Turks and Caicos Weekly News - Issue 49

Weekly News Volume 24 | No. 5 | January February 6 - 12, 2010

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Elections on

track for 2011

BRITAIN will surge ahead with TCI elections next year – but warns there will not be a return to the same political model as before the UK takeover. PAGE  5

Join the ‘Reading Rush’ PAGE 

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inside

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Public sector and Crown land reforms ahead PUBLIC sector reform and an overhaul of the notoriously corruptible Crown land system are top of Britain’s agenda for the TCI, say Foreign Office bigwigs.

PAGE  4

“Gang members” may be among captured migrants

Join these youngsters in the RUSH to learn to read and read to learn

MEMBERS of the ruthless Haitian gang Zoe Pound are suspected to be among the hordes of illegal migrants captured in the TCI ...

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NATIONAL

Public sector and Crown land reforms ahead

By Gemma Handy PUBLIC sector reform and an overhaul of the notoriously corruptible Crown land system are top of Britain’s agenda for the TCI, say Foreign Office bigwigs.

Overseas territories director Colin Roberts spoke candidly about the weighty task of restoring financial stability to a nation knee-deep in unpaid bills during his visit to the Islands this week.

But with light at the end of the fiscal tunnel, UK chiefs will be free to concentrate on much needed constitutional reforms brought to light by the Commission of Inquiry.

He said the forthcoming $85m loan to help consolidate Government debt would give the country “breathing space” from crippling monthly repayments.

Mr Roberts said much of the “core work” recommended by Sir Robin Auld had been achieved since London reassumed charge of the Islands six months ago.

He warned that public service reforms wouldn’t happen “overnight” but that setting the “main themes” of change would be a priority.

“We will go forward over a period of time. Public service reform is a matter of many years – not two, three or four.”

Public service chief executive Mark Capes, also present at a press conference on Wednesday, revealed that Britain was set to stump up funds to improve the sector.

“We are looking at putting more horsepower into the public service and are hoping for additional resources from London this financial

year to help us.

“What we are looking to achieve over a longer period is a public service we can afford, that is more efficient and that the public will respect and appreciate.

“That’s a lot of work to be done.”

The chief executive has been noticeably tight-lipped when asked previously whether the reforms will include job cuts as widely expected.

Mr Roberts said it was also essential to beef up Crown land policies to eradicate the opportunity for abuse.

Governor Gordon Wetherell said proposals for changes would go out to public consultation shortly.

The overseas territories director flew into the TCI on January 30 for a four-day visit – his first since August.

During the trip he met up with the Governor, chief executive and their advisors. He spoke with Ministry of Finance bosses, the TCInvest Board, the Council of Business and Professional Associations, members of the tourism working group and representatives of both political parties.

He met with the Red Cross and visited captured Haitian migrants being held at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Centre.

In addition, Mr Roberts visited farms in North Caicos, the North to Middle causeway and spent time with advisory council and consultative forum members.

He told the media conference that stabilising the country’s “very fragile” financial situation had taken far longer than expected.

“The last six months has been a

Overseas territories director Colin Roberts (centre), Governor Gordon Wetherell (left) and chief executive Mark Capes were grilled by media on Wednesday.

period of stabilisation.

“The situation we discovered when we were able to properly investigate the state of public finances was considerably worse than we had expected.

“It’s taken a great deal of time – more than we had anticipated – to reschedule the extensive debt accumulated under the previous administration.

“There were a lot of debts discovered which were not registered anywhere. It was literally a case of going into departments, opening up cupboards and finding unopened letters containing multi-million dollar invoices.

“The estimated scale of TCI Government debt shot up day by day.”

He said that resolving the pecuniary pickle would enable plans for long-term systemic reforms to now be put in place.

But he warned there was still a rocky road ahead.

“It’s very important to understand that this $85m is not new investment.

It’s repaying existing debt and enables the Government to pay outstanding bills, especially to smaller businesses in the TCI who need that.

“It does not alter the fact that,

even after considerable reductions in public expenditure, there’s a considerable deficit which has to be sorted out over the next few years.”

The overseas territories director faced tough questioning from media about London’s decision to commission last year’s corruption probe.

“The last Governor raised concerns on a number of issues but we did not, for a number of years, have concrete evidence to launch a Commission of Inquiry,” he said.

“In nearly every territory there’s a constant stream of allegations of corruption which come in. Quite a lot may be politically motivated.

“In every case there are different circumstances.

“Commissions of Inquiry have very serious consequences and cause severe disruption to the life of a territory.

“A decision is only taken when we are absolutely convinced it’s the only way to address the problem.”

Mr Roberts admitted there was still limited evidence of malfeasance even when the probe was launched.

“But then a very, very large amount

came forward which confirmed we had made the right decision.”

Mr Roberts was quizzed too about the potential effect on the TCI should there be a switch from a Labour to a Conservative Government in this year’s British elections.

“Neither the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats have made any statement about their position regarding the overseas territories, let alone the TCI,” he replied.

“But I am reasonably confident there will be no significant change in policy based on the fact that there’s been very clear cross party support for every action taken since commissioning the inquiry.

“Adjusting the constitution and introducing an interim Government have both had cross party support.”

Media representatives also seized the opportunity to question the Governor about ongoing investigations into corruptionaccused public officials.

Mr Wetherell said he was “conscious” that the process needed to be expedited.

“A lot of work is going on with the special prosecution team.

“Funding is now assured so we will be able to build up to full capacity and speed up the work.”

AA jet makes emergency landing in Provo Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. BLYTHE DUNCANSON Publisher and Editor-In-Chief email: tcweeklynews@yahoo.com Tel: 649-946-4664 / Fax: 649-946-4661 www.tcweeklynews.com

AN AMERICAN Airlines jet made a safe emergency landing Monday in the TCI after the crew noticed an unusual smell inside the cabin, authorities said.

The Boeing 737-800, carrying 109 people, was roughly halfway through its flight from Miami to St Lucia when it made its impromptu stop in Providenciales.

Peter Forbes Civil, deputy managing director of the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “I know that they

landed because of the smell of fumes from the cabin.

That had to be checked out.”

It is unclear what caused the fumes.

Nobody was injured, according to Andrea Huguely, a spokeswoman for the Fort Worth, Texasbased airline.

She said a maintenance crew would thoroughly check the aircraft before it was returned to service.

Another 737 was scrambled to take the passengers on to St Lucia.

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Elections on track for 2011

By Gemma Handy BRITAIN will surge ahead with TCI elections next year – but warns there will not be a return to the same political model as before the UK takeover.

Wednesday’s announcement by visiting Foreign Office dignitary Colin Roberts ends speculation that London may opt for an extension to the period of direct rule.

But it also puts paid to expectations of a revert to the status quo prior to last August.

An extensive six-month review – headed by international experts – is to be launched into the current electoral system imminently.

The aim is to flush out corruptible practices which will probably include the way campaigns are financed following widespread claims of vote buying during the Commission of Inquiry.

Mr Roberts didn’t rule out scrapping the traditional two party system in favour of an ‘every candidate for himself’ election process.

But such a move is deemed unlikely after it proved unworkable in the aftermath of the 1986 constitution suspension.

The overseas territories director told a press conference that Britain was “quite determined” there would be no repeat of the mistakes of the past.

And he revealed that a “greater British presence” in the Islands after the elections would help ensure the reforms implemented could not be “reversed”.

Mr Roberts took time out this week to meet with business and community leaders, politicians and civil servants to gauge opinions on the UK’s governance to date.

“It’s very clear that many people are thinking about what’s going to happen after the return to elected Government. There are a lot of different views,” he said.

“A lot have criticised us for what we have already done in suspending the elected Government.

“There are also those that say there will be a huge amount of reform work needed and that the interim Government should be extended for a period.

“Elections will be held on schedule in mid 2011 but there will not be a simple return to the same political situation that existed before August 2009.

“The British Government is quite determined it won’t allow a repeat of the sort of things that happened under the last administration.”

Mr Roberts said electoral specialists would consult Islanders before coming up with a series of recommendations for an overhaul of the process.

“Our objective in looking at the electoral system is to see whether

“A greater British presence” will ensure past mistakes are not repeated – Colin Roberts.

there are aspects which have contributed to the corrupt practices we have seen here and if there are adjustments that can be made to reduce the risk of that kind of corrupt practice.

“The end result must be to put in place arrangements to give the people of the TCI, and also the international community, confidence that the reforms are irreversible and that the principles of good governance will be upheld.”

He said it was “not clear” that the Westminster-style system had proved

successful in the TCI in the past but that no “formal” consideration was being given to an alternative.

“Electoral reform is a very technical area. There were some issues raised within Commissioner Sir Robin Auld’s report which we were asked to look at. And that is what we are doing.”

Mr Roberts said it was the UK’s intention to keep interference in TCI affairs to a minimum after the elections.

But that a handful of extra personnel would be posted to the

Islands to bolster the Governor’s office and also to act as technical advisors.

“We have not defined arrangements for after 2011. We will do this through the review and in consultation with the people of the TCI, the advisory council and consultative forum.

“There will be a greater British presence after the elections. Three or four people as before is probably not sufficient to ensure the principles of good governance and reforms are properly adhered to.

“How many is under consideration but it would not be characterised as a heavy presence.

“Our objective is that the people of the TCI should manage their own affairs as much as possible. It’s always been our intention to keep our presence to a minimum.”

The overseas territories director was also quizzed by media about London’s current stance on independence.

“The fundamental principle, with regards to independence, is that it is entirely a matter for the people of the TCI. “I would not expect the interim Government to make a movement in any way or the other.

“It will reflect the views of the people as with every territory.

“If one chooses to pursue that path, and where it’s appropriate, the British Government will support it,” he added.

“Gang members” may be among captured migrants

By Gemma Handy MEMBERS of the ruthless Haitian gang Zoe Pound are suspected to be among the hordes of illegal migrants captured in the TCI last Wednesday, the Weekly News can reveal.

Four men believed to have direct links to the notorious gang have been moved from the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Centre to the South Dock detention facility for fellow refugees’ safety, Permanent Secretary Clara Gardiner said.

Zoe Pound – associated by some with voodoo and drug smuggling – originated among Haitian immigrants before becoming widely recognised in the 1990s with factions in the Bahamas and Miami.

Mrs Gardiner said investigations into the suspected criminals’ backgrounds were ongoing.

“Four of the migrants are thought to be from the gang Zoe Pound.

It’s not confirmed yet, we are still checking into that,” she said.

The men were among 126 people aboard a rickety sloop which sailed into TCI waters from Cap-Haitien on January 27.

The interception came just days

More than 120 people were crammed onto the sloop when it was intercepted by marine police last week.

after local authorities stepped up patrols for fear of an influx of refugees following this month’s devastating earthquake in the troubled nation.

Those captured have since been held in the sports centre due to limited detention facilities.

Mrs Gardiner said some, bored and frustrated, had become unruly.

An additional 23 were also moved to the detention centre after “creating a disturbance”.

“They were being unruly and

uncooperative and trying to get others not to cooperate either.

“The environment there is not the best, it’s uncomfortable and there’s not much circulation of air,” she said.

The immigrants have been sleeping on cots provided by the Disaster Management Department for over a week with limited washing facilities.

The handful of children also on the boat are being cared for at Provo

Children’s Home.

Meanwhile, arrangements are underway to rehouse the remainder of those arrested at a foreign workers’ camp in Five Cays while a humanitarian freeze on deportation remains in place.

Almost 100 migrants were due to be relocated today to the camp which has individual bedrooms, bathroom facilities, a café, laundry and a communal room where they can play pool and dominoes.

Mrs Gardiner said the cost of detaining the migrants – monitored around the clock by security guards – was expected to be "significant".

“It does cost a lot when you are dealing with that number of people, not knowing when they will be returned.

“The cost will be significant.

“And we have no idea yet how much the utility bills will be.”

She added that there was no confirmation to date that any of those being held were among the 4,000 convicts who escaped from the ruins of Port-au-Prince’s prison following the 7.0 quake.

A police source told the Weekly News that officers had been given a

tip-off that a “criminal element” was among the refugees.

The UK is currently working on a long term plan for detaining illegal immigrants who enter the TCI. A representative from England’s Department for International Development visited the country this week to assess existing facilities and make recommendations.

Governor Gordon Wetherell told a press conference on Wednesday that the Government “recognised the seriousness” of the Haitian disaster with regards to its impact on the Islands.

“The position of the TCI is different from other neighbouring countries in that we are a much smaller territory so the proportion of the problem is larger.

“We hope to repatriate the migrants once we are assured that the facilities in Cap-Haitien are OK and they can be safely deported.”

He added that repatriations would be “very soon”.

Marine police chief Neil Hall renewed calls for anyone with information about illegal immigrants hiding or heading into the Islands to contact him on 946 2072.

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

The double dilemma WITH scores of illegal Haitian migrants captured last week held for over a week in a Providenciales sports centre, we asked for your views on the dilemma.

How should the Government reconcile the problem of limited local detention facilities with the current humanitarian freeze on deportation?

Wrong message

“First of all I think that the Government was wrong to give amnesty for six months to illegal immigrants in a public statement because it certainly will send the wrong message to people leaving Haiti.

“They will continue to flock here. I understand that they want to be compassionate at this time but what they should have done was put a system in place firstly to effectively monitor and regulate illegals.

“For example, a sensible move would have been to say to all illegal immigrants that they have two weeks to register for six months of amnesty. That way we would get a good picture of what our current immigration situation is and we would know the illegal immigrants.

“How else do you offer amnesty and following that period deport persons that you don’t even know exist?

“I thought since inception that this plan was doomed to fail and endanger us further economically and put further strain on our already crippled health systems.”

Already swamped

“Why can they not be sent back to CapHaitien? Cap was not affected by the quake!

We cannot look after our own people, never mind keep these illegals in an air conditioned building with 24 hour security!

A jackpot for Sicta

“There are millions and millions of dollars pouring into Haiti for rebuilding. They should go home and get their share of that!

“If we are getting pressure from other countries to look after them (i.e. the USA) please send them there!

“We do not have the resources to finish our own rebuilding after Ike and Hannah! What are we doing this for? I am not anti-Haitian but there are plenty of unemployed people whose work permits have expired, not been renewed or never existed.

“The Government has already peed away the ‘repatriation fee’ charged to employers by the Government.

“They have no way to get the already overbearing number of illegals out of here! I feel very sorry for these misguided souls but we cannot keep them here.

“Any new arrivals should be towed back out to sea and sent on their way home with an escort. We cannot afford the airfare for their repatriation! (Another gimmick to put money in the pockets of the Misick family).”

No resources

“I believe our official policy is that any Haitian here, whether legal or illegal, before the earthquake struck could stay here for an, as yet, undetermined length of time but that anybody who arrived after the quake would be shipped back to Haiti – obviously they need

A LUCKY bingo player walked away with a life changing jackpot this weekend at the Rotary Club of Providenciales weekly game.

Sicta de la Cruz won $28,000 at the Tropicana Supper Club on Sunday when his numbers were called and was delighted to receive the huge cheque.

All the proceeds from Rotary bingo go to fund community projects in the TCI.

to go back to anywhere in Haiti except Portau-Prince.

“We simply do not have the resources to help our neighbours. Thanks again Mike for making us look bad internationally as well as nationally.”

Preparation needed

“I’m not clear on what the current plans are and wonder if anyone is. It was initially stated that there would be no forced repatriation of illegal Haitian immigrants until further notice.

“Then on January 30th the TCI Journal reported an announcement from the Governor’s office that recently detained refugees would be repatriated.

“Later the Weekly News quoted a TCI maritime division official as saying that there would be no repatriation until the situation in Haiti improved and that the detainees would be housed at the Gustarvus Lightbourne Sports Complex for now.

“The Sun carried a similar report and noted that the final call on repatriation would be made by the Immigration Department.

“The last I heard, there was no water at the sports complex, a situation which I assume, and hope, has been remedied. Even so, it is hardly a suitable location to house, control and care for large numbers of people on a full time basis.

“Furthermore, it is not clear whether these refugees are from Port-au-Prince, which was devastated by the earthquake, or from other regions such as Cap-Haitien which had no real damage. That would seem to be a legitimate distinction.

“Any refugees who may be escaped criminals should also be identified. Without question, the TCI should demonstrate compassion for victims of one of the worst earthquakes in modern history.

“However, we also need to guard against an overwhelming influx of illegal immigrants that can’t be cared for properly here, especially given Government’s current economic circumstances and its inability to control high levels of criminal activity that currently exist.

“Furthermore, while we should endeavour to assist earthquake victims to the degree that it is feasible to do so, there is no reason to open our doors to illegal immigrants who were unaffected by the earthquake, nor to accommodate escaped criminals who may soon escape again to join our already flourishing local criminal fraternity.

“Prompt triage is essential. Those who are not innocent disaster victims should be returned to Haiti. A clear first priority in the face of a catastrophe such as this is to identify the risks, decide who is to be in charge of managing them and formulate a functional management plan.

“The earthquake occurred on January 12th.

It should have been immediately apparent, given our geographic proximity to Haiti and large Haitian expat population, that increased illegal immigration would soon become a serious issue.

“By January 27th, when the present group of refugees arrived, an appropriate plan should have been in place. Perhaps it was but the events as they unfolded from the time the sloop was apprehended by the U.S. Coast Guard onward sure had the look of TCI business as usual - ad hoc all the way.

“We can only hope that TCI officials are

prepared for the next sloop and all of those to follow.”

Limited power

“The UK should take them! They have the resources! They are the one in control right now.

“Put them on British Airways to London and ask the British to look after them. TCI does not have the resources or the power!”

Give us a break

“The whole of Haiti was not destroyed. Take them back and place them on Haitian soil not smack dab in the middle of the ‘mess’ but back home!

“Haitians are not stupid but it seems that they expect everybody else to be! They don’t care that little countries like ours cannot absorb their large influx!

“And if they refuse to take heed to our warning, ship them back! We should never take their ‘mess’ and place it on the back of our nation.

“How long must the rest of the world carry these people? Just think about it now; the world is sending more supplies into Haiti than it did in the last 100 years or so yet they are still crowding up in other people’s country!

“The Haitians should understand for once in their lives – give other people a break. We are already helping them above and beyond what we can afford so they should ease up.

“Stay home for now! If they don’t – send them back!”

TCI needs aid too

“It is a sad situation but the Turks & Caicos need is almost similar to Haiti only that our devastation was caused by humans instead of an act of God. “Nonetheless, the effects are the same – economic devastation – and the sad thing is we cannot get any aid. Not even from the mother country that oversee the destruction by the former PNP Government.

“If things do not change soon, we may need to be heading south as even with the devastation in Haiti there are areas where people could cultivate to feed themselves and supported by aid going there to make life a bit comfortable for the Haitians.

“As it stands right now, the prospect of Haiti looks better than the TCI as there is the will of the international community to assist with the rebuilding efforts there so the TCI authorities should get the message out to the Haitians trying to flee here, not to come because the situation here is just as dire or even worse.

“I think the UK should take responsibility for these refugees as we cannot afford to care even for our own. Failing that they should divert the aid being sent to Haiti to the TCI.”

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

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

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NATIONAL

More than 20 taxi drivers met at their airport base to discuss the situation

Taxi drivers hit the streets outside Providenciales Airport with boards expressing their upset

Fighting for their fare – Taxi drivers protest against illegal VIP transfers

By Rebecca Bird FRUSTRATED taxi drivers took to the streets this week to protest about losing business to unlicensed resort transport.

The vocal demonstration outside Providenciales Airport followed a week of talks with government officials, which the cabbies deemed unfruitful.

They say that big hotels are stealing away their fare illegally, using unregistered ‘VIP’ vehicles to lure tourists away from the traditional cabs.

And while government representatives agreed that many resorts are not acting in accordance with the law, they refused to ban them from the streets – instead offering them 72 business hours to get their licenses in order.

More than 20 taxi drivers met at their airport base on Thursday, January 28, to discuss the situation.

Toussaint Capron, president of Turks and Caicos Associated Taxis, told the Weekly News that while the 50 or so members of the association

all had public service licences as well as business licences, many of the hotel drivers did not have any transportation licence.

This, he said, contravenes the 1997 Road Safety Ordinance – which clearly states that all public service vehicles must be licensed as such.

Mr Capron added that in addition the ordinance says that public service vehicles can only be operated by Belongers.

“The market is too small to accommodate everyone,” he stressed, “laws are put in place for a specific reason.”

He said he had met with officials earlier in the week who had promised that action would be taken against anyone acting illegally, but added that they had seen little progress.

“I’m asking the Governor – do not let this nonsense continue. It’s a gross violation of the law.”

Martin Freeman-Theodore, vice president of Turks and Caicos Associated Taxis, echoed Mr Capron’s sentiments.

“We are calling on the Governor to take action immediately – stand up

for justice, taxi drivers are hurting.”

Mr Freeman-Theodore said that their livelihood is at stake if the resorts continue to operate illegally.

“This is work for us and this is how we support our families.

“Taxi drivers spend from 5am until 8pm working and can often barely carry home $40 to their families.

“We’re tired, we’re fed up, we’re calling on the powers that be to take action soon because this is our livelihood.”

He added: “We are approaching this in a civil manner and are prepared to do what is necessary to protect our industry.

“We are prepared to protest and do demonstrations if necessary.”

Later on Thursday afternoon following their meeting taxi drivers were visited by Ralph Higgs, director of the Tourist Board and Richard Garland, director of Road Safety, who attempted to appease the disgruntled men and women.

Mr Higgs told them that laws would be enforced, but said that the resorts would be given a number of days to collate the correct

Ralph Higgs, director of the Tourist Board, attempts to appease the disgruntled men and women

documents.

But the cabbies were dissatisfied with what they heard and on Friday morning hit the streets outside Providenciales Airport to express their upset.

They marched around the international arrivals doors carrying brightly coloured signs.

One read ‘Lawbreakers will be prosecuted’ and on another was written ‘If you love us respect our laws.’

On Wednesday, the Department

of Road Safety issued a statement saying they are “acutely aware” of the concerns expressed by taxi drivers.

“The Government is currently reviewing all aspects of this issue to arrive at a solution, which would be satisfactory to all stakeholders,” it read.

“The Government expects to be in a position to make a further announcement in the near future. All parties are advised to be patient.”

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NATIONAL

The immense Place de la Paix camp consists of hundreds of small structures covered with sheets, plastic or clothing, “anything to make shelter”

The compassionate volunteers, who returned to the TCI this Tuesday, said they were “extremely glad” to have been able to help

Helping Haiti

By Rebecca Bird IT WAS the experience of a lifetime for a team of firefighters and engineers who spent two gruelling weeks in disaster-stricken Haiti assisting with relief efforts.

The compassionate volunteers, working under the auspices of the Salvation Army, returned to the TCI this Tuesday, physically exhausted but “extremely glad” to have been able to help.

With them they brought back heartwrenching stories of desperation, violence and struggle but also tales of hope.

From experiencing a huge aftershock and witnessing horrific brutality to searching for survivors and even delivering a baby – the crew say they will never forget their trip and some hope to return soon to continue their work.

The seven-strong team touched

“The kids softened the barrier between the grown ups - they just wanted to hold our hands and talk to us” – Kevin Tuffley

down at Port-au-Prince Airport on Tuesday evening where they were met by members of the Salvation Army.

“The airport was like Grand Central Station,” Shona McKenna, a civil construction engineer with Johnston, told the Weekly News, “it was chaos, but well organised chaos.”

They transferred their cargo of aid into the truck before setting off for the Salvation Army compound in Delmas Two. “It was dusk when we drove through Port-au-Prince and on first glance it looked almost normal,” Shona said.

– Relief team returns from disaster striken nation “The structures just looked decrepit, cars and ambulances were bustling up and down and there were people selling things on market stalls.

“We thought for a second, maybe we’re in the wrong place.”

But as they travelled north through the city they passed streets and streets of ruined buildings and the “acrid stench of death” filled their nostrils and coated their throats.

The team arrived in Delmas Two at nightfall and set up a sleeping area in the second floor of the Salvation Army’s emergency clinic.

They were introduced to Bob Poff, the Salvation Army disaster

“On first glance Port-au-Prince looked almost normal, there were people selling things on market stalls,” Shona McKenna said.

coordinator for Haiti, who told them that the area had been completely neglected by search and rescue.

It was extremely poor, he told them, it was run by gangs and had a notoriously high crime rate.

But despite the area’s reputation, the Salvation Army, which had taken care of the community there for 60 years, was highly respected.

After a restless nights sleep and eager to get to work, the team rose early the next morning.

They began to wash and dress, when suddenly, at about 6.45am, the building began to shake violently.

“I saw concrete columns swaying like blades of grass in the wind,” said

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Terry Always, a volunteer firefighter of six years, “it was pretty intense.”

Port-au-Prince had been stuck by a powerful aftershock measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale.

It lasted just a few seconds but it was enough to make the team acutely aware of the fear and desperation that many of the country’s residents had gone through a week earlier.

Following the terrifying quake Shona inspected the clinic and deciding it was unsafe helped the doctors to evacuate the building.

They transferred the patients to a nearby school building within the Salvation Army compound which had withstood the quakes.

Meanwhile the five volunteer firefighters went on their first search and rescue mission to locate a senior Salvation Army member.

The highly respected pastor was last seen entering a multi-story car park by a nearby bank, just minutes before the earthquake struck turning the building to rubble.

At the site Terry climbed beneath the ruins where he found the pastor’s car crushed to just a few feet high.

In the driving seat was the body of a man.

Throughout the remainder of the trip the crew were called out to a number of other locations - but their searches proved unfruitful, finding only dead bodies.

As well as search and rescue operations the firefighters also spent their time helping with food distribution.

One day they handed out 260,000 meals in just four hours – which was later labelled as the largest peaceful food handout in Port-au-Prince since the disaster.

Despite not being subject to any hostility themselves, the team witnessed several incidents of gang violence while in Delmas Two. Terry told the Weekly News that he felt helpless when he saw a man get brutally beaten with a hammer by a gang of men.

But ironically the Salvation Army involved the heads of the local gang in the distribution of the food who aided in “keeping things calm.”

During their two weeks at the Salvation Army clinic the TCI volunteers witnessed numerous acts of compassion and dedication.

Teams of visiting US doctors worked on patients suffering from a host of injuries including head and eye injuries, dehydration and crushed limbs.

Kevin Tuffley, a former fire training officer, said that the volunteers tried to assist in any way they could – on one occasion keeping constant watch over a severely dehydrated baby.

“The doctors had to put the IV directly into his shin bone because they couldn’t find a vein," he said.

“He was whimpering in pain – but throughout the next two days we knew that as long as we could hear him he was okay.”

The five-week-old baby was kept in a makeshift cot fashioned from a vegetable basket, and the crew

watched over him in shifts.

“By the second day the doctors moved the IV to his stomach and we could see he was much better.”

Volunteer firefighters Johanne Karam, Andrew Chattell and Terry were thrown head first into a medical emergency when a flight delay left the clinic without any doctors.

“I was sitting down in the clinic talking to four wonderful guys on a mission from Pennsylvania when I heard ‘Doctor, doctor,’” Johanne said.

“I looked over the balcony and saw a lady on the concrete ground ready to deliver.

“I went to see if there were any midwives and there weren’t any, so I got Andy and Terry who were in a tent at the other compound.”

Together the three of them calmed and comforted the woman for 40 minutes until a doctor finally arrived.

“She arrived just in time,” Johanne said, “she got there five minutes before the baby was born with its umbilical cord wrapped around its neck.”

Despite the complications the baby and mother recovered well and were taken to the University of Miami Hospital by the airport for further assistance.

Throughout the final week Shona and Jean Ronal Macius, a Haitianborn pastor and interpreter, spent their time in the nearby ‘tent city.’

The immense Place de la Paix camp is positioned on an old football field close to the Salvation Army compound.

It consists of hundreds of small structures covered with sheets, plastic or clothing, “anything to make shelter.”

At the camp Shona met with Damaris Frick of the Salvation Army UK and together they discussed how to provide shelter, food, water and latrines for the 2,000 plus families

Teams of visiting US doctors work on patients suffering from a host of injuries at the Salvation Army clinic

living there.

“There was inadequate space to fit all of the tents,” Shona said, “so we talked about creating timber structures, containers or double level structures.

“This takes a lot of planning, time and thought, and the local community simply didn’t understand why couldn’t give them tents straight away.”

On returning from their trip the team said that one of their strongest memories would be the children.

“You were chatting to them and they would try to run their hands through your hair,” Kevin said, “and the girls who were skipping would say come play with us.

“The kids softened the barrier between the grown ups - they just wanted to hold our hands and talk to us.”

The team were also struck by the strong religious beliefs and the intense faith that the residents displayed.

Throughout the trip the crew were called out on a number of search and rescue missions, but found only dead bodies

Terry said: “They believe so strongly in their church and their faith – we saw them pray for four or five hours every night.”

Shona told the Weekly News that the experience was life changing and being able to help was extremely important to everyone.

“I am very sad to be back, we want to return in the very near future, there’s a lot more that we can do.

“The scope of this is so huge, it’s so hard to think about how you can help, but when you’re there on the ground you feel like you can actually do something.”

Noel Thomas, a police officer and volunteer firefighter of five years, said the trip was “very challenging” but a learning experience.

“I think I am more prepared now if anything like that happened in the TCI.” He added: “We were most certainly able to help – for a small island we have been able to help a

great, great deal.”

Terry said: “The reality of it is we went out to represent the TCI and the people of TCI. “There are a lot of people here that care and we went out there to do the best we could.

“I feel that it was a success, but there is a lot of work to be done.”

Haiti was struck by a 7.0magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, January 12, resulting in the death of an estimated 200,000 people.

Millions more in and around the capital Port-au-Prince are still homeless, hungry and in desperate need of assistance.

“Please do not forget,” Johanne said, “even when it is not on the news any more.

“It is going to be years and years of work – don’t stop giving.”

To donate to the Salvation Army visit the newly opened thrift shop on South Dock Road.

The “acrid stench of death” emanates from the fallen buildings

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

NATIONAL

Running with the Current

By Gemma Handy FROM the dawn of live television to the signing of the Club Med contract which spawned the country’s tourism industry, Current magazine immortalised a plethora of pivotal moments within its glossy pages.

Now the country’s first periodical – which epitomised a generation and captured the essence of an era – is set for a relaunch.

As the TCI once again experiences a time in history quite unlike any other, publisher W. Blythe Duncanson plans to bring the hit 1980s publication back from the ashes.

For four years, the 70-plus page mag was Islanders’ only source of news alongside the sporadicallyproduced Conch News.

Its bi-monthly editions were eventually made redundant by sister publication, the Weekly News.

But from June 1981 to April 1985, Current magazine enlightened and educated, informed and entertained, bringing its blend of news articles and features before a captive audience.

Mr Duncanson believes he has spotted a niche market for its 21st century counterpart, due to hit the shelves later this year.

“The original idea behind Current was to provide a compact capsule of timely information about the Islands.

“In those days there really was no other source of local news,” he says.

“Back in the 1980s the community was just beginning to develop but now it’s developing into something else again.

“Other publications serve a useful purpose with their visitors’ guides and real estate sections but they don’t say much about the indigenous people of the country and we feel there’s still a need to promote the national agenda.

“There’s nothing that focuses on local players, the people who make things happen in this community.

“They are often shown as if development is happening around them, when they are an integral part of it.

“The relaunched Current will seek to rectify that by emphasising their contribution.”

Born in North Caicos, Mr Duncanson was just eight when his family left the Islands for the Bahamas.

Inspired by the success of other papers in the region, he returned to the TCI in 1979 to see if his native country could support its own indigenous publication.

“I was stunned by the natural beauty I saw that surpassed even the Bahamas. I decided I wanted to showcase that beauty, along with the country’s new investment opportunities, to the world.”

And so Current, edited by former

This old snap of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s 1966 visit to South Caicos was reproduced for a 1983 edition of Current.

Miss TCI Miriam Adams with Provo District Commissioner Bill Clare upon winning her title in September 1984.

Staff at the country’s first meat store, Provo Beef Centre. From left: Glenn Outten, Lynda R. Rigby, Kingsley Parker, Enid Smith and Gilmore Williams who would later become Premier.

Publisher W. Blythe Duncanson looks forward to relaunching the popular 1980s magazine.

Historian Bill Clare was a loyal ‘Current’ reader and still has a number of copies in his possession.

Nassau Tribune managing editor Jim Graves, was born.

“It became an immediate success,” Mr Duncanson recalls.

With the tagline ‘you can’t hold back the tide’, Current encapsulated the mood of the time when the country was on the very cusp of bursting onto the world stage.

Many of the issues it covered – such as the breakneck speed of the development boom, inter-island rivalry and illegal immigration – still ring true today.

Historian Bill Clare was among its legion of loyal readers and still owns a stack of relics which testify to a bygone era.

“From the very first time Current was printed, I always made sure I bought at least one or two copies.

“It was the first international magazine published in the TCI.

“It covered a lot of very important stories, historic events that our children and students can look back on today.”

Some of the momentous events Mr Clare remembers include the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to Grand Turk in 1984 and the revenueraising oil transfers off West Caicos.

“There were a number of profiles on outstanding people in the community too, such as Commissioner of Police Stanley Williams, Hon. Rosita Butterfield when she became the first female elected member of the Legislative Council and also Ena Woodstock, the first female magistrate.

“As a historian I have always liked to read. My dream was to have my own library. I collected a lot of material and once had the entire collection of Current magazine.

Publisher W. Blythe Duncanson presents the inaugural issue of the Weekly News to Governor John Strong in 1982. In the background are columnist Colin Tatem and entertainer ‘Lovey’ Forbes.

“Over the years I lost some and loaned some out. Today they are collectors’ items.”

Among Mr Clare’s copies is the 1981 inaugural issue.

A front cover banner proudly declares the TCI a “new destination for investors” and “the last Caribbean continued 

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

11

NATIONAL

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Robert Runcie, greets schoolchildren at Grand Turk airport in March 1984.

frontier” in tribute to its then esoteric status.

Chief Minister at the time, Norman Saunders, and Development Minister Stafford Missick appear before a map of the Islands.

An inside editorial announces Current as a non partisan, non political magazine aimed at all residents with the purpose of “education and promotion”.

“This is an exciting time in our country’s history. Today we are witnessing the rediscovery of these Islands which, for centuries, have been hiding on the backside of the Bahamas,” it continues.

“People now are becoming aware of us: aware of our history, our excellent climate, our crystal-clear waters and impeccable beaches, our friendly people, our stable Government and tax-free laws.

“The eyes of visitors and investors are turning in our direction and we could, very soon, be headed for a prosperity boom,” it predicts.

Back then, Norman Saunders was a fresh-faced 36-year-old elated after winning eight of 11 LegCo seats in the recent election.

The new Government had stomped home to victory on a tide of fresh hope after wooing voters with their open-armed approach to foreign investment.

Saunders was abuzz with excitement having recently returned from a trip to London during which Britain had pledged $8.5m towards infrastructure for the development of Provo.

This was to include modern roads and utilities to pave the way for the forthcoming $14m, 300-room Club Med resort and the all-important airport expansion.

Land prices were beginning to rise as news of the tiny island’s incomparable beaches began to garner international attention.

Then Governor John Strong’s speech to LegCo appears a few pages later. In it he discusses plans to develop the Islands into a “true tax haven and financial centre”.

To deal with “serious problems of unemployment and a precarious economy”, the nation’s third Governor announced plans to

New LegCo member Ariel Misick riding high after winning the West Road, Grand Turk, seat from the incumbent PDM member.

Ena Woodstock was the country’s first female magistrate, a pioneer in the legal profession.

Weekly News special assignments editor Gemma Handy will edit the new magazine.

strengthen the “economic pillars of tourism, tax havenry, fishing and light manufacturing industries”.

The new Government lauded its proposals to boost tourism by 150 per cent during its four-year term in office.

The birth of television in the TCI is also documented. On September 15 1981, Providenciales became the first island to receive live direct feed.

Islanders were treated to World Series baseball and the Ali/Holmes title fight live from Las Vegas.

It had been launched a month after the Government approved licences for new firm West Indies Video to establish a national TV and radio system using what was described as “the most modern communications system in the world – satellites”.

An accompanying snapshot shows Sam and Tom Lightbourne and Edmund Ewing engrossed in a live Jerry Lewis show.

Details of the crucial White Paper debated by MPs at the time, proposing stricter controls on work permits and a new law to curb ‘marriages of convenience’, were extensively chronicled.

And a 1984 edition features the construction of the landmark Conch Farm with an accompanying photo of a much younger Chuck Hesse and his team.

Current finally died a death in

1985. The final issue has a swimsuitclad Miss TCI Miriam Adams on the front cover.

Miriam was just 18 when she took part in the Miss World contest in London and met the Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret.

With the Islands developing rapidly, Mr Duncanson made the decision to put his beloved magazine to rest and concentrate on a more timely publication.

A string of notable events had inspired the move.

One was a planned invasion of Haiti during the rule of dictator Francois Duvalier – aka ‘Papa Doc’ – by a group which stopped at South Caicos to refuel its plane.

As a member of the press, Mr Duncanson was taken aboard and given a preview of the weapons and ammunition.

The invasion was thwarted when Duvalier scrambled his Leopard Brigade who reportedly massacred the entire troupe.

A year later, a Providencialesbased group planned to invade Cuba’s Guantanamo Bay in a bid to topple Fidel Castro.

With the world press denied entry into the TCI to cover the story, Mr Duncanson was afforded the exclusive.

The Weekly News was launched on June 19 1982. Current continued for another three years but was

Donkey carts were still a regular feature on the streets of Grand Turk in the 1980s.

The first issue of Current magazine, launched in 1981, featured then Chief Minister Norman Saunders (right) and Development Minister Stafford Missick on the cover.

eventually unable to compete with the success of its family rival.

“The early 1980s were thrilling times for the Turks & Caicos,” Mr Duncanson remembers.

“Fritz Ludington had set up Provo’s first hotel in Turtle Cove and Club Med was planning to build its village on the condition that the UK would provide an international airport.”

The airport agreement followed some wrangling with England’s then Labour Government which was struggling to justify spending millions of pounds on an island with less than 1,000 people.

It was Prime Minister James

Callaghan’s successor, Conservative Margaret Thatcher, who finally rubber-stamped the deal.

“Thatcher’s Government saw the massive potential we had here.

They thought it would jumpstart our economy and help us become selfsustaining.

“They built the airport and the rest was history.

“Soon business people were arriving in their droves to discuss development plans. We nicknamed them the ‘briefcase brigade’.”

It was against that backdrop of anticipation and excitement that the Islands’ leading newspaper first set sail.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

We welcome letters from all members of the public on a variety of topics.

Simons is a good “traitor”

Happy to support local shops – at the right price

Dear Editor, It is quite interesting that a man who caused the islands to suffer can now turn around and call persons who helped get rid of him and his crooked government, a traitor.

This is very interesting.

If you think about the corrupt legacy of the PNP and what it has done to these islands parents who care about their country and its future would teach their children day and night to stay away the PNP, its corrupt history and never to trust anyone coming out of the PNP of Mike Misick and McAllister Hanchell (Piper).

You can never escape the sad history and attacks on our people that this PNP has inflicted on the people of the TCI. They have taken hundreds of acres of our land and given it over to cronies and developer friends.

They have given hundreds of work permits out and prevented TCI-islanders from getting jobs in their own country.

They have run such a corrupt government that all persons who hear of the Turks and Caicos Islands now think that all TC Islanders are just as crooked.

The people just keep voting them back.

The PNP will always find a winning formula and packs of lies to fool the people.

They will cry, pretend to repent, lament, change leaders, change candidates but you can never the trust the PNP. It is a very deceitful, deceiving and dangerous organisation.

It does beg the question that why would a man of the calibre of Carlos Simons QC even want to be associated with such a party.

Not taking Carlos Simon’s side in his PNP business but it cannot be an insult that someone who is being accused of helping remove the corrupt PNP Government or being disrespectful for vying for the leadership of the PNP. It is an insult to common sense that after all of these revelations of corruption on these former ministers that these men and women can still be allowed to call these kind of shots in any political party.

Mr Simons does have a right to contest the leadership of the PNP but he should know that there is no redemption for that party.

They have destroyed these islands three times and will do it again if people ever allow them back in power.

One man, one leader, cannot change 36 years of dedicated corruption.

Next is Piper’s statement that someone must have written for him: “Your PNP continues to be in danger of being undermined and infiltrated by individuals carrying out the British government and Gordon Wetherell’s agenda of divide and conquer.”

What he does not seem to be aware of or admit that he and Misick have both infiltrated the PNP and undermined the people

Dear Editor, I speak for myself and the gentleman I live with in Provo, stressing that we would appreciate the opportunity to ‘buy local’ more often than we do, but were that possible, we couldn’t afford the exorbitant plane fares which bring me to Provo from Florida on a frequent basis!

The majority of food (mainly meat, fish and cheese) is ‘imported’ in our well-worn cooler and it’s a matter of priorities: do we shop to help support the local firms or do we save the money to pay for the burden imposed by American Airlines and the island’s over-the-top utilities?

During the week, we shop frequently for staples here and comb several supermarkets for sales and early expiration dates on food which we know can be stretched a day or two beyond the date-indicated time frame.

Seeing ‘99 cents’ on a sale item sends us into euphoria, as does a reduction on home improvement necessities i.e. paint.

We balance the shipping/duty costs against the prices on the local shelves and, most of the time (unless there’s a eye-opener of a sale), a large carton or two shipped from Florida is the winner.

Pay over $20 for a pound for salmon, when we can have it for $6.99? That’s a no-brainer and the same applies to $10 to $12 for cheeses, so far overpriced as to provoke cynical laughter.

Paper products? Detergent? Easier to make a car payment than stock up on washing products or toilet paper, so I’m sorry to say, we give little thought to the ‘welfare’ of the merchants before we consider our own lifestyles on this breathtakingly expensive island!

What about clothing? What’s available here besides shoes and tourist garb? Where do we buy decent men’s business shirts or underwear?

I myself have taste in a classic wardrobe which doesn’t feature palm trees and sports logos so I buy off-island and/or ship.

Perhaps there needs to be an uprising, led by all of us who want to see the important duty rates lowered, and then we can happily support the local merchants who, themselves, are most assuredly being bled dry.

Invite us over for a salmon dinner some evening, Mr Seymour, and we’ll discuss the situation at length. We’ll bring the paper towels.

of the TCI. The irony is that the British Government and Gordon Wetherell in stopping the PNP ended the Mike Misick style of dividing the Grand Turk Islands from the Caicos Islands.

If Simons is a traitor to this kind of unnecessary division then he is a good traitor.

The people of the TCI should not be listening to this kind of ignorance but looking for men who can lead and not enrich themselves.

Piper then makes another telling remark which reveals his lack of thought and inability to understand the role of a party official and the role of the party system in the TCI. “The danger is serious and we have an obligation as PNPs to preserve the party’s interests.”

What are these party interests? Are these interests to collect monies disguised as loans but are really bribes?

Are these interests to give yourself land and write yourself letters?

Piper what you and your Government have done to bankrupt this country is serious and bad all at the same time.

Prisoners are getting off scot-free for murder because there are no monies to do DNA samples.

Just read the last issue of the Weekly News.

Your party is dangerous and all you care about is the money of this country and to make your selves rich at the people’s expense.

If Carlos Simons is a traitor to what you have done then he is a good traitor.

Under the dictatorship of the PNP they increased taxes and the people were not allowed to protest or speak out about it.

We are paying NHIP and we all know the hospital will cost 15 times more than it should cost all because of the corruption of the PNP. Is Carlos Simons a traitor because of that Piper?!

The result of the British intervention is that the people will get justice.

The lands that you, Mike Misick, and Ministers took will be returned.

The monies you made illegally will be returned. So the traitors like Carlos Simons have done a good thing.

Simons is right to say that short of independence that the British will be in charge.

If the PNP wanted independence then their corrupt record will show that these islands do not elect leaders who can lead the TCI in a mature and responsible way.

Piper is showing that to qualify as a PNP that one must be corrupt and beyond redemption.

Name withheld

Open letter to the Governor

Dear HE Gordon Wetherell, I am a native of the Turks and Caicos Islands. My name is Devaughn Glinton and today my family and I are not pleased with police protection in this country.

On December 27, 2009, around 10pm myself, accompanied by my four-year-old daughter and my girlfriend, returned home from dinner with a welcome from four armed men inside our South Dock residence. We are so lucky to be alive.

We waited for the police, who took an hour to arrive, to the scene.

They have not taken a written statement from myself or my girlfriend as yet.

We are not happy with the way the police system works.

Your Excellency, we need justice in this country.

I am a local businessman here in this country with many

LETTERS SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MAXIMUM OF 450 WORDS

investor friends who visit the Turks and Caicos Islands looking to invest in this country.

A month later we are still waiting for someone to connect us about this situation.

There have being situations involving woman who have being raped and tourist couples tied up and robbed at gun point.

I am a victim today and all I can say is that it hurts to see what results the system gives you.

I have not heard from either one of the police officers who came to the scene that evening.

These officers should be questioned by their supervisor in charge about this matter and stop making it look as if I am the culprit.

Yours respectfully,

Name withheld

Pride in our own Dear Editor, I find it amusing when I saw the pictures of the Turks and Caicos men vying for the leadership position of the PNP. When we think of men putting themselves forward as potential leaders we must look at the women behind them, for after all they will become the First Lady of the country and it is said that behind every great man there is a woman.

Well well, let us see, not one of the men listed has a wife that is from the Turks and Caicos Islands. The list reads as such: Jamaican, Guyanese, Indian, Caymanian, American and the single one was married to a Guyanese.

All the more reason why we should vote for the leader of the PDM; his wife is homegrown, a TCI woman with grace and beauty, a lady by all accounts who has done so much work for the community.

We must show pride for our own. Let us not forget the disaster that was with the former First Lady, D-actress and movie star.

Devaughn Glinton South Dock Road, Providenciales

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.

Proud TCI

February 6 - 12, 2010

Letters

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

13

continued

Help us to buy local

Dear Editor, It really is a smart saying ‘buy local’ but you do not need to be a businessman to address that.

But you have to question whether people are going to be able to find what they want, for the right price.

I have to give credit to Mike Misick – he wanted to create a shopping-friendly island and bring names, brands, malls and choices but it is another story.

I believe Government can’t do anything about this and I do not even know why they should. The private sector do a lot better than what we think. They earn and profit a lot more than most of the Caribbean islands or Islanders do.

Profit margins are so high that prices are sometimes tripled or even more than the States or any European country.

Of course we do not expect them to sell as low as the States or Europe because it is a whole different market but here is what Governments do – stabilise the prices and check them regularly so Islanders do not suffer and choose to buy from locals. Or bring some sort of pricing regulation in like every other modern country does.

Government should lower the business license fees and work permit fees and make it easier to open stores.

So there will be competition, more shops, more and better products, variety, more rent, and rental, more revenue for almost all sectors including Government.

Name withheld

Policeman madness

Dear Editor, I am inspired to write about particular policeman madness that directs traffic at the Clement Howell High School.

When I was an eyewitness to this madness on the morning of January 25, 2010, I was reminded of two or three things.

The Word of God, but I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you. (Matthew 5:44) Something very hard and painful to do but the reward is great if we should do this.

It is useless in writing to the current authorities of this country about anything and most especially if it is related to matters of black people.

The evidence is there and shining like the sun on a sunny day Once bitten (that’s by a dog) twice shy.

I believe that there are still decent people living in our community that care about people regardless of the colour of their skin and what they have or don’t have.

Put ‘No Parking’ or ‘No dropping off students in the paved parking lot at Clement Howell High School at any time’ to warn people to avoid the blatant robbery which is currently taking place of a $100 fine by the policeman madness.

Jonathan (Johnnie) Gardiner

Beautiful by nature – Ugly by man

Dear Editor, I endorse those thoughts of ‘Concerned Citizen’ writing in your Jan 23 issue regarding the ugly, visually polluting billboards along Leeward Highway in Provo.

They totally destroy any attempt to maintain an image of ‘beautiful’ projecting only the worst aspects of commercialism.

Of equal concern is that, where these monstrosities have been permitted (to whose advantage?), the local businessman has been threatened by the planning department to remove his own signs by the end of January…or else!

Some of these signs are beautiful works of local art, pure gems and they do project the appropriate imagery of these beautiful islands.

Of course they must not be hazardous and must conform to size regulations.

Take down the massive offensive billboards and leave the beautiful , informative art in place planning department.

Another Concerned Citizen

LETTERS SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MAXIMUM OF 450 WORDS

Justice and humanity: conflict in survival Dear Editor, The unfortunate incident currently occurring in Haiti has not only raised a lot of money but has also raised the awareness of the importance of having a global support system.

While I am highlighting the good that is brought about by the devastating events, I can’t help but notice the subtle inhumane route to which the measures are executed.

Somehow we seem to think that we have escaped the cruelty that slavery introduced years ago.

Whether our forefathers were slaves themselves or whether we have had personal experiences with discrimination due to ethnicity, race or gender, living in the 21st century seemed to have eradicated the mindset that any superior-inferior segments currently exist.

While I am aware that the world, especially people who have roots in Haiti are grateful for the support, effort and contribution of everyone involved in the Haiti Relief Programme, I can’t help but notice the ugly side of a reality that the people now face.

Looking at the news, I was shocked and deeply in awe to see armed guards discharge pepper spray into the eyes of a crowd of hopeless individuals as they wait in line for food?

While some may sit and watch this on television from a distance, ask yourself this question, what if it was Turks and Caicos?

The geographical distance of our island to Haiti has already told me that some of you already have!

So again, has humanity fallen short of its definition to strongly endorse human rights, equality and justice?

Not only have these people lost their families and homes but what they now face is the loss of their dignity as the global community, in their efforts to help, take with them the pride of the people.

They argue that such measures are needed in fear of food riots, but again I plead with you, what if it was Turks and Caicos?

Would you like to be treated as an animal as you anticipate

your next meal?

We say we are equal, we say we no longer discriminate, but yet still when the opportunity presents itself we take pride in the opportunity to make someone else feel less than equal.

We live in a society where we constantly strive for superiority over others in hope that it will somehow make us feel more powerful as individuals.

I hope as we watch Haiti regain consciousness, it brings about an awareness that we too are in a fight to reclaim our dignity as a country from the recent political scandal, whose consequences we still face.

We currently sit in a position under British rule that has also inferiorised our society by removing the feeling of freedom and hope, much of which is being felt in Haiti today.

Yet still we continue to focus on cause and blame, instead of focusing on efforts to rebuild.

Some may debate that the issues spoken here are totally separate but really it is not.

The survivors of that earthquake no longer have control of their country as the world has set up base to temporarily govern by all measures in order to rebuild.

Freedom and self will is lost as those citizens choice as ‘when to eat’ is no longer their own.

As a nation we continue to focus on the negatives when instead what we experienced should have only brought us closer together.

Our division has already questioned our ability to govern and unity to stand and still we fail to see how the division is affecting our strength to survive without our present yet functionally absent life support (British).

So my question is, how much longer before we too are treated as animals?

Alvin Hegner Senior technical operations manager Delta Air Lines

Thanks from police force Dear Editor, I write to offer my gratitude and, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, that of the force, to the many agencies and individuals that helped ensure the successful reception of over 120 persons arriving on the Haitian sloop at South Dock, Providenciales, on Wednesday January 27.

You may be aware that the landside operation to address the arrival of the Haitian sloop was commanded by myself and the maritime aspects by Assistant Commissioner Neil Hall who also expresses his thanks.

The excellent coordination between all agencies and the commitment shown by businesses and individuals within the community helped ensure that persons from the sloop were brought ashore quickly, safely and securely.

Of great importance was that this was achieved in such a manner as to treat them with dignity and compassion, whilst ensuring that their medical and humanitarian needs were met.

On behalf of the force I would like to pay special thanks to Dr Dawn O’Sullivan, Nurse Williams and the paramedics who worked on the dock side to immediately assess the condition of those arriving and in arranging necessary medical assistance.

Also to Mrs Doreen Quelch-Missick in supporting medical services and particularly in ensuring that the human rights of those arriving were fully respected.

Sincere thanks go to Presidential Security who assisted with the transshipment of persons to the dock and to Mssrs Algiron and Renski Missick, of Executive Tours, who, very kindly and at short notice, assisted with transportation of persons to the Gustarvus Lightbourne Centre.

Our gratitude extends to Red Cross volunteers, to Mrs Dorothy Clarke from Disaster Management, to the media, to members of the community who provided clothes and food to alleviate the stress of persons who had travelled for eight days at sea in the most appalling of conditions and to everyone else involved.

This truly was a multi agency and ‘community’ effort that delivered outcomes that any country, large or small, would be immensely proud of.

It shows that when the community, statutory and voluntary agencies, caring professionals and the police come together, great things can be achieved.

Continuing to work together as closely as this, as a true community, in normal times as well as during a crisis, we are provided with a golden opportunity to show that we can meet our responsibility to make the Turks and Caicos Islands a better place for all and that everyone has a part in that.

I and I know all my police colleagues are immensely proud to have played some small part on that day and on behalf of the Commissioner and all members of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, we offer our sincerest thanks to all those involved.

We will continue to do the best to protect our borders and to fight crime and protect the community. We also pray for the Lord’s compassion and blessing for those suffering in Haiti.

Yours sincerely Dave Ryder MA FCMI Assistant Commissioner of Police Territorial Divisions and Operations.

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.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

NATIONAL

Join the ‘Reading Rush’ CrimeCourt & – read until something happens

SCHOOL children dressed in uniform took to the streets of Providenciales this week to launch a reading program called ‘2010: The year for reading – Join the rush.’

The program was launched by the Education Department in collaboration with the National Literacy Programme.

It came from a need to address the problem of students performing below national and international standards.

“The Education Department is constantly coining ideas, devising strategies and coordinating efforts to provide experiences that facilitate the improvement of reading and taking the vast majority above their reading level,” said Deputy Director of Education, Edgar Howell.

He continued: “This programme is a positive initiative that will undoubtedly build stronger communities and improve the education level in the TCI.” The aim of the Reading Rush campaign is to refocus students’ perception of reading so that their reading ability will be developed and sharpened.

While schools are expected to do this, Mr Howell believes that each child has an equal opportunity to power him or herself to function more effectively in society.

“A reading population is an informed population,” he said.

Mrs Rosemary Wetherell, the campaign’s patron said that reading

Reid held in contempt of court then released

By Samantha Dash

When you read, your imagination can take you to places you have never been - BEST Institute

is an essential life skill.

“Nothing should be more important than helping young people to learn and to love reading,” she said.

Ms Kaydeen Miles, Education Officer with the National Literacy Programme, said that along with the Education Department, they had undertaken several initiatives to improve the literacy level in the TCI. “The question was, how can we make reading an integral part of a child’s life - inside and out?” she said.

Ms Miles thought that a total retraining of society was needed, so that reading would become a natural part of a child’s culture.

“If we can get our children to want to read and then to learn to read and then to love to read, we will have better writers and persons who will be more likely to make informed decisions,” she pointed out.

Ms Miles believed that if we can engender a love for reading in our children then they will become

worthwhile and meaningful citizens of the TCI. “This goal can only be achieved through the collaborative efforts of all the stakeholders in education,” she added.

And so, the ‘Reading Rush’ was born.

It is a three-tired programme that is geared towards raising the level of maturity awareness, fostering greater participation within and among schools and strengthening the intrinsic relationship between the home, the school and the wider community.

“It therefore meant that all schools, all persons on all islands – irrespective of nationally or social economic status - would join the rush,” Ms Miles said.

Ms Miles said that the education authorities are dedicated to continuing this programme until their target of 90 percent of the children achieves mastery level in reading.

“Join the rush towards literacy and develop a reading culture in the TCI,” she implored.

CHURCH & RELIGION

DURING the re-trial of the alleged Amanyara robbers this week, one of the three defendants was remanded to prison for contempt of court but was released the following day.

Jamaican-born Jermaine Reid, who was charged alongside Kingsley Arthur and Derek Parker, spent one night in Grand Turk prison for a letter he caused to be circulated in the TCI on Wednesday.

In the letter, Reid levelled serious and disparaging accusations against Principal Crown Counsel Ms Jo’Ann Meloche and demanded a full independent investigation.

After learning about the letter, Chief Justice Gordon Ward ruled that Reid be confined to prison for contempt of court.

The legal team that represented the trio argued for Reid’s freedom, at least until the conclusion of the trial, but the Chief Justice held his decision.

The following day, after a review of the matter, Justice Ward released Reid.

Arthur is represented by Courtenay Barnett, Reid is represented by Kwame Smith and Parker by Noel Skippings.

The three defendants were

Jermaine Reid

accused of robbing the exclusive Amanyara resort on April 25 2006.

It was said that they were masked and armed and violently attacked two guests in their hotel room.

After allegedly beating and robbing a security guard, they forced their way into the room of a male guest, Schwartz, whom they apparently beat and terrorised.

They also allegedly robbed, indecently assaulted and threatened to rape Schwartz’s female guest before carrying out further robberies and assaults at offices of the hotel and then made good their escape.

The male victim was left with a fractured skull while his female companion was stripped naked.

The trial continues and is scheduled to run for at least two more weeks.

WITH Deandrea Hamilton

Five Cays leads mission to bless Haiti MOST of the attention for Haiti has gone to physical and medical needs for the millions of people in the capital city, Port-au-Prince, who have been more directly devastated by the earthquake of January 12, 2010.

But one Turks and Caicos preacher is saying he has a spiritual balm designed to bring souls closer to Jesus Christ.

Pastor Salomon Morency, of Example of Christ Church and Radio Station says the work to restore normalcy to Haiti has intensified and now he is being led to take a one week revival into the country.

“We try to send those things to Cape Haitian because we would like for those things to reach to people who need them.

“We have to put it on the big truck and send it on to Port-au-Prince,” explained Pastor Salomon.

“We thank everyone and we want to especially thank Lime and Mr Seymour who gave us a cheque for $2,000 for these things to go into Haiti and thanks to Mr Paul Gardiner and the Air Turks and Caicos who cut the price down for us.”

One week ago, Pastor Salomon invited media to the airport to see the outpouring of residents of Five Cays, Providenciales and Middle Caicos who empathise with the Haitians and this recent plight which has brought global attention and encouraged world wide support for restoration.

Lillian Boyce, a former Member of Parliament demonstrated her good

will and ability to still rally the troops for a cause: “Today we are very thankful to God that we are making our first of two trips to Haiti.

“It was after the earthquake that I called my Haitian brothers and a few sisters together to assist the people in Haiti.

“And so today they are taking the first two flights of good that you the people of Providenciales have so generously given to us.

“We are continuing our efforts in collecting for this worthy cause.”

Pastor Salomon Morency says they will leave for Haiti again in about a week; the revival will last seven days and is designed to encourage spiritual recovery and awakening following the catastrophic 7.0 magnitude quake.

TRUCK LOAD OF GOODS - Pastor Salomon Morency led a collection drive which started in Five Cays but eventually caught the attention of residents throughout Provo and Middle Caicos

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

15

NATIONAL

Mrs TCI on hunt for brainiest Islanders

By Gemma Handy THE country’s first Mrs TCI has revealed plans to use her platform to hunt for the country’s “best brains” in a bid to promote the value of education.

Successful businesswoman Josephine Connolly – who received the esteemed title last week – said she felt “honoured” to be able to represent her country on the world stage.

She is now poised to launch a pioneering TV quiz show to root out the nation’s cleverest residents.

And with a host of qualifications under her own belt – including a newly acquired master’s degree – there are few better placed than Mrs Connolly to take up the mantle.

The realtor and car rental firm boss knows all too well the inestimable rewards study can reap.

She was delighted to officially receive her master’s last month in human resources management along with a diploma from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

She had already spent several years in the UK while her children received their education satisfying her own thirst for knowledge.

In 2003, she went back to school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in management and politics from the University of Central Lancashire.

In addition to being an official advocate for the National Cancer

Society and using her status to raise funds for the charity, Mrs Connolly is looking forward to helping Islanders reach their full potential.

“I will be sponsoring the country’s first ever TV quiz show through my car company Connolly Kia. “It will be a trivia show to look for the TCI’s best brains.

“I hope it will encourage people to do their research. A lot of people don’t know, for example, who the country’s first politicians were and all that good stuff.

“It’s a great way to encourage people to read. Knowledge is power.

“I also plan to do a show about the National Trust to educate people about its work.”

Mrs Connolly, from Salt Cay, said she was looking forward to putting her name to a wealth of good causes.

“I want to help raise some big money for the Cancer Society.”

The founding partner and director of Connolly Zahm Properties said she was “surprised but delighted” to learn she had pipped three other candidates to the post to be named Mrs TCI. “I was a bit surprised as I had so many things to do that it had gone out of my mind. I feel honoured to represent my country.”

The mum-of-two will go on to vie for the worldwide title among scores of other stunning wives and mothers at November’s international event in Korea.

“Knowledge is power” – Mrs TCI Josephine Connolly plans to promote education.

The TCI’s inaugural contest is based on the Mrs America beauty pageant in celebration of the inner and outer allure of older ladies.

Mrs Connolly said she believed she would be a good role model for

young women.

“I will be the best I can be to make my country proud. I definitely think it’s good to showcase older women – age is only a number.

“I am particularly honoured

because this is a new dimension for women. It makes a distinction between girls and women.

“Girls need successful, mature women to be their role models.

“I am 50 – but I don’t feel 50,” she said laughing.

The public is invited to witness Mrs Connolly’s official coronation at Beaches on February 19 at 8pm.

She will be crowned by her husband, chartered accountant and advisory council member Joe Connolly, with whom she has twins Mark and Anne-Marie.

“My husband is chuffed about it and my kids are very happy too – they are hoping to make it over for the coronation,” she added.

Contest organiser Willamae Deveaux described Mrs Connolly as the “ideal candidate”.

“We are very happy with our selection,” she told the Weekly News.

“Not only will she be a great ambassador for the country but she also has a great personality and is very vivacious.

“We were looking for someone who was well-rounded as well as looking great and Josephine stood out.”

Tickets for the seated Mrs TCI coronation event are $30 for adults and $20 for children. The dress code is formal or semi-formal.

Email deveauxwillamae@ hotmail.com or kay-mel@hotmail. com or call 244 2223 or 244 7095 for tickets.

Rotary donates the gift of good eyesight STUDENTS with poor eyesight will not fall behind at school, thanks to a donation from the Rotary Club of Providenciales.

Last November more than 40 primary school students who struggled with their sight were given eye tests by optometrist Dr Julian Petrucci of Menzie’s Clinic.

And on Friday, January 22, twelve students from Ianthe Pratt Primary and ten students from Oseta Jolly Primary were presented with new glasses.

On Monday two students from the New Age Academy School and 18 students of the Enid Capron Primary School were also given new specs to improve their vision.

A grateful parent of a New Age Academy pupil came to the school to thank the Rotary Club saying he was very happy for the assistance.

Presenting the glasses to the pupils were Past President H Hinderaker, Past President Karen Biker, and Sara Redmond.

A Rotary spokesperson said: “All the students were very happy with their new sight.

“One small child at the Enid

Pupils received new glasses from the Rotary Club of Providenciales

Capron said her mother was going to buy her glasses but she didn’t have

the money so now she can’t wait to get home to show her mom her new

glasses.

“Rotary is pleased to be able to

assist the students in being able to see better and therefore learn more.”

16

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

NATIONAL

John Hartley is a retired CEO. He was educated in economics and econometrics at Manchester University and Harvard Business School. He is an occasional contributor at invitational economics seminars at Brazenose College, Oxford.

Economics Column

Michael Polonio, director of energy production, Judy Missick, director of human resources, Blaine Desrosiers, director of facilities and material management, and Devon Cox, director of transmission and distribution operations.

Bright sparks head PPC PROVO Power Company has started the New Year with some electric changes to its management team.

Four talented new ‘Division Directors’ have been introduced into the company, between them racking up more than 80 years experience.

CEO Eddinton Powell said the restructuring has added an important new dimension to the company’s management structure.

They will further enabling PPC to achieve its strategic objectives and deliver “exceptional” internal and external services, the company president stated.

“Between them, these four colleagues have over eighty years of experience in the utility business and bring a synergism of strength and experience to the senior management team.”

The first of the four new Division Directors is Devon Cox, PPC’s

former manager of operations.

Devon has now been promoted to director of transmission and distribution operations.

He has been with PPC for three years and has over ten years experience in the industry.

The Turks and Caicos Islander previously worked as the electricity commissioner for the TCI Government and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.

Judy Missick, who was previously the company’s human resources manager, has been named director of human resources.

Judy joined PPC more than 20 years ago as the admin assistant to the general manager and has worked her way up through training and experience.

Over the years she has completed several training courses in human resources management.

Blaine Desrosiers, former material consultant, has been promoted to director of facilities and material management.

Blaine brings with him 32 years of experience in utilities’ operations, materials management, generation, transmission and distribution.

He joined PPC in 2008 after working for Fortis Ontario, one of PPC’s sister companies in Canada.

Michael Polonio is PPC’s new director of energy production, promoted from manager of plant operations.

He has over 20 years of experience working in generation management for Belize Electricity, a sister company of PPC. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters of Business Administration (MBA).

Michael joined PPC in 2008.

Climbing up the ranks at Ambergris A SOUTH Caicos hospitality buff has been promoted to the position of club manager at Ambergris Cay. After six years as assistant club manager, Andy Stubbs's strong leadership skills and dedication have seen him rise up the ladder to gain the prestigious new title.

Andy has extensive work experience in hotel management including at Beaches TCI, Turnberry Isle Resort and Country Club in Miami.

In college he earned a degree in Hospitality Management and has worked hard to receive numerous additional certificates in the areas of customer relations, sales and management.

Patrick Worsham, managing director of DPS Club Management,

Co-workers describe Andy as being a very motivated and positive employee

said: “We couldn’t be more excited about Andy’s promotion; he is an integral part of Ambergris Cay and delivers the exceptional service that TCSC is known for.

“Andy is equally respected by staff and members alike and is a true asset to our management team.”

Co-workers describe him as being a very motivated and positive employee with a deep passion for the success of Ambergris Cay. Andy will continue his day-to-day activities of management and looks forward to many years of service with Turks and Caicos Sporting Club.

Former club manager Neal Vohr took on the role of manager at another DPS Club Management property Longview.

Mixed news from America

LAST week the US announced the long anticipated fourth quarter jump in US GDP to over five per cent a year on an annualised basis. So hats off again to the Goldman Sachs team for calling this correctly.

Just as Goldman predicted, 3.9 per cent of the growth is attributable to growth in inventories as firms restore their working capital and flexibility.

Any growth, from whatever source, is better than shrinkage.

Moreover it does suggest that America may have dodged the dreaded deflation spiral.

Consumer spending has held steady in the quarter, although without the usual and relentless climb in US health care expenditure, consumer expenditure would have turned negative.

And, just as significantly, the core elements of the consumer price index held steady so the other wing of the spiral is not in evidence.

On top of this news, we heard this week that, in the USA and the EU, manufacturing output is rising rapidly, in the UK at the highest rate for 15 years.

The bad news, for the short term, is that in both the EU and the USA, employment is still falling. This apparent contradiction is reconciled by stupendous, across the board increases in labour productivity, possibly at the rate six or seven per cent a year.

Some economists are suggesting that this striking development is the long awaited productivity impact of the digital age which so far has been hidden from the statistics.

In the long term, increasing productivity on this scale is to be applauded. But for now, it means even more, and longer, unemployment and poverty.

This is accompanied by really bad news for the future of the US poor and unemployed. The American political elite are paralysed in the headlights of the deficit.

It is not clear to economists why this is so because US private savings are rising rapidly, and if the Government does not spend to compensate for that rise, then America will quickly fall back in to a severe recession.

Nevertheless, the US electorate is demonstrating its support of poverty and despair. A US pundit from the Democratic side, Thomas Frank, says that the US in this generation is going through a reverse of the French Revolution, in that the poorer parts of the electorate routinely vote against their own interests and in favour of the aristocracy. Let the rich eat cake!

It does seem that any US political programme designed to lift the lower income groups is perceived as depriving them of their inalienable right to choose poverty over burdening future generations of the taxpaying classes with slightly higher tax payments (not rates).

This is a similar process to that observed in the TCI electorate who exercise their right to choose to be poor and protected rather than open and prosperous.

This process of enriching the American elite at the expense of the poor is probably good news for the TCI in the long term because the high rolling elite are precisely those who come here to spend their tourist dollars.

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

17

NATIONAL

IBG bank chiefs’ gift to Haiti BOSSES at a forthcoming new Provo bank have become the latest to stump up cash to help Haitian earthquake survivors.

International Banking Group chiefs say they have made a “significant” donation to be split between the TCI Red Cross and the Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas (FAVACA).

The money will help bolster relief efforts in the neighbouring Caribbean nation left reeling in the wake of the devastating January 12 quake.

Ivan Browne, IBG’s president and chief executive, said: “Haiti and the people affected by the terrible earthquake need our help.

“Together with our parent, Cayman National, we are making a number of donations to aid groups working in the country to bring medical and humanitarian relief, the first of which is this donation to the TCI Red Cross.

“We recognise the outpouring of support that has been made

by Governments, charitable and humanitarian agencies, volunteers and individuals in the TCI and across the world to help the people of Haiti.

“We commend these efforts and add our participation. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage people to continue to support Haiti in what will be a long recovery and reconstruction period as we intend to

this week

do in the coming months.

“Our hearts and our prayers are with the people affected by this disaster, in Haiti, in the Turks & Caicos and across the world, and hope that we can play a role, however small, in improving conditions for those in Port-au-Prince.”

This is the second substantial donation that International Banking Group has made for disaster relief efforts.

The first was a donation to the IGA Hurricane Relief Fund in September 2008.

Formed in 1982, FAVACA is a non-profit organisation which focuses special attention on disaster preparedness and mitigation.

Friday Jan. 29 to Wednesday Feb. 3

Friday, February 5

Top travel gong for Villa Renaissance BOSSES at a Providenciales resort are celebrating being named one of the top luxury hotels in the region by a prestigious travel website.

Villa Renaissance in Grace Bay received the esteemed accolade in the TripAdvisor 2010 Travelers’ Choice Awards for the third year running.

Resort manager Junior Carter said: “To be voted in the number two spot of the Top Ten Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean and Mexico is a marvellous

achievement for our boutique hotel.

“Villa Renaissance staff have worked exceptionally hard since the resort opened six years ago to provide a wonderful experience and excellence in value and service.

“We will continue to strive for the quality that has become expected of us, with our goal being to make sure we secure this award for 2011.”

Now in their eighth year, the annual awards honour the world’s

best hotels. Unlike other hotel awards programmes, the winners are based on the opinions of millions of unbiased reviews posted on TripAdvisor websites.

TripAdvisor-branded sites attract more than 25 million monthly visitors. They have 15 million registered members and more than 30 million reviews and opinions placed on their sites making it the largest travel community in the world.

Toyota recall

By Dave Tapfer TOYOTA car manufacturers have issued a recall for a wide range of their models.

Toyota is a popular brand in the Caribbean including the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The recall appears to affect the more recent models but owners are cautioned to contact Toyota to determine if their vehicle is affected.

The problem appears to be with the accelerator or ‘gas pedal’ mechanism which can stick in the full throttle position.

Initially this was reported to be related to the pedal being obstructed by the floor mat but later information connects the problem to wear in the throttle arrangement itself.

This recall affects a wide range of models including autos, trucks and SUVs, both Toyota and their quality

brand Lexus.

Deaths have been reported as a result of the problems. It is unclear why the victims did not move the gear selector to the neutral gear position which would disconnect the engine from the driving wheels.

This might result in the engine being damaged due to excessive revolutions but the auto could be brought under control with the brakes.

 This Friday Grace Bay Club is hosting a huge fundraiser to help the victims of Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake.

The night will feature DJ Dallas and a live percussionist, a rum station by Discount Liquors, and an auction for incredible items – all at the resorts popular Infinity Bar. There will even be an evening programme for the young ones at the resort’s Kids’ Town.

The fundraiser will take place from 7pm and all proceeds, including the bar, auction and kid’s programme, will go to the Salvation Army’s earthquake relief fund.

A spokesperson for Grace Bay Resorts said: “Please help us to support the Salvation Army and our friends, family and neighbours in Haiti by attending this event.”

For more information or to make a reservation for the kids’ programme call Morgan on 2315437 (KIDS).

For more information on the Salvation Army, or to make a donation, call Captain Matthew Trayler on 331-9711.

Saturday, February 6  Auditions for the second annual TCI Supermodel Contest and Fashion Extravaganza will be held in Grand Turk this weekend.

Contestants, models and fashion designers interested in participating in this creative, festive and ambitious endeavour can come along.

The auditions will be held at Crab Tree Corner Park on Lighthouse Road between 10am and 11.30am.

Fashion designers must come with photos, sketches, designed samples and a positive attitude!

For more information call executive producer Courtney Robinson on 242-6796, visit www. tcisupermodel.tc or email tcisupermodel@gmail.com

Sunday, February 7  Come along to the Regent Palms this Sunday to watch the Superbowl on a big screen.

Join fellow American football fans at the Green Flamingo Bar from 4pm where you can enjoy snacks and drinks.

Monday, February 8

 Mindful Mornings with Shara Bowen are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10am for mothers and their little ones.

Come and play and do yoga and sing and dance! Moms can sit, relax, join in the yoga or just read a book and sample some tea.

Mindful Mornings are held at Re*store in Grace Bay Plaza opposite Jai’s jewellery store to help inspire a more mindful, aware and conscious state of being.

Call Shara on 244-1103 for more details.  Get all the info on how to live a healthy lifestyle with weekly Monday lectures at Re*store in Grace Bay Plaza opposite Jai’s jewellery store from 6pm.

Tuesday, February 9  Aspiring artists can sign up for life drawing every Thursday at Re*store in Grace Bay Plaza opposite Jai’s jewellery store.

Classes start at 6pm.

To reserve your space call 3439555.

Wednesday, February 10  Come and watch the exclusive release of It’s Complicated with Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin.

It’s showing at LisaRaye Cinema from 9pm and is hosted by the Edward C Gartland Youth Centre.

Come early for $5 mojitos or wine from 8pm – tickets are just $15 and all proceeds will go to the centre.  In need of inner peace?

Restore mind, body and soul with David Bowen’s yoga class every Wednesday at Re*store in Grace Bay Plaza opposite Jai’s jewellery store.

Classes begin at 6pm. Call 3439555 to reserve a space.

18

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Lifestyle... fitness Tip 

Exercise – a prescription for health A COUPLE of months ago I wanted to name one of my training programmes “exercise -prescription for health” but after repeating it several times in my mind, I figured out I needed a more motivational one.

In my mind as a fitness professional, it made a lot of sense but looking from an average person’s point of view I realised that actually many people are very ignorant

Light yogurtpoppy slaw

Ingredients:

• 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage • Half cup shredded red cabbage • 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and coarsely shredded • Quarter cup coarsely shredded carrots • Three-quarter cup plain low-fat yogurt • Third cup canned crushed pineapple, with juice • 1 tbsp honey • Three-quarter tsp curry powder • 1 tbsp poppy seeds • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

• Mix cabbages, apple and carrots in a large bowl and toss to combine.

• In a separate small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, pineapple, honey, curry powder and poppy seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

• Pour dressing over slaw and toss to coat. Leave in the fridge two to six hours to allow flavours to develop.

towards their health which they take for granted and instead concentrate all their attention on the appearance.

So considering that by using this name I won’t convince too many people to exercise, I dropped it. ] A few days ago I came across a piece of paper which had the programme name on and a few ideas I had at the time about this exercise programme and I said to myself, “That will make a good column name!” and here I am trying to figure out why people take such an important, maybe the most important, aspect of life - health- for granted by not taking care of it.

People sometimes trade their health for their looks and even risk their health by adopting extreme solutions such as cosmetic surgeries (liposuction), behavioural habits that can lead to death such as eating disorders (bulimia nervosa and anorexia).

And it’s scary to see how all these abnormalities became a normal reality of our times! In my opinion it all has to do with the commodity of modern life, where people can have everything easy and fast in exchange for money, without working for it and without spending any effort.

We buy food because we are too busy to cook or just don’t feel like it; instead of taking the kids outside to play, we throw them a electronic game and they will sit quiet in a corner playing without bothering us.

Instead of ‘sweating’ the fat out we choose the ‘knife’ cause it’s

FITNESS EXPERT Anca Vasile

easier and so on. But guess what?

We buy food but it will never be as healthy, as nutritional and as safe as if we cooked it at home.

It requires some time but the intake of calories will not be sky high as they are in foods we buy out.

We give our kids games to play and leave us alone but everything we do is to help create an unhealthy future for our planet, who will depend on pills and drugs.

Choosing the ‘knife’ might have some good visual results but how about the cholesterol level, how about regulating the blood sugar, blood pressure and so on?

Why have a good exterior only when it’s possible to have it all?

And it’s cheaper, so much cheaper, sometimes free and comes with bonuses as well, for you and the people around you.

It can be done anywhere at any time. For the great benefits that it brings into our lives the time invested is minimum: an hour a day!

It’s called EXERCISE! Even exercise, as seen by most people, is a way of reaching a better ‘look’, but because it is not comfortable, fast and easy it is not a favorite option.

Really, how many of you out there when you hear exercise think health and how many of you think weight loss and better look?

Exercise is a prescription for health! Weight loss is just a bonus besides all the other great benefits that exercise delivers.

I remember years ago, for almost any medical condition, doctors would treat patients with the famous aspirin

Exercise – the greatest ‘wonder drug’ of all.

(at least this is valid for Romania; maybe other countries had other ‘miracle ‘ pill).

We used to make fun and say that whether one had a stomach problem, a knee pain, a tooth extraction or a fracture the doctor would prescribe aspirin; it was the miracle pill!

It seems like our modern days’ miracle pill is called exercise. And it’s so much stronger than aspirin because it’s not only in Romania but around the world that doctors have realised how great the benefits of exercising are in promoting and maintaining a good health and now they start recommending it often where there is diabetes, coronary heart diseases, blood

health Tip 

Getting in touch with massage A SOOTHING massage is not just a wonderful way to unwind but comes with a multitude of health benefits too.

Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for massage but may also

February 6 - 12, 2010

use their forearms, elbows and even feet. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure techniques.

Different types of massage include: Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long continued 

Massage may help alleviate stress.

pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, healthier pregnancies, stress related conditions, lower back pain, even acne and many others.

Exercise doesn’t have to be painful and actually can be really enjoyable; just choose what form of exercise you like to do, vary the types of exercise to avoid boredom, invite friends and family to join you and look for small or big reasons to keep you motivate it to do it!

It’s easier to spend one hour a day exercising and being active than waiting long hours in clinics and hospitals for doctors and spending loads of money for treatments.

Your choice: prevention at low or no cost or treatment!

February 6 - 12, 2010

Lifestyle...

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Money Tip

How does your garden grow With our green-fingered guru Denis Belanger

Garden of scents AS WITH colour, fragrance in a garden can be actively planned or left to chance.

If you want your garden to be romantic, fragrance is a key ingredient.

However, just like colour, fragrance can be experienced in different intensities.

And also remember that flowers have a stronger fragrance during the evening time.

There are two distinct ways that plants give off fragrance. One way is through foliage that is aromatic when oils are released by brushing, crushing or heat. These include chamomile, lavender, artemisia and rosemary.

Other flowers give off fragrance as they open, such as honeysuckle.

Keep in mind that research has found a link between flower scent and allergies so keep this in mind when planting your scent garden.

The time of year is important when planning a scent garden. Some plants produce fragrance all year depending on their flowers and foliage.

Choose fragrant plants of different kinds in order to have scent in your garden 12 months of the year.

Here are a few suggestions: Bushes: Clematite, gardenia, ginger, jasmine, night blooming jasmine (not a real jasmine) Climbing plants: Clematis, Madagascar jasmine Trees: Frangipani, citrus tree, neem tree, oleander, papaya Plant fragrant plant species in different flowerbeds to attract butterflies, birds and insects into your yard.

Different scents also reflect different moods and lifestyles. Include fragrant plants in beds near doors, walkways and windows.

These will give off scents in all seasons and you will be able to drink in

19

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

With Mary Hamilton of Meridian Trust

Financial family planning If you’ve just received the news that you’re pregnant, two things are for sure: 1. Life as you know it is about to change for good.

2. You’ll need a solid financial plan to make it through the next nine months (and beyond).

Once the initial shock and/or delight have settled, be sure to start thinking about how this is going to affect your wallet.

The good news is that you will have nearly nine months to prepare.

Be sure to use a few of those hours to get your financial house in order.

It is about to experience a major change.

No matter how disciplined you are with money, there’s going to be another mouth to feed.

Many couples will want or need to move into a bigger space.

Even with maximum restraint, you’ll end up spending money on products and services you never considered previously.

However, many of your baby-related expenses will be controllable.

Here are four essentials to consider when you’re expecting:

COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR PARTNER The gardenia lends a wonderful scent to the garden. fragrance from your garden at all times of the year.

Fragrance in the garden can conjure up reflections of exotic places. For instance, citrus brings thoughts of the Mediterranean.

If you have a favourite place where you have vacationed, think about planting a plant species that is native

to that location. The fragrance from your garden can bring back pleasant memories.

Once your scented garden is established, sit back, relax and enjoy all of your favourite fragrances. A scented garden is balm for the soul.

And your guests will be pleasantly surprised by the scent at their arrival.

to live within your means.

Resist the temptation to use your new arrival as an excuse to purchase things you can’t afford and don’t really need.

If you have a car with four doors and four tires, you already have a “family car.”

With a little creative thinking, a small home or apartment may be adapted to accommodate the baby.

Spend on what’s important to you within the constraints of what you can actually afford.

ESTABLISH AN EMERGENCY FUND NOW

If you haven’t already done so, there’s no time like the present to establish an emergency fund.

The more people in the family, the greater chance there is for some kind of emergency.

Be prepared. The traditional three to six months or expenses sounds like a lot. It is.

If you can’t manage that, simply do your best.

It’s better to have some money stashed away for the first few months than nothing at all.

If you plan on having one partner stay at home for an extended period, practice living on one income while both spouses are still working.

The theoretical conversations you may have had in the past will now become real.

Decisions will have to be made.

Nothing should be assumed. Talk about your concerns.

Will one of you stay home? If so, for how long? Will you employ childcare?

GET LIFE INSURANCE

LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

To contact Mary email mary@ meridiantrust.tc or call 941-3082.

It is more important than ever before

Responsible parents will want to ensure that if something unfortunate happens to one or other of them, the child can still maintain the lifestyle that you have both been providing.

Only life insurance can provide that financial security.

Getting in touch with massage continued 

strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energise you.

Deep-tissue massage.

This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.

Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage but is geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.

Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on trigger points, or

sensitive areas of tight muscle fibres that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

Some believe it can help manage anxiety and depression, control blood pressure and boost the immune system.

Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day.

But massage shouldn’t be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn’t feel right or is painful, speak up right away.

You don’t need any special preparation for massage. Before a session starts, your therapist should ask you about any symptoms, your medical history and what you’re hoping to get out of massage. They should explain the kind of massage and techniques he or she will use.

Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever. You can even learn how to do self-massage or to engage in massage with a partner.

Rust in peace

REMOVE rust and limescale the natural way by dousing the affected area with white vinegar and then scrubbing off the loosened deposits with a wire brush.

20

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

Regional News Haitians tire of waiting, start own rebuilding PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Defying pleas to wait for Haiti’s reconstruction, families lugged heavy bundles of wood and tin up steep hillsides Friday to do the unthinkable: build new homes on top of old ones devastated in the earthquake.

The defiance reflects growing anger and frustration among Haitians who complain that their leaders — and any rebuilding plans — are absent more than two weeks after the Jan. 12 earthquake damaged or destroyed thousands of homes in the capital.

Few tents have been supplied, rubble remains strewn in many streets, and signs begging for help in English — not Haitian Creole — dot nearly every street corner in Port-auPrince.

It could take another month to get the 200,000 tents needed for Haiti’s homeless, said Marie-Laurence Jocelyn Lassegue, the culture and communications minister. Haiti now has fewer than 5,000 donated tents.

In the concrete slum of Canape Vert, an area devastated by the quake, dozens of people were pooling their labor and getting on with rebuilding.

“I have 44 years’ worth of memories in this house,” said Noel Marie Jose, 44, whose family was reinforcing crumbling walls with tin and wood.

“I got married here. I met my husband here. My mother braided

NEW HAVEN, Connecticut (AP) — A Colorado man charged with sexually abusing boys at a school he founded in Haiti has pleaded not guilty to more allegations.

Douglas Perlitz appeared Tuesday in federal court in New Haven.

The 39-year-old Perlitz was charged last year with sexually abusing nine boys. Prosecutors doubled the number of alleged

victims to 18 with a new indictment announced last week.

Perlitz pleaded not guilty last year to the original charges.

Perlitz, who previously lived in the Connecticut, is accused of threatening children with expulsion or withholding benefits if they didn’t comply with his demands at the Cap-Haitien school.

UK businessman jailed for cocaine trafficking Louis Saint-Jane, top, is helped by a friend as he rebuilds his family’s home that fell in the Jan. 12 earthquake in the Canape Vert neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. Defying pleas to wait for Haiti’s reconstruction, families are building new homes on top of old ones devastated in the earthquake. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)

my hair there where these walls used to stand,” Jose said. “Even if it’s unsafe, I can’t imagine leaving. Even if the government helps, it will come too late. This is how it is in Haiti.”

Surrounding her, concrete homes were either crushed or had toppled down a hill. Jose and other families said they were worried both about the coming rainy season and fears they may lose their plots after demolitions because they either lack clear title

Haiti, Swiss gov’t losers in Duvalier cash ruling GENEVA (AP) — In an embarrassment to Switzerland’s government, the country’s top court said Wednesday that at least $4.6 million in Swiss bank accounts previously awarded to charities must be returned to the family of Haiti’s ex-dictator JeanClaude “Baby Doc” Duvalier.

The decision was unrelated to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, killing at least 150,000 people, but the amount of money contested could feed more than a million Haitians for two weeks.

The court’s decision was reached hours before the quake but only published Wednesday, prompting the Swiss government to issue an emergency decree to keep the money frozen in a Swiss bank until a new law can be passed allowing it to be donated to aid groups working in Haiti.

“This is a public relations

New plea for man accused of school abuse in Haiti

disaster for Switzerland,” said Mark Pieth, a Swiss professor with a long resume in international corruption cases such as the U.N. oil-for-food scandal.

In the decision, the Federal Supreme Court reversed a lower court’s ruling that the money should have gone to aid groups working in the impoverished nation because the statute of limitations on any crimes committed by the Duvalier clan would have expired in 2001.

Delays are common in Switzerland between court verdicts and their public announcements, but the release of the decision could not have come at a worse time. Beyond depriving Haiti’s relief efforts of additional money, the ruling also strikes a blow at Switzerland’s long-standing efforts to shed its image as an investment haven for the world’s dictators.

or the government does not want them to rebuild on land it considers unsafe.

Reconstruction, resettlement and land titles are all priorities of the government of President Rene Preval — but so far in name only.

The government has been nearly paralyzed by the quake — its own infrastructure, including the National Palace, was destroyed — and so far it has been limited to appeals for foreign aid and meetings with foreign donors that have yet to produce detailed plans for the emergencies it confronts.

Step one is moving people from areas prone to more earthquakes and landslides into tent cities that have sanitation and security but have yet to be built. Preval has engaged in dozens of meetings with potential outside contractors to discuss debris removal, sanitation and other longterm needs. Albert Ramdin, assistant secretary of the Organization of American States, has offered help in creating a new Haitian land registry — a process that could take months if not years because countless government records were destroyed in the quake.

Haitians ardently defend their property rights. If a family has occupied land for more than 10 years, they typically have gained ownership rights even without a deed. For some families, small homes have been passed on through the generations.

Few Haitians have insurance, and the loss of what few assets they have has crippled countless families.

Many are tired of living in tents improvised from tarps, sheets and bedspreads, opting to rebuild their homes rather than find new plots.

A businessman was among four people recently jailed in the United Kingdom for importing cocaine from Guyana hidden in tins of Chinese cooking sauce.

Police in the English county of Surrey were led to John BeaumontGriffin’s Winterdown Road home in Esher after investigating the arrival of tins containing £200,000 worth of cocaine into Gatwick Airport in April

2009. The tins were marked ‘Chinese Sauce’ and came from Guyana, local media reported. BeaumontGriffin was sentenced to four-anda-half years in prison after he was convicted last Friday following a trial at Kingston Crown Court.

His accomplices were given prison sentences of between two and ten years. (Excerpts from the Stabroek News).

Mexican mayor fears massacre of 16 was random CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — The mayor of a violent Mexican border city said Monday he fears a shooting that killed 16 people in a working class neighborhood may have been random because many of the victims were “good kids” with no apparent ties to drug gangs.

The dead included at least eight teenagers, the youngest a 13-yearold girl.

Mayor Jose Reyes Ferriz said police were pursuing all lines of investigation. But he said none of the victims of the attack Saturday night had criminal records, and the teenagers were “good kids, students, athletes.”

He said he feared violence was reaching levels of brutality shocking even for Ciudad Juarez, which faces El Paso, Texas, and has become one of the world’s deadliest cities amid

rampant battles between drug gangs fighting for turf and smuggling routes north.

“There is no logical explanation, a concrete reason for this event. This is something that worries us, gratuitous or random criminal acts,” Reyes told MVS Radio. “It goes way beyond what had been happening and puts Ciudad Juarez in even greater danger.”

Witnesses and relatives said armed men in two trucks blocked off a dead end street in Villas de Salvarcar, a neighborhood of modest cinderblock homes partly surrounded by a fence topped by barbed wire. The gunmen opened fire at three houses, ending their rampage at one home where young people had been gathered for a party.

Ten people were found dead at the scene and six died at hospitals.

Pastor: Arrest of missionaries a misunderstanding ATLANTA (AP) — A pastor who says he gave 10 U.S. Baptist missionaries permission to move a busload of Haitian children to the Dominican Republic says the group acted “with a good heart.”

However, he says they didn’t complete the required paperwork.

The missionaries were later arrested

after Haitian authorities said they tried crossing the border without documents.

Pastor Jean Sainvil told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the missionaries had approval from the parents of children who were not orphaned. He called the arrests a misunderstanding.

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

21

Regional News Frustration growing at Haiti aid bottlenecks PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The aid flooding into Haiti by plane and boat is not reaching earthquake victims quickly enough to stem growing unrest because of transportation bottlenecks and isolated violence.

Many foreign aid workers and Haitians say ample donations are arriving, but express frustration at the slow pace of distribution of food and medicine from Port-au-Prince’s port, airport and a warehouse in its sprawling Cite-Soleil slum.

“There’s no top-down leadership. ... And since the Haitian government took control of our supplies, we have to wait for things even though they’re stacked up in the warehouse,” said Dr. Rob Maddox of Start, Louisiana, tending to dozens of patients in the capital’s general hospital. “The situation is just madness.”

U.S. air traffic controllers have lined up an astonishing 2,550 incoming flights through March 1, but some 25 flights a day aren’t taking their slots.

Communication breakdowns between Haitians and their foreign counterparts are endemic.

“Aid is bottlenecking at the Portau-Prince airport. It’s not getting into the field,” said Mike O’Keefe, who runs Banyan Air Service in Fort Lauderdale.

Haitians complain that corrupt officials have started to manipulate some of the aid that does reach the streets.

Hundreds of angry people protested in the streets of Petionville on Wednesday, jogging down a broad avenue waving branches and

singing, “They stole the rice, they stole the rice.”

Danka Tanzil, 17, said a local official was demanding a bribe before he would give people the coupons that entitle them to bags of rice from the U.N. World Food Programme.

“For us to get the coupon, we must give 50 Haitian dollars (US$7) so we can get the rice,” she complained.

Boxes of supplies are stacked to the ceiling in the dimly lit warehouse of the capital’s hospital. In another storage area, medicine, bandages and other key supplies pile up on tables — watched over by a Haitian health worker who scrawls in a notebook, ticking off everything that comes in and out. Doctors say since locals took over the supply room, crucial time to save lives has been lost filling out unnecessary forms.

Donors talk about key logistical challenges: Grappling with a barely functioning government, the backlog of flights, a damaged and small port, clogged overland routes from outlying airports and the Dominican Republic, and security.

Aid agencies say food and water deliveries have about doubled in the past 10 days, but some relief workers are frustrated at how long it takes to move other supplies out of the U.N.’s warehouses.

U.N. officials said Tuesday that more than 100 ships are en route to Haiti, but the capital’s port has limited capacity. Ships need their own cranes and other offloading equipment.

Traveling from the airport on the eastern edge of the capital to

Jamaican scholar, choreographer dies in US at 76 KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaican scholar and choreographer Rex Nettleford has died following a heart attack in the United States. He was 76.

Nettleford died late Tuesday in Washington D.C., where he was attending a fundraiser for the University of the West Indies. He had been hospitalized since suffering a heart attack last week at his hotel room, Jamaican Culture Minister Olivia Grange said.

Nettleford, a Rhodes scholar, co-founded the National Dance Theater Company a month after Jamaica gained independence from Britain. He led the organization for almost 50 years.

“Jamaica and the entire world have lost an intellectual and creative genius,” Prime Minister Bruce Golding said. “Rex Nettleford was an international

icon, a quintessential Caribbean man, the professor, writer, dancer, manager, orator, critic and mentor.”

Nettleford, who was born in rural Trelawny parish in February 1933, long called for positive portrayals of Jamaica’s black majority.

His 1969 book, “Mirror Mirror,” examined the status of black Jamaicans nearly 10 years after the island became independent.

Nettleford was vice chancellor emeritus of the University of the West Indies from 1997 to 2004 and served as cultural adviser to three prime ministers, including Golding.

Former Jamaica Prime Minister Edward Seaga praised Nettleford’s passion for regional art and folklore.

“He had a willingness to absorb Jamaican culture,” Seaga said.

Blind people wait prior to a food distribution in Port-auPrince, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. A powerful earthquake hit Haiti on Jan. 12. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)

the western side of the city can take more than 3 hours. Travel by night is largely out — there are few functioning street lamps and, once the sun sets, countless survivors sleep in the streets.

Haiti has been plagued with crime, violence and gangs in the past, and some aid workers worry about being ambushed.

Most aid convoys require armed escorts, like the one that fired guns to drive away 20 armed men who blocked a road and tried to hijack a food shipment in the southern town of Jeremie. U.N. and Haitian police on Tuesday arrested 14 people suspected of participating in Saturday’s attack, the U.N. said.

Mobs have also stolen food and looted goods from their neighbours in tent camps, prompting many to band together or stay awake at night to prevent raids.

Small groups of state employees and lawyers held protests across the capital Tuesday, denouncing President Rene Preval’s leadership. Prime Minister Max Bellerive defended the government’s performance, saying, “even the most advanced countries could not respond to this crisis.”

The Jan. 12 disaster killed at least 150,000 people and demolished virtually every government building in the capital. Some 1 million people are homeless, many huddling in crude tents and bed sheets.

To lessen confusion, the government has asked private aid organisations to register with it so it knows what they’re doing and where.

Relief organisations are finding ways around the bottlenecks.

At the port, the American Red Cross created a “boat bridge” to unload supplies from a Colombian Red Cross ship offshore, said David Meltzer, the group’s senior vice president for international services.

The U.S. military has managed to land between 120 and 140 flights a day at Port-au-Prince airport, which handled 25 planes daily before the quake, Air Force spokeswoman Capt. Candace Park said.

One way to avoid backups is to buy aid in Haiti, said Edward Rees, whose nonprofit Peace Dividend Trust in Haiti is pressing donors to purchase local goods and hire local workers.

Rees said he met Tuesday with a rice supplier “who is aghast at all the rice being flown and shipped in, when his warehouses are still half full.”

The World Food Programme, which coordinates logistics of food delivery among relief groups, has significantly expanded its truck fleet, said spokesman Marcus Priory.

“We have been facing the most complex operation we have ever had to launch because we have massive needs (and) a densely populated urban context, which is not a traditional operating area for a humanitarian mission,” Priory said.

Botanist, 89, gets 4 years in Jamaica murder plot KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — A Jamaican judge on Tuesday sentenced an 89-year-old U.S.-born botanist to four years in prison for conspiring to kill his wife and three other women who lived in the couple’s home on the Caribbean island.

Judge Gloria Smith sentenced George Proctor, a Boston native who has lived in Jamaica for about 60 years, along with his chauffeur Glenmore Fillington. Both were convicted last week for conspiring to kill the 66-year-old woman and the three others.

Prosecutors said Proctor gave his coconspirator $90,000 to kill the women in April 2006.

The wife and the three women, whose identities and relationship to the couple have never been released by authorities, were not harmed,

however.

The elderly, diabetic botanist stood silently when the judge announced the sentence. Fillington, 44, fell to the courtroom floor and cried loudly after he was sentenced to six years.

Before sentencing, Dr. Edgar Lowe, Proctor’s physician warned that his patient could not survive for long in a Jamaican prison.

Proctor’s lawyer, Thomas TavaresFinson, told reporters he is filing an appeal.

“I don’t think he is aware of his circumstances,” Tavares-Finson said of his client.

Jamaican police arrested Proctor in April 2006 at the capital’s airport as he was about to board a plane to the United States.

His arrest and conviction shocked

his colleagues at the University of the West Indies and beyond.

“George is very well known and highly respected among botanists and is probably the most knowledgeable living authority on the flora of the West Indies, having traveled and botanized extensively on many islands,” said Mark T. Strong, a scientist at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

In a Tuesday e-mail from Washington, Strong said 31 species of plants have been named for Proctor, including species from Jamaica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the Cayman Islands and St. Lucia.

“We were all very shocked here about the allegations and that he was ultimately convicted,” Strong said.

Proctor’s wife and daughter have declined to speak to reporters.

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World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

Ex-UK minister: US unprepared Saudi Arabia wants for aftermath of war Taliban to expel bin Laden LONDON (AP) — Britain’s former international development chief said Tuesday that she warned then-Prime Minister Tony Blair that the U.S. and its allies were unprepared to deal with the aftermath of invading Iraq.

Clare Short, who quit as international development secretary shortly after the March 2003 invasion, made a stinging attack on her former boss at Britain’s Iraq Inquiry, saying Blair’s inner circle was guilty of “secretiveness and deception” over the decision to go to war.

Short told the inquiry she was not properly consulted in the weeks before the invasion. Blair preferred to work through informal “little chats” rather than full consultation with the Cabinet, she said.

Short also said ministers were misled about whether the war was authorized by international law.

The government’s top legal adviser at the time, Peter Goldsmith, has told the inquiry he initially believed war would be unlawful without an explicit U.N. Security Council resolution. Days before

the war, however, he advised that military action could take place under existing U.N. resolutions.

Short said ministers were not made aware of Goldsmith’s earlier doubts.

“I think for the attorney general to come and say there’s unequivocal legal authority to go to war was misleading,” she said.

Short released a classified letter she sent Blair two weeks before the invasion in which she warned that reconstruction efforts would be illegal without an explicit U.N. resolution.

The U.S. and its allies were ill-prepared for post-invasion humanitarian needs, Short said.

She said the U.S. Office for Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance was “understaffed, underresourced and under-prepared for the scale of the challenge.”

Short said Blair refused requests to delay the invasion, despite warnings that the military and aid officials were not ready.

“I think he was so frantic to be with America that all that was thrown

away,” she said.

Senior military officers have told the inquiry that British troops lacked critical equipment, including body armor, at the start of the conflict.

Short resigned in May 2003 to protest the handling of the war. She said she wished now she had resigned before the conflict.

“If I knew then what I know now, I would have,” Short said.

Britain is holding its third and widest-ranging inquiry into the conflict, which triggered huge protests and left 179 British troops dead before the country’s forces withdrew from Iraq last year.

The inquiry, which is scheduled to report by the end of the year, won’t apportion blame or establish liability, but will offer recommendations on how to prevent errors in future conflicts.

Blair testified to the inquiry last week, saying he stood by his decision to back the U.S. in removing Saddam Hussein because the Iraqi dictator was a threat to his region and the world.

Court gives Sri Lankan leader extra year in power COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka’s highest court ruled Tuesday that President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s new six-year term in office won’t start until almost the end of the year.

Rajapaksa swept to victory in the Jan. 26 election after defeating his former army chief and one-time ally Sarath Fonseka.

Rajapaksa called the snap poll two years before his first mandate was up, trying to cash in on a wave of popularity after the government’s crushing defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels last year.

CUT HERE

Although Rajapaksa was declared the winner on Jan. 27, the country’s Supreme Court said in its ruling that the new six-year term will start on Nov. 19, according to a statement from the president’s office.

The reasoning of the court’s decision was not made available.

Constitutional expert Rohan Edirisinghe said the Supreme Court does not make public its rulings on government referrals.

However, he said the court has overruled Rajapaksa attorneys’ argument that he be allowed to start his new term from November

2011, when his first term was to end.

The opposition has rejected the results of the election and says it will challenge them in court.

It has also accused the government of a campaign of threats, intimidation and illegal imprisonment of its supporters and activists.

The government, however, said that the opposition had been planning to organize a coup with the help of former army officers loyal to Fonseka.

A number of serving officers, which it said were considered to be a threat to national security, were fired.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia will not get involved in peacemaking in Afghanistan unless the Taliban stops providing shelter and severs all ties with Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida movement, officials said Tuesday.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai is visiting Saudi Arabia hoping for an active Saudi role in his plan to persuade Taliban militants to switch sides.

Saudi Arabia has a unique

relationship with Taliban since it was one of the few countries to recognize the regime before it was ousted in 2001 and has acted as an intermediary before.

The Saudi conditions for participating in the talks with Taliban, especially expelling former Saudi citizen bin Laden, are not new, but Riyadh is restating them amid a new international push to work with the Afghan militants.

Police: Texas woman admitted killing young sons SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A 22-yearold woman stabbed her two young sons to death, then calmly held her wrists out to police officers who arrived at her home and told them “I just killed my babies.”

Elyse Marsyl Colon, 22, was being held Wednesday on two counts of capital murder of a child for allegedly killing her sons, 3-yearold Jose Luis Garcia and 1-year-old Guillermo Garcia.

Officers responding to an emergency call Tuesday evening were greeted outside the home

by Colon, Police Chief William McManus said.

Officers found the boys lying next to each other in bed, McManus said.

They had been stabbed.

The children “looked like they were sleeping,” the police chief said.

Police made previous calls to the home for family violence, records show. The father was in custody on an immigration-related charge, said McManus.

Neighbor Betty Estrada, 48, said she saw Colon standing with police late Tuesday and noticed blood on her arms.

“All the neighbors would have helped her if she would have asked, if we would have known. It’s just so

This booking photo made available by the Bexar County Sheriff’s office, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010 shows Elyse Marsyl Colon, 22, in San Antonio. Colon is accused of killing her two sons, ages 1 and 3, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010 in San Antonio.

said,” said Estrada.

Another neighbor, Angelica Puentes, 34, said she had talked to Colon a couple of times and that she seemed like she was in a daze. The children appeared to be “normal, happy boys,” Puentes said.

“They can’t speak for themselves, they can’t defend themselves,” said Puentes. “They’re very vulnerable right now and she just took advantage of that for whatever reasons, I don’t know.”

Genocide charge now possible for Sudan’s al-Bashir THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The International Criminal Court will again consider charging Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir with genocide in Darfur, after an appeals panel ruled that judges made an “error in law” when they refused to indict him on that charge last year.

“He should get a lawyer,” court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo said after ruling Wednesday.

He accused al-Bashir of keeping

2.5 million refugees from specific ethnic groups in Darfur in camps “under genocide conditions, like a gigantic Auschwitz.”

The appeals decision — which said the burden of proof should be lower when prosecutors seek an indictment than when they try to secure a conviction at trial — fueled hopes among human rights activists that prosecutors will indict other leaders around the world for atrocities.

February 6 - 12, 2010

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

23

British travellers warned to steer clear of drugs LONDON (AFP) – More than 1,000 Britons are serving time in tough foreign jails on charges of drug smuggling, the government said on Wednesday, warning travellers to steer clear of trafficking.

Figures published by the Foreign Office show there are 2,582 Britons currently in jail overseas, with almost half that number -- 1,057 -- serving time for drugs-related offences.

Some 207 Britons are being held in Spanish jails, with another 141 serving time in the United States.

Both Thailand and France have 79 British prisoners each, with the remaining 500 or so held in different countries across the globe.

Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant said strict foreign laws on trafficking meant travellers should be “extremely wary” as anyone caught handling drugs could potentially face long jail terms in harsh conditions.

“The message is clear -- we can’t get people out of jail in other countries, so if you don’t want to waste your life away in a tough foreign jail, be sensible and keep clean,” Bryant said.

“People often don’t realise that they will be sentenced in that country, that sentencing can take

many months, prison conditions can be very difficult to handle and that sentences can be very long.”

His remarks come a month after China executed a 53-year-old Briton with a history of mental health problems for carrying 8.8lb (4kg) of heroin into the country.

In another high-profile case, a London woman convicted by a court in Laos last June for trafficking 1.5lb (680g) of heroin, only managed to escape the firing squad by virtue of the fact she was pregnant.

She was transferred to Britain in August and is now serving a sentence here.

Drug smuggling carries a death penalty in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, while other countries such as Cyprus, India, Venezuela and Ireland often impose long sentences even where a small quantity of drugs is involved.

Travellers often have an unrealistic idea of what consular officials can do for them if they are arrested overseas, with one in five believing embassy staff can get them out of prison.

Others hold the mistaken belief they will automatically be transferred back to the UK to serve out their sentence, he said.

Toyota pedal fix too late to prevent backlash NAGOYA, Japan (AP) — Toyota’s fix for the gas pedal problem that led to the recall of millions of cars has not come soon enough to prevent a consumer backlash in the U.S. and elsewhere that is battering its sales.

One of the automaker’s top executives on Tuesday said the damage from the global recall of nearly 4.6 million vehicles may be greater than previous quality problems because of the massive scale.

“This is unprecedented in having caused this huge problem for customers,” said Shinichi Sasaki, who oversees quality control at the world’s No. 1 automaker.

He said it was too soon to put a number on the ultimate cost of the recall. But Tatsuo Yoshida, an auto analyst at UBS in Tokyo, estimated the recalls are likely to cost about $900 million, and lost sales are already costing Toyota another $155 million a week.

The recall to fix a gas pedal that can stick when depressed covers some 2.3 million vehicles in the United States alone, including some of Toyota’s best-selling models, such as the Camry and Corolla. The

company has recalled millions more because of floor mats that can catch the gas pedal.

Toyota apologized to its customers Monday and said a piece of steel about the size of a postage stamp will fix the gas pedal problem. Repairs will take about a half-hour and will start in a matter of days, the company said.

South African president Jacob Zuma, second right, seen with his wives Sizakele Khumalo, right, Nompumelo Ntuli, left, and Tobeka Madiba, second left.

South African president acknowledges love child JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s polygamist president confirmed Wednesday that he recently fathered a child with a woman who is not one of his three wives or fiancee, and criticised those who said his actions undermined the country’s campaign against HIV/AIDS. Political opponents had treated the newspaper report in Johannesburg’s Sunday Times as fact even though President Jacob Zuma’s spokesman had neither confirmed nor denied that the baby girl born in October was Zuma’s child.

Critics said Zuma’s choices sent the wrong message in a country where one-tenth of the population is living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Experts say having multiple, concurrent partners heightens the risk of AIDS. “It is mischievous to argue that I have changed or undermined government’s stance on the HIV and AIDS campaign,” Zuma said in the statement. “I will not compromise on the campaign. Rather we will intensify our efforts to promote prevention, treatment, research and

Aid group: Armed forces shelling Somali civilians NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — An aid agency spokeswoman says indiscriminate shelling into residential areas of the Somali capital wounded 89 civilians in three days.

Axelle de la Motte St. Pierre says 30 of the wounded are children under 14 years old and 36 are women. Some lost limbs and others needed stitches for deep lacerations.

St. Pierre heads the Somali program for Medecins Sans Frontieres, also known as Doctors Without Borders. She said Wednesday so many patients arrived at Daynile Hospital between Jan. 29 and Feb. 2 that some of the wounded had to be treated in tents.

Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, has seen an upsurge in fighting between African Union peacekeepers, government forces and Islamist insurgents in recent weeks. All sides have used mortars in the city.

the fight against the stigma, attached to the epidemic.”

Zuma, who has 19 other children, currently has three wives and is engaged to a fourth woman.

He is popular in South Africa for his personal warmth and populist policies, and some here applaud him for embracing what they see as traditional African values. Polygamy, though, is not widely practiced and is seen by some as old-fashioned — and expensive.

Zuma said had he had acknowledged paternity and provided financial support to the family of Sonono Khoza, the mother of the child born last year. The president called the matter “intensely personal” and appealed for his family’s privacy.

“The media is also in essence questioning the right of the child to exist and fundamentally, her right to life. It is unfortunate that the matter has been handled in this way.

I sincerely hope that the media will protect the rights of children,” Zuma said.

South Africa, a nation of about 50 million, has an estimated 5.7 million people infected with HIV, more than any other country.

Zuma has been applauded for turning around AIDS policies after President Thabo Mbeki’s stance was blamed for hundreds of thousands of premature deaths. Mbeki questioned whether HIV caused AIDS and his health minister distrusted drugs developed to keep AIDS patients alive, instead promoting garlic and beet treatments.

In contrast, Zuma’s government has set a target of getting 80 percent of those who need AIDS drugs on them by 2011. Zuma has called for earlier and expanded treatment for HIV-positive South Africans, and has urged people to get tested for HIV. Zuma’s turnaround is all the more remarkable because of his personal history. In 2006, while being tried on charges of raping an HIV-positive family friend, Zuma testified he took a shower after extramarital sex to lower the risk of AIDS. He was acquitted of rape.

Poland, with world’s 18th economy, wants in G-20 WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s president says his country deserves to become a member of Group of 20 now that its economy has grown to become the 18th largest in the world.

President Lech Kaczynski argued that Poland, the largest of 10 excommunist nations that joined the European Union in recent years, has grown in influence and belongs in the world’s premier forum for discussing major economic issues.

“The place for my country is within the G-20,” Kaczynski said Tuesday during a meeting with

diplomats in Warsaw.

Poland’s economy has enjoyed strong growth since embracing a market economy 20 years ago, and got a further boost with EU membership in 2004.

World Bank figures for 2008 — the most recent available — show that Poland has the world’s 18th largest economy in terms of gross domestic product.

Poland posted growth of 1.7 percent in 2009, becoming the only European country to avoid recession amid the global downturn.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

NATIONAL

David Vogel Uihlein - deeply missed David Vogel Uihlein was born in Milwaukee on July 27, 1920, the son of Joseph E Uihlein Sr and Ilma Vogel Uihlein.

He passed away peacefully at his home in Mequon, WI on Friday, January 29, 2010 at the age of 89.

The part-time TCI resident is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Margery Holley Uihlein “MM”, his children Lynde Bradley Uihlein of Milwaukee, and David Vogel Uihlein Jr. (Julia) also of Milwaukee; grandchildren Sarah Olson Zimmerman (Steven), Milwaukee; John Uihlein Olson (Ellen Blakstad) of Oslo, Norway; Dr. Alexander Uihlein (Lily), Boston; MA; Elizabeth Uihlein, Chicago, IL; Charles Uihlein, Milwaukee; great-grandchildren Joseph and Nathaniel Zimmerman, Milwaukee, and Hedda Olson of Oslo,

Norway.

He is also survived by Margery Uihlein’s children Barbara Kuehn Frank (Richard) and Philip Gregg Kuehn (Kathryn) of Milwaukee; John Corliss Kuehn (Cris Mulvey) of Missoula, MT; her grandchildren, to whom he was also “Poppo”, John Frank (Elsie Sunderland), Peter Frank (Katy); Charles Kuehn (Jane); Andrew Kuehn; Seppe Kuehn (Hope Mechelson); Erika Kuehn; and greatgrandson, Reid Frank.

Mr. Uihlein was a 1939 graduate of the Hill School, Pottstown, PA. He worked at the Schlitz Brewing Company for a year before heading to the U.S. Brewers’ Academy in New York City.

He attended University of Wisconsin in 1940-41 where he was one of two walk-on freshman football players who

received letters.

He proudly served in World War II as an ambulance driver for the American Field Service in Italy, Austria, and India.

A businessman, he acquired the Banner Welder Co. in 1949.

It continues as a successful business today.

Carrying on his family’s heritage in the brewing industry, he also purchased and ran the Oshkosh Brewing Co in Oshkosh, WI, from 1961 to 1969.

He served on corporate boards including Schlitz Brewing Co., Briggs and Stratton, Allen-Bradley Co., and First Wisconsin Bank.

Mr Uihlein was a man of many enthusiasms.

He had a colourful personality, and was a wonderful storyteller.

He was an ardent naturalist and

outdoorsman.

He was happiest hunting or fishing in northern Wisconsin or Canada with ‘MM.’ He was the founder and president of the Milwaukee chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society and active in his support of Ducks Unlimited, the Trout and Salmon Foundation and the Nature Conservancy, among others.

Mr Uihlein was an avid collector.

He collected antique cars, especially 1930s Indianapolis 500 race cars, as well as old boats, airplanes, and duck decoys.

He restored many of his classic cars with his own hands.

A 1925 Bugatti, a gift to Mrs. Uihlein, won a blue ribbon in 1989 at the Concours D’Elegance in Pebble Beach, CA. In 1995, he founded the Harry

Miller Meet. This national show and race car event is held every year at the Milwaukee Mile for collectors and aficionados of antique race car engine designer Harry Miller.

Mr Uihlein will be deeply missed by family and friends for his great love of life, his capacity for friendship, fun, and devotion to causes close to his heart.

The family wishes to thank all those who have provided devotion, care, and comfort for Mr Uihlein.

A visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, from 4 to 7 PM. A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruffed Grouse Society, National Audubon Society, The Hill School, or the charity of your choice.

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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February 6 - 12, 2010

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS NATIONAL

Happy Valentine's Day FINANCIAL CONTROLLER APPLICATIONS ARE REQUESTED FOR THE ABOVEMENTIONED POSITION Key Responsibilities are: @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@

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Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

Swift wins Grammy best album; Beyonce wins 6 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyonce became the most decorated female on a Grammy night as she collected six trophies, including song of the year for her anthem “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” but it was another diva — Taylor Swift — who nabbed the top honour, album of the year, for her best-selling “Fearless.”

Swift, who won a total of four awards, jumped around like the 20year-old kid that she is when she beat out Beyonce, the Dave Matthews Band, Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas for the honour.

“Oh wow — thank you so much!

I just hope that you know how much this means to me.... that we get to take this back to Nashville,” said Swift, whose “Fearless” was last year’s best-selling album of any genre.

“Oh my God, our families are freaking out in their living rooms,” she added. “My dad and my little brother are losing their minds in the living room right now.”

Although Beyonce also lost out on record of the year, which went to the Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” the entertainer still owned the most awards of the evening.

Beyonce, who in 2004 won five Grammys on the strength of her debut album “Dangerously in Love,” a mark tied by the likes of Alicia Keys, Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse and Alison Krauss, reached that milestone again Sunday en route to the new record. She is the first to reach that mark twice.

She shared the song of the year trophy with three writers for “Single Ladies” and also won best R&B contemporary album for “I Am ...

Sasha Fierce.”

“This has been such an amazing night for me and I’d love to thank the Grammys,” Beyonce said after winning best female pop vocal for “Halo.”

The Kings of Leon were a bit more entertaining when they picked up their record of the year trophy, the family quartet’s third of the night.

“I’m not going to lie, we’re all a little drunk. But we’re happy drunks,” said lead singer Caleb Followill.

Lady Gaga won two Grammys during the pre-telecast ceremony but didn’t get a chance to show her multitude of outrageous dresses during the primetime show, losing out on record, song and album of the year. But she made her presence felt when she kicked off the night with a sequined green leotard with massive shoulders as she sang her Grammynominated hit “Poker Face,” then brought out Elton John as they melded her song “Speechless” and his classic “Your Song” together in a performance that featured dueling pianos, and glitter-painted faces.

Swift, who was second to Beyonce

In this photo provided by WATW, singers Celine Dion, Justin Bieber, Usher, Katharine McPhee, will.i.am, Toni Braxton, Barbra Streisand, LL Cool J, Harry Connick Jr., Wyclef Jean, Vince Vaughn, Jeff Bridges, Natalie Cole and others perform at the “We Are The World 25 Years for Haiti” recording session held at Jim Henson Studios on Feb. 1, 2010 in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Handout)

Taylor Swift reacts as she accepts the album of the year award at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

in Grammy nominations with eight nods, also won best country album among her other awards. The victory capped an amazing run for Swift, whose “Fearless” is only her second album. Her self-titled debut was a platinum success but “Fearless,” with songs like “You Belong With Me,” took her into the superstar stratosphere, as she won accolades across genres.

Another country act to take a top award was the Zac Brown Band, which won best new artist.

The Black Eyed Peas also had three trophies, as well as Jay-Z, who won for best rap solo performance and two awards for “Run This Town” with Rihanna and Kanye West.

Rihanna — who was forced to bow out of last year’s awards as a performer after being assaulted by then-boyfriend Chris Brown, accepted the trophy along with Jay-Z. West — who has kept a relatively low profile since his dustup with Swift a few months back — was a notable no-show.

Maxwell, up for six awards, also won his first Grammys — best R&B male vocal for the ballad “Pretty Wings” and best R&B album for “BLACKsummers’ night.” The album marked the R&B crooner’s return after an absence of eight years from the music business.

Many participants in the programme wore red cross buttons in support of Haiti earthquake relief.

Mary J. Blige joined Andrea Bocelli in a rousing rendition of “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which was not only designed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song’s big Grammy wins, but to raise money for the people in Haiti. The performance, introduced by Haitian native Wyclef Jean, will be available via iTunes. com/target, with the funds going to

earthquake relief.

The show also included a special 3-D tribute to Michael Jackson featuring a video clip he made of “Earth Song” as Usher, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson and Smokey Robinson sang along.

Jackson’s young children, Prince and Paris, accepted a lifetime achievement award for their late father.

“Through all his songs his message was simple, love. We will continue to spread his message and help the world,” Prince said.

Actor and comedian Steve Martin, who will be presenting the Oscars next month, saw an awards ceremony from the winner’s side at the Grammys, taking the award for best bluegrass album for “The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo.”

In a tribute to the late guitar legend Les Paul, British guitarist Jeff Beck and Irish singer Imelda May performed Paul’s “How High the Moon.”

Beck won the best rock instrumental performance award, while English rockers Judas Priest won for best metal performance.

British singer-songwriter Imogen Heap won an engineering award for her album “Ellipse.”

French rock band Phoenix won best alternative music album for “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.”

Award presenters included Wyclef Jean of Haiti, Colombian singer Juanes, Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, Mexican-born rocker Carlos Santana and Spanish opera star Placido Domingo, who earlier won a President’s Merit Award.

Indian composer A.R. Rahman won best soundtrack for his work on the film “Slumdog Millionaire” and best soundtrack song for “Jai Ho.”

Stars gather to cover ‘We Are the World’ for Haiti LOS ANGELES (AP) — The charity anthem “We Are the World” has been given a hip-hip, pop twist by 80 artists who have re-recorded the 1980s hit in the same Hollywood studio where the original was cut 25 years ago.

Pink, Natalie Cole, Kanye West, Jennifer Hudson, Celine Dion, Brian Wilson and others stood shoulder to shoulder Monday night on risers at Henson Recording studios, singing in hopes of aiding Haiti.

“This one, the enthusiasm, I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Lionel Richie, who wrote the original “We Are the World” with Michael Jackson, and oversaw the redux version with music mogul Quincy Jones, 76.

Jones, who produced the 1985 anthem, announced last week that he planned to redo the song to benefit recovery efforts after the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Jan. 12.

The song, officially titled “We Are the World — 25 for Haiti,” will premiere this month during coverage of the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on NBC, according to a release from promoter AEG Live.

On Monday, stars converged on the recording studio’s Studio A in the afternoon and stayed several hours.

Richie and Jones worked with a select number of soloists, including Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, later into the night.

At one point during a break, the musicians broke out into a cappella version of the pop classic “Lean on Me,” a moment jump-started by singer Melanie Fiona leaning on another artist because her feet were tired.

Gesturing and shifting her headphones from ear to ear, Barbra Streisand recorded her solo over and over again, stopping only to correct her pitch.

Later, a who’s who of rappers,

including Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J and Wyclef Jean, recorded an interlude written by Black Eyed Peas frontman and producer will.i.am.

Rapper Lil Wayne said he was blessed to record the tune but was surprised when told he would do Bob Dylan’s part from the original.

“I don’t know how to sing,” he admitted, with a smile.

Asked how the earthquake had affected him, he said he had Haitian friends in Miami who lost relatives in the disaster.

The original “We Are the World” thundered up the charts when it was released in March 1985.

An unprecedented number of top pop musicians gathered at A&M the night of Jan. 28, 1985, following the American Music Awards, to record the tune. The song featured 45 American superstars, including Jackson, Richie, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper.

The record raised more than $30 million that year for USA for Africa, a nonprofit the singers founded to fund hunger relief in Africa.

None of the original performers returned for Monday because none were asked, said Randy Phillips, chief executive of tour promoter of AEG Live and also Richie’s manager.

“This is about a new generation mixed with an old generation,” Phillips said.

Proceeds from the song initially are to go to the newly formed charity We Are the World Foundation LLC, then be distributed to Haiti.

Some top music names were either unavailable to record, or opted not to re-record the original, Phillips said. Taylor Swift’s touring schedule kept her from joining Monday, and Beyonce Knowles had returned already to New York with husband Jay-Z, Phillips said. Janet Jackson, who was out of town, will contribute vocals remotely, he said.

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

31

Science & Technology Report: 40 percent of cancers are preventable LONDON (AP) — About 40 percent of cancers could be prevented if people stopped smoking and overeating, limited their alcohol, exercised regularly and got vaccines targeting cancer-causing infections, experts say.

To mark World Cancer day on Thursday, officials at the International Union against Cancer released a report focused on steps that governments and the public can take to avoid the disease.

According to the World Health Organization, cancer is responsible for one out of every eight deaths worldwide — more than AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria combined. WHO warned that without major changes, global cancer deaths will jump from about 7.6 million this year to 17 million by 2030.

In the report from the International Union Against Cancer, experts said about 21 percent of all cancers are due to infections like the human papillomavirus, or HPV, which causes cervical cancer, and hepatitis infections that cause stomach and liver cancer.

While the vaccines to prevent these cancers are widely available in western countries, they are almost nonexistent in the developing world. Nearly 80 percent of the world’s cervical cancer deaths are in poor countries, according to the agency.

“Policymakers around the world have the opportunity and obligation to use these vaccines to save people’s lives and educate their communities towards lifestyle choices and control measures that reduce their risk of cancer,” Cary Adams, chief executive of the International Union Against Cancer, said in a statement.

In Western nations, experts said many of the top cancers — like those in the lungs, breasts and colon — might be avoided if people changed their lifestyle habits. To reduce their risk, the agency recommended that people stop smoking, limit their alcohol consumption, avoid too much sun, and maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise.

UK medical journal retracts flawed vaccine study LONDON (AP) — A major British medical journal on Tuesday retracted a flawed study linking the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to autism and bowel disease.

The retraction by The Lancet comes a day after a competing medical journal, BMJ, issued an embargoed commentary calling for The Lancet to formally retract the study. The commentary was to have been published on Wednesday.

The BMJ commentary said once the study by British surgeon and medical researcher Andrew Wakefield and his colleagues appeared in 1998 in The Lancet, “the arguments were considered by many to be proven and the ghastly social drama of the demon vaccine took on a life of its own.”

Since the controversial paper was published, British parents abandoned the vaccine in droves, leading to a resurgence of measles. Subsequent studies have found no proof that the vaccine is connected to autism, though some parents are still wary of

the shot.

In Britain, vaccination rates for measles have never recovered and there are outbreaks of the disease every year.

Ten of Wakefield’s 13 co-authors renounced the study’s conclusions several years ago and The Lancet has previously said it should never have published the research.

“We fully retract this paper from the published record,” Lancet editors said in a statement Tuesday.

Last week, Britain’s General Medical Council ruled that Wakefield had shown a “callous disregard” for the children used in his study and acted unethically. Wakefield and the two colleagues who have not renounced the study face being stripped of their right to practice medicine in Britain.

For the study, Wakefield took blood samples from children at his son’s birthday party, paying them 5 pounds each ($8) for their contributions and later joking about the incident.

Experts unveil dino, oldest known ancestor of birds HONG KONG (Reuters) – China has unearthed the fossil of a twolegged carnivorous dinosaur that lived 160 million years ago and which researchers have identified as the earliest known member of a long lineage that includes birds.

The “Haplocheirus sollers” had a long, narrow skull, many small teeth and powerful biceps and forelimbs, which enabled it to hunt primitive lizards, small mammals and reptiles.

The individual, believed to be a young adult when it died, had a long tail and a total body length of between 190 and 230 cm. (6 feet 2 inches to 7 feet 6 inches), the researchers wrote in a paper published in the journal Science.

It was found in orange mudstone beds in the Junggar Basin in China’s far western Xinjiang region.

“It has unique features but it shares some features with birds. It moves its hands sideways, like how birds can fold their wings. Its head, vertebral column, hind limbs, hands are all bird like,” said Professor Xu Xing at the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology & Paleonanthropology.

“Their legs have four digits like modern birds, with three digits pointing forwards. The first digit, unlike in birds which point backwards, this one points sideways,” he said.

Xu, a member on a research team led by Jonah Choiniere at the George Washington University in Washington, said that while this

The skull of the newly discovered fossil of a carnivorous dinosaur called “Haplocheirus sollers” is seen at a Chinese Academy of Sciences’ workshop on the outskirts of Beijing, January 26, 2010. REUTERS/Barry Huang

species shared some features with birds, it was more like a “typical carnivorous dinosaur.”

“The most salient feature of this group is their forelimbs, they are predators. They have three claws on their hands, used to catch other animals. They have very bizarre forelimbs, they are very short but very stout and very strong,” said Xu.

“Primitive lizards, small mammals, mammal-like reptiles were all possible food items,” he told Reuters by telephone.

“They represent the earlier stage in the evolution of birds, but they are not birds. You can say they are early ancestors of birds ... and very slowly, it (the lineage) turned into birds.”

New Spider-Man Device Could Let Humans Walk on Walls A new high-tech suction device could allow humans to walk on walls like Spider-Man or create adhesive devices that could be turned on and off with the flick of a switch.

The contraption, inspired by a beetle that can hold on to a leaf with a force 100 times its weight, uses the surface tension of water to make an adhesive bond, but it does so with a creative twist. It could be used to create sticky shoes or gloves, researchers said today.

The device consists of a flat top plate riddled with tiny holes, each just a few hundred microns (a millionth of a meter) wide. A bottom plate holds water. In between is a porous layer. A 9-volt battery powers an electric field that forces water to squeeze through the tiny holes in the

top layer.

The surface tension of the exposed droplets makes the device grip another surface - much the way two pieces of wet glass stick together.

Turn the electricity off, and the bond breaks.

“In our everyday experience, these forces are relatively weak,” explained Paul Steen, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at Cornell University. “But if you make a lot of them and can control them, like the beetle does, you can get strong adhesion forces.”

More work is needed to create a version of the device that would hold a human to the side of a building, however. One prototype has 1,000 holes and can hold about 30 grams, or roughly 70

paperclips. But tests showed that with more and smaller holes, a 1-inch square device could hold 15 pounds.

Another possible use would be covering the droplets with thin membranes, making the device exert outward pressure.

“You can think about making a credit card-sized device that you can put in a rock fissure or a door, and break it open with very little voltage,” Steen said. “It’s a fun thing to think about.”

The device is detailed online this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research was funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Science Foundation.

32

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Job Listings Services Auto sales real estate

Classifieds

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Labourer Gas Attendant

Kitchen Helper

To work 6 days per week.

Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 946-5663 for more information

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Applicants must have at least 15 years experience, be trained in therapeutic laser, activator technique, and certified in operation of diagnostic x-ray. Must be a graduate of a college certified under CCE. Please replay by email or fax

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TCI RELIABLE CONSULTING AGENCY

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The candidate must be punctual, dedicated, trustworthy and loyal. Salary will commensurate at $5.00 per hour.

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Must be highly trained. Must be able to communicate fluently. Salary $7.00 per hour

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ONE DOMESTIC WORKER NEEDED Salary $5.00 per hourMon. - Fri. 8am - 6pm

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Attn: Managing Director First Global Insurance Brokers Limited P.O. Box 117, Caribbean Place Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

ON behalf of its client is seeking an experienced person to fill the position of a

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Applications must be emailed to: urintins@unitedrelianceint.com

946-4664

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February 6 - 12, 2010

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For general construction.Salary $6.00 per hour.

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TCI Reliable Consulting Agency, Walkin Plaza, Five Cays, Providenciales, Monday – Friday 9:00am 4:30 pm or call us (649) 941-8151

El & Daughters Consulting Services Is seeking hard working individuals to fill the positions of:

Domestics Workers.

Labourers, Barbers & Sales Person for their Clients.

Persons must be willing to work on weekends. Salary is $5.50 per hour Interested persons contact: Mrs. Shirmay Llewellyn

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LABOURER

NEEDED General outdoor labour and maintenance, gardening, lifting, and other related tasks as required.

Applicant must be fluent in English and have pleasant manner.

Hours include weekends and must be available as needed.

Submit applications, in writing, to:

Unit 1, Southern Shores Building, Leeward Hwy, Providenciales Must submit copy to The Labour Department, General Office, Providenciales

February 6 - 12, 2010 PHONE: (649) 946-4664

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

POSITION AVAILABLE 25TH FEBRUARY, 2010

BRUCELY GRANT

Spa Therapist With over 6 years experience in all types of Massages, facials and other skin/body care services. Some experience in Manicure/Pedicure would be a plus. Applicants experience must include working in the Tourist Sector. Wages $300 per week plus commission scheme.

The successful applicant must be a team player and highly notivated to excel.

For an interview or appointment phone Sandy Lightbourne at 9468212 Mon to Fri between hrs of 10am and 5pm. Resumes and references required.

Applications would be considered from Belongers only and must be received by 10th February, 2010.

POSITION AVAILABLE 7TH MARCH, 2010

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To work Monday – Friday from 7:30am – 4:30pm

Contact 243-4688

By February 5th, 2010

Housekeeper

Who also has experience in assisting Cosmetologists (hair styling, manicure, pedicure, etc).

Wages $250 per week plus commission scheme.

The Successful applicant must be a team player and highly motivated to excel.

For an interview or appointment phone Sandy Lightbourne at 9468212 Mon to Fri between hrs of 10am and 5pm. Resumes and references required Applications would be considered from Blongers only and must be received by 12th February, 2010

4605

FOR

SALE Unused 20 cubic foot white G E upright freezer

Price $850

CARIBBEAN CONCRETE AND CONSTRUCTION LTD.

Contact 244-1210 4608

Is seeking suitable applicants to fill the positions: BELONGERS PREFERRED

ATLANTIC

Concrete Pump Operator:

CONSTRUCTION

With a minimum of seven years of demonstrated experience in ready mix concrete companies.

Applicants must have specialized knowledge in the operation of Putzmeister and Schwing Concrete Pumps. Applicants must be able to repair and provide maintenance to the assigned truck. Applicant must be able to work as needed including holidays and weekends.

Seeks to employ a

Labourer

Heavy Duty Drivers:

With a minimum of five years of demonstrate experience with concrete mixers and heavy equipment. Applicants should have mechanics knowledge and experience. Must be capable to repair and provide maintenance to the assigned truck. Applicant must be able to work as needed including holidays and weekends.

Electrician:

To work 5 days per week. Salary $6.00 per hour

Heavy Duty Mechanic:

Contact 242-3858 4609

With certified knowledge in Electronics and air conditioning and cooling system. A minimum experience of five years in industrial processes is required. Applicant must have knowledge in Microsoft Office Access.

With Hydraulic Specialization with a minimum of seven years of demonstrated experience in ready mix concrete companies. Must have his own tools and transportation and must have specialized knowledge in putzmaister and schwing pump trucks maintenance and repairing.

SUPER CUTS BARBER

Industrial Technician:

With a minimum and demonstrated experience of five years in Industrial Processes and Operations. Applicant must have demonstrated knowledge in programmable electrical controls and computer programming, and must have competence in the occupational health and safety regulations and practices. Applicant must be familiar with heavy equipment applicants must be able to demonstrate knowledge of Microsoft Office Access.

Seeks to employ a

Barber

All applicants must be able to work under no supervision and be available all holidays and at any required time Salary $7-$20 per hour, based on experience.

To work 6 days per week from 9am to 7pm. Salary $5.00 per hour

To apply please submit the following documentation to Caribbean Concrete & Construction 122 South Dock Road, or via Fax 1-649-941-7229 Complete curriculum vitae Degrees certificates Recommendation letters from the last two companies Clean police record Valid driver license

Contact 243-7698

4586

Deadline for application is February 5th, 2010 4619

Labourer to work on a construction site must work 6 days per week.

Salary $5.50 per hour

Contact 346-8622 Deadline for application is February 5th, 2010

4597

BRIC’S ACADEMY

Teacher

needed @@ Must have early childhood education training

@@ At least 5 years experience with working with children ages 2-5 years old Belongers only need apply

Contact 241-2968 or 941-2450

4598

WILLY’S BARBER SHOP

Cashier Salary $175.00

Barber

salary will be based on commission Must be able to work 6 days per week

Contact 345-7832

4595

WARD CONSTRUCTION

One Laborer Need to clean yard, dig trench and carry out garbage. Salary $6.00 per hour.

Contact 946-4923 4602

34

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

BCS/CS is looking for a

Domestic

Worker

Reliable, honest, five years experience Belonger only need apply Please send resume to brandizt@yahoo.com

February 6 - 12, 2010

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

TCI RELIABLE CONSULTING AGENCY ON BEHALF OF ANADA LTD. IS SEEKING An experienced person to fill the position of a

Cashier The candidate must be punctual, dedicated, trustworthy and loyal. Salary will commensurate at $5.00 per hour. Only qualified applicants will be contacted.

For more detailed information please contact: TCI Reliable Consulting Agency, Walkin Plaza, Five Cays, Providenciales, Monday – Friday 9:00am - 4:30 pm or call us (649) 941-8151

for rent

BRAND NEW 1500 Hundred SQ Fully Furnished 2 bed room apartments including washer & dryer, Flat Screen TV’s and central ac.

1600 per month First and Security required.

Please call 331-5524 for viewing

FAX: (649) 946-4661

CORE RESOURCES LTD.

Is seeking a qualified

Driver For its day to day fuel operations

Hours of work are from 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday and sometimes on weekends salary $8.00 per hour (negotiable) Persons seeking employment should contact Core

Resources @ 241-8373 or 232-3032

POSITIONS AVAILABLE The Turks and Caicos Islands’ oldest and leading publishing house is in need of additional staff to fill the following posts:

WRITERS / PHOTO JOURNALISTS Candidates must have at least five (5) years experience working full-time for daily newspapers and/or news/features magazines, reporting on hard news, features and parliamentary/court proceedings. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

Position available November 1, 2008

FOR MAGAZINES AND OTHER PERIODICALS GRAPHICS PRODUCTION DESIGNER/PAGINATOR This position requires someone with at least five (5) years experience working with Macintosh or PC computers. Must be skilled in the make-up of advertising and pagination. Proficiency using InDesign, Illustrator and PhotoShop software for print is essential. Some technical, networking and web design knowledge an asset. Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

Position available November 1, 2008

REPORTER TRAINEE Preferably a High School graduate or someone with an extremely good command of the English language for court and community reporting.

Ability to drive and use a camera a desirable asset.

Salary paid weekly will commensurate with experience.

Position available November 1, 2008

ADVERTISING SPACE SALES PERSON Candidates must have had actual hands-on experience selling advertising space for newspapers and magazines. Ability to assist clients with the writing of copy for ads and gathering of collateral an asset. Salary is commission based.

Position available November 1, 2008 Forward applications to: The Publisher Duncanson Publications Ltd. P.O. Box 52, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Email: tcnews@tciway.tc NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE Preference will be given to Belongers and Legal Residents Closing date for applications is November 14, 2008

4655

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

35

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

FAX: (649) 946-4661

BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES

POSITIONS AVAILABLE Island Pride Supermarket

One (1) Supervisor Duties includes Assist in supervision of 1. Supervise the fiscal and operational activities of the department to include: staffing levels, budgets, and financial goals 2. Plan and develop systems and procedures to improve the quality and efficiency of the store/departments 3. Analyze and document business processes and problems 4. Coordinate and implement solutions from process analysis and general department projects.

5. Direct staff in accordance with company policies and procedures 6. Assist staff to resolve complex or policy operation problems 7. Assist in inventory control 8. Quality control and rotation procedures 9. Assist in data entry 10. Coordinate with Human Resource Manager for appropriate staffing levels

Knowledge and skill requirements:

1. Must have experience in ordering for a retail grocery

environment 2. Basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills required 3. Knowledge of office processes, procedures, and technology. Must have experience in supervising team activities.

4. Ability to read and interpret accounting and financial reports 5. Work requires willingness to work a flexible 6. Job involves substantial labour related work 7. Individual must possess minimum of (5) five years retail grocery experience, and previous experience in quality control management 8. Must be able to multitask 9. Must have experience with store closing procedure. This position is (6) six nights a week.

10. Must have (5) five years experience with POS systems, ordering systems and logistics

$2,000.00 per month.

This position is 6 nights a week and includes heavy lifting.

Weekend/Holidays including Sundays.

Requirements for all Applicants:

@@ Hardworking team player with excellent people skills. @@ Willingness to work, weekends and holidays as required. @@ In addition to the performance of the essential functions employees may able required to perform supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor.

Only Belongers apply for these positions. Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified.

Job involves substantial manual labour related work.

Individual must posse’s minimum of 5 (five) CXC subjects or equivalent, have at least 8 (eight) previous years experience in quality control and be able to work with little supervision.

Salary: commensurate with experience starting from

Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty

Real Estate Sales Associate Responsibilities Include • Assist clients in the sale , purchase, letting or leasing of real estate • Introducing new clients and promoting real estate sales and new listings • Promptly notifying the Employer of the particulars of any new listing secured by the Employee, and of any potential listing or potential buyer coming to his/her attention • Performing such administrative functions as the Manager or acting Manager for the time being of the Employer (“the Manager”) may from time to time assign to the Employee • Participating in such meetings, workshops, seminars, conferences, events and functions connected with real estate • Assisting in the preparation and publication or promotional material and media • Fostering good relations with companies in the real estate business and their employees and agents • Participate as a practicing member of the Turks & Caicos Real Estate Association (TCREA) • Keeping proper and organized records of activities and of the properties with which you are associated with • Sales and listing reports • Required to work after hours and weekends as necessary Applicant Requirements • A minimum of 6 years in Real Estate Sales • Business Degree from a recognized University • Sales Training Courses • Multi Language Skills an asset • Microsoft Computer application knowledge Commission Based Remuneration Application Closing Date – February 15th, 2010 Please submit CV to Joe Zahm, Turks & Caicos Sotheby’s International Realty, P.O. BOX 279 Telephone: 649-946-4474 or Fax: 649-946-4433

Submit applications to by February 15, 2010 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211

FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK Invite bids for the following repossessed vehicles located at Bayview Motors Storage compound on Leeward Highway, Providenciales.

2006 Hyundai Tucson (Gold) Fair condition with minor damages

2004 Isuzu Asender (Silver) Poor condition

2004 Isuzu Asender (Silver) Poor condition

2002 Mercury Mountaineer (Beige) Fair Condition

2006 Jeep Commando (Black) Fair Condition

2008 Suzuki Grand Vitara (Black) Fair Condition

2006 Isuzu I-350 Truck (Blue) Poor condition

2008 Ford Explorer (White) Good Condition

2007 Ford Freestar Van (White) Fair Condition

2008 Daihatsu Terios (Lime Green) Good Condition

2006 Dodge Durango (Black) Fair Condition

2008 Ford F-150 Truck (Black) Fair Condition

2006 Dodge Durango (Gray) Poor Condition

Please submit bids in writing to:

FIRSTCARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL BANK, Receivables Management Unit, Leeward Highway, Providenciales or call 649-946-4245 Ext. 343 for more details.

4647

36

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

February 6 - 12, 2010 FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

FOR SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION EQUITY LTD. ad TRUSTEE, as registered proprietor of first charge against the subject proprietors, will sell the following by Public Auction on the 5th day of March, 2010, at 11:00 a.m., at the office of Twa, Marcelin, Wolf, Chancery Court, Leeward Highway.

Property #1:

Condominium Unit #8, English Cottages, The Somerset comprised of Titles 60804/128K53, 67 and 78, The Bight & Thomas Stubbs, Providenciales.

All furniture and appliances are included.

Condominium Unit #2, Stirling House, The Somerset, being comprised of Title 60804/128K43, The Bight & Thomas Stubbs.

Property #2

Condominium Unit #1 The Welwyn Estate, The Somerset, being comprised of Title 60804/128K16, The Bight and Thomas Stubbs.

The subject property, accessed by private door off the main lobby of the Welwyn building, occupies the first floor of that building. It contains 3 bedrooms, 2 of which feature en-suites, open plan living/ dining room area, large kitchen, with ample closet and storage facilities and both indoor and outdoor parking. It is an ocean view unit with wrap-around deck area.

(1) One Metal Framing Mechanic (1) One Interior Supervisor The candidate must have the following requirements: • Minimum 10 years experience as a metal framing/ interior supervisor • Successful completed format, recognized and relevant courses • Willing to work long hours and weekends, be punctual and have an enthusiastic personality towards their work.

Starting Salary: $10.00/$15.00 per hour Closing date for applications is Monday 15th February 2010

Communal parking only is available for this unit.

Approximate total indoor and outdoor area is 2168 sq. ft.

Registered Proprietors: Diane Joanne Goldman and Ronald Fred Goldman

Positions available for suitably qualified applicants to fill the posts of:

The subject property, situated on the 4th floor, is accessible by elevator or stairs and contains 2 bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities. The second bedroom features a lock-out option. The unit overlooks the ocean and pool facilities from a covered balcony accessed from the open living/dining area. The bedrooms overlook gardens and the English Cottages and the master bedroom has a small balcony. In addition to the kitchen are a powder room, owners’ closet, storage closet and laundry facilities.

The subject property is a garden view, three bedroom townhouse, comprised of approximately 2726 sq. ft. It is on 3 floors, with a bedroom and storage/laundry area on the lower floor, powder room, open plan living/dining area, terrace and kitchen on the second floor and master bedroom with en-suite and balcony and third bedroom with en-suite on the third level.

Approximate total indoor and outdoor area 2726 sq. ft.

VACANCIES

Registered Proprietor: Icelebrate Limited.

All furniture and appliances are included.

Property #5

Application must be submitted to:

Miss E. Tanner Tel: (649) 946.5414 Email: evt@tciway.tc Horizon Construction

The subject property, situated on the fourth floor is accessible by elevator or stairs and contains 2 bedrooms each with en-suite facilities. The second bedroom features a lock-out option. The unit overlooks the ocean and pool facilities from a covered balcony accessed from the open living/dining area. The bedrooms overlook gardens and the English Cottages and the master bedroom has a small balcony. In addition to the kitchen are a powder room, owners’ closet, storage closet and laundry facility.

ACE PLUMBING

Commercial parking only is available for this unit.

Is seeking

two

All furniture and appliances are included.

Approximately total indoor and outdoor area 2168 sq. ft.

Registered Proprietor: Morgold Limited.

All furniture and appliances are included.

Approximate total indoor and outdoor area 4473 sq. ft.

Registered Proprietor: First Estate Group Limited.

Property #3

Condominium Units #’s 3 and 4, Stirling House, The Somerset, being comprised of Title 60804/128K41, K42, K45 and K46, The Bight & Thomas Stubbs.

The subject property, a combination of two condominiums, is the penthouse unit of the Stirling House building, occupying the 4th floor, accessible from the main floor by elevator or stairs. It is comprised of two 2 bedroom units, each with en-suite baths with ocean, beach and pool views. A retractable pocket door, separating the two condominiums, forms the party wall between them. Balconies overlooking the ocean and pool in the front can be accessed from the open plan living area in each condominium.

There are smaller balconies off the bedrooms in the rear overlooking gardens and the English Cottage building. Each condominium has a roof garden with its own exterior shower, Jacuzzi and wet bar. In addition to the 2 en-suite baths in each condominium, there are powder rooms in each, owners’ closets, storage closets and laundry facilities.

The Somerset Resort is located on Grace Bay Beach, and is accessed by a paved road off Grace Bay Road. It is in an area of extensive tourist – related development.

SALARY $6.00 PER HOUR

ALSO 2 PLUMBERS AT $8.00 PER

The resort is comprised of 6 accommodation buildings and amenities, including swimming pool, extensive beach frontage, restaurant/bar, gardens, indoor and outdoor parking. The development is approximately 3 years old and all buildings are finished to a very good standard and well maintained.

HOUR .MUST HAVE MINIUM OF FIVE YEARS EXPERIENCE FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT KENNY AT 243-8210

PARTICULARS REGARDING THE AUCTION

Each of the Properties 1, 2, 4 and 5 will be sold individually. Property 3, although it is two units, will be sold as one unit.

Professional Building

Each Property, and each furniture package, will be subject to a reserve bid. In the event that the reserve bid on a given Property or furniture package is not reached, there will be no sale. The auctionees will announce when and if the bidding has reached the reserve.

Underground and surface parking is available. Each condominium unit has a total approximate indoor and outdoor area of 3200 sq. ft.

These 2 units will be sold together.

Each successful bid must be accompanied by a bank draft drawn on a Turks & Caicos Bank and immediately negotiable at par, payable to Twa, Marcelin, Wolf for ten per cent (10%) of the purchase price and to be applied to the purchase price on closing and which will be forfeited in the event of default by the purchaser. No personal cheques will be accepted.

All furniture and appliances are included.

All properties, furniture and appliances are sold in as is condition.

Registered Proprietor: Harmony Ltd. and Rhapsody Limited.

Title to each Property shall be free and unencumbered, subject to:

All furniture and appliances are included.

1. The by-laws of the Strata Corporation; 2. The provisions of the Strata Titles Ordinance.

Property #4

No other warranties or representations are, or will be, given.

Condominium Unit #5, Stirling House, The Somerset, being comprised of Title 60804/128K40, The Bight & Thomas Stubbs.

LABOURERS

GENERAL INFORMATION RE. THE SOMERSET

For Rent On Leeward Highway

Fully furnished, ready to move in Ideal for a lawyer, accountant, doctor or architect

Tel: 946-4664, 946-4894

Closing shall be completed within 30 days.

Call today to advertise

For Further Information contact:

Twa, Marcelin, Wolf Chancery Court Leeward Highway, Providenciales Phone: 649 946 4261 Email: tmw@tmwlaw.tc

946-4664

4651

OR EMAIL tcnews@tciway.tc

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

37 FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES SMITH BEAUTY SALON

Rose Garden

Seeks to employ a

is seeking to employ

1 Data Processor 2 Domestic Workers Salary starts at $5.00 per hour

To work 5 days per week. Salary $7.00 per hour

Contact 242-0737

Send applications to

the Manager, P.O. Box 98, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

Hairstylist

4639

Deadline for applications is February 18th, 2010 4636

Wanted

Worker

With 5 years experience. To work 6 days per week. $5.00 per hour

Call 241-1377

1 Security Officer 1 Domestic Worker

Contact Q. Dean at 231-4897

4642

NEEDED FOR

Domestic

Need to clean church from the hours of 8am to 4pm with some evenings and weekends. Salary $5.50 per hour.

Tuesday and Thursday only from 4pm and 6pm to schedule an interview.

@@Must have valid insurance & certification @@Must have a good personality to work around people @@Must have retail sales experience @@Flexible hours a must – holidays & Sunday s

Please contact Donna at Caicos Adventures at 941-3346 for an interview All applications must be submitted by February 10th, 2010 Salary starts at $350.00 per week 4640

Kenard Cruises

is looking for a

Dwayne Pratt

is currently looking to employ the following persons:

Seeks to hire a

2 Labourers

Who will be responsible for the daily maintenance of the building and its surrounding.

@@ Must be able to drive @@ Must be courteous at all times with a pleasant attitude towards our customers @@ Any other duty that may be assigned to you @@ Salary $5.50 per hour @@ All applicants must possess a valid driver’s license @@ Willing to work with little or no supervision @@ Must be willing to work weekends

Contact 244-9508

MAITRE D • Must be able to work 6 days a week • Must have own transportation • Must work holidays, evenings and weekends • Must be able to use QuickBooks, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel • Must be reliable, show initiative and leadership qualities • Must have good communications skills with other employees, customers and vendors • Must have worked 5 days in restaurant industry • Must have good problem solving skills and ability to concentrate on details • Must have neat clean appearance • Must have a knowledge of wines, preferably Italian

4644

Donny Navil Seeks to employ a

DIVE OPERATION Labourer Experienced PADI Dive Instructor

KAKIA TRADING

To work 5 days per week salary $5.50 per hour

CALICO JACKS is looking for one

Helper To work 6 nights per week. Salary $5.00 per hour

Contact 946-5127

PURE FASHIONS

J & B EMPLOYMENT

4650

S ER V I CE S

Qualified applicant should email resumes to kenardcruises@tciway.tc

946-4664

OR EMAIL tcnews@tciway.tc

Send resumes to GTC Limited P.O. Box 543 Closing date for applications is February 22nd, 2010 Belongers only need apply

Call Cosimo 331-6762 for an interview

4648

LOUIS RIGBY

per week. Salary $5.50 per hour

Contact 231-0308

4653

of Five Cays wish to employ a

Labourer to work 5 days per week salary $5.50 per hour

Contact 341-5795

Turks & Caicos Aggressor II

Wanted

Scuba Diving Instructor/ Engineer

for a boat charter company in Provo

Call today to advertise

Position available now Deadline for applications is February 15th, 2010

• Must have references with full name and all contact information • Must speak, read and write English • Salary $400.00 per hour, plus gratuities • Cook • Must have five years experience on the line • Must be willing to work weekends, evenings and holidays • Must be available 6 nights a week • Must speak, read and write English • Must work well with others and work well under pressure • Must have clean police record Salary $6.00 per hour

Kitchen Labourer to work 5 days

Divemaster/ firstmate

This job requires late nights, no specific working hours and must be able to work weekends and holidays 4643

To work 5 days per week. Salary $5.00 per hour Contact 345-9986

ANN MARIE NEAT

Contact 241-8124 next door to Shamrock Plaza

4635

Labourer

seeks to employ a

Cashier Salary $5.00 per hour

Contact 241-7941

4645

2 Laborers

1 Caretaker/ Nanny To work 6 days per week holidays if needed. Salary $6 per hour Deadline for application February 15th, 2010

Contact 245-6962

4658

• Requirement as follows: • Valid PADI/SSI/SDI INSTRUCTOR • PADI/SSI Enriched Air Instructor • Minimum of 5 speciality ratings • Working knowledge of underwater camera systems

• Computer literate • STCW95 compliant • Engineering background • Minimum of 2 years experience on live-a-board • Be prepared to live onboard and work long hours, including weekends and holidays

Belongers need only apply Starting salary of $400 a week depending on experience Please send resumes to tcaggressor@express.tc

4654

38 PHONE: (649) 946-4664

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

FAX: (649) 946-4661

Immediate Opening Oceanside Marketing

PROJECT MANAGER Requirements:

• Must have at least 8 years experience as a Project Manager.

• Must have at least 5 years significant experience as it relates to surveying and construction management of different properties

Duties Include: • • • •

Review Drawings to locate issues with design or documentation Negotiate and review possible construction contracts Conduct value engineering to look for specification alternatives Lead the development of and take responsibility for the implementation of the Program Management Plan • Manage the cost and financial disposition of the project Interested applicants should apply to Joan Hagan,

(946-8666) or email (joan.hagan@hartlinggroup.com) 4624

Job Title:

Scooter Mechanic Responsibilities:

@@ Dismantle engines and repair or replace defective parts, such as magnetos, carburetors, and generators. @@ Remove cylinder heads, grind valves, and scrape off carbon, and replace defective valves, pistons, cylinders and rings, using hand tools and power tools. @@ Hammer out dents and bends in frames, weld tears and breaks; then reassemble frames and reinstall engines. Responsible for body maintenance and paint repair work @@ Repair or replace other parts, such as headlights, horns, handlebar controls, gasoline and oil tanks, starters, and mufflers. @@ Repair and adjust motorcycle subassemblies such as forks, transmissions, brakes, and drive chains, according to specifications. @@ Replace defective parts, using hand tools, arbor presses, flexible power presses, or power tools. @@ Reassemble and test subassembly units. Disassemble subassembly units and examine condition, movement or alignment of parts visually or using gauges. @@ Listen to engines, examine vehicle frames, and confer with customers in order to determine nature and extent of malfunction or damage. @@ Connect test panels to engines and measure generator output, ignition timing, and other engine performance indicators. @@ Performing small maintenance requests on all vehicles (cleaning, inflation tires, fixing all mechanical malfunction, etc) @@ Liaise and Assist with Scooter Operations agent with office duties when necessary @@ Advising Management of all daily activities @@ Responding to queries regarding scooter/buggy functionality raised by customers, agent and mgmt. in the most friendly and adequate manner as possible @@ Support the Company’s promotional efforts. @@ Ensuring that all returned vehicle are cleaned and ready for next day’s use. @@ Any other duties assigned by Management

Qualifications:

• Candidate must be able to drive a scooter/buggy, as delivery and pick up requests are a normal part of this function.

• Candidate must be aware of the basic and all technical functionalities of a scooter/ buggy • Candidate must have a minimum of 5 years experience in scooter/buggy operations and mechanics • Candidate must be personable and customer service oriented • All Salaries are subject to negotiation.

All interested please forward resumes to ramonandrews244@hotmail.com or snjezana_andrews@yahoo.com

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

RELIABLE ELECTRIC LIMITED Labourer To do maintenance, cleaning etc. To work 5 days per week. Salary $5.00 per hour

Contact 243-6816/ 242-0061 4617

FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

Site in Leeward Makeup requires ground fill artist

MYSTIQUE CAR RENTAL & TOURS LTD.

Seeks to hire a

39

Is seeking to employ

RENTAL AGENTS

@@ @@ @@ @@

Must be Customer Service Oriented Must be computer literate Fluent in English Have a valid driver’s licence and clean police record

If you have any filling you would like to dispose, no rubbish.

Please forward resume to: Mystique Car Rental & Tours Ltd. Off Airport Road, Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

Fax (649) 941-5213

no later than February 12th, 2010

One Master

Carpenter To work with a small construction company

Applicant should have own transportation and be able to supervise own crew. Salary negotiable Contact Professional Concierge Services

at 231-4556

4630

Please contact Jason or Carly at 245-7971 or 245-5982 for free tipping

Malphrus TCI Limited Invites suitably qualified applicants for the position of

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

KPW CONSTRUCTION LTD.

Seeks to employ a

mason To work Monday – Friday from 7am – 4pm.

Salary $8.00 per hour

Interested persons should contact 231-6364

EFA-Education For Advancement Is looking for an

Assistant Island Director • Canidate must have excellant verbal and written skills • Must have marketing skills at high level • must have background in marketing/business management or similar • Diploma or degree in same • Own transportation • Commision base only

Any interested persons please contact the director - EFA TCI 232-1700/231-6000 4629

Please call Tamie Touch Limited at 331-4518.

4599

Labourer

needed To work 6 days per week. Wages are $5.00 per hour.

Job includes: cleaning, garbage removal etc.

to work on Ambergris Cay. Job Responsibilities

• Skilled in welding, electrical troubleshooting and repairing multi-brand heavy equipment.

• Provide emergency/unscheduled repairs of production equipment.

• Read and interpret equipment manuals and work orders to perform required maintenance and service.

• Conduct machine setup and must be able to overhaul diesel and gasoline engine.

Interested persons are asked to contact:

Requirements 4620

With 3 years experience to work on facials, make-up and advanced skin care.

Marilyn @ 243-6816 4629

• Must have a minimum of 7 years experience in repairing heavy equipment.

• The ability to work cooperatively with others and follow instructions.

• Possession of a valid driver’s license.

• Possession of a clean police record.

• Must be able to work six days a week including weekends and public holidays.

• Must be able to pass drug screen and background check.

I am seeking a full-time

Salary range: $34,320.00 - $52,624.00 per annum.

Closing date for applications is February 12, 2010.

Please fax resume to 649 941 7552

4627

Must have experience in working in a salon. Chair boots are also available for rent.

SENIOR LITIGATION ATTORNEY

WANTED

Please contact

649-231-4958

4631

Experienced Litigation attorney is required for a busy law firm in Providenciales. Minimum ten years experience required.

Executive

Salary is $ 120,000.00 + per annum. Minimum of 50 work hours per week.

An experienced Belonger required for this position.

Apply to the Managing Partner PO Box 260 Beatrice Butterfield Building Butterfield Square Providenciales

Cosmetologist

Beautician To work 7 day per week salary $5.00 per hour

Contact 242-7748

for more information

4621

Deadline for application January 31st, 2010

40

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

February 6 - 12, 2010 FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

ADVERTISING DEADLINE FOR ALL ADS IS 5:00 PM WEDNESDAY CALL 946-4664 OR EMAIL tcnews@tciway.tc

FOR SALE

GUSTAVUS FRANCIS Blue Mountain

Janitor Danny Buoy's

Cocktail

seeks to employ a

1996 Nissan Skyline

$1,500.00 Contact 243-8509

Labourer to work 5 days per week salary $5.50 per hour.

Contact 241-6040

Seeks an honest and hardworking individual to work as a janitor. Must be able to work all weekends and public holidays. Remuneration $5.50 per hour.

Contact 946 5921

waitress

Salary $8 hour for casablanca casino belongers only

HR manager Ms. Ingham

941-3737

BED&BATH

One Week ROTARY BINGO Every Sunday at 7:30 pm at the Tropicana Supper Club, in The Bight

Sale 50% Off

All Bed Spreads, Towels, Sheets

30% Off

Bathroom rugs and accessories All stock must go.

Shop cheaper than a trip to Miami.

Sales starts Monday to Saturday

Leeward Highway. Telephone:

946-4894

“You can’t win. . ” ! y la p t ’ n o d u o If y

ALL CASH PRIZES All proceeds benefit the Rotary Club of Providenciales’ community projects

BINGO EVERY SUNDAY – 7:00pm

JACKPOT OVER $20,000

@@ Attractive incentive @@ Great part-time job for school kids or adults looking for an extra income

Contact: The Publisher

Turks and Caicos

Weekly News

Call: 946-4664

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

. a e 0 0 0 1 $ S ills 3 HOME l Richmond H autifu

Located in be

Beautiful Bougainvillea Gardens

A place for Professionals.

Secure and private.

One bedroom with study. Custom built kitchen, washer/dryer, split air conditioning. Beautiful, secured environment. • No children. No pets The best rent in the quiet estate of Richmond Hills

Call today 231-3788 & Rent now

41 FAX: (649) 946-4661

42

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

BUSINESS DIRECTORY / EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

B & F RESTAURANT

Tropical Paradise Realty

seeks to employ a

Waitress

Wanted for elite Real Estate Company:

Research Analyst

to work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour

Contact 941-4762

• Applicant must be able to provide sales support and conveyancing assistance.

• Be able to liaise in an approachable, friendly basis in fluent English with prospective clients. A second language is an asset.

• Applicant must be able to prepare comparative Market Analyses for buyers and sellers and be fully conversant with the evolving property market on all the islands as well as abroad and be able to produce professional reports.

Career

• The applicant is expected to compose international reading material concerning the real estate market, prepare and present marketing strategies and organize advertising of properties for publication.

Opportunity

Connolly Kia Motors, Tropicana Plaza

• Applicant must be able to work on their own initiative as well as with a team, be fully trained in Microsoft programmes and understand the rules governing the sale of Real Estate in the Turks and Caicos.

Looking for experienced

Sales and Marketing Manager

Please forward all CVs to attention The Manager, Tropical Paradise Realty, Ocean Club West Plaza, Grace Bay Road, Providenciales or fax to

649-941-2423

with media and graphic skills to implement new car sales campaigns.

4616

• Must be knowledgeable about the Kia line of cars and understand the principles of car sales.

Malphrus TCI Limited

• Must be capable of hosting promotions, sales, events and television shows to promote Connolly Kia Motors.

Invites applications for the position of

• Should have at least 7 years experience in media & marketing.

Project Superintendent

Send resume to career Opportunity,

tropical@tciway.com

on Ambergris Cay: Key Responsibilities • Supervise all aspects of site contractor’s scope of work.

• Supervise all earthwork activity.

• Manage all site contractor’s personnel.

• Coordinate all work with owner.

• Planning and implementation of support systems required.

• Provide the necessary back-up support for the overall project.

Qualifications required The successful applicant – • must have a minimum of 12 years experience as a Project Superintendent.

• ability to operate all equipment that contractor utilizes.

• ability to direct all of contractor’s personnel.

• ability to read blueprints and stakeout projects.

• ability to maintain daily cost reports and produce monthly billing quantities.

• experience in training equipment operators.

• must be computer literate.

• must be self-motivated, energetic and dedicated to completing tasks and projects with timeliness and accuracy.

• must possess strong management, leadership and organizational skills.

• must have excellent work ethics.

• must produce a valid Driver’s License and a clean Police Record.

• must be able to work six days a week including weekends and public holidays.

Salary attached to the position range from $50,336 to $68,000 per annum.

Closing date for applications is February 12, 2010.

Please fax resume to 649 941 7552

Community Christian

Trained Teachers Requirements: @@ Teacher’s certificate, minimum (2) years experience @@ Born again practicing believer @@ Salary $1600.00 monthly Addressed to: Chairman School Board Community Christian Academy Leeward Highway, Opposite Seven Eleven Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Island Tel: 941-3484 Fax: 941-3482 Email: comassem@tciway.tc

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

43

BUSINESS DIRECTORY / EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

notice Regulation 7 of the Physical Planning (Development Permission)

Regulations, 1990 An application, registered as PR10418 & 10419 by Emerald Point Ltd. and Sun Rise and Set Ltd. (in Receivership with WPC Ltd.) has been submitted to the Department of Planning for consideration of removing large conch shells and rocks greater than three (3) inches, tilling the beach to reduce hard compact sand, and grading to remove high scarps present along the beach at Emerald Beach, directly adjacent to Block 60901, Parcels 16 through 23, 78, and 26 through 30; Leeward, Providenciales.

Anyone wishing to make any representation(s) may do so in writing to the Director of Planning, South Base, Grand Turk, or through the Department of Planning, Downtown, Town Center Mall, Providenciales within twenty eight (28) days of publication of this Notice.

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION

PUBLIC NOTICE PURSUANT TO THE BUSINESS NAMES REGISTRATION ORDINANCE CHAPTER 129 SECTION 3, PLEASE BE NOTIFIED THAT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT ALL PERSONS HAVING A PLACE OF BUSINESS IN THE ISLANDS AND CARRYING ON BUSINESS UNDER A BUSINESS NAME ARE REQUIRED TO BE IN POSSESSION OF A BUSINESS NAME CERTIFICATE AT THE PRESCRIBED FEE OF $13.50 AND STAMP DUTY OF $1.10 IN POSTAGE STAMPS BEFORE A BUSINESS LICENCE IS GRANTED OR RENEWED BY THE BUSINESS LICENSING AUTHORITY. THIS CERTIFICATE IS VALID FOR THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE REGISTRATION AND SHALL THEREAFTER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE BE RENEWED FROM TIME TO TIME FOR SUCCESSIVE PERIODS, EACH OF THREE YEARS DURATION FOR AS LONG AS THE BUSINESS IS REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED..

APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE FOUND AT THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION WEBSITE AT WWW.TCIFSC.TC AND AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS. FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION HARRY FRANCIS BUILDING POND STREET, GRAND TURK

PROVIDENCIALES -

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION CARIBBEAN PLACE. LEEWARD HIGHWAY PROVIDENCIALES

We are seeking to recruit a co-opted member of our board. We are looking for someone with Red Cross experience and understanding, with a focus on Fundraising.

The candidate will be joining a board of 7, all with overall experience in governance of our work and principles.

The candidate will advise the committee on strategic matters with regards to fundraising. They will also bring experience to bear on exploring and suggesting tangible opportunities for engagement, strategic alignment and strategic organizations or individuals to advance our work.

The successful candidate with have a proven track record in senior strategy and management and overall understanding of Red Cross and an active member of the board.

All interested applicants should forward a CV and cover letter to LSweeney@redcross.org.uk or 649-232-1041 Closing date is February 12th, 2010

Notice dated: January 29 2010

GRAND TURK -

Voluntary Position

POINT GRACE Sales & Marketing

Manager We are seeking an exceptional, & knowledgeable candidate for the role of Sales &Marketing Manager, who will be responsible for the achievement of our revenue targets, and will report to the Managing Director. The selected candidate will join our energetic team and will be responsible for the sales activities of the resort, both locally and internationally. This Manager will, along with the Resort’s management team, develop business, and will oversee all sales efforts including but not limited to revenue management, tour operator and travel agent accounts, partnerships with industry organizations, businesses and consumer groups, as well as an important focus on repeat guest recognition programmes and weddings. Additionally, this Manager will oversee daily reservations operations on-site to ensure that contact with the resort is personalized, efficient and supremely informative.

The mandate will be to ensure that Point Grace maintains its position as the Caribbean’s Leading Boutique Hotel, while at the same time developing existing and new markets to secure continued growth.

This Manager’s background should reflect extensive experience in resort sales (particularly in the Caribbean), with a proven track record in revenue management, development of outstanding relationships with key luxury tour operators, businesses and other industry associations and success in establishing guest recognition programmes.

AND THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS OFFICE ON ALL OTHER ISLANDS

The selected candidate will offer the following:

PLEASE BE GUIDED ACCORDINGLY. REGISTRAR OF BUSINESS NAMES

@@ An individual with a proven track record in creating commercial success @@ An established record in delivering sales targets and strategies @@ Demonstrated skills in innovation and strategy development @@ Highly effective skills in communication and relationship building @@ The ability to track competitor trends and conduct market analysis @@ Possessing energy, determination, passion, skills, creativity and experience to drive the resort to the highest level of success.

FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMISSION GRAND TURK 1ST FEBRUARY 2010 4646

4600

44

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

February 6 - 12, 2010

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

FAX: (649) 946-4661

Career Opportunities Grace Bay Club is looking for candidates that have the requirements listed along with an outgoing professional manner. They love to work with different types of people, meet challenges with a positive attitude and live the standards of our organization. Their management style is one that balances a commitment to people and their development with business/financial accountability and delivers an exceptional guest experience

Sous Chef

Requirements • Secondary level education is required. Good writing, reading, listening and computation skills are necessary.

• Education from a formal culinary institution is required. Kitchen terminology required.

• Perform mathematical calculation including but not limited to conversion of recipes, inventories etc • Advanced culinary and artistic skills, cooking methods, knowledge of all different kitchen departments and product identification.

• Deputize in the absence of the Chef de cuisine.

• Prepare weekly rosters and payroll reports.

• Check stock and requisition as necessary; record all stock which is to be discarded.

• Ensure that all check lists are completed, Haccp, production, etc.

• Assist the Chef de cuisine in the day to day management of the kitchen.

• Enforce Health and Hygiene regulations within the kitchen and heighten staff’s awareness of good personal and food hygiene practices and procedures, i.e. cleaning of kitchen, storage, handling of food, etc.

• Identify training needs of staff and assist Head Chef with on the job training.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

Kids Town Coordinator Requirements: • Responsible for the children’s program design, implementation and evaluation at GBC • Organizes and facilitates all children’s programs, lessons, activities including leading/instruction of some or all activities • Seeks to optimize all sources of revenue generating opportunities for KT (i.e. holiday camps, after school clubs, retail, etc.)

• Inventory/ordering of all KT supplies (books, toys, VIK, retail, arts & crafts, water sports equip) • Ensures a safe and clean environment in Kid’s Town

and Tree house at all times • Creates weekly hotel kids programs and events and KT staff schedules • Accommodates and anticipates the specific wants/ needs of guests and seeks to develop a positive relationship with each guest, and their families • Works with local outfitters to develop and coordinate new eco-conscious children’s excursions • First Aid and Water sports training of KT staff • Ensures the safety, well being and personal growth of campers and co-workers • Bachelor's degree in education, child development, recreation or related field in conjunction with three years related professional experience • Expert swimming skills (min Lifeguarding cert), and general knowledge of most water sports; should have a minimum instructor level certification in at least two teachable water sports (i.e. kayaking, SCUBA, kite boarding) and be able to lead and teach all program activities must have current First Aid and CPR certifications and be an excellent swimmer (lifeguard certification preferred) • Must have First Aid Instructor certification or higher and a strong background in wilderness First Aid, survival and camping skills Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

Personal Concierge Requirements: • Provides a very personal, detailed, seamless service to guests • Take care of guests needs in a highly professional manner.

• Be seen by the guests in response to all the guest’s needs and requests.

• The attention to detail required and the ability to anticipate the needs of guests needs demand that the butler is a consummate hotel professional with impeccable standards • Strive to create an atmosphere that makes a ‘wow’ impression on the guests • Will not accept anything less that the best available presentation of the suites/rooms and public areas of the floors.

• Must take gentle care of all their guests from arrival until departure without imposing themselves on the

guest Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

Stewarding Supervisor Requirements: • Supervise the kitchen sanitation operation, including quality and consistent production, quality and cost control, appearance and temperature of this finished product, and timing of service out of the kitchen and into all outlet areas.

• Responsible for the supervision, upkeep, safety and cleanliness in food preparation areas, refrigeration and storage areas, food and beverage service areas, hallways, corridors, and storerooms.

• Responsible for cost control and the proper storage of all service ware items including china, glass, silver, and food preparation equipment. Responsible for supervising the proper storage of all food items.

• Responsible for the supervision, scheduling, and development and training of all stewarding department employees in order to achieve budgeted food and beverage revenues Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

Financial & Management Accountant Requirements: • Recognize Accountancy Qualification, ACA/ACCA/ CIMA/CPA • Excellent knowledge of balance sheet reconciliation and production of financial statements.

• Audit experience preferred.

• Exposure to the hotel industry an advantage.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Salary Range: Commensurate based on qualification and experience

Interested persons can contact our Human Resources Department no later than January 15th, 2009 @ (649) 946-5050 Ext. 1050 Email: veronica.clare@gracebayclub.com or krystal@gracebayclub.com Fax: (649) 946-5758 P.O. Box 128 Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

BUTTERFIELD GOLD GROUP OF COMPANIES

POSITIONS AVAILABLE Danny’s Restaurant One (1) Cook • Must have at least eight (9) years experience in catering • Caribbean /International dishes • Conformity with sanitation standards Individual must have a medical, declared HIV negative and be in good physical health Wages: commensurate with experience starting from $7.50 per hour

Island Pride Supermarket Two (2) Shelf Stockers Applicant must have at least five (5) years experience in stocking.

• Ensures that goods are organized and displayed properly on the shelves ensuring that there is enough stock and replenish them as and when needed.

• Conduct periodic & weekly inventory counts and prepares inventory reports.

• Communicate sales results to immediate superior and coordinates stock status of the item at the warehouse.

Must also be self motivated with high productivity being able to work with little supervision and to work well with others.

Salary: $6.75 per hour

One (1) Domestic Worker For general cleaning & other domestic duties Wages: starting from $5.50 per hour

One (1) Labourer Physical, able-bodied individuals capable of lifting heavy loads Wages: starting from $6.00 per hour

One (1) Cashier

To operate a cash register and check stand to provide the store’s customer with the most friendly, accurate and efficient checkout service possible; to perform stocking and other duties as assigned, according to company policy; to ensure that the work shift contributes to the financial best interest of the store.

Wages: $6.00 per hour

45 FAX: (649) 946-4661

vacancies OCEAN CLUB RESORTS IS LOOKING FOR QUALIFIED, EXPERIENCED APPLICANTS FOR SEVERAL POSITIONS AS DETAILED BELOW. GARDENER – Must be physically capable of hard manual outdoor labour. Previous experience preferred.

JANITOR – Responsible for assisting the Operations Department with cleaning in all areas of the resort. Strenuous physical labour requires one who is able and willing to perform heavy lifting, and other physically demanding functions.

HOUSEKEEPER/ROOM ATTENDANT – Will assist the Housekeeping Department in maintaining cleaning standards in a luxury condominium resort setting. Must have previous experience.

DISHWASHER – Requires someone who can manage a physically demanding pace.

WAIT STAFF – Requires previous experience to handle food service in a busy, outdoor, beach-side restaurant. Must be able to communicate clearly in written and spoken English. Tips included.

PAINTER – Experience required, must be detail oriented, able to work unsupervised, and willing to do all prep and clean up.

COOK – Requires experienced individual able to keep up a physically demanding pace.

All applicants must be able to present a clean Police Record if offered a position.

Beginning wage for all positions is $5.00 per hour, depending on experience. Individuals must be willing to work holidays and weekends on a flexible schedule dictated by business demands. Ability to speak English is essential.

Please drop off resumes at the Ocean Club Front Desk, to the attention of the Human Resource Manager, or via email to diane@oceanclubresorts.tc Preference will be given to experienced and qualified Belongers.

Only those receiving an interview will be contacted.

Transmission and BTS Engineer LIME requires a Transmission and BTS Engineer to work in its Providenciales Office, in the Technology Department to carry out day to day operational duties, routine maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of all transmission and cellular equipment.

The candidate will monitor daily performance of the business units transmission systems including GSM & TDMA mobile services; SDH & PDH microwave system and fiber optic systems.

The successful candidate will have proven track record of working within a fast pace competitive telecoms environment; they will be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

The successful candidate will be a qualified Engineer, with a recognized professional Engineers qualification (BSC. Or HND in Electronics and Communications Engineering) and 5-7 years postgraduate qualifications and experience, with expert knowledge of Microwave and Fiber Optic Transmission systems.

Negotiable salary and benefits based on qualification and experience.

Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and copies of qualifications to:

The Vice President of Human Resources Lime P.O. Box 78 Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands Application deadline is no later than 8th February 2010 Only applicants selected for an interview will be notified

Requirements for all Applicants:

• Hardworking team player with excellent people skills.

• Willingness to work, weekends and holidays as required.

• In addition to the performance of the essential functions employees may able required to perform supportive functions, with the percentage of time performing each function to be solely determined by the supervisor.

Only Belongers apply for these positions. Application forms available from Butterfield Gold Human Resource Department. Only applicants selected for interview will be notified.

Submit applications to by February 15, 2010 to: Butterfield Gold Ltd., Human Resource Department Town Center Mall Providenciales Tel: 649-946-4211

SECURITY ALARM MONITORING INSTALLATION AND SALES P.O. BOX 239, LONG BAY. (649)231-1513. EMAIL: doveselectonic@yahoo.com

SECURITY OFFICE/ALARM TECHNICIAN Salary $10.00 step (1) after successful completion of a six (6) month probation period, $12.00 step two (2) pay schedule hourly

POSITION SUMMARY:

• To provide twenty four hours security services for assigned city facilities, business and homes • To protect facilities from unlawful intrusion and criminal acts • To ensure public safety also have

knowledge of Security Alarm Systems (etc. how to maintain repair if needed) MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: High school or GED supplemented by thirty (30) credit hours of specialized training in law enforcement, security procedures or a related field, plus one (2) year of security Alarm Technician experience

46

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

February 6 - 12, 2010

Sports International Hussey back on top of ODI rankings AUSTRALIA’S Michael Hussey has replaced India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the top of the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI batsmen after an outstanding series against Pakistan which concluded on Sunday.

Hussey scored 220 runs at an average of 73.33 which not only helped Australia make a clean sweep of the five-match series but also put him ahead of Dhoni in the latest rankings which were released on Monday.

Hussey had started the series trailing Dhoni by 21 points and he now leads the Indian captain by three points with a chance to extend the advantage when he and Australia takes on the West Indies in a fivematch ODI series which starts in Melbourne on February 7.

The 34-year-old Western Australian had first occupied the top spot after the ODI against the West Indies in Kuala Lumpur in September 2006 before slipping down the order during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the West Indies.

In contrast, it is the first time since January 2009 that Dhoni has conceded his top spot which he had first achieved in Jamshedpur in April 2006. However, Dhoni too will have an opportunity to regain the coveted number-one position when he leads India in the three-match ODI series against South Africa which starts in Jaipur from 21 February.

Besides Hussey, Australia vicecaptain Michael Clarke has also gained two places and has jumped from 18th position to 16th spot after scoring 173 runs in the series.

However, rival captains Ricky Ponting and Mohammad Yousuf

Michael Hussey

have slipped in the order. Ponting, who scored 125 runs in the series, has dropped four places to eighth spot while Yousuf has slipped three places to 18th position after managing just 81 runs at an average of little over 20.

Australia’s Cameron White and Pakistan’s Umar Akmal are the biggest movers in the latest rankings with both the middle-order batsman achieving their career-best rankings.

White, who finished the series as the leading run-getter with 245 runs, has rocketed 20 places to share the 23rd spot with England’s Kevin Pietersen while Umar has jumped 18 places to occupy 38th spot after scoring 187 runs.

Australia’s Shane Watson has also improved his ranking by two places and is now in 25th position but Pakistan’s trio of Shoaib Malik, Salman Butt and Younus Khan have slipped in the rankings. Shoaib has dropped three places to 27th position,

Salman has fallen five places to 31st spot and Younus has slipped six places to 39th spot.

In the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi has returned to the top 10. The wrist spinner, who took six wickets in the series, has jumped three places to ninth spot.

However, off-spinners Nathan Haurtiz of Australia and Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal have dropped to 20th and 21st spots respectively after slipping four places each.

Watson continues to inch towards a place in the top 20 with a jump of six places to 24th spot while Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif has vaulted 15 places to sit in 29th position.

Clint McKay, who was the most successful bowler of the series with 14 wickets, has rocketed 198 places to share the 59th position with India’s Munaf Patel while Ryan Harris, who took 13 wickets in three matches, has broken into the top 100 and now sits in 94th spot after jumping 191 places.

The bowlers’ list is still headed by Daniel Vettori of New Zealand with Ray Price of Zimbabwe in second position.

Meanwhile, in the Reliance Mobile ICC ODI Championship table, Australia has opened up 12 points gap with second-placed India after it earned three ratings points for winning all the five matches of the series.

In contrast, Pakistan has conceded four ratings points and is now on 104 ratings points – four behind sixthplaced Sri Lanka and 28 ratings points ahead of eighth-placed West Indies. (ICC)

Bush a star and disappointment at same time MIAMI (AP) — Reggie Bush can make the spectacular look routine.

And he can make the routine look too hard to handle.

Since the New Orleans Saints made the dynamic running back the second overall pick in the 2006 draft, Bush has been a revelation and a disappointment. At times, he resembles the breathtaking gamebreaker who was college football’s best player of 2005. Then he morphs into a fumbling, pass-dropping, injury-ravaged nonentity — a thirdstringer with little impact in the NFL’s most potent offense.

Unquestionably, the Saints need him to display every one of his award-winning talents and none of his weaknesses in Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Indianapolis Colts.

“I haven’t lived up to the expectations I set for myself,” Bush admitted on Tuesday while seated on a podium at media day, surrounded by dozens of reporters. “Before I got to the NFL, I thought it would be the Super Bowl every year, make the Pro Bowl every year. You discover

it’s hard. It’s hard to get to the Super Bowl. I’ve been in the league four years and just got here. There’s a lot of great players who never get to the Super Bowl.

“I haven’t lived up to the

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush works out during NFL football practice in Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. The Saints will play the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

expectations I set for myself,” he repeated, “but I know it will come.

“All I want to do is be the best player ever to play this game, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t feel that way.

If I didn’t feel that way when I step on the field, I’d be selling myself short.”

Some might argue Bush has come up far too short for the Saints. He hasn’t made the Pro Bowl. He hasn’t approached 1,000 yards rushing in any season, and his career total of 1,940 yards is 66 fewer than rushing leader Chris Johnson’s for Tennessee in 2009.

He hasn’t beaten out Pierre Thomas, an undrafted free agent in 2007, for the starting job, but, worse, sometimes Bush is coach Sean Payton’s third choice to carry the ball. His second choice is another undrafted player, Mike Bell.

Then there is Bush’s inability to stay in the lineup. He’s missed 12 of 48 regular-season games with a variety of knee injuries.

Ah, but then there are glimpses of greatness.

Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr. set for rematch NEW YORK (AP) — Seventeen years after their first fight, Bernard Hopkins will meet Roy Jones Jr. in a rematch in April in Las Vegas.

The rematch is scheduled for April 3 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

The 45-year-old Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KOs) is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He defeated Enrique Ornelas by unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout in Philadelphia in December.

“A rematch with Roy has been in the back of my mind for a long time and it’s finally going to happen,” Hopkins said in Monday’s release

announcing the bout. “I have accomplished a lot in my career since that night in Washington, D.C., in 1993, and I am going to end this thing between me and Roy once and for all.”

The 41-year-old Jones (54-6, 40 KOs) is coming off a loss to Australian Danny Green in the first round, also in December.

On May 22, 1993, in Washington, D.C., Hopkins lost a unanimous decision to Jones for the vacant IBF middleweight crown.

“We’re giving the fans what they want to see. They deserve this fight and why not supply the fans with what they demand?”

Jones said.

Ferrari Formula One driver Fernando Alonso of Spain drives his car during a testing session at the Ricardo Tormo race track in Cheste, just outside Valencia, Spain, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza).

Alonso leads F1 testing with first Ferrari drive VALENCIA, Spain (AP) — Fernando Alonso took to his Ferrari immediately Wednesday as the two-time Formula One champion produced the fastest time in the season’s first testing session.

Alonso set a fastest time of 1 minute, 11.470 seconds from 127 laps of the Cheste circuit, where a singleday record of 36,400 spectators gathered for the Spaniard’s first

session in the iconic red car.

“It was an important day for me, my first time in Ferrari, a very emotional day,” Alonso said.

Pedro De la Rosa of Sauber trailed his Spanish countryman by just over half a second, while Michael Schumacher was nearly one second back for third as the seven-time F1 champion begins his comeback with Mercedes GP.

Cabanas conscious and could talk with police MEXICO CITY (AP) — Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas is conscious and could give testimony to police about being shot in the head in the toilet of a Mexico City bar.

Cabanas was building Monday on a remarkable recovery he staged over the weekend, speaking to family members and taking food by mouth after doctors lowered his sedation level. A star of the Paraguay national team and Mexican side America, Cabanas watched his club play a match on television on Sunday, a 1-0 victory over Ciudad Juarez.

Shortly after the shooting a week ago, surgeons attempted to remove the smallcaliber bullet lodged in Cabanas’ skull but decided surgery was too risky.

“He could give testimony if investigators come to speak with him, but he is not going to recall what happened,” Dr. Ernesto Martinez told reporters at Angeles del Pedregal Hospital. “We’re not going to interfere with the police.”

Martinez said Cabanas recognizes his wife, his children and his parents, but he said the player is confused about why he is in hospital.

February 6 - 12, 2010

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

47

Sports Regional Jamaica beat Canada 1-0 in friendly KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Jamaica striker Luton Shelton scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Canada in an international friendly Sunday.

Shelton, who plays for Norwegian club Valerenga, scored in the 68th minute at the National Stadium after the Reggae Boyz dominated the first half.

Shelton collected a pass from

Colorado Rapids forward Omar Cummings and he found the net for his 28th goal for Jamaica.

Canada’s best opportunity came late in the game when unmarked forward Ali Gerba missed from eight metres (yards).

Neither country has qualified for this year’s World Cup in South Africa.

US win Women’s U-20 CONCACAF final The United States beat Mexico 1-0 in the final of the CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship on Saturday, winning on forward Sydney Lerioux’s 87th-minute goal.

Leroux, who won the Golden Boot at the 2008 Under-20 Women’s World Cup, finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals in five games.

The United States and Mexico already had qualified for the 2010

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, to be played in Germany in July, by reaching the final. On Friday, the United States defeated Costa Rica 2-1 while Mexico upset Canada 1-0 in extra time to reach the title match.

In the third-place match, Costa Rica surprised Canada 1-0 to qualify for the U-20 Women’s World Cup for the first time. Canada was the tournament’s defending champion.

Naranjeros win opener in Caribbean Series MARGARITA ISLAND, Venezuela (AP) — Mexican club Naranjeros de Hermosillo and Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic opened the Caribbean Series baseball tournament on a winning note Tuesday.

Naranjeros defeated Venezuela’s Leones del Caracas 7-2 after Leones del Escogido beat Indios de Mayaguez of Puerto Rico 2-1 in the opening game of the six-day, four team tournament.

Leones del Caracas were in trouble from the first inning when a two-out fielding error by Gregorio Petit with two runners on base set the stage for a triple by Ruben Rivera that gave Naranjeros a 2-0 lead. The Mexicans scored four more in the fourth inning to take control.

Naranjeros starting pitcher Pablo Ortega worked five innings, yielding two runs.

Earlier, Kevin Barker’s solo home run made a winner of Leones del Escogido pitcher Raul Valdes, who allowed one run and six hits over six innings with eight strikeouts.

Leones del Escogido took the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Freddy Guzman scored after reaching first base on a throwing error by shortstop Luis Figueroa. He

Dominican Republic’s infielder Kevin Barker, second from left, is congratulated by teammates after his home run against Puerto Rico at a Caribbean Series baseball game in Porlamar on Margarita Island, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third and scored on a fielder’s choice.

Indios leveled the scores in the top of the sixth on back-to-back singles by Miguel Abreu and Jesus Feliciano. Figueroa moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt and Abreu scored on a fielder’s choice.

Barker won the game with his home run in the bottom of the sixth.

On Wednesday, Leones del Escogido face Naranjeros, while Leones del Caracas take on Indios.

Gibson: West Indies must forget past glories

Dayron Robles from Cuba, left, wins the 60 meters hurdles against Shamar Sands from the Bahamas, right, at the 5th EAA Athletics PSD Bank Indoor Meeting in Duesseldorf, Germany, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner).

Robles wins first race of comeback from injury DUESSELDORF, Germany (AP) — Olympic champion Dayron Robles of Cuba won the 60-metre hurdles at the PSD Bank meet on Wednesday in his first competition since being injured last August.

Robles won in 7.50 seconds after pulling ahead early in a clean race.

The world record-holder pulled out of the semifinals of the 110-meter hurdles at the world championships in Berlin in August after hitting the first three hurdles.

Robles will compete at the indoor worlds in March in Doha, Qatar, hoping to win

his first world title.

“It was a good race, I had a good rhythm,” Robles said. “But I am only at 90 percent. I will try to get better with each race.”

World champion Lolo Jones of the United States won the women’s 60 hurdles in 7.85.

Laverne Jones-Ferrette of the U.S. Virgin Islands upset U.S. sprinter Carmelita Jeter to win the women’s 60-metre dash in 7.09 seconds. Mark Jelks of the United States won the men’s 60 in 6.56.

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (AP) — New head coach Ottis Gibson has urged the West Indies to forget about past glories, while prioritizing nurturing emerging talent.

Gibson quit as England bowling coach earlier this week after being handed the challenge of reviving all of the West Indies’ representative teams “Things were going well with England, but the call to come back, and try to do my part to resurrect West Indies, was one that I couldn’t say no to,” Gibson told the BBC. “There will be a lot of challenges. The first one is to get the team playing as a team, I suppose, and especially for the players to forget the glory days.

“A lot has been made about that and the young players have a lot to live up to. It sometimes can be a bit of a burden for them.”

The West Indies were winners of the first two cricket World Cups in 1975 and ‘79 and runner-ups in ‘83.

Gibson, who turns 41 in March, was a fast-bowling allrounder for Barbados who played two tests and 15 ODIs for West Indies from 199599.

The biggest challenge for Gibson is the grass roots level.

“The future is in the youth,” he said. “We have to try and invest some time, money and effort in those guys. That’s the area where we need to spend most of our time.”

CONCACAF to rebuild in Haiti NEW YORK (AP) — The football president of North and Central America and the Caribbean has pledged to help Haiti rebuild the offices of its governing body following last month’s earthquake.

CONCACAF president Jack

Warner visited Haiti on Monday and proposed moving the headquarters of the Haitian Football Federation to the nation’s FIFA Goal Project office in the Port-au-Prince suburb of Croix-des-Boquets. FIFA has pledged $250,000 to the quake relief effort.

Best captures five to lead Barbados WEST INDIES fast bowler Tino Best captured five wickets for 41 runs from 12 overs to hand Barbados a 98-run victory over the Windward Islands earlier this week.

Playing in the WICB regional first class championships Best ensured that the Windwards were dismissed for 174 chasing 273 for victory in their second innings.

The win has ensured that Barbados remain in second place, three points behind reigning champions Jamaica who have 36.

Jamaica not on preliminary Olympic bobsled list WHISTLER, British Columbia (AP) — Jamaica’s bid to get its four-man bobsled into the Vancouver Winter Olympics appears to have failed.

A preliminary list of sleds that have entered the Olympics, obtained by The Associated Press on Wednesday, did not show Jamaica in the field.

Officials from the Vancouver organizing committee are in the process of certifying those entries.

There remains a chance more teams could be added, but for that to happen a sled that has entered must drop out.

A spokesman for the Jamaican Bobsled Federation did not immediately return a call or e-mail seeking comment.

A group of Jamaican track athletes reached the 1988 Calgary Olympics and inspired the movie “Cool Runnings.”

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Sports National

Hurricanes bounce back with big win THE Adventurescape Hurricanes bounced back from their first loss with a big win over the Island Scoop Surge in the Bantam-Division of the Provo Hockey League last Saturday at the Graceway Sports Centre.

After losing to the J and W Construction Lightning the week before, the league’s leading scorer Gabriel Diotte Joly (53 goals) scored five goals and made an assist to ensure that the Hurricanes recorded a 6-2 victory over the bottom of the table Surge. The Surge were led by Kyle Cox and Kennon Higgs who scored one goal each.

Lightning’s victory this week has pushed them into second place. The 6-4 win was against the Sands/Palms Sharks. Rajhan Munnings scored four goals while Cole Nickson had two.

For the Sharks Trevor Larkin scored three and made on assist while Justin Hagan had one goal.

The TWA Marcelin Wolf Bandits recorded their second win in the league when they handed then leaders, the Flames an 8-4 defeat in the Midget-Division.

Miguel Malcolm scored five goals and made an assist while Oliver Wolf was outstanding in goal (his first time in front of the uprights). For the Flames, Stefan Been scored two.

The Bandits though could not get past the Pirates in their second game.

The duo of Teray Smith and Kristoff

Kristoff Malcolm has scored 49 goals so far in the league

The Bandits and the Pirates congratulate each other after their game.

Rajhan Munnings scored four goals for the Lightning

Malcolm led the defending champions’ attack. Smith scored four goals and made two assists while Malcolm (49 goals), the division’s leading scorer, scored five times to ensure the 10-6 win. Christian Robinson and Gabriel Saunders scored two goals each to lead the Bandits.

GATORS’ RUN The Digicel Gators continue to improve in the Mini-Division after securing their fourth win against the Coco Bistro Dragons by a 9-8 margin. Sebastian Turbyfield scored five times while Edricle Woodside had three goals and Dylan Brubaker

one. Yumi Ndhloru had a great introduction in the goalie position.

For the Dragons Jamie Gray scored three, while Matthew Danics and Patrick Marks had two each. The other goal was scored by Aleigha Hall. The Dragons still lead the division with six wins.

Josh for Sports

Knowing the rules THERE are absolutely no excuses for an athlete to be ignorant about the rules that govern his or her particular sport and especially his or her specific event.

Even though a young athlete may not be taught all of the rules of the event by the coach, he or she is held accountable if rules are violated.

A RESPONSIBLE COACH Any coach worth their salt would make it their duty to instruct their athlete in all aspects of the rules governing their events.

STARK EXAMPLES OF INCOMPETENCE Disqualification through false starts because of lack of information is inexcusable. The athlete should know that at the start of a race, the first false start is charged to the whole field. That is to say, regardless of who may have committed the false start, all athletes are charged with the

By Joshua Gardiner false start. Anyone found guilty of committing a subsequent false start is disqualified from competing in the race.

WHAT IS A FALSE START A false start takes place when an athlete moves from the starting point before the ‘go’ command is given. In IAAF meet the rules stipulate that a false start can take place if the athlete moves within 0.10 seconds after the

gun is fired. This is so because it has been proven that the human brain cannot react that fast.

In March of 1970 while a freshman at the Southern Illinois University [a school of 24 000] on a NCAA Track Scholarship, I had already broken the records in the triple-jump at the Illinois State Championships, at the University of Illinois, the MidWestern Conference as well as the Central Collegiate Conference.

My best triple-jump was 51 ft 3in which was indoors. I was 18-yearsold at the time.

Actually I was rated number two in all universities in the USA [over 2000] going into the nationals at Cobo Hall Arena in Detroit, Michigan.

LIMITATIONS OF RUNWAY The length of the runway was only 104 ft. For two whole months I had perfected my run-up from 110 ft. At the 104 ft, there was a banked curve of a track that was only 186 metres.

The surface of the runway and track was teak wood.

THE HEIGHT OF IGNORANCE I ceremoniously extended my run up onto the banked curve of the track.

My warm up runs were perfect on the take off board. When I lined up to begin my first jump, I was informed by the official that I was not permitted to extend my run onto an incline. Even though this makes sense, it was a rule that I never knew about.

Furthermore my coach, who had been to the nationals some 10 times before, did not prepare me for this shocker.

INEXPERIENCE TAKES OVER I literally panicked; instead of utilising the two minutes allotted to me to analyse the situation and apply some logical solution, I made three estimated run-ups and each time I went over the take off board—as a result I registered three no-jumps. I

was angry, ashamed and hurt.

THE FINAL HUMILIATION In the summer of 1970, I was 19 years old and was at the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, Scotland representing Bahamas in the triple jump. The results were two no jumps and a disqualification on the third jump.

After two no jumps on the advice of the legendary Tommy Robinson (my then teammate), I adjusted my jump by 18 extra inches.

In my desperate attempt to make the finals, I over exerted myself on this attempt, this saw me landing with my hands at the back of my feet, but my hands were outside the sand pit and thus I was disqualified.

LESSON At that stage, I decided to study and learn the rules governing my event by heart, so that I would never again become a victim of ignorance.

February 6 - 12, 2010

Sports National

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President’s Cup:

Strengthen Sharks beat AFC Nationals

Delano Williams has been dominating the sprint events in Jamaica

Wendrico Seymour

Williams storms to another big win in Jamaica TCI CARIFTA bronze medal winner Delano Williams continues to dominate the sprint events in his school, Munro College, in Jamaica.

Last Saturday the youngster stormed to victory in the 200 metres event with a time of 22.08 seconds to win his Class II division in the 2010 Steths Grace Invitational. His time, which was just off his 21.64s at CARIFTA last year, was better than the other 148 200-metre runners in Division II and the 135 in Division I.

The best finish in the Division I (the older age group) was 22.29s. Early last month Williams won the 100 metres event in 10.65 seconds at the Jamaican College Invitational.

Another TCI athlete, 2008 CARIFTA long jump gold medalist, Wendrico Seymour, finished second in the high jump event with a leap of 1.85 metres. Seymour, who is the national high jump record holder (2.03M), is still suffering from a knee injury.

League wide open – After Academy beat Provopool THE race is on. The Men’s Football League is literally there for the taking after AFC Academy produced what can be considered an upset victory against favourites, the Provopool Football Club.

Now with two games each left and one point separating the top three teams a clear winner might not be known until the final whistle later this month.

Goals from George Brough and Marc Meche Fenelus ensured a 2-1 win for the Academy.

The youth and endurance of the Academy side has haunted Provopool since the league started last October. The youngsters began with a 3-2 victory, lost 5-1 in November, before a 2-2 draw in December. With their latest win the Academy boys are now tied with the AFC Nationals on 15 points while Provopool are behind on 14 and the Sharks on 12. The Sharks can still win the league if they win their remaining games and the other games finish as draws.

THE SWA Sharks moved from being Zebra-like to Tiger-like after acquiring new players—the result a 5-2 victory over AFC Nationals in the first of a two-legged semi-finals in the President’s Cup. Former Haitian first-division player Dukens Dorisca made his entrance into the team and did damage immediately with two goals on Tuesday night. It took some pressure off of forward Horace James. With their coordination and a stronger midfield support the Sharks were able to attack with regularity, but it was the AFC Nationals’ Bobby Kwatt who scored from a break away. Kwatt ran through the Sharks’ slow-reacting defence and fired a shot past the outstretched hands of a diving goalie.

Sharks equalised after a corner was taken, played out and then back to Dorisca. The former Digi player got past a defender and then rocket a shot that almost dissected the AFC Nationals' goalie.

Kevaughn Brown carried the AFC

Former Digi footballer Dukens Dorisca has given the Sharks the speed they need in the forward position.

team ahead with a long kick which hit the far goal post and ricocheted into the goal.

Despite the win for the Sharks, the

Bobby Kwatt scored the opening goal for the AFC Nationals

AFC Nationals were more aggressive in the second half and if all their shots were on target the game would have been closer. Andy Bryne had a few chances for the AFC team. Once such opportunity saw him beating the keeper (who came out to contest the ball), but with defenders in his way his shot trickled to the goal post and was cleared. Soon after Bryne got through the defence with another good pass from Chris Bryan and attempted to scoop a ball above the goalie, but it sailed over the net.

Marlon Davidson tied the game in the 65th minute before Glidecharly d’Haiti, Barrington Somers and Dorisca scored in the last 25 minutes.

Strikers win league A DECISION by Grace Bay Football Club and the league’s leaders Academy Strikers to let their last game, set for February 14th, stand as a 0-0 draw has made the Strikers overall victory in the Women’s Football League official.

Grace Bay were trailing the Strikers by six points with two games left (including the February 14th clash). Even if they were to win both games and the Strikers were to lose both of theirs, the Grace Bay side would still finish second owing to two previous defeats to the Academy team.

In their latest game, last Sunday, the Grace Bay team recorded a 3-0 victory over the Net Rockers Football Club.

The ladies were however forced

Net Rockers’ goalie fails to stop a Joan Whent’s penalty in the latest WFL clash.

to work hard against a Net Rockers team that started with only nine players. Carmela Giordano scored two goals on her return to the WFL before Joan Whent added a third from the penalty spot.

On Sunday Strikers play the Net Rockers at 16:00h, while at 18:00h Grace Bay play the Hurricanes.

The last WFL game will be played on February 14th between the Net Rockers and the Hurricanes.

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February 6 - 12, 2010

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY

faizool deo

ICC Americas Division Two:

TCI lose to Suriname and Bahamas THE Turks and Caicos Islands’ cricket team suffered two big defeats to defending champions Suriname and host nation Bahamas in their opening games of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Americas Division Two tournament earlier this week.

Suriname won on Tuesday by 109 runs at the Haynes Oval while Bahamas won by 190 runs on Wednesday at Windsor Park.

With three (Suriname, Bahamas and Panama) of the five countries competing already on four points, TCI cannot win the tournament; they will now fight for victories in their last two games against the winless Brazil (February 5th) and the undefeated Panama (February 6th). The Central American team has not only defeated Brazil, but also has a victory against Suriname.

OPENING DEFEAT In TCI’s opening game against the defending champions, Suriname batted first and scored 263-9 from their 50 overs after their tail-enders dug in with their bats. Number 10 and 11 batsmen A Seeraj and T Ranjit frustrated the Caribbean island chain bowlers with unbeaten scores of 49 (8X4s) and 18 (2X4s).

Four TCI bowlers finished with two wickets each. Uriel Gilbert who completed 10 overs picked up 2-53 while Vice-captain Ralph Doughty got 2-20 from six overs, Henry

Ruggers to compete in USA The Turks and Caicos Islands Rugby Football Union will be competing in the Savannah Shamrock and Stats St Patrick’s Day Rugby Tournament.

The event is billed for March 13th and 14th in Savannah, Georgia, USA. Public Relations Officer of the local body Gareth Butler said 17 players have confirmed their participation for the trip. The PRO said the hopeful number of travelers will be 25.

Saunders took 2-29 from six and Douglas Brown finished with 2-59 from seven.

In reply TCI were off to a great start as Erion Charles and Rohan Ash (16) put on 50 for the first wicket.

Charles went on to score 70 runs to lead the charge, but with wickets tumbling at the other end, his 10 fours did little justice. The Grand Turk batsman faced 99 balls before he fell with the score on 142-9 in the 31st over. The innings closed three overs later at 154. Brown with 18 runs was the next best scorer for the TCI. The defending champs were led by Ranjit who took 6-41 from 7.2 overs.

HALF CENTURIES Ash and Brown scored halfcenturies against Bahamas, but it was overshadowed by big hundreds from the home team batsmen.

Batting first Bahamas scored 354-4 after opener Marc Taylor scored 141 and number four batsman Jonathan

Douglas Brown scored an unbeaten half-century for TCI while he has also been among the wicket takers.

Barry scored an unbeaten 117.

The two batsmen made a partnership of 147 for the third wicket while Barry and W Weakley (40 runs) added 90 for the fourth.

Taylor slammed 11 sixes and six fours off 88 balls while Barry hit 13 fours and two sixes in his 132 balls stay at the crease.

Gilbert again had two wickets, but his eight overs went for 62 runs.

Faced with a daunting 7.1 runs per over for victory, the TCI batsmen had to work hard early as the first wicket fell in the 11th over with the score on just 27. Ash went on to score 60 runs from 89 balls (8X4s, 3X6s). He and Captain Ebbon Caesar (14 runs) tallied 55 runs for the second wicket, but with the run rate creeping up it was too late and the team could only reach 167-4 in their allotted 50 overs. Brown and Gilbert batted patiently to accumulate 68 for an unbeaten fifth wicket stand.

The former hit four fours and three sixes in his 76-ball score of 54, while Gilbert hit a solitary four in his 66-ball score of 17.

The TCI rugby players who have had training tips from world renowned rugby player Ali Williams, should do well at the tournament.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

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