July 4 -10, 2015 by TC Weekly News

Weekly News Volume 29 | No. 27 | July 4 - 10, 2015

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Not guilty A huge round of applause broke out in Providenciales Supreme Court on Thursday (June 2) as Timothy O’Sullivan and Gordon Kerr were found not guilty of stamp duty fraud. PAGE  4

CONVERAGE CONTINUES ON PAGES 8 & 9

Timothy O’Sullivan, with wife and son, receives congratulations from Carlos Simons, partner in his law firm

Specialist unit being set up to tackle violent offenders PAGE  7

TCI maintains sovereign BBB+ rating 7

PAGE 

Increase in crime PAGE for 2015  14

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Special Prosecutor Andrew Mitchell QC of the SIPT elected not to speak to press

Friends, family and colleagues surround the lawyers in the car park

Lawyers O’Sullivan and Kerr found not guilty By Rebecca Bird A HUGE round of applause broke out in Providenciales Supreme Court on Thursday (June 2) as Timothy O’Sullivan and Gordon Kerr were found not guilty of stamp duty fraud. Emotions ran high as the five week trial finally came to an end with a positive result for both of the TCI attorneys. Just before 12pm, after a day and a half of deliberations, the seven strong jury delivered not guilty verdicts on all three of the charges. As the beaming pair left the

court scores of friends, family and colleagues surrounded them in the car park. Some burst into song while others offered handshakes, hugs, cheers and words of congratulations, many crying in relief. Clearly touched by the outpouring of support, Kerr of law firm Misick and Stanbrook told press that it was a “very emotional time” and said he would release a statement in due course. A smiling Andrew Radcliffe QC, who defended Kerr, also chose not to speak on the matter.

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 Rebecca Bird - News Editor Delana Isles - 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

Meanwhile a delighted and overwhelmed O’Sullivan said simply that it was “back to work”. Defence attorney James Sturman QC, who represented O’Sullivan during the trial, handed press a prepared statement which read: “Timothy O’Sullivan is obviously very relieved and delighted to have had his name cleared by the jury. He leaves court with his reputation

A smiling Andrew Radcliffe QC, who defended Kerr

intact. “He would like to thank the seven Belongers who sat on the jury for the care and time they took in this trial to reach a proper verdict of not guilty. “He would also like to thank all of the friends, professional colleagues and clients who have stood by him and supported him over the years that it has taken to clear his name. “In particular he would like to say

a special thank you to the staff and partners at Miller Simons O’Sullivan for their unstinting support and encouragement throughout the last three years.” A statement from his law firm Miller Simons O’Sullivan read: “The partners and staff at Miller Simons O’Sullivan are delighted that Timothy O’Sullivan has quite rightly been found not guilty of under-

Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT)

Well-wishers cheer in delight and relief outside Providenciales Supreme Court

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Defence attorney James Sturman QC, who represented O’Sullivan, said his client was very relieved

declaring stamp duty. “The firm has never for one moment doubted Tim’s innocence and integrity. “We as a firm would like to thank the legal team that conducted Tim O’Sullivan’s defence for their hard work and commitment to his case. “Tim O’Sullivan will now be able to attend his daughter’s wedding a proud man and with his head held high. “We would also like to express our thanks to the jury of Belongers who gave their time and considered the prosecution case and rejected it, thereby returning to Mr O’Sullivan his good name. “Mr Carlos Simons and all of the partners at the firm wish to add a special thanks to our unwaveringly loyal staff for their support and

encouragement.” Outside court firm partner Carlos Simons said the whole investigation was a “waste of money all round”. He added: “Let me pay tribute to the judicial system in the TCI. I must say that this jury, in a very complicated stamp duty matter, weeded its way through the complications and came to the right decision. “I think that is something that we should all be proud of.” Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick of the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) was among the last out of the court room and agreed to speak to gathered press. She said: “I think it has to be remembered that this is an investigation that was properly commenced.

Carlos Simons said the investigation was a “waste of money all round”

NEWS

Gordon Kerr of law firm Misick and Stanbrook told press that it was a “very emotional time”

“It was commenced because when the Government succeeded in recovering the unpaid stamp duty in the civil proceedings Justice Martin expressed concern about the conduct of Mr Kerr and O’Sullivan and described what had happened as a clear case of tax evasion. “There was a proper and full investigation, no argument was raised at the sufficiency hearing that there wasn’t a case to answer and this judge lso decided after hearing full argument that there was a case to go to the jury. “That’s what we did. There’s been an independent investigation and a proper consideration of all the evidence. “This was a case that was properly brought with good and sufficient evidence. The jury have done what

they do in every proper jurisdiction which is to return a verdict according to the evidence.” THE TRIAL The Crown accused Timothy O’Sullivan and Gordon Kerr of cheating the public revenue on or about August 14, 2006, of approximately $1.5 million in stamp duty by falsely representing the value of the property and land transaction in respect of the sale Emerald Cay. They allegedly represented the price as $11 million (including $1 million for chattels) when in fact real value of the transaction was approximately $28 million. A second charge alleged that between January 1, 2005, and March 31, 2007, the two lawyers conspired with Timothy Blixseth, Andrew Hawes, Angelica Morrone, Gary Di Silvestri and others to cheat the collector of stamp duty and the public revenue of stamp duty due and payable upon the sale by a company known as Worldwide Commercial Properties Limited to Emerald Cay Limited of land and real property known as Emerald Cay. They are alleged to have falsely represented the value of the transaction as mentioned in the first charge. The third count alleged that between January 1, 2005, and August 31, 2006, Kerr and O’Sullivan conspired with Blixseth, Hawes, Morrone, Di Silvestri and others to falsely represent documents required for accounting purposes by the collector of stamp duty with a view to cause loss to the public revenue and for the gain of Blixseth, Hawes, Morrone and Di Silvestri by a false declaration of the value of land and property known as Emerald Cay. O’Sullivan of the law firm Miller Simons O’Sullivan represented the buyer of the property (Blixseth), while Kerr of Misick and Stanbrook

represented the seller (Di Silvistris). A seven-member jury was selected for the trial which began on Monday, June 1, and lasted five weeks. The prosecution presented their case from June 1 to June 11 calling several witnesses and hearing witness statements. The defence called character witnesses to the stand on June 18 and June 19. On June 24 James Sturman QC representing Timothy Patrick O’Sullivan gave his closing statement. The same afternoon and the following morning Andrew Radcliffe QC representing Gordon Kerr delivered his closing statement. On June 25 and June 26 SIPT Special Prosecutor Andrew Mitchell QC read his closing statement. British judge Robert Shuster delivered his 25,909 word address on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 30 and July 1). During the case the prosecution claimed that the luxury property was sold for $28 million while the defence claimed it was sold for just $10 million. The defence said that there were two separate and distinct transactions – like boiled eggs that could not be scrambled. There was $15.5 million made up of the $10 million transaction cost, $1 million in chattels, a $4 million option agreement and a $500,000 works agreement. There was also $12.5 million which consisted of $6.5 million in consultancy fees and $6 million for sale and installation of furnishings. Only the transaction cost was liable for stamp duty which was paid, the defence said. Meanwhile prosecution claimed that the transactions were all “bogus,” the two payments were not separate and it all formed a single payment for the property.

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

A Weekly News column that puts you on the spot for your opinions on the issues of the day

Is TCI a tax haven? TURKS and Caicos Islands has yet again come under attack from the international community for being a safe haven for tax evaders. But Minister of Finance Washington Misick and the Government continue to deny these accusations, claiming that the TCI has and continues to improve its international tax transparency and compliance. What are your thoughts?

We’re not that bad

It is whatever it is. Many countries have done worse.

Misick right for once

For once Washington Misick is correct. The TCI has changed. We are no longer a low tax haven. Developers are no longer interested. We now have a Government that taxes the blood out of the economy from the poor widow to the biggest business - any profit is being taxed. Therefore the USA, Britain or any other foreign nation concerned about their citizens hiding investments, profits earned or laundered money will not trust the TCI and no longer deposit, invest or try to launder money here. Why would they?

Lack of trust not surprising

The international community is suspicious

of Washington’s Government because of the reputation and lack of trust he and his party have earned. Washington’s private bank lost the Government’s pension fund proceeds $18.5 million invested by his buddy and party chairman Mr Cooke. When the bank was on the brink of bankruptcy Misick talked Wetherell into allowing the Government to move $5 million more into the bank to save it. Shortly three unidentified people withdrew the entire $5 million and more in a couple of days.

Bullying

We are being bullied!

What is really going on?

It is all an elaborate global game. The UK has taken Nigerian, Russian mafia and all money that is questionable from all

Missing man case: DNA results in two weeks

PRELIMINARY results of DNA tests conducted on a body recovered from the Breezy Bae area in Grand Turk last March are expected to be with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force shortly. This is according to Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams, who is heading the investigation into Kevino Smith’s disappearance; whose body it is believed was found. Adams told the press on Tuesday (June 30) that the USA lab was in contact with the local authorities this past week and has given assurance that the testing is progressing and that they can expect preliminary reports in the next ten to 14 days. “I want to continue to plead with

members of the public over in Grand Turk that might have any information as it relates to the disappearance of Kevino Smith to come forward, and that the investigation is on-going and certainly we will be more than happy to receive any information.” Adams said that the family of the missing man has been kept abreast with the investigation and the latest report from the lab. However, when questioned, Adams admitted that no arrests, new questioning, or persons of interests have resulted from the investigations into Smith’s disappearance so far. Twenty-five-year-old Smith was last seen on March 4 at his home in North Back Salina, Grand Turk. (DELANA ISLES)

around the world into the City of London. The UK neglects the needs of its colonies. The UK wants the TCI number three or four down the line from Bermuda, Cayman, BVI to become number one and first to go independent. Or does the UK really want this and who the hell even knows what is really going on?

Not a tax haven

The Hon Minister of Finance is so correct in his defence of these Islands and its truly provable ‘non-tax haven status’. These are relevant TCI issues with deep TCI interests and the minister alone can represent the TCI on these points. He is correct. To call a country a ‘tax haven,’ that place must conform to a profile where there is little or no exchange of tax information. The TCI is co compliant with this exchange of information that some practitioners in law, finance and banking are cautious on having their clientele move funds to the TCI.

TCI is very compliant

The Financial Services Commission of the TCI (FSC) has proven so effective in this regard that they have enforced laws, rules, anti-money laundering protocols that offend the fundamental rights provisions of the TCI constitution. Despite having fully caved in and having sold these Islands out, the FSC does not respond or issue a release that the international community and the European Union are all wrong in their description of these Islands and what really amounts to a tax haven. The comments made by the Hon Minister were timely and correct but these were comments that the FSC should have made. Furthermore, the TCI is not usually listed in the typical list of global tax havens such as Andorra, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the Channel Islands, the Cook Islands, Hong Kong, the Isle of Man, Mauritius, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Panama, Switzerland and St Kitts and Nevis, which are all considered tax havens. However, per the ‘Investopia,’ pressure from foreign governments that want to collect all the tax revenue they believe they are entitled to, has caused some tax haven countries to sign tax information exchange agreements (TIEAs) and mutual legal assistance treaties (MLAT) that provide foreign governments with formerly secret information about investors’ offshore accounts. Under pressure from the FSC most TCI financial entities already pass on too much tax information. Since 1998 the TCI has had anti-money laundering laws, proceeds of crime rules, all of which are routinely updated. We have played the game against ourselves and done our best to destroy our financial future.

TCI does not resist information sharing

This Government cooperates with US, IMF, FBI, Scotland Yard, SIPT, Interpol, fully and

confiscation procedures of monies, lands, bank accounts have all gone well. There are no known cases where the TCI’s authorities resist the exchange of tax or other information. There is the further definition that, “A tax haven is a state, country or territory where, on a national level, certain taxes are levied at a low rate or not at all.” Despite that generalisation the TCI is highly taxed, our taxes went up 50 percent, direct and indirect, to pay for the indiscretions of the interim government and the previous locally elected Government.

Too much transparency, if anything

A generalisation that does not apply to the TCI is a “lack of transparency”. There are no secret rulings, negotiated tax rates, or other practices or a failure to apply the law openly, which are examples of a lack of transparency. Limited regulatory supervision or a government’s lack of legal access to financial records is not an issue and there is too much transparency that’s hurting these Islands. The remarks are too general and are indicative of former Labour leader Milliband’s lack of knowledge of these issues. He too employed a playbook on how to lose by not knowing what a tax haven is. The TCI is not. The Minister of Finance is correct and pressure should build from the Government side of the House of Assembly, Opposition and public to enable the Minister of Finance more control over offshore finance issues. The FSC is not up to the job and will not genuinely represent the TCI’s interests as the minister is doing.

Washy’s right!

Washington is of course right. Who do we define as ‘international community’? The EU, OECD, IMF (you feel like you have swallowed a scrabble board) or any number of these troglodytes intent on bullying small nations. It has nothing to do with fair play. Only legions of these jobsworths simply trying to justify their existence at the tax-payers’ expense; snouts firmly immersed in the publicly funded trough! We have of course complied with successive treaties. This is basically a case of their not just wanting their pound of flesh but the blood as well! One wonders why Luxembourg is not on the list. EU membership perhaps?

 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

July 4 - 10, 2015

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Specialist unit being set up to tackle violent offenders

– Police Commissioner addresses crime BY DELANA ISLES A SPECIAL unit of police officers will form a part of ‘Specialist Operations’, a soon to be established branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force tackling violent offenders in the Islands. The unit will be put in place within two weeks, Commissioner of Police James Smith told the press on Tuesday (June 30) at a specially held meeting to address the rising violent crime situation in the Islands, particularly Providenciales. The unit, which is to be supervised by a Superintendent of the force, will be responsible for managing air, maritime and tactical teams to

ensure their deployments are used effectively and consistently. The unit will be driven by intelligence from officers and communities and will tackle the TCI’s prolific and violent offenders, Smith said. “The officer in charge will make use of the best available tactics supported by appropriate training and accreditation to United Kingdom overseas territories standards. “I anticipate this command to be functional within two weeks,” he added. Speaking on the recent spate of violent crimes in the Islands, the Commissioner noted how serious the situation has become.

Turks and Caicos maintains sovereign BBB+ rating GLOBAL ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has maintained its BBB+ rating for the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a continued stable outlook for the Islands. The good news came out on Tuesday (June 30) following a recent rating exercise in the Islands in May. This strong grading follows TCI’s first sovereign rating in 2014 which provided global recognition of its financial reforms and fiscal success, a Government release on the rating read. “This is further expert recognition of our tremendous progress in making the TCI one of the fastest recovering economies in the Caribbean,” Minister of Finance, Washington Misick said. He added: “S&P has recognised our on-going success in consolidating public financial management reform and improving our fiscal resilience. BBB+ means that we are more highly rated than many countries in the Caribbean.” S&P again made clear that TCI’s close relationship with the UK, as an overseas territory, was a key factor in its rating calculation. One of the benefits of maintaining a BBB+ rating is in strengthening the TCI’s negotiating position as it holds discussions with financial institutions ahead of refinancing its UK-guaranteed $170 million bond, when it matures in February

2016, the agency noted. It added that the TCI plans to issue invitations to tender for its refinancing requirement in September 2015. “It is TCI’s intention to use $110 million already held in a sinking fund, plus an additional contribution from the first half of financial year 2015 to 2016 to repay most of the bond, with the balance being covered by new bank debt,” the agency observed. It further noted that the BBB+ rating is a strong factor in attracting foreign direct investment to TCI and building confidence amongst its existing business community. The TCI economy grew by an estimated 4.6 percent in 2014 and is forecast to grow an average of two to three percent per annum over the next three years. The TCI Government generated a $77.3 million operating surplus and a 16 percent increase in recurrent revenue to $246.5 million for the financial year ending March 2015. The surplus further consolidates the Islands’ position as one of the strongest economies in the Caribbean region, the agency stated. In March 2015 the TCI’s net debt to GDP ratio was approximately 24 percent, while its revenue to GDP is 30 percent. The S&P team met with a range of politicians, officials and business leaders as part of the annual review process last May.

“The events of the last few weeks have shown how volatile life has become in some parts of our community, resulting in the loss of life and serious injuries to a number of young men. “Separately there have also been acts of extreme violence perpetrated on females resulting in both death and injury. “Firearms and bladed weapons have been used in the commission of crimes by individuals who utilise them to cause maximum injury and fear to their victims.” He assured that as a police service, they are doing things to tackle these issues and bring offenders to justice. He said immediate action has been taken to meet these threats, but that the factors that created the current situation did not happen overnight and are long term issues. They require action by the Government and its agencies working together to a coherent strategy, the Commissioner noted. He stated that partnership working and education are key elements in finding lasting solutions and that he is and will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to make the best use of their joint resources.

“This includes our colleagues in Immigration, Customs, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions and the Chief Justice. “Acting Assistant Commissioner (Wayne) Jones led on an immediate response plan that has seen the deployment of uniform and plain clothes teams to directly tackle violent crime, this action continues and will be enhanced in the coming days and weeks.” He added that at the same time they have been examining ways to deploy available resources to ensure they are most effective. Smith noted that potential options have been identified on how they will use the stock of the force’s buildings across the across the Islands, which will result in the closure of some. Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams will lead this exercise. STAFF DEPLOYMENT The Commissioner stated that the force is also looking at the most effective way to use its officers and other staff to ensure that the right people are in the right places at the right time. “This may involve officers moving post, changing shift patterns or being assigned new duties. “Officers have proven to me that they want to do their jobs effectively but we must enable them by

Under the tree

providing the right kit, training and facilities.” He added that Assistant Commissioner Jones will soon be providing him with plans to ensure community policing is at the heart of the force’s operations. “I have made several bids to Government for some immediate assistance in terms of IT equipment, officer safety kit, vehicles, some limited funding for the external Cayman Islands enquiry and to enable the proper introduction of the Financial Intelligence Authority. But we need much more,” Smith said. He pointed to the various police buildings around the Islands, some of which are in poor condition and none of which are purpose built for the police’s needs. He said: “This would be a significant investment but would enable the force to work much more effectively and embrace modern policing techniques. This would greatly improve our ability to prevent and detect crime, bring offenders to justice and work effectively across the criminal justice arena.” The Commissioner also noted that in the last few months and weeks investments have been made in training for staff in some key areas such as criminal investigation, critical incident management, continued 

By Benneth Williams

NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Landmark trial

Mitchell hits back hard during prosecution closing “IT’S a case of two attorneys letting the profession down; it’s a case about two attorneys that have let you and the TCI Government down.” That was the claim of prosecutor Andrew Mitchell QC when he delivered his closing statement to the seven member jury in Providenciales Supreme Court last Thursday and Friday (June 25 and 26). The Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) attorney passionately hit back at allegations from Timothy O’Sullivan and Gordon Kerr’s defence lawyers, who delivered their addresses earlier in the week. Mitchell spent an entire day rebuffing many of their points and another clarifying the prosecution’s case. The experienced attorney drew on large amounts of evidence, including scores of emails and witness testimony, which he went through in some detail. During the first day some of the major topics that Mitchell touched on included backdating documents, communications with former Premier Michael Misick, and value versus payment. He began his submissions by saying that while the defence claims that Emerald Cay was sold for $10 million, the prosecution simply say “no it was sold for $28 million”. He added that “all is not as simple as the rather dismissive way my learned friends seek to deal with this case.” The QC said the fact the accused attorneys made no additional money from the extra elements of the transaction is of no matter. “This isn’t a fraud about them making any money; I never suggested that it was,” he told the jury. “It’s a case about two attorneys letting their profession down, it’s a case about two attorneys that have let you and the TCI Government down…” The facts are that they were involved in a $28 million transaction and signed up to a $28 million transaction, Mitchell said. He added that while the defence claimed that it would have been “professional suicide” neither of the men would have expected the matter to be brought to criminal court. This kind of situation would normally be dealt with by Government review, the court heard. “Is this a case where they put their clients above their duty to the profession, above their duty to the court above their duty to the stamp duty controller?”

BACKDATING

Mitchell brought up the matter of the $4 million option agreement, for which no stamp duty is payable. It was signed six days before completion of the property purchase, but dated months previously. He went on to question why, if it was just a $10 million transaction,

Prosecutor Andrew Mitchell QC the lawyers were engaged in several other agreements worth a further $18 million. “What were they thinking? What were they doing? What was going through their minds?” the QC asked. He reminded the jury that James Sturman QC for Timothy O’Sullivan had claimed that there were two separate and distinct transactions – like boiled eggs that could not be scrambled. There was $15.5 million made up of the $10 million transaction cost, $1 million in chattels, a $4 million option agreement and a $500,000 works agreement. There was also $12.5 million which consisted of $6.5 million in consultancy fees and $6 million for sale and installation of furnishings. “But no matter how hard boiled his eggs were, they were not hard boiled in this case – because they got scrambled.” He reminded the jury that the $12.5 million transaction that had originally been planned to take place in the US did in fact take place in the TCI. Of the defendants he said: “They are in a position of trust, they are in a position of integrity and they have a burden of responsibility.” And he stressed that signing documents that tell lies does not display those kind of expected qualities.

CHANGE OF CASE

Mitchell said that the prosecution in no way changed their case, before repeating the three charges of each of the defendants to the seven strong jury. A conspiracy, as mentioned in one of the charges, is simply an agreement, the court heard. He reminded the jury that Kerr had written to O’Sullivan in March 2007 stating: “Tim, surely the consideration [payment] shown on the transfer is irrelevant. We could have put $1.” In his response O’Sullivan said: “Dear Gordy, I agree entirely. The correct approach would be for the Government to revalue if that is what they want to do.” The QC stressed that no-one would write asking to enter into a conspiracy,

TCI transactions ($15.5 million) but “these things happen, they evolve”. He went on: “They develop, unless someone with integrity says no.” Mitchell recalled that O’Sullivan had written to buyer Timothy Blixeth and his US lawyer Andrew Hawes informing them about the investigation into Emerald Cay. In one of the emails he said that the matter should be negotiated directly with former Premier Michael Misick “as the stamp duty people will not have the power to do a deal at this level”. O’Sullivan added that they should agree to pay stamp duty on the $4 million option fee as an “amicable gentleman’s agreement”. “Why on earth would anyone write that email if what is being said on their behalf is that the consideration was $10 million?” Mitchell questioned. In a later email O’Sullivan said he had just spoken to Misick and told him that on the time of transfer there was much work to be done to the house, hence the $6 million cost of outfitting it. Mitchell reminded the jury that during his witness testimony, architect Ron Shaw had said that the house was in fact finished. The email continued that O’Sullivan had told Misick that the option agreement may be something of which the Government may want stamp duty paid. He added that Blixeth was willing to pay up to $500,000 “to show good faith to the Government and be done and dusted with the matter”. Another defence topic that Mitchell recalled was the matter of Emerald Cay being located in Silly Creek and not Grace Bay, therefore losing value. However he said that celebrities

'US' transactions ($12.5 million)

would much rather be on their own private island rather than with the public in Grace Bay. He went on to stress that in any event “this case is not about value” but about what was paid for the house. Mitchell questioned the validity of US attorney Andrew Hawes’ evidence as he was a named co-conspirator in some of the charges. He went on to speak about Kerr suggesting that a certificate of occupancy be delayed to give “some substance” to the works agreement. Mitchell detailed the defence claim that O’Sullivan could not be involved in a conspiracy because he was confused. “Confusion comes from unprepared plans that aren’t true and honest,” he said. “If you know what you’re doing, and know what you’re doing according to that that is acceptable, normal, honest and sensible, you don’t get confused.” He stressed that if the transaction had been a ‘share sale’ the buyer would have saved $175,000 in duty, but he did not go down that route because there would have been a formal valuation of the property. Mitchell questioned why $4 million needed to be spent on an option agreement reserving the right to buy, on the same day that contracts for the property were exchanged. “Do you really believe the attorney Mr Hawes when he said that Tim [Blixeth] felt obliged? “He may as well never have done it.” Sturman for O’Sullivan said in his earlier closing statement that it is not a court of ethics.

However Mitchell said to the jury: “You won’t convict because of some ethical failing, but you will convict if you find that what they should be doing as responsible attorneys, they were not doing.” Responding to the defence argument that the accused only acted on instructions, the QC said that that is not the role of an attorney. “The role of an attorney is of course to consider instructions, but to consider them against a code of ethics.” Mitchell went on to say that it is “absurd” that certain details would not be communicated in writing. In one email from O’Sullivan to Hawes it read that the US side deal “MUST be kept away from here, preferably not mentioned in any written communication at all”. “Who’s it being hidden from?” the attorney asked. The QC continued throughout the day to rebut arguments made by the defence lawyers in their closing statements. On day two he went over each of the seven agreements in detail with related evidence and explained why prosecution considered them to be bogus. “When you look at each one of these agreements separately you can see that they are a sham. “They don’t tell an honest story, they don’t stand the test,” he said. Mitchell urged the jury to look past the fact they live in a small community and that the defendants are of good character. “Of course they are good men. But they are good men who allowed themselves to be drawn into a web of transactions that led to deceit.”

July 4 - 10, 2015

NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

comes to a close

Jury must take their time – Judge Shuster “THIS case deserves nothing less than our careful consideration,” Justice Robert Shuster told the jury during his summing up this week. The British judge delivered his 25,909 word address on the trial of TCI lawyers Timothy O’Sullivan and Gordon Kerr on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 30 and July 1). The speech contained a detailed description of jury and judge duties, the charges, relevant laws, essential elements of the offences, aspects of the evidence, defendants’ interviews, the defence case, agreed facts and directions. It finished with Shuster giving the jury a ‘route to a verdict’ – a historic move in the Turks and Caicos Islands. This described the judge’s recommendations on how the jury should proceed and the steps they should take in making their final decisions. The judge urged the jury to consider each piece of direct, documentary and circumstantial evidence in turn and to look at them as if under a microscope. He stressed that good character is a positive feature of the defendants’ case but what weight is put on it is up to them. And he added that the fact the defendants decided not to give evidence is their legal right and should not be held against them. HISTORY OF EMERALD CAY Gary and Angelica Di Silvestri owned

Emerald Cay for about seven years, the court heard, before the property was sold to Timothy Blixeth on August 14, 2006. During that time the Di Silvestris built a large house on the land which took them four years to complete. According to the evidence the house was completed to a very high standard, Judge Shuster said. It included features such as an extensive Turkish marble floor and $1.5 million worth of doors and windows. The prosecution claimed that more than $16 million was spent on what was independently described by witnesses as an “extravagant mansion” complete with eight bedrooms, a theatre, library, music room, boat house, tennis court, guard house, gate house and a swing bridge. The house itself was designed, the judge said to the jury, with the assistance of Projetech and TCI architect Ron Shaw. “Shaw was undoubtedly very proud of his work because he told you so.” The construction work was carried out by construction firm Projetech whose managing director Steve Thompson also gave evidence. Thompson said that at a point in time there was a break down which meant that his firm left the project to be completed by Shaw, Shuster said. “After Emerald Cay was sold to Blixeth while Michael Misick was the

Premier there was a suggestion made… that Emerald Cay might be sold to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government in exchange for Government land in Middle Caicos, and Emerald Cay would become the TCI’s White House.” Further indication of the grand nature of the property, the judge said. ALLEGATIONS On June 1 the SIPT prosecution told the jury that there was a deliberate and dishonest attempt to supress the price at which Emerald Cay was bought in order to evade the payment of significant stamp duty due and owing the TCI Government, Shuster said. From June 1 to June 18 the prosecution called and read into evidence 13 witnesses in order to prove their case. There were also 30 agreed facts and numerous documents, the judge reminded the jury. At the close of the prosecution’s case on June 18 each defendant elected not to give evidence in their defence. Between June 18 and 22 the defendants’ attorneys called character witnesses on behalf of their clients. Cross examination of all but one of the character witnesses took place, and it was agreed that the defendants were men of good character. “The Crown’s case in a nutshell – the defendants cheated the Government revenue department via its collector

of stamp duty of approximately $1.5 million,” Shuster said. It should have been paid on the sale of Emerald Cay to Blixeth on August 14, 2006. “The Crown alleged that the sale price of $10 million was grossly understated on the land transfer document,” and supporting documents were false. The prosecution said that the TCI attorneys acting for the buyer and seller falsely represented the true value of the property and land transaction in the documents. DEFENDANT INTERVIEWS Judge Shuster reminded the jury: “The defendants have consistently denied that they were in any way dishonest. “They say that all documents prepared at the time concerning the purchase of Emerald Cay in August 2006 were in fact genuine documents.” On January 11, 2012 – five and a half years after the completion of the sale of Emerald Cay - Gordon Kerr was read his charges and questioned by police. Kerr said he was perfectly willing to submit himself to the process and happy to assist the investigation in any way he could. However he was subject to duties of confidentiality and professionally obliged to protect his client’s privilege. He said he had not yet been released from those obligations and would have

to seek approval to do so. Because of that he elected to have a statement read by his attorney on his behalf rather than be interviewed. The statement began by setting out his personal history, Judge Shuster explained. Since 1994 he has concentrated on commercial work. He is a partner in Misick and Stanbrook, one of the largest law firms in the TCI. He regarded himself as one of the most experienced and expert lawyers in the country in his specialisation. Kerr then went on to speak about his background in the sale and transfer in TCI real estate. He described the sale and purchase agreement document which passes between parties for amendment, approval and eventual agreement. Kerr then went on to talk about options, which are sold to buyers to allow them to enter into an agreement to purchase a property and add an element of certainty. He said stamp duty is paid on a consideration and the stamp duty officer is involved in any dispute. The practise of revaluation has been accepted by the Government for “as long as he can remember,” the judge said of Kerr, and the senior valuation officer is adequately equipped for that task. More of Judge Shuster’s summing up will be available online at www. tcweeklynews.com.

Agreed facts of the case DURING his summing up on Tuesday morning (June 30) Justice Robert Shuster went over the agreed facts of the case. They included: 1) Emerald Cay is the name given to an area of land in Silly Creek in Chalk Sound on which there is a house of the same name. 2) Prior to 2000 the land was assigned by parcel numbers 6040/ 147, 148, 166, 167 and 168. 3) The freehold title to the land was purchased in January 2003 and before that and from then on the 2000 purchase by World Wide Commercial Property Ltd. 4) Following the 2000 purchase and sometime in September 2001 the five parcels of land were combined into a single parcel of land and assigned a parcel number 60400/29. 5) In August 2006 the rate of stamp duty payable on transfers of immoveable property in Providenciales was 9.75 percent of the amount of that consideration. 6) The rate of share transfer duty payable on transfers of shares of land holding companies was 8 percent of the fair market value of all the land and property of the corporation in the TCI at the time of the transfer multiplied by the percentage of shares, the equity, exchanged in the ownership of the resort transfer. 7) Emerald Cay Ltd – formed on July 13, 2006, registered on July 14, 2006.

8) Ital Swiss Investment Ltd – formed on May 1, 2000, registered on June 1, 2000. 9) Worldwide Commercial Properties Ltd – formed on December 23, 1999, registered on December 29, 1999. 10) The Financial Services Commission (FSC) document for each of the companies was produced. 11) In 2012 Athena Harvey was a financial manager for the TCI Government. In that capacity she received invoices and checked them for accuracy before arranging payments, she produced true copies of the relevant receipts for payments made in respect of Emerald Cay. 12) Local stamp duty paid on August 16, 2006 was $975,000. 13) During the course of the investigation documentary evidence were received by the investigators from a number of sources. Documents that are referred to are not the totality of the documents received for the purposes of the investigation. 14) There were six additional agreements produced by Miller Simons O’Sullivan on September 9, 2011. 15) The sale and option agreements were executed on or about August 8, 2006. 16) The remaining agreements were executed on or about August 14, 2006. 17) Timothy O’Sullivan was born March 13, 1957. He is a man of good character and

good standing with the Bar of the Turks and Caicos Islands. There are no convictions or cautions recorded against him. Timothy O’Sullivan has never had a complaint made against him by either the Law Society of Ireland or the Turks and Caicos Islands Bar. 18) He was interviewed under caution on January 24, 2012, in the presence of his attorney. He provided investigating officers with a prepared statement. 19) At the time of his interview under caution Timothy O’Sullivan’s client Tim Blixeth had indicated through a lawyer then acting for him that he was not willing to waive legal professional privilege. 20) During the interview Mr O’Sullivan indicated through his solicitor that once legal professional privilege had been waived he would wish to have the opportunity to be interview again. 21) Officer Hobbs indicated that they would seek waive of privilege from Mr Blixeth and once it was obtained there would be interviews. 22) Despite subsequently obtaining that privilege the prosecution did not request a further interview with Mr O’Sullivan at any time prior to his arrest and charge. 23) Gordon Kerr was born on December 19, 1960. He is a man of good character with no convictions or cautions recorded against him. He is of good standing with the Bar of the Turks and Caicos Islands and has no findings

of misconduct against him anywhere. 24) Mr Kerr has been appointed to positions of integrity by the Government and Governors of the TCI. He is a notary of the public and Justice of the Peace. He has served as Deputy Magistrate and has sat on the board of directors of the Financial Services Commission and as a trustee of the National Museum. 25) Mr Kerr was granted Belongership of the Turks and Caicos Islands on February 5, 2007. 26) He was interviewed under caution in relation to this matter in the presence of his attorney. He provided the investigating officers with a prepared statement which explained that he was professionally constrained by legal professional privilege. 27) All emails in the jury bundle were copies of the originals sent and received. 28) In June 2006 the Champagne House, 1.385 acres in Leeward with four buildings on property – a main house, two storey entertainment centre, a garage with a caretaker’s wing and a shed – was transferred for $6,170,000. 29) In December 2003 the previous site of the Allegro Resort, now Seven Stars, transferred for $16 million for 5.71 acres on Grace Bay. 30) In December 2003 the 19 condominiums to the west of the Allegro Resort were transferred for $4 million.

10 NEWS

TCI Integrity Commission elected to regional ethics body THE TURKS and Caicos Islands’ Integrity Commission has been elected into the first executive committee of a newly formed integrity commissions and anticorruption bodies of Commonwealth Caribbean. At the beginning of a five-day, first ever conference held in Grenada, an association of these institutions was inaugurated on June 22 by the Governor-General of Grenada, Dame Cecile La Grenade. The new association is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth Caribbean and provides a regional platform to promote integrity and combat corruption in public life through collaboration, cooperation, sharing of good practices and country experiences, skills and other resources, director of the TCI’s commission, Eugene Otuonye said in a release. Otuonye and the newest and only female member of the local commission, Reverend Julia Adams-Williams, represented the TCI at the conference.

At the end of the conference, the TCI Integrity Commission was elected into the first executive committee of the association along with Jamaica’s Contractor General and Dominica’s Integrity Commission. The integrity commission of the host country, Grenada was elected the chairman while Trinidad and Tobago became the vice-chairman. Sharing her thoughts on the conference, commissioner, Rev Adams-Williams said: “As a new member of the TCI Integrity Commission, the conference was an eye-opener. “It provided me the opportunity to learn first-hand the common issues facing the regional anti corruption bodies in their efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance in their respective countries. “I think the Commonwealth Secretariat, London and the Grenada Integrity Commission deserve the highest commendation for this

historic initiative.” Otuonye said that he was particularly proud that TCI Integrity Commission was elected into the five-member committee of the regional body. “I believe this was partly in recognition of TCI Integrity Commission’s pioneer work in the regulation of political financing and other key anti-corruption strides it has made within its short existence,” he added. The ceremony was addressed by the prime minister of Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchel. In attendance were more than 14 Commonwealth independent Caribbean countries and British overseas territories and people from different walks of life including, the judiciary, law enforcement, civil societies and the media. The conference was organised and sponsored by the Commonwealth Secretariat, London, in collaboration with the Integrity Commission of Grenada.

MILLS MUSES

A different kind of education? EDUCATORS are constantly searching for the kind of education that produces the best results for everyone. We have heard of quality education, results oriented education and best practices in education. But what do these ideas mean and how do we know when they are achieved? Can we know what good education is? What does it look like? Finland’s education system is much talked about these days and is always near the top in international rankings according to David Crouch in a recent article in the Guardian. He undertook interviews with a number of student teachers and professional educators and came up with some important observations. Crouch notes that teachers in Finland receive extensive training which gives them autonomy to work the way they want, and Vikki, a teacher training school, is seen as a laboratory for student teachers where they can try out theories learned at the university. The school is described as the equivalent of a university teaching hospital for medical students. Teaching is respected and regarded as being important as training doctors. In Finland, Crouch says that teaching is a prized profession and there is a five-year master’s degree for primary school teachers.

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

BY Oliver Mills

Oliver Mills was born in South Caicos, acquired a diploma in article writing from the Writer’s Digest School in the United States, and worked as training manager for the Turks and Caicos public service. He is currently an adjunct lecturer in the Business and Hospitality Departments at the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College.

Young teachers have a great deal of autonomy to choose what methods they use, learn to solve problems through research and make their own judgments. There is a culture of trust, local control and professionalism, and schools are responsible for their own curriculum planning and student assessment, while state inspections have been done away with. Teachers therefore have high academic credentials and are treated like professionals. One of the factors that has fashioned the schools is an acceptance of the values of equality and collaboration. What we see here, is a different kind of education. When teachers are given autonomy to work how they wish and their teaching is researched based, this makes them feel respected and highly valued. They become more committed and perform their tasks with self-

confidence. Since they can experiment, choose their own methods and are encouraged to problem-solve through research, their creativity is enhanced and they can come up with novel ways of doing things, relating to how their students learn. Bureaucratic thinking is therefore out. Since there is a culture of trust where schools are responsible for curriculum planning and assessment and inspections have been discontinued, teachers and students are less stressed, they are free to explore new paths and there is self-accountability based on proven professional competence. Authoritarianism is therefore absent. This is education with a difference which makes it world class. And the TCI should study what is going on there with a view to further enhancing our own system.

Continued

Fed up with the system Dear Editor, Want and need are two different things. People want Jordan shoes, people want a new iPhone but people need documents. Whenever you see somebody that takes the time and pays their money for a document then they need it. It doesn’t make sense that you pay for a naturalisation and after two years you still don’t have it. You call and call them and they always tell you that it’s progressing. Call me stupid but doesn’t that mean that it’s on its way to completion? The funny thing about is that it’s never completed. The people who are supposed to make them, act as if they don’t care. I’m starting to believe that they don’t. They don’t have trouble travelling, they don’t have a problem getting a job. They don’t know what it’s like to want something and not be able to afford it. Then when you do decide to get it by illegal means it’s a problem. If someone is not eligible to get a particular document then don’t give that person hope. Failure is better than hope. When you fail you know that there’s no chance. If there is something missing you don’t hold it forever. You give it back and let the person sort it out. You don’t hold someone’s document and then tell them one year later that the police record expired. Police records last up to six months. So if you’ve had it for one year. Isn’t it your fault that it’s not valid? Sometimes they refuse you telling you to do something else and when you go and do it they find another reason not to give it to you. Then there’s the kids who were born here, went to school here, and finished. Some of them still don’t have status. They can’t get a job, or do anything else for that matter. When you watch the news the Government tells you that they can apply for it. Apply being the important word. Meaning you can apply and never get anything. What are you guys selling? They say that you take the nationality of your mother so that means it doesn’t matter.

I can just go to my mom’s country and get a job. Hey genius, how am I supposed to get there? I'll take a plane document free and rush on over there with my Turks and Caicos Islands birth certificate. I might as well sing ‘The old conch is sweeter than the fresh conch’ on the plane ride. We don’t forget the liars who say that they can help you then leech out the little rest of money that you have. It seems to me that all Provo’s Government cares about is making money. They don’t know how hard you had to work for it. Every year they put more money on the prices for documents. One minute PRC was for $1,500, next thing you know it’s ten grand. Work permits haven’t stopped rising. I thought it was the Government’s job to look out for our best interests. In truth they are like any other business: money first, people later. It seems to me that since the money isn’t coming out of their pockets it doesn’t matter how much it is. Things they really should be doing are not being done. The hospital has been giving out some wrong medication; there are a thousand kids who can’t go to the hospital because they can’t afford it. Their parents have domestic work permits so they can’t put their kids on it. No hospital card when you’re willing to pay your own money. Rather, they tell you to pay for your kid and leave yourself. They just plain don’t care. If you’re treating the Turks and Caicos Islands’ future children like that, what future do you hope to have? The people who are making the rules today aren’t going to be here forever. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. If you can’t fix today’s problems how do you expect to have a tomorrow? Jenny Trent, Five Cays, Providenciales

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

July 4 - 10, 2015

NEWS 11

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

REAL TALK

We need an honest discussion about political independence

Kendall Grant

Superintendent Kendall Grant graduates FBI Academy BY DAISY HANDFIELD THE ROYAL Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) is celebrating the success of their colleague, Superintendent Kendall Grant, the first local officer to graduate from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) national academy programme. Grant has not only blazed a trail by graduating, he was elected from 218 law enforcement officers as the most inspirational student. He was also awarded the most outstanding student in his leadership, spirituality, wellness and vitality class. In an interview with the Weekly News on Thursday (July 2) he said that he was very proud for many reasons. “One reason being that I was one of the first in the TCI to attend the academy and be successful at the academy and I would say I am even more proud to have seen the Turks and Caicos flag being flown at the academy for the first time. “I would say that that is the proudest moment for me.” His training consisted of ten weeks of advanced investigative, management, and fitness training. Included in the graduating class were members of law enforcement agencies from 47 North American states, 20 international countries, five military organisations, and three federal civilian organisations. Grant said that he was also very humbled by the experience and gave credit to God for giving him the wisdom to be successful. He also thanked his family and colleagues for their continuous support during the venture. “My plan is to impart what I’ve learnt over there to my colleagues over here and work to achieve some of the objectives of the force by working closely with the community. “To be honest, that is one of my main plans because I’ve recognised that there is a gap between the force and the community and I want to enhance those relationships by getting involved and being more engaged with our community. “Let them see our strategies and give their feedbacks.”

He described it as an historic and very honourable moment not just for the RTCIPF but also for the Turks and Caicos Islands. FBI director James Comey was the principal speaker at this historic graduation ceremony on Friday June 12, a release from the police said. Training for the programme was provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, special agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognised internationally in their fields of expertise. A total of 48,336 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy since it began in July, 1935.

I HAVE tried my very best to delay writing about this topic because it is a very touchy topic which strikes a chord with many Belongers in this country. However, most recently political independence has become a misinformed topic that has inspired some TCI Belongers to fight for a cause that they truly do not comprehend. The Bible says: “The people are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge.” When it comes to independence for this country we need to know all the facts and realities. I have no problem with my fellow Belongers desiring political independence for our country. It is their God given right. However, I have a problem with them misinforming the general public about this irreversible decision and painting a false picture to this country about what political independence will mean for the Turks and Caicos Islands. They are selling this country their version of independence knowing quite well it is based on an incorrect formula. They want you to make this decision based on your emotional state of mind looking at the day to

By Jas Walkin

BIOGRAPHY: Jas was born with a physical disability and diagnosed with a mild form of muscular dystrophy. His early childhood was characterised with trying to fit in in a regular school environment unequipped to cater to special needs students. With support from family, teachers and the community he graduated as valedictorian of Raymond Gardiner High School and has been a graduate teacher for the past last nine years.

day frustrations in this country rather than asking yourself the question: What will an independent Turks and Caicos Islands look like? They want you to support independence because they say it is what we need rather than giving you the facts and let you form your own opinion on the topic. You see, they don’t want you to do any research on independence because they don’t want you to ask the tough questions and ignite an honest discussion on this topic. However, as long as I have breath in my body we will have an honest discussion on political independence. Too many times in our political history we have made decisions on misrepresentation, false information and manipulation of facts only to regret it later and find ourselves crying for deliverance from our situation. Thankfully a new generation of

Belongers has returned from studies abroad and our eyes have been opened and our brains have been trained to think for themselves. We are not easily persuaded or bamboozled. We have been taught to do our homework before we make irreversible decisions. Political independence is something we must talk about but whether you support or oppose it let us make sure the discussion is honest and do not mislead this country as others have done in the past. Because after independence there is no suspension of our constitution to clean up our political mess or our colonial Government intervening to give us a third and fourth chance at political and economic stability in maintaining this country we call paradise in the 21st century.

COMMENTARY

Losing our moral compass WE HAVE recently made the case for the culture of the TCI being largely based on the history of the USA. We use the US dollar, we hosted US military bases for over 50 years and we have easy access to the USA. Many of our folks have immigrated to the States. Many TCI people gave birth to their children in the USA. Britain has been assisted by the USA in squelching the drug dealing of the PNP party during the 1980s. The USA assisted in bringing our former premier back from his hiding place in Brazil. The USA is a 250-yearold independent republic and democratic, capital based society. It has been a super power model for the world and in the last 100 years has become the world’s policeman. However the USA has had moral problems. The 1857 Supreme Court of the USA upheld a law (Dred Scott) allowing slavery to exist permanently! Twenty-five years

after Britain freed everyone. Dred Scott was soon overturned in the blood bath called the US Civil War. After losing the war, southern state governors, state and federal senators and house members imposed something called Jim Crow. Jim Crow segregated and suppressed the freed Afro Americans, not permitting them to vote, hold office or avail themselves of the established education system. Jim Crow was an invention of today’s Democrat, (progressive) party across the entire US south-land. Jim Crow Democrats in congress voted down Republican President Eisenhower’s Civil Rights law in the 1950s. Democrats tried to destroy civil rights in the 1060s but Republicans passed the needed laws. Jim Crow is a history which today’s progressive politicians want to hide. However Jim Crow was the ethic of the young man’s hate killing of African Americans church members in Charleston. The backlash to the Charleston killings was Afro American Christian

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 25 years and has lived in Conch Bar, Middle Caicos, since 2002. David formerly served as branch chairman of the PDM from 2008 to 2011

forgiveness restoring for a few days the moral compass of the US. Last week the USA Supreme Court made another progressive ‘Dred Scott’ type decision. Allowing people biologically unable to produce children to marry and have the same status as biologically normal folk. The basis of the pleadings was for same sex couples to enjoy the legal rights of normal married couples. Interesting is that church leaders will resist performing gay marriages driving these same sex lovers to use government officials for a legal marriage not a God blessed union. In 1973 the USA Supreme Court legalised the killing of children in the womb. Not only pregnancies discovered

within 90 days but fully developed children ready to be born. The Democratic party of the USA including their candidates says abortion is right, a woman’s health issue! However a mid or late term abortion can cause women serious physical and mental health issues. In my opinion the USA progressive party has lost its moral compass. The TCI must stay with non-progressive politicians and pastors and reject this 21st century immorality. Eventually conservative moral values will restore the USA moral compass. Something to pray about.

12 NEWS

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

Marriott group execs pay courtesy call on TCI Gov’t JOHN Willard (JW) Jr of Marriott International Inc along with Walter Stipa of Desarollos Hotelco TCI recently met with members of the Turks and Caicos Islands Government during an official courtesy call. Present were Governor Peter Beckingham, Premier Rufus Ewing, and Cabinet ministers, as well as representatives of the Office of the Premier, Ministry of Finance, Attorney General Chambers and the Investment Unit. Joining Marriott from the Caribbean and Latin American arm of Marriott International Inc. were the president Tim Sheldon, Brenda Durham regional general counsel and Catherine Leitner, area director of public relations for both the RitzCarlton hotel company and Marriott International Inc. Representing the Desarrollos Hotelco TCI development were Stipa along with his son Roberto and their wives, as well as realtor and broker Walter Gardiner of RegencyChristie’s international real estate and their legal representative, Owen Foley of Misick and Stanbrook. The lunch meeting, held at the Office of the Premier in Providenciales, gave the developers of the recently announced RitzCarlton Hotel development in Providenciales an opportunity to introduce to the Government to the brand values of Marriott International Inc and the Ritz-

L-R Mr. Walter Stipa, Minister Washington Misick, Premier Rufus Ewing, J. W. Marriott Jr., Governor Peter Beckingham,Minister George Lightbourne

Carlton Hotel Company. J W Marriott Jr also took the time to share some of his success stories as a hotelier and stated that the success of his global lodging company, that now carries 19 brands across 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories worldwide, is largely due to the people that they employ. “If you invest in your people and treat them right, they will treat your guests right,” Marriot said. The Marriott group currently employs some 365,000 employees across the headquarters, offices and lodging properties around the world. In welcoming the group to the Islands, Governor Beckingham reasserted the faith that he and the UK Government have in the local

Government and also commended the Premier and ministers on their ability to stabilise the economy and restore investor confidence. The Governor also expressed his pleasure in the prudent financial management of the country’s finances by the current Government and their ability to make tough decisions for the good of the people. The Premier, in his remarks, highlighted the commonalities of the Turks and Caicos Islands brand and that of the Marriott brand, particularly the Ritz-Carlton as being that which bespeaks highend luxury, which makes the newly announced hotel chain a perfect fit for the destination. Premier Ewing said: “We are

excited to have the Ritz-Carlton brand join the elite list of award winning brands within the Turks and Caicos Islands.” Ewing also remarked that while the TCI has built its success as a prominent destination for the most affluent travellers on brands distinctive to the country, as a Government and a people, they welcomed the addition of the highly acclaimed Ritz-Carlton brand to the select group of international brands that currently operate locally. Remarks were also made by the Deputy Premier Akierra Missick, who congratulated the Marriott group on their support of education, investment in youth development and building capacity in the

Delleriece Hall new leading lady of Lime TCI FORMER head of corporate sales and corporate services at Lime TCI, Delleriece Hall has been appointed general manager. A press release from the company this week informed of the change in top management. Hall, who replaces James Pitt of Grenada, has over 19 years of experience in telecommunications. Speaking on her next steps as she transitioned into her new role on July 1, Hall said: “I am very focused on running the leading telecommunications company in our Islands, and delivering a world-class customer experience. “When not at work, I spend quality time with family, and often spend my mornings walking on our beautiful beaches such as the Grace Bay beach.” She said that she loves to manage, change and embrace new things, and looks forward to playing her part in shaping the future of communications across the TCI. Hall said that she believes that with hard work and a laser-sharp focus on continuous improvement everyone can achieve personal success. John Reid, Cable and Wireless’ (C&W) president consumer group,

also quoted in the release, applauded Hall for her contribution to the business over the years. “Delleriece Hall comes to this role with a diverse and solid track record. Her skills set and extensive experience in telecoms have combined to position her as the right talent to lead the Turks and Caicos business during this time of transformation.” He added that these are exciting times for C&W and it is critical that they identify the right leadership as they continue to transform their business into more customer-focused telecoms. Hall’s Experience The new general manager is further lauded by the company as being schooled in the art of executive management; previously distinguishing herself as ‘one to watch’ as she climbed the ranks of the corporate ladder. For one who began her career with C&W in 1996 as a customer service supervisor, Hall’s ascension to the top job in the leading telecoms business in TCI is a testament to her tenacity and hard work, the release read. Hall has represented C&W (Lime TCI) in several successful joint ventures, identifying opportunities

Delleriece Hall is the new general manager for Lime TCI

and implementing key strategies to deliver, and in some instances, exceed organisational goals. She has earned the respect of her peers and has won several internal awards for excellence in sales and negotiation. Hall also earned the title of the

sales academy’s best supporting manager in 2014. She is also an active member of the TCI community and currently serves as an executive member of the TCI Toast Masters International and a member of the TCI Chamber of Commerce.

countries in which they operate and welcomed the opportunity for further discussions on possible benefits to the youth of the TCI. Other ministers - Porsha StubbsSmith and Washington Misick (tourism and finance, respectively) also took the opportunity to welcome the Marriott/Stipa group and shared their pleasure in the prospects for further tourist arrivals and improved investor confidence as a result of the Ritz-Carlton development in the Islands. Construction of the $224 million dollar European style Ritz-Carlton Hotel Resort, casino and spa will begin in November of this year and will consist of 124 luxury hotel guest rooms, penthouses, resort residences and facilities. The development is expected to further boost the local economy, particularly the construction sector and the small and medium sized businesses of the Islands.

Specialist unit being set up to ... continued FROM 

firearms tactical command as well as marine branch training, financial investigation and others. He pointed to Superintendent Kendall Grant’s recent graduation from the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ Academy, stating that he is looking forward to Grant’s input particularly in the area of community policing. “There is much to be done now and in the future for us as a police service to be as effective as we can be and build trust with our partners and communities. We can, and will improve,” Smith assured. He added that his officers and staff are part of the community and they, as much as anybody else, want the TCI to be a place that is safe and that they are proud to live in. He further called on the community to support the force, particularly in getting firearms off of the streets. “Rumour and speculation do not solve crimes, evidence does. We cannot search homes, people and vehicles without justification, we need reliable information to act and it mainly comes from members of the public.” He urged people to tell the police whatever they know about any illegal activity or firearm possession so that crime and criminals can be defeated.

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

14 NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Commissioner of Police James Smith, flanked by Deputy Police Commissioner Rodney Adams (left) and Assistant Police Commissioner Wayne Jones during a recent press conference on crime in Providenciales

Islands

Jan-Mar 2015

Jan-Mar 2014

% Difference change

Providenciales

1124

1066

Grand Turk

214

212

South Caicos

80%

North Caicos

23%

Middle Caicos

20%

Salt Cay

100%

Total

1414

1339

Year to Date All Crime All Islands

Increase in crime for 2015 BY DELANA ISLES

over the previous year,” Adams noted.

POLICE have confirmed that for the first five months of 2015, there has been a spike in crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands. During a press conference on Tuesday (June 30) Acting Deputy Commissioner Rodney Adams delivered the crime figures for the year to date (January 1 to May 31). He was joined by Commissioner of Police James Smith and Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Jones. For the period January 1 to May 31, there were 1,414 crimes reported in the Islands; 277 or 20 percent were detected. Forty-seven crimes which were reported in previous months were detected in January to May period, making an overall detection of 324. Average number of crimes per day was nine. During the same period last year, 1,339 crimes were reported in the Islands, of which 307 or 23 percent were detected. “Clearly based on the reported crimes for the first five months of the year we have seen a slight increase,

Arrests and charges During the period under review a total of 288 people were arrested and formally charged and cautioned. Of this figure, 202 were locals of which 179 were adult males, 14 adult females, eight juvenile males and one juvenile female. Eighty-six non-locals were arrested and charged - 78 adult males, three adult male tourists, three adult females and two adult female tourists. Arrests and arrests on suspicion One-hundred and nineteen local residents were arrested on suspicion of committing a crime - of this number 104 were adult male, five adult females, nine male juveniles and one juvenile female. For the period January 1, 2014, to May 31, 2014, 302 were arrested and formally charged and cautioned. All crimes at year to date for 2015 compared to 2014 Looking at the numbers, Adams said that some plans have been initiated

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total

2015

318

282

288

247

279

1414

2014

292

242

278

258

269

217

242

259

289

295

324

282

3247

All crime per month

for the police to be more proactive in terms of addressing the incidences of crime moving forward. Commissioner of Police James Smith pointed out though there has only been a slight increase in crime, but that some of the criminal acts committed so far for this year have been quite dramatic, while others have resulted in death. “That is why we have treated this particular period with some degree of urgency by redeploying officers. “We treat it with the highest priority and utmost seriousness and we will continue to do that because none of us want to live in a country where crime is predominant.”

Assistant Commissioner Wayne Jones noted that with the recent increase in violent crimes, the use of firearms and bladed weapons over the past week have caused a grave concern for the police. “It is so unfortunate that one of those crimes that were being committed, a young man lost his life. “It is evident as a result of this that we decide that we put an operation in place to deal with these violent crimes.” He added that it is clear that illegal weapons are entering the TCI through the borders which are very porous. “We need to tackle this issue by having our marine branch do patrols

Premier reps TCI at CARICOM heads of government meeting PREMIER Rufus Ewing this week joined several heads of states from around the Caribbean in Barbados on Thursday (July 2) at the 36th regular meeting of the conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The theme of the high level meetings was ‘Vibrant societies, resilient economies: A partnership for implementation’. Vibrant discussions and insightful presentations were made by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, the Secretary

General to the Commonwealth Kamalesh Sharma, President of the Caribbean Development Bank Dr Warren Smith, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas Fredrick Mitchell. The esteemed gathering of leaders and other delegates were welcomed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Barbados, Senator Maxine McClean and the opening address was delivered by the host country’s prime minister, Freundel Stuart.

Premier Rufus Ewing (third from right) joins other heads of government of Caribbean countries at a Heads of Government meeting in Barbados

with the support of the air wings. “Crime is everybody business, not only the police because we cannot do it alone, we need the help of members of the public and other stakeholders in managing these crimes.” One community project being introduced is the Community Officers Programme whereby a group of officers will be responsible for each electoral district in Providenciales and also responsible for meeting with people, listening to their concerns, formulating plans and solutions for whatever problems communities are having. This programme will be launched in a few weeks, Jones advised.

July 4 - 10, 2015

NEWS 15

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CRIME BLOTTER Man gets nine months for stealing TV sets

FIFTY-year-old John Spencer Missick of Airport Road has been charged and sentenced to nine months imprisonment for stealing two televisions sets from a Chalk Sound home. On Thursday (July 2), Missick appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary. The charge was laid against the man after officers concluded their investigations into a burglary which occurred on Friday (June 26) in Chalk Sound, Providenciales. During that burglary, two Dynex flat screen televisions were stolen. At about 1.30pm on Wednesday (July 1), officers attached to the Criminal Investigations Department executed a search warrant at a home in Five Cays. During a search of the home, police located and seized two Dynex flat screen televisions. An investigation into handling stolen goods in relation to the residents of the Five Cays home is still pending, police said.

Ernst Dolce charged for carrying firearm

AFTER thorough investigations by police, a charge of carrying a firearm has been laid against 26-year-old Ernst Dolce. The arrest and charge came following an incident which took place on Monday (June 29) in the Lower Bight. Dolce was found in possession of an unlicensed semi-automatic .380 pistol during a traffic stop after 10pm. He was arrested and subsequently taken before the Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (July 1). He was not required to enter a plea until the day of his sufficiency hearing in the Supreme Court in Grand Turk and was refused bail and remanded at Her Majesty’s Prison. Dolce’s sufficiency hearing is set for Friday, August 2015.

Man charged for unlawful entry, stolen goods

ON TUESDAY (June 30) at Gary Leon pled guilty in a Providenciales Magistrate Court to handling stolen goods and unlawful entry. Leon was sentenced to six months imprisonment and three months imprisonment, respectively, to run concurrently. Deportation to Haiti was recommended on conclusion of his sentence.

Lack of employee work permit, lands employer in jail

ANOTHER Haitian man, Jimmy Jean, pleaded guilty to an offence in a Providenciales Magistrate’s court this past week.

On Tuesday (June 30) Jean pleaded guilty to employing a person without a valid work permit and was sentenced to three months imprisonment. Deportation was also recommended on conclusion of his sentence.

27-year-old man arrested for wounding

POLICE are requesting anyone with information or who may have witnessed a fight in Kew Town early on Sunday night (June 28) to come forward. At about 7.54pm, police said they received information that several people were involved in a physical altercation on a liquor licensed premises at Victory Court. During the fight, a 21-year-old man from Kew Town received an injury to his head and a 41-year-old woman from Kew Town received an injury to her hand. Both were taken to Cheshire Hall Medical Centre by ambulance, were treated and subsequently released. Police said that a 27-yearold man of a Kew Town address believed to be involved in the altercation was at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre being treated for an injury and released from hospital. He was arrested on suspicion of wounding and is assisting police with their inquiries. Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the fight or the circumstances leading up to it. Anyone with information about the incident should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 8477 or use the Crimestoppers online reporting page www.crimestoppers.tc. Information provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

Police request information on Long Bay burglary

THE ROYAL Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are appealing for information following an attempted burglary in Long Bay on Tuesday (June 30) morning. At about 11.19am, a resident was in his bedroom when he saw two men approach his bedroom window and attempted to gain entry. Police have been told the suspects ran away from the window when they were seen and drove off in a silver coloured Nissan vehicle. Officers attached to Beat and Patrol were alerted to the incident and commenced investigations. As inquiries continued, police were able to locate the suspected vehicle and a 24-year-old man of South Dock Road who told police that he was the owner of the silver coloured Nissan vehicle. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted burglary. Any witnesses who have not yet spoken to police are urged to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers in Miami, Florida at 1-800-8477 or local police at 649 941 8083.

Superintendent Kendall Grant lays out the search plan for residents’ assistance

Banel Collin

Dock Yard residents lend assistance to police to find missing man

Police search Dock Yard for missing man ON SUNDAY, June 28, police widened their search to Dock Yard for Banel Colin, who was reported missing on June 22 by relatives. Members of the force, including Superintendent Kendall Grant with responsibilities for Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos met and spoke with residents. Residents of Five Cays initially joined the police search party for Colin at approximately 6am last Sunday. The search began at Colin’s home in Five Cays, where police returned for a second look in search of new clues. According to police, following the search, information later suggested

that Colin may be found in the Dock Yard area. Additional residents from Five Cays and also Kew Town later joined the search in Dock Yard at about 11.30am. Later in the week, police and residents were still searching the Dock Yard area. Police have again appealed for the public’s help in finding Colin as they continue their investigations into his disappearance. The missing man was last seen on Friday (June 19) at about 8.30am at his home in Five Cays. At the time he was last seen, he was wearing a white polo shirt, a long pair of jeans and brown shoes.

He is described as a black man of dark complexion with black hair cut low, and is bearded with side burns. He has dark brown eyes, stands at about 5 feet 7 inches tall and is of a slim build. Anyone with information surrounding his disappearance, location or any relevant information can call the police on 941-4448 extension 81843 or 81837, or use the untraceable, anonymous Crimestoppers Miami number at 1-800-(TIPS) or 1-800-8477. The public are reminded that no names or numbers are requested and only the information provided is passed on to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police.

New passport application and printing procedure launched THE GOVERNMENT’s Passport Office is now officially open to receive new passport applications to be printed in the United Kingdom. Printing in the UK officially started on Monday (June 29) and customers are required to submit applications in the normal way. The old C1 and C2 application forms are no longer acceptable, a Government release advised. However, the passport fees remain the same. People wishing to apply for a new passport or renew an old or soon to expire passport may access

the new application forms that are fillable online, as well as guidance on how to complete the forms, on the homepage of Turks and Caicos Islands Government website or at www.gov.tc/passports. A limited number of printed forms may also be collected at the One Stop Shop as well as at the Immigration Department on the islands of North, Middle and South Caicos and the District Commissioner’s Office in Salt Cay. Applicants are required to read all documents carefully, complete the form as guided and supply all the

necessary supporting documents. Staples or glue must not be used to attach photographs and documents. Failure to follow guidelines is likely to result in delays. Individuals who submitted applications prior to Friday, June 12, without providing the required supporting documents, are requested to collect their incomplete applications and re-submit them using the new form. All customers are reminded that it will take at least four weeks before the new passport is available for collection.

16 NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

TV star reads to students at local primary school SANDALS Foundation supporter, Marcus Scribner, a star on the ABC hit show Blackish, recently visited Ianthe Pratt Primary School in Providenciales to read to youngsters. The reading formed part of an Island Impact reading road trip in the Voluntourism and Giving Back Programme put on by the resort company. Created by Beaches Resorts in partnership with the Sandals Foundation, Island Impact gives full-time students such as Scribner an opportunity to earn up to 10 community service hours while vacationing, a company release read. “Giving back while on vacation is a great way to make a difference while earning community service hours. “The kids really enjoyed the story; I really felt all the love with all of the hugging,” Scribner said. Sabrina Stewart, daughter of Beaches & Sandals Chairman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, also

attended the reading road trip. Stewart is the chief teen officer for Teen Advisory panel (TAP). She is an avid traveller and began TAP to share her Caribbean travels with other teens, the release read. She said that the Sandals Foundation Island Impact give programme was a really moving experience. “I love how happy one little thing can make these kids.” According to Beaches Resorts CEO Adam Stewart, Island Impact was inspired by consultations with members of the resort company’s new Teen Advisory Panel (TAP), a forum designed to provide insight into improving the vacation experience. He said: “Because community service is an integral part of their lives, our team along with the TAP members have been looking into ways for teens to earn those hours while on vacation, especially over the peak summer months at Beaches Resorts.

Principal Neekimo King and the students were enthused by the celebrity’s visit

“Partnering with the Sandals Foundation is a great way for kids visiting the Caribbean to get beyond the resort to experience a different culture while making a real difference. “We are proud and excited to offer this new opportunity.” Under the programme, students can embark on a variety of ‘volunteenism’ projects including the reading road trip, a literacy outreach campaign, tutoring and homework help, assistance at special interest local youth camps, ‘Pack for a purpose,’ an opportunity to collect, pack and deliver much-

needed school supplies and personal hygiene goods as well as beach, park or community clean-up projects. Each ‘volunteenism’ project is

carefully developed by the Sandals Foundation and their locally-based partners to provide the greatest positive impact.

December 1 fixed for trial of Misick and others THE TRIAL of former Premier Michael Misick and nine others was recently affirmed for December 1, following moves by some defendants to have the date vacated. On Tuesday (June 30) the date was firmly fixed during a hearing before Justice Paul Harrison.

Michael Misick, McAllister Hanchell and Jeffrey Hall applied to have the date cancelled, but their efforts were resisted by the Crown and subsequently rejected by the judge, a brief release from the Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) read.

Local music available at Provo airport soon BY DAISY HANDFIELD THE WORK of local artists will soon be displayed in a CD vending machine at Providenciales International Airport, making it easier for people to access the work of local talent of the Turks and Caicos Islands. TCI Beats Records will be unveiling the vending machine on Saturday (July 4) at 1pm at the airport. Secretary Leodica Delancy told the Weekly News on Monday (June 29) that the company will start off with one machine and depending on the outcome, will increase to more. Director of TCI Beats Hubert Swann Jr revealed to this publication on Tuesday (June 30) that for a long time he has Marcus Scribner reads to the students of the Ianthe Pratt Primary School in Providenciales

been looking into getting a professional studio in the TCI to help attract more international artists to the TCI. Swann added that he wanted to have local musicians exposed to a professional industry by granting TCI musicians opportunities to work with professionals. “What inspired me is knowing that our local musicians don’t have any direct distribution method,” he said. The CDs will be priced depending on the number of songs featured, and the machine will feature independent artists and label based artists. Swann said his vision is to see more music from the TCI being played around the islands, in hopes of building a stronger foundation for music in the islands.

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Supplementary budget to provide police with needed resources

CABINET has approved a supplementary appropriation bill allocating money for the upgrade of the 911 and communications systems, the setting up of a Financial Intelligence Agency and additional protective equipment for the TCI police force. This was announced on Wednesday (July 1) following a Cabinet meeting in Providenciales on Tuesday. The bill will also finance other critical items across Government for the financial year 2015/16. The supplementary appropriation bill will be submitted to the UK Secretary of State for approval before being forwarded to the House of Assembly. Meanwhile, Cabinet also agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Her Majesty’s Passport Office in the United Kingdom to provide a framework to enable implementation of phase one of the process for the printing of all TCI passports to be carried out in the

UK from Monday (July 6). There will be a public information campaign to highlight the changes to passport issuing procedures, a Government press release advised. Cabinet also agreed to the recommendations of the Procurement Board to award contracts for maintenance dredging of South Dock, Providenciales, and for a consultancy to provide the design and technical documentation to tender for the reconstruction and upgrading of Lighthouse Road in Grand Turk. Members of Cabinet also approved a request made by Caribbean Dredging Ltd to conduct sand mining operations at the Boaby Rock Point and Eastern Shoal sites in Grand Turk to extract high grade sand for the local and international markets subject to the applicant meeting planning and environmental laws and other conditions. They also approved the appointment of the Reverend Conrad Howell as a member of the National Health Insurance Board.

NEWS 17

International school opens kindergarten BY DAISY HANDFIELD THE INTERNATIONAL School of the Turks and Caicos, formerly known as the Ashcroft School, will soon be adding a preschool on the school grounds to facilitate younger children. During a ground breaking ceremony at the Leeward, Providenciales, location this Wednesday (July 1) principal Katie Hinks told the Weekly News that the project should be up and running by September in time for the new school year. “We are terribly excited about it; a wonderful addition to our new long founding well established and outstanding early year’s provision that we already have,” she said. “It is going to be a beautiful purpose built building. We’ve had so much fun planning it out exactly how it’s going to be and buying all the resources and things.” The principal said that the development of the nursery school

was to answer the demands of a lot of parents and members from the community who have been requesting a high quality childcare centre. “I know that a lot of people get nannies, get babysitters and things like this for their children, but there seems to be a big demand for it anyway,” Hinks said. The nursery will run from 8am to 3pm and there will be an option available for an extension for those parents who work late. The nursery will be built to accommodate 12 children and will include a nursery manager along with a helper. During the ceremony, Ingo Reckhorn Waterloo Investment Holdings Limited (WHL) said that their company has been a big support of the school since its inception. He said: “It is very important to us as a company that we are not only a strong member of the business community with our three hotels, but that we are also very good corporate

citizens.” Reckhorn said that they have always been particular about developing the Leeward community and the International School being part of the Leeward community has been very close to their hearts. “It changes the entrance ages of the children and allows them to be fostered from the age of one and then enter directly from the nursery school into the primary school environment and it addresses the children from a very early age, which is called the foundation years.” The representative concluded by saying that the preschool was extremely important to them and that this was just one further block in the development of the children’s lives. The school will also see the inclusion of a swimming pool. The International School of the Turks and Caicos caters to a total of 120 students; running from kindergarten all the way to sixth grade.

Chicago to Provo direct flights The Towers for next winter travel season

of Babel

Art is our language For more information email towersofbabel101@gmail.com or visit www.towersofbabel.weebly.com

Extra-terrestrial By Holly M

Take me to another world Filled with burning desires; As I release the clinch from my lips, The stroke from your core Engaged our souls, in a time capsule filled with reverting emotions Our bodies become inflamed The air from our lungs collapse As the influx of adrenaline release the tension from our cranium to our phalanges; The sound of our voice echoed words that is foreign to the walls surrounding us I open up to receive you Like a reservoir to an ocean; Our bodies entwined and formed a beautiful shape; A residual of an origami My body arched as you anchored into what seems to be the wetland of a thousand seeds.

CHICAGO residents will soon enjoy easy access to Providenciales with the launch of a seasonal, nonstop United Airlines service from December 19 through to April 30, 2016. The new route is just in for the busy winter travel season, the TCI high season. The flights are scheduled for Saturdays, on a Boeing 737-800, featuring a total of 154 seats, 16 seats in business, 138 in economy, including 48 economy plus extralegroom seats. This will be United Airlines’ first nonstop service available from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), its major hub, to Providenciales International Airport (PLS), a release from the company this week read. “Providenciales is among the fastest-growing Caribbean destinations, with 16 percent industry demand growth year-over-year, and our service here addresses seasonal variation in demand from different hubs,” Noel Smith, United’s national account and leisure sales manager said. He added that the winter ORDPLS service complements the company’s existing service to Providenciales from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and recently added summer service from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The outbound United Airlines flight will depart Chicago on

Saturdays at 10.40am and arrive in Providenciales at 3.40pm. On returning from Providenciales, the flight will depart on Saturdays at 1.49pm and arrive in Chicago at 5.09pm. “We are extremely excited to partner with United Airlines on its first ever nonstop service out of Chicago to Providenciales,” Ralph Higgs, Director of Tourism commented. “The direct route will provide easy access for our visitors, add further convenience, and offer excellent connections to feeder cities in the Midwestern United States.” He added: “We anticipate welcoming the new and returning visitors this new service will bring to Providenciales and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with United Airlines.” Bookings to Providenciales from Chicago became available on June 13. For more information on United

Airlines schedules and fares, travellers should contact United Airlines at 1-800-864-8331 or visit www.united.com.

Crime tip for parents

THE ROYAL Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is urging parents to play an active role in their children's lives. “Always know their whereabouts and their friends. Talk to your children about safety issues and ensure that they follow your rules at all times. “If a child is consistently defiant, speak with social services or other Government support agencies for assistance. Working together we can save the children!”

Lifestyle... 18

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

How does your garden grow 

BY DENIS Belanger - NATURE SPLENDOR

Denis is a passionate landscape architect who enjoys the creative process and his clients’ joy when projects come to life. Contact Denis at Nature Splendor for your landscaping, installation or garden maintenance needs. For more information call 332-3381 or email denis@naturesplendor.net.

Seven year apple IRONICALLY, the seven year apple (Casasia clusiifolia) is neither an apple nor does it take seven years for its fruit to mature. A member of the Rubiaceae family, this leathery denizen of beach fronts manages to flower and form fruit at the same time, which is a good thing because it takes a full year for the fruit to ripen. A slow grower, they are as wide as they are tall reaching up to a height of 15 feet. When it does ripen it is devoured by mockingbirds (and iguanas) that hollow out the tasty fruit and leave a dead skin hanging in the tree. Butterflies such as the tantalus

sphinx (Aellopos tantalus) use it as a larval host plant, and the mangrove skipper (Phocides pigmalion) and others that use it for nectar float around it. You will either find the seven year apple edible or disgusting. In fact, a lot of folks can’t get past the looks of the fruit. The fruit is edible only when black ripe, and then only the pulp, not the seeds. It’s actually a berry the size of a lime. You ‘eat’ it by poking a hold in the tough rhine and sucking out the pulp (again, don’t eat the seeds, they will make you throw up). The flavour reminds some

Weekly Recipe Adele is a native of South Africa, currently living and working in the TCI. In addition to being a superb cook, Adele has the full time job of being a mom to four wonderful kids. Since migrating to the TCI, she has committed to making her family and fellow countrymen her favourite dishes from South Africa. Hopefully now everyone can get a taste of her extensive repertoire of delightful South African dishes. Happy cooking!

Low carb cauliflower salad Ingredients

• 1 head cauliflower, cut into bitesize pieces • 4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped • 1/2 cup mayonnaise, or more to taste • 2 tablespoons dill pickle relish • 2 tablespoons diced green onion • 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard • Salt and ground black pepper to

taste

Method

• Steam cauliflower until soft but firm, about five minutes. • Mix cauliflower, eggs, mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, green onion, mustard, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. • Serve chilled or warm.

of prunes, others of liquorish, personally I find it just plain awful and they are probably best left to the mockingbirds. This small tree or shrub grows well along the coastline. Although it can’t take sitting in salt water like the mangrove, it does well directly on the coastline where it gets inundated with storm water. It can take full-force hurricane winds and come back with new leaves. This is a tough plant. Seven year apples have six inch, shiny leaves that curl inward. They are thick, long and oval, and clustered near the branch tips. It has a five-petal cluster of white

flowers with pink edges that emerge mostly in the spring and early summer, but can be found all year long. Male and female flowers are on different plants. The flowers have a magnificent smell and could easily be used in perfume. Eau de Casasia could be a big seller if the perfumers ever find enough of it. The seeds are prolific and can be propagated easily. Seven year apples grow in partial shade and full sun, but I have only seen them thriving in full sun. Their soil must be porous. Sand and rocks are ideal. Our alkaline

limestone will do just fine. They survive in the second tier away from a beach. Their drought and salt wind tolerance are high. Planted close together, they grow into a full hedge or screen. They are great as windbreaks near the ocean. Although the fruits are fairly ugly, the flowers are showy, and God, that smell! Actually, the trees are closely related to the Gardenia. I think that this evergreen shrub or small tree is one of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ most exceptional native, salt-tolerant plants. It will grow right up to the first dune near the ocean.

July 4 - 10, 2015

Lifestyle...

Oil pulling I’VE been asked by several patients about the practice of ‘oil pulling’. ‘Is it effective?’ ‘Do I recommend it?’ ‘Is it better or worse than a regular mouth wash?’ I thought this week I would use my column to consider the pros and cons of oil pulling and try and solve some of the mystery and myths surrounding it.

What is oil pulling? It actually dates back thousands of years and is based in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Indian system. It involves rinsing or ‘swishing’ oil typically coconut, sesame or sunflower - around the mouth and teeth for up to 20 minutes before spitting it out with the view being that it removes bacteria and promotes a healthier mouth. How is it purported to work? Those that support oil pulling claim that it helps against gingivitis, plaque and bad breath.

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

The act of swilling the oil around the mouth for an extended period of time enables to it to come into contact with bacteria and microorganisms that inhabit the mouth. These microorganisms mostly consist of a single cell which is covered with a lipid (fatty) membrane and when these cells come into contact with the oil, they naturally adhere to it. These are then expelled from the mouth upon spitting out the oil. Coconut oil is often preferred because 50 percent of the fat in coconut oil is comprised of the ingredient lauric acid which is very well known for its antimicrobial actions. Does it work? I have to admit that I was sceptical when I first heard of the practice but my research showed that there appears to be some sensible studies, based in science, that show there may be some tangible benefits to the practice.

The Dentist and you  Mark Osmond BDS (Lond) LDS RCS (Eng). Mark Osmond Dental Clinic - (649) 432 3777, drmosmond@gmail.com or Find us on Facebook

It appears to be true that oil pulling lessens the bacterial load in the mouth and there is certainly evidence to show that bacteria can enter the blood stream when oral hygiene is poor which in turn can cause health issues (both in for the mouth and teeth and beyond.). I have read anecdotal accounts of chronic gum disease improving with the practice of regular oil pulling although I have not seen this for myself. Watch outs!

By Dr Mark Osmond

When I tried it - admittedly only the once - I struggled to do it for longer than two minutes. I found it unpleasant to the point of making me retch and not something I wanted to repeat! Supporters of the practice report that the more often they practice, the longer they are able to hold the oil in the mouth. So perseverance seems to be key! I would also have to say that coconut oil is not particularly cheap.

Maintenance of regular dental care is crucial A regular oil-pulling routine should not replace routine dental visits and traditional at-home oral care such as brushing and flossing. Oil pulling does not reverse the effects of tooth decay and there is no hard evidence to support that it can treat gum disease or gingivitis. That being said, I do believe that it could be a useful supplemental therapy for some patients.

shades of pink, orange and berry. They require little to no touch-ups throughout the day and can even be topped up with a bit of gloss.

natural looking flush.

2015 summer makeup trends and tips Hello beauties! Here are some great trends to try this summer.

Makeup and skin care 

Coloured eyeliner Opposites attract, so try applying eyeliner in complementary shades for your eye colour. You can apply it on either the inside waterline only, as winged liner on the upper lash line only or on both areas to really make the eyes stand out. To make the eyeliner last a lot longer, try setting it with an eye shadow in a similar shade. Do finish off with curled lashes and waterproof mascara for an allday sweat proof wear. Brown eyes look great in richly pigmented colours such as copper, gold, turquoise, blue, pink, purple and lavender. Blue eyes look great in bronze, copper, orange and rust. Green eyes look great in pink, purple, gold, turquoise and navy. Hazel eyes look great in purple or

Thea Lowe-Gangasingh is a professional makeup artist based in Providenciales certified with Chic Studios NYC. To book an appointment for any occasion with Thea Makeup Artistry email info@ theamakeupartistry.com or call 242-4627.

Thea LoweGangasingh

green.

applying other makeup.

Lightweight foundation During the summer months, you don’t really want to pack on the foundation, in fact less is more and the less you put on, the less product there is to slide around the face. To apply your foundation, start with a tiny bit in the centre of the face. You can blend this outwards with either a damp makeup sponge or a kabuki or stippling brush so it goes on light and sheer. Give it a minute or so to set before

Creamy colourful eye shadows Sweat and powder shadows can look a bit messy when they mix. To avoid the drama try applying a sheer cream shadow in a complementary colour over your entire lid. The shadow gives a beautiful effect by glistening in the sunlight and is quick and easy to apply. Lip stain For long lasting, low maintenance lips, a lip stain is perfect in various

Cream or gel blush As with powder eye shadows, powder blush and perspiration do not go well together. Instead apply a tiny amount of cream or gel blush on the apples of the cheeks and blend well for a

Glowing complexion To create a soft healthy glowing complexion, add a bit of highlighting or luminescent powder to the high points of the cheekbones. To balance out this look, ensure that you blot and mattify the T-zone to keep shine under control and emphasise that glow only in the areas you need it.

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

Dominican Republic agrees to OAS migration inquiry THE Dominican Republic says it will cooperate with an Organization of American States (OAS) inquiry into its migration policies. The OAS is sending a team to Santo Domingo after thousands of migrants left for Haiti in recent weeks. The Dominican authorities say they left voluntarily after a registration programme for undocumented migrants expired. But Haitian officials have accused the authorities of using force. Speaking after the OAS announcement, Interior Minister Ramon Fadul said: “We have nothing to hide because what we are doing is applying our laws on migration as every country in the world does and to do this we have done what was needed.” But there have been international concerns about the number of Haitians being sent across the border, estimated to be some 17,000. Many of them are Dominicans of Haitian descent. Jose Miguel Vivanco, the director of Human Rights Watch’s Americas division, said: “People are being detained and shoved across the border.” Caribbean nations in the 15-member bloc known as Caricom

Bishop of Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies (PAWI) St. Lucia District Bishop Thomas Eristhee urged regional leaders to resist the pressure from larger countries to legalise same sex marriages.

Resist pressure to allow gay marriage, pastor tells CARICOM leaders Although the DR claims they are no discriminations, many Haitian migrants reported encountering long delays and impossible bureaucratic hurdles during the registration process.

called on the Dominican Republic to stop what it said was a “planned mass deportation of people of Haitian descent”. The current crisis has its roots in a 2013 a high court ruling in the Dominican Republic. It said that people born there between 1929 and 2010 had Dominican citizenship as a birthright, but those born to undocumented migrants at the time of their birth were not covered by this protection and were not citizens. “The Dominican Republic is

denying tens of thousands of citizens their rights to a nationality,” said Jose Miguel Vivanco. As a result, he said, they have become stateless. “Dominicans of Haitian descent have been unable to access basic public services such as registering children at birth, enrolling in school and college, participating in the formal economy or travelling around the country without risk of expulsion. “ The Dominican authorities had tried to deal with the influx of Haitian migration by opening a compulsory register for all migrants.

DON’T follow the lead of the United States and allow gay marriage in the Caribbean. That’s the advice to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) from Bishop of Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies (PAWI) St. Lucia District Bishop Thomas Eristhee who urged regional leaders to resist the pressure from larger countries to legalise same sex marriages. The US Supreme Court ruled last Friday that same-sex marriage is a legal right across the country. But Eristhee warned that the impact of that would be worse than that of the 9/11 attacks. Saying that when CARICOM leaders meet in Barbados this week the issue of same sex marriage would be on the agenda, the pastor disclosed that groups of Christian lawyers in Trinidad and Tobago

and Jamaica have come together to launch a petition urging them not to “redefine the family”. “You will say that our governments in CARICOM will not do that, but I tell you that they are under pressure by those big wolves,” the Pentecostal clergyman said. The PAWI St. Lucia District is encouraging CARICOM nationals to sign the petition against same sex marriage at the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society’s website, http://www. jchs.org.jm, or www.citizengo.org. Under the headline ‘Preserve Healthy Caribbean Societies’, the petition contends that “the Caribbean community is under increasing international pressure to accept a reinterpretation of human rights that will undermine true fundamental human rights and the institutions of marriage and the family”.

LATVIA has become the second European state to remove Bermuda from its blacklist of uncooperative tax jurisdictions In June, the European Commission (EC) published a list of 30 uncooperative tax jurisdictions, with a so-called master blacklist comprising of countries that were targeted by 10 or more EU member states. Bermuda was included in that list, and reacted furiously to its inclusion, describing the move as “unjustified and baseless”. Bob Richards, Bermuda’s finance minister, also alleged that five out of the 11 countries that had blacklisted Bermuda had failed to fulfil their obligations to consummate a tax information exchange. Now, following Poland’s example, Latvia has become the second EU member state to remove Bermuda from its blacklist of uncooperative tax jurisdictions. “I am grateful that Latvia and Poland have acted quickly to correct

the mistake and we hope other countries will follow suit,” Richards said in a statement. “As I have indicated before, considering Bermuda’s outstanding record of signing agreements with a large number of countries, it is extraordinary that we would be labelled by the EC as uncooperative.” The finance minister said that now less than 10 countries were targeting Bermuda, the country should be removed from the EC blacklist with immediate effect. “There was some indication that the list might be revised by the end of the year,” Richards said. “But we see no reason why an administrative decision in our favour couldn’t be made immediately. We have consistently done the right thing. “Bermuda has signed tax information exchange agreements with countries around the world together with a multilateral tax convention, adding up to over 80 treaty partners.

Islands closest to Cuba likely to suffer greatest tourism drop Latvia follows Poland, – Caribbean Hotel de-blacklists Bermuda and Tourism Association warns

The emergence of Cuba as a rival for tourists and investment dollars will change the travel landscape in the Caribbean forever, industry leaders have warned. Caribbean tourism officials are pushing for a new partnership with the U.S. amid growing concern that the thawing of relations with Cuba will have drastic consequences for neighbouring islands. “The biggest and most disruptive pebble to be dropped into the Caribbean pool in fifty years will arrive with the opening of travel to Cuba for United States citizens,” the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association warns in a position paper. The association says islands closest to Cuba are likely to suffer the “greatest ripple effects.” The association is looking to create a Caribbean Basin Tourism Initiative to help boost investment

Cuba’s tourism industry generated more than $US1.7 billion in revenues in the first half of 2015, state television reports.

and travel across the region with help from the U.S. The initiative calls for technical and policy support from the U.S. to ensure the stability of tourism-based economies in the region if U.S. tourists are, as expected, allowed to visit Cuba after a 50-year embargo. “While U.S. tour, airline and cruise executives are eyeing the tourism potential of the long-

forbidden paradise 90 miles south of Key West, Florida, conflicted stakeholders throughout the wider Caribbean have legitimate concerns [over] whether there will be a level playing field and whether the rest of the region will grow tourism arrivals or lose tourism investments and arrivals as they divert to Cuba,” said Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association President Emil Lee.

July 4 - 10, 2015

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Christie admits Bahamas government caught off-guard on Baha Mar

Haitian sugar cane workers with lifelong roots in the Dominican Republic march to the constitutional court in Santo Domingo to appeal their deportation. (Photo: AFP)

Haiti warns mass deportation will provoke humanitarian crisis PORT-au-Prince raised an alarm Tuesday over budding regional security concerns and a potential humanitarian crisis, as waves of expelled Haitians leave Dominican Republic and cross over to the other side of the shared Caribbean island of Hispaniola. “This situation represents a risk of humanitarian catastrophe, a destabilizing factor for the country, a serious threat to domestic and regional security,” said Haitian foreign minister Lener Renauld to U.N. officials gathered in Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince. RELATED: Haitian-American Author: Deportations ‘StateSponsored Open Season’ Some half a million stateless HaitianDominicans face mass deportation from Dominican Republic in what’s been called an “ethnic purge.” Poverty-stricken Haiti has

condemned the expulsion measures and signalled it is not equipped to deal with the security issues posed by a massive influx of migration. The Dominican Republic insists that the more than 17,000 people who have left the country for Haiti over the last two weeks have done so voluntarily. Last week, authorities ramped up measures to expedite the mass exit of Haitians by providing free transportation to the border for those willing to leave on their own accord. The Organization of American States has announced that it will send a delegation to evaluate what it referred to as an “alarming situation” in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. “The situation has been deteriorating as the days go by,” said OAS secretary general Luis Almagro, calling for the Dominican Republic to halt the major out-migration to Haiti.

Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite wants to see Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to reach a regional position on how to treat regional ISIS fighters.

Barbados AG wants cooperation in handling citizens who fight with ISIS ATTORNEY General Adriel Brathwaite wants to see Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries cooperating to determine how to deal with their citizens who return home after fighting with radical Muslim group ISIS. He said while terrorist fighters and those transiting the region are also of concern, governments should address the issue of citizens going to support ISIS in Syria and other countries. “We have to reach a regional position on how to treat such individuals . . . because of the type

of ideology and knowledge that they have [which] we don’t want to be fed to our general populace,” Brathwaite suggested at the opening of a threeday Customs and Border Protection Border Security Professional Exchange conference yesterday. He later told reporters that the matter was a source of concern but “it is not something that can be dealt with individually”. There have been reports of citizens of the region’s countries, particularly Trinidad and Tobago, going off to fight alongside the jihadist group.

PRIME Minister Perry Christie on Tuesday night said Baha Mar’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the United States on Monday came “without notice” to the Bahamian government as he insisted that “it is completely false” to say that his administration had misled the public on the $3.5bn project’s status. After indicating that his administration was blindsided by the bankruptcy filing, Mr Christie said that the decision by Baha Mar’s CEO Sarkis Izmirlian came at a point when his personal intervention with all parties involved led to a substantial agreement on a packaged solution for additional funding by the China Export-Import Bank. This deal was going to ensure that the general contractor resumed construction at the West Bay Street project and that the mega-resort was completed, Mr Christie said. “This is supported by exchange of correspondence as recently as June 26,” he said. However, in the aftermath of Baha Mar’s shock bankruptcy filing, Mr Christie said the end goal for the government remains the same. He spoke during an emergency press conference last night at the Office of the Prime Minister, flanked by members of his Cabinet.

The Bahamian PM indicated that his administration was blindsided by the bankruptcy filing by Baha Mar.

It came hours after both the FNM and the DNA accused the government of not being straightforward with Bahamians regarding Baha Mar’s status. The Prime Minister last night also invited FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis to attend a briefing on the matter in the interest of transparency. “The government wants to reiterate that the number one priority of all stakeholders involved with the Baha Mar project should be its swift completion and opening,” Mr Christie said. “It is of great importance to the

nation and to all Bahamians that Baha Mar opens successfully. We must all work towards this goal as a matter of national priority. This is not the time to play politics, but rather, we must unite to ensure the best interest of the Bahamas and all Bahamians is met. “The government remains committed to being open and transparent with the Bahamian people, as it has since the beginning of this project. Any claim that the government or I have been misleading the public as it relates to the status of Baha Mar is completely false. “The government has been working with all parties and negotiating in good faith, and with an end goal of a successful opening of Baha Mar. The decision by Baha Mar to file for Chapter 11 under the US Bankruptcy Code does not change our end goal.” Baha Mar currently has more than 2,000 Bahamians employed at the resort. Workers were sent home on Monday and told to no longer physically report to work. The resort has said it will pay wages to employees for the next three weeks. However, if Baha Mar’s issues cannot be resolved, there is likely to be a workforce reduction, a statement on Monday said.

UN official says it will take years to eradicate cholera in Haiti THE outgoing United Nations official tasked with leading the response to the cholera outbreak in Haiti says while the disease is now under control, it will not be eradicated unless improving water and sanitation conditions is given higher priority by the Government and donors. Some 16,000 new cases of cholera have been reported in Haiti so far this year. “And in today’s world, in the 21st century, it’s not acceptable to have this huge number of cases of cholera,” Pedro Medrano Rojas said in an interview with the UN News Service, as he wrapped up his assignment as UN Senior Coordinator for the Response to Cholera in Haiti for the past two years. He added that any country with that high number of new cases of cholera would declare it an “emergency”. “This is what we are trying to convey to donors and to the international community, so that they will contribute more towards the eradication of the largest epidemic in the Western Hemisphere.” Currently, only about 20 per cent of the US$2.2 billion needed for the

Some 16,000 new cases of cholera have been reported in Haiti so far this year.

10-year national plan to eliminate cholera is available. Medrano, who has been responsible for strengthening overall coordination among UN entities and mobilising a coherent and effective response by the international community, recalled that in the 1990s there had been an outbreak of cholera in the Latin American region that started in Peru. It had taken almost 10 years

to eliminate cholera at that time. Comparing the water and sanitation infrastructure in the 20 countries in the region that were affected back then, where over 80 per cent of people had access to water and adequate sanitation, he noted that “Haiti has a third of that”. “So we need to do a robust investment in water, sanitation and health, and this takes time,” he said.

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Entertainment

Man files $730,000 lawsuit against Bobbi Kristina Brown DESPITE being at death’s door, Bobbi Kristina Brown has been hit with a lawsuit by a Georgia man claiming he was severely injured in a car crash she caused. Russell Eckerman, 41, of Marietta, Ga., claims the Jan. 27 head-on crash left him with medical bills and damages exceeding $730,000.The accident occurred near Atlanta just three daysbefore Whitney Houston’s only child was found unconscious in a bathtub in her home in Roswell, Ga. Bobbi Kristina, 21, who has been in a coma ever since, was moved to a hospice facility last week. The suit, filed Friday in Fulton County, Ga., Supreme Court, charges that Brown was speeding and tailgating a car when she lost control of her 2005 Jeep Liberty, swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with Eckerman’s Ford Taurus. At the time of the crash, a witness said Eckerman was bleeding from

The accident happened just three days before Bobbi Kristina was found unconscious in a bathtub inside her Roswell, Ga. home. Eckerman is suing for $730,000.

Chris Brown says being a father has changed him for the better.

his head and did not have a pulse. Eckerman was revived and taken to North Fulton Hospital, where he spent several days in critical condition. Witness Osse Lessage told reporters at the time that Bobbi

Brown files paternity documents for daughter, has issues with custody: report

Kristina jumped out of her car and raced to Eckerman to find out his condition. “She was running and screaming, ‘Oh my gosh,’” Lessage said at the time. “My brother-in-law was there (saying) ‘calm down, calm down.’”

Perry’s overseas popularity earns her Forbes top spot ON Monday, Katy Perry was named Forbes’ third-highest-paid celebrity of 2015 with whopping pretax earnings of $135 million over the past 12 months. That puts the 30-year-old singer just behind boxers Floyd Mayweather ($300 million) and Manny Pacquiao ($160 million), both of whom earned a one-night payday for their highly anticipated fight in May. So how did Katy Perry beat out tough competition like Taylor Swift ($80 million), Lady Gaga ($59 million), Beyoncé ($54.5 million)? Perry’s success is due to one main factor — her popularity overseas. “Of the 124 shows she played during our June-to-June scoring period for earnings, 75 of them took place abroad, spanning 27 different countries and four continents,” reports Forbes, noting that “All in all, 60% of her total income now flows from outside of North America ... her hits translate.” At the end of 2014, Perry played 23 shows during an Australia tour and five in China, which isn’t an easy feat. “People appreciate when you come,” Perry tells Forbes. “They know how hard it is.” “She’s averaged a staggering $20 per head per night in merchandise sales on the tour, according to her managers, about four times the industry’s average,” adds Forbes. Perry is also a savvy businesswoman when it comes to her endorsement deals, only accepting a handful of seven-figure contracts for products she really uses and believes in, like Proactiv, CoverGirl, and Adidas.

“She took a page out of Ashton Kutcher’s book, electing to take ownership positions instead of flat fees for shilling brands like Popchips,” explains Forbes.

“One thing I’ve been able to do is know the power of having equity deals,” Perry told the magazine. “I don’t ever like to do things unless I’m really a part of them.”

CHRIS Brown is trying to make things right for his daughter. The “Ayo” singer has filed to establish paternity of his daughter, Royalty, because of issues he has involving his baby’s momma, Nia Guzman, according to TMZ. Brown has reportedly been paying Guzman $2,500 a month in support, while she is demanding he pay $15,000, although she is making it difficult to even see their daughter. The singer said being a father has changed him for the better.

“For me, there comes a time where people have to grow up and start becoming more of an adult and taking responsibility, and I think this was just a blessing in disguise with my daughter,” he told Ryan Seacrest in early June. “I get a chance to like look at her and you know, teach her stuff, the right path, and also be a father in my daughter’s life,” he adds. “Just to see the smile on her face, just to see the littlest things, it’s emotional for me. So I just love that aspect of being able to be a father now.”

Prince has released more than 30 studio albums.

Prince music pulled from subscription streaming sites

Forbes noted that 60% of Kary Perry income now comes from outside of North America.

PRINCE has removed his music from a number of paid streaming services. A message on the artist’s Spotify page said his publisher had “asked all streaming services to remove his catalogue”. “We have cooperated with the request, and hope to bring his music back as soon as possible,” Spotify added. Prince’s music is still available on iTunes, but not on Apple’s new streaming platform, Apple Music.

It has also been removed from Rdio but is available on Jay Z’s Tidal. The musician has yet to explain the move, which coincidentally happened on the same day he released a new song - Hardrocklover - on Soundcloud. Tidal has tried to win new audiences with exclusive content since its relaunch in March, following Jay Z’s acquisition of the service.

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Entertainment

REELZ channel said it will broadcast Miss USA after pageant part-owner Donald Trump’s remarks about immigration forced NBC and Univision to sever ties.

Miss USA pageant, dropped by NBC and Univision, moves to REELZ channel MISS USA will be crowned on cable. Three days after NBC cut ties with Donald Trump, including coverage of the Miss USA pageant, the independent cable and satellite channel REELZ said it will broadcast the 63-year-old beauty contest. The 2015 Miss USA pageant will be shown live from Baton Rouge, La., July 12 at 8 p.m. on the independent network, REELZ CEO Stan E. Hubbard announced Thursday. “The decision on the part of REELZ to acquire the rights to the Miss USA pageant was based on our belief that this special event, and the women who compete in it, are an integral part of American tradition,” Hubbard said in a statement. Trump, who co-owns the Miss Universe Organization,

created an immediate backlash when he went on an antiimmigration rant that painted most Mexicans who come to the U.S. as criminals during his presidential announcement. “When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said in an inflammatory June 16 stump speech. “They’re sending people that have lots of problems. And they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” Spanish-language broadcaster Univision was the first to drop coverage of the pageant last month, a week after Trump’s political grenade. NBC and Macy’s also dropped their relationships with Trump, and several

prominent figures associated with Miss USA have distanced themselves. Emmitt Smith and Jonathan Scott bailed as judges and Flo Rida withdrew as a pageant performer. Trump countered with a $500 million breach of contract suit against Univision on Tuesday, one the network called: “both factually false and legally ridiculous.” Enter REELZ, which boasts availability in nearly 60 percent of U.S. TV-watching households. The three-hour event will also stream live on the Miss Universe website. “As one of only a few independent networks, we decided to exercise our own voice and committed ourselves to bringing this pageant to American viewers everywhere,” Hubbard said.

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Entertainment

Lionel Richie heads to number one SOUL star Lionel Richie is heading to number one as he enjoys a postGlastonbury sales boost. Fans and converts have been snapping up his greatest hits album, The Definitive Collection, in the wake of Sunday’s televised performance. As a result, the 2003 album is in pole position in the official midweek chart update - a jump of 103 places. “When they told me this morning, I was screaming like a kid with his first hit record,” Richie told the BBC. “I’m trying to be very calm about this, but there’s no way you can be calm about this. This is like Christmas.” Featuring hits such as All Night Long, Hello and Machine Gun (with The Commodores), The Definitive Collection’s previous chart peak was number 10. According to the Official Charts Company, 17 of the top 40 albums in the midweek chart are Glastonbury acts, including The Who, Paloma Faith, James Bay and Jungle. Last weekend, Florence and the Machine saw their third album, How

Without going into any specific detail, Robin Thicke now admits he was “careless” when giving evidence and blames it on his personal life at the time. The star played the Sunday afternoon “legend” slot on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage which created a renewed interest in his music.

Big How Blue How Beautiful, return to number one in the wake of their Friday night Glastonbury headline slot. The album leapfrogged newcomers Wolf Alice, who had been number one in the midweek update. Richie’s sales spike may not last until the weekend, however, so all

eyes will be on the full countdown this weekend. It will be the final time the chart is revealed on a Sunday, after which the music industry moves to a new, synchronised release day - with all new music coming out on Fridays. The first Friday chart will be published on 10 July. (BBC)

Affleck and Jennifer Garner file for divorce ONE day after their 10-year anniversary, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner confirmed they are filing for divorce. “After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to divorce,” the couple said in a joint statement. Affleck, 42, and Garner, 43, have

three children together. They said in their statement that they will “go forward with love and friendship,” and with a commitment to “coparenting” their children. “This will be our only comment on this private family matter. Thank you for understanding,” they said. The actors have appeared in

Ben Affleck, 42, and Jennifer Garner, 43, have three children together.

two films together: 2001’s “Pearl Harbor” and 2003’s “Daredevil.” When they started dating, Affleck was fresh off the demise of Bennifer, the name given to his pairing with previous girlfriend Jennifer Lopez and their box-office bombs, “Gigli” and “Jersey Girl.” Garner was previously married to actor Scott Foley. The couple married June 29, 2005, in a private ceremony in the Turks and Caicos, months after they famously made their first public appearance together as a couple during the 2004 World Series. The series was won by Affleck’s team, the Boston Red Sox, and Garner later credited the championship for their marriage. “If they hadn’t won that year, I don’t think I’d be married with three kids... Because I think I would have been considered a jinx. Boston fans are pretty serious about superstition,” she told USA Today in 2013. “There’s something about Boston fans, they really think they can control it by what shirt they wear and where they sit -- the whole thing.” The couple reportedly worked out a system in which they took turns making movies. After a string of movie duds in the early 2000s Affleck revived his career as the director of such films as “Argo,” which won the Oscar for the best picture of 2012. Garner, who rose to fame in the TV series “Alias,” has also appeared in such movies as “Catch Me if You Can,” “13 Going on 30” and “Dallas Buyers Club.” (CNN)

Thicke ‘careless’ during Blurred Lines trial ROBIN Thicke has said he was “careless” when giving evidence in court during the Blurred Lines trial. In March, a jury in California decided the number one single copied Marvin Gaye’s 1977 track ‘Got To Give It Up’. Both Thicke and Pharrell Williams were fined nearly five million pounds and are appealing the decision. “I know the difference between inspiration and theft,” Thicke told the New York Times, in his first interview since the trial. “I’m constantly inspired, but I would never steal. And neither would Pharrell.” He also said he was “surprised, very surprised” by the jury’s decision. In his evidence, he tried to

distance himself from the creation of the song. He claimed he didn’t have much to do with it and actually Pharrell Williams wrote it in an hour. Without going into any specific detail, he now admits he was “careless” when giving evidence and blames it on his personal life at the time. “When I did the deposition, it was two weeks after my separation from my wife,” Thicke explained. He split from wife Paula Patton in February 2014, nine years after they were married. “I didn’t give my all to the trial. It simply wasn’t as important to me as what was going on in my personal life,” he said.

Sonia Manzano has played Maria for 44 years on the hit children’s show.

Sesame Street’s Maria to retire after 44 years on show SONIA Manzano, who has played Maria on the US children’s programme Sesame Street for more than four decades, is retiring. Ms Manzano, 65, joined the show in 1971 and became a series regular in 1974, giving helpful advice to characters like Big Bird and Elmo. She was also a writer on the show, winning 15 Emmy Awards for her work. The news has led to a flood of

tributes on social media, with many remembering her fondly from their childhoods. Ms Manzano told a conference of librarians in San Francisco that she would not be returning for Sesame Street’s next season. “Thank you but don’t be bummed!” Ms Manzano later tweeted to disappointed fans, adding that she could return for the show’s 50th anniversary.

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

Entertainment Jackson wanted to be an actor MICHAEL Jackson excelled at a great number of things. He sang. He danced. He leaned over really far without falling down. So when we learned that this fabled entertainer was held back from his dream to act -- to do, to perform! -- we were shocked. And saddened. But then we brushed back our tears with a single white-gloved hand and sat down to tap out this loving letter to Michael Jackson, AC-tor, the star that could have been, but never was. SPIDERMAN And also Professor X in the “X-Men” series. But according to former Marvel comics frontman Stan Lee, he was most interested in the humanarachnoid. “I knew Michael Jackson. And with the things he discussed with me, I felt he wanted to be Spider-Man” in the 2002 film, Lee told MovieFone in 2012. “I think he’d have been good. I think he’d have been very good.” (Interesting.) Lee also confirmed that Jackson had attempted to purchase the holy Marvel empire in the early ‘90s, inching closer to his dream role. It was an unsuccessful endeavor, and Lee noted the pop star was “not a

great businessman” who probably wouldn’t have done the company many favors as its CEO. But imagine, for a moment, Spider-Man strung upside down in a rainstorm after heroically saving the life of manic-pixie poster girl Kirsten Dunst, who slowly unmasks him to reveal -- Michael Jackson!!! Cue the laser beams. WONKA For his 2012 Jackson biography, Randall Sullivan spoke with music producer Marc Schaffel, who disclosed the singer’s wish to play Wonka “in the worst way.” Perhaps knowing the odds were stacked against him, Jackson secretly recorded a full soundtrack for the film at a small recording studio in Los Angeles, and sent it to the Warner Bros. executives. They loved it, according to Schaffel, but they didn’t love the Earl of Whirl -- as the star of a children’s movie, anyway. We agree it may have seemed a wee insensitive. Jackson, though, took the news poorly, refusing any other role in the film. As Schaffel told Sullivan: “Michael said, ‘If I can’t have the Willy Wonka part, they’re not

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getting the soundtrack,’ and he just basically shelved it. After seeing the play “The Phantom Of The Opera” in 1988, shortly after it opened on Broadway, Jackson met Andrew Lloyd Webber backstage. He was interested in collaborating on a film version in which (surprise!) he would play the masked star. Despite seeing Jackson as a “highly theatrical animal,” Webber explained in a 2009 Telegraph piece that it was just too soon to think about a movie. But he saw how Jackson could be attracted to the phantom. “The story got to him. I think he had a connection with the lonely, tortured musician,” Webber wrote. “He found the idea of somebody working through music and having a girl as a muse very intriguing -- and he loved that there was illusion in the show.” Why casting directors settled on Gerard Butler for the eventual film adaption remains an actual puzzle, since masks are close enough to dark sunglasses, which were one of the Gloved One’s favorite accessories. We would have loved to see some fancy footwork as the phantom stealthily flits away into darkness. The Phantom Walk. See what you

Among characters Michael Jackson wanted to play Spiderman.

stole from us, Warner Bros.? Continuing Jackson’s penchant for dark plots, Sullivan described in his biography how Jackson adored Victor Hugo’s 1939 adaption of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” Jackson would watch it with a screenwriter buddy -- lights switched off -- and talk about playing tragic carillonist Quasimodo. HARRY POTTER MUSICAL We’re not sure his intention was to act in it, or just provide some creative direction. We only know that in a 2010 interview, J.K. Rowling told Oprah Winfrey that her massive commercial empire “could

be so much worse. Michael Jackson wanted to do the musical.” “I said ‘no’ to a lot of things,” Rowling explained, telling Oprah how she doesn’t have absolute power over the “Harry Potter” franchise, but a strong say. Of the theme park, the capitalist cherry atop her magical sundae, “I only wanted to do it because I knew it would be incredible,” suggesting that, in her opinion, a Jackson-led musical would not be incredible. As if answering a challenge, a “Harry Potter” musical was later written and performed by a group of college theatre nerds, and it was totally awesome. (Huffingtonpost)

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology Quitting smoking reduces risk of heart failure to “normal” levels, study says

The top surfaces of Solar Impulse are covered with 17,000 photovoltaic cells.

Solar Impulse breaks solo record THE Solar Impulse plane has broken the record for the longest non-stop solo flight without refuelling. The milestone was achieved 76 hours into the latest leg of its attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Pilot Andre Borschberg is making steady progress as he attempts the first solar-powered crossing of the Pacific. After leaving Nagoya, Japan, early on Monday (local time), he has now passed Midway Island and is heading towards his destination of Kalaeloa, Hawaii. At 76 hours into the journey, he broke the record for the longest ever non-stop solo flight without refuelling. The previous mark was set by the

American Steve Fossett in 2006. His jet-powered Virgin GlobalFlyer vehicle completed a full circumnavigation of the world in that time, travelling more than 41,000km. In contrast, Mr Borschberg’s Solar Impulse plane, which carries no fuel at all, had gone “only” some 5,500km in its 76 hours of flight. Wednesday saw the Swiss pilot fly a holding pattern to time his encounter with an upcoming cold front to the optimum. This will occur on Thursday, and Mr Borschberg needs good sun conditions to get his aircraft up and over the weather system so that he can navigate the final stretch into Kalaeloa on Friday.

NEW research has revealed that smokers who quit the habit for 15 years reduce their risk of heart failure or death to levels similar to those of someone who has never smoked. But while the results were encouraging for all former smokers, those deemed heavy smokers – who had smoked at least a pack a day for 32 years or more – were found to still have a slightly elevated risk. According to Dr Ali Ahmed from the Washington DC VA Medical Center: “While all individuals who quit smoking will benefit from a decreased chance of death, to achieve the full complement of health benefits of smoking cessation of one who has never smoked, smokers need to smoke less and quit early, and for those are not smokers – never start smoking.” Dr Ahmed and his colleagues used the ongoing Cardiovascular Health Study of adults over age 65 to arrive at their findings, which were published in the journal Circulation: Heart Failure. The scientists analysed data from 2,556 people who had never smoked, 629 current smokers, and 1,297 former smokers who had quit at least 15 years before. Of those who had quit, 312 had been heavy smokers, with 32 “packyears” or more of smoking. About

Although the results were encouraging for all former smokers, those deemed heavy smokers – who had smoked at least a pack a day for 32 years or more – were found to still have a slightly elevated risk.

21 per cent of people who had never smoked and 21 per cent of former smokers experienced heart failure after 13 years. Almost 30 per cent of former smokers with at least 32 pack-years suffered heart failure, however. When other factors like age, sex, race, education, other health conditions and medications were taken into account, current smokers were about 50 per cent more likely to have heart failure than people

who had never smoked or former smokers. “When one smokes, it induces atherosclerosis, or the build-up of plaque in the arteries, which narrows the arteries and increases the risk of blood clot or heart attack,” Dr Ahmed told Reuters Health. “However, when one quits smoking, the build-up of plaque and risk of blood of clots decreases, allowing one’s cardiovascular risk to return to normal over time.”

Ex-scientist gets prison time for faking HIV research

The game trained participants’ brains to cut out calories by telling them to avoid pressing on pictures of certain images, such as biscuits and chocolate.

Online game ‘may control snacking’ A COMPUTER game may help some people control their unhealthy snacking habits, suggests a small study from the University of Exeter. The game trained participants’ brains to cut out calories by telling them to avoid pressing on pictures of certain images, such as biscuits and chocolate. They lost a small amount of weight and appeared to eat fewer calories for up to six months afterwards. The 10-minute game was played four times in one week. Forty-one adults took part in the study, published in the journal Appetite. The majority were overweight, and all said they ate calorie-dense snacks, such as crisps, biscuits, cake and chocolate, at least three times a week.

The online game, developed by psychologists at the University of Exeter and Cardiff University, used “brain training” techniques to change behaviour - in this case, to resist unhealthy snack foods. It required people to avoid pressing a key when an unhealthy food appeared on the screen. This type of training helps people associate this unhealthy food with “stopping”, the researchers said. The results were compared with another group of 41 adults who completed the same training, but involving non-food pictures. The results showed that participants lost an average of 1.5lb (0.7kg) and consumed around 220 fewer calories a day during the week of training.

A FORMER university scientist who altered blood samples to make it appear he had achieved a breakthrough toward a potential vaccine against HIV was sentenced Wednesday to more than 4 1/2 years in prison for making false statements in research reports. Dong-Pyou Han, 58, also must pay $7.2 million to a federal government agency that funded the research. He entered a plea agreement in February admitting guilt to two counts of making false statements. Government prosecutors said Han’s misconduct dates to 2008 when he worked at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland under professor Michael Cho, who was leading a team testing an experimental HIV vaccine on rabbits. Cho’s team began receiving federal funding, and he soon reported the vaccine was causing rabbits to develop antibodies to HIV, which was considered a major breakthrough. Han said he initially accidentally mixed human blood with rabbit blood making the potential vaccine appear to increase an immune defence against HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS. Han continued to spike the results to avoid disappointing Cho, his mentor, after the scientific

Dong-Pyou Han, 58, also must pay $7.2 million to a federal government agency that funded the research.

community became excited that the team could be on the verge of a vaccine. Iowa State University recruited Cho in 2009, and his team -- including Han -- continue the research with National Institutes of Health funding. A group of researchers at Harvard University found in January 2013 the promising results had been achieved with rabbit blood spiked with human antibodies. Han’s attorney Joseph Herrold, a federal public defender, asked for probation instead of prison. “Here, there is little reason to believe that Dr. Han has not already been deterred from any future criminal conduct. His conduct

is aberrational in an otherwise admirable life,” Herrold wrote in a sentencing report filed Monday. “He regrets the hurt he has caused to his friends and colleagues, the damage he has caused to government funded scientific research, and the pain he has caused any members of the public who had high hopes based on his falsehood.” Herrold said Han has lost the ability to work in his field of choice and is likely to be deported by immigration officials “and possibly never permitted to return,” separating him from his wife and two adult children who are U.S. citizens. Han, who was born in Seoul, South Korea, is a lawful permanent U.S. resident.

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

Tunisia terror attack: 30 of 38 people killed are British, UK says THIRTY of the people killed in the Tunisia beach massacre last week are UK citizens, authorities said Thursday, marking the worst terror attacks against Britons in a decade. A gunman raided a beach hotel in Sousse on Friday, killing 38 people. “All 30 British victims have been positively identified. We can say with a high degree of confidence that that is now the final death toll of British nationals killed in this incident,” UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said. Britain has been sending the bodies home over several days. “We’re repatriating the bodies of another nine who will return to the UK today. There will be two further repatriation flights tomorrow and Saturday,” Hammond said. Tunisia beefed up security amid investigations on whether the suspected gunman, Saif Al-Deen Al Rezgui, had accomplices in Friday’s deadly shooting. Seven Tunisians have been arrested, court spokesman Sofiene Selliti said. Selliti said the suspect’s phone was recovered from the sea near the beach and had “very important information.” He did not provide details on what the information was.

Ferry survivors recover on dry land after being rescued.

A gunman raided a beach hotel in Sousse, Tunisia on Friday, killing 38 people.

Tunisia’s Foreign Ministry said victims came from various nations, including Britain, Germany, Russia and Ireland. But Britain suffered the heaviest loss. The gun rampage is the most significant attack against British citizens since the London transport bombings 10 years ago. As investigations continue, authorities said there is a possibility of a link to another Tunisian terrorist attack. Al Rezgui, 24, trained with the people who carried outthe attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunis in

March, Tunisian authorities said. In an online audio statement, ISIS -- which has said it’s behind the beach resort attack -- claimed responsibility for the Bardo Museum attack. CNN could not independently verify the legitimacy of the audio claim. Police shot Al Rezgui dead near the beach Friday, and authorities have said he carried out the attack alone. Britain will mark a week from the date of the attack Friday with a minute’s remembrance at noon across the UK and at British embassies worldwide. (CNN)

Dozens dead as ferry capsizes in Philippines A FERRY carrying 173 people capsized Thursday as it left a central Philippine port in choppy waters, leaving at least 36 dead and 19 others missing, coast guard officials said. They said at least 118 people from the M/B Kim Nirvana were rescued by nearby fishing boats and coast guard personnel or swam to safety off Ormoc city on Leyte Island. Coast guard spokesman Armand Balilo said the wooden outrigger ferry was leaving Ormoc for the Camotes Islands, about 27 miles to the south, when it was lashed by strong waves. Survivors told The Associated Press by cellphone that the bow of the ferry suddenly rose from the water before the vessel flipped over

on one side, turning the vessel upside down and trapping passengers inside. Mary Jane Drake, who was traveling with her mother and American husband, said the ferry was pulling slowly out of the port when it suddenly flipped to the left in strong waves and overturned, trapping her and other passengers. She, her mother and husband swam to safety from underneath the ferry. “No one was able to jump out because it overturned very swiftly. There was no time to jump,” she said. Her husband Lawrence Drake, a 48-year-old retired firefighter from Rochester, New York, said he ran to one side of the boat to try to balance it but it was too late.

US-Cuba ties: Washington and Havana announce embassies THE US and Cuba have agreed to reopen embassies in each other’s capitals, a major step in reestablishing diplomatic ties severed in 1961. Cuba said Havana and Washington will restore full diplomatic relations and open embassies on 20 July. US President Barack Obama said the move showed that US and Cuban citizens were no longer “imprisoned by our past”. Relations had been frozen since the early 1960s when the US broke links and imposed a trade embargo on Cuba. But the two sides agreed to normalise relations at the end of 2014 and historic talks followed in April this year. Since 1977, the US and Cuba have operated diplomatic missions called “interests sections” in each other’s capitals under the legal protection of Switzerland. However, they do not enjoy the same status as full embassies. Underscoring the progress in the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, Mr Obama’s speech was broadcast live on Cuban television. The president said there had been

Chewing of coca leaves is a centuries-old tradition in the Andes, where it is used to combat altitude sickness.

Mr DeLaurentis (left) handed the letter to the Cuba’s interim Foreign Minister Marcelino Medina.

“very real and profound differences” between the US and Cuba, but admitted that the US had been “clinging to a policy that was not working”. On Wednesday morning, the US’ top diplomat, Jeffrey DeLaurentis delivered a letter from the White House about restoring the embassies to Cuba’s foreign ministry. It is the latest major milestone in a thawing process between the two countries’ relations, which started with secret negotiations and was

announced last December. In April, President Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, met for the first formal talks between the two countries’ leaders in more than half a century. A month later, the US removed Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. Plans to resume ferry and air services between the US and Cuba were also announced. Despite the new transport links, a Cuba travel ban is still in place for US citizens.

Pope ‘plans to chew coca leaves during Bolivia visit’ Pope Francis has requested to chew coca leaves during his forthcoming visit to Bolivia, according to Bolivian Culture Minister Marko Machicao. Coca, the raw ingredient for cocaine, has been used in the Andes for thousands of years to combat altitude sickness and as a mild stimulant. Mr Machicao said the government offered the Pope coca tea and the pontiff had “specifically requested” to chew coca.

The Vatican has not yet commented. The Pope travels to Bolivia on 8 July. ‘Sacred plant’ Coca leaves were declared an illegal substance under the 1961 UN convention on narcotic drugs. But the growing of coca leaves for religious and medicinal purposes is legal and licensed in Bolivia. Many indigenous Bolivians consider the coca bush a sacred plant and chewing its leaves or brewing them into a tea is very popular.

July 4 - 10, 2015

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

UK gains its first-ever female black university leader Prince Alwaleed is at number 34 on the Forbes list of the world’s richest people.

Saudi prince to donate $32bn fortune to charity SAUDI Arabian billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has said he will donate his $32bn (£20bn; €29bn) personal fortune to charity. The 60-year-old nephew of King Salman is one of the world’s richest people. He said he had been inspired by the Gates Foundation, set up by Bill and Melinda Gates in 1997. The money would be used to “foster cultural understanding”, “empower women”, and “provide vital disaster relief”, among other things, he said. Mr Gates praised the decision, calling it an “inspiration to all of us working in philanthropy around the world”. Prince Alwaleed is at number 34 on the Forbes list of the world’s richest people.

The money will go to the prince’s charitable organisation, Alwaleed Philanthropies, to which he has already donated $3.5bn. The prince, who does not hold an official government position, is chairman of investment firm Kingdom Holding Company. The company owns stakes in hotels The Four Seasons, Fairmont and Raffles, as well as News Corp, Citigroup, Twitter and Apple. The prince will be donating his personal wealth. “This is very much separate from my ownership in Kingdom Holding,” he said at the announcement. “Philanthropy is a personal responsibility, which I embarked upon more than three decades ago and is an intrinsic part of my Islamic faith,” he added in a statement.

THE UK has gained its first-ever female black university leader in the form of Baroness Valerie Amos. In its most recent statistical report, the Equality Challenge Unitfound almost 70 per cent of senior academic managers are white males – with nearly 16 per cent of this group at professor level. In stark contrast, the report found only 2.8 per cent of black and minority ethnic female academics were employed at even professor level. Now, the senior United Nations official and former Cabinet minister is set to break the mould and take charge at SOAS, University of London from September, saying she was “honoured” to be joining the university. She said: “SOAS is a special institution with global recognition for its research and teaching on Asia, Africa and the Middle East, bringing different perspectives to scholarship.” Since it was founded in 1916, as the School of Oriental Studies, it has forged a global reputation for research and teaching with a focus on the three places as mentioned by Baroness Amos. The new leader hailed the school’s “vast repository of knowledge and expertise on its specialist regions” and added: “SOAS is uniquely placed

The Baroness is ‘honoured’ to join SOAS, just as the school prepares to turn 100.

to inform and shape current thinking about the religious, political, cultural, security and economic challenges of our world.” She highlighted what needs to be done at the school now that she will be at the helm and said: “There is an interrelated set of issues which need to be addressed to manage growing complexity and the contradictions of greater global connectivity and greater fragmentation. “SOAS is a place where I can continue to grow and learn and use the skills, knowledge and experience I have gained over the years.”

Born in Guyana, the Baroness was educated at Bexley TechnicalHigh SchoolDescription: http://images. intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/icon1.png for Girls (now Townley Grammar School) in south-east London. She went on to earn a BA in Sociology from the University ofDescription: http://images.intellitxt. com/ast/adTypes/icon1.pngWarwick and an MA in Cultural Studies from the University of Birmingham. She also undertook cultural studies at the University of East Anglia where she investigated the transition from school to work for black girls.

Mugabe: ‘I will propose to Obama’ in defiance of gay marriage

The plane was filmed clipping an elevated road with its wing on the way down.

Taiwan TransAsia pilot shut wrong engine, data confirms

TAIWAN’S aviation regulator has released data showing the pilot of a TransAsia plane which crashed in Taipei had switched off the working engine after the other lost power. Forty-three people died, including the pilot and co-pilot, when the ATR 72-600 aircraft, which can fly with one engine, ended up in a river. The report says that in a cockpit recording, the pilot is heard saying: “Wow, pulled back the wrong side throttle.” It does not assign blame for the crash. The data provided as part of the investigation by the Aviation Safety Council (ASC) follows an initial assessment released days after the

crash. Giving a detailed breakdown of the conversation heard on the cockpit voice recorder between the flying pilot and the co-pilot, the report says the captain is heard saying he pulled back the wrong side throttle while the aircraft was at 309ft (94m), flying at a speed of 105 knots (120mph). Flight data shows that the plane stalled and crashed shortly after the working engine was switched off. The plane, which had taken off from Taipei’s Songshan airport, was carrying 58 passengers and crew when it lurched to one side, clipping an overpass and crashing upside down into the shallow river.

ZIMBABWEAN dictator Robert Mugabe has taken a bizarre swipe at US President Barack Obama following the Supreme Court’s decision to legalise gay marriage across America last week, sarcastically promising to travel to Washington and ask for his hand in marriage. Following the 5-4 Supreme Court decision, which was widely lauded across the Western world, the 91-year-old leader, known for his fiercely anti-homosexuality stance, said he would “get down on my knee and ask [Obama’s] hand” before condemning marriage equality. Mugabe made the comments during his weekly radio interview with the country’s national radio station, ZBC, on Saturday. “I’ve just concluded since President Obama endorses the same-sex marriage, advocates homosexual people and enjoys an attractive countenance thus if it becomes necessary , I shall travel to Washington DC, get down on my knee, and ask his hand,” he said. “I can’t understand how this people dare to defy Christ’s explicit orders as our Lord prohibited mankind from sodomy,” he added. He also claimed that Washington was being controlled by “perverted

The Zimbabwe leader said: “I can’t understand how this people dare to defy Christ’s explicit orders as our Lord prohibited mankind from sodomy”.

Satan-worshippers who insult the great American nation”, according to Nigerian new website Naij.com. At a 2013 campaign rally, Mugabe had condemned Obama for forcing homosexuality on the continent. “We have this American president, Obama, born of an African father, who is saying we will not give you aid if you don’t embrace homosexuality. We ask, was he born out of homosexuality?” Homosexuality is illegal in Zimbabwe and, in previous speeches, Mugabe has told gay people to go to “hell” and stated that those of homosexual orientation are lower than “pigs, goats and birds”. “Let Europe keep their homosexual

nonsense there and live with it. We will never have it here. The act [of homosexuality] is not humane,” he said in a July 2013 speech to his Zanu PF party supporters. “Any diplomat who talks about homosexuality will be kicked out. There is no excuse and we won’t listen to them.” Elsewhere on the African continent, Zimbabwe’s neighbour, Mozambique, yesterday scrapped a colonial law dating back to 1886 which criminalised homosexuality, bringing in a new penal law which also decriminalised abortion. The original law had targeted anyone “who habitually engages in vices against nature” and was punishable by up to three years of hard labour. Gay rights activists called the decision as a “symbolic victory” for gay rights in Africa. The US decision to legalise gay marriage came just before LGBT Pride marches took place around the world, with American landmarks such as the White House being lit in rainbow colours to mark the historic ruling. However, in Turkey, those celebrating a gay pride march were stopped in their tracks by Turkish police who used water cannon, tear gas and rubber pellets to disperse crowds. (Newsweek)

Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate

Classifieds TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Brama Kumaris

Raja Yoga Meditation Centre Turks and Caicos Islands

Telephone 946-4760 & 332-4101

www.bkwsu.com Email: bkpadma@bkwsutci.com

FOR SALE

July 4 - 10, 2015

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

Construction scaffold and roof tiles for sale CONTACT: 431-1591 OR 231-3788

CAREGIVER Seeking a live-in Caregiver for elderly women.

Job duties to include: • Assisting and accompanying aged and disabled persons during daily activities • Performing housekeeping tasks such as washing and cleaning • Preparing food for clients • Assisting in personal

CLASSIFIEDS 31

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

hygiene and dressing • Arranging social activities • Providing companionship, friendship and emotional support • Doing shopping and running errands Essential qualifications: • Police check/clearance • Current driver’s licence • Current First Aid Level 2 Certificate

BEATRICE CRIAR HARVEY

PORT ATLANTIC CONSTRUCTION Is looking for a

Is looking for a

domestic worker

labourer To work 6 days

Please provide Resume and Verifiable references. Contact Angela Aquino 231-0607

contact: 232-1001

contact: 241-8978

JOB SEEKER

LEW & JEN CONSTRUCTION

Summary duties include but limited to: Excellent customer service and administrative performance Make daily collection calls on delinquent accounts Conduct account audit research and analysis Prepare and maintain various daily and monthly reports Maintain an accurate aging report Indentify and execute the necessary process adjustment Reconcile A/R to the G/L Interact with customers to resolve outstanding issues including discrepancies Initiating and Making appearances in court if necessary

Contact 441-4990 for interview

DOMESTIC WORKER WANTED Must be able to work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour.

labourer To work 5 days per week salary $6.25 per hour.

contact: 232-7317

TCI Waste Disposal is seeking employment for the following:

1) Labourer

Interested candidate may send their application through ricardofulford@ gmail.com regarding employment.

11738

MAINTENANCE

Oerson needed with plumbing experience salary offered is $6-$8 per hour depending on experience interested persons should contact: 649-242-1816 between the hours of 4pm – 6pm Tuesday and Thursday only 11684

Who has been called to the Bar of England and Wales and who has also been called to two or more Bars in the Caribbean including the Turks and Caicos Bar. The successful candidate must possess over 30 years experience in legal practice and be an appointed Queen's Council with experience as a Judge and an Arbitrator. Duties include providing legal council and assisting with the operations and proceedings of various types of Litigation matters. We welcome applications from any Belonger who may have the foregoing qualifications and experience.

All applications must be submitted with copies of degrees and certificates on or before July 15th, 2015 to info@karammissick. com. Please DO NOT call and no unscheduled visits. Feel free to send a copy of your application to the Labour Department. 11774

MEPCO International (T&C) Ltd. Requires qualified and experienced

Electricians

Plumber

11752

to work 6 days per week salary $8.00 per hour send resume to: Misick & Stanbrook, Leeward Highway, Providenciales telephone: 946-4732 fax: 946-4734 email: info@ misickstanbrook.tc

Tropical Bar is seeking employment for the following: Interested candidate may contact 241-0426 for further details regarding employment.

For further information contact: 241-2043 11750

GENERAL

Barrister

Is looking for a

Ricardo Fulford Consultant Services on behalf of his clients 1) Waitress

3 Domestic Workers 3 Gardeners 3 LaboUrers 3 Dive Instructors 2 Maids 1 Cashier 1 Painter

A local law firm requires the services of a

NATASHA DORVAL

needed

11765

contact: 347-3362

Is looking for a

per week salary $6.25 per hour.

Island Construction Services is seeking employment for the following:

1) Labourer

Interested candidate may contact 342-0275 for further details regarding employment. Froggie's On The Beach is seeking employment for the following:

1) Waitress

Interested candidate may send their application through ricardofulford@gmail.com regarding employment.

labourer to work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour.

contact: 242-2557

11763

Female with Associates Degree in Business Administration Looking for a detailed-oriented position in Banking, Accounts Receivable or Collections (Tax) Officer Responsibility for tracking and resolving outstanding payment issues and generate weekly aging reports in a timely manner. (Having knowledge of general accounting principles and proficient at MS Excel.) Applicant displays a positive proactive and assertive attitude, with strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize and multitask and a strong communicator both paper and over the phone.

11764

11720

To work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

DOMESTIC WORKER WANTED Working hours: 8 hours per day Wages: $5.50 per hour Must be able to clean yard, wash vehicles, small maintenance around the property, operate small machines (lawnmower, cutter, blower) Work on weekends if necessary Contact: NEON HOLDINGS LTD. Tel: (649) 941-7923 During working hours 11784

Applicants MUST have completed an Electrical Apprenticeship and have a qualification from a recognized governing body and also have at least 10 years experience on large commercial projects. Salary negotiable depending on level of experience.

Please fax resume to 941 7626 11745

BAY BISTRO Is looking for a

HEAD CHEF Must possess the following qualifications:

• 10 years experience • Must have knowledge of QuickBooks, Microsoft windows • Hiring, training, discipline of kitchen staff • Must be able to work weekends and holidays • Food inventory , cost and pricing Salary commensurate with experience

Contact: 432-2355

11783

July 4 - 10, 2015

32 CLASSIFIEDS

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PORTS OF CALL RESORT

3 J’s Enterprise SEEKS

Gardener / Bar Maid Handyman Seeks to hire for immediate employment a

Graceway IGA Supermarket / Kwatcha Holdings are seeking suitable qualified applicants to fill the listed positions:

General Manager Summary of Duties

The position is the general overseer of all aspects of Grace way Supermarkets. This includes providing leadership and motivation to promote the consistent execution of standard practices, policies and procedures. Setting the tone and leading the stores culture/environment to ensure success in all aspects of customer service, profitability, operations, people development, merchandise presentation and merchandise assortment.

Required Specifications and qualifications

• Over ten (10) years experience in supermarket retail and wholesale management with a minimum of five (5) years in a senior management position to include management of individual departments. • Experience in company expansion projects with the ability to lead and develop new store concept, design, layout, format and operations. • Proficient in the understanding of retail and wholesale accounting and good business practices related to documentation and record keeping. • Strong current product knowledge of the retail industry and a proven record in the ability to achieve the budgeted financial and operating results, including sales, profitability, and wage percentage. • Experience managing and developing the human resources activities, maintain and develop organizational culture, values and reputation in market and with all staff, customers, suppliers, partners and governmental bodies. • Must have the ability to identify, develop and direct the implementation of business strategy and report to shareholders on organizational plans, financial disclosure and operational performance. • Ability to work extended hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Duties will include landscape maintenance, garbage collection and general handyman duties around the Resort. Position will be six days per week, and will require long hours in the sun. Good command of spoken English is mandatory.

Interested applicants may send their resumes to mgmtsupport@tciway.tc, or drop them off at the Front Desk of the Resort. 11771

Summary of Duties:

Deadline for applications is July 2, 2015. Interested persons should send applications via fax at (649) 9414034 C/o Alliance Realty Ltd. Only applicants selected will be contacted. 11755

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

Notice of Sale by Public Auction

Meridian Mortgage Corporation Ltd. as Chargee, pursuant to its charge and the Registered Land Ordinance, hereby gives notice that it will cause to be sold the property listed below by Public Auction, to be held at the office of Meridian Financial Group, Le Vele Plaza, Grace Bay and Providenciales at 10.00 a.m. on Friday 17th of July, 2015.

Title No. 61113/385&386, Long Bay Hills, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands. The subject property is located in the Long Bay Hills section of Providenciales between Leeward Highway and Long Bay Beach. Both lots are vacant land covered in light to medium native vegetation, located on a paved road within the subdivision. The property is a short drive from the Grace Bay area, the Conch Farm and Heaving Down Rock. Sporadic residential developments nearby.

Salary rate will commensurate with experience and qualifications

Wine Specialist

Must have some experience and able to speak English, Salary starts at $6.50 per hour and is based on experience. Will have to work 6 days a week.

Location Description

This position is responsible to promote and demonstrate fine wine knowledge throughout the island to increase sales among high profile local restaurants and retail accounts / customers while including managing logistics of wine shipments and consolidations in various wine worldwide countries. Requirements include:

Required Specifications and qualifications

• Ensue a good range of well priced quality wines is available • Create marketing and sales programs to increase sales • Purchase all wines, spirits and beers from local and international suppliers for Graceway Supermarkets • Create marketing and sales program to increase sales, maintain and develop the established distributorships, create additional exclusive distributorships and representations • Experience in whole sale distribution and retail of wines and spirits is essential • At least 5 – 7 years experience in international procurement of wines and spirits including working at the consulting level with large distributors is required • Previous years of retail, grocery management experience will be an added plus • Must be able to show strong background and understanding of French, Spanish and Italian wines

Title

Absolute

Proprietor

Julian Garland

Approximate Area

0.50 acres

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST, FROM MERIDIAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION LTD.

Deadline for submission of applicants is July 3rd 2015

Meridian Financial Group P.O. Box 599 Le Vele Plaza Grace Bay Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands, B.W.I

Submit to: Graceway IGA Supermarket main office complex or email: hr@gracewayiga.com

Tel. (649) 941-3082 Fax (649) 941-3223

Salary rate will commensurate with experience and qualifications

11773

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PLANTATION HILLS

INVEST Turks and Caicos

Is looking for a

labourer To work 5 days per week salary $6.25 per hour.

contact: 241-4070

11767

W.C SECURITY SERVICES Is looking for a

security officer 11782 11782

Salary $6.00 per hour. contact: 331-4110

JACQUELINE A. SMITH Is looking for the following:

Hairbraiders Domestic Worker Labourer Carpenter Barber

Salary $6.50 per hour

Contact: 243-4214 11787

ADVERTISE

IN THIS SPACE! ONLY

$33 PER WEEK

CALL 946-4664

CLASSIFIEDS 33

Chief Executive Officer Reporting to: Board of Directors Location: Invest Turks and Caicos Offices - Providenciales

Job Summary:

The Chief Executive Officer is the chief executive of Invest Turks and Caicos and is responsible for the success of the organization. Together with the Board, the incumbent is expected to lead the implementation of the TCI Government’s economic development vision, attract significant investments to the various inhabited islands and support sustainable development throughout the entire Turks and Caicos Islands. These investments will be expected to build a successful, sustainable economy and provide improved opportunities for employment and growth. As well, the Chief Executive Officer will be actively engaged through the Agency in supporting trade and small business development. The Board has delegated responsibility for day to day management operations to the Chief Executive Officer and s/he has the authority to carry out those responsibilities, in accordance with the direction and policies established by the Board. The incumbent will ensure that the organization has motivated staff who produce positive results using international best practices. The position involves overseeing a staff of up to twelve persons who are predominately highly trained investment professionals. The incumbent is expected to be a systems thinker who is customer focused and goal driven. The Chief Executive is expected to be a strong leader who can develop a cohesive team within the organization and across TCI to drive new investment to the country.

Key Objectives:

1. To manage the day to day operations of Invest TCI through planning, organizing, coordinating, directing and controlling the functions of the Agency. This includes implementing a rolling five year Strategic Plan, complete with annual marketing plans and budgets and monitor financial and operational performance and ensuring that the organization has a full complement of operating policies and procedures for internal operations and for dealing with prospective investors and daily operations. 2. To develop an outstanding lead generation and the market intelligence capacity and after care services to ensure that they meet international best practices. 3. To ensure the effective, efficient and economic use of human, financial and physical resources 4. To engage constructively with various government Ministries, other relevant organizations and various agencies and the private sector, both locally and internationally to support quality investment projects and to market the country. 5. To generate significant foreign direct investment to the country and to support and encourage domestic investors to participate in the economy. 6. To lead investment promotion and trade missions to various locations and conduct awareness marketing to raise the profile of TCI as an investment destination. 7. To develop and manage a program of legislation review and reform for various developmental programmes that encourage Inward Investment and seek opportunities for expansion and extension of Investment potential though various agreements. PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS Education and qualifications: A master’s degree in finance, business, economics or related field, or its equivalent, from a recognized institution of higher learning.

Experience and Knowledge:

Ten or more years of senior management experience at a public or private

enterprise/company/agency engaged in investment development and/or marketing. Clear evidence of leadership skills, successful lead generation results and marketing along with ability to mentor and grow staff.

Skills:

1. Strong track record of competency in current and previous employment. 2. A sound knowledge of investment, promotion, strategic planning, project management and execution, especially as related to projects in the TCI and Caribbean region. 3. Strong track record of staff management and successful program/ project implementation. 4. Consistently displays integrity and model behavior 5. Develops people and builds teams. 6. Excellent Leadership Qualities 7. Strong Writing and presentational skills. 8. Excellent Communication and interpersonal skills- innovative, creative and forward thinking 9. Good computer skills. 10. Adept in use of MS Office XP or later, particularly Excel and Word, and ideally Access or similar database to basic level, internet and email.

Personal Qualities:

1. Open and engaging demeanor with enthusiasm to achieve further growth and progress. 2. Able to generate and share ideas. 3. Hands-on approach. 4. Willing to take personal responsibility 5. Able to win trust and personal credibility 6. Persistence and personal resilience. 7. Willingness to personally deliver quality to business clients. 8. Willingness to understand different cultures, lifestyles and associated points of view. 9. Willingness to understand the values associated with small communities.

Other Requirements:

1. Fluent English 2. Willingness and ability to travel by air, land and sea. 3. Qualified Belongers, either living in the TCI or abroad, are encouraged to apply. 4. Willingness to work outside normal office hours as needed from time to time

Salary and Allowances:

Salary is in the range of $120,000 to $150,000, including benefits and is negotiable based on qualifications and experience.

Application Procedure

Interested persons should submit a resume, along with their contact information, cover letter, two letters of reference (one preferably from a former employer), copies of educational certificates, a Police Certificate and a copy of the Passport photo page. Applications should be addressed to the Investment Promotion Expert, Turks and Caicos Islands by July 16th, 2015 and can be delivered in person to the Investment Unit, Down Town, Butterfield Square (next to Lapels) prior to the deadline date or emailed to investturksandcaicos@gmail.com. The subject line in the email should read “Chief Executive Officer”. Envelopes should have the subject Chief Executive Officer clearly marked on the front.

We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only persons selected for an interview will be contacted.

34 CLASSIFIEDS PORT ATLANTIC CONSTRUCTION

is looking to fill the following positions:

Requires a

Domestic Worker/ Softball Coach

Must be willing to work weekends and public holidays. $5.00 per hour.

Salary starts at $6.50 per hour.

Please contact 231 6920

11789

Security Guard Cosmetologist

4 Hair Stylists 4 Nail Technicians

Contact: 242-0521

contact: 242-4006

Is looking for

Salary $6.25 per hour

11790

Labourer, Mason, Carpenter

ROXY’S BEAUTY SALON

MARCUS LIGHTBOURNE

Been Construction

Providenciales Telephone: 343-7924

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

11707

GLENNYS MINI MARKET seeks to employ a

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

To work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour.

11680

JEAN JOSEPH

JID BARBER SHOP Is looking for a

Notice of Sale by labourer Cashier Public Auction

Female Barber

contact: 342-5808

contact: 341-6502

Description

Is looking for a

Title No. 10405/40, East Suburbs Backsalina, Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands. The subject property comprises 0.44 acres with a two storey, modern building constructed in 2005, with five retail/office units on the ground floor and partitioned office space on the upper floor with open decks at either end. The five lower units are designed for convenience store, a laundry, a restaurant, a gift shop a management office. There is a small detached commercial workshop building adjacent on the parcel.

Title

Absolute

Proprietor

Pedro Manuel Ariza

Approximate Area

0.44 acres

to work 6 days per week must have experience in cutting women, black and Caucasian hair, must be able to trim eyebrows salary $6.25 per hour.

CAVELL WILLIAMS

babysitter/ domestic worker Must be willing to work 5 days per week. Must be bilingual (English and Spanish). Salary $6.25 per hour

Contact: 244-3089

11751

Location

thandfield@gmail.com or call 346-4523 11746

11742

To work in a local supermarket from 9am5pm salary $6.25 per hour interested person can send their resumes to

to work 5 days per week salary $6.25 per hour.

11747

Is looking for a

Cox Labour Services Ltd Leeward Highway, Providenciales Telephone: 231- 6710

LABOURERS, MASON Salary starts at $6.50 per hour

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

GIGI’S DELI

Is looking for the following:

Waitress Sales Clerk

Meridian Financial Group P.O. Box 599 Le Vele Plaza Grace Bay Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands, B.W.I

Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.25 per hour.

Tel. (649) 941-3082 Fax (649) 941-3223 11779

LABOURER

WANTED

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST, FROM MERIDIAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION LTD.

contact: 332-9681 11739

To work from Monday to Saturday salary $6.25 per hour.

contact: 232-5222

11749

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

RENEWABLE TCI

QUANTUM COMPANY is seeking a

With the following qualifications:

LIVE IN DOMESTIC CAREGIVER To assist in house work

Essential Qualifications:

Must speak Spanish and be between the ages of 35-50 Salary $1,040 per month. 11772

• Current First Aid Level 2 Certificate • Police check/ clearance

Contact: 346-7041

Qualifications: Certified scuba instructor, boating experience, computer repair and networking experience required. To Apply: Please send your CV to hhertler@ fieldstudies.org by July 21, 2015. Start Date: Sept 2015 11776

11770

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

OCEAN CLUB RESORTS

IS LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED APPLICANTS FOR THE POSITION OF:

ROOM ATTENDANT/ HOUSEKEEPER

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

School For Field Studies, South Caicos

Strenuous physical labour requires one who is able and willing to walk up and down flights of stairs, perform heavy lifting, and other physically demanding functions. Must have an eye for details, and be willing to work collaboratively as part of a team. All applicants must be able to present a clean Police Record if offered a position. Wage commensurate with experience. Individuals must be willing to work holidays and weekends on a flexible schedule dictated by business demands. Ability to speak English is mandatory. Please drop off resumes at the Ocean Club Front Desk to the attention of the Human Resource Manager, or via email to diane@oceanclubresorts.tc. Preference will be given to experienced and qualified Belongers. Only those receiving an interview will be contacted.

Job Summary: Assist the Site Manager, Center Director, and Dive Safety Officer at the South Caicos field station

Center Director - Center for Marine Resource Studies Job Summary: Coordinate all operations, academic, facilities, etc. at the South Caicos field station Qualifications: PhD, prior university level teaching experience required. Certified scuba instructor, marine lab management experience preferred.

To Apply: Please send your CV to hhertler@ fieldstudies.org by July 21, 2015. Start Date: Sept 2015 11777

11791

Point Grace

SAILROCK DEVELOPMENT LIMITED Is seeking qualified candidates for

a luxury Resort in Grace Bay, is looking to hire immediately an

Accounting Assistant / Owners’ Liaison Assistant This is a new position within the Resort, and will appeal to and challenge an outgoing individual with some degree of accounting education or experience, initiative and attention to detail. The Accounting Assistant portion of the role will involve the development of familiarity with all facets of resort accounting. The Owners’ Liaison Assistant aspect will include providing backup to contact between the Resort and its Owners, coordinating correspondence, payments, maintenance and everything else required to keep their units in first-class condition. Compensation will be commensurate with ability, and this position will participate in the Resort’s distribution of service charges. If you think this position sounds like a good fit for you, please either drop off your resume at the Resort, or forward it to humanresources@ pointgrace.com, for immediate consideration and a prompt response. 11778

DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION

To act as Owner’s representative for the construction of infrastructure, hospitality and residential components of Sailrock Development. Job responsibilities include developing and monitoring project budgets and schedules, management of quality assurance program and acting as Owners representative to all parties involved in the construction process including vendors, contractors, design professionals and government entities. Applicant will have a minimum of 15 yrs experience in delivering Design-Build for commercial, historic restoration, retail, residential and hospitality's projects. Applicant will also have a minimum of 15 yrs experience managing multidiscipline design teams as a Construction Project Manager both as a consultant and as a direct employee of the project Owner. Experience required in design, construction management as well as site and infrastructure development. Applicant will have a solid background in estimating, budgeting, bidding, contract management, scheduling, project planning and quality control. Applicant must be fluent in Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Schedule and Adobe Graphics Suite. Applicant must have a degree in Architecture or Engineering or Civil Engineering, and must be willing to establish permanent residency on South Caicos for duration of employment. In addition to the above qualifications, applicants must have strong verbal and written communication skills and be highly organized. Candidates must be able to work well independently and in a team environment, exhibit a positive attitude and an outgoing professional manner. Salary and benefits commensurate with experience. Qualified candidates should email a CV to tweldon@southcaicos.com on or before June 17, 2015. Inquires will receive a response within 48 hours.

11776

• Knowledgeable in preparing nutritious meals for patient • Ability to remember drugs and their administration timing • Skilled in performing housekeeping, pet care and providing companionship

Please submit your resume to bukalajanus@ yahoo.ca no later thank July 11th, 2015

School For Field Studies, South Caicos

Assistant Site Manager - Center for Marine Resource Studies

Caregiver • Skilled in assisting patient • Knowledgeable in attending to skin, nail and oral care needs of the patient • Experienced in checking blood pressure, pulse, respiration, temperature and other vital signs • Hands on experience in assisting patients in toileting, shower, dressing, bathing and maintaining their personal hygiene

CLASSIFIEDS 35

36 CLASSIFIEDS

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

ROSELORD DUMEE Is looking for a

BRANCH MANAGER Scotia Centre, Cherokee Road, Providenciales

domestic worker To work 5 hours per week salary $6.50 per hour.

Job Grade: A82 Annual Salary: $67,150 - $83,900 - $100,700 This senior leader will be accountable for the overall effectiveness, efficiency and success of their team. Reporting to the Senior Sales Leader, you will achieve negotiated financial results by planning, monitoring and taking action on all aspect of branch activities, e.g., sales, customer service, staff performance, operations compliance, controls and related actives.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in business administration or related discipline, MBA preferred. • 3-5 years progressive leadership experience in a similar capacity. • Knowledge of financial software packages as well as Microsoft applications e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. • Knowledge of sales management, coaching and business development techniques. • Knowledge of expense control and revenue generating requirements. • Ability to think analytically, strategically and innovatively. • Strong communications, interpersonal and organizational abilities. • Ability to conceptualize, design and implement change initiatives. • Strong commitment to self-development. • Strong ability to lead, achieve results and motivate staff. • Valid driver’s license and transportation required (mileage allowance to be paid).

contact: 432-1778

Key accountabilities include: • Participate in the growth of retail deposit business and contribute to Bank profitability • Develop and implement measures to ensure customer service is consistent with the Bank’s standards. • Contributes to the maximization of the Bank’s profitability • Contribute to the maintenance and enhancement of the Bank’s image in the communities served by personal involvement in the social and professional life of the community and ensuring other senior officers do likewise. • Maximizing profitability by effectively controlling branch operations/expenditures. • Effectively managing and control the loan portfolios at an acceptable level of risk. • Ensuring that national and international compliance laws/requirements are implemented and sustained. Scotiabank offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits package with tremendous opportunities for personal and professional growth to the successful candidate.

Please submit applications no later than, July 17, 2015 to: Alexandria Missick – Manager, Human Resources Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Ltd Providenciales, TCI E-mail:alexandria.missick@scotiabank.com

IN THIS SPACE! ONLY

$33

PER WEEK

CALL 946-4664

11756

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! the largest readership in the turks & caicos

MARIE CONTRACTING Is seeking for a

CAICOS ADVENTURES We are looking for a self-motivated, trustworthy, dedicated & reliable person to fill the position of a

salesperson/booking agent

Complimentary Qualifications:

For our business in Grace Bay

labourer To work 5 days per week salary $6.25 per hour.

contact: 342-1073

11754

• Knowledge of customer life cycle needs and current economic and political events. • Knowledge of retail lending, investment, deposit and transaction services, product features, benefits, self- servicing channels, and related pricing policies and procedures. • Knowledge of commercial banking products as well as packaged products for small business lending, independent business and related policies and procedures. • Understanding of loan limits, application requirements, risk analysis techniques and credit adjudications. • Knowledge of the sales and service management process as well as merchandising guidelines. • Working knowledge of key products and services offered by other financial institutions and alternative sources of financing. • Knowledge of operations and human resource policies and procedures with special emphasis on compliance and performance. • Knowledge of retail collection policies and techniques.

ADVERTISE

Must have at least 3 years experience in both the fields of retail sales & water sports reservations. Please drop resume, photo & copy of your police clearance at our shop at The Regent Village. ATTENTION: Donna 11757

A newly established micro lender providing emergency financing.

Hiring immediately

LOAN/CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER

Candidate must have worked in the financial sector with experience in loan administration to include: • application, approval and servicing • strong understanding of customer and market dynamics • excellent verbal and written communication skills (Spanish a plus) • computer literate including proficiency in Excel and QuickBooks

Contact: 331-8228

11786

Send resume to: info@paydayloanstci.com

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS 37

MANAGER FOR IMPORT COMPANY • • • •

Should possess at least and Undergraduate College Degree 5 years experience in a management position in the food service industry 3 years experience in a restaurant/ hotel/ institution Extensive knowledge of the wholesale food industry and have a proven track record of meeting quarterly sales targets • Proactive to create and implement innovative marketing program to grow market share in a very competitive environment with exclusive new product lines for the TCI

The dynamic and enthusiastic candidate must:

MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR • Responsible for establishing complete maintenance program for all Commercial Laundry & Dry Cleaning equip. • Minimum 15 years experience in Dry Cleaning & Commercial Linen & Laundry industry. • 10 years Supervisory/ Management experience. • University certificate required. • Minimum 10 years experience & knowledge required for installation, programming & maintenance of specific equipment; Lavatech CBW, Jensen, Chicago, Ipso, Unimac. • Available to manage different work shifts as required, including nights. • Must be fluent in English & French. • Must have exceptional computer skills including programs; Linen Master, Laundry-Vision, Autocad and ProTools. • Must be self motivated, hard working and reliable.

• Must be able to dissect restaurant menus and produce product lists • Be fluent in speaking and writing English (working knowledge of a second language French or Spanish would be beneficial) • Possess excellent communication and presentation skills to interface with local customers and foreign suppliers in a clear, effective and courteous manner • Strong knowledge of mathematics for cost effective shipping logistics, food costing/ pricing and inventory control • Expert proficiency in QuickBooks Manufacturing and Enterprise, Ms Excel, Office Works and Outlook is mandatory • Willing to identify and train personnel about company standards and impart product knowledge • The candidate should be a self-starter who is willing to work weekends and public holidays with a strong moral compass and knowledge of the Turks and Caicos Islands and its Hospitality Industry • The candidate will be expected to develop avenues of strong corporate stewardship thereby contributing to improvements in the local community • Must own vehicle and have a valid Turks and Caicos Islands Driver’s license

Contact: 345-7212

11785

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

MASSAGE THERAPIST • Applicant must have a minimum of 3 years handson experience in 5-star resort and at least 3 years working as a therapist. • Must be trained and CERTIFIED by an accredited school in all of the following: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Pre-Natal, Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Reflexology, Facials, and Manicures and Pedicures. • Applicant must be certified in all the previous areas • In addition, applicant must be able to work ALL weekends and public holidays if needed and be available from 8am-8pm. • Must have own vehicle and current, clean driver’s license. • Commission based • Must have GREAT Customer Service Skills and be upbeat and positive. • Applicant needs to be fluent in English and pass an English written test.

Please send resume to: relax@spatropique.com Please do not apply to this ad unless you can meet all of the above requirements. Deadline for application is July 10th, 2015

Email resume to info@pioneertci.com or call 432.1797. Please fax copy to TCI Labour Office: 649-946-4164

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

JOB VACANCY The Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association is a non-profit organization in the business of football development throughout the TCI. We are seeking to place an employment in the news paper for a

Groundsman/ Maintenance Worker Please see below the Job description Job Description

Responsible to the Executive Committee of the TCIFA and on a day-to-day basis, to the General Secretary and Technical Director of TCIFA, employee will be engaged primarily in the following duties: 1. Maintain the field, changing facilities, and TCIFA land at the National Academy, Providenciales. 2. Weekly tasks will include cutting of the grass, marking of the pitch, weeding of the pitch and surrounding areas, irrigation, and maintaining tractor and irrigation systems. 3. On game days, responsibilities include turning flood lights on and off and opening and closing changing rooms. 4. Other responsibilities to be carried out as set out in a Maintenance Schedule and other duties at the request of the General Secretary and Technical Director. Working Hours Regular working hours will be 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, and 8:00am to 12:00pm and 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Saturdays with 1 hour lunch break daily. Employee will be expected to work outside normal hours of business as necessary to fulfil his/her duties

Contact 941-5532

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

WHITE SAND HOLDING LTD. Is looking for a

JOB OPPORTUNITIES The Somerset Resort Management Ltd. is seeking Labour Clearance for the position listed below. Suitably qualified Belongers who possess the requirements listed are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate will possess extensive high end luxury resort General Managerial experience, be professional in attitude and demeanor and must read and speak English fluently. Position requires a flexible schedule which includes holidays, weekends and evenings, and extended hours on occasion. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Resort General Manager

To oversee all aspects of Property Management and Operations in accordance with Company mission statement, including maximization of financial performance, Guest satisfaction, and staff development within established Resort standards. Developing and implementing strategies for meeting goals in the areas of revenue generation, market share performance, Guest satisfaction scores and net operating income. The General Manager Reports to the Somerset Management Board of Directors.

Responsibilities:

• Creating and implementing Resort’s annual budgets. Ensuring financial performance against same. • Overseeing efficient overall Resort Operations, by department. • Maintaining strict financial controls. Regularly reporting operating results to Ownership. • Liaising closely with Resort Strata and Food & Beverage operators to maximize facility performance and profitability. • Being highly visible throughout the property. Interacting with Resort Guests daily. • Negotiating and implementing outside vendor contracts. • Fostering a positive, supportive work environment for Resort staff. Creating future industry superstars. • Interacting with governmental agencies and civic / community organizations on an ongoing basis.

Requirements:

• Undergraduate and Graduate degrees from accredited universities, in Hospitality Management or related field. • Minimum 8 years proven success record as a luxury property General Manager within the hospitality sector. • Strong industry contacts with tour and travel operators, wholesalers, travel advisors and hospitality sector trade organizations. • Knowledge of property management systems (Visual 1 background essential) and related software programs. Ability to analyze industry data from sources such as e-STR. • Diverse experience in sales, advertising, integrated customer relationship marketing strategy and execution, and Resort / Advertising agency synergy. • Knowledgeable of all company administration policies and procedures, including but not limited to accounting and human resources. • Superior leadership skills. Ability to lead by example. Experienced in resolving conflicts between different parties in a dispute. • Superior verbal and written communications skills. • High ethical standards. Excellent communicator. Strong analytical ability. Visionary. • Physically able to work / stand for long periods of time.

Front Office Manager Job Summary:

Providing at all times an excellent guest service, maintaining high standards and consistency of outstanding customer service, monitoring of all Front Office-related tasks, supervising and coaching the team. The Front Office Manager will manage all aspects of the Front Office Department including but not limited to operations, planning, budgeting, staffing and payroll in accordance with hotel policies and procedures. The Front Office Manager will provide leadership and support to all

members of the Front Office Team, implements and enforces The Somerset Resort Standards of Excellence in all areas supervised.

PASTRY CHEF to work 6 days

per week salary $10.00 per hour. contact: 331-6991 11754

Education:

High School diploma, general education degree or international equivalent required. College degree preferred.

MEP SOLUTIONS LTD. is looking for a

Experience:

Previous Front Office Management experience in supervisory/ management capacity in a luxury property required. Previous customer service and general computer experience required. Knowledge of Visual One Property Management Software experience preferred.

Resort Boutique Supervisor

The Somerset Resort Management Ltd. is seeking for a dependable, disciplined, mature, self-driven, enterprising, and efficient Boutique Supervisor. Applicant should possess excellent written and oral communication, effective merchandising and strong organization skills, multi-tasking ability, and be knowledgeable in the products being sold. Applicant must be able to sell effectively and demonstrate a superior level of 5 Star customer service. Must have eye for details. Must be proficient in the use of computers and be familiar with software such as Visual 1, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS Outlook. Applicants with an undergraduate degree preferred. 3 to 5 years’ experience in a related retail environment required.

Summary

Reporting to the Resort’s Front Office Manager, The Boutique Supervisor is responsible for managing Boutique sales, operations, inventory controls and asset protection while ensuring superior customer experience. Optimizing profitability and achievement of sales goals.

VILLA HANDYMAN must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $6.50 per hour

contact: 231-2757 11755

F& R CONSTRUCTION

Duties & Responsibilities

• Negotiating and ordering products from vendors. Vendor relations development. • Verifying deliveries. Stock / store. • Maintain the boutique and storage areas in a clean, organized fashion. • Achieve sales and service level targets as set by Management. • Recognize sales and revenue trends and merchandise accordingly. • Manage customer enquiries. Proactively resolve customer complaints. • Handle all sales transactions, collect cash and use credit card machines. • Transfer sales into the Resort’s property management system. • Compose and deliver all departmental reports as required. • Conduct monthly physical stock inventories. • Interact with Resort’s Front Office and Accounting Departments on an ongoing basis. • Work self – sufficiently / independently. Recommend new boutique initiatives. • Perform other assigned tasks as mandated. The ideal candidate will be professional in attitude and demeanor and must read and speak English fluently. Position requires a flexible schedule which includes holidays and weekends and. Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Must be physically able to lift cases of delivered products and stand for extended periods of time. Outgoing, positive personality is a necessary job component. High ethical standards a must.

Qualified Belonger candidates can complete an application form in person at The Somerset on Grace Bay or submit a resume by e-mail at somerset@thesomerset.com. Tel: 649-339-5900. Fax: 946-5839. The closing date for applications is July 20th, 2015

IS LOOKING FOR A

CARPENTER TO WORK 6 DAYS A WEEK INTERESTED PERSONS CAN

CONTACT 649-2422548 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

C&J Employment Act on behalf of: C&P Welding, Gold Star Nail Center and Beauty Salon, Charles Barber Shop, Breeze Construction, Williams Construction, IBO Beauty Salon, Barefoot Café.

Labourers – $ 5.00 per hour

Cosmetologist – $ 5- 7 per hour

Barber

– $ 5.00 per hour

Painter

– $ 7 – 8 per hour

Carpenter – $ 7- 9 per hour

11753

Contact: PhiloJemployment@ hotmail.com 11697

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology

That fizzy sugary beverage can be the reason of your death YOUR soda or that fizzy sugary beverage that you crave for might be the cause of your death. Studies have shown that about 184,000 deaths happen every year due to fizzy drinks that are loaded with sugar. This first of its kind report assessed global risks of death that happen because of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers linked to the consumption of sugary drinks. The report called these beverages as ‘sugar sweetened beverages’ and stated that around 133,000 people died from diabetes due to their consumption. Researchers have estimated that cardiovascular diseases killed around 45,000 people globally arising from sugary drink consumption and 6,450 people died from cancers caused by these drinks. Report stated that the maximum number of deaths due to sugary beverages happened in Mexico with a rate of 450 deaths per million

adults. United States was second on the list with 125 estimated deaths per million adults. Caribbean and Latin America were found to be extremely fond of such beverages and it was reflected in the fact that eight countries from the region were among

the 20 worldwide with the highest death rates. A country’s frequency of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer was connected to its sugar consumption or availability of sugar. High on the list were low to middle class countries as

76 percent of deaths related to soda and other sugary drink consumption occurred in these

conducted between 1980 and 2010 in 51 countries, did not include fruit juices.

Chef De Cuisine

GILLEY’S ENTRERPRISES IS LOOKING FOR

COOK

countries. The research, which analyzed 62 dietary surveys

Education and Training:

• Responsible for ordering all provisions pertaining to food and cleaning supplies and kitchen equipment • Responsible for supervising general cleaning and maintenance of kitchen equipment • Responsible for taking food inventory at the end of each month • Responsible for respectable food cost Remuneration: $7.00 per hour Description of suitable person: • Must be hardworking and efficient • Must have a positive attitude toward works • Must be able to work six (6) days per week, weekends and holiday if needed

Contact: Mrs. Tate Forbes between the hours of 9:00am3:00pm @ 649-946-4472 or email: gilley’scafe@tciway.tc

11759

• Post secondary degree in Culinary Arts or industry equivalent experience with at least 8 years experience working as a Chef De Cuisine or Executive Chef • Fully functional on computer with a full knowledge of Excel, MS-Word and Quickbooks and Micros • Deep understanding of menu planning complete with cost analysis, portioning and design. • Full knowledge of a broad range of inventory control measures with the ability to develop and execute. • Detailed understanding of all staffing requirements and all paperwork associated with it including work permits and National Insurance. • Fluent in English both written and oral with a fundamental understanding of French and Spanish • First Aid Training

Skill Requirements: • • • •

Extensive experience in the preparation and execution of Mexican and Tex Mex cuisine Plan and execute special events on or off premise for a diverse clientele. Precise knife skills Execute a large variety of desserts from scratch including cakes, custards, mousses, ice creams, sorbets, and gelatin stabilized desserts • Execute naturally leavened breads and breakfast pastry from scratch • Produce all breakfast, lunch and dinner items with expert precision. • Cook entire menu on the line during service, including meats to temperature specifications. • Prepare and execute a variety of specials utilizing seasonality and quality as the catalyst • Be versed in a large variety of cooking techniques to include: braising, sautéing, frying, steaming, poaching, soup making and the Mother Sauces. • Develop and cost recipes to accurately reflect the long term goals of Somewhere Café and Lounge • Execute a proper sanitation procedure to insure that high quality food is served that accurately represents the Café • Receive food orders from various vendors, checking for quality and pricing. • Implement training of kitchen staff to encourage growth and success in a positive environment. • Must have strong interpersonal skills with the ability to both engage staff and guests in conversation • Must be a natural leader with the ability to lead by example, demonstrating at any moment the willingness and ability to do the job of any of those working with and/or under him/her. • Mediatory and conflict resolution skills with the ability to recognize potential problems in advance. • Must be able to co-ordinate schedule requirements for a large staff • Must be able to keep detailed records of all employees up to date. • Demonstrates the ability to multi-task under extreme pressure. • Strong mathematical skills as it applies to accounting, budgeting, menu costing and recipe conversions • Execute weekly and monthly inventory of items with a focus on budgeting, cost analysis and planning • Maintain a positive environment in the kitchen to encourage growth and diversity within the workplace • Be able to stand on ones feet for extended hours, and be comfortable lifting 50 pounds without physical restrictions. • Be available to work holidays and weekends with a flexible schedule. Salary Commensurate with Experience

Send CV, References, residency status to: chefamy@ somewherecafeandlounge.com to be considered. 11793

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Science & Technology Weight loss drug shows promise, but with side effects weight loss a “gamechanger” in the fight against obesity, but

a new study finds the drug also carries significant side effects.

General Manager Job Description

General Manager must possess a broad range of skills and be multifaceted. The ideal candidate will have a variety of daily, weekly, and monthly duties, must be forward thinking anticipating the needs of the operation, and possess strong conflict resolution skills. The GM will be responsible for all facets of the operation ensuring its financial viability while supervising, (both front of house and back of house) to maintain a harmonious and consistent execution of service standards, product offered and cleanliness. The GM will work closely with kitchen management and front house management to offer support in the implementation, execution and enforcement of company policy and procedures.

Education and Training:

• Post-secondary degree in Hospitality Management or industry equivalent experience of at least 10 years as General Manager • Fully functional computer skills with a full knowledge of Excel, MS-Word, Quickbooks and Micros • Deep understanding of menu planning complete with cost analysis, portioning and design. • Full knowledge of a broad range of inventory control measures with the ability to develop and execute. • Detailed understanding of all staffing requirements and all paperwork associated with it including work permits, National Health Insurance and National Insurance Board. • Fluent in English both written and oral with a fundamental understanding of French and Spanish • First Aid Training • Certified in the safe service of alcohol • Detailed training and understating of Oenology. • Certified in food safety and health. • Fully proficient in accounting.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Executive Chef - estimate food consumption, place orders with suppliers, and schedule delivery of fresh food and beverages. • Resolve customer complaints about food quality or service. • Direct cleaning of kitchen and dining areas to maintain sanitation standards, and keep appropriate records. • Monitor actions of staff and customers. • Maintain budget and employee records, prepare payroll, and pay bills, or monitor bookkeeping records. • Use of computer software to monitor inventory, track staff schedules and pay, and perform other record keeping tasks. • Check quality of deliveries of fresh food and baked goods. • Maintain stock of supplies such as tableware, cooking utensils, and cleaning items. • Arrange for weekly, monthly maintenance and repair of equipment and other services. • Ensure sales and cash balance on a daily basis • Recruit, hire, and oversee training for staff. Schedule work hours for servers and bar staff. • Creation and execution of special events and promotions. • Maintain relationships with customers and staff. • Evaluate health and safety practices against standards. • Maintain standards of quality and cleanliness • Implement creative promotional ideas working with vendors and staff. • Guide, direct, and train staff. Coordinate the work and activities of staff. • Understands the necessity to work days, nights weekends and holidays. Salary Commensurate with Experience

Send CV, References, residency status to: manager@ somewherecafeandlounge.com to be considered. 11794

Liraglutide, marketed under the name Saxenda, is an injectable diabetes that was approved in Canada for the treatment of obesity in February, 2015. At the time, the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, was told to conduct further safety testing. This resulting study found that the medication helped obese people lose close to 20 pounds in just over a year. But several side effects among the 3,700 participants were also noted, including nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Other more rare side effects include pancreas inflammation, gallbladder disease, lowered kidney function, and sudden drops in blood sugar. Liraglutide is a new kind of weight loss drug and is called

a glucagonlike peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonist. It works by slowing down the stomach, keeping it full longer so appetite is reduced. In this latest study, funded by Novo Nordisk, those taking the drug lost an average of eight kilograms or 18.5 lbs, over 56 weeks. Those taking a placebo only lost 3 kg, or 6 lbs. That translated to a body weight loss of 27 per cent vs, 5 per cent for placebo. CTV health and medical expert Dr. Marla Shapiro says that is considered a “quite significant” weight loss. “Two-thirds of the individuals met the target of losing at least five per cent of their body weight,” she told CTV’s Canada AM Thursday. “And we use that as a

marker because if you can lose five per cent of your body weight – regardless of where you start – we begin to see significant changes” in overall health, she said. That includes improvements in blood pressure, waist circumference and the delayed onset of Type 2 diabetes. But Shapiro noted the study also found that patients’ weight returned when they stopped taking the drug. “(They) began to see regain again, on average about 2.5 to 3 kilograms. So it may be, in fact, that this becomes a lifelong medication,” she said. Still, Shapiro notes liraglutide has performed much better than other weight loss medications currently on the market.

Cuba is first country to end mother-tochild HIV and syphilis transmission CUBA on Tuesday became the first country in the world to receive validation from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that it has eliminated mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. “Eliminating transmission of a virus is one of the greatest public health achievements possible,” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General said on the heels of the announcement. “This is a major victory in our long fight against HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and an important step towards having an AIDSfree generation.” Executive Director of UNAIDS Michel Sidibé said the achievement was a celebration for Cuba and for children and families

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epidemics among children,” he said The World Health Organisation/Pan-American Health Organisation (WHO/ PAHO) has been working with partners in Cuba and other countries in the Americas since 2010 to implement a regional initiative to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis. As part of the initiative, the country has worked to ensure early access to prenatal care, HIV and syphilis testing for both pregnant women and their partners, treatment for women who test positive and their babies, caesarean deliveries and substitution of breastfeeding. These services are provided as part of an equitable, accessible and universal health system in which maternal and child health programs are integrated with programs for HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Sports Interational Love announces he will re-sign with the Cavaliers Usain Bolt has withdrawn from the 2015 meet this weekend because of discomfort in his left leg. (John Thys / Getty Images)

Bolt’s struggles ‘just a phase,’ Asafa Powell says AT least one person isn’t too worried about sprinter Usain Bolt’s injuryplagued season. Jamaican teammate Asafa Powell sees Bolt’s stretch of withdrawals and subpar performances over the past few months as “just a phase.” “We all get injuries,” Powell told the Associated Press on Thursday. “I’ve been injured for years and I’m still running fast.” Bolt recently cancelled a planned appearance at the Diamond League meet in Paris this weekend. The 28-year-old Olympic champion in the 100 and 200 meters has complained of discomfort in his left leg. A blocked sacroiliac joint

is restricting movement and putting pressure on his knee and ankle. “At the moment I am unable to compete at 100%,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to getting back into full training as soon as possible.” Though Bolt is expected to compete in the world championships later this summer, Powell, who has held the world record in the 100, wondered if skipping that event might be prudent for his countryman. “If he’s not 100% then I think he should focus mainly on the relays or the 200,” Powell was quoted as saying. “But hopefully he can get back in shape and feel like his old self.” (LATimes)

KEVIN Love is re-signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he announced Wednesday. Love has agreed to a five-year, $110 million contract with the team, sources said. Love’s statistics declined last season, but he was among the game’s most effective power forwards “I’m going back to Cleveland,” Love said in a first-person essay on The Players’ Tribune website. “After Game 1 of the NBA Finals, that’s when it really struck me. Sitting on the sidelines, I never wanted to play in a game more than that one. I had dreamed of playing in the NBA Finals, and I just wanted to help my guys win. I couldn’t have been prouder of them as they poured their blood, sweat and tears onto the court. “Yeah, of course I’ve heard the free-agency rumors. But at the end of the day, and after meeting with my teammates [it turns out pools are great meeting places] and with the front office, it was clear Cleveland was the place for me. We’re all on the same page and we’re all in. We have unfinished business, and now it’s time to get back to work.” The Cavs made Love a priority on the first day of free agency. Love had maintained throughout the season

Love’s statistics declined last season, but he was among the game’s most effective power forwards.

that it was his intention to stay with the Cavs, and he backed it up by committing to a long-term contract, which could end up being the largest contract given out in the history of the Cavs franchise. Love said LeBron James played “a big role” in his decision. “I did want to sit down with LeBron and just lay everything out there on the table,” Love said in a Sirius XM Mad Dog Radio interview with The Players’ Tribune. “We definitely laid it all out there, hung out, just had a leisurely conversation, and it was one of those moments where I thought we made a lot of good decisions and ended up at the same place. It really played a

big part.” He also explained why he decided not to do a free-agency tour or meet with other teams during the process. “I had already gone through the process in my head,” he said in the radio interview. “I mean, I could have taken my time and potentially complicated things. “I kind of wanted to push everything aside, hash everything out on my own. I have a couple, really select few people I have in my life that have my ear, and just wanted to follow my heart and do what I thought was best. And as I ran through that, I always felt Cleveland came out on top in every different scenario.”

Messi and Argentina demolish Paraguay 6-1

Jeffrey Webb is the highest ranked individual implicated.

United States seeks extradition of seven FIFA officials from Switzerland U.S. officials have requested the extradition of seven high-ranking FIFA officials arrested in Switzerland in May. They are suspected of taking bribes worth over $100 million in connection with soccer tournaments. The seven were detained in a dawn raid on a hotel on the eve of FIFA’s World Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, on the basis of a request from the United States. Among them is UK citizen Jeffrey Webb, a FIFA vice president and head of CONCACAF, the soccer governing body for North America and the Caribbean. Another is Jose Maria Marin, head of the Brazilian Football Federation from March 2012 to April 2015. Marin also served as head of

the 2014 World Cup committee. The 83-year-old was also governor of Sao Paulo for a short period in the 1980s. The arrests at the heart of soccer’s governing body shocked the wider world of football and were followed within days by the announcement by newly reelected FIFA president Sepp Blatter that he would resign. In its 47-count indictment, issued in Brooklyn, the U.S. Department of Justice accused 14 people of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. The FIFA officials held in Zurich are among those being investigated for taking bribes worth huge sums over more than two decades.

LIONEL Messi is so good he doesn’t even have to score to inspire teams to outlandish impressive victories. His full array of talents were very much on display as he guided Argentina to a 6-1 demolition of Paraguay on Tuesday to book his country’s place in the Copa America final. It might not be quite the 99 years Chile have waited for an international title, but Argentina’s 23-year drought is still quite the anomaly, especially considering the riches of talent at their disposal over the last two decades. It was eight years ago when Argentina last reached a Copa America final when they lost 3-0 to a Robinho-inspired Brazil and they haven’t won since beating Ecuador 2-1 in 1993. One true moment of Messi’s genius in the build up to Argentina’s fourth goal encapsulated his mesmerizing performance as he left two Paraguay players in a mess of tangled limbs behind him on the floor. “He [Messi] doesn’t need to be the team’s goalscorer to be happy,” Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said after the match. “If Messi gives passes that end up in goals then there is no problem.

Messi’s magic leaves a trail of Paraguayan devastation in his wake

What is more important is that he responds to what the game demands. “He doesn’t look worried to me. He is happy and he has no problems. “We are very happy because these guys are in another final of an important tournament in the space of less than a year. It’s not the World Cup, but it’s very important. “We will have to work hard to win the game against Chile in the final, but today we played a good game and it’s clear we were very decisive.” Barcelona’s star forward was involved in setting up five of his team’s goals, though given his prodigious talent it remains

something of a mystery how Messi’s only goal at this Copa America came from the penalty spot in the same fixture during the group stages when the game finished in a 2-2 draw. However, his semifinal performance should put to rest some of the harsh criticism he was receiving from his homeland, with some claiming he was more Catalan than Argentine. It was Messi’s delivery from a free-kick that set up Argentina’s opening goal, his whipped cross causing havoc in Paraguay’s penalty area allowing Marcos Rojo to prod home.

Sports Interational

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

July 4 - 10, 2015

Farah says he is 100% clean after allegations about coach BRITISH double Olympic champion Mo Farah says he is “100% clean”, following doping allegations against his coach Alberto Salazar. UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) and the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) are investigating claims made in the BBC Panorama programme Catch Me If You Can. It alleged Salazar violated various anti-doping rules and used testosterone medication on Galen Rupp in 2002, when the US athlete was 16. Salazar and Rupp deny all the claims. There is no suggestion made in the joint investigation by the BBC and US journalism website ProPublica that Farah has been involved in any doping. Distance runner Farah, 32, told Sky Sports that for people to think he had “taken a shortcut” was “not right and not fair”. London 2012 10,000m silver medallist Rupp is a training partner of Farah. Both athletes are part of Salazar’s Nike Oregon Project. Salazar, 56, last week issued a 12,000-word denial of the

British double Olympic champion Mo Farah

allegations, backed by emails and other documents, saying he “will never permit doping” at his US training base. Farah, who won both the 5,000m and 10,000m at the London Olympics, said he would leave the Cuba-born American if the allegations against him are proven by the athletics authorities. “If he has crossed the line and it is proven he’s crossed the line, then yes I’m out,” said Farah. “These are just allegations. If there is wrongdoing then I’m the first person to run, but you have to give people a chance in life and give them the benefit of the doubt. “I work hard every day. I put my body through hell. Seven months of

the year I am away from my family and I miss their birthdays. That really kills me. “So for people to label me a cheat is not fair. If I am a cheat, prove it. If not, leave me alone to represent my country and make people proud of me. “I want people to know I am 100 per cent clean and I am not on any drugs. The only medication I am on is for asthma which I have had since I was a child.” Asked about missing two drugs tests before the London 2012 Olympics, Farah said that he had taken 148 drug tests since 2008, including 103 since the Games, adding “every single one has been negative”. (BBC)

Sepp Blatter says that anyone that calls him corrupt because FIFA is corrupt should go to join.

FIFA president says he has clean conscience FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he has a clean conscience and anyone who calls him corrupt should be sent to jail. The 79-year-old announced last month he will leave his role following ahigh-profile investigation into corruption at world football’s governing body. Blatter told German magazine Bunte he has done nothing wrong and will go to heaven when he dies. “Anybody who calls me corrupt because Fifa is corrupt, I can only shake my head,” he said. “Everybody who says something

like that should go to jail,” he added. Earlier this year, Dominican Republic FA president Osiris Guzmanlikened Blatter to Jesus, Moses, and political figures Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill. “My faith has given me strength during the last week. I am a religious person and pray, too. I own a golden cross that has been blessed by Pope Francis,” said Blatter. “I believe I will go to heaven one day. But I believe there is no hell. I disagree with the Pope on that.” (BBC)

US have edge in Women’s World Cup final A WOMEN’S World Cup that started with a record 24 teams will end with the same two as four years ago, when Japan and the United States go head-to-head in Sunday’s final in Vancouver. While the rankings may say differently, it will be a meeting between the two dominant forces in the women’s game of recent times. Indeed, it will be the third consecutive major international tournament in which they have been the last two teams standing, with the U.S. having beaten Japan in the final of the 2012 Olympics. While the victory in London was cause for much celebration for the Americans, it could not avenge the pain of defeat at what remains the world’s most prestigious tournament in women’s soccer. It is the World Cup title that the U.S. desperately craves. That is especially true for Abby Wambach. The 35-year-old is playing in her fourth and final Women’s World Cup, having made her first appearance four years after the U.S. memorably lifted the trophy on home soil in 1999. But Wambach, the top scorer in the history of international soccer, has yet to taste the elation of victory in the tournament as a starter. Four years ago she, along with the rest of the U.S., surely must have felt that a title was moments away. In the 2011 final, the U.S. had already

Kevin Pietersen says he has Australia 2-1, but he also thinks the English conditions will help the home team. Team US are the favourites for Sunday’s championship clash.

been pegged back by Japan late in regulation time when Aya Miyama equalized Alex Morgan’s opening goal. Wambach put the Americans back in front just before the halfway point in extra-time, but there was to be another dramatic twist as player of the tournament, Homare Sawa, scored a goal that stunned the U.S. with three minutes left on the clock. Wamabch would then be the only American to score in the shootout, with Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath and Carli Lloyd all missing as Japan claimed its first World Cup title. To delight of the U.S., Lloyd did hold her nerve on Tuesday to

send her team back to the final. In a dramatic second half of the semifinal with Germany, where the fortune of two errant refereeing decisions favored Jill Ellis’ team, Lloyd succeeded from the penalty spot shortly after Celia Sasic had missed for Germany. But, as the U.S. rode its luck, a late goal from Kelley O’Hara was symbolic of a muchimproved performance. Having been surrounded by doubt and criticism through its progress to the semifinals, Ellis’ team made a formation shift that fostered a display of fluidity and intensity that proved too much for the world’s top ranked team.

Pietersen believes Australia will win the Ashes KEVIN Pietersen believes Australia will win the Ashes, but has warned them England will not go down without a fight. The former England batsman was omitted from their Ashes squad by coach Trevor Bayliss, who previously refused to be drawn into controversy surrounding his selection. The Ashes begins on July 8 and Pietersen, currently with St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League, feels it will be closer between Australia and England than most think.

Speaking to talkSPORT, the 35-year-old said: ‘We have got some key players in [Joe] Root, [Jimmy] Anderson and [Alastair] Cook. ‘They have to have an amazing series because, if they don’t, then we’re in trouble, whereas if you look at the Australian side, they have got a lot of depth in that side. ‘They have got a lot of depth. I know it’s all this pre-Ashes chat which, honestly, having played however many Ashes’ since 2005, it affects nothing. It absolutely affects nothing.

July 4 - 10, 2015

Sports National

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Blue Haven Tag League:

Unicorns of Doom win Cup final UNICORNS of Doom edged rivals Nuff Said to win the Cup final when action in the Blue Haven Tag League concluded last Thursday at the Meridian Field. Both teams had dominated in the lead up to the finals and the championship clash always seemed a ding-dong battle. It lived up to the hype, the teams were head-to-head at the half, with the “standard of play being truly exceptional,” according to TCIRFU’s PRO Dan Willis.

In the end one point 11-10 separated the sides. Thursday evening had several finals to culminate the nine weeks of play. In the Plate final, the Wahoos got past Red Mist due to a superior speed and fitness, although Red Mist did score some points. In the Bowl final Uptown defeated Jolly Ranchers, while Tipsy Turtles won the Shield final by default after opponents the

Gareth Butler scored 41 for Mitsubishi Electric to keep them undefeated.

Unicorns of Doom won the Cup final in the Blue Haven Mixed Tag League. (Photo compliments of Charlton Studios)

Meridian Marauders failed to field a full team. Willis called this season “one of the most successful seasons so far”.

He said that the standard of tag rugby in the TCI “just keeps getting better and better”. Special guest for the evening, presenting the winners with

their trophies, was Ingo Reckhorn (Director of Sales & Marketing for Blue Haven). The new tag season starts this fall.

The Quality Kings scored 201 to beat the Police team.

HAB TCICA T20 Summer League:

Mitsubishi Electric stay unbeaten – Kings bounce back

THE rebranded rugby boys, the Mitsubishi Electric, rolled to their second consecutive win in the early stages of the HAB sponsored TCI Cricket Association T20 Summer

League while the Quality Kings bounced back from an opening loss when action continued in the tournament last weekend at the Downtown Ball Park in Providenciales. On Saturday Mitsubishi Electric recorded a 68-run win over Beaches. The eventually winners batted first after calling correctly and posted 177-7 from their allotted overs with

Vikram John and Gareth Butler leading the attack. John slammed six fours and two sixes in his score of 43, while Butler laced the boundary eight times in his 41. Marlon Graham added 26 runs (3X4s, 1X6). Sidue Hunter led Beaches’ bowling attack with four scalps. Beaches, needing 8.9 runs per over, succumbed to the chase and in

the 19th over were bowled out for 109. Richard Rowe led the way with 22 (3X4s). Ajay Vyas claimed 4-24 from four overs. On Sunday the Kings also batted first after winning the toss. But their batmen managed to push the score beyond the grasp of the Lawmen. After 20 overs the Kings were nicely placed at 201. Man-of-thematch Jeffrey Bascoe and Damian

St. Ange were aggressive at the crease. Bascoe scored nine fours in his 44, while St. Ange scored 42 of his 43 runs in boundaries (9X4s and 1X6). At the crease Police reached 166-7 from seven overs with Alex O’Garro (43 runs 7x4) and Kareem Jack (36 runs 6x4) showing some resistance. Jawelyn Sealey and St Ange bagged two wickets each.

Sports National

July 4 - 10, 2015

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Three TCI softball coaches enhance knowledge with ECASC Coaching Seminar PRESIDENT of the Turks and Caicos Softball Federation Godfrey Been, Paula Virgil-Stubbs, and Keith Cox have added to their coaching knowledge after successfully completing a Professional Development Coaching Seminar by the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Federation in the Bahamas. Been is also the vice president of the ECASC. According to executive member of the TCISF, Virgil-Stubbs, the trio

will look to pass on their knowledge gained in the Bahamas last week (June 26-29). “Our first practice will be on Saturday and we intend to run the different techniques and drills that we have learnt; it’s not going to be the same practice as before, it will be more intense.” Canadian coaches Tom Doucette and Greg Bouchard carried the coaches both from the TCI and the Bahamas on various aspects of pitching.

Vice president of the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Federation (ECASF) Godfrey Been going through a pitching drill.

The seminar also included: coaches education, evaluation and testing protocols (theory), teaching pitching for young players, selection

process, scouting, and making a training plan, evaluations and testing protocols, defensive system process, mental preparation, advance

strategies, evaluation and feedback (rubrics), drills design (simple to complex), yearly training plan and practise planning.

Darly Francois graduated this year from the TCIPS Comprehensive High School.

The TCIPS Lions claimed victory with wins over the BWIC Spartans and the Wesley Methodist Sting Rays.

TCIPS Lions win International Day against Drug Abuse basketball competition THE TCIPS Lions emerged victorious in a one-day basketball competition recently hosted by the Provo Amateur Basketball Association (PABA) and the Minister of Health, Department of Drug Abuse and Substance Dependency at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex.

The one-day event last Saturday proved that sport and basketball in general was a good tool to fight drugs. Players from the junior and senior varsity programme along with the female players participated in fun basketball games. The Lions emerged as champions

after defeating BWIC Spartans and the Wesley Methodist Sting Rays. Galvin Thomas was awarded the dunk champion trophy for a most emphatic dunk in the games and Raguel Suero was named MVP. Players used the event as practice for the upcoming summer tournament hosted by the PABA (July 15-18).

Francois is set on an athletic career NATIONAL sprinter Darly Francois who graduated this year from the TCIPS Comprehensive High School has his heart set on an athletic career. The sprinter, who represented the TCI at CARIFTA for the last four years, cannot think of a career outside sports. If not track the PABA Night League player will contemplate a basketball

career. He played for the Sonics last season, but basketball is secondary to the sprints. “I will like to continue with my track and field.” The 17-year-old Francois, who ran slightly injured at CARIFTA this year, was outstanding at the TCI Inter-High School Championships and was tied for Champion Boy with Wadly Jean.

July 4 - 10, 2015

Sports National

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Bien-Aime says female football growing in TCI – Technical Director lauds Select Team’s performance against Bahamas PRESIDENT of the TCI Football Association Sonia Bien-Aime and Technical Director Craig Harrington have lauded the performance of the TCI Select Team which defeated the Bahamas’ U-17 team 3-2 and drew 2-2 in their clashes at the just concluded Women’s Football Festival in Providenciales. Bien-Aime, who sits on the FIFA Executive Committee in a co-opted position, has been promoting female football at the regional and global levels. She was nevertheless excited about the recent development and its positive effects on the sport here.

The teams entertained the TCI crowd at the Festival.

ON THE RISE “I’m very pleased to say that our numbers of female participation is on the rise again and we will continue to make available to the players, parents and coaches alike, all of the much needed coaching and educational programmes to raise awareness and attract more stakeholders, whilst providing the players with the much needed competitive games to give

them more exposure and enhance their skills.” The CONCACAF executive member said that the local FA has a number of events planned for female football this year. “The invitational friendly was just one of the many activities planned to rejuvenate our women’s football development programme.”

Upcoming events include the U15 girls’ trip to Canada scheduled from July 4-11. While later this year the senior national women’s team will travel to the US Virgin Islands. TCI will also benefit from FIFA’s prestigious ‘Live Your Goals’ programme this summer. Harrington was impressed with what he saw at the Festival. “I think

the win and draw against Bahamas has been a great signal by a team that has tremendous chemistry and spirit to improve and be the flagship with women’s football here in the country’s history.” The TD said from a learning perspective “it was a huge step forward for the women’s game” locally.

Best ever Windvibes set for this Sunday THIS year’s Windvibes is billed to be the biggest yet, along with the multitude of events scheduled to take place, legends: nine-time world title windsurfer, Kevin Pritchard, and former Olympian, Brian ‘de Action Man’ Talma, will grace the Long Bay Beach this Sunday to share their decades of experience in the sport. Organiser, TCI’s best kiteboarder, Hope LeVin is extremely excited about having the pair for the family friendly beach event. “We’re super excited that Kevin and Brian are coming to the Turks & Caicos for Windvibes. They are very unique athletes and it’s amazing and inspiring how they’ve worked to stay on the edge and continue to be relevant in their sport for over twenty years.” LeVin said that the water-based fun day has grown tremendously over the years and it has also changed and broadened “from being just a kiteboarding event into something much bigger encompassing kiteboarding, kayaking, stand up paddling, swimming and now this year, windsurfing.”

Legendary duo: former Olympian Brian ‘de Action Man’ Talma and ninetime world title holder Kevin Pritchard are ready for the 2015 event.

Pritchard is also excited about the trip. “I am super happy to be coming to the 2015 Windvibes. After travelling around the world for 25 years, I finally get to visit the Turks

and Caicos for the first time. I am very excited to check out the place, do some windsurfing, take some photos, and enjoy all that it has to offer!”

Blue Haven Resort will host the legendary pair while the Grace Bay Car Rentals will provide transportation for the duo while in the TCI.

Miami high school basketball coach for PABA Summer Camp

THE Provo Amateur Basketball Association (PABA) Summer Basketball Camp which starts this Monday will have the services of head coach of the boys’ basketball team at the Booker T. Washington high school in Miami, Florida. Jarret Forbes is a native. He was born in Grand Turk and attended the HJ Robinson high school. He also represented the TCI Junior national team in the Junior World Basketball tournament in 2004. He was selected as a member of the senior national team where he participated in the 2004 CARICOM Games. Prior to becoming the head basketball coach, he was an assistant coach at Doral Academy Charter School in Miami. The camp will run until Saturday at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex from 8:30h to 12:30h daily. This year the camp will focus on the PABA grassroots male and female players mainly (but not restricted to) ages 7-13. Registration for the camp is $15 and forms can be collected from the Gus Lightbourne Sports Complex or any of the PABA executive members.

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July 4 - 10, 2015

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July 4 - 10, 2015

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July 4 - 10, 2015