VOLUME 12 - NO. 39
OCTOBER 1ST, 2016 – OCTOBER 8TH, 2016
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BUSINESSMAN SHOT DEAD P
olice are looking for two men in connection with the shooting death of businessman Gary Mead. Mead, an American, who has been living and working in the Turks and Caicos Islands for many years, was killed just before 9 a.m. on Friday, September 30th, 2016, while leaving Slots of Fun Gaming Parlor, which is located inside the Airport Hotel. The gaming parlor is one of many such operations in Providenciales, which Mead manages on behalf of a company called Elite Gaming. Eye-witnesses told The SUN that Mead was leaving the parlor and going back to his car when two men ran up on him and opened fire, shooting him the chest, then made their escape. A few persons witnessed the shooting while they were patronising a local restaurant across the street from the shooting that is owned by a local pastor.
When police arrived on the scene, Mead’s lifeless body was found face up and the gunshot wounds were exposed. There were two bullet holes in the car’s trunk. Police cordoned off the area along Airport Road for about two hours, holding back scores of curious onlookers, while they processed the crime scene. Among the police on the scene were deputy commissioner Marc Callagan and Assistant Superintendant Steve Snow, who is head of the Serious Crimes Investigations Department. In addition to being a gaming operations manager, Mead is a philanthropist and a licensed pilot. Since 2007, Mead has been representing the Turks and Caicos Islands at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada, piloting his highly modified Glasair III #47 race plane in the Sport Class which consists of homebuilt aircraft reaching speeds
of in excess of 400 mph on the straightaways of the 8 mile course flying just 50 feet above the ground competing against 8 other aircraft. In the last three years, racing against 36 other aircraft, Mead had finishes in the top of the Gold Class of 4th in 2015 averaging 348.45 mph on the oval course , 2nd in 2014 and 6th in 2013. Held every September just north of Reno, the National Championship Air Races have become an institution for northern Nevada and aviation enthusiasts from around the world. For one week, the high desert north of Reno becomes home to hundreds of aircraft, their pilots and crews. In the past ten years, the event has attracted more than 150,000 spectators and generated more than $60 million a year for the region’s economy. The event features six racing classes, a large display of static aircraft and several military and civil flight demonstrations. Gary mead
Governor salutes Mrs. Rita Gardiner, with award from Her Majesty the Queen
T
(L-R) His Excellency Peter Beckingham, Mrs. Rita Gardiner, Deputy Premier Hon. Akierra Missick and Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Anya Williams
he Governor, Peter Beckingham, presented the award of the British Empire Medal on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen to Mrs Rita Gardiner for her services to sport and women in the Overseas Territories, especially TCI, on Thursday September 29, 2016. At the presentation ceremony which was attended by members of Mrs Gardiner’s family and friends the Governor said: “I am thrilled for Mrs Gardiner to receive this great distinction, and I am pleased to have the opportunity on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen to present this award to her. “Rita has made a big contribution to society in Turks and Caicos. She
has been instrumental for longer Mrs Gardiner said: than I know in raising our profile “I am honoured and in sport, and for ensuring our delighted to be a recipient of this rightful place in the region and the Award by Her Majesty. Coming Commonwealth. in the same year as TCI’s first “I saw first-hand in 2014 Olympic athlete, my good friend her enthusiasm for organising the Delano Williams, took part in Commonwealth Baton relay which the Olympic Games this is a big landed in TCI on its way across recognition of the strides we more than 60 nations. Her support have made as a sporting nation for Delano Williams is fantastic, competing on the world stage. I am and it is clear from meetings with pleased to have played a part in that them both that our first Olympian progress through my work with has benefited from her advice, the Amateur Athletic Association guidance and enthusiasm. Rita and the Commonwealth Games travelled with Delano’s mother, Association. with support from the Premier’s “I am pleased too that my office, to Rio to watch Delano work in helping to promote and compete in the Olympic Games. safeguard the place of women in “Finally we should not society is recognised with this forget the work Rita has done to Award. improve the lot of women in TCI “This is an important and society. Her path-breaking work memorable day not only for me, but as Director of the Gender Unit also for my wider TCI family. I am has been important in raising the grateful for all the support I have profile of women in society, and received from so many people here she has been actively engaged and overseas.” in striving to reduce domestic In addition to receiving violence. the British Empire Medal Mrs “We should salute Rita for Gardiner will be entitled as a what she has achieved for TCI in member of the Order Of the British sport and the promotion of women. Empire to use a special chapel in The Award of a British Empire St. Paul’s Cathedral for baptisms Medal is a wonderful recognition of of grandchildren. There is also her work, and she and her family a special service in St Paul’s in and friends should take great pride November for new members, and a in this important honour.” Ceremonial Service in Spring 2017 Commenting on her award, to mark the Order’s Centenary.