned documentation to the Caribbean Community and other CARICOM member states and granted the community and member states leave to notify the court by 31 October 2012 whether they wish to advance arguments to the Court on the matter filed by Ms Myrie.”

Jamaica had initially declined to initiate proceedings against the Barbados Government following Myrie’s claims of inhumane and discriminatory treatment, saying that she could bring a claim in its stead in accordance with the agreement establishing the CCJ.

Growth in Jamaica stunted by crime KINGSTON, Jamaica – Crime in Jamaica is viewed as the main impediment to the country’s economic and social prosperity, and Minister of National Security Peter Bunting says that the government is placing focus on prevention and control measures as it works to curtail the problem.

"We just completed a National Security Policy and one of the things it identified was that crime, violence and corruption were the main obstacles to rapid growth and development in Jamaica," Bunting told members of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry at a meeting held in the resort city last week.

"Statistics have shown that our per capita GDP (gross domestic product) would be conservatively three times what it is now and more aggressively ten times what it is now, if we didn’t have this high level of crime," the minister stated.

According to Bunting, the prevention measures will focus on community intervention through the work of the Citizens Security and Justice Programme (CSJP), among other initiatives.

In terms of control, the minister said, "We are doing a number of things. The police force is in transition, which is being accelerated. It is more professional, more community-based, shifting an emphasis from a national security emphasis to a citizen security emphasis… realising that it’s the only way that we are going to have sustained success."

Bunting urged all Jamaicans to support the police and the related groups and agencies to put a dent in crime, especially in St James, which has the highest murder rate of all parishes. He stated that the aim was to reduce crime to first-world levels.

"We want to go to 12 per 100, 000," he said.

The National Security Policy, which forms part of the administration’s strategic policy response to crime and violence, sets out the new priorities, policies and strategies for the period 2012 to 2017.

Key imperatives include: more aggressive use of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA); focus on key players and their facilitators in illicit activities, such as money laundering; addressing "dysfunctional elements" in the judicial system; accelerating reform of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); adopting a strong, coherent anti-gang strategy; and rehabilitating communities deemed “at risk”, through regeneration and employment creation programmes.

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OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

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• Huge

HIGHLIGHTS

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marijuana field found on Chicago’s South Side • Filipinos face 12 years in prison for online libel under new law

Polls show Romney won TV debate with Obama US Republican candidate Mitt Romney won the first of three televised debates with President Barack Obama, polls and analysts say.

After the 90-minute duel centring on taxes, the deficit and healthcare, polls gave Mr Romney a 46-67% margin with Mr Obama trailing with 22-25%.

Commentators said Mr Romney appeared in command while Mr Obama was hesitant.

Mr Obama has led national polls and surveys in the swing states that will decide the 6 November election.

President Obama appeared hesitant, occasionally asking moderator Jim Lehrer, of US public television network PBS, for time to finish his points.

The two candidates attacked each other's economic plans, with Mr Obama describing his rival's approach as "top-down economics" and a retread of Bush-era policies.

"If you think by closing [tax] loopholes and deductions for the well-to-do, somehow you will not end up picking up the tab, then Governor Romney's plan may work for you," he said.

"But I think math, common sense, and our history shows us that's not a recipe for job growth."

Mr Romney derided Mr Obama's policies as "trickle-down government".

"The president has a view very

Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama wave to the audience during the first presidential debate at the University of Denver, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, in Denver.

similar to the one he had when he ran for office four years ago, that spending more, taxing more, regulating more - if you will, trickledown government - would work," Mr Romney said.

"That's not the right answer for America."

Mr Romney pledged not to reduce taxes for wealthy Americans, and said Mr Obama had misrepresented Mr Romney's tax plans on the campaign trail.

Both camps rushed to defend the respective performances.

"The average person at home saw a president who you could trust," Obama adviser David Plouffe told reporters. "That's what the American

Jobless rate tumbles to near four-year low U.S. unemployment rate dropped to a near four-year low of 7.8 percent in September, a potential boost to President Barack Obama's re-election bid.

The Labor Department said on Friday the unemployment rate, a key focus in the race for the White House, dropped by 0.3 percentage point to its lowest point since January 2009 as employers added 114,000 workers to their payrolls.

The drop in the unemployment rate reflected an even bigger surge in new jobs captured by a survey of households and came even as Americans returned to the labor force to resume the hunt for work. The workforce had shrank in the prior two months.

Payrolls for July and August were revised to show 86,000 more jobs created than previous reported, mostly to reflect increases in government employment.

The jobless rate is now where it was when Obama took office in January 2009. Household employment increased 873,000, the most since June 1983, according to the household survey. The bulk of the gains were part-time jobs.

"There is something in these numbers for everyone. The rise in the participation rate shows somewhat of a real improvement in the labor market," said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in Washington.

Persistently poor labor market conditions led the Federal Reserve in September to announce a plan to buy $40 billion worth of mortgage-backed securities each month until it sees a sustained turnaround in employment.

people are looking for."

But senior Romney aide Eric Fehrnstrom said the president had spoken "only in platitudes".

"If this were a boxing match, it would have been called by the referee," he said.

Commentators largely agreed that Mitt Romney had performed better.

New York Times columnist and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman said, Mr Obama "did a terrible job in the debate, and Romney did well".

"But in the end, this isn't or

shouldn't be about theatre criticism, it should be about substance," Mr Krugman said defending Mr Obama's statements whilst charging that "much of what Romney said was either outright false or so misleading as to be the moral equivalent of a lie".

ABC News quoted one of its consultants and Democratic strategist Donna Brazile as saying: "Mitt Romney did a lot of good... was a little more aggressive than the president."

Washington Post conservative columnist George Will said Mr Romney's performance had "stopped [his slump in the polls] in its tracks".

A CNN/ORC International poll of 430 people who watched the debate showed 67% thought Romney won, compared with 25% for Obama.

A CBS News poll found a 46% support for Mr Romney, 22% for Mr Obama and 32% saying it was a tie.

And a Google survey gave Mr Romney a 47.8% advantage against 25.4% for Mr Obama.

The University of Denver debate was the first in a series of three presidential forums and one vicepresidential encounter this month.

Running-mates Joe Biden and Paul Ryan will meet in Danville, Kentucky on 11 October, before the second presidential debate on 16 October.

Britain to extradite radical Islamist cleric to U.S. Britain said it would seek to extradite Islamist cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to the United States as soon as possible after the one-eyed radical preacher failed in a last-ditch legal attempt to avoid deportation on Friday.

Washington accuses the Egyptian-born 54-year-old of supporting al Qaeda, aiding a kidnapping in Yemen and plotting to open a U.S. training camp for militants.

Abu Hamza, who has a metal hook for a hand, also achieved notoriety for praising the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.

Judges at the High Court in London dismissed his request to delay the proceedings in order to allow him undergo more medical tests that his lawyers said would prove he was unfit to be extradited, clearing the way for an immediate handover.

"Extradition may proceed immediately," said Judge John Thomas. Four other suspects have also lost their appeals against extradition to the U.S.

Britain's Home Office (interior ministry) said in a statement after the judgment: "We welcome the Court's decision and are working to extradite these men as quickly as possible."

A crowd of about 100 people protested outside the court, shouting "Free Abu Hamza" and holding banners reading "Stop extraditions" and "democracy = hypocrisy."

Abu Hamza, who could be sent to an ultra-secure "Supermax" prison with a sentence of more than 100 years, has argued that he faces inhumane treatment in the United States.

The cleric was once a preacher at a North London mosque but was later convicted in Britain of inciting murder and racial hatred.

The decision caps a long legal battle, which saw him launch a fresh appeal at the High Court last week after the European Court of Human Rights rejected an earlier bid to avoid being sent to the United States.

Abu Hamza was jailed for seven years in Britain and has been fighting extradition since 2004.

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WORLD NEWS

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

American Airlines says loose seat problems are fixed

After days of turmoil over reports of loose seats on its planes, American Airlines announced that it has discovered and fixed the mechanical problem that grounded several aircraft.

The airline, whose parent company

filed for bankruptcy last year, fielded three to six reports of loose seats on its Boeing 757 jets over the last week. The airline said it is still reviewing repair data to get a final count.

On Wednesday the airline

Huge marijuana field found on Chicago’s South Side Chicago police have located a massive marijuana field on the South Side, with an estimated street value of $7 million to $10 million.

Officers say they discovered a field of pot that spans the equivalent of two football fields at 107th Street and Stony Island.

The field is near the Harborside International Golf Center.

The field was discovered yesterday around noon by a pilot Edward Graney, who was flying a Cook County Sheriff police helicopter.

It is located about 100 yards away from street, but was hidden by wild flowers. Police also found evidence of a camp, with a tarp, sleeping bag and even some orange soda and Cheetos, which suggests somebody may have been guarding the field.

Graney, who was flying overhead

after a training exercise, said he spotted “five rows of plants, straight line configuration. It didn’t look normal for wild growth.”

Lt. Michael Ryle, of the Chicago Police Narcotics Unit, said of the discovery: “This would be one of the biggest in recent years.”

Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said the operators of the field likely would have sold the pot and used the cash to buy weapons, which fuels violent crime.

Police have not made any arrests but are using DNA testing and other investigative strategies to try to find the person who had been watching over the pot farm.

The Department of Streets and Sanitation cut down the plants on Wednesday morning, and the city’s Bomb and Arson Unit will be in charge of destroying them.

announced that it had completed the inspection and repairs on 48 Boeing 757 jets, all of which are back in service.

The problem, the airline said, involved a clamp used to lock the seats into the tracks attached to the floor of the cabin.

Because of ongoing labor turmoil, the airline was quick to defend the mechanics and U.S.-based contractors who have worked on the planes.

"While American Airlines employees and third-party contractors have worked on the 757 aircraft involved, we have the utmost confidence in our highly skilled maintenance and engineering teams as well as our contract maintenance providers," said airline spokeswoman Andrea Huguely.

Meanwhile, the airline and the Allied Pilots Assn., the union representing its

10,000 pilots, announced this week plans to relaunch contract negotiations that had stalled in the last week.

Tensions between pilots and the airline have been high since a bankruptcy court judge allowed American Airlines earlier this month to toss out its contract with the pilots.

Over the last two weeks, hundreds of American Airlines flights have been delayed or canceled and the airline has blamed it on pilots who have requested maintenance work shortly before takeoff.

When the airline threatened to file a legal injunction to halt what the airline described as slow-down tactics, the Allied Pilots Assn. canceled further contract talks.

But on Tuesday, after the loose-seat problems made national headlines, the pilots association agreed to resume talks with the airline.

Honda recalls 820,000 Civic sedans and Pilot sport-utility vehicles Honda said it will expand a March headlight recall to include 820,000 modelyear 2002-2003 Civic sedans and model-year 2004-2005 Pilot sport-utility vehicles in the United States.

Honda dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace components of the headlight wiring system.

The automaker said a problem with the wiring of the headlight switch could cause the low-beam headlights to not work. The loss of headlights could limit a driver's ability to see the road and potential hazards and increases the risk of a crash. However, Honda said no crashes or injuries have been reported in connection with the problem.

In March, Honda recalled 550,000 CR-V small SUVs from the 2002 through 2004 model years and Pilots from 2003 because of the same problem.

This was the second large expansion of a Honda recall this week.

On Monday, Honda said it would expand a recall of Acura TL sedans to include 572,000 model-year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles in the United States.

But the automaker said the Accord recall, to fix leaking power steering hoses that could cause fires, will be delayed into next year because the automaker doesn't have enough parts to fix the problem. The updated power steering hoses won't be available until early 2013.

Honda is sending out a notice to Accord owners telling them of the problem and describing the symptoms. Drivers who think their cars are affected should take them into the dealership for an "interim" repair, the automaker said. The most commonly reported symptom is a smell from the seeping fluid.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

WORLD NEWS

Filipinos face 12 years in prison for online libel under new law Filipinos who libel others on Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere online could be jailed for up to 12 years under a law that went into effect Wednesday in the Philippines.

The new law against cyber-crime includes a disputed provision that imposes much steeper penalties for committing libel on the Internet than offline. It allows police to shut down websites and do some monitoring of email and online activity without a warrant.

Fears of an increasing government grip on online speech set off a firestorm this week among Filipinos, who have been dubbed some of the most avid users of social media in the world. Rights groups warn that existing libel laws are already vague enough for criticism of the government to be deemed criminal.

“The Philippines was considered a regional leader in Internet freedom,” said Sanja Kelly of the international rights group Freedom House. “This law puts it closer to more authoritarian states.” Even clicking "like" on an offending Facebook post could be construed as

libel under the broadly written law, the rights group warned.

Internet freedom groups, journalists and bloggers in the Philippines blacked out their websites Wednesday in protest, calling the new law an unconstitutional trampling of free speech rights. Some took to the streets to protest. Several petitions have already been filed with the Supreme Court challenging the law.

“Libel has been decriminalized in other civilized jurisdictions. Our legislature, instead, will throw us back to the Dark Ages by imposing a higher penalty for libel,” Ateneo de Manila University constitutionalist Joaquin Bernas wrote Monday in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Bernas and other critics compared the new penalties to the imposition of martial law under former President Ferdinand Marcos.

“So this is how 1972 felt like,” Manila journalist Jojo Pasion Malig said on Twitter. “The only different thing is 'Gangnam Style' playing in the background.”

Several government websites went down Wednesday, apparently under attack by hackers.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda sought to tamp down the furor over the new law, telling reporters at a televised news conference that “people are spreading the fear of this law, but people should also remember the power of the constitution, the rights that it guarantees.”

Yet Justice Secretary Leila M. de Lima said Monday that her department had recommended that the law be sheared of the disputed rules cracking down on cyber-defamation, cyber-threats and Internet libel.

The first day the law was in effect, some politicians who supported it were already saying it should be amended. Its author, Sen. Edgardo Angara, said he would revisit the higher penalties imposed under the law for online libel, though he argued there needed to be some penalty for such speech.

Is cyberspace “a zone of impunity that you can now begin to lambaste maliciously your enemies without fear of any sanction at all?" Angara asked ABS-CBN News when asked to respond to the criticism.

Libya forces prepare for sweep of pro-Gadhafi town TRIPOLI, Libya — Libyan militias operating alongside the defense ministry readied their forces Tuesday to advance on a town that remains a bastion of support for the ousted regime of Moammar Gadhafi, stoking fears of an impending battle that has already sent dozens of families fleeing.

Bani Walid is one of the last major pockets of support for the former regime, and disarming its militants is one of the most daunting tasks facing the government. Militias in the town of about 100,000 people are heavily armed with rocket-propelled grenades, automatic weapons and artillery left over from last year's eight-month civil war.

During the war, many blamed the town's fighters for the worst of the sniper attacks, shelling, rape and other violence during the bloody siege of the coastal city of Misrata. Calls for revenge again peaked after the death last week of a well-known 22-year-old former rebel fighter after ill treatment at the hands of militiamen from Bani Walid.

Omran Shaaban had been hailed as the first fighter to find Gadhafi hiding in a drainage ditch last October, leading to the dictator's capture and killing.

Seen as a hero to many, Shaaban's death raised the prospect of more scoresettling. The same day of his death, the newly elected National Congress authorized the police and army to use force if necessary to apprehend those who abducted Shaaban and three of his companions in July near Bani Walid.

The government had brokered Shaaban's release and he was transferred to a hospital in France where he died of his wounds. He had been paralyzed from the waist down and relatives say his chest had been slashed with razors during his 55 days in captivity.

At least four residents of Misrata are still being held by the town's militias, according to local activists.

Militia commander Faraj al-Swehli said dozens of families have fled Bani Walid in anticipation of an offensive. On Tuesday three fighters from Misrata were wounded in clashes during a surveillance operation near the town, according to witnesses.

Al-Swehli ordered his Tripoli-based militia, originally from Misrata, to join others who have surrounded parts of the town. They are operating together in a loose coalition of the country's largest militias known as Libya Shield, which is relied on by the defense ministry. Shaaban was a part of the group before his death.

The government has given Bani Walid's leaders until this coming Friday to handover suspects linked to the torture of Shaaban.

Libya Shield fighters put out a statement Tuesday saying they will not enter Bani Walid without orders from the military chief of staff Gen. Youssef Mangoush. However, even without government orders the militias began surrounding parts of the town last week.

The Libyan government remains weak and has been unable to rein in armed militias in a country awash with weapons. Earlier this month, a demonstration at the U.S. Consulate in the eastern city of Benghazi turned violent, killing four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador.

Misrata activist Ahmed al-Madany said he heard the local Bani Walid radio station say that its fighters will defend the town to the last man.

"I doubt they will turn the suspects in," he said.

A resident inside Bani Walid, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, said militias inside have set-up checkpoints to secure the area.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Google-owned Motorola withdraws patent lawsuit against Apple READ MORE ON PAGE 1

Facebook surpasses one billion users as it tempts new markets Facebook now has more than one billion people using it every month, the company has said.

The passing of the milestone was announced by founder Mark Zuckerberg on US television on Thursday.

The company said that those billion users were to date responsible for 1.13 trillion "likes", 219 billion photos and 17 billion location checkins.

The site, which was launched in 2004, is now looking towards emerging markets to build its user base further.

"If you're reading this: thank you for giving me and my little team the honor of serving you," Mr Zuckerberg wrote in a status update.

"Helping a billion people connect is amazing, humbling and by far the thing I am most proud of in my life."

Statistics released to coincide with the announcement revealed there were now 600 million users accessing the site via a mobile device - up 48 million from 552 million in June this year.

Since its early beginnings at Harvard University, Facebook users have befriended each other 140.3 billion times.

Sustained growth is seen as crucial if Facebook is to maintain its value the company has seen its share price drop to about $22 (ÂŁ17) from a starting price of $38.

Investors will expect the company to look at ways to make more from the users it already has as well as seeking to attract new users in areas of the world where it does not yet dominate.

"For Facebook the main challenge is not just to grow in terms of numbers, but more importantly to deepen and enrich engagements," said Eden Zoller, principal analyst at tech research firm Ovum.

TV chat show Although the service is by far the world's biggest social network, there are key areas, such as China and Russia, where local competitors still remain the online networking tool of choice.

Last month, Mr Zuckerberg visited Moscow, where he made his first TV chat show appearance, as well as a highly publicised meeting with the Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev.

It was a public-relations exercise designed to unsettle VKontakte - a network that boasts in excess of 300

Apple gaining on Samsung in US smartphone market SAN FRANCISCO: Apple narrowed the gap with Samsung smartphones in the precious US market in the months before the release of the hot-selling iPhone 5 model, industry tracker comScore reported on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Apple and Androidpowered smartphones continued to dominate the US market, where both platforms increased shares evidently at the expense of BlackBerry handsets made by Canada-based Research In Motion.

Samsung remained the top smartphone in the United States with an unchanged 25.7 per cent of the market at the end of August while Apple's portion grew to 17.1 per cent as compared to 15 per cent in May, according to comScore.

Motorola and LG both lost just shy of a percent of market share to finish August with 11.2 per cent and 18.2 per cent of the US market respectively.

The number of smartphone owners in the United States grew six percent

to 116.5 million in the three-month period that ended with the start of September.

Google-backed Android software remained the most popular smartphone platform with its share of the market growing 1.7 per cent to 52.6 per cent.

Apple's bite grew 2.4 per cent to 34.3 per cent, according to comScore.

Apple's portion of the US market is expected to get even bigger given the record-breaking pace of sales of the latest-generation iPhone 5 model released last month.

Apple and Android gains in the quarter came at the expense of BlackBerry handsets made by Canadabased Research In Motion and smartphones powered by Microsoft or Symbian software, according to comScore figures.

RIM's share of the US market slid 3.1 per cent to 8.3 per cent while Microsoft and Symbian shed .4 per cent each to drop to 3.6 and .7 pe rcent respectively.

million members, compared with Facebook's seven million, in the country.

In the same trip, Mr Zuckerberg made a "surprise" visit to one of the company's arranged hack-a-thons to meet local developers.

Other trips include to China, where the company said it was busy "watching and learning" from other internet firms.

Google, which launched in China in 2005, faced fierce criticism when it agreed to allow censorship of search results. It later changed its stance, and now directs all of its traffic through its Hong Kong-based site.

Success for Facebook in China would mean unseating RenRen (more than 30 million users) and possibly the Twitter-like service Sina Weibo (more than 300 million users).

'Every phone' In Africa, Facebook has targeted the use of basic phones - known widely as "feature phones" - which are unable to display the full-featured site, but instead can use specially created variations of the network.

Specifically, a project called Facebook for Every Phone, which was

launched following the company's acquisition of feature-phone specialists Snaptu, is central to its growth strategy in the region.

"Facebook is doing very well in Africa," said Erik Hersman, a Kenyanbased blogger.

"You even see people using it in the rural areas - often people will ask for a phone with Facebook on it, not caring/knowing about the internet at all."

There are considerable monetisation opportunities too. The continent has, at a pace far outstripping the west, adopted mobile payment systems in huge numbers - more than 15 million in Kenya alone.

In developed markets, one path to better engagement with users could be through new features that make use of Facebook's vast quantities of personal data about each of its members.

In recent weeks, Facebook has been looking to monitor the real-world effects of advertising on the platform.

These efforts are key if the company is to convince businesses that investing in the platform is not a waste of money - recent admissions over "fake" users and have dented the site's credibility.

Mortgage rates hit record low again NEW YORK -- Mortgage rates fell to a new record low after the Federal Reserve's decision to buy billions in home loans continued to ease costs for home owners and buyers.

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to an all-time low of 3.36%, according to a weekly survey by mortgage finance backer Freddie Mac. The rate dropped from 3.40% the previous week.

The fixed-rate 15-year mortgage also hit a new record low of 2.69% from 2.73% a week earlier.

Rates have been falling to news lows since the Fed announced last month that it would buy $40 billion in mortgage-backed securities each month. The central bank hopes that keeping interest rates low through this policy, known as quantitative easing, will fuel home buying, which will lead to more spending, and eventually more hiring.

Economists are betting that low mortgage rates would give home buyers the confidence to pay more for homes. Already, home prices have rebounded to the same level they were nine years ago.

There's also been a pick-up in sales of existing homes, a leap in new home sales prices , and an increase in home construction, all of which have invigorated the housing market.

Economists surveyed by CNNMoney said they are encouraged by the reports and believe that the nation's housing market has finally turned a corner.

Of the 14 economists who answered questions about home prices in the survey, nine believed that prices have already turned higher or will make that turn later this year. Only three months ago, half of the economists surveyed by CNNMoney believed a turnaround in prices would not take place until 2013 or later.

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BUSINESS & TEchNOLOgLy

Holiday sales seen rising 4.1 percent in 2012 NEW YORK - Americans are expected to spend more during what's traditionally the busiest shopping season of the year, but they're not exactly ready to shop 'til they drop like they have been in the past two years.

The National Retail Federation, the nation's largest retail trade group, said it expects sales during the winter holiday shopping period in November and December to rise 4.1 percent this year. That's more than a percentage point lower than the growth in each of the past two years, and the smallest increase since 2009 when sales were up just 0.3 percent.

The projections are an important indicator for retailers that depend on the last two months of the year for up to 40 percent of their annual sales.

But the estimates also offer valuable insight for economists who closely watch consumer spending, which accounts for up to 70 percent of economic activity.

The holiday shopping season is one gauge of not only the shopping habits, but also the mindset of the average American during what has turned out to be a slow and uneven economic recovery. Right now, people are feeling better about rising home prices and a rebounding stock market, but job growth is still weak and prices for everything from food

to gas are higher.

"In all the years, this is the most challenging year doing a forecast," said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, based in Washington,

D.C. "There are so many uncertainties."

It's Americans' worries about the economic uncertainty that led the National Retail Federation to predict slower growth during the winter

holiday shopping season than the increase of 5.6 percent and 5.5 percent in 2010 and 2011, respectively.

Still, the forecast is higher than the average growth of 3.5 percent for November and December over the past 10 years. And it continues a growth trend that began after holiday sales fell 4.4 percent in 2008 during the middle of the recession. (The federation for the first time is counting online sales and sales from the auto parts and accessories business. It has revised every year's holiday figures from 2000 to reflect the change.)

Google-owned Motorola withdraws patent lawsuit against Apple WASHINGTON: Google subsidiary Motorola Mobility has dropped a complaint of patent infringement against Apple without explanation.

In a brief filing with the International Trade Commission on Monday, Motorola Mobility said it was dropping without prejudice a complaint that Apple had infringed on seven Motorola patents.

Apple did not return telephone calls seeking comment and Google said only: "As we have said many times before, we will continue to vigorously defend our partners".

Google and Apple have been locked in an international patent war since 2010, as Apple has sought to limit the growth of Google's Android system. The fight has embroiled Samsung , HTC and others that use Android.

Reuters reported in August that the two companies were in settlement talks. Google said in its filing, however, that "there are no agreements between Motorola and Apple, written or oral, express or implied, concerning the subject matter of this investigation."

The complaint can be re-submitted. Florian Mueller, who was first to report the withdrawal on his blog, said he believed that Google withdrew the complaint to prevent it from being consolidated with an earlier case, thus slowing that case down.

In that case, an ITC judge had said in a preliminary ruling that Apple infringed on a patent for eliminating noise and other interference during voice and data transmissions. A final decision is due next April.

"Maybe they ... wanted to maintain their chances of at least getting some win against Apple in the US in 2013," Muller said in an email interview.

The biggest victory in the smartphone patent war so far belongs to Apple. On August 24, a jury in a California federal court ordered Samsung to pay $1.05 billion in damages after finding that Samsung had copied critical features of the iPhone and iPad. Samsung was the top-selling mobile-phone maker in the second quarter of 2012, with Apple in third place, according to data from Gartner.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

With over twenty leagues and competitions running throughout the year as well as international competitions, the TCIFA said it has put a lot of time and effort into developing its Refereeing Department.

READ: FA GRADUATES MORE REFEREES BELOW

FA graduates more referees In an effort to recruit more referees to officiate in the ever expanding football leagues and programmes, the TCIFA graduated 20 candidates who successfully completed their Referees Course and examinations last weekend.

With over twenty leagues and competitions running throughout the year as well as international competitions, the TCIFA said it has put a lot of time and effort into developing its Refereeing Department. Regular meetings and training sessions have improved the performance of current referees, but the association said it is keen to attract newcomers.

The FA said that the course was very successful in finding individuals who are keen to take on the responsibility of officiating matches at youth and senior level.

Ninety percent of the group passed their Laws of the Game exams with flying colours, as of the lot, only two candidates narrowly missed out. The real test however came on early

Action from the Referees course

Sunday morning at the soon to be qualified referees had to go through

two vigorous fitness tests.

The first challenge was the Sprint test as candidates had to complete six forty meter sprints in a time under 6.5 seconds with only a forty second rest period in between. Every candidate passed this test which now meant that that they had reached the level of Assistant Referee, however the final and most daunting task was to come.

In order to become a fully qualified referee, each candidate would have to complete a stamina test, which basically consisted of running ten laps in a given time. For each lap, each person would have two make two 150m sprints within 35 seconds, without stopping. The candidates gave their best and 50% of the group was able to pass this test with several others just falling short of the required standard.

Technical Director Matthew Green was pleased with effort. “It is great to see such enthusiasm to become a referee, a position which is often a thankless task. The exam results were

promising and those that just missed out on the fitness test will be more prepared when they get a chance to retake it later this month.”

TCIFA president Chris Bryan was equally full of praise.

He complemented the group on their performance “You have all done a great job and you should be very proud of your achievements. The standards we have set are not easy to reach, but you have all put in a lot of hard work to reach this level. Congratulations, to all of you that have qualified as either a referee or an assistant referee.”

In closing Green added, there were many stand-out performances during the course, “Gaya Smith achieved the highest score in the exam and I was impressed with Gianni Ascani and Herby Magny as well as the young boys Cole Nickson and Gabriel Diotte.

We also had a large number of females participating from our youth programmes.

Sarah Cenary, Jenny Fluerenvil and Shinaydine Pluviose did a great job in passing the course, but the highlight for me was Kadine Delphin’s performance during the fitness tests, she led from the front the whole time and encouraged her team mates to keep up with her. She also put in a blistering final lap and her times were faster than most of the men. If this group of referee’s stick together, they can reach a very high level and it is not too farfetched to suggest that they could one day officiate in World Cup games”.

Newly Qualified Referees: Gabriel Diotte, Cole Nickson, Herby Magny, Gianni Ascani, Shinaydine Pluviose, Kadine Delphin, Jenny Fluerenvil and Sarah Cenary.

Newly qualified Assistant Referees: Presume Sevens, Yarileny De La Cruz, Yarielca De La Cruz, Briandie Brooks, Terry Lubin, JP Pelis, Gaya Smith and Ruth Francois.

TCI Cricket Association launches youth cricket programme The Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Assocaition ProvidencialesYouth Cricket Programme will resumed on September 15, and should run for 12 weeks, ending December 2012, according to the Turks and Caicos Islands Cricket Association.

The venue for the development training is the Downtown Ball Park, and is held every Saturday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11a.m. .The Cricket Association said that the programme is opened to children (boys and girls) between the ages of 6 to 18 years sold. Children will be taught how to play the sport of cricket, this includes batting, bowling, fielding, catching, and the rules of the game, fun games, discipline, scoring and umpiring.

The coaching exercise is being done by Sean Khan, Youth Development Officer with the TCICA. He is being assisted by other members of the Cricket Association body.

Interested parents are ask to contact 230-0010.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Quarterback Michael Vick blew $29 million in 4 Years READ MORE ON PAGE 44

Kobe calls Lakers his most talented team ever LOS ANGELES – Kobe Bryant won three NBA championships on Los Angeles Lakers teams with Shaquille O’Neal. The 2003-04 Lakers also had a talent-heavy roster that included Bryant, O’Neal, Karl Malone and Gary Payton, even though they lost in the NBA Finals.

And Bryant’s last two titles came with Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum by his side.

Yet, Bryant now looks around at his current teammates – a star-filled group that includes Gasol, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash – and calls this season's Lakers his most talented supporting cast ever. "On its face, it’s the best talent I’ve been around," Bryant said. "Whether that translates into winning a championship remains to be seen. But just on paper you’re talking Defensive Player of the Years, MVPs, All-Stars.

You’re talking about a myriad of things.

Guys who are at the top of their position

at one point or another. It’s pretty dope."

One thing is for certain: After acquiring Howard and Nash in the offseason, these Lakers won't lack for attention. More than 300 media members attended the opening of the Lakers' camp, overwhelming the air conditioning at the team's practice facility. Excited Lakers fans peered over a fence in the morning prior to the start of media day hoping to get a glimpse of anyone in gold and purple.

"For me, my expectations are to prepare to play, to improve, perform and build a team," Nash said. "When you’re concentrating on that, you don’t focus on what other people’s expectations are.

You set your own standard. You set your own expectations. You try to live up to those every day."

Howard's only NBA Finals trip was a loss to the Lakers in 2009, and his recovery from back surgery could

Europe beat USA after record comeback at Ryder Cup Europe produced a stunning final-day comeback to win the Ryder Cup at a shellshocked Medinah.

The United States required only fourand-a-half points from the 12 on offer, but the Europeans secured eight and a half to clinch a historic 14½-13½ win.

Martin Kaymer sank a five-foot putt on the 18th green to get his team to the 14 points needed to retain the trophy.

Then a Tiger Woods bogey on the final green of the final match gifted Jose Maria Olazabal's side overall victory.

The victorious European captain said: "To the 12 men of Europe, what you did out there was outstanding. All men die but not all men live and you made me feel alive again this week.

"I don't know how heaven feels, but it must be close to this."

The win matches the record recovery of Ben Crenshaw's US team in Boston in 1999 and is the best from a European side in the Ryder Cup. It was a fitting tribute to the late Seve Ballesteros, the man who did so much to reinvigorate the competition and whose trademark navy blue and white the side wore on the final day in Chicago.

"Seve will always be present with this team," said fellow Spaniard Olazabal.

"He was a big factor for this event, for the European side. Last night, when we were having a meeting, I think the boys understood that believing was the most important thing. And I think they did."

Kaymer held his nerve in the

penultimate singles match to beat Steve Stricker, having been given some simple guidance from Olazabal.

He said: "Jose Maria told me: 'We need your point. I don't care how you do it, just deliver.' But I like those, it was straightforward. That is the way we Germans are. Fortunately, I could handle it and I made the last putt."

The German's putt was the high point of an afternoon of scarcely believable drama where Europe first clawed back their overnight deficit of four points and then matched their opponents point for nerveshredding point.

Blows were traded down the stretch, one side grabbing the initiative before the other snatched it back, until it came down to the last two matches on the final two holes.

Both were all-square, with overall score locked at 13-13.

When Steve Stricker three-putted on the 17th, Kaymer had a one-hole lead. The German then made a brilliant approach from a bunker on 18, rolling home the pivotal putt as Stricker crumbled under the pressure.

It was left to Italian Molinari to seal overall victory, when he halved his match with Woods. US captain David Love admitted defeat was hard to take and compared it to the loss Europe suffered at Brookline in 1999. "We know what it feels like now," he said. "It's a little bit shocking.

We were playing so well."

The Ryder Cup returns from 26 to 28 September 2014 at Gleneagles.

determine with L.A. is able to make a title run with him. Lakers coach Mike Brown said Howard is in great shape and has been playing one-on-one with assistant coaches Darvin Ham and Chuck Person. Brown, however, was uncertain as to when Howard would be cleared to scrimmage. The Lakers begin practice Tuesday with Howard expected to participate in a fashion dictated by how his body feels, Brown said.

"I want him to take his time. But at the same time, I’m not a doctor. It’s up to the training staff," Brown said.

Gasol said he will start at center in Howard’s absence while Jordan Hill is expected to start at power forward.

Antawn Jamison will likely come off the bench. Howard, however, didn't rule out playing opening night.

"It’s a goal, but I’m not rushing it," Howard said. "Everybody wants me to play on opening night. But we are not

Kobe Bryant

going to rush it."

Another big question hanging over Howard: Can he play well with Bryant?

Bryant and Howard say they are on the same page and will do what is needed to succeed. Bryant is still the Lakers' top option offensively, but Howard will certainly want his touches in the post.

"It’s my team," Bryant said. "But I want to make sure that Dwight knows that when I retire this is going to be his.

I want to teach him everything I possibly know so this organization can ride as if I never left."

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

WORLD SPORTS

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

Quarterback Michael Vick blew $29 million in 4 Years Michael Vick, the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback who landed in jail on dog-fighting charges, has reportedly spent over $29 million since filing for bankruptcy in 2008, TMZ reports. He's now the QB for the Philadelphia Eagles.

The math is pretty simple According to court documents, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback — paid out a total of $29.6 million — of that, $10.9 went to taxes, $9.2 mil went to creditors, $2.7 went to lawyers and accountants, and the rest is for various things, including child support and living expenses.

During the four-year period, Vick had income of about $31 million from his Eagles salary, endorsements and business ventures, TMZ said, citing the documents.

The former Atlanta Falcon still has $1.5 million left, TMZ reported.

But that's only momentary. Vick signed a 6 year, $100 million contract in 2011 with the Eagles, $40 million of which is guaranteed.

“That was the hope of the creditors that it would work out this way,” Joseph Luzinski, the trustee overseeing

prison on July 20, 2009 after serving 19 months of a 23-month sentence on a dogfighting conviction.

Vick, who played with the Falcons from 2001 to 2006, was the NFL’s toppaid player with a 10-year, $130 million contract in Atlanta before participating in a dogfighting ring in which dogs that lost fights were drowned, hanged, shot or electrocuted.

In April 2007, he took part in the killing of eight animals, one of which was slammed repeatedly on the ground, his criminal indictment said.

Public relations consultants told NPR at the time of his release that Michael Vick

Vick’s bankruptcy plan, told Bloomberg BusinessWeek in a telephone interview. “And short of there being some dramatic change -there’s no lockout, no injuries -- and no other issues, it should be a workable format to clean up his past financial commitments.”

This clean up process began when Michael Vick walked out of federal

reassembling a tattered public image is basically a three-step process: Show genuine remorse, avoid becoming overexposed, and demonstrate that you've changed your ways.

The 32-year- old signed with the Eagles in August 2009 and in 2010 was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year after taking over as the starter and accounting for 30 touchdowns in 12 games, Bloomberg BusinessWeek reported.

Vick finished second to Tom Brady of the New England Patriots in NFL Most Valuable Player voting.

Michael Schumacher to retire from Formula 1 at end of season Michael Schumacher has announced that he will retire from Formula 1 at the end of the season.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton is to replace the seven-time world champion at Mercedes from next year.

Schumacher was linked with a move to Sauber for 2013 but has decided to end an F1 career that began in 1991.

"Although I am still able to compete with the best drivers, at some point it is good to say goodbye," said the 43-yearold German.

"During the past month, I was not sure if I still had the motivation and energy which is necessary to go on. It is not my style to do something that I'm not 100% for.

Michael Schumacher "With today's decision, I feel released from those doubts. In the end, my ambition to fight for victories and the pleasure of driving is nourished by competitiveness."

Schumacher won 91 races in 19 seasons, helping to revive Ferrari's fortunes after he joined them in 1996.

He won his first title with Benetton in 1994 and repeated the feat the following year, before leaving for Ferrari. He claimed five straight titles between 2000 and 2004, before retiring for a first time in 2006.

After three years away from the sport, he made a comeback with Mercedes in 2010. However, he has managed just one podium finish in three seasons, at Valencia in June.

"We did not achieve our goals to develop a world championship-fighting car, but it is also very clear that I can still be very happy about my overall achievements in the whole time of my career," added Schumacher.

"In the past six years, I have learned a lot about myself. For example, that you can open yourself without losing focus, that losing can be both more difficult and more instructive than winning.

"Sometimes I lost this in the earlier years, though you appreciate what you are able to do and that you are able to live your convictions and I was able to do so."

Speculation that Schumacher would retire at the end of the season first surfaced at the start of September, when Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone told BBC Sport that the German was quitting the sport.

Schumacher would not be drawn on what he plans to do after the season ends, saying his focus is on the remaining races. "There are six races to go, that's what comes next," he said. "Whatever comes afterwards, we'll see.

"I have options - and you know some of the options - but we will decide when the time is there."

Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn has already suggested there maybe a position for Schumacher with the German manufacturer.

"We would like him to stay involved with Mercedes," Brawn told BBC Sport last week.

"There is a lot of things he can contribute - perhaps on the racing car side but certainly on the road car side - and I think that is something he would enjoy a great deal."

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LOCAL NEWS

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LOCAL NEWS

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

OCTOBER 6TH - OCTOBER 13TH, 2012

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