Volume 8 Issue 44

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

VOLUME 8 No. 44

$1.00

PUBLIC SERVANTS TO

GET BACK 10% PAY Website: www.suntci.com

Email: sun@suntci.com

Tel: 649-946-8542

Fax: 649-941-3281

www. twitter.com/suntci

In a move which some expected would have happened before the November 9th general elections, His Excellency Governor Ric Todd announced that the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) can reinstate the 10% pay cut made previously from public servants’ salaries.

The Governor explained that the Interim Administration has carefully examined the affordability of reinstating the pay cut and believes that this would now be affordable from February 1st, 2013.

In an exclusive interview with the SUN newspaper and SUNtv a few weeks ago, Todd hinted that the restoration of the ten percent would be a real possibility. The restoration of the ten percent was also a major plank of the Progressive National Party (PNP) manifesto and the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) has also made calls for the pay to be restored.

ON-LINE PETITION

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

TO HAVE GOVERNOR TODD RECALLED STORY ON PAGE 7

SCOTIABANK SUPPORTS CARIBBEAN FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL

Cecil Arnold (second right), Managing Director for Scotiabank Cherokee Road Branch, presents the carbon cheque, which takes the shape of a wine bottle, to Nikheel Advani (left) and Tony Garland, both co-chairs and pioneers of the Caribbean Food and Wine Festival. The Caribbean Food and Wine Festival was slated to run from November 1 to 3. The event was scheduled to include five course meal prepared by celebrity chef paired with master sommelier wines; a culinary adventure to some of the best known hotel and restaurants on Providenciales; and food and wine tasting. Observing the event are most individual from the service industry.

$500MILLION HOTEL INVESTMENT FOR TCI STORY ON PAGE 8

BURNING BODY PARTS DISRUPT COMMUNITY COLLEGE STORY ON PAGE 11

SIPT TO MERGE WITH LOCAL POLICE FORCE STORY ON PAGE 16

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

Public servants to get back 10% pay

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

In a Government press release issued on Friday November 2nd, Todd said the restoration has been an intention of the Governor’s Office for some time and, indeed, new Deputy Governor Anya Williams, again raised this topic with UK ministers when in London in the first week of her appointment in October.

The press release said that in the circumstances the Governor has concluded that the newly elected Government would have to agree to this proposal in accordance with two conditions: (1) That any reinstatement takes into account the conclusions and recommendations of the TCIG Pay and Grading review and (2) That the incoming elected Government following the ballot on Fri, 9 Nov 2012 is satisfied that the reinstatement continues to be affordable alongside its

other expenditure priorities.

“I have always expressed my support and admiration for the dedicated and professional public servants of the Turks and Caicos Islands,” said Governor Ric Todd. “When the pay cut was announced it was made clear that we would work to restore it at the earliest possible opportunity.

“I am delighted, therefore, to be able to make this announcement. I have often repeated our commitment to doing so at the earliest opportunity. Taking into account the significant economic and political progress made in the Turks and Caicos particularly over the past year, and the healthy indications of the Quarter 2 financial data published on 29 Oct, we closely examined the affordability of this measure and proposed it to UK Ministers. This has now been agreed to subject to the agreement of the new House of Assembly who need to consider its affordability alongside the

other spending priorities of the new government.”

Anya Williams, Deputy Governor, added, “It is our intention to examine all pay and grading issues in order to more properly recognise the vital role of our public servants in the TCI. This is an important first step to seeing pay rates restored as part of our continuing programme to make the public service even better. It is only right and proper that our civil and public servants, teachers, health professionals, uniformed services and emergency responders are properly remunerated for their achievements.”

This 10% deduction was previously made as part of measures taken to reduce Turks and Ciacos islands Government expenditure following the financial collapse of the previous administration in 2010.

Leader of the Progressive National Party Dr. Rufus Ewing told The SUN

he welcomes the support of the Governor for the reinstatement of the 10% to Civil Servants salary which is the prerogative of an elected government after November 9th.

Ewing, who was a former president of the Civil Service Association (CSA), added: “The reinstatement of the 10 percent salary was something that the Civil Service Association fought for and was promised that it would be reinstated once there was economic stabilization and surplus. As far as I can recall and according to the Interim Administration this surplus was realized from quarter one of this fiscal year. So to now announce a reinstatement date 7 days prior to elections is nothing more than a subterfuge. However, we welcome the support for the reinstatement and when we are elected we will reinstate the 10 percent as outlined in our party's manifesto.”

Donors give PNP $137,000, PDM $97,000 and PNP $20,000 The Progressive National Party (PNP) has received the lion’s share of political campaign donations from businesses and individuals.

According to official documents released by the Integrity Commission, the PNP received $137, 233.79 so far, while the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) received $97,300.16. The People Progressive Party (PPP) received $20,750.

The largest donor to the PNP was TCI Lotto Games which gave $30,000. This was followed by the Mervin Cox-owned Coxco Construction which donated $15,000, the same amount he gave to the PDM. PNP candidate for Leeward Akeirra Missick gave her party $9,912.00, while businessman and former PNP cabinet minister McAllister “Piper” Hanchell donated $7,300 and businesswoman Althea Ewing-Williams, the wife of former Premier Galmo “Gilley” Williams, donated $7,200. Casa Blanca Casino offered $5000, which was the same amount as C.R Hotel Limited, Kermont Holdings Limited and Caicos Resorts Limited. Deputy Leader Carlos Simons, QC, donated $4,798, while Jai Tolani also gave $4000 to the PNP. The largest donor to the PDM was local millionaire businessman Mervin Cox, whose company Coxco gave $15,000, while his sister Elvera “Nell” Williams, gave $10,000. Grace Bay Club also gave the PDM $10,000, while Goldsmith gave $5000, Caicos Resorts, $5000, Amanyara $5000, former PDM leader Doug Parnell $5000 and Air Turks and Caicos, $5000.

The Harold Charles-led PNP got $10,000 from Grace Bay Club, $5000 from Amanyara and $5000 from Caicos Resorts Limited.

These figures are expected to change within the next week.

The weekly returns of donations are required to be submitted to the Commission under the Political Activities Ordinance (the Ordinance) which came into force on 28 August 2012. The Ordinance gives the Integrity Commission responsibility for ensuring that political parties and candidates comply with their respective legal obligations under the Ordinance.

The weekly returns contain details concerning all donations received by the parties, including the name of the donor, the amount of the donation, when it was received in addition to other relevant details.

The Commission is pleased to confirm that all registered parties have been complying with their obligations to provide these returns in accordance

with the Ordinance.

Under Section 37 of the Political Activities Ordinance, the Integrity Commission is required to maintain a register of all donations received by registered political parties. In addition, the Commission will ensure that arrangements are put in place for the register containing this information to be accessible for members of the public and available for public inspection under Section 74 of the Ordinance.

Eugene Otuonye QC, Director of the Integrity Commission stated: “The publication of this Information and making it readily available to the public of TCI is an important part of the Commission’s function in ensuring transparency and integrity of the process.”

Meanwhile, under Section 82 of the Political

Activities Ordinance 2012 (the Ordinance), the Governor, in consultation with the Integrity Commission has issued a Guidance Note to all Political Parties and Candidates to clarify the circumstances in which a loan or other transaction may be regarded as being on commercial terms.

The detailed guidance note also sets out what constitutes a permissible lender and how records of loans or other credit facilities should be recorded and reported to the Integrity Commission by parties and candidates. Eugene Otuonye QC, Director of the Integrity Commission stated: “ The Commission has worked closely with the Governor in compiling this guidance note, which provides clarification to the parties and candidates as to the circumstances in which they must record and report loans and other credit facilities to the Commission”.

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LOCAL NEWS

Is Obama or Romney better for the Caribbean?

By Sir Ronald Sanders Such is the continuing power of the United States that all over the world governments and organisations are concerned about what a US Presidency of either incumbent Barack Obama or hopeful Mitt Romney will mean to them.

After four years as President, the world already knows what kind of foreign policy Obama would seek to implement. It will be forceful in defence of what Obama sees as the interests of the United States, and while it will try to work with other governments and through the United Nations Security Council, it will not stop short of taking unilateral action against any country that it believes to pose a threat to the United States. It will also continue to advance a programme of promoting human rights and civil liberties in countries where it is felt such rights and liberties are stifled and democracy is suppressed.

In this regard, a new Obama administration will continue to take a tough line with Iran for as long as it is convinced that the Iranian government is working toward building a nuclear capability that could be used against Israel and maybe further afield. Regrettably, it will also continue its drone warfare in Pakistan and Afghanistan where hundreds of innocent people are being killed as ‘collateral damage’ as the US government hunts persons believed to be terrorists associated with al Qaida. Syria may also be ratcheted up the foreign policy priorities as efforts intensify to bring an end to both the relentless killing of civilians in clashes between the Assad regime and opposition forces, and the burdensome flood of refugees to neighbouring states.

On the global economic front, relations with China will continue to be a major preoccupation as the US government tries to mitigate the challenges it faces from what it portrays as China’s unfair trade advantages arising from subsidised production and an undervalued currency. The Obama administration will undoubtedly continue its strategy of negotiation with China and complaints to the dispute settlement body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Mitt Romney has given the world a flavour of the kind of foreign policy he will pursue in several speeches he made during his campaign. There is no doubt that in Middle-East, although he says he will “recommit America to the goal of a democratic, prosperous Palestinian state living side by side in peace

and security with the Jewish state of Israel”, he will favour Israel’s interest above all others. As he said, “the world must never see any daylight between our two nations”. He will also militarise the Eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf Region by restoring the permanent presence of aircraft carrier task forces, and he will be even tougher on Iran than Obama has been by imposing new sanctions. Further, he will challenge Russia by expanding the US’ military capacity and he will seek to strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) so that all of its 28 members devote 2 per cent of their GDP to security spending (only 3 do so now).

With regard to China, Romney has made it clear that on the trade front he will “confront China’s cheating” and he will “maintain appropriate military capabilities to discourage any aggressive or coercive behaviour by China against its neighbours (including Taiwan)”.

The choices, therefore, appear to be between the Romney method of a more militaristic and aggressive US government globally that seeks to place American power as the foundation of an international system, and the Obama approach that will use American power to defend American interests but would be willing to secure consensus as the basis for the functioning of the international order.

It would seem that the world would be a lessconfrontational place under Obama than under Romney.

With regard to the Caribbean, it is already known that the Obama Presidency has not been helpful to the region and in some ways it has been harmful particularly in the financial services sector, in climate change, and in a lack of responsiveness to development needs. The Caribbean’s financial services have been hurt both by the labelling of many of them as “tax havens” and by the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) which extends US jurisdiction into the Caribbean with a heavy compliance cost to Caribbean financial institutions. It is impacting government revenues and curtailing savings in banks by Caribbean nationals who are also nationals or residents of the United States. On Climate Change, during the Rio+20 Conference last June, the US refused to affirm an earlier commitment to transfer technology to developing countries. It equally refused to reaffirm any commitment to providing new and additional financial resources.

EDITORIAL CARTOON

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

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.

Obama’s help to the region has been primarily on curbing drug trafficking. But, this is as much – if not more - in America’s interests as the region’s. The focus on interdiction and not on providing resources for education, job creation, and poverty alleviation is not tackling the region’s fundamental problems.

Under Romney, there is unlikely to be any change in the Obama policies toward the Caribbean – except maybe in the strictures on the financial services sector, since Romney himself is a beneficiary of financial vehicles in the Cayman Islands.

Policies toward Cuba and Venezuela would appear to be the biggest difference in policy approaches between Obama and Romney. Romney has made it clear that he will return to tight sanctions against Cuba and he will not allow Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Castro’s Cuba to “lead a virulently anti-American “Bolivarian” movement across Latin America that seeks to undermine institutions of democratic governance and economic opportunity”. He has also says he wants “market based economic relationships”.

Against this background, there is not much in the Presidency of Obama or Romney for the Caribbean specifically. But the world would be less contentious with America at least trying multilateral solutions before unilateral coercion.

• Sir Ronald Sanders is an International Consultant, Writer and former senior Caribbean Ambassador.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN’S LETTERS POLICY

The Turks and Caicos SUN welcomes Letters to the Editor.

Letters containing libelous or defamatory charges, personal attacks or abusive language will not be considered for publication.

We would prefer letters of 500 words or less, and we will not print anonymous letters or letters tagged with initials.

All letters are subject to the final approval of the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, who reserves the right to accept or reject submissions and to edit letters and headlines to meet our established standards for grammar, clarity and length.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Petition to recall Governor Ric Todd An on-line petition to have Governor Ric Todd recalled by Queen Elizabeth II, has been gaining momentum The petition, which can be found at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/sendg o v er n o r- r ic- to d d - b ack - to - t h e uk/signatures, says that Governor Ric Todd has demonstrated a persistent and arrogant disregard for the customs, culture and people of the Turks & Caicos Islands since his arrival.

It noted: “The offensive decisions, strategies and changes to our laws that have been manipulated by Ric Todd are too numerous to mention here but include; a) Lowering the age of consent to 16 for boys to engage in a homosexual act despite our feelings to the contrary; b) Unilaterally changing our laws to permit the caging of dolphins despite our feelings to the contrary; c) Pressuring the country on behalf of questionable developers for a substantial increase in the building height limitation on Grace

Interim Government hires British pensioner Dale LeVack over locals 67-year-old British national Dale Le Vack has been appointed by the Ministry of Government Support Services on a short term assignment from mid November 2012 to March 2013.

LeVack, who is currently training manager at WIV Channel 4, will project manage the practical implementation of the RTC Ordinance and support the Permanent Secretary with the development of the state radio station including; assisting with the establishment of the RTC Board of Governors, reviewing the operations of RTC, providing training in broadcasting, programming, editorial control and political impartiality.

Anya Williams, Deputy Governor, Turks and Caicos Islands, said Radio Turks and Caicos enjoys a special place in hearts of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and given Dale’s vast experience of producing radio and television programmes to the highest editorial standards for the BBC and others, TCIG believes that there is a short term requirement for him to transfer these skills to the state broadcaster.

LeVack, who has been at WIV for just around a year, has been regarded by some of his colleagues and members of the media profession as the mouth-piece of the Interim Government, based on his style and manner of reporting which has largely been in their favour.

There has been outrage countrywide about LeVack’s appointment, since it is believed that there are many qualified, young citizens of the TCI who can do a better job than he can.

Governor Ric Todd

Bay despite our feelings to the contrary; d) Supporting the illegal dredging of the Leeward Channel and the National Park for the benefit of one wealthy and influential developer despite the damage it will cause to our reefs and objections of the people of this country to the contrary.

Todd, who came to the Turks and Caicos Islands in September 2011, has ruffled many feathers country-wide since his appointment.

Asked for a comment on the calls to have the Governor recalled, his spokesman, Neil Smith, said, “His

Excellency Governor Ric Todd continues to enjoy the confidence of UK Ministers, Government officials and persons across Turks and Caicos society and family of islands. He has delivered on his promises. Most notably that he would do everything he could to ensure that Elections would take place in the Turks and Caicos in 2012. This goal was by no means certain when he first arrived here in September 2011. That he has marshalled his team, colleagues and officials here in the TCI and in the UK to jointly achieve this milestone is certainly to the credit of everyone involved.

Smith added: “The reforms brought about required a remarkable body of work to be carried out over the past three years, and the last 12 months in particular. This should not be underestimated. The Islands will benefit from reforms in almost every aspect of life here: the commitment by the Government to always run a surplus budget; improved financial management, accountability and reporting of information; the improvements to Crown Land Policy; a clearer and simpler way to acquiring T&C Islander status; holding to account those responsible for the issues detailed

$1.7m reconstruction of H.J. Robinson High School to begin A $1.7m contract to begin the construction of new classrooms, offices sports facilities at the only Government High School on Grand Turk was signed by His Excellency the Governor, Ric Todd, on, Friday, October 26th 2012.

Under the terms of the deal J&H Construction will build a new block that contains five new classrooms, and upper floor for administrative purposes and a new basketball court at the HJ Robinson High School.

New funding for the refurbishment of the School was announced in this year’s Budget in the Spring along with a number of other infrastructure projects including a new Reverse Osmosis Plant (RO) for Grand Turk, a new courthouse in the Myrtle Rigby Building, the Middle/North Caicos Causeway and the Millennium Highway resurfacing..

This project had been scheduled to commence in September 2008 but damage from Hurricane IKE both here and across the Island meant that it was stopped due to a previous lack of funds.

In addition to the new construction, the works will entail the removal of rotted timbers and rested steel works and replacing of the necessary materials for the completion of the works on the areas started before September 2008.

The works are due to be completed in six months.

“I take great pride in getting things done,” said Governor Todd. “In my inauguration speech I said I would do everything to ensure that elections happened here in 2012, to develop the economy and to ensure effective and transparent government.

“In this year’s budget, which remains on course to return a surplus, we prioritised capital and maintenance spending and, in particular, a number of infrastructure projects that are essential to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands. In signing this contract we have completed the key civil engineering projects that we set out to do in the Budget.”

in the Commission of Inquiry; amongst others.

“Clearly, this provides a once in a generation opportunity for the people of these Islands to build on this platform by firstly electing a new Government next week and then working together, the fresh administration, Governor Todd, Islanders and the UK, to build a brighter, better future for everyone in the Turks and Caicos in 2013 and beyond.”

In a previous interview with SUNtv, when asked about calls for him to be removed, Todd stated: "I would say that all of the time that I've been here, I have began to have very productive and effective relationships with people within the government and outside of government.''

The Constitution clearly sets out what the rights and powers of the governor are.

I am confident that anyone who is involved in the constitution and constitutional bodies will play their part in working together for the TCI to be a prosperous, effective, well run country. I am confident that the FCO has confidence in me so I have no concerns on that score and you can see any way that in the constitution my appointment is at her majesty's pleasure and as far as I know I enjoy Her Majesty's pleasure."

NOTICE

BANKERS ASSOCIATION OF TURKS AND CAICOS A not-for-profit organisation registered under the Companies Ordinance

Please reply to: The President, PO Box 777, Providenciales • Tel. 941 4994 • Email anton.faessler@tcbc.tc

The Bankers Association wishes to advise the general public that due to the upcoming General Election scheduled for November 9, 2012, All Banks will be observing the following business hours during the week of November 5, 2012: Thursday, November 8: 2012 – 9:00 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M. Friday, November 9, 2012: 9:000 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.

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LOCAL NEWS

Turks and Caicos Islands signs $500m three hotels deal for Grace Bay As the November 9th general elections draws near, the Interim Government continues to announce a host of new initiatives, including inward investments and laws.

The latest in these almost daily announcements, was a press release which stated that three agreements have been signed by Governor Ric Todd which will see three luxury resort style hotels will be built at a cost of $500m in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Memorandum of Understanding between TCIG and developer Desarrollos Hotelco Group will see nearly 400 five star guestrooms added to the Grace Bay area though the first hotel to be built on an 10.5 acre site adjacent to the landmark Seven Stars Resort.

The MOU also covers Hotelco’s plans to build a further two luxury

resorts with a further 500 guest rooms, also in the Grace Bay area; they will confirm the premier brands at a later stage.

Consultancy firm KPMG TCI has been employed by Hotelco to complete a full social and economic impact study for the properties.

Governor Todd said this is the best possible vindication of the new Turks and Caicos Inward Investment Policy, management structure and approach to attracting inward investment on the best terms for the taxpayers of the Turks and Caicos.

Todd said: “This confirms that major international investors are impressed by the reforms that we have made over the past three years and, despite global economic difficulties, see the Turks and Caicos Islands as a great place in which to invest and to do business.

“Our economy has been growing since 2010, by some 4.3% alone last year, and is now set fair for future economic growth. The people of TCI have every reason to be proud of these achievements and to look forward to the future with optimism."

Pedro Vera of Hotelco added, “We were attracted to TCI because it is a high end tourism destination with great potential, friendly and welcoming people and an excellent investment climate. We look forward to investing in TCI and being a participant in bringing luxury resort brands to these islands.”

Desarrollos Hotelco first visited the TCI in March 2011. The TCI Government Investment Unit has been in close dialog with the developer since February 2012. Desarrollos then worked with Horton Realty and the Investment Unit to secure the 10.5 acre

Soldaco site. A second parcel of land, known locally as the ‘Mandalay site’ was also secured in Grace Bay. It is on this site that Desarollos proposes to build the two further hotels.

The Investment Unit has facilitated technical meetings with the planning department and airports authority to ensure a co-ordinated approach to working with the new developments, to help ensure the sustainable and supported growth of the Islands’ infrastructure needs and airlift capacity.

Desarrollos is based in Venezuela where it owns three hotels managed by Marriott. It has also developed a RitzCarlton resort on Aruba.

The new hotel at storeys will not exceed 96 ft in height and be physically no taller than the Seven Stars, currently the highest building in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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LOCAL NEWS

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PNP manifesto encapsulates country’s challenges, solutions

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Leader of the Progressive National Party (PNP) Dr. Rufus Ewing said that the launch of his party’s manifesto would enable the general public to have an in-depth look at the plans that the party has for the country in the event that it forms the next government after the November 9 elections.

The PNP Leader intimated that the document was a mere reminder to the general public of what his party had been preaching on the campaign trail every day, only that it gives greater details to those plans. The longawaited manifesto was launched on Tuesday, October 30, at the PNP headquarters in Providenciales and on the capital island of Grand Turk later that day.

Ewing urged the public to consult time and time again with the document before casting their ballots, because the plans contained, encapsulated the solutions that the country needs at this time, while stressing that those plans would be thrust into gear as soon as his party formed the next administration.

He said that while expert opinions were sought from persons in the various disciplines in the community, the manifesto also widely seeks to address the challenges that the country faces at this time, and so input was gathered from the common man in the communities.

“We had most of the various components completed from the beginning of the campaign, and we just

Dr. Rufus Ewing displays a copy of the manifesto during the launch on Providenciales

added public input and from experts in the field and then organizing it in a manner which could easily decipher – persons can easily read it and know where to find what we say we are going to do. That is the difference between this plan and any other plan that you may see,” Dr. Ewing said.

Ewing said also that all of the candidates played a leading role in the collation of the manifesto, with some playing leading roles in certain sections.

“All of the candidates contribute to the document one way or the other, because all of the candidates had to develop their own local platform –

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what they are going to do in their own communities. And so, that was also incorporate in some aspects of the broader document.

“The At – Large Candidates, who focused on national issues, then you had individuals, who are experts in the field, like Gilbert Morris, Delton

Jones, Desmond Wilson, Jamell Robinson, Clyde Robinson, Judith Campbell, Dr. Linda Williams and a number of other persons,” Ewing pointed out.

Ewing said that his party, if formed the next government, plans to allow the church to play a participatory role in crafting of policies that it would aim to implement, while continue to safeguard principles and values of Christian religion in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

He said that government would also pioneer transparency and accountability so that the general public would be kept in the beltway as to its plans, policies and general operation. He said that under a Rufus Ewing administration the public service, which he said was the engine of government, would be strengthened to the point of efficiency, so that it would serve the public in the matter that they have come to expect. He stressed that his government would be business-friendly, so as to promote more investment for the country.

The PNP leader indicated during the launch, that the manifesto, while available in hard copy, would also be made handy on the internet.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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LOCAL NEWS

Body parts burning at hospital forces Community College closure

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Noxious emissions from the Cheshire Hall Medical Centreoperated incinerator forced the closure of the Providenciales campus of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College last Thursday evening, October 25, after students and lecturers developed respiratory problems.

The pungent scent, The SUN learned, emanated from the burning of discarded body parts, some of which were deemed diseased. A student, who claimed that he was affected by the toxic smell, said that the emission was so strong that he and other students had to scurry from their classroom off the compound while cupping their noses with their hands in a bid to stave off the offensive smell.

“The smell was so strong that it also burned our eyes and noses; the scent was unbearable to the point that class was cancelled for the day. Some students mentioned that they had constant vomiting after reaching home because the scent was still lingering in their system from earlier ingestion,” one student said.

Principal for the Community College, Samuel Forbes told The SUN that he had written to the Ministry of Health for them to address the issue in the future, since it was clear that the use of the incinerator during school hours was having in debilitating effect on occupants of the learning facility.

Forbes said he decided to write the health ministry after he was told by the hospital, after making contact with them regarding the issue that they had to carry out the incineration at that time because the facility had run out of

space to store such wastes.

“We have spoken to the persons who were responsible and who were doing it, and they said they could not do anything about it, so I have written to the Ministry of Health, and am now awaiting a response from that ministry, and I will do some follow up on it because it is a serious thing. I did not experience it, but my lecturers experienced it, and obviously it came from the incinerator where burning what I would call bio waste – probably human parts and so forth. One of the lecturers had taken a video of it, so you could see the black smoke coming out the incinerator,” Forbes revealed.

The college principal said that while he was not averse to the incineration of wastes at the institution, it should not be done during school hours, since it could disrupt classes at the institution.

“The persons who were doing it said they had a lot of waste which they could not keep any longer. But I say, if they had to do it – and I suspect they had to – it could have been done after 9:30 (p.m.) when classes are dismissed. This (incineration) was (being done) like 6:30 – 7 o’clock in the evening. But they said they could not stop because they had too much to burn, and because of that, most of the students had to leave the compound because of the noxious scent.

The Facility is close to the Myrtle Rigby Complex, so the smoke easily blew over here. Burning those kinds of things in a community where people live can be very harmful. It can affect especially children with lung diseases, asthma and so forth. So even burning in this area, especially if it is not burnt properly, it would be problematic,” Forbes noted.

• Research, evaluate and recommend new technology solutions to address emerging business and technical needs • Prepare annual budgets for on-going operational and support activities and appropriate sparing for professional 24/7/365 operation of the digital head end offers support by providing expert assistance and knowledge to the management and diagnostics of proprietary software systems.

Caicos Television Holding Ltd DIGITAL VIDEO ENGINEER

Primary Duties: The Digital Video Engineer (DVE) is responsible for the day to day operations of all head end equipment providing digital video service to all cable and IPTV customers on Providenciales and Grand Turk.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: • The DVE will work under the technical leadership of the CTO to design, develop, deploy, configure and maintain the master IP digital video network and all supporting equipment to ensure consistent, high quality digital video signals are delivered to the outside plant.

• The DVE will be responsible for apprenticing and providing leadership to junior technical staff in support of head end operations.

• The DVE will be responsible for budgeting for and administering expenses related to spare parts and equipment, software and annual maintenance contracts for all equipment deployed in the head end.

• The DVE will work with and support members of the management team in marketing, selling and supporting the overall video and data operations of the company.

• Monitoring and performance tuning of Application, and DHCP servers, Bacchus 150 Mpeg 2 Encoder, ASI turnaround units, 3200dt units, ZeeVee prolSO,Stream Cache, Arris D5 Universal Edge Qam switches, and Set Top Boxes.

• Work with the CTO to develop a detailed business continuity plan for digital video operations, taking in to considerations risks such as hurricanes, fire, loss of critical employees, network security breaches etc.

Technical Skills • Knowledge of an operational experience with MPEG-2 transport streams • Knowledge of an operational experience with SD & HD digital video equipment • Wide knowledge of Operating Systems • Extensive knowledge of Set Top Boxes (Evolution, Amino, Xavi, ADB) • Video Technology and Multimedia • IPTV feature testing

Qualification • Associate Degree or equivalent certificates • Minimum of five – ten years experience • Thorough knowledge and expertise in performance tuning • Extensive knowledge of emerging technologies • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage vendor relationships • Skill in conducting tests to newly installed/upgraded software • Skill in effectively communicating orally and in writing • Skill in isolating and resolving complex problems and utilizing appropriate diagnostic tools • Ability to analyze information and formulate conclusions and recommendations • Ability to plan and execute a platform change with minimal disruption in service to clients

Salary: $35,000.00 - $45,000.00 per annum Contact: No phone calls please WIV Cable P.O. Box 679 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands administrator@wiv.tc

Page 12

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

56 Captive Insurance companies hold conference in TCI

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Captive Insurance – regarded as the second largest contributor to the local economy behind tourism – received a seismic boost when dozens of players mainly from the United States, swooped down on Providenciales on Friday, November 2, to attend a oneday conference to further promote the local industry to the wider world and to seek investments here.

The event featured experts from all across the United States representing approximately 56 different companies.

Captive insurance companies are insurance companies established with the specific objective of insuring risks emanating from their parent group or groups, but sometimes also insure risks of the group's customers. Captive insurance itself is insurance or reinsurance of related risks. The phrase ‘captive’ is coined because the insurance is captive to the producer.

Greg Petrowski, Principal of GPW and Associates in Phoenix, Arizona explained: “The risk can either be self insurance risk or types of insurance or exposures that are produced through an affiliate. For example, a bank issuing a loan, but also issues a credit insurance policy or a related policy for something like extended service contract, a gap in the auto business. It can be an auto dealer as well. It also applies to any other financial products, for example, a home builder could issue a warranty on a home that they build.”

Petrowski explained that captive insurance, especially on the pure captive side, is generally short term, since it would cover exposures between three months to a year. He said however, that home warranty, extended service and automobile contracts could go on much longer for up to 15 years.

He said that the promotion of captive insurance in the Turks and Caicos Islands was a good blend with tourism, since it would generate fee income for the country, while at the same time increase the number of vistors to our shores.

Adrian Corr (second left), President for the Turks and Caicos Islands Association of Insurance Managers, makes a point during the news conference to promulgate the Captive Insurance Conference. At left is Rebecca Astwood, Head of the TCI Investment Unit. At second right is Derek St. Rose, Head of Insurance at the FSC, while at right is Gregg Petrowski of GPW and Associates from Arizona.

“It would generate fee income for the Islands, it also generates tourism to the extent where we form companies and set them up; people come here for meeting, people come here to meet the regulator.

And of course, once they come here they would fall in love with the islands.

“So, I think it would get the Turks and Caicos Islands a little well known, and hopefully we attract more professional service firms as well, and that would create jobs. And it is a green industry, so it would be little exposure or reputational risk to the Turks and Caicos Islands and it does offer many rewards,” Petrowski said.

For his part, Derek St. Rose, Head of Insurance with the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission (FSC), said the prospect of increasing captive insurance companies in the TCI appeared solid, since there were between seven and eight new applications annually for the establishing of such service.

“This year we have actually seen an increase. I think we have probably processed 12 (captive insurance companies) so far (this year), and our forecast is that we may have about 15 between now and the end of March, 2013, which is the end of the TCI FSC’s financial year,” St. Rose said.

St. Rose further explained: “The accommodation of (the number of applications for the establishing of more captive insurance companies) doesn’t have to do with the size of the country in

terms of land mass or population. What you have in financial services and more specifically insurance is the ability to service. The FSC regulates other financial institutions like banks, insurance companies, trust companies, investment funds and so on. So, what you find is, once you have the right staff – a good cadre of persons to provide those services, to do proper regulation and supervision – then you can accommodate any amount of companies, once you can effectively manage the regulation of those entities.”

The conference was hosted by the Association of Insurance Managers, and according to Adrian Corr, President of that body, while captive insurance is the second largest industry in the TCI, it was not receiving its deserved recognition because if it’s low visibility.

“It is our second biggest industry in the Turks and Caicos, but it is one that a lot of people don’t see. A lot of people don’t come here unless you have an event like this to promote it,”

ONE QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENT

Must have minimum of Five Years experience in Aviation Quality Assurance and Operations 1. Indebt knowledge of ATA-103 , JIG , OSHA and HSSE procedures 2. Able to create, implement and maintain an Aviation Fuel Quality assurance program for Fuel Farm and Airports.

3. Able to perform quality Audits for Aviation Fuel Operation , General Aviation and commercial Airlines.

4. Able to train support staff in quality control procedures for Fuel Farm and Airport operations 5. Knowledge of Aircraft fueling procedures, fueling equipment operations and procedures would be an asset.

Salary commensurate with experience

All 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 call please. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interview.

MANAGER

POSITION AVAILABLE:

LAS COQUETAS BEAUTY SALON Is looking for

INTERISLAND AVIATION SERVICES GROUP is seeking

Corr, who is also a partner in the law firm MillerSimonsO’Sullivan, said.

In the meantime, Rebecca Astwood, Head of the TCI Investment Unit, which assisted in promoting the event, said that government was ensuring that business promotion in the Turks and Caicos Islands remain strong, while working closely with the FSC to lure businesses here.

“We are here to talk about setting up the business. The ease of doing business is, we work with the private sector. We hear first hand of some of the issues that they find, from getting a license, getting a receipt, and going down to the treasury - there are actual mechanics in making that happen.

“Where government comes in terms of the flow and ease of actually doing business; how we can assist in that respect; how we can work for policy advocacy, and work with the private sector to insure that we have the legislation and the framework to support this. The investment Unit is the focal point of investment and business here on island, not just for foreign investors coming in,” she said.

Nail Technician (Acrylic Cosmetologist) Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 431-0821

Connolly Motors Ltd is seeking a Manager with at least 20 years experience in all departments of Dealership Operations.

Must be trained and knowledgeable in Automotive Parts, Car Sales, Staff Management and capable in operation a show room.

Must possess communication and organizational skills.

Must be 35 years and older.

Willing to work weekends and holidays.

Salary is based on experience.

Apply to Connolly Motors Ltd 649-946-5300

Glamour Girl Beauty Salon Seeks

1 HAIRDRESSER Contact: 941-4708

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

Page 13

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

TCIG records $5.7million surplus in second quarter The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) remains on course to meet is strategic objective of returning a surplus this financial year according to the administration’s report on quarter two (Q2) financial performance published on Monday, October 29th.

The report shows that in first six months of the 2012/13 financial year (April to September 2012), TCIG enjoyed an overall revenue surplus of $5.72m, which was $0.9m above the budget and an improvement of $10.0m on the same period last year.

Recurrent Revenues for Q2 (Jul-Sep 2012) stood at $53.2m versus Recurrent Expenditure of $37.3m, resulting in a Recurrent Surplus of $15.9m. This surplus was then used to fund Non Recurrent Expenditure of $6.6m, Capital Contributions of $1.8m, Debt payments of $7.3m and Herzog planned repayments of $0.5m, resulting in an overall Net Revenue Account Deficit of -$0.4m for the quarter.

The increase in debt payments made during the quarter was a result of TCIG’s commitment to reduce the level of outstanding debt through the use of windfall receipts collected this financial year. As such the unbudgeted NIB receipt of $6.1m received during the quarter was used to make an unbudgeted payment of $6.0m on TCIG’s Revolving Credit Facility.

For the year to date a $5.72m Net Revenue Account Surplus was recorded.

Total Recurrent Revenues stood at $102.4m versus Recurrent Expenditure of $72.6m, Non Recurrent Expenditure of $10.8m, Capital Contributions of $3.5m and total Debt payments of $8.9m.

Income for (Jul-Sep 2012) was $9.7m or (22%) above budget and $9.4m

or (22%) above last year, despite there being challenges in relation to Accommodation Tax, Stamp Duty on Land and Work Permits and Residency Fees.

Total Year to Date Revenue was $7.8m or (8%) above the budget and $18.9m or (20%) above last year, due primarily to the effect of windfall payments from Civil Recovery of $7.3m, and from the TCI National Insurance Board (NIB) of $6.1m.

Second quarter recurrent Expenditure was $1.3m above budget, but $5.1m below 2011/12. Savings compared to the previous year were primarily due to $4.7m being saved in employment costs as a result of the Voluntary Severance Scheme implemented last year.

Year to date Recurrent Expenditure totaled $72.6m, which was marginally ahead of the budget by $0.06m, but below the 2011/12 figure by $3.7m.

‘One off’ Non Recurrent Expenditure was in line with the budget, and $4.8m below last year. The improved performance is due to reductions in payments of Historic Liabilities of just $0.3m and civil recovery costs of $4.1m.

This commitment to publishing quarterly public financial statements is one of the new reforms brought about by the UK-led Interim Administration, and is also a legal requirement of all future Governments after the general election of 9 Nov 2012.

“This report continues the Government’s commitment to the transparent reporting of its finances, a cornerstone of good governance,” said Anya Williams, Deputy Governor and Head of the TCIG Civil Service.

“It also provides information about the steps being taken by the Government towards delivering a fiscal surplus in the

Caicos Television Holding Ltd

Installation and Repair Supervisor This position is responsible for the field technical and customer service results. This position is responsible for coordinating the daily duties of all technical personnel assigned, ensuring daily completion of assigned work and verifying the quality of work performed.

The position is responsible for coordinating all departmental engineering activities; provide guidance and supervision to direct reports, generally ensuring the maintenance of tools and equipment and the integrity of the entire external network. This position assists higher-level technicians and managers in fiber splicing and restoration.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 1) Plan and coordinate all signal transmission works 2) Ensure that the finished work of the technicians conforms to company standards of quality and reliability, and is completed within the time allotted.

3) Ensure that all external signal faults are cleared within the stipulated fault clearing standard, from the time of notice to the Operations Department 4) Arrange and carry out quarterly tool audits within the Operations Department 5) Assist in the development of technicians within the career path.

6) Work with the technicians to develop and improve field knowledge, quality and quantity levels.

7) Ensure all technicians are working in a productive, efficient, safe manner and are following all company processes and procedures.

8) Complete performance appraisals of direct reports monthly for probationers and casuals and quarterly and annually for established staff, 9) Complete various reports and forms, including the weekly progress reports on the number of new installations, quantity of cable dropped, number of faults reported and cleared and drop leads replaced and the monthly technical reports to the Manager of Operations by the second working day of each month 10) Ensure that his/her area is completely driven and measured for signal leakage and all reported leaks are repaired.

11) Effectively balance return and forward plant using the correct pad and equalizer. May be required to perform system sweep 12) Effectively set up and troubleshoot/trunk amplifiers, bridges and line extenders both forward and return. Understand the functions of all active and passive devises in the hard-line and replace when necessary.

13) Perform voltage checks of amplifiers, check and maintain all types of system power supplies.

financial year ending March 2013, as required under TCIG’s 2012/13 budget.

Progress towards this objective was instrumental in facilitating fresh elections in this Territory. As this report shows, although things are improving, significant challenges remain and continuing tight cost control will be required to deliver the budgeted revenue surplus.”

Summary of TCIG income: •Import Duty totalled $22.2m at the end of September; which was $1.2m (5%) below last year and $0.5m (2%) below budget.

•Accommodation Tax was $0.9m or (10.8%) below budget for the quarter and year to date receipts of $17.9m was $1.8m or 9.4% under budget.

•Customs Processing Fees were above last year by $1.0m for the quarter and above budget by $0.03m.

•Stamp Duty for the quarter was $1.9m below budget and $1.8m below the last year. This under performance reflects mostly timing differences in collections.

•Work Permits and Residency Fees for the quarter was $0.7m below the budget and $0.2m above the prior year. A wide spread education and publicity campaign is expected to increase compliance and improve performance.

•Fuel tax revenue of $3.3m is marginally down against the year to date budget by $0.5m, and also shows a negative variance of $0.5m for the quarter.

•Year to date business licence renewals fees of $1.6m were $0.5m less than budget and $0.8m less than last year, due to prepaid renewals in March 2012.

•Civil Recovery Income includes $7.0m in relation to the Hoffman settlement and $2.0m in relation to the Jack Civre settlement. Further revenues in this regard are expected throughout the

remainder of the financial year in relation to the $8.1m Emerald Cay Settlement, which will appear in Q3, among others.

•During the quarter collections in other revenue accounts totalled $9.8m compared to a budget of $10.2m and collections last year of $13.5m.

Summary of TCIG spending: •Personnel costs of $13.9 m were $1.0m less than budget and $4.7m less than the previous year. Year to date expenditure was $0.6m less than budget and $7.5m less than the prior year.

•Provision for Investment in Milestones costs for the quarter of $0.9m was below budget by $0.1m and last year by $0.7m.

•Transfers to NHIB totalled $4.5m during the quarter, which was $1.5m less than the previous year and almost on par with the budget, however, the year to date transfers are only $0.06m more than last year.

•Hospital Provisional charges for the quarter of $7.4m were $1.8m less than the budget and $1.9m less than last year, due primarily to timing differences in the payment of NHIB quarterly reconciliation charges.

•Subventions at the end of September totalled $3.6m and were $0.4m above budget, but $0.5m less than last year.

Spending above budget was a result of the TCI Community College receiving an advance payment of $0.2m during the quarter.

•Rental of assets year to date costs of $2.8m reflect an over spend against budget and last year of $0.3m, which is due to additional building rental costs relating to unbudgeted expenditure primarily on the NJS Francis building.

•Maintenance Expenses of $1.9m during the quarter included: $1.2m in relation to the Solid Waste Management Scheme; $0.1m in relation School Repair Works; $0.2m in relation to Grand Turk Road Repair Work and $.03m in relation to Street Lighting Maintenance work in Providenciales. Works to the Millennium Highway also commenced in the second quarter, but these expenditures of $0.5m will be reflected in the October – Q3 Actual which will be published at the end of the third quarter.

Install and replace power supplies when required.

14) Effectively troubleshoot optical transition nodes (hub) and distribution nodes.

15) Read and record signal levels with the use of field meters including RE meter and Volt/OHM meter.

16) Routinely detect and correct signal leakage.

17) Use the return tester and interpret the results to effectively troubleshoot plant problems.

18) Read and understand all plant blueprints.

19) Design plant extensions, including actives, passives and powering.

Understand and effectively perform underground cable location.

Check, maintain and use proper safety equipment in conformance with Company safety rules and regulations.

20) Become familiar with the safe operation of the work vehicle and ensures vehicle is properly maintained and in proper running condition.

21) Demonstrate and ensure compliance with National Cable Telecommunications Association (NCTA) Customer Service Standards.

22) Safely gaff poles, climb ladders, towers and other structures as needed.

23) Assist in the repair of broken lashing wire, strand and construction of plant extensions.

24) Know specifications perform pole transfers and hard line construction work.

25) Use the Optical Time Domain Reflect Meter and interpret the results to effectively troubleshoot plant problems.

26) Effectively troubleshoot high-speed data problems.

27) Perform other duties in keeping with the position 28) Knowledgeable on National Electrical Code (NEC) and National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) cable clearance specifications 29) Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization QUALIFICATIONS, REQUIREMENTS & EXPERIENCE: Minimum of Associate Degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering or related field Customer Service Essentials Program or equivalent course and or experience. Tap to Home Program or equivalent course and or experience.

Quality Broadband Services or equivalent course and/or experience Valid Driver’s License is essential At least five years job and industry related experience Salary: $37,000.00 - $45,000.00 per annum Plus Benefits not limited to: Cable and Internet discount Company saving plan Contact: WIV Cable P.O. Box 679 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands administrator@wiv.tc or fax 649-946-2896 No telephone calls please

Page 14

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

One (1) Security Guard

Must be of sound and mature mind, physically fit, honest, disciplined and be capable of working with very little or no supervision.

Applicant must have at least 5 years experience as an expolice/soldier/security officer or of similar combined experience with impeccable service record and hold a clean police record.

Must be responsive to surveillance and undercover duties, have experience in writing reports, and have the ability to present same in court.

Must be vigilant, conscientious, alert and observant thus having the ability to detect and prevent criminal activities/offences for the protection of the company, its’ employees and customers as appropriate.

Skills in fire prevention and first aid training an asset Must be prepared to work night shift Applicant must have drivers license with clean record.

Wages $6.50 per hour

One (1) Electrician

Minimum seven years experience in the installation, maintenance and repair of electrical equipment and general labour work pertaining to the business.

Wages: $8.00 per hour

Two (2) Labourers Physical, able-bodied individuals capable of lifting heavy loads Wages: starting from $6.00 per hour

Graceway IGA Supermarket / Kwatcha Holdings are seeking a suitable qualified applicant to fill the position of:

VAT CONSULTANT

.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Train senior staff members about VAT and its impact on the business.

• Devise ways of improving financial reporting systems for efficient production of VAT returns.

• Liaise with IT team on system issues relating to VAT. • Review VAT legislation and liaise with Finance team and Government representatives as appropriate.

• Identify VAT related business issues and design solutions to address such issues.

• Provide VAT advice and support as required relating to the implementation of VAT. Required Qualification / Experience • ACA/ACCA/CPA qualified with a minimum of 15 years post qualification experience in a tax advisory position.

• Extensive experience with Value Added Tax (VAT) related issues in a wide range of jurisdictions essential.

• Experience with preparing VAT returns and developing accounting systems to efficiently complete VAT returns.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Salary rate will commensurate with qualifications and experience Deadline for submission of applicants is November 16th 2012 Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracewayiga.com

One (1) Domestic Worker For general cleaning & other domestic duties Applicant must be of excellent character and work ethics.

Be able to work independently Be willing to work flexible hours Wages: starting from $5.50 per hour

One (1) Labourer

Dispatching and pick up guest and keeping the vehicles clean and tidy.

Wages: starting from $6.00 per hour

One (1) Mason Applicant must have experience in general masonry work with at least 10 years experience.

Wages: from $7.00 per hour

ISLAND PRIDE FUEL

ThrEE (3) GAS ATTENDANTS

Good oral and written skills, no experience necessary.

Knowledge of basic mechanically skills would be an asset.

Knowledge to maintain gas pump machines would be an asset.

Wages: $6.50 per hour

Application forms available from Butterfield Gold human resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified.

Submit applications to by November 9, 2012 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., human resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211

JOB VACANCY

Cost Control Clerk Margaritaville Grand Turk seeks to identify a

REQUIREMENT: - Degree in Accounts or related field and/or at least 5 years experience at the international level.

- At least 2 years experience in Food and Beverage cost control.

- Able to do circulating inventory, continuous inventory & full inventory, monthly and quarterly.

- Conduct bar par inventory on all bars - Ensure controls are in place delivery -Work alongside chef to conduct periodic yield test and menu cost - Conduct daily property walk to detect inefficiencies, wastage - Computer knowledge in excel and other spreadsheet programs.

- Ability to work under stress.

- Communicate orally and in writing.

- Ability to work with minimal supervision.

- Ability to work flexible hours including public holidays, weekends and night shift.

- Energetic and people oriented, reliable with problem solving skills.

- HACCP certification an asset.

Other positions are: Stilt Walker, Entertainment Coordinator, Bartenders, Servers, Bussers/ Runners & Kitchen Helpers.

All applications need to be submitted to the HR department by November 20th, 2012.

Belongers only need apply Margaritaville Grand Turk.

Grand Turk Cruise Center White Sands Beach Grand Turk

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

Page 15

LOCAL NEWS

Page 16

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

SIPT to merge with local Police force The Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT), which comprises several British police officers, will be gradually integrated as a self-contained team within the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and they will be investigating new allegations of corruption apart from those that are presently under probe.

News of this came from Governor Ric Todd who said the SIPT will be tasked with supporting the ongoing prosecutions, ensuring that the current outstanding corruption investigations are concluded and equally important ensuring that their expertise and the information it has gathered is passed to specialist Royal Turks and Caicos islands Police Force officers.

According to the Governor, the enhanced capability within RTCIPF

will investigate any new allegations of corruption coming to notice or being reported, which are not directly connected to the offences against those currently indicted, the subject of arrest warrants, or currently under investigation.

This, he added, will include the RTCIPF working closely with the Integrity Commission with whom it has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on working practices.

Governor Todd noted that the work of the SIPT is overseen by a Strategic Oversight Group in line with good practice in all major investigations.

He said the SIPT has undertaken a broad range of investigations in the TCI to carry out its extensive and detailed work, and its size has fluctuated depending on the requirements of its investigations

and prosecutions: cost control and efficient use of resources have received constant attention.

Governor Todd said the SIPT staffing levels have declined gradually since the beginning of the year and are reviewed at every meeting of the Strategic Oversight Group.

He stated that consequently, costs have also reduced and a further review is due to take place following the Plea and Directions hearing, to ensure the appropriate resources are retained. This will mean that the budget for SIPT in 2013/14 should be lower than this financial year.

Todd stated: “As Governor, I have the constitutional authority to ensure that necessary investigations and prosecutions continue and the necessary resources are allocated for

this.

In carrying out my responsibilities, I will work with the elected Government, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General, the future Director of Public Prosecutions and the Commissioner of Police to ensure that this work is run efficiently and focused on priorities, as with any other part of the TCI public sector.”

Todd added that there will be no let up in the prosecution of those who have been indicted and of any further accused who may be charged with offences investigated by the SIPT. Outstanding investigations and prosecutions will continue to be directed by the Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick and until such time as Director of Public Prosecutions is appointed, subject to the supervision of the Attorney General.

WANTED 1 BABYSITTER

Applicant must be honest, reliable & hardworking Must be fluent in English & French Contact 241-8210 TURQUOISE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY Ltd

is looking for qualified and experienced applicants for the following positions .All interested applicants should send their resumes by email.

Only short listed individuals will be notified by phone.

Tel: 941-7396/ 941-7376 E-MAIL: tccltc@gmail.com

1. Civil Engineers Required, an individual with knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering.

The ability to apply them to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of facilities. The individual should be able to prepare correspondence and reports, analyze facts and exercise independent judgment; establish and maintain effective working relations. Deal effectively with representatives of other organizations and the public.

Experience: 10 – 15 years experience dealing with large portfolios in the Caribbean area • Past cold calling would be an asset Academic qualifications: Bsc civil Engineering, business administration.

Salary: $36,000.00 per annum 2. Foremen: • Requires the individual to direct lead people and projects and meeting standards set out by the management.

• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision • Ability to work in cooperation with other crews and contractors.

• Ability to read and layout construction and drawing to site conditions.

• Assist the manager of construction in producing purchasing documents, assisting in study of spreadsheets such as fuel usage ,hours etc Experience: 5-10 years Salary: $24000.00

3. Office Administrator/ Marketing: Daily duties include (but are not limited to): • Act as support to all managers ( Engineers, CFO ,General manager and all other staff ) • To deal with general and customer enquiries via phone and email • Willing to take on additional tasks as required and learn new skills • Support staff in assigned project based work.

• Setup accommodation and entertainment

arrangements for company visitors.

• Carry out general administrative and office managerial tasks including filing, telephone answering, data entry, record keeping, printing, binding etc.

• Undertake of market research and analysis • Generating new business leads and providing sales and marketing for the firm.

Special requirements: • The ability and confidence to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing • Possess good interpersonal skills, e.g. tact, sensitivity, ability to listen, to be assertive at times.

• Ability to work to deadlines and targets can prioritise tasks under pressure.

• The ability to work quickly, flexibly, effectively and positively in response to requests made at short notice.

• Flexible and adaptable, comfortable with juggling a range of tasks in a fast-moving, dynamic start-up environment • Pro-active, ability to work under own initiative without direction • The ability to prioritise and organise own workload in an effective and accurate manner, whilst working within broad guidelines.

• Reliable and trustworthy • Good organisational skills and able to pay attention to detail

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 10 years experience of working in Human Resource Customer Service oriented offices and Marketing.

Previous experience in a Construction company is a plus.

Academic: Business Administration & Marketing Degree.

Salary: $22,000 PER ANNUM

All applicants should be prepared to work on weekends and overtime. A detailed job description will be provided at the office to qualified individuals.

Bartender

THE WEST BAY CLUB is seeking a To work 6 days per week Must have at least 1 year experience in this area Salary: $6.00 per hour. (Only Belongers need apply) Contact: 247-1554

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

Two of Jais’ robbery defendants freed In one of the longest criminal trials in recent times in the Turks and Caicos Islands, two defendants, Lorenzo Caesar and Jo’Ram Rigby, of the four charged for the armed robbery of Jais’ Jewelry store in Grace Bay, Providenciales were set free on October 30th.

A trial which started in early September of this year has been weaving its way forward through a wealth of legal submissions from both prosecuting and defence counsel.

Legal technicalities about DNA, confessions and a slew of other legal

issues arising in the trial have seen long days in court where the legal mind of prosecutor, Evans Welch, was matched against the defence comprised of Noel Skippings, Laura Maroof, Courtenay Barnett and selfdefending accused, Wilkie Arthur.

Arthur, the SUN has learned, had imported London counsel on legal aid, whom he subsequently fired and then continued to defend himself. Matters came to a critical head on the morning of Tuesday 30th October,2012 when prosecutor Welch informed the court that of the four defendants he would be

Man Sentenced to 5 years in prison on gun-related charges In Grand Turk on Friday 26 October 2012, a 29-year-old male pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court to Possession of Unlicensed Firearm and Possession of Ammunition.

It was reported that on Friday 17 August 2012 Tactical Unit officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police conducted a search on a grey Toyota Corolla car owned by a Claudin Ulyess. During the search a 9mm pistol with 6 rounds of 380mm ammunition was found.

Claudin Ulyess was charged also for Possession of Unlicensed Firearm with intent to cause fear to which was withdrawn.

After hearing the facts Judge Hayles accepted the plea and Ulyess was sentenced to 5years imprisonment.

According to Sergeant Andy Harry of the Criminal Investigation Division, “I hope this sends a strong message to any individual who may be in possession of an illegal firearm or ammunition to turn it in to the authorities.”

He continued: “We will continue to urge members of the public who may know or have any information relating to anyone with firearm(s) to report it to the authorities. If you have a firearm in your possession and are afraid to bring it in, you can call us and tell us where it is and we will pick it up.”

HOLIDAY VILLAGE Is seeking

SECURITY GUARD

Weekly salary: $225 Working hours: 6 days per week Contact 946-5500

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dropping the case against two of the defendants.

Caesar was represented by Laura Maroof, while Rigby was represented

by Courtenay Barnett.

The Chief Justice told the court: “Proceedings against Mr. Arthur and Ms. Lockhart continue. Proceedings against Messrs. Rigby and Ceasar do not continue. That is a decision of the Crown for which no reason needs to be or has been given, and which does not affect the proceedings as against Mr. Arthur or Ms. Lockhart, save to the extent that their co-accused are no longer co-accused in the dock with them. As I will tell you during my summing up, speculation is no part of your function as a jury so I encourage you against speculation as to any reasons for this decision; nor should that decision affect the way you consider the evidence presented to you

in this case.”

However, a proviso and conditionality is reserved by the Crown prosecutor to re-charge the two defendants if changed circumstances or evidence later warrant that same can be advanced if the Crown sees a reasonable prospect of a conviction.

Roxanne Lockhart, represented by Noel Skippings and the “illustrious” Wilkie Arthur, continues as counsel on his own behalf.

The Sun noted that Caesar merrily left the court house and with a broad smile jumped on a freedom ride in the back of a pick-up truck passing the Grand Turk Court House. Rigby, by contrast, the SUN can confirm, does not have as easy a ride. He is facing further charges in other matters. The trial continues presided over by the Honourable Chief Justice, Edwin Goldsborough.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE COSMETOLOGIST

Minimum five years experience working as an aesthetician /cosmetologist. The applicant must have pleasant personality and excellent customer service skills. Be able to work independently.

Be willing to work flexible hours Kindly respond to: The Manager Lelieth’s Ltd, Town Center Mall, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands. Telephone (649) 231-1729

ACCOUNTANT – 3 month contract

Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will be an integral part of the Finance team ensuring all work is performed in line with Digicel policies and procedures.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: • Assisting with month end process through preparation of journals and compilation of commercial analysis • Compiling and analyzing KPI’s on a daily basis • Preparation of detailed financial analysis of Income Statement • Assist with design and implementation of process improvements • Liaise with internal and external auditors • Preparation of Financial Statements in line with IFRS • Assist with implementation of VAT procedures • Review of General Ledger transactions • Cashflow and statutory reporting • Assisting Finance Manager in ad hoc duties

Academic Qualifications & Functional Skills • Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting • ACA/ACCA/CPA qualification with IFRS experience • VAT experience • Experience in a dynamic fast-paced multinational environment desirable • Excellent communication skills • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills • Working knowledge Microsoft Dynamics GP, would be desirable but not essential • Flexible and adaptable to an ever changing set of responsibilities, constrained by tight deadlines

Salary Based on Experience Interested applicants should forward their resume to hrtci@digicelgroup.com

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

LOCAL NEWS

Hurricane Sandy disrupts New York flights to TCI

BY VIVIAN TYSON SUN SENIOR EDITOR

Hurricane Sandy, which wreaked havoc on the east coast of the United States, particularly New Jersey and New York State, has jolted travel in the Turks and Caicos Islands, causing both airlift and visitor cancellations.

Sandy, which some commentators have affixed the monikers “Frankenstein Storm,” or “Super Storm”, severely disrupted Jet Blue’s operation from the John F. Kennedy International Airport to the Turks and Caicos, suspending all flights on that route since Monday, October 29.

However, Jet Blue’s General Manager for the Turks and Caicos Islands, Winston Wright, told The SUN that the airline was hoping to resume operations on that route by the weekend.

“The last flight was Sunday (October 28). We are planning to resume operations to Turks and Caicos tomorrow (Friday, November 2),” Wright said.

However, at press time it was not clear as to whether or not that was achieved, as conditions would based on the airline’s ability to use the JFK airport, which was inundated by the many feet of water as a result of Sandy’s wrath.

Wright said that outbound guests

Winston Wright, General Manager for Jet Blue

had been impacted. He said some had already made alternative travel arrangements with other airlines to depart the TCI, so as to get as near as possible to their homes in New York.

“We have had to rebook customers onto later flights. Some folks have decided to try other carriers to get close to New York, so they could probably drive into New York. So, some folks have cancelled, others have gone on American or other carriers, to try and see if they can get close to New York,” Wright explained.

The local Jet Blue general manager said that while Sandy caused a backlog of outbound passengers, the problem should be alleviated in maximum three days.

Administration/ Help desk Manager

Interhealth Canada Construction & Services are currently recruiting for an experienced Helpdesk Manager / Facilities Management Administrator / supporting the General Manager as an Executive Assistant.

Main responsibilities • Quality Management –Monitoring of KPI compliance data, managing corporate Policies & Procedures, Risk Assessments & SSOW, H&S manual, control of management documents, generating contractual management report in accordance with the project agreement.

• Contract Management – RFP, Contract issue & monitor, Permit to Work, Legislative documentation • Financial Management – Purchasing, invoicing, month-end cost centre analysis; knowledge of contract variations is essential.

• Estate Management – generating PPMs, monitoring of reactive and scheduled WOs, quoted works, subcontractor liaison & service schedule.

• Reception, FM HelpDesk, Telephony & Security services – Day to day operations, recruitment, training & development, performance management.

• All other related duties as assigned for the role of Administration Manager & Executive Assistant - managing tasks such as Payroll, staff Personal files, conferences & associated catering, travel, corporate communications, FM department support, stationary, printing, filing etc.

Skills Attention to details & high level of accuracy Excellent skills in Microsoft Office (Excel, word, outlook) at a highly proficient level; knowledge of software such as TrackIt& Visual Dolphin will be advantageous Thorough knowledge of Access database for recording information and designing bespoke reports Excellent interpersonal & communication skills Organised with time management skills& ability to prioritise

Education and Experience: College Degree with minimum 8 years’ experience, preferably some of working within Hospital Estates managing FM helpdesk services.

PPP / PFI contract management experience Membership to Institute of Facilities Management Additional Certification in Human Resource/ Business Administration/ Accounts/ Quality will be preferred Knowledge of executive offices practices and procedures Salary is based on qualifications and experience Please forward CV‘s with email and telephone contact to llawrence@interhealthcanada.tc the closing date for application is Friday 2nd November 2012

Ralph Higgs, Director for the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board

“For the numbers that we had, the flights were not full to capacity, so obviously, any impact at all would be felt, whether it’s fifty or a hundred people can’t get home, that’s the bottom line. But the flights weren’t full, so it should take us a couple of days – maybe two or three days to get everybody that has been impacted on their way,” Wright declared.

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

For his part, Director of Tourism, Ralph Higgs told The SUN that there had not been widespread cancellations to the resorts, as a number of guests had decided to reschedule their flights into the TCI. “There have not been massive cancellations at the resorts. There have been deferments – people have rescheduled. The return of Jet Blue hinges on when the airport in New York is open. I know that La Guardia is partially open, and it is expected that JFK, the last report I saw, should reopen today (November 1) or tomorrow.

“So we expect, all things considered, to see a return to some operations in very short order. I should take this opportunity to extend our best wishes and thoughts to residents of the east coast that were affected by the storm, and that the entire population of our population is pulling for them,” the Tourism Director said.

Sandy, which developed off the cost of Central America, inflicted serious damage on the Caribbean, mainly Jamaica Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas, killing approximately 69 persons in its wake. She skirted the Turks and Caicos dumping rains and above normal winds.

Up to press time, the storm had killed approximately 70 persons in the US, 34 of whom were killed in New York City alone.

LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

Candidate must have 3-4 years of experience in the related area of field Must have through knowledge of the following: -Must have degree in Business Management -Advanced knowledge and skills in computer systems, most specifically Quick Books Pro 2007, Warehouse Management System Pro 2010(WMS) -Expertise in using Inventory Control Management System -Extensive knowledge of NCR 7456 POS system -Assist in developing strategies to improve the service -Ensure the goods are received in good condition -Verifies inventory locations and availability for shipment against requirements specified in purchase orders -Candidate must be Multilingual Salary commensurate with experience Interested applicants should email resume to qualityfs@alliedcaribbean.com Belongers Preferred

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WANTED

1 BABYSITTER

Applicant must be honest, reliable & hardworking Contact 242-7457 COVE CONSTRUCTION LTD

SPACE FOR RENT LAS COQUETAS BEAUTY SALON You can rent space with chair all included Call 431-0821 Puedo Alguilar or De Sillo Jeguiros 345-7872

Cove Construction wishes to employ a Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic.

A Minimum of five years experience with the appropriate qualification is a must.

Must be very proficient, honest and a reliable worker. Quality person must be willing to work of island, Overtime, weekends and holidays. Clean police record is essential. Belonger only needs to apply.

Wages starting at $10.00 per hour Please contact Mr. Keith Howell Chief of Maintenance 941-5548 Email: keith.cove@tciway.tc

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Applicant must be honest, reliable & hardworking and fluent in English Contact 341-8831

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

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LOCAL NEWS

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OCTOBER 27TH - NOVEMBER 3RD, 2012

LOCAL NEWS

As the Leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement, I take this opportunity to reach out to the voting public in the Turks and Caicos Islands confirming my candidacy as an Island wide/At large candidate for the upcoming general elections on November 9th.

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

for them up until 2007 when I retired from politics.

I have always been strong on the moral issues and have sought the support of the clergy on constitution issues that threatened to erode our moral fibre. I am and have always Been a fighter for the rights of the majority at large as a civil rights activist, since the days of McCartney.

I have served as Chief Minister of this country on two separate occasions since being the first deputy Chief Minister and minister of Health, Education, Welfare and Local Government in the first Since retiring from politics in 2007, my most recent assignment ministerial government headed by the late great JAGS McCartney, was that of a pastor over Firm Foundation Ministries in Grand Turk. our first Chief minister and National Hero. Additionally, I have held However, after being called to shepherd a national flock , and seeing the every other ministerial portfolio with the exception of a few. distressful condition in which the PNP and the British have placed our country, I answered the calling.

During all my thirty years in politics I was an elected official who have never lost an election. It is also noteworthy to mention that I have I embrace this opportunity to offer an apology to any and everybody never been questioned by the police on suspicion of committing any that I may have wronged during my life time or for any wrong that crime, never charged with any crime and never deemed corrupt by any anyone may consider that I have done to this country over the years, and commission of enquiry or any other investigative body. While I have I seek your forgiveness. At the same time I forgive anyone that may have been deemed unfit for public office in a 1996 Commission of enquiry done me wrong over the years. for alleged conspiracy in the burning of a government building, I have not been deemed corrupt in any way. Moreover, after that inquiry, I This is a time more than ever before, for unity and a collaborative went on to win general elections in 1988 and became Chief Minister effort going forward with both the private, the public sector and the and was ratified by the British government. I have since held a number citizenry of this country, for the benefit of all of us who live in this our of other ministerial posts as well in various PDM administrations.

'Beautiful By Nature' Turks and Caicos Islands.

My achievement include the development of the Providenciales and Grand Turk international airports, both the runway and terminal buildings, the development of Tourism to an enviable level resulting in a personal award from the Caribbean Tourism Association. Most of the major airlines that now fly to this destination, were the result of efforts by the ministry of tourism under my leadership as minister.

The introduction of Eco Tourism as an integral aspect of our industry, is also my brainchild.The localization of senior posts such as director of Immigration, director of Education, Director of Labour, Director of Civil Aviation, Director of Tourism, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Public Health Inspector to name a few, are all my accomplishments.

Prior to that, for the most part, British Officials held those posts.

I am also responsible for the Establishment of statutory bodies and government auxiliary departments inclusive of the Tourist Board, The Philatelic Bureau, the Culture Department, the Sports Commission, the Amateur Athletic Association; and the list goes on. I was also responsible for the introduction of the National junior Championship games that afforded our youth the chance to participate and compete in sports at a national level.

In conclusion, to every qualified voter in this country, I seek your support at the polls in this upcoming general elections. I pledge to you, that a vote for me and the other People's Democratic Movement candidates, would be the very best investment that you can make in your future and that of your love ones, your friends and indeed your country.

I assure you that as a result of your support at the polls on November 9th, among many other achievements that are outlined in our Blue Print (Manifesto) my team and I will offer you; GODLY LEADERSHIP ~ Strong, Proven, Committed and Experienced REPRESENTATION ~ Assertive, Firm and Dependable GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE FOR THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE YOUTH ~ Recognition, Inclusion, Development & Empowerment ECONOMY ~ Strong, Vibrant, Diversified & Sustainable JOBS ~ Enforcement of immigration & labour policies & Creation of new jobs through development.

DEVELOPMENT ~ "OPEN FOR BUSINESS" Aggressive, innovative,

national development agenda.

HEALTH CARE ~ An alternative national program, that's affordable, efficient & available to all.

TOURISM, AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES: Diversification, advancement, promotion & New markets.

EDUCATION ~ Restructuring from early childhood to tertiary; including technical education.

The youth have always been at the top of my agenda and that is reflected in the fact that it was also I as minister of government that took Turks and Caicos athletes for the first time to the Commonwealth Games in 1978, for the first time to the CARIFTA Games, The Gator TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY & HONESTY IN and Florida Relays, and the Pan Am games. As a matter of fact, the GOVERNMENT very first professional sports coach was brought to these Islands during my tenure as minister responsible for sports. Moreover, the youth Day holiday was also one of my achievements in national recognition of the Remember that It is your civic responsibility to vote and so please live up to that responsibility. My love for my country and people is as potent and youth. passionate as ever, and my ability to turn this country around with God's Over the years after starting a scholarship program that catered to leading and the support of Team PDM, the private sector and yourself, is our students and teachers that wanted to further their education, I have unquestionable. A vote for me and the PDM team is a vote for progress constantly helped numerous young people by securing scholarships and prosperity for all.

"Together We Are One"

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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BELONGERSHIPS BELONGER STAUTUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance Take notice that I, Governor of The Turks and Caicos, in excercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 3 (2) of Immigration Ordinace, intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to MRS. GLADYS LOUIS JEANHIGGS of Providenciales, a national of Haiti being satisfied by virtue of marriage to a belonger of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

BELONGER STAUTUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance Take notice that I, Governor of The Turks and Caicos, in excercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 3 (2) of Immigration Ordinace, intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to MRS. YRACIDE GEDEON MORLEY of Providenciales, a national of Haiti, being satisfied by virtue of marriage to a belonger of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

BELONGER STAUTUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance Take notice that I, Governor of The Turks and Caicos, in excercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 3 (2) of Immigration Ordinace, intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to MRS. CARMEN PATRICIA WELSH-HANCHELL of Providenciales, a national of Jamaica, being satisfied by virtue of marriage to a belonger of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

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BELONGERSHIPS BELONGER STAUTUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance

Take notice that I, Governor of The Turks and Caicos, in excercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 3 (2) of Immigration Ordinace, intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to MRS. MADELEINE JEANGORDON of Providenciales, a national of Haiti being satisfied by virtue of marriage to a belonger of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

BELONGER STAUTUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance Take notice that I, Governor of The Turks and Caicos, in excercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 3 (2) of Immigration Ordinace, intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to MRS. ALLISON THERESA DREPAUL SAUL HIGGS of Providenciales, a national of Guyana, being satisfied by virtue of marriage to a belonger of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

BELONGER STAUTUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance Take notice that I, Governor of The Turks and Caicos, in excercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 3 (2) of Immigration Ordinace, intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to MRS. CHRISTINE LAURE-SHEARER of Providenciales, being satisfied by virtue of marriage to a belonger of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

BELONGER STAUTUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance Take notice that I, Governor of The Turks and Caicos, in excercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 3 (2) of Immigration Ordinace, intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to MRS. CYLIANE EMMANUELPALMER of Providenciales, a national of Haiti, being satisfied by virtue of marriage to a belonger of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

BELONGER STAUTUS APPLICATION (Section 3 (2) of the Immigration Ordinance Take notice that I, Governor of The Turks and Caicos, in excercise of the powers conferred on me by Section 3 (2) of Immigration Ordinace, intend to grant a Certificate of Belonger Status to CLAUDINA ULYSSE-BOYCE of Providenciales, a national of Haiti, being satisfied by virtue of marriage to a belonger of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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HIGHLIGHTS

• Brazilian man appears very much alive at his own funeral READ MORE ON PAGE 33

e Bahamas to hold referendum next month on gambling by citizens The prime minister of the Bahamas says a referendum next month will decide if some forms of legalized gambling will be permitted for citizens.

Bahamians are barred from gambling in the casinos at the islands’ tourist resorts. But underground gambling operations called ‘‘web shops’’ where islanders bet on numbers in televised U.S. lotteries have become increasingly popular.

Prime Minister Perry Christie announced Thursday that a Dec. 3 referendum will decide if the underground gambling houses will be legalized, regulated and taxed.

Christie says the measure would generate $20 million a year in taxes if it passes. But his government has vowed to shut down illegal gaming if the referendum is rejected.

The gambling referendum, which is expected to be held before the end

of the year, will have many components to it, according to the prime minister.

In a recent interview, Perry Christie told The Bahama Journal recently that he is considering a lottery component as well as casino regulations, which will all be part of the referendum when announced.

“I’m having detailed discussions with my advisors and we are doing this on all fronts with respect to improving and strengthening casino regulations and the kind of games they play and making us more competitive,” he said.

“At the same time we are focusing on the web operations as well. When I make the next communication it’s going to be a very serious one based on the concerns that my advisors have with respect to web operations especially if they are not regulated. I most certainly want the referendum to be held before the end of the year as

well. I’m not changing that.”

Mr. Christie added, however, that he is concerned about the lottery component of the referendum.

“The only question I have is whether I have a working situation with the lottery,” he said.

“Is it feasible, given the size of our population and having to depend on the Americans, to do it because if it does that would mean they would take the money back to the United States. There is a compelling necessity though to do something about this issue and it will happen before 2013.”

President of the Bahamas Christian Council (BCC), Dr Ranford Patterson has accused the government of failing to take a position on the issue of gambling.

He said he felt it was because members fear that the impending gambling referendum could fail.

So far, the government has

Barbados will not be pressured into devaluing its currency says Central Bank Governor RIDGETOWN, Barbados - Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde has suggested to Barbadian authorities that a devaluation of the Barbados dollar would make the country’s tourism more competitive and help its economy to grow.

According to a recent press statement issued by the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB), this suggestion was made to the bank’s governor Dr DeLisle Worrell as he attended a recent breakfast meeting with the Fund and the President of the World Bank.

However, the island’s chief economist shot down the IMF head’s suggestion, pointing out in the statement that: “To most of us in the Caribbean, it does not seem rational to impoverish yourself to grow your economy. To us, it is obvious that is what devaluation implies.”

Governor Worrell acknowledged that this point was not so obvious to Americans and Europeans and he pointed out that in a recent publication that was distributed during the IMF Annual Meetings in Tokyo he explained why things appear so differently from the point of view of small open economies.

In light of recent Barbados media reports that portrayed the exchange between Worrell and Lagarde as a contentions exchange, the CBB head also took pains to disabuse the public of that notion in the press statement.

“The breakfast meeting of the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and the President of the World Bank is a private meeting with Ministers of Finance and Governors of Central Banks of the Caribbean, at which no press are present and no record is taken for public circulation. It is unhelpful if such private exchanges, offered in the search for better understanding among the parties, are made public, creating an impression of conflict where none exists,” said Worrell in the statement.

“The Caribbean values very highly the opportunity that the International Monetary Fund and World Bank provide us, to air our concerns in frank and open discussion. In correspondence after the breakfast meeting, I reassured Madame Lagarde that, like my colleagues in the region, I am highly appreciative of the initiatives that the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have undertaken to focus on the concerns of the Caribbean and other small nations. Madame Lagarde sent a gracious response confirming her commitment to the ongoing relationship,” stated the CBB governor.

declined to publicly state a position on the matter.

All it has said is that the Bahamian people will be allowed free choice to vote for or against gambling.

Rev. Patterson has said, however, that in the lead up to voting, the BCC plans to clearly repeat its anti-gambling argument.

“The government needs to make a decision and state their case,” Rev Patterson said a few weeks ago. “Let’s say this referendum is a disaster, who is going to take the responsibility for wasting taxpayer dollars and wasting time that could have been used on other more important things in this country.

If this is such a major issue just do it.”

The BCC president said the government should also take note of the long term implications of gambling that could cause thousands of Bahamians’ regrets if the referendum did return more “yes” than “no” votes.

Vybz Kartel murder trial now set for December 3 KINGSTON, Jamaica — The murder trial of controversial dancehall deejay Vybz Kartel and co-accused Nigel Thompson and Lenburgh McDonald has been postponed until December.

The trial was scheduled to get underway in the Home Circuit on Monday, but was rescheduled to December 3 as the prosecution said it was not ready.

The three men, who are represented by attorneys Tom and Chris Tavares-Finson and Michael Deans, are facing charges in relation to the murder of a St Catherine man in July 2011.

Kartel, who has been behind bars Vybz Kartel since September 2011 following his arrest in a Corporate Area hotel, is to stand trial alongside Thompson and McDonald for the shooting death of Barrington 'Bossie' Bryan who was gunned-down in his Gregory Park community.

The jailed dancehall deejay (born Adidja Palmer) is on JAM$3million bail in relation to that charge, but it has availed him nothing since he is being held on a second murder charge, scheduled to go to trial next month.

Also to stand trial with Kartel for the August 2011 beating death of Clive 'Lizard' Williams are Calvin Hay, entertainer Shawn 'Shawn Storm' Campbell, Andre St John, Kahira Jones and Shane Williams.

Williams, who was killed in Havendale, St Andrew, was reportedly slain over a missing gun.

Meanwhile, the dancehall star, along with Vanessa ‘Gaza Slim’ Saddler and Andre ‘Pim-Pim’ Henry are to be tried in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court on November 12 on a charge of perverting the course of justice in relation to the Williams murder.

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CARIBBEAN NEWS

Caribbean mourns 65 after Sandy’s passage The storm-related death toll across the Caribbean from Hurricane Sandy has risen to 65, with 51 of those coming in Haiti.

While Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas took direct hits from the storm, the majority of deaths and most extensive damage was in impoverished Haiti, where it has rained almost nonstop since Tuesday.

"This is a disaster of major proportions," Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe said.

He explained that the death toll jumped on Saturday because it was the first day that authorities were able to go out and assess the damage, which he estimated was in the hundreds of millions of dollars, the bulk of it in lost crops.

Sandy hit eastern Cuba as a Category 2 hurricane early Thursday and also killed 11 people while destroying or damaging tens of thousands of houses - 5,000 houses are said to have at least partially collapse while 30,000 others lost roofs.

As if the mud, misery, loss of life and homelessness in Hurricane Sandy’s wake weren’t bad enough, the worst may yet be to come for disasterravaged Haiti.

Massive crop damage throughout the southern third of the country, as well as the likelihood of a spike in cases of cholera and other water-borne diseases, could mean that the impoverished country will experience the deadliest effects of the storm’s havoc in the days and weeks ahead.

Sandy claimed the most lives in the Caribbean in Haiti, as swollen rivers and landslides resulted in a death toll of at least 52 persons, according to the country's Civil Protection office.

Over three days of continuous rain

left roads and bridges heavily damaged, cutting off access to several towns and a key border crossing with the Dominican Republic, moreover.

According to Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, "the economy took a huge hit" and the hurricane’s impact was devastating, "even by international standards". He added that Haiti was planning an appeal for emergency aid.

"Most of the agricultural crops that

were left from Hurricane Isaac were destroyed during Sandy," Lamothe said, "so food security will be an issue."

The widespread loss of crops and supplies in the south, both for commercial growers and subsistence farmers, is a source of grave concern.

A series of nationwide protests and general strikes over the rising cost of living rocked the country even before Hurricane Sandy hit, and Jean Debalio

Jean-Jacques, the Ministry of Agriculture's director for the southern department, said he worried that the massive crop loss "could aggravate the situation."

"The storm took everything away," he said. "Everything the peasants had in reserve - corn, tubers - all of it was devastated. Some people had already prepared their fields for winter crops and those were devastated."

Eight Caribbean territories serviced

by LIAT are uneconomical BASSETERRE, St Kitts – LIAT will be approaching eight of the territories it services for financial assistance given that these routes are costing the Caribbean airline more than it makes from attending to them.

This was indicated by LIAT chief executive officer, Captain Ian Brunton, as he addressed the recently concluded state of the industry conference hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) in St Kitts.

“LIAT cannot continue to meet the cost of these social routes,” Brunton told the gathering as he described 35 percent of the airline’s 112 daily flights as “social (uneconomic) routes”.

The airline operates the intra-regional routes in the Caribbean going as far north as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in the south, also flying into the US and British Virgin Islands and the French Caribbean, Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Without saying which markets are uneconomical, Brunton says the routes are in and out of eight countries.

“We intend to approach those markets to provide support on the uneconomic routes,” says the former CEO of Caribbean Airlines.

“If the support is not given, we shall have to wean out the flights,” Brunton told ministers and directors of tourism from the Caribbean at the CTO discussion on the Challenge

of Regional Transportation: Where are the Solutions?

The airline is owned by three of the 11 CARICOM governments -- Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Antigua and Barbuda -- and seven non-CARICOM territories benefit from the service LIAT provides. Those nonCARICOM territories are: United States Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Aruba, Guadeloupe and Martinique.

Brunton revealed that bearing the costs of uneconomic social routes is not the only problem faced by LIAT. High operating costs, fees and taxes on the industry, stifling regulations and security challenges, competition and a steady fall-off (20 percent) in intra-regional travel over the last five years as a result of the international recession that goes back to 2008, are significant elements of LIAT’s problems.

Added to this were the factors of thin and fragmented markets, limited economies of scale, high employee costs, coupled with aggressive trade union activity.

Brunton, who came into the job in August 2012, projects a turnaround of the airline’s fortunes in 12 months. The basis for the turnaround is hinged on a number of factors.

One is for “Caribbean governments to find innovative ways to increase the volume of passengers rather than imposing high fees and charges,” said Brunton.

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HIGHLIGHTS

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• Obama widens ballot lead with Sandy push READ MORE ON PAGE 42

Hurricane Sandy’s Economic Damage Could Reach $50 Billion Widespread power outages and subway shutdowns may wind up making Superstorm Sandy the second most expensive storm in U.S. history, according to the forecasting firm Eqecat. That would rank it right behind Hurricane Katrina.

Eqecat said Thursday that the damage from the storm will likely be far worse than it previously predicted, largely a result of Sandy hitting the most densely populated area in the country.

The firm doubled its previous estimate for the total bill and now says Sandy may have caused between $30 billion and $50 billion in economic losses, including property damage, lost Sandy will end up causing about $20 billion in property damages and $10 billion to $50 billion more in lost business, according to IHS Global Insight, a forecasting firm. business and extra living expenses.

The cost to insurance companies could The new numbers square with an Insight. IHS said Sandy could cause run as low as $10 billion and as high earlier estimate from IHS Global about $20 billion in property damages as $20 billion. and between $10 billion and $30 billion in lost business.

The firm pointed to two reasons that Sandy will leave a bigger bill than it first thought. Power outages are more widespread than in a typical Category 1 storm, Eqecat said. Sandy knocked out electricity for more homes and businesses than any other storm in history, according to the Department of Energy.

In New York, lower Manhattan's Battery Park recorded nearly 14-foot tide, smashing a record set by 1960's Hurricane Donna by more than 3 feet.

The city had already halted service on its bus and train lines, closing schools and ordering about 400,000 people out of their homes in low-lying areas of Manhattan and elsewhere.

Flooding forced the closure of all three of the major airports in the area, LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty. Water seeped into subway stations in Lower Manhattan and into the tunnel connecting Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, while high winds damaged a crane perched atop a Midtown skyscraper under construction, forcing authorities to evacuate the surrounding area.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters there was an "extraordinary" amount of water in Lower Manhattan, as well as downed trees throughout the city and widespread power outages.

"We knew that this was going to be a very dangerous storm, and the storm has met our expectations," he

said. "The worst of the weather has come, and city certainly is feeling the impacts."

The storm was blamed for more than 2.8 million outages across the Northeast. About 350,000 of them were in the New York city area, where utility provider Con Edison reported it had also cut power to customers in parts of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan to protect underground equipment as the storm waters rose.

But as water crept into its substations, Con Ed said it had lost service to about 250,000 customers in Manhattan -- including most of the island south of 39th Street.

The lack of subway service in New York City and blocked roadways will also push the total cost higher, Eqecat said.

Before the storm hit, Eqecat had estimated that total economic losses from Sandy could range as high as $20 billion and that losses to insurance companies could reach $10 billion.

Payouts for insurance claims are typically a fraction of the overall cost to the economy.

If the damages hit $50 billion, it would make Sandy the secondcostliest U.S. storm after Katrina in 2005. Katrina's overall costs were $108 billion. Taking inflation into account, that works out to $128 billion today.

Even after adjusting for inflation, the high end of Eqecat's damage estimates for Sandy would be higher than those caused by previous major storms. Andrew, which struck in 1992, cost $44 billion in today's dollars, and the Ike storm of 2008 cost $32 billion.

Another major firm that calculates the cost of catastrophes, RMS, is gathering information before it makes its first estimate. RMS said Thursday that it has two reconnaissance teams out surveying the damage. The firm has offices in Hoboken, N.J., where floodwaters stranded thousands of people.

Eqecat's estimates only cover private losses, not costs covered by the government through the National Flood Insurance Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Max Mayfield, the hurricane center director during Katrina, said the costs to FEMA can be $2 to $2.5 for every dollar of losses covered by private insurance.

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TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

WORLD NEWS

Obama widens ballot lead with Sandy push With only days left to Election Day in the United States and efforts underway to clean up damage done by disastrous super storm Sandy, presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney boosted their campaign efforts in battleground states as polls currently show them tied at 49-49.

The hurricane, which left at least 54 dead and millions without power along the East Coast, is still the top issue in the U.S. with estimations it will have an effect on the Nov. 6 poll results.

Obama’s decision to suspend his election campaign for three days while Romney was driving a full-speed blitz in Florida and in other swing states worked well for the president, according to an ABC poll showing nearly 75 percent of respondents believed Obama handled the storm positively.

Another advantage for Obama was his close cooperation with the Republican governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, proving his bipartisanship even in the closing days of a heated campaign. Christie and

Aimed at dressing wounds of fellow US citizens who were hit hard by a super-storm, which claims many lives and brings destruction, President Obama (L) hugs a marina owner after her business was destroyed in New Jersey.

many other Republicans praised Obama for his leadership during the hurricane and even Romney applauded the president’s return to Washington to handle the disastrous storm.

Surveys show tied race However, one disadvantage for both sides is a possible decrease in

election turnout likely to affect Virginia, where both leaders are neck and neck. Obama is believed to be two points ahead in this 13-representative state but nothing is certain until the last vote is counted.

Nationwide surveys indicate the Obama-Romney race is very close,

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

with a recent Washington Post/ABC poll reflecting a tie at 49-49 while the Wall Street Journal indicated a threepoint lead for Obama.

However, according to the American election system, having the most votes nationwide does not always pave the way to the White House.

Instead, a candidate with at least 270 votes in the Electoral College will gain the presidency. This was experienced in 2000 when Al Gore lost against George W. Bush after his narrow defeat in Florida, one of the leading swing states.

There are nine swing-states that could go to either party: Florida, Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Caroline, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Most recent surveys of four battleground states showed Obama leading by 3 percentage points in Ohio and 2 points in Virginia. The two rivals are dead even in Florida and Romney leads by 1 percentage point in Colorado. With total of 59 representatives, the decisions of these four states will likely decide who will lead the U.S. until 2016.

After suspending his campaign for three days to handle the storm, Obama is now gearing up for his pre-election campaign with appearances in Nevada, Colorado and Ohio. Obama started his campaign trail from Wisconsin while Romney addressed his electorate in Virgina.

New battle in Britain over budget for Europe

British millionaire pleads guilty in Iran missile scheme

LONDON — Prime Minister David Cameron, who rose to power promising to unite his Conservative Party’s warring factions over Britain’s role in Europe, suddenly faces a political battle on the issue. Late Wednesday night, despite intense lobbying by Mr. Cameron, a large faction of euro-skeptic Conservative rebels joined forces with members of the Labour Party to defeat a proposal backed by the prime minister on the European Union’s pending 1 trillion euro, or $1.3 trillion, budget.

Although Mr. Cameron wants Europe to exert budgetary discipline, his measure would have supported allowing European Union spending to increase at the rate of inflation over the seven-year life of the budget.

Labour has traditionally been proEuropean Union. But Labour members of Parliament, along with the Conservative renegades, argue that at a time of deep publicsector cuts in Britain, accepting less than similar spending reductions by the European Union would be intolerable.

The vote on Wednesday night was nonbinding. But the political significance for Mr. Cameron, who will start budget talks with his 26 European Union partners at a summit meeting on Nov. 22 in Brussels, could not be more significant.

Having had to curb his party’s vehement anti-Europe sentiments in deference to his coalition government with the Liberal Democrats, the most pro-Union of all the major British parties, Mr. Cameron now is facing an outright rebellion in his party.

It is most likely all the more galling to him that Labour, already far ahead in public opinion polls, is stoking dissent to further weaken the prime minister.

Mr. Cameron has threatened to veto the

British millionaire Christopher Tappin pleaded guilty in federal court in Texas on Thursday to charges of attempting to sell missile parts to Iran, prosecutors said.

Tappin, 66, from Orpington, Kent, who had previously pleaded not guilty, reversed that stance in federal court in El Paso as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors that calls for a sentence of 33 months in prison and a fine of more than $11,000, according to U.S. Attorney British millionaire Christopher Tappin Robert Pitman.

Federal prosecutors say Tappin, a retired shipping magnate, and two other men sought to ship zinc/silver oxide batteries for Hawk Air Defense Missiles to Iran via the Netherlands.

One of the middlemen turned out to be an undercover U.S. customs agent.

"Mr. Tappin stated under oath that he was guilty of aiding the attempted export to Iran of sensitive military equipment," Pitman said in a statement. "In so doing, the defendant put at risk the national security of the United States and its allies by trying to sell to Iran the batteries that make the Hawk Missiles operational."

The two other men involved in the scheme, which began in late 2005 and ended with Tappin's arrest in early 2007, have been sentenced to terms of 20 and 24 months in federal prison.

Tappin was extradited to the U.S. earlier this year following a two-year legal battle. He is free on bond pending his sentencing, which is scheduled for January 9.

Prosecutors have said they will not object to Tappin's sentence being served in England so he can be close to his ill wife and other family members. He had faced up to 35 years in prison.

proposed European budget, which would cover the period from 2014 to 2020, if the Union does not meet his demands to hold spending increases at or below the inflation rate.

Britain is one of the few European Union member countries that is a net contributor to its budget. Last year it paid in about £10 billion, or $16 billion, more than it received back in benefits. But Britain is hugely outnumbered by member countries that are net recipients and that are pressing for an increase in European Union spending even beyond the inflation rate.

Europe’s richest country, Germany, also is pressing for spending cuts, though not as much as Britain. And Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is deep in talks over how to keep the fragile euro zone in one piece, has little appetite for a nasty fight on the issue.

If Mr. Cameron were to return from Brussels with a budget in which spending was not cut, his political position could become all the more precarious.

He is almost certainly aware that his predecessors, Margaret Thatcher and John Major, both were fatally weakened because they could not unite their Conservative Party over Europe.

As many European leaders use the economic crisis to push for a more federal Europe, British popular opinion is pulling in the opposite direction.

The most concrete example is the rapidly rising popularity of the United Kingdom Independence Party, which advocates Britain’s outright exit from the European Union.

Led by the volatile and media savvy Nigel Farage, the Independence Party is now threatening to overtake the Liberal Democrats to become the third-largest party in Britain, after the Conservatives and Labour.

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WORLD SPORTS

Bloomberg endorses Obama, citing climate change In a surprise announcement, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said Thursday that Hurricane Sandy had reshaped his thinking about the presidential campaign and that as a result he was endorsing President Obama. Mr. Bloomberg, a political independent in his third term leading New York City, has been sharply critical of both Mr. Obama, a Democrat, and Mitt Romney, the president’s Republican rival, saying that both men have failed to candidly confront the problems afflicting the nation. But he said he had decided over the past several days that Mr. Obama was the best candidate to tackle the global climate change that the mayor believes contributed to the violent storm, which took the lives of at least 38 New Yorkers and caused billions of dollars in damage.

“The devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to New York City and much of the Northeast — in lost lives, lost homes and lost business — brought the stakes of next Tuesday’s presidential election into sharp relief,” Mr. Bloomberg wrote in an editorial for Bloomberg View.

“Our climate is changing,” he wrote.

“And while the increase in extreme weather we have experienced in New York City and around the world may or may not be the result of it, the risk that it may be — given the devastation it is wreaking — should be enough to compel all elected leaders to take immediate action.”

Mr. Bloomberg’s announcement is another indication that Hurricane Sandy has influenced the presidential campaign.

The storm, and the destruction it left in its wake, has dominated news coverage, transfixing the nation and prompting the candidates to halt their campaigning briefly.

More than that, it appears to have given a new level of urgency to a central issue in the presidential campaign: the appropriate size and role of government.

As the Federal Emergency Management Agency began undertaking relief efforts across the Northeast, Mr. Romney found himself in the tough position of having to clarify a statement he made last year in which he appeared to back giving the states a larger share of the federal government’s role in disaster response.

But Mr. Bloomberg’s endorsement was largely unexpected. For months, the Obama and Romney campaigns have sought the mayor’s endorsement, in large part because they believe he could influence independent voters around the country.

Mr. Bloomberg has steadfastly withheld his support, largely because he had grown frustrated with the tone and substance of the presidential campaign – recently deriding as “gibberish” the answers that Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney gave during a debate to a question about an assault weapons ban.

He has expressed disappointment with Mr. Obama’s performance over the past few years, and concern about what he has described as Mr. Romney’s shifts in views over time.

In announcing his endorsement, Mr. Bloomberg listed the various steps Mr.

Obama had taken over the last four years to confront the issue of climate change, including pushing regulations that seek to curtail emissions from cars and power plants. But the mayor cited other reasons for endorsing Mr. Obama, including the president’s support for abortion rights and for same-sex couples, two high-priority issues for the mayor.

At the same time, Mr. Bloomberg said he might have endorsed Mr. Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, except for the fact that the Republican had abandoned positions he once publicly held.

“In the past he has taken sensible positions on immigration, illegal guns, abortion rights and health care – but he has reversed course on all of them, and is even running against the very health care model he signed into law in Massachusetts,” the mayor said of Mr. Romney.

Mr. Bloomberg did not endorse a presidential candidate in 2008, when Mr. Obama ran against Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona.

Even in his endorsement, the mayor continued to express criticism of the president. He said that Mr. Obama had fallen short of his 2008 campaign promise to be a problem-solver and consensus builder, noting that he “devoted little time” to creating a coalition of centrists in Washington who could find common ground on important issues like illegal guns, immigration, tax reform and deficit reduction.

“Rather than uniting the country around a message of shared sacrifice,”

Mr. Bloomberg said of Mr. Obama, “he engaged in partisan attacks and has embraced a divisive populist agenda focused more on redistributing income than creating it.”

In a statement, Mr. Obama said he was “honored to have Mayor Bloomberg’s endorsement.”

The president acknowledged Mr. Bloomberg’s chief concern, saying climate change was “a threat to our children’s future, and we owe it to them to do something about it.”

“While we may not agree on every issue,” the president added, “Mayor Bloomberg and I agree on the most important issues of our time.”

And, alluding to the damage from the hurricane, Mr. Obama said: “He has my continued commitment that this country will stand by New York in its time of need. And New Yorkers have my word that we will recover, we will rebuild, and we will come back stronger.”

The endorsement is the latest effort

by Mr. Bloomberg to affect the national political debate as he nears the twilight of his tenure in City Hall.

Last month, the mayor announced that he was creating his own “super PAC” to support candidates from either party, as well as independents, who he believed are devoted to his brand of nonideological problem solving, and who supported same-sex marriage, tougher gun laws or school reform. A billionaire, Mr. Bloomberg said he would spend from $10 million to $15 million of his money in highly competitive state, local and Congressional races.

GOVERNMENT OF THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

STORM WATER FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STUDY REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCIG) has received financing from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) towards the cost of a Storm Water Flood Risk Management Study and intends to apply a portion of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under a contract for which this invitation is issued.

Payments by CDB will be made only at the request of TCIG and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject in all respects to the terms and conditions of the Financing Agreement. The Financing Agreement prohibits withdrawal from the financing account for the purpose of any payment to persons or entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council taken under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations. No party other than TCIG shall derive any rights from the Financing Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Financing.

The Ministry of Government Support Services (MGSS), the Executing Agency, now wishes to procure consultancy services for the conduct of the Storm Water Flood Risk Management Study.

The objective of the consultancy is to enhance the capacity of TCIG to manage the risk of storm-water flooding across the Turks and Caicos Islands through the conduct of a Storm Water Flood Risk Management Study, incorporating the key flood risk management elements of prevention, protection, preparedness, emergency response and recovery. The duration of the assignment is expected to be six months.

MGSS now invites interested eligible firms of consultants to submit Expressions of Interest for the provision of these consultancy services.

Consultants shall be eligible to participate if: 1 (a) in the case of a body corporate, it is legally incorporated or otherwise organised in an eligible country, has its principal place of business in an eligible country and is more than 50 percent beneficially owned by citizen(s) and/or bona fide resident(s) of eligible country(ies) or by a body(ies) corporate meeting these requirements; 2 (b) in the case of unincorporated firms, the persons are citizens or bona fide resident or residents of an eligible country; and 3 (c) in all cases, the consultant has no arrangement and undertakes not to make any arrangements, whereby any substantial part of the net profits or other tangible benefits of the contract will accrue or be paid to a person not a citizen or bona fide resident of an eligible country.

Eligible countries are member countries of CDB.

In the assessment of submissions, consideration will be given to technical competence, qualifications and experience, local and regional experience on similar assignments, financial capability and existing commitments. All information must be submitted in English. Further information may be obtained from the first address below between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

One original and four hard copies of the Expressions of Interest must be received at the first address below no later than 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, and one hard copy must be sent simultaneously to CDB at the second address below.

The sealed envelope containing each submission should include the name and address of the applicant and shall be clearly marked “Expression of Interest – Consultancy Services – Storm Water Flood Risk Management Study”.

Following the assessment of submissions, a short-list of not less than three and not more than six applicants will be provided with full terms of reference and invited to submit technical and financial proposals to undertake the assignment. TCIG reserves the right to accept or reject late applications or to cancel the present invitation partially or in its entirety. It will not be bound to assign any reason for not short-listing any applicant and will not defray any costs incurred by any applicant in the preparation and submission of Expressions of Interest.

Address for further information and submission of Expression of Interest:

Mr. Norman A Watts Engineering Supervisor Public Works Department Ministry of Government Support Services South Base Grand Turk TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS Tel: + (649) 946-2801 Ext 10902 Fax: + (649) 333-1951 Email: nwatts@gov.tc

Address for submission of additional copy of Expression of Interest: Procurement Officer Procurement Policy Unit Caribbean Development Bank P. O. Box 408, Wildey St. Michael BARBADOS, W.I., BB 11000 Tel: + (246) 431-1600 Fax: + (246) 426-7269 Email: procurement@caribank.org

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BUSINESS and TECHNOLGY

Facebook investor Jim Breyer sells $81M of Facebook stock

Jim Breyer

Early Facebook investor Jim Breyer has sold $81 million worth of Facebook stock, according to a regulatory filing. Breyer, who is managing director at venture capital firm Accel Partners, sold 3,563,387 Class A Facebook shares at a weighted average price of $22.7736 per share, at or around Oct. 25.

Breyer still personally holds 7.2 million Facebook shares in the trust that sold shares last week. (He also owns additional shares outside of that trust.) FORBES in March pegged Breyer’s net worth at $1.1 billion.

In addition, Accel Partners distributed 22,123,009 Class A Facebook shares to its limited partners in various funds, according to the SEC filing. At Wednesday’s closing stock price, those shares would be worth about $467 million. Though it is not clear if or when Accel’s limited partners have sold those shares.

Breyer famously put his firm Accel Partners on top of the of the venture capital heap with the investment in Harvard dropout Mark Zuckerberg. He was also number one on Forbes 2012 Midas List of tech’s top venture investors.

Meanwhile, Facebook just posted earnings last week that slightly topped expectations, sending its stock price soaring. The stock is still way down from its IPO price of $38 per share.

The company has been seeking to show Wall Street its prospects are still bright with growing monetization on mobile devices. At the same time, the lock-up period expired on 234 million shares of Facebook stock Monday and 777 million more shares expire on Nov. 14, as Eric Savitz notes.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

RIM says its new BlackBerry phone in testing TORONTO — BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion said Wednesday that its much-delayed new smartphones are now being tested by 50 wireless carriers around the world.

The Canadian company called it a key step as it prepares to launch the new BlackBerry 10 software and phones in the first quarter of next year.

The phones are seen as critical to RIM's survival. The release will come as the company struggles in North America to hold onto customers who are abandoning BlackBerrys for flashier iPhones and Android phones.

"I'm very pleased to confirm that we have passed a critical milestone in the development of our brand new mobile computing platform," RIM CEO Thorsten Heins said in a statement. "This process will continue in the coming months as more carriers around the world formally evaluate the devices and our brand new software."

RIM's current software is still focused on email and messaging, and is less user-friendly and agile than iPhone or Android. Its attempt at touch screens and a tablet were a flop, and RIM lacks the apps that power other smartphones. RIM's hopes hang on BlackBerry 10. It's thoroughly redesigned for the touchscreen, Internet browsing and apps experience that customers now

expect. A full touchscreen device will be released first followed shortly after by a physical keyboard version.

Heins, who took over as CEO in January after the company lost tens of billions in market value, had vowed to do everything he could to release BlackBerry 10 this year but said in June that the timetable wasn't realistic.

Heins says he can turn things around with BlackBerry 10.

"I have spent the last several weeks on the road visiting with carrier partners around the world to show them the BlackBerry 10 platform and to share with them our plans for launch. Their response has been tremendous," Heins said. "The hard work will not stop here as we build toward launch."

The new BlackBerrys will be released after the holiday shopping season and well after Apple's launch of the iPhone 5, Apple's biggest product introduction yet.

RIM's platform transition is also happening under a new management team and as RIM lays off 5,000 employees as part of a bid to save $1 billion.

RIM was once Canada's most valuable company with a market value of more than $80 billion in 2008, but the stock has plummeted since, from over $140 share to around $7. Its decline evokes memories of Nortel, another former Canadian tech giant, which declared bankruptcy in 2009.

Disney buying Lucasfilm for $4 billion LOS ANGELES — Disney is paying Kathleen Kennedy, the current co$4.05 billion to buy Lucasfilm Ltd., the chairman of Lucasfilm, will become the production company behind "Star Wars," division's president and report to Walt from its chairman and founder, George Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn.

Lucas. It's also making a seventh movie Lucas will be creative consultant on in the "Star Wars" series called "Episode new "Star Wars" films.

7," set for release in 2015, with plans to Lucas said in a statement, "It's follow it with Episodes 8 and 9 and then now time for me to pass 'Star Wars' on one new movie every two or three years. to a new generation of filmmakers."

The Walt Disney Co. announced the The deal brings Lucasfilm under blockbuster agreement to make the the Disney banner with other brands purchase in cash and stock Tuesday. The including Pixar, Marvel, ESPN and deal includes Lucasfilm's prized highABC, all companies that Disney has tech production companies, Industrial acquired over the years. A former Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, weatherman who rose through the as well as rights to the "Indiana Jones" ranks of ABC, Iger has orchestrated George Lucas franchise. some of the company's biggest Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a statement that the acquisitions, including the $7.4 billion purchase of acquisition is a great fit and will help preserve and grow animated movie studio Pixar in 2006 and the $4.2 the "Star Wars" franchise. billion acquisition of comic book giant Marvel in 2009.

"The last 'Star Wars' movie release was 2005's Disney shares were not trading with stock markets 'Revenge of the Sith' — and we believe there's substantial closed due to the impact of Superstorm Sandy in New pent-up demand," Iger said.

York.

RICARDO FULFORD CONSULTANT SERVICES ON BEHALF OF HIS CLIENTS:

B AND S P Store is seeking employment for the following: 1) Sales Clerk Salary is $5.00 per hours. Interested candidate may contact B AND S P Store at 231-3171 for further details regarding employment.

Tropical Bar is seeking employment for the following: 1) Waiter Salary is $5.00 per hours. Interested candidate may contact Tropical Bar at 241-0426 for further details regarding employment.

Taylor Variety Store is seeking employment for the following: 1) Domestic Worker Salary is $5.00 per hours. Interested candidate may apply through Taylor Variety Store located at the Lower Bight, Providenciales for further details regarding

employment.

RICARDO FULFORD CONSULTANT SERVICES ON BEHALF OF HIS CLIENTS:

RICARDO FULFORD CONTRACTING is seeking employment for the following: 2) Green Keeper Salary is $5.00 per hours. Interested candidate may submit their application through fulfordricardo@yahoo.com for further details.

ESTEL PLUMBING LTD is seeking employment for the following: 1) Green Keeper Salary is $5.00 per hours. Interested candidate may submit their application through fulfordricardo@yahoo.com for further details.

Please note that the deadline for all applicants who is interested in these position is November 9th, 2012.

Interested candidate may also apply through fulfordricardo@yahoo.com. Good luck to all interested applicant.

TURKS AND CAICOS SUN

NOVEMBER 3RD - NOVEMBER 10TH, 2012

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BUSINESS and TEchNology

Google unveils another phone, larger Nexus tablet SAN FRANCISCO — Google is cramming a few more gadgets on to already crowded holiday shopping lists.

The devices announced Monday include the latest in Google's line of Nexus smartphones and a larger version of the 7-inch Nexus 7 tablet, which the company began selling in July. It's also adding cellular capabilities to the Nexus 7 and doubling the capacity of existing models.

The Nexus 4 smartphone is being made by LG Electronics Inc. and features a minor update to Google's Android operating system, which now powers more than 500 million devices worldwide. A more comprehensive makeover, known as Key Lime Pie, is expected next year. The version of Android affected by these changes is known as Jelly Bean.

The larger Nexus tablet is being made by Samsung Electronics Co. and features a display screen that measures about 10 inches diagonally, about the same size as Apple Inc.'s top-selling iPad. With these additions to its product lineup, Google joins a procession of companies selling a gamut of sleek and powerful computing devices in different shapes and sizes. Some are smartphones and others are tablet computers, but they all aim to cater to

Hugo Barra, Android at Google Director of Product Management, holds up the Nexus 10 tablet at a Google announcement in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 29, 2012

people's growing interest to have easily portable devices that can be used to connect to the Internet, take pictures, watch video, play games and read books, magazines and newspapers.

Google's Nexus devices will be competing with gadgets from such companies as Apple Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Barnes & Noble Inc., Samsung and Microsoft Corp. Microsoft released a new tablet called Surface last week and launched new software for phones on Monday.

The array of phones and tablets

hitting the market underscores how much mobile computing is shaking up the technology industry. The shift has undercut sales of desktop and laptop computers, decreasing the amount of revenue that Microsoft gets from licensing Windows and hurting companies such as Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Inc. that make the machines.

Although Android has ensured that Google's search engine and other services play a prominent role in mobile computing, Google also is

experiencing some short-term pain because the advertising rates on phones and tablets so far haven't been as high as the prices on desktops and laptops. Advertising accounts for most of Google's revenue.

Google's introduction of a larger tablet comes less than a week after Apple announced it's making a smaller, less expensive iPad, with a 7.9-inch display, to compete with the Nexus 7 and Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle Fire. The iPad Mini will be available in stores Friday.

Some analysts have questioned whether consumers will balk at the iPad Mini's $329 price for a device with 16 gigabytes of storage. Google is widening the price difference between the iPad Mini and its smaller tablet by cutting $50 off the price of a comparable, 16-gigabyte Nexus 7, to $199. The 8-gigabyte version, which had sold for $199, will be discontinued. A Nexus 7 with 32 gigabytes of storage is being introduced for $249 in an apparent effort to discourage even more people from buying the iPad Mini. The cheapest Nexus 7 is still pricier than the Kindle Fire, which starts at $159 for a no-frills model.

The Nexus 7 tablets will continue to be sold at Google's Play store online as well as such retailers as GameStop, Office Depot, Office Max, Staples and Wal-Mart.

Analysts estimate Google has sold several million Nexus 7 tablets so far.

Google declined to disclose how many units have shipped. The tablet "has been an amazing success," said Hugo Barra, Android's director of product management. "We had to work extra hard to meet demand."

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LOCAL SPORTS

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“The Heat are the team to beat because they are the champs,” said TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal, who won titles with both franchises. “Kudos to Pat Riley for putting great shooters around his big man. The Lakers — on paper — are very, very talented. It’s going to be a very interesting year and I wish both of those teams make the finals.”

READ MORE BELOW

With Heat on a boil and Lakers loaded, this could be the year for the LeBron-Kobe final LeBron James against Kobe Bryant, the dream NBA Final that’s never become a reality.

Maybe this is the year.

James’ Miami Heat are on top of the league and got even stronger this summer, but nobody loaded up like the Lakers, who acquired Dwight Howard and Steve Nash.

James or Bryant has played in the last six NBA Finals. Now, with more help than either has ever had, they’re facing title expectations once again — and a sense they’re due for that longawaited showdown with each other in June.

“If we see that matchup, Kobe vs.

LeBron, I think it would break all the records,” Lakers Hall of Famer and ESPN analyst Magic Johnson said. “I think the viewership would be off the charts.”

It’s no guarantee, of course. The Oklahoma City Thunder might still be best in the West, making a JamesKevin Durant rematch in the finals just as likely as James-Bryant. Or maybe the Boston Celtics, who came so close to knocking out the Heat last year, can finish the job this time even after Ray Allen ditched them to join James on South Beach.

But even the guys chasing the King concede how difficult it will be to dethrone him.

“I think everyone knew if he won one that it’s going to be hard for everybody. ... I’m hoping there’s enough good teams, and we can be one of them, that we can knock him off,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

“The good news is he’s the clear target. We know who we’re going after, there’s no doubt about that. But he’s awful good. He’s a good guy, he’s great for the league and he’s a great player. That’s good for everything. But now let’s beat him.”

The Celtics get the first shot, visiting the Heat in Tuesday’s season opener. The Lakers open later that night against Dallas, and for a change all eyes at Staples Center won’t be only on Bryant.

The Lakers acquired the NBA’s best big man in Howard after surprisingly adding Nash, long one of the league’s best point guards, earlier in the summer. Just like that, a team that couldn’t get out of the second round the last two years put itself right

They were gold medal-winning teammates for the United States at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, but LeBron James (left) and Kobe Bryant are now back to being rivals this coming NBA season, with the consensus being it would be a dream scenario for the league should James' defending champion Miami Heat and Bryant's revamped Los Angeles Lakers meet in next spring's NBA Final.

back in the hunt for what would be Bryant’s sixth championship.

“We’re all determined to get there for sure,” Bryant said. “The hunger from Dwight and Nash can definitely, definitely help our energy.”

Howard’s departure from Orlando was lengthy and messy, finally completed in August. James and Bryant were in London preparing to play in the Olympic semifinals on the day the trade was completed, and news of the deal overshadowed their victory en route to the Americans’ second straight gold medal two days later.

For James, the gold was the completion of one of basketball’s greatest individual seasons. He joined Michael Jordan in 1992 as the only players to win the NBA championship, the Olympic gold medal, and the regular season and finals MVP awards in the same season.

Once Jordan got to the top, he was never really knocked from it, save for one partial season after he returned from playing baseball during his first retirement. James, now considered the league’s best player, has similar designs on a lengthy run.

“In a sport like this, I think the ultimate goal and the only goal is to win,” James said. “You prepare to win.

It doesn’t happen all the time. Of course not. But that should be your mindset. Prepare your mind each and

every night to win.”

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh should be back at full strength after both were slowed by injuries in the playoffs, and the Big Three is now surrounded by Allen, the league’s career leader in 3-pointers, and Rashard Lewis.

League executives are convinced of a trip back to the Final, with 96.7 per cent of responses in NBA.com’s GM survey picking the Heat to win the Eastern Conference. Miami got 70 per cent of the vote to repeat as champion, and James was the choice of two-thirds of the responders to add another MVP award to his collection.

Things probably won’t be quite as easy for the Lakers, since the Thunder should be better with their young core another year older — if they keep it together. Sixth Man of the Year James Harden could be a free agent after next season, and the small-market Thunder will have to decide if they can commit more dollars after already giving big contracts to Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka.

“It’s a new season,” said Durant, the league’s three-time scoring champion. “Last year is over with.

We’ve got to start over from day one and see where we’re at.”

San Antonio has had the West’s best record in the regular season each of the last two years and is still hoping

for one more title in the Tim Duncan era. The Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets could be threats out West, and don’t forget that Indiana had a 2-1 lead over Miami in the second round last season.

There’s a new look in New York, which is now home to the Nets but no longer to Linsanity. When the Nets host the Knicks on Nov. 1 in the first regular-season game at the Barclays Center, their $1-billion arena in Brooklyn, Jeremy Lin won’t be suiting up on the other side. The Knicks decided not to match the contract last season’s breakout star from Harvard signed with the Houston Rockets.

All-Star weekend, David Stern’s last before retiring as commissioner in 2014, also is headed to Houston, where James was MVP of the 2006 game.

Now he wins the awards for the games that count.

He used to come up short in the post-season, a big reason the finals matchup with Bryant hasn’t happened yet. His Cleveland teams had the top seed in both 2009 and ‘10, but were bounced by the East teams that ended up losing to the Lakers.

It’s clear James has it all figured out, taking his game to another, seemingly unstoppable level when Wade and Bosh were limited last postseason. Now, when it seems he needs it least, he has his best collection of talent around him.

When he hugged the beaten Durant after the finals, it was easy to imagine them doing it again next year.

Then the Lakers pushed Bryant’s championship window back open with their summer haul, constructing a lineup of Bryant, Nash, Howard and Pau Gasol that could be on its way from Hollywood to the Hall of Fame — with a trip to South Beach along the way.

“The Heat are the team to beat because they are the champs,” said TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal, who won titles with both franchises. “Kudos to Pat Riley for putting great shooters around his big man. The Lakers — on paper — are very, very talented. It’s going to be a very interesting year and I wish both of those teams make the finals.”

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