The Turks & Caicos Weekly News

Weekly News Volume 26 | No. 12 | March 24 - 30, 2012

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AG moves to seize PNP hq

– PNP wants to return to negotiation table, calls for claim to be withdrawn inside

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THE Attorney General (AG) Huw Shepheard has commenced civil proceedings against the Progressive National Party (PNP), seeking the recovery of the land on which the PNP headquarters is constructed, together with damages.

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Janet Petro of Kennedy Space Center, Governor Todd and Mr. Candib stand by the new John Glenn Drive sign

Mike Misick seeks political asylum

INTERPOL has authorised a “Red Notice” for embattled former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands ...

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Dialogue with firefighters continues FIREFIGHTERS at the Provo and Grand Turk airports are engaged in continued dialogue with Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Patrick Boyle.

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50 years since John Glenn’s splashdown

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NATIONAL

Mike Misick seeks political asylum Application for warrant was filed at the end of February

By Vanessa Narine INTERPOL has authorised a “Red Notice” for embattled former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), Michael Misick, who has since sought political asylum in an unnamed country.

Governor’s spokesman Neil Smith, at a press briefing on Tuesday, said the application was filed with Interpol at the end of February, adding that the next move remains to be seen.

Misick was last reported to be in the Dominican Republic (DR).

The Special Investigation and Prosecution Team (SIPT) in a statement said it has sought to secure the attendance of Misick at its offices in Providenciales for the past several months in respect of allegations of corruption and money laundering during his time in office.

“Every opportunity has been given to Mr Misick to voluntarily surrender to the SIPT’s jurisdiction for interview…despite previous indications from Mr Misick’s solicitors that he would attend for interview, he has failed to do so,” the SIPT said in a statement this week.

In a statement Misick released this week, the former Premier said: “I have been left with no other choice than to seek political asylum in a third country other than my beloved Turks and Caicos Islands.”

He said: “I am not a fugitive,

and will never be a fugitive. I have applied for political asylum from another country and I am merely seeking protection from political persecution.”

Misick charged that he has been forced to this alternative because of the “political persecution” that is taking place in the TCI, to not only him and his family, but also former Cabinet Ministers and their families, as well as a select few developers who have supported the Progressive National Party (PNP) under the last administration.

“I am convinced that this whole persecution is because of my views and firm plan to move our country towards independence.

“This plan goes counter to the British and their supporters in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“That is why stories were fabricated by the opposition, the British and their supporters in order to call for a Commission of Inquiry,” The former premier said.

Misick argued that it is unprecedented for a Commission of Inquiry to be comprised of a sole commissioner.

He said: “It is my view that Sir Robin Auld came to Turks and Caicos Islands with specific instructions from the Foreign Office as to what the outcome of the Commission of Inquiry will be. In short, the outcome was pre-determined.”

The former Premier added that the

Published by Turks & Caicos News Company Ltd. Cheshire House, Leeward Highway, Providenciales P.O. Box 52, Turks & Caicos Islands, BWI W. Blythe Duncanson – Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Faizool Deo – Sports Samantha Dash-Rigby – Court Cord Garrido-Lowe – Graphics/Production Editor Dilletha Lightbourne-Williams – Office Manager Email: (Advertising) tcnews@tciway.tc, (News) tcweeklynews@yahoo.com, tcweeklynews@gmail.com (Talk Back) tcweeklynews@gmail.com Tel. 649-946-4664 (office), 649-232-3508 (after hours) Website address: www.tcweeklynews.com

interim administration has bypassed the entire legal system by appointing a Special Prosecutor, whose primary goal is to “get rich off the backs of Turks and Caicos Islands’ tax payers” and to make a name.

“Helen Garlick has already collected over $20m of Turks and Caicos Islands tax payers’ money and is slated to collect at least another $10m in 2012, at a time when the interim government is laying off hundreds of civil servants, cutting pensions and other benefits and increasing taxes,” he said.

NO FAIR TRIAL Misick maintained that no fair trial is guaranteed for those that have been charged.

“There is no way that I, or any of the persons that have been accused

by Helen Garlick and her team, can get a fair trial.

“The British Government, aided by two governors, Gordon Wetherell and now Ric Todd, have abolished our fundamental right to jury trial,” he said.

According to him, the current administration has also suspended democracy.

Misick said: “The Governor and the prosecutor control the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.

“They have changed so many laws such as the Proceeds of Crime Bill, laws pertaining to evidence, laws pertaining to hearsay all in an attempt to convict me and my colleagues.

“If we have done something illegal why is there a need to change so many laws in order to secure a conviction?

“Why could we not be tried under the same system that thousands of people were tried under over the years?

“Why did they have to abolish our parliament and the executive? Is it so that they, including the prosecutor, can change the laws and the entire judicial system uninhibited without the normal checks and balances that exist in a democracy to ensure their goal which is the conviction of me and my colleagues?

“If another country had done this, the British would have been outraged and they would seek international sanctions against that country.

“This is double standard and political persecution of the highest

Misick was last reported to be in the Dominican Republic

order.

“We can never get a fair trial considering the changes that were made and the interference with the justice system by the Governor, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Special Prosecutor Helen Garlick.”

The former Premier pointed out that the current situation prevents a fair trial since the Governor appoints the prosecutor, she will choose the judge and the Governor appoints who she chooses.

“The Governor at a public meeting has already announced that we are guilty, therefore the whole notion of a trial is a show.

“We know, and all Turks and Caicos Islanders know, that the verdict has already been decided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Governor the prosecutor and the Judges that they have chosen,” Misick said.

The former Premier opined that the administration has sought to pursue politically persecution because of the former administration’s desire to live in an independent Turks and Caicos Islands.

According to him, such a state would see that the rule of law applies to everyone and would be where the rules and laws cannot be changed to get rid of a person or government because you disagree with their political views and goals.

Governor Ric Todd has reportedly been on record saying that Britain is not opposed to granting the TCI its independence, adding that such a desire needs only to be expressed.

Misick said: “All of the laws and

rules that have been changed, were done on the recommendation of the Special Prosecutor to ensure a conviction.

“This is a complete set-up for a modern-day John Crow (Jim Crow) political lynching.

“I will not be part of that. I have therefore sought protection from another country in accordance with the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and the human rights laws of that country, as it is my right to do and the right of any person that is being politically persecuted.”

The former Premier maintains that he will continue to bring challenges to clear his name and that of his government and colleagues.

“I dream to return to my homeland as an independent, victorious, proud and free nation,” Misick said.

Misick was the country’s Premier until allegations of widespread corruption led the United Kingdom to impose direct rule on the TCI in the summer of 2009.

In June last year, the assets the former Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands were frozen worldwide.

Chief Justice His Lordship Gordon Ward made the order to freeze all of Misick’s assets, including bank accounts in Turks and Caicos and overseas, his personal residence in Providenciales, parcels of land throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands, two condominiums, a cinema in Providenciales which still carries a variation of his exwife Lisa-Raye McCoy’s name, and several credit cards.

March 24 - 30, 2012

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NATIONAL

AG seeking recovery of PNP land

– PNP wants to return to negotiation table, calls for claim to be withdrawn

By Vanessa Narine THE Attorney General (AG) Huw Shepheard has commenced civil proceedings against the Progressive National Party (PNP), seeking the recovery of the land on which the PNP headquarters is constructed, together with damages.

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) is seeking a number of remedies for the trespass, including: damages for the PNP’s trespass on the land, based on a reasonable annual rent until possession of the land is returned to the Crown; the repayment of the $465,083.61; an order that the headquarters are pulled down and destroyed; damages for returning the land to its former state; and interest and costs.

However, PNP’s lawyer, Queen’s Council Carlos Simons, has called on the AG, the Governor and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to withdraw these “unnecessary proceedings”.

Simons, in a statement said: “The consequence of which (the proceedings) will only enrich the Civil Recovery team lawyers at the expense of the TCI taxpayer.”

The PNP Attorney has also called on the AG and the Governor to return to the negotiation table and make an attempt of good faith to reach a reasonable settlement of these issues and thereby save some of the $33m that they have committed the TCI people to paying their lawyers over the next several years.

Simons made it clear that the settlement discussions to which the AG referred were not successful because they were not undertaken in good faith.

“They are hell-bent on issuing this final embarrassment to the PNP as an institution.

“The party is hell-bent on ensuring its survival as a pillar of the parliamentary democracy that our constitutions since 1976 have provided for, and to ensure that the party is a force for good in the affairs of our country,” the PNP attorney stressed.

He maintained that the assertions made by the AG are false.

“The PNP is committed to rigorously defending and defeating these spurious claims brought by the Interim Government, purportedly on behalf of the people,” Simons said.

NO TITLE According to the AG, the claim arises from the PNP’s trespass following its construction of the PNP headquarters

on Airport Road, Providenciales, on Crown land to which it had, and has no title.

The AG contends that after construction of its headquarters in 2005/6, the PNP subsequently appointed a management agent, Provident Management Services Ltd to manage the property.

During the last administration, Provident sub-leased six offices in the headquarters to PNP MPs for a total of $465,083.61 over approximately three years, which was paid by the government.

The government seeks the return of that sum, to which Provident was not entitled together with other damages.

Shepheard said: “When the current administration first became aware last year that the PNP’s headquarters had been built on Crown land to which the PNP had no title, my chambers wrote to the PNP setting out the claim that the government had.

“It had been our hope that matters could be settled amicably without the need for proceedings. Unfortunately, discussions with the PNP have not been successful.

“In those circumstances, the government has been left with no choice but to bring these proceedings for trespass and damages to recover this plot of Crown land and what is properly owed to the government.”

MISCONCEIVED CLAIM Simons, however, maintains that the trespass claim is entirely misconceived.

“The party has been in open possession of the Airport Road property since at least 2005 with the full knowledge of the leaders of every government department concerned with dealings in Crown land and with their acquiescence, if not consent.

“This includes the then Governor Richard Tauwhare who throughout remained the ultimate authority for the management and disposition of Crown lands.

“This is the same Governor of whom and from whom the people of the TCI have heard nothing since his departure and in respect of whose role in the matters now under investigation no one in the FCO has seen fit to explain. That is disrespectful,” he said.

Simons added that manner in which the civil proceedings were served does not meet the requirements of TCI procedural law, adding that until the mistake is corrected, the party has no formal

Attorney General Huw Shepheard

Queen’s Council Carlos Simons

PNP Leader Clayton Greene

notice of the proceedings and does not have to respond.

“That issue has been brought to the attention of the Attorney General’s Chambers, but might in the end require the attention of the court,” he said.

Simons also explained that Provident Management Services Ltd did not sub-lease six offices in the Headquarters building to PNP MPs; rather Provident leased the offices to TCIG. “Those leases were signed off on behalf of TCIG by the head of department having control of the relevant vote,” he said.

According to him, those leases were identical to leases entered into by TCIG in Grand Turk, South Caicos and North and Middle Caicos for the constituency offices of Members of Parliament, including constituency offices for PDM Members of Parliament.

“The PNP has never disputed TCIG’s right to a reasonable annual rent, nor payment of the market value of the land.

“That is therefore a non-issue, the litigation of which can only be justified in the context of the gravy train that the SIPT and Civil Recovery teams now ride on the backs of the TCI people,” Simons said.

Turning to the claim for damages for trespass, he noted that any reasonable person would agree that the land has been developed and improved rather than injured.

Simons said: “I would also be surprised if anyone, regardless of their political allegiance would agree (even if TCIG were to win its case) that pulling down and destroying a perfectly good building makes any kind of sense.”

political parties, we can have no opposition.

“The implications of this latest act and the negative effect it will have on our country demands that we all, including the leadership and supporters of both political parties, rise in unison and send a clear and united message to Waterloo that we will no longer sit back and allow our institutions of democracy to be dismantled, not least by the very people who claim that further institutional building is necessary.”

According to him, the recent issue of the proceedings by the Attorney General against the PNP is unnecessary and ill conceived.

“The reality is that the bringing of this claim is another attempt by the Governor to break the will of the Progressive National Party.

“The Governor is hell bent on silencing to voice of the Progressive National Party and by extension the voice of a significant number of people in this country,” he said.

Greene contends that the Governor is determined to destroy the PNP that he will see the party’s headquarters, which stands as one of the symbols of our democracy as much as parliament does, bulldozed before he allows the people of this country to express a real choice at the next elections.

“I say that with particular regret,” he said.

Greene pointed out that the TCI has been without representative government for almost three years and there have been no date set for elections.

He added that in the absence of any form of representation the people are being saddled with unbearable taxes; while the administration is at the same time legislating for the removal of large sums of money from the peoples pension fund.

“The pseudo representative bodies namely the Advisory Council and the Consultative Forum are appointed by an unelected Governor,” Greene posited.

He stated that in carrying out his functions the Governor is not required, as a matter of law, to accept the advice of either body.

“In the past the Governor, by way

of example only, has acted so as to deny the Consultative Forum the opportunity to debate the Budget,” Greene said.

He pointed out too that what was, before the suspension of representative government, a constitutional right to a jury trial has been removed from the constitution with the result that citizens and residents are no longer guaranteed the protection from the might of the state that jury trials provided.

The PNP leader said: “History requires us now to come together as leaders and officers of political parties and as Turks and Caicos Islanders to fight for the common good of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“Our forefathers did not make the sacrifices that they did only to have us, who are by and large better educated and better resourced, allow the promise and potential of the Turks and Caicos Islands to be ripped from us because we are too politically entrenched to come together for the common good.”

UNDER SIEGE Leader of the PNP Clayton Greene told the Weekly News that democracy in the TCI is under siege.

He said: “This latest attempt by the Governor to rid the PNP of its party headquarters is yet another blow to democracy.

“If parliament is to work, then political parties must send people there. If we do not have at least two

Boyle Acting Governor until April 1st TCIG Chief Executive Patrick Boyle was sworn in as Acting Governor on Thursday and will serve in that capacity until April 1st when Governor Ric Todd returns from England, where he has gone for several meetings.

Todd is expected to be meeting with Department for International Development (DFID) Minister Alan Duncan and Senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office. (FCO) Overseas Territory Department officials.

After his meeting, the Governor will be taking a week’s pre-Easter leave.

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

Governor’s gaffe forgivable?

What do you make of the Governor’s appearance on the talk show Expressions, where he used a curse word and later apologised; and his written exchange with the former Premier?

Notwithstanding that certain callers-in to the programme showed little or no respect for the Governor, did His Excellency’s conduct on radio, and his response to a statement made by Mike Misick belittle his standing as Her Majesty’s representative in the territory?

Accept his apology

The Governor’s ‘potty mouth’ is no worse than what has been applauded in some of our past parliamentary hearings under our elected government.

Governor Todd’s apology should be accepted.

The former Premier is behaving like the kindergarten child who makes ridiculous statements for attention.

He should be ignored and whatever process to bring him HOME to face his charges should be expedited.

Poor diplomacy

I think we should demand his recall since he is

so disrespectful and such a poor representation of the Crown.

I think that the Governor intentionally swore on the radio. He was not repeating anything that was said. He added the swear word of his own will.

As usual, he was evasive and condescending in answering questions. I do not know why we bother.

Human to err

I am not too fond of the Governor or his policies, but he is human and there are some real idiots out there asking questions.

In addition, WHO CARES what Mike Missick has to say, coward that he is, who won’t return to his own country.

At least the Governor faces he foes.

Unreasonable

This to me is much to do about nothing and it was obviously a slip made in the heat of the moment, and Governor Todd immediately apologised.

Joe Biden the Vice President of the world’s most respected and richest nation used the ‘F’ word and so did presidential candidate McCain.

Was Governor Todd under pressure? Of course he was. His office demands respect and those not providing this respect deserve the same thing they dished out. Turn on your TV and hear much worse.

Turn on certain channels and hear all kinds of cursing, blood and gore, porn and much worse.

It was Barack Obama’s pastor, who said to the world, ‘God D… America’ on more than one occasion.

What caused him to use such words? The wonderful modern world has moved us from the words of Abe Lincoln, Martin Luther King and Billy Graham to Joe Biden and Pastor Jeremiah Wright Jesus said “Let he without sin cast the first stone”. How many do we know that never uttered a curse word.

The man attacking the Governor is famous for using them.

It takes all kinds of people to make a world and we have some of the best and the worse.

So does Britain.

Britain, since the practical take over by

Wetherell in August 2008, has been doing a terrible job and the frustration felt by those that supported the takeover is only outdone by those that wish to tear down the constitutional right Britain is poorly exercising because we failed to use democracy to stop the progressive stripping of the peoples assets by Mike and his gang.

This Governor seems to be in a reckless hurry to get the prosecutions done and the milestones past at all cost.

The important question is not about the slip of a tongue, but who is prepared to replace him as the leader of the country.

Will we move from the doctor of distraction who minced words with our governor to choose the doctor who destroyed our health care and damaged tourism?

Perhaps it will be the antique civil servant who was kicked out before because he was out to sea and out to lunch when his henchmen newly reinstated were filling their pockets.

Looks to us we need to be prepared to hear more cursing before this is all behind us.

 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?

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Mike Misick says he has no apology to make for empowering Islanders

By Vanessa Narine FORMER Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), Michael Misick, in a statement released this week, following the war of words between him and Governor Ric Todd, maintains that he is proud of what he and his colleagues in the Progressive National Party (PNP) have accomplished.

Misick also made it clear that he will never apologise for the fact that the under his administration thousands of acres of Crown land were given out to Turks and Caicos Islanders.

He explained that this was part of his administration’s policy of empowering the people.

“I will never apologise for that and will never depart in my personal quest to see Turks and Caicos Islanders first in our country and to see an independent Turks and Caicos Islands,” Misick said.

According to him, there was a

Commission of Inquiry because a few white expatriates disliked the policy of making Turks and Caicos Islanders rich.

He said: “As long as we were poor and had to work for them, there was never a problem.

“As long as they were the ones getting the Crown land and selling it, this was good business, but as soon as we gave the land to the Turks and Caicos Islands people, it was seen as corruption.

“This is why we are being prosecuted. As long as we want to remain colonial slaves it was okay, but when we begin seeking independence, we were call corrupt and put in our place.”

The former Premier charged that the Governor’s attempt to change history will not work.

“The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands know me and love me and they know what I and the PNP have done for these islands.

“Not one day have I ever

An international arrest warrant from Interpol was issued this week for the former TCI premier, who was last reported to be in the Dominican Republic (DR) and has since sought political asylum.

disrespected any of them while I was leader. So you can never justify your arrogance and racist approach by questioning my morals,” he opined.

Misick noted that when his

administration came to office, the GDP of the island was less than $200m and it was over $750m when he left office.

He pointed out also the fact that when the PNP came to office, tourist arrivals were around 200,000 people per year; now that number stands over one million.

He said: “We invested tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure, brand new roads in North and Middle Caicos, the Causeway, roads in South Caicos, Providenciales and Grand Turk.

“We built schools, parks a national stadium, the Gus Lightbourne auditorium, Horse Stable Beach Park, Built the Children’s Park in the Bight, community centers in Providenciales and South Caicos, built two brand new world-class hospitals in Providenciales and Grand Turk, just to name a few of the infrastructure projects.

“We spent tens of millions of dollars on scholarships ensuring that

every Turks and Caicos Islander that wanted a scholarship got one.

“We also spent tens of millions of dollars on health care making sure no Turks and Caicos Islander died because they could not afford health care.

“We attracted over two billion dollars in inward investments, with everyone working and Turks and Caicos Islanders becoming successful business people.”

Misick renewed his call for the Governor to resign.

“I again call on the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Rt Hon William Hague to recall you immediately and set a date for elections so that the Turks and Caicos people can vote for a government of their own choosing,” he said.

An international arrest warrant from Interpol was issued this week for the former TCI premier, who was last reported to be in the Dominican Republic (DR) and has since sought political asylum.

March 24 - 30, 2012

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NATIONAL

Hall’s encouragement of disrespect deplorable – Lillian Missick CHAIR of the Consultative Forum, Ms Lillian Missick, spoke out about Governor Ric Todd’s lapse when he swore on national radio, however she opined that Robert Hall’s encouragement of disrespect is deplorable.

“It is short-sighted and misguided to think that aiding and abetting our people in showing disrespect for this Governor will not misled them into showing disrespect as a matter of course for all public servants (expatriate and local alike),” she said.

Missick stressed that encouraging this kind of disrespect will not augur well for the future, as the island will be suffering the consequences of such contempt for government officials long after this Governor is gone.

According to her, while the radio show host demanded an apology from the Governor for his momentary lapse in judgment, he did not apologise to the Governor, and to the nation, for sitting by and allowing his callers to show such sustained and appalling lack of respect towards the Governor.

Missick said: “Like all TC Islanders I was shocked and dismayed when I heard the Governor use a profane word during a radio call-in show last week... it is important to appreciate however that the Governor not only apologised immediately but

Lillian Missick

later issued a formal apology to the nation for the obvious offense he caused.”

She maintained that Todd should be commended for this move, not least because it stands in contrast to the failure of some local leaders to apologies for causing Islanders far greater offense.

Turning to the comments made by former Premier, Mr Michael Misick, the Consultative Forum Chair made it clear that she will not dignify his statement with any comment.

“I regret that the Governor did not see fit to do the same,” she said.

Missick stated that given that that the former Premier has yet to offer a single word of contrition for treating our national treasury like his personal piggy bank, and is now a fugitive from justice, he is not in any position to offer anything constructive to our national debate on current affairs.

Dialogue with firefighters continues FIREFIGHTERS at the Provo and Grand Turk airports are engaged in continued dialogue with Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Patrick Boyle.

Boyle noted that the meetings were in keeping with his stated commitment to the firefighters, expressly given that their transfer from the TCIG to the Turks and Caicos Airport Authority (TCIAA) is an eventuality.

He maintains that the transfer is essential for many reasons, primary of which is capital investment in their equipment and infrastructure.

The firefighters, since the strike, have decided to elect a small group of representatives to continue the dialogue with the CEO and incoming Permanent Secretary responsible for the fire services, Ms Susan Malcolm.

Boyle said: “I have found my engagements with the two groups of firefighters very useful in establishing where we need to go in ensuring we have a fit for purpose fire service in the TCI. “I look forward to continuing the dialogue with the representative group of firefighters and to working along with the PS and her Ministry to put the best possible solutions in place.”

CEO Patrick Boyle with staff from the Airport Fire Department

The CEO, last week, toured both facilities and held extensive discussions with firefighters on ways to improve the current work environment and ensure the best possible delivery of this essential service.

The wildcat strike called by firefighters last weekend stalled

flights and the estimated cost of the was placed at approximately some $5m.

This does not take into account the reputational damage done by having stranded tourists vent their understandable frustrations in viral messages that went around the world in an instant.

Indian High Commissioner urges Indian community to give back

By Vanessa Narine THE local Indian community at a reception held at Steak House in Turtle Cove on Sunday, received Indian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Bahamas and the TCI, His Excellency Mohinder Grover, who urged them to ensure that they give back to their community.

The High Commissioner stressed that India is a way of life, one that sees certain values and principles entrenched in the hearts of Indians.

He called for good relations to be fostered, pointing out that TCI and India share good relations and making it clear that the local Indian community are India’s ambassadors.

According to him, India’s culture and heritage are rich and that is the legacy that Indians have, regardless if they hold an Indian passport or not.

Grover also addressed several pressing concerns.

Primary of these was the provision in place to assist Indian children to access tertiary level education, to which Grover responded that there are opportunities available.

He explained that there was a support scheme that Non Resident Indians (NRIs) can access.

The High Commissioner added that the commission has also

made available two scholarships to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) to access training in India and return to serve their country.

However, he noted that these have not been taken advantage of.

Grover stated that the provision of these scholarships is part of India’s cooperation with nations across the world, where at least two $10,000 scholarships are given to countries to send public servants for further training, with the understanding that they return to build local capacity in their field of study.

“This is part of our Technical Assistance Programme…we give out over 5,000 scholarships globally,” he said.

Another concern of Indians here was the lengthy process that is in place to access United Kingdom visas, which are needed to allow them to pass through England when they need to visit in India.

It was pointed out that for visas to be obtained, the person would need to go to Jamaica to get the requisite paperwork for travelling.

Also brought to Grover’s attention was the fact the same process is not the same for Filipinos and some other nationalities residing in TCI if they need to travel.

The Indian High Commissioner engages a couple at Sunday’s reception at Steak House

The High Commissioner admitted that there is no easy solution to this problem, since it is a country’s right to determine its own immigration laws.

However, he promised that he would be in touch with the British High Commissioner based in Jamaica.

The question as to why the restrictions since TCI is a British Overseas Territory, was also raised.

Grover reiterated his promise

to take this issue to the relevant authorities in Jamaica.

On a lighter note, one attendee turned the High Commissioner’s attention to sports, asking whether he backed the Indian or West Indies cricket team.

A smiling Grover said he supported the game, adding that whenever the Indian team visits him, the West Indies team is also invited to their reception.

During his five-day stay, the High Commissioner also met with Education Department Director Edgar Howell and Governor Ric Todd, among other engagements.

Grover also reminded the local Indian community that the ambit of their rights has, over the years, been extended and their welfare is the business of the Commission, which will ensure that all NRIs are not treated unfairly.

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NATIONAL

50 years since John Glenn’s splashdown – Governor underscores importance of US, TCI relations

By Vanessa Narine FIFTY years ago, Colonel John Glenn and Friendship 7 from the Mercury space programme successfully concluded the United States’ first successful orbit of the earth on February 20 1962, with its landfall (splashdown) in the waters off Grand Turk.

And this week the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) celebrated its unique place in the history of space exploration with several activities, kicked off by the unveiling of a mural in Grand Turk.

Governor Ric Todd, at the opening ceremony on Monday, said this event forged a relationship between the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States that remains important to the TCI people.

The Governor added that over many years, with the existence of the United States Tracking Station, the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands developed a strong relationship with the United States.

The Base went on to close officially in 1983.

Todd noted that the new murals will be a permanent reminder of the historic bond between NASA and TCI. The Governor said: “The first thing those arriving by ship at the Grand Turk Cruise Centre will now see is the interactive exhibition commemorating the same event and the new murals we are unveiling today.

“This serves to underline the

place of Grand Turk in a very special moment of history.”

According to him, the scheduled events will go a long way in educating local residents and many visitors on the significant and important role played by these Islands early in the space age.

Todd said: “We now know that John Glenn landed safely and others followed him, to the moon, but let us remember, no-one knew that at the time.

“He was a pioneer, a risk taker, a hero. We recall another inspired and risk taker pioneer who came to these waters 500 years ago, Christopher Columbus.

“What these men have in common with each other and many others is that the pioneer faces challenges.

“The arrival on Grand Turk of Colonel Glenn meant Grand Turk had the distinction of being the first dry land he set foot on after being launched from Cape Kennedy,” he said.

JOHN GLENN DRIVE In addition to the unveiling of the mural, the approach road to the he JAGS McCartney International Airport on Grand Turk was renamed as John Glenn Drive.

Other activities included: the John Glenn arts and science festival at the Victoria public library in Grand Turk; the Community College Quiz competition involving the Grand Turk and Provo Campuses; and an evening of fun and firework display at Governor’s Beach.

Janet Petro of Kennedy Space Center, with Captains and staff members of Master Carnival Miracle and Master Holland America Europe

Also in 1962, another significant highlight of the events was the visit of the then Vice President of the United States, Lyndon B Johnson, on 23 February, three days after the landfall, to escort Colonel Glenn home.

History records that, despite the early hour of the arrival of the Vice President (4am), a large number of people on Grand Turk thronged to the airport to greet Mr Johnson and Colonel Glenn.

The splashdown of John Glenn was soon followed by the arrival of Commander Scott Carpenter on 24 May 1962 at the end of his space flight in the Aurora craft.

Commander Carpenter, despite being a few hundred miles off

No new taxes this financial year - Chief Financial Officer TCIG’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) stated that there will be no new taxes implemented this year.

He made the revelation on Wednesday as dates for decisions on the upcoming budget were revealed.

CFO Hugh McGarel-Groves said: “The 2012/2013 budget will focus on continued revenue growth in the tourism sector and will focus on enforcement and improved collection in the immigration and customs sector.

“With VAT coming on stream in April 2013, TCIG is currently not considering the implementation of any new tax measures in 2012/2013.”

In a statement released to press, Mr McGarel-Groves also revealed the timetable by which the Turks and Caicos Islands budget for financial year 2012/13 will be consulted upon.

The budget approval process

has been extended to accommodate both the demands of the five new Permanent Secretaries’ work to set up the new TCIG Ministries, and the savings and changes made through the civil service Voluntary Severance Scheme.

Budget submissions were received from each Permanent Secretary on March 13.

These are now being used to form a draft budget against which revenue and expenditure figures will be checked against projections.

This will be finalised between the Permanent Secretaries and heads of department during the week of March 26.

The Governor, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and PS Finance will then sign off on the draft 2012/2013 budget on April 19. This will be submitted to UK

Ministers on the same date.

The budget will then be submitted to both the Advisory Council and Consultative Forum on May 7.

It will be approved by the Advisory Council on May 14 and the Consultative Forum on May 21.

The budget team will also meet with the Consultative Forum in a closed session on May 15 to review the document.

Once reviewed and approved by the UK Government, Advisory Council and Consultative Forum, the Governor will pass the budget into law on May 23.

Mr McGarel-Groves said: “The 2012/2013 Budget presents an excellent opportunity for TCIG to continue its efforts to put TCIG’s public finances on track to achieve a fiscal surplus in the financial year ending March 2013.”

course, was met by members of the government and Colonel Glenn who had returned to the TCI to welcome Aurora safely back to earth.

Governor Todd said: “I am delighted that the people of Grand Turk are able to share in Carnival’s celebration of this milestone, and that there is a permanent memorial

to John Glenn’s bravery both at the Cruise Centre and by renaming the approach road to the airport.

“It is surely only appropriate that this commemoration of a US hero sits alongside our tribute to our very own local hero James Alexander George Smith McCartney at Grand Turk International Airport.”

Reveal of the Street Sign by, from left, Ms. Petro, Governor Todd and Mr. Candib

Police question suspected sex offender A MAN was arrested and questioned by detectives about a series of sexual assaults and burglaries in Grand Turk.

The unnamed suspect was arrested by officers on Tuesday and is being held at the island’s police headquarters in Cockburn Town.

Deputy Commissioner Brad Sullivan said: “Following a reported burglary and attempted sexual assault that took place on

Saturday, a man was arrested and is now being questioned.

“As a result of this apprehension, Grand Turk officers, supported by members of the Sexual Offences/Domestic Violence Unit, are reviewing a number of unsolved burglaries and sexual assaults for similarities to this latest incident.

“The review is being conducted in preparation of further investigation.”

March 24 - 30, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

9

& CrimeCourt Man charged for assaulting mother-in-law A YOUNG husband who was charged for assaulting his mother-inlaw after trespassing on her property was granted bail $1,000 pending a trial on May 10.

Keell Selver, aged 26, allegedly trespassed on Alexis Mesireuse’s Five Cays property and assaulted her on February 24.

Selver appeared before Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner in the Providenciales Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and appeared uncertain as to how he should plea.

Eventually, he admitted to trespassing but offered an explanation.

He explained to the magistrate that he is married to Mesireuse’s daughter. His wife moved out of the marital home and took some of his belongings to her mother’s house.

At that point, Magistrate Warner stopped him, rejected his guilty plea and entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

He instructed the young man to return to court for a trial at which time all the “issues” will be heard.

Young mother fined for shoplifting A YOUNG mother of four stole a quantity of groceries from a local supermarket and was this week fined for theft.

Mitsuki Charles, aged 25, appeared before Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner in the Providenciales Magistrates Court, and admitted stealing the items.

She tearfully explained to the court that she was unemployed since 2010.

The court heard that on Saturday, February 18, around 11.10am, a security guard at Island Pride supermarket saw Charles enter the store with a blue bag, which seemed empty.

She picked up a shopping basket and began shopping. A few minutes later, the same guard noticed that the bag appeared bulged.

He became suspicious and kept her under surveillance.

Eventually, Charles went to the

cashier and paid for the items she had in the shopping basket.

As she was about to leave the store, the guard confronted her and told her of his observations.

He asked her to reveal the contents of her bag and the young woman took out several items and confessed to stealing them.

The police were notified and she was arrested and later charged with theft.

In her defence Charles told Magistrate Warner that she went back and apologised to the management of Island Pride.

Even though the young mother had no previous convictions, the magistrate was hard pressed to decide upon an appropriate punishment since the crime was “so professional”.

Ultimately, the Kew Town resident was fined $750 with an alternative of three months in jail.

Middle-aged man charged with burglary

A FIFTY-nine year-old man is set to face trial for burglary in the Providenciales Magistrates’ Court Barry Williams, a dishwasher at a local establishment, appeared before Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner and pled not guilty to the allegation despite a previous statement of confession to the police.

It was alleged that on February 14 at Blue Hills, Williams broke into a restaurant and stole a cash pan.

Crown counsel Leanna Brooks told the magistrate that around 2pm on the date in question, the restaurateur secured the restaurant and returned home not far away.

Around 9pm, he received a call that a man had broken into the restaurant.

The complainant rushed to the restaurant along with family members and was in time to see the defendant running away.

Williams boarded a jitney headed in the Downtown area and the restaurateur followed in a vehicle.

The complainant kept the accused in his view at all times while he contacted the police with his phone.

Williams disembarked the jitney Downtown and the businessman coordinated with the police to have him arrested on the spot.

Back at the restaurant, the complainant discovered that an eastern window had been broken and the cash pan was missing.

It was later found in nearby bushes.

The defendant reportedly confessed the crime to the police and was later charged.

Williams opted for a magistrate court trial and asked Magistrate Warner for time to prepare his case.

He was granted $5,000 bail and is scheduled to return for trial.

Police reach out to Haitians on new radio programme

By Samantha Dash-Rigby TCI police have seen a number of changes over the last year and now in a never-before-attempted initiative, they have reached out to the Haitian community.

This week they collaborated with the proprietor of TCI’s first Creole Christian radio station Pastor Solomon Morency of Example of Christ Abundant Life Ministry.

Together, they launched a live Creole call-in programme with Constable Kevin Clarke, a Creolespeaking police officer.

They issued tips and advice on how to report crime, how to use Crimestoppers and answered questions from local Haitians.

Head of Community Policing Inspector Nigel Couch said: “This is a policing initiative and we want to try and gain the trust of the community and the only way we could do that is by going into the community and understanding what their problems are.”

Recently appointed Social Media Officer, Constable Clarke said: “Fighting crime is the police mandate.

“We cannot do it on our own. We need assistance from the public.”

However, due to ignorance of the law and/or distrust of the police force, assistance was not readily forthcoming, especially from those in the Haitian community.

In an attempt to address this, Inspector Couch recently met with some Haitian pastors to formulate a plan of action.

The English policeman who arrived here 18 months ago, named radio as one of the best media forms to reach the Haitian population on

Constable Kevin Clarke and Pastor Solomon Morency

the island.

“It’s not only about police going out there and catching the bad guys we’ve got to listen to the community, listen to their needs and try and work with them if we are going to solve problems in TCI,” he added.

Some of the topics discussed on the programme included the safety of the use of Crimestoppers, domestic violence, crime prevention, and road safety.

Constable Clarke is stationed at the Salt Mills police outpost in Grace Bay and works alongside police press officer Special Constable Paul Baker and Inspector Couch.

The former CID agent revealed that Haitians felt a sense of ease around him and regularly approached him with their concerns and complaints. He used that opportunity

to instil certain things in them.

“I always encourage Haitians to protect TCI because this where they live, work and their children go to school. If you see a crime, report it to the police.”

During the radio programme callers flooded the line with questions.

Constable Clarke believed that the programme is a positive step and so is the introduction of the use of social media in the force.

He is set to fly to Canada this weekend to train with the Canadian police to develop his skills on the effective use of social media in the interest of the TCI police force.

Pastor Morency was thrilled with the response of the programme and asked the police to commit to a weekly session every Wednesday.

Trio for jury trial over $360 THREE MEN accused of stealing six rolls of steel conduit valued $360 are set to have their matter heard by a judge and jury much to the disbelief of Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner and others sitting in the courtroom.

Judner Vertyl, Alexander Forrester, 45, and Harold Arthur, aged 52, appeared in the Providenciales Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday jointly charged with theft and conspiracy to commit theft.

It was alleged that on March 16 at a location in Providenciales, the three men conspired to steal and did steal the construction material from a business place.

Chief Magistrate Clifton Warner appeared when he read the conspiracy charge since it warranted

the process for an expensive jury trial over a meagre $360.

The conspiracy charge is strictly indictable meaning that it can only be tried in the Supreme Court.

However, although the allegation of theft can be handled at the Magistrates’ Court level it is procedural for the indictable offence to take precedence. Thus, the theft will be tried in the Supreme Court as well.

Crown counsel Leanna Brooks objected to bail for Vertyl and Forrester and requested bail of $5,000 with conditions for Arthur.

She informed the magistrate that Vertyl should be remanded since his last work permit was cancelled by his former employer in 2008 for reasons of dishonesty and now he

has no status in the TCI. Vertyl refuted this claiming that his boss cancelled his work permit for no reason. Then he said that the man did not like his face because he spoke English and was too smart.

For Forrester, Brooks said that there was sufficient evidence to support that if released on bail, Forrester would commit another offence, since he committed this one while on bail for another.

In his defence, Forrester asked for a second chance and pleaded with Magistrate Warner to grant him bail.

The magistrate remanded Vertyl and Forrester and granted Arthur bail in the sum of $5,000.

They were ordered to attend the Supreme Court on May 10 for a sufficiency hearing.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

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

Attitudes and unemployment Dear Editor, This is the first time in three years that I have decided to write on any issue in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

I believe that in order for change to take place in our country we have to begin a process of changing mentalities and the attitude of entitlement that we have developed over the years.

Today I would like to express my opinion on the matter of unemployment in the TCI from a different angle than most of us has seen or heard recently.

Let me start by saying that I am a Turks and Caicos Islander and yes I am employed so I know that I will be criticized by some for what I am about to say but I feel compelled to speak.

I know what it is to be unemployed as I have found myself unemployed on two occasions, upon returning home from college in 1998 and more recently from August 2009 to April 2010.

In 2010 I made a decision to take a job at a very junior level because for me it made more sense to be employed even if it meant starting over than to remain unemployed, idle and eventually unemployable.

About nine months later, I was able to find suitable employment in my area of experience.

We have many Turks and Caicos Islanders who remain unemployed simply because they refuse to do certain jobs.

They call you, they say they really need a job and then you tell them about a position and they reply: “I ain’t doing that, what I look like, that’s beneath me.”

It really disturbs me when I hear comments like this. What we fail to realise is the longer you remain unemployed the more unlikely it is that you will find employment, it is much easier for an employed person to find employment than it is for the unemployed to.

Let me speak directly to our young university graduates. I know the challenges you face when returning home full of hope and looking forward to great career opportunities, and the reality of affairs in TCI today does not offer much hope.

However, I will share with you a story of a co-worker who too went abroad to study, returned home with

no opportunities in his field.

Instead of sitting on the sidelines and complaining he decided to take an opportunity in hospitality as a pool and beach attendant.

He has not been with the company a year and today he is the pool and beach supervisor.

Nearly every guest review mentions his name. His attitude determined his success.

Dr Myles Munroe said at the leadership conference this week: “Leadership is 90 per cent attitude and 10 per cent skill”.

I encourage our young people not to lose hope but instead develop an attitude of humility; humble beginnings are something our parents know about, something that should have been taught to this generation, unfortunately because we want more for our children than we had, we’ve somehow provided more material possessions and less teaching of moral values, humility, and kindness to our fellowmen.

It is never too late to learn and to make changes to our mentality and our attitude but we must first be aware of it in order to do something about it.

I do agree that there are positions which are held by work permit holders which can be filled by Turks and Caicos Islanders but this is an issue that can only be corrected through the proper policing of the current policy of the Labour Department which places stipulations requiring Turks and Caicos Islanders to be trained to fill posts.

The problem here is that the Labour Department has never been equipped with the manpower necessary to oversee an understudy programme.

The interim government is currently carrying out a redundancy exercise which may mean an even further lack of manpower.

I must however commend the Labour Department for reintroducing the Business Staffing Plan previously implemented by former Minister of Home Affairs Galmo Williams.

The department now requires the assistance of the private sector to partner with them in helping to ensure the understudy programme works.

Some employers will be honest and fair and others will not and so here is where the problem remains.

LETTERS SHOULD BE KEPT TO A MAXIMUM OF 450 WORDS

We MUST equip the Labour Department with the resources necessary to ensure that qualified citizens are given first preference for job opportunities.

First preference does not mean that you will automatically get the job it is during the interview process that you must sell yourself as the best person for the job.

Here is where a lot of us have problems, we have the experience and the education but have not mastered how to sell that to the company to which we are applying.

I have heard it said that certain nationalities have “sugar on their tongues” meaning they know how to sell themselves, well then take a page out of their book and learn to do the same.

My final point is for those who have been given opportunities. Many times Turks and Caicos Islanders are given an opportunity in management or front line positions and they fail not only themselves but all of us.

We are all then measured by the same yard stick as the last Turks and Caicos Islander who was hired and messed up.

Show up to work when you are scheduled to work and show up on time.

Do not have an attitude that I am only doing what my job description says and no more because “that” is not my job.

Do not live your life with a sense of entitlement to being given a job or feeling secure in a job just because you are a ‘Belonger’.

When there are opportunities to help out in other areas, do so, it is more for your development than it is for the company.

Whatever experience you gain can only help you in your career.

You are not working for the company, you are working for you!

See what you do as important to the organisation and to your overall career objective.

Finally, as you climb the corporate ladder, mentor fellow Turks and Caicos Islanders, the greatest leaders are those whose legacy continues after they are gone, your legacy can only continue if you have passed on what you know to someone else.

Sheba Wilson

An employment plan for succession Dear Editor, The Labour Department (LD) has recently sent letters to businesses operating in the Turks and Caicos Islands, requesting that they provide a “plan for succession” to ensure a smoother transition of expatriate to TCI employee/worker labour effort.

There was a February 29, 2012, timeline given, however, because the general public is not privy to submissions, confidential data and/or proprietary interest, this information is accordingly not expected to be shared.

The public, TCIs, and as stakeholders, will surely like to have a preview of plans that the LD received, and will initiate in the nearer future, to alleviate the dire unemployment status currently in the TCI. Of note though, is that, the LD did not mention if the submission requirement applied to the Turks and Caicos Government (TCIG), since it, as an entity, has many, many, many expatriates on its staff/payroll; and most definitely, we hope, have a plan for succession.

But just for the readership’s understanding, I will simply describe what a plan for succession is, and what a typical one should look like, as attached.

Please note this is not a

submission, but, merely a typical suggested plan.

What is succession planning?

Succession planning allows an organization to prepare for the absence, departure – resignation, expiration of work-permits, and internal transfers, death, retirement, or actual termination of an individual.

Note that succession planning is strategic (planning for a situation) rather than reactive (trying to re-act to a situation), using goal setting and analysis of capability together to develop a plan of action to make a successful strategic transition from one qualified individual (say, workpermit non-renewal) to his or her replacement by a TCI. There are many characteristics of succession planning and lacking formal succession planning (failure).

These include that an organisation may find that: key positions are not filled in a timely manner; key positions can only be filled with external successors because internal ones have not been developed; or that key positions have only a limited few who are only partially ready to step in as a successor.

Regards, Edward E Smith

Confused by termination Dear Editor, Humbled by the opportunity to not only serve my fellow men and women, but also be responsible for and take the lead in providing humanitarian aid to the most needy in our country, I took up employment with the TCI Red Cross in January 2012.

I entered with zeal and enthusiasm, with an ambitious plan of action – that, along with working tirelessly with the various committee groups of this branch.

It was my hope, that with their support - we could build a Red Cross that could potentially be a shining example of what a branch of the British Red Cross is to be.

Nevertheless, two weeks shy of my probationary period was to expire and one week after I was inducted into the British Red Cross in the UK, I was issued a letter of termination on Thursday, March 15th, 2012.

I am indeed disappointed that TCI Red Cross Governance Committee has taken this action.

However, I must note here - that the chair, Mr Arthur Forbes, the esteemed Labour Tribunal Judge – has asked for me to submit my resignation on two occasions; one in a private meeting, and the other that was minuted in a Governance Committee meeting on Saturday, February 11th, 2012 (prior to my departure to the United Kingdom on Monday, February 13th 2012).

Neither then, nor on the day of my termination, was I informed as to why I should resign or why I was terminated.

Moving forward, I would like to express a profound thanks to the coordinators, volunteers and staff for working with me, and wish them well.

I have left the halls of the TCI Red Cross, the same way I entered: with my name, my dignity and my integrity.

I remain, Mr Courtney Stephenson Robinson 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.

March 24 - 30, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

11

Letters

Hospital scam causes chaos

Dear Editor, There is widespread public sentiment and agreement that the interim government in its actions are becoming careless, callous, disengaged, unconcerned with public feeling, authoritarian and autocratic.

Furthermore with the random, unexplained cuts in salaries, unexplained closures in entities like TCInvest that the interim government is supplying much needed evidence to its detractors in the political and public area.

The latest evidence of this is the ‘wildcat strikes,’ the closure of the Providenciales International Airport and the need for the CEO to move personnel from South Caicos to Providenciales.

So in essence the wild cat strikes are badly timed and the interim government is culpable in letting labour relations drift without a resolution to the hardworking emergency personnel.

At its basic minimum they are entitled to their severance pay but what is causing these unfair cuts and for the innocent to suffer?

With strikes, industrial unrest etc there is always someone, some person who is benefitting from it all.

Usually it ought to be the workers, the firefighters, the persons who are suffering loss.

Yes this should be the case but in all manner of political drama there is some leader, some would be leader, some strategist, some wounded person or would be would person

with an axe to grind that would seek to exploit moments like this for some self-benefit.

This was seen in 1995 when the former PDM government became victim to the strikes of the public service which was somewhat successful until members of the public learned that then opposition member, Mike Misick was behind and sponsoring the strike action of the teachers.

The teachers got most of what they wanted but stood to gain more had they kept the devil out of the details.

Whilst maintaining the genuine position that the interim government is wrong, its actions are flippant, callous and concerned, there is a vital issue which remains at stake and that is the plight of this overtaxed TCI economy and the need to generate more revenue so that public sector salaries can be paid and there be no further cuts anywhere.

An issue at this time of the year is tourist arrivals, the need to sustain the late start to a tourism season which had some hoteliers complaining between January and February.

One must continue to question the quick draw, shoot first then ask questions, approach of CSA president Rufus Ewing and his penchant for hitting the streets as soon as there is a disagreement rather than sitting at the table and working things out.

It begs the question whether he is genuinely fighting for public officers

or trying to further his own personal agenda.

It cannot be easily accepted that his aim is solely that of the plight of the public officers but perhaps a political one with other motives attached.

The actions of the interim government can never be justified.

While not accounting for approving some $40m in cosmetic surgery in league with the former PNP regime, Ewing never really spoke out for public officers under that Government.

Now it is clear that the $40m he wasted has really contributed to the public debt, Ewing has remained silent while the former PNP government stood by and refused to increase public officer’s salaries and when they announced that students would be forced to pay for 50 per cent of their scholarships.

Where was his voice then?

Furthermore Ewing was too quiet when an insider during the talks on the hospital project which is costing the TCI people too much money for a secret project that cannot be explained.

Yet the former government made Ewing a key negotiator during the hospital talks with Inter-health Canada.

It was a bad deal then as it is a bad deal now but where was the voice of Ewing?

Why did he not alert the public against that very bad rip-off, a deal against the people who are being

forced to pay.

Yet it is this deal which the Turks and Caicos Government is paying over $60m annually to Inter-Health Canada to support that is causing the problem.

The government is incorrectly forcing public officers and the people of this country to face choices while they pay Interhealth Canada too much money annually.

So the interim government has unfairly increased our taxes too high, cut public servants salaries by 10 per cent, reduced allowances and removed scholarships.

But the payments to Interhealth Canada, a deal which Ewing helped negotiate, does not experience any cuts, whatsoever!

It is a sacred cow for the British

Government, PNP government and those who benefited from the contracts. $60m a year but there is no outcry or public demonstration from Ewing and the leaders of the CSA on this massive rip-off that he helped to negotiate.

It seems that nobody, and I mean nobody, wants to touch the hospital deal with a 100 foot pole, forget the ten foot pole because both poles would be too short.

The cuts, the reductions in allowances, the removal of vacation pay for many, cuts in funds for emergency services all during the time of the interim government cannot be justified.

Samsune Taylor

Jitney warning Dear Editor, I would like to send a warning out to the general public about an incident that occurred with my daughter last night while taking a jitney.

She was told by the driver that they needed to drop off someone in Glass Shack.

She didn’t think nothing about it because there was a passenger in the car.

They went there the driver stopped and the passenger and the

driver proceeded to attack her.

She is not a frail individual, so she was able to kick the passenger in his head and he knocked his head on the glass and started bleeding.

In all the fighting, they were able to rob her of her rent money of $500.

I thank God she is alright but I want to let the public know of the incident in this week’s paper.

Concerned citizen

COMMENTARY

Who’s the Wimp?

It is a man’s world they say, but any normal man will have to admit that is not exactly true. Every successful man has a woman behind him; Ronald Reagan had Nancy and Obama has his Michelle. What man of the world wouldn’t appreciate a gal as cute and clever as Lisa Raye.

Chide her if you will but she too was a victim. I have got the best, Yvette.

Sometimes you have to step back to see who the real man is and who the wimp is.

This week we chuckled, then retched when we read the self serving bunch of nonsense from our former premier. He was forced to resign by his own party after the tiny but powerful

By David Tapfer opposition injected some backbone into the wimpy guys that needed long missing courage to take out ‘you know who’.

Here we have a guy who thinks he’s the best thing since canned corn beef but when he ran out of the right to use the peoples money and his parties support, he ran like

a rabbit.

Real wimpy!

Now he snipes at the British employee trying to clean up the mess without much support from Britain.

The sniper shoots from behind a Dominican palm tree and most probably a Dominican sarong.

The Governor need not have shot back but I did like the part where he dared the sniper to come home and meet Helen Garlick!

Yes, we think Todd made a mistake letting one of these characters get under his skin on the newly named X-pressions show. When you are baited by an agitator, known for bad language, you have got to keep your cool.

However, real men often respond in kind. The country needs to accept

his apology and do what Christians do, forgive him. Jesus himself got angry and took after the merchants and money-changers in the temple. Jesus, the best of leaders was humble but most certainly not a wimp.

A Christian lesson for ourselves and Governor Todd.

Remember the Governor is under pressure he inherited from the yellows and the snail called an upgrade.

Then we have the latest airport shutdown.

Very interesting way this yellow union does business. They use people to strike and kill the economy, and then you negotiate and win nothing.

How can you look forward to a future raise when any self respecting USA or Canadian travel agent shies

away from recommending this unreliable destination? Tourist arrivals are down they say. The previous shutdowns worked so who knows what tourist income the newly elected government will have to spend.

Maybe, just maybe Governor Todd will take the route Reagan did with his air controllers. They are still on strike 30 years later.

Meanwhile dozens of Caribbean and Florida locations are happy accepting the tourists we aggravated.

What is interesting however is the way the union signed their press release, just plain ‘CSA’, no names, no title, ‘they’ let their pawns the firefighters take the blame.

Real wimpy !

12

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

Letters Open letter to the Governor Region’s most Dear Governor Todd, First, I would like to say thank you for your letter dated 24th February 2012, responding to my letter of 20th February 2012, addressed to the Hon Minister Bellingham at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), with reference to Turks and Caicos Islands, and the United Kingdom’s Oversight Authority.

In your response letter you mentioned among other things that: “The United Kingdom Government and the Governor and UK funded advisers in the interim administration are working hard with TCI public service colleagues to institute the reforms defined by the milestones…with the aim of preventing a reoccurrence of the maladministration perpetrated by the last elected government.

“The issues in question have been well documented in the Commission of Inquiry report in 2009.

“In addition, the modern requirements of good governance are being introduced to the TCIG public service with the aim of achieving a more efficient and accountable administration of public services.”

Then you went on to say in your last paragraph: “…any issues of a commercial nature you may have that relate to the functions of the Airports Authority and the effect of relevant ordinances, you should engage in discussion with the TCIAA to clarify the matters in question.

“If in your view this in not possible or appropriate then you may wish to seek legal advice about what other courses of action are open to you.”

Governor, the last paragraph in your letter seems to be contradicting your opening paragraph.

In words, you have stated that your administration is working hard to “institute the reforms defined by the milestones…with the aim of preventing a reoccurrence of the maladministration perpetrated by the last elected government,” but when it comes to performing the deeds, in your last paragraph you have chosen to circumvent your oversight authority by your omission to exercise those oversight powers.

Hence, you have given the standard bureaucratic run-around response as a subliminal brush-off, with the hope that I wound become so frustrated with the long process I would give up and go away.

Well you are sadly mistaken, and once again you have been given inept advice from your trusted advisors.

With all due respect, you have taken us for granted, and in turn insulted my intelligence and the intelligence of the Turks and Caicos Islands indigenous citizenry by thinking that your response was so comprehensive and equitable it

would resolve this serious issue at hand and the matter would go away quickly.

From the contents of your letter, it is clearly evident that this interim government administration is completely out of touch and unsynced with what is happening within the local communities, and the doctrine of Oversight Authority apparently does not apply to this UK interim government administration, and that the UK has no intention to honour its contingent liability when it comes to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Be that as it may, enough is enough with the blatant condescending attitude and disrespect you and your UK executive branch have displayed to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The final straw that has broken the back of this Turks and Caicos Islands camel is the recent disrespect displayed in open forum for the world to hear and see at the 6th March 2012 sitting of Turks and Caicos Islands Consultative Forum (CF) meeting.

This was cancelled due to the Attorney General (AG) Huw Shepheard and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Patrick Boyle’s decision not to attend the meeting or call the Chairman of the CF, Hon Lillian Missick, to inform her that they would not be in attendance.

Both the AG and the CEO were in the country, so there was not excuse for their actions other than to show the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands that they could do whatever they want to do without being severely discipline by you.

They see the head of the government (you) doing whatever you want to do without any apparent accountability, so why should they do or act any different?

Governor, within the six months since you have been posted to the Turks and Caicos Islands, you have set a very bad precedent among your executive branch, and we the people will no longer tolerate your form of governance.

Therefore, we the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are requesting the following: That the appointed members of the Advisory Council tender their resignation to this administration with immediate effect in protest to you and your executive branch continued disrespectful treatment of the Turks and Caicos Islands indigenous citizenry.

And this United Kingdom interim government administration has run its course - your time has come - you have tried, but failed.

Hence we are respectfully requesting that this administration be packed up as early as possible and

call it a day.

Give us back the management of our country and let us chart our own fate.

You are acting like the mighty Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, so therefore I am asking of you oh mighty Pharaoh to let my people and me go.

We will no longer live under your oppressive governance. We as a people will no longer remain divided, we will unite and overthrow this regime and end being disrespectfully conquered.

On the afternoon of 11th May 1812, Hon Minister Henry Bellingham’s great ancestor John Bellingham, as a result of years of being ignored and given the runaround by the UK Government of the day, and in addition was disrespected in public by Prime Minister Spencer Perceval, drove Mr. John Bellingham to commit a heinous act out of frustration and desperation.

The UK Government at the time sat and allowed John Bellingham, in his mid-thirties and a father of three, to become bankrupted, his family ruined and his reputation destroyed, merely because, as per Bellingham: “…it was Mr Perceval’s pleasure that justice should not be granted; sheltering himself behind the imagined security of his station, and trampling upon law and right in the belief that no retribution could reach him (prime minister Perceval).”

Bellingham also added among other things: “I trust that this serious lesson will operate as a warning to all future ministers, and that they will henceforth do the thing that is right, for if the upper ranks of society are permitted to act wrong with impunity, the inferior ramifications will soon become wholly corrupted.”

(BBC News did an article in 2009, on John Bellingham’s sad situation. You may read it for you self at the following web link: http:// news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/ politics/8375544.stm, and also read Minister Henry Bellingham’s sympathetic comments on the issue).

Governor, please discontinue taking the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands for granted, and make an immediate 360 degree turn in the direction you are charting for the Turks and Caicos Islands and its people.

We as a people cannot and will not live under any more of this disrespectful treatment; at this point we have nothing more to lose. Please take us very seriously.

Thank you in advance for considering my humble advice on behalf of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ people and its future generation.

Yours sincerely, Albray Butterfield, Jr

transparent – no way!

Dear Editor, It really is time for this administration to walk the walk and to get away from talking the talk.

The public has a right to know what the accounts of both the NIB and the NHIP look like – after all it is our money that is being spent.

At a minimum it is reasonable for the boards to disclose quarterly the largest categories of investment/ expenditure at the very least eg bank deposits, securities, TCI Government bonds, real estate, total operating costs, receivables and delinquencies.

Watch out for the stealth tax aka ‘The Medical Tax’. This started out at five per cent of wages and is now six per cent (March 1) and still has a very long way to go to prop up a dysfunctional, ailing and dreamlike state National Medical Service.

Aruba is one island (not a chain of islands, so costs are reduced), has 102,000 inhabitants (TCI has 25,000 approximately excluding illegals) and has to charge a national medical tax to rate of 11.5 per cent to make its scheme sustainable.

Expect further increases in the medical tax rate here.

The writers predicted at the outset of NHIP that the rate would eventually become 15 to 20 per cent to remain sustainable and we have

not changed our opinion.

TCI continues to suffer from substantial economy-contracting, depopulation including departure of job-creating small business owners.

A reality check needs to be taken by this administration as to the potential for survival of small businesses, owned by work permit holders, who employ locals and in particular husband/wife/partner situations, who may have to pay for two expensive work permits in order to operate in a depressed economy.

Expect to see many of these businesses for sale or closed shortly after work permit/business licence renewal time in April this year.

Fixed costs are simply too high in this depressed economy for small business owners to survive.

We suspect that easing the burdens on small businesses is not on this administration’s agenda.

The only millstone, sorry – milestone that really counts to them is balancing the budget at whatever cost to jobs and society.

In short, TCI has become a bookkeeping exercise for DYFID, a British Government Department.

William K McCollum and Andrew J Newlands

Open letter to the Governor Dear Mr Todd, We are concerned about the number and types of questions presented in the census regarding real estate.

The TCIG census is counting the number of homes empty and occupied and inquiring about rents and mortgages.

While this information might be useful for other purposes it could also be used as the basis for assessing a real estate tax, an issue previously visited by the interim government.

This type of tax is regressive and would likely destroy real estate values.

We first heard of the proposal of real estate taxes from the last elected Financial Minister Floyd Hall in his budget address of April 2009.

Had direct rule not been enforced we believe the idea of property taxes would have caused Hall to lose any future election bid.

Any consideration of assessing a real estate tax in the TCI must be set aside.

Currently our hotel tax is 11 per cent. On the chilly New Jersey Shore area of the USA the tax rate is 21.7 per cent.

In New York City the home of many of our visitors the rate is 14.54 per cent .

Historically a large portion of the income of the TCIG has come from hotel taxes.

Our rate is two points lower than Miami Beach.

Why then not look into this avenue of raising revenue and not load taxes on a population of unemployed and under employed islanders.

Real estate taxes would result in a sell-off of homes and condos to escape the tax.

Real estate taxes are the worse type of taxes as they discourage property and dwelling improvement and growth of the economy.

They punish the senior population.

We applaud the efforts of your government in opening up employment opportunities in private industry including the resorts.

This will begin to deter the massive exporting of private income that has historically damaged the economic health of TCI. Sincerely, David Tapfer, Conch Bar

March 24 - 30, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

13

Letters

Who are we and what do we want to be?

Dear Editor, Firstly, I would like to acknowledge our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, through whom all things are possible.

With that said I would like to take a few minutes to discuss our beliefs and values.

Essentially: “Who are we and who do we want to be?”

Recent events in this country including the Expressions show that aired on March 7 and the situation with the TCI Fire and Rescue Service, have led me to ask myself this question.

All of us from birth are taught beliefs and values and whether or not we realise it, many of us stick to the beliefs and values that we are taught as a child.

As the Bible says: “Train a child in the way that he should grow, that when he is old he will not depart from it.”

But as we grow our beliefs and values can change and those changes are influenced by many factors such as parenting, family and friends, social and economic conditions, etc.

My personal beliefs and values were heavily influenced by my late mother, Osley WilliamsButterfield, and my late uncle, Joseph E Williams.

They were both giants among men to me, my heroes; influencing me at a time in this country when the family and the society at large not only felt that they had a duty to the youth but did everything they could to ensure the growth and development of every child, as best they could.

They tried to ensure that we had

more than they had as children.

I say all of that to ask: What happened to our beliefs and values?

Where did we go wrong? When did we become so self-centred like the rest of the world?

As the situation continues to unfold between TCIG, Airports Authority and TCI Fire and Rescue Service, many of us condemn the firemen for taking the stance that they have.

Some of us cuss and talk bad of the fire service and the men and women that chose to do the job.

In order for us to justify disrespect of the fire service we say that they’re lazy, good for nothing, all they do is play dominoes and drink, and they don’t do anything anyway.

How many of us can honestly say that that very same description couldn’t be applied to us or our organisations by others.

While the firemen may not be perfect, none of us are, this issue is not about them in my opinion.

This administration talks of fairness, honesty and transparency but I find this administration, in particular certain individuals, as transparent as a brick wall.

There was nothing fair, honest or transparent about this issue with our firemen.

Many of us negatively criticise the firemen not realising that we may very well be next.

I remember when members of the civil service approached some staff at the now dismantled TC Invest about joining them in the strike action last year.

At that time many of the TC Invest staff declined to participate

for various reasons and I can even remember some TC Invest staffers calling civil servants and telling them that they weren’t coming out there do nonsense and lose their job.

Now those same jobs are in jeopardy and some of those same individuals are screaming for representation.

I don’t say this to shame or disrespect anyone at TC Invest but rather I use this as an example.

What if they had stood with the civil servants? What if all statutory boards’ employees had stood in solidarity with the civil service?

TCI if we don’t stand together as one we will slowly and surely be taken down one by one ‘til there’s none left to stand.

I firmly believe that, while the firemen may have some improving to do in many of our minds, we now have another chance to stand in solidarity for something.

While I support the firemen they must understand that in the end a compromise will have to be made but one should not have to compromise on the principles of the issue and they must ensure that their ‘t’s are crossed and their ‘i’s are dotted.

We cannot continue to allow this administration to use and abuse the people and institutions of this country.

TCI we must learn to truly support each other because what we make happen for others God will make happen for us.

Matt 25:40 says: “And the King will answer and say to them, Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as

you did it to one of the least of these My brethren you did it to me.”

Statutory bodies don’t feel that you are so secure, as sure as the sun rises in the east you are next, reform is coming, one way or the other.

What will you do?! I will say no more on this issue.

Next, it hurts me to say that I believe that March 7 was one of the saddest days in this country’s history.

I love this country called Turks and Caicos Islands and I will defend it ‘til my last breath but I have to be open and honest.

We continually talk of the disrespect being given to us by the British and other foreigners but on March 7 I sat back and listened to the show Expressions as we allowed fear and ignorance to cloud our judgment and common sense.

On March 7 we became that which we despised most.

I listened as caller after caller displayed a level of disrespect and bigotry only equalled by that shown to the Consultative Forum by members of this administration.

That Expressions programme was supposed to be about Mr Demiko Dean, his political aspirations and ideas but instead it digressed into a public display of us as a people, once again tearing down each other and I’m sure the Brits and others had a very hearty laugh at us as they continue to play us all like puppets on strings.

Instead of asking young Mr Dean, who wants to be a political hopeful, a real question about the details of his plans to put the Turks and Caicos back on track, instead we took the

The JAGS within Dear Editor, Many people in the Turks and Caicos Islands are often heard saying: “If JAGS were here this situation we now face would never happen” or “If JAGS were here the mistakes of the past would not have happened,” reminiscing on the radical side of JAGS and the Black Power Boys movement.

We often forget that one of Hon McCartney’s greatest strengths was the ability to organise like-minded people and people of differing views on one accord.

It is in such a time as this that we all must look to that JAGS within us all to not only lead but to organise ourselves for the betterment of all persons residing in the TCI. Very often a struggling group or an oppressed people sing the

song ‘We Shall Overcome’ but it is in the second verse which tells us how to overcome in that ‘We Shall Organise’.

We shall organise to insure fairness and dignity for all who live in the TCI. We shall organise to insure all qualified Turks and Caicos Islanders who need gainful employment here in the TCI have an opportunity to do so.

We shall organise to stop injustice, tyranny, and abuse of our humans rights.

We shall organise to chart a course through these troubled waters to where sustainable prosperity will once again be the order of the day.

The bottom line is that if we shall overcome, it is us who have to put in the work.

One of the things I think we take for granted is that JAGS was a person of the people.

That was not always the case.

When he returned home from the Bahamas in 1972 and contested a seat he lost but went on to organise the Junkanoo Club on Good Street and the rest is history.

Much like today, what JAGS saw and wanted to change because it was right and just, he still had his detractors and it’s funny how history can sometimes is rewritten.

His detractors tried to discourage the youth of the day from associating with this other young men who wanted to shake up the status quo.

Why? The fact is that as with today, back then no matter how

much harder it was, you still had persons benefitting to a greater level than others by the status quo.

Even though TCIG’s expenditure today has been cut by more than half, you still have a select few benefitting from the policies of this interim government.

If as individuals we are only concerned with protecting what we have or would be to our benefit, why would we try to change things?

We have to move from our selfcenteredness as individuals, and look out for the welfare of the whole.

This was one of JAGS greatest traits, his love for the whole country.

If he used theories of today, the Club Med Resort would be in Grand Turk because it was the most

time to show just how ugly we can be.

I wonder where our Godly beliefs and values are now?

Who are we Turks and Caicos and who do we want to be?

While we must maintain our identity, the Turks and Caicos does not exist in a bubble, we cannot build this country alone.

The TCI exists in a global village and we cannot allow ourselves to guided by ignorance and prejudice but rather by the Christian Biblical beliefs and values we claim to have.

And I say claim because we sit and complain about the prejudice and disrespect of the British but here we are tearing down and disrespecting each other.

We must not be seen as hypocrites ourselves.

How can we speak of racism and prejudice and at the same time behave towards each other the way we are doing, but yet expect to be treated differently.

The Brits don’t respect us because we have shown very little respect for each other.

I’m not saying we don’t have problems with foreigners because God knows we do!

But when I stop and think about it every foreigner that’s here working or even visiting in some cases had to have one of us sign documents to bring them here.

The truth is we need to deal with each other but let’s do it respectfully, this public disrespect has to stop.

Damian Wilson

populace island when the deal was made.

He knew that that deal would open up opportunities for persons in the Caicos Islands.

So said, so done.

We must put the yellow and the blue aside for now as there will be time for that.

We must put the Turks and the Caicos thing aside as we have more healing to do with that.

We must not wait until circumstances deteriorate to the point that we are too weak to organise.

We must start now, however small, because all hands must be on deck to make a contribution to the betterment of these here Turks and Caicos Islands.

Jamell Robinson

14

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

NATIONAL

Financial bills passed THE new Public Financial Management (PFM) and National Audit Office (NAO) Bills have been passed as legislation and will come into effect from April 1 this year.

This move has been termed as essential by the Interim Administration, since it lends to ensuring that the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) is better placed to access funding, which would support the improvement of the country’s economic situation Governor Ric Todd signed the Public Finance Management Ordinance into law on March 19th, following the signing of the National Audit Office Ordinance last Friday.

Both were published in the Gazette on Friday, 23rd March.

The Governor disclosed at a press briefing earlier this month that once in place the TCI will be able to apply for a $3m grant from the European Union (EU).

Todd explained that this grant

will be made possible once the right logistics are in place and, if successful, the TCI can expect to benefit from an initial $3m grant in the next financial year.

The bills’ passage was a requirement of the EU for the release of European Development Fund (EDF) funds to the TCI. The Governor stressed that the bills take from prior legislations and both strengthens and improves them.

The UK’s National Audit Office previously noted that the NAO Bill is exemplary and could be used as a benchmark for all UK Overseas Territories and even other Caribbean nations.

The Public Financial Management Bill sets out the high standard of public financial management framework that the UK expects from its Overseas Territories.

This includes measures to strengthen the management of public finances; improve medium

term fiscal planning, to put value for money first, to limit borrowing, and to deliver greater public sector accountability to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In addition to the strengthened public financial management provisions, the enactment of the NAO Bill will allow the new National Audit Office to be established for the TCI providing a further layer of oversight and required accountability for the spending of public money.

Completion of the National Audit Office Ordinance provides additional legal measures to support stronger management and scrutiny of the management of public money.

Enactment of both bills before the start of the new financial year is expected to allow for ample time for implementing the laws and embedding new higher standards of public financial management and oversight ahead of new elections planned for later in 2012.

TCHTA seeks more members THIS year the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) is pulling out all stops to expand its membership.

It is calling on all types of businesses and not just hotels to

enjoy the benefits that being a supporter brings.

The association already counts among its members dive shops, restaurants and tour operators.

A TCHTA spokesperson said:

Quiz night for Provo’s pups MORE money for Potcake pups is the goal of an exciting new monthly fundraiser.

Registered non-profit organisation Potcake Place has teamed up with its neighbours Jeffrey and Alla Racette of Saltmills Diner to run a series of fundraising quiz nights.

They will take place on the first Thursday of every month from April 5 and begin at 7pm.

Teams of up to six people are invited to compete for a wide range of special prizes.

A prize will be given out after every 10 questions to the best performing team, with another prize for the overall winner after the 100th question.

Saltmills will open its doors especially to host the nights and will be offering a range of drinks

and appetiser promos for those taking part.

Tickets cost $10 per head with 100 per cent going to Potcake Place.

For further information or to make reservations contact Donna Germain on 232-3328 or email CD_Germain@hotmail.com Those unable to attend the quiz nights can also help the Potcake Place in the following ways: Donate $50 to feed one puppy for a couple of weeks, or $100200 to fly a pup to a new home in the US. Courier a pup on a flight to its new forever home in a special puppy holdall.

Or foster Potcakes for two to three weeks while Potcake Place provides all food, toys and veterinary care.

“TCHTA is dedicated to the achievement of sustainable growth in tourism that benefits its members and the wider community, while protecting and enhancing the unique character and environment of the Turks and Caicos.

“TCHTA gives members a forum where they can express and advance their ideas that build on this mission.

“This is where their interests are protected and their voice is heard.

“TCHTA also reaches out to local schools and the community at large to increase understanding of the critical role that tourism play in the TCI economy and how it is everyone’s business to ensure that all visitors have a positive experience.”

To encourage prospective members to become a part of the TCHTA, the group is highlighting all the ways in which they can assist.

There are four major aspects of the group that are of benefit to members.

Firstly TCHTA can be a company’s advocate for the tourism industry to the TCI Government.

It will also provide a business with greater advertising exposure and public relations as well as expanding marketing reach.

And finally it will build members’ knowledge about tourism activities and trends that affect their business.

Annual associate membership is just $400 a year, and members will enjoy monthly meetings.

autism awareness

By Nicole Cox, a mother living with autism

Josiah, aged four

Sibling rivalry!

PART three

So, we have Michaiya, the Humanitarian, Adaiya, the CEO and poor Josiah stuck in the middle of being mothered to pieces or bullied with a smile.

Somehow in the midst of this gumbo of personalities we must manage to teach the standard lessons of brotherly and sisterly love, inclusive of special exceptions for an exceptional situation.

Some days it can give you palpitations! I mean, I was SO glad Oprah decided to retire and save her interviews for the exclusive and elite of the world, this cut down on my chances that my kids would show up on her show one day sharing how misguided I was in the process of their rearing!

YIKES! There is so much to get wrong doing this, but fear not, faithful parents.

There is so much to get right as well! I am no expert in this. I am just willing to be the guinea pig and share with the rest of the class where I found the pellet in the maze and where I did not.

So let us take a second to look at the bright side and focus on the things we know we can do!

Number One: Make sure that each child in your brood gets a little quality time every day. I mean individual time. If only for 15 minutes you sit with a child and participate in their favorite activity or conversation, you are showing them that they are special to you. To them this translates that even in the middle of all the commotion in the house, you will find them and CHOOSE to be with them. This reminds them that they are special and worth the time! The security that builds helps to cut down on the need to “battle” for attention because they know they will get attention no matter what is happening or who is around. If you find your time is pressed, maybe you can call them in your area to “keep your company” while you complete whatever task is pressing. It could be housework, getting dressed, cooking….anything at all. You may even include them in the process. Kids love to participate in what they view as “adult” activities.

Number Two: Random Public Displays of Affection are OK!! A kiss on the cheek, high fives and hugs, an impromptu game of tag or a piggy back ride can send a kid’s spirits sky high! The effects last for hours and demonstrate to the child that you feel the same way about them whether in the house or in a restaurant full of people. What an esteem booster! Now, yes, I know that at a certain age you may get the embarrassed, “Mo-om!” or “Dad, are you feelin’ OK?” But, pay NO attention to the “Too Cool for School” façade. In their hearts, despite the explanations they have to give to friends, they just laid down another brick in the impenetrable wall of “I know I am loved”.

Number Three: Don’t sugar coat the realities of having a sibling with special needs. According to their maturity and level of understanding, explain episodes inside and outside the home as they occur. Do not allow them to draw their own conclusions of how and why something happened and how they should handle it. Teach them! The truth is that the awkward social moments are coming. There is nothing we can do to shield our kids from them. It is doing ALL of the children a dis-service if we do not prepare them for the mishaps, misunderstandings and sometimes plain old ignorance that lay out there waiting for them. They must learn to stick together and work together. They must learn to consider one another as they consider themselves. They must learn that there is no situation too difficult for them to maneuver together and that patience with each other and with others is the key to ultimately finding contentment in the road they must walk in life.

For more on autism visit: http://dawnprogram.blogspot.com and http://iloveaba.blogspot.com

March 24 - 30, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

15

NATIONAL

Third annual eco-seaswim in Grace Bay set for July Open water swim racing is one of the fastest growing sports and TCI’s third annual eco-sea swim ‘Race for the Conch’ in Grace Bay is set for July 7th.

The ‘Race for the Conch’ raises money for charities in Provo and Haiti, as well as a reef fund to protect

Courtney Robinson

Courtney Robison no longer with the TCI Red Cross

The TCI Red Cross has advised that it has parted company with its Director, Courtney Robinson.

In a statement, the Red Cross noted that Robinson’s probationary employment has been terminated, under the relevant provision of his employment contract effective on Thursday 22 March 2012.

Chair of TCI Red Cross, Art Forbes, said, “Unfortunately, it did not work out; the Governing Committee is of the view that it is best for both parties if we go our separate ways.”

He added that all of Red Cross’ services and facilities remain unaffected, and continue as normal.

“TCI Red Cross thanks Mr. Robinson for his service, and wishes him well for the future,” Forbes said.

CAPAA C o r n e r

All children, like adults have a right to freedom of expression. Children have a right to their own thoughts and feelings and are entitled to express their feelings freely. It is encouraged that children express themselves as it helps to form their personalities, self esteem and confidence as human beings.

Allowing children to express themselves lets them know that how they feel is important to adults.

and enhance marine life.

The swim race, which is organized

by Provo’s newest sports adventure company, Caicu Naniki Ltd., also supports a professional swim clinic the day before the race (on July 6).

Founded by island residents Ben Stubenberg and Chloe Zimmermann, proprietors of Caicu Naniki, the swim features two back-to-back one and 2.4 miles races that start and end at the Flamingo Cafe.

Chloe Zimmermann said, “We are extremely pleased with the level of sponsorship from local businesses small and large…and we have every reason to believe that will continue in view of the great exposure and support to worthy causes.”

According to her, the race has attracted strong support among local swimmers but also generated considerable international interest among world class swimmers, including top masters swimmers from the US, UK, Trinidad, and the Dominican Republic.

For the past two years, super star long distance champ Marcos Diaz from the Dominican Republic, has dominated the races with grace, style, and speed. He will certainly be the man to beat come this July.

Registration for the race on can be made at Marco Travel, Graceway House on Provo. and more information on the race. Online registration can be done at www. ecosseaswim.com, or by calling 432-

TRAINING ZONE Meanwhile, Provo’s newest Sports Adventure Company, Caicu Naniki Ltd. is creating the Caribbean’s first and only designated open water swim training zone in Grace Bay. Ben Stubenberg said, “Almost all swimmers and tri-athletes in the US, Canada, and Europe train in pools and do not get a chance to practice their skills in open water settings until race day…a designated swim zone will allow these athletes and others testing out the waters to train while they are on vacation.”

He noted that the swim zone is expected to be ready in April.

Stubenberg added that Caicu Naniki is also offering ‘Swim Safaris’ for swimmers who want to prepare and practice for long distance challenges while swimming alongside a boat in the open water.

“When you spend a lot of time and money getting ready for a big race or major challenge like a channel crossing, you want to be as prepared as possible and leave little to chance…we can improve the odds of success through our programs,” he said.

Stubenberg stressed that these unique opportunities are putting the Turks & Caicos on the map as a destination for swim racing and training, which can easily be combined with a beach vacation.

The Brochure for the Youth Development Work Degree to be offered by UWI Open Campus is attached and the Scholarship Policy Document has made provision for someone wishing to pursue a programme in Youth Work. This is intended to build capacity in the field.

Applicants can now apply online at: http://apply.open.uwi.edu/ and further information can be accessed at http://www.open.uwi.edu/ undergraduate/home

Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Association Your source for information on the rights and protection of children Rights of the Child: Article 13 1. The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.

2. The exercise of this right may be

Friday, March 23 to Saturday, March 31

5000.

Education opportunity with UWI The University of the West Indies has advised that the Diploma in Youth Development Work will be offered from August 2012.

The programme consists of 11 Core courses and 3 or more Electives.

The Core courses yield 37 credits and the Elective(s) 8 - 23 credits.

Students can take a minimum of 45 credits or a maximum of 60 credits.

All courses are taken from the BSc YDW programme. The cost for a 3-credit course is $US300.

this week

subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; or (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals.

Any questions please call National Youth Hotline @ 1800-534-8256

Friday, March 23  Mr. & Miss Clement Howell High Pageant, 2012, is on starting at 18:00hours at the Clement Howell High School’s Auditorium.

Refreshments will be on sale and the first 10 males are free!  Attend the last night of the Abundant Life Ministries International Back To Prayer Crusade 2012 at the Sanctuary, Leeward Highway with Special Guest Speaker Apostle Darryl McCoy and Psalmist: Pastor Simeon Outten. Start time 20:30hours.  Danny Buoy’s is Provo’s premier live music and sports destination, serving lunch and dinner daily from 11:30am.

It is the perfect place to escape from the heat and hang with friends, all in smoke free air-conditioned comfort.

Happy Hour specials from 4-7pm Monday-Saturday  Get into the weekend mood with the intense and electrifying Tae-Bo class at Graceway Sports Centre from 6pm to 7pm. Free for fitness members, $12 for non-members.

Visit www.gracewaysports.com for more information or call 442-6349.  Craig Archibold gets the party started at the Regent Palms from 7pm on Friday nights with the sound of classic Caribbean and Motown tunes. Call 946-8666 for details

Saturday, March 24  The National AIDS Programme’s HIV Prevention Unit will hold another in its Leadership training programmes for Peer Educators and other interested youths on Grand Turk.

The programme, which targets youth between 14 and 17 years, will be held at the Teachers Resource Centre’s conference room, from 12 - 2 pm.

The programme entitled “Bringing out the Leader from Within” will provide participating youths with the opportunity to sharpen their leadership skills and supply them with the tools required to be leaders of tomorrow. Participants will be assisted with delivery of HIV/STI messages as Peer Educators within the High School and the community at large.  The TCIFA is running a fundraiser this Saturday morning from 8.00am-12.00pm at its field by the Sports Center behind IGA in conjunction with landscaping company Tucker’s Hill.

It is hoped that via plant sales, funds will be raised to help pay towards a U23 Men’s team that will travel to the Bahamas next month to play a series of games against the College of the Bahamas Men’s team who compete in the US College League.  The Weekly Community and Farmers’ Market organised by TCI Red Cross is on at the organization’s headquarters, opposite Lime on the Leeward Highway in Providenciales, from 10am to 2pm.

Persons will be able to purchase freshly grown produce and locally sourced items.

For more information on the Weekly Community and Farmers’ Market call (649) 247-8911. With regard to the TCI Red Cross’ services or how you can volunteer or donate, contact our Provo office on

(649) 941-8056 or email redcrossprovo@ tciway.tc OR for Grand Turk call (649) 946-2761 or Email:tciredcross@tciway.tc  If you’re looking for a serene and relaxed way of starting your weekend, bring your yoga mat at Graceway Sports Centre every Saturday at 9am and let David Bowen lead you into the wonderful world of yoga!

Amazing fees for an amazing class!

More info at 442-6348”  Mums and Tots Dance Party classes are held every Saturday at Graceway Sports Centre for mothers and their little ones.

Mothers, bring your little ones to dance, jump, twist and shake! Children have fun learning movement basics to fun music and mums get a light exercise while spending quality time. Mums and Tots classes begin at 10am and cost just $10.

Dads are welcome!

Call Shara Bowen on 244-1103 for more details.

Sunday, March 25  Ashcroft School presents their ‘EASTER FAIR’ at the Ashcroft School.

Bring the kids out and enjoy a Sunday afternoon there will be an Easter egg hunt, cookie and egg decorating, bounce houses, BBQ and drinks!

A great way to spend time with family and friends in anticipation of Easter! See you there!”  Rotary Bingo has a new home at CLUB PILLOWS in the Bight next to Smokey’s (Opposite Veranda Resort) EVERY SUNDAY! Doors open at 7:00 pm

Thursday, March 29  Weekly Foreign a Fare night every Thursday at the Bohio Dive Resort (Grand Turk) from 6:30 p.m. Each week different dishes from a different region in the world.

Previous nights have included Italian, Spanish, English, Indian, Chinese, Moroccan, South African and Thai.

For details, call 946-2135 or go to www.bohioresort.com946-2135

Saturday, March 31  Calling all kids! You are invited to learn the art of kite making and kite flying, plus other traditional toys, at the Kite Making Workshop at Cheshire Hall Plantation, Providenciales on MARCH 31st, Saturday, from 9:00 am to 12 noon. The workshop will be hosted by the Turks & Caicos National Trust, with local resource persons helping us.

Kids will get the opportunity to make their own kites and later put them to the test within Cheshire Hall premises. Kite making is an enjoyable way for kids to learn about art, science and our culture. It involves working as a team using different artistic skills and materials. The workshop is suitable for children between 6 and 12 years old.

Only $10.00 to register. All the required materials will be supplied. For more inquiries, please call 941-5710.  The Wine Cellar 2nd Annual Golf & Fishing Tournament

Got an event you wish to advertise?

Call us on 946 4664 or email tcweeklynews@ gmail.com for a free listing.

Lifestyle...

16

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

fitness Tip 

The training approach for fat loss There is no doubt that there is a matter of training and dieting together when it comes to fat loss.

Diets we all know there are countless out there and everyday someone comes out with another “miraculous” diet but how about training? Those too!

There are countless programs and training systems, varying from traditional to the most controversial ideas. The question is if there is a different approach to training according to different goals.

Does someone who wants to loose fat have to train the same as someone who wants to gain muscle or to stay in shape or is there a different exercise regimen that they have to go through?

Ginger Lemonade

FITNESS EXPERT Anca Vasile

Well one thing is for sure, whatever the goal is until a certain point all programs have to focus on building and maintaining muscle tissue.

As muscle is the most metabolic active tissue in our body, the more we have the more fat will be burn, including when body is at rest.

I know this statement and the way it sounds it may discourage some women who are afraid of building muscle having the idea that they will look bulky and muscular.

It is amazing how we are so advanced in everything but we are stubborn to hold on to some old myths even after science proved they were wrong.

So, for a fat loss and better said for a faster and healthier fat loss process, resistance training has to be one of the main keys.

Another very important component in the program is cardio

vascular training, which uses the fat deposits as fuel; two short and intense training sessions, hours apart, there are far more efficient then one long cardio session of medium intensity.

Ideally will be one cardio session in the am and one afternoon, but also one long intermediate session is better then nothing, so especially for people who have injuries or have special conditions they better take it easy and pay attention on how their body react to the training.

When targeting fat loss the main focus should be on working the big

muscle groups first, which use more energy to function. When doing compound exercises (exercise that use more than on group of muscles in the same time) at a high intensity, the fat loss process if fired up.

Paired with a good and careful nutritional approach (and not fade diets which deprive the body from getting the main nutrients), you are on your way to a healthier, fitter, smaller, more glowing version of yourself.

The one magic ingredient left to add to all this potion is “water”…

For more info and updated news in fitness as well as for placing your questions please check http:// ancafitness.wordpress.com/

is an incredibly potent medicine that we can turn to over pharmaceuticals and pills that are manufactured artificially in laboratories.

On that note, I leave with you something else that helps me along

each day, a quote from a woman who left the world better off for motivation she inspired.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

yes, the same water we take for granted everyday and we choose to overlook its qualities. The water can take you were you want to go or can keep you from successfully achieving your goals.

So make sure u wont let it go to waste as it is indeed a miracle ingredient that will help you get rid of the unwanted fat and give you a glowing skin!

health Tip 

What a great twist on lemonade.

Freeze some of this into ice cubes to use in the drinks, so it will not be diluted!

Ingredients • 3 cups white sugar • 4 quarts water • 14 slices fresh ginger root • 4 cups fresh lemon juice • 2 lemons, sliced Directions 1. In an 8-quart saucepan combine sugar, water and ginger root. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat.

2. Stir in lemon juice. Cool 15 minutes. Remove ginger.

Refrigerate lemonade at least 1 hour, or until chilled.

3. Serve over ice, and garnish with lemon slices.

(Nutritional Information: Amount Per Serving Calories: 132 | Total Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg)

Ginger This week we will talk about ‘GINGER’, nature’s gift to us, which is used for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

A natural remedy, ginger has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments for centuries – being touted as a powerful herb by many specialists.

According to research: Ginger is a botanical relative to marjoram and turmeric, the ginger plant is indigenous to Southeast Asia and is now also extensively cultivated in Jamaica and other tropical areas. It is from the family aromatic rhizome (or underground stem).

Some of its benefits are that it helps:

• To combat motion sickness;

– the natural remedy

By Phillip Simmons

• The digestive processes; • With inflammatory conditions in the body; • In reducing dizziness; • Limit flatulence; • With the control of chronic pain; • With the pain of muscle aches and rheumatoid arthritis; and • In minimizing symptoms of the common cold, allergies, and other respiratory conditions.

The benefits of ginger are wide and varied and this multitasking spice

March 24 - 30, 2012

Lifestyle...

GARDENING 

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

How does your garden grow

17

YOUR DIET

ASK TAMIKA

BY TAMIKA HANDFIELD

Tamika graduated from Florida International University in Miami with a Masters degree in Dietetics & Nutrition. She is a registered dietitian with the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and licensed to practice medical nutrition therapy in the state of Florida.

Email Tamika via tcweeklynews@gmail.com or tamikahandfield@yahoo.com with your healthy eating questions.

How your kidneys work The goal of a bonsai tree is to achieve the desired shape while balancing the above ground growth as well as the root growth

Bonsai tree Bonsai originated in China about 1,000 years ago but was later developed by the Japanese. This particular style of growing trees has become popular in many parts of the world, being both a spiritual and artistic form. Bonsai, pronounced as “bone-sigh” is a Japanese word meaning “tray-planted” or “tree in a pot”, which refers to dwarf trees or to the art of training and growing the miniaturized trees in containers. By simply placing a tree in a tiny pot does not make it a bonsai tree. Instead, the overall artistic effect is of great significance in growing bonsai trees.

Bonsai are dwarfed through pruning the roots and branches, wiring the trunk and branches, and using other techniques to make the tree take on the look of a mature tree. Achieving a perfected bonsai is considered a great accomplishment.

The goal of a bonsai tree is to achieve the desired shape while balancing the above ground growth as well as the root growth. Shaping should begin while the tree is very young, continuing as it matures.

Using copper wire on the trunk and branches, the shape of the tree is controlled. However, it is crucial that the any wire used be cut prior to it digging into the tree, resulting in scarring. The entire tree must be kept proportional in size, to include

BY DENIS Belanger - NATURE SPLENDOR For all your landscaping, installation or garden maintenance needs, please call or write for a free estimate: 332-3381 or naturesplendor@yahoo.com

the leaves, needles, flowers, and/ or fruit, as well as the container in which it grows. Bonsai can be obtained in a variety of sizes such as miniature, small, medium, and average. The miniature bonsai grow to just two inches in height, maturing around five years. The small bonsai grows between two and six inches, requiring about seven years to train, the medium size grow from six to twelve inches, and the average bonsai reaches upwards of two feet tall, maturing in about three years.

It is important to know how to grow bonsai trees because of the small container and small amount of soil in which they grow. For instance, be sure the roots of the bonsai tree are never over-watered.

To keep your bonsai as healthy as possible, always use special bonsai soil, which is designed to dry out easier than standard houseplant soil.

Even so, remember that because there is so little soil, bonsai trees require frequent small watering.

Bonsai must also be fed nitrogen,

phosphoric acid, and potash in the spring and fall. When looking for good fertilizer, try to find one that has iron in it.

A few more suggestions about how to grow bonsai trees is the knowing that they enjoy humidity.

For this reason, it is recommended that the bonsai be put in a shallow tray with water. That way, the water can evaporate from the tray, resulting in added humidity to the air surrounding the tree. Then, you should use a flat rock or pebbles in the tray under the pot, giving the bonsai tree something to sit on, up out of the water.

Some of the plants that are popular for this hobby are: Many Ficus varieties, Serrisa, Boxwood, Fukien Tea, Bougainvillea, Eugenia, Bahama Berry, Some Chinese Elm varieties, some azalea varieties and countless others.

For someone who enjoys being creative and who has a lot of patience, learning how to grow bonsai trees is an exceptional hobby.

As we continue to celebrate March as Nutrition Month, there is another very important celebration designated for the month of March—Kidney awareness.

The heart is labeled as the most important organ in the body; this may be true, but equally important is the function of the kidneys. These two small-bean shaped organs work non-stop 24/7 and 365 days a year. One of the main functions of the kidneys is to remove waste products from our bodies so that these waste substances or toxins do not build up in the blood. I like to make the analogy of the kidneys’ function to the job of the mop or broom used in daily household cleaning (Ok, so that is a very simplistic analogy but you get the idea).

According to the National Kidney & Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), the kidneys clear approximately 2 quarts of waste products daily. That is no easy task, so it’s important that we pay close attention to our kidneys and find ways to protect and preserve them.

The two most common causes of kidney disease are having high blood pressure and uncontrolled diabetes; two diseases that we know very well because it affects so many people around us. These two diseases can be prevented, delayed and better managed through dietary and lifestyle changes. This means that if we can control our blood pressure and blood glucose, then we will be well on our way to caring for our kidneys. Below are some helpful tips.

1. Consume little salt: Diets high in sodium increase blood pressure levels and high blood pressure damages the kidneys over time. In the Caribbean, we have been taught how to love salt because of its preservative qualities used by our forefathers when there was no electricity. Ironically, the same thing that helped to feed us is now threatening our lives.

2. Be physically active: One of the best ways to avoid obesity is by finding ways to be involved in physical activity. Engaging in at least 30 minutes of activity a day can help you to maintain your weight. Keep in mind that if you are older or just starting out, you can divide the 30 minutes into short 10 minutes interval. Being overweight can cause many chronic diseases.

3. Snack healthy: Snack foods such as unsalted nuts, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy are good choices to have on hand. Not only do they keep hunger pangs at bay, but they help to control our weight by helping us to avoid overeating. Over eating can lead to obesity which can lead to the development of chronic diseases.

These are just a few tips that can help you avoid damaging your kidneys. Keep in mind though that these tips are for the general public and your specific needs may be different if you already have impaired kidney function. Speak to your Nephrologist and then your Dietitian for your best plan of action.

‘Like’ my page on Facebook for up to date information.

ACCU Medical Nutrition is based in Graceway IGA Plaza, Providenciales.

Call 946 8308, 242 3978 or 442 3978.

18

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

British Overseas Territories struggle to diversify DIVERSITY, both within the local economies and the local populations, of the remaining British Overseas Territories is one of the major challenges facing the small islandstates; particularly those ?in the Caribbean. That’s according to a survey of responses compiled by the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office following a consultation with the overseas territories, including the Cayman Islands, last year.

Cayman Islands residents participated most actively in the UK survey-taking, according to a tally of responses. Local residents contributed 182 out of 517 total website and written submissions for the exercise; about 35 per cent of all the responses received by ?the foreign office.

The British Virgin Islands submitted 104 responses; the United Kingdom submitted 82 responses and Bermuda – Britain’s Atlantic territory – submitted 50 responses.

No other British Overseas Territory submitted more than 23 responses to the survey.

According to the section of the review that focused on economic development challenges, a main concern among the territories was in finding alternative sources of income to tourism.

“The topic was ... raised prominently in the official response by the government of the Cayman Islands and by individuals –

often based in the Caribbean and Bermuda,” the report noted.

“Economic diversification was raised by a wide variety of respondents to the consultation. It was a concern for residents of the UK as well as the overseas territories.”

“Economy is too dependent on the tourism sector,” noted one response to the survey from Anguilla. “As a consequence, [we are] at the mercy of the global economy.”

COST OF LIVING The cost of living was one trouble area identified in the UK-compiled report and the issue was mentioned by several of those who responded to the survey from the Cayman Islands.

“The cost of living in the territories was raised in four submissions and the cost of petrol was raised twice,” the UK report stated. The cost of importing goods in general was also raised as an issue.

In a website comment sent to the foreign office, one respondent noted: “... high increased cost of living, low wages compared to cost of living.

No employment available for school leavers due to people over 60 still holding post.”

Sixteen responses to the UK survey raised issues surrounding demographics in the territories, mainly related to immigration.

“Six respondents in the Caribbean and Bermuda raised concerns about high levels of immigration into the

islands,” the report noted. “[There was] a particular focus on older British citizens who were considered a financial burden due to welfare payments.”

Other respondents, from the UK, wondered why British citizens did not have more rights with regard to citizenship within the overseas territories.

“An overseas territory citizen has full rights to a UK passport, but as a UK citizen, it is quite difficult for me to settle long-term or permanently in some of the [territories],” one commenter said.

Long-term UK officials noted that the economic downtown worldwide had played havoc with the economies in many of the overseas territories, but that many issues appeared to be more “structural” in nature.

“A large portion of economic concerns related to problems that required long-term solutions and highlighted the need for diversification of the economy, or improved infrastructure to support a new economy,” the report noted.

“This was particularly important for those who noted demographic challenges, both from immigration and an ageing population.” The 43-page report will inform the issuance of the UK’s “white paper” on the constitutional relationship review with its remaining overseas territories. The discussion paper is due out next month. (Caycompass. com)

UK peer to visit Cayman THE British Conservative peer who was appointed director of the Cayman Islands London office will be visiting the jurisdiction with three MPs from the all parliamentary party group for Cayman next month.

Officials from the finance ministry said Lord Blencathra will be arriving next week and will have some 35 meetings while visiting the islands; the three MPs will be arriving the following week. The meetings cover both the private and public sectors, and span subjects such as business and commerce, biodiversity, tourism and culture, and Cayman’s political and legislative system. According to the tory peer, the visit will enable him to deliver a positive message about Cayman in the UK. “By the end of our visit we should all be in a much better position to reinforce a very positive message about the successes of the Cayman Islands in the UK Parliament and media,” Lord Blencathra said.

Before being appointed to the UK’s House of Lords, David McLean represented Penrith and The Border for the Tory party from 1983.

He was handed the peerage after he

stepped down from his political seat due to ill health.

His appointment caused controversy both here and in the UK when opposition Labour MP Maria Eagle queried how a serving Conservative peer could have been appointed as the representative for Cayman, which is opposed to further regulation of what she called offshore tax havens, when there was a push in the UK for more regulation of such jurisdictions. She also noted that in opposition the UK prime minister had raised concerns about the “potential scandal” relating to lobbyists.

Here in Cayman many questioned how a former UK politician could deliver Cayman’s message successfully.

The peer also criticised Caymanians, who he said were writing negative things online as he said they were undermining efforts to promote the jurisdiction’s financial services sector overseas.

In December Lord Blencathra told CNS Business in an email interview that his aim was to keep selling the positive messages about Cayman, again and again and again.

“But it cannot be done if it is

undermined by things said and written by Caymanians,” he said, adding that he was saddened by negative comments on the web as the internet is read not just by local people but by politicians and global financial players as well.

“What appears on the web and the reality are poles apart but observers sitting thousands of miles away might be fooled into think that life is awful in Cayman,” said the new director of the London office.

The three members of the Cayman Islands all party parliamentary group who will be joining McLean on his visit are the group chair, Conservative member Graham Brady, who is also chairman of the 1922 Committee, along with opposition Labour MP Brian Donohoe, Deputy Chairman of the APPG, and Andrew Rosindell, Conservative MP for Romford.

APPG are informal, cross-party, interest groups that have no official status within the UK parliament and have no powers or funding from it. They act as a forum for contact and discussion with members of parliament and for action on behalf of the Cayman Islands. (CNS)

Redjet has been grounded after it was forced to suspend its flights in the Caribbean.

Regional regret over REDjet woes A DAY after low-cost carrier REDjet announced the immediate suspension of its flights, one of its primary regional competitors moved hastily to pick up the slack – as Caribbean officials expressed strong disappointment over its seeming demise.

“This is clearly a disappointing development since the Caribbean needs REDjet,” said Caribbean Tourism Organisation chairman Ricky Skerritt, who admitted the news caught him totally by surprise.

Skerritt, who is also the minister of tourism of St Kitts and Nevis, said he needed more time to study the implications.

Former St Lucian minister of tourism Allan Chastanet also reacted to the news: “Tell me which airline in the region is making money?”

He also said: “Look how long it took REDjet to get its route rights to fly into St Lucia from Barbados,” while complaining that there was simply too much bureaucracy and official red tape within the regional aviation sector.

He added that to date Caribbean

Airlines was still awaiting permission from Barbados to fly into St Lucia “We have to sit down and start looking at aviation in a holistic sense,” said Chastanet, who wants there to be an open-skies policy that allows “all CARICOM registered companies to fly equally”.

However, St Lucia’s Prime Minsiter Dr Kenny Anthony told the SUNDAY SUN he had always thought that REDjet was a “courageous investment”.

“Firstly, when REDjet entered the market, you will recall that airlines all over the world were reeling and that they faced major difficulties because of [rising] fuel prices,” Anthony explained.

Added to that, he said, the Caribbean had proven to be an exceedingly difficult place to operate airlines, not only from the standpoint of regulation or licensing, but owing to the very nature of the islands with “several airports, short distances, and the cost of operating airlines tends to be very high; overheads are very high”.

Stanford asks US judge for new criminal trial R. ALLEN Stanford, the onetime Caribbean banking tycoon found guilty of leading a $7 billion investment fraud through his Antiguan bank, asked a U.S. judge for a new trial, claiming the original proceeding was unfair.

A federal court jury in Houston on March 6 decided Stanford was guilty of 13 criminal counts including wire fraud, mail fraud and obstruction of a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission probe.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 14.

Stanford’s lawyers, in a 71-

page filing with U.S. District Judge David Hittner, who presided over the case, said pre-trial publicity tainted the jury and that midtrial publicity -- including press bulletins sent from the courtroom -- perpetuated that taint.

“This court failed to sequester the jury and permitted the news media to occupy the courtroom during trial and permitted the media to ‘tweet’ throughout the trial,” Stanford said in a filing late yesterday, referring to Twitter Inc.’s platform for disseminating 140-character messages via the Internet.

March 24 - 30, 2012

Regional News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Mental and physical tests planned for police POLICE officers may soon have to undergo mental and physical fitness tests to ensure they can deal with the stress associated with the job, Minister of National Security Tommy Turnquest revealed.

He said additional training and evaluations will hopefully help curb “excessive actions” by officers and reduce the number of complaints against police.

“Policing in the Bahamas today is challenging. Our police officers work in a highly charged, highly stressful environment, one that is fraught with danger and uncertainty. The stakes are always high,” he said.

Mr Turnquest said he has held discussions with Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade about ways to ensure the mental and physical health of the men and women on the force is protected.

He said while a number of measures have already been put in place in this regard, more could be on their way very soon.

The move is part of a plan to ensure officers operate at optimum capacity, given the stressful nature of the job, the minister said.

“Policing can take a significant

toll on the officers of our force, on their health - both physical and emotional - and in their personal and family life.

“I am ever mindful of those health consequences that can come to our dedicated and hardworking police officers and I encourage all officers to eat healthy, exercise regularly, and take care of themselves and their families,” Mr Turnquest said.

“Additionally, a mentally and physically fit officer will respond more appropriately in a variety of situations that he/she may encounter, which would lessen or eliminate excessive actions and complaints, therefore reducing liability claims,” Mr Turnquest said.

The minister said officers should also develop their own ways of staying prepared for the job.

“The police force performs regular maintenance on firearms, vehicles and other equipment and therefore officers ought to recognise the importance of a regular maintenance programme for themselves,” he said (Tribune242.com)

Hubert Ingraham promises a massive repayment scheme.

Bahamian Govt to pay back road project losses STARTING this week, the government will go door-to-door asking those affected by the ongoing road works to detail their losses ahead of a massive repayment scheme, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham announced on Tuesday night.

Businesses on Baillou Hill Road, Market Street and Prince Charles Drive will be the first in the assessment.

Speaking to FNM supporters, Mr Ingraham said through this initiative, the government will compile information, including the businesses’ expenses, revenue, profits, accounts receivables and payables during the period 2007 to 2011.

“Businesses that are in operation as well as any that may have closed temporarily as a result of the roadwork will be included in the

survey.

“The results of the survey will help us determine how best we might lend economic or financial assistance to those business establishments adversely impacted by the works,” Mr Ingraham said.

Ministry of Finance employees will visit the businesses throughout New Providence on roads where major roadwork is being done and their connecting side streets, to hand out the surveys.

Mr Ingraham said the surveying is expected to last two weeks.

The business owners then have one week to complete the surveys, and gather supporting documents, before the Ministry collects them.

In the weeks to follow, Mr Ingraham said the information will be analysed and decisions made on the assistance to be given.

19

Caribbean farmers and fishermen feel pains of climate change JAMES Nicholas has always made a living off the sea. A fisherman in the tri-island state of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, he recalls the profitable business of selling his daily catch to residents and restaurants on the island and even exporting fish to luxury hotels in neighbouring ones.

But things have changed in recent times. Local experts are blaming conditions associated with climate change, insisting that they have led to a significant depletion of the local fishing stock.

At its peak in 2010, the fishing industry here employed an estimated 4,000 people and pumped 5.2 million dollars into the economy from exports alone.

“Growing up, we had an abundance of fish around the coastal areas,” Nicholas, who now serves as chairman of the Southern Fishermen Association, one of the groups representing fisher folk here, told IPS. Now, “some of the species have disappeared entirely.”

“Recently I was counting maybe about eight species that are totally gone. I can’t say it is climate change because I am not a scientist; I just have to go along with what the scientists are saying.”

One thing is certain, though.

Nicholas said his members have been catching less and less fish, a decrease that is taking a financial toll on them.

Karl Hood, a former environment minister who is now minister of foreign affairs, told IPS he believes the dwindling numbers of fish in the country’s waters are a direct result of climate change, adding that fishing is only one of several industries affected by this global phenomenon.

He pointed to a drastic reduction in ‘jacks’, a small fish widely used by the fishermen as bait.

“Since last year, fisher folk have not been catching the jacks,” Hood said in an interview at his office at the Ministerial Complex at the Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of the capital.

“Usually around November there (are) lots of jacks but we’ve had none, so much so that the fishermen can’t get bait to go fishing. There is a drought in fishing; if you go to the fish market there is no fish.”

Due to the scarcity of jacks, Nicholas said fishermen have been forced to import sardines from the United States to use as bait, noting that the alternative would be to pack away their fishing gear and stay home.

HURTING CORAL REEFS Reefs, home to some 25 percent of all marine species, including fish, are suffering a whole array of assaults, said Clare Morrall, director of the marine biology programme at St. George’s University.

She pointed out that sea surface

Fishermen are no longer catching the amount of fish that they use too. (realmgrenada.com photo)

temperatures over the last few years have been much higher than normal.

The result is coral bleaching, a stress condition in reef corals that involves a breakdown of the symbiotic relationship between corals and unicellular algae.

“It’s not just that you have climate change effects, that the corals may have some ability to recover from.

We’ve also got increased nutrient loads from run-offs and that’s also potentially climate change- related in terms of extended periods of drought,” she told IPS. Erosion increases when it rains after a prolonged drought, Morrall explained. Coupled with fertilizer and sewerage, it spells disaster for the coral reefs by increasing nutrients that support macro algae on the reef.

“When you’ve taken away the fish that would normally crop and harvest and keep that algae in check, you’ve got a situation which has happened throughout the Caribbean, when you get a change from coral dominated systems to algal dominated systems,” she said.

“How climate change is playing

into that is just another thing that the corals have to deal with.”

RISING SEA LEVELS A storm surge two years ago devastated the island’s signature tourist attraction, the two-mile-long Grand Anse Beach in the south of the country, Hood recalled as he pointing out other industries feeling the impacts of climate change.

The water at Grand Anse Beach has also become deeper – another indication of erosion, he said.

A United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report stated that a 50 centimetre rise in sea level could lead to serious inundation in more than 60 percent of beaches in some areas of Grenada.

“The report says 50, but even a few feet rise would seriously impact us. So it (climate change) is a real threat to us,” Hood emphasised.

The government official said farmers have also been hurt, as changing weather patterns brought about a serious drought two years ago, the worst that the island had seen in recent history.

96 Jamaican politicians cited for electoral breaches IT APPEARS that more than half the 150 candidates who contested the 2011 general election in Jamaica are now in trouble with the law.

The executive director of National Integrity Action Limited, Professor Trevor Munroe, is reporting that 96 of the candidates are yet to file their returns to account for their election spending.

Professor Munroe said this is despite the fact that the candidates were granted a one-month extension to March 16.

Under the Representation of the People Act, candidates are to file their returns to the electoral body within six weeks of the holding of the poll.

Professor Munroe said he will be writing to the Electoral Commission and the Director of Public Prosecutions asking that action be initiated against the delinquent politicians.

According to Professor Munroe, this it is not the first time politicians are flouting the law after an election. (Jamaica Gleaner)

20

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

March 24 - 30, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

21

22

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

NATIONAL

The Spa at the Regent Palms – re-launched Aiming to be number one in the Caribbean, the Spa at the Regent Palms hosted an attractive party marking the re-launch of their newly inspired services and exquisite products that integrate rituals and ingredients from across the Caribbean and Asia.

“We’ve won a lot of awards and want to move back in that direction” said an excited Spa manager Stephanie Rest, after explaining the four months of retraining and preparation they had just undertaken. She also gushed about the new menu of custom treatment and products created exclusively for The Regent Spa by the Sothys and Zents brand.

Held on the evening of March 9, guests sampled the pleasantly aromatic products and relished in a preview of a new massage which used varying pieces of bamboo for tension relief. With a live DJ setting the tone of the evening, they also enjoyed delicious Hors D’oeuvres, cocktails and divine deserts as they mingled among the new products and services that are now available.

The Spa has seventeen treatment rooms offering a range of services customized to suit individual needs. The menu also offers special ceremonies that couples can share together and also has specially designed packages that are just for men.

Ms. Rest promises that “it’s more than coming to get a spa service.”

“The experience will rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit and you will feel like a new person.”

Set in an enchanting tropical garden, the west side of the Spa has a charming water feature running through and behind each of the bungalows. Towards the east, a winding path takes you through a lush garden to other rooms which include treatments inspired from Asian healing rituals such as indigenous detoxification and meditative ceremonies.

Spa services range in different types of massages that incorporate a variety of techniques to reduce tension and revitalize the mind and body. They include Thai, Shiatsu, Balinese and Bamboo massages.

Offered also, are different facials and body treatments to exfoliate, hydrate or soothe. These comprise of a most aromatic and nourishing assortment of scrubs and oils obtained from coconut, raspberry, jasmine, ginger, honey, shea butter and other exotic ingredients of the Caribbean.

The Spa also houses a yoga booth, offering yoga, pilates and exercise classes. There is also a full service salon offering a range of services including nail treatments, hair care, waxing and make up.

And for those who want to prolong their experience at the Regent Spa, there are packages that include multiple spa treatments and massages. One can also enjoy a refreshing smoothie and a delicious

meal from their enticing lunch menu.

The tranquil environment and atmosphere fashioned by the flowing white fabrics, plush gardens and soothing water, creates a place which is calming and fosters relaxation even before experiencing the services at the Spa.

Stephanie Rest, third from left, and her team aim to be the number one Spa in the Caribbean

The west side of the Spa has a charming water feature running through and behind each of the bungalows

Huge radio prize giveaway – The Indie Hour to award $250 in top-up TCI’s only alternative music show The Indie Hour is keeping up its reputation for handing out bags of top prizes this week.

DJ Becca Bird this week announced that she has $250 in Lime top-up vouchers to give away to listeners of the Tuesday night programme on Radio Turks and Caicos.

And all they have to do to be in with a chance to win is to take a picture of themselves listening to the show and post it online.

“I love being part of this show,” Becca said, “not only do I get to play some of my favourite indie tracks but I also get to give away some great prizes.”

Previous prizes have included gym membership, phones, clothes vouchers, top-up, drinks vouchers, t-shirts and a photo-shoot.

“To be eligible to win the Lime

top-up vouchers you first need to visit and ‘like’ my fan page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theindiehour,” Becca said.

“Then take a photograph of yourself anywhere in the Turks and Caicos Islands either holding a radio or wearing headphones – to prove you listen to The Indie Hour.

“Post that photograph on my Facebook fan page before March 27. That’s when I’ll choose the funniest, most quirky, interesting or picturesque photos to win.”

First prize is $100 in vouchers, there are two second prizes of $50 and two third prizes of $25 in Lime top-up vouchers.

Radio Turks and Caicos is available on frequency 107.7fm in Providenciales, 103.9fm in North and Middle Caicos, and 101.9fm in Grand Turk, Salt Cay and South Caicos.

Change we Feign

By Karishma

better brighter hope for peace. better brighter out of reach. dark reign wait in vain. fact remains change we feign DJ Becca Bird plays indie tracks from all over the world

The Indie Hour is on every Tuesday evening at 8pm and can also be streamed live online at www. rtc107fm.com

The Indie Hour has a new website www.theindiehour.moonfruit.com with photos, videos, links and an audio recording of the latest show.

(The Weekly News invites budding poets to submit their pieces for publication at tcweeklynews@gmail.com )

March 24 - 30, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS NATIONAL

‘Do not take your wealth to the graveyard’ – Dr Myles Munroe

By Samantha Dash-Rigby HE HAS been called leader, mentor, bestselling author, and Government consultant.

But to those who attended his two-day leadership conference here in the TCI, he is simply Dr Myles Munroe, the man who made them think twice about who they are and who they were born to be.

Profound and widely recognised for his candid take-it-or-leave-it style of teaching, on the second night Dr Munroe forced the audience to open their mind to other possibilities.

The Holy Bible states that when God created the earth and every living thing, he created fruit trees with fruits whose seed is in itself.

Dr Munroe used this same principle to teach that everything we were born to become already exists within us.

We possess the potential of leaders by nature and the leadership capabilities are already inside of us.

We just have to first realise it, then understand it and tap into it.

He explained that God did not place us here to blindly grope around in the dark in an effort to find our true selves but he placed the map to our future inside of us.

“God hides great women in little girls and conceals great men in little boys.”

This concept however, is so foreign to us that many of us will die with our “greatness” still trapped inside of us, the renowned teacher affirmed.

That is why he firmly believes that the wealthiest spot on planet earth is not the oil fields of Iran or Iraq or Kuwait or Nigeria or Saudi Arabia.

It is not the diamond mines of South Africa or the gold mines of Central or South America; it is not

even the silver mines of Peru.

“It is the graveyard,” Dr Munroe stated.

Because the cemetery has in it books that were never written, music that was never played, poetry that no-one has ever read, paintings that tourists never got to buy because they were not painted, he expounded.

Many of us hold our potential inside because of fear and so we die full.

He explained that Jesus Christ did not die of old age. In fact, Jesus died at 33-years-old and he told us why.

He said: “It is finished.”

Every human came to earth with a treasure of greatness to deliver to their generation and you were born with a treasure of greatness that your generation needs.

“No one came empty.”

Those who die with their treasure are generational thieves. Discover what your treasure is and give all of it.

“Die empty. Do not die with your treasure,” Dr Munroe urged.

Dr Myles Munroe challenged the audiece to realise their true potential

NASA Educators at Eliza Simons Primary School

Students learns about sleeping in space

Astronauts and NASA Educators visit local schools Grand Turk students got lessons in living in space as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the US Mercury Space Programme’s splashdown, which got underway Monday 19th March 2012.

Astronauts and Educators attached to the NASA Space Centre visited the HJ Robinson High and

the Ona Glinton Primary schools on Monday, the Eliza Simons Primary and Newman’s Preparatory on Tuesday, as well as the Susanna Wesley Academy.

Students saw demonstrations of equipment, utensils, special clothing and other material used in space.

HJ Robinson High School Students learning about Newton’s Laws of Motion

23

24

Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

Harry Potter actor jailed for two years over London riots AN ACTOR in the Harry Potter movies was jailed for two years Tuesday for his role in riots that swept London last summer.

Jamie Waylett, 22, who appeared as Hogwarts school bully Vincent Crabbe in six Harry Potter films, was found guilty of violent disorder at Wood Green Crown Court, in north London.

He also pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods during rioting last August, according to court documents posted online.

However, the court cleared him of a charge of possessing an article with intent to destroy or damage property in relation to a petrol bomb he was carrying.

“Anyone watching the footage in this case can only imagine the mayhem that took place on the streets,” Judge Simon Carr said, according to court documents.

Waylett had chosen to go out

John Carter might go down as one of the biggest flops in cinema history.

John Carter flop to cost Walt Disney $200m British actor Jamie Waylett played Hogwarts school bully Vincent Crabbe in six Harry Potter films.

on the streets on what was the third day of the violence, the judge said, and video footage showed him near a supermarket that was being looted.

“You were pictured on a number of occasions with a bottle full of petrol with a rag

as a wick,” the judge said.

“I accept entirely the jury’s verdict that you did not throw or have any intention of throwing it but merely being in possession of it would have been terrifying to anyone who saw you.”

Waylett was given a twoyear sentence for violent disorder and 12 months for handling stolen goods, to run concurrently, according to the court documents.

Rioting first broke out in Tottenham, north London, in the wake of a peaceful protest over the fatal shooting of a local man by police. It spread to other parts of London and other English cities over the following days.

The disorder was followed by a huge police crackdown on suspected rioters.

According to London’s Metropolitan Police, across the city there were more than 3,800 arrests for a variety of offenses, including burglary, arson and violent disorder. As of last week, more than 1,300 people had been sentenced, with nearly half of them sent to prison. (CNN)

WALT Disney has said it expects to lose $200m (£126m) on its movie John Carter, making it one of the biggest flops in cinema history.

The film, about a military captain transported to Mars, could result in an $80-120m loss for Disney’s movie business during the current quarter.

Disney shares were down almost 1% in early trading in New York.

A Separation follows Oscar win with Asian film prizes

IRAN’S best foreign language Oscar-winner A Separation has netted four prizes at the Asian Film Awards.

It was named best film and won best director for Asghar Farhadi, plus screenwriting and editing trophies.

“This is an absolute honour,” said lead actress Leila Hatami, who collected the best movie award at the gala in Hong Kong on behalf of the absent Farhadi.

PDM Party

Notice of Meeting The Provo Branch of the PDM Party will hold its monthly meeting at the PDM Headquarter on Thursday March 29th, 2012 at 7pm. At this meeting the new branch executive officers will be introduced, also the leader the Hon. Derek Taylor will be in attendance and will address the branch.

All party members and supporters are asked to make a special effort to attend, refreshments will be served.

Regards PDM Provo Branch

The firm is still likely to make a substantial quarterly profit, though, thanks to its TV businesses.

It is estimated that John Carter cost $250m to make and it is likely that Disney spent another $100m on marketing.

The film’s director, Pixar’s Andrew Stanton, had previously had great success with films such as Finding Nemo and Wall-E.

The star of A Separation, Leila Hatami, called the awards “an absolute honour”

The film has won other accolades, including a Golden Globe and Golden Bear prize at the Berlin Film Festival.

A Separation explores the themes of family and honour with the backdrop of tragedy and a legal dispute.

Other honorees at the Asian Film Awards - which have been held since 2007 - were Hong Kong director Ann Hui, who received an accolade for her life’s work - the first woman to do so.

Indonesian actor Donny Damara won best actor for his role as a transvestite sex worker in Lovely Man, while Hong Kong veteran Deanie Ip took best actress for A Simple Life.

This category was the only of its five nominations that A Separation failed to convert, with Hatami losing out to the Indian star. (BBC)

March 24 - 30, 2012

Entertainment

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

25

Muslims urged to return tickets for Lady Gaga’s Jakarta concert

One Direction recently appeared on the US breakfast programme The Today Show.

One Direction top US album charts FORMER X Factor contestants One Direction have become the first British group to go straight to the top of the US music charts with their debut album.

The group shifted 176,000 copies of Up All Night, which only went to number two in the

UK charts back in December.

The five-piece act were formed in 2010 by the X Factor judges after they failed to impress as solo artists.

Band member Harry Styles said reaching number one was a “dream come true” for the group.

IT LOOKS like some Muslims might not be singing along at Lady Gaga’s June concert in Indonesia.

The mega pop star was given a thumbs-down earlier this week by a “high-ranking member” of the country’s highest Islamic authority, according to The Jakarta Globe.

The report states that Indonesian Council of Ulema chairman Cholil Ridwan is urging Muslims not to attend the overtly sexy and controversial singer’s upcoming concert in Jakarta.

Though he says he has never seen her perform, he has reportedly urged people to return their tickets.

“[The concert is] intended to destroy the nation’s morality,” Ridwan told The Jakarta Globe.

Ridwan is concerned that the singer’s revealing outfits and sexy dance moves set a bad example for Muslim youth.

“I am sure they know what is good and bad,” said Ridwan.

“However, I hope Lady Gaga can also wear a proper [dress] in her show,” he said while admitting that it was still, ultimately, fans call.

“She is from the West, and she often shows her aurat [private parts of the body] when performing,” he said, calling it “haram,” an Arabic term that means “forbidden by Islamic law.”

Lady Gaga is touted as anti-moral in many corners of the world.

26

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

UK cuts top rate tax in budget BRITISH Chancellor of Exchequer George Osborne has cut tax on high earners and companies while also lifting more lower earners out of income tax, in a Budget he said “rewards work” and “unashamedly backs business”.

However, the budget was close to fiscally neutral as the chancellor reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to austerity.

On tax, the biggest battleground ahead of the Budget, the chancellor said the 50 per cent income tax rate for higher earners, which has attracted fierce criticism from businesses and rightwing Conservatives, will be cut to 45 per cent.

The 50 per cent rate has created “massive distortions”, Mr Osborne said, and the increase from 40 per cent to 50 per cent raised only a third of what was promised. “It raises at most a fraction of what we were told and may raise nothing at all.”

“No chancellor can justify a tax rate that damages our economy and raises next to nothing, it is as simple as that,” he said. The new taxes on the rich contained in this Budget will raise £500m, he said, five times the £100m cost of cutting the 50 per cent rate.

The headline rate of corporation tax -- already cut from 28 to 26 per cent -- will be cut to 24 per cent.

By 2014 Britain will have a 22 per cent rate -- “dramatically lower” than other countries such as the US and Germany, which he said was “an advertisement for investment and jobs in Britain.” He also pledged to set a target to align corporation tax

with the basic rate of tax.

Mr Osborne said tax evasion and aggressive tax avoidance were “morally repugnant” and said he hoped to raise £1bn over five years through anti-avoidance measures.

He also promised a general antiavoidance rule to counter aggressive and “artificial tax avoidance”.

He also promised to levy charges on residential properties owned by companies to try to stop people from using companies to avoid paying stamp duty. “People have been warned.”

From midnight, there will be a new stamp duty of 7 per cent on properties worth more than £2m, he said, confirming leaked reports.

There will also be limits on previously uncapped income tax relief for anyone seeking to claim more than £50,000, Mr Osborne said.

Child benefit will begin to be withdrawn when the highest earner in a family earns £50,000 but will not be fully withdrawn unless the highest earner is on a salary of £60,000, Mr Osborne said, easing the “cliff edge” effect of the earlier proposal.

He also increased the amount people can earn before paying tax from £8,105 to £9,205 -- a policy that will kick in from April 2013.

“In the middle of this parliament, in difficult economic times, this government has not settled for a ‘do nothing’ budget,”, Mr Osborne said.

“This country borrowed our way into trouble, now we’re going to earn our way out,” he said to roars of approval from his own benches.

The chancellor said Britain would

British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne carries the Budget Box as he leaves 11 Downing street in central London on March 21, 2012 to present the annual budget to parliament.

“earn its way in the world” and use a deliberate strategy to back its most successful industries such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals and science.

Britain will become Europe’s “technology centre”, the chancellor said, offering tax credits to the video game and high-end television production industries. “It is the policy of this government that we keep Wallace and Gromit exactly where they are,” he said to loud cheers.

The government measures launched on Tuesday to improve the access of medium-sized business to finance had been extremely popular and would be expanded, he said.

Britain must do more to make the country a competitive place to do business, he said, and promised to be “out in front” of other countries.

French Shooting Suspect Was on U.S. No-Fly List

WASHINGTON—The gunman suspected in a string of shootings in southern France was on the U.S.’s no-fly list as a suspected terrorist, according to people familiar with the matter.Two people familiar with the case said Mohammed Merah was on the list because in 2010 he had been in custody in Afghanistan, then sent back to France. Counterterrorism officials at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which manages the U.S. no-fly list, also had collected information on Mr. Merah before the recent shootings in France, including the 2010 encounter, officials said.

The circumstances of his apprehension, detention and return to France weren’t entirely clear. U.S. military officials said they don’t have a record of his being in American custody while in Afghanistan.

Mr. Merah died in a shootout with French police following a tense armed standoff at a Toulouse apartment. During the standoff, Mr. Merah had claimed he had

In response to the economic pressures of an ageing population, the state pension age will increase automatically in line with changing longevity, Mr Osborne said, though the details of this policy will not be published until July.

Mr Osborne said he would freeze income tax allowances for most pensioners in cash terms, and promised a new “single tier pension” of £140 a week to replace the state second pension.

The Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast for the economy is broadly unchanged from its previous forecast in November,

though the economy has a “little more momentum” this year, he said.

Mr Osborne criticised the “cumbersome” carbon reduction commitment, a policy from the previous government, and said if he could not improve it he would abolish it and replace it with an environmental tax.

The chancellor also promised an overhaul in planning regulations and “business red tape”, and legislation to relax Sunday trading laws over the period of the Olympics.

Young people might benefit from “enterprise loans”, the chancellor suggested, though the policy has yet to be written.

The Treasury is publishing evidence on the benefits of varying pay on a regional basis in the public sector, and some parts of government will be eligible to set pay locally once the public sector wage freeze ends.

The cost of the Afghanistan conflict will be £2.4bn lower than expected and some of these savings will go to the armed forces, the chancellor said.

He also pledged a big rise in tobacco tax -- by 5 per cent above inflation -- which will be effective immediately. On fuel prices, which have climbed to record levels this year, Mr Osborne said fuel duty would rise in August as planned.

Sgt Robert Bales (left)

‘No proof’ in Afghan massacre suspect Sgt Bales case – Lawyer

The French shooting suspect, Mohamed Merah, is shown in this undated and unlocated frame grab provided Wednesday by French TV station France 2. (France 2/Associated Press)

undergone training with al Qaeda in the Pakistan region of Waziristan, according to French officials.

The suspect apparently returned briefly to the region last year, and then arrived back in France in October, according to French

authorities.

A 23-year-old French citizen of Algerian descent, Mr. Merah is suspected of killing four people at a Jewish school Monday, and fatally shooting three soldiers the previous week.

THE LAWYER representing a US soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians in their homes has said there is little proof of his client’s guilt.

John Henry Browne said there was “no forensic evidence” against Staff Sgt Robert Bales and “no confession”.

He also dismissed reports suggesting Sgt Bales, 38, was having financial troubles as irrelevant to the case.

Sgt Bales is being held a military detention centre awaiting charges, which are expected this week.

The killings have undermined US relations with Kabul and led to calls for Nato to speed up their

planned withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

After meeting with Sgt Bales at a US army base in Kansas, Mr Browne told reporters: “We’ve all heard the allegations. I don’t know that the government has proved much.”

Sgt Bales is the only known suspect in the killings - despite repeated Afghan assertions that more than one American was involved.

Mr Browne said he now plans to travel to Afghanistan to gather his own evidence.

The lawyer also responded to questions about Sgt Bales’ financial history.

He and his wife had reportedly struggled to make the payments on two properties they had bought.

March 24 - 30, 2012

World News

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

Dutch youngsters who accused priests of sexual abuse were surgically castrated – Investigation finds DUTCH boys and young men who accused priests of sex abuse in the 1950s were surgically castrated “to get rid of homosexuality” while in the care of the church, an investigative journalist has found.

Joep Dohmen of the NRC Handelsblad, a daily newspaper in the Netherlands, discovered evidence of at least 10 castrations by the Dutch Roman Catholic Church.

“These cases are anonymous and can no longer be traced,” Dohman told The Telegraph newspaper of London. “There will be many more. But the question is whether those boys, now old men, will want to tell their story.”

Dohman did discover the identity of one of the victims, a young man named Henk Heithuis, who was castrated at the age of 20 in 1956 after accusing clergymen of abusing him.

The surgical castration was regarded as a treatment for

homosexuality and also as a punishment for those who accused clergy of abuse, sources told Dohmen. Two clergymen were eventually convicted of abusing Heithuis.

After reporting the abuse, Heithuis spent time at two different hospitals, The Telegraph reports.

“We once asked Henk to drop his pants when the women were gone,” family friend Cornelius Rogge told The Telegraph. “He did that. He was maimed totally.

It was a huge shock.”

Rogge, now 79, told the Telegraph that he reported the castration to officials investigating abuse within the Catholic Church, but says he was ignored.

Heithuis died in car crash in 1958, but Dutch authorities are now hoping to find victims willing to tell their stories as they launch a new investigation. (Nydailynews. com)

High school English teacher Janel Ramirez, 31, is accused of seducing a student, police say.

Teacher seduced teenage student by telling him he looked like ‘Twilight’’s Taylor Lautner: police A NINTH-grade English teacher seduced her teenage aide and lured him into a sexual relationship by telling him he looked like “Twilight’s Taylor Lautner, Southern California police said.

Authorities arrested Janel Ramirez, a married 31-year-old; earlier this month after the student reported the affair, according to the Riverside Press Enterprise.

She was later released on $100,000 bond.

The student told police that the Hemet High School teacher began her seduction during his sophomore year when he was 16 and worked as her aide, the newspaper reported, based on a search warrant and affidavit it obtained Monday.

Their sexual activity always occurred in her classroom, behind a

locked door, the documents indicated.

Ramirez hugged and kissed the teen on the last day of school that year, he told police, and told him he looked like Lautner.

The following year the teen worked as her aide again, and he claimed Ramirez repeatedly complimented his looks.

The pair often worked together alone in her office, where their relationship evolved from kissing and fondling, and eventually resulted in the two having sex, the Riverside Press Enterprise reported.

Ramirez told the teen that her husband was “mean to her,” and that she wanted to be with him after he graduated, the police documents said. The teen claimed to have ended the relationship before calling authorities.

27

India overtakes China as world’s biggest arms importer INDIA has overtaken China as the world’s biggest importer of weapons, with Asian nations the most aggressive consumers of military hardware, a new report says.

Between 2007 and 2011, India’s business accounted for 10% of the global arms market, according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

South Korea was next, accounting for 6% of sales, followed by Pakistan and China (5%) and Singapore (4%).

Siemon Wezeman, a senior analyst with SIPRI, said India’s defense spending reflects its regional security concerns and Delhi’s global aspirations.

“India procures arms in relation to its tense relationship with Pakistan and increasingly sees China as a potential threat,” he told CNN. “It also wants to assert itself as a major regional or even global power.”

Much of this expenditure has focused on the modernisation of its armed forces with the purchase of fighter jets and warships, according to The Hindu.

Meanwhile, China’s relative decline as an arms importer comes at a time when it is increasing its overall defense budget, investing in major projects such as the development of a stealth fighter jet and an aircraft carrier programme.

Many of these weapons are instead produced domestically.

At the National People’s Congress earlier this month, Beijing announced plans to increase its military spending by 11.2%, a move some analysts suspect is in response to U.S. plans to increase its military presence in the Pacific -- an assertion it has rejected, saying its spending is

Analysts predict India is likely to spend more than $100 billion on weapons in the next 15 years.

in proportion to its economy.

“The Chinese government has maintained reasonable and appropriate growth in defense spending on the strength of rapid economic and social development and the steady increase of fiscal revenues,” NPC spokesman Li Zhaoxing told reporters in March.

But China’s announcement is sure to stoke concerns among some its neighbours.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to use force against the island if it ever formally sought independence.

Beijing has also claimed a significant portion of the South China Sea as its own territorial waters, putting it in conflict with other nations that have made claims on portions of the region.

Wezeman said China has gradually modernised its armed forces and arms industry in the past two decades. He said development of the latter was mainly influenced by

an embargo on arms sales to China imposed by European Union nations and the United States after the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown.

This, he said, forced China to look to other sources such as Russia for new equipment and licenses to produce weapons itself, which in turn helped to improve its own indigenous arms production capability.

As a result, China has become a major exporter of arms. According to SIPRI, it is now the world’s sixth largest seller behind the U.S., Russia, Germany, France and Britain -- with India’s long-time foe Pakistan chief among its clients.

Russia’s defense industry has been the chief beneficiary of India’s custom, according to SIPRI, though France has recently muscled in with new deals to supply submarines in addition to Mirage and Rafale combat aircraft from Dassault.

SIPRI estimates India is likely to spend more than $100 billion on weapons in the next 15 years. (CNN)

Officials survey damage after strong quake jolts Mexico MEXICAN officials were assessing damage Wednesday, a day after a strong earthquake left homes in ruins and rattled residents hundreds of miles away from the epicentre.

At least 11 people were injured and hundreds of houses were damaged in the 7.4-magnitude quake, which struck mid-day Tuesday in southern Mexico.

Photos from some of the hardesthit areas showed residents surveying rubble where adobe homes once stood. Nurses tended to patients in a parking lot next to a hospital building damaged by the quake.

Broken tiles and pieces of buildings fell onto sidewalks as far away as Mexico City, about 200 miles (320 km) from the quake’s epicentre.

The city’s mayor said the earthquake was the strongest to impact the capital since an 8.0 temblor that struck in 1985, killing about 10,000 people in the sprawling metropolis.

The driver of this mini-bus was injured in Mexico City when a pedestrian bridge collapsed during the quake.

But officials said no deaths had been reported after Tuesday’s quake, despite the widespread alarm it caused.

“There are some broken windows, much fear, much panic,” Mexican President Felipe Calderon said.

The quake’s epicentre was about 15 miles (25 kilometres) east of Ometepec, Guerrero.

“You could see the fear on everyone’s faces,” said Olga Libia Ramos, the chief nurse in the city’s general hospital.

Auto sales real estate

FAST SALE

WAITRESS

FOR RENT

NEEDED

3-bedroom apartment $1100.00 per month it will be available May 1st.

6465

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 231-2159

Classifieds contact: 946-4664

Island Network is looking for one

Lecturer for holistic studies Requirements: • Study in humanistic transpersonal therapy • Minimum of 5 years experience • Metaphysic in the human energy field • Salary based on experience

Contact Darlene Hudson at 946-4736 between the hours of 12-5 Position now available

6453

GENERAL PRACTITIONER

Fax: 946-4661

Email: tcnews@tciway.tc

Website: tcweeklynews.com

STUDIO APARTMENT FOR RENT

1.3 Acres Of Land Ocean Drive, Turtle Tail Semi-Hilltop

$300,000 o.n.o.

$650.00 per month Gated Community Furnished

CONTACT: 231-3788

Contact: 231-3788

Apartment

Building for Sale

Six (6) One (1) Bedroom One (1) Bath. Located on Millinneum Highway.Contact Tel: 649 333 1723 or 649 246 6119 Email: capronis2005@ yahoo.com 6459

EXPRESS CONSTUCTION

GRANTS PETROLEUM TEXACO Is looking for a

Is looking for a

LaboUrer To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 941-3478

Labourer To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 941-5804

BAYVIEW MOTORS Is currently looking to employ a

PAINTER WANTED

REQUIRED

Minimum experience 6 years post Graduate MRCGP, DRCOG Application must be submitted in writing with references and CV or via email Ms.Narisa Thomas Interisland Medical Services, Neptune Court, Grace Bay or email: iimsadmin@tciway.tc

6467

FOR SALE

946-4664

6472

Services

March 24 - 30, 2012

To work on employers premises must be willing to work 6 days per week doing maintenance to rental property salary $5.00 per hour contact:

A. Castan @ 347-4348

6466

Labourer

Who will be responsible for the daily maintenance of the building, stocking of the shelves and any other duty that may be assigned to you The individual must possess the following: • Adequate tools to perform his duties • Must be able to work with little or no supervision • Must be computer literate • Must be able to work weekends • Must possess a valid drivers license Please submit all applications between 9am-5-pm Monday-Friday

Bayview Motors Ltd. P.O. Box 619, Leeward Highway Providenciales

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

6463

Job Listings

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

6470

28

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

–CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL Solicitor or Barrister required with a minimum of 10 years post-qualified experience and with the following additional qualifications:

@@Masters in law or equivalent @@International taxation experience @@Experience in large commercial transactions @@STEP member or willingness to sit requisite exams @@Proven ability in, and willingness for, training of junior colleagues @@Willingness to travel to and possibly relocate to the firm’s other international offices

Is looking for:

Turks Islanders only.

Salary range $20,000 - $24,000. Position available immediately.

Contact Alan Jardine @ 946-5029 for an interview

• 3 Labourer • Carpenter

Must have at least 5years experience. Salary is negotiable. Belonger only need apply.

Fax: (649) 941 3446

6418

ATTORNEY

EXPERIENCED SCUBA INSTRUCTOR

TDMG Concordia

S.BlueWALKIN & SON Hills, P.O. Box 583, Providenciales Turks & Caicos Islands. Tel: (649) 946-4411

OUTBOARD BOAT MECHANIC • Diagnostic and trouble shooting the following engines: • Suzuki, Evinrude, Johnson, Mercury, Seadoo • To work a minimum of 44 hours per week, holidays and weekends if necessary Salary will be based on experience (10-15 years) and performance

Belongers are particularly encouraged to apply.

Apply in writing, with CV and cover letter to Christian Papachristou via fax to (649) 9464484 or cp@bishopslegal.com with a copy to the Labour Office, Providenciales.

6428

Fax resumes to 649-946-4945

6433

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

29

6426

March 24 - 30, 2012

30

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

March 24 - 30, 2012

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

NOTICE OF SALE BY PUBLIC AUCTION Scotiabank (Turks & Caicos) Ltd. of Cherokee Road, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands hereby gives notice of its intention to sell by Public Auction the following properties pursuant to its power of sale as registered Chargee under the Registered Land Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands:

1. Parcel 60907/229/K9

Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. Comprising of a two bedroom townhouse at the Provo Golf Club with kitchen and dinning area, 2 full bathrooms. The property benefits from view of the first tee and comes with half price golf membership and access to a pool which is shared between 9 units.

Registered Proprietor: Simon Richard Padgett

2. Parcel 60503/57

Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales. The subject property provides a range of residential buildings positioned on a prominent site fronting the Blue Hills coastal Road. There is a large single storey retail store in front to f the property. Altogether the property provides a total of 33 rooms; seven living rooms, one dining room, seven kitchen, seven full baths, one part, bedrooms and 1family room.

Registered Proprietor: James Calvin Williams

3. Parcel 60900/194

Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. The subject 0.65 acres development is comprised of two buildings. There’s a main two- storey residence providing a three bedroom, two bathroom house and three rental units. The adjoining semi-detached structure provides three apartment units each comprising of bedroom, bathroom, open plan Kitchen/dining/living area.

Registered Proprietor: Usril Alexander Morris

4. Parcel 60900/123

Leeward Going Through, Providenciales. The subject property is comprised of a main residential development and a guest house. The main building provides 3 bedrooms, 2 full bath, living room and kitchen. There is a deck and hot tub in the garden at the rear of the property.

Registered Proprietor: Carmen Rochelle Brown

5. Parcel 60609/68

Norway and Five Cays, Providenciales. Comprising of a partially completed two storey residential development. The property provides the following completed works; foundations, water cistern under building, internal block walls, internal concrete stair 95% completed , plumbing rough-ins, electrical first fix, formwork and rebar to upper floor ring beam, superstructure walls, concrete slabs to balconies and upper floor slab.

Registered Proprietors: Sean Gerald Rodgers and Nyoshi Natasha Rodgers

6. Parcel 60503/83

Blue Hills & Stamers Run, Providenciales. Comprising of a two-storey apartment building. The lower floor provides 3 (three) apartments each consisting of one bedroom, bathroom and an open plan living/dining room. The upper floor provides a 3 (three) bedroom apartment comprising of open plan Living/dining room, kitchen, Master bedroom (with ensuite and walk in closet). Two bedrooms, and external patio.

Registered Proprietor: Georgia Rosemarie Williams

7. Parcel 10507/35/K8

South Suburbs Grand Turk, comprising of a one bedroom condominium unit at the White Sands Resort.

Registered proprietor: Wilfred Rattery Jr The auction will be held at the offices of Scotiabank (Turks and Caicos) Limited, Grace Bay Branch, Providenciales at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday the 30th day of March 2012.

A reserve price will be fixed on all parcels. A deposit of 10% is due immediately upon all accepted bids.

Terms and Conditions of Sale by Auction are available by request from Scotiabank Collections Manager (649) 946-4750.

VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY!!

the largest readership in the turks & caicos

6432

GRACE BAY SUITES Is looking to fill the following positions:

FAX: (649) 946-4661 FLOWER GIRL Is looking for a

• Cleaners • Maids • Life guard • Masseuse • Beach/ Pool Attendants • Bartenders • Front Desk Manager • Part-time & live-in positions available immediately Please deliver resume with salary expectations to Front Desk preference will be given to qualified Belongers

6373

Flower CoOrdinatoR • Must know different kinds of flowers • Must know how to treat flowers • Must know how to arrange and take care of flowers

Contact: 231-3788

VACANCY International Banking Group (TCI) Ltd. a subsidiary of Cayman National Corporation Ltd., is looking for suitably qualified Belongers to fill the position of

Manager Credit Risk Management Support & Compliance The Manager Credit Risk Management Support & Compliance must be equipped to fulfill roles across three areas: Credit, Operations and Merchant Services.

With regard to Credit, the Manager Credit Risk Management Support & Compliance is responsible for planning, organizing, scheduling and directing the activities of the Credit Risk Management Department. The Manager is responsible for: • Overseeing all Credit Risk Management functions and related activities and reviewing loan documents and records for evidence of fraud, deficiencies in controls or noncompliance with established policies.

• Completing audit functions including verifying and sampling of loan processes and other areas as assigned.

• Compiling and issuing reports detailing conclusions and providing recommendations for improvements.

• Contributing to the development of credit risk management strategies and policies.

• Contributing effectively to the annual planning, overall business development and regulatory matters as required.

• Training, coordinating, supervising, and appraising Credit Risk Management personnel.

The candidate who fills this position must have an excellent analytical and operational understanding of commercial and personal banking. The candidate must be a well rounded individual who has banking experience at managerial level in the area of Operations, as the candidate will be required to provide support to the Manager Operations, and will have to act in the capacity of Operations Manager in their absence.

As a member for the corporate team the Manager Credit Risk Management Support & Compliance must have a sound understanding of Merchant Services and managerial experience within this area as the candidate will have responsibility for driving the Bank’s Merchant Services Business.

The candidate will have: • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Commerce, Business or Finance.

• At least 10 years experience of retail and commercial banking in a Caribbean context.

• At least 5 years managerial experience in Credit Risk.

Required skills & experience: • Comprehensive knowledge of Credit Risk Management, Operations & Merchant Services.

• Strong communication, organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills • Be a team-worker but also work in isolation without close supervision with attention to detail, prioritization of tasks and time management skills.

We offer • A working environment where personal development and growth are encouraged • An attractive and competitive salary, including various benefits.

Applicants should submit a resume & cover letter, no later than April 2nd 2012, to: Kellie- Ann.Evans-Hall@ibgtci.com

International Banking Group (TCI) Ltd Graceway Plaza, PO Box 690 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Tel 649 941 4424. Fax 649 941 2457. www.ibgtci.com A Subsidiary company of Cayman National Corporation Ltd. 6428

March 24 - 30, 2012

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

RONALD GARDINER

FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

ANGELIQUE CLARKE

Is looking for a

31

Sunny Reef Restaurant

SAMANTHA CHARLES Is looking for a

Is looking for a

Is looking for an

Assistant Manager To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 241-7725

week. Salary $250.00 every two weeks.

6423

6424

contact: 241-0952

Domestic Domestic Worker ToWorker work 5 days per Contact: 346-1068

Belongers only need apply Contact: 946-8200

6430

Labourer

• Must have 15 years experience in restaurant management • Strong leadership skills, able to motivate and influence others, strong communication, excellent written presentation, oral communication and interpersonal skills • A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards • High comfort level working in a diverse environment • Must have experience in accounting, excel, word, QuickBooks, spreadsheet inventory, public relations advertising event planning for large groups, good command in English • Must have good personalities

job opportunity The Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, a Wymara Resort, is actively looking to fill the following position:

6429

GOVERNMENT VACANCY DEPARTMENT: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

SOCIAL WORKER

Restaurant Manager

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONBILITIES:

This position is responsible for managing all activities of the Beach Bar + Grill, beach front and pool food + beverage service areas. The successful candidate would be responsible for the daily operation of these areas including the effective supervision and execution of programs consistent with the needs of the company as communicated by the F & B Director and Resort management.

An exciting opportunity awaits you in the Turks & Caicos Islands Government Service for the post of Social Worker, Department of Social Services. This post holder works alongside a team that has nation-wide responsibility for the elderly, orphans, juveniles, probationers and parolees. The successful candidate is responsible for counseling clients and their families, interviewing and assessing foster families and collaborating with other departments and organizations to ensure that the needs of disadvantaged persons in the communities are met. The incumbent will be expected to generate results as part of a team that are deemed to be satisfactory when orphans are placed in suitable foster homes; the elderly, disabled and needy are identified in the society and steps are taken to ensure continued care; parolees and juvenile delinquents are properly supervised and suspected cases of abuse are identified, investigated and referred to the necessary authorities. He / She is also required to research and analyze social data that will impact policy decisions. The candidate is also expected to make presentations in public forums on the welfare of children in the Turks and Caicos Islands context.

Essential duties include but not limited to: • Directs the activities of on-floor restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/Hostess • Directs and ensures the implementation and execution of corporate policies and procedures as communicated by General Manager and F & B Director.

• Reports Outlet sales performance on a daily basis and takes required corrective action to ensure operations are in accordance with the company standards and objectives.

• monitors staff performance, disciplining and motivating when necessary • ensures customer satisfaction through application of Outlet and Resort service standards • Proactively attends to, and resolves, customer complaints and grievances.

• Inspects all aspects of the restaurant and bar environment ensuring compliance with standards of cleanliness and order. Directs respective personnel to rectify deficiencies.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The position requires the incumbent to have a Bachelors in Social Work or related field.

The incumbent is also expected to have at least three (3) years relevant experience. A valid driver’s license would be an asset.

Requirements: • A minimum of 1-2 years previous Restaurant Manager experience in a 5 star hotel restaurant or similar fine dining environment • Excellent food and beverage knowledge • Excellent wine knowledge. Formal training through a recognized organization such as WSET is preferred.

• Excellent communication and management skills • Ability to contribute towards and maintain high standards within the restaurant • Must be able to supervise a large staff • Must be able to effectively train floor staff and constantly refine service standards through staff education • Well groomed, friendly and presentable • Energetic and willing to interact with guests • Ability to work under pressure • Proficient with food and beverage cost controls • Must be hard working and dedicated • Strong knowledge of MIcros POS is an asset • Available immediately

RENUMERATION PACKAGE: SALARY: $ 22,356.00 - $25,704.00 per annum For persons recruited outside the Turks and Caicos Islands a two (2) year contract is offered. Other benefits include Housing Allowance, end of contract gratuity of fifteen percent (15%), return packages for SPOUSE AND a family of up to two (2) children under the age of sixteen (16) years and duty free on the shipment of personal effects imported within six (6) months of the appointment.

For more information on the Job Description please contact the Office of the Public Service Management; Telephone 649-946-2801, Extension#: 10322.

All resumes with contact information and two letters of References as well as a Police Certificate should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Public Service Management, Church Folly, Grand Turk.

Facsimile: 946-1582, Email: recruitment@gov.tc

Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000 relative to experience

Interested and qualified candidates please contact Stephen Garland at stephen@stelletc.com

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5th April 2012 6435

6451

32

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

CELESTE NORI POWELL

BAY BISTOR RESTARUANT

FAX: (649) 946-4661

DORIKA TALBOT T/A DOMINIQUE BEAUTY SALON & BOUTIQUE

Is looking for a

is looking for

March 24 - 30, 2012

Is looking for a

Labourer

Cosmetologist

contact: 342-6299

contact: 431-8452

To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

Contact: 232-1025

6457

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

6469

To work 6 days per week salary $7.00 per hour.

6449

Domestic Worker

GOVERNMENT VACANCY REGISTRAR OF SUPREME COURT & COURT OF APPEAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONBILITIES: An exciting opportunity awaits you in the Turks and Caicos Islands Public Service for the Post of Registrar in the Supreme Court and The Court of Appeal. The incumbent in this position is responsible for the efficient day-to-day operations of the Supreme Court and its Registry. He/ She will work under the direction of, and assist, the Chief Justice, issue process and ensure due execution of judgments; supervise the administration of cases including setting dates for and issue hearing notices; correspond with Attorneys and Litigants to ensure that all files are properly maintained; manage the Registry Office and supervise staff. In addition, the successful candidate will act as Registrar of the Court of Appeal, which includes the preparation of appeal bundles; as well as scheduling and attending the sittings of the Court under the direction of the President of the Court of Appeal. The Registrar also manages the budget for the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. He / She is also expected to train, develop and appraise staff in the Providenciales and Grand Turk Office and will be supported by a Deputy and Senior Deputy Registrar. The successful incumbent may also be required to perform any other related duties as may be assigned by the Chief Justice.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The position requires the incumbent to have Seven (7) years post-admission experience and he/she must be qualified for admission under the Legal Profession Ordinance [Cap 2:10] to practice as an Attorney of the Supreme Court of the Turks and Caicos Islands or admitted to practice as a barrister of solicitor in a Commonwealth jurisdiction or Ireland.

RENUMERATION PACKAGE: SALARY $51,840 PER ANNUM Other benefits offered in addition to basic salary include Transportation Allowance, Professional allowance, Telephone Allowance, Housing Allowance and economy return passage.

For persons recruited outside the Turks and Caicos Islands a two (2) year contract is offered.

Other benefits include Housing Allowance, end of contract gratuity of fifteen percent (15%), return passage for a family of up to two (2) children under the age of sixteen (16) years and duty free on the shipment of personal effects imported within six (6) months of the appointment.

For more information on the Job Description please contact the Office of the Public Service Management; Telephone 649-946-2801, Extension#: 10322. All resumes with contact information and two letters of References as well as a Police Certificate should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Public Service Management, Church Folly, Grand Turk. Facsimile: 946-1582, Email: recruitment@gov.tc APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5th April 2012

6452

POSITION AVAILABLE DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

BNC Consulting Group is currently seeking a highly qualified, hands-on, Director of Information Technology for its resort client. The ideal candidate will play a lead role in the development, delivery and implementation of key business applications.

This individual will have a keen understanding of hospitality technology and will be responsible for identifying solutions for the resort’s current and future business needs.

Minimum Requirements • Strong understanding of technology architecture, IT business models, systems development and life cycles with an ability to set the direction of the Resorts IT function • Degree in Information Technology, Engineering or other technical field OR 15 years leadership experience working with IT and telephony applications, hospitality experience highly desired • 10 years Mitel experience coupled with IPTV applications experience • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment • Working knowledge of Visual One, Micros and/or Opera Fidelio • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, Outlook) • Critical thinker with complex problem-solving abilities • Strong leadership skills with the ability to “see the big picture,” evaluate technologies and identify business solutions strategies • Ability to develop and manage strong working relationships at all levels of the organization, as well as with external vendors and suppliers • Ability to communicate technical issues to non-technical internal customers and executives, and translate their needs into appropriate applications • Ability to assess technology alternatives and identify and implement applicable solutions • Ability to develop, track and adhere to budgets Qualified candidates should contact Bridgette Thomas at 332-2565 for immediate consideration. Candidates must possess relevant skills, experience, and a clean police record. Salaries for the above positions are commensurate with level, experience and education.

CLOSING DATE: MARCH 31, 2012

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.

6458

DEPARTMENT: JUDICIARY

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

33 FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

Spa Therapist

Is looking for a

With over 5 years experience in all types of Massages, facials plus other skin/ body care services as well as Manicure/Pedicure. 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 motivated to excel.

For an interview or appointment phone Sandy Lightbourne at 946-8212 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 2nd April, 2012. POSITION AVAILABLE 16TH MAY, 2012

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

6456

CHIEF ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER

contact: 231-1915

Is looking for a

Labourer

Labourer

GOVERNMENT VACANCY DEPARTMENT: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT

PAUL TANIA

COREY’S FUNERAL CHAPEL

6446

March 24 - 30, 2012

To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

Contact: 331-3846

6462

GOVERNMENT VACANCY DEPARTMENT: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

SENIOR SOCIAL WORKER

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONBILITIES:

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONBILITIES:

An exciting opportunity awaits you in the Turks & Caicos Islands Government Service for the post of Chief Environmental Officer within the Environmental Health Department, Ministry of Environment and Home Affairs. This is a managerial position which has nation-wide responsibility for the enforcement of public, environmental health and sanitation standards as well as administering such services to stakeholders. The post holder is responsible for developing and implementing a Strategic Environmental Health Plan to take the Department forward. He / She is expected to ensure the maintenance of acceptable environmental standards regarding food handling, hygiene, sanitation, water quality, vector control as well as waste management. The incumbent is required to enforce Environmental Health Standards, formulate and implement policies, supervise staff, inspect sites and facilities, investigate complaints, measure environment quality indicators, prepare required reports and statistical data and manage the Department’s finances. The successful candidate must be able to implement programmes and educate the public on Environmental Health issues; grant licenses and permits as well as represent the Department at meetings, seminars and conferences.

An exciting opportunity awaits you in the Turks & Caicos Islands Government Service for the post of Senior Social Worker, Department of Social Services. This is a specialized professional position, which has responsibility for identifying the welfare requirements of the elderly, orphans, juveniles, probationers, parolees and generally disadvantaged persons in the communities. The incumbent is responsible for interviewing and assessing the needs of clients and their families and collaborating with other departments and organizations to ensure that the needs of other disadvantaged persons in the communities are met. The incumbent will also be expected to generate results that are deemed to be satisfactory when policies and procedures are successfully implemented and monitored; the elderly, disabled and needy are identified in the society and steps are taken to ensure continued care and that welfare provisions and disbursements are made in a timely manner to those who fit the criteria. The incumbent will also assist in the formulation of Departmental policies and procedures for forester care, family programs and juveniles, counseling probationers and parolees. He / she is expected to assist in the preparation of the budget. The successful candidate must supervise Junior Officers as well as produce monthly progress reports.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The position requires the incumbent to have a Master’s Degree in Environmental Health Department and at least (5) years on the job experience to acquire the necessary competencies to respond effectively to the challenges of the position. The incumbent should also possess sound knowledge of Environmental Health Standards and Procedures, Environmental Management Procedures, Environmental Impact Assessments and National Public Health Standards.

The position requires the incumbent to have Bachelors in Social Work or in a related field. The post holder is also expected to have at least five (5) years relevant social work experience. A background in psychiatry will be considered to be an asset. The successful candidate must also be knowledgeable in social work theories and practices and must be able to be confidential. He / She must also possess a valid driver’s license.

RENUMERATION PACKAGE:

RENUMERATION PACKAGE:

SALARY: $ 39,960.00 - $43,200.00 per annum

SALARY: $24,732.00 - $28,512.00 per annum

Serving officers should apply through their Heads of Department. For persons recruited outside the Turks and Caicos Islands a two (2) year contract is offered. Other benefits include Housing Allowance, end of contract gratuity of fifteen percent (15%), return passage for a family of up to two (2) children under the age of sixteen (16) years and duty free on the shipment of personal effects imported within six (6) months of the appointment.

For persons recruited outside the Turks and Caicos Islands a two (2) year contract is offered. Other benefits include Housing Allowance, end of contract gratuity of fifteen percent (15%), return passage for a family of up to two (2) children under the age of sixteen (16) years and duty free on the shipment of personal effects imported within six (6) months of the appointment.

For more information on the Job Description please contact the Office of the Public Service Management; Telephone 649-946-2801, Extension#: 10323.

All resumes with contact information and two letters of References as well as a Police Certificate should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Public Service Management, Church Folly, Grand Turk.

Facsimile: 946-1582, Email: recruitment@gov.tc

For more information on the Job Description please contact the Office of the Public Service Management; Telephone 649-946-2801, Extension#: 10322.

All resumes with contact information and two letters of References as well as a Police Certificate should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Public Service Management, Church Folly, Grand Turk.

Facsimile: 946-1582, Email: recruitment@gov.tc APPLICATION DEADLINE: 5th April 2012

6450

34

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

March 24 - 30, 2012

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

FAX: (649) 946-4661

PRELIMINARY NOTICE REGISTERED NURSE REQUIRED OF AUCTION SALES

First Caribbean International Bank (Bahamas) Ltd, as Chargee, pursuant to section 72 of the Registered Land Ordinance, hereby gives notice that it will cause to be sold by Public Auction the scheduled property outside of its offices at 1271 Leeward Highway, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands at 9:30 am on Thursday, April 05th 2012.

• Must have a Bachelors Degree in nursing from a recognized university and at least 3 years post qualification experience • Must be available to work part-time hours between 8am8pm daily plus weekends, holidays and overnight to meet the needs of the clinic • Must be eligible for registration with the local Health Practitioners Board • Must have experience in operating theatres assisting with gynecology cases • Must be willing to be flexible to meet the needs of the clinic • Must be highly computer literate • Must have experience with medical billing software and QuickBooks and advantage • Salary commensurate with experience

1. Gecko House, Turtle Tail, Providenciales

Title number 61004/5 Juba Salina, Providenciales. Residential property comprising 0.60 acres located on iron shore with spectacular panoramic ocean view property. Property comprises (i) a detached single-storey dwelling house with open plan living and dining area, kitchen, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, utility room and (ii) a detached two-storey building comprising a garage, a studio unit, office and upper level studio apartment with bedroom (good for rental), large living area, kitchen and bathroom.

Total gross floor area of the two buildings is approximately 4,930 square feet.

For more information please contact Mr. Corey Clarke, CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, Head Office, Bridgetown, Barbados (Tel: 246 467 1654/email: corey.clarke@cibcfcib.com) or MCKNIGHTS International Law Firm, Attorneys at Law, 46 Salt Mills Plaza, Grace Bay, Providenciales (Telephone 649-941-2330/Fax 649-9412331/email: admin@mcknights.tc).

Please send CV to: Dr-gray@ live.com or fax to: 941-2386 Closing date: March 31st, 2012 NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

6468

TCMillwork ltd.

6448

IMMEDIATE OPENING Director Of Maintenance Operations BNC Consulting Group is currently seeking to fill the open position of Director of Maintenance for its resort client.

The ideal candidate will be highly skilled and have day-to-day responsibility for maintenance operations, which includes defining the resort’s maintenance strategy, designing long and short-range project plans, and delivering results. This individual will be responsible for maintaining all equipment, systems and building components.

Minimum Requirements • Degree in Mechanical Engineering OR minimum 10 years experience as a Project Manager or Maintenance Engineer in a large, luxury hotel/resort • Excellent knowledge of maintenance operations, including mechanical, electrical and water treatment systems, pumps, HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, locks, furniture, paint, wall coverings, tile and other equipment/work performed by maintenance engineers • Strong knowledge of building codes, and fire, health and safety requirements, as well as current technologies and trends • Demonstrated ability to lead, train, mentor and develop a maintenance team • Ability to develop and manage strong working relationships at all levels of the organization, as well as with external vendors and suppliers • Ability to deliver results under pressure while handling multiple complex projects simultaneously • Excellent follow up and follow through with a commitment to continuous improvement • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, Outlook) • Ability to develop, track and adhere to budgets Interested candidates should contact Bridgette Thomas at 332-2565 for immediate consideration. To qualify for consideration, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications, possess a clean police record, and be fluent in the English language.

Compensation for the above position is commensurate with level, experience and education.

CLOSING DATE: APRIL 15, 2012 ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED.

Architectural woodworking, Cabinetry and Design South dock road, P.O. box 238 Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

Millshop Manager

Skills Required: • 5 years minimum in this position • Overseeing operation • Prepare and provide work, supplies, drawings to employees.

• Prepare orders for materials necessary for ongoing millshop operations in a timely and prudent manner.

• Delegation of work. Quality control. Ensuring the facilities at the millshop operate safely, efficiently and profitably, and are kept in clean working condition.

• Overseeing production schedules.

• Liaise with Owners, Purchasers, and consultants, site personnel, staff, employees, subcontractors and suppliers of TCMillwork in a professional and courteous manner.

• Certificate required: Carpentry-Cabinet making-Joinery • Working knowledge of AutoCad • High-end technical woodworking skills • Must have excellent leadership and communication skills, multi-lingual preferred • Professional, disciplined, punctual, reliable and affable Salary at $14.00 per hour

Molder operator

Skills Required: • 5 years work experience in woodworking, joinery and cabinet making.

• Trained to operate 5 heads molding machine.

Salary at $8.00 per hour

CNC operator Skills Required: • 5 years work experience in woodworking, joinery and cabinet making.

• Trained to operate CNC machine.

Salary at $8.00 per hour Skills required for all 3 positions below: • Individual must have previous experience with manufacture, construction, and installation of high end cabinetry.

• Must be familiar with operation of all current woodworking machinery and tools with proper safety practices.

• Must be able to read Auto-Cad drawings.

• English speaking, bilingual preferred.

Duties: Operate molder and CNC machin, cabinetmaking, refinishing, and installation.

Assist other employees in general millshop operations and maintenance. Must be professional and courteous.

Please send applications to: tcmillwork@tciway.tc contact person: Mario 231-2995

6461

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

35

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

ANA ARIJO JOHNSON

B & L ENVISAGE BEAUTY SALON

ALCHEMY LIMITED

is looking for a

Seeking experience private contract

Cosmetologist To work 5 days per week.

Salary $5.00 per hour.

JOSE JOYERIA Is looking for a

Labourer To work 5 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

chef

Requirements: • 10 years fine dining restaurant and in house catering experience • Culinary Arts Degree • Face to face client interaction • Must be versed in multi-cultural fine dining cuisine • Thorough knowledge of food safety health requirements a must • Thorough knowledge of food costing and purchasing • Menu development skills

contact: 241-9191

6437

FAX: (649) 946-4661 WILLIAM JOSEPH Is looking for a

Is looking for 2

• Thorough understanding of food allergies and dietary restrictions • All applicants must be hardworking self motivated employees able to work standing for up to 10 hours at a time.

• Must be willing to work varied shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays as required by bookings Starting salary $2,000.00 per month plus gratuity

All interested applicants should email resume or CV to: alchemylimited@gmail.com only qualified applicants will be considered for this position

6444

Handyman/ Cosmetologist Labourer Applicant must be To work 6 days per week salary $250 per week.

contact: 245-8191 or 331-6991

honest, hardworking, reliable and willing to work 3 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 245-3720

6392

March 24 - 30, 2012

Vacancy Notice job opportunity The Gansevoort Turks & Caicos a Wymara Resort is actively looking to fill the following position:

INVESTMENT SERVICE EXECUTIVE

Food & Beverage Director This position is responsible for managing all activities of the Food & Beverage Departments for the organization. The daily operation of vessel’s Beverage Sales Operation including the effective administration, supervision and execution of programs consistent with the company standards and goals of providing excellent service while generating maximum revenue.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The incumbent in this managerial position coordinates the objective of pre-Investment and Investment services as a core function of the investment Unit; aligned strongly with the marketing role the Candidate will work closely with the Director in the creation of the investment packages, and conception of investment pushes for marketing and development of investment goals. This role “sells” the country and its investment products and opportunities. Providing professional services for the development of the investment project proposals as set out in the project proposal guidelines. This role requires strong communication skills professional mannerisms and to be an excellent ambassador for the Turks and Caicos Islands. This role also liaises directly with the marketing role and after care services to complete the feedback loop and ensure a full service offering from the unit. Duties include reviewing reports and projects; developing investment communication, information, data and other related policies and procedures; preparing annual estimates of expenditure; meeting consultants; supervising staff and overseeing the investment generation for the islands in line with governmental aims and objectives and liaising with other Government Department. The incumbent will also represent the TCIG Investment Unit at meetings, conferences and seminars, and provide impartial, accurate and timely advice to superiors.

Essential duties include but not limited to: • Directs the activities of restaurant service personnel, Bartenders, Beverage Attendants, Host/Hostess.

• Directs and ensures the implementation and execution of corporate policies and procedures.

• Controls, measures and reports Outlet sales performance on a daily basis and takes required corrective action to ensure operations are in accordance with the company standards and objectives.

• Creates new opportunities and maximizes existing ones to generate extra revenue.

• Maximizes profitability by increasing turnover (revenue and covers).

• Ensures that department’s operational budget is strictly adhered to and that all costs are strictly controlled.

• Recommends measures to control/reduce costs.

• Works closely with the Controller and provisioning in regards to inventory taking, cost control, loading, ordering and storing.

• Ensures that all bars are counted after each shift and investigates discrepancies.

Assures correct pouring and ensures proper void handling.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE The position requires an Undergraduate Degree in Finance, Investment Planning, Public Sector Management, Development, Marketing or Business related area from a recognized institution. The candidate must have at least six (6) years hands-on experience, five (5) of which should have been obtained functioning in a similar field of work.

Requirements: • College or University degree in hospitality management, business administration or related field preferred. International equivalent suffices.

• 4-6 years restaurant operational management experience in 4/5 star hotels, restaurants • Fluent in English, both verbal and written. A second language is preferred.

• Experience in managing a large multi-national staff.

• Extensive knowledge of varying brands and quality of liquors.

• Knowledge of new and old world wines including food and wine pairing.

• Ability to read, interpret and demonstrate the preparation of drink recipes.

• Ability to investigate and solve guest complaints, follow up and meet/exceed guest expectations.

• Extensive knowledge of Micros POS and Opera

The incumbent must also be knowledgeable in Public Service Development laws, Procedures and Practices as well as be current with Public Sector Developmental reforms and best practices in countries similar to the Turks & Caicos Islands. The successful candidate is required to be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite as well as online management tools and customer contact software. Intermediate knowledge of the use of Graphic Design and other Web Design Software would be preferred. He /She must be able must have excellent communication skills and be a strong ambassador for the Turks and Caicos Islands.

SALARY: $44,820 - $ 47,790 per annum Applicant’s resume including contact number or email address, two letters of reference and a police certificate should be sent to the Permanent Secretary, Office of the Public Service Management, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands. Fax (649) 946-1582. Email: recruitment@gov.tc Extension: 10318

Salary Range: Negotiable (relative to experience)

Interested and qualified candidates please contact Stephen Garland at stephen@stelletc.com

ONLY SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED 6416

6434

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664 T Holdings

March 24 - 30, 2012

P & A PRIME AGENCY

Island Stairworks Ltd. Is looking for:

Is currently seeking qualified applicants on behalf of our clients:

One Carpenter

Store Attendant restocking of the stores shelves

@@Must have knowledge of residential, commercial, and industrial construction; techniques, tools, equipment and their maintenance; quality and cost controls; blueprints, drawings, and specifications; and shop/site safety. @@Must be proficient in cabinet, door, stairs, window, furniture and mill-work production. @@Must have PRC or Belonger Status. @@Must be willing to work 6 days/week and the occasional holiday. @@Must have 5 years experience working with large industrial machines. @@Must be completely proficient in the English language.

Handyman

assists in every area of the business

Domestic Workers

to assist in the home and must be good with children

Carpenter To work 5 days

per week salary $7.00 per hour. contact: 232-4336

Labourers

taking care of premises and properties Salary starting at $5.00 per hour

Painter:

Must have experience in that field Salary based on experience

For more information contact P&A, IBO Building, Downtown behind the ballpark, Providenciales Monday-Friday 10am-5pm or 341-8754

Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested persons should forward resume to andy@islandstairworks.com.

6443

6442

Acting on behalf of our client: Aomizu Ltd. Yoshis Restaurant, Goldsmith is looking to fill the following positions:

Acting on behalf of our clients: Noel Abougoush, Beach Bar Ltd. is looking to fill the following positions:

MIXOLOGIST

Is responsible for ordering supplies for the bar area, or mixing drink containing a variety of ingredients that need to be measured and mixed in the proper proportions etc. Shift hours salary $7.00 per hour

FULL-TIME NANNY for twins

@@Must speak, read and write English @@Must be available for shift hrs (evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays) @@Must be able to do household chores @@Must be comfortable around large dogs for grooming weekly

Salary $5.00 per hour Contact: 649-332-5533

6441

6431

VEHICLES FOR SALE

WARD CONSULTANCY

WARD CONSULTANCY

2 Sushi Chefs

Must be well versed in food preparation, making sushi, able to prepare stocks, soups and sauces, chop up and prepare all kinds of meat, not just seafood, know how to prepare and wrap sushi dishes as well as anything else on the menu in a timely manner to satisfy all customer orders.

Shift work salary $8.00 per hour

VOLVO TRACTOR WITH FLATBED AND PIGGYBACK FORKLIFT

DODGE 2500 LARAMIE WITH TURBO CHARGED CUMMINS DIESEL

Sales Clerk

CHERRINGTON BEACH CLEANER 40FT. TRAILER SUITABLE VEHICLES OR PALLETS

Contact: 649-332-5533

ALL IN EXCELLENT ORDER CONTACT: DAVE 241-5062

To work 6 days per week salary $250.00 per week.

6475

Is looking for a

FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES

6476

36

FIRST GLOBAL INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED. T/A UNITED RELIANCE INSURANCE BROKERS (2008) Is seeking a qualified individual to fill the following position:

UNDERWRITER The successful candidate would meet the following requirements:

• Have a College Degree at least at bachelors level or Diploma in Insurance • Have 15 years experience in Commercial Underwriting • Have 10 years experience in Risk Management in Property, Casualty and Employee Benefit insurance • Be Proficient in oral and written communication • Be Computer Literate & especially familiar with Broker 1 Underwriting and Accounting software • Have Good Negotiation Skills • Be Able to effectively deal with Insurance Companies, Brokers and Agents OTHER DUTIES • Must be able to attend to on-call duties especially in emergency situations particularly during Catastrophes Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Applications must be emailed to: info@fgibtci.com Attn: Managing Director First Global Insurance Brokers Limited P.O. Box 117, Caribbean Place Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands Applications must be received by 5th April 2012

6473

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

PHONE: (649) 946-4664

37 FAX: (649) 946-4661

EMPLOYMENT / SERVICES / NOTICES TOP O’ THE COVE

LEW 1 SHIPPING LTD.

Domestic Worker

ISLAND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Is looking for a

Is looking for a

Contact: 231-1117

6439

– salary $300.00 per week

Musician – salary $650.00 per month

Must be on call and wherever needed Contact: 242-1197 or 341-0690

6464

Sunny Reef Ltd

WAITER

Housekeeper To work 3 days per week. Salary $5.00 per hour.

Pastor

6460

Contact: 946-4694

6438

LEW HANDFIELD

is looking to fill the following positions

Job requirements: @@ Mopping floors, cleaning restrooms washing dishes, general maintenance 4-11pm @@ Hourly rate $7.00-$9.00. Previous experience require. @@ Only Belongers need apply.

To clean office two days per week salary $5.00 per hour

Contact: 941-5707

UNITED CHRISTIAN BAPTIST CHURCH

NEED DISHWASHER/ CLEANER NIGHTSHIFT

Is looking for a

3-5 years’ experience in an upscale restaurant. Ability to read and write.

Communication skills, ability to recite and promote pleasant personality.

COOK

Labourer To work 6 days per week salary $5.00 per hour.

contact: 241-5071 or 342-0275 6475

3-8 years in busy in Restaurant/ hotel industry, ability to read and write English. Good team player in busy restaurant. Must know French/ Indonesian cuisine.

LABOURER/DISHWASHER

Must be able to speak and write English, Receive order when delivered.

3-5 years in busy kitchen.

ALL Qualified applicants are kindly requested to respond to the following address below.

Sunny Reef Ltd. Po. Box 811. Providenciales

6447

March 24 - 30, 2012

SPENCE SECURITY & INVESTIGATION SERVICES, LTD

VACANCY

The Gansevoort Turks & Caicos, a Wymara Resort, is actively looking to fill the following position:

Executive Chef

The leading and trusted security company in TCI is in need of personnel to fill up the following position for our expansion.

Executive Chef who: • will train and manage kitchen personnel and supervise/ coordinate all related culinary activities • estimate food consumption and requisition or purchase food • select and develop recipes • standardize production recipes to ensure consistent quality • establish presentation technique and quality standards • plan and price menus • ensure proper equipment operation/maintenance • ensure proper safety and sanitation in the kitchen • organize and execute function menus for large scale special events.

SECURITY OFFICER

Qualifications: • Minimum of 4 years military/police experience or 5-6 years security officer experience • Must have basic personal safety and other security training certificate • Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills (English)

• Can follow instructions and write comprehensive reports • Must be an excellent team-player Salary starts $6.00 per hour.

How to apply: 1. Submit resume’ with application letter, employment and training certificates, police record, passport, proof of residence or citizenship to Spence Security office 2. Wait for Spence Security personnel to call you for an interview

@@ The Chef must have the ability to manage in a diverse environment with focus on client and customer services are essential to success in this role. Previous experience with control food and labor cost, demonstration cooking, menu development, and pricing and development of culinary team is essential. Previous Caribbean experience is an asset. @@ The ideal candidates will possess a bachelor’s degree or related culinary degree with eight or more years of industry and culinary management experience. @@ Salary Range: Negotiable (relative to experience)

Interested applicants should send resume’ and applicable certificates address to:

BELONGER ONLY NEED APPLY. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

6427

‘The Personnel Manager’ not later than March 26, 2012 to: SPENCE SECURITY & INVESTIGATION SERVICES, LTD. P.O BOX #73, Caribbean Place, Leeward Highway, Providenciales Email address: spencesecurity@tciway.tc Fax: 941-3027

Interested and qualified candidates please contact Stephen Garland at stephen@stelletc.com

6436

Responsibilities: • Safe guard the clients lives and properties • Prevent/deter crimes from happening • Crowd management • Write reports

38

Sports International

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

Blake hopes to scoop more of Bolt’s titles EVERYONE expected Jamaican flags to be flying high after the 100 meters final at the 2011 World Athletics Championships -- but noone predicted that Usain Bolt would not be performing his customary celebration rituals.

The world’s fastest man had to watch as his training partner Yohan Blake took his title in South Korea, with the Olympic champion having been disqualified for a false start.

The furore over Bolt’s

predicament completely overshadowed the achievement of his 22-yearold compatriot, who became the youngest world champion since U.S. sprint legend Carl Lewis was crowned in 1983

VACANCY Is seeking suitably qualified Belongers to fill the positions outlined below. Ideal candidates must possess luxury resort experience, a professional demeanor, and a strong command of the English language (oral and written), and a passion for hospitality.

Salary is based on experience and qualifications.

Executive Chef

The Executive Chef is responsible for directing the food operation of Seven Stars Resort, a luxury all suite resort in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The ideal candidate will have oversight of a Brasserie Restaurant, Room Service, the Pool Bar & Restaurant, Ocean Front Bar and Banquet operations. You will apply an innovative and creative approach to food, and deliver superior standards of excellence in hygiene, sanitation and service.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • 7 Years international experience as Executive Chef in a luxury resort environment with exposure to a diverse range of food operations • Exceptional culinary knowledge • Degree in Hospitality or Culinary Arts • Financially savvy with the ability to deliver on budgeted revenues while maintaining labor and food costs • Analytical skills and strategic thinking toward continuous improvement • Highly motivated and driven • Strong leadership skills with the ability to hire, train, develop and motivate team members In addition to the Executive Chef opening, we are also currently recruiting for the following:

aged just 21.

They are firm friends as well as training partners, but when the starting gun sounds at this year’s London Olympics, there will only be one thing on Blake’s mind -- scooping another one of Bolt’s titles.

Bolt won the 100m and 200m events in record times at Beijing 2008, and earned a third gold in the 4x100m relay, but Blake is closing the gap on his idol with personal bests last year.

CNN’s Human to Hero show caught up with the boy from St. James as he turns his attention to performing on the biggest stage of all.

Early days Blake’s sprinting career took off in his early teens when he was spotted running at his school in Spanish Town, and he made a big impression at the Carifta Games -- a Caribbean track and field meeting for young athletes.

“Somebody just saw me running, went up to my school principal and said ‘You’ve got a new track star there,” and from there it started, from the age of 15 or so I started running,” he says.

“When I was in High School I ran the Jamaican national junior record of 10.11 seconds. I was running at the Carifta Games when I ran 10.18 secs in the semis. And I ran 10.11 in the final, so from there I knew I could do something great.

“I think it’s fate because I believe in fate and that it leads towards good things.”

Heroes “I really have to look up to Usain Bolt because of what he has done. Just to be his

Housekeeper/Room Attendant Handyman Security Chef De Tournant Assistant Maitre Spa Therapist Cost Controller Maintenance Team Leader

BETHANY BAPTIST CHURCH Is looking for a

Suitably qualified candidates should apply in writing or by phone to the following:

Bridgette Thomas BNC Consulting Group, Ltd website: www.bnccgroup.com email: bthomas@bnccgroup.com phone: 649-332-2565 Closing Date: March 31, 2012

To work 6 days per week salary negotiable.

6440

contact: 941-5636

6476

ONLY CANDIDATES MEETING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE CONTACTED

Janitor

Human to Hero: Champion Blake bids to steal buddy Bolt’s sprint swag

training partner and know what he thinks and know what he can do -- I have to look up to him.

“Asafa Powell (100m world record holder between June 2005 and May 2008) started it back in the day, and for a guy to do that to put Jamaica on the world stage and say ‘Look, Jamaica can dominate the world,’ I have to look up to someone like that that even though he did not get a world medal at the time. He has put Jamaica out there.”

Gold in Daegu Blake posted a time of 9.92 seconds, enough to beat a strong field in the final but still well short of Bolt’s world record of 9.58.

“What happened at Daegu -- Usain Bolt is on the world stage and people are always going to look at that,” Blake says.

“But I think I turned people’s minds. It wasn’t a fluke, so I think when they look back on Daegu they’ll

say, ‘Oh, there’s a young man who is going to challenge him.’ “ “My first time going into the Olympics, you know, I think it is going to be a breathtaking moment for me.

I want to go to the Olympics, have some fun and come back home with some medals.

“When I feel it is a big stage for me as the Olympics is where the big times, the big things really happen because an Olympic medal would really mean a lot.

“It makes more sponsors come out to you, so going out to the Olympics is going to be a really wonderful gift for me, really.”

The competition “When you have Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt and myself lining up for the 100m, I’m always excited because the competition is really good and I want to be the best person on the day, the best person to execute well,” Blake says.

Dravid says future of Test cricket depends on schedule RAHUL Dravid believes the future of Test cricket may be dependent on its scheduling in a cramped calendar.

“If you play enough Test cricket, I think it will survive,” the India batting legend told BBC Radio 5 live, in his first interview since retiring from international cricket this month.

“Twenty20 has put a strain on the calendar, so it’s just a question of how the administrators manage it.

“The challenge will be to ensure every team plays enough Tests in the year.”

Dravid, 39, is second on the list of all-time leading Test run-scorers with 13,288, behind former team-mate

Sachin Tendulkar, who currently has 15,470.

He is also only one of six players to have scored more than 10,000 one-day international runs.

Dravid continued: “I think the ideal scenario would be for young players not to have to make choice between playing all three forms of the game.

“I think they should be able to play all three forms, as long as they stay fit and as long as international boards are willing to schedule enough Tests, to give them the opportunity.

“We’ve seen recent examples of players who have shown you can play Test and T20 cricket.”

March 24 - 30, 2012

Sports International

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

39

Bolt and Powell among big names at JN Jamaican Invitational Meet

Manny Pacquiao is a devoted Roman Catholic.

Pacquiao: God told me to retire – but not yet LIKE St. Augustine’s prayer “God make me chaste - but not yet,” Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao’s personal conversation with God may not lead to his retirement anytime soon.

Pacquiao said in a radio interview on Monday he had a dream in which God had told him to hang up his gloves, fueling speculation he may back out of a long-anticipated fight with American Floyd Mayweather.

“I will not stay long in boxing because He said: ‘You have done enough. You have made yourself famous but this is harmful’,” he told Manila’s DZMM radio.

However, his team say retirement is still a long way off.

“A few years ago the pressure for him to retire was coming from his mother,” Pacquiao’s business manager Eric Pineda told CNN. “But recently he dreamt that God told him to retire but there’s nothing definite about his retirement either this year or next year.

“This year it’s out of the question,” Pineda said. “And I’m not even sure about next year either.”

He said a Mayweather fight would be up to the Mayweather camp, but that Pacquiao was more than ready to meet him in the ring.

“Manny is a fighter and there is still the desire,” Pineda said.

“He really wants this thing with Mayweather to happen.

DONALD Quarrie, Director of the JN Jamaica International Invitational Track Meet, has disclosed that seven elite sprinters have already confirmed for the 2012 event, which will take place at the National Stadium on Saturday, May 5.

The confirmed athletes are double world record holder Usain Bolt; 100m world champion Yohan Blake; former world record holder Asafa Powell; world champions Carmelita Jeter and Kirani James, as well as Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce and Melaine Walker.

“Those seven could show up at any Meet and be the cream of the crop,” he stated. “Fortunately for us, we still have a lot more who are interested in coming.”

Mr. Quarrie was addressing the Jamaica Athletic Administrative Association (JAAA) press conference at the Wyndham Kingston Hotel last Friday, March 16. The first major outdoor meet in the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) calendar of events, the JN Jamaica Invitational Meet will be the ninth such event being staged by the JAAA. Leon Mitchell, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Assistant General Manager, said that as title sponsor of the event, his organisation would be working with the JAAA to ensure that the Meet is of the highest standard.

The building society made a three-year sponsorship commitment with the JAAA in 2010, Mr. Mitchell

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell will be joined by 100M world champion Yohan Blake, World champions Carmelita Jeter and Kirani James, as well as Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce and Melaine Walker at the meet.

stated. Since then, JN had helped to develop a new approach to the staging of the Invitational Meet, which subsequently saw the Meet being upgraded to IAAF Challenge Meet, which is just below the Diamond League Standard.

“As Jamaicans celebrate the 50th anniversary of their independence and as our Jamaican athlete prepare for the 2012 Olympics, the JN Jamaica Invitational Meet becomes even more meaningful,” he said.

“This is our opportunity to showcase our best, against the rest of the world.”

There will be 19 events at the meet this year, which will be streamed live to more than 100,000 households

across 25 countries. Last year, more than 25,000 spectators attended the Meet in Kingston, one of the highest levels of fans in its history.

Dr. Warren Blake, President of the JAAA, promised that the Association will continue to maintain the traditions of the late Howard Airs, former JAAA President, by steadily improving the administration of the Meet. Mr. Airs died in November last year.

“With the continued support of the elite athletes and our sponsors, such as Jamaica National, it is our hope that we will be rewarded with the Grand Prix (Diamond League) status,” Dr. Blake said, “because that is our ultimate objective.”

Messi ‘the best’ after breaking Barcelona’s all-time scoring record

Oscar Pistorius bettered the qualifying time in a recent race. He hopes to qualify for South Africa.

“Blade Runner” hopes to have place at London Olympics

OSCAR Pistorius “Blade Runner” hopes to have done enough to qualify for the London Olympics after again running the 400m ‘A’ qualification time.

In November, South Africa’s Olympic Committee (Sascoc) said their athletes must run the qualifying time three months before the Games.

Double-amputee Pistorius, 25, ran a time of 45.20 seconds, just inside the qualification standard of 45.30.

“This is a huge moment for me and I am trying to take it all in,” he said.

Pistorius, who runs in carbon fibre blades, beat the qualifying time in July, earning a place at the 2011 World Championships to become the first amputee to compete.

Sascoc chief executive Tubby Reddy said if he ran it again within three months of the Games, which start on 27 July, he would qualify.

LIONEL Messi’s became Barcelona’s highest goalscorer of all time after his hat-trick against Granada helped the Spanish champions close on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

The Argentina striker, who is still only 24 years old, took his tally to 234 goals for the club to overtake Cesar Rodriguez, who had a prolific spell for Barca in the 1940s and ‘50s.

Messi took his tally for the season to 54 in 45 games as Barca’s 5-3 victory on Tuesday helped cut the gap to rivals Real to just five points.

Barca have played a game more than Real, but now the second league “El Clasico” of the season between the two clubs scheduled for April 22 looks increasingly pivotal in the title race.

“We are witnessing the best player in every sense,” said Messi’s coach Josep Guardiola. “He does everything, and he does it every three days.

“I’m sorry for those that want to sit on his throne, but this lad is the best. Hopefully we can enjoy his football for many more years.”

The Argentina striker, who is still only 24 years old, took his tally to 234 goals for the club to overtake Cesar Rodriguez

Guardiola compared Messi’s dominance in football to the basketball supremacy of NBA legend Michael Jordan.

“Leo has rightfully entered into history,” he said. “There are few players that dominate in this fashion, and he does it.”

A recent study by Barcelona’s

Center of Documentation and Studies discovered that Cesar had scored 232 goals in competitive matches, not 235 as previously thought.

And Messi wasted little time in equaling Cesar’s tally, with a crisp volley after Isaac Cuenca’s cross had fallen to him on the right edge of the box after 17 minutes.

40

Sports National

TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

Josh for Sports

Complacency can lead to National/International disgrace and regrets – The Delano Williams’s dilemma

Provo All Stars edged out the Eastern Eagles 1-0 in their encounter.

TCIFA Island Fire Supplies Girl’s Development League:

Provo All Stars on top PROVO All Stars took a threepoint lead in the TCIFA Island Fire Supplies Girl’s Development League after two wins in the second round of games last weekend at the TCIFA field in Providenciales.

In the process the previous week’s leaders, the Western Warriors, dropped to third place after two losses.

The opening game was a very close affair as the All Stars edged out the Eastern Eagles 1-0. The Eagles started off positively with Crystal Stirling and Sanardia Forbes combining well up front but against the run of play Kadine Delphin scored from long range to give the All Stars the lead. Both teams had chances to score as the game progressed but neither did, and the All Stars held on for the win.

The second match was a high scoring affair as the All Stars recorded their second win of the

day with a 3-1 victory over the Warriors. Christina Hinds opened the scoring for the All Stars and Janice Fernandez doubled the lead before Sarah Cenary ran onto Yarileny De La Cruz’s pass to make it 2-1.

Goalkeeper Jenny Fluerenvil made two great saves to deny Cenary an equaliser as the Warriors created several chances, but just as the tide appeared to be turning in their favour Hinds broke free and put the result beyond doubt with a well taken goal.

The scoreline suggests that the final game was a one-sided affair as the Eagles defeated the Warriors 3-0; however, this was not the case.

In a very open game both teams created many chances but the Eagles were more proficient in front of goal as Shaika Been found the net and Yarielca De La Cruz scored twice.

Sirling set up two of her team’s goals and claimed the MVP award on the day for her hard work in attack.

TCIFA President Chris Bryan was on hand to watch the league and was impressed with what he saw: “It is pleasing to see so many young players getting a chance to play competitive games in the 11-a-side format. The standard of play compares well with the senior women’s league (WFL) and the girls are trying to play attractive passing football which will help them become better players”. He added: “We have a very strong female programme with many of the young girls learning to become referees and coaches. We are one of the few associations in the region that encourages this and it clearly demonstrates our commitment to youth football by giving young people an opportunity to become qualified and experienced in different aspects of the game”.

Games are played every Sunday at the TCIFA field from 4.00-6.30pm

game she loves.

In an interview with CNN, she said: “When you don’t feel well and things are taken away from you, it’s hard to stay positive. But, for me, it is not an option to get negative or to feel sorry for myself.

“It’s easy to say, ‘I’ve done enough’ -- or it would be easy to go on a permanent vacation. But I need to look back and know that I gave everything.

“I know I still have so much more.

Before I was sick I was on top of the world in singles and doubles. So that’s my goal, to return to that.”

Williams is playing in Miami as a wild card and has won the event three times previously.

Another former world No. 1 also

By Joshua Gardiner

ENTER DELANO WILLIAMS How is it possible to rationalise that the best junior sprinter in the world who holds world records with several of his team-mates as well as having broken Usain Bolt’s age group 200M record along the way is unable to represent his country of birth in the ultimate athletic competition in the universe?

The Olympic Games is out of Mr. Williams grip even though he meets the qualifying [world] standards.

THE HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO Realistically and hypothetically, Delano Williams can compete in every international competition except the Olympics. It is inconceivable that Delano needs to represent a country where he was not born!

THE DOUBLE STANDARDS OF THE IOC The declaration of the UN Charter states that each and every individual on earth has the right to be treated equally without prejudice/discrimination based on religious orientation, colour, nationality or political persuasion.

The IOC is in violation of the UN Charter [human rights].

1996 CHANGE IN QUALIFICATION AND VIOLATION OF EQUAL RIGHTS The new rule states that a country that is not independent cannot now compete in the Olympics after 1996 if they had not had membership in the IOC. This is tantamount to blatant discrimination.

THE DISCRIMINATION FACTOR It is a fact that there is a total population of about two million in the world that live in non-independent countries.

PARADOX Yet there are non-independent countries that have National Olympic Associations which are permitted to participate in the Olympics—the others are barred. This is tantamount to double standards and under the UN Charter is illegal as it relates to the human race rights to equality and justice.

Winning returns for former number one’s Williams and Clijsters SHE might have been out of the game for over six months but Venus Williams was back in the groove immediately in Miami, losing just three games in a victory over Kimiko Date-Krumm.

Williams has been sidelined since the U.S. Open in August last year after being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome -- an incurable condition which affects energy levels and causes pain in the joints.

The seven-time grand slam winner took just 77 minutes to beat her Japanese opponent and set up a third round meeting with Czech No. 3 seed Petra Kvitova, It marks a big breakthrough for the former World No. 1, who insists she never thought about quitting the

THIS is the 12th year into the 21st century.

We are in the modern time of the history of the world. This specific point and time in my life represents the saddest day of my 61 years.

It is inexcusable that we TCIs cannot participate in the Olympic Games slated to be held in Great Britain, our mother country, specifically London, England from July 27th to August 12th.

It is totally unacceptable in this modern day and age for a young, up and coming future world champion to not be able to compete in the Olympic Games.

APOLOGY DUE The TCAAA and all other national sporting bodies owe the athletes of the TCI and the country at large an apology for their complacency.

THE WAY FORWARD The only way forward is for us to bring world attention to this grave injustice and to take the IOC to court; file an injunction against the Olympic Games until they respect the universal declaration of human rights and rescind their inhumane ban on non-independent countries.

We are human beings!

Venus Williams has been out of tennis for over six months after being diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome

made a successful comeback in Miami, as Kim Clijsters overcame her rustiness to beat Jarmila Gajdosova, from the Czech Republic, in three sets.

FINALLY And for the organisation that is responsible for the stagnation of our world class athletes [Delano Williams, Domanique Missick and others] I am asking its members to do the honorable thing and resign.

Governor Wetherell publically gave scholarships to Williams and Missick to attend any university of their choice.

What happen to those funds?

Where are the funds to support these athletes?

TCAAA and the Sports Commission take note “time is longer than rope”.

March 24 - 30, 2012

Sports National

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HAB Group/Gansevoort Resort T20 Cricket:

Quality Kings and Kishco victorious

Miguel Malcolm scored five goals and made two assists for the Pirates.

Provo Hockey League Finals:

Gators, Lightning and Pirates win

THE GANSEVOORT Gators, the Coco Bistro Lightning and the Twa Marcelin Wolf Pirates were all victorious in the first game of this season’s Provo Hockey League finals.

In the Mini-Division the Gators defeated the Owls in overtime 7-6 after Dylan Ayer scored four goals and made an assist, Carson Greatrex added two goals and three assists for the winners while Dylan Brubaker made four goals and an assist for the Owls.

Both Zoe Diotte-Joly (Owls) and Ronin McLaren (Gators) played their part in front of goal.

The Saunders and Co. Hurricanes, who were unstoppable in the playoffs of the Bantam Division, were defused by the Lightning in the first final. The 5-2 finish saw Jack Small leading the attack for the Lightning with two successful strikes.

The Pirates got past the Carib Gaming Panthers 8-6 after Miguel Malcolm scored five times and made two assists. Gabriel Diotte-Joly was also aggressive to finish with three goals and two assists.

Rajhan Munnings led the Panthers’ attack with four goals while Patrick Musgrove added the others.

QUALITY Supermarket Kings and Kishco recorded victories last weekend in the latest round of the HAB Group/Gansevoort Resort T20 Cricket competition at the Downtown Ball Park.

Beaches lost the toss and posted 159-5 wickets. The aggressive Christopher McFarlane led the attack with an aggressive 61 runs (10x4s 2x6s) while Osmond Sicard supported with 25 runs and Yohan Grant with 21.

Bowling for the Kings Ian Heath, Robert Johnson, Nagarajan Kuthalingam, Austin Etienne and Lloyd Lynch took one wicket each.

The Kings in reply were tottering at 134-8, but a spirited unbeaten 18 runs (3x4s) from Thirumalaiyandi (Andy) Kuthalingam and 16 runs from Lynch saw the team home.

Other contributors were Jitinder Ganglani 26 runs (3x4s, 1x6) and Kevin Hinds 20 (2X4s, 1X6) and Nagarajan Kuthalingam 13 (2x4s).

Bowling for Beaches, Grant claimed 3-22 runs from three overs and McFarlane showed his all-round prowess with 2-28 from three overs.

Man-of-the-Match was Kuthalingam for his stable innings towards the end.

On Sunday in the second clash

Gareth Butler scored 91 runs, but he could not carry his KB Home team to victory.

KB Home won the toss and elected to field first against Kishco.

The batting side reached a formidable 196-4 from 20 overs.

Top scorers were Pawan Kumar with an unbeaten aggressive 70 runs (5x4s, 6x6s), Winston Callum with an elegant 43 (5x4s) and Ajesh Vargesh with 38 runs (8x4s).

Bowing for KB Home, Gareth Butler, and Craig James took one wicket a piece.

When KB Home batted they were

lagging behind at 83-5, but Paul McKenzie and Butler showed their skills with an array of cricket shots to the end.

KB Home were well on target, but at the end faltered after Butler was bowled in the 20th over for a well played 91 runs (66 balls; 9x4s, 3x6s). McKenzie stayed unbeaten on 35 runs.

Bowling for Kishco: Callum, Smijo Devassy, and Sanjay Fatnani took two wickets each.

PABA Nightly League:

Knights and Lions reach semi-finals

Revving off Youngsters Liam Delancey, Nathan Bernadin and Dylan Brubaker are among many who have been practicing for the next big Radio Control Auto Racing event which will be held on April 1st from 3:00PM. The racing events are held twice per month (every first and third Sundays) at the WIV Parking Lot.

THE Knights and the Lions earned their semi-final spots in the Provo Amateur Basketball Association (PABA) Nightly League after big wins over the Predators and Police respectively.

The two teams will meet top regular season finishers: South Caicos and the Flyers in the final four.

In their quarter final clash the Lions defeated the Police team 9878 after Damian Seymour scored 23 points, made 12 steals, seven assists and seven rebounds. Kino Williams assisted with 25 points and six boards. The Lawmen were beaten again the following day 109-80.

Seymour had a night high 38 points with nine boards and nine steals,

while Williams added 25 points.

K. Doughty, who scored 23 for the Lawmen in the earlier game, added 24 and 16 rebounds.

The Knights edged past the Predators 71-67 in the first clash (Saundro Jermain scored 23 points and grabbed 21 rebounds for the Knights); while in the second clash the Knights blew away the Predators 93-62. Jermain led the attack with 22 points and nine boards while Roger Martinez added 23 points and seven steals for the Predators.

In this weekend’s semi-finals the Knights will battle the undefeated South Caicos team while the Lions will play the second best team, the Flyers, in a best-of-five clash.

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012

ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships:

Williams confident about 200M – Feels he needs a good start to take the 100M

TCI’S NATIONAL sprint record holder Delano Williams is confident of defending his 200M title at this year’s ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships set for March 28th to 31st in Jamaica, he is however circumspect about the 100M. The teenager said that the shorter version of the sprints is very competitive and he can only see himself winning the double if he gets a good start.

“I am confident that I can win the 200M, but the 100M is going to be contested based on my start. I’m working on that because I need to be explosive out of the blocks.”

After he won the 100M at the Milo Western Championships a few weeks ago, local media in Jamaica placed Williams as the man to beat at this year’s Champs. His 10.34s (TCI National record) placed him ahead of the Reggae Island’s golden boy IAAF World Youth 100m champion, Odane Todd.

Williams is not just concerned about Todd, but he said the most anticipated race should see good competition from the likes of Jazeel Murphy, Odane Skeen and his former training partner Adam Cummings who attends Wolmers Boys.

Williams won the 200M last year with a flat time of 21 seconds (his personal best is 20.53s), while he finished third in the 100M.

Jericho Baptist Church won their opening encounter.

Provo Church League:

Stiff competition on opening day

Delano Williams will look to win gold at the sprint events in this year’s ISSA/Grace Kennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

THE Provo Church League began with three competitive games at the National Stadium on Saturday.

A total of 13 churches in Providenciales have signed up to compete.

In the opener St. Monica’s Anglican Church lost to Bethany Baptist Church 11-12, while Methodist Church edged out New Testament 5-4 in the second game before Jericho Baptist defeated Prophecy Church 13-11.

There was an opening prayer by Pastor Wade Cobey (Healing Water’s Ministries) while he and Pastor Pedro S. Williams from the Jericho Baptist Church and Pastor D. Hamilton of the Bethany Baptist Church made brief remarks.

Godfrey Been, president of the Turks and Caicos Softball Federation and first VP Mrs. Paula Virgil Stubbs also spoke.

The games will be played on Mondays and Thursdays.

Talent should be nurtured and developed early – Director of Sports DESPITE some amount of obstacles faced at this year’s National Schools’ Track and Field Championships Director of Sports Alvin Parker feels that the prestigious events were successful and implored on all to continue developing athletes at an early age.

“This year’s nationals (primary and high schools) were once again met with a lot of challenges from team selection, financial, accommodation and transportation, but through it all we (Sports Commission, and volunteers) were able to pull off successful Nationals.”

The Director expressed his passion for “fetus programmes in the area of sports” and expressed his believes that talent should be nurtured and developed at an early age. “Case and point, Mr. Delano

Williams with his raw talent was also discovered at the primary level.”

At the opening ceremony Parker pleaded to the public to continue to lend their “time and resources to our youths so we can build on the sports culture that currently exists in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

He opined that it was no secret that sports have helped TCI to positive global attention of recent.

At this year’s meet the Primary Schools’ Track And Field Championships were restructured and renamed the Junior Track And Field Championships where a North/Middle Caicos team competed against Provo Private and Provo Public Schools.

The Provo Public Schools won the championships with 772 points, while North and Middle Caicos finished second on 471 and Provo

Raymond Gardiner won the 2012 High School Track And Field Championships.

Private Schools with 460.

Since the championships started at the National Stadium this was the

first time that Raymond Gardiner captured the overall title. They accumulated 738.5 points, while

Clement Howell High School finished with 689.5 and HJ Robinson with 686.5.

March 24 - 30, 2012

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TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS

March 24 - 30, 2012