TCWN December 23 - January 5, 2018

Weekly News Volume 31 | No. 47 | December 23, 2017 - January 5, 2018

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HALF A BILLION

IN DAMAGES

A sharp blow was dealt to the TCI’s economy by the two major hurricanes which pummelled the Islands in September, leaving more than half a billion dollars in damages and revenue loss.

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11 Blue Cay Estate celebrates canal opening PAGE 

OPPOSITION GIVES GOV’T A GRADE A+ IN TRAVEL 6 PAGE 

FORMER PREMIER BEMOANS SLOW RECOVERY OF PAGE ISLANDS 9

BEACHES HOSTS EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON TO CELEBRATE PAGE  18 REOPENING

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December 23-January 5, 2018

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NEWS

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TCI suffers half a billion in damages and revenue loss

BY OLIVIA ROSE A SHARP blow was dealt to the TCI’s economy by the two major hurricanes which pummelled the Islands in September, leaving more than half a billion dollars in damages and revenue loss.

Sparse details of the UNDP and United Nations ECLAC report on the social and economic impact of the hurricanes on the TCI were on Wednesday (December 20) revealed

by Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson at her Government’s one year anniversary press conference.

According to the premier the Government is now in receipt of all critical reports and is gearing its energy towards finalising a detailed strategy for the territory’s recovery.

She underscored that both reports were replete with sound recommendations on rebuilding a more climate resilient economy.

“The UN ECLAC report has estimated our country’s damages at $289,625,726 and losses at $230 million with additional losses at approximately $38 million, this puts our damage and losses at over half a billion dollars.

“Over the next two weeks we will review the full content and determine the way forward and present same to the people of this country early January together with a statement on our financial position the balances on the contingency fund and a full concessions report.”

Cartwright Robinson stressed that her Government continues to see and feel the difficulties of those who have experienced and suffered personal loss and the islands that are recovering at a slow pace.

“Our civil servants who are faced with challenging work environments, businessmen not yet paid and school children who are displaced and under difficult circumstances.

“My Government will keep under review our fragile financial position and continue to do what we must to avoid self-inflicted harm while balancing the needs identified.”

Turning her attention to recovery efforts for Grand Turk, she informed that a major clean-up effort is underway for the capital.

Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson

“After over five week of seeking final approval, monies will be spent from the Carnival Infrastructure Fund to assist in the continued cleanup of Grand Turk.

“The Premier’s Office through the director will address the outstanding task of South Caicos, Salt Cay, North and Middle Caicos through existing funding lines for clean-ups.”

Since the passing of the hurricanes, many students across the Islands are still largely displaced.

The premier said that every effort is being made to fast track repairs of schools throughout the Islands.

“Our position remains firm that our children must be a priority and as such, the reprioritised capital programme already approved through Cabinet and the monies from the insurance policy will be directed largely at school repairs.”

TCI’S CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE The Turks and Caicos Islands suffered 79.6 percent damage to its housing stock and critical infrastructure during the passage of hurricane Irma.

This is according to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) in its rapid assessment report post hurricane Irma.

The report concluded that damage across the TCI was similar in nature and related largely to roof damage across three levels and total destruction of homes.

A massive 2,693 of the total 6,382

developments across the territory received level one damage.

Level one damage is categorised as loss of roof tiles: small sections of roof damage or destroyed windows or doors damage, guttering and eave damage or loss, sections of ceilings soaked, damaged or lost and varying degrees of water intrusion.

The report also showed that 383 homes were totally destroyed or classified as level four damage.

The primary assessment stipulated that out of 6,382 critical buildings and housing, the hardest hit islands were Salt Cay where 100 percent of all the buildings received some level of damage and South Caicos at 99.1 percent where only two homes out of a total of 234 homes did not receive any damage.

Providenciales sustained a higher level of damage than Grand Turk, 79.6 percent and 79.1 percent respectively, North Caicos and Middle Caicos at 70.99 percent and 62.79 percent respectively.

This means that of Salt Cay’s 30 infrastructural developments all received some form of damage with five being totally destroyed.

In South Caicos, the second hardest hit, 232 of its 234 developments receive some form of damage with 51 being totally destroyed.

House in South Caicos reduced to rubble by hurricane Irma

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson - Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Olivia Rose - Senior Reporter Daisy Handfield - Staff Reporter Faizool Deo - Sports Editor (At Large) Cord Garrido-Lowe - Graphics Consultant (At Large) Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams - Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com Follow us on: Facebook: facebook.com/tcweeklynews Twitter: twitter.com/tcweeklynews1

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December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Opposition gives gov’t a grade A+ in travel

BY DELANA ISLES AFTER one year of being a backseat opposition - reportedly by choice - the PNP has now warned the Government that the honeymoon is over.

On Tuesday (December 19), in a case of ‘tit for tat’ the PNP took the Government to task by adopting the PDM’s own tactics while in opposition and using it on them as the Government of the day - offering several failing grades for their performance over 2017.

At a PNP press conference the main opposition party gave a scathing review of the PDM Government’s one year tenure.

It was the first one since the party lost the December 15, 2016, election and conceded in a muted one man show comprised only of the defeated ex-premier Dr Rufus Ewing.

Leader of the party Washington Misick was joined at the head table by elected parliamentarians Akierra Missick, Porscha Stubbs-Smith and appointed member and party chairman Royal Robinson at an early evening meeting with the press at the Blue Haven resort and marina.

Missick in her presentation pointed out that contrary to their manifesto promises, which are outlined in their ‘Change Document’, the Government is yet to put in place an educational policy, hot meals programme for schools, sports policy, secondary school curriculum, several other policies and programmes and has notably done little to improve the conditions of the family islands that were severely impacted by hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Missick, who shadows the Ministry of Education, stated: “Our children are our most precious resource in this country. They cannot wallow in delay after delay after delay in their development.

“There is a very small window for young people to grow and develop and understand that they are important to this country and the ministry has failed them this year.

“Failed them in the first year; it couldn’t be any more disappointing.”

Stubbs-Smith, who took pen to paper to grade the Government on its performance, stated that over the past year the PDM gdid excellently in travel, giving them an ‘A’.

“Who exactly is the minister of tourism? Eighteen trips in one year from the Office of the Premier, not marketing our destination but collecting awards.

Eighteen trips, an A plus.

“Budget cuts for marketing and promotion of our beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands, but thank God for partnerships with stakeholders who have some money on the ground and who want to see their products stay alive in the TCI; for no promotions – an A plus.

“For 20 years’ experience in

Leader of the PNP Washington Misick

tourism and all they can do when they respond to questions in the House of Assembly is say ‘in due course’.

“Well, you’ve had 12 months’ experience as minister so for God’s sake let tomorrow be due course because the people want to see what you’re doing.”

Stubbs-Smith, who shadows the Ministry of Tourism, also granted the Government an A in doing nothing to clean up the territory after the hurricanes and an F in everything else and in some cases a G. Party Leader Washington Misick in his presentation stated that PDM appears to be unable to grapple with the reality of being a government, even though as an opposition they opposed every positive policy that was brought by the PNP Government.

“They find themselves without any choice but to agree with the policies and the programmes of the Progressive National Party and instead occasionally they would admit, but generally speaking instead of admitting they try to rewrite history so that they can take credit for the hard work of the former premier Rufus Ewing and his team.”

Misick predicted that in their end of year press conference, held the following day, the Government will go to the public with promises and false claims, and will blame their lacklustre performance on hurricanes Irma and Maria.

“The truth of the matter is that they had nine months to perform before Irma and Maria and in those nine months they did not deliver even on their 100 days promises.”

He stated that post hurricanes the premier had an opportunity to shine, but instead she abdicated her responsibilities by handing it over to the governor.

“The best man for the job failed to realise - in the words of Martin Luther King, that the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

“A real leader faces the music even when he doesn’t like the tone. What a contrast between this Government who will continue to blame the fallout from the storms for their lack of performance.

“What a contrast between them and the Government of Dr Rufus Ewing,” the PNP leader said.

ANY CHANGE?

THIS month gives the PDM, under the leadership of Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, exactly one year since they assumed the reins of government of this territory.

Sweeping to power on a promise of “change”, some are wondering, where is the change?

Others are saying: it is too early to judge as change takes time and they still have three more years in power.

What are your thoughts? Can they get the job done?

All the perks

But of course, there has been change for them.

Meeting prime minister May, first class travel, staying in luxury hotels, attending conferences, presiding over public ceremonies, making statements about what they are going to achieve, being treated as dignitaries, large salaries, perks of the job. What more do you expect?

Perhaps the following sums it up: Following hurricane Irma, the governor and premier made a visit to Salt Cay by helicopter.

Apparently, they didn’t even bother to get out and just flew off again. Job done.

There’s no sign of any job at present. Just masses of illegal immigration and those who should be giving direction running around like headless chickens.

Plenty of committees and consultants though, so we should count our blessings.

Just hope they’re not counting on outsourcing as a saviour; then you really know we are in trouble.

Not forgetting more breaking ground coming your way. Watch out for the next exciting instalment.

Let’s just hope this is all wrong.

Big change

Before the hurricane, they were building public roads and analysing the mess they were left with. The crime wave has reversed.

Then they were hit with the huge hurricanes. They have rounded up donations which will be coming in.

Sharlene is not taking loans she cannot pay or building a private mansion or buying fancy autos and

planes with the people’s money.

There will not be an inquiry or trial and new resorts will prosper.

Those things are a big change.

Travel bugs

Lots of travelling. Does that count as change?

Sour grapes

One fourth of their time has expired.

That is true, but we had two hurricanes, one with record breaking destruction.

Who is questioning this Government? The people who waited 13 years for the prior administration to do something?

They voted for Rufus Ewing and Washington Misick because they expected the private goodie train.

They lost. Now we hear them preaching sour grapes.

Who runs the finances?

The British control. The constitution is more backward than the one JAGS got.

Question: Is it the British controlling the ‘sovereign wealth fund’. Only asking, because at some stage the TCI Government again has to control the financial reins and run the territory honestly and prudently.

A truly F U situation (financially unsatisfactory).

Tell us more

While I do agree it is too early to have a sound view, the PDM Government

needs to be transparent as promised, and make known publicly what they have actually done so far.

To the citizens, if we do not hear or see anything, that translates to us that you are doing nothing.

Sinking ship

There is no change and the ship is sinking for lack of a sail and it is leaking.

This Government has no idea about economics, the civil service and the social needs of the people.

One message I have for the Government is to scrap that public transportation plan as it would not work because of the cultural differences.

Any attempt to regularise it will give route to mass disparity to an already purposeful transport system.

It’s not perfect but meets the socio cultural make up of our community.

Past attempts to get this area organised has failed on the same grounds. We know we police everything poorly, so don’t even go there.

If you want to do something, correct the wrong with the long line at the police record office at Provo.

BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR Want to become a contributor or have a suggestion for a Talk Back topic for us? What questions do you think we should be putting to the public? And what are your thoughts on it?

Call our news team on 946 4664 or email tcweeklynews@gmail.com

December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

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Post hurricane insurance outlay totalled $300m

BY DELANA ISLES THE CHANGING international financial landscape is replete with risks and triggers, says the head of the Financial Services Commission.

He has pointed to the recent hurricanes as one such trigger particularly to insurance companies in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Niguel Streete, managing director of the FSC, informed members attending the commission’s annual general meeting on December 8 of the outlays of many insurers in the territory following the damages wrought by the two devastating hurricanes in September.

Prefacing his presentation on the pay-outs insurers have had to make to residents and businesses in the territory, Streete outlined that financial service providers today have to contend with a litany of previously unimaginable and unanticipated downside risks arising from their growing reliance on technology.

These, he said, include cyber threats, malware, the threat of hacking, denial of service and unauthorised publication of information for political or ideological purposes as was seen with the now infamous Panama and Paradise Papers.

He said that in the current climate of fast paced transmission of information on social media, banks face the threat of runs on

their liquidity when information, whether accurate or not, becomes more difficult to confirm, contain and manage.

Changes also emanate from regulation driven by the need to continually align risks and controls, he said, this is evident in the new standards being promulgated on loss provisioning, capital adequacy, liquidity risk management, country risk assessment, exchange of information and more.

The director noted that the common objective of these standards is to manage and monitor risks in financial institutions and markets.

He stated that as if this list of triggers was not enough for the financial sector to contend with, there are other even less predictable changes being driven by natural disasters which have been increasing in frequency and intensity.

“Our recent brushes with hurricanes Irma and Maria in September tested the resilience of our financial institutions primarily our insurers and the capacity of the regulator.

“As at the end of October 2017, the estimated locally insured losses for both hurricanes was just under $300 million, with estimated net retained losses to local insurers of $23.4 million.

“Irma related claims reportedly accounted for more than 95 percent of the insured losses.”

Streete stated that while the commission continues to monitor the development around claim settlements, indications are that reinsurance programmes and reserves were adequate to cover the claims from both hurricanes.

RISK DRIVERS In terms of how the commission intends to address these challenges, Streete said that the question before them now is how to effectively capture the risk drivers in the financial system into their work programme with an emphasis on identifying and leveraging opportunities within this climate of change.

“The TCI should have competitive advantage in the area of flexibility, because of its small size and the maturity or lack thereof of its markets, we have the potential to be nimble.

“The TCI should be able to respond quickly to and take advantage of some of the changes in the international environment; however, this will only be possible if we are able to increase efficiency and contain the natural fear of resistance to change,” the director stated.

Focusing his attention on the theme of the meeting, Streete pointed out that the TCI is a small, open, and developing economy that is working at establishing itself as a premiere financial services centre at a time when financial services centres face intense and growing scrutiny.

He said that this is also a time when many developed countries are retreating into nationalistic and protectionist posture, as such, the challenges now faced are greater than ever.

“Even though most of the challenges affecting the financial services system and regulations in the TCI are driven by factors outside the TCI, this does not diminish the need for us to respond quickly and effectively to these changes.

“Accordingly, in crafting its work programme for the years ahead the commission is conscious of the following factors internally and externally which can have an impact on its activities.”

CHALLENGES These factors are geopolitical, economic, technological and regulatory.

He noted that the geopolitical factors currently driving the change in the financial services sector include but are not limited to terrorism, refugees and migration, human trafficking, arms trafficking, and international sanctions among others.

These factors have given rise to increases in AML CFD standards and an increase in the common phenomenon of de-risking and the link between cause and effect of these measures are not always immediately apparent.

He pointed out that the

categorising of St Vincent and the Grenadines in the international media as a tax haven on the heels of Paul Manafort’s indictment in the United States as part of an investigation into US election meddling by Russia, is one such convoluted example.

He said that changes in the financial system are also often driven by economic imperatives within the developed markets and economy.

Outlining that the 2009 global financial crisis for example triggered capital flight, loss of tax revenue and consequently increases in fiscal deficit within a number of developed economies.

Streete said that the conflation of these factors no doubt inspired the current wave of initiatives like FATCA, CRS, beneficial ownership registers, and the general rise in tax transparency initiatives championed by the global forum.

“It is quietly that we will see other changes impacting financial markets and systems as the United States reforms its tax code and pursues further deregulation and protectionist measures.

“Technology is one of the greatest change agents, but like many others, holds as much potential for harm as it does for good.

“Technological advancements have increased everyone’s access, including bad actors to the financial system and have revolutionised product and service delivery.”

AG seeks to clarify governor’s statutory body oversight

BY DELANA ISLES ATTORNEY General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles has offered what she deems a ‘clarification’ on the Government’s legislative proposal to grant the governor oversight over statutory bodies in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

During a House of Assembly meeting on Monday (December 18), the attorney general on the instruction of the premier, told members of the House that the proposed bill to amend the Public Finance Management Ordinance actually seeks to “strengthen the role of government over statutory bodies”.

In her brief and perplexing explanation to a bill that was not up for discussion in the Assembly at that particular time, or since, Knowles stated that contrary to information that the amendments remove the minister of finance and the permanent secretary from oversight over these organisations, the Constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands states that

the governor would have to consult with the Cabinet at all times.

However, in clear contrast to the AG’s claims, the proposed bill explicitly takes the powers conferred on to the minister and permanent secretary of finance and hands it entirely over to the governor.

It must be noted that the constitution also grants the governor oversight over the entire Cabinet as he is the president, as such he is vested with the ability to approve any line item proposed by the Government.

While he is required to consult and listen to the Cabinet members, as president he is the one who makes the final decision.

The proposed amendment to Section 40 of the Public Finance Ordinance looks at the management of funds of statutory bodies.

The ordinance already grants the power to the governor to remove the board of a statutory body and replace them with a new board if found in contravention of the law, but the process and management of

Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles

said bodies before and after such an action is taken is granted to the minister of finance in the ordinance.

All of these functions are now proposed to be granted to the Governor.

Here’s a recap of the proposed changes as published in the December 16 to 22, 2017 issue of the Weekly News: The proposed amendment seeks to replace subsection (2) and substituting the following “(2) notwithstanding anything to the

contrary contained in any other Ordinance establishing a statutory body – “(a) where the board of a statutory body is found to be in contravention of this Ordinance or any other law, the Governor may remove the members of the board from office and appoint a new board: “(b) where it appears to the Governor on reasonable grounds that the financial viability of a statutory body is at risk or poses systemic risks to the public finances, the Governor may do any or all of the following – (i) appoint a person, as examiner, to examine the financial affairs of the statutory body; “(ii) Remove the members of the board of such statutory body from office and appoint a new board or a person to take over the management of that statutory; and by inserting after subsection 2 the following subsections – “(2A) an examiner appointed under subsection (2) (b) (i) shall upon the conclusion of the examination report his opinion to the Governor in

writing. “(2B) The Governor may give directions to the examiner concerning any one or more of the following – the scope of the examination; the period of the conduct of the examination and the manner in which the examiner shall report to the Governor.”

This examiner will thereby be able request in writing the delivery to him of records, accounts and property of the statutory body and may make such request of a member, staff or agent of the statutory body, including its attorneys, accountants and bankers, and it shall be the duty of any person who receives such a request to comply with it as soon as reasonably practicable.

The examiner, will also be authorised to take over the management of the statutory body, shall, during the period of his appointment, have full responsibility for all of the functions of the board of the body and for its day to day CONTINUED 

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December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

‘Well down the road of recovery’ – Christms message by Governor John Freeman 2017 has been more eventful for the Turks and Caicos Islands than any of us could have anticipated last December.

Every year poses challenges for us as individuals and as families, but 2017 has posed challenges for us as a community.

Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused great damage and great hurt to the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as to other parts of the Caribbean to which we are linked in so many ways.

Though much progress has been made already, the process of recovery from the hurricanes is still underway.

I have seen the damage and continuing hurt, caused to many people throughout the Islands.

And though all parts of the Islands suffered to a greater or lesser degree, Grand Turk and Salt Cay and South Caicos still have especially evident

Governor John Freeman

and continuing problems.

We speak of the family islands and indeed that is what they are and they deserve continuing support as they work towards full recovery.

As well as the damage done,

I have seen the positives. The forbearance and resilience of all who live in these Islands has been amply demonstrated.

The pulling together at a time of challenge for everyone which witnessed to a true sense of community.

The support from the UK military and our friends in Bermuda and Cayman and from the wider international community.

The determination of individuals and families, of businesses and

– Christmas message by Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson

Living the gentle life

BY OLIVER MILLS

Oliver Mills is a former lecturer in education at the UWI Mona Campus. He holds a BA (Hons.) UWI, an M.Ed. Dalhousie Univ., an MA University of London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in HRM and Training, Leicester Univ.

When we notice and acknowledge others, their faces brighten and they return our overtures in a way that confirms their appreciation of our presence.

Kindness therefore begets kindness, with gentleness as its origin. We then become better persons, living better lives. And our desire to help takes on an expanded quest.

If we are a member of a group selecting persons for study awards or grants, we do so on the merits and give every person their due, because those we help today will save our lives tomorrow.

We must be careful then to make helpful choices so that we and our siblings will benefit positively from them.

If we do not make helpful choices, we will find that what we deny to others comes back to haunt us and

and all of us should celebrate that fact.

2017 has brought troubles but it has also brought blessings. As we head into 2018 we are a stronger community and we should set ourselves to become, together, an even stronger community: looking out for each other, caring for the common good.

My wife joins me in wishing everyone in these Islands a holy and blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

‘The promise of a new beginning’

MILLS MUSES

THE GENTLE life is one of awareness, kindness, helpfulness and recognition. It is the life that opens us up and reminds us of what is good and sacred.

When we live with gentleness, gladness replaces sadness and we come to realise that the gentle life is what we were meant to live and how we were meant to be.

When we live a life of awareness we become conscious of the things around us we never thought existed and see things more clearly.

The ordinary becomes extraordinary, we value others more deeply and realise we are kindred spirits.

We then share each other’s aspirations and lift each other up as we climb. We also have a new appreciation of nature, touch the trees as we walk by and admire the animals and other creatures we come into contact with as we explore our earth inheritance more keenly.

Awareness causes us to see that everything is beautiful and has a purpose.

Because we are more aware, our natural kindness unfolds. We feel the need to want to help in different ways, to inspire others and to say a kind hello to those we meet on our life’s path.

service providers, to lift themselves up as quickly as possible.

The wonderful spirit of young people as students got back to schools and colleges, intent on not losing out on their learning.

The achievements of the hotels and tourism sector in getting out the message that Turks and Caicos has made itself ready to welcome back visitors to these shores. I could say more; for the examples are many.

The Turks and Caicos Islands are now well down the road of recovery

those related to us for generations to come.

Helpfulness brings good karma. Being unhelpful means we will be denied what we ourselves want most.

When we recognise others, we are recognised in return.

Recognition comes from being kind and kindness and gentleness are divine attributes.

When we live the gentle life, stress and uncertainty disappear.

Our wants and needs come with little effort, our health is enriched and our life takes on new dimensions.

Living the gentle life is what we are here for and what we came to do. It makes us more human and our very presence brings hope and good cheer to others.

Is this not what the Christmas season is all about?

MY FELLOW Turks and Caicos Islanders, as we gather with our friends, families and loved ones to celebrate the momentous occasion of the birth of our Lord, let us be ever mindful of the renewed hope that it signified.

As we reflect on the true meaning of this annual celebration we are reminded of the promise of a new beginning.

Let this renewed hope fortify our faith and form the foundation for optimism for the year ahead.

In the spirit of the season let us endeavour to mirror Christ by showing kindness to our neighbours, demonstrating endurance through our trials, showing compassion to the less fortunate, being selfless towards those we love and honouring the most high with our gratitude and praises.

In the face of the immense obstacles that we have overcome, individually and collectively over the past year, this Christmas season is one in which we have much to be thankful for.

As leader of this great nation, I am reminded of the challenges we face toward progress; but I am bolstered

Premier Sharlene Cartwright Robinson

by your prayers, well wishes, my love of country and to emulate the servant’s heart of our Lord and Saviour.

I extend thanks to all within the Public and private sector and wider community who contribute to the growth and success of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

On behalf of the Government of this great nation, I extend joyous greetings and warm wishes to all within the length and breadth of this beautiful by nature archipelago for a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

May God continue to bless the Turks and Caicos Islands.

We welcome letters from all members of the public on a variety of topics Please note that all submissions are subject to editing in keeping with defamation laws and newspaper style. Letters should be accompanied by the author’s full name, location and phone number. Names will be withheld if requested.

Send letters to tcweeklynews@gmail.com

December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

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‘Spread goodwill Former premier bemoans and good cheer’ slow recovery of Islands – Christmas message by Leader of the Opposition Washington Misick THE BIRTH of Christ should be a time of consecrated celebration to all who believe the miracle of salvation made possible by his immaculate birth.

In appearing to the shepherds the night of Jesus’ birth the angel said: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11.

It is right that we should rejoice in the redemptive opportunity Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection provide.

It was never intended that the birth of Christ should be an opportunity for commercial exploitation, unnecessary expenditure and excessive revelry all of which bring self-inflicted consequences when the festivities are over.

In his sermon on the mount which contains the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer, he speaks to us of prayer, justice, care for the needy, religion, family life, fasting, judging other people, salvation, and much more.

He appeals to us to engage in selfless love for our fellowmen, to forgive that we may be forgiven.

The recent devastating storms

BY OLIVIA ROSE

Leader of PNP Washington Misick

have left many hurting in diverse ways.

My appeal is that we should all show compassion at this special time of the year in as much as to do so will spread goodwill and good cheer, but more importantly, in the spirit of the ultimate giver let us love our neighbours as ourselves by practical demonstration of that love through giving, whether it be material, moral or psychological support.

May God bless us all and may he continue to bless our Turks and Caicos Islands.

A very merry Christmas to all, and a healthy and prosperous New Year!

AG seeks to clarify ...

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management; every officer and staff, including its attorneys, accountants and bankers shall provide him with all assistance he may reasonably require.

The proposed bill also outlines that any person who wilfully obstructs, by an act or omission, the exercise of the powers conferred under these sections, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $5,000.

Back in February, Cabinet had started discussions on reviewing how appointments were to be made to statutory bodies in the future, but no additional details were given on these discussions.

In 2002, a report funded by the European Union and compiled by ACE International Consulting, in its preliminary findings found that statutory boards in the Turks and Caicos Islands are wasting money, refusing to submit proper and timely financial statements and they are putting the territory’s

– Says Government is either inept of ignorant of its power

finances at risk.

That report was titled: Preliminary assessment of the public finance management and of the economic situation in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The report criticised wasteful expenditure among the statutory boards.

It stated that repeated questions have been raised about the accounting arrangements, employment policies and cost controls of many of these bodies, some of whose operations notably TC Invest (now defunct) represent a significant fiscal risk to the Government.

Adding that no steps have yet been taken to establish consistent monitoring of these bodies, a number of which are several years late in presenting annual financial statements.

But it has been agreed that the CEO’s Office should take on this responsibility and recruit appropriately qualified staff to meet it.

FORMER Premier Rufus Ewing said the Sharlene Cartwright Robinson led administration is either weak, incompetent or is ignorant of the authority and power that it has.

Ewing made these remarks in a strongly worded statement a few days shy of the Government’s one year anniversary.

He spoke of its approach to the territory’s rebuilding and recovery process after the hurricanes, and stressed that the slow pace of recovery on some islands is unsatisfactory.

Almost three months after the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria, some students are still displaced and public offices are still non-operational, he said.

“I cannot understand why we have to wait so long for our children to get into permanent classrooms and public officers to get back to Grand Turk or into their healthy workplaces.

“It has now been over 90 days since the passage of the two devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria, and while the Turks and Caicos Islands is open for business in our main economic sector of tourism mainly on the Island of Providenciales, the rest of the Turks and Caicos Islands remains unrecovered, both in the public sector and private sector.

“The pace of recovery in these Islands is unacceptably slow as measured by the return to normalcy of essential and public services particularly in the harder hit islands of our capital Grand Turk and the islands of South Caicos and Salt Cay. “Also unacceptably slow is the pace at which our residents are struggling to return to normalcy as they seek shelter with a water proof roof over their heads.”

Ewing further criticised the Government for taking a bureaucratic route to the territory’s recovery process.

Ewing criticised the Government’s move to go to the House of Assembly for a supplementary budget instead of approving a contingency warrant that would allow for the use of excess expenditure the day after the hurricane on a case by case assessment basis.

This he said proves the Government’s ineptitude.

“What could have or should have been done to speed up the recovery process?

“Much more could have been done to allow our people to face Christmas with hope and a peace of mind, but I would only focus on one action at this time.

“I know all too well that within the framework of the Turks and

South Caicos still in ruins three months after two major hurricanes

Former Premier Rufus Ewing

Caicos Constitution, executive action from Cabinet is derived from the consensus of all members of cabinet both elected and non-elected.

“But despite these actions requiring the approval of the governor, His Excellency must approve unless there is violation of governance principles or the matter is one which is the absolute responsibility of the governor such as internal security, defence, foreign affairs and the public service.

“The execution of policies with financial implications that fall outside of the absolute responsibility of the governor is the prerogative of the elected government.”

TIED HANDS Ewing explained that the hands of the government are not tied in times of emergencies or when there is an urgent need to execute policies of public good for which a government was elected.

“The exception to this rule was when there was a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who had powers to veto the decision of cabinet members and prevent expenditure on policies that he thought were not in the best financial interest of the Government.

“Several clear examples of his disregard for the best interest and social good of our people can be referenced during his tenure in office.

“But there is no more CFO! And there no longer exists a need

for hands to be tied where our duly elected government has the emergent need to execute policies such as returning to normalcy essential and public services after two devastating hurricanes.”

He informed that access to the contingency fund (emergency fund) for the purpose of recovery of the Islands, in particular essential and public services rests solely in the hands of the minister of finance and not even Cabinet.

According to Section 118 (1) of the Turks and Caicos Constitution and Section 7 of the Public Finance Management states: “The minister (finance), if he or she is satisfied that there is an urgent and unforeseen need for expenditure for which no provision has been made by an Appropriation Ordinance or a Supplementary Appropriation Ordinance may, by a Contingencies Warrant under his or her hand and in anticipation of the grant of an appropriation by the legislature, authorise an advance from the Consolidated Fund to meet that need and shall forthwith report his or her action to the Cabinet.”

Ewing questioned whether the Government considers the repairs to schools, clinics, government offices and clean-up programmes to remove hazards and public health threats, an emergency.

He said: “If they are considered emergency, then a Contingency Warrant should have been issued to access funds from the Consolidated Fund to expedite recovery of these Islands without having to obtain cabinet approval or much less await a sitting of the House of Assembly.

“If the argument why this was not done was that the Governor refused the approval of the warrant by the Minister of Finance, then this matter should have been brought before Cabinet for consensus and approval.

“If the argument was that an insufficient amount was budgeted CONTINUED 

11

10 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

Supreme Court wraps up for 2017 Court reports by Delana Isles PRICE CLUB ROBBERS FOR SENTENCING IN FEBRUARY ON WEDNESDAY, December 20, the Supreme Court in Grand Turk wrapped up its cases and sentencing hearings for the year with a packed schedule.

In one case, the two Dominican men, Nelson Luciano and Tito Reyes, who pleaded guilty to robbery of the old Price Club in Providenciales will now be sentenced on February 2, 2018.

The sentencing was adjourned after the defence attorneys - Noel Skippings for Luciano and Finbar Grant for Reyes - requested time for a pre-sentencing report to the submitted to the chief justice.

The request was granted.

ACCUSED JITNEY ROBBER ADMITS TO BANDITRY In another matter, Elvis Smith, one of the two men arrested and remanded for four counts of robberies of several jitney drivers earlier this year, has pleaded guilty to all charges including wounding of one of the jitney drivers.

He is to be sentenced to a date to be scheduled early in the new year.

MURDER AND CONSPIRACY TRIALS ADJOURNED A court hearing for Carlos Pena, one of the men charged earlier this

year with the murder of well-known business man Gary Mead, was adjourned until next year as he was unrepresented by legal counsel.

Pena was previously represented by attorney at law Ashwood Forbes, but when the case came up for hearing this week, Forbes was not present.

Pena is charged along with three others in the September 30 murder of the business man in the parking lot of the Slots-O-Fun casino, on Airport Road, Providenciales.

Alexander Cuesta, who is charged with conspiracy in relation to the murder of Gary Mead, had his trial adjourned to next year after a submission by his attorney Noel Skippings was granted by the judge.

Cuesta is charged with conspiracy to rob and other firearm related charges in relation to Mead’s murder.

ADMITTED ROBBER TO STAND RAPE TRIAL IN 2018 Steve Remy Gardiner, who pleaded guilty several months ago to two counts of robberies, has now pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape.

Despite his guilty plea, Gardiner has not been sentenced for the robberies as his lawyer Finbar Grant, the Crown prosecutor and the court agreed to postpone the sentencing until the conclusion of the rape trial.

That trial is set for a date to be

announced in 2018.

AGGRESSIVE ROBBER BEATEN BY HIS VICTIMS WILL STAND TRIAL IN 2018 Rashard Stubbs, who is charged with robbery, has been bonded over for trial in 2018 in the Supreme Court.

Stubbs is alleged to have used a firearm to rob a casino in The Bight, Providenciales, before being held down in the business place and beaten by the owners and patrons.

Reports are that the accused left his (alleged) firearm in the casino while making good his escape from his would be victims and captors.

He is also charged with wounding.

The court information is that while attempting to escape as he was being held down, Stubbs bit off a female customer’s finger and spat it out on to the ground.

He was then able to make good his escape.

Police subsequently arrested the alleged bandit the following day as he was attending his trial on separate firearm and cocaine possession charges.

Stubbs has since been sentenced to five years imprisonment for the firearm and cocaine possession charges, and is officially on remand for the robbery and biting charges.

He is set to stand trial on those two charges sometime around the upcoming Easter season.

KENTLEY WALTERS'

TCI partners with Signature Travel Network

BY DAISY HANDFIELD THE GOVERNMENT has recently partnered with Signature Travel Network, one of the largest travel networks in the world, to promote the TCI brand internationally.

Director of the TCI Tourist Board, Ramone Andrews made the announcement on Monday (December 11).

According to Andrews, the latest partnership will enable the TCI to reach a larger travel market – particularly in the United States.

“So, what this does for us is that it gives us access to the west coast as well as the east coast.

“We are not just going to be meeting with travel agents when we sit down and have a conversation now, we are going to be meeting with travel agencies, which means that one person will be representing [the TCI].

“That means that that one

Director of the TCI Tourist Board Ramone Andrews

person will then take that information back to the travel agencies, which then makes the approach and the work for the Tourist Board much easier,” Andrews said.

According to the director of the Tourist Board, the TCI has an extremely weak presence on the west coast of the United States.

He said: “It is all about strategy moving forward. Us partnering with these luxury tour operators and these luxury partners and allowing them to work with us and spread our message will allow the cycle goes on, even if

we are based in Turks and Caicos.

“So we don’t physically have to be there now to get a lot of things done, because we will have partnerships and voices in the market that will continue to push brand Turks and Caicos.”

The director said that this partnership is something that the Tourist Board has been working on for 10 to 11 months now, so he was really excited that everything has been finalised.

He said: “If we continue on this track of quality and not quantity, we will always be able to demand a higher daily room rate, which will put less of a footprint and less of an impact on our environment.

“Now, of course you have to push harder in the market because you are pushing for more, but at the same time, in the long distance race, it is going to pay off.”

Signature Travel Network is a cooperative travel network in the United States, consisting of about 188 travel companies in more than 310 locations in 29 states.

ALLEGED KILLER ARRESTED FOR BAIL VIOLATIONS Manslaughter accused Lorvinsky Joseph, who was granted bail several months ago along with his four codefendants, has violated his bail conditions.

He has since been remanded to Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk to await his trial in 2018.

Joseph is charged with manslaughter for the killing of Blue Hills 19-year-old Kentley Walters at what used to be Club 2005 on Five Cays road in Providenciales, on December 27, 2014.

Bail for his other co-defendants has since been extended.

NORTH CAICOS YOUTH FOR ROBBERY TRIAL IN NEW

YEAR Seventeen-year-old Devano Handfield of North Caicos has been remanded to prison on a charge of robbery.

His pre-trial hearing was this week adjourned until 2018.

Among the offences he is charged with, Handfield is alleged to have robbed a convenience store at the end of the South Dock road in Providenciales earlier this year.

DOMINIC SWANN’S TRIAL ADJOURNED TO 2018 Dominic Swann, the brother of the deputy governor, who has been charged in a firearms related matter, will now stand trial early in the new year.

When the matter came up in the Grand Turk Supreme Court this past week, the judge adjourned the trial to a later date.

Trials for alleged corrupt cops adjourned to 2018 ON MONDAY two officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) appeared in Providenciales Supreme Court on corruption related charges.

Both Clary Morency and George Chambers had their trials adjourned until 2018 when they attended court.

Morency is charged in connection with the Sunny Foods robbery, in which three other accused have since been tried and convicted to ten years’ imprisonment each.

The trio, all of whom are of Haitian descent, were charged with conspiracy to rob.

Morency is being represented by

attorney at law Oliver Smith.

The other alleged corrupt cop is George Chambers, who is being represented by attorney Keith James.

Chambers was arrested on July 5 and charged along with an immigration officer following investigations of corruption by the Integrity Commission.

Chambers is charged with three counts of corruption offences contrary to the Integrity Commission Ordinance and was granted bail.

The arrests come on the heels of joint investigations between the commission and the RTCIPF early in 2017.

Kevino Smith’s alleged killers for trial next Easter ON MONDAY (December 18) Conrad Thomas and Larmar Griffiths, the two men charged with the murder of Grand Turk resident Kevino ‘Bah’ Smith, were bonded over for trial in 2018.

When Thomas and Griffiths reported to the Providenciales Supreme Court for the first time since being granted bail earlier this year, their separate bails were extended until their trial around the Easter season of the new year.

The defendants were also ordered to continue to remain in Providenciales and not to go to Grand Turk until the trial is over.

Smith’s dismembered body was discovered discarded among some bushes after what police have described as a gruesome killing, some three years ago.

Back in August the men were

finally released after their initial $15,000 bail with an additional surety of $10,000, was reduced and subsequently paid.

They were each released on $3,000 and $6,000 bail, with a $10,000 surety.

Three years ago, 25-year-old Smith went missing after a reported heated confrontation.

Shortly after his disappearance in late April 2015 dismembered remains were found in Breezy Brae, Grand Turk following an aggressive police search.

The remains were later confirmed to be that of Smith.

Since then, Smith’s family, especially his mother Patsy Smith, have been highly critical of the handling of the investigation by police calling for long awaited justice for her deceased son.

December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Slush funds Dear Editor, The Turks and Caicos Islands judiciary is 99.9 percent foreigners.

The top brass in that department is hell bent on nickel and diming TCI loyal attorneys but wants to make every effort to see expats and SIPT lawyers drain this territory of it scarce resources.

One of the SIPT lawyers who is here on limited admission was hand-picked to be a lead counsel in the double murder case of two Dominican ladies.

We are aware how much SIPT QCs are making, we are aware how much the local instructing counsel is making.

The alarming part about this is even the local instructing counsel doesn’t know how much the man he is supposed to be instructing is

making.

We are tax payers and we should know how much of our tax payers’ dollars are being paid to this hand-picked counsel. Not even his counsel knows!

What’s the secret?

Now I know there will be talk and those of you who know me know I don’t mince my words and I couldn’t care less.

At the end of the day I will remain here in the TCI. You all pretend to guard tax payers’ money when it comes to paying TC Islanders, not when it comes to paying foreigners.

TCI money is handled like slush funds.

Ashwood Forbes, Attorney at law

NEWS 11

Stacy Cox is TCHTA’s new CEO

BY OLIVIA ROSE VETERAN tourism industry professional, Stacy Cox is the new chief executive officer of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA).

The organisation announced Cox’s ascension to the post in a press release earlier this week noting that the transition which occurred in September, formalises much of the responsibility that she had already progressively adopted.

Cox, who is wearing many executive hats this year, was also appointed the president of the Caribbean Society of Hotel Association Executives (CSHAE) in March 2017.

A native of the Bahamas and a citizen of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Cox served as the executive director of TCHTA since September 2011.

She has amassed more than 20 years of hospitality experience in both destinations.

As executive director, she represented the membership of TCHTA on matters affecting the tourism and hospitality industry, both locally and internationally, including advocacy issues and marketing initiatives, which help build a sustainable tourism product through awareness, outreach and educational programmes.

She also serves as the key liaison to the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism

Stacy Cox is the new chief executive officer of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association

Association (CHTA).

Commenting on her new appointment she said: “I’m honoured to receive this promotion and I am excited to lead the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association forward, continuing our efforts to accomplish key objectives on behalf of our members and by extension the destination’s hospitality and tourism industry.”

President of the TCHTA Nikheel Advani said Cox has the aptitude to move the organisation and by extension the territory to the next level.

He said: “Stacy brings that rare combination savvy, sophistication and a forward-looking view of the

industry that we need to succeed.

“A proven advocate who works well with those across the industry, Stacy is more than ready to take the next step in leadership.

“This title change is a natural evolution that recognises Stacy’s successively growing responsibilities here at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association.

“I speak on behalf of the entire association when I say that we look forward to Stacy’s continued service to our members, and in protecting the interests of the broader hospitality and tourism industry.”

Cox began her hospitality career as an activity coordinator in 1991 at what is now the world-famous Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, and quickly moved her way up the ranks, receiving the coveted Cacique award prior to leaving her island home.

In 1997, she moved to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where she held general manager positions at Windsong Resort and Royal West Indies Resort.

Over the years she has volunteered her time to organisations and events such as Youth Explosion, Maskanoo, TCI Shines Clean-up Campaign and TCI Little Chefs.

An advocate of continuing education, she has furthered her own professional development through online courses at Cornell University and the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

Salt Cay’s recovery very slow

Former premier bemoans slow recovery of Islands CONTINUED FROM 

9

in the Contingency Fund and a supplementary budget is necessary, then again, this argument does not hold water as Section 117 of the Constitution allows for Excess Expenditure.

“This is expenditure above and beyond what was budgeted.”

“Is the inaction due to a lack of vision, or lack of ability, a slow learning curve, lack of assertiveness, lack of money or lack of care and concern?

“As Turks and Caicos Islanders I am sure we all care about the well-being of our people, because generally that’s who we are, a caring people, so it must be because of all of the other reasons.

He argued that the Government’s ostensible inaction cannot be due to lack of money, since the Government inherited a territory that was in a position of fiscal surplus one year ago.

“If there is no longer a fiscal surplus then where has all the money gone? Is it that there was wasted expenditure? But on what? Travel? Nothing was done to show where the money

went. “Has revenue dropped significantly due to poor fiscal management and failure to find new revenue streams or expand existing revenue streams? Or was it the hurricanes?

“Historical budgets will show that the majority of government revenue comes in the tourism months November to July/ August.”

He added: “So the questions are where has the money gone?

And why is there much inaction in the recovery of these Islands especially Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos?”

The territory’s former leader suggested that a hurricane occurring in September would severely affect government revenue for that month and going forward but would not immediately erode months and years of surplus.

“Enough excuses, enough is enough! We need real answers and more importantly we need real action.”

He called on the Government to stop making excuses and commit to the task of getting the TCI back on its feet.

Blue Cay Estate with its newly opened canal

Blue Cay Estate celebrates canal opening THE NEWEST residential yachting community in Leeward - The Blue Cay Estate - celebrated the opening of its navigable canal earlier this month.

A pre-Christmas event on Tuesday, December 12, marked the official launch of the new development.

Windward Development Company hosted the celebration in one of its completed luxury homes in the presence of representatives of the Turks and Caicos Government, its buyers and members of the Providenciales real estate and business communities.

Ivor Stanbrook, CEO of Windward Development, said: “We have been developing Blue Cay for the past 24 months and are very pleased with the

progress to date.

“The opening of our canal, which forms the centerpiece of the yachting-focused gated community, is a momentous occasion for us as developers and our owners.”

As a part of the evening function, Windward Development commissioned an artist to create a contemporary Blue Cay art collection to help raise funds for the National Cancer Society of TCI. A massive $10,000 was raised during the event and donated to the charity.

Kyle Smith, director of Windward Development Company, said: “The National Cancer Society is very dear to our hearts, continuously doing much needed work in Turks and Caicos, helping families that are

affected by the disease.

“It’s a very personal cause for us and we are very pleased to be able to donate this significant sum to a great cause raised at a joyful and positive celebration.”

Conceived by the Windward Development Company, Blue Cay is a 16 home estate comprised of 12 canal-front and four ocean-front homes.

Contemporary home designs by the architecture firm Blee Halligan have been crafted to maximise the homeowners’ appreciation for the beautiful flora and fauna surrounding the Leeward Channel and uninhabited cays.

Only three home sites remain available for purchase.

12 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

FSC chairman urges TCI to take advantage of changing technological landscape

BY DELANA ISLES CHAIRMAN of the Financial Services Commission (FSC), Errol Allen has called on the financial leaders in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the rest of the world, to be cognisant of the impact of technology on the sector and to use it as a change agent.

Speaking at the commission’s annual general meeting on Friday, December 8, held at The Palms resort and spa in Providenciales, Allen’s presentation paid keen focus on the theme of the meeting – ‘Leveraging Change’.

In addition to the chairman’s message and those of other key members of the sector locally, conference attendees discussed areas such as responding to international requirements, standards and challenges, and taking advantage of the changes.

First acknowledging the recent hurricanes visited upon the Islands and the rest of the Caribbean, Allen stated that the TCI should be applauded for the recovery work that has been accomplished thus far.

He offered reassurance as to the FSC’s commitment to work along with the industry for the further accomplishments that lie within their authority.

The chairman then pointed to the

ever evolving world of computers and their ability to now better understand the world.

He pointed out that in the next five to ten years, computer software will have the capacity to disrupt most traditional industries.

“In the US, young lawyers are experiencing difficulties with filling jobs within their positions because of IBM Watson where you can get legal advice within seconds with 90 percent accuracy compared with 70 percent accuracy when done by humans.

“With this trend only specialists are likely to remain in the future.”

Expanding on this theme, Allen added: “Uber is just a software tool.

They don’t have cars but they are already the biggest taxi service in the world; Airbnb is now the biggest hotel company in the world although they own no property.

“In 1998 Kodak had 170,000 employees and sold 85 percent of all photo paper worldwide; within a few years this business model disappeared and the company went bankrupt.”

He warned that what happened to Kodak could happen to a lot of industries in the next decade and most people would not see it coming.

“What happened to Kodak could happen to artificial intelligence, health education, automated and

electric cars and others.”

He said that this new wave is being referred to as the fourth industrial revolution.

“The Turks and Caicos must be cognisant of these developments. We may refresh our minds that the fourth industrial revolution took place in the 18th and 19th century in Europe and America.

“The second industrial revolution took place between 1870 and 1914 – technological advances during that period included the telephone, light bulbs and internal combustion engines.

“The third industrial revolution refers to advancement in technologies from analogue to electronic and mechanical devices to digital technology available today.

“This era started in the 1980s and is ongoing.”

He added that the fourth industrial revolution builds on the digital revolution and is marked by emerging technology which includes robotics and artificial intelligence, quantum computing, bio technology, 3D printing and autonomous vehicles.

It has also provided opportunities to improve human communication and conflict resolution.

“There is an app called Moodies which can already tell the mood that you are in and in 2020 it is predicted

that there will be an app which can determine facial expressions whether you’re being truthful or otherwise.”

FINTECH Turning his attention to technological advancements in terms of the financial sector, the FSC chairman pointed to fintech, a new technology and innovation that aims to compete with traditional financial methods in the delivery of financial services.

He noted that Fintech can be construed as a leveraging agent for change in the financial sector, explaining that its aim is towards providing financial services by making use of software and modern technology.

Today, fintech companies compete directly with the banks in most areas of the financial sector to sell services and solutions to a range of consumers, the chairman said.

He added that due mostly to regulatory reasons and their own internal structures, banks still struggle to keep up with the new market interests in terms of information and speed of information.

Fintech has realised quite early that financial services of all kinds including money transfers, lending and investing need to seamlessly integrate into the lives of sophisticated customers of today in order to stay relevant in the world

where business and private interests are increasing digitised, Allen said.

He related that in November 2016, the monetary authority of Singapore organised the country’s first fintech festival, recognising that this umbrella term covers companies that focus on a broad spectrum of new technologies such as new forms of payments such as mobile, global, online commerce as well as many other attractions for business.

“Banks for a long time have held sway as the single point of contact for every conceivable financial need, but with the rise of fintech businesses have changed the financial landscape to the point where more and more consumers are prepared to seek out specialist providers for specialist needs.”

He noted that one element of change is that banks who were inclined to be wary of this new type of competition from fintech providers are increasingly adopting to more collaborative approaches seeking to work with fintech providers for the benefit of all concerned.

“One may ask what are the benefits to be gained by leveraging fintech.

“Clearly in evolving financial services environment small and medium sized entities with global CONTINUED 

COMMENTARY

Taxing issues RIGHT now, taxation reform in the USA is a major issue.

We have heard the arguments.

Listening to the USA speakers indicates who speaks truth and who does not.

Those giving hard facts speak truth. Those speaking negative scare tactics, are telling lies.

What are they scared of?

The Turks and Caicos Islands needs tax reform as well. While our economy is different from our big USA neighbour the principles driving taxation are the same.

In the USA, one party believes in lower tax rates. Lower taxes are reasons, incentives to work and to invest in a business.

Money is raised, invested, put to work and employment goes up. Workers then keep more of their earnings. More jobs bring the government more taxes at the

BY DAVID TAPFER

David is a retired mobile hydraulic engineer and business executive. He has been married to Middle Caicos native Yvette Robinson Tapfer for 27 years and has lived in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, since 2002. David formerly served as branch chairman of the PDM from 2008 to 2011

lower rates. It is called capitalism.

The other USA party believes a large portion of the country’s earnings needs to flow to the government via higher and higher taxes.

That party will then pass out the country’s wealth to the citizens according to their party’s decisions.

Where does this end? Will that party decide what style and colour clothes citizens should wear? That would be more efficient! It is called socialism.

The truth lies somewhere in between. We must not punish (tax) incentive. However certain needs are the government’s business.

Defence, border protection, public education, roads and bridges, police protection against criminals.

TCI’s customs duty is counter incentive. Charging 45 percent duty for a vehicle or $1.50 a gallon for fuel discourages transportation.

Huge fees for business licences

for local business people are counter incentive. If we reduce or eliminate customs duty people will import the things that make life better.

Clothing, building materials, entertainment, communication and transportation equipment could be duty free. Low licence fees encourage local business.

Further we need to support those foreign investors that are willing to invest millions of dollars in our country setting up resorts for tourism.

However, investors must train and employ our people, management and workers. In the long run that will benefit both investors and our people.

Our utilities, electricity, phone and fuel sources need to have a large portion of their corporate stock held by our collective ownership, government. Then our public can derive benefits from the profits earned by these monopolies.

Why tax our visitors? When visitors arrive, they use our airport, our roads and bridges and infrastructure.

They are using our natural resources. Our Beautiful by Nature. They enjoy our reefs, catching and consuming our fish, conch and lobster.

We have a National Trust which we must support because it will preserve our natural resources.

We also need to recognise that our historical sites are worth visiting. We take them for granted but visitors find them interesting.

The governments in the TCI or the USA must not become a source of wealth for government leaders and certain supporters.

The Government top to bottom is after all, working for us, They are, civil service.

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NEWS 17

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

FSC promises enhanced regulatory and legislative oversight in 2018

BY DELANA ISLES WITH an emphasis on financial sector stability, the Financial Services Commission has outlined its strategic plans and operational priorities for the New Year and beyond.

At the FSC’s annual general meeting held on Friday, December 8, managing director Niguel Streete preempted his presentation by informing attendees at the interactive session that the FSC is always willing and ready to listen, and that even where agreement cannot be reached, there is respectful consultation.

He stated the issue of improved efficiency continues to be a key driver of the commission’s work programme, and is being addressed on a number of fronts including through increased training for staff, the standardisation of processes, the automation of processes, the reorganisation of departments, the streamlining of reporting lines and

the issuance of guidance to the industry.

“Our emphasis last year on the international insurance sector resulted in the establishment of an industry related working group, agreement on legislative changes, training for staff, attendance and participation in international industry events, standardisation of the application process and continued reduction in the turnaround time for the processing of applications.

“The commission is committed in its drive to continue efficiencies into 2018.”

Still on the theme of operational efficiency, Streete said that the commission will launch key aspects of its care registry systems by March 2018.

“While I recognise that there might be some scepticism around this timeline this is a hard deadline.”

Given that there are a number of other factors internally and externally which are dependent on

FSC chairman urges TCI to take advantage of ...

CONTINUED FROM 

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aspirations can take advantage of fintech’s advancements to improve their own competitiveness since much of the innovation has to do with increasing the options for driving business and for supporting a range of financial transactions.”

He added that increased competition will overtime produce costs, the newer fintech companies may not allow themselves to be slowed down by what they regard as a cumbersome procedure system where they can implement automated processes that lower the cost of doing business for SMMEs. Some fintech organisations may well leverage technology that provide greater efficiency insofar as cross border payments than currently exists within the traditional financial processes.

The chairman added that one of the growing concerns expressed is that fintech may well have its downside, but that this also depends on the regulatory environment in which it operates.

He said that in Singapore the SME’s can draw confidence from

the country’s strong regulatory regime and may be inspired by the manner in which the fintech companies they work with are regulated by the managing authority of Singapore.

Equally important, the chairman added, is that they are able to meet stringent requirements which are stipulated in the international environment.

He said: “It is interesting to note that the Singapore fintech festival was supported by banks which would seem to suggest a recognition that the entire financial system can benefit from the financial technology.

“Indeed, it is reassuring to note that fintech companies often collaborate with many different banks in order to provide their services.”

Allen pointed out that there are a number of changes that can be observed from the way people receive and use financial services.

“Technology has so far made it possible to accelerate the pace and volume of transactions, but it has not been transferred in terms of the relationship between the bank and the customer.”

the electronic registry system being in place, he stated that one such factor is the coming into effect of the Companies Ordinance in the first quarter of 2018.

And the fact that during the transition period the registry will be called upon to administer two companies ordinances – the new ordinance for companies established acts after the effective date and the old ordinance for companies that have not transferred to the new ordinance.

Streete said that the registry is prepared for the launch of beneficial owners register with the coming into effect of the new companies’ ordinance.

He further outlined that given the commission’s increasing reliance on technology especially in the companies’ registry, for the beneficial owners’ registry and for video conferencing, they have already commenced work to identify a suitably qualified firm to conduct penetrative testing on the commission’s IT platform, which will be conducted early in the new year.

The commission also has plans to reorganise its regulatory departments and reporting lines.

The planned consolidation of activities and reorganisation will lead to the discontinuation of one department and a greater alignment of risk with responsible departments.

The managing director said that this should also result in less duplication of efforts both internally and on the part of licensing.

“Transparency is another critical issue which is here to stay and while at times we might feel put upon by what we might perceive as double standards and unfair requirements by the international communities and standard setting bodies, this is the reality and the new paradigm and there is no avoiding,” he said.

Accordingly, the commission will continue to work at increasing transparency in its operations and work with licensee to do likewise.

This will be reflected in more consultation and disclosure of information on the work of the commission on its work site and through interaction with the public.

KEY FEATURE On the regulatory side, Streete noted that risk based supervision continues to be a key feature of the commission’s work programme.

“The internal work undertaken this year on refining the commission’s risk based supervisory framework will be reflected in next year’s work programme, including the commission’s engagement with licensees.

“We seek your support in the

role out of this programme as we recognise that it is resource intensive on the front end for the commission and the licensees, but it is expected to achieve long term benefits through a better alignment of risks and regulatory efforts.

“This alignment will also result in lower regulatory burden for some licensees.”

He added that work will continue on enhancing the prudential regulation of mutual funds and investment dealers, and that to date the emphasis of their regulation of this sector has been on AMF CFD. During 2018 this will be gradually expanded to include more risk based prudential supervision around safety and soundness.

He said there is also work ongoing on changes to the principal legislation, and this work will form part of the commission’s consultation with the affected stakeholders.

The work being done currently at the national, sector and institutional levels in monitoring, managing and supervising the AML CFD risks will continue in 2018.

He said this is in keeping with the recognition that for small financial services centres like the TCI its reputation is an invaluable asset.

Preparation for the pending CFATF review of the TCI will also accelerate in 2018 – this will include legislative amendments and additional regulatory engagements with licensees to access their AML CFD risk management framework.

In addition to the legislative changes, the following bills and regulations are earmarked for finalisation or passage during 2018 - the new Banking Ordinance and Regulations, the Domestic Insurance Ordinance (passed but not in force as yet), the Domestic Insurance Ordinance regulations the International Insurance Ordinance,

Credit Union Regulations, the Companies Ordinance (only to be issued), and the Insolvency Ordinance (nearing completion).

Streete stated that these bills and regulations are in direct response to some of the changes impacting the financial industry and an attempt to leverage those changes.

On a more structural note the commission is responsible for regulation, while the ministry of finance is responsible for economic development, however with the absence of a central bank there is no single agency with responsibility for macro credentials stability.

The managing director said that the commission sees this as a risk to financial sector stability and accordingly has commenced research in collaboration with CARTAC (a technical assistance arm of the IMF) on an appropriate macro credential framework for a jurisdiction such as the TCI. He added that this work will be shared with the ministry of finance for agreement and the development of an appropriate framework.

The commission is also developing a risk management framework again with assessment from the IMF’s technical assistance to address distress institutions and sectors.

He said that while the current emphasis of this framework is on the internal mechanisms in place for dealing with a crisis and the tools available to the commission, this plan would also require input from the ministry of finance and the governor’s office on the roles and responsibilities of these agencies in responding to a systemic financial crisis.

The commission will also engage with industry bodies and associations on the development of this framework.

We welcome letters from all members of the public on a variety of topics Please note that all submissions are subject to editing in keeping with defamation laws and newspaper style. Letters should be accompanied by the author’s full name, location and phone number. Names will be withheld if requested.

Send letters to tcweeklynews@gmail.com

18 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

Beaches hosts executive luncheon to celebrate reopening BEACHES Turks and Caicos held a luncheon recently to share the story of how the all-inclusive resort recovered after hurricanes Irma and Maria.

Local politicians and stakeholders joined chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Gordon Butch Stewart, at Key West Village on Friday (December 15).

Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness was also a special guest at the event.

The resort officially opened its doors to guests and staff on Thursday, December 14, at 9.30am after a 10 week closure to allow for repairs.

Stewart said: “We know how important vacation time is and so we’re just delighted that Beaches Turks and Caicos is not only reopening its doors ahead of pace, but we’ve introduced some amazing new features making this awardwinning resort better than ever.”

The entire property has been refurbished, driveways repaved, foyers redesigned and rooms

redecorated.

Leading up to the reopening, the training department conducted a three week reorientation exercise for the hotel’s 1,900 employees.

Besides renovations, Beaches TCI has also rolled out new features to its 5-Star Global Gourmet offerings to include Beaches’ first Indian restaurant, Bombay Club, bringing the total number of restaurants to 21.

There are also two brand new food trucks at the waterpark – Mr Mac, serving mac and cheese, and Curls ‘n Swirls for a taste of the island’s most delicious ice cream.

Families will also have the opportunity to take part in new culinary adventures happening every night, such as a fish fry on Wednesdays and weekly beach parties featuring live entertainment and cuisines from around the world.

Additionally, accommodation across all five of the resort’s villages has been improved and the lobbies and public areas have new finishing touches.

The Beaches executive luncheon was held at Key West Village

CIBC donates $15,000 to TCI Cancer Society

BY OLIVIA ROSE THE NATIONAL Cancer Society will be able to support more people battling cancer in the Turks and Caicos Islands after receiving a major financial boost from CIBC First Caribbean International Bank.

The society was presented with a cheque for $15,000 - this year’s proceeds from an annual ‘Walk for the Cure’ cancer awareness and fundraising campaign hosted by the bank.

President of the National Cancer Society Rosemary Jolly, who received the funds during a brief presentation ceremony at CIBC Grace Bay branch on December 13, expressed how important support for the National Cancer Society is.

She said: “The annual support from CIBC First Caribbean means giving us the ability to continue to assist cancer patients here in the Turks and Caicos.

“The number of people being diagnosed with cancer continues to grow, and we, the Cancer Society, realise that the demand on us grows as well.

“These funds are so welcome because they allow us to continue to work and champion the cause for which we were established, which is to enhance and contribute to the wellbeing of people here in the Turks and Caicos that are facing the disease.”

Larry Lawrence, country head for CIBC FirstCaribbean in the TCI, shared appreciation for everyone that helped to make the bank’s campaign a success.

The employees of the bank had pooled their efforts, time and resources to host several fundraising initiatives for the campaign, including monthly bake sales from June to October, he said.

“On the last Friday of each month, they baked sweet treats from scratch to sell to clients, donating the funds

Elena Patrick, National Cancer Society PR director, Larry Lawrence, CIBC FirstCaribbean Country Head (TCI), Rosemary Jolly, president of the National Cancer Society

collected to the cause.

“Clients were also invited to donate through coin bottle drives at various branches.

“We received so much support from everyone we invited to participate in our Walk for the Cure initiatives this year.

“We’re extremely grateful for the immense support that we received;

especially in light of the two major hurricanes we experienced recently that we’re still recovering from.

“I’m especially proud of the unceasing efforts of our staff members who go to great lengths to ensure that this campaign is a success each year,” he said.

Walk for the Cure was launched

by CIBC FirstCaribbean in 2012

as the regional version of CIBC’s annual Run for the Cure cancer fundraising initiative.

Over the years the bank has raised close to $60,000 in the TCI and over $1.3 million across the Caribbean.

All proceeds are donated to cancer charities in the countries and territories where CIBC FirstCaribbean operates.

December 23-January 5, 2018

NEWS 19

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Chop Off Lobster Fiesta 2017 was yet again a resounding success for Chef Nik. On the right Shaun Malcolm enjoys tasting the delicious food.

Chopped champion Chef Renada Williams drives off with a Kia

BY DELANA ISLES

THE SECOND annual Food and Culture Festival presented this year’s Chop Off Lobster Fiesta cook off challenge on December 1.

It featured four of the territory’s top local chefs – Ricardo Forbes from Middle Caicos, Kayla Gardiner from North Caicos, Deanna Malcolm from South Caicos and Renada Williams from Grand Turk.

Organiser of the second annual festival, Nikita Skippings ‘Chef Nik’ spoke of his satisfaction at hosting yet another major crowd pleaser this year.

“This event has been most anticipated by all of the locals, most especially those from those indigenous islands wanting to cheer on and represent their favourite local chef,” Chef Nik said.

Showtime began at 7pm at the Ports of Call courtyard in Providenciales, in front of a 500 plus strong crowd, with a huge stage set up including cooking stations for four chefs as the centre of attraction.

The event featured a three round cooking competition with breakfast, lunch and dinner, all timed at 30 minutes.

For each of the three, the competitors were presented with mystery baskets with five ingredients, in which the main star was of course lobster.

The breakfast round featured threaded lobster and ended with Kayla Gardiner being the first to get chopped.

The second round, which featured lunch, ended with Deanna Malcolm being eliminated, and in the final dinner round Ricardo Forbes went up against Renada Wiliams.

Thirty minutes later, Forbes was the last to be chopped after an under cooked lobster dish was judged harshly by the judges, thus Williams emerged the winner of the competition.

Williams won for best taste, presentation and execution of ingredients.

Among the prizes that she won were a $1,500 cheque from Global Capital, a weekend stay at Sailrock with a private chef, a Samsung S8 Plus from Flow, a large crystal trophy from the TCI Food Festival and Minister Delroy Williams, a brand new car courtesy of MP Josephine Connolly of Connolly Motors, a spa day at Shore Club Hotel, and a round trip ticket from Providenciales to New Jersey on United Airlines.

“I don’t think any contestant in any competition in Turks and Caicos history has won this many gifts courtesy of local businesses and sponsors, including Ms TCI Universe.

“Chop Off was a huge success,” Chef Nik boasted.

The two day event saw one day dedicated to the Chop Off Lobster Fiesta while the second day featured Smokey’s ninth annual lobster fest.

Both days were hugely supported.

Nik thanked the many sponsors of the second annual festival, stating that they all played a very vital role in ensuring that the events were huge successes.

They were: Flow, JACA TCI Ltd., Herzog, RBC, Global Capital, United Airways, Sailrock, Parrot Cay, Connolly Motors, and Ports of Call resort and shopping plaza.

KIA AMBASSADOR On Tuesday (December 12) Chef Nik along with MP Josephine Connolly presented the winner with the main prize – a spanking new Kia car.

“I have brand new car, it’s for real. I am the new ambassador for Kia Motors and I would like to say a huge thank you. This is the first brand new car I have ever had and trust me I am happy,” Renata said on receiving the keys to her new car from Connolly at Connolly Motors.

The new champion also expressed

Chop Off Lobster Fiesta winner beams after getting behind the wheel of her new Kia car compliments of Josephine Connolly (left) and Connolly Motors.

On the right is organiser of the annual food competition Nikita Skippings

her feelings on winning the competition: “This is the first time doing something like with such a huge crowd watching.

“I was overwhelmed; I’m sure at some point my nerves came down on me and I started to cry because I am really grateful for the opportunity to showcase my talent to the Turks and Caicos.

“To Chef Nik I say thank you for that, it was definitely a pleasure. Also, to the other chopped contestants I would say you guys did a great job don’t let it discourage you. It doesn’t make you a lesser cook, it’s a step forward towards your passion.”

Connolly also expressed her delight at presenting the surprise prize to the winner: “We are very proud that you are going to be an ambassador for Kia Motors.

“I want to encourage you to be the best that you can be and I would also encourage you to take culinary arts a little bit further.

“I think that’s your dream, I am

here to support you in anything that you want to do. I can connect you with people I know in the culinary world.

“So I want you to enjoy this, take care of it, and I will be speaking to my partners in the US and I also will be sending pictures and a video of this presentation.”

On her social media page Bianca Harvey Joseph, who MCed the Chop Off event, recalled her pleasure at being asked to be a part of it.

“It was such a pleasure to be a part of this event, to share the stage with these women from our community that are making huge strides in business and promoting and up lifting each other.

“During the competition I asked Ms Williams if she had a word of advice to give to any up and coming young person that is interested in cooking what would she tell them...

“With tears in her eyes and passion in a voice she said she would encourage them to ‘Stick with it, work hard and never give up on their

dreams.’

“Her answer stuck with me and I’m hoping that it has convinced others at the event to follow through on their dreams!

“When Mrs Connolly made her unexpected beautiful presentation, she said something that has resonated with me ever since.

“She said: ‘If someone didn’t give me an opportunity, I wouldn’t be where I am today, so I also want to give others an opportunity.’

“These words warmed my heart, and I’m hoping that others in positions to help in our community would pay it forward!”

On a final note, Chef Nik further voiced words of encouragement to local chefs: “We also encourage other up and coming cooks/chefs to showcase your talent to the world.

“The ability to cook and do it well is a gift...allow your gift to make room for you. Who knows, you may just end up being the next chopped champion.”

20 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

Enjoy a sumptuous free dinner at Coconut Grove on Christmas Eve

BY DELANA ISLES THE TURKS and Caicos Islands may be several months past what was one of the most harrowing experiences for 2017, but the love and community spirit of many residents and visitors has not dwindled.

This Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24), Coconut Grove restaurant and Turks and Caicos Weather Info have teamed up to offer residents a free Christmas dinner from 3pm to 7pm at the restaurant’s Olympic Plaza, Five Cays Road location in Providenciales.

The generous gesture was made possible with the help of relief funds that have been collected over the past few months, the restaurant advertised on its Facebook page.

The initiative is aimed at people who were so badly affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria in September that they are finding life challenging during what should be a joyous and festive season.

Coconut Grove is part owned and managed by Wellington Williams, a 21-year-old local entrepreneur who opened what has now become a favourite spot for locals and visitors alike in the heart of Downtown Provo.

Williams, who is also a talented jeweller, opened the restaurant with the intent of making a difference in his community and providing a casual dining experience for residents and tourists at a reasonable price.

PARTNER DONORS The other collaborator in the Christmas dinner initiative is the TCI Weather Info service - a Facebook page offering up to date weather information to residents and visitors - managed by a couple out of Arkansas, USA. Paul and Brande Wilkerson own and manage the weather service page from their home and have

Visit Coconut Grove restaurant for a free dinner this Christmas Eve

been regular visitors to the Turks and Caicos Islands for the past four years.

“We discussed this between us and decided to see if Wellington would like to host it, as he had done some relief work with us in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane,” Paul said in an invited Facebook message to the Weekly News.

Before, during and following the passage of hurricanes Irma and Maria, the weather page provided invaluable and much needed information on the storms to many residents in the various islands as well as to concerned relatives in other parts of the world.

Paul is a meteorologist in the

Arkansas Air National Guard, United States Air Force.

He has been a meteorologist for nearly 23 years and has provided forecast services around the world including Europe, the Middle East, western Asia, and the United States during his career.

He pointed out that his efforts to help the TCI with weather information on Facebook are purely personal, and is in no way related to his professional responsibilities.

Paul currently operates two weather webpages on Facebook.

One for his home state of Arkansas and one for the people of Turks and Caicos Islands.

He said that the page for the Turks

and Caicos Islands was developed after seeing a need that was largely unmet during a tropical storm event a few years ago.

He also manages a relief fund to assist various charities and residents who were hard hit during the two storms.

To date, there has been more than 280 donors who have donated nearly $46,000.

The fund has since provided donations to the Children's First Home (orphanage), Rotary Club Provo, Salvation Army, Caicos Lodge 9661 Back to Work Programme, TCSPCA, Potcake Place, TCI Boat Club for fuel and food to the outer islands, a pallet

of $5,000 in goods sent to South Caicos, and lastly this free dinner for locals with Coconut Grove Restaurant.

Paul added: “People instrumental in making this all happen over time in some way are: my wife Brande Wilkerson, Tito and Atekah Seymour, Tom and Kate Tewksbury, Wellington Williams, Atelys Adrian, Ms Earleen Elliott and her fifth grade students at Irma Stubbs Primary School on South Caicos (they organised and distributed the goods from the pallet we sent) John and Karen Lawson on Provo (back to work programme) and Val Kalliecharan who helped get everything networked to the Rotary Club.”

Sailrock resort reopens for guests SOUTH Caicos’ first luxury retreat, Sailrock Resort, reopened its doors for guests on December 16 following an eventful hurricane season.

The reopening coincided with the launch of new offering that is “sure to delight both new and returning guests,” according to a press release from the resort.

‘First class dining with a view’ is new for the festive season and will

take place at The Cove Restaurant and Beach Bar. Located just steps away from Caicos Bank, the venue provides travellers with a casual dining experience overlooking stunning TCI waters.

The menu features “refreshing takes” on classic Caribbean flare and flavours, including signature South Caicos dishes like cracked conch and fresh island grouper.

The restaurant is led by chef Francois Alias, who also oversees the flagship dining venue, The Great House Restaurant.

Sailrock Resort’s trademark Beachfront Villas are luxurious beachfront accommodations blending indoor and outdoor living.

Guests can now book one and two-bedroom beachfront villas, in addition to the three and four-

bedroom options that have been available since the resort’s opening in January 2017.

Both the one-bedroom and two-bedroom beachfront villas have private pools and over-sized terraces overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

“Sailrock Resort is excited to welcome guests back to beautiful South Caicos with the help of the South Caicos Heritage Foundation

(SCHF), which has been instrumental in supporting the recovery, renewal and restoration of the rich culture and history of the island,” the release said.

Sailrock Resort is currently offering a ‘Jetset to South Caicos’ package, which offers 35 percent off best available room rates and island hop airfare included from the main Turks and Caicos Airport (PLS) to South Caicos (XSC).

December 23-January 5, 2018

Regional News

21

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Bahamas Immigration Department ‘tightening up efforts’ amid reports of more Haitian boats

SOCIAL Services and Urban Development Minister Lanisha Rolle shied away from taking a firm position on whether marital rape should be criminalised in The Bahamas.

Rolle: We should not rush over rape issue in the Bahamas SOCIAL Services and Urban Development Minister Lanisha Rolle, the only woman in Cabinet, this week shied away from taking a firm position on whether marital rape should be criminalised in The Bahamas, but insisted marriage is private and its sanctity should be protected.

Mrs Rolle said before the government acts or makes determinations that legislate how people’s personal lives are managed – adding there are two sides to every story – there should be a proper national conversation on spousal rape. Once a public consensus is taken, she said the Minnis administration should act accordingly.

Meanwhile, her colleague, Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest said his personal view is marriage does not give a man the right to “own anybody”. He said every woman is to determine what happens to her body, which is a fundamental right.

Asked whether he believed the issue was something that should be looked at legislatively, the minister of finance said he was “certainly” open to this.

The issue of recognising marital rape was again ignited in the country after Dubravka Šimonovic, the UN’s special rapporteur on violence against women, said last week marital rape is the most pressing gender-based issue facing the Bahamas.

Ms Šimonovic, a human rights expert, stressed the legality of martial rape is “a sign that something is deeply wrong,” adding the issue could easily be resolved through legislative changes.

“Certainly, we do not support any form of violence against women,” Mrs Rolle told reporters on Monday ahead of the morning Cabinet session. “That is the stance that the country has taken. Certainly, I am one that supports that.

“In relation to marital rape, I have always said that it is an issue that is private. It can become public, but we want to start where marriage is sacred

and marriage is private. And so, if we are going to legislate any type of law to affect marital couples and relationships between those parties, it is proper to have a conversation with the wider community to get their perspective on how they feel about it.

“Certainly, there are existing laws that deal with domestic violence that deal with sexual offences. There are laws that are on the books at this time,” the Seabreeze MP said.

“The Penal Code covers several offences in relation to acts and rape is one of them, assault is another, but when we get into the sanctuary of marriage it’s very, very important I feel because this relates to both parties and you know nobody else would be there than those two parties.”

Asked pointedly if she believed marital rape should be outlawed, the minister said: “I said when it comes to the privacy and the rights of individuals particularly those within a marriage, we want to hear what the population has to say before we go and legislate and make determinations as to how we are going to manage people’s lives.

“Sometimes people say one thing and then there are two sides to the story and so let’s hear what everybody has to say without just making decisions. Outside of that I think that’s the appropriate thing to do in a sensitive situation like this other than that let the law take its course in any form and any kind of way,” Mrs Rolle said.

She added that men were also victims of rape and were often laughed at when trying to report the matter.

When he was asked if he thought marital rape should be criminalised, Mr Turnquest said he believed “there ought to be consequences”.

He said: “I think it is something that we need to look at. There is this argument from some churches with respect to this right. I don’t necessarily share that view and I apologise if that offends anybody, but I just don’t share that view.

THE DEPARTMENT of Immigration is “tightening up” its efforts in the capital and on the Family Islands after receiving information that “more Haitian boats are on the way”, according to Kirklyn Neely, head of Immigration’s Enforcement Unit.

In an interview with the Tribune, Mr Neely said 114 illegal migrants, who were captured in the past few days, will be repatriated to Haiti on Monday.

“We got some information that more boats are on the way, so we have to be prepared for that,” Mr Neely said.

“We expect to see more boats before Christmas and so we have our eyes and ears out in Nassau and in the Family Islands. We still have 179 illegal Haitian migrants at the Detention Centre and we will be sending 114 of them back to Haiti on a Bahamas-air flight on Monday at 8.30. As it relates to the latest boat, we still have no idea how many persons were on boat but we do know we have the captain of the boat and we expect to get more information from him.”

On Monday, Mr Neely said officials are bracing themselves for an “influx of illegals,” as the holiday season “usually sees about three to four” Haitian sloops illegally land throughout the islands.

His comments came moments after a boat “loaded” with Haitian migrants landed near Clifton Pier Monday morning, about three miles

The sloop that landed near Clifton Pier.

from Coral Harbour. This is the second time in a month that an illegal sloop has landed near the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s (RBDF) Coral Harbour Base.

The illegal landing prompted Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip Davis to call for “heads to roll,” saying an explanation is needed from authorities.

Immigration officers and other authorities spent the week combing the area for the migrants. The RBDF said 57 people - 43 men, 11 women and three children - were taken into custody and transported to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

In November, a large empty sloop was discovered on the shoreline of Adelaide Beach. Despite extensive searches, immigration officials said no one from that boat was captured.

At the time, Immigration Director William Pratt said he “had no idea” how such a large sloop could land so close to the RBDF’s base and go undetected, but suggested the RBDF should perhaps “improve their surveillance.”

Authorities believe the immigrants who landed at the time had help from people already on New Providence and warned anyone who was found to be hiding them would be jailed, fined or both.

Last month, Mr Neely estimated between 150 to 250 undocumented migrants were on board the sloop.

The hunt for the migrants began on November 12 when the RBDF said it was investigating reports of a wooden Haitian sloop landing in the southwest area of New Providence.

Ruling party wins Nevis election; Brantley to be sworn in as premier THE people of Nevis have re-elected the ruling Concerned Citizen’s Movement (CCM) for a second consecutive term. This time the CCM widened its margin of victory over the Joseph Parry-led Nevis Reformation Party (NRP) winning four of the five seats up for grabs.

The new leader of the CCM, Mark Brantley, will be sworn in as premier of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) government.

The polls opened at 7 am on Monday to heavy showers; however, by midmorning the skies were clear and most polling stations saw a slow trickle of voters. Those numbers picked up late in the afternoon when people finished working.

The atmosphere throughout the day was calm, perhaps too calm for some pundits, who feared a low voter turnout would favour the opposition.

Even when the polls closed at 6 pm there was no report of large turnouts at the polling stations.

Supervisor of Elections, Elvin

Mark Brantley, will be sworn in as premier of the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) government.

Bailey, began announcing results just after 9 pm, starting with the seat was contested by NRP’s leader Joseph Parry, who defeated CCM’s Keith Scarborough 518 votes to 229.

From there on, however, it was all good news for the CCM. It was pandemonium later at the

CCM headquarters in Charlestown, as supporters turned up in the numbers to celebrate their victory with the candidates.

In his victory speech, Brantley announced that Tuesday would be declared a public holiday for Nevis.

He spoke to WINN FM about the campaign and the way forward for the new Nevis Island Administration.

He said, while they have some ideas about the makeup of their new Cabinet, that would be revealed at the swearing-in ceremony in the coming days. WINN FM also asked about the 2018 NIA budget, which the premier-elect said would come sometime in January.

WINN FM tried unsuccessfully to reach members of the NRP to get their thoughts on what went wrong for the party, and to ask if the defeat would cause the party to re-evaluate its leadership and candidate options before the next election rolls around.

(Caribbeannewsnow/West Indies News Network)

22

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

CARICOM registers strong objection to new EU blacklist The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has stron g l y objected to the recent labelling of some of its member states by the European Union as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions.

CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque registered the regional grouping’s objection as he accredited a new Ambassador of France to CARICOM, Antoine Joly.

And he urged France to leverage its influence for the EU to desist from “taking such arbitrary and punitive actions against,” those CARICOM member states it had blacklisted.

Barbados, Grenada, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago were among 17 countries on a global tax haven list issued by the EU earlier this month.

LaRocque stressed that those four had been put on the list even though they had not been labelled tax havens by the relevant regulatory authorities, such as the Financial Action Task Force and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Forum.

“This decision by the EU has been based on new and unilaterallydetermined criteria, that go beyond the generally accepted international tax transparency and accountability standards which our countries have been diligently meeting over the past several years,” he said.

“CARICOM strongly objects to this listing of our Member States and calls on the EU to remove our Member

The officers will, among other things, oversee the modernization of immigration and customs procedures at Cayman’s borders.

UK officers to help Cayman Islands better protect borders Plenipotentiary Representative of France to CARICOM, Antoine Joly (left), presents his Letter of Credence to CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

The CARICOM official asked the French envoy to help get four Caribbean countries off a list of tax havens.

States from this pernicious list,” he added, noting that the Community stood ready to discuss this matter with the European Council.

A major consequence of “blacklisting” was the “derisking” strategies that included the withdrawal of correspondent banking services by certain international banks, the CARICOM SecretaryGeneral told the French envoy.

He said that the impact has had a

“detrimental impact on the trade and financial operations” of the region’s economies.

“As Ambassador to the Community, your direct engagement in promoting awareness about the extent of our capabilities and the obstacles we face in our aspirations for economic development is of great significance,” the CARICOM Secretary-General told the new French envoy. (Caribbean360)

SENIOR officers from the United Kingdom’s Border Force and Maritime and Coastguard Agency are being seconded to the Cayman Islands to oversee changes in the way in which the British Overseas Territory’s borders are protected and its search and rescue services provided.

Colin Brown, who is currently Head of Border Force’s UK National Targeting Centre, will arrive in early January for an initial period of six months to oversee the modernization of immigration and customs procedures at Cayman’s borders and to advise on the transformation of elements of both departments into an integrated Cayman Islands Border

Protection Service.

Phil Bostock, who is a Commander in the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), will also arrive in January for a one year attachment to ensure that the recommendations made in the MCA’s comprehensive report on Search and Rescue Capability in the Cayman Islands, published earlier this year, are implemented.

Commander Bostock will also be advising on the transformation of maritime assets into a Cayman Islands Coastguard.

Both secondments result from policy initiatives announced by the Premier in the Legislative Assembly on 27 October 2017.

No dancing or music allowed in Cayman on New Year’s Eve THIS New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday, triggering 40-year-old legislation that prohibits dancing and music on that day of the week.

As a result, dozens of restaurants and bars are nixing their usual New Year’s Eve parties, forgoing what’s usually one of their most profitable business days in the process.

According to the Music and Dancing (Control) Law, premises that sell food or refreshments are not allowed to permit dancing or the playing of music during Good Fridays, Christmas, and Sundays.

Cinemas, town halls and hotels that are not open to the general public are exempt from the prohibition.

“I’m afraid, by law, music and dancing are prohibited on Sunday,” Premier Alden McLaughlin confirmed when contacted by the Compass. “Neither the Liquor Licensing Board nor Cabinet have any discretion in the matter.”

Liquor Licensing Board Chairman Noel Williams said that on Jan. 1 at 12:01 a.m., music and dancing will

again be permitted. To make up for the New Year’s Eve ban, the liquor board will likely extend the hours establishments can stay open until “3 or 4 a.m.,” he said. Mr. Williams said the Liquor Licensing Board will soon make an announcement on the issue.

But extending the party hours into early Monday morning will not make up for the businesses that cater to the “mature” crowd that likes to go home after the ball drops, said Markus Mueri, who owns Deckers Bar, KARoo Cayman and Abacus at Camana Bay. “The board [may grant] a blanket extension for everybody until 4 a.m., but by that time we have only youngsters out and about,” he said. “Let us old-timers celebrate in style in the lead-up to midnight with a good dance and a smile, watch the fireworks, have a glass of bubbles, and be tucked into bed by 1 a.m.”

Royal Palms general manager Don Loyd said his establishment

usually has a VIP area, a general admission area around the beach bar and a private party by the pool – with all three spots featuring DJs and dancing.

Mr. Loyd will have to forego the entertainment this year, and he said he expects Royal Palms to only take in about a third of the revenue that it would on a typical New Year’s Eve as a result.

Resident Tenisha Bodden said that she and her friends usually go to Royal Palms or a similar place for New Year’s Eve, but are considering renting a condo on the beach this year, instead. Without live music and dancing, it makes little sense to pay for an admission ticket to a bar, she said.

Cayman Cabana owner Luigi Moxam said that he had hoped for the best but prepared for the worst in terms of the Sunday dance and music ban. Accordingly, he did not hire out any live entertainment, and plans on closing his restaurant shortly after midnight to let his staff enjoy the rest

of the holiday.

“It’s unfortunate that they’re playing politics because it affects business. If everyone is to be honest, they would all agree that there has to be some common sense denominator to make things work,” he said. “Who wants to come to Cayman when you can’t dance until midnight?”

Not all businesses may be aware of the policy, which government has yet to publicly articulate. When this reporter contacted Luciano De Riso, head of operations at The Wharf, his restaurant had “DJ Ralph” advertised on its website to play music from 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. But after notifying Mr. De Riso of government’s policy, he said DJ Ralph and accompanying fireworks would have to wait until after midnight.

“In cases like this, we’ll have to go ahead and play background music until after midnight,” he said, adding, “It’s another disappointing thing that I’m finding out about the law from the Compass.”

Mr. De Riso said the aspect of the ban he dislikes most is that it does not apply to hotels. The law states that exempted premises include “areas in hotels which are not open to the general public and with respect to which no charge is made for admission.”

Mr. De Riso added that the ban also hurts local entertainers, who would otherwise be able to use the event to earn extra cash and name recognition.

For establishments that may still be unaware of the ban – or those that may choose to ignore it – the Compass enquired with the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service as to whether it intends to enforce the prohibition on music and dancing.

“It is not up to us to comment on the decision itself,” responded police information officer Jacqueline Carpenter, adding, “Our duties are to enforce what the laws are and ensure that we have in place the appropriate resources and plans to ensure public safety.”

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NEWS 23

Local artist appeals to public for support

BY OLIVIA ROSE POPULAR local artist Sadrac Michel who is gaining buzz for his eccentric yet captivating drawings and decorated conch shells is appealing to both Islanders and visitors to support grassroots talent.

Michel, a seasoned artist who brings stories to life with his illustrations, is asking the public to support him as he works to accomplish his dream of establishing an art studio.

The artist, who hails from Grand Turk, said he is finding it difficult to finance his studio out of his own pocket.

During an interview with the Weekly News, he revealed that his attempts to tap into Government programmes aimed at assisting the local creative industry, have yielded no favourable results.

Michel who is a firefighter by day and artist at night said he draws his inspiration from the world around him and his love for his beautiful island.

Most of the breath taking pieces created by the gifted artist reflect his adoration for the tranquil and untouched paradise he grew up in.

He said: “I started painting at the age of 12 and I have a great passion for painting and I wanted to ensure that my painting shows my reality.

“I want to make people feel what they see in my art. In 2006 I travelled to the Middle East, to Dubai while there I met a lot of folks who loved my paintings and one of my Arabic friends came over and was wowed by my talent.

“He got excited, connected me with some folks who love paintings - that’s how I started painting over there and joined an art competition over there in the Middle East. I won first prize and that’s how they found out about Turks and Caicos.”

INSPIRATION Michel stressed that winning that art completion galvanised his passion to become a world-renowned artist and rekindled his love for drawing and painting.

The opportunity to market his craft abroad was shelved, since he was in the process of completing his aviation courses and could not afford to be distracted.

While most of Michel’s work tends to embrace a conventional beach scene and conch embellishment style, he does not shy away from shedding the usual style most Caribbean artists are known for.

“I’m trying my hand at some 3D paintings and people love it. I drew this beautiful turtle with the most realistic water drops, I think it’s one of my favourites.”

He added: “When I look around I see a story in everything, I see art in

everything.

“I now do straw hats, leather sandals, and I would take these shells from out of South Caicos and then I paint national symbols on this stuff.”

The local artist has taken to promoting his craft on social media and other social events such as the Thursday Fish fry, and the recent conch and lobster festivals.

He manages vibrant Facebook and Instagram pages and is urging patrons to connect with him through these mediums or contact him on 341-3042 for more information.

The young artist has worked with several schools across the TCI to help nurture a culture of genuine appreciation for art among students.

Michel said every painting embodies love, bravery and the essence of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

First time ever painting a 3D image on conch shell

Michel depicts a beautiful African woman

Illustrating his love for conch shells

Michel’s bold version of reggae icon Bob Marley

The artist even brings his daughter in on the fun

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December 23-January 5, 2018

Ninjaman and son get life in prison for murder The dancehall artiste will have to spend 25 years behind bars before he becomes eligible for parole.

A SMILE on the face of Jamaican dancehall artiste Ninjaman belied the seriousness of the life sentences he, his son and another man were on Monday

given for a murder they committed eight years ago.

A month after being found guilty of the March 17, 2009 murder of Ricardo ‘Ricky Trooper’ Johnson, the 51-year-

old deejay, whose given name is Desmond Ballentine; his son, Jahneil Ballentine; and another co-accused, Dennis Clayton, each received a sentence of life imprisonment for the crime.

However, while the dancehall artiste will have to spend 25 years behind bars before he becomes eligible for parole, the other two will have to serve 15 years before becoming eligible for parole.

In addition to the life sentence for the killing, the veteran entertainer was also slapped with a 20-year prison term for shooting with intent. The sentences will run concurrently.

The sentences handed down

by Justice Martin Gayle in the Home Circuit Court in in Kingston followed testimony from character witnesses from the entertainment fraternity who spoke about how Ninjaman had changed his life, becoming a positive role model and a peace activist since his conviction for cocaine possession in 1996 and firearm possession in

1999.

They, along with defence attorney Valerie NeitaRobertson Q.C, pleaded for leniency on the artiste’s behalf.

However, before sentencing Ninjaman, the judge said: “You were given a chance in 1999 and one would have thought that you learnt your lesson.

“You are a public figure and you are expected to set an example. Prominence and economic success does not place anyone above the law.”

Ninjaman appeared unbothered by the reality of the lengthy prison stay ahead of him, reportedly telling the judge “thumbs up” after his sentence was handed down, and then smiling as he was led out of the court.

Neita-Robertson has already announced her plan to appeal the sentences.

According to evidence led during the trio’s five-week trial, a day after they involved in an altercation with Johnson, they returned with guns and other weapons and shot at him and another man.

Joanne Ball-Burgess hopes her song promotes peace.

Bermudian releases Christmas song in Kenya A BERMUDIAN musician living in Kenya has released a Christmas single to promote peace and love in the community.

Joanne Ball-Burgess was inspired to write No Ordinary Christmas after a series of turbulent events in the country as well as her own personal experience of getting caught up in the 2013 terrorist attack at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi.

Mrs Ball-Burgess told The Royal Gazette that she hoped the song would help to spread the message of peace and positive change.

“I wanted to write a song that promotes peace in Kenya,” she said. “This has

been a tough year for creatives in light of the recent political happenings [presidential elections] here.

“We decided to show happy moments in Nairobi and fuse it with the holiday season.

“When I began writing it, the goal was to fuse old Christmas carols with newness and the sometimes tough realities that come with living in a dynamic, urban society.”

Mrs Ball-Burgess, who moved to Kenya with her family in 2011, added: “Getting caught up in the Westgate Mall attack a few years ago was a traumatic time for me and much healing was needed.

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December 23-January 5, 2018

Nelly sued for sexual assault, defamation by woman who accused him of rape NELLY’S facing yet another legal dilemma.

The rapper is being sued for sexual assault and defamation

by Monique Greene, who accused him of raping her after a show at a Seattle club in October, according to TMZ. The outlet reported that in her filing, Greene alleged that Nelly, 43, had oral and penetrative sex with her against her will after a night of partying on his tour bus. She said she attempted to dissuade him by telling him he had to wear a condom, but her plan failed.

Greene said she was screaming at the time and wanted off the bus. She was reportedly pushed from the vehicle by a member of Nelly’s entourage, who tossed a $100 bill her way and said, “Bye bye.”

Furthermore, the alleged victim claimed in her lawsuit that she was taunted by the “Hot in Herre” rapper while she stood in the parking lot of the local Walmart it was parked in.

TMZ reported that Greene called an Uber to come get

Nelly is being sued for sexual assault and defamation by the woman who accused him of raping her.

her. While she waited, she also reportedly called 911.

Police are said to have arrived on the scene and interviewed Greene about what went down. As a result of their investigation, Nelly was arrested.

He was charged with second degree rape, according to the outlet.

Greene claimed she was taken to a medical center to be treated and complete a rape kit.

As for her defamation claims, Greene said in her legal

filing that Nelly and his team launched a smear campaign against her, according to TMZ. They are accused of perpetuating rumors that she was only after “money, fame and notoriety.”

Scott Rosenblum, Nelly’s attorney, addressed the lawsuit in a statement to the outlet.

“It comes as no surprise that Ms. Greene filed a lawsuit against Nelly seeking money after we announced our intention to hold her accountable,” the statement read.

With Appreciation at the Holidays

With best wishes from our family to yours for a most memorable, magical holiday season.

Thanks for giving us so much to celebrate this year!

CHRIST

MAS

SALE

25% OFF Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales

Telephone: 946-4894

U N T IL DECEMB E R 24

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December 23-January 5, 2018

Kohanski wins season 13 of The Voice CHLOE Kohanski, the fan favorite contestant of season 13 — known for her unique sound and style — was crowned the winner of The Voice on Tuesday.

Kohanski’s win marks the sixth victory for veteran coach and PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive Blake Shelton — making him the top mentor with a record-breaking number of wins.

The star-studded evening featured performances by Bastille, Vince Gill, Jessie J, Norah Jones, Bebe Rexha, Sia and last year’s Voice winner Chris Blue. Kohanski was paired up with one of her idols, Billy Idol, to perform “White Wedding,” and it couldn’t have been a better match.

Kohanski has made a name for herself on the show by belting out classic ’80s and ’90s rock songs week after week. Some of the 23-year-old Nashville native’s performance highlights include Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” Blondie’s “Call Me” and Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is.” (Two of which earned her the No. 1 spot on the iTunes chart.)

At the beginning of the competition, her rendition of Stevie Nicks’ “Landslide” earned her a No. 12 spot and became the highestranking song on iTunes among The Voice artists during the knockout rounds.

Kohanski’s success on the

Val Kilmer says cancer changed the way he looks at life and fame.

Chloe Kohanski’s win marks the sixth victory for veteran coach and PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive Blake Shelton — making him the top mentor with a record-breaking number of wins.

charts combined with her unforgettable performances made her confident in her status as a frontrunner this season.

“It’s crazy, but I feel like I could win,” she told reporters in November. “I don’t feel

like there has ever really been anyone like me, and I’m starting to realize that. Not in a cocky way, but in a very humbling way. I used to think that it made me less relevant or held me back but for the first time it’s pushing me forward.”

Kilmer says 2-year throat cancer battle changed his outlook on life, fame VAL Kilmer is forever changed following a two-year bout with throat cancer.

The actor, known for his roles in “Top Gun” and “Batman Forever,” recently opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about how his diagnosis affected his outlook on life and fame for the better.

“I was too serious,” Kilmer, 57, admitted.

“I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way.”

Kilmer explained that while he’d “like to have more Oscars than anybody,” he realizes now his desire for statuettes was about more than accolades.

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December 23-January 5, 2018

Police investigating report Stallone committed rape in 1990 SYLVESTER Stallone could be gearing up for the fight of his life — legal fight, that is.

According to TMZ a woman accusing him of raping her in 1990 filed a report with Santa Monica police. Although the 10-year statute of limitations has expired, authorities are said to be investigating her claim.

The case will reportedly be presented to the District Attorney’s office, who will then decide whether to prosecute.

Stallone is pushing back, however.

A previous report from the publication revealed the “Rocky” actor is accusing the woman of filing a false report against him.

Marty Singer, Stallone’s lawyer, told TMZ the actor intends to file a complaint requesting that police investigate his accuser.

Police told TMZ they intend to look into her claim first.

The woman in question isn’t the only one to accuse the 71-year-old actor of sexual assault.

Stallone and his former bodyguard

Michael De Luca stand accused of forcing a 16-year-old to perform sex acts on them in Las Vegas in 1986.

A police report obtained by Daily Mail revealed Stallone and his alleged victim met at the hotel in which they were both staying.

She claimed the actor invited her up to his room, as which time he asked whether she’d ever had a threesome. The alleged victim claims she was “forced into giving both men oral sex,” according to the documents.

A previous report revealed the “Rocky” actor is accusing the woman of filing a false report against him.

December 23-January 5, 2018

Entertainment

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Sesame Street to help Syrian refugees CHARACTERS from the children’s television programme Sesame Street are going to be used to help teach children displaced by war in Syria.

The Sesame Workshop and the International Rescue Committee have won a $100m (£75m) grant to help with the “toxic stress” on child refugees.

It will help children in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria Jeffrey Dunn, head of Sesame Workshop, said Syria’s refugee crisis was the “humanitarian issue of our time”.

“This may be our most important initiative ever,” he said.

The award has been made

by the Chicago-based John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation, which wants to make “big bets” on influencing major challenges.

It’s one of the biggest single philanthropic donations to such an education project and will fund efforts to provide early years education and tackle the trauma of millions of young refugees created by Syria’s conflict.

It will produce a customised version of Sesame Street for the young Syrian refugees, available on mobile phones, which will support literacy and numeracy, help to teach about relationships and encourage respect for others.

There will also be child development centres created, where parents will

Christian Bale, who played Batman in the Dark Knight series, said that embracing diversity would be beneficial to the film industry and society as a whole.

Bale says it’s time ‘white dudes who are running things’ step aside CHRISTIAN Bale is ready to see serious change on Capitol Hill and in Hollywood.

The “Hostiles” actor recently opened up about the racial dynamics in politics and his own industry, suggesting that it’s time for the “white dudes who are running things” to make room for people of color to have their voices heard.

“Since November, people try and put it into a red state, blue state thing, and I think that’s really the wrong message and I think it’s really disingenuous as well,” he said during a recent AOL Build series.

“Our culture will be so much richer the day that we stop saying, ‘Hey, it’s all white

dudes who are running things.’

Whether that be Hollywood, whether that be Washington.”

The British actor went on to say that embracing diversity would be beneficial to the film industry and society as a whole.

“We’re going to get, in Hollywood, so much better films and so much more interesting stories being told and America will become the America that the rest of the world sees it as, that makes it unique … that we recognise makes this such a beautiful, brilliant country and not to ruin that,” Bale said.

He praised the United States as a “country of inclusion,” citing it as the reason he decided to put down roots here.

be able to bring children, and where advice, resources and information will be available.

Julia Stasch, president of the foundation, said this would be “the largest early childhood intervention program ever

created in a humanitarian setting”.

“Less than 2% of the global humanitarian aid budget is dedicated to education, and only a sliver of all education assistance benefits young children.

Sesame Street will be used to rebuild trust among millions of displaced children from Syria.

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Offshore law firm goes after British press in Paradise Papers hack THE law firm that was the victim of a hack in which millions of documents about their clients’ offshore financial affairs were exposed in what has become known as the Paradise Papers is taking legal action against the BBC and the Guardian in Britain.

Both media organisations have stated that they will defend the breach of confidence proceedings instigated by offshore law firm Appleby, which has also demanded that they hand over the documents they used in various reports.

Appleby’s position is that the hack was a criminal act in which confidential legal documents were stolen and they need to take legal action to ascertain what was actually taken.

The firm also argues that publishing the content was not in the public interest, while the news organisations completely disagree with that assertion.

The BBC said it would strongly defend its role in the Paradise Papers project.

“Our serious and responsible journalism is resulting in revelations which are clearly of the highest public interest and has revealed matters which would otherwise have remained secret. Already we are seeing authorities taking action as a consequence,” officials from the public media organisation said in a statement.

The Guardian, which has also said it intends to vigorously defend the legal action, pointed out that the claim does not challenge the truth of the stories but was an attempt to undermine responsible public interest journalism.

Appleby has previously stated that the hack did not expose any evidence of wrongdoing by the firm or its clients. However, since the more than six million documents began to be exposed, the information has provoked enquiries by the Australian tax office and HM Revenue and Customs in Britain, as well as calls from the EU finance commissioner, Pierre Moscovici, for changes in the law to stop “vampires” avoiding paying tax.

Following an episode of the BBC’s Panorama programme broadcast last month, Appleby said in a statement that it was the victim of “a serious criminal act and our systems were accessed by an intruder who deployed the tactics of a professional hacker”.

The documents were first leaked by the hackers to the German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, which shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). In turn, ICIJ coordinated the project in which 380 journalists from 96 media organisations across 67 countries worked on the information.

When the information began to be published, hundreds more news and media organisations began reporting on the information. But so far, the BBC and the Guardian are the only media outlets in the original group that are facing legal action.

Founded in Bermuda, Appleby has offices all over the world, including the Cayman Islands, and is recognised as one of the world’s leading offshore firms. (Cayman News Service)

December 23-January 5, 2018

AT&T says it will give 200,000 employees $1,000 after Republican tax bill is signed into law AT&T said Wednesday it will give 200,000 of its U.S. employees a $1,000 bonus once the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is signed into law — a move President Trump touted in a speech after Congress passed the massive tax cut bill.

“Today, Congress approved legislation representing the first comprehensive tax reform in a generation,” AT&T said in a statement.

“Once tax reform is signed into law, AT&T plans to invest an additional $1 billion in the United States in 2018 and pay a special $1,000 bonus to more than 200,000 At&T U.S. employees —all unionrepresented, non-management and front-line managers. If the president signs the bill before Christmas, employees will receive the bonus over the holidays,” AT&T added.

AT&T chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson said Congress and the President “took a monumental step to bring taxes paid by U.S. businesses in line with the rest of the industrialized world.”

The announcement comes more than a month after AT&T proposed a $85 billion merger with Time Warner — a deal the Trump administration has blocked with a lawsuit.

The Department of Justice cited concerns that the merged companies could charge unfair fees to consumers.

“This merger would greatly harm American consumers. It would mean higher monthly television bills and fewer of the new, emerging

President Trump highlighted AT&T’s move in a speech acknowledging the final passage of tax overhaul legislation by Congress.

innovative options that consumers are beginning to enjoy,” said Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim.

The tax bill would reduce the corporate tax rate to 21% from 35% — providing a big boost for large American companies including AT&T. Trump took credit for AT&T’s move Wednesday.

“That’s because of what we did.

So that’s pretty good,” he said.

But the Communications Workers of America, the union representing AT&T employees, struck a Dec. 14 agreement that would provide 21,000 CWA union member employees a

10 percent raise and a $1,000 lump sum, in addition to the $1,000 bonus announced Wednesday if signed by Jan. 12, ThinkProgress reported.

A CWA spokesperson said that the announced $1,000 bonus was “a drop in the bucket compared to what was promised,” according to the report.

Wells Fargo announced a similar measure Wednesday, saying it would pay more than 13,500 employees a bonue and raise the minimum wage for its workers to $15 after the Republican tax plan is passed.

“It’s good for our communities, employees and Fifth Third Bank,” CEO Greg Carmichael said in a statement. (NYDailynews)

Jong Un expands his war on Christmas with new ban on singing and drinking NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un has upped the ante in his war on Christmas with a new rule that prohibits any “gatherings that involve alcohol and singing.”

South Korea’s National Intelligence Service reported the details of the latest ban, which is designed to control the spread of information coming from outside of official channels and contain potential dissent that may arise from recent tightening of sanctions against the secluded Asian country.

Experts estimate those prohibition

will severely impact the North Korean economy in the coming months, and by March the nation’s people will find themselves in dire circumstances.

While Christmas is not typically a major holiday in North Korea, some of its citizens have been known to practice Christianity and observe the holy day in the past.

Kim Jong Un officially banned that practice last year, instead directing all citizens who would have celebrated the holiday to instead commemorate the December

24,1919 -- the birthdate of the leader’s grandmother instead.

Kim has made attempts to stop Christmas from spilling over the nation’s border in the past as well.

For years, South Korea erected a 30-foot tall tree of lights on a hill near the infamous demilitarized zone that could be seen from North Korea.

Several years ago, North Korea reportedly said that lighting the tree would result in “unexpected consequences.” (AOL)

Kim Jong Un officially banned Christmas last year and directed all citizens who would have celebrated the holiday to instead observe the December 24, 1919 -- the birthdate of the leader’s grandmother instead.

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EU says Brexit transition to end by 31 December 2020 A “TRANSITION period” after the UK leaves the EU should not continue beyond 31 December 2020, Brussels says.

This would put a 21-month limit on the temporary arrangement - the UK says it should last for about two years.

And some business groups have called for a much longer transition period once the UK leaves in March 2019.

The terms of the transition period, which the UK calls an implementation phase, have yet to be negotiated between the two sides.

The EU says the UK will have to continue to follow its rules and cannot adopt an “a la carte” approach.

It has just published its guidelines for the next phase of Brexit negotiations.

These talks will initially focus on agreeing the precise terms of the transition phase, before moving on to the UK and EU’s long-term future relationship.

It will be a temporary period after the UK leaves the EU and before the final arrangements kick in. Both sides have talked about having such an arrangement, although they use different names for it.

The UK says the “implementation phase” will avoid a “cliff edge” for businesses on Brexit day.

The European Commission’s guidelines state that the UK should continue to follow EU law and stay

Damian Green and the UK PM Theresa May knew each other since they were at Oxford University and he was one of her closest political allies.

The EU says the UK will have to continue to follow its rules and cannot adopt an “a la carte” approach.

in the European customs union and single market during the transition phase. Rulings of the European Court of Justice will continue to apply, it says.

“The transition period needs to be clearly defined and precisely limited in time,” the EU says.

“The commission recommends that it should not last beyond 31 December 2020.”

This date marks the end of the EU’s seven-year budget cycle.

Giving evidence to a committee of MPs, Prime Minister Theresa May said a 31 December 2020 cut-off offered a “neatness” for the EU, but suggested the length of the transition phase would be a matter for the negotiations.

Long-term, the UK has already said it plans to leave the customs union and single market and end the supremacy of EU court rulings as part of Brexit.

Some Brexit-supporting Tory MPs have warned the UK could become a “colony” of the EU during the transition period if it continues to closely follow the same rules.

Looking beyond the transition phase, the UK is hoping to strike a “comprehensive” and “bespoke” trade deal with the European Union to replace its membership of the single market and customs union.

Talks on this have not started and the European Union says it will not have been fully agreed by the time the UK leaves in March 2019.

Twelve dead after careless driver caused bloody bus crash in Mexico THE devastating bus crash in southeastern Mexico that killed eight Americans and left another 20 people badly injured was caused by a negligent driver who was likely speeding, local officials said Wednesday.

The driver, who has not been identified, was shuttling 27 cruise ship passengers to the popular Chacchoben ruins in Quintana Roo when he lost control and struck a tree, causing the large black coach bus to flip over around 10 a.m.

Tuesday, prosecutor Miguel Angel Pech Cen said.

Two Swedes, a Canadian and a local tour guide were also killed in the bloody crash. Another seven Americans and two Swedes were among the injured.

The driver survived and was taken into custody. It was not immediately clear if he was facing charges.

A spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico would only confirm to the Daily News on Wednesday that

The accident also left 20 persons badly injured.

“multiple U.S. citizens” were among the dead.

“We express our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragedy,” the spokesman said, declining to comment further.

South Florida resident Fanya Shamis was one of the Americans who died in the crash, according to

her grandson, Benjamin Shababo.

Shababo also feared the worst for his uncle, aunt and two cousins — who are 11 and 15.

“We’re all scared,” Shababo, 18, told the Florida Sun Sentinel. “It’s just really scary to process this in my head that possibly something really bad happened to them.”

May’s top cabinet ally Green quits after porn claims U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s effective deputy, Damian Green, resigned after an official investigation found that he’d made misleading statements about pornography on one of his parliamentary office computers, and left questions unanswered about his behavior towards a female activist.

“I am extremely sad to be writing this,” May wrote in a letter to Green, released by her office, asking him to quit. “We have been friends and colleagues throughout our whole political lives.”

His departure strips her of one of the most loyal members of her government as she seeks to steer Britain’s path out of the European Union and rescue her struggling premiership. The 61-year-old and May knew each other since they were at Oxford University and he is one of her closest political allies -- ushered into the Cabinet after her election debacle.

He is the third member of her cabinet to leave office since the start of November. Defence Secretary Michael Fallon quit over inappropriate sexual behavior while Priti Patel stepped down as international development secretary after she misled the premier over private meetings with Israeli officials.

Unlike the previous two resignations, Green’s won’t require a Cabinet reshuffle -- Green’s role came without a departmental portfolio -- and officials in May’s office said there were no immediate plans to replace him.

It is not clear in any case who in the government could take over as May’s all-round trusted fixer and advisor.

Green’s is the latest and most senior British head to roll as a result of women coming forward to complain about inappropriate sexual behaviour in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

In October, when that story broke, Green was asked whether he thought there were similar episodes in

British politics. “People’s awareness generally of the facts that there are usually men in power who seek to exploit that power for bad purposes is the best defense against it,” he replied.

Two weeks later, he was himself in the spotlight, after a journalist and Conservative activist 30 years his junior, Kate Maltby, described how he had taken her for a drink in 2015 to discuss her political career.

After discussing political sex scandals, she wrote, “he mentioned that his own wife was very understanding. I felt a fleeting hand against my knee — so brief, it was almost deniable.”

When the article was published, Green did indeed deny it, but May asked her civil servants to investigate whether he had broken the ministerial code. That investigation led a former senior officer from London’s Metropolitan Police, Bob Quick, to allege that pornography was found on a computer in Green’s office before he became a minister.

Green described Quick’s accusations as “false, disreputable political smears” that “amount to little more than an unscrupulous character assassination.” Quick, who was in charge of a police raid on Green’s office in 2008 during an inquiry into leaks of government information, in turn threatened legal action if Green didn’t retract the claim.

Two more former police officers involved in the 2008 inquiry publicly backed up Quick, a move condemned by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick. The inquiry, the conclusions of which were released by May’s office, found that it was “is not possible to reach a definitive conclusion” on Maltby’s allegation, but added that it “found Ms Maltby’s account to be plausible.”

In his resignation letter, Green said he didn’t recognise Maltby’s version of events, “but I clearly made her feel uncomfortable and for this I apologise.”

36

JOB LISTINGS SERVICES AUTO SALES REAL ESTATE

Classifieds TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

946-4664 Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

FLOWER GIRL

WANTED URGENTLY

FLORAL DESIGNER

Must have thorough knowledge in the floral business with 3-5 years experience.

Call: 231-3788

SPACE AVAILABLE ON BUSY HIGHWAY FOR IMMEDIATE RENT. THIS SPACE IS NEWLY RENOVATED.

GOOD FOR LAW OFFIES, REAL ESTATE, SPA, BEAUTY SALON ETC...

CALL 649 231-3788

FOR SALE House in Richmond Hill residential area on a half acre land.

CONTACT: 231-3788

December 23-January 5, 2018

NEWS 37

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

FOR QUICK SALE ONE BRAND NEW WASHER CALL 231-3788

GET LEGAL HELP ON YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM CALL OR EMAIL US AT

duncansonlaw@gmail.com duncansonlaw.office@gmail.com 649-941-4444/ 649-245-1314/649-348-5744 DUNCANSON & CO BARRISTERS & ATTORNEYS 16121

TCI SECRETARIAL & ADMINISTRATION SERVICES Acting on behalf of our clients who are seeking the following:

NOTICE The Flower Girl will be closed for 1 week to complete renovations We look forward in servicing you with the best prices on Island and the Freshest Floral Arrangements

ALICE KITCHEN

Kitchen Helper $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

JA’SAMS CONSTRUCTION

M.A.F SECURITY SERVICES

Receiving Clerk $9.00 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

ARTHUR PARKER

Pipe Fitter $10.00 per hour Steel Erector Worker $10.00 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

Caretaker $ 6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

MR. & MRS. FORBES

(Storekeeper) Cashier $8.50 Domestic Worker $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

Domestic Worker $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

HOMAGE VARIETY STORE

CONTACT: 343-2230

16746

NEEDED URGENTLY Senior Reporter Reporter/Sub-Editor

We are looking for an experienced all-round reporter to join our small team. The successful applicant would have run the gamut of covering community events to court and parliamentary reporting. The ideal candidate should be able to copy edit and be able to write eye-catching headlines, as well as proofread. He or she will be responsible for ensuring that copy is accurate; has correct grammar and follows house style. Applicant should be computer-literate and should know how to use a camera.

Please send application to the publisher at Turks & Caicos News Ltd. (The Weekly News) tcweeklynews@gmail.com, or P.O.Box 52, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.

We are looking for a qualified reporter who has strong news gathering and writing skills, as well as the ability and enthusiasm to help keep the country’s leading newspaper ahead of the pack.

The position is available for immediate start and the successful candidate will be joining a small, dedicated team covering a wide range of news and features across the islands of the Turks & Caicos.

Local knowledge is preferred but not essential, but the successful applicant would have had wide experience in community, court and parliamentary reporting. A working knowledge of computer and photography is essential.

The salary for this position will be dependent on experience.

Write or email the publisher at tcweeklynews@gmail.com No phone calls please.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

38 CLASSIFIEDS A&G VARIETY STORE FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ a

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ANGELA WILLIAMS DOWNTOWN IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

LABOURER

LABOURER Salary: $150 per week Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT: 241-6565 Position is held by a work permit holder

16808

MUST HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF VEGETATION. 4 WEEKS PAID VACATION LEAVE ACCOMODATION PROVIDED SALARY: $6.50 PER HOUR MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK

CONTACT: 232-1473 POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

16811

ANTHONY GRANT GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 5 days per week

CONTACT: 241-1652

16846

APEX INNOVATIVE BUILDERS LEEWARD HIGHWAY Is looking for a

December 23-January 5, 2018 APEX ROOFING COMPANY PROVIDENCIALES Is seeking to employ a

PAINTER MASON

to work 5 days per week salary $8.00 per hour this position is for work permit renewal

Salary: $10.00 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT: 332-5020

CONTACT: 331-7663

16851

16824

BAREFOOT CAFÉ PORTS OF CALL Is seeking to employ a

KITCHEN HELPER Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 441-1686

Position is held by a work permit holder 16821

BENJAMIN BRUCE WALKING BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

Unit G203, 2ND Floor , Regent Village West, Grace Bay, P.O Box 641, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands Cell: 649 331-3890 Tel: 649 946-8504 Fax: 649 946 8506 Email: bsd@tciway.tc

Building Services Design Ltd. is currently seeking suitably qualified individuals to fill the following positions.

KITCHEN HELPER SALARY: $7.00 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK

SENIOR MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER / MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER The successful applicant must be a member of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and competent in the design of HVAC systems: Duties shall include preparation of standard detail drawings including sections and isometrics of various mechanical services such as HVAC, plumbing, sanitary, sprinkler systems, swimming pools etc. using Auto CAD software and Carrier E20 software

CONTACT: 346-7857

16751

DJ’S BAKERY GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

ELECTRICAL DESIGN ENGINEER The successful applicant must be competent in the design of electrical systems: Power generation and distribution of power supply, performing electrical calculations, sizing equipment and performing computer analysis of alternate systems; must also be competent in the design of fire alarm systems and communication systems using the latest Auto CAD software.

All applicants must be familiar with USA Codes and Regulations and should be a member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) All applicants must have extensive experience in the installation of, including testing and commissioning of the electrical and mechanical services.

Applicants should have a minimum of 5 (five) years experience and a proven design track record on projects for condominium complexes, hotels, commercial and industrial facilities and residential dwellings.

It is essential that all applicants must have a degree in his/her field obtained from a recognized University and registered with his/her respective Engineering Council/ Commission. The successful applicants must have the technical experience for solving design solutions and can work unsupervised in the preparation and issuing of mechanical and electrical design drawings. All applications will be considered from suitably qualified candidates who should forward a copy of their resume including relevant experience to the email/fax address below.

MALE ASSISTANT BAKER Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT 242-0718

16824

E.L CONSTRUCTION KEW TOWN Is seeking to employ a

CARETAKER/ PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO CARE FOR A PROFESSIONAL MAN’S INFANT CHILD AND TO BE A GENERAL PERSONAL ASSISTANT

CONTACT 941-4444 DOSSOU CONSTRUCTION

DOWNTOWN IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

LABOURER Salary: $7.00 per hour

CONTACT: 231-0770

Position is held by a work permit holder 16803

DREADZ

LEEWARD HIGHWAY IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

LABOURER

COSMETOLOGIST

CONTACT: 346-7379

CONTACT: 342-2182

SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK

SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK

POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

THIS POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

ELIE’S LANDSCAPING CLEANING SERVICES

EMMANUEL BELIZAIRE

16849

DOWNTOWN Is seeking to employ a

16796

FIVE CAYS Is looking for a

Deadline for Application is January 19th, 2018 Please fax your application to: - 649-946-8506 – Building Services Design Ltd. Email: accounts@bsd.tc

LABOURER

Or mail to: P.O Box 641 Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands

Must be willing to work 5 days per week Salary $200 per week

Please copy application to: - Labour Commissioner Providenciales Turks and Caicos Islands 16825

CONTACT 231-6153

16848

LABOURER CARETAKER Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 343-1963

Position is held by a work permit holder 16822

to work 5 days per week salary $200 per week

CONTACT: 649-347-0913

This position is for work permit renewal 16853

December 23-January 5, 2018 DAMARA LAVILETTE CORIELAN SMITH Is seeking to employ a

FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ a

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

DOUGLAS MISSICK Is seeking to employ a

PUBLIC NOTICE

LABOURER LABOURER CARETAKER Salary: $7.00 per hour

Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 331-3887

CONTACT: 348-9923

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16742

CLASSIFIEDS 39

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16766

To care for an elderly gentleman. The person must be caring, reliable and honest.

Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 349-0132

16750

REGISTERED LAND ORDINANCE CAP9.01

NOTICE OF LOST LAND CERTIFICATE TITLE NUMBER SECTION 60713/7 CHESHIRE HALL &

RICHMOND HILL

ISLAND PROVIDENCIALES

16781

GET LEGAL HELP ON YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM

Whereas JAMES MURPHY, Director of Cockburn Directors Ltd, The Director to A&R Construction Ltd of No.1 Caribbean Place, Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands has declared that the Land Certificate for the above-mentioned title number registered in the name of A & R CONSTRUCTION LTD was inadvertently mislaid and cannot be found.

CALL OR EMAIL US AT

duncansonlaw@gmail.com duncansonlaw.office@gmail.com 649-941-4444/ 649-245-1314/649-348-5744

Take that I, Brandie Anderson, Registrar of Lands, shall issue a new land certificate for the said title six weeks from the date of the first publication of this Notice in a local newspaper and the Gazette.

Dated this 29th day of November 2017.

Signed Brandie Anderson; Registrar of Lands Witnessed: Kissyah Gardiner

DUNCANSON & CO BARRISTERS & ATTORNEYS 16755

BAC JOB ADVERTISEMENT BAC that specializes in air-conditioning services is looking for a matured, experienced and trained professional to provide support to the Company and the Accounting Dept.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the Company with the day to day accounting and book keeping requirements; • Assist with the preparation of budget performance, cash flow forecasts and various financial reports as requested by stakeholders; • Manage the processing of receipts, recording of all financial transactions including revenue and receivables; • Reconcile all customers` accounts on a monthly or periodic basis and ensure all accounts are accurate; • Deal with all banking matters including monthly reconciliation and ensure proper management of liquidity; • Apply proper record keeping of journal entries including assets, liabilities and all transactions on a daily basis; • Prepare staff salaries, statutory payments and other mandatory expenses on time.

• Supervise the Accounting department and work along professionally with all employees and customers.

16121

TECHNICIAN NEEDED FOR A PRIVATE PROPERTY IN PROVIDENCIALES OPERATED BY SARAWACK LTD.

Certified technician with minimum seven year’s professional experience.

Must possess at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.

Must be fluent in English and Spanish and have a working knowledge of Italian.

Must be fit and able. Required to work five days a week.

Salary is $2,500.00 a month. Required to live on property.

Applicant must be able to do the following: • Provide technical maintenance and repair services to property • Assist with general maintenance of the property as needed • Ability to use and safely operate maintenance tools and equipment • Must be computer literate and have excellent written and oral communication skills • Possess valid driver’s license with clean record

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

This advertisement is required for a work permit renewal application for this position.

• • • •

At least five years working experience in the field of accounting, finance or business; At least a degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration; Strong knowledge and experience in Quikbooks and other accounting systems; Excellent communication skills and ability to interact and perform to the highest quality in a diverse environment.

• Compensation is negotiable.

Please forward application along with resume to bryantair@tciway.tc to reach no later than 29th December, 2017. This position is not held by a work permit holder.

All water bills are now available. If you have not received your bill, please contact Provo Water Company immediately on (649) 3399282 or email Billing@provowater.tc to request your bill.

Any balance not paid in full by the due date of Friday 22 December 2017 is considered past due (delinquent) and the account is subject to immediate disconnection of service.

The amount due plus a reconnection fee must be paid in full to restore a disconnected service.

Late fees are also applicable.

A delinquent disconnection can take up to 24 hours to be restored.

Please allow three (3) business days to process payments not made directly at Provo Water Company offices.

Please ensure that faucets are turned off before service is reconnected to prevent accidental flooding.

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.

16781

Prospective TC Islander applicants are also free to lodge a copy of their applications with the Labour Board.

16779

40 CLASSIFIEDS

December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PROPERTY MANAGER Key Responsibilities: • Managing both short and long-term property rentals • Marketing & price setting to optimize revenue and occupancy • Negotiating and enforcing leases • Maintaining and securing premises • Managing the TKCA team, plan and budget • Coordinating with (multiple) homeowners and TKCA director Deadline January 5tth 2018 Position for Belongers only Applications should be sent to info@tkcavacationrentals.com or P.O. Box 608, Providenciales Contact: 649-941-3445

This is a tourism related job and will

RICHMOND HILL PREPARATORY SCHOOL Is looking for a trained

PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER

With a minimum of ten years’ teaching experience and a teachers’ certificate from an accredited institution.

Teachers should be able to teach all subjects to any grade level, complete unit and lesson plans, serve on various committees and complete annual reports. Salary is $2200 per month PLEASE APPLY IN WRITING TO RICHMONDHILLPREP@YAHOO.COM

Qualified PADI/NAUI SCUBA Instructors Needed

Successful candidate will be a PADI MSDT with current membership and insurance, resort operations experience including advanced level instruction, dive accident management, compressor maintenance, equipment and engine maintenance and repair. Captain’s license and STCW95 qualification preferred, or applicant must be willing to train.

16841

16840

ROSE KELLY

PROVO TURTLE DIVERS

include all aspects of the company’s daily routine including but not limited to, teaching all levels of instruction, guiding dives, boat and vehicle operations and working the front office. The work schedule will include weekends, public holidays and occasional night dives.

DOMESTIC WORKER SALARY: $6.75 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK

Starting Salary $390 - $510 per week based on experience and qualifications.

Contact David Volkert at 946-4232 or info@provoturtledivers. com Positions available starting Feb 10, 2018. Please submit applications before January 5, 2018 16799

SAINTALESTE OLIBRICE FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work Monday- Friday

CONTACT: 342-2553 Preference for Belongers

16835

Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty Seeking Real

SAINTILIA 0. PARKER PROVIDENCIALES Is looking for a

DOMESTIC WORKER to work 5 days per week salary $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 649-341-1400

Estate Sales Executive RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE • Assist clients in the sale, purchase, letting or leasing of real estate • Introducing new clients and promoting real estate sales and new listings • Promptly notifying the Employer of the particulars of any new listing secured by the Employee, and of any potential listing or potential buyer coming to his/her attention • Performing such administrative functions as the Manager or acting Manager for the time being of the Employer (“the Manager”) may from time to time assign to the Employee • Participating in such meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, events and functions connected with real estate • Assisting in the preparation and publication or promotional material and media • Fostering good relations with companies in the real estate business and their employees and agents • Participate as a practicing member of the Turks & Caicos Real Estate Association (TCREA) • Keeping proper and organized records of activities and of the properties with which you are associated with • Sales and listing reports Required to work after hours and weekends as necessary • A minimum of 12 years in Real Estate Sales • Business Courses from a recognized University • Sales Training Courses • Multi Language Skills an asset • Microsoft Computer application knowledge

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS Commission Based Remuneration – Application Closing Date – March 1st, 2017.

Please submit CV to: Joe Zahm, Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty, P.O. BOX 279, Venture House, Providenciales, Telephone: 649-9464474 or Fax: 649-946-4433 16805

DOMESTIC WORKER

POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

16819

FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ a

Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

Salary $6.25 per hour Must be working MondayFriday

CONTACT: 231-6432

CONTACT: 344-8432

STANLEY WILLIAMS

CONTACT: 347-9222

16800

DOMESTIC WORKER

SUMA KENDALL INGHAM

SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR

THIS POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

SHERRIE FORBES

Grand Turk is seeking to employ a

This position is held by a work permit holder 16815

LABOURER

CONTACT: 946-4360

SALOMON ALTIDOR

This position is for work permit renewal 16854

PROVIDENCIALES IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

LEEWARD IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 946-1689

16833

Reference for Belongers

16837

SNR STUDIO BEAUTY AND BARBER VARIETY FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ a

HAIRSTYLIST Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work Monday – Friday

CONTACT: 346-4624 Belongers preferred

16836

SERVICES BY EA Is seeking to employ a

NURSERY MANAGER Applicants must have knowledge of finance, accounting, cash flow projection and proficient in using POS Systems for landscape, chemical and fertilization inventory.

Ability to analyze financial data and prepare automated financial reports. Statements and reports, statements and projection. Work requires professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills to deal with customers and suppliers.

Salary is $600 per week and willing to work long hours, weekends and holidays if needed. Reference will be given to applicants who completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Finance or Business Administration. Excellent reference from previous employers a must.

Interested applicants including Islanders/Belongers can bring all applications to EA Services Ltd. located at #65 Beechwood Road, Grace Bay, Providenciales or e-mail to mary@environmentalarts.tc successful applicants will be notified by phone for interview. This position is currently held by work permit holders.

16771

December 23-January 5, 2018 SWEET T’S RESTAURANT DOWNTOWN IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

SYDENY M. DEAN FIVE CAYS IS LOOKING FOR A

TCI PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS SERVICES

Acting on behalf of our clients

BELONY ANTOINE BIEN-AIME

CLASSIFIEDS 41

THE WENERIS JEWERLY REPAIR

TRAVELLING GOURMET

JEWELRY REPAIRER

CHEF

KEW TOWN Is seeking to employ a

IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

WOUDELINE DESIGN TAILOR SHOP

FIVE CAYS IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

DOMESTIC WORKER $6.25 per hour

SERVER CARETAKER SALARY: $250 PER WEEK

CONTACT: 343-3655 POSITION IS GHELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

6812

TO WORK 5 DAYS PER WEEK SALARY $250 PER WEEK THIS POSITION IS FOR WORK PERMIT RENWAL

CONTACT: 649-332-5020

16852

VILLA HOST A Hardworking, trustworthy and service oriented individual with excellent communications skills

QUALITY CAR RENTAL LTD.

AUTO MECHANIC $10 per hour

SALARY: $6.50 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK

CONTACT: 241-7878

CONTACT: 345-0557

CONTACT: 243-3036

CONTACT: 442-1349

WARD’S CONSULTANCY

WILMAN CONSULTANCY

WINSTON GARDINER

DOSSOU CONSTRUCTION

LABOURER $6.50 per hour 16847

Acting on behalf of our clients

AFTER 5 CATERING SERVICE

CATERING SUPERVISOR $20 per hour

WAITER

$7.00 per hour EY CONTRACTAL

UPHOLSTERER $ 7.00 per hour YOSHI SUSHI BAR

Deadline January 5tth 2018 Position for Belongers only Applications should be sent to info@ tkcavacationrentals.com or P.O. Box 608, Providenciales Contact: 649-941-3445

COOK

$8.00 per hour WOODS CONTRACTAL

LABOURER

$14.60 per hour CONTACT: 345-7212

16842

Positions are held by work permit holders 16831

L&M CRAFT MARKET L & G VARIETY STORE Seeking employment for the following:

1) DOMESTIC WORKER Interested candidate may contact the employer at 345-3454 regarding employment

GRACE BAY IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

THE BIGHT IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

MARCELINE JEAN GUY THE BIGHT Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER DOMESTIC WORKER SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR

Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 241-7995

CONTACT: 241-7907

POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HIOLDER

16856

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16767

GRAND TURK Is acting on behalf of our clients who are seeking the following

16810

BOTTLE CREEK, NORTH CAICOS IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY AN

CONTACT: 347-0198

16857

STANLEY WILLIAMS GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ

1 LABOURER 1 HANDYMAN Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 946-1489

16760

DOWNTOWN IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

LABOURER

WARREN WILLIAMS

2 LABOURERS

$ 6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 5 days per week JEAN EDDY JEROME

1 LABOURER 1 DOMESTIC WORKER Salary: $6.25 per hour Contact: 242-1358

16754

VACANCIES Employers are seeking the following positions PAT CONSTRUCTION, SPOTLESS CAR WASH, QUEEN OF THE SEA RESTAURANT, WILLIAMS CONSTRUCTION

DOMESTIC WORKER

SALARY: $8.00 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 4 DAYS PER WEEK

16810

ELVA WILLIAMS

LABOURER

ARTIST

SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR

LABOURER

$6.25-$10.00 PER HOURER

16863

LUC SAINT JEAN

16829

$6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 5 days per week Contact: 231-4657

COYABA RESTAURANT

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Care for guest and create a warm and welcoming environment; Assist departments as instructed by supervisor; work flexible and long hours, including, evenings, week-ends and public holidays • Remuneration $10/ Hour

SEAMSTRESS

Salary: $275 per week Must be willing to work Monday- Friday

NORTHSIDE CITY MARKET

$6.25 PER HOUR

MASON

$8.00-$15.00 PER HOUR

ORGANIST

SALARY: 320 PER WEEK

CONTACT: 2473538 OR 244-9643

16799

AFFINITY MANAGEMENT LTD LEEWARD Is seeking to employ a

Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 332-5020

CONTACT: DARLING86@ HOTMAIL.COM 16858

16816

$6.25 PER HOUR

CONTACT: 346-7379 POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

16859

DOSSOU CONSTRUCTION DOWNTOWN IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

LABOURER LABOURER

POSITION IS CURRENTLY HELD

BY A WORKPERMIT HOLDER

CAR WASHER

SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK 6 DAYS PER WEEK

CONTACT: 346-7379 POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

16859

STACIA ARTHUR

SAMANTHA WILLIAMS

ROSELINE MOMPREMIER

LABOURER

DOMESTIC WORKER

MASON LABOURER

CONTACT: 941-8881

CONTACT: 241-7279

MIDDLE CAICOS Is seeking to employ a

Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 344-7106

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16745

BLUE HILLS is seeking to employ a

Salary: $6.25 per hour

Position is held by a work permit holder 16763

BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ

$8.00 per hour $6.25 per hour

These positions are held by work permit holders

16779

42 CLASSIFIEDS

December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ACCU DIAGNOSTICS

A FAMILY

GET LEGAL HELP ON YOUR INSURANCE CLAIM

KEW TOWN Is seeking to employ a

LEEWARD HIGHWAY Is seeking to employ a

NANNY

CALL OR EMAIL US AT

duncansonlaw@gmail.com duncansonlaw.office@gmail.com 649-941-4444/ 649-245-1314/649-348-5744

Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work nights & weekends

CONTACT: 946-5383

DUNCANSON & CO BARRISTERS & ATTORNEYS 16121

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16762

MEDICAL PRACTITIONER

ANTOINE MICHEL FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ

FISHERMEN

Salary is Negotiable

Applicant must be honest, reliable and willing to work Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 946-8308

CONTACT: 341-3727

16772

16656

ANANDA LTD. / KB HOME CENTER

JOB VACANCIES STORE CLERKS

Duties: Mainly sales and customer service handling

LABOURER

Duties: Warehouse Maintenance

SUPREME COURT TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

NOTICE CEREMONIAL OPENING 2018 LAW YEAR The ceremonial opening of the 2018 Law Year of the Supreme Court of the Turks & Caicos Islands will take place on Wednesday 10th January, 2018 in GRAND TURK. The ceremony will commence with a Church service at the St. Mary’s Pro Cathedral Church at 10:00am.

Following the service the Honourable Chief Justice will lead a procession along Pond Street to the Court House, where Her Ladyship will inspect the Guard of Honour drawn from the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force.

A sitting of the Court at which the Chief Justice will deliver the feature address immediately follows the inspection of the Guard of Honour.

Registrar Supreme Court 21st December, 2017

MAINTENANCE

Duties: Warehouse Maintenance, Offloading Container, Distribution and delivery of goods, Inventory Control

SUPERVISORS

Duties: Supervising store activities, inventory and staff etc.

BELONGERS ONLY NEED APPLY APPLICATIONS MAY BE HAND DELIVERED TO THE ADDRESS BELOW:

LEEWARD HIGHWAY, PROVIDENCIALES & GRAND TURK Telephone: (649) 331-6020, (649) 231-4101 (649) 339-4663 Fax: 941-8155 Email: info@kbhomecenter.com

Salary is negotiable. Must be willing to work six days per week. Positions available immediately

B&B SERVICES

Acting on behalf of our clients, who are seeking the following

PAT CONSTRUCTION

16576

GOOD TASTE

JEAN LAURENT

2 COOKS

A LIVEIN MAID

STEPHENSON WALKIN Five Cays Is seeking to employ

BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ

1 PAINTER $7.50 per hour

1 LABOURER $6.50 per hour

Held by work permit holders

NYKI ENTERPRISES BEAUTY SALON

1 BEAUTICIAN $6.50 per hour HABITAT CONSTRUCTION

1 SUPERVISOR $7.50 per hour

Held by a work permit holder

CONTACT: 245-6962

16744

CARIBBEAN BUILDERS Is seeking to employ a

FINISH CARPENTER Salary: $6.25 per hour CONTACT: 244-0065

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16774

1 STORE CLERK CONTACT: 246-5189

16777

Salary: $7.00 per hour

CONTACT: 341-9945

16765

COCO BISTRO

Is seeking to employ a

PASTRY CHEF Salary: $7.00 per hour. Must be willing to work 44 hours per week • Must speak English • Must have a clean police record • Must be able to carry out duties by Supervisor/ Manager • Must have 5 years’ experience Contact: 946-5369 Belongers need only apply, Send a copy of your resume to the Labor Board Position is held by a work permit holder 16755

December 23-January 5, 2018

GUSTAVUS FRANCIS BLUE MOUNTAIN Is seeking to employ a

CLASSIFIEDS 43

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

IMPERIAL SECURITY SERVICES GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

EMPLOYERS ARE SEEKING THE FOLLOWING POSITION:

JAMES FULFORD OF GRAND TURK

LEGISTER W. MISSICK

is seeking to employ a

GLASS SHACK Is seeking to employ a

EXOTIC HAIR & NAIL CREATION 342-2222

DOMESTIC WORKER

CLEANER

CONTACT: 649-332-5020

CONTACT 2412560

CONTACT: 345-2426

TCI WASTE DISPOSAL 332-5032

LABORER $6.25 PER HOUR QUALITY WILBERT CONSTRUCTION 347-2608

DOMESTIC WORKER $6.25 PER HOUR

LABOURER Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT: 241-6040

Position is held by a work permit holder 16826

LEGRAND ROSELINE BEAUTY SALON

DOWNTOWN IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

HAIRSTYLIST

LINA CHARITE TIMA 347-5313

CARETAKER $6.25 PER HOUR

SECURITY OFFICER Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 946-2475

Position is held by a work permit holder 16829

CARIDAD GARCIA DE POZO 331-8583

LABOURER $6.25 PER HOUR

Interested person may

LABORER $6.25 PER HOUR BARBER $8.00 PER HOUR These positions are for renewal purpose

LOUISENA GUSTAVE

16855

LYNEAL GIBSON Is seeking to employ a

FIVE CAYS IS SEEKIGN TO EMPLOY A

DOMESTIC WORKER

CARETAKER HANDYMAN

Applicant must be Honest, Reliable and Hardworking Salary: $6.50 per hour

POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

CONTACT: 344-7847

CONTACT: 649-232-6835

CONTACT: 343-3398

NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH OF GOD

NORIS BAR AND RESTAURANT

P&D CONSULTANCY

SALARY: $1000 PER MONTH

CONTACT: 332-5032 16818

SOUTH CAICOS IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

LABOURER SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR

CONTACT: 341-4730

THIS POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

16806

PORT ATLANTIC CONSTRUCTION

IS SEEKING TO EMPLOY A

CARPENTER HELPER SALARY: $6.25 PER HOUR. MUST BE WILLING TO WORK MONDAY-FRIDAY

CONTACT: 346-6622

BELONGERS PREFERRED POSITION IS HELD BY A WORK PERMIT HOLDER

16803

SALARY: $250 PER WEEK

16817

DOWN TOWN Is seeking to employ a

Salary $6.25 per hour

16838

Is seeking to employ

2 DOMESTIC WORKERS

BARTENDER $200 per week

2 LABOURERS $6.25 per hour

2 MASONS

CONTACT: 232-4905

CONTACT: 232-2001

16830

PROMISE

Grand Turk is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT: 247-6615

This position is held by a work permit holder 16814

16802

Position is held by a work permit holder 16820

MOMMY LORNA DAY CARE

NATIONAL COLONY REALTY LTD

BABYSITTER

LABOURER

seeks to employ a

in Grand Turk 5 days per week at a salary of $200.00 per month please

CONTACT TEL NO. 244-7818

16798

seeks to employ a

5 days a week at a salary of $300.00 per week

PLEASE CONTACT THERESA MENELY AT TELEPHONE NO. 946-5945

16797

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

$6.25 per hour

KITCHEN HELPER $250 per week

16834

Salary is $6.25 per hour

Salary: $6.25 per hour

$7.00 per hour

16828

ROBERTS AGENCY

Who is seeking and acting on behalf of our client is looking for

PAINTER TILE LAYER

Salary: 6.25 per hour D&U LANDSCAPING

GARDENER

Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 241-2043

Positions are held by work permit holders 16827

MOMENTOUS LTD. Momentous Ltd. is seeking qualified individuals. Only candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and requirements will be considered. All candidates must be willing to work unusual hours including weekends and public holidays. All candidates must be non-smokers. Applicants will be required to pass a written skills test. These positions are currently occupied by Work Permit holders.

Qualified Turks Islander applicants are invited to forward resumes to the Labour Board.

ASSISTANT MANAGER – COMMUNICATIONS & SALES EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to communicate, liaise, and negotiate internally and externally using appropriate methods to facilitate the development of profitable business and sustainable relationships • Strong understanding of Microsoft Office applications and ability to troubleshoot/diagnose computer and network issues • Manage and maintain effectiveness of IT • 5+ years project management experience • 5+ years managing and executing marketing plans • 5+ years computer network experience • 5+ years experience in legal contract drafting and negotiation • 5+ years experience in troubleshooting computer hardware/software issues • 10+ years sales experience • 10+ years experience management, training, and recruiting staff according to company policies and employment laws, ensuring relevant HR procedures are followed

Applications can be submitted directly to careers@momentous.com 16850

44 CLASSIFIEDS

December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

MARJ CRAFTS

OLEM SEIDE ISLANDS DRYWALL FINISH

THE BIGHT Is seeking to employ a

InterHealth Canada has pleasure in announcing the following vacancy within the Facilities Management Departments at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre, Providenciales.

MASON WANTED

HOSPITAL COOK – Providenciales

40 hours per week. Required for Cheshire Hall Medical Centre only. Working within a team of experienced Chef's to produce high standards of food, quality and customer service.

Candidate must have at least 3 years previous experience, have good literacy, numeracy and IT skills and have experience of working within a high standard production kitchen, over a range of departments i.e. soup, pastry, entree sections. Candidate will be required to carry out paperwork and inventory duties within their remit, and able to work 5 days over 7 on a shift system.

Appointments will be made based on a successful interview, positive reference check, and a clear Police check. Previous experience is preferred, but not essential. Training is provided.

Interested candidates please forward your resume to: Dpinnock@interhealthcanada.tc

COOPER JACK Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER Salary: $180 per week Must be willing to work 4 days per week

CONTACT: 232-4548

16778

ARNOLD SIMMONS Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT: 245-4898

16787

Salary: $6.25 per hour

DRYWALL FINISHER

CONTACT: 242-6174

CONTACT 232-9432

CONTACT: 341-1944

Salary: $400 per week

16769

16749

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

Belongers only are invited to apply.

ALBERT STUBBS

LABOURER

20 years’ experience Available to work flexible hours and weekends. Pay based on qualification and experience Islanders preferred

16770

Excellent communications skills and previous customer service experience is necessary.

For further information and queries, please contact Donique Pinnock on Tel: 941-2800 Ext 71802

Is seeking to employ a

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

16761

CAICOS FRESH SEAFOOD LONG BAY Is seeking to employ a

FIVE CAYS Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

SALESMAN Salary: $8.00 per hour

CONTACT: 3318399 OR 331-1745

Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 5 days per week

CONTACT: 347-4416

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

WINKEY’S CATERING SERVICES BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

DOWNTOWN

ASSISTANT

LABOURER

Agreement as per qualification

CONTACT: ULF@ VISTATCI.COM

16773

16791

First Time

16747

Salary: $7.00

CONTACT: 232-2227

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16789

VACANCIES

DISCOUNT LIQUORS AND WINE CELLAR IS LOOKING FOR A

SALES AND MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE

IJ VARIETY STORE

employment

STORE CLERK

JEANITHE VERNET PIERRE CHARLES Seeking employment for the following:

Seeking employment for the following: Interested candidate may submit their application through Ricardo Fulford Consultant Services, via email: ricardofulford@gmail.com regarding employment

Description of Position • Promote all the products carried at our wholesale and retail operation • Help customers make selections by building customer confident and offering suggestions and options • Maintain a complete sales history and purchase pattern of our wholesale customers • Establish customer sales objectives by forecasting and developing annual sales quotas • Coordinate and assist in devising and im0plementing various sales and marketing strategies for The Wine Cellar retail and Wholesale divisions, along with similar programs for all other affiliated, in order to determine appropriate strategies for account success.

• Provide regular SWOT analysis reports to management on the progress or determine of each account, in order to determine appropriate strategies for account success • Assist Operations Manager in setting up proper inventory purchasing cycles in an effort to maximize the use of the business cash flow • Maintain customer sales volumes, product mix, and selling price by keeping current with supply and demand changing trends, economic indicators and competitors • A minimum of 5 years’ in Sales and Marketing in the Beverage Industry • Assist the Operation Managers and co-workers in all other areas deemed necessary Salary commensurate with experience

BABYSITTER

Interested candidate may contact the employer at 343-7867 regarding employment

EVELYNE JOAZIL Seeking employment for the following:

AMILA'S VARIETY STORE Seeking employment for the following:

Interested candidate may contact the employer at 346-7888 regarding employment

Interested candidate may contact the employer at 344-7871regarding employment

NANNY

STORE CLERK

PARKWAY LIQUORS Seeking employment for the following:

JENNY'S PRODUCTION Seeking employment for the following:

Interested candidate may contact the employer at 346-0493 regarding employment

Starting salary is $6.50 per hour. Interested candidate may contact the employer at 2432742 regarding employment

BARTENDER

KITCHEN HELPER

CARIBBEAN DIAMOND RESORTS LTD Seeking employment for the following:

KAVEN SHELTON WILLIAMS Seeking employment for the following:

Interested candidate may contact the employer at 231-4885 regarding

Starting salary is $6.50 per hour. Interested candidate may contact the employer at 3417220 regarding employment

ELECTRICIAN 16776

Applications must be submitted to: Discount Liquors & Wine Cellar Email: discount@tciway.tc (or) Fax: 946-4871. NO Telephone Calls please

FITCO LTD

DUDLEY MALCOLM

DOMESTIC WORKER

16785

December 23-January 5, 2018

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PROVOSTEVDORING

JERARD SPENCER

SOUTH DOCK Is seeking to employ a

LONG BAY Is seeking to employ a

LIVE-IN NANNY

Email: FortressSecvuritySolutions@live.com

TITO BOYCE Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 241-4395

16764

16743

REQUIREMENTS: • Required to live-in and take care of children • Must be able to cook and clean • Must love children • Required to travel and go to doctor’s visits with children • Must have a clean police record with no criminal background • Must be available to work a minimum of 6 days per week • Belongers need only apply

CONTACT: 332-3737

CLASSIFIEDS 45

THE ROSE GARDEN/ ROSEBELLE GIBSON Is seeking to employ

2 DOMESTIC WORKERS 2 LABOURERS 1 MAINTENANCE 1 STEELMAN Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 241-1429

or email rosebellegbson@yahoo. com to leave a resume 16757

NEWLY REDECORATED 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT FOR RENT In Richmond Hills. NO PETS

FOR MORE INFORMATION

CALL 231-3788

LABOURER Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 941-8975

is looking to employ four (4) IKO Level 2

Contact: Wayne Lynagh at 649-231-2300 2 positions are held by work permit holders

LABOURER Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 242-6914

WIDELIN TIMENY

WASTER CHERY

DOMESTIC WORKER

BABYSITTER

KEW TOWN Is seeking to employ a

KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTOR

The candidate must be fluent in English as well as Spanish with at least five (5) years’ experience as an instructor Compensation commensurate with experience

GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16753

TURKS AND CAICOS KITEBOARDING

ROBERT DAREN LIGHTBOURNE

Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 341-2460

16778

BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

Salary: $6.25 per hour

CONTACT: 244-9961

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16758

LAND FOR SALE In beautiful Bottle Creek, North Caicos

.46 acres overlooking the creek, spanning King Road and Windsor Road

QUICK SALE

CALL 232-3508 OR 946-4664

KENDAL SAUNDERS GRAND TURK Is seeking to employ a

MR. BIGGS CARWASH Is seeking to employ

CAR WASHERS LABOURER Salary: $6.50 per hour

CONTACT: 232-1400

16782

Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work Mon-Saturday

CONTACT: 347-3900

This position is held by a work permit holder 16784

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS SALT CAY BUILDING SERVICES SALT CAY Is seeking to employ

2 CARPENTERS

CAICOS TRANSPORTATION LONG BAY Is seeking to employ a

December 23-January 5, 2018 CARINE BELLEVUE STORE DOWNTOWN Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER Salary: $7.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CECELIA CLEANING BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

1 LABOURER

LABOURER

CONTACT: $231-6663

CONTACT: 243-6532

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

CONTACT: 242-6394

DE AQUINO SPORTS

ELAINE WILLIAMS

JOSEPH BELLEVUE

$9.00 per hour $6.25 per hour

16786

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Salary: $6.25 per hour

16793

DOWNTOWN Is seeking to employ a

AT THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the following full-time lecturing positions at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College for the semester commencing February 19, 2018:.

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND FINE ARTS:

1 position: Law/Sociology/Psychology Lecturers are required to teach across different academic levels from the G.C.E. Advanced level, Caribbean Advanced Proficiency and up to the Associate and Bachelor Degree levels. Multi-disciplinary candidates are particularly encouraged to apply for these positions.

The ideal candidate must have knowledge and skills obtained through collegiate preparation resulting in a Master’s degree (Doctorate preferred) which must include eighteen (18) graduate semester hours in the area being applied for, from an accredited and recognized institution plus a Teaching Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma and no less than three years post qualification teaching experience. A Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of a second class honors or other postgraduate qualifications, teaching certificate/Diploma and experience in teaching at Tertiary level may be considered.

SALARY IS IN THE SCALE: Level I: US$27,399.90 – $39,102.30 per annum.

Level II: US$40,210 – $43,488.40 per annum.

Entry point will depend on qualifications and experience. In the case of staff recruited from overseas, appointment is on contractual terms for an initial period of two years. A gratuity is payable at the end of satisfactory contractual service at the rate of 10% of salary drawn during the period of service. A housing allowance is payable at existing rates.

Applications with copies of qualifications (including official transcripts), two character references, a police record and a recent testimonial from current place of employment should be sent to the:

PRESIDENT, TCI COMMUNITY COLLEGE, P.O. BOX 236, GRAND TURK, TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS to reach not later than 30th December, 2017. Where possible, applicants should e-mail their applications.

EMAIL: tcicomc@tciway.tc president@tcicc.edu.tc dean@tcicc.edu.tc We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only persons selected for interview will be contacted.

CONTACT: 343-7536

16783

JUBA SOUND Is seeking to employ a

DOMESTIC WORKER

CASHIER Salary: $7.00 per hour

CONTACT: 346-9102

16790

Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 5 days per week

CONTACT: 345-8331

This position is currently held by a work permit holder

16780

JANITOR Salary: $6.25 per hour

16792

BLUE HILLS Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 6 days per week

CONTACT: 342-8856

16788

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

THE LARGEST READERSHIP IN THE TURKS & CAICOS

GOVERNMENT VACANCIES – (APPLICATION DEADLINE: 19TH JANUARY)

Superintendent of Prisons - CFB6-05

DEPARTMENT: Her Majesty’s Prison LOCATION: Grand Turk Salary: Grade 10 - $73185.00 per annum and Allowances - 24,560.00 per annum

JOB SUMMARY The Superintendent of Prisons has national responsibility for the effective management of Her Majesty’s Prison Service in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Job holder will ensure compliance with Prison Ordinance and regulations, protection of the public and the welfare of Prisoners, international standards on the detention of persons and will be an effective partner within the wider criminal justice network. The Job holder will oversee and direct Prison policy and reform to ensure compliance with the Government's Mission and Vision Statements as it relates to the Prison Service and the wider requirements of international law.

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.

16794

46 CLASSIFIEDS

December 23-January 5, 2018

47

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

Chocolate poisoning risk to dogs at Christmas

Everyone is welcome to the singing workshops and no-one asks about mental health issues.

Community singing ‘improves mental health and helps recovery’ SINGING in groups can help people recover from mental illness, making them feel valued and increasing their confidence, according to research.

A University of East Anglia study of singers involved in free weekly workshops in Norfolk found benefits to mood and social skills.

Researchers said the Sing Your Heart Out project had stopped some people from relapsing.

They urged other areas to consider running community singing groups.

The Sing Your Heart Out (SYHO) initiative started in 2005 at a psychiatric hospital in Norwich, before branching out into the community.

It is aimed at people with mental health conditions as well as the general public, and regularly attracts hundreds of people to four weekly sing-alongs.

One of them is Penny Holden, 67, who has lived with bipolar disorder all her life.

She credits the singing group with

YVETTE GARDINER NORTH CAICOS Is seeking to employ a

LABOURER Salary: $6.25 per hour Must be willing to work 5 days per week

CONTACT: 242-5421

16747

turning her life around 13 years ago, when she was at her lowest.

She said singing in harmony had been a wonderful tonic.

“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done.

It’s such a nurturing environment, where we look out for each other and help each other.

“I found it difficult to relate to people and trust them when I first went along, but I knew I wanted to do something to get involved in life again.

“But I didn’t want to sit around talking and drinking tea and biscuits.”

Researchers from UEA’s Norwich Medical School said a study of 20 members of the group over six months found singing and mixing socially had helped those who had had serious mental health issues to function better in day-today life.

‘NO PRESSURE’ Lead researcher Prof Tom Shakespeare said it was “a lowcommitment, low-cost tool for mental health recovery within the community” because it gave participants a feeling of belonging and wellbeing.

He said the breathing involved in singing had also been shown to be good for the body.

Prof Shakespeare said the term “choir” had been intentionally avoided in SYHO because it scared people off.

“Anyone can make a noise. Noone is ever rejected in these groups.

“There’s also very little pressure because the participants are not rehearsing towards a performance.”

This approach, he said, meant the singing groups were very inclusive, relaxed and fun.

And, in contrast to music therapy, there is no pressure for anyone to discuss their condition.

“That means you don’t know who you’re sitting next to. You don’t have to tell anyone about yourself,” Prof Shakespeare said.

CHOCOLATE poisoning is a risk to the family dog at Christmas, say vets.

They warn that dogs are four times more likely to fall ill from eating it at this time of year.

A study found hundreds of cases of dogs needing veterinary treatment after stealing chocolate Santas, selection boxes, chocolate oranges and even a mug of hot chocolate.

Vets are trying to get the message across that it should be kept out of reach from the family pet.

While dogs like the taste of chocolate, it can make them ill, even in small quantities. ‘’The take home message is firstly to make sure that people recognise that chocolate is a potential problem and to be vigilant with their chocolate gifts over the holiday period,’’ said Dr Philip Jones, lecturer in veterinary epidemiology and public health at the University of Liverpool. ‘’If their dog does get access... to make sure that they contact their veterinary surgeon. ‘’And also before they contact their veterinary surgeon to have an estimate of how much chocolate and what type of chocolate the dog has eaten.’’

INTOXICATION The chemical theobromine, found in cocoa beans, is broken down more slowly in dogs. This can lead to sickness, increased heart rate,

Dogs have been known to snaffle chocolate decorations, gifts and advent calendars.

agitation, seizure, and, occasionally, death.

Electronic health records from 200 veterinary practices - about 10% of the total number in the UK - were analysed for the study, between 2012 and 2017.

The research found chocolate intoxication was four times more likely at Christmas than on a normal day. The risk was half that at Easter, but there was no difference on Valentine’s Day and Halloween.

Vomiting was the most common symptom of chocolate poisoning, followed by agitation and increased heart rare.

Younger dogs were more likely

to snaffle chocolate and fall ill. In most cases, only small amounts were consumed. However, there were exceptions, such as when a dog ate a large number of Easter eggs hidden in a garden for a children’s party.

Treatment for poisoning depends on the amount of time that has passed since the dog ate.

The dog may be given medicine to induce vomiting and activated charcoal to stop further absorption of the toxic substance.

The dog may then need fluid therapy and further medication to combat toxic effects on the heart.

The study was published in the journal, Veterinary Record. (BBC)

Fungal disease poses global threat to snakes A POTENTIALLY deadly fungal disease poses a significant threat to snakes all over the world, new research suggests.

The pathogen, has been found in 23 species of wild snake in the US and three in Europe. The fungus causes lesions on the snake’s body, leading to infection and death.

This study argues that all snakes could become or are already infected.

The report has been published in the journal Science Advances.

Fungal afflictions have had devastating impacts on a number of different species in recent years.

Chytrid fungus has reduced frog populations all around the world, while white nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in the US. Now researchers have evidence of what’s termed snake fungal disease (SFD) in a number of populations in Europe and the US. Found predominantly in rat snakes, milk snakes, garter snakes and vipers in eastern parts of the US, it has also been detected in Europe, including in the UK. The disease forms lesions on the

A northern water snake suffering from a fungal skin infection.

snake’s skin, and can spread quickly and cover a large part of the body.

“They start getting these blisters and then all kinds of secondary infections from it, it can kill snakes quite rapidly actually, I’ve seen them go down in a matter of a few days,” lead author Dr Frank Burbrink, from the American Museum of Natural History, told BBC News.

“The demographic of the disease and how its really working across

all these species and populations are unknown, but we do know that it can take populations down, it can have 100% mortality in some.”

While moulting can help the animal, many die from infections.

The fungus also causes changes in the behaviour of snakes, causing them to spend more time basking in the sun as their skin moults, putting them at greater risk of starvation and attack from predators.

48

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

December 23-January 5, 2018

Sports Interational

49

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Turkey wants to imprison Knicks’ Kanter over presidential insults

Venus Williams can now refocus on her tennis career.

Williams, 2nd driver won’t be charged in fatal crash, police say NO charges will be filed against tennis star Venus Williams and a second driver over a car crash that left one dead in June, Florida authorities said Wednesday.

The accident, in which the other driver’s Hyundai Accent crashed into Williams’ Toyota Sequoia, left Jerome Barson dead. It injured his wife, Linda, who was driving when the crash happened at an intersection in Palm Beach Gardens.

An investigation supported by video surveillance showed Williams did not violate the other driver’s right of way, the Palm Beach Gardens Police said in an investigative report obtained by CNN affiliate WPBF. “Based upon this investigation and relevant Florida state statutes, no charges will be filed in this case,” the report said.

Palm Beach Gardens Police obtained surveillance video of the June 9 collision from the perspective of a guard gate of a residential

community near the intersection.

On the basis of the video, police said in a statement shortly after the crash that, “the vehicle driven by Venus Williams lawfully entered the intersection on a circular green traffic signal, and attempted to travel north through the intersection.”

Williams came to a stop as she travelled north through the intersection “to avoid a collision” when a car going west made a left turn in front of her, according to authorities.

She then continued north, in accordance with state law, before another car collided with her vehicle, police said.

Two weeks after the crash, Jerome Barson died in a hospital. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Williams, citing negligence.

The lawsuit stated that Barson’s injuries included “severed main arteries, massive internal bleeding, a fractured spine, and massive internal organ damage.”

TURKISH prosecutors are seeking a lengthy prison term for New York Knicks center Enes Kanter on charges that he insulted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erodgan, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported Wednesday. The indictment against Kanter, a Turkish national, is based on a series of tweets he posted in May and June 2016, according to the Associated Press.

Istanbul’s public prosecutor is requesting a four-year sentence for Kanter, who would be tried in absentia.

The former Oklahoma City Thunder player has long been a critic of the Turkish government, and Erdogan in particular. He has also expressed support for Fethullah Gulen, the U.S.-based cleric Turkey has blamed for a failed coup attempt in 2016.

Responding to the news at Knicks practice Wednesday, Kanter expressed surprise that Turkey wasn’t seeking a more punitive sanction.

“Four years? That’s it?” Kanter said, per the New York Daily News.

“For all of the trash I’ve been talking?”

In May, Kanter was detained at the airport in Bucharest, Romania, while on a worldwide tour for the Enes Kanter Foundation, which provides meals and clothing to the needy worldwide. He said the Turkish embassy had revoked his passport, which he described as a common tactic and an attempt to get critics of the Turkish government deported back to Turkey for punishment. With help from the Oklahoma City Thunder — his then-NBA team — the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and both Oklahoma senators, he was able to travel to London and

Enes Kanter is apparently a wanted man in his native Turkey.

then on to New York.

“You guys need to know what is going on in Turkey right now,” Kanter wrote on the Players’ Tribune earlier this year, after his airport scare. “I hope people around the world will open their eyes to the human rights abuses. Things have gotten very bad over the last year.

This is not my opinion. We don’t know everything that is happening inside Turkey, but we do know some facts. Newspapers and media have been restricted. Academics have been fired. Peaceful protesting is not allowed. Many people have been imprisoned without any real charges.

There are reports of torture and rape and worse.”

The government in Turkey has indeed escalated its crackdown

against dissidents following an attempted overthrow of Erdogan last year. Rogue elements of the military seized tanks and fighter jets and attacked protestors from helicopters on the streets of major cities.

Since then, authorities have arrested and detained tens of thousands of police, military, bureaucrats and activists — often on charges of supporting the coup.

According to press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders, Turkey remains the world’s worst jailer of journalists, with more than 73 reporters behind bars. Human Rights Watch said that the post-coup clampdown “was symptomatic of the government’s increasing authoritarianism.”

(Washington Post)

French sailor Gabart sets round-the-world record

Gabart sprays champagne at the end of his solo around the world navigation.

HE spent 42 days alone at sea, but for Frenchman Francois Gabart it was a lightning dash as he became the fastest person to sail solo nonstop around the world.

The 34-year-old left Ouessant, off the west coast of France, on November 4 and raced eastwards around the globe to finish in 42 days, 16 hours, 40 minutes and 35 seconds.

Sailing the 30-meter (98 feet) trimaran MACIF, Gabart shattered compatriot Thomas Colville’s 2016 record by more than six days.

Gabart’s time for the 27,859-mile voyage makes it the second fastest circumnavigation ever, behind Francis Joyon and his five-man crew aboard the giant trimaran IDEC

Sport, who clocked 40 days 23 hours on January 2017.

Gabart enjoyed favorable weather conditions throughout and crossed the finish line between Ouessant and Lizard Point off England’s southwest coast at about 01:45 a.m Sunday.

“I never dreamed of a time like this,” Gabart told reporters after docking in the French port of Brest.

“On paper, with the weather and with what I am capable of doing with this boat, it was possible to beat the record, but in the best scenarios only by one or two days. It’s quite extraordinary.”

Colville, in turn, shaved more than eight days off Joyon’s 2008 solo

mark.

Before that, Britain’s Ellen MacArthur held the record with a time of 71 days, still the fastest by a woman.

The fastest time for sailing solo around the world in a monohull is 74 days three hours 35 minutes, set

by Frenchman Armel Le Cleac’h in winning the 2016-2017 Vendee Globe.

Long distance offshore sailing, both crewed and solo, has a long tradition in France.

MacArthur is the only non-French sailor to have held the solo record since American Dodge Morgan reduced the monohull mark to 150 days in 1986. (CNN)

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Sports Interational

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

Floyd Mayweather, who defeated Conor McGregor in a boxing match, has shut down the possibility of fighting him in the UFC octagon.

American sprinter Justin Gatlin won the 100m gold at the 2017 world championships in London.

Gatlin: I am not using performance-enhancing drugs WORLD champion sprinter Justin Gatlin on Tuesday denied having used performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), following doping allegations against his team.

The scandal erupted when The Daily Telegraph claimed Gatlin’s coach, Dennis Mitchell, and an agent, Robert Wagner, had offered to sell PEDs to undercover journalists from the newspaper.

When details of the investigation were published on Monday, Gatlin immediately sacked Mitchell.

The 35-year-old American runner has received two doping bans during his career, but has enjoyed a victorious return to the track, taking gold in the 100m at the London

world championships in August.

In a statement, Gatlin said he was shocked by the accusations made against his coach.

“I am not using and have not used PEDs,” Gatlin said, according to The Guardian. “I was shocked and surprised to learn that my coach would have anything to do with even the appearance of these current accusations. I fired him as soon as I found out about this.”

Gatlin also revealed that he is talking with his lawyers to decide whether to sue the Telegraph for defamation.

“All legal options are on the table as I will not allow others to lie about me like this,” he added. “I have no

further comments as it is now a legal matter. They will next hear from my lawyer.”

Meanwhile, the Telegraph says sources have revealed that Gatlin’s previous drugs tests are to be rerun following the paper’s investigation.

Gatlin, Mitchell and Wagner are being investigated by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). A source close to the investigation reportedly told the Telegraph: “We have a retesting policy that has been in place for some time now.

We know that this is a game of catch up, and with world champion or a gold medalist we have a lot of their samples stored for retesting.”

(Theweek.co.uk)

Mayweather shuts down talk of potential ‘billion dollar’ UFC deal FLOYD Mayweather has quickly denied that he is in talks over a potential deal to fight in the UFC. UFC president Dana White claimed on Wednesday that the promotion had held discussions with Mayweather, telling ESPN that it was a ‘realistic possibility’ that the boxing icon could step inside the octagon.

The story began to gain traction a week ago when the Money Team leader posted a video to social media saying that the option was there for him to ‘do a three or four fight deal in the Octagon and make a billion dollars’.

However, Mayweather has explained that whilst the opportunity is there, he has no intention of taking it.

‘Exactly what I said is this: If I could make over a billion dollars before, I could do it again,’ the 40-year-old said, speaking to

FightHype.

‘If I chose to get in the UFC and fight three fights or fight four fights and then fight Conor McGregor, I could make a billion dollars. Which I can. I could do it in three fights or even four fights — I could make a billion dollars. If I choose to get in the Octagon and fight.

‘We just don’t know what the future holds for Floyd Mayweather.

And I don’t look forward to getting back in a boxing ring, that’s what I don’t look forward to.

‘I’m just saying I could — I’m not doing it — but I’m saying what I could do to make a billion dollars quick, if I wanted to do that. That’s what I was saying. I never said I was gonna fight in the UFC. I didn’t say that. I said if I wanted to and what I could. Could and would do is different things. I’m not gonna do it, though.’

Birmingham announced as host of 2022 Commonwealth Games BIRMINGHAM has been named host city for the 2022 Commonwealth Games - the most expensive sports event to be held in Britain since the London Olympics.

The city’s bid was the only one submitted to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) by the deadline of 30 September, after it was chosen ahead of Liverpool as Britain’s candidate.

The CGF initially deemed the city’s bid was “not fully compliant”.

However, it has now been confirmed as the host of the £750m event.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street described the announcement as a “fantastic Christmas present for our region”.

The bidding process has been

beset with problems, with the South African city of Durban awarded the Games in 2015 before being stripped of the event because it did not meet the CGF criteria.

After Birmingham’s bid was initially deemed to not meet the necessary criteria, previously interested cities such as Victoria in Canada and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia were given another two months to apply, but none came forward.

Birmingham’s organisers will now move forward with plans to build the UK’s largest permanent athletics stadium, supplemented by four indoor arenas.

The decision will also enable the council to pursue the purchase of land for the athletes’ village in

Perry Barr, one of the city’s northern suburbs.

This will be the third time the Commonwealth Games has been held in Britain since the turn of the century, after Manchester and Glasgow staged the event in 2002 and 2014 respectively.

The Games are expected to take place between 27 July and 7 August 2022.

Louise Martin, president of the CGF, said Canada, Malaysia and Australia have all expressed interest in hosting the Games in 2026 or 2030.

Making the announcement at a school in Birmingham, Martin told pupils the Games would “celebrate diversity, create opportunities and drive business links”.

Weightlifting will be held at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall under the city’s plans.

“With its rich history, cultural diversity, youthful dynamism and ambitious spirit, Birmingham embodies all that we cherish about the Commonwealth,” she said.

“We want this to be a brand new chapter in Birmingham’s history, and we want you to be part of that.”

Culture secretary Karen Bradley said Birmingham will put on a “brilliant Games that will showcase the best of Britain to the world and make the entire country proud”.

A central aspect of the bid was a proposal to increase the capacity of Alexander Stadium.

December 23-January 5, 2018

Sports National

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Former Wimbledon champion Bartoli announces shock comeback

Perry’s unbeaten 213 against England in November is the highest Test score by an Australian woman.

Australian all-rounder Perry named women’s cricketer of the year AUSTRALIAN Ellyse Perry has been named women’s cricketer of the year by the International Cricket Council.

The 27-year-old all-rounder won the ICC’s inaugural Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award, renamed in memory of the former England captain, who died in January.

Perry scored an unbeaten 213 during the women’s Ashes Test in November as Australia retained the trophy.

Australian wicketkeeper Beth

Mooney picked up both the T20 player of the year and emerging player of the year.

New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite was named ODI player of the year after scoring 1,183 runs in 24 matches.

Anya Shrubsole was not included in the ODI Team of the Year, despite taking six wickets as England beat India in the World Cup final in July.

But four England players were selected - Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight (as captain), Sarah Taylor and Alex Hartley.

SHE stunned the world by retiring from tennis just a month after becoming Wimbledon champion.

But now, a little over four years later, France’s Marion Bartoli is back.

“I have something to tell you -- I’m coming back this year on the professional tour!” Bartoli told fans in a Twitter announcement as unexpected as her abrupt retirement in the aftermath of her first grand slam triumph.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge and I still have a lot of practice ahead of me,” she added, “but I’m hoping to be ready for March and the Miami Open.”

Bartoli, 33, won eight WTA titles over the course of a distinguished career, reaching a career high ranking of No. 7 in the world.

Her crowning moment came at Wimbledon in 2013, when she didn’t drop a single set en route to lifting the Venus Rosewater Dish.

Bartoli tearfully announced her retirement from the sport just 39 days after lighting up Centre Court, citing recurring injuries and persistent

Marion Bartoli, 33, won eight WTA titles over the course of a distinguished career, reaching a career high ranking of No. 7 in the world.

injuries.

“I made my dream a reality ... but now by body just can’t cope with everything” she said then, telling reporters “I won’t come back. It’s done.”

Never say never. Bartoli is the latest in a long line of former grand

slam champions to return to the WTA Tour.

Tennis legends Kim Clijsters, Martina Hingis, Justine Henin and Lindsay Davenport have all been unable to resist the lure of the game, returning reinvigorated.

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Sports National

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

December 23-January 5, 2018

Mann inspired to train harder after Youth Sailing World Championships

Young TCI national goalkeeper, Pendino Brooks, who had his broken jaw wired until October after a boating accident, is expected to play for the Academy Jaguars.

Two Academy teams in next season’s Provo Premier League SIX teams, including two from the TCIFA Academy will participate in the Gilley’s Enterprises Provo Premier League (PPL) and Turks Head Cup from January 13 in Providenciales.

According to PPL President Steve Kendrew, Teachers FC and Small World have opted out of the league.

Since the Academy ground is still recovering from the hurricanes, the season will start with one game per week (Saturdays at 16:00h).

The Women’s Football League will also be played on Saturday, but from 14:00h.

The PPL teams are: 2017 champions, Beaches FC (coached by Johnny Suckrajh),

Academy Jaguars (the senior squad coached by Dane Ritchie), Academy Eagles (a generally younger squad coached by Stephen McLaren), Cheshire Hall FC (coached by Haroon Swaby), Full Physic FC (coached by Marcdonald Fenelus and Yussuf Yakubu) and SWA Sharks FC (coached

by Gary Brough).

Turks Head Cup winners Full Physic will tackle PPL champions Beaches in the opener, while on January 20, Cheshire Hall will play the SWA Sharks. The competition continues on January 27 with the two Academy teams battling.

A total of 30 PPL games will be played next season.

GRACE Mann, who represented TCI at the recently concluded Youth Sailing World Championships in Sanya, Hainan Island, China, said that the level of competition has given her the drive to train harder.

The national youth female laser champion competed in the Radial Girls division and proved competitive at times against some of the best young females in the world.

After nine rounds, she finished 39th overall.

“This competition has only made me want to do more with my sailing, train harder, get faster, work longer, I want to show people that even though Turks is a small nation that we shouldn’t be counted out. I want to be on the same level as the people at the top and I want to do everything I can to get there,” Mann told the Weekly News this week.

For the 16-year-old, the 2017 World Championships was always a learning experience.

“I am definitely just going to need to put in more hours into my training regimen whether that is more time on the water or in the gym and I especially want to focus on learning about things such as strategy and tactics as well.”

Mann said she was a sponge in China in her ability to absorb all useful information.

“Overall it was an amazing learning experience, in both the sense that I not only learnt so much from my actual competitors about

Grace Mann said that the Youth Sailing World Championships helped her to gain valuable experience.

racing whilst on the course, but I also talked to them whilst off the course.”

The youngster said that she learned each of the participants’ unique training schedules and regimens.

Although Mann has her eyes set on the next world championships,

she will now focus on the Atlantic Coast Championships, which is slated for mid-January.

The teenager is only the second TCI representative to ever participate in the Youth Sailing World Championship following Daniella Douglas in 2015.

PABA HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE:

CHHS Eagles suffer mix fortunes in latest clashes THE CHHS Senior Eagles flew past the TCI Community College on Monday last, after their junior side were beaten by the dominant Maranatha Blizzards in the latest clashes of the Provo Amateur Basketball Association (PABA) High School League.

In the opener the Junior Blizzards whipped the Eagles 26-12, while in the feature clash, CHHS’s seniors registered a 23-17 point win after a solid all-round team effort. Navardo Higgs led the attack with five points, seven rebounds and two steals. Tahj Delancy finished with a game high 11 points and three assists for the

Community College Wildcats.

In last Friday’s games, Wesley Methodist Sting Rays edged out the BWIC Spartans 21-19. The Spartans had the game to win, but were plagued by multiple turnovers, miss opportunities and dismal free throw shooting.

Omar Williams led the Sting Rays with a game high 11 points, three rebounds and two steals, while Dario Coakley finished with eight points for the Spartans.

BLIZZARDS’ DOMINANCE In another clash, the unbeaten Maranatha Blizzards blew away the

Wildcats 53-27.

The heavily undermanned Wildcats were no match for the onslaught of three pointers and stifling defense of the Blizzards’ players.

Jervanio Rigby came up big again for the Blizzards with 10 points, four rebounds and four assists, while Delancy scored a whopping 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Wildcats.

The PABA High School League, which is being played at the Graceway Sports Complex, will break for Christmas and return on January 8

December 23-January 5, 2018

Sports National

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Forbes wanted to play with “favourite player” Drogba in Phoenix move

Coach Ciaran O’Neill (left) and Coach Travis McAvene are confident that they can lead the HAB Sonics to victory at the FIBA tournament.

2018 COPA MITCHELL AMERICAN’S CUP:

Coach O’Neill confident that HAB Sonics can win title ASSISTANT coach of the HAB Sonics Ciaran O’Neill is confident that his team can win the Copa Mitchell America’s Cup, which is billed for Santiago in the Dominican Republic from January 18-21.

O’Neil feels that the team has the right mixture of players and a head coach with competition experience.

Travis McAvene, who will lead the Sonics from the sidelines, is a four-time Copa Mitchell Cup champion and a longtime Team USA Selection head coach.

The team, which will represented the PABA Night League, has some of the best local players and four solid international selectees (each team can have up to four international players).

“This is the first FIBA tournament a men’s team from the Turks and Caicos Islands

will compete in in almost 13 years. Coach McAvene and Coach O’Neill both believe that the HAB Sonics will win the 2018 Copa Mitchell America’s Cup.” Chris Early (USA), who last played in Peru, point guard Jamaal Newman (USA), who plays in the UBA, small forward Raheem Tyner who also plays in the UBA and Canadian power forward Oliver Prince are the four foreign players.

The other players are Gino Agenor, Wesly Chery, Jameel Damon, Darado Fulford, Reco Forbes, Dudley Lightbourn Jr, Alvardo Parker and Simpson Penn II. O’Neill said that he and all the HAB Sonics players would like to thank the HAB Group for sponsoring them. “Without their incredible support none of this would be possible”.

NATIONAL footballer Billy Forbes decided to leave the San Antonio FC, because he wanted to play with his longtime football hero Didier Drogba in the United Soccer League.

Drogba, part owner of the Phoenix Rising FC, had asked Forbes to join his team in late July when the two clubs met in a USL clash.

Along with collaborating with the former Ivory Coast leading goal scorer and Chelsea player on the field, the Phoenix move is also a better financial option for the 27-year-old Forbes.

“I am really humbled and it’s great to have this opportunity to play in Phoenix alongside one of my favourite soccer player Didier Drogba”.

The contract is for a single season since Forbes wants to keep his options open.

The striker drew attention from several USL clubs and even from the Major League Soccer (the highest professional soccer league in the US) after a dominant finish last season.

He became the San Antonio FC’s single season’s best scorer (10 goals) while he was also solid in assists.

Prior to choosing Phoenix, Forbes was invited to train with MLS clubs FC Dallas and the LA Galaxy.

According to Forbes, both teams were impressed, but requested that he get his US residency.

Billy Forbes (left) and Didier Drogba might lead the Phoenix Rising FC’s attack next season.

The TCIFA held a successful FIFA “LIVE YOUR GOALS” campaign last Saturday at the TCIFA National Academy. The event, which promoted female participation in football, was well attended as even Santa stopped by.

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December 23-January 5, 2018

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December 23-January 5, 2018

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