VOLUME 10 ISSUE 48

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

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VOLUME 10 - NO. 48

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HIV CASES DOWN

T

here has been a decrease in the number of known HIV cases and deaths from the virus in the Turks and Caicos Islands, according to a recently released report from the Ministry of Health.

However, the HIV Surveillance Report 1984 to 2013 stated that one challenge to HIV surveillance in the Turks and Caicos Islands remains the “constant influx of immigrants who come to the shores of the country in search of employment”.

According to the report: “This (constant influx of immigrants) has resulted in a transient population with a high proportion of nonBelongers; the local term for persons other than TCI nationals. A recent country poverty assessment (conducted in conjunction with the 2012 census) showed that nonBelongers account for more than 40% of the population on all islands except one. On two islands nonBelongers constitute the majority of the population. Non-Turks & Caicos Islanders require work permits to become legally employed in the TCI and as a requirement in this process are tested for HIV. Prior, applicants who tested positive for HIV were not issued a work permit and, with no legal basis for remaining in the country, were expected to return to their home country. This has resulted in a large proportion of positive persons for whom no further information has been collected and who have never accessed care in the TCI. Since 2008 persons testing positive for HIV have not been denied a work permit solely on the basis of their HIV status.”

The report stated that from 1984 until the end of 2013, a total of 559 persons were diagnosed with HIV. The number of new HIV diagnoses peaked in 1999; when 70 persons were newly diagnosed that year. With the exception of a few years, females outnumbered males among individuals newly diagnosed

SCOTIABANK, SOROPTIMIST BRING CHRISTMAS CHEER: Almost a dozen children from the Enid Capron and the Ianthe Pratt Primary Schools in Providenciales should have a brighter Christmas, thanks to the Soroptimist Club and Scotiabank, which teamed up to purchase gifts for them. Blythe Clare, Soroptimist Federation Councilor for Great Britain, responsible for the three clubs in the TCI, said that the young recipients are mentees to club individual members under its mentorship programme. She said the mentors assist with books, clothing and other necessities, while encouraging the children to excel. She said the link with Scotiabank was established through club member Barbara Handfield-Smith, who works at the financial institution. The female mentees, according to Clare, were feted at the Carambola Restaurant by club members last week, who also presented gifts to them. Noreen Viechweg-Gardiner, Management Trainee Branch Manager at Scotiabank, explained that for the past five years the institution has forged a partnership with the Ministry of Education, and since colleague Barbara Handfield-smith is a Soroptimist, decided to partner with her charity this year. She said that every staff member was given the name of a child for which they were responsible to purchase gifts. She said that some of the employees expressed the desire to become mentors for the children in 2015. Soroptimist International’s mandate is to see about women and children. On Providenciales, the club works closely with the Oseta Jolly and the Enid Capron Primary Schools.

with HIV. The gender discrepancy that is observed suggests that women are at greater risk for contracting HIV than men in the TCI. There has been a gradual downward trend in the total number of newly diagnosed PLHIV since 2007, to a low in 2013; in that year only 10 cases were diagnosed.

Out of the total of 559 persons who were diagnosed with HIV in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), cases

were predominately female, though this trend was only seen among Haitians; the nationality most represented among the HIV cases.

Among Turks and Caicos Islanders, the second most prevalent nationality among the HIV cases, males predominated.

In the same time period the highest number of cases were recorded among the 26 - 35 year age group.

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There were 84 deaths among persons with HIV; the males were more likely to die. There was a gradual increase in the number of HIV cases from 1984 to 1999 when the highest number of cases was recorded. The number of persons who tested positive also peaked in 2007, since then there has been a gradual decline, the report revealed.

Continued on Page 5

Too many taxis in Provo - Page 15

Trial Without Jury Repeal Bill killed - Page 5

Fortis secures $90Million loan - Page 7

Remove Chief Financial Officer from Constitution - Page 11

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Invites You to Discover the Best Christmas Gifts for the Holidays!

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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HIV CASES DOWN

It was also noted that the number of deaths among persons who were HIV positive has increased in the TCI gradually from the onset of the epidemic in 1984 with the exception of a few years.

The first death related to HIV was recorded in 1989, in that year 3 deaths were recorded, by 2000 as many as 7 deaths were recorded. For the most part, more deaths occurred among HIV positive males compared to HIV positive females.

• €Of the 559 persons who were diagnosed with HIV, 49.6% were male and 50.4% were female.

• €The age group with the highest

number of diagnosed persons was 26 - 36 and 45 years (34%) at the time of 35 years. enrollment.

• €The number of HIV cases increased • €Haitians were the nationality most affected with HIV, representing 41.8% gradually from 1984 when 1 case was of all cases. Turks and Caicos Islanders diagnosed, to 1999 when 70 cases were the second most affected group were diagnosed. Since 1999 an overall decreasing trend was observed until (30.7%).

• €Of all deaths among persons with in 2007 when 62 cases were diagnosed.

HIV, 54.8% were males and 45.2% Another period of decline was also experienced after this year; in 2013 were females.

• €Deaths among HIV positive persons only 10 cases were diagnosed.

• €The number of deaths among were highest among persons in the 65+ persons with HIV has remained age group.

• €Οf the 559 persons diagnosed with relatively stable with the highest HIV, 162 or 29% were enrolled into the number of deaths being 7 in 2000.

National Aids Programme. Most were • €The overall prevalence among female (61.1%) and between the ages of people living with HIV at the end of

2012 was 1.64 (1.58 for males and 1.59 for females).

• €There was an increasing number of registrants into the NAP from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2007 to 2012.

The highest number of persons were enrolled in 2006; 22 persons were enrolled that year.

• €There was a gradual increase in the proportion of HIV positive persons who enrolled into care within 6 months of diagnosis. In 2003 only 26.1% of persons who were diagnosed were enrolled into care within 6 months and by 2013 as many as 70% of persons newly diagnosed were enrolled into within 6 months of diagnosis.

Trial Without Jury Repeal Bill killed

Government’s Appointed Member Hon. Ruth Blackman The oxygen for the Trial Without Jury Repeal Bill advanced by Government’s Appointed Member Hon. Ruth Blackman, in the House of Assembly, was switched off after some members on both sides of the isle walked out, citing conflict of interests and remaining others rejected it.

The bill sought to repeal a law passed in 2010, during the Interim Administration that could deny criminal accused the right to trial by jury.

The bill was forced to be withdrawn because there would not have been enough House Members to vote yea or nay on it, leaving some members of the public to surmise that the Integrity Commission drove terror in them.

One of the bill’s staunchest opponents - Governor’s Appointed Member Hon. Lillian Missick - was quickly to second the motion to withdraw it. The trial Without Jury law is designed specifically to secure conviction for ministers from the former Michael Misick administration.

Ruth Blackman moved a motion to have the bill remain in the Committee of the Whole House for a future meeting, but she had problems getting any member to second the motion. Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Brathwaite-Knowles initially seconded the bill, but later withdrew her support.

Pressed by Deputy Speaker Hon. Josephine Connolly to have the bill’s motion settled so the House business could continue, Blackman noted: “It seems as if there isn’t a seconder (sic) for the motion based on, I guess, persons connections. In light of the fact, we seem not to have a seconder (sic) to the motion; then I think that we will move forward with the bill in the Committee of the Whole.”

But after it was realized that it could not go through, and further compounded by Missick to pull it, Blackman reluctantly informed the deputy

speaker that she would withdraw it.

The SUN understands that many members of the House initially supported the bill, but after Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Brathwaite Knowles explained that the way the parliament was going about repealing was unconstitutional, many from both sides, began running to the hills.

Brathwaite Knowles said that after initially offering her advice on the bill, later learned that it would have been retrospective, and so, she could no longer lend her support, since it interferes with the independence of the court and rule of law.

She said that after initially giving advice to the House of Assembly on the bill in the previous session, it was brought to her attention that there was a need to clarify the advice.

Attorney General Hon. Rhondalee Brathwaite Knowles She said that the Constitution requires a fair hearing in criminal offenses, pointing to Section 6 of persons in the House that are directly related to the document. She reminded that on April 22, 3013, individuals who the court ruled should be tried a statement of governance principles was issued, two without jury, and therefore should excuse themselves of which bore implications to the Trial Without Jury from the debate.

Repeal Bill.

She pointed out that Section 6 of the Constitution “Principle 4 provides that all decisions of closely follows the provisions of the European Government – the entire system of government – Convention on Human Rights, which recognized whether by ministers, elected representatives or that trial by jury is a means of achieving fairness in public officials shall be lawful, rational, proportionate serious criminal trials. and procedurally fair.

She said that the court’s decision to rule that “Principle 13 provides that the government shall, the former ministers have a trial without jury was at all times, respect the rule of law, the independence hinged on a 1985 article penned by Sir John Spry, of the judiciary and the impartial administration of the former president of the Gibraltar Court of Appeal, justice. These are very important principles, which, which highlighted its challenges in small territories. by virtue of the statement of Governance Principles She said that the court’s decision to grant under the Constitution, we are all duty-bound to prosecutors trial by judge only was bolstered by a uphold.

July 29, August 2014 article in Economist Magazine “The rule of law means a respect for judicial entitled, ’12 clueless men; a drive to abolish jury decisions, and that they are binding on all of the trials’, that she said was penned by Trinidad and organs of government. And also, the independence of Tobago’s Chief Justice Ivor Archie. the judiciary means that the judiciary has to be able to “In that article, the T&T chief justice says, ‘we exercise responsibilities without undue interference simply cannot carry on in the way that we are going’. from any other body, including the legislature,” The article goes on to say that, ‘in small countries the Attorney General pointed out, adding that the with lively gossip network and active media, it is legislature and cabinet are bound to uphold the rule hard to find unbiased jurors or to hide them from of law and judicial independence. intimidation by violent gangsters’,” she said.

She said that In relation to the provisions, the She continued: “And examination of the other Constitution provides for the independence of the jurisdictions, including England and Wales – the seat judiciary. of the common law jurisdiction – in which trial by jury “So when you put those provisions together, what is a central feature of their system, revealed that in you find is that the Constitution requires, not only by appropriate circumstances, a court will nevertheless, virtue of the statement of governance principles but proceed to trial by judge alone. The ultimate objective also by virtue of section 83 – the Constitution itself - is to ensure defendant has a fair trial,” she continued. that there should be a respect for the rule of law and The attorney general told the House that many for the independence of the judiciary,” she said. countries, both in Europe and the Caribbean already Support for the bill began to drop like flies after have trial without jury on their books. the attorney general pointed out that there are

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FortisTCI Limited Secures US$90 Million Private Placement Loans

FortisTCI has announced the closing of a US$90 million private placement consisting of US$80 million 4.75% Senior Notes, Series 2014-A, due December 18, 2029, and US$10 million 4.75% Senior Notes, Series 2014-B, due January 15, 2030.

The debt offering was privately placed with institutional investors in the US Private Placement Market. Bank of America Merrill Lynch acted as sole placement agent for the Company.

Proceeds will be used for repayment on short term debt and to finance ongoing capital expenditures.

The process started in September and the FortisTCI team had to promote the Company and the Country to the high-quality institutional investment community.

Prior to this, the Turks and Caicos Islands were not an approved investment jurisdiction for these blue chip institutional investors.

President and CEO Eddinton Powell said, “This is a historic achievement for the Company and the Country. Having achieved a BBB; Outlook Stable credit rating this year, we are pleased to be the first corporate entity in the Turks and Caicos Islands to secure financing in the US Private Placement Market. The electricity utility business is very President and CEO of FortisTCI Eddinton Powell capital intensive and the Company must have access to the international capital markets. Also, we would we recognize the cooperation of our local banking not have been able to achieve this without the full partners. Indeed, there were four law firms in the support and backing of our parent Company, Fortis United States and the Turks and Caicos Islands Inc.” working concurrently on this debt issuance which The debt issuance was led by the Company’s speaks to the complexity of the exercise.”

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ruth GardinerThe Notes will not be registered under the Forbes and the Company’s Director of Financial United States Securities Act of 1933 (The “Securities Services, Archie Gaviola. Mr. Powell added “while Act”) as amended, nor will they be registered under this is an enterprise-wide achievement, I would like any state securities laws. Unless so registered, to recognize the salutatory work done by Ruth and the Notes may not be sold except pursuant to an Archie in bringing this to fruition. In addition, exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to,

the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

FortisTCI is the sole provider of electricity on the Islands of Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos and adjacent Cays, and South Caicos. TCU, a wholly owned subsidiary of FortisTCI, is the sole provider of electricity on the islands of Grand Turk and Salt Cay. Together the two companies serve over 13,000 electricity customers in the Turks & Caicos Islands.

FortisTCI Limited (FTCI) became a wholly owned subsidiary of Fortis Inc. located in Newfoundland, Canada in August 2006.

Turks and Caicos Utility Limited (TCU), which is the sole provider of electricity on the Islands of Grand Turk and Salt Cay, was acquired by FTCI in August 2012. FTCI is the sole provider of electricity in Providenciales, North Caicos, Middle Caicos, East Caicos and adjacent Cays, and South Caicos.

Together the two companies serve approximately 13,000 electricity customers in the Turks & Caicos Islands. The Utilities have an aggregate diesel-fired generating capacity of approximately 75 megawatts.

Fortis Inc. is a leader in the North American electric and gas utility business, with total assets of more than $25 billion and fiscal 2013 revenue exceeding $4 billion.

Its regulated utilities account for approximately 90% of total assets and serve more than 3 million customers across Canada and in the United States and the Caribbean.

Fortis also owns non-regulated hydroelectric generation assets in Canada, Belize and Upstate New York. The Corporation’s non-utility investment is comprised of hotels and commercial real estate in Canada.

Concern over remarks made by judge in SIPT case Serious concern is being expressed by some members of the legal fraternity about comments attributed to Mr. Justice Paul Harrison, the judge appointed to hear the SIPT corruption trials, regarding parliamentarians taking gifts.

According to a recent article in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, Justice Paul Harrison, chairman of the Integrity Commission, in a submission to a joint select committee examining the 2014 Integrity Commission Act, said the new statute should include a provision that prohibits parliamentarians from soliciting or accepting gifts.

“We believe that the bill should specifically prohibit the receipt of gifts by a parliamentarian or public officials,” declared Harrison, adding that these gifts should be classified as “presumptively unlawful”.

Harrison, who did not disclose the name of the parliamentarian who was investigated for the $500,000 gift, said the commission asked for verification and received an affidavit from someone who acknowledged providing the gift.

“It may well have been received

with some degree of scepticism, but the fact is we asked about it and the person verified it,” Harrison said. “We are just saying that it can create a danger if it is not addressed, and I think it should be addressed.”

The concern expressed by some lawyers connected to the SIPT case in the Turks and Caicos Islands is that Harrison’s comments could have implications on how he deals with cases of a similar nature here.

The Gleaner report noted that the Integrity Commission, the body set up to police the annual statutory declarations of politicians to ensure they conform to the provisions in the (Parliament) Integrity of Members Act, revealed it investigated a gift of $500,000 given to a parliamentarian last year.

Harrison argued that the Staff Orders of the public service provide that officers in their official capacity are forbidden to solicit or accept gifts or gratuities for the performance or neglect of official duties and responsibilities.

He noted that a parliamentarian was not regarded as being in the public

service as stated in Section 1 (6) of the Constitution of Jamaica.

“There is an anomaly here. There is no reason why public officers should be under this restriction and politicians are not,” Harrison reasoned.

During deliberations in Gordon House, some members of the committee expressed reservations about the proposal.

Opposition MP Derrick Smith, who has been in representational politics since 1983, cautioned against accepting Harrison’s recommendation.

According to Smith, for a practising MP to conform strictly to Harrison’s proposal was “quite a challenge”.

“For those of us who have to be on the road on a regular basis and deal with daily situations and friends can over time assist by covering the cost of support staff, it’s just not practical to walk away from that type of assistance if you want to manage a constituency in an appropriate way,” Smith argued.

Government Senator K.D. Knight argued that such a provision in the proposed law would be difficult to monitor and that the Government should look to the Corruption

Prevention Act to remedy the situation.

Mr. Justice Paul Harrison

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LOCAL NEWS

Premier must be an indigenous Belonger, says Constitutional review report The Constitutional Review Report is recommending that the only indigenous Turks and Caicos Islanders should be eligible to hold the post of Premier of this country.

The report which was recently made public, stated: “Audiences throughout the length and breadth of the Turks and Caicos Islands are of the view that the time has come when the Premier of the country is mandated to be an indigenous Turks and Caicos Islander.

The Recommendation therefore is that the qualification for Premier should now include that such a person be a Turks and Caicos Islander -(a) Born in the Islands to parents, one of whom is a Turks and Caicos Islander who was himself or herself born in the Islands; or (b) Born outside the Islands to parents, one of whom was himself or herself a Turks and Caicos Islander;(c)

Should have a connection with the Islands.”

The report noted that Section 31 subsection 1(b) makes provision for the appointment of Premier by the Governor, but this Section does not spell out any personal qualifications which define his tenure of Office.

With respect to term limits, the report said there appeared to be no support at all for the disqualification for Premier of a person, who having served two (2) consecutive terms as Premier was now seeking the appointment as Premier for a third consecutive term.

The report also made a recommendation that the following disqualification which is contained in the Constitution should be repealed: Section 34(1)(d) and (e) provide for a Minister to vacate his office on the recommendation of the Integrity Commission, if the Minister breaches

the Code of Conduct for persons in Public Life, or breaches Section 103 which provides for the Registration of Interests of Persons in Public Life.

The recommendation from the Constitutional Review Committee is that this section be suitably amended as follows: “The Integrity Commission ought to be required to report the matter to His Excellency the Governor, who in turn takes the matter to the Attorney General and Cabinet. The onus is now on the Attorney General to advise the Governor in Cabinet. Due process would have been satisfied and the Minister (subject to whatever action is taken) now has sufficient grounds to pursue the matter further.

Members of the Constitutional Review Committee were: (i) Hon. Akeira Missick – Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports

and Library Services; (ii) Hon. Ricardo D. Gardiner – Minister of Border Control and Labour;(iii) Hon. Sharlene L. Robinson – Leader of the Opposition;(iv) Hon. Sean R. Astwood – Member of the House of Assembly for the District of Five Cays, Providenciales; (v) Mr. Carlos W. Simons – Q.C. Attorney at Law; (vi) Mr. Ashwood L. Forbes – Attorney at Law and Chairman, Mr. Daniel Malcolm.

The Terms of Reference of the Committee were, among other things, to review the Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and hold consultations with the public and interested groups, and make recommendations for Constitutional changes to be debated and ratified by the House for onward submission to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Ralph Higgs is WTA Tourism Director for the region The World Travel Awards (WTA) – considered the Oscars of the Travel industry – has named the Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board Director Ralph Higgs as the Caribbean’s Tourism Director of the year.

The WTA deservedly showered the accolades on Higgs after the tremendous performance by the

domestic tourism sector over the last 12 months.

Higgs, when contacted for a response, said that honor was humbling but came as little surprise.

“I tend to go to work and work behind the scenes, I don’t expect any accolades, any public praises. But it is nice to know that people are

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION LAURENCE CAROE, having been appointed by Order of the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands as Receiver over the following property by way of equitable execution in Action CL 79/2014, hereby gives notice of his intention to sell by Public Auction the following property pursuant to power to sell such property contained in the said Order: Fifty (50) Ordinary Shares in the capital of Rio Developments Ltd., a Turks and Caicos Islands Ordinary Company, held in trust by East Harbour Nominees Ltd. for Joe Srebrovic.

There are One Hundred (100) Ordinary Shares in the capital of Rio Developments Ltd. issued and outstanding and, accordingly, the Ordinary Shares offered for sale represent a fifty per cent (50%) interest in Rio Developments Ltd. The other Fifty (50) Ordinary Shares are held in trust by East Harbour Nominees Ltd. for a single beneficial owner.

Rio Developments Ltd. is the one hundred per cent (100%) owner of SEG Enterprises Ltd., a Turks and Caicos Islands Ordinary Company. SEG Enterprises Ltd. is the registered proprietor of a ten (10) acre undeveloped beachfront property situated near the Northwest Point Resort, being Parcel 60101/39, North West & North Central, Providenciales. There are no encumbrances registered against title to the said Parcel. No Planning Permission has been granted or sought in respect of the said Parcel.

Rio Developments Ltd. is also the registered proprietor of a 1.48 acre vacant parcel of land situated on Turtle Cove Drive, being Parcel 60713/231, Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales. There are no encumbrances registered against title to the said Parcel. No Planning Permission has been granted or sought in respect of the said Parcel.

Rio Developments Ltd. has no other assets nor any liabilities.

The Auction will be held at the offices of Saunders & Co., Second Floor, Town Centre Mall, 23 Parade Avenue at 10 o’clock in the morning on Thursday, January 22, 2015.

A reserve price will be fixed on the said Fifty (50) Ordinary Shares being offered.

A deposit of 10% of the amount of any accepted bid is due within twenty-four (24) hours of the acceptance of a bid.

For further information, contact the said Receiver by telephone at (649) 9414500 or by e-mail at lc@saunders.tc.

Director of tourism Ralph Higgs paying attention, and people know work; and attend many, many meetings. the challenges that we have had. You get calls from people; if a dog gets Notwithstanding the natural beauty knocked down in the road they would of our country, we have had some very call the tourism board. If there is difficult times, particularly financially,” garbage on the highway they would call he pointed out. the tourist board. And sometimes you He said though that despite the constantly have to address some small tight spending the Tourist Board was issues,” he said. able to steer the destination to being Asked what direction he would one of the best in the region and among like to see the Tourist Board taken in the most respected brands in the area the very near future, Higgs noted: “I of luxury travel destinations in the think if we were able to pay more Caribbean constituency. attention to the marquee island nature “So it is nice to be acknowledged,” and the various unique attractions that he said. each island has to offer, and develop The tourism director was quick them and make them accessible, it to point out that team work played a could advance the product. pivotal part in him landing the awards.

“I think that would raise our “Our friends at the Hotel and destination up several levels, Tourism Association have contributed because clearly, South Caicos is not immensely to this; our friends at the Providenciales that has unique offering Turks and Caicos Islands Airports that may not be readily accessible Authority have contributed significantly in Provo. And I think if we were able to it; and of course the supporting cast to develop some of our sister islands at the Tourist Board – the staff and the and their unique attractions, that board of directors,” he said. would certainly put us up above the He said that a typical day at competition in many areas. I think if we work takes many directions - had a bigger budget that would enable dialoguing with partners all across us to achieve some of these things and the globe, researching what is being market and promote the destination, said in cyberspace especially about and the multi-island nature of our the destination, following the latest destination; that, too, would contribute development in the marketplace, while tremendously to brand TCI.” tending to large and small issues Developing and marketing locally. the outer islands was one of the “I would go to work and look at recommendations at the recently-held the new trends in the market place, see tourism symposium. The document is what is being said about the destination to be released soon. via social media; do administrative

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Dog traps stolen to make fish pots The Dr. Rufus Ewing Administration, in conjunction with the Attorney General ‘s Office is to look into what penalties, other than theft charges, can be slapped against individuals who continue to pilfer wild dog traps set to lessen the feral canine population in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Minister for Home Affairs and the Environment Hon. Amanda Missick, responding to questions posed by opposition members in the House of Assembly this past week, said she understands that persons have been stealing the dog traps to convert them into fish pots, prompting other House members to query whether or not alternative materials can be used to fashion the traps.

The minister said that whereas traps were stolen from the communities of Five Cays, Wheeland in Providenciales, and locations on Grand Turk in the past, this time around they are being stolen only Grand Turk spots.

“It has been brought to my attention that they are using the traps for fish pots. This time around they are missing only from Grand Turk,” the minister said.

The larceny of the new traps marks the latest round of the contraptions being stolen by undesirables, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Environment, as traps set some time ago were either damaged or stolen. The traps that are now being stolen are replacement for the ones removed before. The ministry said that the latest round of strap-stealing

has jolted the feral dogs’ entrapment programme.

The stealing of the traps could have huge ramification for the Turks and Caicos Islands, as it has been reported that wild dogs have been attacking tourists on that island, landing some of them in hospital after they have receive bites. And the trap was designed to minimize such threat.

The ministry said that the vandalism, which it deems unacceptable, is bound to erode the gains made to stem the stray dog population, thereby posing new danger to the general public.

“The recent thefts and destruction of traps have temporarily halted the progress of the trapping programme on Providenciales,” a Government press release noted. “The most recent thefts are of the new traps, bought to replace those that were stolen. The trapping programme is designed to reduce the number of stray and feral dogs on the Islands thereby reducing the risk to life and property as a result of accidents or public health issues resulting from disease or bites.

Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Mark Butler noted; “This type of vandalism is unacceptable.

The Department uses these traps to affect the stray dog population. Without these traps we cannot remove these dogs from our communities.

“Such practice, if continued, will curtail the gains we have made to reduce the stray dog population in Providenciales, as well as the financial applications associated with purchasing replacement traps. ”

The Attorney General Rhondalee Brathwaite-Knowles, who was asked by Hon. Clarence Selver, the Opposition’s Appointed Member, what punishment, other than being arrested and jail for theft, could be taken against the culprits, explained that as far as she was aware there is no know laws on the books.

She said however, that she would be working in tandem with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Environment to see what laws can be developed to stamp out the practice.

“It would be theft and so on, but I don’t know if there is a penalty in the ordinance for the removal of a trap.

But we will look, with the Minister of Home Affairs, to see penalties that are there to dissuasive or so on, to stop the behavior,” she said.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Hon. Sean Astwood queried whether or not the material used – metals - could be substituted for other substances, such as hard plastic, to make it less attractive to the crooks. But the minister said that his suggestion would be pursued to learn of its viability.

The SUN understands that it costs approximately $600 to source one traps, which are made overseas. It is understood that due to the destruction of the traps, another 30 are expected to arrive in the TCI in January. The Department of Agriculture is again appealing to members of the public to immediately cease and desist from the practice of theft and deliberate destruction of the equipment used to humanely trap the stray dogs.

Turks and Caicos Sun Suite#5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-8542 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 Office Manager: Dominique Rigby Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell 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.

PUBLIC NOTICE Minimum 2 years sales experience Experience in jewelry sales Impeccable references and police clearance Impeccable English, other languages –advantage High level of customer service and customer attending skills Sales references-advantage JEWELER NEEDED WITH THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS Minimum 5 years experience in setting and sizing gold, silver and gems Tel: 649-946-1083 Fax: 649-946-1988 E-mail: kwatts@shopdi.com

JOB ADVERTISEMENT POSITION: Food & Beverage Supervisor Oversees and supervises daily operations of the restaurant. Resolve customer complaints regarding food service. Train workers in food preparation, and in service, sanitation, and safety procedures. Observe and evaluate workers and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service.

Assign duties, responsibilities, and work stations to employees in accordance with work requirements.

Interested applicants can contact our Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm on (649)941-7555. E- Mail cover letter outlining your interest and supporting experience in a particular position along with your Resume or C.V. to hr@wymara.com

British Atlantic Financial Services Ltd (In Provisional Liquidation) At a Hearing on November 20” in the Supreme Court Of the Turks & Caicos Islands It was Ordered that 1 THe hearing of the Petition be adjourned until the 9” of January 2015 at 9am at the Court House, Providenciales.

2 Mr. Joseph Con nofly care of Pr iceWaterhouseCoopers, Turks a and Caicos lslands Mr. David Walker of PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Cayman Islands, be and hereby are appointed as Provisional Liquidators (the “ProvisionaI Liquidators“) of British /\tlantic Financial Services Ltd. (“the Company”) until the Petition can be disposed of by the Court.

3. Any one of the Provisiona I Liquidators sha II have the powers set out in section 1 \“J of the Com panics Ordin0 nce (CAP 1 6.08) (the “Companies Ordinance”) which they may exercise without the sanction or interventiontion of the Court save that the powe r conta lned in section 1 1 7(b) be vs ricd so as to include a powe r to ca rry on the business (or a ny pa rt of the busines s) of the Company as a going concern.

AS part of the provisional liquidation process the provisional liquidators are requesting that all policyholders and creditors complete proof of debt forms.

These forms will be available either at: •The offices of British Atlantic Financial Services Limited —(In Provisional Liquidation) •By email from joseph. p.connolly@tc.pwc.com

Any questions regarding the completion of the forms should be addressed in the first instance to the offices of British Atlantic Financial Services Ltd (In ProvisionaI Liquidation) at 941-5614

Page 10

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Anthony Quinn killer convicts sentenced for robbery

By Vivian Tyson Two men serving life sentences for the May 13, 2012 murder of Projetech surveyor Anthony Quinn were sentenced for robbery when they returned to the Providenciales Supreme Court before Justice Joan Joyner on Tuesday, December 16 (2016).

Misael Castillo and Stanford Forbes Jr. were found guilty by a jury and sentence to life on November 10 (2014). The jury also convicted them on robbery charges, but the judge delayed sentencing until character reports on both men were in.

The lifeless body of the 33-year-old British national was found lying face down in the sea along Technology Drive in Long Bay hours after surveillance tape recorded him leaving Jimmy’s Dive Bar in Grace Bay, Providenciales at 4:57 a.m. He drove a green Jeep Liberty owned by Projetech.

The court was told that at about 7:00 a.m., one of Quinn’s friends and colleague, Owen Healy, received a call from Quinn’s phone from a male voice saying, “What’s your f…ing friend bank card number or I will kill him” (sic).

Following the call, colleagues and friends began searching for the missing surveyor. One of the searchers, Desmond Quant, spotted his jeep stuck in the bush at Technology Drive and notified others. They later discovered

Quinn’s body lying face down in the water.

The police, who visited the crime scene, lifted a great deal of evidence, which included two large blood-stained rocks, which later matched Quinn’s DNA. The next morning - May 14, 2012 - at 5:00 a.m. the police found Castillo sleeping in an abandoned vehicle in Forbes’ yard. Quinn’s cell phone and debit bank car were found under the car’s seat. He was also found with blood on his toe and spots of blood on the camouflage shorts he was wearing, which DNA later determined as belonging to Quinn.

The court was told that upon arrest Castillo said: “I een hit the white dude in the head with rocks, it Smurf (sic) (Stanford Forbes)”. Forbes was later arrested and taken into police custody. The police later obtained a blood-stained blue shorts that he was said to have been wearing on the night of Quinn’s death. DNA later confirmed the blood on the shorts to be that of Quinn’s Both accused gave caution statements to the police admitting to being present but blaming each other for hitting Quinn in the head and kicking him into the ocean.

Castillo said that he was on his way to Forbes’ house in the early morning hours of May 13, 2012, to sleep in a van parked in his yard and

INTERCARIBBEAN AIRWAYS IS SEEKING TWO CERTIFIED DISPATCHERS: Must have 5 years experience in navigation facilities over airline routes and at airports as well as the take off. Must be competent in airline communication and meteorology. Experience with monitoring, analyzing and/or calculating various flight factors such as weather reports, runway performance and weight balance issues.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Position require the following: ➢ Excellent command of the English language – reading, writing and speaking. ➢ Good communication skills and team player ➢ Detail oriented & organized individual ➢ Ability to work shifts, early mornings, late nights, weekends and Holidays. ➢ Clean police record ➢ Able to work under pressure

Belongers need only apply.

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

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

saw Quinn’s jeep pull in. He said he went over to Forbes bedroom window and knocked on it to wake him up.

He said after Forbes came out they went over to the vehicle and saw Quinn outside his jeep with a flat tire.

They offered to help him change the tire, which they did. And while Quinn was standing there he was hit in the head with a rock but did not say who hit him. He said Quinn was thrown into the back of his jeep before being relieved of his wallet, cell phone and house keys.

The court was told that Castillo and Forbes drove then to Technology Drive with a plan to dump Quinn’s body. Seeing that he was in and out of consciousness while in the back of the jeep, the men then used objects to hit him in the head again to stop him from talking.

After getting to their destination behind bushes at Technology Drive, they took Quinn, who was bleeding, but still alive, from the jeep, hit him in the head again with large rocks, then dragged him to the water and kicked him in. results showed that Quinn died by drowning.

Forbes and Castillo returned to the jeep and attempted to reversed but got stuck in the bush. As a result, both sought the assistance of a man referred to as to A. J. Gray, who lived nearby. Once at Gray’s home, Forbes left. Castillo and Gray then went back

to the scene in Gray’s mother’s jeep.

There they used Gray’s mother’s jeep to pull the other vehicle from the bushes but were unsuccessful, and so they left.

The court was told that a camera on a nearby house captured the jeep driving down Technology Drive toward the water, losing sight of it as it went behind the bushes, then coming into view again nine minutes later and getting stuck in the bush. Two figures were seen walking from the area of the vehicle back up Technology Drive.

Later the camera picked up a light coloured pickup driving toward the abandoned jeep in the bush and staying for several minutes before leaving. Misael Castillo and Ariel Gray Jr.’s fingerprints were found on the outside of Anthony Quinn’s vehicle.

Gray drove Castillo back to the Highway before going to Kew Town where he spent the day and night with friends, drinking, and playing dominoes.

The prosecution noted that house keys, a wallet, a credit card in Quinn’s name, a flat tire, wrench and a black slipper matching a slipper found in the back of Quinn’s jeep were among items found in bushes at Forbes home.

Director of Public Prosecution JoAnne Meloche, led the prosecution in the case. Attorney-at-law Clayton Greene represented Castillo while attorney-at-law Ashwood Forbes represented Forbes.

Banking Hours during the Christmas Holiday The Bankers Association wishes to advise that All Banks will be observing the following business hours during the Christmas period.

Wednesday, December 24 Thursday, December 25 Friday, December 26 Monday, December 29 Tuesday, December 30 Wednesday, December 31 Thursday, January 1 Friday, January 2

9:00 am - 1:00 pm Closed Closed 9:00 am - 3:00 pm 9:00 am - 3:00 pm 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Closed Closed

A Very Merry Christmas and A Happy and Prosperous New Years to All!

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 11

LOCAL NEWS

Chief Financial Officer post should be removed from Constitution The position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) should be removed from the Turks and Caicos Islands Constitution, according to the Constitutional Review Commission.

The Commission recommended that the “U.K. administration take this matter under urgent and very serious review, and not wait until, as many in our audience believe “that the U.S $260 million plus loans are either retired or substantially amortized.”

The Constitutional Review Commission said the position and responsibilities of a C.F.O. and the Office of the Minister of Finance “ought to be clearly delineated and defined as a matter of priority”.

The current CFO is British-born Stephen Turnbull, who it is generally accepted has more power and clout that the Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick, and even Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing.

The report stated: “We wish to respectfully advise that any dilution of the powers of an elected Minister of Finance cannot be regarded as anything but a violation of, if not the letter certainly the Spirit of the Constitution.”

Section 7 of the 2011 Constitution states: “Notwithstanding anything in

the Constitution or any other law, the office of Chief Financial Officer shall continue on and after the appointed day to have the functions which had earlier been lawfully conferred on that office and which subsist immediately before that day, until such time as the Governor, acting in his or her discretion and with the prior approval of a Secretary of State, determines otherwise by notice published in the Gazette. Nothing in subsection (1) shall prevent additional functions being conferred on the office of Chief Financial Officer by the Governor, acting in his or her discretion, or by or under any Ordinance.”

The Chief Financial Officer Ordinance 2012 states that notwithstanding anything in any other law, the Chief Financial Officer shall have line management responsibility for the Permanent Secretary, Finance and line management responsibility for all United Kingdom funded finance advisers.

It also says that notwithstanding anything in any other law, the Chief Financial Officer has the power and authority to, and shall ensure that financial decisions and guidance on policy matters that have financial implications are consistent with

Record 2014 tourism growth for TCI The Turks and Caicos Islands will end the year with numbers never before seen in the country’s history and it is shaping up to break more records in 2015, according to Director Ralph Higgs, in an interview with The SUN. Higgs explained that the Turks and Caicos Islands has seen robust growth during the course of 2014, which kept most of the hotels open and people in jobs, while frontend-loading revenues in the government coffers at a staggering rate. He said, too, that forward booking for 2015, especially for the first quarter, is something deserving of heralding.

Higgs said that the performance report on the respective regional destinations scheduled to be unveiled early next year at the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), should better paint the tremendous tourism gains that the Turks and Caicos Islands made during 2014.

“I think we will close 2014 at an unprecedented high, and forward bookings into the first quarter (in 2015 is certainly strong.

We will be getting our reports from our various partners at the Annual CHA conference in January; they will give us an indication as to how the destination is trending for the first quarter,” Higgs said, noting that the report gathered so far from the various local tourism players,

revealed that the destination’s numbers are strong and getting ever more robust.

“All indications are, and in conversation with our local hotel partners, forward bookings for 2015 are strong, and will surpass the same period of 2014, which was exceptionally strong,” Higgs said.

The Tourist Board boss said that the earth-shattering growth came in spite of the shoestring budget that the board has been given to market the destination.

He said comparatively, the Turks and Caicos Islands has the smallest budget in the region, adding that the growth is primarily due to the destination’s brand and the partnerships that the board was able to establish with local private sector.

“I think there is no secret that the Turks and Caicos has been experiencing tremendous growth, and when you compare that to the annual budget it is unprecedented and almost unheard of to be able to achieve this kind of growth on a budget that is arguable the smallest in the region.

“It certainly speaks volume to the strength of our product. And I think it speaks volume to the kind of cooperation and partnership that we have been able to forge with the private sector,” Higgs pointed out.

debt reductions plans, including those needed to ensure sustainable revenue and spending projections, whilst maintaining an affordable development programme which supports economic growth.

In addition, the Chief Financial Officer may advise the Governor within the financial year to, by order, vary the rate of any tax or levy imposed by or under any Ordinance or reduce expenditure where necessary.

The law also states: “Not withstanding anything in any other law, if the Chief Financial Officer considers that enactment of legislation is necessary or desirable to ensure that funds are appropriated, within four months of the commencement of the financial year, or any time after that, for the purpose of the effective operation of Government and in compliance with the Statement of Governance Principles, but it appears to the Chief Financial Officer that the Cabinet is unwilling to support the introduction of a bill or that the House of Assembly is unlikely to pass a bill introduced, he may advise the Governor to cause a bill for that purpose to be published in the Gazette and assent to such bill in accordance with section 72 (1) (b) of

the Constitution.”

It adds: “Notwithstanding anything in any other law, the Chief Financial Officer may stop any action, or reverse any decision taken by any office in the public service, public officer, minister, or statutory body if in his judgement such action, decision or decisions would be inconsistent with (a) Part 9 of the Constitution; (b) the Public Finance Management Ordinance 2012 and any other legislation dealing with public monies; (c) the Scotiabank Credit Agreement and DFID loan guarantee; (d) the Counter-indemnity Agreement signed with DFID; (e) the Statement of Governance Principles ; (f) the framework document; (g) the requirement to obtain the Chief Financial Officer’s approval before any commitment/expenditure equal to or in excess of a sum set by the Chief Financial Officer, before any legal undertaking is made; (h) the requirement to obtain the Chief Financial Officer’s approval for withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund; (i) the sustainable plan to ensure a year-on-year fiscal surplus.

INTERISLAND AVIATION SERVICES GROUP SEEKS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER •0-15 years related experience in Commercial flight operations.

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•Knowledge of the practices and procedures of all airside and landside activities and functions as outlined in Ground Flight Operations Manual and Regulations.

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Belongers need only apply.

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

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

Page 12

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

OPEN 7AM TO 10 PM, LOCAL NEWS LOCAL NEWS 7 DAYS A WEEK

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 13

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Page 14

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

BIG AL’S ISLAND BURGER is currently seeking a

Bartender: Some of the duties

are as follows:

Check identification of customers to verify age requirements for purchase of alcohol.

Clean glasses, utensils, and bar equipment. Balance cash receipts, stock bar with beer, wine, liquor and related supplies such as ice, glassware, napkins and straws.

Salary is $5.00 per hr. Must be flexible to work mornings, Please submit your resume to Doug Camozzi at the Salt Mills next to Royal Jewels no later than December 21st, 2014. evenings, holidays and weekends.

Domestic Worker

Duties:

Perform housekeeping duties including cleaning and household maintenance.

Laundry and ironing Contact: 946-8550

DRS BUILDING LTD

LABOURER Salary $6.00 per hour 5 days per week Contact 242-5334

TCA HANDLING IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

Seasonal Spa Therapist/Esthecian Requirements: •Diploma in massage therapy or equivalent.

•Prior experience in a 5-star luxury environment.

•Extensive knowledge of Eastern style massage, wraps, facials and other treatments.

•Proficiency in English.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts •Must be available for approximately six months Duties Include: •Providing spa treatments to resort guests and day spa guests.

•Maximize the revenue of the department through massage and retail product sales.

•In addition to performance of the essential functions, this position may be required to perform a combination of supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor.

Starting salary $5.50 an hour not including service charge Interested applicants should apply to Regent Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to marjorie.dorsett@regenthotels.com, no later than end of day Friday, December 26th, 2014.

WANTED

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Salary $5.50 per hour 6 days per week Contact 243-7218

SALARY: $6.00 per hr Contact: Sheer Elegance Saloon (Tel 244-0227)

PS 23 Management Company

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•Good command of the English Language •High school graduate •Willing to work shift pattern including weekends and holidays •Clean Police record •Valid driver’s license Ramp Agent Starting salary $7.50 per hour Customer Service Agents $8.50 per hour Flight Coordinator-based on qualification/experience

Submit application along with photograph to:

General Manager TCA Handling Town Centre Mall Providenciales

is currently looking for a Carpenter. Successful Applicant will be responsible for designing, building, installing, and repairing structures, fixtures, furniture, and other items using different types of materials including wood and steel.

Salary is $10.00 per hr.

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Elite Gaming requires an experienced route technician.

Salary: $10 or more per hour based on experience.

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Contact: 343-1984

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 15

LOCAL NEWS

Taxi market in Provo is saturated, says Minister

Minister for Home Affairs and the Environment Hon. Amanda Missick The talk of a number of young men especially on Provideniciales are aspiring to become taxi drivers was all but confirmed in the House of Assembly by Minister of Home Affairs and the Environment Hon. Amanda Missick, who said that the tourism ground transfer market on that island is oversupplied.

Responding to a question posed

by All Island Elected Member Hon.

Derek Taylor, as to the number of taxi licenses to operate in the Turks and Caicos Islands has been granted, giving the island-by-island breakdown, Minister Missick, explained that there are currently a staggering 175 license issued to taxi operating on Providenciales – the required quota.

She said that the current quota was increased in July in response to the plethora of requests.

“We have just increased the quota in Providenciales in July of this year, and I think the market is saturated now,” Minister Missick told the House.

By far, according to the figures given to the House by the Minister, Providenciales has outnumbered all the other islands combined.

She told the House that there are 49 licensed taxis in Grand Turk – 16 short of its allotted 65 quota number, and all of which are licensed. Minister Missick told the House that there are 10 taxis in North Caicos, eight of which have been licensed. She said that there are five taxis in Middle Caicos, two of which have been licensed by the Road Traffic Department to operate for taxi purposes.

She further told the House that there are five taxis in South Caicos but no license has been issues for them to have legitimacy. She did not say what the taxi quota is for that island. Salt

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

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

George Hinson, past president of the Provo Taxi Association Cay, the minister said, has three taxis, but no license given for them to operate legally.

Minister Missick told the house that all the licenses granted to taxi operators were issued after they met the standard set out in the Road Traffic regulations.

“All procedures were followed in filing for a taxi plate as prescribed by the road safety regulations, which must be adhered to,” she told the House of Assembly.

The taxi business on Providenciales has become one of the most sought after professions. Persons have left all kinds of occupations, including the police force, the construction industry, the telecommunications sector and even tourism executive positions to join that line of work. It has become even more attractive to persons on the outside after the minister raised the rate sometime last year.

However, there have been complaints by some longstanding taxi operators on Providenciales, that the proliferation of new entrants has drastically cut their earnings.

They also expressed concerns that some of the taxi drivers are not properly trained on a number of important procedures, such as courtesy to guests, deportment and vehicle upkeep to match the high-end destination promotion on which the Turks and Caicos Islands has pride itself.

They also complained that some persons joined the profession to undercut them, pointing to a transfer agreement between a small band of taxi operators, who penned a long term tourist transfer contractual arrangement with Beaches Resort and Spa, for a lower transfer rate than what government has stipulated.

Speaker of the House Hon. Robert Hall has called for the resolution of an age stipulation on taxi drivers instituted by the powers that be, and has been challenged by some operators.

The House speaker said also that he was made aware that there are instances where the Road Traffic Department may have cancelled some licenses.

Meanwhile, Minister Missick said that plans are being developed to address the illegal jitney problem,

which she said should come on stream soon.

Former president of the Provo Taxi Association George Hinson has blamed the minister for the saturation of the taxis in Providenciales, since she was the one who granted 25 new plates in the summer.

“The whole idea of the saturation of taxi industry, the statement was made, but at the end of the day, who approved the additional taxis? It’s her.

How can you say there is a saturation of taxis when you approved 25 more plates?” Hinson queried rhetorically.

He is of the view that the new licenses were issued to political operatives who might have been out of work and needed something to do.

“I honestly believe it was people who are politically-affiliated, who were not working that the plates were approved for. That is how the market got saturated,” Hinson theorized.

The former Provo Taxi Association Head expressed fear that the new entrants into the market could pose a threat to the industry, since they are untrained and appeared that they enter the fray to make a quick buck.

“One of the scary thing that is happening is that it is a bunch of young children that have come on the line, and that have no idea of customer service or what they are doing. And they are just speeding, smoking drugs and everything else. They (authorities) are not screening properly who they are allowing to come on the well fragile market that is tourism.

“And when the Premier at the symposium, talked about service, they (new taxi drivers) are not giving any service. They don’t dress properly and a lot of the taxis are not clean inside, so where do we go from here? We need to properly look at people who come into the market, not only for they dollars, but whether they can deliver the level of service that is needed to sustain the market, that is my concern,” Hinson said.

He points to the great deal of complaints coming from guests and the hotel industry, telling The SUN also that a number of guests have opted to post their disgust on the popular travel site – Trip Advisor – which he said could hurt the industry in the medium and long term.

“Look at the amount of complaints that come in from the hotels and from guests through Trip Advisor; it will tell you that people need to pay attention to speeding, how they deliver service, how they dress, how clean their rides are,” he said.

He recommended that the Road Safety Department’s inspection of taxis should be extended beyond the exterior of the vehicles. He said that the Road Safety Department, in tandem with the Tourist Board, should ensure that the taxi operators clean their vehicles to the standard that depicts the level of service that the Turks and Caicos Islands markets itself to offer.

“You have doors that cannot close, and you have a piece of string to pull to open the back door. These are things that affect the service. We need to bring the standard up. When you look inside a number of taxis, the upholstery and the floor are dirty,” he bemoaned.

Page 16

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Opposition supports government’s Brazil tourism push

By Vivian Tyson Opposition’s Appointed Member Hon. Clarence Selver has given his stamp of approval to government’s push to promoter the Turks and Caicos Islands is the expansive South American Country of Brazil though expressing displeasure how the Progressive National Party (PNP) administration is going about it.

Selver, making his contribution to government’s supplementary estimates of expenditure in the House of Assembly on Monday (December 15, 2014), said that the $100,000 spending, which he referred to as small investment, said it could open that market for the TCI. “…But this here would open up the South American market for us, we hope. It is a small investment comparatively, but we believe that if it is promoted well, then we should be able to reap some good rewards from it.

One hundred thousand dollars is allocated for this,” he said.

Selver told the House that since Brazil does not

share similar seasons as most countries, in the summer, when that country will be experiencing winter weather, the Turks and Caicos Islands could cash in.

“This should help to sort of level out some of the dips in tourist arrival here overall in the Turks and Caicos Islands, because when we have summer they have winter and when we have winter they have summer.

But for us, we always have summer here in the Turks and Caicos Islands,” he said.

He continued: “So when they (tourism players) say (there is) a drop off of tourism arrivals from North America because it is now spring and summer, it is winter in brazil, so they would want to escape from the cold and come to the Turks and Caicos Islands.

And so far, we understand that they have been having a lot of dive groups coming from there to enjoy the quality of diving that we have here in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

Selver, however, said that he was not happy that government promoted the investment as setting up a tourism office in Brazil, when it was merely paying an agent to

promote the country.

“It is described as tourist board office in Brazil. Now in our questioning of the permanent secretary for the ministry we learnt that this is not what it says it is. This is not a representative office in Brazil.

“In fact, during questioning we found that government would seek to get into a contract with an agent to promote Turks and Caicos Islands as a destination for persons in Brazil.

“So, we wouldn’t be necessarily setting up an office there. And so, I thought that the description was misleading, because if you read it you would think that we are setting up an office, and that is not the case,” Selver said.

Selver also lauded government for including funds in the supplementary appropriations to lure more airlift into the Turks and Caicos, especially in the country’s capital in Grand Turk, which he said is needed, adding also that that island would need to get more hotel rooms in order to maintain long term airlift on that island.

FINANCE ASSISTANT - Permanent Motivated, self-starter who is willing to work as part of a dynamic, fast-paced team. Reporting to the FINANCE MANAGER, you will be working within the Finance team ensuring all work is performed in line with Digicel Play/WIV policies, procedures and deadlines.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: •Reconciliation of daily close out of cash to bank statements and system reports •Preparation of bank reconciliations •Managing Accounts Payable function including liaising with creditors, posting invoices and processing payments •Active involvement in the month end process •Reconciliation of Balance Sheet accounts •Ad hoc duties •Supporting the Finance Manager •Liase with Auditors, Bankers, Statutory Authorities.

Academic Qualifications & Functional Skills •Bachelor’s degree in a Finance related field •Working towards obtaining an accountancy qualification •At least 2 years accounting experience •Experience in AP, AR and bank reconciliations •Experience in dealing with auditors, both internal and external •Experience in a dynamic fast-paced multinational environment desirable •Excellent communication skills •Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, and previous experience of using an accounting package desirable •Flexible and adaptable to an ever changing set of responsibilities, constrained by tight deadlines

Only Belongers need apply – Salary Based on Experience

Interested applicants should forward their resume to hrtci@digicelgroup.com Deadline for submission December 29th, 2014

Hon. Clarence Selver

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 17

LOCAL NEWS

Minister of Finance defends $160,000 for Beaches Resort

Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick has defended his government giving financial support to Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa for promotional purposes.

The minister was responding in the House of Assembly to questions from Member of Parliament for Grand Turk South, the Opposition Edwin Astwood, as to what the $160,000 in the Supplementary Appropriation Bill that government was seeking approval was for.

The government, in a previous parliamentary sitting, stated that it had given Beaches Resort – the largest private sector employer in the TCI - $500,000, which some members of the society found unsettling.

But Misick stood by the decision, telling the House that it was the right one, since the resort spends more than $3 million to advertise the country when it buses in scores of travel agents each year.

Research by The SUN proves that a number of those travel agents, after being brought in by Beaches, visit other properties with the intention to market them.

“It is important that things be put into context,” the Minister asserted. “Beaches spends over $3 million a year bringing in travel agents and other travel partners into these islands every summer.”

The finance minister said that when the resort closed two years ago for the summer, his government was reprimanded by the Opposition’s Appointed Member Hon. Clarence Selver, for allowing the resort to close, seeing that it would put many out of jobs, and owing to the reality that the new school year was just around the corner.

Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick “Year before last the Hon. Opposition Appointed Member chided the government for Beaches closing for the summer. He asked why we allowed Beaches to close for the summer. We understand things in context and so we did what we needed to do to support business and grow the economy,” the minister said, further telling the House that the funds included in the supplementary budget was to assist the resort to

foot its annual bill to promote the country.

He said that the great number of airlift that the Turks and Caicos Islands now enjoys is due mainly to Beaches; undertaking.

“The $160,000 is to defray some of the cost that Beaches (incur to advertise the country). In other words, it goes to help to subsidize the growing tourism industry. I want you to look at the other side of the pendulum. Turks and Caicos has one of the highest rate of service by international airlines anywhere in the Caribbean, particular given its size, and that is largely due to Beaches,” the minister emphasized.

He said that due to the airlift, government was able to collect a sizable amount of accommodation tax last year, and based on current figures, the trajectory appears to be heading the same direction.

“They (Beaches) had a 25 percent increase in arrival last year, I am told. If you look at the figures, the numbers in terms of accommodation tax that we have calculated up to December 9, that the trend is heading in the same direction again. So it is extremely important that we protect, support and grow this industry,” Minister Misick accentuated.

In the meantime, Minister Misick said that government will also be spending to grow the financial services sector, so as to ease the dependency somewhat off the tourism industry. “…And there will be cooperation with the private sector in the future; in the same way the government intends to spend money to re-establish and grow the financial services industry, so we are not dependent so much on the tourism industry,” he said.

TURKS HEAD YACHT CLUB

is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates for the following positions. The successful applicants must:

RESTAURANT CAPTAIN

-Have at least 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry with at least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory position -Be at least 30 years old -Have a clean criminal record -Have a valid passport -Have previous experience with MICROS POS systems -Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment -Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

RESTAURANT COOK

-Have at least 10 years’ experience in restaurant kitchens managing, ordering, preparing and hands on cooking in a supervisory position. Experience in tourism would be an asset.

-Be at least 30 years old -Have a clean criminal record -Have a valid passport -Have previous experience with MICROS POS systems -Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment -Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

SERVERS / BARTENDERS/SALES ASSISTANTS

-Have at least 5 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, experience in the tourism would be an asset -Possess the ability to remain calm in a high stress environment -Be well spoken with English as primary language -Have a valid passport -Be at least 25 years old -Have a clean criminal record -Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business

BEACH ATTENDANTS

-Have a clean criminal record -Have a valid passport -Hold a valid certification in CPR and First Aid -Have at least 3 years’ experience in the tourism and hospitality industry.

-Must be able to swim -Must be physically fit and well presented with a trustworthy and reliable disposition -Excellent communication, inter-personal and customer service skills with English as primary language -Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including on weekends and Public Holidays, as necessary to meet the challenging needs of the cruise ship schedule and/or reasonable needs of the business Preference will be given to documented Turks and Caicos Islanders Written applications only and accompanying CVs/resumes must be addressed to the Manager at the following address: Cee’s Plaza, Suite No. 1 Church Folly PO Box 86 Grand Turk Turks & Caicos Islands

TURKS HEAD YACHT CLUB c/o EPIC Corporate & Consultancy Services Ltd. Phone: 649-946-1570 Fax: 649-946-1571 Email: epic@epiccorporate.com

Alexandra Resort

is inviting applications for the following positions:

Front Office Manager

Directly supervises all front office personnel and ensures proper completion of all front office duties. Directs and coordinates the activities of the front desk, guest services, and telephone areas. Prepare monthly reports and budget for front office department.

Summary of Responsibilities:

•Ensure that all employees are, at all times, attentive, friendly, helpful and courteous to all guests managers and other employees.

•Ensure logging and delivery of all messages, packages and mail in a timely and professional manner.

•Maximize room revenue and occupancy by reviewing status daily. Analyze rate variance, monitor credit report and maintain close observation of daily house count.

Monitor selling status of house daily.

•Verifies that accurate room status information is maintained and properly communicated.

•Ensure guest satisfaction with the smooth and effective running of the day-to-day operation.

•Maintains working relationships and communicates with all departments.

•Check cashiers in and out and verifies banks and deposits at the end of each shift.

•Enforces all cash-handling, check-cashing, and credit policies.

•Resolves guest problems quickly, efficiently and courteously.

•Upholds the hotel’s commitment to hospitality.

•Maintains master key control.

•Supervises workload during shifts.

Educational and Other Requirements:

•Minimum of 5-7 years of previous Front Office Management experience in a senior leadership role.

•Hotel Management/Bachelor Degree •Computer literate in Microsoft Office applications required •Knowledge of Visual One preferred.

•Verbal and Written Communication Skills.

•Highly responsible & reliable with the ability to work well under pressure in fast paced environment.

•Must be able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends and holidays.

Salary for these positions will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please Submit Applications to: cgibbons@wihl.com A copy should also be submitted to the TCI Labour Department.

Page 18

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

LOCAL FUN & NEWS GAMES

Cook

IMMEDIATE OPENING

Requirements: •Experience with, and comfortable preparing a variety of different cuisines in a fine dining environment •Understand the importance of consistency •Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safety Duties Include: •Prepare all food items according to recipe cards and correct handling procedures.

•Maintain highest quality and appearance of all foods sent from kitchen and make sure plates are clean and appetizing.

•Maintain orderly and clean refrigerators and work areas.

•Rotate all foods and correctly fill out production charts.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Starting salary $6.00 per hour not including service charge.

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

•Adhere to OH&S policies and procedures and ensure all direct reports do the same.

Starting salary $35,000.00- $40,000.00 per annum commensurate with qualification and experience.

Stewarding Manager Requirements: •Prior experience managing the stewarding department of a 5 star Luxury Resort.

•Must have an excellent working knowledge of the kitchens, equipment, food productions, sanitation, hygiene and safety.

•Must be able to organize and delegate large banquet functions.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts.

Duties Include: •Ensures the maintenance of a clean, sanitary kitchen by supervising steward personnel •Issuing cleaning supplies to stewards, checking usage and making adjustments •Ensuring that kitchen floors and walk-ins are clean •Monitoring cafeteria and provide assistance to kitchen personnel during set-up and clean-up •Working with the Food & Beverage Director banquet orders •Taking inventory of and ensure proper amounts china, dishes etc. are available •Ensuring the training of and proper use daily of all safety, hygiene and sanitation Starting salary $35,000 per annum not including service charge.

Chief Engineer Requirements: •Minimum of 7 years previous experience as Chief Engineer/Director of Engineering with experience in luxury resort •Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience •Thorough understanding of plumbing, electrical, HVAC and deep refrigeration with ability to quickly evaluate problems and decide on a plan of action Financial Controller •Experienced with waste water treatment plant Requirements: •Understanding of all concepts behind landscape and grounds maintenance •10-12 years experience in financing/accounting in hospitality industry •At least 5 years management/supervisory experience at a property of similar size, •Experience developing and implementing effective preventive maintenance programs Quality and business structure.

•Knowledge of Opera system is also a definite plus •At least 3 years of international multi-unit property experience.

•Must be able to work all days and shifts • Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience Duties Include: •Advanced knowledge and skills in computer systems, most specifically, Excel •Supervising/managing/overseeing maintenance and engineering departments as Spreadsheet Solutions. well as landscaping •Complete understanding of Executive Committee level functions.

•Demonstrated understanding of interdepartmental relations and expectations in the •Maintaining and refining preventive maintenance program •Develop and monitor annual operating , Capex and project budgets luxury hotel market.

•Serve as project manager for renovation/upgrade projects including sourcing, •Sound knowledge of both European and American Accounting Plans.

•Previous and in depth experience, understanding and application of management vendors and establishing schedules and budgets Starting salary $50,000.00 per annum. contracts.

•Thorough understanding of H.O.A. contracts and contractual management.

Spa Manager •Solid training in all areas of Accounting from A/P, A/R, General Ledger, Credit, Collections, Audit, Inventory control, Payroll, Budgeting, Costing, P&L preparation Requirements: •Minimum of 5 years experience as spa manager at luxury spa of similar size and and analysis, etc. status •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts •Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience Duties Include: •Managing the day to day operations of the accounting department and overseeing •Strong written and verbal skills with documented responsibility for promotions sales and marketing. the staff.

•Merchandising/visual skills; experience with retail products and apparel goods.

•Assisting executive management, ownership and related associations with the •Knowledge of current trends In luxury spa facilities and services production of financial reports, detailed analysis and business outlook.

•Directing departments in the preparation and consolidation of financial budgets and •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: projections.

•Manage the day to day operations of the Fitness Center and Spa Facilities •Prepare, present and provide interpretation of operational reports as they impact •Maximize profitability by increasing sales of products and services and by managing the business finances. effectively •Developing and maintaining chart of accounts and master lists.

•Ensure high quality of facility and services to meet international luxury and brand •Actively involved in yield management and revenue enhancement. standards and earn global recognition and awards •Coordinating internal and external audits.

•Experience developing and implementing effective preventative maintenance Starting salary $60,000-$75,000 not including service charge. programs •Demonstrated experience in development budgets and cost saving measures Front Office Manager •Develop annual operating and Capex budgets, monitoring and adjusting as needed Requirements: •Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience with at least 3 year at a management level. Starting salary $50,000 per annum not including service charge.

•Must have a Degree from School for Tourism & Hotel Management or other Pastry Chef professional qualification.

Requirements: •Manage and supervise all tasks of front office personnel to ensure guests receive •Must have previously worked as a pastry chef for a minimum of 5 years in a luxury prompt, cordial attention and personal recognition.

•Supervise the Front Office team to ensure optimum occupancy and average room Resort .

•Demonstrate understanding of the technical skills for assigned area (all kitchen work rate for the purpose of maximizing revenue.

•Monitor Front Office, and particularly Guest Relations personnel, to ensure priority stations).

•Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience. guests, repeat guests and other VIPs receive special attention and recognition.

•Experience with, and are comfortable preparing a variety of different pastries in a •Promote Inter-Hotel sales and in-house facilities and monitors Front Office fine dining environment.

Marketing techniques in line with FIT marketing program.

•Understand the importance of consistency.

•Assume overall responsibility for maintaining standards to ensure furnishings •Knowledge of food preparation techniques and health/safety requirements. facilities and equipment are clean, in good repair and well maintained.

•Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts.

•Interpret computer reports and compile relevant statistics for front office.

Duties include: •Conduct comprehensive monthly departmental meetings to include a review of •Assists in creating and developing dishes for the pastry department procedures and events which warrants special handling and detailed information.

•Ensures the highest quality of product within cost constraints by participating in the •Communicate to Hotel Manager all pertinent information such as the expected preparation of baked goods, pastries, desserts, ice carvings and show pieces arrival and departure of VIPs. •Assists in creating daily specials and signature desserts •Prepare efficient work and vacation schedule for Front Office Staff, taking into •Assist in producing the production of all pastry items, ensuring the right quantity and consideration project occupancy and forecasts and any large group movements.

•Work with the Human Resource Manager to ensure the departmental performance the highest standards of quality •Maintenance of pastry equipment of staff is productive.

•Requisition food with necessary approvals according to policy •Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts.

Starting salary $5.50 an hour not including service charge.

Duties include: •Plan for future staffing needs and recruit in line with company guidelines.

Interested applicants should apply to Regent Palms, Human Resources •Prepare detailed induction programs for new staff.

Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along •Analyze training needs of Front Office staff and develop training programs. an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to marjorie.dorsett@ •Conduct probation and formal performance appraisals. regenthotels.com, no later than end of day Friday, December 26th, 2014.

•Coach, counsel, discipline staff and provide constructive feedback to staff.

•Work with the Finance and Business Manager in the preparation and management of the department’s budget.

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

Page 19

LOCAL NEWS

Ten Caribbean destinations reaped $867 million from private jet vacationers in winter season New York, USA — Elite Gollan added.

According to figures supplied by Traveler Magazine has just reported the top ten destinations to enjoy the PrivateFly from WINGX, there were benefits of private jet charter flights 12,566 charter flights to the ten during last year’s peak winter season, busiest Caribbean airports alone from which resulted in revenues of $867 November 2013 to April 2014, the high million from 12,566 flights. Nassau in season for Caribbean travel. Based on The Bahamas, St Maarten and Turks data from Prince & Associates showing and Caicos led the way, accounting that private jets bring an average of for half of those flights, with 6,922 $69,000 in spend to the destinations arrivals and spending of nearly $478 they visit (excluding fuel and landing million, according to private jet charter fees), private jet travelers brought operator PrivateFly’s analysis of flight some $867 million in spending to the destinations where the top ten airports activity to the Caribbean.

“Elite Traveler Magazine tracks were located.

Carol Cork, PrivateFly’s marketing the jet stream of the super rich and chronicles the vacations and head, noted that charter is only about purchasing habits of affluent travelers one-third of private jet activity — the across the world,” noted Douglas rest being owned jets and fractionally Gollan, group president and editor-in- owned jets, so more likely elite travelers will again bring billions of chief.

“We continue to see the Caribbean dollars in spending to the Caribbean in as one of the preferred destinations for the coming months.

The top destination was Nassau, our readers, especially those traveling by private jets and mega-yachts,” where private jet charter fliers alone

brought $278 million.

St Maarten is often a stopping off place for St Barts, a popular villa destination and pick-up location for super-yachts. Elite travelers drove $104 million in revenue to the island.

Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos gained $94 million from ultra high net worth families arriving by private jet. Earlier this year a private Boeing 727 with a family of 20 from Nebraska arrived to spend ten days at Beaches Resort, according to Cork.

Luis Munoz Marin Airport in San Juan, one of four private jet airports serving Puerto Rico was the gateway for $88 million to enter the territory’s economy.

Abaco in the Bahamas followed with elite travelers generating some $64 million for the economy, with St Thomas following at $56 million.

Bermuda, North Eleuthera, Anguilla and Cayman followed.

“When one considers the above

numbers represent only 33 to 50 percent of total private aviation activity to the region and only the ten busiest airports, it shows the huge opportunity for destinations and resorts to increase their share of super rich winter travel spending,” Gollan said.

Gollan added: “During Caribbean Week in New York earlier this year Sarah Wescot-Williams, then prime minister of St Maarten, recalled how the crew of a mega-yacht spent $10,000 on flowers as they prepared the boat for the owner’s private jet arrival. Also in St Maarten, a tourism official noted that a family renting a villa spent some $40,000 on flowers.”

In another story of high spending, Roxanne Genier, former superyacht crew and now luxury market consultant, described how on a rainy day the owner of the super-yacht she was working off popped off for some quick shopping and returned with a $200,000 bracelet.

Hospital issues statement on Nicole Gray situation TCI. When she was ready to leave Jamaica, her medical team there stated she required intensive inpatient rehabilitation services.

As this is not a service presently available anywhere within the Turks and Caicos Islands, it would have been inappropriate to accept her return

to the hospital, since the services her Jamaican medical team stated she needed, are not available here.

We have always had Nicole’s best interests at heart and we remain hopeful that she will continue her recovery in the most appropriate place to maximize her health potential.”

Carambola Grill and Lounge is seeking an enthusiastic waitress and experienced cook to support the Management team in the day to day running of the establishment.

WAITRESS

The Cheshire Hall Medical Centre “Last December, Nicole Gray was involved in a motor vehicle accident that left her critically ill.

After she was stabilized by the excellent medical and nursing team at Cheshire Hall, she was transferred to an Intensive Care Unit in Jamaica.

Two months later, in February 2014, she returned to Cheshire Hall, where her condition was such that she still required continuing inpatient care.

With significant medical intervention thereafter, her tracheostomy was eventually removed and she was able to breathe on her own.

She received all necessary treatment and care ordered by her medical team and her physical therapy was optimized; however, as is common with significant head trauma, full recovery can often be limited.

When Nicole’s condition stabilized and her physicians determined she no longer required care in an acute-care hospital environment, preparations were made to return her home, where she could be effectively cared for and supported by her loved ones.

Every attempt was made to work in partnership with the family to facilitate this return home, and we collaborated with the Ministry of Health and the Social Welfare Department who also supported this effort.

This included the hospital undertaking the training of a care assistant, providing a hospital-grade pressure-relieving loaner mattress for Nicole’s bed (which is still in the family’s possession) and liaising with the Ministry of Health to support an air mattress purchase.

This was all done to facilitate Nicole’s discharge home in Provo (where she has a young child), but to no avail. Thereafter, a recommendation was made for long-term care support in Grand Turk, in the Special Needs block of the Wellness Centre, but her family refused that option as well.

Our main concern is, and has always been, to ensure Nicole is cared for in the environment most appropriate to meet her physical, social and emotional needs. Nicole no longer required acute hospitalization, yet she continued to remain in a hospital bed and receive care for five more months after being discharged by her doctors.

The Hospital feels that limited healthcare resources should be available for those island citizens whose medical conditions may require secondary, acute-level care that can only be provided in a Hospital setting.

Nicole returned to Jamaica on 24th October for an acute neurological evaluation, a service not available in

Responsibilities include: Set table cutlery serviettes and condiments before the start of meals; pleasantly greet and seat guests when they arrive, efficiently take their orders, and professionally serve food and beverages; familiarize yourself with the menu and recommend dishes, drink and wines when taking orders clears used cutlery and replace table settings when guests leave; serve individual portions or dishes and refill drinks when requested salary $6.50 per hour.

Requirements Must have experience in working in a busy established restaurant as a trained professional waitress.

Must be neat, tidy and smartly dress Must be tactful, courteous and able to communicate well with people Have a good service attitude and be able to work in a team.

COOK Responsibilities include: Supervise food production Prepare food daily as outlined Maintain kitchen sanitation and safety standards Assist with set-up, service and clean-up of food production Ensure proper sanitation and storage of kitchen equipment Other duties as assigned by supervisors Requirements Must have experience in working in a busy established restaurant as a trained professional waitress Must be neat, tidy and smartly dressed Must be tactful, courteous and able to communicate well with people Have a good service attitude Be able to work in a team Contact 946-8122 Or drop off resume at Carambola, Airport Road, Providenciales

Page 20

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Budget surplus enables government to spend more

The remarkable performance by the economy has allowed government to unchain programmes that it had originally placed on the backburner because of financial constraints, according to Minister of Finance Hon. Washington Misick.

Minister Misick who was arguing in the House of Assembly for the Supplementary Appropriation Bill this past week, explained that at the time of assembling the budget, the Rufus Ewing Administration did not expect revenues to perform in such a robust fashion hence government cutting back on spending.

“It is obviously has been stated, and I think I have stated over and over again in my ministerial statement the last time this House met, that the

revenue performance of some of the priority this country has been programmes,” the better than what is minister said. expected.

He told the House “Expense drives the that his government revenue and the revenue would not return to the drives the expense, so House for approval for when we set the budget, another spending bill that when it was before the end of the passed, it was based on current financial year. expectations at that time.

“The bottom line is, And cost is important we presented a budget and prioritization – a supplementary of programmes is appropriations bill; important, prioritization and I stated at the very of expenditure is beginning that it is not important.

So we the intention of the prioritized expenditure government to present based on our expectations another one for this at that time. financial year,” he said.

“As it turned out the Minister Misick economy has performed chided his political better, so we can now opponents, especially the come back and allocate Opposition’s appointed funding for some of those member Hon. Clarence areas that we might Selver, with whom have under-cost. Now traded barbs earlier that there is a surplus, for which both had to government has decided apologize to the House, to seek approval from to learn to celebrate the House to undertake success regardless of

which side of the isle has realized it.

“We should celebrate success regardless of who comes in; we should celebrate progress. We can curse the darkness, but we can also light a candle. You (Selver) have the gumption to come here today and say that this appropriations bill shows that we have no interest in people and no interest in education.

Go back and check the history books, check your memory back. The largest scholarship allocation in this country was done by the Progressive National Party, and we are doing it again,” he said.

He added: “I think the work that the minister of education is doing in trying to move education forward and provide for the splitting of the Clement Howell High School, and to upgrade

its physical environment is commendable – it is not going to happen overnight.”

He reminded the House that not many governments in the world could boast of having surplus, a telltale sign that government is laying the groundwork for greater financial success.

“This economy is, at last, becoming healthy; the government has a surplus that I am not ashamed of; we are paying our way in the world. When you look around in this region and when you look around in the world, the Turks and Caicos Islands is a blessed country. There are many countries in this world that cannot say they have a surplus.

“There are structural changes to the economy that we have to make;

there are some social changes that we have to make to ensure that no one goes to sleep hungry, because this is a caring government, if you check back at our history,” Minister Misick asserted.

Minister Misick also told the House that the spending bill also includes emergency spending.

“And yes, we spoke about the provision for emergency expenses; we have provision for emergency expenses.

(We have provision for the effects of Tropical Storm) Cristobal. We have provision here for chikungunya and for ebola, God forbid that it gets anywhere near here. We have made provision, and those three provisions, make up the bulk of this supplementary,” the minister noted.

Governor announces review of the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Services Commission

Governor Peter Beckingham

Governor Peter Beckingham announced at the Turks and Caicos Islands Financial Service Commission (FSC) AGM on Friday 12th December that he has finalised arrangements for a review of the body to be undertaken in January 2015.

The review will explore the Financial Services Commission’s value for money in delivering effective regulation, meeting international standards, and securing for Turks and Caicos Islands the competitive advantage derived from being a well-regulated jurisdiction.

It will focus on the direction given to the organisation by the Board and the senior management of the FSC, the number and experience of staff employed, especially compared to other Caribbean Overseas Territories, the structure of the FSC including the companies’ registry function, fees charged to

SCOTIA DOLES OUT TREATS TO POOR AND INDIGENT: Scotiabank staff members are seen handing out gift bags of food items to the needy and the elderly at its Leeward Highway/Cherokee Road location in Providenciales on Thursday (December 11, 2014). Occasion was the bank’s fourth annual Christmas Treat to the elderly and indigent. Keno Forbes, Assistant Business Manager for Business Support in the Managing Director’s Office, said that the recipients received mostly non-perishable items, such as canned goods, tea, corned beef, grits, tuna and rice. Each bag also received a whole chicken. He said each of the 30 bags contained in excess of $40 worth of food items. Forbes said that the first year of the programme, the bank treated residents in Middle Caicos, but has been focusing on Providenciales, because that is where it operates, while assisting where possible in other islands. In addition to persons turning up to collect their gift, bags were also handed to the Salvation Army and Social Welfare on behalf of those who could not make it.

the financial services sector, an carping about the FSC,” the assessment of the FSC reserve Governor added. “The aim of position/provisions, external this review, which has been relations with financial services agreed with its Chair Sir Errol organisations in TCI and Allen and will be shared with relations with regional or global his Board, is to provide a brief financial compliance bodies. but incisive analysis of how “A good financial regulator the Commission is performing, is key to the growth and sound and possible areas to consider operation of the financial services strengthening.”

The review will be conducted industry in any jurisdiction, and we have commissioned this by Mr Steve Johnson, who is an review to ensure the Turks and independent consultant and a Caicos Islands FSC is as well- former UK Treasury official who equipped as possible to deliver has spent more than twenty its objectives,” commented years working with the financial the Governor. “These types services industry and regulators. of reviews are commonplace Mr Johnson was Secretary to the throughout the world, and this Independent Review of British financial services exercise is part of our ongoing offshore commitment to ensure the centres ( “The Foot Review”) effective operation of the bodies and has continued to work with charged with upholding good the sector in the UK and in Caribbean Overseas Territories governance in the TCI. “There has been background since publication of the Review noise from within the financial in 2009. services sector of criticism and

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Graceway Trading Ltd is a seeking suitably qualified applicant to fill the following positions:

Financial Accounting Manager Job Requirements & Responsibilities: •ACA/ACMA/ACCA/CPA professionally qualified with a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in a financial analysis/financial reporting position.

•Responsible for managing all transactional accounting processes within the Financial Accounting team, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, weekly payroll, cashing-up and sales.

•Managing a team of four bookkeepers, ensuring that job responsibilities are being performed in a complete and timely manner as well as employee performance reviews being undertaken on a regular basis.

•Responsible for reviewing, correcting and posting all journal entries to the general ledger prepared by members of the Financial Accounting team.

•Detailed review and reconciliation of general ledger accounts on a daily basis to ensure accuracy of accounting records.

•Comprehensive knowledge of general ledger accounting and the function of financial accounting systems is essential.

•Implementing and improving accounting processes and procedures to improve team efficiency and drive profitability of the business.

•Weekly reporting of KPIs to senior management and stakeholders.

•Ad-hoc finance related projects as required.

•Strong written and verbal communication skills essential.

•Attention to detail and flexibility to manage multiple tasks.

•Knowledge of SAGE accounting software beneficial.

Finance Analyst Job Requirement & Responsibilities: •ACA/ACMA/CMA/CPA qualified with a minimum of 5 years post qualification experience in a financial analysis position •Management and development of pricing system and processes •Detailed gross margin analysis to identify and correct pricing anomalies •Support Pricing & Logistics Managers maintain the accuracy of company databases, recommend and implement controls to prevent database inaccuracies from occurring •Review and develop freight and duty allocation methodologies to ensure accurate cost allocation to individual products.

•Extensive experience of querying databases using computer programming languages (eg SQL) •Detailed knowledge and practical experience of accounting software (eg SAGE) •Advanced Excel skills essential including the use of pivot tables, VLookup functions and embedded logic formulas •Act as the link between Finance and IT, representing the Finance team at IT Steering Committee meetings •Ad-hoc analysis to support operational decision making, including new product and vendor assessment •Strong written and verbal communication skills •Attention to detail and flexibility to manage multiple tasks

Salary for these positions will commensurate with qualifications and experience Deadline for submission of applicants is January 10th 2015 Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracwayiga.com Please Note: Only candidates meeting above required qualifications will be contacted

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LOCAL NEWS

Junior Achievers stage merchandise exhibition

On Saturday (December 13, 2014) the Scotiabanksponsored Junior Achievers programme had a display and judging of products at the parking lot of the financial entityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grace Bay branch. The event comprised of presentation by the group, followed by judging. Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Service, Hon. Akierra Missick along with new Managing Director for Scotiabank were on hand to address the students.

The Pastr only ingre dough, co

New Managing Director for Scotiabank Sean Brathwaite

Exquisite Ones sells goody baskets comprising handcraft jewelry, candy canes, conditioners, shampoos

Minister for Education, Youth, Sport and Library Services Hon. Akierra Missick, checking out the Urban Accessories table

Island Jewels specializes in pastries and confectionary, including cream cakes, Salt Cay Candy and shell-covered jewelry boxes

Some of the BAKE representatives at their booth. BAKE is actually an acronym. B, stands for baked goods; A stands for armbands; K stands for Karaoke; and E for entertainment. The group specializes in baked products, fashionable armbands, provides karaoke and other entertainment

Island Expression specials in the sales of necklaces and other craft items. It main target market is teens. The company is also selling shares to the public

Or

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LOCAL NEWS

ry Craver, a group from North Caicos, specializes in baked goods, using edients grown on that island. Their merchandise comprised of coconut oconut tart, cookies, cream cakes, cupcakes and lemonade

Island Treasures is a party services business, providing products Customers patronizing the Island Treasures booth for sales at parties and shows. They offer soda, cupcakes, banana bread, cheese cake, cotton candy, chips and snow cones

Urban Accessories specializes I handcrafted jewelry, such as necklaces and bracelets, and also customized cell phone and tablet cases

Marlin Award winner Robyn Hinds perform the National Anthem and National Song

Patry Craver doing good business

ronnica Stubbs was the master of ceremonies

Minister of Education, Youth, Sport and Library Services Hon. Akierra Missick guesses how many candies are in this jar, which the Island Treasures company has on display at its booth. Patrons were charged a dollar to guess the number

Island Treasures was one of the groups that was most patronized on the day

Tristyana Vanalstine specializes in hand-made crafts, such as tie-and-dye t-shirts, straw hats, bags, bracelets and hand bands

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VOLUME 10 - NO. 48

$1.00

Christmas Special Website: www.suntci.com

Email: sun@suntci.com

Tel: (649) 339-5879

Fax: (649) 941-3281

www.facebook.com/tcisun

DIGICEL PRESENTS GIFTS TO DORIS ROBINSON STUDENTS

T

he students of Doris Robinson Primary School on the island of Middle Caicos were all smiles as they received some early Christmas gifts from Digicel. Staff members from the nation’s leading telecoms company went bearing gifts for both staff and students on Thursday, December 11, 2014 during their annual Christmas visit.

A tradition now for over 5 years, the annual visit has become something not only students look forward to but also the community in general. The school which is adopted by Digicel benefits from a hot lunch programme which ensures that all the students receive a hot lunch every day while at school.

Head of Marketing for Digicel, Ava-Dayne Fulford says, “Digicel

is pleased to have an on-going programme that benefits the students of Doris Robinson throughout the year. However we all know that Christmas is extra special so we make an extra effort to bring some cheer to these students and they have all grown to expect this of us and we are pleased to always deliver.”

Principal of the school, Keisha Mills, said, “We appreciate the work that Digicel does for us and especially at Christmas, the children are made to feel extra special. The entire community appreciates the gesture.”

The Doris Robinson Primary school currently has an enrollment of 16 students

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WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS CARIBBEAN NEWS

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WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Was Jesus really born on December 25th?

At Christmastime, you might notice signs amid residential light displays or on church boards that merrily proclaim “Happy Birthday, Jesus” or announce that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” Of course, such messages are merely meant to remind people of the sentiment behind Christmas. But the signs do raise questions about the accuracy of Biblical dates and the history of the Church year.

But by the early fourth century, Church leaders decided they needed a Christian alternative to rival popular solstice celebrations. They chose December 25th as the date of Christ’s birth and held the first recorded Feast of the Nativity in Rome in A.D. 336.

Whether they did so intentionally or not, Church leaders directly

challenged a fellow up-start religion by placing the nativity on December 25th. The Cult of Mithras celebrated the birth of their infant god of light on the very same day.

Church leaders may have also had theological reasons for choosing the date of Dec. 25th. The Christian historian Sextus Julius Africanus had identified the 25th as Christ’s nativity more than a hundred years earlier. Chronographers reckoned that the world was created on the spring equinox and four days later, on March 25th, light was created. Since the existence of Jesus signaled a beginning of a new era, or new creation, the Biblical chronographers assumed Jesus’ conception would have also fallen on March 25th placing his birth in December, nine months later.

The Real Meaning Of Christmas

It’s that time of year again.

December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, turkey dinners with family and friends, snow in the yard, stockings hanging in the living room, and shouts of “Merry Christmas” to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don’t have the EXTRA MONEY to buy presents for their children, family, and friends.

Many are saddened at Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons. Turkey dinners may be only a wish and not a reality for some.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time

of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby.

The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child.

Luke 2: 4-19 says: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she

gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them

and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”

Why did He come? Why did God send His son to this sometimes cruel and hard world? He sent Jesus to us so that one day, He would grow up to become a very important part of history. His story (history) is one of truth, love, and hope. It brought salvation to all of us. Without Jesus, we would all die in our sins.

Jesus was born so one day the price could be paid for the things we have done that are wrong. The Bible says that all have sinned. We are all born with a sin nature. We do things that do not please God. Through the sins of Adam and Eve, we have all inherited that sin nature. We need to have that removed. The only way is through Jesus. Jesus came so He could die on the cross for ALL of our sins. If we believe that Jesus died for our sins, we can ask Him to come into our hearts and forgive us. Then, we are clean and made whole. We can know that heaven is a place where we can go to when this life is over.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.”

I John 1:9 We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God. Heaven will be our home one day.

Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a “Merry Christmas.” The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.

Jesus Is The Reason For The Season! Rejoice!

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LOCAL NEWS WORLD NEWS

Happy Holidays !!

May peace, Happiness and Prosperity be yours during this Holiday Season and throughout the NewYear. We look forward to your continued support in 2015

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CARIBBEAN LOCAL NEWSNEWS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Taking ‘Christ’ Out of Christmas

Christmas: a season of generosity, good cheer, preparation for Christ’s birth – and a swarm of lawyers seeking to purge any mention of Christianity from the public square.

Every Christmas, the so-called secular community starts shrieking whenever any mention of religion is brought into the public eye. Lawyers successfully targeted a school’s performance of ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas.’ Even Christmas trees have too much religious content to suit the self-appointed censors.

Secularist Grinches have long sought to obscure “the reason for the season.” But censorship of Christianity is increasingly a media mission for all seasons; Christians are pressured to hide their public faith under baskets. From the media-driven assault on Christian restaurant Chick-fil-A to increasingly snide commentary masquerading as journalism, the media are increasingly pushing for a public retreat from religion.

And it’s working, at least according to one study.

In October, Pew reported that a fifth of the American public, and a third of adults under 30, have no religious affiliation. And 88 percent of those people aren’t interested in belonging to a church.

Federal, state, and local governments have taken up the mantle of censors of publicly expressed Christianity. A lawsuit filed by 43 different Catholic institutions against the Obama administration’s HHS mandate received next to no coverage from the broadcast networks. Government efforts have also been implemented against crosses put up in public.

Schools are also displaying increasingly hostility to Christianity. One North Carolina school even refused to allow a first grader to recite her poem in an assembly because it mentioned the word God. Louisiana State University (LSU) photo-shopped crosses out of pictures on their official website.

Schools across the South have been pressured by atheist groups to repress longstanding traditions of prayer before football games.

The media, government, and schools, pushed by secularist groups, aim to litigate, browbeat, and photo-shop Christianity out of the public sphere.

Christmas remains their most high-profile target, but increasingly, it’s an all-weather campaign.

Have a Holly Jolly Winter Festival It wouldn’t be Christmas without the secular crowd actively trying to censor the holiday (especially the religious aspects) out of existence. This annual assault grows more and more intensive – and more ridiculous – each year.

The most ridiculous effort was the efforts of an anonymous parent who tried to stop production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at an Arkansas school, because, as attorney Anne Orsi explained: “The problem is that it’s got religious content and it’s being performed in a religious venue and that doesn’t just blur the line between church and state — it oversteps it entirely.”

In Hawaii, the Department of Education canceled an annual Christmas concert over the threat of a lawsuit. A group called Hawaii Citizens for the Separation of State and Church objected to involvement of a church in organizing and publicizing the event, which has for years RAISED MONEY for the poor of Africa.

Back on the mainland, the city of Santa Monica, Calif., has banned Nativity scenes in Palisades Park, where they’d been a holiday feature for decades.

“Last year, atheists overwhelmed the city’s auction process for display sites, winning 18 of 21 slots and triggering a bitter dispute,” according to a report.

Rather than get involved in the argument, the city simply banned all displays, and a federal judge dismissed a Christian group’s lawsuit to for the city to repeal the policy.

Even the dreaded Christmas tree is too religious for some people. Senior citizens in Los Angeles were told they couldn’t have a Christmas tree in their apartment complex because it’s a “religious symbol.”

Western Piedmont Community College told students that they could not use the word “Christmas” – to promote a Christmas tree sale. And the replacements for Christmas items are predictably secular. Frosty the Snowman replaced a Nativity scene at one school in the Florida panhandle.

Of course, clever public officials realize they might head off criticism and burnish their diversity credentials by preemptively calling things by different names. That’s what liberal Rhode Island

Gov. Lincoln Chafee (I) did last year, renaming the state capitol’s Christmas tree a “holiday tree.” But, as Wall Street Journal columnist William McGurn recently described it, “a flash mob of carolers showed up at the lighting ceremony and delivered themselves of a rousing rendition of ‘O Christmas Tree.’ To avoid a repeat, this year Gov. Chafee announced the tree lighting ceremony only 30 minutes before it happened.”

And of course there are the annual denials from the left that a war on Christmas exists, as the Media Research Center has documented over the years. Liberal comedian Jon Stewart launched a broadside at Fox News for raising the issue of the “war on Christmas,” mocking Fox hosts as “nuts.”

This denial is singularly hypocritical, coming from a comedian who got in trouble for showing a “vagina manger” on his program. But Stewart isn’t the only person mocking the idea of the War on Christmas and attacking those who dare to raise the subject. MSNBC washout and Current TV host Cenk Ugyur lashed out at Bill O’Reilly, jokingly declaring that the Fox News host “might burn in hell” for “calling a pagan tree a Christmas tree.”

The Huffington Post’s Jeff Sorenson declared: “to a person who doesn’t drink bleach and rub sand in his eyes for pleasure, this entire concept is completely insane.” MSNBC’s David Schoetz dismissed Fox’s coverage of the subject as “baseless segment after segment.”

But at least one writer on the left believes in a “war on Christmas” – although religion has nothing to do with it. Kate Sheppard of Mother Jones complained that the real war on Christmas was “spurred by climate change.” (Apparently, climate change is somehow responsible for a drought killing Christmas trees.)

But that’s just the December campaign. The secular left works the other 11 months too.

The Complicity of the Media While the Christmas battles tend to be about symbols and signs of Christianity, what drives the animus the rest of the year is outrage that Christians take their faith seriously and try to live by its precepts. Liberal journalists who loathe religious principles also seek to marginalize any expression of traditional Christian morality.

The Culture and Media Institute chronicled the media-driven campaign to destroy and humiliate Christian-owned restaurant Chick-fil-A, sparked when Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy spoke in favor of traditional marriage.

Christians displaying their religious faith in public have also drawn journalistic derision. The Washington Post’s Lisa Miller derided black pastors opposed to gay marriage as “astro-turfers.” The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which claims to be “an umbrella for those who are free from religion and are committed to the cherished principle of separation of state and church.” filed a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, complaining that the IRS allowed Catholic bishops and Billy Graham to get away with “blatantly and deliberately flaunting the electioneering restrictions.” The headline of the AP story on this subject blared: Atheist Group Sues over Religious Electioneering.”

Journalists aren’t the only self-appointed media censors of Christianity; the entertainment industry has also actively attempted to muzzle Christians. ESPN pulled its sponsorship of an ad

by NASCAR driver Blake Koch, because he linked to a Christian ministry on his website and a group that registers pro-life voters. The producers of American Idol warned singer Colton Dixon not to speak about his Christian faith on air. Dixon ignored the warnings and did so anyway, and explained his decision to Today.com: “When we first started the Twitter and Facebook stuff, they said beware of political and religious tweets. Just because it can turn off voters or whatever. But, you know, being a Christian is who I am. It is a part of me musically. It is what I want to do after the show -- go into Christian music.” [...]

“I am not going to hide it, and I am not going to stray away from it just because I am on a TV show.”

Christians like Dixon argue that they cannot be silent about their faith in public, since their faith is inextricably bound up with their public activities.

To force devout Christians to be silent about their faith in public is to effectively drive them from the

public square altogether.

Media Cheers on Government Suppression But the media isn’t the only group with an aversion to God – government is also cracking down of public expression of Christianity. Georgetown University was literally asked to do just that during Obama’s May 2012 visit to the campus, covering over the name of Jesus at the request of the White House.

Government attempts to run roughshod over religious liberty (not to mention the fact that segments of the Democratic party sought to purge God from their platform) have apparently emboldened secularists to push for ever greater religious repression. The anti-religion crusaders at the Freedom From Religion Foundation requested that President Obama not use the Bible during his second inauguration ceremony. And the American Humanist Organization is pressuring newly elected members not to join the Congressional Prayer Caucus (which only Fox covered).

The most glaring example of government’s disregard for Christianity is the Obama administration’s HHS mandate, which forces religious-affiliated institutions to pay insurance companies to provide contraception. Since the Catholic Church considers contraception to be a moral evil, the Obama administration is effectively forcing Catholic-affiliated institutions to violate their consciences, pay enormous fines, sell off their institutions, or shut down. The administration argues that the mandate does not concern actual churches, just religiously affiliated organizations like schools and hospitals. In effect, the government is determining where religious belief begins and ends and when its observance is legitimate.

And the media have given cover to the government’s overreach. 43 Catholic organizations sued the federal government in May 2012 over the HHS mandate – and the three broadcast networks responded by burying the story – only CBS and NBC even mentioned the lawsuit (NBC once, CBS twice).

ABC completely buried the story.

State and local governments in America and abroad have increasingly tried to force Christians to swallow their objections to supporting gay relationships, winning media plaudits.

Government efforts in foreign countries to repress public expression of Christianity have met with approval from the American media. Washington Post reporter Anthony Faioli lambasted a “small fringe” on the “far right” for daring to oppose a ban on public prayer in Britain.

When German Prime Minister Angela Merkel declared in a Nov. 2012 speech that Christianity was the “most persecuted” sect in the world, the Associated Press’ recounting of Merkel’s comments featured the headline: “Merkel’s ‘Christian Persecution’ Comments Draw Ire.” The soft stick of tolerance wielded by government is proving increasingly repressive in its own right.

God-Free School Zone Education gets you more than reading, writing, and arithmetic – it also gives you a chance to be silenced if you have religious beliefs. Schools are actively playing the part of the secular police – or being pressured to do so by groups dedicated to establishing “freedom from religion” in America.

Some schools have proven more that willing participants in the cause of Christianity-purging.

The most ridiculous case was that of a first grader being forced to remove God from her poem about her two grandfathers who served in the Vietnam War. LSU digitally removed Christian crosses from pictures shown on their website. LSU official Herb Vincent explained the school’s reasoning: “LSU Athletics attempts not to imply any particular religious or political message in any of its correspondence with fans. Thus the crosses were edited out of the photos.”

Other schools are being targeted by antireligious groups. The ACLU has warned public schools not to participate in school prayer. And the Freedom from Religion Foundation has proven to be even more active opponents of Christianity in schools, targeting schools for prayer before football games.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation has threatened multiple schools with traditions of prayer before games, by sending letters arguing that their actions are unconstitutional.

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ENTERTAINMENT LOCAL NEWS

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT CARIBBEAN LOCAL NEWSNEWS

AKA Santa Claus

Every December 24th millions of people are visited by a short, fat guy in a red suit. Where did he come from, why does he do it, and how does he accomplish this seemingly impossible task?

Santa Claus... Kris Kringle...

Old Saint Nick... We see him on advertising posters, in parades, at departments stores...who is this guy and why does he have so many aliases?

Well, the original St. Nicholas lived in southwestern Turkey in the 4th century. As the bishop of Myra he was credited with doing a number of miracles involving sailors and children.

After his death this led him to become the patron saint of both groups as well as for unmarried girls. As a saint he was given his own “feast day” that was celebrated on December 6th.

At about the same time Nicholas lived, Pope Julius I decided to establish a date for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. As the actual time of year for this event was unknown, the Pope decided to assign the holiday to December 25th. There had long been a pagan midwinter festival at this time of year and the Pope hoped to use the holiday to christianize the celebrations.

Eventually, Saint Nicholas’s feast day also became associated with December 25th and his connection with Christmas was established. A tradition developed that he would supposedly visit homes on Christmas Eve and children would place nuts, apples, sweets and other items around the house to welcome him. As the reformation took a hold of much of Europe, however, the popularity of St. Nicholas dropped in most Protestant countries, with the exception of Holland where he was referred to as “Sinter Klaas.” After this tradition came to the United States, “Sinter Klass” would eventually be corrupted to “Sancte Claus.”

America’s Santa

clearly depositing gifts in children’s stockings which were hung by the fireplace to dry.

Perhaps nothing has fixed the image of Santa Claus so firmly in the American mind as a poem entitled A Visit from St. Nicholas written by Clement Moore in 1822. Moore, a professor of biblical languages at New York’s Episcopal Theological Seminary, drew upon Pintard’s thinking about the early New Amsterdam traditions and added some elements from German and Norse legends. These stories held that a happy little elf-like man presided over midwinter pagan festivals. In the poem, Moore depicts the Saint as a tiny man with a sleigh drawn by eight miniature reindeer.

They fly him from house to house and at each residence he comes down the chimney to fill stockings hung by the fireplace with gifts.

Moore had written the poem for the enjoyment of his own family, but in 1823 it was published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel. It became very popular and has been reprinted countless times under the more familiar title, The Night Before Christmas.

Where did Moore get the reindeer?

The Saami people of northern Scandinavia and Finland often used reindeer to pull their sledges around and this found its way into the poem.

Reindeer, which are much sturdier animals than North American deer,are well adapted to cold climates with their heavy fur coats and broad, flat hooves for walking on snow.

Norman Rockwell’s 1921 cover for the magazine The Country Gentlemanshows Santa with his modern red and white theme.

As time went by, more and more was added to the Santa Claus legend.

Thomas Nast, a 19th century cartoonist, did a series of drawings for Harper’s Weekly. Nash’s vision of Santa had him living at the North Pole. Nash also gave him a workshop for building toys and a large book filled with the names of children who had been naughty or nice.

The 19th century Santa was often shown wearing outfits of different colors: purple, green and blue in addition to red. This slowly faded out so that by the beginning of the 20th century the standard image of Santa Claus was a man in a red suit trimmed Saint Nicholas or “Sancte Claus,” with white. The Coca-Cola company in a woodcut by Alexander Anderson has often been cited for cementing done for the New York Historical the image of Santa with the colors Society. red and white through a series of It’s been said that Dutch settlers popular advertisements in the 1940’s brought the tradition of Saint Nicholas depicting Saint Nick enjoying their to the North American city of New product (Coca-Cola’s company colors Amsterdam (which the British would are red and white). However, Santa later rename “New York”). However, was already well associated with these research shows there’s little evidence colors by that time. American artist that Nicholas played much of a part Norman Rockwell had done a number in these early settlers’ celebrations. It of paintings with Saint Nick wearing seems more likely that Saint Nicholas red and white including A Drum for became an American tradition during Tommy which appeared on the cover of a wave of interest in Dutch customs The Country Gentleman in 1921. The following the Revolutionary War. truth is that by the time the Coke ads Washington Irving (of Sleepy Hollow came out, Santa, in the public’s mind, fame) included him a comicHistory of was already wearing only the modern New York City written in 1809. John version of his colors.

Pintard, founder of the New York Santa Physics Historical Society, took an especially Santa has been very popular keen interest in the legend and the in the 20th and 21st centuries but in Society hosted its first St. Nicholas the past few years he has had a few anniversary dinner in 1810. Artist detractors. In January of 1990, an Alexander Anderson was commissioned article appeared in Spy magazine to draw an image of the Saint for under the name of Richard Waller the dinner. He was still shown as a that was skeptical of Santa’s capability religious figure, but now he was also to do what he supposedly does each

Christmas Eve. The article, after its initial appearance in the magazine, was republished innumerable times on the web and emailed all over the Internet.

Among other things Waller calculated that Santa, moving from east to west around the globe, could use the different time zones and the rotation of the Earth to extend his night for as long as 31 hours. Since he needs to visit approximately 92 million households (the number of Christian children divided by the average number of children per household) according to Waller this means he needs to travel approximately 75.5 million miles. The article states that the distance divided by the time means Santa’s sleigh must move at a speed of 650 miles per second, 3000 times faster than the speed of sound, to complete its route.

What about Rudolph?

Almost as popular as Santa himself is his sometimes lead reindeer with a glowing red nose, Rudolph. Unlike Santa’s history, the story of Rudolph can be traced back to a specific author: Robert L. May. May was a copywriter for Montgomery Ward department stores in 1939. The company had been buying and giving away coloring books at Christmas time for many years. May’s boss thought they could save some money by printing their own books and asked May to come up with a story.

May thought up the idea of a misfit reindeer who saves the day for Santa on a foggy Christmas Eve. The story took off, but unfortunately May did not own the rights. His employer, Montgomery Ward, did.

With a generosity not often seen in the corporate world, in 1947 the company’s President turned the rights over to May, who was in debt because of his wife’s terminal illness.

With a hit song written in 1949 by May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, and a TV special in 1964, May’s financial security was assured and Rudolph earned a permanent spot in American Christmas pop culture.

Waller then went on to calculate that if every child gets a two-pound present, Santa’s sleigh must weigh about 321,300 tons. He then ups that figure to 353,430 tons to account for some 214,200 reindeer he thinks would be needed to pull that heavy a sleigh. This total weight is about four times that of the Queen Elizabeth.

The article ends by noting that if the sleigh and team attempt to move through the atmosphere at 650 miles per second they would be exposed to enormous air resistance (the same way a spacecraft gets heated upon reentering the atmosphere) and they would explode in flames. Waller sarcastically ends the article noting that if there ever was a Santa, given the acceleration forces such a flight would subject him to, he must now be dead.

High-Tech Saint Nick Numerous rebuttals have been written to the Spymagazine article.

Some point out that there are flaws in Waller’s calculations or assumptions.

For instance, the payload problem could be handled by making numerous returned trips to the pole. It increases the length of the total trip by a tiny fraction, but divides the weight of the sleigh by the number of return trips.

Other writers note that Christmas does not come on the same day in all countries. Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas a few days after December 25th which means Santa gets at least two shots a year to complete his mission. One writer noted that the number of stops needed in the calculation is incorrect since dividing the total number of children by the average number of children per household to get the number of stops does not consider families where there are nochildren at all.

Roger Highfield, who wrote the book Can Reindeer Fly? The Science of Christmas, suggests that Wallers has not considered that Santa might have some high tech solutions to his problems. For example, “inertial dampers” - a device that’s referred to in the Star Trek movies to keep the crew from getting shmoshed as the Enterpriseaccelerates to Warp 8 - could be used by Santa to solve his high-acceleration problems. The technology isn’t known to our science, but to Santa, well, who knows?

In fact some people have even suggested that Santa has the technology to manipulate time. By creating an artificial time bubble around his sleigh and his person, he could speed himself up as much as he needed. Again, this is far beyond human technology, but...

However Santa does it, he seems to manage each year to delight millions of children on Christmas morning as he has done for over a century. Perhaps it’s just magic.

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CHRISTMAS LOCAL NEWSSPECIAL TURKS AND CAICOS SUN DECEMBER 22ND - DECEMBER 29TH, 2012

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CARTOONS

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LOCAL NEWSNEWS CARIBBEAN

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WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS CARIBBEAN NEWS

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS CHRISTMAS LOCAL NEWSSPECIAL

Top toys for kids 2014 Don’t ruin Christmas. Get it done now. Here are the 10 must-have toys for Christmas 2014. Get your Christmas shopping done, early and hassle-free so you can set back, relax and pour yourself an eggnog while everyone else is dashing around frantically while you are the picture of smugness.

Kidizoom Smart Watch (Ages 4 and up) The ultimate smart watch for your very early adopters the Kidizoom Smart Watch from Vtech allows children take photos and videos as well as giving them learning games on the game. It also tells the time.

Bop It! Beats (ages 8 and up) A highly popular travel game that challenges the kids’ reactions by following beats. The latest version includes four new songs including “Pound the Alarm” by Nicki Minaj, and “Levels” by Avicii. Great fun and level starts off easy and gets more challenging as time goes on.

It will keep the kids occupied in the back of the car – they never now what’s coming next.

Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa (ages 3 and up) It’s going to be another Frozen Christmas this year and the Disney Frozen Snow Glow Elsa doll is the one the little girls want this year.

By touching her special necklace you can hear her talking to her friends and her dress lights up to dazzling effect. Just in case you haven’t had enough of ‘Let It Go’, she sings that too.

Minecraft Figures (Ages 3 and up) For fans of the iconic Minecraft game, this assortment of 4 figures allows them to build their own Minecraft world.

My Friend Cayla (Ages 4 and up) The closest to AI your kids can get this Christmas Cayla is the world’s first Wifi connected doll. She has millions of things to say and kids can ask her questions and play games with her. She’s a know-it-all friend that your little girl will love spending time with. Connect to the tablet to discover her world through photos and games

The Lego Movie: Benny’s Spaceship (ages 9-14) Build Benny’s spaceship from the Lego Movie with this 940-piece set. Includes 4 figurines from the movie and is full of moving parts and features including an opening cockpit, 2 spring-loaded laser shooters, 4 flick missiles, extendable wings, hidden spring-loaded space cannons, 2 stud blasters, triple exhaust booster, control room with opening roof, computers, hammer and wrench, satellite dish, 2 spacebots and translucent elements.

Transformers Stomp & Chomp Grimlock (ages 6 and up) This cool Dinobot figure form Transformers Age of Extinction is the ultimate Transformer figure this year. Easy to transform as the figure goes from mighty robot warrior to fierce T-Rex Dinobot in ne easy step

Toot-Toot Animals Safari Park (ages 1-5 years) An educational safari park adventure for your little tot with over 80 songs to learn and sing along to an interactive track that familiarises children with animals, colours, building an interactive play..

Zoomer Dino-Boomer (ages 5 and up) Nerf Demolisher 2-in-1 (Ages 8 and up) Transform your house into a battlefield on Christmas morning with the Nerf Demolisher 2-in-1. Fires both Elite darts and Nerf missiles it’s the ultimate war toy little boys will love this year.

This dino robot balances on 2 wheels and has real dinosaur moment.

You child can tame the giant lizard, but be careful as, just like a real dinosaur, he can turn on you and chomp and roar! With real dino senses you can teach him to dance and chase you around the house.

Charges by USB and controlled by remote.

Robosapien (ages 6 and up) Robosapien™ is a sophisticated fusion of technology and personality. Loaded with attitude and intelligence, Robosapien is the first robot based on the science of applied biomorphic robotics. With a full range of dynamic motion, interactive sensors and a unique personality, Robosapien is more than a mechanical companion -- he’s a multi-functional, thinking, feeling robot with attitude!

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS

Top Gifts for 2014

Apple iMac with Retina 5K

ProLenovo Yoga Tablet 2

Apple iphone 6 & 6+

PlayStation 4

Pebble: E-Paper Watch for your smartphone

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Xbox One

DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus

Motorola Moto X

Dr Dre’s Beats Headphones

Apple MacBook Pro

Nintendo’s Wii U

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LOCAL NEWSNEWS CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

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DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

BUSINESS &

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS LOCAL NEWS

TECHNOLOGY

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Christmas Message from Bishop C.A.Williams III On behalf of my lovely wife, Elder Chiquita Williams and my children let me take this time to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and an even more prosperous 2015, through Jesus Christ our lord and savior.

This time of the year is a favorite for many of us; it is a time when we expect to give and receive gifts, look forward to putting up the lights, decorating our surroundings, eating ham and turkey and drink eggnog.

While we celebrate this Christmas, let us not forget the less fortunate among us and those beyond our shores, who are not as privileged as many of us, and many of our brothers and sisters around the world who are still being persecuted primarily because of their Christian beliefs.

As we look forward to enjoy the festive season, let us not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas, which is the gift of the Christ Child, who came into the world to save humanity from damnation. By that example, let us remind ourselves that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing and to give thanks that a savior has been born to take away the sins of the world.

As we look around us in our community, there are tremendous opportunities for us to give and share. You could assist the neighbor who has been struggling to get by. You could visit the elderly who has been shut in and yearn for visitation.

And while we are at it, please don’t forget our young men, especially those that are serving time in prison. They, too, need out love and compassion.

The Lord said that ‘I was in prison and you visit me not’. He was not speaking of himself personally, but our brothers and sisters that are incarceration. We could visit our brother and sister who are recovering in the hospital.

Let us make this Christmas one that will be memorable in our minds for years to come, because we have touched the lives of those less fortunate than us.

Scripture says there is more joy in giving than receiving, and since the Christmas season is a time of joy to the world, let us begin to develop a culture of giving to the point that we, in the Turks and Caicos Islands, begin to be recognized as a people of giving and sharing.

And so, we know that our giving will not be in vain. With that said, have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Holiday office hours

The signs say Christmas is coming!

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

The management and staff at Colonial extend sincere season’s best wishes to you, your family and your friends.

HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS Early closing 24th December - noon 31st December - noon

COLONIAL INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. Suite 3D-A, Courtyard Plaza, Leeward Highway, Providenciales Tel. (649) 941 3195 www.cgigroup.com A member of Colonial Group International insurance, health, pensions, life

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TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL LOCAL NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

Abundant Life Ministries International hosts Night of Carol

The Abundant Life Ministries International Children’s Ministry hosted its annual Night of Carol on Sunday (December 14, 2014) at the church. A number of children gave entertaining performances much to the delight of the attendees. The children were also given gifts at the event.

The following are photo highlights of the event.

The children’s group singing “Angels We Have Heard on High”

Shakinah (left) and Alissa performing a poem

Bishop Coleta Williams III about to read the Christmas Story to the families

The dance group performs to an up-tempo “Joy to the World”

Minister Karen Bernabe was the master of ceremonies for the event

Jo-Anne’ (left) and Zaynah perform a dance

Bishop Coleta Williams doles out gifts to the children

Zaria (left) plays the guitar as Thaysia sings a carol

Children waving anything they could get their hands hand, as instructed by Minister Vanrico Hanna of Li’l G Ministry

Jadon (left)and Oratio perform a poem

Bethsayda Lewis performs a song

Zania and Arianna (left)Lewis perform a song

Denicia “Blessed” Cox, offers one of the scripture readings

Anneka performs a poem

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY LOCAL NEWS

Happy Holidays!

This year end brings no greater pleasure than the opportunity to express our gratitude to you our valuable customers for your business and loyalty.

We wish you and your family a joyous season. May your New Year be filled with happiness and prosperity.

Discover what’s possible

Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence.

®

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

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FUN & GAMES LOCAL NEWS BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

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BUSINESS & SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY CHRISTMAS LOCAL NEWS

Well dressed Airport Christmas tree T

he Christmas Season is a wonderful time of the year when friends and families get together and decorate their trees to show holiday cheer. For this season, the Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority has taken the opportunity to join in on this celebration.

The Authority has taken creativity to a higher level and now has the best dressed tree in town!

The traditional items such as foil tinsel and garland were abandoned for this design.

The designer Ms Edith Skippings took the opportunity to volunteer her services and give the tree life, by adding texture, color and depth.

The tree boosts red and silver ribbons, shimmery bright bows, blossoming flowers and holiday balls that are placed strategically throughout the tree.

The Christmas tree was sponsored by Dolmen Construction with Decorations sponsored by CIBC First Caribbean International Bank. The TCIAA would like to welcome all to enjoy the holiday season and enjoy the christmas tree as they visit the Providenciales International Airport.

By stepping away from the traditional style of tree dressing, you too can have a tree with a unique look, just like PLS Airport.

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LOCAL SPORTS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Science Fair 2014

Ona Glinton Back to School Supply Drop

Student Internship/Employment 2014

Maranatha High School Plant Tour

TCSPCA 2014 Dog Show

FortisTCI 2014 Plenary Session

Osprey Nest Installation

Clement Howell Belize Trip National Trust Kid’s Summer Camp Shore Club Career Fair

Foot Steps for Good 2014

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

CARIBBEAN

LOCAL NEWS

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Experience the Arts Children’s Event with Dr. Augier

SPORTS Connecting with You Sessions

Grand Turk Fall Walk & Run 2015

Baby Bird Rescue

Provo Primary School Visit

Beaches Smart Connect Session

Rising Stars Basketball Club Sponsorship

Salvation Army Truck Donation

Spring Fun Walk & Run 2015

2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

Clement Howell CEW 2014

Barrel Donation to Beaches EHS

Valedictorian Laptop Award DEMA Environmental Cleanup

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WORLD

LOCAL NEWSSPECIAL CHRISTMAS

SPORTS

TURKS & CAICOS SUN

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS WORLD SPORTS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

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DECEMBER 20TH, 2014 – DECEMBER 31ST, 2014

LOCAL NEWS

Published by SUN MEDIA GROUP, Turks and Caicos Islands | Tel:649 946 8542 | Fax: 649 941 3281