Weekly News Simons lashes out at Brits Volume 26 | No. 17 | April 28 - May 4, 2012
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– Makes bid to lead TCI
CARLOS Simons, criticised in the past as the ‘British boy’, lashed out at the interim administration this week. PAGE 5 inside
Hundreds of bags of garbage collected in Earth Day cleanup PAGE
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Beaches’ foreign recruitment a necessity – Stewart
THE decision to recruit team members from overseas is not a preference, it is an “absolute necessity” according to Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart ... PAGE 7
TCI gets $7.2m from UK for SIPT costs
UNITED Kingdom Minister Henry Bellingham, on Thursday, announced that the UK will be contributing some $7.2m towards the Special Investigations Prosecution Team (SIPT) costs. PAGE 6
Enthusiastic students from the Mills Institute’s environmental club are helped by a parent and grade one teacher in the Juba Sound area during the Earth Day cleanup
PUZZLE trivia SEE PAGE 12
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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April 28 - May 4, 2012
NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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British boy Carlos Simons lashes out at Brits – Makes bid to lead TCI
By Vanessa Narine CARLOS Simons, criticised in the past as the ‘British boy’, lashed out at the interim administration this week. In his statement, Simons disapproved everything from the work of the Special Investigations Prosecution Team (SIPT) to the arrest warrant issued for embattled former premier Michael Misick. “The times are perilous because the British have made them so,” he charged. According to him, these perilous times have created the need for a leader to match these times and offered himself as such a leader. “Look no further. You have found him and his name is Carlos Simons, born in Salt Cay, grew up in Grand Turk, educated in Britain and lives in Provo. “I’ve walked with kings and princess but prefer the company and the struggles of the common folks. “The search for your leader is over. If you will have me, I am your man,” Simons said in his statement. GRAVY TRAIN Simons argued that the SIPT is nothing more than a “gravy train”. He said, “We have a situation in which the British Government is forcing us to pay millions of dollars to Helen Garlick and their other lawyers to investigate so called crimes that were committed on their watch and to recover land, every acre of which was doled out over the signature of their Governor. “At the same time as we are paying these millions of dollars to Helen Garlick and other British Government lawyers, public servants and others are being laid off and the people of Grand Turk have to line up at the public tank with buckets for water. “Now just ask yourself, what is wrong with that picture? And the answer is everything. Everything. “On the one hand they are terrorising and traumatising our own people with our own money and on the other hand they are driving the rest of us into poverty. “It is morally wrong. The only reason it is not legally wrong is because the British have made the laws.” The aspiring leader stated that the gravy train they are riding will not just be stopped if the people choose him to lead the TCI. “I will not spend one dime, no not one dime of TCI taxpayers’ money on Helen Garlick. “The events they are investigating took place under the watchful eye of their Governor, the investigation was recommended by their Commissioner, it is being conducted
I am confident that not only will my party be behind me in that fight, but after the general election campaign which will see us win back the government – Carlos Simons
by their lawyers, applying laws that they themselves have recently made. But it’s all being paid for with our money,” he said. He made it clear that the day he takes office, he will say to the British Government, “not in my name and not on my dime; you hired her, you pay her. Otherwise she can pack her bags and go home.” Governor Ric Todd at a press conference last September made it clear that the TCIG was not solely responsible for the SIPT and CRP costs, and stressed that means are being investigated to reduce the burden to TCIG. Up to the end of last September, the joint cost of the SIPT and the Civil Recovery Programme (CRP) hit $17.4m, of which $10m was funded by the UK Government and the remaining costs by the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG). DIE TRYING An impassioned Simons added that this is not justice and he will see justice done or will die in the process. Addressing the loan of $260M, he stated that the British Government has borrowed in “our name and intend to leave on our books for our children and our grandchildren” to pay back. Simons said, “They have also declared their intention to stick around and hold on to the purse strings until that is done. “That is also morally wrong. The only reason it is not legally wrong is because again the British have made the laws. “But mark my words, it will not stand. I will not have it. It is unjust and I will see justice done or I will see die in the process. “I will not have generations of TCI taxpayers pick up the tab for the incompetence of third rate British administrators. It just is not right and something has to be done about it and I will.” However, according to Governor Ric Todd the $260m is not a loan; rather it is a loan guarantee of up to $260m. The UK Department for International Development has informed Parliament of its intention to provide a loan guarantee of up to $260m to the Turks and Caicos Islands for five years in early 2011. This was intended to enable the TCI to secure a new commercial
bank lending that will refinance existing debt and cover further projected deficits before we achieve a fiscal surplus in the financial year ending March 2013. Former Governor Gordon Wetherell, who announced the loan guarantee in early 2011, said then that securing commercial lending would be a vital step for the Turks and Caicos Islands. It would provide the time we need to rebuild financial stability and balance the budget. Simons also mentioned the National Insurance Fund and noted that if he is elected as leader the budget will be balanced without taking from the fund. He said, “The British Government have come in, they sweep away our constitution and they say in order to get it back you have to meet these milestones. One of those milestones is a balanced budget. “Now we can’t meet that milestone…so what does the Governor do? “Well he wakes up one morning and he says to himself, “you know there is a whole pot full of money down there in the National Insurance Building; I think I’ll just have that”. “But the chairman and directors of the National Insurance Board say no, no it don’t work like that. Here is how the law says it should go. “But the Governor, behaving like the king he apparently thinks he is says okay, I’ll make a new law and take the money anyway. “So he does exactly that. Now what kind of example does that set for the next elected Government? A very bad one and one that ought not to be followed.” RESCIND THE WARRANT Turing his attention to the arrest warrant issue by Interpol for former premier Michael Misick, he noted that this is an affront to the country as a whole and called on Governor Ric Todd to rescind the warrant. He said, “Imagine issuing an international police warrant with our money as though they’re hunting some kind of genocidal maniac and as though they had nothing to do with the circumstances.” Simons echoed Misick’s sentiments for an independent TCI. He said, “I can speak with the authority that I do because I know my party (the PNP) is behind me.
I’ve walked with kings and princess but prefer the company and the struggles of the common folks – Carlos Simons
“We recently passed a resolution making it a policy objective of the party to prepare the country for independence. “I consider myself to be bound by that resolution. I also consider that it gives me a mandate to say to the British you will treat us fairly and with respect or you can pack up and go home. “But, make no mistake that is going to be a long and difficult fight, involving complex legal issues that I am best equipped to deal with. “In doing, so I am confident that not only will my party be behind me in that fight, but after the general election campaign which will see us win back the government, the people of the TCI will be behind me as well and we will begin to restore to ourselves our dignity, our selfrespect, our good name and we will say to the British with one voice, never again, no never again!” NO MATCH Simons added with confidence that there is no match for him in the upcoming elections, on either side. He said, “How do I know the PNP will win the general elections, for me be in a position to deliver? “Well I know that because there is no one on the other side whether he lives in Waterloo or in the South Back Salina, there is no one on the other side who is any match for me... my competitor is a bright, wellspoken, charismatic young man with fire in his belly – all good qualities. “For those and other reasons, which I understand, he does have
some support among party delegates. “But, I want to take this opportunity to tell those delegates who don’t quite understand the seriousness of the time we live in, what they ought to be looking for in the next leader of our party, and the next Premier of our country – experience, maturity, stability, standing and reputation, commitment and the ability to deliver. “The ability to make the case for the TCI, both legally and otherwise, and to press that case in whatever forum it needs to be taken, whether to the FCO in London or to the United Nations in New York; and when he gets there, to be able to look across the table at whoever is seated there secure in the knowledge that he is their equal. “I can say, without fear of contradiction, I have those qualities in greater measure than anyone who is currently in the leadership race or who might be thinking about it. “I was the PNP elected member for Salt Cay from 1985 to 1988. I subsequently served another term in the House of Assembly as the Governor’s appointed member. “I was closely involved in three constitutional changes in the TCI – 1988, 1983 and 2006. I was in London with the former Premier Michael Misick and the Minister Jeffrey Hall to negotiate the final details of the 2006 Constitution.” He called for his fellow delegates to not sell the PNP or the TCI short; rather do the right thing for the people of the TCI.
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NEWS
TCI gets $7.2m from UK for SIPT costs Amount covers 95 per cent of this year’s cost By Vanessa Narine UNITED Kingdom Minister Henry Bellingham, on Thursday, announced that the UK will be contributing some $7.2m towards the Special Investigations Prosecution Team (SIPT) costs. For the financial year 2011-2012 the SIPT costs are $7.6m, which have been paid by the TCI Government. The UK grant will see the government reimbursed approximately 95 per cent of that cost. To date, the total costs of the SIPT and CRP are placed at approximately $22m. Of that $22m, the SIPT cost in 2010-2011 was $6.8m and it was $7.6m in 2011-2012, bringing the total SIPT costs to date to some $14.4m. According to Bellingham, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, William Hague, agreed to make a grant of $6.1m (£3.8m) in financial year 2011-2012 to reimburse the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) for a proportion of the costs associated with the continuing
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
criminal investigation and associated prosecutions. He said the Foreign Secretary also approved an additional $1.1m (£745,000) contribution to the cost of setting up a suitable courtroom for the trials, which will be held as a result of the investigation. These totaled the $7.2m that the TCIG will be receiving for this financial year. In addition to these grants, for the financial year 2011- 2012, the British Government spent approximately £86,000 on costs in the UK relating to the SIPT. These details were provided by Bellingham when questioned by Conservative Andrew Rosindell MP, representative for Romford, in Parliament’s most recent sitting. HIGH COSTS Bellingham was also questioned as to why the cost of the investigation has been so high. He responded that this remains a difficult and complex investigation working across international borders, and dealing with law enforcement and judicial authorities in a number of countries.
Bellingham said, “The SIPT has had offices in both the UK and the TCI, although the UK office has now closed. “There has been a significant travel element moving and rotating individual officers and investigative teams between the UK and TCI. “Ultimately, the costs of the SIPT and the separate Civil Recovery Programme need to be looked at against the recoveries of money and land by the SIPT and the Civil Recovery Team. “The SIPT has agreed a civil recovery order with one individual who has paid the sum of US$1.25m. “The Civil Recovery team has made in excess of 40 separate recoveries of money and/or land. “The monetary element is US$12m including payments already made, judgments obtained and still to be collected and agreements to pay. “More than 900 acres of land have also been returned to the Crown with a value of tens of millions of dollars.” He defended the UK’s funding of the SIPT and CRP work in the TCI. Bellingham noted that normally it is for the Overseas Territory governments to fund criminal
The breakdown of how these costs were covered is as follows: Year
TCI Government (US$m)
UK Government (US$m)
2009 - 2010
---
1.1
6.9
Grant of 10.6 for SIPT and CRP costs (Plus 0.3 spent in the UK)
7.6
Reimbursement Grants for SIPT costs of 6.1 + 1.1 (Plus 0.2 spent in the UK)
2010 - 2011 2011 - 2012
investigations within their jurisdiction. However, he stressed that the cost of the SIPT investigation for the financial year 2011-2012 was $7.6m, which represented over four per cent of the TCIG annual expenditure. According to him, in view of this exceptional situation, the UK Government decided to reimburse the TCI government for a proportion of the costs associated with the continuing criminal investigation and associated prosecutions. EXPERT TEAM The UK Minister was questioned as to why the decision was not made to leave the investigation up to the TCI police force, rather than go to the expense of bringing a team from the UK. Bellingham debunked this possibility, pointing out that this would be an exceptionally difficult and complex investigation for any police force; a task made even more difficult for a small jurisdiction such as TCI. He said, “If this was an investigation in the UK, it would
be dealt with by the Serious Fraud Office, because it would need to have a team of officers with specialist fraud squad and major investigation experience. “The investigation team consisting of former police officers from the UK provides that experience. “It is important that the investigation is completely independent and that it is seen to be so. “The TCI is a very small jurisdiction and an investigation into prominent public figures would raise exactly the same concerns anywhere in the world. “In a similar situation in the UK, an outside police force would be brought in to investigate and there is plenty of precedent for this.” Governor Ric Todd lauded the provision of the grant and said, “I stated in December 2011 that we would approach our colleagues in the UK to determine if further financial support for this investigation would be available to us here in the Turks and Caicos Islands. “I am extremely pleased, therefore, that we were able to make a successful case.”
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
NEWS
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Beaches’ foreign recruitment a necessity – Stewart By Vanessa Narine
THE decision to recruit team members from overseas is not a preference, it is an “absolute necessity” according to Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, the chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts International. In a letter seen by the Weekly News, Stewart maintains that prior to recruiting from overseas; the organisation has taken a huge number of steps to try to fill the positions locally. “When all available avenues are exhausted we have to fill the positions using suitable personnel from elsewhere,” he said. The chairman’s statement follows a recent report in the Jamaican Observer that the Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart-owned Beaches Resorts is ramping up its Jamaican staff in the
British dependency by an immediate 100 persons, with plans for another 50 to be added in the near future. “The fact of the matter is that we have to fill certain positions in order to run the resort and if Turks and Caicos Islanders are not willing or able to fill them, we have a responsibility to find people who are. “We are operating one of the biggest and most successful resorts in the region bar none but that can quickly change,” he stressed. Stewart said Beaches Turks and Caicos is by far the largest resort in the country currently boasting 633 rooms and suites, which means it can host as many as 2,500 guests at any given time. “Operating a resort of this size to the kind of standards we expect requires a huge workforce and so unsurprisingly, we are the largest private employer in the islands both
of Turks and Caicos Islanders and as a whole with over 1,200 team members. “We are also the largest generator of foreign currency in the country, which is fundamental to any economy,” he said. INADEQUATE STAFF Stewart maintains that stakeholders in the matter need to look at the bigger picture. He said, “To operate a resort without enough staff, as is the case at Beaches Turks and Caicos, results in lower standards and subsequently lower demand, not to mention the detrimental effect it has on the existing staff body, whether they are Turks and Caicos Islanders, Jamaicans, or from any other nation. “The result of less demand or even the closure of Beaches Turks and Caicos would create a domino effect
Clayton Greene is the tenth person ordered to stand trial By Vanessa Narine THE sufficiency hearings continued on Tuesday and High Court Judge Margaret Ramsay-Hale ruled that Clayton Greene will stand trial. The judge found that there was sufficient evidence for the accused to stand trial on the allegations leveled against him. Greene is the tenth person ordered to stand trial. Last week, after four days of hearings, Ramsay-Hale ruled that nine people will stand trial in the Supreme Court. The nine are Jak Civre, Richard Padgett, Jeffrey Hall, Floyd Hall, Lillian Boyce, Lisa Hall, Samuel Been, Earlson Robinson and Quinton Hall. The others charged by the Special Investigations Prosecution Team (SIPT) will have their hearings on May 15, the date for which their cases were adjourned. These individuals include Melbourne Wilson, Chal Misick and McAllister Hanchell. To date only these 13 individuals have been arrested and charged by the SIPT. Under the Criminal Procedure Amendment Ordinance, there are strict limitations on what the media is allowed to publish as it relates to sufficiency hearings. Reports made contrary to the stipulations of ordinance shall be a contempt of court and could lead to fines or imprisonment. However, the Weekly News has since been able to obtain a court
Clayton Greene
order signed off by Ramsay-Hale last Friday. ‘D’ DAY The public document noted that on July 10 the accused and other parties will meet to fix the trial date, as well as address other administrative matters. The judge is expected to make the decision as to whether the cases will be tried with or without a jury. The SIPT has been pressing for the cases to be tried in the absence of a jury, while those accused maintain that they will not be able to have a fair trial in this manner. The court order says that the defence is to serve submissions, case law and evidence in relation to trial without jury by 4.30pm on July 3, 2012. It also notes that among the other issues to be dealt with include:
• The fixing of dates for any further interlocutory arguments. • Dates by which the prosecution will serve their case in final form. • Dates by which ‘no further is to be served evidence upon without leave of the Court’ subject to the formal evidence exception. • Dates by which witness requirements will be notifies to the prosecution. Until the set date, the accused have had their bail terms extended. The court order noted that the bail of all the defendants is varied to the extent that permission to travel to other islands within the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) can be notified to the SIPT by a text message or email. During last week’s hearing, the court order said Jak Civre, Richard Padgett, Jeffrey Hall and Floyd Hall accepted that the evidence was sufficient for them to be tried before the Supreme Court, and the judge ruled as such. The order added that Lillian Boyce, Samuel Been and Earlson Robinson, through their lawyers, indicated that they did not intend to make any submissions, but requested adjournments. Their applications were refused and the judge ruled that there was also sufficient evidence for them to be tried. Also, Lisa Hall, Quinton Hall submitted to the court that the evidence was insufficient for them to be tried, but the judge ruled otherwise.
that would impact a huge amount of people within the TCI. “The employment for taxi drivers, tour operators and local contractors not to mention the taxes and duties we provide to the country’s coffers would all drop significantly. “Make no mistake about it; an underperforming Beaches Turks and Caicos would have a hugely negative impact on the entire country. “Furthermore, less demand at Beaches Turks and Caicos would result in reduced airlift. “Airlines currently anchor their schedule to Beaches Turks and Caicos and should that change, it would create a situation that would affect every resort in the country and with it, their staff.” According to him, Beaches Turks and Caicos is the largest private employer in the country with 1,247 team members. He said, “The resort is currently understaffed by over 13 per cent and has been for over a year. “This has resulted in our existing workforce facing long hours and a heavy workload. “This level of output is not sustainable and unsurprisingly we are now seeing diminishing returns on productivity and reduced job satisfaction. “The resort desperately needs to close the gap between the current and the actual workforce required and due to the high occupancy the resort has been running and the quality of service we endeavor to provide, our labour force projections have been revised and we need more staff than ever before. “The labour shortage at Beaches simply cannot be eliminated utilising the employment pool in the Turks and Caicos Islands alone and our need to recruit from overseas is out of necessity.”
Chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts International Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart
Stewart noted too that the issue of recruiting foreign labour is not about providing livelihoods for his fellow Jamaicans. He said, “Quite frankly, I find the anti-Jamaican sentiment very saddening. This is about successfully operating an award-winning hotel resort the best way we can.” LOCAL SHORTCOMINGS Stewart bemoaned the shortcomings of locals in being able to fill available posts. The chairman said last year the resort scheduled a total of 554 interviews from the unemployment register recruiting 154 persons (46 per cent) from those interviewed. “In 40 per cent of scheduled interviews, the interviewee failed to attend…in the past 16 months over 40 advertisements were placed in the national newspapers,” he said. Stewart stressed that his organisation works closely with the Ministry of Labour vacant positions to allow suitable applicants in their unemployment database to be interviewed. According to him, advertisements displaying are placed in the national news for vacant positions on a monthly basis. This is in addition to a flyer provided to the applicant with a list continued
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 Faizool Deo – Sports Samantha Dash-Rigby – Court Cord Garrido-Lowe – Graphics/Production Editor Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams – Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@yahoo.com, tcweeklynews@gmail.com (Talk Back) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
A Weekly News column that puts you on the spot for your opinions on the issues of the day
Is VAT a fair tax?
CFO Hugh McGarel-Groves argues that the new tax regime - Value Added Tax (VAT) - is a fairer tax, compared to the current tax regime, where some businesses pay tax and others do not. The public consultation on VAT has now started and is expected to last until June 19. Also, the VAT Implementation Unit has kicked off its public education campaign. Do you think that the public education campaign is effective, or do you think more needs to be done? And do you support this new system which is purported to be fairer and more suitable for the TCI economy?
NO VAT
First of all, I do not agree with Hugh’s statement because all businesses pay taxes in some form or another. For those businesses that do not pay directly, they certainly pay indirectly. Furthermore, with the VAT, this too will not be fair because only the bigger companies will have to implement the VAT, not the smaller companies and so I do not understand Hugh’s comments. VAT will only be a fairer tax if the government reduced import duties. The government must find a way to balance VAT with the import duty. To pay duty and still pay VAT will be detrimental to our economy. They will tell you that companies will have an opportunity to get credit by the difference between what they charged and what they pay VAT. This is misleading. The VAT campaign has certainly kicked off and I do like the fact that they are starting one year in advance since the VAT will be introduced in April 2013. However, we need more time as June 19 is too short. I think that the VAT team should also consult with the private sector by having meetings in the form of staff meetings with the private sector staff so that the private sector is well informed. Newspaper ads are not enough. Do some infomercials on TV and invite persons from other Caribbean islands that have VAT to share their experiences. At the moment I do not support VAT. We just cannot have VAT along with the current import duty levels. It will be a strain. I recommend that the political parties and the Chamber of Commerce do their part informing the public about the pros and cons of VAT. We cannot rely entirely on this incompetent regime. It is unfortunate that this regime does not listen to anyone and will proceed with the implementation of VAT no matter what the feedback they receive from the public. We need to boycott some of these initiatives and stop ‘eating’ everything they put in our throats. Enough is enough. No VAT.
Taxes always up
Forget the details, it all boils down to one simple fact - taxes always go up and never go down. Government feeds on taxes. How can you say out of one side of your mouth the taxes will
be fairer and then out of the other side say they will raise more money for the government. It matters little which elements of the economy are taxed, the taxes are always passed down to the little guy who can least afford it. Big taxes discourage development and development is what expands the economy lowering taxes. After years of moving from a government far removed off in Grand Turk who took years to approve honest development we moved to a government based in North Caicos where hands under the table chased out every honest developer and took the dishonest ones to the court house. They allowed the underfunded ones to build monuments called Royal Reef and Saint Charles. Nothing royal or saintly about those. Oversight has been missing for decades and the overlords are working overtime to figure out how to milk the last drop of blood out of a dying Turks and Caicos. Once it is dead the corruption party wants to throw us on the scrap heap called independence. The other group wants to get their water sport goodies and fat minister salaries back. What is interesting is that the party that ran up the bills and installed the health system that is causing the taxes to be raised is now being run by those who formulated the mess called NHIP and who were in bed with the corrupt ministers and corrupt developers. They did their best to damage tourism through airport shutdowns. Now they want independence to let their criminal cronies off the hook so they can come back and feed on the last dying assets of TCI. Under independence private land will not be safe from confiscation and the USA dollar and visa will fly out the window. TC Islanders will now just hunker down and wait for some future government to ether destroy what is left through the incompetence party of the 1990s and turn of the century or the corruption party of the last ten years. Where are the fresh faces that briefly emerged and have left politics for private pursuits. During the hunkering down period fish, conch, canned corn beef and rice will feed, taxation will fail and contingent liability will kick in. In the end Britain will pay for their incompetence.
Too much we don’t know
There is too much that we do not know about the VAT, especially how it will replace existing
duties and taxes. For example, if a case of beer goes up by another 12 per cent or more, to almost $70, this along with our extremely high prices on all other goods here will price us out of the market for everything! We can kiss our tourism industry goodbye. Will the VAT apply to the already high handling charges for Provo Stevedoring? Probably. We are about to be taxed into oblivion, but that, I believe, is what the Brits want. I hope everyone remembers how to knock conch, because that is all we will have left to do here. Oh yeah! I forgot, because of poor management of the fisheries we won’t have that either!
VAT not the answer
Bringing in VAT, a most disliked tax currently in the UK, is definitely not the answer, although it will bring in extra income for the accountants and lawyers! To give them credit a number of accountants on island have offered repeatedly to run a trial for the VAT team so we can all understand how it will work, how much additional revenue it will bring in, how much extra work there is in creating this additional tax and how effective will TCIG be in collecting this new tax. We are all aware of their failing to collect taxes to date and are very concerned that adding another tax, which may or may not be collected properly on top of all the other taxes we currently have that are not collected or enforced will just lead to further costs instead of revenue. If TCIG and the VAT team were sensible they would have accepted this trial offer many months ago rather than trying to cram down our throats another unwanted tax that will not provide income from the very businesses they wish to target. How about doing something novel and collecting and enforcing completely the taxes that are now in place? Let’s see the various TCIG departments do that and then determine if we need another rod for our backs (VAT) to deter investment and cripple the small and medium businesses that are already carrying the burden overall and on the verge of failing. No-one is interested in hearing the VAT team spewing their version of how wonderful this new tax will be. We are more interested in seeing a trial and having the FULL results publicised without any censoring of the outcome. Let the trial begin!
Fair for who?
One must ask the CFO for whom are these taxes to be fairer. It is common knowledge that in any taxed based economy that the rich hire lawyers, accountants, tax experts etc to scam the tax collector to pay little or no taxes at all. So, this argument by the CFO does not meet reality because the middle class, the poor, the labourer, the nurse, the police officer and civil servant will pay much more in taxes than the rich. It can never be fair. VAT will also be based on inflated unreal costs and there will be no value added. They do need to add customs duties to
the list of current taxes to be removed and pass a price control law that will allow the government to force prices down. The assertion that the TCI is a free market economy is false because VAT will now be used as a instrument to control the market indirectly and directly. So where there is this kind of control there needs to be further controls to protect the consumer, the worker, the labourer and the poor. The proposals anticipate price gouging but the policy is suggesting that we allow merchants to do the right thing. They have not and will not. What the CFO needs to do is to enable price control, if customs are removed by say 20 per cent then force a reduction in prices by that 20 per cent. So if VAT is 10 per cent the people will see a net saving of 10 per cent. In this regard more needs to be. In the wake of existing taxes, more talk of VAT many residents, expatriates, long-term residents, PRCs, passive retirees, in other words spending power who are not interested in politics etc are leaving the islands. Many of them are saying that they did not come to the TCI to retire and pay out their retirement savings in taxes. This argument is sound and as such the existing taxes are too high and cannot be supported and VAT will kill the economy. The 2012-13 budget will be a surplus or near one but the 2013-14 budget will collapse the economy. Yet these taxes are going to pay for the hospital scam, some $60m a year, unjustified spending but forms part of the budgetary allocation and ensures the increase in taxes so far and into the VAT future. Whilst the SIPT efforts are yielding little results the British are placing that budgetary allocation on the TCI budget again increasing expenditure and forcing a continuous tax increase from 2009 thru to 2013 and beyond. These taxes again cannot be justified. Then the waste, theft, and destruction of the TCI economy by some $300m by the former PNP government has been passed on to the poor of the TCI by the interim government through these “stupidly implemented” tax increases. The British Government, supported and blessed ALL that Mike Misick did, worked with him, protected him, encouraged him to hand this country over to Michael Ashcroft, allowed him to destroy the economy, the bill is in and the people are being asked to pay. The future is VAT, no new scholarships, no new roads, no new schools and third world health care. VAT is a bad idea and public education to fool the people into thinking this bad idea is good will not work.
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April 28 - May 4, 2012
NEWS
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Public consultation on Green Paper extended to June 19th – VAT rate could be between 8.5 and 12.5 per cent By Vanessa Narine PUBLIC consultation on the Green Paper has been extended to June 19 according to the Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary (PS). Following its launch last week Ms Anya Williams noted that the VAT rate could range between 8.5 and 12.5 per cent. Williams, accompanied by Chief Financial Office (CFO) Hugh McGarel-Groves and the Value Added Tax (VAT) implementation team, officially launched the Green Paper last Friday. The PS noted that the implementation of the new tax regime will not be an easy task, but one that will be aided by public feedback on the Green Paper. The Advisory Council and Consultative Forum have reviewed, debated and approved the Green Paper on VAT and the public is being asked to provide feedback on the: • VAT Registration Threshold • VAT Rate • VAT Zero Rated Imports and Supplies • VAT Exempted Imports and Supplies • VAT Refunds • VAT Accounting Records, Returns & Simplified Systems • VAT Sector Considerations • VAT Economic and Social Impact • VAT Transitional Issues The 23-page document outlines government’s policies and proposals as contained in the VAT Bill that is required for a successful implementation and efficient operation of VAT in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Williams stressed that the contents of the Green Paper are not set in stone, rather it is a framework
in which the new tax regime will be built. She said during the consultation period the VAT Implementation team will host town hall meetings, focus group meetings and special interest group meetings. A white paper is expected to be formulated based on the feedback of stakeholders at the end of the consultation sessions. The main features of VAT are registration, taxable supplies, zerorated supplies, exempt supplies, exempt imports, input tax credits, returns, payments, assessments, refunds, accounting records, objections and appeals, penalties and recoveries. SEVERAL FACTORS Asked what would influence the implementation of VAT, apart from the feedback, Williams said there are several other factors to consider. She noted that these include the number of persons who would be caught in the tax net. The PS pointed out, for example, that preliminary information from the ongoing census will help to inform what items are zero-rated and exempt under a VAT regime. She maintained that there are a combination of factors to consider. “There are many benefits of VAT….we have a lot of work to do,” Williams stressed. She pointed out that the feasibility of implementing VAT is supported by a study done by Mr Alan Roe in 2010. The report said, “First, TCI already has a number of other salestype taxes imposed on important sectors such as hotels, restaurants and banking.” However, these taxes are not
Hugh McGarel-Groves in discussions with Finance Ministry PS, Anya Williams
integrated either in their design or in their collection with the customs duty. Hence, there is a significant amount of double jeopardy (‘cascading’ in technical terms). “This introduces an arbitrary element in the taxation of some important activities, which can create unintended disincentives. Second, the efforts to supplement the customs tariff with ad hoc taxes such as the accommodation and restaurant taxes are crude attempts to extend indirect taxation to more areas of the economy: to broaden the tax base. But, this effort largely fails since it still misses a significant part of the total economy. The result is that the taxed components bear a higher rate of tax and a higher burden of tax than is strictly necessary. The three major sectors of taxed activity namely Hotels and
Elections will not be delayed over SIPT hearings, Bellingham United Kingdom Minister Henry Bellingham, on Thursday, made it clear that elections will not be delayed until the end of the Special Investigation Prosecution Team (SIPT) hearings. He was responding to a Parliamentary Question received by Conservative Andrew Rosindell MP, representative for Romford. Bellingham said, “The Joint FCO/DFID Written Ministerial Statement of 9 December 2010 set out the milestones that Ministers judged would need to be met before elections could take place in TCI. “They said that they wanted to see ‘Significant progress with the civil and criminal processes recommended by the Commission of Inquiry, and implementation of measures to enable these to
continue unimpeded’. “It would not be right to delay restoration of democracy longer than necessary.” To date, 13 people have been charged with corruption, conspiracy to defraud and money laundering. The sufficiency hearings in 10 cases have been completed in the High Court and the other three are scheduled for May. Bellingham said the size of the investigation team has been considerably reduced, but the investigation is ongoing. He said, “The focus will now turn to the prosecution of the cases that are passed to the Supreme Court for trial.” Additionally, Governor Ric Todd is expected to make public his quarterly report on the eight
milestones on May 7th and he maintains that considerable progress has been made on the milestones. There has been outcry over the eight milestones being the benchmark for the TCI to return to democratic rule, but the Interim Administration remains unmoved and insists that once the milestones are met, TCI will have elections. That said, preparations are being made, for example the voter registration process, in anticipation that Turks and Caicos Islanders will be going to the polls before the end of the year. Political parties and aspiring leaders have also been making their bids to garner local support. (VANESSA NARINE)
Restaurants, Financial Service and Real estate together account for only 52.3 per cent of total GDP. A tax such as VAT could potentially extend indirect taxation to important sectors such as Construction (18 per cent of GDP); Transport and Communication (nine per cent); Utilities such as Electricity and Water; (four per cent); Wholesale and Retail Trade (4.5 per cent), Manufacturing and Mining (three per cent) and other Business services (three per cent). “The recommendation here is that TCI should move in time to adopt a general VAT system of taxation albeit with generous exemptions that would address the concerns about administering this tax in smaller enterprises.” Williams made it clear that the VAT Implementation Team is made up of skilled individuals, who have years of experience in their fields, and have also recently received additional training on VAT implementation. FAIRER TAX SYSTEM CFO Hugh McGarel-Groves, adding his bit, maintained that VAT is a fairer tax system, compared to the current tax regime where some businesses pay tax and others do not, therefore giving them a competitive edge. He disclosed that the some 300 businesses will be caught under the VAT net and acknowledged that there are a number of small businesses in the TCI. “This will give TCI a stable revenue base,” McGarel Groves said. He cleared the misconception that the family islands will be further burdened since they import goods from the main islands. According to him, the tax will be paid at the first port of entry in the TCI. He made it clear that prices are not expected to be significantly affected and the few that are will be only marginally affected. In fact, the CFO said some prices will be reduced on VAT is in place. “The intention is to have a broader
based tax system to create fairness in the economy,” he said. McGarel Groves debunked the criticism that the TCI is not a manufacturing economy and the will not be able to support a VAT system. He pointed out that VAT is not designed specifically for manufacturing economies, and stressed that VAT has been implemented successfully in a number of countries with varying types of economies. IMPLEMENTATION COST Asked about the cost on of implementing the new tax regime, the CFO noted that he could not yet commit to a cost. However, he said the VAT unit will ultimately be staffed by some 20 persons, which is roughly the size of the revenue control team. The CFO maintains that the TCIG is in the process of building a taxation-system that will help restore fiscal balance and a sustainable economy, alleviate poverty and contribute to other critical social development with the introduction of a modern and broad-based VAT. VAT not an additional tax; rather it will replace five existing taxes, which include Hotel/ Restaurant Accommodation Tax, Communications Tax, Vehicle Hire Stamp Duty, Insurance Premiums and Financial services. VAT will be a tax on consumption, which will be charged on the value of imports and on the value added (mark-up) on goods and services supplied by one business to another or to the final consumer. VAT is expected to deliver longterm improvements to the Turks and Caicos Islands’ economy. These improvements will be reflected in increased investment and economic growth because of the removal of current market distortions, increased competitiveness, a strengthened investment climate and an increase in revenue. This should help ease the country’s fiscal position.
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& CrimeCourt Land scammer lost appeal to leave jail early By Samantha Dash-Rigby AFTER spending one year in jail, a 65-year-old man who conned 14 people by selling them land he did not own, lost his appeal to get out early. Thomas Ewing, aged 65 appeared before Justices Edward Zacca, Elliot Mottley and Richard Ground this week in the Court of Appeal to challenge his four-year sentence. He originally filed an appeal against the conviction but his defence attorney Ashwood Forbes informed the judges that Ewing wished to abandon that and appeal the sentence instead. During his oral application, Forbes explained that his client was not appealing because the sentence was excessive but instead was asking for leniency on the jail time citing medical reasons. He presented the judges with a medical report, which confirmed that Ewing had suffered two strokes, one in 2006 and 2007. In addition, he is hypertensive and a diabetic among other ailments. His medical condition, Ashwood claimed, has caused Ewing a great
amount of suffering in prison because he does not get special meals. In fact, he is subjected to the same meals as the general population. “The suffering he endures in jail would greatly decrease if he is out,” Forbes told the court. Ewing was tried by a judge and jury in May 2011 and was found guilty of 14 charges of obtaining property by deception. During the trial, the prosecution led evidence that between January and September of 2007, Ewing swindled eight Haitian nationals out of more than $75,000 by selling them Crown land in Five Cays. After collecting their money, he never gave them any legal documents to the land and even told them what to do and say if they were ever approached by the authorities. He gave them signed receipts and told them that they could go ahead and build on the land and there would be no problems with the Planning Department. “Everything is already sorted out, you don’t have to go to planning,” Ewing told his victims. Excited to become homeowners,
the unsuspecting buyers spent as much as $50,000 in building costs, as in the case of Joannel Saintage, only to have their homes bulldozed in November 20109 by the authorities. Others have been “left in limbo” as authorities have let them remain but have not permitted legal registration of the land, many having spent “substantial sums” on their building projects. Throughout the trial Ewing, represented by Chalmers Misick, claimed that he was innocent and had “absolutely nothing” to do with the sale of the land. He claimed that all of the victims were lying while giving detailed descriptions of their transactions. In his sentencing, former Justice Richard Williams said he took a number of mitigating factors into account. These included Ewing’s age of 64, his health issues and that he was a man of previous good character. “I cannot give you credit for remorse, as you have shown none,” Mr Williams said to Ewing who sat with his face turned away from all the witnesses at all times during the
Pie to be retried for unlawful carnal knowledge By Samantha Dash-Rigby
DESMOND ‘Pie’ Arthur, who was convicted for having sexual relations with a minor, won his case in the Court of Appeal this week. Arthur appealed the seven-year conviction and secured a retrial order on the grounds that “no male DNA was found” on the victim. This was the appellant’s second time appearing before the Court of Appeal, the first being on January 18, 2012. At that sitting, the judges, Justices Edward Zacca, Elliot Mottley and Richard Ground, heard from defence attorney Mark Fulford. However during the hearing Arthur, who appeared quite upset with his lawyer, stood and informed the judges that his samples were never sent to the lab. He maintained he was not guilty. Crown prosecutor Latisha
Williams confirmed that just after the incident on January 1, 2010, samples were taken from the victim and Arthur in a ‘rape kit’. However, because of the financial constraints of the government and the fact that they owed the lab money, the samples were never analysed. The judges then ordered that the samples be tested. On Wednesday, April 23, the judges noted that a copy of the DNA analysis report stated that “no male DNA” was found on vaginal, rectal and oral samples from the victim. Newly retained, defence attorney Ashwood Forbes argued that the negative results of the report could have affected the trial and gotten his client a not guilty verdict instead. He believed that the trial judge should have adjourned the case until the samples went tested.
At the point Ms Williams and the judges agreed it best to quash the conviction and order a retrial. On January 1, 2010, Arthur allegedly took an under-aged girl to a remote area in Kewtown and had oral and penetrative sex with her. The girl took the witness stand and testified how Arthur drove her to a bushy area in Kewtown, and performed oral and penetrative sex on her. When he was finished he discarded the used condom in the nearby brush and drove her away from the scene. He then got out of the vehicle and made the girl drive home with a warning not to tell her mom of what had transpired. However, the girl, who was barely fifteen years old at the time, told her mother the entire sordid story. Pending his retrial, Arthur is set to apply for bail in a matter of days.
trial. In the Court of Appeal, Justice Zacca noted that Ewing showed no remorse for his crimes and stated that abandoning his appeal on the day of the hearing is not sufficient. He also observed from the medical report that Ewing was seen by a prison medical staff within days of his arrival there and regularly ever since. He has also been seen by a psychiatrist and even got a cat scan. “He’s been looked after very well in prison; medications and all,” Justice Zacca stated.
He continued: “Although I’m sympathetic because of his medical issues, it might to be to his advantage he’s there. The medical says that he eats well.” The judges felt that though Ewing might get a certain level of care outside of prison, the level of care he appears to be getting in prison seems to be adequate. They explained that they can only intervene if the sentence is excessive and directed him to either approach the parole board or petition the Governor for mercy. Meanwhile, Ewing headed back to jail to finish his sentence.
Hit and run victim wants compensation THE mother of a young man who was the victim of a hit and run accident is seeking monetary redress from the woman who left her son with a broken right arm. Rukesh Bechia, aged 18, and his mother are asking that Anika Forbes be made to pay his hospital bill, which is over $1,400. Forbes appeared before Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner in the Providenciales Magistrates’ Court recently and pled guilty to dangerous driving and unlicensed driving. She was fined $5,000 and $200 respectively with an alternative of six months imprisonment. The court heard that on January 19, around 7pm, a car stopped
to allow Bechia to cross the pedestrian crossing downtown. Forbes overtook the vehicle and hit the teenaged Guyanese youth as he was crossing the road. She then fled the scene. He sustained a deep gash on his left eyebrow and a broken right hand. The young man aspires to become a professional chef but his mother fears that may not happen because her son’s hand is not healing well. For the Crown, Samantha Glinton told the magistrate that Bechia was obeying the law. He was on the pedestrian crossing. The young man is scheduled to under-go surgery on May 14.
Do It Centre robber loses appeal
THE Haitian man who luckily escaped with his life after his accomplice was shot dead while robbing the Do-It-Centre store, this week lost his appeal in the Court of Appeal. Frantz Bellevue, 41, appeared before Justices Edward Zacca, Elliot Mottley and Richard Ground to appeal his 12 years sentence. Bellevue faced trial last year in the Grand Turk Supreme Court but
pled guilty at the beginning. During his sentencing remarks, then Chief Justice Gordon Ward stated: “The robbery was aggravated by the fact that you had a real firearm and it was loaded and you discharged it, albeit into the air.” The appeal judges felt that the sentence was adequate and affirmed the sentence. Bellevue will be deported at the completion of his sentence.
April 28 - May 4, 2012
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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.
Is a conspiracy afoot? Dear Editor, The PNP government, British Government conspiracy to rape the salaries of the people of the TCI must end: Because of this scam, people are literally starving. In 2003, the grand conspiracy began to make each person that lives, work, resides or retires in these islands pay for some billionaire’s idea of a health care and developmental scam. So the well-orchestrated rhetoric began in support of the false campaign that the regime of Mike Misick was the answer to our problems. In fact, it was the worst thing that ever happened in the history of the Turks and Caicos Islands. For centuries and years to come the people of the TCI, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the entire Caribbean will be embarrassed to hear of the name PNP when it relates to the Turks and Caicos Islands. It represents a time in history and in the life of a developing people where their leaders handed over the wealth, future, resources and people to developers in exchange for bribes. The small price these so called developers paid to PNP government ministers was small when compared to the fact that they were selling the future of the TCI and its people. It has been comfortably established that the hospital deal is really a scam and a major rip-off. The end result is that people are starving and the TCI is set back some 25 years. The government is paying some $60m annually to Interhealth Canada and because of that the interim government quite foolishly and ill-planned increased taxes on every Turks and Caicos Islander by some 150 per cent to pay for the shortsighted mistakes of the former PNP regime. As a result of the absolute need to cover up the scam, the need to hide the fraud on the people, the contract between the government and Interhealth Canada remains a tightlipped secret with the aid and the blessing of the British Government. The contract mysteriously cannot be made available, its details are kept off the internet and yet all Governors, from Poston to Ric Todd, proudly proclaim that “we in the TCI have an open and transparent government.” This assertion cannot be true as long as some billionaire members of the House of Lords get to make billions over a 25 year period taking monies from the taxpayers, twice, go ernment monies and NHIP payments.
As a result over $250m has been removed from the TCI economy through higher taxes, reduced scholarships, reduced ability to pave roads, build schools, make social security payments for the welfare recipients, give scholarships etc. This money taken from the economy is also designed to have the people of the TCI pay for the waste of the former government: the wild parties, music festivals, $1,500 a bottle of champagne for whole restaurants in NY, nights at the funky Buddha in London - all with the watchful, aware and blessing eye of the FCO at that time. Some $6m was released from the Treasury to build the South Caicos Airport. None of these monies got to the construction of the airport but a public debt was created and increased by that amount. Instead of sending the bill for the $6m to the minister who diverted the funds, the people of the TCI are being asked to pay through higher and impossible taxes which does not really make any sense. The same is true for the monies budgeted for the North CaicosMiddle Caicos Causeway wherein European Union monies were budgeted for this linkage, but again owing to a diversion of monies, resulting in weak engineering, the hurricane of 2008 blew the road away and the government of the TCI must build it back. Because of this, it is doubtful whether the islands can approach the EU for aid monies again. Yet again, the monies for these repairs have been taken from the people through higher taxes and because of this people are starving. Some people and their children cannot eat for four and five days as was shown in the recent case of a woman appearing in court for shoplifting to feed children. Quite foolishly all persons dealing with the interim government are finding that the Governor Ric Todd, Hugh McGravel Groves, etc. and all members of the interim government are doing their best to stop, stifle and block any form of inward investment. Why are they blocking efforts to bring inward investments and new development to the islands? They are finding CFO officials very discouraging of new inward investment. Yet at the same time, while there are no jobs, NHIP scam payments are increased to six per cent, taxes have gone on the people by 100 per cent, people cannot save, budget and in many increasing cases people cannot eat.
SPACE IS LIMITED!
You are serving your masters: The ‘Lords in London’ who put Mike Misick in power by paying for his million dollar election campaign in 2003 and 2007. With their blessing and full knowledge of his corruption the people of the TCI are plagued with higher taxes, a dead economy, a $60m a year hospital scam, NHIP rip-off and suffering for years to come. The cause of these crimes against the people fall at the feet of the PNP regime, the Labour government, members of the House of Lords who are being protected by the Conservative government. It is as if the crime world has taken over and they really do not care. One must wonder whether they are in any way really interested in bringing Mike Misick back to the TCI to pay for his crimes against the people he hates so much - the TCI people. Is this reluctance on the British government’s part owing to concerns that members of the Labour controlled FCO, or Lord Ashcroft, or certain members of the Conservative Party will be investigated for helping the PNP regime, funding the PNP regime, and aiding them in their multimillion dollar rip-offs of the people of the TCI? Are they afraid that he will appear and sell them out; testify, lie under oath, say what he can to save himself and give them, in the FCO and House of Lords up? Why did they let him go; why did they let him leave the islands at a time when they were seizing the passports of other former ministers. He even came back to block the airport road and still they let him go? Is a conspiracy afoot? This conspiracy against the people runs deep and wide.
Beaches employs foreign workers
Samsune Taylor
Dear Editor, The PNP development agreement of 2006 gave Beaches the right to 600 work permits. Beaches resort is planning to import workers at a time when the government has sent more than 300 persons home. Beaches resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands has announced that it is bringing in some 500 workers to the TCI. This could not come at a worst time for the TCI economy when thousands of residents are planning to leave the islands, the government just finished a redundancy programme and the pressure of taxes is collapsing the TCI economy at Olympic speeds. Yet Beaches is implementing the privilege granted them under a development agreement which in all its PDF form shows how the former PNP regime gave them the right to hire 600 people in 2006. They have the right to 600 work permits but this is not 2006 where jobs were abundant and the corruption had yet to collapse the TCI economy. These are lean and rough times where the former government ran up a $350m debt, the British government bailed the islands out with a ₤260m guarantee and the interim government is taxing the people to death to support the guarantee. So the former government hits twice – firstly, to sell the people out with giving Beaches over 600 work permits and secondly, huge debt which is killing the economy. Next will be Value Added Tax (VAT) next year which will wipe what’s left of the TCI economy out.
Dear Editor, I welcome the news this morning of the announcement by Minister Henry Bellingham to the UK Parliament of an additional contribution of $7.2m by the British Government to help meet the cost of the SIPT investigation and the Civil Recovery Programme. It will be recalled that on Monday of this week on the Expressions Radio talk show with Robert Hall I was very critical of the burden this
placed on TCIG resources in a period of economic decline and against a background of widespread lay-offs in the public service. My comments, though harsh were true and reasonable and I wish to thank those who stood with me in the face of the wave of denunciation that my statement attracted. We do ourselves a disservice when the important issues of justice and fair play are trivialised into personalities.
Maybe the interim government should consider cancelling the development agreement with Beaches or negotiating a deal where they limit the number of workers being brought in so that people who live in the TCI can get jobs. At this time and because of the talk about VAT in 2013, the impact of taxes, many businesses are closing and residents are leaving the TCI because they cannot pay these already high taxes. Chicken now costs $10, food is expensive and there is a greater pace of outward migration. The impact is less jobs, less money, a weak economy and to add insult to injury the development agreement that the PNP government signed with Beaches is coming back to hit the people where it hurts the most, depriving them of jobs. There are complaints of starvation, hardship, loan defaults so Butch Stewart and Beaches need to have a heart. Do not follow the agreement Mr Stewart, because of this agreement many persons will be hurt. The irony is that in the 2003 election Mike Misick and the PNP campaigned against Beaches and said that Butch Stewart would “get nothin’” from his government. Now some nine years later this false campaign is coming back to haunt TCI workers because they supported this government, the workers were sold out by this agreement and at a time when there needs to be less work permits this is coming back to haunt the workers. Give us a break.
Welcome news
Samsune Taylor
I have every intention of pressing the case for the TCI people until the British Government fully acknowledges its responsibilities and also its mistakes. Once again I urge the people of the TCI to be hopeful and not lose faith. Carlos W Simons QC Candidate for leader, Progressive National Party
Please keep your letters to a maximum of 450 words or we may not be able publish it.
April 28 - May 4, 2012
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Letters Election Heist
continued
Dear Editor, The mind boggling mess that has become our elections registration is nothing short of the British once again playing with our lives to see what else they can steal from us. During these hard economic times you may need birth certificates, passports, passport photos, marriage certificates, death certificates, parents birth certificates and costly notarisation of one or all of the above depending on your circumstances and God knows what else to register. This is yet another way they are seeking to marginalise the unemployed and retired persons and students living abroad from exercising their right to vote. They have increased everything under the sun in the past three years making it difficult for persons to be able to afford the pleasure of registering to vote. They are either on a haul to grab whatever cash they can as they continue to bleed our country and our homes dry or they have yet again plotted a more sinister course of events to go against the expressed wishes of the people of this country. In my opinion either they are money hungry pirates or they are intentionally making the process more difficult to frustrate us into
throwing our hands up and opting to not register. They truth is they have no legal justification for their actions. They could only be doing this to significantly reduce of voters lists, so there would be fewer persons going to the polls. Having accomplished this feat they would run to HMG and say: “We have to increase the franchise” as the voting pool is too small. Worse yet they will say they have to extend the deadline, so there would be no elections this year. This is a lie from the pits of hell and we need to send these demons back from whence they came. It will be a cold day in hell before we spend another year under this sad British occupation! All this makes me wonder what the hell the Consultative Forum is doing on my behalf? These people cannot be serious! I say its time we threw the cat out with the litter box that has become our representation. There will be civil unrest if this continues and who could blame the population when they are purposefully oppressing us. What say you all? Euwonka Selver
The Vatican crackdown
Dear Editor, I commend the Vatican for initiating of a major reform of the association of women’s religious congregations, Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). The reform comes in light of a hardened defiance of the groups’ leaders against Catholic morality in areas of family life and human sexuality and is meant to ensure the groups fidelity to Catholic teaching in areas including abortion, euthanasia, women’s ordination and homosexuality. The Pope has reduced the problem to a certain ‘radical feminism’ that has crept into women’s religious orders causing an identity crisis among active orders and congregations. Religious women have turned away from theology and sought liberation in psychologists and psychoanalysts who can only say at most how the forces of the mind function but not why and to what purpose. After Vatican II, religious communities began every kind of reform imaginable: abandonment of the religious habit, degrees at secular universities, insertion into secular professions, a massive reliance on every type of ‘specialist’. Not surprisingly, modern secular
values were often uncritically adopted and the concept of love of neighbor was soon replaced by that of social welfare. In the process Christianity gradually became reduced to an ideology of doing rather than being. This is why cloistered contemplative orders are under no such Vatican scrutiny. They have well withstood the Zeitgeist because they are characterized by a clear and unalterable aim: praise of God, prayer, virginity and separation from the world as an eschatological sign. Their wonderful capacity to give love, help, solace, warmth and solidarity did not give way to the economist, and trade-union mentality of the profession. We are at a point now when religious life in the Catholic church should be presenting an alternative to the dominant culture of death, of violence and of abuse, rather than mirroring it. I hope that the new reform will remedy this. With respectful and cordial best wishes I remain, Sincerely yours,
SPACE IS LIMITED!
Paul Kokoski
Beaches agreement, good or bad? Dear Editor, The first part of this letter is directed to the operatives of Beaches and/or Dr Butch Stewart, OJ in the matter of recruiting 150 Jamaican workers. The second part addresses the agreement between Beaches and its ten subsidiary/sister companies and the TCI Government, in which Beaches is given special dispensation in recruiting its entire staff, management as well as line. On behalf of all of the people of the Turks and Caicos islands, I would like to give an open thanks to Mr Butch Stewart or person(s) on your directives, to take time out of their very busy schedules to issue a response in an effort to diffuse rumors and innuendos circulating the TCI, the virtual media, and on some instances, radio stations. May I say that your response was well reasoned, detailed, and supported! As a matter of fact, not only did you rationalise every single decision, but you quantified and qualified. Obviously, the writer(s) has extensive knowledge in systems or have a knack for the buzz words of HRM and systems best practices. But as taken there are distinct lacks, as we in academia and/or HRM industries do know, there too are real benefits of extrinsic and intrinsic reward packaging. TCIs get mediocre and mere salary, foreigners, not only get salary, but extensive intrinsic perk packages. You have strategically placed every single part of this puzzle with Jamaican, Jamaican, and Jamaican. And if the writer of the Beaches reply was indeed Mr Stewart, then, the OJ = Order of Jamaica award given is well deserving. You mentioned all other regional countries had proportional amounts of Jamaicans, and if we were to add and measure we would see that that the ratio of Jamaicans to TCI indigenous would be high. Of interest the TCI category can be overstated because here: TCIs = indigenous and any other who has TCI rights to work, such as PRCs and family derivative TCIs. As a matter of fact, seasoned hoteliers should know the ropes and trades of the business. I am very impressed as to the tenor of your analysis, as your comparative relationships give real projections. While all analysis and projections are very useful, they too come with consequences. One very small, but very important attribute that should be seriously considered is systemic culture of inclusion/exclusion. With much respect being an academic practitioner-scholar I can bridge that gap, resulting in a win, win, win situation for Beaches and the working TCI population.
Not speaking for or on behalf of the government or the Labour Department, but for the undersigned and all the unemployed TCIs and again, with respect, I humbly ask you invite us, a representative taskforce to a joint conciliatory forum to reason. And now on to the agreement between Beaches and the TCI Government to recruit 150 Jamaican workers! In retrospect I want the general readership to be reassured that the acts or in-acts of the leadership/ management of Beaches are decisive and acting with much resolve, in that as will be seen there is authority (though questionable) to do so, as now posted on all or most of the virtual or the news prints! Before we delve into the agreement there are a few observations worth noticing so we can really understand what is going on here. This agreement was signed in 2006 by the former Governor. But the origin of the agreement went back as far as 1993 when the PDM and the PNP shared or took turns at administration and governances. Actually there were amendments in 1993, 1995, 1999 and 2006, so there was time for both the PDM and the PNP to realise things being amiss. So, here, both sets of government PDM and PNP dropped the ball. And I dare say, both parties in concert, must make amends here and soon. Now water under the bridge and no point crying over spilled milk. What is at issue now? The 2006 agreement as signed by the former Governor. The agreement was signed in 2006 when the PNP was in government and still in place therefore there were PNP ministers such as one for development - so why not the government’s minister not signed rather than the Crown, Governor?
Thus, the agreement should be voided! Look further at the agreement/ contract and I hope the legal scholars bear in here for correctness, as there are glaring parts of a legal document missing. Specifically assuming the offer and acceptance the Governor did sign as witnessed, but where is attestation for Beaches and group companies and their witnesses, and where is the government minister of the day? These are select exerts from the signed agreement, and note signed by none other than our famous or infamous Richard Tauwhare, Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands. “The management positions at Beaches do not have to be advertised, that is why we never do whatever any of these positions. “Beaches has carte-blanch. And for the non-management position, Beaches too, controls. “All that is required of Beaches is to advertise, and if qualified, and willing workers are found, okay. If not all permits must be approved based on the list submitted.” So, now with the former Governor making his own deals, it would most definitely make one believe that he too at that time (not only Mike Misick and ministers) was making deals under the table, and getting bribes. Surely, the Attorney General’s Office is still the agency for addressing bad behavior to the authorities, here in this instant case, the FCO and the DPP in the UK, which in all fairness should attract some kind of criminal review. Mr AG, we await your action in this matter as we all must confess that such will draw higher attention than the PNP squatting on Crown land. Regards, Edward E Smith
Open letter to the Governor Dear Your Excellency, I am writing in reference to the recently launched Belongership Verification and Voter Registration Programme. The currently existing process requires some potential registrants to produce up to as many as three birth certificates in order that verification of Belonger status may be ensured. This undertaking initially required payment of a $40 fee per certificate, but I have now been advised that this fee has been reduced to $20. Where this adjustment in the fee is noted, I am sure that with the
growing numbers of unemployed persons in our communities and with the prevailing economic hardship being experienced by our people, many persons are in danger of being denied their democratic right to vote because of lack of means to pay this poll tax to obtain a birth certificate. I am calling on you therefore to make provision for the issuance of birth certificates free of cost for the duration of this voter registration exercise. Dr Rufus W Ewing
Please keep your letters to a maximum of 450 words or we may not be able publish it.
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April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Letters
continued
Looking at the labour situation Dear Editor, It has recently been reported that Sandals is actively recruiting in Jamaica for 150 new employees, all of whom are to be sent to work at Beaches here in the Turks and Caicos Islands and, from the articles in the local newspapers, the positions these new employees will be filling seem to be of the types that could be staffed locally. Given the current high level of unemployment in this country among returning university graduates, new products of our high schools and Community College, those made redundant by the slowdown in the private sector, and recently-displaced civil servants, there would certainly seem to be plenty of local talent for Beaches to choose from. Even though Beaches does hold frequent job fairs for local residents, and we do not yet know whether this planned importation of staff has the approval of government, it would seem at first glance that this largescale overseas hiring is inappropriate in our current economic climate. But let’s take a closer look at the pool of potential employees available on Providenciales. As a former general manager of a significant hotel here, I ran regular quarterly advertisements in the local newspaper for housekeepers, housemen, gardeners and maintenance staff, and cannot remember the last time these ads drew even a single response from a native, with the result that these positions are now filled predominantly by immigrant workers. Why is this, do you think? When all sources of compensation are factored in, these positions pay from $9 to $15 per hour. Compared to the hourly rate of $6 - $8 generally advertised in the papers for semi-skilled workers, it does not seem that the rate of pay is a disincentive. For housekeepers, most of the work is in air-conditioned premises and, with the housemen doing all the heavy lifting, there is nothing more strenuous required than making a bed, so the working conditions do not appear to be unattractive. This leaves me unsure whether we are facing a general aversion to work by a significant portion of the native population here, or whether there is a dislike of working within the hospitality industry itself but, either way, to borrow a phrase from NASA:“Provo, we have a problem!” It is difficult to imagine a scenario in which the hospitality industry
does not remain by far the largest employer on Providenciales for the foreseeable future, and it is the nature of this industry that it requires large numbers of employees with relatively lower skill levels, and a proportionately smaller number of higher-level management positions. Any qualified Turks Islander should definitely get first chance at those management positions that come available, but that chance will only come to those who get into the industry, learn what it is about, and demonstrate both the attitude and the desire that will make them promotable. Fail to do this, and the industry will have no choice but to continue looking outside this country for its best employees! So here are some tips for those who really do want to get into industry (and not just the hospitality industry, but any business) and show that they have what it takes to get ahead. There are lots of opportunities to advance, as shown by all those natives who have demonstrated the initiative and desire to succeed in large companies like LIME, Digicel, Fortis, the chartered banks and the major resorts: • Get rid of the chip on your shoulder! Neither employers nor their customers/guests are at all impressed by someone who takes on a job, acts as though they are doing a favour by just showing up, and then starts putting out lower and lower levels of performance, thinking: ‘You can’t fire me – I’m a native’. • Stop the practice of showing up barely on time for work and then eating your breakfast on your employer’s time! Eat before you come to work, and then devote all your time to being the best employee you can be. • Remove the telephone numbers of the Labour Department and Labour Tribunal from your speed dials! Both these agencies exist to deal with legitimate workplace issues and, while these do come up from time to time, and the employer may be at fault as often as the employee, you should concentrate on being that kind of employee whose employer is looking for a way to promote, rather than a reason to terminate. • Put your cell phone away during business hours! However strange this may seem to you, your employer did not hire you just so he can pay you to talk to your
SPACE IS LIMITED!
It’s a ploy
friends. And also remember - the employer’s telephone on your desk is a business line, and not a personal communication device for you. • Use the internet only for business purposes during business hours! Your employer also doesn’t pay you to shop online, check the latest developments in those Hollywood starlets’ train-wreck lives, or just chat with your friends. If you have some free time, either use your own initiative or ask your supervisor if there is some other task you can take on – you can bet that this enthusiasm will be noticed! • Adopt the attitude that you succeed when everyone succeeds - fix the problem, rather than the blame! If you see something wrong, take the initiative to correct it, rather than thinking: “I didn’t do it – and if I leave it unfixed, then Suzie will look incompetent”. Do all you can to ensure that your employer sees you as someone who stands above fellow employees by virtue of your own superior performance, and not by trying to make others look bad – this is what salary increases and promotions are made of! • And if you are going to work in the hospitality industry, get over the perception that there is somehow something demeaning about that work! If there is any uncertainty in your mind as to why hospitality employers are incurring huge costs (work permits, medical examinations, air fares, accommodation costs and the like) to bring in Asian and other workers, you should realise that it is only because those employees will provide the employer and his guests with a level of service, courtesy and pleasantness that cannot be obtained locally. If you make those skills available, you will be hired in an instant and promoted as quickly as possible! All of the foregoing points are about attitude and, until there is a noticeable improvement in the attitude towards work that prevails in an all-too-large proportion of the Providenciales work force, employers like Beaches will be forced to continue to look outside this country for the types of employees they need if the Turks and Caicos Islands is to flourish as a high-end tourist destination! Lorne Rowe
Dear Editor, Is the interim government serious about managing this country or do they want it to die a natural death before any elected government takes over? Esteemed gentlemen like Derek Taylor, Rufus Ewing, Carlos Simons, or Jay Saunders all have good intentions and I believe they truly hold this country dear to their heart and want to improve things. Also, Charlene Cartwright, I believe she cares, although at times it is clear that she has her personal agenda. However, I sit disturbed by what is happening in the public service. I counted at least 13 key positions crucial to the machinery of government functioning empty. The government cannot function without these positions and the interim government just does not seem to care. By my count these posts are: 1. Director of Planning - Crucial to development and development control 2. Deputy Director of Planning Crucial 3. Chief Medical Officer - Crucial to protecting our health 4. Chief Environmental Health Officer - Crucial to protection of the public health 5. Director of Department of Environment and Coastal Resources - Crucial to the protection of
environment 6. Budget Director 7. Registrar of Lands 8. Director of Special Needs 9. Director of Training 10. Principal of the Community College - Retiring 11. District Commissioner Salt Cay 12. Director of Disaster - We are in the hurricane season within weeks 13. District Commission North Caicos 14. There are no cleaners in the schools. Of the 13 positions listed only four have acting appointments. There is total confusion and disarray and if you are thinking about any development coming soon, then think again, because all positions needed to propel development are vacant. So potential leaders this is what you have to face when you take up the realms of government later this year. This is far from what we expected from the qualified British. Further, not one person has been trained under the interim administration and those students that have qualified themselves are sidelined. They got rid of the good with the bad. It is a numbers game. I was hoping the critics were wrong, but there appears to be a ploy. David Forbes
NHIP violates human rights
Dear Editor, NHIP is forcing persons and their dependants to re-register with their offices and threatens to turn them away from the hospital or alternatively force them to pay a $200 fee for service. This is unconstitutional and a direct violation of our human rights. It is often the argument of hospital staff that there is a ‘free’ clinic operating. This is proven to be false, given the need to hold a valid NHIP card and the payment of $10 for service and additional charges for each examination or test that has to be performed. Overall the service could not be free considering that NHIP gets a specified amount of money from our pay checks every month. To insist that persons re-register themselves and their dependants is wrong considering that they have not ceased taking a (now 100 per cent increased) specified amount each month from salaries to cover residents and their dependants although the registration is not complete. That is discrimination even to insist for proof of status. Article 7. under the UN convention on Human Rights states: “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against
any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.” Article 25. states : “ (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and wellbeing of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control. It is my opinion, that they are treading a very thin line and could be brought before the courts for these violations. However, there seems to be a dictatorship and a modern day coup d’etat where our rights continue to be ignored and trampled upon. I don’t care whether you are a Belonger/work permit holder or resident. We must band together to fight this social injustice for the protection of our rights. We cannot continue under this present administration or these ill fated schemes that will surely see us all to ruin. I ask the population to join together against the powers that be who are attacking our livelihoods and our well being. Euwonka Selver
Please keep your letters to a maximum of 450 words or we may not be able publish it.
April 28 - May 4, 2012
17
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Letters
Budget with Youths will make the difference UK Ministers for approval Dear Editor, First, I am thankful to the almighty God for giving me this opportunity to share my thoughts on issues that are facing this beautiful country, the Turks and Caicos Islands. I pray that the almighty God will empower me with wisdom as I seek to share my views. The reason for this letter is not to add insult to injury rather to be a productive voice for the youth of this nation. I believe we all would agree that election fever is in the air and we are expecting it sooner rather than later. This brings pleasure knowing that the Turks and Caicos Islands will be returning to its democratic state of self-internal government. I have had the opportunity of listening keenly to several prominent leaders in the political arenas including leaders who are considering becoming a Member of Parliament or seeking to be the next Premier of this beautiful country. By listening, this would allow me to make an intelligent and informed decision when carrying out my duty as citizen to vote in our next general election or even endorse a candidate. In recent years, we have seen that the scholarship programme has [basically] been scrapped, budget cuts into the youth department, not enough recreational centres, high labour turnover, students returning back to TCI without a job, overcrowding in classrooms and a number of other social and economic problems that are detrimental to the progression of our economy. It is atrocious that previous governments have spent massive amounts of funds educating and training our youths but there are hardly any job opportunities where students’ knowledge and skills can be utilised to their fullest potential. Moreover, it is discouraging when our youths go abroad to obtain their
continued
associates, bachelors or masters degrees and return home making themselves readily available to give back to their country but are unable to find gainful employment. When will our educated youths be placed in key positions in the TCI? What about the young TC Islanders who are unemployed, about to be unemployed and/or have fallen below the poverty line? I implore our leaders, potential leaders and persons entering the political arena to start addressing the issues of juvenile delinquency, high rates of crime amongst our youths, implement more programmes at the prison and address the increasing rate of HIV/Aids, STDs among our youths. It raises concerns and makes me wonder if we are a dying nation? Our politicians must not forget the youth of North Caicos, South Caicos, Middle Caicos and Salt Cay. These youths represent the Turks and Caicos Islands and they too need representation. They too need recreational centers, they too need the attention of our leaders. Most importantly, they too need to be heard. Moving forward I hope that these issues can be addressed as a matter of urgency so that our youths’ decisions into this election can be the right ones. Historically, the youth vote has been underestimated by party analysts. Yes, it is true, the trend analysts who tell party spin-doctors where to target their advertising dollars and public relations efforts traditionally overlook the youth market. Why? Because the sad reality is that election year after election year the percentage of eligible youths who actually register and vote is small when compared with other demographics. This doesn’t mean the youth market isn’t a force, it is just that it isn’t a main motivator in the drafting
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of campaign platforms and preelection advertising and promotions. But 21st century generation is ready to elect the best candidate to lead this country. Any knowledgeable politician would know that the youth will make the difference in our upcoming general elections - if you do not agree I implore you to review the statistics. The youths of this nation are not seeking a leader of talk, but a leader who has proven that they are for people and by the people and will fight for the youth and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The youths are looking for a consistent leader, not a fly-by-night leader - those leaders who only exist during elections. A leader who is willing and able to portray every trait of integrity, accountability, responsibility, clarity, charisma, magnanimity and good judgment. Achieving great goals is not an accident, it is the result of persistent leadership that sees failure as a temporary obstacle. Persistence is the ability to continue moving forward, looking for solutions and working toward success. This quality is also the ability to confront challenges and retain your perspective - even when the challenges of leadership become stressful or complicated. Persistence is the driving trait behind strong leadership. I am determined to ensure that all the youths I am in contact with turn out in massive amounts to register and vote in this general election. We must take a pro-active approach going forward. My prayer is that God raises up a God-fearing man or woman to rebuild this nation. The youths will make the difference, yes we will! Best regards,
THE draft 2012-2013 budget is presently with United Kingdom (UK) Ministers for their approval, according to Governor’s Spokesman Neil Smith, who pointed out that the first and last way lies with these officials. According to him, the document is expected to be in the possession of the Advisory Council and Consultative Forum in two weeks, during the week commencing May 7. The two bodies are expected to debate and discuss the provisions made in the new budget, which is expected to place TCI on the road to meeting a surplus in the new financial year. In the past months, the criticism has been peddled that the Advisory Council is supported by the British because it serves as a rubber stamp and the Consultative Forum is ignored because it has advice from local activists, many of whom disagree with many of the moves made by the Interim Administration. Chair of the Consultative Forum, Mrs Lillian Missick, has made it clear that the body will not be used as a mere rubber stamp to approve allocations made in the new budget. Smith said at the end of these consultations the UK Ministers will have a second look at the document, at which time they are expected to sanction any changes that are made. Governor Ric Todd will be
expected then to sign off on the financial plan for the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI). Todd is expected to sign off on the budget by May 23. Much importance has been placed on this new plan, since implementation of budget measures to put the TCI Government on track to achieve a fiscal surplus in the financial year ending March 2013 is one of the milestones set for the return to democratic rule. The new budget is targeting a $170m revenue base and priorities for expenditures in the new financial year are schools, employment and key capital and infrastructure works. The Chief Financial Officer, Hugh McGarel-Groves, “The 2012/2013 Budget presents an excellent opportunity for TCIG to continue its efforts to put TCIG’s public finances on track to achieve a fiscal surplus in the financial year ending March 2013.” (VANESSA NARINE)
A number of former civil servants labeled “manager, director” or the like have resigned or not had their contracts renewed. They know why. There is a new qualification every government manager has to pass. They must submit their declarations to the integrity commission who this time will verify accuracy. What if you know in advance you can not pass? Declarations, which show you, have what you should not or omit the same and you are “resigned”. One former premier will not even run. We suspect the declaration test recently affected a person labeled “permanent” who turned out to be “real temporary”. One person who resigned with business interests not in his online biography says he will guide us to independence. Independent of what, the integrity commission? The 2006 constitution gave us a Chief Minister with the fancy label “Premier”. The
same 2006 constitution gave the government a strong step towards independence but they could not handle it. Now they want to go the final step. With “independence” the former Premier now a man without a country can come home. What is interesting is that premier has labeled Britain, “racist.” Beyond that nonsense, much of what he says about the Interim Government is true. Laws are being put in place long missing. Crown land policies under “Chief” Taylor now become crown land laws under “Governor” Todd. “Claims and objections” becomes formal voter registration. Interesting also is the same only partially suspended 2006 constitution lobbied into existence by this same former premier gives the British the right to do what he is complaining about.
Chair of the Consultative Forum, Lillian Missick
Ronlee James
COMMENTARY
After World War II Japan was devastated, bombed into near non-existence. The USA occupied Japan and General MacArthur ran the country installing democracy. An American woman wrote their new Constitution in their weeks and they were off and running to becoming the Japanese industrial giant of today. In the early years, products from their broken industry were cheaply made. When you saw a product stamped ‘Made in Japan’ you put that down and bought ‘Made in USA’.
By David Tapfer The Japanese were clever. They relabeled a Japanese town “USA” and soon they were stamping their
products Made in USA. Same poor product, quality label. We elected one gent and one lady labeled ‘doctor’. The results of their administration is disaster and when they networked with another real doctor and a man labeled ‘deputy’ they left us with forty percent of dollars collected from our new fat tax bill fueling NHIP. Ask yourself if health care is as good today as it was before we had NHIP and its fat tax. We have watched primary care go down the drain under our “Director of Medical Services” recently resigned. Rarely referred to quality USA care you get in line behind 100 pregnant foreigners and take pot luck on the doctor you see. Rodger labeled our hospital “Canadian good”. My daughter living in Canada waited 1 ½ years in pain for outpatient surgery. “Diamond” service!
18 NEWS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
Students get first hand look at the recycling process
Recycling Education for the next generation IN AN effort to create awareness on proper waste disposal and introduce children to good conservation and recycling habits, the Turks & Caicos National Trust led a tour of the recycling plant in Providenciales to celebrate World Earth Day on Monday. In cooperation with TCI Waste Disposal Services Ltd., through owner and manager Ramez Hakoura, Grades Five and Six students of Precious Treasures School saw how the recycling process is done on Provo’s lone recycling centre in Blue Hills, learned first-hand why recycling is important and how they can contribute to taking care of Mother Earth by doing the proper way of recycling. National Trust’s Education Officer, Jonathan Sayao, said, “This year’s Earth Day theme is “Mobilize the Earth: Living Green”. This trip is a good way of addressing recycling, reuse and waste reduction first-hand. “We, at the Turks and Caicos National Trust, believe that fostering green habits with students today puts
them on a path towards a lifetime environmental sustainability; and what a fitting occasion to teach them about recycling education than today, Earth Day.” He added that the tour of the facility gave the students an opportunity to investigate the what, where, how and why of recycling. The students discovered what happens after garbage collection and where plastics, bottles and cardboard end up after they go through a series of machines. He stated that after World Thinking Day in February when the same set of students were presented with talks on environmental protection and recycling by National Trust staff, it was time to see recycling in action on Earth Day. “We hope to make this the start of a thriving awareness among our youth, in the area of environmental protection. Initially, we thought of this as a simple activity for Earth Day. But taking into consideration the impact that it will make to our students and the general public as a whole, learning about the compelling
benefits of recycling is not a small thing. It is hugely important as this will surely help kids make sound and thoughtful choices that will positively influence our local and global environment”, Sayao said. ‘I am amazed. I learned that by recycling, waste products such as glass and plastic bottles can be used to make other beneficial products while at the same time benefitting our environment”, Arneah Moises, Grade 6 student said. Current Miss Earth Turks & Caicos Alison Capron also gave encouraging words to the students promoting recycling interest among the kids, reinforcing that recycling works and how important it is to get materials into the recycling bin and enticing them to take pride in TCI’s “beautiful by nature” environment. Through the tour, organizers of the trip are hopeful that students will be more vigilant in making our planet more sustainable by taking simple steps at home and school to recover resources and dispose of recyclables in the most responsible way.
Beaches’ foreign recruitment ... continued
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of vacancies, a brief job description and rate of pay for the position. After completing the personal data form as well, first interviews are conducted by a human resources department representative. The applicant will then interview with all the head of departments in the areas they have applied Stewart added that every month, the resort holds at least one ‘Belongers Only’ job fair where applicants undertake a an English and mathematics examination as well a general knowledge test on the Turks and Caicos Islands. The applicant is then allowed to apply for as many vacant positions they desire. He said, “In accordance with the Ministry of Labour’s immigration ordinance, we look to recruit from the unemployment register in the Labour
Department as the first option.” Stewart acknowledged that this year his organisation has been working with the Ministry of Labour along with the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association to identify jobs for people affected by the TCIG voluntary severance programme. NO INDICATION In a statement last Friday, the Ministry of Border Control and Labour, it was surprised by the recent article in the Jamaican Observer which suggested that Beaches would be hiring significant numbers of Jamaican staff to bring to the Turks and Caicos Islands. The statement said, “If true, this would not be in line with recent discussions between the Ministry and
Beaches Resort, as Beaches Resort has never indicated that there is such a major staff shortage which cannot be met from within the Turks and Caicos Islands. “Beaches resort management has also, along with the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association, been working with the ministry to identify jobs for people affected by the TCIG voluntary severance programme, in a process which is still going on. “The statement from the ministry said, ‘The law remains that priority in employment should be given to Turks and Caicos Islanders.’” The ministry added that it was seeking urgent communication from Beaches resort management to confirm that the agreed procedures continue to be followed.
Nerissa Fortune with baby Hareph
Miracle baby meets lifesaver WHEN Antonio Santus called Provo’s 911 Centre back in February, he was a devastated man. He was convinced he had just watched his one-month-old baby son die in front of him and was requesting the body be removed to the morgue. Little Hareph had suddenly stopped breathing and was showing no signs of life whatsoever. In Antonio’s mind, only a miracle could now save his child’s life and it came in the shape of Nerissa Fortune, who answered the call. The 911 supervisor immediately calmed the distraught father down and set about giving clear and precise instructions as to how to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an attempt to revive the child. After a few agonising minutes, the youngster started breathing again by which time paramedics had arrived on the scene. Nerrisa said, “It was very hard to hear to begin with because, understandably, both dad and mum were very emotional, but once I was able to calm Antonio down, I was able to pass on the basic instructions. “This involved telling him how to do CPR which is a very specialist procedure on such a young child. At the same time we made an emergency call for an ambulance and I just kept talking to Antonio and telling him as to what to do. “Thankfully, Hareph began to breathe again, which was obviously a wonderful moment for us all. I just kept talking and reassuring Antonio until the ambulance arrived and then the paramedics took over.” Two months later, Hareph is now a happy, fit and healthy baby boy who shows no ill effects from his dramatic ordeal. And there were tears of joy when dad, mum, Angeline Petigny, Hareph and his twin brother Harephson,
went to meet and thank Nerrisa at the 911 Centre in William’s Plaza. Antonio said, “We are so happy to meet Nerrisa and thank her for what she did. Because of her and the grace of God, our little boy is alive today. “When I made that call it was to ask for Hareph to be taken to the morgue. In my mind he had passed away. But Narrisa used all her amazing skills and training to help save his life and she will always have a very special place in our hearts and in Hareph’s life. “Thank you so much to Narrisa and all the 911 staff. They do an incredible job and I just don’t have the words to express how grateful we are.” Narrisa, who presented a cuddly toy on behalf of the 911 staff, insists she was “just doing my job.” She said, “Of course it feels good to know that I helped save a little baby’s life and Hareph will always be special to me. “But it’s what I and my colleagues are trained to do and I was simply doing my job. Antonio also did an incredible job too and he deserves much of the credit. “The 911 centre provides a wonderful service and I’m sure the outcome would have been the same whoever happened to answer the call that day. “It’s just heart-warming that this incident had such a happy ending and it was a real honour and a pleasure to meet the family and I thank them for taking the trouble to come and say hello. It means a great deal to me and all of us at the centre.” Meanwhile Hareph’s sudden lose of breathing remains a mystery with doctors unable to determine exactly what happened. Mum, Angeline, said, “No one is really sure what it was and why it happened. All we know is that our precious son is fine now and we thank Narrisa for that.”
April 28 - May 4, 2012
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
this week
Friday, April 27 to Thursday, May 3 WHAT’S ON THIS WEEK
Friday, April 27
Volunteers filled about 750 bags of garbage in the Cleanup Campaign spearheaded by the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association.
Hundreds of bags of garbage collected in Earth Day cleanup
A GROUP of about 240 residents made a significant difference in Providenciales when they participated in a massive cleanup of the island’s highways and byways last Saturday in observance of Earth Day. Members of the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) along with volunteers from schools, churches and other groups took to the streets just after sunrise and picked up approximately 750 bags of trash. Dubbed ‘TCI Shines,’ this outstanding venture was spearheaded by the TCHTA for the fourth successive year. Children as young as six and adults walked along the streets picking up trash left behind by others. These included bottles, plastic and styrofoam containers and even unusual items such as microwaves,
golf clubs, drums and shopping carts. Association executive Stacy Cox said: “The event for us is always bittersweet and we are happy to clean up our communities but disappointed that we are still collecting so many bags of garbage, after hosting ‘TCI Shines’ twice a year for the past three years.” “For this cleanup we focused on awareness and outreach in the community, as the more people involved in a cleanup campaign the more people will begin to think twice about littering,” she added. And successful they were, as children as well as adults commented in disbelief at how much rubbish there was. “I will now think twice before tossing anything from my car,” someone said as others instantly agreed. Participants included members
and volunteers from Mills Institute, BEST Institute, Enid Capron Primary School, TCI Middle School, TCI Youth Department, Gods Gem, Power 92.5 FM and 102.5 KISS FM, Harvest Bible Church, Church of God of Prophecy and the Filipino community. By volunteering to sustain and improve the local environment, participants are maintaining a tradition that arose since 1970 when US Senator, Gaylord Nelson planned a campaign on April 22 to draw attention to the pollution being released into the air and dumped into water sources – leading to the creation of Earth Day. Forty-two years later Earth Day is observed annually by over 174 countries worldwide with a multitude of events to increase awareness and appreciation of the earth’s natural environment.
DIGICEL sponsors TCI youth ruby training camp Three young aspiring Turks and Caicos Islanders who have developed a passion for the sport of Rugby through the TCIRFU have been given the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Dublin Ireland to participate in the elite Leinster Rugby School of Excellence training camp courtesy of Digicel. The telecommunications, company handed over a check of $6000 to TCIRFU president, Keith Burant on last Saturday, which is to be used to cover the expenses of the three young men as they travel to Ireland for the summer camp. The three athletes, Lincoln Outten and Franco Mompremier, both of the Clement Howell High School
in Providenciales along with KenJames Mullins of Raymond Gardiner High School in North Caicos will receive professional coaching over a one week period which will see them developing core rugby skills which they will learn to perform under challenging circumstances. Head of Marketing for Digicel, Ava-Dayne Fulford said, “Digicel has made a serious commitment to assisting our young people to develop through education and sports. This programme will not only allow these young men to walk away with invaluable training but it will also give them exposure to the professional rugby world and
also broaden their horizon to allow them to see the big picture of what they can aspire to. ” She commended the work of the Turks and Caicos Rugby Football club which has been providing a nurturing environment for young men interested in the sport.” President of the TCIRFU, Keith Burant, adding his bit, noted that he is pleased to team up with Digicel and looks forward to a continued partnership. The Leinster Rugby School of Excellence training camp will take place at the Kings Hospital Grounds in Ireland July 30 through to August 3, 2012.
Danny Buoy’s is Provo’s premier live music and sports destination, serving lunch and dinner daily from 11:30am. It is the perfect place to escape from the heat and hang with friends, all in smoke free air-conditioned comfort. Happy Hour specials from 4-7pm Monday-Saturday Get into the weekend mood with the intense and electrifying Tae-Bo class at Graceway Sports Centre from 6pm to 7pm. Free for fitness members, $12 for non-members. Visit www.gracewaysports.com for more information or call 442-6349. Craig Archibold gets the party started at the Regent Palms from 7pm on Friday nights with the sound of classic Caribbean and Motown tunes. Call 9468666 for details
Saturday, April 28 SALT CAY DAY
in Providenciales, from 10am to 2pm. Persons will be able to purchase freshly grown produce and locally sourced items.
For more information on the Weekly Community and Farmers’ Market call (649) 247-8911. With regard to the TCI Red Cross’ services or how you can volunteer or donate, contact our Provo office on (649) 941-8056 or email redcrossprovo@tciway.tc OR for Grand Turk call (649) 946-2761 or Email:tciredcross@tciway.tc If you’re looking for a serene and relaxed way of starting your weekend, bring your yoga mat at Graceway Sports Centre every Saturday at 9am and let David Bowen lead you into the wonderful world of yoga! Amazing fees for an amazing class! More info at 442-6348” Mums and Tots Dance Party classes are held every Saturday at Graceway Sports Centre for mothers and their little ones. Mothers, bring your little ones to dance, jump, twist and shake! Children have fun learning movement basics to fun music and mums get a light exercise while spending quality time. Mums and Tots classes begin at 10am and cost just $10. Dads are welcome! Call Shara Bowen on 244-1103 for more details.
Sunday, April 29
TC National Trust’s First Fruits Fair From 9:00am to 4:00pm, come and feast at the lavish produce of North and Middle Caicos and visit heritage sites. Price: $75*, the best rate in town! Inclusive of lunch, island tour, ground transportation & round trip ticket from Provo to Middle Caicos via ferry (ferry leaves Walkin Marina at 9:30 am) *A minimum of 30 persons to guarantee excursion price listed above Enid Capron Primary School Fair from 10:00am. Win a DSI, Portable DVD Player and other gifts in our Raffle Hunted House, Bouncy Castle, Movie Mania, Mini-Golf, Basketball, Bean Bag Toss, Hop Scotch, Jump Rope, Hula Hoop and Eating Competition, Food will be on sale: Grill hot dogs and hamburgers, snow cones, popcorn, Cotton candy and a lot of toys and other goodies. DON’T MISS IT! The Weekly Community and Farmers’ Market organized by TCI Red Cross is on at the organization’s headquarters, opposite Lime on the Leeward Highway
Rotary Bingo has a new home at CLUB PILLOWS in the Bight next to Smokey’s (Opposite Veranda Resort) EVERY SUNDAY! Doors open at 7:00 pm
Thursday, May 3 Weekly Foreign a Fare night every Thursday at the Bohio Dive Resort (Grand Turk) from 6:30 p.m. Each week different dishes from a different region in the world. Previous nights have included Italian, Spanish, English, Indian, Chinese, Moroccan, South African and Thai. For details, call 946-2135 or go to www.bohioresort.com946-2135
Got an event you wish to advertise? Call us on 946 4664 or email tcweeklynews@ gmail.com for a free listing.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
McCartney and Christie in shouting match DNA leader Branville McCartney got into a heated shouting match with Perry Christie on live radio yesterday morning over claims the opposition leader colluded with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham on boundary changes ahead of the general election. Responding to Mr McCartney’s charge that he remained silent when the allegation was raised in Parliament, Mr Christie quickly lost his temper, saying he would “have to be a jackass” to play a part in boundary cuts that disadvantaged him in his own constituency. He portrayed the DNA leader as a man under considerable pressure. Talk show host Ortland Bodie had to raise his voice several times to be heard over the two men. He urged them to calm down as his show is “not the House of Assembly!” Mr Christie called in to More94 FM’s Real Talk Live to confront the day’s guest, Mr McCartney, after he accused both major parties of “conspiring to crush the DNA”. The PLP leader denied that he ever “rode around” in a car with the Prime Minister to consider boundary changes, and said he never asked Mr Ingraham to help him govern after suffering a stroke in 2005. He said of Mr McCartney: “I assume he was telling a joke if that’s what he said, because the only interaction I had with Ingraham was when he came to my house
Perry Christie and Branville McCartney
when I was on my way to recovery, after (then Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia) “Mother” Pratt had been acting prime minister for some time, and it would really demean her in her office and the performance she gave to the country by suggesting I asked the opposition to govern.” On the question of collusion on boundaries, Mr Christie said: “I’d have to be a jackass to create a seat of the kind I have now, which would require me to go to 3,000 new voters, which I’ve done. “Clearly if I had some kind of collaboration with Ingraham, I’d keep the seat that I have now, that I won by 1,000 votes.” Mr McCartney interrupted at that point, calling Mr Christie’s claims
“amazing” considering the PLP leader remained silent when the allegation was raised in the House of Assembly. He said members of Mr Christie’s own party “looked around in astonishment” when the claim was first made. Mr Christie then attempted to respond, but Mr McCartney continued to make his point, causing the PLP leader to raise his voice and ask repeatedly “Can I speak?!” When finally allowed to by Mr Bodie, who was acting as referee at this point, Mr Christie asked the DNA leader to “try to be sensible”, and explained that he did reply to the allegations in the House of Assembly.
Cayman Islands premier facing three police investigations A SPOKESMAN for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) confirmed on Saturday that Cayman Islands premier McKeeva Bush is now the subject of three separate police investigations. According to police, one of the investigations involves allegations of financial irregularities in relation to a land deal. In addition, a further allegation of financial irregularities has been made, which is entirely separate from the first investigation. “Finally, allegations have been made in relation to the involvement of the premier in the periphery of a recent incident where a quantity of explosives were imported to the Cayman Islands without the necessary permit,” the police spokesperson said. “All three of these investigations are actively ongoing. The governor and the FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] are being kept fully updated,” the spokesperson added, concluding that “It would be inappropriate for the RCIPS to make any further comment in relation to
Cayman Islands premier McKeeva Bush.
any of the allegations made, or the status of the investigations, at this time.” The first of the three investigations was confirmed by Governor Duncan Taylor in July 2011, when he acknowledged that the investigation in question centred on a letter said to be written by Bush in 2004, when he was then Leader of Government Business. The letter to developer Stan Thomas, written on Windsor Development Corporation letterhead,
and apparently faxed from Bush’s ministry in October 2004, asked for a balance of $350,000 to be sent to the corporation’s account as a result of Bush having “ensured that all of the proposed re-zoning issues” had been approved by Cabinet. Windsor Development Corporation is reportedly owned by Bush’s wife, although according to the official register of interests he is a signatory on the corporation’s bank account. At the time, land purchased by Thomas was the subject of a zoning application. It was rezoned in July 2004 by the Legislative Assembly after Cabinet approved a change in the territory’s development map. However, at a press briefing on Friday, attended by Britain’s Minister for the Overseas Territories Henry Bellingham, who was on his first visit to the Cayman Islands, local media workers were taken by surprise by Governor Taylor’s admission of a second such investigation in response to questions about the first enquiry.
April 28 - May 4, 2012
Bruce Golding sues law professor over defamatory statement FORMER Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has emerged from the shadows with a lawsuit against embattled Floridabased Jamaican law professor, David Rowe. Golding, who had been maintaining a low profile since his Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) lost the December 29, 2011 general election, alleged in his suit that Rowe defamed him in a statement on the Radio Jamaica programme, Hotline while speculating about the cause of his (Golding’s) resignation. Reference was reportedly made in the statement to former Tivoli Gardens don Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke and the United States prosecuting authority during a September 26, 2011 interview. Hotline host and political commentator Richard ‘Dickie’ Crawford and Radio Jamaica Limited are named as second and third defendants. According to Golding’s suit, the “defendants broadcast and published, or caused to be broadcast and published by radio and on the Internet, recklessly, not caring whether they were true or false... words defamatory” to him. “In consequence, the claimant’s reputation has been seriously damaged, and he has suffered considerable distress and embarrassment,” according to the suit. He is claiming damages for libel, legal cost and any further relief as the court deems fit in the circumstances. Golding resigned his post as prime minister in October last year and left politics, citing pressure of work in
Bruce Golding is alleged to have sued Rowe over defamatory statements made on the Radio Jamaica Programme.
the wake of Coke’s guilty plea in New York on racketeering charges. It was widely speculated that the former prime minister succumbed to plummeting popularity over his handling of the United States’ request, in 2009, for the extradition of Coke on drug-trafficking and gunrunning charges. Coke waived his rights and was extradited in June 2010, following a bloody resistance from gunmen who barricaded themselves into his stronghold of Tivoli Gardens in Western Kingston, part of Golding’s then constituency. An estimated 73 Jamaicans died in the clash with security forces. Coke is now awaiting sentencing. Golding is further contending in his lawsuit, filed in the Jamaican Supreme Court by attorney Kathryn Phipps, that first defendant Rowe had not responded to requests by e-mail and registered post for an apology for the statement.
Bahamian police deny reports over rape claim POLICE chiefs in the Bahamas remained tightlipped over the nature of complaints filed against a senior police officer on Tuesday. Deputy Commissioner of Police Quinn McCartney denied reports that the senior officer was placed on administrative leave due to rape allegations. However, he said no further clarification would be given until investigations have been completed. Mr McCartney said there were no officers currently under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct with a female officer. “The Complaints and Corruption’s branch is investigating allegations that were recently brought to our attention that involve a senior police officer,” said Mr McCartney, who is responsible for police force discipline. “In an effort not to prejudice the ongoing inquiries, it is the position of the police force that no further comments will be
made publicly beyond this point.” According to sources, an official complaint was filed against the officer on Thursday. The allegations were also published in The Nassau Guardian, who reported that claims of sexual misconduct were filed by four female officers. Mr McCartney maintained that all allegations of misconduct by officers are thoroughly investigated, not withstanding rank. “On conclusion of the investigations if we believe there is sufficient evidence to put that officer before the criminal courts, the officer will be placed before the criminal courts,” he said. “If there is sufficient information to place before the police disciplinary tribunal which is our internal mechanism for dealing with complaints - it will go before the disciplinary tribunal.” (Tribune242)
April 28 - May 4, 2012
Regional News
Not one cent to REDjet
FORMER Minister of Tourism Noel Lynch has advised Government not to give grounded REDjet one cent, even as Prime Minister Freundel Stuart signalled that his administration was considering helping the airline. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart told Barbadians at a town hall meeting in Washington D.C. on Sunday evening that Government had an obligation to see how it could assist the carrier which announced on March 16 that it was suspending all flights.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
He said given that Government subsidises United States-based carrier American Airlines (AA), it would be hard to defend not giving some assistance to the Barbadosbased carrier. “We pay a few million dollars to American Airlines every year so that we can get people out of the United States into Barbados and if we’re doing that we cannot credibly turn our back on an airline like REDjet if it has run into difficulty.” (DP/ Barbados nation)
Haitian downplays diplomatic spat with Jamaica A LEADING businessman from Haiti has downplayed the recent closure of the Haitian embassy in Jamaica and any adverse impact that may have on trade relations between the two countries. Haiti withdrew its diplomatic agents three weeks ago, leading to suspicion that a diplomatic row between the two countries, 161 kilometres away from each other in the Caribbean Sea, could be brewing. But Philippe Saint-Cyr, executive director of The
American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) of Haiti, does not believe the Haitian Government made the move with any serious malice towards Jamaica. It was just a routine change over of diplomats, he said, which came with the change in Haitian prime ministers — Laurent Lamothe replaced Garry Conille earlier this month — despite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Haiti citing “nonreciprocity” as one of the reasons for its March 30 pull-out.
“With the change in prime ministers, they changed all the consuls general in the US and changed a lot of the ambassadors recently,” said Saint-Cyr. “That is probably one of the changes they wanted to do in Jamaica as well, so I think it’s business as usual,” Saint-Cyr told the Jamaica Observer after an AMCHAM Jamaica luncheon at the Pegasus hotel for a Haitian trade delegation which visited the island on Monday.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Flamingos F
lamingos are famous for their bright pink feathers, stilt-like legs, and S-shaped neck. They’re also known for “running” on water, thanks to their webbed feet, to gain speed before lifting up into the sky. Once airborne, flamingos fly with their long neck and legs outstretched. Flamingos fly in large flocks, sometimes with thousands of other flamingos. You’ll find flamingos throughout the world’s warmer regions, near shallow lakes and lagoons. On the ground, flamingos fish while walking in shallow water and mud. Their favorite foods include shrimp, snails, and plantlike water organisms called algae. When a flamingo spots a potential meal, it plunges its head into the water, twists it upside down, and
April 28 - May 4, 2012
scoops the fish using its upper beak like a shovel. A series of hairlike “combs” inside the flamingo’s beak act as a filter to separate food from muddy water. Flamingos build nests that look like mounds of mud along waterways. At the top of the mound, in a shallow hole, the female lays one egg. The parents take turns sitting on the egg to keep it warm. After about 30 days, the egg hatches. Flamingo young are born white, with soft, downy feathers and a straight bill. The bill gradually curves downward as the flamingo matures. Both parents take care of the newborn flamingo. The young leave the nest after about five days to join other young flamingos in small groups, returning to the parents for food. The parents identify their chick by its voice. After about three weeks, the adults herd young flamingos into large groups called crèches. The young find safety in the crèches and start to look for food on their own.
FAST FACTS ON FLAMINGOS A flamingo’s color varies depending on its diet. Their vibrant pink or reddish color comes from eating algae and small crustaceans such as shrimp that have carotenoid pigments (carrots have them too). There are five species (types) of flamingos. The most common type is the lesser flamingo, found mainly in eastern and southern Africa and India. The rarest flamingos are the Andean and James’ flamingos, which reside near highland lakes of the Andes Mountains in South America. Adult flamingos stand between three and six and a half feet (0.9 to 2 meters) tall. Flamingos can live from 20 to 30 years in the wild. In captivity, flamingos can live even longer.
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It’s always “a world of fun” for kids and the young at heart 18 hole Mini Golf Course, Grand Prix “Go Cart” Race Track and Video Game Arcade.
Longbay Road, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands.
Tel: 649-941-4653 Fax: 649-941-4759
April 28 - May 4, 2012
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
The world celebrates Earth day on April 22 of each year. On this day we are reminded to something to help take care of our planet. We can save water, energy and limit our waste to help keep our surroundings clean. A clean healthy planet will help our plants, animals and us to live long, healthy lives. Remember to do your part every day to help our world!
Earth Day Word Search Find all the Earth Day related words that are listed at the bottom of the page and circle each of them in the block letters below. They can be forwards, backwards, up, down and diagonal. ATMOSPHERE CONSERVE EARTH ECOSYSTEM ENERGY ENVIRONMENT GREEN HABITAT PLANET PLANT PRESERVE RECYCLE REDUCE RESOURCE REUSE SOIL TREES WATER
recycling maze
Earth Day Crossword Across
1. Use less--use only what you need. 5. The science studying the relationship between plants or animals and their environment. 7. The surroundings in which a person, plant or animal lives. 9. Use an item again. 10. H2O 11. The top layer of the earth’s surface.
Down
1. Extract useful materials from garbage or waste. 2. Use carefully, avoiding waste. 3. A living organism that is not able to move itself. 4. The planet we live on –the only planet where life exists. 6. A living being capable of voluntary movement. 8. Getting bigger
Across: 1. Reduce, 5. Ecology, 7. Environment, 9. Reuse, 10. Water, 11.Soil Down: 1. Recycle, 2. Conserve, 3. Plant, 4. Earth, 6. Animal, 8. Growth
1. Do not litter. 2 Don't leave the water running while brushing your teeth. 3 Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic ones. 4. Encourage your parents to carry a reusable shopping bag instead of using plastic bags. 5. Turn off lights, fans or the TV when not in use. 6. Share these tips with your family and friends
Earth Day
Can you spot the
answers
things we can do to protect our world
Happy y a D h t r Ea
8 differences?
Find the path from the recyclables to the recycling centre
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For the largest selection of books, educational items, toys, magazines, gifts and games on island Visit the Unicorn Bookstore at the main IGA
We stock all the current bestsellers including the Hunger games series
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
Fuhn ingsearc Spwrord Can you find the words associated with the coming of Spring.
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APRIL MARCH BASEBALL MAY BLOSSOMS NESTING BUDS PUDDLES FLOWERS RAIN GARDENING ROBIN GREEN SHOWERS GROWING SUNSHINE KITE WINDS See solution next week MARBLES
Educating, Building and Protecting the Caribbean
Sandals Foundation, Uplifting, Engaging & Empowering the Turk & Caicos Islands through Educational Opportunities, Community Improvement and Environmental Protection.
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
fun zone 27
Weekly Horoscope
Calvin and Hobbes
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Changes in your daily routine as well as long-term objectives could lead to a serious shake up. However, that’s not the real problem. It’s that decisions are up to others, which you dislike. Still, they know what they’re doing, perhaps better than you do.
Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Wizard of Id
Between now and mid-May’s splendid planetary alliance involving Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Pluto, extraordinary things are on the anvil. Knowing that, explore everything. You’ll only regret what you didn’t do, not what you did.
Gemini (May 21- June 20)
If you would like to make the best of the fantastic cycle of growth that begins in mid-June, certain existing arrangements and even goals must go. They’re holding you back now and would cause even greater problems over the coming months.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
easy
Star Puzzle
It is vital that people understand who and what is important to you. While you’re reviewing your own options, certain people are making decisions that will shape your life. Be frank. They’ll understand, more than you think possible.
Leo (July 23 - August 22)
You’re feeling overwhelmed by the success of your efforts. The pace and intensity of events are triggering feelings of emotional vulnerability as well. Don’t worry as you’ll eventually learn to enjoy these.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
To complete the puzzle fill in each of the empty hexagon cells with numbers between 1 & 7 following the 3 rules below;
The pace of events and the nature of developments currently reshaping your life prevent your usual micromanaging. Let go and savour the twists and turns this remarkable if unpredictable cycle bring your way.
1. No numbers in a horizontal line can be repeated. 2. No numbers in a diagonal line can be repeated. 3. No numbers in the 7 gray hexagons can be repeated.
Libra (September 23- October 22)
You tend to be rigid in your thinking or habits. Now events are challenging that. Tempting as it is to stick with the familiar, you’re urged to go with the flow. Risky as this seems now, by mid-May you’ll know why it was a good idea.
* Note that each white hexagon belongs to a line of 7 that must contain each of the numbers between 1 and 7.
Sudoku
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.
1 6
2
2 7 1 5
8 4
2
3
If there’s any challenge, it’s the anxieties triggered by the changes rearranging elements of your life rather than real concerns. The pattern behind this climaxes with mid-May’s stunning events. This will enrich your life, if you allow.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
While you’re comfortable with the pace and intensity of change, some want details where there aren’t any. Avoid them and if you can’t, say only the minimum. Soon the splendid events promised by the planetary activity will do the job for you.
7 2 4 5
Capricorn (December 21 - January 19)
2 9 1 6 4 7 4 8 7 9 5 9 8
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The kind of changes currently rearranging your life are going to shake things up. Recognise this and simply plunge in and let experience be your guide. You’ll soon wonder why you didn’t adopt this easy-going approach years ago.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
The nature of events gives you little choice but to allow things to unfold as they must. Although they’re going amazingly, the Full Moon on May 6 could trigger anxieties. Remember, they’ll pass as swiftly as they came.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
The unsettling events currently reshaping the lives of others begin a cycle of questioning, which will be heightened by eclipses in May and June. So keep things flexible so that you can cope with yet more changes.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
The Dentist and you
Diabetes and Oral Health For people living with diabetes, teeth and gum problems can be more common than for other people and the consequences can be potentially worse. Therefore it makes sense to follow a good dental care regime. The good news is that it does not have to be complicated or significantly different to that followed by a non-diabetes sufferer and it does not have to be expensive. Why is someone with diabetes at higher risk of teeth & gum problems? The structure of the blood vessels is altered in a person who has
Pumpkin Pancakes
Dr Mark Osmond Mark Osmond BDS (Lond) LDS RCS (Eng). Mark Osmond Dental Clinic - (649) 432 3777, drmosmond@gmail.com or Find us on Facebook
diabetes, which can impact on the efficiency of the blood flow. This in turn can compromise the strength of the bone and gums and therefore leave them more susceptible to infection. A secondary point is that if diabetes is not well managed there may be higher-than-usual levels of glucose in the saliva which encourages the increase of bacteria in the mouth. The potential problems include: Gum Disease People with diabetes are at an increased risk of serious gum disease because they are generally more susceptible to bacterial infection and have a decreased ability to fight the bacteria that can invade the gums. It is estimated that a third of all diabetics will suffer from gum disease at some point. “Periodontal (gum) disease further complicates diabetes
because the inflammation impairs the body’s ability to utilize insulin,” says Pamela McClain, DDS, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. To further complicate matters, diabetes and periodontitis have a two-way relationship. High blood sugar provides ideal conditions for infection to grow, including gum infections. Fortunately you can use the gum disease-diabetes relationship to your favor: managing one can help bring the other under control. The symptoms of gum disease include bleeding, inflamed, red or sore gums; receding gums; pus around the teeth/ gums; bad breath and in severe cases the bone is eroded and the teeth become loose. Thrush This is a fungal infection characterized by creamy/white patches on the tongue, lips or inside the cheeks. It can also cause redness or bleeding, soreness, an unpleasant taste and cracks at the corners of the lips. Cavities If the diabetes is not well managed the saliva in the mouth will contain a higher-than-normal level of glucose. The bacteria in the mouth will turn this sugar to acid which attacks the
enamel of the teeth and causes dental decay and cavities. Dry Mouth This can be a result of uncontrolled glucose levels and as well as being uncomfortable can also encourage the development of gum disease or thrush. Patients with dry mouth also have a higher incidence of decay as there is not enough saliva to buffer the acid produced after eating, so increasing the risk of cavities. Best practice to maintain a healthy mouth The single most important point in maintaining your oral health is to control your blood glucose levels. Then, as with anyone, you need to follow a sensible daily teeth-
cleaning schedule. This means brushing your teeth twice a day, once in the morning when you wake and last thing at night before you go to sleep. Use a medium bristle tooth brush, a fluoride toothpaste and brush for around 2 minutes morning and evening. Flossing between the teeth is recommended once a day. Regular six monthly check-ups with the dentist are important and will ensure that any problems such as gum disease, infection or tooth decay are detected early and action can be taken to correct them. If your dentist is not already aware, it is important to inform him that you have diabetes. A balanced, healthy diet and if possible avoiding smoking will also help to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
• It is high in acid that inhibits the growth of some types of cancer cells, and high amounts of polyphenolic compounds known for their anti-cancer properties; • Pumpkin seed oil has a natural sun protection factor; and • It contains a strong antioxidants such as Vitamin C, quercetin and gallic acid and high amounts of fiber and manganese. Fiber helps
slow the digestive process so you feel full longer and manganese is a trace mineral that helps to keep your metabolic rate high which in turn burns fat for weight reduction. As usual I say thanks to God for extending new mercies towards me and leave you with these words of wisdom from Maya Angelou, who once said, “All great achievements require time.”
health Tip These are good any season but taste best on cold winter mornings. You can use canned or cooked fresh pumpkin. Ingredients • 1 1/2 cups milk • 1 cup pumpkin puree • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil • 2 tablespoons vinegar • 2 cups all-purpose flour • 3 tablespoons brown sugar • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon ground allspice • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 1/2 teaspoon salt Directions 1. In a bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a separate bowl. Stir into the pumpkin mixture just enough to combine. 2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot. (Nutritional Information: Amount Per Serving Calories: 278 | Total Fat: 7.2g | Cholesterol: 40mg)
The pumpkin fruit This week’s focus is on pumpkin, the fruit of its species. According to research, Pumpkin is warm season and tender. Pumpkin seeds do not germinate in cold soil, and the seedlings are injured by frost. It should not be planted until all danger of frost has passed, and the soil has thoroughly warmed. If pumpkins are planted to early, they may soften and rot. Pumpkin is also incredibly rich in vital antioxidants and vitamins. This humble backyard vegetable is very low in calories yet good source of vitamin A, flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants like leutin, xanthins and carotenes. The plant is a “vine,” creeps on the surface in a similar fashion like that of other members of the cururbitaceae family such as cucumber, squash, cantaloupes... etc. It the most popularly grown commercial field crop all over the
By Phillip Simmons world. Some of Pumpkin amazing health benefits:
• Pumpkin promotes a healthy prostate. Phytosterols maybe responsible for shrinking the prostate. Also it contains chemical that may prevent transformation of testosterone into DHT, high levels of which are associated with enlarged prostate; • Pumpkin contain lots of antioxidant, Vitamins A and C, as well as zinc and alpha-hydroxyacids which helps to reduce the signs of aging;
April 28 - May 4, 2012
Lifestyle... GARDENING
29
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
How does your garden grow
YOUR DIET
ASK TAMIKA
BY TAMIKA HANDFIELD
Tamika graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a Masters degree in Dietetics & Nutrition. She is a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and licensed to practice medical nutrition therapy in the state of Florida. Email Tamika via tcweeklynews@gmail.com or tamikahandfield@yahoo.com with your healthy eating questions.
My son helping with Saturday morning breakfast
Yellow leaves on hibiscus plants Hibiscus are sensitive plants that develop yellow leaves regularly for many reasons. Diagnosing the cause of yellow leaves on hibiscus can be frustrating. Hibiscus are temperamental plants. Seasoned growers are used to sudden yellowing or periodic dropping of leaves and tend not to panic, but novice growers can become quite frustrated at trying to diagnose the cause. While the potential causes are many, sometimes there is no cause at all.
Watering Hibiscus likes to be kept moist, but not wet. Keeping a hibiscus too wet or dry will cause yellow leaves. Since hibiscus are very sensitive to changes in soil moisture, do not let a plant dry out completely between watering, especially container grown plants. A good rule of thumb is to stick a finger into the soil, and if it is dry to the second knuckle, water. Never plant a hibiscus in an area that is prone to flooding or standing water. There are several Hibiscus diseases that can cause yellowing leaves and leaf drop. Mushroom root rot causes a sudden wilt and death. Remove dead and dying plants with as much of the rootball as possible. Sterilize the soil thoroughly before replanting in that spot. Leaf spot is caused by various fungi and bacteria. Damage is usually minor. The primary control is to remove and destroy all diseased leaves. Nematodes are microscopic worms that can invade and damage
BY DENIS Belanger - NATURE SPLENDOR For all your landscaping, installation or garden maintenance needs, please call or write for a free estimate: 332-3381 or naturesplendor@yahoo.com
the roots of hibiscus, causing yellow and dropping leaves. There is no available treatment for nematodes other than soil sterilization prior to planting. Insects that can cause yellow leaves on hibiscus include aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Ants always indicate the presence of aphids. Fungus gnats in too moist soil can damage roots and cause leaf drop. Hibiscus scale can suck the juice out of the plant and cause yellow leaves. Always check all parts of the hibiscus plant carefully for pests, including the bark and underside of leaves.
Hibiscuses are heavy feeders, but over fertilization can burn roots and cause yellow leaves. Under fertilization, especially a lack of minor elements such as iron, can cause leaves to yellow. Using a balanced fertilizer with minor elements is recommended. Finally, being such sensitive plants, hibiscus may develop yellow leaves for no reason that can be determined. Experienced growers accept the fact that hibiscus are rather temperamental, and unless there is an obvious cause, do not worry much about yellowing leaves. Luckily, hibiscus grow back lost leaves very quickly in most instances.
Involving children in nutrition
(Part 2) In last week’s article we talked about how much fun you can have cooking with your child. But, beyond the fun, we highlighted the importance of using this cooking time to spend quality time with your child and to teach good nutrition practices. Hopefully you have been inspired to spend some time in the kitchen with your little one. I would like to continue with this topic by discussing a few tips that can make the cooking experience with your child a fun one. 1. Choose the right timing. It’s Monday afternoon and school gets out at 3:00pm. Mom takes a quick break from work to pick up Peter give him a quick snack, change clothes and drop him off to Piano lessons at 3:30pm then soccer at 4:30pm. After picking up dad and making a quick stop to Graceway IGA, the family finally gets home at 6:30pm. There’s dinner to make, homework to do and baths to take. This is obviously not a good day to try cooking with your child because everyone is frazzled and exhausted. Choose a time such as the weekend when everyone is more relaxed and well rested. 2. Choose age appropriate tasks. Little chefs love to prove how much they can do by themselves but it is also important for the adult to use caution to avoid unnecessary frustration and ensure no one gets hurt. Give your child simple tasks at first—mashing up bananas or tearing up some lettuce for a salad. Once they have mastered these simple tasks, they can help with mixing batters or peeling vegetables (not with knives just yet). Older children can read the recipe and instructions out loud while you complete the steps or vice versa. Children usually have a short attention span so choose tasks they can complete quickly. And if there is a waiting period, allow them to go and do something else until you need their help again. 3. Emphasize safety. The art of cooking involves some inherent risks and dangers but in order to make the kitchen time go as smoothly as possible, safety must be a priority. You don’t have to be a military mom but show them how things are done correctly to minimize accidents. Teach your child about proper hand washing techniques to avoid contamination of food. Use the “Happy Birthday” song to help. Children must be taught to never touch hot surfaces, how to handle sharp objects such as a knife or a scissors and how to protect their fingers when cutting. You may also want to stress the importance of not playing while in the kitchen. Try to think of a fun way to incorporate these rules because, after all, nobody likes their fun being stifled by rules. If you would like to have nutrition & cooking classes conducted at your school or child’s birthday parties, please contact me for more information.
ACCU Medical Nutrition is based in Graceway IGA Plaza, Providenciales. Call 946 8308, 242 3978 or 442 3978.
30
World News
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
UK economy in double-dip recession
THE UK economy has returned to recession, after shrinking by 0.2% in the first three months of 2012. A sharp fall in construction output was behind the surprise contraction, the Office for National Statistics said. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of contraction. The economy shrank by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2011. BBC economics editor Stephanie Flanders says it “adds to the picture that the economy is bumping along the bottom”. She said economic output was slightly smaller now than it was in the autumn of 2010. Wednesday’s figure is an early estimate and is subject to at least two further revisions in the coming months. It is compiled using 40% of the data gathered for later revisions. The UK economy was last in recession in 2009. ‘CATASTROPHIC’ Prime Minister David Cameron said the figures were “very, very disappointing”. “I don’t seek to excuse them, I don’t seek to try to explain them away,” he said at Prime Minister’s
Questions. “There is no complacency at all in this government in dealing with what is a very tough situation, which frankly has just got tougher.” He said it was “painstaking, difficult” work, but the government would stick with its plans and do “everything we can” to generate growth. Labour leader Ed Miliband said the figures were “catastrophic” and asked Mr Cameron what his excuse was. “This is a recession made by him and the chancellor in Downing Street. It is his catastrophic economic policy that has landed us back in recession,” Mr Miliband said. CONSTRUCTION QUESTIONS The ONS said output of the production industries decreased by 0.4%, construction decreased by 3% and output of the service sector increased by 0.1%. It added that a fall in government spending had contributed to the particularly large fall in the construction sector. “The huge cuts to public spending - 25% in public sector housing and 24% in public non-
housing and with a further 10% cuts to both anticipated for 2013 have left a hole too big for other sectors to fill,” said Judy Lowe, deputy chairman of industry body CITB-ConstructionSkills, said. Some have questioned the validity of the ONS’s figures, particularly on the construction industry, which has been volatile in recent quarters. But Joe Grice, chief economic adviser to the ONS, said the construction data was based on a survey of 8,000 companies and had been carefully checked and double checked. The latest figures supported the view that the economy had been “flattish” in the past few quarters, he added. Over the last year and a half, the economy has fluctuated between quarters of growth and contraction. Bank of England governor Sir Mervyn King has previously warned that the economy will continue to “zig zag” this year. He had forecast growth in the first quarter but then a contraction in the second quarter, when the extra bank holiday for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee is expected to reduce output. (BBC)
Gordon Brown denies Rupert Murdoch’s Leveson ‘war’ claim EX-LABOUR Prime Minister Gordon Brown has denied News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch’s claim that he threatened to “make war” on the media company. Mr Murdoch told the Leveson Inquiry Mr Brown had phoned him in 2009 after the Sun moved to back the Conservatives. He quoted Mr Brown as saying: “Well, your company has declared war on my government and we have no alternative but to make war on your company.” But later, Mr Brown responded by saying the allegation was “wholly wrong”. Mr Murdoch had claimed that Mr Brown had not been in a “balanced state of mind” when he made the phone call. Mr Brown said he did not phone, meet, or write to Mr Murdoch about the Sun’s decision to support the Conservatives. “The only phone call I had with Mr Murdoch in the last year of my time in office was a phone call specifically about Afghanistan and his newspaper’s coverage of the war,” he said. “I hope Mr Murdoch will have the good grace to correct his account.” In his written witness statement to
Rupert Murdoch said that Mr. Brown (left) told him in 2009 that since his newspaper company declared war on his government there was no alternative, but to create war with the newspaper.
the inquiry, Mr Murdoch described attending breakfast and lunches with Mr Brown in which politics and policy were discussed. He added: “I am afraid that my personal relationship with Mr Brown suffered after the Sun no longer supported him politically.” Mr Murdoch said he had frequently met Tony Blair when he was prime minister. The media mogul said he regarded Mr Blair as a personal friend and enjoyed speaking to him before,
during and after his time as prime minister. In his written statement, he recalled the then-Labour leader speaking “convincingly about the ability of a new Labour Party to energise Britain” at a News Corp conference in 1995. “Mr Blair did not expressly request our support in 1995, 1997 or any other election, but he was a politician and I had no doubt that he would welcome the support of our newspapers and our readers,” he said.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy would not be make a deal with National Front candidate Marine Le Pen.
France election: Sarkozy rules out deal with Le Pen FRENCH President Nicolas Sarkozy has ruled out doing any election deal with the far-right National Front but said its voters should not be demonised. After losing the first round of the presidential election, he needs to win over far-right voters for the second. Socialist rival Francois Hollande has set out plans to revise the EU fiscal compact championed by Mr Sarkozy. He has made clear he will not sign the pact until it contains proposals for stimulating economic growth.
‘NO MINISTERS’ The shock of election night for many was the 17.9% won by National Front candidate Marine Le Pen, putting her third behind Mr Sarkozy on 27.1% and Mr Hollande on 28.6%. “There will be no agreement with the National Front, and no [National Front] ministers,” Mr Sarkozy told France Info radio. “We need to speak to the 18% who voted for Marine Le Pen,” he said. “I don’t regard this 18% as people
with extreme-right ideas... but I don’t want ministers from the National Front. I’ve never wanted that.” Ms Le Pen is not expected to make her position clear until next week when she addresses a National Front rally on 1 May. Asked about first-round far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, who said this month that he liked Mr Sarkozy’s wife Carla Bruni as a singer, the French president joked that he could say “nothing bad about someone who likes Carla’s songs”. Mr Melenchon attracted 11.1% of the vote. Later, on a campaign stop in Cernay, in the eastern region of Alsace, Mr Sarkozy appeared to address themes popular among nationalists. “The world today needs borders,” he said. “The border protects. It is not a barrier between men.” “When you deny your identity, when you don’t know where you come from, you cannot tell your children where you want to go,” Mr Sarkozy said. (BBC)
School warns parents dead daughter can’t go to prom
THE PARENTS of a British teen, who died suddenly two months ago, received a disturbing letter from the girl’s high school saying she needs to improve her attendance or can’t go to the prom, the Manchester Evening News reported. The letter said Megan Gillan’s attendance was 60.4 percent and the school requires its students to keep a 92 percent attendance record. “I screamed when I first saw it,” her mother Margaret Gillan told the newspaper. If they want
her to attend that much I’ll take Megan’s remains. It’s disgusting.” Gillan was found dead Jan. 19 in her bedroom at her parent’s home. The letter was dated March 16. “Megan would have loved going to the prom,” her mother said. “She planned to go with a group of friends, she was really looking forward to it.” A school spokesman apologised and told the Manchester Evening News, “that letter should not have gone out,” and blamed it on a “software error.” (Foxnews)
April 28 - May 4, 2012
World News
31
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Gunmen kill 15 in Mexican bar, prosecutors say
The US Department of Agriculture has said the disease will not affect beef exports.
Two major South Korean retailers halt sales of US beef TWO OF South Korea’s biggest retailers have halted sales of US beef after the discovery of a case of “mad cow” disease in the US. Lotte Mart and Home Plus have temporarily suspended sales at their stores after a dairy cow in California was found infected with the disease. Meanwhile, South Korean authorities said they will step up checks on beef imports from the US. South Korea imported 107,000 tonnes of beef from the US in 2011. “We stopped sales from today,” said Chung Won-hun, a spokesman for Lotte Mart which is the secondbiggest supermarkets chain in South Korea. “Not that there were any quality issues in the meat but because consumers were worried.” Home Plus, the third-largest South Korean retailer, is a subsidiary of UK firm Tesco. “We are gathering all the information regarding the mad cow disease and are evaluating how to respond to the situation,” an official at the ministry for food, agriculture, forestry and fisheries in Seoul told
the BBC. However, the official said the ministry had not yet decided on a suspension of US beef imports. “If we take any measure, it would be made public within a day,” he said. The case announced on Tuesday in California is the fourth in the US so far, and the first since 2006. The US has tried to allay any fears about the safety of its exports. John Clifford, the chief veterinary officer for the US Department of Agriculture, said that “there is really no cause for alarm here with regard to this animal”. The European Comission said on Wednesday no measures would be imposed on imports from the US and said it believed steps were being taken to keep the disease out of the food chain. The disease’s proper name is bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and its first outbreak hit the US in 2003. At that time, South Korea banned all imports of American beef, though it has since lifted the restrictions. (BBC)
South African airline promotion reportedly gives free ticket to travel with multiple wives A SOUTH African airline came up with a novel promotion this week for male passengers traveling with multiple wives. Kulula Airlines, based in Johannesburg, is offering a free ticket for a man’s fourth wife if the entire family flies together between the city and Cape Town. The ad reads, “Not only will you get a great deal on kulula.com flights for your first three wives, but your fourth wife will fly free, mahala, on the house.” The stunt, which runs until April 30, coincides with South African president Jacob Zuma’s marriage to his fourth wife over the weekend. Zuma has been married six times in total, but one of his wives committed
suicide in 2000, and he divorced his second in 1998. Men looking to take advantage of the conjugal offer simply have to present a pre-bought ticket, proof of marriage and ID at the Kulula counter, and the fourth wife’s ticket will be refunded. The promotion reads, “Inspired by regular VIP travelers with sizable spousal entourages, the offer is open to all fourth wives when the family travels together on the Jo’burg to Cape Town route.” In 2010, the airline used one of its planes -- dubbed “Flying 101” -- and painted the exterior to show where various parts, such as the black box, were located. (Newscore)
A GROUP of masked gunmen stormed a popular bar in the Mexican city of Chihuahua late Friday, killing 15 people, including two journalists, state prosecutors said Saturday. At least 10 suspects entered the Colorado Bar wearing what looked like police uniforms and opened fire on the crowd inside the bar, according to Carlos Gonzalez, a spokesman for the Chihuahua state attorney general’s office. Eleven people died at the scene, and the other four died en route to the hospital. The victims ranged in age between 25 and 72. Among them was Hector Javier Aguirre Salinas, the owner of a news website and a respected journalist. A second journalist, Francisco Javier Moya -who in years past had served as the news director for a radio station in Ciudad Juarez -- also was killed. “The crime of our partners and the rest of those killed in the attack, cannot go unpunished,” Roberto Delgado, president of the Association of Journalists in Juarez, said in a statement on the killings. Prosecutors said they collected at
Fifteen people, among them two journalists, were killed and two others were injured in the shooting.
least 30 shell casings from a variety of weapons, including several bullet casings from an AK-47. Northern Mexico has been ravaged by battles among rival drug cartels, police and government troops for the past several years. More than 47,000 people have been killed since the Mexican government launched a crackdown on drug traffickers in December 2006, according to government statistics. (CNN)
Indian teenager annuls her child ‘marriage’ A YOUNG woman has had her child “marriage” legally annulled in northern Rajasthan state, in what is thought to be the first case of its kind in India. Laxmi Sargara, 18, wed Rakesh when she was just one and he was three. She grew up with her own family, only finding out she was married when her in-laws came to claim her this month. Child marriages are illegal in India but are still common in many parts of the country, especially in rural and poorer communities. “I was unhappy about the marriage. I told my parents who did not agree with me, then I sought help,” Laxmi told Agence France Presse (AFP) news agency. She knew nothing of her future life until a few days ago when her groom’s family came to take her home with them to start her new life as Rakesh’s wife. ‘DEPRESSED’ After appealing to her parents Laxmi sought help from a local non-governmental organisation, the Sarathi Trust in Jodhpur city. “She got depressed. She did not like the boy and was not ready to go ahead with her parents’ decision,” Sarathi Trust worker Kriti Bharti told AFP. “It is the first example we know of
Laxmi took action when her in-laws came to claim her.
a couple wed in childhood wanting the marriage to be annulled and we hope others take inspiration,” Kriti Bharti added. At first Rakesh wanted to go ahead with the marriage. But he relented after counselling from the NGO. Since child marriages are not legal under India’s Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, both Laxmi and Rakesh signed an affidavit declaring the marriage null and void in the presence of a notary public in Jodhpur. Narayan Bareth, a journalist in the state capital Jaipur, says a recent survey found that 10% of girls in Rajasthan are married off before the age of 18.
Boys accused in South Africa gang rape will face full prosecution THREE of four minors accused of taking part in a brutal videotaped gang rape of a teenager will face full prosecution, a spokesman for a South African court said Wednesday. The boys appeared in court Wednesday -- along with three others who are not minors -to apply for bail. The seven suspects are between the ages of 13 and 19. A bail hearing will be held May 3 for the minors and June 20 for the adults, said the spokesman, Mthunzi Mhaga. It is unlikely that the suspects, accused of a crime that has shocked many in South Africa, will be granted bail, officials have said. An eighth suspect -- a man who was found with the victim -- is scheduled to appear in court on May 4, court officials said. The images of the assault of the 17-year-old girl, believed to be mentally ill, swept across the Internet last week and touched a nerve in South Africa. The shocking footage shows the girl pleading for her attackers to stop, and it has some activists saying it is an example of the country’s problem with rape. The girl went missing on March 21. Police suspect she was kidnapped and turned into a sex slave. The cell phone video of her gang rape surfaced and went viral among schoolchildren in Soweto, a vast township near Johannesburg.
32
Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate PHILIPPE MAMET Is seeking a
Domestic
Worker contact: 231-2995
6526
To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour interested persons may.
Classifieds
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
FAST SALE
FOR RENT
3-bedroom apartment $1100.00 per month it will be available May 1st.
contact: 946-4664
FOOD SERVICE MANAGER @@ Minimum 10 years experience @@ International recognized culinary qualifications @@ Ability to supervise,train,motivate and mentor team members @@ Strong communication and interpersonal skills @@ Previous international work experience, ideally in the Caribbean
Candidates should apply to info@ bohioresort.com or PO Box 179, Grand Turk Please include a covering letter, resume and references with all applications.
6492
FOR SALE
Website: tcweeklynews.com
1.3 Acres Of Land Ocean Drive, Turtle Tail Semi-Hilltop
$225,000 o.n.o.
$650.00 per month Gated Community Furnished
CONTACT: 231-3788
Contact: 231-3788
Bartender Building full time for Sale
• Looking for an outgoing individual who has had previous bartending experience. • A creative individual who can enhance the guest experience. • Accepting resumes at the front desk. No phone calls please.
Fax: 946-4661
Email: tcnews@tciway.tc
STUDIO APARTMENT FOR RENT
Apartment
Comfort Suites Ports of Call Resort
946-4664
Six (6) One (1) Bedroom One (1) Bath. Located on Millinneum Highway.Contact Tel: 649 333 1723 or 649 246 6119 Email: capronis2005@ yahoo.com 6459
IBO BEAUTY SALON Is looking to fill he following positions:
GRACE BAY SUITES Is looking to fill the following positions:
FLOWER GIRL Is looking for a
• Cleaners • Maids • Life guard • Masseuse • Beach/ Pool Attendants • Bartenders • Front Desk Manager • Part-time & live-in positions available immediately Please deliver resume with salary expectations to Front Desk preference will be given to qualified Belongers
Flower CoOrdinatoR • Must know different kinds of flowers • Must know how to treat flowers • Must know how to arrange and take care of flowers
Contact: 231-3788
6373
CAICOS LIVEABOARD DBA Seeks and experience English speaking, active teaching, status
CHRIST IS THE ANSWER MINISTRY is looking for a
Scuba Instructor Hairdresser Nail Technician
Must have at least 3 years experience any information contact: Maia Clare @ 343-9494 We are located downtown behind the ballpark 6500
With specialties including EANX and a strong customer service background. PADI/SDI preferred. Candidates must have STCW95, basic safety certification or be willing to obtain it at their cost. Previous live aboard experience and additional skills/ specialties are preferred email: jobs@ exploreventures.com 6548
Musician
Salary $7.00 per hour contact: 649241-5563 or email: mauvette_2004@ hotmail.com 6545
Construction scaffold and roof tiles for sale CONTACT: 431-1591 OR 231-3788
April 28 - May 4, 2012
FAX: (649) 946-4661
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES CHEVETTE D. MCPHEE
BERKLEY MALCOM
is looking for a
MACO TACO Is looking for a
Is looking for a
Is looking for a
Is looking for the following persons:
Domestic Worker Caregiver
Domestic
Sales Cashier Worker Clerk To work 6 days To work 6 days To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. Contact; 241-6206
6607
Qualified PADI/NAUI SCUBA Instructors Needed Successful candidate will be a PADI MSDT with current membership and insurance, resort operations experience including advanced level instruction, dive accident management, compressor maintenance, equipment and engine maintenance and repair. Captain’s license and STCW95 qualification preferred, or applicant must be willing to train. This is a tourism related job and will include all aspects of the company’s daily routine including but not limited to, teaching all levels of instruction, guiding dives, boat and vehicle operations and working the front office. The work schedule will include weekends, public holidays and occasional night dives. Starting Salary $380 - $500 per week based on experience and qualifications.
Contact David Volkert at 946-4232 or info@ provoturtledivers.com Positions available starting May 15, 2012. Please submit applications before May 12, 2012 6576
per week salary $5.00 per hour.
Contact: 241-8194
6573
per week salary $6.00 per hour. contact: 245-7557
Kitchen
helper To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.
Contact: 441-8226
6610
6609
Must be willing to work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.
Contact: 231-0146
MARIA’S VARIETY
LAMONT’S RESTAURANT
6590
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
CLASSIFIEDS 33
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
The Law Firm of STANFIELD GREENE is seeking one (1) suitably qualified
Attorney
The successful candidate will be responsible for the firm’s civil and criminal litigation. Applicants should have at least 10 years experience with emphasis in the field of litigation, should possess good writing skills and have an eye for details. Salary is negotiable and based on experience. Applicants should apply by sending their resume or CV to: STANFIELD GREENE PO Box 481. Graceway House Building A, Suite 201 Leeward Highway. Providenciales Turks and Caicos Island
ATTENTION: Clayton S. Greene Email: csg@stanfieldgreene.com Belongers only need apply.
Only those Applicants that will be interviewed will be contacted.
6871
34 CLASSIFIEDS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES
TURKS & CAICOS AGGRESSOR II
SMILE CENTRE TCI LIMITED
OPEN WATER SCUBA DIVING INSTRUCTOR/ VIDEO PRO Requirements are as follow: • Valid PADI/ SSI/ NAUI Scuba Diving Instructor membership & liability Insurance • PADI/ SSI Enriched Air Instructor • Minimum of 5 specialty ratings
• Working knowledge of underwater camera systems • Computer literate • STCW95 Compliant • Be prepared to live onboard & work long hours including weekends & holidays Starting salary $400 per week
Belongers only need apply Email: tcaggressor@express.tc
FAX: (649) 946-4661
6583
Spa Therapist
VACANCIES (a new Orthodontic Practice in Providenciales at The Courtyard Plaza)
Is seeking to fill the following positions:
OFFICE MANAGER
DENTAL/ORTHODONTIC CHAIRSIDE ASSISTANTS Closing date for applications: 15th May 2012
If you are interested in joining us, please send your CV to smiletci649@gmail.com or call (649) 242-4609
6591
Required for high-volume, fast-paced themed restaurant, located on Grand Turk
Applicant must have a minimum of 3 years hands-on 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, Lympathic Drainage, Reflexology, Facials, Manicures and Pedicures and waxing. Applicant must be certified in all the previous areas. In addition, applicant must be available for work ALL weekends and public holidays and be available from 8am-8pm. Must have own vehicle and current, clean drivers license. Salary is commission based. Must have GREAT customer service skills and be upbeat and positive.
Please send resume to: relax@spatropique.com. Please do not apply to this ad unless you can meet all of the above requirements. Deadline May 11th, 2012 6596
ASSISTANT MANAGER The successful candidate will possess all the following: • At least 10 years, verifiable experience in full service restaurant • At least 2 years of business education at the college/ university level • Must complete micros or equivalent systems and programming experience • Proficiency in Excel, Word, Microsoft Accounting or accounting program equivalent • Excellent mathematical, communications & training skills • Ability to create and work to a comprehensive, item line budget • Willingness and ability to work long hours including holidays and weekends • Excellent, proven cost control skills • Excellent, verifiable references Salary commensurate with experience
Please send resumes to info@onelovetci.com
6595
VACANCY Applications are invited for the position of
Executive Chef, Food Service Manager Responsibilities
Grand Turk Cruise Center is currently accepting applications for motivated individuals interested in being part of diverse team.
General Maintenance
• Direct food preparation, production and control of all food restaurants, lounges and banquet facilities at multiple properties existing and projected. • Ensure consistency in the quality and standards of food product and food delivery. • Provide support as a member of the Executive Committee, particularly to the Food & Beverage Operations Manager. • Assist management in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the operation
Requirements • Good communication skills, both verbal and written. • Extensive knowledge of menu development, insight into marketing, cost and wage control. • Thorough knowledge of food products, standard recipes and proper preparation. • Ability to supervise a large international staff compliment and control performance objectives in multiple outlets. • 15 years experience in an upscale fine dining restaurant and hotel environment. Michelin Star Rated Restaurant Experience Required Belongers need only apply.
This position requires general maintenance skills such as painting and masonry, to facilitate maintenance of all buildings and public areas in optimum condition. • Knowledge of pool and fountain maintenance would be an asset. • Assisting in line handling for docking cruise ships as needed. • In addition, to assist in any various tasks, necessary to keep GTCC operating to the highest standard. WAGES WILL COMMENSURATE WITH EXPERIENCE. Interested parties are encouraged to send resume to: Grand Turk Cruise Center Human Resources Phone: 946-1040. Fax: 946-1041 E-Mail: admin@grandturkcc.com
Please Submit Application to:
P.O. Box 270 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 6611
ONLY BELONGERS NEED APPLY
April 28 - May 4, 2012
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
Bay Bistro
FAX: (649) 946-4661
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES
DEXTER & ROCHELLE WILLIAMS
Is looking for a
CLASSIFIEDS 35
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
RESTAURANT MANAGER
BERNADETTE SMITH Is looking for a
Is looking for a
BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH Is looking for a
FOR BUSY RESTAURANT
Contact: 241-5693
MISICK & STANBROOK
Janitor
POOL AND BEACH SERVER
• Serving food and beverage to the guests on the beach and around the pool • Able to work weekends (pay is based on what you sell) • Belongers need only apply
Contact: 941-8408
To work 6 days per week salary negotiable.
contact: 941-5632
6476
6547
per week salary $5.00 per hour.
6587
contact: 231-2355
6533
per salary $5.00 per hour.
To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour. contact: 347-7129
6582
Labourer Labourer Labourer To work 6 days To work 6 days
• Oversee all aspects of the restaurant, POS System knowledge, accounting, customer relations, scheduling, ordering, wine menu, staff management, cost control, special events are all responsibilities • Must have 8 years experience and second language helpful for international guest. • Salary based on experience • Belongers only need apply
Point Grace
Senior Accountant Is seeking to fill the following position:
VacancIES
@@ Qualification in Accountancy from a recognized institution @@ At least ten years experience as an accountant in a senior capacity @@ Certification as a CPA, CA, ACCA or similar @@ Experience with PC Law, QuickBooks and Microsoft Office Suite software @@ Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience @@ Closing date for applications: May 5th, 2012
Point Grace is currently seeking a Pastry Chef for our food and beverage operations (breakfast, lunch, and fine dining restaurant). We are looking for a driven and passionate Pastry Chef to join our high level team. The successful candidate will come from a good working background, and be a real team player, with at least three years in a similar position. Ability to work well under pressure and good communication skills are essential; must be able to adhere to Government Health, Safety and Hygiene standards. Salary range $1,500 to $1,700 plus service charge and tips
Pastry Chef
Housekeepers/Laundry staff
Applicants should please send detailed CV with the names of two referees to Deveraux Malcolm, Misick & Stanbrook, via fax (649) 946 4734 or e-mail to info@misickstanbrook.tc.
Point Grace is currently seeking Housekeeping staff. We are looking for trained and enthusiastic housekeepers to join our team. The successful candidates will have several years experience in this position in a luxury hotel. Ability to work well under pressure and good communication skills, including excellent English, are essential; must have a pleasant and outgoing personality. In addition to regular housekeeping duties, the jobs include, turndown service, shifts in laundry, and common areas. Must be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Wages range: $5.00 to $6.50 per hour (commensurate with experience), plus service charge.
6578
SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Pursuant to court order, British Caribbean Bank Limited, Governor’s Road, Leeward, Providenciales HEREBY GIVES NOTICE that it will cause to be sold by public auction the following properties: TITLE DESCRIPTION 60902/111 1 residential luxury home and 1 guest house Leeward Going Through on Pinta Lane with canal frontage located Providenciales on 0.92 acres of land
REGISTERED PROPRIETOR Henry Clark
60904/216,217,218,221 222,351,352,514 Leeward Going Through Providenciales
Clarke Properties (TCI) Ltd
7.65 acres of adjoining raw land located at the entrance of Leeward Development. Zoned – Hotel/Tourism
Beach Attendant
Beach attendant with solid experience, proven record in taking care sail boats, canoes, surfing equipment and chase boat. Minimum qualifications: Red Cross First Aid and Lifeguard Certificates. Wage range $5.00 to $6.00 per hour depending on experience, plus service charge
Domestic worker
Is seeking a domestic worker for our food and beverage operations. Several years experience in a similar position is required, as well as good communication skills, including excellent English; must have a pleasant and outgoing personality. Must be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Wages range: $5.00 to $5.50 per hour (commensurate with experience), plus service charge.
Laborer
The auction will be held on Wednesday 9th May, 2012 at 10:00am at the offices of the British Caribbean Bank Limited, Governor’s Road, Leeward, Providenciales. Further inquiries may be directed to 1-649-941-5028 ext 302.
ALL SALES ARE SUBJECT TO RESERVE; 10% DEPOSIT REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUCCESSFUL BID.
Is seeking a general laborer, this position is responsible for cleaning all common areas (stairwells, patios, public bathrooms etc.), garbage removal and cleaning of garbage areas, general housekeeping duties and laundry assistance. Several years experience in a similar position is required, as well as good communication skills, including excellent English; must have a pleasant and outgoing personality. Must be willing to work evenings, weekends and holidays. Wages range: $5.00 to $6.50 per hour (commensurate with experience), plus service charge.
Belongers only need apply Closing date: 30th April 2012
Please apply in writing to: Point Grace, PO Box 700, Grace Bay, Providenciales. Email: humanresources@pointgrace.com or Fax: 946-5097
6569
6598
36 CLASSIFIEDS
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES
Position Available
Chef
Applications must be sent by April 30th, 2012
Misick & Stanbrook Tel.: 946-4732 or fax 946-4734 Email marsha@misickstanbrook.tc
• Will be responsible for managing all activities of the restaurant and bar areas This will include supervision and scheduling off staff • Requirements: • A minimum of 5 years experience in an Italian Restaurant • Knowledge of regional Italian food and wine
6575
HOLE IN THE WALL RESTAURANT
• Degree qualified Chief Quantity Surveyor • 15 years experience in all facets of the quantity surveying practice • Ability to work under pressure with no supervision • Must be fully conversant with CSSP Ripac • Timberline Estimation and OST Software
Domestic Worker
PROVO ELECTRIC GORDON SUPPLY Labourer
6594
alary must commensurate with qualifications
Resumes can be faxed to 941-3425 and the Labour Department, Providenciales as soon as possible
Is looking for a
Church Administrator Requirements: • Must be a born again believer • B.SC in Business Administration/Management studies or related field • At least 5 years in an administrative capacity • Strong leadership, organizational and administrative skills • Must possess experience and training in Business Administration or Church Administration • Must have effective budgeting and accounting skills Suitable applicants may forward resumes addressed to Church Board Community Fellowship Centre Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands Tel: 649-941-3484 Fax: 649-941-3482. Email: comassem@tciway.tc
Please fax resumes to 941 7626
6587
Sales Clerk
Tilesetter To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.
Seamstress
– with at least 10 years experience, must be able to work on own initiative and speak Creole and Spanish salary negotiable
Deadline for applications is May 4th, 2012 6602
Contact :241-4188
Accepting applications for:
Financial Controller
– to work 6 days per week Must be computer literate and able to operate a point of sales systems, keeping inventory, speaks English, Spanish and Creole, must be a people’s person salary is negotiable
Grade 3 Teacher
Community Fellowship Centre
Requires a
is seeking to fill the following positions:
Accepting applications for
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Suitable applicants may forward resumes addressed to: The School Board Community Fellowship Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. Tel: 649-941-3484 Fax: 649-941-3482. Email: comassem@tciway.tc
Been MEP Ltd.
CAPRONIS UNIFORMS PLUS
PASCAL REMY
Community Christian Academy Requirements • Must be a born again believer • Must have at least 5 years teaching experience with a Certificate or higher in Teacher Education from a recognized Educational Institution. • Familiarization with Abeka teaching program would be an asset. • Familiarization with Primary Education within the Caribbean
6574
• Must have 10 years accounting experience in the construction industry. • Salary negotiable depending on level of experience
2 Electricians
VACANCIES
• Must be able to supervise a large staff, train floor staff and constantly refine service standards • Must have knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel & QuickBooks • Proficient with food and beverage cost control • Ability to work under pressure • Energetic and willing to interact with guests
Salary $32,200.00 annually Interested persons please contact; bella@tciway.tc Closing date: April 27th, 2012
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
CHIEF QUANTITY SURVEYOR
Please forward your resumes TO P.O. Box 709, Providenciales
Assistant Restaurant Manager Job Description:
A private residence on Providenciales is currently seeking a Chef. The successful applicant should have at least 5 years experience as a Chef and must have Knowledge of worldwide cuisine plus knowledge of proper hygiene and safety. This position requires the individual to live on property and will be required to work hours including weekends and public holidays. Salary: $700.00 - $800per wk.
FAX: (649) 946-4661
BELLA LUNA
6600
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Email: capronis2005@yahoo.com
6584
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SALES Joseph Michael Hennebury as Chargee pursuant to the Registered Land Ordinance hereby gives Notice that he will cause to be sold by Public Auction the following property outside the offices of Miller Simons O’Sullivan, Upper Floor, East Wing, The Beatrice Butterfield Building, Butterfield Square, Providenciales at 10:00 a.m. on 11 May 2012. 1. Title 60506/116, Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales Registered Proprietor: Rory Ernest MacDowell Comprising 0.82 acre parcel with bare land and can be accessed by turning onto Thompson Cove Road from Leeward Highway and taking a right on Heron Street.
6592
6579
April 28 - May 4, 2012
CLASSIFIEDS 37
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES
Baci Ristorante
FAX: (649) 946-4661
Global Tardiff Elevator Services (Turks & Caicos)
POSITION AVAILABLE Global Tardiff Elevator is seeking suitably qualified applicants to fill the position of:
Two Elevator Technicians
EXPERIENCED WAIT STAFF R E Q U I R E D
Requirements • Minimum 4 years experience • Professional attitude and customer relations • Excellent knowledge of order taking and food and wine service • Ability to communicate effectively with kitchen and management • Experience with micro-system • Must have current resumes and references Interviews by appointment only
Contact: 941-3044
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!! the largest readership in the turks & caicos
Director Salary: US$45,000 per annum Location: Providenciales
We are looking for a Director who will be responsible for managing Red Cross operations throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. This requires the development, delivery and sustainability of programmes within an overall strategic framework; including planning, staff and volunteer management, organisational accountability, fiduciary and legal compliance, government, donor and community relations, fundraising and reporting. The successful candidate will be a confident and inspirational leader with a proven ability to lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams, able to communicate effectively, sensitive to diversity, with sound planning and analytical skills, and with networking, influencing and negotiating skills. For the full job description and an application form, please contact our Provo office 941 8056 redcrossprovo@tciway.tc or our Grand Turk office 946 2761 tciredcross@ tciway.tc Closing date for receipt of cover letters and completed application forms is 27th April 2012. Belongers only need apply.
6581
Daily task will include installation and maintenance of elevators.
Suitable person must have the following qualifications: • 2 years experience of installation of MRL technology elevators; • 5 years minimum service, maintenance and troubleshooting experience on ECC and JRT control systems; • International Union of Elevator Constructors certification or equivalent. Salary: $20.00 per hour Closing date for applications is May 12th, 2012 Applications must be submitted to:
Karen Simmons Missick & Stanbrook Leeward Hwy, Providenciales Tel: 946-4732 * Fax: 946-4734 Email: Karen@misickstanbrook.tc
6577
38 CLASSIFIEDS
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES
April 28 - May 4, 2012
FAX: (649) 946-4661
Belonger Status and Voter Registration NoticE BELONGER STATUS BY RESIDENCE, NATURALIZATION, BESTOWAL, BY VIRTUE OF BEING A DEPENDENT CHILD OF A BELONGER
BELONGERS STATUS BY BIRTH - BORN IN THE tURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
Residence – If you were a Commonwealth citizen and was ordinarily resident in the islands for seven (7) or more years prior to June 1, 1971, you are a Belonger. Naturalization – If you were naturalized in the islands before September 19, 1990, you are a Belonger. Bestowal – If you are granted a Certicate of Belonger Status under the provision of the Immigration Ordinance, at any time, you are a Belonger.
By virtue of being a dependent child You are a Belonger if (a) Before June 1, 1971 you were under the age of 16 and was a dependent child of a Belonger by being the biological child of a Belonger or by being adopted by a Belonger or through marriage of your mother or father to a Belonger
BELONGERS STATUS BY DESCENT - BORN OUTSIDE THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
(b) After September 18, 1990 you were under the age of 18 and was a dependent child of a Belonger by being the biological child of a Belonger or by being adopted by a Belonger or through marriage of your mother or father to a Belonger (c) Before November 1, 1992, you were a Commonwealth citizen and was the dependent child of a Belonger (d) After October 31st, 1992, you were the dependent child of a Belonger
Registration for verification of Belonger Status in the Turks and Caicos Islands and registration as an elector in the upcoming general election commenced on Monday, April 16, 2012. The registration schedule for each island is as follows: PROVIDENCIALES Dates: APRIL 16 –MAY 25, 2012 Venue: Town Centre Mall Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Surname Beginning with A–H I–P General Q–T U–Z General
GRAND TURK Dates: APRIL 16 –MAY 11, 2012 Venue: Elections Office Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Surname Beginning with
April 16 - 20, 2012 April 23-27, 2012 April 30 – May 4, 2012 May 7 – 11, 2012 May 14 – 18, 2012 May 21 – May 25, 2012
SOUTH CAICOS
A–H I–P Q–Z General
April 16 - 20, 2012 April 23-27, 2012 April 30 – May 4, 2012 May
7 – 11, 2012
NORTH CAICOS
Dates: APRIL 18 –MAY 11, 2012 Venue: District Commissioner’s Office Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dates: APRIL 23 –MAY 11, 2012 Venue: District Commissioner’s Office Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
MIDDLE CAICOS
SALT CAY
Dates: April 23- May 4, 2012 Venue: District Commissioner’s Office Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dates: April 23- May 4, 2012 Venue: District Commissioner’s Office Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For further information please contact the Elections Office at Telephone number 946-2801 extn 11701/2 or the the Ministry of Border Control and Labour at telephone number 946-2801 extn 81514 or 40711 or via email at
belongerstatus@gov.tc . Application forms with supporting information regarding photographs, the elections ordinance and other relevant information is available on line at the Turks and Caicos Islands Government website at
www.gov.tc Application Forms are available at the registration centres.
BELONGERS STATUS - MARRIAGE TO A BELONGER
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
CLASSIFIEDS 39
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES
FAX: (649) 946-4661
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SALES
BETTY COX Is looking for a
Domestic Worker
FirstCaribbean International Bank (Bahamas) Ltd as Chargee pursuant to the Registered Land Ordinance hereby gives Notice that it will cause to be sold by Public Auction the following scheduled properties outside the offices of Miller Simons O’Sullivan, Second Floor, The Beatrice Butterfield Building, Butterfield Square, Providenciales at 10:00 a.m. on 11 May 2012. driveway, car parking, limited landscaping, BBQ area and a surrounding security fence and wall. The property is located in the Major Hill district of Bottle Creek.
1. Title No. 60505/250, Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales
Registered Proprietor: Samuel Jules
Comprising 0.26 acre parcel with bare land containing indigenous bush and small trees. The property is located between Blue Hills and the northern part of Kew Town and is accessed by turning on Bible Street, the second turning on Blue Hills Road, heading towards the T-junction and taking the northern hand turn to the end of the road and the property is the last lot on the left below the ridge land.
To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.
9. Title No. 50500/249 K8 Whitby, North Caicos
Registered Proprietor: Chal Misick
Comprising a two bedroom condominium unit on the second floor of the St Charles condominium development on Horsestable Beach with a floor area of 1,580 square feet and an oceanfront covered balcony extending top 272 square feet. The condominium consists of a master bedroom suite including closet space and master bathroom with the second en-suite bedroom designed as a lockout unit, entrance foyer, powder room, living/dining room and kitchen.
2. Title No. 60719/87 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales
contact: 242-7753
6597
HAIRDRESSER
NEEDED
Registered Proprietor: Gregory Raymond Pinder and Lisa Phillips-Pinder
Comprising 0.74 acre vacant canal-front residential parcel. The property is located on Water View Street, previously Boggy Creek Drive, in Discovery Bay.
3. Title No. 60400/284, Norway & Five Cays, Providenciales
Registered Proprietor: BNA Ltd.
Comprising 1 acre of primarily undeveloped waterfront parcel with dense mature native vegetation and small trees and a partially completed deteriorated block structure. The property is located on Chalk Sound Road, approximately half a mile beyond the Silly Creek Estate junction on the northern side of the road. The property has a view of the Chalk Sound National Park.
4. Title No. 60713/90/K9, Cheshire Hall and Richmond Hill, Providenciales
Must have experience as a hairdresser salary $250.00 per week email info@misickstanbrok. tc or fax: 649-946-4734
6593
NOTICE I William Peterson Outten, of Sound Mind and Body make known publicly as from April 9th, 2012 I am no longer responsible for Susan Smith Outten or any debt occurred by her I declare we officially separated
Registered Proprietor: Ivan Gregory Kennessey
Located in the Queen Angel Development comprising of studio, one, and two bedroom villas, which can be found in the Turtle Cove area. The property is Unit A201, a second floor one-bedroom corner unit in Building A. Unit A201 has a 1,275 unit entitlement and 1,275 square foot gross external area. The unit is fully furnished and has been recently renovated and upgraded. It comprises one bedroom, one bathroom, open kitchen/living/dining area, utility closet and storage space. The unit also has use of the resort facilities including the communal swimming pool and deck.
5. Title No. 60802/81, The Bight & Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales
Registered Proprietor: Manville Gardiner
Comprising 0.32 acre parcel containing a two-storey building with eight self-contained one and two bedroom apartments. The property is located on the Lower Bight Road.
Registered Proprietor: Finbar Grant
Comprising 0.59 acre parcel with a two-storey detached residence, a guest suite and a single-storey guesthouse and is located in the residential sub-division in Discovery Bay. The two-storey detached residence has four/five bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, library, a substantially complete cinema room, laundry room, kitchen, breakfast room, family room and a separate office. The guest suite contains a bedroom, bathroom and a kitchenette. The single-storey guesthouse contains a studio with a bedroom and bathroom and a separate efficiency unit with a bathroom, bedroom and kitchenette. The property also contains a swimming pool and a concrete boat dock.
11. Title No. 10304/142, 143, 144, Central, Grand Turk
Registered Proprietor: Whale Watchers Ltd
Comprising 0.96 acre parcel containing a partially complete commercial development located on Front Street, Grand Turk with the potential to be used for office or residential units.
12. Title No. 61110/25, Long Bay Hills, Providenciales
Registered Proprietor: Hugh Williams and Kimberly Ewing Williams
Comprising 0.89 acre parcel with a partially complete residential building on a residential lot in the Long Bay area. Neighbourhood is residential although sparsely developed. Property is on the south side of an unpaved cul-de-sac in Long Bay Hills residential sub-division. The property is elevated at its roadside section and the land slopes down steeply in a south-easterly direction.
6. Title No. 60802/77, Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales
13. Title No. 60609/24, Norway & Five Cays, Providenciales
Registered Proprietor: Manville Gardiner
Registered Proprietor: Claudine Pratt
Comprising 0.32 acre parcel containing a partially complete two-storey apartment development. The lower level is completed and contains two self-contained one bedroom units and the upper level is completed to beam level. The property is located on the Lower Bight Road.
Located on the south-western tip of Providenciales, in the area known as Norway & Five Cays. A two story house on 1.03 Acres of land. The house is not yet completed with only snagging items, minor finishing items and some site works left to be completed. Once completed the gross floor area of the residence will be 2,435 square feet. The property benefits from approximately 120 linear feet of iron shore frontage onto the Chalk Sound with impressive 180 degree views being enjoyed to the west.
7. Title No. 60900/217, Leeward Going Through, Providenciales
Registered Proprietor: Pelican Holdings Ltd.
Comprising 0.65 acre parcel containing a residential home with an adjoining one bedroom apartment. The residential home contains three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and dining area, living room and a screened-in rear porch. The property is located within the Leeward Palms residential sub-division.
14. Title No. 60505/42 Blue Hills and Stamers Run, Providenciales
Registered Proprietor: James Rigby
This property is located in a prominent position on the Blue Hills Road close to the downtown area. The property comprises of 0.77 acre lot which supports a singlestorey commercial building. The property lies a short distance from Millennium Highway and within approximately one hundred yards of the north shore. The existing building on the site extends to approximately 2,400 square feet and it provides a range of retail, storage, and ancillary accommodation.
8. Title No. 51108/106, Bottle Creek North, North Caicos
6545
Registered Proprietor: Garnett and Rosemary Jolly
Comprising 0.62 acre parcel with a gated townhouse development consisting of ten two-storey two bedroom townhouses, with a small swimming pool, deck, gazebo, marl
15. Title No. 60701/26 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales
Registered Proprietor: Mara Rigby
This property comprises a two-storey commercial and residential apartment building which is positioned on the Blue Hills coastal road. The main building provides ground level commercial space with ancillary store rooms, offices and bathroom facilities. The upper level comprises a three bedroom apartment. In additional there is a detached single storey one bedroom apartment plus a detached storage building. The buildings have a gross floor area of approximately 4,632 square feet.
BACI RESTORANTE
Essco Ltd. as Chargee pursuant to the Registered Land Ordinance hereby gives Notice that it will cause to be sold by Public Auction the following properties outside the offices of Miller Simons O’Sullivan, Second Floor, The Beatrice Butterfield Building, Butterfield Square, Providenciales at 10:00 a.m. on 11 May 2012.
Is looking for a
Kitchen Helper 6605
To work 6 days per week salary $7.00 per hour.
contact: 941-3044
10. Title No. 60719/110 Cheshire Hall & Richmond Hill, Providenciales
1. Title No. 10203/68 North West Suburbs, Grand Turk
Registered Proprietor: Otis Chuck Morris
3. Title No. 10203/198 North West Suburbs, Grand Turk
Registered Proprietor: Otis Chuck Morris
Comprising 0.45 acre parcel with bare land containing dense indigenous bush and trees in a cul de sac called Cactus Close. The property is accessed from North Wells Road or North Creek Road and is midway between the western ocean shore and North Creek.
Comprising 0.34 acre parcel with bare land containing low-lying dense indigenous vegetation. The property is accessed by North Wells Road and taking a western turn onto Quarry Lane and a subsequent left turn and the property is located on the left side of the road.
2. Title No. 10204/152 North West Suburbs, Grand Turk
Registered Proprietor: Otis Chuck Morris
4. Title No. 10302/21 Grand Turk Central, Grand Turk
Registered Proprietor: Otis Chuck Morris
Comprising 0.35 acre parcel with two single-storey detached buildings, each split into two apartments with an above-ground cistern, garden and parking area. The property is in a residential sub-division and is located on the land side of North Creek Road overlooking North Creek to the east. The gross external areas of the buildings (each inclusive of a porch) are 1,224 square feet and 2,400 square feet respectively.
Comprising 0.35 acre parcel with a partially complete two-storey apartment building with sixteen studio apartments and front and rear garden/parking areas. The property is located in a residential sub-division to the north-west of the Town Salina. The property can be accessed by heading north on Lighthouse Road and taking the left turn after Murphy Alley until the T-junction at the end of the road. The gross external area of the property is approximately 2,880 square feet and 1,820 square feet for the covered communal access decks and stairs.
6555
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
FAX: (649) 946-4661
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES ROYAL JEWELS
Career Opportunities
Veranda is currently seeking qualified candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner. Our ideal candidates must love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization.
Director of Finance Reports to the General Manager and the Chief Financial Officer. Supervises all members of the Accounting Department, provides functional guidance to Executive Committee and Department Heads, interact with hotel’s legal counsel, insurance companies, tax consultants, auditors, commercial and government banks to effectively control the assets of the business and to provide business support. Requirements: • Bachelor of Business, Accounting, Finance or Commerce. • Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) qualifications preferred. • 5 – 10 years experience in hospitality accounting • Excellent knowledge of hotel accounting software(s). • Knowledge of hotel reservations system(s). • Knowledge of hotel point of sales system(s). • Strong IT skills • Negotiation and effective presentation skills
Food & Beverage Manager The Food and Beverage Manager is responsible for the organization, coordination and administration of the Food and Beverage Department, to ensure compliance with Veranda’s standards, policies and procedures, maintaining the highest level of customer service. Requirements: • 5 star Food & Beverage experience with at least 5 years as restaurant manager in a luxury resort. • Caribbean experience considered an asset. • Degree in hospitality desirable. • International experience and multi-lingual to assist our International clientele would be an asset. • Knowledge of fine wines. • Must be competent with Microsoft Office and experience with Micros considered a plus. • Energetic, positive visionary leader, dedicated to motivating and developing team members. • Assists with strategy, budgeting, cost management and delivering on objectives. • Exceptional communication and customer service skills and lives the standard of the organization.
Kids Club Coordinator Assume the overall responsibility for all aspects of the
is looking for a
Domestic Worker
Waitress
To work 6 days per week salary $6.00 per hour.
Requirements: • At least 3 years experience as a children’s program supervisor preferably in a hotel environment. • Pleasant outgoing personality. • Excellent communication, leadership and training skills required to develop confidence and initiative in young staff. • The ability to work in a demanding environment that frequently requires 6 day work weeks. • A background in child care would be an asset. • Knowledge of educational programs and early learning instruments
Servers • Set tables according to resort standards, • Provide a warm welcome to all patrons, and seat guests to maximize efficiency; • Complete all assigned side duties and keep all storage areas clean and organized. • Team oriented • Have good oral communications skills • Flexible to work 7 days a week - shifts from 2pm • Ability to work under pressure during busy periods
Houseman • Responds and delivers requests for towels, bathroom amenities, blankets, etc. • Delivers clean linen/terry to floor closets and stock them properly • Picks up garbage, dirty linen/terry and place them in the designated areas • Cleans and maintains all public areas, fixtures, windows, storage areas, ledges, rails, elevators etc. • Must be able to push and pull heavy carts and able to lift 50lbs. • Must be willing to work shifts, weekends and public holidays
Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
Interested persons may contact our Human Resource Manager No later than May 8, 2012 Email: deleria.simms@verandatci.com Or hand deliver to our office at Veranda Resort and Residences Princess Dr. Lower Bight, Providenciales
to work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.
contact: 649-946-4699 between regular working hours 9:30am-5:30pm
Contact: 244-0710
BEEN MEP CO.
FLAMINGO CAFÉ
Is looking for a
kid’s club program including both day and night time activities.
Thomas Handfield
Is looking to employ a
6606
Is looking for the following persons:
Waiter Labourer Cook To work for 5 days per week. Ealary $7.00 per hour.
Contact: 231-6920
6608
Must be willing to work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.
Contact: 242-7545
6586
40 CLASSIFIEDS
ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR ALL ADS IS 5:00 PM WEDNESDAY CALL 946-4664 OR EMAIL tcnews@tciway.tc
LICENSED PROFESSIONAL TATTOO ARTIST WANTED The qualified candidate MUST: - Have at least 5 years professional experience - Provide proof of up-to-date hepatitis vaccinations - Provide proof of having passed an examination on sterile techniques and universal precautions against - infectious diseases - Be willing to work 6 days per week Remuneration will be commission based and preference will be given to Belongers Applications must contain a copy your portfolio with verifiable references and be addressed to P.O. Box 596 for attention of Dale A. Peters before May 8, 2012. ONLY SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED
6601
April 28 - May 4, 2012
CLASSIFIEDS 41
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
PHONE: (649) 946-4664
EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES
AVIS RENT-A-CAR
Fenelon Empowerment Services
Accountant
Is in need of a position of
Station Manager Position involves the general operation & supervision of a car rental successful applicants must possess the following qualifications:
• Previous experience in working at a busy car rental agency • Good customer services skills a must • Excellent communication, writing and computer skills
FAX: (649) 946-4661 seeks
• Applicants must have a Degree in Accounting and experience with QuickBooks and Microsoft Office. VAT Accounting experience is helpful but not necessary. • Business Coach • Applicants must have an MBA. A concentration in Entrepreneurship would be helpful.
• Previous supervisory experience necessary • Must be willing to work weekends and holidays • Good organizational and problem solving skills Starting salary approximately $25K/ year, but commensurate with experience
Please send applications to Managing Director at: fenelonempowerment@yahoo.com Phone: 649-231-2486
BELONGERS ONLY NEED APPLY 6580
Please send resume via email to: mariec@bayviewmotors.com Those applicants with required qualifications will be contacted for interview
CARIB GLASS Is looking to employ a
Senior Glazer for field work and training
• Applicant must be experienced, mature, responsible, provide leadership and training on all aspects of the company in the field of glazing installations • Applicant must have a certified glazers certificate from a reputable organizations • Applicant must be computer literate in Excel and must be able to reply to emails, and navigate the web and have a minimum of 10 years experience in the field installing and trouble shooting, curtain wall systems, skylites, shop fronts-framed-all glass and commercial window glazing, glass enclosures, windows and doors of all types, commercial canopies, glass walls and balustrades, commercial security doors and hurricane protection products • Applicant must be able to read architectural drawings, be able to take field dimensions for quoting and ordering, and be in control of installations • If you posses these qualifications and you’re energetic and polite
Salary negotiable resumes can be sent to: caribglass@tciway.tc or contact: 941-8541
6585
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!
the largest readership in the turks & caicos
VACANCY Applications are invited for the position of
Hotel Operations Manager
Responsibilities • Direct the room revenue management operations of multiple properties • Coordinate with key stakeholders to ensure proper communication of company goals and objectives. • Assist management in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the operation • Assist in the selection, training and development of hotel personnel Requirements • Good communication skills, both verbal and written. Proficiency in other languages will be an asset • 15 years experience in an upscale hospitality environment • Ability to supervise a large international staff compliment and control performance objectives in multiple outlets. • Must have worked for an internationally recognized Five Star Hotel Brand Belongers need only apply.
Please Submit Application to:
P.O. Box 270 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 6612
VACANCY
VACANCY
A luxury villa is currently seeking a
private chef
Applications are invited for the position of
Food and Beverage Manager
To cater for high end guests
The successful applicant should have the following at least 5 year’s experience running kitchens 2 of which should be in a 5 star hotel. They should also have full capability of food costing and controls, monthly inventory, knowledge of proper hygiene and safety, menu planning and costing and managing and scheduling staff. As a private villa expertise in catering such as weddings, cocktail parties and special events is crucial. Plus knowledge and experience of cuisine worldwide, pastries, desserts and chocolates is essential. Due to the nature of our guests the need to be fluent in English is required. This position requires working long hours, nights and days, public holidays and weekends. A clean driving license is also essential as the chef will be responsible for all shopping.
Responsibilities • Direct day to day operations for all restaurant outlets, room service, culinary, stewarding, beverage, banquet, and purchasing operations • Produce forecasting and budgeting reports for all F&B outlets and work closely with the Executive Chef on optimizing business strategies • Market the Food and Beverage outlets; together with Executive Chef and manage the implementation of menus, package deals, promotions, displays, decorations and presentations within corporate guidelines • Assist management in the preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, and financial plans which support the overall objectives of the operation Requirements: • Good communication skills both written and verbal. Proficiency in other languages would be an asset. • Ability to work flexible hours including days, evenings, weekends and holidays, as required • 15 years experience in an upscale, fine dining and Hotel environment required • Ability to manage a large international staff compliment and control performance objectives in multiple outlets. • Experience as a Head Sommelier and/or beverage Manager required
Salary - $3000 per month. All applications must be made in writing by the 10th of November 2011.
Please submit resumes, including a variety of proposed villa menu selections, addressed to Mark Pankhurst at PO BOX 196 Providenciales or email kimstargazervilla@ hotmail.com. Successful applicants will be notified by email by the 20th of November 2011.
Belongers need only apply.
Please Submit Application to:
6604
P.O. Box 270 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands 6613
42
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Entertainment
Haiti pop star defends alleged plotter linked to retired Dominican colonel
Sean Penn has done outstanding work in Haiti.
Beyonce said she feels more beautiful since the birth of her first child.
Beyonce named ‘World’s Most Beautiful Woman’ PEOPLE magazine has named Beyonce as this year’s most beautiful woman - and she’s sharing the spotlight with her infant daughter, Blue Ivy. “I feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt because I’ve given birth,” the 16-time Grammy winner and new mom told the magazine. The superstar singer and her husband Jay-Z welcomed their daughter in January, and Beyonce said she’s “never felt so connected, never felt like I had such a purpose on this earth... She’s just the cutest
thing.” The 30-year-old also revealed that she sings unique lullabies to little Blue, and claimed to actually “love” changing diapers. And as for which parent Blue most resembles, Bey would only say that “she looks like Blue. She’s her own person.” “The best thing about having a daughter is having a true legacy,” she continued about her bundle of joy. “The word ‘love’ means something completely different now.” (CNN)
Sean Penn honoured by Nobel prizes for work in Haiti U.S. ACTOR Sean Penn, on Tuesday received a prize created by winners of Nobel Peace Prizes, the Peace Summit 2012, due to his humanitarian work after the earthquake in January 2010 in Haiti. As reported by the organizing committee of the 12th Summit of Nobel Prize winners, which began on Monday in the U.S. city of Chicago, Penn was recognised for his efforts to rebuild the Caribbean country. In late January, Penn
The Meridian Club On Pine Cay
Wyclef Jean called Kanzki is an honest and hard working man.
Hipólito Mejía has denied the allegation, and was interrogated Monday by National District prosecutor Yenni Berenice Reynoso. (Dominicatoday.com)
Marley gets fans crazy in Jamaica
Turks & Caicos Islands British West Indies
Position Available Kitchen Assistant at The Meridian Club on Pine Cay
Salary: $5.50/hr Accommodation on Pine Cay for time on and boat transportation for time scheduled off provided. Duties: Assist in the kitchen keeping the kitchen clean-- washing dishes, pots, floor. Assist with buffet set up and take down; Other duties as assigned by chef. Qualifications Required: • Must be willing to reside on Pine Cay on a full time basis. • Must be capable of heavy lifting • Must be able to go in and out of Walk- in Freezer/Refrigerator • Must be able to stand for lengthy periods of time. • Must be neat in appearance and of good character • Must feel comfortable on boats • Clean Police record • Clean Health Record • Able to understand directions in English • Weekends/Evenings and Holidays required Starting Date: June 2012 Contact Person and Contact Information: Send resume with references and your contact information (mailing address, e-mail address, phone number) by e-mail to manager@ meridianclub.com or by fax to 941 7010, or drop off at TC Realty/Sotheby’s Office in Salt Mills no later than May 1, 2012 Additional Information: All qualified applicants will be interviewed.
received the title of itinerant ambassador for Haiti, granted by its government. Two-time winner of the Oscar for Best Actor (Mystic River and Milk), Penn created in January 2010, the J-P Haitian Relief Organisation to support those displaced by the quake, which left over 300,000 dead and nearly two million homeless according to official figures. The foundation joined in late 2010 at the Pan American Health Organisation in efforts to control cholera, a disease that killed more than 7,000 Haitians and infected 500 000.
HAITIAN singer Wyclef Jean on Tuesday defended the businessman Edouard Pierre Kanzki, linked to retired Dominican coronel Pedro Julio Goico (Pepe) in an alleged plot to destabilize Haiti’s government. Jean, who sought his country’s top office in 2011, said Kanzki is president Michel Martelly’s close friend who endorsed his campaign, and is an honest, hard working person who’d never commit an illegal act. The pop star issued a statement to Haiti’s media on Tuesday. Two weeks ago the Dominican and Haiti governments revealed the alleged plot in which Goico and Kanzki sought to destabilize Haiti’s government. In the taped phone conversation Goico is heard telling Kanzki to start a smear campaign based on the alleged money Dominican ruling PLD party senator Felix Bautista gave to Martelly to reach the presidency. Goico, a close collaborator of opposition PRD party presidential candidate
6568
THOUSANDS of fans from across the globe and a cluster of music royalty gathered in Jamaica’s capital on Thursday 19th for the premier of the widely anticipated movie, Marley. The feature-length documentary, which is due for international release on April 20th has stirred a frenzy as it depicts the life of an incomparable music icon who fell into an elite rank of entertainers such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Whitney Houston. Marley is directed by Academy Award-winning Kevin MacDonald, recognized for works such as One Day In September, State Of Play, The Last King Of Scotland, Touching The Void and Life In A Day. Executive producers included Bob Marley’s eldest son, Ziggy and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. It is rumoured that VH1 have secured first rights for television. Bob Marley is often described of as “The third-world’s first pop-star”. Many found him more relatable than others because of his transparent, down-toearth persona and impoverished background. The heartfelt documentary, with stunning
Marley is directed by Academy Award-winning Kevin MacDonald.
live performances, intimate interviews with friends and family, and rare documentary footage, reveals surprising facts about Bob Marley, such as his complex marital status, fathering 11 children with 7 women, the struggles he encountered as a mixed-race child and his fatal struggle with cancer in 1981 at age 36. When asked what audiences should expect from the movie, Rohan Marley, fourth eldest son and father of Lauren Hill’s children stated, “We are going to see the human side of Marley”. Till this day, Bob Marley
remains one of the most important and influential artistes of the 20th century. Accolades include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1994), a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award (2001), multiple entries in the Grammy® Hall Of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2001). His catalog sales have exceeded 50 million albums worldwide since 1992 alone. The official soundtrack from Marley was released through Universal Music Enterprises (UME) as a 2-CD collection and a special 3-LP vinyl set.
April 28 - May 4, 2012
Sports International
43
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Ten-man Chelsea stun Barcelona to reach Champions League final
Sebastian Vettel said his team is not as confident as they use to be.
Vettel says his Red Bull team have lost confidence SEBASTIAN Vettel says Red Bull have lost confidence after failing to replicate last season’s dominance so far in 2012. Red Bull won 12 out of 19 races in 2011 and took 18 pole positions, as Vettel and the team wrapped up their second world titles in as many seasons. But in 2012, it took until the fourth race in Bahrain last weekend for Red Bull to win a race, courtesy of Vettel. “It is tight and we’re not as confident as we used to be,” said Vettel. “So small things can make a difference in qualifying and have a big impact on the race.” This season has seen a wild fluctuation in performance with four different winners, racing for four different constructors - the first time
this has happened since 1983. As a result, the championship is wide open, and Red Bull were in the unfamiliar role of playing catch up early on. However, after three races with only a solitary podium, Red Bull found the sweet spot with their set-up and the Pirelli tyres in the Bahraini desert to end their barren run. Vettel’s pole-to-flag victory saw him take the lead in the drivers’ standings with Mark Webber’s fourth consecutive fourth place also ensuring the team lead the constructors’ championship. “This year we’d have loved to be in a better place to start,” added Vettel. “Nevertheless, I think we’ve had good races. “I’m not entirely happy with where we are, but I think there’s great potential in the car.
TEN-MAN Chelsea produced an astonishing comeback to recover from 2-0 down on the night and beat defending champions Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in a scarcely believable Champions League semifinal at the Camp Nou on Tuesday. Chelsea began the second-leg tie with a slender 1-0 lead and looked doomed when captain John Terry was sent off for violent conduct in the 37th minute and Andres Iniesta put Barcelona 2-1 up overall shortly afterward. But Ramires put Chelsea ahead on away goals moments before halftime and Chelsea somehow held off wave after wave of Barcelona attack after the break before snatching a 2-2 draw. Lionel Messi hit the bar with a penalty early in the second half and later had another shot pushed onto the post by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Substitute Fernando Torres completed the most unlikely of wins when he scored on the break in injury time to guarantee Chelsea’s place in the final of Europe’s top club competition for the second time in the English side’s history. “It is an incredible achievement by this group of players,” said Chelsea coach Robeto di Matteo, who took over in early March on an interim basis when Andre Villas Boas was sacked. “A lot of people have written us
Substitute Fernando Torres completed the most unlikely of wins when he scored on the break in injury time to guarantee Chelsea’s place in the final of Europe’s top club competition for the second time in the English side’s history.
off but we showed the character these players have.” Chelsea will play Bayern Munich in the May 19 final at the latter’s Allianz Arena. They will have to do without Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles, who will all be suspended, but that was at the back of the players’ minds as they celebrated one of the club’s greatest wins. “It was not beautiful,” Torres said, “and we were playing the best team in the world, but Barcelona did not take their chances and, in the end, it worked for us.”
Barcelona, meanwhile, now only have the Spanish Cup to play for after losing to Real Madrid at the weekend and all but conceding the La Liga title. “It wasn’t meant to be this year,” coach Josep Guardiola said. “The first thing that goes through my head is immense sorrow. “We played exceptionally well for 180 minutes, we did everything we could to be in the final. We’ve never worked this hard to be in a final. We failed because we didn’t score (more goals).” (CNN)
Josh for Sports
Boxing at the Graceway Sports Centre – Protect yourself at all times PROTECT yourself at all times is the final instruction of the referee to two combating boxers just before they touch gloves to begin their fight. Boxers are also instructed to go to a neutral corner when told to do so at anytime during a fight by the man in charge. This is normally ordered when a boxer is knocked down by his opponent and the referee is about to make a 10 count to determine the ability of the unfortunate boxer to continue fighting. TKO AND KO A TKO (Technical Knockout) is registered when a boxer, even though not knocked down to the canvas is deemed unable to continue boxing after a 10 count by the referee or if his trainer volunteers not to continue the fight. A knockout, on the contrary, is recorded when a boxer is knocked to the canvas and is unable to stand upright on his feet to continue the
By Joshua Gardiner bout, before the count of 10. DISQUALIFICATION A boxer is disqualified when he does something illegal in the ring (intentional). A DRAW A draw is recorded when an outright
winner cannot be determined. SATURDAY APRIL 28 Graceway’s Sports Centre will buzz this weekend with boxing action when local boxers participate in live competition beginning at 7:00pm. GB THE MAN Some time ago I spoke about sports a jumping in the TCI. In that column I spoke about the small group of boxers who train at the Downtown Ball Park every evening, the name of the trainer is GB. It is this same GB who is the promoter of this local boxing extravaganza. GB, 27, has been boxing for four years. During his time in the ring he had been flawless in four bouts. He is the trainer of some of our local boxers along with others such as Gary Lightbourne. Gary used to be the Bahamas Heavyweight champion and hails from Bottle Creek in North Caicos. MAIN ATTRACTION GB is at centre stage as the main attraction when he takes on Levi
Action is on at the Graceway Sports Centre this Saturday evening.
from the Bahamas in the final match in the heavyweight division. In the super heavyweight bout Macho will take on Keliz and in the light weight division Missick from North Caicos would battle Philance, a local resident. This is Missick’s very first bout. OUTLOOK GB hopes to work with the other
boxing officials to form the National TCI Boxing Federation and apply for International assistance. He desires to take boxing to schools on promotional matches every six months. GO OUT AND SUPPORT I’m personally appealing to all sports lovers to go out and support the event.
44
Sports National
Gareth Butler was the most outstanding KB Home player. He did damage with both bat and ball, but it was not enough to ensure a win.
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
Earl Henry scored a half-century for the Quality Kings.
HAB Group/Gansevoort T20 Cricket Competition:
Jaguars stay undefeated – Quality Kings beat KB Home THE Guyana Jaguars continued their unbeaten run in the HAB Group/ Gansevoort T20 Cricket Competition after a victory over Kishco on Saturday last at the Downtown Ball Park. Jaguars won the toss and inserted Kishco, but the newcomers chalked up an impressive 169 runs from 18.3 overs. The tournament’s leading run scorer Pawan Kumar was once again among the runs; as he led the way with 35 runs (5X4s, 1X6). Vinod Panikar and Simijo Devassy contributed 26 and 25 runs respectively. Bowling for the Jaguars Mark
Henry took 3-29 from four overs and Sheldon Henry took 2-19 runs from two overs. When the Jaguars batted, they were faced with the trilling task of scoring 28 runs from the last two overs. And some lofty hitting by Winick Caleb 25 runs (4X4s and 1X6) carried them to their target. Sean Khan top scored with 41 runs (5X4s). Bowling for Kishco, Kumar bagged 3-30 runs from four overs and Winston Callum and Simijo Devassy took two wickets a piece. Meanwhile as the competition continued on Sunday last at the same venue the Quality Kings steadied
their hands to beat the KB HOMES (rugby players). Batting first after asked to take first strike by KB HOMES, Quality Kings posted 172-7 from 20 overs. Earl Henry (53 runs, 10X4s) and Jitender Gangalani (50 8X4s, 1X6) led the attack. Bowling for KB HOMES Gareth Butler snatched 4-31 from four overs and Neil Coles took 2-27 from three overs In Reply, KB HOMES were at 115, but a late drive from the batsmen saw them falling just short of the intended target (168-8). Gareth Butler scored 33 runs, Paul McKenzie made 30 and Vickram hit 26. Bowling for the Kings pacer Ian Heath grabbed 4-46 from his four overs.
Bay Bistro Women’s League:
Blue Knights still ahead The Blue Knights are still ahead in the Bay Bistro Women’s Football League, although the chasing pack is closing the gap. For the first three weeks the Knights had remained undefeated although this changed when the Black Warriors fought hard for a 1-0 victory courtesy of Patrice Senior-Clayton in the fourth week of play. The Warriors bounced back after losing their first game of the evening 3-1 against the Red Devils. Jessica Lange, Joan Whent and Ruth Francois had given the Devils a 3-0 lead before Senior scored a consolation goal. In the other two fixtures the Knights and the Pink Panthers fought out a 0-0 draw. Both teams created many chances but Marie Dorcelus (Knights) and Crystal Stirling (Panthers) pulled
off a series of fine saves to ensure that neither team could break the deadlock. In the final game of the evening an exciting and close encounter was settled in the final minute when Amelie Speer’s shot was deflected into the Devils’ goal to give the Panthers a dramatic late victory. The Devils had several chances in the first half to open the scoring but again Stirling was impressive in goal. However in the second half the Panthers dominated the game and were thwarted on several occasions by Guerline Hall’s heroics in goal. Hall managed to pull off save after save, but unfortunately could do nothing as Speer’s shot ricocheted off a defender into the goal to give the Panthers a well deserved victory.
Technical Director Matthew Green was very pleased with the level of competition. “The standard of play is improving week by week as the teams are all trying to play attractive passing football. Often in youth leagues and even the senior leagues the style of play can be very direct, but that is not the case here as teams are playing with some skill and composure. The younger girls are benefiting from the older players experience and although the games are fiercely competitive the games are played in good spirits and everyone is having fun. The league is an excellent advert for women’s football and we may look at doing something like this again later in the year.”
Delano Williams will anchor both relays for Munro College.
Williams, Otuonye and Garland heading to Penn Relays OLYMPIC hopeful Delano Williams, Junior Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Ifeanyi Otuonye and fellow Munro school student Angelo Garland were selected to run for the Jamaican school at this week’s PENN Relays in Pennsylvania. Williams, the double national record holder (100M and 200M), who would attend the UK Olympic trails in an attempt to book a place there, is expected to anchor the 4X100 and the 4X400 relay teams, while Otuonye is expected to start the April 26-28 races. Garland is on the reserve list for the 4X400M race.
Cheshire Hall FC into President’s Cup final CHESHIRE Hall FC have made it to the President’s Cup final but their opposition will not be known until after next week’s game between Pedagogue FC and AFC Academy. Pedagogue need to avoid defeat to make it to the final due to their goal difference being better than the Sharks. If they lose, then the Sharks will be in the final. Saturday saw the Sharks win a tight, nervy but thrilling game against the Academy 2-1. Sharks went one up after great work from Jouvelyn Inelus. The Academy fought back and put the Sharks under pressure and eventually scored when Wildens Delva latched on to a poor clearance after a corner with a lovely strike from outside the area. The battle continued with both sides wanting a winner
with the Academy in control, but Stephens Derlien latched on to a rare through ball and scored with an exquisite finish into the corner and the Sharks held on for the win. The second game saw Cheshire Hall up against HAB who could only muster eight men which was a shame for the competition. However, they bravely held out for 20 minutes with Jon Flanagan performing heroics in goal, but they couldn’t escape the inevitable in the form of a deluge of goals from Cheshire Hall for the rest of the game, the final score was 130. There were nine different scorers which included Lenford Singh with a hat-trick, Agelus Nickenson and David Archer with two each and also, Samuel Narcius scored another to bolster his claim for the Golden Boot this season.
April 28 - May 4, 2012
Sports National
Otuonye heading to Kansas State University JUNIOR Commonwealth long jump bronze medallist Ifeanyi Otuonye would be studying electrical and mechanical engineering at the Kansas State University in September after gaining a full athletic scholarship this week. The teenager, who is currently completing high school at Munro College in Jamaica, would benefit from a package worth approximately $30, 000 per academic year, including tuition, books, boarding and food. Otuonye, a former silver medallist at CARIFTA Games in high jump, was in discussion with several universities before he made his decision. Among them were Arizona State University, University of Minnesota, North Dakota University, Georgia State University and George Mason University. The former HJ Robinson student was excited about his new school. “The scholarship and the university are both really wonderful and also superior to the others, which is why I chose it.” He said that the Kansas coach was very interested in him because of his versatility in track and field. The youngster has dominated both the long jump and high jump events and is also a very capable sprinter. He has worked himself up as the starter
45
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Ifeanyi Otuonye has shown that hard work and perseverance pay off after he secured a full scholarship to Kansas State University.
for the senior 4X100M and 4X400M relay teams for his current Jamaican high school. At Champs Otuonye made another accomplishment when he split 46.95s on the 1st leg of the 4X400m for his school. A few months ago he was excited when he accomplished 48.3s. Along with the full scholarship the youngster would be financially rewarded every time he represents the university at an event. Overall Otuonye is happy about starting the new chapter in his life and is very relieved that the stress of tuition fees is off the shoulders of his parents.
Flyers dance way to PABA title FLYERS used their speed, sharp shooting and witty crossovers to win the Provo Amateur Basketball Association’s Championship title against nemesis, South Caicos Harbour Boys last weekend at the Gus Lightbourne Sports Centre. After taking the first two games (94-83 and 96-91) the week before, the eventual winners were blown away by 20 points, 107-87 in game three. Anthony Cash did not allow the slide to continue in the fourth game; he took control with a season high 28 points, eight assists and seven steals as his team took the championship title with a 96-86 win. Cash was later named the most valuable player after accumulating 98 points, 17 rebounds, 24 assists and 12 steals in the finals. Daron Williams assisted with 24 points, eight rebounds and five steals, while Darado Fulford scored 17 points and Anthony Pratt made 10 points, five rebounds and seven assists. Harbour Boys dominated the boards; Eahlo Seymour scored 21 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, Alvardo Parker scored nine points and also took 16 boards while Kirk Adams scored 26 points with 11 boards. Cash also won the most points and most assists awards, while Seymour grabbed a total of 68
rebounds to take that title. Parker took the best blocker award after he sent 10 shots packing. Williams
was awarded for the most steals (15) while he also made the most three pointers (15).
Flyers whipped league favourites South Caicos Harbour Boys 3-1 in the finals of the PABA Championships.
TCI flawless in Bambarra Rugby Series – Defeat Brooklyn Rugby Club again TCI’s rugby has arrived! Any skepticism was answered when the national team, the TCI Flamingos, played flawless against two teams from New York at home over the last few weeks. Game one was won 52-5 against the Brockport Doggies two weeks ago, while in their first game against the Brooklyn Rugby Club, last Wednesday, victory came 10-5. The local boys made it a lot easier with a 27-0 win in the last game of the series on Saturday afternoon. Playing into the wind in the first half the Flamingos started the game with a short kick to their forwards. Gathered by the Brooklyn pack it was secured and fed to the Brooklyn fly-half Andy Bartlett, who with the wind at his back made use of it to clear for touch and drive the TCI boys back into their own half. A line-out ensured, and it was won at the front by TCI’s Blair Mason, but the ensuing pass to the backs was put down by nervous hands early on from Flamingos’ flyhalf Butler. Scrum ball to Brooklyn on the TCI 22 line. The feed was won by TCI who used their backs to work the ball up-field. Jamie Tait and Paul McKenzie both surged hard
in the centres carrying the ball to the Brooklyn defenders. The TCI game plan was to run the bigger Brooklyn pack around and some quick hands saw the wingers involved early. The Brooklyn line held for the most part, but the advantage of having the wind behind them didn’t translate into dominance on the field. Territory early on was shared as the TCI lads rumbled the ball up-field using quick ruck ball from their enterprising forwards and some clever kicks by Butler and Tait. Neil French, Callis Jones and Dorel Williams hassled the Brooklyn players in the loose contesting fiercely for the ball. Brooklyn realised they needed to play territory while they had the wind behind them, but despite concerted pressure late in the first half they were unable to break the TCI’s defense and post any points. The lead was actually taken into the half time break by the home side who had earlier gone 3-0 up thanks to a successful penalty from Butler into the wind. Having endured the opening salvos from the bigger Brooklyn side the Flamingos were heartened that they had conceded no points and were ready to unleash their dynamic
Israel Burns of the Brooklyn Rugby Club attempts to score a try, but he is well stopped by Callis Jones (6) of the TCI Flamingos. He eventually knocked the ball on over the line.
backs on the tiring New Yorkers. The restart saw possession quickly into the TCI heads, and an almost immediate score from a midfield ruck, saw the ball spun wide to Neil French who dummied and sprinted his way down the right hand touch line. When it almost looked like he would have scored, his inside pass found Simon Taylor backing up and he was around under the post for the first try of the match. Butler converted and the spirit of Brooklyn started to wane—10-0
to TCI. Again struggling to regain possession from the restart the visitors were driven back into their own half by some accurate punting by the home team. With Captain Blair Mason dominating the lineout’s the TCI team was able to play a territory based game, and forcing Brooklyn to play defensive rugby. They struggled to adapt to this and with the pressure mounting conceded another penalty which Butler knocked between the posts—13-0. The restart was again won by TCI who showed some flair
with all players wanting to get their hands on the ball and take it to the opposition. Substitutions were made and the new players attacked with vigor. A scrum to TCI resulted from pressure on the Brooklyn fly-half who grounded the ball in his own dead-ball line. Neil French and the TCI pack led by Sean O’Neil and Neil Richmond drove the Brooklyn pack back and French scored a great pushover try. With the conversion successful, the floodgates open and the flyer Alex Williams followed another break by French and replacement Nik Hight to step around the exhausted Brooklyn defense and score under the post for his second try of the week, and fourth of the Bambarra Test Series. With the final conversion the score was 27-0 and the Flamingos unbeaten run at their home Meridian Field was retained. All in all it was a tremendous performance by the home side against a spirited and determined visiting team. Both sides congratulated each other after the match which was played in a friendly and sporting spirit, and Brooklyn captain Dan Newcombe presented the TCIRFU with a proclamation from the Brooklyn Mayor in NY, honouring “Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Celebration Day” in Brooklyn.
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012
April 28 - May 4, 2012
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
April 28 - May 4, 2012