VOLUME 14 - NO. 11
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
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HAITIAN SLOOP CRISIS ‘I can’t stop the sloops’, says Premier I
By Todeline Defralien
llegal Haitian sloops have been streaming to the Turks and Caicos Islands in record numbers over the past few weeks, creating a national uproar and leading Premier Hon. Sharlene Robinson to declare, “I can’t stop the sloops!” A short audio clip of the Premier’s comments went viral after she appeared on a callin programme “Exhale” with Robert Hall (Former Speaker of the House) talk show on Tropical Vibes on Wednesday March 14th, 2108. However, during the programme the Premier elaborated on her statement, saying: “I can’t stop the sloops. I am not going to sit here and I am not going to pretend that we can stop the sloops. I had a meeting just before I came in here with the Deputy Governor, the Deputy Premier and the Deputy Commissioner of Police and we have a strategy. The Immigration and the Police are working together on operations, but what is my Government doing? We are going to strengthen the resources that are available to us. We are never going to have a big enough budget or be able to stop sloops, but what we have to do is make it harder for persons on the ground.
‘The Vellagio’ Resort Coming to Grace Bay An artist’s impression of The Vellagio
see page 2
Continued on page 2
Flow Turks and Caicos opens New Customer Experience Centre F
ull service telecoms provider Flow has committed to delivering ‘a world-class customer experience retail environment’ at its new state of the art customer experience centre on Leeward Highway, Providenciales. On January 31st, CWTCI/Flow celebrated 120 years of service in Turks and Caicos Islands. The remodellin ber one with customers throughout the region and underscores Flow’s mission to drive and deliver a totally transformed customer experience,” she added. The new concept store has an expanded floor plan equipped with state-of-the-art, user friendly facilities. The modern amenities include bill payment kiosks, a home entertainment zone, among many other features to facilitate self-help and customer comfort. Cynthia Adams, head of retail sales said, “The opening of the new Leeward highway location is a part of the company’s thrust to revitalize its customer touch points and align with Flow’s customer centric brand promise.” Modelling an ultra-modern approach to telecommunications products, the new Flow customer experience centre encourages direct
interaction between customers and the displayed handsets while also allowing customers to charge their personal devices as they browse. The store also provide self-service options for customers through an
automated bill payment kiosk where customers can settle their accounts by cash or credit without the hassle of joining a queue. The new Flow Customer Experience Centre opened for
business on Wednesday, March 14th, with live music, giveaways to over 500 customers, refreshments and discounts on a variety of smartphones.
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
LOCAL NEWS
HAITIAN SLOOP CRISIS
continued from page 1
We have to make it harder for persons who harbor illegals and right now it cost $10,000 if you hire someone.” The Premier stressed that she cannot lie to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and say that she can stop the sloops because she can’t do it and no other government here or in the Caribbean has been able to do it, including the United States of America and The Bahamas. She added: “There are people make millions of dollars off these people who are coming on these ships/ boats and we have to begin to seriously enforce the law. That is my position and that will never change. I will always give the manpower to do that and I will give the manpower for the Task Force to be able to address them if they do make landfall and we will continue to provide the resources, but at the end of the day, it is a helpless situation. It is a situation where I will continue to say to the United kingdom (UK), we need added resources and to protect our borders but at the end of the day the sloops will not stop.” The Premier noted that the TCI is paying around $1million to repatriate Haitians and this money could be put to better use. “Do you know what we can do with a million dollars?” she asked. “It (the amount of money) is not there yet but we’re climbing right back up there again, but bearing in mind that we’ve had other enforcement activities that rounded up hundreds of persons from the regular enforcement activities.” The Premier emphasized that this kind of human trafficking activity is a multi-million dollar business that is going on. “This is a multimillion dollar business that is going on. This human
trafficking is happening right now. We saw on Facebook 230 had just plead guilty in the courts in Inagua because they had 230 persons who came there, but what happened since the storm, we’ve been getting more and more intelligence and one of the things that they said to us since the storm is that people are saying that plenty work is in Turks and Caicos,” the Premier added. In addition, the Premier also expressed to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands that in order to stop the trafficking taking place in the TCI persons whether locals or not, must stop hiring illegals. “We have to together enforce the law whether it is Turks and Caicos Islanders a part of this trafficking, whether it is Turks and Caicos Islanders that are harboring them and employing them, we have to make an example of people and it’s a concerted effort, it’s not just Immigration or it’s not just the Governor in terms of protecting the borders, it isn’t just the Police in following up and making sure that we’re doing what we suppose to be doing in terms of security and enforcement on the ground, it’s all of us and all of us who continue to hire illegals. We’re part of the problem because if they can’t work that would lessen the chance of them coming here. There has to be a united front from many different stakeholders and it includes the people of the Turks and Caicos. Stop selling out your country. Stop hiring illegals, stop being a part of them coming here and stop getting paid,” she said. She noted that the Immigration and the Police jointly are to lead in dealing with this issue and the Governor who has responsibility as the Queen’s representative here.
Immigration Department statement on arrival of illegal sloops within TCI Over the past week there have been numerous sloops making landfall on the Island of Providenciales. The most recent landing was early Thursday morning 15th March 2018 in the vicinity of North West Point, Providenciales. There has been no confirmation of the number of persons that were on board. The Ministry is currently working with Law Enforcement agencies to identify individuals who may have come ashore. The Ministry of Border Control and Employment recognizes that the protection of borders of the Turks and Caicos Islands remains our top priority and in response to the illegal migrant problem faced by the government, a multi-agency operational response was established in January of this year, called Operation Guardian. The main objective of Operation Guardian is to carry out enforcement and compliance activities across the Turks and Caicos Islands by identifying those persons who are illegal migrants or who may be working without the necessary permits and authorization. Through this medium, operations have been successful thus far by visiting job sites, bars, construction areas, restaurants and business places. Since January 2018 there have been 290 illegal migrants repatriated to their homeland. This is an ongoing exercise as the department continues their compliance and enforcement activities with joint agencies.
The Department of Immigration have recently promoted seven Immigration Officers, recruited three new additional staff members and employed temporary staff to ensure that critical areas are fully staffed. The Ministry of Border and Employment is presently reviewing the current work permit policies and wish to remind persons that a band is still in effect on all first time work permits for specific countries. The Turks and Caicos Islands Government have secured funding through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to facilitate the repair, upgrade and maintenance work that must be conducted on the Radar System. This work begun earlier this week and will continue over the next few days. Radar Station staff along with the Police are also receiving additional training in the use of the upgraded equipment. The Honourable Deputy Premier and Minister of Border Control and Employment, wishes again to remind persons of his Government’s commitment to improving the protection of our borders and tighter controls on immigration processes. Additionally, he stated that “illegal migration threatens the lives and livelihood of our people and that persons found to be engaged in the smuggling of humans would be prosecuted under the law. He advises all persons to observe the immigration
‘THE UK HAS FAILED US’ “I believe that every time our border is breached it is an attack on the servant of the United Kingdom (UK) and they have failed, but what the UK has been able to get away with is that when the borders are breached and they are now on the ground... it becomes an Immigration problem then. They will say that the constitutional responsibility isn’t on the ground here, but last year I went to the UK and I begged for an assessment, I got an assessment and one of the things that the assessment did say was that there are people which we already know there are so many people and undocumented persons in this country which is one of the biggest threats to this country because we don’t know who is here,” Robinson explained. She continued: “We say it every day, we don’t need no report to tell us that but it is good to have the UK report saying that because at the end of the day every meeting that I’ve had with the Ministers, my position has always been, we have to clean up and it is not the threat from the sloops as much as it is from over-stayers. But what this Government has been doing, we’re working on a border management system that I would have hope would have been realized already, we put extra money in the supplementary, hopefully that project moves and we have that border management so that we can track who is in this country and have that system and secondly, right now there are operations going along with the Ministry and the Police.” The Premier noted that she has never shied away from the position that she personally believe a SPICElike operation has to come back because to her there is no fear.
“At the end of the day, we would never have the amount of resources to cover all of the waters in Turks and Caicos. We are by plane 45 minutes away from Haiti. We’re a soft target because no matter how much resources that The Bahamas put in their budget, the biggest ships and man power and the defense force, they (illegal Haitians) still get into their country and into their waters,” she added. The Premier also stated that in terms of numbers overstayers are a bigger threat to the Turks and Caicos Islands thank those who come here on sloops. “The National Security report speaks to the fact that you should know who is in your country and in terms of numbers, the largest numbers of people who are undocumented in this country are overstayers. They can’t be a bigger threat than those on the sloops because those persons (who did not com) on the sloops came through a system. There are some level of screening. They may have gotten a visa or they may have gotten a work permit and some background check. So you have to keep it in the context, but in terms of numbers, there are way more overstayers, than there are people who would have come in on a sloop, and people have to understand that overstayers are persons who were once legal and fall out of status. It would absolutely be wrong to say that somebody who comes on a sloop, you don’t know who they are what they look like, you don’t know their background and you have no record of them in your system at all, they are bigger threat but in terms of numbers they’re not the biggest treats in the numbers,” she explained.
‘The Vellagio’ Resort Coming to Grace Bay A new seven-storey luxury hotel, ‘The Vellagio’ , will soon commence construction on Grace Bay, Providenciales. It will be developed by The HAB Group and will be located right next to the RitzCarlton which recently broke ground. On the HAB Group’s website, a teaser states: ‘The Treasure Awaits’ a concept by HAB Group Feel it … breathe it … live it … get ready to be inspired. The Vellagio will be the ultimate in a beachfront experience. Officials from HAB Group did not offer any details on the project. HAB Group are outstanding developers of luxury real estate in the Turks and Caicos. Their collection includes Provo Golf and Country Club, Villa Renaissance, The Regent Grand and The Regent Village “The New heart of Provo”. In 1989 HAB embarked laws of the Turks and Caicos Islands as anyone found in breach of the same will be dealt with accordingly.” The Ministry of Border Control reiterates its caution issued to those in Turks and Caicos Islands that might be inclined to harbor illegal migrants, that as a result of the new Immigration Ordinance which came into effect on
upon their first venture, Provo Golf and Country Club, now consistently rated as one of the top 10 golf courses in the Caribbean and proud to have hosted the Caribbean Amateur Open twice. Villa Renaissance, their first boutique condo-hotel was consistently rated as one of the top Turks and Caicos hotels by the esteemed Trip Advisor® Travelers’ Choice® Award and The Regent Grand after winning Trip Advisor’s award on numerous occasions, alongside The Turks and Caicos Leading Boutique hotel in 2015, is recognized as a haven of personalized service and luxurious accommodations. HAB Group’s substantial investment over the last twenty years in the Turks and Caicos amounts to well over $300 million. Their interest in the islands has never wavered and they are now in the process of developing their most prestigious project to date, The Vellagio on Grace Bay. April 1, 2016, penalties for harboring illegal migrants were increased, and such persons now face a fine of $20,000 on summary conviction or to a term of imprisonment of four years or both. In addition, persons convicted of such offence, face the possibility of having their status in the Islands revoked, making them liable to deportation.
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Josephine Connolly walks away from PDM Party By Todeline Defralien Just a few hours after Premier Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson said the Exhale talk show with Hon. Robert Hall that Hon. Josephine Connolly would not be included in Cabinet again, the former Minister of Education announced she will sit as an Independent in the House of Assembly. In a Facebook post on March 15th, Connolly stated: “Mr. Speaker, I trolled the internet over the past few months to determine whether the word respect had been redefined. It has not! It still means to treat people with courtesy, politeness and kindness; encourage co-workers to express opinions and ideas; Listen to what others have to say before expressing your viewpoint; and Use people’s ideas to change or improve work.” She added: “Mr. Speaker, in 2016, the people of this country overwhelmingly elected me as an All Island candidate, with the second largest number of votes (there are many Mr. Speaker who still question this result, be that as it may) to represent their views and advocate for positive change. Unfortunately Mr. Speaker, a number of Bills brought to this Honourable House including those on this Order Paper, are not in sync with positive change and it has become
increasingly difficult for me to align myself with them. Furthermore having regard to the fact that I am not privy to any prior discussions that will greatly affect the lives of our beloved people, nor extended the principles of respect outlined above, it is in the interest of this country that I sit elsewhere.” In response to a question from Robert Hall, the Premier she said that her Ministers are doing their best and Hon. Josephine Connolly will not be included in a Cabinet shuffle. Robinson added: “No she will not be included. A Cabinet reshuffle comes when certain millstones are achieved. You don’t have someone sitting in office and they have no legacy and you move them. That’s not good politically, but if they are not doing anything they will get removed they don’t get fired they get removed. So a shuffle means that I am not necessarily moving people out and bringing people in, a shuffle can be that I shuffled a portfolio. Secondly, am I satisfied with my Ministers? They are doing, they are very best to realize the promises that we ran on a platform that the people gave us a 10-5 to run on.” “They are doing their best, are we satisfied that we have made the progress that we would have seen? No and nobody can tell you that we are. Quite frankly people say to me what’s
Josephine Connolly going on and why we haven’t seen this yet? And I have to explain this is where this project is, this is where we are with this and it takes long and we have to do something whether it’s the constitutional level, whether it’s the individual bits of legislation, we will be from here now until eternity trying to get some things realized and we don’t do some things differently,” she
Premier Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson explained. The Premier noted that you have to have new systems that come into play, you have governance issues. “They are always supposed to be under review and you are always supposed to be looking at the best efficiency and effectiveness in your operation and that is where we are now, we need a review.”
New shift system at Providenciales International Airport The Department of Immigration in the Ministry of Border Control and Employment, on March 4th, introduced a shift system of work for its employees that are designated to the Providenciales International Airport, in response to historical anomalies in staff earnings, inefficiencies in operations and expenditure and as mandated by an Internal Audit Report’s findings on overtime paid to airport staff and its recommendations. According to a government statement, while the system is newly introduced, the move to such has been discussed with staff over the years and in March of 2017 the Internal Audit Department released a report on its findings and key among the recommendations was the implementation of the long talked about shift system. “The shift system seeks to normalize the pay rates for overtime, regularize the long work periods that staff are currently exposed to and improve the overall efficiency of the operations of the Department and particularly at the airport,” the press
release stated. “The shift system has major benefits to both the Government as well as employees: improved efficiencies and better utilization of human resource, justifiable and more controlled incurred overtime cost; regularization of hours worked to eliminate fatigue and excessively long work periods; more opportunity for personal/family time and periods for rejuvenation. Shift systems are not new to TCIG as well as the Prison, Police and other agencies currently operate on shift systems.” The press release said that the Department recognized the efficiency of schedules of staff being aligned to flight arrivals, as the audit found that whilst TCIG was contracting hours of employment from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, there were very few arrivals before 12 pm and peak capacity between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. “Management however further recognized that in order that a shift system be effective, it required additional human resources and budget appropriation for the payment of overtime, as the other recommendation
by the Audit Committee was that the rates in the Public Service Handbook be used instead of the flat rates of $10 per hour that were historically paid.” “The report further identified that staff previously worked excessive hours without days off and that this was impacting the work of the organization. This move presented an increase of 100% of the current overtime payments, funding which the department could not sustain. However, the staff push for payments of the Public Service Handbook rates, which is due them, compelled management’s move to implement the system.” The statement added that it is unfortunate that on implementation, shortfalls on human resource resulted in excessively long lines and unduly long waits in the entry process for visitors and other travelers arriving on Sunday and Wednesday, March 4th and 7th, respectively. “The Ministry and Department appreciates and recognize the value of tourism to the TCI economy and the critical role that Immigration Officers play in welcoming our visitors, and on
receipt of these reports, management immediately consulted and further met with the Deputy Governor and Minister of Border Control and Employment to address concerns, with a view of implementing mitigating measures,” it was stated. “Management’s commitment to the ongoing and continuous improvements in the Ministry of Border Control is evident in the recent promotion of 7 Assistant Immigration Officers to Immigration Officers, the provision of necessary and critical tools and other resources and the regularization of their work hours and overtime rates and payments. The department has also recruited 3 additional new candidates and with an additional recruiting exercise to shortly get underway. We apologize to all persons and businesses affected over the past few days and assure you that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that we meet our visitor’s expectation and experience. We take this opportunity to thank staff for their hard work and to congratulate those who received promotions this week.”
TCI has outgrown the existing airport, says Premier By Todeline Defralien Premier Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson said the Turks and Caicos Islands has outgrown the existing Airport. In an interview with The SUN, she said that given the high volumes of traffic that come through the Providenciales International Airport, there is a need for a new Airport in order to enhance the overall guest experience. Premier Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson added: “I see a need for a new airport. We outgrew the airport before it was completed and I think that we are on record
criticizing it, but at the time it was what it was. The Government of the day moved ahead with the airport. The airport was outgrown before we completed it. You would have days where the airport is fine but when you have to take airlines at the times that they want to come in, you’re going to have that traffic on Saturday and Sundays.” “You have to make sure that your facilities are able to manage the numbers that are coming through and we have outgrown the airport. So yes, we have to look at efficiency. We have to look at what we do until we are able to get there, we do have the South Caicos
airport, the Grand Turk airport and we do have the Salt Cay airport that are major priorities right now urgent and immediate but right now we have to manage the efficient use of it until we are able to build an airport,” she explained. The SUN also asked the Minister of Tourism Hon. Ralph Higgs who was present at an earlier press conference if he believe that the time has come for the TCI to add jet bridges as part of a modern airport terminal, he added: “Clearly that is becoming a standard across the region, so as we move forward and as we seek to modernize our offerings that will be a part of it.”
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
Premier still pushing for changes to Constitution By Allie Capron The Turks and Caicos Islands is still pushing for more changes to the Constitution so that elected governments can have more control over the country’s affairs Premier Hon. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, addressed the issue of constitutional advancement during an interview on Tropic Vibes’ Exhale with Hon. Robert Hall. Mr. Hall questioned the Premier on whether she was of the belief that there have been deliberate efforts to frustrate her government through constitutional obstruction. “Is there deliberate frustration? I believe in some quarters there could be,” the Premier replied but she maintained that the issue is not constitutional but rather, systematic. She added: “I have already committed in the house of assembly that I will do a post-mortem on what has happened in 2017/2018 in regards to the large number of projects that are not realized. Some we had to bring back into supplementary. For example, we said that we would resource the police last April. We expended $1.1 million on cars but the cars aren’t here. We said we would re-do the roads; the roads are still in evaluation but we approved that last April. Something is wrong within the system. If somebody is doing this deliberately, it would have to be a whole lot of some bodies.
The bottom line is, we have to look at what is happening, we have to review and we have to ensure that it’s efficient and it delivers.” Mr. Hall highlighted the value of full internal self-governance, pinpointing fellow British Overseas Territory, Bermuda, as a successful example. “In the Turks and Caicos, certain matters under the current constitution are in the remit of the governor such as the police force,” Mr. Hall stated. “In Bermuda, where they have full internal self-governance, the governor is not in charge of the police force. Here is a case for constitutional advancement that local authorities [in the Turks and Caicos] have more responsibilities for charting our own destiny.” The Premier noted that in an internally self-governing island state like Bermuda, the head of government sits as the president of their cabinet, giving minutes to the governor. In TCI, however, the governor is president of the cabinet and for consensus, he must agree with everything that is brought to cabinet which is, the Premier explained, a point of challenge. When Mr. Hall acknowledged that little to nothing has been heard from government about constitutional advancement, the Premier confirmed that the administration is currently engaged in on-going talks with the opposition.
Premier Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson “We’re talking to the opposition already with regard to constitutional advancement,” The Premier stated. “We’re continuing the constitutional talks with what was sent up by the former administration. We cannot divorce ourselves from what they put in place because we were very much a part of it. I served along with the Deputy Premier on the body that went around the islands. We were a part of that and we maintained our positions. So there will be no uprooting, no difference. We’ll take forward what was sent up by the former administration. We have met with the opposition and we’re going to meet again. It’s for us to now move
Hon. Robert Hall forward and go back the UK on it.” In response to challenges in getting some projects off the ground, the Premier said: “I have no problem with an enhanced system. I have no problem with making sure that we do proper business cases, that the tenders are right and everything is done right but it must be able to be done in a shorter period of time. Certain quarters need more resources in terms of persons; we’ve been trying to recruit unsuccessfully. When it comes to infrastructure which is behind a lot of the larger projects, these projects can be passed in the budget but we need to give them the proper resources in order to deliver.”
Business licence renewal process – 2018/19 The Revenue Department hereby notifies the general public that the 2018/19 Business Licence Renewal period has commenced and advises that the following should be noted to expedite the process: •Registered companies are required to submit a copy of their register of members/ shareholders and demonstration of good standing with their application for renewal. •Sole traders and partnerships must present a valid Business Name Registration Certificate from the Financial Services
Commission along with their application for renewal. •Establishments requiring annual inspections from the Environmental Health or an Accommodation Licence are reminded to seek inspection ahead of the renewal deadline. Applications will not be accepted until all relevant information is received. The Revenue Department reserves the right to request further documentation and conduct inspections. •Application and payment for renewals must be made on or before April 30th 2018 to avoid
penalties. The Revenue Department (RD) would also like to remind the general public that Business Licence Certificates must be promptly collected at the Revenue Department Offices. Business Owners are urged to collect and display their Business Licences prominently in the place of business. This is in accordance with section 16 of the Business Licence Ordinance which states: “The Holder of a licence shall display the licence in a conspicuous place on any premises
occupied by him for the purpose of carrying on business and shall produce such licence for inspection when requested to do so by the Permanent Secretary, Finance or a person authorized by him in that behalf, or a Police Officer not below the rank of Sergeant.” A Business Owner may be liable for a fine of $1000, if he or she fails to properly display the business licence within his/her business. Business Licence holders are hereby urged to collect outstanding licences immediately. Please contact the Taxpayer Services Section for further information.
Ministry of Tourism honors Mrs. Tina Fenimore The Ministry of Tourism trained many local employees, allowing and present who have played key roles in commemoration of Women’s for direct socio-economic injection to the in developing our tourism industry. International Day 2018 under the theme community. She also operated a travel The sustained growth over the years “Press for Progress”; Minister of Tourism, agency, T & C Travel, along with other is testament to their ingenuity and The Turks and Caicos Hon. Ralph Higgs along with staff paid tourism related businesses since the early involvement. Islands is truly a place of gender tribute to Mrs. Tina Fenimore for her 70’s through 90’s. Minister, Hon. Higgs commented; equality as women play leading roles at immeasurable contribution not only to tourism but national development. Mrs. “It is an honor and pleasure to recognize the executive level. As we pay special Fenimore was the first local, female Mrs. Fenimore for her unselfish recognition to accomplished women, we hotelier on the Island of Grand Turk and contribution to the tourism industry, must be mindful of young aspiring women instrumental in both the Grand Turk and she has always been a champion for our who seek to follow their lead in breaking Providenciales Chambers of Commerce. destination since its modern infancy. through glass ceilings. Her dreams turning the Turks She has historically promoted the Turks Let us thank God for all he has and Caicos Islands into a tourism and Caicos, which we are grateful for; given as we reflect on all accomplishments destination is truly seen today. Her especially today. We are happy to of women throughout the country; the actions were a part of the engine that highlight the accomplishment of women Ministry of Tourism, Environment, still assists in driving the local economy; in the various sectors as their efforts have Heritage, Maritime and Gaming extend The business provided employment for a paved the way for the empowerment of best wishes to the hardworking women Minister of Tourism, Hon. Ralph number of residents and saw countless women in leadership across every sphere.” across the globe for a Happy International Higgs pictured with Mrs. Tina Fenimore guests. Mrs. Fenimore mentored and There are many women, past Women’s day!
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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Oseta Jolly parents complain about conditions at Gus Lightbourne complex Parents of student from the Oseta Jolly Primary School are furious and dissatisfied with conditions their children have to endure at the temporary location at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex. According to reports, students are working in cubicles with make-shift partitions, the class rooms are divided in sheets and the students are forced to focus in an environment that is neither stable nor comfortable. The Oseta Jolly Primary School which was one the many schools that received extreme damages from Hurricane Irma, is yet to receive repairs to its buildings. A very concerned parent told The SUN, “We say the children are the future of the Turks & Caicos, yet still we forget to make sure they are taking care of, especially in their
education. We as parents do realize that after the storm it has being a bit crazy for everyone. What we do not understand is the fact that the public school is in bad condition and no one is saying anything.” They added: “Oseta Jolly Primary is one of the oldest schools in Providenciales, and the only one that got damage the worst, and they had to relocate the children. However, we are disappointed that still at present they have not yet started to break down the old building or even trying to clean the compound. The children were placed at Gustavus Lightbourne auditorium and the classrooms are divided with sheets. It’s difficult for the teachers to even control their classrooms. Please tell me how that supposed to work. The grade six students were moved on three occasions because of the heavy noise from downstairs to upstairs
(ceiling started to drop and yet they move again downstairs.” On numerous attempts The SUN reached out to the Ministry of Education to provide updates on the Oseta Jolly Primary Schools, but up to the time of this report none was provided. In an interview last year, Officials from the Ministry of Education told The SUN that the Public Works Department is awaiting finalization of the re-prioritization of funding before requests for quotations or tenders can be issued. Although the Ministry was not able to state the cost of repairs for the Oseta Jolly Primary, they indicated that the estimated cost of repairs is being finalized. “Students of the Oseta Jolly Primary School are currently attending school at the Gustavus Lightbourne Sports Complex and
the Edward Gartland Youth Centre. No repairs have commenced at the Oseta Jolly Primary School buildings to date. Public Works Department is awaiting finalization of the reprioritization of funding before requests for quotations or tenders can be issued,” the Ministry added. When asked what damages the school sustained, The Ministry said, “Structural damages (roofing, ceilings) were done to the school buildings thus it is unsafe for students and teachers to occupy the facility or access the compound in this state. The Government intends to rebuild stronger and better so that learning spaces are safer and more resilient.” “Classes will only resume at the school’s compound when the rebuilding and repair works are completed and clearance is given for occupancy,” the Ministry ended.
For immediate release on March 6, 2018. This is a public service announcement from Provo Water Company: Bills for the 28thFebruary, 2018 are now available. Please pay this bill by Friday 16thMarch 2018 to avoid disruption to your service. Paying Your Bill •Bills can be paid directly at Provo Water Company Office in Grace Bay 8:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday. •Bills paid by online banking must be paid not later than 3 days before the due date. •Bills paid at Grace-way Supermarkets must be paid not later than 24 hours before the due date. In the unfortunate event you are disconnected for delinquency: •The full amount plus the required reconnection fee must be settled before the service resumes. •Service will resume the same day for accounts paid up before 12 Noon •Service will resume the following morning for accounts paid up after 12 Noon. Reconnections will not take place after hours. Also, please note that our office will be closing at 2pm daily, commencing tomorrow March 6th, 2018 for the remainder of March (until further notice) while we prepare for the final migration to our new system. Contact Customer Service Department on 946-5202. PROVO WATER COMPANY LTD. 197A Grace Bay Road PO Box 39 Grace Bay, Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 946-5202 Fax: (649) 946-5204 Email: provowater@tciway.tc
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
LOCAL NEWS New Provo Post Office will eventually be Police Headquarters, says Premier By Todeline Defralien The brand new $1.15 million dollar Post Office will eventually be the Police Headquarters, according to Premier Hon. Sharlene CartwrightRobinson. Speaking on the call-in programme “Exhale” with Hon. Robert Hall (Former Speaker of the House) talk show on Tropical Vibes on Wednesday March 14th, 2108, she said, “Persons will see that the Post Office just started, you have person’s criticizing the size of the Post Office, the amount that is spent on the Post Office. Yes I understand that and hear that, but this Government plans to build a Government complex and it’s our intention, and it has been communicated with Infrastructure (Department) to have that Post Office space in that Government complex and to take that Post Office and eventually convert that to the Police Headquarters.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs Transportation and Communication recently announced the demolition of the old Post Office on Airport Road in Providenciales, in preparation for the to start construction. In a release issued to media houses on Thursday March 8th, it stated that this new facility costing $1.15 million dollars is expected to be completed by March 2019. Among other things, it will provide brand new staff accommodation, an increase in the number of mail boxes and immensely improved parking and customer service areas. Minister with responsibility for Postal Services, Hon. Vaden Delroy Williams commenting on the start of the project said: “Even though technology has revolutionized communication, the role and importance of postal services to communities have not reduced. Every week the Post Office receives a considerable about of mail from all over
Turks and Caicos Sun
Premier Hon Sharlene CartwrightRobinson the globe as well as from origins here at home. In this regard, it continues to support commerce, friendships and family relations despite the many challenges faced by staff over the years. I am therefore very pleased that this project has begun and I look forward to the block laying ceremony in the not too distant future.” The SUN understands that JaMalCo Limited, owned by local architect and engineer Jamaine Malcolm, is the contractor for this project.
Approaching deadline for dormant accounts The Revenue Department reminds the general public that all funds in dormant accounts held by any financial institution on the Islands are transferrable to the Turks & Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) became effective 1 December 2015. An account is deemed to be dormant if no transaction, as defined under Section 4 of the Dormant Accounts Ordinance 2014, has been effected on that account in seven (7) years. Financial Institutions, as required by law, have issued several
notices of accounts held that are deemed to be dormant under the Ordinance. Account holders who are uncertain of the status of their accounts, are encouraged to contact their financial institution (s) for verification. Section 10 of the principal Ordinance was amended by inserting 10A which stipulates: 1.A claim against the Government under section 10 for repayment of monies transferred from a dormant account shall not be brought after the expiration of six years from the date the money was
VACANCY- PLANT OPERATOR 1 Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified individuals for the position of Plant Operator 1, FortisTCI, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
transferred to the general revenue of the islands. As such, a dormant account holder no longer has an indefinite period in which he/she can make a claim to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, for funds transferred to TCIG. Financial Institutions are required to remit balances of all Dormant Accounts as defined under Section 4 to TCIG annually on or before March 31st along with a Certificate of Compliance. Please contact the Taxpayer Services Section for further information.
Suite#5, Airport Plaza Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 339-5879 Fax: (649) 941-3281 Email: sun@suntci.com Read us online at www.suntci.com
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Hayden Boyce Graphic designer Information Technology and Production Manager: Kelano Howell Todeline Defralien Reporter
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.
plant, in a timely accurate and efficient manner. Respond to customer inquiries in a polite and efficient manner when outages occur. Ensure that all outages are entered in OMS and dispatched to the linesmen in a timely manner. Open and close Outage work orders in AX in a timely manner. Operate company vehicles and equipment as required and consistent with company policy and safe operating procedures. Ensure that plant equipment is monitored and engine operating services are carried out in a manner consistent with the company’s efficiency targets and EHS policies. Be properly and neatly attired in the uniform provided, ensure consistent and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPEs) provided and ensure the adherence of subordinate shift personnel. Perform such other duties as may be assigned from time to time, including overtime duties when other operators are unable to perform scheduled shift duties. Perform light scheduled maintenance to generator units as required.
DESCRIPTION Assist the Senior Operator in effective systems control, continual system condition monitoring, efficient generation unit dispatch, and timely response to system contingencies, in a manner consistent with standard operating procedures and specific instructions of the Manager Plant Control or other senior Operations Management personnel. Under the general direction of the Senior Operator, the Plant Operator Level 1 must ensure that all necessary activities to ensure the functional operations of generating units and response to system abnormalities that may occur during the course of shift duty, are carried out in a manner that ensures uninterrupted service continuity within acceptable systems parameters, and the highest level of fuel efficiency without compromising safety of fellow employees, the general public or system equipment.
Academic/Technical/Management: Experience and Qualifications: Successful completion of a 5 year high school program and a 2 year post-secondary program, preferably in engineering trades. Familiarity with and competency in the use of computers and standard computing software programs is required. Be able to do mathematical calculations at community college level.
MAIN DUTIES INCLUDE: Starting, monitoring, servicing and stopping generating units as directed by the Senior Operator, in a manner consistent with standard operating procedures. Ensure that accurate and neat records of system/equipment parameters are logged as directed. Respond in a calm efficient manner to the directions of the Senior Plant Operator in the event a system interruption occurs while restoring power to the system efficiently and safely after any plant interruptions. Assist the Senior Operator when called to do so in reporting any abnormal data to the appropriate persons in a timely manner and take prompt action (in accordance with standard operating procedures) to prevent or minimize any outages, prevent injury to employees and the general public and/or damage equipment under the control of systems operations. Assist the Senior Operator with informing appropriate Operations personnel in the event an outage occurs external to the production
Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications
Core Competency Skills: Above average analytical skills in math and electrical theories and diesel generation parameters Demonstrable aptitude for interpretation of engineering drawings and manuals Professional competency in written and oral communication skills in English Ability to function effectively under emergency situations and thinks clearly and effective and deliver within deadlines and to work under pressure Self-motivated, solution oriented and positive in outlook Team Player
Deadline for submission of applications (inclusive of a cover letter, resume and a FortisTCI application form) is March 21st, 2018: Mr. Avi Adams Manager, Human Resources FortisTCI Limited P. O. Box 132, Providenciales Email address: hrapplications@fortistci.com or aadams@fortistci.com
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
LOCAL NEWS
TCI Dolls introduced to the local market By Todeline Defralien Lavern Skippings Reynolds the creator of TCI Dolls is showing off her talent, launching her customized doll ‘Caya’ to the local market. According to Mrs. Reynolds, TCI Dolls officially launched March 1st, 2018 and she has already hit the 100 doll mark. TCI Dolls is simply quality crafted cloth dolls that embody the history and culture of the Turks & Caicos Islands. The dolls are adorned in the national costume of the Turks and Caicos Islands and what makes these dolls so special is the musical element, all dolls sing the “Beautiful By Nature” song. In an interview with The SUN, Reynolds said she believes in promoting the culture and beauty of the people of these islands with a product that was actually made with them in mind. She added: “TCI Dolls is a locally owned company that came about simply because I traveled a lot and every time I travel I like to bring back little tokens for my daughter. I noticed through travelling through the Caribbean that a lot of them have basically a generic type of doll and all of them have different ribbons in Antigua but it’s the same doll in St. Lucia and it’s the same doll in Curacao, so I decided to say that I am going to make my daughter a doll for Turks and Caicos just for her.” Reynolds said that for her first try, she made ten dolls and gave them all out to her friends and family members, including her mom and
Lavern Skippings Reynolds pictured with her little daughter and ‘Caya’ TCI Dolls everyone loved them. “I did a lot of research; this is something that has been about two years in the making and I came up with ‘Caya’ and Caya is the TCI Doll that you see before you today. I am a bit extra, so I had to make my doll extra and so I decided to make Caya special and different than any other doll in the market here in TCI and so I added music to Caya. Caya sings the song ‘Beautiful by Nature’. In addition to having the only doll that is designed for my daughter and looks like my daughter, hence the ton of hair, it also sings for her because she likes that song. This song was made for Turks and Caicos Islanders with us in mind and it sings a song that is about us and for us,” she explained. Reynolds noted that she believes that these customized dolls can be used as an educational tool seeing that it teaches children about
the culture of the Turks and Caicos to be special ordered. Each color Islands. represents the ribbons displayed on the She said, “It’s been a wonderful dress that highlight an island or one of teaching tool for my daughter because the TCI’s many historic industries. she can tell you that red is for Grand Persons that buy these dolls Turk, Blue is for Provo and Orange are actually contributing to national is South Caicos. So I think it’s a good pride and making a statement of their educational doll and it teaches them love and respect for this wonderful about culture. I think that it is a country that Reynolds calls home. great educational tool and it was also Additionally, she added: something that was made specifically “Everyone has been receiving it well; for them and the wonderful thing about I’ve been getting tons of likes on that is that it is made for tourists who Facebook and I’ve had a lot of people want to know about us, our culture reaching out to me for these dolls, so and the people and not just a generic it’s really been an exceptional start for doll. It’s great for the locals; you have a me. I would like to thank all those that representation of you.” have supported this new business and The dolls are currently encouraged me on my new venture.” available with red accent ribbons that Anyone who would like to represent the Nation’s Capital, Grand purchase a doll or find out more Turk. They will be available in 8 colors information about TCI Dolls can visit (red, turquoise, yellow, white, orange, their website at www.tcidolls.com or green, pink, and tan) within the next you can send me an email or call based few weeks and as they are available on the information on the website.
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
LOCAL NEWS
TCI First Olympian Delano Williams renews contract with C&W/Flow second term as pan regional brand ambassador Flow TCI, a Cable & Wireless company, has officially re-signed 24-year old track sensation Delano Williams – the first Olympic athlete from the Turks and Caicos Islands as a pan-regional Brand ambassador. Holder of the 2012 World Juniors 200M Championship title, three-time Carifta Medallist, IAAF World Champion Bronze Medallist, 4x400M Rio 2016 Olympics contender, and son of the TCI, the decorated athlete has inked another two year endorsement deal applicable across C&W’s fifteen Caribbean markets, the Bahamas, and Panama. “I am honoured to sign with the #1 telecommunications provider in the Turks and Caicos, Flow, for a second term as a pan regional brand ambassador. Being a part of the Flow family since the inception of my career has proven to be and remains one of the best decisions I’ve made to date. I will always be a Flow-guy,” shared Delano. Originally signed in October 2015, Delano has since joined a new twoyear NIKE approved coaching program in Kingston, Jamaica called the Maximizing Velocity and Power (MVP) Track & Field Club, home to world class Jamaican sprinters such as Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce, Elaine Thompson and Asafa Powell, to focus on his initial passion for sprint as his signature events.
Flow Country Manager, Delleriece Hall pictured with Delano Williams, and Principal for HJRHS, Reinwald Lewis “I wanted to put myself back into the sprinting world, because I don’t believe the 400m is for me. I believe wholeheartedly that my new coach, Paul Francis, who has coached world class Olympic medallist and world record holders, will get me where I need to go,” explainedWilliams. It’s been four years now since Williams has run a 100M race, and in February, he opened his season with a time of 10.46 seconds, just a few split seconds shy of his 100M PB of 10.28 recorded in 2013.He has declined the request to run the 4x400m relay at the
Delano and his manager, Brando Hayden
2018 Commonwealth Games to remain and the Berlin 2018 European Athletics focused on his individual sprint Championships in August. training. “As a part of our commitment “Delano Williams has quickly to being the number sponsor of youth become a household name in the Turks and sports in the region, we are grateful and Caicos. It has been quite an honour as a company for the opportunity to to work alongside he and his manager be a part of Delano’s growing global to capture the moments in his career sprinting career, as he continues to that will be engrained in the history break barriers and inspire greatness,” books of this country and this brand as expressed Flow Country Manager, he grows into an outstanding athlete” Delleriece Hall. says, Darron Hilaire, Marketing Pick up your copy of the 2018 Communications Executive. Flow Calendar today to see Delano’s We can expect to see Delano latest feature, along with many other again at the British Olympic Trials, key moments from over the years.
Premier Robinson and Ministers to celebrate TCI women during the month of March On Thursday this week, we will join the Gender Desk and the rest of the world in celebrating women. This year’s theme “Press For Progress” is a call for continued action among women to do more and to be more. Women have made many leaps and bounds over recent years at home and abroad and should be celebrated. Whilst TCI is looked at as a leading country in terms of gender parity with a recent upsurge in women in high offices of leadership, there remains much to do. We must not be content until every little girl is given equal opportunity to access any office or make any career choice she wishes to and to be able to enjoy equal pay. Throughout the month of March, in honor
of our women, as Premier, I will host Luncheons, participate in sporting events and surprise several of our leading women around the Turks and Caicos Islands. All Ministers of Government will join in celebrating women and we are intent on reaching out to and recognizing women who are often overlooked and who have been and continue to be trail blazers. Women throughout the Islands should look to join in these celebrations: •March 6, 2018, we celebrate the women of the Twin Islands during a Luncheon •March 13th, 2018, we celebrate the women of South Caicos during a Luncheon
•March 17th, 2018, the Premier’s Office in conjunction with Women In Sports will host a sporting event in the Nation’s Capital. •March 21st, 2018, we celebrate the women of Salt Cay during a Luncheon •The month will end with a Celebration of First Ladies on the Island of Providenciales As the daughter of a strong women, influenced by strong women throughout the TCI and especially on the Island of South Caicos and raising two strong young women myself, I am indeed honored to be able to celebrate each and every woman and girl in these Islands and I look forward with great anticipation to the rest of this month.
Junior Achievement TCI selects National winner for Innovation Camp 2017 On Saturday March 3 2018, the Junior Achievement TCI Grand Turk team,Forecast 5,was awarded the national Innovation Camp 2017 championship. Facing off in one last challenge against Providenciales team- 649 Aerial System, the winning team wowed the panel of judges with their creativity and preparedness. The event was a one-day private affair hosted at the Airport Inn banquet hall in Providenciales. The final challenge required the students to develop a campaign using social media as a tool to prepare high school graduates for the work force. In their final presentations the two groups expressed their ideas with a PowerPoint presentation, and a written report, along with a 30 second video commercial of their product/ solution. The two teams were assessed by a panel of judges- Scotiabank representatives Dawn Higgs, Keyana
Seymour, and Outside the Box Advertising representative Chandra Craigg. The winning team’s campaign created an entire non-profit organization with an adjoining app which preps high school graduates on the necessary skills needed for the work force It also offered in person and in app courses on work readiness. The judges were wowed with their creative 30 second video complete with skillfull editing and group acting. The winning team will now move on to represent the Turks and Caicos in the regional challenge, facing off with teams from around the Caribbean. This year’s regional Innovation Camp will be an online challenge and with an added fan favourite component. Details on how you can vote for your favourite regional contender will be posted to the JATCI Facebook page and website- www.jatci. org.
Junior Achievement TCI has thinking, budgeting, managing also launched an in-class personal income and debt, and values. Island development program targeting older wide sessions will take place for all youths. The JA Economics for Success interested students March 17th and program focuses on teaching personal 24th in Providenciales and at a later finance and defining career goals date on other islands. If you are for students between the ages of 14- interested in volunteering for the 17. It’s an interactive series of hour organization training will be provided. long sessions taught at designated Information on all events will be high schools across the islands. The posted on the organizations website courses are taught by an array of local and Facebook page. PRESS NOTE: For further business professionals who selflessly volunteered their time to give back to details on Junior Achievement TCI students and their community. During and upcoming events contact Ms each session students will be taught Angela Musgrove (649) 331-4892 or the fundamentals on topics such as email info@jatci.org. decision-making skills, critical
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
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LOCAL NEWS
FortisTCI 2018 Science Quiz Winners FortisTCI is pleased to announce winners of the 2018 FortisTCI National Primary and High School Science Quiz competitions, held in conjunction with the Ministry of Education on Providenciales from Wednesday, March 7 to March 8. Primary School 1st Place – MILLS Institute 1st Place – British West Indies Collegiate High School 2nd Place – Eliza Simons Primary School 2nd Place – Clement Howell High School 3rd Place – International School of the TCI 3rd Place – H.J. Robinson High School FortisTCI has sponsored the Annual Science and Technology Fair during Education Week since 2010. While this year the project and poster competitions did not take place as schools continue to recover from the impact of last year’s major hurricanes, the company instead sponsored and coordinated alongside the Department of Education, aSTEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Workshop for science teachers from across the Turks and Caicos Islands. The workshops were conducted by Dr. Shirin Haque, PhD who is known
throughout the Caribbean as a lecturer on science topics.More than 50 primary and high school teachers took part. FortisTCI President & CEO Eddinton Powell said, “We believe very strongly in the Science Fair and the partnership the company has built with the Ministry of Educationover the last several years. We believe in the importance of getting students excited about science and technology, while supporting teachers and schools to unearth and develop budding scientists.We also strive toencourage those students who are interested in pursuing FortisTCI Senior VP of Corporate Services, with the 2018 Primary a career in science or engineering.These young, Science School Quiz Winners, MILLS institute brilliant students are the future, and this is why FortisTCI remains committed tosupporting education in the TCI and helping to better prepare our students for the 21st century.” FortisTCI and the Department of Education wish to express thanks to all students and teachers whoparticipated in the 2018 Science Fair activities during this year’s Education Week, FLOW who assisted with providing live streaming capabilities for the quiz competitions, Dr. Shirin Haque from the UWI St. Augustine, Trinidad who facilitated the STEM workshops, and a special thanks to the Hon. Karen Malcolm, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports & Library Honourable Karen Malcolm and the Ministry of Services, with the 2018 High School Science Quiz Winners, British Education. West Indies Collegiate
InterHealth Canada - TCI Hospital hosts Leadership Forum InterHealth Canada - Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital hosted a leadership forum for over 50 internal staff at the Messel Ballroom of the Palms Resort on March 9th, 2018 under the theme “Beyond the Boundaries - Elevating Leadership through Excellence & Innovation”. The forum featured a lineup of organizational and external speakers, which included Ambassador Joan Underwood of Antigua who is a veteran senior management consultant, policy advisor and expert in training programmes for public and private sector executives. Other speakers included members of the company’s senior management team along with present and former Minister of Health and Human Services, Honorable Edwin Astwood and Honorable Doctor Rufus Ewing, respectively. The format included a plenary session and half-day workshop to afford organizational leaders and middle management staff the opportunity for exposure to different models, best practices and application
of leadership principals in an effort to stimulate self reflection and skill enhancement. Participants were also exposed to the principles of Emotional Intelligence (EI). The EI workshop facilitated by Ambassador Underwood was designed to bridge the connection between leadership styles and the manner in which individuals recognize, connect with, and learn from their own mental and emotional state, and those of others. During the presentations, references were made to situational leadership and the importance of morality, citing examples of prominent persons in history who used their position of authority for both positive and negative objectives. It was stressed that leadership should not be perceived as a position of authority, but rather a personal attribute which transcends hierarchy. Leaders can be found at all levels within an organization and there is a difference between ‘managers’ and ‘leaders’. Manager of Education at InterHealth Canada – TCI Hospital,
Speakers (L-R): Ambassador Joan Underwood – Private Management Consultant, Gaston Levac – IHC Interim Chief Executive Officer, Hon. Edwin Astwood - Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Rufus Ewing - Former Minister of Health, Dr. Denise Braithwaite Tennant – IHC Chief of Medical Services, Isha Honore – IHC Quality Risk and Patient Safety Manager. Jacqueline Moe-Cox said: “The sessions can be used to positively impact were interactive and informative; leadership”. participants took the opportunity to She continued: “Comments engage in stimulating intellectual made during the session and written discussion with the facilitators on evaluations indicate that both sessions various aspects of leadership. The were well-received by participants facilitator of the EI workshop used and they left invigorated and inspired practical examples, exercises such as to implement some of the techniques the Johari window and team activities to enhance their personal leadership to deliver an invigorating session on skill sets to the organization’s how Emotional Intelligence principles advantage.”
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LOCAL NEWS
Sister Sister on tour in North Caicos By Todeline Defralien
W
omen from the different settlements of North Caicos namely Bottle Creek, Kew, Sandy Point and Whitby. gathered at my Dees restaurant on Monday March 12th 2018 for a glorious time in the Lord with Sister Sister TCI, which has been on tour throughout the Turks Caicos Islands since the beginning of this year with prayer breakfasts, inspirational speakers, annointed preachers making a joyful noise in praise and worship and talking to the Lord in prayer. South Caicos was the first leg of the tour on January 20th 2018 and Grand Turk the second on February 24th, 2018. While being a first for the previous mentioned Islands Sister Sister had its 6th Prayer
Breakfast in Providenciales on January 27th, 2018. Among the many women that followed Sister Sister from the Providenciales on the tour was our country’s Premier Hon Charlene Cartwright-Robinson, who addressed the sisters and encouraged them to be strong in the Lord no matter what. The feature address came from Mrs. Kacy Dee Handfield who is a Psychologist and Director of TCIBU, who spoke on the theme: “In Him I am strong”, and left the sisters with a stir in their spirits. The breakfast was moderated by the founder and CEO of Sister Sister Mrs. Lillian Boyce who shared her passion about fellowshipping and bringing women together to be each
other’s keeper, to empower, uplift, encourage them to stay strong and to be motivated in the Lord to get to know their purpose and live it for God has no hands but ours in the earth. Guest Speaker Pastor Karen Higgs of Faith and Truth Kingdom Ministries Int’l shared her testimony about the loss of her husband and how she coped and encouraging them to hold on to God’s unchanging hands. Cynclair Musgrove was honored for her dedication, hardwork and commitment to the advancement and empowerment of women in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The tour continues into Middle Caicos and Salt Cay and dates will be announced later. Photos by Antonella Evenou.
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
LOCAL NEWS
Highlights from FortisTCI 2018 Science activities F
ortis TCI hosted its Annual National Science Fair activities on Tuesday March 6th – Thursday March 8th, 2018. The events held were the Primary and High School Science Quizzes and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Workshop which was conducted by Dr. Shirin Haque, PhD who is known throughout the Caribbean as a lecturer on science topics. FortisTCI has
sponsored the Annual Science and Technology Fair during Education Week since 2010. While this year the project and poster competitions did not take place as schools continue to recover from the impact of last year’s major hurricanes, the performances were spectacular nevertheless. The winners of the 2018 FortisTCI National Primary and High School Science Quiz competitions, held in conjunction with the Ministry
of Education on Providenciales from Wednesday, March 7th to March 8th were: Primary School -1st Place – MILLS Institute, 2nd Place – Eliza Simons Primary School and 3rd Place – International School of the TCI and the High School -1st Place – British West Indies Collegiate, 2nd Place – Clement Howell High School and 3rd Place – H.J. Robinson High School. The photographs captured the events.
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MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
LOCAL NEWS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome By Dr. Marsha Barnett
in the bloodstream. When cells can’t use insulin properly, the body’s demand for insulin increases. The pancreas makes more insulin to compensate. Extra insulin triggers the ovaries to produce more male hormones. Up to 70 percent of women with PCOS have insulin resistance.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, PCOS is a common diagnosis in women of reproductive age. Whilst it is most often thought of as a reproductive and fertility issue, its’ effects on the body as a whole can be devastating. Not only does it cause abnormal menstrual cycles and HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED? reduced fertility but it can also result in aggressive acne, excessive hair growth Doctors diagnose PCOS if women on the face and body, and can contribute have at least two of three main symptoms to long-term health problems like heart — high androgen levels, irregular periods, disease and diabetes. and cysts in the ovaries. A pelvic exam, blood tests, and ultrasound can confirm WHAT CAUSES IT? the diagnosis. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. It is thought to be relatively common affecting between 10-25% of women according to the populations studied. In one study however, up to 70 percent of women with PCOS hadn’t been diagnosed. Genetics, insulin resistance, and obesity have all been linked to excess production of male hormones called androgens, and the development of the condition. Whilst studies show that PCOS runs in families, it is likely that there are many different genes that contribute to the development of the condition. It is noted that many women develop PCOS after substantial weight gain and that the condition is seen in more commonly in overweight and obese women. This is thought to be the case because fat cells are able to affect the body’s production of sex hormones. Additionally, the hormone produced by the pancreas called insulin is also affected by excess weight and it excess body fat also makes the body’s tissues less sensitive to the effect of the insulin
HOW DOES IT AFFECTS YOUR BODY? Having higher-than-normal androgen levels can affect your fertility and other aspects of your health.
PCOS are overweight or obese. Both obesity and PCOS increase your risk for high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and cholesterol issues. This increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. DERMATOLOGY ISSUES Excess male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and cause acne breakouts. The hormonal imbalance also leads to excess hair growth on the face and chest in over 70% of affected women. MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES hormonal changes and symptoms like unwanted hair growth can negatively affect one’s emotions, as can repeated futile attempts to get pregnant. Many women with PCOS end up experiencing both depression and anxiety.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH ISSUES To get pregnant, you have to ovulate, thereby releasing an egg from the ovary for fertilization. Women with PCOS don’t tend to ovulate as often as other women. Therefore, there is a reduced chance of them getting pregnant. PCOS also increases your risk for pregnancy complications and miscarriage. Additionally, In PCOS, the lining of the wombs gets to build up over months as it is not shed with a monthly menstrual cycle. This thickening of the lining makes the occurrence of endometrial or womb cancer more likely. CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH ISSUES
Up to 80 percent of women with
HOW IS IT TREATED? The management plan for PCOS depends on the symptoms you have and whether or not you are desirous of getting pregnant at the time. In women who are not actively trying to get pregnant, birth control pills and can help regulate the menstrual cycle and treat PCOS symptoms like hair growth and acne. Of course, laser hair removal can get rid of unwanted facial hairs and the acne can be treated with prescription creams as well. In women who want to get pregnant, clomiphene is a fertility drug that is commonly used. It is effective however, it increases the risk for twins and other multiple births Metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes which works by making the cells in the
Dr. Marsha Barnett body more sensitive to insulin can be used in persons with PCOS. Because many persons with PCOS have insulin resistance, this drug is beneficial is addressing the root cause of the condition. Persons on metformin might find weight loss easier and, in many cases, when coupled with diet and exercise, normal ovulation has been restored. Surgery can be an option to improve fertility if other treatments don’t work. Ovarian drilling is a procedure that makes tiny holes in the ovary with a laser or thin heated needle to restore normal ovulation. LIFESTYLE TIPS Treatment for PCOS usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve PCOS symptoms. Weight loss can also improve cholesterol levels, lower insulin, and reduce heart disease and diabetes risks. Studies comparing diets for PCOS have found that low carbohydrate diets are effective for both weight loss and lowering insulin levels. Diet plus exercise helps you lose more weight than either intervention alone.
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MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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LOCAL NEWS
New bike club in TCI By Allie Capron
649 Bike Life is re-introducing the motorcycle movement to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The club was formed in Providenciales in the summer of 2017 by Bahamian bike enthusiasts, William Dean and Cordero Lightbourne. Dean spoke to the SUN about the origins, intentions and long-term goals of the club. “In The Bahamas, I was a part of the 242 Bike Life,” Dean said. “When I moved here, I noticed that there wasn’t much bike culture. There’s a few older guys who ride on Sunday but not much else was going on. Me and my boss, Cordero Lightbourne, were talking one day and I told him how much I miss riding. Turns out, he missed it as well. So I thought: why don’t we get some bikes and start something here. So in May 2017, we went to the states, placed orders for some bikes and by June, we
were riding.” Dean added: “Just the two of us, we started going to little parties here and there. We showed up at different functions, we did a motorcade with the kids’ foundation. From those outings alone, the interest started to build. Guys would come up to us, wanting to know where we got our bikes and if they could be a part of our group. And it’s just been growing steadily since then. More people are bringing bikes onto the island and getting involved. I actually ordered some bikes for some of our members as well. It’s about 40 of us in the club now. We went from 2 to 40 and it’s still growing. We did a ride out with Sizzla a few months ago so things are going really well.” 649 Bike Life’s members use a variety of motorbikes including 4 wheelers, 3L bikes and street bikes like 1000s and 650s. Joining the club is simple, Dean explained. Requirements include mandatory licensing and insurance
of your bike. Bikers must have their own helmet and safety gear. Those interested in joining the club must contact an existing member of the club who will then pass their request to join onto the rest of the group. 649 Bike Life is open to both women and men and all ages that can legally drive. Dean emphasized the importance of motor safety, noting that though there have been fatal bike accidents in the past, biking can be a safe pass time as long as all the proper safety precautions are taken. “In the past, before I moved here, there were some motorcycle accidents and I think a lot of people got scared of bikes. They didn’t want to bother with it anymore. We want people to know that biking is fun, I understand that there’s been some tragedies here so it’s all about safety for us. There’s no need to be speeding up and down the streets. I let all the riders know, wherever we go, take
William Dean and Cordero Lightbourne of 649 Bike Life your time, drive for you and for the other people on the streets.” On March 12th, 2018 at Shore Club Beach, 649 Bike Life sponsored an event called the Land & Sea Clash which was organised to help raise funds for the bike shop the group intends to open. The shop will service bikes, offer bike accessories and in the long-term, sell bikes.
Pool side bar hours of operation, location of facilities, and emergency procedure for rescue. Knowledgeable of hotel facilities and services to answer guest inquiries. Shifts varies. Full time. Weekend and holiday work may be required.
OPEN JOB POSITIONS DATE OPEN: March 7th, 2018 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: IT Professional DEPARTMENT: Information Technology Job Requirements: IT Systems Administration experience; Strong knowledge of VMWare, NAS, SQUID, WEBMIN; Strong knowledge of In-House Surveillance camera systems; Knowledge of Microsoft 2xxx Server architecture such as roles, networking etc.; Knowledge of Microsoft Active Directory; Knowledge of SAN/NAS storage system; Knowledge of Remote Desktop; Knowledge in Linux operating system; Knowledge in configuring squid proxy access policy; Knowledge in Virtual Private Network (VPN); Experience in Point of Sale Jonas system and Jonas Accounting software; Experience in Micros OPERA administration; Experience in Saflok Doorlock system administration; Basic Knowledge in Electronics system; Experience in Avotus Call Accounting system; Basic Knowledge in Night Audit. Daily activities: Be responsible for server infrastructure support and maintenance (Linux Ubuntu) and Windows Server and workstation; Responsible to troubleshoot electronics systems (TV, Sound Systems, PA Systems); Responsible to troubleshoot Doorlock systems; Responsible to troubleshoot Guest internet and Office internet connection; Provide email configuration and support; Responsible for daily POS transaction reports; Responsible for OPERA PMS operation; Responsible for property surveillance camera system. This position is currently held by an expatriate worker. Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2 Annual Salary: $36,000.00 DATE OPEN: March 7th, 2018 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Pool & Beach Attendant DEPARTMENT: Guest Services - Pool and Beach Job Overview: Assists guest with beach and pool recreational activities supervising, swimming and ensuring that the guests are catered to while they are relaxing on the beach or by the pool. Responsibilities: Assists swimmers from water when in danger. Provide excellent service consistent with the hotels standards operating procedures and brand attributes. Greet all guests upon arrival, distribute towels, offer assistance with seating, and delivering consistent guest service, exceeding guest expectations, and providing all other supporting services. Knowledgeable of pool facility such as length and depth of all pools etc.
This position is currently held by an expatriate worker. Qualified Islanders need only to apply copying applications to the Commissioner of Labour & Work Permit Board Zone 2 Salary Range: $6.25 - $7.00 per hour __________________________________________________________________________ DATE OPEN: March 7th, 2018 POSITION: Public Area Attendant DEPARTMENT: Housekeeping
START DATE: ASAP
Job Overview: Keeps all Building and public facilities (such as hallways, elevators, floor closets, stairways and common areas) in a neat and clean condition. RESPONSIBILITIES: Cleans hallway, stairways and closets and ensure these areas are free from trash. Clean and polishes elevators. Polishes furniture and fixtures located in work area. Washes walls and ceilings, clean windows and pergolas. Sweeps, mops, scrubs, waxes, and polishes floors. Dusts and polishes metal work. Responsible for upkeep of all equipment and working tools i.e. Vacuum cleaner, trolleys, Scrubbing machine, etc. Responsible for maintaining a time schedule for cleaning of work areas. Responsibly for keeping and maintaining owner’s lockers and basement area clean at all times. Qualified Islanders and Belongers need only to apply. Wage Range: $6.25 – $7.00 per hour DATE OPEN: March 7th, 2018 START DATE: ASAP POSITION: Housekeeping/Room Attendant DEPARTMENT: Housekeeping Job Requirements: Ensure the cleanliness of all hotel areas Assist in all Housekeeping responsibilities, cleaning of all guest rooms, stocking amenities and linens Physical stamina and mobility including ability to reach, kneel and bend Ability to lift, push and pull required load (usually about 30lbs) Ensure inventory is used properly and in supply at all times Possess knowledge of proper cleaning supplies and chemical handling Qualified Islanders and Belongers need only to apply Wage: $6.25 per hour Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department @ (649) 946-8550 Ext. 7500 Email: nikiesha@thewestbayclub.com Fax: (649) 941-8695
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LOCAL NEWS
Illegal immigration a threat to national security By Oswald Skipping
Lest my haters, detractors and those who do not wish this country well deliberately distort and misconstrue my views, let me preface this by highlighting our love, respect and embracement of the Haitian people who have positively contributed to the development of this country and have assimilated themselves respectfully into mainstream society and become responsible, true and caring Turks and Caicos Islanders. Having said that, it is never more true than now as it relates to our immigration problems, that enough is enough and it’s about time that proactive, deliberate and effective measures be taken to rid ourselves of this devastating and costly menace of illegal immigration and illegal occupation. It is indeed distressing and alarming to say the least, realizing that our Beautiful By Nature Turks and Caicos Islands are under siege by well calculated and deliberate invasive forces in the form of illegal Haitian nationals. This rapidly expanding army of illegals compliment and reinforce the thousands of legal non-Belonger Haitians who are already fearlessly and boldly flexing their muscles and expressing their evil intentions to take over our country. The sad and inexplicable aspect of all of this is that our government, inclusive of our British Colonialists element, seems to be the only ones that are oblivious to this looming threat to our national security. Consequently, one is left to wonder if this apathetic, lame duck approach in dealing with this festering issue is because of election entanglements and or the lack of vision or the will to tackle it head on. It is obvious that we as a people inclusive of government and populace, have been far too complacent and too gutless for too long to the extent that we have already lost almost everything that is dear and precious to us inclusive of key authoritative positions in the civil service as well as the
private sector. The mistake is often made in recognizing only illegal immigration as a major problem, however the truth is that we have an immigration problem, both illegal and legal and until such time as this is recognized and tackled forcibly and systematically, we will continue to see our country slipping out of our hands. The illegal entry by sloops and go fast boats is but one of the contributing factors that not only facilitates human trafficking but the trafficking of illegal drugs, guns and ammunition that results in an overwhelming superiority of an invisible illegal military element in our country. A combination of these illegal, invasive activities poses the biggest threat to our safety, our national security, our job security, and in the long run, our franchise security. The arrogance and effrontery displayed in the bold and relentless efforts to illegally enter our country fearlessly, find jobs illegally, build shacks illegally on crown land and people’s private property, and the blatant disrespect for our limited sovereignty, demand that we as a Turks and Caicos people, rise to this overbearing challenge and take bold, stinging Initiatives that would effectively rid ourselves of this menacing plague that is tantamount to a subtle, well thought out, incremental coupe. There is absolutely no justifiable reason why legitimate Turks and Caicos Islanders should be negatively impacted in the Turks and Caicos by illegal Haitians and legal non Belonger Haitians in the Turks and Caicos should not share in the agony that is being presumptuously perpetuated by illegal Haitian invaders. If we are to effectively tackle our festering illegal Haitian immigration problems, it is imperative that official, diplomatic, bilateral talks between Turks and Caicos government officials and Haitian government officials take place at the highest level. It gives our officials the opportunity to sensitize the present Haitian
government of the historic long term love and support we shared with its people over the years. Alluding to the thousands of Belonger Status, Permanent Residence Certificates, Naturalizations and work permits. Not to mention the thousands of their children that we educated free and are still educating, the tens of millions of dollars annually that are sent to Haiti as remittances, the inclusion in our civil service, the opportunity to establish businesses and the list goes on. Our officials need to impress on the Haitian officials that while we have been and are still being excessively benevolent to its people, there is the need for them to recognize the need for us to maintain our national security, and our socio economic and political prominence in our country. As such, there is an obligation on the Haitian government to not even appear to be complicit in any way in this illegal surge to take over our country, hence their obligation to visibly assist in stemming this illegal flow. This may be done by the Haitian authorities preventing sloops from leaving illegally, sponsoring public service announcement that discourage this illegal traffic, funding the repatriation of their illegals caught in the islands and severely punishing those illegals that are returned. In the event that a captain is not identified among any of the illegals that come by boat, then the Haitian government will provide a captain to take back an acceptable load on a sea worthy vessels. If the Haitian authorities prove unwilling or unable to assist us in this fight, then there are consequential measures that the TCI government would take to drastically and decisively stem the flow of these illegals. Furthermore, the Turks and Caicos government has options that should already have been put in place such as: - The cancellation and non renewal of Haitian work permits. - The non issuance of first time work permits to Haitian nationals
- Stem the flow of the remittances of the tens of millions of dollars that are sent to Haiti annually that obviously help to facilitate the human, drug, gun and ammunition trafficking. - Initiate a serious crackdown on the illegal jitneys - In the absence of militarily qualified personnel to root out the illegals from the bush and the unwillingness of the British to provide such forces, thenthe immigration department bring in expatriate militarily qualified personnel to complement its task force. - Reassign the task force to visit construction job sites, hotels and other businesses. - Place severe penalties inclusive of prison sentences on persons who harbour and employ illegals - Eliminate the government Stamp program that hires numerous Haitian nationals with just a stamp in their passports. - Have work permit holders to leave the country if impregnated until after childbirth. - A crackdown on illegal shops, illegal restaurants, illegal car sales business and other illegal businesses - prepare a detailed position paper and appeal to the British, American Government, CARICOM, the United Nations and the European Union to recognize the invasion and assist in bringing it to a halt. - Join forces with the Bahamian government to jointly approach the problem as they also suffer from it. While this is not an exhaustive list of options to tackle this problem, it is an effective list that would go a mighty long way in dealing with this threat and taking back our country. What is also important is that it provides options that may begin tomorrow without additional budgeting and staffing or British government approval and be effective at the same time.
BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES POSITIONS AVAILABLE DANNY’S RESTAURANT Chukka Caribbean Adventures (TCI) Ltd is about playtime! It’s about fun, laughter and a passion for life. Every single member of the CHUKKA team in Jamaica, Belize and Turks & Caicos contributes to helping their guests play; they get to wow them at every turn with all that the Caribbean has to offer. Chukka is always looking for new talent to add to our dynamic team. All successful applicants must: •Be at least 21 years old. •Be well spoken in English. •Possess excellent interpersonal & written communication skills. •Trustworthy & Reliable disposition with a clean criminal record. •Positive & disciplined work attitude in a customer service oriented business. •Must be willing and able to work flexible hours, including weekends, public holidays as necessary to meet the challenging needs of cruise ship schedules and/or reasonable needs of the business. See below opportunity currently available in Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands: HORSE BACK RIDE GUIDE As a tour guide, you are responsible for providing accurate tour information to guests and consistently deliver a safe fun-packed experience. Minimum Requirements: •Two year experience working with Horses •C.P.R. and First Aid desirable •Life guard certification desirable Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: •Speaks good English •In-depth knowledge of horses and horse care •Ability to calm disgruntled and/or challenging guests •Ability to work under pressure •High professional & ethical standard •Passion for nature & the environment •Must have the physical ability to frequently lift and carry heavy to moderate weights. •Ability to use initiative Special Conditions Associated with the job •Outdoor environment •May be required to work beyond normal hours Compensation: Approximately $700USD per Fort Night Housing also provided based on Experience Reports to: Operations Manager Applications along with CVs/ Resume’ can be submitted via Email to: gtadmin@chukka.com, please place the desired position in the subject line *** Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted ***
One (1) Cashier/Waitress Wages: Commensurate with experience BUTTERFIELD GOLD One (1) Carpenter All aspects of carpentry, including both rough-in and finish carpentry. Applicant must have general knowledge in construction including roof construction, erection, maintenance and repair. Must be able to work with others and direct workflow with helpers for maximum productivity. Be able to read and work from architectural drawings Have ability to work with minimum supervision. Minimum of eight (8) years working experience based on above criteria. Wages: Commensurate with experience One (1) Domestic worker General cleaning the Town Center mall windows and offices Wages: starting from $6.50 per hour One (1) Gardener Looking for an experienced gardener to maintain Butterfield Square & the Town Mall grounds, cleaning the parking lots and malls. Wages: starting from $7.00 per hour DHL One (1) Customer Service Rep Customer Service Rep for the DHL front desk. Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience Requirements for all Applicants: Hardworking team player with excellent people skills. Willingness to work, weekends and holidays as required. In addition to the performance of the essential functions employees may able required to perform supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor. Only Belongers apply for these positions. Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified. Submit applications to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211
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LOCAL NEWS
The blame game crisis By Drexwell Seymour
As a human being, it never ceases to amaze me the way we react to situations in our lives. When everything is going well, we like to assume credit for it even if we had nothing to do with it but as soon as something negative happens, we simply do not accept the responsibility but rather blame others for the downfall. In families, when a child is doing well, one of the parents will say that child obtain that positive trait from his/her side of the family. When a child is not doing well, one parent may blame the other parent for the child’s behavior. Somebody will get blame. Even though a child may be acting as a result of a myriad of issues, the parents must assess the issues, accept responsibility and try to fix the issues. The blame game will not work as the problem will still be there. In politics (applicable to both political parties), when the economy is doing great, the incumbent government loves to take credit, however, when there is a downfall in the economy, the current government will blame the previous government or other circumstances. When crime is at a high level, the Opposition blames the Government for the high crime and convinces the electorate that they have the solutions to reduce crime if they get in power. When the opposition now
becomes the Government ,the Commissioner of Police or the Governor gets blame for the high crime because crime is under their portfolio. However, as soon as crime is reduced, the Government wants to take credit. When the civil servants are doing great and are able to prepare the budgets for the elected government in record time, the elected government takes the credit for having the budgets completed in record time. However, when the civil servants are not performing up to par, the Deputy Governor gets the blame. If you want to take credit for the good, you should also take credit for the bad and the ugly. It is just simple like that. Stop using the blame game methodology. The recent crisis at the airport resulted from a change in the working schedule for the immigration officers. The elected government nor the deputy governor should be blamed for this crisis. While the Deputy Governor is the head of the Public Service, there are also individuals who are responsible for the various departments in Government. In fact the department in question has one permanent secretary, two deputy secretaries and a director. Certainly they should be empowered to make executive decisions. This is what leadership is all about. Even if there was a change in the working schedule, as soon as management became aware of the
TURKS HEAD YACHT CLUB
is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates for the
followingpositions. The successful applicants must:
Have at least 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry with at least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory position
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Responsible for Human Resources Management and the overall supervision of all employees Inventory Controls, purchasing and planning. Perform accounting and banking functions in coordination with the POS system. Managing relations with the cruise lines Shore Excursion Executives. *Remuneration on a profit share basis
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ASSISTANT MANAGER/SUPERVISOR
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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
WAITERS/SERVERS / BARTENDERS/SALES ASSISTANTS
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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
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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
BEACH ATTENDANTS
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 TURKS HEAD YACHT CLUB Church Folly c/o EPIC Corporate & Consultancy Services Ltd. PO Box 86 Phone: 649-946-1570 Grand Turk Fax: 649-946-1571 Turks & Caicos Islands Email: epic@epiccorporate.com
crisis at the airport, an executive decision should have been made to deploy additional staff to accommodate the needs of the incoming travellers. In fact, there should be staff on duty for call out and as substitutes in the event a crisis does take place. This crisis perhaps could have been avoided as management should have been made well aware in advance (and based on the past) of the flight schedules and the number of guests arriving especially in the month of March which is the peak month for our tourism season. Some will say we experience long queue in the USA. Yes sometimes we do but we are not the USA, we are the Turks and Caicos Islands depending on the USA tourists for survival. As a result of the blame game, we start attacking our elected and our non elected officials. However, what is ironic is that some of the same supporters that want people to respect our elected officials are the same ones disrespecting our deputy governor. The deputy governor (DG) gets blame for almost everything when it comes to the public service. However the deputy governor has many subordinates that have different roles and responsibilities. For instance, when a job is advertised and the applicant is interviewed, the DG does not participate in the interview process. The Human Resources Department along with senior officials from the relevant department is on the interview panel. Once a candidate is selected based on a score card, the Public Service Commission (a non partisan group) vets the application and interview processes to ensure that the selected candidate chosen by the panel meets the criteria. The PSC then advises the governor on their decision. I have never been on the PSC board so I do not know if that process works that smoothly. The point I am making is that the Deputy Governor plays no role in the selection process. Being in leadership is not easy. Everyone thinks they can do a better job until they get there and realize it is not how it appears on the outside or what they read in a text book. Managing human beings is the most difficult task a leader faces. In fact a leader will find him or herself spending more than 75% of their time dealing with human resources issues and consequently not able to achieve
Drexwell Seymour his or her main objectives. This is one of the reasons why we are not moving ahead. We are spending all of our time trying to fix the human issues when it seems like it is almost impossible to resolve. No matter what you do, you will get blame either due to lack of understanding, lack of communication or simply a deliberate careless act by certain individuals. Rather than blaming someone or something, why don’t we play our part in resolving the issues in our community. If you see something needs fixing and you can fix it, just do it. No one needs to know you did it. Just do it without trying to get praise or credit for it. For example, if you see the streets need cleaning, coordinate a group of individuals together and clean the streets. If you see our young people in need, volunteer at the Youth Center and the Junior Achievement Program. The Government is not in a position to do everything and quite frankly the government should not be doing everything. If we as individuals unite and help each other, oh what a difference this little country would be!. This is evident in some of the neighbourhood watches that have been established in some of the communities on the island of Providenciales. Stop the Blame Game and Assume Responsibility. At the end of the day, we will all be great beneficiaries from a resulted wonderful united country.
Editor / Journalist / Executive Assistant Duties: Office assistant, front desk. Capable of multi-tasking for busy belonger owned publishing company. Good command of English language and grammar. Excellent communication and organizational skills. Ability to source, research, interview and write feature articles. Edit external copy and proofread. Meet strict deadlines. Liaise with clients on social media marketing, update blog and website content. Evaluate strategies, analyze stats, google analytics, SEO, inbound marketing. Sales ability a plus. Requirements: University degree in related field. At least three (3) years agency experience in editorial writing, editing, publishing, project management, print and digital magazine production, social media strategy, inbound marketing. Must be Apple Mackintosh computer literate with knowledge of: InDesign, PhotoShop, Microsoft Office, Word, Excell, Wordpress, Joomla. References required. Salary compensatory with abilities. Send CV and current contact info to: Ad Vantage Ltd. info@wwhtci.com.
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Come and join our winning team at Seven Star Resort & Spa The following positions are currently available
SENIOR SOUS CHEF We are looking for a professional Sous Chef to be the second in command in our kitchen, following our Executive Chef’s specifications and guidelines. The successful candidate will employ its culinary and managerial skills in order to play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing our customers’ satisfaction. Requirements: •5 to 15 culinary experiences in a five star hotel/resort •Knowledgeable in international cuisine such as Japanese and other Asian dishes •HACCP knowledge, self-motivated and passion for hospitality and cooking •Excellent palate and attention to detail •Understanding of various cooking methods, ingredients, equipment and procedures Duties and Responsibilities: •Help in the preparation and design of all food and drinks menus •Produce high quality plates both design and taste wise •Ensure that the kitchen operates in a timely way that meets our quality standards •Fill in for the Executive Chef in planning and directing food preparation when necessary •Resourcefully solve any issues that arise and seize control of any problematic situation •Manage and train kitchen staff, establish working schedule and assess staff’s performance •Order supplies to stock inventory appropriately •Comply with and enforce sanitation regulations and safety standard Salary range: USD26,000 to USD30,000Position currently held by a work permit holder SPA THERAPISTS Candidates will join our team in our newly expanded award winning Spa and will be therapists as well as have opening and closing duties. Duties and Requirements: •5 years’ experience as a therapist and relevant degree or equivalent combination of experience and education. •Knowledge of holistic concepts and treatments including facials, full body treatments, massages, physiotherapy, and manicures and pedicures. •Enthusiastic demeanor with excellent customer service skills •Must be able to work long hours and split shift. Salary $6.31 per hour (plus commission).Position held by a work permit hold ACCOUNTANT: We are seeking an accomplished individual with demonstrated qualification and experiences as an accountant. Requirements •Have at least 10 years’ experience with Accounts Payable systems, General Ledger and supplier statement reconciliations. •Must be conversant with stocktaking procedures, stock valuation methods, and automated stock control devices and software. •Demonstrated strong experience & background in Finance with specific emphasis on financial reporting. •Excellent people skills, high-energy, entrepreneurial spirit, and professionalism. •Caribbean or similar International exposure. •Must have received Bachelors in Accounting or equivalent and 10 years’ experience in Finance. •Proficient in Microsoft Office and Visual 1 software •Must be able to work long hours, nights, weekends and holidays Responsible for: •Provide leadership in establishing high-quality standards within the accounting department and must possess excellent communication and leadership skills. •Assist in the preparation of budget presentations; the production of periodic financials, statistics and operational metrics for senior management Salary range: USD25,000 to USD30,000 per annum (Salary is negotiable and based on level, experience and qualifications) HOUSEKEEPING TURNDOWN ATTENDANT / LABOURER Clean, stock, and provide turn down service for guest rooms to ensure cleanliness and guest satisfaction while caring enough to do it well by adhering to the Resort Commitments. Specific Duties and Responsibilities •Provide turn down service by partially removing and storing bedspread, replenishing amenities, linens, and supplies and filling ice bucket as requested by guest •Wipe down tub and sink area •Sign for room keys and restock cart and visually inspect room for cleanliness •Strip and make beds, change linens and dust all furniture thoroughly •Replenish amenities, linens, and supplies in guest room •Respond in a timely manner to guest requests for items and/or other information JOB KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES •Ability to work conscientiously, meets deadlines, follows instruction and directions, with minimal supervision and detailed oriented •Ability to stand, sit, kneel constantly to handle specific details or demands of quality and speedy guest services •Ability to push, lift and/or pull equipment up to or more than 100 lbs •Ability to scrub and scour surfaces, extend arms over head to perform cleaning tasks, and work in confined spaces •Additional language abilities preferred Salary range: USD12,000 to USD 13,500 per annum. Position currently held by a work permit holder
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE We are recruiting a Director of Finance responsible for overall management of all accounting, purchasing, and MIS functions, including, but not limited to, safeguarding all assets, strategic planning/budgeting, and compliance with internal controls and procedures. To provide functional guidance to the Executive Committee and Department Heads, interact with the resorts legal counsel, insurance companies and auditors to effectively control the assets of the business and to provide business support. Salary is based on experience and qualifications. •Director of Finance Suitable candidates must have a relevant degree plus recognized accounting qualification, ACA/CPA with 15 years post qualification experience at Finance Director/CFO level •Must have at least 5 years’ experience in the hospitality industry at Finance Director/CFO level •Must possess strong background in internal/external audit •Must have extensive experience with Strata Corporation management at Executive Committee level. •Must possess a strong IT & HR background •Must have extensive knowledge of Visual 1 software •Must be fluent in English Salary Range $70,000 to $90,000 per annum. Position currently held by a work permit holder EXECUTIVE CHEF Responsible for the consistent preparation of innovative and creative cuisine of the highest quality, presentation and flavor for the dining rooms, banquets and other food facilities, resulting in outstanding guest satisfaction.Additionally responsible for the smooth running of the kitchen and manage areas of profit, stock, wastage control, hygiene practices and training within the kitchen. •Plans menus for all food outlets in the club •Schedules and coordinates the work of chefs, cooks and other kitchen employees to assure that food preparationis economical and technically correct and within budgeted labor cost goals •Approves the requisition of products and other necessary food supplies. •Ensures that high standards of sanitation, cleanliness and safety are maintained throughout all kitchen areas at all times •Establishes controls to minimize food and supply waste and theft •Safeguards all food preparation employees by implementing training to increase their knowledge about safety, sanitation and accident prevention principles •Develops standard recipes and techniques for food preparation and presentation which help to assure consistently high quality and to minimize food costs; exercises portion control for all items served and assists in establishing menu selling prices •Prepares necessary data for applicable parts of the budget; projects annual food, labor and other costs and monitors actual financial results; takes corrective action as necessary to help assure that financial goals are met •Ensures proper staffing for maximum productivity and high standards of quality; controls food and payroll costs to achieve maximum profitability •Evaluates food products to assure that quality standards are consistently attained •Interacts with food and beverage management to assure that food production consistently exceeds the expectations of members and guests •In conjunction with F&B management team, assist in maintaining a high level of service principles in accordance with established standards •Work closely with the Community College to Skills and Qualifications: •Previous five star Executive Chef experience or equivalent experience as Executive Sous Chef •Must contribute to the Community of the Turks & Caicos Islands by carrying out training etc. •Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management •Previous experience working with multi-cultural/multi-ethnic groups •Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience •Ability to build, train and maintain teams Salary range: USD50,000 to USD 55,000 per annum. Currently held by a work permit holder CHEF DE PARTIE The Chef de Partie is responsible for running a specific section of the kitchen. The chef manages a small team of workers, which are responsible for keeping organized so that meals go out on time and the work area remains clean and orderly. Requirements: •5 to 15 culinary experiences in a five star hotel/resort. •Knowledgeable in international cuisine such as Japanese and other Asian dishes. •HACCP knowledge, self-motivated and passion for hospitality and cooking. •Excellent palate and attention to detail. Duties and Responsibilities: •To work and lead the kitchen team. •Execute cooking to the expected high standard quickly and efficiently. •To maintain the required level of hygiene standards/HACCP as laid down both legally and by the standards manual. •To be responsible for the day to day training of the team. Salary range: USD13,200 to USD14,400 Position currently held by a work permit hold OTHER POSITIONS •Carpenter Nail Technician •Duty Manager F&B Runner •Bartender Guest Services Agent Salary range: USD12,000 to $17,000 per annum and is based on experience and qualification. Some position currently held by a work permit holder.
ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING ABOVE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED. Candidates should apply to Seven Stars Resort & Spa, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales via e-mail at hr@sevenstarsgracebay.com for consideration or should leave CV’s at the security building for the attention of HR. Prospective applicants who are Islanders kindly send copies of your application to the board. Application deadline: March 31, 2018
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MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
IMMEDIATE OPENING LABOURER* Duties Include: General laborer duties as assigned by the supervisor or manager. Willingness to work varying schedules, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays. Salary $6.25 an hour not including service charge. SENIOR SOUS CHEF* Requirements: Minimum 6 years cooking experience in a luxury hotel environment. Minimum 2 years experience as a Sous Chef in a luxury hotel environment. Proven experience in all sections of the kitchen. Excellent communication skills Able to handle a fast paced environment and be able to work under pressure. Must be organized and detailed oriented. Tertiary culinary qualification preferred. Duties Include: Ensure mis-en-place is set for all stations of outlet kitchen. Ability to read recipes, check food presentations and displays with precision. Check the quality of the product to ensure the standards for food service are maintained. Show precision cuts and knife use. Demonstrate ability to cook meat, fish and vegetables with the correct method and temperature. Create daily specials for outlet with guidance and approval from Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef. Ensure the correct rotation and storage of products for quality selection. Ensure the Kitchen is kept clean and sanitary. Follow directions from the Executive Sous Chef or Executive Chef with accuracy. Communicate any defects in kitchen equipment to the Executive Sous Chef. In addition, other duties as may be required as directed by your Manager. Starting salary $38,000 per annum, not including service charge. WAITER/WAITRESS* Duties Include: Serve food and beverages to guests in a prompt manner and anticipate guest needs. Knowledge of food and beverages on the menu included mix drinks and be aware of any menu items which are not available. Prepare and arrange food or drinks that are attractive and appetizing to the guests. Starting wages $6.25 per hour plus service charge. DINING ROOM MANAGER* The Dining Room Manager will oversee the daily operation of P23 fine dining restaurant; Plunge casual outdoor restaurant and bar, Green Flamingo bar and In-room Dining. Requirements: Minimum of 6 years management experience in food and beverage, including fine dining Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience Strong knowledge of a variety of cuisines and wines/beverages Strong understanding and proven track record of operational controls and sales Proven ability to train and develop team members Ability to take initiative while working effectively in a team environment Excellent organizational skills Passion for luxury food and beverage service; positive and cheerful attitude with high energy Computer skills (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) plus knowledge of POS systems Must be able to work all shifts and days Duties include: Supervises, trains and coaches staff to meet Regent standard of luxury and ensure Regent Experience for guests. Participates in development of business strategies for food & beverage outlets aligned with business objectives for maximizing revenue and guest satisfaction. Participates in development of budgets and monitors status regularly to ensure achievement of financial targets. Assists in developing and implementing marketing and promotions to increase business and revenue. Works closely with culinary team to create and implement menus consistent with guest expectations and Regent standards of luxury and
quality. Starting salary $20,000 per annum not including service charge SPA MANAGER * Requirements: Minimum of 5 years’ experience as spa manager at luxury spa of similar size and status Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience Strong written and verbal skills with documented responsibility for promotions sales and marketing. Merchandising/visual skills; experience with retail products and apparel goods. Knowledge of current trends In luxury spa facilities and services Must be able and willing to work all days and shifts Duties Include: Manage the day to day operations of the Fitness Center and Spa Facilities Maximize profitability by increasing sales of products and services and by managing effectively Ensure high quality of facility and services to meet international luxury and brand standards and earn global recognition and awards Experience developing and implementing effective preventative maintenance programs Demonstrated experience in development budgets and cost saving measures Develop annual operating and Capex budgets, monitoring and adjusting as needed Starting salary $50,000 per annum not including service charge. RETAIL ASSOCIATE Requirements: Point of Sale - Skilled in utilization of point of sale systems and/or other back-of the house systems. Upselling - Know the available products and services and suggest alternatives. Technical Service Skills - Demonstrate understanding of the technical service skills for assigned area Duties Include: Provides assistance to guests with personalized service Provides impeccable service to all guests projecting a professional image and expertise Creates an environment designed to stimulate all senses through personal service Assists all guests with their individual requests showing full knowledge of all inventory Stays knowledgeable and informed about all resort services and operations, local information on restaurant, shops and activities. Ensures that all shop displays are neat and eye catching Maintains the working area in a professional and organized manner, handling all transactions with expertise Gathers and records guest information in guest history system and uses guest knowledge to ensure a high level of guest recognition and personalized service Starting salary $7.00 per hour plus service charge SPA ATTENDANT Requirements: Technical Service Skills…Demonstrate understanding of the technical service skills for assigned area, ability to learn new service skills, maintains current Certification Organization…Demonstrate ability to proactively prioritize needs, put first things first, and effectively manage resources and time Personal…Demonstrate good communication skills, ability to multitask, ability to handle unexpected situations in a professional and positive manner Duties Include: Greets guests upon arrival to area of work Gives a general tour of the facility when requested Ensures that all policies are followed by the guests Handles guests’ questions and concerns professionally and courteously Promotes the retail products, gift certificates, promotions, etc offered by the Spa Possesses the ability to work without direct supervision Does inventory on request Keeps reception area, lockerrooms, relaxation areas, fitness center, salon area, reception area, employee area and offices clean and orderly Ensures that the Steamroom, Sauna and Plunge Pools are sanitized daily Ensures that the shower areas fully stocked with shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, and any other amenity that is deemed appropriate for the guests Ensures that all areas have sufficient stocks of linen, robes, etc Ensures that all Juice bar areas are stocked with the necessary items (water, teas, juices, etc) Ensures that soiled linen are returned to Laundry to be washed Starting salary $6.25 per hour plus service charge
*POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to wisland.toussaint@thepalmstc.com, no later than end of day Friday, March 23rd, 2018.
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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IMMEDIATE OPENING MECHANIC TECHNICIAN* The chosen candidate must have knowledge and experience in repair and maintenance including preventative maintenance to prevent down time on commercial laundry equipment including 250lb washer, flat ironer, folding machines, steam dryers, valet equipment, boilers, 150hp boiler feed tank, steam water heater and chemical injection system. Duties Include: Maintain proper preventative maintenance to laundry equipment and boilers. Maintain proper inventory on designated parts to avoid down time. Maintain proper amount of chemical injection on boiler feed tank and proper conductivity at boilers. Preventative maintenance to steam traps and steam lines. Starting salary $7.00 -$9.00 per hour plus service charge SOUS CHEF* Requirements: Minimum 6 years cooking experience in a luxury hotel environment. Minimum 2 years experience as a Sous Chef in a luxury hotel environment. Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience Must have strong knowledge of kitchen inventory and ordering process, staffing, expediting and ability to supervise the staff and kitchen operations under the direction of the Executive Chef Excellent culinary technique and ability to work the line during all meal periods Exceptional customer service orientation, complying with company service culture Must be willing and able to work all days and shifts Management skills Duties Include: Recruit and select qualified candidates, provide training and communication performance expectations Coordinate the inventory, purchasing and disbursement of all supplies with the purchasing manager Inspect and ensures the proper set up and readiness of each item on menus Supervise daily food preparation for assigned areas. Ensure that the level of quality, portion control, and plate presentation is adhered to consistently Work closely with staff to exceed guest expectations Maintain product consistency by conducting inspecting or seasonings, portion and appearance of food Starting salary $28,000.00 per annum, not including service charge. A/C TECHNICIAN* Requirements: Minimum of 3 years experience as an IT Technician Post secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience Must have experience working with Opera and Visual One, Mitel Phone System, Cisco CCTV System, Fiber Optic Music System (fiber optic), Micros, Data Works and Premier Spa Must be able to respond quickly and effectively to diagnose and resolve hardware and software problems for all systems, and document tracks and reports on deficiencies, progress and follow-up Must read, speak and write English fluently Must be able to work all days and shifts and be on call for emergency service request Duties Include: Providing routine maintenance of hardware, software and systems Installing/configuring computers/telephones and point of sales equipment and other systems equipment. Installing, maintaining and repairing wifi system equipment Installing/maintaining/repairing CCTV System Repairing/upgrading hardware and software. Troubleshooting printers/scanners/copiers. Maintaining inventory of equipment and supplies. Maintaining server room(s) and ensuring proper security for such. Completing system backups according to required schedule. Providing infrastructure support: LANDSCAPING PROJECT MANAGER* Requirements: Minimum of 5 years’ experience in managing the landscaping department of a 5 star Luxury Caribbean Resort. Post-secondary degree or equivalent qualification by experience Expert knowledge of Zone 9 Caribbean landscaping. Vast knowledge in horticulture, native plant species and chemical usage towards the prevention of plant disease and insect control. Must have extensive experience with Irrigation systems and landscape maintenance. Must have strong supervisory skills and demonstrated experience managing a grounds department.
Must be able to give direction and expertise in areas of basic landscaping, tool safety, chemical usage and operation of lawn equipment. Must be able and Willing to work all shifts and days Duties Include: Impeccable maintenance of grounds and landscaping. Assists in supervising and participating in grounds work. Ability to identify areas for improvement and keeps abreast of latest trends in regards to plants, irrigation, landscape maintenance and chemical applications. Ensuring proper utilization and maintenance of equipment. Managing overall cleanliness of work, storage and space areas. Salary $30,000-40,000 not include service charge. CONCIERGE AGENT Requirements: Able to use computer systems accurately and efficiently. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal Excellent attention to detail Duties Include: Greet all guests at all times with a warm welcome using guest name; always project a positive personal presence with appearance, demeanor and body language. Advise guests of points of interests and other information about surrounding area; book restaurants, tours and other services for guests accurately and in a timely manner, ensuring complete and timely communication of such to the guest. Handle all service requests and guest complaint calls courteously and efficiently, maintaining all recordkeeping required and completing follow-up in accordance with departmental policy. Be fully aware of all VIPs, special requests and guest’s history/ preferences to ensure a high level of guest recognition and personalized service. Maximize revenue through upselling and cross-selling of resort services and amenities. Complete opening and/or closing duties as required by shift; complete designated reports/updates during shift as requested and ensure thorough and accurate handover between shifts to ensure seamless service to the guest. Maintain updated knowledge of all systems and procedures used within department. Maintain all areas in a clean and organized manner. Works in front desk and telephone/guest relations areas as needed and/or assigned. Starting salary $8.00 per hour plus service charge SPA RECEPTIONIST Requirements: Detail-orientation and ability to multi-task while maintaining accuracy. Computer knowledge Basic math and money handling skills. Duties Include: Perform spa opening and closing duties according to departmental standards. Book, change, cancel and confirm spa appointments accurately and in timely manner. Greet/acknowledge all guests entering and leaving spa and over the phone, using guest’s name. Ensure courteous, efficient and accurate guest arrival and departure; utilize spa computer/software and cash bank proficiently according to department standards. Use guest knowledge to ensure a high level of guest recognition and personalized service. Promote and provide detailed descriptions of the spa, treatments, services, sessions and retail, as well as programs, promotions and/or discounts available. Handle guest questions and concerns professionally and courteously; provide accurate, appropriate and immediate response/information. Maintain a clean, safe, fully-stocked and well-organized work area. Ensure staff coverage at Reception desk at all times and handle guest service situations according to department standards. Communicate to management in a timely and professional manner any and all occurrences involving staff or guests that require attention. Regularly attend, participate in and support training and staff meetings. In addition, other duties as may be requested by department or other manager. Starting salary $6.50 per hour plus service charge
*POSITIONS MARKED WITH (*) ARE POSITIONS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER. Interested applicants should apply to The Palms, Human Resources Department, Monday through Friday, and bring along an updated resume, or by emailing your resume to wisland.toussaint@thepalmstc.com, no later than end of day Friday, March 23rd, 2018.
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LYNDON JENNINGS
Is seeking a Labourer To work 5 days a week Salary: $6.75 an hour Please contact: 241-0202 MR. MARVIN M. MISSICK Is looking for a Labourer To work 6 days per week Salary: $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 243-4849
Anika Talbot
Is seeking to employ a Domestic Worker Salary: $6.25 PER HOUR CONTACT: 231.1844
Position is held by a work Permit Holder.
MRS. CYNTHIA ASTWOOD Is seeking to employ a live-in maid in Grand Turk. Basic salary $6.50 per hour. Contact: 2322016
Otis Morris Grand Turk NEEDS A DOMESTIC WORKER Salary $6.25 per hour To work 5 days per week Please Contact 241-4027
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
Florice Forbes
DR. JAMEIKO HARVEY Is looking to hire a live-in Helper To assist with three kids Please send resumes to paradise. smiles12@gmail. com or contact 649-3326006/331-8693.
Is seeking a Labourer Salary is Minimum wage To work 5 days per week Please Contact:’ 247-7819
HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED
GRUSHINKA SEYMOUR
Must be able to clean apartments and condos Will be responsible for any other duties assigned regarding general housekeeping duties. Must be hardworking and reliable. Wages $7.50 hourly. Please submit application to Theodore Steplin YS Real Estate Ltd, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Tel: (649) 232-3616. Closing date for application is March 27, 2018.
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
GEMINI SECRETARIAL AND CONSULTANT Carpenter helpers seek @ $7.50 per hour Two (2) Tile Layers, 5 days per week @ $7.00 per hours Three (3) Painter Helpers, 6 days per week @ $6.25 per hour Two (2) Babysitter, 6 days per week @ $6.25 per hour One (1) Mechanic, 6 days per week @ $7.00 per hour One (1) mechanic helper, 5 days per week @$6.25 per hour Two (2) clerks, 6 days per week @ $7.00 per hour One (1) driver/operator 6 days per week, @ $9.00 per hour One (1) Mason helper, 5 days per week, @ $7.00 per hour One (1) construction helper, 5 days per week@ $7.00 per hour One (1) fly board instructor, $12.00 per hour, 5 days per week. Interested persons please contact (649)2417278 between the hours of 10:00 am - 3:00pm Tuesday - Thursday.
Is seeking a Labourer To work 5 days per week Salary: $6.75 per hour Please Contact: 346-0098
Minou Hair Braiding Styles
Treven Hamilton
Angela Higgs
Is seeking a stylist To work 6 days per week $6.50 per hour 8 hours per day Please contact: 241-1815
Is seeking a House Maid In Grand Turk Pay is minimum wage Please email me: ksaunders@gov.tc
Is seeking a Labourer To work 5 days per week 8 hours per day Salary $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 347-5954
NADIA ASTWOOD
THREADS LTD
Is seeking to employ a live-in maid Basic salary $6.50 per hour Contact: 2321634
SEEKS
New Era Construction
Island Bargains is Expanding and We Need You! We are looking for an Assistant Manager A Successful Candidate will have: •at least 10 years experience in the shipping business •excellent spoken and written English •strong leadership capabilities •a proven track record of customer service •a knowledge of Local Customs processes •a strong aptitude for Computers •excellent mechanical abilities •sound financial reporting abilities Starting Salary is $4000/mo plus an incentive program. Please submit resumes to provo@islandbargains.com
1 Tailors 2 Dressmakers Must have atleast 20 years experience Salary based on commission Contact 242-7211
TAIPAN TRADING Seeks to employ 1 Tradesman To perform general maintenance including plumbing/electrical/ ventilating and air-conditioning system IN GRAND TURK Salary based on experience Contact Kevin Ariza at (649)2322750 or Email Sales@taipantradingtci.com
Is seeking a carpenter To work 5 days a week 8 hours per day $9 per hour salary Please contact: 2316055
LEE SUTTON Is seeking a Domestic Worker To work 5 days a week Salary: $6.75 an hour Please contact: 241-2367
SHERON STURRUP
Is seeking a Domestic Worker To work 3 days per week Salary $6.25 per hour Please Contact: 243-0313 KENNEDY LIGHTBOURNE
Is seeking a Domestic Worker To work 5 days a week Salary: $6.75 an hour Please contact: 343-6158 DOMESTIC WORKER
Willing to work 6 days per week Salary$6.25 per hour Contact: 649- 231-3617 – 232-0970
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
CARIBBEAN WORLD
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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CARIBBEAN NEWS
NEWS NEWS
The Bahamas blacklisted by EU
The Bahamas was yesterday added to the European Union’s list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions – a proverbial “blacklist” – an outcome the government had hoped would be avoided, given recent tax compliance laws passed in Parliament, and its continued engagement with the EU’s tax watchdog. Although no sanctions have been agreed to by the EU Commission and the EU member states, blacklisting poses reputational damage for The Bahamas and stands to potentially affect the financial services industry inclusive of businesses’ willingness to do or expand business in The Bahamas. The EU Council added The Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis and U.S. Virgin Islands to the blacklist, and delisted Bahrain, the Marshall Islands and Saint Lucia. The basis for being added to the blacklist was failure to make commitments at a “high political level” in response to all of the EU’s concerns. In a statement yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest acknowledged the EU’s assessment, which he said is regrettable as he claims the government has consistently engaged the EU’s Code of Conduct Group and responded to its requests. It was revealed last Friday that the EU was set to blacklist The
Bahamas yesterday. Turnquest and Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry Brent Symonette travelled to Brussels ahead of yesterday’s meeting of the EU’s financial council as a last-ditch effort to again engage the Code of Conduct Group and the EU Council directly. “Prior to today’s meeting, at the level of the deputy prime minister, The Bahamas reiterated its commitment by formal letter and is on schedule to meet the December 2018 deadline set by the European Council for implementation of the areas of concern indicated,” Turnquest said in a statement. He continued, “The Bahamas remains committed to complying with international regulatory standards and initiatives and will continue to hold discussions with the EU to determine how we can work together to ensure a better understanding and facilitation of the process to be removed from this listing in the shortest time possible.” Both ministers travelled to Brussels in December and signed off on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) multi-lateral convention to prevent base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS). The move, in addition to the legislative steps taken, was expected to act as
a “giant step away” from blacklisting, according to the government. EU governments also added the British Virgin Islands, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda to a graylist, which includes more than 60 jurisdictions that do not respect EU anti-tax avoidance standards, but have committed to change their practices. American Samoa, Guam, Namibia, Palau, Samoa and Trinidad and Tobago were already on the December 2017 blacklist. Compliance The Bahamas was last included on the EU’s tax blacklist in June 2015, despite a raft of tax information exchange agreements, the signing of an inter-governmental agreement with the U.S. on implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and the decision by The Bahamas to adopt the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Standard on the Automatic Exchange of Information. Then Minister of Financial Services Hope Strachan called the move disappointing and regrettable, as the EU did not take into consideration the efforts and accomplishments of The Bahamas in tax transparency, both within the EU and globally. The country avoided being blacklisted as a tax haven by the EU last November because it was
Ruling party wins all 15 seats again in Grenada elections Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell led his New National Party (NNP) to an historic clean sweep of all 15 seats in a general election here on Tuesday, making it the third time he has achieved the feat in electoral politics in Grenada. The 71-year-old Mitchell, who led the NNP to a consecutive sweep following his 2013 victory, immediately called on the leadership of the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to be part of the social partners that will chart the way forward for the tri-island state. “It feels good, the people of my country has shown the level of confidence in the way I have governed, it is a humbling experience,” Mitchell said after the preliminary results showed that the party had swept all the seats in Parliament. “Whatever achievement we have had I first have to give thanks to Almighty God and the people of this country,” Mitchell said, adding that the election was the “most stress free I have ever had in my 34 years in politics. Mitchell said that unlike 2013 when he won the general election and had no idea as to the state of the local economy, this time around, “I don’t feel the pressure because I am in the seat and I know what the plans are. “Therefore I feel very confident I will meet the aspirations of the people of this country,” he said, noting however that “to whom a lot is given, a lot
Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell is expected.” Mitchell easily won the St. George North West seat which he has been representing for more than three decades, defeating the NDC’s Alli Anthony Brian Dowden by a 2 546 to 406 margin. Former NDC executive, Peter David, who was fired from the party in 2013, easily on the Town of St George seat, polling 1616 votes as compared to 789 for Claudette Joseph of the NDC. In the St George South constituency, Health Minister Nickolas Tang Conway Steele polled the most votes in the election, receiving 3536 votes as against 2679 for former public servant and trade unionist, Raymond Roberts, of the NDC. Mitchell said he is convinced that if his administration is able to bring Grenadians, including the estimated 20 000 people who voted against the NNP together, then the country would be better
off. He against dismissed the notion that the clean sweep would result in the government having a free hand in running the affairs of the country. “You can’t ignore that 20 000 people voted against you . . . the task is to bring that element into the decision making process,” he said, reiterating his call for the NDC to join the social partners in “dealing with the problems of the country”. He has already indicated he would be looking at the manifesto of the NDC adding “you could have the best ideas and you don’t have that team willing to reach out for different opinions, you are not going to be as successful as you should be. “The NDC will get a commitment from us to involve them. They refused before . . . but I hope with the present results more common sense will prevail,” Mitchell said adding that he had not yet received any congratulatory message from Burke. Burke, who led the party into an election for the first time, failed to win the St George North East constituency losing to the NNP’s Tobias Clement 2458 to 2319 votes. Mitchell, who said that a national rally will be held on Wednesday to celebrate the victory, said if he had to provide any advice to the NDC it would be to change the leadership so as to provide leadership in the country.
among countries hit by hurricanes in September. The Bahamas avoided blacklisting by the OECD in December, after Parliament passed the Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information Amendment Bill, 2017; Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information Amendment Regulations, 2017, and the International Tax Cooperation Amendment Bill, 2017. The government also committed to undertake a review of the corporate presence in The Bahamas to ensure there is no preferential regime when compared to Bahamian companies. The goals: to ensure fairness in the various sectors of the Bahamian economy as a basic starting principle with multiple tiers to explore after. The EU placed eight jurisdictions on watch that were impacted “badly” by hurricanes last summer, saying these jurisdictions, which were given special consideration, had until early 2018 to respond to the EU’s concerns. The EU Council has sought to ensure multinationals pay taxes where they generate profits, that tax rules in one country do not penalize others and honest businesses don’t lose out to unscrupulous competitors.
Royal Caribbean to Invest $900 Million in Revitalizing Cruise Ships During the next four years, Royal Caribbean International will inject new life into 10 of its cruise ships through a $900 million investment that will begin with Independence of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. The “Royal Amplified” program will touch every facet of the passenger experience on all Freedom-class and Voyager-class ships, as well as on Oasis and Allure of the Seas. It will also introduce a wide range of innovative features and new experiences, such as specialized pools (family-only for example) and the VR bungee trampoline experience Sky Pad. “Royal Amplified is built on our passion for innovation, relentless attention to detail and commitment to always exceeding our guests’ expectations,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “We sail with more than five million guests worldwide each year, and recognize the need to always innovate and stay ahead of the curve.” The Royal Amplified program will see the outside decks on the 10 selected ships reimagined. Pool spaces, for example, will be designed specifically for family fun or as relaxing spa-like environments and offer differing activities day and night to cater to the line’s diverse cruise passengers. The upper decks will be amped up with waterslides and waterparks, as well as new attractions, like Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience. As part of the Royal Amplified changes, Royal Caribbean will roll out some of its recently unveiled dining venues onto more ships, including three venues all debuting on Symphony of the Seas: Hooked Seafood, Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade and El Loco Fresh. Beyond these, Royal Caribbean also promises more, new dining concepts, including some additional casual, grab-and-go eateries.
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Barbados #1 in the world for visitor satisfaction Barbados tourism is once again in winner’s row, this time beating out destinations such as second-place Seychelles and third-place Bermuda, to land the number one spot on the 2017 Destination Satisfaction Index (DSI). Throughout the year, over 70,000 travellers were interviewed around the world, giving their feedback on 20 categories including Beaches, Accommodation, Cuisine and Shopping. In the end, Barbados had the highest overall World score, 8.8/10, of the 144 countries included. The destination also ranked highest in the Accommodation category, and highest in the Americas region ahead of Bermuda and the Bahamas. The awards were presented to the Barbados delegation, led by Donna Cadogan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport, during a ceremony at ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show held in Germany’s capital city. When asked what the award means for Barbados, William ‘Billy’ Griffith, CEO of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), shared plans to leverage the accolade in the destination’s marketing communications over the next year. “For us it’s going to be very advantageous because with our marketing and our public relations, we’re going to be saying we’re best in the world, at least for the next 12 months. And I think it helps us in our quest to move forward in terms of pressing for success for Barbados tourism.” Travellers most satisfied with Barbados The DSI, developed and executed by two European research companies – Norstat and dp2research, is a metric that measures the overall valuation of a holiday destination based on the factors travellers find most attractive. The online survey was administered in 24 source markets, and the 70,000 interviews resulted in 1.4 million responses direct from travellers
Forbes committal on murder charge pushed back
Delano Forbes, recaptured prisoner. Photo taken today by the police who have been questioning him since he was caught last night L-R: Dennis Pyka, Managing Director of dp2research; Alvin Jemmott, Chairman of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.; Donna Cadogan, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and International Transport; William ‘Billy’ Griffith, CEO of the BTMI; and Marc Leimann, Managing Director of Norstat Germany which informed the scores in each category. Marc Leimann, Managing Director of Norstat Germany, said he is excited about how the study went. “The feedback was that people, especially when it comes to Barbados, were extremely happy with the trip provided. Barbados basically really challenged and won against the world in total.” Stressing the value of visitor feedback, Griffith added that “the important thing is that… it was the customer’s opinion and that’s really what drives the energy in terms of what we do, and that’s why we think it’s such a validation and an endorsement of what we’re trying to achieve.” Best accommodations in the world Apart from the overall World award, Barbados also topped the Accommodation category, scoring 8.8/10 ahead of Bermuda which placed second,
and the Maldives which placed third. Cadogan lauded the sector’s international acclaim and spoke on the strategic steps which resulted in Barbados’ recognition. “Over the last year, 2017, we would have had about 43 different establishments which refurbished, therefore our product is being refreshed. We are making a concerted effort and working on our accommodation and it is bearing results as you have seen from the Accommodation award that we have received here today.” Some of the hotels that underwent extensive renovations and refurbishments included Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Sea Breeze Beach Hotel and Elegant Hotels’ Treasure Beach and The House. New properties like Sandals Royal also opened their doors, and the international chain has already announced plans for a third property on the island, its famous Beaches, with construction beginning September 2018.
In a procession of blaring sirens, Delano Forbes, accused triple murderer, was escorted to the All Saints Magistrates Court, under a strong police presence. Uniformed officers crammed into the small courtroom as Forbes appeared before Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel for committal proceedings in the killing of fellow villager, Wilfred “Bongo” Williams. However, the police prosecution sought and received an adjournment after indicating to the magistrate that more time was needed to complete the evidence file against the 23-year-old man who is being called the “vampire killer.” The triple-murder accused has been called that after police released details about jars of blood being found at his home during their investigation. To date, there has been no lab confirmation of the contents of those jars. In addition to being accused in the killing of Williams and escaping from police, Forbes is also before the court for allegedly killing Shawn Henry and Lisue Samuel last year. Forbes, who was in court earlier this week on a charge of escaping lawful custody, was again without a lawyer. The accused escaped from the police in Swetes village on February 12th as he was being taken back to a potential evidence scene by lawmen investigating one of the murders. He evaded them for nearly a month even though a reward of $5,000 was offered for his recapture. The reward was eventually increased to $50,000.
Police force in The Bahamas neglected training, says national security minister Pointing to criticisms that have been launched against the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) over the way officers engage with the public, Minister of National Security Marvin Dames yesterday admitted that the RBPF has neglected the training of its officers for many years. “The commissioner and a team are scheduled to travel shortly to look at law enforcement training institutions throughout the U.S. with the view, at the end of the day, to restructuring our training department,” Dames told reporters outside of Cabinet. “Training is something that we have neglected for a very long time in the organization. We are only beginning now to ramp up training because we have to. “It’s no longer acceptable for
our officers to be out on the streets while making an arrest and having issues doing that or when engaging members of the public, they don’t know how to. “We want to change the face of policing, and so our focus is on education, it’s on training, it’s on career development, it’s on succession planning. These are the foundation blocks that we’re building this new organization on, hence the reason for these manpower audits.” Several videos have circulated on social media in recent weeks showing officers aggressively arresting people, or having trouble doing so. Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson’s policing plan for 2018, which Dames tabled in Parliament last week, pledges to ensure that
officers’ use of force is “always in line with force policies and the law”. The commissioner also pledged to increase the number of recruits, and to focus on continued training at all levels of the police force. He said a school of management and leadership will also be established to ensure senior officers are equipped with skills at a strategic level. “We have to take our law enforcement organizations to a higher level of professionalism,” Dames insisted yesterday. “We hear cries from the public from time in and time out that when they encounter a police officer it’s usually not a good experience, in some cases, and we want to change that. And the police would like to see that change as well, but it comes with training. We have neglected training
Minister of National Security Marvin Dames holds up the Commissioner’s Policing Plan 2018 while making his contribution in the House of Assembly in our law enforcement organization for many years.
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Diplomatic spat in Barbados A diplomatic war of words may be developing between the government of Barbados and government of Canada through their representatives, the Minister of Education, Ronald Jones, and the north American country’s High Commissioner, Marie Legault. The Canadian envoy to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean has in past months been commenting on issues that can be seen to touch on Barbadian affairs ranging from homosexuality, country management, and gender matters. Apparently fed up of with what he saw as interference in the island’s internal affairs an angry Jones snapped without calling a name, over the weekend, “get out! You can’t come and because you eat muskrats (a North American native rodent) you can come and tell us to eat rats.” Jones display of anger comes under the shadow of Barbados general elections set to be called anytime between now and June 4, with a woman, Mia Mottley, leading the main opposition party that appears a likely winner. Against a backdrop of this scenario a known government campaigner and political commentator, had in January questioned whether Barbados is ready for a female leader. And, Legault might have trod on sensitive ground when, consistent with her known support for females achieving status equal to men, she jumped into the fray last week by saying, “I was taken aback when in January I saw political analyst Maureen Holder asking if Barbados was ready for a female prime minister and advocating for a national debate on it. I think every country is ready for a male or female prime minister. Gender does not have an impact.” Further stressing her point she broadened the discussion to the wider Caribbean, “in terms of women’s participation in politics, Grenada has led the way with 33 percent women in parliament and Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago at 31 percent. On the opposite side of the spectrum, currently Belize only counts with 9.4 per cent women in parliament, and St. Kitts, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, between 11 and 13 percent”. Given Barbados’ politically sensitive climate at this time, Jones interpreted Legault’s statement as an endorsement for opposition leader, Mottley. “Pack your Georgie bundles and go,” Jones said Sunday without calling the diplomat by name, but added a suggestion of external interference in the island’s affairs, “there is a wicked and deliberate attempt by one or two forces in Barbados who have the honor representing their country on sovereign soil in Barbados.” “To think that you can come into my country and because you want to cuddle and cunoodle … you say to the people of Barbados to vote for that person. How dare you? You should be asked to leave, or your government should tell you to come home because ‘you have interfered in the domestic political affairs of Barbados,” Jones said. The Barbados government minster warned a group of supporters to whom he was speaking at the time, “let me tell wunna [you] something . . . you can allow these things that are happening now to continue to happen with our eyes open, but we will wake up tomorrow morning and find that our country is not our own.”
Antigua Opposition says voters offered cash not to vote in election The main Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) yesterday said voters were being offered cash incentives to relinquish their voter identification cards with a guarantee that the cards would be returned to them after the election on March 21. “This illegal practice of paying electors to give up their voter identification card is intended to ensure that these persons would be unable to vote in the upcoming election,” the UPP said in a statement. It has described the issue as “blatant bribery” that is in contravention of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act 2001. “This is a corrupt practice under our elections law, but we are not in the least surprised,” said UPP legal advisor, Leon Chaku Symister, adding, “it is our intention to take further
steps to have law enforcement monitor these violators, with a view to bring them to justice”. While there are more than 50 candidates representing various political parties contesting the elections that Prime Minister Gaston Browne has called more than a year before the constitutional deadline, political observers here say that the fight is a straight one between the ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party and the UPP. In the statement, the UPP said that it “is firm in its position that any person found engaging in the practice of election bribery, will be prosecuted”, warning “if persons are found guilty, they will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. “It should also be noted that our law punishes anyone who accepts money, or any
other gifts as an inducement for himself or herself, for voting or refraining from voting, or inducing any other person to vote or refrain from voting.” The UPP said that it was calling for an immediate end to this “illegal, dastardly practice that threatens our democracy, undermines our electoral practice and makes a mockery of our people”. The UPP said that it is also condemning the offer “of loans to voters in St John’s Rural East and St Mary’s South to induce them to vote”, adding “the lending of money is also a crime under Section 29 (3) of the Act. “Voters are reminded that voting is their constitutional right. They are strongly advised against becoming victims of… desperate and illegal acts of bribery, which compromise our nation’s democratic process,” the UPP said.
CIBC FirstCaribbean appoints new Private Wealth Investment Advisor Regional bank CIBC FirstCaribbean recently announced the appointment of Mr. Paul Michael Jenkins to the post of Private Wealth Investment Advisor. The experienced banking executive will work with CIBC FirstCaribbean clients in The Cayman Islands, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean to provide international investment advice. He has amassed a significant amount of experience in the area of Private Wealth Management, having worked with institutional and private clients in Canada and the Caribbean for over 15 years, most recently with Scotiabank & Trust in The Cayman Islands. Mr. Jenkins holds an honours Bachelor’s degree from The University of Western Ontario (Western University), and an MBA specialising in Finance from Alliance Manchester Business School in the United Kingdom. He
Paul Michael Jenkins. has spoken internationally at several conferences and written numerous articles on the discipline of wealth management. Hesaid he was eager to provide clients with access to a new Investment Advisory Platform. This new management platform uses state-of-the-art financial asset management
tools provided by BNY Mellon’s Pershing.It delivers direct access to investment accounts from any Wi-Fi location globally, providing clients with real time portfolio positions and valuations. “This is a game changer in our development of our clients’ portfolios” he noted. “As a relationship oriented bank, it’s our job to know our clients’ accounts inside-outand provide them with the products and services tailored to maximize their wealth potential.” Glenn Abell, Director, Private Wealth Management, welcomed Mr. Jenkins to CIBC FirstCaribbean. “We are pleased to have someone of Paul’s calibre join our Private Wealth Management team. His knowledge will add new and increased depth to our relationship management team.” Mr. Jenkins’ appointment took effect from 21 February, 2018.
Caribbean volcano Kick ‘em Jenny: Ships warned off area Ships sailing in the Caribbean have been told to steer clear of an underwater volcano after it started showing increased seismic activity. The volcano, called Kick ‘em Jenny, is located 8km (5 miles) off Grenada. The government of Grenada has imposed a 5km exclusion zone around Kick ‘em Jenny after the alert was raised to orange, which means an eruption could take place within 24 hours. Seismologists said there was no imminent danger to the region.
Prof Richard Robertson, of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC) in Trinidad, said there was no indication that the increased seismic activity would generate a tsunami. He explained that while an eruption was likely, it would probably not produce enough material to dislodge large amounts of water. But he warned marine operators to stay outside the exclusion zone, as an increase in gases could reduce the buoyancy of ships.
The volcano is on the shipping route from St Vincent to Grenada. Kick ‘em Jenny, which rises 1.3km above the seafloor on a steep slope of the Lesser Antilles ridge, is one of the most active volcanoes in the eastern Caribbean. It has erupted at least a dozen times since its first recorded eruption in 1939 but has not caused any reported deaths. In 1939, a 270m-high ash cloud shot up from the sea’s surface when Kick ‘em Jenny erupted.
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Florida foot bridge collapse leaves four people dead A newly erected pedestrian bridge spanning several lanes of traffic collapsed at Florida International University on Thursday, killing four people, Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Dave Downey said. Emergency personnel with sniffer dogs searched for signs of life amid the wreckage of concrete slabs and twisted metal after the 950-ton bridge crushed vehicles on one of the busiest roads in South Florida. At least eight vehicles were trapped in the wreckage of the bridge and at least 10 people have been transported to hospitals, officials and doctors told news conferences. Witnesses told local media the vehicles were stopped at a traffic light when the bridge collapsed on top of them at around 1:30 p.m. ET (1730 GMT). “We’re working our way into the pile trying to create holes that we can actually physically see,” MiamiDade Fire Department Division Chief Paul Estopian told reporters. At one point, police requested television helicopters leave the area so rescuers could hear for any sounds of people crying for help from beneath the collapsed structure, CBS Miami television said. Complicating the rescue effort was the uncertainty about the integrity of the bridge, parts of which remained off the ground, much of it inclined, local media reported. The 174-feet (53-meter) long bridge connects the university with the city of Sweetwater and was installed on Saturday in six hours over the eight-lane highway, according to
First responders are shown as rescue efforts continue after a pedestrian bridge collapsed at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, U.S., March 15, 2018 a report posted on the university’s website. “If anybody has done anything wrong, we will hold them accountable,” said Florida Governor Rick Scott, at a Thursday night press conference, after his office issued statement saying a company contracted to inspect the bridge was not pre-qualified by the state. The bridge was intended to provide a walkway over the busy street where an 18-year-old female FIU student from San Diego was killed while trying to cross last August, according to local media reports.
Trump fires Tillerson, a moderate; replaces him with hawkish spy chief Pompeo U.S. President Donald Trump sought to emphasize the United States’ fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson strong ties to its allies amid Trump’s on Tuesday after a series of public rifts criticism. over policy on North Korea, Russia and Trump announced the changes Iran, replacing his chief diplomat with in a morning Twitter post and later loyalist CIA Director Mike Pompeo. told reporters more about why he The biggest shakeup of Trump’s removed Tillerson. Cabinet since he took office in January “We got along actually quite 2017 was announced by the president well but we disagreed on things,” on Twitter as his administration Trump said. “When you look at the works toward a potential meeting Iran deal: I think it’s terrible, I guess with North Korean leader Kim Jong he thinks it was OK. I wanted to break Un after months of harsh rhetoric and it or do something, and he felt a little rising tensions on Pyongyang’s nuclear bit differently.” program. At the State Department, a The rare firing of the United visibly emotional Tillerson said Trump States’ top diplomat capped months called him around noon from Air Force of friction between the Republican One, hours after he was summarily president and the 65-year-old former dismissed via Twitter. Tillerson also Exxon Mobil Corp chief executive. The spoke with White House Chief of Staff tensions peaked last fall amid reports John Kelly. Tillerson had called Trump a “moron” He said his tenure ends on and considered resigning. Tillerson March 31 but he would delegate his never denied using the word. responsibilities to John Sullivan, Critics expressed dismay at deputy secretary of state, at the end of the decision to swap out top diplomats Tuesday. so soon before the unprecedented “What is most important meeting and worried that Pompeo is to ensure an orderly and smooth would encourage Trump to scrap the transition during a time that the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and be hawkish country continues to face significant on North Korea. policy and national security challenges,” Critics said the move would Tillerson, whose voice quivered at sow more instability in the volatile times, told reporters in a packed Trump administration and marks the briefing room. departure of another moderate who
Students at FIU are currently on their spring break vacation, which runs from March 12 to March 17. Student Aura Martinez was having lunch in a nearby restaurant with her mother when a waitress told her the bridge had collapsed. She ran outside and helped pull a woman out of her car, most of which was flattened by the bridge. “Her car, it was literally a miracle of God, her car got squished by the bridge from the back, so she was able to get out and she was on the floor and it was just very traumatic,” she told the local CBS affiliate.
To keep the inevitable disruption of traffic associated with bridge construction to a minimum, the 174-foot portion of the bridge was built adjacent to Southwest 8th Street using a method called Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). It was driven into its perpendicular position across the road by a rig in only six hours on Saturday, according to a statement released by the university. The $14.2 million bridge was designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, the most dangerous measure by the National Hurricane Center, and built to last 100 years, the university said. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team to investigate why it collapsed. President Donald Trump thanked first responders for their courage on Twitter. Along with Governor Scott, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio went to the scene of the collapse. Munilla Construction Management, which installed the bridge was founded in 1983 and owned by five brothers, according to its website. In addition to its Florida operations, the company also has divisions in Texas and Panama and employs 500 people. “Munilla Construction Management is a family business and we are all devastated and doing everything we can to assist,” the company said in a statement. FIGG Engineering said it took part in the bridge project and the collapse was a first in its 40-year history.
Trump lawyer ignores porn star’s offer to return hush money A lawyer for U.S. President Donald Trump ignored a suggested Tuesday noon deadline on an adultfilm star’s offer to return $130,000 in hush money so that she can speak freely about an alleged affair with Trump, her attorney said. In a letter to Michael Cohen on Monday, actress Stephanie Clifford, who uses the stage name Stormy Daniels, offered to send $130,000 to an account designated by Trump so she could be released from a non-disclosure agreement she signed in October 2016. Once a new agreement is Adult-film actress Stephanie Clifford, signed, the letter said, Clifford would also known as Stormy Daniels, poses for also be able to use and publish any pictures at the end of her striptease show text messages, photos and videos in Gossip Gentleman club in Long Island, relating to Trump that she might New York, U.S., February 23, 2018 possess. on their efforts to muzzle Ms. Clifford Cohen, a private lawyer for and prevent her from telling the Trump, has said he paid Clifford American people what happened,” $130,000 of his own money during the Avenatti tweeted. “Time to buckle up.” 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen Clifford could face a $1 did not explain why he made the million penalty if she breaks the payment or say whether Trump was nondisclosure agreement. She taped aware of it. an interview with CBS News’ “60 Clifford’s attorney, Michael Minutes” program last week that has Avenatti, said Cohen had not yet to be aired. responded to the offer by Clifford’s The White House referred the proposed deadline of noon on Tuesday. matter to Trump’s personal attorney “The President and Mr. for comment. Neither Cohen, nor his Cohen have purposely ignored our lawyer, Lawrence Rosen, responded settlement offer, thus doubling down to a request for comment.
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‘Destroyed’ Venezuela needs $15 billion per year: presidential hopeful’s aide Venezuela needs to dollarize inflation if you are using the U.S. to renegotiate some $60 billion of bonds. its economy, seek $15 billion to $20 dollar as a currency, whereas all other “Once we come into government, billion a year from abroad, and ease types of adjustment programs can fail,” it will certainly make life easier both oil sector taxes to reverse the “disaster” Rodriguez argued, saying it would stop for Venezuela and for foreign investors of President Nicolas Maduro’s rule, excess government money-printing. if acceleration (of payments) has not according to an adviser to his main Annual inflation is running at taken place,” Rodriguez said. election rival. more than 6,000 percent, according to Despite critics’ accusations Former state Governor Henri the opposition. he is a stooge legitimizing Maduro’s Falcon, who will face Maduro in a Rodriguez said most “dictatorship” by running, Falcon and May 20 presidential vote, has tapped a Venezuelans backed adopting the his team believe they can win and point 48-year-old Venezuelan economist with greenback and suggested a reasonable to some polls showing them ahead. Wall Street’s Torino Capital for ideas conversion rate today would be 70,000 They hope the opposition to turn around the OPEC nation’s to the dollar - far stronger than the coalition’s boycott campaign will recession-hit economy. current black market rate of 216,000. evaporate as Falcon’s candidacy “The person who has destroyed To grow post-Maduro, gathers steam. this nation’s economy is Nicolas Venezuela’s economy would also need “As time goes by, it’s going Maduro,” Francisco Rodriguez, long an $15 billion to $20 billion per year in to become clear that Henri Falcon is influential commentator on Venezuela, foreign capital, the adviser said, from winning the presidency and that it said in an interview. both private investment and potential makes sense for the different political Venezuelan economist Francisco “He is the one that has made an loans from multilateral bodies like the actors to support him,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez, economic advisor of the economy sitting on the world’s largest International Monetary Fund. A former Chavez ally, Falcon Venezuelan presidential candidate Henri oil reserves, with all the potential for Maduro and predecessor Hugo broke with the socialists in 2010 and Falcon, speaks during an interview with being prosperous, into an economy of Chavez demonized the international is now promising a “national unity” Reuters in Caracas, Venezuela March 12, hunger.” lending bodies as instruments of U.S. government. Another of his top aides 2018 Falcon, 56, defied an opposition policy and global capitalism that suggested Maduro’s defense minister boycott to run despite conditions critics prejudice welfare. decade low, Rodriguez said it was could stay in a Falcon government. say are rigged to ensure the ruling “What has avoiding the IMF imperative to give incentives to foreign “We do not believe in socialists win. He wants Rodriguez to gotten Venezuela? What has avoiding joint venture partners by overhauling destroying ‘Chavismo’ to change head his economic team if he takes the macroeconomic stabilization, what the tax regime and possibly lowering Venezuela,” Rodriguez said, arguing presidency. has not changing the exchange rate, state company PDVSA’s minimum 60 the ruling movement was an important Foremost among his ideas not adjusting the price of gasoline? percent stake. minority that should be respected. for stabilizing Venezuela’s state-led All of the things the government Closely read for years by “If that means at some moment economy is ditching the devalued thought were unpopular and therefore Venezuela’s bondholders, Rodriguez some co-habitation agreements have to bolivar in favor of the U.S. currency to avoided ... they have produced the most advised them to wait before be reached, I think that the governor “snap out” of hyper-inflation. dysfunctional economy in the world.” aggressively pressing or “accelerating” will consider them carefully and decide “You cannot have hyper- With oil production at a three- claims as the cash-strapped state seeks in the interests of the nation.”
Finland is world’s happiest country, U.S. discontent grows Finland is the world’s happiest country, according to an annual survey issued on Wednesday that found Americans were getting less happy even as their country became richer. Burundi came bottom in the U.N. Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s (SDSN) 2018 World Happiness Report which ranked 156 countries according to things such as GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, social freedom, generosity and absence of corruption. Taking the harsh, dark People sit on the steps of Helsinki Cathedral on a sunny day in Helsinki, winters in their stride, Finns Finland, May 3, 2017 said access to nature, safety, 18th, down from 14th place last launched at the Vatican’s childcare, good schools and free year. Britain was 19th and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. healthcare were among the best United Arab Emirates 20th. “It’s pretty stark right things about in their country. One chapter of the now. The signs are not good for “I’ve joked with the 170-page report is dedicated the U.S. It is getting richer and other Americans that we are to emerging health problems richer but not getting happier.” living the American dream here such as obesity, depression and Asked how the current in Finland,” said Brianna Owens, the opioid crisis, particularly political situation in the United who moved from the United in the United States where States could affect future States and is now a teacher in the prevalence of all three has happiness reports, Sachs said: Espoo, Finland’s second biggest grown faster than in most other “Time will tell, but I city with a population of around countries. would say that in general that 280,000. While U.S. income when confidence in government “I think everything in per capita has increased is low, when perceptions of this society is set up for people markedly over the last half corruption are high, inequality to be successful, starting with century, happiness has been is high and health conditions university and transportation hit by weakened social support are worsening ... that is not that works really well,” Owens networks, a perceived rise conducive to good feelings.” told Reuters. in corruption in government For the first time since Finland, rose from fifth and business and declining it was started in 2012, the report, place last year to oust Norway confidence in public institutions. which uses a variety of polling from the top spot. The 2018 top- “We obviously have a organizations, official figures 10, as ever dominated by the social crisis in the United States: and research methods, ranked Nordics, is: Finland, Norway, more inequality, less trust, less the happiness of foreign-born Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, confidence in government,” the immigrants in 117 countries. Netherlands Canada, New head of the SDSN, Professor Finland took top honors Zealand, Sweden and Australia. Jeffrey Sachs of New York’s in that category too, giving the Columbia University, told country a statistical double-gold The United States came in at Reuters as the report was status.
Lightning strike kills 16, injures 140 at church in Rwanda At least 16 people were killed in Rwanda and 140 others injured when lightning struck a Seventh Day Adventist church in the country’s south, said a provincial governor. The churchgoers were injured and rushed to a nearby hospital, where two are in serious condition, said Rose Mureshyankwano. She said 17 of those injured are still in the hospital while the rest have been discharged. A similar incident occurred on Friday when lightning struck a group of 18 students, killing one. Last October, lightning killed 18 people in different parts of the country. Lightning strikes are frequent across Rwanda, which has many hills and mountains, and the country’s police record a number of human and livestock deaths each year. Lightning killed 30 people, injured 61 and killed 48 livestock in 2016, the most recent year with full figures, according to Rwanda’s Ministry of Disaster Management and Refugee Affairs.
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MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
WORLD NEWS
Palestinian prime minister escapes injury in Gaza bombing A roadside bomb on Tuesday struck the convoy of the Palestinian prime minister during a rare visit to the Gaza Strip, causing no serious injuries but throwing an already troubled reconciliation process between rival factions into deeper turmoil. Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah had just arrived from his West Bank headquarters to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new water-treatment plant when the bomb went off. Although there was no claim of responsibility, Palestinian officials accused Gaza militants of trying to assassinate Hamdallah. Gaza’s ruling Hamas Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, center left, is surrounded group denied involvement. by body guards as he arrives for the opening ceremony of a long-awaited The blast took place at a sewage plant project, east of Jebaliya, in the northern Gaza strip, Tuesday, time of deadlock in reconciliation March 13, 2018. An explosion occurred as the convoy of the prime minister efforts between Hamdallah’s entered Gaza through the Erez crossing with Israel Fatah party and Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since ousting it has refused calls to disarm and the air. When the smoke cleared, Fatah forces in 2007. It also let Palestinian Authority security the explosion was followed by cast a shadow over a special forces take over. heavy gunfire, apparently from White House meeting where “How can a government police securing the convoy,” said international donor nations overtake Gaza without a witness, who declined to be were set to discuss the dire maintaining security? We ask identified because of security humanitarian situation in Gaza. Hamas one more time to empower concerns. “When the dust cleared, Hamdallah, a soft-spoken former the government,” he said. I saw people running everywhere, university dean appointed by “Without security, there won’t be and police were running around.” President Mahmoud Abbas five a government or an authority.” Two vehicles were years ago, went on to inaugurate Hamas condemned the disabled by the blast, while at the long-awaited sewage plant attack, calling it a crime and least four others were damaged, project. But he quickly returned an attempt to “hurt efforts to with windows or sunroofs blown to the West Bank, where he vowed achieve unity and reconciliation.” out. One had streaks of blood to press ahead with reconciliation It promised an “urgent” on the door. Hamdallah said six efforts. investigation. bodyguards required medical “This will not deter from Witnesses said the bomb attention. seeking to end the bitter split. We was planted under an electric In the West Bank, Abbas will still come to Gaza,” he said. pole on Gaza’s main north-south blamed Hamas for the blast. But He said the attack road and went off shortly after his security chief, Majed Farraj, underscored the need for the Hamdallah’s 20-vehicle convoy who was in the convoy and was Palestinians to unify under a had entered through the Israeli- another potential target of the single authority. Hamas has controlled crossing. blast, said it was “too early” to ceded some government functions “I could not see anything say who was responsible. and control of Gaza’s borders, but because smoke and dust filled
Dog dies on United Airlines flight after being forced into overhead bin A little dog died on a United Airlines flight after an attendant forced the animal’s owner to put the pet in the cabin’s overhead bin, and the airline said on Tuesday it was taking full responsibility. On United Flight 1284 from Houston to New York on Monday, a woman who was flying with children and a small dog was pressured by a flight attendant to put her dog in overhead storage during the 3-1/2 hour flight. According to fellow passenger Maggie Gremminger, the woman wanted to keep the dog, which was in a small carrying bag, under her seat, but the flight attendant insisted that she put the animal overhead. “At the end of the flight, the woman found her dog, deceased. She sat in the airplane aisle on the floor crying, and all of surrounding passengers were utterly stunned,” Gremminger wrote in a series of tweets alongside a picture of the woman and her children. United called the incident “a tragic accident that should never have occurred, as pets should never be placed in the overhead bin.” United spokeswoman Maggie Schmerin said the airline was investigating the incident, and the family had been refunded the cost of their tickets, including the $125 pet cabin fee. This is not the first time United has come under scrutiny for its treatment of animals. Last year, the carrier was sued by the owners of a giant rabbit that died on one of its flights. In 2017, United had the highest number of animal deaths of any U.S. carriers, according to a Department of Transportation (DOT) report, with 18 animals killed and 13 injured in transport. Six animal deaths in total were reported from the other 16 carriers included in the DOT report.
Stephen Hawking, who unlocked the secrets of space and time, dies at 76 Stephen Hawking, who fame after the 1988 publication of “A sought to explain the origins of the Brief History of Time”, one of the most universe, the mysteries of black holes complex books ever to achieve mass and the nature of time itself, died on appeal, which stayed on the Sunday Wednesday aged 76. Times best-sellers list for no fewer Hawking’s formidable mind than 237 weeks. probed the very limits of human ”My original aim was to write understanding both in the vastness a book that would sell on airport of space and in the bizarre sub- bookstalls,” he told reporters at the molecular world of quantum theory, time. “In order to make sure it was which he said could predict what understandable I tried the book out happens at the beginning and end of on my nurses. I think they understood time. most of it.” Ravaged by the wasting The physicist’s disease motor neurone disease he developed spurred him to work harder but also at 21, Hawking was confined to a contributed to the collapse of his two wheelchair for most of his life. marriages, he wrote in a 2013 memoir As his condition worsened, “My Brief History”. he had to speak through a voice In the book he related how he synthesizer and communicating by was first diagnosed: “I felt it was very moving his eyebrows - but at the unfair - why should this happen to same time became the world’s most me,” he wrote. recognizable scientist. “At the time, I thought my Hawking died peacefully at life was over and that I would never his home in the British university city realize the potential I felt I had. But of Cambridge in the early hours of now, 50 years later, I can be quietly Wednesday. satisfied with my life.” “He was a great scientist and U.S. space agency NASA said: an extraordinary man whose work and “His theories unlocked a universe of legacy will live on for many years,” his possibilities that we and the world children Lucy, Robert and Tim said. are exploring.” “His courage and persistence with his Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of brilliance and humor inspired people the World Wide Web, said: “We have across the world.” lost a colossal mind and a wonderful Hawking shot to international spirit.”
Hawking’s popular recognition became such that he appeared as himself on the television show “Star Trek: Next Generation” and his cartoon caricature appeared on “The Simpsons”. He narrated a segment of the opening ceremony of the London Paralympic Games in August 2012, the year he turned 70. A 2014 film, “The Theory of Everything”, with Eddie Redmayne playing Hawking, charted the onset of his illness and his early life as a brilliant student. “We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet,” Redmayne said. In Cambridge, Hawking’s university college Gonville and Caius flew its flag at half mast. “At Caius he will always be ‘Stephen’ – the man whose wicked sense of humor enlivened high table dinners and saw him spinning uproariously around hall in his wheelchair to the strains of a waltz at a college party,” it said in a tribute. Since 1974, Hawking worked extensively on marrying the two cornerstones of modern physics - Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, which concerns gravity and large-scale phenomena, and quantum theory, which covers subatomic
Stephen Hawking particles. As a result of that research, Hawking proposed a model of the universe based on two concepts of time: ”real time”, or time as human beings experience it, and quantum theory’s “imaginary time”, on which the world may really run. “Imaginary time may sound like science fiction ... but it is a genuine scientific concept,” he wrote in a lecture paper. He caused some controversy among biologists when he said he saw computer viruses as a life form, and thus the human race’s first act of creation.
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
TURKS & CAICOS SUN
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Is seeking 8 Electrical Technicians Is seeking 8 High Pressure Welders To work 5 days per week and on weekends Salary $15.00 per hour Please Contact: 231-1205
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Is seeking a Bookkeeper To work 6 days a week including Holidays and sometimes weekends Salary: $7.00 per hour Please Contact: 246-3163
SILLY CREEK WATER SPORTS Is looking for an Assistant Manager The qualifications include: -boat captain license and experience captaining private excursions - qualified wake board/waterski instructor -book keeping experience, excel/word, excellent written and verbal communication skills, booking/coordinating -experienced lifeguard - CPR and First Aid qualifications Salary $10.00 per hour This position is a work permit renewal. Please forward CV to the Labor Department and to info@sillycreekwatersports.com
LARRY GRAY Is seeking a Babysitter To work 5 days per week Salary $6.50 per hour Please Contact: 345-1182
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Duties to include but not limited to: General office and household cleaning and maintenance Occasional child care and pet care Catering and shopping services on call Laundry and delivery services Hourly rate $10. Minimum of 10 hours per week Must speak and read English Must have own transportation and cell phone Must have a minimum of 10 years’ experience
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TURKS & CAICOS SUN
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
BUSINESS &
TECHNOLOGY
Toys ‘R’ Us goes out of business, 30,000 jobs at stake
Toys ‘R’ Us Inc, the iconic toy retailer, will shutter or sell its stores in the United States after failing to find a buyer or reach a deal to restructure billions in debt, putting at risk about 30,000 jobs. The closure is a blow to hundreds of toy makers that sell their products at the chain’s U.S. stores, including Barbie maker Mattel Inc, board game company Hasbro Inc and other vendors like Lego. “This is a profoundly sad day for us as well as the millions of kids and families who we have served for the past 70 years,” Chief Executive Officer Dave Brandon said. With shoppers flocking to Amazon.com Inc and children choosing electronic gadgets over toys, Toys ‘R’ Us has struggled to boost sales and service debt following a $6.6 billion leveraged buyout by private equity firms in 2005. Brokerage Jefferies estimated that 40 percent of the toy sales up for grabs as a result of the bankruptcy would flow to Amazon and 30 percent to Walmart.
A Toys ‘R’ Us storefront in France Toys ‘R’ Us said on Thursday it was seeking approval to liquidate inventory in 735 U.S. stores, which debtors anticipate will close by the end of this year. For its operations in Asia and Central Europe, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland, the company will pursue a reorganization and sale process. The already announced administration of its UK business will continue, the company said. Toys ‘R’ Us’ creditors said in a court filing that Target Corp, Walmart Inc and Amazon pricing toys
Apple adds more to its services with magazine deal Apple has bought digital magazine distributor Texture to extend its subscription services beyond music and online storage. The deal announced Monday puts Apple in control of a service often described as a Netflix of magazines. Texture allows readers to pore over articles in more than 200 magazines for $10 per month, much like Netflix sells unlimited access to its video programming. But Texture hasn’t proven as popular as Netflix, which boasts 55 million subscribers in the U.S. alone. Texture hasn’t specified how many subscribers it has, but CEO John Loughlin said in a 2016 interview that the number ranged in the “hundreds of thousands.” Apple didn’t disclose how much it paid for Texture, which had raised at least $90 million since it was founded nearly a decade ago as Next Issue. The magazine distributor had been owned by investors that included Condé Nast, Hearst, Meredith, Rogers Media and KKR. “We are committed to quality journalism from trusted sources and allowing magazines to keep producing beautifully designed and engaging stories for users,” said Eddy
The Texture app logo Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of internet software and services. Unlike most Apple products, Texture will be available on devices powered by Google’s Android software in addition to the iPhone and iPad. Texture will join a stable of Apple subscription options that are anchored by the company’s musicscreaming service, which has 36 million subscribers. Apple Inc. also sells additional storage in its iCloud service to customers who exceed the free limit of five gigabytes.
stores globally, with roughly 800 stores outside the United States, it got court permission to borrow more than $2 billion to start paying suppliers. More than 8,000 U.S. retail stores closed in 2017, roughly double the average annual store closures in the previous decade, according to data from the International Council of Shopping Centers. The disappearance of Toys ‘R’ Us leaves a void for hundreds of toy at low-margins and a greater-than- makers that relied on the chain as a expected decline in toy and gift card top customer alongside Walmart and sales following its bankruptcy filing in Target. Shares of Mattel and Hasbro September led to the weak performance tumbled last week on Toys ‘R’ Us’ in the quarter. liquidation reports. Both rely on Toys STORE CLOSURES ‘R’ Us for roughly 10 percent of their revenues, according to their 2016 Wayne, New Jersey-based Toys ‘R’ Us annual reports. “We ... expect the first half to was already in the process of closing one fifth of its stores as part of an attempt be affected by reduced order flow from to emerge from one of the largest ever Toys ‘R’ Us and adjacent retailers, as companies like Target, Walmart, bankruptcies by a specialty retailer. In September, when the dollar stores, etc. reconcile inventory,” company operated more than 1,600 the brokerage said.
Wall Street falls amid fears of trade war with China U.S. stocks fell on Wednesday after President Donald Trump sought to impose fresh tariffs on China, intensifying fears of a trade war that could raise costs and hurt overseas sales for U.S. companies. The Trump administration is pressing China to cut its trade surplus with the United States by $100 billion, the White House said Wednesday. Trump is looking to levy tariffs on up to $60 billion of Chinese imports, targeting the technology, telecom and apparel sectors, sources told Reuters on Tuesday. As earnings season has ended, the latest developments in Washington are even more prominent for investors, said Brad McMillan, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network in Waltham, Massachusetts. “Certainly, from an economic standpoint, the potential effect of tariffs continues to rattle through the markets,” he said. “We’re in a wallowing period where there’s not as much good news coming out.” Trump has already imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports as well as on solar panels and washing machines, sparking threats of retaliation from some trade partners. Boeing Co, which investors say may be particularly vulnerable to retaliation, tumbled 2.5 percent, leading the losers on the Dow. Stocks briefly pared losses after economic analyst and commentator Larry Kudlow, who has supported free trade measures
in the past, said on Wednesday he had accepted an offer to replace Gary Cohn as the White House’s top economic adviser. In an interview with CNBC just before the market close, Kudlow said he believed tougher trade measures against China were warranted. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 248.91 points, or 1 percent, to end at 24,758.12, the S&P 500 lost 15.83 points, or 0.57 percent, to 2,749.48 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 14.20 points, or 0.19 percent, to 7,496.81. Also weighing on investor sentiment was data that showed U.S. retail sales fell for a third straight month in February, pointing to a slowdown in economic growth in the first quarter. Financial stocks fell 1.2 percent, tracking a decline in U.S. bond yields. Signet Jewelers fell 20.2 percent after the company gave a disappointing full-year earnings forecast. Ford rose 2.2 percent after Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to “overweight” from “underweight” and raised its earnings estimate on the automaker. Declining issues outnumbered advancing ones on the NYSE by a 1.35-to-1 ratio; on Nasdaq, a 1.53-to-1 ratio favored decliners. The S&P 500 posted 12 new 52-week highs and five new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 96 new highs and 41 new lows. Volume on U.S. exchanges was 6.53 billion shares, compared to the 7.14 billion average over the last 20 trading days.
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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY WORLD NEWS
Largest U.S. radio company iHeartMedia files for bankruptcy IHeartMedia Inc filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Thursday as the largest U.S. radio station owner reached an in-principle agreement with creditors to restructure its overwhelming debt load. The company, which filed for bankruptcy along with some of its units, said it reached the agreement with holders of more than $10 billion of its outstanding debt for a balance sheet restructuring, which would reduce its debt by more than $10 billion. IHeartMedia, which has struggled with $20 billion of debt and falling revenue at its 858 radio stations, said cash on hand and cash generated from ongoing operations will be sufficient to fund the business during the bankruptcy process. “The agreement ... is a significant accomplishment, as it allows us to definitively address the more than $20 billion in debt that has burdened our capital structure,” Chief Executive Bob Pittman said. The filing comes after John Malone’s Liberty Media Corp proposed on Feb. 26 a deal to buy a 40 percent stake in a restructured iHeartMedia for $1.16 billion, uniting the company with Liberty’s Sirius
The iHeartMedia Logo XM Holdings Inc satellite radio service. Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia and one of the world’s largest billboard companies, and its units did not commence Chapter 11 proceedings. IHeartMedia skipped a $106 million interest payment on Feb. 1, triggering a 30-day grace period during which the company has tried to hammer out a deal with it bondholders. The company disclosed on Monday it was still exchanging proposals with its creditors, but had yet to reach an agreement. Its most recent proposal would have given holders of secured loans, who are owed nearly $13 billion, about $5.6 billion in new debt and 94 percent of the equity in a reorganized
iHeartMedia. These creditors also would have received iHeartMedia’s 89.5 percent stake in Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings. Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP control 68 percent of the voting stock of iHeartMedia, according to the company’s most recent annual report. The private equity firms led a $17.9 billion leveraged buyout of what was then Clear Channel Communications Inc in 2008, just as the buyout boom was fading and as the signs of the financial crisis began to emerge. Shares of iHeartMedia lost three-quarters of their value in the second half of 2015 and have never recovered since then. On Monday, the pink sheet stock closed at 48 cents. IHeartMedia traces its roots to the 1972 purchase of KEEZ-FM in San Antonio, Texas, where it is currently headquartered. It also produces syndicated radio programs that feature “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and political personalities Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. The company had 14,300 employees at the end of 2016, according to its most recent annual report.
YouTube tries to crack down on conspiracy videos YouTube says it’s cracking down on conspiracy videos, though it’s scant on the details. Conspiracy videos abound on YouTube, whether it’s about the Earth being flat or school shootings being staged. YouTube, its parent Google, Facebook and Twitter are all facing challenges with the spread of misinformation, propaganda and fake news. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki said at a conference Tuesday that the company will include links to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia to try to debunk videos espousing conspiracy theories. But Wikipedia itself has had its share of credibility issues, as the service lets anyone edit its content, whether that person is a pedigreed expert or an online
troll. Though Wikipedia has claimed that students speaking tried to address that — in part by out about the Feb. 14 Florida restricting edits on high-profile school shooting, which killed 17 or controversial pages — it isn’t people, were “crisis actors” who immune from hoaxes and its own were not really there when it happened. One such conspiracy conspiracy theories. In a statement video was the top trending video Wednesday, YouTube said the on YouTube until the company links will include other “third- removed it — although many party sources” besides Wikipedia, similar videos remained up, though YouTube isn’t identifying illustrating the difficulty in any. The organization that runs instituting any sort of crackdown. Wikipedia said Wednesday that Conspiracy videos, to be sure, are it had no formal partnership not against YouTube’s policies. with YouTube, but welcomed the In the “crisis actor” case, the company said it removed the use of Wikipedia resources. YouTube said the move video because it violated its is part of a broader initiative to rules against harassment. As crack down on misinformation, such, YouTube is unlikely to ban though it did not give details on misinformation entirely. Instead, it may adopt Facebook’s tactic of what else is in the works. While conspiracy videos de-emphasizing such content and are nothing new on YouTube, the making it less likely to be seen. topic received renewed attention As it stands, critics say YouTube in recent weeks as videos falsely is doing the opposite.
Theranos CEO and former president charged with massive fraud Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the embattled blood testing start-up Theranos, has been charged with massive fraud, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Wednesday. Theranos said Holmes agreed to settle and pay a $500,000 fine and will be barred from serving as a director or officer of a public company for 10 years. The SEC alleged that Theranos raised more than $700 million from late 2013 to 2015 while “deceiving investors by making it appear as if Theranos had successfully
developed a commercially- about the extent of Thernos’ ready portable blood analyzer involvement with the military. that could perform a full range Theranos was once considered of laboratory tests from a a highflying start-up, and small sample of blood.” Holmes graced major The SEC also said Theranos magazine covers, touted as the deceived investors by “hosting personification of innovation. misleading technology But Wall Street demonstrations, and Journal investigations over overstating the extent of the past five years questioned Theranos’ relationships with the efficacy of Theranos’ blood commercial partners,” noting testing technology, raising that at times Theranos’ flags for regulators. Theranos technology performed could has now resolved proceedings only do about 12 tests of the with the Centers for Medicare over 200 tests advertised. The & Medicaid Services, as well SEC also said former Theranos as with the Arizona attorney president Ramesh “Sunny” general. Balwani and Holmes lied
Ford recalls 1.38 million vehicles for loose steering wheel bolts Ford Motor Co said Wednesday it is recalling 1.38 million vehicles in North America for potentially loose steering wheel bolts that could detach, in an issue linked to two accidents and one injury. The second largest U.S. automaker said the recall covers 2014 through 2018 model year Ford Fusion cars and 2014-2018 Lincoln MKZ vehicles built at plants in Michigan and Mexico. Dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt with a longer bolt. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary investigation in October into 841,000 Ford vehicles over concerns the steering wheels may get detached while the cars are in motion. The auto safety agency said it was investigating 2014-2016 model Ford Fusion cars after three reports of steering wheel bolts becoming loose, including one completely detaching as a driver attempted to turn into a gas station. Steering wheel recalls are rare but not unprecedented. In 2011, General Motors Co recalled 2,100 Cruze cars because the steering wheel could detach. It issued a separate recall for about 150 Buick Encore SUVs in 2013 over the same issue. Ford said on Wednesday it was also recalling nearly 6,000 2013-15 Ford Fusion cars in North America with certain engines for clutch pressure plate fracture to address the risk of fire. The company said repeated high-energy clutch slip input, made during gear changes, could lead to premature clutch lining wear; that, in turn, reduces the mechanical properties of pressure plate material, which could spur a leak of transmission fluid and result in a fire. Ford said it was not aware of any fires, accidents or injuries associated with this issue.
Audi expects tough year amid model changes Audi expects a difficult year as the launch of over 20 redesigned and new models could hurt deliveries, after declining sales of high-end models and further costs from an emissions scandal kept profitability below that of Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Volkswagen’s main profit engine will introduce a new model every three weeks this year, including the redesigned A6 saloon, the all-new Q8 sport-utility vehicle (SUV) and the battery-powered e-tron SUV, it said on Thursday. Bottlenecks expected from introducing new vehicle tests done to harmonized world standards, and the “dieselgate” scandal which in 2017 cost another 387 million euros ($478 million), will add further strains, Audi said. “This means an enormous feat of strength for us,” Chief Executive Rupert Stadler said. “2018 will be a year of transition.” The model replacements caused Audi to refrain from projecting another outright increase in deliveries, saying it wants to at least match last year’s record 1.88 million sales. Revenue is expected to slightly exceed last year’s 60.1 billion euros. The model offensive, also including the overhauled Q3 compact SUV, is expected to have a “sustained positive impact” on deliveries and earnings from 2019, Audi said. The luxury brand achieved 1 billion euros of cost reductions last year as part of a goal to cut spending in R&D, sales and other departments by 10 billion euros by 2022 to free up funds for its electric-car program. Also backed by a new joint platform with VW premium stable Porsche, Audi plans to launch 20 electrified models by 2025, more than half of which will be all-electric.
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GOVERNMENT VACANCIES – (APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30th MARCH 2018) JOB TITLE: Senior Internal Auditor (Information Technology) – LWB12-01 DEPARTMENT: Office of the Chief Internal Audit LOCATION: Grand Turk SALARY: Grade 7.1 - $41,205.00 per annum plus allowances JOB SUMMARY The successful candidate will be accountable to the Chief Internal Auditor through the Internal Audit Manager and have responsibility for developing the strategy for IT audits and taking lead responsibility for IT audits as part of the approved annual internal audit plan. The post holder will also be responsible for IT security and protocols within the Office of Chief Internal Auditor. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Immigration Officer - JCB12-2 Immigration Department Various Grade 5.1 - $26,650.00 per annum
JOB SUMMARY This is a Law Enforcement position which supports the Senior Immigration officers and by extent the Border control and Enforcement (Immigration Department). The purpose of the job is to perform joint duties with other sections within the department and with various Government JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Deputy Collector of Customs – Finance -JCB12-3 Customs Department Providenciales Grade 9.1 - $59,552.50 PER ANNUM
JOB SUMMARY The Deputy Collector of Customs - Finance is a member of the Senior Leadership Team of the Customs Department. He/she has responsibility for the financial performance of the operational units within the Customs Department and provides leadership and direction to all officers in regards to financial matters pertaining to the Customs Department. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Administrative Officer - JCB12-4 Revenue Control Unit Providenciales Grade 5.1 - $26,650.00 PER ANNUM
JOB SUMMARY This is an administrative position, which has responsibility for the smooth operation of administrative functions in the office and for dealing with information that is sensitive and/or confidential. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Director of Maritime -CFB12-5 Maritime Department Providenciales Grade 9 - $59,552.50 per annum
JOB SUMMARY:
JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Client Care Assistant – KH12-9 Special Needs Unit/Wellness Center South Caicos Grade 4 - $21,935.00 per annum
JOB SUMMARY: This is a practical nursing position with basic level responsibility for patient health care in the wellness center. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Clinical Nurse – KHB12-10 Special Needs Unit/Wellness Center South Caicos Grade 5: $26,650.00 per annum
JOB SUMMARY: This a professional nursing position with basic level responsibility for patient/ client health care in the Wellness Center/Special Needs Unit on Grand Turk and South Caicos. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: Salary:
Environmental Health Officers – KHB12-11 Environmental Health Department Various Grade 6 - $33,415.00 plus allowances
JOB SUMMARY To provide professional position in the nursing service focused on promoting and restoring patients’ health through the utilization of the nursing process; collaborating with multidisciplinary team members; providing physical and psychological support to patients, friends and families; supervising assigned team members. JOB TITLE: Community Outreach and Program Officer – CFB12-13 DEPARTMENT: Social Development LOCATION: Providenciales SALARY: Grade 6 -$33,415.00 per annum JOB SUMMARY Under the supervision of the Director and Deputy Director, the incumbent will plan, develop and coordinate community-based programs focusing on improving the quality of life for community residents and enhancing community sensitization in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The post holder’s work involves managing, coordinating and scheduling community events, meetings and program activities. JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Develop Control Officer – CBB12-14 Planning Department Providenciales Grade 5 -$26,650.00 per annum
JOB SUMMARY
The post is a senior management position mandated to oversee the efficient enforcement of applicable maritime laws and proper implementation of the duties and responsibilities of the Department; to conduct policy review and analyses, and to propose appropriate legislative action; to perform SWOT analyses and strategic planning to address both short and long-term issues and challenges of the Department.
This is a junior position with responsibility for the enforcement of the Physical Planning Ordinance and the regulations made thereunder throughout TCI. The job holder will assist in ensuring the enforcement of the Code, educate the public and liaise as required regarding amendments to the Planning and Building Regulations.
JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Environmental Officers – CFB12-07 Environment and Coastal Resources (DECR) Various $33,415.00 per annum
Clerical Assistant – CBB12-15 Department of Public Prosecutions Grand Turk Grade 3 - $16,707.50
JOB SUMMARY:
JOB SUMMARY
The post is mandated to contribute and provide support for environmental, research, monitoring and environmental awareness programmes of the Department.
The incumbent in this position will be responsible for clerical and administrative tasks to support the daily functions of the Office.
JOB TITLE: DEPARTMENT: LOCATION: SALARY:
Speech and Language Pathologist - KHB12-8 Special Needs Unit/Wellness Center Providenciales Grade 8 - $51,147.50 per annum plus allowances
JOB SUMMARY: This is a professional position, performing evaluations, developing and implementing effective patient treatment plans to restore, compensate or adapt for loss of patient function, by planning and administering medically prescribed therapy treatments in accordance with professional standards governing the facility and their discipline. Collaborating with multidisciplinary team members; providing physical and psychological support to patients, friends and families;
For more details regarding this position, kindly refer to the attached documents or visit www.gov.tc. Please ensure that all applications submitted by email clearly states the Job Title in the subject line of the email and all applications received via hard copy is clearly marked with the Job Title.
MARCH 17TH, 2018 – MARCH 24TH, 2018
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JOB OPPORTUNITY Maintenance/Building Coordinatorfor a Private Residence Needed P&C Ltd. owns a villa in Providenciales and is looking for a hard working individual to work as a Maintenance/Building Coordinator at the villa. Applicant must speak English, have a valid TCI driver’s license and be fit and able. Applicant is required to live on property and is needed to work six days a week. Salary is $2,000.00 a month. Applicants must be able to do the following:General Maintenance Responsibilities: ▪ Oversee regular inspection of security, electronics, buildings and general grounds of the property ▪ Carrying out handyman work if and when necessary, carry out or overseeing of carpentry, plumbing, painting and electrical maintenance on property by service providers ▪ Attending to general landscaping at property and liaising with third party maintenance workers and service providers ▪ General pool maintenance and cleaning in coordination with third party maintenance company ▪ General maintenance and cleaning of outdoor spaces, sweeping walkways, arranging outdoor furniture, upkeep of tennis court ▪ Liaison and point person for security company on-island and all other service providers ▪ Monitor special projects and repairs carried out on property ▪ Oversee pest control program for property ▪ Regular communication with owner to report any changes or damages This advertisement is required for a work permit renewal application for this position. All suitably qualified TC Islanders are requested to submit resumes/ portfolios to PO Box 560, Regent House West, Regent Village, Grace Bay, Providenciales, TCI or send by fax to 946 4663. Prospective TC Islander applicants are also free to lodge a copy of their applications with the Labour Board.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Margaritaville Grand Turk currently seeks to employ the following persons: •ENTERTAINMENT SUPERVISOR •STORES PORTER •DINING ROOM & RESTAURANT CAPTAINS •SERVERS/WAITERS •HOST/ HOSTESS •HOUSEKEEPERS, BUSSERS & RUNNERS •BAR SUPERVISOR •BARTENDER S •BARBACKS •HACCP SUPERVISOR •KITCHEN HELPERS •COOKS •ASSISTANT COOKS •STORE CLERK •GENERAL MANAGER/RESIDENT MANAGER Persons must have a good command of the English Language and able to work long hours, holidays and weekends. Submit applications accompanied by a resume to the Human Resource Department at nrobinson@margaritavillecaribbean.com or by faxing to 649-946-1514. APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON 30TH MARCH 2018 Whilst we thank every applicant for their interest in Margaritaville Grand Turk, only short-listed persons will be contacted. Only applications from Belongers will be accepted.
SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY F Chambers Attorneys at Law is seeking a Senior Associate Attorney. Applicants must have at least 7 years post qualification experience. Duties include assisting and developing criminal and common law department, undertaking a variety of work including all aspect of criminal defence work, employment, wills and probate, family matters such as adoption, child/ spousal maintenance, divorce, and human rights work. Starting Salary $2,100.00 to $3,000.00 per month based on Experience and Qualifications. Kindly forward resumes and qualification to the below address copy to the Turks and Caicos Islands Labour Department and Immigration Board: All applications must be submitted to: Employment Department F Chambers Attorneys at Law 007 Emily House, 1105 Leeward Highway, Providenciales Tel 649-339-6275 Fax 649-941-4777 Email: sas@fchamberslaw.com
NOTICE Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission) Regulations, 2014 An Application, PR 13398, by JOSEPH VIXAILLE AND JEAN ULYSSE for COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT CONSISTING OF A SUPERMARKET, AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND SHOPPING PLAZA has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of Development Permission on 60505/99, BLUE HILLS on PROVIDENCIALES. Anyone wishing to make representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, Downtown, Grand Turk or through the Department of Planning, Emily House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice. Noted Dated: _______________________________________________
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WATERLOO HOTEL MANAGEMENT LTD
Alexandra Resort, Blue Haven Resort & Marina and the Beach House We are seeking to employ, suitably qualified and experienced hospitality professionals in the positions listed below. Our ideal candidates should have an outstanding command of the English language, written and oral, strong communication and excellent customer service skills with an all-inclusive background.
We are seeking to employ, suitably qualified and experienced hospitality professionals in the positions listed below. Our ideal candidates should have an outstanding command of the English language, written and oral, strong communication and excellent customer service skills with an all-inclusive background. COST CONTROL MANAGER RESPONSIBILITIES •Direct and coordinate the activities of the cost control department •Organize the cost controlling system •Organize the store and receiving system •Manage F&B cost function •Track record of all cost issues •Maintain standard of all responsible areas •Coordinate with all departments for inventory •Develop cost report for Chief Accountant •Support cost information for all concern departments upon request REQUIREMENTS •Five years’ experience in food and beverage accounting. •Excellent processing experience with hotel software, Opera, Adaco and Dataplus Accounting System. •Excellent knowledge in computer with experience with Microsoft software excels. Salary range for this position will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. NIGHT AUDITOR RESPONSIBILITIES •Ensuring that all charges and credits are posted accurately to guest accounts; that the telephone call accounting system reporting has been completed and system is functional •Balancing all credit card charges to cashiers reports and hard and soft copies are balanced with credit card folios •Organizing the night audit work in an orderly manner for distribution to the accounts department •Closing out of accounts and resetting the system for the next day’s operation •Conducts analytical review of all daily Front Office and Room transactions reports and to rectify and discrepancies. •Acting as Manager on Duty and maintain an open line of communication between guests, team members and management. •Performing Front Office duties, processing express checkouts and assisting guests as needed during the shift REQUIREMENTS •Must have 3 or more years previous experience as a Night Auditor in a resort or condominium environment •Proficient in Microsoft office and Visual one is a MUST •Clear communications skills (written and oral) •Must be able to work nights, weekends and holidays
•Minimum of 5 years’ experience in same or similar position •Diploma from a formal culinary institution is required •Knowledgeable in health and sanitation standards •Valid Food Handler Certificate required •Constant standing and walking throughout shift •Lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs. •Pushing and pulling Salary range for this position will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. CHEF DE PARTIE Reporting to the Executive Sous Chef, responsible for working with the executive sous chef and the kitchen team to maintain high standards in the quality of food both as to its preparation and its presentation. REQUIREMENTS •Graduate culinary art or Culinary degree strongly preferred •5 plus years previous experience as a cook •Experience in a luxury hotel with comparable service and standards would be an asset •Valid Food Handler Certificate required •Must have experience and be proficient in both a la carte and production cooking Salary range for this position will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. LINE POSITIONS The positions listed below, hospitality experience would be an asset but is not required and the starting rate will be $6.50per hour.
Salary range for this position will commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant.
ROOM ATTENDANT To ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the assigned guestroom, work areas and equipment. Must be able to push and pull carts weighing up to 150lbs and be able to climb flights of stairs several times daily. BELLMAN To escort arriving and departing guests in a friendly and courteous manner to and from their accommodations, as well as provide general information about the hotel and local attractions and provide front desk with any additional assistance. Must be able to speak English, exceptional hospitality skills, Must be able to lift and carry heavy luggage and perform tasks requiring bending, knelling and walking significant distances. LABOURER To assist in maintaining the buildings of the resort. Must be able to lift 50lbs, bend, stand for long periods of time and must be able to push and pull carts weighing up to 250lbs. Be able to lift 50lbs. Must be able to speak English and understand instructions. Must be in excellent health. GARDENER To assist in, maintaining the grounds of the resort. Duties to include: removal of trash, weeding, mowing, planting, pruning, watering and application of chemicals. Must be of good character. Be able to lift 50lbs., bend and stand for long periods of time. Must be able to speak English and understand instructions.
COMMIS CHEF Reporting to the Executive Sous Chef, responsible for food preparation, cooking, daily monitoring of kitchen inventory. Should exhibit strong communication, writing, reading, listening and computation skills. REQUIREMENTS •Must possess a 3-4-star background
Interested persons may contact our HR department Mon. – Fri. from 9am-3pm via telephone number 946-8054 or you may submit your resume with qualifications and experience to: hr@wihl.com Closing date ---- March 24th , 2018
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LOCAL SPORTS
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The FLOW/ Manchester United Ultimate Football Ex-perience, Turks & Caicos Islands Manchester United, in partnership with FLOW and endorsed by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), are currently hosting the second Flow Skills Ultimate Football Experience, a youth-centered initiative for boys and girls ages 12 to 13 and 14 to 16 years old. Like last year, the program will run in 15 Caribbean countries where FLOW operates. The initial country-stage clinics are constructed by local coaches, with a series of specially designed skills tests recommended by the Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS). This involves dribbling, and short passing/ shooting sessions, as scores are based on timing and the number of goals achieved. 30 young footballers, that is one winner per age group from each market, will to advance to finals, where they will
experience a two-day skills session, and one-on-one training with CFU and MUSS coaches in Trinidad; all vying for the ultimate prize of a trip to Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, and a chance-of-a-lifetime to participate in a talent development football camp. In a recent press release, CFU General Secretary, Neil Cochrane, had this to say, “Hundreds of young footballers in 15 countries – half of the CFU’s membership – are again getting the exposure they crave, and the opportunity to compete, hone their skills, and, hopefully fulfill their dreams. We consider this initiative as adding signifi-cant value to our portfolio of annual activities, but even more important is the value that it adds to youth development and to building a solid foundation for football
across the region. Once again, we welcome this partnership with Flow and Manchester United for the 2018 edition, and stand ready to get the ball rolling.” On Saturday, March 10th 2018, the Turks and Caicos players were put to the test. The emerging winners were Carson Greatrex of the 12-13 year group, and Rosmith Messieur of the 14-16 year group. The two winners, along with their respective coaches and a par-ent, are expected to travel to Trinidad for the second phase of the competition, on March 20th. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Rosmith Messiuer and the first runner up, Junior Paul, were unable to carry forward in the fight, and has therefore been replaced with the third place finisher, Thomas Stephens.
Rosmith Messieur, Darron Hiliaire (FLOW Marketing Executive) and Carson Gretrex For more information, please contact TCIFA Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Can-dia Ewing, at 946-5532 or cewingtcifa@gmail.com
TCIFA Hosts The FIFA Advanced Beach Soccer Coaching Course The sport has taken FIFA, as the World’s Governing Body for the sport of the world by storm since being Football, provides a number of officially introduced by Beach Soctechnical resources in supporting cer Worldwide in the 1990’s, and the growth and development of the sparked the interest of islanders various areas of football within its like us, who pretty nearly live on Member Associations. One example the shores of the Caribbean waters. of this is by organizing educa- The Turks & Caicos Islands Men’s tional courses for coaches, whilst National Beach Soccer Team made donating equipment and material its debut at the CONCACAF Beach for the long-term de-velopment of Soccer Champi-onship, 2015, a FIFA football. The Turks & Caicos Islands Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier, Football Association (TCIFA) has in El Salvador. seen the benefits of this first hand. Instructing the Advanced In recognizing the importance of Course held at the TCIFA’s national continuing the ad-vancement of Academy Beach Soccer Pitch,over Beach Soccer, a variant of football the 5-day period, was UEFA Pro played on beach-sand, TCIFA has in Football Licensed coach, and the past, hosted the FIFA facilitated author of the new FIFA Beach Basic and Intermediate, Beach Soccer Coaching Manual, Angelo Coaching Course. The next step was Schirinzi. Schirinzi, who coaches the the Advanced Beach Soccer course, Switzerland National Beach Soccer which the TCIFA was fortunate Team, has made over 19 appearances to host under the auspices and in the history of FIFA tournaments. guidance of FIFA from March 7-11, He has participated also as a Coach in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2018.
2013 in Tahiti. There, he guided the Tahiti National Team. His 10-year in-structing passage has brought him to regions like Africa, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and CONCACAF member associations, where he has accomplished executing 30 courses, since 2008. Education is of tremendous value to the association and its volunteers. As Beach Soccer sees a rapid increase in popularity, TCIFA encourages equipping its volunteers with lat-est coaching concepts and tools, building a quality coaching base, and promoting struc-tured sessions with its players. This positive experience for coaches, and players alike, is also intended to serve as a recruitment drive, increasing the amount of persons inter-ested in coaching, as TCIFA extends invitations for every educational course to its wider community, free of charge. Sixteen Coaches, a mixture
of established coaches, players and new comers, successful-ly completed the advance course, mastering a higher level of resourcefulness in the Beach Soccer arena. Commenting on the Course, TCIFA President Sonia Fulford remarked that “the oppor-tunity to equip our Volunteer Coaches with the educational and technical resources pro-vided by these type of courses, will serve the objective of overall improving the pro-gram. Given our size and the accessibility to the sport of Beach Soccer in the TCI, it is one of the TCIFA’s objectives, to place attention to this area of football as we have the ability to excel at the international level. This FIFA course enables us to take a giant step in that direction” For more information, please contact TCIFA Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Can-dia Ewing, at 946-5532 or cewingtcifa@gmail.com
2018 CARIFTA TEAM TCI 30 STRONG 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.
Alexia Prince Garnika Brown Davion Durham Chadwyn Gray Brianna Brown Daria Coakley Renando Germain
CHHS HF CHHS RGHS BWIC CHHS CHHS
Deajah Smith Joshua St.Michael-Meghoo Darren Pierret Colby Jennings Zoe Butler Anara Alexis
HJRHS RGHS CHHS JC/JAM CHHS vBWIC
15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28.
Archelande Joseph Wooslyn Harvey Junior Paul Ken Reyes Rebecca Barnadin Brian Papin Martijn Healy Lavardo Campbell Gregory Fulford Jamal Champman Noel Kenson Mikyo Simpson Katrell Pierre Wilkenson Fenelon
RGHS CHHS CHHS JC/JAM UNATTACHED CHHS TCIM CHHS MBHS HJRHS HJRHS KC/JAM MBHS JC/JAM
29. 30.
Latrell Saunders Evnisha Saintvertu
MBHS UNATTACHED
OFFICIALS Randy Ford Head Coach Kayla Mills 1st Asst. Coach Royland Burrell 2nd Asst. Coach/Chaperone Gertrude Forbes Chaperone/Media Rosalie Ingham-Hall Team Manager/General Secretary Edith Skippings President TCAAA
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SPORTS Stephen Curry injury update: Ankle to keep Warriors star sidelined until March 20
Stephen Curry is the engine that makes the Warriors offense work. He bends defenses the minute he crosses half court, because his shooting can be just that deadly. However, Golden State has had to make due playing without its superstar the past couple games due to an ankle injury. There was hope that Curry would be able to make a quick
recovery but Curry will remain out until March 20 while he recovers from his ankle injury. This type of injury is always of concern when it comes to Curry, because of his ankle history. This has been a frustrating season for Curry. He has been fantastic when he has been on the court, but multiple times this season he has had to sit out with nagging injuries. Obviously he
wants to be on the floor and that’s where the Warriors want him too, but they also know that it’s more important for him to be healthy in the playoffs. This injury shouldn’t be a serious risk to the Warriors’ season though. They have managed to survive without Curry so far -despite two losses since his most recent injury -- and they should be fine until he gets back.
Under-cooked Gatlin finishes fourth in 150 meters World 100 meters champion Justin Gatlin made a sluggish start to his 2018 season when he finished fourth in the rarely-run 150-metres sprint at the Athletix Grand Prix meet in Pretoria on Thursday. It was the first time the American has run competitively over the distance and the earliest start he has made to a season as he lost out to South African Anaso Jobodwana, bronze medalist in the 200 meters at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. Jobodwana claimed victory in a time of 15.08 seconds, followed by South Africans Roscoe Engel (15.17) and Luxolo Adams (15.18) with Gatlin some way back in 15.23. “It felt good to come out and see the crowd, I’m still a bit jet-lagged,” Gatlin told reporters. “I got cramp in my calf in the last 20 meters. Next time I’ll come a couple of days earlier. “I’ve never started so early in the season, I usually don’t open up until May, so it’s exciting for me. I have only done tempo work so far, I haven’t done speed work yet. But I am getting right for the season.” Gatlin reserved praise for Jobodwana, 25, who is likely to be a medal contender in the 200 meters at the Commonwealth
Justin Gatlin trains ahead of the “Mano a Mano” challenge, a 100-meter race, at the Brazilian Jockey Club Games next month, especially in the absence of injured compatriot Wayde van Niekerk. “It was a great run and he is my pick for the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games,” Gatlin said. The 36-year-old American was warmly received in Pretoria by an appreciative crowd, a far cry from the boos that rang around the stadium when he beat Usain Bolt to the 100 meters gold medal at the World Championships in London last year.
He has a tainted past having twice before been banned after testing positive for prohibited substances, and told reporters earlier on Thursday that the negative crowd reaction was hard to take. “Obviously, that kind of stuff does affect me as a human being, but as an athlete I have to stay focused, that’s what I do,” Gatlin said. “I don’t just think of myself as a runner. My psyche going into meets ... I think of myself as a fighter.”
Plan to demolish Sydney Olympic stadium delayed after backlash A plan to demolish getting underway next year and and rebuild Sydney’s Olympic scheduled for completion by stadium just 18 years after it 2021. hosted the Summer Games has The move attracted been put on hold after a fierce major criticism and an online petition calling for Premier public backlash. The plans to raze and Gladys Berejiklian’s state rebuild both the 80,000-seater government to scrap the project stadium and the 44,000-capacity and invest the money in smaller, Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) grassroots sports facilities has at a cost of more than A$2 billion gathered more than 200,000 ($1.58 billion) were announced names. The project, or at least by the New South Wales government last November. the part of it involving the SFS, The Olympic Stadium was set to be approved at a was to be replaced by a meeting of the state cabinet on 75,000-seater structure, possibly Thursday but The Australian with a roof, at a cost of A$1.5 reported that it had been billion starting in 2019, with “pulled” from the agenda while the construction of the new SFS the government considered is
options. A spokeswoman for New South Wales sports minister Stuart Ayres told Reuters on Wednesday that they “would not comment on cabinet processes”. A huge public relations offensive backing the stadium rebuilds was launched this week with rugby league, rugby union and soccer’s governing bodies threatening that Sydney would lose major events if the plan foundered. Australia has announced plans to bid to host the 2023 women’s soccer World Cup and both men’s and women’s Rugby World Cups over the next decade.
Stephen Curry
Hamilton super relaxed amid contract talks with Mercedes Lewis Hamilton is “super relaxed” amid ongoing contract negotiations with Mercedes and the four-time world champion hinted it could be his last deal as a Formula One driver. Hamilton is entering the final season of his three-year contract but talks are underway about a new deal with Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff. The British driver had said last month he hoped to get it done before the new season gets underway but he acknowledged Wednesday that it’s now unlikely to happen before the first race in Melbourne on March 25. “We started talking about it over the winter and I was like I’ll come back to it and then we picked it up again and I was like I’ll come back to it. It’s not really my priority at the moment,” Hamilton told The Associated Press in an interview. “I’m really super relaxed, I don’t feel pressure from the team, I don’t feel pressure within myself. I want to continue racing so I’ll have to do a contract at some stage but I’m definitely not going to do it when people want me to do it. I’ll do it when it’s ready.” If he does sign a new deal with Mercedes, it’s expected to be for another three-year span. But while he feels he could stay at the top of his game for seven more years, the 33-year-old is not sure he’ll stay that long in the sport. “I don’t want to stop early, I don’t want to stop premature that’s for sure but I really don’t know what my time is,” Hamilton said. “I could probably stay until I’m 40 if I wanted to but I don’t think I’m going to do that. Relaxed is exactly how Hamilton appeared as he basked in the sunshine at an event for Mercedes’ sponsors in Turin. A jovial Hamilton laughed and cracked jokes as he responded to questions on the balcony of Petronas’ new $60 million research and technology center. “I don’t really like practice,” he said. “I’m super competitive and that’s never ever going to change. Even when I’m 80 years old I’ll be competitive and hopefully I’ll have grandchildren or something by then, still going to be wanting to beat them if I’m walking with my blooming zimmer (walking) frame. It’s just how I’m built.” It’s that drive and motivation which could see Hamilton become only the third driver to win more than four world championships — after seven-time winner Michael Schumacher and five-time champion Juan Manuel Fangio.
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Lionel Messi joins 100-goal club Lionel Messi joined Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League’s 100-goal club after scoring twice to lead Barcelona past Chelsea and into the Champions League quarterfinals for an 11th straight season on Wednesday. Messi also set up Ousmane Dembele in a 3-0 win at Camp Nou after he had scored Barcelona’s goal in the openingleg 1-1 draw in London. Messi beat Thibaut Courtois with two strikes between the Chelsea goalkeeper’s legs from very tight angles on the side of the box. He struck the opener three minutes into the match and took Barcelona’s third goal in the 63rd. Ronaldo, with 117 goals, Lionel Messi after Barcelona’s victory is the only other player to reach the century-mark in Europe’s 20th. elite club competition. Messi While Chelsea coach reached his 100th goal in 123 Antonio Conte lamented his matches, while Real Madrid’s players’ near misses — they hit star needed 144 games. the woodwork four times over the But the most dazzling two legs — he lavished praise on moment from the Argentina Messi, whom he congratulated forward, who returned from on the pitch following the final missing one match for the birth whistle. of his third son on Saturday, “I think when you have came when he helped Dembele the opportunity to make a great score his first goal for Barcelona compliment to Messi, it is right after he stole the ball from to recognize a super, super, super former Barcelona teammate top player,” Conte said. “We are Cesc Fabregas and darted past talking about an extraordinary two would-be tacklers in the player. The best in the world.
This type of player is born once in 50 years.” Barcelona remained unbeaten in 25 straight Champions League matches at Camp Nou, a run that dates back to 2013. The hosts also stayed in contention for a rare treble of titles. They lead the Spanish league and have reached the final of the Copa del Rey. Chelsea will now have to focus on finishing in the top four in the Premier League to return to tournament. It is currently in fifth place.
Woods and Els named as Presidents Cup captains Tiger Woods and Ernie Els shifted their decadeslong friendly rivalry onto the international stage as they were officially named captains for the 2019 Presidents Cup on Tuesday. Woods, who holds the matchplay competition’s record with 24 match wins for the United States, and Els, who has won an International side best 20 matches, will lead their teams to Australia for the 2019 edition on Dec. 12-15 at Royal Melbourne. The announcement was made in the Latrobe Room at Bay Hill, site of this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour. Els and Woods have frequently shared golf’s main stage. Four-times major winner Els of South Africa has been runner-up to Woods seven times in his professional playing career, including twice in majors — the U.S. and British Open in 2000. Woods and Els served as captain’s assistants in the 2017 Presidents Cup, when the 12-man U.S. team won 19-11 at Liberty National in New Jersey for their 10th Cup victory against one loss and one draw in the biennial event. Els and Woods also shared an iconic moment at the 2003 Presidents Cup when they faced off in a sudden-
Venus cuts Serena’s comeback short at Indian Wells
Venus Williams cut her sister Serena’s comeback to tennis short with a 6-3 6-4 win in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Monday. Returning after more than a year away from the game to have a baby, Serena put up a good fight, saving match point while trailing 5-2 in the second set, but her rustiness told in the end. Venus told reporters that she never counted the 23-times grand slam champion out of the match. “I always know that it’s never over until it’s over,” she said. “She kept roaring back, I’m just lucky that I’ve played more matches than her right now.” Venus, who has climbed to No. 8 in the world after enjoying a strong 2017, had six aces and broke Serena’s service four times, prevailing in a long final game when her younger sister’s groundstroke fell long. In earlier matches, Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki kept alive her hopes of regaining the world number one ranking with a scrappy 6-4 2-6 6-3 third round win over Aliaksandra Sasnovich. Next up for the 27-year-old Dane, who needs to win the tournament and hope that top seed Simona Halep fails to reach the final, is Daria Kasatkina after the Russian defeated U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens 6-4 6-3. Stephens has been in a tailspin since breaking through for last year’s major win, and has failed to advance past a quarter-final this year. Fourth seed Elina Svitolina fell to Carla Suarez Navarro 7-5 6-3.
Athletics: U.S. student Norman breaks world indoor 400m record Tiger Woods and Ernie Els death playoff to decide the competition. They battled evenly through three tension-packed playoff holes before failing light forced officials to declare the event in South Africa a draw. “Tiger and I have had some great duels in the past, and I look forward to the challenge of going against my longtime friend yet again in 2019,” said Els. Els might even have to stomach Woods once again wielding a golf club in the matchplay competition. Woods, who has launched a comeback after his spinal fusion surgery a year ago, finished joint runner-up by one shot last week at the Valspar Championship. He said on Tuesday with a smile that he had thought about a
possible playing captaincy. The 42-year-old American acknowledged there was a lot of time and a lot of golf to go before the teams are set. “That’s a bridge that’s a long way away from now to be crossing but, if it does come to that point, it won’t just be my decision, it will be a collaborative effort, what is best for the team,” said Woods. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said having contemporary giants such as Woods and Els captain the Presidents Cup teams could have a huge impact on the event and the game of golf. This will be the third Presidents Cup to be held at venerable Royal Melbourne, designed by Alister MacKenzie, who also designed Augusta National.
Michael Norman of Southern California wins 400m heat in 45.56 during the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships American Michael Norman broke the world indoor 400 meters record when he clocked 44.52 second at the U.S. collegiate championships in College Station, Texas on Saturday. The University of Southern California sprinter, running just his third indoor 400m final, took 0.05 seconds off the previous record of Kerron Clement at the 2005 U.S. collegiate championships. Norman, 20, was fifth in the 200m at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials and went on to win the world junior championships 200m later that year.
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PRIVATE VILLAS FROM $745,000
SAILROCKLIVING.COM | 1-649-941-2121 @SAILROCKLIVING | #DISCOVERSAILROCK Published by SUN MEDIA GROUP, Turks and Caicos Islands | Tel:649 339 5879 | Fax: 649 941 3281